The Adventures of Wanda Maximoff
By: Ariesque
Rated: PG or PG-13
Genre: Humor/Romance
Cautions: Mild language and violence if you may.
Disclaimer: Do not own X-Men Evo, or Arkham Ayslum.
A/N: Got off my writer's block, took advantage of my break from school, and watched X-Men III to write this chapter. Did the movie make anyone else mad or is it just me? It made me hate Jean and I was beginning to like her tooand how come Logan and Ororo won't get together already? And Rogue, oMgosh Rogue...don't even get me started with her. Oh, and I was rushing to get this online, so if there are many mistakes with grammar and so on, you know why.
January 22
I had not counted on going out today because today was the Boys' day to watch a movie marathon. This time, it was movie marathon Monty Python. I was prepared to stay in and watch with them, since I must have been sheltered for a good part of my life and have never seen Monty Python ever. Bought several cans of Pringles chips and ordered a ton of pizzas complete with dozens of side orders (for Fred, of course) from Sam's Pizza Haus. I was having trouble finding my hat which I wear specifically for these types of Lazy Days—it has "Couch Potato for Life" scrawled across the front— I called down for them to wait for me.
But when I ran down, hat in hand and ready to waste my afternoon away, I found the Boys had already started the marathon with Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
"What the hell?" was my reaction. The Boys kind of shrank in their seats at my tone. "I told you guys to wait for me."
"We tried," Lance responded. The Boys nodded.
"Well, whatever. Move over, Todd."
"Sorry shoonkums. Can't." I looked at his place on the couch. He wasn't sitting next to Fred; there was enough room for me.
I attempted to cross over their legs but Pietro objected. "You can't see the movie with us."
"And why is that?" I was itching to hex over the T.V.
"Because Father said so," Pietro answered. I paused.
"He's back from his meeting about war with Canada?"
"Back and angry. They didn't take him seriously." Nor would I if I was discussing welfare of the common good with a man who wore a cape.
"So what's his deal with me? We haven't spoken in weeks." And he had to come home and ruin it.
"Don't act dumb, Wanda. You know he's angry about John." John! Father's away from the House for the longest time and comes back to pick up where he left off! The nerve of that man is truly daunting. I turned to go look for him, and Fred, seeing that I was leaving, told me there was a vase on the kitchen table with some flowers for me.
"It's from your lover…who's not Todd," he said, and the Toad flashed him a grievous look.
I thanked them and went into Father's room. He was sitting in his great armchair by the fireplace, wearing a "I Scream for World Domination" T-shirt and his favorite Mickey Mouse fuzzy yellow shoes (I know: I wonder about him sometimes too).
"Father!" I yelled, drowning out Mozart playing in the background. He looked up from his copy of "Computer Viruses for Dummies" and gave me a dark look.
"Daughter. I knew it wouldn't be long before we would meet again."
"Really, Father. We live under the same house."
"What a pity, too. And you use our address for delivery of flowers?"
"That's not something to worry about."
"No, it isn't." He put aside the book and stood up. He was taller than me, but I was stronger. I could take him while lying down. "I hear you've been seeing that Allerdyce again. Without permission."
"He lost his memory," I tried to explain. "He needed someone to help him…"
"You should have kept him ignorant, Daughter. You should have never gone near him again."
"That was kinda hard." I couldn't help it; even I thought I could stay away from him. And look where that got me.
"Still," Father interjected. "It would have been best." He went to his liquor table and poured himself a glass of scotch.
"Your opinion of him or anyone's for that matter does not bother me. I'm pretty much set on seeing him as long as I like him."
"So the flowers have done their job."
"I haven't even seen the flowers yet."
"That's besides the point." He took a sip. "You know how many bottles of liquor I've been through since this whole John-dating-my-daughter-fiasco? Fifty!" He tipped his glass to me and downed the rest. "I wonder why my liver hasn't failed me yet."
"You could drink Logan under the table and I still wouldn't come around."
"Ah, but Daughter. I have to ask: are you sure he likes you? Are you sure you haven't been wasting your time?" I was a little taken aback: I never considered it.
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" It was a cautious reply; I really didn't answer his questions. He shifted his weight—a habit when he's caught in a corner.
To himself: "Drat!" To me: "You won't win this one. But I should want the madman to answer me himself." It was a death sentence to anyone who wasn't me. But I accepted the challenge: I am still stronger than my Father, hands down.
And the flowers are something. Blood-red Cosmos, I believe the internet search said. Fred said politely that they were pretty.
January 23
I went over to the Institute to visit John. It was more of a friendly house call than anything really. I've got the basket of muffins to prove it too.
Rogue answered the door. She wore a green dress that matched her eyes exactly and…blush? This was new.
"Ah'm tryin' tah get some color on mah face," she explained when she noticed me looking at her strangely. I flushed; I was embarrassed that she answered my questioning glance.
"Sorry."
"Don't be. Come in; John's in dah parlor." We walked from one room into another, she talking about the weather and I dawdling behind, admiring the many pictures depicting the X-Men and their mentors.
"That one's my favorite," she said, pointing at one photograph. "It has Remy in it." His arm was around her; no wonder she liked it so much.
We found Remy sitting on the couch, quickly flipping through channels withthe remote. He looked up and grinned when he saw me.
"Cherie." There is always something about Remy that when he calls you by some other name, it just melts your heart. Maybe it's because he speaks French; I don't know.
"Hi, Remy." He took my hand and kissed it. "Are you guys the only ones here?"
"Our excuse is thet we got snowed in." Rogue joined his side and put her arm around his torso. "And we had to keep Johnny company."
"I heard that." John came out of nowhere, newspaper in hand. His eyes settled on me, and the look on his face was that of genuine surprise.
"Wanda! I wasn't expectin' yah to come by today."
"Well, here I am," I said, feeling a little shy all of a sudden. "I wanted to thank you for the Cosmos."
"Is that what they're called?" He seemed not sure what to do about me. "Mattie said they were special this time of season."
"Mattie?" I asked.
"The florist down the street," Remy informed me. Apparently he went with John to buy them.
"I wasn't sure if you'd like them," John continued.
"They were lovely," I said. "And these are for you." I handed him the muffin basket. "Don't worry; I don't bake. I picked them up from the bakery this morning."
He grinned and thanked me. "Might we walk these grounds? I take it yah don't know more about dis place thandah front door anddah med lab."
I laughed and took the arm he offered me. "And how long have you been here to give a tour?"
"Remy and Rogue will come…" he hastened a look at the couple, "if they don't mind."
"Of course not. It's for Wanda anyway," Rogue told him, and with that, he pulled me away into the garden.
We spent a good hour strolling around in the falling snow with John pointing out the most random things (a door knob, a passing bird) and their significance to the mansionwhile Rogue gently corrected his guesses.
There was a point where we were a good distance ahead of Rogue and Remy, and I was still trudging through the fresh snow with my arm through John's. He turned his head a couple of times as if to talk to me, but at the last second changed his mind. So I decided to speak up.
"You look good, John." He smiled as if he would have died if no conversation came to his aide. "At least, I think so."
"I'm all right," he agreed. "Ororo—that's Stormy, as Remy would call 'er—fixes me fruit for breakfast everyday. I guess it shows." He paused, but I knew he wanted to say more. A few moments later, he spoke again. "I know I shouldn't talk about what I remember because I'm supposed to know more than I do. But I'm still afraid, Wanda." This was big--he never comes out with his true feelings unless he's really comfortable. Frankly, I was flattered.
"Afraid of what, John?" I wanted to know.
"I've been afraid of people. People against mutants." I remembered him screaming about mutant raiders and a chill rang through my heart. As if on impulse, I shuddered against him.
"Hearing it from another person who shares my fear is weird," I explained. "I can't believe people actually hate me for things I can't control." Worry had crossed his face—I realized I was scaring him. "But don't worry. Xavier's kind. He knows what we've been through—he'll take care of you." I suddenly felt kind of sick, but I didn't know why.
"And you…?" I shrugged.
"I'm tough—my powers are tough."
John didn't believe my speech. He seized my hand and kissed it in one swift movement. "I'll take care of you," he offered. If it hadn't so cold, I would've blushed.
"Thanks," I said, taking my hand out of his. "But I think I can handle it." It was pride talking; and for the first time, I wished I hadn't let it speak for me. I could tell John was a little crestfallen because when Remy called what you two lovebirds were doing, John called back that nothing was going on, and walked back towards them without taking me with him. I followed, a little slower and more embarrassed. Rogue suggested hot chocolate, but I said I needed to get home. The Boys planned an armpit musical and I was their only audience since Creed backed out at the last minute. It didn't seem much of an excuse, but I couldn't stand being there with John a moment longer. He shook my hand and told me to visit anytime, and I asked him to come over for dinner on Saturday night. He hesitated and I, knowing how he felt, turned away before a response.
Besides, Rogue has my number and could give it to him when he wants it. But that doesn't seem like much of an excuse either, does it?
January 24
I was still kicking myself for turning down John, but then decided I shouldn't make such a fuss about it. I mean, it wasn't like he asked me out or anything like that. I shouldn't even care about the condition of his heart: it doesn't belong to me.
Crap, I can only be callous for so long and then it starts to grow on me.
January 25
All right, the phone has rung five times in a row and I have refused to answer it five times in a row. Pride is keeping me in this mess and I'm not about to step up to the plate just yet.
Afternoon
Lance told me it was John and that he wanted to talk to me.
"Tell him I'm in the shower."
Lance sighed. "You used that excuse already. Twice."
"Then I'm in the pool."
"We don't have a pool. And anybody who's anybody does NOT jump into a pool when it's 16 degrees out."
"I'm in the pool, dammit!"
Lance let out a loud exhale before talking into the phone. "She's in the pool. Yeah, I know it's 16 degrees out. Sure, call back in a few hours: she'll completely defrost by then. I hope she does too. Bye now."
"Well?" I asked, after he replaced the phone in its cradle.
"Coward!" He pushed the phone into my hands. "You're the worst at making excuses, you know?" And then he walked out.
Early Morning, Maybe Around Two
John is smart. He called really early, so that when the phone rang, I rolled over and answered it without thinking twice about who it could be.
"Yello?"
"Wanda?" Pause. When it finally registered, my head kept telling me I was the stupidest person ever. Homer Simpson would need to step aside.
"Yes?"
"It's John."
"So it is."
"Yah were sleeping." Thank you Captain Obvious, I wanted to say.
"Nah, just came back from robbing a couple of 7-Elevens." I could hear him chuckle on the side.
"I was afraid you'd hang up once yah answered…accidentally." So he was on to me. I wasn't trying THAT hard to keep away from him.
"Decided I couldn't hide under my sheets forever."
"Or indah shower, in dah pool…"
"Okay, now you're teasing. It's a good reason to hang up."
"Yah wouldn't."
"I would and I will."
"Fine, but before yah do, I wantedtah R.S.V.P." It took another moment to realize he was talking about the dinner. I bit my lip; it was all I could before saying "D'oh."
"You're coming?"
"Yah did invite me."
"I should warn you about a couple of things before you do come over."
"What sort of things?"
"Just…things." We decided to meet tomorrow in front of Jim's Deli.
"All right, Wanda, see yah then. Oh, and yah should really get yer own line. Somebody's listening on another phone."
"What the..." I got up and looked into the next room just as Pietro slammed his phone down. I then declared war and jumped on his bed, grabbing the sheets to choke him to death. And if it weren't for Father coming in and tearing me away, I think I could have killed him too.
January 26
We met like we said we would. I commented on his crisp new blue sweater; he liked my purple coat.
"You won't freeze?" I asked him, concerned. I was holding his arm again as we walked into the Deli.
"I'm warm-blooded, love. I'll live." We shared a turkey sandwich inside, out of the cold air. I told him to sit next to me and be polite at the dinner.
"It doesn't help to be a smartass," I told him. "To make small talk with my father, chat about the weather."
"He won't minddah talk?" John asked between bites.
"He always does small talk. It calms his nerves." I asked for the check. "But never bring up war or babies or marriage. He hates it."
"He sounds charming."
"He hates you," I told him. "But he wants to tell you that himself. So don't get yourself killed because I'd miss you sorely." It was a half-joke. John chuckled and put down a couple of bills.
"I wouldn't worry about me," he said, downing the rest of his coffee. His other hand kept drumming on the table; he was nervous. I noticed and put my hand on his.
"I appreciate you doing this for me." He looked into my eyes and grinned.
"Of course." He moved his hand away from mine. "So much fer not needin' me."
"I never said that, John." The fact that he even brought it up made me angry. Here I could not hide my blushing cheeks.
"Why exactly am I meeting your Father? Why does he want to kill me?" I didn't want to answer his questions—they asked too much. I moved away from the table.
"It doesn't matter."
"Wanda, I need somethin' tah work with." His voice was stiff with annoyance. I looked up and caught his gaze.
"I told him I liked you. I want to rub it in his face."
John raised an eyebrow. "Sounds dramatic." As I was putting my change away, John suddenly put his hand over mine. His touch made me tense. "So do you?"
"Do I what?"
"Do you like me?" I was speechless—and that embarrassed me.
"I don't have to answer that."
"Oh yes you will." He pulled my hand over the table so that my arm followed. And then he kissed me, right there in Jim's Deli. I pushed him back and said he was the worst romantic I ever knew. He laughed but did not pursue the subject; I guess he knew I was embarrassed enough as it was. He told me he'd be at the House by seven and jokingly asked for a kiss goodbye. I stuffed dirty ice down his sweater and he chased me all the back to the House for it.
Oh, and just so we're clear...
… HE KISSED ME!...
January 27
I was coming home from school when a car pulled up by the curb. The window rolled down and one glance told me it was John.
"Hey there, love," he greeted. He followed me as I kept walking. "Want tah go fer a ride?"
"You drive?"
"I do more than dat," John boasted, and I laughed.
"I'm sure you do. Watch out for that parked car." He slammed on his brakes in the nick of time. That's when I came over and pulled open the passenger side door. "You're random, you know that?"
"Definitely," he said with much gusto. The tires screeched as he pulled out.
After a few minutes of fiddling with the radio, I asked where we were going. He shrugged.
"I'm not quite sure myself, Sheila." I really wanted to kick myself for getting in the car with him in the first place. Great, I thought. I'm going to die without knowing where I'm going.
We drove and drove and finally we were past Vale Barrens and well out of Bayville. He suddenly turned the wheel and parked in front of Bob's Pub.
"I've been here before." He got out and looked around. It was boarded up and out of business. "I don't know fer sure…it's like a dream."
"I wouldn't be surprised if you have actually been here before." I got of the car and stood some distance away from him. "Perhaps you were here awhile ago."
He looked around. "Perhaps." After a few minutes, he turned to me, his eyes confused and strangely lit. "Would yah take me around? I'd like tah see more."
"Well, Gotham is really where it all is for you."
"Gotham? Batman's Gotham?" I smiled, despite myself.
"We could take the train there and look around. I'll stick with you, don't worry." Taking his hand in mine, we got back into the car and drove to the train station. Hopped on the next train going to Gotham and walked around.
"This is where we first met," I said, as he followed me into the Starbucks shop. He ordered his mocha latte and we sat and talked about what he did thenand where he lived. He was interested in the conversation, but every so often he would stop talking and look at me with those bluest of blue eyes, making me wonder what he was thinking. But then he would take up where he left off and I forgot about his gaze until he did it again. And then again.
We went around to the shanty bar and the owner welcomed John who absently accepted the greeting. Went up to what was once his room and looked around. It was turned into storage space by now, but I described how we talked and I slept most of the time in this very place. He looked around as if he knew this place all along.
It was almost eight at night when we finally took the train back. John was quiet in thought and I was exhausted beyond words. I guess I had fallen asleep because when the train stopped, I groggily opened my eyes with no recollection of where I was until I found John sleeping with his arm around me, his head against my shoulder. I shook him gently to wake up and he drove me home in his borrowed car (probably Mr. McCoy's).
He bade me good night and that it was nice to see me; he would see me tomorrow.
So tomorrow it is.
January 28
John arrived around seven like he said he would. He brought more Blood-red Cosmos for me and a box of chocolates for Father. I told him Father does not eat chocolate because of his high blood sugar, but the Boys would gladly share the box. We waited in the living room for Father for about an hour and passed the time with guessing what kind of chocolate was in the chocolate box.
Finally, Father came in, wearing both a cape and a large scowl on his face.
"The turkey's burned, Creed blew up the crock pot, and there's no hope for the Turkish Delight. So we ordered pizza." It's the number one dinner solution in a household where nobody knows how to cook.
"I brought dessert," John piped. Father's scowl darkened.
"That was very thoughtful of you. But I won't eat it." He meant to be mean because he hated John, not because he could not eat any chocolate.
John ignored this fact. "Is it because of yer blood sugar, sir? That's a nasty problem." Father did not respond; he went into the kitchen fuming. We followed gravely, but I gave John an encouraging smile.
"It's almost over," I told him, putting my hand in his.
Dinner was quiet except for Fred's loud munching. Father was having trouble eating his pizza with a knife and fork. Everyone else used their hands.
Suddenly, Father put down his utensils out of frustration with a loud CLANG, making everyone jump. He turned to John, eyes raging with violence.
"You never seem to go away, do you St. John Allerdyce?"
"Only when I have reason to." John looked collectively calm. I silently cheered him on.
"Oh, but you do."
"Because of Wanda?" He looked over at me and I gulped. He's a goner, I thought, summoning my hexing power. "Yah shouldn't worry; I won't harm her."
"I don't care what you won't do!" He banged his fist on the counter causing everyone's dishes to clatter. Fred sat back and lost his appetite. "You are a madman. You are and always will be, memory or not."
John tensed. "Wanda does not seem tah mind."
"Wanda thinks she likes you," he said, snarling. I reddened, not sure what to do now. "She doesn't even know if you like her." He saw John's face drain, and smirked. "You haven't even asked her out have you?"
I felt like I was on Ricki Lake and she was doing a segment on what happens when fathers and their daughter's boyfriends face off (even though technically John was not my boyfriend).
Allerdyce put down the pizza he was holding, wiped his fingers on his napkin, and looked my Father in the eye. "No, I haven't. Not yet, dat is. I want to though, and I'll do it whether or not yah approve. And I do like Wanda." He looked at me and I suddenly knew he meant it. "I like her so much that I think I'm in love with her."
Todd choked, Lance lost his appetite, Creed asked to be excused, Fred sat shaking his head, and Pietro burst out laughing. I looked at Father and all the veins in his face seemed to jut out, as if ready to explode.
"You will regret that, Allerdyce. No daughter of mine will ever be with a madman like you." He got up, flipped his cape, and walked out with his chin in the air. I coughed. Lance made a comment that at least the pizza was good, and everyone agreed. But I could tell the rest of the night would never be right, so I thanked John for coming and he seemed relieved to be finally leaving.
We walked out into the chilly air. It couldn't have been more than ten degrees out, but John refused taking an extra coat.
"That was fun," he finally said, and smiled down at me. "I think he likes me."
"Haha, you don't have to beat around the bush. I'm sorry I put you through that, John. At least you won't have to meet him again." John did not seem to mind. Putting his arms around me, he drew me closer.
"But he made it easier to tell you how I feel." Those blue eyes focusing only on me—now that was a sight. "I'm not sure how it happened but I think I'm better off being with you. Isn't dat funny, Wanda? I don't want my memory or my life back—I just want you."
I did not want him to leave thinking I thought differently. We kissed, dear diary. It was the first time I have ever felt him reaching for mesince he held me fiercely as if he were afraid to let me go. But just as suddenly as we begun, he released me and left without another word. I watched him pull away from the curb, wondering what that was all about.
No one may think we can make it.But I believe differently: this may be the start of something bound to survive--or at least, I hope so.
January 29
I went to the mall with Pietro this morning. Something about buying new lucky socks.
While we were in the men's socks section, I got bored and actually asked Pietro why Father hates John. My twin stopped looking through the black socks and stared at me.
"Isn't it obvious? He hates everyone who isn't on his side. Even more for someone who's dating his only daughter."
"I wish he wouldn't be so possessive. I mean, do I really need protecting?"
"No, Wandy. He just has fun torturing your love life. Why do you think he sent you to that all-girl school? And he doesn't want you over at the X-Men's? Or how much he bangs on Todd?"
"I hate him," I finally said, after a long pause. Pietro picked up a pair of socks but then decided against them.
"Well, are you really sure you want to date John? I mean, he is really worth it?" It wasn't said in jest; Pietro actually wanted to know.
I shrugged. "I like him well enough to think so."
"Does he like you well enough too? Because if he breaks your heart, you'd waste no time beating him to a pulp. And I'll be happy to watch…" he saw me scowling, "…but only if he breaks your heart."
"Don't worry. I can take it."
I have a real pride issue, that's for sure.
January 30
John would not answer his phone so I drove over to see him at the Institute. Rogue answered the door and looked surprised to see me.
"Hey, Wanda. What'd ya need here?" she asked. I did not understand.
"Just John, Rogue." Wasn't that agiven, right off the bat?"Why, did something happen?" She paled and backed up a few steps.
"You didn't turn him in?" My heart dropped to my stomach.
"What are you talking about? Where's John?" I burst inside, desperate to know what I only dreaded to learn.
"They took him away yesterday," Rogue replied, her voice grave.
"They?" My mind was spinning. I needed to sit down.
"From Arkham. They said he violated his probation by being in Bayville."
"But I said nothing! I didn't know he could be sent back on probation!" I was yelling; a couple X-Men passing by turned to me with questioning glances.
"Well, somebody snitched. Wanda, are yah okay? Can Ah get you anythin'?"
I shook my head. "I need to find John."
"Aw, honey, he's gone back to the Asylum."
The world started spinning. Just the other day I was with John and now everyone thinks I'm against him. How can all my work, my time, my feelings disappear in only two days' time?
Rogue drove me back and I completely went into a withdrawal.
Isn't it strange how love can make a person go insane?
Maybe that's what happened to John, and now it's happening to me.
January 31
It was Father who turned him in. He used Pietro to keep me away from the House while he researched Arkham's policies and made the call. Then he framed me and told Xavier that John tried to harm me and was therefore a danger to us all.
Fred told me. Pietro was boasting about how no one else found out. After this, I went downstairs and discovered that Father had jumped a flight to Bermuda with Pietro and left no way to reach either of them.
So I spent the day destroying every car in Bayville and hexing any tree that bothered me. My heart bust, my mind screaming, my anger raging, I could not stand being Wanda Maximoff. Scarlet Witch is all that controls my fury; it is Wanda Maximoff that sobs all night for what could've been the answer to what I've wanted this whole time.
This cannot be happening to me.
Will John still regard her with the same feelings?
Or willWanda just give up onhim altogether?
...stay tuned...only a few chapters left!
