Hello lovely readers, Lexy again with a new fan fic:) I do not own X-men, or any of its charascters, just this plot. This will be rated M just in case, for language, maybe some violence and lemons later on:) This is a pairing of my own OC and John mostly, I have major love for that sexy little pyro:) There will be other pairings, just not exactly sure who I will pair up yet mwahahaha:) hope you all enjoy and leave me reviews! The more reviews I get the quicker I will update, which I am planning on doing weekly.

Chapter One:

I leaned against the wall of my cell, my ass numb from the hard mattress of the cot, the oh-so-wonderful warden of this fine institution gave us. Who are we? Well the warden and his score of nasty guards say we are patients. I say we are test rats and future soldiers for whatever war they were waging with whoever lay beyond the walls of this prison. No human was jailed in this prison. I knew what all of us, including the guards and warden himself, were: mutants. I knew the warden wants us to fight for us. Those that turned against him were killed. Brutally. A flash of a pale face framed by an auburn, white-banged waterfall of shoulder length hair raced through my mind. Rouge. God how I missed her. A ragged sigh blew past my lips. No I couldn't afford to think of her. It was simply too painful.

I pulled my knees to my chest and wrapped my thin arms around them. They were coming. She knew they were coming, could smell them getting closer. Two powerful mutants, the sterile musk of their uniforms coated the air, but the vibrancy of their power couldn't be diminished. Great, if they take me back to him, I know I'm in for a beating. I berated myself silently as I rested my forehead on my knees, letting my grimy mass of curls shield my face from their oncoming view. My ears pricked at the sound of footsteps that were nearing my cell door. The nervous nibbling of my bottom lip habit was getting more and more frequent. I pulled in a deep breath as the footsteps stopped.

Breath whooshed from my lungs as the door creaked open. I willed my body to freeze in place. Perhaps if they thought I was asleep then I would be spared.

"Rouge, is this the girl?" a deep male voice asked. NO! How dare they defile her memory by using her to bait me. How dare they-!

"Oh yah, John. This is mah lil firebug. Hey, Layla, you can't pretend to sleep like that yah, know? 'Specially when Ah taught it to yah," came the smooth, cocky Southern twang of the bravest and noblest mutant I knew. My head whipped up. My fathomlessly black eyes clashed with her brilliantly clear emerald eyes. Instantly my eyes watered, but I couldn't move. I couldn't force myself to blink them away, so freely they flowed down freely down my tawny cheeks.

"It's really you isn't it Rouge?" I asked. Rouge's purple painted lips curved into a rare smile as she swiftly pulled a glove off one of her gloves and stepped up to my cot. Several silver bands adorned her fingers and her nails were painted the same shade of purple as her lips.

"Ain't scared are yah, firebug?" she asked, the smile still twitching her lips and her fingers wiggled playfully. Slowly, my trembling fingers reached for hers. A small, strangled moan escaped my lips as a fierce rip of pain sliced my very soul when my fingers cupped hers. I felt my powers slip from me and flow into Rouge. Dots winked about my vision. I staggered down to all fours, as Rouge yanked away from me with a foul curse. I breathed in deeply, rhythmically. It was her. She was real! Shit I let her drain me, I can't even bend the air! I looked up into watery emerald eyes. She saw my pain. She knew what they had shown me.

"Rouge!" I screeched and threw my arms around her neck. I trembled against her, as she held me close to her.

"You're really here! You're real! How? They said you were dead. Showed me images, god awful images of you being sliced to bits. Where have you been?" I gushed, unable to stifle my curiosity. Rouge chuckled.

"I'll explain everything soon okay firebug? You trust me right?" she mumbled. I nodded, my mass of curls quivering with me. Rouge pulled away from me, and nodded to the boy standing at the door. My throat went dry. His towering, lean six foot something frame was slumped casually against the frame of the cell door. Shaggy, sandy hair framed a deliciously masculine face, save those lush lips that were curled into small half smile. Long thick eyelashes framed eyes that floored me, as they were brilliantly gold and dancing with a teasing, mischievous glint. Close up I could smell him. Mmmm, my senses liked a lot! His campfire musk tickled my senses.

"This is John. John is gonna get yah out while Ah run ahead and clear a path with the others. We are gonna free as many mutants as we can Layla, but yeh are a top priority. Promise meh yeh won't leave John's side, okay?" Rouge asked. I glanced at my friend.

"Don't worry girlie, I won't bite," John chuckled, holding out a large hand. My teeth worked at nibbling my lip again and John's eyes darkened.

"You'll explain everything to me once we are safe? And we will be safe, as long as I never leave John's side, right?" I asked. Rouge nodded , albeit her eyes narrowed at me suspiciously. Pulling in a deep breath, I took John's hand. I gasped when he jerked me into the hard line of his body. I stiffened instantly.

"Stay here. John yeh know the signal," Rouge called with a slightly mad chuckle, as she raced around us.

"Then there were two," John breathed and glanced down at me. I looked away instantly. Oh no, I would not be sucked into those soul stealing eyes. I focused my breathing, trying to gather as much strength as I could so that I would not appear weak, but god I was. The wardens and guards kept me on the brink of death, cut off from everything that fueled my powers. The sterile air was not much help, but what little energy I could have worked with, I had given to Rouge. I sighed again and straightened my spine. I grimaced when John's arms did not move as I shifted under the cage his arms cradled me in. I inhaled and froze as delight sensations filled me. My veins were softly bubbling with a delicious heat, feeling me with energy. My eyes peered around John. There was fire around me, there had to be! I knew that familiar bubbling of heat in my body.

"What the fuck are you doing girl? Are you a clone of Rouge or something?" John snapped fiercely. My gaze whipped to his face. Those brilliant irises danced with fury.

"Y'you're the fire?" I asked uncertainly. Shock washed over his features. His mouth opened to say something but snapped it shut when alarms blared throughout the building. His lips twitched to that little half-smile.

"Hope you're ready to roll girlie. That's the signal," he whispered and yanked me into motion. Arms pumping and legs burning with renewed strength, I raced along with John. Mutants were scurrying about, desperately seeking freedom. Guards took down many and I skidded into a turn to help one young boy struggling with a guard. A vise-like grip clamped around my wrist but my free arm kept moving. A swift, gushing blast of air slammed into the guard and the boy popped to his feet, eyes wide a saucers. I yanked from John's grip and slammed my foot down firmly into the ground. The floor began to rumble, sending guards flying from the rail above us. My body arched into a low sweep of the ground, building up a whip of water that showered the mutants as water lines burst. The whip snapped into guards, throwing them into the walls where they were trapped within a cage of ice. I twisted my lithe body, the whip an extension of my arm, seeking any enemy, anyone that I knew should suffer. Breathe whooshed from me and the water soaked my leg as I crashed into a hard wall of muscle.

"We can't stop for everybody, girlie," he snarled. Anger flared up in my body.

"Look, I promised Rouge I wouldn't leave your side, and I haven't. You are still right here, aren't you? I don't see what's the problem with evening the odds," I snarled. These people needed to pay for their cruelty. John's jaw locked tightly as he fought to keep from snarling back at me. He grabbed my wrist and tugged me down the hall. We winded along empty halls for so long, that I started to think we were lost. We never slowed as we twisted and turned. Then, John slammed a door open and we tumbled out into a lush green meadow. I fell to my knees as my pores soaked up the warmth of the elements dancing around me. Oh god, the sun was so bright and brilliant. The grass and dirt filled my nose with breathtaking scents. The fresh wind tickled my face. I could smell the water and feel it coursing along a creek near the clearing. Tears filled my eyes. I was finally free!

"Hey, we gotta go girlie. The professor is waiting for us," John said gently. I lumbered to my feet and jerked in surprise when tiny hands latched to my wrist. I looked down at the little boy I had saved. Tears filled his pale blue eyes.

"Come on little one, we are safe now," I said quietly, following John. None of us said a word as we made our way into the thick forest. My mind wandered, wracked with worry. Oh god, what if the others didn't all get out? What if Rouge was dead and this was all a set up, with me and Rouge being pawns once more. What if this professor was worse than the warden and his guards? Lost in thoughts I stumbled over my own feet and crashed into John's back. He stiffened as my nails sank into his hoodie as I steadied myself.

"You alright?" he asked. I opened my mouth then froze. Something was coming. Something, I wrinkled my nose, fruity smelling but so powerful it made my inner self whimper in fear.

"Hello Professor," John said calmly. My eyes locked onto the gaze of the wisest eyes I had ever seen. They were dark, exuded intelligence way beyond my years, and tender. The bald man rolled to a stop a couple of feet away from us. I cocked my head to the side as I studied this intriguing man known as the professor.

"Jayme, did you thank Layla for saving you?" the man asked.

"No, sir I didn't," he mumbled and looked up at me. I smiled down at him.

"Thank you Layla," he giggled. I smiled and ruffled his soft, dark hair. I looked at the professor. He had his hands folded and a gentle smile gracing his thin lips.

"Oh, and Jayme, I quite agree that Layla bashing those guards with the water was wickedly awesome. However when we get to the institute, don't tell anyone about her powers okay? You don't have to if you do not wish it either, Jayme. That is a rule for my students to protect their privacy. I am trying to find your parents as well. You will be safe at the Institute, both of you. Please, come along please the others are waiting and I daresay, Rouge is screaming at me right now," the professor explained. My eyes had widened when he had mentioned my powers. How did he know, I wondered. Wait...he had to be a telepath.

"Yes, Layla I am indeed a telepath," Professor said with a chuckle. Tugging Jayme along, I followed the man who was rolling toward a sleek aircraft. John was bringing up the rear. I flopped into a seat as the muscled, hairy pilot grunted at us in welcome. His eyes swept over us.

"Wanna sit in the front, lil tyke?" he grunted to Jayme who squealed with excitement and raced to the seat. I grinned as I buckled into a seat. I flicked my eyes to the left when John plopped down beside me. He buckled in and stared blankly forward. The engines roared to life, making my heart lurch in my chest, and we lifted off the ground. We soared into the air and slowly, I unclenched my white-knuckled fingers from armrests.

"First time flying?" John asked. I nodded numbly. He chuckled.

"You get used to it after awhile. I used to puke as soon as we touched down," he admitted. My eyebrows lifted to my hairline.

"Seriously?" I asked, trying not to giggle. He smiled ruefully as he nodded. A giggle bubbled from my throat. It was raw and foreign sounding. I sobered instantly as our eyes found each other.

"I'm sorry about earlier," I mumbled. His brow furrowed.

"What was it?" he asked. I nibbled on my lip. Could I trust John? Obviously, Rouge trusted him and the professor trusted him.

"I can control all four elements. You can control fire yes? When our bodies made contact, it instantly latched onto your fire, pulling in some of your power to control it. I am not like Rouge and take away completely. I just absorb a bit," I explained quietly. John licked his lips as he stared at me. I could not read the emotions dancing in his eyes.

"I did not know about the rule. Don't worry John, I'll keep your secret, if you keep mine," I said quickly. His mouth opened but was cut off by the professor.

"Welcome to the Institute," he called to us cheerfully. He landed in an underground hanger and I unbuckled quickly. I scrambled after the pilot, the professor and Jayme. A group of mutants stood waiting for us. I rushed to Rouge, who yelled out happily when she spotted me.

"Yeh crazy lil bitch, didya have to send the building tumbling down on us?" she laughed. I giggled and shrugged. She linked her arm with mine as I faced the professor.

"Layla, and Jayme these are my X Men. They are a group of my older, more experienced students. You met Logan, our pilot, and Rouge of course. The red head is a fellow telepath, name Jean Grey. The boy next to her is Scott Summers. The young man next to Ms. Monroe is Kurt, and the brunette boy next to him is Bobby, John's brother. And phasing through the wall, late as usual is Kitty. Before you ask, let me explain what the X Men are exactly. They are in simple terms superheroes. They are mutants that have learned to control their powers and use them for good. I set up this Institute to help young mutants adjust to their powers and choose how to use them. My students attend classes within the walls and train in the danger room. If you wish, as I said before I can contact your parents and I will reunite you with them. If you wish to stay all I ask is for your cooperation on following a few simple rules," Professor explained. I glanced over at Jayme, who had nestled himself happily on Logan's knee.

"I'm in," I declared and professor smiled.

"You will room with Rouge and Kitty, Layla and I am sure Logan will find Jayme a room. Good night all, job well done," the professor said and rolled out of the hanger.

"Like, welcome home Layla. That is such a pretty name," Kitty gushed, her brown ponytail bobbing.

"Um, thanks Kitty, but it's really thanks to John that I got out," I replied. Bobby let out a bark of laughter.

"I'm surprised he actually did something right," Bobby sneered and stalked away. Jean and Scott trailed after them. I glanced at John, who had hung his head so his sandy bangs shielded his eyes. How could his brother be so cruel.

"Come on Layla, Ah know yeh prolly wanna showah right?" Rouge said, frowning after Bobby's retreating back. I nodded eagerly and followed Rouge out of the hanger. I snuck one last peek at John. One eye was watching me and his lips were twitched up in a small, sad half smile.

Well that's Chapter one, hope you all enjoyed!