Gathering at the clock tower

[Tachyon]

And it quickly all feel apart. Xavier had no time to debate the substitution for word fragments as a name instead of two of the finest leaders in the history of the UK. Additionally, that was not the issue.

The issue was that Elizabeth was having a personal confidence crisis in front of everyone, and her nascent relationship with Gabe was bring derailed by well meaning but ultimately meddlesome friends. Xavier stood up quickly, facing Ashley and Alycia.

You two have known her the longest. You two care about her. You seem to know the most Ashley. Please get her back here. TOGETHER.

He turns to Zachary.

You get ready to apologize. Not for caring or trying, but you have to let her risk bring hurt if she is to love.

Xavier went to the door.

I going to get Gabriel back here and watch his back until he returns.

And he was off. Gabriel was only a few blocks away, but he was driving like he was ready to kill someone. Xavier picked the passenger door and sat down beside him as he drove.

Hello Gabe. I am working on my nicknames. I was told that it was a weakness for me.

Gabriel was unamused, and so Xavier became very serious.

Look, I know you are probably not interested in what I have to say. And I don't blame you. No one should have to literally fight to be around someone. But I am asking you please, she loves you and she is in crisis. She needs to know she has not lost you. Additionally, I will not countenance you coming to harm because of this. So you have a new shadow until you return to reassure Eli...Zi. Zi.... That what I saw in your eyes at that table at the Sanctuary is stronger than a fight with someone who means well but fucked up. I have no threats, sir. I am a teammate and friend asking you to be true to yourself and who you love. Do we have a deal?

Xavier grew silent, staring at the cybermetahuman.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

"Get Zizi out of here, Ash. I warned this asshole what would happen, if he took advantage of her or hurt her in any way. Now I'm a man of my word, and he's going to regret it to the fullest extent possible, physically and emotionally."

Ashley didn't know what he was talking about, but if Zach said it was true, she believed him, so she moved to usher Zizi back into the bedroom, but she stood firm. Gabe stormed out, so the threat of more fisticuffs was over, and Ash moved next to Zach, putting her hand on his back.

And then it began.

Zach, what is going on here? Did you pick a fight with him!?

"Why are you accusing Zach?"

"He took advantage of her, do the details matter?"

Ashley looked to Zizi for confirmation. Because it hadn't sounded like that was what happened from what she'd said in the bedroom, but...

Do FACTS matter to you!?

"Hey, BACK OFF. He was protecting Zizi."

Zizi looked like a puppy left at home by its owner, staring at the door, wondering if they were ever coming back. Maybe a fight hadn't been such a great idea...

Her expression softened. She didn't like Gabe, didn't like that he made Zizi feel like shit. But he wasn't the one standing there in front of them, hurt. Zizi was, and she was hurting, and she let them all know it.

"You all pity me. And maybe I am a nerd, and maybe I've been alone for a long time, and maybe I'm a sad, stupid, broken girl. But he loved me, and now he's gone. And this time, that's on you."

Shit.

In one fell swoop, they'd made Zizi's worst fear a reality.

"Ash, something was OBVIOUSLY WRONG, right? CLEARLY that asshole has her Stockholmed. She was HAPPY before he started showing up, and whenever he's around? Her self-esteem suffers."

She nodded, slowly.

"Something was definitely wrong. I thought...I thought we'd just interrupted them. You know. But she was definitely trying to pretend nothing was wrong. And yes, definitely, he makes her feel bad about herself. He put her in the friend zone for years."

She rubbed Zach's back, and turned to look at him.

"But when I talked to her alone...she didn't say he'd done anything."

She'd tell Zach the rest when they were alone. These people didn't need to hear it.

You two have known her the longest. You two care about her. You seem to know the most Ashley. Please get her back here. TOGETHER.

Ashley shook her head.

"She'll just feel ganged up on, and more embarrassed than she already does. Give her some space."

She pressed her sleeve to the cut on Zach's cheek.

"You'd better come in the bathroom and let me have a look at that. I know where Zizi keeps the first aid stuff."

 

[Artemis]

The clocktower

Alycia, I suspect he detected something with his abilities rather than his eyes. Something sensitive. Let's clean this up...

Xavier puts the table and chairs to rights and picks up the broken glass.

...and have a seat and sort this out like adults. Without specifics it seems. I take it his umbrage is related to something deeply personal for Elizabeth. Isn't that correct, Zachary?

Xavier takes a seat and urges Zach to do the same.

Xavier, don't EVER try to gatekeep me!

:: Alycia says with agitation::

I don't have to be an EMPATH to know when someone is ASSUMING or jumping to conclusions.

:: And she was quite certain that's what happened here, and boy had Zach done more harm than good in his misguided efforts...::

"NO!"

She wheeled around, facing the assembled group of people, all who seemed to want to comment on her LIFE!

"My personal life is not a topic for DISCUSSION."

She turned on Zach & Ashley.

"He did NOTHING to me, Zach, nothing. Not that it's any of your business what we do. I am NOT a teenager! I don't need you to PROTECT ME! I already have one overprotective father, and I DON'T NEED TWO."

And then she turned to Xavier.

"And STOP CALLING ME ELIZABETH!!"

She hung her head, her hair falling into her face. Her voice turned quiet, calm.

"You all pity me."

She looked up into their eyes in turn, her own brimming with tears.

:: Alycia looked at Zizi and shook her head, silently disagreeing with her on that last statement::

"And maybe I am a nerd, and maybe I've been alone for a long time, and maybe I'm a sad, stupid, broken girl."

Her voice broke as tears fells.

"But he loved me, and now he's gone."

Her gaze fell on Zach.

"And this time, that's on you."

And she wheeled past them all on her way to the door, and went out it.

:: Alycia looked at Zach, and shook her head. He knew he fucked up, she didn't need to say anything else to him in that moment::

He cast a glance at Andrew.

"Bro, stop her, please!"

Stop her from what? Trying to recover from the DAMAGE you've just caused? And now you stand here and INVALIDATE her feelings?!

:: she steps ahead of Andrew and blocks his way::

No.

I'll go to her.

:: and with that, she makes her way out of the doors, and down the hall to catch up with Zizi, who was crying.::

::Alycia paused for a moment, before gently touching Zizi on her shoulder, and then moving around to sit down in front of her. she reaches over to a nearby table, and brings a box of tissues over, handing one to Zizi.::

Zizi....

:: She said softly::

I do not pity you. I never have.

You're one of the brightest, most gifted young women I've crossed paths with in any phase of my career. The sister fates brought us back together for a reason.

:: she takes one of Zizi's hands into her own, her feminum bracelet shimmers as she does so::

And EVERYONE deserves a life that is whole and satisfying.

I saw you with Gabe, at Rose's dinner. I watched the two of you, and I know that he loves you. I could see it quite clearly.

He as a good heart. Just look what he did for Rose?

And when danger came to his doorstep, he didn't run away, or to the wrong person, he came here to you, to stand with you.

:: It wasn't just her experience as a prosecutor, or being able to read through people that told her this, Alycia felt this with all certainty. ::

What happened just now, was a mistake, a BAD mistake, one that Zach owes you a big apology for.

But you HAVEN'T lost Gabe.

I can ASSURE you of that.

:: She looks into Zizi's eyes, and smiles with encouragement, hoping Zizi hears her::

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Zizi stopped outside the elevator bays, and put her face in her hands and sobbed. All of her worrying, and she had lost him anyway, because the people around her couldn't mind their own business. Hadn't she left Zach & Ashley alone? Not called them away, so they could be together. She hadn't judged their relationship. So why did they think they could judge her's? Everything was ruined. Everything.

Alycia was suddenly handing her a tissue. She took it, albeit reluctantly.

Zizi...I do not pity you. I never have. You're one of the brightest, most gifted young women I've crossed paths with in any phase of my career. The sister fates brought us back together for a reason. And EVERYONE deserves a life that is whole and satisfying. I saw you with Gabe, at Rose's dinner. I watched the two of you, and I know that he loves you. I could see it quite clearly. He as a good heart. Just look what he did for Rose? And when danger came to his doorstep, he didn't run away, or to the wrong person, he came here to you, to stand with you.

"I'm not the one you need to convince that he's a good person, Alycia. Go back inside."

Zizi pressed the button to call the elevator.

"What happened just now, was a mistake, a BAD mistake, one that Zach owes you a big apology for. But you HAVEN'T lost Gabe. I can ASSURE you of that.

She turned her head to look at Alycia.

"Do you honestly think he'll ever come back here now? Those kids are safer today than yesterday because of him. And Zach treated him like a common rapist. How is he ever going to get over that? How is he ever not going to see me and think about my 'crazy friends'?"

The elevator dinged and opened, and Zizi wheeled into it.

"Please, just let me go...I'll be back later. I just need to be alone."

 

[Artemis]

The Clocktower

She turned her head to look at Alycia.

"Do you honestly think he'll ever come back here now? Those kids are safer today than yesterday because of him. And Zach treated him like a common rapist. How is he ever going to get over that? How is he ever not going to see me and think about my 'crazy friends'?"

:: She was right, Zach had made a terrible, and ultimately INACCURATE assumption about Gabe, worse, he totally invalidated Zizi's feelings on the matter, treating her as if she were just a child who didn't even know better. She wondered if Zach would ever realize the irony of that horrible moment, something he'd accused the Amazons and Isis of doing to him regarding Ashley, and how upset it made him!::

Well, I know he's not a rapist.

Zach was out of order, Zizi. I'm sorry that I wasn't here sooner to stop him. But all we can do now is look ahead, and I have a GOOD feeling about Gabe.

Just like I did about you all those years ago when I offered you a second chance.

He's not going to judge you based on the foolish actions of Zach. He's known you longer than anyone in that room, even longer than me! He's NOT going to hold you responsible for that.

:: She nodded::

The elevator dinged and opened, and Zizi wheeled into it.

"Please, just let me go...I'll be back later. I just need to be alone."

If you're not back here and no one's heard from you...I WILL be looking for you...

:: Alycia thought to herself as she nodded with understanding and watched Zizi enter the elevator.::

:: a "ding" was heard as the doors closed, and Alycia turned around, exhaling::

Great. JUST GREAT.

:: She makes her way back into the the room where the others are::

Zizi will return later.

:: She looked at Sharon. The two amazons were not happy. They thought things were going to move forward, and then the moment Zach and Ashley arrive, they take half a dozen steps BACKWARD.::

:: Alycia wasn't going to tell them what Oracle had just said to her, how she really felt that everything was ruined, but if that was the case, WHAT THEN!?::

This is NOT what we came back for!

:: She said loudly::

Sharon: No, it isn't, and time is something we don't have to waste. There's still the matter of the traitors, and the rest of the Inner Circle.

Alycia: and now Zizi's gone off to be alone. She wouldn't tell me where, but...

Sharon: she could be targeted at any moment. I'll have the birds keep watch, they'll let me know if anything is amiss.

:: But the root of this was currently in the bathroom, with Ashley. Were they going to try and hide in there for ever and avoid explaining themselves? If anyone had anything to say about Gabe, Alycia would push back. They of all people had no right to do that to Zizi, after all the support and INDULGENCE she'd shown THEM!? ::

 

[Cypher]

Gabe was already a few blocks away, driving like a bat out of hell; the roar of his engine reverberating off the buildings around him. He was furious, fucking MURDEROUS. If he had stayed any longer at The Clocktower with Zach, he would of pulled out his glock and fucking shot him right then and there for the bullshit he was saying.

"FUCKING."

Growling, he shifted into second, speeding through traffic with skillful ease.

"ASSHOLE."

The mere THOUGHT of even hurting Zizi was horrific enough, let alone actually playing out the act. He would never hurt her, at least not intentionally. Maybe Zach picked up on something from Zizi, something Gabe wasn't aware of, but he was insinuating rape which was out of line and fucking idiotic. He needed a drink. He need to fucking shoot something. He needed--

Xavier.: Hello, Gabe.

"JESUS!"

Gabe jumped in his seat, the car swerving to the left before he quickly corrected his steering.

Xavier: I am working on my nicknames. I was told that it was a weakness for me.

"The fuck, mate...you need to work on not scaring people to death."

He had gotten along pretty well with Xavier, but at this point he wasn't sure if the guy was here to finish what Zach had started. Gabe pulled off to the side of the road, putting his car into park.

Xavier: Look, I know you are probably not interested in what I have to say. And I don't blame you. No one should have to literally fight to be around someone. But I am asking you please, she loves you and she is in crisis. She needs to know she has not lost you.

Gabe quickly looked over at his with furrowed brows.

"What?"

That wasn't what he had expected Xavier to say. He wasn't leaving Zizi...hell, he wasn't even ANGRY at her. She was just as much a victim in Zach's fucking tirade as he was, but Zizi was lucky enough to be the one Zach was defending.

"She hasn't lost me. Shit..."

He quickly got out his iPhone, realizing that by leaving he most likely gave the impression that he was also leaving HER.

Xavier: So you have a new shadow until you return to reassure Eli...Zi. Zi.... That what I saw in your eyes at that table at the Sanctuary is stronger than a fight with someone who means well but fucked up. I have no threats, sir. I am a teammate and friend asking you to be true to yourself and who you love. Do we have a deal?

"Yeah..."

He went to her number and hit call. Finally he looked at Xavier.

"Thanks, mate. I appreciate it....but I don't need a shadow, i'm good. I just needed to cool down and get outta there. I'm calling her now."

He patted Xavier on the shoulder, an indication of his gratitude but also that he wanted some privacy as well. Xavier got the hint and left as quickly as he had arrived. He was a good kid, and Gabe was glad that Zizi had someone like X to back her up.

"Pick up...common."

Shutting his eyes tightly, he ran his hand roughly through his hair until finally he heard the line pick up.

"Liz...hey kid..."

He started, his head falling back against his car seat.

"I'm sorry sweetheart....i'm not going anywhere. I'm not leaving you, I promise. I swear...I fucking swear."

He sighed.

"I just needed to get out of there before I broke that bastards neck."

Gabe stopped, hesitating as he finally opened his eyes. His face serious as he stared absently at the steering wheel for a moment. He needed confirmation....he needed to know that Zizi was okay.

"Liz....I didn't....I mean...he picks up on emotions [pausing] I didn't hurt you...right?"

His last words a whisper coated with angst, hoping to fucking God that Zach was wrong in all this.

 

[Steel]

The Parthenon

Steel suggested that they were letting the idea of Black Widow and Persephone overshadow the reality: that they were just two people, who could be removed from the field.

I quite agree. However, there are two people connected to a much larger entity, the Inner Circle, and having been apart of it once, I know how they work. Like any wise "bird of prey" that stalks a snake, we need to remove them from their area of advantage & power, and THEN strike the crushing blow. We would be better served to have more hands in this effort. Richard is ready, so is the Silver Swan.

He liked that Dominique didn't mince words, or shirk from making tough decisions. She wasn't hemming and hawing about trying to save these two.

"I thought Ashley would help but...this thing with Zach...she might not want to so openly go against him. If they attack I know she won't hold back but going to them? I'm not sure. What about the Six? They made this mess, after all."

He stood, steepling his fingers against his lips, and took a few paces while he thought.

"So how do we cut the off from their reinforcements?"

He looked at Dominique.

"How would they communicate back to Hellfire if they were in trouble?"

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower - Outside

She had messed everything up. Starting with yesterday, and then this afternoon...

She should never have brought him into this. He would never have been attacked, and they would still be friends. She was stupid to think that with her life, they could have any more than that.

Zizi was at turns furious and despondent. They treated her like a child. Even Alycia, who tried to tell her everything would be alright as if she could possibly know that. Why couldn't Zach just talk to her first? But no, they didn't like him because of Ava and they had gotten rid of him. And no doubt they would tell her if was for her own good. In fact, Zach HAD told her that.

It's not like they didn't know what he meant to her. Ashley knew, and she thought it was cute, her boyfriend beating up the big bad man. And Zach knew. And apparently, it didn't matter.

She wiped her face with her hands. What was she going to do now? She couldn't go back in there, all those faces staring at her, feeling sorry for her. And if she went to him, to the Sanctuary, would he even speak to her?

Her phone rang with the Star Trek theme ringtone. Gabe's ringtone. She hesitated. Was he calling to yell at her? She took a deep breath, and pushed the button to answer it through her earpiece, so she could hear over the street noise.

"Gabe?"

It came out shaky, and her voice cracked as she started crying again.

"Liz...hey kid..."

She smiled through the tears at hearing his voice.

"Gabe, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I'm sorry sweetheart....i'm not going anywhere. I'm not leaving you, I promise. I swear...I fucking swear."

She breathed out in relief.

"I just needed to get out of there before I broke that bastards neck."

She closed her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry..."

"Liz....I didn't....I mean...he picks up on emotions [pausing] I didn't hurt you...right?"

That made her eyes pop open again.

"Hurt me? No, no...of course not...you would never hurt me, Gabe. He's..."

She searched for the words.

"He can't read minds. He didn't bother to ask me why I was feeling...look this isn't a conversation I can really have over the phone. Can I see you? Are you still going to the Sanctuary?"

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower

Zach tried to enlist Andrew's help in stopping Zizi from leaving. She was upset, but he knew once that wore off, he could get through to her, get her to see how bad this Gabe guy was for her.

Alycia: Stop her from what? Trying to recover from the DAMAGE you've just caused? And now you stand here and INVALIDATE her feelings?!

"Oh, that is RICH, considering I'm the only one apparently paying attention to her true feelings."

He said, but hardly anyone was listening.

Xavier: You get ready to apologize. Not for caring or trying, but you have to let her risk bring hurt if she is to love.

"What?! No, not like that--"

He pleaded, but the speedster was gone, to retrieve Gabe. Zach was 98% sure he'd kill Gabe as soon as he saw him again. He still had enough adrenaline and anger coursing through him to do it, maybe before anyone else realized what happened. Alycia gave him a dirty look, because somehow this was all HIS fault, and then she went after Zizi. Zach looked to Ash for support. Surely SHE understood, she'd seen it, she'd taken Zizi out of the way because of it.

"Ash, something was OBVIOUSLY WRONG, right? CLEARLY that asshole has her Stockholmed. She was HAPPY before he started showing up, and whenever he's around? Her self-esteem suffers."

She nodded slowly, and his relief was palpable.

Ashley: Something was definitely wrong. I thought...I thought we'd just interrupted them. You know. But she was definitely trying to pretend nothing was wrong. And yes, definitely, he makes her feel bad about herself. He put her in the friend zone for years.

He looked to Andrew, then Sharon, since everybody else was gone.

"See? Ash isn't an empath, but even SHE noticed. We got back here and found them alone, and I may not know EXACTLY what happened, but I know how Zizi felt about it, and THAT was enough."

Ashley was rubbing his back supportively.

Ashley: But when I talked to her alone...she didn't say he'd done anything.

Zach didn't look surprised, or even deterred by that comment. He shook his head in frustration, having seen similar coping tactics before.

"Do you think she WOULD, or do you think she'd be so happy to get out of the friendzone that she'd let him get away with--"

He stopped, his jaw clenched. He looked close to a violent outburst again.

"Anything he wanted. She's in love with him, she'll forgive him for anything, she'll make excuses for him, whatever it takes to keep him, because she thinks she can't do any better. You HEARD the way she just talked about herself. He has her thinking she's broken and pitiful! There's red flags all FUCKING over this! Why doesn't anybody else see them??"

He said, gesturing for emphasis.

Ashley: You'd better come in the bathroom and let me have a look at that. I know where Zizi keeps the first aid stuff.

He huffed, but he let her lead him off, because he wasn't entirely sure he was gaining traction with the other two, but at least she was listening to him.

In the bathroom, he didn't even notice the sting of alcohol on his cut. His mind was still running through the whole awful truth of it all. He wanted to punch himself. How had he not seen it?

"That con artist might have the REST of them fooled, but not us. I mean LAST NIGHT? She looked GORGEOUS, and he made her feel uncomfortable and embarrassed with that prom comment. I thought he was just an insensitive IDIOT, but now I know-- it's not that AT ALL. He knows exactly what kind of emotional abuse he's dishing out."

Ash had finally gotten the cut to stop bleeding. Zach's mouth was twisted in a grimace as he thought of Gabe's cool smirk, and Zizi's fearful guilt. Their disheveled clothing, and her faked smile.

"You thought we interrupted them, but we didn't interrupt HIM, Ash. He was done. And she wasn't."

He felt gross even saying it aloud, but it was a truth he had no choice but to be aware of, and Ash was the best friend Zizi had at this point.

"That's why he doesn't like me, he knows I see through the lies and the bullshit innocent geek act. That's why he's always irritated when he sees us, he knows we'll protect her from him. That's why he fought back, Ash, he knew he'd been busted and couldn't talk his way out of it. That's why he took off like a gods-damned bandit when everybody showed up. He knew we'd CRUSH his ass for what he was doing to her."

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

"Do you think she WOULD, or do you think she'd be so happy to get out of the friendzone that she'd let him get away with--Anything he wanted. She's in love with him, she'll forgive him for anything, she'll make excuses for him, whatever it takes to keep him, because she thinks she can't do any better. You HEARD the way she just talked about herself. He has her thinking she's broken and pitiful! There's red flags all FUCKING over this! Why doesn't anybody else see them??"

Ashley really hadn't put two and two together until Zach said it. But now he had her wondering, could that really be true? She thought it was best to pull Zach away from everybody, not just so that she could stop that cheek from bleeding, but also so they could talk alone. She sat him down on the closed commode lid and got the first aid kit out. She started to clean his cut with alcohol, and it didn't take an empath to see how steaming mad he was.

"If that was a clever ruse to keep the Amazons off my back, I think it worked."

"That con artist might have the REST of them fooled, but not us. I mean LAST NIGHT? She looked GORGEOUS, and he made her feel uncomfortable and embarrassed with that prom comment. I thought he was just an insensitive IDIOT, but now I know-- it's not that AT ALL. He knows exactly what kind of emotional abuse he's dishing out."

"I knew I should have dropped him off the roof."

She put some butterfly closures onto the cut, then began feeling his torso.

"Anything else? Any broken ribs?"

"You thought we interrupted them, but we didn't interrupt HIM, Ash. He was done. And she wasn't."

Something clicked in her mind, but she held onto it for a second, because Zach was going to have a coronary if he didn't calm down. She leaned over and put her hands on his shoulders, looking him in the face.

"Calm down, babe. Take some deep breaths."

She rubbed his arms and back, then moved to sit on the edge of the tub next to him, keeping her hand on his.

"I didn't want to say it out there, but when we went into my room, I confronted her. And SHE said, she couldn't go through with it. But I think she wanted to."

She looked sympathetically up into his face.

"She's deathly afraid if they have sex it will be bad and he won't want her anymore."

She paused.

"Do you really think he forced her? Or, you know, guilted her into it? Cause I think she was feeling pretty guilty about not letting him inside her pleasure palace."

She slid her arm around Zach's back.

"I don't know...she loves him, and she definitely has self-esteem issues when it comes to him, and he is DEFINITELY a moron...but...are you sure about this?"

 

[Titan]

The Clocktower

So, Andrew was all ready for some of those mini donuts or other tasty treats Zizi usually had out on her counter, well-deserved after their little security detail. But, alas, twas not to be. He could hear the yelling as soon as they stepped off the elevator. ZIZI was yelling, which was like, a first ever.

The entered the top floor to find Zach and some dude kicking each other around the room. Zizi as it turned out, was yelling at Zach, which made it seem unlikely that the guy was an intruder, but...

"Come on, asshole, you aren't done paying for the hurt you put on her."

Andrew's countenance darkened, and he took a step further inside, his fists clenching. If this dude had done something to Zizi? He was going to pound on that motherfucker. But things just got more confusing with more shouting, and Andrew tried desperately to piece it all together.

And YEAH, maybe I was a blind fucking idiot before about my feelings about her, but I was only trying to PROTECT her because I DIDN'T want to HURT her the way I hurt AVA."

His feelings for her? When did all this happen? Where was he?

Then the guy told Zizi he'd call her (yeah, right) and stormed out.

Zach was pissed, and Zizi was more pissed, and yelling, and Andrew didn't know what to believe. Zizi clearly was in love with this guy Gabe, and Zach clearly hated the guy and thought he had done something to Zizi, which she denied...and Zizi was crying, and embarrassed, and what the fuck?

"Bro, stop her, please!"

Andrew turned as Zizi went by him to the door.

"Come on, Zizi - he said he'd call you. Come back inside."

Alycia stopped him from following her, saying she would go. Which, thank god, because he was not good with emotional women.

I going to get Gabriel back here and watch his back until he returns.

"Wait a minute - if he did something to Zizi do we really want him back here?"

But X was gone. Zach was pleading his case.

"See? Ash isn't an empath, but even SHE noticed. We got back here and found them alone, and I may not know EXACTLY what happened, but I know how Zizi felt about it, and THAT was enough."

Andrew cleared his throat, pretty uncomfortable at this whole topic of discussion.

"Uh, wouldn't be the first time all the bits and pieces didn't fit together perfectly the first time...couldn't it just be some embarrassing body stuff?"

But when I talked to her alone...she didn't say he'd done anything.

"Do you think she WOULD, or do you think she'd be so happy to get out of the friendzone that she'd let him get away with--anything he wanted. She's in love with him, she'll forgive him for anything, she'll make excuses for him, whatever it takes to keep him, because she thinks she can't do any better. You HEARD the way she just talked about herself. He has her thinking she's broken and pitiful! There's red flags all FUCKING over this! Why doesn't anybody else see them??"

"Come on, man, Zizi's too smart for that. [he paused in thought] Though, you may have a point on the friend zone."

It did give him pause, because girls really did have mysterious ways of thinking, that didn't always make complete sense. Would she really let some guy treat her terribly, just so she didn't lose him? What was he saying, that was like every girl ever.

Ash took Zach away to deal with that nasty cut on his face. Looks like Zach would have another scar, that would only make women find him even more sexy. Damn. Alycia returned, then. What a damn circus. No wonder Zizi left.

Zizi will return later.

"Well, that's good. Right?"

This is NOT what we came back for!

:: She said loudly::

Sharon: No, it isn't, and time is something we don't have to waste. There's still the matter of the traitors, and the rest of the Inner Circle.

Alycia: and now Zizi's gone off to be alone. She wouldn't tell me where, but...

Sharon: she could be targeted at any moment. I'll have the birds keep watch, they'll let me know if anything is amiss.

"She's outside on the sidewalk."

Andrew held up his phone.

"Find My Friends."

He shrugged.

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower

Ashley: I knew I should have dropped him off the roof.

"It's too late now, it wouldn't look like an accident."

He griped, as she felt his torso. Her touch felt cool on his skin. It was a good thing she was calm. He was angry enough for three people.

Ashley: Anything else? Any broken ribs?

"I don't think so. I'm too angry to care. He hits like a punk."

He replied, ignoring his own pain. Gabe had gotten in a few good shots, but there was no way Zach would ever acknowledge that. He did, however, tell Ash what he knew about the state Gabe and Zizi had been in when they arrived. She leaned over, her hands on his shoulders. He saw straight down her shirt and closed his eyes. He was keyed up enough for the thoughts to cross his mind. If she'd sat in his lap that would have been IT. But she was trying to tell him to take deep breaths. He told HIMSELF that Sharon was listening and would be upon them in an instant, and it was the WRONG time to be thinking about such things any way.

Ashley: I didn't want to say it out there, but when we went into my room, I confronted her. And SHE said, she couldn't go through with it. But I think she wanted to.

Zach opened his eyes and looked over at her, bewildered.

"Okay, what?"

Ashley: She's deathly afraid if they have sex it will be bad and he won't want her anymore. Do you really think he forced her? Or, you know, guilted her into it? Cause I think she was feeling pretty guilty about not letting him inside her pleasure palace.

Zach looked absolutely HORRIFIED.

"In a healthy relationship, couples TALK about something that important! He's known her for HOW LONG?! Shouldn't he KNOW something like this might be an issue?"

Ashley: I don't know...she loves him, and she definitely has self-esteem issues when it comes to him, and he is DEFINITELY a moron...but...are you sure about this?

He gave her a look of severe seriousness.

"What kind of creep pressures a disabled woman to have sex the day after he insisted --to my face-- that their date wasn't a date?"

He shook his head.

"Beyond a shadow of a doubt, something's WRONG with that. I've seen what emotional abuse does to strong, smart women. No matter what SHE says, she can't hide how he makes her FEEL, and every time I'VE seen them together? He's made her feel awful, just awful. I can't fathom an explanation to justify THAT fundamental fact. And I AM NOT EVER going to be okay with him hurting her. Let's get back out there and try to... I don't even know. Let's just get back out there."

Gabe might have to have a heart attack.

He thought darkly, rising from his seat with Ash's hand still in his.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

"It's too late now, it wouldn't look like an accident."

Damn he was attractive.

"Babe, I love the way you think."

She asked him if he was hurt anywhere else.

"I don't think so. I'm too angry to care. He hits like a punk."

She kept gently poking and prodding at his midsection, making sure nothing was broken.

"He's a nerd, Zach."

There was some bruising, but if he didn't want to admit that, she wasn't going to make him.

She had anticipated that telling him that Zizi was afraid to have sex with Gabe would elicit sympathy for Zizi, or perhaps explain some of the emotion he had felt from her. What she had not anticipated, what that in fact it made him lose his shit.

"In a healthy relationship, couples TALK about something that important! He's known her for HOW LONG?! Shouldn't he KNOW something like this might be an issue?"

She leaned back, thinking.

"Well from the conversation we had, there is no way she would have given him any reason to think things weren't absolutely perfect. And if he couldn't even see that she was in love with him - and let's get real, fucking Mina could see that - his head's up his own ass but good."

"What kind of creep pressures a disabled woman to have sex the day after he insisted --to my face-- that their date wasn't a date?"

"So what, Ava gives him a very minor attack and suddenly he realizes he's in love with her? I mean, so yeah, I did come to the hospital to have sex with you after she attacked you but that is a totally different situation."

"Beyond a shadow of a doubt, something's WRONG with that. I've seen what emotional abuse does to strong, smart women. No matter what SHE says, she can't hide how he makes her FEEL, and every time I'VE seen them together? He's made her feel awful, just awful. I can't fathom an explanation to justify THAT fundamental fact. And I AM NOT EVER going to be okay with him hurting her. Let's get back out there and try to... I don't even know. Let's just get back out there."

"Okay, but we need to play this smart. When she comes back here - and she will - if we come at her too hard she will just run right to him and never listen to anything we say."

They both stood up, and Zach didn't let go of her hand, which made her smile. She stopped him as he went to exit and pulled him back. She leaned against him with a smile.

"I didn't get a chance to tell you how incredibly hot it was watching you pound on that moron."

She kissed his lips, sliding her free hand up his bare chest.

"Maybe you had better put a shirt on. Wouldn't wanted the Amazons oogling you. Isn't that right, Sharon? I know you're listening."

Ash winked at Zach, and kept hold of his hand as they went out to face the firing squad.

 

[Cypher]

She had been crying, he could hear it in her voice. His eyes became glassy as he hit his head roughly against the back of the head rest a couple of times in guilt and frustration. Maybe Zach was right. Maybe he DID hurt her and didn't even realize it. Things got heated between them, moreso than he had even anticipated happening. But she wanted him, he could FEEL it. There was an urgency in her kiss, the way her hands gripped for him, her body arched into him. They had said they were going to take it slow, but damn it all to hell when she started moaning his name. But then she did put on the breaks, and he kept riding down that road with blinders on. Fucking hell, he should have stopped when she began to pleasure him. He should have fucking stopped right then and there.

Zizi: "Hurt me? No, no...of course not...you would never hurt me, Gabe. He's..."

Gabe didn't answer immediately, staring down the street with pained eyes and a tense jaw.

Zizi: "He can't read minds. He didn't bother to ask me why I was feeling..."

His eyes slowly shut, that was all the confirmation he needed.

Zizi: "Look this isn't a conversation I can really have over the phone. Can I see you? Are you still going to the Sanctuary?"

There was a long pause, Gabe swallowing the lump in his throat that felt like was cutting off his oxygen.

"I'm...I need to go to my office--"

He started.

"Ramsey called me for help on another job i'm doing."

Gabe propped his elbow on the edge of his open window, biting the skin around his thumb as he looked out onto the street.

"You need to go back and work on the Nedry stuff. He's bad news...he's...a bad guy."

The irony in that moment not lost to him.

"I don't want those kids getting hurt 'cause of me and Zach. I should be done soon...call me when your meeting with the Birds is over....we can meet then."

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower

Ashley: So what, Ava gives him a very minor attack and suddenly he realizes he's in love with her? I mean, so yeah, I did come to the hospital to have sex with you after she attacked you but that is a totally different situation.

"Uh, yeah, totally different. I asked you for that, you were on top and in control, and if you hadn't been comfortable with it? I would've been okay with that. And it wasn't our first time together anyway."

He reasoned, and then he told her, in no uncertain terms, his final thoughts on the matter of Zizi and Gabe. It'd be a cold day in hell before he ever changed his mind on it at this point.

Ashley: Okay, but we need to play this smart. When she comes back here - and she will - if we come at her too hard she will just run right to him and never listen to anything we say.

"Good point. But you might have to keep me from ripping his balls off, because Xavier plans to bring him back here, and you're strong enough to hold me back if I lose my cool again when I see his smug face."

He grumbled, and turned to leave the bathroom. Ashley stopped him, running her hand up his chest and leaning bodily against him. It was wonderfully distracting.

Ashley: I didn't get a chance to tell you how incredibly hot it was watching you pound on that moron.

For the first time since they'd gotten to the Clocktower, Zach cracked a smile, his fury slightly diminished by her attraction. He flexed his arms a bit and wrapped them around her as she kissed him. Then he realized if he didn't escape the bathroom she was likely to throw him down and have her way with him, so he reached for the door handle and slowly, reluctantly broke the kiss.

Ashley: Maybe you had better put a shirt on. Wouldn't wanted the Amazons oogling you. Isn't that right, Sharon? I know you're listening.

His face froze as he remembered something.

"Il mio amore. Devo dirti una cosa. Ho avuto un rapporto con Sharon. Ma ... quello era dieci anni fa e ora siamo solo amici. Lei poteva menzionarla."

[My love. I have to tell you something. I had a relationship with Sharon. But ... that was ten years ago and now we're just friends. She could mention it.]

He admitted, hoping she wouldn't be upset. Better this way, than finding out from someone else. Like one of the Amazons, in particular. They went back to where Sharon, Alycia, and Andrew were. Zach went to his overnight bag, which was still on the floor but had been kicked over against the wall, and found a thin white undershirt to pull on. He didn't say anything, because he didn't know what they'd decided without him and Ash, and he wanted a chance to gauge them before he went full steam on them.

Like Ash said, play it smart.

 

[Oracle]

Outside the Clocktower - On the phone with Bae

Zizi asked to see him, she needed to see him, to make sure he understood.

"I'm...I need to go to my office--"

"Oh, okay..."

Her face fell, but luckily, he couldn't see it.

"Ramsey called me for help on another job I'm doing."

"As long as it's not Rae."

Zizi gasped and covered her own mouth.

"I'm so sorry. I don't know why I said that. Of course, of course you need to go do work stuff. Tell Ramsey I said hello."

She rolled her eyes at herself. Way to not seem crazy.

"You need to go back and work on the Nedry stuff. He's bad news...he's...a bad guy. I don't want those kids getting hurt 'cause of me and Zach. I should be done soon...call me when your meeting with the Birds is over...we can meet then."

"Okay...though I sort of went off on them all..."

She sighed.

"I'll let you know what's happening with the Nedry stuff when I see you. And Gabe?"

Zizi paused. She smiled, even though he couldn't see it.

"I love you."

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

"Uh, yeah, totally different. I asked you for that, you were on top and in control, and if you hadn't been comfortable with it? I would've been okay with that. And it wasn't our first time together anyway."

She raised her eyebrows at him suggestively.

"It wasn't even our second time."

She suggested they take it easy on Zizi, or risk her discounting anything they might say.

"Good point. But you might have to keep me from ripping his balls off, because Xavier plans to bring him back here, and you're strong enough to hold me back if I lose my cool again when I see his smug face."

"Any chance to put my hands on you, my love."

As much as she would enjoy watching Zach rip Gabe's balls off right then...Zizi, on the other hand, would not be very forgiving about it. Which she would try to remember. She stole a kiss from Zach, a promise of what would happen later that night after they sorted this mess out, and moved to go face their fate. She picked up the first aid box by its handle so she could put it back in the cupboard on her way out. But he stopped her.

"Il mio amore. Devo dirti una cosa."

Her grin widened as she expected him to say something incredibly dirty to her in Italian so that Sharon couldn't understand it.

"Ho avuto un rapporto con Sharon. Ma ... quello era dieci anni fa e ora siamo solo amici. Lei poteva menzionarla."

Ashley's hand squeezed around the handle of the box she was carrying, shattering the plastic. Her jaw clenched, her lips pursed. And then she breathed out, and turned to Zach and smiled sweetly.

"Se ti toccherà, mi graffierò gli occhi."

Spoiler: Translation

"If she touches you, I'll scratch her eyes out."

Oh it all made sense now. She put a hand on his chest.

"Alycia?"

He knew what she was asking. He shook his head.

"Okay, then. Let's do this."

 

[Cypher]

Zizi wanted to speak with him, in person. At this point he couldn't face her, at least not yet. Too many things were running through his head and he was trying to cipher through it all. He wanted to speak to her with a leveled head, let everything that had just happened cool down a bit. He said he needed to go back to the office to help Ramsey.

Zizi: "As long as it's not Rae."

He heard her gasp at her own admission, and that alone finally caused Gabe to crack a small smile followed by a soft laugh.

Zizi: "I'm so sorry. I don't know why I said that."

"Because it was funny....and that lady definitely likes a full buffet of men."

He joked back.

"No....Ramsey can handle Rae all on his own."

He reassured, knowing that his track record was enough reason for Zizi to be nervous about him going to 'assist' with Rae.

Zizi: "Of course, of course you need to go do work stuff. Tell Ramsey I said hello."

"Sure thing, kid."

Gabe made sure that Zizi knew to go back in to meet with the Birds like planned. The last thing he wanted was his bullshit with Zach to take away from what Hellfire was ultimately doing to Rose and her children. He didn't want to be the reason more lives were ruined.

Zizi: "Okay...though I sort of went off on them all..."

Gabe raised his eyebrows with surprise.

"Damn....I should of stuck around."

He would of loved to see Zizi yell a big 'fuck you' to Zach and Ashley, but he knew staying around that place would have made the situation a whole lot worse.

Zizi: "I'll let you know what's happening with the Nedry stuff when I see you."

"Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll double check The Sanctuary systems when I get to the office, make sure everything's still runnin' smooth."

Zizi: "And Gabe?"

"Yeah?"

Zizi: "I love you."

Gabe shut his eyes, his grip around the steering wheel tightening. Maybe I didn't lose her.

"God damnit Liz, I love you too.....I've never meant to hurt you; my whole life you've been the only constant good thing in it. Please know that."

Sighing, Gabe ran his hand down his face roughly, feeling his eyes filling with tears and quickly knocking that shit out before it escalated any further.

"I'll talk to you later."

Ending the call, Gabe tossed his phone onto his passenger side seat and sat there for a few moment just letting everything marinate. He didn't know what to believe anymore. Zach saying Zizi felt a certain way, but Zizi telling him that she loved him. Was she just trying to make it right for him in the typical Zizi way of wanting to fix everything? He fucking hoped not....he just needed to talk to her, face to face, and clear everything up. But the most important thing was the Birds meeting. This Nedry guy needed to be stopped and Zizi needed to focus on that.

Pulling his car back out onto the street, it wasn't but a few more blocks he had to drive when he reached his destination: O'Malley's. Parking, he climbed out and immediately went inside. It was a weekday afternoon, which meant the bar only had two drunks and a business man in it. Perfect.

"Newcastle and a shot of Jameson."

He told the tender as he slid onto a barstool, picking up a few bar nuts and eating them.

"Make it a double shot."

 

[Tachyon]

"Yeah..."

He went to her number and hit call. Finally he looked at Xavier.

"Thanks, mate. I appreciate it....but I don't need a shadow, i'm good. I just needed to cool down and get outta there. I'm calling her now."

He patted Xavier on the shoulder, an indication of his gratitude but also that he wanted some privacy as well.

Fair enough for Xavier, who stepped out and returned to the Clocktower. He nodded sheepishly as he saw Elizabeth on the phone with Gabriel. Heading upstairs, he saw Alycia and the others and walked over It appears they were waiting on the couple to exit the restroom. He took a second to speak with Alycia quietly.

I did not intend to gatekeep you, as it were, but in a hasty attempt to try to defuse the situation, I did in fact do so. My sincere apologies.

He should have trusted her line of questioning more, and even if he didn't she had every right to make the query. Live and learn. Xavier spoke up to all of the people in the room.

He is speaking by phone with....Zizi...right now. His car has a tracker on it so she can know where he is since I am no longer shadowing him.

Xavier gestured to the door.

Is this a good sign?

He stood outside the door, waiting with the rest of them...

 

[Silver Swan]

The Clock Tower

"She's outside on the sidewalk."

[ Sharon and Alycia turn and stare at Andrew.]

Andrew held up his phone.

"Find My Friends."

He shrugged.

[ They stare at him for a few more seconds, until Alycia smiles at him and winks. It was so easy to get wrapped up in the moment, that sometimes one could overlook the simplest solution!]

Alycia: Nice going, Andrew. Ingenuity. And an app for everything these days.

"Maybe you had better put a shirt on. Wouldn't wanted the Amazons oogling you. Isn't that right, Sharon? I know you're listening."

Ash winked at Zach, and kept hold of his hand as they went out to face the firing squad.

Sharon: YOU BET I AM!

[ She SHOUTED with a fraction of her sonic power to UNDERSCORE that point, causing the walls, other surfaces to rattle a bit and the feedback would be more than a little JARRING for all present- even in the bathroom. Alycia winced as she covered her ears]

Alycia: Sharon, NO! Don't ADD to the damage they've caused!

Sharon: Is there an app for sending annoying BITCHES [ thumbing back toward the bathroom door] to MARS? Oh never mind, I can put that BITCH in orbit MYSELF!

[ Sharon said with a bit of a laugh]

Alycia: LET'S....hold off on that just now, okay?

Sharon: If she wants to keep making remarks from behind closed doors, and thinks that I won't tear ANOTHER one off to punch her in her face AGAIN...

Alycia: SHE'S not important. We have so many OTHER things that are at stake, Sharon, things that you and I are BOTH heavily invested in, INCLUDING our recent outreach to Oracle? We can do this....we HAVE to. We don't need HER [ Ashley] to derail us from helping our friends, and putting Nedry to BED.

Sharon: :: sigh:: I agree. But she better keep her little grade school comments to HERSELF. You'd think she'd have learned by now that people don't have to take that from her!

Alycia: If she keeps at it, and Zach doesn't chastise her, then we'll know who is and who ISN'T serious about the things that have been said...and the substance of the so called heart-to-hearts that we've had. EVERYONE here needs to get serious, and stop wasting time.

[ Sharon could see what mod Alycia was in, that "lawyer mode" with that laser focus. And for those who knew her, it was an awesome thing to watch. Hypolytta was very inspired when she named her "Brilliant Confrontation." ]


Alycia: I need to know what they've been saying in there because of Zach comes out here trying to justify his behavior, I WILL push back on behalf of Zizi, AND Gabe. He had no right to come in here and do that!

Sharon: Zach seems to think Gabe sexually assaulted Zizi.

Alycia: WHAT!? Why would he think that?

Sharon: Ashley thinks very little of him...they BOTH do. But neither of them has any LOGICAL evidence to substantiate this claim. It's all born from a..DISLIKE of him.

Alycia: Well...Dominique and Rich were here earlier...if something happened...THEY would have intervened.

:: But Alycia knew Gabe wasn't capable of doing something like that to Zizi, and the reaction that Zizi had in the hallway was further proof of that::

[pausing to think for a moment]

Sharon: Has SHE looked in the mirror? She has some nerve, being so dismissive of someone.

Alycia: When you're as old as she is, rudeness and bad habits are bound to be a CHRONIC CONDITION. What ELSE did they say?

Sharon: Ashley alternated between wondering if they made a mistake, and congratulating Zach on his misplaced violence.

Alycia: :: rolling her eyes:: But I bet she's whined to anyone who would listen about what happened between you and her.

Sharon: In a moment of sanity and a RARE display of something close to an attempt at ethical behavior, she cautioned Zach that they should "play it smart....for Zizi's sake."

:: Alycia thought for a moment.::

Alycia: As a lawyer, and having been on on both sides of the court room, I've had to learn to spot openings...no matter how small they may be. And I THINK that's what we have now.

Sharon: Ashley can't be trusted.

Alycia: No, she can't...in MOST things...but her pattern of behavior clearly indicates that she would not knowingly betray or harm Zizi. The fact that she even vocalized concern over the possibility that they made a MISTAKE suggests she might have some BASIC form of conscience, and sense of ethics. We have to focus on THAT. It's all we have at this moment. But I AM terribly concerned about her reckless encouragement of Zach's violence. He's an empath, her boorish ways COULD be effecting him on a level beyond the surface.

Sharon: Well...we knew him first. We know him best. We HAVE to be here...if for no other reason to stop him from COMPOUNDING his mistake, and to help Zizi ...

Alycia: AND Gabe....

Sharon: ....and if Valkyrie tries to inflame the violence?

Alycia: Then you give HER what she asks for...in SPADES. But for NOW, let's try to handle this in a proper manner. I believe Zach is still the reasonable, ethical man I've known and worked with for years, and this was even while he was with that ROBO-SLUT, Haleigh. So here's hoping that he will resist the toxic emotional infection of that horned helmet wearing HUSSY.

:: the two women nodded in agreement.

:: moments later, they finally emerge from the bathroom::

They went back to where Sharon, Alycia, and Andrew were. Zach went to his overnight bag, which was still on the floor but had been kicked over against the wall, and found a thin white undershirt to pull on. He didn't say anything, because he didn't know what they'd decided without him and Ash, and he wanted a chance to gauge them before he went full steam on them.

:: The amazons stand together, looking calm as they both look upon Zach.::

Alycia: Zach.

:: Before anyone else could begin to speak, XAVIER zoomed in::

Alycia: Xavier! Did you find Gabe? Is he okay?

Xavier spoke up to all of the people in the room.

He is speaking by phone with....Zizi...right now. His car has a tracker on it so she can know where he is since I am no longer shadowing him.

Xavier gestured to the door.

Is this a good sign?

He stood outside the door, waiting with the rest of them...

Alycia: I was in the hallway with Zizi, she will return soon. According to Andrew she's outside on the sidewalk.

Sharon: And she was talking on the phone, with Gabe.

:: The amazons KNEW this would probably provoke a response from Zach::

Alycia: You put a TRACKER on his car?

Sharon: well...think about it...he's been attacked once by Persephone, it COULD happen again, and it could be much worse this time, AND he has no powers. I'll have the birds keep an eye out as well. We'll know if something's up.