AN: I'm sorry I missed my update this week! To make things better I'll be uploading two chapters today, that's right, TWO!
(Steve POV)
Christmas Day, 2013
Steve stood facing the New York City skyline, the city lit up in red and green. Upstairs Stark was hosting a small Christmas dinner. So many of them didn't have family to go home to during the holiday's, so Tony had insisted that everyone come over for dinner, share some presents and keep each other company. Steve knew that he should be upstairs, but couldn't bring himself to get on the elevator.
It had been 5 days since Charlotte had left, and details on her location and well being had been slow coming. He'd reached out to a few contacts, and had learned that she was somewhere in Upstate New York. Nat had been right however, Charlotte had gotten good at this, and when her cell signal and credit cards disappeared, the trail had gone cold. Clint assured him that the people he knew would be able to find her. Steve had no choice but to believe him.
He ran a hand over his chin, the new layer of hair surprising him again. He'd never even tried to grow a beard before, but it had come in quickly over the last few days. Before the war he could barely sprout a mustache. In the army, he'd had to keep a clean shaven face. But over the course of the last few days, he'd grown disinterested in watching his face sag in sadness. The beard at least covered it slightly. Though it couldn't hide the hurt that still lingered in his eyes. He missed her.
They'd only been together three weeks. Three weeks was all it took to leave his life irrevocably changed. He'd had plans, dreams of what they could be together. A home, marriage, a few kids. All of that was dashed the moment she'd been taken earlier that month. All he wanted was to find her, to bring her home. But Clint, Nat and Bruce had been right. He would only scare her. Besides, none of this had happened before she met him. If he hadn't had her there that night, this whole thing would never have happened. He wouldn't blame her if she never wanted to see his face again.
Sighing, he tore himself away from the window, walking into the bedroom where her silk robe still sat in the chair in the corner. Her makeup was still strewn about the bathroom counter, her spare clothes in the bottom drawer of his dresser. He hoped that she would come back, and while he still held that hope, her things would remain untouched. Penny looked up as he walked in from her perch on the chair. She looked at him with melancholy in her feline eyes and laid her head back down again. She seemed just as lost without Charlotte as he was. Still, they both took comfort in each others company.
Steve sat heavily on the side of his bed, grabbing the small box on his bedside table. Flicking it open, he sighed, staring at the sapphire and diamonds that glittered from their antique setting. He'd found the ring in a little shop by Charlotte's apartment and knew immediately that it was for her. If he'd managed it properly, he had been planning on giving it to her on Christmas eve. He knew it was early to propose, but why wait? They loved each other. Now instead of celebrating their engagement, they were both alone, and he had no idea if he'd ever see her again.
He snapped the box closed and opened the bottom drawer of the beside table, setting it as far back as he could before closing the drawer, and rising to join the party upstairs.
(Charlotte POV)
Christmas Day, 2013
"When you're worried, and you can't sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep. And you'll fall asleep, counting your blessings."
Bing Crosby crooned through the small TV set. Tears streaming down my cheeks, I wished I could follow Bing's advice. I was managing maybe 2 hours of sleep each night, and it was beginning to take its toll. My hands sparked constantly now, and there was nothing I could do that seemed to stop it. Whenever I tried to close my eyes and sleep I was haunted by nightmares of places I'd never been, people I'd never met, and events I couldn't remember. Each one was so vivid, and each time I'd wake up in cold sweat, my head pounding, hands sparking.
However, I'd learned that I couldn't hurt myself with my sparks, nor did they conduct well on other surfaces unless I really pushed them. They seemed harmless most times, and only when I was very upset did they become the small spheres I'd seen in the med wing a week ago.
Still, there was little progress. I watched the snow fall heavily outside, grateful at least for a white christmas. I missed Steph. I missed my cat. But I wouldn't let myself think about Steve and those at the Tower. It hurt too much and set me off too quickly. As the days passed, I wondered idly if I'd ever be able to go home. Stamping that thought out, I turned my attention back to the screen, watching Rosemary Clooney smile sweetly at Bing.
A knock sounded on the door, nearly startling me out of bed. My heart raced and my hands picked up again, glowing an icy blue. Must be the manager again. I thought I had paid up through the end of the month, but the days ran together and I couldn't be sure that I actually had. I wrapped myself up in my sweater, smoothing the mess that was my hair down as much as possible before looking through the peephole. Standing outside of my room was a man with sunglasses and a woman with dark red hair. Who in the hell? Crossing my arms to hide my hands I opened the door slowly.
"Hello?" The man with the sunglasses smiled. He was pretty handsome if I was honest. Dark, well cut hair, a friendly smile, he was perfectly approachable aside from the strange tinted sunglasses he wore that wound around his face. The woman behind him smiled and stepped forward. She was gorgeous, tall, thin, with striking red hair down past her shoulders.
"Charlotte Samuels?" I nodded in response hesitantly.
"Hi Charlotte. We've been looking for you. My name is Jean Grey. This is Scott Summers. Could we come in for a bit?"
"Why?" I asked hesitantly, drawing my arms tighter around my chest.
"Well, it's a bit chilly out here. And we'd like to help. You can show us your hands. We know about the sparks." Scott offered kindly. My eyes raced back and forth between the two and my anxiety level spiked. I could feel the pressure of the spheres against my ribcage. I'd have to let go soon or the pressure would give me bruises.
"What are you talking about? Who are you?"
"We know about what you can do Charlotte. We can help you control it."
"Why should I trust you?"
"Because we're just like you. I promise, Charlotte, you're not alone in this. Far from it." I looked at them suspiciously and Jean sighed. She raised a hand and the remote from inside came floating softly to her, landing in her hand perfectly. Scott took off his glasses, his eyes tightly shut before looking down at the snow accumulating next to where the awning ended. Opening his eyes, a ray of red light shot out before he quickly placed his sunglasses back on. A hole had been melted through the snow, and I could see charred grass at the bottom. I looked back up at them in shock.
"So, can we come in now? We've got quite a bit to talk about." he offered, smiling again. I nodded, my hands dropping to my sides and letting them in.
"Merry fucking Christmas to me," I muttered, closing the door.
AN: A little X-Men crossover for you! Something I had in mind from the beginning, but had to keep secret until now. Is Charlotte's past looking a little less murky? All will be revealed in time...