Disclaimer: Not mine again, we all know that. Here's another couple of challenge fics. I'm getting close to finishing all forty, which is freaky for me, I've never done so many stories on one theme before. Anyway, also, a timely reminder for all that reviewed my last update and complained about my spelling and punctuation. I am Australian, we use a slightly different English dictionary. All my documents ARE spell checked before posting. So, please enjoy. Angel Mouse, February 2005.

Ars Amatoria Romance Challenge: Bridge/Z - Mirror

by Angel Mouse

Mirror
Z POV
during Sam part One

I look at myself in a mirror and I see a monster, a freak, someone that has no soul.

I don't see warm brown eyes, tanned skin and a soft wavy dark hair. They see a Latin influence in my genes and call me a Latin beauty. But they also call my freak, monster and other names.

But that was before Jack took me under his wing and taught me to survive on the streets. He taught me that my powers weren't freakish, I wasn't a monster and that I could actually help people. It took a long time for me to trust his words but I eventually did.

But today, when Sky called us all freaks, that brought it all back in a horrible way and my soul feels empty again. It feels like it did when I ran away, when I was attacked on that day long ago. Why should I feel this way? I'm doing something good now, I should be feeling at peace with myself and what I am, who I am.

Suddenly the door to my room opens and Bridge walks in, his face determined and for once he wasn't smiling. He walked up behind me and stared at my reflection in the mirror.
"Go away Bridge, I want to be left alone." He shook his head as the door slid silently shut behind him.
"No, you don't want to be alone right now Z. None of us do." I shook my head and turned away from him, from his deep blue eyes that always seemed to see inside my soul.
"Just leave me in peace Bridge, please." Normally he'd leave me alone when I used that tone of voice on him but today he didn't.
"No."

I just stared at him, surprised at how strong and confident he sounded for once. He reached out with those gloved hands of his and turned me around to face him. I was surprised at how strong he was as I really didn't want to be around anyone the way I was feeling. Those eyes of his, they bored into my soul. I had to wretch my gaze away and I turned away from him.
"Stop it Bridge. Stop looking at me!" I could feel his confusion and then his voice spoke and it was soft and kind and it broke my heart.
"Why Z? Why shouldn't I look at you?" I couldn't help myself, I turned in a rush, but his hands held me steady.
"Because I am a freak, just like Sky said!" There was a flash of anger in his eyes, something I'd never seen before and then he smiled gently at me. He reached up and pushed a strand of hair out of my face and behind my ear.
"I believe he was referring to me at the time. But no, none of us are freaks, monsters and all those other nasty things." He stared me in the eyes and I could see his belief and confidence in me, in fact, I could feel it. It was coming off him in waves. "Z, your soul is beautiful. Your heart is good and your capacity for love is boundless. I don't think you're a freak or a monster. I think you're a wonderful young woman who's had a tough time in life and sometimes she needs to be reminded she is good." He grinned suddenly. "Trust me, I know. I'm the psychic, remember?" I did. I suddenly realised I trusted Bridge. Just the earnestness and total belief he had in his words were like a catharsis for myself. Suddenly I threw myself into his arms, crying and he just held me gently. After a long moment he spoke softly again. "Z, what you see in the mirror isn't what you are. You are you. Mirrors reflect the outside, not the inside. And trust me, your inside self is beautiful."

And suddenly I believed him. Mirrors don't tell you everything.