X-Men Fan Fiction ❯ Witness ❯ Testing, Testing…123… ( Chapter 28 )

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.

 

This chapter is mostly plot and character development. No sex...sorry. There'll be more later. Don't worry.

 

As always, constructive criticism is welcome.

 

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

 

<b>Chapter Twenty Eight: Testing, Testing…123… </b>

 

Marissa sure was moody lately. Todd flinched as she slammed the bedroom door on her way down the stairs. All he'd done was ask her how her web-site was doing. Just trying to be supportive and all that crap. Sheesh.

 

Maybe she was nervous about the T.V. commercials that were supposed to start airing tonight. She'd managed to wrangle an invite over to the Institute to hang out with some of the younger XGeeks. They were going to watch some cheesy show about kids who had too much money. Her commercial was supposed to air a couple of times during the show and she wanted to get their reactions.

 

She wanted him to come too, and he'd said that show sucked. That's when she'd slammed the door.

 

Oh…Why didn't she just say she wanted him to help her, yo?

 

She didn't use to be so moody…Hey! You don't think...?

 

Todd hurried to follow her down the stairs and the door slammed again.

 

 

Marissa tried not to bite her nails as she waited. Not to find out if the blonde chick cheated on her boyfriend - but for the commercial break that was coming up. Todd had suddenly decided he really, really wanted to come with her and had been practically glued to her side since. She nudged him with her elbow to get him to scoot over a little bit so she could pull out her PDA in preparation to take notes.

 

Here it was…Come on…Make it good.

 

“The dating world is hard enough these days…But, what if you're different? When do you tell them you're a mutant? How will they react? Do you tell them at all?”

 

“Legacy Match…Put the question to rest and let love bloom.”

 

That was the first version. Would it fly?

 

Well it certainly started a few conversations, mostly “What was that” and “Did I hear that right? A dating service for mutants?”

 

Watch some more…Yeah the blond cheated but her boyfriend has a secret lover…how many more minutes before the next spot? She leaned over and whispered in Todd's ear.

 

“You were right, this show sucks. But it gets good ratings. Go figure.” Todd shrugged and shifted in his seat.

 

Ah. Finally. Here comes version two.

 

“The world is changing and so is humanity. What parent wouldn't want to see their children grow up to be something more? At Legacy Match we match mutants and mutant friendly singles….”

 

“Legacy Match…Be a part of the future.”

 

More talk and a few fingers pointed at the screen. Some people were digging for something to write with. One kid actually left the room to get one of the teachers.

 

“I think that's a reaction…Not sure it's the right one yet.” Marissa made some notes on her PDA. “But, it's a start.”

 

A striking white-haired black woman and a large blue-furred man wearing glasses joined the crowd of teens to find out that the boyfriend's secret lover was his chauffer…his male chauffer. Then it was time for the next commercial and Marissa gripped Todd's hand tightly.

 

“Tired of the old dating scene? Are you ready for something different? A relationship based on who you are instead of what you are? We are all human and there's someone out there looking for you…

 

“Legacy Match…Adventure is in the heart.”

 

The entire room broke out in questions which the teachers were unable to answer. Marissa was trying to jot down notes without looking obvious and shooting anxious glances around the room. Reactions ranged from confusion to excitement to outright suspicion.

 

The debate continued through the next segment of the show and several more teachers and senior students were brought into the room to wait for the next spot.

 

“They should cycle through those three spots again before the show's over.” Marissa whispered to Todd. She watched and listened carefully, noting down as many reactions as she could manage. “Can't wait to see what the numbers say.”

 

Finally, the show was over, but the students were still lingering and chatting. Marissa's cell phone rang and she scrambled to answer it.

 

“Yeah?” She bit her lip and looked at Todd anxiously as she listened. “How many? Fantastic! Keep a close eye on it Angie and give me a call if anything changes.” She hung up the phone and grinned at Todd.

 

“What's she say?”

 

“The hit counter's gone through the roof, we're in business now!” Marissa's whisper was an excited hiss in his ear.

 

“Can we get out of here, yo?”

 

“Sure let's go find Lance and go home.” She tucked her PDA away and waved at some of the students she knew before they left.

 

“Let's swing by the drugstore first. I need to get something.”

 

“All right, but let's hurry. I'm dying to see some real numbers.”

 

 

Marissa was in such a hurry to get home, she waited in the front seat with Lance, comparing notes. He'd been in another part of the mansion with some of the older students. They hadn't been watching the same program until an excited Jamie had run in and told them to change the channel.

 

Marissa added Lance's observations to her notes on her PDA and barely paid attention when Todd hopped back in the jeep with his purchase. He fiddled with the small package on his lap nervously until he noticed Lance watching him in the rearview mirror. Then he shoved the package down between his feet and leaned forward to look at Marissa's notes.

 

“So what's the verdict, yo?”

 

“I think the ad campaign's got some real potential. Might keep all three spots. That show may be stupid but it's great exposure. I'll know more when I get back to my computer. Almost wish I'd brought my laptop, but someone would have asked questions.”

 

“They looked pretty good to me. Almost worth putting up with Kitty's crap. Almost. You owe me, `Riss.” Kitty was obviously still hung up on Lance and tended to hover around, even though she had dumped him.

 

“Give me a little time…I'll find a way to get her off your back.” Marissa tapped her stylus against her lips. “That Kurt guy, maybe. Some way cool genes there. Shame to waste them.”

 

“Do you ever stop? You've got a full-blown obsession there, girl.” Lance glanced at her face, illuminated by the device's small screen.

 

“Heh…Thought old fuzzy had a girlfriend.” Todd scowled. Maybe she was obsessed.

 

“Nope. She went off to college…and he got the `I think we should see other people' line.” Marissa remarked absently.

 

“How the hell do you know that, yo?”

 

“Girl talk. Everybody feels sorry for the guy…Especially since he's got it bad for Lance's favorite valley girl - he's stuck in `best friend' limbo.”

 

“He's a freak, yo!”

 

“He's sweet. I had a nice chat with him the other day. That tail is absolutely fascinating, you can almost tell what he's thinking if you watch it.” Marissa craned her neck around to look at him. “And you shouldn't call him a freak.”

 

“We are all human and there's someone out there looking for you…” Lance did a pretty good imitation of the voice actor. Marissa giggled.

 

“Exactly.”

 

“Whatever. So, he ain't so bad, I guess.” Todd grumbled.

 

“Wanda's got a soft spot for him since he helped with her rescue.”

 

“I made him do it. He wasn't going to help me!”

 

“Wanda doesn't see it that way…and neither do I. He's at the top of my list.” Marissa tapped the screen on her PDA.

 

“What list?” Lance glanced at her again.

 

“I have a list…Of wishes I'm going to grant. To good little boys and girls…” Marissa giggled as she scrolled through a list of names. “And some of them not so good.” She noticed Todd craning his neck, trying to see and hid it playfully.

 

“So what, you're a fairy godmother now?” Lance snorted.

 

“Hmm…Maybe.” She switched off the device and slipped it back into her pocket.

 

“You're nuts.” Todd commented. “But, it's O.K. I like crazy chicks.”

 

“Yeah. Me too.” Lance shot a grin over his shoulder as he pulled into the driveway.

 

Marissa couldn't climb out of the jeep fast enough and made a bee-line for her office. She startled Angie who was busy typing while a printer was spitting out page after page of text.

 

“How's it look?” Marissa sat down and opened the lap top on the desk.

 

“Really, really good, Rissa. If I understand all this computer stuff.”

 

“Got any hate mail yet?”

 

“Oh, yeah. Plenty of those. But, there's lot's more good ones. I'm printing some out.”

 

“Cool. I'll look through them later.” Marissa's eyes were glued to the laptop's screen as she tapped keys eagerly. She didn't look up when Todd came in and leaned over her shoulder.

 

“What's all that?”

 

“Some of the new profiles…We've got hundreds of new ones just since that first commercial aired.”

 

“And you make money off of them?”

 

“Yeah. Mutants get free memberships and non-mutants pay a fee…unless they agree to be DNA tested. A certified `carrier' gets a free ride too.”

 

“Why not just lie about being a mutant?”

 

“They have to prove it before they get to meet anybody. Pictures, background check, DNA if we have to. Depends on what they're willing to do. Otherwise they pay the fee too.”

 

“That's kind of scary…What if the government got that info, yo? All those mutants…” Todd blanched as he began to understand what she was doing.

 

“That's why the servers are here. With us. Under lock and key. And why it has to be a secret, Todd.” Marissa turned to look up at him, her expression serious. “Hey, Angie, could you leave us alone for a while?”

 

“Sure thing, boss.” Angie left quickly, leaving the printer to spit out more pages.

 

“Not even Magneto can get the data…he could destroy the servers, but that wouldn't give him the info. He put Remy in charge of that…And Remy's mine, not his.” Todd wasn't sure he liked the way she said that.

 

“He on your list too?”

 

“What list?”

 

“The wish list.”

 

“Yep. Already started on his, but it's complicated. Gonna take a while.”

 

“Am I on that list?” He damn well oughta be, she was his girl. And what was this `Remy is mine' shit anyway?

 

“You…No. I've already given you yours.” Marissa cocked her head at him. Todd stared at her, puzzled.

 

“What are you talking about, yo?”

 

“Your heart's desire…To love and be loved. That was it, wasn't it?” She studied his expression. “Me, Wanda, Lance…we all love you. And you love us. Simple.” Todd blinked at her numbly.

 

“Never thought of it like that…That's why you asked them to `take care of me'—I thought you just wanted an out on the cheating thing. And I thought all this stuff with Lance and Wanda was her idea.”

 

“She wanted you…and me. And Lance wanted to please her. Love…takes a little more time and effort. And at least you would have had them if I couldn't make it back.” Marissa frowned. “Like I said. I always have a plan B.”

 

“Huh…Look…This…I got this for you.” Todd shoved the drugstore bag at her, at a complete loss as to what to say next.

 

“What is it…Oh.” Marissa looked a little startled as she pulled a small box out of the bag. “I'm only a couple of days late. I was gonna wait a little longer.”

 

“So you are late?”

 

“Just a couple of days. That's happened before and it was nothing.”

 

“Just do it. For me. I want to know.”

 

“O.K. But this early it might be wrong…”

 

“I already talked to the pharmacist…That's what took so long.”

 

“Oh.” She tapped the box on her knee. “Now?”

 

“Yeah. Now. Please.”

 

 

 

Todd paced around the gym while Marissa took the package into the new bathroom. That was a nice addition to the old place. Sharing the one upstairs was a pain in the ass.

 

How long does it take?

 

You know how long it takes…You read the package.

 

Seems like a long time…Maybe she was reading the package.

 

Hope nobody comes down here right now. Sharing's fine, but some things oughtta be private.

 

Crap. We should really do something to hide that door. Who the hell has that kind of security system in their basement? What if somebody needed to use the bathroom? What if they had to call a plumber?

 

Why am I worried about the plumbing, anyway?

 

How long does it take to piss on a stick?

 

Not long. Here she comes. God she looks scared, is it good or bad?

 

 

“Todd…” She held the little stick out like it might bite her. “Look…Tell me what it says. Please.”

 

He looked at it, not touching it. He swallowed.

 

“It um…It says you're pregnant.”

 

God she looks scared, yo.

 

“That's good right? That's what you wanted, right?”

 

“Yes…Oh My God…Yes…I just…It's real?” Her hand was shaking. “Oh My God.”

 

“It's real…Are you O.K.?” He took the thing from her. Her fingers were icy. He didn't know what to do with it so he tucked it in his pocket. This wasn't the reaction he was expected.

 

“I'm…I'm pregnant…Is that O.K.? How…How did you know?”

 

“I just know my girl, that's all. Why are you crying?”

 

“Cause I'm pregnant, bonehead. Damned hormones…” She sniffed hard and rubbed at her eyes with the heel of one hand. “Are you sure it's O.K.? `Cause it's kind of too late, now.”

 

“No. It's good. It's good babe. Better than O.K. Don't cry…” He wrapped his arms around her and let her sniffle against his shoulder. “I love you. Don't cry.”

 

 

By morning Marissa was all smiles again. Which was good, since Todd hadn't fooled Lance one bit.

 

“So, what's the verdict?” Lance passed the milk across the breakfast table.

 

“What verdict, yo?” Todd shoved a forkful of waffle into his mouth, buying time. They'd agreed to keep it to themselves until she could get confirmation from a doctor. Marissa looked up but didn't answer, instead taking a large swallow of orange juice.

 

“Did he shoot you down or not?” Lance pointed a forkful of pancake at Marissa. Marissa turned red and spluttered a bit.

 

“Lance!” Wanda elbowed him sharply.

 

“You're not pregnant already?” Pietro put down his fork.

 

“Marissa's pregnant?” Fred stopped mid-chew.

 

“Swallow before you choke on that, sweetie.” Angie patted Fred on the arm.

 

Marissa cleared her throat and looked at Todd nervously. So much for privacy.

 

“I took one of those home pregnancy tests last night and it was positive. I haven't been to a doctor yet, so don't get too excited. All right?”

 

“We weren't gonna say anything until she went to a doctor, yo!” Todd scowled at them. “Got no goddamned privacy at all.”

 

“Have you told my father yet?” Pietro tapped his fork on his plate nervously.

 

“No! I just found out last night…And it might not be right.” Marissa was still red and was picking at her food, not looking at anyone. “I haven't even picked a doctor yet…I wasn't expecting this to happen quite so soon.”

 

“You better pick someone quick or he'll pick for you.” Pietro continued his nervous tapping. “And…You'll need a specialist. The clinic won't do…”

 

“I know…I know…” Marissa didn't want to discuss that in front of Todd. Sounds like either Magneto had discussed things with Pietro, or Pietro had figured something out on his own. “I don't need you mother-henning me, Pietro.”

 

“Well, since I don't see your mother here…You're stuck with it. Call the Institute…If anyone knows a specialist, they would.”

 

“No. I don't want them to know. At least not yet.”

 

“Get it done. Or I'll do it for you.” Pietro's expression reminded Marissa of his father.

 

“Lay off, Pietro.” Todd growled. “She ain't your girl.”

 

“I'd do the same thing for Wanda…She wants to be a part of this whack job family, she's going to have take the good with the bad.” Pietro sniffed.

 

“Fine. I'll take care of it. My way.” Marissa glanced around the table again. “We don't tell anyone who doesn't need to know. At least for now.”

 

“You can't hide it but for so long.” Lance sat back in his chair, serious now.

 

“I'm not hiding it. Lots of people wait until they're past the three month mark. Just in case something bad happens.” She wiped her mouth with her napkin. “And it's pretty early yet…Nothing's concrete until I see a doctor.”

 

“Nothing bad's gonna happen.” Todd was quick to reassure her.

 

“That's right…Pass me the milk Fred.” Marissa reached for the pitcher, hoping the subject was closed for now.

 

 

 

“Ya got a minute, Marissa?” Rogue reached out a hand to stop her as the Brotherhood filed out of the conference room after another of their rehash sessions. This one had gone much better than Marissa's first.

 

“Yeah. Sure. What's up?” Todd hovered nearby and she waved him on. “I'll catch up with you guys later.”

 

“Let's go talk in mah room…Somebody's probably already waiting for this room. And this is a private conversation.” Rogue took her by the elbow and Marissa noted that she wore the damper on her wrist.

 

“That's cool. I wanted to ask you about something anyway.” Marissa firmly squashed the nervous butterflies in her stomach. She had enough to worry about without Remy's secondhand crush. Maybe it was morning sickness?

 

They were silent until they were safely locked in Rogue's bedroom. Marissa sat on the bed and watched Rogue sit down, her fingers plucking at the damper around her wrist.

 

“How's that working for you?” Marissa nodded pointedly at the device.

 

“Good. Ah even managed ta find the right kind of batteries. No more accidents. Sometimes Ah even forget about mah power.”

 

“Well, if you have any trouble getting batteries, I can probably get them for you.”

 

“Thanks…” Rogue pushed a lock of striped hair behind one ear. “Look…Ah've been thinkin' about what we talked about. About Remy…and about this thing.” She tugged at the damper.

 

“And?” About time…She'd expected Rogue to cave in sooner. Stubborn.

 

“And…Ah'd like ta see him. See if there's still something there.” Rogue kept toying with the damper. “Before I go off an' start tryin' to date.”

 

“You want me to arrange a meeting?”

 

“Can you? Ah mean, Ah got no idea how to get ahold of him. Not like the Professor would approve. Probably not Magneto either. Unless this is some sorta trick.” Rogue frowned at her.

 

“No. No trick. I'm doing this on my own. Remy didn't ask me…I think he feels like it's too late. That he's in too deep. And that you will never trust him.”

 

“Can I check for mahself?” Rogue pressed a button on the side of the damper and held out one hand.

 

“I…How dangerous is that?” Marissa swallowed nervously.

 

“We done this before…Ah didn't hurt you then.” Rogue's expression turned to one of suspicion.

 

“I uh…This is what I wanted to ask you about. I…think I'm pregnant and I need to find a doctor. A specialist. Cause this could be really high risk…”

 

“Ah don't think it would hurt anything…I wouldn't do it for long. How far along are you?” Rogue's expression was still a little skeptical.

 

“Not long…I missed my period about two weeks ago. And I took a home pregnancy test…two actually. Both positive.” Marissa bit her lip. “Look…I'm scared Rogue.”

 

“It's just a baby, sugar. Happens all the time. I thought ya'll planned this.” Rogue's tone was becoming more concerned by the second.

 

“Just…O.K. Do your thing…Yeah. You've had Magneto in your head right? Maybe you can tell me if he was lying or not.” Marissa held out her hand. “I really need to know if he was lying.”

 

“All right.” Rogue placed a careful fingertip on her palm. “Think about what you want me to see…”

 

Memories…Remy…Knowing she had pushed him too far…Knowing he wasn't what she thought he was…Knowing he was too much like her. Knowing that feeling of being trapped…hating yourself for what you've done. What you will do.

 

Daring to give him hope…And the responsibility that comes with that. Demanding his faith…And living up to it. Stop…

 

Magneto…Making one last plea to choose another father for this child. Arguing as a father…Todd's mutation…The toxins in his special saliva…Magneto's claim that Todd's mother had been ill…Todd's admission that he'd always been like this…That he felt his parents hadn't wanted him from the start because he was different.

 

Fear…

 

“That's enough, girl.” Rogue snatched her hand away and Marissa slumped, eyes blinking slowly.

 

“Oh Mah Gawd!” She hastily turned the damper back on so that she could keep Marissa from slipping off the bed. “You're a damn fool!” She snapped at the girl as she settled her on the pillows and pulled the comforter over her.

 

“Ain't got a lick of sense.” She reached for a pair of gloves before stroking the girl's face. “Come on back…We've got some more talkin' to do.”