Prologue: Nightmares and blackouts

[Seer]

<<Los Angeles. Melrose Place.>>

<< The courtyard has not had any activity in months now, but that's okay for Morgan Victoria.>>

<< It's dusk now, and The land lady of Melrose Place returns home, but there's no one here to greet her.>>

<< A wind whitles, and dried leaves blow across the courtyard as the sorceress walks and makes her way up the spiral staircase to Apartment 4. She enters and closes the door behind her.>>

<< Inside her large apartment. Removing her clothes as she makes her way to the shower.>>

<< After a long, hot, luxurious shower, she makes her way to her chamber of dreams, getting in to bed to rest, to sleep.>>

<< The winds howl outside in the night.>>

<< We see the various apartments facing the courtyard but there are no lights on in any of them. Nobody's home except Morgan, and she doesn't seem to mind!>>

<< She sleeps, but as we view her in her chamber of dreams, we note something unusual.>>

<< The shadows that cast along the walls and at various places and angles in her room move and lengthen slowly. There is the sound of groaning....almost as if the room, the BUILDING itself as ACHING in PAIN! There is the sound of structural stress...and we see that the laps on the night stands on either side of her bed are moving a bit...almost LEANING on angles away from the bed. Pictures on the wall slowly shift. >>

<< Suddenly, her alarm goes off, startling her awake and the flat screen TV on the wall facing the foot of her bed turns ON.>>

<< A news report (!?)>>

News Report: The multilated body of Blaze Victory was found in the morgue of the Citadle, The poor woman was the victim of "overkill".

<< Morgan stares at the tv in disbelief, sitting up. But as she listens....it cuts off. Then it cuts back on AGAIN.>>

News Report: The body of Jasmine Victory was found in the lab inside of Horror Hall. She was unrecognizable, having been experimented upon and mutated by forced exposure to the T Virus, she had to be identified by dental records and Morgan Victoria herself!

<< Morgan's eyes widen, then shut TIGHTLY.>>

<< The screen goes "fuzzy" with white noise and static. But then she begins to hear cries of BOTH her sisters, warped at first, but then painfully clear. They're SCREAMING in pain, desperation, they're crying out for HELP, from HER! Then as the screen begins to show flowing BLOOD, she hears the sound of a surgical knife scraping against metal, then against BONE.>>

<< She hears the growl, and low, wicked laughter of her FATHER, Dr. Christopher Victory.>>

<< Morgan, by now, has gotten out of her bed and wrapped herself in her violet silk robe. She moves toward the flatscreen TV but then it immediately turns OFF. >>

<< The building groans again...creeking, stretching...slowly shifting and moving. But then she hears that growling...and low, haunting laughter of her father coming from the direction of her closet!>>

<< Morgan's icy violet eyes flash with confusion...anxiety...ANGER! She will NOT FEAR him. NOT AGAIN! SHE stopped him once, she can do it again!>>

<< The sorceress closes in on the closet, passing a plush chair, and then standing in the door way of the double doored closet, her fists clenched.>>

<< As Morgan narrows her eyes and prepares to fully investigate and, if necessary, REVEAL an intruder...it happens.>>

Christopher Victory: MISS ME?

<< CHRISTOPHER emerges, and ATTACKS HER!>>

<< She SCREAMS!>>

<< It all happens so FAST! But she manages to evade him and even throw him off before trying to ESCAPE, but it's too late! He is UPON her, throwing her down on the bed and pinning her, preparing to strike her down. >>

<< He's strong. STRONGER THAN HER! It takes ALL of her super strength to hold back the hand that he would strike her down, KILL her with!>>

<< he moves his face down to her, taking in her scent and savoring this "reunion" in a borderline INAPPROPRIATE fashion. Her face CONTORTS with utter horror and DISGUST at the sight, sound, feel, smell of this man....this MONSTER...HER FATHER.>>

Christopher: << in a low, deep, EVIL voice>> Spell-binderrrrrr....

<< Eldritch chimes sound off as Spellbinder begins to summon POWER from LIMBO to aid her...but the chamber od dreams shakes....QUAKES>>

<< Christopher looks up. Morgan KNEES HIM IN THE CROTCH as he losees his leverage and they BOTH fall off the bed as the room suddenly shifts, changing it's ENTIRE ORIENTATION from horizontal to VERITCAL(!?)>>

<< But even as Christopher grunts with pain and tumbles with his daughter, he STRIKES, WOUNDING her arm>>

<< Morgan cries out with pain as she crashes to the floor. She frantically looks around. No sign of him, and THEN, the PAIN sets in!>>

<< She trembles as she looks at her badly wounded arm. He struck and HURT her before she could even manifest her eldritch armour!>>

<< She realizes that her room has returned to its normal state, and there's no sign of the monster, her father!>>

<< is he TRULY gone?? She slowly rises to her feet and looks around...still trembling. There's no sign of him. But there's sign of their conflict , the sheets of her bed slashed, HER blood on the floor, and most noticeably, side by side flickering images of Firebird and Frost, BOTH POST MORTEM now showing on her flat screen.>>

<< Morgan's violet eyes roll up, and she passes out, dropping to the floor.>>

 

[Shadow Weaver]

<< New York City, The Parthenon, Private VIP Guest Floor>>

<< Karen Victoria is visiting again. She has been acting as doctor and psychotherapist toHaleigh Davidoff, a.k.a Black Widow for several months now, counseling and assisting the hybrid as she struggles with debiltating headaches and BLACKOUTS. The Blackouts have been resulted in "episodes"...she thought she was having wild nightmares, but as they occurred more, it became clear to her during her sessions with Karen that that they were MEMORIES, though not exactly HER'S.>>

<< The doctor has ALSO been treating Ava Cassadine a.k.a Persephone for post traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and headaches. So severe were her symptoms, that the doctor charmed a topaz jewel as a talisman to provide Persephone with mental clarity and to ward off the nightmares associated with the trauma she endured at the hands of Hades before being rescued by the Amazons shortly before the dawn of the Blue Moon.>>

<< The doctor has been busier now than she has been ever since she became semi-retired and enjoyed her life with Michael Armstrong, a.k.a Arsenal, living at Minerva's Aerie with Alison Marble, a.k.a. Harbinger. >>

<< But even though she was happy to help, the sessions with both Haleigh and Ava were both having a profound effect on her. This was not uncommon for a psychotherapist, who often had the deepest, and most dangerous journeys of any type of mental health professional when it came to helping patients. But Haleigh's case was proving to be especially....unsettling for Karen because one of the figures in these "Flashbacks", she believes is her EX HUSBAND, Christopher Victory. The more she learned, the more she analyzed...the more she began to suspect somethingtruly AWFUL lay beneath, the kind of thing that could cause a person to FRAGMENT in thier psyche!>>

<< Karen had been experiencing anxiety herself, causing her to be somewhat distracted, and at times irritable, agitated even, with others lately.>>

<< Her sleep was not so refreshing either.>>

<< In the late night, under the moonlight in this technological gem that is the parthenon, Karen Victoria BOLTS UPRIGHT in her bed with a frightful start!>>

<< She's just had a NIGHTMARE involving her daughter, and her...EX HUSBAND, Christopher Victory!>>


MORGAN!

<< she cries out as she clutches her chest. the doctor frantically looks around. She's in her guest suite, in the parthenon. >>

<< She regulates her breathing as she gets her bearings.>>

A dream...a NIGHTMARE! Morgan isn't here....or at Melrose Place...she's safe in Limbo....she's safe....I'd KNOW if she were in trouble...

<< The covers next to her shift a bit....and a familiar, comforting voice is heard.>>

Michael: Doc, are you okay??

<< Karen exhales slowly....>>

Yes....Michael, I...

<< A flash of lightning from outside, and a crash of thunder interrupts and startles her as she turns to see the man who suddenly sits up next to her is NOT michael, but CHRISTOPHER VICTORY!>>

<< GASP!>>

Christopher Victory: KAREN!

<< Karen thrusts her arm out to the right in front of Michael/Christopher, SLAMMING it into his neck/throat area & forcing him back down, as SHE tries to leap from the bed, to get away from him. But as fast as she acts, he's FASTER.>>

<< He quickly recovers, popping back up and GRABS her arm, applying CRUSHING pressure as he PULLS her back down>>

Christopher: SHADOW WEAVER! YOU'RE MY WIFE! YOU WILL OBEY ME!

Karen: NO! LET GO OF ME!

<< He's ON TOP of her!>>

Christopher: YOU WILL OBEY!

<< He ATTACKS HER, ASSAULTS her.>>

<< Her SCREAM is gut wrenching!>>

<< WAKING REALITY!>>

<< Karen TRULY awakens with a START...her BODY reacts so strongly to the nightmare that she FALLS OUT OF BED on to the floor, nearly PANICKED as she flails wildly trying to defend/free herself before finally realizing she's AWAKE, and ALONE in her guest suite. Michael was never there. Neither was christopher. >>

HECATE!!!

<< The doctor shudders as she slowly pulls herself up onto the bed....now trembling.>>

It....it was as if HE were here with me...I FELT him...on ALL levels.

<< she said to herself as she slowly stood up, wrapping herself in her black silk robe.>>

<< She moves to the bathroom, turning the water on to splash her face and try to calm herself down.>>

<< Yes, this case with Haleigh, it was getting to her on a level that she wouldn't acknowledge to anyone else.>>

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. Her systems began their initialization, including her emotions. She was in her battlesuit, laying on top of her bed. She had been DREAMING? She had been dreaming she was in Limbo. She had been dreaming that Spellbinder brought Delilah back from the dead.

Delilah was dead. That could be confirmed, as her apartment was an empty, silent shrine. Haleigh sat up, though the weight of that realization threatened to crush her. Waking up was the hardest part. It required the reacceptance of loss, and the refreshed pain of awareness that her loved one would never wake again. Morgan and Alison weren't here. It would fall to Haleigh and Cameron to lead this team, though an immense cavity existed and everyone was steeped in grief. Just the concept of that gave Haleigh a splitting headache. She shut off her emotions before the tears fell, and sat there on the edge of her bed, staring blankly out the balcony window.

The headache didn't go away. It was reaching a creshendo of intensity, and Haleigh knew what that meant. At least she was here alone. She didn't try to fight the blackout.

-------

Alice: Scion is going out into the field again. She needs to tap into the hardline of an enemy of the state.

"How is her side business going, this Clandestine company?"

Alice: Still in its infancy, but she has developed a strong network in her years in the Navy. It's going to do well.

"And what do her 'superior' officers think about it?"

Alice: Oh, they don't know. No one in the government knows. She's freelancing in complete secrecy. At the end of her contract, she'll be honorably discharged and by then Scion's company will be so well set up, the transition will be seamless. She has recruited a number of board members already, the best of the best. She even has a front company up and running, called Liquid Crystal Images.

This was a concern. It was no longer a curiosity, it was no longer a question. Scion posed a threat. Once the girl was released from the shackles of servitude, once she was free of government control, she would be powerful. She would also be guided by her own moral compass, or lack thereof. She would be choosing her own targets. If she found a reason to come after MysTech, it would be a problem.

No more procrastination, no more hesitation. Scion had to be eliminated. But Malice didn't trust herself to do it. What happened if she faced the girl and saw her own reflection? No.... someone else had to do it. Frankenstein had always been pushing for Diana to allow him to capture the girl and run tests.... HE could be the one. She would arrange Scion's capture while she was out in her mission. She could have Adam deal with the girl without ever having to see her at all.

"It's time to repossess our Scion."

------

This was getting weird. The focus had shifted from a sick mother-daughter mindfucking trick to a stalker-esque obsession. How much of this was true and how much was manipulation to give Haleigh a feeling of doom? They were going to 'repossess' her? Like a vehicle? In the Citadel, Adam had talked to Haleigh as if she were PROPERTY of MysTech. As if she belonged to them and had betrayed them, even though she had been against them from the start. Dominque had told her that Malice had an interest in Haleigh that bordered on obsession, and Malice was always trying to convince Haleigh to go over to the darkside. Was that what this was?

It was time she talked to Karen again. The doctor had turned out to be surprisingly helpful in this matter, and knew Mystech in its earliest manifestation. Her marriage to Victory was at least beneficial in that regard. And SOMEONE on their side needed to know that Malice was trying so very hard to 'recruit' her. Karen, bound by doctor-patient priviledge, would keep the news from becoming this big thing, but hopefully speak up if Haleigh suddenly went missing.

Ava: Hey...can I have my sister back now?...[with a smirk] Don't make me jumpstart you.

Haleigh seemed to come back online abruptly. She looked at her sister for a moment, then blinked several times.

"Persephone. I did not register your communication. Please Repeat."

Ava: Where's the restart button? I need to restore your hard drive.

"Negative. I am fully functional. All Diagnostics are Satisfactory."

Ava: NEG-A-TIVE. You have completely lost your mind. Come back to reality Haleigh,, and drop the Robocop routine. Delilah's ALIVE.

"Alive? Are you certain?"

Ava: Yeah, I just came from her apartment. Everybody went to see her when they woke up. So can you reboot now, because it's really creepy to see you like this.

"Affirmative I...."

She paused for a moment, then took a deep breath. The emotions came back in a rush, and tears fell, but she smiled. She wiped them away with a gloved hand and stood up. Delilah's Alive. It felt like a weight had been lifted. But she was still carrying something else.

"I..... need to go see Karen. [hugging her sister] Thanks for coming to check on me."

She disappeared, locked on Karen's location and reappeared behind her. The doctor was already awake, splashing water on her face.

"Hey, it's just me. We need to talk."

 

[Shadow Weaver]

The Parthenon

<< With a few splashes of water, and a slow towel dry of her face, the doctor felt more settled. She stood facing the mirror and studied her reflection.>>

<< The doctor had always been beautiful, looking FAR younger than her actual age, and in great shape. She was also IMMORTAL. But as she stared at reflection, she saw subtle hints that the anxiety and heavy nature of recent events had had an effect on her.>>

He's gone. He can't hurt me. He can't hurt my daughter....my DAUGHTERS...

<< Morgan AND Firebird>>

I'm not alone. I have Michael, Alison, The Six. I'm NOT defenseless...I have my magicks!

<< Michael would be GLAD to know that she immediately counts him as an intregal part of HER support system. They've come such a long way...and HE is to be credited for much of her progress from her deep seated distrust of MEN, the result of the abuse and TERROR her ex-husband subjected her and her daughter(s) to. But no one is truly FREE from the trauma that they survived, and among the Six...sometimes the oldest woods, the scariest monsters....they have a way of COMING BACK.>>

<<SIGH!>>


<< Shutting her eyes tightly, she inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. At that very moment....>>

She disappeared, locked on Karen's location and reappeared behind her. The doctor was already awake, splashing water on her face.

"Hey, it's just me. We need to talk."

<< She looked at the hybrid, who was standing behind her. First in the reflection of the large mirror, then turning around to face Haleigh.>>

<< If she was up at this time of night, and had come to see her for an EMERGENCY session, then she must have had another episode. Another BLACKOUT. They'd need to document the details of what she saw, and Haleigh would need to talk about what happened.>>

Of course. But properly, and in the designated setting.

<< The Doctor says rather coldly. Haleigh suspected that the something had occurred shortly before she arrived, judging the from Karen's demeanor, but how often did the patient ask the DOCTOR what was wrong? >>


<< Karen lifts her hand up, gesturing. A mystic chime is heard as she and Haleigh BOTH fade out of the guest suite, and soon reappear on another floor, in the office space that Cameron had availed to Karen to operate her practice. She and Haleigh have been here several times over the past few weeks. Haleigh knows the routine. As this session is late at night, the doctor is now dressed casually, in all black. A simple cardigan, a black top and black pants.>>

<< Magick crystals, strategically placed around the office, came on, humming softly and glowing/pulsing with a white glow.>>

All communication is confidential, Haleigh, unless I determine you are a danger to yourself or others.

<< Karen is now seated, with Haleigh in the spot she has found herself occupying many times over the past few weeks.>>

You can begin whenever you're ready.

<< Karen says, as she monitors Haleigh's vital signts, EEG patterns, and other key indicators.>>

 

[Black Widow]

Karen: Of course. But properly, and in the designated setting.

Ooh, frigid. It's not like I woke her up....

"Something wrong, Doc? You seem.... more disturbed than usual."

Karen magicked them to her office, and changed clothes on the way. Haleigh, still in her battlesuit from before, took her place on the chaise as Karen delivered the standard disclaimer.

Karen: All communication is confidential, Haleigh, unless I determine you are a danger to yourself or others.

[smirking] "I'm ALWAYS a danger to others, maybe we should agree on a different trigger for the breach of confidentiality?"

Karen was not amused, and Haleigh sighed and lounged back.

"Right, my coping mechanism of deflection with humor is not approved for use here, my apologies, it won't happen again."

Karen: You can begin whenever you're ready.

Haleigh looked at the Doctor like 'GIRL.', as she took off her gloves.

"Yes, but WHERE should I even begin? Obviously there's been a very recent blackout, but we won't even tough that yet. I just woke up from a dream, I think, where we--- wait a fucking minute...."

She paused for a second, her brow furrowed, obviously trying to deduce something. She was rapidly skimming through an audio playback of the meeting Cameron and the others held in the War Room after regaining consciousness.

"How much of that was a DREAM? Have I been having blackouts WITHIN A DREAM? Because that is some inception shit right there, I mean it does not even compute."

She seemed to consider it, then move on quickly.

"Anyway, presumably anything involving Alexia's 'appearance' was part of the dream.... but at what point before that? Seeing Morgan in my apartment? My lunch with Dominique? Almost fucking Cameron? No.... we talked about that, didn't we? That was our last session, when you suggested I go talk to Dominique."

She ran a hand through her red hair, pushing thoughts of Cameron back to the dark recesses of her mind.

"Ok, I'm fairly certain I had lunch with Dominique. She mentioned that Malice's behavior recently has been.... odd. She's apparently developed an unhealthy interest in all subjects relating to ME, and sh's spent a lot of time holed up on Sheena Island doing 'research'."

 

[Shadow Weaver]

The Parthenon- Karen's satellite office

<< Karen WASN'T amused by Haleigh's attempt at humour. Even on the best of days, in the most casual of circumstances, the sensibilities of these two women was often in stark contrast, but Karen had moved past a feeling of "DISTASTE" for Haleigh sometime ago. She regarded her with genuine respect and even gratitude, not just for all that she's done for/regarding Morgan, Blaze, Delilah, Nicolas and the others, but for the help she provided HER all those years ago. Haleigh had truly been a "god send" to Karen when she finally reached the point of no return with Christopher. >>

<< The hybrid's services were quite simply the BEST that money could by, and while Karen was a powerful sorceress, and an intelligent, skilled, resourceful woman, the danger Christopher had posed to her at that time was beyond just his own direct threat to her, but the whole weight and target of Mystech was upon her.>>

<< She'd never forget that, and she'd come to afford Haleigh the same understanding regarding some of her behaviors, which were quite maldapative, that she'd availed to Alison, Nicolas, or her own daughter.>>

<< Haleigh was not a horrible woman, or even incorrigible. She had more in common with Karen than the doctor would have allowed herself to believe in the past, but NOW more than ever, that understanding was VITAL.>>

"Something wrong, Doc? You seem.... more disturbed than usual."

<< She hadn't answered that question yet. It was not common for the doctor to talk about herself with her patient. But Karen, who was moving her finely manicured nails along her Ipad, noting the readings she was getting from her crystals, and checking them against her previous readings of Haleigh in their most recently past session, WAS listening as the Hybrid began.>>

"How much of that was a DREAM? Have I been having blackouts WITHIN A DREAM? Because that is some inception shit right there, I mean it does not even compute."

She seemed to consider it, then move on quickly.

"Anyway, presumably anything involving Alexia's 'appearance' was part of the dream.... but at what point before that? Seeing Morgan in my apartment? My lunch with Dominique? Almost fucking Cameron? No.... we talked about that, didn't we? That was our last session, when you suggested I go talk to Dominique."

She ran a hand through her red hair, pushing thoughts of Cameron back to the dark recesses of her mind.

"Ok, I'm fairly certain I had lunch with Dominique. She mentioned that Malice's behavior recently has been.... odd. She's apparently developed an unhealthy interest in all subjects relating to ME, and sh's spent a lot of time holed up on Sheena Island doing 'research'."

<< She held her hand up, looking at the hybrid>>

Haleigh, forgive me for interrupting you. But...let's try something a bit...different, and allow me to lower the wall between us as patient and therapist.

<< She paused for a moment, shutting her eyes tightly>>

I think that maybe we NEED to do it this way for several reasons.

Now...to answer YOUR question? No, I'm not really alright. I had a terrible nightmare...one that seemed to be a...."dream within a dream" as well, involving my daughter, and then myself, BOTH being confronted and attacked by my ex-husband. Somehow...it felt MORE than "just a nightmare" it came across as a WARNING to me.

So my coldness is not because of you or anything you've done.

I think....

<< She set her Ipad in her lap as she massaged her temples>>

....I'm experiencing significantly high anxiety, due to some of what we've been discussing, and because I'm also growing concerned over my daughter's prolonged absence. I have largely stayed OUT of the issue...the PROBLEM of the rift between Morgan, Alison and Delilah. But that may have to change, and not because I can't stand to see my daughter, and my surrogates (Delilah and Alison) at odds with one another, OF COURSE, that is a source of distress to me. But beyond that, the more wide reaching reason is because Morgan's absence is not only a source of hardship for Blaze or even myself, but for the overlapping world of MAGICK as we perceive it. There is something...WRONG.

<< A few moments of silence>>

Only hours earlier, I was awakened by a visit from Cameron and Nicolas. They told me about the mysterious events that you're describing, with Delilah, her daughter, and even Morgan and Alison being present.

It has been just over 24 hours.

We could easily determine that you did, in fact, meet with Dominique, by contacting her, or, you could simply check the video footage of the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. The two of you were there.

What is ALSO certain, is that Morgan has not been here. She was never here in this past 24 hour period. She has not returned since she left during the immediate aftermath of the Blue Moon. However, Delilah reported to Cameron, Blaze, Sharon, Cass, and Nicolas, that when she awakened in her bed, TINKERBELL was with her. Tink drew her attention to a mysterious golden key/crystal necklace, but after Delilah realized what it was, Tink disappeared.

Alison has not been here since the conclusion of the Purifiers caper. SHE is at Minerva's aerie, along with Michael, and her guests, Hazel and Xavier.

SOMETHING has happened, but not in the way our physical minds would like to perceive or frame it. My instincts, combined with the information that Cameron and Nicolas shared with me, suggests that there WAS some sort of outside guidance. NOT from Morgan or Alison, as they were as much apart of/driven by it as the rest of you. The "episode" was much about THEM trying to address their painful rift with Delilah as it was about all of you work TOGETHER to help Delilah and her daughter. But if not them, then who?

THIS is an example of what I am implying, regarding the uncertainty and uneasiness that is around us, like a fog.

<< Breathing in....breathing out slowly>>

And on a more personal level, Haleigh?

<< She looks at the Hybrid directly in her eyes.>>

I know that there's nothing WRONG with you. Not in any conventional sense. You're not insane, you're not hallucinating.

But what I'm beginning to suspect, given what information I have from you so far, and my analysis of it...combined with my own recollections of certain details in your previous blackouts... is a source of grave concern to me, for YOU, and the Six, and surrounding allies. I'm not certain that I can remain passive as this rift between Morgan, Alison and Delilah continues, OR Morgan's continued absence from EARTH, and her refusal to respond to any attempts by myself, Blaze or Nicolas to contact her. I believe that the safety and well being of this team is being compromised because of it, and ultimately, it will lead to HARM....of YOU.

After everything you've been through, that I KNOW of, and all that you've given of yourself to this group, you need someone who has an active interest in YOUR wellbeing. Not merely physical, Haleigh, but emotional, psychological. Things that...DIANA specializes in DESTROYING. Things that I, as a clinically licensed psychotherapist, and more importantly, as your ally...your FRIEND, am qualified, and now, because you've come to me for assistance, ethically OBLIGATED to PROTECT.

This is not a matter for your PEERS, Haleigh, but if we can't solve this puzzle in time, it may be a MORTAL THREAT to them all, and I can't let that happen.

I am going to be that person for you, Haleigh. It will require you to trust me, as I placed my trust in YOU when I first met you, and HIRED you to evacuate me from Christopher and Mystech, and keep me protected until it was time for me to return.

Now, let's discuss the details of your latest black out.

<< picking up her Ipad once more, she settles in for the journey Haleigh is about to take her on. She records Haleigh as she talks, both visually and in other ways, and she documents the details of these blackouts, crossreferencing key words with her own personal files regarding certain places connected to mystech, and certain people, all from a period that she was more a little associated with by her marriage to CHristopher, and her pregnancy/birth of Morgan, along with the painful, humiliating awareness of Christopher's affairs with Diana AND Helena. >>

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh had been lounging back, her hands clasped behind her head, relatively relaxed, all things considered. She was processing more than just what was going on here, and staring up at the ceiling tiles serenely all the while. But when Karen suggested they 'lower the wall between doctor and patient', Haleigh's gaze snapped over to Karen with mild alarm, as if the Doctor had just suggested they get naked.

I hope she's not going to say we should hold hands or do trust falls or something weird.....

Karen: I think that maybe we NEED to do it this way for several reasons.

Yeah, she wants me to do something totally weird.

But then Karen discussed having a nightmare about Morgan, and her ex-husband. Haleigh wondered if she should share just how much Karen's ex-husband was turning up in her blackouts. She still wasn't sure she could determine that these 'memories' had a shred of truth to them. She needed to do more research before she jumped to THAT conclusion.

Karen discussed her own anxiety and was surprisingly very open about it, and Haleigh listened patiently. There were a few moments of silence as they contemplated the ramifications of Morgan's extended absence and the fallout lingering between Morgan/Alison and Delilah.

"Karen, after the bizarre night WE just had.... I think everybody took something from that. I'm not saying they're going to be having slumber parties any time soon, but Delilah and Morgan shared a good moment, and it seemed like they might have reached a turning point. Now obviously they're going to have to address the issue while they are both CONSCIOUS... but he foundation has been laid. If we can get Morgan to come back.... I think their issues will be resolved in short order."

Karen offered some suggestions to help Haleigh figure out what was dream and what was reality. Haleigh nodded and checked the archives, wishing she had thought of it sooner. She confirmed Karen's ascertains.

Karen agreed that SOMETHING had happened, that some outside source had linked all their dreams together, but could not name any suspects.

"Ororo, maybe? She's probably tired of Morgan slamming dishes and stomping around in the main castle."

Karen: And on a more personal level, Haleigh?

Oh SHIT... here it comes. She tried to distract me and soften me up for whatever awkward thing--

I know that there's nothing WRONG with you. Not in any conventional sense. You're not insane, you're not hallucinating.

Did I get a clear recording of her saying that with a straight face?!?! Yes.... yes I did. Oh, THAT is some valuable footage, with full-on eye contact.

Karen continued, and surprisingly, she seemed GENUINE in her concern about Haleigh's well being. Not as a matter of a mental health professional, but an actual FRIEND.

AM I STILL DREAMING?

Karen: This is not a matter for your PEERS, Haleigh, but if we can't solve this puzzle in time, it may be a MORTAL THREAT to them all, and I can't let that happen. I am going to be that person for you, Haleigh. It will require you to trust me, as I placed my trust in YOU when I first met you, and HIRED you to evacuate me from Christopher and Mystech, and keep me protected until it was time for me to return.

"Ohhhkaayy."

Karen: Now, let's discuss the details of your latest black out.

"Right, my latest blackout. It was.... less disturbing than some of the ones I had during the dream. Well I guess I should fill you in on THOSE too.... I'll give you the cliff notes version so we aren't here all night. Let's see, you remember the one you saw, right? After that was a memory of Malice... mind-linking with the Super Soldier recruit, my high school sweetheart, Patrick. She..... completed her objective of breaking his mind and priming him for the SS program, but she also sifted through his memories, looking for me. Then there was another memory, on the ship in outer space.... and please, just stop me when I DO start sounding CRAZY.... the next blackout had that woman Alice again. She was delivering news of my collegieate progress to Diana and.... Christopher Victory. They were BOTH keeping tabs on me, it seems like. Then this LAST blackout.... it was just Alice and Diana. They were discussing my last Naval mission, and my development of Clandestine. Diana mentioned 'repossessing' me."

 

[Shadow Weaver]

The Parthenon- Karen's Satellite Office

"Right, my latest blackout. It was.... less disturbing than some of the ones I had during the dream. Well I guess I should fill you in on THOSE too.... I'll give you the cliff notes version so we aren't here all night. Let's see, you remember the one you saw, right? After that was a memory of Malice... mind-linking with the Super Soldier recruit, my high school sweetheart, Patrick. She..... completed her objective of breaking his mind and priming him for the SS program, but she also sifted through his memories, looking for me. Then there was another memory, on the ship in outer space.... and please, just stop me when I DO start sounding CRAZY.... the next blackout had that woman Alice again. She was delivering news of my collegieate progress to Diana and.... Christopher Victory. They were BOTH keeping tabs on me, it seems like. Then this LAST blackout.... it was just Alice and Diana. They were discussing my last Naval mission, and my development of Clandestine. Diana mentioned 'repossessing' me."

<< As complex as Haleigh was, there were some things that she was not able to hide from the doctor. She was on edge herself, she had been since their sessions during the period of the Purifiers, and understandably so!>>

<< The hybrid was also a bit...reluctant with Karen, for several reasons. The doctor didn't blame her for that. The two had gone through quite a journey since their initial contact years ago when HALEIGH was the provider and Karen was the client. >>

<< Haleigh may not have realized this, but the changes and shift in Karen that lead her to take the name Shadow Weaver- a name that she herself had not been aware was associated with at least TWO of her known crosstime alternates- had also allowed her to understand and respect aspects of Haleigh in a way she never would have before. >>

<< On a more personal level, Karen DID find herself feeling more CONCERNED about Haleigh- specifically her mental/emotional well being. >>

<< With each session, with each new piece of information and discussion about these blackouts, a pattern was emerging. But each time Karen began to guide Haleigh toward a closer look, something would happen. There'd be some sort of interruption. Haleigh no doubt WELCOMED these interruptions, as it was clear to Karen (though Haleigh tried to conceal it) that what was looming was something the hybrid was not quite ready to face.>>

<< Karen knew what this felt like, this knowledge was intimate, beyond clinical. She was not only operating out of ethical obligation to a patient, but also empathy, and...secretly...a sense that this was something "closer to home" than either one was ready to voice aloud.>>

Haleigh, you believed at first that memories you were experiencing during these blackouts were your own. But my analysis concludes that is impossible. What is far more likely, especially with the last three blackouts and resulting "memories" and the noticeable shift in the tone and perspective of them, is that they are...Diana's. Dominique has confirmed that Diana has been preoccupied with YOU.

I experienced a full view of one of these memories...and my husband was involved, he's been involved for the majority of them.

I.....

<< Karen bowed her head, placing her hand on her forehead and regulated her breathing. She looks up again.>>

....your blackouts....the most recent ones, they bring back personal memories for me that I feel I must share with you now.

When I was pregnant with Morgan, There were several incidents...where I was followed or even accosted by men, who I later learned where agents of Mystech. Verna, my Grammie, protected ME. She was too powerful for them and she did NOT trust Christopher. I never understood why Christopher didn't seem MORE distressed about the attacks on me, why he didn't insist that he be with me whereever I went. At first I thought it was because he assume that because I was a witch, I could protect myself. But does my being a witch relieve a husband of what SHOULD be his INSTINCT to protect his PREGNANT WIFE?

I remember arguments between them...loud ones, they would happen late at night, when I lay in bed. My pregnancy became more difficult as the time to give birth drew near. So did the unexplained attacks on me, happening in various places. But Grammie was there for me...She KNEW who he really was. She KNEW about the affair...with HELENA, and she confronted him. She KNEW he was doing something in his work, and associations that put him in direct conflict with what should have been his priorities as a husband and father-to-be.

He never liked or respected magick. I suspect that my family was his first real exposure to it. He would never get too aggressive with grammie, because he knew she would deal with him accordingly, but his contempt for her, and my reliance upon her was well known. She warned me of him, to be WARY of him. Thank the goddess she was there to see me through the birth of Morgan, and the first 6 years of Morgan's life. I now know that made all the difference...for BOTH of us, AND that Morgan being able to see her destiny was made possible by that foundation of support from Grammie.

But then she passed away.

<< Karen blinks and a few tears fall from her eyes. She takes a moment to dab her eyes with a hankerchief>>

Christopher became more ambitious, more driven. He began to change physically, and he...was no longer the man I knew, or remembered. By then, any intimacy was long gone, any sense of us as husband and wife, or a FAMILY was not even an ILLUSION. I KNEW he was having an affair with DIANA. I ALSO knew about Blaze at this time. I used my magicks to keep tabs on him, mainly because of his increasingly twisted attitude toward our daughter. I had to keep her SAFE. I understood how special she was, not just as my daughter. That was reason enough. But that she was meant to be Hecate's avatar, this world's era's sorceress supreme! All the stories, all the dreams and prophecies that Grammie told me as a little girl, the history of our family...it all fell into place for me, giving me clarity, and some measure of serenity during what would become one of the darkest times of my life.

During this time, spoke of my daughter, and Blaze, as though they were OBJECTS to be possessed. Morgan was too strong willed, and with my protection added to her own abilities, Christopher could NOT control her. It angered him, just as his inability to CONTROL ME had been a source of resentment to him. I NOW know what that was about...He wanted to please his MASTER- MYSTECH. He also wanted to satisfy his own twisted drive regarding his efforts to unlock his own anamolous genetic structure, and realize his own mutant genetic potential, which he'd passed to Morgan, Blaze and Jasmine (Frost). Mystech WANTED Morgan because of her magickal power. He knew he could not get to her without going through ME.

Haleigh, it is...a source of deep SHAME to me that I was AWARE of Blaze but my humiliation and displaced RESENTMENT of her prevented me from acknowledging the very real danger SHE was in. I may have had the chance to get her AWAY from him...but I did not take further action. When he could NOT possess Morgan and deliver her to Mystech, he unleashed his wrath upon me.

<<FLASH!>>

<< 25 years ago, night time, a storm rages outside of the Victory Manor>>

<< Karen is on the phone with Haleigh Davidoff, finalizing the details of the services Clandestine inc will provide her. As she and Haleigh talk, Christopher emerges behind her and ATTACKS her, STRANGLING her. After several years of a progressive pattern of aggression and violence, He fully intended to KILL her that night. Haleigh sent help as fast as she could, but Morgan got there first, and not a moment too soon.>>

As it turns out...he also subjected Blaze...both Foxfire AND , Firebird, as she has told me, to brutal experimentation and torture. He punished Blaze in a way, for the sins that he felt Morgan and I committed against him, and I had punished her too....by not looking past my own hurt and humiliation before to see that a child was in danger, and needed help.


<< She continued>>

I'm telling you this...because Christopher and Diana BOTH only take this kind of interest in something...someone...that is of a PERSONAL significance to them. As AWFUL as Christopher was to his daughters...he had a...perverse sense of PRIDE about each of them, for they all expressed HIS genetic legacy in someway- Morgan, the power of air/wind; Blaze, fire; Jasmine, Ice.

I often wondered....if there was a fourth child....that represented the element of EARTH....

<< Karen struggled, it was NOT easy to recall that time of her life. and then looked back at Haleigh once more. She suddenly switched to a colder, more analytical mode. >>

When you were held captive by Christopher...BOTH times, you were tortured, every attempt was made to humiliate and deconstruct you. My husband spoke as though he KNEW you on a personal level. He treated you as savagely as he had his daughter, Blaze, and later Frost.

Diana does NOT give her PREY options, Haleigh. The fact that she restored you, with various upgrades, and now attempts to "recruit" you is evidence of that. But her more recent contact with you indicates something else. If she does not view you merely as PREY, and she has been gathering information on you, and she and Christopher BOTH have spoken of you as an OBJECT to be "repossessed...."

<< The two women looked at each other, the only sound that is heard for more than a few moments is the soft humming of the magick crystals around the satellite office>>

There is one other reoccurring theme in this pattern, the woman, ALICE.

I suggest that you determine if she's alive, and if so, her whereabouts, and make contact with her, but do so in a PEACEFUL manner. If she is alive, you'll NEED her accommodation.

Before you do what I KNOW you want to do, you MUST gather any possible piece of concrete information. Sometimes, the best weapon to go into a deeply personal conflict with is NOT a fire arm or even a spell, but rather...INFORMATION and a clear sense of SELF.

 

[Black Widow]

Karen surmised that the 'memories' were from Malice's point of view, and Haleigh nodded. She'd come to the same conclusion as well. It wasn't all that surprising, considering the intensity of their mind-link session. Haleigh had seen some of Malice's past THEN as well. She wondered just how much of Malice she'd subconsciously absorbed. The thought made her shudder.

"Yes, it's all coming from her perspective, that much is clear. The blackouts even seem to follow a chronological order, and the latter ones, at least, have been focused on me."

Karen: Dominique has confirmed that Diana has been preoccupied with YOU.

"Yes, Dominique seemed to be under the impression that I figured HEAVILY into Malice's plans, whatever they are. Diana has TRIED to recruit me before.... in fact I think it comes up every time we meet. Sometimes it's a subtle hint, occasionally it's a direct invitation. Obviously I've consistently declined. But Dominique implied that Diana was much more than CASUALLY interested in securing my allegiance......"

Karen: I experienced a full view of one of these memories...and my husband was involved, he's been involved for the majority of them.

"Unfortunately. It seems he and Diana were quite familiar with each other. But... from her memories.... it's clear she was starting to view him with contempt. The two of them were at odds, even if they continued to interact as though they were working together."

Karen: I..... << Karen bowed her head, placing her hand on her forehead and regulated her breathing. She looks up again.>> ....your blackouts....the most recent ones, they bring back personal memories for me that I feel I must share with you now.

"Alright, go ahead."

And so she listened. Karen reached back into her own memories, to a time when she was married to Christopher, and pregnant with Morgan. There were attacks from Mystech, a complete lack of concern from her husband, even affairs and arguments. Karen had been aware of all these things, but trapped in a bad situation. If she hadn't had Verna, she might have even been killed by her husband way back then. Karen shed a few tears, but Haleigh said nothing. All she had to offer was logic, but logic never solved problems of heartache. There was a moment of silence, then Karen moved on. She spoke of Christopher's possessiveness, and his anger. She admitted that she'd let Blaze suffer knowingly.

"Karen. You had ENOUGH to deal with trying to protect yourself and your OWN daughter. You CHOSE not to help Blaze, for selfish reasons and I won't blow smoke up your ass trying to assuage your guilt. But that decision NOT to intervene? It could have very well saved both your and Morgan's lives. If you HAD TRIED to help Blaze, it would have cost you, certainly, it would have provoked MORE RAGE from Christopher."

Karen: I'm telling you this...because Christopher and Diana BOTH only take this kind of interest in something...someone...that is of a PERSONAL significance to them. As AWFUL as Christopher was to his daughters...he had a...perverse sense of PRIDE about each of them, for they all expressed HIS genetic legacy in someway- Morgan, the power of air/wind; Blaze, fire; Jasmine, Ice. I often wondered....if there was a fourth child....that represented the element of EARTH....

You mean earth elements like METALS?

She thought, but didn't say. The idea settled on her like heavy G-forces.

Karen: When you were held captive by Christopher...BOTH times, you were tortured, every attempt was made to humiliate and deconstruct you.

"EVERY attempt."

She confirmed grimly, but that was all she said on the matter. It was not something she wanted to discuss in detail.

Karen: Diana does NOT give her PREY options, Haleigh. The fact that she restored you, with various upgrades, and now attempts to "recruit" you is evidence of that. But her more recent contact with you indicates something else. If she does not view you merely as PREY, and she has been gathering information on you, and she and Christopher BOTH have spoken of you as an OBJECT to be "repossessed...."

For a moment they just stared at each other. Haleigh was sure she could hear horror movie music playing. Karen walked right up to the edge, but didn't jump. After a long pause, Haleigh found something to say.

"If I recall correctly..... Adam Chandler had the same attitude towards me in the Citadel. They ALL seem to think I... belong to them for some reason. Viper was under the same mistaken impression, like I was PET. You'd be inclined to believe I've got 'PROPERTY OF MYSTECH' stamped on my ass. I'd assumed it was because of the TO Virus but in retrospect, they seem to have thought this even BEFORE I was infected."

Karen: There is one other reoccurring theme in this pattern, the woman, ALICE.

"I think she works directly for/with Diana. It's difficult to determine her level of involvement just from the blackout memories."

Karen: I suggest that you determine if she's alive, and if so, her whereabouts, and make contact with her, but do so in a PEACEFUL manner. If she is alive, you'll NEED her accommodation. Before you do what I KNOW you want to do, you MUST gather any possible piece of concrete information. Sometimes, the best weapon to go into a deeply personal conflict with is NOT a fire arm or even a spell, but rather...INFORMATION and a clear sense of SELF.

Haleigh pursed her lips. Each blackout episode brought her further and further from 'a clear sense of self'..... and Karen's suggestion of 'peacefully' making contact didn't sit well EITHER. She would have like to hunt Alice down and TORTURE the information out of her. But Karen made a decent case. She'd consider it, at least.

"Karen..... thank you for your help. I appreciate it, truly. If I had to deal with this MYSELF I think I probably would have started a WAR already."