Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of X-Men; I only claim ownership of Tara.

CHARLES:

"Looking for lost hair old man?" I heard my daughter say in amusement. I looked up to see her in the doorframe of my office.

"Very funny…" I told her with a mock glare but I just couldn't keep the smile off my face. She only gave me a glowing smile in return.

Tara has transformed these past years. When Erik and I first found her she was a lost and scared little girl. Now she had grown into this confident and beautiful young lady.

"I'll always be your little girl daddy." Tara said, still smiling. She walked over and sat on the edge of my desk.

" I know my dear." I said to her. I took her hand in mine and held it. Today she was wearing a white flowing long sleeved shirt, black slacks, black vest, and pink tennis shoes.

"Pink is my signature…" she said in her defense. I let out laugh and she smiled wider.

"How are you and Azazel doing?" I asked, although knowing pretty much the answer.

"Wonderful…" she said with a special smile and a twinkle in her eyes. I had only seen her look that way when around or thinking of Azazel.

"I am glad…" I said although I didn't full-heartedly mean it. Tara squeezed my hand.

She knew how I felt but never mentioned of it.

"You're my dad. I'd be more worried if you didn't care." She said softly.

"You're my baby…" I told her, my thumb rubbing her hand.

"I know…" she said with a smile.

FLASHBACK:

"Tara!" Alex yelled, calling for the 13 year old. I was outside, enjoying the day, while he was setting up a small surprise. She had been working hard at the school and needed a break.

"What is it Alex? Something wrong?" she asked, walking over to us. She had on shorts, a t-shirt, and flip-flops. He stopped and stared at what was before her.

Alex had set up 5 swings in a long tree branch. They were simple rope and wood swings but they seemed great and I knew everyone would enjoy them.

"What the…" Tara murmured walking over to me. "We thought it would be a good idea." Alex said with a smile.

I saw she was just staring at them. I took her hand causing her to look down to me.

"Come on…" I said, wheeling myself over to the swings, leading her with me.

"Sit down." I told her. She sat down on the swing with a smile just staring at me.

"Dad what are you doing?" she asked, cocking her head.

I slowly started pushing her back and forth. As she got higher I could hear her laughing. I couldn't stop the smile on my face hearing that.

END FLASHBACK

"I remember that…" I could hear Tara say. I looked up to her.

"We spent the entire afternoon there." She said. "Just swinging." She elaborated with a laugh.

"Do you ever think of what could have been? If with the use of Cerebro you didn't find me?" Tara asked. I looked up to her surprised.

The happy look on her face had turned to one of worry and fear.

"Many times…I wouldn't have a daughter who I love with all my heart." I told her. She smiled softly and squeezed my hand.

"I ask myself that sometimes too…All the scenarios I come up with are worst then the last. If I had survived I fear I would become as hateful as Erik. If I couldn't take them anymore I dear I would either kill myself or them…that scares me Dad." She said, tears glistening in her eyes.

"I know it does but that didn't happen." I comforted. I kissed her hand gently after giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Do you remember the day Erik and you found me?" Tara asked.

"How could I forget…" I told her.

FLASHBACK (bold italics means thoughts)

"Erik if you will-" but I was interrupted when he made the bookcase fly out along with a metal door. There was a secret room. "Thank you" I said and walked in but stopping in shock. Erik came in.

"What the hell!" he shouted to the parents of the small child before me. She was chained to a wall, in a windowless room, backed in a corner and looking at me in fear.

She was wearing a black tank top that did nothing to hide the bruises covering her. She was also wearing grey sweatpants that barely held onto her. She was so skinny. She was like Raven but so different. Her skin was hot pink with dark pink swirling birthmarks covering her. Her hair was very short and dark pink with hot pink streaks. Her eyes were sapphire blue. She had pointed ears and fangs.

"Hello." I said softly to her, inching closer. She backed away from me.

"It's okay…You don't have to be afraid of me Tara" I said to her softly as she looked at me wide-eyed. It was a look of pure awe.

"You're like me" she said in a shaky voice. She was so terrified but it was as if hope dripped out like honey from her mouth. Erik was glaring at her mother and father. I tried to calm him down through his mind but I did it half-heartedly. I wanted to see those two hurt but I knew it would be wrong.

"My name is Charles Xavier, Tara," I said to her with a smile. "…and this is my friend Erik Lensharr." I said pointing towards him.

"Is he like us too?" she asked. She didn't seem scared of him though so that was a good sign.

"Yes he is. Just like us and so many more out there." She swung her head as I said this.

"There's more?...I-I'm not alone…" she said to me, inching forward. "Please don't let this be a dream!" she thought in her head.

"You will never be alone again Tara. This isn't a dream." I said with a small smile.

She went to run over to me but her foot got stuck on the chain and she fell to the ground. I ran over to her. All of a sudden Erik pointed his hand to the chain and it broke. I picked her up and stood up. She instantly nuzzled her face into my neck and clung onto me like bark on a tree. Then I turned to her demon parents.

"sleep…" I ordered out loud and in their minds I also proceeded to wipe out any memory of Tara. It would be better for all of them. Her parents collapsed to the ground.

"wow…" she said looking to me. I patted her head. Erik went over to us as we walked out of the room and out of the house.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked looking us. "Where are my saviors taking me?" she thought. Saviors? I wouldn't go that far.

"Some place that is safe. Go to sleep." I said and soon she fell asleep.

END FLASHBACK

"You were my saviors…" she said softly. I smiled to my little girl.

"As you are mine." I said back, equally as soft. She slowly climbed into my lap and nuzzled her face into my neck.

My little girl…