X-Men: The Gifted Ones

53. XAVIERS' BEDROOM, XAVIER MANSION, WEST CHESTER, NY

Charles was trying to wrap his mind around the danger that loomed ahead. Even Jane lying next to him in bed seemed so far away. He raised himself up on an elbow and looked over at her.

"Are you scared?" he asked, touching her face.

She raised herself up and looked at him. "No," she answered, shaking her head. "I've been there before. They want to keep me alive. That gives me some hope."

"Truthfully it isn't Erik I'm worried about as much as the others. I trust him to keep his word."

"Then what do you mean?"

"The rest of the Brotherhood worries me. They could kill you to prevent Erik or Raven from saving themselves, or could kill you to save one of them."

"Are you forgetting that I can amplify their pain back? They don't know about that skill."

"That is true, but there are other ways to die there. What if they realize that, and kill you for it?"

"I know."

"Jane, you're more troubled than you're letting on. Don't pretend to be strong for me, and don't make me have to read your thoughts."

She let out a small laugh. "After all your talk about be strong, keep being strong..."

"I'm talking about right here, right now. Right now, when you're with me."

Her eyes watered. "I'm only scared because what if I lose you? I'm not scared of war, Charles, but the idea of you not being here anymore terrifies me more than anything. Promise you won't try to rescue me?"

He looked at her aghast. He couldn't believe what she was asking of him! Did she realize what she was asking of him? "I absolutely refuse to make a promise like that!" he told her.

"You need to remember the school, the children, what we set out to do. They need to come before me. I've been in this war, Charles."

"You've been in this war, yes, but not with Magneto making it worse!"

"Just promise me you'll stay alive. No matter what happens to me, you need to stay alive. What you're doing here is bigger than the both of us, but it needs you to go on!"

He sighed as he stroked her arm. He understood why she wanted him alive. It almost broke his heart. She didn't want him alive for her sake, but for the sake of everyone else. "I can keep that promise a lot easier than the one about not rescuing you! You're forgetting one thing, though."

"What is that?"

He leaned toward her ear. "That maybe I cannot go on without you," he whispered.

"You'll find a way, I know you will. Whatever happens to me, promise me the school will go on."

He smiled sadly. "I promise."

She smiled and touched his face. His heart raced as she looked into his eyes. "Charles, I love you," she whispered, touching his face.

"I love you."

He kissed her and placed his hand on her temple. For one night he tried to cast aside what tomorrow may mean. He squandered every memory of every touch, every connection, every moment with his wife. He loved her as if it could be the last time he could bare his soul so openly with someone. He was afraid to sleep for fear of missing a single moment with her. He tried to make each moment last an hour, and create enough memories for a lifetime.