Rose of destruction

[Cypher]

Zizi: “Okay. This. Is. Amazing.”

He grinned.

"Not bad, huh?"

Zizi: “I officially bow down to the god of tech. Victor Von Doom couldn’t come up with half of this.”

He abruptly stopped before turning to her, a look of bewilderment on his face. A look of envy.

"I only hope to be in the same class as Von Doom."

He was serious before turning back to his computer.

"But I do what I can."

Zizi: "No wonder they pay you the big bucks. This is more than I ever dreamed...”

Gabe smiled, sincerely happy that he was able to help Zizi.

"My pleasure kid."

Zizi: “Thank you. Seriously Gabe, you’re saving my life here.”

Feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket, he dug into his jeans while waving off Zizi's thank you with his other hand.

"No worries. These kids deserve some security in their lives."

Looking down at his phone his eyes immediately went wide seeing a text from Ava.

>>Hey stud. Round two. Long and hard this time.

Coughing, Gabe covered his mouth while looking at Zizi, playing it off a bit as he cleared his throat.

"Crumb....sorry. I gotta take this real quick."

He stood, moving his chair away from his computer so she could have easy access.

"Feel free to browse around the security portfolio."

Gabe excused himself, moving into the hallway near the front door of The Clocktower.

"Fuuuuuckkkkk."

He groaned as he looked back down at the text he just received. He remembered what Zizi had said about Ava being different and dangerous. He also remembered how fucking good she felt riding him. Knocking the corner of his phone against his head, he didn't know what to do. Well he knew what PART of him wanted to do....but could he really leave Zizi mid project for a booty call?

Yes.

NO! He sighed opening the text, his mind contemplating....

"Fuck me, how do I get myself into this shit..."

He grumbled to himself as he wrote her back.

 

[Dennis Nedry]

The officer was funny. He actually tried somehow to DELAY Dennis on HIS way! Nope. Not gonna happen.

As the officer attempted to halt him he showed him his ID and made sure to inform him that it was actually his job to ASSIST, not DELAY him. He noted a pole removed from the ground and that the security pad that connected to the intercom seemed to be broken. Oh well, have to do this the old-fashioned way.

He brought up his large hands and banged on the door. And banged. And banged.

I KNOW YOU ARE IN THERE! OPEN UP OR I COME BACK WITH...

looks at the officer beside him.

...BETTER COPS THAN THIS ONE.

He fidgeted with the papers in his folder and he had a pep in his step. Business was business and business was GOOD.

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

She blushed again, realizing that she had kissed him, but he didn’t even seem to notice it. He was fiddling with his phone and casually shrugging off her thanks. What it must be like to be that cool and confident…

"No worries. These kids deserve some security in their lives."

And he honestly cared about the children…

She watched him as he looked at his phone, and he seemed to get a shock.

“Is everything okay?”

"Crumb....sorry. I gotta take this real quick."

“No prob.”

She smiled, playing it cool.

"Feel free to browse around the security portfolio."

“Okay.”

She glanced back over her shoulder as he walked away. It was probably his NEW girlfriend. Someone even sexier and more beautiful than Ava Cassadine. He was probably making plans to jet off to Tahoe with her and stay in his mountain retreat with a big stone fireplace and a bearskin rug…

Focus.

She went over the portfolio he had created. Everything was so far beyond what even she had seen, and exactly what Rose needed. And hopefully, a little voice said in the back of her mind, she allows you to install it. And Gabe, Gabe was a true friend. He might never look at her the way he did other girls, but that was okay. She got to talk string theory and aliens and…Family Guy with him. Bet none of those girls could say that.

When he came back she beamed up at him.

“What do you want to order in for lunch? We could do the standard pizza…or there’s a great Thai place down the street or oooh, the pub across the street? [imitating his accent] Bangers and mash, pip pip?”

She looked up at him expectantly.

 

[Cypher]

After about five minutes of being in the hallway, Gabe returned to see Zizi turn around and smile up at him. Slipping his phone in his pocket, he placed both hands on either side of her head and leaned down, giving her a kiss on top of it.

"That was for earlier. Sorry...got distracted by business."

He felt like a dick for ignoring the fact she was so happy with his work that she kissed him. Well, he was distracted really. It was hard to keep his mind focused on anything else when Ava was basically sexting him an invite to roll in the sack with her. His hand slid down the back of Zizi's head and through her hair as he sat back down next to her.

"You know those types of clients. Need immediate attention."

He stated with a lift of his brows and shake of his head.

Zizi: “What do you want to order in for lunch? We could do the standard pizza…or there’s a great Thai place down the street or oooh, the pub across the street? [imitating his accent] Bangers and mash, pip pip?”

Gabe laughed, sitting back in his chair while crossing his arms. He gave her an 'are you serious' look.

"Is that how I sound?"

He joked with a grin. But soon his grin faded and he sighed.

"Aw man, Zi....I really hate to do this...."

His eyes were filled with guilt as he leaned back towards her, seeing the smile immediately leave her face. Fuck he was an asshole.

"But I already ordered Chinese. [he grinned] Orange chicken's still your favorite, yeah?"

He laughed, holding up his hands defensively.

"Sorry! Sorry! I couldn't help myself. I mean, really Lizzie? Did you think I was about to leave you here to finish this up by yourself? These kids are more important than my client....she can wait."

Swiveling his chair to face his laptop once again, Gabe began to open up a few more schematics for Zizi to take a look at.

"Food should be here in about 45. Until then, take a look at these security sensors i've been working on and let me know what you think."

He gave her a smile.

"If all is good, we can send this over to your friend [Rose] to okay. Then it's just a matter of getting it up and running."

 

[Persephone]

Persephone saw her phone vibrate on the bar top as she finished taking a sip of her Malbec wine. Placing her glass down, she picked up her phone and read the response.

>>Working on an important job....tonight?

Persephone's eyes narrowed. Tonight? Was he fucking serious?

Offer off the table. Hope your video games keep you warm later.

She responded before sliding her phone on the bar top away from her. Gabe never turned down sex. What the fuck was the matter with him? Annoyed and upset by everything that had transpired leading up to this point, Persephone shut her eyes as she leaned her head into her hand. She couldn't get his face out of her head...the look in his eyes. He was so angry she could almost see the fury bubbling within him. As she sat in the Red Parlor, Persephone wanted to get that image out of her head. The image of Alek going from wanting her to hating her instantaneously.

Hearing the parlor door open behind her, she assumed it was the bartender coming on duty. It was still relatively early in the morning and the parlor didn't officially get a tender until around 11:30. But as she turned to look over her shoulder she saw a man--who was most definitely not the bartender--walk into the room. A smoldering look appeared in her dark midnight eyes as they met with his.

"You're new here, aren't you?"

The man smiled his gorgeous smile.

Man: "Am I a dead give away?"

Persephone smirked, lowering her eyes down the length of his body. His button down shirt and slacks were perfectly tailored to his built frame.

"You're something."

The man knew he was gorgeous, but he graciously smiled anyway as he approached Persephone.

"It's my job to know who's new to the Hellfire Club. I'm--"

Man: "Ava Cassadine. The Red Rook."

Persephone paused, contemplating correcting him or not. She shrugged not really caring at this point.

"Sure, why not. [picking up her wine] And you are?"

Man: "Angelo Muniz. My father is Eduardo Muniz."

"Assistant District Attorney Eduardo Muniz?"

Angelo smiled, taking a seat next to Persephone.

Angelo: "That would be him. I decided to cash in my membership a few days ago....see what all the fuss was about."

She watched as he surveyed her exposed legs with a smile, her eyes tempting him to keep looking.

"And?"

Angelo: "I can see why my father enjoys it here...."

Sipping her wine, Persephone peered over the rim of her glass at Angelo, his icy blue eyes filled with a playful lust. He was even bold enough to place his hand on her bare thigh as he leaned in closer to her. Putting the glass down on the bar, Persephone lifted a single brow.

"You're quite lucky."

She placed her hand onto his.

"As Red Rook....it's my duty to welcome all new members to the Hellfire Club."

Slipping off her bar stool, Persephone moved right between his legs, her eyes level with his. He immediately slid his hands along her hips, moving them upwards to her sides.

Angelo: "I stumbled into the right parlor."

Persephone grinned, her lips inches from his.

"You certainly did."

She murmured between them, her hands sliding down the front of his torso to the buckle of his pants. His eyes flicked down as she began to pull the leather belt, undoing it. They then met with hers again just as quickly--the need and want so obvious in them.

"We have thirty minutes before the staff arrives."

Persephone whispered. She felt him immediately grip her waist and lift her up onto the bar top. His mouth found hers feverishly as his body pushed between her legs.

He would do.

 

[Orion]

Charope, LLC -- The Infirmary

Andrew: You too. Everyone on the team was really worried about you. But Zizi told us you needed your rest last night and that we should wait until morning to visit. I’m sorry, I should have brought balloons or a card or something…

Zach shook his head gently and patted Andrew on the shoulder. Andrew was a good guy, and Zach considered him a true friend.

"No, no, please, it means a lot to me that you cared enough to stop by. You don't need to get me a gift, really."

Andrew: It’s good to see you up and around. Really good. I don’t know what we would do without you, bro.

"Thanks--"

He started, but stopped abruptly, because there was a flash of impatience behind him.

Bishop: If you two are done making out, Zach, they told me you wanted to talk to me before I left. And I’d really like to get the hell out of here, so if you don’t mind…

"Yeah, I don't blame you. I won't keep you long, I just need to talk to you about what happened yesterday. Come on, I'll walk you out."

He said, so Bishop wouldn't feel trapped by a firing squad. He gave Ash a look that said 'I'll be back for YOU in a minute....', and then he started walking with Bishop down the hall towards the elevators.

"I'm sorry she attacked you, Maxim."

He started to break the ice, and then he got right into it as the elevator doors slid shut.

"I need to know everything you can remember."

 

[Bishop]

The Infirmary

Bishop really wanted to get out of there – he had a dinner date to plan and he wanted it to be perfect. And he wasn’t giving Delilah the opportunity to back out.

"I won't keep you long, I just need to talk to you about what happened yesterday. Come on, I'll walk you out."

Why did he want to know about the attack? Surely he didn’t know. If he did, he’d be punching his lights out right now. Cause that’s what HE would do if Zach had slept with Delilah…

Bishop looked at Zach. He was good looking, he supposed, if you liked that sort of thing. And Delilah had mentioned the guy’s ass…nah, she wouldn’t. He was Haleigh’s fiancé, and she wouldn’t do that. Which made him feel instantly terrible again about what he’d done.

"I'm sorry she attacked you, Maxim."

He laughed, a gravelly sound like he wasn’t used to making it.

“Not your fault. Besides, it’s not the first time a woman has tried to kill me. At least this time, she didn’t succeed.”

They stepped into the elevator.

"I need to know everything you can remember."

Bishop scratched his beard, thinking.

“I don’t know how much there is to remember. I’d been out all night on a job. I got home and Haleigh was in my apartment. She told me she was going to make sure Delilah hated her. And then she stabbed me.”

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Gabe reached down and put his hands on both sides of her face, and leaned in.

Oh, god. Oh, god he’s going to do it. He’s really going to do it!

And then he kissed her on the top of her head.

A swing and a miss.

"That was for earlier. Sorry...got distracted by business."

“No problem. Completely understandable. Happens to me all the time.”

"You know those types of clients. Need immediate attention."

“Absolutely.”

He’s going to leave.

She asked him what he wanted for lunch, in the hopes that he would agree, and she did a terrible terrible Welsh accent impression of him. Why did she do that? Why?

"Is that how I sound?"

“No.”

She laughed.

“Not at all.”

He had been smiling but suddenly he stopped.

"Aw man, Zi....I really hate to do this...."

Her face fell. He was leaving. Maybe Xavier would bring her green tea ice cream from Chinatown. Two pints, definitely two pints.

"But I already ordered Chinese. [he grinned] Orange chicken's still your favorite, yeah?"

"Yes, it is."

Her eyes lit back up, and she shook her fist at him.

“You little scamp!”

"Sorry! Sorry! I couldn't help myself. I mean, really Lizzie? Did you think I was about to leave you here to finish this up by yourself? These kids are more important than my client....she can wait."

She smiled genuinely over at him.

“Thank, Gabe. It means a lot.”

They got back to work, looking over more plans, making sure everything was in order.

"Food should be here in about 45. Until then, take a look at these security sensors I've been working on and let me know what you think."

“Ooh I love the design – very low profile.”

"If all is good, we can send this over to your friend [Rose] to okay. Then it's just a matter of getting it up and running."

“It looks great. I want to get this to her today if possible so she can look it over and hopefully approve it. How long do you think it will take to install?”

 

[Orion]

Charope, LLC -- Elevator

Zach was surprised to get the distinct sense of guilt from Bishop, and wondered what the man could possibly feel guilty about.

Bishop: Not your fault. Besides, it’s not the first time a woman has tried to kill me. At least this time, she didn’t succeed.

Zach contemplated that for a second, then remembered it was Delilah who'd killed him the first time. That seemed like so long ago. Now the two had a child together. It struck Zach as amazing that they had ALL come so far, and changed so much.

Bishop: I don’t know how much there is to remember. I’d been out all night on a job. I got home and Haleigh was in my apartment. She told me she was going to make sure Delilah hated her. And then she stabbed me.

"That's it?"

He asked, thinking that of all the brutality Haleigh COULD have visited on him, a simple stabbing was a bit... well, lame.

"I mean, not to minimize the fact that you almost DIED, but a single stab wound is kind of a half-assed attempt at murder. She attacked you because does want Delilah to hate her. She wants everyone to have a reason to kill her, yourself included, apparently. If she really wanted you DEAD, you would be. Instead, you're alive, and you have a grudge."

He explained. He wondered just how MUCH of a grudge Bishop would hold.

"I've been told there was a video of some sort playing in the background. Haleigh sent me.... a video as well, it had a message coded in. Was there anything significant about the video she showed you? We're pulling a copy for Zizi to review, but I imagine it'll have some particular meaning to you that the rest of us might not get."

He said, with no idea what to expect. He couldn't imagine Haleigh would show him the Red Knight fight/sex, it wouldn't have much relevance for Bishop.

"And, did she.... say or do anything ELSE while she was there? You're the only one who's actually gotten to TALK to her face to face."

 

[Bishop]

The Infirmary – Elevator

"That's it? I mean, not to minimize the fact that you almost DIED, but a single stab wound is kind of a half-assed attempt at murder. She attacked you because does want Delilah to hate her. She wants everyone to have a reason to kill her, yourself included, apparently. If she really wanted you DEAD, you would be. Instead, you're alive, and you have a grudge."

“I had told Delilah that Haleigh must have a plan. That she wouldn’t go over to Hellfire just like that. Haleigh didn’t like that.”

His eyes flicked over to Zach.

“And yes, I assumed from what she was saying that she was doing this only to make Delilah hate her, that she left me alive on purpose…I mean, she knows where to stab someone to make sure they get dead real quick. But I didn’t say that to Delilah. And I won’t. If Haleigh comes at her I need Delilah to fight back with everything she has. If she even suspects Haleigh can be saved, she won’t.”

He turned and looked Zach dead on.

“I won’t let Delilah be hurt. Not for anything.”

"I've been told there was a video of some sort playing in the background. Haleigh sent me...a video as well, it had a message coded in. Was there anything significant about the video she showed you? We're pulling a copy for Zizi to review, but I imagine it'll have some particular meaning to you that the rest of us might not get."

His initial reaction was to take a step towards Zach, intending to grab him by the throat. Giving a copy to Zizi? But he stopped himself, and stepped backwards. He chuckled then, but his eyes had no humor in them.

“I think its meaning would be quite clear.”

He swallowed.

“Zizi doesn’t need to be watching something like that.”

"And, did she...say or do anything ELSE while she was there? You're the only one who's actually gotten to TALK to her face to face."

“She was…crueler than usual. I mean, she’s always hated me. But she acted like she was taking pleasure in hurting Delilah. So I don’t know if she was trying to convince herself or what. But she wasn’t kind. She had a lot of anger, a lot of hate. And a good bit of that was clearly aimed at herself.”

 

[Orion]

Charope, LLC -- Elevator

Bishop mentioned that he'd told Delilah that Haleigh must've had a plan, going into Hellfire. Zach nodded grimly.

"Well she DOES have a plan, but it's a really shitty one in which she dies multiple times. And I'd REALLY like to prevent her from succeeding, so I appreciate ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you can tell me."

He replied, and Bishop went on to agree that Haleigh definitely indicated that she was attacking him only to make Delilah hate her. It wasn't GOOD, persay, but it was consistent, which was somehow reassuring.

Bishop: But I didn't say that to Delilah. And I won't. If Haleigh comes at her I need Delilah to fight back with everything she has. If she even suspects Haleigh can be saved, she won't."

Zach locked eyes with Bishop, and took a deep breath before speaking.

"Haleigh CAN be saved, and so can Ava. The more of us that believe it, the better off we'll all be."

Bishop: I won't let Delilah be hurt. Not for anything.

"Then don't leave her alone. But Maxim? Haleigh's not going to kill any of us. She can't. I KNOW she can't. She'll throw a fight if she gets in one with somebody she cares about. Maybe she'll make it look good. Give us a reason to use deadly force, even. But she'll hold back, even if she doesn't REALIZE that's what she's doing."

He said. They moved on to discuss the video, and Zach got a flash of aggression, and made him turn to square up with Bishop, but the man gave an empty chuckle and stepped back.

What the hell was that about??

Bishop: I think its meaning would be quite clear.

Zach's brow furrowed at that.

Bishop: Zizi doesn't need to be watching something like that.

Zach looked at him carefully, trying to divine the meaning behind his cryptic answer.

"It can't be worse than what Haleigh sent me. I had to watch Haleigh fight, and then fuck, the Red Knight of Hellfire. I wish Zizi hadn't been there when I got the message, unfortunately we both suffered through it together."

He took a second to shake the memory, and then offered Bishop an alternative.

"But Zizi might not even need to actually watch it, she can just run it through her program, now that we know how Haleigh hides the messages. Although, if we don't find anything that way, we WILL need to view it, to look for any other intel we can get. If it makes you makes you less uncomfortable though, Ziz doesn't need to see it, I'll watch it. I mean, what, did she show you a video of her torturing or murdering someone to intimidate you, or...?"

Bishop: She was…crueler than usual. I mean, she’s always hated me. But she acted like she was taking pleasure in hurting Delilah. So I don’t know if she was trying to convince herself or what. But she wasn’t kind. She had a lot of anger, a lot of hate. And a good bit of that was clearly aimed at herself.

"That makes sense, she's hurting the people she loves, and attacking children. You can expect her to be pretty cruel to Delilah too, if there's anything she can say to hurt Delilah, she probably will. She wants the same thing you do: for Delilah to fight her with everything she's got, so Delilah will survive and she won't."

 

[Bishop]

Charope, LLC - Elevator

"Then don't leave her alone. But Maxim? Haleigh's not going to kill any of us. She can't. I KNOW she can't. She'll throw a fight if she gets in one with somebody she cares about. Maybe she'll make it look good. Give us a reason to use deadly force, even. But she'll hold back, even if she doesn't REALIZE that's what she's doing."

He let out an unconvinced grunt.

“She’s doing a real good job of trying – her and her sister, apparently. What happens when Isis isn’t around to heal one of us? When she gets there too late?”

Zach had a lot of faith in someone who obviously cared very little about him if she allowed her sister to gut him.

“I watched Delilah die once in this lifetime and I’m not going to sign up to do it again just because YOU think she won’t really do it.”

"It can't be worse than what Haleigh sent me. I had to watch Haleigh fight, and then fuck, the Red Knight of Hellfire. I wish Zizi hadn't been there when I got the message, unfortunately we both suffered through it together."

“What a fuckin’ bitch.”

And fucking her way through Manhattan, apparently.

"But Zizi might not even need to actually watch it, she can just run it through her program, now that we know how Haleigh hides the messages. Although, if we don't find anything that way, we WILL need to view it, to look for any other intel we can get. If it makes you makes you less uncomfortable though, Ziz doesn't need to see it, I'll watch it. I mean, what, did she show you a video of her torturing or murdering someone to intimidate you, or...?"

“No. THAT wouldn’t intimidate me.”

He wiped his hand over his face. Zach wasn’t going to give up on this. And he was one of the LAST people he wanted to watch that video. He looked at him a long time silently, deciding.

“When I walked into my place, she was there.”

His jaw clenched.

“Watching a video of-“

On screen, Andrew had his hands on Delilah's waist. The volume was down too low to hear what they were saying, but once they started kissing, Haleigh turned up the sound. Andrew pressed Delilah up against the desk, and Delilah responded by wrapping her legs around him.

"You know, I always thought of Delilah as one of the 'make love to me' types. I wouldn't expect--"

She paused just long enough for them to hear Delilah tell Andrew to do something useful with his hands, and then Haleigh laughed with wicked mirth, the smoke leaving her lungs in short puffs. Andrew started to push Delilah's dress up, and Haleigh whistled and looked at Bishop.

"Oh, he is straight GIVIN' IT to your girl, Max.”

And then he lost it.

“Of that FUCKING MORON BOY out there FUCKING DELILAH.”

He pointed back through the doors for emphasis.

“The LAST thing Delilah deserves is a bunch of STRANGERS watching her like that.”

He closed his eyes, trying to calm down. Trying to get the images out of his head.

“If ANYONE needs to watch it, then I guess Zizi should do it.”

She would at least be respectful.

“But the only message in it is that your ex is a rabid bitch who needs to be PUT DOWN.”

 

[Cypher]

Zizi: “Thank, Gabe. It means a lot.”

"Hey, I was getting pretty hungry too. And you know how I like those little fortune cookies."

He responded casually while flipping through a few of the databases that were linked to The Sanctuary. Gabe knew she wasn't thanking him for the food, but he also knew that he didn't deserve her thanks. Not after contemplating leaving her to go fuck his crazy ex.

He glanced over at Zizi and gave her a smile, more serious this time.

"No worries. Glad I can help."

Back to business.

Zizi: “Ooh I love the design – very low profile.”

"Yeah, keeping it simple is the best way. Clandestine is all about fucking neon signs: 'Here's the security pad, try and hack it!' Trying to swing their big coding dick [language].....dictations around like they're hot shit."

He grumbled as he began to compile everything into a file for Rose to look at.

Zizi: “It looks great. I want to get this to her today if possible so she can look it over and hopefully approve it. How long do you think it will take to install?”

"Already getting everything organized for her to look at as we speak!"

Shaking his head, debating on the time frame.

"Not long. I can have my people over there by tonight if she wants. The system would be installed by late tomorrow morning. Then we just gotta run some tests, work out any bugs, and it'll be in tip top condition by no later than Friday."

 

[Persephone]

The half hour was well spent. For someone so young he certainly did know his way around a woman's body. She assumed he was the rich kid playboy who slept around and learned how to be a good lay by 'practicing'. Regardless, he satisfied her for the moment.

He was breathing heavily as he gripped the edge of the bar top, exasperated by what had went down. He stepped away from being behind Persephone--who was now positioned over the edge of the bar--while lifting his pants back up to his waist and fasetning them. Sliding her skirt down, she didn't immediately turn around. Her eyes shut as she craned her neck back and forth.

Angelo: "You okay? I didn't hurt you right?"

Persephone let out a laugh, amused by his concern. If he only knew what she could REALLY take.

"No. You didn't hurt me."

She responded evenly, finally turning herself around to face him. She gave him a condescending smile as she moved herself up to him, her fingers running along the length of his waist band as she tucked the front of his shirt into his pants like he were a school boy. She then patted his chest in a patronizing manner.

"Welcome to Hellfire Club."

Rolling her eyes, she moved past him and to the door.

[deadpan] "Don't fuck it up."

Her words mirrored those of Helena when SHE first joined the Hellfire Club....everything coming full circle. Exiting the Red Parlor, Persephone made her way down the corridor of the Red Wing to her chambers. Once inside, she shut the door and pressed her back against it...her head falling back against the wood and her eyes closing as she felt the burn of tears threatening their way out. Swallowing hard, she pushed that bullshit back down, her eyes opening to reveal they were slightly glassy but that was all.

Pushing her way off the door, she immediately headed for her bathroom. She needed a long shower and then a large stiff drink.

 

[Orion]

Charope, LLC -- Elevator

Bishop: She's doing a real good job of trying - her and her sister, apparently.

Zach looked down at his own scars, and couldn't exactly argue with Bishop after that.

Bishop: What happens when Isis isn't around to heal one of us? When she gets there too late? I watched Delilah die once in this lifetime and I'm not going to sign up to do it again just because YOU think she won't really do it.

Zach nodded grimly, and then looked back at Bishop.

"I know that what I'm asking for isn't easy, and it's not even fair, after she attacked you. I don't blame you for the way you feel. But if you still love Delilah even after she KILLED you.... then you can probably understand why I can't just let them die."

Bishop called Haleigh a bitch for the video she'd sent Zach, but Zach just shrugged it off.

"If she'd only sent the video to hurt me or make me jealous, yeah, I'd probably say the same thing. But since she sent a communication she knew wouldn't be intercepted or questioned, so she could get out a message.... I don't know man. We broke up. I'VE slept with other people. It shouldn't bother me."

They talked about the video Bishop had been made to watch. Zach supposed it revolved around brutal violence.

Bishop: No. THAT wouldn't intimidate me.

Oh-KAY, obviously this dude has a screw loose.

He thought with raised eyebrows, but patiently listened to what Bishop said next.

Bishop: When I walked into my place, she was there. Watching a video of-

Zach sensed the escalation of Bishop's emotions and began to watch him very carefully for pre-assault cues.

Bishop: of that FUCKING MORON BOY out there FUCKING DELILAH.

Zach made an awkward noise of acknowledgment and understanding, and tried to put a stop to the visualization in his mind as Bishop continued.

Bishop: The LAST thing Delilah deserves is a bunch of STRANGERS watching her like that. If ANYONE needs to watch it, then I guess Zizi should do it.

"No."

He said, and immediately he sensed a rise in Bishop's anger, and he raised his hand.

"If that's what she showed you, then NOBODY needs to watch it at all. I'll discreetly let Zizi know what the content is, she can run it through her magical decoder without having to put Delilah's business out there for everybody."

Bishop: But the only message in it is that your ex is a rabid bitch who needs to be PUT DOWN.

The elevator doors opened an flooded the compartment with the morning sun.

"You won't sign up for Delilah's next death, and I won't sign up for Haleigh's. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me. Be careful out there, Bishop."

He said, and extended a hand to shake.

 

[Bishop]

The Infirmary – Elevator

"I know that what I'm asking for isn't easy, and it's not even fair, after she attacked you. I don't blame you for the way you feel. But if you still love Delilah even after she KILLED you.... then you can probably understand why I can't just let them die."

“Except Delilah didn’t want to kill me…I drove her to it. You didn’t do anything to deserve what just happened to you and Delilah certainly doesn’t deserve any of this.”

"If she'd only sent the video to hurt me or make me jealous, yeah, I'd probably say the same thing. But since she sent a communication she knew wouldn't be intercepted or questioned, so she could get out a message.... I don't know man. We broke up. I'VE slept with other people. It shouldn't bother me."

“How do you know she didn’t embed that message just to fuck with you?”

"If that's what she showed you, then NOBODY needs to watch it at all. I'll discreetly let Zizi know what the content is, she can run it through her magical decoder without having to put Delilah's business out there for everybody."

That made Bishop pause.

“Thank you.”

The elevator dinged and the had reached street level.

"You won't sign up for Delilah's next death, and I won't sign up for Haleigh's. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me. Be careful out there, Bishop."

Zach held out his hand, and after a second’s hesitation, he shook it.

“Zach…you be careful. I let down my guard with Haleigh, and it put me here. I’d hate for something else to happen to you because you were too trusting…”

After another nod to Zach, he was in the lobby of Charope, where he paused and pulled out his phone. He started to go but then caught the elevator door before it closed.

“Hey, Zach…it’s not usually my thing so…if I needed to get a good suit in a hurry, where would I go? Money’s no object.”

After saying goodbye once again to Zach, he sent a quick text to Delilah, apologizing for leaving but saying that he had to “prepare” for their dinner tonight and that he would pick her up at the Parthenon at 7.

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion

Alek pealed into the garage in his black 1956 Jaguar Roadster. He didn't even bother to give the valet his customary "Scratch it and you're dead." He hadn't gotten any less angry between Coney Island and Manhattan. He wanted to hit something. Haleigh would do.

He had just walked into the Mansion when his phone rang.

"What!"

He growled it into the phone. A nervous voice was on the other end.

>> "Sir, it's David. One of the bartenders at the Red Parlour?"

He rolled his eyes impatiently.

"Yes, yes, what IS it?"

>> "Well, you said if we saw Miss Cassadine doing anything...unusual...we were to tell you."

"Oh spit it out man!"

>> "She was here when I got to work this morning, sir. And so was a...man. One of the new members. They appeared to have just finished being...intimate."

"What. Is. His. Name?"

>> "Angelo. Angelo Muniz."

Alek hung up.

"That. BITCH!"

He roared in anger.

He dialed the security room.

"Find me Angelo Muniz. NOW."

 

[Orion]

Charope, LLC -- Elevator

Bishop: Except Delilah didn’t want to kill me…I drove her to it. You didn’t do anything to deserve what just happened to you and Delilah certainly doesn’t deserve any of this.

Zach nodded in agreement. The only thing was, he didn't think Haleigh or Ava deserved any of this either, but he could tell that Bishop had his mind made up.

"None of us are getting what we deserve."

He replied simply, and then Bishop posed a question.

Bishop: How do you know she didn’t embed that message just to fuck with you?

"Because I know Haleigh. If she really wanted to fuck with me.... she would have sent me a different video, and not even bothered with a hidden message."

Bishop shook his hand and then stepped out of the elevator.

Bishop: Zach…you be careful. I let down my guard with Haleigh, and it put me here. I’d hate for something else to happen to you because you were too trusting…

"Thanks Maxim. I'll keep my head on a swivel. You do the same, yeah?"

He said, pushing the button to go back to the Infirmary floor. Bishop caught the door for one more question. Apparently he needed a suit in a hurry.

"Oh, Sally Spectra's Boutique at the Parthenon. If you head over there now, they could probably get you something custom by late afternoon. But if Sally's THERE, dude, you should know. She's a cougar on the prowl and she really, REALLY likes to check the 'fit' if you know what I mean."

He warned, and then they shared a smirk before the elevator doors closed and started back down.

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

She tried to thank him, for all that he was doing.

"Hey, I was getting pretty hungry too. And you know how I like those little fortune cookies."

She laughed and hit him playfully on the arm.

“Well I’M going to eat them all and leave you NONE!”

"No worries. Glad I can help."

She smiled, and then they went back to discussing the tech he was going to use for the system.

"Yeah, keeping it simple is the best way. Clandestine is all about fucking neon signs: 'Here's the security pad, try and hack it!' Trying to swing their big coding dick [language].....dictations around like they're hot shit."

She patted his hand.

“One day you will put them out of business. When the world gets a load of THIS [indicating the plans on the screen] there will be no stopping you.”

Gabe put together a package she could send to Rose, and she asked how long it would take to install.

"Not long. I can have my people over there by tonight if she wants. The system would be installed by late tomorrow morning. Then we just gotta run some tests, work out any bugs, and it'll be in tip top condition by no later than Friday."

“That’s awesome. I really won’t feel right until they have something up. I mean, police eyes are great and I trust the people looking after them right now, but nothing beats some good ol’ circuit boards and motion sensors.”

Zizi sent the proposal off to Rose, with a note that said she would happy to discuss, but that her friend who had designed it could have it installed by the morning if she wanted.

And then, all she could do was wait. She knew that vulture from CPS was at the Sanctuary now, so it could be a while before Rose could look at things. Not that ALL people who worked for CPS were vultures, just this particular one. She was sure most of the people who worked there really cared about the children they looked after.

She turned to Gabe and clasped her hands.

“So…COD Modern Warfare?”

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion

“Angelo Muniz?”

Alek was waiting as Angelo stepped around the corner of the hallway, dressed once again in an impeccable suit with no tie.

The piece of shit looked startled.

Angelo: “Yes?”

Alek reached out his hand.

“Aleksander Hallbjörn, Red Knight. Would you like to come with me? We have something special planned for our newest member.”

Alek smiled warmly, and made it convincing.

“Angelo” smiled, clearly looking flattered to be given so much personal attention.

Alek led him down into the recesses of the mansion. The douchebag was slightly less dumb than he looked, because Alek could tell he was starting to get nervous at his surroundings.

“Just a little something we like to do to welcome new members. Make them feel at home.”

Angelo: “Oh, well I’ve already been welcomed pret-ty good by your Red Rook, if you know what I mean. She is really something else. She let me slide right into her home if you catch my drift.”

Alek laughed, two boys sharing a good old sex joke.

And then he grabbed Angelo by the face and slammed his head into the stone wall.

Angelo: “Dude…what the fuck?”

The guy was dazed, but Alek had made sure he would stay conscious.

Grabbing his arm, he twisted it behind his back and held him there. He growled in the guys’ ear.

“Do you think you can disrespect a member of the Inner Circle in that manner?”

Alek bent Angelo’s arm in half the wrong way, breaking it like a crab leg. The guy cried out in pain, but Alek kept hold of him, and shoved him into a room where he was thrown to the floor.

Angelo: “You…you broke my arm!”

Alek just looked down at the asshole.

Angelo: “Don’t you know who my father is! You’ll pay for this!”

Alek laughed, the condescension dripping from his lips.

“No, I don’t think I will. I don’t give a fuck who your father is, or who you are for that matter.”

He leaned down and looked with cold hard eyes into the guy’s face.

“You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”