Happosai: Well, the one good thing about this being a Raven fic (and seemingly the only one being updated any more) is that Raven fans come to me! Lol. I will brighten up your reading worlds with Mystique-ness!

CalliopeMused: Thank you for such a wonderful review! I'm glad you think the chapter separation is a good idea, since I am an organised person, and I like to separate events in my story like that. No need for you to stop 'blabbing' hehe, it was a great review to read.

Racetrack's Goil: I thought Erik playing chess would be a great way to introduce him! You may have noticed at the end of the previous chapter how he thoughtfully looks at her king before placing it down. Nothing really major, but it is a very tiny hint of what maybe is to come. He could have looked at her bishop, or knight. But no, it was the important king piece! I'm rambling now, lol. Yup, Raven's shape shifting ability will arrive in a most secretive way. Raven isn't going to go blabbing when she discovers this.. as you shall eventually see. And Logan's appearance (it was the second chapter) will play a role further on (because of course, Logan, perhaps unwillingly, killed Peter) and unfortunately, Raven will recognise him. (It ties in to what she does with him in the movie, so don't worry. It might seem a little weird, but don't forget, she has gone a little crazy.) I've said too much now! Lol. But just to answer your question: Yes, I will be making several more stories after Lethal Love, the next one is planned already!

Maid of the Mer: Muffin! Lol, what flavour? I want blueberry!

Chapter 17

Raven picked herself up off her bedroom floor with a soft shiver. It had been two months since she had arrived at the school and still she was finding herself being subjected to mental torture of wicked voices. They liked to prowl when she was at her weakest. When she was tired or asleep. They had struck this morning as she slept, and she woke up with terrified cries as she threw herself out of bed in the shock.

There was an undignified tornado of voices inside her head and it had woken her up rudely. Raven had managed to stand after this and was now leaning on the wall with shaking breaths as a hand held her head in pain. This repeating torment was breaking her down bit by bit. Even though she did not notice, it was making her more rash in her ways, a darker being.

It was anger, a subconscious anger that she was not aware of, but it rattled inside her like a ferocious beast wanting to escape.

She stood against the wall weakly, trying to calm her mind's activities down. Constantly the voices told her how horrible she was, how she did not belong here, and how, if she had any decency, she would have killed herself long ago.

But Raven determinedly fought back, trying to block out the sounds as tears fell down her cheeks softly. She knew the voices would go soon, they never lingered all day. Maybe a whisper would insult her quietly as her day went by, but it was never as horrendous as she had in her weaker moments.

Eventually, the voices died to only mere background murmurs, volatile whispering echoing around her head. Raven pushed the tears from her face slowly, sighing as she tried to gather her thoughts and calm her panic. Her eyes glanced to the clock on her bedside table, reptilian-like eyes giving a flash as they moved sharply. She had no lessons until the afternoon. However, she had slept through breakfast and would have to organise food herself. That was no major problem for Raven; she wasn't all that keen on interacting with the other students anyway. They still held a slight fear for her. Whilst they did talk to her and included her in their activities, there was always a strained politeness. Raven didn't like this, it made her feel abnormal, even though she was a mutant like them. She actually spent a lot of her time with Storm, a woman who was closer to her age. There was a certain friendship between them that Raven did not hold with the rest of the school, and Raven was sure that Storm was a person she could trust.

A faint yawn slipped from Ravens lips as she pushed up off the wall, untying her nightdress as she proceeded to dress for the day. Raven always wore clothes that looked a little too big for her. The reason being she did not like the touch of clothing to her skin anymore. Coarse material, if pressed against her flesh, was most uncomfortable for her scaled skin. So baggy clothes it had to be. She could hardly walk around in her naked blueness now could she?

Having finished her late morning breakfast, Raven strolled into the what she thought was the vacant recreation room to actually find Storm in the couch, leaning back as she flicked through the channel of the large television. She stopped on a weather report, playful smirk appearing before she proceeded to the next channel.

"Hey Storm," greeted Raven as she walked in, stepping around the couch before dropping down beside the white haired female.

Storm turned her head round to give a grin to Raven, "You missed breakfast," she said, putting down the remote on the chair arm.

"It's alright, I got myself some out of the scraps that was left," Raven made a slight smirk.

"Ah yes," said Storm knowingly, "The Chocolate Krispies were eaten by yours truly."

Raven raised an eyebrow, "Went off the muesli then?"

"Well, I was put off it this morning when one of the students started describing it as something I'd rather not repeat."

Raven pulled at face at this, seeming to guess it was something rather revolting. She broke into a laugh however, mixed with sounds of disgust as she thought over the various things it could have been described as.

But Storm, chuckling herself then interjected, "Then I said something in return about his glass of milk and he left the room sharper than Dash could have," she could hardly get the last few words out. The pair fell into wild hysterics like a couple of young teenagers.

A bemused voice sounded through their heads as Charles Xavier interrupted their little immature joking, "Raven, Storm. Cerebro is ready for it's first trial."

"Can we come down and watch?" asked Storm aloud.

"You cannot come inside Cerebro itself as it works, but you may wait outside with Erik."

"Come on," said Storm as she still chuckled, rising to her feet beside Raven, "I want to have a look."

The new door of Cerebro sat at the end of the silver corridor, emblazoned 'X' glinting in the white lighting. Storm's joking attitude had vanished now, and she stood watching the door with a grave expression, her arms folded over her chest. Raven seemed to have noticed this change and pulled her eyes off the door to look to Storm, "What's wrong?"

Storm slowly looked towards her, "I'm just worried. This could be dangerous.."

"Do not worry yourself," said Erik quietly, turning to look upon Storm, "Charles knows to tell me of any danger and I will close down Cerebro."

Just then, the doors parted open with a gentle whirring and Charles exited Cerebro with a worried expression.

"What's wrong?" quickly asked Storm, her arms unfolding as she moved towards him, "Are you alright?"

"It's not that," said Charles softly, shaking his head solemnly, "Cerebro is astoundingly beneficial and I came across no complications.. However.." Raven quickly picked her eyes up off the floor and looked to Charles. "Somebody needs our help."

Storm immediately straightened and a determined expression came over her face, "Where are they?" she asked. Raven sensed this was a procedure.

"Just south of New York in New Jersey at Berkeley College. He had just destroyed a portion of the men's bathroom in full view of witnesses. He cannot control his mutation."

"What's his name?"

"Scott Summers."

"I'll go with you," said Erik to Storm, the pair nodding before they turned and ran down the corridor, leaving Raven stood in a stunned silence beside Charles. She turned a looked awkwardly at him.

"It's alright," he said quietly, "They will be back shortly." He rolled his chair forward, heading towards one of the lifts, "Now, would you like to join me for a cup of tea?"

Raven sat with Charles in his office, blue hands holding the teacup that she was yet to drink out of. Her eyes kept hovering nervously to the window, watching over the driveway as she waited for Storm and Erik to return with the new mutant. She wasn't sure why she was worried, but the more time passed, the more anxious she felt above this new mutant's arrival.

Charles was watching her carefully as he sipped from his cup. Raven glanced cautiously to him every now and then, disliking the close watch. "Drink your tea," said Charles politely, "Or else it'll be getting cold."

Raven gave a faint smile and drunk from her cup, just to be polite if anything. Her eyes returned to the driveway and her heart leapt unsteadily as she saw the car drive slowly through the gates. She turned her widened eyes to the Professor, "They're here.."

The main doors opened and banged back as a trio walked into the main entrance. Raven and Charles entered from one of the corridors. Whilst Charles looked interested, Raven looked a little frightened and hung back behind the Professor's wheelchair.

In-between Storm and Erik was a young man who was only being held up by the arms of Storm and Erik. He looked worse for wear, his clothing of a simple shirt and jeans ripped and frayed. Dust from debris marked him, but it seemed the majority had been brushed away. A few wounds resided along his body, seemingly the effects of destroying a bathroom upon oneself. One thing that was most peculiar however was that he had a thick white bandage wrapped around his eyes, perfect work done only by Storm. Scott's hair stuck out at odd angles above the bandage, dust dirtying the brown locks.

Raven noticed that even with his eyes hidden, he looked scared. There was an expression of panic on his face, and he breathed heavily even though he had been sat in a car for the past hour.

"Mr. Summers," said Charles pleasantly, rolling from the corridor and to the front of him. Instantly Scott raised his head, turning it in discomfort and irritation to his blinded self. "I'm Charles Xavier," continued the Professor, "I saw of what you did at Berkeley College. No doubt it has alarmed you."

"I-I didn't mean to do it.." gasped Scott quietly, shifting in the hold of Storm and Erik. Raven saw his leg flinch and limp gently. Her eyes rose from the injury and back upon Scott's face.

Charles shook his gently, "It is quite alright. I shall erase the incident from the witnesses minds. You are at my School for Gifted Youngsters, a school of mutants. You will be safe here Scott and are welcome to stay as long as you wish." He looked up to Storm, "Take him to the infirmary, he needs his injuries treating." Charles turned in his chair, heading towards the lifts, "I shall see you shortly, Mr. Summers."

Storm and Eric carefully led Scott through the main entrance, Raven following reluctantly behind. Her fears of rejection had been elevated somewhat. A blind mutant could not judge her by appearences..

If you don't understand Storm's innuendo in this.. please.. don't ask! (Don't complain either it IS rated Teen)

Please review though!