Rose of destruction

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- The White Princess's Suite

Alek: If you do decide to fuck Heidi, make sure you invite me. Hell, I’ll even watch.

He said suggestively at his normal volume. Then he dropped his voice and Haleigh knew he'd picked up on her cues.

Alek: I didn’t get it at first, but when you said she had sent me to you…I think she actually expects me to continue our little…workout sessions. She’s concerned about how the change in our ‘status’ looks to those who might be watching…more concerned than I am, if I’m honest.

They were close now, and he kissed her neck. She put an arm around his shoulders, and a hand on his chest. They looked very much like two lovers warming up quickly. She continued to whisper 'sweet nothings' in his ear.

"Well, keeping up appearances is good tactics. They'll notice abrupt changes in patterns."

She gave it more thought.

"But you know how women are, saying 'go ahead' can mean 'dont you fucking dare' and the assertion 'I'm fine' is usually code for 'I want to hurt you'."

Alek: I don’t think it’s a test. She wasn’t…like before…just now. I think…she’s afraid of what this might cost her, if she allows herself to give in to it completely. She’s doing what she has to, to survive.

Then she cares....

Haleigh thought, and then reflexively checked the camera in the White Queen's suite. Her thoughts were relatively safe for now. Her mother was sleeping, and so was the King. She wondered if she could get there fast enough and drive a wooden stake through his chest before Malice would sense her intentions and wake up. No, too risky. Any moves against the King would most certainly mean repeat trauma for Persephone. She had to minimize the blowback. Alek touched her hair, and caught her stare. Haleigh looked at him for a moment, then began to kiss him slowly, and closed her eyes. Her HUD went dark, and then split to several camera views, as she checked all the other key players.

"Everyone's asleep now, there's no one left to deceive except ourselves..."

She said quietly when their lips parted, as she halted the travel of his hand on her leg.

"And I'm all out of passion tonight, so unless you want a fight.... this is your opportunity to get some rest."

He took it rather well, or maybe he was just that tired. After he left she poured herself another round, and went back to the couch to mentally flip through a digital download of Guns & Ammo.

She snapped awake on a bed somewhere, in full combat uniform, and she rolled quickly off the edge to land on her knees, one gun drawn, clearing the room using the bed as cover. There was nobody here, but the place felt familiar. Was she..... where she thought she was? She slowly rose to her feet with gun still up in front, and proceeded to flatten herself with her back against the wall, right next to the window. She pointed her pistol towards the door across the room cautiously, and threw a quick glance out the window.

Yes, I AM in Limbo.

She slid her sidearm back into its holster and her posture eased as she stepped away from the wall and faced the window, placing her hands on the sill and looking out over the expanse. She couldn't remember ever actually feeling uncomfortable in this realm, and now she understood why. This dimension belonged to Morgan, who had been her sister all along.

Morgan: Hello HALEIGH.

Haleigh pivoted slowly, lifting her hands up from the ledge, and holding them out in front of her, palms out, a nonviolent stance that was still ready for anything. She carefully evaluated the demeanor of a provocatively dressed Morgan. Then, with a steady gaze and a steely tone, she responded.

"Hello Morgan."

She wanted to ask so many questions about the wellbeing of her family, she couldn't pick one question to start with, and she still wasn't entirely sure what was going on, so she made herself stay quiet, and let her sister set the tone.

 

[Orion]

Charope, LLC -- The Infirmary

She teased him for presumed shyness.

Morgan: How sweet. Don't worry, Zach. I feasted to my fill earlier this evening.

"And how IS Nicolas doing lately?"

He asked pleasantly. She suggested that he wouldn't resist if it were Sally Spectra, and he chuckled.

"Yes well Sally is not TAKEN, so there's no harm in making her blush."

He replied with a charming smile. They got serious again after that, and Morgan assured him that she was going to take CHARGE of the situation.

Morgan: I'll do everything I can to try and save them. But I make no guarantees. Sometimes...salvation...and FREEDOM come at a PRICE. Now you WATCH yourself!

She told him, and pulled him into a hug, even gave him a kiss.

Wow, she's friendly since she came back from vacation.

Morgan: Now get in the bed.

She commanded, and gave him a gentle push back onto the bed. She seemed to be enjoying herself a bit as she 'tucked him in' and cast a sleeping spell.

Thankfully, there were no nightmares.

Zach woke up on his stomach like always, his arms propping up his pillow. He lifted his head and glanced over his shoulder at the rest of the room with high hopes.

Nope. No naughty nurse wake up call from my new favorite warrior woman.

He was here alone, which at this moment, was a good thing. He reached for his phone to check his emails and messages while he waited for his little soldier to go back to being 'at ease', because there was no way he was going to walk around this infirmary at full salute.

Three missed calls and eight unread messages. Specter was BLOWING up his phone. All of the texts seemed to yell at him. He quickly understood why, and flipped to his contacts, where he found Sharon's name and hit call.

"Sharon, how ARE you this morning? I'm sorry to bother you, but I was hoping you could explain what exactly is going on at the Sanctuary?"

 

[Prophet]

The Parthenon Hotel - The Next Morning

:: They had yet to come up with any real answers outside of a cryptic and secretive plan being hatched by Morgan. He had no doubt in Morgan's ability to take care of things, but this was the dawn of a new era. Nothing was sacred and nobody was safe anymore, and Cameron had made a promise to himself that he would never be the damsel in distress he had once been to this team, and he meant it. He had been murdered once before, at the hands of his sister Erika King and The White Queen. He had been tortured for months, his sister hands digging inside of his body while she herself was a victim of the machinations of Malice. He was just another number in a long line of people in his family who had lost their lives because of her. Malice had taken his mother Kelly and destroyed her mind, only to bring her back and have her be destroyed yet again, only this time in front of him. She had manipulated Erika, caused her to break under the burden she felt to bring him and Alison together as one. Malice forced Erika to murder him, and when she was done with her, she set Erika loose on The Six, causing her to be destroyed by Ororo herself, leaving her legacy one of shame. Her brutal manipulation of Witchfire had caused the woman to also destroy his father, when she reached the peak of her insanity. Every single piece of genetic relation he had in this world she had managed to take from him and then destroy. Now, there was a version of his mother walking the halls of The Hellfire Club, in LEAGUE with Diana, and this made him incredibly curious. What was the difference in this woman that caused Malice to install her as The Black Queen, allow her to attack Shadow Weaver, call her an ALLY. What made Talisman different or BETTER than Witchfire? Diana never did anything without purpose, he knew that. Was Talisman truly just a ploy to pull at Cameron's heart strings, or was she herself a prisoner, forced to do the same kind of work that Haleigh Davidoff was convincing herself she needed to do? Why was Talisman the first target on The Victory Family Kill List when the woman who had destroyed his entire family had been allowed to live for so long? ::

"Haleigh Davidoff."

:: He allowed her name to sit in his thoughts for a brief moment as he did his best to calm his mind while in sayanasana pose - a variation of the scorpion pose from the comfort of his private exercise facility housed inside of his penthouse. The lights were dim and the scent of incense could be smelled throughout the room as he focused his mind and body, candles flickering against his skin, bringing his silohuette to life. As soon as her name scrolled across his mind, it was now gone. Cameron was a master of yoga. It was one of the few things that allowed him to center himself and find a mind/body balance even in the most chaotic states. And since every waking moment since Haleigh's betrayal had been a chaotic one, he found himself doing quite a bit of yoga. ::

:: But physicality and strength of mind would not be enough to destroy Malice and while the others searched for answers, Cameron searched for power. The only person in his family who had not been murdered at HER hands was his sister Alison, and he was beginning to see that it was for a reason. Removing his feelings for Haleigh on every level of his soul had been an awakening and freeing experience. He was still himself - still cared about the people around him, but this was a war and to be frank, he had experienced enough loss and strife in his life thanks to his feelings and his stupid heart. He had one goal in all of this - to protect himself and his family. Haleigh Davidoff was no longer part of that family. Choices had consequences. She thought he would be on her side, be one of the ones to find the "good" in what she was doing, to hold on to hope that she was doing this for some greater good. She was wrong. Ava was a more complicated story. He LOVED Ava and while he wasn't about to forgive her choice to leave, he understood it, because he would have done the same for Alison. But it was clear that Ava was in the background of things, and he had every intention of fixing that. Outside of Ava, the people in his family lived within these walls and on the island of Aerie, and nowhere else, and as Cameron brought himself out of his pose and into corpse pose, he exhaled. Letting go of the burden of protecting EVERYBODY and focusing on those he WANTED to protect...it was freeing. ::


:: Thirty minutes later, Cameron King was in the basement levels of The Parthenon, more specifically...The Danger Room, donned in his new costume, a highlight that on the battlefield, whoever decided to come at him would be faced with a very different, and far more effective PROPHET. ::

"Computer...Activate Sequence #476 - Hellfire Fallout."

:: The lights in the room began to shift all around Cameron, going dark before the hard light projections began to craft a scene of ABSOLUTE chaos in the city. Fires blazing everywhere, sirens going off in the distance, people screaming. Explosions on the street - it was like the city had turned into a NIGHTMARE. As Cameron gained his barings, IMMEDIATELY he had to use all of his MIGHT to DEFLECT a fiery BLAST headed straight towards him, bending his arms at the elbow and placing his wrists side by side, his fists GRIPPED as a telekinetic deflection shield was erected and his feet slid several feet back on the ground behind him as he fought the blast. Eventually the combination of energies caused the blast to dissipate as Cameron was thrown BACK, flipping his body in the air, and landing on his feet, his hand touching the ground as she shot back up to his feet. ::

[a female voice] "You're getting better at timing those shields, Stud. You know, the offer still stands. Drop the hero act and come back to the mansion with me. There are PLENTY of cars in the garage to choose from."

:: Cameron stood several yards away from her in the middle of the street, looking at the crumbling city around him being destroyed in any number of ways. The Hellfire Club had won the war. Haleigh and Ava were lost and he didn't know where the rest of his team was, if any of them were alive. Squinting his eyes, two cars from EITHER side of Haleigh flew with incredible speed, SLAMMING into Scion with great force, sandwiching her between them. She was far too resilient for this to be a knockout, but it would buy him time. ::

"SOME of us aren't quitters."

:: In his mind, he began to hear his own voice, guiding him. ::

"You must RE-MASTER the FUNDAMENTALS of combat."

:: Prophet jumped HIGH in the air as his PSI Blade manifested in his left hand, crackling with his signature ELECTRIC red mystical looking energy. The blade was MUCH larger than it normally appeared...and brighter. Being the manifestation of the TOTALITY of his PSIONIC and TELEKINETIC ability, it was a sign that his own power was growing, that he was stronger than he HAD been. He did a forward flip in the air. ::

"And from that foundation, PROCEED."

"UGH!"

Scion: "Well...I'd rather be a quitter..than a FAILURE."

:: He was RATTLED with a WHITE NOISE generator that Scion manifested as he was about to bring down his blade on her head. Black Widow kicked him HARD in the stomach and into the air towards the side of a building. Cameron STRUGGLED to FOCUS against the machine, calling upon his own personal strength, his ability to BALANCE his body and mind, just like he did when he did yoga. Shaking his head, JUST as he was about to make contact with the building, he REACHED out his hand and SHOVED his PSI Blade into the side of the building, using it to SLIDE down the building as his blade cut through the structure and created enough resistance to slow him down. Making his way closer back towards Haleigh, the White Noise becoming too much. ::

"Thought and action...must be as ONE."

:: Cameron fell to the ground. Scion was charging towards him, manifesting a number of weaponry and armor around her body as she went. He had been tortured beyond what the others could have understood. BEYOND what they would ever know. The white noise, the cutting his of flesh with surgical and PSIONIC accuracy. He was a survivor. He was not a victim. NOT any longer. Something within him CLICKED. FORCING himself with incredible psionic talent, the WHITE NOISE...became SOOTHING. Instead of tormenting his mind, it expanded it. From the pain of his past and this current scenario, he was using his EMPATHY to give him strength, to give him CLARITY of mind...even if it was only for a FEW moments. In the fleeting SECONDS between Haleigh making her jump towards him and him gaining composure of himself, he used his mental abilities to inhibit his neural receptors, dulling the sound of the white noise machine and as her FISTS hit his face in RAPID succession, his eyes glew red as a swirling crackling red electric orb appeared at the center of his head before releasing a powerful PSI beam right into Haleigh's FACE, blasting her back with the concussive force of a car driving seventy miles an hour. He was THROWN to the ground and then IMPALED as he fell ONTO the debris of the now wrecked cars he had thrown at her. ::

"You must face situations by ALWAYS being a step ahead of your adversary."

"No time to waste."

:: Wincing in pain, the white noise had stopped as Cameron PULLED himself up from his impalement with GREAT pain, using a combination of his empathic and telekinetic abilities to sooth his wound and to numb his pain receptors. His PSI blade CRACKLED with power as he charged, using his TK to enchance his speed to superhuman levels. He only made SEVERAL feet forward before Haleigh was on HER feet again, CHARGING right at him. ::

Scion: "Stop making this so hard, Cameron! Just DO what you do BEST. FAIL. GET CAPTURED. BECOME PREY."

:: The two were in a DEAD heat right FOR each other! ::

"With each exchange you get BETTER."

:: They met in the middle, LEAPING towards each other, exchanging a series of furious punches, kicks, swipes and JABS, some of them landing, and some of them countered, his movements rippled with an almost holographic looking echo for a moment as they continued to fight. ::

"Parry and attack come together as ONE."

:: He BROUGHT his PSI blade UP as he SWEPT Scion's leg with great speed, watching as she was about to lift back up to the ground in one smooth jump. ::

"Pride comes before the fall. Never think it's over."

<< ZZZZZZZTTTTTTTTTTT!!! >>

:: His PSI blade was INSIDE Haleigh's MIND as he focused the totality of his power within it. She was frying from the inside out, being UNWRAVELED from every single part of her. Her synapses being cut, her mental faculties shutting down, her mind in complete and total chaos as her brain HEMMORRAGED wildly. He looked her in the eyes as the light faded from them. Cameron's glance remained cold. ::

"I will NEVER be the prey of The Hellfire Club..."

:: GRITTING he buried the blade DEEPER into the side of her head. ::

"...or MALICE! EVER....AGAIN!!!"

:: Lost in the moment, he barely realized that the lights of The Danger Room began to flicker and shift to their ordinary state as he was left in an expanse of white, his body riddled with sweat, his chest heaving wildly, his face somewhat bruised and bloodied. Looking around him, his wounds were somewhat healed. But he still felt sore and bruised. His chest expanded with air and exhaled as he spit blood from the ground, and wiped his face, laughing for a few moments at the sheer absurdity of his situation. ::

:: A PIPING hot shower and an hour or so in the steam room, and Cameron was feeling even tempered once again. He wanted to run more difficult danger room scenarios but he needed somebody who would watch out for him, make sure to pull him out before he died, but he couldn't think of anybody to do it. Delilah would try and talk him out of it, try and get to the part of him that he didn't want to reach. Or worse, she would try and convince him that Haleigh was a good person and that they needed to work on saving her. He loved Delilah but he was done entertaining the notion that the destruction that Scion and Persephone had caused wasn't enough to kill them BOTH outright. ::

:: Still...he had not seen her yet this morning and she was NOT in The War Room, something he still hadn't gotten an answer as to why. Cameron didn't want her to think that she was not a part of the team or that her input wasn't needed and although Morgan had gone to see her at Charope last night, he wasn't sure what had come from that conversation...and despite his multiple attempts not to care, he desperately wanted to know how Alycia was, because it was clear that he couldn't go see her. He had left things so broken with her, but part of that had been intentional. He had fucked up..and rather than continue to string Alycia along, continue to LET HER love him the way he felt and KNEW in his heart that she did, he had to let her go. He HAD to make her hate him, because the alternative could have found her at the long end of one of Malice's PSI Javelins or a missile from Haleigh. If he loved her..tried to make things work, they would use her against him..they would attack her just like they had attacked Vivica..manipulated Erika...manipulated his MOTHER. As she stood there, crying and BEGGING for him to somehow make this better, he realized the only way that he could MAKE it better...was to hurt her...before THEY could USE him to hurt her..or vice versa. He was willing to be her archnemesis...if it meant that she lived through this. ::

:: Cameron didn't sense Delilah in the building which perplexed him a bit. Taking the VIP elevator up to the penthouses that housed many members of The Six, he walked down the hall...past the suites that once belonged to Ava Cassadine and Haleigh Davidoff and to the front door of Delilah's. He didn't knock. Waving his hand over the card locked door, it flashed green as he entered her apartment. She was not there yet. Perhaps she had slept over at Charope. He went over to her fridge, grabbed a beer and sat down on the couch, and turned on the television. ::

"Ah YES! She still has Project Runway on her DVR. Score!"

:: He pulled up the episode and began to watch as he heard the door open. ::

[calling to the hallway]

"I've invaded your space. I hope you aren't naked...or with Bishop about to get naked. or Andrew. I can't really keep it straight with you these days..."

:: taking a swig. ::

"Also, I'm drinking your beer. Crack one open and join me please...I'd like you to tell me how Alycia and the others are doing without me really having to make myself vulnerable enough to actually 'ask'."

 

[Recall]

A Long Night

:: It was clear that not everybody was coming to an agreement with how to deal with this situation, but it was good to know that Andrew was on her side. Oracle got an alert from The Sanctuary. Rose had destroyed all of her CI issued technology. Vivica could understand that. She had almost moved her entire server from Clandestine control because of what had happened in the last forty eight hours. But her loyalty to Clandestine had been rewarded. They had considered her in their directive. They had made her safety part of their protocol, which was more than she could say for a LOT of members of The Six in the past. Despite everything happening to Rose...Clandestine was a good ally to have. Their resources were endless and ninety nine percent of their members weren't blood related to one of the worst women in history. Sharon notified them that all was under control, and of course the presence of Sharon sent Ashley into a tail spin. She looked at the clock. It was nearly three o'clock in the morning. ::

"Like my mama always said...nothing good happens after midnight."

:: All of them were experiencing a bit of fatigue, even if they didn't want to admit it. As Xavier left on a mission to bring them food, Ashley made a grand exit, picking up some flowers from the trash can on a rampage that they should alert Zach to what's going on.

Valkyrie: "WHO threw this away?"

It was..bizarre to say the least. Vivica and Zizi stood in the common area as Ashley filled the vase up with water and stormed off to her room. ::

Oracle: "That was weird, right? She's acting weird."

:: Vivica blinked for a few moments. ::

"Yeah..who gave her those flowers and why does she suddenly care?"

:: Oracle looked at her for a moment, her face blushing for a few moments as a smile of disbelief crawled across Vivica's face. ::

"Oh God, Ziz. I think our girl...is SPRUNG on Zach."

:: Her hair whipped around her wildly as Xavier made his final return to The Clocktower in seconds with a BUNCH of delicious food. Her nose and her growling stomach guided her now. She was no longer human, only pizza. ::

"Sweet jesus. Pizza. Oh thank you, god. PIZZA!"

:: With reckless abandon, Vivica ate her weight in delicious cheesy pizza and downed a few more glasses of wine. It was so late, but it was so worth it. She left The Clocktower with a job to do. She needed to figure out a way to destroy a GODDESS. She promised Oracle she would check in every hour on the hour and meet them back at Charope in the morning to say hello to Zach, Alycia and Dominique who all had gone through quite the ordeal. ::

:: Vivica did not go home. A side effect of her power and her career as a field agent was that Vivica slept VERY little. She could go for days at a time with a simple ninety minutes of sleep, and it was part of the reason she was so effective. She got more done in the hours that people slept than most got done all day. And to be honest, she couldn't have slept if she tried. After everything that had transpired in the last forty eight hours, it had left her with more questions than answers, and if she couldn't storm the castle and cut off people's figurative heads, she would at the very least try and remain HELPFUL. Walking several blocks, making sure to only be on streets that were viewable by The Clocktower or Clandestine cameras and found herself at 113 Greene Street - at the front doors of Harker Library. If there was any place in the city that housed ANY kind of information that could help Vivica figure out what she needed to figure out, it was in this place. Thankfully, Mina was there, against all odds. While Mina Harker was not the warmest woman, if you came to her correctly, she usually responded well, even if it was a bit begrudgingly. While she was a bit confused at what Vivica was looking for, she agreed to let Vivica spend some time and see if she could find anything of use. ::

:: In the walls of Harker Library, Vivica became engrossed in everything she could get her hands on. Her abilities allowing her to read and recall information with a superhuman retention and accuracy allowed her to move through mass amounts of information quite quickly. She worked for hours, reading every bit of literature that she could containing the legend of Persephone and the cult that had worshipped her. So much was conflicting or encoded in language that even as somebody as smart as Vivica couldn't understand. But she persisted. Rituals, pomegranates, six months in hell, no way out. By her third hour of research, she was feeling a bit out of sorts..her BRAIN clouded and throbbing. Clicking her temple, she sent a MASSIVE download to her server containing what she had uncovered.. if anything. ::

"Come on, Vivica...you can piece this together."

:: Tapping her hands on the table, leaning back in her chair. ::

"Persephone and Ava Cassadine are bonded...cross time counterparts. They are like equals from other timelines. The Siege Perilous...it was used to merge Ava and Persephone...perhaps IT can be used to destroy Persephone...But good luck with getting Alison to help with that. Morgan might be able to procure it. We have good relations..."

:: Tapping. ::

"Morgan is Haleigh's SISTER..she's related to BLAZE. She is a Victory...most likely also an elemental. I've heard them talk. The rumor of the fourth sister. Morgan is air...Blaze is Fire...Jasmine was water...Haleigh would be Earth. She could be experiencing a new powerset. She was worried about clones..how did she enter her new body? A new aspect of her power...The Victory Sisters...they're connected like no other. The sibling bond..Morgan has got to know how to access it in Haleigh. She's the Sorceress Supreme..."

:: Vivica leaned forward in her chair. ::

"My god..maybe Morgan...maybe she can FIX this."

"But that would mean...she would WANT to fix this...that Zach was right and that Haleigh is trying to do the right thing...and I can't let myself believe that, can I? I have to look out for him. The others...their too aggressive, he'll push them away. I have to be by his side to make sure he doesn't get in too deep..I already almost let him get killed..."

:: Sipping her coffee. ::

"Still..Morgan used part of her SOUL to save Delilah from certain death. It was real...but it was a dream. Maybe that's possible with Haleigh. Maybe Morgan can BRING Haleigh to a place...maybe LIMBO? Where she can fix this...RELEASE the hold that Diana has over her...get rid of the fear. It's not about Haleigh dying. She's lived through death so many times. Morgan too. There's gotta be something I am missing..but..Morgan Victoria...she's...she's the key to all of this."

:: Vivica glanced at her watch. It was seven o'clock in the morning. She thanked Mina PROFUSELY for the use her space and resources so freely and uncharacteristically as she ZOOMED back to her place, showered, changed and took four shots of espresso from her espresso machine, giving herself ten minutes to pet her bengal cat Sheba and apologize endlessly for how little she had been around lately. Once her cat had decided that she could leave, Vivica JETTED over towards Charope, not before sending communication to Oracle. ::

>> Recall reporting in. Spent the night at Harker Library. Ton of info downloaded to my server if you feel like pouring over it. I think I might have thought of something...or at least a new avenue to pursue..I'm headed to Charope now. I'm kind of itching to see the others...I'll see you there!"

:: As she entered the doors of Charope, she had a coffee in hand for Delilah. ::

"Change of the guard..I brought coffee if you can stomach it."

:: She handed Delilah the coffee. ::

"Thank you for being here. You should go home...get some rest."

:: Vivica smiled as she made her way past Delilah, heading down the halls and where Alycia was staying as she could hear Zach talking in the other room. Though she wanted to burst through the doors and hug him, just to hear his voice was medicine enough to her soul. She didn't want to bother. She knocked on the door lightly before opening it. ::

"Alycia...are you awake. Sorry to bother you, boo boo kitty. I brought coffee..and a set of golf clubs if you're up for it.."

[smirking]

"just kidding."

:: She laughed as she made her way into the room and set the coffee down on the night stand, taking a seat in a guest chair, crossing her legs. ::

"You look good. Actually..you look refreshed. What kinda cocoa butter they got in this place?"

:: Vivica was joking, but she was also trying to lighten the mood, mostly because she couldn't believe how much she actually cared and was happy that Alycia was okay and alive. What a difference a day makes. ::

"How you feelin?"

 

[Citadel]

The Sanctuary

:: They had the area fortified from a tactical standpoint. But any rogue worth their weight could figure a way in if they really wanted to. Find weak spots underground to blow through, cracks in foundations to lean on. Danny had always done his best to protect Rose's neighborhood the best he could, but it had never been NECCESSARY to approach security at this kind of level. As things calmed down at The Sanctuary - Rose was preparing to meet with Sharon and Rae was outside doing...whatever it was that she did, Danny went to work. He walked the streets of the city block she owned, land that he had helped her find during his time as a city planner. A unique and run down area of the city that everybody seemed to forget. The properties were damaged and it seemed as if it would cost way more money to fix than one would ever get out of it. It was the perfect opportunity for Rose. He pulled some strings and before long, Rose has a very large and well protected part of the city to help protect her children and give them the life that they deserved. ::

:: His hands out in front of him he began to feel any and EVERY point of the exact property lines of the block that housed The Sanctuary. Using his abilities as an urban elemental, he began to see the small things, things that others might not think to be a weakness, but could be exploited. Using his powers, he FIRMED the foundation, made it STRONGER, fixed cracks in the pavement and infastructure of the area all the way down to the deepest parts of the sewers that flowed underneath it. He used his power to make EVERYTHING more secure and perfected. There would be a no more fortified and secure place in the city to be. No more kids would be used or killed on HIS watch. Especially if Rose's friends turned out to be more BARK than bite. ::

"I hope they aren't..I hope they can help. This city has been through ENOUGH.."

:: Danny looked up in the air as he saw Silver Swan flying towards The Sanctuary about to make contact with Rae who was still strumming her guitar and singing. He grimaced for a moment with a bit of anger. ::

"Speaking of things this city has had ENOUGH of..."

:: The Silver Swan had tormented the city on a NUMBER of occassions, and Danny knew that she was truly unaware of his responsibility to New York, but it didn't change the fact that on a number of occassions, Danny had fixed the city, and helped repair it after one of her FREQUENT and INFAMOUS rampages. For somebody who fought to make New York a safer place, she sure as hell didn't have any qualms about destruction of property. He had seen her power in action time and again, but if he was being honest...even the CITY itself didn't know what to make of Silver Swan. He knew her secret identity...who she had been. Then, the city loved her. In fact - it mourned her death. It grieved the loss of one of it's heroes. But then she returned...and though she had done so much good..she has also caused so much destruction. She needed to find a balance, but that wasn't his job to help her with. He had enough on his plate. ::

:: Once Danny had ensured that the city block was completely protected from an internal and structural standpoint, Danny was relieved to get a bit of sleep. Thankfully, the accommodations at Rose's multi-level home were VERY comfortable. He had stayed here a few times after a few particularly drunk nights out. He'd shown up at her door with take out and a few good stories about his wild nights. Those were so much simpler times. Now he was fortifying the area she did so much good work in because there had been MULTIPLE attempts made on her children's lives. It was harrowing. Despite everything going on around him, Danny fell asleep quickly, and there he remained in a deep sleep for a few hours...until. ::

<< She looks looks at the viewing screen, which has a small revolving CI icon in the bottom right corner.

MURDERER!

<< pulling back her fist, now surrounded by a mix of purple/white halo (soul AND psycho power) she throws a truly THUNDEROUS punch STRAIGHT into the viewing screen, causing it to SHATTER with spectcular, EXPLOSIVE result.>>

<< She turns , without missing a beat, and SMASHES her hand through the glass case of a fire axe on the wall, and now, weilding that fire axe with her meta human strength, AND charging it with PSYCHO POWER, the omega level psi, proceeds to BREAK, CHOP, SMASH, DESTROY ALL Clandestine Inc equipment in the monitor room, moving from the main area, to the smaller data rooms, where she COMPLETELY destroys all hardware and equipment.>> SMASHING, CRUSHING, BASHING, TEARING WHATEVER is there that was installed by CI.>>

<< the RAMPAGE does not go unnoticed, by Clandestine Inc's board of directors, as they watch Rose....for as long as they can, until she turns to one of the cameras viewing her, and stares at it....tilting her head, before finally unleashing a massive astral energy blast RIGHT AT IT >>

<< Moments later, Rose appears outside, on the street, still weilding the psycho power charged axe. she is in the same spot that COBRA had arrived, standing in front of ANOTHER camera, that is attached to a pole in the ground. >>

<< by now, SHARON has been awakened by the sound of Rose's RAMPAGE and she, in turn, summoned Rae and Danny, who are now rushing outside toward the source of the disturbance, where they Rose SMASH the camera, and then, dropping the axe, she UPROOTS the pole with her bare hands, and unleashes ANOTHER bolt of astral energy, one that shoots down into the opening in the ground, and begins ZIG ZAGGING like a runaway bolt of LIGHTNING, zooming across the ENTIRE network of cameras, and other CI security net systems, FRYING IT ALL and completely SEVERING their link to the Sanctuary.>>

Sharon: ROSE! What's happened!? What's GOING ON here!?

<<The trio rush to her, and are just in time to see the SPECTACULAR, PSYCHO POWER induced LIGHT SHOW and FEEDBACK as Rose has just DESTROYED the entire security network that blanketed the sanctuary.>>

"ROSE! What the hell are you DOIN'!?! STOP!"

Rae: "Baby girl! Use your words! This ain't the 4th of July!"

Everything's fine, Sharon.

I was just PURGING this place of HER presence, her CORRUPT, SOULESS PRESENCE. Her and that THOUGHTLESS, NEGLECT FAILURE, Zach Armani.

<< By now, CI was getting RED ALERTS, which Zach would be getting as well.>>

<< Rose had just destroyed MILLIONS of dollars worth of equipment in under 15 minutes, and she looked as calm and casual as could be. The feedback and disturbance caused by this was so massive, that Oracle registered it on her end>>

<< She looks at them a bit longer, before speaking>>

Black Widow invaded this place. She used her technopathy to BY PASS ALL of the security that HER company had installed her. It was no better than an OPEN WINDOW.

"Well you're making an AWFUL show of it, Rose! The children are sleeping! They've seen enough "sparks" outside to last a lifetime!"

:: Rae jammed his rib with her elbow. ::

Rae: [to Danny] "Too soon, ya insensitive fruitcake!" [to Rose] "Honey! What's this about! You were fine when you went to sleep. PEACEFUL even..Come on..for the kids...please!"

:: He watched as Rose shared an interesting glance with Sharon. It was clear the two had gotten far better acquainted since her arrival here. And despite his somewhat uncertain feelings regarding Silver Swan...at least SHE was here in this moment...doing what she SAID she would do. That meant something. ::

<< She said bitterly>>

I no longer need or want it here.

I will use my OWN psionic powers, along with Danny's urban elemental abilities, which he ALREADY used to supplement and BUFFER the gaps that CI couldn't account for.

Sharon, please inform Alycia that Zach Armani's services are no longer required.

Clandestine Inc, and ANYONE apart of that corrupt, INEPT company, are FIRED, effectively IMMEDIATELY.

Sharon: Alycia had already required Zach return your portfolio back to her, but I WILL make sure that she's secured it from her, first thing in the morning. She's still in recovery from the attack on her by Persephone tonight, she and zach both needs their rest....and Rose, I'd like it if WE ALL went back inside now.

Rose: I understand. Just please be sure to follow up on that first thing tomorrow. I have every confidence that with ALYCIA BARNETT back at the helm, the quality of SECURITY AND ADVOCACY will improve ...

"We will do whatever you want Rose. I'll even help take this on full time. I can be here in a FLASH...and I can divert and stop ANYBODY that comes our way. I promise. But...Sharon is right...let's go inside please."

<< She looked up over head...>>

A DRONE... it REGULARLY circles over this area....

<< She lifts her hand, and a halo of soul/psycho power forms around it, as she aims and FIRES another bolt of astral energy, hitting the drone and shooting it down from the sky. Rose was thorough, and she did not miss. >>

As I was saying....with Armani and the rest of those corrupt MINIONS in that company created by HER out of the way...things should improve.

There's one other thing. Zach Armani is no longer welcome here. No further contact with Jake either.

Sharon: But Rose...you saw him at the hospital, he really does care about Jake! He...

Rose: << holding up her hand>> The decision has been made, Sharon. He wasn't thinking of Jake until Jake was shot down by his rogue lover. Where has he been in the last two months? Why hasn't he come here since the attacks by Hellfire began?

It's TOO LATE for him to do anything now, and short of him bringing Haleigh Davidoff to JUSTICE, which he WON'T do, there's nothing more I WANT OR NEED from him.

:: The display of power was INCREDIBLE. To see such a normally serene woman use THAT kind of power, it gave a person pause. Usually people with that kind of power were crazy..or drunk on it...and watching her unwravel just now and then snap back to calm...Danny began to worry that the problem with Rose was much deeper than he had been thinking. ::

"You won't just be punishing Zach, Rose...you'll be punishing Jake as well."

:: once AGAIN Rae nudged his ribs. ::

Rae: [whispering to Danny] "Shut the fuck up, kid. You want end up like that drone?"

:: Danny swallowed in his mouth. ::

"But...whatever you think is best."

<< Sharon didn't press any further.>>

I am fine, Sharon. Thank you all for being so responsive, but there is no danger here.

I'll have breakfast for you all tomorrow morning. Goodnight.

<< Rose turned from them and calmly walked away, going back into her brownstone, and closing the door. >>

<< Sharon, Rae and Danny stood there, with various looks of disbelief on their face, when....>>

:: Danny blinked in disbelief. ::

"Uh..these terms normally aren't in my lexicon, but what the BLOODY HELL just happened? Breakfast and croissant? After...THAT!?"

Rae: "Sharon...we gotta get on with this little plan of yours and soon..I can sense it. The man who dances in the flames of hell..he's not done dancin'."

<< Sharon didn't press any further.>>

I am fine, Sharon. Thank you all for being so responsive, but there is no danger here.

I'll have breakfast for you all tomorrow morning. Goodnight.

<< Rose turned from them and calmly walked away, going back into her brownstone, and closing the door. >>

<< Sharon, Rae and Danny stood there, with various looks of disbelief on their face, when....>>

:: Sharon spoke to her team as Danny...yet AGAIN went about restoring the things around him of a superficial nature. He did not touch the CI technology, but he fixed any superficial damage done to the things that held it. ::

"I'm going back to bed. Maybe this is a fuckin' dream."

:: It wasn't. The next day he awoke to the smell of breakfast being made in the kitchen. Rubbing his face, he went downstairs and sat next to the others at the dining room table. If Rose wanted to break bread...if that kept her..in a calm and more serene state, than Danny was willing to ride this until the wheels fell off. ::

"Morning, Rose...how are...how are you feeling?"

:: He didn't see her just yet. :

Rae: "Just peachy, I'm sure. Certainly not freezing her ASS off like ME!"

:: Danny glanced over towards the window outside that was slightly cracked as Rae stood against a wall smoking a cigarette. ::

Rae: "I've been knowing this little hussy for HOW long and she still won't let me smoke inside? The NERVE!"

:: Rae flicked her cigarette to the ground before coming through a back door and sitting down at the table sitting next to Danny. She squeeze his hand and kissed him on the cheek. ::

Rae: "You're cute in the morning, twinkle toes. You should let those little boys you bed stay the night every once in awhile. You might get a second date out of this."

:: Danny laughed. ::

"Oh piss off, Elvira, and pass the coffee."

:: As Rae handed him a piping hot cup, he whispered into her ear. ::

"So...we are gonna just pretend that last night didn't happen? I mean, Rae..this is absurd."

:: She eyed him up and down and smirked taking a sip of coffee. ::

Rae: "Darlin' what the hell else can we do right now? It's gonna be touch and go until she and Sharon get their revenge..so just sit back, smile and be the goddamn stereotype I know you can be. Here..let's role play..You're Jack...and I'm..."

:: From underneath her robe, she produced a flask that was fastened to god knows what on her body. Smiling she poured a fair amount of whiskey into both of their cups. ::

Rae: "And I'm Karen..."

:: Danny furrowed his brow. ::

"I hate you."

Rae: "Please...you wish you could BE me."

:: Danny could hear Sharon talking in the other room, but he couldn't make out what she was saying. He was getting tired of the cloak and dagger. He just wanted things to be fixed. For these kids to be safe. Soon, Rose entered the room with a plate of WAFFLES. His mouth salivated. So did Rae's. ::

"Ah, Rosie! I'm so glad to see you, but..."

[pointing to the waffles]

"Daddy want."

:: Both Rae and Danny immediately began serving themselves. ::

"Should we wait for Sharon?"

Rae: "She knew what time breakfast was. Besides..I think there is a hummingbird feeder outside if she gets hungry."

:: Smothering his waffle in syrup and butter he took a bite and it was DELICIOUS. Rose was an EXCELLENT cook. ::

"God...why would anybody ever eat anything besides breakfast food?"

Rae: "People are idiots, Danny."

"Here, here!"

[looking at Rose]

"I need to see you eat at least TWO plates of food, girl. I don't care what you have to say about your appetite. I know you don't eat enough. Don't make me reprimand you like one of your children!"

:: He couldn't help it. ::

"And..outside of that...Rose. What was last night? Are you okay? Do you still want to ban Zach from this place? Bar him from Jake? Sever ties with Clandestine Intelligence? OWW!"

:: Danny felt the rough KICK in the shins from Rae sitting next to him. ::

Rae: "Jack and Karen, kid! Jack and KAREN!"

:: Rae turned to face Rose. ::

"Don't listen to him..he doesn't have enough waffles in him yet to be truly coherent. You do whatever you want Rosie Q. Only person you gotta answer to is God and I have it on good authority he's pretty loose with the rules."

 

[Talisman]

Meanwhile - Last Night

The Night Before - Hellfire Mansion

< What an evening it had been. She watched in ecstacy as Haleigh was laid bared naked and vulnerable in front of The Inner Circle. Together the new sisterhood showed each of it's members exactly what happened when and if one of them should decide at any moment that they were better or somehow smarter than the women they worked for. There were fates far worse than death and the queens and their king had just shown everybody that. When Scion arrived at The Hellfire Club, she had refused to bow before the other queens. At first, Diana thought that Haleigh would play by the rules, so she allowed such righteous indignation, but Talisman had been correct. Scion was a loose cannon who thought she would rule the roost, but it had ended up working in The Black Queen's favor. Haleigh didn't bow before Talisman - instead she was completely unwraveled and put together by the women she had refused to revere. It seemed like a fitting punishment for such egregious behavior. Still, as satisfying as it was to see Haleigh be made a bitch of the courts, there was something else that Kelly had on her mind, and THAT - was the genetic sample of Bishop that Haleigh had retrieved. Scion may have worked her nerve, but at least she was effective. Once the queens had made their final goodbyes, Kelly was feeling rather..excited about things. The sample was exactly what she needed to continue a very exciting and new opportunity for The Hellfire Club, one that she herself was spearheading with the support of Diana herself. >

< But still...there was work to do. As The Inner Circle scattered and The Red Court rallied around Haleigh and Ava, Talisman met with Cobra in The Black Parlour, her black stiletto heels clicking across the floor as she took a seat next to her. >

"I hope you understand how neccessary that was, Amanda."

< A bartender sat a glass of icy cold bubbling hemlock in front of her. >

"She made a mockery of our leadership..of our RULES."

Cobra: "Of course I understand, my Queen. She threatens the order of things. Which is in place for a reason. To allow her to continue to operate in the same way after being so daring and RECKLESS..it degrades the leadership she is now under the protection of."

< Talisman sipped on her hemlock, her black manicured nails tapping the crystal glass flute as she gives a smuldering smile. >

"You are always such a quick study, Amanda. I appreciate that about you.."

< Crossing her legs. >

"I know you've been lonely..here in the mansion..and [exhaling] I know that I've been somewhat withholding on my court appointments. However [taking a sip] I can't afford to make mistakes. I must take the same time and concern I took with you..and when they are ready, they will join us."

Cobra: "What about Gorgon? Since The Blackout Party..he's been scarce in these halls. Have you drained him of his vitality completely?"

< The two shared a devious smile with each other. Talisman always walked a fine line with Amanda. She was a very successful experiment and a coveted asset for The Black Queen. In order to keep that asset protected, she HAD to treat Amanda a bit differently than she might treat other members of her future court or members of The Inner Circle. And she did so in such a way that Amanda could never really discern whether Talisman really cared about her as a woman, or whether she was just trying to keep her asset. Amanda sought Talisman's approval and she intended on keeping it that way. There always had to be somewhat of a distance between them, but that distance also had to be tapered with moments of regard and concern. It was a delicate dance. >

"Benjamin's status as The Black Bishop is temporary. He was given to me as a slight from The White Court. I can't allow him the kind of closeness that you and I have. He is a mole, but he is not without his "uses"..."

< Kelly laughs. >

"I can't be sure that he isn't doing all of this under the misguided notion that Cassandra Johnson might come back to him, he will remain as a probationary appointment. And WHEN I find the correct Bishop for us..he will join The Black Guard..under YOUR command, so.."

< Talisman sat back in her chair and smiled. >

"Let a woman have some fun will you..Speaking of which..It's time for you to make friends, Cobra."

Cobra: "I'm not sleeping with anybody if that's what you mean."

"Amanda, if this place hasn't turned you into a stone cold pervert YET...I think we are in the clear. I am speaking of Scion."

Cobra: "Go on.."

"Right now..Scion is WEAK and fractured. She thought she'd be out of these walls by now, but she's not. Her sister is gone and is enthralled by The Red Knight..who I can already see will cause FAR more pain for the both of them than they realize. She's alone. Heidi resents her, Emiko is...well...Emiko and you SAW what Mystique had to say about her in the catacombs. She needs somebody..and, well I require that YOU be that somebody."

< Talisman took another sip of hemlock as she sat the glass on the table, circling the rim with her finger for a moment as she watched the confused look of Cobra for a moment. >

Cobra: "Of course I will do anything you require, Talisman..and as luck would have it, I have just made contact with her a few moments ago, but I need to know your reasons. Relations between the white and black courts have historically been difficult..and..not to overstep my boundaries, but if you are planning on doing something to The White Queen's most valuable asset..I need to know."

"I would never put you in that kind of danger, Amanda. In fact..I'm a bit offended that you would even suggest it. I say this only for your benefit. We need allies. Despite the brash behavior she has displayed...she wields a large amount of social power. The Red Court is infatuated by her..too much so for my liking. Her continued partnership with Alek and Persephone could prove problematic for everybody. She needs to know...as she readjusts, that there are other options.."

"Knowing her agenda will help us better plan ours, Cobra. Her very residency here has shaken things to their core and since her own court is jealous Malice has a new toy, and our court is barren, she leans where her sister is. We need to change that. Lending yourself to her, would not only benefit us..but ALL of the courts."

< The bartender went to refill her glass as he put her hand up in a stopping motion. She spoke to Amanda without looking at her. >

"Outside of all that...I've explained myself more than I should have to. We all have our roles to play, and this is the role I have decided for you."

< From within her robes she produced a beautiful crystal rose orb. Amanda had seen the object before and knew what it could do. She sat it down on the table next to her and slid it over in front of The Black Knight. >

"Use this as your in..and then return it to me."

< Talisman rose to her feet and exhaled, turning to Amanda and kissing her on the cheek with her stained dark metallic cranberry lip. >

"Good luck, my Black Knight. Scion is just about to make her way towards you."

< Leaving the room she returned to her quarters where an eager Gorgon was waiting for her. After a successful day and the promise of the future in her sights, she allowed Gorgon to satisfy her several times, using his abilities to please her in ways that surprised even HER. >

Some Time Later...
=======

< After draining him of his energy and leaving him like a sleeping puppy in her bed, Kelly left Gorgon and went back downstairs to The Black Parlour after refreshing herself, this time in her work clothes - a chic black doctor's robe hiding a collared black leather button up dress, the buttons stopping just at the right spot in her cleavage. Her hair was pulled up and back in an uptown updo. Amanda was still in the parlour enjoying her wine. >

"Things went well it seems."

Cobra: "As well as could be expected. I think I left an impression."

"Good. Very good."

< She walked slowly over to Cobra as The Black Knight produced the Rose Quartz Orb, placing it in Talisman's hands. >

"Thank You. Enjoy your evening..and most likely your book, Amanda."

Cobra: "Enjoy your night at work."

< Exiting The Black Parlour, Kelly rounded the corner, shimmering out of sight and appearing in the main research area of her Body Shoppe, a place that existed in a tessaract, and a place that only those with DESPERATE need could get to. Her sanctuary, the biggest manifestation of her power here on Earth. It was HERE she could do and be WHATEVER she wanted without question or damnation. Sitting down at her executive glass see through desk, she crossed her legs, her black heels ticking at her side. She placed the orb in a socket that seemed created for it on the table in front of her as a holographic screen appeared on the right and left sides of her. She pressed a number of buttons as the ORB itself began to spin around wildly, faster than before. Before long it began to GLOW as it PROJECTED a series of images on a holographic screen a few feet away from Talisman's face, the light of the screen reflecting in her cobalt blue eyes as she surveyed the information. While the orb had been charged with a spell, Talisman was not without her tricks. During the conversation between Cobra and Scion, it had taken stock of Scion on EVERY level possible - genetic, energetic, technological, biological..every bit of data that MADE Scion who she was on EVERY level - it had been documented for her as a double helix of Scion's DNA appeared on the screen. >

< Talisman had been looking to make her mark in this world. In HER timeline, she had worked with Christopher and Adam, helped them do the work that they did, often times being ignored or marginalized in order to stroke their egos. They were DEAD here..but the success of Haleigh Davidoff was not lost on her. She was the perfect specimen, the sterile environment of her creation, the decisions made to protect her, the obstacles and trials she had suffered, all leading up to the successful bonding of the TO Virus to her. She was patient zero. Viper was too volitale to study, too many variables. Haleigh may have been insufferable, but her genetics? They were pretty damn nice. As she watched the information scroll in front of her..she was pleased with her initial findings. It would take a LOT of work to crack this code - to enhance this work..and make it better, but she felt well poised to do it. >

< From her black lab coat she pulled out the genetic sample she had received from Bishop and INSERTED it into the control panel in front of it as a second holographic projection began to play. She felt goosebumps run up and down her legs as she leaned back in her chair. >

"Computer...run cross reference program. Engage genome sequencing function. When sequencing is complete..run bioinformatics program on Chromosone Six. Print all reports."

< Voom. The sounds her highly sophisticated technology began to buzz and hum with life as it began to go to work. The charge of the machines and the static and technological energy in the room, it coursed through her body the way that magick permeated in most witches. It was intoxicating..and it felt good. This was her happy place. Smirking, she unbuttoned one of the buttons on her dress as she snapped her fingers and music began to play. She had a LOT of work to do tonight, and she was certainly going to enjoy it. >

< Gorgon may have satisfied her body..but taking a look at the deepest levels of Bishop and Haleigh were about to satisfy her mind, and that to Talisman was far better than SEX. >

 

[Steel]

The Clocktower

He and Zizi were both silent for a while, pondering the situation they were in, and how they could help their teammates.

“Well, I had better get over to Charope before Ashley kills someone…or vice versa.”

Right then, his phone rang.

>> “Sir, this is Artifice. We have someone from Child Protective Services here. Credentials check out.”

Steel covered the speaker on the phone and looked up at the ceiling.

Fuck.

How did they find out about this? He had kept everything about the attack quiet as far as official channels went. He sighed.

“Let him in, Lieutenant. But escort him to the door and back again when he comes out.”

>> “Roger that.”

He pressed end and looked at Zizi.

“CPS is at the Sanctuary.”

Oracle: “Oh heavens, that’s not good. I hate for Alycia to do anything but rest right now…”

“But she would want to know.”

Zizi quickly sent off a text to her. Steel finished the rest of the coffee in his mug and put it in the dishwasher.

“Thanks for the coffee. And try not to worry – we’ll find a way to make this work, I promise.”

Zizi gave him her best impression of a bright smile, but he could see the worry behind it. Giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze, he left for Charope.

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Zizi was worried about what was happening at the Sanctuary. Rose’s unpredictability – and Sharon’s, for that matter – were an unknown and CPS could find something to harp on even on someone’s best day. She tried to have faith, but it was difficult.

So of course, she threw herself into the security project for the Sanctuary. She checked her watch. It was early, especially for him, but maybe he hadn’t gone to bed yet.

She had the computer dial his number. She chewed absentmindedly on a fingernail. When he picked up, she started in on her spiel.

“Hi Gabe, it’s me. [pause] Zizi.”

Idiot!

“I’m working on a little project that needs doing asap and I wondered if you might be able to come over. And help me?”

She crossed her fingers. Then stammered as she remembered:

“I’d pay you, of course. It’s more of a tech-y thing than that other thing you do.”

Having sex with beautiful goddesses?

“The computer stuff, I mean.”

 

[MorningStar]

Charope

Delilah awoke, leaning against Bishop’s shoulder, his head resting on top of hers. She quickly wiped her mouth. She looked around her and stretched. He stirred, and she touched his hand, waking him gently. Standing, she raised her arms about her head and cracked her neck from side to side, working out the kinks from the awkward position she had slept in.

She looked at the time on her phone and groaned. She also noticed a text message from Zizi:

>> Steel and Valkyrie will be there to relieve you. Thought you might like a [ shower emoji ] and some sleep in your own [ bed emoji ]. xxoo

Delilah laughed, shaking her head. That girl was way too perky for this hour.

Vivica Lennox walked in to the infirmary. Thankfully, she didn't look like she was there to announce some impending disaster.

"Change of the guard..I brought coffee if you can stomach it."

"Aw, that's sweet of you Vivica, thank you."

Delilah didn't really drink coffee, but she appreciated the gesture, and sipped it to be polite.

"Thank you for being here. You should go home...get some rest."

"Oh...I will. I just want to check in on everybody first, make sure everyone's okay."

She smiled and Vivica went on in the direction of Alycia's room.

Delilah reached her arm out and handed the coffee to Maxim, who gratefully started slurping it down.

"I'm going to go check in on Isis. I'll be right back."

Bishop: "Tell her I said 'hi'."

She rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, I'll do that."

Delilah made her way down the hall to where Isis had crashed with Matrix for the night.

 

[Titan]

Charope

Andrew walked into Charope, and took the elevator down to the lower floors. He hadn't been there before, but Vivica had told him how to get there. He had gotten Zizi's text that morning, and he figured everyone must be okay or Zizi would have said something. Still, he wanted to come visit Zach and make sure he knew that the team cared.

He walked in the door and then suddenly was hit by the thought that he should have brought a card or flowers or something. Did you bring flowers to guys when they were in the hospital? Oh well, too late now. Stepping into the main room, he looked for Zach's. Seeing him, he saw that he was on the phone. He waved through the open door and gave him a thumbs up, before turning around and going to sit down in the waiting area until Zach was free. Which was when he froze.

He had forgotten who else was a patient here.

Bishop.

Andrew internally scoffed.

He was pretty sure it was sacrilegious to name yourself that when you weren't actually part of the clergy.

Look at him. All smug. "I snap my fingers and Delilah comes running!" his body seemed to say.

Well, Andrew would show HIM. He would pretend like he didn't even know who he was. He took a step forward towards a chair when Bishop noticed him. And then THAT plan went to hell.

 

[Bishop]

Charope

He sat back down on the little two seater couch he'd spent the night on, with Delilah beside him. He had a bed here, but he would have been crazy to give up having her next to him like that. He was pretty sure she wouldn't have gotten in bed with him. So, next best thing...

He sipped the really excellent coffee Vivica had brought Delilah. For someone who was like Cameron King's bestie, she was alright. One of the infirmary lackeys had come by to let him know that he could finally go home, but that Zach Armani wanted to talk to him first. About what, he had no idea. Surely he didn't know - couldn't know - about him and Haleigh? Best to just feign innocence. So he waited.

He tilted the cup back and drank down the last of the coffee. And as his head tilted back down, he saw him. That punk ass kid who was fucking Delilah was standing right in front of him. He crushed the cup in his fist and dropped it as he stood up, pointing a finger at him.

"You. Get the hell out of here. Now!"

Andrew held up his hands.

Andrew: "I'm just here to see Zach!"

"Like hell you are you little pipsqueak!"

Bishop was in his face, and the weak ass kid took a step backwards.

Andrew: "Can't we handle this like adults?"

"I'm going to put my adult fist through your face if you don't get the fuck out of this room!"

 

[Steel]

Charope

His conversation with Zizi was still on his mind as he drove over to Charope. He knew Sharon was still at the Sanctuary, but he still hoped to get the chance to talk to her, as well as Alycia and Ashley - and maybe even Isis, during the course of the day. He didn't know if he could bridge this gap, but he could certainly try. Ashley and Sharon were a lot alike, actually, and if he could just get them to see that...

His thoughts skid to a halt through as he walked into the infirmary and Bishop and Andrew were at each others throats. Well, actually, Bishop looked like he was about to tear Andrew's throat out.

"I'm going to put my adult fist through your face if you don't get the fuck out of this room!"

Steel moved quickly - trying to be nonthreatening - standing to the front and side of Andrew. He held up one hand in a stop motion, but stopped short of touching Bishop.

"Hold on, hold on. He's just here to visit his friend, mate. That's all, I promise."

Bishop: "If he bothers Delilah I'll-"

Steel held both his hands up, now getting himself completely between Bishop and Andrew, who had thankfully taken a couple steps back. He adopted an understanding, 'buddy' tone of voice.

"Naw, man, I get it, I get it. If she's uncomfortable, I'll escort him out of here myself. Okay?"

Steel's eyes pleaded with Bishop.

"Let him see his friend, then he'll go. Please, mate."

Bishop just nodded, still glaring at Andrew, pacified but clearly still not okay with Andrew's presence.

Steel gave him a good-natured pat on the back as he turned to go back and sit down. He watched Bishop pick up a copy of "Women's Day" and pretend to read it, all the while looking at Andrew with an ice cold steady stare.

Steel turned, and pointed to the far corner of the room.

"You. Go sit over there and wait for Zach."

He then chose a seat half way between the two of them. It was going to be a long day.

 

[Cypher]

"Bugger!"

There were no lights in the room, just the illumination of four computer monitors giving a glimpse of Gabriel Jerome's spacious rustic office. To say he enjoyed the finer things in life was an understatement. As a kid, he was raised in Queens by a single mom who had to work three minimum wage jobs to make ends meet after they fled from Wales to get away from his drug addicted and abusive father. Gabe was only 11 at the time and kids were cruel--always making fun of his accent and the way he dressed. That was when he dove into computers and hacking. He didn't need any friends when he was on the web, coding and exploring the inner workings of the internet. He felt like a king even though in reality he was a mere peasant. It was then he met his oldest and dearest friend Zizi. Their relationship started out in a chatroom and grew to real life interaction once they both realized they lived in New York. For the first time, Gabe had a friend outside of cyber space.

As he got older his skill set grew along with his mutant abilities. And at the ripe age of 17 he caught the eye of one of the worlds biggest traders in weaponry and technology, Stavros Cassadine. Stavros offered him a job, paying him HEAFY in order to hack his way into government systems all around the world. The legal aspect didn't bother him because he knew that Stavros was offering him the opportunity to set his mother up for life. To send her back to Wales to be with her family, to live in a spacious cottage on land that she owned, to not have to break her back anymore to make enough for rent or food on the table. Stavros was his savior and he owed everything to him.

The moment Gabe became an employee of Cassadine Enterprises, his life literally changed. He could afford designer labels and fancy cars. He could get the best computers and technology money could buy. Hell, he could get the best technology that wasn't even OUT yet courtesy of CE. AND the cherry on everything, he met a woman who he fell absolutely head over in heels in love with--Ava Cassadine. Yeah she was the daughter of his boss....but he didn't care. He hadn't seen something that beautiful in his entire life. The moment he became 'somebody' was the moment he gained enough balls to pursue Ava and become the 'Gabe' he was today instead of little Gabriel Jerome of Brrry Island Wales.

"Come on! Come on!"

Clicking the keys on his keyboard rapidly, a small box popped up in the corner of his screen with a call from Zizi York. Gabe smiled, never taking his eyes off the other screens as he opened the call.

"Hey Lizzie."

Zizi: “Hi Gabe, it’s me. [pause] Zizi.”

Gabe chuckled.

"Glad you clarified kid, I thought I was talking to my OTHER best friend."

Tap. Click. Tap.

"What can I do you for?"

Zizi: “I’m working on a little project that needs doing asap and I wondered if you might be able to come over. And help me?”

"NO!"

Throwing his hands up in the air, Gabe sat back in defeat. Then he realized Zizi was still on the line.

"Oh! No! Not you, Liz. Some alien bastard just killed me on Destiny."

Zizi: “I’d pay you, of course. It’s more of a tech-y thing than that other thing you do.”

Gabe grinned, shaking his head.

"You mean my ex? Not my finest moment, I admit."

Though a damn fucking great one. He still thought about it.

Zizi: “The computer stuff, I mean.”

Flipping the light on his desk, Gabe took a look at his Rolex seeing it was roughly 8:00am. He hadn't slept, but the perk about having a mind like the inter web, he didn't really need to 'shut down' and sleep much.

"You know i'd help you with anything, sweetheart. No need to pay! Other than in coffee of course....and Dunkin Donuts."

Gabe stood from his desk, unplugging his Macbook Pro.

"I'll be over in 15."

 

[Persephone]

The wind swept through Persephone's wavy chocolate hair as she sat in the cold sand staring out at the waves. Bundled in an oversized crimson sweater, she could have manipulated the weather around her to warm the temperature, but she enjoyed the bitterness of the winter air. She needed to get out of the Hellfire Club and AWAY from the inner workings and deception of their people. She needed to feel some semblance of freedom from prying eyes and ears. She just needed a moment to herself to reflect on what had transpired that evening.

You do what you need to do. And i'll do the same.

Rolling her eyes shut, she shouldn't have cared. She shouldn't have even opened up enough to ALLOW herself to care. And in that moment she was really fucking kicking herself for doing it. But this was all a game that needed to be played, and any shred of weakness shown would be exploited and used against her.

Sitting under the pier, making sure to position herself away from any sort of camera that could be hacked into and used as a method to spy, Persephone used this moment of solitude to just think about EVERYTHING. Ava, Haleigh, The Six, The Inner Circle....Alek. Even as a child she remembered getting so angry that the only thing that would help was going to the ocean and listening to the waves. It stilled helped her, even thousands of years later.

Easy, Persephone. The moment you let yourself be encompassed by it....the moment you loose control.

She thought to herself while watching the morning rays sparkle against the crashing waves.

And that's when you make mistakes.

Ava got her into this mess...she wasn't about to get destroyed because of it.

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

"What can I do you for?"

She told him what she wanted, not going into details over the phone. He then yelled “No!” and Zizi’s heart sank.

"Oh! No! Not you, Liz. Some alien bastard just killed me on Destiny."

“You playing a Gunslinger or a Titan?”

She took a sip of her Big Gulp.

"You mean my ex? Not my finest moment, I admit."

Ew. Just because SHE was thinking it, didn’t mean HE had to be. He probably sat around and thought about Ava all day long. She sighed. Then she clarified.

"You know i'd help you with anything, sweetheart. No need to pay! Other than in coffee of course....and Dunkin Donuts."

“Both are already on the counter…”

She smiled, even though it was not a visual medium.

"I'll be over in 15."

It was at this point that Zizi realized she was still wearing her pajamas and Ewok stuffed animal slippers. She stole a glance at the tray of donuts on her counter on the way to her bedroom and considered calling Xavier for a quick pickup of a greater selection, then decided against it as he was not a delivery service Zizi!

A quick change of clothes (or 5) and a tube of lip gloss later she was answering the door.

“Hi!”

She said, a little too brightly.

She showed him to her control station, talking fast the whole way there.

“So have you ever heard of the Sanctuary? They take care of orphaned mutant children there. There was an attack there yesterday, and one of the children was injured. Long story short, they ripped out all their old security protocols in a hurry. Obviously they can’t be going around with nothing…”

She pulled up the rough plans she had done so far, and schematics of the Sanctuary on various screens.

“This needs to be tight, Gabe. Think you can help?”

 

[Cypher]

It didn't take long before getting to the Clocktower despite it being the heat of morning rush hour. Gabe stood outside the door, lowering himself to the silver security pad stationed outside of it.

"Huh ICTS system....not bad."

He said to himself, impressed. The door opened.

Zizi: "Hi!"

Gabe immediately stood upright and smiled.

"Hi yourself. Nice system."

Gabe walked in, Zizi immediately taking him over to the control station. Gabe's eyes scanned the work space....multiple monitors, mainframes, jammers, the works. He grinned, feeling like he just walked in to a candy store or sex shop.

"Damn Lizzie, when you mentioned working for this Praying for Birds thing, I didn't think you were set up like this!"

Gabe took off his laptop bag, putting it on one of the work stations.

"Is that a an NCBI system?!"

He was getting a little too excited and needed to focus on why Zizi brought him in to help. Gabe took a seat as she positioned herself next to him.

Zizi: “So have you ever heard of the Sanctuary? They take care of orphaned mutant children there. There was an attack there yesterday, and one of the children was injured."

Gabe nodded. He frequently hacked the city camera systems just to see what was happening around New York. Unfortunately he STILL hadn't been able to hack Clandestine's systems which really fucking pissed him off. But he was getting there, slowly but surely.

"Yeah, I saw some red head shoot the kid during a struggle with some purple haired lady. Poor 7/11 quality security feed, couldn't tell what happened after."

Gabe's face was a little more somber.

"Did the little mate make it?"

Zizi confirmed that he did making Gabe nod in relief.

"Good. Kid already has it rough enough as it is not having parents...."

Gabe glanced over at the monitors, knowing those kids had it rough. He was lucky, he at least had a mother who stayed with him and gave him the best life she could give him.

Zizi: "Long story short, they ripped out all their old security protocols in a hurry. Obviously they can’t be going around with nothing…This needs to be tight, Gabe. Think you can help?”

He gave her a smile as he leaned forward, placing his hand on hers. If he could help protect those kids, he'd do everything in his power to do so.

"Yeah, of course. I've been working on a new system that would make even Clandestine cream their pants. [to himself] Fucking bastards...."

He grumbled. He KNEW Ava's sister Haleigh was the reason Clandestine was so air tight with technology. It pissed him off that he couldn't easily hack their system like every other system out there. Ego and all. Gabe figured Haleigh was an omega level mutant of some sort. But so was he, and he was SO CLOSE to breaking into their system and finally getting the goods on their inner workings.

"But for real, Liz. Those kids will be safe."

Pushing some fallen hair away from her worry-filled face, Gabe smiled trying to reassure her.

"So how bout those doughnuts and we'll get to work."

 

[Berserker]

Coney Island Pier

Alek had followed Persephone from the mansion, and he watched her pick a spot that would be unobserved - electronically or otherwise. He only mistake was letting him see her leave. But then, maybe she wanted him to follow. Shoes in hand, pant cuffs rolled up, he walked up to where she sat and watched her, silently for a long moment. Then he stepped forward and bent down to whisper in her ear.

"I didn't fuck her."

He dropped his shoes and sat down next to her on the sand, then brushed his hands together to get off the sand. He pulled two Nathan's hot dogs wrapped in foil from the paper bag he carried, and handed her one.

"You can't come to Coney Island and not eat at Nathan's."

He stared out at the water for a long time as he ate. Finally he spoke again.

"Did you really want me to?"

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

"Hi yourself. Nice system."

Zizi beamed, then tried to play it off.

“Oh, that? I just needed something to, you know, keep the riff raff out.”

She laughed, and the made their way to her workspace.

"Damn Lizzie, when you mentioned working for this Praying for Birds thing, I didn't think you were set up like this!"

“Birds of Prey, Gabe. Birds of Prey.”

She switched a few things on while she talked.

“I just bought a few additions to my regular tech..no big deal…”

He was pulling out his laptop.

“Here, I’m all warmed up and ready for you to plug into my system.”

She closed her eyes, the color beginning to rise in her face.

“Bad choice of words.”

"Is that an NCBI system?!"

“Yep – with a few…custom modifications…”

She preened a little.

He sat down in the chair next to her. And he smelled really good.

Focus, Zizi, focus.

She asked him if he knew what the Sanctuary was.

"Yeah, I saw some red head shoot the kid during a struggle with some purple haired lady. Poor 7/11 quality security feed, couldn't tell what happened after. Did the little mate make it?"

“Yeah, he did – he’s going to be fine. As long as we make sure no one can get in a second time…the redhead is your girlfriend Ava’s sister, by the way. Well, not biologically, but, you know, it takes a village.”

She asked if he could help and he put his hand on hers, and it felt so warm.

"Yeah, of course. I've been working on a new system that would make even Clandestine cream their pants. [to himself] Fucking bastards...."

She cleared her throat.

“Language.”

But it came out as a squeak.

"But for real, Liz. Those kids will be safe."

She smiled.

“That’s what I’m counting on.”

He touched her face and smiled.

"So how bout those doughnuts and we'll get to work."

She fidgeted a little, looking away before announcing, “Coming right up!”

She started to wheel herself over to the kitchen area, when she stopped and turned back.

“And Clandestine…they’ve got nothing on you, Gabe.”

She smiled again, and then turned to go fetch the tray of donuts and pot of coffee she’d made.

 

[Persephone]

She could feel his presents as he stood silently watching her. But she didn't look over or acknowledge him, her eyes remained locked on the waves. She wanted to punch him for following her, not letting her have a moment of peace. But the smell of the salt air was intoxicating--calming, allowing her to sit quietly and pretend that he wasn't there.

Alek: "I didn't fuck her."

He whispered in her ear, causing her eyes to shift to the right where he threw his shoes down. He took a seat.

"Then you're a fool."

She responded evenly, shifting her eyes back to the ocean. Was she glad he didn't fuck Haleigh? A part of her was, yes. But another part wanted to believe that he was still the same sex driven playboy she had met the night of the Blackout Party, and the moment they had earlier was just him lying to her--using her. She would have KILLED him for it eventually, but it would have been a lot easier than the alternative....him ACTUALLY caring.

Alek: "You can't come to Coney Island and not eat at Nathan's."

He pulled out two hot dogs from a bag, handing one to her. Persephone glanced at the food for a moment before relenting and taking it. Turning the warm foil in her hands absentmindedly, she then placed it next to her on the sand.

Alek: "Did you really want me to?"

"Yes."

Her response immediate before she finally looked at him.

"You've done it in the past. Nothing should change."

She shook her head.

"These people are looking for every opportunity to hurt an manipulate me and Haleigh. Don't give them the tools to do it."

Turning to look back at the water.

"Be the Red Knight."

 

[Berserker]

Coney Island Pier

"Then you're a fool."

He exhaled, still looking out at the water.

“Maybe I am.”

He asked her if she had really wanted him to sleep with Haleigh.

"Yes."

He felt a pain somewhere low in his stomach. He wanted to scream at her. Wanted to ask her what the hell was wrong with her.

"You've done it in the past. Nothing should change."

“Don’t worry, we made it look convincing until everyone was asleep. So then there was no point.”

"These people are looking for every opportunity to hurt and manipulate me and Haleigh. Don't give them the tools to do it. Be the Red Knight."

He laughed.

“I AM being the Red Knight. I followed you, didn’t I? Couldn’t let you go off to destination unknown…not after that stunt you pulled with Helena’s car…”

He turned his head to look at her and smiled. Then the smile faded and he was looking out at the stormy sea once again. His jaw clenched.

“And what about the Red Rook? Are we going to see a revolving door of bed partners coming through your chambers?”

He started playing with the sand next to him.

“I know how to keep up appearances, how to…do what needs to be done whether I want to or not. You don’t need to worry but-”

He his swiveled to look at her.

“But I want you to know, you are the only woman I want in my bed.”

And then back to the ocean once more.

“You’re the only one I think about when you’ve gone.”