One
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from this Fic except my OC, all credit goes to DC Comics and Warner Bros. Wish I owned James McAvoy though…
Thunderous applause shook the high vaulted ceiling of the hall as Oxford's brightest graduates steeped down, doctorates in hand, to mingle with their guests. Outside rain poured down unrelentingly, an English tradition, however even the dismal weather was unable to wipe the joyful smile off the face of a pretty blonde woman as she threw her arms around the neck of a young man who returned it with a grin of his own from beneath a mess of tousled brown hair. She was a beauty; curvy and dressed in casual splendor for the rather solemn event. He was dressed much more appropriately, handsome with a mischievous smile and a slender, scholar's kind of body. They were both tall and seemed to have stepped out of teenage angst novel. As they broke apart they began to speak to each other happily, the young woman laughing as her companion joked ponderously. Their observer smiled as she read the man's lips, seemed the two of them 'could use a drink'. The dark haired woman, hidden in the shadows of the doorway, quickly turned to leave the crowded hall before the young pair spotted her. However she knew before she had stepped outside that it had been a fruitless attempt, doomed to fail the moment her eyes met those of the slender blonde. Hurriedly the petite woman began to push her way through the crowd, apologizing but not stopping as she sought to disappear from view. She sensed their pursuit but did not turn around to look behind her as she pulled the light grey hood of her jacket over her dark hair in an attempt to blend into the surrounding crowd. From behind her she could hear more apologies as the young couple also pushed through the crowd to keep her in view, the busy street was up ahead and the rain was coming down harder so she rapidly rushed towards it trying to lose her pursuers.
Adele. Charles' soft, sensible voice; the one she hadn't heard in almost four years, suddenly filled her mind, clear as it had ever been. She froze, foot poised to step out onto the road, unable to move, unable to even look around at the steadily approaching couple. People moved hurriedly passed her as the rain thundered down, trying to stay out of the wet but Adele could barely feel it. Finally, swallowing her nervousness defiantly, she turned to find her pursuers standing some five or so paces away with their faces reflecting her own shock as they stared at each other across the crowded courtyard. Rain continued to pour steadily soaking her clothes and saturating her hair through the hood but she could not move a single muscle. Charles placed two fingers to his temple, a sign to those who knew of what was to come. Adele panicked and threw up her walls, watching triumphantly as his wondrous blue eyes widened first in shock, then to her surprise in joy. He murmured something to his blonde companion and the pair restarted their casual walk over to where she stood until all three stood beneath her umbrella. Raven's smile was so genuine that Adele couldn't help but return it tentatively. With warning the pretty young woman flung her arms around Adele and proceeded to squeeze the life out of her. Although extremely tense Adele returned it and there were tears in both their eyes as the embraced.
"Oh Del, I knew it was you… oh God I've missed you so much." She whispered as she pulled away, forcing Adele's vivid violet eyes to meet her own warm brown ones. Adele's tongue finally found the strength to move on its own.
"I've missed you too Rae, you look fantastic." She said and Raven practically glowed with pleasure. She disentangled herself from the blonde's arms and turned to find her brother standing awkwardly with his hands buried deep in his pockets as he waited. Distant memories threatened to overwhelm her as she stood in close proximity to a man and her breathing rate increased slightly.
This is Charles, THIS IS CHARLES. She reminded herself and with a rush she realized how much she had actually missed Charles, the feel of his arms around her and his cheeky smile. It seemed he felt similarly for a second later they were in each other's arms, embracing each other tightly as he kissed her lightly on the top of her head. Adele breathed in the musky cologne he wore and buried her face in his chest; simply enjoy the long awaited sensation and allowing herself to relax. The memories stirred but she forced them away, not now, she wouldn't think of that now.
Oh Charles, I missed you and Rae so much. I'm sorry if I hurt you when I left. She thought miserably, letting her shields down temporarily and felt him jerk slightly.
Don't be. Oh Elle I missed you too. I'm so glad to see you here. He returned silently and they drew back to stare at each other. His gorgeous blue eyes twinkled merrily as he tucked a stray strand of her black hair behind her ear and titled his head to look at her. Suddenly uncomfortable at his studious perusal she stepped back and he immediately stopped. She struggled to smile up at him and spoke out loud.
"Congratulations Charles, or should I say, the all knowing Professor Xavier?" She teased and he grinned. Raven cackled in glee as the three of them settled easily into their old routine.
"Oh don't, it makes me sound old and I'm not technically a professor until I start teaching." He protested cheerfully and Adele smirked then quickly stepped away from them again.
"Well this had been… great but I just came to see the ceremony. I didn't plan on intruding…" She began but Charles cut her off at the tee.
"Nonsense, please Adele," He never used his nickname for her in front of others.
"It would be groovy if you would join Rae and I for at least one drink." He begged and Adele deliberated for a moment. Raven clung to her desperately.
"Please Del, for old times." She begged and with a sigh Adele nodded. Raven cheered, kissed her cheeks and smiled brilliantly as Charles linked his arms through theirs and guided them towards a nearby pub. They found an empty table and sat down, Charles disappearing to buy drinks much to Raven's underaged dismay. Her two older friends teased her as he walked away towards the bar and she sat down and scowled at his retreating form, rolling her eyes as he became distracted by another pretty blonde. This gave the two women an opportunity to talk. Adele pulled out a packet of cigarettes and lit one, drawing a long smooth drag and fixing the blonde with a smile.
"How's it all going Rae?" Adele asked the younger woman and a sad sigh escaped her as the pair watched the newly decorated Charles flirt with the pretty blonde.
"Its not fair, I just… I want…" Raven struggled to find the right words. Adele placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and the two looked at each other… the pretty blonde sprite and the pale mysterious-looking woman next to her.
"You know what I've always said Rae, its what's on the inside that really counts… there's plenty of bitchy beauties out their who can't even compete in the same city let alone the same field as you." Adele said and Raven sighed.
"It's okay for you Del, you don't have to hide who you really are from everyone… I do." She said bitterly and stared at her hands in disgust.
"I can't go anywhere without doing this… hiding who I really am all the time… I just want to be beautiful." She moaned and Adele pulled her into a tight hug.
"You're so special Rae, I just can't believe you can't see it." She said desperately.
"And damn me for being the only one who does." She whispered to herself as they drew apart. Raven still looked miserable but Adele couldn't find the right words to help her so she reluctantly left it alone. A moment of silence followed, Adele took another drag from her half finished cigarette, and a soft cough brought her attention away from where Charles stood by the bar. Looking around she met Raven's knowing look and swallowed nervously.
"So Del, what about you and Charles then?" Raven asked and she jumped guiltily.
"What? I don't know what you're talking about." She whispered over her brilliant blush that showed vibrantly on her pale face. Raven's smirk deepened at the sight.
"Honestly, you and Charles are as thick as it gets sometimes… are you going to try and make it work this time or are you just going to run again?" Raven asked seriously and Adele tried to look anywhere but at her or Charles. Another nervous puff.
"Well honestly Rae, I don't know where you get these things from." She spluttered and tried to reclaim the situation.
"It's a big misunde… Charles!" She exclaimed, glad to see her drink clutched in his hand. Raven flashed her a triumphant look as Charles smiled at her and handed her glass over regally. He frowned at the cigarette but she merely scowled and put it out. He seemed ready to speak but at that moment a friend pulled him away and forced a yardstick into his hand. Adele clapped along with the rest as Charles successfully downed the whole thing bring cheers from all over the pub. Raven gave him a huge hug and they resettled at the table. He seemed more than a little tipsy and Adele smirked at him from over her drink. After a few minutes of quiet sipping he spoke to her.
"So where have you been Adele?" He asked and she stopped smiling instantly.
"England, America… around. I got my Literature Degree from Cambridge and an Honours in Art History." She said happily and he smiled. Feigning a headache he pressed a finger to his temple.
Law. He asked and she nodded into her drink, single malt whiskey on ice.
Good thing too, I needed it a few times. I went through an accelerated course thanks to my… persuasive techniques. She answered and his eyes widened slightly preparing to ask another question when Raven announced she needed another drink. Adele breathed a sigh of relief as Charles stood, ever the gentleman, and went to get it. Once again getting side tracked. This time it was by a scared looking auburn haired woman who drew him aside to another table and Adele watched with a familiar sinking feeling as they sat down and began to talk earnestly. Charles pressed his fingers to his temple and a knowing long crossed his features as he spoke to her.
"What's wrong?" Raven asked following her line of sight but Adele shook her head, cursing her general lack of telepathic ability. She caught strong feelings of fear from the woman, interest and wariness from Charles and, by lip reading (a skill she was very good at), a sense of strong foreboding in the events to come. Something about mutations… Charles forte. Her eyes widened as she put two and two together; very not good.
"Shit!" She whispered as Charles walked over to them with the woman in tow. He took one look at her and she nodded very slightly. The woman he had with him was pretty, human and with a generally friendly look about her; probably would have been a good conversationalist if it hadn't been for the terror etched upon her face as she shook hands with the two female mutants.
"Moira, this is my younger sister Raven." Charles said pointing to Raven he then turned to Adele and introduced the two dark haired women.
"And this groovy young lady here is my oldest friend Adele McAllister. Girls this is Moira McTaggart… it looks like we're going home earlier than we planned Rae." He said to Raven who nodded and stood immediately. Adele followed suit.
Not good? She asked, he shook his head.
How much do you know? He asked and she bit his lip.
Simple situation, not a lot of details. She answered and he tapped his head questioningly. She frowned and shook her head.
You were too far away.
You're improving, I remember a certain someone used to faint. He teased and she blushed as he led them all outside and hailed a cab. She paused as the trio entered the awaiting cab ahead of her. She couldn't. Charles sensed her nervousness and got out of the cab again. He faced her and took her hands in his.
Please Elle, come with us… I can't loose you again. He begged, not even needing to put his hand to his temple, and she looked up at him timidly. She sighed heavily but didn't move. Desperately he squeezed her hands, his blue eyes met her violet ones and the outside world faded. For a moment it was just them, like all those years ago.
Elle… please." He begged and pressed a kiss to her fingers. Something broke in her and she nodded.
"Fine, but I'm not flying coach." She said and he grinned, that wonderfully cheeky grin that made her think of all the old times when they were kids. Raven who had been watching smiled.
"I'm sorry Del that we ruined your plans, but I'm so happy you're coming." Raven cheered.
"It's fine I suppose, home sweet home is where we need to go." She said and stepped inside. Smiling reassuringly at Moira she rested her head against Charles shoulder as they drove off into the rainy London night.