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Erik met Marya Maximoff in an old, rundown bar in Washington D.C. 

He had been sitting at the same table for two hours, waiting for a contact who supposedly had information on Klaus Schmidt. Erik glanced down at his watch. The contact was two hours late. 

After one more hour of the contact not showing, Marya walked up to Erik. “I’m so sorry, but it’s company policy that if you don’t order anything, you’ll have to give up your seat to a paying customer. I wouldn’t bother you otherwise, but my manager just got here, and he’s watching me like a hawk.” 

Marya glanced over her shoulder. An older man was eyeing the exchange with folded arms and a harsh glare. 

Rather than cause a scene, Erik simply said, “I’ll order something.” 

She took out a little notepad. “Ok. What’ll it be?” 

Erik shrugged. “You pick.”  

Marya let out a laugh. “Do you do this often?” 

“Do what?” 

“Come into bars, not order anything, and sit still as a statue for two hours?” 

“I’m waiting for someone.” 

“For this long?” 

“Apparently no one taught him how to be on time.” 

“Apparently. I’ll be back with something, I guess.” 

Marya came to his table fifteen minutes later with two drinks. “I'm taking my break. Mind if I keep you company? Oh, don’t worry, I’ll pay for my drink!” 

“Uh-“ Erik paused. “I suppose not.” 

Erik never did end up meeting that contact, but he and Marya really hit it off. When he called it quits and collected his belongings, Marya delivered the bill with her phone number. 

He wasn’t going to call her. Really, he wasn’t. 

He had one goal and that was to find Klaus Schmidt and make him pay. 

The contact reached out to him again two days later. Told him to meet up at the same place, at the same time. Again, after an hour, Marya slid into the chair across from Erik, all smiles and laughter. 

The dinner they shared was incredible. It made Erik feel the happiest he’d been in a long, long time. 

That night, he called her back. 

———————————

1 Year Later 

Erik found himself in Washington D.C again. He’d caught wind of someone who worked under Schmidt hiding out in the city, and it was the best lead he’d had in months. 

He checked into a sketchy little motel, near the apartment where Schmidt’s former employee lived. He tried not to think about how close it was to Marya’s place of work. 

They’d been together for two months, and it had gone really well, but Erik found another lead, and they amicably agreed breaking things off was for the best. 

He’d never forget what she said to him that night, though. She wasn’t angry with him. If anything, she was just being observant. “Why do you have to find this man? Isn’t living a good life enough? If you ask me, that’s what your family would want. Not this revenge quest.” 

Erik told her he had to do this. Schmidt had taken everything away from Erik. His family, his childhood, his home. Erik could never let Schmidt go for what he had done. 

Marya told him it was ok, but Erik would never forget the look in her eyes. 

Erik definitely couldn’t walk into that bar now. He hoped no one had seen him when he walked past it to get to the motel. 

The sun had just gone down, and despite it being the springtime, it was fairly cold out. Erik was getting ready to leave- Schmidt’s employee would have gotten home by now- when he heard a knock on the hotel room door. 

He opened it up and found a baby laying on the doorstep. 

They were in a little bassinet, thankfully bundled up, but it was still cold out. Erik may not have been the world's most responsible person, but even he wasn’t going to leave an infant in the cold. He set the bassinet down on the bed, and pulled in the bag filled with things for the baby. 

Erik paced the room while wondering what on Earth he was supposed to do here. Was he supposed to call the police? He’d like to avoid that. Maybe he could take the baby to a hospital? No, he couldn’t do that either, what if whoever left the baby came back? 

He ran a hand through his hair. As long as the baby was here, Erik had to be here too. So much for his evening plans. 

He took a glance at the infant. They were tiny, probably only a few months old, and squirming around in the swaddle. Despite how young they were, the baby’s hair looked like a light gray. Erik got closer, thinking he mistook the hair color for a very light blonde, but it was gray. Maybe silver? 

The baby shuffled around again, and the sudden movement revealed an envelope. 

Erik Lehnsherr was scrawled out across the paper. 

He tore the envelope open as quickly as he could, and scanned the letter. 

Erik, 

I’m so, so sorry to do this to you. 

I guess I’ll just say it outright- this baby is your son. Peter Maximoff. 

I wasn’t going to tell you about him. You have your own things to do and work out, and to throw this big of a wrench in your life is incredibly unfair. I just didn’t know who else to go to. I hit a rough patch…and I don’t have the means to support Peter. As badly as I want to, I can’t take care of him. I was going to bring him to a foster home, but then, last night, I saw you outside of our bar. Ultimately, it is your decision on where Peter ends up, but I had to try you first. 

I’ve left everything you need to know in that bag. I’m sorry, Erik. I am. 

Whatever choice you may make, please, make sure he’s safe. He deserves that much. 

Marya 

Erik blinked, the words on the page seeming unreal. He read the letter a second, and then, a third time just to be sure. 

The baby, Peter , was his son. 

Erik had a son. 

His head was swimming while the words played through his head. 

You have a son. You have a son. You have a son, and now you’re all he has. 

Erik took in a shuddering breath. 

What did he know about raising a kid? 

Nothing. That’s what. 

Erik sat at the end of the bed. He couldn’t keep Peter. It wouldn’t work. 

He glanced at the sleeping baby. If Erik looked closely, he could make out some of his own and Marya’s features on the baby’s face. 

It hit Erik then, that it was possible he’d inherit more than just his parent’s looks. Maybe that’s what the silver hair was? 

Erik tried to imagine what would happen, if he left a baby with probable superpowers in the care of someone who didn’t know any better. He realized, very quickly, he didn’t have to imagine it because he’d lived it. 

He made a metal gate bend to his will. He destroyed a laboratory with a single thought. In 15 years, if Peter could do that, who would support him? Who would understand him? 

And even if he couldn’t bend metal, or use any other extraordinary power…he’d still be left alone. 

Just like Erik was. 

A wail rang out through the room, interrupting Erik’s spiral. Peter’s little face had scrunched up, and he was crying. Loudly. 

Was he hungry? Did he just need to be held? Erik picked up the baby, vaguely recalling his mother telling him to “support their head” when a relative had a newborn. 

“Calm down, calm down. Please calm down.” Erik repeated it like a mantra, bouncing Peter gently up and down, hoping he’d relax, because the baby was crying and Erik didn’t know what to do- 

He had a sudden memory of his mother singing a lullaby to him. Whenever he was sad, or scared, she held him and hummed the song. She always told him that one day, he’d be able to pass the song down to his children, just like his grandparents passed it down to her.

Erik started humming the song, and Peter quieted down instantly. 

He was perfectly content in Erik’s arms. 

Erik was holding his son. 

The baby had opened his eyes and was looking straight up at Erik. Those eyes looked exactly like his mother’s.

A wave of emotion came over Erik. Something about holding Peter made him feel at peace. 

When was the last time he’d ever felt like that? 

Again, he heard Marya’s words. Isn't living a good life enough? If you ask me, that’s what your family would want. Not this revenge quest. 

Erik made up his choice then and there. He was not going to leave Peter. 

———————————

5 Years Later 

It was a Tuesday afternoon and all was calm and quiet at home. Erik was finishing up some work in the dining room, when he realized that it was too quiet. 

His son was a lot of things. Joyful, playful, and energetic- but quiet was not on that list. Whenever things became silent, it was usually cause for concern. (The last time Peter had suddenly gone quiet, Erik found him drawing all over the walls with markers.)

“Peter?” Erik called 

A loud crash came from the living room. 

Erik ran in, and found Peter, knocked over on the ground, surrounded by all of his records. 

“Are you alright?!” Erik rushed to Peter. 

“M’fine.” Peter said, completely calm. 

Erik took in the mess. The basket he stored all of the records in wasn’t that high up, so Peter could reach one at a time. Peter must have tried to take the whole thing out. 

“You have to be careful.” Erik reminded him. “When you want to look through all of the records, come get me.” 

“Uh huh.” Peter agreed half heartedly, picking himself up off the ground. 

Erik held back a sigh. Peter was more accident prone than most children, but he also didn’t seem to care that much. He was the kid who’d trip, fall down the stairs, and then walk it off so long as he wasn’t hurt too badly. 

(It had been a nightmare for Erik when Peter first started walking.) 

Peter had already gotten over the shock of having multiple vinyls topple over him. His attention was already elsewhere, as he started to pick up the records and put them back. He got distracted again when he picked up Johnny B. Goode. 

Peter put it in the record player, and the now familiar opening played through the living room. 

Peter’s face lit up, the same way it did every time he listened to this song. “I can clean up now.” 

Erik shook his head, but he was smiling. Peter had a real love for music and anytime he had to do a chore or the rare kindergarten school project, he put something on the record player. Erik himself had never listened to music much, but Peter adored it. As he got older, he’d always seek out new songs, and so their record collection grew and grew. 

“Peter?” Erik said, catching his son’s attention. “If you do well on your math quiz tomorrow, I’ll take you to the record store after school.” 

Peter gasped. “Really?!” 

“Really.” 

Peter ran off to the front door to grab his backpack. He held up a piece of paper about practicing counting and writing numbers. “Can you help me read this?” 

Erik used his powers to turn the record player off, and sat next to Peter on the table. He was proud of himself for getting Peter to want to study- that didn’t happen very often. 

Peter was writing out numbers up to 15 in messy, crayon handwriting, when they both heard a knock at the door. 

“Keep practicing, I’ll be right back.” Erik said. 

Erik opened the door, and came face to face with Klaus Schmidt. 

It was like the wind had been knocked out of him. 

Standing in the doorway of Erik’s home, his and his son's safe place, was the man Erik had nightmares about, the man who took the life of his mother. 

The man looked like he hadn’t even aged a day. 

Schmidt actually smiled . “Ah, little Erik Lehnsherr. Not so little now, though, huh?”

“Dad? Who is it?” Peter asked, running up to Erik.

“Peter.” Erik said, trying to steady the tremble in his voice. “Go upstairs. Stay in your room.” 

Peter must have picked up on the severity of the situation, because he didn’t argue, or pause to ask why. He ran up the stairs, and Erik heard the door slam shut. 

Schmidt invited himself in, as if he were an old friend. A younger woman with blonde hair and a neatly styled outfit followed him in. 

Schmidt took in the house, almost impressed. “Nice place you’ve got. Though, I can’t say I pictured you as the domestic type.” 

He gestured to a picture of Peter hanging in the entryway. “Cute kid.“

He knows about Peter now! Erik internally shouted. 

His fist was trembling. He became very aware of every metal fixture in the house. The only thing keeping Erik from using that metal against Schmidt and this lady, was the knowledge that his son was still here. 

Schmidt put his hands up. “Calm down, kid. I’m not here to hurt anyone. I’m here to recruit.”

Erik gawked at Shaw. “ Recruit ? What makes you think I’d ever work with you?” 

“Your son.” Schmidt replied nonchalantly. 

Erik stiffened. “You are going to leave him alone. ” 

“See, I'd like to. Hurting a child, well, that was never something I wanted to do.” 

Erik held back a scoff. Schmidt didn’t seem to notice. “Your kid there? He’s probably going to turn out like you. A mutant. I’d wager the premature grays are a sign of that. I wonder what he’ll be able to do.”  

A mutant? There’s a name for this? Erik thought.

Schmidt shook his head, acting like he was sad. “You know something, Erik? A mutant parent and their child would make a very interesting case study. It’d be a real shame if someone, say the government, or a scientist, got ahold of you and your son, wouldn’t it?” 

Erik clenched his fist, and a metal rod from the staircase broke itself off and flew at Schmidt. 

The woman jumped in front of Schmidt, and she became like a crystal. She was tough enough to completely stop the metal.

Her eyes narrowed, and all of a sudden Erik’s head felt like it split in two. 

He saw flashes of his parents, of being separated from them, of Schmidt standing over Erik with medical equipment in hand, then of Peter, his son, his entire world, locked up in some laboratory-

“Now, Emma, that’s no way to treat our host.” Schmidt chastised. 

The woman, Emma apparently, relented, returning to her normal self, although she still wore a sharp glare. “He’d kill you if he got the chance.” 

“He won’t. Not when his child is upstairs. And besides, we don’t want to hurt our own kind anyway.” 

Erik stared up in shock. “Our own kind?” 

“You’re not alone, Erik.” Schmidt smirked. “That’s why I was so interested in you. Another person with a special power. And yours is more special than most. I mean, come on! Control over magnetic fields? That’s impressive.”

“What do you want?” Erik demanded. 

“I told you already. I want your talents. That little bar down the street sounds like a good place to meet. So, let’s say, 10 tonight? And if I don’t see you there, well…” Schmidt glanced upstairs, to where Peter was. “Bye for now.” 

Schmidt saw himself and Emma out. He shut the door, leaving Erik alone in stunned silence. 

———————————

Charles and Raven had put together quite the team for their mission to take down Shaw. After the yacht incident, the CIA had seen reason and allowed Charles to find other mutants who might stand a chance. 

However, as impressive as it was, Charles felt they needed more people, and so he went back to Cerebro. 

He caught a glimpse of a mutant in a D.C. suburb. That wasn’t very far from the CIA facility- and then, Charles saw Shaw and the telepath from the yacht threatening the man. 

“ What do you want?” The other man said. Charles could tell the man was growing desperate. 

“Your talents. If you want your son to keep this life, you’ll join me. That little bar down the street sounds like a good place to meet. So, let’s say 10 tonight? And if I don’t see you there, well…” Shaw glanced upstairs, an action that clearly frightened the man Charles had found, before saying “Bye for now.” 

Charles took Cerebro off of his head, and looked to Moira McTaggart. “I wasn’t expecting this, but…I  found a lead on Shaw. And I think there’s someone who could use our help.” 

—————————-

Erik didn’t know where he and Peter were going to go, but it had to be anywhere away from here. 

He was packing clothes in a frenzy, pacing around between his room, Peter’s room, and the bathroom, grabbing whatever essentials they might need. 

“Dad?” Peter asked. “Are you going somewhere?” 

The sight of his son reminded Erik he needed to stay calm. “ We are going to go stay in a hotel tonight. Does that sound fun?” 

“What’s that like?” 

“Well, it’s a big building with a lot of rooms. They have big beds and you can even order your food to come directly to your room.” 

Peter considered this. “That sounds fun.” 

“It's very fun. I used to stay in lots of hotels.” 

“But I have my test tomorrow.” 

“Your teacher will let you make it up.” Erik said, ruffling Peter’s hair. “Get a backpack so you can take some of your toys with you.” 

Peter nodded, got his little backpack, and started grabbing a few toys. Peter’s favorite toy, a plush turtle he’d gotten when he was two, was the first to go in the bag.

For some reason, that made Erik’s chest tighten up.

He thought he’d done enough to protect Peter. He kept Peter’s last name as Maximoff. Erik never put Lehnsherr down on any paperwork. He stopped his hunt for Shaw entirely, never used his powers in public or for anything flashy, and he kept a low profile. 

How was that not enough? 

After he finished packing, he came downstairs and found Peter trying to shove some records into his backpack, with little success. If they were just going away for a weekend, Erik would ask Peter to leave them, but as it stood now, Erik wasn’t sure when they were going to be back. He didn’t want to force Peter to leave his prized collection behind. 

“We can just put the bin in the trunk.” Erik slung his bag over his shoulder, and picked up the record basket. 

 “I'm gonna go get more toys.“ Peter said. 

As Peter ran upstairs, Erik looked around the downstairs. 

This house…it was the first home Erik had ever had in his adult life. He bought it only a month after he got Peter. 

There were few pictures, but the ones Erik did put up were all special. A picture of Peter on his first birthday. One of Peter on his first day at school. Another of Peter in his soccer uniform, so, so excited for his next game. 

This house was where Peter took his first steps and said his first word, and where he spent countless hours listening to music. It was where Erik felt the happiest he’d ever been. 

There were so many memories in this house. So many good memories. 

And now, they had to leave, with no clue if or when they’d ever come back. 

Were they going to have to start over entirely? Erik had read that moving could be very difficult for children. 

Erik shuddered as he thought of an even worse possibility- that no matter where he settled down, Schmidt would find him. Was Erik going to have to subject Peter to a life on the run? 

He heard Peter come down the stairs. Erik forced himself to calm his rising panic, and took Peter and their bags outside. 

Erik began loading the car up. Peter followed him closely behind, but paused and pointed. “Dad, there’s someone here!” 

There were indeed two people walking up the driveway. Erik didn’t recognize them. He fought the urge to yell at them to leave.

“I’m sorry, I’m taking a trip with my son.” Erik explained, gesturing to Peter. “I can’t speak with you now.” 

“Taking a trip on a Tuesday?” The woman raised an eyebrow. 

“He has a break from school.” Erik lied. He set the basket of records down in the trunk.

“I’m sorry to interrupt you.” The man said. “I’m Charles Xavier. This is Raven Darkholme. You are?” 

“I’m Peter.” Peter said. 

“Erik. Erik Eishenheardt.” Erik replied cautiously. “What do you want?” 

Charles seemed to be starting right through Erik when he said, “That’s…not your real last name, is it?” 

Erik supposed there was no point in his falsified last name now, seeing as Scmidt obviously knew it. “It’s Lehnsherr.” 

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Lehnsherr.” Charles said. “I was wondering, what do you know about one Sebastian Shaw?

“I’ve never heard that name.” 

Charles blinked. “Ah, right. I believe you know him as Klaus Schmidt?” 

Erik slammed the trunk closed. “Get in the car, Peter.” 

“I’m sorry, I could’ve worded this better- you aren’t in any trouble. We, the CIA, that is- would like your help, and, to help you in turn.” Charles explained.

“So what do you know about Shaw?” Raven chimed in. 

Erik acted clueless. “Again, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

Charles shared a glance with Raven. She nodded, and Charles put two fingers to his temple. 

I know you met with Schmidt, or Shaw, in the last hour. I know he threatened you and your son. We’d like to offer you protection in exchange for your help. 

Erik took a step back. Charles had not opened his mouth, but Erik heard his voice in his head, clear as day. “How did you-?” 

“The same way you moved that metal rod. I’m a mutant, as are you.” 

Mutant? Erik thought. That’s what Schmidt- Shaw said. 

“Yes, mutant! That’s what I’ve been calling us anyways. People with extraordinary powers that are a result of mutation.” 

“I’m gonna stop you before you can give him your entire thesis presentation.” Raven cut Charles off with a small laugh. 

“I apologize for contacting you this way. I’m sure you’ve had a rough evening, but we really do need you. Shaw is planning something, and we need people like you to stop him.” 

“I cant.” Erik said. “I have my son-“ 

“You can take him with us.” Charles suggested. “Shaw gave you an ultimatum, didn’t he? Meet him at the bar on 22nd street by 10 tonight, or he'd hurt you and your son. I guarantee you, your child will be safer at a CIA facility than any hotel you could run to.”

Erik glanced between Raven and Charles. “How do I know I can trust you?” 

Charles shrugged. “You can’t know for certain. Not really. But I do know you just want your child to be safe. I can offer you that, and if you tell us what you know, we’ll be able to deal with Shaw, so that he can’t threaten you again.” 

Erik thought it over. Five years ago, he would have jumped at the chance to end Shaw. But Now? Now, Erik wanted to keep his son as far away from that man as possible. If getting Peter to this CIA facility, and sharing what Erik knew meant that Peter would be safe…it would be worth the risk. 

“Alright. Fine. I’ll go with you. But the second I think something may be off, we’re leaving.” 

“It’s a deal.” Charles said. 

—————————-

Charles explained it would be too dangerous to take Erik’s car to the facility, since Shaw had seen it. Charles had graciously helped Erik move their suitcases into the CIA’s car. 

Peter climbed in. Raven offered the front seat to Erik, but he elected to sit in the backseat with Peter. 

“Dad! It’s so fancy!” Peter exclaimed. 

“It is quite nice.” Erik agreed. “Buckle yourself in, please.” 

Peter fumbled with the seatbelt. Erik leaned over to help him. 

“Who are these guys again?” Peter whispered. 

“This is Mr. Xavier and Ms. Darkholme.” Erik explained. “They’ve offered us somewhere to stay.”

“So you work at the hotel?” Peter questioned. 

Charles laughed. “No, I don’t. We’re working with the CIA, and they have a very big building with lots of rooms. It’ll be even more exciting than a hotel.”

Peter looked to Erik for confirmation. Erik nodded yes. 

“And you can call me Charles. Mr. Xavier makes me sound old.” 

“That’s because you are.” Raven smirked. 

“Anyway,” Charles said, with a fond eye roll. “We’re mutants, just like your dad. We want to help each other.” 

“What’s that?” Peter tilted his head to the side. 

Charles paused, like he was trying to think of the best way to explain his scientific theory to a little kid.  Raven jumped in. 

“A mutation is like a special ability someone is born with. I can make myself look like other people.  Charles here can read minds.” 

Peter’s mouth dropped open. “ You can look like anyone?! You can read minds?! ” 

“Indeed we can.” Charles proudly said. “It seems like you’re thinking about a comic book you read at school.” 

Peter was amazed. “He’s right!” 

“There are a lot of other people out there who can do all sorts of amazing things.” Charles said. 

“I thought it was just my dad.” Peter commented.

“Speaking of that, Erik,” Charles continued. “Shaw clearly wanted you for your abilities, but I didn’t catch what they were? If you don’t mind my asking, of course.” 

“I can control metal.” 

“You can? That is an incredible power!”

Erik wasn’t sure what to say. No one treated his power with that much enthusiasm. Even for Peter, it wasn’t that impressive. Just something his dad could do. Erik eventually settled on saying “thanks.” 

They made small talk throughout the hour and a half drive. Peter fell asleep about halfway through. 

“How old is he?” Charles asked, when the topic came back to Peter. 

“Five.” Erik replied. 

Charles sighed. “To think Shaw would even threaten a child. I’m sorry for what he did. I mean, if I was a parent-“ 

Charles didn’t know half of what Shaw had done, but didn’t quite feel like giving Charles his life story. He changed the topic. 

“Where are we going to be staying?” 

“At the CIA’s Division X building. There’s a residential area. It’s quite nice, actually. There’s a big yard, so Peter can go run around and play.” 

“That’s good.” Erik said. “Peter has more energy than he knows what to do with.”

Eventually, they did pull up to the building, with a sign labeling it as “Division X.” It was massive. From what Erik could see, it looked as though it spanned acres and acres. 

Charles got out, and opened the door for Raven, and then Erik. Erik unbuckled Peter and carried him out of the car. 

“We can ask someone to help with your things.” Raven said. 

“Charles!” A woman’s voice called out. The new girl and a man approached the car. 

“Ah, Moira!” Charles waved. “Moira, Director, this is Erik Lehnsherr and his son, Peter. Erik, this is Moira MacTaggart. And this is the Director.”

The director was an older man with glasses and a secret service-esque suit. It didn’t match the excitement in his face. “Pleasure to meet you! Welcome to my facility!” 

He held out his hand for Erik to shake. 

Erik took it. “What is this place?” 

The director grinned. “The result of my life’s work. Figuring out how to apply new sciences, or even the supernatural, to defense. And seeing as this guy, Shaw, seems to be supernatural himself, we could use your help, and your information, to stop him. You know, fight fire with fire. Charles was very insistent we get you on board. What is it that you do?” 

Charles chimed in. “He can move metal. Quite impressive, isn’t it?” 

“It’s amazing!” The director joyfully said. “Can your boy do that?” 

“He doesn’t have powers.” Erik stated. “And even if he did, he’s not here to help deal with Shaw.”

“Of course not. I can assure you, Mr. Lehnsherr, you and your child will be perfectly safe here.” 

“I can show you to your room.” Charles offered. 

—————————-

As they walked through the building, Erik decided to scope out the security of the place. Erik’s powers were like a sixth sense of sorts. He was always aware of metal within his vicinity. While he hadn’t used his powers for anything major since Peter was born, his ability to track metal was as sharp as ever. It was very useful when he had a son with a tendency to run off if something caught his eye. 

Erik took note of every camera, and of every alarm he could sense on the way to the room. It felt like he was the old Erik, who was paranoid beyond belief, always looking for his next target, or his next lead on Shaw. 

It was making Erik realize how much he didn’t miss the days before Peter. 

“I promise you, Erik, this place is perfectly safe.” Charles said. 

“I’m not worried-“ 

“Forgive me, but your nerves are quite loud. I’m not trying to read your mind, but I can still pick up on it.” 

Erik stopped. “I’m sorry, then. It’s just…it’s been a difficult night.” 

“Don’t apologize for it. I can’t even imagine what you must be going through.”

Charles led them to room 207 in the residential area. It was more like a small apartment than a regular hotel room, with a small kitchen area, a living room, and the beds separated from the main room with a door. 

The CIA didn’t cut any corners with this place, that was for sure. 

“Thanks.” Erik said. 

“Of course. Someone will bring your bags up. I hope you find this place comfortable.” 

Erik nodded. Charles left the door, but he turned around. “We’ll stop him, Erik. Shaw won’t get near you or your son.” 

Charles left, and Erik went to put Peter down on the bed. Peter started to move around. He sleepily mumbled something. The only thing Erik caught was “Here?” 

“Yes, we’re here.” 

“‘Kay.” Peter rubbed his eyes. Erik set him down on one of the beds, and pulled the covers over Peter. He went out like a light. 

Erik felt drained, too. It had been a long, exhausting, and frankly, terrifying evening. 

The man Erik hated the most, had come back and threatened the most important person in Erik’s life. 

He just hoped that helping the CIA would put an end to Shaw for good. 

—————————-

What little sleep Erik managed was plagued by nightmares. He dreamt of the day he lost his father, and then his mother. He dreamt Shaw had kidnapped Peter and forced him to try and move a coin on the count of three. 

When Erik was shaken awake by Peter, he felt nothing but relief, despite how tired he was.  

“Daaadddd.” Peter started. “Dad. Dad. Daadd.”

Erik sat up, groggily. “Yes?” 

“Someone’s at the door.” 

Erik stifled a yawn as he got out of bed. Peter followed him to the door, standing behind Erik. 

Charles was all smiles as he greeted them. “Good morning!“ His face dropped when he saw the bags under Erik’s eyes. “Is it too early, I can come back later-“ 

“No, it’s fine.” Erik waved it off. “Can I help you?” 

“They scheduled a meeting at Langley this evening. Director McCone wants to hear what you know about Shaw. I thought i'd let you know early.” 

“Right.” Erik said, withholding a groan. He did not want to tell government suits his life story, but if it meant Shaw was dealt with even one second sooner, Erik would put up with it. 

“I’m hungry.” Peter announced, tugging at Erik’s shirt. 

“The kitchen downstairs is fully stocked.” Charles informed them. 

“Give me a few minutes, we’ll go down.” Erik said. He nodded at Peter. “Go get dressed.” 

Peter rushed off to the bedroom. 

“Real clothes, not pajamas!” Erik shouted after him. 

—————————-

Once Erik got Peter settled with a bowl of cereal, and got himself a cup of coffee, he sat down at the table. 

Peter was quiet, fidgeting with the spoon in his hand. 

“Are you feeling alright Peter?” Erik asked. 

Peter shrugged. “I dunno.” 

“What’s wrong? You know you can tell me.” 

Peter tapped the spoon against the bowl absentmindedly. “I thought we were going to go to the record store if I did good on my test, but I’m not at school.” 

Erik did promise that. “I’m sorry. We’ll go soon.” 

Peter stirred his cereal around. “When’s soon?” 

Erik didn’t have an answer. “It won’t be very long. Just until it’s safe for us to go home.” 

“Why wouldn’t it be safe?” 

Erik could have kicked himself. He wasn’t trying to scare Peter, after all. “Listen, Peter. Do you remember that man we saw yesterday? The one who came to the door?” 

He got a quiet nod. 

“Well,” Erik said, trying to choose his words carefully. “He wasn’t a very nice man. We’re staying here, just for a little while, until Mr. Charles, Ms. Raven, and the others stop him.” 

“You promise it’s only for a little while?” 

“I do.” 

Peter glanced down again. 

Erik cleared his throat. “I think there’s a radio in the lounge. Why don't we go listen to some music?” 

Peter smiled a little bit- a win in Erik’s book. “Ok.” 

—————————-

Erik’s day was spent trying to keep Peter occupied. A CIA facility wasn’t exactly catered to children after all. 

Peter wanted to color, but the best Erik could find was a legal pad and a ballpoint pen. Peter burned through the pages in half an hour, leaving the coffee table covered in numerous drawings of stick figures and wobbly cars. Charles even came by for lunch and brought Peter the newspaper comic strips for him to read. 

After that, Peter wanted to go outside, so Erik took him on the little lawn outside of the lounge. Peter had brought his soccer ball with him, so he asked Erik to practice kicking it around with him. 

“Goallll!” Peter shouted, jumping up and down after he kicked it past Erik’s imaginary goal. He ran into Erik’s arms. “I’m gonna do so good at my next game!” 

“I’m sure you will. You’re very fast.” 

Peter smiled with pride. 

After they ate dinner, Peter played somewhat quietly on the couch with his plush turtle- who was busy stomping on some unfortunate toy cars.  

That lasted for about ten minutes, before Peter moved on to the radio, rapidly flicking through the channels. 

Peter groaned. “There’s nothing on ‘cept news!” 

Erik was saved from the sound of static, when Raven joined them in the lounge. She brought another young man along, who fixed the faulty pinball machine. 

The game captured Peter’s attention immediately. The young man explained the rules, retrieved a stepping stool so Peter could see, and let him play. Erik wasn’t sure if Peter knew what he was doing, or if he just liked pressing the buttons, but it was keeping Peter entertained, so Erik would take it.

“Wish I would have fixed that earlier.” Erik mused. He could have spared his hearing. 

“Ah, it’s no problem. I was going to play myself, but I don’t think I’ll be getting a turn anytime soon.” The man joked. “I’m Hank McCoy! You must be Mr. Lehnsherr, and that’s your son, right?”

“Yes.” 

“Raven told me about you. Your mutation is…it’s amazing. I mean, I’ve always been interested in this kind of thing, and I’ve never heard of control over metal specifically, though I guess it’s not out of the realm of possibility. It probably falls more in line with magnetism instead of just telekinesis-“

“Um, thanks?” Erik decided on saying. 

Hank turned a bit red. “Sorry! It’s just, it’s been incredible getting to meet more mutants. I spent a long time thinking it was just me.” 

“It appears most of us have.” Erik commented. 

“And you’ll get the chance to meet even more.” Raven said over her shoulder, grabbing a snack. “The recruits Charles and I picked out are coming in tonight.” 

“That’s your plan to stop Shaw, then?” Erik asked. 

Raven shrugged. “Like the Director said. We’re going to fight fire with fire.”

 “So, have you guys been here all day?” Hank changed the topic. 

“It’s the only place with a radio, and Peter loves music.” Erik explained. 

The lounge door opened and Charles and Moira walked in. 

“Seems like the like the lounge is the place to be.” Moira commented. 

Charles glanced at Erik. “Moira and I came to find you. There’ll be a car taking us to Langley in about an hour.” 

“Alright. Will there be anywhere for Peter to be during the meeting?” 

Moira shot Erik a quizzical look. “You want to take him with you?” 

“Yes.” Erik insisted. “Is there somewhere he can sit while we discuss things with McCone?” 

“Not really.” Moira said apologetically. 

“Well, there’s no one to watch him here-“ Erik started. 

“I can watch him.” Raven offered. “I mean, if that’s ok with you, Erik.” 

“I don’t-“ 

“It’ll be fine, Erik.” Charles said. “This place is extremely secure. There’s all kinds of guards here and Raven is very responsible.” 

Erik looked around the room, still unsure. 

“It’ll be just fine.” Charles reiterated. 

“Fine.” Erik agreed. “Just tell McCone he better make this meeting quick.” 

—————————-

Peter hugged his dad goodbye, and he left with Mr. Xavier, or Charles, as he said Peter should call him, and Ms. Moira.  Dad promised that he’d be back soon as soon as he could, in time for him to tuck Peter into bed. 

In the meantime, he got to hang out with Raven and all the new people that had shown up. 

The adults introduced themselves, and sat down. Peter stayed close to Raven and Hank, the only people he sort of knew.

“Are they gonna stay here?” Peter asked. 

“Yup.” Raven confirmed. “It’ll be like summer camp! Won’t that be fun?” 

Peter shrugged.

“Who’s kid is that?” One of the new guys said. He had blonde hair and a leather jacket. 

“This is Peter!” Raven patted his shoulder. “His dad is helping us with Shaw too, but he’s got a meeting at the moment.”

“I’ve never met anyone with a mutant parent before.” The man who introduced himself as Darwin said. “Do you have any powers?” 

“Um…my dad says I might when I’m older. He thinks it’s why my hair’s gray.” 

“Well, I think it looks sweet.” The boy with blonde hair complimented. 

“That’s a good thing, right?” Peter asked. 

“It is.” Raven assured him. 

Peter smiled. “Some people say it looks weird, but you really think it looks cool?” 

(Peter didn’t notice Hank and Raven’s sad, shared glances at each other.) 

“Sure, kid.” The blonde guy responded. 

“I’m curious.” Hank spoke up. “What are all of your powers?” 

“Hey! We should make code names based on what our powers are!” Raven exclaimed. “I mean, we’re like government agents now, right?” 

The small group murmured some agreement. 

“Superhero names…” Peter trailed off. 

Raven sat up straight. “I want to be called Mystique.” 

“Damn! I want to be called Mystique!” The red-haired kid said. 

“Sean, there’s a toddler here!” Hank scolded. He leaned towards Peter. “Do not repeat what Sean said, or your father might kill us.” 

“Too late.” Raven smirked. “He already heard it, and I already called Mystique.” Raven then made herself look exactly like Sean, and then back to herself. 

“Whoa!” Peter exclaimed.. 

The group clapped and cheered for Raven. She waved it off, “Darwin, what about you?” 

“Well, Darwin’s already a nickname. It fits, adapt to survive and all.” 

“What’s that mean?” Peter whispered to Raven, but he wasn’t very quiet. 

“I'll show you!” Darwin said. He got up, walked over to the fish tank, and stuck his head in it. All of a sudden, Darwin could breathe underwater. He lifted his head up, and pointed at Sean. “What about you?” 

“I’m going to be…Banshee.” 

Hank looked confused. “You want to be named after a wailing spirit?”

“You might wanna cover your ears.” 

“You heard him, Peter.” Raven said. 

Peter put his hands tightly  over his ears. 

Sean whistled, and shattered the glass window that led to the yard. 

The grown ups started laughing and clapping. Peter just hoped he wouldn’t get in trouble. 

A girl who called herself Angel revealed she could actually fly. The boy named Alex destroyed a statue with his powers. They decided on his codename, Havok, and then Raven decided that Charles and Erik would be Professor X and Magneto. 

“What about me?” Peter asked. “I wanna have a code name.” 

“You can be Mini-Magneto. How’s that?” Sean proposed. 

“I don’t wanna take my dad’s code name.” Peter huffed. 

“What about Silver?” Raven sat up, excited. “It’s a metal, so it ties into Erik’s code name, and well, your hair is silver!” 

The group nodded in agreement. 

Peter thought it was kind of boring as far as superhero names went. “Can’t you think of something else?” 

“Um…I can workshop it?” Raven decided. 

—————————-

The meeting was immensely difficult to get through. They wanted every detail, every little bit of information Erik had about Shaw, which meant discussing the worst moments of his life with complete strangers. 

It was a relief when McCone decided to take a break after Erik finished speaking. 

The military men left the room. Only Erik and Charles were here now. 

Charles' face was entirely sympathetic, but he wasn’t saying anything. 

“If you have something to say, just say it.” Erik said. 

“I’m so sorry Erik.I had no idea. We all knew Shaw was dangerous, but this…he’s a monster.”

“You don’t have to say sorry. It’s not like it’s your fault.” Erik took a sip of his water. 

There was a beat of silence. 

“I know that, it’s just…what you endured was horrific. No one should ever have to go through something like that.” 

“No.” Erik agreed. “That’s why I’m here. The faster we deal with Shaw, the faster Peter goes back to being safe.” 

The conference room’s door opened up suddenly. Moira followed a frantic looking McCone. 

“Well, Agent MacTaggart, it seems you were right. We’ve just received intel that Shaw is heading to Russia. And after what we’ve just heard from Lehnsherr, I’m giving you permission to take your mutant division with you.” 

—————————-

“The plane leaves in an hour.” Moira had been walking a mile a minute since they left the meeting room. Even Erik struggled to keep up with her. 

“I don’t think these kids are ready for Shaw.” Erik expressed. 

Charles, always the enthusiast, jumped right to their defense. “I think you’re underestimating them. They truly are exceptional people-“ 

Charles’ sentence trailed off as the music grew louder. 

The people they’d recruited to be a major defense against Shaw were dancing and drinking without a care in the world. One of the glass walls was shattered, and the statue of the Director laid in ruins. 

“What is going on here?” Moira yelled. 

The recruits stopped. Erik scanned the room, heart pounding when he couldn’t immediately see Peter. Raven moved out of the way of the couch, and revealed Peter sleeping soundly, despite the noise. 

Moira took the scene in. “Who destroyed the statue?” 

Hank had suddenly become sheepish, reminding Erik of the face Peter made when he sneaked an extra dessert he wasn’t supposed to have. 

“It was Alex.” Hank admitted. The girl Erik vaguely remembered was called Angel tried unsuccessfully to stifle a giggle. 

“No, it's Havok!” Raven said. “We have to call him Havok, that’s his codename. And we were thinking, you should be Professor X, and you should be Magneto!” 

“Exceptional.” Erik muttered. He stepped over the broken glass and into the room to pick up Peter. 

He was on the way back to their room, when Charles called after him. 

“Erik! Wait up!” He jogged down the hall to Erik. “The plane leaves soon. They want you on the mission.” 

Erik’s first thought was that he wanted to go. He wanted to go track down Shaw and make him pay. 

His second, was that he couldn’t. 

“Send the director my apologies.” Erik said. “But I’m not leaving Peter here alone.” He nodded at the sleeping boy in his arms. 

“I assumed you would say that.” Charles said, looking almost relieved. 

“Good luck on your mission. Stay safe.” Erik said. 

Charles nodded. “You as well.” 

—————————-

The next day passed by with no news and nothing eventful happening at the compound. 

It should have made Erik glad, but no news just made him more anxious. Erik and Peter mostly kept to their room, and Erik had Peter spend time learning. Some spelling, basic math, and reading time. Erik had been trying to introduce some German and Polish to Peter, though seeing as he was still learning English, Erik only taught him basic words. 

Once Peter finished with school- “ Dad, my brain is tireddddd !” -he dragged Erik down to the lounge to play more pinball. 

“Aw, come on!” Peter cried when they got there. Darwin and Alex had beaten him to the machine. 

“Be polite, Peter.” Erik reminded him. “You’ll have a turn soon.” 

Peter huffed about it, but he stayed behind Alex and Darwin, watching them finish their game. 

Erik sat down across from Raven, Angel, and Sean, and next to Hank. They stopped most of their conversations, letting an awkward minute of silence go by. Erik hadn’t formerly introduced himself to any of them. 

“You’re Magneto!” Sean exclaimed. 

Erik blinked. “Magneto?” 

“That’s the code name we gave you.” Raven clarified.

“Oh, right.” Erik recalled. “Erik is fine.” 

“I think Magneto’s awesome!” Peter chimed in, jumping onto the couch. 

“Is that so?” Erik asked. 

“Yeah!” Peter said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. 

“Look, Erik, I’m sorry about last night.” Raven offered. “I was supposed to be responsible, and I just ended up partying-“ 

“You didn’t have a single drink that night, and you were constantly checking on Peter, even when he fell asleep.” Hank said. 

Erik blinked. “Well I guess you have nothing to say sorry for. I forgot to tell you thanks for that.” 

“It was no problem.” Raven smiled. 

“Hey, I didn’t know the circus was in town!”

Erik turned his head toward the window. Two of the security guards were standing outside. 

“Come on honey!” One of them looked at Angel. “Why don’t you give us a little-“ he mimicked wings fluttering with his arms. 

Angel turned red. She stared down at her cup and looked as though she wished she was anywhere else. 

The other one pointed at Hank. “Bigfoot, show us-“

Erik shut the curtains with a flick of his wrist.

“Hey, come on! We were just messing around!” One of the guards' voices shouted. 

“They’re just guys being stupid.” Raven said to Angel. 

She scoffed. “Guys being stupid I can handle. I’ve handled it my whole life. But I’d rather a bunch of guys stare at me with my clothes off than the way these ones stare at me.” 

Raven’s face fell. “At us.” 

Peter stared up at Erik. “Were they making fun of us?” 

“No, Peter.” Erik assured him, but it was hard to ignore how uncomfortable the room had become. “Like Raven said- they’re just being stupid.” 

(Erik silently swore to himself that if they decided on “being stupid” again, he’d have to have a little chat with them.) 

Peter, satisfied by Erik’s answer, pointed at the pinball machine. “Are they done yet?” 

“One more minute, kid.” Alex said. 

A loud banging noise rang out through the room. 

The group slowly paused their activities and conversations as it grew louder and more frequent. 

“What was that?” Alex wondered. 

Another bang.

 “I don’t know, but something’s not right.” Darwin decided. He opened the curtains. 

“Dad…?” Peter asked. He reached for his toy turtle and squeezed it tight. 

“It’s alright Peter.” Erik said, picking him up. 

A loud thud startled everyone in the room. 

It took a second to realize the director of the Division X facility had been dropped, somehow , in front of the window.

Raven screamed. The others shouted or jumped back. 

Peter flinched. Erik placed a hand on Peter’s back. “Don’t look!”

Peter buried his face in Erik’s shoulder. 

“Do not leave that room! We’re under attack!” A soldier shouted into the window. 

We’re under attack. Erik’s blood ran cold as the words sank in. 

“It’s ok, it’s ok.” He told Peter. “I’ve got you.”

Darwin stood defensively in front of everyone, while they watched a terrifying scene unfold in front of them. 

Some kind of teleporter was making quick work of the soldiers. 

He has metal. Erik realized. The weapon he was carrying, a knife, could easily be under Erik’s control. 

He raised one hand, keeping the other around Peter, and yanked the knife away from the teleporter. 

A soldier tackled the mutant and continued the brawl before the former realized what happened to his knife. 

Even without the knife, though, the teleporter was overpowering the soldiers with his tail. 

“Stay here my ass!” Darwin shouted. “Let’s go!” 

The group ran down the hallway, only to be stopped by more guards telling them to get back.

Erik wanted to shove them away using the metal in their uniforms, just so they could get out, but an explosion rocked the building. 

The soldiers told them to run and opened fire on something quickly approaching them. 

“Get back to the room!” Angel shouted.

Erik paled when he realized they were trapped. Whoever was attacking them made sure there was no way out. 

A tornado came and shattered the remaining window. 

The teleporter and another man in a suit, presumably the one who made the tornado, stepped into the room. Erik clutched onto Peter, who he could feel was shaking. 

Machine gun fire could be heard down the hallway, and then- 

“You want the mutants? They’re just through that door! Leave us normal people alo-“ 

There was a sickening crack, and Sebastian Shaw stepped into the room. 

“Erik!” Shaw spread his arms. “What a surprise. I thought you’d be in Russia by now. Though now, I can’t find the telepath. Where is he?” 

“Not here.” The teleporter informed Shaw. 

“Too bad. At least I can take this silly thing off. Janis?” Shaw removed the silver helmet and handed it off to the man named Janos.

“Good evening. My name is Sebastian Shaw, and I am not here to hurt you.” 

Shaw took a step forward. Erik took one back. “My friends, there’s a revolution coming. When mankind discovers who we are, what we can do. Each of us will face a choice. Be enslaved, or rise up to rule. Choose freely, but know that if you are not with us, then by definition you are against us.” 

Erik’s heart was pounding. He needed to get out of here, he needed to get Peter out of here-  

“You’re welcome to stay here, of course. And fight for the people who hate and fear you. Or you can join me and live like kings.” Shaw’s eyes lingered on Angel and Raven. “And queens.” 

Shaw held out a hand.

Angel hesitatingly took it. 

“Angel…” Raven reached out towards her.

“Are you kidding me?” Alex spat.

“Come on.” Angel said. “We don’t belong here. And that’s nothing to be ashamed of.” 

“You don’t know what he’s done!” Erik blurted out. “He spouts all this nonsense about protecting our own kind, but you know what? He experimented on me. Tortured me. Threatened my child’s life.” 

He wrapped his arms around Peter even tighter. 

“I assure you, Angel. You do not want to associate yourself with that monster.” 

“Erik, Erik, Erik .” Shaw frowned. “Didn’t I tell you what would happen if you didn’t help me? Azazel.” 

The teleporter appeared in front of Erik, tapped Peter, and vanished. 

He reappeared next to Shaw, with Peter in his grip. 

“Dad! Dad !” Peter cried out. 

Erik sprinted towards them, but Shaw reached over and grabbed Peter, holding him by the back of his shirt. 

“I wouldn’t if I were you.” Shaw warned, raising his free hand. 

Erik froze. 

“You know, you stand there and talk about me as though I didn’t do you a huge favor! Who unlocked your potential? Hm? Who made you one of the most powerful weapons this world has ever seen?” 

Peter continued to struggle against Shaw. His eyes were wide, his movements frantic. 

“I’m disappointed in you. You let go of your greatest weapon. Your anger.” Shaw said. “Now, if I were to take your son from you, how powerful do you think you could be?” 

Erik’s fist was trembling. All the metal in their vicinity began trembling too. “Let go of him!” 

“Agree to join me, and I will.” 

“Let go of me! Please!” Peter begged Shaw. It was the worst thing Erik had ever heard. 

“Dad! Help!” 

What was left of the director’s statue started to crumple up. The lights on the roofs started swinging wildly back and forth. 

Erik hadn’t consciously thought of doing any of it. 

“Erik-“ Raven started. 

The guns scattered around the lawn started to float. “I’ll do whatever you want, just let him go!” 

Shaw watched in awe. “You know what? I think I’ve changed my mind.” 

Shaw shoved Peter back towards the teleporter, Azazel. “I’ll be separating you two. For your own good, Erik.” 

“No.” Erik muttered. “Please, no-“ 

The metal infrastructure of the building shook.

Peter immediately began wrestling against Azazel’s grip. 

“Take the kid away from here.” Shaw instructed. 

Azazel nodded, prepared to teleport away, but an  intense breeze knocked Shaw to the ground. 

Something barreled into Erik, pushing him down on the floor. 

Azazel was gone, but Peter was still here, eyes wide in surprise and shock, but safe, in his fathers arms.

Azazel reappeared next to Shaw, bewildered. 

“Well, Erik. Seems your kid is like you after all.” Shaw nodded at Azazel. “Don’t let him get away this time.” 

Erik clutched Peter tightly, keeping his eye trained on the teleporter.

In a flash, Azazel grabbed Peter again, and disappeared with Shaw and his teammates in tow.

Erik blinked. For a few seconds, he felt frozen in place. 

The metal no longer moved. There wasn’t a single sound. 

Everything just stopped. 

Peter was taken from him and as far as Erik was concerned, that meant the world just stopped spinning. 

He could hardly hear the voices of the young recruits calling out to him. 

He slowly knelt down, and picked up Peter’s stuffed turtle. His son’s favorite toy. 

 Erik held it and silently cried. 

—————————-

There was a flurry of activity as EMTs and firefighters and government agents surveyed the damage. 

He barely noticed any of it. 

He wasn’t sure who, but someone- he thinks it was maybe Darwin- led Erik to a bench and sat him down. 

“Hey, can I get you a drink or something? Water?” Raven asked. 

“I’m fine, thanks.” Erik forced out. 

“Alright, if you’re sure.” She said sadly. She sat down on the bench next to him. After being checked over by emergency services, the other mutants sat around the bench too. 

None of them said a word. 

Erik’s mind was in disarray. He stared straight ahead at the ambulances and yet he wasn’t really seeing them. All he could see was the terror all over Peter’s face. 

His poor little boy had to be so scared. 

Was Shaw going to hurt Peter? Was he going to use Peter for his new powers? Experiment on him? 

All were terrifying options Erik didn’t want to consider but he couldn’t stop. 

Whatever Peter had done last night was obviously a mutation. Erik had a whole plan in mind for the day Peter got powers. If or when it happened, he was going to sit Peter down and tell him his abilities, whatever they ended up being, were a gift, and nothing to be afraid of. 

He didn’t expect it to happen so young. He didn’t expect it to happen like this. 

The sun came up after what felt like an eternity of sitting on the bench, with the stuffed turtle being the only thing Erik was aware of. The light was irritating on Erik’s tired and puffy eyes. 

A car came up to the front of the building ruins. Charles stepped out and ran to Raven. 

He held her tight. “Raven! Are you ok, are you hurt?!“ 

“I’m fine.” Raven cut him off. 

Charles caught sight of Erik. “Erik, are you…where’s Peter?” 

“That bastard Shaw kidnapped him.” Darwin said. “And Angel willingly joined him.” 

“Oh god…” Charles muttered. 

Erik stared down at the floor. 

Charles took a deep breath. “This is over. We’re sending you all home.” 

“No, we’re not going home.” Sean protested. He gestured to Alex. “ He’s not going back to prison.” 

Darwin folded his arms. “Shaw is planning on destroying everything!” 

“All the more reason for you to leave.” Charles insisted. 

Erik clenched his fist. “I’m not going anywhere. Shaw attacked us. I say we return the favor.” 

“Erik, a word please.”

Charles took Erik off to the side. “They’re just kids. They don’t need to be encouraged into fighting him!”  

“No, they were kids. Shaw has his army, and we need ours.” 

Charles didn’t answer. 

“Charles, last night, Shaw took my child away from me! I won’t rest until I get him back! And that means going after Shaw. This is what you recruited us for, isn’t it?” 

Charles considered Erik’s words. He faced the others. “We’ll have to train. All of us. Yes?” 

They all responded with “yes.” 

“That's all well and good, but we can’t stay here.” Hank pointed out. “Even if they reopen the department, it’s not safe. We’ve got nowhere to go.” 

“Yes we do.” Charles said. 

—————————-

Peter sat quiet and still on the submarine. This would be much more exciting, if it weren’t for the fact that the scary guys made him go on it. 

Angel sat next to Peter. She tried offering some comfort, that it was ok, but Peter didn’t reply. He was still mad at her. 

Shaw strode into the main lounge, all smiles as he kneeled in front of Peter. 

Peter flinched backwards. 

“Oh, relax, kid. I’m not going to hurt you. You’re one of us after all.” 

Peter was going to be brave, even though this guy terrified him. Peter decided to just keep glaring, the way his dad did when he got upset about something, although it was never aimed towards Peter. 

“I want to go back to my dad.” Peter demanded, despite his shaky voice. 

“You will.” Shaw said with a fake gentleness. “Once we win our war, you and your dad will be safe. He just needed the right… motivation, to help me. You understand, don’t you?” 

Peter didn’t understand. Why did this guy want his dad to be angry all the time? 

But Peter didn’t say anything. He just kept quiet. 

“There’s a good kid.” Shaw said, and walked away. 

—————————-

Erik couldn’t stop counting the hours since Peter was taken. By the time they piled into a troop transport on to drive to Charles’ mansion, seven hours had already gone by. 

The drive felt even longer. The others made subdued conversation with each other, but Erik stayed quiet. Charles recounted his and Moira’s mission. They ended up arresting Shaw’s lackey, Emma Frost, and she was currently in CIA custody. 

That was about the only good news of the day. 

After a few hours, they arrived in Westchester, New York. The Xavier Manor was even bigger than the Division X building, with sprawling grounds and an ornate house, with dozens and dozens of rooms. 

The others were in awe of it. Erik couldn’t stop thinking about how much Peter would have liked to see it. 

Erik disappeared into the room he was given. It was spacious, and had two beds in it. One for him, and one for Peter. 

He set Peter’s turtle down on the smaller bed. He sat down on his own bed, and immediately realized how tired he was. As much as he wanted to stay up and track down Shaw as soon as he could, Erik couldn’t keep his eyes open. He wouldn’t be any use to Peter that way, so he allowed himself a few hours of sleep. 

It wasn’t restful. His usual nightmares came back in full force, along with new, terrifying ones about Peter, alone and scared and trapped with Shaw. 

After a few hours of scattered sleep, he just decided to get up and start looking for his son. He threw a briefcase together with a few of his belongings, and left. 

He knew some of the CIA’s documents had to have made it to the mansion with Moira. Charles had given her an office space if Erik remembered correctly. That room was bound to have something about Sebastian Shaw and his possible whereabouts. 

Erik strode down the hallway, quiet so as not to wake up any of the other recruits- except it seemed some of them weren’t quite asleep. 

“This serum, Hank…it just affects appearance, right? Not abilities?” Raven said.

“That’s the idea.” Hank replied. 

They were sitting in the office Erik needed to be in, with the door left ajar. 

Erik walked in, causing the both of them to jump. 

“If I looked like you,” He glanced at Raven. “I wouldn’t change a thing.” 

Raven frowned. “You don’t have to worry about that. You look normal.” 

“This serum isn’t to get rid of our powers, just normalizes our appearance.” Hank said, sounding defensive. “I mean, it could even make Peter’s hair normal-“ 

Erik crossed his arms. “Are you saying it needs to be fixed?” 

Hank turned red. “No! Not at all, It’s just, he said something. About being teased for it. I assumed he didn’t like it.” 

“There were problems with other kids.” Erik said. “But his hair is a part of him. Like your appearances are a part of you. I’d never want him to change it, and if people don’t accept it, that’s their problem.” 

Erik stormed past them, now feeling more worked up. He dug around the desk, and found what he was looking for. A Manila folder labeled “Sebastian Shaw.” 

Raven stood up. “You can’t just take that-“ 

“It’s been 24 hours since Peter was taken.” Erik countered. “I’ve waited long enough to do something about it.” 

He put the folder in his briefcase, and left for the mansion’s exit. 

—————————-

Charles was waiting for him outside the mansion’s front door. 

“Honestly, from what I know about you, I’m surprised you’ve managed to stay here this long.” 

Erik turned around. “Just because you heard me spill my life story, doesn’t mean you really know me.” 

“I know enough. I know your son is the most important person in your life. I know you’d do anything for him. And I know you’re acting the way you used to before you became a parent.” 

“Just stay out of my head.” 

“I’m sorry, Erik.” Charles said. His tone was more matter-of-fact than Erik had ever heard before. “But when you recounted what happened to you for the director, I saw it. I felt your agony. And I’m feeling your anger and your fear about Peter too. You don’t have to do this alone. I can help you.” 

“I don’t need your help.” 

“Don’t kid yourself. You can’t go up against Shaw alone.” 

Erik didn’t know what to say. He knew Charles was right. 

“I won’t stop you from leaving, if that’s what you really want. I could, but I won’t. Oh, and you should ask Moira about the files. I’m sure she’ll gladly let you read them.” Charles headed back inside, leaving Erik alone with his thoughts. 

—————————-

The submarine was b-o-r-i-n-g. 

Peter got so bored in fact, that he tried teaching himself how to spell words, the way his teacher and dad told him to. He was doing homework on his own! That was how bored he was! 

No one on the submarine really talked to Peter. Every now and then they’d bring in some food, or all the adults would drink something that smelled gross, but even then they’d just leave him alone. It was like they’d forgotten he was even there. 

He wanted his dad back. His dad always talked to him, and played with him, and took care of him. His dad took Peter to his favorite places. The record store, the movie theater, and the park.  He even listened to music with him! 

The other people were nice too. Even though they were adults, they still invited him to talk. They gave him a code name so he wouldn’t be left out, even though he didn’t have powers. 

Well, he didn’t have any until a few days ago. 

Suddenly, Peter started to sniffle. He missed everyone. He wanted to go back to his house. He wanted to tell his dad about what his powers felt like and they could figure out what they were together. 

Plus, the adults here weren’t very nice. They hadn’t hurt him, but Peter had seen shows where the bad guys hurt people. 

And these were definitely bad guys. 

Shaw stepped into the living room, making Peter briefly forget his home sicknesses.

“Pete.” He greeted. “How are you today?” 

Peter just glared, the way his dad did when he was annoyed with someone or something, though it was never directed at Peter.

Angel, who had followed Shaw in, let out a fast laugh she quickly tried to cover up. 

“I’m sorry, it’s just- he looked so much like Lehnsherr right there!” Angel protested, when Shaw sent her a confused look. 

“I don’t like you.” Peter declared, keeping his glare trained on Shaw. 

“Too bad.” Shaw said. “Today we’re going to do a little test. How does that sound?” 

“Don’t wanna.” 

Shaw frowned. His voice became severe. “I don’t think you want to say no to me.” 

Peter backed up against the couch. The way his voice changed did not sound good. 

“Now, I’ll say it again. You are going to do a test today. Don’t you want to know what your power is?” 

Peter didn’t respond. He did want to know, but he thought he’d do this with his dad. 

Shaw grabbed Peter by the arm and pulled him off the couch.

 “Let go!” Peter shouted. “Let go!” 

Angel flinched. “He’s just a little kid-“ 

Shaw ignored her. 

“The last time you used your mutation, was when you tried to get away from Azazel.” Shaw recounted, scarily calm. His grip tightened on Peter’s arm. “So try to get away from me.” 

Peter kept struggling. “Let go of me!” He thrashed his arm around. He needed to run, Shaw was hurting him! 

All of a sudden, Peter had slammed against the wall. 

There was a strong wind. Books and glasses on the shelves crashed to the ground. 

Peter stiffly and slowly sat up, rubbing his shoulder, which took the brunt of the hit. He wasn’t entirely sure how he’d gotten there, just that he started to run. 

Shaw smirked. “Enhanced speed. Incredible .“

—————————-

The next morning, Erik went down to grab something to eat, and also to ask Moira for permission to read the files, officially. Charles’s words had gotten to him, it seemed. 

He didn’t expect the kitchen to be completely filled. 

“Ah, Erik!” Charles greeted, genuinely happy that Erik had decided to stay. “Good morning!” 

“Morning.” Erik dully said back. Hank averted eye contact as Erik sat down. The others went quiet, like they were unsure what to say. 

Erik supposed that made sense. What did you say to someone whose child had just been kidnapped? 

Darwin was the first to speak up. “I’m sorry, Erik. If there’s anything we can do for you, please let us know.” 

The others murmured agreement. 

“Thank you.” Erik quietly said. He retrieved a plate of food for himself, and sat down. The conversations resumed, slowly at first, but they returned to noisy chatter soon enough. 

Most of the younger mutants were excited to train, and to get the chance to really use their powers, in a safe space, where no one could judge them. 

Erik thought, as he listened to the conversation, that at least one good thing came out of this mess. 

—————————-

Erik did ask permission to read Shaw’s files, and as Charles predicted, Moira said yes. 

He spent his afternoon studying that file front to back. He cleared the desk in the room, and started laying out the most important pages he could find, like the ones about Shaw’s connections in the government. Details of his history after World War II. A list of locations of Shaw had been known to visit, like a bank in Switzerland and an unassuming bar in Argentina. 

With every page he read, and every picture of Shaw he looked at, Erik felt that same rage he’d had years ago come flooding back. 

Erik never forgave Shaw. He never could, after what happened to his mother, but Peter was just more important than revenge. Now that Shaw had taken Peter…well, Erik was starting to think revenge wasn’t such a bad idea anymore. 

That evening, there was a knock on the door. 

 When Erik opened it, Charles was standing there, with a box in hand. 

“Wow, you were quite busy, weren’t you?” Charles gestured to the desk covered in papers. “Have you been up here since this morning?”

“Maybe.” Erik replied. “What’s in the box?” 

“Diverting the conversation, are we?” Charles joked. Still, he handed the box to Erik. “The clean up crew returned our things, and Peter’s records were all in tact. I thought you’d like them back.” 

Erik wordlessly pulled out the Johnny B Goode vinyl. 

Charles let out a small chuckle. “There’s always a song playing in Peter’s head. I believe I heard Jailhouse Rock at least four times on the car ride to the base.”  

Despite everything, that got a laugh out of Erik. “He wore out that record, you know. He listened to it so often it became unplayable. I had to go buy a new one. I was rather sick of it after a while.”  

“I bet. But you bought him that record anyway.” 

 “Yes.” 

Charles put a hand on Erik’s shoulder. “I don’t think Shaw will hurt him. Raven told me that Peter’s mutation kicked in, and that it looked like teleportation? That’s an incredibly useful ability. Two teleporters is something Shaw won’t want to waste.” 

Erik wasn’t sure what Peter had done that night, but Charles was right about one thing. Already, it seemed like a powerful ability. “You really think Peter won’t be hurt?” 

“I do. He has a strong power, and you're his father. Shaw will want Peter alive so he can get the upper hand on you.” 

Erik sat back down on the edge of his bed. “I’m an awful excuse for a father.” 

Charles looked confused. “What?” 

 “Peter’s mother couldn’t take care of him. She wanted to, but she wasn’t in a good position. She left him with me. She loved him, Charles, so much that she gave him up. The only thing she asked was that I kept him safe. I failed. Him and her.” 

“No, Erik, you didn’t fail.” 

“I don’t know what else you’d call your child being kidnapped in front of you.“ Erik scowled. 

“Don’t blame yourself for it. You could not have seen that coming. None of us could.” 

Erik turned the record over and over in his hands. “I can’t help thinking Peter would have been better off with anyone else.” 

 “Erik-“ 

 “If he was with his mother, he wouldn’t have been kidnapped! Shaw would never have been able to figure out Peter was related to me if he’d been with his mother, or even in a foster home!” 

“You don’t mean that.” 

“I led him straight into Shaw’s hands.” 

“No, you didn’t. That wasn’t your fault.” Charles sat down next to him. “You know something, Erik? Peter loves you more than anything. Even though I didn’t try to read his mind, he projected it very loudly. You may not feel like it right now, but you have been a great parent. You gave up your plan for revenge just to ensure Peter would have a stable home.” 

Erik went quiet. 

 “Tomorrow, we’re all going to start training. That way, we’ll be ready to face him. I think you should join us.” 

 “I have to track him down first.” 

“Like I offered last night- I’ll help you.” Charles offered. “But it won’t matter if we find where Peter is if you’re not prepared. So, training. Tomorrow. At noon.” 

Charles left without any room for argument. 

—————————-

The next day, Erik stood outside, with Charles about ten feet away from him. 

Charles nervously took the safety off of a pistol. “Are you sure about this? I mean, this isn’t what I had in mind when I told you to come to training.” 

“I’m sure.” 

“All right.” Charles took a deep breath, aimed, and then dropped the gun. 

“No, no, I can’t. I’m sorry.” 

“Come on, you know I can deflect it!” Erik replied. “You’re the one saying I should be training!” 

“If you know you can deflect it, then you’re not challenging yourself! That’s not training!” Charles put the safety back on the gun. “Raven told me what happened at the base. You made the entire building shake!” 

“I wasn’t trying to.” Erik admitted. “I couldn’t move something that big if I thought about it. I’d need the situation, the anger.” 

“No, the anger’s not enough.” 

Erik blinked. “It got the job done for a long time.” 

“It didn’t get the job done at Division X.” 

Erik didn't know how to respond to that.

“How about we try something a little more challenging, yeah?” 

Charles jogged to the fence and pointed at the giant satellite dish. “See that? Try turning it to face us.” 

Erik didn’t think he could, but he’d try. He thought about everything that made him angry. 

He raised his hands, tried to feel the metal, but he wasn’t getting anything. After only a few seconds, he started to feel the strain and let go of his powers. 

“You know, I believe that true focus lies somewhere between rage and serenity.” Charles said. 

Erik faced Charles. 

“Would you mind if I…?” Charles raised a hand to his temple. 

Erik was weary, but he gave a slight nod. 

Charles closed his eyes, and the memories came in, slowly, and peacefully.

At first, it was Erik’s mother. They sat, just the two of them, lighting the candles for Hanukkah. The weariness on her face disappeared entirely, turning into a smile. 

Next, Erik saw Marya, laughing and flirting in the dim light of the bar they met in. 

And then, he saw Peter. 

Erik saw the first time he ever held his son. He saw Peter’s first steps. 

Erik, holding Peter in one arm, while he lit the candles on the menorah with the other. 

Erik, sitting on the couch with Peter, levitating toy cars just to hear his son’s laugh. 

Charles let go. Erik felt a tear stream down his face. 

Charles wiped away one of his own. 

“What did you just do to me?” 

“I accessed the brightest corner of your memory system. Those were very beautiful memories, Erik. Thank you.” 

“I didn’t know I still had some of those.” 

“There’s so much more to you than you know. Not just pain and anger. There’s so much good, too. 

When you can access all of it, the good and the anger, you’ll possess a power no one can match. Not even me. So come on- try again.” 

Erik raised a hand. He focused on it all. The anger, but also the good in him and the light in his life. 

The metal satellite creaked. 

Erik kept reaching for it, until he’d turned it all the way around. 

He let out the breath he’d been holding in. 

He did it.  

He did it, and he knew he could save his son with this strength behind him. 

Shaw didn’t know what was about to hit him. 

“Well done!” Charles congratulated him. 

Erik laughed, even though he was still catching his breath. 

“Hey you two!” Moira shouted from one of the windows. “The president’s about to make his address!” 

—————————-

“ 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…” 

“That’s where we’re gonna find Shaw.” Erik said aloud. 

“How do you know?” Alex asked. 

Charles clasped his hands together. “Two superpowers are facing off and he wants to start World War III. He won’t leave anything to chance.” 

“So much for diplomacy.” Erik commented. “When’s the earliest we can get there?” 

“Not until tomorrow morning.” Moira informed the group. 

Erik wished for a moment he had any other power, one that let him get to Cuba as soon as possible. 

Charles faced the group. “I suggest you all get a good night's sleep.”  

—————————-

Peter covered his ears while the adults listened to the news. 

All the stations were talking about how people were preparing for a nuclear war. Peter knew that was very, very bad. 

He didn’t want to hear them talk about it any more. 

What Peter didn’t understand the most, though, was why Shaw seemed happy about it. 

—————————-

Charles must have noticed Erik’s inability to relax that night, because he invited Erik for a game of chess. 

It helped slightly, but Erik knew nothing would truly help him to calm down. 

Charles made a move. “Cuba, Russia, America, it makes no difference. Shaw’s declared war on all of us. He has to be stopped.” 

Erik studied the board. “I’m not going to just stop Shaw. I’m going to kill him. Do you have it in you to allow that?” 

Charles sat up straighter in his chair. 

“You have to have known that, Charles. Things changed at Division X. I will not allow him to get anywhere near Peter, ever again.” 

“And what would Peter think of that?” 

“He doesn’t need to know.” 

Charles leaned forward. “He will be there Erik. Probably standing right next to Shaw. Listen to me, very carefully, my friend. Killing Shaw will not bring you or Peter peace.” 

“He kidnapped my son. Peace was never an option.” 

—————————-

Erik didn’t expect to get any sleep, but he decided he’d still try anyway. 

He had gotten to his room, only to find a very anxious Raven standing outside, in her real appearance. 

“Erik!” 

“Raven.” He said. “Are you alright?” 

“Sort of.” She shrugged. “I just wanted to ask you something. A few days ago, when you said, if you looked like me, you wouldn’t change anything…did you mean it?” 

Erik frowned. “Of course I did. You’re perfect just as you are.” 

“Really?” 

“Really.”

Raven smiled, and muttered a quiet thank you. 

“Good night. Get some rest. Tomorrow won’t be easy.” Erik warned. 

—————————-

The next morning, the group woke bright and early to go to the airbase, but they couldn’t find Hank. All there was a note saying to take a crate marked X with them. 

Hank’s lab had been trashed. Tables were knocked aside. Equipment had been destroyed. 

“What the hell happened here?” 

Charles ignored the damage and walked to the crate of suits. “Hank has been busy.” He remarked after opening it up. 

“Do we really have to wear these?” Alex said in disbelief. 

“As none of us have mutated to endure extreme g-force, or being riddled by bullets, I suggest we suit up.” 

—————————-

At the airbase, everyone marveled at the prototype plane, except for Raven. 

“Where’s Hank?” Raven asked. 

“I’m here.” 

“Hank?” Charles called out. 

Hank walked out of the shadows. 

He was massive, and blue, and had- no other way to describe it- beastly features. 

“The serum didn’t attack the cells. It enhanced them.” It didn’t work.” Hank said dismally. 

Raven stared in awe. “Yes it did, Hank. Don’t you see? This is you. No more hiding.” Raven smiled. 

“Never looked better, man.” Erik offered. 

Hank growled, and grabbed Erik by the throat. “Don’t mock me!” 

“Hank, put him down immediately, please.” Charles said. “Hank! Hank!” 

Hank dropped Erik. He gasped for air, but as he sat up, he said, “I wasn’t.” 

“Even I got to admit, you look pretty bad-ass. I think I got a new name for you, man.” Alex announced. “Beast.” 

“It’s pretty fitting.” Darwin added.

When Hank shot Darwin a harsh glare, Darwin put his hands up. “In a good way!” 

Sean eyed the plane up and down. “So uh, you sure you can fly this thing?” 

“Of course I can. I designed it.” 

—————————-

The jet swept over the cargo ship, the Aral Sea, and the battleships surrounding it. 

“Looks pretty messy down there!” Hank shouted over the roar of the engines. 

Charles closed his eyes. “The crew of the Aral Sea are all dead. Shaw has to have been there.” 

“He’s still here, somewhere. He has to be.” Erik said aloud.

“I think he set the ship on course for the embargo line.” 

Moira stared out the window. “If that ship crosses the line, our boys are gonna blow it up, and the war begins.” 

“Unless they’re not our boys.”  Charles said. 

Charles used his powers again. A moment of silence passed, and the cargo ship blew up. 

Hank swerved the jet to avoid the blast, making the jet, (and Erik’s head,) spin. 

“A little warning next time, Professor?” Hank said over his shoulder.  

“Sorry about that. Are you all alright?” 

“Yeah…” Sean said, not sounding alright. 

“I still can’t locate Shaw.” Charles announced. 

“They have to be down there, we need to find them now!” Erik insisted. 

Hank turned towards Moira. “Is there anything unusual on the radar or scanners?” 

“Nothing.” Moira replied. 

“Then they have to be underwater, but we don’t have sonar.” 

Sean began to unbuckle his seatbelt. “Yes we do.”

“Yes we do!” Charles cheered. 

Erik got up out of his chair, and followed Sean and Charles. 

“Beast, open the bomb bay door!” Sean yelled. 

Sean jumped out of the bay door, and flew .

Guess I knew what they were doing during his training. Erik mused. 

“Banshee sent us a location on the submarine!” Charles shouted. He looked at Erik. “Are you ready for this?” 

“Let’s find out.” The doors opened. Erik held onto the landing gear, and Hank lowered the plane. 

Erik scanned the water for the metal, and he finally caught it. 

He stretched his hand out, but it was trembling.

 It was too heavy, he couldn’t- 

“Remember the point between rage and serenity.” Charles’ voice echoed in his head. 

Erik tried to calm himself. He thought of what he was working towards, of how he'd be able to save his son if he could lift the submarine. 

The submarine floated out of the water. 

Hank slowly flew the jet over the beach, and Erik guided the submarine toward the sand. 

The hatch of the submarine opened up. Janos, the mutant who created the tornados at Division X stepped out, and created a tornado more intense than anyone he made before. 

The winds were strong. Erik could barely keep his eyes open. 

“Erik, take my hand!” Charles yelled. 

Erik tried to land the submarine gently on the beach, but the tornado knocked him off balance. 

The sub crashed onto the beach, rolling over and skidding to a halt. 

“Peter!” Erik shouted in horror. 

Charles pulled him back onto the jet, as it too, crashed.

Erik got his senses back, and used his powers to keep them bolted to the floor. The jet rolled, over and over, rocking violently until it came to a stop. 

Erik slowly set them both down. He spent only a second catching his breath, and then crawled to the window. 

The submarine was beached, but it didn’t look too damaged. That gave Erik some slight comfort. 

“I could read the teleporter’s mind.” Charles told the group. “Peter’s in there, but something is blocking me from reaching him!” 

A loud ticking noise began to ramp up in intensity. 

Moira’s eyes went wide. “The Geiger counter is going out of control!” 

“That’s his new plan.” Charles realized. “Shaw’s draining the sub’s power, it’s like he’s making himself into a nuclear bomb! Moira, get on the radio and tell them to clear both fleets out immediately!” 

“I’m going in!” Erik decided. 

“Beast, Havok, Darwin, go with him as backup!” Charles ordered. “Erik, I can guide you once you’re in, but I need you to stop whatever is blocking me from seeing in there, and then we hope to God it’s not too late for me to stop him! Once you find Peter, send him back here, I’ll stay with him!” 

“Right.” Erik agreed.  

“I’m going too!” Raven insisted. 

Charles looked ready to argue, but Raven was serious. 

“Be careful.” Charles told her. 

“Got it.” Raven replied. 

“Good luck!” Moira told them. 

Erik ran onto the beach. 

Smoke filled the air. Several fires had started burning. 

Angel, Azazel, and Janos were standing guard outside the submarine. 

Alex wasted no time, and knocked Janos into the sub with his powers. 

Azazel was quick to take Hank and Alex out of the equation, teleporting them elsewhere. 

Angel flew towards Darwin and Raven. They started running off away from the submarine. 

Raven shouted over her shoulder. “We’ll keep her busy, go!” 

Erik nodded. He lifted his hands, and tore open a hole in the side of the submarine. 

                                  ————————-

It was a disaster inside. Wires sparked. Glass shards were everywhere. The lights flickered ominously.

“Peter?!” Erik shouted into the sub. “Peter, where are you?!” 

Erik didn’t hear anything. His stomach dropped. 

“Peter?!” He rushed into the control room. “It’s Dad! Peter ?!” 

A small, shaky voice hit Erik’s ears. “Dad?” 

Erik sprinted in the direction of Peter’s voice. “Peter?! Where are you?!” 

“The corner!” 

Erik could make out the top of Peter’s hair, though it almost blended in with the white walls of the sub’s control room. 

“I’m here, I’m here!” Erik dropped to the floor. 

“Help! I'm stuck!” 

A chair had wedged itself in between the wall and the control console. Peter was trapped underneath it. 

Erik tossed it aside with his powers, and lifted Peter up. 

Erik closed his eyes, relief washing over him. He had his son in his arms, and the world felt right again. Erik’s anxiety disappeared, if only for a moment. 

“Dad!” Peter wailed. 

“Shh, shh, I got you.” 

Peter started to relax slightly, and Erik took the opportunity to look Peter over. 

Peter was in the same clothes he’d been in since he was taken. His hair was usually messy- it was practically untamable without some kind of hair product- but now, it was unkempt to the point of neglect. There were bruises on Peter's arm, and a decent sized cut on his cheek. 

It made Erik’s blood boil. 

“The glass scratched me.” Peter sniffled.

“I’m sorry, mein Sohn. We’ll get it fixed, ok?” 

Peter wiped his eyes, and nodded. 

“You’re being so brave right now.” Erik hugged  Peter again. “I just need you to be brave for a little bit longer.” 

Charles' voice came into Erik’s head. “ Erik, is Peter alright?” 

“ I’ve got him. He has some injuries, but they don’t look severe.” 

“Thank God!” Charles sounded relieved, even in Erik’s head. “Listen, do you see the reactor switch on the wall? I need you to shut it off.” 

Erik found it fast, and pulled the lever. 

“Through that door, that’s the place I can’t reach!” 

Erik was unwilling to let go of Peter, but he knew he had to check if Shaw was there. 

 Erik faced Peter. “I’m going to set you down. I need you to run out of here, and go find Charles. He’s not far away from here. Can you stand? Or did the chair hurt your leg?” 

“I can stand.” Peter confirmed.

“Good, good.” He gently put Peter down, but before he could get away, the door to the reactor room slammed shut, and Charles’ presence disappeared. 

“Erik.”  Shaw spoke. “What a pleasant surprise.” 

“Peter, get behind me!” Erik put his one arm in front of him, and gave Peter his other hand to hold. 

“So good to see you again.” Shaw darkly said. This would be more fun with all three of us here, don’t you think?” 

Erik kept his grip tight on Peter’s hand. Don’t lose it. Peter is here. Stay calm. 

Shaw stepped toward them. “May I ask you something? Why are you on their side? Why fight for a doomed race who will hunt us down as soon as they realize their reign is coming to an end?” 

Erik answered by punching Shaw in the face. 

So much for being calm. 

Shaw felt the full force of the punch, but he recovered in an instant. 

Shaw put on a pained expression. “I’m sorry for what happened in the camps. I truly am.” 

He reached out with one finger, and using a single tap, sent Erik flying across the room. 

“Dad!” Peter cried out. 

The glass surrounding the reactor room  shattered. 

“He’s back! Erik, whatever you’re doing, keep doing it, it’s starting to work!” Charles projected his voice. 

Shaw approached Erik. “But know that everything I did, I did for you. To unlock your power. To make you embrace it.” 

Another tap threw Erik into the wall again. Charles’ voice came back and told Erik to keep it up.

Shaw loomed over Erik. “You’ve come a long way from bending gates. I’m so proud of you.”

“Peter, back up!” Erik could feel the metal of the submarine all around him. He reached for it, pulling down wires and beams, while avoiding Peter. 

Shaw absorbed every bit of energy that the metal produced.

“And you’re just starting to scratch the surface. Think of how much further we could go. Together.” Shaw smiled. 

Erik pushed against Shaw with a metal beam, but Shaw was able to push it back against Erik. 

Erik was trapped in between the steel and the submarine's walls. 

Peter tried to push Shaw away, but he couldn’t make it past the amount of energy Shaw was putting out. It sent him crashing into another wall. 

Shaw put his hand around the back of Erik’s head. “I don’t want to hurt you Erik. I never did. I want to help you. This is our time. Our age. We are the future of the human race.”

“Peter-” Erik breathlessly said. 

“I can help him too.” Shaw offered. “His abilities are amazing. I’d wager Peter is the fastest person alive.” 

Enhanced speed. His son had enhanced speed. 

Erik paled. Shaw knew what Peter’s powers were, before Erik even knew. What did Shaw do to figure that out? 

Shaw continued. “He is powerful . Just like you. Guess it runs in the family, huh?” 

“Stay- away from him-“ Erik gasped. 

“Think about it, Erik. You and me, and even your boy- we could rule the world.” 

Erik took a deep breath. He tried to steady himself. Keep calm. Just for one more minute. “Everything you did, made me stronger. Made me a weapon. It’s the truth. I’ve known that all along.” 

Shaw’s smile was sickening to Erik. He was hearing exactly what he wanted to hear. 

Erik just needed one more second. He reached for the helmet with a metal wire. 

“And with his power, your son could be an even greater weapon, don’t you think?” 

Erik saw red. 

The metal around him started to creak and warp. 

Erik used the distraction to reach for the helmet. He saw a blur, and in an instant, the helmet was gone from Shaw’s head, and Peter held it in his hands. 

“Now Charles!” Erik screamed. 

Shaw whipped around, reaching for the helmet, but it was too late. Charles had frozen him in place. 

Erik studied Shaw’s face. Frozen still like this, he wasn’t intimidating at all. 

That didn’t make the sheer rage Erik felt go away. 

He made up his mind, and reached for the helmet. 

Peter let go of it. 

“I’m sorry about this, Charles.” Erik said. 

He put the helmet on, instantly drowning out Charles’ voice shouting no . 

Erik stepped towards Shaw. “If you’re in there, I want you to know I agree somewhat with what you said. People will always fear us.“ 

Erik knew that. He knew that every time someone stared at Peter’s hair, and he knew that in the way Erik hid his gift to keep his son safe.

“To answer your question- I don’t fight for them.” Erik continued. “But I’ll fight anyone who threatens my child, and the world he lives in. Which of course, you did.” 

Erik dug into his pocket and pulled out a coin. “You kidnapped my son. You killed my mother.” 

Erik held the coin in front of Shaw’s face. “This is what we’re going to do. I’m going to count to three, and I’m going to move the coin.” 

Peter grabbed Erik’s shirt. “Dad? What are you doing?” 

“Protecting you.” Erik said. “I promise, it is for your own good. Close your eyes.” 

Erik rose the coin into the air.  “One.” 

Peter’s eyes grew wide as he saw the coin reach Shaw. 

“Two.” 

“You’re scaring me!” Peter yelled. “Stop!” 

Erik looked down. 

“Dad please! Don’t do it!” 

“I’m doing this to keep you safe! “

“No! If you do this, then-“ Peter was panicking, in a way Erik had only seen when Shaw took him. 

“They’re just gonna take you away! We can’t go home cause the police will come after you!” 

“They won’t, Peter!”

“You don’t know that! And- and the bad guys will look for you too cause they’ll be mad you killed their boss!” The sniffles turned into full on sobs that were muffled as Peter stuck his face into Erik’s uniform.  “I don’t want you to go! Please don’t!” 

Erik flashed back to decades ago, when he was a child, reaching out and crying for the parents he was forcefully taken from. 

Erik dropped the coin. 

He fell to his knees, and Peter went down with him, crying hard into Erik’s shoulder. 

He felt like his heart shattered. 

He just made his son cry. 

“I know he’s mean.” Peter’s voice wobbled. “But I don’t want you to go away.” 

“I won’t go anywhere.” Erik tried to reassure Peter. “I won’t. I just want to protect you.” 

Peter kept sobbing. 

Erik knew what had to happen next.  

What choice he had to make for the benefit of his child. 

He slowly reached up, and pulled off the helmet. 

“ Charles. What do I do to stop him?” 

“Keep him locked down, away from any and all sources of energy! While he can’t move!” 

Erik stood up. He used the metal pipes to cuff Shaw by his hands and feet. 

Shaw closed his eyes, and Erik knew Charles had forced him to sleep with his powers. 

Erik lifted Peter up, and walked out into the blinding light of the beach. 

    —————————-

The fires had died down, but the smoke hadn’t. The smell of burning metal mixed with the smell of the ocean. 

Erik stepped outside, a tight hold on Peter, and with Shaw floating behind him.

The other members of Shaw’s crew had been restrained. Azazel had been knocked unconscious. 

Erik attached the metal with Shaw in it to the side of the submarine. 

He searched for Moira. “Shaw’s all yours.” 

Moira unclipped a radio from her belt. “This is Agent MacTaggart from the CIA, the beach is secure, I repeat the beach is secure! Shaw is ready to be taken into custody! Send your people here!” 

It felt like only minutes went by before helicopters were flying into the air. They landed on the beach, and with Charles holding Shaw frozen still, the CIA took him into custody. 

A passenger plane came by, and evacuated the rest of the mutants. 

On the plane, Peter sat in Erik’s lap, neither one of them willing to be separated, even as an EMT came and bandaged up the injuries they’d received. Erik had gotten quite a few cuts from the broken glass, as did Peter. 

Despite the massive bandage on Peter’s face, he seemed to be in good shape. Peter was so brave- far braver than Erik was at that age. 

“Dad?” 

“Yes?” 

“Thank you.” 

Erik didn’t have to ask to know what Peter was referring to. “It was the right thing to do.” 

Peter leaned against Erik. “That outfit makes you guys look like superheroes.” 

“You think?” 

“Mm hmm.” Peter said. He closed his eyes, and fell asleep. 

For the first time since Shaw had shown up at their home, Erik slept well too. 

—————————-

A week after the beach incident, the mutants Charles and Raven had recruited were still staying at the Xavier Mansion. 

The sun was out and the temperature was just right, so Darwin, Alex, Hank, and Sean decided to get out for some fresh air and training. 

And by training, they meant goofing off. 

“Hank, you’re fast, obviously,” Alex rolled his eyes. “But what would you do if Darwin adapted to be faster than you?” 

“I don’t think my powers work that way.” Darwin said. 

“Could be an interesting experiment.” Hank said. 

“Darwin! Darwin! Darwin!” Sean chanted, with Alex joining in. 

Darwin waved them off. “Alright, sheesh!” 

“I’m sorry, Darwin, but my moneys on Hank!” Raven encouraged. 

Charles looked on, amused. The young recruits were happier than ever. For the first time since Charles had met them, they’d been able to relax, and to use their powers without fear or judgment. 

“They really deserve this.” Moira said. “Won’t be just them for long though, will it?” 

“No, it won’t. We’re hoping to open the academy this fall.” 

“How many students do you think you’ll have?” 

“As many as I can manage. Possibly more.” 

“You know Charles, one day the government is going to realize how lucky they were to have Professor X on their side.” 

“I suppose I am a real professor now, aren’t I? Next thing you know I’ll be going bald.” 

Moira laughed.

“We’re still on the government's side.” Charles said. “We want to keep peace. We’re still G-Men, just, without the G.” 

“No, you’re your own team now. A better one. You’re…X-Men.” 

“I like the way that sounds.” Charles chuckled. 

Charles caught sight of Erik walking with Peter on the lawn, and waved.  Peter enthusiastically waved back. 

“The CIA is going to keep all this under wraps.” Moira explained. “And keep your names anonymous.” 

“Really? I didn’t expect that they’d be so…agreeable.” 

Moira nodded towards Erik, “The director won’t say it, but he’s a little freaked out about what will happen to him if Erik in particular doesn’t get anonymity.” 

Charles chuckled, amused. “I think years from now, the government will realize how lucky they were that Erik was briefly on their side.” 

Moira gave a small smile. “They realize it now.” 

She said her goodbyes to Charles and the others and headed off for her car. 

Charles joined Erik, Peter, and Raven at the sidewalk. 

“Placing bets now, are we?” Charles asked. 

“I think Hank is gonna win.” Raven reiterated. 

“Can I race?” Peter suddenly asked. 

Erik looked down at his son, mildly surprised. In the roughly two weeks since Peter had gotten powers, he’d been weary of running. Erik and Charles had been helping him gain some control, but he still had trouble choosing when he used his powers. Joining a race seemed like a big step for him. 

“I don’t see why not!” Charles said. “Hank, Darwin, you’ve got some competition!” 

Alex snickered. Sean cheered Peter on. “Let’s go, Mini-Magneto!” 

“Erik, Charles, care to place your bets?” Darwin smirked. 

“I think Peter is going to win.” Erik said. 

Peter grinned. 

Raven cupped her mouth around her hands, and shouted, “Ready, set, go!” 

To the spectators, Peter was nothing more than a silver blur. 

Hank and Darwin didn’t even run, taken aback by the sheer speed of Peter’s take off. 

In two seconds flat, Peter was back on the start line. “Does this mean I win?!” 

“Holy shit, kid!” Alex exclaimed. 

“Language, Alex.” Charles automatically corrected. 

“I think I’ve figured out your code name.” Raven said. “We can call you Quicksilver!” 

Peter’s face brightened up. “That’s so much better than just Silver!” 

—————————-

That night, after racing around the track, and the mansion a bunch more times, Peter passed out on the couch in the library, while Charles and Erik played a game of chess. 

“And I thought Peter had energy before.” Erik shook his head. He was glad, though. Erik got his powers in a terrifying situation. It took him a long time to see them as the gift they were. Peter was wary at first, but now, he was having fun with his own gift. 

“I’m sorry my friend.” Charles said, not sounding sorry at all. “You are going to be kept on your toes 24/7.” 

“I already was with that one. When he started walking, I had to buy clothes with metal zippers so I could keep track of him!” 

Charles snorted. “He’s quite the little handful.” 

“Yes, he is.” Erik fondly agreed. 

“So, have you given any thought to my offer?” Charles asked. 

“I have. I think I’ll leave it up to Peter. He’s been wanting to go home.” Erik explained. 

“Peter told me if you took the teaching job, he’d take you here every day. Hank thinks he can get from D.C to the mansion in ten minutes.” 

Erik laughed. “I might take you up on it, then.” 

An hour or so later, when the game finished, Erik picked up Peter and took him to their room. 

He tucked Peter in with the stuffed turtle his son carried around everywhere, and just sat for a quiet moment. 

After everything that happened, he was so glad for the peace they had now. 

Looking down at his son, Erik knew he had made the right choice on that beach.