Just a short, semi-alternate ending drabble about the beach scene, from Erik's POV. Oneshot, but possibly more? Leave me feedback and we'll see where this goes. (A slight Cherik, but could possibly flourish

The moment I heard his scream, I regretted the last movement I had made. It took only a split second of my time to divert the bullet from it's original target- me. And in that split second, I ruined the life of the person who I had come to call my dearest friend.

As I turned, I could view the full impact of the choices I had made in the past half hour. My decision that vengeance was the route I was going to chose, that I was not going to follow Charles' path, that the bombs needed to be redirected back at the ships, all influenced what was going on in front of me.

I watched as he fell, his blue eyes widening in what I could only imagine as unendurable agony. Charles twisted in an odd manner and once I saw him physically hit the sand, my feet reacted.

"Charles!" It only took a moment for me to reach his now still body. "Charles I'm sorry." I knew that he wouldn't be angry at me. It wasn't in his nature. But I was angry at myself. I instantly felt for the slight magnetic tug that the bullet would give off and found it, wedged between two of the bottom vertebrae of his spine. Carefully, I drew it out, and then sent it flying into the waves.

"Charles! Oh Charles!" Raven had now appeared, in her natural state, and was brushing his sweat-damped hair out of his face.

"It's alright Raven. Don't worry," he stopped for a moment, trying to suppress a pained grunt. "About me," when he finished, he sounded tired, dazed, and out of breath. In the distance I could hear Moira trying, fruitlessly, to call for help. Off to the side I knew that Azazel was still here and would comply with whatever I asked of him, considering Shaw was now out of the picture.

"Charles, I'm-"

"Although I cannot read your thoughts my friend, I know what you are about to say. So please, refrain. It's simply not necessary." His voice was pained, and it felt like a bullet was being drove into my spine.

"Azazel!" I called. Charles watched me wearily, his blue eyes squinting in the sun. "Get us out of here." Azazel nodded and we all joined hands. In the instant before we left though, I discarded Shaw's helmet and crushed it, leaving the crumpled heap on the bloody beach.

So please, leave a review, comment, random post, anything! I'd love to hear it! c: