Charles
"This," I pointed a finger at my throat, "Is a muscle, like anything else. So, you can control it." Saying so, I put on the large earmuffs again, Moira doing the same, while Sean whistled again.
All day long, everyday, I traipsed through the mansion, teaching all the mutants to control their abilities; mostly Alex, Sean, Hank and, surprisingly, Erik. I had nothing to teach Raven; she already had an amazing control over her morphing. Slowly, but surely, all four of my so-called 'students' progressed incredibly. Alex could control the magnitude of his laser energy and aim it. Hank had begun to embrace his animalistic nature and control it. Erik learned how to channel his power in its maximum capacity without needing the situation, the rage to prompt it. Sean's training had been the most memorable.
-Flashback-
"And you're sure I can actually fly this time?" Sean asked. "I'm sure," I answered confidently. Sean, Erik, Hank and I were standing at the top of the satellite. Sean was wearing large wings, fashioned like that of a hang glider, designed by Hank. "I trust you," Sean said, sounding slightly faint. "I'm touched," I answered. "I don't trust him," he pointed to Hank. The young scientist opened his mouth to protest, but I shushed him. "Say nothing," I advised him, fighting back my amusement. "I'm going to die," Sean burst out.
I was just about to reassure him, when Erik spoke up. "Here, I'll help," he said suddenly, and with a hard push, shoved Sean off the edge. "Erik!" I yelled in shock. But, as we watched, Sean screamed in his panic, and immediately, the sound waves carried him into the air, reflecting off the surface of the satellite. I turned to Erik, trying to look disapproving. "What?" He asked, incredulously. "You know you were thinking the same thing," he accused me with a sly grin. I smiled grudgingly, knowing he was right.
-End Flashback-
But, in all this, I noticed that Moira never left my side. Not once. She was always there, but at the same time, it did not feel like she was trying to catch my attention. No, Moira was not like that. On the contrary, it felt like she was worrying about something, like she was afraid to leave me alone for too long. I wanted to ask her what it was bothering her, but I had feeling she would never tell me. And I was loathe to read her mind without her consent. Well, I would try asking her anyways, I decided. I needed to ask something of her anyways.
Moira
I watched from the window as Charles instructed Erik on harnessing his full power and tried to fight down the uneasiness the metal-manipulator caused in me. "Hey, guys," I finally called out. Both men turned to face me. "The President's giving his speech," I said, gesturing inside, and they came inside immediately, not bothering to use the door, instead climbing in through the large window to watch the speech.
When it ended with the President declaring a state of war, all of us were in a sombre mood. "Well, I hope you get a good night's sleep," Erik said, before leaving the room.
I couldn't sleep, not when I was too worried about what would happen tomorrow. With a sigh, I got up and walked out, hoping that walking would induce some sleep. As I wandered, I unconsciously walked in the direction of the kitchen. To my surprise, there were voices coming from inside and I stopped beside the doorway. There seemed to be an argument going on inside, so I was about to turn and leave, when I heard a raised voice, recognising it as Raven's, "But you don't want to be against the world, do you, Charles? You want to be a part of it." The sound of a chair being pushed back and footsteps. I was thankful the kitchen had two doors on opposite sides, and Raven had left through the other one.
I was about to leave again, when I heard a wary voice say, "Don't bother, love, come in." Hesitantly, I stepped inside to find Charles sitting at the table, looking worried. I slowly sat down next to him. "What is it?" I asked. Charles tried to smirk, but it was marred by concern and guilt. "It's Raven. She seems to have changed, in a way I don't understand. I'm afraid I can't understand how to help her," he admitted. I stayed silent. I had a feeling I knew what was wrong with Raven. She had always been self-conscious about her natural, blue form, I gathered, finding herself repulsive because of the common misconception most normal people would have, looking at her. But, I'd noticed how much she sometimes backed Erik's words, not Charles. And, I could tell it was not just because the older man enamoured the young girl, but because she actually thought he was right. People reading was a skill you eventually acquired in the CIA. I was surprised Charles hadn't realised this, but I knew it was because, he didn't want to believe that his best friend would poison Raven's mind on purpose, or that his sister would change so much, that she would follow Erik anywhere, not him. Still, I said nothing.
Charles seemed to remember something, as his gaze sharpened and focused on me. "Moira, I need you to do something for me," he said, in the most serious tone I'd ever heard him use yet. I raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "Tomorrow, no matter what happens, you have to stay inside the plane. I'll be inside most of the time, too, because if any one of Shaw's mutants get to me, I won't be able to help Erik, which he's going to need a lot. If we do go out, you will stay by me the whole time. You can't go anywhere alone," he stressed the last sentence and it struck me, that Charles Xavier was worried about me. He was trying to protect me. But, what he was asking me was something I couldn't agree to.
"Charles," I tried to explain calmly. "I understand why you'd be worried, but, really I can take care of myself..." Even as I said it, I realised I was wrong. There was no way in hell, I had a chance against fighting a mutant. "No, Moira," Charles objected, shaking his head. "I have a bad feeling about tomorrow," he confided. "I'm not a clairvoyant, but I think something's going to happen tomorrow. I have this feeling that we're going to lose someone. Hank and Raven can handle themselves, they'll take care of Sean and Alex. I'll be in Erik's head the whole time. You're the only one who doesn't have a fighting chance against any one of them." He was rambling now. "I don't want anything to happen to you, Moira. I..."
He stopped abruptly, like a sudden revelation had hit him. "Oh, for heaven's sake, damn it! Why in hell did this have to happen now, of all times? He muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Charles?" I asked, unsure, especially since I'd never heard him curse before, even a little bit. He suddenly leaned forward and grasped my shoulders. "Please, promise me, you'll stay with me tomorrow. Promise me you'll stay safe, out of harm's way."
His British accent seemed more pronounced than ever, in his frenzy, and I wondered what he'd been about to say. The bright blue of his eyes were shining with worry, pulling me in. I idly reflected that I couldn't really deny this man anything, so I nodded. Immediately, he relaxed, though he didn't release my shoulders. Not for the first time, I wondered what it would be like to kiss him. My eyes drifted up and I slowly reached up to comb my fingers through his hair. They were soft, and his eyes widened slightly at my action.
I have no idea, who moved first, but a second later, I felt our lips brush against each other. His lips were soft, slightly chapped. The kiss was unsure, tentative. A moment passed, maybe two, and Charles pulled back. He looked shell-shocked, much like how I felt. My eyes unwillingly drifted towards the clock on the wall behind him and I saw how late it was. Reluctantly, I stood up. "It's late," I whispered. "Good night, Charles." And left the room without waiting for his response.
I know this is not in the movie, but I don't like the idea of Charles erasing Moira's memory right after their first kiss, so I needed one to happen before that one. This seems like a good place to put it, anywhere else it would have felt forced.
So, what do you think? Read and Review please.