~Chapter 1; She's not running anymore~

Raven crossed her arms over her chest as she watched Charles flirt with the petite brunette. Of course he was drunk. They were celebrating him finally becoming a professor. But of course, he had to go get drunk and flirt with every girl he even looked at. Not that she was jealous, because she wasn't. He was like a brother to her and she just didn't like seeing him like...that. The sound of light footsteps behind her interrupted her thoughts and Raven turned around, a smirk forming across her lips as she saw who it was.

"Look who returns. Little Miss Aria Bennett, back from the dead." Raven said dryly, raising a blond eyebrow.

Aria raised an eyebrow back at her and shrugged lightly. "I had to go take care of some things. Besides, it was only a week, it's not that long."

Raven rolled her eyes at her best friend. They had become close ever since Charles found Aria when she was only fourteen years old. But Raven had always felt insecure around her. Aria was completely and utterly breathtaking. She had midnight black hair that was usually straight, sky blue eyes, fair skin and a slim, yet slender figure. She was only 5'7 but Aria had a fantastic pair of legs. Today, she was wearing a pair of converse, skinny jeans and a black leather jacket. Her hair was straight as usual, a few strands of her dark hair tied back with a bobby pin.

Aria shot her a sweet smile and scanned the bar. "Where is Charles?" Before the words had even left her mouth, she spotted him with the brunette.

Raven followed her gaze. "Mhm. He's drunk and flirting up a storm." She rolled her blue eyes once more and crinkled her nose, leaning against the wall.

Aria tilted her head curiously, watching the pair. Her pink lips parted as she furrowed her brows. "Charles may be flirting up a storm, but she doesn't looked like the usual dumb bimbo. She actually looks quite serious." She muttered observing. Everyone said that she could be a good detective for the FBI or the CIA, considering how observant she was. But...she was a mutant. And a rather good one.

Raven raised an eyebrow and nodded, her lips pursing. "Ah, I see." She tucked a strand of her blond hair behind her ear and crinkled her nose cutely. As she looked at Aria, she got thinking again. She always swore that Aria had feelings for Charles, but..it couldn't be possible right? Or could it?

Aria crossed her arms over her chest and pressed her lips together, still observing the duo. "I think he just saw something." She said quietly, as her blue eyes narrowed. But 'saw', she meant Charles just used his telepathic powers.

Raven looked over at Charles curiously. He was staring at the brunette as she gave him a weird look, saying his name and then frowning. He shook his head and said something quietly, looking at her seriously.

Raven stood up straight as Charles and the brunette walked over towards them. Her eyes glanced over at the brunette. She wasn't ugly nor was she beautiful. She pressed her lips together and turned back to Charles, smiling crookedly.

Charles smiled faintly at Raven. "Raven, this is Moira McTaggert. She's from the CIA and she needs our help."

Aria looked at the brunette and pursed her lips, leaning off of the wall as Charles finally saw her, she was kind of hidden in the shadows. She smiled crookedly and tilted her head, her eyes more intense then usual.

"Long time no see."

"Aria."

"Charles."

Aria met his eyes and smiled softly, her eyes sparkling as she took a step forward. "Miss me?" She said quietly, her lips parting.

Charles nodded and glanced down at her. "I did. Are you going to stick around for good or just run off again?"

"I'm back for good. I'm not going anywhere, not anymore." She ran her fingers through her dark hair and sighed lightly. She wasn't lying either. Ever since she was a teenager she was running from what she was. It was time she accepted who she was. She was a mutant and nothing was going to change that.

"Good. Because we have work to do." Charles paused, shooting Aria his trademark crooked grin.

"And, Aria? I really did miss you".