Chapter Two: Can't rely on my Heart

Erik had done his best over the past year to ignore the memory of Charles Xavier, but every time he let his guard down, the image of that boy all in white, would creep upon him. Despite having been down to Shaw's manor house a few times since he'd last seen Charles there, their paths hadn't crossed again, and rather than have his interest wane, he'd found himself even more intrigued.

Frustratingly Shaw never mentioned Charles, and it was if he didn't even exist. Erik knew that the subject was clearly off limits, and would never dare mention anything in Shaw's presence. He didn't dare ask Emma either. If Charles wasn't allowed to speak to him, then Erik was sure he wasn't meant to be interested either. But still, every time Erik was called for briefing, his heart began to beat faster in case that day would be the day. But finally after almost a year had passed, Erik had to concede that he might never meet Charles again.

It was completely insane to be wasting his time thinking about this kid, and Erik knew that he had to let the mystery go. Even if he did meet with him again, who was to say Charles would even be interested in return? Erik could hardly afford to annoy Shaw, especially when he was so heavily involved in his illegal activities. Shaw could shop him into the law at any time he liked. Of course, that worked both ways.

Currently Shaw wanted to embark on an Internet emailing scam, which was a bit been there done that for Erik, but he wasn't about to argue. It would mean he could basically work wherever he liked, rather than constantly travelling to location. But it did mean they needed someone who knew that they were doing when it came to building fake websites, and setting up untraceable online money transfers. So, Erik was in London, where Shaw wanted to partner him up with someone for the scam.

He was currently waiting outside of Shaw's office, knowing enough of his boss to not knock the door. He'd be called in when Shaw was ready, and not a moment before. To pass the time, Erik began scrolling through the BBC news website on his iphone, trying to keep up with the world's events. He was on an article about some Internet hackers, when Erik suddenly became aware that someone was watching him.

"Hello," the girl said, staring at him in a curious way. "Are you waiting to see Shaw?"

Erik looked up and realised he was looking into the eyes of the blonde girl he had met a year ago back at Shaw's house, who had bumped into him with the genetics book. Feeling caught off guard, Erik knew that if she was here, then it might mean Charles was also nearby. He put his phone away, and realised that she could no longer be classed as a little girl. She'd grown up suddenly in the way girls did, leaving the boys behind and still looking like children.

"Yes," he answered.

She nodded in understanding.

"My brother is always waiting for Shaw too," she replied, before stepping forward and taking a seat next to Erik, sighing loudly. "I hate coming here. But Charles said he'd take me sightseeing tomorrow. I just hope it isn't to a museum again…"

Erik sat a little straighter in his seat at the mention of Charles. So, this girl was his sister. He could feel his heart start to beat faster in his chest, and he suddenly didn't feel ready to meet with the blue-eyed boy again. A year with his image haunting him hadn't been long enough to prepare himself for this. He took a deep breath and told himself not to be so desperate.

"What is your name? Are you going to be working here? It gets real boring here sometimes, Shaw doesn't like us hanging out with people he doesn't trust…"

Erik didn't know what to answer first; her fast pace of talking wasn't reaching his panicking brain.

"I hope I'll be staying. I haven't worked in London for a long time. But it depends what Shaw wants," Erik said, wondering why he was telling the girl this, when all she clearly wanted to know what his name. "I'm Erik Lehnsherr."

She smiled.

"Raven Xavier," she replied holding her hand out for him to shake. "It's nice to meet you. I hope Shaw will let you stay here. Me and Charles don't have many friends."

It seemed as if their conversation was at an end, when Raven stood and began walking away. But then she turned and frowned at him slightly.

"Are you going to be scamming somebody? It's what they do here," she asked.

Erik felt his insides squirm. He had been working for Shaw for long that he hardly ever felt guilty for his actions anymore. He supposed it was from constantly being around crooked people with hardly any morals. But when Raven had asked him, Erik's sense of right and wrong started to demand his attention.

"As you say, it's what we do here," he replied.

She looked away.

"Charles hates it. But I suppose none of us have much of a choice, do we?"

It seemed a dark sentiment for someone so young, and Erik found he didn't know what to say to that. So he just watched her walk away and wondered exactly what she had meant by saying Charles hated it. Surely he wasn't involved in this? But then, he was involved with Shaw, and he could hardly be doing that without getting his hands dirty.

The door opened and Erik could hear Shaw calling him into his office. Feeling inexplicably nervous and knowing that he was expecting to see Charles on the other side of the door. He found himself holding his breath as he walked into the room. Shaw was sitting behind his desk, with the same smug smile he constantly wore, as if he owned the world. Erik nodded in greeting to him but remained silent.

Erik found his heart skip a beat in his chest, as he realised there was another person sitting in the room. With his back to Erik, and only the back of his dark haired head visible, Erik didn't know who it was. His hammering heart wanted it to be Charles, but equally he wished it wasn't, because if it were Charles, then he'd have to be involved in the scams.

"Erik, welcome to London," Shaw said with a smile, as if he had built London himself just for the occasion. "Let me introduce you to Henry. Henry McCoy, this is Erik Lehnsherr. You will be working together from now on."

Shaw's guest turned around to face Erik, and stood in respect.

"It's nice to meet you Mr Lehnsherr," he said.

Erik stared at him, trying to weigh him up. He looked like a geeky student, far too young to be falling into this life of crime. If appearances said anything, Henry McCoy looked too clever to be here at all, so what was the deal?

"A pleasure," Erik replied, but his tone said it was anything but. He didn't want to ask too many questions in front of Shaw, he never wanted to give anything away in front of his boss.

McCoy shuffled uncomfortably from foot to foot under Erik's critical stare. He darted a look at Shaw, not knowing what was expected of him.

"Henry, why don't you go and find your friend?" Shaw suggested.

McCoy didn't argue with Shaw, and in fact looked grateful to be getting out of there. Avoiding Erik's eye, he grabbed hold of a suitcase that Erik hadn't noticed being there, and made his way out of the room.

"I don't think I need to explain how important it is for you to disguise your fabulous personality and attempt to get along with your assignment partner. But if you fuck this opportunity up Lehnsherr then you'll be out," Shaw warned, the smile disappearing from his face. "Understand?"

"I understand," Erik replied, holding back the retort he'd wanted to make.

"It took a long time to get this guy to agree… he wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for…"

Erik waited for an explanation that it seemed Shaw was about to accidentally give him, but then Shaw trailed into silence. Erik realised this was his cue to leave. Maybe if he was lucky he could catch up to his new partner and find out more about whom he'd be working with.

But trying to find someone in this house wasn't going to be as easy as it seemed. Shaw wasn't known for his love of small residences, and this London town house was more like a hotel. But Erik considered where he might go if he was Henry. If he had a suitcase with him, then he hadn't been given a room to stay in, so there where two places he might be; the lounge or the kitchen. Since it was lunchtime, Erik decided to check the kitchen first.

As Erik neared, he heard voices. One of them he recognised as Raven, the other was Henry, and the other… Erik cautiously opened the kitchen door, and found himself frozen. His hand gripping the door as if it might save him from drowning in the sight before him. Charles Xavier was standing right before him, pouring milk into his cup of tea. He was staring back at Erik, looking equally as stunned, before he broke the stare to concentrate on what he was doing with a blush across his face. Erik took a step into the room and let the door click closed behind him. There was silence in the room now, the atmosphere tense.

"Hello Erik," Charles said, as he finally looked back up, the blush gone, and his face emotionless. It was if he was going to ignore his initial reaction to seeing Erik, but Erik knew he hadn't imagined that slight blush across Charles' cheeks. "I wondered if I would ever see you again."

"You remember me?" Erik asked surprised. Charles had even discovered his name, but the easy smile that he'd worn last time they had met wasn't there. His eyes looked harder, and he was clearly no longer a kid. Erik supposed a life with Shaw wasn't an easy one, for anyone.

Charles frowned at him slightly.

"Of course I do," he said looking slightly offended. He took his drink and walked to the table, joining Raven and Henry. "Help yourself to whatever you want Erik. Shaw won't mind."

Erik knew Charles meant that he could help himself to the content of the fridge, but all Erik wanted right now was more of Charles.

A/N: Thank you very much reviewers! :D