And we have another chapter guys :) Sorry it has taken so long :/ We'll get straight down to business - I only own my own characters - anything else belongs to their respective owners. Reviews and constructive criticism are welcome as always - flames will be doused by Erik's lasso!

X-Men The Imperfect Angel Saga – Part Two: Second Chances

Chapter One: And Sometimes in Darkness, I Dream that you are There...

Caroline's POV

Once we arrived in New York, I immediately went in search of breakfast, with Erik in tow – yet I could immediately pick up his nerves - as he stayed close beside me the entire time. Yet instead of going straight to my usual breakfast haunt, I made my way towards the museum in New York - hoping to drum up some business with my busking. But before I could open my mouth and sing, I noticed a group of people going into the museum. However something about them made me curious, so much so I wanted to take a closer look – and so without warning I followed them inside without waiting for Erik. We eventually found our way to a dinosaur exhibit, as I looked at the people curiously. It was then I realised they must be a school group, as there were groups of children and teenagers – as well as three adults. It was then I recognised two of the adults – they were the same people I encountered on the snow covered road about a year ago. But who was the other woman? She had short choppy red hair and looked like she was probably in her late twenties, early thirties I think. However the other woman had changed since I saw her last – as she also had short choppy hair - but it was still the same white colour as before. What were they doing here? I am guessing a school trip, but why would they be here for? I shook my head a little, before deciding to walk through towards the canteen, in the hopes I would find some of the other students. But why did I want to find them so badly? Was it perhaps I had hoped to find a kindred spirit? Was I hoping they would go to a place I could call home? I eventually found a group of students, and I sat down nearby to just observe. They all looked like to be in their late teens – there were two boys both with the same gelled up spiky hairstyle, and a girl with red hair that had a streak of white running down the right and left side. There were also two other boys standing above them, and there appeared to be some sort of confrontation going on. Suddenly it all happened all too quickly as one of the boy's arm was set on fire - something didn't feel right as I felt the stirrings of a meltdown - before the other boy used ice to put it out. Just as everyone froze in place I lost control of my powers, as I went into full meltdown, and everything turned black around me.

When I woke up some time later, I panicked as I didn't recognise my surroundings.

"It's ok you're safe now. But you have proved very hard to sense on Cerebro – it would appear your powers are very sporadic and manifest during times of emotional anguish or high stress. We had to get your friend here to help carry you to the X-Jet as you completely lost consciousness." When I looked to my right I saw a bald man sitting in a wheelchair – he looked to be about late thirties, early forties. But what was he talking about – what was Cerebro? What was the X-Jet?

"Who are you? What is Cerebro? What is the X-Jet?" I asked quickly in succession.

"I am Professor Charles Xavier. Cerebro is a machine of my own design – I use my telepathic powers to find mutants – like yourself and your friend here. The X-Jet is one of our means to get around, and get to places where our help is needed." He replied concisely.

"So Erik is indeed a mutant – I suspected that was the case, but I was unable to get it confirmed until now." I said stoically.

"What do you mean by the term mutant?" Erik asked suddenly.

"A mutant is an organism, or in this case person, that is different from others of its type because of a permanent change in its genes. Basically a mutation in a person's genetics has caused powers to manifest. We as a school teach the children to control and eventually use their powers for good – and I hope to get the world to understand that we are not dangerous. I have formed a team I call the X-Men who help combat threats to the world's safety. We hope in time you will come to control your powers, and join our team." Professor Xavier replied concisely.

"I...I...don't know what to do." I said, as I broke down into frantic sobs, and I began hyperventilating. I felt a loss of control as I heard several voices in my head. But what was happening to me? Why could I hear all of these different voices in my head? Did I manage to pick up on Charles' telepathic powers somehow? But when did Charles use his telepathic powers? Was the room being frozen in time something to do with his powers? Yet before everything turned black around me, another voice pierced my mind – slowly making my mind feel calm, and lessening the voices I could hear.

"What happened?" I whispered groggily.

"You let out a sob, before you began hyperventilating and fisting your hair. It appeared you couldn't hear me at first, and you were mumbling under your breath – but I couldn't tell what you were saying – but eventually you calmed down as it appeared you could hear my voice." Erik explained concisely.

"Follow me Caroline and Erik and we can begin control lessons right away." Professor Xavier said suddenly.

"Control lessons? Why do I need control lessons?" Erik asked curiously.

"It would appear you don't need any lessons on controlling your powers. But you may be able to help Caroline control her powers. I'm not sure if it is anything to do with your mutation or not - but it would appear you have a positive effect on Caroline's mental state." Professor Xavier replied concisely. I watched as Erik nodded, before we followed Charles out of the room. Yet as we walked down the corridors - with teenagers running past us along the way – I looked around nervously as I waited for another meltdown to occur. Yet no-one was using their powers – was there a rule to only use their powers in a classroom environment, or did Professor Xavier tell the students not to use their powers in front of me? Yet how would he communicate such a message to all of the students without my knowledge? Did he perhaps do it whilst I was unconscious? Soon enough we arrived in a large metal room, and I immediately looked around in confusion.

"Where are we? What is this room for?" I asked quietly.

"This room I call the Danger Room – we use it to teach the students to use their powers in different situations. It also helps us teach the students control without the other students getting hurt. This room is virtually indestructible – so you can throw anything at this room and it won't get damaged." Professor Xavier explained concisely.

"Now the first task I would like you to try is drawing on one of your powers – just one - and throwing it at this target here." Professor Xavier said – watching as a small round target came out of the ground. But what power should I draw on? How many powers have I witnessed and learnt? I then remembered the boy from today – the one who used ice to extinguish a fire. I closed my eyes and focused on the image of ice forming in my hands. Yet something else came to the forefront of my mind – the woman with white hair forming a snowstorm. I sensed a snowstorm forming – as I felt its icy embrace surrounding me – feeling like a comforting and safe embrace. Yet when I heard Professor Xavier's voice pierce my mind, I felt the snowstorm increase in intensity – as I instinctively tried to block his voice from my mind.

"Please don't shut me out Caroline – I want you to focus on one power and one voice. Focus on my voice Caroline – focus on nothing else but my voice." Yet despite all my efforts, I couldn't bring myself to follow his instructions. Suddenly another voice pierced my mind.

"Caroline, listen to the sound of my voice. You can do this I have complete faith in you." I then concentrated my efforts on forming a single icicle of ice, rather than an entire snowstorm.

"Well done Caroline you hit the target. I'll allow you to rest for now – we'll try the same lesson again tomorrow." Professor Xavier said jovially. But what was I supposed to do now my lesson was over? After all my violin didn't come back with me, so I couldn't play that – was there a library here? Or was there perhaps a way I could retrieve my violin from the Phantom's world? I looked around as I realised Erik wasn't following me. With a small smile I closed my eyes, before conjuring an image of the Phantom's lair in my mind. When I opened my eyes, I smiled as I found myself in the Phantom's lair. Yet as I looked around, I noticed the fact that the Phantom's lair was pristine, as if the Phantom was still living there. I then made my way towards Madame Giry's room – remembering that was the last place I saw my violin. I smiled when no-one was inside and I found the violin standing propped up against a corner by her bed. Almost like she couldn't bear to move it. After picking it up, I immediately teleported myself back to Professor Xavier's school. Once I arrived back at the school, I immediately went in search of a quiet place to play. Soon enough I found an empty room, surrounded by bookshelves filled to the brim with books. After proceeding to tune the instrument – doing so carefully like it was an old friend. I then started playing the last song I played, before returning to this world - the song I have titled 'Never Enough'. Yet why was I playing such a melancholic song? I have started to gain control of my powers, and although I nearly had a meltdown, it never came to the surface at its worst. Yet I was so lost in my own little world, I jumped when someone touched me on the arm – causing the violin to screech in response.

"Caroline there you are! I was worried when I sensed you using your powers. I never knew you played the violin."

"I had to return to the Phantom's world to retrieve it. Music means the world to me and I missed it so much." I replied quietly, before placing the violin back on my left shoulder. Without waiting for a response from the Professor, I immediately started playing another song – as I tried to understand the emotions swirling through my mind. Yet the song that came from the violin was unrecognisable to me. Did I yet again manage to compose a song on the spot? But when I played the song again, it sounded like it was meant to be a duet. But how did I a soloist manage to compose a duet? But before I could question things any further, I felt a touch on my shoulder.

"Caroline there you are! Where have you been?" Erik's melodic voice asked gently. But I was unable to reply, as I saw Erik's line of sight travel down to the violin.

"How did your violin get here? I thought it was left behind in my world." He continued in a whisper.

"I...I...got it back...I missed the music so...it was calling to me..." I replied hesitatingly.

"Caroline talk to me please. I thought the Professor warned you about using your powers, especially outside a classroom environment and when you haven't got full control of them yet." Erik said pleadingly. Yet I couldn't bring myself to reply as my breathing became shallow.

"Caroline...breathe in and out for me...just like you did before a show..." I heard Erik instruct faintly. Yet instead of following his instructions, I surrendered to the darkness as a familiar lyric resonated through my mind – "and sometimes in darkness, I dream that you are there..."