Title: Savin' Me

Author: UnderThePaleMoonlight

Summary: A girl runs away from her old life once she discovers she's a mutant. She meets an extraordinary gentleman, joins him, and meets an even more extraordinary boy. She wants to help him, but maybe he's not the only one who needs saving. . .

Setting: Post X2 through post X3.

Pairings: Pyro/OC, slight Magento/Mystique, slight Gambit/OC

Rated for: Language and mature content in future chapters.

A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed my first chapter! I was finally able to get the whole plot drawn on paper, and I must say that I'm pretty happy with it Please review, but no flaming. I don't want to read your bitch-fest, so save it for something else. Thanks and enjoy.

Ava was surprised at Sherri's comment. A guy had bought her tea?

No, not a guy. A gentleman

Her eyes followed Sherri's finger carefully. Brown eyes rested upon an old man, dressed in a long coat and hat. He was sitting at the end of the counter, quietly sipping at his own tea, eyes straight ahead.

Who was this man? Was he a lonely man, hoping that buying tea for a young lady like herself would earn him a night of company? The thought disgusted Ava. She would never let something like that happen.

But taking a second look at this gentleman, she didn't feel that way. He didn't give off the aura of a lonely man.

Alone. That was what he was. He wasn't lonely, because the way his eyes bore into the off-white wall ahead of him showed that he didn't want companionship. He was alone. Just because you're alone doesn't mean you're lonely, she told herself.

She gave a small nod to Sherri, silently telling her "thank you" and "go away." Sherri got the message, looking at her one last time with concern before heading behind the counter to speak to another customer.

Ava couldn't tear her eyes away from the elderly man. There was something about him that demanded the attention of every person in the diner. He wasn't exceptionally handsome, though his strong jaw and sharp eyes suggested that he was now a shadow of his former young self. He, physically, didn't look very strong or powerful. But his face held years of wisdom and experience, all etched in with fine wrinkles that made him even more distinguished. She was compelled to speak to him. To say thank you, maybe even get a nice conversation.

Her body worked automatically, getting itself up, picking up her backpack and mug of tea, and slowly making its way over to the lone gentleman. Ava was only slightly aware of the hot porcelain in her hands and how it burned her palms and fingers. Her eyes were firmly set on the elderly man's back.

Ava approached him from behind, not exactly sure what to say.

Ask if the seat next to him is taken. That's always a good conversation starter. Yeah, ask him. Of course.

She nervously bit her lip before opening her mouth-

"This seat is empty. Come sit, my dear."

Ava blinked in confusion, closing her mouth a little. How did he know she was there? There was no mirror behind the counter, so he couldn't see her.

Peripheral vision, Ava. He probably saw you from the corner of his eye.

True, she asked herself, but how did he know I was going to ask if the seat was taken? Her inner voice remained silent.

The man chuckled. "No need to stand there. Come," he urged, motioning to her with his free hand, "Sit down." His voice was strong, clear, his t's and d's and r's all crisp. A deeper, richer voice that brought a wave of comfort through her. Gentle, yet forceful enough that his command made Ava drop her backpack next to the metal stool and situate herself on top, mug still in hand.

She found herself smoothing her navy sweater and nervously brushing the top of the mug with her finger. Why was she so suddenly concerned with her appearance?

Say thank you, Ava.

Ava cleared her throat lightly. "Thank you for the tea," she said quietly, still brushing the rim of her mug.

The elderly man let a very faint smile play on his worn face. His eyes tore away from the wall in front of him and rested on her. They were a very light blue, almost grey. "You're welcome, my dear. You looked troubled." He took another small sip from his mug before continuing. "'There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea.'"

Ava mulled over what he just said. She grinned. "Beautiful words."

His smile grew bigger. "Aren't they? Unfortunately, they are not my own. Bernard-Paul Heroux. What I believe to be one of the best quotes in history."

Ava couldn't help but be completely charmed by him. He was a kind man, plain and simple. She lifted her mug to her lips, letting the hot liquid burn the back of her throat. "You said I looked troubled," she asked.

"Either that or deep in thought," he countered with.

She shook her head, letting a few stray pieces of hair fall in her face. "Then I supposed it was the former." She sipped her tea. Her brown eyes were downcast when she thought about her current situation. She was distracted from her thoughts when she felt a warm, weathered hand over hers. She met the man's eyes, a pale blue gaze that pierced straight through her.

"What happened, my dear? What has made you so troubled?" His voice was like a warm blanket, making her feel secure. Making her trust him immediately.

She bit her lip again, a nervous habit she picked up as a child and never quite got over. Memories of the incident flooded her mind. The walk home, the man coming behind her, his hand gripping her arm while grabbing her purse, the fear that took over. . .the man's horrid screams.

Her vision clouded over with tears. She blinked furiously to keep them back, but a few still managed to fall.

"I'm a monster," she whispered.

The sound of bones cracking against concrete resounded in her mind. She shuddered, letting a few more tears crawl their way down her face.

The man ran his fingers over hers. His eyes held a sort of compassion. "Why do you say that, my dear?"

"Because I. . ." She stopped to take a deep, shaky breath that racked her insides. "I didn't mean to hurt that man. He. . .He might have tried to steal my purse, but he didn't deserve for that to happen."

"For what to happen?"

Ava shut her eyes tightly to stop the tears. It didn't work. "Those. . .vines. I don't know where they came from. I was scared, and the next thing I knew. . .the next thing I knew, he was on the ground and he was bleeding and. . .and he wasn't moving." She took another shaky breath. "I did the only thing I could think of."

"And what was that?"

"I ran. I ran away."

The elderly man shook his head. "Did you know you were a mutant?"

She laughed and shook her head. Her eyes were red. "My mama said that I always had a green thumb. I guess it's a little more than that, now isn't it?"

He chuckled and nodded. "I suppose so." His hand slipped beneath her chin, tilting her head so she looked him straight in the eye. "My dear, there's no need to be scared. What you have is a gift." He pushed back a loose curl and wiped the tears beneath her eyes. "You are no monster. You certainly do not look like a monster. You are a Homo superior. With some training of your powers," he told her, his pale eyes sparkling, "You could be powerful."

Ava stared at him with wide, innocent eyes. "Powerful?" she repeated. The word rolled off her tongue.

He nodded. "Yes, powerful." His hand slipped away from her face. "What is your name?"

"Ava. Ava Rosenblum."

He smiled at her. "Ava. That's a beautiful name." He sighed. "I assume you have nowhere to stay tonight?"

"No," she replied quietly while wiping her eyes.

He placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Ava, there is a group of mutants who would be glad to help you." His smile turned into a slight smirk. "I just so happen to be a part of this group."

Ava gaped at him in shock. He was a mutant? Her hand held his wrist. "Will. . .Will you take me there? Please?" she urged, excited knowing that there was someplace she could stay.

The man fixed his coat. "Of course. I would be glad to, Ava." He stood up while searching for something in his pocket.

Ava followed him, picking up her backpack off the tiled floor. She noticed him pull out a ten dollar bill and leave it on the counter. Sherri approached him, a smile lighting up her heavily made-up face. "Heading out, sir?"

"Yes," he answered with his big smile, "That's for both teas and her meal."

Ava touched his shoulder. "No! You don't have to pay for my meal! I can get it, I promise!"

He held his hand up, which made her cease her arguing. "I am paying. My treat," he told her. Ava wanted to stop him, but Sherri already took the money.

Her newfound friend tipped his hat to Sherri and placed a protective arm around her. They came to the door. With a simple wave of his hand, the door opened.

Ava watched in awe as the door stood open. She sharply turned her head and stared at the man she had come to trust with wonder-filled eyes.

"Who are you?" she asked, barely above a whisper.

He stepped outside. The darkness and shadows of his hat shrouded his face. Ava could only see the pale blue irises that glowed in the darkness.

In his rich, deep, calming voice, he simply said, "Call me Magneto."

A/N: Whoo! Okay, thanks for reading! Please review, and only contructive criticism please! Thanks so much!