Raven stared out the plane window. Charles had offered to take her with him for the initial tour of the embassy along with Janos and Clarice. Logan and Neena were there too, silent and guarding as they always were. Clerical workers and support staff would follow in a few days as well. Charles and her would only be there for a day or so before returning to Genosha. He obviously thought that going back to the States would be some sort of treat for her.
Ever since their last argument he had been trying to mend things between them. He'd done so in little gestures; like fighting to find time in his schedule for them to play board games like in the old days. Sometimes he'd drop by unexpectedly for a visitor help her with her homework. He'd always tried to do all these things, but more often than not he'd failed. Now things were different.
She wondered why he was trying so hard. Sometimes she wondered if he was about to apologize, although she didn't want him to. There was no reason. He wasn't the one who had thrown a fit and said things that should have stayed buried. She'd never apologized to him though. There was too much she needed to figure out before she said that.
Raven wondered sometimes what was wrong with her. She had long ago stopped blaming her mutation for everything that had happened in her life. True, it had been the reason why the hazy specters of her parents had forced her onto the streets. It had led her to a new life though, one that she knew was quite a bit better than the one they'd had planned for her. How many street children became the sister of a prime minister?
Of her parents she could remember little. They might have been German; she remembered the word 'Darkholme' from a few conversations. She couldn't remember them saying anything kind to her. Honestly she was surprised that they had held onto her as long as they had. Raven couldn't remember a time where she wasn'y blue with red hair and yellow eyes. That meant that she'd been born with her mutation.
At one point she'd been a little thankful that they'd kept her alive as long as they had. Certainly they had probably always hated her, seen her as some sort of monster, since the day she was born. Slowly her view on the matter had changed. After the takeover of Genosha she began to see things in clearer terms; she had nothing to thank them for. She'd had a right to live.
She had been five when she encountered Charles, roaming the streets for a few months beforehand. Her survival was another miracle, but not one she dwelt too heavily on. The real miracle was finding him and having him take her in. He'd been a young teen then, gawky and alone. Their youth had settled things; he was her older brother. Charles had manipulated the world to make room for her, and she had thanked him for it.
Of course, the huge age gap probably left him feeling more fatherly than brotherly. That was the way she'd seen it, at least in recent years. He was an adult and in his eyes she was a child. He saw himself as her protector, responsible for her. When was she going to be responsible for herself? Didn't she have the right to fight, just as she had the right to live? It was her life after all.
No matter what Charles said she knew she was an adult. She'd seen more things than most adults had. She believed herself mature, a girl who could take care of things. Despite her youth she had organized grand events and seen to the safe transport of the injured. Why shouldn't she be able to move on into combat? Why should Charles stand in her way?
When her arguments made no headway she'd gone to Azazel. He'd been her good friend, not talking down to her or acting brotherly just because she was younger. All he'd done when she asked to be trained with knives was quirk an eyebrow. He'd trained her though, told her that she was fairly proficient in it. Clarice had even helped some, nodding in approval from time to time.
She'd believed herself to be defiant. Raven still loved Charles, but she felt that he was wrong about her. What better way to prove him wrong than to show him one day she could fight? Wouldn't he be surprised? Then he would see he was wrong and apologize to her. After that things could go back to the way they were, with him as her brother instead of guardian. It was the way it should be.
With her history Raven felt like she should be taken more seriously. She had survived on the streets with her limited skill set, her limited understanding. As a child she should have lasted seconds. Instead her mutation had allowed her to make it. Although she didn't like those memories, they did help bolster her opinion of herself. She took pride in that, in the fact that she had been fighting since she was barely more than a baby.
It was one of the reasons she was sure that she'd found a kindred spirit in Rahne. The girl had had the same experiences as her, even if she wouldn't talk about them. She was sure of it. Rahne had even been around the same age when she was taken in off the streets by Moira. Instead of having a sibling though, she'd been given a parent, a real parent.
Rahne's arrival had led Raven to question herself. She began to wonder if she'd have resented Charles' fatherly approach so much if he'd found her when he was twenty years old instead of in his adolescence. She probably would be calling him 'dad' by now if that was the case. The thought had made her angry, for no discernible reason.
It was only when she'd watched him with Rahne that she'd truly understood it. She began to form the idea that he liked taking in strays, seeing himself as a father figure. He always loved his affectionate titles. Being called 'Professor' had always brought a smile to his face. His school was just an extension of his love of the idea of having a big family.
Raven had begun to see that he was integrating Rahne with them. If Rahne had been older Raven was sure that the girl would have resented it like she did. More so, since Rahne had Kayla to take care of her and a mother in the States. If she was any older she would get angry. However, she wasn't. She didn't know enough to get angry. She was clinging onto any stability in her world because she was so young and missed her mother. So Raven had gotten angry for her.
And she had been wrong. Charles' denial, his words of admonishment, even his slight disdain at the end of their last fight had left her reeling. Behind that girl's cheery façade was she really undergoing such turmoil? Understandably she had been cagey when she first came to Genosha, but she had seemed to be doing well. Did she really recognize that her life was never going to be the same, that she would probably never live with her mother again?
There was also guilt that she'd brought up Rahne's name in the first place. At the time she thought that she'd been defending her. Instead she had dragged her name into an argument that Rahne would probably be horrified if she heard about. Charles had always been there for her, just like he'd always been there for Raven. At least Rahne recognized it.
The plane touched down, the landing slightly bumpy. She stared outside the snowy window listlessly, chewing on her tongue. The airfield was a secret one; mutants weren't exactly widely known. It was only a matter of time though. In a few days the United States was going to go global with what they knew about the MRD and Genosha. Then things would be different; for better or for worse.
"Raven?" asked Charles.
She looked up. Charles was standing across from her, looking concerned. Janos, Clarice, and a few others had already left. Logan and Neena would be bringing up the rear to protect them. Raven knew it was more for her than for Charles. She had resented that knowledge, but now she was wondering if it was true.
"I'm coming," she said.
She unbuckled and got slowly to her feet. Raven wrapped the furs around her. Even during the winter in Genosha there had never been any need for heavy coats. They had made do with long wool coats, coats that Raven had loved along with the gorgeous colors. Now she felt bundled, small and insignificant.
It certainly matched her mood.
Charles knew something was wrong with Raven, had been wrong since their argument. He remembered his harsh words with some regret. Still, she refused to talk about it. He wondered how long this was going to go on. It had already been several months. Not even the realization that Cain was a member of a team capturing mutants had made her talk to him for more than a few minutes. Surely she wouldn't continue this for much longer.
He stepped out of the plane and let the icy weather envelop him. It had been years since he'd seen snow. Fond memories of playing outside, making snowmen and throwing snowballs, came to his mind. He smiled before stepping down, joining Janos and Clarice. Perhaps there would be time for one of those games with Raven, if she'd consent.
A car pulled up. His smile widened, his frosty breath billowing out in front of him. No matter what was happening at least he'd see Moira again. He'd told her that Rahne was enrolled in school, and she'd be interested in hearing of her daughter's progress. She was quite smart, and he knew that she was the exact sort of student he'd imagined for the institute.
He felt a little foolish, composing a report in his head. Charles knew how much he sounded like a parent whose spouse was gone for long periods of time talking about their child. The thought in and of itself conjured pain and he tried to push it aside. It wasn't easy, especially when he wanted it so badly.
So when it was only Levine who stepped out Charles frowned. As was the norm Raven didn't seem to be aware of her surroundings too much. He noticed that Neena and Logan seemed surprised too though. Janos and Clarice didn't know how it worked, they had been political but uninvolved with the CIA in the past, so they seemed fine with the happenings.
As Levine walked up Charles saw stress, anger, and worry etched over his features.
Something's wrong, Charles broadcasted to the group, Be careful.
Raven nodded and Clarice and Janos shot him worried looks. Charles smiled brightly, stepping forwards and extending his hand. Levine took it, still looking dour.
"Hope you had a pleasant journey," he said.
"It was alright," he said, "If you don't mind me asking, where's Moira? I was told to expect her as well."
Levine hesitated.
"Maybe we should discuss that later," he said, "After you've seen the embassy."
Clarice raised her eyebrows. Charles could see that she was shuffling in her pockets, creating the crystals she used for teleportation from the air. Her range was only about twenty feet on such short notice, but it would be enough. As they walked to the car she slipped one into his hand. He knew how to activate them. She obviously thought that trouble was on the horizon. Charles wished he could disagree.
He stayed close to Raven on the drive to the embassy. Even once they were there he kept her by his side. The building was good but Charles found himself looking for exits. It had been years since he had been in the middle of a fight. The instincts never fully went away though, no matter how hard you tried.
When they finally got down to business, the tension was thick in the air.
"Where's Moira?" asked Charles.
Levine bit his lip.
"She handed in her resignation three hours ago," he said.
Charles' mouth opened slightly and he stared in slight disbelief. Still, Levine wouldn't lie about it. Worried glances were exchanged. All of them knew how dedicated Moira was to their cause. They all knew that her daughter and best friend lived on Genosha. She wouldn't quit without a damn good reason.
And it was plain to see that whatever that reason was it was making Levine unhappy.
"Her resignation was given," he said, "because the U.S. hunt for the MRD is over."
A silence descended on them. Even Raven looked surprised. Charles felt like the world had been cut out from under his feet.
"The official statement is that we've done our duty," said Levine, "We'll facilitate the announcement of Genosha in the United Nations, but beyond that nothing."
Logan began to snarl. Charles looked up sharply, making a frantic gesture at him. Levine didn't seem too alarmed though. He just shook his head.
"I understand how you feel," he said.
"I don't think you do," Janos snarled.
Levine glared at Janos, his eyes cold.
"I may not be a mutant," Levine said, speaking with steel in his voice, "but I have sunk years of my life into facilitating the destruction of the MRD. In one afternoon I have lost my cause and my partner of over five years. So you can at least understand that I'm frustrated too."
He shook his head.
"Now," he said, "I need to talk to Charles privately."
Neena began to open her mouth and Charles sighed.
No matter what the CIA has done, I trust this man. No guards.
The words echoed throughout their heads. As one they got up and left the room. Levine stared at Charles, looking exhausted. The door closed and Charles met Levine's gaze. He had to admit that he hadn't paid too much attention to the man. He wasn't lying when he said he trusted him. However, he had always seen Moira as the leader of the pair.
It appeared that Levine, in his own way, was just as capable.
"Charles, Moira doesn't have a home now, and no livelihood," he said quietly, "There's nothing holding her here. We both know where she'll go now."
His words dripped with meaning. Despite the situation Charles suddenly felt light. He was guilty for that giddiness, but he couldn't help it. Levine's words were true; now that she was no longer an agent she wouldn't stay in America. She was unattached and now she was being delivered to his doorstep. Moira coming to live on Genosha sounded like a dream, a gift. He began to feel excitement well up inside him and he had to push it down.
"And Charles, I know that the minute she gets there you'll be running after her," Levine said, "and I know she'll be standing still and waiting."
Charles gave him a weak smile. Speaking frankly to someone about his relationship with Moira felt strange.
"She doesn't need someone to take care of her," Levine said, "but someone to stand by her. Her and her daughter. You can't have her without Rahne."
"I know," Charles said.
"And…she's been my friend for five years. My partner before we had partners," said Levine, "She's practically family. Don't break her heart."
Getting up Charles shook his hand.
"It's the last thing I want."
Levine nodded, letting go of his hand. He opened the door, nearly knocking Raven over. She looked at the two of them with wide eyes before running down the hall.