Hello Everyone—this is a new way for me to write a story: find 10 songs & write ten little snapshots. All of these songs are from the 1960's. Not all were released by 1962, but my 60's music collection isn't so specific, and these were the first 10 songs that played on 'shuffle'. I would totally recommend looking these songs up on youtube as you read (it's fun ambiance). Some fit the mood the whole way through, others just start the snapshot.

What lies herein mostly matches the XMFC film events. The only two disconnects are the length of time they were training at the mansion, and the CIA's view initially with respect to mutants. Hopefully these items aren't too glaring. The point of all this is to have fun (as much as can be had with a serious guy like Erik), and build on the Charles/Erik relationship.

Thanks for stopping by & I hope you enjoy!

Bold = song lyrics
Italics = thoughts from/in Charles' mind

Notes for this chapter:
1. There's a slight reference to one of the deleted scenes from the XMFC Blu-Ray about Charles trying to hook up with Moira at the off-site CIA facility.
2. Link to Moira's dress for part 2 of this chapter: http:/www_dressingvintage_com/vintage-womens/dresses-and-suits/formal-occasion/3105-px-PAB%20Aqua% (replace "_" with ".")

xxx

Chapter 1: Marvin Clark

Quiet. Charles had forgotten just how quiet the mansion was. He blamed the overwhelming sounds of Harvard and Oxford for blurring his memory. Nothing like being assaulted by thousands of unguarded thoughts all in one central location to make one truly understand the value of quiet. But not even a week after resuming residence at his family estate, the quiet he had known from his youth was rapidly becoming a thing of the past.

At first, it had just been one or two little black, transistor-filled boxes chirping out the latest rock'n roll tunes. But others had quickly latched onto Raven's notion that the mansion needed a youthful zing and breath of life. Now it seemed there wasn't a room Charles could escape to—save his private quarters—where there wasn't music in the air.

Raven had never been a fan of the quiet mansion. She called it eerie; said it reminded her of the years she spent alone, stealing food to survive. Of the time before she met Charles. When they had been children, there was little they could do to remedy the situation in the world of adults. But now that they were back, Raven wasn't going to waste a minute to do all in her power to change the reserved, stuffy feel of the mansion.

He didn't mind it honestly. True silence had always been hard to come by as a telepath. He just wished it didn't place him under such scrutiny of the metal-manipulator. But if he'd ever actually paid attention, he might just realize how perfectly it framed his life.

xxx

Because – Dave Clark Five

Man had orbited the Earth. It was a truly fascinating thought. What a sight it must have been—three whole orbits around the planet, three sunsets and sunrises in one day. And to hear the astronaut, John Glenn, speak, the man was calmer than ever. The faith and confidence he placed in his fellow teammates and the engineers at the controls was palpable in his every word.

Charles debated the wisdom of trying to draw parallels to it during their training and team-building exercises. This group had a long way to go towards being a cohesive unit, starting first and foremost with everyone accepting and controlling their own abilities. Charles had no doubt they would get there, but it wouldn't be an easy road.

He turned the newspaper page, reaching for his scotch on the nearby table as he continued reading. It was mostly repeat information at this point. NASA wasn't willing to give away too many details in their race with the Russians. Granted, this feat by Glenn seemed to bring about the end of race in Charles' mind.

Its right that I should care about you
And try to make you happy when you're blue
Its right, its right, to feel the way I do
Because, because I love you

He hadn't bothered to turn the radio off when he entered the library. If he had to, he'd lay his money on Sean for going off and leaving it on. Not that he minded too much. He figured Erik would turn it off when he joined him. Music wasn't exactly the most conducive environment for a chess game. Charles reached again for his highball, hearing solid approaching footsteps.

"You look too comfortable to disturb," Erik commented casually, observing his friend ensconced in a cushy, wingback armchair, one leg crossed over the other, perusing the paper.

"Just let me finish this…you know, it's amazing these things they're doing down in Florida." Charles' eyes stayed fixed to the paper.

"What? With sending men into space?" Erik asked as he walked more into the room. "Are things on this planet really so bleak that we're looking for escape?"

"You have an understandable right to be biased, but there is so much more to space exploration than just escaping Earth-bound problems."

"Spare me, Charles. Please." Erik's eyes landed on the highball next to Charles. "What's your scotch tonight?"

"Macallan."

Give me one kiss
And I'll be happy
Just, just to be here with you

"Aren't you going to offer me some, Charles? It's bad manners to exclude your guests."

"If you didn't like the Glenfidditch, then you won't like this." Charles simply answered, glancing up from the paper momentarily to see the small smirk lurking in the corners of Erik's mouth.

"Is it better than the Glenfidditch?" Erik simply asked.

"Mmm, considerably," Charles purred, "that's why it just won't do to waste it." A playful, smug smile crossed Charles' handsome face.

"Such a gracious host." Erik shook his head, watching as Charles brought the glass to his lips for a quick sip. Erik's hand moved at his side, focusing on the signet ring on Charles' right hand ring finger. Charles felt his hand freeze in mid-air, eyes settling to the offending item as he tried to break free from Erik's hold. He leveled Erik with an annoyed glare in his bright, blue eyes.

Erik, release my hand.

Use your words, Charles. Erik smirked, not minding the telepath's temporary invasion given the situation.

I am.

No, you're using your thoughts.

"Oh for god's sake," Charles grumbled, "Erik, please release my ring."

"Consider this punishment for your stinginess."

"I could just make you let go of my hand." He fought back a disbelieving laugh, knowing Charles would be better the man, and take the high road.

"We both know you're better than that." Erik respectfully countered, crossing the room to stand next to Charles' chair. Charles sat patiently, not backing down as Erik bent to wrap a hand around the base of the suspended glass .Stormy gray met electric blue as the metal-manipulator raised Charles' glass, still in Charles' hand, to his lips for a taste.

Because, because I love you

"Mmm, that is considerably better," Erik conceded with a small nod, "but still not my favorite." His nose wrinkled in a flash of disgust as he quickly righted and released Charles' hand. Charles starred after Erik with a pursed lip smile, his gaze slowly lowering to the highball, studying the imprint left behind by Erik's lips.

"Am I to be held hostage every time you want something I have?" Charles asked absently, returning the highball to the table and folding the paper.

"What else do you have that I want?" Erik shot Charles a sly glance from the across the room as he filled a martini shaker. The telepath considered his words as he swirled the amber liquid around the glass, making moves to rise.

"That, my friend, I couldn't possibly begin to answer." A low chuckle sounded across the room, accented by the sound of ice and liquid sloshing against the shaker. Charles blew a light sigh before rising, spying the martini shaker levitating near Erik's side, the top lifting off before it titled and poured the man's drink. "Nice trick," Charles commented with a quick nod to the still levitating shaker, "bet that wins you one over more often than not."

"I don't find myself entertaining often enough for it to come up." Erik casually answered, as though any reference to his past was a trivial matter. He let the shaker return to the tray and picked up the martini glass, threading his way over to Charles and the waiting chessboard."I would imagine your ability to read minds put you in good favor with many a coed over the years." Charles felt an unbidden flush rise in his cheeks.

"For the simple things—favorite drinks, knowing my chances—but never for the important things." Charles admitted, sitting down and setting up pieces on the board.

"'Never for the important things,'" Erik echoed with a dismissive shake, "Charles, you could have anyone you wanted."

"Whenever I enter a lady's good graces, I prefer do so unencumbered by false impressions." Erik's eyebrows raised suggestively, an amused smile coming to his face.

"Is that really what you call it?" Annoyance furrowed Charles' brow as he bit his lip, regarding Erik with a reluctant smile.

"I prefer to remain a gentleman—"

"We both know that's a lie." Charles met Erik's roguish grin.

Because, because I love you

"Erik, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." Charles raised his highball in a toast, matched by Erik tipping his glass, eyes locked over the chessboard.

xxx

Heard it through the Grapevine – Marvin Gaye

Charles always preferred a well-cut suit to a tuxedo. It bespoke more sophisticated intelligence than the flash of a dinner suit, but he had no choice this evening. A black tie affair with top government brass was hardly the time to shirk the dress code. Even though it wasn't his favorite, the tux he owned fit him expertly and he knew he cut a dashing figure in the mirror. He was never one to let such details about his appearance go overlooked. He blamed his mother for that—always fussing over his look, and demanding the highest quality clothing, never mind his age.

The long hallway was deserted as he opened the heavy wood door from the library, hoping to escape to the foyer without the prying eyes of Sean or Alex, ribbing him for being all dressed up. The warmth from the pre-party cocktail had loosened his nerves about the evening, leaving him to hope Moira wouldn't say too much about them all. Absently he reached for his shirt cuffs, straightening them out under his suit jacket and checking the cufflinks, hearing the faint music up the hallway.

Ooh, I bet you're wondering how I knew
About your plans to make be blue
With some other guy you knew before.
Between the two of us guys
You know I love you more.

"I'd let him fuck me. I don't care how much older he is than me," Charles stopped at the voice coming from the foyer, "it'll be hard to just stay on his arm tonight imagining how he'll look all dressed up." Charles' eyes widened on Raven's words. She couldn't possibly be talking about Erik, could she?

"There's something about him I still don't trust," Moira's voice joined the conversation, "you and Charles sure seem to, but I don't know…he just seems dangerous."

"Mmmm, only adds to his appeal." Raven purred as Charles worked to swallow the sudden hard lump in his throat, feeling a blush rise to his cheeks. He couldn't believe he was actually overhearing his sister voicing her desire for his good friend.

I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine.

"Well what about you and Charles?" Raven continued, "I've seen the way he looks at you." A small embarrassed laugh issued from the agent.

"He has…propositioned me, yes," Moira started with a giggle, "but I turned him down. However, given how I imagine he will look tonight…it will be hard not to go to bed with him."

"It will do you both good. There's no better way to relax than being pleasured by someone you want."

Charles couldn't believe what he was overhearing. Was that really his Raven? True, he wanted Moira, yes. She was smart, beautiful, tenacious. And true, his stunt back at the offsite CIA facility was a little arrogant, but he couldn't bring himself to entirely regret it. It was more relieving to know now that he actually stood a chance. But what about Raven? Surely she wasn't serious about going for Erik, was she?

"Good evening, ladies." The smooth voice of the metal-manipulator sounded in the foyer, as he was obviously coming downstairs in time to leave for the evening.

"Good evening, Erik." The flirtatious note in Raven's voice didn't go unnoticed to Charles, who gave his cuff one last adjustment before composing his face and continuing on.

"My dears, you look positively exquisite." Erik's eyes drifted appreciatively over Raven and Moira's evening gown clad forms just in time for Charles to round the corner.

"And you're ever the charmer." Charles quipped back, watching three pairs of eyes settle to him.

Oooo, hello professor… Moira's lips pursed ever so discreetly in a silent appreciative whistle as her unbidden thought assaulted him.

"Who would have guessed that you wear a tuxedo as well as the rest of your suits?" Raven said uninterestedly, not given Charles a second glance.

"I rather feel like a fish out of water, dressed this nice." Charles confessed.

"You can spare us the modesty," Erik's eyes locked to his, "you look perfectly comfortable in your monkey suit." Charles let his eyes quickly rake over Erik's tuxedo clad form, impressed to find it so well tailored to the man's wiry, though muscular frame, noting the surprisingly casual ease with which he sported it.

"That makes two of us I'd say."

"Unlike you, Charles, I never claimed to be out of my element." Charles felt the tips of his ears redden under Erik's scrutiny, knowing the man's words were an outright lie. Charles didn't doubt Erik could assume any role or persona he wanted in his hunt for vengeance, but nothing in his past bespoke familiarity with the refinements of luxury.

"Enough with the flirting," Moira interrupted, as if annoyed "or Raven and I will go together, and force you two to be each other's dates." Erik's eyes widened in surprise, turning to Moira with a mischievous smile.

"Now where's the fun in that? I was hoping for a goodnight kiss, and I seriously doubt Charles would put out."

"That's for you to work out with him." Moira fired back unconcerned, adjusting her silver and aqua brocade bolero, as Charles stood stunned, hating the increased reddening of his ears. He could sense Raven's awkwardness in the situation, debating whether to back down for her sake or rise to Erik's challenge.

"Well Erik, I confess my feelings hurt," Charles' voice held a smooth edge of nonchalance as Erik turned a questioning smile back to him, "I thought you knew me well enough as your friend." Before he could second guess himself, he stepped forward to close the gap, briefly pressing his lips to the taller man's, before stepping back with a proud smirk. The startled look on Erik's face was priceless, as were the sheer shock on Raven and Moira's face.

Is Charles even interested in me anymore? Or someone else…?

Oh I heard it through the grapevine,
Oh and I'm just about to lose my mind.
Honey, honey, yeah.

Without another word, Charles turned to Moira, smirk in place—proud of himself not backing down and taking the straight-laced role—and extended his arm.

"Shall we, my dear?" An amused, if still surprised smile, came to Moira's face as she stepped forward to take Charles' arm.

"What was that Charles?" She asked quietly, hearing Erik and Raven converse a few steps behind. "And to think I was hoping for a goodnight kiss."

"If he's gutsy enough to call me a prude when he has no frame of reference, then I take it upon myself to set the record straight." Charles simply answered, casting her a sly glance with his bright eyes. "You should know better yourself."

"So you two...," Moira laughed softly, embarrassed, her cheeks flushing an adorable color, lines of relief seeping into her smile.

"No, we're not. I can assure you there's only one person I have my eyes on." Moira snapped her gaze back to his as they exited into the crisp night air. "Your dress is absolutely stunning by the way. Such an appropriate color." Her eyes dropped to her dress, as if to confirm his assessment.

"Such a compliment coming from the man whose eyes inspired its selection." Moira confessed, her voice surprisingly calm and confident, despite her flushed, moonstruck appearance. Even though it seemed silly to actually confess that was the reason she chose the bright blue chiffon over silver silk skirted, empire-waist, metallic embroidered bodice and matching bolero, the dress was just too gorgeous to pass up.

"I already knew that, and I'm incredibly flattered, truly." He sent her a completely disarming smile, his eyes shining with genuine honesty. Moira shook her head with a gentle laugh as he reached for the door of the waiting limousine.

"You are too charming, Mr. Xavier. And that makes you dangerous." Moira said playfully as she took his hand to slide in.

"You have no idea." She dropped into the vehicle with a laugh as he turned his attention back to Erik and Raven, who shot him a pointed glare and a sharp mind bullet that he couldn't miss.

Careful, Charles. Mixing work and pleasure can often be troublesome.

You're no better. I know you want him, Raven.

Who are you to judge me, Charles?

Not judge, just recommend against.

I can make my own decisions. You don't always need to protect me.

Old habits die hard. Just be careful.

"Am I intruding on your conversation?" Erik suddenly asked, looking between Charles and Raven as if offended.

"Not in the slightest," Raven turned to him with a placating, alluring smile, "I was just telling Charles to use protection." Charles' face set in embarrassed, if still amused, lines as Raven took his hand, sliding into the limo, leaving the two men in silence. Erik followed, pausing at the limo door to glance down at Charles with a curious, enigmatic little smirk.

"I never knew you were such an insufferable flirt, Charles Xavier." The taller man winked wickedly with a smile, dropping easily into the limo, forcing a wide, near embarrassed smile across Charles' face before he moved to join the rest of his friends.

xxx

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