Generation Next (X-Men fanfic)

Twenty Four

"So Ziva, how are you enjoying it here?" Lenny asked her as he watched her settle herself into a chair before his desk.

One shoulder lifted in a small shrug and then dropped back into place. "It's no better or worse than any other place I've stayed. However, you did promise me that if I joined up with you that you'd give me my powers back, Lenny. Are you going back on your promise?"

It had been a week of utter hell being stuck with his idiotic army. It was a wonder he managed to attract anyone to his cause in the first place, but the fact that he only attracted idiots proved that like attracted like. Not that she cared who fought for him one way or the other, but she certainly didn't want to die while she was stuck here.

He waved a hand around in the air at her. "Of course not, but there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration before I give you the antidote."

"Such as?"

"You were on the side of my enemies, Ziva. I need to be certain that you're loyal to me. I have something I want you to do for me to prove your loyalty."

One eyebrow arched at him. "What do you want me to do?" If he asked her to kill anyone she was out.

He sat back in his chair and stared at her a moment. Damn, he wished he could do that eyebrow thing, pissed him off that he couldn't. It was such a great gesture when you want to show someone your contempt for their idiocy.

"Bring me A'Cadia."

"Bring you A'Cadia? What, like she's a takeout pizza? She isn't going to come willingly; I thought you figured that one out already."

"Oh, she'll come, she belongs here, and she knows it."

The smile she sent him was patronizing as if she were indulging a small child. "She won't leave Xavier's, not now."

Lenny sat up straighter, damn now would be the perfect time for that frickin' eyebrow gesture! "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Logan is there, she won't leave him." Ziva watched the confusion that filled Lenny's face.

"Isn't he a little old for her?"

She burst out laughing. "Quite a bit. And that's disgusting, Lenny. Logan is her father."

Staring, that is what he was doing, just staring at her. His mouth opened and closed a couple of times, but nothing came out. She waited a bit, giving his tiny little brain time to catch up. Actually, she didn't have enough time to wait for his tiny brain to put two and two together. It could take hours.

"I believe she asked you about Logan before she left. You refused to discuss him." She shrugged. "I'll try to bring her in if you insist, I can be rather persuasive. But I'm telling you, she most likely isn't going to come." She rose from her chair. "I'll check back in with you later."

Time to make a phone call. She made her way outside the building and propped her back against the brick of the wall, took out her phone and stared down at it uncertainly. "Just do it," she muttered. Another minute passed, she cursed her stupidity and dialed A'Cadia's number.

After three rings, she answered sounding more than a little cranky. "What in the hell do you want?"

"I need you to meet me somewhere. I need to talk to you," Ziva told her only to receive a disbelieving snort in response, followed by several curses.

"You honestly think I trust you? What in the hell were you thinking? Craig is a blubbering mess and Mellissa has gone through a truckload of whipped cream! And Skylar ... well at least she isn't little miss sunshine, but still, this place is seriously depressing. That is saying a lot considering some of the places I worked, including working for the wonder moron Lenny. And you think I'd meet you somewhere to talk? Kiss off, Sparky!"