Of Hearth and Home
And X-Men Evolution Fanfic by Remedy=Chill.
Chapter One: Hairstyles and Attitudes
Professor Charles Francis Xavier sat quietly in his private study in his Bayville mansion. He was lost in thought until the soft knocking at the door drew him back to the moment.
"Yes, Hank." He said with a dry mouth. "Come in."
The great, blue Beast peeked tentatively and hesitantly around the edge of the door.
"Come in." Xavier said again, forcing himself to smile.
Hank watched the forced smile cross Xavier's face and he sighed, heavily as he stepped in to the room.
Xavier, seeing that Hank had seen through him, let the smile fall from his face.
"Charles …" The Beast Began. "What's been bothering you? Is it the holiday?" Hank looked for a sign of recognition. "It seems that the closer Christmas gets, the more you've withdrawn. It hasn't gone unnoticed. Even with the students."
Xavier raised his eyes and read the truth across his face. Even the students noticed …
"I've been concerned." Xavier began, offering Hank a chair with a wave of his hand. "About Magneto."
"Magneto." Hank sighed. "What's he up to this time?"
Xavier looked at Hank distractedly. "Oh." He replied. "No. Not like that. I should have said I was concerned for him."
"FOR HIM?" Beast snorted the words louder than he intended. A relieved smile broke across his face for just an instant before seating himself. "I don't understand." Beast admitted.
Xavier tuned back to the window and stared distantly across his lawn. "I am … burdened to know certain things."
Beast was suddenly concerned. "What things?" He asked quietly.
Xavier smirked. "Last year, events of a somewhat temporal nature unfolded here in Bayville." (See Flickering Souls – same Author).
"Really?" Beast asked.
"Yes. Although only a select few were privy to the details. An alternate timeline engulfed ours and played itself out. Our universe then resumed it's existence."
Hank was obviously stunned.
"And I'm afraid that events set in motion then are about to impact our time once again."
"How?" Beast asked quickly in a hushed tone.
"Everything was set right again when the timeline resumed. With one exception." Xavier pursed his lips. "Wanda Maximoff."
"Wanda?" Beast shook his head. "What does she had to do with this?"
"Last year she was angry, violent and looking to destroy her father." Xavier explained.
"But now she's fine, isn't she? I mean – as fine as a person with a head full of false memories can be, right?"
"Yes, but she's only half the story. Whether you want to call her brainwashed or cured. The other half of the story is the old or angry Wanda." Xavier swallowed. "Last year she used the temporal reversion to her own advantage. She had herself sent one year in to the future. To now, our present – in an attempt to destroy her father."
"But she's been here all year long." Beast observed.
"Oh, yes, the timeline has unfolded normally from our point of view." Xavier agreed. "But last year – she vanished – if only for a microsecond of our time. And that version of her is now, or will be shortly alive and living on it's own in Bayville. And I'm sure – intent on resuming her vendetta."
"I see." Hank sighed the words. This whole conversation had given him a headache right behind his eyes.
"And I feel powerless to intervene." Xavier added.
A thought occurred to Hank. "Does Eric know?" He asked.
"No." Xavier said quickly and quietly.
"Charles …" Hank searched, but there were no words of comfort for a time like this.
"I know Hank. Thank you." He smiled his forced smile again. "And please, try to assure the others that all is well." He sighed. "Because it is. Or it will be." He cast a humorous glance at his friend. "Or not." He mused amusedly.
The Beast stood up slowly. "Please let me know, if there is anything you need or …"
Xavier smiled and Hank dropped his eyes, shrugged and then left the room quietly.
Meanwhile, across town, Mystique hid quietly. Behind her stood Todd and Lance.
"Stay back." She whispered. "But get a good look at him."
Todd leaned out and took a look at the man. He was tall and thin. His hair was dark and stood up off his head. He wore a light beard along his jaw and a strange little smile. He was standing alone in the middle of town and staring at the public Christmas tree as it was being decorated, slowly bouncing in place on the balls of his feet.
"Looks okay to me." Todd said, leaning back toward Mystique.
"Who?" Lance asked, having leaned out to see for himself. "The guy who stole Pyro's haircut?" He looked at Mystique in disbelief. "Him?"
"Yes!" Mystique hissed. "Him!" She shook her head at the two of them. "He's dangerous. I'm telling you – all of you. Stay clear of him at all costs. Do you understand me?"
She glowered at them and they withdrew hesitantly.
"Sure." Lance said at last. "Anything you say. You know that."
Mystique turned her gaze on Todd who slipped behind Lance. "Like he said." He agreed.
She pursed her lips and peered back around the corner. "I don't know what you're doing here." She said to him across the distance. "But I hope you're just passing through."
Todd and Lance exchanged curious glances. "Who is he?" Todd asked.
"Shut up." Mystique snapped at him. "All you need to know is that he's dangerous. He's deadly." She sighed as she stared at him. "Just like his father."
"Who's his …" Lance began, but she turned on him with a vicious smile that made him shut his trap.
"Dangerous." Lance repeated. "Stay clear. Gotcha."
Todd nodded twice at her from behind Lance. "Absolutely." He confirmed. "Whatever you say."
And Mystique glanced back. The man was gone.
Mystique glanced around, alarmed. Derek? Was all she thought.