Into the Eyes of the Wild

Chapter Nine: Don't We All LOVE Rock N Roll?

A/N: Don't have much of one. But I'll have you know while I'm typing this author's note it is well after midnight and my mind is spinning so fast I can't sleep. So for your enjoyment, I will be useless tomorrow… Err Today. Enjoy anyway. =)


"Michelle, you really need to get out of this room. I don't care how comfortable that bed is." Pogue teased, crossing the length of the room in a few steps before he knelt down by the bed. "You have to leave sometime. Besides, I'm not going to leave you alone like that ever again. He's not going to get you."

Michelle shivered even though she was plenty warm enough under the blankets.

Pogue dropped his head onto his arms. There was no way he was leaving this room without her talking to him. It had been days… She'd barely eaten enough to keep herself alive, she hadn't visited Wayne… she'd barely left the room at all. It was like she was still in shock, but shock couldn't last that long, could it?

"I would really like to not talk about it Pogue… If that's ok?" Even her voice sounded hollow. Pogue grit his teeth. There came a time in everyone's life where their patience just plum wore out. That's where Pogue was. He was done. .

He stomped out of the room and Michelle settled herself back underneath the blankets, listening to the soft sounds of Mozart drifting from her speakers while she stared out at the white-grey sky. It would snow soon. She was almost positive about that.

"Michelle, you are going to get out of that bed right now or so help me I will dump this bucket on you."

Michelle turned slowly, kind of the way they do in horror movies, to stare wide eyed up at her big brother, or rather the very, very big bucket her brother held. Ice water. It had to be. What a… cheater.

She rolled slowly out from underneath the covers and sat on the plush carpeting staring up at her big brother with a blank expression. "Ok so now what?"

Pogue grinned. "You're going to take a shower, you're going to get dressed, and we're going to Nicky's tonight." The smile slipped and Michelle glimpsed the scariest look she'd ever seen on Pogue's face. "If you don't, I can promise you that your stereo, your CDs, your boots, and your car will never be seen again."

Michelle could feel her face go slack and her eyes widen. She could handle not having her music or her boots but why would he ever threaten her car? That was just… mean…

"You're ugly today Pogo." She muttered, getting up and walking past him towards the bathroom.

He waited a few moments until he heard the water running before he pulled the cell phone out of his pocket with a grin that stretched his face to the absolute limits.

"Hey dude, we're in. She's up."

Michelle leaned against the wall at the bottom of the steps with her hands in the pocket of her pullover grey American Eagle hoodie. The hoodie was about the warmest thing she was wearing. Loose black yoga style pants clung to her hips and hung comfortably loose around her legs, underneath the AE hoodie was a white tank top, the top half was twisted while the straps were a sharp contrasting black, matching black imitation ballet slippers completed the look. Silver bamboo bangles clattered on her right wrist while her left ring finger carried a simple, unisex silver ring.

She found that more often than not, if a guy thought she was taken, they wouldn't bother. It'd worked so far.

"If we're going, can we please just go?" Michelle called quietly but she knew Pogue could hear her; he was already coming down the stairs.

"Yeah Baby Girl, let's go. Grab your helmet." Pogue called as he grabbed his keys off the rack and his helmet off the bench by the door.

Michelle stared at him at if he were crazy. "It has to be at the very least 50 degrees outside and you want to take the Bumblebee? Are you insane?"

An idea popped into Pogue's head as he turned slowly to regard his little sister with raised eyebrows. He dangled the keys from his index finger and shook them a little. "Does that mean you don't want to drive?"

Michelle stared at Pogue as if he'd grown another head. A grin spread slowly across her pale features as she jumped and snatched the keys from him, practically bouncing with excitement. "Are you serious?! You promise? But I don't know how!"

Pogue shrugged, grabbing his spare leather jacket from the peg by the door and wrapped it around her shoulders. "It's really not that hard. I'll show you."

Michelle bounced excitedly out the door, following her brother towards the black and yellow motorcycle parked under the tree by Michelle's car.

"Those shoes really aren't good for riding motorcycles Baby Girl so I'll start it up for you ok?" Pogue said, glancing at her feet before climbing onto the bike and starting it up.

Michelle listening to the snarl of the bike for a moment, feeling nervousness creeping up on her as she fastened her helmet on.

Please don't crash, please don't crash, please don't crash. She repeated it like a mantra as she climbed onto the bike in front of Pogue, her hands moving to take place of his.

He showed her where the throttle was, how to change gears, brakes, etc.

Adrenaline bubbled in her veins like fine champagne as she backed slowly and turned the bike around. It was heavy, a lot heavier than she'd thought but she adjusted to the weight quickly. Pogue was still behind her, only reaching forward to grab hold when she forgot what to do or if she was unsteady.

They drove slowly, ignoring the passing cars, as they admired the splashes of gold, crimson, tan, and mahogany leaves that still decorated the trees and littered the ground with their brilliant colors.

A sudden honking made Michelle jump and nearly swerve but Pogue grabbed her hands and slowly evened the bike out. The pair glanced to their left where Caleb saluted them as he passed, grinning the whole time.

Michelle felt her own smile spread over her face. So, Danvers wanted to race? Ok…

"Michelle, I wouldn't do it if I was you…" Pogue warned from behind her even as he tightened his grip on her slim waist.

The bike snarled underneath them as they lurched forward, easily passing several cars but drifting back into the lane.

She could feel herself grinning like a crazy person as they pulled into Nicky's parking lot. She was breathless but her features were lit up with a smile and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Pogue grinned down at her as he snatched her helmet out of her hands and his keys. "How was that?"

"You know you're going to have to get me one now right Pogo?" Michelle asked, still feeling a bit breathless but happy.

She listened to her brother laugh as Caleb pulled up beside them and killed his engine.

Caleb slipped out of the car and crossed his arms on the roof of the silver Mustang, staring the pair down seriously. "Are you like a crazy person?" His face was dead serious but his eyes were shiny and his lips twitched like he was holding back a grin.

"Oh well I am sure they will say so!" Michelle announced, looping her arm through Pogue's and hugging him tight. This was probably the most fun she'd had in weeks!

"Hey where's Reid and Tyler?" Caleb asked as he came around the other side of the sleek black car and draped his arm around Michelle's shoulder.

Michelle shrugged; she hadn't even known Caleb was going to be coming until she'd seen him. Well of course she should have known Caleb would come. Caleb was always there.

It was cold out, even at 6; Michelle could see her breath in little white puffs of mist as she walked. She hoped it would snow soon.

Caleb watched Michelle out of the corner of his eye as they walked. She seemed a little flushed, probably from the ride over and the cold, at least she was smiling, that was a plus but she had dark circles under her eyes and she'd definitely dropped some weight in the last couple of days. That… bastard was definitely going to pay.

He'd never met someone as fragile as Michelle. Sure, she thought she was a tough little shit but you only had to look at her and delicate and fragile automatically came to mind.

She had S.A.D. also known as social anxiety disorder, panic attacks, night terrors… The girl was allergic to bees for crying out loud!

Anyone who could willingly hurt anyone like that definitely needed to be killed…slowly.

"Caleb, babe." Michelle was saying to his left, poking him in the cheek with her index finger.

He pretended to try to bite her finger and laughed when she squeaked.

"HEY!" Michelle snapped indignantly. "I was just going to tell you that your 'I'm-thinking-evil-things' smile was starting to creep people out! You don't need to bite me!"

"Don't poke me and I won't bite you." Caleb said with a shrug.

Michelle plopped into one of the available chairs at the table Pogue was leading them to and sat with her chin propped up on her fist. "Just for curiosity's sake, what are you thinking up?" She glanced back at Pogue who was leaning over asking if she wanted anything. She just shrugged and asked for an iced tea before turning her attention back to Caleb. "Well?"

He shrugged, feeling embarrassed. Michelle was still watching him with calm, sea green eyes, a small smile twitched at the corner of her mouth as she watched him fumble for words. "The same thing everyone's thinking I guess. Whether Aaron will scream or not as I skin him alive."

Michelle's eyes widened briefly for a moment before she sighed and shrugged. "I'm over it. Guys like him are used to getting their way and when they don't get it well they kind of go crazy."

Caleb stared at her in surprise. She had to be crazy. Something went loose with that last panic attack. "Baby Girl, you were almost raped and you're ok with that?"

Michelle rolled her eyes and shoved at his arm playfully. "Well don't say it like that you make me sound crazy."

Caleb gave her a look that made her shrug again.

"I try not to dwell on the past as much as I can. Bad things happen all the time. You can either let them drag you down or you can get over it." She wasn't saying it like she pitied herself for the bad things that had happened to her in her life, more like someone who had seen a lot of bad things in life in general. It made Caleb feel young in comparison.

He subconsciously rubbed her back and gave her a smile. "Yeah but now you're with us. You don't have to worry about stuff like that THAT much." He felt silly for saying it but she smiled anyway.

Michelle was kind of like the little sister he'd begged his mom for when he was little. In truth he was a little envious of the relationship she had with Pogue. But that was fine. She came to him with problems she'd never ask any of the others. It made him feel somewhat privileged.

"Hey Baby Girl! Nice to see you out and about!" Tyler called from a few feet away.

"What's up Baby Boy? Long time no see!" Michelle teased, leaning back on Caleb as she watched Reid and Tyler.

"What's going on Baby Girl? Starting the party without me? I'm hurt." Reid clutched his heart as if he was in pain.

Michelle laughed, she wasn't fooled. Reid got more tail than Bill Clinton. "It's not my fault you're tardy to the party darling." She eyed the blonde silently, letting a smirk curve her lips.

He was wearing baggy jeans and a baggy dark green long sleeved shirt pushed up to his elbows showing firm pale skin, a black beanie pushed his hair into his eyes and black fingertipless gloves. Basically his normal Nicky's attire. He screamed danger. Michelle chewed on her lower lip quietly, hoping she wasn't drooling. That would be embarrassing.

"Feeling chilly Blondie?" Michelle teased, reaching her arms over her head to hug Tyler around the neck.

"I don't know Baby Girl, I'm feeling a little hot now that you're here." He teased back, pulling the shirt over his head in one swift motion.

Michelle felt her heart plud in her chest. Oh my God… "What's with all you boys in your wife beaters? Starting to make me wonder if we've got a dress code going on here."

"Aw you know its hot Baby Girl." Tyler teased, dropping his army coat over the side of an empty chair. He was wearing a white sleeveless shirt like the black one Pogue was wearing.

"Oh be still my heart." Michelle laughed, pretending to fan herself.

"Hey boys!" Pogue crowed. "A little late aren't we?" He elbowed Reid playfully before setting a glass of iced tea in front of Michelle along with a basket of lovely deep fried onion rings. "Ma wants you to eat something." He added to Michelle with a smile.

She rolled her eyes as she sipped her iced tea. "So why were you guys so late anyway?" She asked, glancing at Tyler then Reid.

"Don't look at me. Baby Boy here was the one preening in the mirror." Reid defended.

Tyler glared at his best friend, managing to look mad and embarrassed at the same time. How… delicious.

"Aw, were you preening for me Baby Boy?" Michelle teased, bumping Tyler's leg with hers under the table. He blushed again and Michelle laughed. "Don't worry Ty, girls like their men to be clean and well groomed anyway." She said, staring very pointedly at Reid.

He rolled his eyes before glancing at the pool table and smacking Tyler in the shoulder. "You up for a game Baby Boy?"

Tyler laughed, "Sure! You coming 'Chelle?" He added, glancing back at her.

Michelle glanced at Pogue and Caleb before shrugging. "Sure, but I'm just going to watch it you don't mind."

"Nah that's cool Baby Girl, you can be my good luck charm." Reid said quietly, wrapping his arm around Michelle's shoulder and bringing her close.

Mm… Michelle sighed softly. Reid smelled clean and vaguely of some kind of cologne. She didn't know what it was but she was definitely debating on going back and stealing his shirt like some obsessed fan girl.

It was hot inside Nicky's- the smell of cigarette smoke and greasy food was thick on the back of Michelle's tongue as she stood watching the pair set up the pool table for their game. "You guys better not be playing for money, I don't have anything on me tonight." She warned, glancing at Reid in particular.

"Oh you wound me." He complained, grinning mischievously under the bright florescent light.

"Oh yeah I really wounded you. Uh huh. What have you been doing? Reading bad porn again?" Michelle snapped playfully.

"Ah Michelle, I don't need porn to get me going, all I have to do is think about you and I'm ready to go."

Michelle could feel heat rising up her face as she glanced at Tyler. He just rolled his eyes. What the hell was Reid on tonight? Michelle shook her head and glanced back at Pogue and Caleb across the room playing on the foosball table. She smiled softly, it was nice to see everyone having such a good time.

Michelle stretched her arms languidly above her head, moving fluidly to Tyler's side to watch the game. He draped an arm around her neck and she leaned her head against him. She was so comfortable with Tyler. Their relationship was natural as breathing but she was always so confused about him. Sometimes he acted like he wanted to be more than close friends and other times he acted like he could care less.

Guys were such a waste of time and emotions.

Caleb and Pogue watched the trio from across the room. "Wow, he's really into her" Caleb asked glancing at Reid standing with Michelle while Tyler made his shot.

"Who Reid?" Pogue asked, glancing back before shoving a couple fries in his mouth. "I doubt it. Reid only has one thing on his mind and Michelle's just the one girl he's never made it with. Now Tyler, he's REALLY into her."

"I don't know man. Look at the way he's watching her. Besides, we haven't had hardly any trouble with him since Michelle got here." Caleb said, stealing a couple of his friend's fries and shrugging. "I could be wrong but I'd almost be willing to bet you money on that one."

Pogue shrugged. "It doesn't matter. I don't want her with Reid. Even if they did get together he'd probably cheat on her and I don't think she could handle it."

Caleb shrugged half heartedly. It really wasn't any of their business who Michelle wanted to date. It was obvious she was going to end up dating one of them but whichever one was still a mystery. "I guess it really doesn't matter in the long run. I mean, Michelle's going to pick who she wants to be with anyway."

Pogue rolled his eyes and shrugged. "She's my sister dude, her love life isn't something I think about a lot." An evil thought occurred to him and he grinned mischievously. "You on the other hand… How's it going with that one girl?"

Caleb blushed. Now that was something he'd rather not get into…

Michelle had to stop almost three times to concentrate on what she was doing. Reid groaned in front of her and she gave a little smile. "Quit being such a pansy Blondie. I barely even touched you."

"Hey! That's a tender spot Baby Girl! OH ah! That one!!" He growled, glancing back at her.

Michelle ignored him and continued rubbing circles in his shoulders. Tyler made his shot and the two boys switched. They would have to be done soon though, her hands were getting tired.

Her eyes kept drifting back to Reid as he lined up his shot, made it, and lined up another. She was such an arms and shoulders kind of girl and that boy had back. The thought almost made her giggle but she held it back. No doubt they would ask what she was laughing about and that would be embarrassing to try to explain.

"How's it going boys?" A familiar voice called and Michelle watched as Caleb and Pogue began to drift their way. Michelle shook her head and they sat back down. She wasn't going to let Aaron ruin her night.

Unfortunately for that idea, Reid and Tyler looked like they were ready to fight regardless.

"What the hell do you think you're doing here?" Tyler growled. Michelle slipped her hand into his and pulled him, somewhat forcefully, until he stood partially behind her.

"Public domain dickhead." Aaron sneered. "I can be wherever I want to be, whenever I want to be."

Reid looked ready to say something but Michelle slipped her hand into his back pocket, surprising him into silence. He glanced down at her and she shook her head. She didn't want a fight.

"Terribly bad manners popping into a conversation where you're not wanted." She said conversationally as she began to nonchalantly lead the pair away. She wasn't going to be the one responsible if they put Aaron in the hospital. God knew she hated it too much to go back.

"Nice to see you out and about Hardy. I was beginning to miss you." Aaron crooned, licking his lips and winking at her.

Michelle resisted the urge to gag. She put on her sweetest smile as she said, "I wish I could say the same but unfortunately, it's been an absolutely displeasure."

She could hear Aaron's friend, she still could never remember his name, snort behind him. Obviously he thought she was funny. The mottled red of Aaron's skin said he didn't agree. Ah the life of a spoiled rich boy. She loved bursting his bubble.

"Just let it go man. You knew that was going to happen." She could hear Aaron's friend saying behind them as she slowly made her way to the table where Pogue and Caleb sat watching her in surprise.

"Nicely done Baby Girl." Caleb congratulated as Tyler sunk into an empty chair.

Michelle shrugged, as Reid pulled her onto his lap. She was surprised but it faded quickly as she leaned back against him. "I just don't want to deal with the fighting. It's not worth it."

"How can you say you're not worth it Michelle?" Tyler asked quietly. Only then did she notice his hands were balled up into fists.

She sighed softly and ruffled his hair lightly. "Easy, I hate the hospital and I don't want to have to visit any of you in there with a busted nose and I definitely wouldn't bail you out for assault charges."

Tyler glanced at her like she was crazy but she simply smiled. He rolled his eyes and sunk into his chair, glaring at the table, knowing he was pouting.

"Now, if I do recall correctly," Michelle drawled, turning in Reid's lap to look at him. "You owe me a dance Blondie."

"Oh do I?" He asked nonchalantly as he drew small circles on her hips with the tips of his fingers.

Michelle resisted the urge to moan. No one should know how to push people's buttons that way. "Mhm."

Joan Jett's 'I love Rock N Roll' began playing on the jukebox and Michelle grinned back at Reid. "Come on please?"

He sighed as if this was going to cause him some great pain. "I guess."

Michelle jumped up happily, pulling the blonde with her. They found a spot among all the other people dancing and began to find their rhythm, it didn't take long.

Reid watched silently as Michelle moved slowly against him, rotating her hips until they were dancing close together, and then moving back. He pulled her close mirroring her movements, leaning his forehead against hers. "See if I take you home, where we can be alone…" He could hear Michelle singing softly, her voice barely a whisper against the pounding music.

'She fits so perfect with me… God… This sucks so much.' Reid thought silently as Michelle traced one hand down his arm. He would never admit it to anyone else but he liked Michelle. A little, a lot. He wasn't sure but he hated it. 'Fuck. How am I going to get myself out of this? I'm Reid Garwin. I don't date. Girls are great for fucking but past that… Fuck!'

"You ok?" Michelle asked quietly as the song ended.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Tired." He lied, shrugging and stuffing his hands in his pockets as they walked back over to their group.

"Having fun Baby Girl?" Pogue asked as she plopped down on his knee while Reid took up the only unoccupied chair.

Michelle shrugged. "A blast. I'm just tired. Hey, don't your guys' swim meets start after school tomorrow?"

"Oh yeah, hey are you coming?" Tyler asked, getting more into himself again. He was practically bouncing with excitement.

Michelle scoffed, and then smirked; her eyes were shining with suppressed humor. "Hot guys in Speedos? Wouldn't miss it." She half listened to their conversation for a few more minutes before something caught her attention. Reid was leaving.

He completely ignored her as he said bye to the guys before turning and walking out.

"Hey guys, I'll be right back."

"Where you going 'Chelle?" Tyler asked, letting his head fall back so he could see her…upside down.

Michelle jerked her thumb towards the door and grinned. "That jerk has my cell phone."

"Oh." Tyler said, looking back at Caleb and Pogue.

Caleb glanced away so that no one would see the smirk on his face. He was pretty sure Michelle's cell phone was still in the pocket of her sweater that was currently hanging on the side of his chair… But no way would he tell anyone else that.

Michelle stomped across the gravel only realizing when she was nearly half way across the parking lot that she'd forgotten both her jackets inside. That was smart of her. Great, so now she'd look stupid on top of everything else. She was about to open her mouth to give Reid a piece of her mind for being such a confusing ass when she froze, her mouth hanging open in shock.

"You have an Aston Martin? And not just any Aston Martin… You have the V12 VANQUISH?"

Reid turned around to look at her in surprise, the key still hanging from his hand. "Yeah? It was actually my Dad's car."

Michelle resisted the urge to climb on the hood of the God of all cars and have her way with it. No doubt she'd be locked up for raping the poor vehicle but GOD DAMN!

"Didn't know you knew cars babe." Reid said quietly, coming around to her side to lean his butt against the frame.

"Don't lean on it like that!" Michelle shrieked, shooing him off before staring at the car again. "How did your Dad get one? They've been out of commission for EVER." She said, running her hand along the hood lovingly.

Reid shrugged, obviously he wasn't as impressed with the fact that he had been driving the ultimate ride. "He knows some guy. I don't know."

Michelle ignored the urge to glare at him. How could anyone not melt at the site of this car? She knew she had practically orgasmed.

"Not that I don't love sitting out in 20 degree weather discussing the orgasm effect of cars but I've got to go." Reid said quietly, crossing his arms across the top of the car and looking at her very steadily.

Michelle sighed. He really did look tired and she'd completely forgotten what she'd come out here for in the first place. Him and his stupidly brilliant magnificent car distracted her.

"You should go inside Baby Girl, before you get sick."

"Yeah… Sure Reid." Michelle said quietly, her thoughts drifting as she watched him pull out of the parking lot before she turned and started making her way back towards the warmth of Nicky's.

What the hell was going on with Reid?

For that matter, what the hell was going on with her?