The next two weeks had everyone in the house watching and waiting, but Stryker wasn't acting yet. He was too busy dealing with the Mutant Registration Act to be kidnapping mutants from their beds. However, Erik had made it clear, it was a front to be able to locate powerful mutants. Luckily, the professor had been invited to go speak at a conference to discuss the Act and had asked Peter and Crystal to be a part of the team that accompanied him. Erik and Raven were left in charge of the school.

Peter had been involved in several conversations about if it was wise for Crystal to be in the same room as Stryker. Ultimately, he'd come to the conclusion that the professor wanted her with him to know she was safe. Plus, Crystal was bound to have a positive effect on members of the government. Peter was going for two reasons. Firstly (and he'd been smug about this) his Chrissy flat out refused to go without him. Secondly, the professor had meant it when he said he didn't want Crystal out of Peter's sight. He seemed to have a change of heart about the pair altogether. Crystal had even moved out of her suite and into Peter's room. Charles decided it was appropriate as long as there was no 'showboating with Scott', which sucked the fun out of it a little for Peter. Not that anything had happened since Christmas Eve. Peter still regretted his actions from that night, he was worried that he had rushed Crystal into something she didn't fully understand. For now, he was quite content, just knowing she was lying next to him.

So Peter, Crystal, Hank and the professor travelled to Washington to speak to the politicians who would vote on this Act. Peter wasn't hopeful after the events in Cario people were divided over mutant rights. People wanted to know who their neighbours were and what they could do.

'Have you seriously left all your packing till the last minute?' Crystal scowled, 'we need to take everything down to car'. She had been packing for days and was still unsure about what to take.

There was a flurry around her, as the cases seemingly packed themselves and piled up at the door. Peter appeared statue-like beside them, except for the smirk that materialised across this face.

'That's not fair, and I hate it when you do that.' She didn't know why she bothered to pretend to be cross. The smile in her eyes always gave her away. Peter winked, and the suitcases disappeared.

She rushed downstairs to meet him and fell into his arms with a startle at the bottom of the stairs. 'So, you don't like this? You really hate it?' teasingly he pulled her further into him for a kiss.

'Ahem, the car's out front. It's time to go.' Hank hurried them out the door.

When they had got there, they were mainly ignored. Well, Peter was. Hank was speaking to experts on the science behind mutants and the benefits of having then within the general population. The professor was requested for private discussions with senators and colonels. And Crystal. Crystal was the star of the show. Everyone was enamoured with her, clearly recognising her mutation. She was too graceful, too flawless to be anything else. She, with the professor, talked to as many people as possible trying to gain support. Peter knew what was happening. She was trying so hard to make a good impression, she was imposing that onto anyone who heard her. Still, it was impressive to watch. They were all bending over backwards, trying to please her, getting her anything she needed. Peter would have felt jealous if he didn't know she despised the fact she was here and would give anything for him to whisk her away.

The main event for the team was the professor's big speech, where he talked about compassion and how fear-mongering would cause humans and mutants to fight unnecessarily. He spoke of ethics and a sound education system. They had planned it to the letter making sure, that while the professor's words were meaningful, they got Stryker's attention. They needed to leave the room knowing Stryker was going to come for them. During the speech, the professor had gained some support, but there were grumbles, some were more vocal.

'How can we be expected to protect ourselves against these mutants if we don't know who they are or what they can do?'

'Senator Kelly' spoke the professor 'if mutants and humans are taught ethically and understand tolerance, you won't need to protect yourself.'

'Would a gun stop every mutant that could break into your home? Yes or no?' This was from Stryker and Peter felt Crystal stiffen at the back of the room.

'No' uttered the professor 'but killing one mutant could cause an uprising that would be uncontrollable.'

'How?' There was a sense of nervousness now amongst the soldiers and bodyguards in the room.

It was showtime.

'My daughter Crystal, for example, she can control the elements. If she chooses to, she could drown everyone in the room with a glass of water or burn the building to the ground.' All eyes turned to the back of the room to stare at the beautiful mutant by his side. God, he hoped this worked. 'She would not, of course, because she has been taught better. That's what you need to do for all mutants. If you act out in violence against one mutant, you may find a revolution on your hands which is uncontrollable.'

The professor had gotten into Stryker's head and had him motioned his fingers to have soldiers pointed their guns at Crystal. Peter knew his move. He collected their weapons and sat on the stage with them piled by him before anyone had time to aim.

'You see if we do not teach tolerance and respect. If we do not show young mutants not to be scared and let them live normal lives, they will fight the system. They would cause damage beyond repair. If they see the government pulling mutants from their beds, registering mutants and limiting their freedom, they will act from fear.'

'Thank you, professor, for the demonstration.' Peter helped the professor down to the back of the room, and out the double doors.

'Did it work?' Hank asked eagerly.

'Yes, Stryker is highly interested in Peter and Crystal. He won't be hunting mutants down anytime soon'.

'Did you need to have all the guns pointed at my head?' Crystal wasn't showing any signs of anger, just shock. 'How is that going to help?'

'They needed to see how mutants would bound together if they felt threatened. They need to see us as a collective, our little demonstration was the perfect example. Besides, I'd never let them shoot you, darling.' The professor spoke quietly, his mind clearly focusing on the room they had just left. 'It has gone over well with more modern members. Some, thanks to Hank, have come to see the benefits of mutants in society. Of course, we were never going to change the minds of the more hardcore and extreme views'.

Later that evening, as it was the final evening of the event, the team were invited to a ball. How had Peter ended up at two of these in the last seven months? He hated these things. Politicians pretending to be kind to them. Making pleasantries. At least the professor had the opportunity to explain and persuade. Peter thought that this night would be pointless until Crystal stepped out in the hall to meet him, Hank and her father. She stood in a flapper-style silver gown and matching heels. Her neckline plunged, showing off her elegant neck and collarbone. The silver fabric had subtle purple embroidery in between an array of sequins and jewels, the light causing the dress to sparkle. Her hair was placed in an elaborate twist, showing off the earrings she had received for Christmas. And on her delicate wrist sat the bracelet Peter had brought her, with an added charm of the US Capitol Building to commemorate her visit. She was a vision, leaving him gobsmacked. Of course, he knew Crystal was beautiful, but tonight she was a precious gemstone, the envy of all other women. She took his arm so he could accompany her to the event.

He really wished they had just gone anywhere else instead, as it wasn't long before Stryker found them and ruined the evening before it began. 'Well if it isn't Xavier's elite mutants. What are you doing here?'

Peter just wanted to beat the shit out of him, but Crystal was next to him, and he wouldn't put her at risk. Running would create suspicion. There was no choice but to talk it out. Plus, the professor wanted Stryker to be drawn to them as opposed to hunting down defenceless children.

'We were invited. People want to hear what we have to say, unlike you. Now run along Colonel before you start something you can't finish, again.' It was cocky, but Peter had no patience for the piece of shit stood in front of him.

'Watch who you're talking to. I got you once. Next time I'll have you split open in a lab before you have time to summon a group of kids to save you.' He spat when he spoke from pure frustration.

Crystal hadn't moved. She had barely breathed. Stryker looked her up and down, then locked eyes with her. She looked like she was going to faint. 'You look familiar, have we met?' There was a coldness to his tone, which unnerved Peter. Time to end the reunion. 'She's been here all week idiot.' As he spoke, he grabbed Crystal and whisked her across the room.

'That was foolish. You shouldn't provoke Stryker, it'll put a target on your back'. The concern in her voice moved him.

'That's the point remember. Now, stop worrying and dance with me'. In his urge to remove Crystal away from Stryker, he had led her to the dance floor in the middle of the room. It allowed them a few moments to be alone, even with all the eyes on them. He pulled her in close, his hand in the small of her back. Crystal rested her head on his shoulder, oblivious to everyone else in the room.

'This reminds me of the night we met.' Crystel leant up to whisper in his ear, 'you were rude the first time you spoke to me, do you remember?'

'I was annoyed. I thought you were there to kill the professor. I remember thinking it'd be easier to take her down if she wasn't so beautiful.' He hoped his flattery would make her feel more at ease in the crowded room.

She giggled at the thought, 'You did not think that, and if you did that wasn't the phrasing you used.'

Peter gave her his signature half sided smile. 'Do you think anyone would notice if we disappeared?'

'They might notice, but I'd like to see them try and stop you from leaving'.

That was enough confirmation for Peter. And while he could have removed his hands from their hold and had them anywhere else, he knew the professor wouldn't approve. Instead, he twirled her out of the room just fast enough that no one could interrupt his plan. The adjacent courtyard that had been lit up by thousands of fairy lights and candles. Being January, it was cold enough that no one was out there to disturb them. Crystal reacted to the change in temperature and gave a little shudder. Concern grew on Peter's face 'Do you want to go back inside?'

'No, I can fix it'. Closing her eyes, Crystal focused on the frost that was covering the surfaces in the courtyard, imagining it thawing away. The air around them began to heat up under her command, leaving them feeling the warmth of a pleasant summer evening instead of a harsh winter's night. Once her body was no longer shivering, and they had some privacy, they could enjoy the solitude they had created. Knowing that it wasn't going to last forever, Crystal wanted to take in every moment. She knew that her father's plan was dangerous and that she and Peter might not have this opportunity again for a long time. 'Peter..'

'I know. Let's not spoil it by worrying'.