When Evie's eye snapped open, the morning had already broken over the hill, the gentle breeze making her white curtains dance. She sat up straight, her eyes searching round in confusion. For the first time, her mind wasn't a raging storm. It was peaceful, in a state of serenity.

"I didn't wake up?" She questioned herself in bewilderment, looking at her hand in confusion. Her eyes looked to the clock on the wall, widening when it read seven am.

She was up like a flash, pulling the sheets off her body and racing to get changed. She pulled on her jacket, lacing up her boots and suddenly she froze. The memories of the previous night filling her head. Her pale cheeks bloomed with a blush as she remembered how she and Charles had kissed. Very passionately.

Nerves filled her body as she tried to think of what to say to him. It was time like these when she hated not actually dating anyone in high school. She shook her head, she couldn't think about such trivial things now, they were supposed to fight Shaw today.

After finishing her boots, she quickly exited her room where she saw Raven, in her natural blue form, standing in the corridor. "Raven!" The brunette called out as she jogged towards her. The mutant's eyes lit up in relief when she saw her.

"There you are, I was about to come get you." Raven exclaimed, grabbing Evie's hand and dragging her up the stairs. "We're leaving soon."

The two mutants joined the group that was at the top of the stairs. Evie's eyes immediately met Charles, almost pushing her towards him. She gave him a small smile, almost thanking him for what he did the previous night. The telepath smiled back before they went searching for Hank.

When they arrived at lab door, they noticed a note. Charles ripped it off after he read it in confusion. He pushed the door open and everyone's eyes widened in shock when they saw the room.

Tables were over turned, glass broken and paper scattered everywhere. The lab was a mess and Hank was no where to be seen. The group of mutants carefully climbed over all of the tables and minded the glass.

"What the hell happened here?" Erik questioned as they wandered into the room.

However Charles went straight for the box at the end of the room. Evie furrowed her brows at his determined nature but followed him nevertheless. As he opened the box, the brunette peered over his shoulder.

Inside the box sat yellow suits, all specifically named for each person. Evie raised her brow, slightly impressed with how they looked because they looked high quality. Especially for the resources that were led around the house.

"Huh, those are new." Evie commented, visually impressed.

"Hank has been busy." Erik added as he and Evie shared a look.

However, Alex wasn't as happy as the rest of them. "Do we really have to wear these?" He complained.

"As none of us mutated to endure extreme G-force or being riddled by bullets, I suggest we suit up." Charles exclaimed as he looked to the rest of the mutants. They all grabbed their labeled suits and he shut the case.

Evie was having trouble with her suit, there was a zip that went up the back. Usually she would be able to grab it but her shoulder was still painful from where Erik had deflected the bullet. So she was stood in the mirror, trying to grab it as well as wincing from the pain.

"Here, let me." She heard the voice of Charles call out. Through the reflection of the mirror, Evie could see the Englishman staring at her. She sighed, her shoulders dropping slightly when she realised she needed help. Charles took this as invitation to help her.

There was a tense silence between them, neither knowing what to say to the other. Evie watched Charles' carefully through the mirror. "Do we need to talk about it?" She asked after a moment, feeling the zip run up her back.

"Talk about what?" He asked her, pretending he didn't know what she was talking about.

Evie rolled her eyes, turning around to face him, their faces close once again. "Last night? Pretending it didn't happen won't make it go away." She told him, a knowing look on her face. Her expression dropped slightly. "Do you regret it?"

"No." Charles answered immediately and his voice unwavering. He was sure of that much. "Truthfully, I don't know what to do now, about us."

"How about we figure it out after we take down Shaw?" Evie suggested in a soft tone, completely knowing where his mind was at. She didn't need to be a telepath to know where his mind was.

Charles smiled brightly at her, relief filling his eyes. "Sounds like a plan."

ꕥ

They arrived at the hanger like Hank had told them too, their suits fitting them all perfectly. A fact that got Evie a little worried, how did Hank even know their sizes? But as they stood in a line, eyeing the large war plane next to them, it was this that made Evie realise she was going back to a war zone. It made her a little nervous.

A hand grabbed hers which made her glance to the person next to her. Charles gave her a reassuring smile and a small squeeze. It was almost as if Charles could sense her nerves. Evie gave him a smile back, her eyes softening slightly.

"Where's Hank?" They heard Raven ask in worry, her blue skin naturally contrasting the yellow. No one had seen him, they were concerned.

"I'm here." They heard his voice ring out. Evie looked to the doorway of the hanger in confusion. Walking towards them was a large shadow, what looked to be fur growing off it's body.

As the light began to shine on the figure more, Evie noticed the fur being blue, glasses on the face of the beast. It was then did the CIA agent realise that this was the friend they had been worried about.

"Hank?" Charles questioned loudly, narrowing his eyes as he tried to make out the figure, unknowingly dropping Evie's hand.

Hank stopped in front of them, his eyes cast down as he couldn't bare all the stares. "It didn't attack the cells. It enhanced them." He explained as he glanced to Raven, her eyes soft and sympathetic. "It didn't work."

"Yes it did, Hank." Raven stated instantly. "Don't you see? This is who you were meant to be. This is you. No more hiding." She told him with a smile which boosted his confidence a little bit.

Erik took it upon himself to be the first to say something to the now blue young man. "Never looked better, man."

Hank's hand shot out, wrapping it around his neck and strangling him. Erik couldn't do anything but grab the blue hand, trying to claw him away from him. Nobody knew what to do except watch with wide eyes, in truth they were still in shock from Hank's reveal.

"Don't mock me!" Hank growled angrily, Erik dropping to one knee because of the lack of air.

"Hank, put him down immediately, please?" Charles called out in alarm. When the young man didn't respond, the telepath called a little louder, a little more desperate. "Hank!"

The doctor dropped Erik, his body still seething. Erik looked up, holding his neck, almost glaring at him. "I wasn't." He told the blue man.

"Even I gotta admit, you look pretty bad-ass." Alex spoke up with an impressed smile. "I think I got a new name for you." The blond looked to the rest of his friends before announcing. "Beast." This caused Hank to growl but he didn't protest.

"Are you sure you can fly this thing?" Evie asked as she pointed to the jet, moving the subject along quickly.

Sean nodded in agreement. "That's what I was wondering." He admitted honestly.

"Of course I can." Hank confirmed, insulted that they didn't have any trust in his abilities. "I designed it."

And with that they all went to war.