I'm a US citizen but I am taking a few liberties with the political process for the sake of the fic. Also, apologies to anyone who speaks German; I used Google Translate (all translations to English are in the story right after anything that's supposed to be in German). That being said, hope you enjoy :D

Erik knocked on the door and poked his head in. "You wanted to see me, Director?"

"Ah, Erik. Good. Come in."

Erik closed the door behind him and dropped into the chair across the desk from the Director of the United States Secret Service, wondering if there was perhaps something amiss that he should be concerned about.

Director Jeffrey Mason studied him for a minute in silence before saying, "Now, I know you've only been back in the States for a few days, Erik, but I have an urgent assignment that I think is a perfect fit for your talents." He paused a moment. "One of the presidential candidates has been receiving death threats—rather specific and violent ones—and we've been tasked with providing him with additional protection. You and your team will protect him and his immediate family member, should you agree."

Intrigued, Erik leaned forward and picked up the folder that Mason slid over. Flipping it open, he was treated to a profile picture of a young man with short brown hair and piercing blue eyes, even from a photograph. Name: Dr. Charles Xavier. Hmm, he thought, that name sounds familiar. But he couldn't place it. Scanning the files, the name didn't click until he reached the Occupation line. "The gay teacher?!" The words burst out of him. "That's who you want me to protect? He's a joke!"

"Seeing as you're gay yourself, I don't see the problem," Mason replied dryly.

Erik had told the director a couple years ago, after a mission had nearly been compromised because of his partner. The mission was barely saved. After that, the director gave such missions to other agents, and Erik was assigned the more solitary or dangerous missions. Now, though, Erik frowned. The man's sexual orientation didn't matter to him; it might to the voters but that wasn't his concern with the man. "Xavier doesn't have the backbone needed to run a country."

The director shook his head. "Doesn't matter. Not our job to judge; just to follow orders. And the President has asked for our help on this one. Xavier and his sister need our protection, no matter what your opinion of him is."

"Sister?"

"Raven. Her file is in there as well."

Erik flipped through the information again, thinking. "Shouldn't the local police be handling this?"

Mason nodded. "They are working on figuring out who's behind the threats, but you and I both know that they're ineffective when it comes to protection."

Erik nodded once. That was a given. "You said team. Who will I be working with? Should I choose to accept."

The director quirked an eyebrow. "Both of the Summers brothers, Grey, and Salvadore."

Okay, he knew Scott and Alex Summers, had worked with the brothers before. They were good, he knew and they got along well enough. Grey….must be Jean, Scott's fiancé. That was the only agent with that last name that he knew of. He'd never actually met her but had heard plenty of good things. Salvadore, however, was an unknown. "Salvadore?" he inquired pointedly.

The director nodded. "Angel Salvadore. But you probably know her as Tempest?"

Now that name rang a bell. Tempest was one of their best undercover agents. Erik flipped through the files again, weighing the pros and cons. Good team, easily split up to protect both clients…but Xavier? Erik got a sour taste in his mouth just thinking of the guy. President Xavier. Didn't bear thinking on. Maybe he could get close enough to the teacher, convince him this was a bad idea, that remaining a teacher was better. Abruptly making up his mind, Erik closed the folder and said, "I'll take it."

"Good. You fly out in the morning. I've already informed the team since they would have remained even if you'd refused." Erik nodded; made sense. Mason continued, "They're in the bull pen if you want to say anything before you head home to pack. Airplane tickets for all of you, rental car information, address, and any information about the siblings you might need are all in that folder."

Erik nodded and got up to leave. He was almost out the door when the director called him back.

"Oh, and Erik? Whatever your reasons for accepting this are, remember: your first priority is their safety."

Erik didn't respond, instead closing the door and walking down the hall. The director seemed to always know what he was thinking at times like this, although he rarely called him on it. Tucking the folder under his arm, he rounded the corner and stabbed the elevator button. He'd send the girls to guard the sister, keep the brothers for Xavier himself. He stepped inside and hit the correct level, mentally working out logistics. Protocol dictated that at least one of them remain at Xavier's side at all times, the visible guard. Reluctantly, Erik realized that, as team leader, he was automatically that person. "Ich hasse diese verdammte abtretung schon," (translation: I hate this fucking assignment already) he muttered to himself as he exited the elevator. And who knew how long it would take for the inept police to find the person or persons responsible.

He shoved open the door to the bull pen and found the four of them gathered around a desk. Alex saw him first, waving. "Hey, Erik. Come to gather the troops?" Alex joked.

"If you're the only recruits, Alex, then I'm screwed," Erik replied in like. "Scott."

Scott nodded. "Hi, Erik. When did you get back?"

He shrugged. "Couple days ago."

"And already a new assignment? That majorly sucks." Alex elbowed him lightly.

Erik ignored him and turned to the girls. The redhead was next to Scott, so clearly that was Grey. Which meant that the Latina was Tempest. Huh. Younger than I thought. He held out a hand. "Erik Lensherr."

The redhead glanced at Scott briefly then returned the handshake briskly. "Jean Grey."

The Latina gave him a flirty smile as she took his hand. "Angel Salvadore, aka Tempest. I'm sure you've heard of me."

Oh yeah, definitely sticking her with the sister. He'd put her in the same role that he was stuck in with Xavier. He handed the folder to Scott. "Info on our clients; pass it around. Basic information: Dr. Charles Xavier, mid-thirties, college professor, single, gay, on the receiving end of some pretty grossly specific death threats. President has ordered additional protection, which is where we come in." Erik spoke as the files were handed around, but he knew they were also listening to him. Agents were trained to multitask; plus they'd have ample time for review on the flight. "Xavier's sister is also at risk: Raven Xavier, late twenties, college student, single, straight, possible target to get to Xavier. I will be team leader; Scott, Alex and I will be guarding the doctor himself; Jean and Angel will be guarding the younger sister. Any questions so far?"

Jean asked, "What time do we fly out and where are we going?"

"Flight leaves from Dulles at 6:53 a.m." He ignored the groans. "And we're headed to New York. Manhattan area. Xavier teaches science at Columbia University; Raven attends FIT for fashion design and merchandising." They all nodded. "Detail is for an as-yet-undetermined amount of time, so prepare to be there a while."

Scott caught his eye. "Should be interesting, at the least." He handed the folder back.

Erik added one last thing. "Go home, eat, sleep, pack. I'll see you at the airport at 5:30 tomorrow morning."

Kicking the door shut behind him, Erik flipped the light switch on the wall so he didn't trip on anything. He generally knew where everything was but he had been out of the country for a while and hadn't really cleaned since he'd been home. Not that he was going to bother with it now, not when he had to leave in a few hours. He dropped everything on the couch, grabbed his leftover Chinese from the refrigerator and stuffed it in the microwave.

Heading to his bedroom, he dragged a suitcase from the bottom of the closet and plopped it on the bed, open. Erik quickly packed a few changes of clothing, casual and official, before he heard the microwave ding and headed back to the kitchen. Shoving his coat aside with a foot, Erik settled on the couch for the evening news. He wondered if Xavier would be mentioned. An hour later, there had been nothing on the race so he shut it off and went to finish packing.

Usually, Erik only packed one bag because he was rarely gone for more than a week, two at the most. This assignment, though, seemed like it would take a few weeks, possibly a couple months. So he reluctantly pulled out his emergency to-go bag and added that to the pile. He kept things generic: plain turtlenecks because the weather was growing colder, heading into the middle of September as it was; jeans; khakis; dress pants; button-down dress shirts; suits; ties; pajamas; a couple pairs of workout clothes…that all went in the suitcase. To his to-go bag, he added all of his weapons and gadgets. Until he got a look at the threats, he was preparing for any and all contingencies and hoped his team was doing the same.

Once done, he leaned the bags against the wall and got ready for bed. He wanted to be at the airport before the others.

Erik had to bite back a grin as he saw his team arrive. Scott and Jean looked awake but Alex was clearly barely conscious. "Was he even awake when you left?" Erik teased Scott.

Scott grinned as his brother collapsed onto a bench, leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "Conscious enough to complain about what time it was. Now, I'm not so sure. Sleepwalking, perhaps."

Jean lightly slapped him on the shoulder. "Scott, be nice. You didn't exactly want to get up, either."

Erik rolled his eyes. "Where's Salvadore?"

"Here, darling!" Angel strolled up, her two suitcases—matching set—behind her.

He shot her a glare. "Don't call me that." She shrugged and he stood up. "Come on, we still have to get our bags checked."

Alex mumbled, "What about our guns?"

They all looked at him, surprised. Erik thought he was asleep. Scott threw Erik a look. "He's got a point. I'm sure we're all packing; how are we gonna get through security?"

"Verdammt. (translation: damn it). Did you all bring your badges?" Nods all around and a snort from Alex's direction. "Then there's no problem." His tone indicated that he thought that was a stupid concern. "Let's go." He turned and walked away, not caring if they followed or not.

Thankfully, they made it through security with little problems, bags checked, and they were seated. Once the plane took off, Erik leaned his chair back a bit, stretched his legs out and closed his eyes. "Wake me when we're about to land," he told Alex, sitting next to him.

Alex was already engrossed in a comic. "Sure thing, bossman."

An hour and a half later, Erik led them through the terminal of La Guardia toward the rental car station. The young woman looked up as he approached. "Hi," she said brightly. "Do you need a car?"

"I have two reserved."

"Oh." She blinked. "Do you have the paperwork?" He set it on the counter and she took it, reading through it quickly. She typed something into her computer and said, "Okay, be right back."

Once she left, Scott leaned in and said quietly, "Two?"

"One for him; one for the sister," Erik explained in a like tone. Scott nodded and the girl came back, her smile not nearly as bright as before.

"Okay, the cars are being brought around front, I just need you to sign this paper indicating that you picked them up and that the rental time length is correct." Erik glanced at it perfunctorily. They had two cars for as long as needed; paid for already. He signed and headed outside.

Two cars pulled up as he stepped out into the bright fall morning, his breath ghosting on the air in front of him after the warmth of the terminal. "Chevy Tahoe? Oh man, is that going to stick out!" Alex complained.

Jean replied, "Think of it more like a minivan for soccer moms. It's more inconspicuous than you think. Especially since neither one is black."

"Yeah, all right. I'll give you the color, but, come on: a Tahoe?"

Erik took the keys from the rental guys with a nod and tossed a set to Scott. "Take the red one. And your brother. I don't feel like listening to his complaints all morning. Salvadore, Grey, with me in the blue one."

They all managed to fit their gear in the trunks and piled in. Erik checked with Scott that he had Xavier's address, programmed it into his own GPS and pulled away from the curb.