Author's Note: Hey guys, I would really appreciate your reviews on this. Not sure where this story is going, but I've had the characters stuck in my mind since the movie, and I just had to get it out of my system. I'd love to hear what you think.


3 years later

A string of curses ran through her mind as Airae sat up on the silken sheets, trying not to replay the previous night in her mind. A quick glance at the clock beside the room told her that it was nearing afternoon, and that she wouldn't be alone for much longer.

Closing her eyes once again, she tried to put her head in her hands, but was stopped by something jerking at her arm. Airae glared angrily at the metal cuff attached to her left hand, chaining her to the bed. She started to look around for something to free herself with, but upon seeing the tangled bedsheets, felt sick at her stomach almost immediately.

The lock on the door to the single bedroom clicked quietly as the door opened, but Airae didn't bother looking to see who had entered. She knew who it was. Running a hand through her blonde curls, Airae worked at the tangles that had formed. She refused to look in the direction of the man who had entered, even as he approached her where she was sitting on the edge of the bed.

She bent to the floor to retrieve a white robe that had lain there, but the man caught her hand in a grip so firm she knew there would be a bruise later. He jerked her arm roughly, stretching it out so that the skin at her inner arm was fully exposed.

No stranger to what would happen next, Airae merely let out a hiss of disgust as the man pulled a syringe from inside his pocket. She struggled feebly to break his grip, but she knew that it wouldn't do much good. She was too weak to fight him, he was always stronger. Airae stared up at the man with as much hatred as she could summon. When she spoke, her voice was full of unconcealed spite.

"How much were you paid for this one?"

The man jerked her arm cruelly, twisting as he did so. Airae cried out in pain before she was able to stifle the noise, unable to stop tears from streaking down her face. She didn't take her eyes away from his face, almost fascinated by the lack of expression in his gaze. It was as if the man truly felt no compassion for those around him.

His voice was rough, and Airae turned her head away as the needle pressed into her skin. She couldn't stand the thin bits of metal that were forced into her body against her will; the lack of control frightened her almost as badly as the man inflicting the damage.

A noise of disgust left her throat, and Airae closed her eyes as she felt the all-too familiar liquid enter her bloodstream. "When will you stop poisoning me? I know how to behave."

She felt a hand grab her chin and jerk her face so that she was looking straight into the man's dark brown eyes, a sadistic grin covering his face. "I'm not stupid, sweetheart. I know that the minute I stop pumping these sedatives through you, you'll use your freak powers on me, and my best girl will be gone. Don't look so resentful, babe. I take good care of you, don't I?"

Airae's vision had already begun to blur, but she tried to shake off the drowsiness that was beginning to set in. Her movements were sluggish and her voice slurred when she spoke, but she managed a few more minutes of consciousness.

She watched as he leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers roughly and shoving her back onto the bed. Airae was unable to do anything against him but wait.


Xavier Mansion.

Erik watched as Charles emerged from Cerebro, waiting for his friend to speak before he did. Seeing the look on the younger man's' face, Erik knew it would be best to be silent until the Professor had regained his composure. They made their way into a sitting area, Erik studying his friend's face carefully.

Charles' normally peaceful eyes were narrowed in what could only be described as anger, although Erik had rarely seen Charles upset. His lips were drawn into a thin line, and his jaw was set forward as if he were trying to keep himself from speaking too soon. In all, he looked very shaken as he lowered himself into an armchair and motioned for Erik to do the same.

Raising an eyebrow, Erik grinned at his friend. He was amused that Charles had seen something which could rattle him in such a manner, and was about to ask the telepath what he had seen when Charles began speaking .

"There's a girl, her name is Airae I believe. She's living in a—" Charles stopped, looking away roughly. He couldn't bring himself to describe what her life was like.

Erik nodded in understanding, the grin still plastered on his face. It seemed as if every other mutant girl they picked up came from a whorehouse or strip club; he wondered if there was something that drew the girls to those places. Before he could voice his opinions aloud, Charles was already shaking his head, apparently having read Erik's thoughts.

"You know it's not fair to judge these kids before we meet them, Erik. We have no idea what their lives were like, what drove them to do what they have. I will go get this girl alone, if I must, but you must show a little more compassion for the children we help."

Erik's eyes narrowed, and he muttered under his breath. "I doubt she's a child anymore, after what she's been doing."

Charles stopped his lecture, staring at his friend coldly. Erik sighed, getting to his feet slowly. "Stop acting like a professor. Are we going to fetch her, or would you rather berate me on my people skills?"