Marie smiled brightly as she moved about the house, tidying up. So much to be done: dusting, sweeping, mopping…ugh the décor was going to have to be altered! There was NOTHING to decorate the place but stiches! No no; this was not a home.
"Stein, this house is so empty…it looks like a mental institution. No wonder you're so glum." Marie said.
Mental institution…yeah, my mother sent me off to one of those when I was 10… Stein thought dully.
"It's so quiet. Don't you ever get company?" Marie asked. She already knew the answer but she just felt she had to ask anyway.
"No and I prefer being alone." Stein said simply.
"Well—"
KNOCK. KNOCK.
"Uh…who's that?" Marie asked, looking at Stein. "You expecting anyone?"
"No." Stein said before smirking evilly. "Maybe it's the mailman; you should see the look on his face every time he comes here."
Marie frowned. "Stein, that's mean." she couldn't help but laugh a bit though.
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
"I'll get it." Marie said in a chipper tone.
Stein watched Marie exit the lab with a smile. She was always so happy to do anything…
Suddenly though, Stein heard something that sounded like arguing.
"Get out of here!" he heard Marie shout.
Marie! Was she in trouble?
Stein immediately shot up out of his rolling chair and stood in shock at who he saw at the door.
"Marie, baby…when I heard you came here to Death City, I had to follow you." A blonde man said.
"You show up after 8 years and expect me to be alright with this?" Marie shouted angrily.
"Marie, I strayed for so long, but then I realized how empty my life is without you. I need you my Marie." He said attempting to take her arm.
"Don't you dare touch me! If you do, I'll make sure you end up in traction!" Marie growled.
"You're still so spirited Marie…so lovely. You haven't changed a bit. But…what an odd living space you've chosen. This doesn't seem to be your style at all." The blonde pondered.
"It's my friend's place! He's letting me stay here and I don't think he'll be happy to see you!" Marie said.
"Oh, so it's a guy. Heh I bet I could beat up your guy friend." He said confidently.
"Adrian…you-!...hmmm ok, I tell you what; If you can beat up my friend, I'll be your girlfriend again." Marie said with a smile.
"Haha! Done! So where is he?" Adrian smirked.
"Hello; it's been a while." Stein said stepping into Adrian's view. His eyes immediately widened.
"O-oh it's ummm you! Well don't you look…different…heh….umm…ahem…I was just kidding about the beating you up thing…I think…I mean…bring it!" Adrian said putting his fists up pitifully.
Stein cocked an eyebrow.
"You sure? You'll probably regret it." Stein said blandly.
"I'm gonna beat you for sure! I bet you couldn't take me!" Adrian shouted, trying to lull himself into a false confidence.
"Ok…I'm waiting." Stein said.
Adrian froze, but soon snapped his eyes shut and let out a girly cry and charged for Stein.
"Take that!" Adrian shouted, punching Stein in the chest.
…
"Ummm…you're supposed to fall over." Adrian said.
Stein stared at Adrian blankly.
"I wonder if I should dissect you…yes, that sounds like a good idea." Stein said with an eerie grin.
"Hey you can't do that! I'm a human being!" Adrian cried stepping back. "I mean you wouldn't REALLY do that would you?"
"Care to find out?" Stein asked, stepping closer to Adrian.
"I…um…I'm outta here! I love you my adorable blondie! I'll be back later!" Adrian called, blowing her a kiss.
Marie gagged at the gesture and slammed the door shut.
"Pig…what does he think he's doing here?" Marie growled.
She was angry but Stein could tell that she was hurt too…that bastard. How dare he show up to hurt Marie like that? He deserved to be dissected…
"You going to be ok?" Stein asked.
"Yeah…" she answered, turning around and giving him a weak smile.
Stein could see it; the pain behind that smile….he could feel it too. Her soul was aching from old memories.
What could he do though? Even if he tried to talk to her, she would only deny it.
"You have to go to the library again right…" Marie said softly. "You should go, I mean, I have more cleaning to do anyway."
Stein's eyes narrowed. Should he listen to her? He really did need to head to the library, but should he bring her along?
"Ok, but don't go out ok? Stay here and if he shows up again don't even think about answering the door." Stein said calmly.
Marie nodded in understanding and turned around to get back to work.
On his way to the library, Stein wondered if he really had made the right choice…
"Hey there! You're one of the professors at the academy aren't you?" Came a cute almost purr like voice.
Stein snapped out of his daze and glanced around trying to find the source of the voice.
"Down here silly!" came the voice again.
Stein looked down. Next to his feet was a purple cat with a little witch's hat on. Ah that's right…Blair.
"Hey." Was all Stein said in return.
"So I wanted to ask you something." Blair said, hopping up on a brick wall next to Stein in order to be more level with him.
"What?" Stein asked.
"Who's the pretty lady who moved in with you a couple days back? She's really cute! Almost as cute as me! Hehe is she your girlfriend? Huh professor?" Blair asked in a playful and teasing tone.
"No, she's not." Stein answered.
"Oh, then is she like a mistress? Like a little lady that you get to play with?" Blair inquired with curiosity.
"No, not that either." Stein said.
"Hmmm so then….oh! You're married aren't you?" Blair concluded.
"No, and why are you asking?" Stein finally said in a more irritated tone.
"Oh, because I was just wondering why a loner like you would suddenly have a pretty lady moving in with him. I think romance is a really sweet sort of thing!" she said happily.
Blair might be on the skanky side, but she had a heart within her that really loved others.
"We're not involved in any sense of the word. She's just my weapon partner." Stein explained.
"Oh…well that's too bad. It seems like a waste to let such a pretty girl live with you and not act on it." Blair said looking a little saddened.
Stein said nothing in response.
"Oh, and today I saw a creepy blonde guy over at the door! He looked like he was pretty into her. Are you sure you're not jealous? Looks like you scared him away!" Blair said, still determined to get something more emotional out of Stein.
"I'm not jealous of anyone or anything. Jealousy is unbecoming. I don't think of Marie that way." Stein said coolly.
"So her name is Marie? Wow that's a pretty name! But still this is too bad…I can tell she really seems to like you. You're really lucky to have someone who cares about you so much." Blair said, finally jumping onto Stein's shoulder and smiling at him. "It's not often that you'll find someone who really, really cares about you. Just think about that!" she said before hopping off of Stein and running off.
Stein paused in mid-stride. He supposed that was true, that you don't meet someone who really has a deep care for you every day….
Library. I need to go to the library….that's what I need to do right now.
Stein nodded and walked forward, trying to get Blair's words and Marie off of his mind.
He turned the screw in his head and lit a smoke…he just needed to forget about this…
Back At Home:
Marie continued dusting and cleaning things up. She was feeling much better now, but still…seeing Adrian had brought back some hurtful memories. And watching Stein scare him off reminded her off when he had scared him away back then…yes…when he came over when she turned 21; Adrian had come and abused her emotionally again, and Stein had defended her.
Marie absentmindedly reached up and cupped the side of her neck. Every now and then she found herself doing so…that place where Stein had bitten her. She cursed herself inwardly for wishing to some degree that he would bit her again; this time more gently though…out of love. No, she had to focus, not matter how much she secretly wanted to rekindle things with Stein.
"This house is so boring!" Marie whined. "Ugh…I know Stein told me to stay inside but I'm a death scythe! I can handle myself. I'm officially going out and buying some paintings!" she said, grabbing her purse, a bottle of water, and walking out the door.
It was hot so she wanted to bring a bottled water with her; otherwise she was going to freakin' die in this heat!
At the Library:
Stein couldn't help it; no matter how many times he adjusted the bolt in his head, he felt an itching against his brain. It wasn't madness…it was just driving him crazy though! And there was a lurching in his stomach he couldn't explain either…there was just something wrong…
Back With Marie:
In the store, Marie happily walked through the isles finding many home decorations that she absolutely loved. She had to refrain from buying it all though….aww but still! There were so many cute things!
As she reached up and grabbed a painting she felt somebody bump into her for a moment. Huh? She looked back and the figure hadn't even turned around to apologize. What a jerk.
Walking away a few isles, Marie reached for her water and found that it wasn't on top of her purse like it had been.
"What…? Oh, I bet I set it down when I grabbed that painting!" Marie said walking back to the isle, and sure enough it was sitting on one of the shelves.
Sighing she took a big drink of it; practically half the bottle. Ah that was refreshing…uh not?
"Ack, this water tastes salty…" Marie said with her face wrinkled up in disgust. "What the heck…did it get overheated or something and now it tastes odd to me? Just my imagination? It tasted fine before….ugh whatever." She sighed, placing a few paintings and other home decorations in the cart. She didn't want to get too much since she was going to have to carry her bags home.
After paying for the products, Marie grabbed the bags and headed out the door.
"Nnnn…" Marie groaned placing a hand to her head with a lazy eye. She felt so exhausted all of the sudden….really light headed and dizzy. Maybe she was just dehydrated.
Taking out her bottled water once again, Marie drank the remainder of it, hoping to perhaps rehydrate herself and get rid of the dizzy feeling. No…it got worse. What the hell?
Marie groaned and sat down on a bench near a small alleyway and held her head.
"Why am I so….tired…?" she whispered.
Looking up she realized nobody was around. They were all inside because of the heat…
Then Marie cried out as she felt someone grab her from behind. She was being dragged away! Into the alley behind her! What was happening?
She coughed as she felt the wind being knocked out of her when she hit the hard ground. A man stood over her…he looked so blurry. Then he knelt down over her and Marie recognized him. Adrian! Then she connected all of the dots…he was the man in the store! He drugged her drink!
"Marie. Marie. You're still too stupid…you fell for it. I knew there was no way I'd be able to get to you if you were fully awake, but now you're completely vulnerable to me." Adrian laughed.
No….no…
"Why….why are you doing this?" Marie breathed.
"Because I've been dreaming of fucking you since day one. I'm going to make that dream a reality right now….mmmmm…Marie, even now you're still a virgin aren't you? You couldn't bring yourself to have sex with any of your boyfriends because you still have a thing for that looser don't you? Good…I'm going to make you mine. I'm going to claim you, Marie." Adrian said lustfully, as he pulled off her long skirt.
"No…don't…please…" Marie begged weakly.
"No way. You're going to like this Marie…it's like nothing you've ever felt before." He purred, pulling off her shirt.
Marie's eye teared up. She was frozen…unable to do anything!
"Please no…" she whimpered desperately. "I don't want to!" she choked.
"You do, Marie. You just don't know it yet….it's going to feel great." He said, leaning in to lick Marie's ear deliberately.
Tears finally began to roll down Marie's face. No…why? She was a death scythe!
Marie began to let out weak, choked sobs as she felt Adrian snap her cute lace underwear. Then she felt his hands pull away and she cried even more when she heard the sound of a zipper being undone.
This was it. She was going to lose her virginity right here…
"Marie….you're going to love this…" Adrian purred as he hooked his thumbs into her underwear.
This really was it…after those were off he was going to rape her.
She clenched her red, puffy eye shut and prepared for the worst. Then she heard Adrian scream in pain, followed by the loud crash of him hitting the alley's dumpster.
Managing to open her eye rather painfully she could faintly recognize Stein.
"I'm going to kill you this time…" Stein growled.
"No, don't!" Adrian begged.
"Why shouldn't I? How could you possibly sink any lower? I'm not going to give you a single opportunity to touch Marie again." Stein said holding Adrian by the neck tightly.
"St-Stein…!" Marie choked out weakly. "L-let him go….if you do this….you'll go mad…and you'll be a murderer….please don't…..I want you with me…." Marie managed to say before slipping into unconsciousness.
Stein turned and glared at a terrified Adrian.
"What are you going to do to me…?" Adrian asked with terror.
"I'm going to turn you in…you go to hell." Stein said hatefully.
….
"Nnnn…..nnn…ah…." Marie breathed as her eye slowly opened.
She looked around weakly. Those grey stitched walls….
"I'm….back at Stein's house…." She panted.
"Marie; you're awake." Stein's low tone said.
Marie groaned and turned her head to the side to see Stein sitting next to her.
"Hey…." She whispered.
She remembered now…Adrian had attacked her and then Stein…
Moaning, Marie managed to push herself into a sitting position.
"So Stein…" she began.
"Why didn't you listen to me?" he said before she could continue.
She had just woken up…what was he going on about?
"What?" she asked softly.
"I told you to stay home. You disobeyed me." Stein said more darkly than the first time.
"I was—"
"Do you realize what could have happened to you? If I had been any later you would be—"
Stein paused when he saw Marie's eye fill with tears again. "I'm sorry…" she whimpered.
Stein stopped.
Even if I am angry…she must have been so scared. It's probably still scary right now…Marie…
"I'm sorry…" she said again. She gasped in surprise when she felt Stein pull her weak body against his strong one.
"No, I'm sorry." He said.
What?
"But why?" she asked.
"Because I knew in the back of my mind that you wouldn't be safe alone, but I left anyway." Stein explained.
"But…well…" she began.
"I was afraid." He said.
Marie gasped lightly.
"When I first saw you…I thought he had you; I was terrified. I forgot how it felt to be scared…" Stein said, pulling her even tighter against him. "He's gone…he can't hurt you again."
"Stein…." Marie breathed, barely managing to lift her arms to drape them around him. Then she gasped. Adrian….gone? "Stein…you didn't…"
"I didn't." he said.
"It was…so scary. I didn't want to at all!" Marie sobbed. "Not with him!"
Stein just allowed her to cry for a time but was surprised when he heard her giggle a bit.
"Marie?" he asked slightly confused.
She pulled back slightly and looked at him.
"Did you see the paintings I bought? They're gonna make this place look so much better!" she said.
Stein smiled at her. She really was an angel…yes.
"I'm tired still…" she said sleepily.
"Then rest." Stein said, laying her down.
He was surprised to feel her gripping his shirt sleeves with a pleading face.
"Don't leave me alone." She begged. "I don't want to be all alone…it just feels like he's going to come back!"
Closing his eyes softly Stein pulled away. Marie looked puzzled and her eye widened when she saw him shrug off his lab coat. Stein noticed her frightened stare.
"It's not that. I would never." He assured her, pulling her up against him.
Marie finally closed her eyes. Stein always made her feel safe…she couldn't help it…she loved him so much. She was going to fall asleep.
"AH HA!" a voice shouted suddenly from the window sill.
Stein and Marie's eyes shot open as a small purple cat jumped onto the bed.
"I knew she was your girlfriend! Awww love is so spontaneous! Be sure to use a condom though!" Blair said beaming mischievously.
Marie's face turned bright red and Stein's became agitated.
"Did somebody say condom?" came a hyper voice from outside.
Suddenly Spirit came in through the open window as well and his eyes widened at Stein.
"Stein you dirty man! Marie is exhausted! As much as I appreciate your enthusiasm for sex, you have gotta be more patient!" Spirit proclaimed.
Marie's face turned an even darker shade of scarlet as Stein finally sat up.
"It's NOT sex! It's nothing like that!" Stein growled. "If you don't leave right now, I will dismember both of you!"
Spirit's eyes filled with frightened tears and Blair's fur stood on end as they both raced out of the house.
…..
"Um…well that was awkward." Marie said sheepishly.
"It's not like Spirit thinks this is the first time we've done it." Stein said dully. "He STILL brings up that Christmas party."
Marie laughed a bit and turned to snuggle her face into Stein's chest. Stein looked down at her with a somewhat confused expression before settling into the situation.
Marie…is just a friend….I'm only helping her….but still…then why was I so terrified back there? It wasn't just for her safety…I found myself worrying about her losing her virginity as if…I didn't want him to have her…or anyone else for that matter. Am I…becoming jealous? But that's wrong. I don't love Marie…I don't…and I really don't want to have sex with her. I mean why would I want to do that?
Stein heard Marie sigh sleepily and looked down at her adorable sleeping form.
I'm going mad, Marie. I don't know how you can feel so safe around me but for as long as I can at least…I promise to look out for you more…
(A/N: Hooray for Stein kicking ass! And hooray for Marie's unbearable cuteness! More chapters coming soon!)
