Prompt Post: ROUND TWO
ROUND TWO IS CLOSED
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Rules post.
Flat view.
ROUND TWO: Updates Post (WIPs only)
ROUND TWO: Fills Post (completed Fills only)
damalur's firstclasskink on Delicious.
Volunteers always welcome.
Please use the Discussion Post if you want to talk about community alterations or get my modly attention. Do not ( Read more... )
<< ROUND ONE | ALL ROUNDS | ROUND THREE >>
Rules post.
Flat view.
ROUND TWO: Updates Post (WIPs only)
ROUND TWO: Fills Post (completed Fills only)
damalur's firstclasskink on Delicious.
Volunteers always welcome.
Please use the Discussion Post if you want to talk about community alterations or get my modly attention. Do not ( Read more... )
Xavier’s fingers deftly flipped through the papers, taking only a moment to read the information. “You can keep that file,” Moira said, as their food arrived. “Study it later.”
That made Erik pause. Interns weren’t usually given classified information and told to keep it. It was yet another discrepancy about this Charles Xavier person. “Who is he?” he said to Moira.
“I am right here,” Xavier said dryly.
A pause. “Who is he?” Erik repeated, eyes still on Moira. “Why is he here?”
Moira picked up a piece of toast. “He’s a criminal psychologist. Just graduated from Oxford a couple of months ago.” Her mouth twisted. “And the brother of our newest team member.”
“Ah,” Erik said. It made sense; nepotism was alive and thriving within the bureau.
Xavier was still looking through the files, ignoring the plate of food in front of him. “I need the work experience,” Xavier said. He didn’t sound offended or defensive-simply matter of fact.
Erik set his cup of coffee down. Something about this situation made him wary. It wasn’t like Moira to bring in new help on a case this big. She had a reliable team and she’d just housebroken three new interns a few months ago. There was no reason for her to bring in outside help unless it was very specialized. And there wasn’t a shortage of shrinks around. Erik’s mind jumped from one fact to another, and then his hand tightened on the table’s edge as he came to the only logical conclusion.
“You don’t trust your team,” he said, very quietly.
Moira’s fork hit her plate with unnecessary force as she speared a piece of omelet. She took a breath and appeared to steady herself. “I trust my-”
“Don’t lie to me,” Erik snapped. Moira flinched; she wasn’t used to him displaying his temper. He usually kept a tight hold on his emotions. “You think Shaw’s got a mole inside the FBI. You think that’s the reason he’s managed to stay one step ahead of us for all these years. That’s why you’re bringing in outside help. That’s why you’re talking to me, despite the fact the FBI doesn’t want me consulting on this case.”
Moira waited a long moment. She was gripping her fork hard enough that her knuckles had gone white. Finally, she nodded.
Erik knew what it must have cost her to admit that. Moira had put together her team with the utmost care. To admit that one of them might be helping a killer, it was a blow to Moira’s pride.
The thought of betrayal irritated Erik, but it didn’t surprise him. People were people. And people always had a price.
“I came to you,” Moira said, in a stiff voice, “because I know you would never help Shaw. I’m doing as much as I can right now, but if there’s a mole in my office…” She swallowed. “I’ve got a lead I want you to track down. It’s the best we’ve had in years. But there’s a condition.” She met Erik’s eyes and he saw the resolve gather there. “You take Charles with you. And you don’t go running off on your own-you bring all your findings to me.”
“I’m a detective, not a babysitter,” Erik said flatly.
“This isn’t a request,” Moira said. “You want the information, you take Charles with you."
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