Okay guys, this chapter is going to be a song fic simply because I love this song. Don't worry it will go with the story, I promise.
Special thanks to: roguishcharm, allyg1990, UltimateGammy91, gambitfan85, cooltangarine, SouthernLoner, b.a.n.h.s.f.c.x.oc., for reviewing!
Disclaimer: I do not own the song 'I wonder' by Kelly Pickler. I think she does…not sure how that works, but I don't own it.
Chapter one
It was a beautiful sunny day in Florida. The wind blew through the streets of the tranquil neighborhood just enough to keep it from getting too hot. Florida was known for its dry, humid air but it was days like these, when there wasn't a cloud in the sky and the wind blew the grass just so, that Sky found herself loving Florida even more. The only downside to Florida weather was, in about three hours or so, the sky would open up and it would ran cats and dogs for the next few hours, and then disappear as if it had never come.
Because of that fact, Sky took the peaceful moment as her only opportunity to work on the one thing she truly loved with all her heart. Currently Sky, along with her best friend Nick, were in the back of his house under a carport that substituted for her garage. Inside the carport, with its flapping walls, was Sky's pride and joy. A 2003, Honda CBR600RR, super sport bike. True, the Honda CBR600RR was typically made for racing and racing only, but the look of the bike had simply captivated Sky, causing her and Nick to buy the bike and spend all of their extra time and money into making it street worthy. Today would be the first test drive on the road.
The breeze blew through Sky's long chestnut colored hair as she squatted in front of her bike, examining every inch of it with her keen, expert, emerald eyes. Slender hands stroked the red polish of the Honda with affection as she traced the black ink of the words The Gambler. Without even glancing back at her best friend she straightened and moved to straddle her bike.
"Aren't ya gona change?" Nick Celeb moved quickly to grab the black handle bars of the bike so Sky couldn't go anywhere. Sky leaned back and took in all of her best friend. Today, he was wearing tattered jeans that had the knees ripped out and oil stains on them. What was left of his white tank top also was covered in stains and showed off a little too much muscle for Nick's mother's taste. To Sky, Nick was only a best friend, but that didn't mean she didn't see the look the other girls were constantly giving him.
Nick was hot, cowboy in boots and a cowboy hat hot, with short black hair, tan skin, and baby blue eyes. But to Sky, he was just another boy. Someone that liked bikes as much as she did. And simply a really good friend.
Frowning she glanced down at her outfit. Currently, she was wearing a tight white mid-drift with a pair of low-riding jeans over brown flip flops. "I'm not wearing all of the gear." She grumbled after climbing off The Gambler. Nick nodded gratefully and retrieved the red helmet from its perch on a hook. Sky slid into the black motocross boots Nick had made her buy, slipped the matching gloves on and waited while he fastened the helmet. She pulled the black visor down and nodded to him. He sighed and without a word helped her onto the bike.
Before Sky new it she was flying down Nick's driveway and heading for the interstate. She wasn't sure where she was going yet but the wind rushing around her; the roar of The Gambler under her and the rush of the speed she was going propelled her down the road. Everything flashed by her as she weaved in and out of traffic, not caring if a cop saw her or not. The adrenaline rush was amazing! She yelled in glee as she sped down the interstate. But her fun soon wore out when she saw the exit sign for the town closest to where she lived. Sighing she pulled off the interstate, flying down the access ramp, and turned the bike toward home.
Just as she suspected Nick was waiting for her at her house, his black pickup parked in front of her driveway. The detached garage was opened, and she was sure Nick would be sitting on one of the shelves inside, waiting for her to pull up. Reluctantly she pulled into the detached garage and turned the bike off.
"What a rush!" She cried as she pulled her helmet off and tossed it to Nick. He caught it one handed and waited for her to put the kick stand down and climb off the bike.
"Glad you enjoyed it." He was grinning from ear to ear and she could almost hear the next words before they came out of his mouth. "When are we gona race them?" By them, he was referring to The Gambler and Nick's own street bike The Blaze. Honestly, Sky thought her name was more original but she had to give The Blaze its credit. In all the races Nick had been in, if he hadn't won he had come in second. The Blaze was fast, and Sky couldn't wait to take Nick's ego down a few notches.
Out of the corner of her eye Sky noticed the black sedan pulling into their driveway. "Great" she muttered and hit the switch for the garage door. Nick raised his eyebrows but chose not to say anything until they were sealed in the garage.
"Parent's home?" he asked switching on the light and moving toward the couch and television they had put in the garage. Sky only nodded and plopped onto the couch with him. It was ratty, which was to be expected since it was in a garage. The television flipped on and the sports channel played loud and clear.
"I don't know why you hate them." Nick began but Sky cut him off.
"Don't ask Nick." Nick sighed. "Look, they aren't even my real parents. What does it matter if I hate them or not?"
Nick had no reply to that. He and Sky had both always known she was adopted. Her parents hadn't really kept that from her. Instead they constantly reminded her that her real parents hadn't even wanted her. Sometimes, Sky believed them.
Sometimes I think about you.
Unconsciously her mind wandered to the images she had created in her head. As always her slender fingers found their way to the locket that was wrapped around her neck, and always had been. She twirled the gold heart-shaped locket in her fingers slowly as her mind wandered to a different time. She knew she had parents, both of which were still alive. She had been told that they didn't want her and had given her up for adoption as soon as she was born. What kind of a parent would do that to a child? Something in her wanted to believe that maybe, somehow, her parents had wanted her. That always made it better, to think that maybe, somewhere in the world, her parents really missed her, and wanted her back, and regretted giving her up for adoption.
Wonder if you're out there somewhere thinkin' 'bout me.
She twirled the locket in her fingers, the content of which she had memorized as a small child. Inside the locket were the words, Put your hand over your heart, think of me, and know, you are never alone. Often she wondered who had given the locket to her. Perhaps one of her parents who never wanted her to feel alone. Surely someone that had thought up those words and had instructed her to think of them when she was afraid or felt alone, would have loved her, and wanted to be there for her. But then why had they given her up? Sometimes, when she was alone, she would imagine meeting her parents. She would imagine what they looked like, and how they would respond when she told them she was their daughter.
And would you even recognize, the woman that your little girl has grown up to be
Most of the time, when she dreamed about her real parents finding her, or about her finding her real parents, their faces were always in mist. The only image she had to go by was her own. She imagines that her mother had her eyes, or maybe her father did. She had their hair. She must look like them; surely there would be a way for them to see who she was. That she was there's. If she could only find them.
'Cause I look in the mirror, and all I see, are your 'green' eyes lookin' back at me, They're the only thing you ever gave to me at all.
Nick was usually used to Sky growing quiet in thought. She did it often, thinking about her real parents and he had long since stopped asking her what she was thinking about. He could just tell. After a while of silence, in which he watched the football game, he finally rose, stretched and kissed Sky's forehead. "See ya in the morning." He mumbled and she nodded and waved to him as he left.
Her eyes traveled to the screen and without a word she flipped through the channels. Her flipping paused on a Lifetime movie. A mother was gently combing her little daughter's hair, braiding it as she went alone and teaching the daughter a tune. Tears came to Sky's eyes but she quickly forced them down. That wouldn't matter. It didn't matter. Don't think about your mother.
I think about how it ain't fair, that you weren't there to braid my hair like mothers do.
Against her better judgment she left the channel on and watched the mother and daughter. Apparently the mother had cancer, was in love with a guy who didn't know, and was trying everything to make sure he liked her daughter enough to raise her after the mother died. She watched as the mother and daughter played on the beach, running into the waves and squealing in delight when the water crashed into them.
You weren't around to cheer me on…like mother's do.
In anger she flipped the screen off and threw the remote onto the couch. Frustrated she turned to her bike and picked up a rag, wetting it in the sink under the window. She began washing the bike, simply to get her mind off things. She didn't want to think about them today. Especially because it was her birthday. She was sixteen years old today, and no one knew. She never told anyone, not even Nick when her birthday was, and her adopted parents didn't even care. She had been their pride and joy when they thought they couldn't have a child of their own. But when they did, she became just another mouth to feed.
Did you think I didn't need you here, to hold my hand, to dry my tears, Did you even miss me through the years at all?
Taking a deep breath she finished cleaning the bike and slipped back into her gear. Backing out of the garage, she pelted down the driveway and out of the subdivision. Maybe the local teen club was open tonight, or maybe she could slip into a bar. She needed some alcohol. With a twisted sense of pity she began humming a song that slipped into her head.
The Blue Café: Local Teen Night Club
The music from the club greeted Sky before she had even parked her motorcycle. The loud base of the fast paced song that was currently playing caused the ground to vibrate under her boots as she walked toward the door. Thankfully she kept her wallet in her back-pocket like most guys do instead of carrying around a purse. The bouncer at the door checked her ID and then waved her, along with three other people behind her, inside.
The Blue Café was appropriately named because the inside of the large club was completely blue. It was weird how the dark blue walls reflected the swirling colors of the disco balls hanging from the ceiling. The music was loud enough to burst any normal human's eardrums out, and after only being in the club for a few minutes Sky already felt like she had a headache. Cheers went up around her as the DJ played a song everyone recognized…everyone but Sky. But then again, she didn't care. Her main goal tonight was to drown out the world in the loud music and swaying bodies.
She maneuvered with little difficulty through the crowd of teenagers, managing to only get groped twice. Once she made it through the crowd she managed to locate an empty stool up at the bar. Most teen clubs didn't provide alcohol, but The Blue Café was different. By teen, they meant anyone from sixteen two twenty four. Therefore there was alcohol. But only if you knew the right words to get it. The bartender turned a curious eye toward Sky and grinned.
"Can I help you, honey?" Sky smiled flirtatiously, earning the bartenders complete attention as he turned to face her.
"Anything mixed." She replied politely, adding seduction into her voice.
"How old are you?" he asked, probably not really caring what the answer was. She smirked back, licked her lips and leaned forward to whisper, "old enough" in his ear. He grinned and fixed her a Margarita. She thanked him and was saved from having to flirt anymore by more people coming to the bar. She sipped the alcoholic beverage. It didn't really surprise her that the bartender had given in so easily. Most people did with her. She called it her 'superficial charm.' Supernatural charm was a better term for it. She had always had a charming affect on people. It seemed they were generally attracted to her. But her attitude kept any wana be friends, save Nick, or wana be boyfriends at bay.
Sighing she continued sipping her drink, saving the flavor. For a brief moment her eyes shifted to the large mirror above the bar that reflected the dancing bodies behind her. She was about to look away when a man caught her eye. Tight black shirt, large muscles, tight jeans, looked drunk. He was walking up behind her and already giving her more than a once over.
Ignore him. She chimed happily into her head and sipped the drink. Without a word the man sat on the bar seat beside her and ordered a beer. "And another of what ever the missy is drinking."
The bartender rolled his eyes and was about to walk away when Sky softly said, "No thank you."
Bartender and drunk both turned to look at her. "You turning down a drink from me?" the man asked and she simply nodded, finishing off the rest of her drink. She rose and mumbled, "Scuse me" but his hand shot out and caught her wrist. He glared at the bartender who huffed and turned away from the scene. Great.
"What's your hurry?" the man asked. She didn't even look at him, not really threatened.
"Let go." Her voice was low, but she was sure he heard the menace behind it. He laughed and pulled her closer to him.
"I just wana talk…for now." She rolled her eyes and tried to pull away. His grip tightened.
"Don't be like that." he tried but now she was angry.
"I said let go."
"I don't think you're in any position to be ordering anyone around, sugar." She turned toward him and smiled sweetly.
"Your right." She said nodding and moved toward him only to lift her fist and connect it with the side of his face.
He let go of her and she turned away, walking through the crowd. She almost made it to until he grabbed her hair.
"Where are you going, Bitch?" She fought but he twisted her hair around his fist.
"Let go!" she screamed, but not loud enough for anyone to hear above the music. He pulled her back against him and kissed her neck. His hand covered her mouth so she couldn't scream and began pulling her toward a back door. In a panic she realized what he intended and without another thought did the only thing she could think of to do. She closed her eyes and pictured the bar she had just been at. In the blink of an eye she was gone, no longer being held by the man.
She opened her eyes and smiled to herself when the bartender yelped.
"Mutant!" he cried and she backed away from him. Great, mutant haters. The cry echoed around her as everyone began turning their attention toward the bar. Wide-eyed Sky closed her eyes again, this time picturing her bike. Just like the last time she felt her body slip through space, as if she were slipping through waves into the ocean. She opened her eyes and gasped, breathing in the night air that now surrounded her.
Slowly she calmed her shaking nerves and swung onto her bike. It would be better for her to leave before any of the mutant haters left the club to find her. She slid her helmet back on and kicked The Gambler to life before peeling out of the parking lot. She wasn't sure if she should be driving the bike with the alcohol she had consumed, but she had to get home someway, and she wasn't leaving The Gambler behind. She cursed to herself as she hit the interstate and followed it home. Through clenched jaws she mumbled, "Happy Birthday dear Sky, Happy Birthday to you."
Okay, I know it's short but I just wanted you to get a glimpse of her life before I threw you back into Rogue's life. I'll explain her powers in full later but it's kinda like Kurt, Rogue and Cerebro mixed together. Oh and the charming thing is just something she picked up from Remy, I kinda made his empathy genetic. Hope you enjoyed, and sorry for the melodrama. Review!