Hello, lovely Readers! Hopefully, if you've stumbled upon this, you're interested in Sky High, it's become one of my favorites as of lately. Anyway, this idea kind of stalked me for a while and I finally decided to give it a shot. This is going to be more than one chapter, but I highly doubt it will end up very long. That being said, I'd really like some input so that I know whether or not I'm keeping people in character, and whether or not I'm just screwing things up. So, reviews would help, or something!
Disclaimer: I don't even own myself, let alone these characters!
It Started With A Wedding
Chapter 1- Just your average day
"The Commander was the best superhero ever."
"But he wouldn't have been anything without Jetstream."
"Their son was the best!
The teacher stood at the front of the room, her ears peeled as she listened to the shouted responses of her students. Debating had always been something she thought helped the students quite a bit. It was a time where they could all participate, and she did expect every student to participate in the debate. Her arms were braced behind her, against her desk, with her legs stretched out, crossed at the ankle as she listened.
"But what about their son's wife, she was amazing, she could control plants!"
"That's a lame power!"
"Don't insult the power of others, Bobby."
The teacher spoke up, her voice completely authorative, and her eyes serious, focused soley upon the student in question.
"Sorry, Ms. Warren."
The teacher, Ms. Warren, stepped away from her desk, gathering the attention of the students around her. Her bright red hair pulled to a tail at the nape of her neck, she tucked a few strays behind her ear as she paced a few inches before stopping.
"You all have opinions on who the best superhero is, and no one has the right to take your opinion from you, but...I ask you this: Why are you selecting the hero that you are? Is there a certain reasoning behind it?"
Her voice seemed smooth and rolling. Her accent, obviously British, pleasing to the ears and easily able to control the attention of every student in her classroom. She pointed to Bobby.
"Who do you think is the best superhero and why, Bobby?"
"That's easy! The Commander!"
Ms. Warren smiled and tilted her head.
"Why?"
"Because he's strong!"
Ms. Warren smiled and crossed her arms, taking a few steps.
"But what does strength have to do with you dubbing him the best superhero?"
"Uh...that's his power, he's got an awesome power!"
She turned back towards Bobby, pointing at him with a smile.
"You have a power. Why aren't you the best superhero?"
Bobby looked confused and dumbfounded for a moment.
"I'm not a superhero."
"Are you going to be?"
"Yeah!"
Ms. Warren smiled.
"Then why aren't you given yourself the title ahead of time? Do you not think you'll be the best superhero?"
Bobby stopped, and thought, the whole class seemed to be enrapt with attention to what the woman was saying. His face was screwed up in concentration, his brows knitted together as he grasped his lip between his teeth, trying to come up with the answer.
"Because...he's the best, he's a hero!"
"But why is he a hero?"
A girl in the back of the room raised her hand and Ms. Warren nodded to her.
"He's saved people! He's taken down lots of villains, and he's good!"
Ms. Warren nodded.
"Yes, but there are normal people out in the world, those who are powerless that do the exact same thing, but not on the same scale. Why aren't they heroes?"
"Because they're not taking down villains with superpowers or saving the world!"
A boy from the back of the room piped up, looking as if the idea that an average person could be a hero was disgusting.
"But power has nothing to do with the choices one makes. Just because villains and heroes have powers doesn't mean they have to use them."
Ms. Warren offered offhandedly, as a tall girl in the front of the room scoffed.
"If we have power, we use it. It's a part of us!"
"Yes," Ms. Warren offered and then tilted her head, gesturing with her right hand," Our powers are a part of us, but that doesn't mean we have to use them constantly, nor does it mean that we're anything more than human. A superhero can die just the same as a civilian, so what makes a superhero better than an average person? And what makes a superhero the best? Is there really a superhero that is better than any of the others?"
The class seemed to freeze at her words, silent for a few moments, contemplating what she was saying. She took that moment to savor the fact that each and every student seemed to be thinking and digesting what was coming from her.
"Very few superheroes work alone. Normally there are pairs. What makes one partner better than the other?"
"More power!"
A student seated in the middle of the class offered.
"Perhaps, but every power has a weakness. Superheroes have partners to balance that out, to have someone behind them, someone to help. Sidekicks, or another hero, it just depends, but those powers are meant to be balanced out to cover a larger scope."
The teacher peered at the clock and smiled.
"Your homework for the weekend," The students all seemed to grumble," is to read the chapter over superhero partnering in the book, and to choose a pair in the superhero world and analyze how they work together, paying attention to their weaknesses seperately and how the other balances that out."
Ms. Warren finished the instruction exactly as the bell rang and smiled.
"Have a lovely weekend everyone, be safe."
That had been her last class of the day, and school had just let out for the weekend. It was going to be lovely to relax for the three day weekend. She couldn't wait to settle down on her couch and just watch the new movie that she'd rented the day before. There was a smile on her face as she gathered the tests she'd given out the morning and the papers that had been turned in by her third period class as well. She put them neatly into their folders before slidding those into her satchel, and taking her jacket out of the cabinet, sliding it on over her clothes and straightening it, jumping slightly as the speakers crackled.
"Attention teachers, please make your way to the staff room for a quick meeting."
Quirking a brow, Elizabeth Warren sighed. She really didn't want to go to a staff meeting right now, but she knew she had to. Sliding her satchel over her shoulder and scooping her keys up off of her desk, she made her way out, locking the door, her boots clicking against the floor in the hallway as she quickly made her way into the staff room, dreading being in the school longer than necessary when she was tired and needed the break. The room was already slightly full, so she stood in the back, leaning against the wall calmly.
It was only a few moments before Principal Powers wandered in, a look of worry across her face. It was then that Elizabeth realized that Coach Boomer was nowhere to be found. Surely he hadn't taken a sick day? That man was notorious for always being at the school. He wasn't that elderly yet! Pricipal Powers cleared her throat and the staff room silenced immediately.
"Coach Boomer has decided that it's time he took his leave, he's decided to retire."
"He isn't even old enough is he?"
Mr. Boy asked curiously.
"He's old enough."
Principal Powers stated with a sigh.
"When is his last day?"
The Mad Science teacher, Medulla, asked curiously, scratching his large cranium.
"Today, apparantly."
"That's inconvenient, what're you going to do about replacing him?"
Elizabeth piped up curiously, far from shy.
"I'm going to look actively for a new teacher for his classes, but until then, I'm going to have people take over his gym classes on their prep periods."
Elizabeth held in the groan that she wanted to let out. She was going to give other teachers his classes, thus taking away some of the downtime that many of the teachers needed. Elizabeth was praying that she wouldn't be one of those that had to take over for the loud coach.
"I've already figured out who is taking the class during what period. Elizabeth, I know you're not a fan of the class, but I've got you supervising his classes both third and sixth periods."
Elizabeth tuned out everything else that the woman said as she stepped forward to take the packet of information that Principal Powers was offering her. Elizabeth knew that she wasn't the only teacher that had two prep periods, but she normaly worked in the office on one of them, and she'd rather do that any day, but luck was not on her side! Bloody hell! Elizabeth quickly began to scan the papers that were given to her and she went wide eyed. The dumb cow was giving her the problem classes! Elizabeth waited until the older woman had finished and dismissed everyone until she placed the papers on the table int he staff room, crossing her arms.
"Why on Earth would you have me supervising the problem classes? Half of these students get detention every other day! And they're powerful!"
She fumed. The woman looked too calm, and Elizabeth wasn't happy.
"I put you in charge of those particular classes because your power, Elizabeth. You'll have the least amoutn of problem if they're misbehaving. I'm sorry, but you have to understand where I'm coming from."
Elizabeth sighed and gave a slight nod, picking up the papers again and rubbing her forehead.
"Bloody hell, if you weren't my mum's best friend I wouldn't be half as nice to you."
Both women smiled.
"You have the weekend to prepare, I'm sure you'll be fine."
"Thanks, I hope you're right."
Principal Powers smiled as she clapped Elizabeth on the shoulder. She bade the older woman goodbye and made her way out of the school quickly. She was glad that she had a car to travel back in forth, rather than carpooling as some of the other teachers did. She didn't think she could have been able to deal with hearing everyone complain about taking over gym classes, especially when she'd be taking two of them. Her ride home was filled with thoughts about taking over the gym class for two periods, she was dreading it. She would not dwell with her down time, though! She was going to enjoy her rented movie and lounge about!
Elizabeth's plan sounded so good. When she got home, she dropped her satchel into the chair that she didn't sit in much and moved to her answering machine, seeing that it had three messages. She groaned at the thought of who'd left them and pressed play as her blonde shitzu, Teddy, came running up to rub himself against her legs. She laughed and picked him up, petting him happily as she waited for the messages to play.
"Hey, Little Bit, I know you're probably at school because it's only...like three, but anyway, Da wanted me to call you and see if you were going to come tomorrow for his birthday dinner. He's all in a tizzy, love, so please don't ignore him or he'll make me call about fifty thousand more times. Morgan wants to see her aunty, anway. Everyone wants to see you, and I think Bridgett invited people too, and she said something about wanting you to meet someone. Call me as soon as you get this--Darling, I'm on the phone, wait a moment, please--Love you, Little Bit."
There was a distinct click as his message ended and Elizabeth couldn't help but smile. She'd go, even if was only to see her brother and his family. She didn't care much about her step mother wanting her to meet someone, but she'd be civil. Teddy nuzzled the woman's arm as the next message began.
"You're never home when you should be, darling. This is your mother! I know you have your father's birthday party tomorrow, but do you think you could stop by my house beforehand, please? Love you, Lizzie."
The woman frowned and lifted a brow. Why on Earth had she gotten so many phone calls from her family while she was at work. Normally it was every few weeks that she heard from them, and never in such a horde. Elizabeth put Teddy down as he ran in a circle around her, the next message beginning.
"Izz! It's Zach! I need your help! You know my wedding is Sunday! I really need your help! Please call me back! Please! Please!"
Elizabeth quirked her eyebrow at her step brother's message and made a sound in the back of her throat as she picked up the phone, dialing his number and putting the phone against her ear as she made her way towards the kitchen, pulling out a bottle of water. After a moment someone picked up.
"Izz?"
"Yes, Zach, it's me. What on Earth was that message about, man?"
He sounded far more spazzed and hyper than usual, and Elizabeth was dreading what he wanted from her. She was already going to his wedding, it wasn't as if that was what he could want. She didn't know what he was getting worked up for, but knowing him it was probably something trivial.
"One of Magenta's bridesmaids can't make it to the wedding!"
He was positively hysterical. Elizabeth rubbed her forehead. Why was he loading this onto her?
"What am I supposed to do about this dilema, love?"
She asked calmly. Zach grew quiet. She knew he wanted something, but she wasn't sure what.
"Would you please fill in? She's the same size and everything and Magenta knows you and would have picked you, but...her friend...and now her friend is away and... Please?"
"Zach, how do you know she's my size?"
He was quiet and sheepish.
"I asked your dad, and he asked your brother, and he asked your mom."
"Brilliant. How exactly do you know said dress will fit me, Zach? Can't you just leave out one of your grooms men?"
He sounded shocked at the idea, and Elizabeth groaned. She knew she'd have to do this regardless. She knew this was the reason that her mum had called, and her brother. They were all going to gang up on her for the sake of her step brother's wedding.
"No I can't! They're all good friends. Please? Magenta's been upset that she can't have her friend in it, but you're my sister, please, Izz?"
Elizabeth hated the pleading tone, and she hated the fact that he knew exactly what to say to get her to agree.
"Oi, calm down, I suppose I can do that... When can I pick up the dress and everything?"
She sighed.
"Can you pick it up now, we've got a rehearsal dinner tonight!"
He was far too excited about this.
"I swear, if you weren't so desperate I'd leave you hanging just to hear you squealing, love. Where am I picking up the dress from, and where is the rehearsal dinner?"
"My house, and you can follow me!"
He sounded so excited. This was not going to be fun, though. Elizabeth sighed and peered at the clock. How soon could he be expecting her?
"What time is said rehearsal dinner?"
She was peering at her wrist watching wondering exactly how long she'd have to be by her onesies and relax until she had to do the honorable and nice thing.
"It's at six, but you should come on over that way we know that the dress fits, and I can fill you in, and Magenta wants to thank you, and I want to thank you and--"
"Zack, darling, calm down. You're speaking far too fast for me to understand you. I'll come on over, though, just calm down."
He sighed, and Elizabeth could hear him. She almost wanted to laugh at him because he was so overwhelming and hyper at times. She didn't know how others handled him all the time. She could only be glad that she was older than him and that she wasn't around him all that often, he'd drive her batty!
"Magenta said there are shoes for your dress too. She just hopes they're the right size!"
"All right, I'll be over, but remember, love, you owe me. Ta!"
Elizabeth hung the phone up and groaned before uncapping her water and chugging half of it right then and there. She then proceeded to let Teddy out and back in before making her way over to Zach's flat. She couldn't believe that she'd been wormed into this. Why had she agreed? Because they would have all ganged up on her either way. She knew her parents well enough. Even if they weren't together they were still great friends. Then there was Bridgett, Zach's mother. She would have hounded. They all would have. That's why it was a horrible thing that her family was all connected in odd ways, at times. Either way, she was stuck helping whether she'd really wanted to or not.
The rehearsal dinner was quite different. Elizabeth and Magenta were both glad that the shoes and dress fit quite well, especially the bride to be. Then, at the rehearsal dinner it was discovered that all of the grooms men, save for one, couldn't be there due to their other duties. It wasn't very difficult to figure out that they were all superheroes, or hero support. Elizabeth was introduced to Ethan, who was much shorter than her. That was when all hell broke loose. The moment Magenta and Layla, the maid of honor, discovered that Elizabeth was that much taller than Ethan, they began to panic.
Layla was worrying her lip as Magenta fumed. The woman even muttered that Ethan needed another growth spurt. It was all quite hilarious to Elizabeth as she and the other bridesmaid stood there watching. The two had been whispering back and forth, amused at what was going on.
"Do you suppose that they're going to ask him to grow more, or ask me to attempt shrinking myself?"
Elizabeth chuckled at the idea, and Ashlee, the other bridesmaid, giggled at the thought.
"This isn't funny!"
Layla was grinning even as she got after the two of them. Then, she stopped a second and studied the red headed woman, staring up at her.
"How tall are you, Elizabeth?"
"I'm just a tad shy of five feet eleven inches."
The teacher shrugged after thinking about it, she'd had to do a quick conversion, quite like many of her students did. Layla grinned and then turned back to Magenta.
"We could switch her and Ashlee! Warren is at least six feet tall! He won't be too short for her or look funny!"
Ashlee just shrugged and Magenta seemed deep in thought.
"As long as the bloke you're pairing me with isn't dodgey or an all together slimeball it doesn't make a difference to me."
Elizabeth offered. Magenta grinned and nodded.
"You're going to have to be escorted by Warren, I can't have Ethan escorting someone so much taller than him. Ash, I hope you don't mind?"
"Not at all!"
After that was solved, things ran smoothly, other than the fact that two of the wedding party weren't there, but they'd get briefed before the wedding. Elizabeth wasn't worried about it all that much. She and Ashlee had actually hit it off rather well, though that didn't mean Elizabeth didn't like Magenta or Layla any less. She knew the two of them, vaguely. She knew more of Magenta, considering she and Zach had been dating for some time.
Of course, Elizabeth had only met a few of Zach's friends, what with her having already graduated when her father had married his mother. Zach was younger than her, and he'd been more open to her than she'd been to him, but after a year or so, she'd decided he ewasn't goin anywhere, so her brother and her had decided to be nice to him. Brett had been a bit more difficult, considering he already had a fully established life, but he and Zach got along well now as well. Bridgett was lovely as well, though sometimes she and Elizabeth butted heads, they were still family. All in all it was a rather normal family, really. Elizabeth hadn't been around enough to get to know Zach's friends either way, she'd been busy getting more schooling. She'd known she wanted to teach.
She knew her step brother had picked great friends, though. The way they were all here for him at the moment, and they way they were all happy for the wedding. She knew that he'd picked wisely. She was all too happy to have supper with those that had been at the rehearsal dinner. It was a nice way to wind down the night, even though she had originally planned on watching a rented video while eating a tv dinner. This was better. The conversation was amicable and pleasant. It was obvious that the group was mainly friends, and then Elizabeth, who felt slightly out of place, but was smiling and happy either way.
Before long the group seperated, going to their seperate homes. Elizabeth made it home and was greeted happily by Teddy. She wasted no time in hanging up the dress and leaving the shoes to set out and then changing into her pyjamas, mainly a pair of flannel pants and a tank top. She even settled down and turned ont he tellie while she graded papers. After a bit of time, she just put the papers aside and watched the television quietly, her dog sleeping on her legs.
The lights were off and things were quiet, save for the low buzz of the television's volume. That was how she fell asleeping, and she was woken up the next morning by Teddy pouncing onto her face, which wasn't normal for the small dog. The day continued much like that. Even at her mother's house and her father's birthday, things were surprises and rather strange. Her mother had wanted to tell her about the man that had been attempting to court her, and had spent an hour telling her about how wonderful it would be if she'd find a decent man and give her some grand children.
Then, at her father's party, Bridgett had invited the son of one of her friends. He'd obviously been told about her, but not the other way around. He'd spent the first hour of the party following her around like a puppy, and had managed to spill soda down her front, which caused her to have to borrow a top from Bridget, and then he'd accidently run into her with a piece of cake in his hand and had gotten cake on Bridgett's top. After that he'd left, but Liz had borrowed a t-shirt from her father, deciding that would be harder to harm.
After the clumsy, would-be beau had left, Liz got to speak with her brother, his wife, and their little girl, who wanted to hang all over her aunt. Elizabeth didn't mind, though, and she spent quite some time playing with her niece, until the poor girl had gotten tuckered out and fallen asleep in her mom's lap. That was when the party had ended. Sophie, Elizabeth's niece, had to be soothed and wouldn't leave until she had multiple promises that 'Aunt Lizzie' would be visiting soon and that she'd see her again.
That night was more settled than the previous and Elizabeth watched her movie and finished grading papers. She knew the next day she'd have very little time.
The next day started out quickly. Elizabeth had to get up and head over to help with some last minute touch ups on the location, and she helped with several other errands. She was a rather good go-to lady half of the time. Zach had her running a few errands, and made her help him tie his tie, and this was all before she'd gotten into her own dress. By the time she'd done that, she could hear someone huffing in the hallway outside of the bride's room.
"Who the hell is stomping out there?"
Magenta groused as Layla worked on her hair. Ashlee shrugged, touching up her make up while Elizabeth was zipping herself up and putting on her shoes, almost ready to do her own hair and make up.
"Should I check?"
She asked, buckling her shoe. Ashlee shook her head.
"I'll check!"
She smiled, ruffling her curly, blonde locks. The other three smiled and continued what they were doing as she slipped out of the room, finding Warren Peace in the hallway.
"Why did you switch your escort?"
He grumbled at the blonde.
"Ethan is too short to escort the other bridesmaid, we had to get her to fill in last minute and we had to be sure that it didn't look funny, duh."
She said with a smile as she fixed his tie, and he swatted at her hands with a glower.
"I don't want to escort her, I don't know her! She's probably some idiot that'll hit on me the whole time."
He complained with a frown. Ashlee snorted at the thought of that.
"Trust me, this girl is going to leave you alone. She's Zach's step sister, and she's older than him, she's nothing but nice."
Warren just glared at the door and shrugged, stomping off, not happy with his friends for changing things. He didn't care for change. He could deal with escorting his ex-girlfriend for the wedding since they were friends, but someone he didn't know? How would he be sure that she wasn't going to be wacky? He didn't! He had those thoughts coursing through him as he helped Will and Ethan keep Zach from pacing too much, which meant he was threatening to fry his friend while the other two laughed.
The wedding party seemed to be calm, for the most part, other than Sophie, who had screamed and ran at Elizabeth the moment she'd caught sight of her, hugging the woman's leg, which had caused a laugh. That was the most excitement before the wedding It was when the wedding started that things hyped up, for lack of better wording.
Zach seemed to be bouncing at the altar, waiting for Magenta. Little Sophie practically skipped down the aisle, throwing the flowers everywhere, and Elizabeth was fairly certain she saw Layla wince at that. The wedding party was ready, though Elizabeth hadn't even said a word to her escort. She'd heard his complaining, and she wasn't going to bother him other than being in the wedding. She didn't notice the way he was staring at her in the dark purple dress, though, not once during the wedding did she notice, though his smoldering gaze was on her half of the time.
The wedding went off without one hitch, and Zach looked happy, as did Magenta. Elizabeth was happy for them. She was glad that she'd agreed to help, especially when she saw the two smiling at one another. The only thing that was a little off-putting was the fact that she had a little girl at her side constantly. Morgan and Brett seemed to not have one problem with her watching Sophie, seeing as Sophie was watching her like a hawk and sticking to her side like she was glued there. All through dinner, and even now that people were dancing, she was stuck there.
"Aunt Lizzie! Dance with me!"
Sophie was hyper too. Elizabeth smiled and obliged the child, though. she didn't see any other way to go about it. She spent a few dances with Sophie, until a slow dance came on, and Elizabeth barely talked the girl into resting, and it was then that her father swooped her up to slow dance with his baby girl. Elizabeth was glad too, and she offered her brother a smile.
It wasn't that she didn't love being around her niece, or that she was tired. She was used to being on the go, but having a hyper child around for that long was a bit nervewracking and she wanted to people watch a bit, and enjoy herself. She'd only been seated a few moments before Ethan asked her to dance, and she grinned, and obliged, even though she ended up leading it was a lovely dance. The two were laughing by the end of it.
"Lovely dance, Ethan, I must say, I don't think I've had that much fun dancing in some time."
Elizabeth joked, nudging his shoulder. He just grinned. Ashlee rushed over to steal him for the next dance, and Liz was all too glad to let them both go, she didn't make it back to her table, though, she was stopped by none other than Warren Peace. Tilting her head she stopped, wondering why he'd stood in her path.
"Would you like to dance?"
He asked in a low voice, mumbling. Elizabeth hadn't caught it and she blinked.
"Pardon me?"
She asked, and she was fairly certain that he growled.
"Would you like to dance?"
It came out almost like a growl and Elizabeth was amused. She just nodded, and walked with him to the dance floor. He placed a hand on her waist and grabbed her other hand, surprisingly gentle, though he looked anything but. They swayed, their bodies moving slowly with the song.
"So, Mr. Peace, I hope I have harassed you too much."
She teased. A look flittered across his face. He went from amusement to anger in a few seconds.
"You heard me?"
He glared at her. She only smiled and nodded.
"You weren't exactly whispering the conversation."
She informed him.
"So you listened to it because I wasn't whispering?"
He grumbled. She laugned.
"We could all hear you without attempting to listen in."
She stated honestly with a shrug, feeling his hand heating up. He was glaring at her.
"Would you like this dance to be over?"
He looked confused.
"Huh?"
"Your hand is heating up, Mr. Peace, I assume it's because you're getting upset. Would you like this dance to be over to avoid getting upset?"
He was obviously hearing her wrong. Was she serious?
"I can control myself!"
He hissed. She had no change in her demeanor.
"I don't believe that I stated otherwise, did I? I merely asked if you wanted to stop the dance because I seem to anger you without meaning to do so."
He just stared at her. She was an odd woman, but there was something about the red head. He was quite for several long moments.The dance had shifted into a faster paced song, and Warren hadn't released her yet.
"Mr. Peace?"
That knocked him out of his thoughts and he shook his head, smirking a bit.
"Warren."
Elizabeth blinked and tilted her head to the right.
"Pardon?"
"My name is Warren."
Liz smiled at him and nodded.
"Elizabeth, or any shortening thereof."
She grinned at him, utterly amused. They actually spent a bit of time talking, seeing as Sophie had fallen asleep, and the reception had been dying down. It was calm when Zach and Magenta left, and things were quiet. The two talked about many different things, though she figured out quickly that he had a different sense of humor about him, and that he wasn't the most talkative person, it had to be coerced out of him, that and he was quick to temper. They'd discussed literature a bit, and several other topics before realizing that they both needed to leave, seeing as everyone else was in the process.
He didn't bother to help her with her coat or anything else, and she hadn't planned on asking. Neither of them seemed to think anything of what would be considered polite. Hell, neither of the two thought about asking the other for phone numbers either. It was amusing, but obvious that the two would be fairly well suited.
"Good night, Mr. Peace."
She teased as she got into her car and drove home. Maybe Zach had much better taste in friends than she thought! She probably wouldn't see many of them again, but she had to give him that little prop. That and the fact that she'd had an amusing, intelligent conversation that night and was all too happy to return home. Who knew if the two would ever see one another again... Hopefully they would, but maybe they wouldn't. Only time would tell.
Either way, that night Elizabeth Warren had met a man who was utterly fascinating and he could keep up with her. And Warren Peace had met a woman who wasn't typical...and that was saying something!
