Hello lovelies, welcome to a new chapter.

Hope you all had a great couple of weeks and thanks to those who took their time to leave a nice message behind. Been in the dumps a bit lately with work and life, so those kind words and comments were more than welcome.

I also hope you guys are still with me and this story :)

Let's get on with it, shall we?

Enjoy!

Chapter 22 - A drink of Water

Ann entered Erik's room and after a couple of steps heard the door close behind her. She took a deep breath and refrained from turning around just yet. She'd gone up to his room without really thinking of what she was going to say, other than throwing an accusation his way. Knowing Erik he probably already knew, which would imply that it was true. How could it not be? Raven had caught him standing there, she'd even called out to him.

Coincidences might not always be true, but Ann did believe in them despite not trusting them. If it had been only one weight to have fallen from the rack, she might have thought nothing of it. But to have all of them drop down at once was unbelievable, especially considering the rack had not shown any signs of being broken. But Ann had to know if Erik had been the one to do it, and more importantly, why.

"Thank you for letting me in." She said taking another step forward before spinning on her heel to finally look at him. "I'm here because,-"

"I heard you the first time." Erik replied and he slipped his hands into the pockets of his pants while casually leaning his back against the wall next to the doorframe. "Though I'm not quite sure I understand what it is you're here for?"

That was understandable as she'd been rather vague and all over the place with everything she'd said. But the main message had been clear, hadn't it? That she was most definitely there to figure something out. She'd mentioned his behaviour from yesterday and something odd happening in the training room, though she didn't accuse him directly of the later, it was heavily implied she connected him to the event. But as Ann stood there, with Erik staring at her in that way which could only be described as mockery, she was beginning to feel dumb for knocking on his door.

"As I said, something unexplainable happened while I was in the training room with Darwin and I was wondering if you had anything to do with it?" It was again another unclear question as she not once had mention what that something was. But Ann was hoping for a flicker of recognition from the man in front of her. Something that would give away that he knew what she was talking about and thus betray himself and confirm her suspicion.

"So you came here to accuse me?" Erik frowned.

"In a sense, yes." There was no denying it.

"You don't sound too confident, Ann."

Not confident? There was no other reason for her being there but to place blame on him. And strangely enough, the expression on Erik's face as he talked to her, wasn't one of surprise. But the kind that someone had when they knew very well what it was they were being accused of. He was guilty of something, that much was true.

"Raven spotted you in the hall. She said you were looking through the door. Looking in on us, that is." Ann continued as she stood a little more poised.

"I was watching you." He admitted with ease and he shrugged. "A man is free to look, is he not?"

The way he said it made her cheeks heat up. Indeed, there was nothing wrong with Erik looking in on her training with Darwin. There was no crime, he had her there. But that wasn't really what Ann was accusing him of. No, what she wanted to know was if he'd had anything to do with those weights falling off the rack and rolling across the mats, nearly knocking her and Darwin off their feet. If it hadn't been for the young man's watchful eyes and mutation, Ann would have most surely fallen flat on her back with a bruised ankle as a result. A minor thing, but still worth investigating.

"You never mentioned knowing how to fight."

Erik continued before Ann could reply to his previous statement. Was he changing the subject deliberately? Or was it a genuine question?

"So you were looking?"

"I already told you that I was."

Ann set the empty glass she was still holding on a nearby table. "You could have come in?"

"I was planning on it, to hand you the water Raven had given me." Erik cocked his head and nodded at the glass. "Until I saw you with,- what's his name again?"

"Oh, please." Ann scoffed and rolled her eyes instantly. "You know very well what his name is."

"Nonetheless, you were obviously busy. It would have been impolite to barge in unannounced."

Impolite? Since when was that something Erik cared about. Everything the man did and said happened without consideration of others or what was morally correct. Most of the time that was how he behaved. Though Ann had to admit that she had caught some moments with him where he'd showed a different side of himself. Thoughtful and caring. Then again, she could count all of those times on one hand. She shook her head.

"Honestly, I don't know what's up with you. We've only been here for a day and already you're,-"

"I'm what?" He interjected quickly and unexpectedly, taking a few steps in her direction.

She looked up into his eyes as he halted before her. "Different."

"Ich?"

"I don't see anybody else in here." She countered.

"You are here? Perhaps it is you who is acting different and not me." The tone in his voice changed and he unwaveringly held her gaze. "You've been behaving reckless. Sensitive and susceptible. Not to mention rather receptive too."

Receptive? What on Earth did he mean with that?

"Receptive of what?"

"You let him close." Erik continued. "Like this,-"

Without warning he then her touched her. Gently, with the back of his fingers against her cheek. Slow strokes, up and down. His touch was warm and Ann felt her throat tighten and her stomach flutter. It was a weird analogy Erik was making. Darwin got close to her, that much was true but not in a romantic or flirtatious manner. Unless, unless Erik wasn't referring to him. There was only one other person he could be talking about. Charles. There was no other explanation. Because the way Erik was touching her face right now, was almost in the same manner as Charles had done. Yesterday, in the greenhouse.

Ann frowned and grabbed his hand roughly, slightly pulling her head back. "Gesteren, im Gewächshaus,-" She searched his eyes. "You were there?"

"Usually it means something when a man touches a woman like that." Erik added, blatantly ignoring her question.

It was proof enough for Ann. Erik had been there at the greenhouse. Meaning he'd overheard her talking to Charles and he had seen them together. Now she was beginning to think that he might have had something to do with the sprinkler system suddenly going off. It would also explain his attitude the minute she spoke with him at the fountain afterwards. And just now with feigning ignorance by suddenly not knowing Darwin's name.

"Then enlighten me, Erik. What does it mean when someone is being touched like that?" Ann asked him testily and she tightened her hold in his fingers.

But again Erik pretended not to hear her and he continued his monologue. "How could you let him touch you? After everything he's done? After going into your head like that without permission? He hurt you, Ann. You could have,-"

"You know just as well as I do that he never purposely intended to hurt me."

"So you've forgiven him? Is that what you're telling me?"

"I,- Well, I,-. Somewhat." Ann breathed.

In the blink of an eye Erik's expression went cold and he pulled his hand free from her grasp before turning away. Ann knew it wasn't what he wanted to hear. He'd made it perfectly clear in Russia that he did not want her to forgive and forget what Charles had done. But she knew Charles never would have done what he did if he had known it could have killed her. If that had happened, he never would have forgiven himself. Or so he had told her.

But Erik was the sort of person to hold a grudge. Debts had to be paid one way or another. Punishments had to be given to those who deserved it. Ann was pretty sure that he still respected Charles despite what happened. After all, he was the first other mutant he'd ever met. He'd stuck with him and helped with finding Shaw. Charles hadn't done that just for Erik, but he did want to give him the redemption he so desperately sought. In a way, Erik might just be as conflicted with how he felt about Charles as Ann did.

"Erik,-"

"I think you should leave." He uttered with a low voice.

Ann stared at the back of his head, hoping he'd reconsider his words or at the very least throw one last glance over his shoulder at her. She didn't understand why he was behaving like this. What did it matter to him whether or not she'd forgiven Charles? It had nothing to do with him and it wouldn't change a single thing with regards to Shaw either, if that's what he was worried about. On top of that, she still hadn't gotten any answers from him aside from the fact that he had been watching her with Darwin. As well as spying on her while she was with Charles in the greenhouse.

Actually, now that she thought about it, it didn't matter to her anymore if it had or had not been him who turned those sprinklers on or dropped those weights from the rack. All of those scenarios had one thing in common and that was that she had been there. Whatever was bothering Erik had to do with her, but it looked like he had no intention of telling her what that problem was exactly.

"Fine. If that's what you want." Ann replied shortly.

She brushed past him and placed her hand on the doorknob. Just as she was about to turn it and walk out, she stopped and slowly dropped her hand.

"No." She said. "You know what, it's not fine."

Swiftly she turned around to face him again, but found Erik already looking at her. His gaze made her heart pound heavily in her chest and she felt her hands tingled. Just like with Charles, Erik usually got his way. His way or the high way. The only time that had been different was when she first told him about her past and the time when he took care of her in Moscow. The Erik who managed to break down her walls, yet with him it was more difficult. He kept them up strong and unbreakable.

"You're right. I came here to place blame on you for something, but it no longer matters. However, I'm not going to let it slide that you accused me too."

Erik blinked and his eyebrows rose. "Which is?"

"That I'm apparently reckless and sensitive. Susceptible?" Ann narrowed her eyes and walked up to him. "If I didn't know any better, considering you immediately mentioned Charles touching my face,- I'd say it is you who are implying something."

Ann swore she could see something flash across Erik's face when she mentioned Charles. He then leaned forward, looming over her, but it was hard to tell if her behaviour was amusing or annoying him.

"And what would it be that I'm implying?"

Now her face was really burning up, Her cheeks pricked like tiny short stabs with a warm needle. She stared into Erik's arrogant piercing blue eyes. Oh, the things she wanted to say to him but how would they be able to continue in a normal way as soon as she were to open her mouth and tell him what was on her mind?

"Either that it bothers you to see me with him like that or that I'm just a naïve and ignorant little girl for allowing Charles to get that close to me. Because how dare I after what happened in Russia?"

Erik wetted his lips and lowered his gaze for a split second. "Indeed."

"And on top of that, I let another man get close to me. Albeit in a different manner, it could still be considered indecent? Sweating bodies nearly touching each other while I'm dressed like this?"

She knew was going overboard, especially as she took a step back and motioned at herself and at the outfit she was wearing. Maybe her training with Darwin wasn't what irked Erik, but the whole ordeal with Charles certainly did. Of that she was certain. But still Erik was keeping his mouth shut. It were only his eyes which spoke volumes and Ann decided to continue her tirade.

"A man is free to look. You said it yourself. It's not a crime that you saw me with Charles or watched me train with Darwin. It's the other things that make it. Such as turning on those sprinklers in the greenhouse, or,- or letting those barbells with weights on them fly off the rack. And you dared to call me sensitive?"

"You have no proof I did that." Erik spoke. "Though I'm sure Charles will be more than happy to let you know the truth, considering how close you apparently are with him."

"I'm sure he could, but he shouldn't. Maybe you did those things and maybe you didn't, Erik. But let me tell you one thing,- it's none of your business how I interact with other people. For whatever reason. Whether it's here or anywhere else in the world. If something is bothering you, you should come to me. You had every opportunity yesterday when I returned from the greenhouse. But you didn't. Instead you played a game and pretended not to know why I was soaking wet."

She let out a shuddering breath and stopped. Ann's chest was heaving up and down and her voice had started to slightly tremble. That's how angry Erik was making her, with that unimpressed expression adorning his face and the twitching in the right corner of his mouth. She was definitely accusing him directly now. He might say she had no proof, but she didn't need it. The answer was obvious.

A quiet spell filled the room. She wasn't going to get her answer, Ann knew this. Erik was a vault. Strong and impenetrable. She didn't know what else to say without repeating the same words over and over again. Her point was clear. Erik was upset with her, but he didn't even care to explain. Maybe she was reading too much into it. Ann shook her head and turned her back on him this time.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm trying to get out of this conversation. I should have left when you told me to." She said softly and she walked up to the door.

Placing her hand on the knob, she turned it slowly. But just as she was about to move, a loud bang sounded next to her causing the door to fall shut before ever properly opening. Ann looked up at the hand pressed flat against its surface. She traced the outline of Erik's arm with her eyes until they landed on his face. He was once again looming over her, closer than before. Only a couple of inches of space between them. Silence filled the room, only the distinct sound was that of shallow breathing coming from both of them.

She locked eyes with him and was surprised to find his stare to be soft this time. Not cold and hard as it had been a couple of seconds ago.

"You're right." Erik breathed. "About all of it. Those weights falling, which was sort of an accident, but yes, it was me. As for yesterday, those sprinklers? Completely intentional."

He paused and clenched his hand into a fist. "Seeing you with Charles like that. Talking, standing the way that you were. I got so angry,- "

"We talked about Russia, Erik. It was a conversation Charles and I started after I left your room in Moscow, but we never finished it until now." Ann explained as she interrupted him.

Erik scoffed. "For all I know he was trying to convince you to let him try again. As a so called way to strengthen and discover new things about your mutation."

"He didn't do anything of the sort." She assured him.

"But it sounds like something he could do." There was that flash of anger in his eyes again. "There was no need for him to be that close to you, or was there?"

Ann exhaled deeply. She couldn't win with Erik. Of course he wasn't entirely wrong. Charles was the sort of man who tried many things in order to get his way. Especially in the name of science. But he wouldn't revert to using his charm to get on her good side. Or would he? She furrowed her brow as Erik's hand slipped down the door and lingered at the same height of her hip. The action caused him t automatically move a little closer than he already was.

"I'd hate to think of what could happen if he tries to go into your head again while you're in the midst of using your gift. What if the consequences will be much worse this time around?" Erik's voice was deep and sounded genuinely filled with worry.

"Was this the thought that bothered you? Erik, you have nothing to worry about. We discussed it. The thought of letting him try something like that again hasn't crossed my mind at all." She replied.

He nodded. "Good. It will stay that way."

"Erik,-"

"Ann, bitte."

Of course he wasn't going to give her room to counterargue, which she wasn't going to. She understood where he was coming from and it was sweet of him to care. But she also couldn't believe that this was what had been bothering him. An underlying concern that she might get hurt again? They could have avoided this nonsense altogether and she would not have gotten soaking wet, if only he'd said something.

Though none of this explained his behaviour regarding seeing her and Darwin, but perhaps that had been just Erik acting on his bottled up emotions from yesterday. Ann shook her head and chuckled.

"Mein Gott, sometimes I can't help but wonder how much simpler my life would have been had I not met any of you." She smiled faintly as she looked back up at Erik once more.

"Do you mean that?" He asked furrowing his brow.

He sounded serious, and though she'd intended her comment as something light-hearted, she now wondered about it. Would her life have been simpler? Since Moira had been her way into this group of people, she probably couldn't have avoided it meeting Charles and Raven. But if she had declined Charles's invitation, she never would have met Erik and the others. She also wouldn't have known and realize how many other mutants with different abilities were out there.

The only good thing would have been to not learn of Shaw. All the pain and suffering he had caused, to mutants as well as her own kind. Especially the latter. Perhaps not meeting Erik would have been one of the biggest downsides. Someone who understood better than anyone what her life had been like. Unaccepted and shunned in more ways than one. What were the odds of meeting someone who'd grown up during the war and was a mutant?

"Well, I,-." She muttered softly.

"I don't regret meeting you,-" Erik replied as soon as she opened her mouth.

Ann kept her lips parted as words fail to cross them. No regrets. It was the way he said it. As if the sentence contained some hidden message. Suddenly she noticed something warm slipping past her side and Ann lowered her gaze as Erik's hand settled on her waist, giving a little tug and pulling her closer to him.

"I know it doesn't always seem like that. I'm great at giving the wrong impression. Shouting at you. Calling you names. Lifting suitcases and setting off sprinklers."

Yes, it was incredibly easy to misinterpret Erik's action. As none of those things he was mentioning had showed any sign of affection. But those things were the complete opposite of what he was currently doing to her. Ann searched his eyes. What was it he'd said earlier? It means something when a man touches a woman like that? He was definitely giving her a rather particular impression. Or was she suppose to interpret this incorrectly too?

"You're forgetting throwing me into a bathtub." She said softly.

Erik chuckled heartily and Ann felt the vibrations of his voice through her own body. The memory of Erik's hotel room in Russia flashed across her mind. Where he had held her after she'd woken up and then again after expressing concern for what had happened. He'd apologized for his previous behaviour at the base before cupping her face and rubbing his thumb just below her lower lip.

Perhaps he was reminiscing about that moment too, as Erik cocked his head, watched her intensely and smiled. But then, in a split second, he frowned. His gaze moved to the right and Ann felt his other hand make it's way upward. His fingers danced across the bare skin of her upper arm, over her shoulder and slowly traced the line of her collar bone.

"Can I be honest with you?" He asked and his eyes shifted to hers again.

Ann nodded and Erik lifted his hand away from her neck, turned it and slipped it behind her head. Instinctively she closed her eyes as Erik's lips brushed against hers, a short but swift touch before covering her mouth completely. She pressed her hands against his chest as he pulled her in while deepening the kiss. There was no way for her to misinterpret this.

At the same time they broke the kiss, their breathing shallow and Ann licked her lips.

"Hat es dir die Sprache verschlagen?" Erik whispered under his breath.

Ann's eyes fluttered open. Oh, she obviously was speechless. She definitely had not expected this to happen when she went up to his room to put him in his place for acting all weird on her. But then again, quite a lot of unexpected things had already happened since arriving at the mansion.

He leaned into her again, ready to close the small gap between their mouths when a intense red light appeared from the corner of his eye. A loud explosion followed, the room shook violently and Erik immediately covered Ann with his body. As he pulled her to the ground with him, he threw a glance over his shoulder. What had just happened?

Yes, it was only Ann and Erik this time around. I felt like having just one chapter dedicated to those two. One where Erik doesn't get away with his shenanigans, but in the end we all know that he does. And then it turned into a heavily implied romantic moment between those to. Well, more than implied obviously...

I do hope you all liked it (even if your preference is Charles and Ann). Thank you all so much for reading. As always, I would love to hear your thoughts :)

German translations: (Feel free to correct me as German is not my native language).

Gesteren, im Gewächshaus, - Yesterday, in the greenhouse.

Bitte - Please.

Mein Gott - Dear Lord/My God.

Hat es dir die Sprache verschlagen? - Cat got your tongue? (unable to talk?).