X-Men Fan Fiction ❯ Witness ❯ Separation ( Chapter 7 )

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.

 

Another chapter folks, plot and character development...sorry...no sex. Warnings: A little profanity.

 

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

 

<b>Chapter Seven: Separation </b>

 

Todd lived in a constant state of anxiety. He tried to hide it from the others, especially Marissa. Marissa's attackers had melted away into the streets and the X-Geeks were making no progress that he could see. Pietro met regularly with that Wolfsbane chick, but Todd doubted he was actually looking for anything but her tonsils. Marissa dismissed the whole thing, saying all she had to do was walk down a street alone and the bastard would find her. She just wanted to wait until she was all healed up. As far as Todd was concerned that wasn't going to happen. Period.

 

Then there was the issue of Magneto's butting into their lives again. Too much of a coincidence that he'd suddenly stopped ignoring them just when Marissa was starting to settle in. Marissa was definitely concerned about that. So was he. He hadn't forgotten how Wanda's father had stolen her away. And changed her. Forever.

 

Sabertooth himself was a wild card. Homicidal and unpredictable - if he didn't have direct orders to leave Marissa alone it was quite likely he'd consider her fair game. She wasn't a mutant and she wasn't one of the boss's kids. Hell, any of the Brotherhood might be fair game, except for Wanda and Pietro, of course.

 

Marissa had shrugged that off too. He'd had plenty of opportunity she said. He either had those orders or wasn't interested. Todd couldn't convince himself of that. Couldn't convince himself that any one of them could protect her if even one of Magneto's Acolytes showed up.

 

“Tell me everything you know about Magneto and his men.” Rissa had demanded of him. She repeated the details back to him as if she were studying for some sort of exam. She doggedly pursued every tidbit he could remember until he felt like he'd been turned inside out.

 

“Come on `Riss. What's the point?” He'd finally had enough. “You're giving me a headache.”

 

“Sorry.” She suddenly dropped the subject and wrapped her arms around him, snuggling close. Soon he was laid out on the couch shirtless and drowsy while her clever fingers worked on the knots and aches that all the worrying had left him. “I just want to understand as much of what's going on as I can.”

 

 

As Marissa's bruises faded from purple to a sickly yellow-green, she questioned each of her housemates.

 

 

“Tell me about Magneto.” She questioned Fred over the breakfast dishes. His answers were brief and simple. But he was happy to talk to her.

 

 

“What is your father like?” She asked Wanda as they listened to music together on Wanda's stereo. The conversation soon turned to his “Acolytes” and Wanda had her giggling over which one was the “most doable.” Then Wanda silenced her questions with sly kisses and playful caresses.

 

 

“What does your father want from the Brotherhood?” She asked Pietro as he lounged in the living room, stuck at home with her for the day, per his own rule. He looked at her quizzically.

 

“Fuck if I know.” He sat up. “And I should. Shouldn't I?”

 

“Seems logical to me.” Marissa flipped T.V. channels idly. “Maybe you should ask him.”

 

“Huh? Sounds like asking for trouble to me.” Pietro looked at her dubiously.

 

“Can't live in fear of him forever, can you?” She shrugged.

 

“You haven't met my father.”

 

“Tell me about him.” She left the T.V. on some nature program as she listened to his answer.

 

 

“What do you think Magneto will do?” She asked Lance as he helped her put together a cheap do-it-yourself chest of drawers in Todd's room.

 

“About you?” He poked his head up over the half-assembled dresser to look at her. His lips tightened in a grim line. “I can think of about three things.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“I don't think he'll just kill you. He'd have already done it. Besides, he's scared of what Wanda can do. That's why he did what he did to her. She'd be pissed if something happened to you and he had something to do with it.” He paused to tighten a screw.

 

“Anyway, first thing is - he might demand that we get rid of you. Kick you out. Or maybe kick you and Todd out.”

 

“We'd just shack up somewhere nearby or take the X-crowd up on their offer.”

 

“Yeah. Hard to actually enforce. And again, he runs the risk of pissing Wanda off and maybe having her break through some of those false memories.”

 

“Is that possible?”

 

“Probably. I asked Jean about it once. Problem is, without those memories, Wanda's crazy. Scary, uncontrollable, crazy.” He held out his hand for the next piece of wood. Marissa handed it to him.

 

“Anyway, I think it's more likely that he would try to get you alone. Scare you into dumping Todd and leaving. Maybe try to bribe you. Possibly even screw with your memories like he did with Wanda.”

 

“What the hell can I do about that?” Marissa shivered.

 

“Nothing.” Lance put down the screwdriver and looked at her. “But we won't let that happen. We're doing the best we can to make sure he doesn't get the chance. I'm pretty sure the Professor over there at the Institute could fix Wanda's memories. And I'm sure he would fix yours if it came to that.”

 

“I hope it doesn't.”

 

“Me too.” Lance went back to work on the dresser.

 

“What's the last thing?”

 

“If he can't kick you out or scare you off, then he might just take you away. Hold you hostage maybe, or claim he's protecting you. Probably that. Wanda might buy that one after what happened with Salvador.”

 

“You don't think he'll just let me stay here. On probation or something? Couldn't we argue that I've been a good influence?”

 

“That's what we're hoping for - but no - I don't think so. I think he'll want to separate you and Todd. And you from Wanda. If he sent Sabertooth, he probably knows exactly who's been sleeping with who.”

 

“Shit.”

 

“Sorry, Riss. I didn't think it through until you asked me. It's hard to say no to Wanda. Not that I wanted to.”

 

“Yeah. I noticed that.” Rissa pulled her scrunchie out and scrubbed her fingers through her hair, tumbling the curls wildly. “So what do I do if that happens?”

 

“You know, you are ridiculously cute when you do that?”

 

“Lance…”

 

“You do what you always do Riss.”

 

“And what exactly is that?”

 

“Study your enemy…pick out your suckers…and go for the gonads. Just don't fall for anyone this time.”

 

“Where did you get that idea?” Marissa shot her scrunchie at him playfully. Lance caught it easily and slipped it over his wrist.

 

“I've seen your kind before - just glad you're on our side.” Lance winked at her.

 

“I think I've been insulted.” Marissa mock-frowned at him, then turned serious. “Todd would never forgive me.”

 

“If that happens…and you make it back in one piece…he'll get over it.”

 

 

Marissa had come to trust Lance's judgment a great deal. His level-headedness and common sense were a good foil for Wanda's occasional trips into fantasyland. Maybe she should take the X-Geeks up on their offer. But, that would only be a temporary solution. Sooner or later the separation would either break them up, or she'd move back and they would be in the exact same position again.

 

Fuck. Why couldn't anything ever be simple?

 

 

Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck! They were here. They were *all* here. Pietro recoiled from the sight of his father and his Acolytes stepping out of the steel gray limo parked outside.

 

“Marissa!” He turned and hissed at the girl curled up on the couch with Todd. “Go upstairs and lock the door. Don't come down unless someone comes for you.” The girl slipped from the couch and disappeared up the stairs without a sound. Todd started to follow.

 

“Toad, stay here.” Pietro took a deep breath as he prepared to greet his father. His heart pounded in his chest. He glanced quickly to see Todd sit back down on the couch stiffly.

 

A loud knock sounded on the door and he hesitated. The knock sounded again and he opened it.

 

“Hello, Father.”

 

“Hello, Pietro.” The older man walked in, a heavier, more mature copy of Pietro. He was followed by a slim man with red on black eyes, a very large muscular man with dark hair, a shorter man with wild red hair, and lastly a feral looking brute with fair hair and impressive claws. The only reassuring thing about their appearance was that they were in “civilian” clothes rather than their full uniforms.

 

“Daddy!” Wanda called excitedly from the top of the staircase and stepped quickly downwards to greet the older man with a hug. Lance followed her more sedately as Fred emerged from the kitchen, dish towel in hand.

 

“Good to see you, Wanda.” Magneto returned her hug stiffly as he scanned the room solemnly, noting the fresh paint and new furniture. “I see you have been making some changes, Pietro.”

 

“Yeah. We've been fixing the old place up. Do you like it?” Pietro asked nervously as he watched his father's men wander around the room. Sabertooth circled behind the couch and rested his hands on the back near Todd.

 

“It is an improvement.” Magneto nodded as Wanda released him.

 

“We bought new furniture like you said.” Wanda patted the back of a new armchair.

 

“So I see.” He looked at each of the young people in turn and nodded to them. “Fred. Todd. Lance…I think we are missing someone. Aren't we?”

 

“Are we?” Pietro echoed nervously. Sabertooth sniffed loudly and smiled.

 

“She's upstairs.” Sabertooth turned towards the staircase. “I'll get her.”

 

“Stay.” Magneto raised a hand. “Gambit, go invite the young lady to join us, if you would.”

 

“My pleasure.” The tall man slipped up the stairs quietly.

 

“Daddy, she's nobody important. Just Todd's girlfriend.” Wanda tugged at his sleeve, urging him to sit down. He waved her away.

 

“Todd's girlfriend?” He raised an eyebrow at Todd. “You have a girlfriend now, Todd?”

 

“She's my girl, yo.” Todd started to rise, but Sabertooth shoved him back into his seat.

 

 

Upstairs Marissa locked the door with shaking hands. She looked in the mirror over the new dresser, her face was pale and her hair was just as wild as usual. She dug in a drawer for another scrunchie. Todd was always snatching them and never gave them back. She had to wait until she did the laundry - he usually left them in his pockets.

 

She pulled her hair back from her face, trying to pull some of the escaping curls into an arrangement that looked more artful than childish. Then she reached again to fish out the switchblade. She bent over to slip it into her boot and froze as she heard the door open.

 

A tall man with strange red on black eyes stood in the doorway. She recognized him from her friend's description. This was “Gambit.” Marissa's heart pounded in her chest as she stood up. His eyes had followed her motion and she knew he'd seen the knife. Didn't matter, it was more of good luck piece than a weapon.

 

“De boss want to see you, miss.” He gestured towards the stairway with one hand.

 

“I thought I locked the door.” She turned slowly.

 

“You did.” He smiled and waited patiently as she walked out into the hallway. He followed her so silently she had to fight the urge to turn around and make sure he was still there.

 

All eyes were on her as she slowly walked down the stairs. Todd was white as a sheet and Pietro didn't look much better. Lance's darker skin hid it better, but she thought he looked pale too as she passed him at the foot of the stairs. She stopped uncertainly a few feet away from the couch.

 

“So this is the young lady.” Magneto looked her over critically. “Come closer, child.”

 

Marissa glanced at Todd, then stepped a few feet closer. A hand at her elbow startled her and she glanced to see Gambit beside her, urging her closer than she really wanted to get. When she was only a few feet away, he dropped his hand and stepped back.

 

“What is your name?”

 

“Marissa.”

 

“And how long have you been staying here?”

 

“A couple of months, not quite three I think.” She glanced nervously at Pietro. He just nodded at her.

 

“Are you a mutant?”

 

“No, sir. Not that I'm aware of.”

 

“How does a human…normal…come to live here. With the Brotherhood?”

 

“I…uh…I'm Todd's girl.”

 

“Really?” She nodded. “Todd…how did your `girl' come to live here?”

 

“She…uh…Pietro…gave her to me.”

 

“Pietro...” He turned to raise an eyebrow at Pietro as the red-headed man Marissa recognized as “Pyro” snickered. “Gave her to you.”

 

“It was a stupid joke. Really. Nobody expected anything to come of it.” Pietro stepped back under his father's scrutiny.

 

“Really Daddy, it was just a silly prank.” Wanda sat nervously on the edge of the armchair's seat. Magneto turned back to look at Marissa.

 

“Did you find it funny, Marissa?”

 

“No. Not at the time.”

 

“But you are still here. Why?” Marissa opened her mouth, but he raised his hand. “I don't want to hear any dramatic confessions of affection. Why are you here?”

 

“I like it here. With Todd and the Brotherhood.”

 

“I'm sure you do, since I am paying for all this.” His eyes narrowed

 

“Well if you are, why didn't you fix it up yourself?” Marissa crossed her arms and scowled. “This place was a dump when I got here.” Someone gasped, but Marissa did not look away to see who it was.

 

“I see. So you are responsible for all of this.”

 

“I had help, lots of it. We all did it. They just needed a little motivation.”

 

“Ah…and that is why I did not `fix the place up myself.' I had hoped to see some `motivation' to better themselves. I must admit I'm disappointed.” He looked pointedly at Pietro before continuing. “Not one of them seems to have any thought for the future. Have you considered your future if you remain here?”

 

“Actually, I've given a lot of thought to my future.” Marissa licked her lips nervously.

 

“And?”

 

“And…If mutants…you…they…” She gestured at her friends. “Are the future…I want to be a part of it.”

 

“You are human.”

 

“We are all human. Mutants are the children of humanity. That's not just pretty political talk - that's the literal truth. Only a few like Wanda and Pietro have at least one mutant parent. I like the idea of leaving some sort of...legacy…I guess.”

 

Magneto's eyebrows rose in surprise and someone made a choking noise. Marissa resisted the urge to look at Todd. She was sure she'd caught him completely by off guard with that statement.

 

“Are you saying you are planning to have children with…Todd?” Someone snickered behind her and Magneto glared at the offender.

 

“If this thing with Todd progresses…hypothetically speaking…any children we had would be carriers at the very least. We haven't talked about that, though. Kinda early for that kind of talk.”

 

“And if things don't progress?”

 

“These are my friends. I'd still want to hang with them, and I wouldn't be opposed to hooking up someone else just because they were a mutant.”

 

“I see.” His eyes narrowed as he studied her again, then gave Todd the same scrutiny. “Hypothetically speaking - what if I were to `give' you to one of my men as Pietro gave you to Todd?” He raised his hand as she opened her mouth to protest. “My Acolytes are powerful men. I pay them well and they are some of the most powerful mutants on Earth. Todd's gifts are relatively minor.” She could hear Todd cursing behind her and Sabertooth growled.

 

“I wouldn't be very happy with that. Sir.” Her mouth went dry and she could feel the blood drain from her cheeks.

 

“But you would accept it, just the way you accepted Pietro's decision?”

 

“Is refusal an option?”

 

“Hypothetically speaking.” The man's mouth pulled back in a mocking smile.

 

“I'd much rather stay here with Todd. He suits me.”

 

“I think you mean he's easier to manipulate. All of these children are easily manipulated aren't they, Marissa?” He leaned closer to her and she flinched away reflexively. His eyes fell on the fading bruises on her neck, briefly.

 

“No. I don't think so, at all.”

 

“I think you are a shameless opportunist.” He reached out and grasped her chin, tilting her head to the side so that he could examine the marks more closely. Marissa fought the urge to back away. His touch was gentler than she expected. “Then again, maybe you are just a scared little girl looking for someplace to hide.”

 

“What do you know about that?” Marissa jerked her chin from his grasp and scowled.

 

“I know a great deal about what goes on here. More than you think.” He waved her away and turned to Pietro. “Let us talk privately.” He waved Pietro up the stairs. “No one else is to leave this room.”

 

Marissa turned around nervously, then crossed to sit next to Todd, trying to ignore the hulking presence of Sabertooth behind them.

 

“What the hell was that `Riss?” Todd put an arm around her and pulled her tight, shooting a glare over his shoulder at Sabertooth's snort of amusement.

 

“Sorry. Sometimes I babble when I'm scared.”

 

“So all that was …what?”

 

“The truth…I just wished I'd actually talked it over with you first.”

 

“So do I, yo.”

 

It seemed like Pietro and his father were gone a long time. Colossus stood near the front door, peering out of the blinds from time to time. Sabertooth continued to lurk behind Marissa and Todd, while Lance moved to lean over Wanda's chair, talking to her quietly. Fred sat beside them on the couch wiping at the new coffee table idly with the dish towel. Pyro flopped down on the empty arm chair and began toying with a lighter.

 

Gambit studied the room silently for a moment before kneeling beside the coffee table and pulling out a deck of cards.

 

“A game o' cards to pass de time?” He waved to the trio on the couch.

 

“I don't know anything but solitaire.” Marissa answered him.

 

“Better watch that bloke there, Toad. He's fair dinkum at cards.” Pyro smirked. “Next thing you know, he's got your money and your Sheila.”

 

Gambit merely smiled and pulled a second deck of cards from his pocket and slid them across the table. He opened his deck and began to shuffle idly. Marissa reached slowly for the unopened deck and slipped off the couch to the floor, pressing her back against Todd's knees and began to shuffle. Feeling the slick cards slipping through her fingers helped settle her nerves and she concentrated on playing a hand of solitaire while Todd played with her hair nervously. Fred watched her and offered sporadic advice. Gambit continued to shuffle his cards, occasionally laying them out in some more obscure version of solitaire.

 

Finally, Magneto returned, with Pietro following behind him. Marissa couldn't quite read the expression on his face as she began to gather the cards back up. Todd's fingers clutched her shoulders as he leaned over her protectively.

 

“Getting aquainted?” Magneto asked, taking in the scene.

 

“Just passing de time.” Gambit straightened the cards with a firm tap on the table before tucking them away and rising. Marissa scrambled back up from her seat on the floor and sat next to Todd again.

 

“It is time to leave.” His men moved to follow him as he walked toward the door. “Bring the girl.” Sabertooth grinned and reached a clawed hand for her. “Gently.” Magneto added.

 

“Wait!” Wanda stood up to protest. “You can't just take her.”

 

“You didn't say anything about taking her!” Pietro objected at the same time.

 

Sabertooth's hand clamped down on Marissa's shoulder and Todd stood by, panic stricken. He was no match for Sabertooth and he knew it.

 

“You asked for my help, Pietro. I am giving it. She will be safely out of her foster-brother's reach. I wish to hear more about this `legacy' idea. If I like what she has to say, I will bring her back. When it is safe, of course.”

 

“Kiss your little girlie goodbye, Toad.” Sabertooth smirked. “Don't worry, we'll take real good care of her.”

 

“Do I get any say in this?” Marissa asked, trying to shrug off the heavy hand.

 

“Consider it an opportunity. Besides, if this `thing' with Todd has any merit, it will survive a separation.”

 

“Marissa…” Todd clutched at her arm. “This isn't right.”

 

“I'll be back. I promise.” She leaned in close to kiss him, ignoring Sabertooth's predatory grin. “I'm your girl.”

 

Then she was pulled away and hustled out the door as her friends looked on anxiously. Lance nodded to her as she passed. She sure as hell hoped she was up to the challenge.