A/N: First off, I am so sorry for the delay. Real life came in wreaked havoc. Thanks to everyone who left kudos or bookmarked the story! Your response feeds my muse :))) So here's the new chapter. I hope you enjoy it!

The sun had begun its descent into the horizon; the cloudy sky growing darker as Charles raced home, carrying a wrapped gift in one hand and balancing a cake in the other. Of all the birthday's he could have forgotten, this was the worst. Raven turned eighteen today, and he left the apartment in such a rush he barely acknowledged her much less wished her a happy birthday. It was still early enough in the day that he could play it off as though he had this planned all along, and that he only pretended to forget in order to surprise her.

After his classes ended he went straight to the shops, not even sure what to buy her. She hardly ever wore jewelry without an occasion and a shortage of clothing was not something she suffered from. It had been so much easier shopping for gifts when they were children, but with each passing year the more difficult it became. He finally settled on a modest-looking navy blue dress and a new scarf, something for her to wear when he takes her out tonight.

At long last he could stop ordering her cola's when they went out together. Although, that thought was equally disturbing. It was far too much power to give to a hormonal teenager, Charles thought anxiously. Raven had become a mystery, growing ever more defiant and self-aware with each passing day. He loved her all the more for it, but he still couldn't help but miss the simplistic days of their youth.

Approaching their door he slowed his pace, taking long deep breaths to appear calm and composed.

"Raven?" he called, trying to find out where she was.

"In here…" came her voice from the living room. He cringed at the bitter tone in her voice as he snuck into the kitchen, setting her gift on the table. He opened the refrigerator door, placing the small cake carefully on a shelf.

"Do you want anything to drink?"

"No thank you…" Tucking her present under his arm, Charles walked to the living room, leaning against the doorframe. Raven lay curled up on the couch, an open book resting in her lap; she hadn't even changed out of her bathrobe. She didn't look up to see him; her head resting on the arm of the couch. He didn't need to read her mind to know she was upset with him.

"Why do you sound so depressed?" he asked playfully, feigning ignorance.

"I'm just tired…" She replied with a dismissive shrug of her shoulder. He approached the couch slowly, kissing her temple affectionately as he crouched down, propping his elbow beside her head. Her eyes focused intensely on the book, deliberately ignoring his presence.

"Well brighten up," he said, holding the box above her, "I bought you a gift…"

"You remembered!" she shouted, grabbing the box as she sat up.

"Of course I remembered. Have I ever forgotten your birthday?" She shook it back and forth to guess what it might be, than clutched it against her chest as she finally met his eyes.

"No, but you were just so distracted this morning I assumed you forgot."

"Yes, my apologies." Her eyes never left his, shining bright with gratitude and joy. It was as if he'd given her the world rather than just a simple birthday present. "Are you going to open your present or just sit there hugging it?" A bright smile lit up her face as she eagerly tore the wrapping paper and opened the box, tossing the tissue paper aside.

"A new dress and scarf…" She stood up, holding the fabric against her body. "They're beautiful."

"You like them?"

"I love them." She replied, gently setting the items back in the box.

"Excellent, then go change. It is your eighteenth birthday and I'm taking you for a night on the town. And when we get home, there will be cake..." her bright smile faded as her eyes turned serious, the exact opposite reaction he'd been expecting at the promise of cake.

"But what about…don't you have to work on your thesis?" Her words caught him off guard, piercing right to his heart. Did she really believe he would ignore her birthday in favor of schoolwork?

"I think I can take at least one night off. Honestly, Raven, I know I've been busy lately but the fact that you think my thesis is more important than you has me concerned. Have I been neglecting you?" There was a teasing edge to his voice, but he feared her answer.

"No, but, sometimes it seems like I'll be old and grey and you'll still be writing that thing…"

He chuckled lightly, "Trust me, darling, I feel the same way. But alas, I'll be done soon and then we can go home." Raven smiled and nodded, but didn't reply.

"Do you miss it – home?"

"Home is wherever your family is, Charles. I would be miserable if you were here and I was still in NY..."

"I couldn't agree more." He cleared his throat, clapping his hands together. "Now, I know a night on the town with your older brother may not sound all that great, however…" she threw her arms around his neck, pressing her full body firm against him, hugging him tighter than she ever had before. He squeezed her as hard as he could, as if the tighter he hugged her, the more she would understand just how much he loved her – how much he needed her.

"Thank you…" came her voice against his ear. She kissed his cheek, then grabbing the box, she ran to her bedroom.

Charles fell to the couch with a heavy sigh, relieved to have salvaged the day. She's only been an adult for a few hours, and already that old familiar fear snuck back into his conscious mind. It was the thought that had been nagging him almost all day; a fact which he's known for years, one which he ignored as often as possible – Raven wouldn't be with him forever.

Their life as he knew it was coming to an end. He would be graduating soon, and they would finally return home together. It was only a matter of time until Raven moved on with her life, and the fear that he would be alone again was closer than ever. Not that he would never see her again, but that she wouldn't be in his life as a constant companion made him feel hollow and weak. She felt somehow woven into his soul – who would he be without Raven?

When he found her that night in his kitchen, she hardly knew anything about herself apart from her memory of her parents trying to kill her and the subsequent struggle to survive. She was hesitant even then to be labeled as his sister, but he convinced her it was the safest course of action. They decided when her birthday would be, made up fake details about her life to sell the illusion. It was an odd thought: that someone else's negligence and abuse brought him the best friend he's ever had – someone he could never live without.

"How do I look?" came her cheerful voice, pulling him from his thoughts. She came bounding toward him, twirling in a circle like a model on a runway.

The dress had been a mistake, he realized too late. It looked much more modest on the hanger. The navy blue fabric clung to her, accentuating her curves in ways he should never have seen, revealing the body of someone no longer a child, but not yet an adult. The pale mint green scarf drew his attention from the dangerously low plunge of the neckline. The image left him uncomfortably aware of how desirable she truly was. Sister…she is your sister… he chided himself repeatedly, rising to his feet.

"You look stunning…" he offered his elbow casually, but inside he was shaking like a leaf. This was going to be a very long night… "Shall we?"

With the brightest smile he'd seen in months, she linked their arms. "We shall…"

The night had truly been perfect. The gifts he bought her paled in comparison to the joy of having Charles all to herself for an entire evening. They laughed like they used to, completely wrapped up in each other in their own little world. After dinner, Charles took her to the usual pub; he hadn't so much as glanced at another woman, not even the blonde sitting at the bar as he ordered their drinks. She didn't want this night to end; she wanted to stay in this moment – as the center of his world – for as long as possible.

"Alright, darling," he began, returning to their table with two drinks, "Here is your first beer…"

"Thank you…" Charles smiled as he sat down, watching her intently as she brought the glass to her lips. She recoiled at the bitter taste on her tongue, struggling to swallow it. She was tempted to just spit it back into the glass, but in a crowed bar, she forced the vile liquid down her throat.

"Ugh, how could you drink this?" she coughed, setting the glass on table, pushing it away.

"It's an acquired taste." He replied, chuckling slightly.

"Why would anyone take another sip, let alone drink enough to acquire a taste for it?" she pushed the glass further away, and Charles set it beside him, no doubt to drink it himself. She looked for something – anything – to rid the taste from her mouth.

"I bought this one as a backup…" Charles said, setting a much smaller glass in front of her. She stared skeptically at the bright green drink, not at all sure she wanted to try it.

"What's this?" she asked, tentatively wrapping her fingers around the stem of the glass.

"It's called a grasshopper."

"A drink named after a bug…" she mumbled sarcastically, bringing the drink to her nose, pleasantly surprised by the strong scent of mint that filled her nostrils. She took a small, slow first sip, relishing the cool, almost overly sweet contrast on her tongue.

"Hmm, that's not bad." She said, licking her lips, immediately taking a much larger sip.

"Drink slowly, Raven, drinks like this one go down easy and you'll be drunk before you know it." He warned, taking a sip of his beer.

"I'll be careful…" she winked playfully over the rim of her glass. Warmth surged through her, flushing her skin a soft shade of pink. She danced in her seat with the beat of the music, smiling mischievously at Charles as a plan hatched in her mind.

"Will you dance with me?" The light of amusement was gone from his eyes as a wave a fear washed over his features.

"I don't dance…" he replied dryly. Raven couldn't help but giggle.

"Oh come on, please?" she pouted her lips, knowing how effective it was in getting her what she wanted.

"Raven…" he began, his voice rising slightly. She smiled coyly, than began looking around the pub.

"Well, if you won't dance with me I'll find someone who will…" she stated, rising from her chair. "There're plenty of young men to choose from." It had the desired effect. He rolled his eyes as he stood, taking her hand in his.

"Very well, one dance." His palm was clammy and sweating; if she didn't know better she would think he was nervous. She smiled inwardly when the fast-paced music that had been playing changed to a slower, more intimate song. She could sense his sudden discomfort in the rigid lines of his arms, but he didn't let her go. His arm circled around her waist, pulling her just a little closer.

She closed her eyes, breathing in the musky scent of his aftershave. She was tempted to close the remaining distance between them; to rest her head on his shoulder. Her fingers itched with the desire to slide up his neck and tangle in his hair. But these were the actions of a couple, she reminded herself, and she had to keep herself under control. If only she could tell him how long she'd been waiting to be held in his arms like this, and not fear his rejection.

"See, it's not so bad…" she teased. He only smiled.

"Are you having fun, darling?"

"I'm having the best night of my life."

"Good…" She held his gaze for a long, silent moment, their faces mere inches apart. It was just like in a movie – the gaze they share right before the leading man leans in and claims a soft kiss. But in this case, she would be the one to lean in and kiss him first. The song ended abruptly, disrupting her reverie as Charles released her, squeezing her hand.

"I'll be right back, love."

"Alright…" she forced a smile, her eyes trailing after him until he disappeared down the small corridor. She barely had a chance to take two steps toward their table when a young man stepped in front of her.

"Hey there, Raven." He was just slightly taller than she was, shaggy brown hair and green eyes. She recognized his face, and by the emblem on his sweater, she knew he was one of Charles' classmates.

"Hello…" she replied politely, trying to step passed him.

"May I have this dance?" he asked, blocking her path.

She took a step back, glaring at him as she replied, "I was just about to sit down…" She stepped to the left and again tried to pass him.

"I'm Owen; I go to school with Charles…" he persisted, standing in her path once more.

"Yes, I recognize you." He smiled at that, his dark green eyes traveling the length of her body.

"I thought Charles was your brother…" he said, his eyes finally meeting hers.

With as much as Raven despised being seen as his sister, she was surprised to hear herself reply, "He is…"

"I'd never dance with my sister like that…" he said, a suggestive smirk forming on his lips.

She rolled her eyes, "He was just being nice. It's my birthday and I wanted to dance…" She said in a huff of annoyance, pushing passed him.

"Well, happy birthday. Allow me to buy you another drink, then…" he said, the alcohol slurring his already accented words. Raven glanced around the bar, Charles was still nowhere in sight.

"Just one…" she agreed, not even sure why. She followed him to the bar, leaning against the wall as he ordered her another grasshopper.

"Here ya go…" she accepted the drink with a small smile.

"Thank you…"

"Cheers…" They clinked their glasses, each taking a large sip of their drink.

"So it's just the two of you, then? No parents?"

"No parents…we were genetically created in a lab experiment…" she deadpanned. It took him a moment to process, but he laughed at her cleverly disguised joke.

"Is that why Charles is studying genetics, always rambling on about mutation?"

"Exactly…" She laughed, letting her guard down just a little. He placed his hand on the wall beside her head, leaning in just a little closer.

"So, do you have plans later?"

"Yes, we do." She replied pointedly.

"Well, Charles seems to have disappeared from the bar…" Owen said, not even looking around, "Do you think he'd mind if I…"

"Yes." She interrupted quickly. It didn't even matter what he was about to suggest, she wanted no part of it.

"Pity…" the man mumbled with a mischievous grin. Raven watched as Charles returned, and seeing their table empty, he scanned the pub. When he saw her he smiled, and sat beside the blonde at the bar. She couldn't decide if she was grateful he was allowing her to socialize or angry that he was ignoring her on their night out. But then, she'd accepted Owen's offer for a drink, it wasn't Charles' fault.

"Can I buy you another?" he offered. Raven looked down, confused to see her glass empty. Did she drink it all already?

"Sure…" she smiled briefly, handing him the glass and as he turned away, her gaze drifted back to Charles.

Raven had always watched him, always marveled at the way he carried himself. She envied his confidence, envied even more the peace he had with himself. Charles could never truly understand her, his mutation wasn't as visible as blue skin and red hair. It was a constant conflict – wanting to be accepted for who she was, but terrified of being seen. As often as she thought about dating, Charles was the only man she could imagine being with.

Charles already knew her better than anyone, he knew her secrets, her hopes and fears. He was the only person to ever touch her, even if it was only a friendly hug or affectionate kiss to her forehead. She enjoyed the attention; Charles in and of himself was the only peace she had ever truly known. Perhaps that's why it bothered her so much to see him with other women, because one way or the other, he didn't truly need her. He would always mean more to her than she would ever mean to him.

"Here you go…"

"Thank you…" she drank a bit too fast against Charles' warning. Warmth surged through her veins making her skin tingle, feeling suddenly lightheaded. It was her third drink and Raven finally understood what it meant to be buzzed.

"Well, perhaps you and I could celebrate your birthday again, maybe this Saturday night?" Raven forced a tight smile,

"I'm flattered, but I work this weekend."

"Where do you work?"

"I'm a waitress…" she said, deliberately avoiding the question.

"Do you work every night?"

"No…" she giggled absentmindedly, not even sure what she was laughing at. He leaned in even closer and before he could reply, she heard Charles' voice.

"Raven, get your coat please, it's time to go." Her smile faded instantly at the stern edge in his voice.

"Oh come on, Charles, she'll only turn eighteen once." Owen said, staring at Charles, a clear warning lit in his eyes. Raven had never seen such a murderous glare in Charles' eyes before.

"You're twenty-two and she is my sister…it's time to go…" he repeated, his eyes never leaving Owen.

"Can't we stay awhile longer?" she asked, her lips forming the pout he so despised for his inability to say no when she used it. She didn't want to stay with Owen, but she definitely didn't want to go home yet.

"Now, Raven…" Charles commanded gently.

The two men glared daggers at each other, and Raven worried that Charles might do something stupid, like wipe the memory of this night from Owen's fogged mind. She slipped from the wall stepping passed them, retrieving her coat from her chair. The pattern had become clear; Charles only behaved this way when she was talking to or going out with another man. She wouldn't have a problem with that if he would only tell her that he loved her – that they could finally love each other. If she could have him, she would have no need of another man for the rest of her life.

Before the situation could escalate any more, Raven returned to his side. He held her hand in a way he never had before, hard and possessive, pulling her behind him in a rush for the door. The brisk night air blew hard against her face, cooling the flush of heat on her cheeks. He tightened his arm around her waist, keeping her close to his side. On a normal, she would've been happy to stay there. Raven pulled away, putting considerable distance between them. And why shouldn't she? He was her brother in his mind, her protector. She shouldn't have to worry that he would become jealous, preventing her from speaking with any man who wasn't him.

"That was really embarrassing…" She stated; her voice laced with all the bitterness swirling inside.

"You were making a spectacle of yourself…" Her head whipped towards him, "I'm sorry, but we don't yet know if alcohol will affect your control –"

She scoffed, "Oh spare me, Charles. I'm so sick of that excuse…" He stared straight ahead, deliberately focused on anything but her.

"You couldn't read his thoughts." She rolled her eyes at his defense.

"No, and you shouldn't have either. It's my life and I will make my own decisions." He didn't reply, making no attempt to mask his anger; a permanent scowl set on his face. "And besides, who cares what he was thinking!? Do you honestly think I would have gone anywhere with him?"

"I didn't like seeing you act like that, Raven. I expect more from you! From now on maybe you should just avoid alcohol…" She chuckled mirthlessly, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I am a teenager, Charles. I'm supposed to rebel and drink and do what I want." He stopped walking, turning to face her.

"No, that's what other teenagers do because their parents give them free reign. We have to be careful; I do not want to see you hurt or exposed because you had too much to drink and lost control!"

"There's no chance of that ever happening with you hovering around me…" he shook his head, and without a word he continued on the way home.

She followed suit, wanting him to argue; she wanted to hear him say that all his jealous outbursts were only because of his feelings for her. Then in a perfect moment she could tell him she feels the same, that he's all she's ever wanted. But the silence extended between them until they finally made it home. Despite his obvious anger, Charles held the door open for her.

Raven stormed inside, heading straight to her room. She shifted to her normal self, removing the dress and scarf in a huff. Raven changed into her pajamas, too wound up to even think about sleeping. The perfect night had been ruined – she didn't even get to eat her cake. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but Raven wanted more than ever to tell Charles exactly how she felt about him and let the chips fall where they may.

She was tired of all the secrecy – her identity had to be kept secret, her mutation kept hidden beneath a mask of beauty, and now her emotions, too. It was all becoming too much. Anything – even his ultimate rejection of her – had to be better than the weight of keeping silent. As she turned on her heel to charge from her bedroom, her door opened slowly.

Charles stood before her, a sheepish, apologetic look in his eyes – holding up two plates of cake in his hands.

"I'm sorry…" he stated simply.

"You can't keep doing this, Charles." she said softly, remaining where she stood. Charles nodded, obviously ashamed of his actions as he averted his eyes to the ground.

"Sometimes I just get confused what my role is in your life, Raven. I'm your brother who's more like a father and you're my best and only friend…as you once so eloquently put it." He managed a weak smile, his eyes searching hers.

"How about you drop the father/brother act and just be my best friend? Why do we have to keep lying?" At the genuinely confused look on his face, her heart sank in her chest, knowing what he was about to say.

"We're not lying; we were raised together. For all intents and purposes you are my sister. I don't know what I'd do without you." Raven sighed heavily, feeling the last of her hope escape her body. There seemed little point in telling him now.

"You'd probably be really bored and lonely." She said quietly, shaking her head as she walked towards him. She couldn't even look in his eyes as she took her cake from his hands, mumbling a bitter 'thank you'. She sank to the edge of her bed, stabbing the cake in frustration…not even chocolate cake could comfort her now.

"Am I forgiven, then?" he asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

She looked up, doing her best to smile. "This time…but don't let it happen again."

Charles smiled, moving to sit by her side. "Happy birthday, my darling…" He kissed her temple, lingering for a long silent moment. She closed her eyes, and in that moment, she could feel her heart breaking.

"Thanks for tonight, Charles."

Again I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to review!