Gaining Her Powers

[Everyone Else]

"Okay, Dad," Abby said, sniffing as she dried her eyes. She left his office, closing the door behind her. She thought she had seen some vanilla ice cream in the freezer, along with toppings to make an ice cream sundae, so she would do that, and follow her father's advice.

[The Man]

::It was only after Abigail had left his office, and they were alone that Xavier turned to Raven.:: "You and I must talk."

[Mystique]

"Of course, Charles," Raven said, sitting down on the sofa. She had seen the objects rattling, but had merely thought it was telekinesis. She hadn't seen the metal on her hand. "She took that better than I expected," She admitted. Hopefully they could continue to calm her and help her through this difficult stage.

[The Man]

"Thus far," ::Xavier agreed. He considered the most delicate way to phrase his question, and then abandoned that. Mutants did not necessarily inherit the abilities of their parents; Wanda and Pietro were evidence of that, and none of the Guthrie children had similar powers. But he remembered that one of Raven's friends had mentioned that Abigail would specifically develop a power similar to her parent...and neither he nor Raven controlled magnetism.:: "When we began our relationship, you had told me that you and Erik had not been intimate for months. That he had been ignoring you as he had me."

[Mystique]

"He did, Charles," Raven said, curious as to why Charles would bring this up now.

[The Man]

::Xavier's expression was serious, his tone neutral, not accusing, but probing.:: "Were you with him, Raven? Even a single time after we began our affair?"

[Mystique]

Raven thought for a moment, trying to remember the events of fourteen years ago, and the beginning of her relationship with Charles. "A few weeks after we began, yes. But he was angry with me, and I didn't want it anymore, even for just that time," She said slowly, as it came back to her. At that point she hadn't wanted to, and so after she made it clear to him that they would not be sleeping together again.

[The Man]

::Xavier sighed at that, as though in defeat. It confirmed a suspicion he had developed moments ago, and shattered the past fourteen, nearly fifteen, years of his life. He rubbed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose, and fell silent. Only after several long moments had passed, did he speak.:: "I wish that you had told me."

[Mystique]

Raven watched Charles as he sighed and rubbed his eyes. "You wish I had told you that Erik had done such a thing? That he had been angrily intimate with me? You and I weren't in a committed relationship at that point, and I wanted to forget about it."

[The Man]

::Xavier continued to pinch the bridge of his nose; he would require time alone after this discussion to properly process his emotions. He wanted to make his point without lashing out at her.:: "I wish you had. We have been living a lie for fifteen years."

[Mystique]

"What are you talking about, Charles?" Raven asked, confused. "You think that Erik is Abigail's father?"

[The Man]

::Xavier nodded in affirmation, as painful as it was to do.:: "That is precisely what I am saying."

[Mystique]

"That's impossible," Raven said, dismissing it with a shake of her head. "He used protection, and you and I didn't. Several times."

[The Man]

"We used birth control," ::Xavier reminded her. Not the first few times, but after she had begun changing her form to herself...:: "Magnetism, Raven. She possesses magnetism."

[Mystique]

Raven had simply thought it was telekinesis, but looking at the floor, all of the items there were metal. It made sense. She put her head in her hands, feeling an ache in her chest. "What do you want me to say to that, Charles?" She asked, voice trembling.