A/N so this is my first every multi-chaptered fiction and I wish to dedicate it to my muse Love a Mysterious Thing, without your help this story would not have been possible so thank you!

I've tried my best to keep with Cannon but I haven't read the comics so I'm not exactly sure. Main thing to note is Kurt Marko and Cain are already at the mansion and so without further ado on with the story. I hope you like it.

I couldn't believe my eyes. It had only been a month since my world was rocked with the entrance of two strangers and now it was rocked again but the two sets of people couldn't be more different.

My life with Kurt Marko and his son Cain was nothing more than pain. Never ending cruelly inflicted pain. I never knew people could hold such hate as they did; none of it was visible, of course not. For if it was so my Mother may have noticed. Even in her now permanent semi-comatose drunken state there still was a chance something may have been seen. So they were sneaky and devious in their doling of punishments. The pain never came when my Mother was awake. Nor did it occur in any place that showed. I believe that this is why I can hide it so well, after all I learnt from the best.

How I would pray for my Mother to tuck me in at night. Whisper sweetly that everything would be alright. Calm my fears and smooth away my nightmares. This never happened.

Then came Raven. Her presence in the building such a wonderful reprieve from the never ending nightmares that plagued me. I was so grateful but at the same time I felt a fear of the unknown seep into me. My telepathy was not developed enough to allow me to see who was in the kitchen but the mind felt wrong somehow. As I sought out the disturbance I passed one of Cain's hiding places and retrieved that baseball bat stored there. Cain enjoyed nothing more than hiding in various closets with various weapons just waiting for me to pass, sometimes with such accuracy and forethought I had to wonder if he were a telepath too.

Onwards I crept toward the kitchen, close enough now to hear small noises coming from inside. The quite hum of the refrigerator, a sound it makes when open. The rattling of jars confirmed my suspicions but who would be raiding the fridge at this time of night? I crept into the room with the bat raised but paused just inside the doorway for the apparition in front of me had the guise of my Mother. Something was wrong though, for it could not be her. After drinking all day she surely would be passed out upstairs by now.

'Mother?' I called out tentatively lowering the bat as I did so but never realising the iron tight grip with which I held it. 'I thought you were a burglar!'

As the phantom stepped backwards and becomes clearer my confusion grew. In front of me was the spitting image of my Mother but the mind, the mind was not right. I could not get a firm grip on it or its difference but it was... strange, abnormal and unlike any mind I had ever encountered before. It was then that I realised the mind was not the only difference for this was not my Mother. Her face was similar but I had not seen it hold such kindness in months, it is now permanently etched with sorrow since the passing of my Father. I could faintly hear the sound of it talking but what was said did not matter for something inside me clicked and there was a connection.

You are not my Mother! Who are you and what have you done with her? I voiced straight into the being's mind.

As I spoke the creature stepped backwards huddled in on itself as if in shock or pain at the sound of my voice. I regretted the look of pain for that was never my intention but the shock was unavoidable for my ability was unique and mine alone. Once I had finished the spectre straightened and started to shrink? I could not believe my eyes for the person in front of me underwent a change the likes of which I have never seen before. Blue needle type scales erupted throughout the body, beginning at the head and slowly panning down to the feet. The hair became shorter and richer in colour, changing to a magnificent deep red. The eyes soon followed but they brightened to the colour of lightning. They were so stunning but the look of fear they held was earth-shattering and I felt pain for causing such fear.

How to communicate? My mind voice scared her the first time (for surely with beauty like that she must be a she), but what if she doesn't understand English? Only one way to find out.

'Charles Xavier pleased to meet you.' I prompted.

'Raven, my name is Raven.' Came the reply in such a sweet innocent voice my heart missed a beat.

'I didn't mean to scare you Raven... I... well actually you scared me.' I laughed nervously. 'I can't believe I am not alone. And neither are you.'

Raven smiled and it lit up the dim kitchen. The smile was so bright and so full of hope but it was gone too quickly as Raven lowered her gaze to her feet. The pause was slightly awkward as my mind struggled to catch up, still sluggish from sleep or the sight of the beauty before me.

'Oh of course! You must be hungry, let me get you something to eat. I do not know what you like so how about we have a feast? Hmm and maybe something to drink?' I mumbled half to myself not really expecting an answer but the smile I received was answer enough and I found myself smiling in return. 'Let us have a feast then shall we?'

I walked across to one of the cupboards and retrieved the biggest platter in the kitchen and then placed it on the table flicking the kettle on as I passed. I glanced across at Raven to see her watching me and so I pulled out the chair at the head of the table and extended my hand, bowing. 'Your meal awaits m'lady.'

Ever so lightly I felt Raven rest her hand in mine. Despite the needle-type protrusions I had seen erupt earlier her skin was like silk beneath my fingers and I grasped it, carefully bringing the back of her hand to my lips. Raven giggled and I raised my head to see her cheeks tint a deeper blue, my goodness was she blushing? I moved behind the chair to push it in slowly as Raven sat down and then I busied myself gathering food to place in front of her chatting the whole time.

'Hmm let's see what we have in here. I think we can skip the savoury don't you?' I paused to allow Raven a chance to speak but from the look on her face it seemed she was quite content to just sit and watch me. So I reached inside the fridge to retrieve the cakes stored there before heading to the freezer for ice cream. 'There are quite a few different flavours here, if you haven't already tried chocolate I would suggest starting with that. Although you might like it too much and we will never know what else you like. How about a bit of everything? It is a feast after all.' I finished making the hot chocolates and retrieved the cutlery as I sat next to Raven at the table.

'W...why are you doing this for me?' Raven asked mouth slightly agape at the sight in front of her.

'You're hungry and I have food I can spare. We are alike you and I and I would like to get to know you better. If you would like to stay here I will give you a home and I can guarantee you will never go hungry again.' I explained gently shocked to the core when I saw a tear slip free from the gorgeous set of eyes in front of me.

'Thank you.' Raven whispered as I passed her a fork.

'Raven? Would you like to be my friend?' I asked sensing her hesitation at eating.

'I don't know. I've... erm... never had a friend before.' The reply tugged on my heartstrings once more.

'Don't worry for I will teach you.' I exclaimed saluting Raven in the hope of... yes! There it was again that lovely smile that seemed to brighten up my life. I vow right now to see this smile at least once a day for the rest of my life, it was like chocolate to me and I was already addicted. 'Rule two: what is mine is also yours.'

I grabbed a fork and stuck it into the nearest cake scooping up the biggest forkful I could; then I raised it, toasting Raven, before shoving it in my mouth. Raven proceeded to follow my lead closing her eyes slightly as her mouth closed around the fork before grinning up at me cheeks about to burst. Each time I took more of the cake in front of me, a little less vigorously now Raven was eating too, but Raven had no such qualms taking from everything at the table. When it came to the ice cream I didn't manage to stop Raven in time before she took as much as before and I winced slightly as a pained look came across her face.

'Quick Raven, hold your nose.' I directed as she gaped at me eyes wide. 'That is called 'Brain Freeze' and it is quite unpleasant but don't worry for it will pass soon.'

All Raven could do was nod as I passed her a hot chocolate and after taking a few sips it seemed she had begun to thaw out. 'Wow. That was cold.'

I couldn't help myself and began to laugh, Raven laughing alongside me. 'I think I'll stick with the drink, it's lovely and warm. Thank you for the food.'

'Don't worry, that is what friends are for.' I stood up to place the leftovers back in the freezer when Raven stood up in front of me, wrapping her arms around me.

'Thank you... friend.' I smiled as I retuned the hug. We stood like that for a few seconds longer before Raven released me returning to her drink and I tidied the kitchen in silence.

When I returned to the table Raven's eyes were half-mast as she gazed at her drink sleepily. 'Come on Raven, let's go get some sleep.'

Raven just nodded in response as I helped her up and led her to my bedroom, returning the bat as we passed. When we reached my four poster bed I gently helped Raven under the covers before backing away to the armchair but before I could take more than one step I felt her fingers close around mine.

'Stay with me?' Raven whispered. 'Please?'

How could I refuse? So as I crawled in next to Raven I whispered back. 'I will. I am right here and I'm not going anywhere. You are not alone.'

And together we slowly fell asleep in each other's arms.

So what did you think? I hope you liked it.

Thank you for reading,

Sincerely Yours