Awkwardly stood in Stryker's shadow, Crystal drank in her surroundings. It was a world she could never imagine stuck in her cell. She was overwhelmed. The wealth spread around the room. She could smell it. She could see it on the portly blotchy faces of the whisky drinkers walking past, staring intently at her. It filled her with discomfort. Having been born in the facility, this was her first glance at the outside world, and she didn't like what she saw; the world seemed cruel and selfish.

She had been warned to be courteous and polite. The usual punishment would apply for any slip-ups in demeanour. She had even been given strict instruction not to start any conversations. Nodding and smiling were her two options unless told to follow the script Stryker had given her. This was quite frankly a relief because she couldn't imagine a worse form of torture than discussing pleasantries with these kinds of people.

She subtly shifted herself to the side of the room. She felt safe here. The air wasn't as dense, and she was able to create a gentle breeze across her face to cool herself down. If Stryker saw her using her powers in public, he would undoubtedly try and beat her on the spot. She thought no one had seen but quickly realised she was mistaken. From the corner of her eyes, Crystal noticed two men staring at her. She instantly recognised they were not the type who felt at home here either. The first was an older gentleman, in the standard suit and bow tie. He was seated in a wheelchair but seemed to have a presence that could control the whole room if he wanted to. He was making direct eye contact with her. Crystal had a strange sensation that he was learning everything there was to know about her from that one look.

As intense as he was, his companion seemed equally as frantic. He had swiftly broken her eye contact with the former with his static movements. He was much younger than the gentlemen he was speaking to. Maybe a similar age to herself. He was the most underdressed person in the room. He stood in a slim, light grey suit, with a matching tie. Interestingly, his hair was a similar shade despite his young age. As Crystal studied him, she realised it was closer to silver than grey. She laughed at the bored look on his face, she could see he wanted the night to be over, and he didn't care if everyone knew it. She wished she was as brave with her emotions as he was. The stranger leaned in to speak to his companion, nodded and began to walk towards her. He was as graceful and swift walking as he was standing still. His eyes suddenly bored into hers as he darted across the sea of people. Memorised by his dark brown eyes, she didn't realise he was somehow already by her side, imposing on the breeze she had created.

'Hey'.

Hey? He was going with 'hey'. It wasn't the greeting she had expected, and it threw her off guard. She was now confident that he belonged here as much as she did. She wasn't sure how to respond, so just had to repeat the phrases she had been coached. 'Good evening'.

'Peter'

'Crystal'

'The professor would like to speak to you'. His tone suggested an annoyance that Crystal couldn't fathom as she watched him turn and walk away. Was she that dull that he couldn't walk with her or hold a conversation? Granted she probably was (having spent her whole life in captivity) but he didn't know that. He seemed to be the only exciting person in the room, and he couldn't bear to look at her. Worse than that revelation, was the fact that it mattered to her at all. It wasn't like they were ever going to be friends, but she felt strangely drawn to him.

Intrigued, she followed him. Her lace, cream dress floating behind her as she moved between members of congress and diplomates. She tried to move in the path he'd created, but she couldn't work out how he had gotten to his companion so quickly.

When she finally joined them, the professor gave her a greeting that was more in line with how she had heard the senators speak to each other. 'Good evening, Crystal, I do hope Peter was playing nicely'.

She knew it was rude, but she couldn't resist. 'You may have to send him to a good finishing school if you want to keep bringing him out in public'. The professor laughed more than what she expected, while Peter just scoffed.

'Well allow me to introduce myself, professor Charles...'

He didn't get to finish his sentence as Stryker came up from behind her and grabbed her arm forcefully. 'Professor, this is an invitation-only event. I imagine you have forced your way through again'.

'Actually Colonel, I was invited. Being an expert in a key political topic gets you invited to many exclusive events. By the way, Colonel, I believe you are causing the lady some discomfort'. He was right. She could feel her skin bruising under the pressure of his grip.

'What I do with my possessions is none of your concern'. Stryker tightened his hold to the point that Crystal winced and a small yelp escaped her lips. As the sound left her lips, she felt that Stryker's hand had been removed from her arm. He seemed infuriated. 'Touch me again, and I'll have you arrested faster than you can...'

'I highly doubt that' smirked Peter, 'but if you put your hands on her again, you'll know about it'.

He seemed so sure Stryker wouldn't attempt anything, it made Crystal wondered if they had met before. She caught his eyes and saw him give her a one-sided smile. He alluded confidence. His earlier annoyance with her had melted away in one short conversation, but she wasn't sure as to why.

'We're done here. Crystal, you came here to do a job now do it'. Stryker lifted his arm to drag her away but seemed to compose himself after a quick staredown with an angered Peter and walked away. Crystal muttered a thank you and followed.

Throughout the rest of the night, Stryker paraded her in front of groups of senators. She delivered the routine that Stryker had made her memorise and rehearse. The whole time she could feel the other two mutants watching her.

'But Colonel, think back to Cario. Without mutants, we would all be dead. We can not agree to a registration act that could harm the greater good'.

'Crystal, do you have anything to say on the matter'. Crystal didn't answer. She was too busy watching her new acquaintances move very distinctly to opposite sides of the dancefloor, in the middle of the room. 'Did you hear that Crystal?' Her attention has been snapped back to Stryker, standing in front of her.

'I am so sorry, Sir. What was the question?' Now she knew she was in trouble. She was meant to deliver a perfectly timed speech; instead, she'd been distracted by the dark brown eyes staring at her from across the room.

'Stop boring the girl with politics Stryker. A pretty, young girl like that doesn't want to talk about mutant registration. Young lady, please join me in a dance.' The elderly gentleman, who had clearly misread why she had turned her attention towards the dancefloor, took her arm gently and lead her to the floor. The band began to play a new song, the singer started to coo 'somewhere'. As she went to place herself in the correct hold, she was surprised to see the senator had been replaced by the silver-haired mutant. How had he done that without anyone noticing?

'Stryker is going to kill you'.

'Wouldn't be the first time he's tried. Anyway, I'm just a distraction. The professor still wants to speak to you'. He took her hand as he said this, while his right hand draped around her waist. His hold was a lot firmer than the senator's, pulling her into his body took Crystal by surprise.

Desperate for a distraction, she was about to ask how she could to speak to the professor when she heard a voice clearly in her head.

'Hello again Crystal, I'm professor Charles Xavier. No, don't turn round. You must try not to look at me, we don't want anyone catching on'.

She continued to dance and did as the professor asked. She wasn't ashamed to say she was enjoying being away from Stryker's grasp and in the arms of the enigma in front of her. She looked up mid-thought and gave her a one-sided smile, which made her heart jump into her throat.

'Sorry to cut you off of that lovely thought but we don't have a lot of time. I want to know why Stryker calls you the Xavier project'.

'I didn't know he did. He keeps my file in his case, he likes to show it off to like-minded people. I'm sure you have the means to steal it.'

'As much as I don't doubt you. I don't want to solely trust Stryker's paperwork and would like to do my own tests'.

'I've been a lab rat before. I don't want to go through that again'. As she thought this, Peter had span her across the floor and pulled her closer to his body. She took a sharp intake of breath, which made him smile again. Did he know the effect he was having on her?

'Of course, I wouldn't be asking that. I'd invite you to my school for a week and then it is your choice. You can leave or if you wish you may stay'.

'Stryker won't just let me leave'. Crystal would love to leave the control of Stryker and leave with these two strangers, but she knew she had to be realistic. She could never go, she'd be trapped forever.

'Don't worry. Your departure can be arranged'.

The song was coming to an end and Crystal needed to give an answer. Peter has spun her again, and she had lost concentration, making her begin to trip. As she slowly stumbled, she felt his body crushing against hers before anyone could even notice she had lost her balance. Crystal met his eyes and felt an intense heat run through her body. She looked down and saw how close their lips were. It panicked her that she had lost control, but her primary source of worry was how secure she felt in his arms.

'Yes,' she whispered 'I'll go with you'.

'Perfect, now that's settled we'll get going.'

Crystal's arms were still clinging around his neck from her fall. His hands had slid down to the curves of her hips. Her lace dress hugged her figure, and his hands enjoyed being wrapped around her supple body. She hadn't pulled away, and he didn't want her to. When she dropped her eyes to avoid his gaze, he took the opportunity to look around the room. The professor had frozen everyone, which meant he had gotten the result he wanted.

The blonde beauty seemed to realise the room was in complete silence and slowly pulled away to see the professor had approached them. He reluctantly released her from his hold and awaited further instruction.

'If you could do this, why bother with the dance in the first place?' Clearly, Crystal was confused by the professor's methods. But hey, so was he, though he didn't regret their close proximity for the last three minutes. Although, Peter's plan would have been much quicker, and he'd be back at the mansion listening to his music at this point.

The professor kept his composure, despite the panic in Crystal's eyes. 'I find it is less intimidating when one feels they have a choice or sense of control in the situation. Now, we shall continue this conversation at the mansion, but it is time for you to be leaving'. He turned his attention to Peter now, 'take her to the car, I'll follow shortly'.

'Stryker isn't just going to let me walk out of her. He'll hunt me down'. Crystal felt she was pointing out the obvious, but the two men did not seem interested in that glaring problem.

'In a few minutes he won't even know who you are and you'll have what you've always wanted. Complete freedom.' The professor was offering the impossible promise. Peter doubted she'd even be free. For some reason, Stryker had her in his sights, and he was a difficult opponent to shake off. The only way Crystal could be free of Stryker was to stay in the mansion or face a life on the run.

'Can I get my file?'

The professor nodded. Crystal didn't move as she forced the air against the briefcase, creating a small breeze to carry the file to her. It was huge. Even at top speed, it would take him a while to get through all that. Not that he would be reading it, but Hank would have a field day sieving through it. Surely there would be something interesting to pique the genius' interest.

'Telekinetic then' Peter muttered.

'Not quite'. The little smirk Crystal gave made him want to delve into her mutation, but he knew now wasn't the time. Instead, he took a step forward and put his hand around her slender neck. He couldn't help but notice how soft and delicate her skin was. He could tell she was about to ask what he was doing. But, before she could open her mouth, he whisked her away to the car and placed her in the backseat. Once she was buckled in, he slowed down to join her in 'real-time'.

'It'll pass, happens to everyone'. Peter caught her expression in the rearview mirror.

'Should I feel like I've been through severe trauma?'

He gave her a half-laugh. Crystal sat with her head in her hands, dizzy from the swift movement. It was uncomfortable to watch her suffer. She gave off a sense of vulnerability that gave Peter the urge to protect her. Within a millisecond, he was sat on the backseat with her, gently rubbing small circles on her back. He didn't know if it would help, but the roses in her cheek began to bloom again, and she managed to lift her head to meet his gaze. She was breath-taking, even in her half-shocked state. Her eyes were like two still pools of water, with such clarity he could almost see himself in them. Her skin, though pale, was flawless silk. Her lips a deep rose pink against her ivory complexion, drawing in all his attention.

Peter was about to say something he would regret when he saw the professor reach the main doors. 'The professor is on his way'. Peter popped out the door opened the trunk, ready to place the wheelchair in. After the professor was seated, he put the chair away and was back in the driver's seat, ready to go.

'Don't worry, we'll be home in no time'.

'Take it slow Peter' the professor warned.

Peter glanced over his shoulder and winked at Crystal. In return, she flashed him a brilliant, white smile. Stunning even. He was going to have to make sure he didn't get distracted by her presence.