Covert CIA Base, Virginia

Aila paced the small garden in a secluded corner of the base, taking in the smell of the roses, lilies, and lilacs. They had always been her favorite. They had a way of calming her, that no other person, place, or thing ever could.

But even today, her flowers did her little good. Charles had called, informing her that he and Erik would be back this afternoon, with some of the new recruits.

She wasn't ready. In all honesty, she didn't think she'd ever be. So alas, in a matter of an hour or so, she'd have to face her husband, and the mystifying Erik Lensherr.

Finding a comfy spot on the single bench in the garden, she allowed her mind to wander back to the fateful day she met Charles at Georgetown all those years ago.

She'd been so naïve. So ready for anything genuine she could find. Charles was that, and so much more. Aila loved him. It wasn't that she didn't. But he embodied the old her. The Aila that was simplistic, wanting nothing more than a home to go to every night, and safe and secure arms to snuggle in. Charles had always given her that. Unfalteringly so. He was so perfect, it almost suffocated her.

She was less like him than she led others, and herself, to believe. She longed for the fire. The bickering fights, the bed that had the potential to be empty some, or most, nights. Aila desired the unpredictability of life.

Was that wrong?

No. But when her wanting such things had the potential to harm Charles, the answer should be 'yes, it was wrong'. But Aila didn't exactly feel that. Part of her wanted to go with Erik just to tempt Charles. To see what he'd do when his façade had the potential to be broken.

He couldn't take everything like an honest and chivalrous gentleman. He just couldn't.

But then again, he was Charles Xavier: the man who could do no wrong.

She leaned her head against the wooden bench, feeling the peeling wood of the thing digging into her skull.

It felt good almost. It was sadist to say maybe, but Aila was tired of her life being so perfect.

A part of her prayed that Erik and Charles would have to be delayed. Although she missed Charles' kind features and reassuring smile, and longed for Erik's signature smirk and mischievous eyes to focus on her, them being so far away was actually kind of soothing; comforting.

God, was she messed up.

What had she become?

She placed her head heavily in her hands, running her fingers through her oily hair.

Aila felt disgusting. Inside and out.

She was a whore, in a sense. A dirty little slut who wanted two men all to herself.

"Damn it," she whispered weakly, feeling her lip begin to tremble slightly.

Longing to apologize never did count as actually doing it.

"Aila," Raven said awkwardly, approaching the bench carefully, "Charles and Erik are back."

She straightened up, planting a smile on her face, and using the glisten in her eyes for happiness instead of tears. "Oh, how wonderful! Have you met any of the new recruits yet?" She flashed a flawless smile, hoping it would cover all of the darkness in her.

"No," Raven replied hesitantly, "I haven't. But we will soon enough." Aila knew Raven was trying to urge something out of her, or wanted her to believe something, but she daren't look into Raven's thoughts. The younger girl had gotten quite good at noticing a foreign invader.

"Yes," she said enthusiastically, "we will." She followed her sister-in-law back into base, and she felt guilty just looking at the girl. Her sister-in-law. It felt terrible to say. She didn't deserve to call her that. She twisted her ring furiously, trying with all her might to not just take it off entirely.

They entered one of the many conference rooms, this particular one decked out with sofas, and Aila caught Erik's attention almost immediately.

He stared at her. Despite the obviously less vibrant look she had, Aila still seemed like a goddess to him. Flawless beauty. A bird, held down from flight by nothing but a smile ring on her finger. It was probably laborious to wear though. He gave her a smirk, that somehow melded into a smirk over the course of its growth, and her eyes flickered with—was that pleasure he saw? Yes, it must have been.

Both Erik and Aila noticed Charles shifting his weight next to his German friend, and Aila's gaze shot up to Charles. She flashed him a smile so grand; it embodied all of New York City on New Year's Eve. He returned the gesture tenderly, his blue eyes shining with nothing but innocent love.

She made sure she kept her mind blocked from him. If he even got a whiff of her thoughts, and the man they centered around, her husband's smile would horrifically morph.

Aila felt her heart falter as she walked over with forged eagerness, and flung her arms around Charles' neck. She breathed in his scent of a crisp ocean breeze and what seemed to be pine needles, and kissed him softly on the cheek.

His skin was purgatory.

Leaning her chin on his shoulder, she opened her brilliant emerald eyes, to catch Erik's gaze on her from behind Charles.

Lord have mercy. He was a beautiful man. Such sharp features and steel blue eyes. He was all she wanted in the moment.

Charles' once secure arms now suffocated her. She longed to know what Erik Lensherr's embraces were like. What the taste would be if she kissed him. She wanted to hear his words, accentuated with their German flare, as he ran his massive hands through her hair.

She wanted him oh so badly.

She held tighter onto Charles, closing her eyes once more. He was Erik, in her mind. He had to be, if she wanted to keep the embrace as genuine as possible.

Finally she broke away from him. "It's so good to see you again, Charles," she almost cooed, another smile spreading on her face. She tried to mimic her feelings from when she first saw him in a Georgetown walkway, and it worked.

Momentarily.

But then Erik had to look at her again with those eyes. God, those eyes… (x)

I suck. Like completely, entirely, and I'm really sorry. You readers/reviewers are honestly the best. And what have I done to repay you? I've waited a damn six months or so to update. I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am, and how I regret how little happened in this chapter. You guys have every right to hate me. I'd hate me too. But, if you don't entirely despise me, please oh please tell me what you think! I'm thinking that next chapter will focus more on the recruits and them getting to know each other. There's been too much angst in this story! Haha. Anyways, feel free to hate me (I totally deserve it) and expect a much quicker update next time. Ideas are always welcome, by the way!

Be good and review