Cosmic Kiss

“They’ve kidnapped American, French, Chinese, Australian, Indian, Japanese, Russian, and Moroccan citizen just to name a few! Where are their rights? We were told that our laws and customs would still be in effect! That’s clearly not true! What else haven’t we been told? What other lies have the slaves in our government fed us? And who is this Charles Xavier?”

“They treated our wounds and sent us home. I don’t remember much, but I think I was horribly wounded. My family thought I was dead. They were so happy to see me
alive and well.”

“What did they do to you up there?"

"I’ve got to tell you, I woke up naked and alone in a white room with nothing in it. I thought I was dead."

"Why?"

“I felt no pain, I heard no sound. I didn’t see a light source but the room was well lit. I was terrified.

"When did you realize you were on an alien spacecraft?"

"When the 'doctor' walked in. he-it was this massive, spiny...thing. Somehow speaking French. I thought I was going to be killed. Or worse."

"Worse?"

"Raped or eaten.”

“We’re looking to start a support group for those of us who were taken. Many of us have recurring nightmares of waking up on those ships, trapped and alone. Wondering where our families and loved ones were. Waiting for our captors to come for us. It was torture.”

“They saved us. Their technology was unreal. While we were watching the announcements I thought there was no way they could cure and treat all the diseases they mentioned. But now I believe it. They’re going to save us all!”

“These trials are going to be the true test of what we can expect over the coming months and years of captivity!! We’ll see the true barbarism behind these beasts when they feed on the flesh of their prisoners!!”

“Those terrorists nearly got us all killed. I hope they kill them and let us watch.”

“They killed so many humans, but as far as I know. No Genoshians. What was the point of those attacks? What were they trying to prove? And now we live in fear every day. I’ll be watching every minute of the trials. They killed my sister. They very nearly killed my son. I want justice for them and all the victims of the attacks.”

“I want to know how they did it. How did they take down the shield? What was their plan if they’d killed the Admiral and his consort? Our lives meant nothing to them. They’re already dead to me. To lots of us.”

“Those patriots are true Earth heroes! They stood for us when our governments wouldn’t! One day, when Earth is free again, we’ll revere the names of these brave men and women!”

“To quote a favorite movie of mine. ‘Yes, they deserve to die and I hope they burn in hell!’ ”

“Did you see how quick it all went down? From attack to now-the day of the trial- it’s been four days. Four. Days. They’ve healed the injured and sorted the dead for burial. They’ve already begun rebuilding what was destroyed and are even talking about building monuments to our fallen."

"And that’s a bad thing?"

"I’m not saying it’s bad or good, just scary. We’re out of our league and I don’t think most people have admitted that to themselves yet.

"So what do you think our plan should be going ahead?"

"What can we do but learn to live as Genoshians? After seeing them in action, I’ve given up hope of them ever leaving.”

“Charles Xavier. Former professor turned concubine for alien scum. How do we know he isn’t one of them? How do we know he wasn’t part of a pre invasion infiltration plan? How many of them are there among us now? Gen-lovers! Alien whores! They ought to be put down like the animals they are!”

“We’ll all be watching the trials. I want to know what to expect if we break the law. It’s a whole new world out there.”

~~

“Oh! He look at him go!” Raven tossed her head back and laughed, glossy red curls tumbling over her bare shoulders and down her back. Charles glanced at her exposed throat but couldn’t see a scar among her scales. He wondered if it was fully healed or just camouflaged by her ability.

Her exclamation caught Albert’s attention from where it was focused on Kurt, a tiny, midnight blue infant who had shifted his little extremities into paws so he could
scamper after his new best friend.

Charles had been worried about his cat’s reaction to the baby, but Mystique had assured him that Albert’s delicate claws and teeth couldn’t get through Kurt’s tough scales. In the end, he needn’t have worried; they got along like a house on fire.

“Aww you made them stop!” Mystique shushed her friend playfully, shooing the adorable pair back into their games in Albert’s cat paradise.
Charles laughed at their frolicking; it was amazing how quickly Kurt had picked up acting like a cat. He swatted at Albert and head butted him affectionately. Albert mewled and groomed the baby’s elfin ears, setting him off in a fit of raspy giggles.

“Best friends!” Mystique said in a sing song voice that had her son scurrying to her side and scrambling up her like she was a scratching post. She settled back onto the sofa and wrapped her skin around him like a cocoon until he was no longer in sight.

Apparently it was time for a snack. Once cocooned he drew from his mothers physical energy as nourishment. Apparently in a pinch he could feed from any shifter, but that was considered taboo except for dire circumstances.

“It’s like you’re pregnant again,” Raven smiled at the sight.

“Almost exactly,” she chuckled. “And it’ll be your turn next.”

Raven blushed lavender and darted her gaze to Charles, stroking Albert who had crawled onto her lap for attention. “I’m sure Charles is next,” she said sounding embarrassed and signing something to Raven sharply.

“Oh! Sometimes human couples go for years without procreating. It’s no big deal to them,” Raven assured her verbally.

Charles frowned, “What? OH! Did you think I’d be upset about you…” he cleared his throat and tried to find his words. “Getting pregnant before me? No, no. I don’t mind at all. I’d be happy to never have to deal with that.” he gave a self conscious laugh that came out sounding hollow.

Raven and Mystique frowned and held a brief but intense signed conversation.

Now he knew how Erik felt about human non verbal communication. He was clearly missing something very important.

“Leave it, Raven,” Mystique finally said with a sigh. “He’s got enough to deal with already.”

That was true, they were here visiting while waiting for the trial to commence. They were helping settle his nerves before Erik arrived to escort him to the prison ship where the trials would be held.

“Yes, but he deserves to know. I would want to know.” Mystique gave a reluctant nod of agreement. Raven turned to Charles, lips in a thin line. “I thought you and the Admiral were already mated.”

He swallowed thickly, worried about what she was about to tell him, he wasn’t sure how many more secrets his relationship with Erik could withstand. “We are. Erik has assured me that there’s no going back,” he said flatly, hoping it didn’t come across as bitter.

Now she looked slightly confused. “Then how do you know you aren’t already pregnant? Unless you haven’t been…together that way?” she faded out with another blush.

Charles shot Mystique a questioning look but she shyly averted her gaze. “What? We haven’t been, except for once and we were still changing at the time. Had just started too actually,” he clarified.

Raven frowned, setting his heart racing. “From what Hank tells me, that’s more than enough.”

His mind went blank. “What.”

“They-Genoshians- tend to impregnate on the first try. Some biological thing to help them procreate,” she fluttered her hands expressively as she spoke. He couldn’t tell if it was a nervous tick or if she was signing as well.

He felt her sincerity flow through him and looked to Mystique again. “Is this true?”

She bit her lower lip and gave a small nod. “Yes. Usually, but not always,” she rushed to add.

He felt a small swell of hope until Raven chimed in with “Like 98.7% of the time.”

“What?!”

“According to Hank,” Raven gave a helpless shrug.

“Right. So if you only had sex the one time the one night you might not be pregnant,” Mystique said comfortingly.

He paled as he thought back to their marathon lovemaking that night. “Dear God.” The shifters caught his expression and sent him matching worried looks.

“Oh, Charles.”

“Do you want Hank to check you over?” Raven asked sympathetically.

He shook his head, not ready to see hard facts for what he now knew to be true. “After the trial. I just can’t right now,” he said softly, feeling numb at the news.

They moved to sit on either side of him and wrapped him in a double embrace. He closed his eyes and let his mind coast on their waves of concern and soft affection. He never wanted to move again.

~~

Erik walked in on a scene straight out of a nightmare. His Earthlings were in the midst of a shifter pile. At least Albert jumped up and came to him when he walked in. Charles simply looked bleak. He stooped to lift the cat against his chest and rub under his chin to set him rumbling.

“Have you enjoyed your visit?” he asked calmly, deciding to ignore the unnecessary amounts of physical contact his mate was engaging in with two beautiful females.

“Yes. Is it time for the trial to start?” Charles asked distractedly, like he was coming out of a daze. Erik was concerned.

“Soon. We should head over,” he said watchfully. Something was off with Charles, but he couldn't asked in front of company and he doubted it would put Charles in a better mood if he asked their guests to leave.

Erik was suddenly anxious about being in a room full of people with loud minds and emotions. Raven and Mystique shivered and shot him matching glares, clearly not aware that their mental state was being affected by the telepath in their midst. 

He looked directly at his pale, stricken mate, “I have something for you from Dr. McCoy’s team. To help you get through the trials.”

“What is it?” Charles asked listlessly.

He set Albert down and pulled two small silver bracelets out of his pocket. “If you wear these they will dampen your telepathy. ~And contain it to your own mind~ he added softly, not wanting to let their guests in on their conversation.

Charles’ eyes widened at the news and he eagerly pulled away from the women, allowing Erik to kneel at his feet and clasp the bracelets around his sturdy wrists.

“We’ll see you after, Charles.” Mystique clasped his shoulder affectionately just as her cocoon peeled open to reveal Kurt’s face, looking out at them like an owl from a tree. He mewled, drawling a matching sound from Albert.

Erik had no idea what was going on.

Charles chuckled at the sight and clasped her shoulder as well before doing the same to Raven and showing them out. "Thank you for everything. I'll see you after," he whispered meaningfully.

“Are you alright?” Erik asked once they were gone.

“Yes. I think they're already working,” Charles said softly. One hand coming to rest on his belly. He ignored the other meaning in Erik's words.

Erik tilted his head, eyes shifting to deep hazel. “Your bracelets are unique. Made for you alone.”

He immediately perked up in curiosity, eager for a subject other than his mood. “Oh? They’re not a training tool for new telepaths?”

“No. We’ve never had a developed telepath as strong as you. You have the strength of a very powerful born telepath from a species of them.” Charles was floored, “Really? ME?”

“Yes. It’s unprecedented, but there is some speculation that humans may exhibit exceedingly powerful mutations after their change. Agent Munoz for instance is a wonder.”

“A wonder,” Charles echoed softly. Trying not to feel jealous of the amazement in Erik’s tone when he spoke of the handsome agent.

“Yes, and you’re not only powerful, but you’ve manifested an ability unknown to us,” Erik said carefully.

“I-have?”

He nodded, "Not only can you read minds and emotions- usually two separate abilities. You can influence them.”

“...You’re saying I can mind control people?”

“Yes.”

“No. that’s...not possible.”

“You’ve done it to me several times, Charles. Though I know it hasn’t been intentional. McCoy confirmed it during your latest levels test. He thought you’d rather hear the news in private." Erik admitted.

“Who else knows?" he asked faintly, sinking back onto the couch.

"Just the three of us. His team thinks you need the bracelets because of your power level.”

Charles felt a prickle of apprehension. “Why are we keeping this a secret?”

“When a new power manifests-which is rare- there is uproar over it. You’ll be a celebrity among Genoshians. With the trials and our mating, I thought you might like to remain a small amount of normalcy where possible.”

He took a deep breath and let it out. Hopefully Erik would continue this trend of increasing emotional intelligence. “Thank you. I...need time to process all this.” he didn't clarify, but hopefully Erik would think he was just referring to the news about his telepathy.

Something flickered in the depths of Erik's mind but was too faint for Charles to see. The bracelets really dampened thoughts, even through their bond. At the moment, it was a huge relief.

“We do need to attend the trials. I believe it will comfort humans to have you all present." Erik frowned, clearly picking up on his distraction and not wanting to stress him further.

Charles sighed and rubbed his temples backwards anxiously. “All?”

“Your team will be in attendance as well; didn’t they discuss this with you?”

They had, it has just slipped his mind with the massive revelations he’d just received. “Of course. We should be on our way." He stood and made his way to the door, waiting for Erik to join him.

They fell into step as they made their way to the bridge to prepare for teleportation. His mind was whirring a thousand miles an hour. He wondered how the trials would go, how the judgments and punishments out be meted out.

If he was, even now, carrying Erik's child.

He put on a stoic front, hoping to appear steady and in control. He knew that all of Earth would be watching and was cognizant of the fact that he needed to set an example for all of humanity.

He pushed his worries to the side and slid a finger under the thin metal of his bracelet, hoping it would serve to keep his thoughts in as well as it kept others out.