A/N: Not much final editing needed on this one, so decided to go ahead and post. Let's see what Den-neer is up to.

Chapter 15

Bae shot down through the atmosphere. Archangel's apparent destination was not that far from his home and speed was essential. Den-neer was well aware of the type of beings that resided in the innocuous-looking learning institute located on a sprawling estate in the countryside. He did not wish to complicate matters by encountering them. No, he would take Archangel as far from the X-men headquarters as possible.

"30 seconds to target," Bae counted down.

###

Warren winged across Long Island Sound with a glance to his left at New York City. If all went well with Charles, destination two would be his private and corporate attorneys in Manhattan. Once everything was in order there, Worthington Tower was next to face his Board President. The man would not be happy about yet another extended absence. In fact, the whole Board would likely be up in arms. Again. As would his attorneys. As would his Foundation Board.

He shook his head. 'Ain't nobody gonna be happy,' he lamented wryly. Warren had been back home for about a year after being on Sat'rey the prior year. Before that, he'd been barely involved with the Worthington Industries and his charity, spending much of his time managing the finances of the X-men and wallowing in depression over Ztar's remote yet iron-fisted control over his life and actions during the Turzent/Commonwealth war. Prior to that, he'd spent a hellish year aboard the emperor's spaceship as the then sadistic, self-gratification-driven ruler enslaved him, holding Earth as hostage to ensure Warren's complete submission.

Two years off planet (because of Ztar) plus over three years in near seclusion at the X-mansion (again because of Ztar) equaled a lot of time away from his business. He'd tried to make up for it the past twelve months and managed to mend many bridges. 'Now another indeterminate absence. The repercussions may not be pretty,' he thought grimly, but would not waiver from his decision. 'Short-term losses for potential long-term gains.'

He cast his eyes down to the water below. Sheffield Island passed by and Tavern Island was coming up. Beyond that, the mainland. 'Making good time – not a lot of headwind.' A sudden tingle pass through him, almost unnoticeably. His eyebrows raised in alertness, he looked around but saw nothing. Pulling up to a hover, he thoroughly swept the sky in a 360 with eyes that missed very little. Still nothing.

###

Charles Xavier greatly anticipated seeing Warren. When the phone call came that he'd returned safely to Earth, Charles breathed a huge sigh of relief. His worst fear was that Warren would once again be taken from them and whisked away to distant stars. The nightmarish ordeal with Ztar still burned painfully in Charles' soul. Warren had nobly forgiven both Charles and Ztar. Charles hadn't been quite so magnanimous with himself.

But his nerves were on edge after the call. Warren's tone didn't sit right. Not that his old friend intended for that to be the case. No, it was simply Charles knowing Warren very well. And Charles felt his edginess had nothing to do with the request to monitor Warren's flight to the mansion. "The Etagllot may still be lurking," the winged man explained. That wasn't it. He believed something else was nudging his instincts.

Charles expanded his mind to watch over Warren while the highly advanced scanners of the X men's fortress monitored his flight path. Thus far, nothing out of the ordinary.

Suddenly, Charles mentally saw/felt Warren come to an abrupt halt and his heart jumped. He cast a broader net of awareness around his former student / X-man, but couldn't be certain. A whisper…ghost…? What? He strained and listened with his incredibly powerful mental senses.

'Was I wrong about the source of my uneasy?' he questioned. A quick review of the scanner readings showed nothing new, yet Warren had come to a stop.

Charles prepared to link mentally with Warren and his X-men.

###

Den-neer sensed a presence at the periphery of his mental shielding. Hidden behind that and Bae's phase cloak, they should have been invisible to mental probing, yet someone was seeking.

"5 seconds to target."

"Open the bay door," he commanded, anchoring himself as to not slip out the hatch. Shields would prevent hurricane force winds from whipping through the bay, but if he lost footing, they would not stop him from falling. In theory, he could halt a death plunge telekinetically, but he chose not to test it.

"Acknowledged."

As the hatch dilated open, he immediately caught sight of the target. Archangel had unexpected come to a stop. Why didn't matter, unless...

"Anyone or thing approaching?"

"No."

"Hold position." Den-neer prepared to mindblast his target and reel him in. He focused on the man hovering in the sky, wings beating and head turning, obviously checking his surroundings. 'Archangel senses something…impressive.'

###

Volu stirred – not physically, but mentally. An unexplained sadness washed over her. The feeling had a distance about it. The emotion wasn't hers. She checked Ettwanae. Not her. Puzzled, she double scanned their surroundings. Nothing. She focused in on Warren's progress. He'd come to a halt in the air near the opposite shoreline. Odd.

###

Den-neer gathered his mental energies, focused on the target, and-

"Stop, Den-neer!" Bae's voice reverberated through the bay despite the absorptive quality of her interior.

Startled, Den-neer nearly tumbled out the hatch, just managing to catch himself. The bay door snapped shut inches from his face.

"Bae! What are you doing?" He allowed anger to explode and prepared to unleash the gathered energy at the Eshaar'ne.

"Elder Phai commed. You are not to take Archangel. I have been instructed to return to orbit."

Den-neer blinked in disbelief and let the psy force dissipate. "What? Why? Another moment and I would have had him!"

"She did not explain. I did not ask."

###

Three individuals in three separate locations wondered in puzzlement. Whatever was there had vanished abruptly without a trace. Warren continued on to Westchester believing it was only stress. Charles continued to monitor until his friend touched down on mansion lawn and only then breathed a sigh of relief, and Volu pondered the fleeting, unexplained emotion.

###

A short while later in his office, Charles allowed his face to reveal disbelief as the reason for his earlier unease became apparent. "Warren, help me to understand. This alien says she's an Eshaaru, a member of a race of beings long thought vanished. She tells you there is a vast library containing the knowledge of hundreds if not thousands of races from across the galaxy that may hold the answer to removing the nannites from you, but she has no evidence of that being the case and no idea where this Etxan'Ir is or even where to start looking. They have shown little to collaborate Etxan'Ir is anything but a legend or a construct of their own devices. Now you plan to go with her to destinations unknown to find it." Charles shook his head. "Do you hear how lu-" he almost said ludicrous, "how improbable it all sounds?"

"I know it sounds crazy, Charles, but if there's a chance I can be free of nannites, I have to at least check it out."

"Didn't you say that Ettwanae and her ship are telepathic? Don't you think perhaps it makes more sense that they have found that desire in your mind and are using it to convince you to leave with them willing? That they have hidden motives? That is an enticing trap? Don't you think it rather amazing that she looks so much like you?"

"I'm not letting a pretty pair of wings blind me, Charles!" It came out much more harshly than intended. "Sorry," he offered. "She's only telepathic with the ship. I don't believe they have ulterior motives or that this is some convoluted trap. My instincts tell me she is being honest. If they wanted to abduct me, they had their chance when I was unconscious. They could have locked me up and taken me anywhere. I believe Ettwanae."

"Taking you forcibly would be problematic. It would be far easier if you went willingly – worth the price of an elaborate fabrication." Charles rolled closer to the former X-man sitting on the couch in his office. "Warren, step back. Look at the situation with detached perspective. What would you tell me if I came to you with such a story?"

He didn't want to argue. He'd come only to inform and ask his favor, not seek Charles' blessing. Yet deep down, perhaps that is what he wanted from his old friend and mentor. For Charles to tell him that he wasn't acting irrationally and impulsively; that his decision had at least some merit.

"Charles, I understand your concern and I appreciate it, but you haven't experienced what I have the past few days. Ettwanae and I – it's like nothing I've ever felt before. We're connected somehow and I want to pursue that more fully as well. Most importantly, there may be a chance for me to be finally and completely free of Apocalypse. If I don't try, I'm not sure I can live with the regret."

"And if they are controlling you? What if she isn't as she appears? If it's all lies? If they take you and keep you, then what?"

Warren managed a small smile. "Then I trust you, the X-men, and Ztar will come looking for me. I will stay in touch, Charles, I promise. If you stop hearing from me, then you should worry. Not before."

Charles sighed deeply as he searched Warren's eyes and brushed his mind ever so subtly. He sensed no mind control, no loss of sanity, nothing for him to use as an excuse to detain Warren at the mansion. It left him almost angry. He'd try one other approach. "Didn't you recently tell me your life was finally back on track and you were feeling at peace with yourself? That the Foundation is fulfilling work, as is Worthington Industries? Are you willing to put that all aside for this…this quest that has so little chance of success?"

"I did, and it is true, yet there are two things unfinished in my life. One is to be completely free of Apocalypse and I can never do that as long as his technology resides within me. What if he or something else forces the nannites to reactivate? Then what? All I've worked so hard to accomplish could be lost. I don't want to live under that cloud anymore."

"And the second thing?"

"To find someone to share the rest of my life with. You know my luck in that arena, Charles. Ettwanae is different – she's not a mutant. She's separate from all the pain and the turmoil of my life here. Perhaps that is exactly what I need to finally have long-term happiness with someone. I need to look elsewhere for love instead of the same old places I have in the past. I've repeated that behavior too many times and it has always failed." Then he smiled his best for the dear friend with the worried face sitting before him. "Sometimes I'm a little slow on the uptake, but I may have finally figured out what the universe has been trying to teach me. Look in a new direction. Complete the fresh start I began a year ago. My soul tells me that Ettwanae may be that new direction."

Charles studied Warren for many moments, wishing he could justify a deeper peek inside the mind of his almost son. On the surface, Warren looked happy. The feelings radiating from the man were a mix of hope and anticipation.

Warren reached out and rested a hand on Charles' forearm. "Trust me, Charles. I know what I'm doing. While my decision may seem impulsive and rash, I thought it through carefully. I want do this for me. And the bonus is I won't be doing it alone. You should meet her. She is remarkable."

Warren's eyes lit up when he spoke of Ettwanae. Charles' empathic senses filled with swirls of tenderness. It was obvious Warren had amorous feelings for her. Perhaps he should let it be.

"Very well, my friend. I will trust your judgment. Ztar is a perfect example of your ability to see in people what others miss. You were right about him and I will not doubt your judgment of Ettwanae."

"Thank you, Charles." Warren gripped the elder man's arm tightly, then released it. "I just need you to step into my shoes once again. Are you willing?" The man Warren had known since he was 16 and clueless nodded agreement. "Then I will contact the attorneys and reactivate the power of attorney. You needn't worry about the Foundation, others will handle that. Same scenario as last time."

"Same as the last time you left this Earth. How far will my feathered friend fly into the heavens this time?" Charles wondered more to himself than anyone else.

Warren smiled warmly. "No telling, but I'll send postcards." Then tears suddenly formed and he blinked them back. "You are like a father to me, Charles. I love you and always will." The words tumbled out with a will of their own. Was he saying a forever goodbye? Oddly, it was what it felt like. Yet that wasn't his intent. Not consciously.

He watched the man's reaction. The body went stiff. He could see a hard swallow. Those were the only indications that perhaps Charles detected the same undertone.

"Contact me every ten Earth days?"

"Or there's about. Don't be too alarmed if it's a day or two more. I'll be taking my PI and contacting you through the comlink. You still have both, yes?"

Charles nodded. "When do you leave?" He rolled over to his desk to retrieve Warren's PI.

"As soon as I've notified the law office, the Boards, and pack a few things. A couple days likely. I'm heading to the attorneys now. I'm staying at the estate should you need to reach me."

"Where to first in your search?"

"To see a certain museum curator on a planet called Jandur."

An idea came to Charles. "Perhaps I can assist your search from here by putting my Shi'ar, SHIELD, and other contacts to work. If the library exists, then others may have clues to its whereabouts."

Warren considered. He was fairly confident Ettwanae wouldn't want others involved in Eshaaru business. "Hold off on that, Charles. I'll discuss it with Ettwanae and if she's open to your idea, I'll comm. Thank you for the offer. I appreciate it."

"Is there anyone with whom I should share the details of your departure or anyone I should not?"

"Full disclosure to the Originals is fine. Everyone else can get the abbreviated version. I trust your judgment and discretion on what to say."

"Very well," Charles acknowledge with a single nod. "While you are still on Earth, will you allow me to send a couple X-men to guard you? With the Etagllot threat, I believe it a wise precaution."

The barest frown crossed the flawlessly handsome features. "I appreciate the offer, Charles, but I'll be fine. Another attempt so soon seems unlikely."

"Which is exactly why they may try again – you won't be expecting it."

"I have a lot of running to do, Charles. It would be…cumbersome to have an entourage."

"But if the Etagllot are indeed still nearby, you are most vulnerable on Earth," Charles countered, but already feeling it was a losing battle. Warren's demeanor took on a look Charles was all too familiar with – the man was digging in his heels and likely not going to budge no matter how logical the argument.

"The mansion is quite secure and most of what I need to do, I'll do either there or at corporate center, which is essentially a fortress. Thanks, but no, Charles." Then a wide smile chased away the frown, radiating all its inherent charm. "I appreciate your concern, my friend. You can't resist being the protective father with any of us, can you? Even after we're all grown up and big boys and girls."

Charles couldn't help but grin in return. When Warren turned on the charisma, few could resist. "Once a parent, always a parent."

Warren stood and moved toward the door, then turned back. "I will contact Ztar shortly and fill him in. Thank you again…for everything. I couldn't be doing this without your support. Until my first comm…"

Charles nodded, his throat too tight to speak. Then Warren was gone.

###

Den-neer was still grappling with the change in orders. Elder Phai was not sharing her reasons, but then again, she didn't have to. He was only to follow orders, not question them.

"Monitor," she had replied succinctly when he asked for new instructions. Disappointment washed through him. He would have enjoyed confronting the former emperor's companion that from all reports had tamed the conquest-driven Turzent. A mental probe of Archangel could have revealed a wealth of desirable information. 'Another day,' he offered himself as consolation.

For now, he listened in on the conversation occurring within the Xavier mansion between Archangel and the Human named Charles Xavier. Devices he'd positioned previously transmitted every word to Bae's waiting communication array. It hadn't been hard to program one of the students to plant the devices for him – the girl's mind was weak and easily manipulated. She carried out her task and promptly forgot their meeting and her assignment. The same technique worked flawlessly on a member of Archangel's house staff, as well as at his company headquarters.

Elder Phai had been pleased with that part of his mission and now it was paying dividends. They had a destination – Jandur. However, that Archangel was being allowed to roam free was puzzling. The Elder had told him only two Earth days ago, they needed the Human for Project One, and he was not to fail. Now he was only to monitor? Something had changed. Something he wasn't privy to. He had put energy and time into the attempts to recapture Archangel. Den-neer didn't like wasting either.

For the first time in a long while, the powerful telepathic telekinetic felt irritation toward his superiors.

###

A/N: Warren breaks the news to Ztar next chapter. Can anyone guess his reaction? :-)