Chapter 2

Michael had a plethora of emotion as he stood beside the two women that just seemed to appear out of nowhere and drop into his life. They were standing at the nurse's desk and Lace was filling out his release papers. I'm surprised the police haven't been by to ask questions. He thought.

He looked down at the clothes he was wearing. A brand-new pair of jeans and a t-shirt. A new pair of sneakers also. Apparently Lace went shopping for him. He liked what he was wearing... He just missed his shades. He thought it would sound silly to anyone else, but he felt naked without them.

"And that's about it Ms. Carson. I hope Taylar County hospital treated your son with the care he deserved." The nurse said politely.

"Oh, they treated him just fine." She said turning to Michael and waving him to follow her out of the hospital. She noted the confused look on Michael's face and also noted the fact that Renae stuck close to his side. I guess she takes her job seriously, that's a good thing.

When they made it to the door, Michael couldn't take it any longer. "I didn't know California had a 'Taylar County.'" He said to Renae.

"I don't know if they do either... But I KNOW Michigan does." She replied as they walked out the door.

"Huh?" Then he looked at the scenery... And the half foot of snow. Then he put two and two together. "What?!?!?" He screamed.

Lace about jumped out of her skin. She made a show of putting a hand over her heart. "By the Gods, what's wrong Michael?"

Michael shot questions at her like bullets. "What city am I in? What state am I in? And what the fuck day is it?!" He screamed. He was REAL close to panic.

And Lace and Renae could see that. "You should really work on your language, Michael." Renae joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Michael just gave her a direct look.

"I'll answer what questions I can when we get in the car, Michael... Just try to calm down. Please?" She asked sincerely.

I hate it when they say 'Please?'. He thought. I'm like putty in a girl's hand when they do that. "Yeah, whatever." He grumbled and started to follow Lace to her car.

The car. The car was what looked to be a brand-new Dodge Durango. Michael was impressed but he didn't let on. He climbed into the back seat, expecting Renae to climb in the front with Lace. But, to his surprise, she crawled right into the back seat with him, close enough for him to smell her natural fragrance.

And with that thought, Lace pulled out of the parking lot of the hospital. Michael waited patiently as they drove through the small town of Taylor. Then he couldn't take it anymore. "Well?"

Lace gave a sigh. "You are in Taylar, Michigan and its Friday morning." She said simply, looking in the rear-view mirror. Michael looked pale. "Why don't you know where you are? The doctor said there was nothing wrong with you. What's the last thing you remember?"

"You're the one's with all the fuckin' answers... You tell me. How did I get in the hospital?" He snapped at both of them. He saw the hurt look on Lace's face and immediately felt bad. "I'm sorry, I'm just a bit edgy."

"It's all right, Michael and as for how you got to the hospital... A cop found you in the alley and you feinted on him." That's an understatement, but I don't want him to freak.

Michael sat back in silence for a moment. Why can't I remember. I wish I could remember something. Anything. He thought, frustrated. "Why?"

"Why did you feint? I don't know." Lace said as she made a corner.

"No," Michael started, he was feeling tired. "Why did you adopt me?"

Hmmm. Now is NOT the time to go into that. Lace thought wryly. "Let's just say that you are what I've been looking for and leave it at that. For now?" She asked, turning on a dirt road.

Michael went very still and quiet, as he just looked out the window. It was not unusual for him to go quiet when he was angry. It wasn't that he wanted to give them the quiet treatment, it was just that he was afraid that he would lose his cool if he talked or listened much more. And if he was certain of one thing, it was: Bad things happened when he lost his temper.

With a talent that he learned long ago, he blocked all of the problems and questions out of his mind and just tried to enjoy the scenery. It was quiet nice really. Much greener than L.A. They drove for miles with no one saying anything, but that was ok.

It was close to fifteen minutes before Michael let out an audible sigh. "How did you know that I was at the hospital?" He asked, still looking out the window. He didn't bother to ask how she knew that he was the one that she was looking for. He figured she wouldn't tell him anyway.

"A friend of mine is a nurse there. She called me after you was brought in." She said, turning down another dirt road. "She said that your shoulder was and back was badly burned." This was said casually. She wanted to gauge how much he knew about his *true* self.

Michael only nodded at the statement, trying to look nonchalant. That little fact was a secret he kept close to his vest. He healed faster than he should. But as far as he knew that was the only strange thing, besides his personality, about him. He never really thought of the ability much. It was just something had always been there, like the birth mark that looked like flames.

In all truth, there was not one scar on Michael's body. So, that lead him to believe that he had this ability since his birth. He never told anyone though, for fear of them calling him a freak. And at that moment he had a sneaking suspicion that this ability was part of the reason that Lace adopted him.

If she wants to make me into a lab rat, I'm bolting. He with suspicion. But he was going to play it by ear just to see what these two beautiful ladies were up to.

At least he isn't surprised about his fast healing ability. Renae thought with a smile. Maybe he won't panic when he finds out about the rest. Just in case, Renae and Lace had told the rest of the kids at the house not to talk about it when they arrived. "So, where did you live before you came to our fair town?" She asked him with a lopsided grin, trying to lighten his mood a little.

Hmmm. Good question. Michael thought with an inward chuckle. "Anywhere and everywhere." He replied. Which was true, he knew dozens of people that would let him crash with them when he needed a place to sleep.

"What town?" Renae asked a little exasperated. She also noticed that he noticed the exasperated tone to her voice, giving her a crooked grin for her trouble. God, he looks cute when he looks like that. She thought. Then mentally slapped herself. I'm supposed to be his Watcher! What I'm I thinking?

"Los Angeles," He started, then gave a frown. Kerry... She's gonna be worried. He thought. But a totally different thought popped into his spinning mind. "Is it just you and Renae that live at your place, or is there other people. Are you married? Do you have more children?"

Boy, he shoot can shoot questions like bullets. Renae and Lace thought in unison.

Lace laughed at all the questions. "No, I'm not married," She started, stopping the Durango. "And as to the rest... You're about to find out."

Michael looked where they stopped, through the windshield. There was a very large iron double gate, with plaque in the middle of it. The plaque looked either solid gold or gold plated. But what was engraved on it is what caught most of Michael's attention.

"Destiny"

Fitting. That is if everything works out. Michael thought with a grim look. He watched with curious eyes as Lace hit the button to let the window with a humming noise. She reached out and pushed a button that was on a speaker that was attached to a pole.

After pushing and holding the button, a voice came through the speaker. "Well, the infamous Lace returns with the Prodigal Son." The voice said with a humorous chuckle.

Brooklyn. The girl on the other side of the speaker sounds like a native of Brooklyn. Michael thought, bemused. He then looked at Lace and noticed that she did not look amused at the girl's statement. "Just open the gate, Alex. And be quick about it." She said in a neutral voice, but the hardness in her eyes relied something else.

"You got it boss."

And with that, the large iron gates separate slowly. Lace looked into the review mirror to see a confused look on his face. "Just be patient, Michael. Answers will come in do time." She said, her eyes reassuring.

Michael just gave a nod looked over at Renae. "Is this the kind of surprise that I'm gonna hate? You should know I hate surprises anyway." He said with a sober look.

"Nah, you'll like the others. Some of them got their strange ways, but then again, I think you have a few yourself." She replied with a wink.

Strange ways? What the hell have I gotten myself into this time? He thought to himself as the Durango pulled through the now open gates. Then a question popped into his head. "How'd she know that it was us?" He asked this to Renae.

"Security cameras." She answered, simply.

"Security cameras," He repeated, looking back at Lace. "Are you rich or somethin'?"

"Did you know that it's politically incorrect to ask that?" Lace replied with a smirk.

Michael sat back, looking at Renae. "Does she always answer questions with questions?"

Only the one's she want's to avoid," She said with a contemplative look. "But don't worry, it annoys me too when she does that." She said, patting his knee.

The spot where she patted him tingled and threw his thoughts off track, almost enough to miss what Lace's residents looked like. Almost. When he looked through the window... If his chin could have hit his chest it would have. It was the most impressive place he had ever seen.

It was a four-story mansion with a yard (well, he guessed that rich people would call it "grounds") that was huge. It had hedges lined all down the long drive. Fuck me, maybe I did luck out. He thought, impressed.

Renae saw the boy's expression and reached over with one finger and tapped the bottom of his chin, making him promptly snap his mouth closed in embarrassment. "Believe me, I felt the same damn way when I saw the place for the first time."

Finally, they reached the end of the driveway and parked in front of the four-car garage. "Home sweet home," Lace said with a cheerful note and stepped out of the car. Then she poked her head back in. "Well, c'mon." Then pulled her head out and started for the house.

For what seemed like the first time in his fifteen years, Michael was actually worried about what people thought of him. I'm so out of my fuckin' element. He thought. He was also deathly still.

Renae, as if reading his thoughts, placed a hand on his shoulder. "I can tell by the look on you're face about what you're thinking of. Trust me, you'll fit right in with this crowd." She told him reassuringly.

"Crowd?!" He said with alarm, misunderstanding.

"No, there aren't that many. Just... Just c'mon. You'll find out." She said lightly, opening her door and getting out.

Mikey, ya gotta quit this chicken shit routine and make your legs move! He scolded himself. "Besides, if they don't like me... Fuck'em." He mumbled under his breath.

As he walked around the Durango to stand beside Renae, he slid into what he liked to call 'Poker Playing Mode'. His face lit into a somewhat charming smile. In this 'Mode' nothing would surprise him and nothing would piss him off. And he would give off no emotion... Save charm. He always was proud of himself for acquiring this ability.

He walked up to Renae with a completely relaxed posture. "Ready when you are, Blondie."

What happened? It looks like he did a one-eighty on me. What happened to the nervous Michael? Although, he looks even cuter like this. Then scolding herself, once again, for thinking these thoughts. "Right this way, Mr. Davidson." And started for the front door.

Lace had left it open for them. Renae noticed that Michael walked through the door like he owned it. I hope he doesn't get cocky with the other's... I hate it when the Chosen's fight. They hurt the house more than they do each other. Renae thought wryly.

Michael was very impressed, but he didn't show it. His glacial blue eyes scanned the VERY large room with impassiveness. The paintings and vases looked like they should have been in a museum instead of here. Yep, she's as rich as all get out. He thought with a chuckle.

Lace was no where to be seen. "What's so funny?" Renae asked with a bemused expression.

"Nothing. Nothing at all, Blondie." He replied. Then he heard Lace's voice, but it was coming from a speaker that was in the ceiling.

<'All of us are in the den. Hurry up.'>

Renae started walking and Michael followed. Why do I let him call me 'Blondie'? I'd deck the others for that. "She's abrupt, huh." She heard Michael say from behind her.

"Yeah, but you get used to it." She replied with ease.

The walked through the very large room with purpose. I've seen houses' that were smaller than this room. Michael thought. Finally they made it out of the room and walked into then. The den was very nice. It wasn't as big as the other room, but it was stacked with all kinds of nice things. But his attention was on the three teenagers on the large sofa. Lace was standing beside them.

The teenagers on the couch were interesting, to say the least. There were two girls and one boy. The girls were strikingly beautiful and about his age. The redhead was wearing slacks and a blouse (sorta like Renae's) and had dark green eyes. She looked to have a perfect body.

The boy on her left was dressed in a three-piece suit that Michael would have bet a fortune was Armani. He had jet black hair and brown eyes that were behind the round spectacles he was wearing.

But the person that caught his attention the most was the girl on the right side of the redhead. She had sandy blonde hair that was drawn back in a ponytail, with a stray lock of hair covering the left side of her face. He noted her shades. They were just like the ones he had in L.A... She was wearing a black leather jacket with black jeans and silver tipped black boots.

Damn I wish I could see her eyes. He thought. He noted what all of them looked like in a mere few seconds and turned to Lace. "Sorry I'm late... Got side-tracked by this huge fuckin' room on the way in. Damndest thing I ever saw." He said with a thick street accent.

He noticed the girl in the leather jacket cover her mouth with her hand to smother a smile. Lace laughed a bit then spoke to the teenagers on the couch, gesturing towards Michael. "Michael here already knows myself and Renae. So, I think it's your turn to introduce yourselves."

The redhead nodded and stood up, walking to Michael holding out her hand. "My name's Gina Tomas." She said as Michael clasped her hand. After she let go of his hand, Michael looked behind her to the other girl. Gina moved out of his way so that he could get a better view.

The girl lowered her mirror-plated shades to reveal the same glacial blue eyes that Michael possessed. "Alexandria Blackman. But call me Alex." Her voice was smooth and velvet, yet... Yet, it held a note of deathly power. That's what Kerry said my voice sounded like. He thought.

"Call me Mikey... And it's a pleasure to meet ya." He said, transfixed by the girls blue eyes. No wonder she wears shades... Probably gets tired of people staring at her.

Michael figured he had better quit staring because Alex took on a knowing smile. He looked at the boy in the suit. He arched an eyebrow expectantly. The boy looked nervous as hell. His hands were fidgeting. But finally he got up and walked over to him "M-M-My name is Jim Walters." He stuttered out.

Michael shook his hand with a confused look. "Nice to me ya." Jim let go of his hand and went to sit back on the couch. What is his problem?? Michael thought.

"Ok, now that everyone has been introduced," She looked at the three teenagers. "And I've informed you of Michael's status before I left this morning, I think you should get him settled into his new room. Alex?"

Alex stood up with the grace of a jungle cat and walked towards Michael. Just watching her sent shivers up his spine. "Right this way, Golden Boy." She said with a crooked smile as she walked out the door.

Michael's eyes shot to Lace. He wanted his answers dammit. "But-"

Lace interrupted him, correctly understanding what he was going to argue. "Alex will answer your questions, but probably later tonight. She wants to get to know you first."

Michael was reluctantly mollified. If he was truthful he would say that the only reason he was mollified was because he would get to know the girl in the leather jacket better. "Whatever," He replied with a shrug.

The redhead spoke up at that moment. "You had best hurry... Alex tends to move quickly."

Fuck. It'd be my luck to lose her and get lost. He thought, turning on his heal and walking out the door at a fast clip. I swear I almost feel drawn to her when I look at her... She just seems so... He searched for the right word. Right. She just seems so damn right. Whatever that means. He thought.

As he made it out of the door, he heard Jim say in a hushed whisper, "I can't believe you found him!"

I'll figure that out later. Michael thought not slowing down. He was about ten paces into the next room when a voice came from behind him.

"What's the rush, Mikey? The room ain't goin' nowhere," Alex said in an amused voice.

Michael turned slowly and had a sly grin on his face. "Ya think?"

"Nope. I try not to." She said in that same mesmerizing voice and walked with a smooth gait towards him. "Ya know, you just don't look right." She said with an appraising look. You look cute as hell. But something just don't fit. Her thoughts added.

"Oh? Whatever could ya mean?" He asked, amused, as they started to walk through the room.

Then the answer came to her. "Your clothes. They don't match ya... Maybe it's just me." She said as she kept at a semi-fast pace.

Michael was so captivated by the sound of her voice and the way she moved that he didn't even noticed they made it clear across the mansion, until they were climbing the stairs.

"They ain't mine. And how would you know what 'match' I am?" He asked with good humor.

Alex just shrugged her leather clad shoulders. "Just a hunch," She said as they reached the top of the stairs. "You do know that you already owe me one, don't ya?"

Michael just arched an eyebrow in mute question.

"Yep. Lace made me, Gina and Jim go shopping for ya. Wait till you see what they bought you. Some great three piece suits, some slacks, blazers and some of them wing tipped shoes." She said with faked enthusiasm.

She gave a big smile when she saw Michael's face fall into a frown. They had stopped just stopped in front of a door and Alex reached out and opened it, walking in ignoring Michael's frown with amusement.

I am not gonna look like Jim 'I Iron My Underwear' Walters downstairs. He thought grimly. He looked into the huge bedroom... That had TWO king-sized beds. Wonder why it has two? He was about to ask, but Alex had disappeared into, what he thought, the closet and closed the door. He looked around the room. It was VERY nice. It had two computer desks, both equipped with computers.

About two minutes later Alex came out of the closet with an arm full of clothes. "Make that two you owe me, Golden Boy. You better count your blessings I agreed to go on the shopping trip." She said, laying the bundle of clothes into Michael's arms. Before he could say anything, she said, "Get changed, I'll wait outside." She said it while she gave his cheek a friendly pat.

After Alex closed the door, leaving Michael in the room, she leaned her back against it and let out an explosive sigh. I can't believe this is happening to me. I don't- Scratch that. I don't NEED a partner. Even if he is cute. Verrrry cute. Her thoughts drifted to Michael's eyes and voice.

Stop it! So what if he's a hottie. Cuteness does night equal skill in battle. Cuteness does NOT dust vamps. Hell, he didn't even hear me behind him when he left the den. If he is a Master Slayer, he should have heard me. I'm not that distracting to the mind, am I? No. Definitely not.

And Lace told me this morning that he doesn't even know he's a Slayer. And he's just a kid. Fifteen. Now, Alex, you were fifteen once and that wasn't that long ago. What? Ten years ago? I used to freak people out with brute strength and speed back then. But I was also cautious. She thought. But he's not you. Her thoughts added.

Alex fished out a pack of Camels and a Zippo lighter, lighting a cigarette. She blew out a jet of smoke. I can give him the benefit of the doubt. We'll see how he handles tonight. I remember my first kill... Her thoughts were cut short when the door behind her opened, promptly dumping her on her back. And landing at Michael's now booted feet.

"Well, I can't say I mind that pretty girls fall to my feet, but this is a bit much, doncha think?" Michael asked with a smirk.

Alex jumped to her feet as fast as possible, without looking goofy. "Ya know, you're pretty damn cocky," She said with a blush of embarrassment. "Now let me see what I've created." She stated, pushing back, giving him a long appraising gaze.

Damn. She thought. Michael wearing a tight pair of Levis and the black button up shirt, that was tucked in, along with the black leather biker jacket. And his feet was adorned with a pair of leather, silver tipped boots. When she looked back into his glacial blue eyes, thoughts that were so lustful the actually made her face flush raced through her mind.

Dammit! He knows what I'm thinking and he's smirking! Her thoughts screamed as she tried to regain her emotions. After a few seconds (that seemed like years) she accomplished it. She kept staring at his beautiful eyes... "Something's missing." She mumbled to herself, more than him.

Michael frowned a little. "Yeah. My shades." Damn I miss them.

"Ohhhhh. It's your lucky day, Golden Boy!" She exclaimed, reaching in her jacket pocket and pulling out a pair of shades. "I bought me an extra pair today." She said, leaning in and sliding them over his eyes. Then she stepped back to see what she created. He's the personification of 'Bad Boy'. She thought with a sly smile. He's what a Slayer SHOULD look like!