Chapter 25

Victor and Meggan were sitting at the table drinking instant hot chocolate. Actually, Meggan was sitting cross-legged on the table and Victor was tipped back in a chair, his bare feet propped up beside her. Meggan was happily telling him how much she enjoyed playing with William and laughing when Victor shared stories, altered a bit to enhance their humor, of William's youth.

"I'm tellin' ya, pup, the buck's nothin' but trouble. Comin' over here, most animals woulda been happy with a clean cage, but not Willie. Just like your sister, gotta travel first class or not at all."

"Then why not leave them behind and take that clean cage you mentioned out of here?" Kitty's voice was dark and angry as she stepped into the kitchen.

Meggan looked up, surprised by the young brunette's tone. She had never heard it so venomous before. Victor, however, did not alter his position or look around. His tone was neutral as he asked, "What d'ya want?"

"What I want," Each word was clipped and plainly advertised her fury, "Is for you to pay for what you did!"

"And which thing would that be?" He turned his head to meet her piercing glare unflinchingly. "Ya got a lot ta choose from."

Kitty's hands were clenched into fists. "You almost killed Logan!" Her voice was rising and she made no attempt to lower it.

Victor laughed. "Ya gotta be more specific than that. I've almost killed the runt more times than I can count."

Kitty advanced angrily. "How dare you laugh? Logan's worth a hundred of you!" She was standing in front of him, hands moving restlessly, itching to close around his throat. "Someone should do the world a favor and put you down like the animal you are!"

"'Nd who's gonna do it, little girl, you? Anytime ya wanna try, you take your best shot. 'Course, afterwards, I'll be takin' mine. Wanna place a bet on who's gonna win that?" Victor's smile was cold and cruel, exposing his fangs to their fullest.

"You bastard!"

"Language. What would the runt think o' his sweet little girl if he could hear ya now?"

Meggan moved to intercede, looking from one to the other, confused. "Why are you so angry, Kitty? Victor is family, why are you fighting?"

"He's not family! He is a rabid animal that needs to be put down before he can hurt anyone else." Her attention refocused on him. "I know you kidnapped Betsy and I swear I'll find a way to reverse whatever you've done to her."

"But, Kitty, they love each other. Betsy told me he'd never hurt her. She's happy with him." Meggan was still trying to reason with her friend, disturbed by the hostility so obvious in the room.

"Yeah, right. I bet he's just using her in some warped revenge plan. Then, when he's done with her, he'll just rip her apart like he's probably done to a lot others and if Betsy doesn't realize that then she's either stupid or an animal just like him."

Victor's hand lashed out and gripped the young mutant around the neck, lifting her feet clear of the floor. "Listen, frail, I know ya got reason to be pissed at me and I really don' give a shit what ya think. But, you ever talk like that 'bout Betsy again or try ta hurt her, I will find you 'nd what I leave behind won't be recognizable as human."

Kitty kicked at the floor, the suddenness of the attack catching her by surprise before she could react and the hand crushing her windpipe making it impossible to concentrate enough to phase from his grip.

"Katchzen! Let go of her, schwein!" There was the smell of sulfur and Kurt appeared next to Kitty. A soft bamf and she had disappeared from Victor's grip as Kurt teleported them both across the room.

Kitty breathed in deeply, filling her oxygen starved lungs as the German mutant glared at the blonde offender. Victor glared back, arms crossed over his chest while Meggan, upset and confused, shifted her gaze continuously between them all. It was into this mess, Rachel stepped in with the question, "Hey guys, does anyone know what Brian and Betsy are arguing...about...out..." Her eyes grew wide as she took in confused scene and rising animosity. "Um, does anyone know what this is about?"

Meggan smiled at the arrival of another, relatively, calm person. "Kitty and Kurt are mad at Victor who is supposed to marry Betsy because she said he did some bad things before but there were reasons but we don't understand them."

"Ok." Rachel's voice reflected her confusion.

Just then, the twins arrived from their talk outside, Brian still tense and angry, but more cooperative than before. "Alright, fight's over." He walked over to his two teammates. "He's a guest so we have to be nice...for now."

Kurt looked up at his teammate in outrage. "He attacked Kitty and we have to be nice?"

Brian turned back towards Victor, his anger on the rise yet again, but, this time, it was Meggan who interrupted. "No! It's not really his fault. He was mad because Kitty called Betsy some bad things but I don't think he meant to hurt her." Everyone stared at her in varying degrees of confusion and disbelief. She turned pleading eyes toward Victor. "You didn't, did you?"

"Nah, I wasn't gonna actually hurt her, right then. I was just givin' her a piece of advice," He glared at the brunette, "And I suggest she share it with her friends."

Rachel was still looking confused. "Can I please get an update here?"

"Rachel, this is my fiancé, Victor. Victor, this is Rachel." Betsy wrapped an arm around his muscled waist. "Now, I think it is time we retire for the night. Good night, everyone."

Meggan and Rachel wished them a good night in return but the other three were too busy quietly arguing to notice the engaged couple's departure.