X-Men Fan Fiction ❯ Witness ❯ Family Ties ( Chapter 5 )

Authors Note/Disclaimer:

 

I do not own XMen Evolution, its characters, or the universe they live in. I intend no disrespect or copyright infringement. This is a work of adult fan fiction and is intended only for entertainment purposes. I make no money from this work.

 

Warnings: Violence, psuedo-incest and non-consensual sex in the past tense.

 

This chapter explores some of Pietro's character and Marissa's background. There'll be more sex later. Don't worry.

 

Please see the first chapter for complete warnings for this piece.

 

<b>Chapter Five: Family Ties </b>

 

Pietro fumed silently as Marissa became more and more entrenched in their lives. Everyone else seemed oblivious to the consequences. Sooner or later, Magneto would find out there was a human living under their roof. What his father would do about it, he wasn't certain. Wanda had insisted that they *not* tell him - that alone was likely to rouse their father's anger. Wanda wouldn't listen to him, was convinced their father would find the girl harmless. Of course, Wanda had never been quite the same since Magneto had “corrected” her memories, couldn't see the difference between the false father in her memories and the real one.

 

There was no hiding the fact that something was different in the Brotherhood. Marissa had Lance, Todd, and even Fred helping her fix the place up. Hell, Wanda had even talked him into running errands from time to time. Marissa's current project was taming the overgrown landscaping outside. The others had gone into town for one reason or another and Marissa had been outside all morning, pulling weeds and scraping dirt off of hidden flagstones. He knew she was avoiding him.

 

Pietro paced the living room nervously. He had an appointment he didn't want to miss, but he hadn't counted on Marissa staying behind. Why had she stayed behind? The damned weeds could have waited. He wasn't comfortable leaving the girl alone in the house, but he damned well didn't need a tagalong.

 

He put off the issue a little longer by heading upstairs to shower and change. Maybe someone would come home before he had to make a decision. He tried to push away the thought as he ducked his head under the spray. God he couldn't wait to get out of the house. See her again. It had been nearly a week since they'd both been able to get away.

 

That was another reason he didn't like Marissa's presence. The chance that she would draw his father's overbearing interest back into their lives. That he would discover where Pietro was spending his time, and with whom. It was hard enough dodging their friends without that added pressure.

 

Pietro shut off the water and toweled himself off before padding barefoot down the hall to his room. He stopped short when he entered. Something lay in the center of his bed - an envelope addressed simply to “Pietro.”

 

“Shit!” He turned around quickly, searching the room for any lurkers, then ducked his head cautiously outside the door. His room had been locked and he'd heard no one enter. He opened the blinds to look outside. There was no sign of anyone except Marissa, still digging in the dirt.

 

He picked up the envelope and opened it. It was a letter, written in his father's old fashioned script and a small bundle of cash. He read it twice before carefully counting the cash. His father had remarked dryly on their efforts at renovation and had suggested they replace their furniture with something more “suitable.” There was no direct mention of Marissa, but it was clear that someone had been watching them. And if they hadn't seen her before, whoever delivered the letter must have passed right by her.

 

Pietro hurriedly dressed, returning the letter and cash to the envelope and carefully tucking it in his pocket.

 

 

“Take a break.” Marissa started at the sound of Pietro's voice and looked up at him warily. He offered a can of soda to her, beads of moisture sliding down the sides. She took it gingerly, pushing back the wide-brimmed hat she wore and dropping the trowel she had been using into the basket next to her. “Let's go inside.”

 

Pietro didn't wait for her to argue, just picked up the basket and started walking. Marissa rose stiffly and followed him cautiously. Pietro hadn't spoken a word to her directly since that first day. He locked the door behind them and pointed to the couch.

 

“Sit down.” He paced around the room, peering through the blinds and looking into the kitchen and up the stairs briefly. Marissa sat down quietly and rested the cold can between her knees. She popped the top and Pietro actually jumped at the noise.

 

Marissa sipped at the soda slowly, watching him. After a moment he sat down in one of the armchairs and watched her, frowning.

 

“I know what you're doing.”

 

“What?” Marissa was puzzled.

 

“You've been making nice with everyone. Todd, Lance, Wanda…even Fred. You're not screwing him too are you?”

 

“No.” Marissa swallowed hard and leaned over to put the soda on the end table. If he was about to go off, she wanted her hands free.

 

“You're trying to make it so we think we can't live without you. All this…” Pietro waved at the repaired stairs, the clean room, the patched furniture and the newly painted walls. “Sucking up.”

 

“I like it here.” Marissa offered non-committally.

 

“I know what you're doing…and it's working.” He sighed. “I couldn't throw you out now if I tried.” He leaned forward, scowling again.

 

“You did tell me to clean up.” Marissa bit her lip nervously.

 

“That's not what I meant and you know it.” Pietro rose from his chair and began to pace again. Then he turned suddenly.

 

“Did you see or hear anyone this morning? Anyone at all?”

 

“Just you.” Marissa sat back, hands on her knees.

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“Yes. Why?” Marissa tried not to look as nervous as she felt.

 

“Someone was in my room while I was in the shower. Someone left this.” He pulled the envelope from his pocket and showed it to her.

 

“I've never been in your room.” Marissa's eyes widened and she held up her hands defensively.

 

“I wasn't accusing you.” Pietro scowled again. “One of my father's men must have left it. It's from Magneto.”

 

“I don't know anything about it, honest!” Marissa felt an icy ball of fear forming in her belly. Was she going to get blamed for some phantom intruder?

 

“The problem is, my father, or at least the man he sent knows about you.” He stopped pacing and walked over to sit on the couch beside her, too close for Marissa's peace of mind. “Do you know who my father is?”

 

“Magneto, one of the most powerful mutants in the world, right?”

 

“My father is one of the most powerful mutants on the planet. He's also a mutant-supremacist. *The* mutant-supremacist - he's tried several times to set himself up in control over everything.”

 

“That's not how Wanda explained it.” Marissa backed away from him nervously.

 

“My father had her memories edited to make himself look good. Before that she was crazy. And very, very angry with him.”

 

“I don't understand. How can someone's memories be edited?”

 

“There are mutants that can do that, Marissa. One of them works for him.”

 

“He's not going to like my being here.”

 

“Yeah.” Pietro tapped the envelope nervously on his knee. “I need to know which man he sent here. Until I find out, no one stays here alone. Especially you.”

 

“You don't trust me.”

 

“Doesn't matter if I trust you.” Pietro stood up. “Not if you're dead.”

 

Marissa's mouth went dry as he offered his hand to her.

 

“Go get cleaned up. Quickly. I'm going to meet someone and you're coming with me.”

 

 

She was pissed. Pietro could see the flush of anger on her pale cheeks as he pulled up on his motorcycle, Marissa's arms wrapped stiffly around his waist. Her green eyes flashed with anger and she tapped her foot impatiently as they dismounted.

 

“Wha' the blazes is she doin' here, Pietro!”

 

“I'm sorry. I couldn't leave her behind. Something's up.” He pulled his helmet off and handed it to Marissa. She silently stowed it on the bike and pulled hers off, running a nervous hand through her curls. She recognized the red-head, though she couldn't recall her name. One of the “X-Geeks.”

 

“I thought we agreed we wouldna be seen together.”

 

“Just let me explain.” Pietro moved closer, tried to put his arm around her shoulders and she shrugged him off.

 

“Do ye have any idea how much trouble it'll bring if the Professor gets wind o' us?”

 

“Probably not as much as what'll happen if my father does.” Pietro pulled out the envelope and waved it in front of her face. “Marissa, stay with the bike.” He led the red-head deeper into the alley until they could just see the bike at the curb.

 

“What is so important?” Her anger was fading now as she took the letter from him gingerly.

 

“Someone put this in my room, without being seen. This morning. I need to know who it is.”

 

“Ye want me to take a sniff at it?” She looked at him in disbelief.

 

“Yes.” Pietro's voice was anxious. “Please.”

 

“Wouldna it make more sense just to read it?”

 

“I did. It'll tell me more if I know who my father sent here. He didn't say much, just enough to let me know he's been watching us.”

 

“Lovely.” The girl held the letter gingerly and suddenly changed, growing fur, her face elongating into a shortened muzzle. The wolf-girl sniffed delicately at the paper.

 

“Well?”

 

“Tha shouldna wear so much cologne.”

 

“Dammit Rahne! I'm serious.”

 

“So am I.” She sniffed again. “Phew. I smell you, and Magneto and…”she looked at him, eyes wide “Sabertooth.” She shifted back to human form, shoving the envelope at him as if it were poisonous.

 

“Shit.” Pietro muttered.

 

“You were right not to leave the lass alone, then.” Rahne looked away and bit her lip. “I should call Logan.”

 

“No. Don't.” Pietro placed a hand on her arm. “It's not about the Institute or Wolverine.”

 

“Still…”

 

“No.”

 

“What does it mean then?”

 

“I'm not sure. But, I know it's not safe for her.”

 

“Since when did you ever care about humans?” Rahne scowled at him. That had always been a sticking point between them.

 

“My mother was a human.” Pietro's jaw tightened.

 

“Really? Fancy that.”

 

“Really.” Pietro glanced back towards the bike and scowled when he couldn't see Marissa. “Anyway, Todd's head over heels for her and Wanda's got some sort of sick crush on her too. I couldn't pry her curly-headed ass out of the house with a crow bar.”

 

Rahne snorted.

 

“Doesn't mean I want to see her dead or worse.”

 

“What's worse?”

 

“Sabertooth.”

 

“We shouldna leave the lass alone too long.”

 

“Yeah.” Pietro turned to walk back down the alley where the bike waited. When they emerged they looked around, the street was empty. Marissa was nowhere to be seen.

 

“Damn.”

 

“Would she run off?” Rahne bit her lip and looked around.

 

“Would make my life easier if she did…” Pietro made a quick dash to check the nearest alleys for sign of her. He found a hot-pink scrunchie half a block away. He stood over it as the red-head followed.

 

“This hers?”

 

“I think so.”

 

Rahne shifted to full wolf form and sniffed at the scrunchie. Then she scented a few yards down the alley before shifting back.

 

“It's the lass, and she didna leave alone. I smell three or four o' them.”

 

“Not Sabertooth?”

 

“No. She didna go happily, fear scent all over.”

 

“Can you track her?” Pietro picked up the scrunchie and stuffed it in his pocket. In response Rahne shifted back to wolf form and began to lead him down the alley.

 

 

A few moments earlier, Marissa had been waiting nervously by the motorcycle, feeling exposed. She paced back and forth across the mouth of the alley, glancing occasionally back at Pietro and his…what? Girlfriend maybe? She certainly had looked jealous.

 

A motion a few buildings down caught her eye. Someone was waving to her, trying to get her attention. She stepped a few feet closer to make sure. Yeah, it was Angie. The bleached blonde looked strung out, her leather vest was scuffed and dusty and her jeans were ripped. What the hell did she want?

 

Marissa glanced back down the alley at Pietro and the X-girl. They looked like they were arguing over something. Angie continued to wave to her, looking around nervously and hissing. Marissa shrugged and walked over.

 

“What do you want?”

 

“Come here, I don't want nobody to see us.” Angie tried to pull her into the alley. Marissa pulled back from her clutching hands.

 

“Shit, girl! What are you on?” Marissa stepped a little closer, but kept her distance.

 

“Nothing.” Angie looked around nervously, backing farther into the alley. “I wanted to tell you.”

 

“Tell me what?”

 

“Salvador's back.” Icy fingers of dread trailed down her spine and she broke out in a cold sweat.

 

“When did he get out?”

 

“Last month. Better watch out.”

 

“Thanks.” Marissa turned to head back to Pietro, preferring his brand of crazy over the alternative.

 

That's when they jumped her. There were three of them. She fought them, kicking and scratching, one of them pinned a hand over her mouth and she tried to bite him. Stupid Angie kept babbling incoherent apologies. These were Salvador's boys and they smiled grimly as they dragged her down the alley.

 

“Miss us much?” A voice hissed in her ear. She continued to fight hard, not wasting breath on trying to scream. Would Pietro even bother if she did? Fuck. Maybe the bastard had set her up. Stupid. Probably made up the shit about the letter.

 

She managed to kick one of them hard and he lost his grip, causing her weight to shift and she was free. She ran blindly down the twisting alleys dodging dumpsters and debris, trying to find a safe haven. But it didn't last long. More of them were waiting for her and a quick shove sent her tumbling to the ground. She tried to rise, but a kick to her ribs sent her rolling, gasping for air.

 

She could hear laughter and rough hands reached for her. She squirmed, trying to get away from them but there was no escape and she was dragged roughly to her feet. Her heart pounded and her mouth went dry as she saw who was standing in front of her.

 

“Welcome back, `Riss.” He was a little taller now and heavier. And there was a new scar on his cheek. But it was the same cruel look in his eyes and the same heavy hand that gripped her chin painfully. She stifled the urge to beg him for mercy. Would do no good. He had none.

 

“You've been a naughty little girl while I was away.” His eyes narrowed. “First you run off without saying good-bye. Then I find out you've been giving it away for free. To some mutie-freak.”

 

“You don't own me Salvador.”

 

“Yes, I do.” He brought his other hand to grab her hair painfully tight and pulled her face close to his. “I always have.” He smiled and drew back a little bit. “We've missed you, little sister.”

 

“I'm not your sister.”

 

“Details. Sister, foster-sister. Who cares, really?” He released her hair and dropped his hand to squeeze a breast hard enough to bruise. “Sounds dirtier that way.” He winked at her.

 

“How'd you get out so soon? Thought you weren't coming back for another year.” Marissa licked her lips, weighing her chances. Suck up and wait for a chance to run? Or go down fighting?

 

“Would you believe time off for good behavior?” He laughed coldly.

 

“No.”

 

“Some muckety-muck said things were too crowded and so here I am.” Salvador dropped the hand from her breast to wave expansively. “And I'm so glad we ran into each another.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Oh yeah.” He wrapped a large hand around her throat and dragged her closer. The hands that had been holding her gave way. “You narced on me. You ungrateful little bitch!” He shook Marissa like a rag doll and she clutched at his hand, trying to pry it loose.

 

“Let me go!”

 

“Or what? Your little mutie friends going to come rescue you?” He made a show of looking around. “Funny. I don't see anyone.” He gave her another bone jarring shake. “I can't believe you've been fucking around with those freaks!”

 

“Fuck off Salvador.”

 

“Oh, I will.” He pushed her backwards until he pressed her against a wall. “We're going to play your favorite game. Remember?”

 

“Come on, Salvador. I got nothing to do with you or your shit anymore.” Marissa began to panic as he pulled roughly at her clothes.

 

“We're going to play `pass the ass.' And this time, we're not going to stop until everyone's had a turn.” Her t-shirt tore with an audible rip. She fought him but he batted her hands aside easily as continued to pull at her clothes. Around them a rumble of approval rose from the waiting thugs.

 

“Get away from me!” Marissa kicked at him as he tried to yank her jeans down. He got them halfway down, then shoved her into the center of the alley, laughing. She stumbled and fell hard to her knees. She struggled to scramble to her feet before the first one could reach her.

 

The one with the brown buzz cut nabbed her and whirled her around hard, slinging her into the arms of one of the waiting men. She writhed in his grip, kicking and biting. She managed to elbow him hard enough to make him lose his grip and tried to run. A third man snagged her by the arm and shoved her back in the center of the alley, knocking her to the ground and grabbing the legs of her jeans as she frantically tried to crawl away, kicking her legs free..

 

The game continued for several grim moments, each man hanging onto her for just a moment before shoving her across the circle to another. Marissa fought quietly, her grunts and gasps nearly lost in their laughter and shouting. They would wear her down quickly. In desperation, she let herself fall against one of them, slipping his switchblade from his pocket. She palmed it, letting herself be thrown again, falling almost at Salvador's feet.

 

Salvador laughed and reached down to drag her upright by her hair. She popped the switchblade and jabbed for his midsection. He caught the motion just in time and blocked it with his forearm, the blade slicing through skin and muscle. Marissa tried to jab him again, but he kicked her to the ground.

 

“You little bitch!” He reached behind his back and pulled a pistol from his waistband. “Drop it.” Marissa froze where she lay, letting the knife drop from nerveless fingers.

 

 

Pietro and Rahne followed the trail quickly, but they stopped short when they heard voices. Creeping forward they discovered that there were close to twenty figures gathered around their quarry. The one that held Marissa by the throat was tall, bronze skinned, and heavily built.

 

Rahne growled as the man shook Marissa roughly, his harsh voice carrying easily. Pietro grabbed the wolf's ruff and tugged her backwards. There were too many to tackle safely, neither one of them was bulletproof. Rahne shifted back to human form for a whispered conference.

 

“We canna just leave her there.”

 

“I wasn't going to.” Pietro scowled. “But there's only two of us. We got to think about this.”

 

“I should ha' called Logan.” Rahne pulled a communicator from a pouch at her waist.

 

“Wait.” Pietro was caught between secrecy and leaving Marissa in danger.

 

“Too late.” Rahne had activated the emergency button, and the communicator sparked to life, a harsh voice coming through its small speaker. He watched the confrontation with Marissa escalate.

 

“Rahne!” Pietro whispered urgently.

 

“I dinna ha' time to explain. Hurry!” Rahne's eyes widened as the one called Salvador pulled a shaken Marissa from the ground, holding a gun inches from her face. His face was a mask of rage now and he dragged the girl bodily to throw her up against a wall He pulled his belt free from his waist with one hand. He looped the belt around the girl's throat and pulled it tight as he pressed his body close against hers, slipping the gun into his waistband. Marissa clutched at the belt frantically.

 

“No.” Pietro took off in a blur of motion, leaving a trail of fallen bodies in his wake. Rahne took a moment to react, then shifted to wolf form and followed as quick as she could, snapping and growling.