My Second Chance (Erik Lehnsherr x OC)

The trip back home felt like it took so much longer than it should have. All three were equally anxious about the fates of the kids they had persuaded to come and join them in this risky mission.

The moment they arrived back at the HQ, Melinda was the first to sprint outside of the car, Charles and Erik following close behind her. Moira did too but slowed down her pace when she noticed all those dead soldiers lying around.

Melinda came to a halt once she noticed the kids sitting outside the now almost fully destroyed building. They were all with their heads down but thankfully, unharmed.

However, the woman did not fail to notice that two people were missing.

As if they had heard her, the kids looked up at her. Raven was crying rivers and she immediately stood up before rushing to her. The woman wasted no time in holding the young mutant in her arms, shielding her in a tight embrace as the girl sobbed on her shoulder.

"What happened?" She asked, one hand rubbing Raven's back.

"Shaw...he...he...and then...havoc and Darwin..." the young girl was too shocked to speak and kept sobbing.

Charles and Erik had stopped not that far away, looking around and then at the kids. Charles felt guilty about everything, especially once Hank mastered enough courage to tell them what had happened.

When they found out, Melinda felt a strong pain in her heart. It was strong enough that she had eventually left Raven to calm down and had hidden behind a wall. She leaned on it, her head pressed on the cement structure as one hand gripped the front of her blouse.

She was okay with Angel joining Shaw, for at least she was unharmed. Yet, it was Darwin that her heart ached for. The young man...she could still remember the last words she had told him.

She had put him in charge of the team and look what that had gotten him. He sacrificed himself, bravely,  to protect everyone else in an attempt to do what they had failed so far...taking down Shaw.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and then exhaled. She was not ready for it and she could not imagine seeing any of those kids sharing the same fate. Just seeing how broken Raven was, it didn't sit well with her.

A part of her, deep in her heart, wanted revenge against Shaw for what he did. For endangering the lives of innocent, including children, and for cruelly killing one of them.

Yet another side of her argued, blaming herself and the others for agreeing upon the idea of bringing those children in as if they were trained soldiers.

"Perhaps Erik was right...they were not ready..." she muttered, her hands into tight fists and placed by her sides.

"Perhaps back then. That doesn't mean they cannot be trained to be ready" A familiar voice reached her and she gasped as she opened her eyes.

Turning her head to the side, she noticed Erik and Charles not that far away. She quickly pushed her body off the wall and composed herself, not wanting them to be seen like that.

Charles had seen her crying a lot of times as they were growing up but that had stopped years now. She had promised herself to be the strong one for both him and Raven, which meant that she never allowed them to see her crying.

Erik kept staring at her the most intensely and it was hard for her to understand what he was thinking at that moment. Not wanting Charles to focus too much on her thoughts, she decided to bring up what Erik had just said.

"What do you mean?" She asked him.

Charles had that smile across his face, one when he had a great idea and he loved sharing it with others. "He means, we are going home Mel. And we also start training"

Melinda blinked, her lips had parted and she could not form any words at that moment. Was he being serious or was this the kind of trick they wanted to play on her?

She looked at Erik, finding his usual expression, and then back at Charles, slowly realizing what he meant.

This is how, by the rays of the next day, they all had found themselves in front of the Xavier Manor. The young ones were ecstatic by the old and well-maintained, rich building that towered above them.

"This is yours?" Sean asked, making Charles smirk.

"No, it is ours" the telepath replied with pride.

Melinda could not help but smile along with Raven, both females couldn't be happier to know that the huge house would not be that empty anymore. Being the three of them, always offered some comfort but the fact remained that the house was too big for just them.

Now, however, it would fill more people.

Of course, that did not mean Melinda forgot the reason why they were there in the first place. No, the memory of Darwin and everything that took place was clear as day in her mind. It motivated her to ensure that those kids and herself, would be trained to take down the menace called Saw.

"Honestly, Charles, Melinda. I don't know how you two survived living in such hardship" Erik commented, making Melinda roll her eyes in amusement and gently elbow him on the side.

Raven then walked to the trio with a smirk. "Well, it was a hardship softened by me," she said and Charles pulled her close before kissing her head. "Isn't this right, sis?" she turned to Melinda, who hugged her from the other side, keeping her trapped between her and Charles.

She looked at her adopted brother. "Well, we can't say we argue with that. Isn't that right, Charles?"

The telepath did not say anything, which caused Melinda to chuckle before offering Erik a smile. Her face had softened and was better compared to last night, but of course, that did not mean her eyes had.

However, seeing her smiling did seem to offer some ease to Erik.

"Come on, it's time for the tour," Raven said as she took the lead, and everyone followed behind her.

Night came once again only that this time, the mood was better. Everyone had gathered for a great dinner, cooked by none other than Melinda. Different foods were spread on expensive china across the huge wooden dining room.

Everyone was chatting loudly and happily as Melinda moved around the table, bringing the last dish out before checking the dessert in the oven.

"I must say, this is better than my mom's," Sean said as he filled his mouth with food. "Are you sure I cannot marry you and you cook this delicious food for me every day?"

There was laughter among the group and an amused Melinda smacked the top of his head, almost making him choke on the food. Her plate had been left half done since she was busy ensuring the food was on the table and nothing was burnt.

Something that Erik was the only one, who had noticed but had said nothing in general.

Charles smiled as he drank some wine. "She is one hell of a cook. You should see what great dishes she makes"

Melinda had blushed faintly, as people agreed and complimented her skills when it came to cooking.

"Well, I don't mind cooking. Because if I didn't cook, it would be Chinese takeout and frozen pizza only" she said, making her two adopted siblings brush.

Since the parents of Charles died, Melinda took it upon herself to learn how to cook and look after him and of course later, Raven. On occasions that Melinda returned home late due to studying at the library, she would find the duo having ordered and surviving only on junk food. Needless to say, she did not like that and made sure they would never do that again, not under her watch.

The joyful event made everyone take a breath and move past the scary and haunting event that had taken place back at the HQ.  The mood felt more like a family and everything was warm and nice.

Moira even enjoyed being around all those mutants, seeing them more as normal human beings with experiences. For that day, everyone felt more normal and without worries about a third world war, about their abilities getting out of control, or being outcasted for who they were.

Hours passed and everyone had gone to sleep.

Almost everyone.

Melinda had stayed back to wash the dishes and the pots that had been left behind. Moira insisted on helping and did the dishes, not wanting her to leave the mutant with all that work.

However, tired as she was she kept yawning and Melinda had sent her to bed, reassuring her that she could finish the rest on her own. And she could, for she was used to it.

The clock showed past midnight and Melinda was almost done with the bigger pots. Her plate had been placed close by and she occasionally ate one extra food as she worked.

The cleaning helped her ease her mind and focus more on her thoughts which currently were about their Deceased friend and the looming threat that would eventually come for all of them.

She was so deep in thought and her mind, that she didn't hear someone enter the kitchen until they cleared their throat. Getting startled, her instincts kicked in and she grabbed the nearest kitchen knife before throwing it with expertise at the source of the sound.

Thank the all-mighty God that the said person was Erik, who didn't have to move a single finger to stop the knife from stabbing him between the eyes. He opened his palm and the knife dropped into it, unaffected by the accidental attempt on his life.

"Exceptional aim" he commented.

Melinda, with one hand above her racing heart, looked at him. "I am so sorry, Erik. You scared me. Can I get you something?" She asked as she turned fully to look and check him.

"There is nothing I can't get myself," he said and moved towards the lower cupboard close to Melinda, where Charles had told him where he hid the alcohol.

Melinda gave a nod with a smirk and turned to fully focus to finish cleaning the dishes. She could feel his eyes on her form, as he poured two glasses of fine old whiskey that was well hidden at the back of the cupboard.

He then offered her a glass, which she took with a smile. "Thank you" She took a sip, let it down on the kitchen bench, and returned to washing. "Why are you awake, Erik? It's pretty late"

The metal bender scoffed faintly and took a big sip of his glass. "I should be the one asking you that question. And do not say because of the dishes. You can easily leave them and for once, let others pick up their mess"

His words were harsh but pointed out the truth. He spoke based on what he saw and he was not happy about it that was clear.  Melinda had proved countless times that she was a very intelligent woman with different skills. She could be doing so much more if she stopped pampering others and focused more on herself.

Even until now, she proved capable of holding basic combat, throwing knives with precision, and possessing a strategic mind. She was a unique woman and in his eyes, she deserved far more than picking up after those two.

"Perhaps, but I needed to clean my mind. I didn't mind and I am used to this" she said as she finished with the last pot.

She moved her hand to grab a towel to dry them when Erik grabbed her wrist. She didn't react although he saw how her muscles stiffened. She was about to but controlled herself.

He glanced at her hands, already seeing how the constant washing had affected them. Her hands were also calloused and had been through a lot of hard work. It was something he had first picked up when he healed that cut on his cheek.

He let go of her hand and passed her the towel, making her even more confused by his actions. "Well, the others better learn because you will not be there all the time to do it for them"

Melinda grabbed her glass and tossed her head back, taking all the alcohol down with ease. She then placed the now-empty glass on the kitchen table and sat on it. "Trust me, I know. It's not as easy as it sounds" she defended her actions once again.

This annoyed Erik, who had started to get tired. Why did he even bother with her sometimes? Truthfully, he didn't know. There was something about her that kept his interest and yet at the same time, so many things that she did, which annoyed him. He emptied his glass and walked towards her.

"I am starting to believe that you simply do not to," he said, now standing in front of her.

He towered over her sitting form and he was close enough that Melinda could smell his perfume. He leaned forward, his hand stretching to grab the bottle behind her. In the process, she had lifted her head and their faces were once again close.

"You seem concerned about that. Not your style" she said, standing her ground as she held her glass and allowed him to feel it.

None broke eye contact throughout all of this, intensely staring and with a tension within them to be visible to anyone. Yet, it wasn't a bad tension but rather...something different.

"Indeed, which I will stop doing so considering how willing you are to listen," Erik said, taking a few sips of his drink, his eyes always on her.

"Good" was her only reply as she took a few sips herself.

Her cheeks had the faintest hue of pink, visible under the dim light of the kitchen. Yet, she kept looking back at him and waiting until he backed down first. She was indeed an interesting woman, with those wise and aged eyes that held so much pain. And yet, they never took away the natural beauty that she exhibited and carried with very little confidence.

Erik could have easily kept the stare down but the more he did, the more he felt his head slowly inclining forward toward her. However, now it was not the time for it and he was not going to disrespect her by giving into current primal desires of his, which could easily disappear by the next morning.

No, he had a certain respect for her. Perhaps the most when it came to everyone else and he was not going to destroy it. He took a few steps back and kept holding his glass.

"Go get some rest. We all have training in the morning" he said.

Melinda did not know how to feel at that moment. First, Erik was being dismissive and slightly aggressive about the dishes. Then, he grabbed her wrist and inspected her hands, not hiding his thoughts about it. His face was a dead giveaway at that moment and Melinda easily read him.

He then came too much into her personal space, intoxicating her senses with his cologne and all for a bottle of alcohol. She could swear that he wanted to kiss her and she felt drawn to his dark and mysterious energy.

She could easily share her first kiss with him and perhaps more. It was no secret that he was a handsome man who drew the attention of the ladies. However, he was also cultured and educated, experienced, and had a more tender side of his that he rarely showed.

Yet, despite all of this, she did not make the first move. She was too hesitant, to take such a stupid risk and let herself lose control and logic. She hesitated and he didn't act either. Instead, he took a few steps behind and allowed her some space once again.

At what he said, she scoffed in amusement and jumped off the table. "I won't win this argument, will I?" She asked as she emptied her glass once again with one go.

At her remark, Erik smirked faintly. "No"

Smirking back and rolling her eyes, she placed her glass in the sink and turned to face him. "Goodnight, Erik," she said and walked away, her hand brushing against his for a moment and Mel felt goosebumps climbing up her arm.