In the weeks since Danielle had left with the X-men, Charles had been growing increasingly restless. By now he had taken to "pacing" in the library, praying to a god he didn't believe in. He had never felt so powerless in his entire life, he had never hated himself so much before. Erik and the others had entrusted their lives to him and he let them go off on a potentially, very probably,dangerous mission. Andfor what? Enigma was likely dead already anyway. Asmuch as he cared forthe girl, he wasn't quite willing to let his men die for her — at least not yet. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Theangrier he became, the louder the small voice in the back of his head protested, until finally, the voice won out.
'What am I saying?' heasked himself, shaking his head and trying not to cry out of sheer frustration.
"Professor?" Hank whispered.
"Yes?" Charles replied, turning his chair to face him.
"I think I might have a way to contact them-" he began.
"That's excellent!" Charles said.
"You don't understand. It's-" Hank said, trying to get Charles to come back to earth for a moment.
"I'll take full responsibility. Now, where is it?" Charles soundedlike someone who had lost all hope, and whowas now grasping at whatever came close enough for him to reach.
"Charles! I can't let you test it just yet!" Hank snapped.
"Then why mention it at all?" Charles asked brokenly.
"Because I thought it would get you to sleep again! I haven't seen you leave this office since they left!" Hank shouted, tears stinging the corners of his eyes. "Enigma wouldn't want this, Raven wouldn't want this, and I sure as hell know Magneto wouldn't want you like this! Charles, please, do something – throw a book at me, for all I care. Just do something other than stay in here like a recluse!"
He opened his mouth to tell Hank off, but the more he replayed the statement in his head, the more he began to agree.
"Hank, would you like some tea?" Charles asked.
"Yes," Hank said, now relieved, and smiled softly, "yes, I would."
He wheeled his chair to the door, and for the first time in weeks, left the comfort and safety of his office.
"How do you take yours, Hank?" he asked over his shoulder. He waited for a response, but there was none. This was a bit worrisome as Hank always replied promptly when asked a question.
"Hank?" Charles called. He turned and - jerked awake. Apparently, he had fallen asleep at his desk for the fourth night in a row. He rubbed his temples and hoped against hope that his friends were all right.
A soft knock at the door brought him back to the present.
"Come in, McCoy," he sighed.
"I'm sorry to bother you, professor, but I think I found them." Hank grinned.
"Where are they?" Heinstantly perked up.
"Somewhere in the black forest. I can't tell you much more than that at the moment, but-"
"Excellent! Is the jet ready?" Charles asked, wheeling over to where Hank was.
"Yes," Hank replied, more than a little confused.
"Good, because we're going on a bit of a trip." Charles smiled.He thought to himself, 'And this time, I won't let them go.'
