Haruka's Fanfiction

WARNING: Although it uses the X-Men: Evolution characters, THIS IS AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE!! In this world, same-sex relationships are accepted without prejudice because everyone is bisexual. Also, corporal punishment is common here as part of loving family discipline. If either of these facts about our AU bothers you, DO NOT READ this fic and then complain about same-sex couples or spankings being part of it. It is loosely based on an RPG plotline that Michiru and I started playing in August 2001. If anything is canon here, it's probably an accident.


The X-Men Family

Part 53

By Haruka (haruka@ymail.com)

--

Professor Xavier put down the phone. He regarded Scott and the adults gathered in the library seriously. “I spoke to the manager of the store where Pietro tried on the pants. She located their copy of the receipt for them – with Scott’s signature on it.”

“Professor, I never authorized that purchase,” Scott said firmly.

“I know you didn’t, Scott,” the Professor assured him. “But unfortunately, that confirms our suspicions about Pietro.”

“Hmmph,” Logan said. “If the Hummingbird hadn’t returned the card to you, we might have thought someone else stole it and forged your signature.”

Hank shook his head. “But as it is, who else could have taken it and returned it just as easily?” he said. “He may as well have hung up a banner proclaiming his guilt.”

“What do we do now?” Scott asked.

“I know what _I_ do.” Logan got to his feet. “I find the little sneak-thief and paddle his skinny butt until he confesses.”

“Confesses,” Mystique repeated thoughtfully, then looked at Logan. “Hold off on that a minute,” she said. “I’m really disappointed that Pietro would do something like this. Not just that he stole the pants, but that he probably doesn’t think he did anything wrong because they WERE paid for. I agree he should be spanked, but I first want to find out if he has any kind of conscience at all – maybe even enough to confess WITHOUT being punished into it.”

“You’re losing me, Mysti,” Logan admitted.

“I must confess to floundering in the dark a little myself,” Hank told her.

“What if Pietro thought that someone else took the heat for what he had done?” Mystique said. “It’s one thing if it’s a victimless crime, but if someone else was punished for it, wouldn’t his conscience force him to admit his own guilt? I’d like to think he would, and it would give us some reason to hope for him.”

“Interesting idea, Raven.” The Professor nodded slowly. “If Pietro does confess, then his punishment would be that much more effective because it would clear his conscience and he could feel better about himself. If you go after him now, Logan, I fear his only regret would be in getting caught.”

“And what if he _doesn’t_ confess?” Logan asked pointedly.

“He will,” Mystique insisted, then sighed. “I have to believe that he will.”

“I think it’s worth a chance,” Scott said. “As angry as I am with him over stealing my card and forging my name, everyone deserves a chance to redeem themselves.” He paused, frowning. “But who could we get to act like they were blamed for it?”

There was a moment of silence in which all the adults stared at him.

“Oh.” He said in a small voice.

“Think of it as your leadership duty to help guide Pietro onto the right track,” Hank told him cheerfully.

Scott looked uncomfortable. “How exactly am I supposed to let him know? And what do I tell him?”

“You can’t directly tell Pietro anything unless he asks,” Mystique said. “He’d get suspicious. Fortunately, he’s curious enough that given any noticeable reason, he’s bound to ask. And even if he doesn’t, one of the other kids will, and the word will spread. He’ll find out, no doubt about that.”

“You mean EVERYBODY has to think I’m in trouble?” Scott asked incredulously.

“They’ll learn the truth later, Scott,” the Professor assured him. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“Okay,” Scott conceded with only a little reluctance. “If you say so, Professor.”

“So the story is that there was a two-hundred dollar discrepancy that you couldn’t – or wouldn’t -- account for,” Mystique said. “Pietro might even think that you suspected it was his fault and you tried to protect him.”

“Yes, he’d be even more inclined to confess that way,” Hank agreed.

“And what happened to me for keeping my mouth shut?” Scott asked.

“You were punished,” the Professor said. “In the same manner that Pietro will be.”

Scott stared at him, then around at all the others. “Oh, MAN!” he groaned. “You’re asking me to voluntarily humiliate myself in front of all my teammates! In front of _Alvers_!”

“It’s a noble sacrifice, Scott,” Mystique said gently. “And it’s for Pietro’s sake.”

He sighed heavily. “Okay, okay. It’s not going to be easy faking having been spanked, though.”

Logan and the Professor exchanged a minute glance before Logan patted Scott’s shoulder. “You’re a good boy, Scott,” he said, “but unfortunately, you’re not that good an actor.” His grip on the teenager’s shoulder suddenly tightened and he bent him at the waist.

*WHACK!*

“OW!” Scott yelled.

*WHACK!*

“OW!”

*WHACK!*

“OW!” Scott felt the hand leave his shoulder and he spun around. “Logan, that HURT!” he shouted.

“Sorry, Shades,” Logan told him helplessly. “But you needed just enough to make it convincing.”

Scott massaged his backside, grimacing. “You could have at least given me a CHANCE to fake it!”

Mystique stood up and hugged him. “I’m sorry, Scott. I love you for what you’re doing for Pietro.”

“Now I know why they say love hurts,” Scott mumbled.

“You should go now,” the Professor told him. “You needn’t wait for Pietro to approach you – just answer the first person who asks you about it. They’ll do the rest. And thank you, Scott. We’re all very proud of you.”

Scott managed a wan smile before slipping out of the library and shutting the door. He rubbed his butt again and winced.

“Maximoff, if you don’t confess after this, I’m gonna wring your scrawny little neck personally,” he vowed.

--

End of part 53

X-Men belongs to Marvel.

(2001)

This fic is not to be re-posted.