Growing Pains

The White Tower

The White King waited only seconds after seeing the looks on everyone's faces to mentally scan every single person in the room - figuring out what they knew, what they thought, and what they thought they knew. He was surprised to know that his sister had in fact wiped all footage of the encounter from the Hellfire cameras, but that wouldn't stop Haleigh from recreating it should it be brought up again at a later date. But he wasn't worried. It would take little to no work to get anyone to believe whatever he wanted about the situation should it be used against him at a later date. The blood all across The White Tower was incredible and his wife took the lead as he hoped she would.

Haleigh: "What's with all the blood?"

Adriana: "Gia just exploded all over us while trying to drain the forcefield?"

Cameron furrowed his brow as he peaked inside of her mind to see what had actually transpired. He was a bit dissappointed that she had not used such an opportunity to take Gia out, but relieved to know that she was focused on the task at hand and could work under incredible pressure with incredible results. She was the one the white court needed, not Gia.

Haleigh: "The White King and I have had a private conference. We've decided on a separation, and an armistice. Takes sides if you want, but hostilities will not be tolerated. We've agreed that children will not be harmed, and are to be protected at all costs. This decree extends not only to Carolina, the King's daughter, but to both my unborn children..."

He was about to interject.

Haleigh: "But it also includes any other children, present and future, belonging to the members of The Inner Circle."

He didn't need her expression. He wasn't new at this.

"Your duties at Hellfire will remain as always the same. Grow our influence and power in service to your courts. We understand this is uncharted territory for our Inner Circle, and as such...will require a flexibility from all of us moving forward. But it is also a time for relationships to be repaired and grow."

Pausing.

"Though rest assured, despite what has transpired - The White Court, in it's professional, philosophical and entrepreneurial endeavors remain united as they always were."

He tried to ignore Haleigh and her gripping of Alek's bicep, because he was sick of being triggered by it. He had meant what he said earlier, but he was also a jealous and petulant man. Knowing that about himself, he would have to go about the process of slowly dulling the romantic feelings he had for Haleigh, storing them in the darkest and biggest black boxes of his mind. If he was going to survive this experience...rather, if they were going to survive this experience, he needed to. And making room in his heart was needed right now.

His eyes met Elena's for a moment. At first, he thought he was making a mistake by bringing her here. But he had forgotten just how good at the game she was. He wouldn't keep her against her will. He wouldn't put pressure on her to stay for good, but the way his stomach felt upon looking at her told him that she was and always would be important to him. Though it was a precarious position. When he loved something, he consumed it. And she would suffer no fools, especially after what he did to her. But right now, selfish as it was, to look at a crowd that felt a mixture of awe and disgust at him, it was good to see a face that didn't think that. It was also dangerous. But Cameron liked danger.

"This was supposed to be time off for all of you. Please, inform your Kings and Queens what you feel pertinent to share, and get back to your break. There will be enough excitement in the days to come."
 
The White Tower

Alek: "I meant what I said, Erika. If anyone lays a finger on you, I will kill them."

< She simply blinked several times, not really sure what to say. Many men had said that to her over the years, her brother included. Erika wanted to believe him, but all she could do was accept the warmth she felt from his words in that moment and move on. Nobody really hung out with Erika or tolerated her unless they were ordered to or paid to. The White Princess was used to testing and breaking the limits of one's loyalty and concern for her - she would likely break the bear's as well. >

< Thankfully he had a few yards on her as she decided to phase her way through the walls, arriving at The White Tower just a few seconds before him, about to ask for a status report. >

Alek: "So, what have we got? Jack, Calder, report."

< Ugh. Erika had desperately wanted to run this situation. Now it felt like she had come up with nothing and simply sat there while somebody from another court oversaw how to save HER King and Queen. And she was worried. Both Haleigh and Cameron drove her crazy, well relatively crazy, but she couldn't imagine trying to navigate a place like this without them. The babies would survive this? And where would this leave her? Would she be stuck raising two little babies who had no business being born while she wasted the best years of her life locked in The White Tower, driving herself crazy over taking care of them? She didn't want it. >

< They decided there was no time like the present but to begin. She watched both Gia and Adriana prepare as well as Calder and Elena. All she could was run backup. If something happened, she could at the very least CONTAIN the situation with her power to avoid more fallout. >

<< SPLAT! >>

< Her face got a big wave of blood from what used to be Gia as she blinked again several times, wiping her face and cursing the gods. >

"I just fuckin' BOUGHT this sweater, you bitch!"

< Why couldn't her family have been born into The Red Court. It would have saved so much on dry cleaning. Despite her abject RAGE at what was just done to her - she had to admit this display was quite impressive. Adriana and Heidi worked in tandem and before long, Elena and Calder had gotten Cameron to where he needed to go. And then, almost as quickly as they had left...The White King and Queen were back. >

Elena: "Alek, you hold that puta back."

< Erika didn't mean to laugh, but she did. Despite her anger at being covered in blood, it did tend to lighten her mood a bit. She held back for a moment, just to make sure that everything was okay, and that nobody was going to continue this battle royale. >

Cameron: "Uhhh...sorry to drag you into our affairs..."

Haleigh: "The White King and I have had a private conference. We’ve decided on a separation, and an armistice. Take sides if you want, but hostilities will not be tolerated. We’ve agreed that children will not be harmed, and are to be protected at all costs. This decree extends not only to Carolina, the King’s daughter, but to both my unborn children.”

< He was letting Haleigh take the lead, which was smart, but it also said to Erika that Cameron had fucked up big time, she exhaled deeply, believing little to none of these words about armistice and peace for all the children. This was likely going to get uglier the closer they got to the due date. >

Cameron: "Your duties at Hellfire will remain as always the same. Grow our influence and power in service to your courts. We understand this is uncharted territory for our Inner Circle, and as such...will require a flexibility from all of us moving forward. But it is also a time for relationships to be repaired and grow. Though rest assured, despite what has transpired - The White Court, in it's professional, philosophical and entrepreneurial endeavors remain united as they always were."

"Gag."

Cameron: "This was supposed to be time off for all of you. Please, inform your Kings and Queens what you feel pertinent to share, and get back to your break. There will be enough excitement in the days to come."

< The White Princess interjected. >

"I understand this is an 'everyone return to your corners' kind of moment, but...Haleigh, whenever you are ready, I'd like to check on the babies. Just to make sure they are fine.."
 
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Adirondack Mountains — The Cabin

AJ had cleaned up the spilt milk in the kitchen, and checked the stew, and grabbed fresh beers to go up to the master bedroom. He found the door closed, which was slightly unusual. He could hear the mountain lion cub purring loudly, and what he thought sounded like his Ashley crying. He knocked on the door and called her name, and she told him not to come in. He waited there, hearing the sounds of her rushing into the shower.

After a few minutes he let himself into the bedroom. The cub came up to him immediately, starting to purr again. He transferred the beers to one hand and stooped to scoop up the cat. Yes, the fur was wet, and when his Ashley came back out of the bathroom, her eyes were red from crying. She told him to go ahead and eat without her, that she’d be down soon. If she had been giving this command as his Queen, he’d have done just as she asked.

However, she’d said ‘no titles’ while they were here at the cabin, so AJ felt he had the liberty to disregard what she was saying and do what he wanted. He set the cub on the bed, shaking his head on the way to his Ashley. He took her in his arms, hugging her for a few moments, his chin resting on the top of her head. He wasn’t sure what was bothering her, and wasn’t going to guess because that was was a great way to generate a misunderstanding.

”Would my Ashley like to talk about what is so upsetting?

He asked, pulling back a little bit to give her room. He held up the beers in offering.
 
The White Wing - Corridor

They had all reassembled in the White Wing, and Alek asked for a report from his Bishop and Rook. It hadn't been chance that someone from the Red Court had been in each team as the group split up to their tasks. Jack had figured out a way to drain the forcefield, the "crystal cage" that Erika had given Haleigh just that morning. It seemed like a lifetime ago. Calder started to report back as well.

Calder: "The boy child can manipulate time, the princess...awesome...she can raise the dead."

Raise the dead? What a unique and powerful ability for his daughter to have. Despite everything, his chest swelled with pride. She was going to be amazing.

Calder: "And I think I can-"

Heidi: “She’s moving, the Queen is moving! Gia, get over here!”

Alek's eyes darted to Haleigh as Calder was cut off by the White Knight. Was it true? Could this nightmare be ending? He barely registered Gia literally exploding in front of their eyes. The barrier was broken as Elena and Calder commenced contacting Cameron. It must have worked.

Elena: "They're coming, get ready! Alek, you hold that puta back."

"Yeah, puta you."

He couldn't care less if Haleigh killed Cameron where he stood, but he wasn't about to let anything happen to Haleigh or the babies. He slipped into position, ready to block her with his own body. There was a perceptible change in both Haleigh and Cameron, and Haleigh's hands released from Cameron's neck. Cameron fell to the floor, which Alex perceived with a certain smug sense of satisfaction.

Cameron: "Uhhh....sorry to drag you into our affairs.."

"Oh Fuck. You."

And then he turned to Haleigh as she moved towards him.

"Are you alright? Are the babies alright?"

Haleigh: ”The White King and I have had a private conference. We’ve decided on a separation, and an armistice. Take sides if you want, but hostilities will not be tolerated. We’ve agreed that children will not be harmed, and are to be protected at all costs. This decree extends not only to Carolina, the King’s daughter, but to both my unborn children, but it also includes any other children, present and future, belonging to the members of the Inner Circle.”

He did not like being talked to as if he were lesser than Haleigh and Cameron, but since it was Haleigh doing the talking, he said nothing about it. Instead, he decided to add his consent to what she had said.

"The Red Court will also abide by such a decree."

He was studying Haleigh, looking for any signs of injury or distress. Her hand was moving down his arm and he could suddenly feel every inch of skin on his body come online. Her hand was reaching into his pocket and he started to grin, but his expression changed to one of confusion when she pulled his phone out and placed it into his hand.

Haleigh said:
The screen was lit up with her memory, a silent video of their teenage daughter, lounging with her polar bear pet in the crypt of the alternate future.
Click to expand...

His eyes moved from the screen up to Haleigh's face, quizzically. The girl looked like her. And him. Haleigh smiled.

Haleigh: ”What do you think of the name Rebekah?”

His eyes widened for a moment in surprise.

"That was my grandmother's name."

He paused.

"I like it."

He smiled at her, leaning forward to kiss her forehead. He whispered to her with true concern.

"Are you sure you're all okay?"

Haleigh turned back towards to the group, her arm linked with his. He took her hand and leaned down to kiss her fingers, before putting his hand over hers on his arm.

Cameron: "Your duties at Hellfire will remain as always the same. Grow our influence and power in service to your courts. We understand this is uncharted territory for our Inner Circle, and as such...will require a flexibility from all of us moving forward. But it is also a time for relationships to be repaired and grow."

Asshole.

Cameron: "Though rest assured, despite what has transpired - The White Court, in it's professional, philosophical and entrepreneurial endeavors remain united as they always were."

Except when you were trying to kill your wife and her unborn children. Including your own son. Dickhead.

Cameron: "This was supposed to be time off for all of you. Please, inform your Kings and Queens what you feel pertinent to share, and get back to your break. There will be enough excitement in the days to come."

"I'll speak to Ashley about it when she returns."

Haleigh could tell Ava whatever she wanted. The spoiled rich girl was laughing it up in Paris while the rest of them dealt with the problem, as per usual.

Erika: "I understand this is an 'everyone return to your corners' kind of moment, but...Haleigh, whenever you are ready, I'd like to check on the babies. Just to make sure they are fine."

He wasn't sure how he felt about Erika "checking" on the babies. Sometimes he could forget that she was a fruitcake. But she certainly had such an incredibly dim view of children at Hellfire that he didn't altogether trust her not to do something stupid. Especially if she thought it would benefit her or her family.

"Perhaps we should also call-"

He sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Dr. Jazz."

The overly handsome doctor with the ridiculous nickname.

"Would you like to go back to our room and lie down? At least rest?"
 
Adirondack Mountains — The Cabin

Ashley came out of the quickest shower in history and wrapped herself in a towel. When she exited the bathroom, AJ was there. She played it off like nothing was wrong, and told him to go ahead and eat and she'd be down soon. But instead, he came to her and wrapped his gigantic arms around her, hugging her to him. Her tears immediately started to flow again and she hugged him desperately back

AJ: ”Would my Ashley like to talk about what is so upsetting?

He held up the beers in his hand as an invitation. She wiped at her face with the back of her hand and took one. Flicking it open, she took a long drink as she sat down on the bed.

"That hunter could have killed you."

She took another long drink to cover the breath hitching in her throat.

"I couldn't bear that. I just couldn't."
 
Adirondack Mountains — The Cabin

AJ pulled his Queen into a hug, and held her for a few moments. She had been trying to play it off, he suspected, and that suspicion was confirmed when she promptly let herself cry again, clinging to him desperately. He asked her if she would like to talk about what was so upsetting, and offered her a beer. She accepted the drink and sat down on the bed. He moved to kneel in front of her, concern etched on his brow, which was replaced with confusion when she suggested the hunter could have killed him.

Either she was giving a great deal of credit to the portly mortal man, or she was not giving much credit at all to AJ in the matchup. His ego wanted him to tell her that the man in the woods didn’t stand a chance against him, but she was saying that she couldn’t bear it, and so he paused to remind himself that she’d lost love before. He had too, many decades ago, and he could still remember the pain of it. He took a deep breath, recalling that although he was 147 years old, he didn’t look it, and they hadn’t known each other for more than a decade.

“My Ashley, I swear upon my everlasting soul, you will not have to bear it.”

He replied, looking up into her eyes to make sure she could see his conviction.

“I survived over a hundred years with very little cause to live for beyond my own tenacity, and now I have you, my Ashley, my Queen, My Purpose. My heart could not stop beating unless yours did first.”

He reached up to wipe her tears away with the pad of his thumb.

“You must have more faith in me than you have fear of Death. He has come for me before, and been denied. An entire pack of wolves could not kill me when I was mortal, it will take a great deal more than a little piece of hot lead to do me in now.”
 
Tokyo

John: "Your Queen needs her Knight, Amanda. Increase security at all Black Court holdings - we need to be prepared for an attack from Stavros Cassadine or Kelly King. Especially Kelly. There's a situation going on that I can't discuss over the phone, but Amanda - we need you to step in while we handle this. Full alert."

"Understood, my King."

The last few days had been nothing but endless trials and tribulations for Hellfire America, and worse, many of these attacks seemed directly aimed towards The Black Court. While it highlighted their strength, Amanda couldn't help but to feel that it was also because of some glaring weakness they had. Something she wasn't seeing. In any case, after her poor performance this weekend, she wasn't about to fail her king and queen again. Ever again.

John: "And Amanda? I want our people all over the hotel in Paris. Discreet, but outside, the lobby, on our floor. I want our suite to be a fortress. We'll explain when we're back at Hellfire."

He hung up without giving any further context. She was a bit confused. It wasn't Kelly's style to attack Ava or her court directly. Talisman relished in tormenting Ava, and had set herself up for the long haul to be able to do so. Stavros was another story. But she knew Stavros. He was not a man that worked in subterfuge or shadow. He attacked directly, and he let you know he was coming. Whatever was happening, The Black Princess had a court to protect. She spoke into her com link, which was a fabulous pair of Solitaire black diamond earrings.

[to Ben and Daniel] "We have explicit instructions from the king to man our battle stations. Daniel, you've been managing the secret service detail we sent to Paris, but I'm about to TRIPLE it..."

Amanda grabbed her laptop and began to coordinate and organize new security details, putting The Black Court on full alert, to such a degree it would make the little show they had at Hellfire Club this last weekend look like a volunteer militia.

[to Ben and Daniel] "I need you to work your contacts, I want you to find out anything you can about movement from Stavros and Kelly. We need to know what they're doing and where they are currently...Ben?"

"Ben."

[to Ben] "Our midnighters need to be activated and given strict instruction to be ready to pull the trigger the SECOND I get word from John or Ava."

Amanda and Ben had spent a good amount of time post rebellion setting up moles and informants within Stavros own security detail and inner circle. It was something they hadn't necessarily told Ava because of the troubled relationship she had with her father, but it was their job to constantly be looking at her blind spots. Mostly, they were there to watch and report anything suspicious, but there were other protocols in place, ones that appeared might need to be enacted. She wasted no time rising from her feet and lacing up her stiletto boots with the speed and precision of the cobra strike she was known for.

[to Ben and Daniel] "I don't care where you are, we are in the air in fifteen minutes."

She had come to Tokyo to maybe find something about herself, but yet again, Hellfire consumed all she was. But she had chosen this life and this path. And Ava and John needed her. Her court needed her...and something about that felt pretty good.
 
Osaka, Japan - Mahjong's Casino

Vivica loved Osaka. In Osaka, she always felt like she could be herself. It had art, and culture, in a way that wasn't trying to gain the westerner's eye like Tokyo. And the food was bar none. As was the shopping. It was in Osaka that she had fallen in love with both Japan and her late husband. But she was not in Osaka tonight to wax poetic on a life that was taken from her. Tonight, she was here on business. And that business was revenge.

She'd lived in Tokyo since she was fifteen years old. Discovered in a mall by a scouting agent at thirteen, Vivica spent her adolescence modeling. Her first year in the business, she'd walked in fourteen shows in Milan. And she was grateful. Her home life had always been rough. Her mother was a good woman, but there was no money. No hope for a better future. If she had stayed in Compton, she would have wound up pregnant and/or dead. And Vivica always had big dreams. Her mom died when she was fifteen, and before she knew what it meant, she had legally become the charge of her agent, who sent her to Japan. He was convinced for some reason that women of color were somehow going to have a moment. He was wrong. And life was hard for a few years. She found herself working for no name designers who wanted shocking and edgy models (see: colored) in their shows, and living in model hotels with women who were afraid to use the same bathroom as her. But she persisted.

Vivica wasn't just a beautiful supermodel in the making, she was a mutant. And her power made her the ultimate student. She spent her days teaching herself japanese, posing, theory, merchandising, booking, all the ins and outs of the business. And wouldn't you know it? Eighteen months later, she was the only black girl in Japan making a living modeling. She carved out a niche for herself, thanks in large part to her ethnic ambiguity. If you squinted your eyes long enough, she might just look part Japanese. But Vivica didn't care. She was finally making money. Taking care of herself in a way she never imagined she could. By the time she was eighteen, she had an amazing apartment at Mori Tower, more yen than she could spend, and she managed to make herself a fixture in the social scene. People liked when the pretty black girl showed up to their events. But nobody liked that pretty black girl more than Kenji Inagawa.

"上げる" (Raise)

She sat on the right side of a poker table in a prominent and exclusive (see - illegal) casino called "Mahjong's" as she placed two chips into the pot, equalling 1.4 million yen. Since the murder of her husband, Vivica had been on a path to power. The other players at her table were yakuza, specifically? They were men that had a hand in the murder of her husband. And tonight? She was going to kill them. But first, she was going to make a lot of fucking money. She watched the men, meticulously recording all of their body movements and mannerisms in that special brain of hers, using her power to move the game along to where she needed it to be. In her prime, when she had been the wife of one of the most prominent yakuza leaders in Japan, she had always been at Kenji's side. The Inagawa yakuza had made their bread and butter in gambling. And Vivica never lost.

Player: "Kurai hito wa jishin o motte imasu." ("The dark one is confident").

Vivica rolled her eyes.

"Kanojo wa jibun ga nani o motte iru ka o shitte irukaradesu." ("Because she knows what she has.")

[smirking]

'Kōun o kanjite imasu ka?" ("Are you feeling lucky?")

It had been three years, but she still missed Ken everyday. They'd met at an art gallery opening. He was immediately enamored with her. Despite his passion for knowing his own culture and history, Kenji loved American culture. By the end of the night, they had spent three hours at a karaoke bar before ending the night at a McDonald's, falling in love over chicken nuggets and sharing a McFlurry. The rest of their relationship had not been so easy. Kenji was the son of the kaicho of Inagawa yakuza, and his parents were not initially accepting of the idea that their son might end up with mixed babies. But Vivica, as evidenced earlier, was the perfect student. She did whatever she could to show Ken's family that she could be both respectful and knowledgeable about their way of life. She had taken care of Ken's father everyday before he died of lung cancer, listening to his stories. Rin Inagawa loved to tell stories. Of the great myths of Japanese history, or mythological stories of foxes and monkeys and tigers and dragons. And he was a collector, of artifacts and items important to the family and to his people.

Player: "電話" ("Call.")

Vivica had desperately wanted to give both Kenji and Rin an heir before he died, but she was unable. Barren, apparently. Thankfully, Rin died before she ever had to give him the news, and unfortunately so did Kenji. He'd always been a man of enterprise, wanting to expand his "family" into international waters, which caused great concern for those born clinging to old ideals. And then he struck a deal with Archer Fairchild, a british equivalent to the yakuza. Archer opened doors and borders for them, but it did not stop the uprising that eventually killed him. The very people he had given his life to serve and nurture murdered him in cold blood three years ago.

"Anatatowatashi dake no yōdesu. Te o miseru junbi wa dekimashita ka?" (It appears to be just you and I. Are you ready to show your hand?")

Player: "Watashi wa tsuneni junbi ga dekite imasu, kurai mono" (I am always ready, dark one.)

She pursed her lips. She'd been called "dark one" enough in her life to lean into the sentiment. Kenji had always called her "Kitsune", which meant "fox." Japan had a love affair with foxes. There were many myths of the fox spirits who roamed the land, in many different capacities. They were intelligent and mischevious, and taught important lessons. At the reading of Rin's will, he had left her a special gift. An ornate mask, forged by men who worshipped the Kitsune. At first, she thought it to be a nice and final gesture from a man who had finally come to accept her. And, when Kenji died, she put it on, and understood the reason why.

"O taosemasu ka Royal Flush?"

Vivica laughed as the man's face became beat red with anger and rage. Men in Japan did not like to lose, especially not to women. And very especially to women who looked like her.

Player: "Anata wa hisan'na sagi-shidesu!!" ("You are a miserable cheat!")

In Kenji's death, he had taken care of her for the rest of her life. But it wasn't enough for her. He was a man of vision. Who saw a path to power outside their little island nation. Power on a global scale. And when she buried him, she made a promise to herself that she would see his vision into reality. And these were the last bastards she had to cut through before she could get the agency she hungered for.

"Yowai dansei ga mottomo ōgoe de sakebimasu." ("Weak men scream the loudest.")

She rose from her seat, the samurai sword attached to her back seemed to virbationally react to her movements as a VOOM sound could be heard in the room.

"Shikashi, watashi ni nokotte iru no wa sore dakede wa arimasen." ("But that's not the only hand I have left to play".)

She unsheathed her sword with incredible speed, as the Kitsune mask manifested on her face out of thin air, much to the shock and horror of the men around her. For years now, they had been hunted. By a spirit of the night. By a blade sharper than anything they knew. By a spirit of vengeance. By the Kitsune. And now they knew exactly who it was that had been hunting them.

"Anata wa watashinokazoku o hakai shimashita. Watashi no namae ni oten o motarashita. Soshite kon'ya, watashi wa anata no kiroku o kiroku kara sakujo shimasu." ("You have destroyed my family. Brought dirt upon my name. And tonight, I will remove yours from the record.")

<< BANG! >>

The men rose from the table, attempting feebly to grab for the guns in their holsters. She'd removed the clips before they had even sat down. With lightning like speed, she grabbed her sword from it's holster and lifted it over her head, before bringing it down in a circular motion, decapitating the men immediately to her left and right with one fell swoop. Blood sprayed against her beautiful dark chocolate face, as she jumped on the table, charging forward.

"Watashi wa kitsunedesu. Watashi wa anata no saibankandesu!!!!!" ("I am the fox. I am your judge!")

The men flanked her, shooting bullets left and right as she deflected them with her blade. Holding her sword in one hand, she used her incredible strength by way of her mask to lift one up by his white suit collar, looking him dead in the eye. He had been there. Had watched Kenji die. She threw him up in the air and GRABBED him by the throat, as he was mere centimeters from her face. She SQUEEZED tightly, crushing his windpipe and his entire NECK, as his head POPPED off like it was a push pop.

"One more to go."

A sad, scared man trying to be brave in front of her. A man that leaked intel. A man that plotted and planned the demise of her husband, to such a degree that he was being considered as Kenji's replacement. A man who had built an entire campaign of leadership off of his betrayal.

"YOU."

The man didn't speak English, but that was his fault. He would die not even knowing what she had to say to him. He would die just as CONFUSED as her late husband was when the people he trusted had taken him out. Even as he ran towards the door. Vivica closed her eyes for a moment, centering herself, before bringing her sword in front of her for a moment, stepping forward as she HURLED it at the man, watching with wild eyes as her sword pierced straight through his stomach and PINNED him to the wall. She closed the gap between them quickly, wanting to watch as the life faded from his eyes.

"I will not stop here. As soon as I leave here? I am headed for your family. For your wife. Your two sons. They will die a BLOODY death. And it will be because of YOU. You wanted power. Sought it out...but it chose me. Suits ME. Now, DIE."

She JAMMED the sword into the wall with her augmented strength as much as she could, once again the bloodspray covering her face and immaculately white outfit as she lifted the blade up with ease, through the wall, SLICING the man in two as the dual parts of his body flopped against the floor. Vivica seethed with rage from behind her mask as she looked upon what remained of the last body of the last man who had been involved in her husband's death. She had done it. Three years later, she had carved a path through every last one of them. Taking their resources, their connections for herself. Aito would not like how bloody this was, but she didn't care. She was sending a message. She may have not been born an Inagawa, but she certainly had proved herself to be one. After a few moments, the mask from her face faded as she returned to her normal form. Brushing a bit of hair out of her face and tucking it behind her ear, she spun on her heels, turning around to face the petrified and hyperventilating poker deal who had been hiding underneath the table since the altercation began.

"I'd like to cash out please."
 
Adirondack Mountains — The Cabin

Ashley was sitting on the bed, trying to get a handle on her crying by drinking the beer, which was not really working. AJ was kneeling on the floor in front of her, looking up at her. She told him how she couldn't bear it if he was killed.

AJ: “My Ashley, I swear upon my everlasting soul, you will not have to bear it.”

She sniffled.

"But how can you know that?"

AJ: “I survived over a hundred years with very little cause to live for beyond my own tenacity, and now I have you, my Ashley, my Queen, My Purpose. My heart could not stop beating unless yours did first.”

He wiped the tears off her cheeks, which only made her want to cry more.

AJ: “You must have more faith in me than you have fear of Death. He has come for me before, and been denied. An entire pack of wolves could not kill me when I was mortal, it will take a great deal more than a little piece of hot lead to do me in now.”

She scoffed.

"Everyone knows Death is a woman..."

Ashley wiped her nose on the back of her hand.

"I have faith in you in a fair fight...but what if he'd been a better shot? What if you didn't even get a chance to fight?"

She reached out and put her hands on his shoulders.

"I'm nothing without you."
 
Hellfire — The White Wing

She had let Cameron go, now that she was past the point of wanting to kill him. She moved toward Alek, to stop him from trying to finish what she’d started, but he was calmer than she expected, and seemed more concerned with whether or not her and the babies were okay. It was heart-warming on a level she didn’t expect. She had to smooth things over, and spoke mostly for the benefit of the others in the Inner Circle. She could tell Alek the long story later. For now she explained that they’d arrived at a truce, one she expected everyone to respect.

She knew there would be a tendency to take sides, and she allowed for it, but warned that hostility would not be tolerated. That was directed more at Elena, because that bitch was as hostile as they came. Haleigh made sure to announce that Elena’s daughter was included in the protective order, as well as any other Inner Circle children they might have in the future. This was a calculated effort to get them all to buy in, but she had already decided that anyone who didn’t go along with the armistice was going to die. She wasn’t going to let some threat to her children coexist alongside them. Alek agreed succinctly, to which Haleigh gave him a grateful smile.

Cameron started a speech, as he was wont to do, and Haleigh turned her focus more on Alek, showing him a short video of his daughter. She asked him what he thought of the name Rebekah, suspecting that they had chosen it together for a reason. He said it was his grandmother’s name, and she smiled. He said he liked it, and she leaned into him as he kissed her forehead. He asked her quietly if she was really okay, and she nodded.

“Never better.”

She whispered back. She felt even closer to her children than before, and she was very grateful to be back a reality where Alek was alive and well. She pushed off the memory of despair she’d had from before, when she thought she’d be stuck in that time where all that was left of him was ash. She turned back towards the others, her expression steeled again, taking his arm. It was likely to irk her soon-to-be-ex husband, she knew, but Cameron didn’t get to bring the other woman here without repercussion. If Haleigh had to see Elena in her own home, then Haleigh was damn sure going to remind Cameron that she had someone else too.

She could tell from Cameron’s expression that her small gesture with Alek had good effect on target. Good, she thought. However, putting Cameron on notice hadn’t been the only reason she’d taken Alek’s arm. There was a significant part of her that just liked being closer to him, that enjoyed the way he put his hand over hers in return. It was the same part of her that was happy they were having a daughter together, despite the turmoil it caused the club. She looked up at him, more than ready to split off from the group, to tell him all about their daughter, and also to fuck him silly, because those were the thoughts that always threatened to overwhelm her when she was close enough to feel the heat of his body on hers.

Erika: "I understand this is an 'everyone return to your corners' kind of moment, but...Haleigh, whenever you are ready, I'd like to check on the babies. Just to make sure they are fine."

Haleigh’s gaze shifted to her Princess. She had always considered Erika to be a little sister of sorts, even before she’d married Cameron. A batshit crazy one at times, but a little sister none-the-less. It wasn’t really Erika’s fault that this place, and what they’d gone through as children growing up here, had made her a bit of a lunatic. Haleigh was usually cautious when it came to Erika, but that was only because she never really knew when the crazy would erupt. However, she had just come from a future where Erika had stepped up to raise Haleigh’s son in her absence, and it had been obvious that Erika had actually truly cared about Logan. That was a connection Haleigh wanted to foster, so she nodded.

”That sounds good Erika, will you walk with us back to the Red Wing?”

She replied agreeably. Alek suggested they also call ‘Dr. Jazz’, which made Haleigh smile as she remembered how adorably objectionable Alek had gotten over Jasper seeing her naked.

”I’m sure everything is fine, I’m not in a huge rush to see him again. If Erika finds something we can call to consult him.”

She responded casually. She really did feel fine, but a quick check by Erika would be reassuring, and give her a chance to arrange for something else she was thinking of. Alek suggested they go back to their room and she nodded, smirking as they turned to leave the White Wing.

”Resting is not what I had in mind, but laying down can still be negotiated.”

She replied suggestively, and then she heard Erika’s footsteps catch up to them. They were already out of earshot of the others, but Haleigh still checked the cameras out of habit, and filled the microphones nearest to them with static to cover their conversation.

”Erika, you’re familiar with horses, aren’t you? I need a small pony, of appropriate size and temperament for a child. How soon could you have it delivered to the Courtyard Gardens in the Conservatory? Is this afternoon possible?”
 
Adirondack Mountains — The Cabin

AJ tried to reassure her, but she scoffed, interjecting that everyone knew Death was a woman, and then asking him what if the man had been a better shot, what if he hadn’t had a chance at a fair fight? AJ shook his head gently at that, looking up at her.

”You and I both know there is no fair fight in the wild. Only the strong survive, and if I cannot, then I am no fit companion for a Valkyrie and a Queen.”

He replied assertively. He didn’t know what had shaken her faith so savagely, nor how else to restore it.

“Why must you torment yourself with these what-ifs? It can only bring you grief and prevent you from enjoying what IS.”

He added, and then she told him she was nothing without him. It was his turn to scoff, and he did so incredulously. He pushed her hair back from her face.

”Now that is just NOT true. Who put this idea in your head, that you are nothing? Was it the little bear? I’ll kill him.”

Savage growled fiercely. Then he gave her a confident smile.

“Perhaps then you’ll believe that I am not so easily slain. We both know he doesn’t fight fair, but I know that even his cheating will not be enough to save him from me, and once you see him fall, you will know it too.”

He said with determination. He set down a beer long since forgotten and took her hands in his.

”How can you believe you are nothing without me? I did not make you Queen. I did not make you beautiful or strong or cunning or caring. You became all that on your own, and that is why I love you.”
 
Adirondack Mountains — The Cabin

Ashley felt such horror in her gut at the idea that in the blink of an eye Savage could be taken away from her. A stupid hunter, while he was in wolf form, one that was a good shot...the thought brought her to despair.

AJ: "You and I both know there is no fair fight in the wild. Only the strong survive, and if I cannot, then I am no fit companion for a Valkyrie and a Queen.”

"You are the only companion I want. I don't care about anything else."

AJ: “Why must you torment yourself with these what-ifs? It can only bring you grief and prevent you from enjoying what IS.”

She shook her head. She didn't know why this feeling was so intense, or why right now.

"I can't stop this feeling of dread..."

She told him she was nothing without him, and it was true. She would lie down on the ground and die without him. There would be no reason for her to go on. He pushed the hair out of her face, and the warmth of his fingertips was somehow soothing.

AJ: ”Now that is just NOT true. Who put this idea in your head, that you are nothing? Was it the little bear? I’ll kill him. Perhaps then you’ll believe that I am not so easily slain. We both know he doesn’t fight fair, but I know that even his cheating will not be enough to save him from me, and once you see him fall, you will know it too.”

She gave a gentle nudge to his shoulder.

"Now, you're just teasing me."

She sniffed, and wiped her nose on her towel. AJ took her hands.

AJ: ”How can you believe you are nothing without me? I did not make you Queen. I did not make you beautiful or strong or cunning or caring. You became all that on your own, and that is why I love you.”

She tilted her head.

"Would you stop loving me if I wasn't a queen anymore?"

It wouldn't be so long, not for them, before Alek's daughter would be ready to rule. And then they could leave Hellfire. But maybe that wasn't what he wanted. Maybe she wasn't enough. Maybe she had mistook his lack of desire to be a king as not having a desire for Hellfire. But maybe he did.

"I just got so afraid..."
 
The White Tower

Haleigh: "That sounds good Erika, will you walk with us back to the Red Wing?"

< Erika nodded. She had seen the footage of what had transpired. Of what they had said to each other in the moments leading up to them being frozen in time. It didn't look good for her brother. But conversely, it looked very good for her. Because the little gift Erika had given Haleigh to protect her babies had worked flawlessly. Despite a few design flaws, it had done exactly what it was intended to do. Haleigh and Cameron were alive because Erika had the foresight to know that this situation was going to boil over. >

< She followed Haleigh, despite wanting to check in on her brother. He was a big boy, and though he had been playing nice with her as of late, much of that had been because of their mother. Erika felt like, for a moment, if she could just keep herself together, that she was making connections at Hellfire. First with Alek, and now with Haleigh. Erika kept a distance between them as her mind began to wander. Alek's words had stayed with her for a moment as he watched the two of them, several yards ahead. Alek was such a brute. A bit effortlessly stylish, but a brute. He'd always lacked the pedigree that had always been put over Erika's head. But she was left with this having a lot more respect for Alek, despite having a lot of questions. Helena had always doted on him, and she could never tell if it was because he was so gruff, so rough around the edges. Helena had two prime candidates for her court, Alexis and her brother, but she refused to place them where the others had placed her family. Having been so close to the "core four" (Cameron, Haleigh, Alexis and Ava), she'd always viewed Alek as an interloper. But seeing him now with Haleigh, how sweet and gentle he was, and not just because he wanted to fuck her...coupled with what he had said to her just moments ago...she was beginning to soften on him. But she knew herself. If he made any kind of mistake, if he caused harm to Haleigh or those babies, she would hurt him. In ways he couldn't even imagine she could. >

< But for now, she felt a bit at peace. Despite believing this armistice was absolute bullshit, it would give everyone room to breathe. Cameron would fixate on Elena, and Elena would do what she always did - wrap Cameron right around her finger. She may have had the benefit of time away from Hellfire, but Erika and the others knew Elena. There was a reason Cameron's eye was shifted back to Haleigh. Elena was dangerous. The whole single mom who just wanted the best for her daughter was schtick. She may have been a good mother, but bringing Sparrow back into Hellfire, to give her an opening like this? At this time? It was sloppy of her brother, but he'd never seen clear when it came to Elena. >

< She caught up to the happy couple. >

Haleigh: ”Erika, you’re familiar with horses, aren’t you? I need a small pony, of appropriate size and temperament for a child. How soon could you have it delivered to the Courtyard Gardens in the Conservatory? Is this afternoon possible?”

< Erika arched her brow for a moment. Erika was familiar with horses. She had been a professional rider for years as a girl. The only woman in Hellfire who could ever give her a run for her money was Ava, but thankfully, their love of horses was something that bonded the two as girls, not divided them. Her first horse had been a gift from Lara Cassadine, much to the rage of her mother. Lara taught both Ava and Erika to ride, and it was there, in those small few hours away from the Hellfire Mansion, at the Cassadine Estate in the Hamptons, that Erika was able to clear the voices in her head for a few hours, and focus on tangible, concrete tasks. Connecting with something that was wild, learning to work with it, to give and demand respect. So it didn't make sense why Haleigh was interested in any of this. They enetered the medical bay as she gestured for Haleigh to get on the examination table. >

"Montague and Capulet (her horses) have a foal actually..all white, just beautiful. Perfect for a child...depending on who that child is. But I think I'm picking up what you're putting down, and I can have her here in an hour.."

< The White Princess plucked away at her phone, securing the transport. >

"Now get on the table and put your legs on either side."

< Erika went for her latex gloves. Despite being truly an insane woman, she did possess the Shaw intellect. Erika was an actual doctor, having actually gone through medical school and an internship, graduating with honors. She had done it because she thought it would bring her closer to her mother. When she realized that nothing she did would ever make her a bigger star than Cameron in her family, she did for the prescription pads. As Haleigh sat in the stirrups and spread her legs, Erika delicately reached in to feel that the children were sitting properly in the womb. >

"Whoah, they are....so big for how far along you are...."

< From the size of her stomach, the shape of it, how they were sitting on her pelvic floor - Haleigh only had a few weeks before the children were born. It had been the reason that Erika had volunteered to be Haleigh's midwife. Dr. Jazz would be in over his head. She changed gloves and began to run a series of standard doctor procedures - heart beat, blood pressure, etc. before getting out the sonogram machine, lifting Haleigh's shirt up and rubbing the jelly on as she she began to scan, finding the babies in front of Alek and Haleigh as she spoke. >

"If I'm being honest...I think you only have another three weeks to four weeks of this, the way they are developing. I'm going to attempt to create their star charts. With a pregnancy like this, it's best for us to try and pinpoint as best we can for their due date..."

Beep beep beep beep beeep beeep beeep beep.

< Strong and healthy heartbeats of both children could be heard as Erika found them. >

"I think bed rest would be the best course of action. How they are growing is delicate, Haleigh. Premature labor is a big concern. Things like stress..anger...sex..we have to do what we can to eliminate those factors for you. You can see here, both children, they are in separate sacs...but..oh wow.."

< Erika zoomed in on the two fetuses developing inside of Haleigh. While they were in their own "containers" so to speak, the top of these sacs, had been broken through, by the tiniest of hands of each of them. They were not identical twins, not even fraternal twins, but there on the screen, it was very clear - their right hands were firmly gripped and interlocked with each other. They were holding hands in the womb. Erika had never seen anything like it. >

"They are using each other to develop. It's....fucking beautiful really."

< She found herself lost in the image for a moment, her face twisting into a smile as her eyes began to show the faintest hit of wetness in the corners. Seeing the two of them, so peaceful, so sleepy, not even fully formed, reaching out for each other. Realizing they needed the other to survive. They had found something before even being born that Erika had never known in her life. She swallowed a bit hard in her throat as her gaze returned to normal and she eyed Haleigh, with an understanding she hadn't had before looking at those kids in her stomach. >

"Look what the three of you have done, Haleigh. It's fucked up, but god...to see it. To know it's about to happen. It feels like we have a chance to right all the wrongs they did to us, doesn't it? I know I'm..crazy...and at some point i'll fuck all this up...but thank you for letting me be a part of this...for now...I know who I am...how jealous I can be, how insular...violent really. But...I will never hurt these babies..just anyone who ever tries to hurt them..I mean look at them..."

< She smiled, so weirdly proud. The Kings were a family who were loyal. A lot of that was bullshit. But they were the only, fully intact family at Hellfire and that was for a reason. Because things like this meant something to them. >

"They're so...[softly] beautiful..."

< Her phone alerted her. >

"Oh damn, that was quick! Pony incoming in twenty minutes!"
 
Hellfire — The White Wing

Haleigh, somewhat to Alek's surprise, allowed Erika's request and dismissed the need for "Dr. Jazz". He wasn't sure how he felt about that - if it was comforting that she didn't jump at the chance to have the handsome doctor return to the mansion, or worrying that she was letting a certified lunatic examine her.

He asked her if she wanted to go back to their room so she could lie down, or at least rest.

Haleigh: ”Resting is not what I had in mind, but laying down can still be negotiated.”

He leaned into her ear, a smile playing on his lips through his worry.

"I think we can come to a mutually satisfactory agreement."

As they walked back towards the Red Wing, Haleigh asked Erika about a pony. He had no idea what she was cooking up in that brain of her's, but his nose wrinkled at the thought of the mess it would make in the conservatory.

They entered the medical suite, and Erika instructed Haleigh to get onto the exam table. He helped her up, then stood beside the table, his hand finding Haleigh's.

Erika: "Whoah, they are....so big for how far along you are...."

He looked at Erika with concern, his brow furrowed.

"Do you think this is some kind of after-effect of what just happened?"

Erika squeezed some goo on Haleigh's stomach, and then suddenly they were looking at a monitor with two tiny forms on it. It took Alek's breath away. He squeezed Haleigh's hand tighter.

Erika: "If I'm being honest...I think you only have another three weeks to four weeks of this, the way they are developing. I'm going to attempt to create their star charts. With a pregnancy like this, it's best for us to try and pinpoint as best we can for their due date..."

He didn't even register Erika's mention of the words "star charts", he was so transfixed by the sonogram image. He leaned in and kissed Haleigh's temple.

Erika: "I think bed rest would be the best course of action. How they are growing is delicate, Haleigh. Premature labor is a big concern. Things like stress..anger...sex..we have to do what we can to eliminate those factors for you. You can see here, both children, they are in separate sacs...but..oh wow.."

He was pretty sure she had thrown sex in there just to spite him, and probably Haleigh as well. But before he couldn't mention it Erika was moving the probe and zooming in on the two babies, holding hands.

Erika: "They are using each other to develop. It's....fucking beautiful really."

Alek's jaw dropped in awe.

"They're amazing."

He tore his eyes away to look at Erika.

"Thank you, Erika. I know I didn't trust it, or you, but if you hadn't given Haleigh that necklace..."

He didn't finish, his eyes just went back to the monitor screen.

Erika: "Look what the three of you have done, Haleigh. It's fucked up, but god...to see it. To know it's about to happen. It feels like we have a chance to right all the wrongs they did to us, doesn't it? I know I'm..crazy...and at some point I'll fuck all this up...but thank you for letting me be a part of this...for now...I know who I am...how jealous I can be, how insular...violent really. But...I will never hurt these babies...just anyone who ever tries to hurt them...I mean look at them...They're so...[softly] beautiful..."

"Maybe if you stop assuming you'll fuck everything up, you won't."

Erika: "Oh damn, that was quick! Pony incoming in twenty minutes!"

He turned to Haleigh and looked her in the eyes, his brow raised quizzically as he handed her a clean towel to clean the gel off her stomach.

"And why do you want a pony?"
 
The White Wing - Corridor

Elena could feel it when Cameron and Haleigh returned to their bodies. She still didn't trust Alek to pull Haleigh away, but she had no choice but to continue with the plan. Elena got ready to block any attack coming from Cameron, to hold up her end of the bargain. Haleigh paused, her hands around Cameron's neck, and Elena was ready to say she'd told them so. But then Haleigh's hands released, and Cameron fell to the floor. Elena did not go to him, to help him up. He was a king, and a King. He didn't need anyone's help.

Cameron: "Uhhh....sorry to drag you into our affairs.."

Her face stayed passive, but she was mentally clicking her tongue at that.

"Don't apologize, amado - you are the king."

Haleigh moved towards Alek, which brought the whisper of a smile to Elena's face. That was promising, despite what she'd seen in the other reality.

Haleigh: "The White King and I have had a private conference. We’ve decided on a separation, and an armistice. Take sides if you want, but hostilities will not be tolerated. We’ve agreed that children will not be harmed, and are to be protected at all costs. This decree extends not only to Carolina, the King’s daughter, but to both my unborn children.

Haleigh's eyes locked on her own for a moment. Elena raised one perfectly sculpted eyebrow. Did Haleigh expect her to be grateful that she showed an ounce of human decency? Elena would never bow down to the woman, and neither would her daughter.

She had used the word "separation". Not "divorce". Elena did not know if that meant something, or nothing, but it was troubling. Not only because it left the door open for reconciliation, but because Cameron loved nothing more than something unattainable. Haleigh's closeness with Alek took on a different tone. If Cameron thought he needed to fight for her...he just might try. Not because he necessarily wanted her. But because Alek had her. It was even more crucial now that she partner with Alek to make sure these two stayed apart for good.

Haleigh began petting Alek, and Elena's attention returned to Cameron.

Cameron: "Your duties at Hellfire will remain as always the same. Grow our influence and power in service to your courts. We understand this is uncharted territory for our Inner Circle, and as such...will require a flexibility from all of us moving forward. But it is also a time for relationships to be repaired and grow."

This at least sounded like a king. It was good for him to appear magnanimous, as long as the flexibility he spoke of didn't actually extend to himself in practice.

Cameron: "Though rest assured, despite what has transpired - The White Court, in it's professional, philosophical and entrepreneurial endeavors remain united as they always were."

"Well done, White King."

Cameron's eyes met her now, and she nodded.

Cameron: "This was supposed to be time off for all of you. Please, inform your Kings and Queens what you feel pertinent to share, and get back to your break. There will be enough excitement in the days to come."

Cameron spoke as if he were the only king of Hellfire, and this was good. Very good. She could tell it made Alek bristle. That made her smile.

She walked slowly towards Cameron, her eyes focused on his face. But she didn't stop when she had nearly reached him, and instead continued past him, in the direction of her suite. She tossed her head and spoke over her shoulder in his direction.

"I'll send you a bill for the dress..."
 
The White Tower

Elena: "Don't apologize, amado - you are the king."

She was right, he was. In both surname and title. Though he was smart enough to know what the situation looked like. He had pissed enough on people and things this weekend, he had to show a bit more finesse right now. Too much was up in the air, though he had to admit - it felt better than good to have somebody in his corner, confident in who he was..because she knew who he was.

Both Haleigh and Cameron spoke their peace and the group began to scatter, Cameron watched with a concerned glance as Erika followed behind Alek and Haleigh. He knew she was genuinely concerned for the children, but she was easily manipulated by a few kind words. He made a note to remind her later of exactly where she came from, lest she had forgot. Then his mind reached out to Carolina. He was happy to see her playing joyfully with Heidi in the Aqua Ring. One thing that bothered him was to see how left behind Carolina seemed compared to Logan and Rebekah. She was taken care of by his Knight and by Neptune, but that simply wouldn't do. She was his daughter. His kingdom was just as much hers as it was his son's. He had much to do in the days to come. First he needed to fig--

Elena: "Well done, White King."

Elena.

Their eyes locked, and he knew he was in trouble, metaphorically speaking. As a teenager, he had been certain he'd never seen more eyes beautiful than hers. Full of passion. Warmth. He'd been so focused since returning to Hellfire of making a good show, of making sure everyone knew just how big his dick was. But now that it felt like he wasn't in survival mode, he could allow himself to fully feel what he had felt the second he'd seen Elena in Colima. And there was nothing holding him back. She began to saunter towards him like a cat stalking her prey as the hairs on the back of The White King's neck began to raise. He smirked at her, ready to take in whatever she wanted to give him.

She came so close she could almost touch him, but she didn't. And he groaned internally with desire, swallowing hard for a moment. She knew his eyes would follow her, as she began to make her way back to her suite in Hellfire, and he was no fool. Because he was equally skilled at stalking prey.

Elena: "I'll send you a bill for the dress..."

He bridged the gap between them as he placed a hand on her shoulder, turning her to face him and knowing she that's what she wanted anyway. This was their dance.

"There are better ways I could pay you back for it."

Cameron eyed her up and down, savoring every inch of her body as he met her beautiful eyes once more, never failing to be amazed at how beautiful she was.

"I could help you clean up...if you'd like. However you'd like.."
 
Hellfire — The White Wing

Haleigh walked out of the White Wing arm in arm with the Red King. He wanted her to rest, or lie down. She suggested that resting wasn’t what she had in mind, and then he leaned into her ear to reply. The sound of his voice low and close, and the warmth of his breath on her neck sent a stab of excitement through her. She smirked wickedly at him, but didn’t make any further comment. Too much more and they might not make it all the way back to their suite. Erika caught up with them, and Haleigh inquired about a pony. It was an unusual request, but the White Princess took it in stride and made the arrangements as they went to the medical lab.

Haleigh hopped up onto the table and laid back. Erika was quickly and unceremoniously up her skirt, but Haleigh hardly noticed. Alek had taken her hand, and she was still a little surprised at the impact such a small move had on her. She looked up at him, and she could see where their daughter had gotten some of her features. She smiled at that, wanting to tell him all about Rebekah, but not really knowing where to start. Erika remarked that the babies were big for being only about 5 days old, and Alek was immediately concerned that it could be some after effect of recent events. Haleigh shook her head doubtfully.

“No, I think the most likely explanation is that my son is warping time in there.”

Haleigh guessed, unsure if her intuition in that regard had to do with something she could feel on her end. Erika estimated that they’d only need 3 or 4 weeks more, and Haleigh nodded. At the rate they were progressing, that calculation sounded accurate. Erika mentioned using star charts to pinpoint a due date, which Haleigh didn’t bother arguing against, though in her opinion, the babies would arrive when they were ready. For thousands of years women had been having babies. Accelerated timeline or not, there was a certain, well-defined process.

They didn’t need to make this into rocket science, but Erika was her mother’s daughter, and whatever little sliver of understanding she could super-impose here was going to be what she clung to, because she needed it. And Haleigh would let her, because it was Erika’s process and it was okay, even if it was a bit neurotic. Erika meant well, even when she was telling them about bed rest and avoiding stress, anger and sex. Haleigh stifled a laugh at that, and tried not to get stressed thinking about being stuck in bed for a month, and tried not to get angry thinking about not having sex the whole time.

“We’ll take that under advisement.”

She replied, though she had already decided that nobody was going to keep her in bed that long, and also that later when they were alone she’d just tell Alek to fuck her gently. For a moment, they all just appreciated how amazing the babies were. It was kind of surreal to Haleigh. A week ago if someone had told her this would happen she would’ve laughed incredulously, but here they were, and with every fiber of her being she knew she wouldn’t choose to go back to the way it was before, despite the current SNAFU.

Erika admitted being jealous and insular and violent, as if they weren’t ALL that way occasionally. She was still worried that she’d fuck it up, but now she seemed quite certain she’d hurt anyone who threatened the babies. That was good, because Elena was a problem that Haleigh would need help mitigating. Alek told Erika to stop assuming she’d fuck everything up. Haleigh reached out and gently grasped Erika’s arm, giving her a small smile.

”Erika, I just got back from sixteen years in the future. Even if we fuck it all up? You don’t.”

She replied, and then Erika’s phone chimed. The pony would be here in twenty minutes. Alek handed Haleigh a towel to wipe off the gel. As she sat up he asked her what she wanted with a pony. She didn’t know exactly how to articulate it. There was the interaction this morning with the girl, the hugs and the wistful assumption that Haleigh was going to be a nice step mother. That had probably planted the seed in her mind. It shouldn’t have made an impression on her, but she was finding herself affected by things that normally wouldn’t have fazed her. Must be the pregnancy hormones she was flooded with.

Whatever it was, seeing the video footage of Carolina and Cameron searching the conservatory for a unicorn had been much more endearing than Haleigh expected. And then in the future, Haleigh had seen the eventual result, a young woman who had even won the hearts of Heidi and Jack, two of the least sentimental people on the planet. Haleigh could see that Carolina was just a girl, and it wasn’t her fault who her mother was. She was a sweet, innocent girl, and Haleigh wanted to keep her that way for as long as possible.

But how to explain such a sentiment to Alek? Even to Haleigh, it sounded soft. Malice would be rolling in her grave, if Haleigh had left enough of her mother’s remains to be buried. And mostly, fuck what her mother would think, but in the end, Haleigh did have a reputation to maintain. Her children wouldn’t benefit from people thinking she’d gone soft.

”That girl, Carolina. She’s my son’s half-sibling, and one day, she’ll be Rebekah’s sister Queen. Elena may not be clever enough to survive the Hellfire politics for long, but I know Cameron King, and he’s not going to let his daughter go back to Mexico forever. Which means I need to start working that angle, so she becomes an ally and not an enemy in the future. So I’m going to turn a pony into a unicorn, and be the nice step mother and everybody will love each other in the end.”

Haleigh said, and she smirked at the silliness of how it sounded, but at least her reasoning was savvy and not sentimental. She gave a dismissive shrug, and felt less self-conscious by the second.

”It’s a child’s fairytale. The girl probably still believes in Santa too, but I’m not going to be the one to tell her the truth, not unless it will give me some advantage.”

She finished, as they arrived in the Conservatory Courtyard. It wasn’t long before the pony was there, and it was a quick effort to transform it. Haleigh gave it a softly spiraling horn of pure platinum, carefully drilled right into its forehead, and then she had Erika heal it up with a spell. She plated its hooves with platinum too, gave it shoes of titanium, then coated several select strands of hair in its mane and tail to give it some extra sparkle. She looked the pony over, and then remembered to dull the tip of the horn so it wouldn’t gore Carolina on accident. As she ran her fingers through the pony’s mane to make sure the sparkly strands weren’t inadvertently sharp either, she sent her husband a text.

To Cameron>> You should bring Carolina back to the conservatory. We’ve ‘found’ her unicorn. I can leave it here, if you want to be the one to help her discover it, but I think Erika should stick around to teach her to ride it.

Haleigh thought, and then subsequently sent, unaware that Carolina had horses back home and would be familiar with them.
 
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The White Wing

Elena slinked past Cameron, casually throwing a word his way about her dress. Which had been thoroughly ruined by having essence of Gia Nefaria sprayed all over it. No, gracias.

As she was heading towards her rooms, he put his hand on her shoulder. His touch tingled like sparks on her skin. He turned her towards, him, and she allowed him to.

Cameron: "There are better ways I could pay you back for it."

He looked at her like she was one of his possessions, eyeing her body as if he controlled her. But he most certainly did not. Something he would have to learn.

Cameron: "I could help you clean up...if you'd like. However you'd like.."

She shook her head slowly, an impish smile just breaching her mouth.

"Oh I think I can manage a bath all on my own."

"I am not your mistress, Cameron. Don't forget it."

The Red Rook entered her field of vision and she snapped her fingers in his direction.

"Calder, here, escort me back to my suite."

She paused, giving Cameron a pointed stare.

"You know the way."

Then Elena turned heel, took Calder's arm, and walked away like a Queen.
 
The White Wing

Everything was happening so fast. Too fast. His head was spinning. One minute he was trying to tell his king about what he and Elena had been working on, the next Elena was yelling at him (again). He could feel her guiding him, showing him how to manipulate the White King's power. And then they were somewhere else.

Holy fucking shit.

Elena shushed him so he was silent. She had that effect on people. But he could see Cameron, and Haleigh, and Elena. Thank fuck she knew what she was doing because he had no clue. And then it was over, they were back in the White Corridor. But now he was supposed to get ready for Cameron to attack and Calder was pretty sure if he was on the other side of that he would be in smaller pieces than Gia Nefaria. But he couldn't very well let the White King attack a pregnant woman, either. So he braced himself.

Luckily it seemed Cameron had been forewarned and had enough control not to try and kill everyone in his path. He staggered when the White Queen released him, but soon rallied. Haleigh announced that they were separating, and that no child of the Inner Circle should be harmed. He was relieved when Alek agreed because, although he gave the Red King and Queen his complete loyalty, war against children was not what he'd signed up for.

Haleigh had moved off to the side with Alek, and Calder tried to position himself between them and the members of the White Court. This would be the perfect time for any of them to make a power play, against their own regents or his. He tried to read the people around him but only got flashes of things, nothing that seemed overly dangerous at the moment.

And then it seemed like the party was over, and everyone was going back to their lives. The King and Haleigh had gone toward the Red Wing, so Calder decided to follow. But then...

Elena: "Calder, here, escort me back to my suite. You know the way."

He looked at Jack, panic in his eyes. He raised a questioning eyebrow. Should he agree? Should he decline?

In desperation, her offered her his arm, and she took it. He felt like a dead man walking.
 
The Red Wing - Medical Suite

Alek was worried that their little escapade had somehow caused the babies' rapid development.

Haleigh: “No, I think the most likely explanation is that my son is warping time in there.”

Yeah, well our daughter can raise the dead. So there.

But he decided not to mention it just yet. He certainly didn't want to pit the two children against each other, but he couldn't help feeling a spark of pride at his contribution. And then he was pretty much just mesmerized by the two little forms on the monitor screen.

Haleigh: ”Erika, I just got back from sixteen years in the future. Even if we fuck it all up? You don’t.”

So it had been the future they'd gone to? He guessed that made sense, but how could they really know that? He had a lot of questions, most of which would have to wait until they were alone.

Erika was all tangled up in getting Haleigh a pony, so he took the opportunity to ask Haleigh why the hell she wanted a pony. It was a little early to think about riding lessons.

Haleigh: ”That girl, Carolina. She’s my son’s half-sibling, and one day, she’ll be Rebekah’s sister Queen. Elena may not be clever enough to survive the Hellfire politics for long, but I know Cameron King, and he’s not going to let his daughter go back to Mexico forever. Which means I need to start working that angle, so she becomes an ally and not an enemy in the future. So I’m going to turn a pony into a unicorn, and be the nice step mother and everybody will love each other in the end.”

He raised both eyebrows at her. That was a damn good plan. But he wasn't so sure about the everybody will love each other in the end part. But if it could help his daughter, he'd absolutely do his damnedest to make it happen. And, he realized, it was even more important that he form an alliance with Elena. Because Haleigh might have won the battle seven years ago, but he wasn't so sure Elena had lost the war yet, and he wasn't going to count her out of the game until she was out.

"While you're roleplaying, I have some requests..."

He grinned at her.

Haleigh: ”It’s a child’s fairytale. The girl probably still believes in Santa too, but I’m not going to be the one to tell her the truth, not unless it will give me some advantage.”

"Well, then, count me in as a believer in unicorns, Santa and the tooth fairy."

They arrived at the conservatory, and it wasn't long before a pony arrived. And shortly it damn sure looked like a unicorn. He watched her, and couldn't help but look to the future. If this was what she did for Cameron's bastard...

He smiled lovingly at Haleigh, reaching for her hand and pulling her towards him.

"You are going to be a fantastic mother."
 
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