This is rated M for references to physical/emotional abuse and brief mention of rape in future chapters.


Raven threw her suitcase into the backseat of Moira's car and turned around. Erik stood opposite her, his arm around her brother's shoulders, his duffle bag on the sidewalk. She knew Moira had been blindsided by the call but, like the true friend she was, she had offered her place for as long as Raven should need it. Stepping forward, Raven wished none of this had happened; that Charles had never met Jon. But maybe, she thought, glancing briefly at Erik, maybe it was a good thing he did, if it made their relationship stronger. Letting her brother out of her sight after this was going to be hard, but knowing Erik would be taking her place relieved her of some of her guilt.

Raven pointed a finger at Erik and said sternly, "You take care of him, you hear? I expect updates."

Erik nodded. "I will."

"Good." She nodded decisively and turned to her big brother, who looked very much like he wanted to crawl into a hole and hide. Blinking back sudden tears, Raven threw her arms around him and held on tight. Charles hugged her back just as tight, burying his face in her coat.

After a minute she pulled back. "Call me every day. Promise me."

"I promise. And, Ray?" Charles smiled faintly. "Thanks. For everything."

She returned his smile. "Well, what are little sisters for?"

Moira said softly, "We should get going, Raven."

"Us, too," Erik said.

Raven nodded. "I love you, Charles. See you soon." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and then whirled around and got in the car, Moira following.


"Love you, too, sis," Charles said softly as the girls drove off. And that was how he found himself leaving the place he'd thought would be safe. And yet…he felt safe with Erik. Erik picked up Charles' duffle bag and they set off down the sidewalk. Taking that first step was hard, considering what had recently happened, but he took a deep breath and kept going. As they walked, Erik's hand snaked out to pull him away from the street and onto Erik's left side. Charles kept hold of Erik's hand as they walked, using it to anchor himself in the present.

They made their way down the block in silence until Erik stopped in front of a silver Kia. He popped the trunk and stepped over to put the bag in it while Charles watched from the sidewalk. As soon as Erik had turned away from him, Charles felt someone grab his cast and yank him backwards until his back and head slammed into something hard. Stars danced across his vision and he gasped with the shock of it.

His eyes focused on a terribly familiar face as someone snarled, "Thought you could get away from me that easily, did you? And no little sister here to rescue you this time."

Charles' brain stopped. "Jon," he breathed. Terror shot through him.

Jon wrapped a hand around his neck and started to squeeze, that sadistic smile creeping across his face as Charles started to feel lightheaded. He tried to call out Erik's name but the grip on his throat was too tight and it came out as more of a gasp. He tried to pull Jon's hand off, but his fingers scrabbled uselessly, unable to get a grip. Spots danced now, different than before, and he felt himself start to black out.

Almost instantly, though, the hand choking him was wrenched away and he sagged back against the wall, a hand on his chest, gasping for breath and trying to stay upright.


Erik's eyes were constantly on alert as he and Charles said goodbye to Raven and Moira, scanning the nearly empty street for any sign of danger. Again he wondered why he agreed to come so quickly when Raven called, but one look over at Charles and he knew the answer. Because he did, and always would, come when Charles needed him. His eyes softened; Charles looked so lost and all Erik wanted to do right then was pull him close and never let go. Last time he'd let Charles go, he'd run four states away with his abusive boyfriend (disregarding the fact that nobody had known about the abusive part at that point in time).

Erik shook his head as he dragged Charles away from the street. No, ex-boyfriend. No way in hell was Charles going back to Jon. Not while he had any say in it.

They reached his car soon since he'd parked as close to Raven's apartment as he could get in his rush to come over. Pulling out his keys, he popped the trunk and went to drop Charles' bag in it. He had just slammed the trunk shut when he heard a strangled gasp. Whipping around, Erik saw Charles pushed up against the wall of a store by a young man. He wore dark clothes, his blond hair shining in the light from the streetlamp, and he towered over Charles. With a scowl, Erik knew this had to be Jon and strode over.

Jon was threatening Charles and Erik struggled to control his fury. He reached out and yanked the guy back just as Jon taunted Charles about not having his sister to rescue him. Jon staggered back, freeing Charles, and Erik said in a falsely light tone, "Well, then, I'd say it's my turn to rescue him."

The look of relief on Charles's face gave Erik all the justification he would need.

Jon regained his balance and glared at Erik, blue eyes angry. "You."

Erik was startled for a second by the vehemence in the man's voice which was followed by the realization that Jon knew him, and knew him by sight. Erik knew how to throw him off; pretend he wasn't bothered. If Jon learned he couldn't get to Erik like he could Charles, then he would back off. So he smiled at Jon, showing his teeth. "I see introductions won't be necessary. Good."

Jon growled, "I figured he'd run to his sister, but he threw me off by going to Maine first."

Brilliant, Charles. Erik hid his pride by telling Jon firmly, "Charles wants nothing more to do with you. Leave New York."

"I'm not leaving without him."

"You're not leaving with him." Erik's voice was barely above a growl himself. His hands fisted by his side. Damn it, Erik; don't lose your temper.

Jon glanced at his fists, then over at Charles and grinned. Erik wondered what caused it but didn't dare take his eyes off the other man. Jon's grin turned into a smirk and he vowed, "I'll be back. You're not getting rid of me that easily, Charlie." Erik was seconds away from punching the smirk off his face when Jon abruptly turned and crossed the street, disappearing down an alley.

Once he was sure Jon was gone, Erik turned to his right. Charles' face was white, his eyes wide with fear. One hand gripped the windowsill, the other hovered over his heaving chest. Erik crossed the distance between them, pulling Charles flush against his chest, one arm sliding protectively around him, and putting his free hand on the back of Charles' head. Charles was shaking so much and he fisted his hands in Erik's jacket. Damn, that was close, Erik thought, his own breath a little shaky.

When Charles's shaking eased somewhat, Erik ushered him into the car. "Come on; the sooner we get to my place, the better you'll feel."


Erik had turned the radio on and Charles was grateful for the distraction, despite the fact that it was mostly late night talk shows; anything to think about other than what was foremost in his mind. He dimly recognized that Erik's apartment building had an underground parking garage as they pulled into an empty space. The white noise of the radio cut off and Erik got out of the car. Charles didn't bother to wait, climbing out, desperately needing to keep his friend in sight. The trunk was open and Charles joined Erik as he pulled the duffle bag out.

Erik threw the strap over his head, slammed the trunk shut and reached for Charles' left hand, lacing their fingers together. Charles felt his cheeks heat despite himself and was grateful for the dark lighting so Erik wouldn't see him blush.

Erik said, "Come on; the door's this way."

As they walked, Charles kept looking around, knowing his nerves were shot and every sound was increased tenfold. Erik had just pulled his key out when a loud boom echoed through the garage. Charles jumped, grabbing onto Erik's arm with his other hand, despite the cast.

Erik instantly moved so that Charles was in between him and the door, and Charles buried his face in his back, feeling the muscles tense and his heart race. After a minute, he felt Erik relax and turn back around. He kissed Charles' forehead and said reassuringly, "Just a car door; nothing to worry about."

Charles nodded, lowering his hand, and Erik opened the door, making sure Charles went in first. The hall was empty and they walked past the door to the maintenance room before reaching the elevator. All the way up to the sixth floor and down the hall to Erik's apartment door, not once did Erik let go of Charles' hand and Charles wasn't sure if he wanted him to or not.

Erik unlocked the door and pulled Charles in after him, closing and locking it behind them. Charles looked around. Erik had clearly moved since Charles was last in his apartment, but some of the furniture remained comfortingly the same.

"Been a while," Erik said, his tone reflective. Charles nodded and Erik gave his hand a tug. "Bedroom's this way."

Charles blindly followed until he found himself standing in the middle of the bedroom, clutching a pair of pajamas to his chest and watching Erik gather his own. Erik looked over and, with a fond smile, gestured to the bathroom. "Go on; change. I'll wait."

Blushing again, Charles scurried across the room and closed the door. Pulling his jeans off and pajama pants on went okay, but when he tried to lift his shirt over his head, pain shot through him. "Ah!" He bit his lip, hard. "Okay," he said to himself. "That hurt."

A knock on the door startled him. "Charles? You okay?"

Charles hesitated. "Y—yeah, just having a little trouble with my shirt."

"Do you want help?" Good question. Did he? The answer usually turned into an overwhelming yes.

"Do you mind?"

The door opened and Erik came in, already in his own pajamas. With a minimum of pain, Erik eased Charles' arms out of his shirt and over his head. Charles ducked his head as his injuries became visible but Erik didn't say a word. He just reached for the t-shirt and helped Charles into it. Then they went back into the bedroom.

Erik got him settled before heading for the door. He's leaving me alone. Charles cried out, "Wait!" Erik turned in the doorway, a quizzical look on his face. Charles fiddled with the edge of the covers as he tentatively requested, "Could—could you stay? Just until I fall asleep?"

"Of course." Erik climbed into the bed next to Charles, pulling him close and letting him snuggle into the warmth and comfort of Erik's embrace. Charles closed his eyes only to yank them open again as Jon's face swam into view. "Shh…it's okay." Erik rubbed his back soothingly and Charles felt his eyes drift shut again. He wasn't aware when Erik shifted him onto his own pillow and slipped out of the room.


It was only after Charles had finally settled into an uneasy sleep and Erik had started down the hall that he remembered his promise to Alex. Slapping his forehead and groaning, Erik fished his cell phone out and dialed his friend's number, flopping down on the couch as he did so.

Alex answered with a curt, "I'm a little busy at the moment, Erik. Sean and I are working a double homicide. Can whatever it is wait til tomorrow?"

Erik said flatly, "Jon attacked Charles and Raven."

A thump answered him and Alex swore loudly enough to make Erik pull the phone away from his ear for a second. "When?" He could hear papers rustling in the background.

"A couple hours ago, in the alley next to her apartment building."

He heard Alex faintly shout, "Sean! Get over here!" His voice got louder as he returned to their conversation. "Are they okay? Where are they? Did you see Jon?"

Erik propped his feet up on his coffee table and replied, "Raven's fine, a little shaken. I think a couple of Charles' old injuries might flare up but that's the extent of his physical injuries. He's terrified it'll happen again. I finally got him to fall asleep."

Alex sighed. "Where are they now? Are you with them?"

Erik shook his head, despite the fact that he knew Alex couldn't see him. "No, I sent Raven to Moira's for the foreseeable future and Charles is staying with me. Didn't want to take the chance that Jon might find his way inside to Ray's apartment."

He could hear Alex relaying what he said to Sean, who seemed to have finally arrived. "Good, thanks for letting us know, Erik."

Erik said, somewhat sheepishly, "I almost forgot until a few minutes ago or I would've had you come over. Or had Raven call you."

Sean's voice entered, a little faint because Alex held the phone. "Don't worry about it, Erik. They're safe, we know now, and we'll all be on the alert. We can put in a quick report so it's in the system just in case there is a next time, if you want."

"Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it."

As one, Alex and Sean said in sync, "No problem."

A female voice sounded in the background and Alex said, "Sorry, gotta go. Caught a lead. Finally."

"Good luck. Hope you catch the bastard."

"Thanks, we'll talk tomorrow," Alex told him and they hung up.

Erik tossed his phone on the table next to his feet, picked up the remote and toyed with it, debating whether he wanted to watch something or just go to sleep. He ended up watching some action movie for an hour before drifting off.