Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

A/N: The idea for this fic came to me out of the blue and seemed like something that could've happened in XMFC, so I decided to write it. Hope you enjoy. :)

Home sweet home. Charles hadn't been on his family's property since the day he and Raven left for Oxford, and now he was back with his new teammates in tow. It felt strange to have so many people in his home after spending years with an absent mother and stepfather, but in a good way. Like it was meant to be. The tour was over, the day was done, and everyone was settled in their rooms for the evening.

Dressed in navy blue and forest green flannel pajamas, the telepath climbed into bed and was about to turn off the lamp when he sensed someone approaching his room and heard a soft knock seconds later. The door opened and his adoptive sister stepped inside, wearing her white bathrobe over a light blue nightgown.

"Raven, is everything all right?"

"I had a nightmare," she replied, walking towards him.

"About what?"

"Darwin getting killed."

Her words spoke volumes and pierced his heart, making him once again feel guilty for not being there when Shaw attacked her and the others at the CIA. All Charles could think about was the last thing he said to her before leaving for Russia with Erik and Moira, how cold he was towards her, and then seeing the piles of rubble from what was left of the facility when he returned. Shaw murdered countless government agents, convinced Angel to join his side, obliterated Darwin, and intended to start World War III. He was a monster. What if he killed Raven that night? Charles could've lost her forever and she would've died thinking he was disappointed in her. The feeling sent a shiver down his spine. He wasn't disappointed in her. He was proud of her for wanting to avenge their fallen friend. It proved to him how brave she was. His concern for her safety outweighed his admiration for her bravery, though.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you."

"Charles, you can't be everywhere at once."

"That's still no excuse. I vowed to always keep you safe and I failed. I left you unguarded and that madman—"

"Stop. You can't think that way. I'm fine."

"How can I not think that way? I almost lost you."

"You're not going to lose me," she promised, sincerity shining in her blue eyes. "I'm right here."

He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, planting a kiss on her knuckles. "You mean everything to me, love. Never forget that."

"I won't," the blonde smiled. "Will you read to me?"

More than happy to oblige her with their nightly ritual, Charles pulled back his covers and Raven walked to the other side of the bed. After she removed her robe and tossed it on the empty armchair, she slipped between the sheets, curled up next to him and pressed her head against his chest. He used his right hand to grab a novel off his nightstand, while his left wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders. Being this close to her… feeling her soft touch… it somehow made his fears wash away—if only for the moment. He would never take his sister for granted again. The telepath chose one of her favorites, Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, and opened it to the page he left bookmarked, the start of Chapter 24. He cleared his throat and began reading to her, laying his head on top of hers.

"As I rose and dressed, I thought over what had happened, and wondered if it were a dream. I could not be certain of the reality till I had seen Mr. Rochester again, and heard him renew his words of love and promise…"

When he finished reading the chapter a half hour later, Charles looked down and found a blue-skinned Raven asleep in his arms, peaceful and content. He closed his eyes, leaned forward, and kissed her forehead. He knew he should rouse her, or carry her down the hall, that way she could sleep in her own room. Even though they weren't blood-related and both adults, some might consider them sleeping in the same bed inappropriate. A week ago, he probably would've felt the same way. Things were different now. He could say she needed her sleep, that he didn't want her to have another nightmare, but those reasons would only be half-true. He wanted to keep her in his bed—er, by his side—for more selfish reasons. This girl was the most precious thing in his life. She was his whole world and he couldn't bear the thought of losing her. He wasn't going to let anyone or anything take her away from him. Not Shaw, not the CIA, nothing. He would follow Erik's advice and train the others, because they needed to be ready for whatever the Hellfire Club may throw at them, but he would keep her close from now on. He would never put her in harm's way again.

Making sure not to wake her, Charles reached out to turn off the lamp and darkness filled his bedroom. The comfort of Raven being in his arms was heartwarming, yet it was impossible to wish they could stay like this forever. All he could do was be thankful for what he had right now and hope that another perfect moment would come again soon.

Raven awoke to clear blue skies and sunlight streaming through the windows the next morning. Alarmed by her surroundings, she shot upward and nearly leaped off the mattress when she saw that she was in Charles' bed, his arm draped over her waist. Switching back to her human form, the last thing she remembered was him reading Jane Eyre to her. She must've fallen asleep somewhere along the way. When they were children, she would often seek him out after having a bad dream and sleep beside him. As the years passed, her nightmares lessened and she stopped coming. Instead, whenever she drifted off while he was reading to her, he would either let her sleep on the couch or carry her to bed. Why not this time? The question left her puzzled and oddly curious.

"Charles," she whispered, shaking his shoulder.

"Hmm?"

"Charles, get up."

"It's too early, darling," he protested, eyes still closed. "Give me one more hour and then I'll be ready to function."

"Why didn't you wake me? I spent the night with you."

Her last statement got his attention and made the telepath aware that he might have to explain himself. He opened his eyes and tried to play off her concern with his irresistible charm.

"Is that a bad thing? In my experience, most women have a very different reaction the next morning."

"You know what I mean," she blushed, almost giggling. "We're not kids anymore. You could've woken me up and kicked me out of your room when you were done reading."

"I didn't want to."

Surprised by his words, the blonde studied him. "Why not?"

Charles brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear and caressed her cheek. "I don't think you realize how much you mean to me."

Knowing where this affection was coming from, she tilted her head slightly and sighed. "You're still thinking about Shaw's attack."

"I am thinking about you," he interjected, a hint of aggression in his tone. "I can't imagine my life without you."

"You won't have to. I told you that last night."

"The closer we get to Shaw, the more dangerous our mission will become."

"Are you saying that you don't want me to fight?"

"No, but I want you to promise that you'll listen to me and stay close."

Stunned to her core, Raven was tempted to tell him off. How could Charles ask her to agree to such a request when they both knew what was at stake? She recognized the love and concern in his eyes, however, and the shapeshifter couldn't bring herself to object. No matter how much it seemed he took her for granted at times, she knew how much he cared for her. He would never forgive himself if something happened to her.

"I promise."

Relieved by her response, he sat up and kissed her temple. "Thank you."

"Can we get up now? I'm starving."

"If we must."

The pair tossed their covers aside, climbed out of bed, headed for the door, and the blonde opened it. Just as they were about to step into the hallway, she saw Erik, who stopped walking towards the staircase upon noticing the scene before him. Uncombed hair, wrinkled pajamas, and the adoptive siblings' faces looked like those of two children with their hands caught in the cookie jar.

"My, my," he smirked smugly. "What do we have here?"

A/N: Should I continue the story? Please review!