Okay, let me explain how she ran off…this happens just before she slides out of the place. I realize at the end of it sorta, the second part, there’s…well, fuck, it’s confusing. It’s just another side of what happened in the last chapter.

“What is it?” Magneto spoke as he stood up. His henchmen’s nails were covered and caked in blood.

“She escaped.” He growled, tilting his head slightly.

Erik’s face turned red with rage, “Why didn’t you stop her?!”

“Because I told him not to. Think about it Erik…” Multiple voices spoke up as an indigo woman walked past the animal man, her hips swaying. “If she goes to Xavier and he tries to hide her power, to obtain and lock up her strength…wouldn’t it be easier for her to choose you?”

Magneto glared daggers at Mystique, clearly upset. “Raven,” He used her first name, knowing she hated it, “She wasn’t supposed to leave! She…”

Mystique interrupted him, placing a finger on his lips, “She needs to see who Xavier truly is and what he is truly trying to do. If you keep telling her, how is she supposed to know the truth from a lie, hm?”

Pulling away, he felt his anger simmer down. “…Alright, I see what you mean. Let the girl run, we’ll find her later.” With that he sat at his desk, dismissing his workers with a wave of his hand.

As Sabertooth went pass Mystique to his own room, he muttered, “You just let her go because you’re jealous.” She felt her face heat up, grateful that he couldn’t see her blush under her blue skin. If that baboon could see it, why couldn’t Magneto?

“Lily!” Xavier exclaimed, picking up the half conscious girl. The chilling winter air brushed past him as he stared at the slave. He carried her to the fireplace and went to get the First-Aid kit. Apparently he was too tired to sense her near the place until she collapsed.

When Lily awoke fully, she felt a sharp pain in her side. She felt fuzzy warm carpet underneath her and the warmth of a fireplace in front of her. Where was she? Looking around, she felt her limbs grow weak with relief; she was home. That brought a small smile to her face, the word home. But was it really home? Did Xavier really want to lock her up or was it Magneto who desired that?

“You’re awake.” A familiar missed voice came from the doorway. She looked up and smiled, holding her side.

“Charles…” She felt happy and relieved once more, comforted by his presence. By the bags and shadows under his eyes, it was an easy guess that he hadn’t slept a wink since she disappeared.

His legs gave away as he knelt next to her, wrapping his arms around her tightly. “Whoa, watch the cut! I’ve missed you too Master, but ow.” She grinned lopsidedly, making him kiss her forehead. As he busied himself by trying to find something in the First-Aid kit, Lily studied him closely.

It didn’t take a genius to realize how worried and scared he had been. Did that mean he was telling the truth and Magneto was lying? No, it could be an act. Or…Lily shook her head, feeling a headache coming on.

“As odd as this sounds, my dear, don’t think too much or you’ll pass out. You’ve bled a lot since you arrived here, who knows how much you’ve lost before hand.” He smirked at her, watching her face turn pink.

“Apparently I have enough to cover my face.” Lily whispered as he cleaned off the wound. His movements were gentle and patient, just like his kisses. At this thought, she felt her face heat up more.

When he reached for the bandages, she grabbed his hand and felt foolish suddenly. “Uh…I’ll…wrap my wound, master.” Her voice was above a whisper, slightly ashamed by the curious look he gave her.

Carefully, she stood and wrapped it, placing an over sized shirt on she borrowed from Charles. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him; it was just unnerving to have a guy who might lie to her for his own needs touch her. He returned a moment later with tea and sandwiches.

Lily sat carefully on a chair, making sure she didn’t put any pressure on her wound. They ate in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. Both were relieved to be in each others presence once more.

“What happened?” Xavier finally questioned.

The girl hesitated, brushing her hair back. “…Such heavy meaning on two words.” She mused to herself, “In the morning, I had walked to the park. I-I thought you’d be…asleep when I returned but I fainted. And um…when I woke up, I was tied loosely to a bed. Magneto unchained me and said that…” She stopped. If she repeated every word he had said, had told her, then Charles would know how unsure she was. He might even try to convince her that his reasons were better…she really didn’t need that. She didn’t need word against word.

“I needed to…” But what was something she could say? “Use my powers to destroy New York. That’s all. I refused.” Her violet eyes shifted to the ground, too ashamed to meet her masters. “So he locked me up and had his henchmen Sabertooth watch over me. I managed to escape and he tried to come after me, clawed me and…” Lily’s eyes became blurry with confusion. “…He didn’t come after me. I made it here without him following even though he could have taken me down easily.”

Charles nodded, taking all of it in. Silence wrapped around them once more. He knew his old friend was a gentleman but one could never be too sure. “Did Erik do anything to you?”

Lily inhaled sharply, remembering the kiss and lied once more, “No master. He simply untied me…that is all.”

He felt relieved once more and stood. “Come, you must be tired my dear.” His smile was gentle and kind, making her guilt only worsen. They walked to their room, the students obviously snoring softly. While she had disappeared, school went on as though nothing had happened. Only Charles grew worried and stayed up night and day for her. And she was grateful to be cared for.

Suddenly she threw her arms around him and hugged him, catching his off-guard. “I…I missed you.” Lily whispered softly. Xavier’s surprised expression softened as he grinned, kissing her cheek.

“I missed you too Lily.” Although she couldn’t tell from the darkness of the room, it sounded as though…he was crying.

Well, the ending I’ll let you decide for yourself if he cried from relief and happiness and such or not.