Disclaimer: I do not own I am Number Four or Power of Six. These are the property of Pittacus Lore (James Frey and Jobie Hughes)
A/N: Since I already ruined Power of Six for many of you with my Left Waiting moment, I decided to make a one-shot with all my favorite John and Six moments from Power of Six from Six' POV. My creative juices stop flowing and this is a fun exercise. Again, Power of Six does not belong to me and is the property of Pittacus Lore. All dialogue was taken directly from the text or I added a bit. But beside that, everything is mine. This is the walk scene with a few flashbacks from earlier events.
Through Her Eyes
The wooden floor was terrible against my sore muscles. I found myself twisting and turning to find a comfortable position for the fifth or so time. The floor creaked awkwardly and I sighed. It seemed like it was going to be another sleepless night again. I ran my fingers through my ponytail and decided to meditate. Breathe in and out. In and out. My muscles slowly loosened but my head was still buzzing about what happen today: the chest, the training, and the almost kiss. I groaned as everything tensed up immediately when I thought about the boy with blond hair and blue eyes.
"You're better than that, Johnny. Show me the good stuff already." I teased as I flicked my wrist, pushing him back easily when he gave me a half ass roundhouse kick. He landed hard against the ground but recovered quickly. I grinned at his progress but he still wasn't up to my level. In a blink of any eye, John closed the small gap between us. Whoa I barely blocked his right hook but quickly grabbed his bicep. Thanks to his momentum, I rotated my hips and he soar over my head. He tensed immediately, predicting a harsh landing but I had other plans. The force of the throw caused John to land painlessly on his feet like an awkward cat. My left arm wrapped around his neck while the other kept his arms locked behind him. We were pressed firmly together, our bodies aligning perfectly. Standing on my toes, I gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Get your head in the game, Smith." I whispered into his ear before kicking the back of his knees, forcing him face first. John rolled on his back, trying to get up but I quickly pinned him down, using my weight to hold him down.
"Okay," Sam interrupted. "I think you got him pretty good. You can let him up now." Ignoring him, I smiled down at John who returned it without hesitating. We stayed there for half a heartbeat until I reluctantly stood up and held my hand out. Our hands lingered a bit before Sam popped in again. "My turn with Six." I tried not to sigh as John stepped away towards the house.
"She's all yours." He muttered while running his hand through his hair.
"John?" I called out just before he entered the house. He froze and slowly turned towards me, giving me a look that me my insides fluttered.
"Yeah?" He hesitated for a half second.
"We've been in this house for a week now. I think it's time to lose whatever sentimentality or fear you've been holding on to." He gave me a strange look, a mixture between fear and wonder. "The Chest?" I added, wondering what he was thinking. He nodded his head and opened the door. A soft 'I know' fluttered into my sensitive ears.
Why did I kiss him? The idea just popped up in my head. Maybe it was to distract him? Maybe I was just bored? Maybe I wanted to kiss him for a while and that was just too perfect of a moment to pass up? God, something is definitely wrong with me. When I pinned him down, I wanted to lean down and steal another kiss, even if Sam and Bernie were watching us. I wanted him to be bolder and wrap his arms around me, crushing my soft body against his leaner one. I wish Sarah Hart didn't exist. I buried my face in the pillow and groaned. God, I need to get this out of my system soon.
Of course, our casual flirting has started long before today. I smothered the pillow against my chest, thinking back when it really started. We had just found this small isolated house in the South. It was luckily abandon for a few years but the water was still running and there was a pool.
I just finished my tenth lap when the glass door slid open. I stopped after finished my last lap, half pulling myself up and balanced on the edge. John stood there with a half smile as Bernie flopped onto the deck, transforming back into the lovable beagle form and shook himself dry, covering us both with water.
"You better not be killing my dog out here." John joked with a huge smile as he crouched down and gave Bernie a friendly scratch behind his floppy ears. I rolled my eyes and tuck a bit of my wet hair behind my ear.
"More like he's killing me," I answered back as I squeezed some excess water out of my hair, wishing I tied it back. "The little guy swims like he's totally healed. Speaking of which, how's your head?" John reached up, rubbing the wound gingerly.
"Still hurts" He admitted. "But nothing I can't handle. I'm ready to start training today, if that why you're asking." I hid my miffed expression. I couldn't worry about him as a friend. Sighing, I glanced down at my prune fingers.
"Good." I replied in a clipped tone. "I'm getting antsy. It's been a long time since I've trained with somebody." I half-lied, keeping my eyes focused on the still water of the pool.
"You're sure you want to train with me?" He asked in a teasing tone. I looked up. His blue eyes were sparkling with joy. "You know you'll probably end up hurt, right?" I laughed because it was ridiculous. Really? I was trapped in a Mogadorain base for half a year; I think I could take on a fifteen year old boy. Spitting a mouthful of water towards him, I smiled. "Oh, it's on." He muttered before blasting a pillow of air towards the water, creating a min wave. Weak, I thought as I dived underneath to dodge it and used my telekinesis to create a huge wave, all for John. He struggled against the tide and I couldn't hold back my laughter. It was pathetic. Feeling pity for the poor drowning boy, I allowed the water to retreat back into the pool. John tried to retaliate but it was a half-ass attempt. Easily deflecting it, I grabbed John's ankle with my telekinesis, dangling him above the poor upside down.
"What the hell are you guys doing out here?" Sam shouted as he slid the door open and stared at us both with huge brown eyes.
"Um, Six was talking smack, so I decided to put her in her place. Can't you tell?" John asked sarcastically as he hovered over the center of the pool. His shirt was starting to fall, showing off his abs. Arms crossed in an almost nonchalant manner. He could almost pull it off if he wasn't dangling from his ankle.
"Oh, totally. Got her right where you want her." Sam replied with equal sarcasm.
"So what do you think, Sam?" I asked, holding my finger which was John's only lifeline. "Should I let him have it?" A huge smile spread across his face as Sam and I traded looks. John frowned at his so called best friend's look.
"Take it away."
"Hey!" John shouted just as I let him go, allowing the gravity to take control. Sam and I burst out laughing, clenching our sides as John resurface. "That was only round one!" He declared as he pulled himself up and shook the excess water. He reached back, pulling his shirt over his head and throwing it on the concrete. Random drops dripped down his body, bring attention to his chisel chest and defined muscles. I sucked in a breath, turning away to hid my blush. "You caught me off guard. Just wait."
"What happened to being tough and rugged?" Sam asked. "Isn't that what you said when you buzzed your head?"
"Strategy." He stated quite proudly. "I'm just giving Six a false sense of security, and then when she gets comfortable, I'm going to pull the rug out from under her." Sure, I'll love to see that, I thought as I walked towards the house to grab my towel.
"Ha! Yeah, right," Sam replied laughing. "God I wish I had legacies." Poor kid, I thought before gathering my hair and ringing the water out again. The guys were still chatting and I turned to see John staring openly at me or rather my leg with the scar. It was getting better than a few weeks of rest. I whipped my hair back over my head and smirked when their chatter died down.
"So, training this afternoon then? Or do you still feel like I might get hurt?" I asked while looking at John.
He turned his head, trying to look manly and hide that look on his face. "Maybe I'll take it easy on you. I mean, that scar on your leg still looks kinda nasty." I sighed; he was still worried about the leg. "But, yeah, we're on."
Practice was cut short that day because of the rain. I decided not to clear up the weather since the boys looked pretty battered from the training. I sank down into the corner of the room, ready for a short nap. Bernie waddled over, wagging his tail and spinning around three times before curling next to me. I slowly pulled him close, using his warm body as a pillow. It's been a while since I felt a warm body pressed against mine. Bernie's warmth surrounded me like a security blanket I haven't felt in years. The sound of his soft breathing and thumping of his tail slowly lulled me to sleep.
An inch away from falling into a deep sleep something tickled the bottom of my feet. I twitched, wiggling my toe, trying to shoo the fly away. I kept my eyes firmly shut and pressed against Bernie's soft fur. It happened again and I kicked lightly. I was wide awake, waiting for another tickle but it didn't come. I relaxed until a ghost of a touch slowly started the heel of my foot to the toe. It sent shivers down my spine like someone was actually caressing me. By reflexes, I pulled my leg back and kicked, using a bit of my telekinesis. A loud crash of the plaster of the wall collapsing and John's painful grunt crashed away any need for sleep. Peeking out of my right eye, John was sitting against the wall where his elbow created a small hole.
"What happened? Who's there?" Sam snouted, brandishing his fists, ready to fight any thing. John stood up, rubbing his elbow gingerly.
"Jerk." I muttered as I sat up and rubbed the bottom of my foot where John was tickling him. I could still feel his touch like he was actually tickling me. Sam gave us both a miffed look.
"You guys are ridiculous." He muttered, before retreating back into the kitchen. "Your flirting just scared the hell out of me." Flirting? Am I flirting with John? John didn't say anything. He just returned to the center of the room, rubbing his elbow.
"Scared the hell out of me too." He replied under his breath. I ignored his comment as I sat up from my comfy spot and walked over, taking the blanket from the floor and draping it over my bare shoulders. Maybe I shouldn't have worn a tank top.
"Still raining?"
"Totally, but look on the bright side; the weather save you from any further bruises." I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
"The tough-guy routine is pretty tired, Johnny. And don't forget what I can do with the weather."
"Wouldn't dream of it." He replied back smoothly with a smirk and turned away from me. "Hey, I've been meaning to ask you: who's the face in the clouds? Every time you whip up a storm I see this crazy, ominous face." I reached for my pendant, fiddling with the groves in the precious stone.
"I'm not sure." I confessed. "But ever since I've been able to mess with the weather, it's always the same face that appears. I assume it's Loric."
"Yeah, probably. And here I thought it might be a crazy ex-boyfriend you've yet to get over." I rolled my eyes.
"Because obviously I have a weakness for ninety-year-old men. You know me so well, John." We traded smiles and sat in silence. Not an awkward one but a comfortable one.
The floorboards creaked and I bolted up. In the dark, I could make out John's form just barely. "John?" I whispered, staring into the dark.
"Yeah?" His voice greeted me back. His voice was raspy but clear.
"What are you doing?" My heart was thumping against my chest. Think of the devil and he will appear, I thought in my head as I clenched the blanket tighter around me.
"Nothing," he replied. "I can't sleep." Me neither, I answered in my head. Maybe we can both not sleep together.
"Come in." I ordered, shifting to the side as the door creaked open. "Is everything okay?" A light glow emitted from his hand allowing me to make out John and Bernie. He stood there awkwardly in his pajama bottoms and t-shirt. There are dark circles under his eyes from the lack of sleep and long hours of training. He smiled despite it and entered with Bernie beside him. Bernie's tail thumped against the carpet as he paddled up to me and sat.
"Yeah, everything's fine." He lied because he didn't look fine. He shifted awkwardly, scratching the back of his newly shaved head. "Just too much on my mind, you know." Understatement of the year, I thought but didn't voice. He avoided my gaze which made me even more nervous. "I was maybe thinking of going for a walk or run or something."
"Well, that's kind of dangerous, don't you think?" I commented, sitting up and smiled at John. "Don't forget you're on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List with a fat reward on your head." John shrugged his shoulders like it was nothing. I paused, waiting for the rest of his brilliant plan.
"I know, but… it's still dark out and you could make us invisible, couldn't you?" So, I'm coming? "I mean, that's if you wanted to come along." He back pedaled adorably. The glow from his hand shined brighter, creating huge shadows in the room. I shrugged my shoulders and allowed the blanket to fall away, revealing my skimpy tank top and leg clinging yoga pants. John's eyes grew wide as he noticed my attire and looked away quickly. Light blush peppered his face.
"Sure," I replied, gathering my hair up and tying it back. "I always have a hard time sleeping. Especially on the floor." He nodded his head and took a step closer. His breath fans my face and I glanced towards the door, thinking about our human friend. "Do you think we'll wake up Sam, though?" I asked, wondering what he think if he caught us sneaking away in the middle of the night. John shook his head and took my hand, warming them. Our fingers laced together and I smiled at him for one last time before we both fade away. John's hands still created our shadows until it dimmed and plunged us into darkness.
We tiptoe out of the room into the living room with Bernie following us. Sam lifted his head and looked right at us. I sucked in a breath and John's hand tightens around mine. "Hey Bernie." He greeted sleepily before laying back down, oblivious of us standing a few feet away from him. I tugged John's hand towards the back door, sliding it silently open, into the fresh midnight air. It washed over me, refreshing me from our grueling travel. This is just wanted I needed. A midnight stroll with a boy I have no idea how I feel about. John's hand clasped tightly around mine, steady like a rock which I haven't felt in ages. He's something that's concrete and I know he won't disappear. I wish I could see him now instead of imagine his features.
"I can't stop thinking about what you went through." He whispered softly as we started down a gravel path. His hand squeezed mine tightly, allowing his warmth to wrap around it. "Being held prisoner from half a year, having to witness Katarina being – well, you know what I mean." I didn't make a crack on how lame he sounds. Instead, I focus on the dark path and allowed the words to leave my mouth.
"Sometimes I forget it happened. And other times it's all I can think about for days." Those days are the worst when everything reminded me of Katarina or the base. I took a deep breath, soothing myself.
"Yeah, I don't know; I guess it goes without saying that I miss Henri, and it kills me that he's gone. But after hearing your story I realize how lucky I really am. I mean, I got to say good-bye to him and everything. Plus, he was there while I went through my first legacies. I can't imagine going through that alone like you did." I nodded my head even though he couldn't see me.
"It was really, really hard that's for sure." I admitted, thinking about those days. How my body would flicker in and out of visibility. How I wasn't sure if I could handle any of it. How I just wanted to curl up and cry, wishing someone would come and make it better or take away the huge burden off my shoulders. "I could have used her the day I started to gain my invisibility legacy. I could have used her even more for girl talks when I was growing up." I frowned, wondering how I would turn out if Katarina and I bonded like mother and daughter. "They were pretty much our parents on Earth, right?"
"What I find funny is that now that Henri's gone, the things I remember most about him are things I usually hated." I'm the same way. All I could remember now of Katarina was the annoying things. Like how she could constantly smoothed my hair down to calm herself or the way she would chew her bottom lip or tap her foot impatiently as she scan the news for anything. Those little things that use to bother the hell out of me were so engraved in my mind it felt like those are the only bits of Katarina I remember. John continued telling me little anecdotes about his training like the snow training incident. I smiled wishing I had some happy memories to share with him.
We stopped in front of a house, watching a drunken man stumble out of his car to the front door, pounding it ferociously. My eyes narrowed and I gently pulled John towards the man. "You better goddamn open this door, Charlene, or you don't want to know what I'm gonna do!" The man shouted. I noticed the revolver in his waistband and my blood just boiled. I squeezed John's hand unconsciously before reaching forward and grabbed the gun. I held it against his head, pushing the muzzle firmly against his slowly balding head. He froze when I clicked the safety off.
I wanted to pull the trigger. Slime like him doesn't deserve to live but he got my silent message clearly. He slowly backed away not believing the gun was aimed towards him. He bolted down the road without looking back at the young woman he was terrorizing. I stood there wishing I did pull the trigger. Instead, I unleashed all my anger into fling the gun away. I felt dirty. John tugged us away, jogging until the small house with the frightened lady disappeared from view. I could still feel the weight of the gun in my hands. I've never taken a human life before. I've never wanted to but at the moment, I wished my finger slipped.
"I could do that kind of stuff all day." I said after regret and angry ebbed away. "It's like being a superhero." Expect, superheroes don't want to kill people no matter how bad they are.
"Humans do love their superheroes." John commented, holding my hand tight, silently showing he was still beside me despite not being able to see him. I sighed, letting the cool calm night relieve my tension. "How did you train yourself, anyways?" He asked as he guided us further up the path. "I can't imagine learning the things I did if it hadn't been for Henri pushing me so much."
"What other choice did I have?" I replied with a bit of a bite, feeling hate pool at the pit of my stomach. It was unfair that John had Henri while I was on my own. But… I wouldn't wish my fate on anyone. "Either we adapt or we perish." Wow, that's a mood killer. "So I adapted. Katarina and I trained for years before we were captured, but obviously never once after my legacies developed. When I finally got out of that care I promised myself that her death wasn't going to be in vain, and the only way to do that was to seek revenge. So I picked up where we had left off. It was hard at first, especially on my own, but little by little I began to learn and grow stronger. Besides, I've had more time than you. My legacies came sooner than yours, and I'm older than you."
"You know, my sixteenth birthday – or at least the day I celebrated as my birthday with Henri – was two days ago." Two days ago!
"John! Why didn't you tell us!" I shouted as I shoved him away. He instantly materialized and I saw a good natured smile on his face. His eyes were sparkling with joy. "We could have celebrated." I murmured stubbornly. John reached out, blindly groping the air for my hand. I reached out, interlocking our fingers watching him disappear in front of me. This feels right, us standing in the dark with our fingers laced together.
"So what was she like?" John suddenly asked. I tilted my head in confusion until he said the next words. "Katarina?" Oh, I took a deep breath, looking for words that could describe her.
"Compassionate." I decided, remember how she helped one of my friends up in elementary school. "She was always helping others." More memories flooded back. Our little jokes that she would whisper into my ear to calm me down. Little sarcastic comments she muttered when I successfully beat her in our strategy board game. "And she was funny. We used to joke and laugh a lot, which probably seems hard to believe, seeing how serious I usually am." John tried to hide his chuckle but I could feel him shake.
"I didn't say it." He defended. "You did." I rolled my eyes, unable to refute but narrowed them, realizing what he just did.
"But hey, no changing the subject. Why didn't you say anything about your birthday?" I could imagine John reaching up and scratching the back of his shaved head sheepishly.
"I don't know." He started. "I actually forgot about it until yesterday, and then it just seemed pointless with everything else going on." I sighed. He was being difficult.
"It's your birthday, John; it's not pointless. Every birthday any of us are lucky to have cause for celebration, considering what's hunting us. And anyway, had I known I might have even taken it easy on you in training." Ok, maybe not but he doesn't have to know that.
"Yeah, you must feel terrible beating up a guy like that on his birthday." I smiled as John bumped me with his hip. I bumped him back and we traded invisible smiles before Bernie popped out of the brushes, barking as a greeting with things sticking to his fur.
"Does it bother you that you never got your Chest?" John asked, sobering the happy mood as we headed back to the house. Yes, it bothers the hell out of me but that was a whiny response.
"In a way I think it fuels me that much more. It was gone; there's nothing I could do about it. So I did what I thought was smart and chose to focus on finding the rest of you. I just wish I could have found Number Three before they did." That was one of my constant regrets. Not being able to save that boy or girl from dying.
"Well, you found me. I can't imagine I would have survived this long if you hadn't." I smiled, agreeing in my head. The boy is hopeless at times. "Or Bernie Kosar, for that matter." Hey, the little chimera is resourceful. "Or even Sarah." Now that is a total mood killer. I pulled away, allowing our tightly laced fingers to loosen. Of course he had to bring Sarah. He's in love with the girl. Our walk fell silent since he brought her up. I sighed and focus on our crunching footsteps against the gravel. As we neared the driveway, I felt my feet drag, wishing this isn't the end of our walk.
"You know, I only know you as Six." John brought up, pausing at the end of the driveway. "Did you have a name at one time?"
"Of course I did, but I didn't use it very often. I didn't go to school like you. Well, I did for a little while, but then we decided I was better off staying home." I explained, wishing I did go to school, enjoyed my childhood a bit more.
"So, what's your name?"
"Maren Elizabeth."
"Whoa, really?" I turned to give him an offended stare he couldn't see.
"Why do you sound so surprised?" I asked. I didn't really like Maren but I didn't hate it.
"I don't know." He admitted. "Maren Elizabeth seems kind of dainty and feminine. I think I expected you to have something strong and mythic, like Athena, " the goddess of wisdom and strategy? I like. "Or maybe Xena, you know, like the warrior princess?" I shrugged my shoulder at Xena. "Or even Storm. Storm would have suited you perfectly." I laughed, a full out body shaking laugh because the idea was so ridiculous only a guy would think of it.
Finally regaining my breath, I straightened up. "I'll have you know, I used to be a little girl who once wore ribbons in her hair." John is probably looking at me with wide eyes and an astonished expression.
"Yeah, what color?"
"Pink." I replied bashfully, remember how I looked in the mirror.
"Oh, I think I'd pay money to see that."
"Forget it, you don't have enough."
"I'll have you know." He stated, using the same playful tone I used. "I have a whole chest of rare gems at my disposal. Just point me in the direction of a pawn shop." I chuckled and imagined John appearing in front of me with bags full of cash and pink ribbons in his hand giving me a 'you promised' look. I laughed again, enjoying how carefree I could act around him. It felt great. No, it's wonderful.
"I'll keep my eyes open for one." I promised as we slowly approached the door but John suddenly stopped. He was oddly silent and I looked at where he would be, possible shifting nervously from one leg to another.
"I'm really glad we went for that walk." He blurted out, probably smiling a boyish smile.
"So am I." I replied truthfully. I wanted to let go of his hand and have him appear right in front of me, gazing at me with his soft soulful blue eyes. But, I still want to feel his warm fingers clasped tightly around mine. I'm so selfish.
"Could you imagine if every night were like this, living your life without having to worry about what or who might be lurking out of sight, without always having to peer over your shoulder to see if you're being followed? Wouldn't it be amazing to be able to forget, just once, what's peeking over the horizon?" Yes, yes to all those questions but we couldn't. We couldn't forget everything and run off to let someone else deal it with it. It's our lives and only we can live it.
"Of course it'd be nice." I agreed. "And it will be nice when we finally have that luxury." It'll be like waking up from a long nightmare and realize it was all a dream.
"I hate what we have to do. I hate the situation we're in. I wish it were different." I do too. I wish I met this amazing boy under different circumstances. I wish we could have been on Lorien, growing up with our parents and falling in love like normal people. I wish Katarina was still here so I could sort out all these muddled feelings in my head that I have for John and maybe possible for Sam too. But at the same time, I didn't. I wouldn't be who I am today without all those hardships. I wouldn't be Six who understands the pain of losing someone she loves or the pure joy of being with someone who could be more. There's a chance I may not have met John on Lorien or learned what a wonderful person he is.
His fingers slipped out of my grasp, making him visible. In the moonlight, he is extremely handsome. I missed his long hair but the clean look making him more mature and strong, like he was built to stand beside me, ready to tackle the cruel fate placed in front of us. I made myself visible too, hoping I looked just as strong and ready as him. He slid his hand up my arm and rested on my shoulders, pinning me down with his damn blue eyes. I took a deep breath and my eyes slide close as he inched closer.
And then the house just had to explode. Damn.
A/N: Ok! The ending is so not my fault. It's totally James Frey and Jobie Hughes fault for writing the darn cliff hanger. That was extremely long and fun to write. They use a lot of dialogue. I cut some scenes short like the gun part. They don't describe a lot some most of it was from my head. Hopefully it was ok. That was really fun to write. That should keep everyone happy until next month or thanksgiving?