A big thank you to everyone who is reading this story. As well as a thank you to those who have added it to their follow/favourite list.

I'm deeply moved by all of the responses this story has gotten. Special shout out to the guests, Mariiiiiie001, Hanna, , Hali, WherewasLokiinendgame, Intothevoid, Cassie-011 and Mary-Ann, for all of your lovely and kind words.

Enjoy this next chapter!

Chapter 5 - A glass of Bourbon

Hotel Bar Lounge

He still found it difficult to believe it. For years he thought he'd been the only one in the world. The only one with an ability, a monster, created by a man who claimed himself to be a visionary and freer of the oppressed. Sebastian Shaw or Dr. Klaus Schmidt as he was known at the time. Although a part of Erik had always known that it wasn't the doctor who had made him what he was, but he had been the one to unleash the destructive creature within him.

To this very day Erik's mind was only filled with grim and dark memories when it came to his childhood, but especially with regards to his mother. Separated, then reunited, only to be lost forever. Another reason why he despised Shaw as much as he did. No, Erik was certain that he would not rest until he himself would bring Sebastian Shaw to justice. Not before a court, a government or even the world. But for him and him alone. The German Nazi was to suffer the same fate he had inflicted upon Erik, but most of all his beloved and innocent mother.

Tonight he had missed the opportunity to finally accomplish this. All because he had underestimated his opponent. Not only that, but he hadn't counted in the possibility of others being there. Others with unexplainable powers, or gifts as one could call it. He had been blinded by his hate and thus had focused solely on Shaw, which caused him to nearly lose his own life had it not been for a dark haired man pulling him out of the water.

Charles Francis Xavier. A professor. A man. But like Erik, he was more than that. The ability to read minds. Speak with them even. In any case, it was a remarkable ability, one that Erik wanted to learn more about. But aside from Charles, there were others who had powers as well, though he didn't quite know that much about them yet.

The young blond, Charles's sister Raven, was also a mutant. She described her gift as being able to alter her appearance into that of anybody she wanted to. Unfortunately, she hadn't gotten the opportunity to show him this, but something told him that he would find out soon enough. Another astonishing power if he was to believe the girl.

Now the only other person who Erik knew the least about, was the other woman who had been on the ship with them. From what he'd managed to gather so far, was that she had been the one to lead the CIA to Shaw's location. But that didn't say anything, because technically anybody from within that agency could have figured it out one way or another.

The thing that stuck to Erik the most and why he was intrigued to know more, was because of the question agent Moira MacTaggert had asked the other woman.

"You knew where Shaw was. Can't you do it again?"

Erik was certain that the words 'do it' referred to the woman's powers and he wanted to know what those were exactly. But he had found it impossible to do so. The woman was incredibly unapproachable. In all fairness, he hadn't made any real attempts, but he was smart enough to know that it would be futile even if he tried.

He could ask Charles Xavier about it, but he wanted to keep a low profile as he had only just met them all a few hours ago. Instead he decided it was easier to observe Ann for the time being. See if there were any clues he could pick up on. However, he doubted he was going to find out tonight. He took a sip from his drink as he stared into the distance.

Currently Erik was sitting in the lounge area of the Hotel they were staying at. He had entered the place a while ago. Naturally he could have gone into his hotel room like the others had done. Have a couple of drinks quietly, out of sight from prying eyes. But he didn't feel like it. He had no idea how far Charles's mindreading reached, but he wasn't in the mood to find out. There were simply too many things on his mind, tings that he didn't want to share.

Luckily for him, the hotel bar was fairly empty. There was a couple sitting on the other side of the room in one of the booths, having a good time from the looks of things. There was an old gentleman, wearing a fedora, situated near a window while smoking a cigar. And then there was Erik himself, hidden in the furthest and darkest corner of the room with a shot of whiskey and a cup of coffee.

He watched closely from a distance as the bartender walked over to a woman located at the bar to offer her another drink. The woman had entered the room a couple of minutes after Erik had. Her eyes had darted through the room the second she walked in, but somehow she didn't register him sitting there, she probably couldn't have due to the dim lighting. After that she had headed straight for the bar.

About four glasses of some alcoholic beverage and two hours later, she was still there. Erik honestly wondered why she was there in the first place. Drinking a fair amount of alcohol all alone with nobody else to watch her. Well, of course he was sort of watching her, but with no intention or interest apart from the fact pondering what her powers could be. He leaned back in his seat and absentmindedly traced the rim of his shot glass with his finger.

::::::...::::::

Hold me close and hold me fast
The magic spell you cast
This is la vie en rose

Although Ann would have preferred nothing more than to be sitting in an airplane on her way back towards London, it was too late to make any sort of arrangements for it. Instead she was currently sitting in the bar on the ground floor of a small but rather luxurious hotel. They'd all had a stressful day, some more than others, and heading over to the CIA base was therefore not in the cards tonight.

When you kiss me, heaven sighs
And though I close my eyes
I see la vie en rose

The woman didn't mind to be here. Anywhere was better than where she had been an hour ago. She was still miffed about everything. No, not miffed. Incredibly cross was a better way to put it. She was especially angry with Moira. It had become clear to Ann that she was nothing more but a tool to be used. A means to an end, so Moira could find Sebastian Shaw. A dangerous man, only now it also seemed the man was a mutant. Which was probably a suspicion Moira had had since coming to London.

"Another refill, miss?"

A young voice spoke from behind her and Ann raised her head to look at the handsome bartender showing her a bottle of Canadian Club. She gave a slow and polite nod, holding out her glass towards him. The man leaned forward, grabbed her hand and poured the bourbon.

He winked just as he pulled back. "This one is on the house."

"Merci." Ann smiled returning the same flirtatious gesture he had given her.

Ann turned on her high chair and glanced around the room. The bar was almost empty, but then again it was almost near midnight. The lights were dimmed, giving a romantic sort of hue over the place. The band was still playing, be it only the pianist and the trumpeter. The other members were seated at a table near him. The song they currently played was a familiar one, La vie en rose. Although this wasn't the original piece as the pianist was singing it in English, but it was beautiful nonetheless.

When you press me to your heart
I'm in a world apart
A world where roses bloom

Ann listened to the soft and gentle jazz music filling the room and closed her eyes, thinking for a split second about the others who she'd come to the hotel with. All of them were probably already fast asleep in their rooms while she sat there alone at the hotel bar with her bourbon.

The car ride to the hotel had been rather uncomfortable, even more so than all the others she'd been in, since being on American soil. The man in black agent called Frank, and CIA agent Moira had discussed the night's event into detail. Coming up with strategies on how to proceed next. Charles listened to them and offered some suggestions every now and again. Even Raven had talked for most of the journey, explaining her powers to the other mutant Charles had saved from drowning.

And when you speak, angels sing from above
Everyday words seem to turn
Into love songs

His name was Erik Lensherr. A German, whose mutation was unlike any of theirs in comparison. Ann did not know the guy's story, but she could already tell that it wasn't a pretty one. For why would a man go after another mutant, one apparently as powerful as Sebastian Shaw, on his own without any backup? A death wish. That's what it sounded like to Ann. The reason must be a pretty intense one, though she doubted she would ever find out what it was. because if it was up to her, she was going to catch the first plane out of the country tomorrow morning.

Give your heart and soul to me
And life will always be
La vie en rose

The song was coming to an end and Ann reopened her eyes just as the pianist hit the final keys on the piano. She set her drink down on the bar and clapped politely. The musician threw her a thankful smile. The trumpeter joined the other band members as the pianist continued with another song. He seemed to be having a good time playing on his own.

"You like jazz music then?" The same voice from earlier spoke up again.

Ann nodded as a response to the bartender's question, but kept her attention on the corner where the band was seated. "My favourite."

"So, you're here for business or for pleasure?"

This time the woman did turn around to face the young man, who seemed to be in the mood for a conversation. Not that she could blame him, it was probably part of his job description to make small talk with hotel guests. But Ann wasn't really in the same talkative spirit as he was. Still, it would kill some time until she would be forced to leave the bar and head for bed. She doubted she would be able to stay there throughout the entire night.

"Neither of those. I just happen to be here. Wrong place, wrong time."

"Ah, drink's that bad, huh?"

"Oh no, the drink is perfect."

"Then it's the company?"

Ann couldn't help but frown at the barman. "Company?"

The man tossed the dishtowel over his shoulder and gave her a lopsided grin. "You have been sitting here for the majority of the evening. Alone. Though, if you're willing to wait for another thirty minutes, I wouldn't mind to fill that empty seat beside you."

Ann frowned at him with surprise. Apparently his flirtations from earlier were genuine and not forced. She was actually feeling rather flattered and at the same time a little sceptical. This wasn't her thing, engaging with random strangers in bars and even though the bartender might have no hidden agenda, she didn't feel like accepting his offer on joining her for a night cap.

"Ann!"

At the sound of her name, Ann turned her head towards a familiar face entering the bar lounge. Moira MacTaggert. The brunette walked over to her in a quick pace and placed her hands in her sides the second she halted in front of her. "I've been looking all over for you."

"Have you now?" Ann arched an eyebrow and shifted in her seat.

"Yes! I must have knocked on your door a dozen of times before Charles informed me you had left almost two hours ago and was hanging around in this bar."

Had she already been there for nearly two hours? But what actually surprised or rather irritated her more was the fact that apparently Charles Xavier had eyes and ears everywhere. Could she not for one moment enjoy herself without any sort of interruption? Ann quickly finished her drink and motioned for the good-looking bartender to pour her another glass.

"Sorry, darling. It seems the empty seat next to me is about to be taken."

"Maybe tomorrow." The guy replied, though his smile wasn't as bright as it had been a minute ago. He quickly poured her another glass of bourbon and left his station to attend another lonesome customer in the furthest corner of the room.

"I see you're already making friends." Moira commented as she sat down next to Ann.

"Might as well. Would be nice to have at least one of them while I'm here." The other woman retorted.

"Well don't get used to him." Moira replied, ignoring the sneer Ann had just thrown her way. "We're only here for one night. We'll be heading to the CIA research base tomorrow."

"Research base." Ann huffed and placed her glass against her lips. "Has a nice ring to it." She swallowed a large amount of the golden liquid and let out a hiss through her teeth as it burned down her throat.

Moira sighed with exhaustion. "Look, I understand you're probably still upset because of tonight. But can you really blame me for asking you for help with finding Shaw?"

"No, I suppose not. But I already explained you that I can't help you." She reminded her friend.

"Charles thinks you can."

Of course Charles would. It seemed Moira and the brilliant professor had a talk about her at some point today, probably when Moira had been knocking on her door a dozen times. As if she wasn't already angry enough with the two of them, now they'd gone and conversed about her behind her back.

This time Ann downed her drink entirely and set her glass back down on the counter with a loud clang. A tingling and warm sensation spread through her body. How many glasses had she had already? The last two had come and gone rather quickly to her recollection. Not a smart move on her end, as Ann wasn't the greatest at holding her liquor. But then again, compared to everything else that was going on, getting slightly drunk was the least of her worries.

"I'll tell you where Charles can shove his thinking." She told Moira, pushing her glass back until it nearly fell over the edge of the bar. "Both of you assured me I had a choice and I am holding you to that promise."

"I know what we said, but things are different now. You know why we're after Shaw. It's more dangerous, especially now that we know what he is."

"Something like me, you mean?"

The agent scoffed. "Don't make this about you, Ann. You're not the only,-" She paused and glanced over her shoulder to check on how empty the room was before continuing. "Charles, Raven and that other guy are willing to help. You want to make this about you? Fine. What makes you so special that you're too good to help defend the world from a dangerous maniac? You've helped me more than once before, but helping your own kind is out of the question?"

Moira's rant actually managed to render Ann speechless. The caramel haired woman cocked her head slightly and stared into the dark eyes of her so-called friend. If only Moira would stop moving so much, she appeared to be swaying from left to right. Ann shook her head and blinked a couple of time, before placing one of her hands on the counter.

"Why don't you ask your friend? I'm sure he knows." She slurred slightly.

"I see I'm missing some sort of party?" A familiar British accent sounded from behind her and Moira looked up over her shoulder to find Charles Xavier standing there. "Mind if I join you two lovely ladies?"

"By all means, have my seat." Ann said to him without looking his way.

"Now, don't leave on my account." Charles replied as he took the chair next to her. "The more the merrier, isn't it?"

But Ann ignored him and pushed herself out of her seat. Unfortunately, instead of stepping away from the bar, Ann took a rather ungraceful tumble and landed on the floor. Great, now the entire room appeared to be spinning.

"My God, Ann!" Moira jumped out of her seat and crouched down next to her. "How much have you had to drink?"

"Not enough." The woman muttered under her breath.

A chuckle, or more like a snort, sounded from their right. Moira looked up at Charles who seemingly found the entire situation rather amusing. "That is not funny, Charles!" The agent said with annoyance, though he wasn't the one she was actually upset with. "Can you help me get her up?"

"Moira, I am not an infant." Ann growled as she pushed her friend away to grab hold of the nearest object in order to pull herself up.

Although the thing she had chosen to use to help her back on her feet, wasn't some lifeless item. But it wasn't until she was almost standing on her own two legs, that she realized she'd used Charles as a support system. The man could hardly contain himself, pressing his lips tightly together in a thin line to stifle another urge of bellowing out a laugh.

He cleared his throat and frowned, giving her own of his more serious looks. "Would you mind moving your hand a little bit? Before you do something that you will regret, if you don't?"

Charles lowered his eyes and Ann followed his gaze until she reached the location of where she'd put her hand or in this case where she was about to put her hand. Immediately she yanked her arm back, causing her to wobble once again. But luckily Charles stood up just in time to grab a hold of her, preventing any further embarrassment she was already experiencing.

"Is everything alright?" The bartender asked from behind the bar after noticing the slight commotion taking place.

"Quite alright, thank you." Charles told him right before Moira interjected.

"Do you know how much she's had to drink tonight?" She asked.

The guy didn't take long to think about it. After all, Ann was only one of the five customers who'd been in the lounge for the majority of the night. "Around five or six small glasses of bourbon within the last two hours." He said quickly.

"Five or six?" Moira's eyes widened and her jaw slightly dropped. "Did you not at one point stop to think that it might be too much for someone of her posture?"

"I,- I,-" The bartender started to stammer at Moira's unexpected outburst.

"Why don't I take Ann back to her room, while you handle the bill?" Charles said to her. "Also, Erik is sitting right over there." He nodded towards the furthest corner on the right side of the lounge. "Might be a good idea if all of us head to bed." He spoke rather authoritatively and Moira automatically nodded.

Without waiting any longer, Charles slipped his arm around Ann and pulled her with him out of the hotel bar. Ann was only now starting to feel incredibly self-conscious of the entire situation. Her cheeks were glowing, her fingers were tingling and her legs did not really seem to work properly. How could she make such a complete fool out of herself? Charles suddenly stopped and a loud 'ding' rang in front of them. A pair of lift doors opened and he calmly guided Ann inside.

"Third floor, please." Charles told the lift boy, who nodded stoically and pressed the button.

As the small compartment slowly began to move, Ann let out a soft groan. "I'm so sorry." She whispered.

"Happens to the best of us." He told her, returning his gaze to the metallic doors. "That bartender should have been more observant with the number of drinks given to you. Although I'm sure he had no ill intent at all. Who would when it consider a woman all alone drinking to her hearts content."

"It's not his responsi,- respons... He was very kind to me."

"I'm sure he was." Charles replied shortly.

Finally the lift stopped and the two of them stepped out into a dimly lit corridor. Ann was starting to cling more to Charles the closer they got to her room and by the time they reached it, she was practically leaning against him.

"You don't drink much, do you?" He noted.

"Noooo." She lingered on the word as a click sounded and the door opened up.

"Any reason why you chose tonight to test your limit?" He asked after a couple of seconds.

Something soft touched the back of Ann's legs and before she knew it, Charles's arm was gone and she was sitting on her hotel bed. She ran a hand through her hair and let out a deep breath.

"That wasn't the plan. I just wanted to be alone. Without anybody else. A drink, some music. Some time to think."

The bed suddenly moved and Ann bounced a little as Charles sat down next to her. "About staying with us?"

"Yes."

"Any progress on that?"

"Too intoxicated. Might make the wrong choice." A light chuckle escaped her causing Charles to smile a little.

He shrugged and leaned back. "Want to hear my opinion?"

"No."

His mouth twitched and he placed two fingers against his temple. 'You should stay.'

Ann blinked as his voice entered her mind. It was very weird to hear him talk inside her head, even more so now that everything was foggy. Not as weird as not seeing his lips move though he was definitely talking. He tended to talk too much anyway.

"That's cheating." Ann concluded.

"I didn't say a thing." Charles replied innocently. He was about to get up, but suddenly stopped. "Will you be alright or do I have to send Moira to check on you later?"

"I'm slightly pissed and you want to send the CIA after me?"

This time Charles did let out a loud laugh. She was more than slightly pissed, but he wasn't going to argue about that. He quickly got up and bobbed his head at her. "Goodnight, Ann."

The woman simply waved and waited until he was finally out of sight to drop herself backwards on her bed and shut her eyes. "Bollocks..." She whispered under her breath.

Sorry it took so long to update, I do hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

Would love to hear your thoughts. Have a great day!