Disclaimer: I do NOT own Static Shock.

Revealed But Undiscovered

"Lo duca e io per quel cammino ascoso
intrammo a ritornar nel chiaro mondo;
e sanza cura aver d'alcun riposo
salimmo su, el primo e io secondo,
tanto ch' i' vidi de le cose belle
che porta 'l ciel, per un pertugio tondo;
e quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle."

(Canto 34, lines 133-139) Dante's Inferno

"The leader and I by that hidden way
entered to return to the bright world;
and without care for having any rest
we climbed up, he first and I second,
so far that I saw some of the beautiful things
that heaven bears, through a round opening;
and thence we came forth to see again the stars."

______________

Amelia's mind was everywhere at a time she was anxious, scared, excited, nervous and everything else she could think of at the moment. She ran about her room trying to keep her mind off the boy on her bed and tried to prepare everything to be just right, to make sure nothing would go wrong. What she was most nervous about was the prospect that maybe even if a tiny percentage that whatever was in Richie would come out during the process.

It excited her yet made her nervous, if the sound of the voice from earlier was any indication; It liked to play. She was acutely aware of Richie's eyes burning holes into her back. She knew, mostly because she could feel him, but she knew he was nervous too probably mostly about the pain. She was also aware of his fighting his other half to get to her. For some reason his other half wanted to be near her, maybe it was what she thought all along. But she wouldn't get her hopes up this time, she'd have to wait and see.

"Even I don't wanna go through that." She thought sullenly.

She drew the transformation shape inside the circle and got the other ingredients for the spell. Incense, sage etc. she went over everything three times before she was positive she was ready. By the time she had finished it was closing to half past six. Her mom would be home soon she usually arrived between six thirty and seven. Not a minute too soon did she hear a car drive up. She looked to Richie.

"You stay here for one minute okay? I need to explain things to my mom first." Se said and rushed out of the room leaving a still completely confused, but now nervous Richie.

He had been sitting there for the better part of the hours he was there thinking about Amelia and staring at her form working around the room to take his mind off what would happen tonight. He didn't know why he was even so nervous.

"Oh yeah, I forgot I believe what she says." He didn't know why but he just couldn't help BUT to believe her.

She had seemed so trustworthy and truthful. He felt he was-as corny as it sounded-connected to her. When ever he was around her his heart beat faster, and it swelled with some unknown emotion. When she left a room he felt empty, when she was sad he hurt for her pain. He didn't get it and it was only her first day there, and within that first day he had felt more with her than with months of being with any other girl.

But another reason he believed her was that he felt what she was talking about inside of him. Sometimes when he would looked at Amelia when she was cleaning a voice would flitter across him mind. And sometimes he would move and he wasn't the one controlling the movements. On more then one occasion while sitting down it tried to move to where Amelia was seated or was walking. At first it scared and surprised him, but then he got over the initial shock and fought it. It was pretty hard, whatever was inside him was strong and wanted Amelia, he thought about telling her no not to do it but he knew it would be worse without her help. He sighed and flopped back down on the bed closing his eyes trying to forget the helpless situation he was in while he waited for Amelia.

Amelia rushed to the front of the house and met her mom at the door to see her mom carrying in groceries, and a box of pizza, and sodas. Amelia was about to open her mouth to tell her mom about what had happened and that Richie would be spending then night when her mother cut her off.

"I already know he's in here and I sense your about to tell me why?" She asked with bemused eyes directed at her daughter.

Amelia was at a loss for words, she forgot her mother was very good at reading spiritual energies and the like. She knew her mother had an idea as to what it was about but knew she liked to hear it first.

"Yeah..well about that...um you see I met a guy at school and after some things happened at school something must of triggered it, but whatever's in him is awakening, and it seems to...want....me." She said the last part uneasily while ringing her hands together.

Her mother turned to her and her smile widened and her eyes sparkled like there was no tomorrow. The next thing she knew was that she was being hugged to death with the breath squeezed out of her windpipe.

"Mom, you can...let...me..go now." She managed to choke out.

Her mother let her go but still held onto her form.

"Do you know what this means?" She asked giddily.

Amelia rolled her eyes at her mother, she was more excited than she was.

"Yes I know what this COULD mean." She put emphasis for could.

Her mother waved her hand in dismissal and turned back to the groceries picking them up and walking to the kitchen and dropping them on the counter. She started unpacking while talking to her daughter.

"Pssssh, please I have a good feeling about this one I know it, and if his aura isn't any indication he seems like a nice boy."

She said the last part facing her daughter running her hands down her face looking wistfully at her. She turned back to the groceries before replying.

"Dinners ready, tell that boy to get ready and wash up, I'm anxious to meet him already, tell him were having pizza too." Her mom said ushering her out of the kitchen.

Amelia was left in the hallway lost for words. She didn't think her mother would take the news so well. She was actually happy about it, unlike last time. She shivered as the memories rushed back to her like a wave in the ocean pulling you under. She shook them off and walked to her room determined to face this head on. She was starting to question whether or not she would be able to actually do it. She had to be able to have total concentration and if it broke in even the slightest, it spelt disaster for everyone. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes before she opened them to turn the knob of her door.

Right as she opened the door did she crash into something hard but soft. Realization set in and red covered her face heavily. She ran straight into Richie's chest, he was holding her shoulders to balance her so she wouldn't fall and her hands were matted in his sweater as was her face. She dared to look up and came face to face with eyes that never ceased to make her tremble. What made her tremble and eyes widen further this time though was the look on his face and in his eyes, his smile was now a smirk. She had to be careful, if she didn't play her cards right his other half-whatever it was- could get angry and never let Richie out and complete the bonding. The only reason she could come up with for this appearance of his other half was Richie was overly stressed and lost his control. She decided to play dumb and pretend until things were over and they were alone. She took her hands away and tried to step away from him while telling him about dinner and apologizing.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you like that, um..my mom brought pizza and she said to go get washed up and then I'll take you to the kitchen so you can meet her. She can get really excited so don't pay her any attention." She said with a small wave of her hand.

'Richie' smirked even wider and leaned down to her ear and breathed hotly on it.

"I don't think you'll have to worry much about that little bird." His gripped on her shoulders tightened and than loosened before he brushed past her to the bathroom right behind her.

She stared wide eyed at the spot he was in just mere moments ago. She shook her head and turned around right as he walked out. She smiled weakly at him and lead the way with her back rigid the whole time. She was aware of his trailing eyes but suppressed the urge to cover the back side of her body. When she entered the kitchen she knew her mother knew that his other half was out though she didn't outwardly show any sign that she did but she knew her mother better than that.

"Mom this is Richie, Richie, mom." She introduced them and her mother smiled with amusement in their depths as she set the table with the pizza in the middle of the table.

She stopped for a few moments to come around and take both of his hands in hers and and quirked a finely tweezed eyebrow up at him, but still held her smile nonetheless. Her mother was a telepath and a premonitionist, she had to have seen something but more than likely knew her mother would tell her nothing of what she saw at all. All she would say was.

"In good time dear, in good time."

She rolled her eyes at the memory and was pulled back when she heard her mother greeting Richie.

"Well it's very nice to meet one of Amelia's friends so soon, I'm happy shes found someone to help her along instead of being by herself."

Amelia flinched at the sentence she knew was directed at her. She narrowed her eyes at her mother who moved away and went back to setting up the table. She was holding her glare as her mother pranced around the kitchen getting glasses with ice for drinks along with dip for the bread. She heard Richie chuckle which sent a shiver of anxiousness down her spine. She looked back to see him staring at her with amusement swimming in his ice blue depths. She huffed and turned back to the table sitting down.

"Well don't be rude Amelia offer your guest something to eat and drink." Her mother reprimanded without turning around to look at her daughter.

Amelia flushed a deep red and turned to Richie with an apologetic stare.

"I'm sorry I wasn't thinking um..there's a plate right there you can serve your self while I get you a glass to drink." She said flushing even deeper under his scrutiny.

She got up and got a glass with ice in and handed it to him. She watched with avid interest as he took the glass and poured himself a glass of soda as if he were the real Richie. She had been so caught up she was caught off guard when he turned and winked in her direction. She flushed even more and looked down to the hands in her lap. She had no idea why she was so shy, it was only Richie's other half. Yeah..ONLY his other half, if only it were that simple. She looked back up to see him actually smiling at her instead of the smirk he'd been wearing the entire time. She was so transfixed on his eyes she didn't notice his hand until it came into contact with her cheek brushing a stray strand of hair away.

"You don't have to be so guarded with me.....my m-" he was cut off as Amelia's' mother stepped into the kitchen two octaves louder than normal talking to both of them.

Amelia raised an eyebrow at her mother who just shrugged and batted her eyelashes innocently to which she narrowed her eyes at. She turned and regarded 'Richie' or whatever his other half was with interest to her mothers interruption. He didn't even give her the knowledge of whether he would finish what he said or not. Instead he opted to grab a pizza from the box. She huffed in annoyance and glowered the whole time while her mother and 'Richie' chatted happily. She was dumbfounded. Why was he playing so cool? Why wasn't he acting out or doing anything out of the ordinary, like any normal other half would do upon getting out of dormancy for the first time in lord knows how long? He acted as if everything were natural as if he were human and had seen and done everything he was doing at that moment. It peeved her to know that people were keeping stuff from her and peeved her even more when they acted nonchalant and casual, as if she didn't matter. He was planning something and she didn't like it one bit, but knew she would find out eventually unfortunately or not so unfortunately, for her.

Once they were done she excused them and lead 'Richie' to her room where she locked and bolted the door. She sighed, took a deep breath and turned only to be met with fierce lips meeting hers. She was pushed up against the door as Richie's other half ravaged her mouth, violating it with dark promises as it made swirls around her moist hot cavern sucking on her tongue ring and eliciting a moan from her in response. She involuntarily moaned into his awaiting mouth while unconsciously bucking beneath him, begging for friction. She faintly in the back of her haze filled mind registered a growl which slowly brought her back to the present.

She still hadn't entirely gotten over what had happened that day and began to panic. Her eyes were wide and dilated, she was bucking uncontrollably and breathing hard. Richie's other half sensed something was wrong and stopped, he regarded her with hard eyes demanding a response for why she was acting the way she was. By now instinct had taken over and she was no longer in control, She didn't even see anything past the haze in her mind. She was too caught up and fear permitted her aura which in turn reached Richie's other half who growled low in his throat. Richie's other half seemed to not know what to do and receded into his mind letting Richie back out.

"Amelia, Amelia!" Richie shook her trying his hardest to snap her out of it, Soon altogether she stopped and finally looked at him.

Her eyes were still wild with fright and panic, while his swam with guilt. He knew not what to do and lead her to her bed to lay her down. He laid her down and wiped the hair from her face asking her to focus on his face and voice. Soon he saw she was looking at him and not past him. He smiled in relief but still felt the remainders of guilt filter through him. He didn't remember much from not being in his body except for wanting to do things to Amelia, he knew they weren't his own and knew his other half would do something to Amelia. He didn't think it would be that bad but he supposed it had since he was where he was right now by her side.

"I'm sorry." Richie said in a soft guilty manner.

Amelia had only come to, to hear Richies soft apology. She looked at him and smiled.

"It's not your fault, I was a little surprised is all and I haven't fully gotten over what happened today so it's okay. It's not like you could control it anyways." She touched his face and slowly rose to a sit up position.

Once she felt she had her balance she got up and made the final preparations before starting not even looking at Richie. Once she was ready for Richie she waved him over from her spot on the ground. After he sat down too right in front of her she took both hands and began to delve into his mind.

She was met with all sorts of barriers and doors, which she successfully got through. Once she was at the door to his other half she became scared. The door was open already, well more like someone or something clawed it's way through. She supposed that was understandable because of his appearance, but if it was open like this he would have stayed out or been in pain or something. She would've figured his other half would have taken control by now. Her eyes widened as she realized his other half was out the whole time, which meant earlier he was playing a game with her or he had been out since Richie was a child. If you open the door to someones other half and they recede back into the mind they automatically became locked back into the room in which they were in unless the host knew of them and bonded.

Amelia was suddenly taken from behind and heaved into strong arms. She shut her eyes and became tense awaiting whatever it was that was going to happen. Instead she heard a deep dark chuckle against the side she was being held. She opened them to find herself face to face with Richies unbelievably hot other half. This time instead of blond hair it was light brown, and atop his head were big fox ears and behind him was a bushy fox tail, both the color of snow. His eyes were the same ice blue she remembered, but his cheek bones were higher as was his other facial features which were strong and aristocratic looking, his lips were set in a smirk as he looked down upon her form. She didn't even have time to blink before she was being nuzzled into the crook of her neck while a tail wrapped around her midsection. Her wings flapped as she struggled to become loose or at least accommodate her in a comfortable position.

Her true form was that of huge white wings sprouting from her back and instead of curly brown hair it was straight, her height had changed from short to tall but not as tall as her guest there. She was trying to be as quiet as possible but was having a hard time with him cooing in her ear. She soon heard another chuckle and melted as soon as words left his lips.

"Why do you run my little bird?" He purred into her ear as he tightened his tail around her waist.

He lifted his head to stare at her flapping wings behind her. He smirked down at her as he nuzzled her neck and stroked a wing with one of his claws.

"Your wings are as beautiful as I last remembered them." He breathed softly against the shell of her ear.

The stroking going on with her wings was sending chills up and down her spine. She let out a strangled moan before she could cover it up. She felt a vibration against her body and knew he was laughing. He felt so familiar to her somehow. Like she had seen him before, or knew him before. He was making her feel mixed emotions and her heart fluttered a million miles a minute. But instinct still told her to get away, that she didn't know him and that he was a danger. She truly felt like bird being trapped by its prey and it didn't help that his other half was a fox. She let out an aggravated sigh and finally went limp in his arms while crossing hers. Her eyes narrowed at nothing as she pouted and heaved a sigh. She heard another amused laugh and narrowed her eyes further knowing he was laughing at her and the way she was acting. She suddenly felt lips on her neck and she squealed as she felt a warm appendage lick it. She was very sensitive there and no one ever touched her there so she was very surprised to say the least. No on knew her weak spots and felt she was being taken advantage upon. She heard another laugh from behind her.

"Still have the same weak spot as last time, god nothings changed after all this time." He said mysteriously.

She tried to shift out of his grip but it only tightened as she heard a growl from behind her.

"I have only so much patients with you wiggling around like that." He growled low in his throat and nipped at her ear.

She softly gasped and turned her head to truly look at him and became mesmerized. She soon found herself in a soul searing kiss that made her weak in the knees. She found herself responding as he cradled her body against his, as if she were a piece of rare fine china. She felt whole around him like nothing she ever felt before. If she didn't feel so connected she wouldn't have kissed him back. She suddenly felt herself thrown backwards and into her body.

She opened glazed eyes to she Richie bent over and silently dry heaving. Some saliva was collecting at the center of his mouth, his eyes were wide open in pain and shock as if he didn't truly see anything. It went on like this for what seemed like hours but was about ten minutes. She felt useless for only sitting there and not being able to help him. The heaves finally stopped and he slumped forward, she was there in a second to catch him. When she turned his face up she gasped and her face flushed at the sight before her. His hair now had brown streaks atop a mop of longer hair, only past his ears though, pouty lips, sharper eyes, sharper nose higher cheek bones and narrower ears. She could only imagine what he looked like once he opened his eyes.

She didn't have to wait long because he decided to open his eyes after that very thought, she gasped and her face flushed even darker as her eyes widened. He took advantage of that and molded his lips to hers while slowly lowering them both to the ground. He soon started trailing kisses down the column of her throat before going to her ear and whispering.

"I've seen everything already you don't need to be afraid were one now, you can have me at last, mind, body, and soul like I have yours." He whispered in a mix between Richie's voice and his other half, either way it made her melt.

His hands began to wander lower until he got to her leg which he teasingly massaged. That was when she was brought back to the present and began to panic. She didn't want him seeing her scars, she didn't want him to look down upon her with disgust. So she fought back, which made him mad.

He started to growl low in his throat as he narrowed his eyes at her form below him. She automatically stilled below him, but that didn't mean she was going to stop fighting back. She looked up at him with narrowed eyes challenging him back to do something to her, anything.

"Why do you fight me?" He half growled at her from above.

She didn't answer and turned her head to the other side. She didn't see it but his eyes widened and he suddenly tore the front of her shirt in to down the middle. She was too shocked to do anything and was shocked again as he turned her onto her stomach. She quickly realized what he meant to do but it was too late.

"No!!!" All you could hear throughout the room was snarling sounds coming from the beast above her.

Her eyes were wide with fright so she stayed still not moving afraid of what he would do.

"Who...did...this to you." It wasn't a question it was a demand, one she was to afraid to speak.

All along her back were scars of different sizes and shapes some deeper than others some gone over so many times you couldn't tell what the form of weapon was used on it, or how many times it had been gone over. There were whip lashes, knife stabs, carvings from dull blades. The man above her wanted to cry at the pain written across her back. But his anger over rode the want to cry, all he wanted was blood now. The blood of the person who did this.

He got up from above her and started to pace her room madly, Amelia was too scared to even look up at his face for fear of being trapped under his angry glare. She tried to stand up but was stopped as he suddenly rounded on her. She looked up with fear filled eyes and saw his eyes immediately soften up. He took cautious towards her as if she might run away from him. He knelt down slowly in front of her and kissed her softly, this went on for god knows how long she lost track of time the minutes his lips touched hers. Amelia felt light headed all of the sudden and started to sway towards Riche. Soon all she could see was black.

Richie looked down at Amelia's face and kissed every where he could her cheeks, her eyes, her nose, her forehead...her lips. He wanted to devour her whole, to take her away from the world and lock her up in a room where only he could reach her and no one else could. He loved her so much and to be reunited with her after all this time only to see what the world had done to her in a second lifetime killed him inside. She didn't deserve it, in both lives god had condemned her from the day she was born. He looked down at her peaceful face as she slept, nothing changed at all since he had been away, since he had been locked away. He gently picked her up bridal style and laid her upon her bed while whispering to her knowing she couldn't hear. He stroked her hair and kissed her lips before getting up to find her mother to get some answers he she wouldn't fess up to.