Melrose unplugged

[MorningStar]

Delilah came back into the living room.

"She's....angry at Nicolas. She's stressed out because of-- [pausing in mid sentence, Ava quickly caught herself before blurting out the pregnancy scare] everything. She's just hurt right now. As much as she doesn't want to admit it to anyone, let alone herself. Look, Delilah...I know you're loyal to Morgan, but I can honestly tell you that Haleigh NEVER wanted to hurt her like this. If anything, Morgan's opinions and feelings matter the most to her. [shaking her head, Ava sighed] Everything's such a bloody mess, and Nicolas going off in a damn rampage doesn't help matters."

“HE clearly thinks of women as possessions – when he couldn’t have Morgan, he took Haleigh. Then when he thought he could have Morgan again he discarded her. And now that Morgan has so definitively rejected him, I wouldn’t be surprised if right now he’s telling himself that HALEIGH treated him wrongly…”

She sighed, her mood serious.

“I know Haleigh didn’t mean to hurt Morgan, I do. But she’s got to realize that she did hurt her, and saying it was for her own good is going to mean very little to Morgan. I just wish she has stayed away from Nicolas after Set was defeated. That she and he saw each other afterward makes it look as if they didn’t care that they hurt Morgan.”

She sat down before continuing.

“I want to forgive Haleigh, I really do. I don’t want to be angry at her. My head knows she isn’t terrible and vindictive…but my heart still says she betrayed Morgan. I have to stand with Morgan now, I can’t treat Haleigh as if nothing has happened - not yet. I’m sorry.”

She was ashamed of how she felt, but she felt it just the same. She wasn’t ready to forgive, even though she knew she should. It weighed heavily on her, as did the fact that she knew that Ava probably wouldn’t understand that.

 

[Arsenal]

The door opened as the women finished talking and Mike was standing there, freshly showered and comfortable in a "wife beater" and sweatpants with sneakers. The wolves played about in their area as he greeted them smiling.

Hello ladies. Please come in.

Mike motioned them in and over to a comfortable seating area in the living room.

I am glad that you are talking about what is going on, I couldn't help but overhear much of it as I came to the door. You two are the ones, other than Alison, that I would most like to talk to about things.

First, I AGREE with you Karen, about Nicolas, but not totally for the reason you may think. His actions today were unacceptable and he must regain control of himself if he is to operate in this team dynamic. To that end, he is already relocated to a suite in his Office Tower in LA.

Mike began to pace a bit, then looked at Karen, his smile gone, his face more grim. He knew that Karen might not like what he had to say next and he hated to disappoint her, but he cared too much for her and Morgan not to tell the truth as he saw it.

However, MORGAN is a part of the problem here. This entire situation initially evolved because she decided to give Nicolas a piece of her mind this morning. She did so, and he was completely deferential to her...even seemingly reaching her on some level...until she saw Haleigh. And Haleigh did not initially say anything. Morgan barred her way and DARED her to respond, which as anyone who knows Haleigh knows was not the way to avoid conflict, in spite of the poor way she responded. Next, she HIT Nicolas who was hoping to defuse the situation, apparently because of the possibility of a PREGNANCY...did I hear? Then, she broke free of over HALF the team and assaulted Haleigh, only to be finally restrained by Sharon, but too late for Nicolas, who was already having difficulty restraining himself.

Nicolas will not take this as an excuse, but I will tell you, as a man...Karen if I THOUGHT you were carrying my child --stop looking so incredulous--and ANYONE attacked you, I would try to KILL them.

Mike looked back and forth between them.

The thing being forgotten here is that in this situation, Morgan exerted VERY LITTLE CONTROL EITHER, yet Haleigh and Nicolas are bearing the majority of the burden of the escalation of the situation. I am not here to absolve them, but Nicolas does not need to be here if Morgan thinks its open season on teammates and that is the way she should conduct herself, no matter how angry or hurt she is. We expect no less of Nicolas, and we should start expecting SOMETHING of Morgan as well.

Nicolas was raised a gentleman by Gustav, but he was also trained as a living weapon. Anyone who decides to attack him should remember that, in spite of what he SHOULD do. It is no more right for women to hit men than the other way around.

Which brings me to my next issue, which is a lot more personal.

Mike sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his neck, then taking a seat and sighing again before speaking.

Ava. Today she told everyone that she had no remorse at ALL for murdering me, only for hurting Karen by doing so. I can accept that. Those are her feelings and she kept it real. But I cannot serve on a team with a teammate who literally stabbed me from the back and put Karen's SOUL at risk to revive me, has NO remorse, yet is seemingly embraced by the rest of the team as she moves forward.

I will not make any demands, she is certainly of more use in battle for the most part than me in terms of power. But just know that if we are to do something, I will not be doing anything with her until I can trust her. I do not see how I can do that when she is so unabashedly clear about her lack of value for my life. A person like that...I cannot trust to watch MY back, and I fear that I would not be inclined to watch their back enough to be of use to you were I to work with them.

Mike waited for their answers to his comments as he sat in his chair, tense...and getting a strange feeling in his gut, unrelated to the conversation going on...a FOREBODING...

 

[Silver Swan]

MP apt # 2

[ Sharon came in and heard the wolves even though they were not immediately seen.]

[ as they enter into the apartment and seat themselves, Sharon mentally removes the armor "opera gloves" from over her hands and arms. She sits beside Karen.]

[ Mike seemed eager to talk to them and Sharon was curious to what he'd say. When he began, She listened, but was not entirely "on the same page". ]

Give me a break, Mike. Nicolas got punched because thats what he DESERVED. He was trying to have his cake and eat it too.

[ she went on record right then, just as she had with Nicolas that she didnt feel sorry for him getting hit by Morgan. and then onto the subject of Haleigh being bullied by Morgan. ]

Oh like SHE doesnt do enough of that HERSELF?

Morgan was needlessly confrontation with Haleigh after seeing her coming out of Blaze's apartment but THAT wouldnt have happened had Blaze not been so busy trying to be on BOTH sides.

You're forgetting that Morgan TRIED to walk away from Haleigh EVEN AFTER she used the truth about the other timeline as a WEAPON against Morgan. But Haleigh had to PROVOKE her one last time. It's just like it always was...Haleigh pressing buttons, KNOWING what she's doing and then acting amazed when the person...USUALLY MORGAN...beats the hell out of her or resorts to extreme methods to get her to SHUT UP. Haleigh isnt a normal human either, She can take more damage than most...and so while Morgan's attack WAS savage, Haleigh was not severely injured, and Morgan wasnt even using all of her strength. AND...again...Haleigh wasnt pregnant and if Nicolas was THINKING clearly, he wouldve used his own scans to confirm it. He scans everything ELSE. What was she going to do? Use the pregnancy as a sympathy card? A reason to make what she was doing with Nicolas somehow be OKAY? I don't know ANY woman in Morgan's position....super powered or NOT, that would take that very well AT ALL.

I'm not going to flip this Mike. Morgan got a raw deal from start to finish and Haleigh shouldve known better from BEFORE when she and Cameron drove the girl over the edge.

What made THIS time any different? ANY OTHER time she can fight her own battles but suddenly because she THOUGHT she was pregnant, she needs Nicolas to defend her from the woman SHE antagonized?

SORRY, not going along with that.

[ Mike went on to say that Morgan exhibited poor self control.]

I know Karen will have something to say, but I just want to point out that Morgan has TRIED to restrain herself all this time while Nicolas and Haleigh flaunted theire "close friendship" all over L.A. The OUTWARD appearence was bad enough, Lord knows what kind of telepathic communication they exchanged and all the while , HALEIGH thought it was OKAY because SHE loved him? What about Morgan's feelings? She loved Nicolas too and it doesnt matter if Haleigh thought Morgan's love was enough...she shouldve had enough sense to STOP after she was released from Set's hold. Everything that's happened SINCE Set??? That's ALL on their heads..NOT Morgan. THEY made their choices and they should accept the fall out.

We ALL voiced our displeasure with Haleigh and Nicolas. We TOLD them how bad it looked, how it was hurting Morgan...did they care? Didn't seem that way.

Nicolas is no different than me, or morgan, or haleigh or anyone ELSE with a "dark side" or whatever you want to call it. We're NOT going to live in FEAR of him because of what he's capable of. There's a WORLD of difference between what lead to the INFERNO and what lead to him ATTACKING Delilah, Morgan and myself. He wasnt defending Haleigh, he was ACTING OUT and he was placing EVERYONE including the building itself in danger. All that needed to be done was for Morgan to be seperated from Haleigh and that's what I did. I took her AWAY and HE brought her BACK. He was wrong for that and nothing YOU say will make that any different.

Just like Morgan has to live with the memories of Inferno, and I have to live with the ghosts of the people i murdered when i was INSANE, HE is going to have to live with the choices he's made and like i told him...SET isnt an excuse anymore. SET is gone, fuck him. Being a "living weapon" doesnt mean much if you dont know how to THINK before you act.


He shouldve stayed in his apartment like he first attempted. Just because Morgan is KNOWN for her problem with instability in the face of extreme duress doesnt mean Nicolas needs to copy her. Any sympathy he would have garnered from anyone was lost at that point and I doubt anything you say will change that.

[ then on to Ava...Mike was obviously hurt, BETRAYED by what she'd done and it WAS a shocking, horrid thing.]

That's the same thing Nicolas said. Did you ASK anyone what they thought or felt about what Ava did? And it happened RIGHT AFTER the fall out from Set. EVERYTHING came unglued after that. She was insane. It took Hecate to heal her. That's not an excuse either, but for you to sit there and imply that the REST of us don't care or didnt reel from it, is more than a little presumptuous.

She stayed AWAY and She's here NOW because of her sister and that's to be expected...its what Blaze shouldve been doing for Morgan.

Can you trust ME? I've murdered dozens...can you trust Morgan? She caused the Inferno? Can you trust KAREN? She's now SHADOW WEAVER and in several OTHER timelines, after taking that name she's become evil. Can you trust HALEIGH? who made a LIVING off of using, deceiving, betraying and killing people and would do it AGAIN if she felt the ends justified the means?

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Melrose, apt.2

<< Karen came in, this was the first time she'd seen Mike's place at Melrose. He'd done well for the decorum inspite of being a straight man AND it was reasonably clean! >>

<< the wolves were inside. Karen still couldnt get over the idea of him keeping too large wild animals in a place like this but if they decided to devour him in his sleep...it'd be a lesson he wouldnt soon forget >>

<< as they seated themselves, Karen sat beside Sharon, turned slightly side ways as she leaned back onto the couch and crossed her legs at the knee. Mike was obviously filled with feeling and concern.>>

<< Sharon immediately rejected the idea that Morgan was somehow responsible for the extreme chaos.>>

Sharon makes a valid point and as a woman who has been cheated on AND seen a child [Blaze] come from that infidelity, I KNOW the pain Morgan feels. Abuse is never OK. I'm not AS quick to say that she should have just HIT him, although I remember slapping Christopher at some point when I was the one in that position. One form of abuse is exchanged for another. Nicolas and Haleigh bruised Morgan's spirit and broke her heart...she hits them back physically. BRUISES to the face HEAL, Michael. the kind of damage THEY did to Morgan? will NOT heal anytime soon...not without supernatural intervention like what Hecate did with Ava.

You stood back and watched as Nicolas and Haleigh continued to pour salt on Morgan's wounds. It wasnt OKAY what they did...what they were DOING and if YOU were something of a mentor to Nicolas, you should have TOLD HIM BETTER. But NOW? I dont even want YOU around him. Your mind is not protected, your a normal baseline human. He could hurt you...and I dont trust him.


For every step of progress Morgan makes in self control, someone, namely HALEIGH is ALWAYS there to knock her down, send her BACK and from what I hear, Haleigh GLOATED about that very thing. Well this time she made one HELL of a dent. She destroyed Morgan's relationship with Nicolas and THEN was going to use the pregnancy as some kind of excuse to continue to cling to Nicolas. How much of my daughter's life is that wretched child allowed to RUIN before she gets what she deserves?

And are you telling me that Nicolas was justified in assaulting my child because of a pregnancy that wasnt even REAL?

<< her eyes flickered with anger as her voice became sharp.>>

What made THIS time any different? ANY OTHER time she can fight her own battles but suddenly because she THOUGHT she was pregnant, she needs Nicolas to defend her from the woman SHE antagonized?

SORRY, not going along with that.

I can deal with Morgan and help her get back on track. its OBVIOUS to anyone that's been paying attention that she tries VERY hard to keep herself under control. She doesnt use it as an excuse. She's never HID her flaws either, its only been miserable opportunists like Haleigh who seek to provoke her and then have the unmitigated GAUL to claim innocence or VICTIM!?

All MY daughter wanted was to be able to MOVE ON. THEY wouldnt let her!

<< she exhales with agitation as she calms herself and bows her head putting her hands over her face.>>


The bottom line is this. This is MORGAN's building. if anyone is leaving, it's THEM. I feel NO sympathy for Haleigh...not that THAT is a surprise for either of you. As for Nicolas? I'm MORGAN'S MOTHER BEFORE I'm ANYTHING to him and I will ALWAYS side with my child against a man who brutalizes her.

Morgan KNOWS better, she was raised better and that's why she fights SO HARD to control herself. If SHE, being the direct descendant of Hecate AND the mistress of Limbo can fight that hard and ongoing fight, then Nicolas can do the same thing. I side with Sharon on this, the whole "what about SET" thing is OLD.

If Nicolas is going to be a slave to his base instincts, then he belongs in the desert with the other reptiles. If he's going to accept responsibility and shoulder his burden like anyone ELSE in this group has had to, then we can talk about it further.

<< the subject of Ava comes up. It was a rough thing to revisit.>>

No one expects you to do ANYTHING, Michael. But you DID make your choice to come to Melrose Place rather than remain at Minerva's Mansion. Ava is Haleigh's sister and will always come for her when she needs the help. Prior to that, Ava stayed on Aerie and its obvious WHY. She may say that she feels no regret, but if Hecate had to come HERE to "fix" her, that should tell you how unbalanced she was. I agree with Sharon, I havent seen anyone just say "oh its okay what you did...come on back"

Just WHAT is it that you want US to do about Ava?

UNLIKE Nicolas and Haleigh, Ava has made SURE there was no room for a RELAPSE.

<< Karen would NEVER forget what Ava did, and what it nearly COST Karen to FIX it. Karen's own reaction to Ava was savage and would have ESCALATED had Athena and Hecate not stepped in. But the goddess was truly sorry for the hurt she caused Karen. She FORGAVE the goddess...but she could NEVER forget.>>


I promised Morgan we'd find a way to work through this, but right now, I dont have an answer. The only thing I can think of is that Nicolas NOT come back...not for a while and when he does, he owes EVERYONE , INCLUDING that robotic tart Haleigh, an apology for the hurt he caused. He can't pick and choose who he speaks to. He has to swallow his pride and speak to EVERYONE at the same time.

In turn, everyone has to let him speak...and hear what he says. Once he's made that TRUE effort...the rest is left to each person whether they can or will accept the apology.

 

[Arsenal]

Mike nodded his head at Sharon's response, and similarly at what Karen had to say.

I can understand what you say to some degree, but either violence in-team is acceptable or it's NOT. That is the issue I am saying. To say that Nicolas deserved to be attacked or that Haleigh did is bullshit. What cake was he trying to have? He was not with Morgan, hadn't spoke to her in MONTHS, and while she may have been dismayed that he was seen with Haleigh, Morgan does not OWN him. She doesn't get to strike out at Nicolas because how DARE he associate with someone she would rather he not associate with, even if the fact that he did was not advisable or considerate, all things considered. And as for Haleigh not needing Nicolas to defend her, very true. But fathers defend their own, just like mothers. And very often common sense takes a back seat. No doubt Nic was wrong and has been wrong in this, but he wasn't the ONLY one wrong here. NO ONE should hit ANYONE.

Morgan is supposed to be the LEADER of this team. That position requires many things, not the least of which is self-control. YOU may decide who on the team gets to hit and not hit, but I believe that the relationships we foster here should be somewhat immune to those types of physical attacks. From ANYONE. Morgan may know better and she may be trying, but she failed this morning. MISERABLY. And for someone 10 years older than Nicolas, she should be leading the way, in spite of what she's gone through. She is not the first person to have been cheated on. Hell I have been. But I didn't PUNCH the girls lights out.

Which brings me back to Ava. In the grand scheme of things, regardless of who it was involved, the people on the team decided that a mentally-coerced infidelity deserved more attention than a cold-blooded murder of one teammate by another. And in spite of what you have said just now about your own past, the difference is clear. You and Morgan have remorse about what you have done and Karen has worked to prevent the timeline you describe, realizing that the Shadow Weaver I encountered does not HAVE to be her. And none of you murdered a teammate!! THAT'S why I can trust you...you have moved forward and acted as a member of this team who has some care for the others assembled here. Ava has not done that at all, and I DEFY you to tell me who other than Karen has said two fuckin' words to her about it. I don't need to read minds to see with my own eyes that no one here blinked when she said that shit this morning. And THAT told me VOLUMES. For all of the bluster about Nicolas being expelled because of his danger to the team, the only person here who has harmed a teammate without remorse is Ava.


Mike looked Karen in the eye.

I have no doubt that you will stand by your daughter honey; that is what you SHOULD do. But a part of that must be to help her do better with violence. Because in spite of what either of you may think or how you justify it, Morgan hitting Nicolas was at least just as much of an assault as Nicolas pulling Morgan by TK to the ground to tell her not to do it again. As a baseline human and as a man, Morgan gives me as much pause right now as Nicolas. And Nicolas has already moved, so that issue is settled. And I am certain that at some point he will make amends. As for Ava, I am not asking you to do anything about Ava just as Morgan did not explicitly ask anyone to do anything about Nicolas. But at least Morgan had interested volunteers. Just shows you where you are sometimes. I find it funny that Ava has no similar requirements to be counted among our number or that my death didn't seem to cause very much PAIN for this team.


Mike walked over to his window, visibly agitated. He noticed that the weather was even crappier than before. He grabbed the paper from the table and looked at the forecast. SUNNY SKIES, 85 degrees...

 

[Harbinger]

Apt. 1

:: Alison WAS tired. She lay in the bed and slept, deeply, or so it seem.::

:: from the darkness and arms of unconsiousness came whispers , faint, fleeting...here and there::

:: her normally peacefull face frowns a bit as she is DREAMING.::

the dream zone

:: She wakes up, or so she thinks...its DARK in the apartment and Delilah is no where to be found. Still, she hears the sound of sniffling and crying.::

Delilah?? is that you??

:: she comes out of the room and slowly creeps down the hall, her high heeled boots are the only thing heard on the floor as it creaks.::

Delilah? are you OKAY!?

:: as she comes out into the living room, the door leading outside is WIDE open...with blood splattered over it...and the pained crying is now close at hand. in the KITCHEN she turns and sees...::

CAMERON!

:: she gasps as he finds him laying on the floor, leaning against a cabinet door by the counter.::

Cameron: :: turning around to reveal that his EYES have been GOUGED OUT::

Alison: goddess! where did you come from!? WHO did this to you!?

Cameron: :: looking abused and beaten, as well as savagely injured.:: ALISON...:: coughing up blood:: AL...ison...he's coming back...they woke him up!


Alison: WHO!?

:: Alison says with growing distress as the wind begins to blow the door and the whispers of unrestfull spirits begin to swirl around the dark apartment.::

cameron: he was weak...but soon he'll be strong. its okay to be afraid Alison. we ALL were afraid.

:: Alison turns and sees the savagely broken, chopped up body of Delilah on the couch!::

DELILAH!

Delilah: we're your friends....we're EVERYONE.

Alison: Is it NICOLAS!? did HE do this!?

:: she shrieks as Cameron's body begins to jerk and convulse as it slumps over.::

NO! This doesnt make any sense! I won't accept this...IT'S ONLY A DREAM!

:: she rushes out of the apartment...and headlong into the arms of...The Super Soldier, standing out the foggy courtyard

HECATE!

:: she screams but before she can TRY to defend herself...its TOO LATE! he IMPALES her just as he had done in NERVOUS...and she screams in the dream as she does in REALITY::

:: a rushing chiming sound is heard as the door to her bedroom FLIES OPEN and she bolts upright from her bed and falls OUT of the bed, flailing with shock.::

:: that dream...a representation of FEAR and deep seated issues including her BROTHER'S well being, the fear that Nicolas would HURT her friends, and the Super Soldier...the MONSTER that she COULDNT STOP from killing her! FEAR! SHe didnt realize it now, but her dream was an astral warning that something, someone WAS coming for them ALL!::

 

[Persephone]

“I know Haleigh didn’t mean to hurt Morgan, I do. But she’s got to realize that she did hurt her, and saying it was for her own good is going to mean very little to Morgan. I just wish she has stayed away from Nicolas after Set was defeated. That she and he saw each other afterward makes it look as if they didn’t care that they hurt Morgan.”

"My sister's not the most....thoughtful person. But I don't think her being with Nicolas was another way to hurt Morgan...I think it was more an act of defiance. Haleigh has this insufferable need to do exactly the OPPOSITE of what people expect of her. In some cases it's a beneficial trait...but in these circumstances it didn't exactly help her standing with Morgan, I understand that."

“I want to forgive Haleigh, I really do. I don’t want to be angry at her. My head knows she isn’t terrible and vindictive…but my heart still says she betrayed Morgan. I have to stand with Morgan now, I can’t treat Haleigh as if nothing has happened - not yet. I’m sorry.”

Ava shook her head.

"Delilah, I didn't come here to try and convince you to forgive Haleigh. I know your loyal to Morgan, as you should be. It's going to take time for everyone to get past this....if they get past it at all [Morgan]. I guess I just wanted to see where I STOOD with everyone. I love Haleigh and would do anything for her, but i've come to love this team as well."

Dispite having Haleigh's back no matter WHAT the others may have thought about her most recent actions, Ava wanted to know if she still had a standing on this team. If, like Cameron, the others would shut her out because she was on Haleigh's 'side'. That's how it usually worked with the six. Whenever Haleigh was on the outs, whomever was trying to help her was on the outs as well. Case and point, Blaze of late. It would hurt Ava if this were true, but she WOULDN'T abandon her sister for anything.

"And after my most recent...actions [killing Mike] I haven't exactly spoken to anyone besides Alison and Halei--"

Ava's words were cut off by a horrible scream....ALISON'S scream. Looking to Delilah with wide, worried eyes.

"Alison!"

Ava and Delilah quickly stood and ran back to where Alison was taking a nap. Alison was on the floor, pulsing with fear. Ava quickly rushed to her side, placing her hands on the precog's shoulders trying to steady her.

"Alison! Alison, it's Ava! What's wrong?! [brushing some blue/black hair away from her face] Calm down....it's okay...you're okay.."

 

[Silver Swan]

apt. 2

I can understand what you say to some degree, but either violence in-team is acceptable or it's NOT.

[ Sharon took that point and nodded in agreement. for SOME that would be more of a problem than others.]

That's true. But Needless provocation should be inluded in that as well. Take away one and more than likely the OTHER will follow.

[an obvious dig at Haleigh.]

That is the issue I am saying. To say that Nicolas deserved to be attacked or that Haleigh did is bullshit. What cake was he trying to have? He was not with Morgan, hadn't spoke to her in MONTHS, and while she may have been dismayed that he was seen with Haleigh, Morgan does not OWN him. She doesn't get to strike out at Nicolas because how DARE he associate with someone she would rather he not associate with, even if the fact that he did was not advisable or considerate, all things considered.

It was no less bullshit than the two of them palling around in front of Morgan, rubbing the aftermath of her destroyed relationship in her face. Don't you get it? It wasnt something as simple as "i dont want you being friends with her because i'm not". THEY RUINED Morgan's relationship. it goes BEYOND a petty "you cant be her friend because i'm not" argument. I told Nicolas the same thing and It seems to me that Nicolas even understands that better than you do right now.

Morgan doesnt OWN Nicolas, yes. But RIGHT IS RIGHT. Being "mentally coerced" into having sex is one thing, but CARRYING ON LONG AFTER is quite another.

[ Karen nodded and vocalized agreement.]

And as for Haleigh not needing Nicolas to defend her, very true. But fathers defend their own, just like mothers. And very often common sense takes a back seat. No doubt Nic was wrong and has been wrong in this, but he wasn't the ONLY one wrong here. NO ONE should hit ANYONE.

I agree...about no one hitting anyone else. But Nicolas wasnt a "FATHER" of anything. and if Haleigh was so damn concerned about her "child" she shouldve kept her mouth SHUT and went to her apartment. COMMON SENSE can really change your life, you know.

Morgan is supposed to be the LEADER of this team. That position requires many things, not the least of which is self-control. YOU may decide who on the team gets to hit and not hit, but I believe that the relationships we foster here should be somewhat immune to those types of physical attacks. From ANYONE.

how can she lead when people on her team are constantly stabbing her in the back? how can she possibly GET PAST something if the people responsible keep BRINGING IT TO HER?

and dont put words in my mouth either Mike. I didnt say I decide who gets to hit WHO but I DO think what happened was to be expected. Don't be mad because Morgan was ready to BUST THEIR ASSES over something they continued to do in front of her. Besides, I was there to stop it...not only because Nicolas ASKED me to be there but because i KNEW it was the right thing to do. I said the whole time that there was a BETTER way for Morgan to handle it.

Morgan may know better and she may be trying, but she failed this morning. MISERABLY. And for someone 10 years older than Nicolas, she should be leading the way, in spite of what she's gone through. She is not the first person to have been cheated on. Hell I have been. But I didn't PUNCH the girls lights out.

[ Sharon could have SWORN that Karen addressed that part herself...but considering that Sharon herself was "the other woman", depending on who you ask, In Zach's life at or NEAR the time he was with Haleigh...she decided to let that remark go unanswered. ]

Which brings me back to Ava. In the grand scheme of things, regardless of who it was involved, the people on the team decided that a mentally-coerced infidelity deserved more attention than a cold-blooded murder of one teammate by another. And in spite of what you have said just now about your own past, the difference is clear. You and Morgan have remorse about what you have done and Karen has worked to prevent the timeline you describe, realizing that the Shadow Weaver I encountered does not HAVE to be her. And none of you murdered a teammate!! THAT'S why I can trust you...you have moved forward and acted as a member of this team who has some care for the others assembled here. Ava has not done that at all, and I DEFY you to tell me who other than Karen has said two fuckin' words to her about it. I don't need to read minds to see with my own eyes that no one here blinked when she said that shit this morning. And THAT told me VOLUMES. For all of the bluster about Nicolas being expelled because of his danger to the team, the only person here who has harmed a teammate without remorse is Ava.

[Mike fairly retorted that. Sharon continued to look at him but he had a fair claim and while no one had just casually swept it aside, no one aside from Karen, had openly addressed it either]

Karen: Mike, psychological damage is NO LESS of harm than physical. The HARM that Haleigh has CONSISTENTLY inflicted on Morgan for OVER a year is HARDLY made up for by the beating my Morgan gave her. The wrong thing done for the RIGHT reason is still the wrong thing and Morgan KNOWS that. Better to ask HALEIGH does SHE know it? or NICOLAS.

Nicolas, up till this morning may have been UNINTENTIONAL but THIS MORNING changed everything. Not only did he harm Morgan, but Delilah as well.

Sharon: But what about Ava? he IS right...no one has really addressed it...

 

[Shadow Weaver]

MP , apt. 2

Karen: WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO!? << karen shrieked with exasperation.>> Mike is ALIVE because of ME. I took the risk and i won the gamble. I FIXED what she broke. She has to live with her actions.



<< Mike looked Karen in the eye.>>

I have no doubt that you will stand by your daughter honey; that is what you SHOULD do. But a part of that must be to help her do better with violence. Because in spite of what either of you may think or how you justify it, Morgan hitting Nicolas was at least just as much of an assault as Nicolas pulling Morgan by TK to the ground to tell her not to do it again.

He TORE her away from Sharon, after bringing them BOTH back from where they were. When Delilah tried to admonish him, he THREW her across the pool. He couldve hurt them all and what if Sharon and Haleigh hadn't been there? Even HALEIGH could see there was a problem. As poorly as I look upon her, and as much as i HATE that i must....i will give her credit for at least not putting her team mates in PHYSICAL danger although what she does is bad enough.

what if Ava hadnt showed up? At that point a PILE ON was EXACTLY what was needed and MORGAN would have killed him herself had he not left after being told off. Don't you understand? She hit him and upset him yes...that was bad enough but HE has probably RESTORED her PHOBIC mistrust of men to its original levels BEFORE she met him. The WRONG THING DONE FOR THE RIGHT REASON IS STILL THE WRONG THING. Everybody's wrong and you ALL need to be committed!

<< she was half serious, but also a bit sarcastic. Sharon smirked a bit and Mike would surely get her point.>>

NOW , once again, I HAVE to fix what somebody else BROKE.

<< Mike was frustrated, and so was she....and all of this intense energy was only FUELING what was yet to come to them all. But Karen did her best to steady herself and continued on.>>

As a baseline human and as a man, Morgan gives me as much pause right now as Nicolas. And Nicolas has already moved, so that issue is settled. And I am certain that at some point he will make amends. As for Ava, I am not asking you to do anything about Ava just as Morgan did not explicitly ask anyone to do anything about Nicolas. But at least Morgan had interested volunteers. Just shows you where you are sometimes. I find it funny that Ava has no similar requirements to be counted among our number or that my death didn't seem to cause very much PAIN for this team.

It appears as though Morgan, Nicolas and Haleigh arent the ONLY ONES with issues Mike...if your bitter about being murdered by Ava, then just SAY so. That came on TOP everything else. EVERYONE, human, mutant or otherwise, has a limit that they reach before they either shut down or go insane. Ava reached her point and the REST of us were left in shock.

But you're ALIVE NOW. I brought you back at great risk to my SELF..my SOUL. NOTHING that anyone ELSE says can CHANGE what happened then, and here you are NOW.

Ava has kept herself in EXILE since that incident or hadnt you noticed that. If we were as complicit as you'd like to accuse us of being, Morgan or someone else would have tried to persuade her to come here INSPITE of you. Ava made the choice.

Mike walked over to his window, visibly agitated. He noticed that the weather was even crappier than before. He grabbed the paper from the table and looked at the forecast. SUNNY SKIES, 85 degrees...

If you and Ava arent going to be the BEST of friends, NO ONE can blame you for that but I think its a fair assessment based on what ive seen and what Hecate told us that Ava is LESS of a threat to her team than Nicolas. Am I biased? YES. It was no secret that Ava was hardly fond of Nicolas OR you. The trauma of set and haleigh pushed her over the edge; Nicolas claimed to LOVE Morgan. he betrayed her, then he disrespected her on a consistent basis and then when she had enough, he became BRUTAL with her and anyone else who CHALLENGED him. NEITHER ONE may be sitting pretty at this point but I would trust Ava with my back or my daughter's faster than I would Nicolas right now...and Ava , out of respect for ME [ if for no other reason] would NOT harm you again. Can we say the same thing about Nicolas?

<< a fair question in Karen's mind.>>

 

[Harbinger]

apt. 1

Ava's words were cut off by a horrible scream....ALISON'S scream. Looking to Delilah with wide, worried eyes.

"Alison!"

Ava and Delilah quickly stood and ran back to where Alison was taking a nap. Alison was on the floor, pulsing with fear. Ava quickly rushed to her side, placing her hands on the precog's shoulders trying to steady her.

"Alison! Alison, it's Ava! What's wrong?! [brushing some blue/black hair away from her face] Calm down....it's okay...you're okay.."

:: Alison was flailing defensively, it became WORSE for a second when Ava placed her hands on the precog's shoulders but as Alison HEARD Ava's voice, she opened her now misty colbalt blue eyes and began to calm a bit ...still breathing heavily and trembling, ::

Cameron hurt....The super soldier....:: alison said in a winded voice.:: WHERE is he!?

:: Cameron was no where around, nor was the Super Soldier but Alison was still reeling from the images she saw and FELT in her dream... and that wasnt the worst of it...as she began to cough up blood...she had been STABBED in her stomach in the same place where the Super Soldier had impaled her in the dream, the NIGHTMARE.::

:: they had to get Karen to heal her, before it was too late.::

 

[Persephone]

"Cameron? What?....Alison you're not making any..."

Ava's eyes widdened seeing Alison coughing up blood. Her mouth agape in horror, the brunette's aqua eyes traveled down to Alison's stomach, now seeing the blood start to stain her shirt where she had been stabbed.

"Oh my God...Delilah stay with her!"

Ava quickly stood, running out the bedroom, through the livingroom, and flying out the front door to the courtyard.

"SOMEONE HELP! KAREN!"

Ava's voice cracked as she screamed for help. She didn't know where Karen was...or if she was even still at Melrose Place.

 

[Spellbinder]

meanwhile at Affinity Models

"A bold request, Ms Victoria."

<< Morgan sat, comfortably posed with one leg crossed over the other at the knee. she remained casual to the observing eye but her mind was churning as she tried to anticipate Claudia's next move.>>

couldnt I be a precog for just 2 minutes?

"This was more of what I had in mind."

<< the amount was nearly double what Morgan asked for. Her icy violet eyes checked the figure again just to be sure. she quielty folded the paper in half and set it down.>>


Miss Zacchara, I accept your offer.

<< Morgan said with a smile as she stood up to shake Claudia's hand. >>

As soon as your lawyers draw up the contract, once my counsel has received and reviewed it, I'll be happy to sign it.

<< handing Claudia a personal business card. >>

I can be reached at these numbers.

Thank you for your time this afternoon, and I look forward to being apart of the Affinity family.

<< Morgan knew just as well as Claudia that this would be a sound business partnership...but the PERSONAL side of it would not remain pleasant for very long. THAT itself wasnt uncommon in the fashion/modeling industry but the REASONS, the drama that these two would share/be affected by would be UNLIKE what most others in the industry experienced.>>

<< Morgan was quietly relishing in this professional triumph. She would vocalize it when she reached her jag, but she had no idea that she was heading back to MP ...to a different kind of storm. One that would test an already WEAKENED foundation in her soul.>>

<< for the MOMENT though, she felt more alive than she had in WEEKS! She was about to do what she loved AGAIN!>>

<< she exited Affinity, with a slight smile on her face and as she reached her jag in the underground parking lot, she got inside, shutting the door and simultaneously screaming...>>

HOT DAMN!

<< tossing her purse and leather attache into the passenger seat.>>

It ALMOST feels like OLD TIMES!

<< she squealed with glee, allowing herself to smile widely for a moment....before she turned and looked in her rear view mirror and saw a figure in the distance, tall, large, MALE in form. but there was no way to be sure WHO it was. she looked, narrowing her icy violet eyes a bit but he didnt move at all, he just STOOD there.>>

<< it seemed rather strange that someone would just STAND there like that, but after a few moments, Morgan starts her jag and backs out, preparing to drive and as she begins to exit the parking lot....the figure she saw BEFORE where she was parked was now STANDING in the parking spot she was in as she was leaving.>>

what the hell?

<< a blaring horn snaps her attention as she is almost T boned by another car when driving out onto the main road.>>

SHIT!

<< swerving, her car fish tails. she curses as she struggles to regain control, narrowly missing another car but SOON she gets it together and pulls over. placing her hand on her chest.>>

by the goddess!

<< her heart races and she leans forward.>>

okay....alright....get it together Morgan. BLAZE just had an accident, you dont need to repeat that. I hope no one from affinity saw that. last thing i need is for them to think i'm a drunk driver.

<< she rolls her eyes as she calms down and takes off....rounding a corner, and once again opening a stepping disc, to cut down the time between point a and b, she returns to her spot in front of MP...>>

 

[Shadow Weaver]

from apartment 2 to the courtyard

<< as Karen, Sharon and Mike continued to talk...they seemed to reach a critical point in the discussion. At that moment of brief silence...>>

Sharon: Karen, something's wrong! Ava....outside!

"SOMEONE HELP! KAREN!"

<< and then Karen heard it too. She gets up quickly, rushing out of apartment two, followed by Sharon and Mike. No doubt Ava's frantic scream would draw Blaze and Haleigh's attention as well.>>

<< Karen rushes to Ava.>>

Ava! What is it...what's the matter??

<< Karen asks intently and then she sees BLOOD on her hands. Karen's opal blue eyes widen with dismay and concern. was she hurt? Was Nicolas BACK and attacking her??>>

WHAT HAPPENED??

<< the witch looks at the goddess. the winds now WHISTLING noticeably as they seem to gust a bit more in the air around them. with everyone coming out into the courtyard and Morgan rounding the corner onto Melrose avenue...they would all soon find out just what was wrong.>>

 

[Firebird]

Apartment 8 to the courtyard

Blaze had spent her afternoon watching General Hospital, it wasn't like she had anything PRESSING to attend to. She had taken off from work for the week. She just wasn't willing to get back into a car right away, especially after the violent car accident she had. Even if Morgan and the others saved her life. The incident had left Blaze on edge and afraid to be any where near a car, let alone driving one. It happened to anyone who was ever in a severe car accident.

But, as Blaze sat in her bedroom Ava's voice reverberated outside, screaming for help and then for Karen! Immediately, Blaze was on her feet and rushing towards the door. She may have been lax the first time around this morning with Morgan. But she wouldn't repeat her mistakes. Rushing down the stairs she sprinted over towards Delilah's apartment to see Ava standing there with Karen.

"Ava, what's wrong?!"

Blaze could see Ava was upset about something. Glancing past her shoulder to try and see what was wrong. What ELSE could be wrong now?! The weather was more than strange around here, was it Ava's doing?

 

[Siren]

Claudia smiled, standing along with Morgan and shaking her hand.

"Welcome to Affinity."

Claudia rounded her desk and made her way over to Morgan. Taking the blonde's buisness card, she gestured for the door and began to walk her out.

"I'll notify you as soon as the contracts are drawn up. It's been a pleasure doing buisness with you."

As Morgan exited her office, Claudia immediately closed her office door and headed back to her desk. Picking up her phone, she pressed a single button and lifted it to her ear.

"Talia....get me Nicolas King's number.."

Her 'pleasent' smile faded to an all out smirk. Claudia wasn't stupid, nor did she enjoy throwing insanely high amounts of money out the window for no reason. Ten million over what Morgan had asked for was OUTRAGEOUS for ANY agent to do. Even for Morgan's well known status in the modeling world. But Claudia needed to make sure that her offer to Morgan was far too sweet for her to pass up....and not to LEAVE Affinity for any unforseen unpleasentries in the future....aka Nicolas King. For the amount Claudia was paying Morgan, even the 'savvy buisness woman' that she claimed herself to be would know it would be detrimental to leave such an offer and go for anything less. The brunette was counting on that.

Hanging up the phone, Claudia grinned.

"Let the games begin..."

 

[Persephone]

It didn't take long before Karen, Sharon, AND Blaze rushed out into the courtyard to Ava's aid. Turning to Karen, she didn't bother explaining what happened, just that Alison needed help.

"Hurry, it's Alison! She's hurt!"

As Karen rushed into Delilah's apartment, Ava shook her head not really KNOWING what happened. Looking to Blaze and Sharon.

"I don't know what happened....Delilah and I were having a conversation when we heard Alison start to scream. By the time we got to her she was on the ground, convulsing and coughing up blood. That's when I noticed she had been STABBED. [shaking her head] She was mummbling something about Cameron...and the super soilder? She was acting like they were here....like she was just jarred awake from a dream or something.."

 

[Shadow Weaver]

apt 1

"Hurry, it's Alison! She's hurt!"

<< Karen quickly followed Ava. Sharon and Blaze were close behind.>>

<< into Delilah's apartment she could HEAR Alison vomiting up blood and down the hall into the guest room, Delilah doing her best to hold Alison steady as she seized.>>

GODDESS!

Sharon: She's DYING!

<< Karen sweeps her cape to the side as she rushes forward and kneels down. Alison needed to be healed, and FAST.>>

"I don't know what happened....Delilah and I were having a conversation when we heard Alison start to scream. By the time we got to her she was on the ground, convulsing and coughing up blood. That's when I noticed she had been STABBED. [shaking her head] She was mummbling something about Cameron...and the super soilder? She was acting like they were here....like she was just jarred awake from a dream or something.."

<< Karen gestures, and quickly weaves a pattern of mystical power a rushing harp sound is heard as she ignites her magick.>>

Alison...hold on honey!

<< the spell activates and begins to stop and REVERSE the damage to her stomach and as Delilah helps to calm Alison down with a soft, white light, Karen continues to heal her wounds and then holds her hand over her mouth to stop the blood. the golden shards spin around Alison's wounds and body as the spell plays out.>>

Sharon: [using her power to listen to the sounds of her internal organs] her heart beat is stable now...

Karen: << sighing with reliefe.>> thank the stars that Ava came for me when she did....another moment...

<< if Alison had DIED...what then? Athena told Karen she should NEVER AGAIN use a necromancy spell...>>

<< Sharon helped Delilah lift Alison onto the bed and as Alison began to become fully lucid again, Karen sat along her.>>

Alison...it's Karen, Ava, Sharon, Delilah and Blaze... dont try to move...you're okay now.

Can you tell us...what happened? WHO attacked you?

<< from the wound in her stomach, and the fact that Delilah had been with Ava at the time of the attack...Karen was afraid what or WHO it might have been. Could NICOLAS be striking at them with his astral form or something ELSE? it was terrible that Karen wondered that, but with all that had happened, how could she NOT? NONE of them realized that this was part of a larger, sinister picture. that the anxiety and FEAR that any among their number were feeling was the desired effect.>>

 

[Firebird]

Delilah's apartment

"Hurry, it's Alison! She's hurt!"

Blaze's eyes went wide before she would gently usher Karen, Sharon, and Ava inside while the Goddess explained the situation to them.

"I don't know what happened....Delilah and I were having a conversation when we heard Alison start to scream. By the time we got to her she was on the ground, convulsing and coughing up blood. That's when I noticed she had been STABBED. [shaking her head] She was mummbling something about Cameron...and the super soilder? She was acting like they were here....like she was just jarred awake from a dream or something.."

"Stabbed?!"

How could someone OR something have gotten past Delilah AND Ava without them knowing? Blaze thought back when she was talking to Alison. She acted funny and Blaze remembered seeing the fear in her eyes.

Once they were inside Blaze could see Delilah trying to keep Alison calm. Blaze rushed off to the kitchen for a few kitchen towels to try and apply pressure to the wound. By the time she returned Karen was already healing her. It was an awful sight to see Alison like that!

As Karen and Sharon moved Alison to a bed, Blaze moved to wipe up the spilled blood on the floor while Karen asked Alison who or what attacked her. Blaze took the stained towels into the kitchen tossing them into the garbage before she grabbed her cell phone out of her pocket to text Haleigh.

'Alison was attacked in Delilah's apartment with Ava and Delilah here. Karen was able to heal her. Any chance you can check the surveillance tapes to see who the culprit is?'

Hitting send, Blaze returned to the bedroom where the others were.

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas focused past Haleigh's counterattack, to pissed at her to respond or listen, focusing instead on the phone number he was dialing. It rang once...twice...then...

Hello?

Hey.

Who? NICOLAS??! Is that you?! OhmygodIthoughtIwouldneverHEARfrom youagainohhowAREyou?

I'm...OK.

No you aren't. What's wrong?

It's complicated. Look, I am not calling to mess you up. I just wanted to hear your voice. I'll be fine. I'll stay in touch, maybe come by New York sometime soon. I have time on my hands.

Oh...Okay. I'll look forward to seeing you soon.

Okay..Bye.

As Nicolas hung up, the woman on the other line looked at the caller ID.

LA...only a few hours by flight. Mr. Nicolas King will see me sooner than he thinks.


meanwhile......

Nicolas paused as he hung up the phone. Something shook him to the core. There was something going on, a disturbance in the subconscious. He could not pinpoint the mind however, and so he dismissed it with some reservation, deciding to take a shower before he returned to his meditations.

 

[Black Widow]

MP -- Apt 5

Ava: "SOMEONE HELP! KAREN!"

Haleigh was jarred out of a not so restful doze by someone shouting. She didn't quite understand the shouting, being mostly asleep, but she could sense her sister's vitals SOARING as so she sprung up quickly, half falling out of bed, half lunging for the nearest window. Ava, Sharon and Karen could be seen in the courtyard. Ava had blood on her hands! Was she hurt? Haleigh almost CAME THROUGH the window, but her sister quickly explained that it was Alison who was hurt. Ava and Karen rushed into Delilah's apartment. Haleigh started to follow…. But hesitated. There were PLENTY of people to help Alison now… Haleigh's presence among the group would only serve to provoke more than ONE person there… and she knew it. And for once.. She decided to stay BACK… and refrain from exacerbating the situation. She could watch on the surveillance cameras and join the group if ABSOLUTELY necessary.

She monitored, listening to them discuss it the attack… and watching their backs for anything [or anyone] lurking in the apartment that might pose further threat. Blaze texted her:

>>Alison was attacked in Delilah's apartment with Ava and Delilah here. Karen was able to heal her. Any chance you can check the surveillance tapes to see who the culprit is?<<

She was on the job as quickly as it was suggested to her. She watches the incident not once but TWICE before getting back to Blaze.

[Text message reply] >>the only ppl in the unit were Ava, Delilah and Alison. Ali was dreaming…. Vividly so. Still possible that the culprit attacked from afar. Had to be someone familiar with her past if the dream included Cameron and SS.<<

Karen wasn't the only one considering NICOLAS as a possible suspect…. The difference was… Haleigh wasn't one to shy away from CONFRONTATION! The situation was PRESSING, Alison had nearly DIED and there was no reason to WAIT-- especially since Nicolas could read Haleigh's mind and seemed to do so without ANY reservation at this point. So she might as WELL get it over and done with.

She pinpointed his location and appeared there, in the bathroom of his penthouse at the top of his office tower. He was in the shower. Nothing Haleigh hadn't seen already… and she RIPPED the shower curtain back.

[deadpan] "Hmm. I remember it being BIGGER. Maybe THAT was part of the mental manipulation AS WELL. [moving on to more IMPORTANT things; the reason she was HERE in the first place] Alison was ATTACKED just now. Was it YOU?? And don't BOTHER giving me that stupid 'how could you accuse ME' routine. The way you acted THIS MORNING is MORE than enough to warrant that both your INTEGRITY and your LOYALTY be reexamined and questioned."