Ok people, first of all, disclaimer: I don't own Moira, or Charles, or Erik, or anyone or anything related to X-Men, really. Keep that in mind.
Second of all. This fic is a companion to "Hope", it can also be seen as the second part of the series. This fic will have chapters narrated by either Charles or Erik and will serve to show everything that wasn't seen in "Hope", particularly the last chapters. It will go on from there.
Hope you'll enjoy. Now on with the fic!
Amity
(Part 2 of the "Hope & Salvation" Series)
By: Lalaith Quetzalli
One woman's actions changed history in ways expected and unexpected. Now it's time to find out what this new version of the world looks like.
Chapter 1. Trust (Charles)
I groan and gasp, taking several seconds to get back my breath. My whole body hurts already and the battle hasn't even begun yet. Also, I know it's only thanks to Erik that I'm even still in one piece after the blackbird went spinning out of control and I turned out to be out of my seats, with no security whatsoever…yes, if it weren't for Erik I would probably already be dead…certainly not the best thought I've had today.
*Thank you…* I whisper inside his mind, still working on my breathing.
I get a sense of dismissal from him, even with no words, though I know he accepts my thanks, he also knows we're in a precarious situation and there's no time to lose.
I manage to get on my feet, a quick sight and mind scan revealing to me that everyone seems to be mostly alright, if considerably dizzy; only, one mind seems to be everywhere at once, with thoughts of the crash-land we just went through, fights and…something else that's just out of my awareness, pushing together in disarray. I have no trouble making out whose mind it is, even if I do not know why she's like that.
"Moira? Moira are you alright?"
I watch her blink a few times before her eyes snap open wide abruptly, apparently only then realizing that I'm right in front of her. For a moment I get the image of…is that myself? Why do I look like hell? She's never seen me like that has she? Well, I don't remember ever being like that so really…
"Yeah, yeah I'm alright." Her reassurances interrupt my line of thought.
I'm still half lost in the confusion of that image that seems to have disappeared from her mind now, therefore not being of much help when she finally undoes the straps of her seat and manages to, somewhat awkwardly, half twist as she's falling so she manages to land in a half crouch in front of me…and I really should have done the gentlemanly thing and helped her get down…though she seems quite proud of her achievement, as if she'd been preparing for it beforehand…but there's no way that can be true, can it?
I shake my head slightly, turning away from her before I begin getting as paranoid as Erik, finally turning to address my team (and I still cannot believe they truly look up to me as a leader, especially Erik…I still look up to him in so many ways).
"I read the teleporter's mind." I inform everyone, getting to business. "Shaw's storing all the power of the sub. He's turning himself into some kind of nuclear bomb."
"We've got no time." Moira points out, her expression looking somewhat absent. "The radar is going out of control."
"This is what we're going to do." I state, taking complete control of the situation. "Moira, get the radio to work, tell them to take both fleets and leave immediately."
"I'm going in." Erik doesn't wait to be given a task, but I knew that already.
"Beast, Havok, back him up." I knew it was coming. "Erik, I can guide you through once you're in but I need you to shut down whatever it is that's blocking me." I sigh before adding. "Then we just have to get to Shaw and hope that we can stop him…"
Had he always been this insecure of his powers…I cannot believe it…the Professor never…
The thoughts hit my mind rather abruptly, like someone's projecting without meaning to. I turn to look at Moira, knowing it is her voice I'm hearing, though I cannot understand how she's talking as if she's known me longer than a few months…the accompanying images are especially confusing: a man in his forties, bald and sitting in a wheelchair, holding a hand at his temple in a gesture I'm intimately familiar with…
"Good luck." I barely manage to call in Erik's direction as he's about to leave.
I want to say something to Moira, but Raven's sudden move to follow the other stops me.
"Raven stop." I call to her.
"I'm going to help." Raven spits in an almost petulant tone.
An image of myself saying something to Raven, in the same scenario we're in right now stops me for a second. I cannot hear the words, but I know they're wrong, or at least, not enough.
She only wants to feel needed…appreciated.
It's Moira's voice again, though a part of me tells me not even she realizes she's done it this time. Still, I take the advice under consideration when I speak to my sister.
"We don't have time for this." I state, trying to be strict, yet understanding at the same time. "I need you here Raven. If I'm going to do this, I'll have to be fully focused in what's happening inside that sub, and not my own surroundings. I need to know that if anything happens here, if anything comes through that entrance, it'll be taken care of."
I get a vague sense of wonder, followed by approval from Moira's mind, which immediately makes me turn to look at her again, much more intently than before. Her eyes meet mine and I know she realizes I've read something in her mind, something she did not want me to… really, if we weren't in the situation we are…
*Can I trust you Moira?* I speak into her mind with no warning.
She seems somewhat startled, though calms down almost instantly, she's obviously noticed how I do not want to call more attention to us than necessary, she knows I'm onto her now.
*I swear to you…* She's obviously making a great effort to appear as honest as she can, though now I have my doubts.
*You've been lying to us all this time.* I accuse, almost without meaning to.
It's just…I trusted her! Ever since that first night, in the bar near Oxford University, I've given her my whole, unreserved trust. And to know she's been lying to me all along. For a moment I cannot help but fear that Erik might be right, and the possibility only hurts me further. I want to believe in Moira, but I do not know if I can anymore; not when I know she has lied, especially because I do not know what she has lied about exactly.
*If there's something I've never lied about is that I'm on your side. And this is not about humans or mutants or whatever, I'm on your side Charles…I promise.*
She's being honest, I know that much, though she's also still holding back.
*You're still hiding things from me, behind that mental shield of yours.* I point out, still surprised that I really hadn't noticed the shield was there before now.
*Yes.* She admits without hesitation. *And I swear I will tell you everything once this is over, but you really do not need the distraction now. Please, Erik needs you, he needs you to be there for him a 100%, and you cannot do that if you're focusing on me.*
*We will be having a serious talk once this is all over.* It's only the reminder of the hard situation Erik is about to face that even makes me stop pushing her.
*Yes.* She concedes obediently.
*Get the radio.* I remind her authoritatively.
I get more flashes, of the mansion, of other mutants, young individuals I've never seen before, the same man in the wheelchair, another wearing a helmet and a cape. It's obvious Moira is trying very hard to regain control of her mind, of her shields, and failing spectacularly.
"Hello!" I hear her scream into the radio, her mind still spinning, not focused at all.
Whatever it is she's trying to hide, the fact that she cannot is truly affecting her, I really did not want to put her in such a state.
"Moira, calm down." I tell her, influencing her just enough for her mind to actually stop spinning if just for a few seconds. "Focus."
"Yes, sorry." She takes a deep breath and nods, before finally turning back to the radio and beginning to speak more calmly. "Fleet Commander, this is Delta, Seven, Alpha, Zero. We believe Shaw is trying to detonate some kind of bomb. Pull back from the beach…I repeat, there is a threat of bomb, pull back!"
One minute I'm directing Erik, who's just turned off the nuclear reactor, on the direction he needs to take to find Shaw, and arguing with him that he's got to be there because there just isn't anywhere else he can be! When suddenly he's gone…
"Erik? Erik?" My anxiety mounts every second as I keep calling to him, useless as I know it is, I just cannot help it. "He's gone."
"What?" I half hear Moira call.
"He's gone into the void." I'm not even sure why I choose to answer, maybe to keep myself from going crazy over his absence. "I can't communicate with him there."
Raven is on the other side of the wreckage, keeping an eye on the battle between the rest of our team and Shaw's followers; and right as I'm beginning to consider some quite crazy ideas, like going after Erik myself, I get another flash of image from Moira's mind: this time myself, yelling something I cannot hear, all the while hitting the hulk of the broken plane.
"You know something of what's going on." It's not a question.
"I do." She admits after a second or two.
"Where is Erik?" I demand.
"I do not know…" Her quiet admittance does not help me any.
*Moira!* I scream.
It surprises even me when I notice I'm screaming inside her mind. And yet she just takes it, just the slightest flinch showing the pain my less-than-gentle invasion of her mind has caused. I briefly consider pushing through her shields to see what she's hiding, if it has anything to do with Erik and his absence then it is a good reason…but is it? Is there any good reason to invade someone else's mind like that, to pretty much rape them psychically? For a few seconds I'm afraid of my own power, because I know I'm capable of it, I could shatter her shields, get into every corner of her mind I want and she wouldn't be able to stop me, no matter how much she cried and screamed…but I do not want that. I do not want to be a monster…not even for Erik…and if I can even begin to understand what that distinction means I really cannot deal with it right now…
*I cannot tell you how I know what I know, the explanation is too complicated and we don't have the time.* I hear her project hesitantly. *I can tell you Erik's with Shaw, which you already know, that'll you be hearing him again soon. Even what little I know, there's a lot I do not understand, I never did. I'm afraid there's very little I can do at this point.*
*You talk as if you've done something before…* I'm not sure if I'm trying to accuse her of something, or just asking a question.
*I've tried…* She admits in what seems like a half-defeated tone.
Our rather intense conversation is interrupted when I feel my torn connection with Erik reassert itself. All along I had kept trying to form it, being unsuccessful, until now…one moment it was like banging against an invisible wall, knowing Erik was on the other side, yet not being able to actually see him. And suddenly I can see him, though I still have problems actually reaching his mind, it's as if he's so very far away…
"He's back!" I'm speaking out-loud without fully realizing it. "Erik, whatever you're doing, keep doing it. It's starting to work."
I get glimpses, of him trying to fight Shaw, his absolute fury at the man, and then his sarcasm at my own words, followed by a flash of pain, right as the connection becomes clearer.
"It's working!" I tell him, even as I feel bad for the pain he's obviously in. "I'm starting to see him but I can't yet touch his mind."
He obviously dismisses my worries about him, and before I can try and say anything else, Moira's words, this time out loud, call most of my attention (all but the corner of mind that is still as tightly bound to Erik as I possibly can be without reaching truly to the center of his mind, of his inner self).
"It's because of the helmet he's wearing." She informs me quietly.
I'm standing in front of her without even noticing I have moved, and she seems as surprised by my speed as I am; still, I say not a word silently demanding any and all information she might have that may be of help, this time even more seriously considering diving into her mind if she does not give it…thankfully, she does.
"He wears a helmet, and that's what's blocking you." She clarifies in a low voice. "I do not know why, or how."
"And you cannot, or will not, explain how you know that either." I almost hiss.
"Not right now." She nods. "Once this is all over, I'll tell you, show you even, all you want."
I don't like it, I really don't, but I know now is not the time. There's too much at stake here to keep myself distracted with something that might, or might not be important: things like the children, the very real risk of Nuclear war…Erik's life…
"Charles." She calls to me.
I do not like letting anything distract me, and somehow she seems to know this, for she's not trying to project into my mind again, instead speaking out-loud; and while I still do not want to listen to her in that moment, something tells me it's important that I do.
"I know you have no reason to trust me, but I just want you to consider something." She goes on. "We both know Erik's going to kill Shaw…"
"Maybe, maybe not." I interrupt. "He has it in him to be the better man."
"I don't really like sounding like him, but he already is." Her correction surprises me. "Or he will be, once he realizes that this is all about more than revenge. Once he begins acting more for the future than for the past, for protecting rather than revenge."
Why does she suddenly sound like she knows Erik better than I do? I know that she's right, of course I do, I just don't understand how she can see it as well, when no one but the two of us seems to be able to, not even Erik himself.
"Charles, just think about it, you've seen what Shaw's capable of, I know you have!" She insists, with a passion that surprises me in its intensity. "Do you really want that kind of man…no, not man, that kind of monster anywhere around Erik, around your children?"
Those words make me react, in a way I cannot begin to believe she meant them. The dream of a school is still so recent, so young, so fragile…and yet for one instant, instead of just a school, in my mind's eye I see a family: with children running around the grounds, the older helping the younger ones; Erik and I, side by side, acting as mentors and leaders…but the part that hits me the most is: as parents…
Shaw's words, which I had only been able to get in pieces and with no sense are suddenly clearer, as they begin to permeate more into Erik's mind, something I know instinctively is no good…
"I don't want to hurt you, Erik. I never did." That monster's words are like poison, the most awful poison. "I wanna help you. This our time. Our age. We are the future of the human race. You and me, son. This world could be ours."
*No, no, no, no…don't listen to him Erik, don't listen to him…* I whisper directly into his mind, not sure if he's even listening, not sure if he can hear anything but that madman's lies and delusions right now.
"Everything you did, made me stronger." I hear Erik's voice, low, half-broken. "Made me the weapon I am today. It's the truth. I've known it all along. You are my creator…"
I want to cry, I want to scream, to wail at the world for the unfairness of it all, yet I know it will be useless, it won't change a thing…my friend…my dearest friend, is falling, drowning in a bottomless pit of self-loath and despair, and I have no idea how to save him…if I could throw myself in and bring him out, like I did by the coast of Miami, I would do it, without a second thought, no matter what the cost to myself. There's nothing I will ever not do for him, for Erik…I…I love him…Oh God…I love him… I love Erik Lehnsherr…
"Now Charles!"
Erik's words, spoken out-loud and into our connection at the same time are just enough to pull me out of my half-looping thoughts. Without stopping to think twice about it, or even once, (pretty much like that night in Florida) I just dive…I pull myself into Shaw's mind, reaching his motor receptors and freezing them, freezing him instantly…it's not easy, Shaw is so powerful, and has previous experience with telepaths. However, his recent constant use of that helmet has made him complacent, I manage to slip through his defenses and hold him in place before he can find a way to stop me.
I let out a sound even I cannot give a proper name to, at the effort it's taking to keep Shaw in place. He just keeps fighting back, reminding me time and time again what Erik is going to do. And I know, I know that Erik is going to kill Shaw, and I know what it is going to cost me… yet that only makes me hold onto Shaw harder. Because I know if I hesitate, even just for a fragment of a second, that monster will get free, and Erik will pay the price of my lack of resolve, and that is something I cannot allow. Especially not now…even if it means I must become a murder, and experience the death of my own victim, all at the same time.
I notice in the corner of my consciousness that Moira has finally given up on the radio, it actually surprises me how long she kept trying even when there was no answer. She looks like she wants to say something, yet is forcing herself to stay quiet; it's something I'm thankful for, if there is something I cannot risk right now are distractions…
"Oh God…" I barely notice, through my mental weariness, that I'm speaking out-loud yet again. "I can only hold this man for so long…"
Suddenly, images, like a half-suppressed memory, invade my thoughts:
"Erik please, be the better man…Erik there will be no turning back! No…." It's my voice I hear, moaning, practically crying, and I do not know why.
"Charles…" I…she…Moira…it's her memory, she's calling, to the other me, the one in the memory, she wants to help, but does not know how…
"Don't do this Erik!" The other Charles yells to the empty air before him, hitting the side of the plane in a mix of fury and helplessness, and then he's begging, like I've never begged in my life. "No…please Erik, no…please Erik…"
What follows is the most blood-curling, heart-stopping soul-tearing scream ever heard. There's just so much despair, like the world is ending somehow…and maybe, in a way, it is. And there's nothing that can be done, nothing but watch my other self, falling into pieces while I/she/Moira looks on, helpless to do anything…
I blink, only a second has passed. I do not know how, or when, or why, but I know the memory to be real…somehow, Moira has been through all of this before, and that's how things went the first time around. I don't know what to say, what to do, how to change what she so obviously has tried and failed to before…then the words fall off my lips, and my mind before I can even notice them.
"Erik please, you are the better man…"
Those words, so similar yet so different from the ones in that awful memory…I agree with them whole-heartedly. Erik is the better man, he just hasn't realized it yet.
*Charles…?* I hear his confused whisper in my mind.
It is obvious he wasn't expecting me to say that, he's still holding Shaw's helmet in between both hands, looking at it as if contemplating what he should do…yet he's not putting it on, regardless of what that memory if Moira's might have shown, he's not putting the helmet on (for while I cannot know for sure, I can imagine the helmet to be at least in part responsible for my reaction in that time-which-wasn't), and I have never been more thankful for anything in my life…
"Erik…" I whisper under my breath and in my mind at the same time. "Please Erik trust me… please, do not cut me out…"
*You do not want me to kill Shaw.* I hear him say slowly, purposefully. *If you put your mind to it, you can make me leave him alive…*
"I could, but I won't." I whisper back, still both aloud and mentally. "It's like I told you all those weeks ago back in the CIA compound, I could stop you, but I won't. I know this is what you want and…while I may not like it, I know Shaw deserves to pay for all that he has done. But why must it be you?"
*Why…?!* The question seems to surprise him. *I deserve to avenge my mother's murder, and all the hurt that damned bastard has put me through, me, and so many others!*
"I know, my friend, I have felt your pain…" I admit quietly. "But must you destroy yourself to destroy him? Is that not too high a price to pay?" I shake my head, even though I know he cannot see me. "I told you before that killing Shaw would not bring you peace, but it's more than that. I'm afraid it might destroy you…"
*I'm no fragile child!*
"I know you are not. I have the utmost respect for you, your power, everything you've endured in your life. But hasn't it been enough already? It is one thing to kill Shaw to protect, but for revenge? That will only leave an empty void inside of you…"
*There is already a void inside me…*
"One that I hope I…we may have begun to fill. All I've ever wanted, from the first time my mind touched yours, was for you to be happy Erik. If I thought this, killing him, would make you happy, I wouldn't be saying a word…no matter what. But I know not only will it not make you happy, it might end up pushing you over the edge you're balancing on now…" I don't know what possesses me to say what comes next, I just feel like if I don't say the words, I may not get another chance later. "I don't want to lose you Erik…"
Seconds pass, though it seems like forever. Erik has lowered the helmet, holding it loosely in one hand, while he keeps the other raised, a silver coin floating between his fingers again and again. I've seen that coin before, in his memories; it's the same one Shaw/Schmidt tried to push him to move, only to murder his mother when he failed. And apparently Erik believes it to be poetic justice that the very same coin be used to murder Shaw.
For an instant I'm almost sure that I've lost, that Erik will just ignore everything that I've said and drive that coin through Shaw's head, like I can sense he's wanted to do for the longest time. I hate the very idea of it, but I do not try to influence his mind, not even in the slightest, instead bracing myself for the pain I know is coming. Then…
Please, do not turn into Shaw… It's Moira's voice, in Erik's memories. …if you end up turning into Shaw then…he wins.
*Charles…* Erik's voice in my head is low, hesitant. *Is there any way for you to incapacitate Shaw, make sure he cannot fight back?*
For a moment I'm floored, a part of me wants to cry, still completely shocked that this is really happening. But I know how important it all is, I cannot break down now. So I focus on the task at hand, and how to achieve it.
*I think so, yes.* I answer. *I can seal off his own powers, so he cannot fight back, then it's only a matter of knocking him out and turning him over to the authorities.*
*Very well, we will do this your way.* Erik agrees, though with not without effort.
I turn my focus to the center of Shaw's power, creating walls to separate it from the rest of him. What I do not expect is for all the power he's already absorbed to make it so hard for the walls to stay in place and, eventually, I'm incapable of keeping him frozen while at the same time working on sealing off his ability. He lashes back, even if just mentally, the pain is still so great I barely manage to swallow my scream physically, psychically it's loud enough I cannot stop Erik from hearing it.
*Charles!* Erik screams, on edge.
I'm so lost in the psychic pain I do not realize Shaw is beginning to recover his mobility until he's already spoken.
"Stupid telepath…" I can only barely hear Shaw through Erik's mind. "To actually think he could take my power from me, what makes me a god! I'll destroy him. Mark my words Erik, I will destroy your little telepath friend, as well as all the other insects out there who have dared defy me, then I will come back to destroy you."
For a moment it seems to me like Erik might be completely in shock, until Shaw's words register fully in his mind then…it's so strange, I'm hearing Erik call my name, at the same time I can almost physically feel him pull me out of Shaw's mind and into his, a second later the silver coin is zipping through the air, and then through Shaw himself before he can gather enough power to stop it. It leaves enough of a hole in his heart that it no longer beats, and the blood is soon enough pooling around his corpse.
It all happens in a second, less than that even. The result is still the same: Shaw is dead; but the manner such a thing has come about to be is so absolutely different…in the end, Shaw does not die because of Erik's revenge, he dies because of his desire to protect…and as the metal-kinetic turns around to leave the room, only as an afterthought floating Shaw's body behind him by the metal in his clothes, a proof to those outside that the battle is over, I know I have not lost him, I have not lost my Erik, not to revenge, not to Shaw…
I am crying and smiling at the same time, and it that moment everything is so absolutely perfect. Then I turn to look at Moira, and remember her deceit, I still want an explanation for that. She notices my look and seems to be able to understand it, even when I do not understand her.
"I promise I will explain, later." She assures quietly, seemingly confused for whatever the reason. "When this is all over."
"Shaw is dead." I tell her, just in case she's wondering. "I…I tried to incapacitate him, managed to do it in fact but then…" I shake my head and sighs. "Erik had to kill him. He…there really was no other way."
She nods, as if she has known all along it would come to this, one way or another, and maybe she's right, and maybe she did know.
"You will be explaining things Moira." I state, as serious as I've ever been. "To both Erik and I."
"I promise." She agrees immediately. "Now we need to get out. As much as I may hate to say this, it really isn't over just yet…"
I have no idea what she's talking about, though I still follow when she makes her way out of the wreckage that is the blackbird, a hand hovering slightly, probably unconsciously, over one of her guns, her eyes fixed straight over Shaw's defeated henchmen, who were being watched over by the rest of the members of our own team.
For a moment I'm shocked by the flash of guilt, very strong guilt I feel coming from Moira; it's just an instant, and soon I'm distracted by Erik's emergence from the sub, who lets Shaw's corpse drop to the sand without a word before using his own abilities to pretty much levitate himself down to the beach.
I can see the blood staining Shaw's clothes on his chest, remember the moment Erik shot the coin at him, through him, and can especially remember how his consciousness pretty much dragged mine away from Shaw, shielding me inside his own head, away from the pain, from the darkness, from the death. The change from the mark on the forehead I remember from a quick flash of Moira's memories to what I see before me seems strangely fitting, as much as the difference in the reasons why Erik planned to kill Shaw, and why he ended up actually doing it in the end.
I can feel Moira's confusion, as her mind lingers on the memory of Shaw's corpse floating in the air, a line of blood falling down her forehead; she's wondering how he died if the coin never went through his brain. I shake my head slightly in his direction, motioning a bit to my chest, knowing that will be enough to make her realize the change…even if it is one I myself cannot fully understand or its relevance…
"It's time for this senseless fighting to stop!" Erik calls loudly as soon as he's sure he has my attention, all of our attention. "Shaw has been stopped, a senseless war has been averted, and how are we rewarded? By the humans turning against us all. I feel their guns moving in the water. Their metal, targeting us. Americans, Soviets, humans. United in their fear of the unknown." He snorts. "It's how it was always going to turn out, mutants versus humans." He turns to me. "Go ahead Charles, tell me I'm wrong."
There is a look in his eyes, like he knows I'm hurting at the mere idea of what he's saying, and yet at the same time he's trying hard to make me understand. And I do…Oh god I do! As I reach out to the minds of everyone on those ships, as I sense their intent, they have heard Moira, everything she's said to the radio, everything we're doing, we've done…and they just don't care. They have their orders, given by higher ranked officials, Moira's own superiors, they are to fire on Cuba, on this beach…on us.
I turn to look at Moira in one desperate second, wanting her to try, one more time, even when I know already how useless it is. When she won't look at me I call into her mind, she does not answer, not in her mind at least, though I can still feel her hurt.
"It's useless Charles." She says after what seems like forever, softly, so full of that same hurt I sensed in her mind. "I've tried establishing communication ever since we crashed. The radio is working, they're just not answering…they do not care."
"They've abandoned us, abandoned you here…" Erik states, a hint of compassion in his voice.
And it is then that I realize just how bad it must be for her; while we may have considered her a part of the team at least since our arrival to Westchester, she's still technically a CIA Agent; she's one of them, and they're condemning her too.
"I'm just one person…" She mutters bitterly.
"And we're not even that." Erik finishes.
I can sense her flinch, and before I can stop myself I'm trying to comfort her psychically.
*It's okay Charles…* She whispers in my mind.
*No, it's not.* I reply.
*Ok, it's not.* She agrees. *Don't take me wrong, I think it's an honor to be considered as part of this group. I just…I cannot believe someone…people I have had the greatest respect for, can care so little for the lives of others. Not just mine, but yours as well…It's not fair…*
I know she's right, but I have nothing else to say, no words I can say will amount to much in the end. Not in our situation.
And then, the ships fire. So many missiles, there's no way I could have ever stopped them all from being fired, even if I'd tried. I turn to Erik, knowing that if this is to be the end, I want him to be the last thing I see…then he raises a hand, and all the weapons freeze in midair…
"Erik…" I whisper.
I see him move his hand slightly, the missiles ever so slowly turning in the air, until they're pointed in the very direction they came from. For a moment my heart stops, as I wonder if Erik is really going to do what it seems he will, if he will murder all those men, innocent men! They're just following orders! But even as those words enter my mind I know it would be the worst thing I could possibly say, especially to him, so I swallow my words; trying and failing to find anything else to say to him.
*I heard you anyway.* I hear him in my mind.
I wince slightly, I had forgotten our minds were still connected.
*I'm sorry.* I whisper back at him.
*You didn't actually say it, you understand why it's wrong.* He replies fairly easily. *It's not your fault I seem to be the telepath right now.* he shrugs. *And you know very well what I would have said if those words had actually left your lips, right?*
*I know, and I am deeply sorry.* I insist to him.
*Do you trust me Charles?* He asks out of nowhere.
I see the missiles begin to move, away from him, in the direction of the ships, of all the terrified soldiers in them…
*Terrified soldiers who want to kill us just because we do not adjust to their idea of what's normal.* Erik points out coldly.
*Please, please do not kill them, Erik…you're better than this.* I plea, not knowing what else to say, telepath or not, I have no idea at all.
*I said: do you trust me Charles?* He insists. *Just answer yes or no.*
The loud click of the safe of a gun being unlocked interrupts our silent conversation. I turn to my other side to see Moira raising her gun to aim past me, straight at Erik, who just turns to look straight at her, with a mix of curiosity and defiance.
For what seems like forever I just wait to see who will make the first move, praying that things won't go all to hell, even more than they seem to be already… I get the briefest flash of a scene, so fast I don't think even Moira realizes the thought has slipped through her shields, I think it might be myself, falling to the sand, body arched in obvious pain.
The next instant the safety is back on and the gun is falling to the sand, Moira's hands trembling, her eyes wide, and I get a quite distinct thought, almost a yell, coming from her mind:
I'm not making the same mistake again!
"You haven't answered my question yet Charles." Erik repeats once more time, this time aloud.
No one else is moving, especially not the children, seemingly completely staggered by the stand-off between us.
"Yes Erik, I trust you." I finally answer.
And really, there was no other answer I could have given, I trust Erik. How can I not after all he has done? Shaw may be dead, but Erik was still willing to do things my way, only killing him when that madman threatened others…me? He has that helmet there, on his hand, and still hasn't tried it on, even though he knows the kind of power I have, and the protection that item would offer him. He's trusting me so absolutely, in a way no one has before (because no one but him has the slightest idea of the power I really have)…how can I possibly do anything but return that trust in the same way?
The missiles shot across the air, coming closer and closer to the ships, we all watch with baited breath and…a handful of feet before reaching their target, they all explode in quick succession.
I can sense the mix of relief, elation and sense of victory coming from around me a second before my students begin yelling in celebration.
Once that's taken care of I turn back to Erik, who's eyeing Shaw's former followers carefully. Azazel has just woken up Riptide, while Angel is standing close to them, holding one hand against her opposite shoulder in obvious pain, I pick up from her outer-thoughts that Alex sliced off half of one of her wings when she tried to attack him and Sean after they crashed onto the beach a few minutes ago.
"Will you try to attack us now?" Azazel asks, politely yet guarded, to both Erik and I.
"If you try it, we'll fight back." Riptide announces through a groan of pain.
I cannot imagine how he would manage that, it's obvious that the hit he took when Erik ripped off part the sub and hit him with it still pains him; still, that doesn't mean he wouldn't try.
"Why should we do that?" Erik asks simply. "Do you have any intention of attacking us?"
Ever so slowly Azazel shakes his head, it's obvious he doesn't believe things can be that easy.
"I wasn't lying when I said it was time for all the senseless fighting to stop." Erik insists, calm and strong, as the leader he's meant to be. "We're meant to be on the same side."
"Against the humans?" Angel asks bitterly. "Yeah sure…"
It's obvious by the way she looks at me that she doesn't believe that could ever be possible.
"If it ever comes to that, yes." Erik nods.
He can obviously sense my uneasiness, as well as the distrust that is expanding from Angel to the others as he turns to me, waiting for me to help him this time.
"I do not like the idea." I say, trying to compromise, yet hold onto my beliefs at the same time. "I wish for nothing but peace…but if the only way to protect those I care for, my friends and family, is to fight, then that's exactly what I will do. Against whoever I have to, whether it's a human or a mutant, or a mix of both."
*Though I still we rather try a diplomatic solution first.* I send to Erik, in a tone that shows that's as far as I'm willing to compromise.
*Sure, as many as you want. But the next time they fire missiles, or any other weapon at us, or those under our care, I will do more than scare them.* Erik states, in the same tone as I.
I can agree with that. Like I said before, if those under my care are threatened, I too will fight back; for Erik…for our children…
I get a hint of something I can't quite name, a mix of surprise, awe and…love, and then I realize I was unconsciously projecting my thoughts into the connection I still have open with Erik. He knows everything I just thought.
*Do you mean it?* He asks, in a voice so small I can hardly believe it belongs to me.
There is no hesitation in my answer, not even for a second. *Every word.*
There it is. Cuba from Charles's point.
Next week we'll go back to "Hope" for its final chapter, and after that I'll be giving you more updates of this fic. More explanations when the time comes.
So, see you back in "Hope"!