We belong together

[Prophet]

Melrose Place - Apartment #4

He probably shouldn't have mentioned Delilah. He had somehow forgotten, thanks to the bubbles of the champagne how angry Blaze was with her in the aftermath of the Blue Moon. He let her go on for a moment but then he stopped her by putting his hand up and sighing.

"Blaze..I can't let this kind of talk keep happening...It's doing nobody ANY kind of good..."

Cameron took a swig of champagne and set down the glass, pouring another one.

"I will say THIS about Delilah, Blaze...and then I'd like to say no more. Delilah Trelaven is one of the absolutely most compassionate, caring and giving people that I have ever met in my life. She doesn't have the SAME hard edge that all of us carry around like luggage. She cares to a fault. Delilah never WANTED to be a superhero..she wanted a normal life. She wanted a husband and a child and to live some place beautiful..but she didn't get that option...After Valiant...when she visited Morgan in the city, she was cast into the Kelly King caper not by her own choice...and then to see the state that Morgan was in? HOW could she leave? She didn't! Delilah stayed with people she BARELY knew and helped get her friend back from the brink of destruction..and she spent a LOT of time after that making sure that Morgan was okay.."

[taking a bite of food]

"In fact, Delilah has spent a LOT of her time helping Morgan after that, watching out for her, having her back at every single turn. She did the same thing we ALL did, but her motivations weren't because she had a bone to pick with MysTech...they were because of what these people had done to her BEST FRIEND. This whole 'Six' thing was a whirlwind for her, one if given the choice from the START of The Six if she wanted to be a part of this..I don't know that she would have signed on for it... And NOBODY can blame her for that..."

"You can say "Well She DID sign on for it so HA!" but look at her character. She doesn't give up on people, she doesn't give up on things she has started. She's never stopped standing next to her best friends, defending them when they needed and being a CONSTANT light source for this team, all of us who have made some PRETTY dark and not so proud decisions. Sure, she came across as a little judgy at times, but we NEEDED her...we STILL need her. She lets us know that human life isn't something to be played with. That we aren't GODS just because we like to think we are. Just because we HAVE the power to play God, doesn't mean that we should, no matter how we try to rationalize it. She brings a much needed humanity to the team. Not even our allies Alycia or Mike do that in the way that she does. She is an integral part to this team, and we will always need her."

Cameron rested his chin in his hand as he continued. He wasn't trying to CHAMPION for Delilah persay as much as he was trying to get people to see WHERE she was coming from.

"When it comes to Bishop..he stole EVERYTHING from us, and she got in over her head, and she lashed out because for the first time in her life, there was something that SHE wanted. Bishop was a decision that DELILAH got to make, and it was hers alone. Granted..it was a STUPID.... STUPID decision...but it was hers. She has spent SO much time watching all of us do the dumbest things and she's stood by us, and when WE had the chance to do the same for her, we did it begrudgingly and stop trusting her from that moment on. Everything that Delilah IS indicates that there is no WAY she would have ever made a decision purposefully to hurt any of us...but LOVE is the most powerful of feelings that there IS. It's what caused YOU to jump through that stepping disc and enter this timeline. It's what allowed ALISON to bring me BACK from the astral plane. TO SAVE ME. And when you have somebody like Bishop, who she has LOVED for lifetimes...that kind of connection is simply just broken..to love somebody in EVERY single one of your lives to have it never work out...Can you IMAGINE how desperate you would be to try and CHANGE that fate?"

[laughing, almost in desperation]

"And then what was her OPTION, Blaze? Break the curse and KILL her unborn baby? Did anybody really think Delilah would take that option? If anything, no matter how stupid people might view her decision, that decision...MUCH like ANY unborn child situation belongs to the woman who's BODY that baby resides in. You might say we stood behind her after that...but did we really? How many behind closed doors conversations occured? How many backhanded statements at her expense because of it....Morgan and Alison stopped trusting her judgment...RIGHT or WRONG...they did..."

[taking a sip]

"People can SAY she is a BITCH all they want, but LOOK at her goddamn situation right now! The love of her life betrayed her, caused MORE damage than ANY human ever has to us by SIGNIFICANTLY altering the world we lived in, she put a bullet to his head, laid him to his death...he returns, she discovers that she is pregnant, learns that "Oh that intense connection you feel to this man? This man that you tried to defend to everybody? This man who you can't HELP but to love? Oh well...it's a CURSE! It's going to happen in every lifetime...but this CURSE? We can END it...that is...if we take away the one possibly good thing that could have ever come from your relationship..your BABY!" I mean come ON Blaze...what kind of position is that to be put into?"

"Flashforward nine months and not only does her pregnancy cause her DEATH, but now that ONE good thing, that ONE sliver of hope she was clinging to? Her baby? Yeah well it tries to absorb all the light from her body everytime it's around her. Can't turn to Alison and Morgan for comfort because they TOOK the damn baby from her, and NOBODY, not even ME clued her in on the situation. We sat there and did NOTHING...and then when she was UNDERSTANDABLY angry and lashing out, we REMAINED silent and watched as the THREE of them exploded on each other. Delilah has ALWAYS stood by Morgan and Alison's side...and THEY returned the favor until she did something they didn't like...Do you think that Delilah liked all the decisions that those two made? No, but she trusted them enough to go along with it...she RESPECTED them enough and believed that they would keep her in the loop.."

"She had the option to become an Amazon and FORGET this life completely, but she didn't. She returned...to US. She didn't return just for her BABY...She returned for US. Blaze...she didn't even get to say GOODBYE to her child, and I don't think ANYBODY has considered HOW MUCH Delilah...not just WANTED...but NEEDED that baby to be okay and healthy and happy. Alexia would have been the ONE thing she could have gotten from Bishop that would have made it somehow all okay...ONE good thing, Blaze. That's all she wanted, and I don't think it was much to ask for..."

"And now...she's BROKEN. She feels betrayed. So she walks around being a BITCH to everything in sight. But hey, she's NOT drowning herself in the pool. She's not wallowing in sorrow, and she's NOT the only one who has said BITCHY and downright HURTFUL things when they are in pain..."

"But as broken and as obstinate as she is...she is still my family. I know your Delilah turned into an ABSOLUTE monster, Blaze...but YOUR Delilah ISN'T our Delilah. I may not have the facts to back it up or the foresight to know...but I just...I just know OUR Delilah is STRONGER than that...Look at how many opportunities she has had to just walk away from us, and she consistently stays with US..."

"And LET'S not FORGET, that The Six has faced COUNTLESS peril over the decisions that EVERYBODY has personally made from time to time. We have ALL been in a situation where we've done something that has caused incredible strife for the group. I mean, I catalysed an event that could have destroyed all of us and the WORLD...because of ME...because of MY decisions and CHOICES. And do you KNOW how long it takes to wrap your head around THAT kind of responsibility? It isn't easy."

[Cameron placed his hand on Blaze's]

"Blaze, I hear you talk very fondly about how together your team was in your timeline. In fact, you say it's one of the things you miss the most. I know you were experiencing a deep sense of depression and despair about about being here, but you've consistently said how we aren't a team and that many of us are selfish and how you wish we would realize just how awful it COULD be...speaking from your own experience in your timeline..."

Well...Be that as it may...there are some distinct differences, as i'm sure you've realized..but the biggest one among them..is that in OUR timeline...unlike YOURS...WE are still here. We have had an INCREDIBLE amount of help, but we've managed to make it. ALL of US...and if that doesn't speak to how much of a family and team that we are, DESPITE our differences in opinions...DESPITE what our personal feelings are...maybe we AREN'T as bright and joyous as your team members were...but to be honest...it's KEPT us alive. HERE...to continue to do what we do... MysTech ISN'T the threat anymore that it ended up being in your native time...and there is a reason for that.

I know it's hard having the relationships you had with your contemporaries and then coming into a time where those relationships aren't necessarily the same, but Blaze...such is life. And guess what? BECAUSE you came here...you at least get the opportunity to CHANGE it..because HERE? You HAVE Karen....You HAVE Me...You HAVE Nicolas...and You HAVE Sharon...asking to then have the Karen, Cameron, Nicolas and Sharon that YOU want would just be tempting fate in a way that seems dangerous..

The only thing we can DO Blaze? Is NOT give up on people...I mean, think about it...I don't know you all that well...I mean I KNOW you..but I don't REALLY...What if Nicolas and I were to have remained silent...and LET you leave through the Siege? You would have been gone, Morgan would have been in Limbo, Alison would be reeling from the Blue Moon events and YET AGAIN feeling that her vision had failed. Delilah would FURTHER revert..Many people don't think about this, Blaze...but a big catalyst for the reason things end up so GRUESOME in some timelines is when we are all separated from each other...or DEAD. Once our ties become severed or altogether destroyed...BAD things happen...Say what you will about THIS timeline, but we are one of SURVIVORS, and we are still intact...we've prevented so much from what we've seen in other timelines because we've managed to stick together. When we are together, no matter how chaotic our personal relationships are, we SURVIVE."

"Delilah WON'T become The Justicer...because *I* won't let it happen, and Nicolas won't let it happen...neither will Sharon, Alison, Morgan, Cassandra, Haleigh or Ava let it happen. So I guess, at some point, Blaze, you have to put your personal feelings about Delilah aside and ask yourself... "Do you REALLY want to be the insult or bitchy barb that sends her RIGHT on that path? Or do you want to get your hands dirty and save our girl?"

[Cameron took another swig of champagne]

"I hope I haven't offended you, it's just this WHOLE situation has REALLY effected me..and I can't stand to see our team severed by it...I just want you to know that I see and RESPECT BOTH sides of the story...but we can't keep playing this blame game if we are going to help ANYBODY...and Delilah has become a sister to me...My sisters are hurting...and YOUR sisters are hurting...and we have to do SOMETHING about it...."

[Cameron let out a giant burp]

"Damn, I'm a good cook!"

He laughed, burping purposefully to try and lighten the heavy moment they had just had.

"Did we really go through THIS many bottles of CHAMPAGNE?!"

 

[Firebird]

MP- apt 4

He probably shouldn't have mentioned Delilah. He had somehow forgotten, thanks to the bubbles of the champagne how angry Blaze was with her in the aftermath of the Blue Moon. He let her go on for a moment but then he stopped her by putting his hand up and sighing.

"Blaze..I can't let this kind of talk keep happening...It's doing nobody ANY kind of good..."

Cameron took a swig of champagne and set down the glass, pouring another one.

Blaze knew this might touch a nerve, but she was never one to shy away from taboo topics, nor was she afraid to say what she felt. Whatever was coming, she felt that it would be an honest answer, not one designed to hurt or humiliate and so she locked her apple green eyes on to Cameron King and listened.

"I will say THIS about Delilah, Blaze...and then I'd like to say no more. Delilah Trelaven is one of the absolutely most compassionate, caring and giving people that I have ever met in my life. She doesn't have the SAME hard edge that all of us carry around like luggage. She cares to a fault. Delilah never WANTED to be a superhero..she wanted a normal life. She wanted a husband and a child and to live some place beautiful..but she didn't get that option...After Valiant...when she visited Morgan in the city, she was cast into the Kelly King caper not by her own choice...and then to see the state that Morgan was in? HOW could she leave? She didn't! Delilah stayed with people she BARELY knew and helped get her friend back from the brink of destruction..and she spent a LOT of time after that making sure that Morgan was okay.."

[taking a bite of food]

"You'll have to do better than that, Cam. Morg didn't want to be a super hero either. She wanted to be a fashion diva. She was recruited by federal channels based on the emerging threat of Mystech. ALL of our lives were altered by Mystech either because of who we are or who we were connected to. Delilah was no different in fact, she was tapped to replace Morgan in Valiant!"

"In fact, Delilah has spent a LOT of her time helping Morgan after that, watching out for her, having her back at every single turn. She did the same thing we ALL did, but her motivations weren't because she had a bone to pick with MysTech...they were because of what these people had done to her BEST FRIEND. This whole 'Six' thing was a whirlwind for her, one if given the choice from the START of The Six if she wanted to be a part of this..I don't know that she would have signed on for it... And NOBODY can blame her for that..."

"You can say "Well She DID sign on for it so HA!" but look at her character. She doesn't give up on people, she doesn't give up on things she has started. She's never stopped standing next to her best friends, defending them when they needed and being a CONSTANT light source for this team, all of us who have made some PRETTY dark and not so proud decisions. Sure, she came across as a little judgy at times, but we NEEDED her...we STILL need her. She lets us know that human life isn't something to be played with. That we aren't GODS just because we like to think we are. Just because we HAVE the power to play God, doesn't mean that we should, no matter how we try to rationalize it. She brings a much needed humanity to the team. Not even our allies Alycia or Mike do that in the way that she does. She is an integral part to this team, and we will always need her."

If there was one thing the fire elemental wasn't afraid of, it was a lively debate. She wasn't afraid to meet someone in a heated, passionate discussion if she knew she had something to proove, but it seemed that when she challenged Cameron to deliever a BETTER argument, he rose to that challenge. Whatever response she was forming, she immediately halted it as she relaxed her face a bit and listened, unwavering in her gaze upon Cameron.

Cameron rested his chin in his hand as he continued. He wasn't trying to CHAMPION for Delilah persay as much as he was trying to get people to see WHERE she was coming from.

"When it comes to Bishop..he stole EVERYTHING from us

Blaze's eyebrows lifted as she smirked a bit.

Hmph. You got THAT right. That meat & potato overgrown OAF!

and she got in over her head, and she lashed out because for the first time in her life, there was something that SHE wanted. Bishop was a decision that DELILAH got to make, and it was hers alone. Granted..it was a STUPID.... STUPID decision...but it was hers. She has spent SO much time watching all of us do the dumbest things and she's stood by us, and when WE had the chance to do the same for her, we did it begrudgingly and stop trusting her from that moment on. Everything that Delilah IS indicates that there is no WAY she would have ever made a decision purposefully to hurt any of us...but LOVE is the most powerful of feelings that there IS. It's what caused YOU to jump through that stepping disc and enter this timeline. It's what allowed ALISON to bring me BACK from the astral plane. TO SAVE ME. And when you have somebody like Bishop, who she has LOVED for lifetimes...that kind of connection is simply just broken..to love somebody in EVERY single one of your lives to have it never work out...Can you IMAGINE how desperate you would be to try and CHANGE that fate?"

[laughing, almost in desperation]

The smirk on her face faded as her apple green eyes opened a bit wider and her back straightened up more as if an electric zap had gone up her spine.

"And then what was her OPTION, Blaze? Break the curse and KILL her unborn baby? Did anybody really think Delilah would take that option? If anything, no matter how stupid people might view her decision, that decision...MUCH like ANY unborn child situation belongs to the woman who's BODY that baby resides in. You might say we stood behind her after that...but did we really? How many behind closed doors conversations occured? How many backhanded statements at her expense because of it....Morgan and Alison stopped trusting her judgment...RIGHT or WRONG...they did..."

[taking a sip]

"Well...can you BLAME them, Cam? I mean REALLY!? At what point does SELF PRESERVATION start to kick in? It WAS a stupid, self-destructive choice, HER CHOICE!

And what about YOU? What did YOU think? Yeah, I know you're gonna say it doesnt matter but it DOES because that's what you're getting at now, isn't it? THOUGHTS! Morgan and Alison stopped trusting Delilah's judgement from that moment forward. They THOUGHT she was BONKERS and that directly effected everything they did regarding her since. But it wasn't just THEM. It was YOU, NICOLAS, AVA...ALL of you! Why does it all have to fall on Morgan and Alison? If anyone felt as strongly as THEY did, why didn't someone say something BEFORE Alison's vision about the Blue Moon?"

He was RIGHT aboutit being her choice. it WAS her choice. Blaze had understood that, which was why she tried to tell Morgan about being so CONTROLLING back inthe Infirmary. But then it occurred to Blaze that sometimes, people are just OUT OF CONTROL and while they have the right to their choices, sane or not, they ALSO should expect the CONSEQUENCES of those choices. Morgan and Alison, right or wrong, thought Delilah was INSANE and thus, her judgement, her CHOICES couldn't be trusted!

But how come he didn't see ethat everything that happened to her from that moment forward was because of HER CHOICE?


She was definitely entranced by Cameron's conversation though, she hadn't really THOUGHT about it from the other side. It had been a stupid, self destructive choice. But she felt a feeling creeping up on her....



Nobody said anything to HER...nobody dared to get the ball rolling on a conversation about it. They should've done that. They should've felt like they COULD do that.

Thinking some more...

When a person is at their most vulnerable...that's when you're supposed to take a closer look....to talk to them...Talk to THEM. Not ABOUT them...

She trailed off as the aggression in her eyes seemed to dim. She was starting to see where the disconnect might have ACTUALLY occurred and it wasn't, as she originally thought, Delilah.

She started to feel bad...but then....

"People can SAY she is a BITCH all they want, but LOOK at her goddamn situation right now! The love of her life betrayed her, caused MORE damage than ANY human ever has to us by SIGNIFICANTLY altering the world we lived in, she put a bullet to his head, "

Blaze immediately shook her head to the negative

"Her killing Bishop was her DUTY. Unless she was prepared to become the TRAITOR to the Six in your timeline as she did in OURS, she did exactly what she should have. Sorry, Cam but no dice from me on THAT."

laid him to his death...he returns, she discovers that she is pregnant, learns that "Oh that intense connection you feel to this man? This man that you tried to defend to everybody? This man who you can't HELP but to love? Oh well...it's a CURSE! It's going to happen in every lifetime...but this CURSE? We can END it...that is...if we take away the one possibly good thing that could have ever come from your relationship..your BABY!" I mean come ON Blaze...what kind of position is that to be put into?"

"I dont know, Cam...."

She said reflectively as once again, she started to have a certain feeling...

"...and I pray to the goddess I never have to find out. "

Flashforward nine months and not only does her pregnancy cause her DEATH, but now that ONE good thing, that ONE sliver of hope she was clinging to? Her baby? Yeah well it tries to absorb all the light from her body everytime it's around her. Can't turn to Alison and Morgan for comfort because they TOOK the damn baby from her, and NOBODY, not even ME clued her in on the situation. We sat there and did NOTHING...and then when she was UNDERSTANDABLY angry and lashing out, we REMAINED silent and watched as the THREE of them exploded on each other.

THIS, Blaze took exception to

"No...you remained silent."


Blaze said rather bitterly.

"After you told the rest of us to shut up and that our opinions didn't matter."

"I TRIED to stop them. Just like I did in MY timeline, so did KAREN. YOU remained silent while Nicolas and Michael attempted and she TOTALLY bit their heads off. You know Delilah so well...you ALSO know Morgan AND your sister. You knew what was coming, just like I did. But you didn't HELP ME do more to STOP them."

Delilah has ALWAYS stood by Morgan and Alison's side...and THEY returned the favor until she did something they didn't like...Do you think that Delilah liked all the decisions that those two made? No, but she trusted them enough to go along with it...she RESPECTED them enough and believed that they would keep her in the loop..

"Okay...wait... they should've just let her DIE and what...STAY DEAD? Then what? Alexia's an orphan & who gets to tell her WHY she's an orphan when she's of age? You make it sound like Morgan & Alison handled this as casually as they would handle going to get a pedicure."

"Did you see the look on YOUR sister's face? You weren't there when she FELL into Persephone's arms and had a BREAKDOWN. I WAS. That doesnt happen when a person has NO GUILT over what they've done. Morgan left the WORLD because of it! My FIRST instinct was to blame Delilah....but now that I think about it? I shouldn't have done that. It wasn't right or fair to her. It wasn't her fault. If you know Morgan and Alison as well as you say you do...then you know both of them are strong, self assured women who PRIDE themselves on knowing what they're doing is always right. THIS time, though they had the right MOTIVE, they both wound up with the realization that they made a terrible mistake!"

"She had the option to become an Amazon and FORGET this life completely, but she didn't. She returned...to US. She didn't return just for her BABY...She returned for US. Blaze...she didn't even get to say GOODBYE to her child, and I don't think ANYBODY has considered HOW MUCH Delilah...not just WANTED...but NEEDED that baby to be okay and healthy and happy. Alexia would have been the ONE thing she could have gotten from Bishop that would have made it somehow all okay...ONE good thing, Blaze. That's all she wanted, and I don't think it was much to ask for..."

Blaze stopped. She didnt say another word. "one good thing". one good thing that she NEEDED. For Blaze it was her sister. For Delilah it was the baby. Okay! So Delilah may have looked like a dumb, suicidal, self destructive, self hating FOOL for being in love with that gun toting meatloaf brained bigot Bishop, BUT there was a thread here that Blaze had been following, even as she challenged Cameron on things she truly didn't understand or simply didn't agree with.

That thread was, Delilah had always been loyal to Morgan, which carried over to Alison and the Six. She'd stood by them through thick and thin. BISHOP, as DISGUSTING as he was to Blaze, prooved that Delilah was STILL just like the rest of them. HUMAN AND FLAWED. Morgan nearly burned down the city of New York, Delilah was cursed to be in love with a man who would hurt her everytime. But DELILAH had come to Morgan even in the aftermath of the INFERNO! That takes a kind of compassion and serenity that FEW people in this world have!

This was Cameron's world. Yesterday Cameron asked Blaze to TRUST him so that he could SHOW her some things. She said she would.

She swallows and licks her lips before reflexively biting her lower lip slightly

Blaze bowed her head, looking rather somber as she continued to listen to Cameron, without saying another word.

"And now...she's BROKEN. She feels betrayed. So she walks around being a BITCH to everything in sight. But hey, she's NOT drowning herself in the pool. She's not wallowing in sorrow, and she's NOT the only one who has said BITCHY and downright HURTFUL things when they are in pain..."

"But as broken and as obstinate as she is...she is still my family. I know your Delilah turned into an ABSOLUTE monster, Blaze...but YOUR Delilah ISN'T our Delilah. I may not have the facts to back it up or the foresight to know...but I just...I just know OUR Delilah is STRONGER than that...Look at how many opportunities she has had to just walk away from us, and she consistently stays with US..."

As she listened and no longer challenged Cameron, she followed the thread through his words, allowing it to guide her now even when she felt like she'd get derailed by something that might not make sense.

She listened with her ears and followed with her heart.

"And LET'S not FORGET, that The Six has faced COUNTLESS peril over the decisions that EVERYBODY has personally made from time to time. We have ALL been in a situation where we've done something that has caused incredible strife for the group. I mean, I catalysed an event that could have destroyed all of us and the WORLD...because of ME...because of MY decisions and CHOICES. And do you KNOW how long it takes to wrap your head around THAT kind of responsibility? It isn't easy."

[Cameron placed his hand on Blaze's]

She looked up a bit upon feeling the touch of his hand. He didn't see the defiance in her eyes or the incredulous facial expression she had when she challenged him before. He saw a woman who had dared to listen.

"Blaze, I hear you talk very fondly about how together your team was in your timeline. In fact, you say it's one of the things you miss the most. I know you were experiencing a deep sense of depression and despair about about being here, but you've consistently said how we aren't a team and that many of us are selfish and how you wish we would realize just how awful it COULD be...speaking from your own experience in your timeline..."

Well...Be that as it may...there are some distinct differences, as i'm sure you've realized..but the biggest one among them..is that in OUR timeline...unlike YOURS...WE are still here.

This made her shudder a bit as she inhaled sharply. She tried to pull her hand AWAY from him but he wouldn't let her go. She remained quiet and continued to listen.

We have had an INCREDIBLE amount of help, but we've managed to make it. ALL of US...and if that doesn't speak to how much of a family and team that we are, DESPITE our differences in opinions...DESPITE what our personal feelings are...maybe we AREN'T as bright and joyous as your team members were...but to be honest...it's KEPT us alive. HERE...to continue to do what we do... MysTech ISN'T the threat anymore that it ended up being in your native time...and there is a reason for that.

I know it's hard having the relationships you had with your contemporaries and then coming into a time where those relationships aren't necessarily the same, but Blaze...such is life. And guess what? BECAUSE you came here...you at least get the opportunity to CHANGE it..because HERE? You HAVE Karen....You HAVE Me...You HAVE Nicolas...and You HAVE Sharon...asking to then have the Karen, Cameron, Nicolas and Sharon that YOU want would just be tempting fate in a way that seems dangerous..

POW! She wanted another chance, she GOT IT when she impulsively leaped through that stepping disc. But 2nd chances aren't always a bed of roses. There's EFFORT to be made to achieve the result. He was giving it to her straight

Well kiddo...you wanted to be here, now it's time to BE here, starting now. You tought Cameron in your time, now he's going to teach you in HIS. Be SMART just like you were in your time and LEARN.

hmmmm

She nodded as she silently affirmed Cameron's words.

The only thing we can DO Blaze? Is NOT give up on people...I mean, think about it...I don't know you all that well...I mean I KNOW you..but I don't REALLY...What if Nicolas and I were to have remained silent...and LET you leave through the Siege? You would have been gone, Morgan would have been in Limbo, Alison would be reeling from the Blue Moon events and YET AGAIN feeling that her vision had failed. Delilah would FURTHER revert..Many people don't think about this, Blaze...but a big catalyst for the reason things end up so GRUESOME in some timelines is when we are all separated from each other...or DEAD. Once our ties become severed or altogether destroyed...BAD things happen...Say what you will about THIS timeline, but we are one of SURVIVORS, and we are still intact...we've prevented so much from what we've seen in other timelines because we've managed to stick together. When we are together, no matter how chaotic our personal relationships are, we SURVIVE.

And then, almost on cue, even as her own inner voice was still speaking to her...

"Delilah WON'T become The Justicer...because *I* won't let it happen, and Nicolas won't let it happen...neither will Sharon, Alison, Morgan, Cassandra, Haleigh or Ava let it happen. So I guess, at some point, Blaze, you have to put your personal feelings about Delilah aside and ask yourself... "Do you REALLY want to be the insult or bitchy barb that sends her RIGHT on that path? Or do you want to get your hands dirty and save our girl?"

This Delilah wasn't destined to become the Justicer. Blaze knew that now.

She slowly exhaled as she remained silent


"No...of course not."

She said plaintively.

[Cameron took another swig of champagne]

"I hope I haven't offended you, it's just this WHOLE situation has REALLY effected me..and I can't stand to see our team severed by it...I just want you to know that I see and RESPECT BOTH sides of the story...but we can't keep playing this blame game if we are going to help ANYBODY...and Delilah has become a sister to me...My sisters are hurting...and YOUR sisters are hurting...and we have to do SOMETHING about it...."

[Cameron let out a giant burp]

"Damn, I'm a good cook!"

He laughed, burping purposefully to try and lighten the heavy moment they had just had.

"Did we really go through THIS many bottles of CHAMPAGNE?!"

Blaze looked at Cameron in astonishment. She didn't respond as just wanted him. When he finally finished laughing and burping she continued to sit there, staring at him.


"Cameron..."

She said quietly and seriously.

"I heard everything you said."


Another lengthy pause.

"I stopped fighting you...and I listened."

"And I want you to know..."

"I've NEVER been more turned on by you than I am RIGHT NOW!"

She said with unexpected shift in tone and facial expression.

"I LOVE it when you take charge like that! Let's go finish this in the bed, RIGHT NOW!"

"WOOOO!"

She stands up making sexual and masturbatory gestures at Cameron as she laughs heartily. Now it was HIS turn to look SHOCKED as made her way over to him and hugged him, making him fall over onto the floor.

Now she was on top of him, straddling him.

"Ohhh Cam!"

She said with a sighing tone

"And now that I have you in this position, I can tell you exactly what I think!"

She paused for a moment.

" You've set me straight about your Delilah and her character. Yesterday you asked me to trust you and let you show me what I needed to know. I'm doing that, right now. "

She gets off of Cameron and easily helps him up, holding his hand as she leads him over to the couch and practically FORCES him to sit down

"I challenged you on certain things because I wasn't convinced or I truly didn't understand. But you didn't lose your cool or your conviction. That's a sign of certainty, something that i've ALWAYS valued and respected. You were speaking from your heart and from wisdom that was obviously gained by hard learned and felt experience!"

"Like a weapon forged by fire and tempered by cooling water."

"Just as I taught Cameron things in my time, now you're teaching me in yours. Now that I'm HERE, I've got to learn...and that's started now. "

"I'll never agree with you on the validity of Delilah's choices but I back up and realize that they were her choices even though they were stupid, self destructive choices, I....WE just need to be there for her, REALLY be there to HELP HER, even if that means just picking up the pieces."

"And I don't agree that Morgan and Alison had bad motives...but ...as awful as it is...I concede that they made a mistake."


"The MISTAKE was that Delilah NEEDED THEM...US even if she didn't show it. She'd been counting on our support, Morgan and Alison's support and they withdrew it. So angered, so DISMAYED were they by her choices, they could no longer trust her! They not only kept that from HER, but US. They both REFLEXIVELY reverted to their controlling ways as they grappled with what to do and how to protect her and it...it backfired horribly."

"They DIDN'T set out to hurt her Cameron. They just went about this the wrong way! and because of PRIDEFUL both of them are, they didn't even consult any of US. Alison may be the precog, but this once, she missed out on the fact that it might have been the REST OF US that had the solution or at least the COUNSEL for them to make a less sweeping and harsh decision. "


"It's a pattern of behavior that both of them had in MY timeline too and sometimes...the wrong thing done for the right reason is still the wrong thing."


"I think...."

She looked away from Cameron for a moment as she said this...

"I think they both know it too. That's why Alison had her break down and why Morgan left the earth. They didn't WANT to hurt her, but they did by losing trust in her and they all but [unintentionally] destroyed her in their attempt to save her."

She looks back at Cameron.

"I can't believe I thought I should LEAVE. I wanted to be with my sister again, and now I have the chance to help her again by standing in the gap for her and just like I got a second chance, I know in my heart of hearts, no matter how i feel about whatever she's done, Delilah deserves that chance too."

"Thank you. I asked for clarification and you gave it to me."


::Sigh::

"Oh Cam."

She lays her head on his shoulder for a moment, more silence...

"You know...that Champagne was so tasty! & your burping was sexy!"

She licks out her tongue and flicks it suggestively

"You wanna go to bed now??"

Giggling as she nudges Cameron before laughing. A sure sign that she was hardly offended by him and that if anything, she felt CLOSER to him now, just like she'd been to her OWN Cameron.

 

[Prophet]

Melrose Place - Apartment #4

Cameron was glad that Blaze had decided to eventually listen instead of being combative. To tell the truth, saying all of this to Blaze was a little cathartic to him. Delilah was his best friend on the team and he wished he would have taken a more active role in being there for her. He may have been there for her one on one, but he SHOULD have been vocal about it to the others.

Alison KNEW he would have objected to the baby being taken away and that's why she shut him off from her when she was talking to Bishop, and then when the news was given to Delilah? Well it seemed like EVERYBODY wanted to put their two cents in, all speaking from their own perspectives, talking about the things that THEY had went through and how it related. He could sense her being overwhelmed by all of this and he knew that a mother being taken away from her child (unless of course in the case of HIS mother) would not listen to reason or be able to rationalize at that moment. He tried to get the others to stop talking, to stop TRYING to reason because their words only seemed to EXASTERBATE the situation. But still, he remained silent...not wanting to offend Morgan or his sister and NOT wanting to be cast onto a certain side....because SOMEBODY had to remain neutral in the midst of all this chaos. Somebody was going to have to try and pick up the pieces, and once everybody started talking...Cameron knew he was going to have to be that person. Still when the chips fall, it's not the words of your enemies, but the silence of your friends that you remember. So he hoped him speaking his piece would solidify to Delilah that he was there for her.

Blaze may not have understood that part of it, but it didn't matter. He wasn't justifying any of Delilah's actions although he DIDN'T think Delilah didn't understand that her actions had consequences, she just didn't realize how BIG those would end up being.

Thankfully, Blaze seemed to have reached an understanding about Delilah's situation and for that he was grateful. There was ENOUGH drama going on with Alison, Delilah and Morgan and they didn't need to add anybody else in the mix. The team just needed to be there to pick up the pieces and make sure that everybody got back onto their feet.

Blaze looked at Cameron in astonishment. She didn't respond as just wanted him. When he finally finished laughing and burping she continued to sit there, staring at him.


"Cameron..."

She said quietly and seriously.

"I heard everything you said."


Another lengthy pause.

"I stopped fighting you...and I listened."

"And I want you to know..."

"I've NEVER been more turned on by you than I am RIGHT NOW!"

She said with unexpected shift in tone and facial expression.

"I LOVE it when you take charge like that! Let's go finish this in the bed, RIGHT NOW!"

"WOOOO!"

Cameron crashed down to the ground in a fit of laughter at Blaze's words. All in all, he was very glad to see Blaze be light and playful, and furthermore he was glad that he was beginning to have a deeper understanding and respect for the elemental...far deeper than he had with Foxfire. With Foxfire, they had been mere social acquaintances, sure they had fun and they had their moments every now and then, but she was always too brash and out of control for his liking, or to be able to really trust her. Even her moments of brevity and insightfulness, there was something...dangerous about Foxfire.

[scrunching his face a bit as he GRABBED Blaze's hands]

"Well...I'm NO Rachel Maddow, but YES! The sexual tension is killing me TOO!"

He laughed as Blaze gestured to him and helped to pull him up from the ground before he nearly was thrown down onto the couch.

"Ohhh Cam!"

She said with a sighing tone

"And now that I have you in this position, I can tell you exactly what I think!"

She paused for a moment.

"You've set me straight about your Delilah and her character. Yesterday you asked me to trust you and let you show me what I needed to know. I'm doing that, right now. "

She gets off of Cameron and easily helps him up, holding his hand as she leads him over to the couch and practically FORCES him to sit down

"I challenged you on certain things because I wasn't convinced or I truly didn't understand. But you didn't lose your cool or your conviction. That's a sign of certainty, something that i've ALWAYS valued and respected. You were speaking from your heart and from wisdom that was obviously gained by hard learned and felt experience!"

"Like a weapon forged by fire and tempered by cooling water."

"Just as I taught Cameron things in my time, now you're teaching me in yours. Now that I'm HERE, I've got to learn...and that's started now. "

"I'll never agree with you on the validity of Delilah's choices but I back up and realize that they were her choices even though they were stupid, self destructive choices, I....WE just need to be there for her, REALLY be there to HELP HER, even if that means just picking up the pieces."

"And I don't agree that Morgan and Alison had bad motives...but ...as awful as it is...I concede that they made a mistake."


"The MISTAKE was that Delilah NEEDED THEM...US even if she didn't show it. She'd been counting on our support, Morgan and Alison's support and they withdrew it. So angered, so DISMAYED were they by her choices, they could no longer trust her! They not only kept that from HER, but US. They both REFLEXIVELY reverted to their controlling ways as they grappled with what to do and how to protect her and it...it backfired horribly."

"They DIDN'T set out to hurt her Cameron. They just went about this the wrong way! and because of PRIDEFUL both of them are, they didn't even consult any of US. Alison may be the precog, but this once, she missed out on the fact that it might have been the REST OF US that had the solution or at least the COUNSEL for them to make a less sweeping and harsh decision. "


"It's a pattern of behavior that both of them had in MY timeline too and sometimes...the wrong thing done for the right reason is still the wrong thing."


"I think...."

"I'm glad I could add some insight to the situation, and I thank you for the compliment. It's taken me a LONG time to get to where I am at now, and it feels good to be reaping the fruits of my labor, even if it just a kind word here or there..."

[getting better situated on the couch]

"I don't ask that you agree with Delilah...I just ask that as we stood by Morgan and Alison's decision, we stand by our teammates and don't break. We've all been through TOO much to have this break us apart...and we are bound to go through A LOT more before our lives' are over...But we're stuck with each other, and we've got to make the best of it..."

"I don't think Alison or Morgan had bad intentions or WANTED to hurt her, and I think the situation was impossible...but I DO think it would have served them BOTH well to have AT LEAST consulted with us a team before a decision was made, seeing as WE are the ones now having to pick up the pieces that have fallen...Like chess, you have to plan your moves factoring in EVERY piece's part in the game..."

She looked away from Cameron for a moment as she said this...

"I think they both know it too. That's why Alison had her break down and why Morgan left the earth. They didn't WANT to hurt her, but they did by losing trust in her and they all but [unintentionally] destroyed her in their attempt to save her."

She looks back at Cameron.

"I can't believe I thought I should LEAVE. I wanted to be with my sister again, and now I have the chance to help her again by standing in the gap for her and just like I got a second chance, I know in my heart of hearts, no matter how i feel about whatever she's done, Delilah deserves that chance too."

"Thank you. I asked for clarification and you gave it to me."

"There you go...Ya see?! It's all starting to click. It just took an obnoxious telepath who's been LESS than grateful on nearly EVERY occassion in his life to SHOW you!"

[laughs]

"And after tonight...you'll NEVER want to leave this place again!"

::Sigh::

"Oh Cam."

She lays her head on his shoulder for a moment, more silence...

"You know...that Champagne was so tasty! & your burping was sexy!"

She licks out her tongue and flicks it suggestively

"You wanna go to bed now??"

Giggling as she nudges Cameron before laughing. A sure sign that she was hardly offended by him and that if anything, she felt CLOSER to him now, just like she'd been to her OWN Cameron.

His hand made a jerk off motion as he rolled his eyes and laughed at Blaze's comments. He rested his head against hers.

"You know...Cameron two YEARS ago would definitely try and make an admirable go of it, Blaze...but me NOW?"

[looking out the window, almost as if he were looking for someone]

"I think i'm starting to wonder if I might be a....one person kind of man!"

Cameron rolled his eyes and leaned forward, burying his head in his hands.

[laughing]

"Oh God, Blaze! What's WRONG with ME!?"

 

[Harbinger]

Minerva's Mansion

Haleigh watched with wide eyes as Alison finally sat back down and fully admit that she'd made a mistake. Nobody is going to believe this shit actually happened. She thought, hardly believing it herself. But it WAS happening. Alison laid her head down on the desk and Haleigh stood up, approaching her old friend gently. She knelt beside Alison, slowly, haltingly reaching out and putting one hand on Alison's back, the other in her lap.

"Hey......... Everybody makes mistakes, Alison. It's going to be okay. We'll make it right."

no we wont...

:: the precog remained silent::

Haleigh almost didn't know what to do next. She was never very good at this part. She could fight anything, fuck anyone and find a way out of any impossible dilemma, but figuring out how to console a friend? If she said the right thing, it was by accident or coincidence. She did know, however, what needed to be done to improve the situation.

"The good news is that you haven't done anything that's irreversible. Once we figure out HOW the baby is draining Delilah, we can figure out how to stop it. And once Delilah is reunited with her daughter, she'll be much less inclined to try to hurt you on sight."

Alison was still motionless, leaving Haleigh to search for the words to help bring her out of retrospective self-doubt. What could be said, though? Nothing would erase the facts, nothing would change what happened. Haleigh was so much better at moving on, pushing forward and adapting.

"Listen..... when I was in the Navy, I was a leader.... and once in a while, I'd make a bad call. Shit happens, and you do the best you can. When you acknowledge your mistake, you can learn from it and let your experience make you smarter. This is one of those times for you. The hardest part is saying okay, I fucked that one up."

::Sigh::

:: Alison slowly sat up. Haleigh had heard her and BELIEVED her. She now knew that neither Morgan nor Alison had "conspired" to steal Delilah's baby and that the Six werent complicit. Haleigh herself had said it was a terrible situation with no way out.::

:: She meant what she said to Haleigh. This was the LAST time she was recounting this story. She inhaled slowly as she sat up, exhaling and looking at Haleigh. She...suddenly GRASPS Haleigh's hand that was in her lap, holding it and squeezing for a moment as she looks intently into Haleigh's eyes with her own colbalt blue eyes. There is silence between them, only the rhythmic ticking of that large, curiously designed grandfather clock in her study defies that silence.::

:: suddenly snapped into another mode as she lets go of Haleigh's hand , shutting her eyes tightly and clearing her throat::

You'll need to speak to Silver Swan regarding the baby's blood work. She ran tests and took samples of the blood and genetic material which aare stored in the infirmary. Only she & myself have access to them at this time. She should be out on the northern side of the island, exercising her gryfalcons. Go and find her, tell her to come to the Infirmary with you.

By the time you two get down to the infirmary, I'll be there and will have restored your clearence in the mansion and your access.

:: She stood up::

But Haleigh? Delilah is not allowed here, under any circumstance, is that clear?

:: Alison's tone was cold, with no room for doubt.::

I forbade her to return here, ever.

I won't hinder your efforts or interfere. But I want nothing to do with her and she is NOT welcomed here. Do NOT defy me on that or I will ban YOU as well.

:: Alison began to leave, Haleigh grabbed her arm and demanded to know why she would say something like that, Alison looked at her arm and then looked at Haleigh::

I made a mistake because I was so appalled, so ENRAGED by a woman and her inexplicable choices, that it clouded my judgement. I SCRAMBLED to protect her and i ended up doing more damage than I could have anticipated.

I will NEVER place myself in that position AGAIN.

NEVER.

It wasn't just me. It was Morgan too. We were BOTH appalled, and yes, ENRAGED by her and her decisions.

We forgot who she was. We no longer trusted her. The moment we decided she was insane...we turned our backs on her, without even REALIZING what we were doing!


We didn't even trust anyone ELSE to TELL them how we felt. But Others suspected it. Nicolas, Michael, Blaze, AVA, KAREN, they all felt it or held Delilah's judgement in suspicion but Morgan and I kept OUR concerns from them.


When you reach a point where you can't trust someone? What else is left?

Just remember this, Haleigh. No matter what you may discover, IF you discover ANYTHING...anything that you may accomplish, could all be FOR NOTHING. It could all be ERASED in the blink of an eye because no matter what you do...the CURSE remains. SCIENCE does not supercede MAGICK, Haleigh. Never doubt that.
This curse is bigger than me...then YOU...then the six and the person who had the power to BREAK it is no longer willing to do it because she turned down the offer.



The smallest, most unintentional miscalculation on your part? and the moment you expose her to that baby, she will die and if she dies this time? there will be no resurrections or second chances from any outside help and that baby will be orphaned- if that happens, it's on your hands. In her next lifetime, she will have FORGOTTEN what she learned in this one and she will encounter Bishop AGAIN and her life will be ruined AGAIN and she will die AGAIN.

THAT is her destiny and that's what she WANTS.

::Alison says with cold detachment::

I have no quarrel with you, Haleigh and I will not interfere or stand in the way, NOR will I help her.

I was wrong for trying to help this time and I've paid for it dearly. But I have my own duties to fullfill now and I can't possibly do that if I'm busy helping someone who never wanted my help.

I'll see you in the infirmary with your renewed access.

::Alison BLINKS out::

 

[Tinker]

A surprise visitor!

From a shadowed corner in the large living room, a few darkly glowing orbs swirl about and the shadow itself lengths as Tinkerbell emerges!

She looks around, craining her neck a bit, sniffing the air before shaking her head. The tinkling of the bell on her collar would alert Blaze and Cameron to her presence.

She looks around once more, sensing the presence of her warm "auntie"...and another...

When she finally does spot Cameron, she cautiously approaches the couch.

When she reaches Blaze, she mews a bit

Blaze: TINK!!! Hi baby!!! How are you? How's MOMMY?

Tinker squeaks a bit as Blaze quickly gathers her up her arms. Blaze always knew how to craddle Tinker, just like mommy! it was such a comfortable feeling.

But no time for cuddling just yet!

She mews a bit more before squirming to get out of Blaze's comforting arms.

She ACTUALLY came to see this OTHER one.

How curious he was. She'd never been fond of him before. So chaotic and disturbing was his energy. But now, he seemed much more trustworthy. His scent didn't reek of danger and distrust anymore.


Still, she wasn't quite comfortable with him as she slowly blinked her eyes and crouched down on Blaze's lap, investigating him a bit. Each time he tried to pet her, she moved away, fussing a bit as Siamese are known to do.

Blaze: Now, Cam. You know Tink is a diva. She's not to be petted until SHE wants to be petted!

Tinker makes a little sound as if to agree with Blaze.


After a few moments, Tinker decies to lay partially on Blaze's lap AND Cameron's lap.

NOW it's time for Cameron to pet her.

How nice it feels, even he knows the right places to rub and scratch.

After a few moments and a little purring, Tinker perks up a bit. She stands up, walks across Cameron's lap and sits on the arm of the couch, looking at him and meowing rather plaintively.

Blaze: Hmmm she seems to be very expressive to you Cameron.

Indeed. When she felt He was paying enough attention, her blue eyes began to glow.

Tinkerbell was Morgan's enchanted familiar and had special magickal gifts, one such gift was visual imagery. soon, a sparkling blue bubble POPS into view above her head, with a view of Morgan's master bedroom.

If he was smart, he'd know that to mean he needs to go in there!


After a few moments, the bubble POPS, disappearing and Tinkerbell jumps down to the plush carpet, scampering away down the hall into Morgan's master bedroom.

 

[Prophet]

Melrose Place - Apartment #4

As the two began to laugh and joke some more about Cameron's apparent 'feelings' for a certain somebody, dark, glowing orbs began to swirl around in the corner of the living room. Cameron cocked his eyebrow for a moment and looked in the direction, relieved to see that Tinkerbell had appeared.

Blaze: Tink!!! Hi baby!! How are you? How's MOMMY?

Cameron smirked at the cat, of which he had never necessarily been a fan. He had always been a dog person and he could tell that Tinkerbell always seemed somewhat off put by him.

Blaze scooped Tink up in her arms and returned the couch, petting her and listening to her purr.

"Maybe she got sick of Limbo! It's not the most pleasant of places!"

He tried to pet her but she seemed to avoid his every move.

Blaze: Now, Cam. You know Tink is a diva. She's not to be petted until SHE wants to be petted!

Cameron laughed.

"Aww, just like her MOMMY!"

He smiled and began to think of Morgan for a moment. He really missed her. Since returning to Limbo, and Alison and Delilah being out of commission, coupled with Haleigh's own leave, Cameron found himself running interference and in fact...without being elected, he wound up as The LEADER of The Six...something he never thought would happen in a million years. Everybody was too disjointed to do the task or simply not ready, and he had been burning the candle at both ends just to make sure everybody was okay, which explained his wild abandon of responsibility these last few days. He was burnt out and he missed how easily Morgan seemed to do it.

Finally, Tinkerbell gave in and allowed him to pet her as he began to rub her belly and behind her ears. Maybe cats weren't so bad. Then she walked over to the arm of the couch and just...stared at him...it was a little creepy..

Blaze: Hmmm...she seems to be very expressive to you Cameron.

Cameron thought so too. All the years he had known Tinkerbell she generally treated him like he wasn't in the room. Now here she was trying to get his attention.

Her eyes appeared to glow a bright blue as a thought bubble began to appear over her head, showing Morgan's master bedroom. He looked at Blaze...

"Either I'm shitfaced, or I'm supposed to follow that cat....Excuse me, dear..."

Cameron walked down the hall and into Morgan's bedroom which was dark. He called out to the familiar.

"Tinkerbell? What's going on girl? Is something the matter with Morgan?"

 

[Ruby]

From Danger to Melrose...

:: It happened. The blissfully amazing run had come to an end. As Cass and Nicolas stretched, she couldn't help but feel disappointed. Even though it wasn't REAL, it felt that way and so she was sad to bid adieu to the amazing landscape. ::

Thanks so much for spending this time with me. More than anything else I want you to know this: you are one of us now. If you need something, we are here. I know it sometimes seems otherwise, you know...like right now with Delilah, but it is true. And to that point, I will be sending you some business proposals that should eliminate your shipping costs and help you secure acts more easily. I offer the same perks to any member of the Six and you are no different.

*touched*: "Thank you! That's so nice of you to do all of that."

:: She went over to him and took his hand gently in hers. ::

"Thank you for saying that you guys are all here for me. I appreciate it more than you'll ever know."

:: As they stretched some more, Nicolas teleported them back to the courtyard of Melrose. ::

I have some business to attend to but I hope that you will meet with me and Cameron later on? It is important. I would hug you but I am afraid you will get the wrong idea.

:: A smile froze on her beautiful face. She wasn't sure what to make of Cameron King. He seemed to be a bit reserved...at least, to her anyway. Also, he clearly didn't get her kind of humour as she witnessed during the party on Aerie, so there was no way the two of them could ever be buddies. It wasn't like she liked him, but she also didn't NOT like him. Perhaps it was just the simple fact the two of them never been around each other in the same breathing space for long periods of time. Who knows? She shrugged. ::

"Okay, cool. I will be going to After-Dark in a few hours anyway to do some training with a new bartender. I'll look forward to seeing you guys either here or there. I'm not completely sure when you were wanting to meet up? Either way, you'll know where to find me."

:: Then he made the joke about the hug and she laughed. ::

*calls*: "NYAH! You couldn't handle my hugs!"

:: She turned and walked to her apartment and let herself in, chuckling quietly. ::

Oh, I had so much fun! That run was amazing!!

:: She sank down on the couch and sighed. She needed a shower, but there was something she had to do. So she grabbed her phone off the coffee table and scrolled through her pictures. She flicked through pictures of her and Ella at After Dark, pictures of her and Ella in Black Beauty in Santa Monica, pictures of nature - Cass got inspired by the beauty of nature around her, pictures of staff and herself at AD, pictures of... The pictures went on and on, making Cass realize that Ella was really the only constant in her life up until that point. Oh, sure, they talked all the time and texted a lot but Ella was not here. ::

:: Then came the few pictures she took at the party on Aerie. Well, pictures that BLAZE took anyway, though Cass DID take a few too. She giggled at the one of Karen singing and doing a lapdance on Mike. The expression on his face was priceless and so, before the dark-haired beauty changed her mind, she texted the pic to his phone saying "Well, THIS one is a keepr for sure! " She giggled as she looked through pictures of the various performances. And now...her face grew somber as she came to the ones of her and Blaze. Blaze had coerced one of the bartenders to take pictures of them on a lark and they both had wide smiles and held up their drinks high. There was another one of them making funny faces and she texted THAT one to Blaze, saying, "Now that you're staying, may there be MORE fun nights like this! :haha:" And she was glad Blaze had stayed. It would be nice to have a friend around these parts again. Nicolas was fun to be around too. ::

Maybe it IS time to put the past behind me.

:: She sighed and got up to look out the window at the courtyard. Maybe it WAS exactly what Sharon and Karen and Alycia have been telling her. These were HER people, and, with time, they could become family even. ::

THAT would be nice...I miss my own SO SO much, even after all these YEARS!

:: She looked down at her phone and unlocked it to reveal the 'wallpaper' of herself and Ella. She quickly went through her phone's pictures again until she found the one of herself and BLAZE and made THAT her new wallpaper. She smiled and took one last look out the window. ::

*softly*: "I think I will be okay with this..."

:: Then she turned and walked to the bathroom to have a shower. ::

 

[Tinker]

Mommy's bedroom- opening a channel

Cameron walked down the hall and into Morgan's bedroom which was dark. He called out to the familiar.

"Tinkerbell? What's going on girl? Is something the matter with Morgan?"

Tinkerbell mewed rather pointedly, in that unique way that only siamese can and, after a few moments of vocalizing, she flawlessly leaps up on to Morgan's king sized bed. After settling, She looks at Cameron and mews a bit more softly and less pointed.

He seems to be alot more attentive than he was before, which is good since siamese, familiars or not, aren't known for being patient

As he draws closer to her, 5 points of light, evenly spaced at specific points around the master bedroom begin to glow and pulsate. the light is coming from magick crystals which now hum with a curious melody of power. The crystals glow brighter still until finally, Tinkerbell's blue eyes GLOW once more.


the large vanity mirror, centered perfectly along the wall Cameron was facing from the foot of the bed, began to shimmer and glow, matching the glow in Tinkerbell's eyes until finally, an odd chime is heard and a crystal clear view of MORGAN can be seen!


She looked far more serene and at peace now as he looked upon her. Her hair was longer than when he last saw her, an indication of the passage of time in Limbo. Her violet eyes were clear and refreshed.

Tinkerbell, bobbed her little head up and down a bit as she "chirps", a feline vocalization somewhere between a meow and a purr. It's often understood as an affectionate greeting from a feline to her companion.

Tink is happy to see mommy after the long journey from Limbo to earth!

Tinker! Hi baby! Is mommy's baby okay??

The soothing tone Morgan uses with Tinker immediately resonates with the enchanted familiar as she once more with soft mewing and chirping. She lays down on the bed, a sign of her increased comfort.

That's a good baby! Mommy loves you!

Morgan's violet eyes shift up a little bit, fixing on Cameron.

As Tinkerbell settles for a bit, mommy can now talk to Cameron!

 

[Spellbinder]

From Limbo to Melrose Place via magick

<< Morgan looks upon Cameron with a calm expression. Her longer blonde hair flowing slightly in the breeze that moves through her Chamber of Dreams in the Summit.>>

Hello, Cameron.

<< She says with her voice and its icy resonance>>

It has been a while...

<< She noticed his manner of dress and his rather glassy eyed look from his mid morning/early afternoon fun with Blaze>>

 

[MorningStar]

Milk

You could NOT join in the battle against Circe. It was impossible and NO ONE would have allowed it. Even with...everything ELSE that happened AFTER the blue moon aside...You were in no condition to engage in such activity!

“But they – you – still succeeded. Even if I COULD have been there to help – I didn’t need to be. I would have made no difference. I need to make a difference again.”

Delilah worried for a moment that Alycia was going to refuse to help her and she would really have to go it alone.

But don't you sit there and say they don't need you. You can get mad at me if you want to, but I'm telling you you're wrong in that. You said Blaze shouldn't push you away? You're right! But don't YOU push anyone away either!

“Oh Alycia – I’ll always be there for the Six. No matter what happens. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not so selfish that I would jeopardize anyone on the team or any mission out of pride. But your gift the other night reminded me that I was my best in New York. I want to try and get that back. I just need some time away from life – and memories – here.”

Just give yourself TIME. If that TIME will be better spent AWAY, then okay...let's make that happen. But you also make sure it HELPS you so that when it's time to come BACK, you'll be ready! Just like I was!

Delilah signaled for the check.

“Well Alycia, no offense, but you came back MORE than ready. But I am glad you’re here. And thank you, for helping me out. I really need this.”

 

[Rampage]

He waited. And then realized after a quick scan, that Delilah was not home. He pulled out an ink pen and paper and wrote a note to Delilah.

Hello Delilah,

I know that I am far from your favorite person. However, you are a teammate and teammates are family and so I needed to reach out to you somehow. The events of the Blue Moon haunt me as much as anyone and there is not a day that goes by that I do not think of your loss with a feeling of sorrow and...regret.

To that end I have been devoting some time to the issue at hand. I know that Alexia's cord and placenta have been preserved by Sharon and when the time comes I can access DNA and blood from that, but I was hoping that you would be willing to submit a sample as well so I can study it in hopes of finding a solution. There is nothing worse than a mother away from her child. It is even worse to know that Alexia is missing someone who would be as good at it, as loving and affectionate a mother as I believe you would be. I plan to spare no expense or exertion to try to remedy this situation and I hope that you will allow me to help. You can contact me any time day or night. I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

NK

Folding the note, Nicolas sticks it in the doorjamb at Delilah's precise height. It might be a waste of time, maybe even an invitation for her to lash out at him, but he had to reach out to her. He HAD to try. She was family after all.

 

[Prophet]

Melrose Place - Apartment #4

Cameron was a little confused as he saw Tinkerbell leap onto Morgan's large and comfortable looking bed. She began to mew to him in a soft and gentle tone. As he walked over closer to the cat he saw light all around him as the crystals in Morgan's bedroom began to activate and Tinkerbell's eyes began to glow once again.

"Tinkerbell, honey...what's wrong? Uncle Cameron is a little too tipsy for this shit..."

Turning around, Cameron saw Morgan's large vanity mirror began to shimmer and glow brightly until they faded in a brilliant white and he saw Morgan appear before his very eyes in the mirror! He was incredibly excited. Morgan looked incredibly relaxed and serene. Her hair was far longer and overall she look less exhausted and even more beautiful.

Cameron cracked a giant smile as Morgan spoke to him.

<< Morgan looks upon Cameron with a calm expression. Her longer blonde hair flowing slightly in the breeze that moves through her Chamber of Dreams in the Summit.>>

Hello, Cameron.

<< She says with her voice and its icy resonance>>

It has been a while...

<< She noticed his manner of dress and his rather glassy eyed look from his mid morning/early afternoon fun with Blaze>>

He walked closer to the mirror.

"MORGAN!!!---" [realizing how loudly he was speaking]

"I mean....[softer] Morgan! Oh my God! I'm so happy to see you! You look fantastic!"

Cameron turned around and sat at the foot of the bed and began to pet Tinkerbell, getting more comfortable with the cat as he looked back at his friend.

"You've decided to pop up in a very well timed way. I've really missed you. I've been keeping things together the best way I know how...but, well I don't want to worry you while you are recuperating...let's just say...Blaze has been having a hard time getting on without you..but Nicolas and I have something planned that's really going to lift her spirits and FULLY bring her into the group the way we SHOULD have done from the beginning..."

[looking at Tinkerbell, petting her]

"Haleigh is back...I mean, I haven't seen her...but she's back and already stirring up trouble, so I hear..Word is she went to Aerie to talk to Alison after visiting with De-"

Cameron stopped himself for a moment, wondering if he should even mention Delilah. I mean he had such a rare opportunity to talk to her that not even Nicolas or BLAZE had..He didn't want to muck it up.

"With...Delilah. She's doing...as best as can be expected..I've worked with your mother around the clock for the last few weeks and she is back at Melrose Place..which is good..."

[looking back at Morgan]

"Nicolas is doing well...he's trying to throw himself into every project he can so that he doesn't have to think about things...I can tell...but he's a strong guy, and you know he loves you..."

[pondering for a moment]

"Oh...I SLAPPED Alison across the face...That was pretty epic. Don't worry she deserved it and even hugged me afterwards...I was wish I could say she is doing as well as you LOOK, but you know her way..She'll pull through..."

Cameron stood for a moment.

"I hope I'm not boring you with these boring details, it's just.. I've taken on a LOT of the brunt from things lately..and believe me...I KNOW what I am about to say sounds CRAZY...but...I'm kind of...LEADING the team...I was just thinking about you...I have been having brunch with Blaze, and I just thought of things...Being a leader is TOUGH..I know now the things you've experienced while doing so...not to the same level, but all of our personal drama is ENOUGH to drive a person CRAZY!" [laughs]

"Also..I'm kind of drunk, sorry if I am a poor guest..."

"But YOU...I'd like to think you personally came just to catch up with me, but you have remained closed off for some time now...I know you wouldn't show up unless you really wanted to or NEEDED to... I mean...Is everything okay? Is something wrong?"

 

[Black Widow]

Minerva's

Alison didn't reply, just sat up and took Haleigh's hand. For several seconds, they hold eye contact, and in the background, time ticks by steadily. Without hearing Alison say it out loud, Haleigh knows she reached Alison, and gave her some consolation. Alison stands, and Haleigh mirrors her movement as Alison abruptly moves on.

Alison gave Haleigh instruction on how to get the samples she needed, but had a caveat. Delilah NOT allowed here, Alison proclaimed in a time that brooked no argument. Haleigh started to interject, but Alison asserted that she forbade it, and Haleigh knew that she had to pick her battles wisely. At least Alison wasn't going to make it hard for HALEIGH to do what she needed to do. If course, that didn't mean Alison thought she'd make real progress:

Alison: "Just remember this, Haleigh. No matter what you may discover, IF you discover ANYTHING...anything that you may accomplish, could all be FOR NOTHING. It could all be ERASED in the blink of an eye because no matter what you do...the CURSE remains. SCIENCE does not supercede MAGICK, Haleigh. Never doubt that."

"I have to TRY, Alison. I have to exhaust every option. You know how I am."

Alison: "The smallest, most unintentional miscalculation on your part? and the moment you expose her to that baby, she will die and if she dies this time? there will be no resurrections or second chances from any outside help and that baby will be orphaned- if that happens, it's on your hands."

"No pressure though, right? (Getting serious) I understand what is at stake, Alison. So does Delilah."

Alison: "In her next lifetime, she will have FORGOTTEN what she learned in this one and she will encounter Bishop AGAIN and her life will be ruined AGAIN and she will die AGAIN. THAT is her destiny and that's what she WANTS."

"It was the choice SHE knowingly made, with eyes open. We have to respect that, even if we don't agree with it."

Alison said she'd meet Haleigh and Sharon in the infirmary after getting Haleigh's access restored, and then blinked out. Haleigh looked around the study slowly, staring for a few minutes at the grandfather clock, steeling herself for a meeting with Sharon.

Almost a year had past, and Haleigh had NO idea how she'd be received the Silver Swan. Their.... relationship, if it could be called that, was rocky and complicated, but towards the end, had slightly improved. They weren't trying to kill each other anymore, at least. They weren't exactly friends, either. Haleigh left the executive study and reappeared on the North side of the island. A quick environmental scan revealed the location of the Aviary, and it wasn't long before Haleigh tracked Sharon's familiar DNA signature. She made sure he footsteps were noisy so as not to sneak up on Sharon OR her birds and freak them out.

"Silver Swan...... it's been a while."

 

[Spellbinder]

Melrose Place- Apartment 4

Cameron cracked a giant smile as Morgan spoke to him.



He walked closer to the mirror.

"MORGAN!!!---" [realizing how loudly he was speaking]

"I mean....[softer] Morgan! Oh my God! I'm so happy to see you! You look fantastic!"

Cameron turned around and sat at the foot of the bed and began to pet Tinkerbell, getting more comfortable with the cat as he looked back at his friend.

<< Morgan smiled a bit, another rare thing. She responds once more, with her voice and its icy resonance>>

Well thank you. I've had time for recovery...and to refresh.

"You've decided to pop up in a very well timed way. I've really missed you. I've been keeping things together the best way I know how...but, well I don't want to worry you while you are recuperating...let's just say...Blaze has been having a hard time getting on without you..but Nicolas and I have something planned that's really going to lift her spirits and FULLY bring her into the group the way we SHOULD have done from the beginning..."

[looking at Tinkerbell, petting her]

<< Morgan's smile fades.>>

...Blaze...

<< She says with concern as Cameron informs her of Blaze's hard time>>

I never imagined a day where I'd say this to YOU, Cameron King...but I am quite relieved and GRATEFUL to you, for helping my sister.

"Haleigh is back...I mean, I haven't seen her...but she's back and already stirring up trouble, so I hear..Word is she went to Aerie to talk to Alison after visiting with De-"

Cameron stopped himself for a moment, wondering if he should even mention Delilah. I mean he had such a rare opportunity to talk to her that not even Nicolas or BLAZE had..He didn't want to muck it up.

"With...Delilah. She's doing...as best as can be expected..I've worked with your mother around the clock for the last few weeks and she is back at Melrose Place..which is good..."

[looking back at Morgan]

<< Morgan's facial expression didn't change. It was another point of relief to hear that Haleigh was back. They NEEDED her now more than ever, especially with what Morgan had come to a decision about, but now was not the time or the place for THAT revelation.>>

<< Delilah's name. Just the sound of it made Morgan's heart grow cold with contempt>>

I see...

<< She said rather flatly>>

Well again, you've done a wonderful job. I knew that in that moment...that night at Minerva's in the infirmary...that taking her away from there and leaving her with you was the best thing to do in that immediate situation.

She doesnt seem to value much of anything or anyone ELSE...not even her own LIFE. So whatever you and my mother have managed to do...

<< Morgan paused for a moment>>

Nicolas is doing well...he's trying to throw himself into every project he can so that he doesn't have to think about things...I can tell...but he's a strong guy, and you know he loves you..."

[pondering for a moment]

<< Morgan bows her head for a moment, closing her eyes and placing her hand on her chest>>

"Oh...I SLAPPED Alison across the face...That was pretty epic. Don't worry she deserved it and even hugged me afterwards...I was wish I could say she is doing as well as you LOOK, but you know her way..She'll pull through..."

Cameron stood for a moment.

You SLAPPED Alison...and you LIVED to tell about it!?

<< Morgan exclaimed with a bit of a laugh as her violet eyes widened with astonishmenet. Her moment of amusement soon faded...>>

Alison...I felt...SAW the distress call she broadcast across the astral plane the moment she collapsed into Persephone's arms. My heart ached for her.


She's like a sister to me too...more of a sister than that other one[Delilah]. I've been able to trust her with my back time and again and We've ALWAYS been able to come together to do what needed to be done, even when it might be something that was not easy or appealing.

<< she said softly with a mixture of sadness and bitterness>>

"I hope I'm not boring you with these boring details, it's just.. I've taken on a LOT of the brunt from things lately..and believe me...I KNOW what I am about to say sounds CRAZY...but...I'm kind of...LEADING the team...

<<She looked up once more, opening her violet eyes and returning her gaze to Cameron. She looked less agitated now as well>>

Well, Cameron, you ARE a founding member of the Six and at the time of the Blue Moon, you, Alison and Myself were the only founding members left. Alison is not on the front line team any more, so with me gone, that left you at the front of the line.

You should be proud of yourself...to know that when the time came...when the need was there, and obviously it was, like NEVER before, YOU stepped up!

You've done yourself proud and you've shown this team what it means to be a member...a FOUNDING member of the Six.

If you never had my respect before...you certainly have it now and if you've never felt my GRATITUDE before...for everything that you've done in the aftermath of the Blue Moon, I hope you feel it NOW.

I was just thinking about you...I have been having brunch with Blaze, and I just thought of things...Being a leader is TOUGH..I know now the things you've experienced while doing so...not to the same level, but all of our personal drama is ENOUGH to drive a person CRAZY!" [laughs]

"Also..I'm kind of drunk, sorry if I am a poor guest..."

<< Morgan smirked a bit>>

I was WONDERING why you were in my room, looking the way you do. Don't you know, by now NOT to try to hang with Blaze when it comes to drinking?

"But YOU...I'd like to think you personally came just to catch up with me, but you have remained closed off for some time now...I know you wouldn't show up unless you really wanted to or NEEDED to... I mean...Is everything okay? Is something wrong?"

<< She swallows hard and looks down again for a moment>>

I know...I know that I should comeback.

When I LEFT, it was because I was ready to SNAP.

Cameron...I'm still not ready. I can't stand the sight of her...the THOUGHT of her...and if I come back now? I might do something that I shouldn't. Something that I'll REGRET.

My hatred and CONTEMPT for her...it's too strong.

If I come back now, I'll make things worse. It's better for you all that I stay away.

<< She knew Cameron wouldn't like this, but she wasn't going to lie.>>

I need you to do something for me. Tell Nicolas to bring Tinkerbell BACK to me. That's how he was able to reach me the last time.

I want to speak to him.

<< She looks at Cameron once more...>>

And before i close this channel, Cameron? I want you to know that my motives during the blue moon were true and from the heart.

There's no way I would have allowed Delilah to even TRY to stand with us in the fight against Circe. That would have been negligent beyond words.

And as for the baby?

Well...If i've learned one thing loud and clear...it's that she'd rather be allowed to DIE by her own choice than to be protected and saved by someone who truly cares about her and i DID care for her Cameron. I GREW UP WITH HER. She was my BEST FRIEND and...

<< She blinks a few times as tears fall from her violet eyes>>

I LOVED HER dearly!

But you heard what she said...Alison and I...we RUINED her life.

I didn't realize, at the time, that it was WRONG not to tell her.

<< chimes sound off>>

I thought I was keeping her SAFE, even if it meant keeping her SAFE... from HERSELF!

She was INSANE and she'd made STUPID choices over Bishop...and when Alison told me about Hecate and how she refused to let Hecate break the curse!? I knew then, that her judgement simply couldn't be trusted any longer.

<< unknown to Morgan, Blaze had posed this same question>>

At what point does SELF PRESERVATION kick in, Cameron?

I would NEVER let a man or any circumstance PERTAINING to that man[ pregnancy] endanger me or my life, NO MATTER WHAT!

SHE was perfectly willing to throw her life away! Alison and I knew it.

We knew it ALL ALONG...and...I don't expect you to understand this because you weren't there, but the team...those of us who'd been active during the time BISHOP ruined our lives on through that night after the viper caper when he inexplicably came BACK from the dead, after DELILAH had DROWNED HERSELF over him...EVERYONE more or less knew that Delilah was out of her mind.


But what could they do?

Alison and I did what had to be done. We saved her life. We saved her from HERSELF.

Should Alison and I have told her...about the baby being a mortal threat to her? I've had time to examine that....OH have I had time. And I've come to understand that ethically, YES, we should have told her about that.

But our fear...or KNOWING what she would do with that knowledge was too strong. We followed OUR hearts, in the name of protecting her...and we STILL messed up, Cameron.

As much as I loathe and despise her now? I can't even TRUST MYSELF now.

I can't trust that I will do the right thing anymore because NEVER have I tried to save someone and have it turn out to be the WORST descision I could make.

I would be better off MOURNING HER because I let her have her way, let her DIE, than having to ponder the idea of LOOKING AT HER ever again!

<< She exhales and shakes her head>>

Cameron...please...give my sister my love. our sibling psychic rapport is open, she can sense me and reach out to me anytime. The same thing with my mother, via our bond as mother and child.

Be sure to give my love to Alison and the others too...those who KNOW me.

When the time is truly right, when I KNOW it will be a good thing, I'll be back.

You've been wonderful. Keep being that way. What you're doing now, finding a way to balance yourself between individual and LEADER/TEAM BUFFER...it isn't easy...and I don't know how *I* have been able to do it. Perhaps I wasn't as "good" as I thought I was...

Light to you.

<< Morgan waves and her images fades from the mirror in her master bedroom with a shimmer and sparkle of magick energy>>

 

[Silver Swan]

Minerva's Aerie- North end Aviary

[ Silver Swan had exercised her birds, giving them lots of extra play time as a reward for doing so well in their flight and hunting exercises. Artemis and Antiope, the large, mysterious, beautiful silver gryfalcons given to Silver Swan by Rampage sometime ago, helped to control the wild rodent population on the island as well as other animals that could become pests if left unchecked.]

[ As time passed, Artemis and Antiope had really gained ground in skill and prowess as birds of prey. They also had developed their own distinct personalities under Sharon's care. Artemis was a bit more tempermental while Antiope was calmer.]

[ After play time was over, Sharon sang to her birds, who in turn vocalized to her, attempting to follow along and harmonize. As a treat, Sharon gave them both some fresh fruit and then lulled them to sleepy time.]

[ Haleigh had the chance to observer these last few moments of Sharon interacting with her birds, using the more intricate powers she had as Silver Swan to interact with them via her psychic rapport/telepathic control over all species of birds]

1]Almost a year had past, and Haleigh had NO idea how she'd be received the Silver Swan. Their.... relationship, if it could be called that, was rocky and complicated, but towards the end, had slightly improved. They weren't trying to kill each other anymore, at least. They weren't exactly friends, either. Haleigh left the executive study and reappeared on the North side of the island. A quick environmental scan revealed the location of the Aviary, and it wasn't long before Haleigh tracked Sharon's familiar DNA signature. She made sure he footsteps were noisy so as not to sneak up on Sharon OR her birds and freak them out.

"Silver Swan...... it's been a while."

[ Artemis perked up a bit as Haleigh approached, fidgeting and fussing a bit but Sharon shushed her, petting her and Antiope both before covering them both.]

Greetings, Black Widow.

[ Sharon says as she turns from the now settled, covered birds to face Black Widow. She's wearing her silver eye mask, along with her armor, but despite her fearsome, yet beautiful look and form, Haleigh doesnt "see" or FEEL any of the hostility and savage instinct she felt from Sharon during the Viper caper]


Your return couldn't have been more well timed.

[ A statement that might have surprised Haleigh to hear coming from Sharon, but no less true]

 

[Seer]

and so...

<< Alycia and Delilah had returned to Melrose Place, solidifying the plans for Alycia to carry Delilah back to NYC. She'd make the trip later this evening. Alycia needed time to take care of some business between now and then, including helping Karen to wrap up an important legal matter regarding Blaze Victory.>>

<< Speaking of Blaze Victory, once Alycia and Delilah disembarked for the time being, Delilah went to her apartment, discovering the note left by Nicolas. It was time for Delilah to talk with Nicolas now.>>

<< Alycia went to apartment four to see about Blaze and Cameron, knowing she was more than a little late for their brunch. Blaze, meanwhile, had received Cass' text and had asked Cass to come up to apartment 4 as well. So now Cass would be seeing both Blaze and Alycia for the first time since the uncertainty and tension of yesterday.>>

<< Cameron would soon emerge from Morgan's master bedroom, having communicated with the absent sorceress and having a clear understanding of how SHE felt about everything at this moment.>>

<< And now, Black Widow and Silver Swan were having their reunion, before journeying down to the Infirmary of Minerva's to meet with Harbinger.>>

<< Ava, who was in NYC and settling in nicely, had just had another intriguing, lengthy encounter with Simon Pratt. She hadn't received any word of a violent catfight at Minerva's mansion, so she assumed that Haleigh's reunion with Alison was going reasonably. She HAD received an update from Cameron that Blaze had been stopped from passing through the Siege Perilous and that IT was back in Alison's posession and that Blaze herself was going to be okay.>>

<< She'd be seeing more of her team mates quite soon. Many of their lives were about to start going in different directions just as her's was now. But no matter what changes were occurring for her, she couldn't escape something from her recent past that was still troubling her. In her private moments, THIS made itself known to the front of her mind, no matter how she tried to ignore it.>>

 

[Ruby]

Melrose Place - Apt. 4

:: Cass had just finished drying her hair and now was putting the finishing touches on her outfit. Blaze had texted her back, asking if she could come over to her place. She looked in the mirror and smiled at how bright and clear her blue eyes were. The amazing workout/run she just had with Nicolas did WONDERS for her body and soul. She looked - and felt - more relaxed than she had in YEARS! She felt happy. ::

:: She checked herself in the mirror one last time and then she was out the door. She took a quick walk through the courtyard to Blaze's door and knocked. ::

*carefree*: "YO! Blazing Hot Victory! You in there?"

:: She laughed. She wasn't gay, but she WAS in a happy and playful mood. She also had a few hours to kill before she was due at After-Dark. ::

 

[Prophet]

Melrose Place - Apartment #4

It was so good to see her. Not that he didn't love his other team members, but there was just a different vibe between the founding members and others who had joined at later points. They had MORE than earned their places, but everytime he saw Morgan he was taken back to that night in the Citadle...he was REMINDED of what they had been through, and it brought him comfort.

<< Morgan's smile fades.>>

...Blaze...

<< She says with concern as Cameron informs her of Blaze's hard time>>

I never imagined a day where I'd say this to YOU, Cameron King...but I am quite relieved and GRATEFUL to you, for helping my sister.

His face flushed with a little hint of embarrassment which he desperately tried to convince himself was on account of the champagne, but he couldn't help but feel a little bit of pride at her word.

Cameron explained what had been going on with the others, begrudgingly filling her in on Delilah's state. Although their friendship seemed all but shattered, he KNEW in his heart that she would want to know that Delilah was doing well. Cameron truly refused to believe that Morgan and Delilah wouldn't find their way back to each other...which to him meant talking with her as if they were still best friends. He had to keep Delilah on Morgan's radar. The opposite of love is indifference, and it was obvious that Morgan felt ANGER and REMORSE...this meant hope.

<< Morgan's facial expression didn't change. It was another point of relief to hear that Haleigh was back. They NEEDED her now more than ever, especially with what Morgan had come to a decision about, but now was not the time or the place for THAT revelation.>>

<< Delilah's name. Just the sound of it made Morgan's heart grow cold with contempt>>

I see...

<< She said rather flatly>>

Well again, you've done a wonderful job. I knew that in that moment...that night at Minerva's in the infirmary...that taking her away from there and leaving her with you was the best thing to do in that immediate situation.

She doesnt seem to value much of anything or anyone ELSE...not even her own LIFE. So whatever you and my mother have managed to do...

<< Morgan paused for a moment>>

He furrowed his brow for a moment. There was still much work to do with these two. All Cameron could do was lay the framework. The rest was up to Delilah and Morgan. Now was not the time to rehash the events of The Blue Moon, he was being given a gift right now. He got to see Morgan.

You SLAPPED Alison...and you LIVED to tell about it!?

<< Morgan exclaimed with a bit of a laugh as her violet eyes widened with astonishmenet. Her moment of amusement soon faded...>>

Alison...I felt...SAW the distress call she broadcast across the astral plane the moment she collapsed into Persephone's arms. My heart ached for her.


She's like a sister to me too...more of a sister than that other one[Delilah]. I've been able to trust her with my back time and again and We've ALWAYS been able to come together to do what needed to be done, even when it might be something that was not easy or appealing.

<< she said softly with a mixture of sadness and bitterness>>

"Oh she definitely deserved that slap. It's okay though because the next day Dominique Devereaux slapped ME pretty good..."

[hearing Morgan speak of his sister]

"Alison has been too strong for too long..I've told her to let me help her 'drive' for awhile, and I think she's beginning to come to terms with things...You know our Alley Cat doesn't stay down for long..."

Cameron spoke of his hard time dealing with the rest of the team as he continued to pet Tinkerbell and listen as Morgan responded.

<<She looked up once more, opening her violet eyes and returning her gaze to Cameron. She looked less agitated now as well>>

Well, Cameron, you ARE a founding member of the Six and at the time of the Blue Moon, you, Alison and Myself were the only founding members left. Alison is not on the front line team any more, so with me gone, that left you at the front of the line.

You should be proud of yourself...to know that when the time came...when the need was there, and obviously it was, like NEVER before, YOU stepped up!

You've done yourself proud and you've shown this team what it means to be a member...a FOUNDING member of the Six.

If you never had my respect before...you certainly have it now and if you've never felt my GRATITUDE before...for everything that you've done in the aftermath of the Blue Moon, I hope you feel it NOW.

"I...I AM proud of myself, Morgan..Thank you so much for your words...don't tell Alison, but i've kind of always looked to get YOUR respect...and gratitude...all things considered with our past. It feels good to be in this place with you...."

<< Morgan smirked a bit>>

I was WONDERING why you were in my room, looking the way you do. Don't you know, by now NOT to try to hang with Blaze when it comes to drinking?

Cameron laughed out loud. Now THAT was definitely true. If there was anybody on the team that was known for their partying and enjoyment of alcohol it was DEFINITELY Blaze and Cameron...Put those two together and WHAMMO!

< She swallows hard and looks down again for a moment>>

I know...I know that I should comeback.

When I LEFT, it was because I was ready to SNAP.

Cameron...I'm still not ready. I can't stand the sight of her...the THOUGHT of her...and if I come back now? I might do something that I shouldn't. Something that I'll REGRET.

My hatred and CONTEMPT for her...it's too strong.

If I come back now, I'll make things worse. It's better for you all that I stay away.

<< She knew Cameron wouldn't like this, but she wasn't going to lie.>>

Cameron nodded though he said nothing. These were her feelings and at least THIS team, she was doing the right thing by removing herself from the situation. What Morgan had inside of her caused the necessity for her to retain CONTROL at all times...and when she didn't..well, things like The Inferno happened.

I need you to do something for me. Tell Nicolas to bring Tinkerbell BACK to me. That's how he was able to reach me the last time.

I want to speak to him.

<< She looks at Cameron once more...>>

And before i close this channel, Cameron? I want you to know that my motives during the blue moon were true and from the heart.

There's no way I would have allowed Delilah to even TRY to stand with us in the fight against Circe. That would have been negligent beyond words.

And as for the baby?

Well...If i've learned one thing loud and clear...it's that she'd rather be allowed to DIE by her own choice than to be protected and saved by someone who truly cares about her and i DID care for her Cameron. I GREW UP WITH HER. She was my BEST FRIEND and...

<< She blinks a few times as tears fall from her violet eyes>>

Cameron sighed heavily as he listened to the sorceress speak. He would send Nicolas message as soon as he left Morgan's image. When it came to Delilah? He couldn't help but to grimace a little bit as she spoke. Being an empath in a situation like THIS had ALREADY caused him to go into overdrive to protect himself from everybody's feelings...but the pain HERE was so strong and deep, it caused him to shudder for a moment.

I LOVED HER dearly!

But you heard what she said...Alison and I...we RUINED her life.

I didn't realize, at the time, that it was WRONG not to tell her.

<< chimes sound off>>

I thought I was keeping her SAFE, even if it meant keeping her SAFE... from HERSELF!

She was INSANE and she'd made STUPID choices over Bishop...and when Alison told me about Hecate and how she refused to let Hecate break the curse!? I knew then, that her judgement simply couldn't be trusted any longer.

<< unknown to Morgan, Blaze had posed this same question>>

At what point does SELF PRESERVATION kick in, Cameron?

I would NEVER let a man or any circumstance PERTAINING to that man[ pregnancy] endanger me or my life, NO MATTER WHAT!

SHE was perfectly willing to throw her life away! Alison and I knew it.

We knew it ALL ALONG...and...I don't expect you to understand this because you weren't there, but the team...those of us who'd been active during the time BISHOP ruined our lives on through that night after the viper caper when he inexplicably came BACK from the dead, after DELILAH had DROWNED HERSELF over him...EVERYONE more or less knew that Delilah was out of her mind.


But what could they do?

Alison and I did what had to be done. We saved her life. We saved her from HERSELF.

Should Alison and I have told her...about the baby being a mortal threat to her? I've had time to examine that....OH have I had time. And I've come to understand that ethically, YES, we should have told her about that.

But our fear...or KNOWING what she would do with that knowledge was too strong. We followed OUR hearts, in the name of protecting her...and we STILL messed up, Cameron.

As much as I loathe and despise her now? I can't even TRUST MYSELF now.

I can't trust that I will do the right thing anymore because NEVER have I tried to save someone and have it turn out to be the WORST descision I could make.

I would be better off MOURNING HER because I let her have her way, let her DIE, than having to ponder the idea of LOOKING AT HER ever again!

<< She exhales and shakes her head>>

He knew that he had a lot of blanks when it came to the situation between Bishop and Delilah as he had been largely absent during that time...and maybe he would have felt differently about things had he been there...but there was something about Delilah that made it impossible for him not to trust her, respect there and BE there for her. She was the real deal. She may have made some really poor choices, but Delilah always chose her family over Bishop...maybe not in the way THEY would have liked, but she did...and Delilah had done NOTHING but support Cameron since his return to the team...when he was fresh back at Melrose Place, right across the way from Haleigh and Zach. It was rough. He wouldn't let things get out of hand, and he wouldn't disrespect Morgan & Alison...but HE would play mediator, friend, counselor, good cop, bad cop or WHATEVER Delilah needed from him, because she DESERVED it...outside of her bad choices...she DESERVED it.

Cameron got more insight into Morgan's side of things, and while she was still angry about the situation, at least she realized that they SHOULD have informed Delilah of what was going on...a seemingly insignificant detail in the grand scheme of things. With the gravity of the situation at hand, Morgan and Alison did their best to try and protect their friend from danger, but BECAUSE of that, they made a crucial mistake...one that happened to become HUGE in the aftermath...Even still, Cameron would support Morgan as well in whatever she needed...because SHE TOO deserved it and really? After everything....HE OWED IT TO HER.

Cameron...please...give my sister my love. our sibling psychic rapport is open, she can sense me and reach out to me anytime. The same thing with my mother, via our bond as mother and child.

Be sure to give my love to Alison and the others too...those who KNOW me.

When the time is truly right, when I KNOW it will be a good thing, I'll be back.

You've been wonderful. Keep being that way. What you're doing now, finding a way to balance yourself between individual and LEADER/TEAM BUFFER...it isn't easy...and I don't know how *I* have been able to do it. Perhaps I wasn't as "good" as I thought I was...

Light to you.

<< Morgan waves and her images fades from the mirror in her master bedroom with a shimmer and sparkle of magick energy>>

He cracked a big smile and nodded as he mouth and signed "I Love You" into the mirror, winking as she faded away. Cameron exhaled as he looked at Tinkerbell and scooped her up in his arms, walking back into the living room.

"Well, Tink..Looks like you gotta date with the Dark Knight!"

Cameron shot a mental note to Nicolas.

"So...got a surprise visit from Tinkerbell...she kind of told me to have YOU bring her back to Limbo...So get on it boy! We got shit to DO tonight!"

He made it back to the living room to see Alycia and Blaze laughing and talking. Suddenly everything felt right, again something he tried to blame on the champagne.

"I think I might have passed out on Morgan's bed! Looks like Tinkerbell just needed Nicolas to bring her back to Limbo!"

He didn't tell the others that Morgan had 'visited' him because well..he didn't want to hurt anybody's feelings. Cameron had gotten a special visit and he decided that instead of making the others wonder why she hadn't come to THEM, he was going to keep this one to himself...for now, he just felt it was the better option.

Cameron walked over to Alycia and embraced her in a nice long and warm hug, whispering in her ear.

"Forgive me my trespasses, darling...I think we might have drank all the champagne...Still, GREAT to see you!"

He gave her a warm kiss on the cheek as he heard the door knock.

Cass: YO! Blazing Hot Victory! You in there?!

Cameron turned the others and laughed.

"Well if it isn't our girl, Cass! This should be fun!"

[turning to Alycia]

"Now, NOW Alycia...don't BITE! Or you won't get ANY dessert later!"

He opened the door loudly and cast out both of his arms.

"Oh She's IN here alright! And so is the Park Avenue Playboy and the Asstastic Amazon! Get in here!"

Cameron laughed as he grabbed Cassandra's hand and led her into the house, parading her around the room a bit in good fun.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, check out the hot merchandise! Blaze dear, I know this is a stupid question, but do you have any more alcohol to off our new arrivals?"

[turning to Cass]

"Blaze tried to get me drunk and seduce me...AGAIN! I tell ya!"

Grabbing the plates from the kitchen he quickly began to clean up around the women, washing dishes and plates and such, giving them a little bit of room to chat it up.

 

[MorningStar]

Melrose All Over the Place

Even though Delilah would have been happy to leave for New York RIGHT THAT SECOND, Alycia had a few things to take care of, so they parted ways. Delilah headed back towards her apartment to gather the few things she would take with her. She wasn’t taking any clothes, so all she would need was a small bag. Her mind was making a list of things to pick up as she opened her door and saw a piece of paper fall to the ground. It was a note:

Hello Delilah,

I know that I am far from your favorite person. However, you are a teammate and teammates are family and so I needed to reach out to you somehow. The events of the Blue Moon haunt me as much as anyone and there is not a day that goes by that I do not think of your loss with a feeling of sorrow and...regret.

To that end I have been devoting some time to the issue at hand. I know that Alexia's cord and placenta have been preserved by Sharon and when the time comes I can access DNA and blood from that, but I was hoping that you would be willing to submit a sample as well so I can study it in hopes of finding a solution. There is nothing worse than a mother away from her child. It is even worse to know that Alexia is missing someone who would be as good at it, as loving and affectionate a mother as I believe you would be. I plan to spare no expense or exertion to try to remedy this situation and I hope that you will allow me to help. You can contact me any time day or night. I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

NK

Delilah refolded the paper and tore it into quarters. If the events of the Blue Moon haunted him so damn much, maybe he should have shown some balls and stood up to Morgan. Too little, too fucking late.

She marched over to his apartment, knocking loudly on the door. As he opened it, she threw the scraps of paper at him. They fluttered to the ground.

“So now you want to help me? You can just stick your help up your ass!”

 

[Rampage]

She marched over to his apartment, knocking loudly on the door. As he opened it, she threw the scraps of paper at him. They fluttered to the ground.

“So now you want to help me? You can just stick your help up your ass!”

Nicolas locked eyes with the mutant, completely ignoring the debris as it fell. This was not an unexpected development. He stood there and just looked for a few moments before speaking with a sad smile as he turned and went to his bar to make a drink.

She is beautiful, Dee. Absolutely beautiful. And she NEEDS her Mommy. Don't you agree?

He did not say it for her to answer at all, and so he continued.

I am certain that there is enough DNA on my door from your banging or these tatters of paper to get your DNA mapped - though that work will delay things - and I can easily get Alexia's sequence from the cord blood. I will continue my work and send you

<looks at the papers>

EMAILS of any progress. Hopefully I will find a solution in due course. In the meantime, if you need to throw things or just want to stare at me in abject hatred, my door is always open.

Nicolas drank his screwdriver quickly, then looked back at Delilah.

Where are my manners? Would you like a drink Delilah?