Thanks to all that reviewed my first chapter. I know I didn't separate the paragraphs; the story did that when I uploaded it. I forgot a disclaimer too. Well I don't own the X-men, though Tristen and Aquina are my characters. Italics is telepathy. Oh and Tristen is from New Zealand cause I really like that place so there is a slight attempt at an accent.

On to chapter 2

"Going fishing"

Aquina had just been resting when she heard the dark haired boy talk to her; she was so startled she fell of the rock. Quickly she swam over to the glass and placed her delicate hand over his. How can you talk to me? She asked him. Tristan smiled, it is part of what I am love he answered. Who are you? He asked. I am Aquina, but I prefer to be called Nina, she answered. The two looked at each other for a minute; can you help me get out of here? She asked. Tristen looked startled. You are being held captive? Nina nodded Yes, I can't get out of here and can't change back to legs because I can't remember what it felt like to have them, and I can't be out of the water with my gills for more than ten minutes, please help me "Yo Tristen what's up?" Kurt asked after watching the two stare at each other for a while. Tristen turned to Kurt, "she is real and is being held here against her will we need to-" he stopped when he saw Nina pull herself back on the ledge and over to one of the barred windows. "Kurt can you go over there and knock off the horse's fake horn" "Sure why?" "We need them to close this tent for a while so we can talk to her" "ok" Kurt ported over and detached the horn, then ported back. Immediately the owner noticed and ushered people out of the tent.

Tristan, Kurt, and Kitty ran around to the back where the window was. "Hello there" Tristen said looking in. A face appeared, hi Aquina answered in all their minds. She looked at Kurt suddenly and the hotdog he had in his hand. Hey could I have a bit of that? She asked. Kurt was surprised, "what" he asked Aquina bit her lip hopefully, I'm so hungry and the jerk that owns this place seem to think that all I eat is fish, please, I'll let you touch my tail. Kurt was surprised again. Nina smiled, come on, I can see it in your eyes; you want to see for yourself if it is real. Kurt shrugged and handed over the hotdog. Nina grabbed it and ate it savoring the taste. Thank you so much she said. Then she leaned back and brought her tail up to the bars. You also wonder why I speak in your mind instead of your ears she said. Kurt nodded. In this form it is the only way I can talk, besides my language. Kurt touched the tail and was surprised that it was soft. "Wow Tristen, have you ever felt a fish like this?" Tristen grinned and reached to touch the tail. He slowly ran his up her leg and Nina gasped and drew her tail back. She met eyes with Tristen and blushed, fresh she said with a slight smile. She suddenly looked back, Damn they almost have the horn fixed, is there any way you could help me? She asked. Tristen thought, "Kurt go get the jeep, drive it close to the road over there, Kitty and I will help Nina out" Kurt saluted and ported out.

Nina blinked her eyes in confusion but shrugged. "Take a quick dip love, we should be able to get you to the Institute in a flash but you might want to get a bit wet first" Nina lowered herself into the pool then climbed back on the ledge and leaned against the window. "Kitty can you phase the window?' Tristen nodded. Nina pulled herself up, leaning on the window when she suddenly fell trough it and landed on the grass. Damn she said pulling her upper body on her arms. A warning would have been nice She said. Kitty shrugged apologetically then looked over her shoulder "Kurt is bringing the car around" she announced. Tristen grinned wickedly at Nina, "No worries love, your carriage awaits milady, may I escort you?" he playfully asked. Nina looked up at him, you just want to pet my tail again, she said as he picked her up. "Wow, even with all that water you are remarkably light" He remarked. Nina put her arms around his neck to hold on. Kurt pulled the car around and Kitty hopped in the front. Tristen put Nina down into the back and sat down putting her tail on his lap. "Onward Mr. Kurt" he said and Kurt sped out of there.

Nina concentrated but couldn't change her tail back to legs; she was also getting very dehydrated. "What's wrong" Tristen said noticing her holding her head. Getting too warm, drying out She said. "Kurt step on it" Tristen said. Kurt sped up. Tristen took off his jacket and covered Nina's torso with it. Thanks She said quietly. "Don't mention, it's not every day I get to help mermaids escape from the clutches of a—" He stopped when Nina flinched. The bracelet flashed and a small bolt of electricity shot trough Nina, because he was touching her the pain hit him too. "Kitty, the bracelet" he said through gritted teeth and held up Nina's arm. Kitty turned around in the seat and passed her hand through part of the bracelet, it sparked and the pain stopped. "There that'll stop it from working for now but someone will have to get it off you" Kitty said. Nina fell back against the seat. Kurt drove into the mansion gates. He stopped the car and Tristen picked up Nina, "I'm going to the pool, Kurt put the car in the garage, Kitty go find the Professor"

Tristan rounded the back and went over to the pool. Nina was totally out of strength limp. Tristan put his hand in the water for a second then nodded. With one swift movement he threw Nina into the pool. After a moment Nina emerged and looked at him, thanks she said relieved. "Don't mention it, always wanted a pet," he said. Nina gave an outraged noise and whipped her hand around to smack him in the legs. "Ouch, sorry I deserved that, what can I do to make it up to you?" Nina looked at him; do you have any soda here? "Sure, what kind would you like?" I would love a diet coke Kitty walked in, "no one is home I guess they all went to the fair. Hey where are you going?' Kitty asked Tristen. "I am going to get her majesty a soda," He said making an exaggerated bow. Oh servant if you could include some food with that we would be most pleased Nina said with a grin. Kitty looked around "we?" Nina laughed, it's the royal we, you got a suit, I feel silly being in this pool all by myself. Kitty brightened up "like sure, be right back" she said. As Kurt walked by Kitty grabbed his arm and pulled him in the other direction.

Tristan walked back with the soda, Thank you we are most grateful, she said taking the soda. Lady Kitty and Lord Kurt went to get their suit," She said. Tristen grinned and lay down by the pool. "So milady, from whence do you hail?" He asked. Nina took a sip of her soda then floated on her back next to him. Connecticut actually, where am I now? "We are in New York, not very far away" Tristen answered. Nina finished her soda and swam over to the ledge. My turn, she asked, how could you speak to me when I was in the cage? Tristen smiled, "I have an affinity with water, I can speak to all beautiful creatures of the sea, I can even become them," he said. Nina smiled playfully is that so? And tell me what beautiful creature of the sea is your favorite' she asked leaning forward. Tristen leaned in for a kiss when there was a noise and Kurt and Kitty fell from the sky into the pool. "Bombs away!" Kurt shouted. The two splashed in and a wave covered Tristen and Nina. Nina giggled and pushed her hair out of the eyes. We are not pleased She tried to say with a straight face. Kurt and Kitty attempted to climb on to a float toy together and were falling off in hilarity. Nina turned back to Tristen who was attempting to ring out his shirt. Nina leaned on the ledge and lazily splashed around with her tail. I must thank you for rescuing me oh knight in soggy armor. She said. Tristen grinned and swept off an imaginary hat and bowed, "I live to serve you milady" he said.

"Would someone like to tell me Why Tristen is bowing to a mermaid in our swimming pool?" A voice said gruffly stunning all four of the teens. Nina slipped of the ledge into the pool while Kitty and Kurt fell off the raft they had finally balanced on. Tristen stood up, "Logan um. . . This is Nina she" he stared. "Save it till the professor gets here which will be in a few minutes" Logan said, "just answer me one thing, would this be a real mermaid in our swimming pool" Nina rose up in the water annoyed. Do you have a problem with that? She said. "Just wonderful" Logan said and walked to the kitchen. Nina let herself drop down into the water. Weird guy she remarked, Kurt laughed "yeah that is Logan, he isn't so bad if you stay out of his way" "I heard that elf" Logan called from the kitchen. "Oh he also has heightened senses so don't even try to sneak up on him" Kurt added getting out of the pool. He shook himself off splashing Kitty who was also drying off. "Ew like Kurt, use a towel like normal people." She said.

Nina smiled and let herself go to the bottom of the pool, enjoying the room that it gave her, very unlike the cage she lived in for the past few years. She relaxed along the bottom of the pool when she saw movement at the top, a man in a wheelchair rolled in accompanied by an African woman with white hair. Logan was back out there too. Nina was actually spooked and didn't want to come up; she trusted Tristan, Kurt, and Kitty but wasn't sure about the adults. Suddenly she felt another mind's presence Please come up Aquina; we won't hurt you the man in the wheelchair said.

Nina slowly surfaced. Nina swan to the edge of the pool and pulled herself out, shimming along the pavement trying to get totally out of the water. Tristen grabbed her arms and helped. "Can't have you scraping up those lovely scales of yours" he said. My hero Nina replied dryly. A throat cleared and the two looked up to see the group watching them. Nina blushed but held her hand out to the man in the wheelchair. Please show me what legs feel like she pleaded. The professor raised his eyebrows but took her hand and telepathically sent all that he could about what legs felt like. Nina let go of his hand. Her tail began to shimmer and the scales became a skirt and legs formed underneath it. When Nina opened her eyes she laughed out loud. "It's been so long," she said laughing and crying at the same time. She wiggled her toes and then attempted to get up. She fell forward and Tristen caught her. "Easy now love, it might take time to get used to it," he said. The two were looking at each other when the professor cleared his throat. "Now Aquina, where did you come from?' he asked. Nina smiled trying to take a step, "the circus" she replied, "Is there any food?" She asked. The professor still perturbed by her answer "yes in the kitchen, Logan why don't you help Aquina to the kitchen while I talk to Tristen. Logan shrugged and held out a hand to Nina. She shot a look at Tristen and he nodded so Nina placed her hand in Logan's and let him support her to the kitchen.