Avengers: Unbreakable

The Avengers and all related characters and settings are the property of Marvel Inc. and their respective affiliates. All rights reserved (by them, not me).

Episode 1: Confluence

Chapter 9

The home of Henry Pym and Maria Trovaya, Larchmont, New York

"Who got Anna?" Pym asked Maria. He'd just come upstairs from a disastrously failed experiment in his basement lab to find his wife crying with a cell phone still in her hand. "They got Anna," is all she had said.

"The SDB," Maria replied.

"The secret police? But they were disbanded years ago."

"No. No. That's what the government wants the world to believe. But they still operate, only underground. Behind the scenes. Not openly, like in the old days. But they're just as real. Just as deadly." She paused. "And they killed my sister."

Pym moved across the room and gathered his wife in his arms. "I'm so sorry."

"I should have been there."

"Anna knew that you loved her," Pym said. "Even miles away. I promise you." He brushed her hair out of her face. "Even in that moment."

Maria shook her head and looked down.

"I have to go back."

"What?"

"I have to go back."

"No. That's out of the question."

Maria talked over him. "I will be there for my sister's funeral!"

"If you go back, they'll try to kill you too!"

"If I don't go back, I will have failed her a second time."

"Maria, it's notsafe."

"Then it must be made safe Henry!" she exploded. "Someone has to stand up for my sister! The people of Serbia need to see that the bonds of family and freedom are stronger than the bonds of oppression! That we will not cower in fear at these wanton acts of murder! I will go back for my sister's funeral, and I will stand up! Again! As I did once before!"

Pym released his wife and walked over to the kitchen counter.

"Maria, I understand how you feel. You're very emotional right now, and with good reason. But this is not the time to be making a decision on going back."

"And when is a good time? I can't wait forever, her funeral will be over!"

"I just don't think it's a good idea, Maria."

"Hank . . . she's my sister!"

Pym said nothing for a long time – the silence stretched on for a full minute, then two. Finally, Pym drew in a deep breath and sighed.

"Alright."

Maria stood with her arms wrapped around herself. After another long pause, she spoke again.

"We need to leave tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Pym cried. Maria turned and glared at him, and Pym knew he should say nothing more.

"Alright," he said at last. "I'd better tell Melissa."

Pym headed to the stairs and started down, again talking as he went.

"Melissa! Maria and I are going to have to leave unexpectedly, and I was wondering if you could –" He stopped abruptly when he saw Melissa packing her things.

"Melissa? What are you doing?"

"I'm sorry Dr. Pym," Melissa said, continuing packing. "I was going to tell you before I left. I just . . . ." Melissa looked up. "I can't keep doing this. You know . . . the ant and everything."

"The ant? That was one mistake."

"No, Dr. Pym. It wasn't," she said. "It was the latest in a long string of mistakes. Look, you're a brilliant scientist and all. But your work is just . . . it's not helping my career to be here. You know what I mean?"

"No. I don't know what you mean."

Melissa sighed. "If I stay here, no one is going to hire me. I'm going to get tagged with the same label you are."

"Which is what?"

Melissa hesitated.

"Fringe, Dr. Pym," she said at last. "It's . . . it's quack work. You have to know that."

Hank stared at her in stunned silence.

"I'm sorry," Melissa said. "I just don't think I can handle any more experiments like this."

Hank continued to stare at nothing. "Of course," he said hoarsely.

"I'm sorry."

"Okay."

Melissa finished packing her things. She headed toward the stairs where Pym was still standing halfway down. "Goodbye, Dr. Pym." Then she slipped past him as delicately as she could, and moved through the doorway above.

"Goodbye Melissa," Pym said haltingly. But the look of pained self-reproach stayed on his face for many long moments more after she was gone.