Chapter Ten:
Days Go By

Rating: T

Pairing: Alex(Havok)/Sean(Banshee) & Erik/Charles, don't like it don't read it.

Disclaimer- I DO NOT own any of the characters in this, they all belong to Marvel. However, the story is mine.

A/N: Wow… I've reached easily over fifty reviews. Thank you so much! I'm shocked that my little story has gotten that many… Thank you for your interest! I greatly appreciate it! =D Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it, as always please comment and review! Check back tomorrow to see Charles' release!

Day Ten…

Charles had been stuck in his room for ten days now, his legs having shown no sign of improvement what so ever… And with each passing moment he felt whatever silly hope he'd been holding onto slip through his fingers, leaving him resigned to the fact that yes- Charles Xavier would never walk again, all because of one foolish accident. Currently he was in the bed with a young nurse fretting near him, working to change out the bandaging on his back while he lay on his side, staring out the window just across from him. Erik had left, albeit a bit hesitantly, to allow the nurse the proper room… After all, he refused to impede Charles' recovery in the least. He'd been the one to place his friend here, he was not going to make it any worse.

"Everything looks like it's healing up nicely." The nurse commented as she tossed aside the soiled bandages before working to stretch new gauze over the wound. She reached one hand out and grabbed a hanging ring from a bar above Charles' bed, tugging it down so that he could grab onto it and lift himself up, allowing her to wrap the bandages around his bare midsection a few times to keep them secure.

"But that doesn't give me the use of my legs." He replied sourly, wincing as he struggled to keep himself up right with the ring clutched tightly in his hands. Never before had he needed upper body strength, so his arms had never been particularly strong… Though he supposed that would quickly be changing. When the nurse looked away to grab something, he felt the metal chain of the ring coil around his hand and help keep him upright, causing a brief smile to work its way onto his face before it disappeared as the nurse turned back.

"True, but at least you have your life. There's always a bright side, right?" She questioned, her voice a bit too chipper, something that Charles noted quickly. Though he humored her and nodded slightly, forcing out a quiet laugh.

"I suppose there's that." He managed, gritting his teeth now as she finished off the wrapping and tapped his shoulder, indicating he could let go. Simultaneously the chain released his hand and he let his go of the rings, easing back to the bed with the aid of the nurse. She flashed him one more smile, flicked the IV at his side once, then disappeared, brushing past Erik on her way out who had stepped back in.

"We'll have to work on that." He managed, nodding towards the ring that was now wrapping itself around the bar above Charles' head so that it was out of the telepath's way. Charles merely scoffed and brought his hands up, running them through his hair carefully before they fell to his lap, forcing the realization through his mind that yet again he couldn't feel them… They just hung there… limply.

"Sean is settled in nicely… Alex and Raven made sure to get him home in one piece. Though he won't be yelling for a while." Erik stated, a smile turning up the corner of his mouth. Sean's ability, while useful in certain situations, was incredibly grating on a daily basis… So the thought of it being out of commission for a little while certainly didn't bother him at all.

"Good, I'm certainly glad to hear it. I'm assuming my home is still in one piece?" Charles replied, shifting his torso on the bed so that he rest more comfortably.

"You mean aside from the wall that Alex knocked out?" Erik questioned, unable to contain the laugh that met his lips when Charles' face fell, brilliant eyes widening in panic. "No, everything is fine Charles. The house is still in one piece." Erik reassured, nodding. A disgruntled expression dominated the telepath's features before it gave way to a slightly happier one… One of the few genuine smiles Erik had seen since they'd gotten here… and it was certainly a welcome sight.

Day Thirty…

"Erik… Eriikkk…"

ERIK!

The metalworker jerked awake, his bright eyes widening as he lift his left arm into the air, causing nearly half the metal in the room to jerk to attention and lift from the ground, ready to be used as a weapon should it be necessary. Slowly his gaze scanned the area, a scowl fixed on his face as he assessed the room, searching for whatever threat had pulled him from his slumber, until it eventually fell on the bed, the empty bed that Charles was supposed to be in.

"Charles?" He questioned, relaxing his hand. Shortly after a resounding thump echoed around the room as everything fell back into place, leaving the room as it had looked only moments before. "Charles?" He tried once more as he pushed himself up from the chair and glanced around, searching for the other man.

"Over here…" The voice was timid, quiet, clearly reluctant to speak up. Slowly he rounded the bed, eyes widening when he saw Charles sprawled out on the floor, legs bent out at awkward angles while the chair was just out of Charles's reach. "I was trying to practice getting into the chair…" He explained, eyes flashing towards the damn contraption that had slid away from him, causing him to topple the decent distance to the floor.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Erik questioned, a note of irritation ringing in his voice as he stepped forward, reaching out to grab Charles and lift him in the air. Just before he actually got him though, Charles lift a hand, indicating him to stop.

"Because I didn't need to. I only need you to grab the chair for me…" Charles managed, gesturing towards the hospital wheelchair that rest a foot or so away.

"Charles, just let me-"

"The chair, Erik." He stated, narrowing his eyes for a moment to show that he was not going to be argued with. With a begrudging expression he nodded, pushing himself up and moving to the chair, grasping it before he pushed it forwards for Charles to grab onto. Carefully the man on the floor gripped the arms of the chair as Erik held it steady and pulled himself up. The process took a painstaking five minutes, but once Charles had himself seated he couldn't fight the sense of self-satisfaction that washed through him. He'd done it… with minimal help.

"Where would you like to go?" Erik questioned, hands wrapped delicately around the handles at the back of the chair. Granted he could push it along with a touch, but he and Charles had agreed that perhaps using their abilities here wouldn't be the wisest idea… Everyone had freaked at seeing Raven in her natural appearance, talking about it for days afterwards. And while Erik was against hiding, he was concerned more for Charles' recovery at this point.

"The vending machines." He replied. Erik began to push Charles forward, but was stopped when the chair's occupant reached out and slipped the brakes on. "I can wheel myself. Though I'd greatly appreciate it if you walked with me." Erik's grip tightened for a brief moment before he let go, allowing Charles to wheel himself from the room where he paused to allow Erik to exit and move alongside him.