A/N: Hey guys! Yes, I am not dead. I know a bunch of you've been searching the graveyards for my headstone. Worry not, I am alive and kicking. I'm sorry that I took such a long time to write this super duper short chapter. I just wanted to show you guys some relationship bonding with the other mutants for the next few updates. Definitely going to hit some emotional scenes and factors because the first series was much more focused on action. So yeah, I hope you enjoy and thanks for putting up with my long-time disappearance! Enjoy!

"What are you doing Alex?" I mumbled as I pushed myself into a sitting position. I watched as Alex shuffled into my room awkwardly. He rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to speak.

"I…," he started before sighing. "I had some nightmares," he whispered into the dark. "I'm sorry if I woke you but," he apologized.

"No, no," I stopped him before swinging my legs to hang off the edge of my bed. "It's fine," I held up a hand, unsure if he would see it anyways in the almost pitch-black. "Come," I patted the bed. "Sit," I waited as he moved forwards, taking light steps towards me. There was a shift as he sat down, his weight disturbing the normally set balance of the mattress. "Now tell me. What nightmares were you having," I gave a small smile.

"It was," he paused to find the right words, ",my time in prison."

There was silence.

A couple of minutes, or what felt like minutes, passed before he spoke again.

"The cell. The never ending concrete. The small bed hanging off the wall. The emptiness I felt inside. And the feeling of being scared," he clasped his hands together. "It's been a long time since the last I dreamt of that time," he said as he dropped his hands to his sides. I put a comforting hand on his shoulder and let him continue on. "It's so frustrating," he growled. "Do you know what it's like to want to be free, to live a normal life. But you can't. You can't because you're dangerous. Because with the tiniest of sparks you could kill someone. Harm someone. Destroy a city. Be used. Be considered as a criminal. A test subject. Be experimented on by the government," he balled his hands into fists and slammed then on the bed. "I can't," he frowned. "I just can't anymore. This life I'm living. It's like I'm always on edge," his eyes were downcast, focused on the repetitive wooden flooring pattern.

"It's alright," I gave a weak smile. "I know, Alex, I know."

"You don't," he whispered. I shifted on the bed so that I was fully sitting on it with my legs crossed.

"Someone once told me that people like us, mutants, are like a flame. A small one, like a candle flame, and nothing special, nothing unique. Just there. But, even though we try to help others and keep to our normal lives, we can grow bigger when fueled, and cause mass destruction. That's a given and we're born like that. But you can limit it, you can control that. Charles taught you how to, right?" I took a deep breath. "So it's possible, you don't have to be afraid anymore. You know how, you're mastering your mutation, Alex. These dreams, they don't happen because you're afraid of your abilities. What you are scared of is loneliness. You're terrified about rejection and how people fear you—avoid you. You dream about your time in prison, not because you are unstable, but because you feel empty and isolated from the rest of the world. You said it yourself." There was silence as he listened to my words. I heard the soft noise of his hand running through his hair.

"I don't know," was his whispered response.

"Do you want to know what I know?" I asked, tilting my head to the side in question.

"Please," he nodded.

"I know that you aren't alone, no matter what you think. I know that, here, in Charles's crazy big house, you have a loving family. Sean, Hank, Charles himself, and I, all care for you. We love you. So don't you waste one second thinking about all this negative nonsense, alright? And don't be scared, because you'll just be throwing away your bloody life if you do," I reached over and grabbed his hand. "You're stronger and smarter than that." I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze before getting up. He looked up at me with a confused gaze.

"Get up, come on now. You're heading off to bed," I ushered him to the door of my room. "You must be tired and all this worrying must have taken a toll on you. So you rest up and prepare for tomorrow. Lord knows what Sean's going to do next." Alex laughed as he stepped into the hall. He turned to me, the hall light finally showing me his face clearly.

"I-uh…thanks. This talk really helped me," he gave a sheepish smile as he took a step back. "I'm glad I came to you," he nodded a goodbye before leaving quietly. I leaned against the doorway and watched as he leave, a small smile on my lips.

A/N: Second author's note? What!? Just reminding you to check my website for updates on this story as well as my other stories! Website link is on my profile!