Maladaptive behavior

[Seer]

<< Dr. Victoria sat with Alycia Barnett in the office lounge of the 99th floor. The doctor felt it best to bring Alycia to a place of comfort, where GOOD memories outweighed the bad memory association.>>

<< by now, Alycia was beside herself with hatred, disorientation and the need to strike out...at Haleigh AND Cameron, who she felt were the enemy. At first glance, there was justification, but the Doctor knew better, DESPITE the erroneous assumptions of Haleigh a while ago.>>


<< meanwhile Morgan, who was not much use during the probing being conducted by Nicolas and Cameron on Haleigh, had decided to LEAVE. She was not feeling well and she needed quiet..she needed AIR! Without saying a word, after she'd spoken with Ava, she left the scene. She was the leader yes, but she was having a HARD time finding her footing.It didnt matter if Cameron was there anymore...she just didnt care. Between him, haleigh and alycia...she was weary and zach didnt make it any better. >>

<< this left Delilah and Ava to look on, watching Cameron and Haleigh as the two men of the team did their work.>>


<< but even with all this going on, there was still something ELSE brewing in Illustra. within NICOLAS' apartment...where it all began a day ago.>>

 

[Tinker]

unwanted guests

<< nighttime is the best time. its quiet and dim on the many floors of my house but i can still see perfectly. only the pretty one with blue eyes like mine could see better than me!>>

<< tinkerbell looks around the empty penthouse. she knows her mommy is in the building and that she's distressed. why doesnt she come home for a cuddle?>>

<< the birds have been trying to get in all day. annoying birds!>>

<< after a while, Tinkerbell slips down off the leather sectional and walks around for a bit, craining her neck as her ears turn back a little bit. >>

<< the faintest sounds of voices and some of they are angry. they all must be here. fighting again.>>

<< Tinkerbell decides she needs to explore again. unlike the other animals kept by members of the six, she is an ENCHANTED familiar and has special gifts, like the power to slip in/through shadows. she leaves the kitten behind. the kitten is not enchanted like she is.>>

<< across the main living area and into a corner, tinkerbell passes through a shadow and moments later, she arrives...BACK in Nicolas' apartment, coming into his room again.>>

<< she likes this apartment. it smells nice and he likes her mommy. he'll keep her safe! tinkerbell approoves as she takes a moment to rub and mark various objects in his room, as if to say...>>

<< its still part of my house.>>

<< but as Tinkerbell prowled around silently, investigating different objects and surveying this new expanse...a rushing, fluttering sound was heard in the room she was in. she immediately perks with attention and looks around. her blue eyes blinking slowly as she looks up to the dark, shadow covered ceilings.>>

<< there's evil in this room.>>

<< a low, discontent mew can be heard as the siamese carefully walks, still looking around as the fluttering can be heard until FINALLY, near the double doors to the balcony...there was a big hole! shattered class and black feathers rustling in the wind.>>

<< Tinkerbell's head turned quickly as her blue eyes fixed on a figure perched on Nicolas' desk nearby....a CROW! a CROW had busted in to Nicolas' apartment and several others were roosting on SHARON KELLY'S statue just outside.>>

<< this was a bad thing. Tinkerbell growled softly a bit as she crouched down. the birds were too big for her to deal with and if Nicolas came back to his place unaware, they would surely attack him. something about these birds seemed EVIL.>>

<<but they never listened to her. they always were too concerned with petty squabbles among themselves. tinkerbell looked uncertain, before slipping under Nicolas' bed and disappearing into the shadows. she had to go find her mommy!>>

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra-99th floor

<< now on a different floor, in the cool, quiet environment of the lounge office that was once at Alycia's disposal while she had her satellite office in Illustra, Karen takes this time to settle Alycia. >>

<< the doctor was not entirely thrilled with Haleigh OR Zach at this moment. They seemed to think they could just DEMAND everyone side with them and it didnt work that way and for her part, Karen would NEVER view Haleigh as a daughter the way she did other women in the six. The young woman was so obstinant and so irreverant at times. NEVER seeming to know or appreciate the value of being refined and cordial....still, Haleigh always managed to bring about just enough sympathy or concern for her and then when you LEAST expected or needed it, she'd repell you with some inexplicable act or tirade of extreme measure. It was a DEFINATE pattern, one that Karen new was a safety mechanism. She called Haleigh on it once before, during that intense session where she cast the spell on her.>>

<< Karen was not interested in making Haleigh's life hard at all, though she often wanted to take the woman and shake some some sense into her. there was a BETTER WAY for her to be and maybe THIS WHOLE THING was linked to Haleigh's history of maladaptive strategy. cleary in the memories of her youth, she was far different, on a different path, with a more well adjusted and healthy attitude....but MUCH changed between then and now.>>

<< Alycia was a similar case, although much more well suited to at least LOOKING like she could adapt in various settings. Alycia made and maintained close friendships and always strove for excellence. not that Haleigh DIDNT, but Haleigh had the advantage of being a mutant as well as a family that had deep pockets while Alycia came from a modest background. hard working parents who believed in education, strong conviction and a commitment to excellence. there were some similarities...but the difference were far more glaring, especially now.>>

<< Alycia's phobia that was born the night Sharon died in her arms was something that had slipped under the radar, because she'd been so good at concealing it. but that can be just as much of a problem as the person who overtly displays their psychological problems.>>


<<sigh>>

<< the night sky did little to sooth the doctor, who was still perturbed with haleigh's impertenant remarks. but she knew that Alycia was starting to settle and that they would soon be able to talk.>>

<< sitting down in a comfortable chair, she looked over at Alycia who had her head down at the conference table.>>

feeling better, dear?

<< Karen asked softly.>>

I know you're going through alot right now and I'm here to help with that. I understand the pressure and the feelings of betrayal and isolation that you're feeling.

 

[Persephone]

:: Morgan and Ava came to an understanding. Both woman would try their best to keep Alycia and Haleigh at bay during this situation. Any unnecessary tension could cause Haleigh to have another meltdown, which could result in dire consequences. Morgan decided to leave and get a bit of air while Ava made her way back into Haleigh's apartment. Nicolas and Cameron had already started the mind link, with Zach aiding Haleigh by holding her hand. Tightly wrapping her arms along her torso, Ava stood watching and waiting. There was not much she could do at the present time BUT watch and wait. ::

 

[Black Widow]

the Davidoff Loft: Residential floor 105

Haleigh grit her teeth and Ava and Zach returned... Karen had started up again, and if ANYONE wondered just what Karen thought of Haleigh, the message was perfectly clear NOW. when Karen accuses Haleigh of being incapable of maintaining a healthy relationship, Haleigh scoffs loudly.

"You know that WAY that doctors have.... where just by TALKING to you, they make you feel better?"

"Beside Manner?" Zach offers helpfully, as he came back over to Haleigh's side.

"Yeah.... [glaring at Karen] YOURS SUCKS."

Haleigh was livid, and it showed.... the more and more she heard from Karen, the more unhinged she became... and just when she looked ready to throw a punch that would have sent EVERYONE up in arms, Morgan mediates, clearly exasperated, claiming Karen was only trying to help. Not the way Haleigh saw it... but it was hard to see how the sharp things Karen was saying were helpful. But then... Haleigh couldn't see her behavior from THEIR side... she couldn't see that she was acting like a badly hurt animal would.... striking out at those who were trying to help...

Karen left, taking Alycia with her, and so, most of the irritants present were gone... and Haleigh was left with little to attack.... and nothing to shift the focus away from herself. Nicolas, Zach, and Cameron gathered around her, as her sister came back from speaking with Morgan and looked on. Haleigh allowed Zach to take her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers, and she tried to relax.... Nicolas reassured her as best he could.... but Haleigh was still uneasy about this idea.

"Nic.... if ANYTHING happens.... if ANYTHING goes wrong.... i want you to cut and run, understand? dont worry about what might happen to ME... I can do just fine in my own head... but my mind will not be quite what you're used to.... the structure... the TO virus will have changed it in unpredictable ways. I don't want you hurting yourself trying to help. If I have another attack... just promise me you'll get OUT... there will be ENOUGH people in my head with just me and my memories... and God only KNOWS what might become of your psyche if you're subjected to... whatever it is that's happening."

She said tenatively, as she reached out for his hand, hesitating briefly before taking a deep breath and a leap of faith. Her hand slips into his, and he enters her psyche.

 

[Artemis]

Illustra-99th floor

:: Alycia, who wanted to NAPALM Haleigh with each passing moment she looked at the woman, felt HERSELF free falling in her mind. it was as if every restraint and technique she had employed to keep herself in check before had came crashing down tonight and she wanted to go BERSERK. she wanted to strike out at the one person who SHE felt was a danger to her life and that was Haleigh!::

:: Alycia certainly had the arsenal with which to do it. the EMP wand put everyone on edge and what was saying ALOT of someone who was "only human". But Karen was a step ahead. she KNEW that Alycia was on the verge of snapping. This was MORE than just about Cameron and his big mouth or the fact that she now resented him for getting a second chance when she felt he was the WORST kind of man, this was about Alycia realizing that just about EVERYONE she dealt with was able to cheat death except HER!::

:: she didnt want to die, and Haleigh had failed her before, hell she'd BETRAYED her trust and insulted Sharon's memory by concealing her link to the Cassadines and that alone was enough to have her hauled in to the feds. She certainly would have been in her RIGHTS to do so and if anyone ELS interferred...there goes their cover as Alycia exposes Illustra and the Six for who they are.::

:: it was coming to a matter of HER vs THEM and it shouldnt have been that way...because of HALEIGH? HELL NO.::

:: thankfull though, before she could snap and do her best to try to kill the woman, Karen and Morgan stepped in, each doing what they needed to do to conrol the situation. When Karen provided her insight, it was the validation that Alycia needed, although she never thought that Morgan , Delilah or Alison had PURPOSFULLY "abandonned" her. it was just how the cards fell. Still the doctor took control and brought Alycia under her emergency care.::

::Alycia was too weary in her mind and too delerious with mental disress to care about Haleigh's last attempts to shift this on to her. she barely registered the woman. She was more like a bad dream that she yearned to wake up from. Trusting Haleigh had prooven to be like falling through a trap door and in Alycia's mind...she had to do WHATEVER she needed to do to escape...DEATH.::

:: to be DEAD...to DIE like Sharon Kelly ...in such a horrid and tragic way? while HALEIGH lived? NO!::

::Alycia had her head down on the part of the conference table where she sat ...having barely drank from the cup of water that Karen provided her. the doctor soon returned and Alycia felt a little less clouded in her mind.::

I'm a little better ...thanks.

:: she slowly looked up.::

So i guess I'm certifiable now eh? phobias, irrational and erratic behavior? I've crossed over from being a ball buster to being a basket case.

:: Alycia's voice was clear, she seemed more calm and all too aware of the gravity of the situation.::

:: the large conference room, it seemed so empty now. hard to believe that this was once part of her satellite office.::

Karen, am i really as damaged ...as that...woman...upstairs?

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra -99th floor

<< Karen leaned back in her seat. by now, she' conjured a cute, fashionable pink cardigan to match her dress. it was just a tad chilly in this particular room and the doctor wanted to be a little more comforable.>>

<< she smiled as Alycia responded.>>

No, Alycia. you're not DAMAGE. You've been TRAUAMATIZED and you never got the chance to fully address it! You went right back to work, on a CRUSADE to avenge Sharon's death. While that was an admirable thing to do...it may not have been the best thing for YOU so soon.

<< crossing her legs at the knee.>>

i want you to know... that i didnt offer my analysis of your behavior upstairs to make you look bad OR weak. That's something HALEIGH added into it as her personal spin but Haleigh never seemed to appreciate the value of "mental health" so DONT take any thing she said with anything MORE than a grain of salt.

Youre FRIENDS..the people who DO care about you, they realize that there was a problem and that you werent the villain. if anything BOTH you and haleigh are victims....in different ways, but still victims.

However, those same friends: Morgan, myself and Delilah, we COULDNT allow you to attack or possibly kill Haleigh. That would make you no better than the man you justly sent to his death not so long ago. STAVROS, Haleigh's step father.

You DEFENDED yourself against him and you had every right to do that. Just as you did your best to defend yourself from Rick Riley when he held you and Sharon captive.

I UNDERSTAND that you've been through HELL over the last months. One crisis after the next...but what i DON'T understand is why you chose to be like HALEIGH and NOT ask for HELP!

There's NO SHAME in grieving, or being AFRAID. even those of us WITH powers have moments of fear and DESPITE the SPECIAL chances that have been given to some of the people on this team...chances at LIFE anew, that doesnt make YOU any less valuable as a person OR for what you mean to your friends on this team.

<< Karen gave Alycia a moment to think and respond, now that she'd laid some things out for her to dwell on.>>

 

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah waited outside the offices on the 99th floor, giving Alycia and Karen the privacy they would require. She didn't use her exceptional hearing to listen in...not that she really would have wanted to anyway. Haleigh's head was not one she wanted to be in...

Could they not have a moment's peace? Gah! Even when they faced troubled - Karen being attacked, Haleigh going haywire, the bird thing... - they could not escape the personal squabbles and psychoses. What she wouldn't give for a cut and dry homicide case, a burglary, a jaywalker - anything! Anything easy. But she feared easy was something that would never come to her as part of this team.

She wondered how Ava was holding up. It had to be hard for her, torn between her sister and the rest of them. Between her sister and people she had barely met.

But really, this was a strain on all of them. How could any of them think clearly or act rationally, with so much stress messing things up? ]

 

[Artemis]

Illustra-99th floor

:: Alycia's body language suggested she was finally allowing herself to decompress. She was pissed, she was dismayed, confused and most of all...she was uncertain...afraid! but now, she realized it was OKAY again to be "only human". where as before, as Nicolas had suspected, there WAS a bit of over compensation on her part..mixed with everything else.::


:: Karen reassured her that she WASNT a basket case and that she was going through the reprocussions of trauama left untreated and Alycia actually felt like she'd had an epiphany on why she'd become so driven..almost to the point of obsession.::

Karen...it feels like i've opened my eyes from a haze of toxic mess. Ever since Sharon died...I've...I've felt HORRIBLE. Not just because of her dying...but because i realize just how...WEAK i am. I didnt grow up thinking that i'd be in the company of "supers"...witches, mutants, monsters, sentinels? I was just an ordinary girl who wanted to succeed in life. my parents worked hard, they made sure that we had a safe, secure and decent envrionment in which to live and all i wanted to do was to succeed in my studies and extra ciricular activities.

:: lowing her head, Alycia places her hands on her forehead.::

My father became ill, with cancer, and after a life time of service to the company he worked for...the insurance company DENIED him the treatment he needed!! That "insurance company" was under MYSTECH's umbrella and my father DIED because THEY would not allow him to receive the treatment and help he DESERVED. he paid into that policy ALL HIS WORKING LIFE!

:: she said with pained indignation.::

and EVER since then...i realized that no matter how good you are, no matter how successfull or productive you are...there's always SOMEONE there who will pull the rug out from under you...and if it hurts or kills you? OH FUCKING WELL!

I loved my father...he was a good man, a good husband. He loved my mother and me and he did all he could to take care of us...and THEY sat back...and allowed him to SUFFER because of administrative, beareaucractic BULLSHIT! It was HORRIBLE to sit there...and be able to do NOTHING about it!

Well you know the rest of my story...It's been documented so many times in magazines like Time and Forbes...and of course interviews. But still..no matter how far i went in my crusade against evil and corruption in the corporate world...I never felt like it was ENOUGH.

I made alot of enemies as i busted up corrupt rings of fraud and abuse in the corporate world but it didnt matter. after i'd dismantled the insurance company that aided in my father's death, I felt like i'd found my true calling. It was what i wanted MORE THAN ANYTHING...to be able to fight back against those who thought themselves UNBEATABLE!

:: sitting up and sitting back::

even when dealing with Morgan and members of the six, i never felt intimidated. the more people like Haleigh used scare tactics, the more it made me want to fight!

:: looking at the long, genuine laquered dark wood conference table, Alycia saw the faintest refrected image of herself.::

Sharon Kelly was a friend, a TRUE ally, not just in the legal and political world...but as a a fellow professional woman in a world dominated by men. Sharon shined the light of truth on MANY things going on in government, and i helped root them out.

I'd finally found an ally that was like ME. she didnt have super powers but still she made things happen AND she bravely championed the cause of Mutant Rights. NO ONE was that brave...not before and not since!

Sharon and I started finding ourselves in real PHYSICAL DANGER as we continued to help the six anyway we could. The Super soldier....who was once HALEIGH'S boyfriend, RICK RILEY, once HALEIGH's commanding officer in the military...he BROKE my arm...he tried to RAPE SHARON!! and this was AFTER Haleigh BOASTED how "top notch" her "protection services" would be. It wasnt until we were lost in the catacombs of the Cell and about to be blasted to ashes by a frickin sentinel that someone actually showed up to HELP US. But...I...and Sharon BOTH ...we BOTH realized that by being allies of the six, that we would encounter our share of danger. we didnt hold it against anyone...and despite the shock and the FEAR that came with each of these events...I kept saying to myself... "a life without ADVENTURE is not a life worth living."

:: bowing her head...she closed her eyes::

Then MASTER MOLD came...and changed everything. It was during that night that i felt the most helpless i'd ever felt. i was so scared, karen....so scared that i felt oddly CALM. Sharon died in my arms..and i felt the life in ME leaving as well. I wanted to close my eyes..and go WITH HER. If i had to live in a world were sentinels and other monsters could...and WOULD attack me and there was NOTHING i could do...then what good is it? what USE did i have?? Morgan DIED trying to protect us....and HALEIGH...SHE is the STEP DAUGHTER of the man who DESIGNED Master Mold!

:: she looked up, with tears in her eyes.::

HOW IS IT...that EVERYTHING that has nearly ENDED my life.. or left me badly injured has ALWAYS BEEN because of HER!? I stretched myself THIN to work with her....to TRUST HER and STILL she sat there and left Sharon and I to be SITTING DUCKS for a sentinel that could have leveled the east coast? what the hell were sharon and i supposed to do against THAT!?

Sharon advocated for people like HER and look where it got her?? DEAD!

:: running her hands over her face as the pain and anguish flowed.::

I don't want to die Karen..not like that....and NOT at the hands of HER or something to DO with her! EVERYTHING she get's near DIES or winds up DEGENERATING and I dont want that for ME! I spent my LIFE trying to succeed...NOT to have it SNUFFED OUT by some lyging, twisted, deceitfull BITCH who thinks she's above reproach!!

i had SO MANY opportunities to haul her ass into the authorities. The government...on almost ALL levels, not to mention various agencies would have a FIELD DAY drawing and quartering this woman for the things she's done...and yet, i ALWAYS accomodated her by looking the other way. Would it have been TOO MUCH TO ASK that she actually MAKE GOOD on her promises and BOASTS to PROTECT someone for once? when it REALLY WOULD HAVE COUNTED!?

:: she shrieked! and at THIS point, Delilah couldnt HELP but overhear what was being said. it was the first time Alycia had poured her hearet out like this...and to hear how she truly felt...knowing that so many bad things that had come her way in her adult life HAD IN FACT BEEN linked to Haleigh...Delilah HERSELF now had an inside view into just way Alycia was so quick to go after Haleigh tonight.::

Even NOW...she doesnt care. it's ALWAYS about her...she destroys lives, leaves ruin and waste..and she just moves on like a wal-mart shopper at an afterthanksgiving sale...ravaging the NEXT object of the moment. She benefited from Stavros' evil..his empire built on BLOOD and she never said ONE WORD until it was MORE than too late...and I was supposed to give a damn what she thought? I was supposed to do things HER way? HER WAY got sharon KILLED.

I dont want to DIE Karen...not like this..not because of HER and i have the RIGHT to defend myself! I have the RIGHT to live FREE of the fear that one day another piece of that trainwreck's life is going to come and BLIGHT my path!

:: she began to weep.::

I dont want to die.......I HAVE to protect MYSELF!!!

:: covering her face::

and now...that slimey bastard of a worm...CAMERON KING is back....if HE can get a 'second chance' just like SHE did...then what does that mean for the rest of us DECENT folk who DONT build their livelyhood on telepathic rape and international espionage and cross country MURDER!?

BOTH of them deserve LIFE TIME prison terms and I have the power to give it to them...but in the name of quid pro quo.... :: alycia rolls her tear strained eyes as she continues::

i've not done that...even NOW...that piece of garbage Cameron is here...and people like MY FATHER and SHARON are still dead!! what the hell kind of STRAND OF FATE or whatever OTHER "power that be" ordained THAT shit!?

It's NOT RIGHT, Karen...and its NOT FAIR!

Those two get away with SO MUCH and quite honestly...i do NOT feel safe...i feel that i HAVE to fight...to protect MYSELF and make SURE that they know i will NEVER back down to them!


:: it made sense to HER. stand fast against those who would hurt you and never trust those who had a prooven track record of lying, deception and abuse. Haleigh had brought a world of pain and misery to alycia's doorstep, SHE was the source of much uncertainty, distrust and STRIFE and trouble followed her. Alycia COULDNT let HER or anything connected to HER cause her own life to come to an end...not like Sharon...not like so many OTHER countless faces of people that even ALYCIA might not have been aware of. and then CAMERON, a JOKE of a man who felt he DESERVED to be here? what did he EVER do beside manipulate, womanize and plunder? the bitterness that Alycia now felt, the dissollusion that now provided a numbing effect for some of the pain...it ALL seemed to make sense to her at least.::

I dont want to be like the others, Karen..i dont want to wind up another victim on the score board of THOSE two. I was NOT raised to fall back in defeat...but HOW can i truly function free of fear unless Haleigh is destroyed and Cameron is locked up for the walking fraud that he IS!?

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra-99th floor

<< Karen sat back in a thoughtfull look and position as she listened to Alycia. Alycia had never opened up like this to her before but here she was...describing the genesis of her "calling", her motivation, how she felt about things like her own status among the six...she was truly showing herself. Why couldnt HALEIGH following this kind of example? THIS was healthy and it was much better to do it WILLINGLY in a SAFE environment than in times of distress and duress.>>

<< Karen made it a point to fade back and let Alycia speak, only offering the occasional silent affirmation that she agreed with Alycia or that she was absolutely right. Alycia spoke on things that MANY people knew or felt but maybe hadnt bother to say to spare feelings but if there was one thing Alycia NEVER did..it was pussy foot around. She spoke her mind in times both good and bad and some members of the six had been on the receiving end of it.>>

<< but what was clear was that Alycia felt a growing loss of control, her fear was growing PAST the point she could effectively control it and there were TWO genuine stimuli for it.>>

Alycia, its OKAY to be afraid, but you can't grasp so HARD at control that you become OBSESSED and over reach. It blinds you to the rational thinking that you've always been known for and removes your ability to make fast, effective and even clever descisions.

You're a beautifull young woman and you've done VERY WELL for yourself. You've faced and survived situations that men with MILITARY training couldnt have anticipated...much less coped with and through all the various incarnations of yourself that you've been through, you've remained true to your father's wish to SUCCEED and DEFEND those those who couldnt defend THEMSELVES!

There's NO SHAME in acknowledging your own limitations and MORTALITY...we are ALL SUBJECT to the that and while i can't explain WHY some people get to "come back"...i CAN tell you...personally...that i AGREE with you. NOT everyone who "comes back" deserves to be here.

it's OKAY to be angry and to feel uncertain right now...Haleigh has NEVER exuded honesty OR trust for very long in any situation she's been in. she's ALWAYS managed to withhold things and then reveal them or HAVE them exposed at the most inopportune times. Cameron.... <<spoken with a TRUE icy disdain>> he makes me GLAD that I NEVER had a son beause I look at him...and << she stops herself. she's STRUGGLING not to descend from objective therapist to bitter detractor>> ....BUT then i look at Nicolas, and I am reminded of the fact that there ARE men in this world who want to do GOOD. When you think of the men of the Six...think of NICOLAS and all of his selfless deeds and his willingness to protect.

<< she DESPISED Cameron and Haleigh alternately evoked maternal concern and TOTAL disapproval...NEITHER of them ranked high on her list and knowing that they played a LARGE PART in Alycia's distress, Karen had a VERY hard time remaining objective when it came to speaking on them. They'd BOTH RIGHTLY earned her disdain...THEY provoked MORGAN and catalyzed the INFERNO! Karen cared for Alycia and it pained her to see the woman to be so distressed. Alycia may not have had super powers..but she was just as capable of MURDERING Haleigh as anyone else in the building and Karen did NOT want that to happen. Not only for Haleigh's sake but for Alycia's on a variety of levels. she hoped that Alycia would at least begin the recovery process and to be able to show show a way to better manage the pain associated with the trauma she'd been through.>>

But you can't measure YOUR worth by what others have-- especially those who "have" by questionable means. If any of us did that..we'd ALL find ourselves WANTING.

<< Karen leaned forward.>>

Continue to be who YOU are, use YOUR talents to their utmost to benefit yourself and those you care for and those who are TRULY worth of your friendship , loyalty and protection will PROOVE that by being there for YOU as you have been for THEM.

Haleigh has JUST as much to be held accounted for as YOU do and I promise you..even if NO ONE ELSE is willing to, i WILL take her to task over it. I've done it before. BUT, from this moment forward, I want you to CEASE focusing on her. She HAS been a source of anguish and pain and mishaps for you, but I am your doctor now, and I will make SURE to shield you from that and your REAL FRIENDS of this team..Morgan and Delilah, i know they will be more vigilant with that as well. You have every RIGHT to want to live FREE of death lurking around every corner...but unfortunately, neither you, nor I, nor anyone ELSE linked to or alligned with the Six can be guaranteed a life free of physical even mortal danger. Your phobia has been driving you on all levels and causing you to abandon logic and reason in many of your recent decisisions....you could endanger yourself or OTHERS like this and if i was forced to, I would have to have you confined. I dont want to have to make that decision for you...especialy when there are OTHERS in this very building who are FAR more deserving of confinment than YOU.

Stand tall Alycia. Draw on the inner reserves that I know you have and throw OFF the trepedation you feel. You have JUST as much right to be here as any of these others and you have EARNED the clout and respect that you enjoy in the political and legal worlds. Don't let the actions and misdeeds of seomeone who cant even face HERSELF in her dreams affect YOU.

You will have your chance to face your fear and speak your peace. I will be there to make SURE that you are allowed to do so without any kind of reprisal.

<< taking Alycia's hand.>>

you rest now, dear. Dont think about anything..just rest. everything's going to be okay.

<< Karen smiles at Alycia. her beautifull eyes convey a genuine sense of hope and encouragement as she slowly stands up and leaves the conference room, passing through the vestibule of the office suite and to the double doors to find Delilah.>>

Delilah?

<< Karen touches her on the shoulder as she steps around her.>>

I know you must have heard some if not all of this session between Alycia and myself. Alycia had a very cathartic moment...and I am VERY hopefull that this is a jumpstart in her healing and recovery process. However, i must ask you to make SURE that anything you HAVE heard is kept to yourself. If ALYCIA brings it up to you, then that is her choice and you may speak with her. I trust that you appreciate the value of confidentiality but ANYTHING that you heard spoken between Alycia and MYSELF just now is not to be mentioned to anyone else.

<< Karen spoke with a clear, calm tone.>>

Thank you for keeping watch. it cant be easy for you..to be around so much mental and emotiona dischord and maladaptive behavior..but i aim to do what i can to correct as MUCH of the problem as i can.

<< the look in Karen's eyes suggested that she was MORE than perturbed but she had a way of "keeping up appearences". Delilah knew that Karen couldnt stand bullying types and in Karen's mind..thats JUST what Haleigh and Cameron were. >>

Alycia is inside, aside from Morgan and yourself...NO ONE ELSE is to come near her.

<< and with that, Karen walked away. her high heels clicked and echoed as she walked with poise and elegance.where she was going, was anyone's guess. >>

 

[Rampage]

Haleigh's Mind

As Nicolas entered Haleigh's mind, he prepared himself for what he would find, yet was still surprised to see...

NOTHING. A vast swath of nothingness. Or so it seemed. Nicolas slowly allowed himself to acclimate with his surroundings, waited for the true scene to be revealed.

He smirked as the scene came into view. Haleigh's mind, due to its mechanical nature, had sped up its processing speed in order to leave the telepath behind. If he had maintained his own mind at the normal rate of frequency at which he contacted her, he would have never seen what was right in front of him. But he allowed her mind to pull him along to the right speed and waited for his perceptions to follow.

Now before him, he saw Haleigh, but she was much different than he normally saw her. She was dressed in a very sexy leather ensemble with a short leather miniskirt, a halter-styled top and 4-inch heels. With this she wore fishnet thigh highs with garters and her lipstick and makeup was applied much heavier than he had ever seen her in. Nicolas smiled as he saw her and played along.

Hello, Haleigh. Aren't we beautiful today? And to what do I owe this pleasure?

Oh, this old thing. I figured I would dress for the occasion. You've never been this close to me before and I figured I'd put my best foot forward..

And with that, Haleigh grabbed Nicolas' arm and led him deeper into her mind. Or did she?

Nicolas noticed that as they walked, the landscape began to fade again. The time for games was over, he had already wasted too much time. He realized form the very beginning that this person was actually Haleigh's subconscious mind trying to push him off of the path, lead him away from her vulnerable center. Since he was male, her subconscious figured the easiest way would be with sex appeal. He turned to Haleigh as he spoke.

While I have enjoyed your escorting me through this journey to NOWHERE you have prepared, I must insist that I be on my way to where the trouble REALLY lies. Haleigh, I am not here to plunder your secrets, i only want to help you. please let me do my wor--

Haleigh slapped him. HARD. as he stepped back a bit she unleashed a flurry of blows, swinging and punching at impossible speeds, manifesting bladed weapons of every type as she struck out at him. For Haleigh, this was phase two. VIOLENCE.

Nicolas endured quite a few blows, blood seemingly emanating from every cut as she swung. But over time, as she hacked away, she realized something. As much as she swung, as much as she connected, he was still there! Getting to his feet, Nicolas caught her last sword swing between his palms, snapping the blade in two as he stepped forward, grabbing her arms at the wrists firmly. Haleigh grimaced for a second, bracing for his attack. but she was taken off guard as Nicolas stepped forward and gave Haleigh...a hug. Her eyes opened wide and she began to shake as the last phase of her defense came into view, blind ANGER!!

He held onto her as she railed and flailed away at him, screaming, then cursing, saying things that would have hurt him deeply if this was really Haleigh. But it wasn't. It was the frightened subconscious part of Haleigh that was afraid that anyone who really knew her could never truly LOVE her. She flailed and flailed as he held on against the onslaught until she finally slowly subsided in her attacks and stood there. He did not expect a hug back nor would he wait for one. Nicolas let go and looked into Haleigh's eyes.

Haleigh, It is time for you to learn to accept the love offered. Of anyone I have ever known, we have come the farthest together. There was a mutual hatred not so long ago between us and now...let's just say that I think that Zach is a very lucky fellow. But now is not the time for this talk. I need you to help me find out what's going on. The REAL you, although I WILL miss the outfit.


He smiled and stepped back as Haleigh's outfit slowly changed to a more traditional, more conservative battlesuit. She looked up at him as she spoke, a tear actually staining her cheek.

Nicolas I don't know how... I want to, but there is so much here that I can't..you know...look, you don't want to know about me..

That is why I came, to HELP you find your way. Not to pry or to judge. Just to help. Let me help you. OK?

Haleigh took Nicolas' hand and they both were translated, transmitted as electrical impulses in her mind's eye as they moved towards the malfunction that was occurring. s they moved along, they passed memories that faded from view as soon as looked at them, places that Haleigh would be mortified for him to see. but he knew that she was now being a good guide, as he could feel the growing entropy in the region of the mind to which they were headed.

As they arrived, he recognized that they were at the part of the mind that controlled her powers, there were ARTIFICIAL INTERFACES to her dream region and her emotive centers. This was the smoking gun he needed. Haleigh was being manipulated form the outside, but how? Where?

The good news was that they had managed to breakthrough some of her more destructive tendencies, and her mind was healing nicely behind him. But this area was decaying as it was being manipulated. He needed to track the source and he knew EXACTLY how.

Leaving Haleigh at the edge of the decay, he stepped forward, repairing what he could and weakening the hold of the connection, but unfortunately he could not determine the damage that would be done by trying to sever it. So he instead waited for an impulse to come and latched on, trying to ascertain its origin.

FOOLISH move. Nicolas was pulled headlong, his mind threatening to be torn by the artificial impulses as they snatched him along to its source. Were it not for his ability to exist out of body (as in astral form), he would already be dead. But he survived in pretty good shape as he saw a fleeting glimpse of a woman, beautiful but angry, so angry, so hatred filled. Her hair flew back as she looked up at him, with the shadows of three men behind, and Nicolas could not believe who he saw. The connection began to draw psychic energy from him and the feedback was excruciating!!!! Cameron would no doubt pull Nicolas by now from this as he would notice his aura redlining in such a critical way that his physiology was the only thing protecting his mind...

 

[Spellbinder]

a moment of weakness

<< the elevator tone sounds off on the 106th floor, the floor where Alison Marble's luxury apartment is housed.>>

<< as the doors open, Morgan steps forward, looking down the long and dark hallway.>>

<< no one had been here since Alison's departure. it was silent and the wind seemed to whisper down the long and dark hallway as Morgan walked slowly.>>

<< finally reaching the doors, she opened them and went inside. Alison's luxury apartment smelled of butter creme vanilla, it was one of her favorite scents and it made Morgan want to inhale deeply.>>

<< the place was dark and silent...save for the rhythmic , strong ticking of the massive, mysteriously decorated grandfather clock that stood tall and strong in Alison's reading room. it was one of the most beautifull time pieces that Morgan had ever seen and a perfect accessory for a Seer turned HARBINGER to have...even if she didnt live here anymore.>>

why am i doing this to myself?

<< Morgan said softly>>

<< she knew why. she was free falling and she needed to GET AWAY from the situation in haleigh's apartment. the images she'd seen..they JARRED her and while others might have been desensitized or able to remain stoic, Morgan...despite her tough girl persona, could NOT remain stoic about some of the things she saw. she couldnt EVER forget about Master Mold and the tragic turn that battle took but NOW she found herself feeling even WORSE because Alycia was the next best thing to a WALKING casualty. sure she was ALIVE and she'd prospered on one level, but she was FALLING APART mentally and emotionally and Morgan couldnt do anything! ANOTHER person slipping through her fingers? Haleigh, who at one point would have been morgan's FAVORITE target for verbal abuse and/or eldritch bolts , was now her co-leader and even more importantly, Morgan had come to respect her and view her as a FRIEND. She didnt always AGREE with Haleigh and sometimes the woman made her want to SMACK her but what was happening to HER NOW? Morgan didnt want this for her.>>

WHY did you have to leave NOW Alison? I'm NOT CUT OUT FOR THIS!!

<< Morgan looked at a picture of Alison and herself from the parthenon gala last year. the one where Morgan was dressed in Vera Wang and Alison in Versace. they looked so happy, so daring in that shot...and now, Morgan was facing the dark night ALONE...without the steady and guiding hand of her best friend.>>

<< Morgan walked through the apartment, various levels, and rooms..just looking and touching various items. noticing things that had been left in their last spots before Alison last left Illustra for the caper in greece.>>

You said that Haleigh and Alycia would resolve their differences..but HOW? Haleigh is as stubborn as she EVER was...no matter WHAT expense and ALYCIA...she's at her wits end!! I want to do the right thing...but I...I am NOT feeling objective!

<< she yelled! embarrassed that she was NOT being as objective as she probably should be...but Alycia was her friend...her home girl. they'd been through thick and thin and while she and Haleigh were FAR beyond their earlier days , Haleigh STILL kept secrets, STILL operated with a shadow mentality and that had prooven to come back to bite the six in the ass SEVERAL times already. Morgan couldnt get past this. HOW can their truly be any trust without pretense when you STILL keep secrets? how could she TRULY be of help to Haleigh when EVERYTIME there was a problem with Haleigh..it stemmed from something SHE kept from the rest of them?>>

is it so WRONG to suspect Haleigh of ANYTHING when she so WILLINGLY and DELIBERATELY kept quiet about her link to Stavros?? A man who MORE than enabled MysTech to strike at us with near FATAL results time and again!? Alycia is HUMAN..she doesnt DESERVE to be held to the same standard as the rest of us. Sharon is DEAD..and Alycia is SCARRED and Haleigh....well...can ANYONE help her when she ALWAYS manages to put a wall up?...what kind of friend AM I?!

<< she looked up to the ceiling....a look of dismay on her face>>

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO!?

<< she fall back into a deep seated leather chair, and exhaled loudly Morgan was mentally exhausted and what she WANTED more than anything was to sleep. but she couldnt....she didnt have the RIGHT to, not until she knew Alycia and Haleigh would be okay...if only for THE NIGHT at least...but she couldnt bear to look at Zach right now. Between him and Cameron, Morgan was ready to beat the hell out of BOTH of them...one was just as guilty of upsetting Alycia and the OTHER had the NERVE to pass judgement on her? Zach was little more than a CONSORT and he DARED to pass judgement on a woman who had done more to protect Haleigh and the six than HE could ever hope?>>

CURSE that self righteous, pollyana corn fed PRICK!

<< she hissed with contempt as she buried her face in her hands..and just sat there..in the darkness of her best friend's now unoccupied apartment wondering what would happen next??>>

 

[Silver Swan]

wake up call

:: feelings, sensations, AWARENESS...they were all so close...but there were as that thin veil between full consciousness and a perpetual dream state that stood in the way.::

:: faces, some familiar, some unknown, but all serving as beacons of light in the journey to consciousness...and VENGEANCE! the faces swirled, the voices and tones changed with each face and images of events most associated with each person played in the background behind them as they spoke.::



Malice: you're almost there, Sharon! you're ALMOST THERE!

:: images of Malice strangling Haleigh in her diamond form::

Morgan: soon you'll be strong, you'll be POWERFULL like ME!

:: images of Spellbinder as the "Darkchilde", in her INFERNO costume as she obliterates Haleigh with an eldritch bolt on the california coastline.::

Alison: MORE POWERFULL THAN HALEIGH!

:: images of Alison gesturing ala' Prue Halliwell and TKing Haleigh violently into a marble pillar.::

Alycia: and you'll be able to put that stupid bitch right in her place!

:: images of Alycia blasting Haleigh with the EMP wand

Master Mold: target aquired: Davidoff, Haleigh. Mutant/Techno organic hybrid! initializing destructor beams. course of action: immediate termination

::THIS time..its NOT Sharon who gets blasted by Master Mold...its HALEIGH! and THIS makes Sharon ...SMILE within the containment tube of the Cell's lab.

:: but as her mind and her heart blacken with rage and fury that grows with each passing moment...behold, there's someone ELSE...a NEW face. She knows this one TOO!! a young man, the son of one of her most prominent colleagues and personal friends from over seas! but HOW did he get here!? if he's HERE..he must be apart of this...he MUST have joined forces with HALEIGH!::

:: in her mind's eye..the faintest feel of his presence, the phantom glimpse of him...it is all fleeting before she EJECTS him from her psyche with her now LETHAL level of hatred and as she does so...her PHYSICAL eyes open.::

:: an alert goes off in the main control room of the cell.::

warning: subject in containment unit A, Kelly, Sharon, NOW FULL AWAKE. All vital signs at strongest possible level. memory feed complete, genetic restructuring complete.

 

[Seer]

the night wears on.

<< and so, while Cameron and Nicolas work together, Nicolas carefully attempted to bring much needed calm and order to the areas of Haleigh's mind that were out of balance, he found something that even HE couldnt have imagined..something so ANGRY and HATE FILLED that it forced him OUT of what he was doing. He'd done all he could...but now, it was time for him to get out before he was damaged.>>

<< Haleigh would find much more relief now, but for every moment of calm, there was to be ANOTHER moment of upheival that would be WORSE...each one getting closer and closer to what would come to embody the ULTIMATE in loss of control and BACKLASH for her.>>

meanwhile

<< with Delilah on guard, Dr. Karen Victoria administered MUCH NEEDED assistance and therapy to the distraught Alycia Barnett. by providing a safe, calm environment for her, the doctor enabled to Alycia to address the root of what was causing her so much pain and pushing her into more violent and erratic behavior. it was a necessary and major first step in an about face. Karen now left Alycia to rest for a bit, giving her a break before returning again for the final and most DIFFICULT part of her task...speaking to BOTH women and holding them BOTH accountable for what they have or HAVE NOT done. there could be no recovery or about face if no one owned up to and FACED their share of the blame.>>

and

<< near the top of Illustra, Spellbinder retreated into the uninhabited but still fully furnished apartment of Alison Marble, her best friend. The witch was VERY upset but didnt want anyone else to see it. How could these people be so COMPLACENT to watch footage of Sharon's death and treat it as a FOOT NOTE? how could Haleigh accuse Alycia of ANYTHING when SHE has been the paradigm of deception and misrepresentation? Morgan was STRUGGLING...she wanted to remain objective, but in her heart of hearts..she KNEW that her sympathies lie with Alycia...a HUMAN caught in a dynamic that could very well proove LETHAL and where would that leave HER? a growing tally card of DEATH that she could NEVER escape. HALEIGH might have been fine with the loss of human life...at least thats how she SEEMED at times, but MORGAN , [not counting the Inferno event] didnt shrug off the idea of losing yet ANOTHER close friend.>>

<< Spellbinder was struggling and clearly she didnt hear her mother's words to Alycia about not being afraid to ASK for help. She didnt want to whine or blubber in front of Delilah or anyone ELSE. she had a JOB to do...and she was now wonder if she could handle it? Her disdain with Zach was growing as well. That he DARED to challenge her on her descisions as to whom was allowed in Illustra when it was HER hospitality that made it possible for HIM to be there? oh THIS opened a whole NEW side of difficulty for her. >>

<< at the moment, Morgan, Ava and Delilah had the LEAST to do and perhaps that was why they were on more pins and needles...but for Morgan there was still much MORE for her to fret over than her team mates.>>

<< there was much uncertainty and the darkness of night did little to soothe or erase the pain and tension of the day before...and the approaching day didnt look to be much BETTER either.>>

<< there was still much to be done...on personal and professional levels.>>

 

[Prophet]

Haleigh's Apartment

:: Everything seemed to be moving smoothly between Nicholas and Haleigh, or so he thought because because all of Nicholas' vitals were perfectly fine and he wasn't using an intense amount of energy. All the while concentrating, Cameron looked over to Ava and Delilah. ::

"They're both doing fine..."

:: He began to notice a flux in Rampage, something was not going right and it was at an alarming rate. The infared view he was seeing went from dark blue and green to bright RED faster than he could register a problem. Not only that but Cameron could FEEL the psychic energy of the man dwindling and his aura was DULL. Cameron was going to have to pull him out. Boom, he was in Nicholas' mind in an instant as if he had just blinked. ::

"Stay with me Nicholas, I am pulling you out."

:: A task much easier said than done. Something extremely strong was draining Nicholas and Cameron couldn't discern what it was, that being said, Cameron was a well established telepath and he would have to be a little more aggressive than he wanted to be with Nicholas. He turned once more to Ava and Delilah. ::

"Something's not right I am pulling him out! Standy with at LEAST a towel and a glass of water..."

:: Delving into Rampage's brain he began a form of telepathic vampirism. Feeding and fueling Nicholas with psychic energy in exchange for taking some of the feeback Rampage was feeling into his own brain. This would give Nicholas a "jump start" of sorts, giving him so much brain power at the moment that he wouldn't be able to focus at all sort of a telepath friendly white noise. It had to be dealt with carefully. The pain was a strain on Cameron and it showed in his face, a stream of blood running down his nose, but the second he felt the connection fade from Haleigh, Cameron let go and fell to the floor. Slowly recovering as he laid on the floor, Nicholas was unconscious but alive, and that was a hell of a lot better than dead. ::

"They're both okay.. both of them..that was NOT right, something like that shouldn't of happened, which means something is DEFINITELY not right with Haleigh and it's not her fault."

 

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah turned, startled, as Dr. Victoria touched her on the shoulder. She had been working so hard at blocking out their voices that her mind ended up a million miles away. Not good. ]

"You can count on me, Doctor - my lips are sealed."

[ She feigned locking her lips with a key and throwing it away. She smiled warmly as the Doctor thanked her. ]

"We all trust you, Karen. I know you'll do whatever it takes to help Alycia. And Haleigh."

[ She nodded at Karen's instructions, then contemplated whether she should go in and check on Alycia. Opting to give her some private time to herself - she probably rarely got any privacy these days - she stayed at her post. God knows it would be like one of this team to try and barge their way into the room with Alycia... ]

 

[Persephone]

:: Something was happening to Nicolas within Haleigh's mind. Stepping forward hearing Cameron ask for a glass of water and a towel, Ava quickly moved through the livingroom and into the kitchen to retrieve just that. Returning moments later with water and a towel, she saw Cameron laying concious on the ground, and Nicolas slumped over Haleigh unconcious. Throwing the towel in Cameron's face, Ava stepped over him and moved to Nicolas' side. Gently placing her hand on his cheek, she ran her fingers down to his neck, checking his pulse. It was steady, but slow. Annoyed with Cameron, Ava carefully moved Nicolas' body off of Haleigh and rested him on the floor next to the couch. Grabbing a pillow, she lifted his head and placed it under him, before resting his head back down. ::

"You were supposed to help them not hurt them."

:: She spoke coldly as she turned her attention back to Haleigh. ::

 

[Prophet]

Haleigh's Apartment

:: Cameron rolled his eyes as Ava threw the towel at him. He had done exactly what was asked of him and he still got shit for it. Ava was NOTHING like Alexis and it made him somewhat miss her, even after everything she had done to the Six. He still missed talking to her about things, as fucked up as it was, they were FRIENDS, but this woman was a Morgan Victoria in the making and it was starting to irritate him. ::

"Since you have no clue what just happened one would think to keep their mouth SHUT. Morgan and Haleigh are understandable, but Ava, I haven't done a DAMN thing to you.. You nee--"

:: He wanted to just attack this woman. Who the fuck did she think she was? Cameron had only known her for the total of over an hour and she was treating him like she knew exactly who he was and what he was about, and the sad fact was that she had no CLUE. Cameron stopped himself because he knew it wouldn't help, he went over to Nicholas and used the towel to the wipe the sweat off of his forehead. He would wake up soon, he was a strong one. ::

"All I am saying is maybe you should actually get to KNOW a person before you pass judgement on them... how is Haleigh doing?"

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra-back to Haleigh's apartment

<< at that moment, Karen appeared , her entranced heralded by a rushing harp like sound. She was still in her vera wang cocktail dress, but she was noticeably now wearing a matching pink cashmere cardigan to cover her shoulders and arms. she looked around at Cameron with a glare and then to Ava, with less of a glare..but PERSPEHONE would remember her timeline's Karen always had a rather stern but elegant look to her all the time. it was not USUALLY anything personal.>>

<< Nicolas was slumped over and in a bad way. Haleigh unconscious. Cameron was wiping a bloody nose and Ava seemed agitated.>>

Allright..what happend here?

<< the doctor asked rather incredulously as she looked between the two young people who were sitll conscious.>>

<< she moved over to Nicolas. Ava had checked his pulse, he was alive. As Ava laid him down on the floor and placed a pillow under his head, Karen knelt down and felt his forehead as well as under his neck. she then opened one of his eyes...to check his pupils.>>

there's involuntary pupil response. he's simply unconscious, he must have been shocked...either by feed back from whatever he "saw" within Haleigh's mind...OR....

<< looking at Cameron suspiciously.>>

 

[Persephone]

:: Ava ignored Cameron's remarks like she would an annoying gnat buzzing about. Whether she knew him or not, he rubbed her in all the wrong ways. He was exactly like Nicolas....but worse. Rolling her eyes at his last statement, Ava moved from Haleigh back to Nicolas to check on him. ::

"I have no desire to get to know you, or associate with you, for that matter. Now, get out of my way."

:: Pushing Cameron away from Nicolas, Ava looked up to see Dr. Victoria appear in that moment. Moving back to allow her some room to examine him, eventhough Ava really couldn't stand Nicolas either, it was reassuring to know he would be okay. Standing from Nicolas' side, she moved back to Haleigh not bothering to address Cameron's question about how she was. Looking back, hearing Karen stop in mid sentence, it was obvious she was also suspicious of Cameron. Glancing coldly over to King before turning her attention back to Karen, she moved away from Haleigh's side, allowing her access to check on her as well. ::

"Doctor, if you please?"