Old Friend

Chapter 2

Three more days passed before Charles regained consciousness. Erik connected him to an IV to prevent dehydration, and hoped Charles hadn’t sustained any brain damages. He had talked to John, but stuck to his decision not to let him see the professor.

“Maybe when he is feeling better,” Erik promised him.

When Charles woke up it was morning. The first thing he noticed when he regained consciousness was that he was in a bed, but not his own. He lay completely still for some time and took some deep breaths before he opened his eyes to see where he was.

His eyesight was blurred to begin with, and his right eye hurt very much when he tried to open it. He blinked and tried to focus his eyes.

He noticed that he was in a room, but since the room was dark, he couldn’t see very much. A large chest of drawers that stood a few feet away was so unclear that it very well could have been an object from an alien civilisation.

But despite this Charles knew that this was a room where he’d never been before. His whole body ached when he tried to move. Every bone and muscle in his body objected to the motion, and Charles relaxed again and tried to remember what had happened.

He had been attacked. He had been on his way home from a lecture on the mutant/human co-existence at Washington DC, and was attacked on the way back to his car. Before Jean had always been his driver, but now when she was gone he had to travel by himself.

He didn’t remember anything else. But where was he now? He was naked, and had a bandage wound around his chest and head. He was injured, and someone had taken care of him. Who?

Charles decided to scan the house telepathically to find out where he was, but when he tried he got himself a shock. He was unable to do it. His telepathic abilities were gone. Reflexively he brought his hands to his head to check if someone had put a so-called “neural inhibiter” on him, like Stryker had, but there was no neural inhibiter this time. His powers were just…gone.

Never had Charles felt as helpless as he did now. Trapped in a crippled body his telepathy had been his only strength, shield and defence during all these years. As a child, it had almost driven him mad and drowned him in other people’s mental voices, before he learned to raise shields, he he had learned to control the gift. Now when it was suddenly gone Charles felt helpless and vulnerable, and most of all empty. No voices filled his head now save his own. It was very frightening.

Suddenly the door was opened, and Charles saw the last person he had expected to see – Erik.

They both jerked when they saw each other, but Erik recovered in no time, happy to see that Charles was awake. He smiled at his old friend and went to sit down on his bed edge.

“Good morning,” he said. “How are you feeling?”

“Erik…” Charles whispered. “What are you doing here? Where am I?”

“You are at my place,” Erik replied calmingly. “Don’t be frightened. I understand if you’re feeling confused, but no one is going to hurt you.”

“What happened? What have you done with my telepathy?”

Erik looked surprised, and although Charles couldn’t read his thoughts now, he saw that the expression was real.

“Done? I haven’t done anything. Are you saying that you no longer can…? That your ability is gone?”

“Haven’t you done it?” Charles asked dubiously.

“Taken your powers? No,” Erik replied seriously. “Absolutely not. It must be due to the concussion you sustained from the assault. Probably it is just temporary. Your powers should return.”

“I…feel so empty without the telepathy…” Charles whispered.

“I know how you feel, Charles. I really do,” Erik said compassionately and placed his hand atop Charles’. “That was exactly how I felt at that horrible plastic prison. I was completely powerless and could do nothing to defend myself. The only thing I used to look forward to was your visits,” he added with a little smile.

“You really did that? Looked forward to my visits?” Charles asked, a bit surprised.

Erik laughed. “As a telepath you really shouldn’t have to ask! I know I often seemed… introvert and defensive, but that was because I was scared and angry. I really was looking forward to your visits, Charles.”

Charles tried to smile, but his face hurt so much that the smile turned into a grimace instead.

“Erik, what really happened?” he asked again. “How did you find me?”

“Don’t you remember? Nothing at all?” Erik asked carefully.

Charles shook his head. “No, nothing since the attack.”

“You… You sent out a telepathic cry for help, which I grasped. And then… Are you sure you want to hear this?” Erik asked before he went on with the story.

Charles nodded. “Absolutely.”

Erik slowly told him what had happened, and Charles listened attentively without interrupting a single time.

“But… How did you know I was on that little gravel road if my car couldn’t be seen from the highway?” Charles then asked.

Erik shrugged. “It was just a feeling. I can’t describe it. And I didn’t know you were there then. I didn’t even know that it was your car. But it doesn’t matter. The important part is that you’re still alive, Charles.”

“How long was I unconscious?”

“Roughly three days. I started to wonder if you were in a coma.”

“Three days!” Charles exclaimed. “My students must be worried to death! Have you called them and told them I’m here?”

“No,” Erik replied. The thought hadn’t even occurred to him.

“Give me a phone. I want to call them and let them know I am alive,” Charles demanded.

“No, Charles, I will not give you any telephone,” Erik said seriously. “You shouldn’t even know about this place. I won’t let you contact them.”

“Erik, do you realize how worried…”

“I know very much what you mean, but I won’t let you call them,” Erik interrupted. “Not yet. You’re still injured and should be resting.”

Charles sighed. “So now I am your prisoner?” he asked dubiously. “Just because I’m helpless gives you no right to hold me prisoner. I just want to let my students know that I’m alright. Is that too much to ask?”

“Right now, yes. And you are not my prisoner. You are my patient and guest. I saved your life, Charles.

“I know, Erik, and I am grateful, but…”

Erik smiled and silenced Charles with a motion of his hand. “No more “buts” now, my friend. You should rest. Or would you like something to eat? You haven’t eaten for several days.”

“Yes, please, a few sandwiches and an omelette would be nice,” Charles sighed.

“I’ll get you that,” Erik said and stood up. “Anything else? You always wanted tea with your breakfast when we were young.”

“Yes, please, tea sounds very good too.”

“No problem. Anything else?”

“I think that will be fine, Erik.”

“I’ll bring you your meal, “Erik said and prepared to leave the room, when Charles suddenly called his name. Erik turned around in the doorway.

“Yes, Charles?”

“Where are we? Still in the USA, I hope?”

“Chesapeake, Maryland,” Erik replied. “That is more information than you need.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Erik met Mystique in the kitchen when he went to bring Charles’ breakfast.

“I have good news,” he announced his colleague and sometimes-mistress. “Charles is awake.”

“Really? That sounds good,” Mystique said. “I haven’t heard him in my head yet, though. Shouldn’t you be wearing your helmet?”

“That’s not necessary,” Erik replied as he cracked an egg into the frying pan. His telepathic powers are gone. I suppose it’s temporary, but I’m not sure. Anyway, he can’t do anything to us now.”

“Is it a brain damage?”

“Possibly, although nothing except his psionic powers have been affected, which is fortunate. He is still Charles Xavier, but not telepathic, which is a great difference. I almost believe I prefer him the way he is now.”

Mystique laughed, exposing her white teeth in her otherwise solid blue face. “Yes, I can understand you. So, how long are you gonna keep him here, Erik?”

“Until he’s recovered,” Erik murmured. He really hadn’t thought much about that, but at least he was going to make sure Charles was well again before he let him go.

“Planning on seducing him?” Mystique asked with a wry smile and nudged Erik with her hip.

“No!” Erik objected and much to his chagrin started blushing. “Charles and I… we’re not… like that anymore. That was a long time ago.”

“Can you swear you’re not the least attracted to him?” Mystique teased.

“Raven, he is hurt! All I feel for him now is compassion. This discussion is over. Where is John, by the way?”

“He went to the mall this morning with a friend. Why?”

“It was just a question. What about Sabretooth?”

Now Mystique just snorted. “That animal! Who knows? He’s out in the woods, I guess, hunting. He hasn’t been here for days.”

“Good,” Erik said. “I didn’t like the look he gave me when I carried Charles inside. He looked so menacing and feral. Do me a favour, Raven. Don’t tell him where Charles is in case he shows up.”

“Why would I do that?” Mystique replied with a shrug.

“It is serious,” Erik said brusquely.

“No, no. Alright, I won’t tell him.”

Erik smiled relieved and kissed Mystique’s cheek. “I can always trust you, can’t I?”

“You know you can,” Mystique said.