So January was coming to a close, and Leila was proud of what the New Year had brought her way so far. She was going strong with Sam Johnson, her Order Duties were perfect, and greatest of all, none of the Stupid, Oblivious X-Men knew about her sudden cold heart. Her hair was up in a high, flat pony tail today, with a black rose to accessorize it. She was wearing a white turtle neck under her unzipped black coat. Her dark jeans were worn, yet elegant, and her black and white converse added a little more edge to her plain look.

Dressed like this, Leila was on her way to pick up Austin, her cousin from the Airport. She hadn't seen him since September, when she had moved out of his Apartement and here in New York. She had missed him dearly, and now that the two had the weekend to hang out, she'd be able to catch up with the 28 uear-old bachelor. She turned the corner, driving a little over the spped limit. "Come on, stupid pick-up." she muttered as a cowboy-ish looking man blocked her way into the Parcking lot.

She glanced down at her radio, the clock reflecting 2:00pm. She was still an entire hour early. She bit her lip, trying to think of something to do while she waited. She glanced in her rear view mirrors, spotting a nice little boutique she could maybe spend a few dollars in. She did a perfect U-turn, ignoring the two cars that honked at her. All she wanted now was to get herself a new pair of shoes or a nice sweater for her next date with Sam.

She locked her car doors and made her way towards the door. She hadn't entered a boutique at all, this was a store for Cars. She winced as the smell of tires and oil filled her nostrils. Gee, she remembered why her old convertable had never had good, professional care before. She hated garages, stores, and anything that had to do with this awful smell.

Garrett found himself at a Kinko's, making mass copies for Lisa and making some business cards for himself in the process. He had warmed up to the secretary since his arrival, doing what he could to make her job easier. He felt that with his self-proclaimed PR job at the Sanctuary on the horizon, he and all of the staff, especially the most senior member, should be on his good side.

His job finished there, he walked out into the parking lot, seeing the other few shops in the small annexed center. A pickup truck pulled into the lot and a familiar face stepped from it. It was Leila, Sam's current girlfriend. Well, the 'public' one anyway. He had to tip his nonexistent hat to one of the greatest jugglers he had ever met. She was dressed smart, though she seemed to lack that bubbly appeal she had at the Mansion. Perhaps it was Garrett's own viewpoints, though. Many of those still there seemed to be in a different light than they once had been.

He followed her as she walked into a car parts store. It seemed like an odd choice for her, though judging from the state of her pickup, it was probably necessary. It certainly beat the bus. He decided he would attempt to use charm to get a ride back to the City. Maybe she'd even be nice and drop him at the Sanctuary. Bags in hand, he stood outside, waiting for her to exit.

Leila didn't really pay much attention as a man waved at her from behind the counter. Maybe she could sell some of the parts of her lame car, she had a nice, silky smooth black convertable back at the Mansion anyway. Not here though. This didn't seem like a place to sell car parts. She doubled back on her steps, trying to keep herself from breathing. "Hey lady!" the man said, Leila froze, looking back.to find him walking up to her.

"Oh," she muttered, wondering if she needed to buy something before exiting. "Look sir, I didn't think this was a Car Shop, or whatever word you use to call this place." she said honestly, but an air of disgust lingered in her voice. "I really don't mind buying anything, if that's what you want, but just to be clear." she added. The man looked at her with a perplexed look. "No, no! That's not it. It's just that I think I saw you on the Internet the other day."

Leila tilted her head slightly. "On the internet?" she bit her lip, trying to imagine why. Then it occured to her, this man seemed to have an Australian accent. Could he have been looking at his Birth-Country's news on the web? Her face would probably be everywhere back there. She decided to play the inoccent card. "Actually, I'm probably on there, I'm a Model in California, I'm here to visit some family." right, that would probably confuse him a little, he wasn't one who seemed to keep track of celebrities.

Before he could say anything else, she shoved a few twenties in his hands. "Here, this is for you." she smiled sweetly and walked out. "Oh, sorry sir." she said, nearly bumping into a bald man that seemed to be waiting for someone.

Garrett watched from his leaning post as the strange events occurred inside. The man behind the counter seemed to be very interested in Leila. More interested than the average onlooker might over a pretty girl. It seemed that he knew her somehow. She was doing her best to pass off the inquiries and go on about her business. It was the way that celebrities avoided paparazzi. She could have been the visiting queen of a foreign country for all that Garrett knew. He wasn't much of a television zombie.

Stranger still, Leila seemed to give the man behind the counter a wad of bills. She didn't purchase anything and it seemed to be hush money to cover her fame. He would have to have a look online or on T.V. about her. She made her way out of the door and walked right by him. She even looked toward him and nothing resgistered. Oh, how memorable was the Mansion, after all? " Leila? That is your name isn't it? You are Sam's girlfriend right? I am Garrett Wills, known as Seizure. I lived at the Mansion when you arrived."

Leila was about to take off, when the man spoke to her, calling her by her surname. She took a small breath, turning around so as to face him. She couldn't remember him, but he seemed to know who she was. "Yes, Leila Harte." she held out her hand, her lips twitching into somewhat of a smile. "I never saw you around at the Mansion before, were you at Raina's party?" she said, "I arrived that same morning." she added, just to be a little more specific.

Now that she took in his features, he did seem just a tiny bit familiar. Seizure, Garrett, no. That didn't ring a bell. Maybe.... Well, he did use the past tense. Where did he live now? The only other place Leila could imagine Mutants living at, was the Sanctuary. She'd thought of going there herself, she would, if it wasn't for Sam. So was she speaking with a fellow Order Member?

"Just one question, Garrett, how do you know about me and Sam? It's only been a month." well, if you don't count all of the time they'd spent hanging out, dating unoffically... If their first kiss would of declared them a couple, they would of had been together for nearlly 3 months. SHe wondered why he was even speaking to her. This all seemed so, fishy. She decided to hang around with him for awhile, get some info.

A look of quizzical confusion crossed Leila's face as she tried to delve into her memory for Garrett's identity. She introduced herself as Leila Harte and her soft hand and nimble fingers outstretched to mingle with his own in the formal greeting. Garrett gladly took her hand and squeezed in polite friendliness, though her system was sketching in his mind's eye as the conversation continued."I never saw you around at the Mansion before, were you at Raina's party? I arrived that same morning."

"Just one question, Garrett. How do you know about me and Sam? It's only been a month." Garrett's bare eyebrow shelves raised in a Spock-like manner. He decided to answer both questions at once." Indeed, I was there. I saw you take a hit from an arrow and I saw Sam come to your rescue. I also could tell from the looks exchanged that you two were already well on the road to becoming acquainted. He's a charmer. I've been around the Mansion long enough to know when he takes a serious interest in a woman. Anyway, those days are over. I have moved out of the Mansion and reside at the Sanctuary now."

Leila's turn to raise an eyebrow. "I see. Well, that may be why I find you so familiar. From the fight." she said, wondering if he was in the Order, now that he had mentioned living at the Sanctuary. Well, she could ask, and if he wasn't... She could just lie and say she'd heard about it from the Mansion. I mean, he would think she's in thew Order, apart from Order members? Plus, she had a feeling he was in the Order.

"He was the one who prooved to me there were others of our kind. I was certain I was the only one, with the way I got the X-Gene in me." she said. "I had no idea what was happening to me, but those Humans will pay, one of them already did." she smiled a bit too evily, and she quickly changed her expression to one of softness. She sighed, thinking she'd better come clean. Who cares if he knows, who cares if he'll tell the X-Mansion Residents. She could live at the Sanctuary, and it would be good for her, and them, if all ties were broken.

She bit her lip, thinking quickly, watching his reaction as she said the words. "Look, people will start finding out eventually. I'm not aiming to be an X-Men like everyone expects of me, from living at the Mansion and all that stuff. I'm in the Order. I had this thing since I saw them fight at the party... I'm not exactly, good." she whispered, watching his face carefully. She may have to kill him one day, before he opens his mouth and spill everything she'd just said.

"Oh, and one more thing before you go all 'X-Men' on me and start telling me off." she said, raising an index finger so as to silence him. "What do you mean, by Sam's a charmer? I know, I'm probably not the first woman he was interested in... But, is he really that much of a player? Is he just playing me right now, do you think?" all this was making her a bit light headed, but she kept staring at him.

Garrett could see that there was some burgeoning desire in Leila. It was as if she had secretly peeked at the Christmas presents and was dying to tell someone about them. His eyes softened as he realized he was in the presence of an ally, someone who experienced the same he had." I was there at the fight. I just stayed out of harm's way. I am not a hands on type of fighter." He let his own sly grin find its familiar home across his lips.

"He was the one who proved to me there were others of our kind. I was certain I was the only one, with the way I got the X-Gene in me.I had no idea what was happening to me, but those Humans will pay, one of them already did." He found it interesting that it had been Sam to do such a thing. Perhaps some mutations didn't blindside you and put you in waking comas for years like his. The idea of an easy transition seemed appealing and comforting, though his way seemed so much more real and visceral. The mention of revenge against humans followed by a tasty little smirk only intrigued Garrett further.

The secret, whatever it was, was bubbling on the tip of her tongue. He was considering just asking her to tell when it all came out at once."Look, people will start finding out eventually. I'm not aiming to be an X-Men like everyone expects of me, from living at the Mansion and all that stuff. I'm in the Order. I had this thing since I saw them fight at the party... I'm not exactly, good." A wide, closed smile of beneficence drew Garrett's mouth apart. " I moved out of the Mansion once I knew. I felt something very similar at the fight. My own feelings were based on the shame and sadness I felt to see mutant brothers and sisters fighting each other when there was the much larger and more resourceful human threat to contend with. Personally, I don't believe one must be wicked to belong in the Order. A mere acceptance of our kind as the superior kind on this planet and the will to see that truth become a reality seems to suffice. I suppose a lack of ethics just makes it easier for some."

"Oh, and one more thing before you go all 'X-Men' on me and start telling me off.What do you mean, by Sam's a charmer? I know, I'm probably not the first woman he was interested in... But, is he really that much of a player? Is he just playing me right now, do you think?" Garrett chewed on his lower lip for a moment, regarding the young evil beauty as he began to step away from the storefronts. " There will be no lectures, here, Leila. You are free to do as you wish. As a fellow member of the Order, I will do all that I can to aid you. As far as Sam goes, I have no idea about his intentions with you. I do know, however, that his attentions can be fleeting and should you two part ways, it wouldn't be very long before another beautiful girl was in his sights.[/color}"

The look on his face, it seemed that something in his mind just clicked, but she didn't give it much thought, as he spoke again. She wondered if his abilities were as useless as hers, if that was why he didn't actually fight in fights. She couldn't affect anyone with them, only able to transform into a stupid Dolphin. Her hearing was good though, but back then, she hadn't had it. Plus, why would talking to fish be useful? She wished for powers like Sam's or Raina's right now. Something that could help the Order a bit. "I hate asking people this question, but do you mind telling me about what you can do? I wouldn't mind telling you a bit about my abilities." she asked.

She hated his response to her secret. He was in the Order, sure, but he was in it for totally different reasons, and it made her seem like the badder bad guy. This made her feel a bit... well, it made her feel some sort of emotion she'd never felt before. "That's an other way of looking at it." she said darkly. "But it is somewhat a releif to know I didn't spill this to a X-Men. I was preparing myself to leave the Mansion. I am prepared, if ever the truth about my being a spy comes out, I'll leave Sam to be, I'll leave everyone and join the Sanctuary, permentantly." she told him.

Leila thought over the new information about Sam. She couldn't imagine him with someone else, even if they ever did break up. So how could she try and imagine him with a girl only weeks after he found out about her and left her for good? This bothered her a lot. She wasn't like that, sure, she used to be, when the relationships she was in were only flings, but this was serious. Would he ever do that to her? Bounce right in to an other relationship? Or would he be devestated, like her?

Leila looked around, seeing the parking was empty apart from her old pick up. "Do you want a ride back to the Sanctuary?" she asked, "I'm expecting my cousin's flight to land in about five minutes, but if you want, you can tag along with us. I was thinking of dropping by anyway, just for a visit." she said, she always did spend a bit of time there every day or so.

Of course, the big question made its way into the conversation. The question of all questions between mutants. It was rare that he didn't have a conversation with another like him that didn't have the question or some counterpart, as mutants undoubtedly wanted to know what the other could do. He always wondered what the intent behind such a question was. Mere curiosity? Perhaps. Garrett was more interested in the ramifications of a mutation and how it could or wouldaffect him. He suspected this was the rule, rather than the exception.

"Hmm, well, I manipulate nervous systems. I can bring great pain or pleasure to people or take it away. I have much to learn, but I am on my way with that." He decided this was more than enough explanation for now. Especially when Leila mentioned this spy business. He wondered what on Earth there could be at the Mansion that was worthy of spying on. If nothing else, she could always be an easy patsy. His face studied hers further as she spoke.

She made a suggestion to him about a ride, which sounded wonderful. Though he could numb his feet, it was temporary. " I am sure we can pick up your cousin first. I'll sit up front with you til we get there, then I will hop in the back so you two can catch up." As they walked to the truck and got inside the cab, Garrett couldn't help but ask something that was tugging at the loose strings of his mind. " One thing puzzles me. You say you are a spy and yet you also say that if you were found out, you would join the Sanctuary permanently. Aren't you a member now? Or do you merely mean as far as where you lay your head at night?"

"That's way cooler than what I can do." she admitted, watching him with a slightly jealous expression on her flawless face. He could do harm to people if he wanted to, and he didn't even have to try hard. It was his Mutation, people who didn't know him wouldn't even expect it. She mentally shrugged these thoughts away, concentrating on the actual conversation. This was actually pretty interesting, sure, the scenery was a bit odd, two Mutants in the middle of a Car Shop's doorway. Now that she concentrated on listening to her surroundings, she could hear whispers directed at them. None seemed suspicious though, just merly irritated that they were blocking the way like this.

Leila nodded, "That's cool. One thing though, he's a bit... nervous and edgy about the whole Mutant thing." she said, "Just a quick heads up. He knows about me, but he has no idea there's more people like me. He doesn't know the full details of my abilities either." she bit her lip, wondering how this could go. Either smooth and perfect, or totally caotic. Austin had a tendancy to get on people's nerves, and he picked fights easily. Great...

Leila sighed, she knew he'd ask more about this. She buckled in, the engine roared to life. "I'm an Offical order member," she said firmly, "but, I stay at the Mansion. I'm just a resident, nothing else. The only true reason I'm there is because of Sam, I don't want to offend anyone, but I can't help it. He means a lot to me right now, but if he finds out, if evetyone finds out, I would have to leave, and I'll fight against him and everyone else I made aquaintances with." she told him.

About the spying thing however, this, she was planning more out of buisness. She wanted to see what reaction she'd get if she suggested that she would like to join the X-Men. She wanted to see if she could get in on meetings, just so she could report everything to the Order after. Though, she still wanted to wait a month or two before starting this plan, not exactly sure she was ready for this. The car was on the road now, and she concentrated on it.