Chapter 3: And You Were There

"You're saying this thing actually turned itself and its partner over to you willingly?" Director Johnson asked incredulously.

"Yes, Sir." Moira replied calmly. "He did. It's my understanding that he was forced to carry out Sebastian Shaw's orders against his will."

"And how exactly have you come to that conclusion, Agent MacTaggart?"

"One of the things that I have learned from my time working with mutants is that they are all uniquely affected by their separation from the rest of humanity." Moira explained. "Each of their mutations and the reactions they evoke from others cause differences in their behavior and their personalities-"

"Get to the point, Agent." Another of her superiors cut in impatiently.

"I am, Sir. Azazel Konstantinov is a teleporter whose mutation has allowed him incredible longevity, and that, combined with his unfortunate physical appearance, has shown him the worst side of humanity. When Shaw came to him and threatened his family, he already knew from centuries of experience that there was no one on this planet he could go to for help."

"Yes, we are aware of the supposed threat raised against the prisoner's family." Director Johnson responded, looking through the folder in front of him. "However, as a teleporter, he does pose unique problems to our security."

"I understand that, Sir." Moira agreed. "I still believe that he could prove to be a valuable asset."

"We could always sedate him." The Agent on the Director's right suggested, adjusting his reading-glasses. Moira didn't recognize him at first as he had not spoken in front of her before. "Just keep him under until we find a better way to contain him. I doubt he'd be able to teleport away in his sleep."

"Or we could just save our time and money and put it down." Another harsher voice remarked from somewhere behind the Director. "Imagine the threat that thing could pose if it got lose inside our facility!"

The quiet one looked over at him with an unimpressed expression. He was noticeably younger than Moira's other superiors, but it was clear to her he'd gotten where he was because he was clever, and found the others stupidity tiring.

"With all due respect, Sir." Moira said tensely. "Most of the mutants that I came in contact with showed no indication that they meant us any harm. Quite to the contrary, they were willing to put their lives in jeopardy in the hope that they could coexist peacefully with us—"

"Oh, please—" The man in the back interrupted.

"They are good people!" Moira persisted. "The least that we can do is remember that they are people!"

"Enough!" Director Johnson cut in before the Agent behind him could retaliate. "Thank you, Agent MacTaggart. We will take your recommendation under advisement. That's all we need for now." Moira nodded stiffly and barely managed not to slam the door behind her as she left.

"Your thoughts gentlemen?" Director Johnson inquired tiredly.

"I think they're a threat."

"Yes, we're all aware of your opinion, Mr. Stryker." The youngest Agent remarked, pulling off his reading glasses. "If you'll recall, you are only here on an advisory basis. Perhaps you should let the others have a chance to speak, as it is their business."

"That's Col. Stryker to you, son." Stryker snapped.

"I beg your pardon, Colonel." The other responded, sounding vaguely sarcastic.

"Back to the point gentlemen…" Director Johnson prompted.

"I think there is a significant threat involved in keeping the prisoner contained." Agent Mathews, the one sitting on Director Johnson's left pointed out.

"We could attempt to keep him sedated for the time being, as suggested." Another speculated. "But I would suggest he be kept under heavy guard nonetheless. We don't want to risk another massacre."

"Are we certain sedatives will even work on this thing?" Another questioned.

"They're just genetic freaks." Col. Stryker dismissed. "They're not magic." Director Johnson turned back to the Agent on his right, who was toying with his pen distractedly.

"Peter? Your thoughts?" He queried. The younger man's blue-grey eyes flashed up to meet his.

"All the intel. I've seen would seem to support MacTaggart's assertions." Peter replied thoughtfully. "I would suggest we hold him under sedation for now and withhold our final judgment until we have more information."

"You know what these mutants are capable of." Director Johnson pointed out, studying Peter's face.

"Which is why we should tread carefully. If they are all as powerful as we suspect them to be, we would fare better with a few of them on our side." Peter continued. Director Johnson nodded, appearing satisfied with his response.

"I agree." He concluded. "We keep the prisoner under sedation for the time being, but I want security doubled on all mutant prisoners. Now onto the next order of business, how are we coming on the location of the missing mutant assets?"

"Where's Charles?" Marie inquired as she grabbed her coat off its hook and turned back to Erik and Raven.

"He said he wasn't feeling well." Raven explained, handing Marie a beret from the shelf behind her. "Try this on. It's cute." Marie eyed the beret warily. "I'm going to force him to let Hank check him over once he wakes up again. Really, try it. It matches."

"Fine. If only so I can leave sooner." Marie surrendered, finally accepting the offered garment. "Oh, hey it's adorable. You ready to go, Erik?"

"Yes." Erik said darkly.

"Okay, we'd better leave then." Marie announced hastily. "Bye Mom." …And left.

"She's going to lose that as soon as she's out of sight, isn't she?" Raven observed.

"Most likely." Erik agreed, following the impatient young woman out the door. Raven sighed.

"Whatever. Tell Moira I said Hi." She called after him. Then after a pause, added. "And don't get arrested!"

"Good to know she's got priorities." Marie quipped. Erik smiled subtly in response. Marie looked over her shoulder asking. "She gone yet?"

"Yes."

"Good." Marie replied, pulling off the beret and tossing it in the backseat of the car as they got in.

"But I thought it was adorable." Erik teased.

"Shut up." Marie returned.

Moira looked around for any sign of a tail before she jogged across the street toward Bill's Diner. There was of course no indication that she'd been followed. She had been extremely thorough in making sure that no one did, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She checked one last time to be certain, before entering and heading over to Erik and Marie's booth to have a seat.

"You're late." Erik informed her by way of greeting.

"I had to be sure I wasn't tailed." Moira explained. "How's Charles?"

"He woke up." Erik replied coolly. Marie rolled her eyes.

"He's better." She elaborated. "He needs a cane now, but he's recoverin' real well considering. Raven says 'Hi' by the way." Moira smiled at her.

"What news do you have for us?" Erik prompted, still all business.

"It's pretty much what we expected." Moira admitted. "My superiors are still divided over what they're calling: 'The Mutant Problem', but there's currently a few more who are afraid of the threat your kind poses than are open to the idea of equality." She went quiet as the waitress arrived.

"What can I get you folks?" The formidable-looking brunette asked in a heavy Brooklyn accent, tapping her pad with her battered pencil.

"Nothing." Erik stated, looking out the window. Marie smiled apologetically.

"Chocolate milkshake'd be perfect, please." She said, laying on the Southern charm. "Sorry about my Uncle. He's not a real people person."

"Sure thing, Honey." The waitress acknowledged, disinterestedly, looking over at Moira. "And for you Miss?"

"Just coffee, thanks."

"Got it. That'll be out in a minute."

"Thanks." Marie returned and watched the waitress go before turning back to Moira.

"There's a new guy that's been showing up at the latest debriefings. I don't know who he is but he's trouble." Moira reported. "He always sits in the back, and he's got this huge chip on his shoulder about mutants."

"What do you know about him?" Marie inquired.

"Not much, except that he seems to know Director Johnson personally." Moira said, shrugging. "The good news is that at least two of my superiors dislike him as much as I do." She looked over at Erik, leaning a tad closer. "Hey, do you remember that younger agent? He looks like he's in his mid thirties at most." Erik narrowed his eyes as he tried to recall the man in question. "He's always really quiet and he's got that prematurely white streak in his hair?" Erik nodded.

"Yes, I remember him. He always seemed more of an observer than anything else. He didn't do much more than read from the folders whenever I was there."

"Yeah well, he finally spoke up." Moira indicated. "I think we might have a chance with him. He seemed open to my assertions about handling Azazel, and from what I can tell he hates the new consultant."

"You will tell him nothing." Erik stated firmly.

"I'm not suggesting I give him anything." Moira assured them. "I'm just proposing to see if I can get him on our side. You guys can't hide out forever. Maybe I can find you some support before you actually need to make your presence known." Erik scowled at her suspiciously, considering her point as the waitress returned to their table with Moira and Marie's orders.

"It sounds like a good idea." Marie agreed after the waitress had left. "But you need to be careful with this. You've got our future on the line. You know what might happen to us if we screw this up."

"I have some idea, yes." Moira confirmed, taking a sip of her coffee. "How's the Brat doing? Any change?"

"Nothin' yet. Hank's still tryin' to figure it out." Marie replied.

"I'm sure he will."

When she was leaving the restaurant, Moira got that strange feeling again. She paused in the doorway to look around but saw nothing unusual. She swallowed uncomfortably then crossed the street, making her way back to the subway. When Moira got to the platform, he finally came to stand beside her, as if he was just another random traveler that happened to be taking the same train. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the familiar shock of white and auburn hair peeking out from under his dark grey fedora and turned to confront him.

"So you were following me." She accused evenly, mindful of the other travelers around them.

"Indeed I was." He confirmed, conversationally. "And you nearly caught me! That's not easy to do, you know. I can be extremely inconspicuous when I want to be." Moira took a deep breath, trying to reign in her temper as the other passengers began to board the train. She then reached up and yanked off his hat, apparently having failed.

"You had no right to do that." Moira snapped. "Last time I checked I wasn't under your direct command—"

"Oh, well that's due to change."

"Nor are you—What?" Moira queried, caught off guard by his remark. He held out his hand for her to shake, flashing her a cool-yet-cocky smile that seemed strangely familiar.

"Agent Frank." He informed her. "I believe you'll find we're on the same side, Agent MacTaggert. Now, I suggest we hurry up and board our train before it departs without us." They slipped onto the train just before the doors began to close and he led her over to a marginally less crowded space near the back.

"Why—" Moira began.

"Not on the train." Agent Frank reminded her.

Azazel sat quietly on his cot, watching his tail flick back and forth in front of him. He knew it was creeping out his guards, but whatever. He had to find amusement where he could. There was a resounding boom from somewhere to the right. His internal sense of placement told him that it had come from closer to the outer wall of the facility. There were yells and screams following shortly after. His guards readied their weapons and two of them went to see what was happening. More screams, and crashes and gunfire. His two remaining guards looked at each other apprehensively. Azazel stood readying for attack as he saw them backing away from something, then the door of his cell crashed inwards. There was a man that he didn't recognize standing in the doorway with Frost and a petite blonde on either side behind him. The man's eyes were jet black. He stepped aside to let Frost address Azazel.

"He wants us to join him." She reported dispassionately. Azazel looked into her eyes seriously and shook his head. "I thought so." The telepath said, narrowing her eyes at him as she focused. "I'm sorry Az but this is for your own good." She explained, putting him into a deep sleep, then she turned back to the dark eyed stranger shifting to her diamond form. "I'm with him." The man's brow furrowed and he opened his mouth, prompting Moss to flinch as the black shadow poured from his mouth toward Frost's diamond form. "Feel free to try that as long as you want. You can't touch me when I'm like this." Frost informed him coldly. "I'm with him." The Shadow King retreated into his current host and grinned at her.

"Well aren't you something new!" He observed. "I'll see you again, Miss Frost. Come along my dear." He prompted Moss grabbing her arm and leaving the way they'd come.

"What about the guards?" Moss asked shakily.

"Oh, yes. Kill all but one."

Marie wandered into the dining room that evening to find Charles sitting at the table having a cup of tea.

"Oh, hey. You're up." She greeted, plopping down into the seat next to him. He smiled wanly at her and set down his mug.

"Yes, it seems that Hank is finally done with me."

"How'd the testing go?" Marie inquired tentatively. Charles shrugged.

"We have determined that something is off about my current brain chemistry, but it is still yet to be determined what exactly that means." Charles informed her, fussing uncomfortably with his half empty mug.

"So, not much difference, then." Marie observed sympathetically. She reached out and placed a comforting hand on his. "You know we're gonna figure this out."

"Yes, of course." Charles said as Erik joined them. "How did things go with Moira?" Erik let out a noncommittal sound in response and sat on Charles' other side.

"Moira thinks she might have found us a potential ally in one of her superiors." Marie reported, trying to raise Charles' spirits.

"An ally, already?" Charles asked interestedly. "Did she say who he was?"

"She didn't mention a name yet but…" Marie trailed off, looking over at Erik.

"He sat in on a couple of our meetings." Erik explained. "The quiet one. He had a white streak in his hair and usually sat beside the Director."

"Ah, the clever one." Charles remembered. "Yes, he never spoke at all." Marie nodded, looking mildly curious at Charles' description. Erik looked at him questioningly. "Something about him made him stand out from the others." Charles elaborated. "It shouldn't have. Everything about his manner and his outward appearance suggested that he should fade right into the background, but something kept drawing my attention back to him." Charles hesitated for a moment, looking guilty. "So, I tried to scan his mind to see why that was. It gave me a bit of a headache." Erik frowned suspiciously.

"You mean…" Marie began, but Charles shook his head adamantly.

"No. Nothing like Moss." Charles assured them. "His thought patterns were just rather unusual… Cacophonous."

"Gesundheit." Marie deadpanned, causing Erik to raise an eyebrow at her before turning his attention back to Charles.

"Cacophonous?" He echoed, looking mildly amused. Charles sighed.

"To say that the man had a lot on his mind would be a grave understatement." Charles replied, adding thoughtfully. "It will be interesting to see where this leads."

Moira walked out of the station behind Agent Frank, still feeling a bit puzzled by his recent behavior.

"Do try to keep up, Agent MacTaggart." He called over his shoulder as he glided briskly down the steps and proceeded to hail them a cab. She jogged round the back and slipped into the backseat beside him. "Thank you." He acknowledged, then leaned forward to speak quietly with the driver and hand him a wad of cash.

"So, why did you follow me?" Moira inquired, as they began to move.

"Parlez-pas en anglais." Agent Frank responded simply. (Not in English.)

"Pourquoi est-ce que vous me suiviez?" Moira amended. (Why did you follow me?)

"Je suivais un presentiment." Agent Frank replied. (I was following a hunch.)

"Un presentiment de quell circonstance?" (About what?)

"J'avais l'impression que vous et moi serions en accord à l'égard de la meileure approche au 'problème mutant'." Agent Frank explained. "Les autres sont trops preoccupés au vision du peril mutant…" (That you and I are in agreement on how we should handle the so called 'mutant problem'. The others are too caught up in viewing them as threats.)

"Mais vous n'etes pas d'accord avec eux?" (But you disagree?)

"Les mutants sont dangereux, bien sûr," Agent Frank said impatiently. "Mais généralment, plus que nous les traitons comme un danger, plus qu'ils deviendront dangereux. Je m'intéressse aux allies mutants potentiaux." (They are threats. But for many of them, that is only the case because we treat them as such. I am more interested in potential mutant allies.)

"Ce n'est pas possible pour eux de considerer un alliance avec sûrété en ce moment." Moira pointed out. (It isn't safe for them to consider that at the moment.)

"Non, mais peut-être nous duex ensemble pouvons changer ça." (No, but perhaps together we can change that.)

Erik was jolted awake that night by Charles' restless thrashing. Just what he needs. Another nightmare. Erik sighed and sat up, grabbing a flailing arm before it could accidentally backhand him in the face. He took hold of Charles' shoulder and began to attempt to wake him. It was a bit depressing how quickly he had gotten used to this.

"Charles, wake up."

"No…" Charles murmured, still struggling against an invisible foe.

"You're just dreaming, Schatz." Erik tried again. "Just wake up."

"No…" Charles repeated, sounding more distressed. "H's 'ere…"

"Shhh. You're alright."

"He's here!" Charles repeated more clearly, jolting awake. "No!" Erik grabbed Charles' arms as he lurched forward, breathing fast.

"Charles! Relax, you are perfectly safe." Erik assured him. Charles looked up at him with saucer-wide eyes.

"He isn't!" He whispered helplessly. Erik frowned at him, but before he could ask what he meant there was a resounding boom from downstairs. "Francis!" Charles choked out, then looked at Erik gravely. "Run." It only took Erik a split second to react, running out of the room and sliding down the banister on his way to their son's room.

"Erik, what—?" Raven tried to ask as he rushed past, but he ignored her. She bit her lip, exchanging a WTF look with Hank who was watching from the doorway to his own room, before starting after him. "Stay with Charles." She told Hank in a 'do-it-well-or-I-will-shave-you' tone, before breaking into a run. It only took her a second to catch up. "Erik?" She questioned, as they saw the massive hole where the locked entryway used to be. "What d—" Erik slapped a hand over her mouth as they heard someone who sounded rather heavy stalk by on their way to the others' sleeping quarters. They crept quietly closer and caught sight of a very formidable looking, dark figure jogging up the opposite staircase. Erik slid to a stop at the bottom of the staircase and reached out with his magnekinesis, hoping to pull the intruder back and away from the children's rooms. He took hold of the metal in the other's clothing and pulled. The figure slid down a couple of steps, then grabbed the banister, looking over his shoulder to survey the new annoyance, with jet-black eyes.

"What the fuck?" Marie exclaimed from farther down the hall. Alex and Darwin weren't far behind her.

"Stay back!" Raven warned as the intruder smiled down at them and began to pull himself back up the stairs with incredible strength. Disturbingly, Erik actually got pulled forward a foot or two.

"Holy shit!" Logan observed, extending his claws. The intruder reached out determinedly and grabbed a large antique vase off its stand hurling it at Erik's head, in order to break his concentration.

"Look out!" Raven shouted and knocked him out of the way before it could crack his skull open. Logan charged forward and stabbed their attacker in the shoulder. He flinched in pain, but just grabbed Logan by the throat and shoved him into the wall, knocking him out, then dropped him carelessly to the floor.

"Alex!" Marie prompted, ducking into my bedroom. Alex's chest was already glowing red with built up energy. He let off a burst of plasma, but the intruder charged through the wall into my room and out of his line of sight. Alex stopped his attack. He wasn't willing to risk hitting one of us. Raven and Erik ran after him and froze when they saw what he was doing.

"You really do put up a fight, don't you?" The Shadow King remarked casually. He already had me draped over his shoulders. Marie was lying on the floor at his feet with one heavy boot resting on her head.

"Let them go." Raven said murderously. Erik raised his hand and all of the metal in the room began to shake threateningly.

"Sorry Chickie, but I can't do that." The Shadow King returned, eyeing Erik thoughtfully.

"Chickie?" Raven whispered, caught off guard by the old nickname.

"Really Mr. Lensherr, what do you expect to happen here?" Farouk asked, incredulously. "You can't kill me! You know that, and I know you don't want to kill my host. I'll just take another. You plan on killing all of them, too?" Erik cried out in frustration and released his hold on the metal. "You have a choice now. I'm taking one of them. What do you think, Dear?" Farouk added, turning his attention back to Raven and patting my limp form lightly. "It's this one, isn't it? I know you. You still need one brother."

"Who are you?" Raven demanded furiously, taking a step forward.

"Ah!" The Shadow King cautioned, his eyes flicking to the boot still resting on her daughter's head. "Today you can call me Cain."

"That's impossible! Cain's dead!" Raven shouted. The Shadow King shifted his stance so they could see his host's face. It was you, of course.

"I'm going to go now, and you are not going to stop me." Farouk stated simply. "If you come after me, I will crush him, and then take his Daddy instead. So you won't." He scrutinized Raven and Erik's faces to make sure that his threat had sunk in, then made his way over to the balcony. He paused before he jumped to add. "And Charles will return to normal. The next bit's just to keep you busy for a little while. …Sorry about your walls." A moment of stunned silence followed his jump from the balcony. It lasted less than a minute, broken by Charles' pained scream.