AN: So so so sorry for the delay in getting this up. To all those still supporting and reading - thank you!
Thanks as ever to my wonderful beta Rikka for finding time amongst the hectic schedule of RL to still look through! :) Any remaining mistakes of course my own...
Warning - this is where major plot diversions from the movie begin. So it may seem a bit strange at first...
Enjoy.
Chapter 10 – Encounters
Erik regards the group gathered in the pristine white lounge. His gaze flickers to the thick panelled window, and he cannot help but compare it to a viewing point as though they are animals at a zoo. This impression is only heightened by the fact the window faces the inner courtyard of the building, giving no chance of a swift and easy escape.
Old habits hmm? An amused voice trickles into his thoughts, and Erik cannot help the instinctive relief that curls in his gut as he looks up into those dazzling sky blue eyes. Charles's teasing however simmers with a coil of unease which he cannot hide from the metal manipulator. The younger man has been unable to deny that for all his paranoia Erik is right.
In spite of the Director's seeming innocence and excitement at having his theories on mutated humans proven, others within the government have known of the existence of mutants for quite some time. There is the strange case of Alex locked in an isolated cell, and the rare metal encasing Logan's skeleton is proof of their experimentation, - something which has reignited Erik's anger, and stirred a sharp anxiety in Charles.
Just how long have these people known of mutants like themselves – and just what protective measures have they developed against them? Are they merely waiting to see just how well the Director's mutant division works or are they waiting for an opportunity to sweep the rug from his feet and take control?
Instead of answering Erik merely smirks, and pulls the smaller man into his lap earning a yelp of surprise – and – a lovely red blush lines the telepath's skin as he leans closer, until their faces are just inches apart. I will do what I must to prevent you being taken from me Liebling. Judge me for it how you will, I care not so long as you are safe.
The telepath's flush deepens as Erik's fingers trail in a light caress against his cheeks deliberately seeking to undo him. A low cough from Raven breaks them apart. For a moment Erik had forgotten they were not alone, and Charles blinks seeming to come out of a trance before scrambling up out of the metal manipulator's arms.
Erik really? Here…and oh my…
The taller man chuckles at the flustered telepath, reaching to pull the smaller man back down when Charles stiffens and grabs Erik's arm for balance. The telepath cannot help but pick up the excited exclamation from the Director's mind - it is as though the man is verbally shouting the news across the building in his excitement.
Erik…they've…found him.
Charles swallows visibly shaken and Erik is on his feet reaching to steady the smaller man, hands settling on his shoulders. Metallic earth green eyes lock with sky blue.
They've found him. Schmidt. Finally they've found him.
"YES!" Alex shouts, and Darwin bangs the side of the pinball machine excitedly both oblivious to the sudden tension in the room.
Raven stiffens watching as her brother races to the door – only to suddenly stop as though he has hit an invisible wall. The look he casts back to Erik is startled, but then the metal manipulator is opening the door and in a seemingly gallant motion gestures Charles to go through in front of him.
The metal manipulator glances back, his green gaze sharp and urgent as it meets her own.
Raven it is almost time.
She freezes as the implications behind Erik's words sink in, and it takes a moment for her to regain her mask of indifference, luckily her companion doesn't appear to have noticed her gaze fixed on the colours of the drink in her glass as she slowly swirls it in her hand.
"So just what is the deal with those cats?" Angel asks contemplatively. "Cats?" Raven queries in surprise. The winged mutant grins, "Erik and your brother they seem…close." Raven assesses the other girl's seeming casual interest - Angel did not seem the judgemental or romantic type but maybe beneath her tough exterior she was just in need of someone.
Perhaps a friend.
Raven's brightest memory was when she had first revealed her true self to Charles. His delighted smile had made her realise that while she may not be a normal human being it did not necessarily mean she was a monster. A warm burst of hope had ignited for the first time in her heart at his giddy mental greeting.
I always knew I could not be the only one.
Angel had had no one to hold or comfort her over her differences, no one who could truly understand not like Raven had Charles, and Raven knew from her life before-Charles just how cruel humans could be. His abduction had taught Raven to never take his presence for granted and she was only just learning to share him with Erik. She was not certain she could yet stand to share Charles with anyone else and it was certainly none of Angel's business to scrutinise her brother for his chosen relationships. Yet Erik's parting warning echoes in her mind, and at least for now if she cannot see the other as a friend perhaps she can at least try for ally.
"They've known each other a while," Raven offers. Angel snorts, "Yeah they've got history, I can see that. I guess what I'm trying to say is I haven't seen two people just so...connected you know?" Raven takes a hasty sip of her soda. "Seeing those two I can almost believe there is someone out there just for me," Angel sighs, "Someone who maybe matches my soul."
Sean gives a sudden snort of laughter, causing Angel to glare at him. "What?" The winged mutant demands angrily. Raven sensing the sudden tension moves instinctively to divert its course shifting into the laughing boy's mirror image. He gives a yelp of surprise reeling back in shock but the only thing Raven registers is Angel's amused laughter, "Wow sister that is so cool..."
As she unfolds her glittering gossamer wings, Raven allows a slow smile to adorn her face as she meets Angel's playful gaze.
Distracted from the pinball machine Darwin gives an awed whistle, and when challenged in turn to display his ability sticks his head in the aquarium - his neck forming gills to enable him to breathe.
"Amazing…" Sean breathes.
Silence falls at the tentative knock on the door, and Raven jumps to her feet her face splitting into a true grin as she drags the newcomer forwards into the room. "Hank you came!" She beams, and proceeds to introduce him to the rest of the group. Alex looks up with a brief, "Hey Bozo," and that is that. "I just came to ask -" Hank begins but doesn't get to finish as Angel shoves a bottle into his hands, "Here sit down, even intellectuals need a break every now and then right?"
"You're a scientist here?" Darwin asks slouching on the opposite couch next to Alex, "I bet you get to work on some really interesting stuff." Alex however frowns a bitter expression in his eyes as he takes a gulp of his drink, "Yeah - like us. That's what you're here for right? You want to study us, find out how we tick? What makes us different?"
"I-" Hank stutters when Raven overides him, "Its not like that - Hank is different." Alex snorts, "Different? I'm here because my other choice is to be locked in a little white cell. They were talking about studying me there too."
"Of course I want to know more about you," Hank responds, "That is what I do its-" He breaks off to stare out the window from where a pair of suits wave at him. "Hey McCoy what are you doing with the freak show?" Absolute silence falls in the room as the jeers continue and Raven feels her heart plummet. "Jerks," Angel mutters sinking back into her chair, "These are supposed to be the good guys?"
Darwin gives a sarcastic wave back to the men, "Just ignore them," he advises softly, "they're just trying to provoke us." Sean grabs his hand however as he moves to slide the blinds shut, "Wait it's my turn!" He screeches – and the glass wall shatters.
The two agents hold a stunned expression before backing slowly away. Darwin shakes his head, "Sean that wasn't necessary." The younger boy shrugs, "They wanted a show." He looks at the scientist curiously, "So what can you do?" Hank closes his gaping mouth and flushes a bright red. Sean grins, "Oh come on - Raven said you were different. I'm presuming like us so what are you hiding?"
"Hey just quit it Sean," Alex growls softly, surprising them all. Hank gives a startled smile before he shakes his head, "Its not anything flashy like yours-" he hesitates before slowly removing his shoes to reveal his feet. Sean whistles in appreciation, "Awesome man I bet you can run really fast," he exclaims excitedly. "I haven't really tried," Hank answers shyly, catching Raven's warm grin. "Come on Alex your turn," Angel coaxes, and then as the blond youth refuses the others slowly build up into a chorus. "All right - all right!" he growls stepping out the shattered window, "But you have to stay back!"
That is when the statues get obliterated.
Raven has a feeling that perhaps they should have stopped with the shattered window but cannot help but feel awed by the dazzling display of Alex's power.
"JUST WHAT IS GOING ON?" A sharp angry voice demands from behind them. There is an unknown agent standing in the room, with five men, all wearing black and bearing firearms.
Raven does the only thing she can.
She screams.
The thing about Charles Xavier is he seems such a likeable harmless young professor.
It takes but a moment for Moira to realise that all her previous assumptions about him are false. In spite of knowing the power the man possesses she has fallen into his deceptive facade.
Erik is glaring at the Director demanding to know just how they have suddenly come up with a location on Schmidt suspicion in every line of the metal manipulator's body. The tension is rising between the two men, and Moira is surprised that Charles has not intervened. Ever since the beginning of the meeting he has been unusually quiet.
Then quite suddenly a sharp pain flickers in Moira's vision - she sees a room, a very familiar room with shattered glass, and statues - here on the base. The newly recruited young mutants facing an angry looking agent that looks like Stryker.
"Raven," Charles hisses softly in the sudden silence - and when did he get to his feet? Erik is staring after the smaller man, all traces of his anger and argument with the Director wiped from his face as the telepath sprints through the door.
The Director shakes his head, as she unsteadily gets to her feet, "What was that?" She wonders aloud, moving to follow in their wake. The Director exhales sharply, "If I'm not mistaken Stryker could be about to bring everything we've worked for to the ground. Moira you have to stop him. We can't have them leaving - not now. Not this close in the game."
CHARLES!
Raven screams hoping that her brother is not so caught up in whatever is going on that he still hears her. Alex has moved forwards along with Darwin in a strangely protective motion. Just what do they think they are doing? "I know your face," the blond youth murmurs to the agent in low accusation. Raven feels shivers run down her spine as the men lift their guns and slowly begin to aim.
Then they are slumping forwards eyes closing as though knocked out by an unseen gas.
"What?" Alex starts in surprise glancing round as though expecting to see some previously hidden foe. His gaze fixes on Charles as he races through the doors, "Professor was that you?" The youth's question goes unanswered as Charles glances round, his gaze resting on Raven before quickly glancing to them all. A look of intense relief flickers across his features, before he turns to regard the unknown agent.
Raven sees a look of strange recognition in her brother's eyes followed by a sharp sense of forboding. "Profess-" Alex and Darwin cry in tandum - but they are too close to prevent the startling attack. There is a loud sickening crack of gun fire, and Raven can only stare in mute shock as Charles crumples to the ground.
Red.
There is so much red…
Raven is distantly aware of someone catching her as her knees give way, of the agent being slammed into a near wall and held in a choking stranglehold by Alex and Darwin. Later she will realise that it is Hank who lifts her up, who lets her bury her face into his white lab coat to hide from tears that will not fall.
The unknown agent had been hastily arrested, after Erik had been prized off the man by Alex, Darwin, Hank, and three other men who had not fared well.
The rest is a hazy blur of motion, of figures and motion. Her actions a dim haze as she obeys the only voice that can get her to move.
Erik.
Somehow the metal manipulator has gotten them all out of the building and into a transport vehicle. Hank shocked at the violence of his superiors has chosen to accompany them, leaving the Director to deal with the ensuring chaos. The Director had looked torn a desperate look in his eyes as he tried to prevent them from leaving.
One look into the metal manipulator's eyes however had caused him to step aside, a low threat in his voice, "I am not leaving him here for you to conduct your experiments on. I suggest you do not attempt to locate us, if you wish to remain alive."
At Erik's parting threat none dared step in his path as he held Charles's body in his arms cradled close to his chest, his glittering green eyes shimmering with unshed murderous tears.
Time flows into a silent murmur. The vehicle they are in stops. Raven is dimly aware of darkness as she follows the voice once more, slipping out she sees that night has fallen, and they appear to be in a dark clearing off the highway they change into a new sleeker vehicle.
It is almost as though this was planned.
Raven it is almost time.
The metal manipulator's words tear through her frozen mind.
No…
Erik is moving to the back of the transit where he calmly hovers over her brother's body, a soft laugh escaping his lips.
"Man what are you doing?"
"Hey stop him!"
"Has his mind snapped?"
"I can't move!"
"Erik let us go!"
The metal manipulator is laughing. Has his mind snapped with her brother's death?
"Charles, how long do you intend on playing dead?" The metal manipulator grins leaning over her brother's body as though intending to kiss him. "Wake up sleeping beauty," Erik murmurs softly, his voice lowering to a sensual seductive pitch as he kisses her brother's cool lips.
Several moments pass by, and Raven feels a shiver of apprehension run down her spine. What are they going to do now? They can't go back, but Erik clearly needs help. She glances round at her companions – Hank, Alex, and Sean's hold expressions of what in other circumstances would be comical shock in their features, Darwin however holds a saddened expression, and Angel – the winged mutant holds an openly heartbroken expression in her eyes.
It is breaking Raven's heart. Why is Erik doing this? Isn't it enough that she has lost her brother?
"Liebling, come now it is time," the metal manipulator continues softly, and Raven can no longer stand it she opens her mouth to scream at him to -
Slap.
Raven stills. Corpses do not possess the ability to move. They also do not possess the ability to strike arrogant insufferably handsome metal manipulator's across the face.
Charles groans, blue eyes shattering open as he regards the taller man crouched over him. "You're awful, you know that right?" He hisses, a wince of pain filling his features as he is helped to his feet. "Well you will insist on ignoring the man with a gun," Erik responds unrepentantly his smirk widening as Raven charges forwards fiercely enveloping her brother.
Charles, Charles, Charles, her mind sings in fearful joy. She was so sure she had lost him.
"What happened? How did…?" Hank asks slowly, his mind whirling at the implications. He had seen Charles shot – and there had been so much blood.
The telepath sighs, shoving the metal manipulator off him, "Prince Charming here saved the day," he mutters, "Yes I was shot, but Erik caught the bullet."
"But the blood…you weren't breathing…you…" Sean mumbles dazedly, looking as though he is about to faint. Darwin steadies the teen. "A mix of illusion and reality," Charles explains, "though Erik's timing could have been better."
"You are lucky it was just a graze," the metal manipulator responds in a suddenly serious tone, a scolding look in his eyes. "Charles is right – you're awful!" Raven hisses slapping the taller man across the cheek. "You could have told me – us!" Erik blinks as Raven's gesture is followed by a harsher slap from Angel, "Don't do that again!"
"Why all the subterfuge?" Alex asks in the sharp silence. "It came to our attention that whilst the Director may be innocent, there are other divisions of the CIA who have known about our kind for some time," Charles explains in a calm voice, "and have even gone so far as to capture and conduct experiments on certain individuals." The blond youth pales and his fists clench, "I knew it! I knew those guys weren't joking!" He swallows looking back into sympathetic blue eyes, "If you hadn't found me…" he trails off, blinking when Charles's hand settles on his shoulder. "You're amongst friends now Alex, you're no longer alone. We all have our fears, we have all been isolated from society – and we will face the future together – if you wish to stay. Though I am very sorry for placing the rest of you in danger."
"What do you mean?" Angel asks softly. Charles runs a hand through his hair, "You've got a choice as of now – you can go back to your lives, form new ones on your own, or chose to accompany Raven to a place I hope you will come to call home." Sean snorts, "I hope you've got a big place Professor – Alex snores like a bear." Soft laughter follows the young teen's statement, and the tension dissipates slightly.
"Where are you going?" Darwin interrupts, "Why did you fake your death Professor?" This time Erik clears his throat, "Shaw will be in Russia meeting an associate within the next 48 hours. Though this information came through to the CIA at a rather convenient time," he reveals. "It is a trap then?" Alex wonders, "You can't be seriously going-" Erik's grin deepens, "There is little else but to spring it – we have no other leads. However Charles will not be expected, and that gives us a slight advantage."
"You're saying…someone from the agency has been feeding Shaw information all along?" Hank asks in surprise. The metal manipulator nods, "Yes, though of late he has not had much success – his telepath was being blocked." Erik smirks looking down at Charles who sighs as Raven pinches his arm, "Why didn't you tell me? How long have you been blocking the bitch out?"
"Since the Caspartina…" Charles answers sheepishly before a slow realisation comes upon him, he looks round at them all curiosity shining in his eyes as he asks, "Why do you keep calling me Professor?"
Now its Raven's turn to blush and she pulls slightly away hoping to evade her brother's sudden sharp scrutiny, "Raven?"
We came up with some really good names for everyone, I'm Mystique, Erik is Magneto… and you're Professor X.
Charles shakes his head, rubbing his aching temples fighting off the anxious memory as he watched the black van bearing the younger mutants peel away back onto the highway. He had mentally followed them all the way to the state border, before Raven had given him the equivalent of a mental hug, and ordered him to stop spying on them.
Erik had insisted on continuing to drive, until they reached a small town hotel which seemed to appeal to the metal manipulator's tastes.
Charles exhales in sinking dismay, it seems Erik was right for all his precautions.
Of course, I knew you would see it my way - eventually.
Charles opens his eyes, and frowns at the taller man leaning over him. "Erik," he huffs but falls quiet as the metal manipulator's fingers rest on his temples - emitting a soothing coolness despite Erik's normally warm skin. What are you doing? Charles demands but makes no attempt to pull away, the quiet in his mind is peaceful. Let me do this for you Charles, relax. I know you're in pain - let me ease it.
The younger man opens his eyes, "We need to sort-"
"I've done it. We're flying out in the morning," Erik answers firmly.
"Moira?" Charles cannot help asking, and Erik grins, "She is coming to Russia. I can't wait to see her face when she sees you." The younger man flushes, "You always were a sadist."
Charles misses Erik's savage smirk as he looks away. "Stop worrying over the children," they are quite capable of finding their way to Westchester, Erik commands sternly. He will not admit that it is as much a distraction for himself as unlike Charles he does not form easy attachments, and he certainly would not go so far as to say he cared for the younger mutants, though perhaps he may feel some slight responsibility for drawing them into such a dangerous situation.
The younger man frowns, "Did you come here just to tell me this? Do you know how difficult it is not to think of something once-" he breaks off with a startled yelp as he is lifted from his feet, and in a dizzying rush of motion is sprawled on soft covers, hands pinned above his head, and a warm possessive body pressed against him.
"I really came to put you to bed," Erik purrs in his ear. Charles's beautiful blue eyes widen at the taller man's possessive motions, and the surge of fierce protectiveness that emanates from the metal manipulator's mind, and swallows uncertain at what has sparked such a surge of emotion in him.
"Do you really have to ask Charles?" Erik rumbles softly, whilst he works to efficiently slide the cotton shirt from the younger man's shoulders, revealing the perfect pale skin beneath, just begging to be touched. He gasps at the soft cackle of electricity that sparks from the metal manipulator's fingers, igniting a fire in his heart.
Warm possessive humour sparkles in Erik's green eyes, that are shining with unshed tears as he brushes the still fading graze on the younger man's brow. Yes, he had caught the bullet…but it had been so close – and Charles had been hurt. "Don't make me do that again," Erik exhales, "I don't care if it was an act, it was too real – I held your body to me and you weren't breathing and I-"
In realisation Charles slowly sits up, reversing their positions as he carefully pushes the taller man down, straddling his hips. He gently caresses the taller man's chiselled jawline and cheek. "Erik love, shh – I'm here, I'm not going anywhere. Do you think I'm letting you out of my sight this time hmm?" You're never going to escape me, not again.
"Is that a challenge?" Erik smirks, before arching into surprised gasp. "No it is a fact," Charles replies too innocently. "Hngh," the taller man shudders as Charles's manipulative fingers sneak below his waist, and teasing tendrils light an aching fire in his mind. His body is beginning to burn, and no one with such angelic features should be able to – "Hngh," Erik groans arching up into the smaller man's touch but Charles is still mostly clothed and that just won't do.
With fracturing control Erik twists, feeling a smirk of victory at the smaller man's startled cry, as he is pinned beneath him once more. A deft flick of his fingers has the telepath bound, wrists locked in smooth metal cuffs that leave the taller man to freely work on removing the pesky barriers remaining between them.
Charles hisses softly, struggling weakly against the tightening restraints, but his captor knows him too well, and it is not long before he is shuddering in the metal manipulator's grasp, arching and twisting against him. "Erik," he moans and the metallic green eyes regard him in tender possession as he falls apart.
Strong possessive arms draw him close holding him tightly in the aftermath as warm fingers stroke tenderly through his sweat soaked hair. "Sleep Liebling," Erik murmurs softly revelling in the younger man's slow relaxation. Still it is some time before he can coax his own mind to rest, the terrible fear rising once more at the younger man's frightening stillness. That soft breath tickles his throat, but Erik does not move relaxing at the sensation – the reminder that Charles is breathing. He is alive, and not some motionless corpse in his arms.
He knew that the younger man had the ability to control other people, but Erik had never truly witnessed the lengths of control Charles held over his own body. Illusion or not it had been enough for Erik to truly believe for just a few moments that the younger man was dead – and he had never been so terrified in his life.
This room is not helping either. It reminds him of one he was in when he had just returned from successfully interrogating the banker. Calmly he lifts the coin out of his pocket, examining the engraved details he knows by heart. He will return this coin to Schmidt.
Quietly he slips out of bed, tucking the blankets carefully around the sleeping figure. Charles appears younger when he rests, his features relaxed into a rare innocence that holds Erik spellbound as he toys with the coin, letting it slide through his fingers. The banker had been less than amusing, most of Erik's targets were, once the realisation of just how powerless they truly were sank into their minds - their possessions and station meant little to the one holding the ability to end their lives.
Still the banker had been different. For the first time Erik had let a target live. Whilst the banker had not had any direct involvement with the Nazi's or Schmidt's schemes, the man had known, and willingly chosen to protect these criminals. So why had Erik let the banker live? He had later reasoned it was because he may need further information if the lead did not work out. It certainly had nothing at all to do with the picture of the family on the banker's desk. Nothing at all.
The metal manipulator looks back to the younger man, and runs an exasperated hand through his hair. Today he had watched Charles die. True it had been an act, but it only heightened the realisation that tomorrow...tomorrow was the confrontation with a man who had tormented both their lives. A man Erik had no intention of allowing near Charles again.
Not if he could help it.
AN: Reviews always gratefully received.