Maladaptive behavior

[Oracle]

<< Dr. Victoria sat with Alycia Barnett in the office lounge of the 99th floor. The doctor felt it best to bring Alycia to a place of comfort, where GOOD memories outweighed the bad memory association.>>

<< by now, Alycia was beside herself with hatred, disorientation and the need to strike out...at Haleigh AND Cameron, who she felt were the enemy. At first glance, there was justification, but the Doctor knew better, DESPITE the erroneous assumptions of Haleigh a while ago.>>


<< meanwhile Morgan, who was not much use during the probing being conducted by Nicolas and Cameron on Haleigh, had decided to LEAVE. She was not feeling well and she needed quiet..she needed AIR! Without saying a word, after she'd spoken with Ava, she left the scene. She was the leader yes, but she was having a HARD time finding her footing.It didnt matter if Cameron was there anymore...she just didnt care. Between him, haleigh and alycia...she was weary and zach didnt make it any better. >>

<< this left Delilah and Ava to look on, watching Cameron and Haleigh as the two men of the team did their work.>>


<< but even with all this going on, there was still something ELSE brewing in Illustra. within NICOLAS' apartment...where it all began a day ago.>>

[Tinkerbell]

<< nighttime is the best time. its quiet and dim on the many floors of my house but i can still see perfectly. only the pretty one with blue eyes like mine could see better than me!>>

<< tinkerbell looks around the empty penthouse. she knows her mommy is in the building and that she's distressed. why doesnt she come home for a cuddle?>>

<< the birds have been trying to get in all day. annoying birds!>>

<< after a while, Tinkerbell slips down off the leather sectional and walks around for a bit, craining her neck as her ears turn back a little bit. >>

<< the faintest sounds of voices and some of they are angry. they all must be here. fighting again.>>

<< Tinkerbell decides she needs to explore again. unlike the other animals kept by members of the six, she is an ENCHANTED familiar and has special gifts, like the power to slip in/through shadows. she leaves the kitten behind. the kitten is not enchanted like she is.>>

<< across the main living area and into a corner, tinkerbell passes through a shadow and moments later, she arrives...BACK in Nicolas' apartment, coming into his room again.>>

<< she likes this apartment. it smells nice and he likes her mommy. he'll keep her safe! tinkerbell approoves as she takes a moment to rub and mark various objects in his room, as if to say...>>

<< its still part of my house.>>

<< but as Tinkerbell prowled around silently, investigating different objects and surveying this new expanse...a rushing, fluttering sound was heard in the room she was in. she immediately perks with attention and looks around. her blue eyes blinking slowly as she looks up to the dark, shadow covered ceilings.>>

<< there's evil in this room.>>

<< a low, discontent mew can be heard as the siamese carefully walks, still looking around as the fluttering can be heard until FINALLY, near the double doors to the balcony...there was a big hole! shattered class and black feathers rustling in the wind.>>

<< Tinkerbell's head turned quickly as her blue eyes fixed on a figure perched on Nicolas' desk nearby....a CROW! a CROW had busted in to Nicolas' apartment and several others were roosting on SHARON KELLY'S statue just outside.>>

<< this was a bad thing. Tinkerbell growled softly a bit as she crouched down. the birds were too big for her to deal with and if Nicolas came back to his place unaware, they would surely attack him. something about these birds seemed EVIL.>>

<<but they never listened to her. they always were too concerned with petty squabbles among themselves. tinkerbell looked uncertain, before slipping under Nicolas' bed and disappearing into the shadows. she had to go find her mommy!>>

[Shadow Weaver]

<< now on a different floor, in the cool, quiet environment of the lounge office that was once at Alycia's disposal while she had her satellite office in Illustra, Karen takes this time to settle Alycia. >>

<< the doctor was not entirely thrilled with Haleigh OR Zach at this moment. They seemed to think they could just DEMAND everyone side with them and it didnt work that way and for her part, Karen would NEVER view Haleigh as a daughter the way she did other women in the six. The young woman was so obstinant and so irreverant at times. NEVER seeming to know or appreciate the value of being refined and cordial....still, Haleigh always managed to bring about just enough sympathy or concern for her and then when you LEAST expected or needed it, she'd repell you with some inexplicable act or tirade of extreme measure. It was a DEFINATE pattern, one that Karen new was a safety mechanism. She called Haleigh on it once before, during that intense session where she cast the spell on her.>>

<< Karen was not interested in making Haleigh's life hard at all, though she often wanted to take the woman and shake some some sense into her. there was a BETTER WAY for her to be and maybe THIS WHOLE THING was linked to Haleigh's history of maladaptive strategy. cleary in the memories of her youth, she was far different, on a different path, with a more well adjusted and healthy attitude....but MUCH changed between then and now.>>

<< Alycia was a similar case, although much more well suited to at least LOOKING like she could adapt in various settings. Alycia made and maintained close friendships and always strove for excellence. not that Haleigh DIDNT, but Haleigh had the advantage of being a mutant as well as a family that had deep pockets while Alycia came from a modest background. hard working parents who believed in education, strong conviction and a commitment to excellence. there were some similarities...but the difference were far more glaring, especially now.>>

<< Alycia's phobia that was born the night Sharon died in her arms was something that had slipped under the radar, because she'd been so good at concealing it. but that can be just as much of a problem as the person who overtly displays their psychological problems.>>


<<sigh>>

<< the night sky did little to sooth the doctor, who was still perturbed with haleigh's impertenant remarks. but she knew that Alycia was starting to settle and that they would soon be able to talk.>>

<< sitting down in a comfortable chair, she looked over at Alycia who had her head down at the conference table.>>

feeling better, dear?

<< Karen asked softly.>>

I know you're going through alot right now and I'm here to help with that. I understand the pressure and the feelings of betrayal and isolation that you're feeling.

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Morgan and Ava came to an understanding. Both woman would try their best to keep Alycia and Haleigh at bay during this situation. Any unnecessary tension could cause Haleigh to have another meltdown, which could result in dire consequences. Morgan decided to leave and get a bit of air while Ava made her way back into Haleigh's apartment. Nicolas and Cameron had already started the mind link, with Zach aiding Haleigh by holding her hand. Tightly wrapping her arms along her torso, Ava stood watching and waiting. There was not much she could do at the present time BUT watch and wait. ::

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh grit her teeth and Ava and Zach returned... Karen had started up again, and if ANYONE wondered just what Karen thought of Haleigh, the message was perfectly clear NOW. when Karen accuses Haleigh of being incapable of maintaining a healthy relationship, Haleigh scoffs loudly.

"You know that WAY that doctors have.... where just by TALKING to you, they make you feel better?"

"Beside Manner?" Zach offers helpfully, as he came back over to Haleigh's side.

"Yeah.... [glaring at Karen] YOURS SUCKS."

Haleigh was livid, and it showed.... the more and more she heard from Karen, the more unhinged she became... and just when she looked ready to throw a punch that would have sent EVERYONE up in arms, Morgan mediates, clearly exasperated, claiming Karen was only trying to help. Not the way Haleigh saw it... but it was hard to see how the sharp things Karen was saying were helpful. But then... Haleigh couldn't see her behavior from THEIR side... she couldn't see that she was acting like a badly hurt animal would.... striking out at those who were trying to help...

Karen left, taking Alycia with her, and so, most of the irritants present were gone... and Haleigh was left with little to attack.... and nothing to shift the focus away from herself. Nicolas, Zach, and Cameron gathered around her, as her sister came back from speaking with Morgan and looked on. Haleigh allowed Zach to take her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers, and she tried to relax.... Nicolas reassured her as best he could.... but Haleigh was still uneasy about this idea.

"Nic.... if ANYTHING happens.... if ANYTHING goes wrong.... i want you to cut and run, understand? dont worry about what might happen to ME... I can do just fine in my own head... but my mind will not be quite what you're used to.... the structure... the TO virus will have changed it in unpredictable ways. I don't want you hurting yourself trying to help. If I have another attack... just promise me you'll get OUT... there will be ENOUGH people in my head with just me and my memories... and God only KNOWS what might become of your psyche if you're subjected to... whatever it is that's happening."

She said tenatively, as she reached out for his hand, hesitating briefly before taking a deep breath and a leap of faith. Her hand slips into his, and he enters her psyche.

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Alycia, who wanted to NAPALM Haleigh with each passing moment she looked at the woman, felt HERSELF free falling in her mind. it was as if every restraint and technique she had employed to keep herself in check before had came crashing down tonight and she wanted to go BERSERK. she wanted to strike out at the one person who SHE felt was a danger to her life and that was Haleigh!::

:: Alycia certainly had the arsenal with which to do it. the EMP wand put everyone on edge and what was saying ALOT of someone who was "only human". But Karen was a step ahead. she KNEW that Alycia was on the verge of snapping. This was MORE than just about Cameron and his big mouth or the fact that she now resented him for getting a second chance when she felt he was the WORST kind of man, this was about Alycia realizing that just about EVERYONE she dealt with was able to cheat death except HER!::

:: she didnt want to die, and Haleigh had failed her before, hell she'd BETRAYED her trust and insulted Sharon's memory by concealing her link to the Cassadines and that alone was enough to have her hauled in to the feds. She certainly would have been in her RIGHTS to do so and if anyone ELS interferred...there goes their cover as Alycia exposes Illustra and the Six for who they are.::

:: it was coming to a matter of HER vs THEM and it shouldnt have been that way...because of HALEIGH? HELL NO.::

:: thankfull though, before she could snap and do her best to try to kill the woman, Karen and Morgan stepped in, each doing what they needed to do to conrol the situation. When Karen provided her insight, it was the validation that Alycia needed, although she never thought that Morgan , Delilah or Alison had PURPOSFULLY "abandonned" her. it was just how the cards fell. Still the doctor took control and brought Alycia under her emergency care.::

::Alycia was too weary in her mind and too delerious with mental disress to care about Haleigh's last attempts to shift this on to her. she barely registered the woman. She was more like a bad dream that she yearned to wake up from. Trusting Haleigh had prooven to be like falling through a trap door and in Alycia's mind...she had to do WHATEVER she needed to do to escape...DEATH.::

:: to be DEAD...to DIE like Sharon Kelly ...in such a horrid and tragic way? while HALEIGH lived? NO!::

::Alycia had her head down on the part of the conference table where she sat ...having barely drank from the cup of water that Karen provided her. the doctor soon returned and Alycia felt a little less clouded in her mind.::

I'm a little better ...thanks.

:: she slowly looked up.::

So i guess I'm certifiable now eh? phobias, irrational and erratic behavior? I've crossed over from being a ball buster to being a basket case.

:: Alycia's voice was clear, she seemed more calm and all too aware of the gravity of the situation.::

:: the large conference room, it seemed so empty now. hard to believe that this was once part of her satellite office.::

Karen, am i really as damaged ...as that...woman...upstairs?

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen leaned back in her seat. by now, she' conjured a cute, fashionable pink cardigan to match her dress. it was just a tad chilly in this particular room and the doctor wanted to be a little more comforable.>>

<< she smiled as Alycia responded.>>

No, Alycia. you're not DAMAGE. You've been TRAUAMATIZED and you never got the chance to fully address it! You went right back to work, on a CRUSADE to avenge Sharon's death. While that was an admirable thing to do...it may not have been the best thing for YOU so soon.

<< crossing her legs at the knee.>>

i want you to know... that i didnt offer my analysis of your behavior upstairs to make you look bad OR weak. That's something HALEIGH added into it as her personal spin but Haleigh never seemed to appreciate the value of "mental health" so DONT take any thing she said with anything MORE than a grain of salt.

Youre FRIENDS..the people who DO care about you, they realize that there was a problem and that you werent the villain. if anything BOTH you and haleigh are victims....in different ways, but still victims.

However, those same friends: Morgan, myself and Delilah, we COULDNT allow you to attack or possibly kill Haleigh. That would make you no better than the man you justly sent to his death not so long ago. STAVROS, Haleigh's step father.

You DEFENDED yourself against him and you had every right to do that. Just as you did your best to defend yourself from Rick Riley when he held you and Sharon captive.

I UNDERSTAND that you've been through HELL over the last months. One crisis after the next...but what i DON'T understand is why you chose to be like HALEIGH and NOT ask for HELP!

There's NO SHAME in grieving, or being AFRAID. even those of us WITH powers have moments of fear and DESPITE the SPECIAL chances that have been given to some of the people on this team...chances at LIFE anew, that doesnt make YOU any less valuable as a person OR for what you mean to your friends on this team.

<< Karen gave Alycia a moment to think and respond, now that she'd laid some things out for her to dwell on.>>

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah waited outside the offices on the 99th floor, giving Alycia and Karen the privacy they would require. She didn't use her exceptional hearing to listen in...not that she really would have wanted to anyway. Haleigh's head was not one she wanted to be in...

Could they not have a moment's peace? Gah! Even when they faced troubled - Karen being attacked, Haleigh going haywire, the bird thing... - they could not escape the personal squabbles and psychoses. What she wouldn't give for a cut and dry homicide case, a burglary, a jaywalker - anything! Anything easy. But she feared easy was something that would never come to her as part of this team.

She wondered how Ava was holding up. It had to be hard for her, torn between her sister and the rest of them. Between her sister and people she had barely met.

But really, this was a strain on all of them. How could any of them think clearly or act rationally, with so much stress messing things up? ]

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Alycia's body language suggested she was finally allowing herself to decompress. She was pissed, she was dismayed, confused and most of all...she was uncertain...afraid! but now, she realized it was OKAY again to be "only human". where as before, as Nicolas had suspected, there WAS a bit of over compensation on her part..mixed with everything else.::


:: Karen reassured her that she WASNT a basket case and that she was going through the reprocussions of trauama left untreated and Alycia actually felt like she'd had an epiphany on why she'd become so driven..almost to the point of obsession.::

Karen...it feels like i've opened my eyes from a haze of toxic mess. Ever since Sharon died...I've...I've felt HORRIBLE. Not just because of her dying...but because i realize just how...WEAK i am. I didnt grow up thinking that i'd be in the company of "supers"...witches, mutants, monsters, sentinels? I was just an ordinary girl who wanted to succeed in life. my parents worked hard, they made sure that we had a safe, secure and decent envrionment in which to live and all i wanted to do was to succeed in my studies and extra ciricular activities.

:: lowing her head, Alycia places her hands on her forehead.::

My father became ill, with cancer, and after a life time of service to the company he worked for...the insurance company DENIED him the treatment he needed!! That "insurance company" was under MYSTECH's umbrella and my father DIED because THEY would not allow him to receive the treatment and help he DESERVED. he paid into that policy ALL HIS WORKING LIFE!

:: she said with pained indignation.::

and EVER since then...i realized that no matter how good you are, no matter how successfull or productive you are...there's always SOMEONE there who will pull the rug out from under you...and if it hurts or kills you? OH FUCKING WELL!

I loved my father...he was a good man, a good husband. He loved my mother and me and he did all he could to take care of us...and THEY sat back...and allowed him to SUFFER because of administrative, beareaucractic BULLSHIT! It was HORRIBLE to sit there...and be able to do NOTHING about it!

Well you know the rest of my story...It's been documented so many times in magazines like Time and Forbes...and of course interviews. But still..no matter how far i went in my crusade against evil and corruption in the corporate world...I never felt like it was ENOUGH.

I made alot of enemies as i busted up corrupt rings of fraud and abuse in the corporate world but it didnt matter. after i'd dismantled the insurance company that aided in my father's death, I felt like i'd found my true calling. It was what i wanted MORE THAN ANYTHING...to be able to fight back against those who thought themselves UNBEATABLE!

:: sitting up and sitting back::

even when dealing with Morgan and members of the six, i never felt intimidated. the more people like Haleigh used scare tactics, the more it made me want to fight!

:: looking at the long, genuine laquered dark wood conference table, Alycia saw the faintest refrected image of herself.::

Sharon Kelly was a friend, a TRUE ally, not just in the legal and political world...but as a a fellow professional woman in a world dominated by men. Sharon shined the light of truth on MANY things going on in government, and i helped root them out.

I'd finally found an ally that was like ME. she didnt have super powers but still she made things happen AND she bravely championed the cause of Mutant Rights. NO ONE was that brave...not before and not since!

Sharon and I started finding ourselves in real PHYSICAL DANGER as we continued to help the six anyway we could. The Super soldier....who was once HALEIGH'S boyfriend, RICK RILEY, once HALEIGH's commanding officer in the military...he BROKE my arm...he tried to RAPE SHARON!! and this was AFTER Haleigh BOASTED how "top notch" her "protection services" would be. It wasnt until we were lost in the catacombs of the Cell and about to be blasted to ashes by a frickin sentinel that someone actually showed up to HELP US. But...I...and Sharon BOTH ...we BOTH realized that by being allies of the six, that we would encounter our share of danger. we didnt hold it against anyone...and despite the shock and the FEAR that came with each of these events...I kept saying to myself... "a life without ADVENTURE is not a life worth living."

:: bowing her head...she closed her eyes::

Then MASTER MOLD came...and changed everything. It was during that night that i felt the most helpless i'd ever felt. i was so scared, karen....so scared that i felt oddly CALM. Sharon died in my arms..and i felt the life in ME leaving as well. I wanted to close my eyes..and go WITH HER. If i had to live in a world were sentinels and other monsters could...and WOULD attack me and there was NOTHING i could do...then what good is it? what USE did i have?? Morgan DIED trying to protect us....and HALEIGH...SHE is the STEP DAUGHTER of the man who DESIGNED Master Mold!

:: she looked up, with tears in her eyes.::

HOW IS IT...that EVERYTHING that has nearly ENDED my life.. or left me badly injured has ALWAYS BEEN because of HER!? I stretched myself THIN to work with her....to TRUST HER and STILL she sat there and left Sharon and I to be SITTING DUCKS for a sentinel that could have leveled the east coast? what the hell were sharon and i supposed to do against THAT!?

Sharon advocated for people like HER and look where it got her?? DEAD!

:: running her hands over her face as the pain and anguish flowed.::

I don't want to die Karen..not like that....and NOT at the hands of HER or something to DO with her! EVERYTHING she get's near DIES or winds up DEGENERATING and I dont want that for ME! I spent my LIFE trying to succeed...NOT to have it SNUFFED OUT by some lyging, twisted, deceitfull BITCH who thinks she's above reproach!!

i had SO MANY opportunities to haul her ass into the authorities. The government...on almost ALL levels, not to mention various agencies would have a FIELD DAY drawing and quartering this woman for the things she's done...and yet, i ALWAYS accomodated her by looking the other way. Would it have been TOO MUCH TO ASK that she actually MAKE GOOD on her promises and BOASTS to PROTECT someone for once? when it REALLY WOULD HAVE COUNTED!?

:: she shrieked! and at THIS point, Delilah couldnt HELP but overhear what was being said. it was the first time Alycia had poured her hearet out like this...and to hear how she truly felt...knowing that so many bad things that had come her way in her adult life HAD IN FACT BEEN linked to Haleigh...Delilah HERSELF now had an inside view into just way Alycia was so quick to go after Haleigh tonight.::

Even NOW...she doesnt care. it's ALWAYS about her...she destroys lives, leaves ruin and waste..and she just moves on like a wal-mart shopper at an afterthanksgiving sale...ravaging the NEXT object of the moment. She benefited from Stavros' evil..his empire built on BLOOD and she never said ONE WORD until it was MORE than too late...and I was supposed to give a damn what she thought? I was supposed to do things HER way? HER WAY got sharon KILLED.

I dont want to DIE Karen...not like this..not because of HER and i have the RIGHT to defend myself! I have the RIGHT to live FREE of the fear that one day another piece of that trainwreck's life is going to come and BLIGHT my path!

:: she began to weep.::

I dont want to die.......I HAVE to protect MYSELF!!!

:: covering her face::

and now...that slimey bastard of a worm...CAMERON KING is back....if HE can get a 'second chance' just like SHE did...then what does that mean for the rest of us DECENT folk who DONT build their livelyhood on telepathic rape and international espionage and cross country MURDER!?

BOTH of them deserve LIFE TIME prison terms and I have the power to give it to them...but in the name of quid pro quo.... :: alycia rolls her tear strained eyes as she continues::

i've not done that...even NOW...that piece of garbage Cameron is here...and people like MY FATHER and SHARON are still dead!! what the hell kind of STRAND OF FATE or whatever OTHER "power that be" ordained THAT shit!?

It's NOT RIGHT, Karen...and its NOT FAIR!

Those two get away with SO MUCH and quite honestly...i do NOT feel safe...i feel that i HAVE to fight...to protect MYSELF and make SURE that they know i will NEVER back down to them!


:: it made sense to HER. stand fast against those who would hurt you and never trust those who had a prooven track record of lying, deception and abuse. Haleigh had brought a world of pain and misery to alycia's doorstep, SHE was the source of much uncertainty, distrust and STRIFE and trouble followed her. Alycia COULDNT let HER or anything connected to HER cause her own life to come to an end...not like Sharon...not like so many OTHER countless faces of people that even ALYCIA might not have been aware of. and then CAMERON, a JOKE of a man who felt he DESERVED to be here? what did he EVER do beside manipulate, womanize and plunder? the bitterness that Alycia now felt, the dissollusion that now provided a numbing effect for some of the pain...it ALL seemed to make sense to her at least.::

I dont want to be like the others, Karen..i dont want to wind up another victim on the score board of THOSE two. I was NOT raised to fall back in defeat...but HOW can i truly function free of fear unless Haleigh is destroyed and Cameron is locked up for the walking fraud that he IS!?

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen sat back in a thoughtfull look and position as she listened to Alycia. Alycia had never opened up like this to her before but here she was...describing the genesis of her "calling", her motivation, how she felt about things like her own status among the six...she was truly showing herself. Why couldnt HALEIGH following this kind of example? THIS was healthy and it was much better to do it WILLINGLY in a SAFE environment than in times of distress and duress.>>

<< Karen made it a point to fade back and let Alycia speak, only offering the occasional silent affirmation that she agreed with Alycia or that she was absolutely right. Alycia spoke on things that MANY people knew or felt but maybe hadnt bother to say to spare feelings but if there was one thing Alycia NEVER did..it was pussy foot around. She spoke her mind in times both good and bad and some members of the six had been on the receiving end of it.>>

<< but what was clear was that Alycia felt a growing loss of control, her fear was growing PAST the point she could effectively control it and there were TWO genuine stimuli for it.>>

Alycia, its OKAY to be afraid, but you can't grasp so HARD at control that you become OBSESSED and over reach. It blinds you to the rational thinking that you've always been known for and removes your ability to make fast, effective and even clever descisions.

You're a beautifull young woman and you've done VERY WELL for yourself. You've faced and survived situations that men with MILITARY training couldnt have anticipated...much less coped with and through all the various incarnations of yourself that you've been through, you've remained true to your father's wish to SUCCEED and DEFEND those those who couldnt defend THEMSELVES!

There's NO SHAME in acknowledging your own limitations and MORTALITY...we are ALL SUBJECT to the that and while i can't explain WHY some people get to "come back"...i CAN tell you...personally...that i AGREE with you. NOT everyone who "comes back" deserves to be here.

it's OKAY to be angry and to feel uncertain right now...Haleigh has NEVER exuded honesty OR trust for very long in any situation she's been in. she's ALWAYS managed to withhold things and then reveal them or HAVE them exposed at the most inopportune times. Cameron.... <<spoken with a TRUE icy disdain>> he makes me GLAD that I NEVER had a son beause I look at him...and << she stops herself. she's STRUGGLING not to descend from objective therapist to bitter detractor>> ....BUT then i look at Nicolas, and I am reminded of the fact that there ARE men in this world who want to do GOOD. When you think of the men of the Six...think of NICOLAS and all of his selfless deeds and his willingness to protect.

<< she DESPISED Cameron and Haleigh alternately evoked maternal concern and TOTAL disapproval...NEITHER of them ranked high on her list and knowing that they played a LARGE PART in Alycia's distress, Karen had a VERY hard time remaining objective when it came to speaking on them. They'd BOTH RIGHTLY earned her disdain...THEY provoked MORGAN and catalyzed the INFERNO! Karen cared for Alycia and it pained her to see the woman to be so distressed. Alycia may not have had super powers..but she was just as capable of MURDERING Haleigh as anyone else in the building and Karen did NOT want that to happen. Not only for Haleigh's sake but for Alycia's on a variety of levels. she hoped that Alycia would at least begin the recovery process and to be able to show show a way to better manage the pain associated with the trauma she'd been through.>>

But you can't measure YOUR worth by what others have-- especially those who "have" by questionable means. If any of us did that..we'd ALL find ourselves WANTING.

<< Karen leaned forward.>>

Continue to be who YOU are, use YOUR talents to their utmost to benefit yourself and those you care for and those who are TRULY worth of your friendship , loyalty and protection will PROOVE that by being there for YOU as you have been for THEM.

Haleigh has JUST as much to be held accounted for as YOU do and I promise you..even if NO ONE ELSE is willing to, i WILL take her to task over it. I've done it before. BUT, from this moment forward, I want you to CEASE focusing on her. She HAS been a source of anguish and pain and mishaps for you, but I am your doctor now, and I will make SURE to shield you from that and your REAL FRIENDS of this team..Morgan and Delilah, i know they will be more vigilant with that as well. You have every RIGHT to want to live FREE of death lurking around every corner...but unfortunately, neither you, nor I, nor anyone ELSE linked to or alligned with the Six can be guaranteed a life free of physical even mortal danger. Your phobia has been driving you on all levels and causing you to abandon logic and reason in many of your recent decisisions....you could endanger yourself or OTHERS like this and if i was forced to, I would have to have you confined. I dont want to have to make that decision for you...especialy when there are OTHERS in this very building who are FAR more deserving of confinment than YOU.

Stand tall Alycia. Draw on the inner reserves that I know you have and throw OFF the trepedation you feel. You have JUST as much right to be here as any of these others and you have EARNED the clout and respect that you enjoy in the political and legal worlds. Don't let the actions and misdeeds of seomeone who cant even face HERSELF in her dreams affect YOU.

You will have your chance to face your fear and speak your peace. I will be there to make SURE that you are allowed to do so without any kind of reprisal.

<< taking Alycia's hand.>>

you rest now, dear. Dont think about anything..just rest. everything's going to be okay.

<< Karen smiles at Alycia. her beautifull eyes convey a genuine sense of hope and encouragement as she slowly stands up and leaves the conference room, passing through the vestibule of the office suite and to the double doors to find Delilah.>>

Delilah?

<< Karen touches her on the shoulder as she steps around her.>>

I know you must have heard some if not all of this session between Alycia and myself. Alycia had a very cathartic moment...and I am VERY hopefull that this is a jumpstart in her healing and recovery process. However, i must ask you to make SURE that anything you HAVE heard is kept to yourself. If ALYCIA brings it up to you, then that is her choice and you may speak with her. I trust that you appreciate the value of confidentiality but ANYTHING that you heard spoken between Alycia and MYSELF just now is not to be mentioned to anyone else.

<< Karen spoke with a clear, calm tone.>>

Thank you for keeping watch. it cant be easy for you..to be around so much mental and emotiona dischord and maladaptive behavior..but i aim to do what i can to correct as MUCH of the problem as i can.

<< the look in Karen's eyes suggested that she was MORE than perturbed but she had a way of "keeping up appearences". Delilah knew that Karen couldnt stand bullying types and in Karen's mind..thats JUST what Haleigh and Cameron were. >>

Alycia is inside, aside from Morgan and yourself...NO ONE ELSE is to come near her.

<< and with that, Karen walked away. her high heels clicked and echoed as she walked with poise and elegance.where she was going, was anyone's guess. >>

[Rampage]

As Nicolas entered Haleigh's mind, he prepared himself for what he would find, yet was still surprised to see...

NOTHING. A vast swath of nothingness. Or so it seemed. Nicolas slowly allowed himself to acclimate with his surroundings, waited for the true scene to be revealed.

He smirked as the scene came into view. Haleigh's mind, due to its mechanical nature, had sped up its processing speed in order to leave the telepath behind. If he had maintained his own mind at the normal rate of frequency at which he contacted her, he would have never seen what was right in front of him. But he allowed her mind to pull him along to the right speed and waited for his perceptions to follow.

Now before him, he saw Haleigh, but she was much different than he normally saw her. She was dressed in a very sexy leather ensemble with a short leather miniskirt, a halter-styled top and 4-inch heels. With this she wore fishnet thigh highs with garters and her lipstick and makeup was applied much heavier than he had ever seen her in. Nicolas smiled as he saw her and played along.

Hello, Haleigh. Aren't we beautiful today? And to what do I owe this pleasure?

Oh, this old thing. I figured I would dress for the occasion. You've never been this close to me before and I figured I'd put my best foot forward..

And with that, Haleigh grabbed Nicolas' arm and led him deeper into her mind. Or did she?

Nicolas noticed that as they walked, the landscape began to fade again. The time for games was over, he had already wasted too much time. He realized form the very beginning that this person was actually Haleigh's subconscious mind trying to push him off of the path, lead him away from her vulnerable center. Since he was male, her subconscious figured the easiest way would be with sex appeal. He turned to Haleigh as he spoke.

While I have enjoyed your escorting me through this journey to NOWHERE you have prepared, I must insist that I be on my way to where the trouble REALLY lies. Haleigh, I am not here to plunder your secrets, i only want to help you. please let me do my wor--

Haleigh slapped him. HARD. as he stepped back a bit she unleashed a flurry of blows, swinging and punching at impossible speeds, manifesting bladed weapons of every type as she struck out at him. For Haleigh, this was phase two. VIOLENCE.

Nicolas endured quite a few blows, blood seemingly emanating from every cut as she swung. But over time, as she hacked away, she realized something. As much as she swung, as much as she connected, he was still there! Getting to his feet, Nicolas caught her last sword swing between his palms, snapping the blade in two as he stepped forward, grabbing her arms at the wrists firmly. Haleigh grimaced for a second, bracing for his attack. but she was taken off guard as Nicolas stepped forward and gave Haleigh...a hug. Her eyes opened wide and she began to shake as the last phase of her defense came into view, blind ANGER!!

He held onto her as she railed and flailed away at him, screaming, then cursing, saying things that would have hurt him deeply if this was really Haleigh. But it wasn't. It was the frightened subconscious part of Haleigh that was afraid that anyone who really knew her could never truly LOVE her. She flailed and flailed as he held on against the onslaught until she finally slowly subsided in her attacks and stood there. He did not expect a hug back nor would he wait for one. Nicolas let go and looked into Haleigh's eyes.

Haleigh, It is time for you to learn to accept the love offered. Of anyone I have ever known, we have come the farthest together. There was a mutual hatred not so long ago between us and now...let's just say that I think that Zach is a very lucky fellow. But now is not the time for this talk. I need you to help me find out what's going on. The REAL you, although I WILL miss the outfit.


He smiled and stepped back as Haleigh's outfit slowly changed to a more traditional, more conservative battlesuit. She looked up at him as she spoke, a tear actually staining her cheek.

Nicolas I don't know how... I want to, but there is so much here that I can't..you know...look, you don't want to know about me..

That is why I came, to HELP you find your way. Not to pry or to judge. Just to help. Let me help you. OK?

Haleigh took Nicolas' hand and they both were translated, transmitted as electrical impulses in her mind's eye as they moved towards the malfunction that was occurring. s they moved along, they passed memories that faded from view as soon as looked at them, places that Haleigh would be mortified for him to see. but he knew that she was now being a good guide, as he could feel the growing entropy in the region of the mind to which they were headed.

As they arrived, he recognized that they were at the part of the mind that controlled her powers, there were ARTIFICIAL INTERFACES to her dream region and her emotive centers. This was the smoking gun he needed. Haleigh was being manipulated form the outside, but how? Where?

The good news was that they had managed to breakthrough some of her more destructive tendencies, and her mind was healing nicely behind him. But this area was decaying as it was being manipulated. He needed to track the source and he knew EXACTLY how.

Leaving Haleigh at the edge of the decay, he stepped forward, repairing what he could and weakening the hold of the connection, but unfortunately he could not determine the damage that would be done by trying to sever it. So he instead waited for an impulse to come and latched on, trying to ascertain its origin.

FOOLISH move. Nicolas was pulled headlong, his mind threatening to be torn by the artificial impulses as they snatched him along to its source. Were it not for his ability to exist out of body (as in astral form), he would already be dead. But he survived in pretty good shape as he saw a fleeting glimpse of a woman, beautiful but angry, so angry, so hatred filled. Her hair flew back as she looked up at him, with the shadows of three men behind, and Nicolas could not believe who he saw. The connection began to draw psychic energy from him and the feedback was excruciating!!!! Cameron would no doubt pull Nicolas by now from this as he would notice his aura redlining in such a critical way that his physiology was the only thing protecting his mind...

[Jill Monroe]

<< the elevator tone sounds off on the 106th floor, the floor where Alison Marble's luxury apartment is housed.>>

<< as the doors open, Morgan steps forward, looking down the long and dark hallway.>>

<< no one had been here since Alison's departure. it was silent and the wind seemed to whisper down the long and dark hallway as Morgan walked slowly.>>

<< finally reaching the doors, she opened them and went inside. Alison's luxury apartment smelled of butter creme vanilla, it was one of her favorite scents and it made Morgan want to inhale deeply.>>

<< the place was dark and silent...save for the rhythmic , strong ticking of the massive, mysteriously decorated grandfather clock that stood tall and strong in Alison's reading room. it was one of the most beautifull time pieces that Morgan had ever seen and a perfect accessory for a Seer turned HARBINGER to have...even if she didnt live here anymore.>>

why am i doing this to myself?

<< Morgan said softly>>

<< she knew why. she was free falling and she needed to GET AWAY from the situation in haleigh's apartment. the images she'd seen..they JARRED her and while others might have been desensitized or able to remain stoic, Morgan...despite her tough girl persona, could NOT remain stoic about some of the things she saw. she couldnt EVER forget about Master Mold and the tragic turn that battle took but NOW she found herself feeling even WORSE because Alycia was the next best thing to a WALKING casualty. sure she was ALIVE and she'd prospered on one level, but she was FALLING APART mentally and emotionally and Morgan couldnt do anything! ANOTHER person slipping through her fingers? Haleigh, who at one point would have been morgan's FAVORITE target for verbal abuse and/or eldritch bolts , was now her co-leader and even more importantly, Morgan had come to respect her and view her as a FRIEND. She didnt always AGREE with Haleigh and sometimes the woman made her want to SMACK her but what was happening to HER NOW? Morgan didnt want this for her.>>

WHY did you have to leave NOW Alison? I'm NOT CUT OUT FOR THIS!!

<< Morgan looked at a picture of Alison and herself from the parthenon gala last year. the one where Morgan was dressed in Vera Wang and Alison in Versace. they looked so happy, so daring in that shot...and now, Morgan was facing the dark night ALONE...without the steady and guiding hand of her best friend.>>

<< Morgan walked through the apartment, various levels, and rooms..just looking and touching various items. noticing things that had been left in their last spots before Alison last left Illustra for the caper in greece.>>

You said that Haleigh and Alycia would resolve their differences..but HOW? Haleigh is as stubborn as she EVER was...no matter WHAT expense and ALYCIA...she's at her wits end!! I want to do the right thing...but I...I am NOT feeling objective!

<< she yelled! embarrassed that she was NOT being as objective as she probably should be...but Alycia was her friend...her home girl. they'd been through thick and thin and while she and Haleigh were FAR beyond their earlier days , Haleigh STILL kept secrets, STILL operated with a shadow mentality and that had prooven to come back to bite the six in the ass SEVERAL times already. Morgan couldnt get past this. HOW can their truly be any trust without pretense when you STILL keep secrets? how could she TRULY be of help to Haleigh when EVERYTIME there was a problem with Haleigh..it stemmed from something SHE kept from the rest of them?>>

is it so WRONG to suspect Haleigh of ANYTHING when she so WILLINGLY and DELIBERATELY kept quiet about her link to Stavros?? A man who MORE than enabled MysTech to strike at us with near FATAL results time and again!? Alycia is HUMAN..she doesnt DESERVE to be held to the same standard as the rest of us. Sharon is DEAD..and Alycia is SCARRED and Haleigh....well...can ANYONE help her when she ALWAYS manages to put a wall up?...what kind of friend AM I?!

<< she looked up to the ceiling....a look of dismay on her face>>

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO!?

<< she fall back into a deep seated leather chair, and exhaled loudly Morgan was mentally exhausted and what she WANTED more than anything was to sleep. but she couldnt....she didnt have the RIGHT to, not until she knew Alycia and Haleigh would be okay...if only for THE NIGHT at least...but she couldnt bear to look at Zach right now. Between him and Cameron, Morgan was ready to beat the hell out of BOTH of them...one was just as guilty of upsetting Alycia and the OTHER had the NERVE to pass judgement on her? Zach was little more than a CONSORT and he DARED to pass judgement on a woman who had done more to protect Haleigh and the six than HE could ever hope?>>

CURSE that self righteous, pollyana corn fed PRICK!

<< she hissed with contempt as she buried her face in her hands..and just sat there..in the darkness of her best friend's now unoccupied apartment wondering what would happen next??>>

[Silver Swan]

:: feelings, sensations, AWARENESS...they were all so close...but there were as that thin veil between full consciousness and a perpetual dream state that stood in the way.::

:: faces, some familiar, some unknown, but all serving as beacons of light in the journey to consciousness...and VENGEANCE! the faces swirled, the voices and tones changed with each face and images of events most associated with each person played in the background behind them as they spoke.::



Malice: you're almost there, Sharon! you're ALMOST THERE!

:: images of Malice strangling Haleigh in her diamond form::

Morgan: soon you'll be strong, you'll be POWERFULL like ME!

:: images of Spellbinder as the "Darkchilde", in her INFERNO costume as she obliterates Haleigh with an eldritch bolt on the california coastline.::

Alison: MORE POWERFULL THAN HALEIGH!

:: images of Alison gesturing ala' Prue Halliwell and TKing Haleigh violently into a marble pillar.::

Alycia: and you'll be able to put that stupid bitch right in her place!

:: images of Alycia blasting Haleigh with the EMP wand

Master Mold: target aquired: Davidoff, Haleigh. Mutant/Techno organic hybrid! initializing destructor beams. course of action: immediate termination

::THIS time..its NOT Sharon who gets blasted by Master Mold...its HALEIGH! and THIS makes Sharon ...SMILE within the containment tube of the Cell's lab.

:: but as her mind and her heart blacken with rage and fury that grows with each passing moment...behold, there's someone ELSE...a NEW face. She knows this one TOO!! a young man, the son of one of her most prominent colleagues and personal friends from over seas! but HOW did he get here!? if he's HERE..he must be apart of this...he MUST have joined forces with HALEIGH!::

:: in her mind's eye..the faintest feel of his presence, the phantom glimpse of him...it is all fleeting before she EJECTS him from her psyche with her now LETHAL level of hatred and as she does so...her PHYSICAL eyes open.::

:: an alert goes off in the main control room of the cell.::

warning: subject in containment unit A, Kelly, Sharon, NOW FULL AWAKE. All vital signs at strongest possible level. memory feed complete, genetic restructuring complete.

[Oracle]

<< and so, while Cameron and Nicolas work together, Nicolas carefully attempted to bring much needed calm and order to the areas of Haleigh's mind that were out of balance, he found something that even HE couldnt have imagined..something so ANGRY and HATE FILLED that it forced him OUT of what he was doing. He'd done all he could...but now, it was time for him to get out before he was damaged.>>

<< Haleigh would find much more relief now, but for every moment of calm, there was to be ANOTHER moment of upheival that would be WORSE...each one getting closer and closer to what would come to embody the ULTIMATE in loss of control and BACKLASH for her.>>

meanwhile

<< with Delilah on guard, Dr. Karen Victoria administered MUCH NEEDED assistance and therapy to the distraught Alycia Barnett. by providing a safe, calm environment for her, the doctor enabled to Alycia to address the root of what was causing her so much pain and pushing her into more violent and erratic behavior. it was a necessary and major first step in an about face. Karen now left Alycia to rest for a bit, giving her a break before returning again for the final and most DIFFICULT part of her task...speaking to BOTH women and holding them BOTH accountable for what they have or HAVE NOT done. there could be no recovery or about face if no one owned up to and FACED their share of the blame.>>

and

<< near the top of Illustra, Spellbinder retreated into the uninhabited but still fully furnished apartment of Alison Marble, her best friend. The witch was VERY upset but didnt want anyone else to see it. How could these people be so COMPLACENT to watch footage of Sharon's death and treat it as a FOOT NOTE? how could Haleigh accuse Alycia of ANYTHING when SHE has been the paradigm of deception and misrepresentation? Morgan was STRUGGLING...she wanted to remain objective, but in her heart of hearts..she KNEW that her sympathies lie with Alycia...a HUMAN caught in a dynamic that could very well proove LETHAL and where would that leave HER? a growing tally card of DEATH that she could NEVER escape. HALEIGH might have been fine with the loss of human life...at least thats how she SEEMED at times, but MORGAN , [not counting the Inferno event] didnt shrug off the idea of losing yet ANOTHER close friend.>>

<< Spellbinder was struggling and clearly she didnt hear her mother's words to Alycia about not being afraid to ASK for help. She didnt want to whine or blubber in front of Delilah or anyone ELSE. she had a JOB to do...and she was now wonder if she could handle it? Her disdain with Zach was growing as well. That he DARED to challenge her on her descisions as to whom was allowed in Illustra when it was HER hospitality that made it possible for HIM to be there? oh THIS opened a whole NEW side of difficulty for her. >>

<< at the moment, Morgan, Ava and Delilah had the LEAST to do and perhaps that was why they were on more pins and needles...but for Morgan there was still much MORE for her to fret over than her team mates.>>

<< there was much uncertainty and the darkness of night did little to soothe or erase the pain and tension of the day before...and the approaching day didnt look to be much BETTER either.>>

<< there was still much to be done...on personal and professional levels.>>

[Jacob Black]

:: Everything seemed to be moving smoothly between Nicholas and Haleigh, or so he thought because because all of Nicholas' vitals were perfectly fine and he wasn't using an intense amount of energy. All the while concentrating, Cameron looked over to Ava and Delilah. ::

"They're both doing fine..."

:: He began to notice a flux in Rampage, something was not going right and it was at an alarming rate. The infared view he was seeing went from dark blue and green to bright RED faster than he could register a problem. Not only that but Cameron could FEEL the psychic energy of the man dwindling and his aura was DULL. Cameron was going to have to pull him out. Boom, he was in Nicholas' mind in an instant as if he had just blinked. ::

"Stay with me Nicholas, I am pulling you out."

:: A task much easier said than done. Something extremely strong was draining Nicholas and Cameron couldn't discern what it was, that being said, Cameron was a well established telepath and he would have to be a little more aggressive than he wanted to be with Nicholas. He turned once more to Ava and Delilah. ::

"Something's not right I am pulling him out! Standy with at LEAST a towel and a glass of water..."

:: Delving into Rampage's brain he began a form of telepathic vampirism. Feeding and fueling Nicholas with psychic energy in exchange for taking some of the feeback Rampage was feeling into his own brain. This would give Nicholas a "jump start" of sorts, giving him so much brain power at the moment that he wouldn't be able to focus at all sort of a telepath friendly white noise. It had to be dealt with carefully. The pain was a strain on Cameron and it showed in his face, a stream of blood running down his nose, but the second he felt the connection fade from Haleigh, Cameron let go and fell to the floor. Slowly recovering as he laid on the floor, Nicholas was unconscious but alive, and that was a hell of a lot better than dead. ::

"They're both okay.. both of them..that was NOT right, something like that shouldn't of happened, which means something is DEFINITELY not right with Haleigh and it's not her fault."

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah turned, startled, as Dr. Victoria touched her on the shoulder. She had been working so hard at blocking out their voices that her mind ended up a million miles away. Not good. ]

"You can count on me, Doctor - my lips are sealed."

[ She feigned locking her lips with a key and throwing it away. She smiled warmly as the Doctor thanked her. ]

"We all trust you, Karen. I know you'll do whatever it takes to help Alycia. And Haleigh."

[ She nodded at Karen's instructions, then contemplated whether she should go in and check on Alycia. Opting to give her some private time to herself - she probably rarely got any privacy these days - she stayed at her post. God knows it would be like one of this team to try and barge their way into the room with Alycia... ]

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Something was happening to Nicolas within Haleigh's mind. Stepping forward hearing Cameron ask for a glass of water and a towel, Ava quickly moved through the livingroom and into the kitchen to retrieve just that. Returning moments later with water and a towel, she saw Cameron laying concious on the ground, and Nicolas slumped over Haleigh unconcious. Throwing the towel in Cameron's face, Ava stepped over him and moved to Nicolas' side. Gently placing her hand on his cheek, she ran her fingers down to his neck, checking his pulse. It was steady, but slow. Annoyed with Cameron, Ava carefully moved Nicolas' body off of Haleigh and rested him on the floor next to the couch. Grabbing a pillow, she lifted his head and placed it under him, before resting his head back down. ::

"You were supposed to help them not hurt them."

:: She spoke coldly as she turned her attention back to Haleigh. ::

[Jacob Black]

:: Cameron rolled his eyes as Ava threw the towel at him. He had done exactly what was asked of him and he still got shit for it. Ava was NOTHING like Alexis and it made him somewhat miss her, even after everything she had done to the Six. He still missed talking to her about things, as fucked up as it was, they were FRIENDS, but this woman was a Morgan Victoria in the making and it was starting to irritate him. ::

"Since you have no clue what just happened one would think to keep their mouth SHUT. Morgan and Haleigh are understandable, but Ava, I haven't done a DAMN thing to you.. You nee--"

:: He wanted to just attack this woman. Who the fuck did she think she was? Cameron had only known her for the total of over an hour and she was treating him like she knew exactly who he was and what he was about, and the sad fact was that she had no CLUE. Cameron stopped himself because he knew it wouldn't help, he went over to Nicholas and used the towel to the wipe the sweat off of his forehead. He would wake up soon, he was a strong one. ::

"All I am saying is maybe you should actually get to KNOW a person before you pass judgement on them... how is Haleigh doing?"

[Shadow Weaver]

<< at that moment, Karen appeared , her entranced heralded by a rushing harp like sound. She was still in her vera wang cocktail dress, but she was noticeably now wearing a matching pink cashmere cardigan to cover her shoulders and arms. she looked around at Cameron with a glare and then to Ava, with less of a glare..but PERSPEHONE would remember her timeline's Karen always had a rather stern but elegant look to her all the time. it was not USUALLY anything personal.>>

<< Nicolas was slumped over and in a bad way. Haleigh unconscious. Cameron was wiping a bloody nose and Ava seemed agitated.>>

Allright..what happend here?

<< the doctor asked rather incredulously as she looked between the two young people who were sitll conscious.>>

<< she moved over to Nicolas. Ava had checked his pulse, he was alive. As Ava laid him down on the floor and placed a pillow under his head, Karen knelt down and felt his forehead as well as under his neck. she then opened one of his eyes...to check his pupils.>>

there's involuntary pupil response. he's simply unconscious, he must have been shocked...either by feed back from whatever he "saw" within Haleigh's mind...OR....

<< looking at Cameron suspiciously.>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Ava ignored Cameron's remarks like she would an annoying gnat buzzing about. Whether she knew him or not, he rubbed her in all the wrong ways. He was exactly like Nicolas....but worse. Rolling her eyes at his last statement, Ava moved from Haleigh back to Nicolas to check on him. ::

"I have no desire to get to know you, or associate with you, for that matter. Now, get out of my way."

:: Pushing Cameron away from Nicolas, Ava looked up to see Dr. Victoria appear in that moment. Moving back to allow her some room to examine him, eventhough Ava really couldn't stand Nicolas either, it was reassuring to know he would be okay. Standing from Nicolas' side, she moved back to Haleigh not bothering to address Cameron's question about how she was. Looking back, hearing Karen stop in mid sentence, it was obvious she was also suspicious of Cameron. Glancing coldly over to King before turning her attention back to Karen, she moved away from Haleigh's side, allowing her access to check on her as well. ::

"Doctor, if you please?"

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen gently stroked Nicolas' forehead. Though he appeared to be physically fine...there as no telling what kind of MENTAL damage he could have sustained. Karen was not a telepath, but she did have a spell to allow her access to the astral plane. if he didnt revive under his own power, she would cast that spell, but for now, she gave him decent chance to recover....waiting for Cameron to explain why there were now THREE unconscious people in the room.>>

<< Ava moved over to Haleigh who lay on the couch and asked if Karen would check her over. Karen , still kneeling by Nicolas looked over and noticed how SERENE Haleigh looked at the moment. it was almost easy for the doctor to FORGET just how much this woman drew her ire.>>

<< still, she'd had a hard enough time this evening maintaining her objectivity, she didnt need to FURTHER compromise her ability to be professional.>>

of course.

<< standing up and carefully stepping over Nicolas, Karen sat down on the edge of the couch and began to look over Haleigh, checking her head, then around her neck, under her chin. and then her pupils.>>

the response isnt the same, but Haleigh's physiology is hybrid and that could have something to do with it. she's physically alive, that much is clear..but because her physical nature is beyond anything i have studied, I can't be sure of much else..unless i cast a spell of some sort.

Cameron needs to provide an explanation and fast...before i call Morgan.

[Rampage]

There is no need, Ma.

Nicolas sat bolt upright, getting his bearings after his ordeal. He had a headache, impossible for him normally but understandable in this circumstance. He looked around the room as he stretched his muscles, then stood up, shaking off the effects as each moment wore on. Seeing how the ladies were looking at Cameron, Nicolas spoke to them.

Cameron did his job just as he was supposed to. Were it not for him Zach would be dead, Haleigh would PROBABLY be dead and I would still be lying on the floor. The real problem is that there is an issue with Haleigh, and its cause is external.

Nicolas looked at the couple as the sat unconscious on the chair. He walked over and touched each of their foreheads as he released their psyches back to themselves, then turned back to the goddess and the witch.

They will both be fine. Right now they are sleeping things off and should be awake within the hour. But right now, I REALLY need to speak to Morgan. It is of the utmost importance, and it concerns our current problems.

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen looked down as Nicolas bolted upright. the abruptness of it startled Karen a bit. She didnt account for him being so resilient.>>

Nicolas!

<< she exclaimed as he stood up and stretched.>>

<< she looked at Cameron with a far less hostile glare once Nicolas explained how VITAL he was to the outcome of their mission to probe Haleigh's mind. Perhaps he WAS on a different course? maybe he COULD be trusted...at least in matters involving Haleigh. Karen was no fool....she could SEE the longing in his eyes for Haleigh and HALEIGH, try as she may, could not hide her OWN secret fascination...even JOY at Cameron's return and his immediate desire to dote on her.>>

well...it was seem tonight is a night for many firsts.

<< not bothering to reveal the progress she'd made with Alycia, Karen continued to speak with a frosty tone.>>

Well, now that we know that the problem is not INTERNAL with Haleigh..at least YOU will be able to begin to determine how to go about locating the SOURCE of her problem. Meanwhile, I have a mission of my own to complete, one that will require me to have a session with Haleigh, Alycia AND Cameron.

<< looking at Nicolas.>>

I'll need YOU and Morgan on hand for this meeting as well...in case it degenerates into violence...and with Cameron in the room, that is a DISTINCT possibility.

<< again, the doctor did not do so well at hiding her disdain.>>

Alycia is on another floor, and better off now than she as an hour ago. however, between her , haleigh and zach...not to mention the rest of you..i think its best that everyone get some rest for the night.

<< Nicolas asked for Morgan.>>

I dont know where she is at the moment. She was here talking with ava an hour ago but she's not here now. Perhaps she's returned to her apartment?

<< Karen wasnt TOO concerned. she knew that her daughter was at least SOMEWHERE in Illustra and in no physical danger. But she also knew that sometimes, it was better to let a person do their own leg work.>>

When you find her, Nicolas, after you've talked with her... let her know that as the resident DOCTOR, i've ordered EVERYONE to bed for the evening. No more talk of this or any OTHER pressing issue. You all need time to rest, reflect and sleep. is that clear?

Delilah will take Alycia back to her apartment where she will rest and NO ONE is to have contact with Alycia unless I am present. I will be staying in a guest room in my daughter's penthouse. Haleigh is to be undisturbed as well. Ava, if you would prefer, you could stay here with her since she and Zach are not awake.

<< sounding motherly yet a bit stern all at once, Karen looked at Cameron as she stood up, preparing to leave.>>

Isn't it time for you to be returning BACK to the Parthenon? I don't believe my daughter invited you to stay for the evening.

[Rampage]

Nicolas was gung-ho to press ahead until he listened to the doctors words. She was probably right. Today had been an exercise in brinksmanship as it were already, and he was afraid that no one would be ale to endure much more.

You're right, DOCTOR, he said smiling grimly. Why don't I escort you upstairs to Morgan's. There is something that I also would like to speak with you about.

Nicolas walked Karen to the door and they rode up to the penthouse of Morgan Victoria...

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen eyed Cameron.>>

Don't think that because I'm leaving, that i'm NOT going to inform my daughter that you are STILL HERE..WITHOUT her approval...and just remember, i'm NOT one of those wide eyed little debutants you became accustomed to devouring whenever you so choose. Men like you have passed through my office more often than OTHER personality disorder type.

HALEIGH might be found of you, but i think she's in a class ALL BY HERSELF on THAT note.

YOU keep away from Alycia and my daughter.

<< Before Karen could engage in any FURTHER hostile exchange, Nicolas quickly offered to escort the doctor up to Morgan's apartment. Karen glared at Cameron a bit more with those unforgiving, yet beautifull eyes, before finally relenting.>>

Ava, be sure to show cameron OUT before you retire for the evening.

<< she left with Nicolas and entered the elevator. Still feeling rather agitated, she was having a harder time MASKING her own feelings about this whole situation. was she UPSET that Cameron returned merely because it was HIM? or because Alycia described it BEST- HE got to return..while other people MORE DESERVING did not! Karen was having a VERY hard time and if she had to pick between Haleigh and Cameron right now? HALEIGH was the lesser of two evils>>

<< in the elevator, her body language suggested that she was rather perturbed, but she began to slowly settle as she looked at NIcolas.>>

I'm not doing a very good job...of being "objective". i dont think i CAN in this situation...I see things that even I didnt grow up around...things that i never imagined would be treated as COMMON PLACE and yet....here i am, addressing a man who has returned from the dead...and despite what he must have endured...all i can think about is how he tried to destroy my little girl! how he once preyed on women ...and what he could and may STILL try to do to Alycia!

<< shaking her head.>>

NO...no...this is inappropriate.

<< she focused.>>

I have to step BACK. I'm acting like i'm still in my UNDERGRADUATE program!

<< sighing as she looked at Nicolas>>

Forgive me. What is it you wanted to tell me?

<< she waited for him to respond.>>

[Jill Monroe]

<< by now, Morgan was not aware of much. she'd fallen asleep in a large deep seated, high backed chair, currled up in it, wrapped in a blanket, Morgan was now asleep in her best friend's unoccupied apartment. She didnt INTEND to fall asleep, but mental fatigue from stress and worry and the "excitment" of earlier had taken their toll. >>

<< Nicolas would find her here.>>


<< at the moment though, the escape of sleep and the illusion that everything might just be OKAY after all floated through the dreamscape of Morgan's psyche and she slept peacefully with only the slow, rhythmic ticking of that large, mysteriously decorated grandfather clock in dark background.>>

<< moments like this were never meant to last for long.>>

[Jacob Black]

:: Cameron returned the eye roll to Ava as she decided she was best to look after Nicholas especially when she didn't know what the hell was going on, but Cameron guessed that as an ex Goddess that Ava was used to having a sense of entitlement :P so he let her be and with that Karen walked into the room. ::

:: Immediately all eyes were on Cameron, and NOT in a good way. Of course, Cameron wanted to solidify his place in the Six by killing TWO members and one of their closest allies. It made all the sense in the world. He wanted to explain his stance but before he could Nicholas woke up and told them everything. Cameron was in the clear. For NOW anyway. He could tell that Karen's glance went from furious to somewhat dissapproving which was a big leap forward for the telepath. He just might be able to change people's minds about him. ::

:: Karen began to give her orders for the rest of the night, looking at Cameron and all but telling him to get the hell out of Illustra. He nodded and got to his feet. ::

:: Boom. His thoughts were crashed as Karen unleashed on him with a fervor and emotion he had never quite seen from the Doctor who was normally so collective. He listened to her speak. He had heard it all before and let her words fall off him. He KNEW he wasn't that guy anymore and if everyone wanted to think he was, he would have to prove them wrong. She made her parting words and left with Nicholas, he glared at Ava ::

"Well Ava, since we've become so close in these past few hours, I just want to say thanks for being such a neutral party in this entire thing, way to keep the Cameron hate campaign in full effect. I just can't believe a CASSADINE, let alone the DAUGHTER of a man who was MUCH worse than I EVER was is acting like Emily fucking Post. But I digress, have a lovely evening and an even BETTER morning.."

:: He winked at her and bid her adieu with that signature Cameron King smirk that made you want to tear your own face off as well as his. He couldn't come back to Earth without giving just a LITTLE bit of that Cameron King charm. ::

:: Cameron walked out of the apartment and quickly made his way back to the Parthenon and entered his room. ::

"I need an outlet, I need something.. I just can't sleep..."

:: His mind was racing, he just couldn't fathom sleep after being in a cocoon for months. Cameron took a look at the surroundings he was in, thinking back to the life he had before his death. It was never what he really wanted, and King Enterprises was a business he created from the selfish use of his powers. He was 26 and a millionaire with a successful hotel chain and stock brokerage firm. But he never really pursued his actual interests. Helping kids like himself. He had tried with his sub company Life Prophet, but he never put much interest at that. It was something that he needed to talk to with SOMEBODY, and that somebody was Alison. He missed her so much. He began to talk to her. ::

"Hey...Alison...it's me... I know, I know, don't blow me up. I'm really back. I finally came back and you are gone, ironic much? Anyway.. I know since you can't talk back we can't have that real conversation we need to, but I want you to know that I miss you more than words, we didn't always get along, but you know, looking back, all the moments we fought, I think that was that basic family thing, we fought because we were scared, and.. I don't know, I am rambling, it's late and my head is a little off from before. I just want to say that I will do my BEST, Alison. I will make you proud. I will DO RIGHT by you because I didn't before. I am determined to CHANGE my life in every aspect possible, and though you can't be here to see that, I know you, and somehow you are still watching over us, I know you will still worry, and I know you will get this message. I just wanted to say... Hello, goodbye, I miss you and most importantly... I LOVE YOU..."

:: He smiled to himself before heading into the shower and then straight for bed. He was tired and a little depressed that he never actually got to say those words to Alison, something he deeply regretted. His mind wasn't tired, but sometimes the need of the body outweigh one's thoughts and Cameron fell asleep much faster than he expected, trying to prepare himself for what would happen tomorrow. ::

[Alycia Barnett]

:: after a while, Alycia began to feel more centered, more at peace. She'd been able to get some deep feelings out and there was no petty backlash, no one laying in wait to insult or devalue her and her feelings. Karen made it safe...made it OKAY for her to say how she REALLY felt and that was something she NEEDED.::

:: but after expressing herself and facing the fear and bitterness head on for the first time, Alycia was understandibly tired. EVERYONE was. After a while, she quitely sat up again and looked around. thoughts of the situation, of haleigh and even cameron didnt upset her. they seemed "distant"...and though it was against her nature...right now she just didnt CARE. probably the result of her more lulled state at the moment. ::

:: a tone sounds off::

Alycia, its Karen. You've had a long , difficult evening. I've just checked on the progress that NIcolas and Cameron were making with Haleigh and i think its best that EVERYONE get some rest. Please inform Delilah and you two can return to her floor and apartment. I've left instructions that no one is to come near you unless I am present. Delilah will make SURE that order is carried out.

You get some rest dear. We'll talk again tomorrow. Goodnight!


:: Alycia had a slight look of relief on her face. While she was GLAD to get her feelings out, she wasnt ready to look at Haleigh or Cameron, let alone hash through anything with them. she wondered what DID happen up there, but it was a fleeting thought as she silently stood up and stretched, drinking down her bottled water before moving from the conference room, through the main vestibule of the office suite and to the doors....::

:: opening the doors, a much more docile Alycia looks at Delilah.::

well , you can relax.

:: Alycia says in a muted tone::

the doctor didnt deem me "certifiable". and she's just informed me that we should go back to your floor for some rest. she's ordered everyone to bed for the evening.

:: looking at Delilah for a moment more.::

Delilah...I'm sorry for acting so ridiculous earlier. I lost my head...and I was just out of order.

I apparently have alot of things that have built up over time..and have begun to spill out ...and I feel ashamed that i behaved so carelessly this evening.

[Rampage]

Nicolas listened as the Doctor struggled with her own conflicting feelings as she tried to be objective in this situation.

Try not to be too hard on yourself, Ma. There is a reason that therapists do not treat family, yet the circumstances of our team and its secrecy dictate that you must do so, essentially handicapping yourself before you can even begin to treat. Looking at it from that perspective, your overall work has been admirable. Still, if you ever need to talk, I am here for you. I know that seems funny since I am one of your patients as well, but I have my share of experience objectively listening and helping to sort out things from my scientific background. For your own part, you are a brilliant woman. Oftentimes an ear will be all that you require. But that is not what I wanted to say. I wanted to say this.

Nicolas reached behind his back, manifesting his present for Karen as he did so. and taking a step back so he cold really look at her as he spoke.

I...never had a mother that I knew. She died of hunger when I was only a baby. She was still holding me when I was found by my father, stiil trying to suckle me until the very end. But I never knew her, or anyone as that figure, that person in my life.

As he started, Karen could see the sorrow he felt this time of year EVERY year from not knowing his own mother. He looked at the ground at first, befiore finally looking up at her as he continued, eyes moist.

Until NOW. Our talks help me to be a better person and have made the transition into this team, this FAMILY a much smoother one. I can see from interacting with you on a regular basis how much my father, although meaning well, missed when he was raising me. I don't think even Morgan knows how much we interact, how much I depend on you. I can truly say my life has changed for the better in many ways since the night I fought Malice for the right to return you to your family. I thank you for caring so much for me so... Happy Mother's Day.

Nicolas brings the present from behind his back, placing it in Karen's hands as he does so. As he gives her the gift, he gives her a big hug, kissing her cheek as he does so. He steps back and looks into her eyes.

Go ahead, open it. I hope you like it.

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen was surprised by Nicolas' sensitivity and understanding. He managed to show more depth of character despite his young age and it really did strike Karen as impressive...a testimony to how well his father had raised him and his worldly experiences.>>

<< Karen listened as he spoke with perception and understanding. he afforded her the understanding she needed, given the unusual burden she had of providing treatment to patients who were unlike any other and many of these same patients looked upon her as a mother figure. it was heart warming..but at times it made it extremely difficult to keep herself emotionally detached from situations they faced as she tried to help them. Nicolas GOT THAT..and UNLIKE Haleigh...HE didnt go out of his way to fault or discredit her....even the doctor needed some consideration sometimes.>>


<< despite his bravado and somewhat macho behavior at times, Nicolas was still a young man. younger than many of his team mates...including the one who had a special liking for. the fact that he didnt have a mother growing up...it showed sometimes...and now, inspite of all that he had become, she could see that young boy inside, who never quite adjusted to not having a mother....losing his own mother the way he did...it left a life long mark on him that perhaps even HE was not aware of all its impact.>>

<< Karen smiled warmly as the young man thanked her for all she'd done for him.>>

It has been my pleasure, young man, to watch you grow and develope even in this short time that I've known you. I never had a SON and I often wondered what it would have been like to have raised a boy alongside my little girl...watching you has been a subtle antidote for the poison that flowed through my heart after Christopher's [my husband] betrayal, and his abuse of Morgan and Blaze. The fact that you risked your life for me against Malice when you didnt even KNOW me...showed just how noble of a heart you had.

Though it might be easy to forget, you're still among the YOUNGER members of the team. Still growing and learning in many ways. Ororo chose you because you had such potential and you had a strength of spirit to match strength of body. It hasnt been easy but you've given it your all..and you're starting to see the rewards as your standing with the team has increased. Your own personal relationship with Morgan is slowly but surely progressing as you learn the value of patience and understanding of differences. Your father laid a strong foundation. He did all he could...and while you may not have known your own mother...I think i speak for Ororo and myself when i say that we've been HAPPY to "mother" you when you needed it.

If i ever had a son, I would hope that he would turn out to be something like YOU, my dear.

<< Nicolas presented Karen with a gift...Karen looked a bit bemused.>>

Now Nicolas...

<< she said, sounding as if she would mildly dress him down, but he placed it in her hand.>>

<< opening the pretty package, Karen removes the lid of the box to find a "Motherhood" ring that contained the precious birthstones for Haleigh, Morgan, Nicolas, Delilah and Alison with a matching bracelet and necklace all in platinum settings.>>

<< looking at it with wide eyes, Karen held the box back to admire the precious gift under the light.>>

Oh my stars!! nicolas!! how sweet of you! these are beautifull!!!

<< taking the necklace out, she draped it over her hand before putting it back in the box and holding up the ring... the birthstones, all flawless and exquisite specimens sparkle against the pristine platinum setting.>>

what a sweet and thoughtfull young man you are.

<< she embraces him>>

now you makre sure that you show just as much gentility toward my daughter as well.

<< she says as she releases him. indicating that she's well aware of his intended courtship of morgan.>>

If there is nothing else, I will retire for the evening. Tomorrow is another day and there will be much for all of us to do...ON TOP of our "every day" obligations.

<< taking his hand into her's she squeezes it gently.>>

thank you again for the lovely gift Nicolas. you really know how to warm a Mother's heart. goodnight.

<< and with that, the doctor enters into the double doors of Morgan's penthouse and closes them behind her. it is dark and appears that no one has been there. Morgan must have been elsewhere in Illustra but at the moment, Karen was very tired...in the mind and body and she needed her rest. she looked at her gifts again with a warm gaze and knew she would cherish these for a life time. for now there was a physical symbol of the relationship she had with this team. MORE than doctor/patient...she was "mother" to nearly all of them not just her own daughter Morgan and though she may not have said it before, moments like THIS made it all worth while...for EVERY mother enjoys knowing that her children need her in some ways..even when they are grown.>>

<< and with that, Karen retiresto her guest quarters within Morgan's luxury penthouse, leaving Nicolas to find Morgan and return to his place after he speaks with her.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh lay slumped against Zach's shoulder, their hands still together.... it was a sweet.... almost peaceful look for the hybrid with relentless inner turmoil. Nicolas recovered quickly and people came and went, preparing to settle in for the night... Haleigh remained asleep even when the tension grew and threatened to explode. Zach recovered relatively quickly, just as Camerom was about to leave.

Z:"SHH! She's sleeping... I.... I've never seen her do that."

He said softly... but he wasn't the only one present who could say that... in fact... the only one who HAD ever seen Haleigh sleep was her sister.... and that was when they were younger.... for Haleigh hadn't slept in years. Zach slowly got up, cradling Haleigh as the others left... and it was just him, Haleigh, and Ava.

Z:"I'll take her up to bed." He whispered, as he disappeared from the living room and reappeared in the bedroom. Ava could see him as he laid her into bed.... as the bedroom was lofted and overlooked much of the open downstairs area. He came to the balcony to look down at her...

Z:"Up the stairs through the dining room are the guest quarters.... if you're going to stay."

He offers, as he bids her goodnight and crawls gently into bed next to Haleigh.

Haleigh, meanwhile, is off in her own world.... running wildly through the recesses of her own mind... dreaming about being there with Nicolas.

She reaches out for him as Cameron pulls him away.... she wants him to stay.... but he disappears. She looks confused.... and calls for him to come back.... to come out... as if he is hiding.... the scenery changes to along corridor with many doors.... she opens the nearest one.... and watches Master Mold pull Morgan through the vortex... shutting the door quickly, she looks around as if she is lost..... and begins down the corridor as if she is looking for something. she opens another door... and finds herself, dragging a wounded man through a dark hallway amid the flash of gunfire.... he tells her to just go.... to run.... but as she watches, she echos her memory self's voice with as much desperation as she remembers having.

"NO.... David.... I'm NOT leaving you... I can MAKE IT!"

A man appears and pistolwhips the memory version of Haleigh..... the Haleigh watching flinches and closes the door.... not here.... she thinks.... and she looks down briefly.... noticing a spot of blood on the back of her hand... she reaches to wipe it off.... but realizes that her fingertips are red with blood.... she tries to wipe it off... but they seem to excrete blood and she gives up, as she wanders down the corridor some more.... and opens another door... and sees a man, his face badly beaten, tied to a chair. she watches herself pace past the man, wiping her hands on a cloth. the man asks her how she sleeps at night.... and her memory self laughs wickedly before bending down to get in the man's face.

"What makes you think I do THAT?"

Haleigh finds herself saying in unison with her memory, before she shuts the door, leaning against it and closing her eyes. When she opens them again... the skin on her hands has become a deep red..... she looks around for something to wash them in... but the hallway is devoid of anything but doors... she must try another.... and when she does, she watches herself kill someone in cold blood... and then someone else... and before long.... the surface she's standing on is awash with the blood of those who have fallen.... she inhales sharply, shutting the door when she gets sight of the smug, almost evil look on her own face.... and it is impossible to ignore that her hands a COVERED and dripping with blood... she turns them over, staring in confusion... and it begins to SPREAD.... traveling up her arms in dripping streams that go AGAINST gravity... Haleigh holds her arms out, watching in horror... as the blood works its way all over her body... OVER her battle suit which is black.... the blood seems to eeriely GLISTEN red.... and it seems to be devouring her slowly.... She tries to wipe it off her arms to no avail...

She wakes with a start in bed, next to a sleeping Zach. Breathing heavily, she slowly sits up and looks around... she is back in her own apartment.... in her own bed. The light of dawn is beginning to filter into her apartment, lending a twilight illumination of the entire loft, coming in through the panoramic living room windows. Haleigh looks down at her hands, which, thankfully, are NOT covered in blood. She slips out of bed and into the master bathroom... where she promptly washes her hands and splashes water on her face.... trying to clear the images from her mind... she looks up at herself in the mirror.

"And THAT.... is why i don't sleep."

She says quietly, rubbing her eyes.

[Pam De Beaufort]

"If that passes as wit in the afterlife, i'm glad i'm immortal. Have a splendid evening, Cameron."

:: Shutting the door behind him as he slithered away, Ava turned to see Zach craddling Haleigh. It had been a long time since she had actually seen Haleigh sleeping. She usually looked the most at peace when asleep. Watching Zach ascend the stairs and put her to bed, Ava turned back to the front door, preparing to leave. As she opened it, Zach offered her the guest bedroom prompting her to stop. Turning to Zach, she looked up at him and nodded. ::

"Thank you. I think i'll take you up on that offer."

:: Even though she was only a couple stories below Haleigh, Ava felt better knowing she was only a few feet away instead. Just in case she had another attack. Walking through the livingroom and toward the guest bedroom, she shut all the lights off as she went. Walking past Haleigh's sealed office, which was next door to the guest bedroom, Ava stopped. Glancing down the hall to the empty and dark livingroom, she debated on whether she should snoop or just lay in bed and wait for another day to begin. Eh, snooping was far more fun. ::

:: Noting the numbered keypad next to the office door, Ava bit her bottom lip thinking of numbers Haleigh would use. She could always crack her codes, even as a child. Mainly because Ava knew exactly how Haleigh thought. ::

"Lets see if you still use this one...."

:: Punching in the numbers 112359, the once red light turned green. Smiling, Ava pushed the door open with success. 11/23/59, Haleigh's father's birthday. It may have seemed too easy of a code for Haleigh to have, but that was the genius behind it. No one would ever believe Haleigh--'the technology master'--would have such a simple code as that. ::

:: Closing the office door behind her, Ava survayed the sleek office before heading for the desk. ::

"Computer, activate."

:: The sleek silver flat screen monitor lifted from the desk, turning from black to blue as the harddrive began to boot up. Sitting down, the computer finally came to it's main screen. Noting there was no mouse or keyboard, obviously Haleigh had no need for those...but Ava hoped the computer was still voice activated otherwise she was shit out of luck. ::

"Main folder."

:: The curser moved to the main folder and Ava smiled. HA! Perfect. As the folder opened, there were thousands upon thousands of subfolders within the main one. Narrowing her eyes as she scanned the names of the folders, nothing jumped out at her until...::

"Cassadines....Open Cassadine folder."

>>Password required.

"Damnit. Uh...Zachary?"

>>Password denied.

"Of course it is. Lets try...Hunter?"

>>Password denied.

"Okay then. Maybe something less obvious. Not a person, but a place? Animal...date. Why do you have to make things so difficult, Hales? Okay...how about your favorite horse when you were younger? Computer, Comet."

>>Password denied.

"Alright, lets try a different approach. It's a Cassadine folder....how about, Ava?"

>>Password denied.

"Stavros?"

>>Password denied.

:: Sighing out heavily, maybe this should have been Ava's cue to just leave and let private folders remain private. BUT, as Haleigh could attest to from when they were younger, when it came to private matters involving Haleigh, Ava never gave up. ;) Sitting back in the large office style leather chair, Ava shut her eyes for a moment. Cassadines equaled Stavros in her eyes. And Stavros equaled.. ::

"MysTech.."

>>Access granted.

:: Opening her eyes, Ava quickly sat forward as the folder opened. Every transaction the Cassadines had with MysTech for the past five years was documented in this folder. Newly developed weapons that were still in the testing phase, inventory, stocks, employment. Everything that could be found in the Cassadine's own data banks were listed here. ::

"Sneaky girl.."

:: Ava whispered, now not feeling too badly that she broke into her sisters computer system. It must of been a family trait. Time seemed to pass quickly as Ava continued to read through the Cassadine folder. But just as she was about to call it a night (or day considering it was dawn) Ava suddenly stopped. With a look of fear, Ava's eyes stayed planted on the folder entitled "Master Mold". Realizing she wasn't breathing, she inhaled sharply. ::

"Open...Master Mold folder."

:: The small folder expanded, revealing all the information Haleigh had gathered on Master Mold. Cassadine Enterprises technological and financial involvement, experiments, dates, ect. Placing both elbows on the desk in front of her, Ava shut her eyes as she interlinked her fingers together. Resting her forehead on her hands, images of Patrick and Haleigh flashed into her mind. ::

Haleigh: "Stop! NO! NO! AHH!"

Patrick laughed hysterically as he tossed Haleigh off the docks and into the pond located near her house. Haleigh surfaced laughing, astonished that he had actually thrown her into the pond.

Haleigh: "Oh! You are SO dead!"

A cocky Patrick crossed his arms, defiantly, across his chest, grinning from ear to ear. Until suddenly Ava came up behind him, pushing Patrick into the water. Haleigh began to laugh, pointing at Patrick once he surfaced. Ava too was laughing, wrinkling her nose cutely at Patrick's 'oh no you didn't' expression.

Ava: "HA HA HA HA HAAAAA!"

Patrick swam over to the dock, grabbing at Ava's ankles. Ava screamed while Haleigh quickly jumped on his back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Ava fell on her butt, trying to kick Patrick away, but his grip was too strong.

Ava: "Patty no! Common!! Sto---AHH!"

Defeat. Pulled into the water, Ava surfaced with her mouth open, shocked. Patrick snickered and Haleigh laughed along with him. Frowning, Ava splashed a fair amount of water at the both of them.

Ava: "I help you seek revenge on your boy toy and this is how you repay me?! I am SO not bailing you out the next time you two decide to have a little sex fest in the barn!"

Jokingly pointing her finger at Haleigh with idol threats, Haleigh's face was priceless once she heard Ava knew about their fun in the barn. Watching as Haleigh got off of Patrick's back, they both looked at each other before turning their attention to Ava. Ava suddenly realized what was coming.

Patrick: "GET HER!"

Patrick bellowed playfully as they both began to swim toward Ava. Ava screamed out trying to swim away, but they gained on her. Dunking her, Ava fought back, all of them laughing and having a wonderful time.

:: Splashing of water, screams, and laughter echoed in Ava's mind. Opening her eyes, her shoulders and neck were tense, giving her an instant headache. Looking at the Master Mold file displayed on the monitor. ::

"Computer...shut down."

[Rampage]

After Nicolas sees Karen off to Morgan's apartment, he decide to simply teleport to Morgan directly. He knew as they arrived that she was not here, and subsequent scanning had confirmed what he had guessed: Morgan had gone to Alison's apartment to get away from all of them for a moment.

He teleported into the apartment and walked forward to where Morgan was sleeping. He leaned over and kissed her forehead softly and spoke in a deep but soft voice.

Morgan, it's Nicolas.

[Jill Monroe]

<< how much time had passed? Morgan hadnt INTENDED to fall asleep, but she felt so safe and well hidden in Harbinger's now unoccupied , yet stilll fully funished apartment. the slow, consistent ticking of the large grandfather clock, the comforting silence, the feeling of magick that still lingered from Alison's last time here....it all helped to calm an uneasy and edgy Morgan and soon, she had drifted to sleep.>>

<< soon, she heard a faint echo, her sub conscious didnt fully register it..but soon she felt the gentle and light tough of a hand...and then a kiss.>>

Morgan, it's Nicolas.

<< the voice swirled in her dream scape until it formed to sound like Nicolas' actual voice. he was THERE!>>

<< Morgan's icy violet eyes slowly opened. she blinked a few times before looking at Nicolas >>


.....hmm...Nicolas?

<< she said softly before realizing where she was in reality and that HE was there too.>>


Oh Nicolas!!

<< she said as she sat up.>>

Is Alycia okay? what did my mother say? and what of Haleigh?

Is everyone okay right now? Where is Cameron?

<< Morgan attempted to get up in a hurry. slightly embarrased that NIcolas had found her in Alison's apartment, sleeping. she wondered if he had watched her for long. still, his was a gentle kiss and the nicest "wake up call" she'd been given in a long time. she couldnt tell him that right now. She had to focus on the task she had temporarily hidden from before.>>

[Rampage]

SHHHH!! Relax, now. Your mother counseled Alycia and I worked somewhat successfully with Haleigh. There is still much to do but Ma has decreed that it should occur tomorrow. She is happy with her new gift and probably asleep by now in your guest room. I came here to take care of you, to make sure YOU were OK.

After he spoke, he kissed her forehead again and rubbed her cheek with the back of his hand, waiting for her to respond.

[Tinkerbell]

<< there were many shadows and dark places in Alison's apartment.>>

<< a pair of small blue eyes opens from a shadowed corner of the room where NIcolas is with Mommy.>>

<< Tink slips into view and trots over, IMMEDIATELY jumping up with slient grace and landing without a sound on mommy's lap! her tail brushing up against Nicolas' chin as he is so close to mommy now.>>

<< he likes mommy.>>

<< in typical siamese fashion, Tink meows and "chirps"...a kind of meow that is unique to the siamese breed, usually heard when they are demanding attention or being "argumentitive.">>

<< she turns her sleek body with care on Morgan's lap, making sure not to lose her balance as she begins to purr a bit...wanting her mommy AND mommy's friend to pay her attention!>>

<<this one is different. maybe he will listen. the others dont always liisten..>>

[Jill Monroe]

<< as Nicolas urged her to settled, Morgan didnt protest. He kissed her gently and rubbed his hand over her cheek, telling her he was there to take care of her.>>

<< she should be dismayed that he was now in such close proximity to her in the darkness of her best friends apartment? Nicolas informd her that Karen had received her gift.>>

Oh Nicolas...

<< she said , before pausing for a moment. she wasnt sure if she was doing the right thing. at least not on a conscious level, but she found herself placing her own hand over the hand of his that was on her cheek. closing her eyes for a moment as she dared to allow her self a moment of peace...while AWAKE..inspite of all that was "pending".>>

I dont know if i CAN be okay....but coming here to Alison's...there's such peace. No wonder she kept her place sealed off so much. Even my penthouse has become the unofficial "ready room" during times of crisis....but here? HERE i felt so safe and peacefull, i fell asleep. I shouldnt be SLEEPING with Haleigh and Alycia are in crisis...and the rest of the team is being affected by it.

<< even now, she felt herself getting worked up so she stop...taking a moment to breathe. she wasnt pushing Nicolas away either. She listened to the sound of the large grandfather clock. its consistent ticking was all around them, a reminder of their recently departed Harbinger...and a sort of "ghost" remnant of her's.>>

You know....being a precog must be a hell of a power to have. Alison always provided clarity, direction or a different way to look at things when we needed it most. But...NOW...i feel like I'm LOST without her...and here her BROTHER has returned and he didnt even get to SEE her. Instead he's met with the opposition and hostility he now reaps from the seeds he sewed before. I know that i dont have the BEST relationship with Cameron...but he needs his sister.

Earlier, i considered calling Alison when Delilah and I went to pick up Alycia but Delilah confirmed what i was secretly feeling...that i...we have NO RIGHT to use Alison as a crutch everytime things get uncertain....but what about Cameron? surely i could call her for THAT...without being...a bother?

<< Morgan looked down.>>

If i cant even make a descision about this...how am i going to be the LEADER that I'm supposed to be?

<< at that moment, Tinkerbell appeared, and quickly hopped into Morgan's lap. mewing and "chirping" as if to say..."excuse me, but I'm here now and would like to be attended to.">>

<< tink always had a way of stealing a portion of ANY show she was apart of and now, here she was...standing on her mommy's lap, her tail lightly bushing across Nicolas' chin.>>

oh tink!! were you looking for mommy too?

<< tink began to purr a bit.>>

Mommy's tired...and Nicolas is here to make sure she's okay.

<< Tink seemed to settle for a bit.>>

so I know Alycia is probably allright for the night now thanks to my mother...but what about Haleigh? did you find the cause of her problem? are we going to be able to help her in some way?

[Rampage]

Nicolas gave a little room between them away to Tink as she came upon the scene. He was quite well versed in animals with his background, so he stroked her softly as he spoke to her.

I am just watching your Mommy for a while but it is good to know that you are watching out for her too. Heeey...have you been checking me out? Or is this visit just for your Mommy?

Nicolas laughed softly as he spoke to the cat, realizing that this cat was quite special, if any of the history of witches and their familiars was to be believed. He could swear that he could almost "hear" her THINKING at times, but that was just crazy...or was it? As Morgan asked about Haleigh and what he had done, his voice tightened a bit as he answered, still somewhat shaken by what he saw. But he was determined to give her a night's peace, and so he smoothed his tone as he continued.

Haleigh...is better. I cannot change her mechanical interfaces with my mind, but I did give her more peace in her biological systems. She was even sleeping when I left. There is still much to be done, but it is stuff that can wait until tomorrow. Tonight, I want you to have some peace, some respite from your burdens. Let me be there for you...

Nicolas continued to stroke Tinkerbell as he spoke, looking at her at times to give her the attention she sought. But he was also interested in being attentive to her Mommy and helping her to relax and feel cared for, and he was determined to get as close as she would allow. So, as he spoke to Morgan, he leaned in close to her face, lightly nuzzling it from time to time, or brushing his lips past her ear, or her neck...

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan watched as Nicolas warmly and gently addressed Tinkerbell. His gentility with the enchanted familiar warmed Morgan's heart and made her more comfortable with him in each passing moment.>>

<< she rationalizd that Alison wouldnt mind if she were here right now...and she wouldve been RIGHT on that, but still...part of her almost felt EMBARRASSED to be in such a quiet, tender moment with Nicolas in Alison's place. What would Alison say? ...was she possibly WATCHING even NOW? Alison had been known to play her little tricks..."spying" on Haleigh and Zach at the most "tender" of moments and saying "I've got MY EYE on you!".>>

<< no, Morgan was just being silly. Alison was busy with other things right now and Morgan couldnt use THAT as an excuse to pull away from Nicolas right now. truthfully there was NO reason...save perhaps her reputation as a "man eater", but much like Madonna....her mantle and reputation didnt always coincide with the REAL Morgan ...away from the lights and glare of the fashion world and public eye. the REAL morgan was a woman...who had a heart (try as she may to hide it in a block of ice) and a soul...and feelings.>>

<< Sitting there, Morgan continued to hold Nicolas' free hand while he gently stroked and nuzzled Tinkerbell.>>

She seems to like you Nicolas. the only other two that she's ever been so friendly with are Delilah and Persephone...but Persephone has a way with all animals so i'm not surprised with that.

I'm glad she's here though. Tink always seems to know when to come and find me...and just be near our bond as witch and familiar has always come through at the times i needed it most. . Kind of like you. It's nice to have you near me ...right now, Nicolas.

I'm glad you're with us....I dont know how we would have gotten through tonight without you.

<< she absentmindedly stroked Tink under her chin...that was one of Tink's favorite things and so, as sMorgan did this, TInk purred a bit louder, enjoying the attenion from both Nicolas and Morgan...as THEY both seemed to be enjoying this quiet moment together.>>

[Rampage]

Nicolas soaked in the moment, the way they were able to escape the days nastiness. He looked at Morgan for a moment silently, taking in her sight and smell. He finally spoke after kissing her hand.

Well, Ms. Victoria, what is your pleasure? I seem to remember that you did NOT finish your meal, I would be glad to whip something up. Or, if there is anything ELSE you'd like, <<smiles with a hint if naughtiness>> let me know. I am here for YOU.

[Tinkerbell]

<<mommy and her friend have nice hands.

<< tinkerbell closes her eyes and purrs contently as Nicolas nuzzles her and gentl pets her. he seems to understand that she is special..not only to her mommy but in general. she is unlike any of the other animals in residence at Illustra.>>

<< he'll listen. he'll help keep mommy safe.

<< she had taken to laying down in her mommy's lap and craning her neck as mommy strokes her under the chin. she closes her eyes again and puts her ears back as she hears Nicolas speak.>>

<<dinner? maybe treats for me!>>


<< but as Nicolas spoke, that meant they'd be going to HIS apartment! the birds!! the evil, scarey birds! >>

<< tinker perked up with attention, still purring as she reached out her paw...lightly batting at Nicolas hand and then raising her paw, waving it a bit...almost like a child would raise its hand....it was uncanny how she managed to have such good fluent physical moment, another trait of the siamese breeed.>>

<< she mewed a bit while still purring...definately seemingly to want his attention in a different way now.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh passed through the bedroom quietly, making her way down the floating stairwell to the open atrium. She was absolutely shocked at the state of her apartment.... it looked like a hurricane had swept through. She poured herself a glass of iced tea as things began to fly through the air, back to their intended places... most of the disaster was metal... and Haleigh cleaned it up fairly quickly as she leaned against the kitchen counter. The bullet holes in her metal appliances repaired themselves, and soon all that was left was a little bit of broken glass here and there [thankfully, all of her windows were bulletproof glass of the most elite kind], and other miscellaneous items that had been knocked over in the chaos.

Haleigh mentally interfaced with the security floor, checking on everyone else.... vitals all read fine... Alycia and Delilah were on Delilah's floor, Karen was on Morgan's... Nicolas and Morgan were curiously on Alison's floor.... but the person that drew the MOST attention was Ava... who was currently in HALEIGH'S PRIVATE OFFICE. Haleigh instantly appeared there... and maintained COMPLETE silence.... even her movement didn't make noise. Ava's face was hidden behind a large computer panel, and she was unaware of Haleigh's presence, as she tried every keyword she could think of.... and eventually guessed the right one. Haleigh grit her teeth... just WHAT did Ava think she was doing?? She had NO right... and Haleigh was ABOUT to say so... but Ava gave the shutdown command. Haleigh folded her arms across her chest as the flat panel retracted into the desk, revealing her presence.

"Some things NEVER change, eh sis? [narrowing her eyes] As I recall... you were quite.... curious... when we were young too."

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: As the flat screen retracted, Ava was startled by Haleigh's presents, but didn't show it. Caught red handed...damn. Standing from the executive style chair, Ava smirked at Haleigh's obvious annoyance with her. ::

"Old habits die hard. But, maybe if you changed your security codes, you wouldn't have this problem."

:: Winking before walking around the desk, Ava ran her hand along the cool metal wall next to her before stopping. Feeling a small deviation in the wall, Ava smiled at Haleigh before applying more pressure at that spot. Simultaneously the walls around the room began to slide and flip open, revealing numerous weapons. ::

"You're very clever; hacking into Cassadine Enterprises' files."

:: Picking up a Glock-17, Ava examined the gun before releasing the clip and letting it fall into her other hand. ::

"I'd attempt to upgrade my security, but you're the best woman to do that. So...that defeats the purpose."

:: Loading the clip back into the gun, Ava placed it back in it's foam imprint. Pressing the same spot in the wall as she did before, the walls began to spin and flip close until the room was as plain as it was a minute earlier. Walking to the front of the desk, Ava rested her butt on the edge. Looking at Haleigh--who looked a hell of a lot better than a few hours earlier--Ava's face became more serious. ::

"How are you feeling?

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan enjoyed the soothing sound of Tink's purr...and Nicolas' company. the darkness allowed her enough feeling of anonymity that Nicolas' close proximity did not unsettle her at all like before.>>

<< as he lifted her hand and kissed it, then asked if she would like something to eat, Morgan blushed a little...>>

Now Nicolas....

<< she was going to say "you know i'm not a big eater", but then she remembered...more like HEARD her mother's voice in her head.>>

Oh Morgan, stop being so silly and vain. eating isnt going to make you get fat!


it's late and i cant really think of food at a time like this...perhaps something light would be allright though.

<< she said softly.>>

<< tinkerbell seemed to perk up and became more intent as she gently batted at Nicolas' hand with her paw, then she raised her paw a bit...seemingly waving it with hesitation as she wanted Nicolas to pay attention. she mewed softly in the midst of her purring.>>

I think Tinkerbell has something she's trying to tell YOU, Nicolas.

<< Morgan was a bit curious herself. Tink didnt go out of her way to interact with most people like this..or to reveal her own special gifts as a familiar. to most, she was just a pretty, if not spoiled siamese cat but Morgan knew that Tinker only would reach out to those who NEEDED to be warned!>>

she has a "special" way of talking to those who need to be ....warned....about something.

[Rampage]

Morgan was in the process of refusing, then tacitly accepting his offer of food when he felt Tinkerbell brush her paw against his hand. As the cat WAVED at him urgently, Morgan noted that she had a way or warning people about things. But what really hit Nicolas was that he cold SENSE what the cat was trying to do. Not really hear thoughts, but he had a sense about the cat itself. It was concerned, but about WHAT? He lowered his head so as to get more on Tinkerbell's level, his movement very fluid, almost cat-like.

OK girl, what are you trying to say? I already feel your uneasiness, so tell me...what's wrong and where?

[Tinkerbell]

<<still purring a bit, she mewed as Nicolas moved his head down closer to her level.>>

<< he learns fast. he's smart.

<< she shook her head a bit...almost like she had a little itch in her ear...finally she focused on Nicolas...still purring.>>

<< her blue eyes began to glow and an unusual, but soft sound was heard in the air. Tinkerbell activates her special communication ability as a sparkling blue image bubble shimmers into view up above between Morgan and Nicolas.>>

<< the view was from Tinkerbell's perspective so it they saw things from "looking up"...everything seemed so big and mysterious in the image bubble but soon, Nicolas realized that Tink was showing him a cat's eye view of HIS apartment. first the main hall and living room...then into his master bedroom. it was quite dark, but a cat's vision is better than most.>>

<< soon, the vision moved toward the double doors to the balcony, but there was an odd sound...Nicolas saw a large area of the double doors had been shattered AND...large black crows were now ROOSTING on Sharon Kelly's bust..some were even IN Nicolas' apartment now and still awake...and seemingly agitated. they were laying in wait for someone to enter unknowingly.>>

<< to see CROWS of all things...centered around and perched on Sharon Kelly's image...as well as inside his home? Tink wouldnt have any idea what Nicolas saw in Haleigh's mind at the end of his probe..but THIS would confirm that something terrible was coming..something that he wouldnt WANT to believe.>>

<< tinkerbell could be heard making a low growl of disapproval, and suddenly the view of the sinister crows became blurred as Nicolas saw Tinkerbell slipping under his bed and disappearing in the shadows.>>


<< big mean birds...trouble for mommy and her friends.>>

<< the image bubble fluxuates and fades in a sparkling haze as Tinkerbell slowly blinks her eyes...watching Nicolas. her ears folding back a bit at any sound, no matter how faint.>>

[Rampage]

Nicolas eyes WIDENED as the cat opened an interface between them, showing him what had occurred from her point of view. His own mental makeup allowed him to immer4se in it, a option he chose so as to get the most out of the experience. Morgan would notice as Nicolas cocked his head, or moved as a cat might during this interaction. As the scene came to the broken glass and the large crows, Nicolas watched WITH HORROR as they descended upon Sharon Kelly's bust!! The scene abruptly ended as the crows lay in wait for him. He looked at the cat earnestly.

Thank you Tinkerbell. You have been...most valuable.

He rubbed the cats chin and lifted Morgan's hand to kiss it again, before resting his hand on her leg, He HATED to do this, and Morgan would see the grimace of his internal struggle as he realized that she MUST be told about what he saw. All thoughts of romance and of intimacy would unfortunately have to be shelved again, for their enemies would give them no peace. Nicolas sighed heavily as he looked Morgan in the eye.

Morgan, I had hoped that we could have a few moments to ourselves before we would all have to face this, but what Tinkerbell has shown me indicates that it will not wait. Honey, I am so sorry.

Nicolas sets up a scene between them that allows Morgan to witness what happened when he was inside Haleigh's mind from the point he became certain that her problems were external in nature.


As they arrived, he recognized that they were at the part of the mind that controlled her powers, there were ARTIFICIAL INTERFACES to her dream region and her emotive centers. This was the smoking gun he needed. Haleigh was being manipulated form the outside, but how? Where?

The good news was that they had managed to breakthrough some of her more destructive tendencies, and her mind was healing nicely behind him. But this area was decaying as it was being manipulated. He needed to track the source and he knew EXACTLY how.

Leaving Haleigh at the edge of the decay, he stepped forward, repairing what he could and weakening the hold of the connection, but unfortunately he could not determine the damage that would be done by trying to sever it. So he instead waited for an impulse to come and latched on, trying to ascertain its origin.

FOOLISH move. Nicolas was pulled headlong, his mind threatening to be torn by the artificial impulses as they snatched him along to its source. Were it not for his ability to exist out of body (as in astral form), he would already be dead. But he survived in pretty good shape as he saw a fleeting glimpse of a woman, beautiful but angry, so angry, so hatred filled. Her hair flew back as she looked up at him, with the shadows of three men behind, and Nicolas could not believe who he saw. The connection began to draw psychic energy from him and the feedback was excruciating!!!!


Nicolas sat silently as the scene played out. After it was done, he looked at Morgan, waiting for her reaction, fearing what the realization might do???

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan sat up a bit and leaned forward. she too was curious as to what was causing Tink to be so adamant. she KNEW a moment like this with Nicolas was too good to be true. still, they would see this together..and that counted for something.>>

<< Tinkerbell activated her special talent, and began to show them a haunting tour of Nicolas' apartment from her perspective. Nicolas enhanced his experience by mentally interfacing, so that he could TRULY experience from the cat's perspective just what she saw. it was almost cute...as he tilted his head and exhibited other small movements like Tink.>>

<< but that cuteness could not override the REAL problem and that was CROWS...several of them roosting on Sharon Kelly's memorial!!>>

the birds! they've busted into your apartment!

<< but that wasnt all...some of them seemed to be laying in WAIT for Nicolas or ANYONE foolish enough to enter the dwelling unaware! Nicolas disengaged as he thanked Tinkerbell and stroked her under the chin and then looked directly at Morgan. She felt a lump in her throat. something was wrong...she knew it ALL ALONG!! >>

Morgan, I had hoped that we could have a few moments to ourselves before we would all have to face this, but what Tinkerbell has shown me indicates that it will not wait. Honey, I am so sorry.



<< Nicolas sets up a scene between them that allows Morgan to witness what happened when he was inside Haleigh's mind from the point he became certain that her problems were external in nature.>>


As they arrived, he recognized that they were at the part of the mind that controlled her powers, there were ARTIFICIAL INTERFACES to her dream region and her emotive centers. This was the smoking gun he needed. Haleigh was being manipulated form the outside, but how? Where?

The good news was that they had managed to breakthrough some of her more destructive tendencies, and her mind was healing nicely behind him. But this area was decaying as it was being manipulated. He needed to track the source and he knew EXACTLY how.

Leaving Haleigh at the edge of the decay, he stepped forward, repairing what he could and weakening the hold of the connection, but unfortunately he could not determine the damage that would be done by trying to sever it. So he instead waited for an impulse to come and latched on, trying to ascertain its origin.

FOOLISH move. Nicolas was pulled headlong, his mind threatening to be torn by the artificial impulses as they snatched him along to its source. Were it not for his ability to exist out of body (as in astral form), he would already be dead. But he survived in pretty good shape as he saw a fleeting glimpse of a woman, beautiful but angry, so angry, so hatred filled. Her hair flew back as she looked up at him, with the shadows of three men behind, and Nicolas could not believe who he saw. The connection began to draw psychic energy from him and the feedback was excruciating!!!!

<< the whole scene was truly intriguing. Morgan was not a psychic and though there were spells that allowed her access to the astral plane, she never really dealt much in this realm. her own psi screen providing her complete protection against psychic contact and attacks...but even though this was a "play back", Morgan herself flinched as the image of a blonde, beautifull but PSYCHOTIC ANGRY looking woman appeared at the tail end of the connection between Haleigh's mind and whatever the external souce was. >>

GODDESS!!

<< Morgan gasped as that woman's SILVER EYES and flowing blonde hair stuck out in Morgan's mind's eye.>>

the crows....sharon's memorial....that woman...

<< she looked at Nicolas...>>

oh no....no!! its IMPOSSIBLE!! that CAN'T BE HER!

<< she became more unsettled as she sat more upright!>>


what does this MEAN Nicolas!? What was THAT in Haleigh's mind??

<< she almost wanted to believe she could figuratively sitck her head in the sand and that what she knew to be true would go away....but she needed Nicolas to confirm what she was beginning to fear. she might not have it all figured out...maybe she was overreacting?>>

Aphrodite...she SAID that someone I....WE cared about would come back for us....to HAUNT US and EXACT REVENGE!!

is THIS what she was talking about!?


<< Morgan covered her face...>>

NO!! who could be DOING THIS!! it has to be a TRICK! they're using Haleigh to get to us...and they're not only hurting HER..but their making us all CRAZY!! We can't tell Haleigh about this...and we CERTAINLY cant let Alycia find out......but how can i tell the others if I can't even GRASP what i just saw!

[Rampage]

As he saw the reaction of Morgan, he knew that this was very damaging for her, and it hurt him to watch her go through it. But she needed to see this if his hunch was correct, and as Morgan begged him for answers, he began to speak to her, holding her face with his hand, then STOPPED. Why hadn't his ALARMS gone off when the glass was broken? he looked at the sorceress, then spoke quickly in a hushed tone.

Morgan...trust me.


Nicolas erected a wall around them on all sides made of the solid marble in the floor and reinforced it. As he did so he sat back, teleporting some oil from one of his antique lamps in his study into a levitating mental bubble and lighting it by turning his other hands fingertips into flint, snapping them. He teleported paper into Morgan's lap. Instead of writing, he pulled the ink from the pen and allowed what he wished to say to be imprinted on the paper, like a telekinetic printing press. He wished her to read by his improvised candlelight as he made his suspicions known.

I am sorry Morgan. That scene is all too real. I felt the mind there, and there is someone present, that is no illusion. This information combined with what we have already seen: the demons that attacked Karen, the manipulation of Haleigh, the strange bird behavior in the city. I have only one explanation: Mystech is not as dead as we would like to believe. I believe that this group is trying to take control of Haleigh by destroying her human side in insanity so they can puppet the mechanical portion. I believe that they attacked your mother as someone who would be able to thwart their plans, to scare her off. I may also be targeted for my role in calming her human side. I believe that if they can get to Haleigh, that no mechanical thing in this office is safe. All that we do and say is most likely being monitored even now. That is why I am doing all of this. I know you are wary of it, but I must suggest that you consider allowing me a connective mental rapport with you. You can sever it at any time due to your protections, but right now I do not trust uttering another word in this place. Lastly...I believe that they have found a way to clone or reanimate Sharon Kelly and are planning to use her against us.

Nicolas sat silently, hoping that she would be able to believe what he said.

[Oracle]

<< as Morgan looked at Nicolas with disbelief and shock, suddenly, the darkness of Alison's apartment didnt seem so safe...NOTHING in Illustra was safe anymore...for as Haleigh grappled with growing glitches and issues...the very core of Illustra's security (on the technological side) was also in jeopardy, not to mention Clandestine Inc.>>

<< Many wounds were exposed, many questions answered and new ones raised...and ALL of them revolved around the growing problem that Haleigh was having. Alycia, the flashbacks, the birds...all of these signs pointed to one thing...that Aphrodite was RIGHT. Someone WAS coming back to haunt the Six... ESPECIALLY Haleigh...and while Morgan may have been plagued with guilt over Sharon's death...the person who probably should have been MORE affected by it was Haleigh. Sharon's blood was on HER family's hands and not only was Ava Cassadine now apart of the six through the mysterious workings of the Seige Perilous, but Haleigh had NEVER really addressed her feelings...NEVER really answered Alycia's hurtfull charges against her when her "Family secret" was revealed. Indeed, haleigh RARELY addressed ANY personal issues to anyone..including HERSELF but as she was now beginning to see...THAT wasnt going to work for very long anymore.>>

<< From the six and their allies in Illustra to their most recently returned comrade at the Parthenon.... The spectre and shadow of Mystech was rearing its head again...even as NYC slept...and as Spellbinder struggled and Rampage attempted to comfort her and provide clarity to the situation...there was something they ALL needed to remember....>>

<< EVIL never dies and sometimes...when a person comes back from the dead...it isnt always a good thing. >>

<< and so we watch.>>