Earlier in the night Charles had said his goodbyes to the Alex and Sean, and the children. He wanted to do it when things were calm, but it was still horrible, he put the memory aside. Erik gazed out of the window. The white satellite dish visible thanks to one tiny red light flashing light. There were memories that went with that dish. Charles followed his gaze. Hope, the light winked to Charles.
The light blinked. Then stopped.
"Time to Go." Magneto spoke softly in his strange lilting voice.
So much for hope then.
Hank have you room for one more? Hank understood. Yes. Charles asked not moving from the window.
I love you Mystique.
You too Charles?
Get in the plane. Shrink. Without a word she followed Hank like the small child she had once been.
"I suppose I should thank you for that Charles she never would have obeyed me."
Charles smiled coldly, "me either friend." Mystique could be furious at him for the rest of her days. Charles hoped she had many of them. They sipped their scotches, silent for moment.
Charles raised his glass to the window. Be safe. He sent to them all.
The black bird erupted into the night sky. They had gotten the little ones out. Charles felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
"Where will they go?"
"A small island off the coast. Hank found it a while ago. We've put some work into making safe."
They'd even gotten his sister out. Charles turned to the tall lean man beside him.
"You loved her. She's the reason why you came".
The other man had grown still. Clear green eyes regarded him a moment. He would admit to nothing before Charles, but then relented thinking that Charles would know anyway. Erik continued with a softly, voice subdued with intensity:
"'lov 'ed' is the right word for it Charles …better that way..." he stopped. Charles guessed his meaning. Mystique had left Erik first. Erik's face grew blank; the city had been such a mess, so much like the war.
"I dragged her through the bloodied of NY streets till it was dark and then we flew through the night. I knew if I could get her to you she would be safe."
"How could you know that?" Charles incredulous at the faith his onetime adversary had in him.
Erik smiled a rare happy smile, but kept his eyes on the dark window. "Because you're Charles Xavier and once you even saved me."
A threatening, moaning sound came from the distance. Erik drained his glass.
"So professor how do you suppose we get out of this one."
Blue eyes sparkled. "Come, I have plan."