AN: Just a reminder - parts 8 and 9 have been amended over the last couple of days, and part 10 added, so if you haven't re-read I recommend doing so to avoid confusion...
for those who read the previous version - you'll recognise parts of this...
CHAPTER 11 - DECISIONS
"I understand there were some complications to the mission," Therian (a water manipulator) announces softly, and in the sudden silence you could hear a pin drop. Magneto seated at the head of the table gives a dangerous smile, "Complications?" He queries softly. Jara rises to his feet, "Yes, there were witnesses! Haven't you seen the news reports?" Magneto hasn't but his smile deepens, and Emma feels a shiver run through her, even through the helmet she can feel the metal manipulator's restrained anger. How can even someone as dense as the earth mover not pick up on that?
"Good they'll know now just who they are playing with," Lehnsherr responds. "Good?" Jara snarls, "Are you out of your mind?" He is yanked back down in his seat, and Emma would swear that Erik's fingers didn't even twitch. "Are you challenging me?" He asks planting his hands down on the table. Jara is unable to hold his gaze and looks away, jaw working in humiliated anger. "Are you?" Magneto demands once more, and she has to admit the display is impressive. Vines of glistening silver metal twist in the air – snaking over the long table, and winding round chairs and there are several frightened gasps.
"No Magneto," Jara responds shakily. "Good, I'm glad we understand one another," Erik responds darkly, and with a wave of his hand the tide of metal retreats.
Concealing her amused smirk Emma steps forwards, "Now that's settled, there was some interesting information we managed to pick up." Devron an energy wielder, and healer frowns as he reads the top of the paper, "Genosha that name keeps cropping up." She glances at Erik for approval before continuing, "Yes, we have reason to believe that it's a facility located on an island, but exactly where remains unclear."
Nersia a fire wielder shakes her head in obvious frustration, "We need someone on the inside Stryker is alert to us now. Is there no one we can use?" Emma shakes her head, but her eyes widen slightly. "Well, treat that as a priority, we need to utilise the information we have on this." Magneto concludes, "If that is all?"
As the meeting closes Emma remains behind, "You know we do have someone on the inside." Erik stiffens, his voice soft and dangerous when he replies, "and who would that be?"
"The agent – MacTaggart."
She leans back against the table considering her nails, as he turns to regard her with an incredulous look and she sighs, "There's also the shapeshifter..." Azazel turns and gives her a pointed look. "What?" Emma frowns sullenly, "If she is good enough to take you out, I'm sure she can handle a few humans."
"No," Erik refuses sharply, and Emma frowns straightening up with a disappointed look in her eyes, "As you say, but we're running out of options. Who knows how many more Genoshas are out there already?"
It had taken some shifty planning, but finally she had managed it. Its not like she had many options she thinks with only a slight wince of guilt as she regards her brother seeming as ever ridiculously small in that giant bed. Charles was never going to change his mind, so she was going to have to prove to him that she was capable. She was no longer the frightened blue girl she had been when they met, on the run, and forced to steal to survive. She can do this.
Come on girl, you're halfway there already, Raven encourages herself, quietly closing the door.
She stops at the entrance to the hanger deck, clutching the pile of papers in her hands - Hank, and Alex bar her path. "Where are we going?" The blond youth asks, and she blinks, "We?" A grin breaks out on Alex's face, "You think we are going to let you have all the fun?" Hank sighs, "I'm still not certain this is a good idea, I'm not certain the professor-"
"Charles isn't stopping us is he?" Raven asks, and Hank frowns at her suspiciously, "Raven…what have you done?" She frowns placing her hands on her hips, "Look – we need to prove to Charles that we can do this," she implores, and Alex backs her up, "Come on Hank the more of us there are the better prepared we'll be against Magneto."
After a moment the blue mutant sighs looking back to Raven, "So where are we going?" She hands him the pile of papers, "I was thinking Los Angeles – there is a cluster of dots to get us going, so we can stake out several candidates." She slips passed him and takes the pilot seat, grinning at Hank's surprised expression, "Do you think my mutation is just a pretty effect? I memorise and copy people - including behaviours." Alex laughs, "I want your power. You would make a terrifyingly brilliant spy."
"I'm glad someone thinks so," she mutters softly.
Erik starts at the joyful laugh close enough that he turns his head before realising there is no one there. He looks up from the pile of papers, his gaze falling on his talisman, and another laugh ghosts by his ear.
Charles? He thinks cautiously, and feels a strange tickling response. You're asleep aren't you? Erik smiles in amusement, and closes his eyes to concentrate on the faint whisper in his mind, Let me in Liebling.
It normally takes much longer than this before the natural barriers of Charles's mind relent but now…well Charles has initiated this contact so perhaps Erik shouldn't be too surprised by the swiftness with which he's drawn into the mental landscape. He emerges in a strange floating world that looks a little like a distorted chessboard, with the squares all wavy, everything just slightly out of place as though the mind creating them can't quite place how things should be.
Charles? He asks gently and turns round at the familiar laughter. Seeing the younger man teetering on his feet, instinctively reaching to steady him. Are you drunk? He wonders, and blue eyes snap up to meet his own with a familiar laugh, and Erik's left clutching air, he stumbles looking round in surprise.
Charles is flying, somewhere high…somewhere far away…too far? If he goes any further he's not certain he will find his way back home - wherever that is when something strong catches him, bringing him to a jerking halt. He's on a bridge? A steel suspension bridge, below which there's a great roar of water. In the far distance are small lights, and outlines of a city sky line. He gasps as the world spins with a terrible wrenching force, and the bridge collapses amidst a torrent of screams, and he's falling again. Iron cables splay apart, and snake down to catch him with gentle strength, before transforming into flesh – and he's held in warm arms.
Deep concern radiates in the man's eyes, Charles? Erik asks, reaching out to brush his cheek, and he feels so real in this dream canvas, a new world of black on white squares. A checkerboard, Charles realises in giddy amusement even here must they be at odds?
Why does the world keep shifting?
Erik narrows his eyes, and the landscape shifts again. Now they are outside amidst a grove of trees the sun is shining and red apples are glistening, ripe for the picking. The metal manipulator holds out his hand, and Charles regards him in confusion, though this seems somewhat familiar.
What? Erik asks with a familiar teasing grin before reaching up behind him to pluck one of the fruits. Charles leans back to give him room, and he gets a close up view of that lean muscled chest. He can't look away and starts at the soft brush of air against his ear. I need you Charles, Erik whispers softly, and those powerful hands are framing his face, and he can't breathe. Shh, its alright, Erik assures leaning closer, and the kiss is electric, dizzying, and he's dreaming. This isn't real. It's as real as you want it to be, Erik answers pressing him back against a solid oak tree, and Charles closes his eyes melting beneath the taller man's possessive kiss.
There's a powerful wrench, and Charles has a moment's alarm catching himself on the taller man's shoulders as the orchard vanishes, and the world fades out to grey. Not again! The metal manipulator frowns clasping his wrists. This isn't me – Charles – this isn't me!
In alarm Erik snaps his eyes open, reality returning in a vivid too bright rush of light. He swallows, aware only of the rapid pounding of his heart in his ears. Charles. Something had torn the younger man away from him - almost ripped right through their link. Charles. The telepath was in trouble, Erik knew it instinctively. Something - someone was there in the mansion, attempting to harm his guide Charles.
Gathering his breath, he ignores the melted mass of metal in the room, calling out instantly for Azazel. Though his eyes reflected only cool calmness, inside Erik was screaming, hurry don't be too late - Charles hold on...I'm coming.
The blackbird's engines hiss falling silent with one last rumble of sound as the landing is completed. As she emerges down the ramp with the others behind her, it is Tibson who is waiting to greet them on their return home.
"Miss Raven-" The butler begins falling silent on catching sight of their companion, and her mind flashes back to the dreadful moment of realisation.
"What can I do?" Geran grins and it's a smile that sets Raven instantly on edge. Her awareness comes too late as she feels a powerful compulsion hit her, and she gasps slipping to her knees. "My gift is not nearly so pretty as yours darling," he murmurs in her ear slipping an arm round her waist, "I just tell people what to do, and they do it."
Now the puppet master laughs as he slinks forwards. "Hello again old friend," he grins disarmingly. What? Just how did the puppet master know their butler? Raven blinks in confusion.
"Geran let them go," Tibson entreats, as Raven is silently screaming at him to run away to get Charles and run. Geran smiles slyly at her, "Where would be the fun in that?" She can't scream – he's got control of her vocal cords, and Tibson crumples to the ground at her feet. "Unfortunately my darlings dear Tibs has some immunity to my power, and we can't let him go round upsetting the surprise can we?" A sly smile crinkles his face as he reaches out to Raven taking her hand in his own, "My dear its time you introduced me to your brother."
She mechanically guides him up the stairs as Geran's gaze greedily takes in the elaborate surroundings, and pushes open the bedroom door. Charles is right where she left him, almost childlike as he stirs restlessly entangled in the covers. A soft sound escapes his lips, sounding much like a certain metal manipulator's name.
WAKE UP CHARLES!
She's screaming in her mind but can't penetrate the veil of calm that Geran has placed around her mind. He glances at her in amusement, You can't fight me dear. Every effort you put against me strengthens my hold over you. She feels sick unable to move as Geran slinks forwards, and examines her brother in delight, "Just what I've been looking for, hello darling," he whispers sweetly brushing his fingers over the telepath's temples.
Xavier bolts upright the cover slipping down to pool at his waist as his eyes snap open and fix on the figure leaning over him. Geran purrs in delight, "Lovely - blue is my favourite colour." His thick fingers clasp Charles's chin, "We are going to have such fun."
Don't fight him Charles – just don't fight him! Raven tries to warn unable to look away as her brother tries to pull away, and Geran leans slowly closer. No! Leave him alone! She growls fighting his hold with everything she possesses. "My you are quite powerful aren't you?" Geran smiles proudly, "I bet if you had a second's warning I would never have managed to take you off guard." Such a rarity, you and I we will conquer the world.
Charles shudders as Geran's lips close on his own and the puppet master draws back, "None of that dear I want you to look at me, open your eyes." Xavier shivers anger curling in him fierce and deep as he fights the unnatural hold keeping him paralysed. He recoils from the fingers that brush against his cheek. Geran laughs, "Such a challenge - I've not been so entertained in so long."
She's going to murder him for this. If it's the last thing she does Geran will die with her hands round his throat…that's if someone doesn't do it first. The knife blade is inches from the puppet master's throat when Tibson freezes. Geran turns and takes the weapon from the butler's hand. "That was unnecessary old friend," he warns, "Unfortunately for you while I can't compel you, I control one who can."
Sean staggers to his feet from his hidden position by the door, mouth frozen open in the midst of drawing in air. "Oh this is delightful, so much easier," Geran enthuses and turns back to Charles, whose eyes are closed in seeming submission. "Wonderful, but still you fight me," Geran caresses Charles's cheek, "Perhaps a lesson to you all in what comes of defiance."
He turns, in a swift motion catching Tibson in the chest with the blade. They all watch in paralysed agony as he crumples silently to the ground. Charles makes a choked sound, and Geran yanks his head up, resting the blade smeared with Tibson's blood against his throat, "I am sorry dear," he sympathises maniacally.
There's a sharp snap of energy, and Geran goes flying – thrown across the room.
Xavier's eyes snap open in murderous fury and Raven collapses as the weight restraining her limbs vanishes, Alex falls to his knees beside her with a muffled curse. There's a pained cry from Sean as his broken ankle gives way – and he's caught by Hank.
Dazed Raven can only stare at the floor for several long moments fighting dizziness and when she finally does manage to look up Geran is held pinned against the wall - his manic laugh cut off as Charles's hands wrap round his throat. She struggles to get to her feet – stumbling – and is steadied by a red tail.
Red tail…where has she seen that before?
"Charles enough," Lehnsherr commands physically prising the smaller man off the puppet master Geran falls to his knees wheezing. "Charles enough, its all right – you stopped him," Erik assures holding the younger man as though he might disappear at any moment. "Come back to me," the metal manipulator urges, "Focus."
Azazel utters a startled curse, and lunges at them.
Erik releases Charles and reacts on instinct - pinning the red mutant beneath him. "I'm sorry – I couldn't control!" Azazel apologises, and Erik looks up at the low chuckle coming from the puppet master who is observing Charles with rapacious delight. The young telepath is close to snapping his hands are balled into fists, and he looks completely undone.
The chuckle cuts off as a heavy brass lamp flies across the room, and connects with Geran's skull. He crumples to the ground in a bloody soundless heap. Carefully Erik rises to his feet, "Look at me," he instructs worriedly, "Charles its over-"
Raven winces on hearing those words so soon again. None of that dear I want you to look at me, open your eyes.
Her brother stiffens catching the resonance and stumbles back from the taller man, "Don't-" Charles gasps, "-Just don't!"
Erik stops, holding himself back from the intense urge to just pull the younger man into his arms, and comfort him. Charles is white as a sheet, looking as though anything may shatter what composure he is currently holding on to.
Charles, its alright, he projects gently, its over now, he's gone, I'm here. Slowly ever so lythe younger man looks up, and meets his gaze. Erik forces himself not to react, and to project only calm.
Erik, he kissed…the younger man shudders, and now he does move, gently reaching out to touch the telepath's shoulder.
I would never have let him take you from me, the metal manipulator assures softly. Charles gives a choked cry collapsing against him, shaking close to tears, and it's taking all Erik's control not to crush him, in overwhelming need to hold him tight, and never let go. Gentle, gently, he commands himself fighting back startling tears of his own. Azazel knelt holding Raven with careful strength meets Erik's gaze in shared anguish.
The crushed sob tearing from Alex draws attention to the injured butler and Charles lifts his head from Erik's shoulder. He lets him go, following as Charles sinks to his knees. Tibson smiles softly, reaching up to squeeze the younger man's hand.
"Don't try and talk," Hank admonishes quietly, and the butler regards him in calm amusement with a look that says everything. What does it matter now?
"I am sorry to leave you, when you are just beginning to realise your potential," he sighs softly, and though it could be addressed to any one of them the butler's gaze doesn't leave Charles's. He gives a calm nod as Erik's hands settle on the telepath's shoulders, "I leave you in capable hands," he concludes with a satisfied cough, and Raven quietly brushes the hair back from his face. "Now kindly get out of my head Master Xavier I don't want you to feel this." The younger man hesitates but a brilliant blazing mind enfolds the aching blackhole of sorrowful guilt in his own. I'm here Charles, Erik murmurs softly, Focus on me.
In the silence Alex rises numbly to his feet, and bends down, lifting the butler's light weight carefully in his arms. Sean quietly moves to limp after him, supported by Hank. Azazel returns from quietly disposing Geran's body, and extends his hand to Raven and quietly escorts her from the room.
Alex keeps vigil over Tibson's body. Hank has dressed the man in a fine grey suit, and Raven has placed a white rose in his hands. He looks peaceful almost like he's sleeping, and will wake with just a shake of the shoulder. He should leave, he's bad luck. Everywhere he goes trouble follows, maybe its something to do with his mutation. Maybe, just himself. He runs an exhausted hand over his eyes, making his decision. Its time to leave. He's at the door when some instinct causes him to turn, and face the green eyed shadow regarding him in silent judgement.
"Do you think running away will solve anything?" The metal manipulator asks in a low tone that gets under his skin. Alex frowns, "You wouldn't understand, I'm bad luck. Everyone I care for gets hurt." Lehnsherr laughs, "Such a novel excuse, do let me know when you've decided to grow up."
Alex balls his fists, "You are telling me to grow up? You left and changed everything!" He's taken completely off balance as the smile fades from the taller man's face, "I know, and I'm sorry for that Alex, I'm only just realising how much I left behind in Cuba."
"…you're sorry?" The blond youth gapes as the world he knows collapses. "You – you're an absolute asshole!" He yells as the metal manipulator walks towards him, "You can't just come back here like nothing has happened!"
"Alex, I'm sorry," and he's not going to cry he's not, as strong arms enfold him. He's going to punch him. He is. "You are so wrong," he whispers and steps back meeting the taller man's gentle gaze, "It's not humans who have taken the lives of two people I cared about. You say we're the better men? I've yet to see it."
When Raven walks into the kitchen she's treated to a sight she never thought to see again. Erik had always been a good cook, but somehow her senses have forgotten how much until the delicious aroma of pancakes hits her. Oh God, he's making pancakes and its surreal like before Cuba. The second astonishing sight is Alex, sitting moodily at the table, with his hands wrapped around a steaming mug of chocolate.
"Oh man whoever is cooking - you're my hero," Sean announces hoarsely as he limps into the room, only to join her in staring. "Erik," he gapes. The metal manipulator smirks, "I am somewhat dubious of that, but sit."
"Where's Azazel?" Sean responds warily, but moves to sit beside the blond youth. "A good question," Erik responds but declines to answer. "Are these poisoned?" Sean asks desperately of the steaming pile of pancakes, and Raven sees amusement flicker in the metal manipulator's eyes, "There are less subtle ways if I wanted you dead." His gaze draws their attention to the various implements…and why did kitchens have so much metal in them?
"How is he?" Raven asks soberly, catching Erik's arm as he begins to load up a tray. "I can't blame him for not staying in that room…but…" she closes her eyes uncertain how to get her words out. Erik sighs, "Raven, if I hurt your brother I only hurt myself." She frowns, but releases him and steps back her gaze following him out the door.
He carries the tray up to his old room, and opens the door, Charles couldn't settle in his own room not surprising with all that had occurred, and Erik had been severely tempted to take him away somewhere neutral, but with such temptation at hand he didn't know if he could have let Charles go again. The younger man had finally fallen asleep in his arms, just as the sun had begun to rise, and though Erik would like to leave him resting he knows that he will want to see Tibson is properly laid to rest.
At the gentle shaking of his shoulder Charles wakens in alarm, and frantically pulls away, landing heavily upon the floor. He's pulled to his feet, and struggles against his captor fiercely, "Charles its alright – you're safe," Liebling calm down. The younger man shivers, his mind slowly clearing. Erik's grip loosens as he relaxes, and he exhales calmly running a hand through his hair, walking carefully to the bathroom. He's fine, he can do this. He catches sight of his reflection in the mirror. He looks…haunted.
Xavier closes his eyes, Shh, I'm here now, Erik assures softly, drawing Charles into his lap and the younger man's hand curls in his jumper. "I can't do this Erik," he murmurs in quiet despair, and is held tighter – grounded in strength, physical, and a mental will of iron buoying up his fraying shields.
"Yes you can Liebling focus on me," Lehnsherr instructs firmly, "You owe it to Tibson to see that he's laid to rest, and I will be here with you."
Mrs Estha has tears in her eyes, as Sean, and Alex hold her gently. Raven stands between Hank, and Azazel, gaze fixed on some distant point. Black umbrellas' hover over them all, shielding against the torrent of rain seeming to emulate their shared grief.
A silver ring glints on his finger as Charles silently lays the white rose over Tibson's stone.
Erik's gaze follows the woman as she emerges up the long driveway. He's tracked her approach from several miles away, her presence distinct from the necklace she's been strangled with twice and still persists in wearing. She locks gazes with him in silent challenge umbrella in one hand, and paper file clutched against her side. He slips away from the gathering to face her.
"Agent MacTaggart," he greets formally, and she frowns up at him. She's a woman not easily cowed he will give her that. "Erik Lehnsherr," she acknowledges, "Or should I call you Magneto these days? I hear you've been rather busy." He narrows his eyes, remaining silent. He is not on trial here no matter the accusation in her eyes.
"I remember everything," Moira reveals carelessly, "I started to pick up vague nuances, impressions, and then it all flooded back when I began to learn of a strange case called Genosha." Erik stiffens, and her knowing gaze fixes on him, "I don't agree with what you've done Lehnsherr, nor am I particularly happy with Charles at this moment in time. You can tell him if he ever thinks to wipe my mind again he'd better do a permanent job because when I find him again, I won't be so forgiving."
Her gaze softens flickering to the small gathering and rests of course on Charles, as Raven steps forwards and she watches the siblings embrace in their shared grief. "I never wanted this and I never wanted any of you to get hurt," she murmurs softly, "I don't agree with what my government is doing and what they are doing on Genosha is wrong." She states handing him the papers carefully, "Inside is everything I could find, I hope it helps." Stunned Erik clutches the file in his hands, waiting for her to ask for some favour in return, before it becomes clear she is not going to. "Thank you," he finally acknowledges, and she gives a bitter smile, "I think we both know I'm not doing this for you darling."
She turns looks back at him over her shoulder, "And don't worry dear, I will find you." Erik sets the file safely inside, mind churning with questions before slipping back outside. The others have begun to dissipate, but Charles is still standing with Raven under the lone umbrella. She looks up at his approach, and gives her brother's shoulder a gentle squeeze before stepping aside.
The tombstone is sleek black marble, simple in its elegancy, and as Charles leans against him, finally unleashing his tears. Erik holds him close, flexing his fingers carefully, and a simple elegant metal rose forms, and twines itself around the epitaph.
In memory of Tibson,
Beloved friend and guardian, you fought with honour for your people, and will never be forgotten.
Please review - reviews are love! :)