Chapter 1

Gabriel Brice sat in the Department of Human Services with a relaxed posture. He idly wiped his jet black bangs from his impassive eyes. This was about his seventh visit to the DHS in his life. So, this little trip was nothing new to the fifteen-year-old. In fact, in his opinion, it was getting old pretty damn quick.

Gabriel guessed that he could not blame his last foster-family for letting him go. He had not spoken a word to either of them in over a month. He just didn't feel like talking to them. Then there was the small altercation he had with their neighbor. The boy had been dumb enough to throw a rock at him for fun... The boy that threw the rock ended up getting a nice room with three meals a day at the county hospital. All Gabriel got was a guilty conscience.

Gabriel never said a word, but the neighbors said it was self-defense, pure and simple.

Now here he sat, wearing faded jeans with a blue t-shirt tucked into them, along with a pair of sneakers. I wonder who they'll give me this time. He thought wryly. His last foster-family was an elderly couple, but very strict. They'll probably give me Hitler's grandson this time. He thought with a wry smile. He really didn't care where he went anymore. Gabriel had come to the conclusion that all life was meant for, was to kill time until death.

His philosophy was that if there was a God, he had either pissed him off in some way, or he just simply turned away from him. In Gabriel's mind, he had too many years of bad experiences to prove this theory wrong.

He had been in seven foster-care homes. But there was nothing lucky about that number. Three of them made him end up in emergency rooms. And there was a fourth where he should have gone, but they didn't bother to take him.

His brown eyes scanned the room for what seemed like the millionth time. A small waiting room, really. It was also fairly sparse. The room had a sofa, two chairs, and a table. That was it, but Gabriel thought that was all right, that was all that was really needed.

Gabriel was somewhat early, his so-called ex-foster-parents had just dropped him off and left. He was pretty sure that everything came down to the word 'want'. They 'wanted' to help him really bad in the beginning, then they 'wanted' to get rid of him really bad in the end. Or at least that was the way Gabriel thought it was.

Gabriel's keen ears heard footsteps in the other room before whomever it was made it anywhere near the large oak door that he was looking at. A heavy person, judging by the click the shoes make when they hit the floor... They don't sound like a woman's. I bet its John. Gabriel thought with a smirk as the door opened to reveal the man he was just thinking about. His social worker.

John walked into the room with a rakish grin. He was a little chubby and was starting to go bald, even at the tender age of thirty-six. Gabriel couldn't help but like the man... A little anyway.

"Hey Gabriel, how are you doing today?" John asked a little too cheerfully for Gabriel's tastes.

Gabriel just shrugged his left shoulder. Even if he did like the man, he still didn't like idle chit-chat. Gabriel had never found a person he did like enough to have a conversation with, at least not in foster-care anyway. And besides, John was throwing him into the lion's den: Again. But his face still remained completely uninterested and impassive.

John was not a stupid man, he knew that Gabriel would not talk unless it was to give a required answer. So he asked one. "What happened last week, Gabriel?"

"Fate decided that it was time I got hit in the head with a rock," Gabriel's voice was low, even and sounded more than a little dangerous. For some reason, it always seemed to sound that way.

It had always amazed John how this fifteen-year-old kid could project such presence. The kid possessed something that just made you keep an eye on him and stay just a little bit nervous. Sometimes more than a little nervous.

But John hid his nervousness like a master. "Did fate also decide that the kid that hit you with the rock get bashed by a two-by-four, oh, about nine times?" John asked with an expectant look.

Another shrug from Gabriel. He didn't feel the urge to tell John that the kid had pulled a knife. Nor did he feel the need to justify his actions. Gabriel figured if John wanted to, he could look at the police report.

John decided that it was best to change the subject. "Gabriel, the woman that is taking you in is a very nice lady. She knows your history in foster care... She don't care. All she wants to do is help. Can you make more of an effort to accept help this time?"

Past history?? That's a joke. What, did you tell her about my visits to the hospital? Gabriel thought sarcastically. He hated pity more than anything. "What's her husband like?" The only reason he asked was because he really had a bad history with foster-fathers.

"She's single,"

"Single??"

"Yeah, her and her old man split up about five years ago... She also has a kid about your age. Her name is Rachel. The woman that is taking you in is called Dawna Wilson," John said with a private grin. Ohhh, I think he's gonna like Rachel... John thought as he watched Gabriel's eyes turn calculative and then cynical. He almost knew what Gabriel was going to say before he said it.

"A single mother, wanting to take in a foster-brat... Gee, John, I wonder if she could possibly need money??" Great, that's all I need. His thoughts were then captured by John's words.

"Don't take that tone Gabe. No, she isn't after money,"

"And you would no this, how?"

John was feeling a bit smug before he said his next words. "Gabriel, she's the heiress to her father's fortune. The lady is a multi-millionaire," He replied with a smile the size of his home state of Georgia.

Ok, I put my foot in my mouth. Gabriel thought. Yet another reason I should keep my mouth shut. Then he gave John another shrug with an impassive look. He had never met a millionaire, but money also never impressed him much either. "When do they arrive?" He asked in the same low voice. He was still kicking himself for talking too much.

John noticed a sad look pass before the Spanish-brown eyes of Gabriel. But he chose not to ask why. Because if there was one thing he was certain of, it was: Gabriel detested pity. It was far better strategy to try and get the thoughts that were running through that overly smart brain of his on a different track.

"Dawna will be here within ten minutes. Her daughter couldn't make it. She had a Martial Arts class she had to attend," John replied, knowing full well that would get the boy's attention. John had been aware that Gabriel had been self teaching himself Martial Arts for some time.

Martial Arts? That might be interesting. He thought with just a little wonder. Then he gave John another shrug. "Whatever,"

It'll be ok kid, I have a good feeling about this one. John wanted to say those words out loud, but he knew that Gabriel wouldn't believe it and probably didn't want to hear it. "Well, Gabe, I gotta go do some paper work... To get everything settled. I'm going to have to say my goodbyes now, because when Dawna gets here, I'll still be doing paperwork. You just go on with her,"

"Right. Later, John," Gabriel said with a twitch of a smile. He then watched as John made his way towards the door. "Don't get writers cramp," he added before John made it out the door. It was a small joke and he didn't usually tell them. But he made a little exception when it came to John.

John gave a light laugh, then closed the door. When Gabriel heard the click of the door, his small smile faded. It's time to hurry up and wait Gabriel. His thoughts told him.

Gabriel stood up, noting the sign that was beside the door. No Smoking. He gave a light chuckle and pulled out a pack of Kools and a pack of matches. He then lit him a cigarette. Gabriel sat back down, blowing a lung full of smoke out as he did so.

'Waiting' was a game Gabriel had gotten very good at through his time at foster-care. He looked up at the clock every few minutes. He could not help but be curious about why a millionaire would want a foster-kid. I guess I'll find out later. He thought.

The door opened just as Gabriel dropped the butt in his hand to the floor and stepped on it. Gabriel looked up to see a woman in a pair of jeans more faded than his were. She had on a cream-colored blouse that really brought out the color of her eyes.

Her eyes were that of an ocean blue. She had hair that was shoulder length and was platinum blonde. Those eyes seemed to twinkle as she looked at the cigarette Gabriel just put out and then up at the sign. She took on a coy look at that moment.

"Now, if that doesn't say 'I don't give a fuck', I don't know what does," That little statement actually drew a smile out of Gabriel. "My name is Dawna and you must be Gabriel," She said with an expectant look.

"And you must be right," He said. She's different, that much is a certainty. He thought with just a little delight. There was just a certain charisma that she had that he genuinely liked.

"Ya ready?" By the look on his face, I'd say I made a good impression. Dawna thought.

"Do I have a choice?" He replied with a cock of the head. He was examining his new foster-mother.

"You always have a choice. We could sit in this room until kingdom-come, but that might piss my daughter off," She said with that same charisma. "Should I take a seat?"

Gabriel came to the swift decision that he liked this woman. "Nah, we wouldn't want to piss off your daughter, now would we?" He said wryly. "Ready when you are,"

"Great, lets hit the road," I don't think he is as much of a problem-child as John described him to be. Dawna thought.

Dawna started out the door then. Gabriel followed obediently. They walked outside and Gabriel got a little surprise. He looked at the car they stopped in front of. "Fully restored '68 Mustang," he said lightly.

"Yeah, she's my baby, rebuilt her myself," Dawna said proudly.

Yeah, she is most certainly different. He thought as he opened the door, slipping into the car. When the car's owner took her seat behind the wheel he asked "So what part of town do you live in?" He had an idea already... The rich side.

"I don't. Me and Rachel live out in the boondocks," And with that, she started up the engine, which purred like a kitten.

"Great,"

"What don't you like about town?"

"People," Gabriel stated simply and with a straight face. He wasn't lying either.

"Good,"

"Why is that 'Good'?," Gabriel asked out of curiosity.

"You and my daughter have something in common," She said with a light laugh.

A girl that's into Martial Arts, and doesn't like people. She should be... Interesting. He thought. "Whatever," He replied, thinking that he already had enough small talk for now.

Dawna sensed that he wished to be quiet at that time. John had warned her about that. He had told her not to push him if he didn't want to talk. She just hoped that he got along with her daughter. She picked him because he had most of the same interests as Rachel.

And Rachel's interests were a bit different than most teenagers, to say the least. Rachel had serious worries about her taking in Gabriel... Especially since she had the full intention of adopting him. Dawna guessed that she could not really blame her daughter for worrying.

She'll like him... I hope. Dawna thought.

When she said she lived out in the boondocks, she wasn't kidding. Gabriel thought. They had been on a dirt road for more than thirty minutes. But to Gabriel's delight, Dawna liked to listen to southern rock, and that was his favorite kind of music. They listened to ZZ Top almost all the way there.

He had developed a taste for this type of music because it was sort of like blues and rock n' roll combined. It had somewhat of a soothing effect on him and that was not a bad side effect. Least she has good tastes. He thought.

It seemed like a maze of trees the whole way there. It was when they started down a steep hill when he first saw his new home. He saw it because she pointed it out. Calling it a house would be like comparing caviar to French onion dip. It was a three-story mansion.

It sat on what looked to be twenty acres of well-kept lawn and had a driveway that looked to be almost two hundred yards of asphalt. It was long and a little winding. Gabriel could not help but be a little impressed despite himself. This was definitely the best looking place he had ever stayed in. After or before foster-care. That was for sure.

When they were pulling into the drive way, Dawna looked over to gauge Gabriel's reaction on her home. There was a slight impressed look, but it was gone in seconds. In its wake, it left a glacial mask, leaving all emotion void. "Well, we're here. John already sent your stuff from your old home to here,"

"That was kind of him," He said, a small, a very small smile appeared and disappeared.

"Come on, I'll show ya to your room. I hope you don't mind, but I bought a few things and put them in your room. Anything you don't like you can throw out of course," She said with that coy look she had at the DHS.

"You really didn't have to go through the trouble... But thanks," Gabriel said. For some reason, he wanted to try to make an effort with this woman. It wasn't just for John's sake either. He just thought that he had met a genuinely nice woman trying to help him.

"It's no trouble," she said, a slight wink followed the words. There was a security pad beside the door. It was the door's lock. Gabriel should know, he read more than one book on electronics. A Dragon Dodson Security System... That cost her a pretty penny. He had studied the stats on that system, out of pure boredom, just the week before. State of the art...

She hit the enter-button and they both heard the click of the door's locks. "Welcome to your new home,"

"Thanks... For everything," There was genuine meaning in the words. He didn't think Dawna knew it, but he rarely said those words. And with that, he stepped over the threshold and into his new life... Hopefully.

"Don't mention it," Dawna said. Her voice was neutral, but on the inside she felt elation. From what she had read in his file, he had talked more to her than ninety percent of his foster-parents. And she was pretty sure that he hardly ever said the words 'Thank You'.

Gabriel followed his new foster-mother through the house. Their first stop was at a huge kitchen. A kitchen bigger than most living rooms he had dwelled in. It was in there that she gave him a Mt. Dew from the refrigerator. She didn't buy them like most people did though. She bought them in 20 ounce bottles instead of cans.

"Now, we go to your new room. You're on the third floor, so I hope you like walking," She said, taking a sip out of her own bottle. She was going to follow John's advice. He had told her to leave him alone after she put him in his room, that way he could adjust in his own way.

But just from the few minutes with the boy, she had found out a lot of the things that she had been told were wrong. Either that or she was the exception to the rule. But she really prayed it was she. The thought made her feel a little special. But she didn't know if that was hoping for too much.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," He stated and started to follow the woman once again. Well, this is better than what happened at my last place... They just started to rattle off rules and what chores I had to do. He thought with a small amount of appreciation.

The three stories of stairs were covered in light brown carpet. "How many rooms does this place have anyway?" He asked as they walked at a slow pace up the steps.

"Eight. When the holidays come we usually have them here. That's why I had the place built. It's hell on the maintenance, but it's worth it on Christmas, that's for sure," She said as they reached the third floor.

"I'll take your word for it," He replied with a quirk of the lips. Holidays... When was the last time I had a REAL holiday dinner?? The thought saddened him somewhat and he pushed it away.

They had passed several closed doors before they came to the closed door that was supposed to be his. "Well, this is it. I hope it's to your liking. If you need anything, I'll be down in the den. Rachel should be here in about an hour... You can meet her then,"

"All right, I'll probably be down in a few minutes though," He said in a low and even voice.

"Well, I'll see ya then," Dawna said and started back for the steps. I hope he likes it. She thought. She had told him that she bought him a few things. That was not exactly true. She had spent hours shopping for stuff to go in that room. But she figured a little lie wouldn't hurt. The only thing she wished she could do, would be to see his face when he saw just what all she had bought.

Gabriel took in a deep breath and opened the door. He walked in and his first thought was, Jesus, it's bigger than the living room and kitchen combined in my last home.

The room was very large indeed. The first thing he noticed in it was the king-sized water bed in the corner. Then he noticed a huge book shelf filled with books until there was no space left. He walked over to the book shelf, noting the two boxes of his old books on the floor.

Gabriel walked with tentative steps up to the dozens of books that were on the large shelf. They all looked brand new. But that was not what surprised him. What surprised him was that each shelf went by category. Philosophy was the first. The shelf had every author he had every heard of on the shelf. Then there was Psychology. Also, every author he had ever heard of.

Then there were computer books of all kinds. Manuals on UNIX, Linux, DOS and Windows. Then there were manuals on Hacking, Cracking, Phreaking and security systems: For house and computer. How in the hell did she know? She had to have put HOURS into researching me to know I like this shit. Gabriel felt more than a little flattered at the woman's gesture.

That was when he noticed the desk. The desk was very large and stained with light-brown polish. But the desk did not interest him as much as what was on it. What was on it was a very new looking computer. It had a 21-inch color screen monitor. Gabriel liked that. He liked even more what he read on the side of the computer. An 1.7gz with 128 megs of RAM. I guess I don't have to mess around with the computers at Radio Shack anymore. He thought with a roll of the eyes.

"I could get used to this," He murmured. I think she put a little more effort into filling this room than she let on. But why would she go through so much trouble?? He thought as he walked over to his bed.

He didn't want to admit it but he was very tired. He hadn't really gotten any sleep since that last fight he got into. He had to admit that he went a little overboard on that fight... Even if the kid did rush him. Gabriel guessed that the kid thought he had a good chance of winning.

The kid pegged him in the head with a rock and let out a scream when he rushed him. But Gabriel was no stranger to violence and put the kid on his ass in seconds. Then the stupid kid had to pull a knife out.

The people he was staying with were adding onto their house. That's where the two-by-four came from. That was when Gabriel went overboard. The other people didn't know it, but Gabriel knew it, he could have taken him without the board. But the neighbors said it was self defense. So he got off.

Gabriel kicked off his sneakers and slipped onto the waterbed. It felt so good that Gabriel could swear that it was sinful. Before Gabriel knew what was happening, he was slipping into dream land.

He was ten years old again... And hiding under his bed. He was supposed to do the dishes, and do them he did. He broke an entire stack full of plates. There were at least six of them.

"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU, YOU LITTLE SHIT?!" His foster-father bellowed out, looking in each room. It was only a matter of time before he found him.

"Go away, go away, go away," Gabriel chanted over and over again. He knew that his foster-father was drunk and liable to do anything. And he knew the chanting would do no good.

He knew he was in serious trouble, even though he only knew his foster-father for two weeks. He knew this because, about a week before, he accidently bumped into a table that was holding a vase. That had caused the vase to fall and break with a loud shatter.

That little incident had also earned Gabriel the right to feel what steel toed boots felt like, after being kicked by them repeatedly. He couldn't walk for days after that beating. But the promise of more beatings had been made if he didn't hold his tongue at the hospital.

He continued the mantra of "Go away,"

Then suddenly, a hand clamped down on his ankle and dragged him out from under the bed. When he was out from under the bed the first thing he noticed was how the light flashed off the knife his foster-father was holding. Before he could even put two and two together, it happened.

The knife came down with deadly intent and speed.

While Gabriel was in the middle of his own personal nightmare. His future foster-sister was on her way home. She was almost there. Another girl that she went to Martial Arts class with was nice enough to be giving her a ride home.

And home was a place that she definitely wanted to be. Even though she was a little bit edgy about meeting their so-called new family member. Even though her mother did have a legitimate and very good reason for wanting to take him in. I just hope she's right...

"Penny for your thoughts?" Her friend, a brunette with light green eyes asked. Janet was her name. "It looked like you were worried about something. It's not about that walking dick that goes by the name of Tom is it. Look, the Instructor saw the whole thing. He grabbed your ass. Who cares if your reaction was to break his nose??" Janet asked with a laugh, She still thought it was funny.

"Nah, he's not worth a passing thought... And my thoughts are not usually worth a penny," Rachel replied, wiping an errant strand of sandy-blond bang out of her sea-green eyes. It's time for a hair cut. She thought. She had been putting it off for a month.

That was all that was said for the rest of the trip. Janet, to Rachel's great pleasure, left the small talk alone. Her friend knew that she wasn't much for small talk anyway. Some people thought she was just being rude, but Janet found out that her friend just did not like idle chit-chat.

Rachel let her thoughts drift back to the week before. She had achieved her black belt status that day. And it was also on that day that her mother had told her that they were going to add a new member to the family... In more ways than one.

He's probably some ugly nerd that wouldn't know The Gift if it was handed to him on a silver platter. She thought smugly as she watched the passing of the trees. She just hoped that her mother was right.

She knew that her mother and she had to please SOMA. And on any other thing, she would not have minded. But this... This was making Rachel a little nervous. After all, she didn't even know the boy. And the thought of... She closed the thought out of her mind before it could finish.

It was right at dusk when they pulled in front of Rachel's home. Janet looked at her friend and was still trying to figure out why she had a worried look on her face. "Are you sure nothing is..."

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'll see in two days," Rachel said as she opened the door and stepped out.

"All right. You better practice, that tournament isn't going to be a cake walk. See ya later kiddo," Janet said and started her way back down the long driveway. She never heard Rachel say "Don't call me that,"

Rachel walked up to the house with tote-bag in hand. It was getting close to dark... She debated on going straight to her room to try and delay meeting the boy her mother wanted her so desperately to meet. But then again, I never was one to take a coward's way out. She thought grimly as she typed in the security code.

Rachel walked into the house with her head up, knowing that her life would change after this night. She walked with confident strides that in no way reflected her thoughts. She saw light coming from the dining room.

Ok, they are having dinner. Mom will wait until afterwards to have the discussion with him. So I'm ok... for now. She thought with a sigh.

But when Rachel made it to the dining room, she was surprised to see her mother sitting at the table eating alone. She walked with light footsteps to the table. "So, where's dream-boy?" She asked with a smirk.

"Rachel Suzan Wilson! Mind your manners," Her mother told her in a somewhat scolding tone.

"Sorry,"

"As to where Gabriel is, he fell asleep in his new room. I think the poor thing is just tuckered out," Dawna said with a slight frown.

"Well, since he's asleep, and here, could I please see the file you collected on him? Or do I still have to wait and be patient? Ya know that really isn't my strong suit Mom," Rachel said lightly, taking a seat beside her mother.

"You're really worried about this aren't you," It wasn't a question.

"Aw Mom, you know I just hate surprises. Ever since you found him, you've been dead set on surprising me with him. You won't even tell me what he looks like, and you've known that for MONTHS," Rachel said, a little exasperated.

"All right, I'll show you his file," Dawna said. "Follow me," She added and started for the den.

Rachel got up and followed her mother as asked to the den. The den was rather large and had a 50" color screen TV against the wall and large leather sectional in front of it. There was also a pool table off in the right-hand corner.

But Rachel's sea-green eyes were on nothing but the large (and quite beautiful) painting of her great, great-grandmother. But the painting was not what interested Rachel either... It was what was behind the painting that interested her.

Behind the painting was a safe, and in that safe was where her mother kept all of her files. Rachel watched, transfixed, as her mother gently took the painting down. When it was removed, Rachel saw the greenish-gray safe. The combination to that safe was something that Dawna would guard with her life, if need be.

Rachel watched as Dawna pulled out a thick manilla folder. There had to be at least a hundred or more pages in it, judging by its size. "Remember, daughter of mine, you must not tell Gabriel that you know anything about his past... Or anything about SOMA, until I give you my consent,"

"But why not?" She asked as she took the folder from her mother.

"Myself and SOMA want to lead him into his role of life slowly. Knowing everything may be too much for him," Dawna said with a serious expression. But then again, Dawna's face was always serious when it came to business.

"All right, you don't have a thing to worry about from me. I promise," Rachel said with a curt nod. She could not help but be a little excited, she had been wondering what this boy would be like for a while, now she would know.

Both mother and daughter took a seat on the sectional. Rachel immediately opened the folder upon sitting. The first page was a picture. A boy with jet-black hair and intense, so intense spanish-brown eyes. I guess I was a little foolish on assuming he was ugly. She thought wryly.

Even though Rachel was an accomplished speed reader, known to read entire novels in under fifteen minutes, she read over his file slowly. Almost tasting it. Her heart almost sunk when she saw his past. All of the times he had been in the emergency room, which lead her to a question that had been gnawing at her.

"Mom, if he is so much like me, one of the Chosen, why would he let those ignorant wretches do these things to him?" Feeling a little angry. But not at Gabriel, at those that would do him harm. Even in her thoughts the name tasted like honey. Gabriel. It was a name she had not known before now.

"His true power lays dormant, sweetheart. It is not his fault. I guess his parents died before they could tell him anything of it," Dawna said calmly. She could understand the anger in her daughter's voice. She too felt it.

"And you're saying that we can't tell him right away," She asked, looking at the picture again, at those intense eyes. She knew in her heart, just by looking at those eyes, Gabriel could handle the information. "I think he has the right to know," she finished quietly.

"You are right, my child... And you must be the one to tell him. After you have built a relationship with him. You know as well as I: There are few Chosen Ones left in the world. You and he are part of the few. You must have an heir," She said the last quietly.

"But Mom, what if we hate each other? Or worse, what if he hates, me?" The latter question was what scared her the most, after reading his past. It wasn't physical harm she was worried about, though.

"Skip over a few pages and read what interests him Rachel," Dawna said with a quiet smirk. She had painstakingly acquired the information on those pages. It was not an easy task. But she was a Watcher and that was something she was good at. Even the High Council of SOMA had said so.