Unlikely

Chapter Eleven: Of Mice and Men

Another sigh passed Mia's lips. How had she gotten stuck going to the mall with Kitty, anyway? Was this some cruel practical joke? When had she even suggested that they go to the mall? It was Sunday. No one goes to the mall on a Sunday. Normal people are at home watching football, or going to church, not going to the mall. And what was more, how had she not seen this coming?

"C'mon, Mia! Try this on!" Said Kitty, happily shoving clothes into Mia's hands then pushing her into a dressing room and shutting the door after her self as she walked out.

Mia looked over the outfit and held back another sigh. This time it was a skirt. A short pleated black skirt that would barely cover her hips at that. Then there was a black button-up vest, and red striped suspenders. Who wore suspenders besides Steve Erkel anymore?

Nonetheless, she tried the outfit on and was pleased with what she saw in the mirror. Though she had become paler with worry lately, her legs were still long and tan and finely toned and smooth. The suspenders were an odd accessory, but somehow fit the look, and the vest – though buttoned-up – still showcased her flat but firm stomach, and though she wore long black dress-gloves today that reached all the way up to her shoulders, it was still obvious her arms were thin but strong. She slipped back on her black leather mid-calf boots and walked out of the dressing room then twirled to show Kitty the new look. She had never worn a skirt before.

Kitty squeaked with delight at the look.

"You look, like, awesome Mia!"

-

Lance and Pietro paused as they passed the clothing store, and then exchanged curious looks. Both had met up completely on accident when Pietro had first arrived here. He had slipped in a puddle upon entering the new Bayville Mall, and fell right onto Lance, who was just as annoyed and surprised to see the speed demon here as the speed demon was to see him. In the end of the small yelling match, both had compromised to keep the other company, with neither willing to leave the second day of the Grand Opening of the newly built mall, as both had just arrived. Both also recognized the voice of Kitty Pride, one of Xavier's kids, and Pietro easily recognized the name she had said.

Inwardly, Pietro groaned.

What was she doing here? This had to be a mistake! Maybe another Mia had joined the X-Men gang, or even better, Mia had just become the new popular nickname for all the girls already attending there. Yeah, that had to be it.

Just to make sure, though, Pietro doubled back with Lance and stopped at the entrance of the feminine clothing store, and this time cursed under his breath. Why did she have to always unexpectedly show up when she was least unexpectedly wanted? Yet even he had to admit, she looked great in a skirt. It was like she had been built to model skimpy clothes. Anything fit her, even those baggy jeans she was usually wearing.

"Yo!" Lance called out before Pietro could stop him. "Kit-!" This time Pietro slapped his hand over his sort-of-friend's mouth and dragged him out of view before anyone could blink.

Once out of view, Pietro released Lance and sent him a lethal glare. "What d'you think you're doing?" He hissed speedily. "Pride's an X-Men! We can't be seen hanging out with her."

Lance returned his glare readily. "Who said anything about we?" He shot back. "You can get lost, for all I care." His expression abruptly changed as he smirked. "On second thought, you can keep Kitty's friend company. She's hot, so you should be thanking me."

Before Pietro could counter with anything, Kitty Pride walked out of the clothing store, with Mia following not far behind. Right away Pietro noticed she had changed back into her baggy dark blue jeans, and tight-fitting long-sleeve dark blue shirt, though still wore her thick black boots and long black dress-gloves. Her hands were in her back pockets, and both Kitty and Mia were headed in the opposite direction of where Pietro and Lance stood.

"Kitty!" Said Lance loudly before Pietro knew what to do.

Mia turned first, as she was a pace behind Kitty Pride. Her expression became cold as she spotted Pietro, partially hidden behind Lance, his head turned away and his pose guarded as he watched her from the corner of his eyes. Kitty turned also, but apparently didn't see Pietro as she smiled broadly.

"Lance! Like, what are you doing here?" She asked while walking towards them. Abruptly she noticed Pietro there also and a slight frown touched her peach lips. "And with Maximoff?"

Lance glimpsed behind him at the speed demon, which glowered at him and looked away. "Oh, um… Pietro and me just kind of ran into each other a minute ago. We were just headed to the food court. You and your friend want to come and grab a bite?"

Kitty glanced behind her at Mia, who smirked.

"I wouldn't want to intrude," said Mia softly.

"You wouldn't be," cut in Lance coolly. "You can keep Pietro here company."

Pietro and Mia scowled at each other then looked away at the same time, and a second later Pietro's stomach growled. He glared down at it as he swore lightly under his breath once more. Why did these things always happen to him?

"C'mon, Mia. I know you must be hungry too," urged Kitty. "We haven't even had breakfast, and it's got to be, like, a while past lunch by now."

"Fine," Mia grumbled.

The four then headed to the food court, with Lance and Kitty in the lead, while Pietro and Mia glowered at their backs and trailed two steps behind. Inconspicuously, Pietro glanced at Mia, who dutifully kept her pale violet gaze averted from him.

Why was she acting so immature? Was she really still holding a grudge against him?

Meanwhile, Lance and Kitty were now conversing animatedly.

How come they got along so well? Pietro wanted to know. Weren't they supposed to be enemies? Hadn't they gotten off on the wrong foot, too?

"It's not like I heard you were here and ran out to meet you," Pietro grumbled at length, realizing Mia wasn't going to say anything anytime soon. She kept her calm silence. Why was he explaining himself to her, anyway? It wasn't her business, and it wasn't exactly on any need-to-know basis. "Matter of fact," he continued the one-sided conversation, "I had forgotten all about you, up until just now." He lied. She smirked and looked to him.

"That makes two of us."

He frowned slightly at her, then remembered himself and looked back ahead of them to where they were walking. "You look good in a skirt," he said casually without thinking. Catching him self too late, he glanced cautiously at her, expecting a slap, but instead she only blushed and avoided looking at him again. "So what are you doing here?" He took another stab at conversation when she didn't react otherwise to the compliment. "No one comes to the mall on a Sunday."

"I was wondering that myself," she replied calmly, sending a glare at Kitty's back. "For a clairvoyant, I sure am off my game lately," she mumbled more to herself.

"Don't you have a sister?"

She looked to him, and he could see the caution in her pale violet eyes. "Yeah."

He smirked. "Relax, I was only asking. So why isn't she here with you?"

Mia continued to watch him warily, obviously wondering the same as he. Why was he asking? What did he care if she had a sister or where her sister was? "She went to a movie with her friend, Amara."  She still answered coolly. "So what are you doing here," she suddenly smirked, "if you didn't really rush out here just to see me."

He shrugged and looked ahead of him again as he ran his left hand through his damp hair. "This mall was recently rebuilt. I was just coming to check it out." He murmured, letting his hand drop back to his side. It gently brushed against her gloved right arm accidentally and she flinched away from him, but then looked to him.

"Are you afraid of mice?" She asked calmly.

Pietro's eyebrows rose as he looked back down at her. "Why?" She shrugged then pointed. He glanced to his right and swallowed a shout as they passed the pet store and the window where at least six little white mice scampered around their small cage. "So?" He asked, recovering quickly from his fright.

Her hand shifted so that she was pointing at the floor near him. He looked down at the small mouse scampering towards him and this time did let out a shout as he stumbled back and then tripped and fell backwards into the fountain. Water splashed everywhere and Pietro was instantly soaked through, though he was pleased to see that Mia got splashed quite a bit as well.

However she laughed softly as she offered him a gloved-hand to help him out of the shallow pool.

Reluctantly he took it, but then smiled maliciously as he yanked her into the fountain with him, and if she hadn't been drenched before, she was now as she landed nearly on top of him. Yet she continued to snicker softly under her breath as she sat up.

"Man, and I saw that one coming." He just barely caught her mumblings.

Pietro smirked as Kitty came and helped Mia out of the fountain, while Lance just smiled wickedly and waited for him to get out. As he stood, he sent a subtle glare at Lance as he kicked water at him.

"Thanks for your help," he growled as he stepped out of the fountain near him.

Lance shrugged, then slugged him in the shoulder, and Pietro fell right back into the shallow pool. "No problem," he said over his shoulder as he turned and walked over to Kitty and Mia.

Author's note: Aww. They're flirting! Next chappie is just another wonderful filler.

Preview of Chapter Twelve: Some Girls

Kitty frowned slightly at the accusation. "Yeah, but Lance isn't all that bad. Like, he can be really sweet and stuff sometimes." Mia smiled indolently but didn't start an argument over such a small deal. It wasn't really any of her business anyway. "So, like, what is your type of guy?" Kitty pressed.

Mia shrugged, "A guy who isn't an ass."

"Pietro isn't always so… Okay, bad example…"

Disclaimer: I don't own any copyrights to X-Men: Evolution. I only own my original characters and this plot.