Wanda, Laurie and Zach

[x-scarletwitch.livejournal.com]

Strange times brings strangers around and Wanda is briefly introduced to Laurie's dad. Things don't always work out, especially when there's a lot of stress in the air.



"Congratulations, Laurie," Wanda announced, kicking the door to her apartment open, "you are the reason I have just had my first visit to Kentucky Fried Chicken." A couple of bags were held up, nearly overflowing with chicken goodness. Or, what Wanda hoped was chicken goodness. "I think I could have done without the experience."

Wanda stopped and blinked. There was a man at her table. Hearing Laurie down the hall, she called out, "Laurie? Why is there a strange man at my table? Should I hurt him or feed him chicken?"

"I think feeding would be a better choice," Laurie replied with a grin, "Wanda, this is my Dad, Zach. Zach, this is Wanda."

"And hello, Wanda," Zach said, standing up and offering his hand smoothly. "I hope you don't mind the imposition. I called Laurie to see about meeting in the city this week, and she said she was already here, and well, I'm staying somewhat close. Here, let me help you with that." He reached out and lifted the bags out of Wanda's arms with an apologetic smile.

Laurie watched Wanda shake Zach's hand, looking for any sign of influence. She still hadn't asked him about that, but she just wasn't sure how to bring it up without ruining the progress they'd made so far.

"I'll get the plates," she said, moving over to the cupboards in Wanda's small kitchen.

If Wanda had noticed Laurie's extra watchful eye, she didn't comment on it, just juggled bags with Zach's help. "Third cabinet to your left," she called out and then squinted suddenly, back still to the kitchen. "Actually, go to the next one over, something is probably going to fall out and break if you open that one." The bit of red around her hands faded as quickly as it had come about and she shook her head. "Probably that glass that nearly broke the other day." She gesture to one of the chairs. "Please sit, do you want something to drink?"

"Thank you, Wanda, that would be lovely," Zach replied, lingering slightly on the last word as he gave Wanda a subtly appraising look. "So, are you one of Laurie's teachers, up at Xavier's?"

Laurie pulled out several plates and a couple of glasses from the cupboard Wanda had indicated and placed them carefully on the table before she sat down. She still felt...hesitant around her Dad. It was weird introducing him to one of the Snow Valley people in the current circumstances, since she'd yet to tell him about the whole X-men thing.

"Just a friend, actually," Wanda responded, giving Zach another once over before transferring a large stack of books from one of the chairs to a counter. Someone had been looking through the collection and while that was a good thing, it was also a good thing they'd taken the time to put the more...interesting pieces away. "I actually tutor a friend of Laurie's and that is how I know her. I used to be a counselor there but I believe that was some time before she came to join us."

"I see," Zach said noncommittally, glancing over to Laurie and pulling one chair away from the table for Wanda and then after a second's pause, another for Laurie. "I'm a Xavier's alumni myself, class of... well, a while back."

"Did you talk to the Professor at all when you were at the school?" Laurie asked, curious now. She knew her father had studied at her school but she hadn't thought what it would've been like to come back after a long time away.

Zach shook his head. "I'm... well, I didn't exactly leave under the most amicable circumstances. I'm surprised Jean didn't tell you." He rubbed his fingertips together thoughtfully with a somewhat sheepish look on his face. "I didn't exactly see eye to eye with the Professor - or Erik either, so I packed up and left the moment I turned eighteen." He chuckled and pointed at Laurie. "Let that be a lesson to you, stay in school," he said in a joking tone.

Grabbing a pitcher of lemonade -- someone must have made that, along with...was that actual baked goods? Well, someone was a happy guest. -- she slide into the seat that Zach had gotten out and poured some drinks. Her eyes flickered from Laurie to Zach and back again with some interest. "You were there when Erik was?" It was strange saying his first name so casually. "Interesting. Did he ever happen to mention a woman named Magda?"

She supposed that she could have asked the Professor about it or some of the others that had been there but it wasn't something she had actually thought of to ask before.

Zach blinked in surprise. "Yes..." he said slowly, accepting the lemonade and regarding Wanda with a curious look. "Although never directly. His wife, back in Europe, I think it was. I'm not sure exactly where he was from. Germany, Poland, something like that. You, um..." He glanced at Laurie quickly. "You know Erik?"

The fact that he had mentioned her...Wanda mustered up a brief smile. "Magda was a relative of mine," she said quietly, glossing over the truth with a not quite lie. If anyone went digging very deep, it wouldn't be hard to find out. He was on her birth certificate and there was other evidence out there. But she preferred not to blurt out that she was his daughter, at least not to someone she just met. Who knew what Laurie had told him just yet? "She...died a few years ago."

"I'm sorry," Laurie said, automatically reaching her hand out to brush Wanda's shoulder in a comforting gesture as she spoke.

Zach's eyes were fixed on Wanda's face as a slow dawning recognition set in. Perhaps something in the eyes, the subtle set of the jaw, but it was there. "Well, well, well..." he said quietly, then sighed. "I've always believed... always hoped, rather, that children shouldn't be held responsible for the sins of their parents, Miss... is it Lehnsherr?"

She was more frazzled by this whole weekend than she thought, Wanda suddenly realized, internally soothing herself. Some quiet time later would be good. "Maximoff, actually," she supplied, tilting her head slightly. "But I prefer Wanda unless you happen to be one of my college students. Then it's Professor."

"Just Wanda, then," Zach agreed, reaching over to pick a drumstick out of one of the tubs. "So, Wanda, do the students usually come over for slumber parties at their tutors' apartments?" He made a motion to the couch where Laurie's duffel bag was resting. "If I'm not mistaken, I saw a few of the other student-age folks milling about."

Thankfully, Wanda managed to regain her groove and she smiled at Zach. "You would not believe the bug problem they're having right now," she said, shaking her head as she reached for the mashed potatoes. "The school is closed for a few days due to fumigation."

"I thought I told you that, Dad?" Laurie said, her smile not reaching her eyes. She reached for a piece of chicken herself, placing it neatly on her plate. "Or was that just Mom?" She hoped he got the hint, that what she was or wasn't doing really wasn't his business right now. He hadn't earned that right yet, although she had hopes he might, he seemed to be trying anyhow.

"Fumigating, of course." Zach set the drumstick down, then stood up and brushed his shirt off. "I should probably be going. I apologize for the imposition, Wanda. Laurie, I'll call you after the weekend, okay? Maybe we can... well, I'll call you, all right?"

"Okay," Laurie replied, standing to see him out. "I think I should be free by next weekend if you wanted to meet for dinner or something. Maybe I could cook this time?"

Wanda stood as well, a little startled by the sudden leaving but, then, she could understand strained father-daughter relationships with the best of them. "It was nice meeting you," she said, also heading over to the door to see him out.

"The same, Wanda," Zach said with a nod. He looked over at Laurie and smiled. "I'd like that. I'll call you."

He stepped into the doorway, then spoke again, voice pitched quietly so only Wanda could hear. "Fumigation my ass," he whispered. "Don't try to con a conman, Miss Maximoff. Just keep my daughter safe, please."

Voice similarly pitched, Wanda murmured, "There is no con in this promise that no harm will come to her as long as I can see to it." She smiled pleasantly as she stepped back, opening the door for him. "And a good evening to you."

Zach smiled, gave Laurie a small wave, and then headed down the hall to the stairs.

Laurie had noticed the close and whispered talking before her Dad had left and she made a face as Wanda walked back to the table. "Ew, tell me you weren't just flirting with my Dad, please."