Chapter Text
As Jessica stirred from her sleep, the first sound that reached her ears was the soft and rhythmic drip of a catheter. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she began to distinguish the room’s sparse furnishings. Her gaze roved the unfamiliar space, taking in the cosy bed and its sun-faded sheets. Soft sunlight spilt in through the windows, casting an ambience that was equal parts comforting and unsettling.
Confused, the girl surveyed her surroundings, feeling a chill radiating from the unfamiliar place. She looked down at herself: she wore a simple white medical gown, covering most of her arms and upper body while ending below mid-thigh. A part of her mind wondered how much time had passed, but largely she was surrounded by dread and uncertainty about what lay ahead.
As she rose from the bed, her hospital gown slipped off her shoulder, revealing a bandage on her arm. She touched the cotton dressing and a sharp, sudden pain sent shivers down her spine. She let out a small whimper and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
“Ugh,” she groaned, wincing as she sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Her fingers traced the bruises that marred her skin, souvenirs from her run-in with the mad scientist’s metal tentacles.
Her mind spun as she surveyed her surroundings. She noticed a T-shirt and sweatpants folded neatly on the nearby chair. But the shirt had the familiar symbol of the Avengers. Was this the Avengers Tower, after all? Maybe that is why scientists and armed guards were not surrounding her. Suddenly, something clicked in her exhausted brain.
If this was the Avengers Tower, then where were all of the other Avengers? Why was she alone in this room? Her heart raced as she tried to piece together what had happened to her. She tried to recall the fight before everything went black, but her mind was a blur.
Jessica's foggy mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of memory. Doc Ock's mechanical arms crashing down. The smell of smoke and rubble. Talking to Peter. Then. Nothing.
That’s when the door creaked open and a woman in white entered; her face was obscured behind a surgical mask. The woman approached her and said, “Good morning, Jessica. How are you feeling today?” Jessica couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety at the woman’s words. She didn’t know who this woman was, but she assumed she was a doctor.
“I’m feeling okay,” Jessica said, her voice still raspy from sleep. The woman raised an eyebrow sceptically, not entirely convinced by Jessica’s answer.
“We’ll see about that,” the woman said, setting down her clipboard and approaching the bed. She took Jessica’s wrist in her hand, checking her pulse carefully. As she did, Jessica’s eyes wandered around the room, taking in the sterile, clinical surroundings.
“Where am I?” Jessica asked.
The woman took a deep breath before responding to the question. “You’ve been brought to The Avengers Compound. It's in a secret location, away from the general public. You were badly hurt during your fight with Doctor Octavius and the Avengers brought you here to get medical treatment.”
Jessica’s mind raced as she tried to remember the details of her fight. She remembered knocking out the bastard. Her gaze returned to the woman, curiosity brimming in her eyes.
“Who are you?” She asked.
“I’m Doctor Barbara Morse. I’m a physician working with The Avengers.” Doctor Morse responded.
The name did sound familiar, though. She wondered if she had heard it before in passing, or if it was just her mind playing tricks on her. Doctor Morse continued with her work, checking Jessica’s blood pressure and taking samples.
“Your vitals seem to be stable, but I do need to check one other thing,” Doctor Morse said before reaching for a flashlight to examine Jessica’s pupils.
As Doctor Morse examined her, Jessica couldn’t help but blush as the physician got close to her. Maybe it was the way her soft voice contrasted with her strong presence. Whatever it was, Jessica knew she needed to stay focused and not let her mind wander.
“What are you looking for?” Jessica asked, trying to distract herself from her thoughts.
“I just need to check for any signs of head trauma,” Doctor Morse responded, moving the flashlight back and forth in front of Jessica’s eyes. Jessica couldn't help but notice how Doctor Morse's eyes flickered back and forth between the flashlight and her own, creating a slightly unsettling feeling within her.
Once the examination was over, Doctor Morse stepped back and said, “Everything looks good. You’re healing well, but you shouldn’t expect to go back out in the field anytime soon.”
Jessica nodded, understanding the gravity of her injuries and the necessity of rest.
“You’re still a kid,” Doctor Morse added, offering a small smile to ease the tension. “You have your whole life ahead of you.”
Jessica rolled her eyes at the comment. She may be young, but she had gone through more than most people twice her age.
Doctor Morse could see the determination in Jessica’s eyes and knew that she would not let her injuries get in the way of her being a hero. “Just don’t push yourself too hard,” she added, as she gathered her things to leave. Jessica nodded, silently agreeing with the doctor’s advice.
As Doctor Morse turned to leave, Jessica cleared her throat. “Dr. Morse?” she said hesitantly, watching as the physician turned around to face her. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course,” Doctor Morse said, walking back towards the bed.
Jessica’s voice wavered as she asked her question cautiously. “Have you ever been featured in a magazine? I heard Mary Jane— Peter’s friend— mention you once… she looks up to you so much.”
Doctor Morse’s face relaxed, amused by Jessica’s question. “Yes, I have been featured in a few magazines and newspapers,” she replied with a small grin. “But that’s not the measure of success. Helping people is what really counts.”
Jessica nodded, taking in the doctor’s words. She admired Doctor Morse’s humble attitude, especially given her status as an accomplished doctor.
“Is there anything else you want to ask me?” Doctor Morse inquired, sensing that there was something else on Jessica’s mind.
Jessica hesitated before speaking. “I don’t really have anyone to talk to,” she began, fiddling with the sheet beneath her. “I don’t really have a mom or anything, and I was wondering if you might... I don’t know...” Jessica trailed off, not sure how to articulate her feelings.
“Of course, Jessica. What would you like to talk about?” she asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
Jessica took a deep breath, unsure of where to start. “I just feel so lost,” she began, her eyes welling up with tears. “I’m not who I’m supposed to be. I’m a clone of Peter, but I don’t feel like him. I don’t even feel like myself.”
Doctor Morse listened intently, letting Jessica voice her concerns uninterrupted. They could see the pain and confusion in the young girl’s eyes, and it broke their heart.
“I don’t know who I am,” Jessica continued, her voice trembling. “I don’t feel comfortable in my own skin.”
Doctor Morse placed a comforting hand on Jessica’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “It’s okay to feel lost and uncertain,” she whispered. “But you don’t have to go through this alone. I may not be your mother, but I’m here for you. I’ll do my best to help you figure things out.”
Jessica sniffled, wiping away her tears. “Thank you, Dr. Morse,” she replied, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. “I’m really grateful to have you here.”
Doctor Morse listened intently, nodding her head empathetically. “It’s okay to feel lost, Jessica. Being a person is a difficult enough job, and it’s normal to have doubts and fears. But you’re not alone. There are people who care about you and The Avengers care about you.”
Jessica let out a small smile at the mention of The Avengers. It was always comforting to know that there were people out there who were willing to fight for justice and protect the innocent. She felt a glimmer of hope within her that maybe, just maybe, she could find her place in the world.
“Thank you, Doctor Morse,” she said again, feeling more grateful than she could express. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me so far.”
Doctor Morse gave her shoulder another squeeze before standing up. “Of course, Jessica. And if you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask,” she replied warmly before walking towards the door.
As the door clicked shut, Jessica couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing for her Aunt May's presence in her life. She knew that Doctor Morse had her own life and responsibilities to attend to, but a small part of her wished that she could stay just a little longer. She sat there for a while, lost in thought and contemplating her personhood.
She would get through this. But for now, she needed some time to herself. Jessica laid back on the bed and closed her eyes, allowing herself to be consumed by her thoughts. Her mind wandered to memories of Peter, her original source, and she wondered what he was doing right now. Had he talked to Aunt May about his secret identity? And how was Mary Jane doing? Jessica knew the pair weren't dating, from what she could tell, Peter was dating another girl. Which knowing him as well as a clone could, was no doubt complicated.
It felt strangely odd to think that, maybe being a different person gave Jessica some distance from Peter’s problems. But at the same time, it made her feel like a stranger in her own body. She tried to focus on her breathing, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly. However, her thoughts kept creeping back to the unfamiliarity of being Jessica Drew.
It was an hour since Dr. Barbara Morse left Jessica’s side. In that time the Avengers had a rather interesting meeting over the young girl. It wasn’t the first time the group of Superheroes had taken in wayward souls. And Steve Rogers doubted it would be the last.
As the meeting drew to a close, Steve noticed that the doctor and Tony Stark elected to continue the discussion.
“Fascinating,” Dr. Morse murmured. “The genetic markers are nearly identical to Peter Parker’s, yet the phenotype is completely female. Truly remarkable work.”
Steve Rogers leaned forward, blue eyes intense and burning with the power of a hero forged in battle. “We can’t just leave her alone to face this,” he stated firmly. “She didn’t ask for any of this.”
Dr. Morse nodded in agreement. “It’s true Steve, we must make sure she is willing to come with us.” She paused for a moment before continuing, her voice low and measured, but still filled with a sense of determination. “It’s not just about getting her out of the lab, it’s about giving her the freedom to choose her own future.”
Tony Stark took a deep sip of his coffee, a devious smirk on his face. “Well, she’s undoubtedly an interesting specimen. I can’t wait to see some of her test results myself,” he said, eyes twinkling with excitement.
Steve turned slowly toward Tony, his expression darkening with disapproval. “This isn’t a game, Tony. She’s a human being, not some toy for you to experiment with.”
Tony raised his hands in defense. “Hey, I’m just saying, we could benefit from studying her. And if we could potentially help her in the process... it would be even better.”
Bobbi’s gaze never wavered, her thoughts spinning as she studied the young girl not too far away. “We must move carefully,” she intoned, her tone low and measured. “This is all new to us. We must learn more before we take action. For the safety of everyone involved.”
Tony slouched in his chair, arms protectively crossed over his chest. The arc reactor beneath his shirt glowed dimly underneath his shirt. His gaze flickered across the room, pragmatism written all over his face. “She’s a Parker clone with some obvious... alterations,” he said casually, but there was no mistaking the worry in his eyes.
Dr. Morse nodded agreeably, but Steve Rogers leaned forward, his expression still determined. “We can’t just stand by and do nothing, Bobbi. She needs our help.”
Dr. Morse met his gaze, her expression softening. “Of course, Steve. I agree. But we must be cautious. We don’t know what we’re dealing with yet.”
Steve nodded slowly, his mind already running through his options. “Alright. So what’s our next move?”
Tony’s chair squeaked slightly as he leaned back, fingers drumming against the metal table. He had always been pragmatic when it came to such matters, but this time... this time felt different. Steve noticed how the shadows cast by the nearby screen seemed to make the circles under Tony's eyes even more prominent as he pondered the situation. “I’m all for giving this kid a chance,” he said slowly, “but we also need to consider containment or neutralization if absolutely necessary.” He paused briefly, then added, “If she is here to be an agent, we need to figure out who’s controlling her.”
Steve scowled his brow furrowing in a way that so distinctly belonged to Captain America. “Tony, we can’t just—”
“I’m not saying we do anything yet,” Tony interjected, raising a hand defensively. “Just that we need to proceed with caution. This isn’t one of those generic ‘bad guy appears, we beat them and carry on’ scenarios—we need to tread carefully.”
Bobbi sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair. She had an air of weariness about her. “You two are both right,” she hissed. “We have to approach this with caution and compassion. Let’s give her some space and time to adjust, then run some basic tests to gauge her abilities and see how we can help her... but always, always holding her wishes and autonomy at the forefront.”
Steve nodded in agreement, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. He knew Bobbi could be counted on for the scientific aspects of things, and trusted Tony’s judgement in regards to their new charge. He clapped his hands together once in determination. “Alright then,” he declared gruffly. “Let’s make sure she feels comfortable and knows that she has our support first. That should come before anything else.” With that, he turned away, ready to do whatever was necessary to protect this girl who had gone through such hardship.
Tony arched an eyebrow, amusement playing across his face at Steve’s words. “Always the voice of reason, Morse,” he drawled. Then his expression softened as memories of his own transformation came flooding back—it was something that no one should ever endure alone. He looked at Steve with understanding in his eyes and added softly: “She needs time...space...to breathe.”
Bobbi closed her eyes for a moment, resigned. “Fine. We’ll observe from afar first and only step in if necessary. Agreed?”
Steve nodded. “Agreed. And Tony, no tech interference unless absolutely necessary.”
Tony rolled his eyes but consented. “Fine, fine. Unless she requests it or breaks something.” Tony exhaled audibly as he rubbed his temples. “Okay then, let’s look at this from all angles. Steve, you try to make a connection with her and foster her trust. Bobbi, keep investigating these files. And I... I’ll explore containment options - just in case.”
Steve nodded slowly in agreement, still visibly worried but understanding the importance of caution. “Right. But remember she’s scared and alone in unfamiliar surroundings; we must be the good guys here.”
Steve couldn’t take his gaze away from the screen as he saw Jessica touching her face, various emotions playing across her features. He asked quietly, as if speaking to himself, “How would it feel to wake up one day in an alien body? Surrounded by strangers in an unknown place?”
Bobbi put down her tablet and looked into Steve’s eyes intently. “Disoriented and terrified - that is how she must feel right now,” she said solemnly before adding, “Ultimately, beneath all this technology and power lies a frightened child - ultimately an unwilling pawn of fate.”
Tony chuckled darkly as he tilted back his chair and stared at the ceiling. “Isn’t that the story of all of us here? Forced into circumstances not of our choosing and transformed into something other?”
Bobbi quirked a brow, her lips set in a tight line. “Feeling philosophical this morning, Stark?”
Tony narrowed his gaze. “Every now and then.” He glanced at Steve. “Rogers, you’re good when it comes to being trustworthy. Talk to the girl, while we work on investigating the monsters behind this.”
Steve nodded, his expression grave. “Alright. But we must always remember to treat her with respect, no matter what we find out.”
Bobbi and Tony shared a look of understanding—no matter their differing approaches to the situation, both appreciated its gravity and the need for compassion to be shown.
Tony exhaled deeply. “Do your thing, Cap. We’ve got your back.”
Steve swallowed hard, mustering up all of his resolve before standing up straight and adjusting his shirt. The weight of responsibility was familiar to him by now—but every individual case brought its own unique challenges along with it. He wanted Jessica to feel secure in an environment of trust... if that was even possible considering the circumstances.
The nearby door creaked open as a familiar looking man stepped forward, his boots clacking softly against the flooring. She looked up at him, her confusion evident in her wide eyes. It took her only a few seconds for the living legend to be, Captain America.
“Ah, you’re awake." Captain America said.
Jessica sat their frozen, her mouth hanging open in shock, as she stared at the figure standing right in front of her. It was like something out of a dream. It was the Sentinel of Liberty himself, Captain America. She couldn't help but feel a bit like a fish gaping in astonishment.
Images of the books Peter had in his collection and the countless comics that Uncle Ben had spent years reading flashed through her mind.
Jessica finally managed to close her gaping mouth and stammered, "You're... you're Captain America."
Captain America smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting kindness and humility. "That's right, I am. But today, I'm just Steve Rogers. It's a pleasure to meet you."
“Thanks” she muttered, rubbing her eyes as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
“I wanted to come by and see how you were doing,” Steve said gently. “You’ve been through a lot.”
“Alright,” Jessica sighed, resigning herself to her current situation. The pain in her body was a constant reminder that she was no longer the person she remembered. She was someone new, and with that came a whole new set of challenges.
“While, I am here, I’m also free to answer any questions you may have.” Steve’s voice was steady and reassuring. “We want to make sure you feel comfortable and supported here.”
Jessica looked up at him, hesitation plain in her expression. “Why am I here?” she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Steve took a deep breath before answering. “We want to help you...to protect you. We believe that you have something special, something that could be a valuable asset to our team. But we also know that this is a lot to take in, and we want to make sure you feel safe and in control of your own decisions.”
Jessica nodded slowly, taking in his words. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to become a part of something so big, but she appreciated Steve’s honesty and sincerity. “Thank you,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I just...don’t know if I can handle this.”
Steve’s expression softened at her words, and he took a step closer to her, a hand reaching out to rest gently on her shoulder. “You don’t have to handle this alone,” he assured her. “We’re here for you, and we’ll support you every step of the way.”
Her eyes welled up with tears, and she looked down at her lap, trying to suppress the overwhelming emotion coursing through her. “I just feel so lost,” she admitted, her voice breaking. “All of this is so new to me.”
Steve knelt down in front of her, his hand still on her shoulder. “I know it’s not easy,” he said, his voice low and sympathetic. “But we’ll help you navigate it all. We’ll be there to answer any questions you have and to support you through this transition. You’re not alone, Jessica.”
She looked up at him. “Thank you,” she whispered again, her voice choked with emotion. Steve pulled her in for a hug, one that she welcomed. He held her tightly, offering his silent support as she cried.
As Jessica pulled away from Steve’s embrace, she couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude towards him. He had been kind and understanding, offering his support to her in a way that she had never experienced before. But as she wiped away the last of her tears, she couldn’t help but think about the future, about what it would mean to join the Avengers and become a part of something bigger than herself.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for this,” she said finally, her voice thick with emotion. “I mean, I’m just one person. What could I possibly offer the Avengers?”
Steve looked at her with a reassuring smile. “You’d be surprised,” he said. “I’ve seen what you can do, Jessica. You have a unique set of skills and abilities that could make a real difference. We could use someone like you on the team.”
Jessica’s heart skipped a beat at his words. To be a part of something bigger than herself. For a brief moment, skepticism flashed across her face, replaced quickly by a mix of curiosity and apprehension. She shifted in her seat; her gaze never leaving Steve’s face as she weighed his words.
“Trust me,” Steve said, his voice warm and comforting. “I know how overwhelming this can be. But with the right guidance, you can learn to control your powers and use them for good.”
As he spoke, Jessica’s expression softened, her initial reluctance giving way to a flicker of hope. She studied the sincerity in Steve’s eyes, searching for any sign of deception or doubt. What she found instead was the unwavering conviction of a man who had spent his entire life fighting for justice and equality.
“Alright,” she whispered, finally allowing herself to trust him. “I’ll give it a try.”
“Great,” Steve replied, his face lighting up with a proud smile. “We’ll take it one step at a time, and I promise to be there for you every step of the way.”