Generation Next (X-Men fanfic)

Two

Ziva followed the men into the office with a good deal of trepidation. She had no idea what was going on or why they'd brought her here, she also didn't trust them after the way they brought her here. She shot a venomous glance at the teenage boy before focusing on the woman who sat behind the large desk that dominated the office.

"Logan, good you're back. I don't have to ask how it went since she's here with you."

"Oh yeah, it went fabulously. Miss. Attitude didn't want anything to do with us. The kid zapped her." He jerked a thumb at Craig.

Ziva watched the woman walk slowly around the desk with a grace she wished she could possess. The woman was as fluid as water over river stones. While her figure wasn't overpowering, being of average height and build, she generated an aura of power. When her piercing blue eyes hit Ziva, she wanted to run and hide. The bright, almost electric, blue of those eyes distracted you from the stark white hair that flowed to her shoulders. It gave the impression of wisps of lighter than air strands floating on the breeze.

"Welcome to Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters," she said to Ziva with a smile.

"Why am I here?" Ziva asked her with a good deal of attitude thrown in. Don't let them walk all over you even once or they'll do it forever. It was an old warning she had repeated on many occasions.

"For your safety. I'm Storm, Headmistress here."

"Safety? I was fine where I was. No one knows what I am. Save for these two bozos, it seems." She waved a hand at Snarly and the Sandman.

Storm cocked her head to the side. "That's where you are wrong, Ziva. We have intel telling us that something or someone is coming for you, and whoever or whatever it is, it's very powerful. We believe it's a mutant intent on taking over as Magneto once attempted to do. You should be grateful I sent Logan and Craig to fetch you here where you can be protected."

"I can take care of myself. I've been doing it since I was thirteen."

"Yeah and I've been doing it a lot longer than you, little girl. Get over yourself and accept the help we're offering before something kills you." Logan practically snarled at her before turning back to Storm. "Am I free to go now?"

Storm looked put out by Logan's bad temper but she nodded and waved him from the room. "Craig, can you show Ziva to her room, she's bunking in with Skylar."

"Sure, no problem." He held the door for Ziva as she stepped into the hall.

"What if I don't want to stay here?" she asked Craig as he led her up a set of stairs to the second floor.

"You can leave anytime you want to. I wouldn't suggest it though. If the rumors we've heard are correct, someone wants to get a hold of you in a bad way."

"Why? It's not like I run about putting my powers on display. Who would know about them?"

"Any telepath strong enough to read your thoughts and see what you are and what you're capable of." He pushed open a door about halfway down the hall and stepped back so she could enter first.

"Who's Skylar, by the way?"

"That would be me, roomie!"

Ziva froze just inside the doorway and stared at the girl sitting cross-legged on the bed across the room. Her head was crowned with a riot of red, wavy hair. The cheerful grin grated on Ziva's last nerve. If she had to stay here to live, okay fine. But did they have to give her Polly Sunshine as a roommate?

Skylar jumped up off the bed and rushed across the room to greet Ziva. Her hazel eyes were bright with welcome. Ziva only just managed to avoid the hug Skylar attempted to force on her. "Oh my god, it is so great to finally meet you!" she gushed.