Ok so my readers I have been MIA for a very very long time and I do apologize for that, lets just say life has happened and been a bitch. So here is my update I shall attempt to update ALOT sooner then waiting another two years.

….

"I'll be fine Hank, please I just need some time to clear my head." Cassie said trying to slip from his warm grasp.

After everything that had happened these past couple of months, Cassie needed some time to sort her thoughts out, time away from her former fiancé. They would be in NYC for another day or two, and Cassie wasn't interested in spending it hiding away in a hotel room. She knew there was a café and a bookstore down the street, Cassie liked the idea of a nice cup of coffee and a bagel while being alone to simply ponder her situation.

Hank understood Cassie's need to have a moment to herself, but he still felt uneasy about her being alone with a group of mutant hating people on the loose. Also this was NYC anything and everything could happen here, and if Hank was going to be completely honest with himself he feared she'd walk out that door and simply not return. Hank couldn't say it out loud but his feelings for Cassie had never died, and with her being here with him only made them worse. He'd missed Cassie terribly while they were separated, Hank had only been able to resist going back to her on hands and knees begging for forgiveness because he'd buried himself in his work. Hank didn't know if she had it in her to forgive him for abandoning her, but the longer Cassie spent near him the more and more he desired to earn that forgiveness.

"Please Hank I need…time. Everything has been so chaotic I need a moment to just be."
Hank felt his stomach clench as he saw the stress in her eyes, Hank leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers.

"Be careful… and come back."

Cassie slowly slipped from his warm embrace and left, all of these warm affections that Hank was showing were also what was making things confusing. What were they now, Cassie had been separated from Hank for over a year now with no word. It had felt like her heart had been ripped from her chest and danced on, then to make matters even worse now that she was near him that same damaged heart of hers was doing something very dangerous. It was being filled with hope, while cassie's heart was hoping her mind was doubting.

Cassie pressed the button for the elevator and sighed, why couldn't her love life be simple?

..

Cassie sipped her green tea and enjoyed the book she was reading, she'd originally craved a coffee but this green tea was delightful and seemed to warm her insides. Cassie was only semi lost in her book, the other half of her mind was lost in thoughts. She was still deciding whether of not she wanted to stay at the school, Cassie loved her nephew Dylan with all her heart. But she knew if she stayed there Cassie would undoubtly rekindle old passions with a certain blue furred man. It was already happening every touch, every kiss, every look pulled Cassie back to him like a moth to a flame. She'd given this man years of her life, and had been prepared to promise the rest of it to him. That wasn't something you just forgot about even after so long of being separated, Cassie had truly loved him and to be honest she still did, but her battered heart and mind were wary this time around. Could she trust him again with her body and heart, Cassie needed to know why he left. She needed to know why Hank just up an disappeared, was it because of his mutation? Why hadn't he trusted her enough to tell her, they had been engaged to marry for godsake, did Hank not trust her?

Cassie sighed and looked out the café window watching the busy New Yorkers hurry to and fro, she'd been staring off at nothing that her vision blurred when something caught her eye. Standing across the road waiting to cross the street was one of the men from the Anti mutant rally, Cassie felt her heart and stomach churn and flutter. He was talking on a cellphone and not paying attention to his surroundings. Then the light changed indicating is was safe to cross, Cassie would never be able to say why she did it, but she left the café leaving behind her book and partially finished tea. She followed him making sure to stay a couple feet behind him, she didn't think he would remember her from the rally. After all she was dressed as Erin Cress then, not Cassie Hall. Cassie couldn't hear what he was saying on his phone over the din of New York's busy streets and busier people. But that was okay he, was so focused that he didn't notice he was being tailed.

Cassie followed him for another twenty minetes, he lead her into a quieter part of town, she had to be vigalent now. There were less people so it was harder to simply blend into a crowd, every now and again Cassie would have to duck into an alley way whenever she thought he might see her. Finally he stopped behind a warehouse there was nothing her but garbage and a horrible odor, Cassie ducked behind some abandoned crates and watched him. She pressed herself closer to the shadows as she saw the men from yesterday come out of the warehouse. The guard mutant from yesterday was dragged behind them on a crude lease made for a chain around his neck, every now and again they would yank the chain and choke him for they're cruel amusement.

Cassie felt her stomach clench as she watched this, she hated to see anyone be treated this way, she was too far away to hear what they were saying she only got bits and pieces. Before finally they all left except for the man she had been following, Cassie crouched closer to the wall as they walk directly past her. Discussing where the nearest pizza place was, once she was sure they were gone Cassie peaked through a crack in the crates to see only the man and the mutant was left. The bastard jeered as he yanked on the chain, the poor creature couldn't fight back with his arms tied behind his back.

Cassie picked up a discarded board from the ground, it was covered in a slime she didn't want to think abaout. Slowly and carefully she darted from her hiding place and towards the pair, when she was in reach Cassie whacked the man in the head with the board. He fell like a stone to the ground, with shaking hands Cassie dropped her board.

Oh God please don't be dead, please don't be dead!

Cassie almost cried in relief when she saw his chest was moving still, then she looked to the mutant before her. He was big almost as big as Hank his body was leaner probably from malnutrition. He stared at her with wary eyes and he seemed to be sniffing in her direction, Cassie gulped covered in scars and welts he appeared to be more creature than man. Cassie also swore his teeth seemed sharper than what a normal human's would be. Cassie placed her hand up in what she hoped was a calming gesture.

"Ok so stay calm I'm going to help you."

The man creature stared at her when she took a step forward he growed, Cassie froze she wanted to help him but she didn't want to die.

"Easy easy, I'm not going to hurt you I'm going to free you."

Slowly and carefully Cassie was standing directing in front of him, she had to breathe through her mouth, the stench that covered him was horrid. They stared at one another, glassy green eyes started into her soft blue ones Cassie kept talking to him in a low voice. She told him about herself her nephew and how he was a mutant, Cassie was certain she was babbling but he didn't appear to be hostile towards her anymore. Finally Cassie was able to removed the chain from around his neck, her stomach clenched at the fresh blood that oozed forth.

"Thank you."

Cassie jumped when she heard his voice, it sounded crack and rusty from lack of use. "Okay I'm going to try to relese your arms now."

The man nodded his consent then turned, Cassie had to bite her lip from gasping the wounds and scares that covered his back were horribly, some were scabbed over while others bleed freely with a mixture of blood and pus. Cassie shuddered then looked won at his bound hands, they were tied with a thick rope, she was lucky they weren't cuffed like last time. With some effort Cassie was able to loosen the ropes enough to slide them from his hands. The man sighed in partial pain and pleasure as he moved his arms around, then stiffened as he took along sniff.

"We must leave now."

..

Hank paced the hotel room Cassie had been gone for over three hours, had she left and decided to never return? His sharp ears were tuned to listening for the elevator door, everytime it dinged he threw open the door expecting to find her, only to frighten members of staff and other residents. The hotel room phone rang suddenly.

"Yes!" he all but snarled at the one calling.

"P-Pardon me sir but there is a lady here, she says she is staying with you."

"Tell him its Cassie!"

Hank felt his heart melt in relief when he heard her voice in the back ground.

"Oh thank god let her up!"

"But sir-"

"Let her up!" he snarled at the hotel clerk then slammed the phone back down almost smashing it.

Hank tore open his door and was down the hallway in front of the elevators in a matter of seconds. He watched as one of the elevators began to ascend from the first floor, he growled when it passed his floor to the tenth floor. Then the other elevator began to move from the first floor as well, Hank could hear the gear and pulley working as the car slowly made its way up then stopped. Hank had to stop himself from tearing the door open, finally the doors opened and a foul odor hit Hank's sensitive olfactory system. Hank was greeted not only by Cassie, but by a large mutant next to her in the car. When he saw Hank he growled at him and moved to stand in front of Cassie, effectively blocking Hank from her. Beast snared and roared in him, and Hank barely kept it in check but he didn't stop from snarling at the bastard.

Cassie squeaked and quickly moved between them, this had escalated very quickly.

"Wait Hank this is Chris, he's the mutant from the rally yesterday! Chris this is Hank he's who I was telling you about."

Cassie's heart beat erratically, she felt as if she'd just stepped between a lion and a hyena. Cassie's didn't know what Chris's mutation was but she could feel in her gut that it was predatory, like Login and like Hank. They stared at one another for a few tense moments, Hank's eyes that wild gold and Chris's canines seemed sharper and more power looking then before. Finally they both slowly relaxed, Cassie her legs felt like jello and her insides kept churning, Chris groaned then his legs buckled. Hank thankfully moved fast and prevented, Cassie from being crushed and caught Chris.

The doctor in Hank kicked in as carefully he and Cassie moved the wounded mutant to the room and onto one of the beds.

Cassie stepped back and watched as hank quickly and efficiently began to care for the man, he pulled a medical kit from one of his bags and went to work.

..

Hank monitored Chris's heart rate it was slow and steady, the man was sleeping now Cassie was bathing his upper body from the filth that covered him. Taking care of some of the more worrisome wounds, the odor that followed the man abated slightly. Hank had no doubt that a proper shower would him wonders, once he was satisfied that Chris was in a stable condition Hank placed a hand on Cassie's shoulder and motioned to the other room.

Cassie set the bowl of water and washcloth to the side then followed Hank into the living area. He slid the dorrs shut taking care to not wake the sleeping mutant in the other room, then he looked at Cassie. Her hair was a mess and her clothes were rumpled and had stains on them, Hank sighed then wrapped his arms around her.

Cassie let him pulled her close, she buried her face into his chest and let him support her silently, Cassie breathed his scent in she felt her frazzled nerves slowly relax.

"I feared you weren't going to come back." Hank said quietly in her ear.

Cassie looked up at him, she was at a loss for words the snide and hurt part of her wanted to say it was what he deserved after what he did. But Cassie didn't have it in her to knowingly hurt him simply out of spite. Cassie bit her lip before she simply said it.

"Hank what are we doing?"

Hank blinked he was unsure of the question she was asking but at the same time he had an idea, but he let her continue before venturing a guess.

"Are we together again, what are we doing Hank you left me, and now here we are… why?"

Her eyes shined with unshed tears as well as hurt and sadness, and Hank once again felt like a cad for leaving her like he did.

"Cassie… I'm so sorry I never meant to hurt you, the night before our wedding I had been working late in the lab when… I changed."

"Did you not trust me?" Cassie sobbed.

"No! I mean yes… I yes Cassie I trusted you and I still do." Hank floundered trying to make things right between them.

"Then why not just tell me Hank I would have understood!" Cassie questioned.

Hank wanted to hide the truth from her, but it was clear that wasn't going to be possible not if he wanted things to be right between them.

Hank moved them to the couch they sat facing one another, he held her hands trying to find the right words without scaring her.

Cassie watched as Hank opened his mouth to speak twice then closed it, finally he looked at her directly and she was trapped in his blue eyes.

"Cassie I didn't trust myself, when I first changed things were so chaotic, I attacked a man for simply startling me. When my outside changed my inner self changed as well, all of my wants and desires seemed to be amplified by a hundred, every lesser instinct became sharper and louder. Sometimes I would lose myself to this Other me if you will, my instincts would take over and it was like I trapped in my body but with no control. I couldn't risk your safety I didn't trust the Beast to not harm you at that time."

Cassie blinked as things had began to clink in her head, suddenly the jigsaw she'd be trying to understand had been given a vital piece.

"Beast?"

Hank smiled bitterly at her, "It's what I'm referred to as when I am helping Xavier an a group called the X-men, it's also what my other half is referred to as."

Cassie had heard of the X-men, it was a secret group of mutants that everyone knew about, everyone had heard of them but nobody knew anything about them. Cassie thought about the times she'd seen Hank's eyes flash from blue to gold, how his face turn feral it seemed, as well as the other night. Cassie now thought she hadn't been dreaming.

"Is that why your eyes will flash gold?" She asked quietly.

"Only when Beast is being very bothersome, but I can control it now," Hank assured placing her hand flat on his chest. "Cassie I have changed yes, but I am still the man who loves you, when I left I felt so empty without you. But the idea of you being hurt because of me scared me even more, and your safety isn't something I'm willing to risk."

Cassie's heart skipped around when Hank pulled her closer, pressing their foreheads together her body melt against him. "let me earn your trust again Cassie, and this time I swear I won't misplace it."

Cassie's eyes fluttered shut her face was damp she was crying again, it felt as if some dark thing had been taken from her shoulders. When Hank had left she'd feared the worst, she'd thought he'd left because of her. She'd felt that it was her fault that he left; Cassie had thought she was lacking.

Cassie nodded saying a silent prayer that she wasn't being Cara and placing her trust in the wrong man; again.

.

Cassie sighed it felt so good to take a shower, all the New York City back alley funk was gone, she slipped into a pair of sleep pants and a tank top. She didn't bother with her hair she was tired and wanted her bed, Hank had gotten two phone calls earlier from management about the fact they had a person of questionable back ground in his room. They were politely asked to vacate the premises by ten o'clock tomorrow morning, and they would no longer be doing business with Mr. McCoy from this moment further. Cassie felt guilty that she'd caused Hank to be kicked out of hotel he liked, she couldn't necessarily blame management for it either. After all not many hotels would be alright with a man mutant or human showing up in their lobby, beaten, bleeding, and smelling like a septic tank, then being invited up into one of suites. At least they had allowed them to stay until tomorrow instead of being kicked out, or the police being called for that matter. Cassie stepped out into the room, Chris was still sleeping peacefully Hank assured her he was fine and to let him sleep. They'd have to wake him up to leave tomorrow, Cassie looked for Hank he'd been busy packing up all of their things. Thankfully neither Hank nor Cassie had unpack much so little was needed to do, Cassie towel dried her hair as she watched Hank finish up before he turned and look to her.

"I think that's everything, all we need to do it get Chris ready and we'll be off."

Cassie nodded in undertstanding then gestured to the remaining bed. "Lets get some sleep."

Hank looked shy for a moment, "Oh I thought-"

"That I would make you sleep on either the floor, of that far to tiny for you couch." Cassie said with a raised eyebrow.

Hank shrugged. "I do not want to push you Cassie."

Cassie's heart quivered and warmed, even now he was concerned with making sure she was comfortable. "Come on Hank you must be tired as well."

Cassie turned and slid into the cool bed and sighed, her eyes closing almost instantly.

Hank puttered around some more trying to decide if he should remain clothed or not, Hank could feel Beast laughing at his indecision. Finally Hank simply stripped down to his boxers then, carefully he crawled into the bed with Cassie. She was facing awy from him and already asleep, after a moment Hank slide her gently back until he was spooning her. Her damp hair directly under his nose, Cassie sighed and curled farther back against him. Causing Beast to purr inside him at the backside pressed now pressed against him

Hank knew repairing the relationship they had wouldn't be easy but, he was willing to try he just hoped he could keep his inner self under control. So far Beast didn't seem to hold any negative feelings towards her, if anything the matched his own wants in a way. Although Beast seemed more interested in have Cassie writhing underneath him then cuddling her.

Hank began naming off all the elements on the periodic table and what they could be used for, trying to combat the Beast and the raging erection that was growing.

.

Cassie woke up to the sound of a grow she opened her eyes to see Chris was looking directly at her, his eyes reflected light like a cat's. He growled softly once more, Cassie felt an answering growl against her back. She looked up to see Hank partially over her one arm around her waist possessively as he glared at Chris in the opposite bed.

Wait not Hank Cassie realized as those eyes glowed with a golden light, Cassie remembered what Hank had said about his inner self changing and sometimes taking over. Hank had a handle on it when he was awake, but clearly when he slept Beast came out unbeknownst to him.

Beast growled softly once more at the other mutant, before Chris could respond again he watched as Cassie gently placed a hand on the side of the mutants face and pulled him down to her. Chris watched with envy and she pressed her forehead against his and nuzzled his nose with hers, "I'm tired go to sleep, you can have a pissing contest tomorrow, please… Beast."

Cassie felt her heart thump, at the mention of his name Beast gave her his undivided attention, Cassie was trapped in the whirling gold of his eyes. Beast let out a rumble as he curled his body around her protectively, it was such a Hank move that Cassie realized that there was no way to know where Hank began and Beast ended. Even now Cassie swore she could see Hank staring back at her, and Cassie also realized that even when Hank was awake she'd seen Beast staring back at her as well. Cassie yawned before she turned in his embrace until she was facing him, her head tucked under his chin, Cassie felt a large hand petting her scalp in a soothing way.

Chris watched as Cassie lay against the other mutant trustingly, he felt jealously sting him once more he'd had a girlfriend once. Before his mutation that allowed him to scent things from miles away, his eyes had turned from a human brown to a predatory green. His baser instincts had become stronger, he was also faster and stronger than a human, his girlfriend had left him and reported him to her mutant hating buddies. When Cassie had struck one of those bastards over the head and released him, Chris had felt a budding emotion in his chest at being showed a small amount of kindness from a woman.

The other mutant's golden eyes glared at him once more, Chris new the man's eyes had been blue before but clearly this man's mutation was much more extreme than his own. Chris couldn't blame the man for being hostile towards him, he'd be the same way if the rolls were switched even more so if he had a woman in his arms. If Hank hadn't already been in her bed Chris would have gladly moved into Cassie's bed.

Chris bared his teeth at the man, he'd respect the fact that she was taken, but he'd be damned if he'd let the bastard make him go belly up for him.