Hi guys I present another chapter. Sorry for the stupidly long wait :s Damn writer's block. Anyhoo I only own my OC Caroline - anything else belongs to their respective owners. Reviews and constructive criticism are welcome as always and flames will be doused by Erik. Now on with the show!
X-Men: The Imperfect Angel Saga – Part Two: Second Chances
Chapter Nine: But we have to know some bad times, or our lives are incomplete…
Erik's POV
As Caroline muttered those lyrics from my song I watched as she quickly lost consciousness. I guess the pain we just experienced was too overwhelming for her. After lifting her gently from the ground I was about to go towards the Blackbird when I noticed Storm and Nightcrawler leaving the room with the Professor leaning against their shoulders.
"Is the Professor ok?" I asked quickly.
"He'll be ok, he just cannot walk without his wheelchair." Storm replied concisely.
"Will Caroline be ok?" Storm continued, gesturing to the now sleeping Caroline in my arms with a nod of her head.
"I think she will be ok – it would appear the pain was overstimulating for her. Hopefully she will awake soon." I replied concisely. That was when we made our way towards the Blackbird, bumping into Wolverine, Jean and Cyclops along the way. That was when Wolverine took hold of the Professor and carried him out of the facility. I squinted a little as sunlight harshly hit my eyes. That was when I felt Caroline begin to stir in my arms.
"I'm so glad you are ok Caroline." I whispered.
"What happened?" She asked groggily.
"I am not 100% sure, but all I remember was pain. Before it stopped and Storm and Nightcrawler managed to rescue the Professor." I replied concisely, before I felt her tense in my arms.
"What is it? What's wrong?" I asked gently.
"It's the dam. It is broken." Jean and Caroline said together. But how come she could tell what was going on? Was it something to do with Jean's telepathic powers? Did she learn Jean's powers somehow?
"We need to get out now. Before we are engulfed." Caroline said quietly. We quickly made our way towards the X Jet – just as it landed rather bumpily nearby. The doors opened and I saw a rather frazzled Rogue in the driver's seat. Yet when the plane tried to take off nothing happened.
"We've lost power!" Storm explained quickly before starting to try and diagnose the problem.
"If we don't get this plane off the ground we will be engulfed." She continued quickly.
"Jean, we can work something out." Caroline said quietly suddenly. But what did she mean by that comment? What was Jean thinking of doing?
"It is the only way." Jean said quietly, as she made her way towards the exit of the plane.
"What is going on Jean?" Cyclops asked slowly. Yet Jean didn't respond but instead continued to walk towards the door of the jet.
"I think she is going to try and stop the water from engulfing us." Caroline said quietly.
"No Jean you can't!" Cyclops cried out tearfully.
"I'm sorry Cyclops, but this is the only way." Jean said tearfully. And that's when Caroline got up quickly before grabbing Jean's arm in a bid to stop her.
"Let me try something." She said quietly. But what will she try? Is it possible one of her learnt powers could bring the jet back to life? With a nod she followed Caroline to the console, before Caroline took a deep breath and slowly closed her eyes. I watched on baited breath as she slowly reached out her hand and touched the console gently. At first nothing happened, and it looked like Jean was making moves to leave the jet again, as well as a feeling of exhaustion began to overcome Caroline. I took a step towards her, ready to catch her when necessary. Yet suddenly I saw the lights turning on one by one. The jet then started lifting into the air before flying off, just as I heard the water crashing behind us. As we flew away from the dam I heard someone ask suddenly.
"Where's Pyro?"
"He's gone off with Magneto." Jean, The Professor and Caroline replied simultaneously. But how could she tell where Pyro went? Was it because she witnessed both Jean's and The Professor's powers previously, and thus learnt all of the capabilities they possess? Or was there more to Caroline's powers we have yet to uncover?
"Where will we go now? Is the mansion safe?" Caroline asked quietly, before giving a yawn and rubbing her eyes a little.
"I think so." The Professor replied quietly. So as the sun started to set over the horizon, with Caroline sleeping peacefully in a seat next to me, I thought about all that has happened between us – and how close I was to losing Caroline. Yet one thought kept swirling through my mind – how would I react if I did indeed lose her? Would I accept it, or would I be distraught beyond comprehension? Does this mean I love her? Or do I just care for her like an older brother would care for their sister or how a father would care for their daughter?
"Is everything ok Erik? You seem troubled." A voice asked gently, and I looked to my right to see Jean looking at me with concern in her eyes.
"Don't worry everything is fine." I replied quietly, before looking out of the window of the jet.
"I can tell something is on your mind – do you want to talk about it?" Jean asked gently.
"I was so close to losing her – so very close. I dread to think of what would happen if I do indeed lose her. Could I handle the loss? Or would losing her break my heart?" I asked quietly, as I felt tears starting to form in my eyes.
"That is behind us now. But what I can tell is you are hiding these feelings from her. But I cannot make the decision for you – it is up to you to decide whether you love her like a sister, or like she is your entire world." Jean said passionately, before looking towards the sleeping form of Caroline. Yet before I could contemplate the situation any further I saw the mansion coming into view. Once the jet landed in the hanger I lifted Caroline gently in my arms, before carrying her inside and in the direction of her room. As I walked towards her room I still saw evidence of the attack on the mansion; from tranquilizer darts stuck in the wall to water delicately dripping down the wall's surface from patches of melting ice. At least Caroline was unconscious as I wasn't sure how she would react to reminders of the attack on her home and family. Although does she view the mansion as her home and the X-Men as her family yet? After all she doesn't tend to socialise much with anyone except me, so I don't think she fully trusts anyone else yet. Hopefully she will come to trust the rest of the X-Men and feel like she belongs in a family who care for her safety and well-being. After placing her gently in bed and stroking her hair I left her to rest as I didn't want to disturb her sleep with my presence. But what do we do now we are in the safety of the mansion? It was then I remembered that my violin was now in this world rather than my previous one. After going into my room I took out my violin before tuning it and placing it under my chin. I then just played – seeing where the music would take me, without playing a particular piece at that moment. At first I couldn't tell there were any emotions present in the piece; yet as it progressed I could hear notes of a sombre nature as well as something else I couldn't identify. Was the emotion of love present in the notes? But what kind of love did I feel for Caroline – was she just like a sister? A friend? Or was it more than that? As I continued to play I gave a screech - as I pressed the bow a little too hard against the strings – when a high pitched scream echoed around the mansion. I ran towards the source knowing it was coming from Caroline's room. Yet one thing echoed clearly through my head – it was the fact that the scream was more like a calling out for me, and for me not to leave her. But why would she not want me to leave her? And why would she be calling out my name in the throes of her nightmare? I reached her room and noticed there was lightning around the door, but also the door was frozen solid. How did she manage to conjure up two powers at once? Is she slowly gaining more knowledge of how to use her powers? Or was she in fact losing control of them instead? That was when I tensed as I felt a gentle touch to my shoulder. I turned around and saw Jean Grey as well as Storm, Iceman and The Professor.
"How is she able to use my powers?" Storm and Iceman asked simultaneously.
"Caroline has the ability to view a power once and mimic it perfectly. It would appear she has somehow picked up how to use two powers at once. However I am not sure how she did so as I haven't taught her to do this. Also it would appear she is only able to access this ability in times of great stress and when unconscious – such as during a shutdown or when she is sleeping and in the throes of a nightmare."
"We need to project me singing into her mind again. She didn't react so badly to that before." I said quickly as the ice grew bigger and the lightning increased in intensity.
"We will need to get rid of the lightning and the ice first. It will make it more safer and easier if you are in the room with her when I project your image." The Professor said concisely. With a nod I stepped back as Iceman and Storm stepped forward. I then watched as Iceman absorbed the ice whereas Storm tamed the lightning. Soon enough the ice and the lightning was gone long enough for us to go through the door and enter the room. I could see Caroline tossing and turning violently; the sheets tangling themselves around her legs.
"Would it be worth it to try and sing to her in situ rather than through the mind probe – especially since she doesn't like people reading her mind?" I asked curiously.
"It might work – but she might also be too deep in the throes of her nightmare to respond positively." The Professor replied quietly.
"We have to try – we don't have a lot of options." I replied quickly, and so after taking a breath I opened my mouth to sing.
How does a moment last forever?
How can a story never die?
It is love we must hold onto
Never easy, but we try
Sometimes our happiness is captured
Somehow, our time and place stand still
Love lives on inside our hearts and always will
Was I feeling love for a girl I barely know? Or was I just feeling a sense of protectiveness over her like an older brother would feel for a younger sibling?
Minutes turn to hours, days to years then gone
But when all else has been forgotten
Still our song lives on
What song was I talking about? Was it my music being lived on through this girl with such love and passion for music? Or was it the fact my story lives on through the musical?
Maybe some moments weren't so perfect
Maybe some memories not so sweet
But we have to know some bad times
Or our lives are incomplete
We have been through so much together – from the day Caroline appeared in my lair and changing my life – to being brought to New York and helping Caroline learn to control her powers. All through those moments there was a mixture of beautiful and horrible memories – yet I stayed beside her through them all.
Then when the shadows overtake us
Just when we feel all hope is gone
We'll hear our song and know once more
Our love lives on
What shadows was the song speaking of? The shadows that darkened my soul before I met Caroline? Shadows filled with obsession and jealousy. Yet I suddenly stumbled when another voice joined in with my song.
How does a moment last forever?
How does our happiness endure?
Through the darkest of our troubles
Love is beauty, love is pure
Love pays no mind to desolation
It flows like a river through the soul
Protects, proceeds, and perseveres
And makes us whole
Minutes turn to hours, days to years then gone
But when all else has been forgotten
Still our song lives on
How does a moment last forever
When our song lives on
"Caroline I am so glad you are ok. I was worried when you didn't respond to my voice at first. I thought you were never going to wake up!" I explained quickly, before suddenly embracing her. Yet I pulled away when I realised I was breaking propriety and when she tensed in my arms.
"I'm sorry, I should have warned you I was going to do that. I was just so worried about you I felt the need to embrace you to make sure you were still there." Yet I still saw fear in her eyes, like she could still see the images of her nightmare.
"Do you want to talk about it? I can tell you still fear the images you saw in your dream. And I heard you calling out my name – telling me not to leave you." I asked curiously, before placing my hand beside hers, but not grasping it. I gasped when she took my hand in her much smaller one, before replying quietly.
"All I remember was watching you leave with Christine, and I felt my heart breaking as darkness surrounded me. I then woke up once the darkness took over completely. All the while I was calling out for you to come back to me. Yet I am not sure why I wanted you not to leave me." That was when I noticed a blush colouring her cheeks. Could she have feelings for me too? Yet do I even have feelings for her in return?
"It's ok. I'm here, I'll always be here." I whispered soothingly, as I stroked her knuckles gently in a circular motion.
"What time is it?" Caroline asked quietly, her eyes beginning to droop.
"It's 3 in the morning. You should rest some more. You overexerted yourself and need the energy for control lessons in the morning." The Professor replied concisely.
"Please don't leave me alone! If I fall asleep the dream will come back again!" Caroline cried out tearfully.
"I won't leave you if you don't wish me to leave." I started to sing her favourite song to soothe her back to sleep. Yet I only got to sing the first verse before she was peacefully asleep. As the other X-Men left the room quietly, I sat in a nearby chair and kept watch over her, until I fell peacefully asleep.
It was the next morning and I woke up to sunlight streaming through a gap in the curtains. Yet Caroline was still sleeping peacefully – seemingly unaffected by the sunlight streaming into the room. Yet even though I wanted her to stay asleep a while longer, I didn't want her to miss her control lesson with the Professor.
"Caroline…it's time to wake up. You need to attend another control lesson with the Professor." I said gently, all the while trying to nudge her awake. Yet she didn't wake but instead rolled over to face the window. And so after giving a stretch I went over to the window before opening the curtains. I smiled a little when Caroline gave a groan before burying herself under the covers.
"Caroline it's time to wake up. Control lessons start soon." I said quietly, before pulling the bedsheets off the bed.
"Five more minutes!" I heard her mumble in her sleep.
"You don't want to miss a control lesson do you?" I asked gently, before smiling as she gave a little yawn and stretched like a cat.
"Fine I'll get up." She mumbled, before grabbing her outfit for the day and a towel and making her way to the bathroom. I made my way to my room to give her some privacy and get ready for the day too, before making my way back to her room and waiting outside for her to finish getting ready.
"Were you waiting outside for me?" A voice asked gently. I looked up from my musings to see Caroline in a simple pinafore and t-shirt combo.
"I was. After all I need to be with you during your control lessons." I replied quietly.
"But I think breakfast is in order. After all you can't concentrate on an empty stomach." I continued, just as Caroline's stomach gave an almighty growl, causing her to blush profusely. After eating some breakfast, we left the dining room just before the other students started piling in. We eventually arrived at the Professor's office, and after knocking firmly three times we heard him say.
"Enter." I entered the room, followed by Caroline before closing the door behind us.
"Ah glad to see you up and about Caroline. I thought we would try something a little different today." The Professor said jovially.
"So what's on the agenda today?" I asked curiously as Caroline remained silent the entire time.
"I was thinking of trying to get Caroline to extract multiple powers – but with me trying to penetrate her mind again." Yet Caroline's demeanour changed from silent to tearful in the space of a millisecond.
"You promised! No not again! No not again!" She screamed tearfully over and over.
"I'm sorry we suggested this Erik, but I cannot think of any other way to help her control her powers. At least not until she can tolerate her mind being penetrated with my powers. After all if we try all other options to calm her down and they don't work, we need her to be able to tolerate mind penetration from me in order to calm her down." The Professor said matter of factly. I nodded in agreement as even though I haven't encountered this issue yet, we have been close to encountering it on multiple occasions.
"Caroline, I know we can get through this. I'll be beside you the entire time – but this is something we need to do to help you control your powers. After all we don't want anyone to get hurt." I explained soothingly, as tears continued to fall profusely down her cheeks. For what felt like hours there was just silence, with the air being punctuated by the sound of a sob every now and again, but it was followed by Caroline replying quietly.
"Ok, I'll try. But please get me away when it gets too much."
"I promise to catch you if you fall." I beseeched.
"Let's go to the Danger Room – it will be safer to unleash your powers in there." And I had to suppress a gasp when she took my hand in hers. We then walked hand in hand towards the Danger Room – all the while I had a million questions running through my head. The most prominent one was: was this love I was experiencing?