( notes for alex, jean, morgana, anya, rogue, babs, and zane )

[Public]

[Charles is in his room, which looks much the same as ever - the comfortable, organized clutter of academia everywhere, along with a couple notable artifacts scattered here and there, like the model prehistoric sea creatures Anya had gotten him for Christmas sitting on his desk - and he looks... good. More or less the same brand of content he's been since he got back from his trip home, although there's a sort of unnatural formality to the way he's sitting and addressing the camera.]

It's been two years and three months since I first made my deal with the Admiral. When I did, I had just suffered a variety of great personal loss. I was depressed, desperately hurt, and incredibly frightened of what the future had to offer for both me, personally, and for my friends and family, and I'll be the first to admit that the Barge wasn't entirely helpful in alleviating those worries.

But I'll also be the first to admit that I wouldn't have what I do now without it, and I know I'm not the only one who can say that. I also know that to some of you, I'm likely sounding like a broken record, but as this is the last time I'm going to have opportunity to say something like this for the time being, [And his smile falters a bit at that, because he's said it, he's leaving, he has to go home.] I just want to tell you that what you're feeling right now - the fear and the anger and the sadness - is all legitimate. You are allowed to feel upset, you're allowed to feel defeated and trapped, but it will get better. You will get past it. You will walk away from this and have a future you deserve. And at the end, this is worth it.

[He means it. He's been tortured, hurt, killed, watched friends die, lived a dozen different lives, been blamed for the actions of other counterparts, and a hundred other things, and he has a future to return home to.

That's made it - all of it - more than worth it.]

I'll be leaving tomorrow morning, if anyone's got any last minute business they'd like to address. It's time. [And he feels badly about that, because he'd wanted to stay longer, but he knows he'll always find a reason to stay, and... he really can't. He misses Erik, he misses Raven and the others, and he wants to get the school up and running. Do some real good in his world. He can't do that here.]

And if anyone's got anything to pass along to Tony, Erik or Raven, I'd be more than happy to drop it off.

[Private to River]

I hope you take up Jean and Rogue's offer to learn more about your gifts. If you're ever in need of a place to stay after your time here has come to an end, we'd be happy to have you.

[Private to Crichton]

I know you're probably tired of me meddling in your business, [It's mostly a joke!] But I know Jean would be more than happy to be a resource you can turn to in dealing with Harvey. I'm sorry I couldn't do more while I was here.

[Open Spam following Port]

[It's a little distressing, how easy it is for things to return to what passes for normal around here, because Charles finds himself sliding back into routine more quickly than he'd like to think he might have. Admittedly, that's probably better than it's been in the past, but it's still strange to think about.

He spends a fair amount of time hovering around the infirmary, checking in on Jean and Barbara and Rogue and trying to be useful where he can be. He's not a doctor - well, not that kind of doctor - but he definitely is fairly well versed in first aid, not to mention just being someone to talk to or listen if a patient needs it. He's also still attending meals in the dining hall instead of holing up by himself somewhere, and although sometimes he'll have his nose stuck in a book, he's more than willing to put it down and be social.

There's also his regular morning (and afternoon and evening sometimes, if he feels like it, which generally means he's overwhelmed and in need of an outlet) run in the CES, and he does actually make use of the CTS too, now that Arthur is gone and Babs is in the infirmary. He needs to keep practicing somehow, after all.]

[Filtered away from Creed]

Mark brought this up and I thought it would be worth mentioning: as we're the only two on board trained to counsel others, if anyone feels they're in need of someone to talk to in light of what's happened, [He figures clarifying in port is fairly unnecessary, everyone knows what's going on.] We're both willing to make ourselves available to listen or discuss the matter confidentially with you.

( Private messages for Alex, Anya, Morgana, Zane, Kelsier, Raven and Creed )

[Private to Zane]

[He's not really sure what to make of the pairing announcements in some ways, but he's hoping it's a good thing that they've already had some time to get used to each other, that there's some manner of trust there. He knows he screwed up with Felix and feels like he's been more or less useless to Morgana, but Zane seems like someone who needs some positive direction, and he's hopeful he can provide that.]

I've got your file. We should probably arrange a time to meet. Do you have a preference? [He assumes you've been let out of Zero by now, but.]

[Filtered to Erik, Jean and Alex]

[Charles sounds more serious than tired, although there's certainly a sort of weariness in his voice because this is not exactly a fun topic to be discussing.] Considering it seems as though whatever destination the Barge is heading towards isn't exactly going to be a pleasant one, I'd highly recommend everyone taking precautions in case we're left somewhere dangerous without access to our abilities or other means of defending ourselves. ["Like the Vanquish" is going unsaid, but the three of you know why he'd be overly cautious about an announcement like that, so.]

Obviously there's no guarantee that we'll be able to bring supplies with us, but in case there is, I'd strongly suggest making certain your flight suits are on hand and undamaged, and potentially even packing an emergency kit to leave with them.

[He knows he's sounding kind of bossy, but he's worried and doesn't want anything to happen - even though it probably will anyway - so he's maybe stepping up and saying something about this instead of just letting things happen. B(]

( More Notes for Erik, Barbara, Arthur, Gwaine, Bruce, Merlin, Rorschach, Kon and the Admiral )