AN – Sorry for taking so long to update! I've finally gotten my laptop back. I hope you all had a merry Christmas and a happy new year – thank you for reading and please tell me what you think.

Chapter 10

Okay, I admit it. In my surprise at finding out the new girl from England was my soulfinder, I'd come on much too strong, much too quickly. I didn't take back anything I'd said – we were meant for each other, we are two halves of the same whole. Sky just didn't know it yet.

But that's okay. I can be patient; or at least pretend to be. In my defence, though, I'd never thought my soulfinder wouldn't even know what she was.

Was I supposed to have considered that? Probably. Hell, Yves would have known what to do. He wouldn't have made such a mess of things.

Instead of rushing in to our Happily-Ever-After, skipping to the end credits, I was forced to slow down or risk loosing her. It was scary, really, how much I'd changed in a few short weeks. I'd never really believed Dad when he'd shake his head and say 'If only they had a soulfinder, son. They;d never commit a crime, not with their perfect other half waiting for them at home,' about the twisted criminals we'd caught. But it was true. Why would I go out and rob a bank or punch a junkie when I had sweet little Sky waiting for me? Even if she didn't know she was waiting for me.

At school on Monday I'd watched Sky but kept my distanced. I'd seen her smile and laugh with her friends and felt a twist of unfamiliar jealous. They'd earned her trust, her smiles, her laughs. I was her soulfinder and I'd not even had a pat on the back, much less a kiss. I'd seen her play the piano, so adsorbed in what she was doing that she's not noticed me listening in. She felt the music the way I did – I was sure.

I waited faithfully by Tina's car, having decided to slowly slip Sky in to the Savant world. Like how when you had music lessons as a child, you learnt to play a simple nursery rhyme instead of immediately plunging in to Beethoven's fifth symphony. I'd give Sky some information but back off before I overwhelmed her.

Jarring me from my plotting, Tina and Sky approached. Sky shyly avoiding eye contact, giving Tina free licence to give me the If-You-Hurt-My-Friend-You're-In-For-A-World-Of-Pain look I'd gotten almost constantly before Sky. Only this time I actually gave a damn. Hell, if I hurt Sky I'd tie myself up and give Tina the gun.

'Hi, Tina, how's it going?'

Tina raises her eyebrows at me before glancing meaningfully at Sky. Good. At least she realises I'm here for Sky. 'Fine, Zed. You?'

'Great. Sky, you ready to go home?' I ask casually, like it was prearranged. Sky had a tendency to go with the flow in favour of avoiding a scene. Well, unless I'd angered her, then she was all kitten-claws and milk-teeth. Carefully, I held out the helmet I'd swiped from home. It had been mine when I was younger – when Mum finally gave up on refusing my fascination with bikes and let Vick take me out on his. Mum had kitted me out like a minituare stunt man – half my weight must have been padding and protection. I'd never seen Vick laugh so hard. I missed that, missed him. He wasn't the same now and now I realised that truly only his own personal Sky could change that.

I hope he found her soon. I wanted to see my brother laugh again.

'Tina's giving me a lift.' said Sky, shaking me from my thoughts. I'd been so self-involved before Sky, I'd barely noticed my brother's decline. Swiftly, I focussed on the conversation at hand.

So, Little Miss Sky won't let me push her around? I guess Goldilocks wasn't afraid of the Big Bad Wolf after all.

'I'm sure she won't mind if I do that. I want it make sure Sky gets home, okay, Tina?' Silently I will the girls to give in. My vision of Sky can't be allowed to become reality. I won't let it. And if I have to drive Sky everywhere for the rest of her damn life, I will. She's my soulfinder and that's that, even if she doens't understand it.

'I said I'd take Sky.' Tina said, eyeing me suspiciously. Internally, I sighed. This would be so much easier if I had someone, anyone, fighting my corner.

I'm tempted to leave it at that. Seriously, there's only so many times a guy can be rejected before he gives up. One thought stops me though.

What was more important: my pride of Sky's safety?

'Please?' I asked, silently willing her to give in. Even if I had to beg, I'd pick Sky's safety every time. Still, begging isn't my style and the word chafed like a leash.

Sky's thoughts were near-constantly in my head and I almost grinned at Sky's motorcycle fantasy. Who would have thought this vulnerable-looking little British girl harboured dangerous desires? Faintly, I'm glad she's not the kind of girl to make me get rid of my bike. Many have tried – my own mother included – but only Sky would succeed. Luckily for me she seemed to like it.

'Sky?'

The girl in question hadn't said a word. Her baby-blue eyes flicked back and forth between our faces as if she was looking for the solution that would keep everybody happy. I bite my lip to stop myself from telling her she should so what makes her happy and everyone else can go find their own happiness. As sappy as it sounds, she was my happiness. I didn't care about anyone else.

'It's okay. Thanks, Tina, I'll go with Zed.' Yes. She'd said yes. Granted it was only to a motorcycle ride, but it was a start. If she still thought of me as the irredeemable Wolfman she'd never have accepted. A small victory, but I'd take it.

Her small hand reached out and took the helmet – physical proof of her acceptance.

Uncomfortably, Tina shifted on her feet, eyeing me warily like I might snap and knife her. Doesn't she realise? I have Sky now; no life of crime or violence for me. Just a life with Sky; a life with my soulfinder.

Not really. Sky's thoughts thundered through my head again and I quickly shoved the overeager Savant inside me away. I couldn't afford to freak her out again. I needed to take this slow, gradually open my soulfinder's eyes to the world around her. 'See you tomorrow.'

'Yeah.' Muttered Tina, thankfully missing Sky's conflicted thoughts. If she thought Sky was unsure she'd never leave.

Quickly I lead Sky towards my bike before she can change her mind and flee. People stare at us in astonishment. One boy actually walks in to a car door before flushing furiously and hurrying away. Let them stare. My message was clear: Sky Bright was mine, and God help anyone who tired to take her from me.

'I've never ridden on one of these before.' Sky pipes up, eyeing my bike with a mixture of fear and excitement.

I help her on, making sure she's seated right. She'd never trust me if I allowed her to fall off on her first motorbike ride. Of many I hoped. 'The secret it to hold on tightly.' I tell her, grinning at the prospect of having her arms around me. Her small arms tighten around me nervously as I start the bike and I reveal in the feeling.

In fulfilling Sky's biking fantasy, I'd fulfilled one of my own: racing away on my bike with my gorgeous soulfinder's arms wrapped tightly around me.

I don't think my grin could get any bigger.

AN – Sorry, sorry, sorry for taking so long to update! I promise I won't be so bad without warning, at least. And sorry it's short but I just got my laptop back and wanted to upload something quickly. Please, tell me what you think?