Every hallway looked the same. Saleeya sighed with frustration. The first timeout and she was hopelessly lost. A loud voice was approaching from a corridor on the right. Not wanting to be caught in being lost, Saleeya ducked into the first empty room she saw. She had just shut the door when Rogue, Bobby and John passed. Yep, that would have been embarrassing.

Saleeya turned to examine her surroundings. Light was let in through large windows that went from waist level to the ceiling. Running the length of the room was a counter with large double sinks every few feet. Everything was white. In the middle of the room was a large table full of paints and brushes at the far end. There was also a canvas on an easel at that end, but it faced away from her. Quietly she wondered over to it.

The beauty and detail caught and stole her breath away. The background was a dense forest that broke into a lake and clearing. Sitting at the bank was a woman. She was leaning back; her blond hair streaming out behind her except for a single stray lock that clung wetly to her shoulder. Her eyes were shut and her head thrown back as though she had not a single care. The rest of her body was just as finely painted. Her breasts were large and full with rose hued tips. From there her body tapered down into a fine small waist before flaring out at the hips. The woman's sitting position didn't reveal anything more than her long shapely legs. What made it more than a naked woman was the clearly defined green scales that were slowly lightening on her legs. She was a mermaid changing into her human form. Saleeya breathed out slowly. She wished she looked like the woman in the painting. The lady was the most she had ever seen.

Just then someone laid their hand on her shoulder. She jumped in shock and knocked over a jar of paint. Quickly Saleeya whirled around and slammed into a hard chest. Slowly she looked up at whom she had hit. A pair of rich velvety brown eyes stared back at her.

"I.I'm sorry," Saleeya stammered as she pushed herself away from him. "I didn't know you were here. I.I didn't mean to intrude." She tried to flee but her blocked her exit. Mostly because she had to get past him to exit and he was in the way.

"What are you doing here?" His voice was deep and rich.

" I.uh.uh.got lost," Saleeya blushed at the confession of being lost.

"What's your name? Are you new here? How old are you?

"Why?"

"What?"

"Why should I answer?"

"Because I asked."

"You answer first."

"All right. My name is Peter, I've been here for two years and am twenty-four years old. I teach Art here. Your turn."

"Saleeya, yes, and nineteen."

"Bit abrupt aren't you?" He looked down and smiled at her. Saleeya melted slightly.

"Did you paint this?" She made an attempt to change the subject. She wanted out and now.

"Yeah," he ran a hand through his thick brown hair. "Yes, I did."

"It's gorgeous. Who is she?"

"The woman?"

"Yes, she is so defined. Was she your first.lover?" Saleeya blushed bright red. "You don't have to answer that. In fact, please don't."

"What makes you think I've been around the block at all?"

"Because you're.well.yeah," she blushed even more.

Peter slipped his hand under her chin and forced her to look up at him.

"I swear if you get any redder, I'll have to find a fire extinguisher. And for your information, she was my girlfriend and my.partner.'

"Was?"

"Yes, was, as in not anymore."

"She is incredibly beautiful."

"Also incredibly prejudiced. She couldn't accept me the way I am."

"Then she didn't deserve you."

"That is nice of you to say, but maybe you should get to know me first, and then draw conclusions. But first I'll you to clean up the paint you spilled," Peter smiled. "Then I'll give you the grand tour so you don't get lost again."

"All right," Saleeya smiled as well. Peter pulled back in shock. She had suddenly looked like a feral animal baring her teeth.

"Sorry," she turned away and began to mop up the paint.

"Oh.um.jeez, I am sorry," Peter ran a hand through his hair.

"It.it's okay," Saleeya whispered. She turned and looked up at him. Her eyes were glazed with unshed tears. "People only see what's on the outside anyway." A single tear rolled wetly down one pale cheek.

Peter watched the salty droplet trace a path down Saleeya's soft, white cheek. Her watery eyes reflected hurt in their hypnotic depths. Hers were the most remarkable eyes he had ever seen, human or mutant. They were a dark violet with streaks of silver. Slowly, as if in a trance, Peter reached out and wiped the wetness from Saleeya's silken skin. Peter and Saleeya drew closer as though they were opposite poles of a magnent. He started to lower his head to hers when a noise made him jump back in surprise.

Scott poked his head in the door and his gaze lit upon Saleeya. Peter was shocked when he felt raw jealousy ignite his blood. How dare Scott look at her! He had Jean anyway! He had absolutely no right to look at Saleeya!

"Ah, Saleeya! There you are. Jean asked me to escort you down to the lab. She needs to conduct a test or two."

Fat chance! If anyone took her anywhere it would be him and definitely NOT Scott!

"All right," Saleeya stepped around Peter and paused before she went out the door. "Thanks for the chat," then she was gone.

Once the door shut, Peter leaned over and gripped the table in an attempt to control the emotional tsunami. *Why the hell am I so jealous?! I only met her.what?.ten minutes ago? And yet I feel the need to tear Scott limb from limb for looking at her? That girl is very strange, even for a mutant. That and she is far too young. You should not want to screw her, you perverted sick-o! You should want to protect her, not want to sleep with her. What the hell is wrong with me?!*

These thoughts tore at him for quite some time. Needless to say two hours later would find him in one very cold shower.