A/N: Hello everyone! I would like to start of by saying thank you so much for reading everything so far! I'm extremely happy people like it and am kind of awe of how many hits/alerts there have been. I would also like to give a special shout out to Valkyrie-Pleasant and OWLSCRATCH for reviewing the first 2 chapters. Your comments make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :3

This chapter is a bit shorter, but it does explain a bit more about the character, so hopefully that will make up for it. And just you wait til the next chapter ;)

One more quick lil' thing. I still don't have a beta so if anyone is interested let me know!

Enjoy everyone!

"Mia," I heard Garber say in shock, "What on earth are you doing here?"

I had managed to jog up to the car, leaving me temporarily fatigued, but mostly because I was in 4 inch heels. "I want to come with you."

My boss looked even more surprised, "What? Why? You've never even been out to my facility."

"I know that, Mr. Garber, sir," I took a breath, flicking my eyes briefly over to the Professor who was also standing outside of the car, "But, I think, all things considered, it would be advantageous for me to go along with you this time."

The man dressed in black eyed me quizzically, "What do you mean?"

Before I could answer, the young Professor interrupted me, "What she means, is that she's a mutant like us."

My boss's eyes grew wide and I crinkled my nose somewhat, not terribly enthused with how blunt Xavier had been.

"Mia? I would have never guessed! You seem so… So normal," the man exclaimed.

I raised an eyebrow, "Um. Thanks," Uncertainty apparent in the upward inflection in my voice. "So, does that mean you'll let me come with you now?"

"Oh, yes, yes, of course," he agreed as he moved aside, allowing me to take a seat in the middle, between him and the Professor's female comrade. I slid into the backseat, moving as close to the girl as I could, trying hard not to make it more awkward than it already was. Fortunately for both of us, the Professor decided to take the backseat with us, instead of making us squish uncomfortably. The doors were shut and Moira shifted into gear, propelling us slowly forward.

A hand was extended to me, coming from my right, "I do not believe we have been properly introduced. I'm Charles Xavier."

I accepted his hand, giving it a welcoming shake, "You can call me Mia,"

"Oh and next to you here is Raven," Charles explained as I turned my head in the opposite direction to face her.

She was smiling warmly, "Nice to meet you."

"You as well," I told her with sincerity, also shaking her hand.

The car was silent for some time as we headed towards the highway. There was a small request on my mind but I didn't really want to impose. "Would it be possible," I spoke tentatively, "To make a quick stop by my place so I can grab a few things?"

"Well, under different circumstance that would be doable," Moira was the first to answer, "But we have to get to Florida right away. The jet is already ready and waiting for us."

I frowned out of confusion. No, I hadn't been to Garber's private facility before, but I knew very well that it wasn't in Florida, "Why are we going there?"

Garber was the first to reply this time, "We managed to get the current location of a man named Sebastian Shaw. He has private yacht in Miami. I already contacted the Coast Guard there; they will be taking us out to where he's docked."

I swallowed hard, my throat instantly becoming dry the second he mentioned Shaw's name. My breathing stopped for what felt like an hour but, in reality, was probably only a few seconds. I snapped out of it, trying desperately to gain composure. Sure, I trusted these people enough to bring me right to the man that was the reason for my parent's death, but I didn't trust them enough to tell them about that just yet. Hell, I didn't like thinking about it, let alone talk about it to strangers. So, I simply nodded and the rest of the car ride remained silent. I think Charles was acutely aware of my internal distress, and I would bet money that he was trying very hard to read my mind. After a couple minutes, though, he let out a quiet sigh and I would assume he had given up.

The journey to the private airport only lasted another 15 minutes or so, and as soon as we arrived we were ushered right onto the private aircraft. Within what seemed like no time, the door was locked, the wheels were up and we were taking off. With my mind almost completely distracted by the notion of meeting Shaw tonight, most of what was going on seemed like one big blur. I was slumped in one of the cream coloured chairs, my head resting in the palm of my hand. My eyes were unfocused, as I stared off outside the cabin window, deep in thought. I was so consumed with the panicked thoughts and anxious ideas that I didn't notice Charles come sit directly across from me.

"Are you alright?" The soft, British voice asked, making me gasp, startled out of my daze. He must have noticed that he surprised me, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause you any distress."

I took a few deep breaths, calming myself down "It's alright. I just spaced out there for a bit. Didn't even realize you sat down," I confessed, with nervous, half-hearted chuckle.

He gave a comforting smile in return, "It happens to all of us, at one time or another. Do you mind if I ask what was on your mind? Forgive me, but I've tried to get inside your head, but I can't for the life of me," he added coming off more humorous than creepy.

"Yes, well, while some might find that a little unnerving," I told him smugly, "I know telepaths can't help themselves sometimes."

He laughed, "True, very true. So are you a telepath yourself then?"

"No, not exactly. I am just able to block them from invading my head."

The professor made a meditative humming sound, "Interesting. So what is your mutation then exactly?"

"Well," I paused, trying to think of the right words to describe it, "Basically I can sense another mutant's ability and be able to copy it, and use it myself."

Charles sat forward, his expression oozed wonder and curiosity, "That is absolutely fascinating. So you can do just about anything, then?"

I sighed, knowing the downside to my capabilities, "Kind of. You see, the effects are only temporary. I can only hold onto the power for about a day."

He nodded thoughtfully, "That truly is something else, though. What triggers being able to harness someone else's gift, do you know?"

"I just have to be near them. I haven't exactly measured but I would say I need to be within a 10 foot radius or so. I can go for a stroll through the park and come home with a variety of new abilities. I can tell when I've picked up a new mutation, but the problem is I can rarely perceive what the abilities are."

There is a wide grin plastered on his face, "You realize that with the proper training, the possibilities of what you're capable of is practically limitless?"

I nodded with a half-smile. I suppose I had never really thought about it that way. In fact, I would always grow frustrated, not always being able to know what I am able to do any given moment.

Charles and I made eye contact, and he seemed to be reassuring me. There was a faint feeling in me, one that I hadn't felt in a long time. Hope.