A/n: I was soo blown away from all the responses that I got for the first chapter so here is chapter two (much faster than usual, don't get used to it). Since I first started writing fan-fiction it has always been my dream too have a story reach one hundred reviews, so I ask you fans of First class will you help me?.

Beta: Louise Haragaon- one again you have been amazing, Thank you for everything.

Disclaimer: If I had Charles's power I would so make Marvel give me the rights to X-men but I don't, so no rights for me. *pouts*

Warnings: Same as last chapter, but with a bit more slash in this one.

Peace Was Never An Option

Chapter Two: In the Shadows of the Night

Erik is standing in the dark, watching the rain run down the window pane when the telepath finally finds him. Charles had been awakened by a dream. Not a dream, exactly, more a memory of a rain made of ashes. The stomach-churning scent of the burning bodies still scorches his nostrils whenever he thinks about it.

"Have you ever wondered if maybe we should just let the world burn?" Erik doesn't look away from the darkness outside as he asks the question.

"You don't really mean that, my friend," Charles replies, trying to keep a jovial tone in his voice. He joins him by the window. The dark mass of the satellite is barely visible through the storm, and Charles has an irrational thought that the weather was reacting to the other man's dark thoughts. The scene reminds him of a little girl he saw when he had operated Cerebro for the first time. A black girl with hair the same colour as white gold - she has power over the weather. He briefly wonders if they'll ever meet.

"You need sleep Erik. Things will look better in the light of day," Charles finally breaks the silence, attempting once again to put off a conversation that he isn't sure that he's ready for.

When he realises that Erik has no intention of making a move, he settles more comfortably against the wall and watches the man that he is proud to call a friend. Erik seems to be deep in thought, but Charles waits for him to make the first move. It still feels like they're playing chess against each other - but a far more dangerous version now.

"Do you know what this is?" Erik suddenly asks. The words are accompanied by a coin that floats gently up to Charles from Erik's hand. The coin is spinning slowly, lazily, but Charles knows that there is nothing gentle or lazy about this conversation any more.

Charles swallows hard before he replies. "Yes, I know what it is Erik."

The coin makes its way back into the taller man's hand before he can speak again.

"It's a promise to those that you loved. That you love," he finishes. He doesn't need to be a telepath to know that he is now treading on very thin ice.

"Will you stop me from keeping that promise?" Erik asks. He speaks in a quiet and calm voice - but Charles knows that if he answers wrongly then the man that he finds himself caring for more and more will be gone without a trace.

"No. I won't, but I do need to ask something from you in return," he finally answers.

Erik finally turns to face him. "And that is?"

"That I deal with any issues that may come up with the humans," Charles responds, looking straight into Erik's eyes now. God! He feels stupid for even thinking it - but they are like a deep ocean , filled with the shadows of things lurking in the deep.

"Very well Charles, but know this. If they turn on me I will protect myself," Erik agrees. Charles knows that he is asking a lot. After all - Erik knows all too well what so-called 'humanity' is capable of.

"A reasonable enough request, do we have an accord?" Charles asks, holding out his hand.

"We do" The next thing that Charles is aware of is the fact that Erik's mind is right there, so close to his that their minds feel as though they are overlapping.

He becomes so distracted by the fact Erik's mind - a mind that is usually so guarded - is suddenly totally open to him, that he doesn't register that fact that Erik has pressed his lips against his own until the other mutant has pulled back and looks at him, almost challenging him to protest against what just happened.

Charles doesn't quite know how to react. He has never thought of another man that way. Ever. His eyes frantically search Erik's face, trying to find a clue as to what made Erik do it. For the first time in his life, he is too afraid to look into someone else's mind, in case he doesn't like what he finds in there - or, and he really didn't know if this was worse - in case he does like what he finds.

Before he can say or do anything though, Erik has already faded back into the shadows of the mansion.

Charles looks one last time through the window at the fuzzy outline of the satellite. He raises his eyebrows and lets out a breath that he hadn't realised he was holding.

"Yes. Training tomorrow will be very interesting indeed," he thinks, almost unaware of the slight smile that flits across his face.

xmenxmenxmen

He is halfway back to his own room when he quite literally runs into Moira.

"My apologies, I should learn to be more aware of my surroundings," he begins with a brief smile.

"It's quite all right Charles. After all, I should have been looking where I was going too," the agent responds with a little laugh. "What are you doing up this late anyway? I would have thought that training the children would be very tiring. I know that training new recruits always tired me out," she asks, a smile on her face as though she was remembering pleasant memories.

"Just checking that everything is all right down here before I head to bed," he explains. Charles wonders why his first instinct is to lie to her about what he was doing. He rationalises that the dreams - no, memories - are Erik's story to tell her, if he wishes.

"And you? Is there something I can help you with? It must be past two o'clock in the morning by now," he offers. In truth, he just wants to go to bed, but if there is something wrong he would like to help her.

"No everything is fine, I was just checking in with my superior. I check in at random times so it is harder for them to pin point a time zone," she answers, smiling reassuringly up at him - but there is a darkness to her mind that was not there earlier. Charles has to remind himself that looking into her mind without permission is against his morals.

"I didn't realise that you were checking in regularly," he answers, carefully. If Shaw finds out where they are before the children are ready, it will be a nightmare made real.

"Relax Charles, the line is secured and it's only once a week, always random times and days. No one is going to get our location from that," Moira reassures him. "I'm just letting him know that I'm still alive and that you haven't kidnapped me," she adds with a chuckle.

"Perfectly understandable, Moira. Now if you don't mind I think it would be best if I got some rest before training tomorrow," Charles answers, excusing himself from continuing their conversation.

"Of course Charles, that sounds like a good idea," Moira agrees, yawning herself. "I will see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Moira," Charles responds, as the two head back to their respective rooms.

A/N: so what did you think? Want the next chapter now? Then review XD – Cai-ann