Zed

I hated leaving Sky, but I had to return home to see if all was okay there. All I could think about was Sky sat in her room all alone. She was probably terrified thanks to Dad and Will. What if she was the one they wanted? What if-

Zed! There are three men outside my house. You can't come back for me. They're waiting for you. Sky's tear-ridden, terrified voice came through to me and made me almost fall off my motorbike.

Sky, are you alright? I'm coming to get you

No! You mustn't. It's you they want. I can feel it. Zed, please don't do this.

But I can't leave you in danger, Sky. I'm coming to get you whether it's dangerous or not. I shouted, I didn't mean to sound so angry. I wasn't angry at Sky, I was angry at the fact that I thought she'd be safe but she's in danger because of me.

Zed, please. She sounded so scared.

I'm on my way.

At least bring some back up? She asked feebly.

There's not enough time. I'll call them but I'm still coming straight away. I did as I said and called Xav. I didn't want dad involved because he needed to stay at home with mom and protect the house, so I turned to my most annoying but trusting brother. Xav answered straight away and I told him what was happening. He hung up the phone as I heard him shouting for Trace and Vic.

I sped away towards Sky's house and as I came up the road I could see the men stood outside Sky's bedroom window, near the apple tree that I now wished hadn't been so conveniently placed. As I pulled up to the front of the house I noticed that none of the men tried to stop me. This was strange, totally strange.

I wasn't really sure what do next because the men didn't look as if they were going to punch me but I didn't like how close they were to Sky.

I began taking my helmet off as one of the men spoke in a gruff tone.

"Zed Benedict. Not the one I wanted to see but I guess you'll do."

"What do you want?" I asked angrily. What was wrong with me? The last time someone spoke to me like that they ended up with a broken nose.

Sky's turned you into a softie, Xav spoke into me brain, who would've thought.

Shut up Xav. I snarled.

Oooh, sorry. He whined sarcastically. We're on our way we'll be there in a minute. Vic said to keep him talking.

Okay. Fine. I blocked him off.

"We want to join the Net." The man said indifferently.

"Wh-wh-wait, what?" I stuttered completely shocked.

"We want to join the Savant Net. We left Daniel Kelly's place and decided we wanted to use our gifts for good. Just like your family does. We just knew we wouldn't be able to join unless we convinced you and we know about little Sky's gift to see liars so figured it'd be best to speak in front of her." He seemed desperate for me to understand. I couldn't figure out what to do so I asked Sky.

Sky? Is he lying?

No, he's not. What are you going to do?

He's serious? Erm...

Just then Trace, Vic and Xav turned up. I guess they left Yves and Will to cover for them. I filled them in telling them what had happened and that Sky said they weren't lying. They seemed just as surprised as me.

"We'll take them to the station. Ask more questions. Find out what's going on, but you should probably stay with Sky in case it's a trap." Vic said.

Don't do anything I wouldn't do. Xav said, with mock sarcasm.

Is there anything you wouldn't do Xav?

Well, I wouldn't-

Actually, I don't want you to answer that. I blocked Xav out and spoke to Victor.

"Alright Vic, I'll stay here. See you in the morning."

Vic, Trace and Xav grabbed a man each and shoved them into the car. The men went willingly, to my total surprise. This is really strange. I then realised that Xav didn't have a seat in the car or any means to get home so threw him my helmet and keys.

"Be careful, alright?" I told him sternly.

"Sure, sure." Xav muttered and rode off back home.

I looked up to Sky in the window, where she was smiling sheepishly.

"Hey," I said to Sky after I climbed through the window, not wanting to disturb Sally and especially not Simon.

"Hi," she replied. She looked at me then averted her gaze.

I caught her chin with my fingers and gently pulled her face to mine. "We're not going to do anything you're uncomfortable with." I whispered, to hide my shaking voice. I so wanted to kiss her, but she had said she was tired and that was about two hours ago. She needed sleep, and I could feel her frantic thoughts through her shield.

She looked away from my eyes as if embarrassed and I pulled her to her bed to show her I meant what I said. "Come on, you should sleep. It's late." I tucked her in and went to sit in a chair by the window.

"Hey, you're not sitting there all night, you need sleep too." She whispered in a voice I knew I couldn't say no to. She sounded almost desperate and I hated seeing her like that. She held open the covers and I slid in next to her and wrapped my arms around her.

"Fine, but I doubt I'll be able to sleep when I'm worrying so much." I mumbled into her hair as she snuggled into me. I kissed the top of her head and she looked up at me with sleepy eyes. Man, she looked so good. She reached up to kiss me and I pulled her closer to me. She kissed me gently and my heart skipped in my chest, like it always does when Sky shows that she loves me as much as I love her. She pulled back slightly, probably because she wanted sleep. I pulled her back into me and kissed each of her eyelids and lay her head on my chest. "Sleep, sweetheart, I'll be here in the morning." She lent further into me and I felt her relax and her breaths slow. Soon, I followed by example and slept through the night with my Soulfinder at my side. Worries forgotten and feeling complete.

I woke with a start, not recognising the room and not feeling Sky beside me. Had the men escaped from the station and got her. I was about to call out to her when I heard someone coming up the stairs.

"Crap" I whispered. I did the only thing I could think of and hid in Sky's wardrobe. Its cliché, I know but I really can't handle explaining why I'm here to Simon at seven o'clock in the morning.

"Zed? Where are you?" I heard Sky ask in a hushed voice.

Zed, did you go home? She said telepathically, after she realised I wasn't there.

Hey, I'm still here. I said to her stepping out of the wardrobe. Do you really think I'm that guy? The one who leaves his girl after spending the night with her before she wakes up? How rude. I answered jokingly.

No, of course I didn't. I guess, I just don't expect my boyfriend to hide in my wardrobe when I'm just bringing him coffee. She joked back.

"Well, thank you sweetheart." I said aloud, taking the coffee.

We sat on her bed chatting and drinking the coffee before I realised I should probably see what happened last night. I did plan on staying awake to keep in contact with Trace or Vic about the men, but I fell asleep too quickly to find out. I must have look unfocussed because Sky stopped talking and leant closer to me.

"Have you spoken to the others yet?" she asked, sensing my worry.

"No, I was thinking I should probably see soon in case it's not safe at home." I answered Sky before finding Trace's mind.

Hey Trace, you up yet?

Zed? Is that you? Is everything ok?

Yeah, it's all fine. What happened last night?

Well, we've done everything we can with the men. They claim that Daniel Kelly manipulated them into being loyal to him. I'm not sure about it but they won't give us any information unless we trust them and let them out. Kevin, the man that spoke to you yesterday, keeps asking for Sky saying that 'she'll be able to tell us if he's lying'. I'm not sure what to think of that.. How about you?

Well, it's a little worrying but he seemed to know about her gift to sense lies. Maybe that's why he wants her, so she can tell us he's telling the truth. But I don't want her involved. She's still traumatised from last time.

Well, it's up to you and her. Call in when you decide and I'll come and pick you up, ok?

Alright, Vic.

"What did he say?" Sky asked quietly.

I told Sky about the conversation. She was totally willing to go and see this Kevin man, saying that e might have crucial information for the Kelly's trial. I tried y best to stop her saying she wasn't ready to face more of the Kelly's minions but she was undeterred.

"I'm going." She said stubbornly. "Now. Tell Vic to come pick us up."

"But-"

"No buts. Do it now" I did as she said and soon Vic had pulled up outside. I climbed out of the window again in case Simon or Sally had woken and Sky left them a note.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked Sky.

"Because I want to help you. I'm part of your family now and that means I help where I can. Your family has done so much for me; it's time I repay them."

"You don't owe us anything, Sky" I answered her softly. I opened her door for her.

"Well, it would make me feel better doing this." She said, as she climbed in.

"Fine" I said and went round to the other side. "But remember, I've got your back. I won't let anything happen to you again."

AN: I realised that my chapters were really short, so I made this chapter longer but now it seems like super long, but oh well.

Thanks for all the lovely reviews and for reading. I'll keep trying to update as often as I can (I'm doing well so far) :) Thanks again