Interview with a Killer

Chapter 1

What About Your Parents?

Disclaimer: OH, I WISH I OWNED THE X-MEN! However I don't, they belong to the magnificent Stan Lee and Marvel. You go man! I do own Erica Stanton and this story, so if you're interested in using either please e-mail me for permission first or at least give credit where credit's due. Whew, now we're through all that legal junk, Enjoy The Story!

Chapter 1

What About Your Parents?

"Hello Mr. Creed. My name is Dr. Erica Stanton. I'd like to talk to you." Erica sat in a plain wooden chair opposite her subject. An open notebook lay in her lap and a black erasable pen rested in her right hand.

Her subject, Victor Creed a.k.a. Sabertooth, sat in a large steel contraption that resembled a chair only through the lack of any more similar object existing. A muzzle covered his nose and mouth with several vertical slits for breathing. Solid shackles restrained his hands and feet from any kind of movement.

"I've spoken to Professor Xavier and he has agreed to permit you certain limited freedoms if you'll answer my questions honestly. How does that sound to you?"

"What's in it fer you?" His voice was a low growl that set goose bumps rising on Erica's arms. She was suddenly very thankful for the long sleeves of her pale cerulean suit jacket.

"I'm not going to lie to you. You could gain me a great deal of credibility as a criminal psychologist. Professor Xavier helped me get into college and I'm doing this for him as much as for myself. Somehow you seem to have developed a certain immunity to telepathic intrusions on your psyche as a side effect to-"

"You're a mutant." It was almost a surprised question, but came out a statement.

"I am. Forge informed me your 'muzzle' blocked such detailed information." He grinned at her through the metal mask, and in the dim room, his teeth caught just enough light to look menacing through the breathing grille. A chill clutched at Erica's heart as she fought to retain her calm appearance, Tense silence filled the room between them.

Creed finally spoke. "So what's your power?" Bright blue eyes focused on her face intently. The gaze did nothing to ruffle her apparent calm, though secretly her heart began to beat faster.

"That's my secret." She attempted a playful teasing smile with moderate success. "And I'm not telling." Curiosity could be a powerful motivator, and Erica was perfectly willing to use every advantage she could get.

"I get it. I answer your questions you answer mine." His laughter was cynical filling the small metal chamber with cruel sound.

"This isn't Silence of the Lambs Mr. Creed. If you cooperate with me, I might consider answering a few of your own questions as a reward. But that will happen only if I feel you're being completely honest with me."

"We got company Doc." His gaze shifted past her and Erica turned to look at the door where his eyes had settled. Jubilee stood in the doorway, a glass in one hand and a pitcher of ice water in the other. "How ya doin' kid?" The grinning tone of his voice made the younger mutant tremble as she approached.

Erica rose from her seat, left pen and notebook behind, and took the pitcher and glass before they could be dropped. "Thank you."

Jubilee forced out a laugh that ended up sounding more like a whimper. "No, sweat Dr. Stanton." Erica smiled at her comfortingly and the trembling eased marginally. "Uhm, lunch is almost ready. You want me to have someone bring you something."

"I would appreciate that very much."

"Alright." She departed hastily.

Creed laughed loudly as Erica returned to her seat setting both glass and water pitcher on the floor next to her chair. "Kid nearly wet her pants just at the sight of me." He burst into more laughter.

"May I call you Victor?" He'd been expecting something in the way of a reprove and the question surprised him. Erica poured a glass of water for herself while Creed recovered his wits.

"Sure thing Erica, call me whatever you like."

"Thank you. Now, Victor will you cooperate with me?"

"You take this damn muzzle off me and I'll talk for you 'till I'm blue in the face."

"I don't have the authority to do that Victor. If you can give me a few answers, show some willingness to work with me, I'll try and have your restraints decreased for our next session.

"No deal Doc." He closed his eyes as though everything were settled.

Unfortunately, for him, the good doctor was not so easily balked. "Victor, you don't seem to understand the situation. You and I aren't making deals. If you cooperate, then you receive some kind of reward." She wasn't giving up easily.

Well maybe he could have some fun scaring her. His eyes opened again. "In other words, if I'm a good little doggie you'll throw me a bone?" She nodded silently not wanting to argue the point. "Alright Doc., throw me a bone so I know I can trust you. Tell me what your mutant power is and I'll talk to you…for today at least."

"A reward before you've earned it?" He nodded as Erica thought it over. "Alright, but this is for today only. Tomorrow you earn your reward." Again, he smiled at her through the slits in his muzzle. "My mutant gifts include very mild telepathy and a kind of controlled dreaming." Blond eyebrows drew together in confusion. "Would you like a demonstration?"

"Sure." Creed thought fondly of the psychic "glow" he could no longer gain.

She smiled. "Then answer a few questions for me. What do you recall about your parents?" Again, she had surprised him and it took a few moments for Creed to respond.

"My parents?" Erica waited taking a sip of water. "I remember we lived in a little log cabin. Just the three of us. My dad used to chain me up in the basement when I didn't behave. He didn't like it too much when I caught my own food." Erica began taking notes. "He used to swear that one day he'd finally beat the devil out of me. Ha. That's what he'd say when I did something bad. 'Don't worry Ma. I'm gonna rip the Devil right out of our little boy.' He'd always shout it at the top of his lungs even if she was standing right next to him." Another bout of cold laughter.

"Did he ever harm you while you were chained up?" Erica kept her head down to hide the fact that she was biting her lower lip to keep from gasping in horror at his words.

Creed chuckled a moment. "Of course he did. That man'd hit me with the family Bible 'till I passed out. Or take his tools and rip my teeth and claws out. Sometimes he'd just leave me down there 'till I was so hungry I couldn't howl." Muscles tensed in remembered pain as he spoke. "Healing factor wasn't quite as fast back then. Took a week or two for me to recover, re-grow my teeth and claws. Then he'd just start all over again." Erica coughed trying to cover up her gag reflex at the thought of how much pain the man in front of her must've endured as a child. Creed wasn't fooled one bit. "What's the matter Doc., too much for you?"

"More than I was expecting." She looked up at him revealing her appalled expression. His grin spread as she cleared her throat. "What about your mother?"

"She was a real sweet woman, always did what she was told. Sometimes she'd even help him rip my claws out. Once in awhile I'd sink my teeth into her or him, and he'd lay into me like there was no tomorrow. Belt, sticks, tools, chains, even his own two fists. He'd use whatever was on hand, didn't matter to him what he hit me with."

"Should've hit you harder, if you ask me." Logan stood in the doorway with two plates. One piled with cooked meat and the other with macaroni, peas, and a small brownie. A fork lay in the cheesy noodles. He handed the variety plate to Erica and dropped the other onto Creed's lap. With practiced speed, Logan released the muzzle and one hand then stood back claws extending.

Sabertooth snarled at him. "What's the matter runt? Scared I'll get loose?"

"Nope, just don't want you gettin' too comfortable." Erica frowned at him as she ate her meal. Both finished their food off quickly.

"Thank you Mr. Logan." Wolverine reactivated the restraints before picking up both plates.

"Just remember to watch your fingers Doc. He likes to bite."

Instead of responding, Erica focused on Victor. "One more question for today, then we're done. How did you part ways with your parents?"

There was a long low chuckle before he answered. "I killed 'em. First my dad, then my mom. I wasn't going to kill her, but what would you do, Erica, if your ma came at you with a hatchet ready to split your skull. My pa's corpse was still warm on the ground and killing her seemed the natural thing to do. I still remember that first coppery taste of human blood when I ripped her throat out." Erica had gone pale as he spoke and it took all her will power not to raise a hand to her own neck or get up and just run from the room. "You ever nick yourself on something sharp, Doc and put the cut still bleeding to your mouth?" She nodded remembering more than one paper cut that had gone deep. Creed licked his lips. "Ain't nothing in the world that tastes like fresh blood." A chilling silence hung in the air until he spoke again. "Well Erica that was your last question for today…" A part of her mind registered the fact that he was waiting for her promised demonstration.

"Yes, very well then." She took a long gulp of water and felt his eyes on her throat. When the cup was empty, she placed it on the floor next to the pitcher and looked directly into his eyes. Immediately Creed felt dazed. "Don't break eye contact." Her voice was soft but firm. Slowly the room grew darker and both began to feel lighter.

Suddenly the blackness was replaced by a wide meadow of wild flowers and tall grass. Not far away the field gave way to thick forest. A crystalline stream crossed from one side to the other. Overhead the sky was thick with pearly gray clouds.

When Creed fell over realizing that he was no longer restrained Erica chuckled in a light carefree way. She wore a short pair of denim cutoffs, a snug blue tank top, and her feet were bare. When he took the time to look Creed noticed he too was wearing a pair of jeans, a white tank top, and was also bare foot.

Annoyed at being caught off guard and laughed at he tackled the still smiling young woman to the ground. "Where are we?"

"A dream world. Nothing here is permanent so you might as well not waste your time trying to hurt me." Creed laid the sharp claws of one hand around her windpipe, but there was no smell of fear…just excitement. She winked at him and nodded to one side. When he looked, a flower launched itself at him growing rapidly to wrap its stem around his arm. Before he could tear it off more were tangling themselves around his limbs and torso. In less than a minute, he was wrapped in green and dragged off of Erica.

She stood and faced him. "This world is only limited by your own imagination. Think yourself free." Creed glared at the vines, but nothing happened.

"What the Hell is goin' on?" Erica winked at him again and the vines retracted as quickly as they had attacked.

"Or rather my dream world is only limited by my imagination." She tapped a fingertip to her own temple.

"Fine, so you're all powerful here." He was angry.

"Don't take it so personally. You tackled me first remember." Erica smiled at him teasingly. "You're not going to refuse to talk to me because I defended myself are you?"

"Might…" His eyes trailed slowly over her body. Blushing she sank down onto the soft grass and patted the spot in front of her. Suspicious he sat on the indicated piece of ground.

"Relax." Slowly she reached out and began to massage his broad shoulders. "This world is a safe haven for me." Creed could've sworn he was in heaven right then.

"You're not really safe here though." His eyes were closed as he spoke enjoying the firm massage.

"True. It's more of a mental safe haven. Physically you and I are still in that little room facing each other." Erica moved to a better position to work her way down his back a little.

"What about the telepaths?" He groaned as she hit a knot and grabbing one slender wrist pulled her around to face him.

"Professor Xavier is the only person who's ever managed to make his way here without aid." For an instant, Erica forgot everything except the fact that she was alone with a strong blue-eyed blond who had his very muscular arms around her. And he was leaning his face closer to hers.

"Erica!" Professor Xavier's telepathic shout shattered the world around them. Abruptly both woke back at the institute. The real Xavier was in his wheel chair next to Erica. Scott, Logan, and Jubilee were all watching. Scott looked concerned, Logan ready to kill, and Jubilee relieved. "Erica, I was almost unable to reach you. We were all very concerned."

The young doctor looked away blushing with embarrassment. "I'm sorry Professor. I was just trying to demonstrate that there were certain benefits to working with me."

"Very well, but next time please tell me." Erica didn't respond. Silently they all exited leaving Creed to his own mysterious thoughts.

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