MAY CONTAIN MATERIEL NOT SUITABLE FOR UNDERAGE READERS
YOU HAV BEEN WARNED.
CH 8 Trust
Charlotte works with every student. Giving each one on one time to develop their gifts. Hank enjoys himself too creating things to help them advance.
Erik and her practiced with a gun earlier, which didn't go so well.
(READ: Out of Fear, by me. Replace Charles with Charlotte)
Erik had secluded himself for the rest of the day after the incident.
Charlotte took Alec down to the nuclear bunker to work on his Havoc skills.
The house began to settle for the night before Erik came back into the mansion.
Walking down the hall he stops at the one person he wanted to see. Knocking on her door he pauses.
"Come in," she spoke. Erik enters to see her on the bed in an silk under blouse applying cream to a burn. Moving forward he took her arm.
"What happened?"
"Alec has a wicked curve on his power. Hank believes he can create a device to help him focus better." Turning her arm over to see the redness going up her arm and under her blouse. She winced at the movement.
"Sorry," she smiles at him.
"Don't worry. It's a lesson for me. Trying to focus away from the pain."
"And how is that working?"
"Terribly I'm afraid." Watching her train the others she really didn't have time to train herself. Being the teacher to them. To them all.
"We need to work on that." Taking the cream out of her hand. "Remove your blouse." She hesitated looking at him. He made a motion to the cream. Nodding in understanding she did as requested. Removing the top she took her left arm to keep modesty. Erik smiled at that. Yet when he moved to the back he frowned. The red had spread up and over the top of her shoulder blade then back down in an arch. But it wasn't the angry red that made him frown. It is the old pale scars running perpendicular to her spinal column. He ran a hand along it. She shivered.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. It happened a long time ago." Erik looks into her eyes as she watches him run his hands along her back. How could she be so forgiving? Erik left the white lines alone. Moving to the red. Gathering ointment on his hand he began to apply. Changing topics.
"So what would we need to do in order for you to enhance your talent?" She sighs heavily at knowing the answer but what she needed is,
"I need somebody to trust me explicitly."
"Ok."
"I don't think you understand. I would need somebody to allow me to play with their brain. And I don't want to ask for volunteers from them and I don't feel like hunting down somebody unknown." Afraid of what she might find out amongst the human jungle.
"What about me?" she looks over her shoulder at him again. Wondering if he is serious. "You know everything about me. And we need our telepath at the top of her game. You're constantly pushing them to exceed their limits. And they have. All that leaves is you."
"And you."
"I'm training." He defends. She nodded in defeat.
"I don't think you understand the repercussions from this." Erik places a hand on her shirtless shoulder.
"You trust me for some weird reason. I think it is time I placed some trust." He finished up on her back. Moving around he took the injured arm. Now seeing more of her face. So readable.
"I can't."
"Can't or won't?" she looks away from him. Not wanting to have this discussion. Erik reaches for her chin. Looking into her sky blue wells. "I trust you." For some unphathomable reason I do. Thinking the rest. Knowing she would pick the unspoken up. Her eyes stare into his.
"Erik," she softly spoke.
"Professor?" a voice spoke from the door. The two moved apart. She quickly put her blouse on.
"Yes Hank." Hank tried the door. But it is locked. Erik smiles as she looks to him. Thinking at the door it unlocks. Hank staggers in. Then he takes in the scene.
"Oh sorry I didn't mean to interrupt.
"Nothing to interrupt. Just getting her ready for a training session." Hank looks between them his mind going dirty places. Charlotte blush at this.
"Hank ,um, what can I do for you?"
"I think I have the perfect design for Havoc."
"That's good. We'll test it tomorrow." Hank beams at her complements. All the students beamed under her tutelage and encouragement. Treating them with respect and things they never had before.
"Good, great. Um, we'll test it tomorrow. Night Professor, Mr. Lensherr." Hank excited the room. Erik locked the door again. Turning to her.
"I hate it when they call me that."
"What hate that it sounds so official? Or do you prefer Magneto?" she spoke smiling. Erik couldn't help but smile back. Clapping his hand on his legs he stands up.
"Ok, ready when you are."
"Erik, I… I don't want to hurt you." Erik doesn't speak physically. She needs to exercise her muscle.
Come on Charlotte. Show me what you can do. I know you can freeze me. She tilts her head at him. What else can you do? Show me. He challenges.
Charlotte simply stares at him for a moment. Wondering what she can do and get away with it. She knows his memories, faded and vivid. She knows his fears, pains, joys, and ticklish spots. The thing is she did so much on the mental realm that she enjoyed the physical so much more. Delighting in the brief contact she has with all her students. Loving how Erik's hands felt on her skin. A beautiful man that would never want her. Burying those thoughts done she went to test herself.
Erik watches the emotion play across her features then when they go still and the eyes soar deep into him. He knows she has begun. He can feel her walk gently in his mind. A welcomed breeze on a scorching day. Then he feels it. She has frozen him. But then makes him walk toward her. Let's see what you can do, he challenges again. Sighing deeply she creates an illusion. Thinking of the outside garden. Erik takes it in. It's real. Then there is rain. He can feel the coldness and the wetness. Nice trick. Come on. She didn't know what to do. She can do many things. Freeze people, wipe clean memory, manipulate memory, search the deepest recesses of your mind, control others bodies. What about powers?
Erik felt his arm raise. Then felt the tingling sensation when he uses his gift. If she can control other mutants and use their power. The lamp on the table began to shake slightly. His eyes mobile he took in his friend. Beads of sweat formed upon her brow. Her fingers digging into her temple. The lamp shakes. Erik begins to worry about her. Come on Charlotte. Come on. There is a sudden boost in the sensation the lamp careening across the room. Smashing into the wall. Then he is free.
Looking at the mess in amazement he looks to Charlotte. She looks worn. Maybe they should have done it when she had a proper rest. Moving toward her.
"That was amazing." She can only sigh deeply.
"That is a lot harder than it looks."
"With practice you'll be able to do it with a seductive wink." She smiles at him. Feeling warm. His heart swells. His friend, having one for the first time in a very long time. "Ah, I almost forgot." Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a leather cord with a hunk of metal engrained on the one end. "This is for you." She takes it. The shape is circular but one solid piece of metal.
"It's beautiful, thank you." Taking in the gift. Erik takes it and begins to place it on her.
"It's made of several odd and end metals. So if I need to find you I can merely focus on a certain metal that is there and viola, find you." She smiles at the gesture. She can find them with a clear thought. But what happened if she is taken. A gift and security all in one.
"That's thoughtful."
"We can't go losing our telepath." There it was again. The only real reason to be kept around. Her talent. Erik saw the change in her mood. Happy then the sadness crossing her eyes. His hands went to the necklace chasing away the sad thoughts. Looking up.
"Thank you Erik. I will wear it always." Erik smiles at that. Knowing he had said something wrong. But also did something right.
"You're welcome. Good night Charlotte. Tomorrow we'll exercise that muscle of yours more."
"Yours too my friend. Good night."
"Good night." Erik departs. Looking in one last time to see her stroke his present. Smiling wider he feels good about the first gift he's given to a woman besides his late mother.
Trust
Mystique observes Erik and her sister. Seeing the chemistry there. The great power they both hold. And their stupidness at not seeing the attraction. Yet this morning at breakfast her sister has a new trinket around her neck.
"Nice necklace." She fiddles with it self consciously.
"Yes, Erik gave it to me." Pouring hot water into the teapot. "To ensure no one steals our telepath." Ah there it is again. People only wanting her for her talents. Raven hated it that her sister didn't realize that he likes her more than that. That even Martin fancies her in a certain wondrous way.
"Well it's pretty. And will go great with that purple/reddish number you have." She raises an eyebrow in question at her. Raven morphs to be her and in the dress.
"Oh, that one." Reverting back to her cover. "Raven I do wish you would be true to yourself. This is your home." Raven smiled at the warmth in her voice. Changing to blue. "Perfection."
Erik had listened from the doorway. Hoping not to get caught. Learning that Charlotte is rubbish unless she gets a cup of tea in her. Learning to love how she loved her sister for who and what she is. Having the same view on that end.
"So I was wondering since it is the weekend that we should have the night off. Go out have fun." Xavier sighed deeply. Taking the role of elder again. Mystique playfully nudges her. "Come on all work and no play." All she did is smile in response. Causing Raven to jump up and down. "Yes, can't wait to tell the others." She bounced off to the skillet to cook up some eggs.
"Good morning Erik." She spoke as she sips her tea. Entering the room like a sly wolf he leaned on the bar with her. She handed him the extra teacup she had made.
"Thank you." She nods. Looking down at the necklace that circled her neck. Then remembering the words and at how defeated she spoke the words to her sister. "I'm glad you like the necklace."
"It's true you do need a way to track me."
"No we need a way to keep you safe." She nodded. Yes the team's telepath safe.
"I thank you." The kids bounced into the room. Cutting off any further conversation.
Breakfast conversation consisted of this and that. Then the big announcement of fun tonight on the town. Everyone shouting with delight.
Trust.
Charlotte sat in the couch chair. Staring hard at the chessboard. Telepathic, empathic, telekinetic. All powers of the brain. Just have to exercise the muscle.
The device Hank made for Havoc genius. And then running in the afternoon with Hank. Pitch lessons with Banshee. Breaking some nice crystal her mother once treasured. Meaning nothing to her. Showing pictures to Mystique and watching her change to each one. Loving when she imitated Frank Sinatra. Then now relaxing. Some alone time. Secluding herself in the library. The active brains upstairs deciding on, what to wear out? Where to go? What foods to gorge themselves on? Sighing deeply, trying to focus her mind away from their thoughts. Focusing on the chessboard.
The door opens.
"Why aren't you ready?" swiveling her head around.
"Sorry Raven just trying to focus my mind." She comes in wearing a beautiful reddish/bay number. Complementing her regular normal human persona. Sitting down on her sister's lap. Slinging an arm around her.
"What's wrong?" Mystique moves her hand to the temples of the telepath. Rubbing slowly. Charlotte groans. "You've been burning the wick at both ends again."
"Don't I always." Raven continued her administrations.
"Then stay here and we'll go enjoy ourselves. Give you some time for just you to be in your head." A deep sigh resonated.
"Sounds wonderful. Are you sure the others won't mind?" Raven pecked her on the check.
"Of course not. You've been working with all of us. No down time. And you need downtime."
"Did you talk Hank into going?" Raven grinned proudly. "Good he needs to get away from the lab."
"I know." Hugging her sister tight. "I'll think hard if we need you. Which we won't. You trained us well." Smiling at one another. "Good, relax. See you after midnight. Don't wait up." One final hug she left the library.
Collapsing back into the couch. There would be silence soon. Just her. Hoping she can deal with it.
Trust
Mystique stopped walking down the stairs looking across and up at Erik who stood at the top of the stairs.
"You staying." Not a question.
"Someone has to protect her."
"Protect Charlotte or the telepath?" Erik squinted his face at that. Raven sighed. "Charlotte has it in her head that she isn't pretty and her only worth to this situation is her talent." Which is partially true. "She likes you. And for some weird reason she trust you explicitly. Don't you dare hurt her."
"I would never." Erik stuck for words. Speaking only truth. He had so much respect for her. Cared for in a way so anew he couldn't identify what it is.
"She likes you." Raven blurts out what he feels. "She won't say it for you are the only other friend she has. She doesn't want to risk losing you."
"She knows everything about me."
"Yes, there is knowing information and emotions, situations. But the personal stuff. She is mostly all mental. The physical she is an idiot with. So don't hurt her."
"I have no intention."
"Good." Raven morphed on a jacket. "Good night."
"Mystique," she looks up at him. Wonder in her eyes. "Someday you won't have to hide." Smiling to that someday. She left with the others. Erik looked down the hall where the study is. Where the soul of the group is? Where Charlotte is?
The children pass him on their way out for a night on the town. Saying good byes, don't wait up, be good. Children who accepted him. Looked up to him. When a short time ago they would not even register on his radar. Simpletons to pass and to conquer.
Moving down the hallway light shines from under the door. Standing there he wonders if he should enter or give her, her space. Standing there he pondered Raven's words. Erik knew all about the physical. How it can be used against you. How to learn from it. Make him stronger. Thinking of Charlotte and all her gifts. Seeing into minds and seeing through other's eyes. Seeing the world through a haze. Not of her own eyes. And what did she see through her eyes.
Unworthy. Cringing at what he spoke earlier of her. The gift that is important more than a mere locator. A just in case. It meant more. And the wording just all wrong.
Opening the door silently learned over years of use. The figure he wanted to make redemption to lay on the sofa. Legs hanging over the side. A cloth covering her eyes. The fire crackling behind her. Her figure catching the light making her glow. Erik just stood taking her in. She has appealing qualities. A subtle beauty. Her mind and talent enhancing her. Something unseen so tempting. Moving quietly he approached the couch, getting a better view.
Her eyes closed but knowing the mind active. Wanting only to rest.
"Charlotte?" turning her head toward the voice.
"Erik?" moving to remove the cloth. A hand rested on her arm.
"Sorry to interrupt." She began to move so she could sit up to give him her full attention. Even if her head felt like lead. Shaking off his hand she sat. Her hands going to her temples. Trying to get her mind to focus. Still feeling the remnants as the children fought over shotgun and who would drive. Erik moves to sit beside her on the couch. Looking at the necklace. It was rather crude. A single strip of leather with a formed piece of metal around one length. Easily taken off to hide her. He didn't want anybody to take her. Looking at her he saw that she has aged more than her years. Growing up in a world of feeling everything and learning from every ones past mistakes and deeds. Could live inside a room and still experience the world.
"No it's okay, but if you need me can it wait a while."
"I don't need anything." Moving around to where she is resting. Lifting her shoulders.
"Erik," she shrieks. Sitting quickly lowering her back down. Resting her back down on his lap. "What are you doing?" he holds his hand up to raise the metal. She smiles at his trick.
"I didn't mean it as an insult. I worry about you." She relaxed as he began to run his hand through her hair.
"There is no need." He lifts the cloth off from her eyes. Slight anger radiating.
"There is always a need. " She looks up at him. Wanting to read his mind. See if he is serious or just playing her. She begins to move but Erik holds her down. Their eyes connect. He's trying to tell her something. But he doesn't know how. All he knows is the rage that helps fuel his power. Continuing to pet her hair. What is it that she always says?
"Calm your mind." Voicing the thought.
"I thought you were resting." She looks at him.
"I was. Why are you still here?"
"Well someone has to protect you." She nods sadly turning to stare into the fire. Reaching forward he strokes her hair. "Charlotte, I…"she turns to look at him. "Read my mind." Her eyes widen. She had told him she would not without permission. He had allowed her the trust to touch and move through him. Skimming on control. She began to raise her hand to her temple. Catching it in his he grabs it pulling it to rest against his. Eyes locked she feels the waves of emotion. Something tapped after so long. Erik holds her hand there but moves down. She feels the warm blanket that he is casting. His lips touche hers. A spark so bright snapped through them. Urging on his hand gripped through her hair bringing her to meet him. Becoming hungry for her, for more. Kissing like starving people. Waves overlapping. Biting, cascading in on one another. Needing air they separate.
"What are we doing?"
"I thought it was obvious." He reads her eyes. So blue. An open sky and no clouds of thought in it. "You have kissed a man before?"
"I have." She has kissed men before but not like this. Never like this. And she wanted more.
"What else have you done?" she doesn't want to speak. So she kisses him. Devouring his lips but he pulls back.
"Are you a virgin?" Wanting to fill his mind with fantasy to prove that she is not.
"Um,"
"You are," he backs away. The warmth that is being separated by a intrusive breeze.
"I just never had occasion." Erik looks into those innocent blue eyes. No wonder her ideals are pure. She never desired to taint herself with carnal needs. Then she blinks her eyes and all the lust they feel burning. How?
"Your serious." She shrugs it off.
"Never met the right man. I didn't want some lame ass to be apart of me." Didn't want to have the constant reminder swimming through her mind. "There is so much more than physical with me."
"Show me." Erik says with every fiber of his being.
"What?" unsure if she should let this feeling spread everywhere. In every fiber of being. She closes her eyes but a hand on her cheek grounds her. Opening her eyes his face mere inches from hers.
"I'll teach you the physical. You show me the mental." She brushes the surface of his mind. Feeling the blanket of warm emotion.
"Seriously?" So unsure if she should. She wants it too just like him. Erik looked at her. He wants her. Not just as the telepath of this team. Not the teacher, well part of that.
"I gave you this necklace not just ensure your safety. It is also to ensure I know where you are at all times. I care for you. And I don't want to see anything happen to you." Any of the horrors Shaw has done to him. All the things he has done himself. "The gun incident, brought back rather unpleasant memories." a soft hand caresses his face. Eyes locking. Moving in they kissed. Soft tentative at first. But Erik wants this. Since the first time he saw all her potential. Her soul. Her trust. Gripping her close he devoured her lips. She reciprocated by letting the lust they both feel mingle together. Creating an energy never tapped into before. A universal energy. Sparks flying everywhere.
"Erik, we can't do this here." Erik takes in the room. The house is empty except for them. But this position will not work out. Lifting her up he moves quickly to her room that is a floor up. Wanting to make this special. Sex on the couch they can do at a later time. A later time, that thought making him smile. Barging into her room. Doors closing on his command, locking them in.
Laying her on the bed he takes her in.
"So beautiful." Erik dove in for more. Hands everywhere taking in every inch. Both sharing the mental and physical. So much sensation. When they are both free of clothing skin to skin contact sends ripples across their minds. She's making it more than just touch. Their thoughts touching. Pleading for more. The fireworks they create. Erik breathed heavily.
"This is amazing."
"Yes you are." Erik chuckled. They don't speak vocally again. It's all emotion, words sighed heavily with lust in minds eye. Position for entrance he looks deep into her eyes. Seeing how high the sky really goes. It goes on forever. The tightness in her makes him groan. Please, she begs him. Urging him mentally and physically her legs grind him closer to her. He arches at her strength. So many levels to conquer. To explore. Erik bends his head down into neck to hers. Panting breathes as he reaches his limits. Feeling what she is feeling. Emotions amplified seven-fold. She nearing as he is almost there. Containing until she is ready. Wanting to make this good. Make it worth the wait. He succeeds. They both come together in a silent and boisterous loud roar. Erik sinks his weight to press against her body. Feeling the quiver of aftershocks of a great union. With the last bit of energy for a while he moves to look in her face.
"You are amazing." She smiles.
So are you, she tells him mentally. Erik slowly pulls out of the warmth. Noticing her wince a little.
"Are you alright?" concern filling his voice.
"I'm fine. Just don't go." Erik looks into her eyes. She had been hurt before. People always leaving her.
"Never," Erik promised laying down beside her. Comforted by their warmth. Feeling things thought taken from him. He wraps his arms around her. She does the same. Laying his head on her breast. Hearing her soothing heartbeat. She began to giggle. Looking up at her face.
"So are you?" that smile he is falling in live with.
"What?" grumbling, wondering what emotion is playing on her face. Then he realized. "Again?" she nodded. He is man of good age and breed. She moved against him. The encouragement both physical and mental.
Damn her, he thought mischievously. Warm sensation springing to his loins. Clamping his mouth to mark her as his. She arches under him. He could get use to this. Being here, being… loved. Going in for another round.
TBC
Reviews welcome