Rogue Replacement: A Marvel Story

Chapter 85 - Part 1

Arc 7 - Ch 2: Opening Day

Date: Monday, August 29, 2011.

Location: Empire State University, Midtown, Manhattan, New York

Tyson stepped through the doorway of the building on 31st Street just as the clock struck 11. He found the biology lecture hall, a spacious room with stadium-style seating. The tiered rows of seats, upholstered in a muted blue fabric, faced a large whiteboard and a projector screen at the front of the room. The professor's desk sat on the side, cluttered with papers and textbooks. A middle-aged man with graying hair and a neatly trimmed beard stood at the front of the class, patiently waiting for the last few stragglers to find their seats. Once the room settled, he cleared his throat and began his introductory speech.

"Welcome, everyone, to Biology 101. I'll be your guide through the fascinating world of life sciences. Over this semester, we'll explore the intricacies of living organisms, from the tiniest microbes to the most complex creatures and gain a deeper understanding of the biological processes that sustain life on our planet. I hope you're as excited as I am to begin."

He retrieved a worn clipboard from his cluttered desk. Adjusting his glasses, he began calling out the first name on the attendance sheet in his alphabetical order.

Tyson slouched low in his seat near the back of the lecture hall. His mind was already preoccupied with thoughts of the impending confrontation with Magneto. But then he caught a scent.

Peter Parker.

Peter was here? But the scent wasn't quite right. It was more… alluring. He barely registered the instructor's monotonous list until one name caught his attention.

"Jessica Drew," the professor called out in his nasally tone.

Tyson's wandering thoughts snapped back into sharp focus as he spotted a slender brunette seated near the front right side of the hall, briefly raising her hand.

Could it be?

He knew from his metaknowledge that the name Jessica Drew belonged to none other than Spider-Woman, yet what were the odds she enrolled in this class? But to have run into Spider-Woman just weeks earlier and hearing the professor call her name couldn't be overlooked. Tyson studied the woman intently but her features were obscured from where he sat. Curiosity mounting, Tyson knew he needed to get closer to confirm his suspicions.

He cast an illusion around himself, bending perceptions so no one would notice as he stood and crossed the room. He slid into the empty seat next to the woman, who may or may not be Spider-Woman. Up close, the similarities were unmistakable. The curve of her jaw and the shape of her eyes matched. When he'd seen Spider-Woman, she wore a domino mask that did little to hide her overall features.

— Rogue Redemption —

Jessica Drew strode into her introductory biology class, her mind still lingering on the decisions that had led her to this moment. She had been torn between focusing on biology, physics, or chemistry when selecting her major and classes. Ultimately, she opted for the introductory courses in all three. A few days after registering, Dr. Warren gave her money to shop for supplies and clothes. When Jessica returned to the lab, she found it deserted; every room except hers was empty. She had stayed in that lonely space for several days, waiting for someone to return, but no one did. Later, when a real estate agent arrived to list the property, the whole reality of her situation sank in.

The following weeks had been rough for Jessica. She found a cheap apartment in a less-than-desirable part of the city, though the crime in the area didn't faze her. If anything, it encouraged her to spend more time patrolling the streets in her alternate identity as Spider-Woman. Money was tight, and she found herself stooping to menial work between stopping crimes to keep her financially afloat.

Despite the challenges, Jessica arrived on time for class. She sat in the front of the lecture hall, off to the right side. The professor began his introduction before taking attendance. When he called her, she raised her hand. But as he got further down the list, he reached a name that made her freeze.

Tyson Smith.

Smith was a common last name, but could it be the same Tyson?

Her friend. No, Peter's friend, the one she had encountered only once before, was attending Empire State University. And he was here, in this very classroom?

The same man she had briefly fought as Spider-Woman when he had mistaken her for Kaine. She vividly recalled the overwhelming killing intent that radiated from Tyson through her spider-sense when he first attacked, convinced she was his enemy. It had been like staring death in the face. But as soon as he realized his mistake, his demeanor changed completely. He apologized sincerely, and they had a pleasant conversation before parting ways.

Still, knowing that Tyson was here at Empire State University made Jessica uneasy. What were the chances that their paths would cross again, especially with her secret identity at stake? She gazed across the lecture hall, scanning for Tyson's distinct appearance. He was hard to miss with his tall, muscular frame and wild hair. But try as she might, Jessica failed to pick him out among the students filling the seats.

She let out a quiet sigh of relief. Either another student named Tyson Smith was attending the university, or he had missed this class. In any case, it seemed she was safe for now. However, Jessica made a mental note to look into transferring out of this course before their paths crossed. The last thing she needed was for Tyson to recognize her. She would have to be careful to avoid him until she could switch classes. This encounter was too close for comfort.

"Ah, there you are, Mister Smith," the professor said, his voice cutting through Jessica's thoughts. "Missed you off to the side there."

Jessica froze once more, slowly turning her head. On the right, seated next to her, was Tyson himself. With a sheepish grin, he called out, "Sorry, Professor. "

The professor replied, "Not a problem," and continued with the roll call.

Tyson turned his attention to her, flashing a smile. She stared at him, mouth agape, unsure of what to say. Then Tyson asked, "Jessica, right? Hi, I'm Tyson. But you probably know that, since the professor just said my name. Can I borrow a pen? I don't have any pockets to carry one."

Jessica, still processing the situation, handed him a pen. As she did, her eyes drifted downward to see he was wearing the skintight black outfit he donned as Mirage. Her gaze traced the contours of his muscles briefly before snapping back up to his face, where she was captivated by his mismatched green and blue eyes.

"Thanks," he said.

When Jessica looked back down, she saw that he was no longer wearing his costume, just regular jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. The sudden change left her questioning her perception, wondering if her mind was playing tricks on her or if he'd used an illusion. If he was wearing jeans, he should've had pockets, and if he wasn't, she'd seen how tight his outfit was and knew there wasn't anywhere to hide a pen. She blushed, then shook her head, looking to the front of the class as the professor reviewed the syllabus.

His voice droned on about course objectives and grading policies. Jessica tried to focus, taking notes as best she could. But as she wrote, she noticed that Tyson's pen was moving much more than hers, which struck her as odd, considering they were reviewing the syllabus. Curiosity got the better of her, and she glanced over at his notebook to see what he was writing.

Surprisingly, she saw that he wasn't taking notes at all. Instead, he sketched a woman, his skilled hand bringing the image to life on the page. As Jessica watched, the sketch took shape. The lines and contouring revealed feminine curves. After completing the outline, he did some light shading before focusing on the face. It took her embarrassingly long to realize that he was drawing her. Then, with a few deft strokes, Tyson added a small mask to the sketch, a detail that confirmed her suspicions.

When he had appeared next to her, something that should have been impossible given her enhanced awareness, she knew he knew her secret. But now there was no question. Leaning in, she mumbled low enough that no one else would hear, "You're messing with me."

Tyson smiled, his eyes never leaving the page as he replied, "Yup."

Jessica hadn't expected to cross paths with Tyson again in an ordinary setting like a college classroom. As the professor at the front of the lecture hall droned on, she stole furtive glances at him. He seemed so at ease, leaning back in his seat casually.

He slid a folded piece of paper over to her. She couldn't help but smile at the gesture, reminded of the notes passed between kids in grade school. Curious and slightly amused, she unfolded the paper. It held a sloppily scrawled message.

Want to get lunch after class? Yes / No.

The note's childlike simplicity was endearing, and Jessica realized he was intentionally channeling that vibe. She softly chuckled as she considered her response, then grabbed her pen and wrote back.

Don't you have a girlfriend?

Then, she slid the paper back to him playfully.

Tyson wasted no time crafting his reply and passing the note back to her.

Yes. She'll be there too. Meet some new people. I won't snitch on you, but they already know about me. They're special, too.

An arrow pointed back to his original "Yes/No" question, prompting her to decide.

Jessica pursed her lips. She hadn't had any friends since being released from the lab, and even before that, her interactions with Dr. Warren and Kaine had barely qualified as genuine human connections. The thought of diving into a social situation for the first time sent a ripple of anxiety through her. Yet, as she considered the offer, Jessica couldn't ignore the pull she felt towards Tyson. The memories she inherited from Peter painted a picture of a trustworthy and likable individual. If there was anyone she could take a chance on, Tyson seemed like a solid choice.

Jessica circled the "Yes" option on the note and slid it back to him. Her heart thrummed with excitement and nervousness. God, she felt like a kid again. It was silly, but she couldn't help it. Tyson's face lit up as he read her response, and he pumped his fist in an overly dramatic display of victory. Jessica smiled at his enthusiasm but was relieved that his antics went unnoticed by the rest of the class. Probably because he was using his illusions.

As the lecture continued, she stole glances, trying to gauge his demeanor. He seemed genuinely pleased. He even caught her looking at him a few times, and whenever their gazes met, his eyes sparkled with anticipation. It was a look that filled Jessica with a sense of warmth and belonging that she had rarely experienced. The minutes ticked by, and her mind began to wander, imagining what lunch with Tyson and his girlfriend would be like. Would his girlfriend accept her? Should she share her origins? Would she be able to let her guard down? Would she finally get to know people who understood the weight of a double life?

Jessica collected her notebook and pens as the professor dismissed the class. She zipped her backpack closed and turned to Tyson, who was already on his feet with his bag slung over his shoulder.

He extended an open, gloved hand toward her. "Walk with me?" he asked. "We'll head over to the restaurant together."

Though it was the middle of summer, Tyson wore leather gloves that covered his hands. Jessica found it peculiar but pushed the thoughts from her mind. "Sure, thanks," she replied, placing her hand in his.

They stepped out of the lecture hall into the bright summer sunshine, where students lingered, their chatter filling the air. Jessica took in the sights and sounds of campus life as they walked. Her thoughts turned to their lunch plans and the prospect of meeting Tyson's girlfriend. She wondered if he was still dating Felicia or if there was someone new. She hoped that whoever it was, they might even become friends themselves. Jessica longed to form a connection with anyone after being abandoned. Still, lingering memories from Peter's life gave her hope that this could be the start of a true friendship. And maybe she could even share pieces of her secrets.

As they walked, Tyson began chatting animatedly. "I arranged this lunch earlier today," he explained. "They're friends of mine from high school. Not Midtown High, from before that." He paused, turning to Jessica with a probing look.

"But you knew I went to Midtown High, right?" he asked casually. "When we met that day, you called me Mirage. But at the end, you slipped and called me Tyson."

Jessica's cheeks flushed as she realized her slip-up during their previous encounter. She sighed, nodding in acknowledgment. "Yeah, I knew it was you, and I know you went to Midtown," she admitted.

"So either you remember me or someone told you." he playfully asked, "Do you know what my apartment looks like?"

Jessica snorted, mumbling under her breath, "Apartment, my ass."

Tyson pointed at her dramatically, his face breaking into a triumphant smile. "Hah, so you do remember!" he exclaimed.

Jessica sighed, knowing that there was no point in denying it any longer. Sensing her unease, Tyson quickly added, "Don't stress it too much. It wasn't really what you said that gave the game away. I had an idea who you were before we ever met."

"How?"

"Everyone has a unique psionic signature. Think of it kind of like a psychic fingerprint." He explained, "You and Peter and the other imposter have the same signature. It shouldn't be possible."

"The only reasoning is that either you're a clone or an alternate dimension version of Peter Parker." He added, "Or I suppose you could be a Peter from a future where something happened to turn you into a woman, and you traveled back to now."

Jessica felt her face grow hot, a blush creeping up her neck as she mumbled, "It's the first one."

"Clone it is, then," he said, devoid of judgment or surprise as he nodded sagely like he'd unlocked the secrets of the universe.

They stood outside Keen's Steakhouse, on 36th street. Jessica's nerves began to flutter. Suddenly, the prospect of meeting Tyson's friends felt daunting. But as they stepped inside, his warm smile helped to ease her worries.

He reassured, "Don't worry, they're going to love you."