A Moment in Time [X-Men First Class]

9.

We all sat gathered around the small television, intently listening to the president.

"It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear missile crossing the embargo line that surrounds Cuba
as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States requiring a full retaliatory response upon the Soviet Union..."

"That's where we're going to find Shaw." Erik stated bluntly.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"Two superpowers facing off and he wants to start World War 3. He won't leave anything to chance." He replied, I nodded my head in agreement, Erik had a good point.

"So much for diplomacy." Charles said sounding un amused.

Erik sighed then said, "I suggest you all get a good nights rest", addressing everyone in the room.

We all complied and made our way to our rooms.
~~~

     I couldn't sleep at all that night, I was too nervous.  To calm my nerves and to potentially make me tired I decided to take a walk around the mansion.

       I made my way to the living room, the one we were in before.  I went up to the television and turned it on.  No good shows were playing it was just the news talking about America, Russia, and the potential of World War III, all subjects I was sick of hearing about.

      Just listening to it made me even more nervous. I clicked the television off and went to sit on the couch.  I sighed and massaged my temples then sat there looking into the darkness.  My mind began to play tricks on me causing the darkness to look like it was closing in.

      I was to distracted by my own thoughts to notice its suffocating presence.  Different versions of tomorrow began to play in my head, in one version we had defeated Shaw preventing a third world war, in the other we failed and the world tore each other apart.

       "Couldn't sleep either?" A familiar voice called out through the darkness, pulling me from my thoughts.

       "Nope, I'm too busy stressing about tomorrow." I answered truthfully. I heard footsteps then felt the cushion next to me sink in.

       "Don't worry it will be alright, we will beat Shaw."  The voice spoke again. I realized it was Erik.

      "How can you be so sure?" I asked him. I felt his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into him.  I didn't resist and let my head fall into his shoulder.

      "Because we're all a team, I've seen what everyone can do and it's amazing, including you.  So don't be worried, if you need help I'll be there."  He said to me sincerely.

      "Thanks Erik."  I replied with a smile. His little speech gave me confidence for the upcoming events.  We fell into a comfortable silence, and eventually I did fall asleep, listening to his steady heartbeat.  I'm not sure if it was in a dream or not, but I swore I felt Erik's soft lip kiss my forehead and whisper 'good night' to me before I drifted off.
~~~

  When I awoke I was in my own bed. Before I had a chance to sit up there was a knock on my door.

    "Come in," I grumbled not fully awake yet. The door creaked open and Erik stepped in.

     "Charles wants everyone to meet in Hank's lab." He said, a blush evident in his face. According to his thoughts I'm adorable when I first wake up.  It's not my fault, I didn't purposely do that, his thoughts were so loud I had no choice but to listen to them.

     However, after hearing them I'm sure I was as red as a tomato.

     "Alright, tell him I'll be down there soon." I replied while sitting up. As soon as he left I got up, got dressed, then rushed down to the lab where everyone was gathered.

The door was already open so I assumed everyone was in there. I was right, they were all huddled around a large box. I walked over to them looking around the once neat lab. It looked like a twister ran through here, I'm surprised Hank would let this happen.

      "Guys what happened in here? And where's Hank?" I questioned to no one in particular.

       "We don't really know, we just got here too."  Raven explained to me. I nodded my head in response. Charles looked down and picked up a note with Hank's handwriting. It read, Bring crate marked X.

     We all looked down as Charles opened the box. It was filled with yellow and navy blue jumpsuits.

     "Hank has been busy." Charles stated.

      "Do we really have to wear these?" Alex asked, almost whining, as he stepped to the front of the group.

      "As none of us are mutated to endure extreme g-force or being riddled by bullets, I suggest we suit up."  Charles replied earning a sigh from Alex.

     We each went up and grabbed the suit Hank had specifically tailored for us.
~~~
   I quickly got into the snug jump suit and zipped it up, then tied up my hair into two French braids.

    I was on my way to join up with the others but as soon as I opened my bedroom door I was greeted by a very flustered looking Charles.  He was dressed in a similar jumpsuit as me, obviously.

     He looked lost for words but then managed to say, "Look Grace,  I just want you to be safe out there today,  I don't know what I would do if something happened to you on my watch."

     "Hey, it's alright, I'll be alright, plus I've got you guys to back me up." I said trying to assure him I'd be alright.

     He was silent for a moment, then he did something I never expected him to do.  He placed his hand on my cheek and quickly pulled me into a kiss.  I was shocked, I mean we had only met about a week ago, but I wasn't complaining.

     Charles pulled away, it was short but it was magical. He stared at me, his hand resting in my shoulder.

    "Be safe." He whispered.

                    
                 "I will." 

A/n:  Sorry if the ending of this chapter was really bad *cringe*, this is my first "love story". Anyways I have an important question since this book will be coming to an end shortly, should I write a sequel that takes place during DOFP, or should I just end it with this book? Feed back would be appreciated, thanks! 😘