I'm sooo sorry this took so long you guys! I've been kind of busy but I was also battling writers block for the pep talk Charles gives and I ended up re-writing the beginning section of this chapter multiples times. I hope you enjoy it. This chapter ups the story rating from T to M for suggestive content/adult behavior… (please let me know if it's too much or if it totally sucks)

Disclaimer: You know the drill…The X-Men belong to Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and all the amazing writers, pencilers, colorists, and all the other artists, editors, etc. on staff (or previously were) at Marvel Comics. Disney owns Snow White and Bambi. The only things that are mine are the characters of Ellie & Ruby.

So enjoy the new chapter (it's somewhat a filler chapter…between when they arrive at the mansion and before training starts yet oddly enough the longest one so far) But it's got Banshee being typical Banshee, a furious Ellie, Erik being the hot head he is on occasion, Charles being stern and sweet etc.


Chapter 8: Augmentation of Reality

That night after dinner they all were all sitting in the living room waiting for Charles to start the meeting, a meeting that Erik called a briefing but Charles called a pep talk.

"My friends," Charles starts, "The past few days have been difficult for all of us but the fact that we find ourselves sitting here now speaks volumes. Tomorrow morning we start training." The young recruits look around somewhat uneasy. "All of us, together. Now it won't be easy and there may be times in the next few days and weeks that you may find yourself doubting your abilities," Charles continues, "but I know that each and every one of you will not only push through those moments of doubt but will also be stronger for it. Because each one of you has the capability to harness your gifts, your mutations and help make this world a safer place, to set an example for all. I have the utmost faith in you all and each and every one of you should have faith in yourselves because when push comes to shove we will stand together and show the world we will not sit idly by and let a threat like Sebastian Shaw and the Hellfire Club destroys everything we hold dear." He pauses and looks from face to face and smiles. "So rest up my friends, tomorrow we go to work."

"What's the plan exactly?" Ellie asks.

"Breakfast is at 8 am sharp then we begin training," Charles says.

"Ugh," Sean complains, "but that's soooo early."

"Then I suggest calling it an early night," Charles responds with a smile.

"Lights out at 10," Erik says sternly.

"But it's there first night here Charles," Raven says, "Can't we have a little fun?"

Charles exchanges glances with Erik and Moira.

Even I'll admit they've been through a lot. We owe them that much, Moira told Charles telepathically. Charles relays that message to Erik adding, Most of them need their rest, but one hour can't hurt.

"Fine," Erik huffs, "Breakfast at 9, but no later."

"Yes!" Raven says jumping up and down, "Thank you!"

"But," Charles tells them all, "You should all consider resting. It has been a trying couple of day." He turns his attention to Raven and lowers his voice slightly, "No later than midnight, oh and Raven..."

"Yes?" she responds.

"No partying and stay out of the liquor cabinet," Charles cautions, "9 am will come swiftly. And we need you all awake and alert for training."

"Of course Charles," she beams. Charles takes a step back to address the group again. "Well feel free to explore," Charles grins, "Erik, Moira and I will be down the hall in the study."

"Try not to break anything," Moira says sternly, sending Sean and Alex pointed looks. Sean feigns shock while Alex raises his hands in surrender.

Charles smiles, "I would appreciate that. Oh and Hank may I have a word?"

"Yeah, of course," Hank says.

"I will join you in the study momentarily," Charles tells Erik and Moira, "Feel free to go on ahead." Moira and Erik nod and head down the hall as Charles turns his attention to Hank. They both move to the hallway. "Tomorrow you and I will meet with each individual to get a better understanding of their abilities," Charles says with an air of excitement, "How does that sound?"

"Sounds like a good idea," Hank says, "I was hoping to get a set list of everyone's mutations, if only for future examination and research."

"My sentiments exactly," Charles grins.

"Okay," Hank smiles, "I'll get a list of questions and tests started tonight."

"Splendid Hank," Charles beams, "Absolutely splendid. Now go join the others, I'm off to my meeting." Hank nods and returns to the living room.

"So," Ellie says looking at Raven, "What shall we do with our newly allotted free time?"

"Well," Raven smiles, "Let's go to the Rec. room. We can play pool, darts, poker, etcetera."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Ellie says, the others agree.

"I'll meet up with you in a second," Hank says, "I just need to run by the lab."

"I'll go with you," Raven says, "Just so you don't get lost. Ellie, you remember how to get there?"

"Of course I do," Ellie scoffs.

"Good," Raven smiles and follows Hank into the hallway.

"What do you bet that Hank has no idea she's going to flirt like no female has ever flirted before?" Ruby laughs.

"No doubt," Ellie smiles, "Hell, she'll flirt enough to steam up his glasses." They all laugh. "Come on," she says walking to the door, "Let's go so I can school you suckers at darts."

"You're on!" Sean grinned.

"Oh honeybee," Ruby laughs patting Sean on the shoulder, "You have no idea who you're up against." They follow Ellie out of the room.

"Neither does she," Sean winks.

Ruby laughs harder, "This I gotta see."

"Can't argue there," Alex grins, "Sean getting schooled, I'm in. It sounds hilarious."

"How about we raise the stakes," Sean smirks taking the darts from the board.

"And what should said stakes be?" Ellie asks as confident as ever.

"Well…if I win," Sean says, "You kiss me, on the lips."

"And if I win?" Ellie smirks taking her darts from Sean. He shrugs.

"If Ellie wins," Alex says with a devilish grin pulling at his lips, "You have to strip down and streak around the entire mansion."

"Oh I like it!" Ellie laughs high fiving Alex.

"You in?" Alex asks.

"Hell yeah I'm in," Sean says.

"Prepare to run, naked boy, cuz you're ass is gonna not only get kicked but exposed for all to see," Ellie laughs.

"You look cute when you're delusional," Sean winks. Ellie rolls her eyes.

Ruby leans over to Alex, "He does realize that even if he wins he's going to be running right? Cuz Erik might kill him."

"I'm counting on it," Alex grins.

Ruby laughs and proceeds to say, "Let the games begin!"

"No way! Best 2 outta 3!" Ellie yells.

"Sorry Elle," Sean grins, "Deals a deal."

"Bull!" Ellie shouts, "You cheated!"

"Hey no one ever said powers were off the table," Sean shrugs.

"He's got ya there," Alex says.

"Shut it Summers!" Ellie snaps. She takes a second to weigh her options.

I could teach him a lesson about cheating, or smack that smug look of his freckled face and tell him to go screw himself, she thinks to herself but ultimately she realizes a deal's a deal, and that she's not the kind of girl to go back on her word.

"Fine," Ellie says through clenched teeth.

Sean smiles, "That's what I thought."

Ellie kisses him. But he tries to slip her some tongue. And that was definitely NOT part of the deal. She transforms her canine teeth into fangs and bites his tongue.

"Dammit Ellie!" he says but it comes out more of a mumble cuz he's holding his bleeding tongue.

"No one ever said I couldn't use my powers to bite your nasty ass tongue," Ellie says, "You cheating wind filled scumbag!" Ellie storms out.

"Let me see," Ruby says walking over to him and pulling his hand from his tongue.

"You'll survive, the bleeding has already slowed down, you big baby," Ruby says, "Be glad she didn't bite it off! You'll be fine."

"Well," Alex grins, "At least until Erik finds out you tried to french his girlfriend." Sean freezes.

"Didn't think that through did you Sean?" Ruby sighs shaking her head.

"What didn't Sean think through?" Raven asks entering the room with Hank.

"Sean tried to tongue Ellie, so first off, she bit him," Alex grins, "And second, Erik's gonna kill him."

"Wait, What?" Raven asks looking at Ruby. Hank moves over to examine Sean's injury.

"Ellie challenged him to a little game of darts," Ruby says sarcasm coating her next handful of words, "Our brilliant friend Sean here decided to make things more exciting by suggesting a little wager. If he won she'd kiss him, if she won he had to streak around the mansion naked. And needless to say genius Sean Cassidy cheated."

"In my defense," Sean says, "She never said no powers…or tongue." Raven rolls her eyes.

"And that's why she nearly ripped it off," Alex laughs.

"He's lucky, with her temper I'm shocked he's in one piece. Trust me, I've seen her rip things apart for less. Like when she shifted into a 600 pound grizzly bear and nearly destroyed the house, all because she couldn't figure out a puzzle. I kid you not. Have you ever seen a solid steel four post bed frame crumple like made of aluminum…" she pauses to look at their stunned faces, "I didn't think so. The only one of us, other than Ellie and myself, who may have seen a metal frame twist and crumple like that is Erik. And I'm pretty sure he could do the same thing, if not more."

"Ruby's right," Hank says shaking his head, "Sean consider yourself lucky. This is a minor laceration from what looks like the canine tooth of a large feline, like a tiger or lion"

"From what Charles has told me, she's also right about the fact that Erik can do worse," Raven says, "Erik's going to kill you, or at least try to."

"Great," Sean mumbles.

"Uh oh," Charles says stopping mid sentence.

"What is it?" Moira asks.

"Oh just a harmless game gone awry," Charles says, "Excuse me." He stands up and walks out the door.

"What could they have possibly done now?" Moira asks Erik as she stands up.

"Let's find out," Erik says following Charles.

"Erik," Charles turns to look at him, "I suggest you go find Ellie before she destroys something. I believe she's headed towards the kitchen." Erik nods and heads off to search for Ellie.

He finds her outside practically fuming and pacing like a caged animal.

"Ellie?" he asks raising an eyebrow.

"I'm going to KILL that cheating little prick!" she yells.

"Okay," Erik says amused, "And who exactly do you intend to kill?"

"Sean!" she yells. She stops pacing and looks at him. He is now standing in front of her.

"Is that blood?" he asks gesturing to the front of her shirt.

"Yes, his," She says.

"Interesting," he says "Go on."

"That cheating asshat won by redirecting my dart with a scream," she snarls.

"So you attacked him?" he asks.

"No, I bit him," she says, "When he tried to stick his damn tongue down my throat!"

Erik stiffened, "He what?"

"Yeah," she says.

"Why?" Erik hissed.

"Because the bet was if I lost I had to kiss him and I would have won but he cheated!" Ellie throws her arms up in frustration. Without another word Erik turns and stalks back into the house.

Charles and Moira had heard more than enough by the time they hear the door slam and the metal fixtures in the room start to rattle.

"Sean, you stay here with Moira. Ruby would you please got check on Ellie," Charles says, "The rest of you go to your rooms."

"But Charles…" Raven starts.

"Please Raven, don't argue," Ruby says dragging her out of the room. Raven pulls her arm free. Ruby turns to look at Raven. Raven can see the fear and anxiety in Ruby's eyes.

"Please Raven," Ruby says, "Do it for me."

"Fine, but only because you asked me nicely," Raven says. Raven looked up to see Erik hastily approaching. "Good luck," Raven says giving Ruby a hug.

"Thanks," Ruby says starting down the hall. She passes Erik and heads towards the kitchen.

Charles steps into the hall and blocks Erik's path.

"Charles move!" Erik snaps.

"Erik," Charles starts. Erik tries to move around him but Charles easily side steps to parry his movements. "I do not think so my friend," Charles says, "Not until you calm down."

"Calm down," Erik hisses, "CALM DOWN!"

"Erik," Charles says, "Please be reasonable."

"No Charles," Erik snaps, "You be reasonable. Would you be calm or reasonable if it had been your precious Ruby?" Charles doesn't respond. "Ha!" Erik laughs angrily, "I thought not." He moves around Charles and into the room. Sean moves behind Moira as Erik levels him with a glare. Sean flinches. Moira steps toward Erik but he cuts around her and grabs Sean by the front of his shirt and pins him to the wall.

"Erik!" Moira shouts, "NO!"

"Erik," Charles cautions as he steps beside the pair. There is a pause that seems to last for an eternity. Erik glares down at Sean. Sean, too scared to even breathe let alone move, stares back at the furious figure that has him trapped.

"Erik," Charles says placing his hand on Erik's arm.

Erik leans in, getting even closer to the whimpering red head. "If you so much as THINK of trying a stunt like that again," Erik seethes, "A bleeding tongue will be the least of your concerns. You understand?"

"Erik," Charles cautions again.

"Do You?" Erik repeats even louder and more vicious then before, hitting the wall beside Sean's head.

"Erik!" Charles says sternly as Sean flinches and nods his head yes. Erik's releases Sean turns on his heels and crosses the room. He stops only to turn back and level Sean with another glare before taking off down the hall. Sean slides down the wall. "Well," Charles says, "That went surprisingly well." Both Moira and Sean just stare at him. "What?" Charles says, "Admit it, you both expected him to at least throw a punch."

Ruby rushed passed Erik and finds Ellie sitting at the breakfast bar in the kitchen.

"Hey," Ruby says walking in.

"Hey," Ellie grumble as Ruby sits down next to her.

"Erik's going to kill him isn't he?" Ruby says.

Ellie shrugs "Wouldn't put it past him."

"How angry is he?" Ruby asks.

"Vesuvius," Ellie responds.

"Yikes," Ruby says, "Don't think Sean'll try anything like that again."

"If he does he's gotta death wish," Ellie snickers.

"Are you okay?" Ruby asks.

"Yes," Ellie sighs. They both hear Moira muffled shout. Ruby's eyes were the size of dinner plates. Ellie grins slightly but the sentiment never reaches her eyes.

"Umm…"Ruby starts.

"Don't worry," Ellie says, "Charles will keep him from killing Sean…Probably." The sisters sit there in silence until they hear heavy foot falls in the hallway, as Erik storms past.

"Gotta go," Ellie says getting up to follows him. As she disappears Charles walks into the kitchen.

"Well," Charles sighs wrapping his arms around Ruby, "He didn't kill him."

"That's good," Ruby responds, "Any injuries?"

"Surprisingly no, only Sean's tongue," Charles says sitting down next to her, "Unless you count Sean's damaged pride and a few twisted light fixtures."

"Yikes," Ruby frowns.

Charles sighs, "Indeed." Ruby looks over at her companion who appears to be deep in thought.

There is a beat of silence. But Ruby hops down from the kitchen stool and looks at Charles. "Come on," she says. He raises an eyebrow as she takes him by the hands and pulls him to his feet.

"Where are we going?" he asks a grin playing at his lips.

"You'll see," she grins tapping his forehead, "No cheating!" He laughs as she pulls him down the hall and into the study.

"What do you have planned?" he asks curiosity filling his tone.

"You'll see," she says with a wink as she sits him down on the couch. "Don't move a muscle," she smiles and scampers out of the room. He can't help but smile.

Moira stands with a still stunned Sean as they both watch Charles leave. "Sean?" she says kneeling down next to him. He looks up at her. "Are you alright?" she asks.

"He…" Sean starts but can't seem to finish the sentence.

"Come on," Moira says, "let's get you off the floor." She stands offering to give him a hand. He takes it. She dusts off the front of his shirt.

"He…He wants to kill me," Sean says, "And he's not going to forget this." She looks at him but doesn't respond.

"I thought so," he says running a shaky hand through his hair, "I messed up big time didn't I?"

"Yes, but he won't hurt you Sean," she says placing a supportive hand on his shoulder, "Charles and I won't let him." She smiles.

"He's insane," Sean says, "He's killed before."

"Sean," Moira says, "Just let him cool off until morning. Charles and Ruby, and hopefully even Ellie, will convince him to let it go."

"Doubt it," Sean scoffs.

"Hey, don't worry about it, okay?" she says, "Now you should think about calling it a night."

"Yeah," he says, "Night."

"Good night Sean," Moira says as he leaves. She sighs. What a day she thinks to herself. But she's pulled away from her thoughts when Sean pops his head back in and calls her name.

"Moira?"

"Yes?" she responds.

"Thanks," he says.

"Don't mention it," she smiles and he disappears again.

"Erik!" Ellie shouts. He slows his pace but doesn't turn. She catches up to him in seconds. "What happened?" she asks.

"Not enough," he says through gritted teeth.

"Tell me," She says placing a hand on his tensed arm. He growls slightly but doesn't move her hand. She pulls him into the living room and pushes him down on the couch. She puts her feet on his lap so he stays put and leans against the armrest.

"Please…" she asks with a slight pout. She had never perfected the art like her sister had. Ruby was a natural when it came to getting what she wants by pouting, what with doe eye's that looked like something out of Disney's Snow White or Bambi. Who could say no to that?

Erik looks at her and sighs wrapping his fingers around her legs.

"Fine," he says as he starts recounting what happened after he left her. She listens and nods. "See," he says, "I told you not enough." His hands tighten around her shins.

"Well," she says as she wiggles her legs free, plant her feet on the floor and sits up next to him. "I did make him bleed and you," she says placing a hand on his leg, "You scared him senseless. I'm pretty sure he got the message. I think he knows next time he'll lose the tongue and something else."

"If he doesn't," Erik starts.

"We'll drill it into his head the hard way," she says, "but right now I want to forget it ever happened." He scoffs. She grabs his chin and turns him to face her. She kisses him. He arches an eyebrow. "I can help you forget too," she smiles playfully. He shakes his head. "Challenge accepted," she says moving to straddle him. He rolls his eyes but she can see the spark of desire behind them. She kisses him and moves to kiss his neck. She feels his strong hands wrap around her thighs. She freezes when someone clears their throat in the doorway. Ellie looks up at a less then pleased Moira in the doorway.

Moira sighs angrily and heads toward the stairs.

"Oops," Ellie grins, "Where were we?"

"Ellie," he says.

"Don't," she says standing up, "I don't want a lecture or a speech. Today's been too damn long for that." She walks out of the room. He lets out a frustrated sigh and follows her to her room. She goes to slam the door but he blocks it.

"I was not going to lecture you," Erik says coldly.

"Yeah right," she throws her arms up and walks further into the room. He steps in and closes the door.

"I was going to suggest moving to a more private place, but apparently you have other plans," he says the anger from earlier resurfacing making the metal trinkets and fixtures around the room rattle. She glares at him. "Why do you make me fight you?" he growls.

"Why do you insist on pissing me off?" she retorts.

"What did I do?" he shouts, "I tried to defend you, to protect you and what happens?" He gets in her face, "You come on to me and then SCREAM at me!" Her eyes narrow as she coldly meets his gaze.

Then out of the blue he kisses her furiously. She responds by pulling away and slapping him across the face. Only to pull him back into a fiery kiss. He backs her towards the bed until her knees are pinned up against it. She starts pulling at the hem of his shirt as he starts to undo the buttons on her shirt. She pulls his turtleneck over his head and he rips her shirt off sending the last few buttons flying. She gasps and winces dropping to the bed. His eyes dart to the bruise that wraps around her side and grimaces. She recovers quickly grabs him by the belt and pulls him down next to her. He looks at her and mentally curses his own stupidity.

How could I have forgotten? he thinks as his hand hovers over her bruised body.

She straddles him again and hungrily kisses him, ignoring the pain in her ribs and brings him out of his head. He lies back taking her with him. Pain flashes across her face. He groans, and not in a good way.

"I'm okay, really," she says in a wispy breath.

"I don't want to hurt you," he groans.

"You won't," she says and starts kissing a trail slowly and gently down his neck and collarbone. He moans. He can feel her devilish grin against his chest. She continues her trail down while fumbling with his belt buckle. But in seconds the belt undoes itself. She looks up to see him grinning. He gently grabs hold of her, flips her over and moves her to the center of the bed. He kisses a spot under her ear that sends goose bumps down her arms. She moans. He stands just long enough to strip down to his boxers and then rid her of her confining jeans. He takes a full second to admire the beautiful figure laid out before him. He then eagerly starts kissing her, not breaking until his lungs were screaming from lack of oxygen. His hands carefully roaming her exposed skin. He lightly runs his hand along her ribs. She tenses slightly but instantly relaxes. He moves to softly kiss the edges of the bruise that snakes around her torso. She gasps. He snaps his head up to see her eyes closed and her biting her lip…but not from the pain. He kisses her flat stomach. She pulls him up to kiss his lips hungrily.

Ruby walks into the study with a bottle of whiskey and grins, "You look like you could use a drink."

"Where did you find that?" Charles questions.

"What you don't know can't hurt you," she laughs.

"Because that's always a sound argument around a telepath," he says.

"Don't frown at me," she says, "Okay fine. I liberated it from your kitchen cupboard." She smiles setting the bottle and two glasses on the table in front of him. "Which means," she continues pouring the drinks, "It's yours so stop scowling and drink." He looks at her as she sits down next to him. "Just one," she adds beaming at him while she holds out a partially filled glass. He takes it. "Besides I know you drink," she laughs taking a drink and adding, "Raven told Ellie and me all about your little exploits at the pubs in Oxford. Apparently it was 'groovy' right?" He groans lightly and takes a drink. She laughs but it's a half hearted laugh and hopes he doesn't notice, but of course he does.

His brow furrows slightly. "Your eyes betray you, darling," he says taking her hand in his. She looks at him, her doe eyes filled with confusion. "You laugh but your heart is not in it," he says putting an arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she says looking away.

"Ruby," he says taking the empty glass from her and setting it down beside his. He turning her to look at him and says, "Please."

"I'm different," she says.

"Well, of course we all are," he smiles. She looks up at him, emotions filling her eyes with tears. "Oh," he says, "You mean…ah." He smiles and pulls her into his chest. "Ruby, my darling, you are different," he says kissing the top of her head, "But in the best way possible."

"How so?" she mumbles.

"Well, for starters you are unlike any woman I've ever met," he says pulling apart slightly and lifting her chin to look into her eyes. "You're sharp as a tack and witty. You've seen the horrors of the world in other people's nightmares, yet you remain unbelievably upbeat and caring. People have treated you like a monster and your sister like an animal yet you don't hate them, You really don't even pity them. Instead you forgive them, even when Ellie doesn't understand or refuses to. You have more heart than any individual I've ever met. Not to mention you're talented and absolutely beautiful," he says drying the few tears that had escaped with his thumb. She shakes her head and looks away. "And as modest and humble as can be and that is what makes you different," he smiles turning her face back to his he adds, "That is what I adore about you. That is why I love you."

"You do?" she asks her doe eyes meeting gentle ones.

"Very much so," he says kissing her, "And I know you love me too…right?" He smiles. She nods and kisses him softly.


A/N: Sorry about the abrupt scene change from a hot and heavy Erik and Ellie to a more somber and sincere (and adorable) Charles and Ruby one…but I'm still iffy about getting into detail. If you want more detail let me know by reviewing. If you do I may add in a few extra scenes in later. Until next time my friends!

I remain humbly yours

Xx