The beginning of this chapter kind of jumps all over the place, but I really couldn't think of how to write in the style of the training scenes from First Class other than doing it like this, don't worry though, things slow down towards the end.

Enjoy.

"Charles wishes me to train all of you in hand to hand combat," Erik's slightly accented voice drawled, as he stood in front of the line of young mutants with his arms folded across his broad chest, his stance telling them that he was less than pleased with the task assigned to him, "In the event that you should find yourself in a situation where your powers may fail you. He believes that you should be prepared for anything."

"And what do you believe?" Ivory asked the question that was on everyone's mind. Most of the others were still intimidated by the older metal-bender, but not Ivory, she saw a side of Erik that the others probably wouldn't ever see so she had long since stopped being intimidated by him. Although, now that she thought about it, she never had been to begin with.

Erik's lips twitched like he wanted to smile at her calling him out, "I believe that if your powers fail you at the wrong time then it's your problem."

"Something tells me you don't want to do this." Sean drawled and the others snickered, just because they were intimidated by the older mutant didn't been that he was immune to the immature banter of the young mutants.

Surprisingly Erik actually smiled as he stepped closer to Sean and held out his hand to the ginger, the redhead in question gave his group of friends a smug smile as he reached out and shook Erik's hand, then Erik's smile turned predatory and he twisted Sean's wrist turning quickly and pulling Sean's arm over his shoulder flipping him to the ground. There was a quick bark of laughter from the group that settled when Erik but his foot on top of Sean's chest and adjusted his sleeveless shirt while the ginger groaned in pain.

"Anymore snide comments?" Erik questioned the standing mutants and he got no response, "Good, then let's get started." Good-naturedly Erik offered another hand down to Sean, and with only slight hesitation the ginger took his hand for the second time in a few minutes and Erik pulled the boy back to his feet patting him on the back a few times while he rejoined the others in line.

"Who's first?"

"Are you really training me? Or am I your personal gardener?" Ivory teased Charles after he had her restore the life of yet another plant, seems Charles didn't exactly have what was known as a green thumb when it came to the gardens around his home, as a result most of them were either dead, or dying.

"I'll admit it is nice having you around, these grounds haven't looked this nice in quite some time." Charles shot right back. "How about something a little more challenging?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"Who here thinks they know how to throw a punch?" Unsurprisingly all the young mutants raised their hands, a punch seemed so simple, "Who here has actually thrown a punch?" Ivory and Hank lowered their hands, Erik nodded and hummed, "Who has broken their thumb throwing a punch?" Raven lowered her hand as did Sean after a few short seconds leaving only Alex with his hand raised, Erik nodded like he expected as much. "Good, Ivy come join me. The rest of you pair up."

Erik instructed and the young mutants quickly moved to do as he asked, Ivory approached him while Alex and Sean turned to face each other, then Raven and Hank did the same.

"Are you right or left handed?" Erik questioned reaching out for her hands.

"Left." Ivory responded, 'Southpaw' she heard Sean mock and she made to sneer at him but a slight tug on her hands stopped her, he told her to make a fist which she did only feeling a little foolish as Erik held her hand up for the other's to see as he rearranged her fingers.

"Don't tuck your thumb into your hand when you curl into a fist, quickest way to a broken thumb." He moved her thumb so that it instead rested outside of her hand just along her knuckles, "You have to know where to hit someone to cause the most damage, aim to high," he brought her now corrected fist just in front of his forehead, "You're hitting a brick wall, aim to low," he dropped her hand to just above his chin, "It's about the same thing, and you risk cutting your knuckle open on a tooth. Aim for the nose or the eyes, you can do the most damage the quickest that way." He finished releasing her hand, "And if you really want to go for the lethal blow, the throat will do the trick."

Just as quickly as he had dropped her hand Erik lunged for her dipping her over his shoulder and picking her up before tackling her back down to the mat, none of what he did actually hurt her and the gasp she let out was more of surprise than anything.

"I wasn't ready." She whined and Erik smirked.

"Rule number one," he said before glancing up at the others, "Always be ready."

"Normally I would be against performing such acts, but seen as we can go to war any day now, it would be foolish of you not to learn." Charles said half to himself, half to Ivory as he walked back towards her from depositing a mannequin about 50 feet away from where they now stood.

"Learn what?"

"Defensive measures." Charles said simply glancing at her from the corner of his eye, "Attack it."

Ivory paled, "I beg your pardon?"

"Trust me," Charles said instantly placing a calming hand on her shoulder, "You're in full control now."

She nodded and focused on her powers again, not wanting to conjure up images of what vines could do, she would probably never even think about using those ago, instead she just let her powers wash over her entirely to see what would happen.

And what happened was the dirt slowly began to shake and rise, then barks of the tree began to peel off from the base, as leaves rained down, all them reshaping into spike like, or perhaps thorn like was more appropriate, shape and form in a tiny cyclone in front of them before she thrust her arms forward and the thorns flew, impaling the mannequin before it exploded and the wood debris from the mannequin rained down.

Charles covered his eyes slightly from the initial blast then slowly lowered his arm from his eyes looking at the remnants of the mannequin, there wasn't much, "Well done my dear, well done." He congratulated patting her on the back.

Sean groaned as he hit the mat of the training room floor "Rule number two," Erik drawled walking around the pair that was Sean and Alex, "Never turn your back on your opponent." He finished sarcastically as Sean swung out his leg and tripped Alex down to the made, Erik nodded approvingly.

The group of young mutants all laid around the living room in various positions either laying on the floor or lounging on the couches, all with sore bodies and aching muscles covering in ice packs and other various frozen food stuffs that were kept in the freezer of the Xavier's mansion. Erik didn't let up in today's training session in the least, not that the past month he had been particularly easy on them in the slightest.

"Everything hurts." Sean complained from his face down position in the carpet having most of his ice packs spread out along his back. He ended up on his back courtesy of Erik the most out of anyone because the poor redhead just didn't know how to keep his mouth shut. His proclamation was met with various sounds of agreement.

"I didn't know my body could hurt in so many places at once." Ivory whined from her spot laying on one end of the couch and Raven was on the other, their legs tossed and tangled with one another so that they could both fit comfortably.

"Good afternoon children," A far too excited sounding Charles chirped as he walked into the room taking in the group of young people buried under ice packs and frozen peas, "How's training with Erik going?" he questioned cheerfully to be met with a chorus of displeased groans, "Glad to hear." Charles continued and they could hear the smile in his voice, "Hank, it's time for your training, I'll meet you outside."

The poor scientist looked like someone had just told him his dog died, but he carefully got up none-the-less and began making his way to the doors, his friends waving him off sympathetically but secretly glad that it was him and not them.

"Bye Hank."

"Good luck Hank."

"See ya, Bozo."

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Ivory jumped and nearly fell off her perch on the countertop, and turned to see Alex in a zip up hoodie strolling into the kitchen and making his way to the fridge. "You scared me." She told him as he past her on his way to the fridge.

"Sorry," he answered not sounding the least bit apologetic as he stuck his head into the fridge, "I didn't think anyone used to be up around this time."

"You must not come down into the kitchen much."

"Can't say that I do," Alex responded extracting himself from the fridge with a carton of milk in his hands, "Why do you?"

"Not as much recently, usually I find Erik down here when he can't sleep either. But tonight it's just me."

"Now it's just us," The blonde corrected hopping up onto the counter beside her with a glass of milk in his hands, "If you don't mind the company." He added quickly.

"I don't." she told him with a gentle smile, "So what's on your mind, why can't you sleep?"

The smile that had been teasing on Alex's lips dropped, "It's nothing, it's stupid."

"Hey," she said gently placing her hand on his arm, "If it's bothering you, it's not stupid."

"It's just frustrating that everyone else seems to be getting much better at controlling their powers, and so far all I've done is set an war bunker on fire."

"I think that's pretty impressive." Ivory said with a small smile which he didn't return, "You can't beat yourself up over that." She told him, but she could understand his irritation at being so stagnant with his powers.

Over the past month everyone except Alex had all but mastered control of their various mutations, Hank was confidently running laps around everyone in the mansion slowly accepting his mutation for what it was, still wary of how it looked though. Sean had actually flown across the mansion with the help of his sonic screams, Hank's wings and the ever so helpful Erik that had forced the boy to fly after he had been dragged up to the top of the large satellite that rested on Xavier's expansive property, and Erik had literally pushed him off, Sean's screams catching him in the nick of time to carry him just like they had all hoped. Unfortunately even with the energy suit that Hank designed Alex still hadn't managed to his a target, not unless it was by accident.

"If you want, I can get Erik to come down to the bunker with you next time. He can yell at you until you shoot him with a plasma blot." Ivory teased Alex and he finally smiled, letting out a short bark of laughter.

"Thanks, but no thanks." Alex said shaking his head, "I'd really rather not get on his bad side some more."

"Some more?" Ivory echoed and Alex clammed up remembering that he wasn't supposed to say that, "What did you do?" she probed and he had flashbacks to a few days ago in the gym.

It was only Alex and Erik in the mansions gym today, the others having a day off courtesy of the Professor which they all took full advantage of, giving their bodies the rest that they deserved.

The two men worked out in comfortable silence only broken by the occasional grunt or short span of conversation between them. Erik was standing over Alex, spotting him as the boy lifted the bar up and down.

"So, uh," Alex cleared his throat slightly as he spoke in as casual a tone as he could manage while lifting the hundred plus pound bar up and down, "You and Ivory seem pretty close."

"You could say that." Erik responded dryly.

Alex pushed through the awkwardness he felt and quickly spit out the question that had been on his mind, "Is she seeing anyone?"

Erik paused for a moment as he realized what the boy had just asked him. His first thought was why ask him instead of, say Raven? His second thought was why in the world would Alex be so curious about it that he would ask Erik? Obviously Erik knew the answer to the second question, he wasn't blind, he could see that Ivy was an attractive young woman, but he was sure that he was incapable of seeing her in any sort of romantic light, she was a dear friend. That Erik found himself to be protective of, if the prickle of irritation that ran down his spine was any indication.

"Not that I know of." Erik at last answered as Alex finished his set.

"Alright." Alex responded having wanting to end the conversation there, but Erik didn't.

"Why do you ask?"

"Doesn't matter man, forget I said anything." Alex responded defensively sitting up and turning on the bench.

Erik sighed and thought to himself that being around all these kids and Charles was making him soft, as he walked around and joined Alex on the ling bench, hesitating for a second before placing a hand on his shoulder, "Why not ask Raven?" he questioned.

Alex huffed and rolled his eyes, "Something tells me that I wouldn't have gotten a straight answer from her."

Erik nodded, he knew how dramatic the blonde could be, and if he was being honest with himself, he liked Alex, he was immensely less irritating than Sean, and even though he was on the quieter side of things could hold a decent conversation if he so chose, which made him better to talk to than Hank. He wouldn't say it out loud and would deny it if Charles looked into his head, but if he had to pick a male in the mansion to pursue Ivy, it would be Alex.

"Ivy is single," Erik finally said and Alex fought hard to keep himself from reacting too much outwardly, "She's a sweet girl, and my friend. So be careful." He added seriously, and Alex nodded before Erik stood and went to the free weights as they continued their workout not mentioning again the awkward conversation that had just taken place.

"It's not important," Alex answered her earlier question, coming back to the present.

"Alright," Ivory shrugged, "And I know it's easier said than done, but trust your powers, and yourself," she added, "You might be surprised what happens."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." She nodded before a shiver racked her body.

"You cold?" Alex questioned straightening up and glancing at the open windows.

"A little," she responded rubbing her arms exposed by her thin camisole, "It gets stuffy in here at night." She answered his silent question.

"Well, here," he nodded unzipped his hoodie and pulling it off. "Take this."

"No, no, I can't." Ivory protested immediately as he slipped it off, and wrapped it around her shoulders, "What about you?"

"Its fine, I normally stay pretty warm because of my powers." He explained holding the sides of the hoodie open waiting for her to slip her arms in, which she did begrudgingly, but couldn't deny how toasty she was inside the jacket. "You look adorable." He teased and she playfully glared at him, before he suddenly flinched and reached a hand up to the side of his neck rubbing down on the muscles there.

"You okay?" she asked concerned.

"Yeah I'm fine," Alex spat out through gritted teeth waiting for the spasm to pass, "Shoulder's been bugging me for a few days because of training." He went on to explain.

Ivory winced on his behalf knowing that Erik usually went a little bit harder on the boy's in training, "Do you mind if I-" she trailed off uncertainly.

"Do you know how?"

"How hard can it be?"

Alex thought for a moment before he nodded, and she gave him a shy but excited little smile and swung her legs underneath her so she could get to her knees and scoot behind him on the countertop, before placing her cool small hands on his shoulder and beginning to knead the tight muscles there. He furrowed his brow and his head dropped forward and he suppressed a groan because it felt good, really good.

"Are you okay?" she asked on the verge of panic stopping her movements, "Did I hurt you?"

"No," he bit out, "No you're fine."

"Okay." She replied quietly then continued to work he hands over his shoulders.

Then there was silence between them, only broken by Alex's occasional groans when she hit a particularly rough spot, he was convinced that her hands were magic by the time she slowed down and he was leaning back into her nearly pressing all his weight into her as she ran her fingers over the muscles in his upper arms and shoulders.

"So I was wondering," he started quietly, "If maybe, one of these days you'd want to go out with me?"

There, he said it.

Ivory froze, "You mean like a date?"

Alex leaned up slightly to look over his shoulder at her which suddenly put his face much closer than she was expecting, "Yeah, like a date."

"I'd like that." Ivory said nodding with a smile, and Alex couldn't help but return it.

She looked down at him being a couple inches taller form standing on her knees behind him and didn't even register her eyes flicking down from his to his lips and back, but Alex did there was no denying what he'd seen, and before he even realized what he was doing, leaned in a bit closer to Ivory closing the tiny gap of space between them.

Their lips were just about to touch when Ivory suddenly jerked backwards, "We should um," she stammered fixing her braid over her shoulder, "We should get to bed."

Ales cleared his throat and nodded, "Yeah," he said straightening up, "You're right." He climbed down off the counter then turned to help take Ivory down as well.

"Walk me to my room?" she questioned shyly and he nodded, because of course and they headed upstairs in tense silence.

Ivory's room had never seemed so far away before as she silently berated herself, why didn't she just kiss him? It was obvious that he liked her, and she knew she liked him. Why was she such an idiot?

After a short eternity, they finally made it to Ivory's room, luckily Alex's was right across the hall.

"Well, this is me." Ivory said standing in front of her door, "Thanks for walking me back, and for keeping me company tonight."

"No problem," Alex responded standing in front of her with his arms folded across his chest, "Thanks for the massage."

"No problem." She nodded twisting the sleeves of the jacket she was around her hands, before suddenly remembering whose it was, "Oh, your hoodie." She said making to take it off.

"Keep it," he cut in holding up his hand, "It looks better on you anyway."

"Thanks," Ivory blushed, "Goodnight Alex."

"Night Ivy."

She turned and briefly fumbled with the doorknob, before finally turning it the right way and scrambling into her room. She closed the door behind her and stood there for a moment leaning her head against the doorjamb fighting the urge to knock her head into it until she beat some sense into herself.

"Stupid!" Stupid!" she whisper-yelled, "I'm an idiot." She took a deep breath and let it out before pulling open her door again happy to see that Alex hadn't entered his room yet.

"You forget some-" Ivory cut him off by closing the short distance between them and reaching up wrapping her hand around the back of his neck and pulling his face downward until their lips met.

Ales responded immediately bringing a hand up to the side of her neck to hold her in place, and placed the other one on her waist to pull her a little bit closer, as he kissed her back. Ivory went willingly bringing her other hand up to rest on his strong bicep, as their soft tentative kiss became a little bit more confident.

Ivory started it, and she also finished it as she started to pull away, and her hand slid from his neck to rest on his chest as she both took in short breaths.

"Goodnight." Ivory muttered again through a wide smile, patting his chest before turning quickly and scurrying back into her room closing the door behind her again. Nearly squealing on the other side instead of curing herself.

Meanwhile Alex said nothing, only smirked and brought a hand up to his lips, touching them with his fingers before turning and entering his own room. Both young mutants falling asleep with smiles on their faces.

Ivana Bocanegra: I got you bish.

ZabuzasGirl: Thank you!

We got a kiss folks! We got a kiss!

Alright people, some steps taken in a relationship direction, but next chapter we head to Cubs and things are gonna get messy. What would you like to see happen there? And how do you think Ivy is gonna react to Erik's actions?

As always let me know what you think and what you'd like to see in the future.