A/N: Another transitional chapter for you guys! I wanted to expand on it, but decided with the help of my beta just to give you this update to hold you over while I plan the Emma breakout. Please R&R.

Much thanks to Jessica (iheartthedrums) for being my beta!


"Like I said, I accept you Erik but this is no place for Magneto. I suggest you make a decision and make it soon before any further attachments are made."

After making some, not so nice, marks on the tree bark back where Charles had left him to return to the mansion, Erik found himself walking several yards to the small lake which had been his adopted escape. His hands were now buried in his pockets to shelter them from the damp chill the morning air held. He couldn't see how Charles could "accept" Erik, but not accept his true views and his own goals. Didn't he know Erik and Magneto were one and the same? It was actually a relief to have an easy way out without protest, but it was unsettling all at the same time. Perhaps he had underestimated just how mad and disappointed Charles would be about him exacting his revenge on Sebastian Shaw. Then again, it was a relief to show Charles the great lengths he would go to when keeping his word. He promised vengeance for the murder of his mother, and if anyone wanted to hurt what was his again, they would meet Shaw's fate as well. There was something to appreciate in that.

The lake came into view and was thankfully a good distance away from the mansion. The quiet surrounding was a refreshing welcome, but it didn't help to quell the jumbled mess going on in his mind. He was able to sleep a lot better, memories of his childhood before the Holocaust taking precedence over nightmares. However, since their return from Cuba, Erik was faced with a cold feeling at the pit of his gut-a coldness where Charles' warmth once occupied itself. He sat down on the patch of grass and closed his eyes reliving the last time he was in this exact spot.


"What's it like?"

Charles opened his eyes and watched as Erik scooted closer to him. He gripped his wine bottle tighter at the close proximity, and the feeling of Erik's awed curiosity bursting from his mind. He wondered how long it's been. From the ridiculous amount of time they spent exploring the wine cellar, trying all sorts of wine, to the time they finally stumbled away from the house preferred bottles in hand towards the lake. Now it was only the two of them bathed in sunlight, and the carefree attitude the wine provided.

"It's...crowded." Charles answered after a moment with a heavy sigh. Erik took another swig out of the 1886 bottle of Merlot and looked down at the dewy grass for a moment before making eye contact with Charles.

"I want to know what it's like for you." Erik told him so seriously that Charles couldn't help but explode in a fit of giggles. Erik however kept his poker face on until Charles recovered.

"You're drunk," Charles stated while gesturing at his own head. "And I would know because you are getting harder to keep out."

Erik shifted even closer until he was sitting directly in front of Charles legs crossed. "You know EVERYTHING about me; you seem to understand the depths of my power so..."

Charles clicked his tongue, and thought about it for a minute before setting his own wine bottle to his side. "I-I haven't attempted anything like this since Raven asked me the same thing when we were children."

Erik placed his bottle to the side as well, once Charles started positioning his own body into a crossed legged position. The night was quiet except for the lonely frog nearby and mildly noisy crickets surrounding the area.

"Relax," Charles instructed as he settled his hands to rest on either side of Erik's head. "Open your mind to me in three...two...one."

Erik felt a jolt of energy course quickly through his body and closed his eyes.

He could hear a little boy crying out for his mom after being abruptly woken from a nightmare. Erik felt his own heart quicken at the fear.

Then, a couple, whispering sweet nothings into each other's ear as they made love. Erik swallowed heavily at the brush of ecstasy that replaced the fear that he felt before.

And suddenly, the voices and the feelings slowly powered down. Erik found himself breathing heavily, in a much closer proximity to Charles than when they first started. Charles still clung to his face, but their foreheads were now touching. Erik pulled back slowly and Charles dropped his hands. Erik suddenly felt like cold water had been poured over him from the broken connection.

At Erik's continued silence, Charles' eyes widened. Erik, sensing that some apologetic babbling was about to begin, placed a finger over Charles' lips. "Don't ruin this."

He then released those luscious lips. "You are amazing."

Charles collected his bottle back shaking his head, chuckling. "Me or my abilities?"

"Is there a difference?"

Charles could not argue with that.

"I've noticed that you haven't been exploring the depths of your abilities like the rest of us," Erik realized. "You can't tell me you have mastered your power."

There were a few moments of tense silence before Charles spoke. "You have no idea what I am capable of. I only allow myself to do what I can control." He shrugged his shoulders and gestured towards the mansion. "It's getting cold out here."

Erik nodded slowly and stood up with Charles. He collected his own abandoned bottle and they walked back, side by side, in silence.


He opened his eyes thinking back to the beach when he witnessed what would be the truth to his friend's words, "You have no idea what I am capable of."

The silence of the area was broken by loud shouts of his name, one lax, the other more urgent. Erik stood up quickly and ran towards the voices which he knew belonged to Sean and Alex. They were shouting over the cobblestone waist high wall, and looked relieved to have found him.

"What is it?" Erik asked them.

"Raven wanted us to get you," Sean explained. "I think the Professor is going to Langley to see if the CIA is up to anything."

"When?" Erik asked, already jumping the wall and heading back inside the mansion. The boys followed close behind.

"Today." Alex answered as they entered once again through the kitchen door.


Raven figured enough time had passed while she stayed hidden in her room under the pretense of packing. She did make a detour on her way back to her room from Charles', and packed a few toiletries, but honestly how much did a shape shifter really need to pack? It didn't seem like Alex or Sean were going to find Erik before her and Charles departed. With a heavy sigh, and a lock on her thoughts she grabbed the backpack sitting on her bed and exited the bedroom. Charles was leaning against the outside of his door, hands in pockets, and his suitcase sitting by his feet. He gave her a ghost of a smile and held out his hand for Raven to take.

"Ready?"

With a nod Raven slipped her hand into his. Enclosing her hand into his Charles grabbed his bag and together they walked down stairs to the foyer.