I own nothing. Slash. Some kissiness. Some mentions of self-harm. Review.

"Come on Jazz," I said to myself, "Time to get up."

A groan fell from my lips as I rolled off of my bed and onto my floor. Maybe I wasn't as much of a morning person as I claimed to be. Shaking my head quickly I made my way into my bathroom and stopped in front of the mirror.

I never found it difficult to fit in. My curly black hair was cut close to my head, but still enough to see just how curly it was. My skin was so snowy white it was like it had never touched the sun. I was twenty and of normal height, 5' 8".

See, everything about me was normal. Well, at least until you came to my eyes. That was when things started to get weird. My eyes were like a mood ring. Whatever I felt was the color they changed to. Unless I felt a mix of emotions. Then they flickered between those colors.

Right now they were a dull orange. That meant that I was tired. And not just in the 'not awake' sense of the word. Though right now it did just mean that I wasn't awake just yet.

That was part of my mutation. That's right I'm a mutant. Call the CIA! Hehe, just kidding. They'd never be able to break me. I had the ability to read, control, and force emotions.

This gift came to me when I was rather young. Only five years old. I will never forget that night. Mom, Dad, and I were busy making dinner when Dad's sleeve caught on fire.

Let me be the first, and hopefully last, person to tell you that feeling your Dad freaking out and burning alive, your Mom freaking out, and yourself freaking out when your five is not the best way to find out you're a mutant.

Dad died that day. Again two people of different ages and having different relationships with the person mourning is not something that is fun. I survived with minimal scarring though.

Shaking my head once again I quickly got ready for school. It was funny going into a class for psychology and being able to read every person in that room better then they could read themselves.

As soon as I stepped out of the bathroom I felt myself go ridged. Someone was in my house. Who could be here though? I lived alone since my mom found out about my gift and I made sure no one else knew where I truly lived until I trusted the person. So far that was no one.

"Mr. Cross," a male voice said in a British accent, "There's no need to be afraid."

"A stranger in my house without my permission," I said sarcastically, "Yup, no reason at all."

Truthfully, I knew that there was no reason to be afraid. Whoever this man was he had no intention of harming me, but that did not forgive him for just appearing in my home.

"I did knock, Mr. Cross," the voice said in amusement.

"Are you in my head?" I asked crossing my arms.

"I am. I am a telepath."

"Awesome, forewarning though. If you're in my head I'm in your heart. Which do you think is going to hurt more?"

The stranger was quiet for a moment and part of me had hoped that he had left, but that was just a dream. Okay, so most of me wanted nothing more then to go see what this man looked like.

"You are an empath. Fascinating. Would you mind if we did this face to face? Talking to a wall is not my favorite past time."

Sighing I walked into my living room and saw a man in a wheelchair in front of me. I had to admit this man was very attractive. Alright, seeing him wasn't such a bad thing.

"Your eyes," he said in slight surprise, "They keep changing between two different colors."

"What colors?" I asked trying to keep my voice calm.

"Between Lilac and Magenta."

"Lilac means I'm annoyed and Magenta means curious."

"Amazing."

Feeling the annoyingness turn into anger I knew that my eyes were pure white right then. This man was making me feel like I was some sort of freak. I was a mutant, yes, but not a freak. Never a freak.

"White means?" he asked curiously.

"Anger," I growled out.

"I have angered you."

"Quite."

"Would you feel better if I introduced myself?"

"Maybe."

"I am Charles Xavier. As you know I am a mutant like you. At the moment in time I am working on opening a school for children like us. A safe haven if you will. Where they will learn how to control their gifts. And I want you to teach."

I felt myself step backwards in surprise. My eyes were probably a cobalt blue by now. No one had known what I could do and still wanted to be around me. Not even my Mom had.

Alright, so this might be my first meeting with a mutant. I still couldn't believe it though. He was a complete stranger, but he wanted me to work for him simply because I was a mutant?

"Mr. Cross?" Charles asked rolling forward.

"Jazz," I said softly.

"What?"

"I prefer Jazz. Hearing my last name makes me think of my Dad."

Images of my Dad laughing and playing with me instantly filled my head. They were so happy. Suddenly all I could see was him burning alive. Screaming for me to look away and for Mom to get help.

"I am truly sorry, Jazz," Charles said after a moment.

"I told you," I said shaking my head, "If you're in my mind then I'm in your heart."

"My apologies. I do not wish to be rude, but this is how I get to know someone."

"Well, no offense, Charles, but I don't like it. If you want to know me ask. Don't invade my space and assume that everything will turn out right."

"You're right. Shall we start again?"

"No, we'll just learn for our mistakes. This conversation might take awhile. I'll just skip class and we can talk. Would you like something to eat or drink?"

"If you have class…"

"It's review day so I'm not going to miss anything. Food? Drinks?"

Seeing Charles nod I lead him into the kitchen. I didn't have all that much in my home. Most of my money went to paying my bills. Luckily, my fridge was filled with… Air.

"Sorry, Charles," I said shutting the door, "I only have water and maybe some crackers. That might be a stretch though."

"You do not have much money?" Charles asked linking his fingers together.

"I work minimal wage while going to college in a four bedroom house that I have to constantly repair. I'm lucky if I eat most days."

"That's not very good for you, Jazz."

"You do what you have to do. Is water alright with you?"

"Yes, of course."

With a nod of my head I grabbed two glasses out of the cupboard and filled them with room temperature water. I could feel the worry rolling off of Charles, but by there was nothing he could do about it in the end.

"There is something I can do," Charles said calmly, "If you come teach."

"I told you," I said with a shake of my head, "To stay out of my head."

Charles opened his mouth to say something when he a gasp fell from his lips. His body bent in half as he pressed his chest to his legs. A second later he a soft sigh fell from his lips as his body went limp.

It took a moment, but slowly he sat up. He's eyes were filled with wonder and confusion when his eyes meant mine. It didn't seem like he felt any anger towards me though.

"Your eyes are gold," Charles said softly.

"I'm sad," I said staring at him, "I don't like doing that."

"Then why do it?"

"My mind is my own. I need you to stay out of it."

"Why?"

"You read minds. Can you read emotions?"

"Not as much as you. But if I'm in the persons mind I can read the basics of the emotions."

"I'm the opposite way. Charles, I fear if you're in my mind that you won't be able to handle it."

"Maybe I try?"

"You want to feel what I am feeling right now? Okay, but fair warning this will hurt."

"Your eyes are sapphire now."

"I'm nervous. We should do this before I change my mind."

Kneeling in front of Charles I offered him my hand. Without any hesitation he rested his hand in mine. He really wanted to know what I was feeling right now? Maybe he wasn't as smart as he seemed.

"Last chance," I said staring into his eyes.

When Charles didn't pull away I let out a soft sigh. Closing my eyes I let myself connect with his heart. I felt myself hesitate when I felt his peace and happiness, but he was just as curious too.

My body slowly started to warm up as I let my gift run from me and into Charles. Making sure that his emotions were my main focus I made sure to introduce the emotions slowly.

Charles breathing gradually speed up with the more emotions I showed him. I was trying to do everything slowly so he wouldn't get hurt, but I knew in the end he would be hurt.

Once all the emotions were flowing between the two of us I felt Charles curiosity fade into pure pain and anguish. I kept the emotions inside of him until tears were streaming down his face and his body was shaking.

"That's what I feel," I said slowly pulling the emotions out, "That's what I don't want you to feel if you break into my mind."

"You feel that all the time?" Charles asked as he tried to get control over himself again.

"Depends on the people around me. I've been able to expand my gift. Anyone within half a mile of me I feel."

"You can't pull back?"

"I could if I wished to. I can do a lot with my gift."

"But you don't. Why not?"

"I just don't."

Turning away from Charles I rested my hands on the counter. I could feel his emotions still running through my body. More likely then not I had fresh cuts on my back once more.

That was the down fail of my gift. Any time I used it I would be just as hurt as the person, but since I could take the emotions it had to come in a different way. That's why my body was littered with scars.

"Jazz," Charles said causing me to turn around, "Your eyes are gold again. I apologize. I didn't mean to make you sad."

"It's alright, Charles. You're curious. You want to help our kind. I can understand that. So, tell me about this school you're opening."

Charles seemed to light up at the idea. It seemed like he was in his element when he was talking about learning. He would make an amazing headmaster or professor depending on what he wanted.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of amazement fill me. This was what I was hoping to do after I got my degree. Help mutants like myself. Give them a place where they felt safe, even for just a moment.

As he spoke about his school and ideals I saw just the kind of person he was. A little naive in the best of situations, but a good guy. Though he'd be better if he had a little more balance in him.

"Your eyes are sea foam green," Charles said staring at me.

"I'm amazed by you," I said smiling.

"Is that a yes?"

"Yes, Charles, I would love to teach at your school."