"Guys!"
Talia and Ned turn to Peter as he runs towards them. The Academic Decathlon team wears their yellow Midtown jackets as they wait in front of the bus.
Talia and Ned knew Peter was gonna try to get on the bus, but would it work?
"Peter?" Liz asks.
"Yeah I was hoping maybe I could uh rejoin the team."
"No," Flash says. "No way, You can just quit on us, stroll up and be welcomed back by everyone."
"Hey welcome back Peter!" Mr Harrington says as he comes out of the bus. "Flash you're back to first alternate."
"What?"
"He's taking your place." Abe says with a smile.
"Can we go already?" MJ asks. "I was hoping to get in some light protesting in front of one of the Embassy's before dinner."
"Protesting is patriotic, let's get on the bus."
Talia giggles as Flash shoves his jacket in Peter's hands. Talia walks up to him as they get on the bus.
"Welcome back to the team."
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️
Talia sits in a two seater by herself across from Ned. Her teammates have been practicing questions for over an hour now and she was half way done with her book.
Across the way, Ned watches the hologram for any movement.
"Uh, yeah, no it's just a school trip. It's uh, it's nothing. Look, Happy, I gotta say, you tracking me without my permission is a complete violation of privacy." Peter says as he sits in the seat behind Ned.
Ned looks at him and points down at the hologram. "That's different." The boy whispers.
"Uh, nothing. Look, it's just the Academic Decathlon. It's no big deal." Peter hangs up and gives an exasperated sigh.
"Happy?" Tal asks.
"Yeah, he's up my butt tracking me."
"I removed my tracker ages ago."
"Of course you did." Peter says while smiling at her.
The rest of the ride was spent either practicing questions, reading, or sleeping for Talia. By the time they arrived at the hotel, she was peppy and well rested.
"Everyone stay together." Liz says as they head into the hotel.
Talia zones out everyone talking about the hotel. She looks up and admires it, it's really nice.
"Hey you brought your laptop right?" Peter asks Ned.
"Why?"
Talia doesn't hear what Peter says next, instead she waits to get her room key. MJ and Tal are rooming together.
The two head up to their room and lay out their outfits for tomorrow. Everyone's going swimming, so she throws on a pale pink bikini and a pair of cotton shorts. She wraps a towel around her neck and starts heading towards Peter's room.
When she walks in she finds Peter standing on a bed. She doesn't miss the way his eyes flick down to her chest, and walks further in the room. "What are you guys doing? We're going swimming."
"Did you know I have a Training Wheels Protocol in my suit?"
"Yes, I helped make it." She crosses her arms "Why?"
"Oh my god, I'm tired of being treated like a kid."
"You are a kid Peter." Ned says.
"Yeah a kid who can stop a bus with his bare hands. Tal doesn't have training wheels."
"I've been training for as long as I can remember. I've never needed a protocol. And...I don't...well I don't need a suit to use my abilities. I'm not saying that you do—"
"I know what you mean. Just frustrating."
"Peter I just really don't think this is a good idea." Ned says. "What if this is illegal?"
"What's illegal?" She asks.
"Peter wants to turn off the protocol." Talia turns to Peter and narrows her eyes at him, assessing him.
"Gimme the computer." Ned hesitantly hands it over. She looks at the screen and quickly types in her personal ID code to turn it off. "You are officially un-protocol-led. Don't make me regret this."
"Hold up—you were gonna go swimming? You can't even swim, Tal." Peter says.
"I was gonna stick my feet in."
"You can't swim? But you're an Avenger."
"It's not a requirement, jeez."
The three of them look at Peter's suit as it makes a few noises.
"We're gonna go now aren't we?" She asks.
"You shouldn't go."
"And why's that?"
"Cause you could get arrested if someone sees you in that suit."
"Good point. But fuck it, lets stop by my room so I can grab my suit. Peter grab your backpack."
Peter quickly changes into his suit, putting some clothes over top it. The three of them make their way to her room and step inside, MJ is thankfully nowhere to be found.
Talia heads to her bag and pulls out her suit. She quickly stuffs it into Peter's backpack.
"I'll change when we get out of here."
"Ned, keep the glowey thing as evidence." Peter hands him the purple core. "Keep it safe alright."
"Okay."
"They're moving." Peter looks down at the hologram.
"Be careful guys."
The two leave the room, Ned heading back to Peter's room. They round the corner and stop as Liz walks in front of them.
"Hey Liz!" Peter says a little over enthusiastically.
"Hey guys! Great timing, we're gonna go swimming. I see Tal's got the memo." Liz waves their teammates over. "Come on, come on."
Talia chuckles when Flash slaps Peter's butt.
"I was uh, I was gonna—gonna go study in uh, the business center."
"Peter you don't have to study, you're like the smartest guy I've ever met. And besides...a rebellious group activity before a competition is good for morale."
"Hmm?" Tal asks.
"I read it in a talk—er, I heard it in a talk so, and I read a coaching book."
"Wow this is really, this is really important to you."
"Yeah. It's our future, I'm not gonna screw it up. Besides, we raided the mini bar and these candy bars were like $11. So get your trunks on," She throws a candy bar at him. "and come on!"
They watch as she walks away to the other teammates.
"You are an idiot!" Tal says as they walk down to the lobby.
"What?"
"She likes you Peter! It's so obvious! This is what you've wanted ever since I've known you."
"I don't know," he glances at Tal.
She touches his thoughts, and surprises herself with what he says to himself, not knowing that she's listening.
I like someone else.
Talia sighs and drops the subject, following Peter as they make their way into the parking lot, by some shrubbery.
Peter hands Tal her suit as he starts taking his clothes off. She pulls down her shorts and steps into her suit. Tal tugs it up and zips it on over her bathing suit. She takes her thin, flexible boots and slides them on.
While Peter puts her shorts in his bag, she throws her hair up in a quick braid.
"Give me your hand."
Peter furrows his brows, but does what she says. Tal reaches out and presses a few buttons, watching as a small compartment pops open, revealing a set of comms.
"Inside your suit is an AI, similar to FRIDAY at the Tower." She takes one earpiece for herself. "This is an earpiece—"
"I know what an earpiece is."
"Okay okay. But it connects to you. When you put your mask on you'll see, everything your AI tells you I will hear. And, because my clearance level is above yours, if I tell your AI something, she'll listen to me. Got it?" Tal puts the earpiece in her ear while Peter nods.
"Okay put your mask on before we go."
He obliges.
Good evening, Peter.
"Hello, uh hello?"
Congratulations on completing the rigorous training wheels protocol. Gaining access to your suit's full capabilities.
"Uh thank you."
So, where would you like me to take you tonight?
"Uh, I put a tracker on someone. He's a bad guy."
Tracker located. Plotting course to intercept target.
"Okay well as long as we make it back in time for the Decathlon. It's fine."
And with that they take to the skies, as usual Tal propels herself into the air while Peter swings.