Worry

Author's Note: Set between X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Summary: Prompt - "just… come back alive, okay?"

"So we're clear. Once we make a distraction, we go in, get Emma than get out as quickly as possible. We can't risk losing anyone else." Erik explained, gesturing to the maps in front of him.

The other mutants around him nodded their agreement.

The plans to rescue Emma were sprawled across the table as Erik, Mystique, Riptide and Azazel went over the plans one last time before they headed to the facility where they had discovered Emma was being held.

"Mystique was able to find a way in. We will create a distraction outside to draw people out. Then Azazel will teleport us into the facility. From there we will make our way to where the test subjects are being kept and free Emma. Then Azazel will teleport us all out of the facility before we make our way back here." Erik continued, he was again met with nods of affirmation.

Only one problem though. It was a lot easier said than done. Erik had made the rescue mission sound so simple, briefly in and out to get Emma back.

The reason for this was because Emma had been kidnapped a few days prior and the group had put all their efforts into finding a way to rescue her.

After Cuba the group had taken residence in one of Shaw's former properties. It hadn't taken long before they began to come across reports that mutants were being hunted, killed or kidnapped.

They had planned to settle and organise themselves before moving to help their fellow mutants, but they'd been forced to get involved when Angel went missing.

Unfortunately the group had been too late in finding her and discovered that the so-called scientists in charge had killed her.

The news had hit everyone hard and had made things tense within the group.

When Emma had been taken they had rallied together in an effort to not let what had happened to Angel happen to Emma.

After the final details of the plan had been agreed upon the group dispersed to get ready.

Mystique limped into the kitchen and poured herself a drink. Taking a seat on the stool she took a few sips, 'Please let us get to Emma in time. I may not like the telepath a lot of the time but I don't want any harm to come to her. She's a bitch but she's one of us.'

She massaged her leg as pain shot through it. 'Damn bullet wound!' She thought as she set the water onto the counter.

At that moment Erik walked in.

"Is the wound bothering you, Mystique?" He asked as he approached the blue-skinned mutant, noticing the wince as she held her leg. She let out a breath through her nose, "A little, but nothing I can't handle. I just wish I could go with you all."

Erik felt a wave of concern flow over him, "No you have to stay here. Get things prepared for our return as we will more than likely need immediate attention. Emma will more than likely be in a bad condition." He said as he placed a hand on her shoulder. She reached up and gripped his hand.

"I could help." She insisted as she looked up at him. Another wave of concern flowed through him at the thought of Mystique joining the men in rescuing Emma. "You are injured my dear. It is better that you're here." He replied. "I am more than capable Erik!" Mystique exclaimed slightly affronted at the implications of his words.

Erik chuckled as he removed his hand and stood behind Mystique before wrapping his arms around her, "I know how capable you are Mystique. However you can barely walk on your left leg. I cannot have happen to Angel and Emma, happen to you."

The strength of his emotions towards the blue-skinned beauty in his arms had shocked and surprised him. He didn't understand them or how quickly the shape-shifter had been able to worm her way into what remained of his heart.

But he certainly understood why she had meant so much to Charles.

Mystique sighed and leaned back into Erik, "Fine but I'm helping as soon as this injury has healed."

Erik chuckled again, "Of course my dear."

The kitchen door swung open and Riptide joined the pair in the kitchen. "We are ready to leave when you are." He said before making a swift exit.

"Hey. Just...come back alive, okay?" Mystique said as Erik moved away from her and she turned around on the stool to face him. Erik moved forward and pressed his lips to hers. They savoured the kiss for a few seconds before he took a step back.

"You can't get rid of me that easily Mystique." He said before he too left.

At the research facility twisted metal and rubble that remained of the building surrounded the three men.

The air was sombre as the three stood looking at their surroundings. The reason for this was in Azazel's arms; Emma. They had been too late. They had been unsuccessful in rescuing Emma alive.

Teleporting back to the property was bitter-sweet. They couldn't save Emma but had acquired information on the capture of mutants and had destroyed the facility.

They gave Emma a small funeral but unfortunately couldn't mourn for long. They had to do what they could to save as many mutants as they could, to prevent what had happened to Angel and Emma from happening to other mutants. Their deaths would not be in vain.

Taking a seat in his office Erik removed his helmet and dumped the files they had recovered on the desk. He took a deep breath and leaned his head back. The door to the office opened which grabbed his attention. Mystique entered and made her way to the seat across from the desk.

"It's not your fault you know." She said as she sat down.

"I know. I just wish it had ended differently." He replied as he remembered the guilt he'd felt when he had learned of Charles' injuries after the events at Cuba.

Mystique took a deep breath and rested her hands in her lap before saying, "We honour her by preventing this from happening to others. We stop the people responsible."

Erik looked at the woman in front of him. She was strong, driven, loyal. He was proud of her and knew she was right. He had to put his energy to something productive. The loss of Emma and Angel couldn't be in vain, it couldn't go to waste.

Leaning forward he hoped that there would be useful information in the files to protect their fellow mutants from this group of kidnappers.

He handed a few of the files to Mystique and opened one himself.

The files appeared to be personal files on mutants. Everything from their names and birth dates to their addresses and occupations.

The pair spent the next couple of hours going through all the files. It surprised them to discover that the files contained the plans for the experiments that had been done on the mutants if or when they were captured.

"Unbelievable! They're experimenting on our kind. But why? I don't get it." Mystique said as she set aside the files.

Erik looked up from the file he'd been reading, "There is definitely something here. They must want mutant genes for something, whether to use us for something or to eradicate us I don't know."

Erik looked back at the files and opened up the last file. "He's one of us?" Erik exclaimed surprised as he sat back trying to process the information in the file. Mystique got up and took the file. She was as surprised as Erik. "You know this means he'll be a target. We have to stop any attempt on his life. Well, if they make a move on him."

Putting the file down the pair looked at the photograph of the President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, staring back at them.

Only slight Erik/Raven this time but it fit the prompt, I think.