Thank you everyone for the awesome reviews, alerts/favs/kudos and the comments about FF question. Sorry, I think I missed my weekly deadline again, the week just flew by. A bit of a cliffy end today, and it will be explained in the next chapter :)

When Charles thought no one was watching, his gaze would wonder off into the distance, a dull blankness filled his eyes. But the truth was, it was more painful to see him hide his pain when someone was around.

"Charles? Wha'cha doin'?"

Alex had come into the kitchen to grab a drink, and found the large marble bench top covered with bowls, pots and an array of ingredients. Charles stood on top of a step ladder, staring at a book at if it was the most intriguing and complex problem on Earth. His vivid baby blues snapped up at the sound of Alex's voice and immediately slammed the big, thick book shut.

"Nooothing.."

Charles, at this age, was not a very good liar. His cheeks and ear lobes began to burn, and his eyes looked everywhere expect at Alex, all that was missing was some whistling. Charles obviously wanted to do this himself, so Alex didn't question any further.

"Alright, little man. If you need any help. I'll be out back."

"O-okay."

The man takes a large jug of water and some snacks then heads outside, not missing the gratefulness within those shining eyes.

~x~

Not being of much further help for Hank with Cerebro, Alex had been spending his days outside, practicing his precision by disintegrating the piles of earth that had been excavated in order to build Cerebro. The temperature had been dropping by the day, and nearly all the leaves have now turned red or brown, even with Ororo's attempt to keep the air a few degrees warmer than the rest of the area. Nonetheless, the vast garden with its muted colors was still a spectacular sight, giving Alex this sense of focused tranquility. He had been working on the control over his powers without the suit Hank designed to help focus the cosmic energy, and progress had been slow. Yet, just like Charles had taught him, frustration hindered his control, so really, he was working on two matters.

"...Alex?"

A tiny, unsure voice called out from behind him. Alex turned to find Charles covered in what he assumed is flour. Charles stood with his hands nervously playing at the hem of his sweater, head down cast and but lips protruding in an obvious pout. The blonde man immediately wanted to just collect the boy into his arms and hold him until all his insecurities and pain had melted away

"Need help?"

His little head snapped up, large blue saucers of eyes catching the early afternoon light. Alex hadn't seen that eagerness in days.

"Yes, please."

"I'd be glad to. Come on, show me the progress you've already made."

Charles jumped in joy and led Alex back to the kitchen with a skip in his little energetic steps.

"I managed to find almost all the things the book said I need. I found lots of soda, but none of them were baking flavor, do you think the brown soda will work? And..."

The toddler talked a mile a minute, and Alex just smiled and followed after him, half confused about exactly what the boy was detailing to him.

Turns out, Charles had been attempting to made red velvet cupcakes for everyone, or more specifically for Jean, who, as Charles explained, had mentioned she had always wanted to try red velvet but had never had the privilege to. He had indeed found almost all the ingredients listed, although he confused baking soda with the drinking soda, and buttermilk with butter mixed with milk. Also, he couldn't decide which cup he should use to measure 'a cup', since the cabinets were filled with cups ranging in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Good thing Alex had picked up a few baking tips here and there over the years, and did a bit of baking here when he had a hankering for homemade dessert, usually in the middle of the night, so he knew where the necessary tools and utensils were kept, and how to make substitute buttermilk, since they had none. The next half hour was perhaps the most fun the two have had together in a long time, and certainly the first time since the nightmare Alex had seen Charles truly letting himself enjoy his time.

But it didn't last. As they sat on stools in front of the oven, watching the heat do its magic on the batter, Charles' smile slowly faded, and it was as if a blank veil covered and masked his face.

"...do you think this will make everyone happy? Make everyone forgive me?"

Alex doesn't know for how many beats his heart had stopped. He immediately slid, ungracefully, down from the stool, and knelt in front of the still guilt ridden boy.

"Charles... Listen to me. You have to trust me when I say none of us blame you for what happened. You were... you aregoing through a terrible time, and we understand."

"But it's my fault that I can't control it."

"You'll learn. We all have to. Heck, I'm still learning... You don't want to be like me, living most of my life in fear of my own powers because I didn't know how to control it. For a long time, I thought it was impossible to control it until... someone very dear to me placed faith in that I could."

"Scott?"

"Not Scott, but he may as well be our family. He... is the father figure that I'd never dreamed of having."

At the mention of the word father, Charles' little hands fist tightly together, face a picture of sorrow.

"W-what happened to your real father?"

"Our parents died when Scott was just a baby, and I was a little older than you are now."

"Does it get any easier? Do you think about them? I-I don't want to forget papa.."

"You'll never forget your papa. I know it hurts right now, but it will get easier. And yes, I do think about my parents from time to time, but I try to think of them with happy thoughts. That's a better way to honor them, don't you think?"

Something changes within Charles, and it almost looks like a bit of weight had been lifted off his small heavy shoulders.

"You had to look after Scott by yourself?"

He knows Charles didn't mean to dig up his old wounds, but this was something Alex was still trying to get over himself.

"We... lived in an orphanage together for a few years until Scott was adopted. Then I was swapped between orphanages and foster homes, then later juvie and prison... I was so angry when they took Scott from me. He was all I had left in the world. So I lashed out. I was selfish and short sighted. I didn't think that what I was doing was just pushing the chances of getting Scott back further out of my reach. Then..yo- Hefound me. He saw beyond the anger and all my stupidity. He saved me and helped me find Scott. I don't think I'll ever be able to repay him, but I'm gonna help him save as many children and those like us as I can."

Alex didn't realize his tears until a warm, flour covered hand wiped at his cheek.

"Where is he now?"

"H-he's around, helping others discover themselves."

In front of anyone else, Alex would have been too embarrassed about all the emotion in his broken voice, but Charles as child had this way of bringing out one's vulnerability, one's rawness.

"So how about it little man? Let's grow stronger together. And no more guilt about that night, okay?"

Charles looked right back into Alex's eyes and considered carefully. The man knew the exactly moment when Charles had reached the right decision. His blue eyes softened, somehow shining brighter, and finally a small genuine and relieved smile formed.

Erik had been busy with helping Hank with the construction of Cerebro. The materials had arrived a few days ago, and they immediately got to work. Scott had also been called on to help. With the visors Hank designed for him to help focus his optical blasts, that could be set at different levels of concentrations and strength, Scott was perfectly suited to help with this job.

Today was the first time Erik and Scott were left alone in the extended bunker, and the elder could no longer resist bringing the subject up.

"Scott, can I ask you something... about your family?"

"You mean Alex?"

"Well no, I mean your parents, or grandparents..."

"Well, my parents died in a plane crash when I was a baby. I don't remember them really.. just what Alex tells me and the one photo of the four of us."

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be... Compared to everyone else, I had a pretty decent upbringing. At the orphanage, I had Alex, then I got adopted into a decent family who were good to me. When I manifested, I blew out half the roof... they didn't kick me out, and I kept my eyes tightly shut until this doctor gave me the glasses with ruby quartz lenses-"

Doctor.

"Do you remember the name of this doctor?"

"Ugghh.. Essex I think... Why?"

Emma was right. Essex had been keeping an eye on Scott. But for what? He'll need to deal with the man sooner rather than later.

"Well, it's always good to know if there are doctors out there who are willing to help us."

Scott didn't look convinced at Erik's explanation, but said nothing.

"Why did you leave that family, if they were good to you?"

"When I got the call.. when I learned that Alex was searching for me.. I couldn't... I had to at least meet him. And when I found out he was a mutant too, that everyone here were mutants, I knew this was where I belonged."

"It's true. This is a good place for you and Alex."

"Can you promise to let this place remain a safe place for us? For those of us who don't agree with you?"

It was a curve ball Erik had not expected to come from the young man next to him. It was also the first time he had seen such intensity in his expression.

"I may not agree with Charles on many things, but I respect and admire what he wishes to do here. I will do everything within my power to allow this place to flourish."

Before Scott had the chance to fully digest what Erik had just said, Charles ran into the extended bunker, breathless.

"Huh huh...Erik, Scott? Can you both please.. huh.. come to the dining table?"

Everyone had gathered around the dining table, pleasantly surprised at the plates of delicious looking buttercream frosted cupcakes. Charles got busy pulling out the chairs for everyone, ushering them to sit down for their treat.

"Charles? Is this-"

Jean looked bewildered.

"It's red velvet cupcakes! You said you wanted to try them."

She didn't know what to say. She had only mentioned it once in passing, and thought nobody had heard.
"You made it for us?"

Charles blushed a deep red, and drew circles with a foot, head cast downward in shyness from all the attention.

"A-Alex did most of the work."

Everyone waited for Jean to take the first the first bite, and by the way she munched down on it, the cupcake tasted as good as it looked.

"It's delicious. Thank you Charles, Alex."

Jean ran over to Charles and gave the boy a little peck on his still reddened cheek, making Charles's while face burn a vivid red to rival Azazel.

And for the first time this week, the atmosphere among everyone was finally genuinely relaxed and brightened.

The construction of Cerebro was going smoothly, and it had been at the forefront of Hank's priorities for the time being. He had not spent quiet and isolated time in the laboratory for days, and he was yearning for it. But what he missed even more, was Charles' presence here. Of course, he knew why Charles still could not step back in here. It must remind the child so much of his father.

Even though Charles was now certain no one blamed him for that horrible night, his moments of zoning out had increased in its frequency. Moreover, he was unmistakably avoiding not only laboratory, but anything that hinted of his father's work. The laboratory had been one of Charles' most favorite places in the mansion, where he would either quietly sit and watch Hank at work, or he would become the his little eager helper. The room just felt too cold without Charles.

So obviously, Hank nearly jumped out of his skin when his leg bumped into something warm that was hiding under the table.

"Charles? What are you doing down here? Are you alrig-"

Hank bit on his tongue to stop himself from asking whether the boy was alright. Of course he wasn't.

"May I join you?"

A little silent nod was enough of an invitation for the blue furred man. The space was a tight fit, but as Charles snuggles up to him for comfort, Hank found the squeeze comforting as well.

"Do you want to tell me what's on your mind?"

"...I wanted to think of papa... Mother has been spending lots of time with Mr. Marko. Alex said that I would never forget papa, but... but I think mother has already forgotten him..."

Hank had to be careful what he said. He knew full well his ability to say the absolute wrong things at the wrong time.

"I don't think I can say anything to make you feel better, but I don't think your mother will ever forget your father either. Everyone has different ways of dealing with pain, and I think this is her way of moving on."

"Do you think I'm being selfish in not wanting mother to move on?"

"No! You're dealing with your pain, and it's alright for you not to want to see your mother be with another man."

Charles went quiet for a good while before finally speaking again.

"...I miss being in here. Can I still be your helper sometimes?"

"Of course you can. Anytime you want."

"Now?"

Hank chuckled, making his fur do a little swaying dance. He was just going to do a bit of cleaning up and triple check everything with the pressure chamber for Charles session tomorrow.

"If you don't mind doing some boring cleaning."

Charles didn't mind. He was elated to have something to do to keep his mind off what was happening with his family.

"I can't do it, Erik! I can't be like that man you respect. I don't want a new father. Not him! I'm sorry, but I just can't not hate him.."

Everyone had been on walking tenterhooks around Charles since he turned seven. Charles had once mentioned in passing to Raven that his mother remarried about a year after his father had died. He had been reluctant to come out of his room, and resolutely refused to eat at the dining table for fear of having to see his mother or Kurt Marko.

Charles had burst into the study where he knew Erik would be, and ran under the desk, crawling tightly within himself.

"Oohh, Charles.." Erik pushed the large leather chair away and sat down on the ground with the trembling boy.

"You don't have to be anyone you don't want to be. But not every great man starts out as great. Greatness is built up. That man was once just like you..."

"But I-I'm angry...at him and at mother. I can see it in her mind. She expects me to call him father. She wants to replace papa with him. Why?"

"Perhaps because she think it is best for you to have a father figure."

"Not him! ! C-can't you talk to her? Tell her he's not good! She never listens to me, perhaps she'll listen to you?"

"I...we can't.. We're not-"

The last time Erik had seen such despair in Charles was that day on the Cuban beach. It had tore a hole in his soul that day nearly two years ago, but now, having gotten to know Charles like this, to have met the vulnerable being behind the surprisingly tough exterior, it was indescribable how it made Erik feel to fail him. Again.

"...I see.."

"Charles, please know what it is not that none of us don't want to, with all our hearts, help you. But we are unable to interfere. There are certain things in your life that will happen, and all we can do is support you throughout them."

"...does this have to do with why are you all never around when mother and Mr. Marko are? And they are never here when you are?"

Eric wondered when Charles would begin to piece things together. He just wished it wasn't under such circumstances.

"I can't fully explain why, but yes."

Charles looked smaller than ever huddled within himself. He chewed at his lips, and held back his tears, accepting that he must face certain things alone.

"Coming!"

Sean ran to the door, mind half going through the myriad of things he needed to get done today, and half wonder who it could be at the door. It couldn't be Logan. The man didn't know how to use door bells, just bangs at the door until someone let's him in.

It would be an understatement to say that it turned out to be the last person he expected to see when he opened the door.

"Good morning. My name is Moira MacTarggert, and I work for the CIA. I'm looking for a Professor Charles Xavier. Is he around?"

~x~

Sean found Raven in the library with Erik, Janos and Hank. He silently thanked God that Charles had asked to join Angel and Ororo on their turn with the groceries, needing some time away from the house. Things would have been a little complicated if he were around for this.

"Raven! I need you to shift into Charles as an adult. Moira is here to talk to 'Professor Xavier'."

Before Raven could get over the shock of not only Sean's request but also hearing the familiar name, Erik had cut in, voice oozing with rage.

"What the hell is she doing here?"

Erik stormed towards the door, eager to kick that woman out of the house, only to have Sean and Hank step in his way The redhead's expression was a level of fury Erik had not seen in the man before.

"Back down!"

It was the first time Sean had spoken so harshly to Erik, or anyone since they've known him for that matter, and everyone in the room went silent. Ever since Erik and the others had came back to the mansion, Sean had always been the friendlier and more accepting of the three adult men.

"Look, Charles wiped all of Moira's memories of us. She's here now, either because she's somehow regained her memories, which looks unlikely, since she had no clue who I was. Or-"

"She's come into contact with mutants."

Raven finished Sean's sentence. After all, she had been there the night Moira sought out Charles, and changed all their lives. If the human has come into contact with more mutants, Raven was not going to sit idly by.

"What do you need me to do?"

~x~

"Professor Xavier, thank you for meeting me. Moira MacTarggert."

"Ms MacTaggert, a pleasure. Sean tells me you work for the CIA."

Sean felt the hairs on his arms raise as he watches Raven act exactly like her brother. This Charles was the Charles who recruited him at the aquarium. Before Cuba, before all the loss, before the shadows around his eyes.

"Yes, that's correct. I'll cut to the point. The kind of mutations you talked about in your thesis, I need to know if they may have already happened... in people alive today."

Even though the people who would find those words eerily familiar would not remember at this moment, history invariably finds a way to repeat itself.

Snapshot: The Wolverine and the Mouse

...I got a bit carried away with this snapshot. Have to say, Logan is always so fun to write, and I'm not even that big of a Wolverine fan.

This week's snapshot is influenced by one of only three things I remember from the X1 movie; The Wolver-claw-finger. The other two things I remember was how hot and naked Mystique is, and how Anna Paquin (as much as I loved her in The Piano and her scenes with Pam in True Blood) was so not the Rogue I wanted to see.

~x~

Charles, aged 2 and 9 weeks

Logan Howlett is a bad influence on children. First it was Scott and his sudden fascination with smoking and alcohol, then came Ororo who started to brush off those with whom she disagreed with a flip of her hand, and lastly was Jean who picked up his rough language.

So naturally, Erik would rather be castrated than leave Charles alone with the fowl-mouthed, cigar smoking, finger pointing monstrosity of a man.

"What? The kids need some toughing up, I can hear you thinking it. Besides, chuckles here is right up there with me with his swearing, ain't ya lil' bub."

Charles may as well have purred when stretched his neck into Logan's hand roughing up his silky soft curls, exhaling a thick puff of his Cuban for good measure. Erik, being the total mother hen that he is when it comes to the toddler held within his lean arms, he quickly turned his body away so Charles would not inhale the smoke.

Erik was certain now that leaving Charles in Logan's care, even for a second, was not an option.

Of all the days for Emma to find another mutant research facility, one with complex scientific technology requiring Hank to decipher, it had to be the day Alex, Sean and Raven took the other children on a day out at the movies to see the new Bond movie, From Russia with Love.

Earlier in the say, matters on Emma's front seemed to be under control, so Erik encouraged Raven to head out with the others, leaving the man thinking it would be a nice quiet day, or as quiet it can be with Charles, just the two of them.

The day started to go downhill when Logan banged on the door and woke Charles up from his afternoon nap. A cranky Charles was bad enough, but a cranky Charles with nearly an empty house was like dragging your ass, dog style, across sandpaper, the super rough kind. Nothing short of freshly baked apple and custard pie would soothe him.

At least Logan thought to bring Charles a little gift this time, which gave the toddler enough of a distraction while Erik prayed there was enough ingredients left to whip out a makeshift apple crumble. Not comfortable with leaving the toddler alone with the burly man, Erik demanded they go to the kitchen too, so he could keep an eye on them (read Logan) but Charles had already crawled half way up Logan's leg in search of his promised gift.

Of course, Erik should have known the gift would be completely inappropriate, as he would find out when Charles ran into the kitchen halfway through his crushing of leftover oat cookies and slightly stale digestives.

"Erie! Look! Logan gimme sorie book! Can read to me for bedtime?"

"You got a new book, did you? Sure I'll read it to yo-"

...

Erik could not believe what he saw within Charles' innocent, angelic, little milky white hands.

A fucking Play fucking Boy!

"Logan! ! !"

Erik stormed into the lounge, one arm holding a ecstatic Charles, the other waving the meat tenderizer he was just using to mash the cookies.

"What the fuck were you thinkin-"

Suddenly, Azazel appeared in a cloud of black ash, sporting scrapes here and there, his well tailored suit in tatters, his breathing short and labored. When his eyes landed on Logan, he let out a relieved sigh and grabbed Charles out of the furious man's arm, gave the boy a quick kiss on the forehead and made his apologies, then practically threw him into Logan's thick muscular arms.

"Come, comrade. We need you."

"Wai-"

In a puff of sulfuric smoke, they were gone and the house went densely silent.

To Logan's credit, he immediately acted to cheer Charles up before the boy had a chance to wobble his lips.

"Ready, chuckles? You and I are gonna have some real fun."

Logan's idea of fun meant lounging in front of the television, surrounded by booze and snacks. Of course, just to prove to the man who can't seem to cut his umbilical cord already, Logan threw in a few rounds of playtime with Charles. It was during one such round when Logan's ultra sensitive nose picked up a fowl smell wafting from Charles' nappy clad bottom.

"Alright, chuckles. Tell me you know how to handle that."

The burly man pinched his nose with one hand and dangled Charles at a distance with the other using his adamantium claws, just to add a tiny bit more distance. Charles giggled and squeaked uncontrollably, loving the feeling of swinging around in midair.

Logan spent all of the next five minutes looking for clean diapers before giving up and letting Charles run around free and butt naked.

"No pee pee on the carpet, alright? You wanna go, you let me know, okay?"

"Kay!"

Charles ran around totally nude and enjoying the cool air on his body until he got bored and cold. He then climbed up onto Logan's lap to join him in watching the movie on the television. Just as the movie was getting to the best part, Charles tugged at Logan's plaid flannel shirt, little legs tucked close together.

"Logan."

"Hold on, chuckles, this is getting to the good stuff."

"...Logan!"

"Sshhhh..."

He was too absorbed in what was happening on the television to notice the toddler shiver and release a relieved sigh. The man finally realized what had happened when he felt warm wetness seep through his shirt and jeans. Logan looked down at an abashed and hunched Charles, eyes wide and pout at maximum.

"Alright. It was my fault."

~x~

Logan decided he may as well take a bath, and clean Charles up while he was at it. When he was fully undressed, Charles went oddly quiet and studied Logan with a seriousness that unnerved the man. The child then point at his manhood and exclaimed with excitement.

"Erie Bigga!"

Oh no he di'int!

The alloy that made up the man's skeleton almost cracked. Logan crouched down slowly, leveling his fierce gaze right into those exuberant orbs, gritting his mouth tightly shut so that he doesn't growl.

"Listen closely, chuckles, this is one lesson in life you'll wanna learn early. Never. Ever. Tell a man that someone else's is bigger. Never, you understand?"

Charles stared back, then nodded in understanding, or at least Logan hoped so.

"No more Erie bigga, and Teddy more bigga?"

Wait, what? That nerdy dweeb? There is no way that... Wait.

"Is it blue?"

And on that note, is that teleporter's red?

Charles' pout was in full force at the door. This glistening puppy eyes could drill through adamantium.

"Whoa there, chuckles. What did I teach ya?"

"...no boo boo face when bye bye?"

"That's right, buddy. You're a big boy now, no boo boo face."

His sad pout slowly morphed into his determined pout, and the boy lifted up his tiny closed fist, in what Erik thought was to wave good bye. Erik aura of golden beaming pride was then shattered when Charles's fist did the indescribable.

Hank dropped and broke his mug when he passed by at the most inopportune moment to witness the toddler waving his little middle finger at Logan.

"That'a boy!"

Logan slowly extracted his middle adamantium claw and waved back.

Erik had no words. He just slammed the door shut.

A single, manly, testosterone filled tear formed at the tip of one of Logan's eyes as the man sauntered towards his truck confident he had just made the world a better place.

A little while later, Hank spilled hot coffee all over himself when he spotted a Playboy magazine abandoned in one corner of the kitchen floor.