Charles glanced at me with a 'we'll talk later' look and quickly led the way to the study. Hand-in-hand, Arik and I followed. The rest were already gathered around our small television. The tension and fear in the room clouded my concentration. As Charles listened to the president's ultimatum, his apprehension swelled. I clenched my eyes shut, desperately trying to maintain my wards. My encounter with Arik, however, was making this particularly difficult. He seemed to sense my struggle, for he wrapped an arm around my waist and held me close. Grateful for the physical, and emotional, support, I rested my head against his shoulder.
"It shall be the policy of this nation, to regard any nuclear missile, launched from Cuba against any nation, in the Western Hemisphere, as an attack, by the Soviet Union, on the United States."
Silence filled the study as the address ended. The anger that constantly burned in Arik's heart suddenly flared to life, causing me to grind my teeth.
"That's where we'll find Shaw," he growled.
I winced and placed a hand on his chest. Though I refrained from using my mutation, my blue eyes met his intently.
"Stop it," I chided softly.
He merely pursed his lips and turned to Alex, who asked, "How do you know?"
"Two superpowers facing off and he wants to start World War III," Charles answered. "He won't leave anything to chance."
I could feel the anxiety in the room growing.
"You've all done really well," I put in, trying to quell this upsurge of nerves. "You have each gained mastery over your own mutations. Charles and I can't tell you how proud we are."
I smiled encouragingly at each of them in turn before meeting my brother's eye.
At a nod from him, I continued, "We're both available if any of you need anything."
"I suggest you all get a good night sleep," Arik stated brusquely, eyes hard. "You're going to need it."
As they stood, I muttered in irritation, "Arik..."
"What?"
"They don't need you adding to their fear."
"They need to know this is no game."
They already know that," I snapped, pulling away from him and clenching my so recently healed hands. "They watched their friend die."
We were now the only two left in the study, though I could feel Charles just outside the room. Arik sighed and took my hands in his, gazing sadly down at them.
"I'm not going to let anything like that happen to you ever again," he whispered huskily.
He pressed his lips gently onto each of my palms. I flushed, and wonderful light emotions filled my chest. He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly to his chest. Once again, my head was resting comfortably against his shoulder.
"Are you scared?" he murmured into my hair.
I pulled away just enough to lock our gazes.
"For myself? -–No.—For you, Arik.."
I reached up and rested a soft hand against his grizzled cheek.
"I am terrified," I whispered.
He raised an eyebrow.
"This is not my first fight, Jenny..."
"I know," I muttered.
I bit my lip. I didn't quite know how to explain what frightened me. His eyes bore into mine, waiting patiently.
"I'm afraid..." I began slowly. "Of who you will become when you see Shaw."
His anger lanced at my wards at the mere mention of the name, and his eyes narrowed. I huffed in frustration and jerked away from him.
"This is exactly what I mean!" I snapped quite loudly. "I don't want to lose you to your hatred again, Arik! I understand what he did to you."
He opened his mouth to protest, but I held up a hand to silence him.
"No," I continued firmly. "Don't give me that. I relived every moment with you when we took that walk around headquarters. That's the difference between mine and Charles' mutations. He gets facts, data. But I live every. single. emotion. So don't you dare try and tell me I don't understand because I understand better than anyone."
I breathed heavily, glaring up at him.
"You know who I was before we..."
He trailed off with an awkward shrug, and my cheeks flushed. Drawing on his strength for courage, I stepped close to him once more. Slowly, tenderly, I slipped my hands up his muscled chest and over his shoulders to wrap around his neck.
"I love you, Arik," I whispered. "And I need to know this isn't just some skin you've slipped on to get you closer to Shaw."
The words had poured from my mouth unbidden, despite their truth. I barely managed to keep my unruly emotions from spilling into me as well. I watched his face uncertainly, trying to gauge his reaction. But like myself, he wore his mask well. Rather than respond, he leaned down and captured my lips with his. For me, that kiss could have gone on forever. All the passion of those three unspoken words flowed freely into me. Too soon, he was pulling away.
"I love you, Jennifer Xavier," he whispered huskily.
I couldn't help but smile warmly despite the danger that lay before us.
"Then don't give me a reason to be afraid," I whispered teasingly, though the sentiment behind the words was all too real.
He grinned and kissed me again. The feeling was unlike anything I'd ever felt. But as I pulled away from him, smiling broadly, a wave of pure anxiety washed over me, something that was wholly not my own. I loosed a cry of shock and clutched at my aching chest.
"Jenny!" Arik immediately gasped, his hold on my waist tightening.
At the same moment, Charles' voice sounded in my head. Jenny! What's happening?
Out loud, I growled under my breath, "I don't need you in my head right now, Charles. I'm fine."
"Like hell you are," Arik muttered, half carrying me to the couch.
"It's nothing," I insisted. "My wards just aren't too strong at the moment."
"That's my fault, isn't it?" he asked quietly.
I opened my mouth to deny this, but Charles burst into the study.
"It most certainly is," he growled abruptly, though with very little accusation or malice.
"Charles..."I sighed.
"Don't 'Charles' me," he snapped, striding briskly up to the pair of us. "You can't keep doing this if we're to stop Shaw!"
"What good is my mutation if I have to keep it locked up all the time?!" I shouted, pulling away from Arik to face Charles. "I don't want to keep hiding from myself!"
"Jenny," Charles sighed. "Your mutation is a wonderful thing. I have always told you that." I crossed my arms over my chest defensively. "But you and I both know how unstable it can be." He reached out a hand and pressed it to the side of my face, our matching blue eyes locked. "I can't lose my sister."
Fully abashed, I lowered my gaze.
"I'm sorry, Charles, I know you're right. It's the way it's always been, and it's the way it has to be."
He gave a sad nod. But what then...was I to do with my love for Arik? It was too much to think about at the moment.
Softly, I muttered, "I'm uh...gonna go find Raven. I think she needs some girl talk."
With that, I pulled away from both men and fled the study. My mind raced with what had happened with Arik, and then Charles' words. It was a good thing no one could read my emotions at that moment. They'd be incomprehensible. Instead, I focused on the waves of anxiety, self-loathing, and uncertainty, following the trail to Raven's room. Taking a deep breath, I knocked softly.
"Raven?" I called. "It's Jen. Can I come in?"
"If you want," came the surly reply.
Fighting the urge to roll my eyes, I pushed into the room. Raven stood in her natural blue form, staring at her reflection.
"I was hoping you wouldn't notice," she said with a grimace as I approached.
I grimaced wryly. "I've known you too long, Raven, and we've been through too much."
I sat on the bed behind her as she examined herself. Raven had, of course, struggled with her appearance all her life. I had done my best to encourage her, but the more years that passed, the more difficult it became.
Finally, I tried quietly, "It's not your fault you have to hide. It's theirs."
"Whose?" Raven scoffed, glancing at me in the mirror.
"Everyone," I answered with a shrug. "All those idiots who can't appreciate your beauty."
"Because I'm a freak," she muttered under her breath.
"No," I countered firmly. "You merely represent an unexpected change, and we naturally fear what we don't understand. I have only ever asked you to hide to protect you as a child."
I stood and approached her.
Resting a hand on her deep blue shoulder, I continued in a whisper, "But now, I suppose you are old enough to choose for yourself." I fought back a wince at her renewed doubt. "Either choice will be difficult; either will have its challenges. But, it's time for you to embrace the unique beauty that you are."
Uncertainty continued to gnaw at her, and consequently, at me.
"Will anyone ever love me for me, like this? Could anyone look at me the way Arik does you?" She took a deep breath, depression radiating from her in fierce waves. "I'm tired of hiding, Jenny."
"I know, honey," I murmured. "Whatever you choose, I'll be right beside you."
"How am I supposed to make that choice?" she asked, desperation clear in her voice.
"By trusting your heart," I stated simply. "You know your own heart better than even me, and it'll be more reliable than any other voice."
"But..."
I could feel full panic threatening to strangle her heart. I latched onto her shoulders and spun her around to face me.
Embracing her tightly, I whispered with a passionate ferocity, "You are my sister, Raven. Nothing will ever change that, but this is your choice, yours and yours alone." I pulled away and kissed her on the cheek. "You don't have to make it now."
With that, I turned and strode from the room. Some might have called it cruel to leave her in such a state, but I firmly believed this was something she needed to do on her own, no matter how nervous I grew. One thing I had learned as an empath was that every person had an innate desire, a need, to be known. And when that need failed to be met...I shook my head. It was in Raven's hands now, and there were others who needed encouragement just now. I knocked softly on another door further down the hall.
"Alex? Can I come in?"
