Another chapter guys! :) You know the drill by now - I own my own characters and lyrics - anything else belongs to their respective owners. Constructive criticism is welcome as always and now on with the show!

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

Chapter Six: My Broken Soul Can't be Alive or Whole...

Caroline's POV

It had been a few weeks since we were enrolled at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, and I had grown use to the routine, as well as slowly gain control of my powers. However there were times when I still lost control of my powers and had meltdowns. Yet Erik was always there to calm me down, which took less time, and that after I had one I would feel less exhausted. Did that mean I was getting better? Would I come to a stage in life where using my powers wouldn't cause me meltdowns? Before I knew it I found myself in my room, and I could tell my thoughts were tumultuous as I played my violin. The notes issuing forth full of confusion and something else I couldn't identify. Yet my violin gave an almighty screech when someone touched me on the shoulder. I turned around to see the mutant known as Kurt standing beside me – his hands up in a gesture of regret.

"I'm sorry – I didn't mean to disturb you. But you play so beautifully I just had to listen. The Professor was wondering if you would like to go out to the city." He asked. Part of me wanted to go outside after being cooped up for so long. Yet another part of me was worried about going out when I don't have full control of my powers yet. With a small nod, I put away my violin, before putting on a jacket and making my way to the front door. Yet I was saddened to find Erik nowhere in sight. I guess his fear of society runs deeper than mine – after all he lived with fear and discrimination all of his life: ever since he was a child. But why did I want Erik to come out with us so badly? Was I worried about having a meltdown whilst in the big city? Or was I worried about being attacked by someone, like the night I accidentally transported myself to the Phantom's world?

"Are you ok Caroline? You are staring off into space." Professor Xavier suddenly asked, and I smiled and nodded before running out of the door excitedly.

"Where are we going today Professor?" I asked curiously.

"We are visiting Greenwich Village; there are a lot of music stores there, as well as a botanical garden and a museum."

"I remember in the UK where I am from there's an area called Greenwich too. Shame Erik isn't here – he would love to see the music stores."

"Did someone mention music stores?" Someone asked teasingly, and I looked up in surprise to see Erik coming towards us. Yet this behaviour was so unlike Erik – when did he start becoming so relaxed around everyone – relaxed enough to tease like that?

"Erik – we are glad you could join us today." The Professor said jovially, before getting into the car driven by the mutant known as Cyclops. Meanwhile, we got into another car driven by the mutant known as Wolverine, and another mutant called Kitty joined us as well.

"So Kitty – what is your power?" I asked curiously.

"I can phase through anything – so basically I can walk through walls or doors. I think it is a useful ability to have." She replied concisely.

"That does sound useful – don't go robbing any banks though." I said teasingly.

"So where will you be visiting once we arrive at Greenwich Village?" Kitty asked curiously.

"I was thinking of visiting the music store – I need some new strings in case a string ever breaks, and I would like to look at their range of sheet music too." I replied concisely.

"Ah yes I have heard you play a few times – you play so well – especially for someone who has been playing for less than a year." She said excitedly.

"Thank you – I still have a lot to learn before I am as good as Erik though." I said meekly.

"Erik you play too? I would very much like to hear you play." She said sincerely.

"Sadly I do not have my violin with me, but one day I promise to play for you." He said, causing me to sigh sadly as I so badly wanted to help him.

"Caroline is everything ok? That sigh sounded so sad." Erik asked gently.

"I wish I could help you retrieve your violin Erik." I replied in a small voice.

"I will not pressure you to use your powers to retrieve my violin. I know it takes a lot out of you to use them." Erik said sincerely.

"Well students we are here." Wolverine said. I stepped out of the car and gasped in awe at all of the different instruments on display in the window.

"Look at all of the violins! I really like the dark wood ones the best." I said excitedly. I then ran inside before making a beeline to the sheet music section. As I flipped through the various books, nothing really spoke to me at first, but suddenly I stumbled across music from my all time favourite musical. But would it bring back too many memories for Erik – memories he would rather forget?

"Is that my story?" I heard someone ask curiously, and I smiled a little when I saw Erik looking down at the music in my hand.

"It is your story. Also it is my all time favourite musical and that is how I knew all of the songs." I replied quietly.

"It looks a little advance for you at the moment – but it will certainly be something nice to aim for."

"I'm going to purchase it." I said excitedly, before picking up a packet of strings and taking my purchases to the checkout clerk. As the clerk scanned in the items, he said jovially.

"Ah some fine choices. I'll also throw in some rosin with your purchase, as well as a cleaning cloth." I paid for my purchases before saying jovially.

"Thank you very much and have a nice day." I then picked up the bag and left the store.

"We still have time before we need to meet up with the Professor. How about visiting a museum, or the botanical gardens." Wolverine said stoically. Yet I found myself surprised at what Wolverine was suggesting - even though I haven't known him for long, I never thought of him as the museum or botanical garden kind of person. Maybe he was suggesting it because there are young people around, and he has to be responsible for our wellbeing. As I thought about where we wanted to go, Erik helped me place my purchase in the boot of the car. Yet before I could make a decision, I heard three familiar voices yell angrily.

"We thought we got rid of you a year ago, yet you have the nerve to show your face here again. And I see you have brought some freakish friends with you! Well you are not welcome in our city! Go now or we will be forced to hurt you!"

"It's you..." I whispered fearfully.

"Caroline who are they?" Erik asked quietly, as he stepped in front of me defensively.

"They attacked me the night I arrived in your world." I replied quietly. I tensed suddenly when I heard an angry growl from Wolverine, who was standing defensively in front of Kitty.

"Let's put these punks in their place." Wolverine seethed, as I heard his claws spring out of his hands.

"I wouldn't make a scene here – the Professor will not be pleased with our behaviour." I faintly heard Erik say, yet I started feeling dizzy as I began to space out. I faintly heard Erik calling my name, but before I could stop myself I felt the familiar sensation of me teleporting away, as everything turned black around me.

...

I woke up with a groan as my head throbbed painfully.

"Erik, are you there?" I rasped, as I tried to get used to the darkness around me. Yet I wasn't unconscious so why was everything so dark? As I felt around I found a candle, and I lit it with a tiny flame which allowed me to see my surroundings. It was then I realised I was once again in the Phantom's world – exactly like before when I last teleported myself after a particularly violent meltdown. Yet again the place looks dilapidated and old – like after the mob hit the place no-one has been here. Then a thought hit me – where would Erik keep his violin? After all I thought it was unfair he was unable to retrieve his violin, especially after being teleported into my world accidentally. The first place I looked was around the organ, a place with dust living on its broken surface strewn about the floor. Yet the violin was nowhere in sight – which made me partly sad, but also relieved it wasn't destroyed by the mob. I then decided to search for Erik's room; in the hopes his violin would be somewhere in there. I gasped at seeing the coffin in the centre of the room, and at the room's untouched nature - dust littering its surface - everything remaining in place like some sort of shrine to its former inhabitant. But why wasn't this room destroyed? Perhaps the mob didn't find the room? Or maybe the mob believed it was somehow cursed, and so left it alone in case the curse befalls them. That was when my eyes fell upon the violin case, sitting atop a dresser and covered in a layer of dust. After blowing the dust off, I gently picked it up before considering how to get back to New York. I closed my eyes and imagined being back at Xavier's mansion in New York – all the while I held the violin tightly to my chest. When I arrived back at the mansion, there was no-one in sight at first as I began to sway a little. Yet before darkness took over I fell backwards and I felt myself land in a soft pair of arms.

I woke up to find myself in my bedroom, the violin case resting on the trunk sitting at the foot of the bed. Immediately I panicked about whether the violin was damaged or not. After crawling to the end of the bed, I carefully opened the case before checking the violin for damage. I breathed a sigh of relief when I realised it was still undamaged.

"Good you're up. The Professor was concerned when he heard what happened." A voice said stoically, and I turned around to see Wolverine standing in the doorway.

"Where's Erik? Is he ok?" I asked quickly.

"He's in the library and he is fine. Despite fighting those punks who were going to attack you." After stretching a little, I picked up the violin case before making my way to the library. I soon arrived and lightly knocked on the door before entering. I smiled as I saw Erik sitting by the window whilst reading intently.

"Caroline! You're awake! I was so worried when you vanished and you were found unconscious in front of the mansion a moment later." He said quickly.

"I'm sorry I worried everyone. I guess I haven't fully got my powers under control yet." I replied sadly.

"Is that my violin?" Erik breathed, as he put down the book he was reading before slowly walking towards me.

"It is. I appeared back in your world again – it would appear the mob left your bedroom alone." I replied in a small voice.

"Thank you for bringing it back to me. I can resume our lessons - that is if you still want them." Erik said sincerely.

"I'd like that a lot Erik." I replied with a small smile. With that we spent the next half an hour going through scales and arpeggios, as well as going through a new piece of Erik's he titled 'The Aerie'. The beauty of the piece is in its simplicity, and although it appears simple to play – Erik decided to throw in some new techniques like slurs and third position. Once the lesson was finished I sat and listened intently to Erik playing his newest piece – hoping one day I will be able to play as well as him. Yet it soon morphed into something new – and at first I found myself humming along to the tune. But once again before I could stop myself I began to sing a song familiar to me.

The sun rises

The sun sets

Hours crawl by

Time is stolen pacing the floor

The sadness creeps

And I start to weep

'Til I hear you sing

And days pass

And weeks pass

Months fly by

Still you won't answer my heart

Still my heart beats

And I count the beats

'Til I hear you sing once more

Sometimes in darkness

I dream you admit your love

But wake hearing nothing

But emptiness

Will years come?

And will years go?

Before you say a word

Still I remain lost in the dark

My broken soul

Can't be alive and whole

'Til I hear you sing once more

Yet music, her music

Will always tease my heart

I find it never fades away

And your heart will always remain hers

Let my heart ache

And my dream end

Let the emotions end

Without you, what else can I feel?

I'll always have unrequited

Love for you

'Til I hear you sing once more

Yet I noticed I had changed the lyrics compared to the original. Did I just manage to write a song on the spot? Then panic hit me as I realised I unwittingly revealed my feelings for Erik – but would he see through my subliminal message? Yet he seemed shocked, but not for the reasons I suspected – at least I believe that was the case.

"How did you do that?" He breathed.

"Do what?" I asked curiously.

"Write a song that perfectly conveys what you are feeling." He replied concisely.

"To be honest I am not sure. Simply because I don't know what I am feeling at the moment." I replied quietly.

"Was the song written for me or about me?" He asked curiously, as he rubbed his thumb across my cheek – making me quickly realise that I was in fact crying.

"I'm sorry; I don't know what you are asking of me." And with that I ran out of the room in tears. But what had upset me so? Was it the thought my feelings for Erik will go unrequited? Was it simply because I didn't understand his question? Or was it a combination of the two? Eventually I found myself outside, and I sat myself down beside the fountain. As the tears continued to fall, I started mumbling under my breath: "conceal don't feel." Not realising the patch of ice slowly forming around me...