I know this is super late but I've been working on the last few chapters and the characters are fighting me a bit. Anyway, hope you like it.
Charles leaned against the table, sipped absently at his tea, and glanced around his living room. Jean and Scott were talking with Raven and Hank on the couch; Logan leaned against the front door, scowling at everyone; Sean was on his phone on the couch; Alex and Darwin were off to the side—Charles smiled faintly at their closeness; he'd sensed they'd get along well—and Emma was typing away on her iPad in the armchair.
"I don't think I've ever seen you look this morose, Charles."
He looked to his left at Moira's concerned tone and shrugged.
She settled in next to him and asked quietly, "Everything all right?"
He brushed her off with a quick, "Just worried about the outcome of the election is all."
But he should have known better than to try to lie to an old college friend. She called bullshit immediately. "This has something to do with that big hulking agent by the door, doesn't it? And the fact that someone is conspicuously absent?"
He sipped at his tea again. Erik still refused to answer his phone. "Erik's on medical leave so Logan's in charge. Everything's fine." There. That should hold her off, at least for a bit.
"Mmhmm." Her tone informed him that she did not, in fact, believe him. "Did you have a fight? Or do I need to ask Raven what's going on? Because I really thought he would be here for this, since you talk about him all the time."
Charles sighed. "Moira, I love you dearly, but could we focus on one obstacle at a time?"
"Define obstacle."
He frowned at her. She was just like Raven at times, refusing to let things go when he didn't want to talk. "When do the results start to come in?" he asked instead, changing the subject.
Emma responded from her perch on the chair, "Any time now; I'm in touch with one of the volunteers. Change the channel. Fox News, if you wouldn't mind."
Sean hit the button on the remote and they were treated to a couple of news reporters talking about the race so far while local results scrolled along the bottom: levies, local elections, school boards, taxes, etc. Then a map of the U.S.A. appeared, replacing the reporters, though they continued talking. Raven shushed everyone excitedly, leaning forward, wineglass tilting precariously forward.
The first state lit up in the far south—red, in favor of Shaw.
A minute later, a couple more lit up—also red.
Ten minutes in and the only states with votes counted were red. Charles' heart had sunk and he had abandoned his tea for a glass of Scotch, feeling more than a little depressed. Losing the election would be the icing on the cake that was his life lately.
When the map had reached a total of ten red states, mainly in the southeast, Charles downed the rest of his Scotch and opened his mouth to say he was going to go work on lesson plans.
"Look!" Jean pointed at the TV.
Charles felt his mouth drop open slightly as the first state on the east coast lit up a startling blue.
They'd voted for him.
A minute later, two more popped up blue, followed by a couple red in the Midwest.
Over the next half hour, the map on the television screen slowly lit up in equal parts red and blue. Charles was now leaning over the back of the couch, eyes glued to the screen, tentative hope in his chest. They were all avidly watching, even Logan.
Charles' gaze dropped to the bar logging the count of electoral votes. Shaw was about thirty points ahead of him, despite the steadily growing number of blue. Charles now had the west coast as well.
His heart was racing, pounding in his chest in anticipation. This was crazy. He'd never imagined it would feel like this, that he would want this so much.
"Oh my god," Emma suddenly said as the map altered once more.
"What?" Charles asked, suddenly worried.
"You have four of the six swing states."
He blinked. "That's…good. Right?"
She grinned at him. "That's very good. But we'll have to see who gets Ohio. They're pretty good at predicting the winner."
Charles refilled his Scotch and took a large swallow, throwing a quick look at the clock in the kitchen—it was nearing eleven o'clock at night.
More red states lit up and Charles' hopes took a dip. Come on, Ohio, choose me, he thought.
Finally, there were only five states left: Florida, Louisiana, Alaska, New Mexico, and Ohio.
Florida—gray. Undecided?
Alaska—red.
New Mexico—blue.
Lousiana—red.
Ohio…
Blue.
The map shrunk to the top right corner of the screen and the news reporters were shown again but Charles couldn't hear anything. Couldn't see anything past the bar that showed that he had won.
He'd won.
Someone kissed his cheek.
Someone else hugged him tight. He lost his drink along the way as people kept hugging him.
Noises finally started filtering through the rush of blood in his head and he felt his lips tug upward in a slow smile that spread into a wide grin. He'd done it. He'd won. President Xavier. Now that felt right.
Charles looked around, grabbed his sister and pulled her close.
She hugged him tight, whispered in his ear, "Congratulations, Charles!" and kissed his cheek.
He laughed, letting her go, and joined in the festivities around him.
But there was something missing, something off about the whole thing.
A little over 200 miles away, Erik lifted his beer bottle to the television screen and said softly, "Congratulations, Charles. You deserve it. You're going to make an amazing President." His heart hurt but he knew he'd made the right decision, leaving. Charles didn't need him around, distracting him and putting him in danger. Erik swallowed past the lump in his throat. He smiled faintly and shut the TV off.
"Mr. Xavier, let me first say congratulations. I know it's been hard on you, especially these last few months, but you more than deserve it."
Charles forced a smile at the words. "Thank you. It's still a bit surreal, though. I don't think it'll sink in fully until I'm in the White House."
The Director of the Secret Service smiled back at him and gestured to the chair opposite him. "Please, sit down." Once they were both seated, Mason continued, "So this is the part where we discuss security for the next four years."
Charles nodded. He'd figured that would be the first thing they discussed, considering they still didn't have the person behind all the threats.
Mason gathered a few papers in front of him and clicked open a pen. "I'd like to start with assigning your personal detail. Typically I like to make it between five and ten agents, depending upon your location and what event you're attending." Charles nodded again; it made sense. "Now, I know you've had a few of my agents already so I was wondering if you wanted to keep any of them. Is there anyone in particular you would like me to assign to your detail?"
"Erik Lensherr," Charles said immediately. He wanted Erik by his side, no matter what.
The Director's mouth twisted slightly and, sounding a little reluctant, said, "I'm afraid Agent Lensherr is unavailable for the foreseeable future."
Charles' heart tightened in a moment of panic. "Is he all right? The gunshot…"
Mason shook his head. "He's under doctor's orders to take it easy for the next few weeks. But he's also put in a request for a leave of absence. After the assignments I've had to give him in the past year, I've granted his request." The Director shuffled some papers and asked, "Is there anyone else you'd prefer?"
No Erik. But why hadn't he said anything? Then again, it wasn't like he was answering Charles' texts or phone calls. "Scott Summers," he said abruptly. "Alex Summers. Angel Salvadore, Jean Grey. I want all four." After a moment's pause, Charles met the Director's gaze and added, "And I want Erik, as soon as he's available."
The Director's pen paused for a second then continued to scratch across the paper. "I'll make a note of your decision, Mr. President." His voice was decidedly even, no reaction. "I'll add a few more, to fill it out. Just a couple more things and then you can go."
A little over an hour later, Charles stood up and thanked the Director, shaking his hand firmly. They were on the same page for the most part, something Charles was relieved about. Turning to go, he put his hand on the doorknob and stopped, frowning. He wrestled with his thoughts for a minute before he turned back around and said, a bit hesitant, "Sir, if I may ask…was—was Erik right? Was Sebastian Shaw behind everything that happened to me and Raven?"
Director Mason nodded, looking a bit tired. "It certainly looks like it. The shooter gave him up in a heartbeat the instant we informed him he'd get a lighter sentence if he gave us the name of his employer." Mason shook his head sadly. "One of our own. I don't want to believe it."
"Have you found him?"
Mason shook his head again. "We will, Mr. Xavier. I can promise you, we will get this son of a bitch. Don't you worry."
Charles thanked him again, turned to go, and paused again. When he turned around this time, Mason lifted an eyebrow expectantly. Charles bit his lip. "Could…when you catch him, would you give Shaw a message from me?"
Mason looked surprised but nodded just the same.
Charles took a quick breath. "Would you tell him thank you for me?"
"Thank you?" Mason repeated, clearly confused.
Charles nodded, a little smile playing across his lips. "Yes. If it wasn't for him—for the threats—I never would have met Erik. Or the others. Never would have become President."
Mason smiled, understanding now. "I will make certain that Sebastian Shaw understands exactly how appreciative you are of his recent actions."
They were both grinning now, Charles relieved that Mason apparently not only understood but approved. "Very appreciative," he agreed. "Thank you, Director, for your time today."
Mason inclined his head. "My pleasure, Mr. President." He sounded like he meant it.
Charles smiled to himself as he left, pulling the door quietly closed behind him. So long as he had people like Mason on his team, he knew he could do this. He just wished he could talk to Erik, however briefly it might be. I wonder if Scott or Alex know why Erik is taking time off.
"Hey," Raven said, hopping up from the bench across from him, her phone sliding into her coat pocket. "Did you get everyone?"
He shook his head and started down the hall, Raven slipping her arm through his as they walked. "Not quite," he replied.
"What do you mean, not quite?"
"Erik has taken a leave of absence from the agency."
She stopped, forcing him to stop as well. "What!?"
Charles smiled ruefully. "My thoughts exactly."
"Well…tell him we need him. That you need him!"
"It's not that simple, love. I can't force him to work, can't force him to want to be around me, however much I would like to." Charles gently tugged on her arm and they started walking again, falling in step behind the two agents who had escorted them in.
It was as they exited the elevator on the ground floor and left their escorts behind that Raven spoke again. "Call him. Find out what's going on." Logan trailed behind them.
"I've tried. He's ignored every call since the first." The words of Erik's breakup letter to him were burned into his brain. 'I'm in love with you, Charles. And I can't be. I can't be with you and still be an agent. I've left.' Charles sighed heavily. "Give it up, Raven. Erik's chosen a different path, one I can't follow. I'll just have to rely on the four wonderful agents we already have."
They shoved the front doors open and stepped out into the afternoon sunlight where Alex and Scott were waiting. Angel and Jean were at the curb ahead with the car. They all had the look on their face that told him they wanted to know what the meeting was about but wouldn't ask. Charles waited until they were all together at the curb before he satisfied their curiosity. "Director Mason wanted to discuss security with me." He pulled open the car door and paused. Smiling widely, he added, "You're all staying." They all knew that he wasn't including Logan; his feelings for the man were clear: he couldn't stand the man.
Alex let out a "Whoop!" and Raven hugged Angel. Jean and Scott kissed and Charles tried not to feel jealous. It wasn't their fault that they were happily in love and he was doomed to be alone. I wonder what the female version of a spinster is called. They all climbed inside the car and headed for the airport to return to New York. Mason had agreed to let him finish out the semester before he had to move to D.C., thankfully enough. So he had a month to pack…which he would need with all of his books.
Over the next four weeks, Charles and his friends slowly packed up his apartment. Mason had agreed to wait until the end of the semester but Charles knew he would have to move fast once it ended. It was almost heartbreaking the day he and Raven started packing up his office, like he was closing that chapter of his life for good although he knew he could always come back when his term was up. Whenever he needed a break from packing up his life in New York, Charles rewrote final exams. He always wrote a few, anyway, to decide which questions he liked best. But this time it was sort of a way to say goodbye and he wanted them to be good.
Erik spent three days a week in physical therapy. He stopped into the office twice after returning home: once for a debriefing, the second to put in for time off. He figured he'd go back to Germany for a visit, see his old home and his parents' gravestones. After three weeks, Erik was back to his old running path through the streets but he never seemed to be satisfied with his progress. He could barely feel any pain by now, but the scars went far deeper than the physical mark on his stomach. It didn't help that D.C. was slowly shifting towards Charles, making it impossible for Erik to forget the impossibly blue-eyed earnest professor.
Charles made final arrangements with the Human Resources department to officially resign from his position as Head of the Sciences Department at Columbia University—and was pleasantly surprised to be told that he would always have a position with them should he choose to return. Director Mason sent information about where he would be staying until the swearing-in ceremony and he started shipping boxes south.
Also, slightly biased because I live in Ohio :D