Meanwhile, in another part of the world.

San Fransisco, California, USA.

Inside a large, tropical swimming paradise.

The laughter of children, the raucous shouting of teens, and the general cacophony of dozens of people in one room drifted up towards the second-floor balcony that ran the length of the main pool area. The strong smell of chlorine that has become so iconic with swimming pools permeated the senses of hundreds of swimmers and the glass ceiling, as well as the climate controls, kept the temperature at perfect tropical levels.

Sitting at the railing was a young woman. She had short blonde hair, kept in a spiky mess that gave her a somewhat rebellious look, and blue eyes that scanned the hustle of people below her, looking for a specific person. She wore a white one-piece swimsuit often worn by professional swimmers that fitted her athletic body so well, that it almost looked painted on. Sleek pink lines ran down her sides, following the contours of her body in such a way that it drew extra attention to her chest area. Likewise, black stripes ran along her hips, making her hips and firm butt stand out all the more.

Using a slender hand, she took a sip from the fruity cocktail that had just been brought to her table. Now do public swimming pools serve tables? No, they do not. Do they serve alcoholic drinks? They don't either. But when the person working the drinks is a kid barely old enough to drive, and who couldn't keep his eyes off her body, you pretty much get what you want. With a seductive flutter of her eyes, and leaning on the counter in just the right way, the kid was nothing more than a stuttering mess, ready to bring her whatever she wanted.

Putting the glass down, ignoring the hastily scribbled phone number on the paper napkin, she continued looking at the crowd. Gwen Stacy was here for one specific reason; To find a certain individual, and find out if she could be recruited. And if not, subdue and capture her instead.

Gwen chuckled inwardly at that thought as she idly twirled the lime green umbrella that came with her cocktail. If anyone would have told her a year ago that she would be part of a group that actively hunted superheroines or supervillains, she would have laughed at them in the face. Yet here she was. She remembered the entire chain of events that caused her to change from a vigilante to a member of a top-secret transdimensional organisation.

It all started when her father, a well-respected and liked captain of the police ****, had to host a woman who worked in public relations. The plan was, that they wanted to use his growing popularity to boost the ****'s recruitment. Gwen was asked to join, so they could paint a picture of the happy family man leading the ****.

Halfway through the diner, the conversation turned towards the large number of vigilantes running rampant throughout the world. Being one herself, much to her father's ire, Gwen felt a need to defend both herself and her fellow crime fighters. The debate was pretty heated until the woman brought up the point of collateral damage whenever these so-called "supers" decide to fight each other. And after several examples, Gwen was **** to admit she had no rebuke to that argument.

In hindsight, she realised that the woman was never there for her father. She was a recruiter sent by Pravum to scout Gwen's potential as a new recruit. The meal, the campaign with her father, and the debate are all carefully set up to test and gauge Gwen's reactions and potential. And though the argument stopped there, the seeds of doubt were planted that night. Throughout the days that followed that night, Gwen never stopped thinking about the woman's points. Even when she was out patroling, her mind still kept wandering back to that night. One night, a full week after the diner, Gwen came home from patrol and saw a large folder laying on her table. It was placed so she would see it the moment she would return. To this day, she had no idea how they managed to get it inside her place. The doors were locked, and the alarm was still on. and all the windows were closed. No sign of anyone entering or leaving her place could be found. But someone had. And they had left her a significant amount of paperwork to read through.

Each piece of paper turned out to be an after-action report of one or more supers clashing for one reason or another. And it showed her the effect on the surroundings in cold, hard numbers. The number of people that died. The number of buildings damaged or destroyed. How long it would take to fully repair everything? How much it would cost, that number was staggeringly high. It was all the evidence the woman spoke of, and she spent most of the week reading through the files over and over, looking for any signs of tampering or forging.

She found none. And after checking with public records, they turned out to be true. At that moment, the seed of doubt grew into something more. At the end of the week, an envelope containing a simple note with an address and a date were dropped at her place. Two days later, she went to the location. She talked to that same woman again, and before the day was over, she was in the back of a high-tech jet of unknown design, flying towards an unknown destination, and her new life.

Gwen had accepted Pravum's cause and committed herself to it with the same devotion she did when she was a vigilante. She rose quickly through the ranks, her skills and personality pushing her towards the top of their forces. Until she was where she was now, part of the most elite extraction team, tasked to capture and recruit only the most important supers in the multiverse.

And sure, sometimes she missed the days of patrolling the city, looking for criminals. But now she had the backing of governments instead of shady sponsors. And while her father was still worried for her safety, he could at least accept that she now worked for an official organisation, which improved their relationship quite a bit.

Pushing those thoughts behind her, she refocused her attention on the crowd below her. She was here for a reason, and it wouldn't do to lose sight of her goals. But her goal proved to be quite difficult to find. She knew the woman was here, today. Every piece of intel Pravum had gathered on her pointed to this place and this time. So why couldn't she find her?

"Excuse me? Is that seat taken? everywhere else is full."

Just then, a voice beside her pulled her out of her frustrating search. It was clearly female, but it also held a strong undertone. Gwen turned around in her seat and mentally prepared herself to turn whoever it was that disturbed her away. But that idea flew out the window when she saw who was standing next to her table.

America Chavez!

The very woman who she was looking for.

Chavez was slightly taller than herself. Her light brown skin glistened under the bright lights, indicating that she had only recently left the water. Gwen's eyes slowly trailed upwards, along her shapely legs, across her toned stomach, stopping briefly on her chest, before reaching her face. Her curly black hair clung to her back and shoulders in thick, wet strands. Gwen's blue eyes met America's brown, and the sparkle of amusement, as well as the knowing smirk on her lips, told her that Chavez knew exactly what Gwen was looking at. The fact that the other woman was wearing a bikini that perfectly accentuated her great figure only helped.

Speaking off. America was wearing a bikini that, like her usual choice of clothing, represented the national flag of the country she was named after. The top hiding those firm breasts was red with white stripes. The bottom that clung to her equally firm ass was a deep blue with small white stars spangled across them.

Gwen noticed America's eyes move slightly up and down, clearly, she was checking Gwen out at the same time. And from the intensity of her look, she liked what she saw. Gwen saw the can of soda in the other woman's hand, and that rebooted her brain enough to process the original question. A quick look around saw that, indeed, most tables were taken by families enjoying a day out with their children. And the ones that didn't, were used by small groups of teens that clearly showed the wrong kind of interest if a woman like America would ask to sit with them. Besides, most were guys, and Intel greatly expressed that her target was absolutely NOT interested in them.

"Yes, of course, no problem."

America gave Gwen a grateful smile and sat down in the chair opposite her. After introductions were made, the two started some light conversation, though Gwen made sure to keep her tone slightly seductive, and never missed an opportunity to tease the other woman. America for her part was very receptive to the way their conversation went and like Gwen, filled her responses with mild teasing. After a while though, America finished the last of her drink, and putting the empty soda can on the table, pointed accusingly at the bigger cocktail glass that Gwen was drinking from.

"So where did you get that? Last I checked, they did not serve drinks like that in this place. And I sure as hell refuse to believe you brought it with you."

Gwen finished the last of her drink and put the glass down. She used her tongue to clean her lips from any remaining traces, making sure to put up a bit of a show for the other woman. And if the way America's eyes snapped to Gwen's mouth were any indication, she was quite successful at it.

"Quite simple, actually. The kid's just barely begun to realise women have breasts. He's one hormone-filled bundle of insecurity. Just flutter your eyes a bit, and lean over in just the right way, and he gets you what you want. You should try it if you want some as well. With how amazing you look, and that bikini, he would be virtually powerless to resist. He'd give you whatever you want."

Gwen knew America would never do that. Her lack of interest in males would prevent her from doing such a thing. Now if it was a female behind the counter, then yes, but not when it was a male. And sure enough, America looked over towards the young man working the drinks. There was a moment of conflict in her pretty brown eyes, but she eventually settled back into her seat. Her eyes flicked towards Gwen for a moment, before a sparkle of mischief lit up behind them.

"If it is that easy, why don't you show me how it's done."

Gwen made a show of thinking about it. It was an easy request, and the fact that the families were starting to leave to resume their swim made it even easier.

"If it helps, I'll make it worth your effort."

Here Gwen raised one of her eyebrows. She had not expected America to react that quickly to her, but apparently, she was.

"Really? Worth the effort how?"

Gwen looked at the other woman challengingly, daring her to go where she thought this was going.

"How about; I'll give you a kiss?

Gwen just looked America straight in the eyes with the most unreadable expression she could manage.

"I'll make it a good one."

Still, Gwen showed no reaction, even though this was going fairly well.

"I'll make it a really good one. I have you know that have been told I am a GREAT kisser. And I don't just hand them out like that."

Gwen kept up the look for a few more seconds, watching how America slowly began to squirm under her unreadable look before she stood up.

"Fine, but you will better make sure that is the best damn kiss I ever had."

Not waiting for America's response, Gwen picked up the now empty glass and soda can and walked towards the bar. While she walked, she made sure to put some extra sway into her hips, and she could practically feel America's eyes burn into her ass. The swimsuit she wore was tailored to fit her perfectly, and its very design was such that it subtly drew attention to her perfect curves.

America watched as Gwen walked towards the bar. Her eyes were glued to that perfect ass and memorizing each and every step as she swayed her hips in just the right way. Halfway there, she passed a trashcan, and without stopping her stride, extended the arm holding the now empty soda can, and threw it away. Even such simple action as that was done with precise and controlled movements, and America couldn't stop herself as her eyes snapped to her arm, admiring the subtle movement of her muscles.

"God, what is wrong with you girl? You never had a reaction like this."

America knew she had a weakness for women. And the hotter the women, the bigger the weakness. And Gwen was easily one of the hottest women she had recently encountered. That, and the fact that it had been a while since she last had some serious action with anyone all combined into her hormones partially taking over her rational mind.

"Oh, now she is just straight up doing it on purpose."

Gwen had reached the bar and had stroke up another conversation with the young male working it. Part of her routine was that she was leaning slightly on the bar, giving her just the barest of glimpses at her cleavage. But this had the side effect of her sticking out her ass. At the same time, she had positioned herself in such a way that America had a perfect side view of her entire body, and she could perfectly see the contours of her perky breasts. She had to restrain herself from not reaching out and grabbing them, there would be time for that later. Oh yes, she made a vow then and there, that she would be having a handful of those tits before the day was over. Her eyes flickered back and forth between Gwen's ass and breasts, and she shamelessly ogled her new friend.

Five minutes later, Gwen Straightened up, and after taking two filled glasses from the bar, made her way back towards their table. America noticed that the sway in her hips was still there. She also noticed the knowing look in her eyes. Gwen knew she was shamelessly checking her out, and from the looks of it, had no quarrels with that.

When Gwen reached their table, she stopped next to her and leaned in so she could place the glass in front of her. By doing so, she gave America a perfect front-row glimpse of those breasts she had so far only glanced at from a distance. Again, she had to stop herself from reaching out, but the knowing smile on Gwen's face told her she knew exactly what was going through her mind right now.

"Here you go. One highly illegal and definitely not normally served cocktail."

With supreme effort, which America was very proud of considering the view she had, she managed to raise her eyes from Gwen's chest towards her eyes.

"Thanks. Now I'll guess I owe you a kiss huh?"

Gwen turned away and retook her seat across America.

"Save it for later. From what you promised, it's going to be one hell of a kiss, and I don't want any spectators when we do that. So save it for when we have a bit more, privacy."

This time there was no subtlety in Gwen's words. She promised to give as good as she was going to get. And the thought sent a tingle down America's spine, straight towards her special spot between her legs.

For another thirty minutes or so, the two women continued their conversation, though there was a lot more flirting than before. America quickly learned that Gwen had a quick and sharp mind, and tongue to match it. Not holding back on her opinions, despite only just knowing each other, she quickly grew to like the blonde sitting across from her. The fact that there was an unmistakable attraction between the two of them was only the icing on an already delicious cake. Their cocktails had long since been emptied, and they were now just enjoying some small talk to fill the time. But eventually, Gwen stood up and gave America a look that spoke in no uncertain terms that foreplay was over, and now it was time for something more.

"So, about that kiss, you promised. How about we go somewhere more secluded, and you show me if you are as good as you claim?"

America also got up and walked towards Gwen. She was pleased to see her blue eyes dart towards her bikini and was happy that she was not the only one enjoying the view.

"I thought you would never ask. Do you have someplace in mind?"

"I do, actually. Follow me."

Gwen turned away, and lead them towards an opening in the railing some distance away from the eating area. America gladly followed, taking this as another prime chance to get a nice close-up view of that firm round ass. They stopped at the opening, and America saw that they were at one of the diving boards that occasionally jutted out from the upper floors. From this one, it was a three-meter drop straight into a specially cordoned-off section of the main pool area. Gwen gave her a look that sent all of her backed-up hormones into overdrive, before turning around. She approached the edge of the board, and with a perfectly executed swan dive, dove straight into the pool below. There was a barely audible splash as her body broke the water, followed by a polite smattering of applause from some of the onlookers.

America looked over the railing and saw Gwen resurface just beyond the floaters that formed the edge of the diving zone.

"Fucking show off."

America grumbled to herself before she took a quick sprint down the board and jumped off the end.

"CANNONBALL."