Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize
"Erik, no!" Charles yelled, as his friend put on the helmet, and he lost access to the metal manipulator's mind. "Erik!" He slammed a hand against the side of the plane. "Damn it!"
Jamie glanced over at him. "Have a little more faith," she said soothingly, before turning back to the beach.
Charles looked at her. "He just put the helmet on," he argued. "He's going to kill Shaw."
"Just believe in your friend," Jamie replied softly, her gaze focused on the fight outside. Angel and Sean were working together to subdue Azazel, while Alex, Hank, and Raven were focusing on Riptide, though they were finding it tough to get through his tornadoes.
Charles sighed, wishing he could have the faith Jamie talked about. But he had seen inside Erik's mind, he knew the pain the man felt, and he wasn't sure, even after everything Erik had admitted to him the night before, that he would be able to let the anger and hate go.
Jamie knew what Charles was thinking, and truthfully, she had her doubts as well.
Would Erik be able to move on? She concentrated, stretching her focus out, into the submarine, and to the room where Erik and Shaw were standing.
She felt Charles' mind holding Shaw in place, and though she couldn't really get in, she could also feel Erik's presence. Focusing hard, she called out, hoping that Erik would hear her.
Erik, think about what you're about to do, and decide what you want your future to look like.
Erik looked around, searching for Jamie, but she wasn't there. It was just her voice. "I have thought about it," he argued back.
He felt more than heard her sigh. I won't stop you. I could, but I won't. This has to be your decision. Just remember your family. What kind of person do you want to be, Erik? What would they want you to do?
"That's not fair," Erik argued, looking a little less certain. "Shaw killed them." Some corner in the back of his mind wondered if Shaw could hear what was going on around him, and what he thought of Erik having what appeared to be a one-sided conversation. That same corner wondered if Charles could also hear him, through Shaw, and whether or not he could hear Jamie's mental voice as well.
Life isn't fair, Jamie shot back. You know that just as well as I do. Erik felt Jamie sigh again. Shaw deserves it, she agreed after a moment of silence. And I want him dead, too. But just take a minute and think about yourself. Not your revenge, or your anger, or what you want in this moment. Think about how you want your life to go. Your next decision will change everything, for better or worse.
She pulled out, leaving him alone. Erik looked around the room, unable to decide. Should he go on with this plan, or should he admit that he had already made his choice.
Unbidden, the memory of his mother swam to the forefront of his mind once more, and Erik knew that it was his own doing, this time, not some ploy from an annoying telepath who just had to worm their way past his defenses and show him that it was possible to have friends.
She gazed at him sadly, her eyes filled with love, and all he could see was the disapproving look she would give him when he tracked mud into the house, or when he forgot to pick up a carton of milk on his way home from school. What kind of look would she give him if she knew her only son had become a murderer?
He let out a breath of air, emotions warring for dominance. He didn't know what to do. Reaching up, he took the helmet off. Jamie, will you join me?
He could feel the teenager's hesitation, before she replied, I'll be right there.
Outside, Jamie looked at Charles. He gazed back, wondering what was going through her head. He had heard everything she had said, and knew that this was nearly as hard for her as it was for Erik. Shaw had taken so much.
Jamie bit her lip. Come with me?
Charles nodded immediately. Always.
Together, the two telepaths left the plane. The fight outside was nearly over. Riptide was lying exhausted on the ground, managing to summon some wind every now and then, but it was clear he wasn't putting up much of a fight anymore. The winds he was sending out were nowhere near tornado strength, and his attackers weren't having too much trouble getting at him. Azazel was in better shape, teleporting around the group and throwing a few punches, but he, too, seemed to be losing strength.
Jamie whispered a firm command under her breath, and Azazel immediately dropped to the ground, unconscious.
Everyone turned to look at the teenager, and she shrugged unapologetically.
Charles cleared his throat. "We'll be right back, just stay here."
He quickly escorted Jamie inside, where they joined Erik in the nearly destroyed room at the center of the submarine.
Erik looked up as they arrived, his expression almost relieved. The coin he had kept with him for twenty years was floating in the air, barely a half a millimeter away from Shaw's forehead. He swallowed. "I need you to give me a good reason not to do this," he pleaded. "Please."
Jamie smiled sadly, avoiding looking at Shaw, nervous at being in the man's presence once more. Charles' comforting hand found its way to the small of her back, reassuring her. "We can give you all the reasons we want, but it won't help unless you believe it."
Charles nodded. "She's right, Erik. I don't think you believe you have to do this anymore; you're just afraid of admitting that there is a life beyond revenge. Prove to us that you are better than him, Erik. Put the coin down, and come home with us."
"Home?" Erik whispered. The word was foreign to him.
Charles nodded again. "You'll always have a home with us, Erik. We're family."
Erik let out an almost sob, and the coin dropped to the floor. He slumped, his shoulders curling in as the weight of that choice was lifted. Charles moved forward and gave him a tight hug.
"I'm proud of you," he whispered, pulling back.
Jamie smiled softly. It might not feel like it now, but you made the right decision. Eventually, you might even figure out what that decision was.
Perhaps you can give me a clue? Erik asked, as they all turned to face Shaw.
Jamie glanced at him sidelong. Whether you wanted to live for the past or the future, she replied simply.
Erik raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything more. It would take some time, he knew. He had been so focused on revenge, that he really wasn't sure what to do with himself anymore. He looked at Charles. "So what are we going to do with him?"
Charles bit his lip, considering. "I think I may be able to block his access to his power. After that, he can go to prison."
"You can do that?" Erik asked, surprised.
Charles nodded slowly, slightly unsure. "I believe I can. Just don't ask me how."
Erik and Jamie waited in silence for several minutes, while Charles put Shaw to sleep and then concentrated on what he was attempting to do.
Five minutes later, he took a deep breath and stepped back. "There, that should do it," he said firmly.
"You're sure?" Erik asked, wanting to be certain that the bastard wouldn't be able to hurt anyone, ever again.
Charles looked at him and nodded. "Yes. He's nothing more than an ordinary human, now. What the CIA does with him from here on, I find myself not really caring."
Erik and Jamie appeared to agree wholeheartedly, and realizing how long they had been in the submarine, they quickly went out to join their friends. Erik brought the unconscious Shaw, wanting his lackeys to realize that they were beaten. Jamie woke Azazel up; the teleporter groaned before getting to his feet and joining Riptide, slightly confused at not receiving any opposition when he made his move.
Once clear of the submarine, Erik dropped Shaw unceremoniously on the sand. He turned to look at Azazel and Riptide, who were both now looking alarmed. He glared at them. "Shaw is defeated. You should think hard about your next steps, and decide whether or not you wish to continue following this man."
Charles stepped forward. "Should you decide to stand down, we will not attack further. I can offer you a place to stay, if you wish, and asylum from Shaw's fate."
Azazel and Riptide looked at each other, and then back at Charles. "Can we talk in private for a few minutes?" Riptide asked, his voice oddly polite.
Charles nodded, and the two mutants walked a few feet away, conversing quietly between themselves.
The rest watched them carefully, looking for any sign that they might choose to launch a surprise attack.
After a few minutes, Erik was getting anxious. "We shouldn't stay here much longer," he murmured to Charles.
As if to prove his point, a change in the ships a short distance away caught his attention. He walked to the edge of the surf, concentrating.
Charles made his way to his friend's side. "Erik?" he asked softly.
Erik glanced over at the telepath, and then to the group watching them worriedly. "They're pointing weapons at us. The guns have all targeted the beach."
Charles immediately looked to Moira, who was still standing by the plane. Understanding, she immediately went inside to try and hail someone to let them know that the threat had been neutralized.
Riptide and Azazel broke of their conversation and joined the rest of them. Riptide began a small tornado in preparation, while Angel lifted off the ground, her wings fluttering quickly.
"Stop!" Charles called out, before Riptide could release his creation. They heeded him, something he was only mildly surprised about. He turned to face Erik. "All of them?"
Erik nodded grimly. "The Russians and the Americans. Use your power, Charles, they're planning on blowing us out of existence."
Charles focused on the situation, and conceded that Erik was right. Both sides had been given orders to neutralize the mutant threat.
A moment later, the torpedoes launched. Erik held out a hand and halted them in midair. He slowly turned them around, so that they were pointed back at the ships.
"Erik," Charles warned. "Don't do it."
Erik hesitated, wanting to listen to his friend, but also wanting to protect their continued existence and beat the humans at their own game. After all, they had just launched an attack meant to kill everyone on the beach.
Jamie moved over to his other side, and slipped a small hand in his free one, the one not extended, holding the torpedoes in place. If you do this, you prove them right, she reminded him.
Erik glanced down at her and sighed. He lowered his hand, dismantling the torpedoes and letting them drop harmlessly into the ocean.
Jamie smiled at him gratefully, and Charles squeezed his shoulder comfortingly. After taking a moment to revel in their victory, he separated himself from the metal manipulator, with a silent request for Jamie to join him, as he walked a few feet further towards the surf.
"Make them forget their last orders?" Jamie suggested.
"With a subtle intimation to return home, should do it," Charles agreed.
Together, the two telepaths concentrated, and were rewarded when both navies turned around, heading away from the island.
"Nice job," Raven complimented, hurrying up to her brother and hugging him tightly.
"Now what?" Angel asked.
Charles looked at Azazel. "Have you made your decision?"
Shaw's former associates shared a look, before the teleporter replied. "We'll come with you," he agreed, speaking for both of them.
Charles smiled gratefully. "Would you be willing to return us to our home in Westchester, then? I can provide you with an image of the grounds."
Azazel nodded stoically. "What about him?" he jerked his head at Shaw's unconscious form.
Moira stepped forward. "We've got Emma Frost in a CIA holding facility. We can take Shaw there as well. Do you believe Emma can be reasoned with?"
Azazel and Riptide considered for a moment, before the teleporter shrugged. "She's more in line with Shaw's thoughts than we were. She'd be more likely to try and help him, than you."
Charles nodded, not surprised. He had, after all, been in her mind. There wasn't much hope for redemption there.
Azazel held out his hands. "If you want a ride, grab on."
They all linked hands, and a moment later, disappeared from the beach, and reappeared in New York.
Those who were unused to teleportation shook themselves off, feeling slightly queasy over the trip.
Riptide let out a low whistle at the sprawling mansion. "Sweet," he commented under his breath.
Sean nodded eagerly. "This place is awesome, wait until you see the inside."
He and Angel agreed to take the newcomers on a quick tour, while Moira went to contact the CIA, after getting approval from Charles.
Everyone else went to change, and a short while later, they all gathered in the dining room over take away pizza that Charles had gone to pick up from the nearby down.
Over supper, they discussed what was next. Moira informed them that the situation at the CIA was a bit of a mess, but she would keep in contact with them, and she wouldn't give away their location in Westchester.
Charles assured Azazel and Riptide that they were welcome to stay as long as they wished, and should they desire to leave at any point, no one would stop them.
The two newest additions were a little surprised at the welcome, though they did think they might enjoy living in such splendor, for a while.
"So what do we do now?" Alex asked. "I mean, you got us together to combat Shaw. He's dealt with, so now what?"
Charles bit his lip, looking around at the hodge podge group. "I had a thought that I might like to turn this place into a school, of sorts, for people like us."
"A school?" Raven asked, intrigued. "Like, math, science, English?"
Charles nodded. "Think about our situations. We can offer children a safe place to stay, to learn. We can teach them the necessary requirements for a school, but we can also help them learn to control their abilities."
"It sounds interesting, but what could we do?" Alex gestured at himself, and those seated around him. He, and Sean and Jamie, who were sitting next to him, were the youngest of this group. He assumed, he wasn't sure how old Raven was. Were they supposed to be teachers or something?
Charles smiled slightly. "I think we could all bring something to this endeavor," he assured them. "It's just an idea at the moment, but I would like to turn it into reality. I'd like all of your help, but I won't force you. Even if you don't wish to assist, you will have a room here, if you need it."
"Maybe we should think on it for now," Erik suggested. He thought it was an intriguing idea, but he didn't really think of himself as the sort of man who was good with children.
Charles nodded. "Yes, that sounds like an excellent idea. Now, it is getting late, so perhaps we should retire for the evening. It's been a long day."
They all nodded and began to head up to their rooms, leaving the dining room, until it was just Jamie and Charles alone.
Charles looked at Jamie, concerned. "Will you be all right?" he asked worriedly, knowing that she had trouble sleeping, most nights. Years of horrible experiences had given her awful nightmares that made it impossible for her to get more than a few hours of sleep at a time. Fortunately she had decent mental shields, which meant that she didn't usually project her nightmares to those around her, unless there were extenuating circumstances.
Jamie took a shaky breath. "Yeah, I think so."
Charles reached out and grasped her hand comfortingly. "If you need me, you know where to find me."
Jamie nodded uncertainly. "Thanks," she whispered, before dropping his hand and making her way upstairs.
After a few minutes of sitting in silence, Charles sighed, rubbing a hand across his face wearily. It really had been a long day.
Deciding that there was nothing more that could be done that evening, he headed up to bed.
Please review!