A high note

[Artemis]

The Parthenon- Presidential suite

:: as the show began, Alycia, Karen and Sharon all watched. it was a beautifull , fantastic scene as Illustra's models appeared, featuring various distinct looks from Madonna's career with Morgan taking on Madonna's envelope pushing "Erotica" look while Ava took the glamorous "Express Yourself" look. then Madonna herself appeared, sparkling like the diva she was in gold.::

:: Alycia snapped her fingers as she and Karen delighted in the performance as it unfolded.::

allright madonna!!!

:: as she lead them in "Music" and the cameras zeroed in on the models, particular Morgan and Ava, Alycia smirked.::

Morgan knows she can work it dont she? and look at AVA?

:: hard to believe that Alycia had once been GUNNING for Ava's HEAD before the power of the seige perilous merged her with Persephone, making them a uniquely blended being. seeing her in this moment, participating in this event made Alycia realize how GOOD a thing it was that she didnt succeed in killing Ava in that caper. the woman was a wonder asset to the Six and seemed to balance out very well with persephone. she was beautifull.::

Karen: She's at her BEST when she's reveling in the world of fashion.

:: Alycia smiled at Karen, she could see how proud the doctor was of her daughter.::

And Madonna...just FABULOUS!! i wish my body was as tight as HER'S...

:: a sentiment many women would share although Alycia had a trim, fit yet feminine body..she never seemed to acknowledge her own beauty, except for the tailored, fierce business suits she often wore.::

:: Karen and Alycia were bobbing their heads and enjoying the performance when Diddy suddenly bounced into view. Alycia knew well that Diddy and Alison were high profile "play mates" of each other's but she too thought the super producer was sexy. ::

Owwwww. He need's to step his ass up HERE to my suite tonight.

:: she nudged Karen who showed just how relaxed she was about things like this as she high fived her.::

Karen: you could always call down and get him up here. you've got the pull i'm sure. But you better be carefull, ALISON might show up.

:: it was all in fun and Alycia shook her head, as if to say "oh no..i dont want HER on my ass" . the show came to a fabulous close and Karen and Alycia clapped as well, with Alycia even whistling. even though they werent there in the flesh, the had wished Morgan and Ava all the best. ::

:: Sharon sat there, rather still, she was watching and at times she seemed to show a little reaction here or there. a little smile or interest but she remained rather quiet. Alycia looked over at her friend and gently touched her shoulder.::

You feeling okay?

 

[Black Widow]

Final exchange

The lights dimmed and the show kicked off to a breathtaking start, provoking cheers and whistles all around. The music and dance number was absolutely energetic and performed flawlessly, and it did well to get the crowd pumped up and excited. Haleigh even let her head bob a little, though the very FIRST words from Madonna still reverberated in her head. one CAN always change.... but I'm certain it's just a coincidence she said that..... she wasn't.... no. She COULDN'T be talking to me. She thought. Still, it was eerie.

And yet, she was able to relax about it, throughout the dance number..... until Diddy showed up.... and Madonna staged disapproval in such a convincing manner that Haleigh sat up straight, her hand surreptitiously on her thigh, ready to ready for her gun if it came to that.... but it turned out to be an ACT after all.... and Haleigh breathed a sigh of relief. She leaned back and let the rest of the dance number wash over her. A waiter approached her and set down a lowball glass with an amber liquid in it. She questioned it quietly.

"What is this?"

Waiter [in an equally low voice, leaning down to her ear so as not to disturb the performance]:"Kentucky Straight Bourbon... Jim Bean Small Batch."

Well... Haleigh hadn't ordered it.... but she wasn't going to turn down such a fine selection. "No ice?"

Waiter:"No Ma'am. The gentleman who sent it said you'd always thought the ice took up too much room in the glass.... with the added detriment of diluting the alcohol."

It was obviously from someone Haleigh knew..... which narrowed it down considerably.... It was one of two people. Only one way to find out. "Indeed. Who shall I thank?" she asked, and the waiter pointed to a man in a tuxedo standing off to the right..... he was engrossed in the number on stage and didn't look over.... but Haleigh thanked the waiter and sourly set her glass down on the table. The waiter handed her a note that asked her to meet the man after the opening performance. Haleigh sighed heavily and watched the rest of the dance with her arms crossed, then unfolded them to clap as the lights went out on stage and the performance finished with style. Haleigh got up and begrudgingly went over to him, visibly displeased. Zach turned to face her, holding out a red rose for her. Haleigh folded her arms again, glaring at it before turning her eyes on him.

Zach:"I remember when you made love to me.... like I was all you'd ever need.... did you change your mind? [Haleigh doesn't respond] I didn't change mine. I thought you'd come find me."

"Well, I guess you don't know EVERYTHING about me, do you? [pause] Why did you come here?"


Zach:"I couldn't get back into Illustra.... I've tried every single day. I guess nobody remembered to revoke my invitation here though. I had to see you... I have to explain. It was BEFORE we were really serious about each other, Haleigh.... I wasn't sure if we were exclusive.... It was brief.... and then she died, and everything went so wrong--"

"Oh, well CHRIST, I'm sorry her DEATH inconvenienced you so."

Zach:"Haleigh. That's not what I meant. [pausing as if to gather his thoughts] I.... I didn't think it would be a big deal... I mean, you had Cameron and--"

"NO. I WANTED to have Cameron.... but I always came back to YOU. Because I was WITH YOU. Because it wouldn't have been right to YOU. God Zach.... I can't BELIEVE you! I can't believe I DEFENDED you to Cameron, and you just LET ME, you let me go on about how GOOD you had been to me and how you'd been there for me but it was all a LIE.... it was based on a LIE."

Zach:"I never LIED to you!"

"YOU NEVER TOLD ME THE TRUTH!" She fired back hotly, attracting the attention of the table closest to them. Zach dropped his voice even lower to compensate.

Zach:"I know.... I know.... please.... I'm SORRY. I never wanted to hurt you.... and the longer I waited the harder it got to tell you.... please... Haleigh.... just give me a chance. I'll do anything you want."

Haleigh stared at him a moment, before unfolding her arms and taking the rose from his STILL outstretched hand. "I want you to leave. Take this--[replacing the rose with the engagement ring he'd given her] and just LEAVE."

She said, steeling herself against his crestfallen look. She'd made up her mind.... there was no WAY she could trust him now..... and without trust.... she'd never be happy with him. When he realized he would not get through to her, his gaze fell to the ring in his hand, and she looked down as well, at the rose in hers. After a minute or two of pensive silence between them, he spoke dejectedly.

Zach:"I AM sorry."

[after a beat]"Yeah.... so am I." She replied softly, before turning away and going back to her table.

 

[Seer]

and so it goes

<< how ironic that as the audience was now rising to their feet, some had never sat down, claping, cheering, whistling with delight and approval at the show stopping number given them by Madonna, the Illustra Inc Models , the b-boys and Diddy, Haleigh was perhaps not quite as cheery after having one last exchange with Zach, who had showed up to the gala after all.>>

<< Morgan and Ava soon rejoined their team after receiving many congratulatory hugs "air kisses" and back stage celebrity gifts from various companies. Madonna JOINED them at their table, meeting the rest of the team formally. the evenings festivities continued on and the wonderfull night went off without any glitches from start to finish but even as the members of the six and their allies enjoyed themselves in a way that hadnt in a long time...there were still some things in their minds.>>

<< some doors were closed, [haleigh and zach] some were opened but for those who stood before them...the question remained...would they walk through it? [ sharon accepting Nicolas' support; karen warming up to mike] while others had not only walked through their door but had made themselves right at home [ Ava finding her niche within Illustra Inc AND the Six.]>>

<< the evening came to a close on a high note. everyone enjoyed themselves and for the first time, the six finally got the chance to come out on TOP with no strings attached.>>

<< the best part of all...was that not only did they triumph, they GAINED..Sharon was alive again, so was Cameron and Haleigh not only recognized the need for...she willingly accepted change! just like Ava before her, she was now starting down a new path, one that would bring so much more than she thought possible both for her and her team.>>

<< the evening's darkness brought happiness for all, with the promise of many things to come.>>

<< and so we watch.>>