So sorry this has taken a long time and it isn't as long as my usual chapters :/ I have started being in self isolation because I have had a fever and a bit of a cold :/ But doesn't look like it is too serious - anyway that has affected my creativity a little bit - although it has given me more time to write :) Reviews are welcome as always and I don't own anything apart from my OC Caroline - anything else belongs to their respective owners. Now on with the show!

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

Chapter Four: Close your Eyes and Surrender to your Darkest Dreams...

Caroline's POV

It had been several hours since my latest emotional outburst, and I stopped playing my violin as I felt unable to focus on playing my instrument correctly. But what was wrong with me? Why couldn't I play correctly when just before I was able to do so? Was this what happened when I played my violin for too long – especially after such a violent emotional outburst? I proceeded to continue playing until I heard a voice say gently.

"Caroline...you need to stop. You are exhausted and all this playing will exhaust you even further."

"But I want to keep playing." I replied tearfully.

"I know you do – I know what it is like to love your instrument that much, that you will do anything to keep playing. But everyone has their limits; even I cannot play for all hours of the day - and I have been playing for about twenty years." Erik explained gently. I reluctantly put my violin away for now – knowing Erik won't stop trying to persuade me otherwise until I stopped playing. For a moment there was a pregnant silence, with a tension that could be cut with a knife, until Erik said.

"So what would you like to do now? Read a book perhaps? Explore the grounds of the mansion – I have heard that the mansion has the most beautiful gardens."

"I like the sound of seeing the gardens – especially since it is such a lovely day today." I replied jovially, hoping to distract myself from the need to continue playing my instrument. After putting on a coat we made our way to the back door, before exiting the mansion. I closed my eyes and smiled as I felt the sun hit my face – a sensation I wasn't sure I would ever feel again – especially after being transported to the Phantom's world about a year ago. But I didn't want to imagine a world without sunshine, as it would bring my mood down – and I wasn't sure I would be able to get out of such a stupor. All I could hear around me was the breeze rustling through the leaves, and the birds singing in the trees. As the walk progressed I found myself unconsciously humming.

"How do you know that song? I have never sung that song before – so how do you know it?" Erik breathed, that was when I realised I was unconsciously humming 'Music of the Night' under my breath.

"My mother used to sing it to me when I was young – it helped me fall asleep at night. Even though my mother no longer sings it to me, I still remember it – it will never leave me. She'll always be there singing songs in my head." I said sadly. I jumped back suddenly when I felt a hand on my cheek.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you – I only wanted to comfort you - you were crying." Erik said gently.

"I was?" I asked quietly, brows furrowing in confusion.

"I am going to head inside – I am feeling tired all of a sudden." I continued, and without waiting for a reply from Erik, I made my way towards the mansion. I immediately went to my room, before collapsing into bed without changing first – not realising where I had actually ended up.

~Erik's POV~

After Caroline walked towards the mansion, I went in search of her – worried for her well-being. Yet when I reached the mansion, I couldn't find her anywhere as she wasn't in her room. So if she wasn't in her room, then where was she? I tried the library first, followed by the Danger Room and then the Professor's office – yet she wasn't in any of them. So where was she? Where would she go when she is distressed? As I continued to look around, I found myself bumping into one of the students.

"My apologies I wasn't looking where I was going. But what can I do for you? I can tell something is wrong." I looked up to see one of the X-Men in front of me – the red head who normally hangs around the guy who wears the red tinted shades.

"I was wondering if you have seen Caroline anywhere. We were walking in the gardens, when Caroline said she was feeling tired, she went back towards the mansion, yet she is not in her room." I replied concisely.

"I caught a glimpse of her when she entered the mansion, she did look very tired, and I think she might have ended up in your room by accident." She replied. After thanking her for her assistance, I made my way towards my room. But how and why did she end up in there? I reached my room, and saw her still in her day clothes, sleeping peacefully in my bed. Yet I couldn't bring myself to disturb her, as I know she seems to have trouble sleeping, especially ever since she returned to her world. I am only down the corridor from her room, and there have been some nights when I have heard her wandering the corridors. But instead of leaving the room, I sat myself down in a chair and watched over her - in case her powers manifest themselves in her panic waking up in a strange room. Yet before long I found my eyes drooping as she continued to sleep peacefully, and I soon saw darkness as I succumbed to sleep at last.

~Caroline's POV~

I woke up suddenly to find myself sleeping in a strange room, with Erik sleeping peacefully in a chair beside the bed. But where was I, and how did I end up here?

"It's ok; you ended up in my room. I stayed beside you in case you panicked when you woke up here." A gentle voice explained, to which I looked to my left to see Erik sitting up in the chair.

"How long have I been asleep for?" I asked curiously.

"I think a couple of hours at least – although I am not sure for certain since I fell asleep." Erik replied concisely.

"What would you like to do now you are awake?" Erik asked curiously. As if responding to his question my stomach growled loudly.

"It appears it is now around dinnertime – we should go down to the dining hall before all the food gets eaten by the students." Erik said jovially. And so after brushing the wrinkles out of my outfit, we made our way downstairs. Yet as I got closer to the dining room, I found myself unconsciously tapping a rhythm with my fingers, as the anxiety and the nerves kicked in. I looked down when I felt another larger hand clasp mine.

"It's going to be ok – the Professor has assured me none of the students will use their powers around you. They only use them during classroom hours until further notice."

"I hate making people go out of their way for me. I guess I just don't like being a burden on people." I said quietly.

"You're not being a burden at all – the Professor is obviously looking out for the wellbeing of all of his students. Safety is paramount and since your powers are still so unpredictable, he doesn't want any of his students getting hurt." Erik explained gently as we sat at the table.

"I guess that's understandable – I wonder how long it will take before I can get my powers under control." I mused.

"That I cannot be 100% sure about I'm afraid – maybe it will be something to ask the Professor next time we see him. He might be able to shed a little light on the full extent of your powers." Erik said with a shake of his head, before taking a mouthful of food. With a sigh I focused on eating my dinner, as all this talk of my powers was starting to wear me down.

"Caroline are you ok? You've gone very quiet." Erik asked suddenly.

"Everything is fine thank you." I clipped evenly.

"Please Caroline don't shut me out. I only want to help you – but ever since you have returned to your world you have become more withdrawn. I am worried about you – and your well-being. But never lock away your emotions – especially since you appear to be so sensitive to them. If you lock them away too much you will exhaust yourself." Erik said gently, taking my hand before rubbing my knuckles in small circles.

"I guess I do so because most of the time I cannot voice them, nor explain them - so I feel it is better to just ignore or lock them away instead." We soon finished our dinner, and after putting our plates in the designated area to be washed, we made our way to the library to sit and read a while. Yet when I tried to read the book in front of me, the words became a jumbled mess – causing me to rub my head tiredly in annoyance.

"I think it is time for you to go to bed – you are clearly still very tired – and trying to stay awake will only tire you further."

"I'm ok – I'm not tired." I clipped evenly. But instead of responding, Erik gently took the book from me, before leading me out of the library and going in the direction of my room.

"Ok I'll go to bed – but I don't necessarily have to like it." I said quietly with a pout and my arms crossed. Yet the moment my head touched the pillow I immediately fell asleep – all the while hoping for a dreamless sleep – and hearing Erik singing me to sleep. The last lyric I heard was:

"Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams..."