X-Men Fan Fiction ❯ Witness ❯ Slip the Leash... ( Chapter 36 )

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 focuses on plot and character development. No sex. I will be wrapping this up in a few more chapters. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

 

Do keep in mind…This is written from the Brotherhood's POV - A little distrust is perfectly natural given their history.

 

I touch on the Maximoff twins' back story here. I cannot recall any mention of their mother at all in the XMen Evolution series so I am drawing from the comic book version for inspiration - though I have changed some details to make it more consistent with the Evo universe.

 

As always, constructive criticism is welcome.

 

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

 

<b>Chapter Thirty Six: Slip the leash…</b>

 

Before she knew it, Logan had herded her out of the control room. Thereby proving her suspicion that an observer wasn't really necessary. Then he was leading her quickly through the corridors to meet with Professor Xavier himself.

 

Shit.

 

“Can't we wait for the others to get done? I've had this thing in me for over a year now. A few more minutes won't matter.”

 

“Nuh-uh. Wanna talk ta ya by yerself. Come on, kid.”

 

“I want Pietro to come with…”

 

“Ya want help or not? That boy's the last one ta have around if it involves his old man.”

 

“It's not like that…” She was breathing hard trying to keep up with him, avoiding his attempts to take her elbow.

 

“Can I at least have Rogue come?”

 

“Mebbe later. She's busy.”

 

“She's keeping them busy you mean.” Marissa halted, turning back the way they had come. She didn't like this at all.

 

“Ain't nobody gonna hurt ya. But, if Magneto put somethin' in ya, that's something we want ta know about. And why.” He reached for her elbow again and growled when she backed away.

 

“No touching.” I'm losing my mind…All the things I've done…I can't be scared of this guy. Maybe it's the pregnancy…Her heart was thumping and her palms were sweating. She swallowed hard against the rising fear.

 

“What's the matter? Ya didn't seem so shy at the party.” The man stopped short, his nostrils flared. “Yer scared of me? Ain't done nothin' to ya.”

 

“I…You remind me of someone…And I'd really rather stay with the rest of the Brotherhood.”

 

“Who do I remind ya of?”

 

“Victor.” The man's face darkened into a harsh scowl. She backed away further, hand groping for a weapon.

 

“That bastard let Creed at ya?” He growled again, then stopped, recognizing it wasn't helping. “I ain't like him. Ain't gonna touch ya.”

 

“I…I'm sorry…” She was rooted to the spot. “I don't want to talk about it. I just want the thing out.”

 

“Come on, follow me. Still gotta talk ta the Professor.” He turned to walk away slowly, glancing over his shoulder to see if she was following. After a moment, she did.

 

She tried to focus on what she knew rather than what she felt. All those hormones were eating at her self control. This man wasn't Victor. Victor could never have been trusted in a place like this. And the Professor? Professor Xavier…A telepath…He was probably the strongest in the world. Maybe the strongest ever.

 

Too many secrets…Shit…

 

Remy's lessons…We covered this…Shields…didn't help block him out, thanks to the link, but it should help with anyone else. Tricks…Think about the surface, the physical…My back hurts, my ankles are swelling, is that a foot in my ribs?

 

Hum a catchy tune…One with lyrics that get stuck in your head…It'll get stuck in his head too. How about that damned song they keep playing on MTV? The one with the chick singing about an “Umber-ella-ella-ella.”

 

Already they were standing in front of a heavy wood door and before Logan's knuckles touched the wood a voice spoke.

 

“Enter.”

 

Logan opened the door and walked inside moving aside to allow her to enter. She followed him to stand uncertainly before the polished wood desk. She'd seen the Professor before, from a distance. Up until now, she had carefully avoided drawing his attention. At least that was what she hoped.

 

The bald man sat with an open textbook before him. He smiled at her warmly and gestured to a nearby leather armchair

 

“Good afternoon, Logan. Please have a seat Miss Lenssher.”

 

She sat down gingerly. He'd obviously been expecting her. Logan didn't sit; instead he walked around the desk to lean against a window sill.

 

“I understand you want our help with something?”

 

Things had happened so fast, either he'd been snooping or Logan was supposed to offer her help today. Probably why he'd been there in the first place. Wasn't like Rogue had really needed either of them there.

 

“Yeah…Um…Magneto supposedly put some sort of chip inside me that lets him track where I am. If it's really there, I'd like to get it out.” Say no more than you have to. Don't need them mucking up everything trying to be helpful.

 

“I see? For what purpose would Magneto want to implant a tracking device?”

 

“I was never quite clear on the why myself. I think he's a control freak. I wasn't planning on running anywhere…But I'd like to at least have the option.”

 

“What is his interest in you, Miss Lenssher? I must admit, I am puzzled.”

 

“I'm not completely sure. Did you know about the trouble we had with…um…my ex-foster brother and his gang? Wanda asked him to keep me safe…and things kind of got weird from there.”

 

“Wanda? Hmm…In what way did things get `weird'?”

 

“I was with him and his Acolytes…somewhere. I never knew where. There were lots of lessons…Combat training and school type lessons. I even learned how to play chess.” Stick with the truth; he'll know if I lie. “He tried to convince me to stay with them.”

 

“What happened with Creed?” Logan interjected.

 

“I'm not going to talk about that.” Marissa shot him a nervous look and swallowed hard.

 

“Do you feel you're in any danger?” The Professor leaned forward, looking concerned.

 

“I…I'm not in any physical danger, I think.” She looked back and forth between them. “But, again—I'd like the option of running if I need to.”

 

“You may always seek refuge here.” He gestured to indicate the Institute. “That is why we are here. To help mutants in need.”

 

“I…I don't want to be the cause of a full-out war. The Brotherhood is neutral, the Institute isn't.” Logan snorted at that, but the Professor continued.

 

“You think Magneto would be provoked by such an action?”

 

“I'm pretty sure he would. I took his name…and the babies will have it, too. I'm sure that must mean something to him.”

 

“I see…And your mutation…this is a recent occurrence?”

 

“I think so. I got really, really sick. Then I changed and suddenly got better.”

 

“You said them babies are poisoning ya.” Logan moved from his spot at the window and circled the desk to lean against it.

 

“Yeah. They take after their father…”

 

“Todd Tolansky? Ah yes, he produces a poisonous saliva, if I recall.” She nodded in response. “Are there any other manifestations of your mutation?”

 

“I...” What to tell them? What did she know anyway? “I always know where Wanda is, but maybe that's her and not me.” She shrugged.

 

“Interesting. And this only happens with Wanda?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Can you tell me where she is now?”

 

Marissa closed her eyes briefly.

 

“She's just outside the Danger Room, talking with Lance.”

 

“That is correct…Hmm…” He rested his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers. Then he cleared his throat. “I usually prefer not to pry, but your relationship with Wanda is very close is it not?”

 

“Yeah.” Marissa tried not to fidget like a child called into the principal's office. “Look, I didn't come here for this. I'm adapting to the pregnancy and that's all I really care about.”

 

“I think it quite likely your mutation is what interests Magneto. I would like to have our doctor do some tests…”

 

“I've been poked and prodded enough…And I already have a doctor.”

 

“We will have to examine you in order to find and remove the device.”

 

“How much blood is it gonna cost me?” Marissa sighed.

 

“Not much, I assure you.”

 

 

Then she was being herded again, to the Infirmary, where she was greeted by Jean and the doctor. The doctor was the large blue-furred mutant she'd met briefly once before, when she'd been brought here after Salvador's attack.

 

They seemed to know what was needed already…Must be nice having telepaths around. Saves all sorts of time…Oh yeah. Jean was a telepath too. Keep it together.

.

Jean made small talk with her while the man…Dr. McCoy…drew blood and listened to her heart and checked her reflexes. He also checked her ears and noted the odd coloring of her eyes. He moved quickly, not giving her an opportunity to change her mind. Maybe that was the point.

 

“Where are my friends?”

 

“Rogue will be here in a few minutes.” Jean patted her hand then handed her a hospital gown. “You can change in there.” She pointed to an open door through which she could see a toilet.

 

“Why do I need this?” God I hate these things. Always gapping in the back.

 

“It is necessary to prevent any foreign material found in or on your clothing from interfering with our scans. These devices are quite sensitive.” The doctor waved toward the bathroom. “If you please, Miss Lenssher.”

 

“Grr…” She changed as quickly as she could. The room was small and her belly was now big enough that she was getting clumsy. By the time she was done, Rogue had joined Jean and the doctor.

 

Rogue…I did ask for her didn't I? But, where are Todd and the others? Maybe it was better that they weren't here.

 

“Hey girl…whatcha doin' in that get up?” Rogue made a face at the gown.

 

“Trying to slip my leash…” She let Jean and Rogue help her onto the table. She clung to Rogue's hand for a moment. The girl leaned closer. “Did you get a phone call?”

 

“Yeah…” Rogue glanced at Jean who was busy helping the doctor.

 

“Pay attention to what the doctor says about this chip…Might be useful.” Rogue nodded then backed away as a large heavy machine began to move over the table. She tried to follow the doctor's directions, holding as still as she could. It seemed to take forever and the twins were taking it as an opportunity to tap dance against her ribs.

 

Another pass of the machine—the thing was creeping her out. Felt like it was going to fall on her and she was jittery about all the questions she'd been asked. Watching the thing was making her queasy. Motion sickness maybe.

 

Finally it was over. Jean looked serious and the doctor was looking at her over the rims of his glasses.

 

“Well, where is it and can you get it out?” She sat up carefully, tugging at the stupid gown. It wasn't designed for pregnant women, that's for sure. Rogue moved back to her side.

 

“Well, Miss Lenssher…” The doctor began.

 

“Marissa…still not used to that name.”

 

“Marissa…There is indeed a device lodged deep within your brain. I am afraid it would be much safer to simply deactivate it than to attempt an extraction.”

 

“But, can you remove it?”

 

“Not by conventional means, no. I must assume that Magneto used his special abilities to guide the device to its current resting place.”

 

“What about unconventional?”

 

“The device poses no threat if left undisturbed.” The doctor studied her over his glasses.

 

“It's a threat to me. If you just turn it off, Magneto will come looking to find out what happened. If you can take it out without turning it off—then I have the perfect decoy.”

 

“Yes. I see your point. I believe we can duplicate Magneto's feat utilizing Jean's telekinesis.”

 

“Then let's do it.”

 

“Perhaps you should discuss this with your friends. I am certain the children's father may want to voice his opinion. And there is some risk involved in the procedure.” The doctor seemed taken aback at her eagerness to proceed.

 

“How much risk?”

 

“This is a unique circumstance and there are of course no statistics available. If I were to hazard a guess I would estimate that the risk of serious complications would be on the order of three percent.”

 

“What's a serious complication?”

 

“Brain damage, seizure, maternal death…”

 

“What about the babies?”

 

“I am confident that we could perform an emergency delivery if it were absolutely necessary. In that unlikely event, we should be able to stabilize your twins for transport to the nearest hospital.”

 

“I don't need to talk to them. I know what they're going to say. I want it out. Now.” Hurry up before someone shows up. There's no way Todd or Pietro would go for it.

 

“Ah really think you should talk it over with `em.” Rogue patted her arm, looking concerned. “This ain't like pullin' a splinter.”

 

“It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.” She looked at the doctor. “How long will it take?”

 

“Not long. And we will minimize the risks to your twins by utilizing more of Jean's abilities in lieu of anesthesia. Now please lie down and try to relax.”

 

She did so and closed her eyes….I wonder if this is going to hurt?

 

Then she was opening her eyes and Pietro was standing over her, glaring at her with those piercing grey eyes of his.

 

“What the hell do you think you're doing?”

 

“I'm getting rid of that damned tracking chip.” She looked around confused. Rogue was across the room and Jean and the doctor were wearing surgical masks. She felt something trickling out of her nose and she wiped at it, only to find blood on her hand. Pietro blanched.

 

“Hey! She's bleeding. Is that normal?”

 

“It is not unexpected. We surmised from the lack of surgical scarring that Magneto must have used the sinus cavity to insert the device. So we used the same route for the extraction. Which I must say was quite successful.” The doctor held up a small glass vial while Jean hurried over with a handful of tissues.

 

“I'm sorry, I thought the bleeding had stopped or I would have kept you under a little longer.” Pietro snatched the tissues from her and held them to Marissa's nose himself.

 

“What the fuck is the matter with you people? I turn my back on her for a minute and you're digging around in her brain!”

 

Oh yeah…He's pissed.

 

“Our patient was quite insistent that the device be removed with no further delay…”

 

“I did ask them, Pietro. It was my idea.” Her words were muffled by the tissue and he was holding her face a little harder than was really necessary.

 

“It was a fucking stupid idea, Marissa. How could you do something like this?”

 

“I needed to know if it could be done…And I never agreed to have the thing put in me in the first place.” She pushed at his hands, trying to take the tissues herself.

 

“So you let them do it? Without even telling us? What about Todd and Wanda? What about the twins?” She could tell he was fighting the urge to shake her and she pulled away from him.

 

“I am thinking about the twins…What if he chips them too? Or you and Wanda? Are you sure you don't have one of those things in your head?”

 

“Me? I…” Pietro looked startled at the idea. Then he shook his head. “I'm not the one who's pregnant…If someone was going to be a guinea pig, it sure as hell shouldn't be you.”

 

“The babies would have been fine even if I wasn't.” The doctor and Jean were pretending to be busy with something and Rogue was fiddling with her cell phone.

 

“The twins need their mother.” Something in Pietro's tone struck her.

 

Twins…mother…Oh…

 

“Look, if I really thought it was a big risk…I wouldn't have done it.”

 

“I'm serious, Marissa. If our mother hadn't died…Things would have been very different. We'd have been different.” He let go of her face and the tissues and looked over his shoulder at the X Men.

 

“What happened to her? No one ever mentions you even having a mother…”

 

“I don't know all the details…But, I know she was a normal…And that my father hid his powers from her. When she found out, she ran away. She was already pregnant, but he didn't find out about us until after she was dead.” His tone had softened to something barely above a whisper.

 

“How did she die?”

 

“The Maximoffs said it was a car accident…” He sighed and leaned against the table. “But, my father once told me it was childbirth…that we were born in a small hospital that couldn't handle it when she bled out. He said she would have never been there at all if he hadn't frightened her…We were pretty young when he told me, and I think he'd been drinking.”

 

“Did Wanda hear it?”

 

“He thought she was sleeping in her room, but she wasn't.” He frowned. “Wanda was so angry…”

 

“I think she still is.”

 

“Probably…But no more stupid stunts, O.K.? The others don't know, I told them I'd bring you home.”

 

“I…Look Pietro…things are about to come to a head. Wanda and Remy and I have a plan…but we need to get the last few pieces in place.”

 

“Shit…I said no more stunts…Think about the twins at least…”

 

“I am…Do you really think Magneto is going to leave us alone after all this? We have to make our move before the twins come…Because after that, all bets are off. If things go really wrong…I'm counting on you to keep the twins and Todd safe.”

 

“Are you even going to tell me what you're planning?”

 

“Not here…And not now. But soon.” Then she raised her voice. “Can I go home now?”

 

“We should run one more scan to be certain there is no damage…”

 

“Fine.” She lay back and closed her eyes.

 

“This isn't over…” Pietro whispered as he stepped back.

 

“I know.”

 

 

The ride home was awkward. Not just because Pietro was pissed at her, but because her pregnant belly made it awkward to mount his bike and her arms barely reached around him.

 

No more bikes…At least until after the twins come.

 

The chip was now in a little pill vial hung around her neck. Dr. McCoy assured her it was still functioning and that it wasn't able to monitor anything except her location. He would have liked to keep it for further study…But that would have made it look like she'd moved into the Institute. Not a good idea.

 

She would have asked Rogue to drive…But that would have made Pietro even madder. And Rogue was obviously anxious to make use of the information that Remy had given her. The sooner that was done, the better. For everyone.

 

Pietro surprised her by covering for her with the others. He told them that he'd lost track of time talking to Rahne and that she'd been stuck waiting for him in the Infirmary with Dr. McCoy.

 

Good enough.

 

She'd missed dinner, but she wasn't all that hungry. The queasy, nervous feeling she'd had earlier had stuck with her on the way home. Todd insisted she eat something, so she choked it down before heading to bed.

 

Todd joined her, rubbing her back until she fell asleep. But it was Lance who was there when she woke up from a nightmare. She clung to him in the dark as vague images of hands and knives and claws faded from her mind's eye. She wondered idly if they had decided to take shifts sleeping with her. She was too uncomfortable these days for much else. She did know she was never left to sleep by herself unless she asked them to leave.

 

It couldn't be much fun to sleep next to her…She was so hot she couldn't stand even a thin sheet. But Lance just pulled her closer, stroking her hair and mumbling sleepily. Maybe he was there because he could sleep through almost anything.

 

I don't care…I'm just glad I'm not alone tonight. But, maybe tomorrow night, I'll ask for Todd to stay. That would be nice…

 

Morning came with a call on her cell, much too early for her taste. Lance hardly moved when she sat up to answer it. It was Dr. McCoy and she blinked repeatedly as she tried to pick out the important parts of what he was saying.

 

God…The man talked as much as Angie…but he used bigger words. Did he eat pages out of the encyclopedia instead of cornflakes?

 

Yes…I know about the toxins…Yes…my doctor knows…Yes…I'm going to all my appointments. No…I'm not coming in for more tests. No…I'm sure I'm not coming in for more tests. My head feels fine…I'm a little queasy but I just woke up…No…I don't mind being woke up…I'm not really understanding those test results…I'm still kind of sleepy…Maybe you could just fax them to my doctor…

 

Yeah…That's the one…Yeah, Rogue did ask for me…Just wanted to keep it to ourselves until we got past the three month mark…Lots of people do that. Look…I really need to go…Really…I gotta go…to the bathroom. I'm pregnant….

 

Thank God, he finally hung up…Lance was still sound asleep. Glad it's him this morning. Todd would be so up my ass right about now. Wouldn't want to worry him.

 

Figured this would happen…Doctor said it might. Just need to stay pregnant a little longer.

 

Hear that girls? Hang tight and let Mommy keep breakfast down. Oohhh! And please stop kicking my bladder.