Dream a little a dream

[Black Widow]

Being a technopath meant easily brewing tea without even having to leave her bedroom. They sat in front of the fireplace and as soon as the tea kettle began to whistle, a stainless steel tea set appeared on the side table next to Haleigh's arm of the loveseat. She poured Morgan a cup, then fixed her own, filling over half of hers with Rumple Minze and offering some to Morgan. Hundred proof mint schnapps brought the 'tea party' to the next level. The thought occurred to Haleigh that she might be developing a substance abuse problem, but she accepted it with apathy. With everything she had endured, it was really a wonder it had taken her THIS long to become an alcoholic.

Holy SHIT, I'm turning into Alexis.... eh, at least I don't have five fuccking ex husbands. That cunnt was AWFUL, I don't understand how she got that many men to marry her in the first place!

The tea smelled wonderful, and Haleigh enjoyed it slowly, but Haleigh caught a wholly different scent that caused her to lower her mug. Enhanced senses allowed her to constantly maintain a higher level of situational awareness than most humans, and in this case it brought Cameron's arrival to her attention. Their recent failed fling had seared his personal scent into Haleigh's memory, and there was no doubt in her mind that he was nearby.

Curiously, he didn't make his presence known, and by tapping into the security cameras, Haleigh could get a visual on him that confirmed he was taking cover so he could eavesdrop. Morgan and Haleigh were seated in the very back corner of her suite, in an alcove of the bedroom and facing the fireplace, they had their backs to the door. He was definitely obscured from their view, and Haleigh noticed that Morgan have no indication of being aware of him. For NOW, Haleigh didn't blow his cover, but she would be sure to get an explanation for his behavior later. Right now, she needed to have this talk with Morgan.

Morgan: It seems on the subject of Delilah, we've come full circle…<< Morgan exhaled slowly as she stroked Tinkerbell's head gently>>My NOT calling you...it was because I thought I could handle it. Clearly I was mistaken...but at the time, I truly thought that I could.

"WELL..... it seems like Delilah has managed to astound us BOTH. Now I know how YOU felt when I said the same thing to you after her suicide. I guess we've both learned a very fuccked up lesson."

Morgan revealed her reasoning behind NOT telling Delilah, and for once Haleigh just listened. WAS Delilah insane? Haleigh didn't think so. A bit fuccked in the head, yes, but who among them wasn't? And maybe Delilah had a very hard time dealing with certain things, and maybe her moral compass was just a bit TOO precise, but Haleigh didn't think that meant they needed to shield her from the truth. Treating Delilah like a porcelain doll was not working.

Her head still felt tight, but as she stared at the fire, drank her tea, and listened to Morgan's voice, she felt her headache ease a bit. This was a step in the right direction. Resolving THIS problem meant ONE LESS STRESS, which would help her get a handle on her blackouts.

Morgan admitted to many mistakes, and Haleigh recognized how difficult that was. She respected Morgan for holding herself accountable, and didn't feel the need to pile on more guilt. She let Morgan finish before finally commenting.

"Morgan..... You don't have to defend your decision to me. First of ALL, you aren't on fuccking trial here. Secondly, I'm not saying you were WRONG to make the choice you did. I understand you had a lot going on and you did the best you could. But I'm not going to sugar coat it either, Morgan. Delilah's not happy, she wants her kid back, and we can't just tell her to suck it up and deal. I think we should be doing EVERYTHING in our collective power to reunite them. Regardless of how fuccking bonkers it is for any one of us to try to raise a CHILD, with our..... lifestyle...... it's DELILAH'S kid, it's not just her choice, it's her RESPONSIBILITY. And until we rectify the problem, we've got a situation named Morningstar."

 

[Spellbinder]

The Parthenon- Haleigh's suite

"Morgan..... You don't have to defend your decision to me. First of ALL, you aren't on fuccking trial here. Secondly, I'm not saying you were WRONG to make the choice you did. I understand you had a lot going on and you did the best you could. But I'm not going to sugar coat it either, Morgan. Delilah's not happy, she wants her kid back, and we can't just tell her to suck it up and deal. I think we should be doing EVERYTHING in our collective power to reunite them. Regardless of how fuccking bonkers it is for any one of us to try to raise a CHILD, with our..... lifestyle...... it's DELILAH'S kid, it's not just her choice, it's her RESPONSIBILITY. And until we rectify the problem, we've got a situation named Morningstar."

<< Morgan nodded with appreciation as Haleigh didn't give her grief or a hard time. There was a time where these two would have been at each other's throats over ANYTHING big OR small...but now? This moment was a testimony to how far they'd come.>>

Thank you for listening, and understanding.

No matter what Delilah says, I didn't set out to hurt her, neither did Alison.

<< But that was ALL the "relief" Morgan could get from this. She didn't expect anymore and she knew she didn't deserve it. She made these choices and she was prepared to face the forever altered reality in the aftermath of those choices. >>

You're right, it IS her child. and it IS her life! A LIFE that she will THROW AWAY with a short sighted choice EVERYTIME!

<< Morgan replied >>

She CAN'T be around Alexia right now. It's physically impossible. Neither I, NOR Alison made it that way...it was that way the moment Alexia was born!

You're also right that whatever I or anyone else thinks about someone on this team trying to raise a child, that's their descision to make. That's why I didn't push the issue with Delilah during the pregnancy! The moment she chose to keep the baby, to NOT break the curse, I kept my mouth shut, even though I didn't agree at all...and I think YOU know that is NOT my usual way of doing things.

But again, it comes back to the FACT that she CAN'T be around her child or she'll DIE!

It's a big CIRCLE!

Do YOU want to watch her flatline the moment she craddles her baby?

<< Of Course Morgan knew Haleigh wouldn't want that, but she was just making a point>>

There won't be any return this time, Haleigh. The goddesses said so, and neither my mom, Alison OR myself can revive her...without using a necromancy spell.

<< And Haleigh KNEW the consequences of that>>

And then she'll be reborn somewhere else, some place else, with no knowledge of her past life, DOOMED to repeat the curse ALL OVER AGAIN!

WHY can't SHE understand that the cost is TOO HIGH? WHY can't she just WAIT until we FIND A SOLUTION that doesnt leave HER dead and damned, and Alexia an ORPHAN?

Ororo is doing what she can, and I'll GLADLY magick up a scrying pool for her to talk to us so you can see...but, since we're being completely HONEST with each other, I want you to tell me right now:

Are you prepared to let her DIE over a BAD choice? Alexia will NEVER have her mother then...and do we think that MAXIM (Bishop) would be PREPARED to raise a mutant baby? Would he accept help and support from ANY of us?

<< Morgan felt that Delilah didn't understand the bigger picture in all this, but others like Alison, Ava and even Sharon had understood. She hoped Haleigh would as well.>>

This is why it's good that you're here, and now, it's good that I'm here. I'm NOT opposed to Delilah being with her child. I'm opposed to her DYING and her AND her child losing out. There's got to be a way we can bridge this gap, and if I learned ANYTHING from the this part of the Blue Moon caper, it's that sometimes...I need the input of others to make these fateful descisions.

And Our dear Alison...she's always been so self assured, so certain, and with good reason! But even though she KNEW what was coming, she wasn't prepared for the EMOTIONAL toll it would take. She's recovered from the initial fall out, but she's a long way from a full recovery. She needs our help and support as well.

<< Morgan stands up>>

I knew that now was the right time to return, and that making first contact with you was the best descision. We have alot of work to do, and this time, we'll be able to work TOGETHER.

<< She nodded with certainty>>

I need to go see my sister, and my mom. I'll teleport to them now. Let's connect again a little later to decide what our first step will be regarding the "MorningStar Situation"

<< Haleigh could see that Morgan wasn't afraid to face the situation head on, that was a good thing!>>

OH and Haleigh? I'm not quite sure what I'll do with Melrose Place yet, but let's keep the detail about my NOT living at the Parthenon between US for now.

<< Morgan gathers Tinker and the kitten and bids Haleigh farewell as she opens a stepping disc and teleports away to see Firebird and Shadow Weaver. She was completely unaware that her secret, and the entire conversation she just had with Haleigh had all been overheard by Cameron King.>>

 

[Prophet]

The Parthenon

:: He knew at the very least that Haleigh would know where he was, but he also knew that Haleigh knew if he was choosing to not announce himself it was for a reason. Cameron was taking a page out of his sister's book and taking the opportunity to get a little inside information as to what Morgan was feeling. ::

:: Cameron's main frustration with Morgan had remained the same for the entire time he had known her. Though Morgan may have been justified in her actions and though she may have been operating from a place of genuine concern and care for her friend, Morgan often viewed her choices and decisions as the RIGHT ones and that there was absolutely no room for other opinions or courses of action. This may have been a biproduct of them letting her lead the team for so long, but he often found Morgan obstinate for the sake of being obstinate. She had tunnel vision sometimes. This was where Cameron differed from the others in terms of the Delilah situation. Sure, she may have been out of her mind. She may have made the wrong decision..but it was DELILAH'S decision to make and nothing..at ALL would have or could change that. Even Hecate and Athena understood that. They didn't intervene in a way that took away from her choice. They presented her an option but understood that at the end of the day, her choices were her own. Right or wrong. Delilah made a choice not thinking of herself, not thinking of self preservation. For as perverse as it was, Delilah made a decision that she felt would make things BETTER for everybody else. No matter how convaluted and dilluted her line of thinking had been. Delilah had never been a selfish person. That just wasn't her. She felt like deadweight to the team. She felt awful for betraying them and after several moments of weakness, she decided that the best thing for everybody else was to remove herself from the equation..PERMANENTLY. People like Morgan would never be able to understand that, no matter how hard they wanted to...and it seemed that Morgan had rationalized her feelings and felt pretty resolved. That was her decision..but unfortunately? For as much as she may have wanted to jump back into the fold of everything, she had been gone for QUITE some time. She had lost the ability to make decisions for this team in Cameron's eyes. He didn't like this matter of fact Morgan returning and talking in such absolutes. ::

:: Morgan made her departure as Cameron entered the living room. After what had just transpired between the two of them it was almost hard to look at her and not think of all the places he wanted to take her in her own house. The couch, the bar behind them. Her bed. It was all there in his head. But for now, he had to push those things aside and do what was necessary. ::

"I know I know..I'm caught. But come on..that was too good an opportunity to waste."

:: He leaned against the top of the couch as he made his appearance clear. ::

"I don't like this at all Haleigh. Morgan not living at the Parthenon? Is she REALLY that vapid? I mean..she can have the top floor if she wants. Even i'm not THAT much of an egomaniac..I gotta say..I really missed her while she's been gone..but THIS Morgan coming back..I'm not liking very much."

:: Looking out the window for a moment before snapping back. ::

"Suffice it to say..you need to HOLD OFF one meeting with her regarding ANY schematics about ANY place that she is choosing to live off property. We all have issues with each other and we all have managed to stay under the same roof. This isn't the days of Illustra anymore. We are adults and she AND Delilah really just need to suck it up."

:: Thinking ::

"Not to mention... She's been gone a LONG time. Much of that burden has fallen to ME to carry. She may have "bestowed" leadership on you since she can't handle it right now..but that's a Co-Position now. And that Co-Position belongs to me. I'm the only other person here able to reach EVERYBODY on the team..and i've EARNED it. Don't make me arm wrestle you for it..because I'd loose..."

:: He flashed a smile. ::

"But there's plenty of time to deal with all of that..we've got bigger fish to fry..somebody is fuccking with us."

:: Cameron walked over to her and sat next to her fighting every earthly urge in his body to ravage her right then or there. It was like an addiction. A compulsary need to be around her and on her and..well, it just wasn't easy. ::

"I went out with Delilah tonight..and it was GOOD. She was having FUN. She was ENJOYING herself..it was a GOOD time..we left for food..and I know how insane what I am about to say sounds..but we saw ALEXIA."

:: He watched Haleigh's eyes widen. ::

"Not baby Alexia either. Like..this was at least seven or eight years older. It was her. It wasn't some kind of trick or illusion, Hales. It was really her. Delilah ran to her..called her name..tried to grab her and then...Alexia just dissappeared..you can imagine how poorly things turned out after that..."

"She's spending the night killing drug dealers in the city. She told me not to follow..and I kept that promise..but I've tracked her. She's really loosing it this time..she's harkening back to the days when you and I made Bonnie and Clyde look like Jack and Jill. It's not good. The one person I want to go to is Alison..but how the hell is that supposed to work? We need to figure something out."

 

[Black Widow]

Morgan: Do YOU want to watch her flatline the moment she craddles her baby?

(Deadpan) "oh I've been looking forward to it. (Seriously) don't be ridiculous, of course I don't want THAT--"

Morgan: There won't be any return this time, Haleigh. The goddesses said so, and neither my mom, Alison OR myself can revive her...without using a necromancy spell. << And Haleigh KNEW the consequences of that>> And then she'll be reborn somewhere else, some place else, with no knowledge of her past life, DOOMED to repeat the curse ALL OVER AGAIN!

"Yes, I understand, but that doesn't--"

Morgan: WHY can't SHE understand that the cost is TOO HIGH? WHY can't she just WAIT until we FIND A SOLUTION that doesnt leave HER dead and damned, and Alexia an ORPHAN?

"BECAUSE she LOVES her baby MORE than she loves HERSELF, Morgan. Because she spent months preparing herself to raise this baby, to love it DESPITE the curse and the whole awful clusterfucck that is BISHOP. Because she doesn't know what it's like to see her own baby smile, or hear her laugh. Because Delilah thinks she'll NEVER experience that, and she grieves the loss. She's devastated by the idea that she's not going to be there when Alexia speaks her first word, or takes her first steps. Those things MATTER to Delilah. I don't think you realize that. I don't think Delilah WANTS to die. I think she wants what she's wanted since the beginning of her pregnancy. She wants to raise her child. She wants to prove that something GOOD can come from the curse, because if that's true then she's NOT crazy for doing any thing she's done."

Morgan: This is why it's good that you're here, and now, it's good that I'm here. I'm NOT opposed to Delilah being with her child. I'm opposed to her DYING and her AND her child losing out. There's got to be a way we can bridge this gap, and if I learned ANYTHING from the this part of the Blue Moon caper, it's that sometimes...I need the input of others to make these fateful descisions.

"WE ALL want the same thing, but this huge divide is preventing us from working together. It's good you came back, it's a step in the right direction. It's not going to be easy, but it's a start."

Morgan mentioned going to see her sister and mother, and Haleigh bid her farewell. Morgan requested discretion regarding her decision to live elsewhere and Haleigh said nothing, since she wasn't going to tell anyone but she already knew of one person who knew their 'secret'. Morgan disappeared into a stepping disc and Haleigh drained her tea and then cleared her throat.

"You make a decent spy."

Cameron: I know I know..I'm caught. But come on..that was too good an opportunity to waste.

"Yes, I KNOW how you HATE letting opportunities go to waste."

She replied evenly, shutting down the memories of their last tryst. Reliving that moment was NOT going to make this conversation go any smoother.

Cameron: I don't like this at all Haleigh. Morgan not living at the Parthenon? Is she REALLY that vapid? I mean..she can have the top floor if she wants. Even i'm not THAT much of an egomaniac..I gotta say..I really missed her while she's been gone..but THIS Morgan coming back..I'm not liking very much.

"I doubt living on the top floor or not is driving her desire to live elsewhere, Cam."

Cameron: Suffice it to say..you need to HOLD OFF one meeting with her regarding ANY schematics about ANY place that she is choosing to live off property. We all have issues with each other and we all have managed to stay under the same roof. This isn't the days of Illustra anymore. We are adults and she AND Delilah really just need to suck it up.

"Yeah, why don't YOU go tell Delilah to suck it up and live in the same building with the woman who conspired to steal her baby. If love to see how well THAT turns out. You said it yourself, Cameron. This isn't the days of Illustra anymore. I know better than ANYONE what it feels like to live as a pariah with the very people making you feel that way. I know what it's like to live with people you'll physically fight rather than talk to. I don't wish that for any of us. We ARE adults, and Morgan can provide her own living accommodations. If you try to force Morgan under this roof, you risk losing Delilah, and basically will start a huge fight that just make things worse so my advice to you is to allow this initially. Once we get them reconciled, we'll revisit the living arrangements, okay?"

Cameron: Not to mention... She's been gone a LONG time. Much of that burden has fallen to ME to carry. She may have "bestowed" leadership on you since she can't handle it right now..but that's a Co-Position now. And that Co-Position belongs to me. I'm the only other person here able to reach EVERYBODY on the team..and i've EARNED it. Don't make me arm wrestle you for it..because I'd loose...

"Relax, Stud. You can have whatever position you WANT."

She assured him, leaning against the arm of the loveseat. She wasn't a dictator. She was fine with 'sharing' the leadership of the team. If the blackouts got worse, Cameron could take over in a heartbeat and that was an entirely necessary contingency plan.

Cameron: But there's plenty of time to deal with all of that..we've got bigger fish to fry..somebody is fuccking with us.

"Even more than we're fuccking with each other?"

She joked sarcastically, as he sat down next to her. She refused to retreat THIS time. She crossed her legs and continued to lounge where she was. He looked like he was considering making a second attempt at her, and if he DID, she wasn't sure she maintain her resolve. But after a beat, he spoke again.

Cameron: I went out with Delilah tonight..and it was GOOD. She was having FUN. She was ENJOYING herself..it was a GOOD time..we left for food..and I know how insane what I am about to say sounds..but we saw ALEXIA.

Haleigh's eyes widened. Most people would assume Cameron was mistaken, or tricked, but Haleigh knew Cameron wouldn't have brought this to her NOW unless he truly believed it.

So much for reducing stress.....

She thought darkly as she closed her eyes and reached up to massage her scalp. Cameron continued to deliver the bad news.

Cameron: Not baby Alexia either. Like..this was at least seven or eight years older. It was her. It wasn't some kind of trick or illusion, Hales. It was really her. Delilah ran to her..called her name..tried to grab her and then...Alexia just dissappeared..you can imagine how poorly things turned out after that...

"What I CAN'T fuccking imagine is how you let Delilah out of your sight afterwards."

Cameron: She's spending the night killing drug dealers in the city. She told me not to follow..and I kept that promise..but I've tracked her. She's really loosing it this time..she's harkening back to the days when you and I made Bonnie and Clyde look like Jack and Jill. It's not good. The one person I want to go to is Alison..but how the hell is that supposed to work? We need to figure something out.

Haleigh sighed.

"We can't go to Alison. She is inconsolable on the topic of Delilah. But there is someone ELSE we need to involve if this really IS Alexia. I can't BELIEVE I'm saying this shit, but we should contact Bishop."

 

[Seer]

And So

<< Sharon and Nicolas arrived to the Parthenon after making record time with their scenic route across the country. It was a great way to exercise and work out some new battle combos should they ever be needed.>>

<< As they returned to the Parthenon, Sharon went to check on her gryfalcons, which were housed in a large, well designed aviary on the Parthenon's roof, feed them and make sure they were well.>>

<< As Black Widow and Prophet conversed, Haleigh was somewhat relieved upon noticing the return of Nicolas and Sharon. Something told her she might need them for the emerging issue that was now before her courtesy of Cameron. She and Cameron understood that Sharon was now technically a "Bird of Prey", but they'd ask her to stay and help with this- for Delilah's sake.>>

<< Nicolas was going pop in on Blaze, but discovered she had guests! Not just ANY guests either- Karen, Michael and MORGAN, along with Tinkerbell and the kitten were all in apartment.>>

<<After an interesting day with Vivica, Cameron and Delilah, followed by a somber and deeply personal visit to the hospital, Cass returned to the Parthenon. She was feeling more confident and certain about her life and its direction, one that SHE would determine in the here and now, rather than letting her PAST determine it. Cass went inside, her phone went off- a text from Blaze telling her to get up to her apartment a.s.a.p>>

<< Ava, who was feeling far better now than she had in WEEKS after her session with Karen, had a productive day and even decided to treat herself at the Mandala Spa & Salon.>>

<< While there, she too got a wild text from Blaze to get up to her apartment a.s.a.p.>>

<< Still, as the excitement and pleasure of Morgan Victoria's return was spreading, there was at least one who was not aware, and even if she were? It would HARDLY be a joyous thing for her.>>

<< Delilah had returned to her apartment just a little while ago, after a violent adjustment reaction to the apparition that appeared to be Alexia Morganna.>>

<< Even as Haleigh and Cameron tried to figure out what to do, and Haleigh decided to contact Bishop, Haleigh begin getting emergency communication from Clandestine Inc about the mass disappearence of children across parts of Europe.>>

<< Could this have ANYTHING to do with the appearence of Alexia?>>

<< We must continue to watch and see.>>