Destiny Prevails: A New Beginning

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh Davidoff: Where we left off

Originally posted by Spellbinder

NO!! Ororo! I am DONE talking! I will HAVE my revenge on this lot of uppity, self rightous , hypocritical VERMIN!

<< Spellbinder blasts Ororo and Alison back with winds...and moves toward Cameron and Haleigh>>

You're BOTH going to DIE! and I will ENJOY THIS more than ANYTHING I've ever experienced


<< Morgan takes aim....her arms extened forward...and her hands in a "stop" gesture. blast lines sparkle around her hands...as a large violet halo forms.....chimes sound off...as lightning flashes....and Morgan's haunting cape flows upward..looking like a pair of evil demonic wings>>


SAY GOODBYE!

<<ZARK!!!!>>

<<thunder CRASHES just as she unleashes a MASSIVE ELDRITCH BOLT at Cameron and Haleigh. the blast charges MADLY for them...and with Haleigh being CLOSER than Cameron..the BOLT smashes into her....irradiating her inside and out..caushing her to convulse...flashes of her skeletal system can be seen before she EXPLODES>>



Erika grabbed Haleigh's arm-- hard. Hales gave a start but made no noise... instead she pursed her lips and held still as instructed. she watched her arm grow back... slightly mesmerized... she could hear Ororo and Morgan in the background... but wasnt as alarmed as she should have been. In fact... her relaxed emotions seemed illplaced for the situation... she was in terrible danger... and it wasnt that she didnt realize it... she KNEW Morgan was tottering a fine line between being a controlling powerhungry bitch and being a total homicidal sociopath... and she knew she'd be the FIRST the hammer would come down upon... but as always... her steely nerve seemed untouched by the threat of impending doom... and had Alison TOLD her what was to become of her... she would have treaded lightly... but STILL felt this way. As erika released her arm, Haleigh offered her thanks... and looked up at Morgan RIGHT as Morgan takes aim... Haleigh stands up, taking a deep breath... she was about to say something to HALT Morgan in her tracks... or at least attempt to... but she'd not have the chance. As the bolt took shape, Haleigh took a step back... but she seemed so shocked that Morgan had attacked unprovoked that she couldn't think fast enough to get out of the way... and so... was hit with the BRUNT of the Blast.

And what a brunt it was... The pain Hales had felt when she lost her arm had done NOTHING to prepare her for the pain that bloomed in her chest cavity now... She suddenly couldnt think of anything else but the pain... Her final breath caught in her throat... she made no sound.... Her face seemed frozen in shock, staring up at Morgan... her body shook violently and uncontrollably as it went into overload, the pain shot through her veins like ice water... and her body systems seemed to be failing her... as the others saw haunting bluish flashes of her skeletal being... Haleigh actually FELT her soul separating from her body...

and then.... NOTHING.... she just lay there... quite a ways away from where she had been standing, as a result of being knocked to her ass... but she felt nothing... not the chill of the night air... not the breeze flowing past.... not the pain that had every nerve ending of her body screaming just a split second before. Haleigh looked around at the group... A few were shocked silent... Morgan hadn't moved... Erika and Cameron got up.... And Cameron suddenly went off... Haleigh couldn't believe her ears... she was DEAD?? no.... that can't be... I didn't even get a fight! She shook her head in disbelief...

"Cameron.... no.... I'm right here.... Cameron?"

She reached out to touch his shoulder... but her hand passed through him... Her countenence dropped... she looked at her hand... now that she looked closer... she could see... it was slightly transparent... she felt a pang of anger... angry at Morgan, for zapping her without so much as a real REASON... angry at Alison, for doing NOTHING... as Haleigh KNEW that Alison had to have known... she suddenly realized that Blaze had come close to telling her.... I wish I could Help you.... but why hadn't she? and Why hadn't Alison WARNED her? sure... she'd been cryptic... but Alison had really done much to SAVE Hales from a future she knew to be likely... what GOOD were her powers if she let her hatred for Haleigh keep her from preventing the DEATH of a member of the Six?? She felt angry at HERSELF... she'd HELPED Alison... she'd let her grudge fall beneath the need to preserve the structure of the team... she should've let Alison choke to death... She deserved as much for the fate she'd KNOWINGLY LET befall Haleigh...

Haleigh blinked her eyes.... everything was getting hazy... she was slipping further into the place between Life and Death... everyone faded away... and all that was left was the beach and the moonlight that bathed her ethereal form.... everything had a bluish moonlight tint... Haleigh recognized this 'realm' she'd been here before... the night of the Citadle caper... the night she got a second chance... she suddenly felt a melancoly settle on her... she'd been given a second chance... and now she felt as though she did hardly a thing with it... she'd made a transcending bond with Cameron... and sometimes if their goals aligned, with Alexis as well.... she'd THOUGHT her and blaze were on the same page and the same side... only to find out that blood ran thick in the Victoria line... and she'd done NOTHING to improve things with Alison or Morgan... in fact... things had gotten worse. A solemn remorse overtook her... now she knew what she should be doing.... and now it was too late. Why had she been so headstrong?

"You faltered, it's true.... be not proud... BUT.... You did the best you could... and so.... be not ashamed."

Haleigh looked up.... a tall and dark man dressed in black stood not five feet from her... he extended his hand to her. "Come.... it is time to go." Haleigh took a wary step back... she stared at the man.... she knew who it was... the Angel of Death... she even knew the answer to her next question... but she asked anyway to stall. "Go WHERE?? Time to go WHERE?? I'm not going ANYWHERE... I wasnt ready... put me RIGHT... it is NOT time... I didnt go through ALL that shit to die like this.... I won't have it!" Haleigh shook her head and stepped back once more... the man seemed patient... as though hed heard it before... he gave her a sympathetic look... and stood there, hand outstretched, waiting for her to take it. "That i cannot tell you... but I must impress... it IS time."

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh hesitated... but she knew it wasnt as if she could stop this process... she couldn't run from Death... and he wasnt the one to plea bargain with... and now that she saw he wasn't going to let her derail him... she looked away... and then... back at him, nodding once softly... a part of her always knew Death would come calling. A part of her felt she'd been allowed to live too long... that she should have died six years ago... when she was captured. That part of her allowed her a calm... and she reached out to take Death's hand with her usual steely resolve.

She felt a pull on her being, closed her eyes, and tried to prepare herself for the realm she knew she was headed for: Hell. She opened her eyes when the pulling stopped, only to shut them again right away. The intense light ahead of her was unbearable. She felt a chair being pushed under her, and involuntarily sat down. She squinted through her eyes, shielding them with her hand [though lot of good it did her, her hand was transparent] as a stereophonic voice boomed from beyond the blinding light.

Rebecca Meridian!

Haleigh didnt move, but spoke with a strong and steady voice, it was too late to be afraid now.

"Wow, I haven't heard that name in years... Six to be exact. Is this spotlight absolutely neccessary? Its rather cliche."

A few seconds passed. Haleigh couldn't tell whether she'd pissed someone off or not, but as the lights lowered greatly, she could see that no one seemed upset. There were several figures in robes before her, they seemed to be sitting in a semicircle around her on great ornate thrones, as if they were a council. The one in the center spoke again.

We thought it appropriate to address you by your birth name... not by the alias you've assumed for the past few years. Do you know who we are, child?

"I would venture a guess that you are.... the Powers That Be, as we humans call you."

Very Clever, that we are. You are here because We do not know what exactly to do with you... We cannot agree, nor are all of us completely sure of our decision. For your first 23 years, you were a good person, and you accomplished a great many tasks set before you for the good of your country, disregarding your own safety. You saved countless lives. Had you died in capture, you would've gone directly to the Heavens, of this We are sure. HOWEVER.... you escaped.... and in that escape, you seemed to leave your humanity behind you. The last six years have been an utmost disappointment. You killed shamelessly and often unneccessarily. You were greedy and selfish, arrogant and ruthless, AND... you dragged your companion down into corruption with you. Such a disgrace, indeed, that we were glad you'd changed your name. We foresaw that your destiny lied with the Six... and when you DIED the night of the citadle incident, we decided to give you another chance to prove you could still do good, premarily because We NEEDED the Six to survive the night. But you.... SQUANDERED that chance. You continued to be petty and violent, you continued to provoke those of your team that you didnt like. Whats more... you IGNORED the Guardian when she tried to get you to change your ways. You brought your death upon yourself... and you endangered the lives of nearly everyone in New York in your quest to best Spellbinder. We will allow you to speak in your defense before settling on a final decision.

Haleigh, for once, felt shamed. She was right, in everything she'd said. Haleigh knew nothing would make a good excuse for her actions. She finally felt remorse, for it all. She thought about everything, and finally, her thoughts drifted back to what had been said about Cassandra. Haleigh HAD dragged her down with her... and Haleigh knew that when Cassandra died, she'd face the same treatment. Something clicked within Haleigh, and she looked around at the panel before settling on the woman who sat in the center, the one who'd been speaking.

"I will make your decision easy for you. Send me to hell.... on ONE condition... you must send Cassandra Alluisi to the Heavens when her time comes. I poisoned her, and if not for me, she would still be pure of heart."

[Jessica Hamby]

Several of the beings passed looks to each other glances filled with meaning, one even leaned over and began whispering to another. Haleigh thought for a fleeting moment she almost saw the one in the center smile, but Her face was stoic.

That is a brave thing to offer, Rebecca. You would enter knowingly an eternity of punishment in order that your companion not?

Haleigh swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. All the beings passed around looks again, including the one who had been talking.

"Yes, I would. She is like a sister to me.... I would do anything to prevent her suffering."

Then the deal is done. However... We have a condition of Our own. You must go, not to Hell, but back to earth... and you must FINALLY do what We ask of you, and rally the Six together into the team it is destined to be.

Haleigh was visibly shocked. If she had thought she might have just been able to ask to be put back, she would've asked. She sensed there was more to it though, and that worried her, as she asked the first thing that came to mind.

"I thought you'd be happy to finally be rid of me... why are you sending me back?"

Someone else spoke now, a man to Haleigh's left. He seemed a little grumpy and had a look on his face as though she had slipped through a loophole she didnt deserve to find.

We WOULD be... but unfortunately... the greater good is transcending... and the Six has sustained more casualties that we had expected. You are needed more on Earth than anywhere else... and since you just showed that you WERE capable of compassion.... the majority of Us believe you should be allow one more chance. Beware though... three strikes, and you're out, as they say.

Haleigh could tell he was NOT one of the majority... but one thing she was stuck on, and it caused her to sit upright.

"What do you mean, casualties-- plural... meaning not just me... oh no....please.... not Cameron too..."

She said, breathless by the end of her sentence. A great weight settled on her chest... all that to save him, and after Spellbinder had gotten rid of Haleigh, she'd gotten to Cameron too....

No... not Cameron King. He survived the ordeal.... but Miss Fielding did not.

Haleigh looked up at the woman in the center again. She couldn't believe her ears. Haleigh sunk back in her chair, her face cradled in her hands. After a few moments of silence, she looked up again, with determination in her voice.

"Bring her back... she was of far more value to the team. She was a bridge between Morgan and the rest of us."

We Can't. Spellbinder decapitated her with the soul sword... its something we have no control over. It puts us in kind of a bind... its the reason we NEED, rather than WANT you back on earth. We'll provide you with transportation back to the realm of the living, and a new body as well... Spellbinder obliterated your last one

Said the man to the left again. Haleigh looked up to him. She didnt like what she was hearing... but something in his tone silenced her when she would normally fuss. She nodded and spoke, though it was quieter than before.

"Very well... put me back... but one more question.... what about my powers?"

A woman to the right spoke, and then reached out her 'hand' when she was finished.

As Far as We can tell, the TO virus fused itself so tightly with your being that it intertwined even with your soul... They will transfer into your new body. Our conference has come to an end, your body is ready. Be still, it is time to go back.

Haleigh felt a warm sensation, and the next thing she knew, she was laying on a cold metal table. She sat up, pushing a sheet off of her face. She was bathed in greenish light and her first thought was how terrible it smelled in the room. She looked around... but of course... this must have been the Powers' sense of humour... they'd placed her in the morgue. She wrapped her new, naked body in the sheet that had covered her and clambered off the table. She navigated through the corridors of the morgue with little difficulty, and in the late night, she managed down the streets without attracting too much attention. She broke into a closed clothing shop, mentally silencing the alarms that sounded quickly. She took only what she needed to wear, a pair of dark blue jeans and a dark turquoise button up top. She caught sight of her reflection in the glass... Not bad... she thought, as she looked around her, determining what part of the city she was in. One thing she had to do above all... was to find Cassandra. Haleigh had to know she was okay.... she hadn't seen or heard from her for days, weeks even. Much Too Long.

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh stopped walking down 23rd street, something was inside her shoe, irritating the bottom of her foot. She pulled the right shoe and sock off, leaning against a broken lamppost for support. She almost laughed when she saw it... it was the body identifier, the 'toe tag' from the morgue. She pulled it off and read it aloud.

"Jordan, Samantha.... well... thank you for the use of your body, Ms Jordan."

Haleigh heard the sound of the engine approaching as she pulled her sock and shoe back on. She was just barely done as the car screeched to a stop behind her. Before she knew it, someone pushed her against the wall and began yelling obscenities, demanding her money.

"Oh, I got your money right here!"

She said, whipping around on him and hitting him with a roundhouse that flattened him to the ground. The driver of the car stared at her, shocked still. She reached in through the open window and smashed his face against the steering wheel, knocking him out.

"My apologies, but I have to comandeer this vehicle. Thank you for your cooperation."

She said politely as she opened the door and pulled him out of the drivers seat. It was a nice SUV with GPS tracking, and Haleigh didnt doubt it was stolen, probably last night. She pulled up the GPS tracking and uplinked to the nearest satellite. Using a sixteen digit tracking identifier, Haleigh located Cassandra. Good thing they'd both implanted the tracking chip in case they needed to find each other.... Haleigh would have to get a new one. Haleigh looked at the location.... and the clock. It was nearly 8:30 am.... Cassandra wasnt too far away.

**********

Cassandra Alluisi had spent the last hour looking at magnified blood and medical charts, discussing options for treatment. She didnt need this right now, she thought, as she made her way down the corridor towards the elevator, passing a startlingly pretty blond on the way. She didnt know where to begin... legally, it all belonged to her, of course. Personally, she'd rather not have to deal with it all. What was she going to do with Liquid Crystal Images? It had been Haleigh's passion for photography that gave them the cover company... Haleigh ran it personally. Not to mention that Cass was now faced with the immense responsibility of running CI on her own.... She felt tired again and leaned against the rail inside the elevator as it made its way to the parking garage. She walked slowly out to her car.... she needed food, and perhaps a little rest. The doctor said it was most important to avoid physically exerting herself.... She unlocked and started the car by remote, letting the engine purr as she got in, put the folder he'd given her in the front seat and sat back for a moment, rubbing her eyes. When she reopened her eyes, she nearly passed out with shock.

Haleigh was sitting in the back seat, and Cass had caught sight of her in the rear view mirror. Cass turned around to face her and pointed a small snub nose pistol at her, recognizing her as the blonde from the hallway minutes before. Haleigh merely smiled as Cass demanded to know who she was and why she was following her.

"Christ Dani, calm down. Put that thing away, it really wont help you against me anyway."

That got her attention. The only person who still called her by her birth name was dead... Cass stared into Haleigh's eyes, trying to determine whether or not she was losing her mind. "No.... it can't be.... Haleigh--"

"Died? Yeah... well what can i say love, Death doesnt agree with me. Third time he's spit me out now.... Its starting to hurt my feelings."

[Jessica Hamby]

Cassandra sat there for a second, staring at Haleigh with wide eyes. It had been said by many people that it was impossible to get away with lying to Cass... she somehow could ALWAYS call a bluff. And Staring at the unfamiliar face in her back seat, she somehow KNEW it was Haleigh, beyond just simply wishing it to be true because she missed Haleigh. Cassandra opened her door and got out of the car, and then opened the back door, and pulled Haleigh out, ignoring Hales' demands to know what was going on. Cassandra pulled her dearest deceased friend into a hug that lasted for what seemed like hours. When they finally separated, both were misty-eyed. Haleigh smiled and blinked her eyes a few times.

"You'd better let me drive, you can't see through those tears, ya big sissy. What are you doing here anyway? Hospitals are for sick people and God."

Cass laughed but consented, Haleigh hated to be in a car that she wasn't driving, she tolerated limos only when the scene called for it. Cass murmured something about getting medical information on a client, and then watched Haleigh as she drived, quiet though she had hundreds of questions whizzing through her mind. Haleigh spoke first, breaking the silence.

"Unless you have somewhere to go, I'm going heading back to your place to shower... try to wash the smell of Death off me. I'd go back to my flat at Illustra... but I dont think the Six are quite ready for my return yet.... Maybe after I take care of some CI business."

Cass-"No, go right ahead.... You dont smell like death. Yes.. the Six... I talked to Cameron he was breaking the 'news'... he seemed shaken. Speaking of the Six... Cameron is having a Gala tonight... more press opportunites for his Hotel chain, and of course, they are all attending, plug the magazine and illustra."

Haleigh smiled softly... she remembered seeing the Gala mentioned on the TV in the hospital waiting room. She'd already commited herself to attend. "You forget I'm more machine than human... and now that the virus has taken completely over my new body... I'm starting to get back to heightened senses... and trust me, I smell like death warmed over, which is exactly what I am, now that my core body temp is back up to 100 degrees. Yes, well I imagine they are all shaken... Blaze was m... she died as well. I heard about the Gala.... I think I'll make an appearance. Don't worry... I wont make a scene... I couldn't do that to Cameron... he's probably stressed out enough. I'll just show up, be supportively anonymous, and then slip away. When I do make contact with the Six again.... itll have to be with descretion."

Cass nodded.... she knew better than to try to talk Haleigh out of anything.... if she had even the slightest desire to go, she would. "Well, I'm on the guest list, so just say youre me.... and I dont want to give you a big head or anyone... but do you think that pretty new face of yours wont be noticed?"

Haleigh laughed aloud, a mischeivious gleam in her eyes. "I am rather stunning, aren't I? I've got to hand it to 'em, they know how to pick a body. Is it too evil to hope the tabloids tomorrow will read 'Supermodel Morgan Victoria upstaged by beautiful stranger wearing Christian Dior!'?"

Cass laughed, it was nice for them to be talking and relaxing, especially after all the stress shed been through lately. itd been a while since they'd just talked... and it was pleasant change from her reacent high stress level days.