Charles rocked back and forth on his feet. The plane had just touched down. For the first time Erik was standing by his side with no chance of abandoning the deliberations. Granted, he hadn't thought that there would be any chance the last time. Still, it would be good to show solidarity on the issue of representation.

They were going to ask for an embassy now, one which it had been agreed that Charles would occupy for the first year or so. It would be the first time he'd be back in the States since he'd left over three years prior. The idea of returning as a diplomat for a foreign country was strange, but it was just another strange thing he would have to get used to.

As the plane came to a stop he thought of Moira and their last meeting. Obviously in the presence of others, especially Erik, they would have to be slightly more formal. However, he was wondering if he could arrange a meeting between the two of them. Moira was still somewhat guarded about her life, as was he, but there were other things they could talk about.

Just talking really wasn't enough, especially when he couldn't say what he wanted to, but it really was all they could do. She was right; they did have a job to do. Neither of them would jeopardize the importance of their mission for their own personal desires. Still, sometimes he wished he could afford to be selfish, if just once.

The door opened and the staircase was folded down. Levine walked out first, Moira close behind him. Levine looked worried and Charles could see dark circles under Moira's eyes. He noticed the details seconds before the lights went out on the covert landing strip. It was enough to make him worry though.

He resisted the urge to contact Moira telepathically and find out what was going on. So he stayed silent until they reached them.

"It's good to see you all again," Charles said.

"It's been quite a while for me," said Erik, "I hope you don't think I was rude when I took off last time."

Levine shook his head. Moira swallowed.

"There's something we need to discuss," she said, "Until we do…I would prefer if we rode in a separate car."

Erik raised his eyebrows.

You know them better than I do Charles.

Uncertain Charles nodded. He walked over to the first car with Erik and got in. They waited for a few minutes, both trying to peer through the dim lights. Charles thought he saw someone get into the last car with Moira and Levine, but he couldn't be certain. From Erik's expression he seemed to have seen the same thing.

"Sure we can trust these two?" Erik said as the car started.

"Positive," replied Charles, "Not sure why they're being so secretive though."

"That's why we can't trust them," Erik said pointedly.

Charles rolled his eyes.

"They brought Susanna and Lorna back. Doesn't that engender any degree of trust whatsoever?"

His friend fixed him with a cool look.

"I'm grateful," he said, "But that means that I have more to protect now than ever. I don't want to make any assumptions."

Sighing Charles leaned back into his seat. Silence reigned until they arrived at the hotel. They waited patiently in the car as Moira, Levine, and their mystery guest came out of their car and went inside first. Once they were in Charles and Erik got out, following the lobby to the conference room.

Inside Moira and Levine had taken a seat. Charles couldn't spot the third party, and he knew that this was deepening Erik's suspicions. Nonetheless he took a seat.

"Now," Erik said, "what is it you need to say?"

Moira rubbed her eyes.

"Last night two men came into my house and tried to kill me," she said.

Charles started. She didn't meet his eyes as she continued.

"When agents were dispatched to Levine's house it had been trashed," Moira said, "My colleague was working late that night, or he might have been ambushed like I was."

She looked down at the table.

"It means we're getting close to our objective," Moira said, "The MRD knows we're on their scent."

"When people try to have you killed, it means you're onto something," Levine said, "But...well, there are certain complications that come with that."

He grinned, an expression that didn't meet his eyes.

"Not for me though," he said, "I'm not exactly social and the agency doesn't really encourage us to go out and be that way. Besides that I don't have any family and my only friends are CIA agents."

Levine swallowed and looked over at Moira. Charles thought of Rahne and felt an instant stab of fear. He stifled it down almost immediately. Rahne must be fine. If they had harmed her in any way then surely Moira wouldn't have come to Genosha. She cared too much for her daughter to leave her.

For the first time since she had arrived Moira looked into his eyes.

"You told me once that mutants can find safe haven on Genosha," she said, breathing deeply, "Is that true?"

"Of course it is," Erik said coolly.

Charles laid a hand on Erik's arm. Erik furrowed his brow but said nothing. Unlike Erik Charles knew where this was going.

"It is," Charles confirmed, his voice gentle.

Moira nodded, closing her eyes briefly.

"I…I have a daughter," she said, "I know that you're not aware of this Magnus, but it's true. She…she's a mutant."

Erik tensed and Levine sighed. Charles wondered how long ago he'd found out that his partner's daughter was a mutant.

"If the MRD come into my house again," she continued softly, "and she's there, then…then from what I've heard she runs a much higher risk than just dying."

Charles nodded.

"You want us to keep your daughter safe for you?" he asked.

"Sort of," said Moira, "I…my daughter isn't the only mutant I know. I have a friend who's wanted to come here as soon as I told her about it. She wanted to help destroy the MRD, agreed to be a witness actually."

She swallowed again.

"You can come in now Kayla."

The door opened and a woman with dark features and gray eyes walked in. Logan and Neena exchanged glances as she took a seat at the table.

"It's nice to meet you both," Kayla said.

With a nod to them she inclined her head to Moira.

"Rahne's upstairs," she said.

"Thank you," Moira replied.

Kayla looked back at Charles and Erik. He felt her eyes dart over him, as well as over Logan and Neena.

"I'd like to apply for citizenship," she said airily, "While I'm here I'll be taking care of Rahne until this is all over."

"And when do you expect that to be?" asked Erik.

Kayla shrugged.

"A few years at the most," said Kayla, "I don't give the scum who took my family a chance after what they tried."

Levine nodded.

"The CIA takes care of its own," he said, "And it highly resents what happened to us. McCone was lukewarm to our project before. Right now he's hell bent on hunting down those sons of bitches."

It was the first time Charles had ever heard Levine swear. What had happened was still fresh in his mind, the threat very real. Charles glanced over at Erik.

You owe her your family, he thought, The least you can do is repay the debt.

Erik sighed.

"I have no objection to this," he said, "Of course the information of who Kayla and Rahne are will be confidential."

He inclined his head towards Kayla.

"It is always a pleasure to know that other mutants have made their way in this world," he said, "Rest assured that we will find a place for you here."

"Thank you," Kayla said, her face impassive.

"You can still say that Rahne is the daughter of your friend, just not who the friend is," said Erik, "We'll have one of our operatives live close by and have weekly check-ups. I don't believe the MRD would dare come here, but we won't take chances."

He leaned forward, his hands clasped on the table.

"The only question now is if you trust us enough to do this for you," Erik said, "I understand more than anyone what it's like to know that your child is far from you, but I also know that this isn't mere witness protection."

"What do you mean?" asked Levine.

"Moira knows," Erik said, "Do you trust us enough to not hold your daughter hostage for our demands? To not use her as a bargaining chip? To guard her and make sure nothing happens? If you don't trust us enough for that, then it's best you find some other place."

Moira fixed her eyes on Charles. He met them, hoping that his determination to protect her daughter for her showed.

"I trust you," Moira said.

Erik nodded in approval.

"Then that trust has just secured the best protection there is for mutants in this world," he said, "Rahne and Kayla will be safe here."

He unfolded his hands and leaned back in his chair.

"Kayla, you may depart."

Kayla got up and squeezed Moira's shoulder. Moira didn't look back, just continued to stare straight ahead. Once Kayla had left Erik said;

"Now, I understand that you would rather not discuss business. But you leave tomorrow morning, do you not?"

Moira nodded.

"There are matters that need to be attended to," said Erik, "Therefore I would like to ask if Levine is comfortable handling this by himself?"

He saw Moira blink in surprise. It was an act of mercy and he hoped that Moira would take it. To his relief Levine spoke up.

"I have the briefings," said Levine, "Go on Moira."

She got up. Charles watched her go, knowing the pain that must be near-crippling her at the moment. They turned to negotiations for an embassy, as well as a progress report for the MRD investigation. When it was done it was well past one in the morning. The embassy would be set up within a few months, and the investigation would continue. Charles could only assume that the attacks would give it extra momentum.

When Levine left Erik rubbed his temples.

"That was a good thing you did," Charles said quietly.

Erik laughed.

"If I hadn't agreed to it you would have," he said.

Charles remained silent. Erik withdrew his hands and gave Charles a level look.

"You really trust these two, don't you?" he asked, "Did some of that have to do with knowing that the agent had a mutant daughter?"

"Some," admitted Charles, "I saw it through her memories when I really shouldn't have been there. She…between fight and flight Erik. She recognized her as a human being."

"Why?" asked Erik, "Does she have a physical mutation?"

"I think she's a shapeshifter, like Raven," Charles said, "Only…more specialized than Raven. In any case, we've made a very important promise."

"I know," Erik said, "I know."

He gave him another level look.

"Is that the only reason you trusted her? Because you knew about her daughter?"

The question was laced with undercurrents, things he knew Erik didn't want to ask him outright. Charles weighed his words carefully before he answered.

"I believe that she knows what she's doing," Charles said, "That she's capable and wouldn't stand for what's happening. Moira cares about her work, and she cares very much about her daughter. I think it shows the level of trust she has in us that she would bring her here."

Erik's eyebrows rose.

"Moira?" he asked.

Charles swallowed, realizing his use of her first name.

"Yes," he said, "Moira."

"Hm," Erik said, "So she trusts us does she?"

He folded his arms.

"Or does she trust you?"

Trying to look indifferent Charles shrugged.

"I think it's a bit of both."

Erik shook his head.

"But it's one more than the other, isn't it?"