Sorry for the late update. I want Charles and Moira to spend some time together before he's kidnapped by Apocalypse, so Raven arrives a few days after Charles brings Moira to the mansion.


Moira

"Oh, I've read so much about this place," I breathed out, my voice drenched in ecstasy. I'd forgotten what it was like to be really excited about something; the past few years hadn't really given me much reason to be happy about; and I relished in the feeling. "But, being here, it actually seems kind of..." I searched for a word for a moment, then finished, "Familiar." Charles smiled, as we walked past the mansion. I had been here with them for nearly a week, helping them research on the tremors and already I was starting to forget that I had a life outside of this corner in West Chester.

"So, did you mean what you said?" I asked. "Will you be able to retrieve my memories?" He seemed to hesitate. "Well, you see," he started. "Memories can never really be stolen. Your brain will always retain some impressions or feelings." I nodded. "Yes, I get those sometimes." He looked keenly at me. "What do you remember?" It was my turn to hesitate. "Tell me, I won't laugh."

"Trees, sunlight, bright blue... a kiss," I finished with a shrug, trying to make it seem like it wasn't a big deal. We had stopped walking and I was sitting down on a bench, so Charles didn't have to look up at me. I forced a smile on my face as he nodded. "That's what I'm talking about. Your memories aren't gone, they're just locked up tight. I can get to those locks and break them, thus returning your memories." I smiled. "Thanks." "Anytime," he replied. But, there was an undertone in his voice that I didn't understand. We sat in silence and it occurred to me that I didn't really know much about Charles' private life. Surely, as a friend, I could ask him?

"So, do you have to read minds very often?" I asked casually. Charles chuckled, his smooth voice carefree. "No, not unless it's necessary, love." "So you're never tempted to just talk to someone in their heads rather than out loud like everybody else?" He considered my question. "I can't say I'm not tempted. But most people are uncomfortable with me in their heads; they don't trust me not to go searching for things they'd rather remain hidden," he told me. Then a thoughtful look passed over his face. "There was one person who didn't mind," he said truthfully. "We used to talk through our thoughts a lot of the time." Something in his tone gave me pause. "A woman?" I asked, teasingly. But, why did I feel so disappointed and... jealous about it? He blushed and nodded. "Where is she now?" "Not here," was the short answer. There was another silence, a bit heavy this time. "I trust you," I blurted out, attempting to get back his lightheartedness. It worked.

He turned to face me with a mischievous glint in his blue eyes. I didn't let it show how startled I was at the sudden closeness of his face and stared back at him instead. 'Do you now?' Said a voice in my head. I jumped violently, causing Charles to break out in laughter. "Damn it, Charles, you could have warned me," I exclaimed, trying to be angry, but failing miserably, seeing as I was laughing as well. 'Ah, but where's the fun in that?' The voice in my head said again. I fought back a shiver as his polished British accent echoed in my brain. Something about knowing he was literally in my head felt strangely... intimate. And right. 'And you're all about getting it right, aren't you, Professor?' I thought and watched as a brilliant grin appeared on his face. 'Very astute of you, Agent McTaggert. Very astute, indeed.'

The smile diminished then, becoming something much more gentler. His eyes bored into me, pinning me to my place, then, so fast I almost missed it, flitted to my lips then back. The next thing I knew his lips were gently brushing mine. I was so taken aback that, for a second, I didn't respond. Then, abruptly, I kissed him back, just as hesitantly. The kiss lasted for a few seconds before Charles pulled back, his eyes guilty. I drew back, trying to catch my breath. I hadn't been interested in any man after my divorce, though Levine had encouraged me to go out more often. So, why did I feel such a powerful and inexplicable draw towards this man? Not even my ex-husband had ever made me feel so loved in our year-long marriage, as Charles had in just a few days and a kiss. I looked back at Charles, trying to gauge his reaction.

To my surprise, his eyes were wide with shock and he mouthed something I couldn't make out. "Charles?" I asked tentatively, touching his arm. He jumped at the contact and forced a smile on his face. "Come," he said. "Raven's here. She's someone I want you to meet." It took me a second to place the name, but I quickly recalled she was Charles' adopted sister. She was a mutant too, a metamorph if I remembered correctly. As I followed Charles back into the mansion, I thought back to the look in his eyes when he broke the kiss. It was guilt. A pure, profound guilt... and it hurt. Why?


Everyone with me so far? Read and Review, please.