Galadeidre: I like shoving in little references and hints! The one about the walking around naked was just meant to be a little humorous point, it's not obvious, but everyone should pick it up. Scott will make things very interesting though. Don't forget, he's currently blind. He cannot see the oddity of Raven.

Racetrack's Goil: Ok, I am building a shrine to you and will worship you daily! Big reviews make me very very happy! I'm smiling like a maniac now. Nothing like a long review to get inspiration going! Yup, that was another hint, the chess piece, as I mentioned above to Galadeidre, I drop things in often, it adds a sense of continuity. Yeah, you probably don't want to know the innuendo. I was in a strange mood when writing that and the joke came in my head and I was like, "Oh! I gotta add this!" don't worry; it's not going to be a common thing. I just put it in to show that Raven and Storm now have a pretty close friendship. The thing about Scott destroying a bathroom was supposed to be at the beginning of X-Men 1 before the script was modified, so I played it off that. In X2, the bathroom with Mystique and the guard was the unused set for the Scott scene. Logan will certainly be in, but not yet. He doesn't join for a while. Jean isn't even here yet! Lol. Yeah, Gambit should be in X3, he sounds like a cool character. I hope you like the Lethal Love so far. Anyway, I'll stop writing here now! Long reviews get long answers!

CalliopeMused: Yes, it was short, but I've said this many times, I like splitting them up so events don't run into each other. Plus if I reach a dead end in a particular chapter, at least you all have something to read whilst I try to recover from writer's block. I'm laughing crazily at the bit about locking up n a dark room and staring at the ceiling. Wow, I'm weird! Lol. Noo, no new comers in this story. I'm starting way before X2, so everyone is coming into the story. Jean will be along shortly. Not yet though, a lot will happen before she arrives.

Johnnys-my-hottie: A few have commented on the innuendo, lol. It was just inserted for a humorous point and to signify Storm and Raven's friendship. Hope to see you review soon! Busy bee you!

Maid of the Mer: Blueberry muffin! Oh yeah! Cheers, lol.

Chapter 18

Raven edged quietly into the silver walled infirmary with small footsteps. She had hung back when the other mutants hurried Scott inside, she didn't want to witness Storm treating the injured man's wounds. Since then, both Erik and Storm had left to talk with Charles, and Scott was left in the infirmary, resting upon a bed. Raven tried to walk in as quietly as possible, not wanting to disturb him, but the man raised his head off the pillows and turned his head slowly.

"Who's there?" he asked quietly, head moving even though his eyes were still covered.

Raven halted in her walk when she realised she had been noticed. She cleared her throat quietly, looking around nervously before her bright eyes went upon him, "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.. I'm one of the mutants here."

"Oh.." said Scott softly, pushing himself up to sit in the bed. Raven moved towards the side of his bed, watching him carefully. Now he was cleaned up she could see his features a lot better. And she had to admit; even with bandages across his eyes he had a very handsome face. Raven quickly realised what she was thinking and mentally scolded herself. She quickly looked away to hide the blush on her face, but then realised he could not see her, she so slowly raised her eyes back to him.

"Are you feeling better?" she asked quietly, sitting in one of the chairs by his bed.

Scott turned his head to where he heard her voice and managed a weak smile, "I am.. thanks." He leant back slowly in his pillow, exhaling a tired sigh as he rested his head back, a bandaged hand resting on his midsection. There was a quiet moment between the pair before he turned his head slowly towards her, "What's your name?"

Raven pulled her eyes off the floor and blinked at him gently, "Er.. Raven."

"Nice name," murmured Scott softly as he dropped his head back again, "So.. you're a mutant?"

Raven nodded slowly, then realised he wouldn't notice that and quickly spoke a hurried, "Yes."

"I didn't know mutations could have such a horrible effect," sighed Scott quietly. Raven watched him quietly, running a hand through her hair slowly. Yeah, they did have horrible effects. She knew that.

"What is it that has happened to you?" asked Raven softly, leaning forward on the bed. Her luminous eyes stared up at him in anticipation for his answer.

Scott moved his uninjured hand towards her slightly, feeling for the source of movement on his bed. His hand brushed her arm and it stayed there so he had an indication of where she was. "I'm not sure really," he said softly, "It's something with my eyes. I can't.. they.." he stopped, sighing quietly, "this sort of red light comes out of them. It completely destroyed the bathroom I was in. It only stops when I close my eyes.. hence this bandage."

The words left Raven in a stunned silence for a moment. That sounded quite terrible. "So.. you'll never see again?" she whispered, feeling a new surge of respect for him. At least she could still see the world that lived around her.

"No.." answered Scott in an oddly toneless voice, "I mean, I'm not against mutants or anything. Didn't really fear them, but I would've thought mutations were at least something useful. I mean, yeah, this thing that came out of my eyes blasted the roof off, but I have to make sure my eyes are closed all the time."

Raven knew exactly how he felt. She thought her mutation was useless. What was the point in being blue? "Well, at least it hasn't effected you in any other way.. I mean, you look normal. You can go out in public and everything."

"Yeah, I suppose so.." murmured Scott softly, "It's just that – argh!" His uninjured hand flew to his head as he doubled over with a gasp of pain. Raven shot up from her seat, looking alarmed.

"What is it?" she cried, voice panicky. This couldn't be good.

"My head!" he gasped, cradling his forehead in both hands now, even the injured one. His face looked strained, as if he was combating severe pain. "I think I'm going to be sick," he wheezed. And sure enough, he vomited over the bed.

Raven jumped back all the more, a startled expression on her face, "I'll.. I'll get Storm!" she turned and ran towards the automatic doors. To her surprise, Storm walked right in through them.

"Charles told me," she said gravely, sweeping over to where Scott lay, groaning in his pain. Raven stood a distance from the bed, watching as Storm, pulled back the covers and rolled them into a quick bundle before dropping it on the floor and turning to help Scott. She gently took his hands from his head, feeling at his forehead before she sharply glanced to Raven, "Pass me that," she quickly said, nodding to a metallic bucket on the cupboard beside Scott. Raven quickly obliged, grabbing it and placing it on Scott's lap. He immediately tightened hands around it and threw up again. Raven jerked back.

"What's wrong with him?" asked Raven breathlessly, watching as Scott winced in pain again.

"The Professor thinks it is something to do with his mutation. Some sort of side effects. The energy built up will no doubt be painful when it is so uncontrollable," said Storm softly, consoling Scott as she gently held an arm around his shoulders. Raven moved closer once Scott seemed to have finished being sick, and she poured him a glass of water from a jug on the side. She gently took hold of one of his hands and placed the glass in it for him before helping his navigate it to his lips.

Scott gasped quietly, his hands trembling as he closed them around the glass and Raven's finger, drinking from it slowly.

"Are you alright now?" asked Storm softly, pulling the bucket off his lap.

"I'm fine," whispered Scott softly as he leant back on the pillow, shivering gently.

Raven stepped back gently, glancing over to Storm. "We'll leave you to sleep, Charles will know if you need us," said Storm softly as she turned away, picking up the bucket and carrying it away.

Raven turned to leave, but a hand grabbed her arm and she turned around. Scott was holding her back, hand moving as he seeked to hold her arm more gently, "Will you come back later?" he asked her quietly with a weak smile.

A gentle smile came from Raven as she looked over him, "Alright."

"Thanks.."

Raven quietly turned and walked to the doorway where Storm was waiting for her, and the pair left the infirmary, lights being turned off and leaving a peaceful darkness around Scott.

Weeks passed by, and Scott's stay in the infirmary was rarely lonely for Raven visited him every morning and evening. His medication was lessening the chances of his headaches and their pain, and his wounds were healing well. Raven was still yet to tell him of anything details about her mutation other than 'agility' and left Scott very much in the dark, quite literally, about her physical alterations. She seemed to avoid the subject. After all, why ruin his mental appearance of her? She would rather him believe her to be some stunning woman than a yellowed eyed blue freak. However, it was Saturday afternoon when Raven came next and she walked into the infirmary, surprised to find that Scott was not in his bed wear, but dressed in clothes and was not in bed, but sat on the edge of it.

"Scott?" called Raven gently as she headed towards him. She was, as usual, dressed on baggy jeans and a loose fitting shirt. She saw him turn his head towards her; he was becoming good and seeing with his ears. "You're dressed," she pointed out unhelpfully, "How did you manage that?"

Scott scratched his neck slowly, "Well, it's not that hard. I mean, I used to dress half asleep anyway, so I'm quite skilled," he spread a smile to her, something he hadn't been doing much since he arrived here.

"Does Storm know you're up?" continued Raven, stopping beside him and placing a hand on his shoulder so he knew where she was standing.

"Yeah, she said it would be fine for me to get my own room now," he grinned slowly, "And who are you anyway, my mother?"

Raven smirked gently, "Only part time," she joked.

Scott chuckled quietly as he pushed himself off the edge of the bed, standing up slowly. He limped a little, but Raven was holding his arm. It was strange to suddenly be viewing him at her own height. She had been used to seeing him laid in the bed, and now he was as tall as her, perhaps a little bigger.

"Ah, Raven, I thought I might find you here."

At the voice, Raven quickly turned her head to see Erik walking into the infirmary, the same power held in his walk as he held his head high and carried himself regally, "Mr. Lensherr?" said Raven quietly, glancing momentarily to Scott who was listening but looked at the floor.

"Did you forget what time it was?" Erik asked, folding his arms over his chest, smiling wryly to her.

A blush burned Raven's face. Oops, she forgot to meet Erik in the library. She had taken up the game of chess quite seriously and Erik had been teaching her every odd Saturday when she met him at 2pm in the library, "Oh.." she stammered, "I.. er.. I forgot." She bowed her head, "I'm sorry," she quickly added.

Erik smiled slowly, "It's alright, my dear. I'm sure Mr. Summers will be most gratified for your wonderful presence. There are other things I can be getting on with, so I bid you good day." With that, he nodded and swept from the infirmary leaving both Raven and Scott looking uncomfortable.

"Well.." murmured Scott, clearing his throat quietly, "You and your wonderful presence can help me upstairs to my new room." He smirked shyly at her.

"Shut up, you," hissed Raven with a chuckle, walking with him as she guided through the infirmary doors and towards the large lift.

Character developed chappie really. However, it signals a friendship between the pair! Please review! So long until the next update!