Anote: Well here we are folks. Thanks for everyone that has read, favorited and reviewed. It's been wonderful!

Chapter 51- Full circle part2

It was weird how little his room had changed.

The furniture seemed a little smaller and faded but everything else was the same. He doubted that he could fit in that bed now, but it was perfect for someone of Charles' size.

'Did you have a favourite?' the young man asked, gesturing to the ceiling above him. Erik looked up and grinned in disbelief, not believing that his naked girlie pictures from his teenage years were still there.

He pointed to a brunette to the right with anatomically impossible breasts.

'Figures,' Charles snorted irritably, with a small pout.

Erik looked down at Charles, and coughed a little nervously, not really knowing what to say to someone he must have hurt so badly, 'my tastes have changed over the years.'

The professor didn't reply to this suggestive comment but continued to look absently up at the ceiling.

'You mind if I lay down?' Erik asked quietly. Erik felt as though he might be pushing his luck, but he was never one to play it safe. The worse that could happen was that Charles could say no. More likely than not, the young man would get up and take a chair.

His eyes widened in surprise as the professor scooted over a bit to give him room. Erik wisely kept his incredulous thoughts to himself and immediately took the vacant spot offered. As he suspected, he couldn't quite fit, but amazingly Xavier didn't seem to mind that he was sprawled half on top of him.

'Are you alright?' Charles asked quietly, still not really looking at him, 'It must have been quite a shock to learn that your father is still alive.'

'Not as much as hearing that you were in this godforsaken place,' Erik muttered. He didn't know how he felt about being back here in his childhood house, and without even thinking he drew Charles' body closer to him for comfort. It dawned on him that the professor wasn't embracing him in return but that was hardly surprising, and as he closed his eyes and just breathed in his scent, Erik uncomplainingly enjoyed the press of his body against him.

'If you want to nap, let me give you the bed,' Charles offered kindly.

'My dad's mad at me,' Erik informed him hurriedly, hoping to keep Xavier distracted and more importantly, right next to his side.

'You're very different people now,' Charles reassured with a gentle pat on the head, incorrectly deducing the cause of the trouble, 'give the reunion a chance. It will be slow but worth it.'

'Charles, are you seeing anyone?! Erik suddenly blurted out desperately, 'Would it be alright if I kiss you again?'

The young man turned his head away with a barely audible sob, 'I prefer that you didn't. You took me by surprise earlier.'

'That's okay,' Erik lied quickly, feeling his stomach plummet as Charles furtively blotted his eyes on the edge of the pillowcase, 'Sorry. I didn't mean to be so pushy. Do you think you can look at me for a moment?'

It took some doing but Erik waited patiently this time, 'I just want to say that I am sorry for any hurt that I have caused you. I was just too messed up in my thoughts to stay. I know its no excuse, but when you were taken from the mansion, it just…it just did me in.'

Erik searched for some sort of reaction from his former lover but there was none. Charles just looked at him blankly as if he was speaking a foreign language.

'Thank you for finding my family,' Erik added, gesturing to the closed door.

'Doctor said it would help,' Charles explained in a small whisper, as Erik startled him again by leaning over and pressing a kiss on his hair.

'And I wish I could spend some time here with you,' Erik replied. 'There are places and things I would have liked to shared with you, as friends, which I still hope we are.'

The way Charles stiffened under him, lighted a flicker of hope in his soul.

'You're leaving!?' the academic cried out in shock.

'No, WE ARE,' Erik replied. He quickly and simply explained the situation back home to Charles and the young man sat up in fright.

'Easy….it's going to be alright!' Eirk assured him.

'Don't lie to me!' Charles yelped, clutching at the man's jacket lapels, 'Can I get back control of my company?'

Erik put his arms around him as the professor turned pale.

'Yes Charles,' he said confidently, 'but in the future, if you're leaving for such an extended period of time, you should give someone you trust oversight over your affairs or perhaps freeze transactions over certain amounts.'

'I'll do that,' Xavier obediently responded, slumping tiredly against his chest. 'Good god, what a day! I guess I should be thanking you now.'

Erik wasn't sure about that. Charles wouldn't be here, isolated and cut off from modern day communications, if he hadn't been so keen on tracking down remaining members of Erik's family. Then again, it was only a matter of time before his greedy and clever investors had slowly pushed the professor out of his position of control. They had just used his timely absence to seize control a lot sooner.

'Let's call it even,' Erik suggested pressing a gentle kiss against the man's forehead.

Charles smiled a little at his caress, beginning to wonder if he could really let down his guard to at least be friends again with Erik. That would be nice, more than nice. He closed his eyes and unconsiously arched his neck slightly towards Erik as the man lightly trailed his fingers along the column of his throat and across his collar bone.

'I'll help you pack,' Erik added, 'I've brought your plane. We should go as soon as possible.'

'What's wrong?' the small asked as he felt the other's arms spasm around him.

'I just have a feeling that Shaw's out there; watching me,' Erik admitted fearfully, 'what if he snatches you away again?'

'We've tightened security a bit more,' Charles remarked, patting him consolingly on the chest as he tended to do in the past. 'It's a sad fact of life that most everyone lives their life under some threat of crime and violence but I am actually hoping he does try again.'

Naturally Erik turned green at the very idea.

'The coast guard appears to be taking it quite personally that they can't find him,' the professor explained quickly, 'and we've managed to get most of the other alphabet agencies involved. It won't be so easy for him to move around as it was for him in the past. If he has any sense at all, he'll bob all the way down the coastline in that little toy boat and find some farm in Argentina to live on.'

Charles looked on as Erik stared at the wall, seemingly lost in his own little world, 'Did she suffer?'

His surprising question startled the older man.

'Emma? No, I don't think so. She was dead before she even hit the deck.'

He reached over to wipe away the single tear that rolled down the small man's cheek. They had talked about this previously but he could see that the professor was still convinced that he had some hand to play in her demise.

'It was just a matter of time sweetheart. Shaw is an unstable as they come,' Erik tried to comfort him as he drew him close so that the professor could rest against his chest. 'But whatever there was that was still decent inside of her, you were able to reach in and touch. That was clear to everyone. I will always be impressed by the degree of humanity you posses. The world needs more people with your kind of courage.'

The professor smiled faintly, moved beyond words that Erik still held him in such high regard.

'Thank you,' Charles replied quietly as he wrapped his arms around the man's torso, 'But what of your courage? You've held true to a different path for months now, all on your own. I am very, very proud of you.'

Erik shook his head at this unwarranted praise, 'I absolutely hate the fact that a murdering bastard like that is still out there but I am not going to tempt fate again. I don't think you realize how incredibly lucky you are that he didn't just kill you outright. You're alive and you're okay and that's the most important thing.'

Erik exhaled heavily as he hugged the small man in his arms. Xavier had been right all along, as much as Erik hadn't wanted to believe it. In the end, the professor had foreseen that he would have to make a final choice between him and Shaw; the past and the future; death or life. It just hadn't really unfolded in exactly the way that any of them had imagined.

'Thank you,' Charles again whispered shyly in his ear, secretly thrilled that he was still on Erik's list of important things. Cautiously the Englishman inched forward and kissed him gently on the lips as a way of articulating a special show of appreciation. His heart was torn; on one side he was pleased that the older man remained still and accepted his touch but on the other hand, he was depressed that Erik hadn't tried to grab him again. With a quiet sigh he untangled himself. His emotions were pinging all over the place; he needed some fresh air to pull himself together. Besides which, Erik looked so delicious in his all black outfit, that it was making it exceedingly difficult to concentrate. Xavier wasn't even sure if he had combed his hair that morning or not. Life could be so unfair!

'You look nice,' Charles mumbled out, sneaking another quick peek at him. He should really get up now and go for a walk but for some reason his body would not co-operate. His traitorous legs and arms wanted to remain exactly where they were.

'It was premeditated,' Erik murmured in return, 'I know you like me in this color.'

Charles gulped nervously and averted his gaze. That was his cue to leave before he got dragged into whatever mischief his ex- was plotting. His heart rate zoomed into overdrive when Erik reached out and tilted his face towards him. 'You haven't answered my question, little one.'

Charles took a deep breath and frowned sternly at him; determined to take back control of this conversation. It wasn't right for Erik to try and deliberately rattle him like this. 'And what question was that?'

'Are you seeing anyone?'

The professor sniffed disdainfully, 'Why? Are YOU seeing anyone!?'

Erik dropped his hand with a sad shrug, 'It's too late for someone like me. If I couldn't make it work with someone as loving and patient you, I'll never get it to work with anyone. My cat loves me, I can be happy with that.'

Compassionately, the professor threw an arm around his shoulder, acutely sorry that he was so mean to him previously. 'Don't say that Erik, it's never too late! Now that you're not spending your time hunting for vengeance, you'll find love again. When the time is right, someone will be there waiting, I promise!'

The cunning gleam in Erik's eyes made him pause in bewilderment and before he could even blink, the man had him pinned on the bed again.

Oh shit. He had walked into that.

Desperately he pushed on Erik's bicep to keep him at a distance, 'Erik no. Don't…you're confusing me. I didn't mean someone as in me, you lunatic!'

'And why not you? I like that idea very much' Erik muttered persuasively, as he nuzzled into the sweet warmth of his neck, 'and you were here, waiting for me, just as you said. This is all your fault in any case. I had no plan in mind when I got off the plane but you've suddenly got me thinking about the joys of family again. If I recall correctly, I never did take you out for that dinner.'

Charles pulled away, refusing to let Erik seduce him by the sudden tantalising image that he was sketching out infront of them.

'Thank you but that's not necessary and I am hungry right now,' he choked out breathlessly. 'Let's go join your father for lunch.'

'One minute, I want to ask you something,' Erik interjected quickly.

The small man sighed deeply, knowing that the conversation was not over but relieved that Erik had loosened his hold, 'What is it?'

'Will you marry me Charles?

'NO!' he screeched out loud, jumping up and whirling around in complete surprise, 'ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE?!'

As they stared down each other, a sharp tap at the door made their heads turn in that direction.

'Children?!' Jakob called anxiously from outside.

'We're alright,' Erik called out reassuringly, 'I just asked Charles to marry me.'

They could hear the man's surprised gasp of delight through the wood as he clapped his hands together.

'Splendid idea! Absolutely splendid! But to be truthful my son, it sounds like you need to practice your technique,' Jakob mused worriedly. 'Well, keep trying. I am outside if you need me.'

Charles collapsed on a chair opposite, struggling not to cry. Erik didn't appear to be at all distressed by his refusal. Hadn't his ex- hurt him enough? What had he ever done to the man to warrant him playing such games with him?

'You don't seem too upset that I've said no,' Charles asked bitterly.

Erik shrugged again and tucked his hands under his head as he lay back on the pillows, 'if you had said yes, I would have been exceedingly surprised. It doesn't matter, I'll just ask you tomorrow.'

Charles gaped at the man's audacity.

'Have you gone around the bend, love?' Charles blurted out, 'I am not going to say yes! Not tomorrow, not ever!'

'Yes, you will,' he corrected, 'It is just a matter of time.'

Charles was so flabbergasted that he could hardly speak.

Erik was really going to kill him one of these days. He had experienced so many emotions in the last forty-five minutes that he was beginning to feel like a wrung out dishcloth. First, breathless shock when their eyes connected in the street, blazing passion and arousal when Erik slammed him against the wall and kissed him so brutally, fear and concern when his ex- almost fainted on seeing his dad, stomach churning anxiety when he realized that Erik was pressing him to give him another chance, mind numbing pain when the older man had so callously asked him to marry him, and now aggravation at Erik's smug, superior attitude. He could not recall now why on earth he ever want to be with this man! Erik was the most provoking person on the planet!

'What makes you so sure?' Charles asked acidly, feeling completed irritated now by the man's confident, blasé tone of voice.

'Because you love me,' Erik replied without hesitation, 'you've said so multiple times and I can feel the truth of it when you kiss me. To be honest, I must confess that I don't really understand the feelings I have for you. Caring for you; being your friend for the last couple of months, gave me a new focus and it changed my life. I don't want to lose that and I just want to be able to take care of you again.'

'You want to marry me so you can take care of me?' Charles repeated a bit vaguely.

Erik scowled because somehow, his words now seemed ridiculous, even to him!

'No! Yes! Damn this sounded better in my head,' he muttered sullenly, 'you make out like if it's something creepy.'

Charles winced, not wanting to upset him, 'Just a tiny bit. Let's just say it's lacking in balance and perspective.'

'I have seen your American television. People here get married for far stupider and vaguer reasons,' he protested even as he covered his face with a groan. 'Forget all of that. I am not really articulating myself well today. Just…come lay here with me. '

'Why?' the professor asked warily, afraid that this was a prelude to a fresh tactic. Yes, Erik could still influence him, as evidenced by the excited fluttering in his stomach and the tingling in his palms, but there was a big difference between controlling his body and having control of his heart.

'Because it's all I need,' Erik said simply.

It was unfortunate that the older man had his eyes closed and head laid back, because the expression in the professor's face would have revealed to him, that he had abruptly punched a hole straight through Charles' protective defenses with his simple, from the heart request.

Charles crawled up the side of the bed and allowed himself to be gently tucked into Erik's side. Gingerly he then began stroking the man's chest and from the way the older man's breathing started to even out, he could tell that Erik would be asleep in no time at all.

'Ask me again, please,' Charles requested.

It was just a whisper, but the possible implications jerked Erik out of his semi-doze like a jolt of electricity. Nervously he moistened his suddenly dry lips, 'Would you marry me, Charles Francis Xavier?'

He knew it was his imagination, but Erik could swear that he was hearing his own heart, beating agonizingly in time with the seconds that silently ticked away.

'I can't,' Charles sobbed quietly, 'You are right. I do love you and I want to say yes so badly but I'm sorry, I can't. Not today.'

The older man began to feel an unexpected twinge of fear and all of a sudden he wasn't feeling as sure as when he first started this conversation. Comfortingly he stroked the back of Charles' neck as the man struggled to control himself. 'Calm yourself little one, don't worry about it. Please don't cry.'

The professor fretfully played with the zipper on Erik's jacket as his anxiety grew. What was he doing?! Erik was here now, asking him to be his husband! He might never get a chance like this again!

'Perhaps,' the small man begged in agony, dashing away the tears on his face, 'if you can wait awhile and ask again, i can give you a different answer.'

Erik looked down at him questioningly, as the hope inside him raised its head again and sniffed at the air. Erik was in it for the long haul and he was already devising plans to at least stay with Jean in the village. In this way he hoped that he would be visible to Charles every day, until the man's instinctive and reasonable fear that he would be hurt by him again, had diminished.

It took Erik a good while to find his voice again and when he did, it was shaky at best. 'It's very good to hear you say that little one, because I'll be asking you this same question about the same time tomorrow.'

Charles smiled for the first time since Erik had entered into this room; a heart stopping, peaceful smile; the kind that reached out and brushed against your very soul because it was so beautiful. 'Do you promise, Erik? Say yes…Don't think, just say yes.'

Eventually, the professor had to kick Erik in the shin as the man grinned idiotically across at him like a drunken buffoon.

'Ow…I mean, Yes. I swear. I swear will ask you tomorrow,' Erik replied, returning the man's sweet smile with one of his own, 'I swear on everything!'

Epilogue

A gentle, warning tap came from the door before it opened.

'Professor, we are ready for you.'

The small man took in a deep breath before switching off the newspaper he was reading. Erik, who was leaning against a nearby wall looking absently out the window, checked his watch.

'Mr. Xavier, are you sure one of you does not want to walk through the guests?' their wedding co-coordinator asked beseechingly of the tall man.

Erik waved his hands to decline this treat, even as Charles struggled to contain his smile. If he lived to be a hundred, the young man was sure he would never get over his delight that Erik had decided to take his name. Erik, always practical, had decided it was just easier this way when he learnt how complicated it was for someone with a doctorate to change their name, and besides which, Lehnsherr wasn't even his real surname.

'Permit me to say, that you have to be the calmest married couple I have ever hosted,' the woman complimented them, as the two men turned to each to make sure their ties were still straight.

Erik smiled warmly, 'We've been through too much to get all excited about anything in our old age.'

'Old age?' Charles quipped laughingly, 'Speak for yourself!'

Erik hadn't asked Charles everyday to marry him, but he tried to do it as often as he could once the professor was still awake, and especially just before they went to bed.

'You didn't marry me today,' he would say disappointingly, to which Charles would always silently smile before kissing him goodnight. He didn't know what Charles dreamed about when he fell asleep, but he loved watching the peaceful expression on his face as he held him.

'Are you sure you don't want to walk down the aisle?' Erik whispered in concern as Xavier reached over to double-check his cuff links, 'this might be your only chance.'

'REALLY? My only chance?' the professor inquired in a humorous tone with an exaggerated waggle of his eyebrows, clearly hinting that Erik was much too sure of himself.

Erik laughed quietly at this bit of teasing, happy that his husband was practically bouncing with joy, 'Well if you marry someone else that means I am dead and therefore past caring.'

The way Charles suddenly squeezed his hand made him sober up quickly, 'Erik, please don't make jokes like that. If God is merciful, I will die before you do.'

Erik leaned over to kiss him gently in apology, folding him into a warm embrace. There was no point in discussing something like this and today wasn't a day for speaking about such unpleasant inevitabilities. 'I don't know why you love me so dearly, but I am so glad that you do.'

Charles patted him comfortingly on his back. 'Stuff and nonsense, Erik. Calm yourself.'

Then with a martyred sigh, Erik wondered how he was going to possibly survive the next few hours of this festive reception that Charles'... no, their staff had put together. Just like the professor, he was a quiet soul at heart. The one bright spot in the evening was that his father was still feeling well enough after the short civil ceremony to participate, no doubt because of Jean's diligent care. He and Officer Gerard were huddled under a tree in a seemingly intense but enjoyable conversation, away from the more noisome fidgeting of the younger people.

'It won't be that bad,' Charles assured him as they strolled arm in arm down to the rose gardens, while Ashley the cat, ever faithful, trotted contently by their side. 'I hear that Logan and Matt have a nice surprise for us.'

Erik shuddered and then grimaced. He had specifically requested no strippers for his bachelor party but his choice had been summarily dismissed by the two men in question. It didn't feel right to him at all to start off his marriage with a lie. Well he didn't lie, not exactly, unless you consider omitting something a lie. All Charles asked was if he had a nice time.

'I had strippers at my party!' Erik suddenly yelled out, making Charles stumble.

'That's nice,' his husband immediately replied in the confusion of the moment, before Charles actually worked out what the man had said.

The small academic pressed his lips together to keep himself from laughing at Erik's petrified expression, 'I find it ironic that a man who once had a million secrets, can't keep any now.'

'Are you laughing at me?'

'No, not at all my dear' Charles replied, 'But it wasn't really necessary to tell me that. I trust you.'

Erik pulled him off the path for a refreshing little make out session just to say thank you.

'So…how was your party?' he inquired as they now quickened their pace, mindful of their waiting guests.

'It was instructive. For instance, I learnt that one shouldn't accept drinking challenges from your cousin Helen. Hank passed out for the night in the first half hour.

Erik snorted. He could so believe that!

'Thankfully, I didn't fall into that obvious trap. It was a nice party.'

'It was a nice party?' Erik sneered sarcastically. 'Good God, could you be more vague?'

Erik stared incredulously at the side of his husband's face as the silence stretched on, 'You're not going to tell me?'

A slow smile spread across Charles' lips, 'No. I think not. Sometimes a secret, the mystery of not knowing, if handled properly can be extremely alluring.'

Erik growled, not at all pleased by this response, 'I'll make you talk. You won't be having any secrets from me.'

Charles looked positively gleeful. 'Is that a threat?'

'Just you wait until I get you alone again,' Erik replied smiling in returning.

The end.