Surrounded by darkness

[Bishop]

Is this fast enough? And DON'T call me Sharon in public!

He grumbled right back at her.

“Well you weren’t supposed to be IN public when I called you!”

Why don't YOU take her back? I'll go in there and kill EVERYBODY and get MorningStar and Karen out myself!

Bishop was NOT in the mood to argue right that second.

“Because One: you can get her out of harm’s way quicker than I can Two: MysTech can’t follow you and Three: she knows you and won’t be freaked out when she wakes up and a strange man is driving her through Manhattan. Besides, MorningStar and Karen are doing a pretty good job of killing everybody by themselves.”

He took a breath and calmed himself.

“Please, get her to safety. Then you can come back and kill everybody if you want.”

Not leaving her the opportunity to argue, he started running back towards the brownstone. His bag was still by the door where he’d dropped it. He pulled out a few grenades and strapped them to the ammo belt that was slung across his chest under his jacket, reloaded the rifle, and went in.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Hellfire Mansion

<<standing behind MALICE this time, Karen had a glint in her own eye...as she raised a large SPIKED MACE up>>


Exploit THIS you wretched COW!

<< screaming with a mightly swing, Karen SLAMS the mace across Malice's jaw and returns the favor as she sends MALICE flying into the wall before she falls to the floor>>

my magicks's allow me to CONJURE ANY weapon that i need in battle, Malice. I may not be as STRONG as you physically, but I am every bit as adaptable.

Christopher abused me, yes. But he PAID THE PRICE for it. Just as YOU have now! But you deserve SO MUCH MORE than this for what youve done to me. WHAT YOU TOOK AWAY FROM ME!

<< she pauses. heaving for a moment as her emotions spill out. She's unaware that Delilah is there now, watching silently.>>


for all your power and tactical savvy, you made one BIG mistake. NEVER underestimate your enemy. ESPECIALLY one that has HISTORY with you.


<< as Malice fell to the floor, though she was in her diamond form, she was rendered unconscious. Karen stood with one hand on her hip as she casually tossed the large spiked mace into the air. the rushing harp sound was heard before the conjured weaponed disappeared into thin air. Karen nodded with satisfaction....as she stepped over Malice, allowing the cape of her flying suit to brush over the telepath. She GASPS as she sees Delilah in the doorway.>>

DELILAH!! WHAT in the goddess' name are you DOING here!? this was....a PERSONAL matter!

<< she was SHOCKED to see Delilah there. It didn't occurr to her that Delilah had come to help/rescue her.>>

 

[MorningStar]

Her momentary remorse at sending Bishop away with the girl forgotten with new resolve to find Karen, Delilah moved with purpose through the hall and around the stairs. Her face cold and determined, bright bursts of light at regular intervals emanated from her as she went, scrambling the surveillance cameras positioned throughout the floor.

Soldiers were still coming at her, but not the large group that they had originally faced. She reached out her right hand and extended her staff, which began to glow. She pointed it towards the guard and shot photon blasts from it like a cannon, picking the soldiers off one by one.

Coming to a service elevator, with her left hand she emitted a dazzling light show, scrambling the senses of any soldiers left in the hallway, as she got herself into the elevator and moving upwards to the second floor.

The doors opened and Delilah cautiously exited. Moving down the floor, she heard voices.

…and I'll not let ANY of them escape this place tonight. CERTAINLY not Brenda!

That’s what you think, bitch.

Delilah was now hiding herself behind an open door leading to what looked like a large bedroom suite. She could see an older blonde woman dressed in white, and Karen on the floor, seemingly unconscious. The woman kept talking though.

Delilah was waiting for her opening, when…

Exploit THIS you wretched COW!

Delilah watched, aghast, as Karen conjures a MACE and wacks the woman in white in the face with it, sending her flying and knocking her unconscious. Delilah could never have imagined such brutality from Karen. She was speechless as she watched Karen step OVER the body of the other woman.

DELILAH!! WHAT in the goddess' name are you DOING here!? this was....a PERSONAL matter!

“We thought you were in trouble. What were YOU thinking going off like this alone?! You couldn’t even leave a note? What if something had happened to you and we couldn’t find you?! You had to know that we would come with you, back you up. THIS? This was just…stupid!”

Delilah’s relief that Karen was seemingly alright had quickly changed to anger that she had put herself in danger this way, without even giving her (Delilah) the opportunity to be there for her.

“If something had happened to you it would have been just like-“

But she stopped. She couldn’t say it. Morgan.

She paused and spoke more calmly.

“I’m just glad you’re alright.”

 

[Bishop]

He could see the remnants of Delilah’s handiwork in the great hall, but she was nowhere to be seen. The place was in chaos though – alarms were STILL going off, and he saw a group of five or six MysTech soldiers wandering into the hall from his left. They seemed disorientated, like they’d just gotten off a roller coaster and were about to puke.

He raised his rifle and sprayed them with gunfire. Delilah wouldn’t approve, but he wasn’t about to have those guys at his back, no matter how out of it they were right now. Hell, he’d aimed low. They’d probably even survive.

A commotion to his right drew his attention. The corridor was filling with what he assumed was reinforcements. He pulled one of the grenades from his chest – one of his special design – armed and threw it. The explosion sealed that corridor off with debris. Smiling, he ran up the staircase.

Not having to use the elevator, he arrived at the others just as Karen was wielding her mace. It hit true with a sickening sound.

Holy shit.

“That’s not something you see every day.”

Karen was so savage with her target – a side he’d definitely never heard about from Delilah.

He kept to the shadows, unseen, as Delilah admonished Karen. Then he stepped forward.

“Give her a break, Delilah. Obviously she didn’t need our help.”

He gave Karen a little salute.

“Calvary’s here. Sorry we’re late…but I think there’s a few more guys downstairs you could crush with that weapon of yours before we leave if you want.”

 

[Silver Swan]

Illustra

Oh PLEASE!

[ Silver Swan looks at Bishop rather astonished. How DARE he speak to her that way!? She could just as easily bend him over backwards like a pretzel!]

[ She loudly huffs with annoyance as he hurries off, leaving her with the girl.]


[ He HAD valid points but still...she wanted to FIGHT. to KILL. But Here now was the responsibility that came with being aware of herself and who she really was. People were helping her and they counted on her. She had to ...work with them if for nothing else to help protect some obvious targets of the Hellfire Club [Mystech] right now.]

[ Brenda was listless and bloody. Her HEARTBEAT was elevated. Her breathing pattern all over the place. It was as if her body's "symphony" was completely changing its "song" as Silver Swan listened. That didn't happen ...not like this. Even with mutants. Whatever she'd been through...It had to have been AWFUL and SHE knew what THAT was like.]

[ She remembers the first time she met this girl. In that ally behind XS. The terror she had. Though Silver Swan had laid a trap for those goons, it was Brenda's terror that had moved her to act sooner, just like little Ashley in Central Park. She understood that terror better than most. That had been HER at one point.]

Don't worry...you're safe now.

[ She gathers Brenda into her arms, effortlessly craddling her as she lifts off into the air, flying at FAST speeds back toward Illustra.]

[ Upon landing on the roof, she enters down the stairwell and soon makes her way to an elevator, taking it to the same floor where Bishop had taken her and Ashley. Without any knowledge of the building's layout or if there were any medical facilities, this just seemed like the right thing to do.]

[ Laying Brenda carefully on a couch in the office suite, Silver Swan stands over her for a moment.]

[ She was a brawler and yes...a killer. MEDICAL care was not exactly in her province.]

Perhaps one of those other two can help...

[ a short time later, after locating Ana-Leigh and Rich's exact whereabouts via sonar, she arrives on the 103rd floor. Down the hall to the doors of Rich's apartment. She bangs on the door.]

Open up! It's ...Sharon.

[ She still wasn't used to it...knowing her name again. Did it take away ffrom her fearsome factor. Should she ONLY be known as Silver Swan? A question with an answer at a later time.]


[ She could hear them inside, and soon they were at the door.]

MorningStar and Bishop...they went to help Karen. Karen freed Brenda from the Hellfire Mansion and I've brought her back here.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Hellfire Club

We thought you were in trouble. What were YOU thinking going off like this alone?! You couldn’t even leave a note? What if something had happened to you and we couldn’t find you?! You had to know that we would come with you, back you up. THIS? This was just…stupid!

<< for a MOMENT, Karen felt BETRAYED by Delilah. How DARE she condemn her for THIS. Didn't she KNOW what this was about!? Couldn't she understand!?>>


Don't you chastise ME, young lady! This is something that goes BEYOND you...


<< Suddenly BISHOP arrives.>>

“Give her a break, Delilah. Obviously she didn’t need our help.”

He gave Karen a little salute.

“Calvary’s here. Sorry we’re late…but I think there’s a few more guys downstairs you could crush with that weapon of yours before we leave if you want.”

<< Karen's breathing regulates a bit as she looks at them both for a moment.>>

“If something had happened to you it would have been just like-“

But she stopped. She couldn’t say it. Morgan

<< Karen bows her head, placing her palm on her forehead. The adrenalin rush gives way to the physical PAIN she's in and Delilah can see the wound on her face from Malice's diamond assault.>>

Oh Delilah....You must....

That woman...<< gesturing to Malice, who is still laying on the floor, in diamond form>> SHE took my husband from me. She caused the destruction of my FAMILY...and I KNOW in my heart she had something to do with Morgan and her Sister's brutal deaths.

When I heard you two in the War Room....I just...I couldn't HELP myself! I HAD to do this! I had to get her! But I know this isn't enough. How CAN it be...20 years....this is not NEARLY enough!

<< Karen steps forward, taking Delilah's hand in her own.>>

You must understand...the pain I felt as a woman scorned, a widow...a grieving mother...

<< she sniffs as a few tears fall before trying to compose herself.>>

But that girl, Brenda...I STOPPED Diana from torturing her and set her free! At least I was able to save HER the way I couldn't save my own....

<< shutting her eyes as tears welled up again>>

...daughter.

<< her emotions were raw, her feelings deep. its what allowed her to be capable of such brutality as what they'd just seen but now they knew more what it was about. moreover, they had a NAME for the white queen, DIANA.>>


Diana took so much from me. I wanted to give HER something in return! I know it was a mad thing to do...but this went BEYOND logic and reason. SURELY you can understand that.

<< Referring to Delilah's own campaign of revenge against Dr.s Chandler and Victory and the Citadle.>>

 

[Malice]

Surprise

First you tresspass and now you have group therapy in MY domain?

:: Malice had hidden her movement from Delilah and Bishop via her telepathy and was now on her feet, contronting them all::

I'm TOUCHED that you've carried a torch for me for SO LONG, Karen and I hope this unwanted visit and assault upon my person was worth it to you, because it will be the LAST thing you do...EVER.

You've cost me a VERY important asset that I only recently acquired. I DON'T appreciate that.

:: looking at MorningStar, she smiles wickedly::

Delilahhh,

You're looking SO radiant. How HAVE you been,

::tilting her head and altering her voice to sound like...::

MORGAN: "lightengale?"

:: she deliberately uses the pet name Morgan and Blaze gave her to TAUNT Delilah::

That wheelchair is SO fashionable. It'll go so well with the INCINERATOR that you will have a date with once I render you a MINDLESS VEGETABLE.

:: Looking at Bishop::

Don't try it, beefcake. I'll know your moves BEFORE you can even execute them and I'll make sure you regret any attempt you make against me. You're hopelessly out of your league. Clearly more BRAWN than BRAIN. But wait....is that...CARE and CONCERN i sense you harboring for your physically challenged colleague? You can't BARE the thought of her being here....in DANGER...without YOU to ...

:: snicker::

PROTECT HER?

:: she mocks Bishop as she reveals his thoughts and feelings in a humiliating fashion courtesy of her telepathic/empathic power. thoughts that even HE hadn't fully reconciled unto himself yet.::


:: She enjoys ridiculing and taunting them all as she snaps her fingers and the room is FLOODED with nerve gas.::

You'll have PLENTY of time to dream about her as you fade to black. It'll be the last thing you remember....that UNREQUITED LOVE that you'll NEVER see come to pass before your misguided soul is DIVORCED from your overdevloped body!

GUARDS! PUT THEM DOWN!

:: between the nerve gas and the room now filled with six guards armed with plasma cannons set on STUN, the group will be painfully rendered unconscious and then murdered if Malice has HER way.::

 

[MorningStar]

Karen started to scold her but then stopped. She took Delilah’s hand.

You must understand...the pain I felt as a woman scorned, a widow...a grieving mother...

Delilah squeezed Karen’s hand back, as she looked up into her surrogate mother’s face with empathy. She did understand.

But that girl, Brenda...I STOPPED Diana from torturing her and set her free! At least I was able to save HER the way I couldn't save my own...daughter.

Delilah looked upon Karen’s face with such sadness. She slid her eyes to Bishop nearby. He nodded at her unspoken question.

Bishop: “Brenda’s fine. She’s gone with Silver Swan. MysTech won’t be able to follow.”

Diana took so much from me. I wanted to give HER something in return! I know it was a mad thing to do...but this went BEYOND logic and reason. SURELY you can understand that.

Delilah took a wavering breath.

“Karen, of course I understand. I was just so scared at the thought of losing you to…them.”

Bishop was signaling her, his eyes going from her to the door and back again.

“Yes, we should get out of here.”

But that was not to be.

First you tresspass and now you have group therapy in MY domain?

Delilah crossed her arms, knowing full well that this woman most likely was involved in Morgan’s murder.

“Well clearly none of us thought you were much of a threat…unconscious on the floor.”

She clenched her fist as the woman – Diana – used Morgan’s voice.

“Too bad you aren’t beautiful like her…that must be why you have to use your powers to get a man into bed.”

She indicated Brenda’s father, still on the bed.

Bishop took a step to move between her and Malice but he stopped as Malice spoke again and the room was suddenly filled with nerve gas and guards.

 

[Bishop]

It had all seemed like a piece of cake. He should have known better.

He was getting antsy, and signaled to Delilah that it was time to move. But then this Diana woman was back for round 2.

She tried to get a rise out of Delilah, but she clearly didn’t know MorningStar’s strength of will. If anyone could keep calm in the face of schoolyard taunts, it was Delilah.

He, however, could hardly fight the urge to rip her head off.

While Diana’s attention was fixed on MorningStar, he slowly moved himself closer to her.

Don't try it, beefcake. I'll know your moves BEFORE you can even execute them and I'll make sure you regret any attempt you make against me.

He stopped. But he kept his eyes on Diana, body tensed and ready for any opportunity.

Clearly more BRAWN than BRAIN. But wait....is that...CARE and CONCERN i sense you harboring for your physically challenged colleague? You can't BARE the thought of her being here....in DANGER...without YOU to ... PROTECT HER?

“That’s right.”

His voice was like gravel.

Then he saw the gas. He didn’t wait. He yelled to Karen. Knowing the gas would be thinnest at the floor:

“Get on the ground! Cover your mouth!”

In a swift movement he pulled Delilah out of her chair and to the ground, pulling the chair towards them into a makeshift cover. He ripped his shirt and pushed the cloth over her nose and mouth.

Holding his coat over his own nose and mouth, he pointed.

“The windows.”

Delilah reach out from the small cover, extending her arm, her hand in a fist, and sent a laser bolt at the room’s windows, shattering them. He was busy firing at the guards, trying to take out as many of the plasma cannon as he could. But even with the windows now effectively open, they would all soon enough succumb to the gas in the room if they didn’t do something quickly.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Escape from hellfire

<< Karen's moment with MorningStar and Bishop's endorsement of her brutality against Malice were all cut short as Malice appeared on her feet and ready to confront them ALL.>>

<< Karen had a psi screen but Delilah and Bishop did not. Despite their personal rivalry and bitter history, Karen acknowledged that the woman was DANGEROUS.>>

<< Karen stood just a step ahead of Delilah with Bishop slowly making his way toward Diana before the telepath told him to back off.>>

Diana...this ISN'T OVER! You deserve MUCH MORE than what I gave you today and I have NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE so you can BELIEVE that I'm not finished with you YET!

<< The nerve gas!>>

<<GASP!>>

“Get on the ground! Cover your mouth!”

<< Karen got down on her knees, covering her mouth but then more faceless guards burst into the room!>>

GUARDS! PUT THEM DOWN!

NO!

<< coughing>>

only the smallest chance left! got to....cast a SPELL to get us...<<coughing more>>...out of here before its...too LATE!


<< covering her nose and mouth with her cape, she gestures with her free hand>>

In this time and in this place, I call upon powers so dark.
Harness a portal to take us through time and space!

<< chimes sound off and darkly glowing orbs flow around the trio and Delilah's chair as well as their car outside. soon, a portal of blue/black light opens beneath them and in the twinkling of the witch's eye, they VANISH just as Malice points at them for the guards to shoot them!>>

<< they REAPPEAR in Illustra, the car in the underground parking lot and Delilah is back in her chair.>>

<< Karen coughts a bit as she stands upright.>>

Th...thank you both...for caring enough to come. I didn't want for you to place yourselves in danger...

 

[MorningStar]

Connor was coughing as well, harder than Karen. He was still on one knee, trying to clear his lungs.

Connor: "What [cough] was that?"

Delilah took a deep breath of the clean air in Morgan's apartment.

"Magic."

She deadpanned.

Th...thank you both...for caring enough to come. I didn't want for you to place yourselves in danger...

Delilah smiled.

"And we didn't want YOU to put YOURSELF in danger, either. But we're lucky you were there to get us out."

Connor: "Damn lucky. Doctor I think you can be my wingman any time. [pause] Maybe I should go check on Brenda."

Connor was recovering a little, breathing a little easier. He looked at Delilah, clearly torn about whether she was okay and whether he should leave her alone, even now back in her own apartment.

Delilah nodded to him.

"We'll be fine here."

He closed the door softly behind him as he left the room. It was then that Delilah realized where Karen had brought them: Morgan's room of consecration, where she would go to find peace and meditate, and where she had kept all of her magickal items. Delilah remembered teasing her about her "cauldron room". This was the first time Delilah had set foot in here since Morgan's death.

"So now what? Diana's still out there."

 

[Matrix]

[ a short time later, after locating Ana-Leigh and Rich's exact whereabouts via sonar, she arrives on the 103rd floor. Down the hall to the doors of Rich's apartment. She bangs on the door.]

Open up! It's ...Sharon.

[ She still wasn't used to it...knowing her name again. Did it take away ffrom her fearsome factor. Should she ONLY be known as Silver Swan? A question with an answer at a later time.]


[ She could hear them inside, and soon they were at the door.]

First there is banging at the door like the damned police. Then Sharon's voice calls out and he moves quickly to the door, Ana-Leigh right behind. he opens it up and he could tell something was up. Then she spit it out.

MorningStar and Bishop...they went to help Karen. Karen freed Brenda from the Hellfire Mansion and I've brought her back here.

Where is she, I can help. Rich walked quickly past her as she indicated that she was back at the office where they had all been. He moved quickly to the room where she was and, systematically began to check vitals. In his travels, some of the books he read had to do with first aid. He often helped people he saw on the street that weren't doing too good. Brenda appeared to be in shock.

All right. Brenda? It's me, Rich. You are safe now. I am going to try to help you here until we can do more for you. This is just oxygen gas. Breathe it in deeply and try to relax. It will help you calm down a bit.

Rich positioned himself so that his right hand and side was facing her as she lay. His left hand he placed behind his back as it turned into a facemask with oxygen tube running to his arm, which was now an oxygen tank. He held it in front of her rather than placing it all the way over her face. That would often freak people out and he did NOT want to do that with her in this state. He looked over at Sharon.

Are they back at all? Or do they need backup? She might end up needing more than I can do for her here...

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra- 107th floor

<< Karen looked rather pensive as Delilah offered the shortest explanation for their sudden movement. He offered his own compliment.>>

<< She wanted to say "I don't do this sort of thing....this was just a SPECIAL circumstance." But would he understand her motivation? Delilah did and that's what mattered to her at the moment.>>

<< She smiled a bit and nodded at the young man as she coughed a bit more. He was rough around the edges, but he had a good heart. He was driven by ideals he BELIEVED in and he was proof that human spirit and courage could make up for a lack of any actual super power. Same as Alycia.>>

<< Soon he went to check on the young girl and they were alone. Delilah and Karen, in the inner sanctum of Karen's daughter, Delilah's best friend.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< a ghostly black and white 3 way view. Karen Victoria/MORGAN Victoria/Delilah Trelevan>>

<< Delilah's voice echoes into CLARITY for Karen to register after she momentarily drifted off in thought w/ memories of her daughter.>>

"So now what? Diana's still out there."

and she now knows I'm alive.

<< She slowly runs her hand down her wounded cheek. a touch of healing magick manifests in the form of a glowing orbs as she heals her wound.>>

I'm lucky she didn't break my jaw when she back handed me in her...DIAMOND FORM. I...never knew she had THAT power.

<< Karen breathes in deeply, expanding her lungs as she recovers from the exposure to the gas and then slowly exhales.>>

It doesnt matter....Diana is MY issue.

I just....I didn't expect to ever HEAR her name again but when I heard you two...something inside of me...SNAPPED.

<< she looks over at her daughter's scrying glass and shudders.>>

I'm sorry if I made you worry.

 

[Silver Swan]

Illustra- several floors down

[ She was right assuming they could help her better than SHE could.]


From the sound of it, Dr. Victoria and MorningStar were doing a decent job of cutting down their enemies.

Rambo [ Bishop called HER Bird Lady...she called HIM Rambo ] said that he was going to make sure MorningStar and Dr. Victoria escaped.

....

They're back. I hear them.

[ from several floors above no less.]

[ Soon, she turns to see Bishop entering in.]

Her heart beat and breathing are erratic. Her systems...they were CHANGING their "symphony" even as I was carrying her.

Richard is providing her with oxygen.

 

[MorningStar]

It doesnt matter....Diana is MY issue. I just....I didn't expect to ever HEAR her name again but when I heard you two...something inside of me...SNAPPED. I'm sorry if I made you worry.

Delilah wheeled herself forward to where Karen was standing and put a hand on her arm.

"Just know that I - we - will always be there to back you up. You only need ask and we'll be there. You aren't alone."

Delilah wasn't talking just about battling the White Queen. Karen was family, just as Morgan had been family. She looked around her.

"It's been a long time since I was in this room."

 

[Bishop]

Bishop took a few minutes to himself in the hallway before heading down to check on Brenda, as he'd told Delilah he would. His cough had subsided, but he still hadn't gotten over how close they had come to dying in that piece of shit brownstone. He should have been able to get all three - no four - of them out there easily and yet he'd allowed them to be trapped. Stupid.

That wasn't good enough. He had left Delilah once before and she'd lost the use of her legs because of it. Tonight she'd almost lost her life. It was his duty to protect her now. Diana's words came back to him. Did he feel more than obligation towards Delilah?

He shook himself out of his thoughts, and continued down to the 99th floor, where Sharon had taken Brenda. Walking in, he saw that Ana-Leigh and Rich had come from their suites to help as well.

Bishop moved briskly over to the couch and knelt beside Brenda.

Her heart beat and breathing are erratic. Her systems...they were CHANGING their "symphony" even as I was carrying her. Richard is providing her with oxygen.

"That's good. She's in shock."

His military years had made him experienced in field medecine. He smiled down at Brenda.

"Brenda, you're going to be just fine. You're among friends."

He eyed Rich's "oxygen tank" suspiciously but said nothing. He showed Brenda his empty hands.

"I'm just going to check your pulse."

He began to do so, then turned his head.

"Ana-Leigh, in that trunk by the window are some blankets - bring those to me. Then get some bottles of water - they're next to the fridge."

He covered Brenda with the blankets, then helped her drink some of the water. He passed the duty over to Ana-Leigh, then rose to stand with Sharon.

"She's going to be fine. We'll have Dr. Victoria check her over just to be sure."

 

[Matrix]

Rich nodded as Connor started helping immediately.

He covered Brenda with the blankets, then helped her drink some of the water. He passed the duty over to Ana-Leigh, then rose to stand with Sharon.

"She's going to be fine. We'll have Dr. Victoria check her over just to be sure."

Rich had been at it dispensing oxygen for some time now. He looked at Connor and Sharon.

Glad she is cool, oxygen is almost out for now.

As Rich dropped the nozzle to his side it changed and he pulled his left arm out from behind his back.

She can stay in the bed at my spot...I can sleep here.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Rich's story was obviously very different than hers, but still similar all at the same time. Ana's parents didn't die, nor did she die like Rich, but she was forced to stay away from them in order to protect them. Sure she called them occasionally to let them know that she was doing okay and to hear their voices....but she could relate to Rich's pain. Placing a reassuring hand on his, suddenly his somber look turned into that of curiosity? Mischief? He took her hand and began to pull her into the livingroom.

Rich: So...what is it that you do? I mean, your powers?

So that was what the previous look was about.

"Well.....I sorta blow stuff up."

It was kinda hard to explain since she really didn't know the technical mutant term for it herself. She could only assume she had the ability to manipulate an objects energy....but then again, it didn't really explain how she could manifest objects at will either. So it was hard to just come out and say it without actually SHOWING it.

Rich: You show me yours, I'll show you mine.

And there was the million dollar question. She would love to show Rich....but in the apartment where they were guests at? It could pose a problem.

"I--I don't know....I could damage something...."

But before Rich could even encourage her to try, or coax her into it, someone began banging on his front door. Jumping from the urgency of the knock, Sharon began yelling from the other side about how she had Brenda! Running to the door along side Rich, as they opened it Sharon wasted no time in taking them to see Brenda. As they all rushed into the room, Ana-Leigh gasped.

"Oh my God..."

She looked beat up....mentally abused....she looked NOTHING like the Brenda Castle in the news papers or even at Club XS a couple nights ago. Rich rushed over to her and, to her surprised, turned his body into an oxygen mask and tank! Ana's eyes went wide slightly in horror....this was definitely not what she was expecting of his powers....but after the initial shock, it was pretty damn cool. Ana stayed back, unsure of how she could help. She was damn good at fighting, but first aid? Not so much. Her father taught her basic tricks that they taught him in the Marines, but nothing close to the medical attention Brenda needed.

Turning her attention to the door as Connor walked in, he made his way over to Brenda and gently reassured her before taking her pulse. She was in shock, but she seemed stable enough...at least enough to make it through the night.

Connor: Ana-Leigh, in that trunk by the window are some blankets - bring those to me. Then get some bottles of water - they're next to the fridge.

Nodding, Ana-Leigh did as she was instructed and brought over a blanket and a few water bottles. He assisted her in drinking, then handed the open bottle to Ana-Leigh giving her the duty.

"Are you sure we shouldn't take her to a hospital?"

Connor: She's going to be fine. We'll have Dr. Victoria check her over just to be sure.

Ana nodded.

Rich: She can stay in the bed at my spot...I can sleep here.

"We probably shouldn't move her....look, go and get some sleep, Rich. You've been through a lot yourself tonight. I'll take the first shift in watching her and wake you in a couple hours, okay?"

 

[Brenda Castle]

Brenda woke up laying on a sofa, in what appeared to be an office. How did she get here? Where was she? And most importantly to her, where were her parents? Rich comes in, followed by Silver Swan and a familiar looking girl. Brenda makes no attempt to sit up as Rich sits in front of her and extends a facemask towards her, which she stares at, uncomprehendingly. He explains that it is oxygen and she allows him to hold it up against her face, but seems unable to control her breathing.

Their thoughts are all over her. Rich is helpful, but knows nothing about what happened, except that Silver swan brought her here. The familiar girl is concerned, but again, knows nothing. Silver Swan's thoughts are maddeningly fluid, running through Brenda's mind as if expelled from a fire hose. And then a brawny, Navy SEAL looking guy comes breezing in and kneels next to her.

Connor: Brenda, you're going to be just fine. You're among friends.

He holds up his hands, and she looks at them, one at a time. There is nothing in them, and so she looks up at him blankly, seemingly nonplussed at such a simple gesture. He says that he's going to check her pulse, then reaches slowly for her neck. His touch is surprisingly gentle for such a strong looking man, but Brenda doesn't notice that. She hones in on the wealth of information in his mind, which physical contact with him has magnified. She latches onto his hand with a white-knuckle grip, desperate for answers, her desperation only increasing once she found them. She releases his hand, laying her head back again, staring at the ceiling vacantly. They give her blankets, and water and she is numbly compliant. They talk about her as if she isn't there and truly, she doesn't seem to be. She IS in shock, in a dissociated stupor.

She can think only of her parents, the fate of whom Bishop's thoughts have confirmed. They were not rescued. Malice still has them. They are probably dead already, if they are lucky. It is too late to help them. Brenda felt overwhelmed by guilt. She'd had a bad feeling about going to Hellfire. She should have changed her parent's minds. Her inaction cost them their lives, and that realization was crippling.

 

[Matrix]

"We probably shouldn't move her....look, go and get some sleep, Rich. You've been through a lot yourself tonight. I'll take the first shift in watching her and wake you in a couple hours, okay?"

Rich smiled at the suggestion. He COULD use an hour to digest what he was about to eat. And Ana-Leigh coming by to wake him up was just a nice thought.

OK. See you in two.The door will be open.

Rich winked, placed a reassuring hand on Brenda, and then went back to his apartment.