Chapter 22- You must understand part2

'Well…hmm, yes' Gerard replied, a bit at a loss because of the professor's strange reaction. 'Well of course there are conditions that apply to everyone for instance parolees are not permitted to leave the state, carry firearms etc etc. but some requirements are unique to you alone.'

'Such as?' Erik said a bit more loudly, just to get his officer's attention off of Charles' bent head as the small man studied his parole documents. Mr. Gerard was no ordinary, mechanical thinking government employee and Erik resolved then not to underestimate him in their future dealings.

'You will have to go through that file yourself but there are four main things I wish to draw your attention to,' he answered. 'Such as, you must stay away from all forms of financial trading, gambling, credit or any related activity and you must not induce anyone to do so on your behalf.'

Completely understandable, as that is how he landed in prison in the first place.

'I agree,' the other man said as he folded his arms across his chest.

Gerard arched a disbelieving eyebrow; he hoped rather than believe his client to be sincere in this sudden reversal in thinking.

'But not to worry we are going to find you a job, which might not be so easy as you don't seem to have any sort of qualifications,' the officer muttered unhappily, consulting a file from the stack.

Charles looked up then.

'A job?' he inquired stupidly as if he hadn't heard the man properly. 'What for?'

Gerard leaned over and tapped at the open document in the professor's hands, where Erik assumed the need for an occupation was outlined.

'Mr. Lehnsherr must find and be gainfully employment in the same position for the duration of his parole,' the man quoted from memory.

'Well he can get a job here, or at my family's company,' the Englishman offered in a firm decisive voice. 'No need to worry.'

The professor felt himself turn tomato red in embarrassment as Erik vigorously waved his hands to dismiss that idea. 'I would rather not. I could never take a salary from you.'

If it wasn't for Logan keeping a firm but discreet pressure on his arm Charles would have bolted from the room. He kept his eyes directed towards the stone floor, just to be safe.

He didn't know what was happening! First that distressing text message at lunch, where Erik coldly informed him that he had found a room that he liked and was relocating and now this!

The professor was positive that he had left the other man in a good mood this morning. Erik had even spontaneously hugged him goodbye before he realized what he was doing and pulled away. However, not even eight hours later, the older man was acting like if they weren't even friends but common strangers who passed each other in the street. Naturally, they could not be their usual selves in the company of his parole officer but really! He would not trust his voice to speak again not for a few minutes at least.

'That is very generous Professor Xavier, but not necessary,' the Gerard interjected hastily. 'What we have here are openings at various laundries, bookstores and the Piggly-wiggly, for someone who is hard working and capable of operating without supervision.'

'The Piggly-wiggly?' Erik asked blankly.

'He'll take the job at the book store,' Logan advised, nodding his head encouragingly as the man looked in their direction.

He knew Erik was waiting for Charles to advise but he didn't think his employer could manage that at present. He had thought that whatever issues the two men were having had reached some sort of resolution but apparently it was not so; not from the way the professor had thundered passed them in the corridor like a rumbling, black storm cloud, earlier that evening.

'The bookstore will be agreeable,' Erik decided quietly. He enjoyed reading and he could only hope he was in some direct contact with the books themselves. In any case, anything was preferable to taking money from Charles; a truly unpleasant idea besides which he already owed the man a life's debt.

'Are you sure? The Piggy-wiggly offers you complementary lunch,' the officer informed him. 'But it's up to you.'

However, his parolee was listening with only half an ear, as his attention was now focused on Charles as the small man leaned over in his chair studying the kitchen floor. He was sure he had seen him flinch. Was he was feeling unwell?

'Another condition which is NOT a favourite with my parolees,' Gerard carried on, 'is that you must keep sober. That means no booze, boobs or drugs.'

Logan snorted loudly in his corner and then pretended to cough to cover up his response.

In the meantime, Erik's forehead furrowed in confusion as the unfamiliar words rolled around uselessly in his brain. 'Sorry? English is not my first language.'

'No alcohol, prostitutes or illegal substances,' the handyman translated in mock horror that such appalling sacrifices were required. 'Why is all of that even necessary?'

'I can assure you that my program works,' Gerard retorted, stabbing his finger on the table to make his point. 'Erik is attempting to start a whole new life and THAT in itself will be difficult enough. Avoidance of things that weaken and distract the mind will help him keep to this parole conditions.'

The ex-prisoner raised his hand to cut off the flippant comment that he could see hovering on Logan's lips. He suddenly wanted this whole meeting to be over and he wondered briefly if he could call a time out just to check on the professor.

'Not a problem,' Erik interrupted them. 'I don't have a difficulty with any of those things. I like beer but I can live without it for a few months longer. You said you had four points. What is the last one?'

Gerard reached in and pulled out a brightly coloured flyer from one of the folders and pushed it across the wooden table top towards him. 'I have also taken the liberty of structuring your afternoons for you.'

Erik glanced at the neat time table infront of him in surprise.

'Is all this really essential?' he inquired weakly, now noting the two mandatory counseling sessions among the host of other meetings, classes and volunteers activities and that he had been signed up for. If he did everything that was outlined here, he wouldn't get back to the mansion until after dark every single day.

Observing Erik's stunned reaction, the professor quickly walked around the table to fearfully peer at the sheet of paper over his shoulder.

'I know it seems restrictive, but my programme works,' the officer insisted again, lightly resting his hand on Erik's wrist. 'You must give it a chance.'

The professor left the room so abruptly that the trio could only stare at the slow closing door in surprise.

As was his nature, Logan instantly took control of the moment.

'Erik, pour the professor a fresh cup of tea and make sure he takes an aspirin before that headache gets out of hand,' he suggested quickly. 'Gerard, allow me to give you a tour of the house until he returns.'

The men had already risen to their feet in concern.

'Is there anything we can do?' Gerard inquired anxiously, as he watched Erik hastily prepare the beverage. He hadn't said it out loud but the officer admired and respected the professor immensely. Not many people had the stones to stare him down and disagree with him.

'Give me a few minutes,' his parolee requested quietly.

'Actually, I need to make a spot inspection of your room.' Gerard announced, still worriedly looking at the door that Xavier had vanished through. 'I'll do that now, and you can meet us there and then you and I can continue.'

Erik's gaze collided with Logan's meaningfully. It was sheer inspiration on the handyman's part to suggest that perhaps his parole office might want to see the room he was occupying. They had spent a couple of hours selecting something suitable and moving his few belongings out of Charles' study, before the officer came.

'Thank you,' Erik replied as he made ready to leave the room to track down the professor.

'You're welcome,' the two men answered simultaneously.

TBC

Piggly Wiggly, is a chain of American grocery stores. The name always puts a smile on my face.

Anote: I tried to upload my favourite erik/charles picture (created by avictoriangirl at livejournal) for the story cover feature that fanfiction has rolled out but you can't see the characters too well. Bummer