Hi everyone,

Thank you all so much for being here and reading the story. Also to those of you who took time to leave a message and add the story to their fav and alert list. You are amazing and it makes me so incredibly happy.

Now to reply to some of the reviewers :)

NetteBS: It was a moment for sure!

Mary-Ann: Charles knows he did wrong yes. It was a little moment between Ann and Erik, but this is a slowburn. I like to keep options open. It can still go either way. (Or three way).

Starksky: Thank you once again for correcting my German in the last chapter! As well as for your in depth review and how you view the situation. I'm glad you enjoyed it and took time to leave a message.

Cassie-011: Have no fear! nothing is set in stone yet :)

Intothevoid: There will be a confrontation between Charles and Ann. Definitely!

Fangirl0012345: Thank you for binging the story! Lol, and for being team Charles (but still enjoying how Erik is written with Ann).

Oneshiika: I'm sorry the update took a while! I hope you'll like it :)

Everyone, enjoy this new chapter!

Chapter 18 - Please, forgive me.

"Erik, would you mind opening the door, please?" Charles repeated after it stayed quiet for ten seconds.

The metal bender turned his head to glance over his shoulder. Ann was currently on the floor picking up some of the flowers that had fallen over the side of the table. There was a dark stain of water visible on the carpet, but at least the vase hadn't been broken. She caught Erik looking at her and he mouthed something along the lines of 'Shall I let him in?' as he pointed his thumb at the door.

It was sweet of him to ask her. But what good would it do if she were to tell him that he couldn't. That she was in no mood to speak to Charles, let alone see him. Apparently she was taking too long to come up with an answer for Erik motioned for her to stay where she was as he turned back to the door. He pushed the handle and only opened it slightly, leaving enough room for Charles to see him yet too little to venture inside without a proper invitation.

The telepath stared at his friend. "Is this really necessary?"

Erik shrugged. "You wanted to talk. Go ahead. You said something about them being alright?"

Charles let out a sigh of frustration. "I did, yes. Is Ann there? I'm sure she wants to hear this as well."

"You know she's here and that she can hear you just fine. What else did Moira tell you?"

Erik was right. Charles knew very well Ann was awake. Of course he did. It was the reason why he excused himself to Moira before leaving her in a hurry. HE double checked once he arrived on this floor and before knocking on Erik's door. He'd sensed her presence immediately. He'd even picked up on part of her conversation with Erik. But what had really hit him were her thoughts, mainly those directed specifically at him. How hurt she felt by what he'd done, but most of all betrayed. Charles had stopped reading her mind after that.

It had taken quite some effort to gain the woman's trust. Something which normally came easy to him, mostly thanks to his powers. But not with her. Not with Ann. If you were to ask Charles what it was that had caused her to have a change of heart towards him, he would not be able to tell you as he had no idea on how he'd pulled that off. But he had and he'd noticed this proof only a couple of days ago.

He'd felt so happy. Euphoric. There really was no other way to describe it. All of their arguments, discussions and those moments of anger, seemed to have finally reached a tipping point. Ann understood that behind all of his loudness, or cockiness as she would probably call it, that Charles meant well. Though his approach was anything but refined. He wanted to do good and he wanted her to be a part of it. Not due to the fact that she was a mutant, but because of who she was as a person.

Only now, within the blink of an eye, it was all gone. He'd screwed up many times before, but nothing compared to this.

Charles realized he wasn't going to get anywhere tonight from where he was currently standing. At least not where he wanted to be. He had no other choice but to let things sort themselves out for now and not cause a scene in the middle of a Russian hotel. He scratched the back of his head and then placed his hands in the pockets of his jacket.

"Moira told me that,-" As he spoke, he raised his chin a little to steal a glance over Erik's shoulder to try and catch a glimpse of Ann. But the other man took a step forward and leaned into the opening of the door, obscuring Charles's view. Reluctantly, he moved his gaze back to Erik.

"Moira said that the base has taken heavy damage. Lots of lives were lost. Thankfully no one that we really know, that is except for agent,-"

He stopped once again as this time he noticed Ann from the corner of his eye, slowly making her way towards them. He dared not to read her mind again, though his fingers were itching to reach up and press themselves against his temple. He knew for a fact the news he was about to share with them was one that Ann would dread to hear. Charles cleared his throat and shifted his weight from one leg to the other.

"It pains me to say that we did lose agent Frank during Shaw's attack." He said.

As predicted, the news caused Ann to halt immediately. She blinked and her lips parted. Had she heard Charles correctly? Frank was dead? She'd seen him just a couple of days ago. He was the one who'd brought her to the airport when she left for Russia and now,- now he was gone? She hadn't known Frank for that long, but he'd been kind to her from day one, despite knowing she was a mutant.

Everything that had to do with mutants and Division X brought that man great joy. His enthusiasm was something she could never forget. But was it not because of that passion that he'd died? Because of Shaw...It didn't matter if he was the one who'd done it or if it had been one of his followers. If it hadn't been for them, Frank would still be alive. Ann placed her hand against the corner of her mouth, her eyes shifting from left to right.

"I'm sorry, Ann." Charles spoke loudly and his voice hitched a little.

She raised her head for a split second and locked eyes with him. Charles's brow was furrowed and he threw her a look of compassion and sympathy. Maybe she was imagining it, but it sounded as if that sorry carried more weight than simply offering her his condolences for Frank's passing. It was nowhere near enough to make Ann forgive and forget what he'd done to her. But she didn't feel like yelling or getting angry with him. Not right now. Not after having heard this news. She crossed her arms and looked away.

The only good thing his news meant, was that apparently Raven and the others were safe. Though Ann doubted Angel was still among them, it was clear Shaw had reached her with his words. But the others were still there? Surely Charles would also mention if anything else had changed. Clearly Moira had been successful with reaching the base, confirming that which Ann had already seen.

"Any news on when we're to return?" Erik asked after having thrown a look behind him to see how Ann was doing.

Charles nodded. "That's the other news I have to tell you. I don't know how Nikolay did it, but he managed to arrange a plane. We're leaving and soon. Within an hour. Might I suggest we each get ready as quickly as possible?"

"Good to hear and don't worry, we'll be ready." Erik replied, his hand already reaching for the door to shut it. The metal bender could tell Charles was not amused with the fact he'd used the word we instead of referring to just himself.

The other man retracted his hands from his pockets and straightened the front of his jacket. Charles was reluctant to leave the scene without having talked to Ann, he also didn't like the fact that it appeared she was going to stay in Erik's room a little longer. From what he could tell she seemed alright, except for the emotional damage he'd caused her.

"Moira's already getting ready. I'll head back to my room and prepare as well." He threw yet another glance over Erik's shoulder. Ann was still standing in the same spot with her arms crossed. He doubted she was going to leave while he was still standing there.

Charles cleared his throat and took a step back. "I guess I'll meet you two downstairs. Fifty minutes?"

"Sure." Erik replied and he closed the door swiftly and abruptly without saying anything else.

He kept his hand pressed against the wall and took in a deep breath. So, this was how things were at the moment. The base had been partially destroyed. The CIA had lost a lot of their people. Whereas the losses on their own side, the mutant side, had been the loss of a single member. No deaths. Erik felt pleased. But where did that leave them for now?

At least they knew of Shaw's plan, all thanks to Charles reading that other telepath's mind earlier today. As much as Erik hated waiting, there wasn't much they could do at the moment. Getting back to the US was the main priority. But one thing was certain, the agency had gotten a taste up close as to how dangerous Shaw was. How powerful their kind was. And where would this leave them once they returned? He was worried the CIA might deem them a risk. A danger to society. But they were sure to realize that without them, they would never be able to stop Shaw.

Erik turned around and was met with Ann standing close by looking up at him. An emotionless expression adorned her face. Had the death of that CIA agent, Frank, really hit her that hard? Erik didn't believe it could be just that. It had to be more. But then again, she was the one who had seen it all happen. Perhaps not his death specifically, but she had seen Shaw. Heard him and witnessed the destruction he'd caused. Erik knew what that looked like. He knew Shaw better than any of them.

"You alright?" He asked her with a low voice.

"I am. I mean, I will be. I believe it's best if I head back to my room. Pack my bags too." She spoke softly and rather distantly.

"Okay." He felt a little tug inside of him as she told him she was leaving. "I'll see you downstairs?"

He said it as a question, but she didn't give him an answer except for a small and swift smile. She was about to walk by, but to his surprised she stopped right next him and placed her hand on his upper arm.

"Thank you for taking care of me while I was out, Erik. That was incredibly sweet of you." As she thanked him, she gave him a gentle squeeze.

"Anytime." Erik replied after having swallowed a small lump which had formed in his throat.

Ann threw him one last and long look before finally stepping away and walking out the door. She was not looking forward to head back to her room, but she didn't want to impose on Erik's hospitality any longer either. Besides, she had to pack her bags considering they were suppose to leave within an hour. But she was convinced that as soon as she were to step inside her hotel room she'd find Moira there, who had most likely been informed already by Charles on what had transpired. That she'd seen through Raven's eyes. Seen Shaw. Seen Angel leaving them.

Of course, Ann was only assuming that the other mutant had told Moira about it. There was always a chance that he hadn't. Maybe he'd only told her minor details, including what he had done? Knowing Moira she'd be understanding towards both parties. Ann knew very well the effect Charles had on her auburn haired friend. There was no denying that she liked him. The signs were there. The looks, the stares. The softness in her voice and the laughter when she talked to him.

Now that she thought about it, she felt even more reluctant to enter. Alas there was no turning back, as she was already standing in front of the door leading into her hotel room which she shared with Moira. Ann inhaled deeply, puffed her cheeks as she raised her hand to knock on the door.

"Moira, it's me. I'm coming in."

Without really waiting for an answer, she turned the knob and made her way inside. Like Charles had said, Moira was already there, practically waiting next to the entrance. Behind her were two suitcases present and one of them belonged to her. It would appear there was no need for Ann to pack her things anymore.

"Hi, Ann." Moira said to her in a soft tone. "Charles told me you were on your way over."

"Did he? Is he here?" The other woman asked, a lump formed in her throat as she quickly peeked over Moira's shoulder.

"Here? No. I thought he was with you? He sent me a message about a minute ago. You know,-" She tapped against the side of her head. "I uh,- I should mention probably that we talked earlier, downstairs. He told me what you did for him. That you managed to help him find out if Raven and the others were okay?"

Her question was carefully worded, or so it seemed to Ann. It didn't reveal a lot as to what else Charles might have told her. Something she was planning on finding out. She cleared her throat and crossed her arms. "I did, yes. Anything else that he might have told you?"

"Not a lot to be honest. He mentioned what happened to Angel. That she left us for that Shaw. Everything else I'd already heard from my phone call with the base." Moira replied as Ann tilted her head sideways.

"He didn't say anything else? Nothing at all?" She asked.

The agent parted her lips and narrowed her eyes giving Ann a puzzled look. "That was it,- why do you ask? Did he forget something important? You know he was in quite a hurry. Almost a bit,- what's the word I'm looking for,- disconcerted?"

"Was he now?"

"Yes. We were talking, but he then excused himself rather out of the blue and went off in a hurry. Something about having left you with Erik and that he needed to check on you."

Well, that certainly spoke volume in more ways than one, didn't it? It was clear that Charles had decided to not tell Moira everything that had happened. Only the big picture, nothing that might cause him to be seen in a bad light.

"I see." Ann muttered. A silence followed and soon she caught Moira staring at her with a furrowed brow. "What?"

"Nothing. Forget it. I just,- I haven't been able to take a breather since we returned from the woods. First Erik losing his cool with the Russians and nearly ruining everything. Then Shaw attacking the base. Losing people I've worked with,-" She paused and ran a hand through her hair. "I'm assuming you heard about what happened to agent Frank?"

Ann couldn't do much else but nod. "Charles mentioned it."

"Okay,- good. I was hoping he would. He didn't quite seem to register when I told him about it. I,-" She paused and stared ahead for a couple of seconds before looking at Ann again. "Sorry. I don't know what I'm saying. Today's been a lot."

Moira exhaled deeply and turned lowered her gaze. Ann watched her closely. Obviously she was also having a rough time, perhaps worse than her depending on how you looked at it. For a moment her anger towards Charles subsided a little and was replaced with sympathy for her friend.

"Is there anything you want me to do?" Ann asked before she could stop herself.

But thankfully Moira shook her head. She then nodded at the suitcases next to the bathroom door. "I took the liberty of packing your stuff. I hope you don't mind. I was busy with mine and before I realized it, I was prepping yours as well."

"Don't worry about it. I understand. Thanks you." She gave a small smile. "I think I'll freshen up quickly before we leave."

"Alright. I'll head to Nikolay and take care of a few necessary things. Be downstairs in thirty minutes, okay?"

::::::...::::::

Ann had expected Charles to come knocking on her door as soon as Moira had left the room. However, the knock never came and neither did Charles. Eventually, she took her time taking a shower. Although it started out as one, it ended with her sitting down in the tub and letting the water fill all the way up to her knees. She closed her eyes and tried to relax, but whatever type of tranquillity she was hoping for, it simply would not happen. Her thoughts were mostly filled with rage and various scenarios of how she was going to address Charles and make sure he'd apologize to her for what he'd done.

A difficult challenge, if not a futile one. Ann sighed and submerged herself.

Charles Xavier. Just uttering his name was enough to make her clench her jaw and tighten her grasp on the edge of the bath. Thank goodness for Erik. If he hadn't taken her away, there was no telling what could have happened. She would have for sure reacted on her emotions the minute she'd woken up with the telepath being right there with her. Probably would have clogged him, as she'd done the first time they met.

Though Ann had to admit that when Charles had come up to Erik's room just now, it did look like he showed some form of remorse, despite never really addressing any of it. His 'sorry' as a condolence to the death of agent Frank sounded almost as if he meant it for something else. But then again, that could all be wishful thinking. When it came to Charles you could never tell.

Ann resurfaced and got out of the bath. Moira had asked her to come downstairs in thirty minutes and her time was almost up.

She dried her hair, got dressed and did one last round around the room to make sure Moira hadn't forgotten anything. After that she grabbed her suitcase and made her way to the door. She waited for a second, her hand lingering near the knob while her stomach suddenly tingled. She pulled her hand back and pressed it against the door as she leaned forward to peek through the little peephole.

There was nobody there, thankfully. Once again she reached for the doorknob and turned it.

But the minute she did and was about to step out, a shadow emerged from the corner of her eye. A shadow with brown hair and what looked like a dark grey suit. There wasn't much else for her to see in that short span of a second, but she didn't have to. She knew perfectly well who it was.

Charles grabbed hold of her wrist, pulled it away from the knob and ushered her back into the room. The door fell shut behind them with a loud thud followed by a click. Ann dropped her suitcase and stepped back as the telepath turned around to meet her glare of death. He licked his lips and held his hands up in a defensive stance.

"Ann,-"

"YOU!"

"Hear me,-"

"HOW DARE YOU!"

"Out."

Ann's heart pounded rapidly in her chest as she stared at him, grinding her teeth. Now she understood why she'd felt that odd sensation in her stomach right before opening the door. Somehow she'd sensed it in her gut that something was off.

"You've got some nerve ambushing me like this!" She hissed at him. "What in the bloody hell is going on inside that,- that,- pompous banana brain of yours?"

Well, they were off to a good start, as expected. Charles knew he was taking a risk, especially with a stunt like the one he'd just pulled. But how else was he going to get her alone before reaching America? He was not planning on sitting in a private jet for an ungodly amount of hours where one could cut the tension with a knife. He had to try. Try and clear the air before they would venture up in one.

"I'm sorry for this dramatic display, but I,- I really need to talk to you." He breathed, ignoring her minor insult. "I know you're angry with me. Disappointed,- and you have every right to be. But please,-"

He was not wrong there. She was all of those things and indeed she had every right to be. Of course he wanted to talk to her, he needed it. He needed redemption for what had happened and that clearly couldn't wait until tomorrow. Even now when they were in the middle of leaving Russia, Charles had to find a way to meet up with her. Coming up to Erik's room earlier hadn't worked, so he tried it in a different way.

"Stop it, Charles." Ann shouted again. "It always has to go your way, doesn't it? With everything. Everything on your terms. When and how. Well, not today. You get out. Get out of this room."

Knowing Charles, anything she'd say to him, shout or threw at him, would be pointless. He'd just keep coming back again and again until he'd finally get what he wanted. She ignored the fact that a part of her understood his need for clearing the air between them. That he probably had not intended to hurt her the way that he'd done. But Ann also felt that Charles got away with so many things. It was unacceptable to condone his behaviour, as Erik had said earlier.

"No. I'm not leaving, not until we've talked about this." Charles spoke firmly and kept his stance in front of the door. "Listen, I know you think I'm here to defend myself or justify my actions,- I assure you I'm not."

"You're not? Well, I'd better alert the press, because that is a headline if I've ever heard one." The woman spat.

The telepath pressed his mouth into a tight line. He deserved that. Heck, he deserved all of it and whatever else she was planning on throwing his way. But he had to explain himself, even just a little. But most of all, he had to apologize. He needed to fix the wrong he'd done. What if this incident would cause Ann to leave? The thought had crossed his mind more than once since it happened. She couldn't leave them. Especially now with the way things were.

"Please, Ann. Don't shut me out. I,-"

But Ann shook her head. "I know what you're going to say. You're sorry. Sorry for acting on your emotions. You were worried about Raven and the others. You had to see for yourself what was happening as the suspense and worry was eating you up on the inside. Had you known of course how much it was going to hurt me physically and mentally, you would have waited patiently instead of invading MY HEAD WHILE I WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!"

If there was anybody currently in the rooms adjacent to them, or even across the hallway, they would have most certainly heard all of that. By now Ann was shaking. When was the last time she'd raised her voice like that? She inhaled rapid, short and shallow breaths. Ann wasn't sure if Charles was even aware as to how painful and difficult it had been for her to have him in her head, but he had to know. She had to tell him.

"Your voice echoed over and over again each time you spoke. Your words cut my brain like a knife. I tried to break the connection, escape Raven's head. But I couldn't. I was stuck!" A sob escaped her and she closed her eyes as she reached for the side table next to her.

Charles could do nothing but stare, her words shocked him to his core. He'd hurt her? He'd only assumed that the reason for Ann being unresponsive was because his presence had drained her of all her energy. But it had been worse than that. Much more than he could have imagined. No wonder she was that enraged with him. To him it had felt completely different. How could he have been that selfish yet again?

He licked his lips. "Ann,-"

"Don't talk to me." She told him.

"I didn't know,- If I had known, I..." Charles stepped towards her, but paused when she opened her mouth again.

"You told me I didn't have to be afraid around you." Her voice sounded different now. Softer. Broken. "That you'd never take advantage of my ability. That I could trust you. And I actually did..."

Ann's words hit him hard. He knew how difficult it was for her to trust someone. She'd been betrayed by others on multiple occasions and he was aware of that. But now he was actually one of those people. Something he'd tried so hard to prevent from the day he'd met her. Oh, he'd failed many times to even gain her trust, but once he had it, he foolishly figured he was never going to lose it.

"I never meant to hurt you." Charles spoke deeply as he stood right in front of her, only inches apart.

Ann tilted her head back and looked up at him. Charles took this moment to place his hand upon hers and carefully pull it towards him.

"It was never my intention. Had I known it would hurt you, I would have never,-" He fell quiet and searched her eyes. They were shimmering, a vibrant cyan colour. He felt out of breath all of a sudden.

"You are the last person I'd ever want to do that to. I made a selfish choice, a choice that automatically destroyed every little bit of trust you ever dared to bestow upon me. I don't know why I keep failing you, Ann."

She trembled beneath his touch and her bottom lip quivered. An odd stirring short through her as he apologized. It was almost the same sensation as when Erik told her he cared about her. It was confusing. She was angry with Charles. How was he managing to make her feel anything else but that?

"I am incredibly sorry. For all of it. For being such a stupid knob. For not thinking of the consequences. I told you I'd never misuse your gift for the greater good,- But I did. And I'm so, so sorry. I don't know how I can make you believe me. But I'll say it as often as you need to hear it. I'll shout it from the rooftops. I'll whisper it over breakfast and during dinners,-"

Charles wasn't sure where all of that was coming from. He'd told himself he was merely going to tell Ann how sorry he was and also how thankful he was for her being there. Because if he hadn't been for Ann, creating a connection between him and Raven, who knew what could have happened? He could have lost his sister today. But he hadn't, and that was all thanks to her.

Ann couldn't leave them. She was too special. She was part of them. Even if Division X was to be abandoned because of the attack on the base, Charles didn't want her out of his life.

"I don't know what to do." He whispered all of a sudden. "Please, believe me."

She believed him. Curse it, but she did. He was guilt-ridden. She could see it in his face. Feel it from his touch. He was still holding her hand closely towards his chest, his fingers clasped tightly around it. Almost as if he was afraid that she would disappear if he were to let go.

"I don't know either." Ann replied softly. And she didn't. Ultimately, she knew she could forgive him. But how long before the same thing would happen again? Giving someone a second chance, even if it was over a small matter, was difficult for her. Charles Xavier challenged her in all that she was and ever had been.

A ringing went through the room. It came from the telephone on the side table, but neither of them responded to it. After a while the noise stopped. Ann let oud a shaky breath.

"I think that was Moira?"

"It can wait." Charles said in a low voice as he stared at her intensely.

Ann shook her head. "It can't." She retracted her hand, but never looked away. "I know you'd rather hear something else,-"

He did, but Charles knew it wasn't going to happen now. If only that bloody phone hadn't rung. But he had to be thankful for what he'd gotten. They'd talked. And she was no longer yelling at him. What was going to happen next, he couldn't predict it. All he could hope for was that this meant that Ann was giving him another chance.

There you have it! I know it took a while, but I hope it was worth it.

Also there is a Poll up on my profile page with regards to Erik, Charles and Ann. Though I know most of your opinions, I thought it would be nice to see an actual overall statistic. Feel free to cast a vote :)

Thank you all for reading, and I would love to hear your thoughts.

Until next time!