Chapter 2: Mia's Backstory

A/N: To keep track this takes place shortly before everyone met Mia in the first story of this, you know when Hayden was kidnapped, and explains why Mia decides to put Max on the ledge of a volcanoe. Also TRIGGER WARNINGS i tend to write about heavy stuff e.g rape, abuse, Sexual assault, miscarriage, mentions of stillbirth, mentions of death, and lots of adult themes, so please be careful! I don't want to hurt or trigger anyone :-(

DISCLAIMER: I do not own WOWP, Mia is my own character feel free to use her but please give me credit, thank you! Lena is also my own character I made up, you can use her no credit needed, thanks, love you guys!

FLASHBACK

*1 Week before 4 year old Hayden got kidnapped*

Mia was wearing a long-sleeved black top tucked into a denim skirt that had 'angel' written on the back in sequined silver letters, black and white striped tights, and black doc marten boots. She had on heavy black panda eyes and her jet black hair was short, all of it falling onto the left side with a side part. She was walking through the streets of waverly place looking for her charge. She was currently on a mission from the Head Angels. As head of the AIT (angels in training), she often went on lots of solo missions to help out humans in dangerous or harmful, (or sometimes just emotionally painful), situations. She was currently looking for a woman with blonde hair who was reported to be being abused by their partner. Mia pulled out her notepad which had the address on it. Yep, this was the place. She knew she had to handle this one carefully. These situations were always tricky. It could be hard to know what to for the best but Mia knew that she just had to help and help this person to have a healthier, happier, fullfiiling life. Mia cautiosly knocked on the door. The blonde women answered, only opening the door ever so slightly, keeping it held so it was only slightly ajar. Mia could almost swear that she could hear a very faint whimpering coming from inside.

Mia: Hello my name is Mia.

Carrie: Carrie. What do you want?

Mia held out her hand doing a symbol that was recognised to be the symbol asking people silently if they had been or were being abused in any way but couldn't say. The women's eyes lit up in recogniton and a soft oh left her lips. She gently shook her head.

Carrie: No. I'm fine thanks. Now please leave.

She went to close the door but Mia stuck her foot in the doorway and pushed against her. The women was looking at her angrily now. She crossed her arms over herself.

Carrie: What?!

Mia: Look I'm sorry I don't mean to pry of to bother you or take up your time. It's just that- There have been a lot of reports of screaming and whimpering from this household. I just wanted to make sure everyone's okay.

Carrie: Reports?

Carrie scoffed, seeming even angrier. She muttered something under her breath that sounded like 'nosy f*ck*ng b*st*rd neighbours'.

Mia: I'm sorry, what did you say?

Carrie: Nothing. We're fine. Now please go. You've done your good deed for the day.

Mia: If there's anything going on, please don't be afraid to tell me. Trust me, I can help you.

Carrie: There's nothing 'going on', now scram! Before I cass the police on your a** for trespassing!

Mia honestly thought about leaving for a second, but she knew she could help. She didn't want to push too much though and she didn't want to say or do anything that would put anyone in any danger. But just then she heard more whimpering again and a soft 'help me'. Mia's head snapped up. Carrie looked to the side, although she was trying not to be obvious about it.

Mia: What was that?

Carrie: What was what? You're hearing things.

Carrie shifted nervously on her feet, her eyes not willing to meet Mia's.

Mia: That's it. I'm coming in!

Carrie opened her mouth to protest but Mia had already pushed past her into the house, surprising Carrie with her strength. Mia was shocked at what she saw. Sitting on the floor, rocking back and forth was a man about Carrie's age, who Mia was guessing was Carrie's partner. The couple looked to be in their mid to late 30's. The man had brown short messy hair, blue eyes, a messy beard and an olive skin tone. The man was rocking back and forth in a fetal postion, his clothes were ripped and he looked battered and bruised. He was the source of the whimpers gently crying. Mia took a shocked look back at Carrie, who was staring hateful daggers at the man.

Mia: What the heck? What's going on?

Mia was speaking in a calm but authorative tone. She didn't want to assume anything until she knew all the facts but this man was clearly distraught. Carrie didn't say anything she just continued to shoot daggers at this man. Mia crouched in front of him very gently and carefully touching his arm as not to frighten him.

Mia: Sir? Are you okay?

The man hesitantly looked up at her through his tear filled eyes.

Mia: My name is Mia. I'm here to help. You're safe now. He hesitantly nodded, casting a fearful look at Carrie and thenk looking back at Mia.

Ben: M- My- My name is Ben.

Mia: It's nice to meet you Ben. Let's get you comfy sitting on the sofa and then I'll make you a nice cup of tea and we can talk ok?

He nodded hesitantly, Mia helped him to the sofa and sat him down. She could see that he was limping, it was likely he had heavy brusing on his right leg. He had a black eye and a split lip as well. Mia started to walk towards the kitchen but he grapped her arm. She turned back to look at him surprised. He was looking between her and Carrie, looking worried and scared.

Ben: No! P-please don't leave me! I mean... please stay!

His eyes were pleading with her. Her expression went from one of surprise to one of kindness and understanding. She gave him a soft smile.

Mia: Of course.

She turned back to face Carrie.

Mia: Okay, I think we all need to talk.

Carrie: Well what are you looking at me for? He's a crybaby! He's just worthless.

Mia frowned.

Mia: Hey!

She said it forcefully but not unkindly.

Mia: There will be none of that.

Carrie paused for a moment, looked up as if she was thinking of something, and then promptly burst into tears.

Carrie: I just can't believe you're taking his side when I'm the victim here! He was hurting me, I was just defending myself. I finally stick up for myself for the first time, and this is what I get?

Mia's expression softened.

Mia: I'm not taking sides. I'm just making sure to help everyone to feel safe, okay? I know there are two sides to every story. I want both of you to tell your sides and want to make it so no one has to get hurt anymore. Would that be okay with you both?

Ben nodded immediately, Carrie paused for a second and then nodded as well. She sat the opposite side of the sofa from Ben with her arms crossed.

Mia: I'm going to call a friend of mine. He's deal with situations like yours before and he might be able to help you more than I can, okay?

Again, they both nodded.

Mia: Great. Thank you.

Mia walked to the other end of the living room where she couldn't be easily overheard by the couple but could still see them and keep an eye on them. She dialed in the number on her angel phone. Her colleague picked up.

Jim: Jim here. How can I help?

Mia: Jim. Mia here. You know that domestic abuse case I'm working on?

Jim: Yeah?

Mia: Well it's a little more complicated then I first thought. I could use my therapist slash lawyer slash detective friend to help me figure this whole thing out.

Jim: No worries, I'll be there in 20.

Mia: Thanks Jim, you're a lifesaver.

Mia hung up the phone and walked back over to the sofa where Ben and Carrie were sitting. Ben opened his mouth and hesitantly spoke up, tears pouring out his eyes.

Ben: Sh-she would hit me whenever I-I did s-something wrong and sh-she would t-take me at night even when I s-said n-no. Sh-she raped me, I th-think. I love her I just d-dont know what I keep doing wrong.

Carrie looked at him looking shocked angry and disgusted.

Carrie: You filthy little liar! He-

She pointed at him.

Carrie: He's the one who did all the things to me.

Mia: Look let's not fight. You will both have a chance to tell your stories when my friend gets here. He will help you.

Ben: I'm s-sorry I didn't mean to s-start an argument.

Mia nodded and smiled, Ben looked ashamed and looked away fiddling with his fingernails in his lap, looking down at his hands. Carroe just crossed her arms and looked away, pouting. That was when a knock at the door occured. Mia opened it to see her friend and colleague Jim.

Mia: Carrie, Ben, this is Jim Hards, he will help you. I'll leave you in Jim's capable hands.

She patted Jim on the shoulder and he smiled at her. With that, Mia left Jim to it.

xxx

*A few days later *

Mia was standing in the Angels headquarters outside of Jim's office. She was following up on the domestic abuse case to find out what happened and to see if there was any more help needed. Mia was wearing a white long-sleeved top with 'Angel' written on the front in silver sequins, her denim skirt with thhe sequined 'Angel' lettering on the back, black leggings, frilly white ankle socks, black suede ankle boots and a black blazer style denim jacket. She had her usual make-up of panda eyes and her jet black hair was styled as usual so it all came down to her shoulders on the left side. She knocked on the office door. Jim opened the door with a smile. Jim had on his glasses and a brown suit with dark brown leather shoes.

Jim: Mia, please, come in.

He sat down at his desk and gestured for Mia to sit the other side of it. She took a seat.

Mia: How are you, Jim?

Jim: I'm well, but you didn't come for pleasantries. Let's get down to business.

Mia rose one eybrow, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Mia: Quite right.

She cleared her throat, becoming serious.

Mia: What is the update on Ben and Carrie then?

Jim: Well, we gathered witness reports, bucketloads of evidence. We did days of research, spoke to them both in individual therapies, had professional pyschiatrists voice their opinions on the matter, as well as police and social workers. We also had the whole council vote on the verdict.

Mia took a deep breath.

Mia: And? What was the verdict?

Jim: Well, there was overwhelming evidence that despite the witness reports, it was actually the other way round. Ben was being physically and emotionally abused by his partner Carrie.

Mia nodded. She had to admit that Carrie had given her off vibes when she was talking to her.

Mia: So how come the neighbours all believed Ben was abusing Carrie then?

Jim: Well you know how these things go. Ben was taught to bottle things up and he was raised to believe that it was shameful and that he was weak to be abused by a girl. Old fashioned stupid beliefs in my opinion. Crying, showing emotion, being in a situaton, none of that makes you less of a man, but there you go. I think he was very brave to talk to us, it can't have been easy. But that's just my opinion.

Mia smiled and nodded in agreement. She gestured, encouraging him to continue.

Jim: Apparently he did work up the courage to tell a couple of his neighbours but they didn't believe him. Upon interviewing them, they claimed they felt sorry for her, that it was clearly him doing it, it's, in their words, 'always the guy', and that they felt 'unsafe' around him, to use their words again.

Mia: So what? Just because he's a guy, he's automatically an abuser and there's no way it's her because she's a girl? What the heck is up with people?!

Mia furrowed her eyebrows, an angry expression on her face.

Jim: Well thankfully not everyone thinks that way but enough.

Mia: It's just- these situations are so much more complicated than that, it's not so black and white.

Jim: I completely agree.

Mia sighed, trying to calm herself down.

Mia: Onto the most important thing, are they safe?

Jim: Yes, I'm happy to report. They have been seperated and are now living far away from each other in different addresses and neither will gain the knowledge of the other's address. We will make sure of that. Whether there will be a punishment for Carrie is dependant on if Ben wants to press any charges or not, which is completely up to him, in his own time of course. His injuries have been seen to and they are both attending therapy, seperately, to help with their issues.

Mia nodded again.

Mia: Great. I know these situations are tough and I'm glad we could help as much as that. I hope they work it out.

Jim let out a small tentative, but slightly worried smile.

Jim: Me too.

Jim and Mia both sighed, sitting in silence for a moment.

Jim: Come back tomorrow and we'll have a new assignment for you. A less... heavy... assignment.

Mia nodded and smile and left the office, shutting the door behind her.

xxx

A/N: I know I kind of went off on one with this chapter, I knew if I was going to write about these subjects I wanted to try to do them justice the best I could because they're very sensitive topics. Also I am in no way saying that guys don't abuse girls, that is a big issue! And SA and it definitely needs to be talked about. But my point was that anyone can be an abuser and anyone can be abused, it doesn't matter about the gender either way. Also I wanted to talk about guys getting abused because it doesn't get talked about nearly enough and often I feel like they don't talk about it and I think it's important to talk about these issues and just know that it happens to all genders, and all gender identies and it's important to try and shed light on these issues and raise awarness about all of it. I hope I did ok and made sense with this author's note and I hope you enjoed the chapter. It turned out rather heavy next chapter will be much much lighter so I'll see you soon! Thanks for reading!