Thanks for the love and support!

Hope you'll all enjoy this one just as much. Enjoy :)

Chapter 28 - Forgive and Forget

The next day

Erik hadn't been at dinner. He hadn't been in his room either, or maybe he had, but when Ann had knocked on his door last night, while her heart pounded all the way up in her throat, it had stayed shut. She could have used her powers, could have, should have. Shouldn't have and hadn't in the end. Not that Erik would have known but in good conscious, which she still had apparently, she decided it was best to let time take its course.

This morning as she passed his door, she hadn't even stopped to try again. The house was big, but not big enough to keep them from crossing paths at some point. The last thing Ann wanted was to walk on eggshells around everyone. Charles, Erik and also Moira. This was a tango she never thought she'd dance. She still hadn't told Moira about what she'd done. No matter how Charles told her it was for the best if she didn't tell her, Ann wanted to clear the air just as she'd done last night by telling Erik about her kiss with Charles.

Moira was planning on heading out today, some business she had to take care of. It felt like the perfect opportunity for Ann to tag alone and speak to her friend about what she'd done. Alone. With no Charles around to meddle or stop her from telling Moira the truth. As she descended the stairs, she spotted Moira in the entrance hall. Coast seemed clear, nobody else in the vicinity. It was now or never.

"Moira?!" She called while hurrying down the last couple of steps.

"Morning, Ann. Sleep well?"

"Can I come with you?" Ann asked immediately, completely ignoring Moira's happy greeting.

"Downtown? I don't see why not. Did you ask Charles?" Moira frowned.

Charles? Why the heck would she ask his permission for something like that. Unless,- "Why, is he coming too?"

Thankfully Moira shook her head. "No, but I think he'd want to have a say in this."

A say in this. Oh, he definitely would want a say in this no doubt. But not on her watch. "I'm sure he won't mind. It's only for a few hours, isn't it?" Ann shrugged. "I just want some time away from here. Away from all of this. I need something, familiar. Just you and me."

She wasn't sure if anything she was saying made sense, but somehow Moira understood based on the sigh crossing her lips. She pinched the bridge of her nose and muttered something along the lines of 'he's going to have my hide for this' before looking back up again.

"Alright. Did you have breakfast yet?"

"No, but I could grab something while we're there, can't I?"

"I suppose,-"

"Great!" Ann linked her arm with Moira's and pulled her towards the front door. "Let's get going."

"Wait, wait, just,- let me grab my purse." The agent said as they passed the coat rack.

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

Erik stared through the window, watching Moira and Ann getting into the car parked out front. Just the two of them. What reason could those two possibly have for leaving this early in the morning? Hadn't Charles said nobody was allowed to leave the mansion unless it was for something important? Speaking of Charles...The metal bender turned around and held his breath as his so called friend stood in the doorway of the room. Hands his in pockets, face all serious. He was not in the mood for this. Not now, probably not ever.

"We need to talk." Charles said before Erik had a chance to say anything.

"Did you know Ann and Moira just took the car and are driving off the premise as we speak?"

The telepath blinked. Apparently some part of this news surprised him. "Ann went with her?"

"I'm surprised you didn't know."

Charles clenched his jaw, "never mind that, as I said, we need to talk."

"No, we don't."

"Yes, Erik. We do."

"No, Charles. We don't." Erik said more loudly this time.

"You're not even a little curious what I need to tell you?" Charles said as the other man stepped right up and into his face.

"If it's about Ann, then no."

"And if it's not about her?"

"The answer is still no. Now please step away from the door before I throw you down the hall." And he meant every word.

Charles raised his hands and took a step back, giving Erik room to walk out. But as soon as he passed him, Charles opened his mouth.

"You're breaking her heart, you know."

Even though he'd said that he was in no mood to talk especially if it was about Ann, this still caused Erik to stop. He turned towards the telepath and huffed. "Her heart? I guess mine isn't as important as hers, is it?"

Whatever Charles had expected Erik to say, that hadn't been it. The thought hadn't crossed his mind at all. Twenty-four hours hadn't even passed since Ann had told Erik what had happened between them, but Charles could see the effect it had on her. He'd heard her last night through the walls of her bedroom. Crying. He was certain Erik must have heard it too as her room was right between theirs. He hadn't even stopped to think how might Erik feel in all of this.

He'd hardly even have time to make sense out of it for himself. Part of Charles believed that Erik didn't care for Ann in the same way that he did, but it would be unfair to think that Erik wasn't hurting either. As unbelievable as that might be.

"You're right, Erik. Of course you are right. I'm sure it couldn't have been easy for you to hear that Ann and I have,-" He quickly swallowed his words as Erik raised an eyebrow, "what I'm trying to say is,- is that we have to talk about this."

"If you're worried that this will affect the mission, don't worry. It won't. Shaw is the main priority. At least to me he is. As long as that man still walks this Earth, I'll be here helping out."

Erik really had a way of making Charles feel speechless and he wasn't even sure why. He was fully aware that Shaw was and would always remain Erik's priority, Charles knew nothing could divert the man from getting his revenge. Not even Ann held that sort of power over him, though for a moment it had seemed that way.

"And once Shaw is dead? What will you do then?"

The thought of what he was going to do after Shaw's death was a question Erik hadn't been able to answer yet. He'd pondered over it many times and a few of those scenarios had included exploring his new relationship with Ann. But all of that seemed to drift away further and further. Especially now that she had proven to him that he wasn't the only man on her mind. The fact that she had kissed Charles hurt and hit him deeper than he thought it would. It didn't matter that they'd said to take their relationship one day at the time, he never thought she would take that as an opportunity to lock lips with another man.

"It's a big world, I'm sure I'll find something to do." Was all Erik said as he started walking again.

However, Charles was relentless. Erik sensed him following closely. He really wasn't going to leave him alone until he'd said what he wanted to say. Well, Erik knew better than to play Charles's games and he simply kept on going to wherever that was.

"I do suggest you think it through. No matter the outcome with Shaw, whether he'll be dead or imprisoned, the world will look different. Shaw's been the thing that has driven you throughout most of your life,- if there is nothing there to fill that void,-"

Erik rolled his eyes. Leave it to Charles to take on not only the role of scientist and teacher, but therapist as well. What was he trying to accomplish with this? Talk long enough until he'd succumb and let him eventually get to say what was on his mind? Ignoring Charles was just as difficult as allowing him to speak.

"I don't know what it is that you want me to say, Charles. Don't pretend that you actually care about what I'll do or where I'll go. I might have bought that yesterday morning but after last night,- You finally got what you wanted, didn't you?"

Erik stopped and turned around at the same time Charles halted as well. The two men again stood across from one another, about ten feet apart.

"The rich boy with the big mansion. A group of followers who put him on a pedestal. Power to read minds, charm women into your good graces. You just couldn't stand the fact that Ann hated your guts and not mine. You just had to go and change that no matter the cost. The more you failed with her, the more I succeeded,- Oh, I can read it on your face..."

Charles stared blankly at Erik. He'd managed to get him to stand still, managed to get him to talk, but now he was getting angry. Upset. Furious. The last thing he wanted to admit was that Erik was making solid points. That he did hated every single moment that Ann smiled at Erik but never at him.

"You tried and tried, but she kissed me first. Yes, she might have come to you now, but in the end you'll always know that she willingly chose me first. ME!" Erik's voice boomed down the hall. "I hope you can enjoy being a second choice."

With one final glare Erik turned around and went on his way, feeling miserable and even slightly proud of seeing Charles affected by his choice of words.

"I knew I was right when I said you don't deserve her." Charles called after him. "You almost had me convinced there for a moment. Convinced that you care for her, but now I see you're not even willing to fight for it."

Erik grinded his teeth but kept on walking. He wasn't going to give in again. Not today.

"You told me you weren't going to back down. That I was wrong about why you like her and that you would fight to prove it."

He remembered. He remembered feeling angry at Charles for even suggesting that he only liked Ann because of their shared history. He remembered telling Charles that jealousy didn't suit him and that he could say whatever he wanted on the matter, but Erik knew what he felt was true and that he wouldn't back down with proving his so called friend that he was wrong. He liked Ann for who she was.

It seems Charles was desperate for him to show him the truth behind that promise.

"Come on then, Erik! Proof it. You're going to let someone like me come in between? Or was I right about everything, and you are in fact using Ann as a band-aid for your mother's death,-"

That did it.

It all happened within a split second and Charles never saw it coming. He should have, he had chosen his words very wisely, words he would regret later. Getting punched in the face by Erik had been more painful than he'd expected. His cheek was hit first and then came Erik's fists collided with his mouth. Charles stumbled back and fell onto the floor. Before he could get back up, Erik was already on him.

Charles wasn't a fighter, not physically and he regretted it immensely at this moment. Normally he would have used his mind to do something, enter Erik's head, try to stop time or have him imagine something else. But letting Erik have this moment felt justified, though his face definitely disagreed with that statement. The last part of him Erik hit was his left eye, Charles wasn't sure what would be bruised more by the end of the day. Erik grabbed hold of Charles's shirt and pulled him towards him, all the while breathing heavily and his face red with anger.

"Hey, HEY!" Another voice yelled down the hall. Erik looked up and saw Darwin coming up towards them with Alex and Sean right behind him. With one final shove Erik pushed Charles back down and stood up.

He glared at the telepath on the floor, his blue eyes shooting daggers. "I guess you were right, Charles. As always." Then he walked away, leaving Charles and the others behind.

Downtown, NY

It was early afternoon when Moira was finally done with what she'd set out to do. No matter what Ann tried, the agent couldn't and wouldn't tell her what was going on. All she assured her was that it was for the benefit of the team, nothing to worry about. Selfishly it was indeed not something that Ann was worried about. No, the only worry she had was that she had to get everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours of her chest. But she was still debating if she was going to tell her friend everything or only the part of where she'd violated her privacy.

"There we go, two cappuccino, a Caesar salad and an egg sandwich." Moira smiled broadly at the waiter as two plates were put in front of her and Ann.

"Thank you." She told the young man before redirecting her attention back to her friend, whose expression was still as solemn looking as it had been throughout most of the morning.

Obviously there was something on Ann's mind and Moira felt a little bit guilty for not having had the time to address them. But now was as good of a time as any. No doubt whatever was troubling her, she couldn't say it near any of the others, but for whatever reason Moira didn't know. Not yet. Besides, there was also some news that she wanted to share with Ann, maybe that would be a good icebreaker to start their conversation with?

"I'm glad you tagged along." The brunette said. "It's been a while since we had the time to have this sort of,- normalcy."

"I wonder if we'll ever be able to get back to a life like that. Most of the time it's all I can think about, what we're currently doing. Guess we won't know for certain until it's all actually over." Ann replied reaching for her cappuccino.

Moira nodded. "True. Though we mustn't forget to have some little moments that can divert our thoughts."

A small smile appeared on Ann's face. "I'll drink to that,- once this has cooled down a bit." She quickly lowered the cup after having tried a sip only to find the drink still too hot for her liking.

"Speaking of little moments,-" Moira cleared her throat and shifted in her seat. "I uh,- I did a thing."

"A thing?" The other woman repeated.

Leaning ever so slightly over the table, Moira's voice turned into a whisper. "Charles kissed me."

She bit her bottom lip, waiting for Ann to stare back at her with shock or maybe a little squeal. Anything to show her how much the news surprised her.

"Oh,-" She mouthed.

"Oh? That's all you have to say? I tell you that Charles and I kissed, more than once, and all you have to say is 'oh'?" Moira moved back. "I know you and Charles are not on great terms with each other, but you know that I like him even if you don't feel the same way."

Ann let out a sigh and shook her head. "No, you're right. I'm sorry. That's great news. As you said, little moments like that are important. I guess the reason why I'm not shocked by it is because,-" She paused.

Moira frowned at Ann's odd choice of words. "Because?"

"I know you two kissed." Ann said.

"You already knew?" Moira's own eyes widened with shock this time. "Did Charles tell you? I mean I guess we didn't really make any promises on keeping it a secret, but I never expected him to,-"

"He didn't tell me. I saw it. Through your eyes." Ann quickly added to avoid any confusion. "I was testing something and looked through your eyes right as the two of you were having a get together in his study."

"So you literally saw through my eyes as Charles and I kissed?"

Saw it, felt it...Ann cleared her throat. "I did. I heard your talk, then felt your desire to kiss him and,- as you were indeed kissing."

The look on Moira's face could only be described as that of disgust. "Oh my God..."

"Moira, I'm sorry. I can't even tell you just how sorry I am, but I wanted you to know which is why I was so adamant on being alone with you today. It was an accident, you've got to believe me."

Ann fell silent and waited for Moira to let it all sink in and hope she would believe her apology. Even if she still kissed Charles herself for real afterwards, now she wasn't so certain if she wanted to share that bit of news. But she had to, right? Charles didn't want to, but Erik knew about it and something told Ann that there was no way he was going to keep his mouth shut.

After a minute Moira lowered her hand from her mouth and finally dared to look at Ann again. "Does Charles know you did that?"

Ann opened her mouth only nothing came out, which told the agent everything she needed to know. "Course he does. Why am I not surprised? He probably knew immediately as soon as we,-" Moira paused again just as that same look of disgust returned to her face.

"That's why he wanted to check my mind." She concluded and Ann groaned inwardly. "You didn't even tell him, he figured it out himself that you were snooping."

"I wasn't snooping, it was an accident!" Ann said, perhaps a little too loudly.

"So what, you were going to keep this a secret if he hadn't found out?" Moira asked.

She had no answer to that question, or if she had at the time she certainly didn't remember it, because that wasn't even the worst secret she was no keeping from Moira.

"You know I don't know what is offending me more right now. The fact that you waited two days to tell me or that Charles clearly didn't feel the need to tell me at all." With a huff Moira reached for her purse and pushed her chair back.

"Moira, please, just listen! I know you're upset and you have every right to be. I never intended to be there, just like I never meant to kiss Charles and I promise you it won't happen again." Ann tried to sound as convincingly as she could.

"What do you mean again?" Moira placed her hands on her hips.

"I,- I mean,- Oh God, Moira, I,- we,-" There was no way for Ann to dig herself out of this hole. She should have listened to Charles. This was going to jeopardize the entire mission.

"You're kidding me...you didn't? You and him?" The other woman replied, "Tell me you're kidding, Ann!"

But she couldn't. Moira didn't want an answer either as she stomped off, out of the diner and made her way to the car parked a few feet away. She got in and Ann watched as the vehicle drove off, not even bothering to ran outside to stop her.

"Son of a,-" She dropped herself back into the chair and lowered her eyes to the best of her abilities. Trying to ignore the fact that the tables close by had heard everything. Well, everything of the last minute.

"Sounds like she's the other woman and that brown haired girl is her friend, or was her friend if you ask me." An older lady behind her whispered, although it was so loud that Ann heard it perfectly.

This was just perfect. Moira had gone up and left to wherever it was she was going and Ann was stuck at the diner with multiple looks being thrown her way. The only thing that could make this day a good one, was if she was to wake up and this had all been a bad dream planted in her brain by Charles. She closed her eyes, but reopened them after a minute. The cappuccino was probably drinkable by now.

Let's end it here, shall we?

What do you think will happen next? Will Moira confront Charles? Will Erik have a change of heart and forgive Ann for being an idiot? Suggestions are always welcome as it's fun to hear what you guys would love to see happen the most.

Hope you all enjoyed, have a great day!