So hi guys another chapter :) Hope everyone is staying safe and well. As you know I only own my OC - all other characters and lyrics belong to their respective owners. Reviews and constructive criticism are welcome as always and on with the show!
X-Men The Imperfect Angel Saga – Part Two: Second Chances
Chapter Five: And I Will Never Let You Fall...
Erik's POV
After singing Caroline to sleep, I made my way to my room which was next door. I guess the Professor was worried that if Caroline was having a nightmare, she might unconsciously use some of her powers, and be a danger to the students. I had hoped for a calm and peaceful night's sleep tonight – but sadly that wasn't to be as I heard thunder rumbling ominously. Yet it was supposed to be a clear night tonight – so why could I hear thunder? I then remembered the mutant who could control the weather. Was Caroline having a nightmare? After grabbing my robe, I ran in the direction of Caroline's room. Yet when I got there the doorway was shut fast and surrounded by lightning. So how would I get inside to calm her down?
"Erik something is wrong: I sensed some abnormal weather patterns." Two voices said simultaneously. I turned around to see Storm and the Professor coming towards me.
"It appears Caroline is having a nightmare – but I am not sure how I can get into the room to calm her down." I replied concisely.
"Let me try and calm down the current thunder storm." Storm said quietly. I watched closely as she stood directly in front of Caroline's room, before raising her arms and tried to calm things down – my mouth opening in a silent gasp as she appeared to absorb the lightning. Yet no matter how much she absorbed – more would appear in its stead.
"Couldn't Kurt help us get into the room? Like before when Caroline was passed out in the bathroom."
"That is a possibility – although without knowing what is on the other side of that door, I am worried for Kurt's safety." The Professor replied concisely.
"That is true – for all we know there could be a huge thunder cloud on the other side of the door, or something equally dangerous." I said matter of factly. But if that was the case, then what other options did we have?
"Professor – is there a way to project my thoughts into her mind? If I imagine myself singing her to sleep – would we be able to project that image to her mind, and hopefully calm her down?"
"That should be possible yes – especially for a powerful mutant such as me. I need your full concentration on such an image though – otherwise it will be almost impossible for me to home in and project the image." After taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and imagined myself singing to Caroline. As I continued to keep the image in my mind, I felt someone poking around my mind – but I made my mind stay calm to allow the Professor to complete his task.
"Erik – you can open your eyes now." I heard the Professor instruct through my mind. When I opened my eyes, I noticed the fact that the lightning storm had disappeared from the doorway. I guess the plan to calm her down had worked, and so everyone went towards their respective rooms to sleep, as did I.
~Caroline's POV~
I woke up the next morning to find myself exhausted. I also had the feeling I usually experienced when someone probed my mind. But what had happened the night before for someone to probe my mind as I slept? That was when I noticed that there were scorch marks on the walls - but where did they come from? I looked up suddenly when I heard a knock on the door.
"Caroline it's me, Erik. May I come in?"
"Yes you may." I replied, before rubbing my eyes a little. As the door opened, I noticed the fact that Erik's eyes opened wide in surprise. But what had surprised him so? The only difference to the room being the scorch marks littering the walls. Did he notice them, were they really that obvious?
"How are you feeling Caroline?" Erik asked curiously.
"Exhausted, and it also feels like someone probed my mind last night." I replied, before letting out a small yawn.
"Sounds like you still need to rest – I'll leave you alone to sleep."
"But I'm not tired I swear! But please don't leave me alone!"
"I can tell you are tired though. But I won't leave you alone if you don't want me to."
"I don't want to be left alone – please don't leave me alone." I pleaded tearfully.
"It's ok. I'm here – I'll always be here." Erik said gently, before tucking me into bed. I smiled as he stroked my hair gently, and that was when I looked into his eyes and saw something swirling within their depths. But what was I seeing in his eyes? Was it love? Did he have any feelings for me at all - or was he just viewing me as a friend or younger sister?
"Will you sing me to sleep? The song you wrote which is my favourite."
"Of course, I only ever strive for your happiness." Erik said gently, taking a breath and opening his mouth to sing. I smiled as the familiar strains of Music of the Night echoed around the room. Yet the last thing I heard after the song finished, before I fell asleep was:
"I'll watch over you, always. And I will never let you fall."
~Erik's POV~
I woke up to find music in my head, and so after grabbing some paper from the nearby study – I frantically began writing down the notes as I made my way to the room containing the piano. I knew the next task to undertake would be to search for a local music store – in the hopes I could purchase some manuscript paper. But for now lined paper would have to do, as I didn't want to forget the notes in my head. I then sat in front of the piano and started to play what I had written down. As the music progressed I heard lyrics forming in my head, and without thinking I began to sing.
Let me be your wings
Let me be your only love
Let me take you far beyond the stars
I immediately found myself lost in the beauty of the music. Yet why was I writing such a song. It is clear from the lyrics it is a love song – so whom did I love? Did I really love Caroline? Or was she more of a friend or sister to me?
Let me be your wings
Let me lift you high above
Everything we're dreaming of will soon be ours.
Anything that you desire,
Anything at all.
Every day I'll take you higher
And I'll never let you fall.
Yet as the song progressed, I found myself realising something - I always strived for Caroline's happiness, as well as her safety. Isn't that, in part, the very definition of love?
Let me be your wings
Leave behind the world you know
For another world of wondrous things.
We'll see the universe and dance on Saturn's rings.
Fly with me and I will be your wings.
What world would Caroline leave behind if we did indeed form a relationship?
Anything that you desire,
Anything at all.
Every day I'll take you higher
And I'll never let you fall.
Let me be your wings
(You will be my only love)
My playing faltered as soon as I heard another voice join in – but how did they know what lyrics to sing, when I myself didn't know? Yet I quickly regained my composure – almost like nothing happened.
Get ready for a world of wondrous things
(Wondrous things are sure to happen)
We'll see the universe and dance on Saturn's rings.
Heaven isn't too far.
Heaven is where you are,
Stay with me and let me be your wings.
"That's a beautiful song – when did the idea come into your head?" A voice asked curiously – which I immediately recognised as belonging to Caroline.
"It came to me in the early hours of this morning I believe. Hard to tell since I have no clock in my room." I replied concisely.
"Who did you write it for?" Caroline asked curiously, as she rocked back and forth between the heels and the balls of her feet.
"To be honest I am not sure – usually I write the music because I am experiencing a particular emotion. The only time I dedicated anything to anyone was when I wrote Don Juan Triumphant." I replied, and that was when I noticed her eyes droop in sadness. But what had saddened her so? Yet without another word she walked out of the room. But what did she want me to say in response? Was there something I wasn't seeing?
"Ah Erik, just the person I wanted to see. Where is Caroline this morning? She is due for another control lesson soon." Professor Xavier said jovially.
"She was here mere moments ago. But I am not sure which direction she went in." I replied forlornly. I watched as the Professor held his hand to his temple, and closed his eyes - I guess he was trying to use his powers to sense her presence.
"I sense her presence in the library – but I am sensing some tumultuous emotions. I don't think it will be a good idea getting too close to her, just in case her emotions trigger her powers and hurt anyone." He said concisely.
"I feel like her current state is my fault. I wrote a song, and she joined in with me. But when she asked who I wrote it for, I said it was for no-one in particular, and that the last time I wrote anything for anyone was when I dedicated an entire opera to Christine. She seemed particularly upset after I said that. Am I led to believe she has perhaps developed feelings for me?" I replied sadly.
"It isn't your fault at all – although there is a possibility she developed feelings for you whilst she was in your world. However without having witnessed your interactions for long it is hard to tell for certain." The Professor replied concisely, before gently touching my shoulder in a fatherly gesture. I nodded before deciding on the next course of action, so Caroline didn't miss out on an important control lesson. I then decided to go towards the library, just to gauge how tumultuous her emotions were.
"Erik! Where are you going?!" The Professor asked suddenly.
"To the library - I need to make sure Caroline is ok." I replied concisely, as the speed of my walking increased.
"It is too dangerous for you to go! Caroline could hurt you in her tumultuous state!" The Professor exclaimed, and he tried to follow close behind me. But I was too fast for him, and before I knew it I reached the library, with the Professor no longer in sight. I stood outside the door to hear the strains of a violin. I noticed that when Caroline is particularly emotional she tends to play her violin a lot more often. Was this her way of expressing her emotions, especially since it has become apparent she finds it difficult to voice her emotions? I knocked firmly on the door and waited for a response. Yet the playing increased in volume, and there was no assent to enter the room. So what do I do? Do I ignore propriety, or do I give her the privacy she deserves? Yet for once I ignored propriety and entered the room, despite hearing the Professor's warning ringing in my mind.
"Who dares disturb my solitude?!" Caroline yelled questioningly.
"It is me, Erik. The Professor has informed me you are due for another control lesson soon." I replied calmly, my hands behind my back.
"Please inform the Professor I will not be coming." She said tightly, before resuming her frantic playing of her violin.
"Please Caroline; if you want to leave the mansion and its grounds, you need to gain full control of your powers first – and that can only be done if you regularly attend control lessons with the Professor. I don't want you to become a prisoner of this mansion." I beseeched.
"I already am a prisoner – what difference would it make gaining control of my powers?" She seethed.
"Why do you feel like a prisoner? Talk to me Caroline – maybe I can help you." I pleaded.
"My disability, and my powers – stop me from being respected by society. Unless I get rid of either, no-one will ever respect or ever come to love me." She replied sadly.
"But you have a family here – a family who loves and respects you. And when the time is right, you will find a man who will cherish you – and give you the love that you deserve." I said gently, taking hold of Caroline's hands in a gesture of love. Yet would she see through such a subtle gesture? Or would she view it as a fatherly gesture? I sighed a little when she pulled away - could she sense the emotions I was exhibiting, or was it purely just her Autism dictating her actions?
"Ok I'll go to the Control lessons. But I won't necessarily enjoy doing so." She relented reluctantly, and with that we made our way towards the Danger Room. Once we arrived, I watched as the Professor set up the programme for Caroline's control lesson.
"Today I want you to fight a familiar enemy – using only one of your powers." He explained concisely. But what did he mean by familiar enemy? My eyes widened in surprise when I saw a large man of silver in front of me. I looked across at Caroline to see her eyes wide with fear, and her body shaking visibly. I was about to go up to her and comfort her, when a bolt of lightning seemingly came out of nowhere. But where did the lightning come from? I quickly came to realise that it was Caroline who was producing the lightning. Yet I was unable to get closer as suddenly she produced red lasers out of her eyes, and fire from her hands.
"Professor...I think this was a bad idea. I think memories of her parent's death, due to these silver beings, are throwing her powers out of proportion."
"I knew the memories associated with these silver beings. I just didn't realise how badly she would react to them. However I am nervous about probing her mind again, especially after the previous reaction to using my powers on her." The Professor replied quietly.
"We need to do something, before her powers grow out of control again." I said quickly, as Caroline slowly became surrounded by lightning, fire and red lasers.
"I've not seen something like this before. It is almost like she is able to manipulate the powers to her will. Like she is trying to defend herself from the threat in front of her, and the memories associated with that threat." The Professor said thoughtfully.
"Can we find a way to calm her down? She is clearly distressed, and we need to stop this before her powers escape this room and put everyone in danger." I said quickly. Yet before we could think of a plan to calm her down, something happened that we weren't expecting. I could hear a voice – and not just any voice but my own - yet I wasn't singing so where was it coming from? That was when I realised it was coming from Caroline. Yet she wasn't opening her mouth to sing – so how was she projecting my voice? Yet it wasn't ventriloquism she was using, so was she perhaps projecting my voice using the Professor's power? Was that something the Professor could do?
"Professor – is this something you can do with your powers?" I asked curiously.
"Not that I am aware of – but I am a Class 5 mutant – so there are many things I can do with my powers." He replied concisely.
"What do you mean by Class 5 mutant?" I asked curiously.
"Next lesson I'll explain the class system to the both of you – it is a very complicated subject, so I will need a whole lesson to explain it." The Professor explained concisely, to which I nodded in understanding. I then watched closely as Caroline's powers soon calmed down again, and a moment later she took down the robot with one shot of a laser.
"Well done Caroline – I noticed for a moment you lost control of your powers before gaining control of them. Do you know how you managed to do that?"
"I'm not sure." She replied meekly.
"I heard you projecting my singing voice, which seemed to calm your powers down."
"Really, I didn't realise I was doing that." She said meekly, a blush colouring her cheeks.
"It's nothing to be embarrassed about – I guess there is a lot about your powers that even you don't understand fully yet. Also I think some of the actions you do are unconscious – so you do them without realising or thinking about them."
"Could you have been doing what the Professor did previously the day before when you lost control of your powers?"
"What exactly happened that night?" She asked curiously.
"The Professor had to project an image of me singing to calm you down. You were having a nightmare and your powers grew out of control again." I replied concisely.
"Is it possible for me to pick up on that ability, without directly seeing the Professor do it per se?" She asked curiously.
"It might be possible – but since I don't fully understand the extent of your powers – it is difficult to tell for certain." The Professor said concisely. I then noticed Caroline giving a yawn, as well as swaying from side to side. I ran to her side as I sensed she was about to fall to the ground.
"Caroline! Are you ok? Caroline!" I exclaimed panicked, worried about what exactly was wrong with her.
"It's ok, she's still breathing. I think she is just exhausted from using a lot of energy to control her powers. But this is at least progress; she has found a way to control her powers. Now we just need to find a way for her to do it without expending too much energy." The Professor said gently, and I breathed a sigh of relief as I noticed her chest rising and falling rhythmically.
"Do you think she will be ok?" I asked quietly.
"With some rest she will be right as rain. But for now we should take her back to her room and allow her to rest. I'm sure she will seek you out once she is well rested." With a reluctant sigh I carried her back to her room, before placing her under the covers and closing the door gently behind me. Yet after I closed the door, another part of me wanted to stay and watch over her – but I stopped myself when I remembered her innate ability to sense my presence. But I decided to stay nearby in case she woke up suddenly. Little did I know what was in store in our future...?