Pairing: Alex(Havok)/Sean(Banshee) & Erik/Charles, don't like it don't read it.

Disclaimer- I DO NOT own any of the characters in this, they all belong to Marvel. However, the story is mine.

The morning had come far quicker than Charles could have imagined… and with it, though he'd never admit it, a strange amount of dread. After today they'd either have averted a nuclear war or failed… And the latter wasn't an option. Not to mention that his entire team, save one member, consisted of nothing but children. Children who could potentially lose their lives today. What had he roped them into? If anything happened to any one of them, Charles would certainly never forgive himself. Ever. With a quiet sigh he turned away from his window, his hand falling away from the curtain where it had been holding it aside so he could peer out. The grounds seemed so calm, reflecting none of the inner turmoil that was running rampant throughout his small frame. He needed to remain collected, to keep his distress hidden and exude the typical confident demeanor he almost always had… if not for the children then for himself.

The silence that surrounded the manor felt deafening, and as he carefully pulled his bedroom door shut behind him, stepping out into the hall, he began to realize just how much this was affecting everyone. The President's address yesterday had set nerves high, leaving everyone in the mansion with a healthy fear of the events to come… But perhaps none more so than Charles. After all, not only did he have to fear the advent of a nuclear holocaust, but he also had to fear that his friend would attempt murder… With a shake of his head he pushed the thoughts aside, running a slightly shaking hand through his hair before he hung a right and made his way down a few doors, stopping abruptly before a dark mahogany one. His hand quickly balled into a fist as he brought it up through the air, knocking lightly on the door. Granted he could have simply used his telepathy, but he'd promised himself never without Erik's permission…

"Erik... It's time to get everything in order…" His voice, though soft, seemed to echo loudly down the hall due to the silence that engulfed it. Either everyone was else was quite contemplative or asleep… And if the children had had a night at all like Charles', he'd have to assume they were all asleep. Slowly Charles' brows furrowed as he listened carefully but received no acknowledgment back from the other side. There was no way Erik could still be asleep… Surely he'd been up for hours by now, and that was assuming he'd gone to bed in the first place… which was highly unlikely.

"Erik…" When he still received no reply after another minute or so Charles reached out and carefully gripped the door handle, turning it downward until he heard the metal give way. With a quiet, wary sigh he pulled the door back and peered inside, not surprised in the least at the sight that greeted him. Across the way Erik stood, brilliant blue eyes focused out his own window. A dark shirt stretched casually over his torso while tan slacks covered his legs and the look was completed by the black loafers on his feet. Both hands were clasped behind his back, fingers taught and knuckles white… the only outward show of tension that was broiling beneath the surface.

"Erik, It's time to-"

"I heard you the first time, Charles." Erik replied quickly. His voice was deep, the tone much harsher than it had been in the previous weeks. The older man hadn't even bothered to acknowledge Charles, his gaze remaining out the window, staring at some far off demon that Charles would never be able to understand.

"Right. I'm going to go wake everyone else up then." Charles managed, nodding before he turned and stepped out the door. Not even one foot had made it past the threshold though before he froze to his spot, hand tightening on the door knob that he still clutched.

"I'm going kill him." The words were abrupt, filling Charles ears and mind because Erik was nearly shouting them. Perhaps not in the literal sense, but in his mind each one seemed to flash and glow, drawing attention to them and despite his best efforts, the telepath couldn't look away, so to speak. "I'm just making sure you understand this." Erik added, finally turning away from the window so that he stared at the man who was frozen in his doorway.

Slowly Charles exhaled, closing his eyes for the briefest of moments before he let go of the doorknob and turned to face Erik, matching those beautiful eyes with his own. Could he stop Erik? Without a doubt. Would he do that to someone who he'd come to consider one of his best friends? Not a chance.
"Erik, killing will not-"

"Bring me peace. Yes, I know Charles. You've said that repetitively." Erik cut in, letting his hands fall from behind his back to his sides were they slowly managed to find their way into his pockets. "But as I've told you, peace has never been an option."

"I beg you rethink this, Erik." Charles responded, taking a step forward to decrease the vast amount of distance that had formed between them, both literally and figuratively. He'd watched the scarred man make so much progress… and now, in a matter of twenty-four hours, it had all seemed to disappear. "It won't be worth it… There are facilities for men like him… Prisons." Charles pleaded, trying to reason with the man before him.

Erik looked on at the naïve, privileged man before him. Never before had Charles Xavier had to face the things that Erik had seen at the hands of Schmidt… Never before had he been subjected to the torture, the experiments, the terrible living conditions. No, he'd been cushioned his entire life… Dealing with a step-father who was less than loving had been his only complaint in life… He'd had a loving mother, a comfortable home… nothing out of the ordinary. He could never understand Erik's reasons… Ever. Though despite their vast differences, Erik had grown fond of the telepath. The one person who seemed to see through everything to something else, someone worth knowing.

When Charles received no reply he sighed and turned his back to Erik once more, again attempting to leave the room… Though moments later he was stopped for the second time.

"Charles…" Erik's voice rang out softly, one hand removing itself from his pocket as it began to reach out towards the shorter brunette who stood feet away… However, as soon as he caught the motion he stopped it, returning his hand to his pocket before Charles turned around, staring skeptically at the metalworker. For a moment silence fell as their eyes met, a strange unspoken communication passing without the aid of Charles' abilities. Erik's lips parted, hanging like that for a brief moment as though to say something before they shut, his gaze turning away and out the window. After another silent moment, Erik finally seemed to say something, though the hesitance in his voice made it clear those were not his original words. "Be careful today."

Charles nodded briefly, taking that as his dismissal before he left, tugging the door shut behind him and moving about the mansion to wake the rest of their team up.