Alternate Universe: The Runaways

[Matrix]

Rich had his head on a swivel as they made their way to the apartment; he was focused on making sure Shadow Bitch was not onto them...though it occurred to him that maybe she could monitor them no matter what. It was enough to know that she didn't bleed, that his strike would have killed virtually anybody but seemed to give her another chance to try to kill him. that was no issue, but he hated to think of any of the others dying.

His Mama already was broken-hearted; thought he was dead. He hated to think of who would miss the others if they died.

They went inside the apartment; not bad for HOMELESS! He felt a tinge of shame that he could not be such a good host...he doubted the girls would appreciate that he personally acid-scrubbed the cave of bat-shit.

Effy knew someone who could help, and sure enough she did, going about her tasks with a cool efficiency. he saw her eyes...they reminded him of his own mother when he saw her from afar before he left for good. The pain of loss...the closing off of a part of oneself. That combined with her looks told him exactly who this was. he only hoped his own mother had managed to recover better than this woman had.

As she turned to Effy, Rich walked over to the pair who had just been healed and smiled. They were good as new and he nodded and spoke once to the mysterious lady.

Thank you, ma'am.

She then addressed Effy who asked her about Shadow-heifer. He hoped she had SOMETHING they could use.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Olivia's apartment - a history lesson

<< Having fullfilled these children's needs for a powerfull and experienced healer, Karen was now directly in front of Elizabeth. She had treated this young woman before, in the capacity of a psycho therapist. The entire history between them was kept completely confidential and only Elizebath, Delilah and Karen knew Elizabeth's FULL back story and now, Karen could see the PROGRESS the girl had made. Perhaps coming here...now...after all this time WASNT so bad, if only to see the GOOD that remained from Delilah's legacy and knowing that she herself had a small but important role in that.>>

<< the doctor heard the genuine gratitude of Olivia, Richard and the others. Her gaze briefly looks up to meet their faces. Her own facial expression is a little more kind. She knows these children mean no harm. Her own daughter was like this once and she can't HELP but remember...>>

Flash
Spellbinder, Harbinger, Black Widow, Rampage, MorningStar, Persephone, Prophet and Silver SwanFlash

<< images of their faces at their happiest, most vibrant moments now hang in ghostly, emotional memories flickering above the heads of the children she sees.>>

<< Karen continues to look more grim by the moment as she struggles to contain her grief. after a few moments of struggle, the doctor's countenance returns to the darker, colder look she had when she first arrived. >>

not NOW!

"I'm sorry for contacting you like this, Doctor Victoria. Delilah once told me that if I was ever in trouble and she wasn't around, that I should find you."

As formal as Karen was with her, she was with Karen. The Doctor was probably the only adult she respected enough to NOT use their first name. She looked around, not sure what to say.

"But thank you for coming."

After a pause, she cleared her throat.

You did the right thing, child. You must not become sloppy with your secret or your status. Delilah always taught you that. Going to a mortal hospital would avail you nothing but trouble.

<< she said the world MORTAL. yet another difference between her and her crosstime counter part. This karen seemed to have developed a PRONOUNCED disdain for normal humans. That might explain why her paramour, Michael Armstrong was absent at this moment. Michael was the man who helped her find trust and love again in this timeline...he helped her and her daughter to recover from the pain and betrayal of a husband and father. Surely HE would be helping her now in her DARKEST hours in the wake of her daughter's loss...wouldnt he?>>

<< as Karen's thoughts shifted, Elizabeth continued on.>>

"I don't suppose YOU would know anything about a woman who- who uses shadows to hurt people? She attacked us at the Archangel Foundation."

I've never encountered....

<< Karen no longer involved herself in "protecting the masses" from threats of any kind. but if there was anyone who knew about the Six's rogue's gallery and threats of a wide range including metahuman or magickal, it was her. Elizabeth and the children had CLEARLY had a deadly encounter. In days long gone, Karen would have involved herself out of maternal concern but that part of her was GONE now. These children were on their own. Still before she vanished, her own moral conscience would not allow her to leave without at least sharing ONE piece of information that might help them and then there was her promise to Delilah.>>



Delilah....

Flash << Shadow Weaver and Arsenal rush down a dark alley, a few blocks from the Archangel foundation. The sounds of a pitched , fierce battle can be heard, along with flashes of LIGHT and flares of PITCH BLACKNESS. They reach the scene and find a very PALE, badly slashed young girl As Arsenal gathers up the nearly catatonic little girl and covers her up, Karen rushes forward to find MorningStar in DEADLY battle with a woman who moves JUST AS FAST as Delilah a woman who commands the DARKNESS AND SHADOW. the battle was horrific and although Delilah SUCCEEDED in beating Shade back and saving the girl, She herself was BADLY injured as she falls into Karen's arms.>>Flash

<< she turns, sweeping her cape behind her as she moves. speaking in an elegant tone.>>

Years ago, Delilah was trying to help a young girl who'd run away from home to escape her abusive father. She was a mutant. The girl had severe psychological problems and Delilah called me in for assistance. At a particular point one evening, the girl attempted to leave the Foundation and had made it several blocks away before she was attacked by a figure, a woman who commanded the darkness. The little girl's cries registered with Delilah and she teleported to the girl via wormhole. Arsenal (without mentioning his real name or who he was to Karen) and Myself rushed to find her. Delilah battled the woman who was MORE than a match for her. By the time WE got there, She saved the girl...and nearly DIED herself. I healed her. but we never saw that woman again and the girl was placed under my care for psychiatric therapy and healing. When she was of age, She left the country to join a super hero team in London...VALIANT I think. Delilah was never quite the same after that. On the surface she seemed to be in complete control as most knew her to be...but....



But that is all that I can remember about a woman who uses darkness and shadows. Her power was as extreme as it was versatile. She was cold...ruthless...a killer.

<< she wasnt about to reveal Delilah's own struggle with surviving such a brutal attack. the woman had saved the child and battle VALIANTLY but her foe...she was as relentless as the darkness she channeled. ANYONE who battled her would have been LUCKY to tell about it.>>

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Olivia slipped off the medical and stood, listening to the doctor explain her encounter with the shadow woman. She described Delilah fighting Shade and nearly dying herself. Olivia crossed her arms defensively, feeling like they were all in way over their heads.

"How are we supposed to fight this woman if Delilah could barely do it?"

Her eyes were filled with concern and fear. They were just teenagers. Some of them hadn't even reached their full potential when it came to their powers....and they were supposed to fight a lethal, experienced, fighter? Shaking her head, Olivia's long brown hair fell forward as she looked down at the floor, trying to think of ANY sort of plan that could help save their ass. Finally, Olivia looked up and over at Effy.

"Effy brought up a good point before....if she wanted us dead, there's no doubt we'd be dead right now. So i'm thinking this has something to do with that Kara girl from the foundation. Maybe this shadow woman is working with MysTech to try and capture us or something? Why else wouldn't she have just killed us all and called it a day?"

 

[Matrix]

"Effy brought up a good point before....if she wanted us dead, there's no doubt we'd be dead right now. So i'm thinking this has something to do with that Kara girl from the foundation. Maybe this shadow woman is working with MysTech to try and capture us or something? Why else wouldn't she have just killed us all and called it a day?"

Rich had been thinking about this the entire time. As Liv summed up the question at hand, he spoke what he'd thought of.

This was a test. She sat there watching us until we came to her. She hit us in the two people who could help the entire group best right off the bat: a telepath and a human computer-type. She then took our best shot before she pretty much threw us out. We agree she could have killed us, but she nearly did one of us anyway. So she might work for Mystech, but...you don't just control...THAT. If you think you can, you're crazy.

Rich picked up his phone and took out a card.

I met a woman last night who helped me, who knew Delilah and Nicolas King, who said if we needed help to call her. I'm calling her.

The phone rang as he waited...

 

[Brenthon]

He listened to the story that Karen Victoria told and he had to admit, it did sound like the woman they had just encountered. He listened as Olivia spoke, and he agreed. They may have put up huge fronts to others but at the end of the days they were kids. They had these abilities, but they didn't even know how to use them to their full extent, they didn't even know WHAT the full extent of their abilities were. They were in their teen years, their abilities could adapt and change and grow. Maybe in six or seven years they might stand a chance, but now? Jackson wasn't so sure.

"Well, one thing is for sure. MysTech must be a little scared of us, of what we know. Why would they send someone as deadly as this woman to get rid of us? I think it's bigger. I think they want us for something."

Running his fingers through his hair for a moment.

"That girl with the chip in her head? They kept her alive. It seems like they want us to see if we could be useful for them. And they want to make sure that we have no chance at getting away hence sending the human shadow. I mean she's obviously researched us. She knew our weaknesses."

Rich: but...you don't just control...THAT. If you tink you can, you're crazy.

"Agreed. She seems to have something of a personal interest in a few of us. Gah, this is crazy. We should be worrying about finals, not a woman hellbent on keeping us as her personal pets or selling us out to a global terrorist organization.."

Rich mentioned a woman he met last night that told her to call if he needed help, and he was doing just that in calling her. What was this about? Jackson was a little uneasy.

"You sure we can trust her Rich? It seems a little sketch to me."

 

[Brenda Castle]

Olivia started to protest by saying Brenda's name warily, but Brenda just held up a hand as if to say 'stop'.

"Do NOT argue with me Livvie, you WON'T win."

Olivia relented and allowed Jackson to carry her. She complained sarcastically that they were suspicious looking, but Brenda just smirked.

"They won't pay us any attention, don't worry."

And the people around them WEREN'T noticing them. In fact, not a single person around was even LOOKING at the group of teens. Furthermore, as the group moved down the sidewalk, they were given wide berth by the rest of the pedestrians, who, despite never looking directly at the teens, always seemed to drift out of the way. Brenda followed along, tenderly easing her fingers through her scalp. There was a rather large, extremely sensitive bump forming at the spot where Shade had slammed her head against the wall. Wincing as she made contact with it, she withdrew her hand to confirm what she'd previously assumed; there was a good amount of blood there. She probably had a mild concussion. It would be painful to shampoo and brush for the next few days, but at least she'd escaped with such minor injuries. Effy was right to suggest that the shadow hadn't been trying to KILL them outright.

Effy got in touch with the doctor, whom she'd met personally before. Olivia avoided the lobby, though it was unnecessary. Rich let them into Olivia's apartment. It was nice, and colorful, but a good deal more modest than Brenda was used to…. But then, not everyone had billionaire parents. Brenda lowered herself onto a red leather chair, massaging her temples, to no avail. Her head was pounding, and with every beat the wound in her scalp throbbed sharply. A kitten leapt into her lap and Brenda stroked it affectionately; she loved animals for the fact that IF animals had complex thoughts, they did not crowd Brenda's headspace with it. It was very soothing to share companionship with a being that had no apparent ulterior motives.

The weirdly out of place sound of wind chimes rang through the air, and the doctor appeared, dressed like a caped ninja, sans ski mask. She looked remarkably different than the Doctor Victoria that Brenda had previously 'experienced' through Delilah's memories; the woman now seemed hollow and distant. Probably damaged beyond repair from losing not JUST Delilah, but the entirety of the group Delilah regarded as her 'family'. Brenda couldn't be sure WHAT her problem was, though, for the woman's thoughts were a silent as the cat's. Brenda stared in confusion at the woman, hardly present conversationally to respond that she was in need of healing. It didn't matter any way, the doctor had assessed her, healed her, and put her back on the chair in no time at all.

"Thank you…"

Her ingrained manners murmured disjointedly. She felt much better now, but had no chance to be relieved about it. Brenda had the fleeting concern that her abilities might be leaving her. This made TWO minds that she couldn't hear, all in one day. But no, that couldn't be it… she'd heard every other mind she'd come across today. All the thoughts of her companions, all the inane wonderings of all those people they'd passed in the street, and so on. If she listened harder, she could hear more minds than just those in this apartment. It was not a problem on her end. Something must be wrong with the Doctor's mind.

Brenda couldn't even pick up the hint of the woman's mind, like she had with Shade; she was staring at was most certainly a live, active brain, but it made no 'noise'. Realizing that her frustrated stare was a bit rude, Brenda exhaled heavily and looked away. Effy tried to get answers from the Doctor about the Shadow that attacked them, but the best she could give them was a similar experience Delilah had encountered. It certainly SOUNDED similar. They discussed the possibility that Shade only wanted to capture them. Brenda agreed. If Shade was capable of nearly killing Delilah, a posse of inexperienced teens would have been easy to eliminate. Delilah was SO MUCH STRONGER than they were, Brenda knew this to be a fact.

Jackson: Well, one thing is for sure. MysTech must be a little scared of us, of what we know.

[with a bemused smile] "That's a bit egomaniacal to suggest. A powerful, corrupt global conglomerate is scared of US? [chuckling] Not likely. Their nefarious interest in us probably simply stems from the fact that a major foe, Delilah, had a vested interest in helping us. She knew on some level…. She was…. Preparing us for when we might have to answer the challenge... that one day she would no longer be able to. [pausing] But I DO agree… it does SEEM like they want to acquire us for something. To be their pawns or the knights, I can't say…. But Rich is right; the spiders last night at Melrose Place, the shadow woman today…. We're being TESTED."

Brenda wished desperately that Delilah was still around. Delilah would know what to do. Rich's thoughts interrupted Brenda's. He was thinking of someone else who might be able to help, someone still alive. Brenda was surprised to recognize the woman he had in mind; it was THE Dominique Devereaux, of musical legend. Brenda's parents were longtime fans and owned all her records.

Rich: I met a woman last night who helped me, who knew Delilah and Nicolas King, who said if we needed help to call her. I'm calling her.

Jackson: You sure we can trust her Rich? It seems a little sketch to me.

"Jackson, I think we need all the help we can GET at this point. Doctor Victoria, do YOU know Dominique Devereaux? Can you think of any reason we'd be better off to NOT request her help?"

Delilah trusted the doctor, and despite the circumstances of not knowing Dr. Victoria's thoughts or motives, Brenda was inclined to trust her as well.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

an abrupt departure

<< the longer she remained, the more uneasy she felt, the more she wanted to ESCAPE! these children, who desperately needed help, GUIDANCE would find some of one...but certainly NOT the other from the doctor, whom as Brenda correctly surmised that the beautifull doctor was "damaged" beyond repair from GREAT loss.>>

<< she looked away as the children grappled for answers or an understanding of why this shadowed woman was after them and the doctor was confronted with the worst possibility...the AFTERMATH of Delilah's work, those LEFT behind by her untimely death.>>

<< her heart beat faster...her mind churned. for each voice she heard...the voice of her daughter or some other member of the six overlapped! echoed! haunted her!>>

<< she shut her eyes tightly, gritting her teeth.>>

<< the rational side of her KNEW that the right thing to do was to stay but she was still hurting....still BROKEN over her loss. She had no desire, no WILL to be involved beyond the occasional HEALING.>>

<< Richard made a phone call and Jackson expressed reservation. Brenda addressed the doctor next asking her what she knew about DOMINIQUE DEVERAUX!>>

<< Karen decided that this was the LAST question she'd entertain before she vanished.>>

"Jackson, I think we need all the help we can GET at this point. Doctor Victoria, do YOU know Dominique Devereaux? Can you think of any reason we'd be better off to NOT request her help?"

...

<< turning back to face them, she quickly composed herself .>>

Dominique...

<< sighing.>>

Dominique....

Dominique Deveraux is known to the world as a glamorous chanteuse but she is ...special...gifted like you...like me. She is the avatar for ISIS, the egyptian goddess of rebirth and magick.

<< indicating she had power, as Rich could personally attest to.>>

She is the aunt of the deceased Nicolas King, who was a team mate of Delilah's. The last time i saw her was at Nicolas and the others' funerals. Which has been some time ago now.

I know Dominique...well enough to know that she does not tolerate insolence and always does what she must, what SHE feels is correct and necessary. A woman of many talents and experience with the occult...as well as Mystech. She...

<< she shakes her head, no longer able to bear this. she WOULD stay with them, she'd HELP in any she could but that was BEFORE more than a small part of herself DIED with her daughter and Delilah.>>

I'm sorry, but I have to leave...NOW. If you need healing again...Elizabeth can contact but please do not abuse that channel. I have to leave....goodbye!

<< even as she said the word goodbye, she hastily gestures, a rushing sound followed by wind and chimes sounds off as she VANISHES along with any evidence of her having been there [ the exam tables]. She's gone. She wont come back...not now. Maybe not EVER. Richard, Brenda and Effy had more than a clue as to what ailed Karen. Richard and Effy knew whose mother she was and it was clear that she'd been devastated, so they would understand >>

<< Karen did verify Dominique's connection to Nicolas thereby connecting back to Delilah and indirectly validating Richard's suggesting they call upon her now. Brenda's parents were long times of the glamorous chanteuse and had actually hobknobbed with the woman at the Roosevelt on several occassions as well as other high end parties across the country. >>

<< SURELY a woman of success who ALSO happened to be a metahuman of some sort AND had already appeared before Richard and extended him her card for HELP in the future would be a safe bet? well know that Doctor Victoria had vanished, it was all they had left.>>

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

Effy grabbed Rich’s phone and hit end before handing it back to him.

“Hold on there a second. Don’t you think it’s odd you get a visit from some mysterious woman offering you help the night before we’re attacked by yet another mysterious woman?”

The others echoed her feelings, and the subject of Dominique Devereax was discussed.

“I found something this morning before we were attacked, but I didn’t have a chance to play show and tell. There were several news stories from a couple of years ago about incidents with explosions, incidents that match the powers of our young friend Kara Knight. Petty stuff, nothing serious. Then about a year ago, the crimes got bigger, less random. I’ll bet the difference is MyStech. Once they got ahold of her, they put her up to using her powers for their purposes. Remember what Delilah said in her journal about Kara choosing MysTech over jail?”

Effy was silent for a while as she mulled over the things that Dr. Victoria had told them. She processed everything that had happened to them that night. After a minute, she looked up.

“We can’t sit back and wait for that woman to find us and kill us, kidnap us – whatever. We need to strike first – it’s the only chance we have.”

The corners of her mouth curled up into her trademark mischievous smile.

“And I know where MysTech is.”

She turned to Rich and nodded.

“Call Dominique.”

 

[Brenthon]

Brenda spoke. She was alot smarter than Jackson had originally given her credit for. His thoughts went to Delilah and as Brenda spoke of how she was preparing them for the day when they might have to take over whatever it was that her and friends fought for, but Jackson didn't really believe that. He always felt Delilah was working with these kids, working with her friends to ensure that they didn't have to worry about dealing with things like this. Things like fighting for their lives against an organization that exploited people like them. He really wished she was here right now. That they could talk to HER and not some magickal woman who seemed as if just being in their presence was painful.

Brenda: Jackson, I think we need all the help we can GET at this point.

He wasn't so sure, thankfully Effy moved forward and grabbed the phone from Rich for a second. She may have been cold as ice, but she was sharp as a tack, and at the very least it seemed that they were on the same page.

Effy: Hold on there a second. Don't you think it's odd you get a visit from some mysterious woman offering you help the night before we're attacked by yet another mysterious woman?

"My sentiments exactly."

Effy explained some information she had found earlier and hadn't had a chance to share, about Kara. She was right, and had confirmed what the others were thinking. Mystech WAS using children for their own benefit. It was a smart thing to do. These kids were troubled, and most were easily manipulated, swayed by all the latest trends and hot things of the moment. They were putty, and Mystech was using that to their advantage.

He listened to the words of Karen Victoria, explaining about Dominique. He still didn't trust her at all. Why would this woman even waste her time with Rich? She was apparantly connected to the power of an ancient egyptian goddess. Jackson thought himself to be a pretty open minded person, but all of this was just making him rethink all of this. Mutants he understood, he had seen the research, he had seen them. But magick? Goddesses? This Shadow Woman? It was chaos. What had they gotten themselves into? He was snapped back into reality by Effy's words.

Effy: We can't sit back and wait for that woman to find us and kill us, kidnap us - whatever. We need to strike first - it's the only chance we have. And I know where MysTech is. Call Dominique.

"I still don't trust this woman at all. But if she can help us, let us know more about what we are dealing with, then I guess we don't really have a choice. Call her Rich."

They would go to this Dominique and get what they needed and leave. At this point, Jackson was untrustworthy of his DOG Ace at home. Maybe he too was an agent at Mystech just sitting and gathering information to take to them one day. Even still, he was ready to take ON this Shadow woman and GET control of his life BACK.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Rich: I met a woman last night who helped me, who knew Delilah and Nicolas King, who said if we needed help to call her. I'm calling her.

"I don't think that's such a good idea..."

Luckily, Jackson and Effy thought the same thing. How could they trust some random woman who appeared right when all this MysTech stuff started to happen? It was a little too convenient for Olivia's taste. Karen began to explain a little bit more about the mystery woman, Dominique Devereux. Her explaination didn't exactly ease Olivia's nerves about calling her. Karen point blank said that Dominique did what would benefit her....and in Olivia's mind, there was nothing worse than a middle man. Someone who was neither good nor evil. Because for the right price, MysTech COULD sway Dominique to work for them. Olivia didn't like this....but Effy handed the phone back to Rich and said for him to call. Jackson agreed. Olivia simply stood there and shook her head.

"I hope we're doing the right thing...because something seems very off to me about contacting this woman."

Glancing over toward where Dr. Victoria had been standing, she was about to ask her if she thought it would be wise for them to call her. But she quickly said she had to leave and disappeared.

"....Okkaaay, so the doctor is no help to us unless we're dying. Good to know. [looking at Brenda] Were you able to get anymore information from her thoughts? That she didn't share with us?"

Unaware that Brenda couldn't read Karen's mind, she hoped maybe they could get more information from Karen's thoughts rather than contact Dominique.

 

[Matrix]

As Rich listened to the phone ring, Effy took it and hung it up while the rest of the team seemed to line up to say that calling her would not be a good idea. Meanwhile, the sorceress that EFFY called showed up, and thankfully did not kill them all. While they debated what Rich should do, they actually asked the lady and she gave a grudging endorsement before departing quickly. They then seemed to give Rich permission to call. Rich was more than a bit miffed, his mind ablaze as he spoke.

OK...so now you don't trust me right? O.K.

Brenda would sense his outrage at placing some trust in this group only to feel it not reciprocated.

So if Effy or Jackson say it, we do it. But if Rich says it...NOW I see how it works.

Rich closed the phone, nodding his head, his jaw set. He calmly grabbed his bag and walked out the door, not even looking back.

 

[Brenda Castle]

She wasn't getting any extra information from the woman's mind, but one thing Brenda's powers had afforded her was the ability to read people in other ways as well. She became very familiar with they way people lie, what they look like when they do and what different body language meant. Even without the doctor's voice in her head, Brenda wasn't completely 'blind'. She could already tell the doctor was getting more and more uncomfortable by the second. She was still steeped in grief and the teens were quickly becoming echoes of the ones she'd lost. Brenda remembered that Delilah had often thought of this woman as a surrogate mother, and that most of her cohabitants at Melrose Place were her 'family'. It was clear this woman felt the same way about Delilah and the rest of them too. Brenda knew that Doctor Victoria hadn't only lost Delilah, but her OWN flesh and blood daughter and MORE, the rest of the familial unit, all in one fell swoop. Brenda felt bad about trying to get information out of the woman, but they desperately needed it. She decided she wouldn't ask any more of the doctor, seemingly just as the doctor decided she'd provide for them no more. Doctor Victoria answered the outstanding question vaguely, stopping in mid sentence and starting up again, and then not even finishing what she was saying before she just up and bounced.

Olivia: …..Okkaaay, so the doctor is no help to us unless we're dying. Good to know. [looking at Brenda] Were you able to get anymore information from her thoughts? That she didn't share with us?

[shaking her head] "She wasn't LYING to us, but she didn't tell us everything either. It's not that she was trying to keep us in the dark though… she's just very distracted. It's understandable. We all lost Delilah-- but she lost EVERY ONE OF THEM. Her entire family, surrogate sons and daughters, all wiped out at the same time. She's devastated; she may never recover from it. We're lucky that she came at ALL in her condition."

Brenda was secretly glad that Karen hadn't said anything against Dominique. While Brenda herself hadn't met Dominique, her parents had on several occasions and from their accounts, she was a classy, well adjusted celebrity. Effy, Jackson and Livvie still weren't keen on the idea of calling Dominique, and it wasn't that they didn't have valid concerns. They were being careful. Rich was deeply offended, as he thought it was a matter of the amount of trust placed in HIM.

Rich: Ok…so now you don't trust me right? O.k. [in thought:] So if Effy or Jackson say it, we do it, but if Rich says it…NOW I see how it works.

"Rich, no--"

But he'd decided already. Brenda was on her feet by the time he nodded, and fast on his heels as he went out into the hall. WAIT. And he did, not as if she was requesting it from him, but because the thought occurred to him 'naturally'.

"It's not like that, okay? Trust me. We've all had the shit scared out of us. Everything's happening at once and it makes certain things look a little suspicious. They just want to be sure that calling ANOTHER person we don't really know isn't going to end in our slaughter. It has NOTHING to do with our trust in you. You're in this JUST as deep as we are, and NO ONE thinks you'd knowingly do something to hurt the rest of us. Come on back, call Dominique. It's better that we stick together now."

She walked him back into Olivia's apartment.

"So let's try this again."

 

[Matrix]

WAIT

And he did, stopping almost on a dime, turning to face Brenda as she spoke to him.

"It's not like that, okay? Trust me. We've all had the shit scared out of us. Everything's happening at once and it makes certain things look a little suspicious. They just want to be sure that calling ANOTHER person we don't really know isn't going to end in our slaughter. It has NOTHING to do with our trust in you. You're in this JUST as deep as we are, and NO ONE thinks you'd knowingly do something to hurt the rest of us. Come on back, call Dominique. It's better that we stick together now."

She ushered him back towards the door. Just as they got there Rich made a realization and immediately pulled Brenda quickly to him and kissed her. He was MUCH stronger than he looked but gentle, kissing her in a way that was much more mature and practiced than his years indicated. He looked into her face and smiled knowingly.

I 'preciate your help, but I NEVER turn back once I start down a path. So it's only fair that I impose MY will on you for a second...you just showed me that sometimes it works out, right? NOW let's do this.

Rich walks back in the door with Brenda and immediately makes the call as she speaks...

"So let's try this again."

 

[Watchtower]

From Day to Night...

Eventually after Brenda calmed Rich down (and Rich heated up Brenda), he made the call to Dominique Deveraux who just happened to be performing at the Roosevelt that night and would tolerate their prescence after her performance.

Deciding that it would be a good idea for them to make appearances in their everyday realities, they agreed that they would meet for dinner at the Roosevelt that evening, figuring the public venue would allow them to freely discuss a plan of action without the threat of the mysterious shadow woman who seemed to be hunting them.

Today, they had encountered Karen Victoria a giant link to Delilah and the once powerful Six and seen first hand how their deaths had affected her as a person. She was cold and distant and even uncaring, a far cry from the Doctor she had once been. They had also been attacked unknowingly by Shade, who was on a mission to deliver the children to MysTech...well some of the children. Their minds were heavy and they needed time to further mentally recouperate before they were thrust into battle once more.

They had a few hours to themselves before dinner as The Runaways found their way back to their lives and their cars and prepared to go home to appease their parents (those who had them) as Livvie was left alone in her apartment, but one of them, particularly Brenda Castle, had something else in mind. A last ditch effort to find out more information on the death of the Six and the fate of a secret link she had with one of them.

Meanwhile, across town Dominique Devereaux was preparing herself both for her show and for meeting with the children who had seemed to try to be taking the mantle of the Six. Exactly how much of a help she would be, she hadn't decided, though she did have a bit of softness left in her heart for Richard Martin, something that she had displayed earlier, still not all of the Runaways trusted her, and none of them were quiet in expressing their discontent with perhaps the only option they had left.

From high in the sky, as the sun sets upon the City of Angels, we watch.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Despite Rich taking offense to everyone not trusting Dominique, Brenda managed to mend things and coax him back into the fold. She knew the group was already on shakey ground with one another....they've only known each other for 24 hours. But they all needed to stick together. MysTech was after ALL of them, and if they turned on each other now, they were as good as dead. After Rich finally contacted Dominique, she agreed to meet them at the Roosevelt Hotel after one of her performances. Needless to say, Livvie wasn't too thrilled about it. She STILL didn't think Dominique was trustworthy....but she decided to keep that little tid bit to herself. She didn't want to offend Rich once again.

Everyone agreed it was best to go live their 'normal' lives for the day--so people wouldn't start asking questions--and meet up at the Roosevelt later tonight. Escorting the group to her door, Brenda, Rich, and Effy all headed out first while Jackson was the last to exit.

"Hey, Jackson..."

Watching him stop as the others continued down the hall to the awaiting elevator, Olivia opened her mouth to speak, but quickly hesitated. She didn't know why, but she felt a little nervous around him. Maybe it was because they got off on the wrong foot the day before, or maybe it was because he was incredibly hot, but Livvie was slightly tongue tied at the moment. Laughing, she tucked some of her long brown hair behind her ear and rolled her eyes at her own stupidity.

"Did you wanna hang out or something? [shrugging] I don't really have a family to keep up appearences around, so..."

Yeah, lame. The whole 'trying to be cool around your crush' thing was apparently not a Davis trait. GOD she wished she had Brenda's mind reading abilities now.

[with a sarcastic laugh] "I figured, we might die together....might as well get to know each other first, right?"

 

[Brenthon]

Olivia's Apartment

Finally after Richard threw a bitch fit and stormed off they had a plan of action. They would meet Dominique at the Roosevelt Hotel after her show and hear out what she had to say. He didn't trust this woman but he felt comforted to know that their meeting would take place in a public venue. For now, they had a few hours off from running for their lives and were going to go their separate ways for a little while, touch base with either family members or friends so that nobody would become suspicious of their behavior, at least no more than they already were.

He was about to head for the door when he heard Olivia call from behind him.

Olivia: Hey, Jackson...

He turned around to face the brunette, taking a moment to note her body language. Normally Olivia seemed cool, calm and collective, but now she almost seemed nervous. What was going on with her? She rolled her eyes for a moment and continued.

Olivia: Did you wanna hang out or something? I don't really have a family to keep up appearances around, so...

Jackson smiled for a moment.

Olivia: I figured, we might die together...might as well get to know each other first, right?

Was she... interested in him? Jackson wasn't oblivious, he knew he was attractive. He wasn't conceited, it was just something that people seemed to point out to him. It was perhaps the one thing in his life he hated the most. He had ideas and thoughts and usually people just treated him like a prettyboy they could manipulate because he was stupid. Girls wanted him for his body and not his mind, so he was immediately a little on guard. He did find Livvie very attractive. She was a little dangerous to him. Every girl he encountered in daily life were primped and coiffed socialites with nothing on their minds besides where their next hit of blow was coming from. Livvie lived on her own and stole things, she just picked up and LEFT her family. She was everything and did everything Jackson was a little too afraid to do. This should be interesting.

"Sounds like a good idea to me, Livvie. You got any coffee? I could use a quick buzz right now..."

Jackson suddenly found himself a little nervous, though he tried not to show it much as he sat down on the couch and picked up Bones and began to pet him, and he was sure the kitten didn't appreciate his palms were beginning to slightly sweat.

"He's a cute cat. Where'd you pick this little guy up?"

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Feeling completely mortified at how obvious she was acting, Olivia just assumed he would let her down easy. Say he had to meet up with his parents. Or had school. Maybe even say he was gay. So she prepared mentally on how to gracefully exit the situation so her ego wasn't COMPLETELY bruised.

Jackson: Sounds like a good idea to me, Livvie.

Seriously? Livvie didn't see THAT one coming. With a smile.

"Yeah? Cool...come in."

Jackson: You got any coffee? I could use a quick buzz right now...

"Actually I do...which is a little weird considering I could pretty much single handedly keep Starbucks in buisness."

Opening her cabinet, Olivia took out some Starbucks ground coffee [surprise surprise], and began to pour some into her coffee maker. As she continued to set up the machine to brew, Jackson asked her about Bones. With a smile, she looked over her shoulder, seeing him petting him.

"I actually found him down in the parking garage. [turning the coffee machine on] I think his mom might of died or something....he was only a few weeks old when I rescued him."

Walking over to the couch.

[about the coffee] "It'll be a few minutes."

Taking a seat next to Jackson, Olivia smiled down at Bones who was purring like his life depended on it. That had to be a good sign.

"Aww he likes you. [pausing] So...have you lived in LA your whole life?"

Taking Bones' tail in her hands, she began to play with it absently as a way to calm herself. There was nothing worse than small talk. It was the most awkward thing ever. So she tried to act relaxed, looking over at Jackson casually, awaiting his answer.

 

[Brenthon]

Livvie's Apartment

Olivia: Actually I do... which is a little weird considering I could pretty much single handedly keep Starbucks in business.

Jackson laughed.

"Hah! Me too! There's this on Fairfax. They know my name and my drink when I walk in the door. It's al ittle embarassing."

He continued to pet the kitten as Olivia entered the kitchen and began to pour some ground coffee into her coffee maker as she soon made her way back into the living room, sitting next to Jackson and began playing with Bones. He listened to Bone's story as he pouted his bottom lip and lifted him in the air.

"Aw. Looks like he's a runaway, too!"

Smiling he put the kitten back into his lap as Olivia mentioned the coffee would be in a few minutes as she asked him about his life. Here we go. The awkward getting to know you phase. At least she was trying, and she was right, if they were going to fight for their lives together, it made sense to get to know each other a little better, and there was something there between them. Call it chemistry, a spark, Livvie's power over electricity, whatever, and Jackson wanted to explore it.

"Well pretty much my whole life, just not EXACTLY in Los Angeles. I was born in Napa, but when I was about a year old, my parents began working for Tinseltown Studios, and we moved to this oversized house in Calabasas, where they've proceeded to ignore me ever since. It's not so bad I guess, I mean I can do pretty much whatever I want without them caring, and i've gotten to go to some cool industry parties, met some famous people, George Clooney was at my sixteenth birthday party! But I mean other than that I pretty much like to try and keep out of the whole "Hollywood" lifestyle."

He looked at Olivia, not intending on making total eye contact, but he did. For a few moments their eyes were locked before Jackson nervously coughed and shot his glance to the floor.

"So you, why do you live alone? Why did you runaway? Were your parents really that bad?"

He was through with small talk, they might as well just start getting to know each other outside of superficial things like "what's your favorite color?" and besides Jackson was actually very curious about Olivia Davis. He was genuinely interested in her story.

A beep could be heard from the kitchen.

"Oh, i'll get it. Keep talking."

He stood up and entered the kitchen, opening a few wrong cupboards before finding the proper coffee cups and saucers. He began to pour the coffee as he awaited Olivia's answer.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Jackson: "...my parents began working for Tinseltown Studios, and we moved to this oversized house in Calabasas, where they've proceeded to ignore me ever since."

[shrugging] "Parents are overrated."

Giving him a coy smile, Olivia allowed him to continue on.

Jackson: "...i've gotten to go to some cool industry parties, met some famous people, George Clooney was at my sixteenth birthday party!"

"Seriously?! Oh my God....the closest i've ever gotten to George Clooney was his Hollywood Walk of Fame star!"

Laughing, Olivia didn't realize it immediately, but the nervous energy she had running through her was gone. It was just like talking to any normal guy friend she hung out with....But as soon as their eyes met, the nervousness returned ten-fold. She felt the sparks between them for sure. And that alone made her really happy she decided to take the leap and ask him to hang out.

Jackson: "So you, why do you live alone? Why did you runaway? Were your parents really that bad?"

Smiling, Olivia could tell he was interested about why she was on her own. It wasn't really a subject that she liked to dive into, but it wasn't exactly a subject she could avoid either. Shrugging, she allowed her gaze to drop to the floor.

"My parents were really strict Christians. They were apart of that religious organization Reclaiming Your Humanity....the one where they try and rid the evil within you, aka, being a mutant."

The coffee pot began to beep, indicating it was ready.

Jackson: "Oh, i'll get it. Keep talking."

"Anyway, when I was 15, that's when my powers kicked in. I was scared...I didn't know what to do or how to handle it, and I thought because they were my parents they would support me. But as soon as I told them they went balistic. They said I was going to hell; that I needed to be clensed and purified immediately. When I refused, they said they couldn't accept a child of Satan in their home. So I left. I came to LA and lived on the streets for a little. Found my footing....now i'm here."

Taking the cup of coffee Jackson offered her, Olivia took a small sip. Cupping the warm mug in her hand, she looked over at him.

"I'm not exactly living a uh....honest lifestyle, but I do what I need to to survive, you know?"

After hearing about George Clooney and industry parties, Olivia felt a little 'beneath' Jackson at the moment. He was from a privledged up bringing. She was pretty much a rough-around-the-edges sort of girl. But ironically, she still felt comfortable talking to him about her past. Had it been Brenda [eventhough she probably knew her background ANYWAY] or Rich, she would have just done a short, edited version. Keeping as much of the personal parts out as possible. Olivia didn't trust people very easily, but with Jackson, it felt different. Like he wasn't there to judge her or condem her for her lifestyle choice.

"Do your parents know? That you're a mutant?"

 

[Brenthon]

Livvie's Apartment

Jackson listened to Olivia's story as he entered the living room and set the coffee mugs back down on the coffee table in front of them, only interjecting for a moment.

"Hope you like it black. Couldnt' find any creamer and didn't wanna poke around.."

Olivia: My parents were really strict Christians... Reclaiming Your Humanity...They couldn't accept a child of Satan in their home...

He looked down at his shoes for a moment, feeling a little bad. Olivia had a troubled past, and there he was almost gloating like a fool about the great upbringing he had. She picked up the cup of coffee.

Olivia: I'm not exactly living a uh... honest lifestyle, but I do what I need to survive, you know?

Jackson furrowed his brow for a moment.

"Hey, nobody lives an honest life, Livvie. NOBODY. Deep down at the end of the day, underneath all the glamour and beauty of Hollywood, there are people who are just as bigotted and hate filled as your parents, i've seen them first hand. Even people who led charitable lives have done things they aren't proud of."

He put his hand over hers for a moment without thinking. He simply wanted to comfort her and apologize for overbuilding the house he grew up in. Olivia was warm to the touch and Jackson had to admit, it felt good. Most of the time he was too busy in his own mind to even pay attention to most girls, but here he was having the most real conversation he'd had in years with a girl who though they shared very different backgrounds at the very least had something in common. His fleeting thoughts lasted only a few moments before he realized what he was doing and he quickly moved his hand from hers, rubbing his pant leg and grabbing for his cup of coffee, blushing slightly.

[coughing]

Olivia: Do your parents know? That you're a mutant?

He jumped at the opportunity to answer, trying to move passed the moment.

"I know my Mom does. I just know. My.. abilities didn't thankfully manifest until I was like thirteen. By then i'd had all my shots and such. Nobody would figure out, right? Well, one summer we were on our way back from LA to Calabasas when my mom swerved to miss a car. We went rolling off Caballero Canyon. I mean.. we were MID air for what seemed like.. forever. My mom was thrown from the vehicle but I was trapped inside. I mean that car looked like a crushed sardine can, and it was on FIRE, Livvie, but I wasn't hurt. I was fine. There wasn't a scratch on me. I was IN flames, but not burned, not feeling much of anything. I broke myself free from the car and as I climbed out, there was my mom looking at me like I was a ghost or something..."

Jackson set down the cup of coffee.

"She passed out, she says she doesn't remember anything after we went over the edge, but I know she saw me, I know she knows there is something different about me. But.. I don't know, I feel like if I DID ever fully tell them, they wouldn't believe me. They would just send me to the shrink more often, thinking I was crying out for attention or something, which BELIEVE me, is not something I want..."

[smirking at Jackson]

"But enough about all that mess. So, what do you make of all this? All.. the others? It's kind of crazy, eh? You think we'll get out alive?"