"We are proud to announce the completion of the accord that has been made between us and the United States of America," Magnus said, tilting his glass towards Moira and Levine, "Though the news of it shall not leave this room for quite some time, we may soon enjoy the benefits. To the lasting friendship between our countries."
Moira sipped out of her glass and looked at Levine. He seemed perfectly comfortable in his tuxedo. Moira wasn't too sure she liked the floor-length, sleeveless black dress she was wearing. Still, it was fashionable and events required that a part be played. It was why she had her hair up even though she hated it when she had to do that. There were earrings in her ears and a necklace around her throat. It was all part of it.
It was some comfort that Charles didn't seem to be enjoying his costume any more than she was. Somewhere along the way tradition had decreed a military uniform for Genosha's leaders. Both Magnus and Charles were wearing one. They certainly looked as though they could lead an army, and they had. However, the official uniform was obviously unsettling him.
She didn't know why. He looked handsome in it, his pale blue eyes offset by the black. She felt a slight heat come into her face. Quickly she finished her champagne. She was going to need it if she kept thinking stupid thoughts like that. There were some things that were best dismissed before they went too far.
Next to him she recognized the young blue girl from the hotel's reception. A light blue dress hugged her, coming down a little past her knees but trained in the back. The cloth was patterned with gold flecks, heavy sleeves coming down her arms. A sash was tied around her waist with the tails neatly spaced in the front.
Many of the other women were similarly attired. She'd seen shirts with the fabulous patterns in the street, but never in a full dress form. The outfits were clearly a Genoshan design, one that had been embraced. She vaguely wondered how their textile industry was keeping up with it all.
Moira felt somewhat out of place in her evening gown. Anywhere in America it would have been adequate. Now she felt both over and under dressed. Part of her role was to play it like she couldn't be bothered, like she was in control. That was what she was going to do no matter what. She could certainly keep it up until she went home the next day.
After the toast was over the band started playing. Alison Blaire was on stage, turning the sound into light and singing. It was a beautiful display, one that Moira couldn't help but admire. Everyone used their powers freely, unafraid of receiving anything other than praise or interest of their abilities.
Not for the first time she wondered what it would be like to live on Genosha. Moira was happy in the country of her birth, but she didn't think Genosha would be bad. It wasn't quite as advanced as what she was used to, sometimes the electricity flickered off and there were few cars, but there was more than her own comfort to consider.
If what she'd heard about the MRD was true then she couldn't afford to be too careful. There would be no more nighttime excursions with Rahne. Yet, didn't Rahne deserve to live where she didn't have to hide? It would be an adjustment for her, certainly, but the rewards would be greater than the disadvantages.
Genosha would be a good place for Rahne even if its position was somewhat precarious. Kayla would want to come as well, she was sure. She wanted to help in the investigation, but she could do that from Genosha as well. Moira was sure that they weren't just using the word of two CIA agents to investigate the MRD. Perhaps Kayla could be a part of it. Either way she would be doing it where she was safe.
It was an idea to keep in mind, certainly. However, she couldn't afford to dwell on it for too long. Moira was at a public event and people were going to talk to her. She had to be able to come up with an intelligent response. Besides, seeing a CIA agents spacing or staring at one particular space couldn't look good.
Charles came over, the blue girl close behind. Moira took a deep breath, remembering her thoughts from earlier. She stomped on them furiously. Her attraction wasn't something she could deal with at the moment. Then again, if she were merely attracted to him physically, and what she felt were just an attraction, then things would be simpler.
Reaching her and Levine Charles smiled and gestured to the girl.
"Agents Levine and MacTaggert, I'd like you to meet my sister, Raven," he said.
"Nice to meet you," Moira said, holding out her hand.
Raven looked at her hand for a minute. Slowly she grasped it. Moira felt her spiked skin bite into her own and tried not to show it. She wanted to warn Levine somehow when he took her hand, but there was no way without sounding rude. To her relief Levine didn't say anything, an eyebrow twitch the only sign that he had noticed anything different.
"Great to meet you," Raven said, "Charles said you told him the Giants are moving to San Francisco. That true?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Moira said.
"Shame. They were my favorite team. But if they don't want New York they can clear out," she said, "Who needs them?"
"Rather aggressive, aren't you?" asked Charles.
Raven snorted.
"Please excuse him," Raven said, "It's not like he cares what happens in sports. I was the baseball fan in the family. He plays croquet."
"I do not," Charles said sharply.
"Except for when you do," said Raven, "You're good at it though, I'll give you that."
Raven laughed as Charles bowed his head, wincing.
"Older brothers, you know?" she said.
She cocked her head at Moira. Again her yellow eyes reminded her of Rahne and Moira felt an aching to go home. She was glad things wouldn't take too much longer. They had stayed there two weeks total. It was a long time; especially when she had a daughter at home and spoke to a diplomat on a daily basis with alarming blue eyes.
"I'm an only child," Moira said, "Sorry."
"Good for you," said Raven.
Charles sighed and Raven boosted herself on her toes.
"Oh, looks like Az came after all," she said.
"You know he hates it when you call him that," Charles said.
"It's why I do it," Raven shrugged, "I'll be back in a few minutes Charles. Have fun being political."
She walked off towards a red mutant with a tail. Seeing her approach the man sighed.
"Raven will drive him mad one day," said Charles, "She's very social and he isn't and she thinks everyone should be."
He shook his head.
"So, I'm glad that everything was sorted out," he said.
"We're glad too," Levine said, "It's been a pleasure working with you Xavier."
"Likewise," Charles said, "I think I shall have to request you two if we have to do this sometime in the future."
Levine gave her a side glance, his eyes dancing with light. Moira smiled. It sounded like a promotion to her too.
"I'll give you the list of names of family members that we're interested in contacting. Some letters for them too, if they won't believe you," Charles said, "These will just be the ones in America. We understand that it may be hard to track them down, but appreciate any attempts."
"We'll try our best," Moira said, "You have my personal assurance on that."
Charles smiled and Moira felt butterflies. She was getting irritated with the sensation.
"That's very comforting," he said, "There are too many people here who haven't seen their families in years."
His face assumed a distant quality but he snapped back to the present quickly.
"In any case, thank you for taking this on," he said.
"It's our job," Levine said.
"Yes, but you chose your job for a reason," Charles said, "Do give yourselves some credit Agent Levine."
Levine nodded but said nothing. A new song began and Charles said, casually as though he'd just thought of it;
"Care for a dance Moira?"
Her throat felt dry. She found herself looking at Levine, hoping he wasn't thinking anything. Instead he seemed as though he'd expected the request. If he didn't see anything in it, then she didn't either. She was simply an agent accepting a request to dance with a diplomat with whom she'd become friends. Besides, diplomats danced with each other all the time for the very reason that it was diplomatic to do so. There was nothing else to it.
As long as she thought that then there was no harm in it. Her traitorous voice rose again but she spoke before it could get too loud.
"I should warn you," she said, "I'm not a particularly good dancer."
"Perfect," Charles said cheerfully, "Neither am I."
Levine laughed and put a hand on Moira's shoulder.
"Believe me; you'll look like performance material with MacTaggert."
"Says the man with two left feet," Moira shot back, "And you were the one who suggested we take that class before we came here."
Charles smiled.
"Either way," he said, "Still feel up to it Moira?"
"Sure," she said.
Moira put down her champagne glass on a nearby table and let Charles lead her out onto the dance floor. The music was slow and she tried to remember any sort of formal dance moves from the class. The feel of his hand on her shoulder and around her waist made her bite the inside of her cheek. Perhaps she shouldn't have done this.
Still, the dance wasn't very complicated. Charles whispered instructions to her and she got the hang of it after a while. Moira thought she felt Magnus' eyes on her when she turned around, as well as Raven's. It made her slightly uncomfortable, but there were so many other things to be uncomfortable about that she lost them in the flood.
He seemed to notice and sighed.
"Raven thinks she can scrutinize everything I do," he said, "I'll just move us over."
She nodded, deciding not to mention Magnus. He maneuvered them so that they were blocked from general view but were still on the dance floor.
"There we go," he said, "I love my sister, but she can be a little strange sometimes."
"I'll bet."
Charles hesitated and swallowed.
"Actually, there was something else I wanted to talk to you about," he said, "I…well…I came across this a few days ago…"
Moira frowned.
"You mean you read my mind," she said slowly.
"Yes," he said, uncomfortable, "I-"
"It wasn't like I wasn't expecting it," Moira said, sighing in frustration, "sooner or later. How far did you go?"
"Peripheral thoughts only," said Charles quickly, "I'm not lying."
She let out another frustrated sigh.
"There's no way of knowing if you are," Moira said.
For a moment he looked hurt but said nothing. His hand was tense on hers. A few seconds later Moira lowered her head.
"For what it's worth," she said, "I believe you."
"You mean that?"
"I do," said Moira, "What did you have to say?"
"I...well...I know about your daughter," he said.
She sighed, resisting the urge to push him away. Moira knew he wasn't trying to blackmail her, but it still made her uncomfortable. She had only spoken about Rahne's powers to Kayla and Levine, and only briefly with Levine. Talking about it with Charles would open up a whole new can of worms.
"What about her?" she asked.
"I…I just want to say that there will always be a place for the two of you here on Genosha," Charles said, "You've…you've been a great help to further peace between many of the people here and the outside world. If you ever want to make Genosha your home, you will find it a haven for her."
The offer was sincere, almost as though he wanted to make her happy with it. Moira looked up at him and found herself caught by his eyes. It felt like drowning. They stared at each other for a moment, Moira feeling something pulling her towards him. He didn't move either, just looking at her and saying nothing. The feeling sent chills up her spine, wanting to reach out and pull him closer.
In the end though, she was the one who looked away.
"I know you can read my mind," she said quietly, "and what I want to do and what I should do…"
She sighed, feeling frustrated.
"This is my job Charles," Moira said.
Charles bit his lip and closed his eyes. She thought that she felt his grip around her waist tighten slightly.
"I understand," he said, swallowing, "and I want you to know that I completely respect your decision."
He swallowed again.
"But…this isn't going to go away," he said, opening his eyes, "It's just going to remain unsaid until we decide to say something."
Moira nodded.
"Yes," she said, "but that day won't be today."
"Wish it was," Charles said, smiling weakly.
She returned the gesture. From far away the music died. She let go of him and stepped back, folding her hands in front of her.
"We'd better get back," she said.
Moira turned to go, and then she felt his hand on her wrist.
"Moira?"
Taking a deep breath Moira turned around.
"I'm going to miss you," Charles said.
Somehow she managed a smile.
"I think I'm going to miss you too."