Alternate Universe: The Runaways

[Matrix]

Richard Martin...wake up.

He was startled awake by the soft but stern voice and he was immediately distrustful of its source. Dominique would feel a warm rush of air even as the stone statue crumbled away to nothing. She had no need to move; she was not in any danger likely even if he meant her harm. But he took a moment to look at the woman.

Dayum. She was BEAUTIFUL...reminded him of an actress or model, but a older. But not TOO old, that's for sure. She was a very proud Black woman...carried herself like his Mom or her friends, women who took their education seriously and dressed well when they went out in public. He wondered if maybe she knew his Mom, but he would have remembered THIS friend if he'd ever seen her...especially if she had hit on him like some of his Mom's friends had. In any case, she was his guest and he remembered his manners. He materialized warily, off to one side. One could never be TOO careful. he took a moment to breathe in her perfume (smelled much better than he did, or even the girls for that matter), and answered her with a question.

How do you know who I am? Who sent you? Mystech?

As he thought of that idea he turned into sand and swirled back a bit from the sorceress as a small sandstorm. The form would be VERY familiar to her...

 

[Isis]

in the cave.

[ she kept her blue eyes firmly fixed on him, following his every move, prepared to keep him at bay if necessary, after all he was a young man, little more than a child compared to her and he had been through much and now he faced an uncertain future.]

How do you know who I am? Who sent you? Mystech?

I am not affiliated with Mystech in anyway. I mean you know harm...but I cannot allow you to leave. Not until you hear what I have to say.

[ she replied in her elegant, stern tone. she noted immediately the familiarity of the form he assumed as he attempted to distance himself from her. it was not unlike HER OWN explosive sand cloud form which had a variety of effects and uses. No doubt he would be somewhat resistant to her magick in this form but not immune to it.]

Calm yourself, child.

[ she said, as she stood poised.]

I know who you are because you were one of the last children to benefit from the aid of the King Foundation....as in Nicolas King, an ally of Delilah Trelevan, a member of the Six...and MY nephew.

I now oversee his estate and all of his holdings, including that very foundation.

But i'm also special like YOU. My name...is ISIS. I have special abilities that set me apart from other mortals...even super powered ones.

[ holding up her hand, and manifesting a golden halo of magick around it.]

[ she did not reveal her own name of Dominique just now, OR her affiliation with the hellfire club OR status as the Black Queen. It was not time for that now. For now...just to establish contact with him and assure him she meant no harm to him.]

 

[Brenda Castle]

Beverly Hills -- Dinner at Mr. Chow

maître d’: Brenda darling, there you are!

[with a bright smile] "Chris! How are you?"

maître d’: Fine, fine. I'd ask you the same, but you look fabulous, as always. Your parents have already arrived.

"Oh no… have they been waiting long?"

She asked, a crease forming in her brow. He reassured her that they had JUST ordered their drinks and that she was still within the window of fashionably late, and lead her to their table. They passed movie stars, media moguls and celebrities of all kinds. Brenda was unfazed, of course. First of all, she was used to seeing these people, not just around town but also at charities and society functions. Secondly, she knew better than ANYONE that people who were rich and famous were still actual PEOPLE, with thoughts and worries and secrets of their own. Chris was being truthful, her parents were silently waiting, immersed in their own thoughts, not yet worried about their daughter's tardiness. Her father was thinking about business, as usual, and her mother was trying to remember what she'd done with her wallet, somewhat annoyed that the answer eluded her. The Castle Patriarch rose from his seat to give his daughter a welcome hug and Brenda returned it, giving her father a kiss on the cheek.

"Hi Daddy."

Vincent Castle: Good evening, honey.

"Hi Mom."

She said, stooping to give her mother a kiss on the cheek as well, as the maître d' pulled out her chair for her.

Marilyn Castle: Brenda, have you seen my wallet?

"No…?"

Vincent: [patting his wife's forearm] Don't worry about it, dear. I'll call after dinner and have your credit cards suspended and reissued. Send for a new drivers license on Monday and be done with it.

Marilyn: Yes, I suppose you're right. Clearly I'm not going to remember, no matter how hard I try. It's hardly worth all the time I've spent frustrated. [to Brenda] How was your tennis lesson, honey?"

"Oh… it was fun. Rex taught me a new kind of backstroke today."

She responded, smothering her smirk with her glass of Chardonnay. Her mother smiled with affection, her father with pride.

Vincent: I'm sure you mastered it immediately.

"Well Rex, as usual, was duly impressed by my prowess."

Marilyn: What did you do with the rest of your afternoon?

"Oh… I met up with some friends. We…. Hung out. Nothing special."

And of course, they both took her word for it. Her parents were perpetually satisfied by appearances. If things appeared to be going well, then they were, and by all standards, Brenda was doing well. She had good grades, excelled at everything she attempted, and didn't get into trouble. She exceeded all their expectations. She always wore a smile. That was good enough for them. They loved her, they doted on her, but they didn't ask any more questions than absolutely necessary.

 

[Matrix]

Calm yourself, child.

[ she said, as she stood poised.]

I know who you are because you were one of the last children to benefit from the aid of the King Foundation....as in Nicolas King, an ally of Delilah Trelevan, a member of the Six...and MY nephew.

I now oversee his estate and all of his holdings, including that very foundation.

But i'm also special like YOU. My name...is ISIS. I have special abilities that set me apart from other mortals...even super powered ones.

[ holding up her hand, and manifesting a golden halo of magick around it.]

She certainly had Rich's attention now. The KING foundation. That was part of the reason he had a small apartment as long as he did; it was a scholarship through them that enabled him to live, at least up to the point of Delilah's death. He materialized before the sorceress. He held her gaze proudly, a young man determined not to allow the smallness of his surrounding diminish him.

I am sorry for your loss ma'am; when I had nothing, Dee and the foundation fed me, put me back together, gave me a place of my own to stay in. Now...things are so different.

He held his head proudly, but a woman of Isis' experience would see the pain and loneliness behind the facade.

Oh...did you want a seat?

Rich turned quickly away, grabbed his bike and pulled it over near Isis, offering her the seat on it.

Where are my manners? H-here. I wish I could've thanked your nephew, he was a good person for giving a shit about kids like me. Did you want something to eat or drink? I..

Then Rich remembered that, inspite of his gentlemanly upbringing, that he had nothing to offer. He hung his head a moment, then looked back.

I can go get you something if you like.

Rich was clearly lying. He had no money. Whatever he got Dominique he would have to steal, and idea he did not relish....

 

[Isis]

in the cave

[ Isis' expression softened, if only JUST a bit as the young man attempted to be a gracious host. She knew he had little to nothing right now but still he tried to be brave and put up a good front.]

No, child. You need not do anything for me. It is I who must do for you.

Delilah Trelevan and I were not friends, but we respected each other.

As i said...you are the last child that the King foundation benefited before my nephew's untimely death. A death that was both unexpected and more than a little suspicious.



[ Dominique spoke matter of factly as she stepped forward and placed a hand on the young man's shoulder, gently directing HIM to sit down.]

I know that you face uncertainty right now. You and those others left behind.

I came here tonight to let you know that I...

[ inspite of all that she was, all that she'd become - global chanteuse, powerfull business woman, ISIS, Hellfire Club Black Queen... she was still, at her core, human and though she was not always fond of her nephew, the bloodline between them was impossible to ignore. there were times where a softness, a maternal instinct shown through even HER stone facade when dealing with her nephew as she was his only living relative on the globe....and now he was gone. and now Richard Martin, this young boy who'd been SAVED by Nicolas and Delilah's kindness was now a veritable babe in the woods. despite his powers, he was lost in more than one way. If her time with her nephew had done anything...it had allowed her to become more comfortable with showing care and compassion to those who truly deserved it.]

I am AWARE of you and your present situation and that if you need help, if you need shelter you have but to ask me. you can contact me.

[ she hands him a card with a number on it. knowing that his pride might not allow him to simply go with her at this moment, PLUS {unknown to her} he had other plans involving his fellow Runaways.]

There is more out there than you may know. More than you are prepared for. If you need help, call that number immediately.

and...

[ she opens her cape, sweeping it back behind her and gesturing to reveal a small table filled with food and drink courtesy of her magick, the magick of Isis, egyptian goddess of rebirth & magick]

you look like you could use this.

I must go now.

[ she looked upon him for a moment before preparing to take her leave. She knew she would hear from him again but for his sake...it would have to be at his request. she must not...DARE not take him in like some lost puppy or kitten, especially considering his fate was already linked to those other children (though they might now know it). and by revealing the fact that she was Nicolas King's aunt...she gave him a small but vital clue that would help the runaways begin to form a plan of action as they tried to figure out where they would go from this point on to solve the mystery of Delilah's murder.]

[ their paths would cross again. not just Rich and Dominique's but all of his peers and Dominique. what would happen THEN was anyone's guess.]

[ Dominique slowly walks away before disappearing once she exits the mouth of the cave.]

 

[Matrix]

No, child. You need not do anything for me. It is I who must do for you.

Rich stopped mid-stammer and just looked as she sat him down and explained a bit of her relationship with Delilah and now with him. She told him that she would help him if he asked, and then handed him a card. It has a number on it and Rich looked at it before putting it in his pocket.

There is more out there than you may know. More than you are prepared for. If you need help, call that number immediately.

and...

[ she opens her cape, sweeping it back behind her and gesturing to reveal a small table filled with food and drink courtesy of her magick, the magick of Isis, egyptian goddess of rebirth & magick]

you look like you could use this.

Rich's eyes widened at the food before him. It was amazing and he smiled widely in spite of himself. he composed quickly, then nodded to the sorceress.

Thank you very much. I-uh, have some things to take care of, but maybe I'll call you later in a week or two.

I must go now.

OK. Take care.

As the sorceress left, Rich stood, not knowing what to do. What was the protocol when someone was vanishing in thin air. Waving?

Rich shrugged, waved, then headed over to the table. He knew his constitution was changed and that he'd survived on little before, but he was HUNGRY. And so he ate.

 

[Watchtower]

From Night to Day

Night fell deep and dark in the City of Angels as The Runaways spent their nights in starkly different ways, though they all had the same things on their mind. Tonight they had discovered that they were correct in thinking that there was something much bigger behind Delilah's death, and that their wild curiousity had made them a target of MysTech for various reasons.

Jackson and Brenda returned to their seemingly perfect houses and played the children they were groomed to be while Effy returned to a seemingly broken home to a mother who had left mentally a long time ago. Olivia and Richard spent their nights on the streets, though Olivia was far better prepared and used to the life of a runaway than Richard was.

As Richard found himself back at the cave he had been staying at since the Archangel Foundation had closed he was visited by a very mysterious woman who identified herself as ISIS, a woman who revealed to him that she was related to a close associate of Delilah's, delivering him a calling card that would prove to be a vital link for the Runaways if they wanted to know what they were really dealing with and provided him much needed sustinence.

Meanwhile, Agent Finn in a desperate attempt to keep himself alive and secure the Runaways for the use of Mystech, called upon an equally mysterious friend and past lover, Selene aka SHADE. Though she was not in the business of helping Mystech benefit from ANYTHING, her past with Gabriel Finn was LONG and tumultuous and out of love and maybe pity for the man he was, she agreed to be the predator, though her motives may be personal when it came to more than one of the young teenagers.

Things were about to boil over, but for now, the Runaways had agreed to meet in the morning at the Archangel Foundation to discuss a further plan of action, which was much needed as the group was about to encounter SHADE, somebody who would prove to be MORE than formidable.

And as the sun rose over the Hollywood Hills, Jackson, Brenda, Olivia, Elizabeth and Richard arose, preparing for the meeting that was about to take place, meaning that many of their obligations (including school) would have to be put on hold for the moment, which would prove much easier for some than others.

From high in the sky, we watch.

 

[Brenthon]

Calabasas

"Jackson! Jackson, get UP! Breakfast is ready!"

"Fuck Me..."

Jackson murmured as the voice of his mother chirped from the intercom near his bedroom door. For just once he would like to be woken by his damn alarm clock and not by the voice of his barely there mother who made feeble attempts at familial bonding from eight to nine in the morning everyday. He grumbled as he pulled the covers off of his body and stumbled to the intercom, pressing the button.

"Jesus! Stop Mom! I'll be down in a second!"

He was far from a morning person and he had spent most of the night up on his laptop, trying to find anything he could about MysTech on the internet. Jackson was sure Effy would probably already have all of this information for them at the meeting but he was a worry wart, and he wanted the information for himself, just in case. He pulled on a pair of Diesel Jeans, a black fitted vee neck t-shirt with the words "To Write Love on Her Arms" diagonally across the shirt and a pair of white flip flops as he made his way down the staircase, through the foyer, the living room and eventually the dining room. He never understood the need people had for these huge houses. The only people who ever lived there were completely alone in their own ways. Most of his friends' houses he had been to had practically REAKED of solemnity. He decided on his way to his chair that when he grew up he would never have a house as big as his parents.

Claire: Jackie! Morning Sweetie! Sleep Well!?!

His mother smiled as she stood from her chair a moment, opening her arms attempting to hug him, but promptly stopped when she realized that Jackson wasn't going to return that favor and sat down. Claire was a beautiful woman with jet black straight hair that made her look like an Entertainment Tonight anchor, and a tailored Chanel suit to match. She was everything a Hollywood mother was supposed to be, and for that, among many other reasons was why Jackson absolutely despired her. She crinkled her nose in disgust as she began to dig into her half grapefruit.

Claire: You could at least hug your mother. I did give birth to you.

Jackson laughed as he grabbed a banana and began to build a plate. Breakfast in the Elliot household was almost always served buffet style.

"Yeah, a mistake i'm sure you'd correct if given the chance. It would have saved you a ton on a tummy tuck."

He waited for her reaction. This was his favorite part of the morning, watching his mother try to ignore his mean remarks, but never denying what he was saying as the truth. She looked like she wanted to explode but for a moment, but she simply smiled and turned back into her grapefruit, ever the avoider of conflict.

Claire: Well, there's no need to be nasty, Jackson. It's only 8:30. Anything exciting going on today at school?

Jackson finished off his banana, and decided that he was done with breakfast as he stood up, throwing his napkin into his plate and began walking out of the room, calling back to his mother.

"Don't ask questions you don't really want to know the answer to. Have a good day at work, Mom."

He left the room and made his way back up to his bedroom. His father wasn't there. He was sure there was some tired and petty excuse for his absence but Jackson was pretty sure that Hank Elliot was just waking up across town with his personal assistant Jennifer, a woman he had been having an affair with for as long as Jackson was able enough to understand what an affair WAS. After going through the normal grooming routine and making himself decent he grabbed his grandmother's rosary and put it around his neck. It went with the outfit and he had a feeling he would probably need it. He made his way out of the house and into the garage, starting up his car, heading out of the gate and into the city. For a moment he thought that maybe this would be the last time he would see his parents. That maybe MysTech would kill his new friends all off today. Maybe that wouldn't be so sad. And the radio played.

"Staring out a dirty old window, outside the cars in the city go rushing by..."

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

It was 6am Monday morning, and Effy was just sneaking back into the house. She put her mom's car keys on the hall table. She wasn't taking too much care to be quiet, but she didn't announce her presence either as she headed upstairs and got into the shower. The hot water felt fantastic. She scrubbed what remained of the dirt and goo from MP - as well as from a night out in the city - away, and washed her dark makeup off her face.

She felt 150% better once she was clean. She got dressed in jeans and long flowy tank, and headed off to the Archangel Foundation. She wanted to get there early to look for some info. Then she could take a nap before the others arrived. Her mother told her to have a nice day as she left. She just slammed the door. She didn't bother going to school - there were more important things to do and it's not like they could teach her anything anyway.

She got off the bus and walked once again to the Foundation, unlocking the door and leaving it that way so the others could follow. Jackson would probably break the door down if he got there and it was locked.

She walked up the stairs through the foyer and into the control room, munching on a Brown Sugar & Cinnamom PopTart she'd brought with her from home. She sat at the access station and started the search she wanted. While the Foundation's computer did the work, she went into the lounge and laid down on the couch. As soon as she closed her eyes, she was asleep.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

At around 3 in the morning, Livvie headed back to the Archangel Foundation to pick up her car. The police were long gone and the only reminder that they had been there was the yellow tape that extended across the enterance to Melrose Place. Walking up to the wrought iron gates, the entire block was pitch black due to Olivia blowing out the street lamps during her escape; so there was no need for her to be 'stealthy'. Ducking below the yellow tape, Olivia placed her hand on the new padlock and chains that held the gate closed. Sending a powerful electrical current through her hand, she began to heat up the lock until finally, there was too much stress to the metal that Olivia could easily pull it apart. Entering Melrose Place, Liv closed the gate behind her and hung the chains in such a way that it wouldn't cause any suspicion if someone passed by.

Walking through the tunnel leading to the courtyard, there were little markers placed everyone, indicating different pieces of evidence the cops thought were valuable for their investigation. A broken vodka bottle. Some placed by the window the one ant lion crashed through. And a whole bunch near the pool. As she carefully made her way passed the courtyard [deciding to walk closest to the apartment doors to avoid tainting evidence], she definitely needed to bring Rich over here tomorrow and do that acid thingy he did to the chains before to all this evidence.

Slowly opening Delilah's apartment door[which was still open from earlier], Olivia poked her head in....she felt bad breaking in again. But she also felt safe here. Go figure? Giant spiders crash their impromptu pool party right outside Delilah's apartment, and she feels safe. But she did. Delilah always made her feel safe. And eventhough she wasn't here physically...a part of her still was in this apartment. Climbing onto the couch, Livvie laid down; pulling an afgan that laid across the arm of the couch on top of her. It didn't even take a minute of her eyes being shut before she fell asleep.

---

The sun peaked through the drawn blinds in Delilah's apartment, shining just perfectly into Olivia's eyes. Groggily waking up, Livvie looked down at her iPhone seeing it was nearly 6:30. Ugh...too early. But, considering she was sleeping in an apartment complex that is now a crime scene, it was probably smart to leave before the police arrived. Grabbing her stuff, Livvie headed out of Delilah's apartment and to the enterance of Melrose Place. Exiting the gates, no one was around....because it was too fucking early. Jogging across the street to the Archangel Foundation, the doors were already open. She figured Effy was here. Probably hacking away trying to find more stuff on MysTech. Deciding to go to the teen common room, Delilah had set up showers and a kitchen there for anyone who needed them. And she DEFINITELY needed it. After a long shower and some grub, she'd go up and see what Effy was up to.

 

[Shade]

stalking

Shade never forgot, nor did she forgive. Delilah was someone who Shade had inteded to make pay DEARLY for her interference but someone else had gotten in the way of that. Still, Shade had made it her business to study her foe from that moment on and had learned quite a bit about her including her the scope of her powers, team affiliation and personal endeavors. Delilah kept company with some of the most powerfull magick users on the planet in this time and space. In another time and place, Selene would have sought out Morgan or Alison for they had much in common. But they, like Delilah were no longer here.

For now, the hunt was ON.


Olivia Davis was either foolish or overly attached to Delilah. Either way, Shade (having already arrived back at Melrose Place in the night) was now FOLLOWING Olivia sight unseen as the young woman made her way to Archangel Foundation.

Just to throw Olivia off...Selene "pushes" past her via her own shadow But Olivia wouldnt see ANYONE around her.

Shade is now inside of the building moving at the speed of thought. where ever there is darkness, she could be and now in the control room. From there she determined where those who were inside the building were and as shadows silently shifted across the control panels , walls and screens, she learns the defenses of the building. Nothing SHE can't deal with but enough to use against the children to flush THEM out!

They are young, inexperienced and not battle ready. Dealing with them will be almost TOO easy.

But haste makes waste and so she waits. Not all of them are there yet.

 

[Matrix]

The waves crashed ashore as a figure swam back in. That nude figure came ashore at the rocky shoal, found a pool of water, and washed with the soap he'd left there yesterday in one of the nearly salt-free pools. Rinsing off, he made his way back to the cave as he air-dried, shifting his body to air and releasing the excess water before reforming and walking inside.

He dressed quickly, his clothes laid out on a corner of the table that Isis left. As he prepared to leave, he looked back at the table and...hesitating for a moment, he packed a backpack full of food and took the card with him, memorizing the number just in case he lost it.

He carried his bike back out to the road, started it and sped off for the Archangel foundation.

He parked outside, stepped coolly into the building to find Effy sleeping. She looked pretty, and he smiled as he watched her. No need to wake her just yet. Rich walked over to the common room to look around and lay some food out to help them think. As he did, he heard the shower and smiled, figuring that it likely was a female member of the team. But peeping was not his style, so he just called out around the corner.

Good mornin' ma'am! Brought some grub by for whoever wants it.

 

[Brenda Castle]

After primping and prepping to perfect the look of 'casually polished, but effortless', Brenda swept through the kitchen, making her brief daily breakfast appearance. Her dad pretended to reach for her favorite pastry, pain au chocolat, she playfully threatened to stab his hand with her fruit fork and they shared a laugh before wishing each other good luck for the day. He kissed her on the forehead before taking the morning paper and making his predictable exit.

It was business as usual. The Castles never sat down to breakfast, the mornings were usually too hustle bustle for that. They usually all converged here for a few minutes once the staff notified them that the food was ready, but as soon as the refreshments were poured and the well-wishing complete, they once again scattered.

Brenda took her breakfast to go as well, and made her way out to the garage. It was a short drive North from her Hollywood Hills mansion to Harvard-Westlake, her prestigious prep school, but today Brenda headed South to her meeting at Archangel. She was cutting class, but it wasn't like she couldn't think of some excuse or another… and make 'them' believe.

She pulled up to the Foundation and sauntered in, already knowing she was not the first one here. There were three active minds and one dozily dreaming. At least it hadn't yet turned into an opium den this morning…. Probably because Effy was the one sleeping. But as Brenda figured this out, and located Olivia and Rich in the back, she slowed to halt, little alarm flags flying everywhere in her mind. The fourth mind was NOT Jackson's, but it WAS one that Brenda had become first acquainted with last night. The same elusive mental presence that had been watching the teens fight for their lives in the Melrose courtyard was HERE, watching them now. They were in the control room. Brenda took care not to look suspiciously hurried as she knelt by Effy and gently tried to wake her. She took pains to make her voice soothing, and NOT sound alarmed.

[quietly] "Effy? Effy, wake up."

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

Effy murmered, "Mmmm?" in her sleep as she turned over onto her side and settled in to the cushions.

"I'll go home tonight, Delilah, I promise - just have to finish a couple things first..."

She opened her eyes.

Brenda was leaning over her.

"Aaaaaah!"

Effy's eyes grew wide and she jumped up into a sitting position. Her hand was on her chest and she was breathing rapidly.

"Brenda, don't DO that! I nearly had a coronary..."

She smoothed her hair back out of her face and did a drool check. Once she had composed herself, she looked up at Brenda.

"What's up?

 

[Brenda Castle]

Effy: I'll go home tonight, Delilah, I promise - just have to finish a couple things first.

Effy responded sleepily. Brenda sighed but didn't give up.

"Wrong blonde, Effy--"

Effy finally opened her eyes all the way, and then nearly leapt out of her skin. Brenda backed up a bit, sitting on the edge of the coffee table to give Effy some room.

"Brenda, don't DO that! I nearly had a coronary…"

Brenda gave Effy the arched eyebrow of 'don't be so melodramatic' but waited for Effy to pull herself together and ask Brenda what was up. Brenda leaned in a bit, feeling paranoid, like the supremely creepy, non-adolescent mind here could be anywhere, lurking around any corner or somewhere in the shadows, like she'd done last night. Brenda kept her voice subdued.

"Someone's here. [so quietly she was basically just mouthing the words] Someone who WASN'T INVITED."

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

Effy stood up slowly. Her eyes scanned the room. She moved stealthily forward, grabbing Brenda's hand in a reflex action. She felt like she was in the middle of a horror film, waiting for some guy with a big butcher knife to jump out of the shadows and stab her. She didn't see anything in the Lounge, but she believed Brenda that she "heard" someone.

She moved slowly and surely out into the hallway and into the reception area. Nothing.

As she moved forward, Effy could see through the open door into the control room. Her eyes got big and she quickly stiffened and turned away from the room. She looked Brenda pointedly in the eyes and thought to her:

Magick user. Superstrong. Can fly and teleport. Manipulates shadows and dark energy. In shadow form now. We are so fuuuuuuucked.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

After a long and much needed shower, Livvie began to get dressed in a pair of distressed white shorts, a loose fitted razor back violet shirt, and white flip flops when she heard Rich calling into the bathroom.

Rich: Good mornin' ma'am! Brought some grub by for whoever wants it.

"Okay! I'll be out in a sec."

Pulling her naturally wavy hair back into a messy [yet stylish] pony tail, Livvie exited the bathroom feeling refreshed and looking well put together. Smelling the food, the corners of her lips perked up into a smile as she headed over to the table.

"Smells good.....ooh, doughnuts!"

Picking out a Boston Creme doughnut from the bag, she took a bite and headed to the pot of coffee she had put on before jumping into the shower.

"Thanks, i'm starved."

Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she poured Rich one as well, and headed back over to the table. Handing him the coffee, Livvie sat down and continued to eat her dougnut.

"I went over to Melrose Place last night. They have a bunch of evidence over there from our pool party....so I was thinking you could do that acid thingy you did before and get rid of all it."

Rich didn't seem like the type of person who broke the law a lot. Or wanted to break the law...but considering their circumstances, they had no choice.

"I mean, MysTech is already after us. We don't need the police on our asses to, you know?"

Taking a sip of her coffee, Livvie had no idea how close MysTech WERE to them right now. In the other room, a lurker followed her over from Melrose Place. Someone very powerful and very dangerous. Effy and Brenda were already aware of the presents, but as for right now, Rich and Livvie weren't.

Finishing her doughnut, Livvie sat back and smiled.

"Thanks again. That hit the spot."

 

[Matrix]

Rich smiled as Olivia entered looking good for just out of the shower. She took a doughnut and sat down, handing him some coffee.

Rich drank it , enjoying the taste as he looked at the brunette. She spoke of Melrose Place and of destroying evidence there. He grimly nodded.

"I mean, MysTech is already after us. We don't need the police on our asses to, you know?"

I...got it. Can't have the police tracking us down. We got enough problems as it is.

"Thanks again. That hit the spot."

You welcome. Hey, you must have been out there pretty late. If you are out late again and wanna...call me, we can hang out...chill.

Rich made a calculation about whether she lived at a HOUSE or not. If she was showering here and staying out late, maybe she was like him. And being like him got lonely at times.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Rich: I...got it. Can't have the police tracking us down. We got enough problems as it is.

"That's the understatement of the year."

Crumpling her napkin, Livvie finished off her coffee and stood from the table to head over to the sink.

Rich: Hey, you must have been out there pretty late.

"Yeah..I guess."

Putting the mug into the sink, Livvie began to rinse it out as Rich asked her if she wanted to hang out sometime. Pausing for a moment, either he was hitting on her or he just wanted company since he wasn't from the LA area. Shutting the faucet off, Livvie turned around and shrugged casually, not caring which one it was.

"Sure. If you want. What's you number?"

Taking out her iPhone, Livvie unlocked it and brought up her contact list so she could input his info.

 

[Brenthon]

Jackson arrived on Melrose, taking a sip of his Starbucks as he weaved in and out of traffic. He wasn't running late but he liked to be early for thing and he was definitely not going to be as early as he would have liked. Thank You very much Starbucks. For a moment he wished he had Brenda's powers. He could just force all the baristas to ignore other customers and get his drink to him in a prompt manner. He smiled as he parked his car across from the foundation, locked the doors, fed the meter and headed inside.

Once he was there he noticed everyone had beaten him there. A little embarassed, he took another sip of his coffee and made his way over to Brenda and Effy who both looked a little more than on edge.

"Morning..."

He cocked an eyebrow. Something was up.

"What's wrong?"