I DON'T Own them – not at all not a bit – not even an itsy bitsy bit…well except any OC's that happen to raise their heads – but I don't own them not a bit.
A/N This started as an unrelated oneshot, but I just couldn't stop wondering exactly who the wife was, exactly why Sabretooth was put away, and exactly why he decided NOW to bring it out. I have my answers, and as the third in the Dictation Trilogy – now so do you.
Victor had tamed the beast, locked it away for almost thirty years, but without the ones that grounded him – kept him human, Sabretooth was clamoring for freedom again.
Chapter 1 – Late Night Confrontations
She slipped her key into the lock. She hoped he'd be in bed, asleep, so she wouldn't have to answer any questions. He was worse than Angel and Todd rolled into one.
"Two o'clock – what class ends at two o'clock in the morning." He said from his chair in the living room. She groaned. He was worse than her father.
"The kind that involves friends – particularly a guy friend." She lied. She'd snuck out to take care of some Purgatory business, not a mission, just going over files and stuff with Greg.
She heard his sharp intake of breath.
"I think your guy needs to grow some balls – he kept you out until two o'clock, and didn't even get laid." She wanted to sink into the floor. She was wondering if this is what Angel had grown up with.
"Fine – I was going over files with Greg – you happy now." She growled, the vibration traveling through her whole body.
"I thought we agreed that anything to do with Purgatory, I came along." He snarled.
"I honestly didn't think you wanted to sit for eight hours going over paperwork." She snapped.
He chuckled at that. "Get some sleep – don't you have a final tomorrow?"
"You are worse than my DAD!" She snarled and headed up the stairs. This living arrangement wasn't working out. He was – worse than her Dad and he'd been a God damned drill instructor.
She closed her bedroom door and started stripping her clothes off when she heard his voice downstairs.
"This ain't workin' Baby." He said. "She's a good kid, but I need more than this – more than sitting at home, waiting on the kids to come home."
"I know what you'd say. 'Give it time, let him wake up slowly.' But Baby, he never does anything slowly, you should know that."
He was talking to the portrait again. He did that a lot, when he thought she couldn't hear him, or was asleep. She knew he was talking about Sabretooth, she understood exactly what he was talking about too. That animal part of her was almost like a second personality – identity inside her, and there were times it wanted full control, and she had to fight to keep from giving in. Sabretooth was dangerous, and she was almost afraid of what might happen if he woke up fully, and took control. Victor was nice – in a worried father kind of way, but Sabretooth was an unknown element, and one she wasn't quite ready to face.
She knew Angel and Todd were due back from Hawaii in a week. Once they were back, she could worry about getting back on her feet, with school, and Purgatory, and keeping an eye on Angel's dad, Tad's hands were full.
She glanced at her cell phone. She'd left it here hoping for some uninterrupted time to go over things. The last week had been hectic, and her parents weren't helping things. Her father was insisting she come home, back under his roof – and back under his control. That wasn't going to happen, but he was certainly pouring on both the orders – and the guilt. The little message icon was on the screen and she groaned.
She picked it up and hit the button for her voicemail.
"Tad, its Angel we're coming back early, we should be in tomorrow morning, don't tell Dad I want it to be a surprise. We are coming straight there; I know your class isn't until four tomorrow so wait for me at the house."
Something was going on. Why were they coming back early?
"Thaddeus – your mother needs you here, I refuse to play nursemaid another day, that's women's work. I don't care about promises or anything else, get your little ass home, young lady and do your part." She wanted to throw the phone against the wall. He was such an ASS! It wasn't like her mother was really sick, she'd broken her ankle, and he was having to take care of her and didn't like it.
"Tad – its Greg, I know you just left, but I'm worried. I tried to call Janet after you left and there was no answer at her apartment. Call me." She glanced at the clock, and dialed his number.
"Greg – what's going on?"
"I've been trying to call Janet all evening, I just thought she was working the late shift at the building, but I called over there, she never reported for work, there's no answer at her apartment and her cell phone's off." He and Janet were on again off again – on right now.
"I'll call her."
"I want you to go check on her."
"I can't – that takes a car or train fare." She muttered.
"I'll pay you back tomorrow – take a cab if you have to."
"GREG!"
"Please – I'm worried. She never goes this long without checking in – even when she's pissed at me." That was the ONLY thing that had her even considering this. Janet was a creature of habit, and calling to check in with Purgatory was one habit they counted on.
"Fine – it's going to be a long day tomorrow, I have that damned sociology final." She grumbled.
"I'm sorry – but you're the only one I trust with this, until Angel and Todd get back."
She thought about the man downstairs and grinned, he needed to get out of the house. "Fine – we'll take care of it."
"WE?" She'd been keeping her discovery to herself, at least until she'd decided if she could really trust Victor or not."
"Don't worry about it – we've got it covered." She hung up the phone and grabbed her shirt – so much for sleep tonight.
She opened the door and he was standing right there.
"We?"
"Get dressed – Sabretooth, Janet's in trouble."
"I'm not pulling my leathers out for a health and wellness check." He grumbled.
"Fine, but Janet never misses a check in – she's obsessive/compulsive. She's probably going NUTS right about now because her schedule is off, and the only thing that would make her schedule off is if something happened."
"She's that reliable."
"Like clockwork."
"I'll get my stuff." He walked down the hall to the master bedroom door. At least with him driving, she wouldn't have to pay a cab.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
He pulled on his leathers, and could feel that part of his mind that he'd blocked off stirring with anticipation. The beast was going to get to run – maybe even to play a bit, and he still wasn't entirely sure he wanted to let it out again.
She was downstairs waiting on him, and her gasp as she saw him almost made him go upstairs and change.
"WOW! I wasn't completely convinced – but I am now…what a transformation." He growled at her, and grabbed the keys to the car.
"Shut up kid." He snarled.
"Right." She actually GRINNED at him, and opened the front door for him – he almost swiped her with a claw when she actually bowed him out the door. "After YOU!"
"Funny."
"I'm not sure I want to turn my back on you." She said – and he caught the tinge of uncertainty in her scent.
"Fair enough, get your ass in the car, Frail." He snarled.
The drive into the city was quiet – almost too quiet, he could hear her heartbeat, steady, not a fast fear filled rhythm, which was surprising. He could smell her; she was calm, a little uncertain, but certainly not afraid – or anticipatory. He needed to work on that, frails should FEAR him. He felt a surge from the beast – still in its cage, and knew it was awake – and aware of the girl in the car next to him. That worried him, just a little.
He wasn't going to let the beast loose completely – until she was out from under his roof. He'd been tormented with dreams of her screaming and bloody as he subdued her, bent her body and will to his, forcing her to give into his dominance, and he'd been glad she either hadn't noticed his scent – or was giving him his space.
She directed him to a part of town he wasn't completely familiar with. He pulled over and parked.
"Wait here – I'll go up to her apartment, see if I can figure out what's going on." She reached to open the door.
"You really think I'm stupid, don't you." He snarled.
"No – if she's there and alright, there's no need to panic here with Sabretooth on her doorstep. She's freaked enough about the pictures."
"Pictures?"
"She's the one that gave us the stills – of you – on the roof."
"OH!" Maybe she was right – the beast inside him wasn't going to give in so easily though. "I'm still coming with you."
"Fine – if she panics it's your fault." Tad said as she opened the door.
She buzzed the apartment first but got no answer, so she dug out a ring of keys.
"Do you have keys to everyone's apartments?"
"Not exactly, this is for emergencies – kind of like this. Whoever is in charge has them; I'll give them back to Todd when they get home."
"Oh." She actually sounded relieved that she'd be able to give it up. He wondered about that, there was more to this girl than met the eye.
"How sick's your mother?" He asked as she opened the door.
"She broke her ankle. How many of my messages did you eavesdrop on?" She snarled.
"All of them – I'll act appropriately surprised in the morning when my daughter shows up unannounced." He could hear her muttering as they climbed the stairs.
On the third floor she went to one of the doors and reached to insert the key – but the door opened on its own. The latch had been broken. He lunged forward, pushing her back behind him, as he pushed the door open slowly with his leather covered arm. The apartment had been ransacked; it smelled like at least three men, and a terrified frail. He was assuming that scent was Janet. He did a double take – he KNEW one of those scents. He'd thought he was dead – killed by his mother years ago.
Suddenly this entire thing became very personal. He had to be nearing seventy – what was he doing terrorizing young mutant girls. He was going to have a very serious talk with his errant son when he got his hands on him.
"What?"
"She's gone – but I have a good idea where."
"Oh?"
"Church of Humanity, most likely."
"Why would the Church be interested in Janet?"
"It's not Janet they want."
"What?"
"It's me." He snarled. How Graydon had found out that he was back – he didn't know, but the fact that his son was here – and after the woman that had the pictures of Victor on that roof made him angry.
"Why would the Church want you? They hate mutants." Tad said.
"Yeah – well Graydon and I go way back – I thought he was dead."
"Graydon – Graydon Creed?"
"Yeah."
"He is – as far as we know, Mystique killed him about fifteen years ago." Tad said.
"I smell him here – and I'd know his scent."
"How?"
'He's my son."
"Oh SHIT!"
"And before you ask, NO, Angel doesn't know."
"Can we worry about Angel later – I'm more worried about Janet now." Tad said sharply.
"They went out the door – and took her with them." He slipped back out into the hallway. "Back stairs." She followed him – he knew she could pick up the scent as easily as he could, but he wanted to be in front.
He jumped the stairs a flight at a time, and she just chuckled behind him, taking them at a more sedate, ladylike pace. He scowled at her, but kept moving. She'd just have to keep up. He was outside the back door of the building, waiting for her. He'd caught their scent. They'd gone down the alley, and out to the main street – still on foot. The girl's scent was there but faint, she was either being carried – or they were covering her tracks with theirs.
"Now where, Tonto." Tad said as she came out the door.
"Street – that way." He took off, and she followed behind. They'd gone left, one of them split off, but it wasn't the one with the girl, or Graydon so he let it go. He followed the scent to the curb of the next intersection, where it stopped.
"They got into a car?" He snarled.
She glanced down at the curb, and picked up a small piece of fabric."
"This is from Janet's work jacket." She said.
"Did she leave it – or was she fighting them?" He asked.
"I can't tell. There's a church near here, about five blocks. If they took her late, they probably transported her in the car so they wouldn't be seen."
"Let's go, Kemosabe." He snarled. She grinned at him and they both took off running down the nearly deserted street.
He could smell them before he reached the building – one of them was outside, smoking, and he let a feral grin cross his face. Maybe – just maybe he'd have some fun. He signaled her to stay put and he slipped silently down the alley. People were always amazed at how quietly – and invisibly he could move. The man didn't even know what hit him, and Sabretooth woke with a silent grin at the terror on the man's face. His claws were itching, and he let them feel it – the hot flow of blood over his fingertips as he dug the claws deep into the man's throat, silencing him forever. He sighed – the coppery tang and warm sticky fluid making his inner beast purr. The only thing that would make it better would be a frail…and there was one of those available.
"Hey." She whispered.
"They have the girl inside." He snarled low, the clenching in his gut as he caught Tad's scent only adding to his enjoyment of the moment – the pleasure of the kill. He gestured with his head toward the door behind him – shielding the body of the man from her. She just glared at him – and at the body, before going into the door. She wasn't going to judge him – he grinned. Maybe she could be taught after all.
They made their way – silently, which surprised him; he honestly didn't think the female feral could be as quiet as he was; up to the choir loft over the altar of the church. The girl was tied, and gagged. Graydon was standing over her, a gun in his hand. He could swear Myst killed that son of a bitch – but there he was, and not looking a day over sixty. He was confused – but wasn't going to allow that to stop him from finishing the job.
He dropped down, his deerskin cape flowing behind him as he landed in a crouch.
"Hello – Graydon. Lookin' for me?"
"Are you alone, Old Man?" Graydon sneered.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Sabretooth sneered back. This useless piece of human flesh was finally going to die and stay dead.
"I was just wondering if they sent you alone – or if her friends came with you. How else would you know I was looking – or where to find me. Tell me – is poor Rand dead – or is you beast still caged by my step-mother's memory."
"If you mean the idiot by the door – this is his." He held up his bloodstained hands.
"Welcome back, Father." Graydon grinned. "I always knew you wouldn't last much after that witch you were married to died. Tell me how she did it, caged you for thirty years. It wasn't anything as stupid as love was it."
"You never did have much of a concept of honor, Gray." Victor snarled. The beast backed off, it never much cared for Graydon – but Victor wouldn't allow anyone to tarnish his Bronwyn, even in death.
"Tell me – have you met the little feral they have running things. I hear she's quite a looker – and deadly in bed." He grinned. Victor barely registered the slight gasp from the loft above him.
"Who do you mean – they have two ferals running that show."
"Two? I only know about one – the one with the man's name. Thaddeus, isn't it?"
"Tad – I've met her." Victor straightened to his full height and looked down his nose at his son. He ignored the gasp from the bound girl as well as she got a good look at his face. At least Graydon didn't know about Angela – yet.
"So what do you want, Gray? Money? My blood? Me to kill your mother for trying to kill you? What makes you tick these days, Graydon?" He walked to one of the pews and sat down, crossing his ankles in front of him. Graydon always was a talker – not a man of action.
"Money might be nice – Mystique's blood would definitely be nice – but no, I want you DEAD!" He snarled, and turned the gun on Victor, firing. He'd seen the move coming and dodged so that the bullet only grazed his side, lodging against a rib in the back, he'd get it out later.
"Stupid old man, you're forgetting things in your old age. Now what good will…" He could feel it, something wrong. He shook his head and looked down at his side. The wound was still bleeding – and wasn't healing at all. "What the fuck?"
"A little discovery I've made – something that stops the healing factor – among other things. I thought it would be appropriate to try it on you – before I took out the rest of my beloved family…including that little bitch you spawned, Angel." He sneered, walking to stand in front of Victor.
His head was spinning – not from blood loss but from something else. He shook his head, how the hell did Graydon know about Angel? Victor couldn't seem to move, and Graydon raised the gun again, and took careful aim. Victor had a sudden thought – at least he'd be with Bronwyn now, as he heard the rapport.
He couldn't make any sense out of what he was seeing, Graydon was on the ground, his head at an odd angle, and Tad was crouched on his body, her claws slipping out of his back, covered in blood.
"Victor?" The sound was slurred and elongated. She slapped him across the face but he didn't even feel it. His eyes slipped shut.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"SHIT!" Tad groaned as he slipped into unconsciousness. "Now I'm gonna have to carry his ass six blocks to the car."
She reached down and picked up the gun out of the dead man's hands. She watched as the body started melting. What the FUCK was going on?
"Janet – are you alright?" She asked, running over to her friend.
She ripped the tape off the girl's mouth.
"THAT'S SABRETOOTH!" She screamed.
"Yeah – it is and I need your help getting him home."
"HOME! Don't we need to turn him in – let the cops deal with it."
"Actually – no, he's working with us." Tad grinned.
"WHAT!?" Janet screamed
"Will you stop that please and help me move him." The body that Victor had called Graydon was almost completely gone. She didn't know what happened, but she needed to get Victor where she could see his injury.
"Okay." At least Janet was a class one telekinetic – and was able to relieve a little of the weight of carrying Victor's massive body. They managed to get him to the car, and Tad cut through the bloody leathers to find the bullet lodged against his rib. She used her claws and cut it out. It felt slimy and slick and seemed to move in her hand, almost as if it was alive, and she quickly dropped it into a scrap of the leather and wrapped it up. They'd send it to Xavier's for analysis later. Right now she needed to see if getting it out helped him – at all.
He moaned about five minutes later and opened his eyes.
"What the fuck?" He muttered. "How'd I get here?"
"We carried you, dumb ass." Tad snapped at him, Janet looked at her in shock.
"You alright kid – where's Graydon?"
"His body it just – melted disappeared." She said, the memory of that scene making her shiver.
"Shit – he was some kind of clone or something. What the FUCK is going on?"
"I don't know – but whoever created him – knows about me and Angel and now you, and has developed a way – if not to kill us – to at least take us down for the count."
"Let's get home – I know a couple people that can…" He shook his head.
"Okay – but you are NOT driving." She said and snatched the keys from him. He glared but didn't argue. "Janet – back seat." The other girl didn't even bother arguing. Tad turned the engine over and took off. They needed to get this to Greg – and Xavier and fast.