After the small bonding time between the two sisters, it was time for them to take separate ways for the night. Eventually, Melinda decided to have a shower for the night, her body sweaty from all that intense exercise. The warm water felt nice, offering some comfort and easing the storm deep into her heart.

She finished with her shower and wrapped herself in a white simple towel that stopped barely in the middle of her thigh. Her dark brown hair fell on her back, droplets rolling down her skin as she decided to brush them later. She exited the bathroom that was part of her room but came to a halt when she noticed she was not alone.

She jumped faintly and almost lost the grip on her towel when she spotted Erik sitting on her bed, admiring a picture that had been framed and placed on the nightstand. It was a group picture of everyone, which had been taken a few days after they had moved to the Xavier Manour.

It was a group picture, of everyone standing in a nice line in front of the manor. Raven had the idea and her excitement was more than enough to persuade everyone in joining. Well, almost everyone. Alex and Erik did not wish to be in the picture but were dragged into it, either way.

However, based on their little pouts and looks of annoyance; one could tell just from that picture that the two of them did not wish to be part of it in the first place.

"Erik, I did not hear you coming," she said, drawing his attention.

She was certain she had locked the door but yet again, a locked door was a child's play for the man that could control metal. She was still surprised by his sudden appearance in her room but also found it ironic, for she had been thinking to go see him once she had gotten dressed.

"I am not interrupting, am I?" he asked.

She placed one hand on her waist, giving him a look that said everything. His question was already answered by the fact that she'd just gotten out of the shower. She did wonder how long he had been waiting for her to finish showering but she decided not to ask it, not now at least.

"No, I was just not expecting you tonight" she explained as she went to her desk to grab her brush, the other hand holding the towel. They had seen each other naked enough times by now but she still felt the need to be at least a little bit modest. From the mirror across from her, she saw him lifting an eyebrow at her. "I mean, because of everything. I thought you would like to be alone tonight, think about your revenge and all" she explained as she started to brush her hair, getting rid of all the knots.

"I was actually with Charles, talking about it and tomorrow in general" he explained and she picked up the tone of annoyance. She was not surprised all of a sudden, for tonight it did feel as if Charles was in the mood to argue with anyone. "What do you think about it? Charles doesn't want me to kill him"

Melinda finished brushing her hair and looked at Erik through the mirror. She gently lowered her brush and she let out a small sigh. "I do not think revenge will give anyone the satisfaction they expect" she started as she kept her back turned on him. "But, I have never been in a position where I wanted revenge against someone, so I wouldn't truly know"

Erik stood up and slowly started to walk towards her. "And what about Shaw? Do you also believe that he should be left alive?"

Melinda watched him through the mirror. "I do not think my opinion will truly change the outcome of what will happen tomorrow," she said.

By now, he was standing right behind her and she could almost feel the heat of his body against her exposed back. Her one hand always held the towel and ensure it would not fall, her wet hair falling gently on her back as droplets left trails on her skin.

"I don't care what your opinion will or will not change. I want to hear it out" he said, his voice serious and with a small commanding tone behind it.

She eventually turned to face him, her head coming face to face with his collarbone and neck due to the height difference. She craned her neck, lifting her head so she could look up at him. "I know that Charles wants him to remain alive and I would not kill him if I was given the chance" she explained and didn't have to say more on the subject for Erik knew she had taken an oath. Yet again, that oath did say not to take the human life of someone as a patient. Never truly made it clear, who was not considered a patient or injured. "But I know that this is no fairytale book where the villain loses and will get imprisoned for good. I know that if he gets captured, eventually he will be free again one way or another. There are simply too many greedy people out there that will try to use him for their benefit; and when would that happen, it would be the end of us all" she admitted, lowering her head and gaze to fall on his neck and chest; all hidden beneath the black turtleneck that worked overtime across his muscles.

Erik had heard the shower and the water running when he first entered the room and simply chose to wait. He had seen her without clothes countless times and there was no true embarrassment between them; not anymore. That, however, did not mean his eyes didn't travel across her body; the image of her with a white towel simply left little to his imagination.

He watched her intently as she talked, at first trying her best to remain neutral by talking about revenge. At least she was honest enough to acknowledge the fact that she was not at his place to judge what revenge will or will not bring him in the end.

However, he grew tired of seeing her back, which also caused a small temptation.

So he stood up and walked towards her, asking her about Shaw directly. Charles was too naive to truly see why the mutant had to die but he doubted she would share the same mindset. She had seen war, perhaps in a different life but she still remembered it. She had seen the darkness of humanity and she knew the world was not as innocent as others might believe.

It was her realistic mind that he always leaned on when he felt like the only true adult in the room. Everyone was young, inexperienced and not aware of the hardships of life. More focused on having fun than truly doing something important, he stood out like a sore thumb.

But then she would join, the only other person that was mature enough to see the world for how it truly was. Someone that had different opinions on the subjects, who has faced hardships, and death and who matured too quickly; something they had so much in common.

He lowered his head slightly, looking down at her as she talked about Shaw. His light blue eyes were locked into hers, staring with intensity as she heard every single word she said. Satisfaction started to grow in his chest, once again she was proving to him that she was, perhaps, the only one that could truly understand his situation.

"I expected nothing else from you" he commented in the end, the edges of his lips curving up to a small smirk.

She gave a small smile and looked up at him, a wet strand falling between her eyes as the cold water droplets rolled down her cheek, and chin and landed on her collarbone; before making their way lower, between her chest. "Contrary to what Charles might believe, I will help you" she admitted, taking him aback for a moment. "I will not kill Shaw but I will help you reach him, finish what you always wanted. I just hope that you will not be disappointed when the revenge you have so longed for; is not feeling as you would have expected it to feel" She lifted her hand, gently cupping his cheek and feeling the tuft of baby hair tickling the skin of her palm.

Erik leaned on the warm sensation of her hand, her skin while a little coarse had still a touch of softness that his hands lacked. He placed his hand on top of hers, keeping it there as he never broke eye contact with her. "When this is all over, humanity will know of mutants. If I were to leave, would you join me?"

His question was sudden and it was one that Melinda did not expect to hear from him, let alone so soon. It was logical for him to think like that and choosing not to stick around when all of it would be over. However, she could not help but look at him with parted lips but had no true words to that question.

He was always a straightforward man, Erik would not lie. He had not truly thought about what he would do next after the mission was over. However, if humanity did turn against mutants; he would not stick with Charles and pray they will accept them.

No, he would choose a different way; for he knew humans would never accept them and they would turn against them when they would be given a chance.

He had not truly thought about whom he would ask to follow, Melinda of all people. Yet, Charles brought up that question in his mind.

"What about Mel, Erik?" he asked as he opened the door and allowed the metal bender to walk out.

Erik stopped and turned to face the telepath, one eyebrow lifted. "What about her?"

"What will you do once this is all over? You know you will break her heart if you choose to leave us in the end...unless you plan to take her with you" he said, although there was hesitation in his words.

"I know that you do not want her to leave with me, which is understandable. "

"Perhaps but she is the happiest with you, she had ever been. I just do not want her to get hurt not by you or anyone"

Those words made Erik realize the impact both had on each other lives. The more he thought about it, the more he wished to continue his plans with her by his side.

It would not be every day he could find someone like her, in many aspects. In addition, Melinda had so much to offer and she was capable of incredible things.

But for her to be successful in those things, she needed someone to push and guide her. To get her away from those that rely on her for babysitting and hold her back from her true potential.

Melinda had remained quiet for a while, looking at him with her lips parted. It was clear that she had no answer to give him yet, for he was asking something too big at that moment.

In the end, she gave him a small smile. "Let us take down Shaw tomorrow and when it's all over, we will see. Its simply not the right time now"

Erik gave a nod to his head, understanding her reasoning and not pushing her any further. Instead, he gently leaned forward and captured her lips with his for a few moments. When the kiss was broken, he connected his forehead with hers.

That small action made her smile grow, her lips wanting more of him but she respected that moment they shared of just pure intimidate contact.

"Want to stay over tonight?" She asked but she already knew his answer.

His reply came in return for yet another kiss as his one hand gently took hers away from the towel and let it fall on the floor between their feet.

No more was needed to be said between them as they gave in to their desires once again, for one final night before the world they knew would change forever.