Chapter 12
Lance and Pietro threw all of their bags in the bag of his jeep, quickly making one more sweep through the house to make sure they had gotten everything they wanted. When they were satisfied they headed back out and Lance climbed into the driver's seat, gunning the engine.
The X-men were already sitting in the X-van along with Mystique and the two Acolytes since there wasn't enough room for them in Lance's jeep. They drove off with the three brotherhood members close behind. Inside the X-van the five adults were holding a conversation, "I didn't make up anything, I might have under exaggerated the extent of the situation, but it was all true."
Storm looked at the shape changing mutant and nodded, her eyes sad, "I had hoped...... but I will call McCoy and tell him to get the infirmary ready for Todd, and some rooms set up."
"Ya betta' get that infirmary ready for two, Lance is about ta collapse, takes tha' pain rather well." Gambit told her bitterly, "All they need is two rooms, ain't no point in splittin' 'em up too much when they'll just endup in the same room anyway."
Logan remained suspiciously quiet the whole ride to the mansion, his eyes still glowed with suspicion, but he knew better then to comment, Storm was scary when she got pissed.
Pulling up to the mansion Logan quickly typed in the code for the gate and drove around to the back, where a entrance straight into the infirmary lay. Shutting of the vehicle all of the adults quickly climbed out and watched as Lance carefully picked up Todd out of the back of the jeep, murmuring things to him as they walked to the infirmary.
Once they entered they saw the Professor and Hank waiting for them, the Professor smiled when he saw the three walk in, "I'm glad you decided to come, do any of you need medical attention?"
Lance and Pietro looked at eachother, and then Lance sighed, "Todd probably needs some more painkillers, if not now, soon, and some bandages for his wrists, the other things we will have to tend to. Pietro also needs some food..." he cut off the speed demon's impending protest with a look, "he hasn't eaten nearly enough yet."
The Professor nodded and then looked at the tall teen with knowing eyes, "What about yourself Mr. Alvers?"
"Later."
With that Lance laid Todd on the table, and whispering to him, "Todd, I need you to wake up okay, it's time now."
Todd's eyes fluttered open as he looked from Lance to Pietro, "What happened?" he croaked out, his throat dry.
Pietro stepped in running a had through soft brown hair, "You had a relapse, Love, can you take off your shirt so McCoy can see your wrists and chest, Lance and I will take care of everything else."
With help the smaller mutant sat up on the table and nodded, looking pleadingly at Pietro with his eyes, understanding Pietro stepped up and gently helped him take off the large long sleeve shirt.
McCoy stepped forward suddenly and Todd instinctively flinched back on the table, closing his eyes, Pietro grabbed his hand, "It's just Dr. McCoy, Love, open your eyes, he's just going to bandage your wrists."
Looking slightly annoyed at himself Todd opened his eyes and watched as McCoy gently and slowly reached out and grasped his wrist in furry hands and inspected the torn skin. He gently smears some antibacterial and healing lotion on each one and wrapped them in some cotton bandages.
Noting that Todd looked a little more secure Lance leaned to him, "Can Dr. McCoy take a look at your other injuries, we'll be right here, I promise."
The smaller mutant on table had wide eyes as he nodded slowly and buried his head in Lance's chest, as Pietro ran a soft hand over his head.
Pietro looked at the assembled party who were still in the room, "It would be best if you leave, it is unusual that Todd will let anyone but us heal him, I don't want to screw it up."
Nodding the three X-men were first to leave with the Professor throwing a look at them that promised a talk later.
Mystique and the Acolytes left behind them each voicing that they were there if any of the three wanted to talk.
Once they were gone McCoy walked up and laid a hand on Todd's shoulder, the young mutant tensed and then you could feel him forcing himself to relax. After he had, Pietro ad Lance gently pulled off the large pair of sweat pants exposing the damage.
"Oh dear God...." Beast breathed as he saw the black and purple bruises covering his hisps and thighs, the red welt marks on the inside if his thighs from fingernails and various bite marks.
Lance's voice snapped him back to reality, "Could you hurry up.....please."
Beast quickly and gently smeared some antibiotic gel on the welts so they wouldn't get infected and then covered them in some lightweight bandages, as well as the bruises on his hips.
Stepping back he placed the supplies on a cart, "All done."
With that Pietro and Lance quickly coaxed Todd into a pair of loose sweatpants and a large t-shirt. "Where can they lay down?"
"Right down the hall is a room with some beds, they're welcome there."
Just as the three were about to leave the room the Professor, Wolverine, and Mystique re-entered the room, the Professor spoke, "Lance, can you stay behind?"
He stiffened and nodded shifting Todd's weight entirely to Pietro, "Catch some winks with him, if he wakes up then you know what to do, you have his stuff in his bag."
Pietro nodded glaring suspiciously at the adults before moving down the hallway.
Mystique closed the door behind them and turned around, "Lance will you let Beast look at your injuries?"
Knowing this was coming he sighed and looked at the floor, "I really am fine, must we do this?" it was said in a nearly pleading tone, his eyes not leaving the floor as he spoke. He didn't want them to see what a disobedient person he was, his punishment was visible, but saying no to those with power was not exactly easy when he was again by himself.
"Yes, Lance disrobe, Beast needs to treat you." Mystique nearly broke when he simply nodded and started pulling off clothes, his face never meeting anyone in the room.
His shirt was dropped to the floor and the small intakes of breath told him they saw the injuries, his eyes never left the floor, they had found out how disobedient he was, it was his fault.
The Professor cringed internally as he looked over the teen; his chest was covered in old and new bruises, scars, and fresh cuts. On each of his sides there was five vertical scars running down and disappearing into the low slung pants that hung around his waist.
Logan stepped forward and looked at the marks, they reminded him of an enemy of his, running his fingers over the scars he missed the flinch that passed on Lance's face. "Now what are these from?"
When there was no answer Logan stepped back and asked again in a harsh gruff tone, "Tell me Rocky!"
Lance's eyes dimmed as he seemed to curl in on himself as he stood there, pulling to somewhere he couldn't be hurt; the sounds, the smells, the hands were dragging back the memories of the first and only time he had previously disobeyed Magneto.
Flashback
Lance stood in front of Magneto at his base and tried not to shrink under his gaze, he had disobeyed direct orders, and he knew his punishment was not going to be pleasant.
"Rocky, you belong to me, you do not disobey me." Magneto said in a silky voice underlined with a coat of steel anger. Stalking up he grabbed Lance's face hard enough to bruise, "Explain your failure. Now."
"It wasn't possible Sir, there were to many people around for me to grab the target, I thought it best to retreat."
"Did I tell you to retreat?"
"No Sir. However......"
"You do not do anything without my permission, you do realize that you will be punished for this inadequacy, correct Rocky?"
Lance hunched himself over, "Yes Lord Magneto, what am I to do?" He hoped it wouldn't hurt to badly.
A dark chuckle and a vicious smirk emerged from Magneto as he grasped Lance at the neck with one hand leading him towards a large metal door in the wall, with a gesture the door swung open and he was pushed inside, stumbling he heard the door slam shut behind him.
An intercom came on from somewhere, "You're allowed to play as much as you like, but no permanent maiming, broken bones, etc. You will regret it if he is broken."
"Rocky" Lance looked up from the floor as he heard his name, "I expect you to behave, and be a good toy, any rebellion and I will be very disappointed." He could hear the veiled threat behind the words so he simply nodded and replied, "Yes, my Lord."
With a final "Have Fun." Magneto's voice disappeared and Lance heard footsteps appear quickly behind him and large hands reached out and dragged him to his feet against a large hard body; "Hmmmmm, you truly do look tasty, I will have to thank Magneto for something new to play with."
Lance worked out who it was and stuttered, "Sab..b..er..t..too..oth?"
A small purr and a mouth at his ear, "Call me Sir, I do believe you are mine for the night."
And Lance's real hell had begun.....
When Magneto came to collect him in the morning immediately pulled the teen into another room and bandaged the wounds, "I'm sorry Rocky, but you had to be punished, it won't happen again will it?"
He looked up with dead brown eyes, "No my Lord, I won't ever disobey you again."
And he wouldn't, if Lord Magnet told him to jump in the ocean and see if he could breathe underwater he would of done it.....
End Flashback
Lance felt hands trying to draw him out of his world and he immediately backed away against the wall and slid down to the floor whispering brokenly as Logan just looked from his hands to the teen, "No more, so sorry, no more Sabertooth, good boy, be good, no toy, please no Sir......"
Mystique glared at the other mutant as she approached the boy her hands open and crooning in a soft voice that one would use with an injured animal, gently she settled next to him wrapping he in her arms, "No hurt, Lance is good, no more Sabertooth, shhhhh...."
Soon the boy fell into an exhausted sleep and Beast gently laid him on the table so they could treat him.
Looking at the scars he sighed, "Obviously we know how these came around, and Logan I would advise that you not approach him like that again."
Mystique stalked forward and stood in front of him, "If that happens again because of you I will personally eviscerate you and enjoy every moment of it." In those moments the assassin could clearly be seen in her eyes as she looked at the feral mutant.
Logan nodded and made no comment and retreated to one wall, leaning against it with his arm's crossed, he apparently had some things to consider. As much as he hated to admit it he found himself admiring and feeling a tug in his heart for the three brotherhood members.
He had a thing about kids losing their childhood, and all three probably didn't even know what a normal childhood was supposed to be, they had grown up to quickly and in far too many ways that they should have never had to.
Following the scars McCoy noticed the dark green marking and tugged down the pants slightly to get a better look, his eyes darkened as he took both it and the words impressed on the collar in "Professor I think you might want to take a look at this." At that moment he fully wanted to live up to his code name of Beast and beat the bloody hell out of Magneto.
The professor came over and looked at the markings on Lance's hip and the property mark on the collar, "Oh Erik, what have you become?" He thought as he ran his fingers over the extensive wrapping of vines that formed initials.
"The most recent wounds are on his back." Mystique spoke softly not wanting to wake him.
Nodding Beast gently rolled him over observing the continuing litany of scars as he treated and bandaged the dark welts rising on his skin, along with the very abraded wrists and ankles.
As he finished Lance pulled himself back to consciousness, he had a lot of practice at it thanks to Magneto. He stiffened as Beast moved away and then pulled himself up only wincing slightly at the pain shooting up his back; hesitantly he looked at the others in the room, gauging their reactions.
The Professor was the first to speak in a serious voice, "Lance, you and the other two are never going back there; you are welcome to stay here for as long as you like. Storm has already prepared two rooms for you three."
He nodded as he looked at Mystique for confirmation, "Stay Lance, you are better then Magneto, stay for your brothers."
Finally he looked hesitantly to Logan drawing in on himself at the anger that seemed to pour off the mutant; thinking it was directed at him he acted like he had with Lord Magneto when he was angry. He turned his eyes to the floor, slumped his shoulders in submission, and wrapped his arms around himself before answering, "I..I don't want to b..be th..he ca..ause of dissension. It wo...ould be best if I lef..ft?"
The last part sounded more like a question then a statement hoping someone would dispute his statement. The Professor looked at Logan his face creasing in a frown Logan, you are not helping, he is already afraid of you, your anger is only making him withdraw further
Looking at Lance Logan could see that the Professor was right and he tried to calm himself, "Nah Ro...kid, I think ya should stay, better for everyone."
With that Lance looked up something appeared in his eyes that had been absent for far to long, hope.
Lance and Pietro threw all of their bags in the bag of his jeep, quickly making one more sweep through the house to make sure they had gotten everything they wanted. When they were satisfied they headed back out and Lance climbed into the driver's seat, gunning the engine.
The X-men were already sitting in the X-van along with Mystique and the two Acolytes since there wasn't enough room for them in Lance's jeep. They drove off with the three brotherhood members close behind. Inside the X-van the five adults were holding a conversation, "I didn't make up anything, I might have under exaggerated the extent of the situation, but it was all true."
Storm looked at the shape changing mutant and nodded, her eyes sad, "I had hoped...... but I will call McCoy and tell him to get the infirmary ready for Todd, and some rooms set up."
"Ya betta' get that infirmary ready for two, Lance is about ta collapse, takes tha' pain rather well." Gambit told her bitterly, "All they need is two rooms, ain't no point in splittin' 'em up too much when they'll just endup in the same room anyway."
Logan remained suspiciously quiet the whole ride to the mansion, his eyes still glowed with suspicion, but he knew better then to comment, Storm was scary when she got pissed.
Pulling up to the mansion Logan quickly typed in the code for the gate and drove around to the back, where a entrance straight into the infirmary lay. Shutting of the vehicle all of the adults quickly climbed out and watched as Lance carefully picked up Todd out of the back of the jeep, murmuring things to him as they walked to the infirmary.
Once they entered they saw the Professor and Hank waiting for them, the Professor smiled when he saw the three walk in, "I'm glad you decided to come, do any of you need medical attention?"
Lance and Pietro looked at eachother, and then Lance sighed, "Todd probably needs some more painkillers, if not now, soon, and some bandages for his wrists, the other things we will have to tend to. Pietro also needs some food..." he cut off the speed demon's impending protest with a look, "he hasn't eaten nearly enough yet."
The Professor nodded and then looked at the tall teen with knowing eyes, "What about yourself Mr. Alvers?"
"Later."
With that Lance laid Todd on the table, and whispering to him, "Todd, I need you to wake up okay, it's time now."
Todd's eyes fluttered open as he looked from Lance to Pietro, "What happened?" he croaked out, his throat dry.
Pietro stepped in running a had through soft brown hair, "You had a relapse, Love, can you take off your shirt so McCoy can see your wrists and chest, Lance and I will take care of everything else."
With help the smaller mutant sat up on the table and nodded, looking pleadingly at Pietro with his eyes, understanding Pietro stepped up and gently helped him take off the large long sleeve shirt.
McCoy stepped forward suddenly and Todd instinctively flinched back on the table, closing his eyes, Pietro grabbed his hand, "It's just Dr. McCoy, Love, open your eyes, he's just going to bandage your wrists."
Looking slightly annoyed at himself Todd opened his eyes and watched as McCoy gently and slowly reached out and grasped his wrist in furry hands and inspected the torn skin. He gently smears some antibacterial and healing lotion on each one and wrapped them in some cotton bandages.
Noting that Todd looked a little more secure Lance leaned to him, "Can Dr. McCoy take a look at your other injuries, we'll be right here, I promise."
The smaller mutant on table had wide eyes as he nodded slowly and buried his head in Lance's chest, as Pietro ran a soft hand over his head.
Pietro looked at the assembled party who were still in the room, "It would be best if you leave, it is unusual that Todd will let anyone but us heal him, I don't want to screw it up."
Nodding the three X-men were first to leave with the Professor throwing a look at them that promised a talk later.
Mystique and the Acolytes left behind them each voicing that they were there if any of the three wanted to talk.
Once they were gone McCoy walked up and laid a hand on Todd's shoulder, the young mutant tensed and then you could feel him forcing himself to relax. After he had, Pietro ad Lance gently pulled off the large pair of sweat pants exposing the damage.
"Oh dear God...." Beast breathed as he saw the black and purple bruises covering his hisps and thighs, the red welt marks on the inside if his thighs from fingernails and various bite marks.
Lance's voice snapped him back to reality, "Could you hurry up.....please."
Beast quickly and gently smeared some antibiotic gel on the welts so they wouldn't get infected and then covered them in some lightweight bandages, as well as the bruises on his hips.
Stepping back he placed the supplies on a cart, "All done."
With that Pietro and Lance quickly coaxed Todd into a pair of loose sweatpants and a large t-shirt. "Where can they lay down?"
"Right down the hall is a room with some beds, they're welcome there."
Just as the three were about to leave the room the Professor, Wolverine, and Mystique re-entered the room, the Professor spoke, "Lance, can you stay behind?"
He stiffened and nodded shifting Todd's weight entirely to Pietro, "Catch some winks with him, if he wakes up then you know what to do, you have his stuff in his bag."
Pietro nodded glaring suspiciously at the adults before moving down the hallway.
Mystique closed the door behind them and turned around, "Lance will you let Beast look at your injuries?"
Knowing this was coming he sighed and looked at the floor, "I really am fine, must we do this?" it was said in a nearly pleading tone, his eyes not leaving the floor as he spoke. He didn't want them to see what a disobedient person he was, his punishment was visible, but saying no to those with power was not exactly easy when he was again by himself.
"Yes, Lance disrobe, Beast needs to treat you." Mystique nearly broke when he simply nodded and started pulling off clothes, his face never meeting anyone in the room.
His shirt was dropped to the floor and the small intakes of breath told him they saw the injuries, his eyes never left the floor, they had found out how disobedient he was, it was his fault.
The Professor cringed internally as he looked over the teen; his chest was covered in old and new bruises, scars, and fresh cuts. On each of his sides there was five vertical scars running down and disappearing into the low slung pants that hung around his waist.
Logan stepped forward and looked at the marks, they reminded him of an enemy of his, running his fingers over the scars he missed the flinch that passed on Lance's face. "Now what are these from?"
When there was no answer Logan stepped back and asked again in a harsh gruff tone, "Tell me Rocky!"
Lance's eyes dimmed as he seemed to curl in on himself as he stood there, pulling to somewhere he couldn't be hurt; the sounds, the smells, the hands were dragging back the memories of the first and only time he had previously disobeyed Magneto.
Flashback
Lance stood in front of Magneto at his base and tried not to shrink under his gaze, he had disobeyed direct orders, and he knew his punishment was not going to be pleasant.
"Rocky, you belong to me, you do not disobey me." Magneto said in a silky voice underlined with a coat of steel anger. Stalking up he grabbed Lance's face hard enough to bruise, "Explain your failure. Now."
"It wasn't possible Sir, there were to many people around for me to grab the target, I thought it best to retreat."
"Did I tell you to retreat?"
"No Sir. However......"
"You do not do anything without my permission, you do realize that you will be punished for this inadequacy, correct Rocky?"
Lance hunched himself over, "Yes Lord Magneto, what am I to do?" He hoped it wouldn't hurt to badly.
A dark chuckle and a vicious smirk emerged from Magneto as he grasped Lance at the neck with one hand leading him towards a large metal door in the wall, with a gesture the door swung open and he was pushed inside, stumbling he heard the door slam shut behind him.
An intercom came on from somewhere, "You're allowed to play as much as you like, but no permanent maiming, broken bones, etc. You will regret it if he is broken."
"Rocky" Lance looked up from the floor as he heard his name, "I expect you to behave, and be a good toy, any rebellion and I will be very disappointed." He could hear the veiled threat behind the words so he simply nodded and replied, "Yes, my Lord."
With a final "Have Fun." Magneto's voice disappeared and Lance heard footsteps appear quickly behind him and large hands reached out and dragged him to his feet against a large hard body; "Hmmmmm, you truly do look tasty, I will have to thank Magneto for something new to play with."
Lance worked out who it was and stuttered, "Sab..b..er..t..too..oth?"
A small purr and a mouth at his ear, "Call me Sir, I do believe you are mine for the night."
And Lance's real hell had begun.....
When Magneto came to collect him in the morning immediately pulled the teen into another room and bandaged the wounds, "I'm sorry Rocky, but you had to be punished, it won't happen again will it?"
He looked up with dead brown eyes, "No my Lord, I won't ever disobey you again."
And he wouldn't, if Lord Magnet told him to jump in the ocean and see if he could breathe underwater he would of done it.....
End Flashback
Lance felt hands trying to draw him out of his world and he immediately backed away against the wall and slid down to the floor whispering brokenly as Logan just looked from his hands to the teen, "No more, so sorry, no more Sabertooth, good boy, be good, no toy, please no Sir......"
Mystique glared at the other mutant as she approached the boy her hands open and crooning in a soft voice that one would use with an injured animal, gently she settled next to him wrapping he in her arms, "No hurt, Lance is good, no more Sabertooth, shhhhh...."
Soon the boy fell into an exhausted sleep and Beast gently laid him on the table so they could treat him.
Looking at the scars he sighed, "Obviously we know how these came around, and Logan I would advise that you not approach him like that again."
Mystique stalked forward and stood in front of him, "If that happens again because of you I will personally eviscerate you and enjoy every moment of it." In those moments the assassin could clearly be seen in her eyes as she looked at the feral mutant.
Logan nodded and made no comment and retreated to one wall, leaning against it with his arm's crossed, he apparently had some things to consider. As much as he hated to admit it he found himself admiring and feeling a tug in his heart for the three brotherhood members.
He had a thing about kids losing their childhood, and all three probably didn't even know what a normal childhood was supposed to be, they had grown up to quickly and in far too many ways that they should have never had to.
Following the scars McCoy noticed the dark green marking and tugged down the pants slightly to get a better look, his eyes darkened as he took both it and the words impressed on the collar in "Professor I think you might want to take a look at this." At that moment he fully wanted to live up to his code name of Beast and beat the bloody hell out of Magneto.
The professor came over and looked at the markings on Lance's hip and the property mark on the collar, "Oh Erik, what have you become?" He thought as he ran his fingers over the extensive wrapping of vines that formed initials.
"The most recent wounds are on his back." Mystique spoke softly not wanting to wake him.
Nodding Beast gently rolled him over observing the continuing litany of scars as he treated and bandaged the dark welts rising on his skin, along with the very abraded wrists and ankles.
As he finished Lance pulled himself back to consciousness, he had a lot of practice at it thanks to Magneto. He stiffened as Beast moved away and then pulled himself up only wincing slightly at the pain shooting up his back; hesitantly he looked at the others in the room, gauging their reactions.
The Professor was the first to speak in a serious voice, "Lance, you and the other two are never going back there; you are welcome to stay here for as long as you like. Storm has already prepared two rooms for you three."
He nodded as he looked at Mystique for confirmation, "Stay Lance, you are better then Magneto, stay for your brothers."
Finally he looked hesitantly to Logan drawing in on himself at the anger that seemed to pour off the mutant; thinking it was directed at him he acted like he had with Lord Magneto when he was angry. He turned his eyes to the floor, slumped his shoulders in submission, and wrapped his arms around himself before answering, "I..I don't want to b..be th..he ca..ause of dissension. It wo...ould be best if I lef..ft?"
The last part sounded more like a question then a statement hoping someone would dispute his statement. The Professor looked at Logan his face creasing in a frown Logan, you are not helping, he is already afraid of you, your anger is only making him withdraw further
Looking at Lance Logan could see that the Professor was right and he tried to calm himself, "Nah Ro...kid, I think ya should stay, better for everyone."
With that Lance looked up something appeared in his eyes that had been absent for far to long, hope.