Author's Note: Thanks to you all for the great reviews, I always assumed that Magneto and Mystique were together, ever since I saw the first X-men in 2000. I took that assumption and just ran with it. I even listed 12 observations proving that they are together based on canon from the two movies. Just in case anyone wants to know my reasons, I'll list them at the end of this chapter. Enjoy the last chapter of Power Couple! It's been a fun ride, hasn't it?
So disillusioned at what I had just heard on the other line, I had to run the conversation through my mind several times just to make sure. I am not blessed with heightened senses as Sabretooth and Wolverine are; that is to say, my sense of sound is not above the average man's.
That is not to say, however, that I couldn't trust my own ears.
I heard, very distinctly, "Hey, who's on the phone?"
A man's voice. With Mystique. At two in the morning.
She had then hung up on me.
For a moment, I stood there in the lab, dumbstruck. Mystique was with someone else; she had spent the night with another man while I was working to find the cure for her. My mind raced with questions.
'How did they meet?', 'Who was he?' and the like, but one question gave me pause.
'Did she care for this man?'
I felt jealous and possessive. This man had dared to touch- no, even approach- what was mine! I'd fly a crowbar through his brain! I'd slice him open with a blade! I'd rip him apart by his own molecules!
Then, all too quickly, damn rational thinking set in: Mystique was also responsible.
She was not a virgin when our relationship took that direction, and it never really bothered me before. I had no interest in who had bedded her first.
I was now more concerned with who had bedded her last.
We had not been intimate since before she was hit with the serum dart. It'd been a little over three months for both of us...or so I thought.
She had always had a healthy appetite; had she decided to dine at another man's table?
The thought made me sick with anger and I lost control for a moment. I looked down at the cell phone Charles had lent me, the tiny screen was flickering with jumbled symbols. The overhead lights flashed on and off, the metal chairs in the lab were twisting violently, my emotions were being manifested by powerful magnetic fields.
I waved my hand to correct the problems I had inadvertently created.
'Damn the humans for shooting her with that blasted serum!'
'Damn Charles for telling me about the blood test!'
'Damn her for running away!'
I wanted to kill the man she was with, whoever he was; I wanted to destroy every last member of the Friends of Humanity; but most of all I just wanted Mystique to come and tell me that it wasn't true. That she hadn't been unfaithful and that I was her only lover, I wanted to hear her tell me that she wanted to become a mutant again and return to the island with Pyro and I.
My heart sank when I realized what I wanted to hear: lies.
She has been trapped in her human body for over three months, no doubt that she had become accustomed- maybe even attached- to it. I'm positive that by now she has begun to enjoy being treated like the beautiful woman she is.
Perhaps she would prefer to stay in her human form, with the man I heard over the phone.
I closed my eyes and sighed, I was so tired. My brain needed a break from all of this. I straightened my workstation and looked at the antidote I had made. It came to me in a dream, I made it for her. I set the tiny bottle down on the table, and went up to my room.
I had to talk to her, but I needed to rest.
I was awakened the next morning by someone knocking on the door to my room.
"What?" I demanded from my half-sleep stupor.
"Uh, Eric, can I come in or what?" asked the voice. After a moment, I placed the voice as Pyro.
"Yes, come in." I replied as I sat up. He let himself into my room.
He was also a late riser, judging from his rumpled hair and bedclothes.
"I hear that you made a cure for Mystique." He said. I had almost forgotten about the night before, and he just had to bring it up!
Damn teenagers.
"Yes, yes, I did."
"That's good, so we'll be leaving here soon, right?" He seemed nervous, and strangely eager to get away from the school.
"I suppose so, why do you ask?"
"Well, it's just..."
"Just what John?" I asked him. I was beginning to get concerned at his uneasy behavior. He was shuffling his feet and avoiding my eyes.
In a way, he reminded me of Anya when she had a problem that only I could solve. The memory of my tragic "talisman" was painful, even though she had died so long ago.
Mystique had once remarked that she, Pyro and I made quite an interesting "family". If that was what we were, then Pyro was to be our son. Thusly, if he were the son, then I would have to be a father for the second time in my life.
"What is it?" I asked him again. He stood there by the door, visibly uncomfortable.
"Well, I'd just prefer that we leave as soon as possible, that's all. I didn't really like it here when I was a student, I don't like it any better now that I've stayed with you."
"I can understand that." Then, a thought struck me. "I know I've been neglecting you John, and I am sorry."
"Hey, I get it that you've been working to help Mystique, it's cool."
"No, it's not. You're part of our family, and I should've made time for you, no matter what has been happening in my personal life."
"It's okay, not like I'm a stranger to that kind of thing, remember?"
"Yes, I do remember. If you'd like, I can make it up to you." This was good; I could spend a little quality time with the boy, and take my mind off Mystique's betrayal for at least a few hours.
"Um, well, I was gonna watch a movie later today...you wanna watch it with me?"
"Splendid idea. I'll meet you in the student lounge later on, alright?"
"Cool."
I was to find that not even a film as riveting as Pyro's favorite, Jurassic Park 3, could keep my mind distracted from Mystique.
Pyro noticed this as well, and though he didn't say anything during the movie, he approached me about it later that night.
Seeking solitude as a replacement for my lover's arms, I took to walking through the gardens. They were as beautiful as they had been when I was a teacher here...that seemed like an eternity ago.
It had been dark, but a blazing light pierced through the shroud.
Pyro stood behind me, flames erupting from his open palm in a makeshift torch.
"What are you doing out here, John?" I asked.
His sharp features were softened towards me, as if he felt pity. I hate pity. I had no want or need of it, especially from a child like him.
"I think we should talk." He brought two bottles from behind his back.
"No thank you." I said, turning from him.
I quickly stepped back from the firewall that had leapt up in front of me. I turned back to him, both impressed at his initiative and angered at his prodding.
"I said, I think we should talk." He dropped the firewall, but kept the torch and proffered one of the bottles to me.
"Well, if you insist." I relented, taking a bottle.
He walked along beside me, keeping his flame bright.
We made our way to the gazebo that rested on the other side of the pond in the middle of the gardens. It was large, and new to me. It had not been there when I was a teacher.
There was room inside for a few picnic tables, and I took a seat at the bench of one, while Pyro sat atop the table beside me.
I took a sip from the bottle he had given me and winced. "Pyro, where did you get this!" I asked.
John looked down at me and grinned devilishly, he was proud of his mischievous doing. "The Professor's private liquor cabinet, where else? The only things in the fridge was soda, I thought you might need something stronger. Speaking of which, the Professor needs to get some better locks, I didn't even need to use my powers to get at his wine."
"This isn't wine."
He shrugged, carefree and unapologetic. "I know, I thought we could drink that after we got back home."
Home.
I smiled at Pyro. He was a clever boy, arrogant, but he had a good heart.
"Well, I have been known to take a red wine with dinner every so often. Remind me again, John, how old are you?"
"I'll be nineteen in a few months." He said defensively, as is he expected me to take away his drink.
I shrugged, much like he had only a moment before. "That's close enough to 21 for me. In Europe you would have been allowed to drink long before then. Cheers!"
We clicked our bottles together and just sat for awhile.
Sleep rarely comes easy to me, and this night is no different. Too much had happened for my mind to settle down for the night.
I tossed and turned in bed for over an hour before I finally gave up.
I threw back the blankets and went to the balcony to think. Looking out over the backyard, I recalled the memories of our relationship.
We had become close in this school, and conceived our first plot in that garden. She insisted that I take her under my wing when I decided to leave the school, and from there, our relationship grew.
From teacher and student to friends, to kindred spirits, to lovers to somehow becoming completely estranged.
She being trapped in her human body had made her doubt my feelings toward her.
Did she really think that the only reason I had stayed with her was for her transforming ability?
Apparently, that was the case, but how could I have made her see the truth?
I care for her, I love her.
She was upset that night, furious, it was because of that explosive emotional state that she revealed her suspicions.
She had no faith in my feelings for her, and she said as much with that slap.
She flew from the mansion to take refuge in a hotel, where she met HIM.
Try as I might, I could not find one good reason why a man would be in her hotel room at two o'clock in the morning, and have the situation be innocent.
"Hey, who's on the phone?"
How dare he speak to her with such a familiar tone! He did not know her; he only knew the disguise she wore and the lies she told him.
My anger was renewed at the memory. I had to speak with her as soon as possible, there were many things to say; things that had to be said in person.
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.
My gray hair. There is no denying it: I am an old man. Had Mystique found comfort in younger, stronger arms?
This is making me miserable, where is she?
I had contacted her a while ago, she could've made the trip from the city to the mansion several times already in the time that had passed since our quick discussion.
Maybe she didn't want to come back at all.
I sighed, and wished that Pyro had brought more than one bottle with him tonight.
"Eric." A woman called from behind me.
Mystique.
She was a beautiful sight. Her lithe body was draped in a short, low-cut emerald green dress. Her hair was left down to frame her face; her light eyes were wide and unsure. In the moonlight, she looked delicate and ethereal. She astounded me.
She looked so stunning that for a moment I forgot that I was angry with her.
My memory quickly returned.
I leaned against the railing of the balcony and gave her a hard stare.
"Hello." I said curtly as I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Oh, Eric!" She cried as tears suddenly began to roll down her cheeks.
I stayed where I was, but she came forward and tried to hug me.
I caught her slim wrists in my hands and forced her back a few steps.
"Eric, what?...I don't understand!"
I rolled my eyes and glared at her again. "Why don't you ask your new bedmate?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I may be old, Mystique, but I'm not deaf! I heard him over the phone!"
She remained silent, and avoided my eyes. She knew whom I meant, and it burned me to the core.
"So who is he, Mystique? Where did you meet? Did you two go to dinner or dancing while I was here, spending every spare moment developing that cure for you?"
"Eric, please, it wasn't like that!"
"Well, then why don't you go ahead and tell me what it was like?" I demanded.
"I did not sleep with him, Eric. I never slept with anyone."
"How can I believe that when I heard a man with you over the phone?"
"I swear that I never did, I didn't want to." She sighed. "But I was willing to, just so I wouldn't be alone any longer. He took me all over the city, and we kissed."
Her words were like venom.
"The he invited me into his room,"
'My God, is she going to describe the entire act to me?'
"Mystique, stop, I don't want to hear any more of this!"
"But I didn't sleep with him, Eric."
"What?"
"I didn't. He slipped on a puddle in the bathroom and hit his head. I didn't think it was serious enough to take him to a hospital, but I stayed in his room just to be sure. I must've fallen asleep watching TV, and your call woke me up. That's what you heard over the other line. I hung up on you because I was afraid..."
She hung her head, shedding tears. "Afraid of what?" I asked her.
"I was afraid of the choice I would have to make. I had to choose between two lives, and it's been killing me! I could either go back to being a feared and hated mutant or I could live a safe, normal life."
"Mystique, no, don't say it."
She came forward and tried to hug me again. This time, I did not stop her.
"I'm sorry, Eric, I'm so sorry."
My long time love was leaving me...
I held her slender frame in my arms, possibly for the last time. She felt good, warm and soft and just beautiful. She was the most beautiful woman in the world, whether she was blue or blonde, and she had just crushed me.
She let go, and I had no choice but to release her from the embrace.
She stood back for a moment, cruelly allowing me to take in the sight of her beauty again.
"I didn't mean to hurt you." She said as she came forward again, running her fingertips lightly over my face where she had slapped me.
She was close, too close.
I couldn't stop myself, I kissed her.
She kissed me back.
I wrapped my hands around her waist; she slid her hands over my chest and shoulders.
I'm not sure how long we stayed like that; kissing with all of the pain, desperation, heartache and passion we had within us, but it didn't matter.
It would be the last time we would embrace this way, I wanted to make it last.
All too soon, the kiss ended. My eyes stayed closed, still entranced by her beauty. I could still taste her on my lips.
"I love you..." I whispered.
"I love you too." She replied, in a familiar voice.
I opened my eyes and saw her.
Mystique, just as she should be.
She stood before me: naked, her skin had darkened till it matched the same shade as the night sky, her chrome yellow eyes were wide, her flame red hair blowing about her face in the breeze.
"He didn't even know my real name, Eric. Life with you is dangerous, but I won't be living a lie."
I swept her into my arms and twirled her around right there on the balcony.
"Mystique, the antidote...?" I asked, so out of my mind with happiness at her return.
I set her back down onto her feet; her white teeth almost glowed against her midnight skin as she smiled back at me.
"Yes, and its quite effective too! Thank God for you, Eric."
She dipped her head onto my shoulder, and just let me hold her.
I love her, this amazing blue woman.
"Eric, I missed you." She whispered.
Oh, I had missed that echoing, multi-toned voice. The way it flowed on the air, spoken music that pleased all of my senses. I loved to hear her say my name.
"And I, you." I replied.
She pressed herself closer to me to stave off the night chill.
I wrapped my arms around her and led her inside, closing the doors behind us with a minute touch of my power.
"Show me how much." Mystique whispered into my ear.
In an instant we were in bed, a tumble of panting kisses, eternal apologies and loving touches. I took Mystique as if it had been the first time-she groaned as I entered her, clutching my sweat-slick shoulders as I made the relentless encroachment. It felt like home when we were together, when I could feel her body stretch to accommodate my size, flexing and caressing me as I went in full and deep.
My moan mimicked Mystique's as I sheathed myself to the hilt, I gasped and shivered as she enveloped me within her tight, wet body.
"Mystique I love you."
The next morning, all was normal.
The Xavier students and teachers woke early to get to their classes.
A few select mutants, however, were allowed the luxury of sleeping in.
The young man with two names- first John Allerdyce and then simply Pyro- rolled over again in his sleep, almost falling off the bed.
Daylight crept across the floor of his old bedroom until it hit his still closed eyes.
"Ugh, no!" he groaned.
No one can sleep forever, and he reluctantly threw back the blanket and started his day.
A shower, a change of clothes, breakfast, brushing his teeth, etc.
'Even super-villains have to go through the normal stuff.' He reasoned, though he didn't feel very much like a real villain.
So far, the worst thing he had done was clean out the Professor's liquor cabinet the night before.
'Oh well, it helped Eric to talk...' he remembered.
"What makes you so sure that all of this was necessary, Pyro?" Eric had asked him.
Pyro had shrugged confidently, "Hey, I'm no stranger to the Weird Ways of The Female."
Eric had seemed both amused and interested in the revelation, "Oh, really? And what would a child like yourself know about women?"
"I'm not a child, okay? And I know plenty."
"Like what?"
"Well, I know enough to know that you and Mystique probably got into it, and that's why she left."
"Well, you wouldn't be wrong there." Eric said, relenting just the tiniest bit.
"But I also know enough to know that she likes you too much to stay gone for much longer. She'll come back."
"I'll drink to that."
They had clicked their bottles again, and parted ways shortly afterwards.
Like most of their exchanges, it was short and simple, but so many things can be said without words.
Like, "I really look up to you" or "Thanks for not letting me drown"
Whatever, Eric was like family now, and so was Mystique, even though they never talked much.
He decided that the polite thing to do would be to check on him, since he had been so down the night before.
He knocked on the door. "Eric, are you awake yet?"
He could hear some muffled noises through the wood. A rattle, a thump. More interestingly, what sounded like voices.
Eric quickly opened the door, just a crack, and urged him quickly, "Yes, John, what is it?"
"Uh, I was just...are you ok?"
"Yes, why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, after last night, I just wanted to make sure." John's sharp eyes noticed a flash of blue behind Eric, and instantly understood.
"Oh, gotcha, I'll come back later, ok?"
Eric quickly shut the door.
"Glad to see that you and John have been bonding while I was gone." Mystique remarked as she lay down on the bed.
Eric smiled and sat down beside her, rubbing her back.
"Oh yes, he's come along quite well. Also, he's eager to get back to the island."
"Is he now?"
"Oh, yes, very much so. Between you and me, I don't think he likes this school very much."
"I'm shocked! Well, we should get going, shouldn't we?"
"Capitol idea. I'll start packing immediately."
Eric started to rise from the bed, but Mystique caught his arm. "I think we can stay for just a little longer, don't you?"
He swallowed, following her idea. "Y...yes, no rush."
All was forgiven, on both sides.
Jake represented a world I would never truly know. One filled with minivans, mortgage payments and family barbeques.
The normal world. The mundane, unsuspecting world of humans.
That world will change soon, they will know of mutants and our greatness.
But for now, that can wait. I had a family, and it was perfect the way it was.
A magnetic sociopath, a deceptive shape shifter, a rebellious pyromaniac.
Eric decided that after everything, we could all use a vacation.
I glanced out the window and could see the Eiffel Tower.
Pyro was happy to go off and explore on his own once he saw that the streets were filled with lovely Parisian girls his age. Good luck to him, this was the City of Love, after all.
"Will you tell me again?" I asked Eric.
I could feel him laugh a little at my question. "Will you say it again?" he asked.
I curled a little closer to him. "Eric." I whispered.
His eyes fluttered closed. For some reason, he had always like me to say his name. "Now it's your turn." I reminded him.
I felt an arm slip around my waist. "You are beautiful."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Yes, it was a dangerous life. A life far from perfection, but at the moment, it was pretty damn close.
THE END
Almost forgot my list!
1. In X-MEN (2000), it was implied that Magneto and Mystique lived together on the island. So did Toad and Sabretooth, but whatever.
2. The scene where Senator Kelly was in the chair, Mystique went up and hugged Magneto, not the other way around, and he smiled, obviously enjoying the physical contact. From that smile, I gather that close physical contact was a normal thing for them...if you get my meaning ;) Now why would she hug him like that? Not because they're friends, I don't hang all over my guy friends like that! Do you? I didn't think so!
3. In the Statue of Liberty, when Magneto confronted the X-men, he used his com-link to ask for Mystique first. Why not Toad?
4. Okay, moving away from the first movie, in X2, when Mystique was being Senator Kelly, she/he got all excited when she/he heard that Magneto was alive. If she was just his henchman (or henchwoman, whatever) then she wouldn't have cared either way if Eric was alive.
5. Mystique went through a lot of trouble to help Magneto. Think about it: she could've gotten herself killed at the office of William Stryker, but she snuck in anyway. Now that's commitment!
6. When Magneto realized that the guard had metal in his body, he instantly knew that Mystique was behind it. He called her "beautiful", now to the audience and to the guard it would have been taken to mean that he was talking about the shape Mystique took-but maybe, just maybe, Magneto was talking about her as she normally is…it's a long shot, huh? But either way, he still knew that it was her giving him the means to escape.
7. They were laughing onscreen for just the tiniest second on the X-jet before Magneto made the joke about Rogue's hair. We don't really know what they were laughing about, but I think that it's safe to say that they were making fun of Wolverine when Mystique played that trick on him.
8. Wolverine said, "She's good", complimenting Mystique on her breaking into the dam, but then Magneto said "You have no idea"...yeah, see where I'm going with this?
9. When Jean and Scott were about to fight, Magneto said, "This is one lover's quarrel we cannot get involved in my dear." Granted, he once called Rogue my dear in the first X-men movie, right before he was about to grab her face and kill her. It's not like Magneto is the type of person to toss out affection to everyone, so I think calling Mystique and Rogue 'my dear' is an appropriate way to show that he isn't a monster and has a merciful side, you know what I mean?
10.When Xavier was hurting the mutants, she called him Eric instead of Magneto.
11.When he saw her in pain, he looked scared that she might die. If she was just one of his henchmen (like my sister so strongly insists), he wouldn't have been so concerned.
12. Eric can fly, he didn't necessarily need to take the helicopter with Mystique, but he went along with her anyway to find one so that she could escape.