A/N: Phew! This is the busiest (yet also the BEST) time of the year and I've been running around like crazy. But now I'm here, and with a new chapter held out. We'll see what happens next in this lil' thing…

BUT, first! Huge, HUGE thank yous for your reviews and love! You guys sure know how to make one smile and swell with joy. (HUGS) So thank you! You're irreplaceable.

Awkay… (takes a breath) I'm a bit nervous about this one so I'll just cut the chase before I'll change my mind. (grins sheepishly) 'Hope you'll have a good time!

The Better Men

Special agent Jacob Reynold was a persistent man. He was also known for his mean temper. And when a certain point was crossed…

There was blood on the floor, on his prisoner, even on his shoe and knuckles. Charles' skin appeared red and swollen all over and he knew that in a while the mutant would be completely black and blue. The questions it'd arouse didn't bother Jacob at all; he was willing to get yelled at for the sake of greater good.

If this was the only way to get what he wanted…

The knife shone ominously while he brought it down on already abused skin and cut down directly below the shoulder, so fast that it surprised even him. Charles hissed slightly and clenched his eyes tightly shut for a moment but didn't scream. Didn't relent. Such resistance only crossed Jacob further.

This time he used the knife to rip open his prisoner's shirt. Charles groaned as he nudged the injured body harshly with his foot. (With all the other swelling he never paid any attention to the slight bulge of the mutant's abdomen.) Jacob's eyebrow bounced up slightly as he noticed the scars on the professor's back. Not quite lacerations, although they could've been such. More like… whip marks, perhaps. A couple of spots that looked like cigarette burns. And there, on lower back, a bizarre mark that could very well explain the paralysis. "Well, I see that you're no stranger to pain. But don't worry. I've never failed to break a target before."

Once again the blade was swift. It sunk deeper to the mutant's side than he'd expected, really, and he could practically feel the professor's wave of pain and terror. A smirk appeared to Jacob's face. He was close, now, so very close…

His eyes flashed while he lifted the knife once more. "Now that I've finally got the chance to I want to make sure that everyone knows exactly what you are, behind that treacherously innocent façade." He plunged the knife, earning a tiny, almost mew like cry from Charles, and carved down so deep that he knew he'd leave a permanent scar.

X

"Now you'll never forget, no matter what happens. I promise you, I'll do everything that's in my power to make sure that you won't leave this place alive. But if such a mistake happens… Now everyone will know. They'll know to stay far away from you", he hissed, directly to the mutant's ear. "Now, back to my original question. Where… is… Emma… Frost?"

Charles gasped, tried to catch his breath, tried to stop the bleeding. "I… am not giving you… anything", the telepath hissed out. "I'm not… helping you find them, harm them. I swore to protect them."

Jacob sighed. All of a sudden he felt exactly how late it was. "Well, sometimes we all end up giving empty promises."

Without even really thinking about it he kicked the telepath, making sure that the professor lay on his back. Then, very slowly, he kneeled down and placed the knife directly to the mutant's stomach. His eyes flashed. "It'd be so easy to kill you, you know? To cut you open and see exactly what you're made of. It's a very tempting thought indeed."

The mutant – bruised, bloodied, shaking uncontrollably – was still struggling. Those infuriating blue eyes managed to find his. Some crimson blood stained those white teeth. He wondered if the mutant was still able to taste it. "Please…!" The gasped plea, and especially the despair behind it, stunned him. So far the creature before him had made no amends for his safety, had barely made a sound at all. The thought of pain barely mattered before. What changed? "Please, no…! Not… Not there…!"

He frowned, taking the risk of displaying confusion. "Well, well… Now where in the world did that come from? Is there something you'd like to share with me?" Slowly and subtly his hand reached out towards the skin. "What are you hiding, professor?"

Jacob never got the chance to touch, didn't get anywhere close. Because as his fingers were an inch or two away he felt a thrust, such he'd never experienced before. And he was flying through the room before he managed to catch his breath. The impact sent him harshly at the wall on the opposite end of the room.

Gasping, his head full of disbelief, Jacob fixed his narrowed eyes on Charles as soon as he'd recovered. "What… What the hell did you just do to me?" he snarled.

Charles met his eyes, the man's own blue ones full of such terror that almost (almost, almost, almost) tugged at Jacob's heart. The mutant gulped. "I didn't do anything."

For a couple of moments Jacob could only stare at the bleeding, battered creature, his mind building up all kinds of impossibilities. Then his eyes narrowed, ice cold determination slipping in. "Do not attempt to confuse me", he snarled. With those words he straightened his form, never once looking away from the prisoner he considered dangerous despite all the injuries and the disability. "I'm not through with you, do you understand? If you're still alive in the morning we'll carry on from here." With those words he turned off the lights, walked out and locked the door, leaving Charles all alone.

Throughout his life Sean hadn't had pretty much anyone to depend on. He grew used to it over time, no matter how great the shiver of ache sitting on his heart was. Grew used to thinking that no one would ever care and he'd just have to make it through on his own. But then he met Charles and Erik. Erik… he wasn't quite as fond of. While a part of him admired the man's strength and looked up to the metal bender as some sort of a big brother the rest of him was far more hesitant, even fearful. The darkness of Erik's mind scared him. But Charles… was a whole different story. As soon as he faced the telepath this bizarre warm sensation settled to his mind and soul, soothing the hurt.

'You're not alone', the new warmth whispered.

Charles believed in him. Looked after him. Helped him grow up and become stronger. When Sean's regular nightmares stopped he didn't question why. Charles became something between a older brother and a surrogate father to him. That warmth became his home.

Now that warmth was missing. He'd been dragged to people he once considered enemies – to people who killed Darwin and all those agents, who helped Shaw try and start a war. And Sean didn't have the slightest clue of what to do. He hated the helplessness more than he'd ever hated anything else.

Sean had promised to protect Charles' baby. So why was he here now, pacing through the cold hallways of a chilling building, trying to keep himself from crying? Why the hell couldn't they do anything?

Sean was so worked up that he jumped at the sudden realization that he wasn't alone. He'd ended up to a tiny balcony, it seemed. In the corner a familiar, dark figure was hunched, sharp and thoughtful eyes staring into nothing. Sean's eyebrow bounced up at the sight of a cigarette. "Professor would chew your head off if he knew", he pointed out.

Alex swallowed, like someone trying to keep themselves from throwing up. "I know. I just… really needed it."

Sean nodded, understanding better than well. Without asking for a permission he slumped down next to the other mutant. Somehow they seemed to draw a little bit of strength from one another. "They're giving you chills, too, right?"

Alex nodded. Those eyes sharpened, became something dangerous. "Every fucking time I look at them I… I see Darwin die all over again. It takes all I have just to…" And then, like a switch of some sort had been flicked, the threat was gone. Some fatigue and sorrow appeared to take its place. "But… It's like professor's been teaching us. We've gotta be the better men. We won't be the ones declaring a war on anyone."

Sean nodded and for a while it was quiet. When he spoke again his voice was strong and firm. "We'll get him back. And then we'll go home. All six of us."

Alex answered nothing, only took another inhale of the cigarette.

There were steps behind them. Turning their heads with startle they found Erik. There was a strange look in the man's eyes and Sean couldn't help wondering how much of the conversation had been heard. The metal bender's jawline tightened. "If you're done here, let's get going. Moira says that it's finally time."

Agent Liam Ennis, age thirty-five, had a grim look on face as he walked through the secret compound towards their newest victim's prison. His heart hammered very close to his throat while he stood, staring at the door with unreadable, steel gray eyes. His shortcut mahogany hair barely hid the droplets of sweat on his forehead. While his courage was faltering he tightened his hold of the heart shaped locket hidden securely into his pocket. He tightened his hold on his daughter, on the force that'd driven him into this.

The world that was created inside these walls… He didn't want his daughter, who was only four, to grow up in it. He wanted more for his child.

For his perfect little girl who had the most amazing purple eyes and who could create a lighting bolt with her bare hands.

For her sake he ignored the unconscious bodies he'd left behind and opened the door to find himself meeting professor Charles Xavier. What he found made his stomach drop. For a moment his body turned cold.

There was blood, a lot of it – far more than could be considered healthy. The telepath's lightly clothed body was marked by so many cuts and bruises that it was nearly impossible to see a undamaged part. The mutant was slumped to the floor with his eyes closed, absolutely still. The skin was swollen and raw. And for a moment Liam was horrified that it was already too late.

Until a pair of unfocused, pained and dazed blue eyes fluttered open at him. At first they didn't seem to understand but then widened, filled with pleas the tormented body failed to produce out loud. Charles attempted to struggle into a sitting position but failed.

Liam lifted both of his hands, feeling sick to his stomach. And this man was the one they called a monster…? "I'm not here to harm you, Charles. I came to help, do you understand? Moira and the others… They'll come and get you soon."

The mutant froze for a moment, a look of disbelief taking place. And then, little by little, those eyes filled with relief. It took a couple of attempts before the words came out. "Thank you." It was hoarse, barely audible. Yet he could almost feel the strength, the will, behind those eyes.

No matter how bad of a condition the telepath was in, despite the fact that the mutant might still die, Liam had to smile a little. "I've heard of the world you believe in. I'm not letting that become nothing but a distant dream." Taking a firm hold of the wheelchair he'd brought along he approached Charles as quickly as he could, knelt to the man's side. "We're… We're going to have to act quickly, alright? The others will only stay down for a few more minutes." He took out a needle and tried not to wince at the terror it clearly aroused in the other. "This is adrenaline, okay? A small dosage. I need you to work with me until we're out of here."

Charles nodded, his face grim, and visibly braced himself. Liam nearly whimpered himself when the professor mewed as the substance was plunged in. Charles then gasped, like someone who'd been under water for much too long. Taking a deep breath of his own Liam helped the man to the chair, blocking his ears from the winces and hisses of agony. They didn't speak another word while making their way out of the prison cell, carefully listening to any traces of a threat. Outside the room Charles shivered and Liam could've sworn that he saw the hint of a smile. It was clearly a relief for the telepath to be able to access his abilities once more.

Hope fluttering in his still tight chest Liam navigated them through a maze of narrow hallways, his nerves on the edge. His hope lasted until he took a turn to the right and they were only five steps from the exit. Waiting for him stood a woman of his age in a uniform, a hard look on her face. Had he forgotten to knock out someone? "Are you Liam Ennis?" the agent demanded.

Liam swallowed and nodded slowly, his stomach knotting. "Yeah. I am."

The woman stared. And then, all of a sudden, nodded. "I'm Mystique. Moira told us that you'd be here to meet me." Her eyes then shifted – and all of a sudden the piercing green turned into pools of horrified, pained yellow. "Charles…!"

Warmth filled Charles' eyes and the man's lips opened. Before a word could be dropped, however, a gasp erupted. 'He's here!'

Liam never got the chance to ask who. Jacob Reynold's voice beat him to it. "Thank you, Liam. With your assistance I now have two mutants here instead of one." He turned slowly, slowly, to face the other agent. "I ran a background check on you, you know? That's how I knew not to trust you with actual sedatives." Jacob's eyes were harsh, full of disappointment and disgust. "I know everything about that freak you call your daughter."

Liam doubted that any parent would've been able to swallow that one down. He sure as hell couldn't. And so – before Mystique could even flinch, before Charles could do anything more than send a sharp, mental 'Liam, DON'T!' – he was moving. And with equal speed the plastic bullet slammed directly between his eyes.

In the electric, pain filled flash it took before life left him Liam managed to send a prayer. A prayer that his daughter would one day see a brighter future than this. That there was still hope for her.

Charles tried, he truly did, but before he ever got the chance to even try to grab Liam's mind to prevent a disaster it was miserably too late. He felt the man die, watched the body hit the floor with a sickening, dull thud. Watched how a truly good man went to waste. Tears filled his eyes, and several of them rolled.

Charles didn't pay attention to the five agents who appeared from somewhere behind Jacob's back. He paid no attention to their guns. In fact, he didn't even manage to register the fact that right beside him Raven was trembling.

His tears, it seemed, truly stunned Jacob. "Oh, please. Don't tell me that you're actually crying over a human."

Charles met the man's eyes with as much resolve as he could muster. "He did this for his daughter, don't you understand? He… He did this because he believes that a better world can be created. He threw away his life because he believed that this…" He gestured towards his beaten, bleeding frame, then towards the body. "… doesn't have to be the only outcome. Because he knew that deep down we all want the same thing." He worked quickly, before Jacob could come up with a move of his own. Gathering absolutely all the little strength he had left Charles focused, focused to produce a flow. And then he let it crash right into Jacob's head.

The aftershock of Darwin's death even he felt so very far away, the young man's sacrifice. Moira's efforts for the mutants. How hard his team fought to prevent the war. All the pain each and every single one of them had suffered. And then, in the end, all his love. All his dreams. A vision of what the world could be like, one day.

When it was finally over Charles felt ready to throw up and pass out. Sensing Raven's worry he placed his hand on top of hers, which had been placed to his shoulder, then focused on Jacob. The agent stared at him with wide, glazed over eyes. Frozen completely still.

The other agents, understandably confused and startled, fixed their plastic guns on him. "What… What the hell did you do to him?!" one of them demanded.

Charles never got the chance to reply for just then Erik came running in out of nowhere, with the speed, force and rage of a enraged lion. Despite the fact that there was no metal for the man to protect himself with Erik stood right in front of him, shielding him. "He hasn't hurt anyone, do you hear me! I am not letting you touch him again!"

Charles stared, scared out of his mind for the man he loved. The baby was squirming more than ever before, making him gasp. "Erik, don't!" He attempted to reach out but didn't have the strength. Erik's mind slipped out of his reach.

Erik's eyes were pure steel and the man's balled fists shook. "I came here unarmed. Do you hear me? Out of my own free will. I have no gun with me. You… You can do whatever the hell you want to with me, but… Not to Charles. Never." Were those… tears? "Not when he's the only one of us who's always believed in the human kind. When he's the one who's dreamt of peace, of hope. Not when he's the one who always sees the light even in the darkest of us."

Charles was beginning to feel dizzy. His blood was rushing madly as panic and fast draining adrenaline flowed through. It was Raven who gasped out what he didn't manage to voice. "Erik, stop it!"

But oh, Erik wasn't finished yet. "I'm not letting you destroy that love, do you understand? I'm not letting him die because he always believes too much and forgives too easily. I'm not letting you hurt him anymore, even if it's the death of me. I won't let you destroy the better world that he believes in."

Charles grabbed Erik's hand, his heart racing with panic over the metal bender. Desperately he attempted to reach out for the agents, even for Erik, but as it was he couldn't do a thing. He barely even had the energy to speak out loud. "Erik…!"

As though the guns and threat hadn't even been there Erik looked at him, a smile on his face. The squeeze was firm, reassuring. The thought was crystal clear. 'I love you, Charles.' And at that very moment, no matter how hard he'd always struggled to believe in the goodness of men, Charles was sure that it was all over.

The agents could've easily enough opened fire. Charles certainly didn't have the energy to even try to stop them, not when his trick on Jacob had taken the last of his strength. He also couldn't feel Emma nearby and even if she had been present there was no way she could've controlled that many minds. But the agents only stared, stared at how Erik stood unwaveringly right in front of him, the man's whole body radiating strength, love, loyalty, courage and devotion. The soldiers stared.

And one by one the guns were lowered.

"You have two minutes until the backup gets here", one of them announced. "How you use that time in entirely up to you. But make a move against any of us and we'll kill you all."

For a couple of seconds disbelief stunned them all. After that there was no hesitation. Charles realized that his head was still spinning in a huge mess when Erik picked him up easily. Despite the pain and slight humiliation he leaned closer, rested his head against the taller mutant's chest. Charles' eyes fluttered closed, the exhaustion finally striking full force with adrenaline wearing off.

"Hey!" Erik's surprisingly gentle voice snatched him back to full awareness. "None of that yet, okay? Stay with us."

"I'll try", he murmured.

And so the three of them left, like three soldiers returning from a long war, never once looking back on the agents who could've easily killed them if they'd wanted to. They walked away, towards a unknown future. And somehow they all had a feeling that a seed of something had just been planted.

They were outside, in fresh and surprisingly cool air, when Charles suddenly felt it. The sharp, mind numbing twinges that were so, so much worse than those he'd experienced weeks ago. Terror swept over him along with the agony and he cried out, barely managing to keep his mind from shutting down completely.

Erik and Raven panicked, of course. Their terror overwhelmed Charles for a moment. "Charles? Charles, what's wrong?"

Charles would've given a lot if he would've been able to calm them down. But the realization was so all consuming that it swept away everything else. It's too soon, it's too soon, it's too soon…! "The… The baby…!" he gasped, crying out under another assault of pain. "It's coming, Erik. It's coming."

TBC

A/N: Holy cow…! (shudders) What a mess we have here. So not out of the woods yet.

I really hope that you don't think that the rescue was too quick. (winces) I went through a lot of back and forth inside my head and this was what I resulted to. Mostly because I didn't think that any pregnant person would've been able to go through more torture. Plus, I didn't want this to feel stretched.

PLEASE, let me hear you out! It'd been super good, with all my childish insecurities and all. (grins sheepishly) It'd totally put you on my Christmas card list, ya know…?

ONLY TWO MORE CHAPTERS TO GO!

Until next time, my friends! I REALLY hope that you won't put on any metallic helmets and teleport away until then.

Take care!

sjl: Awww! (hugs) It means the world to hear that you've enjoyed the story so. And I believe that there'll be a new story from me VERY soon. I've already got one Cherik idea cooking up… (grins) (Very different from this, a touch darker, but still.)

It means a lot that you've loved this so much. You can't even imagine! (HUGS)

Trust Charles to be too good of a person to protect even Emma. (rolls eyes, then hugs the poor telepath) 'Though I bet that he calculated her being far more dangerous in the hands of the these 'agents'. Poor Charles, he OR the baby won't be able to take much more of this.

Christmas blessing to you, too, my friend! (hugs again) 'Hope I'll be typing with you again soon.

-P