This is a work of fiction:

All characters seen in the story are either purely fan-made or from the X man's movies/ Marvel comics. I only own my own OC characters.
Thanks again to my Beta: lizzieBdarcy! You're the best!

So, a lot of people seemed to like the fact that I used lyrics from Hamilton in chapter 10. Music is my biggest inspiration while writing, and I always play it in the background. Some songs inspire me to write certain scenes, and that's why I include them in the fic. The song I used for this chapter is Secrets by Maria Mena. A heartbreaking song that really suits Katherine, in my opinion.

Oh and before I forget! In the movie the group is at the mansion for only one week! I just never really believed that, one week is far too short for everyone to learn how to handle and control their mutations. So I'm going to change that part of the story, they will not be at the mansion for months but they will be there longer than a week.


There's a room inside your gut
Close the door and keep it shut
Let no daylight enter in
And the punishment begins.


Chapter 11: The next step.


New York, 1957

Autumn had come to New York.

Below the tall trees, the ground was covered with brown, yellow and red leaves. Even though the weather was chilly, the skies were clear. The early morning sun was shining and Katie breathed in the fresh cool breeze. She narrowly avoided getting hit by several cars as she crossed the busy street and mouthed an apology at the driver. The man hit the steering wheel with his fist and cursed out loud. She ignored him, stepping onto the sidewalk and continued her pace. Her high heels clicked across the pavement with each step she took and she focused on the bag she was carrying with her, lifting it to her chest and opening it while walking. She tucked a manicured hand in the bag until she found what she was looking for and pulled out the pack of cigarettes and a lighter, removing one and placing it between her brought the lighter up to her lips, flicked it and lit up the other end of the cigarette. She took a deep breath and when she did the sweet smoke slipped down her throat and entered her lungs. Her eyes closed in complete and utter contentment.

She loved smoking.

The taste on her tongue, the burning sensation in her throat, the pressure in her lungs as they filled with smoke, and the deeply satisfying release of that smoke back into the air. Unfortunately, after the incident smoking was not as good as it had been before. Her powers activated the moment she breathed in and she could feel it racing through her veins and humming in her ears. She knew it was pointless to keep on smoking, but she couldn't help but feel calmed by the familiar ritual. And right now she really needed to calm down.

She had been fired again.

This made four jobs lost in one year. If this was going to continue she was going to struggle to make ends meet. She walked around a street corner and then froze as she saw who was sitting on the stairs that led to her apartment, obviously waiting for remained standing frozen on the street sad exhaustion filling her face as she suddenly realized the reason behind the termination of her latest job. She discarded her cigarette butt on the pavement. She should have known.

Patrick looked up as if he knew that she was there. The moment their eyes met his gaze quickly filled with resentment and anger. He got up and stuffed his hands deep into his pockets, his green eyes never leaving her. Hesitantly she stepped closer. From somewhere deep within she found a reserve of strength, strength to stay calm. She sucked in a quick breath, wondering how he had found out, but then knowing it really didn't matter. His eyes stared deep into her soul, she could feel him searching like he was looking for something within her. She stopped in front of him, hoisting the bag further up her shoulder.

"Well." She began, her attitude one of cold resentment. "This explains why I got fired this morning."

He had aged since the last time she saw him. He wasn't wearing his glasses this time, his eyebrows were bushier; his chin was covered in stubble. His jaw twitched as if he was grinding his teeth, and he glared down at her with angry, vindictive eyes. He didn't speak but his eyes darkened as he looked at the silver cross around her neck. His hands clenched into fists.

"I liked that job."

Patrick scoffed.

"You have to stop this." She took the final step and looked up. "The case is closed, there's no reason for you to do this."

"Oh I have my reasons." He finally spoke, his voice hoarse and indistinct. "I didn't get you fired." He started to explain, "I just called them and asked them if they knew they had hired a murderess."

Her jaw tensed at his words and her hands fisted. She tried to remain calm. "Patrick," she began, "I understand you miss James, I miss him too-"

"You have no right to say his name." His nostrils flared as he snapped his body upright.

"I have every right." She countered, "We were married!" Her voice was someone else's, angry and hollow choking on the words.

"Biggest mistake of his life, look at what happened to him." Patrick shouted back but his voice cracked at the end. Both backed off, but they glared at each other with nothing less than complete hatred. She took several deep breaths, trying to slow her heartbeat before she gazed upward and looked at her apartment.

"So now what? You found me again" She bit her bottom lip and raised her eyes to look at him. "How long are you planning to do this? I'll just move again, find a new job and –"

Again he interrupted her "And I will find you again. It stops the moment you tell the truth about what happened to James!" His voice had lost its angry tone, but was no less commanding.

She shook her head, trying hard to remain calm. She forced away the crush of emotions she couldn't handle right now. Regret,Shame, Guilt. She stuffed them back inside her head. There was a burn in her throat and she knew that if she didn't leave him now she would break down in front of him. She didn't want to give him the pleasure of seeing her tears.

Again.

"I don't have to deal with this." She told him, standing up straight. "The case is closed, leave me alone!" She moved around him. His hand clamped around her wrist when she moved past, and she froze. "Patrick, release me at once!"

"Tell me what really happened!" His hands cinched around the slender bones of her wrist, and he increased the pressure. "I know he didn't die because of the bullet! You did something. The witness they interviewed said you did something."

A whimper escaped as she tried to pull her wrist free. He tightened his grip. Lifting her free hand she hit him, the moment her hand connected with the skin of his cheek she pulled her other wrist from his grip and tried to walk toward the door. Moving quickly he blocked her path, raising his own hand to rub his cheek, her palm print had left an angry red mark. "Leave me alone." She stepped to the right, seeking to pass him.

"Not until you tell me the truth. " He stepped with her, stopping her a third time. "Now!"

"I already told you the truth! He was shot! "

"You're lying! The witness said you were shot. "

"I wasn't shot! You know I arrived at the hospital without any wounds. "She willed herself not to show any emotion."I didn't kill him! "

"You were covered in blood, your own blood!"

"Leave me alone!"

He reached out to take her again and she stepped back out of his reach. Swiftly, she turned and ran up the steps to her apartment. He screamed her name, a primal screech and ran to chase her. Her hands were shaking but she was able to pull the key from her pocket. She put it into the lock and opened it quickly, running inside and slamming it behind her while throwing the lock. His fist slammed into the door, screaming and cursing her. With heartfelt relief, she fell to her knees to catch her breath. She brought her wrist to eye level seeing the bruise he had left. Her veins hummed and gradually it lightened back to its normal skin colour. She looked up at the door that was rattling in its hinges. Patrick was still trying to get inside. She wished she could go to the police, but she couldn't risk opening up the case again, not after it had finally been closed. She knew she was to blame for his death, but she couldn't tell that to his brother, to his family. How would she even explain it?

Ignoring the heavy beating of her heart she forced herself to stand up. A shaking hand placed against the wall to help her regain her balance. She'd have to leave, find a new job again. She had to try harder this time.

Thank god she hadn't unpacked yet.


New york

Westchester 1962

It had been a misty morning blurring the passing cars outside the window. The rain from last night had made the road firm and free from dust. The grass was left clover green and fresh, and she could see from the window of the car that the orchards on the side of the road were blooming. Katie leaned back against the headrest and let her body relax into the seat, silently examining the two men up front.

Charles was behind the steering wheel, talking in hushed voices with Hank. They seemed to have an unending source of topics to discuss. She could only catch a few snippets of their whispered conversation, but she could hear enough to know that there was excitement in their voices. They were talking about new inventions and the latest developments in the medical field. Frankly, at the moment she wasn't interested in their discussion, so she only listened with half an ear. She closed her eyes, resting her head against the cold glass of the window.

They had left the hotel early that morning; Charles wanted to reach his house in Westchester as soon as possible. Moira had arranged two cars to be at their disposal all day. And after they were all finished eating their breakfast in the hotel restaurant, they left. She had expected angry words or at least a few questions about her disappearance the night before. But the kids remained only one that had talked to her about it had been Charles. Even though it had been in her mind. Even then, he didn't say much.

We will talk about it later.

The prospect of such a talk was not an ideal way to begin the day but she had nodded haltingly in reply when she met his eyes. Knowing she probably deserved it after she had tried to run away, without leaving so much as a note.

The carriage hit a bump in the road, her eyes flew open and her mind was dragged back to the present. She twisted in her seat to look next to her; Raven was staring out the window, one arm resting against the glass. The girl had remained silent for most of the ride. Dark circles had developed beneath the her eyes; her hair fell loosely around her shoulders in soft curls. Raven turned her head to look at Katie and she gave the older woman a small smile. Katie felt her lips curve in a smile too.

"We're almost there." The blond spoke up softly, not wanting to interrupt the heated discussion between Charles and Hank. "You'll love it." She rested her hands in her lap, fingers crisscrossed and folded like a small shield. Her words were simple, her voice calm but sad.

Katie didn't need telepathy of her own to sense what Raven was thinking. And she couldn't blame her; Darwin's death was still fresh in all their minds.

A gentle hand on Raven's shoulder drew the blond from her thoughts and Raven looked up from the hands in her lap to Katie. The brown haired woman was smiling up at her and when she spoke the tone of her voice was comforting. "Will you show me around?"

Raven nodded without thought. "Yeah sure, I think you'll need a guide." She smiled and this time it reached her eyes. "It's just been me and Charles in that house for a very long time, even I get lost now and then."

Katie removed her hand from Raven's shoulder placing it in her own lap. "How big is this house?" Her voice raised slightly in question as she glanced at Charles in the driver seat.

"You'll see." Raven muttered as she leaned her head back against the headrest. "We'll cross the gate soon."

Her head snapped back to Raven and she blinked, the question left her lips before she could think better of it."Gate?"

Raven didn't answer her, just nodded her head with a small secretive smile.

How big was this house?

The car drove for a few more minutes before she could see a high brick fence out of her window, it stretched along the road. The further they drove the higher it seemed to become. Soon Charles slowed down and steered to the right, a solid looking gateway greeted the group. The gates were already open and they drove through. The car drove slower once it had passed the gates, pebbles cracked from beneath the wheels. And then when Charles steered left and turned the corner she felt herself leaning forward as she saw the mansion appearing behind trees. The giant stone building grew bigger the closer they got; she looked with on with awe and felt a funny feeling in her stomach, she couldn't help but laugh.

Apparently the house is huge.

The car stopped and Charles looked over his shoulder at the two women behind him. "Finally home Raven."

"Finally." she answered him with a grin. Raven opened the car door and got out; she quietly shut it and walked to the front of the car looking up at the stone mansion with a look of contentment.

Katherine followed suit and got out too, she walked to Raven and stood next to the girl looking up. "Wow." She breathed. "You lived here?"

Raven nodded her eyes not leaving the building "Yep, just me and Charles."

Katie whistled, impressed by what she was seeing so far. The sound of a car driving towards them made her look over her shoulder. The car that Erik was driving stopped behind the car Charles had parked. The metal bender got out swiftly and threw the door closed, frowning behind his sunglasses the second he got out of the black SUV. His jaw was tense and for a moment she thought she saw him grit his teeth. Moira got out too and even though her face was kinder she could see her exhaustion. But Moira looked more than just exhausted, she looked annoyed. For a second Katherine looked at both adults, confused, before the high pitched enthusiastic voice that belonged to Sean drifted up from the car. The boy got out and his mouth did not stop moving as he talked to Alex, the blond got out too and both chatted loudly as they looked up at the mansion in awe.

She couldn't help it, she had to laugh behind her hand as she realized that they had probably talked the entire car ride. Poor Moira and Erik, they both looked drained. When Erik heard her laugh he immediately looked up, she couldn't see his eyes behind the sunglasses but when she granted him a small smile his tense jaw relaxed, the frown remaining between his eyes. She looked back at the mansion; Charles was standing next to Raven looking up at their childhood home with a huge smile, both glad to be finally home again. Katie heard the pebbles crack behind her and before she knew it Erik was standing next to her, looking up at the building.

He scoffed. "Honestly Charles, I don't know how you did it, living with such hardship."

Katie grinned under her breath, glancing at Charles who was still looking up. She noticed how gaunt and tired he looked but there was softness in his eyes as he looked up at the mansion, as if he was remembering something good.

Raven stepped forward. "Well, it was a hardship softened by me." She looked at Charles and for just a second he broke his eyes away from the structure to look at her lovingly. "Come on." She smiled at Charles for a second before she turned back to the mansion and started walking towards it. "Time for the tour."

Charles shook his head in amusement before he followed. The rest walked after them. Sean and Alex were talking loudly about a new videogame that was coming out soon. Moira walked next to Charles, they were talking in hushed voices, their heads close together. They all walked to the mansion while Katie and Erik stayed behind, standing next to each other looking up at their new temporary home.

The metal bender took in a deep breath and pressed his hand to his forehead, his temples throbbing. He woke up that morning with a headache, having finished the bottle of moonshine after he had gone back to his hotel room. Normally he knew his limits; he never drank more than two drinks on one occasion. But last night he had drunk much more than he was accustomed to, just enough to feel drowsy and help him drift off to a dreamless sleep. Unfortunately, now he was paying for it with a splitting headache that wouldn't go away. And it had worsened throughout the day.

The fact that he had been in a car with Sean and Alex hadn't helped in easing his discomfort. The young mutants were talking non-stop. He had tried to silence them a few times but the quiet only lasted for a few minutes before they started anew with their loud conversation. He took in a deep breath before he looked away from the mansion to the woman standing beside him. Katherine looked demure. There was a small smile playing on her lips, she held her arms crossed over her chest. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, highlighting her big eyes and the freckles dotting her high cheekbones. Some colour had returned to her skin and her eyes no longer had that tired look.

He couldn't help but stare for a moment.

As if she had sensed him staring at her, her head snapped up and she looked straight back at him. Their eyes met for just a brief moment, before he quickly averted his own eyes, but he could still feel her eyes burning into him. The small sound that escaped her parted lips caught his attention once more.

"Headache?"

He nodded hesitantly.

She held his gaze, gave him a small teasing smile. "You shouldn't drink so much Erik; it's not good for you."

He couldn't discount the immediate response of his body when her lips curved in a smile. His own lips mimicked her smile. "I was forced." He dropped his hand from his forehead.

"Forced?" she spoke up and he could not fail to note the amusement in her voice. "You took the bottle with you when we arrived at the hotel, I didn't force you to drink it."

She almost jumped as he chuckled at her words. That had not been the reaction she had expected, he was shaking his head but the frown stayed between his eyes. And though she couldn't see his eyes behind the sunglasses, she knew he probably had them close to ward of the pain. Without thinking, she uncrossed her arms and turned to him. Erik saw her turn from the corner of his eyes and when he looked down at her the laughter died in the back of his throat. She was looking up at him with a softness that he had not seen before in her eyes. And for the first time he found he could remain looking at her, the smile playing at the corners of her mouth almost distracted him from the pounding in his head.

For just a small moment he'd been so distracted by the way she was looking at him, he hadn't realized she had raised her hand towards him. Two cottony soft fingers touched the skin of his neck just beneath his left ear. His response was instant the moment he felt her touch. He snagged her wrists, stopping her from moving her fingers over the pulse beating beneath his skin. Anger started boiling inside of him as he looked down at her but she just looked back at him the smile not slipping from her lips. "Relax." she whispered, "I'm just going to remove your headache."

The anger left him, drained away in an instant. She was looking down at where his fingers were curled around her wrist, and he carefully eased his grip and let her go. The warmth of his palm lingered on her skin and she shook her wrist. Making the feeling go away before holding her hand up for him. "I can help."

He remained still as a statue staring down at her, eyes still hidden behind the sunglasses. She saw his jaw flex with tension before he slowly nodded in agreement. As soon as he gave her his consent a nervous feeling fluttered in her stomach. She tried to clear her head to focus on the task at hand. She raised a shaking hand and placed two fingers on his neck. His body stilled under her touch and she felt the quick, steady rhythm of his heartbeat under her fingers. She took in a deep breath before she closed her eyes.

The same warm feeling that he had experienced the night before entered his body again and he felt himself shudder. He felt his insides warping as he tried to maintain his senses. His entire body seem to relax and the headache started to fade away. Before he could think about what he was doing, he bent his head to hers. But he was snapped out of his daze when she pulled her fingers away from his neck. He straightened almost immediately, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket and looking away from her towards the mansion.

She dropped her hand, tucking her hair behind her hair awkwardly. "All better?" she asked. He nodded quickly in reply and removed one hand from his pocket to remove the sunglasses. He squinted and blinked a few times as his pupils adjusted to the bright light of the sun.

The headache was completely gone.

"It's gone." He told her, no emotion shown on his face except for his mouth which was drawn into a rigid line. He could feel her eyes on him, and when he turned to look at her once more he could see the profound disappointment etched on her face.

"What?" he snapped before thinking.

He could see that she forced a smile on her lips. Both hands flipped sideways in a shrug. "I don't know, how about a thank you?"

He scoffed and looked away, crossed his arms and remaining silent.

Thank her? For what?

If she hadn't run away that he wouldn't have been able to buy the bottle of moonshine in the first place. She was at fault for his headache, not him.

"Well you are very welcome Mister Lensherr" She interrupted his thoughts. Sarcasm dripped from every word as she spoke. Before he could respond she had already turned away from him, walking towards the mansion.

Erik remained, standing, watching her go.

The gritty sound of sand and grind under her shoes almost seem to echo. He waited till he could no longer hear her and when he was sure she was gone he slowly raised his left hand to touch the place on his neck that she had touched before.

It was still warm.


The rest of the day passed in a blur of strenuous activity, excitement and sheer relief that they had found a place they didn't have to share with guards carrying weapons. Calmness had settled over the mansion, as everyone was busy with their own things. Sean and Alex had spent most of their day in the TV room, watching shows and eating snacks they had found in the kitchen. And even though Raven had promised Katie that she would give her a tour, the younger woman had gone straight to her room after arriving to sleep, or at least that what she had told Katie before she had walked up the huge, curved, open stairway leading to the first floor.

So Charles had shown Katherine and Erik their own bedrooms and Katherine couldn't help but feel a little relieved when she saw that their rooms were an entire hallway apart. Erik had disappeared into his own room after thanking Charles. The telepath had then left her alone after showing her where she would be staying. He had wanted to start on creating space for a makeshift laboratory with Hank as soon as possible. As such, he had excused himself and walked off before she could tell him it was fine. With a shake of her head she dragged the suitcase inside and closed the bedroom door. She lifted the suitcase on the large bed. The room was spacious and airy.

She stepped away from the bed to open the only other door in her room, and almost sighed in relief when she found her own private bathroom with a full tub and shower. Just like the bedroom, it too, was orderly and well kept. She closed the door of the bathroom behind her and clasped her hands behind her back as she looked around the bedroom. She sighed contently.

Her bedroom. It wasn't glamorous or rich, but it was hers. Sitting down heavily on the bed, she exhaled long and hard. She had wanted to talk to Hank the moment they had arrived but Charles was helping him to set up his laboratory. There was no way she was going to be able to ask him about the cure as long as his science pal was around. Leaving her suitcase unopened on the bed she got up and edged to the door. Carefully, she opened the door and let her eyes scan the hallway for a few seconds. She found herself staring at Erik's closed door.

Even though their conversation last night had explained more to her than she'd expected, there was still a nagging little voice in the back of her head telling her to be on her guard around him. Just because she understood him a little bit better didn't mean she had to excuse him for his former behaviour. She had tried to be civil to him, even cured his headache but he remained as arrogant and rude as the first day they met. The man confused her, the first day she met him he threatened her. Then, he showed nothing but openness and honesty to her when they were in the car. But just an hour ago it seemed like his defences were back and once again he was avoiding eye contact.

I should get him drunk again...

She chuckled at her own thoughts, and shook her head. Why would she even bother? She came back to the group for one reason and one reason alone. Getting on a friendly level with a certain metal bender was not on her to do list for the next couple of weeks. With one last look at his closed door she headed down the hall to explore. After another 15 minutes she was almost sure that the mansion was big enough for her to never walk into him ever again. The building was so enormous that she couldn't keep track of where she'd started from and how she'd reached where she was. It felt like she was walking in a maze.

Her exploration came to an abrupt stop when she discovered the library. The room wasn't as big as the other rooms she'd found, but it was strangely inviting. The room looked cosy and warm. There was an old rug surrounded by two overstuffed leather couches and two leather chairs right in front of the fireplace. Every wall was filled with bookcases, every bookcase filled with books. There was a ladder against the bookcase to the left so that someone could reach the top shelf, if they needed to. A marble chessboard had been set up on a table between the two leather chairs.

She walked inside, closing one of the two double doors behind her. She made her way around the room, her arms folded across her breasts. The huge windows were covered in dew and when she walked closer she could see a wild yet kept garden with spiralling paths that disappeared into the forest surrounding the mansion. In the distance she could see a massive satellite dish disturbing the green landscape.

She turned her head to look over her shoulder, letting her eyes roam around the room. She took a few steps closer to the bookshelf on her right, tracing a finger along the edge of the shelves, before removing a book and flipping through the pages. There were too many thoughts racing through her head. She knew she shouldn't waste her thoughts about anything else than the cure, but ever since that car ride her mind was choosing to be difficult. Erik's words were on a constant repeat in her mind.

They need you...

She couldn't remember the last time when someone needed her. She had been taken care of herself for so long it was hard to picture someone by her side to take care off. Of course she had Martha and John but even though she cared about them, they didn't need her, and she could never be completely honest with them. She knew they could never find out what she really was. The reactions of the guards at the CIA building had shown her how some people reacted to them. She couldn't know for sure that their reaction would be the same but she couldn't take the risk. She closed the book in her hands and returned it to its place in the bookcase. She turned and crossed the room to the bookcase on the left side of the room. The books were all neatly in place, carefully arranged. She took out another thick book and opened it, letting her fingers skim over the pages.

It was selfish really.

For years she had been attempting to reconnect with something, anything, that vaguely made her feel like her old self again. And she hated to admit it, but Erik's words had left a small fire burning inside her chest. She had been running for so long that it became a primitive instinct. Just like breathing. But the metal bender was right; if they were going to war they might need her. She couldn't help but wanting to believe that they needed her.

Stop it... keep your mind on the cure.

She tried to keep her distance with everyone she met, but these kids... Even though she'd only known them for a day, the events that had occurred at the CIA had bound them together and she already noticed that some of them had started to care about one last look in the book she placed it back on the shelf, before climbing the ladder and browsing through the books on the top shelf. Not really looking for anything in particular, she explored while humming a soft tune under her breath. It confused her that she already felt so at ease in this strange place.

She was pulled from her thoughts when one of the vast wooden doors creaked open. Her head snapped to the door and she leaned slightly back on the ladder to see who was coming inside. Charles entered, hands stuffed in the pockets of his dark brown pants. He looked up at her, a smile rising on his lean face. She stretched her smile wide as he looked up.

"Good afternoon Charles."

"Katie." He answered with a nod of his head. "I see you've found the library" She climbed down, jumping free of the ladder midway and straightening up as Charles approached.

"It's amazing, I haven't read a book in years. But I loved it when I was younger."

She was gazing around the room, and Charles turned his head as he looked around the room too. "I always loved this room." He admitted under his breath. "I spend a lot of time in here." For a few seconds he was silent, looking around the old library as he was reminded of so many lazy Sunday afternoons that he had spent with his family in there. He would read to Raven until she would fall asleep against him, play chess with his mother and his father would read the newspaper commenting on everything he read. A tender smile came to his lips and he broke his thoughts away from the past to look at Katherine who was still standing next to him. He could hear her mind buzzing inside his ear and he had fight back the urge to just look at what was bothering her in her mind. But then she spoke up, and Charles's curiosity was answered.

"You wanted to talk." Discomfort made her voice colder than she'd intended, and she stepped away from him before he could open his mouth to answer. She sat down in one of the leather chairs and clasped her hands in her lap before looking up at him again "You said you need to talk to me and now you're here, sooo..."

He nodded, taking both hands out off his pockets as he sat down in the chair opposite of her. He leaned forward and clasped his own hands together, resting them on his knees. "I wanted to talk to you, yes." He offered her a comforting smile that seemed to ease the tension in her muscles slightly. "I know why you ran away last night, and also why you returned."

Her brows furrowed "You have to stop reading my mind Charles!"

He held up his hands in defence. "I'm not reading your mind right now." he said truthfully and she raised her left eyebrow in question. He continued, lowering both his hands again. "Ever since we picked you up in New York, I could hear a voice." he touched a finger to his temple, "Inside of your head, that was not your own."

The tension returned and she sat up straight, not breaking the eye contact. "But now it's quiet. It's not your voice, whose voice is it?"

She tried to take a deep breath to calm herself; her heartbeat was beating painfully inside her chest. She was still looking at him when she opened her mouth to speak but Charles beat her to it. "It's his voice isn't it?" She answered with a simple nod.

"How long have you been hearing it?"

She scoffed and broke her gaze, looking down at the clasped hands in her lap. "For years now, but it comes and it goes. Every time I settle down somewhere or something happens– "She shuddered slightly and closed her eyes.

Charles finished for her "You hear him telling you to run."

She nodded and opened her eyes to look at him and he could feel the tension in her body. Could see the pain burning in her eyes.

"But now it's quiet."

Again, she nodded.

"Why?" he asked.

She shrugged and rose, going to stand in front of the fireplace. A minute went by, Charles could see she was deep in thought. She was staring into the empty fire place, not even blinking. Hesitantly she opened her mouth to speak. "How much have you seen?" She turned to look at him over her shoulder.

"I've seen enough." He answered with a nod.

"Good, then I don't have to tell the entire story to you." she turned not dropping her gaze away from him. "You know why I run, they want answers and I can't tell them the truth about what really happened to their son" She took in a deep breath and broke her gaze away from him, staring back into the fireplace. "I haven't seen Patrick for two years now and I'd like to keep it that way." With careful steps she made her way back to the chair. She sat down and wrapped her arms more tightly around her frame. "Last night I suddenly came to a realization." She whispered, and Charles sat on the edge of the chair leaning forward to hear her more clearly.

"Running is pointless now." she spoke the words and she took in a deep shuddering breath "No matter what happens, what side I choose. He will find me the moment I expose myself." she looked up and he saw the tears burning behind her eyes. She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes to ward them off. "The moment I realized that my only option was to find a cure, was the moment the voice got quiet." She brushed the loose strays of hair that crossed her vision away with her hand.

"A cure will not solve your problems."

"No but it will make it manageable."

"We are not even sure if it's possible."

She shrugged and bit her lip

"I don't care. Right now, it's the only option I got."

"I don't agree with this, there are other options."

Charles had spoken up, the tone of his voice turned strict. Her thoughts were crystal clear for him to see, he didn't even need his telepathy to read her mind. She had never settled down, she just kept running. He wondered if there was more troubling her. But he knew that the moment he would try to read her mind she would shut off completely. "Our mutations are not diseases."

She nodded at his words and smiled sadly down at her hands. "I know you don't agree Charles, but please" she looked up at him, "Please, let me ask Hank to look into it."

The soft leather chair creaked when he leaned back; folding his legs as he relaxed back in the chair. The telepath was silent for a moment. Deep in thought he rubbed his chin with one hand, then he looked back at Katherine and a deep breath, held for too long, escaped him. He shook his head in disagreement. "Like I said, we don't know if it's even possible, what will you do if it fails?"

She was still staring down at her hands. "I don't want to think about that."

"Well you have to" he told her. "Even if we look into it, you have to realise that there is only a small chance of success and an even bigger chance at failure"

Katie moved in her chair like a trapped animal. Her shoulders quaked a little; she clearly was terribly agitated. "I don't have a choice Charles!" Katherine replied while she stood up.

He followed her standing up too, hands raised in comfort. "We always have a choice" he stepped closer to her, his hands gripped her upper arms, not letting her step back more than a couple of inches. "Listen to me Katie" he looked at her with a soft smile, and she dropped her head shaking it sadly. "Even if I ask Hank to do this-" He stopped and took in a deep breath.

She opened her mouth interrupting him before he could speak "Think what you can do with a cure Charles, people like Shaw wouldn't be a threat anymore." Her words seemed to tumble over each other as she attempted to reason with him.

Charles eyes narrowed and he fell silent after hearing Katie's words. Carefully, he released her arm, stepping back from her body. She could nearly see the wheels turning inside his head and for a small second she believed he would refuse her, but he surprised her when he opened his mouth. "There is something you have to do in return."

Her eyes went wide as she looked him over "You will ask him?"

He nodded "and help him where it is necessary."

A huge relieved smile came to her lips but before she could open her mouth to thank him he had raised one hand to cut her off. "But like I said, you need to do something too"

"What?" she asked slowly, the smile slipping away.

"You need to learn how to let go Katie" he told her softly, He smiled, encouraging her. Her eyebrows were raised in question and he realised she was waiting for an explanation. "When we cannot find a cure, you need to be able to handle the disappointment" he stuffed both his hands in the pockets of his pants. "You still feel guilty, even though there was nothing you could have done to change the situation. The guilt still plagues you. " He stopped speaking and looked away from her for a small second to take in a breath. "So" he continued as he directed his gaze back to her. "I will talk to Hank and in return you remain here with us, no more running away." He held out his hand for her to take.

She was looking down at his hand a bit unsure.

"I can help you Katie" he saw the uncertainty in her eyes. "Help you letting go of the past, and-"

"Stop." She interrupted him and without a second thought she took his hand, shaking it. "I will stay here Charles, no more running." She hoped he would just let it go. She didn't need his help. She had been able to handle things herself all this time and she wasn't going to ask him for any more help than she needed. And all she needed for him was to talk to Hank. Keeping secrets from Charles was impossible; he was a telepath for god sake. He would have found out one way or another.

"Katie" he slowly spoke. "You will need to learn how to deal with it."

He wasn't going to let it go.

She pulled her hand back and looked into his eyes with the most pained stare he had ever seen. "Please Charles" she crossed her arms over her chest. " Please, just let me handle letting go myself. I will try, I promise but I'd rather not have people prying in my mind while I'm doing it."

He started silently at her before a frown appeared on his pale delicate features. He suddenly glanced back at the door over his shoulder.

He remained silent.

Staring at the closed wooden doors for a few seconds before a grin broke out over his face.

"Very well" he finally told her and she felt relieved when he had spoken the words. "As long as you try, I will tell Hank to do the same."

"That's all I ask" she replied.

"Alright then" he rubbed his hands together. "Let's join Alex and Sean, I told them to order pizza for everyone and I believed they have just delivered it" he held out his arm for her to take. Katie eyed it, and then looked up at him. His blue sparkled eyes playfully.

A smile crossed her lips, and without saying another word she took his arm and together they walked to the TV room.


TBC:

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Much love from Mira!