The Pain of War

[Black Widow]

The Parthenon

Haleigh listened to the exchange between Alexis and Ava. It was somewhat muffled, probably due to being in Ava’s pocket or purse, and it certainly could have been improved by video footage. Overall, however, she was able to understand what was said. In many ways, Alexis was quite wrong. The correlation between Seph’s treatment and Haleigh’s compliance was certainly being misconstrued, as was the motive for Haleigh spending so much time with Alek. Even more misleading was the idea that Haleigh was ever, at any point, flying high at Hellfire. If Haleigh was there, she’d be hard pressed not to correct those mistakes.

And then, there was the other thing, the central connection. The reason that Alexis had any compassion for Ava’s plight at all. Instinctively, Haleigh wanted to be angry about it. She had hated Alexis for so long. She could still remember the feeling of betrayal. And yet... as she reflected on it now, holding on to that old grudge didn’t seem logical. Alexis had been a traitor.

By falling prey to Malice’s manipulations, by joining Hellfire and then attacking Haleigh, Alexis had earned the utmost contempt. But Alexis wasn’t the only one. Haleigh had joined Hellfire, aligned with her mother, done some of the worst things she could imagine being capable of, and if Haleigh could justify doing it herself, if she could defend Ava making the same choices, then how could she continue to fault Alexis?

For fuck’s sake.

She thought as she stood from the window seat. She was losing her mind. She needed to get out of this prison she’d picked for herself. She reappeared silently in a corner chair of the lobby of Liquid Crystal Images. No one even glanced her way, but the elevator doors opened with a ding and a squad of men stepped out. She watched, unsurprised, as they came straight for her. Slowly, she stood, giving them each a glance of greeting as they positioned around her.

“Only four guys? You men must be the best of the best.”

She ventured with a trace of amusement. The leader replied in a tone of indifference that The Director expected her to be cooperative. She smirked as she joined the center of their formation and back to the elevator bay they went, The leader swiped his key, selecting a sub level on the digital pad, as the other men turned to face Haleigh.

One agent opened a plastic case the size of a cellphone. Inside was a small device that he showed to Haleigh, who dropped her head forward as she pulled her hair aside and away from her neck to permit him to stick the device to the nape of her neck. Another agent withdrew a handheld X-ray scanner, and used it to check her for concealed weapons. She calmly allowed the third man to disarm her of all three pistols she was carrying. It was just protocol, they told her apologetically.

“Yes, but when I wrote the protocols, I hoped I’d never experience the discomfort of carrying them out.”

She replied coolly as they escorted her to the Director’s office, interrupting his current meeting.

 

[Orion]

The Jerome Home - Llantrisant, Wales

Zach rode with his bride to the place Zizi was staying, Gabe’s mother’s home. It was about a twenty minute cruise. It would’ve been nice, hanging out with Ash. Her mood was already improving, but Zach was bracing for what he was about to get into. Both Zizi and Gabe’s mother were grieving, and for Zach that would not be easy. He took a deep breath as Ash knocked on the door.

Gabe’s mother answered the door. Zach pushed a nice subtle calm into the air around them as Ash asked about, and then greeted Zizi as she wheeled up to them. She clearly hadn’t expected to see them, but introduced them to Mrs. Jerome. Zach extended his hand, giving the woman a kind smile as he clasped her hand in both of his.

He didn’t say anything, because it wouldn’t matter what he said. She would hear plenty of condolences and other witticisms. He offered silent comfort. He couldn’t make a resurgent emotion like grief go away completely, but he could lessen the pain to a manageable degree.

After a moment, Zizi ushered them into the kitchen. Mrs. Jerome declined food and went off to enjoy her tea in solitude, while Zach and Ash followed Zizi. Zach trailed behind the two girls quietly, trying to clear the lump in his throat and discreetly compose himself. Zizi brought plates over to them as Zach busied himself with unpacking the food bags.

Zizi: "Of course I'm happy to see you both, but what are you guys doing here? Did something happen?"

“Well, nothing happened, persay. But Ashley wanted to make sure you had everything you needed, and that you were remembering to eat. I’m just here for emotional support, you know, the usual.”

He replied with a little shrug of nonchalance. He handed her a burger, fries, and one of the little apple pies.

 

[Oracle]

The Jerome Home - Llantrisant, Wales

Zizi put on her brave "around other people" face, and brought plates and silverware to the kitchen table, asking if something had happened to bring Zach and Ashley to Gabe's house.

Zach: “Well, nothing happened, per se. But Ashley wanted to make sure you had everything you needed, and that you were remembering to eat.

Ash: "AND that you weren't forgetting us."

Zach: "I’m just here for emotional support, you know, the usual.”

"That's very kind of you both, thank you. But I'm fine."

Zizi pushed back from the table a little too abruptly. She crossed to the refrigerator and pulled open the door, before pausing to speak.

"There's just so much to do here, to help Mrs. Jerome with. It's the least I can do...considering..."

She took out a bottle of ketchup and brought it back to the table with her.

Ash: "There's ketchup packets right here, Ziz. The good kind."

Zizi set the bottle down on the table.

"Oh, yes. Yes of course there is."

Zizi looked down at her plate, then began focusing intently on squirting several little packets of ketchup onto it.

Ash: "So...is Alexis here with you?"

That made Zizi look up, confused.

"Wha- why would Alexis be here?"

Ash: "Since you're friends now and all?"

Ashley looked angry, and Zizi couldn't work out why.

"I helped her because she helped us and was injured...that doesn't make us friends exactly."

Zizi looked blankly from Ashley then to Zach.

Ash: "But you want her on the team."

Zizi made a half shrugging motion.

"She could be very useful but I don't think-"

Ash: "Aha! "You're giving her my room, aren't you?!"

Zizi shook her head, suddenly very tired.

"What are you talking about?"

She set her fork down on her plate, with a french fry still dangling from it.

"The only thing I've been thinking about since I came here is Gabe...Alexis hasn't even entered my mind."

 

[Valkyrie]

The Jerome Home - Llantrisant, Wales

Ashley told Zizi excitedly that they had brought her two sodas to equal one Big Gulp.

Zizi: "How thoughtful."

Ashley beamed. What a good idea this had been!

Zizi: "These are friends from New York, Ashley and Zach. And this is Margaret Jerome, Gabe's mother."

Zach shook the woman's hand. Ashley studied her face a moment before speaking.

"He was a brave man. He faced death without fear."

She said it matter-of-factly, as if an observation rather than in an attempt to provide comfort. Maggie simply nodded, stoically, but Ashley had already turned her attention back to Zizi.

Zizi: "Why don't we take this into the kitchen."

Ashley grabbed a handful of fries out of the bag while Zach was unpacking the food onto the table. Zizi was getting plates out of a cupboard, as if McDonald's needed plates. I mean, that was another bonus point for it, that you could just eat it right there, wherever you were, with your fingers. Forks were definitely overrated.

Zizi: "Of course I'm happy to see you both, but what are you guys doing here? Did something happen?"

Zach: “Well, nothing happened, per se. But Ashley wanted to make sure you had everything you needed, and that you were remembering to eat. "

"AND that you weren't forgetting us."

Zach: "I’m just here for emotional support, you know, the usual.”

Zizi: "That's very kind of you both, thank you. But I'm fine."

Ashley's eyes widened a bit as Zizi almost tipped her chair over pushing back from the table to apparently go and fetch ketchup.

Zizi: "There's just so much to do here, to help Mrs. Jerome with. It's the least I can do...considering..."

"There's ketchup packets right here, Ziz. The good kind."

Why would you use bottled ketchup when they gave you ketchup in the bag?

Ashley made a show of looking around her.

"So...is Alexis here with you? Since you're friends now and all?"

Ashley took a giant bit of pie and crossed her arms over her chest.

Zizi: "I helped her because she helped us and was injured...that doesn't make us friends exactly."

"But you want her on the team."

Zizi: "She could be very useful but I don't think-"

"Aha!"

She knew it. Zizi was replacing her with Alexis. She was probably going to have her move in to the Clocktower. Probably wouldn't even wait for Ashley to move out before-

"You're giving her my room, aren't you?!"

Zizi: "What are you talking about? The only thing I've been thinking about since I came here is Gabe...Alexis hasn't even entered my mind."

Ashley swallowed the pie in her mouth.

"Well...good."

She reached for another handful of fries uncomfortably, then looked down at the hamburger wrapper in front of her.

"Cause we've missed you. Since you've been away."

 

[Orion]

The Jerome Home - Llantrisant, Wales

Zizi was at first surprised, then mostly reticent. Zach understood and reined in his immediate instincts to draw her into a long hug. There would be time for that after eating. Zach passed out the food, explaining to Zizi why they were here. Zizi thanked them and then assured them she was fine.

Ohhkay. ‘Fine’.

He thought as Zizi abruptly shoved back from the table to get ketchup that they didn’t actually need. Ashley aggressively pursued a line of questioning with regards to Alexis, while Zach scraped the onions and mayo off his burger. Zizi appeared to be attempting to get every molecule of ketchup from each of the several packets Ashley had pushed in her direction.

He had tried to reassure Ash earlier but clearly this was an issue only Zizi would be able to settle. So while Zach agreed that Alexis would be a valuable addition to the roster, that wasn’t the actual discussion Ash was trying to have. Zach quietly ate a couple of fries, refraining from interrupting the exchange. Ash would arrive at the words she needed to express her feelings when she was ready.

Zizi, heavy with emotion, eventually just directly asked what Ash was talking about. Then admitted she’d only been thinking about Gabe since coming here and that Alexis hadn’t crossed her mind. Ashley finally admitted that she’d missed Zizi, and Zach reflexively comforted her. There was a pause, uncomfortable for only a moment. Zach cleared his throat quietly.

“Yeah, you know we love you, right? And.... You don’t have to have it all figured out, Ziz. I mean, you aren’t expected to be..... fine. Or anything else. There’s no right way to be handling this.”

He said gently, pushing another pie in her direction.

“Also, I’m available if you need to delegate some errand or something. I’ll even take out the trash, if that helps. Anything you want, really.”

 

[Black Widow]

Clandestine Intelligence — Commander’s Office

Specter stood from his chair behind the desk, as the agent he was meeting with turned in his chair. Haleigh smiled at Specter, not yet glancing at the the lower agent.

Specter: “Ah, finally, Operation Daybreak. I’ll call the board together.”

“Not yet, I’d say astronomical twilight at best.”

Specter: “Copy, first light. It’s good to see you, at least.”

Haleigh nodded as she returned the sentiment, and then Griffin gestured to the man next to her.

Specter: “Right, well I suspect you’ll recognize Lynceus.”

Haleigh glanced to her left at the red headed man who was sitting there smirking at her. He had a lean, wiry build, and was heavily tattooed. She made a little noise of amused surprise, because she did recognize him, but she hadn’t known he was one of her own until this moment. The blackjack dealer in the White Drawing Room. The man tipped his head in greeting and introduced himself as Owen Merrick. Haleigh automatically downloaded his social media activity and criminal history. Deep, well constructed cover story. He had been at Hellfire for over a decade,

“Fuck me. How badly did you want to reveal yourself when I threatened to make you eat broken glass?”

Owen: “The temptation was wicked strong, to be sure.”

“No doubt. I’m glad you made it out. What about the rest of our people?”

She asked, directing the question more at Griffin, since she knew their various operatives in Hellfire wouldn’t be in contact with each other so that they couldn’t implicate each other. Griffin reported that almost all had gotten out and checked back in, though there were a couple of agents still MIA. He suggested that they might be laying low somewhere still. Haleigh’s sigh suggested she suspected the worst, as she lowered herself into the chair next to Owen. Griffin turned his attention to Owen, thanking him for the report and granting him a couple of weeks off before requesting Owen excused them.

“Enjoy your vacation.”

Haleigh said, and then she waited for Owen to see himself out before turning back to Griffin.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Jerome Home - Llantrisant, Wales

Ashley sank her teeth into another Big Mac. It really was so so good...she wondered absentmindedly if witches or something were involved in making it so delicious but then her thoughts snapped back to Zizi. She was at least safe for now, it seemed. Zizi hadn't had time to really think about Alexis, and hadn't offered to let her move in or join the team. That was some relief.

Zach: “Yeah, you know we love you, right? And.... You don’t have to have it all figured out, Ziz. I mean, you aren’t expected to be..... fine. Or anything else. There’s no right way to be handling this.”

Being her old self again sounded like a pretty right way to Ashley, but for once she didn't say exactly what was on her mind.

"We just want you to feel better."

And come home.

Zach: “Also, I’m available if you need to delegate some errand or something. I’ll even take out the trash, if that helps. Anything you want, really.”

Zizi: "Oh, you don't need to do that."

Zizi lowered her voice.

Zizi: "The Security for Gabe's mom is more than I could ask for, Zach honey. Really, thank you for that. Maggie just wouldn't understand why she needs to worry...and I didn't want to make it...make his death worse for her than it already is."

Zizi opened the pie Zach had offered her and nibbled at a corner. The mention of the manner of Gabe's death perked Ashley's ears up.

"If that bitch Helena decides to come out from under her rock and tries anything with you? She's dead. I might have missed her once, but not again. When I find her I'll cut her into pieces so small even the Neptune's won't eat her. I'll-"

That Helena had escaped made Ashley's blood boil. She noticed she risen half way to standing and had crushed the hamburger in her hand as it had reflexively made a fist. Damn.

Zizi: "We underestimated her. We can't do that again."

Zizi spoke quietly, not her usual bubbly self at all. Ashley looked at her cross-eyed, wishing she would snap out of it. Ashley brushed the chunks of burger back down onto the paper. Then popped one of the larger ones into her mouth and sat back down.

"John and Andrew are flying in tonight with Viv. I think Andrew's been crying since you left, he misses you so much. He'll probably tackle you with a bear hug when he sees you."

Ashley smiled, watching Zizi for signs of her perking up. Ashley looked down at her half-eaten apple pie.

"You can have the rest of my pie, if you want."

 

[Oracle]

The Jerome Home - Llantrisant, Wales

Ashley kept talking about Alexis Quartermaine, which was odd, but Zizi just chalked it up to Ashley being Ashley. She seemed satisfied when Zizi told her she hadn't been giving Alexis much thought since she'd been in Wales.

Ashley: "Well...good. Cause we've missed you. Since you've been away."

Zizi tucked her hair behind her ear.

"It's only been a few days, really."

Zizi felt even guiltier, because for her, it had been a relief to be away.

Zach: “Yeah, you know we love you, right? And.... You don’t have to have it all figured out, Ziz. I mean, you aren’t expected to be..... fine. Or anything else. There’s no right way to be handling this."

There it was. The pity. Which only made it harder to forget just why she was here, what had happened. That Gabe wasn't in the next room teasing his mother and balancing her tea cups on his head to make her laugh.

Ashley: "We just want you to feel better."

But there was no feeling better. There was only sadness or numbness.

Zach: "Also, I’m available if you need to delegate some errand or something. I’ll even take out the trash, if that helps. Anything you want, really.”

And the lump in the pit of her stomach grew. Because they were being so nice.

"Oh, you don't need to do that."

She glanced in the direction of the parlor where Maggie was before lowering her voice.

"The Security for Gabe's mom is more than I could ask for, Zach honey. Really, thank you for that. Maggie just wouldn't understand why she needs to worry...and I didn't want to make it...make his death worse for her than it already is."

She quickly stuck the pie Zach had pushed her way into her mouth to stop herself from crying.

Ashley: "If that bitch Helena decides to come out from under her rock and tries anything with you? She's dead. I might have missed her once, but not again. When I find her I'll cut her into pieces so small even the Neptune's won't eat her. I'll-"

Zizi spoke very slowly. She felt like she was in a fog. All the voices sounded so loud.

"We underestimated her. We can't do that again."

She sighed.

"There's still been no sign of her."

Ashley: "John and Andrew are flying in tonight with Viv. I think Andrew's been crying since you left, he misses you so much. He'll probably tackle you with a bear hug when he sees you."

"How is his leg?"

Ashley: "Oh, he's fine. You can have the rest of my pie, if you want."

Zizi looked at her across the table, feeling tears at the corners of her eyes. She breathed out deeply.

"Thank you."

Her eyes moved to Zach, and rested on him for a moment, communicating the sentiment to him as well. They really were good friends, and were only trying to help. But the truth was, there was nothing they could do to help this. She looked back at Ashley.

"You should have the pie. I'm full."

She gave Ashley a warm smile and held it. Then she hooked a thumb towards the hallway.

"I really should get back. I don't like to leave Maggie alone for too long. But thank you for coming, and for all this."

She motioned at the food wrappers. Then she picked up a soda and took a long drag on the straw.

"I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"

 

[Orion]

The Jerome Home - Llantrisant, Wales

Zach offered everything he could think of to help Zizi, because he hated sitting here watching her suffer. He had half a mind to outright offer to drain her grief, but he could tell she wasn’t going to let him do that. She was already saying that the security was enough. Zach relented, not wanting to be pushy.

Ashley rose up in anger, and a heady sensation overtook Zach for a moment. He inhaled deeply, as Ash spoke of hunting down Helena and finishing the job the started. Zach sipped his drink and then ate another cold fry as Zizi quietly acknowledged the fact that there wasn’t a trace of Helena anywhere. Zach pressed his lips together for a moment, looking up from his barely touched burger.

“I’ll touch base with Haleigh when we get back, find out what intel she has.”

It wasn’t a conversation he was looking forward to having. Zach hadn’t spoken to Haleigh or Ava since the Hellfire battle. There was a whole lot of stuff to deal with when it came to them, but neither of them seemed inclined to deal with it, and Zach wasn’t to eager to get into that mess at the moment.

Ashley changed the subject, mentioning that the others were on the way, and the conversation turned a little lighter. Zizi thanked them again, and Zach gave her a small smile. Then she told them she should check on Gabe’s mother, and excused herself. Zach nodded as he rose from the table, shuffling all the left-over food debris into the bag.

“Don’t worry, we’ll let ourselves out. See you tomorrow Ziz.”

 

[Black Widow]

Clandestine Intelligence - Commander’s Office

As Owen made his way out, the escort team shifted around the room for better tactical positioning. Haleigh made herself more comfortable in her chair. Griffin was watching her and his expression clearly indicated that he thought she looked like she was halfway through hell week at BUDS. After the door closed again, Griffin broke the silence.

Griffin: “How Goes It?”

Haleigh looked at him, inhaling slowly as she considered her reply. His stare was sobering. She felt ghoulish, and wanted a drink.

“It goes on and on.”

Griffin: “Usually it does. And you?”

She let the rest of the air out of her lungs rapidly. She could hear her mother’s laugh echoing in her head. She felt defeated, and utterly depleted. It made her angry, and the anger gave her strength.

“Yeah. Me too.”

She replied with grit. If she could say she was still going on, it meant she hadn’t yet surrendered, it meant she still had some fight left in her, no matter how beat she felt.

Griffin: “Good.”

He replied in a hardened tone. One word, without pity. She nodded. He asked about her intentions going forward. She’d had several days to strategize. First things first.

“The kid.”

Griffin: “He’s fully recovered, as far as we know.”

“Yes, I saw the hospital records, but I still want to.... assess him myself.”

She replied, and he looked at her for a couple of seconds, seemingly evaluating her statement, hesitantly.

“I know why Hellfire wanted him.”

Griffin’s expression notably changed, and he told her that Zach could get her past their company protections, but that the Silver Swan wasn’t likely to be cooperative. Haleigh scoffed her indignation.

“The Silver Swan can kiss my ass.”

 

[Valkyrie]

The Jerome Home - Llantrisant, Wales

Ashley silently ate the rest of her apple pie as she followed Zach out to the car. But the silence only lasted until they were outside.

"Did you see? How weird she was?"

She slipped into the back seat of the car. If she had been crying, Ashley could have understood that Zizi was sad about Gabe. But this? This was just not Zizi at all. She barely touched her sodas! And who doesn't want extra pie?!

And...and...

She turned her face towards Zach and narrowed her eyes.

"So, you'll 'touch base' with Haleigh, will you?"

She crossed her arms over her chest. She may have agreed to help Zach get her and her sister out of Hellfire, but that didn't mean Ashley wanted Haleigh's big man hands all over Zach. She wished she and Ava would move somewhere on the other side of the world. Like the North Pole. Or...Tasmania.

Ashley did not trust the two of them, not one bit. Certainly not enough to believe they wouldn't double cross them the way they had the Six. Haleigh could give Zach some supposed location for Helena only to lead him into a trap. Just like Ava had. Hell no, Ashley was not about to let that happen.

It was about here that she noticed Zach didn't look like his usual self.

"And what's wrong with you?"

 

[Persephone]

A bitter wind whipped around the grey cobblestone streets, dancing along Ava's body and causing her chocolate locks to sweep across her face. She didn't bother to brush the tassels away, her eyes staring absently at the park across from the coffee shop she was sitting at. She watched a man and woman laughing, grabbing onto each other playfully before kissing. He had long hair like Alek, and from behind, it could have passed as him.

"Seph..."

The voice echoed.

"Seph?"

It became much more clearer, jarring Ava from her thoughts. She gasped a bit recognizing Alek's voice, her body straightening as she quickly looked over to the person who was addressing her

Waiter: "Miss?"

Ava's breathing was escalated as she looked at the young man, startled and confused.

Waiter: "Miss? Are you alright?"

His thick Welsh accent rolled off his tongue as he stood holding a pot of tea, looking at her questionably. It was then the utter disappointment and anguish returned to Ava, realizing it wasn't Alek she was hearing...it was in her head...he was always in her head. Every passing person. Every voice. Every scream. Everywhere. Every second. Ava slowly lowered her eyes as she took control of her breathing, letting out a slow exhale before swallowing the lump in her throat.

"Yes."

She barely managed to say.

Waiter: "...would you like some more tea?"

Ava gently shook her head, not looking back up at the waiter. Her eyes were blankly staring forward as he slowly walked away and back into the cafe, leaving Ava alone on the patio. Her hand was laying on the local newspaper, a front page memoriam about the local tech millionaire who was murdered in America. Ava knew she shouldn't be in Wales, her priority first and foremost finding more information at Rosemont about Helena' whereabouts. But the guilt of Gabe's death weighed heavily on her...the guilt of many things she had done during her time at Hellfire weighed heavily on her. It was almost suffocating realizing that despite escaping Hellfire, that chapter was not yet closed. She had to still deal with the ramifications of her actions. The people she had tortured and killed all in the name of protecting herself and her sister. But in the aftermath of Hellfire, Ava wasn't allowing herself to feel anything. She couldn't because she needed to find Alek. The one light in her life...the only light in her life. And if he was dead? She would ask Ororo to break whatever Cameron had fixed within her mind.

Lowering her eyes to the paper, Ava picked it up and turned it over. Placing some money onto the paper, then her cup and saucer on top of it [so the wind wouldn't blow it away] Ava stood and wrapped her black trench coat tightly around her body, tying it shut as she disappeared down the cobblestone streets.

 

[Orion]

The Jerome Home - Llantrisant, Wales

Zach had the leftover food bag cradled in his arm as he and Ash left the house. He exhaled heavily once they got outside, as his mind churned with the thoughts of reaching out to Haleigh. The whole idea filled him with a sense of unease. He almost regretted offering to do it, but if bringing Helena to justice would give Zizi some sense of peace with regards to Gabe’s murder, then it would be worth it.

Ash: “Did you see? How weird she was?”

“Yeah. It’s the grief. Does weird things to people.”

He said, massaging the pain out of his chest before opening the car door for her. She whirled around on him with a look in her eyes that said he was in trouble. She asked him about Haleigh as she crossed her arms. Zach’s eyebrows shot upward in surprise and confusion. Had he used an English phrase with a double entendre? Just based on her stance, that must have been it.

“My love...” He began in an apologetic tone, “My Love, I did not mean anything like that. I only meant that I would try to get an update from her regarding Helena’s whereabouts. She’s the best person I know to ask, she’ll have been searching for that Red Knight asshole.”

He replied honestly, trying to smooth things over. She asked him what was wrong with him. He sighed again, rubbing his eyes before shaking his head. He attempted to perk up a bit.

“It’s nothing, I.... I’ll start to feel better once we get some distance.”

He said, his hand going back to rub the heartburn sensation away.

 

[Valkyrie]

A Town Car - Wales

Surely Zach could see how weird Zizi was acting around her. He couldn't deny it now, after having seen it himself.

Zach: “Yeah. It’s the grief. Does weird things to people.”

She stopped midstep for a moment.

"I don't...I don't know how to fix her."

She started moving again, slipping into the back seat of the car as Zach held the door open for her. Zizi was still thinking about finding Helena, which she guessed was a good sign, that Zizi was doing normal things. That reminded her of Zach's offer to "touch base" with Haleigh.

Zach: “My love...My Love, I did not mean anything like that. I only meant that I would try to get an update from her regarding Helena’s whereabouts. She’s the best person I know to ask, she’ll have been searching for that Red Knight asshole.”

"Ha. She should let him rot in whatever dungeon Helena's got him in. Though she's probably killed him already, to be fair."

Ashley grumbled, but then uncrossed her arms, her body relaxing.

"And it's not you I don't trust. It's her."

She turned onto her side in the seat, looking up into his face. And seeing that he didn't look very good. Well, he looked good, but not normal.

Zach: “It’s nothing, I...I’ll start to feel better once we get some distance.”

His hand rubbed his chest, and she realized his power was affecting him. Her face softened.

"Oh my poor baby."

She slid closer to him, putting her arm across his chest and burying her face in his neck, peppering it with kisses.

"How can I make it better?"

She stopped and looked searchingly into his face.

"Maybe you shouldn't go to the funeral tomorrow."

 

[Orion]

The Jerome Home - Llantrisant, Wales

As Zach escorted his bride to the car, they discussed Zizi’s current state. To Ash it was weird, but to Zach it was quite obvious that what was affecting their friend was grief. He told her that grief did weird things to people. Ash admitted that she didn’t know how to ‘fix’ Zizi. Zach opened the door so she could get in.

“I’m afraid it’s not something that can be fixed... the best that I could do would be to alleviate the immediate feeling, but I’m hesitant to do even that. The numbness wouldn’t last forever. She’ll have to process it eventually. All we can really do is offer support.”

He replied sadly. Ash was already on another subject, though, Haleigh. Zach got the feeling he was in trouble and tried to reassure her immediately. Ashley seemed to relent a bit, but she added that it wasn’t him she didn’t trust. That was a relief.

“Well fortunately, you don’t have to trust her. Believe me when I say that the only man she’s ever been hung up on is Cameron King.”

He told her, without rancor. Why should he be bitter about it? He’d found someone much better for him. Ashley even noticed he wasn’t feeling too chipper. He downplayed his discomfort a bit. He’d start feeling fine once they got some distance from the house. She wasn’t content with mild reassurance though, and reached over to comfort him. It was immensely helpful. He smiled, wrapping his arm around and pulling her as close as she could be without being in his lap.

“Ah, you’re making me better already...”

He said quietly. She suggested that he shouldn’t go to the funeral tomorrow, but he shook his head with grim determination.

“No, I’ve avoided enough funerals this year.”

He said, thinking of the Sanctuary kids and how he’d stayed away. He was deeply ashamed of himself for that, for not being strong enough to help Rose and the surviving kids through their tragedy. But all he could do at this point was acknowledge his weakness, and try to overcome it. The only way to do that was to build his tolerance through exposure.

“I’ll be alright. I’m more concerned about Zizi, she’s the one who is really hurting.”

 

[Oracle]

The Next Morning...

"These bags go back into the kitchen. Thank you, honey."

Zizi wasn't sure Zach would have approved of her appropriating her security detail to do the heavy lifting for her, but she wasn't going to pass on available labor - or a driver. This was the last of the things for the wake that needed dropped off, and Zizi and her new friends could head back to Maggie's house.

She was trying to keep busy. It was easier if she had something to organize, something to focus on. She was dreading that moment when everything was done and all there would be was silence. She slowly wheeled up to the counter, the picture frame face down in her lap. She didn't want to look at it. She had taken it. Maggie had taken it off the mantel and given it to her. Her hands had shaken as she'd held it out to Zizi.

Now it was Zizi's hands' turn to shake. Her turn to hand it over, put it in place as if people couldn't remember what Gabe looked like. When she closed her eyes, his face was all she saw. She lifted it, opening the easel back and setting it down on the corner of the bar. She adjusted the angle ever so slightly. And then she bowed her head, the tears falling finally. Because there was nothing left to do, nothing but attend Gabe's funeral.

Agent: "Ready to go home miss?"

She nodded. She moved her hands towards the rims of the wheels on her chair, but before she could wheel herself she felt her chair move, the security agent pushing her towards the door.

"Thank you."

She sniffed, wiping her eyes as he opened the car door for her and waited while she transferred herself inside before folding her chair up and putting it in the back. The agent slid into the driver's seat.

Agent: "I'll not look at you miss. You go right ahead."

She thanked him, nodding, bringing her handkerchief to her face.

 

[Titan]

Llandaff Cemetery, Cardiff

They passed under the black iron arch over the drive, and Andrew stuck his hand out to point.

"There she is! Pull over! I told you we were going to be late."

He crossed his arms in the left-side passenger seat of the rental car, sulking. He wanted to be there for Zizi, the way she had been for him. And now they were late. John was so calm it was irritating sometimes. He wouldn't even speed.

They had arrived late the previous night. John wanted to keep an eye on things at home, and he did not want to travel with Ashley & Zach. But it made Andrew feel terrible to not be around to support Zizi, and she wasn't returning his phone calls. So when John finally stopped the car, Andrew jumped out and jogged to catch up with Zizi on a paved path near the adjoining church.

"Zizi!"

She stopped and turned towards his voice while Andrew closed the distance between them. Once she was facing him he engulfed her in hug.

"I'm so sorry Zizi."

He spoke softly to her.

"How are you holding up?"

He pulled back and visually checked her over, as if looking for physical wounds.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Cemetery

"Leave her alone, jackass."

Ashley, wearing a black pantsuit, cuffed Andrew on the side of the head, coming up behind him and walking around to the back of Zizi's chair, putting her hands on the handles.

She and Zach had followed Zizi and Gabe's mother from the house to the cemetery. They had offered for Zizi to ride with them, but she had wanted to go with Maggie. That was some relief to Ashley, knowing how hard it was for Zach to be around her. He of course had refused to stay at the hotel despite Ashley's urging.

There were a few other mourners milling around, making their way towards the gravesite. Ashley didn't make any move to push Zizi towards them, though.

"Zizi's going to be just fine."

She had to be.

Zach had explained that Zizi wasn't going to be better for a while, no matter how much Ashley wanted her to be. Ashley didn't know how to help; she was out of her element, and it made her feel weak and useless. She didn't like that feeling. Not at all.

"I wish I'd brought something to drink."

 

[Orion]

The Cemetery

The funeral. These kinds of events were not easy for anyone, least of all an Empath. Zach had stubbornly refused to sit this one out, despite the discomfort he knew he’d have to endure. To be here in support of Zizi was the least he could do. He hadn’t been supportive of her relationship with Gabe, and in retrospect he regretted that.

He and Gabe had rubbed each other the wrong way, which Zach knew was partly his fault, even if he’d only been trying to look out for Zizi. The opportunity to get to know Gabe and to make up for his mistake was lost now. All he could do was try to help Zizi through this by making the waves of grief just a little less violent.

As their driver pulled up to the curb, Zach straightened his tie. He wore a jet black three piece suit, which he gently smoothed out after getting out of the car. He offered a hand to help Ash egress, then closed the door as she went to catch up with Zizi and Andrew.

Zach took a deep breath and looked around. There were plenty of mourners milling around already, and more pulling up. Zach searched for the anomalies, the people who didn’t have the expected emotional response. Most of what he found were easily identified as Clandestine operatives. There was an extensive security presence here. If anyone tried to crash the funeral, they would be met with heavy resistance.

“Mrs. Jerome, if you’re in need of pallbearers I’d be honored to volunteer.”

Zach said gently as he fell in-step with Gabe’s mother, walking just behind Ash and Zizi.

 

[Steel]

The Cemetery

Spending eight hours on a plane with Andrew in coach was NOT the way he would have chosen to spend his day, but he had done it for Zizi. She had sacrificed so much for them that showing her a little support was the least they could do. That and make sure things didn't fall apart at the Clocktower in her absence. A concept Andrew just could not grasp no matter how many times he tried to explain it. The boy was having serious separation anxiety from Zizi, it seemed, which surprised John more than a little bit. His brush with death had changed him somehow, but John supposed almost dying would do that to you. He suspected that things were real now for Andrew in a way they hadn't been before - something that had begun with Gabe's death and been cemented when he was hurt in battle. So now Andrew was overcompensating, and being damn annoying in the process. When they had arrived in Cardiff, Andrew had leaned in and stage whispered to him, "You do realize we're now in a country that hates both of us."

They showed up at the cemetery both wearing black suit and ties. John's had the slightly rumpled look suits always seemed to take on for him no matter what he did. It didn't take long to spy Zizi, Ashley pushing her chair which was surprising in and of itself, as Zizi very rarely let anyone push her. Zach and who he only could assume was Gabe's mother walked with them.

He didn't run after Andrew, who was barreling towards Zizi and enveloping her in a hug. Instead he brought up the rear, nodding to Zizi and giving her shoulder a squeeze of support.

They all filed into the grey stone chapel for the small service before the burial. The vicar - a youngish man who was younger than any John had been subjected to in his childhood - greeted them as they entered, then pulled Mrs. Jerome aside for a word while the rest found their seats with Zizi in the front row, except for Zach, who was directed to the back of the chapel where the other pall bearers were waiting to carry the coffin in. John took the opportunity to look around him. The chapel was small, but full of mourners - no shabby showing. Gabe had clearly been well-liked here. If he could do as well at his own funeral, well, then John would take that as a life well lived.