Come Home (Cherik fanfiction)

Chapter Seven

Erik couldn't tell by the end of the night if he was proud of what he had done or not. As a leader, fighter, and teammate, the mission had gone exceedingly well as far as locating and such. Stealth, skill, and team-work got the job done and he trusted everyone to do their own little parts (which ended up to be something good instead of something foolish).

However, Charles was something more than just a mission, despite what he continued to tell Raven and Emma and even Riptide, who started to question what they were doing at the last minute. He was more than just a tactile series of events that lead to a victorious aftermath.

He was Charles: untouchable and good, by all definitions.

But, Erik supposed logistically, if he was a mission, he was Erik's mission. Sure, Erik had help with the victory, but it was Erik's plans and ambition that got them this far.

Charles was his victory by the end of the night.

Charles was finally his.

Erik

Emma had the first move. They had been hiding behind some tall hedges behind the giant satellite dish when she had sent the scientist -- whom she murmured had such a fantastically organized brain -- to sleep first, because she assumed he would be the most clever.

When the clatter of the blue, furry, genius hitting the floor was heard, it was heard by the redhead who was, incidentally, the first to arrive. He was in the room almost like he could float and he quickly searched the room for Hank. He, of course, was kneeling by the beast's side when Emma sent him to slumber. This was surprisingly convenient for them because the Pyro was just in the next room, listening to heavy metal and smoking.

"Wait." Erik had urged her, putting a hand on the kneeling woman's shoulders.

Alex had always been one of his favorites. The kid was smart, good, and had killer instinct. It didn't feel right to render him completely useless and weak without a warning of some kind.

But Frost shattered any hope he might have quickly. "I can feel suspicion rolling of off him in waves, darling. Only a matter of time. And, if you want to try and persuade your professor, I suggest we do it with all guards up."

After another moment and a heavy sigh, he let her send him into a secure, safe-feeling-dream.

"Where is he?" Raven whispered, catching a glimpse at Erik's nervously tensed jaw.

Emma closed her eyes. "Top floor." She raised her hand and pointed. "That-a-way. The lights are on."

Erik and raven nodded curtly.

But after a second, Emma raised her eyebrow and grimaced at the room she had been pointing to. "Azazel, would you mind? The dear professor has mental guards on the grounds." She looked up to Erik from a crouched position. "Best go in quite a rush then, if you're ready." She said, a bit shakily. She cast a quick and nervous glance at Raven and then swallowed, looking away guiltily just a quick even though Raven hadn't even spared her a glance.

Something told Erik Charles sent a, less-than-friendly message to Emma because he couldn't see any other reason she would look so afraid.

Azazel nodded, turning to Erik and Raven, holding out his hands. Raven took his hand and stared up at Erik with bright, innocent looking eyes.

He shook his head and laid on hand on Raven's shoulder. "You stay here. Emma can try and tell you what's going on if she can reach Charles, but you shouldn't be there. It's not going to be pretty."