Erik looks over at Charles and shakes his head, "She is all yours Charles. Like a lil stray puppy." He runs a hand threw his hair and leans on the counter too thanking him for the scotch. Sipping some he nibbles his meal. "You better eat something. I know you havn't eaten since lunch and gosh only knows when that was by now." He looks at the clock it was very very late indeed. Unlike Charles he wasn't to warm of fuzzy or a soft heart for the child. Nope Erik was the polar opposite of Charles for sure.

“I suppose you’re right,” Charles replied admitted with a sigh. Rummaging around in the cabinets he decided that a sandwich would be easiest. He got the necessary ingredients out of the fridge and slipped some bread in the toaster to toast it. “Are you leaving when you’re done with that?” he asked casually though it pained him to ask it. Once upon a time they had lived together in this house. It had been the best moment of his life. Living and breathing what and who they were, training to be their best selves. He missed that, missed what they had before the great schism.

Vivifiend:

Erik looks over at Charles, "Don't go all soft and squishy on me Charles. Yes, I will be going probably after today. The others are waiting on me." He sips his scotch and eats the rest of his own sandwich watching Charles. "Besides you aren't alone yourself." He finished his sandwich in the next few bites, "Cerbero is done anyway. I am not needed here anymore."

Retrieving his toast from the toaster, Charles put his sandwich together and took a bite. He chewed slowly. It was true, Erik had complete cerebro for him and he was extremely grateful. It had been fun though, working as a team once more. “I’m not sure about that,” he said quietly. “I saw another mutant through cerebro this morning who seems to have a knack for getting herself into trouble. I was hoping maybe you would come with me to talk to her…” He knew he should let Erik walk away, that they should go their separate ways, but he couldn’t bear to see Erik walk out on him. Not yet, not so soon…

Vivifiend:

Erik sighs and closed his eyes. He just wanted to go...but maybe he could swing this one onto his side? He reopens his eyes and focused on Charles muttering, "Fine. But than I will be going once again. This better not be another child again." He finished the scotch and watches him eating. "We go tomorrow than yes?"

Though he was dying to know what Erik was thinking, Charles refused to give into the temptation to read his mind. He chewed his sandwich thoughtfully as he awaited Erik’s reply. The bread tasted dry in his mouth but her managed to swallow it down. “I assure you this one isn’t a child. Does tomorrow afternoon work for you?” he asked, trying not to show how happy he was that Erik had agreed to come along.

Vivifiend:

Erik nods, "Good and tomorrow afternoon works." Yes, Erik would try and take this one for himself if this one wasn't a child. This could work nicely in his favor thats for sure. "Well, I will see you in the morning than. i am going to bed...", he was tired thats for sure. He rubs his eyes and puts his plate and empty glass in the sink heading off to his room he was using once more while he was there.

“Goodnight, Erik,” Charles said as Erik walked out of the kitchen, leaving him alone to finish his sandwich. Charles chewed slowly, thinking about the mutant they would be paying a visit tomorrow. This one would prove challenging, he was sure. Best to be rested, that was for sure. Finishing off his sandwich, he gulped down the remainder of his scotch and placed the empty plate and glass in the sink next to Erik’s. Turning out the kitchen light, he started down the hallway to his room. He cried out in pain however as something pinched in his back and he fell to his knees. “Ughh, not now,” he mumbled through gritted teeth, rubbing his forehead against the floor in pain.

@vivifined;

Hank was just turning down the same hallway as Charles and shifts into a higher rate of speed seeing him fall to the floor. "Professor??", he was at Charles side quickly and kneeling down next to him keeping his voice down but the tone was worried sounding indeed. Hank frowns and semi guessed what happened. "Come on.lets bet you to bed and fix up." He mummers shifting to get him up and back to his room.

Charles groans as Hank helps him to his feet. “I’m…fine,” he says, gripping tightly to Hank’s shoulder to remain standing. “Just…been a long day,” he says through gritted teeth. With Hank taking most of his weight, Charles manages to limp along the hallway.

Vivifiend:

Hank nods and keeps Charles upright not minding his weight that he was taking on. The most important thing was getting him safely back to his room again. "I will ready a shot for you." The RIGHT amount not a over dose which he was sure would happen this go around. Every time the Professor seemed to take more of it. He shifts a bit and opens the rooms door for them both.

Charles just nods, trying to keep his wits about him despite the pain in his back and in his skull. Once inside his room, Charles falls back on his bed with a groan. “Going back out with Erik tomorrow afternoon,” he mumbles, letting Hank know before he forgets. As he waits for Hank to prepare the shot, Charles unbuttons his cuff and rolls up his sleeve to make easy access to his veins.

Vivifiend:

Hank moves around to get a needle and a vial listening to Charles and arching an eyebrow, "Are you sure Professor? You did say you had a busy day today." OK he knew they had to find students but still. Two days in a row after what happened might be pushing it for the Professor. Also, to be with Erik more....will only lead to more heart ache again...he had a sicking feeling of that. He draws the needle up to the proper amount and walks over handing it over to Charles, "Here...this is the right amount and not a over dose..." His eyes worried just as much as his voice sounded worried too.

Charles hands shake a bit as he takes the needle from Hank. “Thanks,” he mutters, positioning it, he administers the potion and sits back to wait for it to take effect. “And yes, I will be fine. It’s easier to teach two new students at the same time,” he says though it’s honestly utter bull crap. “Thanks for your help with Emily by the way,” he says. Hank had really been picking up a lot of the slack since the other students left to join with Erik.

Vivifiend:

Hank sighs and just nods knowing it was utter bull crap and a half. He knew what might happen....he KNEW it...and he knew Charles knew it too. "Right than Professor...." Was all he said on the topic of that. Knowing if he said something he would told that wasn't the case in the least. Worry still pools off Hank watching him and taking the vial with him for it still had some left in it. "You are welcome Professor." He nods and smiles faintly, "Get some rest than. need anything let me know."

Charles could tell that Hank wasn’t convinced but it didn’t really matter. “Goodnight Hank.” He waited for Hank to close the door behind him before getting up to change. His legs tingled painfully but supported his weight. Clad in his pajamas, Charles slips into bed and turns out the side table light. Laying back against the pillows, he closes his eyes and tries to sleep but there are so many thoughts swirling in his head that it nearly makes him dizzy. He wished that Hank hadn’t left with the rest of the vial, he could have used a bit extra tonight…

Vivifiend:

While Charles was gone Hank had done a sweep of the room for any of the vials that could have been hidden there. Taking them even though he knew Charles wouldn't be happy. However, it was for his own good even if he didn't see it that way...Even if it did help Charles to walk once again...Hank sighs and closed his eyes holding the vial in his hand. Heading off towards his own room for the night.

Emily blinks and sits up in her own bed and blinks slowly tilting her head to the side. It didn't take to long for her to slide out from the warm covers. Onto the floor and silently padding along until she found Charles room. It took a little time before she moves to go inside.

Erik…Raven…Hank…Emily… Thoughts of them swirl around inside of his head. Anger that he and Erik could never see eye to eye. Regret that he had failed his best friend and practical sister Raven. Shame that Hank knew all of his terrible secrets. And concern about Emily and whether or not he would be able to care for her properly. Charles is close to getting out of bed to fetch the bottle of bourbon when he senses Emily outside his door. “I can sense you out there,” he calls, “You might as well come in,” Charles says, figuring that she needed something but was too afraid to ask.

Vivifiend:

((That's my last one for the night. It's past bedtime for me. Gotta get up early for work tomorrow. Night!))

((No problem! NIGHT! :)! ))

Emily chews her lower lip a bit before she comes in after stopping the biting. She could feel he was upset in her own odd litle way. Why she wasn't sure but...she did. Emily opens the door and walks into his room and softly closes the door behind her. She turns back to him head tilted slightly to the side watching him. Her own worry in her own eyes. Shifting she walks over to him and took a bit before she gets into his bed next to him. Curling up against him lightly. not saying a word for the moment maybe things didn't always have to be said out loud if he even understood in the first place. She hopped he did. Even if they had just met...he did save her life...and gave her a place to live.......and so much more than he could even know that night.

Charles propped himself up on his elbow when Emily came in silently. He watched her intently, unsure what her reason for coming was. Did she need another drink of water? Was it too dark in her room? He had tried to make thing as comfortable for her but perhaps he had overlooked something. Or maybe it was just that the house was so big? He was close to opening his mouth and asking what she needed when the young girl finally approached and crawled up on the bed beside him. Charles tensed slightly, “I uh…” he began a bit nervously as she snuggled up against him. He could feel a sense of comfort radiating off of her though, which made him shut his mouth. He was tempted to read her mind, to see what she was thinking, but he had vowed not to do so again to the people he cared about unless absolutely necessary. That was how he had ruined things with Raven in the first place…

Vivifiend:

Emily looks up at him still against him. She could leave if he really wanted her to. But she was trying to cheer him up and such. She shifts a bit to get more comfy, "You alright?" She finally asks him softly starring up at him.

Charles looked down at Emily and shook his head. “I was just thinking about a friend of mine…” he said reluctantly. “I broke a promise to her and she left. I miss her very much,” he said softly.

Vivifiend:

Emily frowns sadly and shifts to wrap her arms around him. "I am sorry....thats never fun to loose someone." Though she didn't know that fully herself but. She was trying to understand for his sake.

Charles didn’t say anything as Emily wrapped her arms around him. He remained silent for a few moments before speaking up again. “Have you ever lost someone?” Charles asked quietly, curious to know more about the little girl. Though he refused to look into her mind, he held no reservations as to asking her about it.

Vivifiend:

Emily looks up at him, "No....I have had nobody to loose." She shakes her head slowly. Well, she had been with some others but they dumped her to die. So, she didn't find them as a loss in her eyes.