Chapter 9:

AN:Thanks guys for the follows, reviews, and favorites!

The pain in my mind from the night before had faded to a dull ache in the back of my neck, an ache that throbbed annoyingly as I struggled to sit up. I reached back and rubbed a hand against the spot, wincing groggily.

"You're awake," A voice stated.

I looked in the corner of my room and saw Erik.

"Erik," I said.

"Everyone was worried about you," Erik said walking to the bed and sitting next to me.

I laid my head on his shoulder and he tensed but then he relaxed.

"How long was I out?" I asked.

"Two days," Erik answered.

The night before was starting to come back to me, in vivid Technicolor, every painful detail burning where it had been ingrained in my memory. The nightmare, Charles' deft hands on me, an impossible stab at my thoughts, and two immeasurably powerful screams.

Bloody hell.

"How's Charles?" I asked worriedly lifting my head off his shoulder.

"He's been out for a week," Erik replied.

I tore back the sheets from my legs, swinging out of bed and to my feet. I ran to the door and opened it, I could hear Erik calling after me. I ran down the hallway and made a right to Charles' room. I knocked on the door and I heard someone say come in. I open the door and see Hank and an awakened Charles sitting up in bed.

All the air flew out of my lungs. I took a few steps forward, and then it seemed I had hit a wall, unable to move any further despite how very much I suddenly wanted to run to him know that he was alright.

"Charles," his name tumbled from my lips before my stuttering heartbeat had time to numb my brain.

He turned, to face me. His blue eyes were clear, not clouded, and his smile was still easy as it curled the corners of his mouth.

It hit me in a rough, painful wave – how could Charles ever forgive me? Look what I had done to him – he'd rescued me from the CIA, tried to help me with my powers, and look what I'd done.

"Hank could you give us a moment?" Hank nodded his head and left the room and closed the door.

I immediately rushed over to Charles and hugged him. Charles started laughing and hugged me back. I let him go and sat on his bed.

"Charles I'm sorry, I didn't mean for any of this to happen. If you want me to leave, I completely understand," I rambled.

Charles put a finger to my lips and silenced me.

"Adele I want you to stay," Charles said taking one of my hands and looked me in the eyes.

"But look what I've done to you. I almost killed you last week," I said sadly and I turned my away from him.

Charles gently grabbed my chin and I looked at him.

"But you didn't kill me Adele," Charles said.

"Charles, I am a danger to myself and everyone in this mansion. Charles I put you in a coma from you going into my head, imagine if the Phoenix is fully awaken," I said.

"I can help you control it," Charles answered.

"Charles, there is no such thing of controlling the Phoenix. When I was in the medical wing in the CIA that was the Phoenix that gripped your mind. It was slowly escaping the barriers I put up. I think Erik unleashed the Phoenix completely when we were training. I should just leave before it gets worse," I said.

"Please, Adele I need to help you," Charles said.

I choked back a sob. "I'm not sure I'm worth helping," I whispered.

"What happened to the cool, collected woman who had tea with Erik?" Charles asked.

"Adele, you and I will get through this," Charles said reassuringly.

"How Charles? You still have to rest and none of the children have been trained," I said.

"You can train them Adele?" Charles stated.

"You want me to train the children? Charles I barely have control of my powers, I wouldn't be much help," I answered.

"Please Adele do it for me, as a favor," Charles said.

"Alright I'll do it. I better get started," I said and I started to get up.

"Wait Adele," Charles called and gently pulled me back down.

"What's wrong Charles?" I asked and sat back down on the bed.

"Promise me, you will find some time to spend with me during this week," Charles said.

"Of course," I replied before leaving his room. I left his room with a smile plastered on my face.

"From now on Erik and I are going to be training you, since Charles is on bed rest," I stated.

"We were never told what happened between you and Charles," Alex said.

I looked at Erik and he looked back at me.

"That night when everyone had the same nightmare, I was cause of that but it was an accident. There is a thing inside called the Phoenix which has been awakened after many years of being dormant," I said cutting my eyes at Erik.

"Should we be concerned about this?" Hank asked.

"No Hank, I've gotten it under control," I lied.

I could feel Erik's eyes bore into my head.

"Anymore questions?" Erik asked.

Nobody said anything.

"Training starts today," Erik stated.

After breakfast Erik and I had a long discussion, we decided that everyone would have certain times to train everyday until it came time for the fight against Shaw. Each and every one of the mutants would be given the attention and tutelage needed to help them control their powers. For the time being, we would be focused on individually, based on how much help they needed.

And Alex Summers, or 'Havoc' was right on the very top of the list. He was struggling; the most with his powers and that had to be tended to immediately.

Erik and I took Alex downstairs after breakfast.

"What is this place?" Erik asked, as they entered the subbasement.

"Charles told me his stepfather took the possibility of nuclear war very seriously," I explained. "So, he built this bunker down here. I thought we could use it as a practice range of sorts. We'll adjust it later, of course. But for now, I think it'll work for our needs,"

"You don't think I'm going to blow through the walls?" Alex asked, surprised.

"This place was built to resist a nuclear bomb. I'm sure it can handle you, Alex," I said, smiling.

Alex didn't seem convinced as I put the practice dummy in place and went to take his stand.

"You know, when I do this, bad stuff tends to happen,"

"That's because you can't control it. It controls you,"I said. "That's why we're here, Alex. It's why we're training,"

"Would you prefer some privacy for the first session?" Erik asked, noticing his nervousness.

"If you wouldn't mind…"

"Not at all," I said.

Erik and I departed from the room, only to return a few moments later when a light went off and we found the entire bunker on fire and the target dummy unharmed. I looked aghast, but didn't say much as I quickly put out the fire with the fire extinguishers kept for emergencies.

"I will teach you to control this, Alex," I said, confidently.

From the discouraged look on his face, Alex didn't share my confidence.

Erik squeezed his shoulder. "Don't let this bring you down, Alex. The battle's not lost yet. With a little patience and perseverance, we'll get past this,"

Alex said nothing.

Eventually, Hank was able to fit Alex with a special power suit that would help Alex's abilities. The suit would measure his energy levels, focus his energy and absorb the excess. However, it didn't fix the problem as during one of his training sessions, Alex blew up the two target dummies he wasn't supposed to.

"We've isolated the problem you're having, Alex," I said.

"And that would be what exactly?" asked Alex.

"Simply put, you don't trust yourself. When you don't trust yourself, you start a chain reaction. When you don't trust yourself, you panic. When you panic, you can't focus, and when you can't focus, your powers don't work properly," I explained.

"Fear affects many a mutant's powers. But we all have the power to overcome that," I finished.

"And how do you propose I do that?" Alex asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow.

"By giving you something to focus on," Erik said, smirking.

While Hank remained at Alex's side, Erik and I stood on either side of the target dummy.

"Alright, Alex, I want you to try and hit the 'x' and I want you to not hit me or Erik," I said.

Hank looked terrified, but said nothing.

Alex stared at us, incredulously. "You're serious?"

"Quite," I said, seriously.

"We have complete and utter faith in you," Erik said.

With that vote of confidence, Alex took a deep breath, held his shoulders back and then fired a straight and narrow beam of red energy. This time, Alex's attack hit the target and not everything else in the room.

Alex started laughing as Erik and I smiled at him as Hank looked quite relieved.

Banshee's training was next on the list.

Erik set up a target for him, an enormous metal frame filled with panes of glass. We had him try and shatter the glass with a minor scream. He succeeded, but we both realized he was having a little trouble focusing his sonic cries.

"What you're doing is incredible. You're hitting a pitch with sound waves that have the same resonant frequency as the glass. That's why it shatters," I said. "But your throat's just like any other muscle in the body. You can control it,"

"With a little practice, I think your screams could reach a supersonic level, and you'd be able to project them enough so you could fly," Erik said.

Sean looked excited. "Fly? You serious?"

"As a heart attack,"I said smiling.

Later that week, Hank created a suit that would help Sean to fly. Unfortunately, our first attempt at a test flight fell through quickly, literally. He'd tried to fly by projecting enough scream to a supersonic level and jumping out of a window, only to fall flat on his face.

Deciding it would be best to try another approach, Erik, Hank, and I took Sean to the top of a satellite dish.

"You truly believe I'll fly this time?" said Sean.

"Unreservedly," I said.

"And you seriously expect me to jump off here?" said Sean.

"You'll be fine, Sean. Just scream loudly, catch the right angle and you'll be just fine," Hank said.

"That's what you said last time and all that happened was me getting my face squashed from falling out of the window. I'm going to die!" Sean, looking terrified.

I placed a comforting hand on Sean's shoulder. "It's okay. We're not going—"

"Here, let me help," Erik interrupted. He gave Sean a little push off the satellite dish, sending him straight downward as he yelped.

"Erik!" I scolded.

Erika rolled his eyes. Sean started screaming powerfully enough to grant himself flight. He was actually cheering as he soared around us through the power of his sonic scream.

I gave Erik an exasperated look, and Erik just gave him one back.

"What? You know you were thinking the same thing," Erik said.

I shook my head at him and smiled before we resumed watching Sean. Sean then landed safely and gracefully back on top of the satellite dish with them.

"Mr. Lensherr, you're cool and all, but don't ever do that again, please," Sean said, after he caught his breath.

"I promise you, I won't," Erik assured, as he held up his hands in defeat. "You have my word,"

I patted Sean on the shoulder.

"Excellent work, Banshee, excellent," I said, smiling.

Sean grinned. "Thanks, Adele,"

Banshee's earned his name, that's for certain.

I knocked on Charles' door.

"Come in," he called.

I opened the door with a mischievous smirk on my face.

"What are you up to?" Charles asked.

"How would you feel about doing some jogging?" I asked.

Hank's training was more vigorous. I sat on a bench and watched Charles and Hank run against each other.

Charles handled his training alone. So far, Charles was beating Hank in their running races, but he knew Hank could easily defeat him if he'd actually relax a little and stop hiding so much.

While taking a little break from their morning jog, Charles decided to try another tactic.

"Hank, I've got a little quote for you. See if you can tell me what it's from. 'In each of us, two natures are at war,'" Charles said.

"That's from Robert Louis Stevenson's Jekyll and Hyde," Hank said.

"Top marks. But Stevenson's story wasn't really about good and evil though, was it, Hank? It was about man's animal nature and his struggle to control it, to conform," Charles said. "And it's that struggle that's holding you back,"

Hank shook his head. "No, Jekyll was afraid of what he could be capable of,"

"And you are too," Charles said, gently. "But you don't need to be. Trust in yourself and in your abilities, Hank,"

Hank sighed. "Alright, Professor, I'll try." He took off his shoes and flexed his ape-like feet for a moment.

"If you want to beat me this time, you need to let the beast free," Charles said. "Ready?"

"Just say when," Hank said.

Charles nodded and prepared for their next race. "On your marks, get set, go!" He started to run, but Hank was clearly faster. He was only one-quarter around the mansion when Hank return, smiling and clearly full of energy and not out of breath like Charles.

Charles just smiled and laughed, feeling quite happy with Hank's success as they shook hands. "Congratulations, my friend. Robert Louis Stevenson would've been proud."

Alex, who just happened to be walking by, patted Hank on the back. "Impressive, Hank. With feet like those, all you need is a red nose and you'll be set. Right, bozo?"

Hank looked hurt and Charles narrowed his eyes in anger. I got up from the bench and walked over to Alex.

"Alex, apologize to Hank. You're doing the dishes tonight, and you're not permitted to join the others for television this evening," I said.

Alex looked outraged. "What? But Miss Richter—"

"No buts!" I interrupted, sounding stern. "Every student is expected to show one another the respect and courtesy that's due to them. No one is an exception to that rule. Until you can learn some manners, you're being punished and that's final. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Miss Richter," said Alex, dully. He looked quite annoyed, but he didn't argue further as he turned to Hank. "Sorry, Hank. I was just joking,"

Hank just mumbled a reply, and went back into the mansion with him while I shook my head disapprovingly. He was young and he was mature in some matters, but when it came to courtesy, he could use a little improvement. When was that boy ever going to learn?

Erik and I were walking to the training room and the memory of me losing control of my powers popped in my mind.

"I need to see if you can fight if your not able to use your powers," Erik said snapping me out of my thoughts as we entered the training room.

"Now let me see if yo-," Erik began but stopped to dodge my punch.

We fought each other not holding back. Erik dodged my kick to his knee grabbing my leg before it could connect. He twisted my leg back bringing me to mat, with my free foot I managed to land a sharp blow to his stomach. It knocked the wind out of him and he groaned at the contact letting go of my foot holding his stomach. I flipped back on my feet watching him as he clutched he stomach.

"Oh my God Erik I'm sorry I didn't mean to put that much force," I said, guilt etched over my face.

I left myself open, Erik was quick as he jumped up taking my feet out from under me climbing on top of me using his weight to keep me down. He pinned my arms over my head, my eyes wide.

"Never let your guard down," Erik said.

While Erik was lost in his train of thought, he had unintentional lost his hold on me, I moved my legs lifted onto his back pulling myself up.

"Practice what you preach Erik," I said now on top of him with a smile.

Someone cleared their throat from the doorway and we both turned our heads to see Charles.

I realized how close Erik and I were and I quickly got off him.

"Adele would you like take a walk with me if you're finished here?" Charles asked.

"Yes, I think we're done for the day right Erik?" I asked.

"Yes, I think we are," Erik said and stood up and quickly left the room.

"I wonder what's the matter of him," I thought.

"Shall we?" Charles asked with his arm out.

"We shall," I answered smiling and took his arm.

Charles and I left the mansion and walked around the grounds. I looked out at the landscape, at the trees in the distance and the huge white satellite. The wind blew just a little, pushing strands of my chestnut brown hair across my face.

"Charles," I said.

"Yes Adele," Charles answered.

"Please don't read my mind anymore, for your safety and my own safety," I said.

"Don't mistake me for one to do that again, love. Your thoughts are your own, I won't pry upon them against your will,"

His soft and comforting voice is what always got me. Charles really felt like home. After being with Shaw and the CIA for so long, I had forgotten what one feels like. And now, suddenly I want to embrace him. To wrap my arms around him and just not pull away. He already knew how thankful I was for releasing me from that burdened life and then training me.

"Promise?" I questioned, hoping my face wasn't too flustered from my previous thoughts.

"I promise," Charles said firmly before turning serious.

"I saw what happened in your past Adele...I'm sorry what has happened to you," Charles said apologetically.

I glanced down taking in a shaky breath. "Don't be Charles, you're not the who hurt me," I said looking up meeting his cool, straight forward blue eyes again.

"Let's talk about something else. I have something really cool to show," I said with a small smile as we stopped at a fountain.

"Watch this," I instructed.

My face portrayed nothing as I concentrated, using my power to easily raise the water out of the fountain.

The amount of the transparent liquid seemed to expand as I used my mind to bend the water into a big orb, letting it float in the air.

As soon as Charles opened his mouth to speak, a smile appeared on his face, I turned my gaze on him. Intentionally, I blinked, dropping my hold on the water orb that had edged the fraction more it needed to be where it had been poised over Charles' head.

I took a step back just before the splash met my ears and I briefly felt a few water drops on my face. I looked at Charles, my eyes widening.

The usually well kept man was now blinking water from his blue eyes, his dark hair matted down and sticking to the sides of his face. His simple light jacket was now dripping wet and the white buttoned shirt he wore well under was now slightly see through and sticking to his chest.

"Oh my, I-I'm so sorry," I raised a hand as if in defense. "I don't know why I did that," But I was laughing. "Where is Hank when you need him to take a picture,"

Charles blinked, brushing back some of his damp hair away from his eyes, making it stick up adorable at a few different angles.

I took a few steps back, my giggles not ceasing.

"That wasn't funny," Charles said, stepping closer.

"Oh, but it was, my friend,"

I turned, deciding it was time to run then. A part of me wasn't sure what his true reaction was to it, whether he was angry or...what else could he be? After all, I just doused him in water. What shocked me the most was when I heard the sound of the footsteps quickly following me to catch up.

"Adele, don't run away from me," The clear British voice sounded in my head, catching me off guard enough for my pace to slow.

Charles caught up to me, his arms wrapping around me moderately from behind, making my heart beat accelerate. I blushed, noticing how different his behavior was instead of being the normal leader-like figure he was in front of the rest of the team. Then again, he wasn't facing the others, he was with me.

"No fair!" I tried stepping out of his hold, which didn't work.

"You cheated!" I could feel the water he was dripping on me from the closeness.

"And you broke your promise," I voiced, turning to fully face him when he loosened his hold, yet he still had his arms around my waist to pull me closer. Blushing, I looked away from those genuine blue eyes he had.

Unexpectedly, Charles leaned down and captured my lips sweetly before pulling back. "How else was I supposed to get your attention?"

I could feel the growing smile on my face, but I couldn't help it. Not while looking at his smooth complexion, beautiful eyes, slightly matted hair, and curved lips that showed me he was grinning.

"I love you, Adele,"Charles's soft British voice once again sounded in my head.

Charles leaned his forehead against mine, smiling widely. I couldn't help but smile as well. Happily I pulled him closer again into another passionate kiss.

Little did Charles and I know that Erik was watching us and was seething with anger and jealously.

AN: So there you have it. Sorry for the long wait but I have a life so yeah. Reviews please!