Chapter Nine
Darkness. It slowly crept across the city, dousing all the light and brightness of the busy city. It wont be long before all city gets covered in darkness and shadows. It was incredible to watch the vague exchange of night and day. The way sun set and the way darkness just came without a single drop of resistance. Because it is how it is. How it should be. Day comes after the night, and after the night day comes back again. A simple cycle.
Sariel stared at the simplicity of what transpired out of the big window. She blinked away the last rays of light and welcomed the darkness as she let her eyes adjust to their normal state. Darkness. Lack of light. Her musings flew toward more serious matters as she thought about what she will do next. She did feel needed here and found their acceptance of her presence quite refreshing, but she refused to relinquish in it.
No matter how much she pretended, she didn't belong here. Not in this world. She didn't quite belonged to the world of vampires anymore and it made her cringe. Her not so unique abilities denied her acceptance in any world, yet she was so desperately needed that they were all ready to pretend and blind themselves to what was in front of them.
Sariel glance at the deep blue sky in front of her and sighed. After this is all over, she will be nothing more than a bad memory. Nothing more than a person who brought chaos into the lives of Earth's heroes. She stole a glance at the sleeping figure on the couch. Thankfully, when they returned from the doctor, they found the apartment empty. Fantastic Four, or at least three members, went somewhere. She called dr. Salomon to check if they maybe went on a search for them, but he told her they have a lead and that they will be back in the morning.
So she dropped the fallen hero on the couch and let him sleep both the pills and the pain away. The familiar scent of humans seemed to stay with her as she gazed around the living room. Of course, they weren't aware of it, but when all of they scents combined, they smelled… Like family. Even though only two members were blood tied family. She smiled a vague smile at that and returned her gaze to, now cobalt blue sky. You couldn't see stars on the sky of New York because the lights were too bright, but she knew they were there. Just like they were there when the sun was up. They were always there. You just have to look. She smiled at the irony of her thoughts. Not much different from the supernatural world. We are always there, but nobody looks hard enough to actually see us.
"Sariel…" a sudden whining brought her unceremoniously from her musing. "My ass is on fire!"
Her memories brought her to the situation they had earlier afternoon while she barged in with the gun shot hero. He was simply an impossible patient. Go figure.
Sariel was not a happy camper today. Worrying about Johnny Storm's ass wasn't what she was here for. Nope. She was here to prevent those bloody holes from doing way too much trouble. And this was a distraction. Somewhat uncalled for, but it was a stupid distraction nonetheless.
But then again, it was a part of the mission. To keep them safe and away from harm. Yes, that will end up just fine. They are heroes. They are bound to get hit once in a while and this was no exception. So, this really wasn't her fault at all. She wasn't responsible for what happened, but she was responsible for his well-being, which automatically made her stick around to see if he is okay. To bring him home back to his family.
"Oh, God… This hurts." Johnny moaned in pain and Sariel just raised one eyebrow.
The cold metal table reflected the sun rays as Johnny lay on it, cracked up with pain killers and a towel across his strategic place. Sariel suppressed an annoying sigh because she was already sick of sighing. Yes, Johnny Storm was a full-blown idiot, but even he didn't deserve to get a bullet up his ass.
"Yes, of course it hurts…" Sariel really tried to be supportive here, but it just isn't in her nature to be sharing and caring.
The leather sofa she has been sitting on, squeaked when she moved and tried to readjust on the small space where she sat for two hours already. Sariel heard small footsteps behind her, but she didn't even move.
"You will be fine, Johnny. I got the bullet out and cleaned the wound and now you just have to rest." The doctor strolled into his office and stared at the hero.
"But it hurts, Doc." Johnny whined from the table and Sariel suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.
"You are lucky he was aiming for your head." She simply said and Johnny's head snapped in her direction.
"But they shot my ass… How could have they aim for my head?" he was genuinely intrigued, but soon the wheels in his head started spinning right there before her eyes and he growled at her. "HEY!!!!"
The dark glare she received might have scared some messily human, but this was a born and bred vampire with hellish ability. Sariel just wasn't one hundred percent sure that Johnny knew that in his chemically induced delirium.
"It took you… Well, considering the head trauma, it is understandable…" Sariel snickered and Johnny huffed at her.
It seems Vicodin still didn't kick in. He was still Johnny Storm. Bugger.
"Yes, anyway… Take him home and get him to a bed." The doctor ordered when Johnny started giggling.
Yes, he was giggling like a little girl. Sariel couldn't believe her own eyes and ears. Her eyebrow twitched and she wanted to reach for her mobile phone with that lovely camera… What do they call this moments? Kodak moments or something similar?
"Yes, Sariel, take me home and get me to a bed." He continued laughing and Sariel watched him in awe.
His whole face sparkled with amusement and relaxation that Sariel didn't know what to think of it.
"You sure giving him Vicodin was the best idea? He is crazy as it is…" Sariel looked at the doctor.
"Yes, well… This is the normal response. At least he isn't in pain…" the doctor remarked and Sariel glanced at Johnny's waving hands.
"Or in the same room with us."
"You brought him here in the middle of the day, on my day off… Be happy he is still alive." The doctor glared at her and shook his head.
"Okay, okay… God, you people are all so sensitive…" Sariel raised her hand in defense and smirked.
"Saaaariel… You have such a neat name… Who gave it to you? And, look… Sunshine…" he tried to get up, but Sariel hurried to stop him.
"Stay still. I don't need any more trauma, thank you very much."
"Alright, he can go home now. Just don't give him too much Vicodin." The doctor said as he watched Johnny moving on the table, probably thinking that he is flying.
"Probably a good idea… The things I do for humanity…" she swore under her breath and left to get Johnny privacy to get dressed.
She really hoped that he will get better before the rest of the team gets back home.
"Yes, well… Suck it up!" she glared at him, but there was amusement in her eyes which he picked up.
"You finds this amusing? I got shot in my butt!!! My dear, precious butt!!!" he hollered back and Sariel sighed.
He is back…
"Okay, okay… Just relax and try to get some sleep." She tried reason even though she knew reason and Johnny Storm don't get along.
"You know what!!!! I am sick of you people!!!! You just came barging in our life with an excuse that you will help us safe the freaking planet from a wide mass destructing by a horde from Hell, almost killed me by choking me, getting me shot and now you are saying to me that I should relax and sleep???? Let me tell you, aint gonna happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" he yelled back and the temperature in the room became impossibly hot.
Sariel just looked at him in boredom, patiently waiting for him to finish of his little temper tantrum. She just stared at him completely unimpressed and it set him of even more.
"Oh, you look bored." He teased and glared at the same time. "What I am not amusing enough???? Poor, poor vampire. Stuck with a boring human!"
She just raised an eyebrow thinking when all of this went wrong. One part of her cursed the stupid Council and their stupid plans and wishes which in their own stupidity fucked up her own plan which was brilliant. Yes, it was brilliant and it did not included the stupid things that happened so far. It was all just plain… well, stupid. She frowned at herself, not realising that Johnny's eyes were glued to her. The anger and resentment which were in his eyes, weren't anything new to her. Same old, same old. But as he raised himself on his two, not so steady legs, she also saw stone like determination.
"You are right. I am sorry." It rolled of her tongue in one fluid motion.
She wasn't sure anymore whether it was a real apology or she managed to convince herself in the reality of it as much as she did the people around her. Only moments later she saw a reaction bubbling out of him.
"What?"
Trust it to him to ask for repetition of something a vampire and a warrior of her rank says only once. And only for very special occasions. Oh, fine, she only says it when she needs something fixed quickly and when her more primal way wont get her far.
"You heard me. I don't like repeating myself." She growled back and his eyes widened in surprise.
"You are saying sorry? To me?" he asked in bewilderment.
"Yeah, well. This shouldn't have happened. We started off wrong and if we wont to fix all of this… I just want to be civil."
Johnny's eyes narrowed in suspicion and she saw then and there this didn't work.
"I would be flattered if I didn't know who you are and your reputation…" he sneered right back.
Her eyes narrowed as she remembered saying to him the same thing when he flirted with her in the elevator, obviously in the dark about who she really is. But she still couldn't help the evil sneer that rose from the corner of her lips.
"You do have a point."
He wanted to threw her out of the window or burn her off with his nova flame. She could see it in his eyes which suddenly turned from blazing blue to blazing orange. But they both knew she will survive it and it will only result in pissing her off.
The slight perspiration on his skin showed that he is already heating up which meant that the bullet wound and Vicodin didn't have a permanent affect on his organism. When she thought about, it was quite remarkable that he burnt down the affect of the pills which are considered a high opiate. And that his pain already subsides far enough for him to be able to stand.
Curiosity bubbled inside of her and her scientific nature replaced the rigid mind of a soldier. She checked his heartbeat, temperature, breathing and scent in only one look at him. His pupils were dilated but it was from anger and sudden burst of adrenaline, not pain or drugs. She blinked at him and cocked her head studying him more thoroughly. The heat he was emanating was strong yet stable. Well, he did get this powers, what, three years ago? She already knew that Ben was the best accommodated member of the four. Sue was greatly affected with her emotions and the powers probably put more strain on her body that to others. Reed is a pragmatic person and he probably adopted to it faster making it only a mere sideway thing.
But Johnny here was neither uncontrollable or completely stable. His powers where the strongest. With little practice he can become an amazing pyrokinetic.
When she raised her eyes to his, she saw confusion and suspicion. His blue eyes gaped at her and she moved.
Her whole body went into predator mode as she slowly glided toward him in sure and fluid steps. His eyes watched her in awe and she noticed his eyes widening.
Her eyes narrowed as she felt a heat wave emanating from him. it would have scorched any other being, but not her. The Rider deep inside of her saw this a challenge, but she tamed the wild beast and just gazed upon the pyrokinetic in front of her. as she approached him slowly, she noticed the slight change in the heat. Could it be a subconscious defence mechanism? She pondered awhile about it as she remembered the stories about their first appearance in public. Problems on the bridge and four people with amazing abilities. They couldn't have known what was going on, but their instinct told them to move and save people.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he spoke out in shaky voice, then he cleared his throat.
Obviously embarrassed that he sounded so weak… And scared. Who could blame him? The Rider did almost end his life.
"Like what?" she asked in even tone.
As she spoke, she came as closely to him as she could without actually coming into contact with him. His eyes looked at her in awe, but he made no move of retreat. Then Sariel saw it. Curiosity.
"This is interesting." She remarked as she moved around him trying to see whether the heat worked both ways.
If his back where as strong as front? She frowned as he didn't allow her to get behind him as she circled him. Of, course, who would in their sane mind let a predator come behind you? After they made two full circles, she decided a new approach was needed.
"Your powers are strong." She said as they stopped in one single step and she was addressing him face to face again.
"Of course they are."
"It is not what I mean."
"What did you mean?"
"That you are stronger and capable of more things than you think." She smiled sardonically at the awe in his eyes.
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, really. You are a strong pyrokinetic and unfortunately you are under assumption that flying and shooting fire balls are the only things you can do."
Oh, look there it was. Blue eyes widened again in curiosity towards the devilish predator in front of him. She blinked away the heat wave and noticed he wasn't even aware he was heating up. No control whatsoever of his unconsciousness.
"I can do supernova flame too." He replied strongly and she nodded.
"I presume you never tried to use your mind and control the fire around you?" she asked him.
"No, never…"
"Shame. You should try."
"Try what?" he asked in confusion and she smiled sardonically.
"This…" her hand came up and she placed it in the middle of his broad chest.
The heat wave hit her without a single drop hesitance, but she knew it wasn't his doing. It was only panic in his mind. She released a part of her powers toward him and focused on his well balanced heat source. It was in his body, not his mind and she grabbed that heat wave, literality pulling it out of him. It took only three seconds to rid him of all his heat and let him panting in coldness. Frosty wind came whizzing through his lips in short little intakes. What once was mild trace of perspiration on his skin, now where little icy droplets.
His cold hand automatically came out and tried to grab her, but it only resulted in him holding onto her. And just as fast as she drained him of heat, she overwhelmed him. she send enough of her heat and his heat which she storage in her mind, accelerating his heat centre to impossible temperature. Bids of sweat formed on his forehead and above his lip. This time he was able to fight back, and in matter of seconds a fire wave hit her, but her skin absorbed it.
"Stop it!!!" he yelled at her and she yanked her hand away.
But not before she felt his fire going deeper than the surroundings around her. in his haste to get himself out of her reach and possible lethal danger, he reached into his own mind and pushed her own fire away. She smiled as she breathed out, barely keeping the Rider in check within her own skin.
"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT????" he roared at her, but made no attempt in coming closer.
"That was… Pyrokinesis. Strong psychic pyrokinesis." She breathed out again, feeling the Rider subduing to her will.
"What?" he sat on the couch, cringing as he remembered him aching behind.
"I draw heat out of you, making your body cool to the temperature of freezing. And than I gave you back your heat and some of mind. Control over body heat and heat in generally is what people like us are capable of. With single touch absorbing body heat, leaving people in freezing death or heating their bodies so they could boil up. Of course, the only use of that ability isn't killing people."
"But I can already do that. I used my powers numerous times to boil something up. I mean, from popcorns to lunches. I don't need a microwave anymore." He explained.
"That is all fine. But it your physical power. You heat up your body to the right temperature and you became a walking stove. But pyrokinesis is so much more. Ability to manipulate both heat and fire. The ability to cause more damage without draining your strength and vaporizing everything in the five mile radius. You could create a controlled place when your fire and heat will take affect. It is very useful, especially concerning collateral damage."
"Oh…"
Oh, there he goes. Finally getting the point. Sariel stared at him face and the look of possibilities.
"And what? You will teach me?"
After more than two minutes of his silence and contemplation, he spoke in quite voice. Sariel wondered just how many times did the boy scorched something of Sue's. it made her smile.
"If you want to."
"What will you get out of it?" he asked in suspicion.
"Ah… Well, we can call this an exchange program. I am a representative of the world you are so unfamiliar about, and you are so known in the world of humans… You people could use our help and we could use some humans on our side. Working together and fighting evil."
You see how much more sense she makes. That Council people are just plain stupid idiots. She plays this much better than they do.
"Why do I have a feeling I am making a deal with the devil?" Johnny inquired and she raised her head.
"I am hardly the devil." She flashed him a wicked grin.
"Yes, you are far worse." Johnny smirked at her.
"Does that means you accept?" she asked him.
"Hm…" he looked uncertain.
"Don't worry, you soul will stay intact." She smiled at him and he just frowned.
"What a relief…" he said and she knew that she will have to give him time to think about it.
"Listen, you don't have to say anything yet. We will talk about it in the morning. Now, get back to sleeping because you look really bad…" she waved her hand at him and he laughed at her.
"What, I look dead like you?" he snickered back and Sariel shook her head.
She walked away, but he heard a faint idiot rang through the air.
A/N:I apologize for the big delay, but my other fic Sweet Sacrifice required my attention and I just had no idea for the next chapter of this fic. I always wondered why Johnny's powers weren't much more studied, so I thought about doing it in this chapter. So no big story besides the dialogue, but I promise I have a surprise for you in the next chapter.
So read and review. Share your thoughts with me.
