Rose of destruction

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion – Red Knight’s Quarters

He had slept, enveloped in the warmth of her, the scent of her hair, her perfume. He felt her lips on his chest, signaling that she was awake, and he tightened his arms around her, allowing himself to just bask in the feeling of contentment.

"That was painted in 1499."

“Hmm?”

Then he realized she was talking about the painting over his fireplace. He too stared at it as she talked.

"An Italian tradesman was in Sicily where he came upon a clef in the Earth during his travels--it lead to the Underworld. He saw men being stripped of their souls by demons with fangs. He fled back to Tuscany and told the stories of the demons in Hell. The artist heard his tales…and he created that painting."

She ran her fingers over his scars, making him shiver.

"People thought the man was insane. But they believed the work of the painter...they saw a visual of what life could really be like when evil dominates over good. "

He kissed the top of her head.

“I’ll make sure every soul is laid at your feet, and the demons cower in your presence.”

"You need to be careful."

He smiled.

“Little queen, you sound worried? If I’m not allowed to worry about you, then YOU are not allowed to worry about ME.”

He laughed, and rubbed his hand on her upper arm.

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

He leaned down and kissed her nose.

If anyone knew how to play the game, it was him. He could keep playing it. And he would make sure that she was protected just as he was. No one would dare touch her.

He could handle Helena. As long as he kept doing his job to the standard that she had come to expect, she wouldn’t complain. He could have a favourite, there was nothing wrong with that…as long as he made sure Helena felt she still held the top place in his loyalty.

The thought crossed his mind as he looked down at Seph, that maybe she would be safer if he rejected her, broke her heart, pushed her away. Took a page from the Haleigh Davidoff school of protecting people. But he knew he couldn’t do that. And he also knew she wouldn’t be safer. The safest place for her right now was with him. And he wasn’t about to let her go.

 

[Spellbinder]

Charope, LLC- Alycia's office

“You’re right. But we don’t always make the right choices, Morgan. You of all people should know that doesn’t make us terrible people.”

<< she looked at yet another destroyed picture on the floor in Alycia's office. The amazon must have been in a truly RIGHTEOUS mood when this destruction happened!>>

Yes, I do know that. We make bad choices, and terrible mistakes. Despite our best efforts, sometimes we will fail.

Delilah looked off into the distance.

“Maybe if they had allowed themselves to be together long ago…maybe none of this would have happened.”

Maybe so. Cameron ALSO didn't have to lead Alycia down a path he knew would end in pain and unhappiness for her.

Did either of them think about her?

By his own admission, he has no regret for what he did.

<< YES there was some bias on Morgan's part. Alycia was a dear friend of Morgan's and she deserved better treatment. Period. Delilah was right, Haleigh and Cameron should've just found their way to each other SOONER and saved everyone involved the time, the misdirected energy and emotional investment, and the eventual pain that would come to anyone else loving them.>>

“My heart goes out to both of them. It’s not an easy situation, by any means. But Alycia has US to get her through this. And we will.”

<< But as Delilah did her best to stand in the gap for Cameron, while also acknowledging Alycia's loss and pain, Morgan caught sight of herself in a mirror, >>

<< FLASH!>>

<< From Derek's loft, to Limbo>>

<< Scenes of Derek hemming Morgan up against the wall. Morgan causing Derek to fall back on the bed. Derek on top, Morgan on Top. Him ravaging her. Morgan being open and ready. The face of DARKCHILDE IN ECSTASY.>>

<< The sounds of his and her vocalization ECHO in Morgan as she remembers, and can almost still FEEL his touch, his breathing, his pulse ...his thrusts.>>

Peopld do... make bad choices.

<< She continued to stare at her own reflection.>>

It's human nature...

<< But unlike Cameron, Morgan DID feel regret. Yet she still couldn't get DEREK out of her head. If this new, yet "familiar" aspect of herself hadn't yet gained traction before...if there was a chance she was JUST having an "adjustment reaction" to everything going on, then Derek came along and basically reaffirmed all of it!>>

The mention of the Birds of Prey reminded Delilah of something.

“You’ll like them Morgan – the new team. Well, most of them anyway.”

Thinking of Valkyrie – she was a good fighter, but a total skank bitch.

“They fought valiantly to help Karen at the Citadel.”

HOW is it that they managed to recruit Sharon, Alycia...and DOMINIQUE?! I still couldn't believe this when Blaze first told me. I really do need to meet them.

<< the moved on to the topic of Black Widow and Persephone and Morgan turned around to face Delilah once more.>>

“Just know that you don’t have to do it alone.”

Morgan doing as she saw fit…without the others’ input…it sounded familiar.

I don't want to have to. That's one reason why I'm here now. But things may come to a point that require me to.

“Say no more.”

Delilah knew Malice, knew what she was capable of.

“But when the time comes, let us work as a team.”

She looked into Morgan’s face with urgency.

“Save her, if you can. Save them both. But that may not be possible, Morgan. They’ve tried to kill the people we love. I don’t…I can’t…”

She wiped a tear from her eye.

“I would never have hurt her like this, not for anything, no matter what I was threatened with.”

<< Morgan looked at Delilah with sympathy. She wanted to tell Delilah that she she didn't have to go through this, that Morgan herself was going to try and save ALL of them. Would Delilah understand? So much had happened, but no matter what she or Cameron said, Morgan knew that there were times when HER way WAS the right way. >>

<< But this moment of softness on Morgan's part was brief, and she kept her thoughts just then to herself.>>

“You know I would do anything for Karen, Morgan. No matter what.”

Blaze asked our mother to evacuate to Minerva's Aerie, and I agree with her. My mother has suffered enough through the recent events. The nightmres, Frost, the attacks by Talisman, her...perceived failure regarding BOTH Persephone and Black Widow...and the very strong possibility that one OR both of them might attack her?

They took MORE than enough of her time, her energy, and EFFORT and WASTED it. Even if she wanted to...I...would OPPOSE her taking on any more burden OR risk regarding the two of them.

She was angry with us. She believed that Blaze was implying she was weak or incapable of defending herself. That's not it at all! Again, it goes back to the burden and risk factor, one that she's shouldered ENOUGH of. She's done enough for them, SUFFERED enough because of them, and As I said earlier, they've FOREITED their right to any further consideration- by my MOM especially.

Thankfully, Mike and Nicolas were able to help calm and persuade her, and my mom finally relented on the issue, and she's agreed to evacuate Mike is going with her.

“Maybe we don’t need leaders as much as we need to all work together…”

She said it absentmindedly. Morgan and Alison being “the leaders” is what allowed them to feel like they could make decisions without consulting anyone else. Sometimes bad decisions…

Maybe.

But in order for that to happen, all of you are going to have to be ready to cross into territory that some of you might not be comfortable with. Surprisingly, Cameron AGREED with what little I was able to share in the War Room. He's interested in hearing more about my plan.

Delilah’s eyes flashed with anger.

That bitch.

“Oh, and you didn’t think *I* should be invited to that meeting? Does the Six have an “inner circle” itself now?”

Delilah, get real! You were involved in an emergency yourself! You can't be everywhere at once! Communication works both ways, Delilah, that's why I'm here now.

You hate my sister right now, and while I can't necessarily DO anything about that, you're going to have to stop assuming that everything she does is a slight against you. It's not. You weren't being excluded!

When you talk about working together, that INCLUDES Blaze, and like I told Cameron, the time of division among this team is OVER. If we're going to be EFFECTIVE, then you're ALL going to have to make adjustments. If you can't, then you're GOING to sit this one out.

<< She didn't leave room for any response on that.>>

The gathering in the War Room was just that- it wasn't some secret meeting. The only DEFINITE agreement that was reached was that getting my mom and Mike out of harm's way is going to happen now.

“Oh, so MIKE is making our plans now? *I* wasn’t included, but your mother’s boyfriend was?!”

<< Morgan stiffened up a bit and looked at Delilah with agitation>>

MIKE was there because he's supporting my mother, first and foremost.

He was showing his concern and commitment to HER safety as well trying to help us begin to pull ourselves together to face this PROBLEM by offering some SOUND tactical SUGGESTIONS, Delilah. I would THINK that you could appreciate that.

I don't know what your problem is with him, but you need to understand something, he LOVES my mother, and she loves him. He's made her the happiest she's been in YEARS, he's been everything to her that my father REFUSED to be, and he's revived parts of her that she didn't think she could feel anymore.

He's good enough for Harbinger to have installed him as her chief of security at Minerva's Aerie, AND she, Blaze and Karen accepted additional combat training from him.

As far as I'm concerned, he's not only part of the Six's family, he's part of MY family.

He's not weak, or incapable of defending himself. He's proven himself to us time and again, and he's been LOYAL for a long time. He's STOOD BY US.

He's a GOOD MAN, with a heart, with courage, and instead of running away from my mother, jumping ship to save himself, he stands by her, by US. He CARES about what happens to ALL OF US, he's an ALLY, UNLIKE BISHOP!

<< She said with bitterness and force.>>

<< There more than a moment of silence.>>

<< Soon, the topic of Cameron>>

She sighed.

“I don’t like it. He can’t keep it up forever. Eventually we’ll be picking up the pieces that were once him.”

She paused, thoughtful.

“I almost feel like he’s a different person.”

He IS different now. He's trying to be more like Alison. But I don't think she'd want this for him either. Who she is is what makes her effective, it works for HER because its innate, and for all the criticism she's received because of it...she's still gotten RESULTS.

<<sigh>>

Cameron has strived to understand his sister, to be more empathetic to her experience, to get her to TRUST him, and this, coupled with the backlash from his behavior with Haleigh toward Alycia, and the fallout with Vivica, it was too much for him.

He wasn't ready to deal with that fallout, and I have empathy for him on that.


Sometimes, a person has to change gears in order to address a crisis. Sometimes they have to alter, or even REMOVE themselves for a time.

<< A reference to her exiling herself to Limbo>>

Fortunate for us, we have the ability to effect change when we need it, in ways that mortals simply can't. THAT'S something that Alison and I have long understood, and I think now, Cameron understands that to, so he's ready to get to work, and that's what we need.

“Don’t be so sure. She WANTS us to hate her. Her attack on Maxim shows that. As does the fact that he’s still alive… She could have made sure he died, Morgan, and she didn’t. What does that say to you?”

It very possible that it could be that be that.

But more than likely, it's play from Malice's book, using psychological AND physical warefare to maximize the anxiety, the hurt and the pain. Let the person UNRAVEL, and very likely do her work FOR HER.

I've used hate as a weapon, believing it was a source of power before, but the thing about HATE, is that it burns the person out too quickly.

Haleigh may want people to hate her, but she's also VERY good at out lasting her enemies. Haleigh wants people to hate her so that they'll lash out. She knows that hate can lead to impulse and overreach, and mistakes She's even trying to provoke MALICE at this point! She's actually trying to beat the White Queen at her own game!

<< Again, she'd been observing Haleigh and Persephone, in fact, the WHOLE Hellfire Mansion via her scrying glass, watching...learning. Pieces didn't always fit to the outsider, but Morgan was now very certain of what Haleigh's end game was, and it was MONSTROUS. But what could one expect from someone who'd learned such an awful TRUTH about themselves?>>

Well, I'M NOT playing this game by her OR Diana's rules, and I suggest you all get on board this train with me.

----------------

She wasn’t angry then, and her voice wasn’t accusing – but she had to be realistic.

“Then you didn’t learn anything from the Blue Moon, Morgan.”

If you believe that, that's unfortunate.

“If you have to hide things from us because of Malice, Morgan, do it. But please…unilateral decisions that affect all of us…that’s what got us in trouble the last time.”

I'm glad that you understand the need for silence on my part on parts of this. I'm not making the mistake I made during the Blue Moon, that's a big part of why I'm here right now! I came here because I needed to see and talk to you about all of this.

But I'm also not going to allow you or Cameron to box me in either. You can't expect me to be effective if you don't give me the room I need to work, and in an EMERGENCY, there's not always TIME to wait for people to decide if they agree or not.

Just as you all expect courtesy and consideration, You need to keep your eyes, ears, and HEART open to what I have to say.

[ Out in the hall, she presses a button on the wall intercom. A tone sounds off in Alycia's office, as Delilah and Morgan are conversing]

Delilah, Morgan...I'm leaving to go see Rose. She called to me and needs to speak with me. Alycia is sleeping comfortably, and Zach is her room with her. If you need me....call me immediately. I will return soon.

“I can handle things here. I’d feel better if you were out working on solving our problem.”

<< Morgan nodded>>

I'll see Zach on my way out.

Everyone else is still at the Parthenon, my mother and Mike are preparing to return to Minerva's aerie now.

I'll follow up with you very soon.

<< She looks at Delilah with sincerity in her violet eyes>>

You may not like the way I do things sometimes, but you know what it is to have to make a decision without consulting others, when lives are at stake.

<< Striking down Bishop to save Sharon's life, Ending Sister Mary Justice's terror once and for all...>>

Please be safe.

<< She leaves Alycia's office, and makes her way back down to the Infirmary...>>

 

[Artemis]

Charope- Infirmary

He smiled, and sat on the edge of the bed next to her, taking her into a hug gratefully.

"Yes, thanks to YOU. Persephone surely would have killed me if you hadn't been there."

:: It had been so long since she'd been in such close physical proximity to Zach. Funny how disaster can remind you of how to relate to the people you care about most::

"It's good you finally came around to Vivica, she's a good person, you know.

Yes, I've come to see that about her.

She's sincere.

:: She looks up at the message on the wall monitor again.::

And thoughtful.

She's also clearly committed to the Birds of Prey, and that's good for her that she found something "outside" of the Six. ESPCIALLY NOW.

I've gone from being unable...UNWILLING to tolerate her, and wondering what the point of her existence was, to now trusting her and having a sincere appreciation for the way she applies herself.

I'm glad there's still time for us to be able to work together.

:: Still looking at the screen::

And maybe even support each other in critical ways in a...post-cameron world.

He slid off the edge of the bed, and back into the arm chair beside it.

"Alright, listen. My near death experience has motivated me to make amends, so I've got some things I need to say, and maybe we can come back to understanding each other, Alycia. I think you're operating under some incorrect assumptions about the dynamic between Haleigh and myself. Recently, I realized neither of us were happy, and we'd grown apart, and that she was stringing me along because she didn't want to hurt me, and I was letting her do it because I didn't want to let her go. So I ended it last week, and that was fucking HARD, because I had to accept that even though I loved her with all my heart, she'd given HER heart to HIM [Cameron], long before she gave him her body, and to me, that's worse than them just sleeping together."

Talking about it was becoming more difficult, and he had to stop to clear his throat.

:: No wonder she tapped him to succeed her in some of her functions when she vacated her special federal agent position. He always seemed to know when the time was to broach a sensitive topic. But he was coming from a real, sincere place, and with all Alycia had been through, it made sense for her to identify with him right now in this moment.::

I see. Well. You were a lot smarter than I was. You got yourself OUT. YOU took control and changed course.

I should've known during the preparation for Blaze's debutante party, when Cameron made some stupid, half assed excuse about the need to "resolve things" with Haleigh, and I warned him THEN, that he was wasting his, AND my time, trying to paint her as some helpless sheep when really she was the WOLF in the forest and HE was the sheep. That very night that you and I were on the roof of the Parthenon, before going down to Lotus, the two of them had their first round of "settling things"...aka TONSIL HOCKEY. Haleigh came to tell me about it almost immediately after it happened, but it was telling that CAMERON never did. SHARON knew about it...but she didn't say anything to me.

I verbally eviscerated Haleigh that night. I should've marched right up to Cameron's apartment and done the same thing to him, and dismissed him then and there.

If only I'd had the foresight...to get out of the way of their trainwreck.

Instead...I listened to him as he talked so sweetly. From the very beginning, since my return to "man's world" during the Blue Moon, I let him CHARM me, and lead me down some...demented yellow brick road.

I let him...BOTH of them make a FOOL of me.

:: She turned away from Zach, as she shut her eyes, and tears began to fall.::

And when he TOLD me what they'd done...the night she revealed the truth about herself to the Six, he had the unmitigated gall to declare that he had NO REGRET over he did, Zach. He told me SHE[Haleigh] was WORTH IT!

That...that SELFISH, UNFEELING, TWO FACED WRETCH!

I hate them BOTH. They deserve each other. In HELL.

But I...I'm ANGRY with MYSELF for letting them PLAY me like this.

I'm SMARTER than this. I NEVER should've let myself get involved w/ a man who had the kind of history HE had with Haleigh. But...that was just the second act of another bad mistake, which was dilluting myself into thinking I had an actual FRIENDSHIP with HER! Most NORMAL people BOND over the kind of experiences she and I had. ::Referring to Arklay, and certain other shared experiences::

I thought that's what was happening to US.

Another lie. Another facade. Another JOKE.

:: She said bitterly before sighing, and turning back over to look at Zach::

My anger toward you has largely been misplaced. I was angry with you because you KNEW what she was capable of, and you loved her anyway. Well that was irrational of me, and it was me projecting my own dismay over loving Cameron on to you.

Some of it was also RESENTMENT over the fact that you got yourself OUT of the way of their trainwreck, but I didn't do that for myself in time.

I was HUMILIATED...and I...hoped that I might rely on you, I hoped you'd rely on ME, like we promised.

:: She trembled a bit as her grief came to the surface.::

But there you were...with Ashley...and I just couldn't understand how you could go from the frying pan to the fire like that. I thought that WE would be there for one another, when the DARKNESS of Cameron and Haleigh became too much...too immobilizing for us...

:: She felt so weak right now in admitting this::

It seemed that everyone was getting what they wanted...what they needed...except me.

And yes, I DO resent Ashley. She's a cruel, cantankerous bitch who has no respect for anyone.

I thought you'd had your FILL of women who behave badly with HALEIGH.

Maybe it seems...intrusive to you...for me to say something like that. But I've known you for along time. I CARE about you...and I just...I just thought that after Haleigh, you DESERVED BETTER.

Zach...you and I have been in each other's lives for YEARS. We watched, and stood by the Six. We went from being passive observers, to being allies, to being evacuees at the midnight hour...to being on the FRONT LINES with them. We sort of..."GREW UP" together with them. We've ended up working together in key roles and functions outside of the six, doing GOOD work that benefits the mutant population.

Can you BLAME me for being even just a LITTLE emotionally invested in YOU?

:: And in that moment, he'd register something from her regarding him that he hadn't perceived before, and with her being AWARE of his abilities, she immediately became nauseated at the realization that he'd register it::

Can you understand how it looked...and FELT for me, NOW that I've told you this?

But maybe that's my problem. Maybe I've lost my way and become WEAK.

:: she turned away from him once again, trying her best to retain what she felt was her lest shred of dignity, as tears continued to fall from her hazel eyes::

I could've gone ANYWHERE when I emerged from Themyscira, reborn as an Amazon. I didn't HAVE to come back to the Six, or anything associated with them.

I think that was my first, and BIGGEST mistake of all. I let nostalgia, and the belief that I could do MORE as an amazon lead me to make a choice that really hasn't worked out well for me, and now I'm laying here...pouring out my heart to a man who was once engaged to a woman who has never had respect for other people's relationships- MINE included- OR their needs, hopes...and feelings. Watching him cultivate ANOTHER relationship with a woman who is INFINITELY WORSE than Haleigh, hoping that we would have remained true to our promise to one another.

:: Sigh::

Hyppolyte named me "brilliant confrontation," ...but maybe I'm just a "smart fool" who gets her signals botched BIG TIME when it comes to these people- The Six, The Birds of Prey.

please, believe me when I say that I understand why you feel betrayed by them, because I've had to feel HER emotions about it for a long time, and I'm just now coming to terms with it. So for the record, this isn't about sex for me, not when it comes to her, okay? I don't want to be her lover anymore, I can't subject myself to that torment, but that doesn't change the way I feel about her as an actual PERSON. How could I NOT love her, still? Despite her defection, despite my HORROR with regards to what she's OBVIOUSLY being coerced to do, I have FAITH in her, because I KNOW that deep down, pinned beneath the MONSTER she's becoming to power her way through this, she LOVES us all enough to do whatever she thinks it takes, and she will go to the ends of the UNIVERSE for the people she cares about. I mean come on, we're talking about a woman who has laid down her life for one of ours several times before-- and she will probably do it several times more, after we RESCUE HER from the hell she's in."

He searched her eyes for a moment, and reached to take her hand.

:: Alycia looked at Zach with an aghast expression on her face.::

"The ends of the universe!?"

::But this moment they were having was too important for her to "check out." After what they'd BOTH just survived? they deserved this moment, and in order for anything to happen, in order for them to FIND each other again, she'd have to face this with her eyes and her heart open, even when she heard things that were mind bending! she hoped he would do the same.::

:: she accept his hand's grasp, and held on to his hand with her own::

Do you really believe that she's being...COERCED? EITHER OF THEM?

:: She asked as she dared to take this journey of thought with him::

Sharon saw them at the Black Out party. You heard what she said when Sharon confronted her!

:: She shakes her head for a moment, and he feels her tense up.::

No. I won't give her a pass for what she did to me. She WASN'T being coerced when she decided to INVADE my relationship. Neither was Cameron. She WASN'T being coerced when she lead me to believe that we had become something more than uneasy allies, that there was TRUST there, that we'd actually become FRIENDS.

How can I believe that she ever loved or cared about me after the emotional russian roulette she engaged in? That's ABUSE, Zach. She abused YOU TOO in that way!

She's never shown any respect or consideration for other people's relationships, what matters to them, what they might need. She'll do ANYTHING if she thinks it will achieve the results SHE wants. She's stated it quite clearly on more than one occassion.

:: She insisted::

Even if she's being coerced by Malice NOW, she most certainly wasn't being coerced THEN!

:: If Zach wanted to lead her down this road, he was going to have to be there WITH her on that journey. She WOULD be true to her amazonian name, and challenge him. But this time, it was NOT in the spirit or emotion of ANGER. ::

"I KNOW that you can understand the way I feel, Alycia..... because I know it's the same way YOU FEEL..... about Sharon. You'd NEVER give up on Sharon, not while there was a breath left in your lungs, not even if it seemed like she went completely insane and rampaged through the city again."

:: She felt a jolt as he drew comparisons to the love, compassion he had, and her's for Sharon. Oh god was he ever right...but::

Sharon died in my arms.

:: She said, with a pained expression on her face::

But not even in DEATH was she safe from Mystech. They revived, and MUTATED her. She WAS insane, Zach. That wasn't her fault, and she DID need help.

HALEIGH is NOT insane.

And I would never ask you to forsake her, because I know what it means to love someone THAT MUCH. So even if you are upset with Haleigh for what she's done --that's fine, you have every right-- but I need you to cut ME some slack here, because I can't hate her, OR Ava..... when I know they are suffering."

Your love for Haleigh and Ava almost got you...AND me killed!

You're asking a TALL order from me, Zach Armani.

:: She looks at him::

But...I care about you, maybe more than I should, and I don't want to waste this chance that Isis has given BOTH of us. If that's what you need from me, I can give you that. I can cut YOU some slack.

But what about me? You want me to just...act like I haven't head my heart CUT OUT and STOMPED ON because Haleigh MIGHT "go to the ends of the universe" for the people she cares about IF she's saved? That sounds a lot like the demented premise of christianity, suffer now, for the promise of eternal life. NO THANK YOU. I feel that once again, I'm being asked to give, but will receive little in the way of consideration in return, and Zach...I'm SICK of watching people like Haleigh and Ashley be rewarded....or getting a pass for their BAD BEHAVIOR!

I shouldn't have to act like an ill mannered, boorish wench in order to be appealing to you OR for you to remember OUR history.

For the time that's left...for whatever's going to happen. I'll....cut YOU some slack. But you need to remember who I am...and who we said we were to each other.

I need...

:: She HATED being in a position where she had to say she needed anything from anyone...especially a man::

...support...I need....

BAH!

:: she abruptly pulls her hand away from Zach, and draws up, shaking her head::

I'm not going to expose myself! That's what left me with all this PAIN I'm in NOW!

For the time that's left, I WILL cut you some slack.

::But as Alycia's heart began to harden, the decision she was supposed to make about her staying with the Birds of Prey was suddenly crystalizing, and zach was picking up on it. It wasn't good::

Was she even listening? He only had one thing left to try. Would it wreck Haleigh's plan? Probably. But deep down he knew he didn't want her to succeed, not like this, not if it meant they would all lose her forever.

"I know that you think Haleigh's evil, end of story.... but you only see what she's SHOWN YOU. You're reacting exactly the way she WANTS YOU TO, you haven't even tried to look deeper.

Did SHE think "deeply" about what she was doing in the parthenon garage? no...she was too busy letting CAMERON go deep.

Malice is CLEARLY forcing her to attack us -- but CAN'T you see what she's doing? She's not just blindly attacking WHOEVER. Her moves thus far have been strategic.

Zach, MALICE doesn't attack people blindly, you know that. So of course Black Widow wouldn't do it either. What Malice DOES, is strike to inflame anxiety, despair, distress, all the things that weaken a person, and remove their ability to be effective, and THEN, after "tenderizing" her foes, she moves in for the kill.

:: But Zach pressed on, and it was rather astonishing, what he said::

She's on a SUICIDE MISSION, Alycia. She's making sure you ALL have a reason to fight her! She needs you all to hate her, she wants you all to kill her.

That's ABSURD! HALEIGH suicidal?? I can't imagine her EVER wanting to remove herself, she spends so much time TAKING what she wants for herself!

And I can prove it to you.

:: He was appealing to her sensibility as a lawer::

How?

That sex tape she sent me had a MESSAGE. I wouldn't be surprised if she gave Bishop a message too, one way or another. We need a proper debriefing from him on exactly what was said and how the confrontation happened, start to finish."

:: Alycia stared at him in disbelief...but he was SINCERE in his belief, and after everything they'd just endured, it certainly couldn't HURT them to explore this angle.::

Well...Sharon told me that there was was video feed playing on the wall mounted tv in his apartment when she and Delilah found him. It would be easy enough to retrieve that.

As you know, Bishop is HERE, as my...house guest. So meeting with him certainly won't be an issue.

But before that happens Zach, there's something else we need to discuss too.

Rose.

:: She looked at him, with a softer facial expression::

I need her portfolio back.

Sharon and I...we have to renew our efforts on her behalf, change our approach. We missed the mark, but I'm convinced now more than ever that I should resume handling her portfolio.

She can't be "tabled" in favor of Haleigh, not after what Haleigh did to Jake, and I'm...concerned, that you may not be able to effectively advocate or assist Rose because of your feelings regarding Haleigh and Persephone.

I'm not saying this to insult you, OR punish you.

But you know she and her children are now facing a serious threat from Dennis Nedry, one that I am qualified to NEUTRALIZE.

 

[Orion]

Charope, LLC -- The Infirmary

Alycia: Yes, I've come to see that about her. She's sincere. And thoughtful.

As Alycia looked away from him, up to the monitor with Vivica's message, Zach felt his phone buzz in the breast pocket of his scrubs. It could be important, from Clandestine, The Six, The BoP, or even another message from Haleigh, so he reached for it right away. He opened the message, and immediately smiled.

Ashley>>> Zach: I’m thinking about how good my bed would look with you in it.

Dei, mi aiutano a controllare me stesso....

"Yes, Viv is very thoughtful. She's having food sent over to us, so we don't have to have jello for dinner."

He replied, and then, after speaking of hunger, he typed out a response.

>> Ash.... I'm thinking about how I'm going to make a meal out of YOU the next time I get you alone. Don't let me starve.

Alycia: I'm glad there's still time for us to be able to work together. :: Still looking at the screen:: And maybe even support each other in critical ways in a...post-Cameron world.

"I'm glad you two can be in the same room together without fisticuffs. It's amazing what kind of friendships can develop when you make an effort to give someone the benefit of the doubt, isn't it?"

They talked about Haleigh, and Cameron, and the whole horrific mess that was their love lives. She told him her side of it, and he truly felt bad for her, and the way she'd been disrespected by Cameron and Haleigh both.

Alycia: Instead...I listened to him as he talked so sweetly. From the very beginning, since my return to "man's world" during the Blue Moon, I let him CHARM me, and lead me down some...demented yellow brick road. I let him...BOTH of them make a FOOL of me.

"She told me about that incident too. You and I BOTH had a chance to get out that night. And yet, we both stayed, because we believed we could make our relationships work. You AREN'T a fool, Aly. NO ONE can MAKE a fool out of you, either. You thought you'd found something special. It's not YOUR FAULT he threw that away.

Alycia: And when he TOLD me what they'd done...the night she revealed the truth about herself to the Six, he had the unmitigated gall to declare that he had NO REGRET over he did, Zach. He told me SHE[Haleigh] was WORTH IT! That...that SELFISH, UNFEELING, TWO FACED WRETCH!

She was crying, and it was poignant to watch, especially when she turned away to hide it. He hated that she was hurting, and he HATED Cameron for being the reason. He reached to touch her arm, and take some of that grief away.

"Aly, [he squeezed her forearm] You are a SMART, BEAUTIFUL, BRAVE woman, and you deserve far better than what that asshole did to you."

Alycia spoke of hating them both, and having fallen for the illusion of friendship with Haleigh. Zach knew Haleigh's side of her relationship with Alycia, how disjointed it was, full of false starts and misconstrued moments. She turned back over to face him, and he made eye contact.

"It wasn't a lie or a joke. You and Haleigh just couldn't quite synch up. She WANTED your friendship, she just failed you miserably half the time."

Alycia: My anger toward you has largely been misplaced. I was angry with you because you KNEW what she was capable of, and you loved her anyway. Well that was irrational of me, and it was me projecting my own dismay over loving Cameron on to you.

"Yes well, I fell in love with her, I can't help that. We are ALL Aphrodite's victims. And I figured your frustration was linked to Cameron, but GODS, please tell me you don't think I'm ANYTHING like HIM."

Alycia: Some of it was also RESENTMENT over the fact that you got yourself OUT of the way of their trainwreck, but I didn't do that for myself in time. I was HUMILIATED...and I...hoped that I might rely on you, I hoped you'd rely on ME, like we promised.

"You CAN rely on me, I haven't turned my back on you."

He said, and squeezed her hand. She was trembling with grief, still and he absorbed more, gently eased her suffering.

Alycia: But there you were...with Ashley...and I just couldn't understand how you could go from the frying pan to the fire like that. I thought that WE would be there for one another, when the DARKNESS of Cameron and Haleigh became too much...too immobilizing for us...

"Aly..... me and Ashley.... [he sighed] I didn't plan that, it kind of just happened."

He said, reflecting. He'd contacted Ashley because he'd had a BASER need to fulfill, and hadn't thought it would be anything more than a one night stand. In FACT, he'd thought sleeping with her would have the LEAST amount of consequences attached. But slowly, it seemed to be growing into something more. They were both starting to give each other something that was desperately needed, more than just physical satisfaction. They were beginning to share more of each other each time, and he found himself wanting to continue that trend.

Alycia: It seemed that everyone was getting what they wanted...what they needed...except me. And yes, I DO resent Ashley. She's a cruel, cantankerous bitch who has no respect for anyone.

"Ugh, I can't stand it when you talk about her like that. There's more to her than you give her credit for, Alycia. LIFE made her the way she is, she's had to become HARD to survive, and of COURSE she would be abrasive to you, you're always trying to insult and antagonize HER. Whichever one of you threw the first punch, it doesn't MATTER. SOMEBODY has to stop the vicious cycle. If it's not going to be YOU to turn the relationship around, don't expect HER to suddenly be pleasant to you while you're calling her a slut, or a whore, or a bitch."

Alycia: I thought you'd had your FILL of women who behave badly with HALEIGH. Maybe it seems...intrusive to you...for me to say something like that. But I've known you for along time. I CARE about you...and I just...I just thought that after Haleigh, you DESERVED BETTER.

"I deserve better than WHAT? In all this madness lately, she's hasn't ONCE made me feel shitty about what's happening. I've managed to find a few fleeting moments of happiness with her, in the middle of this catastrophe. I don't understand why you're so upset about it."

Alycia: Zach...you and I have been in each other's lives for YEARS. We watched, and stood by the Six. We went from being passive observers, to being allies, to being evacuees at the midnight hour...to being on the FRONT LINES with them. We sort of..."GREW UP" together with them. We've ended up working together in key roles and functions outside of the six, doing GOOD work that benefits the mutant population. Can you BLAME me for being even just a LITTLE emotionally invested in YOU? Can you understand how it looked...and FELT for me, NOW that I've told you this?

He sensed something from her then, and comprehension dawned on his face. They'd always been direct and honest with each other, but never discussed something quite so personal. Now he was realizing what exactly was bothering her.

"Oh, Alycia, I..."

Alycia: But maybe that's my problem. Maybe I've lost my way and become WEAK.

"No, you're being too hard on yourself--"

Alycia spoke of her return from Themyscria, and how she could have gone anywhere but chose to return to the Six. She seemed to think it had been a mistake to do so, but he didn't agree.

"You've done a LOT of good since you came back, and I'm GLAD you did. I'm sorry if you feel the negatives outweigh the positives."

They talked about Haleigh, and she still didn't seem convinced, but he knew that her experiences with Haleigh had been mixed, some awful, some not so bad.

Alycia: The ends of the universe!?

"Didn't she just go there, for Alexia, and Delilah?"

He asked gently, referring to the most recent Six mission.

Alycia: Do you really believe that she's being...COERCED? EITHER OF THEM?

"Do YOU really believe she'd ever hurt a CHILD if she thought she had a choice NOT to? I know you don't think very highly of her, but come on.... she was willing to DIE to reunite Delilah and her daughter. Just because Haleigh can't HAVE kids doesn't mean she hates them or wants to hurt them."

Alycia brought up the way Haleigh had invaded her relationship with Cameron, and how she'd abused Alycia's trust. Zach nodded in understanding when Alycia declared that she wasn't going to give Haleigh a 'pass' on that.

Alycia: Even if she's being coerced by Malice NOW, she most certainly wasn't being coerced THEN!

"Agreed. She did you WRONG, Alycia, and you have every right to be upset with her for THAT."

Alycia: Sharon died in my arms. :: She said, with a pained expression on her face:: But not even in DEATH was she safe from Mystech. They revived, and MUTATED her. She WAS insane, Zach. That wasn't her fault, and she DID need help. HALEIGH is NOT insane.

"No, Haleigh's NOT insane, but she's not in CONTROL either."

Alycia: Your love for Haleigh and Ava almost got you...AND me killed! You're asking a TALL order from me, Zach Armani.

"I know, and I'm sorry that we're in this mess, and I'm sorry that I even NEED to ask this of you, but we promised to support each other, didn't we? This is the support that I'm asking you for, like it or not. It's up to YOU to decide whether or not you can give it."

Alycia: But...I care about you, maybe more than I should, and I don't want to waste this chance that Isis has given BOTH of us. If that's what you need from me, I can give you that. I can cut YOU some slack.

"THANK YOU."

Alycia: But what about me? You want me to just...act like I haven't head my heart CUT OUT and STOMPED ON because Haleigh MIGHT "go to the ends of the universe" for the people she cares about IF she's saved? That sounds a lot like the demented premise of christianity, suffer now, for the promise of eternal life. NO THANK YOU. I feel that once again, I'm being asked to give, but will receive little in the way of consideration in return, and Zach...I'm SICK of watching people like Haleigh and Ashley be rewarded....or getting a pass for their BAD BEHAVIOR!

"I don't want you to act like what Haleigh has done has no effect on you, or no consequences. All I'm saying is, maybe she doesn't deserve to DIE for it? Maybe she doesn't deserve to spend anymore time in the possession of MALICE? If we get her BACK from Hellfire, she can answer for her transgressions THEN."

Alycia: I shouldn't have to act like an ill mannered, boorish wench in order to be appealing to you OR for you to remember OUR history.

"Aly, you have been a GREAT friend to me. I respect you for who you ARE, and I care about maintaining our relationship. I don't want THIS to be the end of our friendship, but I don't know what else to say. I can't read your mind....

Alycia: For the time that's left...for whatever's going to happen. I'll....cut YOU some slack. But you need to remember who I am...and who we said we were to each other. I need... ..support...I need.... BAH! I'm not going to expose myself! That's what left me with all this PAIN I'm in NOW! For the time that's left, I WILL cut you some slack.

She pulled her hand from his, and he let her. He recognized the emotions in her, but so soon after her disastrous break-up with Cameron, he was concerned that this, too, was an instance where she was projecting her residual feeling for Cameron onto him, and he was deeply worried that he'd be unable to prevent their friendship from going to ruin if he encouraged her feelings in any way right now.

Alycia: Did SHE think "deeply" about what she was doing in the parthenon garage? no...she was too busy letting CAMERON go deep.

GODS, does she have to remind me??

He thought, reaching for his pocket, wanting a peppermint. But these weren't his pants, and there weren't any mints in them. He sighed heavily, and left his seat, going back to the window, and staring out of it into the city, trying to think of something nicer than the imagining of what Haleigh and Cameron did to each other, and his Maserati.

Ashley's laugh. Or the way her smile reaches her eyes.

He smiled at the memory. Behind him, Alycia moved the discussion on. He didn't turn back around, he just scratched his beard, then folded his arms across his chest.

Alycia: Zach, MALICE doesn't attack people blindly, you know that. So of course Black Widow wouldn't do it either. What Malice DOES, is strike to inflame anxiety, despair, distress, all the things that weaken a person, and remove their ability to be effective, and THEN, after "tenderizing" her foes, she moves in for the kill.

"All the more reason to believe MALICE is the one in control of Ava and Haleigh."

On the subject of Bishop, Alycia mentioned a video playing at the scene of his assault. Now Zach DID turn from the window, and looked at her with interest.

"A video! Of what? We've got to review it, and make sure a copy gets to Zizi. She's the one who found the code that revealed Haleigh's first message. And I'm sure Haleigh said SOMETHING to Bishop himself."

Alycia: As you know, Bishop is HERE, as my...house guest. So meeting with him certainly won't be an issue. But before that happens Zach, there's something else we need to discuss too. Rose. I need her portfolio back. Sharon and I...we have to renew our efforts on her behalf, change our approach. We missed the mark, but I'm convinced now more than ever that I should resume handling her portfolio. She can't be "tabled" in favor of Haleigh, not after what Haleigh did to Jake, and I'm...concerned, that you may not be able to effectively advocate or assist Rose because of your feelings regarding Haleigh and Persephone. I'm not saying this to insult you, OR punish you. But you know she and her children are now facing a serious threat from Dennis Nedry, one that I am qualified to NEUTRALIZE.

He looked a bit dejected when he nodded.

"Alright. I really am sorry I let Rose down, and neglected the Sanctuary. I just..... I've had too many irons in the fire lately. I wasn't able to keep up with the workload. I should have asked for your help but... I didn't want to disappoint anyone."

He admitted.

 

[MorningStar]

Charope, LLC - Alycia's Office

Cameron ALSO didn't have to lead Alycia down a path he knew would end in pain and unhappiness for her. Did either of them think about her? By his own admission, he has no regret for what he did.

“Come on Morg – you know he regrets hurting her. I actually spoke to him about Alycia not long ago – he admitted to me that he had kissed Haleigh. He told me how he didn’t want to hurt Alycia then. I told him to make his decision – and if it wasn’t Alycia he needed to break it off with her THEN, before things progressed any further between them. But he didn’t act quickly enough it seems…”

She didn’t condone what Cameron had done, but she knew him. She knew WHY he had done these things. He got involved with Alycia because he thought he was moving on, only to find out he couldn’t. It was a shitty situation for all involved.

The discussion turned. And she admitted, it was good to be able to speak her mind with Morgan, to have a conversation like this again.

HOW is it that they managed to recruit Sharon, Alycia...and DOMINIQUE?! I still couldn't believe this when Blaze first told me. I really do need to meet them.

Delilah chuckled.

“When you meet Oracle, you’ll understand.”

Discussion of the Birds of Prey led into talk of Karen.

Blaze asked our mother to evacuate to Minerva's Aerie, and I agree with her. My mother has suffered enough through the recent events. The nightmares, Frost, the attacks by Talisman, her...perceived failure regarding BOTH Persephone and Black Widow...and the very strong possibility that one OR both of them might attack her?

“And Talisman is obviously gunning for her. The more players we can remove from the game, the better. Despite Karen’s considerable prowess. I wouldn’t want to take the chance.”

She was angry with us. She believed that Blaze was implying she was weak or incapable of defending herself.

“People DO underestimate her, Morgan.”

Morgan told her that Karen had relented, and Delilah expressed her relief at that.

But in order for that to happen, all of you are going to have to be ready to cross into territory that some of you might not be comfortable with.

“I know how to do what’s necessary, Morgan.”

They gave her so little credit. She had put the team first on so many occasions… Her conversation with Bishop earlier came to her mind, where he had commented on the very same thing.

But her attention snapped back to Morgan when she revealed the Six had been meeting without her.

Delilah, get real! You were involved in an emergency yourself! You can't be everywhere at once! Communication works both ways, Delilah, that's why I'm here now.

“Yes! But even after Maxim was almost KILLED, I found the time to contact all of YOU and let you know what was going on! You should have done the same.”

You hate my sister right now, and while I can't necessarily DO anything about that, you're going to have to stop assuming that everything she does is a slight against you. It's not. You weren't being excluded!

“Like hell I wasn’t Morgan. If Cameron was there, *I* was being excluded. If you took the time to go to the War Room, *I* was being excluded. I’m sure Blaze didn’t even CONSIDER contacting me.”

When you talk about working together, that INCLUDES Blaze, and like I told Cameron, the time of division among this team is OVER. If we're going to be EFFECTIVE, then you're ALL going to have to make adjustments. If you can't, then you're GOING to sit this one out.

Delilah gave Morgan a look.

“*I’ve* done my duty, no matter what else was going on. *I* helped Frost – who do you think I did that for? It certainly wasn’t Karen. *I* was there for the Purifiers, when I didn’t have to be. I think I’ve proven that I can get the job done despite the circumstances, thank you very much.”

The gathering in the War Room was just that- it wasn't some secret meeting. The only DEFINITE agreement that was reached was that getting my mom and Mike out of harm's way is going to happen now.

Delilah nodded. THAT was something they could agree on.

I don't know what your problem is with him, but you need to understand something, he LOVES my mother, and she loves him. He's made her the happiest she's been in YEARS, he's been everything to her that my father REFUSED to be, and he's revived parts of her that she didn't think she could feel anymore.

“And he treats her like a bird in a gilded cage…when she’s a powerful sorceress. He’s JUST like Nicolas.”

He's a GOOD MAN, with a heart, with courage, and instead of running away from my mother, jumping ship to save himself, he stands by her, by US. He CARES about what happens to ALL OF US, he's an ALLY, UNLIKE BISHOP!

“Oh yes, I’m quite aware of everyone’s DISTASTE for Bishop.”

Things might have been so different had they had a glimmer of the acceptance for him that they gave to Mike.

Delilah and Morgan were silent for a while.

They discussed Cameron, Alison, and soon Haleigh, and whether she could be being coerced, and her having left Maxim alive on purpose.

But more than likely, it's play from Malice's book, using psychological AND physical warfare to maximize the anxiety, the hurt and the pain. Let the person UNRAVEL, and very likely do her work FOR HER.

She hadn’t considered that. She wanted to believe this wasn’t just some complex mental game. That Haleigh WAS sending them clues. But maybe it was all what it appeared to be…

But I'm also not going to allow you or Cameron to box me in either. You can't expect me to be effective if you don't give me the room I need to work, and in an EMERGENCY, there's not always TIME to wait for people to decide if they agree or not.

“Just make sure you’re not using that as an excuse to just do whatever you want.”

Sharon’s voice interrupted them to say she was leaving, and Morgan too prepared to go.

You may not like the way I do things sometimes, but you know what it is to have to make a decision without consulting others, when lives are at stake.

Delilah nodded. This was certainly true.

Please be safe.

“And you.”

She was alone then in Alycia’s office, which looked like a tornado had come through. Or like someone had taken a golf club to it. She must have been REALLY angry. And she had a right to be. That made her think about Maxim…and ASHLEY. And she WAS angry about that, even though she had relented and made peace about it with him. The thought of HIM with HER…with ANYONE…

Her mind told her that he was right, that she HAD been sleeping with Andrew at the time, that they weren’t an item. Hell, she didn’t even know what they were right NOW. But it still hurt to think he could be with someone other than her.

She could only imagine how terrible it would feel if they had been a couple at the time, and if he had slept with someone he had a past with, someone who she thought was her friend.

She shook her head. She didn’t want to lose any more time than she already had, especially over someone as inconsequential as Ashley. And her conversation with Morgan had only brought her feelings more to the forefront: Cameron and Haleigh had stayed apart for years…why? And she had let the others’ feelings about Bishop force her to give him up. But there was no real reason they couldn’t try again now, there was no real reason they should stay apart, just because the Six disapproved.

She got up and went to the elevator, taking it downstairs to the Infirmary. She found Maxim, sitting out in the main room on a little two seat sofa, flipping through a magazine. She sat next to him, pulling her legs up onto the sofa next to her, and leaned her head on his shoulder.

 

[Persephone]

She really didn't know how much time had passed; if it was still evening or early morning. It didn't matter. There was a contentment Persephone hadn't felt in a long time that made her not want to leave the room and go back to reality, but she knew she had too. She was still living in the Hellfire Club, she was still preparing for war against the Six and Birds of Prey, and she still had a bullseye painted on her back in regards to people WITHIN the walls of Hellfire and OUT. Reality was sobering.

She laid tangled within Alek's arms, her face next to his neck and her eyes closed. She let the rhythm of his breathing lull her despite knowing she had to leave. She needed to write out a report to Helena before the Red Queen came rampaging in for round two of why Zachary Armani wasn't dead. Everything needed to be detailed in order for not only the Red Queen, but the Black and White Queens to know exactly the methodology of how Silver Swan, Charope, and Orion attacked. How they reacted to situations. Their weaknesses against Persephone, and how they could assure triumph the next time. As bad of a rap as Hellfire Club had, they were THOROUGH in their planning to make sure they would WIN the WAR. All the battles thus far were simply to learn and adapt.

Persephone pressed her lips against Alek's neck, her hand gently moving along his chest and to his neck before helping him turn his head to face her, her lips then finding his mouth. She allowed the kiss to last for a few moments, savoring it before she broke it.

"I have to go."

Giving him another kiss, this one shorter than the last as she propped herself up.

"Helena needs a written report about my attack. Can't keep the good Queen waiting."

She deadpanned with a smirk. Persephone's hand moved along the side of Alek's face as she looked into his eyes. He may not have wanted her to worry, but she did despite herself.

"You do what you need to do."

She instructed softly and surreptitiously.

"I'm going to do the same."

Climbing out of bed, Persephone quickly got dressed before departing Alek's chambers. Making her way back to her own room, she tossed her boots to the floor and let out a heavy sigh as she took out her iphone.

Haleigh>> You're turn.

She texted, her eyes lifting after hitting send. She stared forward, knowing the game needed to be played.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

Steel slammed his fist down on the table, shaking it. Ashley looked at him. She knew he had a well-earned reputation for making the plight of the innocent victim personal, and she could see it in him now. Haleigh had hurt a child, and he wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever was necessary to stop her. Which was good, because it meant he was on her side. And not hampered as he usually was by petty things like "rules".

Her phone buzzed and she looked at the incoming text.

>> Ash.... I'm thinking about how I'm going to make a meal out of YOU the next time I get you alone. Don't let me starve.

Ashley rolled her eyes, and started typing.

>> Zach: Quit the fancy talk…just tell me you want to fuck me.

Then she glanced around her, a secretive smile playing on her lips.

>> Zach: But trust me, you’ve never had such a feast.

She smirked in satisfaction before looking up and seeing that the others were still talking, about Rose again.

“But she’s got a hell of a lot of firepower.”

“Which does us no good if she turns it on US.”

She shot back scornfully.

And then he went on to actually DEFEND Sharon.

“Come on, Ash…I know you don’t get along with her, but she saved Zach tonight. She’s NOT in league with Hellfire for fuck’s sake. And she should be here, with us.”

“Ava’s INEPTITUDE saved Zach tonight. She blew it. And if Sharon was such hot shit, she would have kept Zach from being hurt AT ALL. But she allowed Zach and Alycia – who, granted, I don’t give a fuck about – to nearly be killed by someone whose greatest power is making PLANTS GROW.”

She stood and went over to where John sat at the table.

“And how do we KNOW Sharon’s not in league with Hellfire? She’s a damn member and fucking one of their inner circle!”

She stared down at him.

“Is it so easy for you to forget what she did to me?!”

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- The White Princess's Suite

After a long, hot shower, Haleigh pulled on a tank top and some shorts to lounge around in. She walked out into her living room, sank into the sofa, and reclined against the arm rest, as she turned on the big screen and flipped through the surveillance feeds to see if anything good was 'on'. As could be expected, Alek and Persephone were together, though curiously, it was in HIS room, and not in HERS, where Haleigh had left them. Even MORE curious was the fact that they were still clothed. Haleigh activated the audio feed, and the conversation she heard made her blood run cold. She shut off the feed when they starting pawing at each other, and set her mind to other inquiries. She'd deal with that soon enough, for now, it was time to tug on other loose ends.

The IDIOTS had taken the boy to a proper hospital. What the hell was wrong with them, did they WANT to attract attention? It worked out well for Haleigh, anyway, because she had full access to the records that way. She found out the boy had survived, and was expected to make a full recovery. Well, that was nice for him. SHE still felt awful about what she'd done, and probably always would. She'd still do it again, if ordered, to prevent them from using Ava against her. Even IF Persephone was in control now, it didn't mean Haleigh was going to throw her to the sharks. For as long as she could protect her sister, she would.

Haleigh wasn't so fortunate in her search for information on Zach. They'd been smarter in their handling of him. He was either at Charope's Infirmary, or Clandestine's. There was no death certificate on file yet. She couldn't access Charope's mainframe, or Clandestine's, without some very serious effort. There was no reason to tip them off by hacking in. Less surprising was the fact that there was nothing on file for Bishop either. She could easily have stabbed him on the LEFT side of his chest. Instead she gave him a CHANCE to survive.

What were they doing, these former friends of hers? What were they thinking, saying, planning? Were they all gunning for her yet?

Text scrolled across the bottom of her HUD, a message from Ava--

No, from Persephone.

Two words, and a most interesting development. It was Haleigh's 'turn'. That was relatively quick, but very significant. She sent a text out herself, this one went to the Red Knight.

To Alek>> You come to ME this time, Bearclaw.

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion – Red Knight’s Quarters

He had dozed again, but woke to Persephone kissing his neck. She turned his head towards her and kissed him, and he shifted his position, putting his hand on her waist. He was looking forward to staying in bed with her for the rest of the night and the better part of the next day.

"I have to go."

“Yeah, right…”

He smiled as they kissed again, but then she broke away and propped herself up.

"Helena needs a written report about my attack. Can't keep the good Queen waiting."

Her hand was on his face and he caught it, holding it there.

“Come on, stay.”

Their eyes were locked together, but a strange look came over her face.

"You do what you need to do."

He looked into her face quizzically.

”I'm going to do the same."

“Seph…”

And then she was out of the bed and getting dressed.

“It’s the middle of the night, just- just come back to bed. I’ll help you with the report in the morning…you can’t leave me like this…”

She couldn’t have been out the door faster if she had been running.

"FUCK!"

He laid back on the pillow with a groan, looking up at the ceiling. Maybe she was running. Was she having second thoughts? Should he go over there? Maybe this was a test to see if he followed her…

He rolled over onto his stomach. Gah, he hated this. He hated feeling so insecure, it was not like him at all. Was this Persephone twisting the knife because she knew she could? Kissing him, getting him all riled up, then leaving?

His phone buzzed on the night stand where he had put it before Persephone had arrived. He reached for it and read the text.

From Haleigh >> You come to ME this time, Bearclaw.

The timing was too perfect for her NOT to have been watching. Normally he would have hoped she liked the show, but for some reason he didn’t want her to have been watching this time.

Should he go?

He did want to check on her, make sure she was still on board about Ava. That she hadn’t sat stewing in her room and deciding that her sister was gone forever. He dressed quickly in slacks and a dress shirt, and quickly crossed the distance between the red and white wings.

Arriving at the White Princess’ Suite, he leaned against the doorframe and knocked.

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- The White Princess's Suite

It wasn't long before there was a knock at her door. She cast a glance at it, with the Xray filter. Alek was there, playing it 'cool'. If only she could xray his thoughts. She rose from the couch, padded barefoot across the floor, and opened the door for him. She did not smile, or even smirk, just made room for him to enter, and gestured accordingly.

"Have a seat, would you like a beer?"

She offered, and then a thought crossed her mind.

Possibly your LAST.....

She went for the fridge, and pulled out two Sam Adams, then pulled a tall pilsner from her freezer and combined them both. She did the same for him. When she came back out into the living room, she handed him the icy glass, then sat back down on her end of the sofa, leaving one foot on the floor, and crossing her legs at the knee. She drank a bit, then gently lowered the glass to the couch cushion, balancing it there by holding the rim. They weren't within reach of each other, yet. She gazed steadily at him.

"So you're making LOVE to her now?"

She asked coldly. No reason to be shy about it. They both knew that SHE knew, it would waste time to pretend otherwise.

"And YOU accused ME of acting like my actions had no consequences."

She scoffed, and drank some more. She wanted to BEAT him for how stupid he was being. She remembered his stammering response to questions she'd posed earlier about why exactly he CARED about what happened to her or her sister. Had he believed he'd fooled either of them with his 'logistics'?

"I wonder, is it genuine? Do you CAAAARE about her?"

It seemed like he DID, even if he didn't want to. It was very dangerous, this development. They were all much better off when all he wanted to do was fuck them both, and his motivations were tied to that. If he started to get too attached.... that could get them all killed.

"Do you think you're the only man she's fucked since she got here? Bad news for you, Bear. You aren't. Persephone knows how to use sex like a weapon."

She said, with more cruelty than she'd ever shown him before.

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion – White Princess’ Suite

She opened the door and moved aside so he could enter, without even as much as a hello. She must be angry about what she’d seen. Good. That would teach her to spy on people if she couldn’t handle it.

"Have a seat, would you like a beer?"

“Sure.”

He took a seat on the sofa, and leaned back into the corner. She handed him a beer in a frosted glass.

“You do know that only waters down the beer, right?”

She drank her beer, and he his. They were both silent.

Well isn’t this fun.

"So you're making LOVE to her now?"

Quite an opening line.

“You tell me, you were obviously watching.”

"And YOU accused ME of acting like my actions had no consequences."

He rolled his eyes at her.

“It ain’t ME they’re trying to punish here, toots. Besides, it’s not like I haven’t been fucking her – and you, for that matter – since she arrived at the mansion.”

"I wonder, is it genuine? Do you CAAAARE about her?"

“Fuck you, Haleigh.”

He took another drink of beer, and then something occurred to him. An amused half smile spread over his face as he slid towards her on the couch.

“Oh is that what this is about? Don’t like coming up in second place? Or maybe it’s third…”

"Do you think you're the only man she's fucked since she got here? Bad news for you, Bear. You aren't. Persephone knows how to use sex like a weapon."

“And so do I.”

He gave her a long hard look before taking another drink of his beer and setting the glass down on the white coffee table.

“I don’t care who she fucks – sex is just sex.”

He knew about Zachary Armani, of course. But that guy was on borrowed time already. There hadn’t been anyone else in the mansion, or he would have known about it.

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- The White Princess's Suite

Alek: You do know that only waters down the beer, right?

Haleigh shrugged.

"Not if you drink it before the ice melts."

She replied, holding up her glass, which she was already halfway through by the time he 'answered' her question about the quality of his interactions with Persephone.

Alek: It ain’t ME they’re trying to punish here, toots. Besides, it’s not like I haven’t been fucking her – and you, for that matter – since she arrived at the mansion.

"Oh sure, and nothing has changed about that arrangement?"

Alek: Fuck you, Haleigh.

"Not yet, my love."

She shot back sarcastically. She'd almost finished her beer, when he asked his next question smugly.

Alek: Oh is that what this is about? Don’t like coming up in second place? Or maybe it’s third…

She lowered her glass and licked her lips, shaking her head once.

"No, I truly don't care what the fucking order is, or haven't you been paying attention?"

He put up a good front, assuring her that he knew how to use sex as well. He even seemed calm.

Alek: I don’t care who she fucks – sex is just sex.

Until it isn't.

She thought, eyeing him carefully.

But you're very good at this game, aren't you?

"So you AREN'T making love to her then. That's excellent, I'd hate to lose you as a fuck buddy."

She said gamely, and then she finished her beer. She leaned the cold glass against her leg, returning a hard stare.

"So why DID she send you to me SO SOON, then? Checking up on me? How considerate."

She said dryly. She raised her brow.

"What is it you'd like to hear? I'll survive, like always. I'd very much like it if my SISTER does as well."

She looked down and rolled the beer glass along her leg, up towards her hip. Then she looked back up at him. Might as well be honest with him.

"And I guess I enjoy you around."

She said evenly. She shifted the direction of the conversation.

"So I did speak with the Black Knight earlier. She's not as friendly as you'd like, but she seems okay. What's your take on her, seriously?"

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion – White Princess’ Suite

"No, I truly don't care what the fucking order is, or haven't you been paying attention?"

He gave her a level gaze.

“I think you don’t like to lose.”

"So you AREN'T making love to her then. That's excellent, I'd hate to lose you as a fuck buddy."

“Aw, stop, I’m blushing.”

He smirked at her.

“Making love and fucking are two different things, or hasn’t anyone ever shown you the difference?”

He raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"So why DID she send you to me SO SOON, then? Checking up on me? How considerate."

With that he froze, just for a second. His jaw clenched. Something Seph had said came back to him:

You do what you need to do.

It took on a different meaning now.

People wear many masks.

Had she really TOLD Haleigh to contact him? To fuck him even? Was it so easy for her to accept his dick in someone else? Her erstwhile sister in fact?

He watched Haleigh carefully.

"What is it you'd like to hear? I'll survive, like always. I'd very much like it if my SISTER does as well."

Maybe that’s not good enough…

“I’d like to hear that you aren’t going to abandon her when it comes down to her or you.”

He couldn’t help but say it. Persephone was angry about the way Haleigh had treated Ava, about her not protecting her. That couldn’t continue, even with Persephone able to fight for herself this time.

Haleigh was sliding her glass up her leg very provocatively.

"And I guess I enjoy you around."

He laughed.

“I think anyone within a city block of you while we were fucking could attest to that.”

But she didn’t continue that line of discussion.

"So I did speak with the Black Knight earlier. She's not as friendly as you'd like, but she seems okay. What's your take on her, seriously?"

He nodded slowly.

“Keeps to herself mostly. Bad past. Drugs. Makes it kind of hard to trust her now, knowing she has that weakness inside her. She comes off as some kind of intelligentsia – but there’s violence there. That she’s not afraid to use. I’m not sure she isn’t a little mad. I don’t trust her.”

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- The White Princess's suite

Alek: I think you don’t like to lose.

He was looking for weaknesses where none existed, but he'd inadvertently sent her mind somewhere else. No, she didn't like to lose FAMILY. Everything else was trivial, she'd learned.

I've lost everything, maybe even my sister.

She thought, but she still managed to keep her expression even. He didn't seem to notice, at least, because he had a cute quip and a smirk ready for her. Then he tried to strike back.

Alek: Making love and fucking are two different things, or hasn’t anyone ever shown you the difference?

"Well that's entirely my point, Alek. One thing is harmless, the other is not."

She warned as rose slowly, taking her glass to the sink, pouring herself another round in a new frozen glass, and hospitably checking the level of his. She appeared to have softened somewhat towards him, as if she'd been assured by his responses, or his skill. Reading between his lines wasn't terribly difficult.

"I'M certainly not going to show YOU the difference, but that's not what -- or should I say WHO -- we three are starting to worry about, is it?"

Alek: I’d like to hear that you aren’t going to abandon her when it comes down to her or you.

"I'd like to hear the same of you. Which of us has the deeper connection to Ava?"

She asked rhetorically, coming back to the couch and easing back down. Talk moved to Cobra, as a prospective ally.

Alek: Keeps to herself mostly. Bad past. Drugs. Makes it kind of hard to trust her now, knowing she has that weakness inside her. She comes off as some kind of intelligentsia – but there’s violence there. That she’s not afraid to use. I’m not sure she isn’t a little mad.

"Oh, we're all mad here, or so said the Cat."

She interjected, and it sounded something like humor, but still, not even a smirk. She lifted her glass to drink.

Alek: I don’t trust her.

"So she's smart, but also she's a snake. But is she a smart snake who is also USEFUL? And what about the rest? Are they all merely lackeys? Can any of THEM handle themselves in a fight? We're likely to be in one VERY soon, you know."

 

[Silver Swan]

Outside of Rose's sanctuary

"You wanna help Rose...then you gotta understand something about her. She wants revenge...but she won't survive gettin' it. Not in the way that she wants to now. That dark, tingly aspect of her power, there's a COST to channelin' it...just like everytime I open myself to the other side, there's a risk I won't come back. You know Rose. What her life's work is..In order to keep doin' that..to keep thriving the way she has been...is to keep that part of herself that makes her such a bright soul. I'm afraid if she succeeds in striking down this black widow, that all she has worked for will be lost. That she will blame herself until the end of time...that she will lose focus on these kids..and lose them, which will only send her further down the rabbit hole..."

:: Rae grabbed Sharon's shoulders on either side. ::

"But somethin' tells me YOU are strong enough to do this..and live with it. You are a WHIRLWIND of power..."

:: She looked down and to the side as if she were listening to somebody talk into her ear. ::

"Alleo."

:: Rae smiled. ::

[ Sharon's eyebrows lifted a bit, as Rae spoke to her, and TO her. ]

If I hadn't had the help, and support of people like Alycia, Morgan, and Nicolas (among others), I wouldn't have been able to recover from the initial altered state I was in, when I was mutated into this form I now wear.

I know something of what it means to lose yourself, and then...not quite be able to put all the pieces back together.

[ Rae knew her amazonian name, without Sharon ever having mentioned it before! That was a...curious detail...one that actually impressed Sharon. No one else really, outside of Alycia and Nicolas had ever referenced "Alleo" when speaking to her. ]

"You need to look after her...and you need to make sure that whatever plan it is she comes up with, that you create an EXIT strategy for her. A way to separate her. I can't destroy a girl like ROSE, but I can BLOCK her for a few moments, hopefully long enough to bring her back from the brink. I think she DOES need to go through this..and I am not one to try and fuck with destiny, but I'm willin' to at least try when it comes to my Rosie Q. And that's saying something. So help her...but PROTECT her..and not just physically. Protect her heart. protect her soul...protect her petals."

I assure you, Rae, I will not let Rose sacrifice herself in that way. If ANYTHING, I will be the one to deal with Haleigh Davidoff as she DESERVES, so that Rose doesn't have to sully her hands, OR her soul. Rose NEEDS to be here, and I'm going to do all that I can to ensure that is so, for her, and her children. I won't let her be lost to the revenge that she seeks, but I WILL ensure that she AND Jake get the JUSTICE they deserve.

[JUSTICE. Simon reminded her of her former life. He reminded her of her SON, actually. She allowed herself, for a moment, to wonderif Kyle had lived, and been able to grow into his mutation, would he have been something like Simon? But beyond that personal thought, Simon reminded Sharon of her quest for justice, her advocacy. HE TOO called on her to watch out for Rose. She may have missed the mark before, following her return as the Silver Swan, but Rae helped her, and Alycia get a better sense and understand of Rose, and what she needed from them, and now, Sharon was ready to get to work.]

[ Sharon nodded as she walked past the woman and towards the Sanctuary.]

"Sharon."

[ The woman spun around on her heels as Rae walked over to her, not before flicking her cigarette on the ground. ]

"You know...there's nothing wrong with being different than you were. You gotta adapt to survive..I get it. But there's parts of you that will never change...that are ALWAYS there...sometimes those aspects of you gotta sink so the ones that keep you alive can swim..."

"There's something about you...I like. That I trust. You're a full bodied kind of woman..and there's not that many of us old bitches left like that in this world..."

:: She grabbed Rose's hands. ::

[ Sharon looked down at Rae's hands. MOST people were afraid to touch Sharon in her current form, which is what lead her to believe that they were disgusted by her. Of course there were some exceptions- such as Nicolas, who never shied away or recoiled at the sight or touch of her- but there were others, who truly regarded her as a monster, and while she normally would just POWER THROUGH IT, there were times, that when she stopped to think about it...it DID hurt her on a level that these people, whom she'd GIVEN HER LIFE defending, now acted like they couldn't even be near her. But here RAE was...touching her without hesitation! She didn't know what was going on yet yet, but one good gesture deserved another, and so in order to make this contact meaningful, she mentally commanded her adamantium armor to flow away from her hands, revealing her soft, smooth, well manicured hands, ray would notice that her finger nails were silver as well.]

"Now...I don't normally do this...not my business to meddle unless it's asked for but...there's been somebody in my ear the moment I laid eyes on you that wants to say hello...and to be honest? I think he might be able to get some of those things that SANK in you back up to the surface...don't let go of my hands..."

[ Sharon began to wonder if maybe this....moment of communion was such a good idea after all? Her silver eyes stared at Rae with concern. She dare NOT allow herself to think Rae was referring to...her SON.]

:: Rae closed her eyes as she focused on the voice in her ear. A soft and chipper voice of a young boy. Sharon Kelly's son - Kyle. Though Sharon was looking at Rae, somehow she could see herself and Rae somewhere different altogether in her mind. It was a beautiful and lush garden that looked like it was almost a part of the garden of eden or somewhere just as beautiful. Standing next to Rae was Kyle. Her silver eyes rested on the visage of her son

[Sharon's silver eyes blink once, twice..and the open WIDE. ]

Is this is a TRICK!? why is she doing this!? I thought...

:: as Rae could feel a TUG from Sharon's hands. She clenched them tighter. ::

"Don't fight it, ladybird. You need this."

But....

:: In their mind though standing in front of The Sanctuary, Rae was using her connection to the other side to bring Sharon to a place that was in between this world and the other side, a safe place. The boy ran forward and JUMPED into Sharon's arms. ::

[ Sharon instinctively held out her arms, and caught the boy, HER SON and held him. She looked at him, and then she looked at RAE, pleading with her eyes for reassurance that this was real...that this was HIM, and not some cruel trick. Rae nodded and smiled, and Sharon sensed that she was TRUTHFUL...and so...]

Kyle: "MOM! Mommy! It's me! It's me! It's KYLE! You look so pretty!"

:: Rae smiled as she continued to be the conduit for this moment. She was an observant, not a participant and the interaction would unfold exactly as it needed to. Rae could tell that Sharon was desperate to connect to some part of herself that felt long lost and non existent. Sharon had reminded Rae in this moment that sometimes it was good to get involved in other people's business, especially when it looked like this. ::

[ Sharon couldn't help but be overcome with emotions. She felt parts of herself, that she thought had DIED the night Master Mold kill her, come roaring back to the surface. Some people mocked her, or thought she was crazy for holding on to her status as a MOTHER, for never wanting to forget Kyle, OR Robert. But she always believed that when she died, she would be reunited with them. NOW, following HER setting her son FREE of the hell he'd been damned to in Arklay mansion, here he was, as he TRULY was...so bright, so HAPPY now...just like he had once been, before that night in Arklay mansion]

Oh Kyle....baby!

[ She begans to weep as HUGS HIM him close as he wraps his lilttle arms around her. He's NOT afraid of her in her form of the Silver Swan. He LOVES her, just as he always had, and she FEELS that...feels HIM. ]

Mommy is so GLAD to see you, honey! You look so good!

Kyle: I MISS you mommy.

Sharon: And I miss you TOO, my brave, darling boy.

Kyle: Mommy, please don't be sad. I'm really OKAY where I am now, and DADDY is with me too!

DADDY!? ROBERT!?

Robert: Yes, Shary.

Sharon: BOBBY!?

[ Sharon exhaled/laughed in disbelief, blinking away tears as she saw ROBERT approaching, again, courtesy of Rae. When Robert FIRST appeared, he looked as he did that night when Sharon lost him, and Kyle. But here he was now, approaching her and their son! He looked so handsome, he'd grown to be the seasoned man she knew he could be. He was at PEACE now...AND her faith had been justified. Robert and Kyle HAD found each other in the afterlife! They were together. Kyle was safe, and they were both safe from Mystech!]

Sharon: ATHENA!!!

NO!!!

[ Sharon cried out, as her knees nearly buckled but Robert caught her in his arms. She tried to pull away from him at first, but he held her , and she soon stopped resisting]

Robert: It's okay, Shary! It's ME. promise you. I SHOULD have listened to you that night...but we're okay NOW. We're free from that hell...we're SAFE, and we're together. And YOU are were you are supposed to be. Look at you, so strong, so BEAUTIFUL, and POWERFUL.

Kyle: Mommy, you look amazing!

Robert: Just like one of his favorite comic book characters...

::FLASH::

<< a montage of KATIE and OTHER children in Rose's sanctuary, as Well as ALEXIA, ALL saying: WONDER WOMAN>>

Sharon: Oh god...

<< She finally let go, and fell into Robert's arms, and cried. He embraced her TIGHTLY, and they BOTH held Kyle. He was SO happy to have his mommy and daddy together, if only for a while, and to know that his mommy hadn't forgotten him, and was so glad to see him!>>

Sharon: Bobby, I'm SO SORRY that I couldn't SAVE YOU that night!

Robert: You did what you could, Shary...more than any woman or mother should have had to. You were put in that position because of me. It wasn't your fault.

<< Without saying another word, Robert KNEW what Sharon was feeling right now, and he was silently conveying to HER things that only a husband and wife could say. An APOLOGY from him to HER for not listening to her, and respecting her intuition and instinct...and for exposing them ALL to mortal danger as he chased his ambitions, the REASSURANCE that he was okay NOW, and that she'd done all she could for him AND Robert that night, and that his soul would ALWAYS recognize her's and that he would keep Kyle safe, forever, and that one day, they'd be together in the next life.>>

<< Sharon held on to them for dear life, and wept. it was this...TIDAL WAVE of grief, yet RELIEF, HAPPINESS yet sadness...how could such primal emotions CO-EXIST? And yet, that was what was happening now. Sharon's heart, her MIND where ABLAZE with memories of her former life, the woman that she was..>>

Robert: The woman that you ARE, and SO MUCH MORE now! It's OKAY, Shary. I promise you, Kyle and I are safe now...and we'll BE here when it's time for you to come join us, but that time ISN'T now. Rose and her babies, they NEED you. they need that strong woman, that MOTHER who would fight AND advocate. Rose WILL listen to you, and the others who know and others who understand..like Steel, they will too. You're STILL the smart, resourceful, and PASSIONATE woman that you where when I fell in love with you. Mystech didn't take that away from you. They could never change your SOUL, Sharon.


Kyle: We have to go now, mommy.

no....please....please STAY with me.

[ But again, Robert STILL heard her even as she tried to hide her dismay at the thought of them leaving her...AGAIN]

Robert: We can't, Shary. we're on two different planes of existence now. But we'll NEVER lose sight of you, just like you won't lose sight of us!

[ Sharon understood...]

Kyle: I LOVE YOU, Mommy!

[ One last hug...as Sharon then gently tosses him up in the air, and he sequeals with laughter and excitment, and she catches him in her uplifted arms, and spins him around. This moment happens in slow motion]

Sharon: I love you too, baby, FOREVER! You be a good boy, a BRAVE boy, and visit mommy SOON, okay?

Kyle: I will!

Robert: And I love you, Shary.

Sharon: I love you, Bobby. I always have. I always will. I'll never forget you...either of you.

[ They embrace with the wisdom of older lovers, and share a KISS with the passion of lovers half their age before letting go, at the sound of Kyle making a "yuck" noise and face, causing Robert and Sharon to life in spite of themselves. Robert wipes away Sharon's tears and gently runs his hand down her face, as silenly bids her farewell, stepping back, and taking Kyle's hand into his own. Together, father and son walk. They both turn back to look at Sharon Kelly, offering one last farewell...but instead of ..."GOODBYE"....]

Robert: See you LATER, Shary.

[ The difference meant the WORLD to her, and she KNEW now that this wasn't a joke, or a dream. It was this moment of realization that kept her from falling apart now as she wanted her family return to the afterlife]

[ Soon they vanished, and Sharon and Rae returned to the physical realm, they were still outside of the Sanctuary.]

Rae...


[ Sharon said, as she finally allowed herself to look at the woman again]

Thank you. That was the most..beautiful thing...and I needed it so much.

[ She sounded shaken, but it wasn't from fear, she was still reveling in the beauty of that tender family reunion]

[ Still in that moment of emotion, she reaches forward, and HUGS Rae, tightly, a genuine expression of gratitude on Sharon's part]

I feel...more like...MYSELF again!

[ She says as she lets go of Rae and steps back]

 

[Artemis]

Charope Infirmary: Alycia's suite

"I'm glad you two can be in the same room together without fisticuffs. It's amazing what kind of friendships can develop when you make an effort to give someone the benefit of the doubt, isn't it?"

Yes.

:: She said thoughtfully, as she recalled that moment. NICOLAS KING had to bridge the gap, before Alycia and Vivica nearly killed each other in a grudge catfight that was years in the making. But as time passed, she was able to rely on her OWN view of Vivica, rather than Nicolas' and she wasn't made to regret it. She sensed that Zach was subtly referring to Ashley. Much like Steel had in the coffee shop. They kept trying to sell her on that woman. But Alycia's mother had always told her "when someone tells you who they are, BELIEVE THEM." If Valkyrie was someone with any REDEEMING qualities, it shouldn't be ALYCIA'S burden to find them. She wanted people to know how she didn't care about anyone or how the way she behaved made anyone feel, so Alycia would take her at her word. and the amazon was not ABOUT to check in for abuse OR bigotry from a woman who thought she was BENEATH her simply because of her status as an amazon. NO WAY.::

"Oh, Alycia, I..."

Alycia: But maybe that's my problem. Maybe I've lost my way and become WEAK.

"No, you're being too hard on yourself--"

Alycia spoke of her return from Themyscria, and how she could have gone anywhere but chose to return to the Six. She seemed to think it had been a mistake to do so, but he didn't agree.

"You've done a LOT of good since you came back, and I'm GLAD you did. I'm sorry if you feel the negatives outweigh the positives."

I've always been pretty good about changing situations I don't like. But when the rug has been pulled out from under you the way it has me...and you hit the ground so hard you don't know which way is up!?

::sigh::

:: Zach expressed genuine thanks for Alycia finally agreeing to cut him some slack. Her opinion, and her reaction had MEANT something to him, and these days, that was a rare thing. In this moment, she just looked at him with her hazel eyes, and it was easy to just sit there...in silence, and take comfort in "that old feeling" that the two of them had enjoyed for so long- a very close, comfortable relationship, with a sort of...chemistry crackling just below the surface, which was probably what made them ENJOY each other's company and work well together::

I...envy you, Zach.

You got out in time. It HURT you, but you were able to make that choice because you knew you could at least find your way "tomorrow." That should've been ME too. But I let myself get too...comfortable with something that wasn't even REAL. That LOVE was a FACADE, on HIS part.

I wasted my time...and I ended up with nothing but pain and sorrow.

After I tore Cameron apart verbally in his apartment, and it was over, he tried to talk to me, he was FOLLOWING after me. I RAN from him, I wanted to get OUT of there before I did something I REGRETTED. But my eyes were blinded by tears, and my emotions were in meltdown, and like some stupid girl in a horror movie, I FELL down on the floor in the hallway.

Did I mention how HUMILIATED I was?!

And there he was, standing over me. he was REVELING in it! He...put his disgusting hands on me to pick me up and continue LECTURING ME after I'd verbally ripped him apart. He was trying to tell ME that I should be UNDERSTANDING...how he NEEDED Haleigh and he had NO REGRET for what he did!

I couldn't stand it! I couldn't stand the sight of him OR his touch, and so I cried out for Sharon, who was in the building too.

Sharon came to my aid, and handled things the only way she could, as she slapped Cameron INTO the wall and broke his jaw, and told him about himself. Of course then, Cameron's EGO was further bruised and so he actually tried to INTIMIDATE us with his power! RUBY was there to calm the situation, and then Sharon carried me away from him.

I wish...

:: She flinshed a bit at his touch , but his hand found her shoulder, and then her back::

I wish...that I'd had someone to wrap their arms around me...and hold me. Just...hold me while the darkness surrounded me, and offered me something...comfort...i don't know...SOMETHING.

"Aly, you have been a GREAT friend to me. I respect you for who you ARE, and I care about maintaining our relationship. I don't want THIS to be the end of our friendship, but I don't know what else to say. I can't read your mind....


She pulled her hand from his, and he let her. He recognized the emotions in her, but so soon after her disastrous break-up with Cameron, he was concerned that this, too, was an instance where she was projecting her residual feeling for Cameron onto him, and he was deeply worried that he'd be unable to prevent their friendship from going to ruin if he encouraged her feelings in any way right now.

:: eventually, they moved on to the subject of Haleigh again. Zach was adamant that he shared her outrage at the way Haleigh and Cameron had disrespected her, but he was equally adamant that Haleigh and Ava needed their HELP.::

"I don't want you to act like what Haleigh has done has no effect on you, or no consequences. All I'm saying is, maybe she doesn't deserve to DIE for it? Maybe she doesn't deserve to spend anymore time in the possession of MALICE? If we get her BACK from Hellfire, she can answer for her transgressions THEN."

:: She sighed once more and looked ahead, at nothing in particular. By now, Zach had moved to the window. Her heart was beginning to harden, and he knew it. If she decided to no longer care about the subject of Haleigh, or ANYTHING ELSE, what then? ::

::Zach and Alycia were "JUST THERE" regarding how Alycia was feeling in the aftermath of her heartbreak. He knew he had his dear friend back, but she was forever changed, and he was afraid of how that would look and sound in the coming days::

:: They moved on to Bishop and Haleigh...::

On the subject of Bishop, Alycia mentioned a video playing at the scene of his assault. Now Zach DID turn from the window, and looked at her with interest.

"A video! Of what? We've got to review it, and make sure a copy gets to Zizi. She's the one who found the code that revealed Haleigh's first message. And I'm sure Haleigh said SOMETHING to Bishop himself."

I don't know exactly. Sharon said she saw the footage playing when they got there, but she didn't tell me what she saw. In that moment, it wasn't terribly important, saving Bishop's life was. But maybe you'll be able to find something that you can use in it. I won't STOP you from doing what you need to do...unless I think your SAFETY is at risk, Zach. Sharon and I risked our lives for you...because we LOVE you. You've been in our lives for so long...and I KNOW your history with Sharon. I KNOW I Speak for Sharon too when I say this- we CAN'T imagine our lives OR this world without you.

I WON'T have you throwing your life away, do you hear me!?

:: She totally understood ahis comparison between the two of them and their commitment to Haleigh/Ava and Sharon, respectively, but Alycia needed him to see the key differences in these situations, and the unique RISKS that he faced. He needed to know that what happened to him would matter and EFFECT MORE than just him.::


:: when he indicated that he understood, they moved on to Rose. Alycia asked for the portfolio to be returned to her. She indicated that Rose's needs couldn't be tabled in favor of Haleigh, ESPECIALLY considering that Haleigh's actions had now exposed Rose to a whole NEW world of trouble.::

"Alright. I really am sorry I let Rose down, and neglected the Sanctuary. I just..... I've had too many irons in the fire lately. I wasn't able to keep up with the workload. I should have asked for your help but... I didn't want to disappoint anyone."

He admitted.

:: She looked on him with sympathy::

When Sharon and I couldn't carry on, you did a WONDERFUL job. You even developed a relationship with little Jake, one of the children that you and Rose saved during the Inferno.

But...Rae was right, we HAVEN'T been helping Rose the right way, and that has to change. She's in trouble, and the clock is ticking. She CAN'T be tabled because of Haleigh, not when Haleigh is DIRECTLY responsible for the trouble that Rose is now facing!

You've done your best. The evidence is clear. But now it's time for you to hand that baton off to me.

:: She held her hand out to him::

But your help is STILL needed, so I'm ask YOU to open your eyes. Rose and Jake are not out of danger yet, and if Dennis Nedry isn't stopped...

:: She hoped Zach could fill in the blank::

Black Widow told Rose that her children were weak, and had nothing to contribute to society.

We CAN'T let her words be the epitaph for those children. If they are seperated from Rose...you know what will happen to them. We CAN'T let that happen.

So while I AM uniquely qualified to fight Dennis Nedry, I'll still ned your help.

Will you be there for me, Rose, and those children? CAN you do that, even with this....MESS about Haleigh and Persphone all around you?

:: Now she was searching HIS eyes with her own hazel eyes, she hoped that the trust she was extending to him would not be squandered, and that he would be true to what he said earlier...::

 

[Jezebel]

The Sanctuary

:: The scene unfolding before her was definitely a beautiful one, if not one that made her feel a bit of regret. Watching Sharon reunite with her family in such a sweet and uplifting way, it made her think of all the people she had left behind in her life. Her mama and daddy, her brothers, ex husbands, her own son and grandchild. Rae was a rolling stone, and that was never going to change..because whenever she had tried to change it, she fucked it up and it made her run even farther away. Rae did her best when she kept to herself. But to see a woman who didn't see her family because of a series of great tragedies - though Rae had her reasons for what she did, she couldn't help but feelin' a bit like a piece of literal human garbage, and she wondered for a moment if her son were to pass on, would he even "visit" her? Or would he just move on to the other side without so much as a second thought. ::

:: As Sharon's departed husband came through and joined her and Kyle, Rae began to get a sense of perception she had previously been unaware of. When you were a medium on the level that she was, you saw things you weren't necessarily supposed to see. She listened as "Bobby" began to apologize, saying he should have listened. In her mind, she began to make out a structure - something that he had built with his hands, a beautiful mansion that housed a dark secret. Rae saw a party and a blackout. She heard screaming, saw flashes and felt impressions of things that had happened. Her mind focused on somebody from that event who was still alive, and it caused her to arch her eyebrow with worry. ::

"Remember...it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

:: Lines from a book she hadn't thought of in over a million years, or so it felt. She was a well read woman, but as a biproduct of studying a wide array of religious texts, when it came to reading for pleasure, Rae much preferred an US Weekly to a classic bit of literature. But those words she remembered. Why was she thinking of this now, during such a moment? It gave her pause and she felt it better to just focus on the moment of beauty unfolding around her. Rae may not have peace with her own family, but she could certainly take in a bit of this for herself, being the one who orchestrated it. She had almost forgotten what it was like to channel in this way. For years, she had spent her time using her gifts to recover children from the astral plane when they had gone too far, to bring back youth from POSSESSION. It wasn't often anymore that she got the chance to just give a person a little bit of faith, and it felt good. ::

[ One last hug...as Sharon then gently tosses him up in the air, and he sequeals with laughter and excitment, and she catches him in her uplifted arms, and spins him around. This moment happens in slow motion]

Sharon: I love you too, baby, FOREVER! You be a good boy, a BRAVE boy, and visit mommy SOON, okay?

Kyle: I will!

Robert: And I love you, Shary.

Sharon: I love you, Bobby. I always have. I always will. I'll never forget you...either of you.

[ They embrace with the wisdom of older lovers, and share a KISS with the passion of lovers half their age before letting go, at the sound of Kyle making a "yuck" noise and face, causing Robert and Sharon to life in spite of themselves. Robert wipes away Sharon's tears and gently runs his hand down her face, as silenly bids her farewell, stepping back, and taking Kyle's hand into his own. Together, father and son walk. They both turn back to look at Sharon Kelly, offering one last farewell...but instead of ..."GOODBYE"....]

Robert: See you LATER, Shary.

[ The difference meant the WORLD to her, and she KNEW now that this wasn't a joke, or a dream. It was this moment of realization that kept her from falling apart now as she wanted her family return to the afterlife]

[ Soon they vanished, and Sharon and Rae returned to the physical realm, they were still outside of the Sanctuary.]

:: If Rae was a crier, she would have been crying tears right now, but she wasn't. She was too stubborn and private to really go that far with many people. ::

Rae...


[ Sharon said, as she finally allowed herself to look at the woman again]

Thank you. That was the most..beautiful thing...and I needed it so much.

[ She sounded shaken, but it wasn't from fear, she was still reveling in the beauty of that tender family reunion]

[ Still in that moment of emotion, she reaches forward, and HUGS Rae, tightly, a genuine expression of gratitude on Sharon's part]

I feel...more like...MYSELF again!

[ She says as she lets go of Rae and steps back]

"And..we're hugging."

:: She returned the hug with the same amount of warmth that Sharon was giving her. Rae was glad she could help ::

"That was the point, baby girl. And I'm glad I could help you. I don't get many of those kind of interactions nowadays."

:: Rae grabbed Sharon's hand. ::

"I'm not really a girl's girl...in fact, most women annoy the shit out of me. But you've got my endorsement..one I don't give lightly..so don't go TELLIN' anybody about it, either. At lot of people might not get you - and this moment is showin' me that it's important for you to know that I GET YA. Very much so. So, you need anything in the future, you let me know. I'm not as strong as you...but i'm definitely TOUGHER..."

:: She smirked. ::

"Anytime you need a break from being so strong..you gotta place at my place, comprende? We can listen to music, smoke a joint, fuck i'll even braid that pretty little blonde hair of yours. Remember from this...that sometimes, ya gotta take a few moments and just be HUMAN. Not a senator, not an amazon, not a hero. Just a WOMAN...with a whole new life ahead of her, who's doin' her best to figure it out, and doesn't always succeed."

:: Uncharacteristically, Rae hugged Sharon once more. ::

"You're one of the good ones, Alleo."

:: Sharon turned to leave, before Rae remembered her vision from before. She grabbed Sharon's arm. ::

"Before you go...when you were having your reunion, I saw a few things...it's one of the perks of letting the spirits use your body how they see fit. I don't always understand what they mean..but I heard a quote in my mind...something..well, that might be tied to what happened to your husband. Something about it being a SIN...to kill a mockingbird."

:: Rae shrugged. ::

"Could be nothin', but I thought I'd pass it along just the same. For now, go to Rose. I'll distract Danny Donnelly..who, REALLY you should take the time to THANK soon for cleaning up your recent mass destruction attempts on the city?"

:: She said facetiously. ::

"Get my number from Rose. And don't be a stranger."

:: Rae turned to walk away. ::

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Club -- The White Princess' Suite

"Well that's entirely my point, Alek. One thing is harmless, the other is not."

His eyes followed her as she got up to get herself another beer.

“Harm can come from any direction if the person inflicting it wants it bad enough.”

She wanted him to believe that Persephone was less safe if she was involved with him, but he knew that wasn’t true. Haleigh thought that she was the only person who could care for Ava, and protect her. When as under the gun as Haleigh was, she was the LAST person who could protect anyone.

"I'M certainly not going to show YOU the difference, but that's not what -- or should I say WHO -- we three are starting to worry about, is it?"

He flashed her a smile, but his eyes stayed cold and calculating.

“I’m not worried about it at all, princess.”

He told her that he wanted reassurance that she wouldn’t abandon Persephone when the chips were down.

"I'd like to hear the same of you. Which of us has the deeper connection to Ava?"

“Ava isn’t here right now. As for Persephone…I’m confident in my chances of winning that one. But tell me, which is it? Do you want me to care about her or not?”

He picked his glass up off the table and finished its contents. Soon they moved on to talking about Cobra.

"So she's smart, but also she's a snake. But is she a smart snake who is also USEFUL? And what about the rest? Are they all merely lackeys? Can any of THEM handle themselves in a fight? We're likely to be in one VERY soon, you know."

“Amanda can definitely handle herself in a fight…assuming she’s properly motivated to participate in it. Of the rest…Heidi is your best bet. Ruthless and powerful. But she hates you already, so don’t expect any favors from her. Max on the other hand…I think she’d do a lot for the chance to get into your pants. And you know what she can do. Emiko…getting her to do what you want at the time you want it is almost impossible. Gia lets her bodyguards do her fighting for her. Mystique…fighting isn’t really her thing, but I wouldn’t put it past her either. She’s…inventive.”

He turned in his seat towards her.

“So…are you just deciding who next will warm your bed, or do you know something I don’t about what we’re going to be sent into next? Or is this mere…speculation.”

 

[Spellbinder]

Charope Infirmary- Alycia's suite

<< Spellbinder appears in the door way, and spots Alycia AND Zach, AWAKE and in each other's arms, in a VERY warm, tender embrace! Her eyebrows lift a bit, as she smirks>>

WELL now!

<< A familiar voice with icy resonance rings out, and Eldritch chimes sound off as Alycia and Zach turn to see Morgan Victoria standing there. Zach, like many other red blooded men in America enjoyed the view of Morgan the super model. But to see the sorceress standing there before him, posed and dressed like this? Quite the unexpected treat. >>

Is this part of the recovery process?

<< She said, as her violet eyes sparkled and she grinned, joking with them both.>>

Well let ME get in on the action!

<< She comes forth, in her high heels, and reaches Zach, and embraces him. He would feel her darker aura, and taken in her scent, a mix of the finest vanilla and lavender. It's a a pleasing scent that others, like Nicolas...and more recently DEREK FORRESTER, have enjoyed.>>

Oh Zach....

<< She slowly rocks him back and forth a bit, holding him TIGHTLY, unintentionally reminding him that she too is super strong.>>

When I heard...I feared the WORSE.

<< She lets go of him, and holds his hands in her own, looking him over. Again, she notices the SCARS.>>

But Isis saved you. BOTH of you.

<< she moves to Alycia.>>

ALYCIA!

Alycia: Morgan!

<< Alycia holds her arms out, as Morgan reaches her, and embraces her friend in a deep, warm embrace>>

Ohhhh gawd...it's SO good to see you again girl!

You had Blaze, mom, Mike, Nic...ALL of us were SCARED

<< Morgan shudders with some emotion as Zach looks on at them both. He knew their history.>>

I'm So GLAD you're okay!

<< she squeezes Alycia a bit, holding on to her dear friend a few moments longer. They hadn't seen each other in SO LONG. Not since...the BLUE MOON!>>

Alycia: << smiling at Morgan as they let go, and held each other's hands for a few moments>> thanks to ISIS. I'm okay...PHYSICALLY at least.

<< Morgan knew what she meant.>

I'm SO sorry about Cameron. He was WRONG for what he did to you. But you won't be left alone to pick up the pieces, Alycia.

<< Morgan totally agreed with Delilah on that.>>

Alycia: Thank you. This has been HELL. But things could have been A LOT worse if we'd lost Zach.

Morgan: You and Sharon went to his aid. You made that critical difference in the moments that mattered the most, until Isis was able to heal him.

Alycia: But Persephone got away.

Morgan: Sharon would have destroyed that entire area, and she might have accidently killed you AND Steel if she hadn't stopped her attack. She knew that after the punishment she inflicted on Persephone, it was more important to get you and Zach the help you needed than to stay and finish her off.

<< Morgan looked at Zach>>

Morgan: And Persephone may have gotten away for now to lick her wounds, but she can't hide forever. Not from ME, not even in THAT mansion.

<< As Zach and Alycia looked at her, She went to sit down on one of the chairs by Alycia's bed, and crossed her long, smooth, flawless legs at the knee, and had a rather smoldering look on her face.>>

Morgan: that's part of why I'm here, Alycia. I came to see you. To tell BOTH of you, that I'm BACK. Things have gotten out of hand, and there are things that ONLY I, as this world's Sorceress Supreme can address. I inherited that title, and mantle through my bloodline, but I didn't always understand, or CARRY IT the way I should. That's CHANGED now. I'VE change. << again, she flashes that "Darkchilde" visage to both Alycia, and Zach, given them the same look she gave Delilah.>> EVERYONE in that mansion, from MALICE on down, is going to find out what that means. Haleigh and Persephone can run, but they CAN'T hide from me. << But as soon as she flashed that visage to them, she made it vanish , and she sat before them looking quite comfortable, and alluring.>>

Alycia: Morgan...you should know that Zach has...very strong feelings about Haleigh and Persephone. He thinks they can be saved.

Morgan: Maybe they can. Maybe they CAN'T. << she shrugs as she tilts her head>> How easy or IMPOSSIBLE that is will depend << she looks at Zach again, with a very serious look on her face>> ENTIRELY on them. As it is, they've pretty FORFEITED any consideration for gentle treatment due to their actions, the fact that you two are sitting here, in the INFIRMARY, while a CHILD is in the hospital too? This has already gone too far, and as I told Delilah, I CAN put a stop to this.

Alycia: How, Morgan?

Morgan: As I said, I'M SORCERESS SUPREME. I rule an eldritch dimension from which ALL times and places are possible. I can do ANYTHING there. The only reason I HAVEN'T already moved that ENTIRE mansion to Limbo with my magick is because of certain... circumstances that I've been been monitoring and the need to continue gathering more information.

<< she noticed Alycia holding the magick flower Morgan had left for her>>

Morgan: You see, after my family and I began to emerge from the cocoon state we went into following the revelation of Haleigh being the daughter of Malice and Christopher Victory, SISTER to myself and Blaze, I realized that I had to do something. First and foremost, this IS a SIX problem. She was apart of OUR team...and we LET her walk out of the parthenon that night, and because of that, people we care about, and other innocents have been HURT. Well, as my sister said...we've had ENOUGH time to process this, and too many people have been hurt. Now is the time for ACTION.

Nothing is off the table, INCLUDING the tenative KILL TEAMS to deal with each of them that have been suggested to me. But there is one OTHER thing I've been looking into.

I've been doing some research in Limbo, and because Haleigh is Blaze's and my sister, that means she has access to a shared gift in the victory family that goes beyond her individual powers, or the elemental legacy she inherited from OUR father, her representing the elemental of earth, along side of me (wind), Blaze (Fire), and Frost (ice/Water) , the Victory sisters have a telempathic bond that allows us to sense and communicate with each other. It's something not even MALICE can effect.

<< the key issue now was that Haleigh didn't know this. She didn't know how to ACTIVATE her link to her sisters, and there WAS the fact that Malice WOULD detect mental activity on HER end. It was just like Nicolas or Cameron being able to hear BLAZE'S side of conversations between her and Morgan. But Morgan had a plan to work around THAT as well. Still, she couldn't tell anyone else about it. >>

But while Malice CAN'T read my my mind, she can still read Haleigh's AND Blaze's....and YOURS for that matter. So unfortunately, I CAN'T tell you exactly what I'm doing, only that I AM going to be entering into an exploration of sorts, beginning later tonight. My findings will indicate which course of action will be the most appropriate.

<< no need to move TOO fast with her friends. No doubt they, especially ZACH would have questions and/or concerns. She'd give them this moment to process and respond, so that she could address within appropriate limits. >>

<< So was GENUINELY happy to see them both AWAKE, and VITAL. She'd make SURE they'd have the chance to thrive, and live FREE from the threat of any further attacks, she hoped they would TRUST her and give her room to WORK.>>

 

[Silver Swan]

Outside the Sanctuary

:: She returned the hug with the same amount of warmth that Sharon was giving her. Rae was glad she could help ::

"That was the point, baby girl. And I'm glad I could help you. I don't get many of those kind of interactions nowadays."

:: Rae grabbed Sharon's hand. ::

"I'm not really a girl's girl...in fact, most women annoy the shit out of me. But you've got my endorsement..one I don't give lightly..so don't go TELLIN' anybody about it, either. At lot of people might not get you - and this moment is showin' me that it's important for you to know that I GET YA. Very much so. So, you need anything in the future, you let me know. I'm not as strong as you...but i'm definitely TOUGHER..."

:: She smirked. ::

Tougher indeed...

[ Sharon looked at Rae evenly. It had been a while since she'd met someone in this city had truly intrigued OR surprised her. Rae was an exception, but to the point about her being tougher, Sharon let that slide. Toughness and resilience were two sides of the same coin, and while Sharon may have been in great pain, and even disjointed from her traumas, her resiliency spoke for itself, even before she became a mutate. Rae had sobered her and Alycia up, and then, turned around and provided a most WONDERFUL gift, showing the heart inside her tough exterior. ]

"Anytime you need a break from being so strong..you gotta place at my place, comprende? We can listen to music, smoke a joint, fuck i'll even braid that pretty little blonde hair of yours. Remember from this...that sometimes, ya gotta take a few moments and just be HUMAN. Not a senator, not an amazon, not a hero. Just a WOMAN...with a whole new life ahead of her, who's doin' her best to figure it out, and doesn't always succeed."

[ This woman was SOMETHING ELSE, but she made sense. She RESONATED with Sharon. She made the idea idea of lightening up seem a little less...absurd to the mutate in her current form. Rae had a worldliness about her, that could help temper Sharon's aggression, and she was being TRUTHFUL- Sharon verified that with the subtle application of her power that allowed her to act as a living polygraph. that's what made her somewhat UNPOLISHED delivery easy to overlook, allowing Sharon to focus on her intent. ]

:: Uncharacteristically, Rae hugged Sharon once more. ::

"You're one of the good ones, Alleo."

[ Returning her embrace. This was the sort of moment that the amazons ENCOURAGED among women, finding common ground, and BUILDING from that place upward!]

So are you, Rae Reynolds. Truly a diamond in this jungle of stone and steel.

:: Sharon turned to leave, before Rae remembered her vision from before. She grabbed Sharon's arm. ::

"Before you go...when you were having your reunion, I saw a few things...it's one of the perks of letting the spirits use your body how they see fit. I don't always understand what they mean..but I heard a quote in my mind...something..well, that might be tied to what happened to your husband. Something about it being a SIN...to kill a mockingbird."

:: Rae shrugged. ::

"Could be nothin', but I thought I'd pass it along just the same.

[ Sharon looked at her with a slight quizzical expression on her face]

sin to kill a mockingbird...

For now, go to Rose. I'll distract Danny Donnelly..who, REALLY you should take the time to THANK soon for cleaning up your recent mass destruction attempts on the city?"

:: She said facetiously. ::

[ Sharon's facial expression hardened. ]

That rough looking man with the loud mouth, and the bad attitude....

I'm not worried about Danny Donnelly. I'll see him soon enough.

[ Sharon had plenty of help making those messes, and she wasn't the sole cause of them. if Danny thought he was going to hold HER solely responsible, he could forget it. But that wasn't what was important right now]

"Get my number from Rose. And don't be a stranger."

:: Rae turned to walk away. ::

[ Sharon started to turn, but then looked back one final time]

[ One good turn deserved another]

I'm EVERYWHERE in this city. If you're ever in trouble, and need help, simply call to the nearest bird. What the birds hear, and see...I here and see, and I'll be there.

[ Sharon then turned and walked to the multi level home that Rose occupied. ]

[ Speaking of birds....]

I heard a quote in my mind...something..well, that might be tied to what happened to your husband. Something about it being a SIN...to kill a mockingbird."

a SIN...to kill a...mockingbird.

....

Mockingbird....

[THAT was the word in that message that stood out to her....but where had she heard that...]

GREAT HERA!

[ She BELLOWED, loud enough that it would ECHO all around that city block. She stopped dead in her tracks as she realized why the name "MOCKINGBIRD" stood out to her!]

[FLASH!]

<< two days ago, in the clock tower, Sharon Kelly delivered her in depth intel report of her observations at the Hellfire Club blackout party to the Birds of Prey>>

Other notable individuals include: Domino, who was a former Black Court member from the London Branch, and is now an "Associate" to this Inner Circle, she was sponsored by Lord Ravena, and granted approval by Malice, with whom she seems to work closely with. The woman is a powerhouse, but she seems BENT on proving she can stand toe-to-toe with anyone, even if she's outmatched. She's not afraid to launch herself into any conflict...

[ Sharon frowned a bit...as the image of Domino's face looming over her under the moonlight, looking almost SULTRY and seductive, flashed acrossed her mind]

Kristen Pratt, a.k.a Mockingbird. Notable for being a baseline human, and yet she acts as Malice's emissary to individuals across all industries and establishments both domestically and internationally. She is the mother of mutant Simon Pratt, a.k.a. Longshot

That WOMAN at the Hellfire Club! Simon Pratt's MOTHER!

[ But WHAT did this mean!? What did SHE have to do with SHARON, and WHY had Rae perceived a message with HER name in it!?]

[ Sharon turned away from the door to Rose's home. She had the impulse to either TAKE OFF in the air and fly RIGHT to the Hellfire Mansion to bust in and find/confront Kristin, OR seek out Rae and ask her for MORE information. But Sharon had the sense Rae probably wouldn't be able to tell her anything more...

:: Rae shrugged. ::

"Could be nothin', but I thought I'd pass it along just the same.

Well...this means I'll have to find the answers I now need on my OWN.

[ She hesitated, before exhaling with agitation]

I....SHOULDN'T go charging there on my own. Not because I'm WEAK, which I'm NOT. Not because I'm AFRAID, which I'm NOT. But because ROSE asked me to come see HER and Katie. I MUST put them before my own needs and issues right now. I MUST be here for Rose and her children!

[ She turned once more toward Rose's front door, and looked up at the black night night sky overhead]

But TOMORROW is another day, and I WILL be investing this...investing HER [ Mockingbird].

[ At the moment, she couldn't even assume what this meant, how truly deep, and TERRIBLE a revelation was awaiting her, but she'd find out soon enough...and then? We must wait, watch and see. For NOW, Sharon steps forward, and opens the door to Rose's home, and enters, shutting the door behind her. ]

<< And as Sharon Kelly finds Rose, she now begins talking with the omega level psi, while Rae and Danny settle in for the night in their guest quarters in other buildings on the city block that comprises the Sanctuary. SOME TIME passes, and after a long talk, Rose, Danny, Rae, Katie, and little Sable, along with the children in the actual orphange building, are ALL resting or asleep. For the first time since Cobra's intrusion several days ago, there is peace and quiet. But it wouldn't last for long.>>