Goodness, when did chapter eleven happen?
Thank you, Hoodoo.
I own nothing.
The first part is in Erik's point of view in the "present time." The second part is in Charles' point of view around six months prior to the "present time."
And yes, it will be an eventual Cherik. And *ahem* this features Charles and Moira...getting acquainted.
You have been warned.
Erik was lost.
He had thought his mission was to kill MacTaggert. But instead, he ended up fucking her brains out and then leaving her in the morning. He squeezed his eyes shut at the memory of finding himself wrapped around Moira's lithe naked body. Staring at her dark head pillowed on his chest, a growing unease bloomed in his head. (Oh, my friend….what have you done?) Erik carefully eased himself out from under Moira and started to quietly panic. Thinking better of just leaving her on the floor of her living room, he picked her up gently and carried her to her bedroom, tucking her in under the covers.
Erik sat by her side, careful not to disturb her. He pushed a lock of her straight brown hair out of her sleeping eyes and tucked it behind her ear. Moira whimpered softly leaning into Erik's absentminded caress. What the hell was he doing here? (What the hell indeed?) He should have killed her when he had the chance, but something stayed his hand when she looked at him with those large dark eyes. Erik quietly got up, pulled on the rest of his clothes and left Moira MacTaggert in her bedroom.
There was no one else that he could find comfort in. There was a reckoning to be had and he didn't want to face it alone. But he couldn't face Charles yet. He didn't know if he could ever face Charles again.
Hank found them in the morning. Alex sprawled ungracefully on the leather couch (Are those scorch marks?) while Charles looked decidedly uncomfortable in his wheelchair. Hank scratched his head contemplating which man to wake first when Charles stirred. He cracked a bleary eye open and noticed the scientist standing there. Charles merely shrugged and stretched his upper body wincing at every crack, pop and knot he felt.
"Rough night," Hank stated, his eyes flicking over to Alex. He had not stirred.
"Rough night, indeed," Charles said.
"Cerebro is ready," Hank said without preamble.
"Truly?"
"Yes, truly," Moira said stepping into the room. Her face showed nothing but Charles could tell that she was still angry with him. One didn't need to be a telepath to figure that one out. Charles nodded and looked everywhere but Moira's face.
Moira stepped around Hank and Charles and placed a gentle hand on Alex's shoulder. "Hey, wake up," she said softly.
Alex mumbled something incoherent.
"Alex, it's time to get up. At least go to sleep in your own bed," she murmured gently sweeping his hair out of his eyes.
"What time is it?" he finally asked opening his eyes. "Oh," he said, the memories from last night coming back to him. "I…uh…"
"It's fine Alex," Charles finally said. "I'll find him for you." He paused here taking in Alex. "If you want to talk later, you know where to find me," he finally said gently.
Alex looked up sharply at the Professor. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Charles said. Moira stood up and made a move towards the door. "Ah, a moment please, Love," Charles said, clearly dismissing the other two from his study. The others took their leave and shut the door behind them trying not to look too curious about what was happening between the adults.
Moira crossed her arms and looked Charles Xavier in the eye. She wore a look that Charles knew so well. Moira still did not say anything as Charles cleared his throat trying to find the words. (Raven would be so shocked.) "I fear that I haven't been completely honest with you," Charles began. Moira still said nothing, only cocking an eyebrow in derision. Charles fumbled on trying to pick the best words he could possibly say but finding nothing. "I'm so sorry Moira."
"Are you still in love with him?"
There it was. The brutal question. One Moira had been trying to ask for the longest time. And now, now Moira could not bring herself to look at Charles anymore. Instead, Moira turned on her heel and walked out of the study leaving a speechless and confused Charles Xavier.
Charles wheeled himself onto the long platform of Cerebro. He took a deep breath fighting the urge to remember the first time he used Cerebro back at the CIA facility.
"What an adorable lab rat you make, Charles," Erik said smiling ever so slightly.
"Don't spoil this for me, Erik," Charles swiftly responded.
"I've been a lab rat. I know when I see one," came Erik's retort. He walked around to the front and caught Charles giving him a wink. Erik blinked in confusion but said nothing.
After what seemed to be a few short minutes, Charles finally took Cerebro's helmet off. His eyes were glazed over and his knees were weak. A fine sheen of sweat covered his face and body and no words could come to mind.
"Charles? Are you okay?" Raven said horrified. Her hands were over her mouth and a look of pure fear covered her face.
Charles tried to take a step off the platform, but managed to fall into the surprised arms of Erik Lehnsherr.
"Take him back to his room," Raven ordered Erik before turning her fury onto the young scientist who was currently wringing his hands. Erik did not need to be told twice, carrying the passed out Charles Xavier as Raven ripped into Hank. (When was the fool boy going to tell Raven that he liked her?)
Erik almost made it back to Charles' room before the professor began stirring. "Hold still," Erik said softly, his words laced with steel. "I don't want your sister yelling at me the same way she was yelling at Hank."
Charles managed a weak chuckle. "What happened?"
"What happened was you overloaded yourself in your search for other mutants," Erik said biting his words. He could feel his face coloring ever so slightly. Now, that the immediate danger of Charles falling seriously ill had passed, Erik was now faced with the reality of his close proximity to the other mutant…to another man that he was very much attracted to. He swallowed thickly and unlocked Charles' room.
"Put me down, I can walk," Charles said sounding very much drunk.
"No," Erik replied back. "You're in no shape to do much of anything."
"Fuck you," Charles replied good-naturedly, eyes still unfocused.
Erik merely tsked at him but did not set him on his feet. Erik closed the door behind them with a flick of the wrist and set Charles down gently on his bed. Charles shifted ever so slightly on the bed as his eyes fluttered closed again.
"What did you see?" Erik asked him softly.
"I saw so many, Erik! So many and so like us…alone, unsure, scared of what they could do…we have to help them, Erik. Make them see that they aren't alone and can be taught how to use their gifts without hurting themselves or others," Charles said. His voice dropping to a whisper, forcing Erik to lean down to hear what his friend was saying. "It was all so beautiful," Charles said after a few moments. Then he suddenly turned his head and opened his eyes to find Erik so close to his face. His eyes briefly widened before Erik pulled back, his heart racing.
"Get some sleep, Charles," Erik said quietly and left the room.
Hank noticed Charles' hesitation. "It won't be like the first time," he said nervously.
"No, it won't be," Charles said and placed the helmet on his head. Again, Charles was assaulted by the sheer number of minds he could see and touch (except for the one he truly wanted to reach out to). Curiously, his mind led him to Moira's mind…someone for all intents and purposes was just two stories above him. He could see her reflection in the mirror and Charles saw how red her eyes were and her general sad disposition. Charles shook his head and refocused his energy. (There would be time enough for that discussion.)
Charles decided to start looking for Scott Summers in the vicinity where he and Erik had found Alex and then if failing that widening his search to as far as Anchorage, Alaska – where Alex said they were flying back home to when the accident occurred.
Charles Xavier was naturally a very curious person – always wanting to know everything and everyone whether it was through his telepathic gift or using his sheer charm – Charles wanted to know everything. So, when he accidentally found a telepathic black hole somewhere outside of Atlanta, Georgia, it nearly drove him to distraction (Atlanta, Georgia? What the hell is going on down there?). However, this first time out with the new Cerebro was not about exploring the mental black hole (though he sorely wanted to) but as a promise to a young man that he had all but legally adopted.
Charles made a mental note of it, however, and went back to searching for Scott Summers.
"What's it like using your telepathy?" Moira asked him one evening. She was sitting on the loveseat reading reports she had brought from the CIA while Charles read through several genetics journals.
"Hmmm?" Charles responded still in the thick of dense scientific writing.
"What's it like using your telepathy?" Moira asked again, she had set aside her reading and was looking intently at Charles. Charles finally looked up at Moira and barely suppressed a wave of lust looking at her. While she was wearing an old t-shirt and a pair of shorts, Moira still managed to look incredibly sexy, together, and in her element – no matter what the element may have been. Moira shot him a mischievous grin, clearly catching what Charles had been thinking, and repeated one more time, "what is it like using your telepathy?"
Charles was now clearly flummoxed. He started several times trying to describe it to her, opening and closing his mouth several times before Moira started giggling. It was clear to her that Charles was catching the thoughts she was throwing at him. Moira only giggled more.
"What?" Charles finally said gaining control of his thoughts, it not necessarily her's. He was blushing. He tried to put on a stern face, but found that he could not with Moira leaning towards him ever so slightly with the neck of her t-shirt falling over on a very pale and creamy shoulder.
"Nothing," Moira said all smiles and giggles thinking about how incredibly handsome Charles looked, his dark brown hair flopping into his too blue eyes. She knew that Charles preferred to look as professional – even in this late hour, he still insisted on wearing a tie, white button down shirt and blue cardigan - as possible but underneath this calmness was the heart of a man with well-defined kinks. Naturally, this was not something everyone knew about. And naturally, this was something she was privy to.
The first night they had spent together was a bit of an eye-opener for Moira. She had never known Charles Xavier to be so…demanding, insistent and dominant but yet, he was. And it thrilled her to see him so commanding. Moira blushed thinking about these thoughts. She smiled at Charles and watched him try to compose himself.
Charles made several professorial noises before finally giving up and answering her question by showing her. "May I?" Charles asked, still every so politely, the picture of propriety. He wiggled his fingers tentatively towards Moira's head. Still laughing, Moira managed to shake her head yes, she sat up on her knees and looked at Charles waiting. She gasped as Charles easily slipped into her mind and showed her what it was like for him.
You should make yourself comfortable, he said. Moira nodded mutely. She saw herself through Charles' eyes and blushed a bright beet red. His lust was, naturally, louder in his own mind and any outward sign of his lust was only a fraction of what really went on in his head. Charles smiled at her, winking and making Moira's stomach dip in anticipation. There'll be time enough for that a little later on, he said thickly desperately trying to reign in his desire.
There better be, Moira replied, her voice dripping with anticipation.
Oh, my, such thoughts in your head, Moira, my dear! Charles said grinning fully, enjoying the thoughts that sprung up in Moira's mind.
Is this how your telepathy works? Moira said still blushing and trying to remain calm.
Not exactly. Here, let me show you. And just like that Charles took Moira on a telepathic tour of Westchester. Moira gasped at the relative ease of what Charles was doing. They skimmed into the minds of their nearest neighbors – ten miles away (Hold the toast, dear. No, you hold the toast.) -
before exploring the minds of the townspeople. It was all surface thoughts that Charles read - (I've got to get ready for the big test tomorrow! I wonder if he's having an affair. How am I going to pay the bills? What did she think wearing that dress outside the house? It sure is chilly tonight.) - but it was enough for Moira. She felt like she was on photographic journey – each frame held still for a fraction of a second before jumping to the next frame. Only it was not only the pictures Moira saw, but the sensations, the scents, the feelings of those people whose minds they were jumping into. It took her breath away. No, it certainly wasn't smooth, it was actually quite jarring, but she supposed this was how Charles felt whenever he employed his gift.
How do you not interfere? Moira asked breathlessly. How do you not stop yourself from going deeper? Or from trying to change their minds? How do you do it?
I could, Charles said slowly, I could subtly change their minds, make people *do* the right things…but then where would the free will be then? I can't make their choices for them. I have no right to call myself a god, Moira. I'm only a man who was gifted with something extraordinary. I can only do what I can…and I feel is *ethical* to do. I just don't have that right.
But if you wanted to, you could change people's minds…about anything? Moira's understanding of Charles' telepathy had suddenly expanded and she trembled from the sheer possibilities of what his gift could do.
Charles did not answer Moira for a while. He let the question settle in his mind as he worked out his answer.
Yes, but only if I wanted to, he finally said. But I suppose my telepathy would have to be amplified for me to do so.
Moira shivered. What else can you do?
Here Charles was at a loss. He had not yet revealed that his powers were growing and changing slightly. His telepathy was a given as was his under-utilized perception alternation. He had recently discovered that he could project his thoughts within a 250 mile radius. He wondered how much effort it would take to extend it or how far it would go once he reconnected with the yet-unfinished Cerebro. Charles had a sneaking suspicion that he could cause amnesia, and perhaps link up his mind with another's. Naturally, this was above and beyond the illusion and camouflage that he displayed in Russia. Charles swallowed visibly but didn't say anything, not wanting to tip his hat.
I haven't tried anything out yet.
Moira merely nodded. Do you do this every night?
What? Go scan people's minds?
Yes. Moira was on dangerous grounds here and she knew it.
Charles wanted to shut down this line of questioning. But there were not many people that he felt comfortable confiding in that he couldn't stop himself from answering. Sometimes, when I can't sleep.
What changed? Moira asked trying to skirt the issue of Cuba. Those scars were still too visible, still too raw.
Everything. Nothing good would come out of thinking about Cuba, Shaw and Erik. Instead, Charles focused on taking their consciousnesses out further beyond the little town they lived in. They dropped in on random people quietly witnessing their hopes, dreams and fears; Moira commented on things she saw that made her laugh. She pointed them out to Charles, even though she knew he probably picked up on them.
Charles smiled as he watched Moira taking in everything around her. He loved how the light in her eyes showed so true and clearly in her face. Her smile was wider and brighter than almost anything he had ever seen. Charles felt a familiar spiked and heated sensation and was taken aback at it. He had not felt this stirring since Erik had left. Charles swallowed the thought and continued to watch Moira. She was saying something to him and he had to refocus his attention back to her.
Charles? Are you alright? Perhaps we should head back home?
Charles snapped to attention. He did not realize that he was taking them towards New York City. Too many thoughts, too many minds, too much temptation. His eyes focused on the glistening lights of the big city and realized that nothing here was as sharp or in focus as they were back in Westchester.
Yes, I believe you are correct, Love. Look, Charles pointed towards the city, I believe I have finally figured the circumference of my telepathy.
This is, what, 250 miles away from Westchester?
About that.
Charles, this is amazing.
Thank you, Moira, my Dear. Charles felt himself blush a bit and begin to feel flustered.
Moira was now staring at him.
What?
You're very handsome when you're flustered. Well, you're very handsome in general.
Charles smiled. Before Moira knew it, they were settled back in Westchester. Charles was sitting in his wheelchair close to wear Moira sat. While Moira was still in her same position, sitting on her knees on the leather loveseat, slightly tilted forward. Her eyes were wide from the experience and her mouth hung slightly open from awe.
Moira bit her lip as she realized that she was staring at Charles. Charles' eyes were that same too-blue-to-be-true but this time the color seemed to be deeper, as if colored by something else. On his red, red lips was a hint of smile that also held that same secretive knowledge. Charles had long since put his hands down and away from his temple – they sat not-quite-still on his lap as if waiting for something. Moira blinked and Charles remained as maddening and as sexy as ever.
Charles, for his part, was also staring at Moira; taking in her glazed look. He kept his lustful thoughts in check, wanting Moira to make the first move. Her dark hair was pulled into a low ponytail but a few wisps of hair framed her delicate face. Her eyes were wider than usual as she stared at Charles. She bit her lip again and Charles nearly choked trying to keep the sound of want from escaping his lips.
Suddenly, Moira knew what was coloring Charles' expression. She knelt forward, leaning on the side of Charles' chair. She was a hair's breath away from Charles' lips and as she finally leaned in to kiss him, Charles' arms went around Moira's waist and pulled her body closer to his. She groaned as Charles' hands made short work of her pajamas, leaving her naked on Charles' lap. Charles pulled back and grinned at her. Moira, frustrated, began to tug, unbutton and practically rip the clothing off from Charles' body. Charles laughed a low throaty laugh, which only caused Moira to growl in impatience. He pulled her mouth against his and as his hands slowly caressed her body, Moira moaned. Charles shoved his tongue into her mouth and tasted her, falling deeper and deeper into desire.
Moira moaned wantonly again as Charles' hands began massaging her breasts. She fought for control over herself but could not help as she began to rut against Charles' hardening cock. Charles moaned as she did, wanting nothing more than to feel him inside her. Moira finally unzipped Charles' pants and slipped his cock outside. Charles hissed as he dimly felt Moira slide herself onto him. He moaned and nearly spilled himself into her once she began moving.
Moira, open your eyes. I want to see your eyes. His breath caught in his throat. Moira's head was thrown back in ecstasy, her hands were resting on Charles' shoulders. Moira, with difficultly, opened her eyes. She found herself staring into unending depths of blue, feeling her heart shatter and reform itself several times over.
I love you, Moira.
I love you too, Charles.
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