Disclaimer: I own nothing! It is so sad.

Summary: Shaw gets revenge on Erik for trying to kill him. Charles comes to the rescue. Slash. Male X Male. Don't Like, Don't Read!
This will be a Three Part Series! The sex scene won't be until the final part though, helps build the tension. ;)

A/N: This idea came to me as I was working one night. (I work in a mall.) I saw this guy being dragged around by his girlfriend laden with bags and he just looked like he was being tortured! haha So the little plot bunny took hold and wah-lah! Here we are. Hope you guys enjoy! Each part will start in Erik's POV and end in Charles POV.

Things said in: "talking"

Thoughts said in: 'thought'

Enjoy!

Shop Till You Drop

Part 1: The Torture Device/ Sweater

~Erik POV~

Erik could not believe he was here. Of all the things he thought he would be doing when joining up with the man who had dragged him from the water, shopping was at the very bottom of the list. When he found Shawn, he would show him things the Nazis could only dream of! He knew the man was sick, but what he had done went far past any expectations he had for the man. Now he was in a torture device also known as a sweater, and he still had the hell of picking out three pairs of shoes because the bastard had gotten to those too in his act of vengeance!

Let me recap how I have been delivered to this department store hell. After being dragged from the water by Charles and being checked over by the slightly suspicious CIA, his slurred words, (the water was way too cold to be going for a swim, scuba suit or not) laced with his usually repressed accent had also created a tension with the men on board. He was tired and shaking from adrenalin and anger (He was THIS close to finally killing him!); he just didn't have the energy to care. All he wanted was to go back to the hotel, wash the fucking ocean off of him, clamber into his silk pajamas and sleep for ages. His plan was shot to pieces when he unlocked his room's door and found his luggage incinerated, even his shoes!

The litany of curses in every language he knew could probably be heard all the way in the lobby. Looking around his room, (How had the staff not heard whatever has caused his clothes to be turned into a pile of ash?) Erik spied a note lying on the top of his pillow with his name on it. Anger punctuating every step he snatched the note off the pillow and read the words:

"Those who are rude deserve to be put in their place. Consider this a little bit of revenge for blowing up my boat. –Shaw"

The resulting triad of curses had the hotel elevators groaning from the power Erik let loose in his rage. After his anger had been released Erik registered that his phone was ringing. Glaring at the device Erik snatched the phone up shouting "What?" at whoever had the audacity to call him at this time.

He registered a male chuckling and then heard Charles speak through the other end of the phone. "I realize your anger, Erik. But the only thing getting angry will do is give Shaw the feeling of satisfaction at getting to you. Take calming breaths and meet me at Macy's in 20 minutes. We'll fix your little clothing debacle and focus on apprehending Shaw before anything else bad happens hmm?"

Sputtering in shock, Erik heard Charles hang up the phone. Looking at the phone with absolute confusion, Erik replaced it on the cradle and, after taking one last look around the room, left through the hotel door to apparently go buy some clothes.

Meeting Charles outside Macy's was a surreal experience. Erik had always just purchased what he needed as he went, usually employing a personal shopper when the need arose for more formal wear. Erik could certainly wear a suit, but that didn't necessarily mean he could pick one out. Charles seemed to be in his element in front of the store, leaning against the brick side of the building looking for all the world as if waiting for a date. That certain thought caused a twitch in his lower stomach that he didn't want to identify the meaning of while in the presence of a mind-reader.

Charles righted himself when he spotted Erik walking toward him and smiled as he stopped in front of him. "So just because you dragged me out of the water you now think that you can summon me whenever or wherever you please?" Erik stated with the anger he had been feeling since opening his hotel door.

The laughter Charles emitted at his question did nothing to quell his anger. "My good man, your anger at the discovery of the state of your clothes could be felt all the way across town by me. I was not looking to hear your thoughts but since we had connected earlier this morning it wasn't very hard to discover that you were the source of the incredible wave of anger. When I discovered the reason for your anger I called in to the store and got them to open a little early so that we can amend the problem and focus on getting Shawn."

Erik stared at the man as if he had just said he was an alien from outer space. "Got them to… your THAT rich? You can just call up and have them open the store early? Just like that?"

Chuckling at the incredulous look he was getting Charles indicated they should walk through the doors. "My parent's marriage was the result of two wealthy families coming together to form an alliance of old money against the newer industrial wealthy that seemed to be taking over America at the time. Therefore, upon their death, I am the proprietor of quite a bit of wealth that I only see fit to use for charities or for my own circumstantial needs. Your unfortunate situation, I believe, falls into the latter category. I am sure the CIA would provide you with clothing should you explain what happened, but I know your pride would never allow it. Since I am already aware of the situation and I can assure you I won't be telling any of my colleagues, we might as well provide you with some clothes and then you can go back to your hotel and sleep."

Making their way into the store front, Erik saw one squirrely man heading their way. "Dr. Xavier, a pleasure to meet you. Your mother was a long time customer of ours and I am very happy to be able to help your unfortunate friend."

Realizing the man was look at him with sympathy, Erik simply thought the question knowing that Charles could hear and answer without the man ever knowing they were having a conversation. 'What the hell did you tell him?'

The answering thought came with a lot of underlying mirth that he could literally FEEL, that was going to take some getting used to. 'I merely told him you were my friend from England who was coming over to visit who met with an unfortunate accident. Luckily you were rescued by the Coast Guard but your clothes and shoes were ruined and you were in need of some items.'

Nodding at the man, Erik answered in a clipped posh English accent that he had long ago perfected to blend in while hunting information on his prey. "I thank you profusely for your hospitality. I am sure you would much rather be sleeping in your comfortable bed than be here, helping a water-logged fellow such as I."

The man's smile seemed genuine enough when he reassured that it was only a half-hour sooner than he would usually be in the store any way, though only Charles knew how put out the man really was by the unorthodox early opening for one client. Showing them to the men's department, the manager apologized but none of the female attendants who would be coming in a few hours from now could be reached to be there early. That left the picking out of clothes to Erik and Charles, the latter looking as if he had no problem picking out clothing. Of course he was not the one who would be wearing said clothing. Charles nodded his dismissal of the manager with the assurance that they could pick out a few pieces of clothing.

Charles' damn chuckle was right near him and, once again, that damn feeling in his lower abdomen had him fighting intentions he knew would be unwarranted by the other mutant. "Do not worry my friend, growing up with another woman has given me a good concept for clothing along with horror stories that only hormonal teenage women are capable of."

The man literally shuddered at whatever memory presented itself to his mind and Erik couldn't help but laugh at his discomfort. The brief meeting he had had with the young Raven had shown an independent woman who wasn't above going to extreme measures to seek justice. He couldn't imagine that coupled with the raging hormones that seemed to make women crazy when they became young ladies.

Looking around he admitted willingly to Charles his hopelessness in the current situation, "Well I, unfortunately, did not have such good fortune. I usually get someone else to buy my clothes for me when I need it. I have no idea what goes with what."

Charles smiled serenely at him and pointed at the dressing room. "Raven is much better at this than I, but I think I can manage to pick out some decent pieces to get you through the next couple of days. Go in there and I will bring some things for you to try on."

Erik narrowed his eyes at the smaller man 'Of course you don't need my measurements do you?'

Responding to the mental jab at his powers Charles made a shooing motion toward the dressing room with his hand and with a huff Erik went in the direction he was shown.

~Charles' POV~

Watching Erik slink off toward the dressing room with an admiring glance, Charles was reminded of what it felt like to grip the man in the water. Had that really only been a few hours earlier? After picking a few nice button-up shirts, Charles turned toward the pants, blushing as he remembered how the man had looked in his scuba suit after being dragged from the water. Charles was thankful for the freezing water; otherwise it wouldn't have taken a mind reader to figure out what Charles was thinking. Picking pants that were plain enough to mix and match with any of the shirts he had picked out and any of the sweaters he was about to pick, Charles made his way over to the sweaters and picked them in the grey tones he knew Erik preferred. Spying a certain sweater, Charles smirked as a plan formed in his mind.

Making his way back to the dressing room, Charles caught snippets of Erik's thoughts which seemed to be revolving around him and what he felt. Of course, Charles had felt the attraction the same as Erik ever since they had met. The man's mind was also very appealing to his own, he could imagine long nights spent drinking brandy and having incredible discussions with the man, as well as sharing an intimate rendezvous with him. Charles had gone to boarding school and had made his peace with the fact there were some men in this world he was attracted to, there was nothing to be ashamed about. Erik, it seemed, for all his travels had not been privy to this situation in his time before. The knowledge that Charles was the first man Erik had romantic feelings toward made him want to protect Erik and show him the wonders that could be found only in the arms of another man. Women were wonderful but there were some things only other men could offer.

He had stayed up thinking about how best to convince Erik into a romantic entanglement when he had felt the man's anger. Siphoning through the many languages Erik was yelling in, Charles heard how the man had found his luggage. Quickly dialing one of the stores in his mother's address book, how many years had it been since she had passed now? Charles explained the made-up excuse of his friend and the man on the other line assured him he could be at the store in 10 minutes should Mr. Xavier need him there. Though Charles hated using his wealth in this way, it was for a good cause. Erik couldn't go around simply in the sweats the Coast Guard had lent him and Charles wanted to be alone with the mysterious man.

Coming out of his thoughts Charles rasped at the dressing room door and handed the variety of clothes to Erik. "You try these on while I go locate belts and then we can go pick out some shoes hmm?"

Grimacing at the load of clothes handed to him, Erik simply nodded and then retreated back into the room. Whistling to himself Charles went and picked out a brown and black belt and was making his way toward the shoe section when he felt the first wave of panic from Erik. It was different than when he had sensed the man trying to stop the submarine though. This panic seemed to be tinged with embarrassment. The man wasn't joking when he said he was no good with clothing.

Tuning into the man's actual thoughts instead of just his feelings, he had to stop and laugh beside the tie rack. 'Dammit! Charles I know you can hear me! Come here and help me with this bloody turtle neck! More like a torture device than a sweater!'

Chuckling Charles continued to the shoes and picked out a pair of brown and black loafers which he knew were Erik's size and matched the clothing he had picked for him and found some sneakers that would be comfortable for exercising in.

'Arrrghh, stupid clothing! Charles get back here now you sneaky bastard!' Relenting only because he thought Erik would start using his power to get Charles back to the dressing room sooner, he opened the door to find Erik twisted up in the sweater somehow.

His head nowhere in sight, but his arms seemed to be twisted in what looked a painful vice. Laughing out loud Charles shook his head and reaching toward the poor man asked telepathically 'How did you manage to get this tangled in a sweater of all things?'

If his face could be seen Erik would most definitely have been sporting a pout. 'The damn thing is made weird. I got my head and arms through alright at first but the middle was too small and when I tried to take the damn thing off I got stuck.'

Trying not to laugh again, realizing it was an embarrassing moment for the other man, Charles began to act on his plan so that he could use this moment to his advantage. Without warning the other mutant what he was about to do, Charles slowly slid his hands underneath the sweater and worked the material up till he had Erik's head free. The man's face was red and his breathing was a bit labored and Charles knew it was not solely because of his battle with the sweater. The tugging on the sweater had brought the two men flush together and now that the sweater was free Erik looked down into Charles face and leaned even farther closing the space until their chests were touching.

'Is that better, Erik?' Just that innocent thought alone was enough to cause Erik to visibly shiver. Feeding off the other man's arousal, Charles leaned up while simultaneously grasping the back of Erik's neck and dragging him into a fierce kiss. The kiss seemed to have been too much for Erik after his battle with the sweater though and he collapsed backwards onto the bench supplied in each room. Charles didn't let that deter him though and continued attacking the man's lips till he allowed him access to his mouth. Quickly getting into a fierce battle for dominance, Erik's hand began to roam his body while Charles was content to pet and pull at the hair on Erik's head.

'You're so gorgeous.' The thought had been one he had been wanting to express to the man since he had seen the terrible atrocities Shaw had put Erik through. Erik had no one in his life that was simply vested in getting to know Erik for the sake of getting to know him. There was always another agenda with everyone. Charles wanted to show him that he was not like the others; that he cared for him.

'Wanted to do this since the moment I saw you, touched you. You are so beautiful.' Erik began gasping into the kisses they were sharing and Charles quickly took control of the kiss and continued to compliment the man as he went. 'No idea how much I wanted to taste you after grabbing you in the water. You were so much more than I ever expected to find. So dedicated, so strong, just wanted to take you right then.'

The man underneath him groaned and mumbled in his mouth something along the lines of "Can't here."Charles pulled out of the kiss trying to catch his breath and he noticed that Erik was in a similar state.

Nodding his head Charles stood up off the man, who instantly tried to reach for him. "You are right, of course, this is not the place for these activities. I do believe you have a hotel room that you have yet to use though."

Shaking his head and looking at Charles with slightly glassy eyes, Erik responded "My luggage was a pile of ashes, even though the smell wasn't that bad, no way am I going back there."

Charles smiled at the man, "I made another call before leaving to arrive here. Your hotel should have gone in and cleaned the act of vandalism. For their part in allowing that to happen to your luggage they have agreed to up your hotel room to the presidential suite in hopes that you will not report what has happened and sully their good name. "

Erik grinned, obviously realizing Charles had been the one to suggest such a thing to the management. His only other response though was merely nodding and saying, "Go pay for the clothes."

Smirking, Charles leaned in for one last kiss while sending the mental message, 'I also grabbed a few ties, that thinking back on it don't really match what I picked out, perhaps we can think of a better use for them at the hotel?' Seeing the mental images that particular idea brought up, Charles left Erik to deal with his reemerging problem to go pay for the clothes.

The cry of "Dammit Charles!" reverberated behind him and Charles knew his relationship with Erik would be one he would never find again in his life.

TBC in Part Two of Shop Till You Drop! Named: Hanging in the Air