Disclaimer - All characters belong to Marvel and Associates - just borrowing them for a while here...

AN: Does not follow any X-men plot / timelines whatsoever, and this is just a few drabbles, with some plot/timeline put together…don't expect too much coherence! Merfolk are bit of a cross between Disney and POTC.

This is my mind running amok...

AU: Drama across the high seas with pirates, merfolk, magic, mayhem, and mutants!

Summary

Magneto is the Captain of the legendary Phoenix - a pirate ship rumoured to be possessed, complete with a motley crew of misfits, his First Mate Xavier is rumoured to be able to steal a man's soul with just one look into his eyes.

Part 1 – Mutants and Merfolk, and Mayhem

Present

"Welcome aboard Captain," Darwin salutes warmly as he steps off the gangplank, and there's an entirely too bright cheer in the cook's face.

Captain Magneto of the dreaded ship Phoenix stops in his tracks.

What was that?

"Captain are you going to stand there all day?" Alex grumbles from behind him carrying a sack of potatoes hunched over one shoulder.

The sound repeats and that clearly is not an adult's voice. Darwin's grin deepens. "What?" Alex gapes.

Erik puts a hand over his eyes, blinking through his fingers rapidly, but the mirage remains. Tightly holding his First Mate's hand is a small boy probably no more than six years old.

What is a child doing on his ship..?

Erik feels a familiar caress against his mind and senses Charles's excitement as he spins round, pulling the boy with him.

"Erik!" Charles grins delightedly, "You're back!"

The Captain of the Phoenix is most certainly not at a loss of what to do as he regards his First Mate who is still wearing the outfit that Erik dressed him in earlier (an achievement in itself). The black shirt and trousers highlight Charles's lithe elfin form, and perfectly accentuate the silver collar resting around his throat. He has only been out of Erik's visual sight for perhaps a couple of hours, and yet the Captain is barely resisting the urge to sweep his First Mate up into his arms, and remind the smaller man just who he belongs to.

Erik clears his throat, "Charles this is a pirate ship – not a nursery."

"His name is Scott," his First Mate introduces proudly, and no…no…Erik is not falling for that innocent look. He frowns, "Charles…you can't just go around taking children from their homes."

This is all the Baroness's fault, and her too knowing eyes. If she had not been so sharp then Erik would never had felt the need to remove Charles from her presence as swiftly as possible or needed to rely on Logan to escort him back to the ship. There is a loud suspicious chuckle somewhere in the background, and Erik is going to get his revenge on his crew later.

Charles scowls, "I didn't steal him. I paid." At this Erik's eyes widen, "You bought him?" He asks in surprise, but Charles nods impatiently as though Erik is being incredibly dense. "Yes," Charles hisses, "I would have just taken him and knocked them all out, but Logan said that wasn't how things were done."

Logan.

Erik casts a sharp glower at the Wolverine who is lazily leaning against the railing next to Azazel, both of them are clearly enjoying the drama they have set in motion.

Erik! There's an impatient tap against the Captain's mind drawing his attention back to his impetuous First Mate. Charles is waiting for his reaction. Why does he have to be the one to tell Charles no? The boy is just a child, and he is a pirate not...a nanny. All Erik can do is stare at the child with growing hatred.

"Alex?" the child asks tentatively, and there is a loud thud as Havok drops his load - sack and potatoes spilling everywhere. "Scott?" Alex gasps falling to his knees. The child grins, and runs up into his arms. A broken sob emerges from Alex's throat, before its abruptly cut off, and he cradles the young boy close to his chest.

I heard him, Charles explains quietly, his parents are dead…and, he falters at the Captain's dumbfounded expression.

"Erik?" he asks warily, and not expecting the sudden bone crushing hug from the taller man. You found Alex's brother, Erik grins spinning him round in his arms. Charles flushes swaying dizzily as he's set back on his feet. He is held upright encircled in the Captain's strong arms and cannot tear his gaze from those glittering magnetic eyes. You are the best first mate anyone could ask for, Erik declares fiercely and leans forwards kissing him possessively.

Ignoring the catcalls from Logan, Erik brushes the tears from Charles's cheeks and sweeps a possessive arm around his First Mate's waist. With a fierce grin he begins to restablish his authority, "Alex – show our new crew member around, the rest of you lazy scoundrels finish loading – if you don't want to starve halfway through the journey. Sean hoist the sails, and prepare to make wind. We sail at high tide."

He will get his revenge on his crew later, for now he has an impetuous First Mate to see to.

From the crow's nest Sean watches the bustle and hustle as the crew begin to make way. It is a pleasant, windless afternoon, and they still have a couple of hours before high tide is due. Still, there is no reason to worry about the wind. He blinks as his sharp eyes pick out a very familiar figure walking down the dock, heading straight towards Phoenix.

Damn.

The Captain is not going to be pleased.

A crystal laugh tinkles in his mind, don't worry my dear, Charles knows I'm here.

You're coming with us? Sean asks incredulously of the Lady Frost, and he can tell she's amused as she replies, our ports cross and your Captain owes me a favour or two.

A favour or two? From the way Sean has heard it the only favour the Captain is likely to bestow on the Lady is a swift beheading.

Erik watches fondly as Charles tugs him forwards into their cabin. It hadn't just been Alex's brother who had captured the First Mate's attention in town, and the proof is in several items carefully laid out neatly beside the map charts on the large desk.

? Charles asks impatiently as Erik lifts up a particularly odd looking key in his hands, and stifles a grin - the younger man's curiosity was endless. "How much did you pay for these?" He asks but Charles just shrugs, "Logan paid the coins. What is it?" Erik relaxes at this knowing Logan will have paid exactly what these items are worth (which isn't much above scrap value), whereas Charles still had no true concept of the value of money. No matter how many times Erik, Darwin, Logan, or Alex explained it.

"I think it's a key, though to what I'm not certain," Erik observes as the rust falls away. Charles gives a delighted laugh, and Erik drops it gently into his outstretched hands. Looking at it now, its clear to see that its been well crafted, a shimmering spiral of loops decorating the top. Perhaps it fit some trunk or treasure chest, like the one that Charles tugs out from underneath their bed. The smaller man muses the key for a moment before lifting back the lid and setting it down beside the other items inside.

Erik can pick out various cogs from some unknown mechanical device, bits of a telescope, and various odds and ends that anyone else would dismiss as broken junk, but these are Charles's treasures and Erik will protect them as much as anything the smaller man values.

"You've not yet got the gist of being a pirate have you?" the metal manipulator grins crouching down beside his First Mate who is now absorbed in examining his treasures. "Treasure," Charles agrees absently picking up that word in Erik's mind as he sets the key down, and lifts out the broken telescope.

"Most people think that pirates hoard riches, and we the most feared pirates of them all make do with a box of trinkets that most people would throw away," Erik remarks with a put upon sigh, and Charles scowls beautifully at him. "Henry likes Charles's treasure," he grumbles.

"Yes because he's an idiot inventor who doesn't know the value of gold," Erik grins and Charles hisses his blue eyes flashing to their natural violet, "Henry is…not an idiot."

Go see soon? Charles asks after a moment. They have not been to visit McCoy's cove for a while, and Erik does owe the reclusive lighthouse keeper several packages. "Hmm, perhaps," he teases and Charles huffs and carefully closes the lid on his box of treasures.

This is unusual. Normally Charles spends at least a half hour carefully examining each of his treasures before putting them away. Either he is more concerned about the lighthouse keeper than it appears or -

"Emma is coming," his First Mate answers, and Erik stiffens. He has no time to react before there is a piercing warning shriek - and thank you BanShee. "Stay here," he orders (a very demure looking) Charles, and draws his sword as he strides out onto the deck.

The crowd parts for her as though she's royalty, a glistening vision in glorious silks and the very height of fashionable design. She's the epitome of what a Lady should be, and as cold as ice.

The Lady Emma Frost.

Her grey eyes settle on the Captain in cool amusement as he faces her across the gangplank, sword raised. "You are not coming on board," he declares. Around them Phoenix creaks awakening to Erik's very real anger. Behind the Captain his crew gather in support, Logan is watching carefully and there's a sudden flash of red – Azazel moving to the upper deck.

"Darling please," Frost grins watching the anchor chain as it begins to twist in slightly on itself, "Haven't we got over that yet."

2 Years Earlier

"Oh my dear Erik, you didn't think I was seriously working with you?" Frost smirks and Schmidt grins, "Erik – always one step behind, I upped the price. You should always watch your back you know."

A glittering diamond hand smashes into the side of his face and the world explodes into a wave of fire and pain. Erik has the vaguest impression of falling, a lurch and then water…sea…they've thrown him overboard and that should be a concern, but he can't focus on anything but for the blackness clawing at the edge of his vision.

Emma conceals her frown beneath her diamond exterior as she turns back to face Schmidt. A pity really that Erik had to die, but she needed Sebastian's trust, bringing him his greatest nemesis and ensuring his death had been the only way she could ensure receiving it. Schmidt's mind was surprisingly well protected against telepathy, and she had no other way of reasoning with him.

"My Lady Emma I have to say your brutality astounds me," Schmidt chuckles, and takes her hand raising it to his lips in a kiss. "I say this could be the start of a glorious friendship?" She frowns at the familiar shiver that slips down her spine. Schmidt, she would throw him as far as she would trust him, and yet she needed him alive for now.

"With Magneto's death the high seas will be a far more profitable place, I assure you it was as much for my own benefit," she returns, shaking off the sensation that's she's being watched. She's had it since she stepped foot on this ship, an odd crawling feeling on the edge of her consciousness, almost as though there were another telepath around…but there's none on board the Caspartina – she would have known it the moment she arrived on deck, and they're in the middle of the ocean.

So why can she still feel eyes in the back of her head?

Present

"It was over two years ago," Emma grins, "and really – you ought to be thanking me."

"Thanking you?" Erik splutters in surprise, "The part where you betrayed our alliance, or the part where you tried to kill me?"

She sighs as though he's being very dense, and that is the second look he has had from a telepath today, "Without me honey you would never have met your darling sweetheart."

Charles.

He narrows his gaze, and the ship responds to his anger. Her expression turns to a frown, "Do you really want to cause a scene in port? This is quite an upcoming town I would like to be able to return here." Then just as suddenly her smile sudden returns, "Speaking of sweethearts how is my favourite merman?" She asks softly.

Charles is suddenly there slipping beneath Erik's arm, tucking close against his side. His mate, and that simple knowledge steals the Captain's anger. Phoenix subsides waiting but Erik lets his tension unfurl. There is really no point being angry with Emma anyway - it just slides off her.

I'm the only merman you know, Charles returns shyly and she gives a warm laugh, "Dearest I assure you, you're the only one I want to know." She ignores Erik's growl, but Charles buries closer against him. She beckons for one of her carriers to step forwards. Erik immediately tenses again but she laughs, "You think I would be foolish enough to bring a weapon here?"

Charles stills and then excitment floods Erik's mind, as the first crate is brought aboard. Charles moves to examine it, and scowls when he is tugged back to the Captain's side. "Erik!" he protests, "She brought fish!"

Fish. Verdamnt!

The diamond telepath smirks.

Charles, you can have fish any day you want, Erik reminds him. The smaller man gives him a baleful glance, "Not Trout."

Great. Trout. Emma has just bargained her way on board.

Go and help Darwin get them on board then, Erik sighs at Charles's expectant expression he knows when he's been outmanoeuvred. The smaller man gives a delighted grin, ducking beneath Logan's arm as he runs past. Shaking his head Erik steps aside, and lowers his sword, "Its your fault if he won't eat anything else," he accuses.

Charles pointedly refuses to eat any vegetable that isn't green and even then only under duress. Seaweed is the only thing he will suffer for any length of time, and Darwin has stockpiled the galley. Emma's gaze softens lingering on Charles as he disappears below deck, and she smirks at Logan's sharp glower - a pointed reminder that not everyone is so quick to forgive, or forget. "Well, I'm certain you have your methods of persuasion," she muses, "and I'd say it's a shame to cover up such a fine figure, but then I can imagine what an accomplishment it is to keep Charles clothed."

Damn her.

Erik focuses hard, keeping the flush from showing in his cheeks. True, it had taken a while to convince Charles that clothing was a necessary landwalker custom. He still had occasional lapses...there had been that time when they had just gotten Charles back out of Sinister's clutches, and Sean was still new on board.

A few Months Previously

Seans POV

He had never been so frightened in his life. Not when Wolverine was tearing through the stone walls as though they were made of paper, not when the elfin mermaids walked beside him vicious predators every one.

Captain Magneto was a cold man who ruled the ship with an iron will, and didn't have one shred of remorse or emotion within him. At least that was what Sean had believed in his early days aboard the Phoenix. A period that had happened to coincide with the disappearance of the legendary first mate Xavier, and the coldest blackest mood of life aboard the vessel.

So when they finally track down the first mate, locked in the cold dank cell of Sinister's makeshift castle Sean is not expecting the terrifying expression of utter devotion that fills Magneto's features as he gently lifts Xavier's bloodied figure into his arms as though he weighs little more than a child, and is every bit as precious as any pirate gold.

Of course it takes Sean a long time to realise that Magneto is not like other pirates.

The Captain does not release Xavier, not even when Logan moves to examine his injuries, and back aboard ship the captain locks the doors to their cabin, with a sharp warning note they are not to be disturbed. Several times Sean picks up disturbing noises coming from behind those doors, and each time he plucks up enough courage to intervene he finds his path blocked – once by Darwin, and several times by Azazel, Logan, and Alex.

It is a week later, when they are in the midst of the ocean when Sean emerges on deck and feels as though he's taken his first breath in weeks. Looking up to the upper deck he sees a familiar figure…and loses that breath again. Blue eyes glittering just like the ocean and oh Sean is lost, he's so lost.

It is said that once you meet Xavier's eyes his soul is yours forever.

But what a man to be owned by, utterly gorgeous - angelic if anything - especially when standing next to Azazel, who appears suddenly beside Xavier and drapes a light blue robe around his shoulders. Xavier starts blinking up at the red man, before seeming to realise they are being watched. Sean's heart races in sudden alarm, as the legendary First Mate looks down, and then bestows a dazzling smile upon him, and that voice in his mind...a glorious song of greeting that leaves him swaying on his feet.

I am sorry I was not there to greet you at the dock Sean. I hope we'll get to talk soon, but as you can see I'm not yet free of my 'captors', Charles sent softly. "Captors?" Azazel snorts, "Even prisoners have some freedom, and the way Erik has things planned you won't be setting foot off this ship for a long long time."

"I'd like to see him try," Charles mutters crossly leaning precariously over the edge of the rail to observe the glistening water churning in their wake. Calling him.

Sean's eyes widen as he realises that everything he has every head about Phoenix is true - the ship really is possessed - moving it seems to her Captain's will. Several glittering coils of metallic infused rope unwind and snake towards Xavier as though preparing to prevent any sudden bid for freedom the first mate may make.

Was Xavier really Magneto's prisoner?

"Try?" Azazel grins having noticed the slivering coils, "Are you planning to disobey the Captain's orders?" Charles turns his attention from the ocean and bestows a scowl on the red man, but stills as a warm voice brushes the back of his neck. "Plotting a mutiny Charles?" Erik asks silkily. That deep gravelly voice never fails to undo him, and Charles curses as his knees buckle. Strong arms snake around him as Erik pulls him flush against his chest.

"Mutiny?" He asks curiously, and Erik's mind opens to his own in explanation. He gives a delighted laugh, and lets himself be held leaning back against the taller man, closing his eyes against the fierce bright sunlight. He was restless having spent the last few days under bed rest, and now he was itching to do something – anything, but even now Erik's scent his mate was enough to calm him.

A mutiny however sounded like fun...

Any form of coherency in this is a bonus... just a few drabbles cobbled together into something forming a plot.

Suggestions / reviews welcome :D