Yay! New chapter finally. So, if you get tired of this Sophie girl don't worry, this whole thing is all part of my plot :) She's not going to be in chapter 3, but she'll be back later (I wanted this fanfic to sort of flow like an episode, so there has to be new alphas. this is like the episodes with Anna and Skyler)


"Gary," Rachel shouted, "Where have you been!" She was standing tensely, and if not for the fact that Gary was taller it'd look like she was looming over him. The other members of the team were all standing around, their attention on their young coworkers.

"I wanted coffee." Gary answered, "Bill doesn't let me have coffee."

"Gary you can't leave without telling anyone. And where is it, then?"

"Where is what?"

"The coffee!"

"Coffee? I threw it away. It was gross." He looked pointedly across the room," Coffee is gross, Bill."

"That's why I didn't get you any." Bill sighed, shaking his head.

"Gary, who is this?" Dr. Rosen broke in, eyes wide in alarm. He took an unconscious step to put himself between this new stranger and his team, watching warily. She was young, small and malnourished, her short blonde hair jagged as though she had cut it herself.

"I'm sorry, you really shouldn't be here." He continued, holding up his hands apologetically. She was peeking her head out from behind Gary, watching him with wide nervous eyes.

"Sorry!" She said hastily, fiddling with the necklace around her neck, "I just wanted to make sure Gary got here safely." She moved for the elevator but Gary wasn't having it.

"No, no. Dr. Rosen. It's okay, I said it was okay."

"Gary-" Nina tried, "You can't-"

"Why? Sophie's not a bad person, she bought me a purple soda. And she plays music. Show them Sophie, play the music." Everyone paused, silently watching the young stranger.


He stared at me expectantly, his blue-grey eyes encouraging.

"Gary, I'm not sure that's a good idea…I really shouldn't be here."

"Music?" The man in the corner asked, shifting from his spot against the wall, running a hand over his shaved head.

"It's just a street trick," I lied, "A natural talent." The group exchanged a look.

"No, no it wasn't. You shouldn't lie, Sophie." Gary pressed, "She made music from the air. I like the music. And the soda. Bill, will you buy me another soda?"

"No, Gary." The man I'd come to recognize as Bill answered, exasperated.

"Sophie…" Gary tried again, "The music…"

"Well…why not?" The oldest man finally said, watching me behind his glasses, "We have time." I wondered if he was just saying that to keep Gary quiet. "Would you like to sit down…?" I nodded, feeling unwelcome and uncomfortable. It was making me wonder just what sort of people they are. And Gary, what a strange young man. Something wasn't right about him, but he as familiar, or at least more familiar than the others, so I kept close as we filed into a larger conference room. Everyone sat frozen there, waiting for something.

"Ah, well, introductions then." The man in glasses said "I'm doctor Rosen, and this Cameron Hicks, Nina Theroux" So, the mysterious Doctor Rosen at last. He was kinder than I thought, with a gentle yet cautious voice, "And this is Rachel Pirzad and Bill Harken."

"H-hello," I replied, waving awkwardly, "I'm Sophia Coulbert." I was compelled to say my full name, choking it out in one rush. Dr. Rosen motioned for me to sit down, taking a seat a little ways away from me.

"If it's alright, would you mind playing for us?"

"Not at all." I murmured, "I'd be happy too." It was sort of a lie, but music might calm me, so I'd give it a shot. Slowly, I raised my hands above the table, gently resting just off the surface. Then I played.

It was easy. It had always been easy. All I had to do was connect to the people around me, gently sending any notes, any sounds, any songs I could imagine. A channel to broadcast on all to myself, straight to the minds of my listeners, my own music that can only be heard in the mind. I carried a familiar tune from a popular piano song I'd once heard for a moment, but I began to forget how it went, so I stopped, once again sitting in silence.

"An Alpha…" Doctor Rosen breathed.