X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Sixty Nine
Author's Word: If I could wide stretch hug every single last one of you, I would. I absolutely love all of you! That last round of reviews was unbelievable! Keep that up and I'll break my own record of rapid posting. With the holiday season upon us (by the way, I think my fave holiday chapter may be Christmas/Hanukah as well) I already have a few thoughts in mind for you guys. So, welcome back to the present day of Rise or Fall, picking up after Chapter 66. Enjoy and please review!
Delicately cupping the teeny bud between black gloved hands, Professor X admired the blossoming peony in one of the many bushes of his backyard. His internal sensory went off at the approaching of the other telepaths and he stood to greet the ladies. Becky wore her pink and purple X-Men uniform while Emma had on the sparkling silver trimmed white cat suit with attached cape at the cuffs of her sleeves.
"It's glorious out here," Emma marveled, taking in the immense sunshine and subtle breeze.
"Only because you two chose to make your presences known," Professor X stated assuredly.
Becky beamed up at him. "What are we doing today?"
"A little experiment." The man's eyes carried a giddy gleam. "With Cerebro still so unstable and Hank away on his honeymoon, I thought the Triad could attempt a joint recruitment effort."
Emma peered into his fair skinned face. "You want us to try to locate more mutants."
"We do have another semester to look forward to," he said positively.
"How do we find them?" Becky wondered.
"First," Professor X took their hands and the females likewise linked up, "we must be as one." Focus.
Quiet swept across the yard as the three of them burrowed deep into one another's psyche.
That's it, the Professor coached, stayed with us now, Becky and let us know immediately if it becomes too much for you.
Okay, the young girl piped up in a single word, not wanting to dissolve her concentration.
They're out there, Charles urged, remember the energy you sensed from Scott, Emma. There are more, filled with insecurity and a saddened longing.
Simultaneous gasps leapt from each of their mouths. A plethora of distorted images passed through their minds, each faster than the one before it. Then all at once, a crisp air whisked over them, sending them to their backs in a gentle motion.
With a giggle, Becky broke the accompanying silence and the two adults could not help joining in on the laughter.
"Right then," Professor X spoke, taking in air. "Perhaps next session we could slow the pacing just a tad."
Emma sighed deeply. "That felt like a Charlie Chaplin production."
Becky rolled over as a comforting shadow cast over her. "Papa!"
A fully attired Magneto lifted her with a little bounce. "Are we training or driving your aunt and uncle into madness?"
"She didn't have to drive," Emma chimed up. "I have my own estate in the realm of madness."
The metal wielder squeezed Becky's hand. "Then might I borrow her indefinitely?"
"Go on," Charles shooed. "Enjoy your daughter."
Becky put an arm around the man's neck as he carried her away.
Moaning contentedly, Emma rolled against Charles' side. He pressed a hand to the small of her back and lazily lingered there.
Squeals could be heard all across the back of the property as Magneto spun Becky up in the air. Her dark curls and little cape flew along with her.
When he at last lowered her, Becky tugged on his royal purple cape. "I like yours better."
"The better to keep you warm in." Magneto flapped the garment so that it provided covering to the much smaller body in his hold.
IIIIIII
Manila envelope in hand, Charles looked up at Joey passing the living room.
"Little one!" he beckoned. "May we see you a moment? We want to show you something."
Joey walked in, taking a seat on the couch between Emma and Charles. "What is it?"
"Look what finally arrived." Charles presented him with the official document.
Touching the gold seal at the bottom corner of the thick light blue paper, Joey viewed the full name portion. "Charles Joseph Xavier. This is my new birth certificate!"
"It sure is," Emma smiled. 'Go on, keep reading."
"Father… Charles Francis Xavier." Joey could not speak at first. "That wasn't there before. I saw it once. It had a big red word all across."
Charles and Emma shared a gaze, each knowing the precise word that had followed the child for so many years.
"I don't want you to think about that any longer, son," Charles told him. "And it was never deserving of you."
Joey grinned, still stricken by the simple piece of paper that seemed equivalent to the wish granting magic lamp for him.
"I'll get it," Charles said to the doorbell that went off next. He stood, but as he got closer to the foyer he detected a mind he had not in quite some time. Opening the front door, his eyes confirmed it. "Moira?"
The brown haired woman sent him a smile. "Hello, Charles."
"What are you doing here?" he wanted to know then remembered his courtesy and stepped aside. "Please, come in."
"Thanks." She stepped into the foyer. "I'm sorry I didn't call, but I had an investigation in Brooklyn and I thought I'd just stop by."
"Who is it, dear?" Emma left the living room with Joey hanging onto her hand. "Oh. We have company."
"Ms. Mactaggert?" Joey acknowledged in disbelief. "Why are you here?"
"I was ready to ask that question myself, Joey." The agent's eyes stayed with the blonde female in the thigh high dress.
Sudden recollection seemed to zap Emma. "Ah, right. I remember you now. Well, Charles, we'd better leave you two alone. You have so much to catch up on after all."
Charles regarded her with a certain visage. "Thank you, Emma."
"Come, Treasure." Emma gave Joey a loving tug. "Let's join the others for a swim."
Joey searched the faces of every grown-up present. "'Kay, Mummy."
Emma turned towards the back with him and sauntered off.
IIIIIII
The BMW pulled into her driveway, taking Maya away from her reading material. She remained sitting on her front steps, waiting while Sean exited the vehicle and jogged over to her.
"Hey, babe," he greeted brightly. "What's that?"
Maya held up the front part of the newsletter. "Charles Xavier proudly announces the adoption of son, whom he has named Charles Joseph Xavier." A photo of Charles and Joey on the latter's horse had been posted at the bottom. "How cool is this of the Professor to send around?" She brought the paper back up for her own viewing. "Joey is so lucky and I am so jealous right now."
"Yeah, that's pretty much yesterday's news around my place," Sean said flippantly. "Can we go?"
Getting up, Maya studied his face. "Call me crazy, but you're the one sounding closer to jealous."
"Maybe I'm just tired of hearing about this," he countered. "Becky has Erik's last name now, too, but he's not blasting it over the airwaves."
Maya shook her head, suddenly vexed by him. "What do you even care? So the Professor is showing Joey how happy he is. Aren't you the guy who can trace his ancestors back a zillion years? Or, ooh, your mom who overnighted your last care package to make sure the brownies didn't go stale?"
Sean flapped his arms in dismay. "Oh, here we go. Sean can't give an opinion because he has it too damn easy."
"Whoa, whoa." Maya glowered at him. "Don't ever talk like that anywhere near my house. What's gotten into you, Sean?"
"I don't think you'd understand." He started back for his car. "You have it too hard."
She bent over the edge of her railing and called after him, "Maybe I'll take spoiled-insensitive-creep for my next foreign language!"
Not a word spoken in reply, Sean drove out and away from the house.
IIIIIII
Tea service ready, Charles reentered the living room. Seeing Moira with the birth certificate between her thumbs and pointer fingers, he cleared his throat audibly. She turned to face him.
"Is your investigation in Brooklyn or in my sitting room?" He walked over, placing the tray on the coffee table.
"I just don't know where to begin." Moira placed piercing accusatory eyes on him from her spot on the couch. "The fact that you've been harboring Shaw's number one ally, that you've obviously started up a relationship with her, or that you allow her to put a maternal claim to an already severely damaged little boy, who you've apparently renamed. Charles," she tried in vain to grip the situation, "who the hell are you?"
Charles stood straight up over her. "I am a man who believes there is such a thing as redemption. One who is firmly committed to the children in his care. One who does not have to justify his actions to his every acquaintance."
Maya blinked at that, glancing away from him. "This is not the casual visit I led you to believe it is. I'm here with a warning."
Charles stared at her. "What do you mean?"
IIIIIII
"Hiya, Anya!" Joey bellowed, coming outside in his green trunks.
Becky whirled around from playing beach ball with Scott. "Hi, Charles."
"Hey, new-name," Scott said humorously to Joey. "Wanna play?"
"Yeah!" Joey used the ladder to lower into the water.
Erik watched them closely, taking a moment to look toward the lawn chair on his left. "You don't want to get in with them?"
"Later." Alex reclined comfortably. "If there's no waves involved, my pulse isn't exactly pumped."
Emma added from her own chair, "Not to mention how murderous chlorine water is for natural blonde hair. And yes, I am dye free."
"Believe me, Miss Frost," Erik said, "I never doubted you were all blonde for a moment."
She whacked his shoulder with her large floppy sunhat.
Reacting to the abrupt squirts of water, Erik spotted Frank crouched under the patio table with his water pistol and a toothy grin on his face.
"Frisky, are we?" The man removed his black shades and shot up.
"Uh oh." Frank crawled out and darted all around the patio area.
"Gotcha!" Erik enclosed arms around his mischievous prey. "Now," he picked him up, keeping the boy in the same position, "what miserable fate should I give you?"
Frank wriggled in the near iron grasp. "Remember you like having me around."
"That is true, isn't it?" Erik admitted wryly. "So be it. I'll be merciful." He then promptly tossed him into the pool.
Alex laughed heartily at the sight.
Frank poked his head up, spitting out some water. "Oh yeeeeah?" He used the length of his arms to start splashing.
"Haven't learned your lesson it seems." Erik got down to enter the water.
"Ah, shark!" Frank pretended to panic.
"Correction." Erik grabbed him again. "Hungry shark." He pretended to nibble on the boy's upper arm. "And I love the taste of little boychicks."
"Erik!" Frank laughed, tickled by the man's teeth.
Leaving Scott and Joey to play ball, Becky swam over to the 'trouble'. "No, Papa, no."
"Oh, am I to have Sweet Imp for dessert?" Erik reeled her in and tickled her stomach.
"You can't eat us," she giggled. "We're your sharklings."
"Yeah!" Frank seconded.
Hiding a smile, Erik said, "Fine. I'll only bite to discipline you. And teach you proper hunting."
"Cool," Frank reacted.
"Meh. Can I stay home and take care of the shark eggs?" Becky requested.
Erik started to answer her then received an urgent mental petition from Charles.
"Alex, keep an eye on the children while Emma continues to bask in her own beauty." Erik climbed out of the water.
"Yes, sir." The teenager moved from his lounging to join the other youngsters in the pool.
"Aw, Papa," Becky grumbled.
"Behave," Erik instructed, heading in. "I'll be back."
The metal wielder stopped off in his room to put on a dry shirt and khaki's. He toweled his hair off then walked down into the living room.
"Agent Mactaggert," he recognized upon entry. "Emma mentioned that you'd graced us with a visit."
"Erik," Moira returned plainly.
"She wanted to bring something to our attention." Judging by Charles' tone and face, this announcement did not involve colorful heaps of confetti. "We are vastly approaching the anniversary of the CIA massacre."
"How quickly time flies," came Erik's unimpressed response.
"The CIA has spent the last year in planning to ensure what happened with Shaw never occurs again," said Moira.
Erik interjected, "We're still waiting on our nice thank you card for solving that problem for you."
"Anyway," the agent went on, "there have been numerous concerns raised about the possibility of other dangerous mutants, worse even than Shaw and his allies." Moira glanced at each man before continuing. "For the safety of your students, we think it'd be best to register them in the CIA database."
Erik echoed one specific word. "Register?"
"For their own protection," Moira assured. "Just so that the government knows they're not the threats here."
"How many times did you rehearse that line?" Erik sneered. "Do you honestly believe we're going to hand over information about our children under the guise that the feds are out to protect them? They want to know which ones to check off their lists for when the elimination process begins."
"The United States government is not out to destroy its own citizens, Erik," Moira insisted. She looked to the other male in the room. "Charles, you can see where we're coming from, can't you?"
"It's perfectly plain to me," Charles replied. "And Erik is right. We have a right to privacy and we fully intend to exercise it."
"Well said, Charles," Erik commended. "Call me if anything of relevance develops." He walked out with that.
Moira put her focus on the Professor. "Did I miss a conduct card explaining just when I'd become the enemy here?"
"Moira," Charles pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh, "I appreciate the information, but Erik and I have made our decision."
"Fine." Moira removed a card from her purse and held it out to him. "Here is my contact info while I'm in-state." He took the card from her. "And Charles, please, for the sake of these kids, do not make this difficult." She turned and left out, heading for the front door.
Charles frowned, watching after her path. Had he detected a threat in that friendly warning?
IIIIIII
At the faint moans of fatigue leaving the little vessel, Erik carefully closed the book.
"We'll resume Exodus tomorrow. Now that classes are out, we have much more time," he told her. "As for now, I think it's about time for bed."
"Okay." Becky twisted around on his lap to latch onto his front.
Both arm around her, Erik stood from his desk and left the den with his precious cargo. With her already in her pajamas, he got the half-awake girl up to her room and under the covers. He tucked her in with her white bear in one arm and brushed curls out of her face with his hand.
After another minute, Erik left to check on Joey. The tiny blonde lay peacefully surrounded by an assortment of stuffed creatures. When he got to Frank's room next, he saw that the boys had built their own skyline out of Legos. They ran about the room, making Scott's model planes take flight.
"Planes in their hangers and little boys in their beds. Five minutes," Erik directed. "I will be back later."
"Yes, sir," they responded together, dashing off in two different directions with the toys in their hands.
Erik observed them another moment then started back downstairs. He came into the parlor and almost like clockwork, Charles came through shortly after.
"Chess?" Erik suggested, already in his chair.
Charles sat across. "I'm afraid my mind can't begin to focus on a game." He looked at Erik directly. "You believe it's happening all over again, don't you?"
"It was inevitable," Erik came back with. "No matter how grand or prosperous a nation, they all follow the same formula. Hysteria, blame, arrest, obliteration."
Charles pressed his palms together thoughtfully. "I wanted so badly to believe this wouldn't happen. That it couldn't happen."
"We're going to have to take deeper safety precautions," Erik put forth strongly. "We can fight this. We're going to have to guard our trust, Charles. You know that."
The younger man nodded once. "It's becoming more and more apparent."
Erik got to his feet. "I need to see about the boys."
Charles turned towards the ringing telephone. "I'll get that." While Erik headed out, he went and lifted the receiver. "Good evening, Xavier Institute."
"Hi, Professor. Is Sean home?"
"Maya?" he recognized. "No, love. I thought the two of you would be leaving the cinema about now." He glanced at the wall clock. "It'll be curfew soon."
"Yes, I know," she said in sorrowful exasperation. "But we fought and he took off hours ago. And right now I'm fairly certain I've forgotten how to breathe."
"Now Maya, listen to me," Charles instructed with sternness behind it. "Calm down immediately. I'm going out to find Sean right now and everything will be fine, dear."
"Okay. Thank you, Professor."
They hung up and Charles put a hand to his right temple. Erik, I'm going out to look for Sean. Emma, Maya is in hysterics. Could you please go over there and sit with her?
Of course, Emma returned.
Do you want me to leave the kids with Alex and come with you? Erik asked.
No, but I'll contact you if I need you.
You had better.
IIIIIII
Seated cross-leg on the hood of the BMW, the pensive redhead gazed out over the edge of the cliff. The quarter moon very much resembled the Cheshire Cat having a snicker at his expense.
Seanie!
At the familiar echo in his mind, the teenage mutant shifted around to see his headmaster jogging toward him.
"Charles," he acknowledged. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, it's a frequent occurrence of mine to bathe, get into my pajamas, then promptly change back into regular attire and proceed to drive around town like the local madman." Charles took a second to catch his breath. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, and sorry. I had my communicator off. I just wanted some time."
The British man hopped up to sit beside the boy. "Sean, I want to know what's going on. Did your quarrel with Maya really trouble you this much?"
"No," Sean sighed. "It's how I talked to her and stupid stuff we found about."
"Such as?" Charles prompted.
Sean slid off the hood and went to look out over the edge of the cliff. "You wouldn't understand."
"Wouldn't understand?" Charles frowned. "Sean, you and I have always been able to talk.
"I know." Sean's voice strained significantly. "I always thought we had a special relationship; that you were my 'school dad' ever since I got here. I thought that's how you saw all of us. That way I'd be able not to feel guilty for…"
Charles walked over and touched a hand to the teen's back. "For what, Seanie?"
"For not missing home," he confessed. "Last year, I wrote my family letters every day. Now it's once a month at the max. I was worried about my girlfriend meeting the X-Men, but the Cassidys?" Never made me sweat. And my parents are good people. I know exactly where I came from because of them. So, tell me why I got jealous of a nine-year-old boy who finally has something real in his life.'
Taking a moment to turn the boy around, Charles looked up into the big doubtful eyes. "There's always been a faint trace of tense air between you and Joey. Before he arrived, you took up a great deal of my attention. Perhaps you slowly fell into the role of middle son, but did not know it yourself until Joey became legally mine."
"Christ, help." Sean tossed his head back in dismay. "I've morphed into Frank-O."
Charles could not suppress a chortle at that. "More like a reasonably confused young man. But Seanie, you know precisely how I feel about you, yes?" Sean nodded. "But I also respect how you feel about your family."
"Charles, can a person ever really have two families?"
"Take a look at Hank and Raven," Charles pointed out. "They've become a family in their own right, but they're still very much part of us."
Sean nodded again. "I'm glad Joey has you now."
"I'm glad I found you tonight." Charles reached up to rub his cheek, getting a smile out of him. "Let's go home, son."
"Okay."
Diving to go to their separate cars, Sean felt the comfort of Charles' mind keeping a visual over him.
IIIIIII
Four happily pajama clad little people underfoot, Alex attempted to make some sort of organization out of the late morning breakfast. On a rare occasion where they could have supreme sugar for breakfast, they of course had all wanted a different box of cereal.
"Scott and Frank, nix the throwing okay?" Alex ordered when the two made a game of tossing marshmallows and chocolate puffs back and forth between each other. "Joey, drink your juice. Becky, that's enough sugar."
"Says who?" the little girl countered.
"Says your father." Erik entered the eatery in his bathrobe.
Becky sent a smile over her shoulder to him. "Good morning, Papa."
"Dude, you look older than usual," Alex observed. "You sleep okay?"
"I had a bit of," Erik let off a mock grunt when Frank came over to head-butt his stomach, "work to finish last night." Truthfully, with yesterday's information heavy on his mind, sleep had not found him for several hours.
Alex nodded. "Want some breakfast?"
Joey held up his box of Crispy Critters. "Here, Uncle Erik."
The man took the cereal for closer inspection and wondered what troubled little man-child had come up with the concept of depictions of adorable zoo animals in kids' breakfast food.
IIIIIII
A comforter wound around his tall body, Sean padded into the already open master suite. Charles turned away from fussing with his shirt collar in front of a wall mirror. An amused smile came to his lips at the comforter only baring Sean from the ankles down.
"Good morning," the Professor greeted in his warm fashion. He held his arms out. "How did you sleep?"
"Pretty good." With his arms trapped, Sean walked over and leaned on the man. "Thanks for reading to me."
Charles went to the bed and sat with the younger mutant on his lap. "I don't know how you sleep a wink after those horror novels."
"Vampires and haunted houses are nothing," Sean told him. "Knowing you're getting a spankin' come morning will leave a kid in a cold sweat."
"Is that so? Perhaps then next time the kid will go to the movies as he said he would and not storm off in a huff for several hours, leaving the adults in a tizzy."
Sean formed a pout. "B-but I like when you say stuff like tizzy."
Charles gave him a fond squeeze. "Now Seanie, you wouldn't be stalling your punishment, would you?" Not that he minded to be quite honest.
"No, sir." Sean let off a little sigh. "…Ready."
"Such a brave boy." Charles draped the redhead across his lap and tugged the back of the comforter up to get at the pajama covered bottom.
The telepath started giving out firm swats, wanting the act of discipline over for both of them quickly.
Sean waved his long legs and whimpered like a puppy to keep from yelling out and causing a messy disaster.
At one point, Charles distinctly heard a word that had no business leaving the teenager's lips. "Sean Cassidy," he swatted his thigh, "do I need to bare your bum, young man?"
"No!" Sean answered post-haste. "No, sir, please. I'm sorry!" He groaned, remembering how Maya had warned him about swearing just the previous day. He could only be grateful Erik hadn't heard him or he'd be having vinegar for breakfast.
Charles gave him a few more hard smacks then lifted him up to cradle like a newborn in a bundle. He even took the liberty of rocking him and using Kleenex to wipe the pale tear-streaked face.
"That's a good lad," Charles soothed. "It's all over now."
Sean breathed into Charles' shoulder and soon snuggled into the spot.
"Here we go." Charles lay Sean stomach down on the big bed. "What if I go prepare two breakfast trays for us to eat up here? I'll read another chapter to you as well."
Sean smiled. "French toast with honey?"
"And chocolate chip pancakes." Charles gave his young Banshee a kiss to the forehead. "But you're to stay put here. I don't want you nudging your bum and giving me more tears to clean."
"Got it. No sudden laughter." Sean hugged a pillow. "Thanks, Charles."
Charles only smiled and said, "I'll be back." He turned to walk out.
Sean shifted his position, inwardly going over some things.
IIIIIII
Hearing the well-known vehicle pull up, Maya got off the couch and went to open her front door. Sean hurried up the steps to her.
He grabbed her in a hug. "Maya, I am so sorry."
"Sean," she immediately hugged him back, "you already called to apologize."
"No." He moved back to face her. "I had to do this in person. I completely disrespected you yesterday and you've never treated me like that."
"I wasn't totally nice to you, either," Maya admitted.
"But you were right," Sean urged. "Your life can't compare to Joey's, but you're able to understand him. I was just being spoiled." He turned, walking down a few steps. "I don't know what's wrong with me sometimes."
Concern on her face, Maya went down to stand next to him. "What do you mean? There is nothing wrong with you."
"Oh yeah? Charles asked me to empty the trash for Hank while he's on his honeymoon and I acted like I was being asked to give up a kidney. Or Erik needs me to pick up the kids and I have a cow." He groaned at himself.
"We're teenagers, Sean," Maya emphasized. "Everybody knows we're lazy."
"You don't act like that and you know it," Sean stated matter-of-factly. "You keep this place in top shape for your mom. Because you're actually grateful."
She hugged his arm, resting her chin on it. "I'm grateful for you, too."
Sean touched her hand. "You're just dynamite, babe." He became somber. "Listen, Maya, I want us to stay in at my place for a while. There's stuff going on and right now, I need to be a better X-Man."
"Okay," she agreed without problem.
He linked their hands now. "Can we go on a walk?"
At her nod, they started off together down the steps and up the block.
IIIIIII
In the dining room, Charles, Erik, and Emma convened around the long wooden table.
"Nothing has happened yet," Charles spoke. "But we must be on guard about this."
"Registration will be the equivalent of the red target dot on our foreheads," said Emma. "I've seen this happen before and I won't allow it again."
"So have I," Erik responded. "No one is registering."
"Registering for what?" Alex stepped in with Sean behind him.
"Go upstairs with the kids," Erik ordered.
"This is a closed meeting, boys," Charles told them.
"No," Alex refused. "We want to know what is going on around here."
"What's with the secrets?" Sean tacked on.
Emma looked at the headmaster pair. "The best way to protect them is to keep them informed."
Charles and Erik exchanged a glance and nod and Erik gestured for the teenagers to come closer.
Alex and Sean took up seats at the table with the former asking, "Does this have anything to do with Moira Mactaggert coming by yesterday?"
"Apparently, the CIA has spent the last year deciding what to do about the possibility of a mutant threat," Charles explained. "They want us all to register in their database."
"As a "safety precaution"," Erik added dryly.
"So basically they think we're stupid," Alex surmised.
"Is there anything we can do?" Sean asked.
Charles raised, "We're going to have to practice full and complete anonymity. The Triad will work to gather up any unsuspecting mutants we can. But for now, it's a waiting process. The government has to make the next move."
"What are we supposed to do in the meantime?" Alex wanted to know.
"Live your life," Erik replied. "Keep prepping for school in the fall, continue your training, play with your siblings."
Alex gave off a nod.
"Help where you can," Charles said to Sean and the redhead also nodded.
Emma touched Charles' wrist. The simple gesture gave the man utmost calming and he in turn placed his hand over hers.
IIIIIII
Opening the door to her hotel suite, Moira greeted, "Hello, Charles."
"Moira." He walked in. "Thank you for agreeing to meet me this morning. I know I didn't give you much notice."
"Well, I didn't give you any notice before my own visit," she conceded, closing the door back. "I take it you've given more thought to what we talked about before."
"Yes, actually." Charles faced her. "And my people will not be taking part in any type of government registration. We are not the criminals, but the ones who put them down. We will not be made pariahs for having a species commonality."
"I see." Moira folded her arms and walked towards one of the windows near her bed. "You understand that this leaves me in a difficult position."
"No more difficult than last year," Charles brought up.
"Things were different last year." She turned around, eyes going to him. "But I suppose the MCL1 gene just isn't mutated enough for you."
Charles took his hands out of his pockets, getting to the core of all of this. "Moira, my relationship with Emma had nothing to do with my decision not to pursue us. We have different goals, different definitions of family."
"And Shaw's slut is a regular Mother Goose," Moira retorted.
Charles remained even at the insult. "And the love of my life."
Moira shook her head. "I think we're done here."
Yes, we are.
Two fingers going to his temple, Charles entered into her mind and made rapid work of creating widespread deletion. When he released their lock, he did not give the utterly confused woman time to speak before sending her into slumber. She collapsed on top of the bed.
Take care, Moira.
With a twist to the doorknob, Charles walked out and started the journey back down to his car and home to his family.