Nothing is True. Everything is Connected.
Tag: <span>Creator: Bj Jones</span>

Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part 15)

Part One

Part Fourteen


“NO.”  Erik and Azazel yelled at the same time.  

The two looked at each other, then fist pumped.  

“Dude when did we become parents?”  Azazel smirked at his friend.

“I think that would be when you fucked Raven.”  Erik shook his head. Peter coughed, only to get glared at by his father.  “Hush, you’re already in trouble.”

“We want to help Vatar.” Kurt looked at the two of them.  “I can teleport all the way to the city to St. Patricks.”

“Why are you teleporting there?”  Azazel bent down to look at his son.  He was so beautiful, and made him so proud.  He really wished he could spend more time with him.  Maybe after all this, he would take more time. The idea that he never saw his boy grow up, upset him more than he cared to admit, let alone the idea his son wouldn’t survive.

“I like their St. Michael statue.”  He said with a smile. “Father Gregory is also nice, but I prefer Mass here with Father Angel.”

Azazel stood and looked over at his friend, eyes narrowing. “My son is going to Mass?”

“What do you expect when an Anglican and Jew raise a teleporting mutant, of course he becomes Catholic.”  Erik rolled his eyes. “He loved the stories of Angels as a toddler, specifically St. Michael and the Archangels.  He didn’t like normal picture books, just the big ones with the angel images. When he was threeish he popped into the local Catholic church, by accident.  Father Angel gave him some food, let him play with his St. Michael statue, and then called us. He’s a priest Azazel and he didn’t blink at your son.”

“I would like to meet this man.  Well if he is to follow Christian Symbolism, at least he went for the badass of them all.”  Azazel patted Kurt’s shoulder. “You’re still not helping, you are small and not quite at Archangel status.”

“But I can move people.”

“And I can get around people.”

Erik looked at the two of them, knowing they would go into this war without hesitation.  He hated the humans for starting this. He hated Mystique for being who he would’ve been.  “You are too young.”

“Sean and Alex were not that young when you guys went against Shaw.”  Peter argued back.

“Let me put this in terms you will understand.”  Erik looked at the two of them. “If something happened to you.  I would kill Trask, and anyone around him without hesitation. I already want to, I already want to fight, but your safety is keeping me tempered.”

Kurt poofed, then landed in his Vatar’s arms, something he hadn’t done in years.  “No Vatar, you wouldn’t. You are a good man, I see it.” He patted Erik’s cheeks.  “We stay.”

Erik held him close, then set him back down to the ground.  “Peter?”

“I get it man.”  In a rare show for the teenager, he hugged his father.  He stepped back and looked around the room, at the rest of the X-Men.  “But I want to be trained at some point.”

“You’ve already ordered your uniform, it’s on backorder until your twenty-five, and graduated college.”  Alex snarked at the kid, making Erik snort. “Same with you kid.”

Kurt and Peter smirked.

Azazel caught Erik when he stumbled suddenly.  “You okay?”

“It’s Charles.”  He shook his head, trying to absorb the mental anguish that was suddenly coursing through him.

“He went to talk to himself.”  Hank frowned. “Wanted to find out what happened.”

“Fucking idiot.”  Erik stalked off towards Cerebro.  “Get some rest, we’re leaving in the morning.”

“It would be wise if we stay away from those two.”  Alex suggested, a smirk on his face. “How about some food?”

“I could teleport us to another country?”  Azazel suggested as Kurt took his hand to lead him to the kitchen area, it wasn’t often Papa stayed long enough for a meal.

“We might take you up on that offer.”  Hank smirked as they moved away from the main sections of the school.

The Return of Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part 14)


Yes, I do realize it’s not afternoon, but figured this was a good day to post the next segment of the Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World.  As to get it back onto it’s normalish schedule.

PS: *hands tissues* *runs away*

Part One

Part Thirteen


Logan had never been in Cerebro.  

The Professor had refused to allow anyone in, but Hank.  

Even Mystique didn’t get inside the room.

He stood watching as the lights filled the room, first all the specs were white, and then they slowly turning to red.  “Are these Mutants?”

“Yes.”  Charles answered with awe in his voice.  “Each year there are more, some born, some manifesting.  All beautiful. I’ve reached out to those seeking something, to get them to come to the school.  But times are rough. No one trusts anyone, especially after many disappeared. It was warming to discover how many parents, friends – humans who were concerned for their unique family members.  It was also terrifying to find out how many sold them.”

Logan looked at the vast amount, wanting to reach out and touch.

He had watched as his people had been wiped out.  First by mobs, then the camps, and lastly hunted to eradication by the Sentinels.

“Can you focus on one?” He asked distracted by everything.

“Yes.”  

Charles focused on Raven, knowing exactly what her mind felt like.  He found her sitting in the airport.

Read more“The Return of Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part 14)”

Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part Thirteen)

Part One

Part Twelve

Note: You’re getting two scenes today and got two on Tuesday … as their won’t be any posts of Afternoon Fic, during McFassy Fortnight.


“How does this guy build five of these things in two years!”  Erik stared in shock, horror and awe. He could feel the metal running through them, so he would be able to control them if it came down to it, though taking on five would be hard.

“Determination.”  Azazel snarled. “How do things thing know how to detect Mutants.  I could understand them going after me or Beast, but you and Charles look normal.”

“Something to do with Mystique’s DNA, Hank and Charles were talking a mile a minute about it, I tuned out at ‘using it so it can detect Mutant genetics’.  I didn’t need to know anything else.”

“What now?”  He asked, eyeing the other Mutant.

“We need to find out where these things are going, it might help us track Mystique.”

“She’s focused on Trask.”  He pointed out. “And he’s not here.”

“We made a huge scene in Paris.  Trask is going to use it to showcase how he can single handedly save the world from Mutants.  These Sentinels will be going where he’s at, and where he’s at…”

“We’ll find Mystique.”  Azazel looked up at the creature, a frown on his face. “Shouldn’t we just blow them up?”

“Freeze.”

“Fuck.”  Erik turned to see over a half a dozen security guards.  “Charles is going to be so pissed.”

“You are so whipped.”  Azazel gave him an evil grin, pulled his sword, and then flashed away.

Erik snorted as he raised his hands, their guns pulled from the grasps.  They screamed as each of them, disappeared or was killed in front the rest.  In the end Azazel stood in the middle smirking, just as the alarms went off.

“Get us out of here.” Erik snarled.  He felt Azazel’s tail wrap around his wrist, and just before they poofed out he saw two dozen more men, and Trask.  He gave the man a half salute as they disappeared.

***

Alex stared at the TV, then Hank, then back at the TV.  “Dude I’m impressed.”

“Fuck off.”  He gave him a side glare, though fluffed his fur slightly in appreciation.  “Problem is we’re out and proud, and Trask is using it against us.”

“What’s the plan?”  Armando turned off the TV newscast that was announcing a big press conference planned by the White House.  “We have a jet and uniforms just for this moment.” Alex gave him a look, not sure where he was going. “Mystique is going to try and kill Trask, no doubt very public.  Obviously channeling Erik’s showmanship.” Beast snorted, but nodded for him to continue. “We have to counter this, by saving Trask by helping the humans – this is why we built the X-Men.”

“Are we prepared for that?”  Sean asked staring between the original team.  “I haven’t trained like that in years.”

“But I just got back home from war.”  Alex glanced between them, smirking slightly. “Beast here has been getting his ass kicked by Magneto these past few years.”  Hank sighed but nodded. “I’m not sure about this Logan guy, but if any a portion of what he’s saying is true … “

“And here I thought it would be Erik who would start World War Three because someone did something to Charles, who knew Mystique would lose her shit this much.”  Sean shook his head.

Hank looked at his brothers, that’s what they were to him.  All of them had been there in the beginning, Sean and Alex were on that beach, and Darwin helped in Erik’s recovery.  They deserved the truth.

“I’m telling you something that Erik and Charles likely don’t want you to know.”  He took off his glasses and cleaned off the invisible speck, trying to get his words.  When the world came back in focus all three of them were waiting intently. “Erik didn’t make it to this future.  Charles was leading the brotherhood – which means one thing.”

“Fucking hell, he died protecting Charles.”  Alex stood and began to pace. “This isn’t good.  We have to stop this.”

“What about the rest of us?”  Sean asked quietly.

“I was by Charles side.”  It was all he had to stay, the implication was there for the taking.

“Well fuck if I’m dying because of Mystique.”  Alex muttered, looking at the rest of them. “I think it’s time the world meets the X-Men.”

Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part Twelve)

Part One

Part Eleven

Note: You’re getting two scenes today and also on Thursday … as their won’t be any posts of Afternoon Fic, during McFassy Fortnight.


It took a train trip out of the city, and a mental scream at Emma, before Azazel showed up in front of him.  

“I should smack the living shit out of you, but I actually get it.”  Erik snarled at the teleporter. “But we have a bigger issue than protecting your kids mother.  Protecting your kid to start with.”

“Is Kurt in danger?”  That got his attention.

“Not at this moment, but in the future.”  He explained everything: Logan, the Sentinels, and the fact they were already built.

“And you and I are not in this future?”  Azazel frowned as he started to pace. “Nor my son?”

“He didn’t know a Teleporter, doesn’t recognize Peter, Sean or even Alex.”  The implications were astounding, add in the fact he only ever mentioned one Telepath indicated Emma wasn’t making it through this alive either.

“I lost my friend to this cruel man.”  He argued, the emotion coming through. “We may have never agreed fully with Shaw, but he saved both of us.  And we made a life, found a purpose with your Brotherhood. Did you know he and Angel thought about having children.”

“More kids for me to raise?”  Erik smirked slightly, he had known the two had become lovers, hadn’t realized it had gotten that serious.

Azazel chuckled.  “You make a good Vater.”

“Thanks.” And he meant it.  “I know you still care for Mystique, she is the mother of your son, but if she keeps this up … it’s just not us Azazel.   I am willing to die to protect Charles, the kids, the school, our fellow Mutants. But our kids shouldn’t be sacrificed. And not just ours, but we’re talking all of mankind.  This isn’t a concentration camp he’s building, this is the destruction of the world.”

“She has already left Paris, I do not know where she is going.  But I may have lead on these Sentinels. Janus got out some Intel, there was a lab in Texas, what was odd was the manufacture plant next to it.”

“Then let’s go.”

***

Charles had lost track of what day he was on, by the time they landed back in New York.  He was quiet for the drive back to the school, no one was really in the mood to talk. By the time they pulled up to the front door, Charles was already out and wanting to get to Cerebro.

“All okay?”  Darwin opened the door, taking in the burly new guy.

“No, but it will be.”  Charles pulled the young man into his arms and hugged him tightly.  

“I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s okay.”  He held the smaller man tightly, before letting go and stepping back.  “Sean is playing with Kurt and Alex is back, he’s been talking to Peter.”

“Keep an eye on them.  I’m heading below.” He looked at Logan.  “Come on it’s time you learn a few things.”

Darwin watched them pass through the lobby, heading to the elevator that took them to the labs and X-Men territory.  As they disappeared he stepped in front of Hank. “Where’s Erik?”

“Looking for the things that could destroy us. Come on, let’s get Alex I have a story to tell you.”  He grabbed Darwin and headed for the offices. He wanted to check the feed from France, see how much damage he did, by going after Mystique.

Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part Ten)

Part One

Part Nine


The suite he had booked last minute, was not his usual style.  He prefered something more lowkey.

When he had surprised Erik a few years ago with a trip to Paris, he had rented an apartment, it had been a simple studio and the two had enjoyed their weeks away. He had known Erik spoke French fluently, and had been to Paris during the time he hunted Nazi’s, but he had never taken the time to enjoy the city.  That trip were some of his fondest memories. He had felt contentment bleeding off Erik the whole time they were away.

This two bedroom suite was huge, and was more than enough space for the four of them.  The bedrooms sat on opposite sides, with a large living area in between. There was a fully stocked bar in the back, near the balcony that overlooked city.

A bar Charles was aiming for.

“Erik isn’t alive is he?”  Charles grabbed the scotch and poured himself a glass, not offering anything to the other mutant.  He downed it in one swallow, then poured a second before focusing on Logan.

“Chuck.”

“I can rip it out of your head.”  He downed the amber liquid and poured a third.  “I think you would be surprised how far I would go to protect my family.”

“Oh I know exactly how far you would go.”  Logan gave him a look, moving towards the bar to grab his own vice, huffing in triumph when he found an actual Cuban cigar. “I’ve seen it.  You’re a scary bastard when pissed.”

“Who sent you?”  He demanded, blue eyes flashing with determination.

“You, with your two Generals: Beast and Mystique.”  He lit the cigar and moved to the balcony doors. The city was quiet, as if in anticipation.  The last time he had been in Paris, they had been hiding in the Palace of Versaille.

‘It’s beautiful.’  Kitty smiled at all the trimmings, though most of the historical pieces were destroyed.  She grabbed Bobby and began to dance across the ballroom floor.

Chuck had watched them with a small smile on his face.  It was a rare moment, to see him so open and unguarded.

‘Look at all the gold…’

He flashed a look towards Mystique who quickly shut her mouth and wandered off.

‘So much abundance.  All they had to do was feed their citizens and they could’ve kept their heads.’  Charles’ voice had turned to lecture mode, though most had ignored him, there were times Logan sat and listened wondering what the Professor was really telling them. ‘But we hold onto our perceived rights.  Cling to wealth and power.’

He pulled out the spray can, and like all the places before left behind their calling card.

214 782

He had no idea what that number meant, until now.  Logan had seen the same six numbers tattooed on Erik’s left arm.  

“Erik’s a Holocaust Survivor.”  It wasn’t a question.

“Yes.”  Charles looked at him, as if trying to read him, but without using his telepathy.  “Why?”

“You used his number to mark our territory.” He puffed on his cigar.  “I never knew why? No one talked about it, and you yelled at anyone who did.  It drove the governments insane trying to figure out your code.”

“When it was me reminding them of their past mistakes?”

“I think it was more of a fuck you.”

“How did he die?”  Charles asked wanting … no … needing to know so he could stop it.

He shrugged, chomping on his cigar.  “I don’t know. You took me in after I escaped Stryker.  There was no school only the Brotherhood. I never heard the name Erik, until Mystique told me to get him on my side.”

Charles’ slammed the glass onto the bartop.  “She gets Erik killed and lives. I lose everything, and she stands by my side – fighting a war she fucking started.”

“I’m not saying you two got along.”

“I bloody fucking hope not.”  He snarled moving from behind the bar towards his room, then stopped. “Kurt and Peter?”

“Sorry, but I don’t know them.”

“Sean? Alex?”  Charles asked desperately, eyes wet with tears.  “Darwin?”

“Darwin I knew, he fought like hell.  You actually destroyed a small city when he was killed.”  Logan stepped away from the balcony doors and approached the distraught man.  “I only know the man you became Chuck, and for the past few days I’ve seen the man you are.”  He gripped Charles’ shoulders tightly, bending down to look him in the eyes. “You were a fighter, a fucking vicious general, a phenomenal teacher, who everyone was willing to die for you.   But I like this long haired cardigan wearing hippy. I want to meet him in the future. I want to see the school as a school. I want you to save Jean and Scott. I want to bring you Rogue. I want to see Kitty as a teacher not a soldier.  I want to see Erik with fucking grey hair.”

“But I don’t know how to do that.”

“Yes, you do Charles.”

Charles turned to see a sopping wet Erik.  “Fucking hell you’re soaked. Out of those clothes, into the shower – you’ll catch a cold!”  And before he could blink, Erik was dragged out of the room towards their bedroom.

Logan looked at Beast. “I’m taking the sex is amazing.”

“From what I’ve heard. Yes.”  He shook his own fur, letting water fly.  He focused on Logan, and with a low growl he made his intent known.  “We need to talk.”

“There’s the general I know.”

Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part Nine)

Part One

Part Eight


Erik had no idea who the other Mutant was, but the long tongue had made things awkward fast.  

Before Hank had even hit the ground, the Mutant had grabbed him and thrown him into the fountain, then used his tongue to bend the metal spikes trapping him in the water.  

Erik levitated himself to the ground, and the moment the mutant toad attacked he threw a trash can, sending it straight into the idiots face.   As he made his way towards Beast, he reached out with his metal senses looking for the bullet, but it was nowhere in the vicinity. The whiff of sulfur was enough to know how she got out of the area quickly.  

“Now what?”  Beast asked as Erik pulled the beams apart and yanked him out of the fountain, getting himself soaked in the process.  He shook the water out of his fur, noticing instantly that everyone was staring at the two of them.

“We need to get back to Charles.”  He stepped out of the fountain, throwing his hand out as the cops approached tossing them to the side.  “Can you de-fur.”

“What happened to Mutant and Proud.”  Beast stood next to him, growling lightly.  He hated being furred and wet.

“Your wet fur is making me sneeze.”  He smirked, getting the eyeroll he was expecting.  

<<Go left the crowd has no idea what’s going on.>>

<<Ah Liebling did you mind whamming tourists?>>

<<Fuck you Erik.>> He could feel the pause.  <<Yes, but you have a short time. Get to our rooms, I have news.  It’s not good. And stop teasing Hank!>>

He glanced around noticing people were frozen – staring past them.  “Time to leave.” He grabbed Hank, and headed left.

“Is Charles keeping us from being seen?”  He asked, passing by a young couple obviously on their honeymoon, neither one of them looked at his wet sopping blue fur.

“At the moment.”

Charles had surprised him with a trip to Paris a few years ago, they spent half their time in bed, the other exploring the city.  Giving Erik an advantage as they maneuvered through the city.

The moment they hit a dark alley, he grabbed Hank and shoved him against the wall.  Beast growled, grabbing Erik’s wet jacket. “Why did you stop me from shooting her?”

“She’s his sister!”  He pushed back using his strength to slam Erik into the opposite wall.

“You heard what Logan said, if she kills Trask we’re done.”  He brought his hands down on Hank’s arms making him let go, then pushed him back into the wall.  “I don’t give a shit about Mystique or even if Charles is pissed at me. I’m saving our future.”

“Killing her isn’t the way.  You know it!” He argued back.  “She think she’s doing the right thing, like you did back on that beach.”

“So you thought declaring your undying love would stop her?”  His voice dropped, going from anger to frustration. “Hank that only works if she loves you back.”

“I know.” He sunk into the wall with a sigh.  “Do you know how hard it is to see the adorable kid running around, the one who calls you uncle, knowing it’s the son of the woman you love with someone else!”

“Fuck Mystique.”

“Azazel already did.”  Hank dead panned. They both snorted, laughing lightly.  “I thought I was doing the right thing, but now everyone knows about us.  I mean I know there’s been rumors and theories, government inquirers, but now we’re publicly out there … Shit.”

“It’s not a bad thing, we shouldn’t have to hide!”  Erik argued. “Yes, we need the school, hell this would likely boost our enrollment finally, but why should we hide to make them comfortable.”

“Because they build Sentinels to hunt us down!”

“Then we stop them.”  Erik reached over and put his hand on Beast’s shoulder.  “I’m not sure how, but we will.”

He looked at the one person he thought he would never be friends with, the one person who wasn’t to be trusted.  The one person who he had become family, who fought for and against him. The one person who made him believe in the geeky kid and the Beast.  “But you die. You and I both know it. Logan doesn’t know Magneto … only Erik. So you died.” He reached up and wiped the tears from his eyes.  “And I don’t think we handled it well.”

“This time.”  He pulled Hank into his arms, not caring that they were both wet, and fur was getting up his nose.  “We make sure I don’t.”

“How did this become our lives?”  Hank asked stepping back while pulling off his glasses and trying to clean them with his wet shirt.

“I blame Charles completely for my lack of world domination.”  Erik grabbed his arm, and headed out of the alley way, they had to get the hell out of sight.   And later, he needed to find Azazel and beat the shit out of him.

Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part Eight)

 

Part One

Part Seven


The conference room was in shambles.  Chairs tossed to the side, some tipped over as people scrambled to get away from the ‘monster’.  Trask stood at the head of the table, in shock and awe at the sight before him.

If it hadn’t been for the fact he carried his Mutant detector around with him at all times, he would’ve never have known she was in the room.  He watched as the same mutant that had invaded his lab disemate his security. It had been because of her, he had built the detector and started the Sentinel program.  

How does a simple human fight against that?!

She was mere feet from him, when she looked up, eyes going wide.  Trask turned to see four men enter the room. The one with the long coat, he recognized.  It was the one who threw him against the wall, he still hadn’t figured out what his mutation was.  

He stalked into the room, pulling one of the guards guns from the floor, without touching it, and aimed it at the blue girl.

The smaller man, moved next to him putting his hand onto the gun floating in mid air.  “Erik, please let me try….” The gun didn’t waver, but it didn’t go off. “Raven, for once listen to me!”

“Why should I?” She snarled back, her focus between the long haired hippy and Erik.

Trask wondered if he could levitate items?  Maybe Telekinesis. He glanced at the surly man behind him, eyes widening at the bone claws, the very thought of what the man could do as a soldier …

The younger man on the sidelines, seemed out of place as did the hippy, but then he’s learned that mutants who looked innocent were usually the most dangerous.

“Because our future is at stake!”  He snapped at her. “This isn’t the way to do it.  Killing Trask isn’t going to solve anything. It’s just going to set everyone off.”

“He has to die!”  

“And who are you willing to sacrifice in the process!”  He stepped closer to the table, hand out. “Is our lives forfeit for your revenge?  Is mine? Erik’s …”

Her eyes narrowed, he knew it was the wrong thing to say.

She pulled her own gun on Trask, who stepped back tripping over his useless guard.  He scrambled up, and without a second thought slid past the big guy and ran out of the room.

The last thing he heard was a gun going off.

Mystique back flipped off the table, throwing a chair towards Charles knowing, it would distract Erik.   She couldn’t believe they would attack her, instead of the real threat.

She felt the bullet go through her calf as she went through the window.

Erik growled, ready to rip Hank a new one for tackling him into the table, only to see him go through the window after Mystique.  With a frustrated yell he shattered the gun, and turned towards Charles who was knelt next to Logan, who seemed to be lost in a convulsion.

“Is he okay?”  Erik asked.

“I think past and present is mixing.”  He tried to sooth the mutant, but was having a hard time getting past his claws.

“Not surprising.”  He glanced down at the unconscious military personal.  “It’s Captain Stryker, you’ve met his father, and if I recall Alex mentioned him a few times in his letters.”

“Go deal with Raven and don’t hurt Hank too much.  I’ve got this.” Charles jumped back at the slash of the claws, then moved in quickly to pin them down.

‘Hold him!’  He heard the yell the moment he touched him.  It sounded so much like Hank, but older gruffer. ‘God I miss Erik.’

‘He would’ve had a field day with Logan’s metal frame.’

Charles shook his head, he knew that voice, it was Raven!  He put a knee down on Logan’s arms looking down at the bone claws, the metal must have been added later.

‘Kitty are you okay?’

‘I’m fine.  He’s calm now.’

‘Logan… go back.  You need to go back.  The Sentinels are on their way …’  

Charles blinked at the sound of his own voice, older, wiser, harder.  

Dark eyes snapped open, staring at him.  “Are you back?” Charles asked easing up on his grip.  

“Yeah Chuck.”  He struggled to get up, looking down at the bodies around the room, not quite sure what happened.  “Where’s Mystique?”

“Out.”  Charles pointed towards the broken window.

“Erik?”

“Also out.”  He sighed trying to ignore the screams, growls, and crunching of metal.  “We’ve got to get out of here.”

Logan looked down at the soldier.  One flick of his claws …

“I do not know what happened to you, but it made you the man you are today.  The one who was willing to come here to save the world.” Charles put his hand on Logan’s wrists.  

“I’m not sure I like this version of you, Professor.”  He turned and walked away, dragging Charles behind him.  If there was one thing he had learned, leaving the Professor behind would only make Erik angry.

And that wasn’t a good thing.

Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part Seven)

Part One

Part Six


Erik slipped off his glasses as he stepped inside the waiting plane.  It was nice but not over the top, but then Charles was subtle with his money.  There were times he forgot how rich Xavier was, until he looked around their spacious bedroom, with the rich warm furniture, a closet filled with designer suits, and he never had to think about where the next meal was coming from.

Add in the fact he paid for Sean’s education, and he was pretty sure there were accounts already set up for Peter.

He placed his sunglasses into the designer suit jacket, before taking it off and hanging it up in the small closet, tossing the hat onto the shelf.  He made his way over to Charles, who was sitting at the small table reading. He looked irritated, and was trying to hide it behind the book. Erik glanced over to Logan who was sitting in the corner, looking surley.  

“What did you say to him?”  He glared at the mutant.

“Nothing, bub.  Even if I did, what are you his keeper?”  Logan glared at him.

“Yes.”  Erik leaned against the table, getting into his face.  “You hurt Charles, you deal with me. And I don’t give a shit who you are or where you came from.”

“Erik.”  Charles’ called out to his lover.  “It’s not Logan’s fault. I’m just upset over this whole thing.”

He gave one last dark look, then focused on Charles, his expression softening instantly.  “Don’t let him get to you.”

“It’s not him.”  He gave the other Mutant a soft smile.  “It’s just all of it, and I was told some bad news before we boarded.”

Erik again turned towards the other Mutant, only to have Charles stand and take his arm, pulling him towards the table.  “By the way if Hank is flying who’s watching the kids?”

“Azazel popped in with Sean and Darwin.”  He pushed Erik into the chair, then poured them a drink.  “Despite the fact Peter is old enough to take care of himself, I wouldn’t leave them alone.”

“I trust Peter as far as I can toss him. He’s sixteen and has my infamous stubborn streak.”  Erik played with the crystal cut tumbler. “Besides Kurt is the more mature one of the two.”

Hank snorted from the cockpit.  “They both take after you, I warned Darwin that Kurt will poof them away if he doesn’t watch them.”

Charles gave his lover a sweet smile. “They love you dearly.”

“As they should!”  He made him laugh, so he counted it as a win.  “Tell me Liebling, why are you upset?”

“Azazel told me about Janus and Angel.  He was rightfully upset, the two of them had been friends for so long.”  Charles swallowed the golden liquid, letting it burn on the way down. “And I’m sure this news isn’t going to help us stop Raven.”

“She already knows.”  He downed the scotch, then sat back in his chair.  “Hell part of me wants to put a bullet between Trask’s eyes.  I don’t even need a gun to do it!”

“Murder isn’t the answer.” They both glanced over at Logan who snorted, he swallowed down his own drink, ignoring them both.  “We have to find a way to fix this…”

“You know I’ll kill her if I have to.”  Erik leaned forward taking Charles’ hand.  “If it comes down to her or our future, the kids futures … I know you don’t want to think about it, but her life is forfeit.”

“She’s my sister.”  Charles squeezed Erik’s hand.  “I love her no matter what’s she done.”

“There are times Charles, that I hate I love you so much.”  Erik kissed the back of his hand, then sat back. “I should be the one going after Trask, leading the Brotherhood … saving our people.  Yet here I am, raising children with you.”

“Is it such a bad life?”  He asked seriously.

“No.”  The answer was honest to a fault.  “I just feel useless.”

<<You are not.>>

<<Am I?  I was taken down by a lung infection, from a cold Peter picked up from school.>>  

<<The cold was aggravated by the stress of the situation.  If I hadn’t stopped all those guards you would’ve been worse, you were already exhausted from destroying the labs.  And I couldn’t see you get shot, not again. I’m the one who should be sorry.>>

“Why are you sorry Charles?”  He asked out loud. “You have done nothing but try and help our people, even if it’s a bit idealistic.”

“It’s because of me, she is like this.”  Charles sighed running a hand through his hair, as he leaned back in his chair.  “She sees you as weak, afraid of humans, that I coddle you. She sees herself taking up your campaign.”

“She’s doing a shittastic job at it, but then who knows where I would be if I hadn’t been shot.”  He shrugged.

“Jail.”  Both Hank and Charles said at the same time.

“Exactly how would you’ve kept me in it?”  Erik gave them both a look.

“Plastic prison.”  Hank called out from the cockpit.  “Buried deep in the ground, maybe out in the countryside, though knowing our government they would’ve put in the middle of the Pentagon or something.”

“I’m disturbed you thought this through.”  He glared at the kid … well not so much of a kid anymore.

“Though the logistics alone to build one would take years, in the meantime, Charles would’ve broken you out and tried to make you see reason.”  Hank glanced over his shoulder a grin on his face. “Probably be some epic escape, Peter would help … oh lets not give him ideas.”

“As I said no prison could truly hold me.”  He looked foundly at Charles. “Except you.”

He was out of his seat and into Erik’s lap, kissing him hard and deep.  <<Darling.>>

Erik’s hand slid into the long locks, gripping them tightly as he devoured the sweet mouth.  He shifted them, until Charles was seated on the small table, giving him the leverage he needed to push him back, wanting nothing but to get his hands in those sinful jeans and around the hot hard …

“ERIK!” Hank yelled as the plane vibrated and shuttered.  “You’re in a fucking plane … made of metal!”

He gasped pulling off his lover, eyes dark with lust.  “Oops.”

Logan was gripping the seat, knuckles white as the plane finally leveled back off.  He stared at the two mutants, eyes wide in shock. “Are you two always this way.”

Charles blushed slightly, though not letting go of his lover.  He figured if Logan was sent back to save them, he would know about Charles and Erik’s relationship – it’s not like they ever hid it.  Even when they were in the city, Erik always had a hand on Charles it wasn’t overt, but it was enough. The few times they got confronted, the thugs learned quickly that they weren’t ‘some fags they could mess with’.

“YES!” Hank growled from the cockpit.

Erik smirked as he pulled Charles back into his lap, letting the smaller man curl up.  He knew he was tired. They hadn’t slept well since Alex got shipped out. They hadn’t slept at all in the past few days since Logan showed up.  When Charles gets too tired, his shields slip, most of the time he ventured into Erik’s mind, or Hank’s, but in large crowds it could be dangerous for Charles and others.

He ran a hand through his soft hair, soothing him, until he fell asleep.

Logan watched as Erik easily lifted the Professor, laid him out on the couch, then covered the him with a blanket.  In a touching moment he ran a hand through his hair, and then kissed him on the forehead. This was not what he was expecting.  He had a feeling that Erik had been close to the Professor by the way he snapped at his Generals, but this loving adoration on both sides was shocking.

The little time he spent with Erik, he didn’t come across as a loving anything.  More as a dominating soldier … hell he would’ve paid good money to see someone like him take on the Sentinels.  

It is obvious that losing Erik was the catalyst that made The Professor he knew.  He had no idea what to do with the one that was just got tucked into bed.

Logan startled when Erik slid into the seat across from him.  “I’m not in your future am I?’

“No.” He figured it was best to answer with the truth. “And before you ask Bub, I have no idea what happened.  Just that before I went under, Mystique emphasized I had to convince you, because Chuck from now was useless.”

He snorted humorlessly.  “She always underestimated him.  The fact he’s still alive tells me that.  Tell me more about these Sentinels.”