"DON'T LET THAT MONSTER GET AWAY!"

It was just a normal day in New York City, well almost normal. With heroes from S.H.E.I.L.D always saving the day, there was never a dull day in the city.

But for one web-slinging warrior, he was chasing one of his worse enemies, the symbiote Venom.

Originally known as Eddy Brock, he bonded with the alien symbiote for a chance at revenge against Spider-Man. But the symbiote took over his body and was now fully in control of his body. A mindless beast that had one goal in mind: eliminating Spider-Man.

Venom was currently on the run from Spidey after a fight with Carnage. The crazed lunatic had fled the scene and left Venom to deal with the hero. Venom hissed as he felt the wounds on his back deepening. He had to lay low quick. He swung to another building before Spider-Man swung in front of him.

"Give it up Venom! We both know that the good guys always catch the bad guys." Spidey quipped, using his webs to swing back and forth on the buildings.

"You and the police are going to have a hard time catching me then!" Venom snarled, shooting a good amount of webbing in the hero's face. When he was blinded, he landed on one of the window sills of an apartment building.

"Well if this ain't good luck for me, an open window!" Venom cackled as he slipped inside. He lowered himself under the sill as he heard the web-slinger twip by. "And bad news for you and the police. Now you guys can't find me and I can get my wounds treated."

He looked around the apartment complex in mild interest. It was nothing special, a bed, a bathroom, and a small kitchen. The walls were wine red, the carpet was black, and a white ceiling fan flew lazily around. He walked towards the middle of the room to find books everywhere. He had to step over a column of books and nearly tripped over an encyclopedia.

Whoever lives here is going to be in for the shock of a lifetime! Venom thought, hissing in laughter. He decided whoever came home that he would scare them into helping him. If necessary, they would need to hide him out for a few days. He moved to the door, falling to the ground. Blood trickled from the wound on his back, making him hiss in pain.

"No...my injuries are getting worse! I can't...ugh..." He fell unconscious just as the door opened.
......................................................................

Vivi didn't expect to find a passed out bad guy in her apartment that evening.

She was a no-nonsense kind of woman. With a job as a librarian and a part-time writer, she wondered how she still had a roof under her head. But she managed to come home with something on the table and a book to read.

She wasn't much of a looker either. Her auburn hair was almost always in a messy bun. Her green eyes were deep and mysterious; a person could get lost looking too deep into them. Tonight she was wearing a red turtleneck sweater, denim jeans, and brown boots. In her arms, were another stack of books and groceries. A great thing about being a librarian was that any books that were in the library's bookstore were free for employees. Vivi loved it when she received a new book. It gave her something to look forward to in the night.

Mom...I said I would make it here in the city. I'm almost reaching my dreams so keep cheering me on. She thought to herself.
Her mother was dreadfully ill when Vivi had left her to pursue her dreams in the Big Apple. To think that the city was hectic was an understatement. It gave her tons of writing material to use in her books, if she ever published them.

Sighing, Vivi trudged up the stairs of the apartment complex and found one of her neighbors, Ted Ackerman, waiting for her at his door. She inwardly groaned and tried to avoid him. To her dismay, he walked up to her.

"Hey Vivi, how was work today?" He asked her, flashing a ridiculous smile at her. Vivi smiled back at him, though it was more like she was gritting her teeth in disgust.

"It was fine Ted, thank you for asking. Now if you don't mind I have an apartment to get back to." She replied in the most polite way possible, hoping he would get the hint.

"Why don't you eat dinner with me tonight?" He placed his hand on hers. "Just you and me and the city."

Vivi gently took his hand off hers. "Thanks, but I'm fine eating alone." She then left him as she walked up another flight of stairs. When she got to her apartment, she fumbled with the keys for a bit before opening the door completely.
.......................................................................
Then she gasped.

On the floor, in front of her door, was the wanted criminal Venom!

Vivi's eyes widen to see him moaning on the floor. She leaned down and examined him over.

He looks like he was in a very brutal fight. Then again he is a wanted...thing. She was about to call the police when an idea struck her head. Maybe he'll be useful for something.

Not wanting her star material to waste away, she put her groceries and books on the table and walked towards her medicine cabinet. Brushing aside some bottles, she found the cotton swabs. Thinking about her home remedies, she put some cold water on a towel and walked back over to the fallen alien. She placed the cloth on his back and starting dabbing the cut.

That action made Venom stir awake. He opened one eye to see Vivi wiping his back. Then she put something else on it, making him reel up and hiss.

"What do you think you're doing?" He snarled at her, making her tremble a bit. He loomed down at her and narrowed his eyes. She quickly got over her sacredness and placed her hands on her hips.

"Listen, you were passed out in my apartment and wounded. I wouldn't be snapping at the woman who is saving your scary hide." She told him bravely. Venom looked at her in surprised that she wasn't afraid of him, and she was treating his wounds. Vivi half expected him to lash out at her again, but was shocked to see him lay his head on her legs.

"Go ahead, but give me a warning next time you do that." He said, making her smile.

"You aren't so scary when you want to be, kinda a big softie." She joked, swabbing the wound clean. Venom growled at this. "What's with the growling?"

"I'm so used to people calling me a monster all the time that I haven't heard anyone call me a softie." He admitted.

"Well you are a big threat to society. And those S.H.E.I.L.D agents say your one of the bigger threats to them."

"Who told you that?"

"I read it, there are secret files that are in the library. Anything worth reading is worth reading."

Venom was amazed at this woman. She was really smart, not afraid of him, and not reporting him to the authorities. He was also amazed that she could still be treating his wounds even though he'd snapped at her.

Vivi finished disinfecting his back and wrapped it with gauze.

"There you go! Good as new." She wiped her forehead. "And they told me I couldn't learn doctoring skills from a medical book."

Venom lifted himself off her lap and rose up to his full height. She did so too, noticing she was way shorter than him, not that it mattered to her. She went back to her kitchen and put everything away.

"Hey..." Venom said, getting her attention.

"Yes what is it?"

Venom shifted uncomfortably. "Well ya see toots, I have nowhere to go at the moment. I was wondering if you'd let me-"

Vivi smiled and rolled her eyes. "You can stay if that's what you're asking. But if you do stay, you are required to help out with this place too." She pulled out two plates. "Such as using that strength of yours to help out with cooking dinner."

Venom frowned for a second before walking over to help. She just let him stay just like that, no sending him out or anything. Watching her cut the veggies for dinner, he placed a clawed hand on her shoulder.

Vivi turned backwards and saw Venom's conflicted face. She wondered what the villain had been through that earned him those scratches in the first place. She also wondered how long he would be staying.

"I don't think I've asked for your name." He asked her, helping her transfer the veggies into a pot.

"My names Vivi Strauss, writer-in-training and now," She turned and put her finger on his face. "You're my guest."

The sudden touch made Venom feel....different? He'd never experienced that emotion before. Was it that...he was developing feelings for Vivi?

No that's absurd! I'm Venom, the alien symbiote that will destroy Spider-Man! I have no time for childish emotions. I could destroy her right now!

"Hey Mr. Monster help set the table will ya?" Vivi said, pouring soup in bowls.

Venom shook his head and helped set the table for the lady. After all, he would be here for a while now. He would just have to get used to her company and lay low for the time being.

Who knows? Maybe he'll enjoy his stay...