The Birds

[Oracle]

<< night gives way to day. it is another mildly warm but grey and over cast day with clouds that threaten rain at times, while the winds blow them along.>>

<< there have been some emergency moves taken on Morgan's part as her dismayed reaction to what she found out last night continued to motivate her, INCLUDING her direct order to disengage ALL clandestine security devices in Illustra while she raises her MYSTICAL protection of the building to its strongest levels. placing POWERFUL warding spells on each of the secret residential floors and each apartment of the members of the six. no one but Morgan could deactivate these spells and if anyone ...including Cameron at this point...tried to gain access to someone's apartment without their prior knowledge or consent..he would be PAINFULLY blasted away from the door by the spell, as would any OTHER truly hostile intruder. Morgan herself took the liberty of evacuating the crows from Nicolas'apartment via stepping disc while letting Nicolas repair any physical damage done by the birds to his apartment with his TK. >>

<< Morgan seconded her mother's order that Delilah be Alycia's bodyguard and that NO ONE was to have contact with her unless the doctor or morgan (or nicolas) was supervising.>>

<< if Morgan seemed like she was on OVER DRIVE, she WAS. for not only was she trying desperately to cope with what she'd found out last night..but NOW she was trying to pull together the last minute details before today's big photoshoot that was to take place in front of the famous fountain outside of Rockefellar Center, it was a multipage photo spread designed to promote the upcoming concert/fashion show/gala event featuring Madonna in a benefit for breast cancer research.>>

<< Should Morgan have been trying to push ahead with "daily duties"..inspite of the fact that MysTech was seemingly trying to reasser itslef? probably not. But with Doctor Victoria about to begin a mandatory therapy session with Alycia, Haleigh AND Cameron this morning while Nicolas and Delilah supervised, it was up to Morgan and Ava, who was working with her on this project to ensure that BUSINESS continued to thrive...after all...ALL EYES had been on them since the controversial partnering of Illustra Inc and Cassadine Corp. these women were known as trend setters and risk takers in their own ways..and now was the time for them to PROOVE just how powerfull this partnership was.>>

<< this was just the BEGINNING of the day...for many of the six had OTHER matters to attend to as the day wore on as well...but of course, even the best laid plans of any member of the six have a way of becoming derailed when they least expect.>>

<< this morning, news reports of birds menacing ship sailers and dock workers on the major ports off the water were coming in. several workers could be shown having sustained injuries to their heads, faces and eyes. the radio had also reported several instances of birds...primarily seagulls, canadian geese and crows fronting off and even diving at shoppers at local malls around the area. these reports would not be lost on The Six...many of whom had seen birds acting strangely just a day or two ago. it seemed to be getting worse.>>

<< EVERYTHING was going to get worse.>>

[Alycia Barnett]

::Alycia Barnett had awakened at dawn, but couldnt bring herself to leave her guest quarters. She felt safe in her "cuccoon". Could she, inspite of her fierce reputation, be feeling a tad bit agoraphobic right now?? with all the trauma she'd been through, Karen said it was perfectly natural to experience feelings like that.::

:: still, Alycia enjoyed a sense of calm and quiet she hadnt had in MONTHS. opening herself up..being HONEST about her feelings last night with a person who wouldnt try to twist her words or criticize her...or make her feel like she had to fight/defend herself was just what she needed.::

:: she looked out of the window in her room at the rolling grey sky and wondered just how the day would unfold. She was to meet with the doctor today...and would finally be able to confront Haleigh and Cameron but in an ORDERED and orchestrated manor. She was thankfull that the doctor was making this possible for she KNEW that Karen had a LESS than objective opinion about Cameron and Haleigh but she also didnt give Alycia the impression that she wouldnt hold HER accountable for HER role in the rift between Haleigh and herself.::

:: it helped Alycia that there was at least ONE person beside herself that wasnt afraid to confront Haleigh and this person had FORCED Haleigh to face herself once before.::

:: she vacillated between feelings of hope and uncertainty, but like so many OTHER challenges in her life, she would NOT hide from this . she would face it head on and do her best..just as her parents had taught her. She was eager to get back to HERSELF...and LOSE all this baggae and mental anguish that had been plaguing her.::

:: turning to her phone, which began to ring, she picked up and answered in a far less biting tone than the last two nights.::

>> Barnett.

<< Miss Barnett? Are you allright? we didnt receive any further communication from you last night?

>> yes. I'm allright. just needed some.....rest.

:: looking at herself in a mirror across the way, she even LOOKED more rested than she had in weeks.::

<<Excellent. We have the latest report and we thoughtyou'd want to hear about it. There have been several confirmed reports of bird attacks on citizens in the city and surrounding suburbs as well as on the parts. different species of birds...varying injuries.

>>has it drawn the attention of anyone beyond local law enforcement?

<< negative. state and federal officials are not responding as of yet. they still dont consider it anything more than a random act of nature.

>>Well, i think we both know that it's not.

<< yes ma'am.

>>anyword on the increased E-activity you picked up a few days ago?

>> yes ma'am. we were able to get a trace last night...one that locked. we have the coordinates of where the activity is originating and leading back to...transmitting now...but Miss Barnett? our satellite readings and PHYSICAL recons show NOTHING to be at these coordinates..just an empty, vacant LOT!

:: as Alycia received the coordinates, she IMMEDIATELY recognized the surrounding area...the building itself may not have been there anymore and she knew WHY , but that didnt mean there wasnt "anything" ELSE there.::

the CELL!

:: she uttered aloud absentmindedly....as thoughts of that horrid underground dungeon, Pipeline and RICK RILEY came to her mind. she quickly closed her eyes and shook her head..refusing to let this unnerve her. not until she knew more details.::


>> Ma'am??

<< Oh...nothing. i was just distracted! use the technology at your disposal to determine if there is a cloaked structure or hidden anti personnel technology in the area and of course, keep yourselves as low profile as possible. we need MORE information before I make an descisions

before i allow myself to suspect that this location is NO accident...and that some how a shred of MysTech is still ACTIVE...DESPITE the Six's efforts to destroy it!?

:: as Alycia and her chief field operative ended the communication, she slowly closed her phone and set it down on the night stand....pondering what she'd just learned...all this "activity", these financial transactions and increased signal oputs that were registering on high frequencies...could the CELL still be active? and if so..WHO was in control of it? could THEY be responsible for Haleigh's malfunctions?? Morgan mentioned "black guards" ...another hold over from mystech...and Alycia began to wonder...but of coure her mind always came back to images of that despicable man....RICK RILEY. if HE was somehow there....OH how she'd LOVE to get her hands on him. She wasnt the untrained civilian from BEFORE when he broke her arm...she was now combat ready! she'd show HIM what it meant to be abused THIS time.::

:: now was not the time to get ahead of herself though...::

focus on the task at HAND! you cant very well take care of anything ELSE if you cant take care of YOU!

:: taking Karen's words to heart, Alycia settled herself. choosing to enjoy a bit more quiet time before getting ready for her meeting with the doctor...and "those others."::

[Jacob Black]

:: As the sun rose over the city, Cameron rose with it. Taking a shower, using some of the private accomodations that the Parthenon offered such as the rather large gym, room service to deliver a fine breakfast of Eggs Florentine and now a shower to cool off. Vivica had sent him a package of some of his clothes that she had been keeping in storage and for the first time, as Cameron slipped on the tailored Michael Kors suit and a charming Chanel tie, he felt like himself again. He opened the blinds, taking a view of the city and smiled to himself. Why did he get so stressed out last night? He was ALIVE. He was alive and it was more than he could say for Sharon Kelly, Alexis, Blaze. The list went on. He was one of the lucky ones. He knew the day that was in store for him but he was prepared. ::

"Just breathe Cameron and let those women tear EACH other apart..."

:: Cameron really didn't want to be a part of this discussion because he had already figured out why Haleigh and himself had the problems that they did. That part was obvious. He was worried that Alycia would let her anger get the best of her. Her thoughts were screaming out loud last night and it was all Cameron could do to keep her out of HIS head. Her father, Sharon. She was pissed at Cameron because he got to come back, and at the end of the day, that wasn't Cameron's decision or choice. The phone rang. It was Vivica. ::

"Hey, yes I got the clothes.. thank you."

:: The two began to chat and think of ways that Cameron could return to his business, something he wasn't even really sure he WANTED to do. At this point he wanted to start fresh, go back to school maybe, get an alias, whatever. He was done being a big wig in high society. He had the money and the means due to his money not going to Erika or his "Daughters" as it was said, it was sitting in a bank account somewhere. All Cameron needed to do now was decided WHAT he wanted to do and be with the rest of his life ahead of him. A task easier said than done. He hung up the phone. Deciding to unwind before having to go to Illustra this morning he turned on the television and began watching the Local News coverage of the birds all over the city. ::

"That is just crazy? I can just see us having to fight some new threat to the world soon.. Bird Lady!"

:: Laughing to himself he continued to watch the coverage, secretly knowing that if this did become bigger than it seemed, he would be much more well informed on what was going on. ::

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh eyed Ava as she suggested Haleigh change her codes if she wanted to keep Ava out..... she seemed unaffected as Ava found the trip panel in the wall that revealed hidden weaponry.

"Why would I do that? That would implicate that I had something to HIDE from you, Ava."

She said slyly, her very tone manipulative, as if to say 'I have plenty to hide but I'll never admit it'. She gave a self satisfied smirk as Ava commented both on Haleigh accessing the Cassidine's own files, and the pointlessness of trying to upgrade her own security. she shrugged, leaning against the threshold of the office.

"If I steal copies of YOUR files, I don't have to compile my own. It's called being resourceful."

As Ava asked how she felt, Haleigh took in a deep breath... she felt much better.

"Well, the headaches are very faint... dizzyness is gone. I have complete control over my powers.... so whatever Nic did, it definitely granted me a small reprieve... but I have a feeling it won't be that easy."

Haleigh seemed to show NO sign of considering that Ava wasn't asking how she was feeling physically. in fact, the way she answered suggested that in Haleigh's mind, that was the ONLY thing she could mean... she couldn't possibly be asking about her emotional state, which was tumultuous, at best. But just as Haleigh dodged the feelings question, she looked distracted.... she turned her head away from Ava, as if she was registering something.... she passed by Ava quickly, looking frustrated and a little alarmed.

"What did you DO??"

She questioned suspiciously, as the computer panel booted back up quickly and opened the security monitoring program.... but it wasn't Ava who'd done something.... MORGAN was disengaging all security protocols.... and Haleigh was confused, as she immediately turned the intercom on to speak with Morgan about it.

[over intercom] "Morgan?? What in hell are you DOING? Why are you lowering our defenses? If something happens to ME, the LAST THING you guys need is a vulnerable stronghold."

[Jill Monroe]

<< it had been a while since Morgan had actually gotten down to business IN Illustra. But it wasnt nearly as fun or exciting anymore, especially with Alison now being gone and her office, just down the hall from Morgan's with the reception area in between the two office suites, now EMPTY. STILL, as Nicolas had said the other day, Morgan could and would HAVE to carry on.>>

<< Morgan, who by now was in her executive office on the 25th floor and now in full on business mode (at least TRYING to be) was disturbed as Haleigh's voice came popping over the intercom in her office. thankfully, this channel was private and her executive assistant out in the reception area did not hear anything beyond the closed double doors.>>

<< looking up as Haleigh demaned to know why Morgan had disengaged the security protocalls, Morgan sighed as she pressed a button on her end.>>

Morgan over the intercom: << in an icy voice>> Haleigh, there are some things going on...I can't discuss it now. But I WILL be attending the meeting with my mother today and at that time I will explain. But for now...I feel it is best that Illustra be protected by MAGICK. each "private" [residential] floor and luxury apartment now has the benefit of a warding spell. while the whole of the building is now under magickal protection..which in some ways will make it HARDER for psychic attacks as well as any biological weapons to get through..not to mention obvious physical intruders.

<< looking down at her desk, then her watch, Morgan stood up. she sounded rather harried.>>

I have to leave now. I've a meeting with Madonna and her publicist in less than 30 minutes and don't forget today's photo shoot outside rockefellar center plaza! this is a full scale shoot so i want the BEST staff from Liquid Crystal on hand.

<< she said this with no hint of hesitation.>>

I'll see you at the meeting. and if you're with Ava? Tell her she was supposed to have been down here 1 hour AGO!

<< the transmition ends. Haleigh knows enough to know that when Morgan is in THIS mode...little else matters unless its life or death. But its also quite possible that Morgan just used her professional obligations as a way to DODGE directly answering Haleigh's question. she didnt say ANYTHING about what she had learned last night.>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Pointing her finger at Haleigh as if to say, 'ha, I knew it', Ava smirked at her statement about hiding something. ::

"I knew it. You secretly enjoy me snooping. Why, Haleigh, why didn't you just tell me."

:: Egging her on, Ava pushed her weight off the desk. Haleigh definately had a warped sense of logic about being resourceful. Stealing files and copying them? Well, she certainly hadn't changed since they were younger. It reminded her of the time Haleigh stole Ava's diary and photocopied it. She kept it for nearly six months as a way to manipulate Ava into covering for her and doing chores. ::

"It's called being a thief. But, considering Cassadine Enterprises has nothing to hide since merging with Illustra Inc, I suppose I can let this slide."

:: Smirking, Ava almost forgot that only hours earlier, she was on the verge of loosing her sister. The thought of never bickering and fighting with her again was upsetting. Especially now that they have reunited after so many years. ::

:: Relieved to hear that Haleigh was physically feeling better, her sly attempts to avoid answering if she was emotionally okay didn't fool Ava. Preparing to call her on it, Haleigh got that far away look again on her face. Lowering her eye brows as she jumped down her throat about doing something, Ava stepped to the side seeing her hurry past and to the desk. ::

"I didn't do anything."

:: Listen to Haleigh and Morgan's conversation, Ava looked down at her watch after hearing Morgan say she was an hour late. Shit, an hour and ten minutes late now. Looking back up at Haleigh, Morgan sounded serious...something must of happened. ::

"Lets go."

[Rampage]

Nicolas, fresh from a shower and a flawlessly tailored tailored suit with tie, emerged from the elevator by Morgan's office. Nodding to the secretary, Nicolas walked in quickly.

Morgan, is there anything that you need for me to do today before we have this session with Dr. Victoria? I have taken the liberty of extending some of my own personal guard to attend to you. Mike will be watching you all day, as will some others that I have contacted. I am quite concerned for your...well-being today. But first...

Nicolas reached into his coat and pulled out the most beautiful red rose for Morgan.

something to cheer you up.

Nicolas waited for Morgan's response. He could see that she was throwing herself into her work, and that her non-nonsense persona was in full effect.

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan sat at her wrap around desk, having gathered together a portfolio, an agenda and other items to take with her to her meeting with Madonna and Liz Rosenburg. she had left instructions with her executive assistant and had already called to check on Alycia. with everyone seemingly "on course" for this part of the day, Morgan felt it was okay for HER to move forward...though AVA should've been here. If she had ANY hope of being considered for Alison's now VACANT position, she was certainly making that hope FADE in Morgan's mind by not being on time for THIS of all meetings.>>

<< grumbling softly as she looked at her clock, the double doors of her office opened and she turned sharply. her blonde hair, now resting just above her shoulders and framing her face in a simple, sleek, angular "bob" hair style, flowed with the turn as she fixed her icy violet eyes on Nicolas.>>

Hello Nicolas.

<< she said in an icy voice as she leaned back in her executive chair and crossed her legs while listening to him.>>

I'd rather have Mike watching my mother...not that she isnt capable of defending herself...it's just that with the idea of...

<< looking around Nicolas for a moment to make sure the doors were shut....and knowing that Clandestine security systems were offline...there was no technological "back door" for outsiders to eavesdrop either.>>

MYSTECH possibly being behind th is..."revenge campaign"....i know that my mother was once a prime target..being the ex wife of Christopher[my father] and a rival to Malice.....If this IS mystech..they're going to go after anyone that would bring the most emotional pain to us if they were hurt...and trying to use HALEIGH? that was what they banked on BEFORE. back THEN it worked....and I am sure Haleigh suspects that one or more of us might turn on her again in light of this...but i'm NOT going to be fooled by them.

<< she stood up.>>

There's also Alycia. Delilah is now her "body guard" at my request. Mystech declared HER a target LONG ago...sending the super soldier after her and sharon....that was when the six first found out who the super soldier REALLY WAS....yet ANOTHER connection to Haleigh.

<< sighing as she puts her hand on her forehead.>>

Nicolas...i'm going to a meeting with Madonna. I'm obviously NOT "star struck"...but Madonna IS one of my personal favorites in the world of entertainment. we've hobknobbed together before but this is BUSINESS and i've GOT to make sure everything is PERFECT!

I've GOT to be sure that everyone will be OKAY while i'm gone! Haleigh is already upset that i've taken down the security protocalls of clandestine inc and replaced them with mystical warding spells...but with what WE [ you and i] discovered last night....that means whoever has an inisde track to Haleigh, had an inside track to Illustra and US as well!

and....I havent told ANYONE about...what ELSE...we saw.

<< Morgan still couldnt believe it. she didnt want to say it. to speak of it...of HER would be like insulting and defaming the memory of the dead and it wasnt right. >>

She was a good woman Nicolas...she DIED at the hands of Master Mold...I couldnt save her...NO ONE could...but she was DEAD when I awakened from being knocked out. There HAS to be an explanation for THAT!

<< still, what TINKERBELL saw and conveyed to them couldnt be so easily explained...NOR could the increase in the strange and now agressive behavior of birds around the city.>>

and speaking of explanations....have you SEEN the reports today? Birds attacking people at ports...and now shopping mall parking lots?

<< looking down at her desk>>

Maybe i'm being foolish. Maybe i shouldnt go. I should just cancel EVERYTHING and risk looking like an incompetent MORON in order to stay here..and make sure that A) Haleigh doesnt go beserk and try to kill someone B) some monster form Mystech doesnt storm Illustra and C) we dont get EATEN by the birds!

<< Nicolas hands her a rose.>>

Oh..Nicolas....I must seem like a complete BASKET case to you now. This is what i HATE! i HATE people seeing THIS. Alison and Delilah are my sisters...ive realized that its OKAY to have moments of doubt and even uncertainty around them.....but THIS...this here is EMBARRASING to me.

[Rampage]

It is not an embarrassment. You have a lot going on, much more than most of these pampered CEOs I have dealt with. As for Mike watching Karen, she is going to be with me for the session and afterward until I am satisfied with whatever arrangements I make for her. YOU aren't going to be where I can watch you. So HE will be watching YOU, among others. You will be exposed today, but you will NOT be alone in this. In fact, he will be here soon to drive you himself to your events, and he is looking forward to it. He is a hard dude, but I think he's soft on you and Karen, FYI.

He winked at her then reached out, playfully nudging up her chinas he smiled at her.

Look, you are not in this alone. I am here to help you. Haleigh is my responsibility in the meeting, as is Cameron. I am capable of handling myself in there just fine. As for Illustra, we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

[Jill Monroe]

<< holding the rose up, Morgan noticed how healthy and fresh it was. Nicolas spoke, encouraging her and explaining his descision to have Mike shadowing her. She knew he was very near and dear to Nicolas. More than just a driver or an assistant.....they appeared to be good, long standing friends. she wondered what that backstory was and perhaps in less uncertain times...over dinner or lunch, Nicolas would be able to tell the story...but for now....>>

Ava will be with me as well. IF she ever gets here on time. I swear...between her and Haleigh bellowing over the intercom...

<< exhaling, as she let some of her stress go.>>


With Ava and I riding together, we'll be okay. we've got the power to protect ourselves and each other. Mike driving us WILL be helpfull. the paparazzi wont be expecting us to have switched cars and drivers. I might even get a little devious and CLOAK us again like i did last night.

There is one other thing...

<< she stepped forward. she was wearing a crisp white donna karan fitted business blouse with the top three buttons selectively left UNBUTTONED to reveal her ample cleavage, along with a black donna karan pencil skirt w/ black belt and silver "M" buckle. her long, flawless, smoothed (and bare ) legs were supported by matching black leather high heeled pumps.>>

I thought on your suggestion for mental contact and i have a way to use that idea but in a way that I will be comfortable with.

a spell that allows us to HEAR each other's thoughts and communicate that way. Once the danger has passed, the spell will wear off. it is only intended for us to be able to more effectively communicate when we need it most or when "security" seems to be compromised.

[Rampage]

Are you SURE you want to hear my thoughts, I get in enough trouble for what I DO, which is much less than what I THINK.


Nicolas was joking, but at the same time serious as he stepped to meet her, taking in her form as he wrapped his arms around her. He was in a chocolate-colored suit with a buttercream colored shirt and matching tie.

After all this is done, I am taking you somewhere special, where we can be ALONE. I think the lot of of us could use a break really soon. Be thinking of where you would like to escape to, OK?

As strong and as tall as Morgan was, he held her easily as they shared a quiet moment before the day's proceedings...

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: After hearing Morgan's second hand message, Ava realized she was still wearing the same outfit she had on yesterday. Knowing it would only make her later, Ava opted to return to her penthouse and quickly change. A shower, however, was out of the question. Fortunately for her, her body secreted the armoa of Lily's, thanks to her plant-like physiology. So the lack of shower wasn't that huge of a problem. ::

:: Persephone was known for wearing black all the time. Her lack of color hadn't changed in centuries; the dark color seemed to reflect her personality and mood. But she was willing to....try a bit of a change. Nothing TOO drastic...because it was her signature look after all. ;) Slipping on a bold red knee length skirt and black top (seen here (http://www2.victoriassecret.com/images/prodlgvw/V258570_W145RGB.jpg)), she put on some black stacked heals and a black belt trying to drown out the bright color. Pulling her long curled hair back into a loose low pony tail, she quickly looked at herself in the mirror. It would take some getting used too....that was for sure. Regardless, Ava didn't have the time to ponder a clothing change, she had to get going. Quickly walking through her penthouse, she grabbed her black Coach bag and exited her apartment. ::

---

:: Minutes later Ava finally reached Morgan's office. Knocking on the door, she could already tell by the tone in Morgan's voice, that she wasn't in the most pleasent of mood. Brushing away a curled strand of hair from her eye, she awaited Morgan to call her in. ::

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan had an intial flash of irritation as Nicolas joked.>>

Nicolas!!

<< she was about to protest his humour when he met up with her and embraced her. even with her own height and and now in heels...he still stood a bit taller than her. not much...and as she was about to pull away, she stopped herself for a moment and let herself go with it.>>

<< He wasnt coping a cheap feel, and he wasnt groping her. he was just holding her...protectively and gently....something that she didnt READILY associate with a man in close proximity to her. USUALLY a man this close to her either wanted to bed her or KILL her.>>

<< and while she knew Nicolas definately wold want to "bed" her soon enough :rolleyes: she remembered her own words two days ago. he was a young man....she was older than him and there would be some bumps in the road as they made their way toward each other. She could tell he was being sincere and genuine and so, she relaxed her body in his arms and let her hands rest on his chest as she slowly and quietly exhaled.>>

<< something ELSE she needed to do...talk to her MOTHER and tell her how she was feeling...about Nicolas. she needed her mother's advice and perhaps her validation too. Morgan had been perceived as a ball busting man eater for so long...she wondered if she was about to race off a cliff by allowing herself to enjoy the affections of a man...a man IN the six and the new signature MALE model of Illustra no less.>>

Okay Nicolas....but only AFTER Alycia AND Haleigh are okay. Maybe...we can visit Alison after this all said and done. I'd love to see her again.

<< she had cautiously laid her head on Nicolas' shoulder for a moment. thinking back to last night in Alison's apartment and how they had enjoyed even a brief moment between them. he even knew how to interact with Tinkerbell! most men seemed to be so jealous of her....and it always amazed Morgan how PETTY some men could be. jealous of a CAT?>>

<< a chime sounded off as Morgan's executive asisstant announced Ava over the intercom.>>

Executive Secretary: Miss Victoria? Miss Cassadine is here to see you.

<< Morgan opened her eyes and moved away from Nicolas, straitening her donna karan blouse as she ok'ed Ava to come into the office.>>

Ava!! FINALLY you get here.

<< Morgan exclaimed.>>

It's time to GO. We will have a different driver today, someone most qualified to ensure we get to the meeting with Madonna as QUICKLY and safely as posisble.

Nicolas? make sure that Haleigh and Alycia dont level the conference room that my mother holds their session in.

<< grabbing her black leather attache' and tailored DK blazer, she turned, walking toward the double doors leading out to the reception area.>>

Come on Ava.

See you later Nicolas.

<< Morgan didnt get to cast th at spell yet. THAT would have to come later. for now...DUTY called...and off Morgan went, pulling Ava along with her.>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Opening the door to Morgan's office, before she could get a word in edge wise, Morgan exclaimed her name and began to quickly gather her things. ::

"Morgan, I apologize for being so late--"

:: Morgan grabbed her arm and pulled her along as they left her office. A little taken back by her brash actions, Ava moved her arm from Morgan's grip, rubbing her other hand along her sleeve to straighten it out. ::

"As I was saying, I apologize for being so late. I was up all night keeping an eye on Haleigh. I was concerned she would have another episode. I assure you, I am never tardy."

:: Reaching the elevator, she pushed the down button, the doors immediately opening. Stepping inside with Morgan, they arrived down in the lobby in record time; and quickly made they way through the lobby and to the awaiting car. ::

[Jill Monroe]

<< her practically dragging Ava along was an absent minded move on her part. she was in full business mode and there was also "crunch time" when rushing to a meeting. Ava managed to get loose from Morgan's grip and straightened her sleeve. she offered her apologies as they rode down the express elevator to the crystaline lobby. once outk they walked toward the entrance looking out over the circular drive and office park of Illustra...the long row of glass doors.>>

It's okay, Ava. I understand that you were looking after Haleigh. I know you're not used to working with me. Ive been doing this kind of thing for a long time and Alison and I...we just KNEW each other's moves before we made them.

You and I have only been working together for a short time and its no secret that due to Alison's unexpected departure, there's been a position left open. Delilah, while a fully invested partner in Illustra, was not readily interested in the position, which leaves you. I can't make an offer RIGHT NOW..but if you are interested as time goes on...we'll discuss it more then. for now though, we've got some last minute details to pull together with Madonna and her team AND a full scale photo shoot in several hours.

<< pausig for a moment, Morgan "slowed down" they had a few moments before Mike arrived.>>

Ava....I didnt get much sleep last night myself...worrying about Haleigh AND Alycia. It upsets me that I cant do MORE for them with my power...but Nicolas uncovered some valuable information that we will be discussing later today. I think we WILL be able to help Haleigh after all.

<< Morgan didnt even dare hint to the details or what ELS Nicolas had seen. she wanted to keep it as simple and as positive as she could without lying. Turning her head ...she noticed a large gathering of pigeons...and SEAGULLS around the office park of Illustra.>>

....suddenly, i'm not so thrilled on going OUTSIDE to wait for the driver.

since you were with Haleigh..you probably havent heard the reports this morning...about seagulls attacking ship sailors at the ports and while boats were out on the waters. there were men injured! there were also reports of candaian geese and crows dive bombing and attacking people at shopping malls and large parking lots! so far there've been no reports in the city....but ....i dont know WHEN i've last seen THIS many birds out in Illustra's office park.

[Pam De Beaufort]

"Of course. I would be very open to any positions you wish me to take over. I know you don't know me very well, and that makes you skeptical of my work ethic. But I can assure you, I will get whatever jobs are needed, done."

:: Continuing to walk through the lobby, Morgan reassured Ava that the six would find a way to help Haleigh. Nodding her head, regardless of the tension, Ava knew the six wouldn't abandon one of their own. ::

"I know you're trying everything you can to help her. And for that, I am greatful."

:: Arriving at the doors leading out to the parking lot, Ava noticed the fair amount of birds around Illustra's main driveway. Morgan began to fill her in on what exactly was happening. Watching the birds closely, they're behaviors were erratic and their state of mind was in a flux. ::

"Yes, I can sense the birds distress..."

:: Seeing the car pull up, the birds immediately took flight, flying around the car and crying out. Ava pulled open the glass door, putting her hand in a stop motion by her side, instructing Morgan to stay close behind her. With her eyes focused on the birds, she began to send waves of calm energy to them, easing them with soothing words 'telepathically' in a way. One by one the birds stopped crying and began to fluttered to the sidewalk MUCH calmer than they were before. ::

"Just follow me to the car."

:: Walking forward to the car, Mike got out and opened the door for Morgan, causing a few birds near by to flutter into the air and fly away. Allowing Morgan to enter the car first, Ava placed her hand on the open door, turning back to look at the birds. They all seemed...possessed or something. Ava couldn't quite figure out WHAT was wrong with them. Finally climbing into the car herself, Mike shut the door. ::

"I've never sensed anything like that with other birds. They're usually very serene creatures. But with them [the birds outside], I sensed only agitation and fear."

[Rampage]

As Mike entered the building driveway, he noticed literally hundreds of birds gathered there. They were very agitated, even going so far as to try to rush at the car while in flight.

Mike was not worried at all about that. What got him more was Nicolas' voice when he had him call in his crew to help watch Ms. Victoria. This one was special to him. You could tell. Hell, she had even made quite an impression on him, which was damned difficult to do. You spend some time as a Navy Seal doing Lord Knows What and you can be hard to reach at times.

He had not only had his crew called in for this (truthfully, they had already been called by Mike earlier in the week due to a gut feeling he had), but he had pulled out all of the stops. His customized twin holsters held a pair of polished Desert Eagles, each with a carved and onyx-inlaid inscription of "BIG MIKE" courtesy of Nicolas. Under the seat in specialized compartments were a Mossberg pistol grip shotgun and a number of different shells and his favorite: a customized rifle like the one on his favorite Western, "The Rifleman". With THAT one he could drop six men in four seconds. FLAT.

As he pulled forward and prepared to go bird hunting, he saw the two women. Ms. Victoria and that new one. Ava Cassadine. Man, was she fine as hell. and she wore it like a weapon. He had to admit that he was quite impressed with her.

Ava raised her palm and the birds CALMED DOWN. Just like that. Mike watched her as she did it as easily as she would hail a cab.

If that ain't the DAMNDEST thing I have ever seen...

Mike got quickly out of the car and opened the door to allow the women in. They would notice a handsome tall large muscularly-built black man (see http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/6109/Events/6109/DwayneTh_Maury_14059711_400.jpg.html?path=pgallery&path_key=Rock,%20The%20(I) )with a VERY expensive suit on. He smiled at the pair, greeting each of them as they entered.

Good morning, Ms. Victoria...Ms. Cassadine.

As Ava walked past, he raised his eyebrow ever so slightly as he noticed her, a la the Rock. He closed the door, went around and got in. His gut said that this would still be one hell of a day. But he was ready.

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan followed behind Ava, keeping a close and uncertain eye as the birds seemed to converge on the limo but Ava was doing something, using her powers as Persephone to exert as much influence over these birds as she could. They began to settle...flocking back down to the ground and other surfaces..only fluttering a bit when Morgan came by a few. Mike greeted the two women as he helped each of them into the car.

Hello Mike, nice to see you again.

<< Morgan said with a smile. in the short time she'd come to know more of Mike, she knew she could trust him. Nicolas would never put her or anyone of the six in danger BUT she hoped that Mike wouldnt go down the same road that Sharon and Alycia went...human allies of the six who were casualties of various conflicts the six faced....although the subject of Sharon was now ...in a gray area...to say the least.>>

<< once inside the cab of the limo and the doors shut, Morgan looked at Ava from across the way.>>

Nicely done. I only hope that it is that easy if this situation climaxes at some point. We still dont know if the birds erratic and agressive behavior is linked to what is afflicting Haleigh...or something ELSE.

Nicolas determined that Haleigh's problem was external and with the short term help he was able to give her...if the birds WERE somehow connected to it...then THEY should have been more settled today..but instead...they are out...attacking people and cross species are flocking together. THAT doesnt happen in nature.

We'll have to check for updates. so far there've been no attacks IN the city itself..and no reported fatalities.

<< Morgan began to focus on other things as the limo began to pull off and was now taking Morgan and Ava to their destination..the Parthenon, NYC's only 5 star AND 5 diamond hotel where Madonna was now staying in THE most exclusive (and expensive) penthouse suite on the top floor. the best that money could buy.>>

Today's meeting is fairly simple Madonna and I are going to discuss the finer details of tonight's concert/fashion show. it'll be a "mini set", she's chosen to do some of her classic songs as well as some from her newer catalogue and the models of Illustra will be walking and showcasing various looks of Madonna's from her career...with a couture tiwst. the models will also be prepared to do a few cheoragraphed moves when met with Madonna's dancers at various points as the catwalks lead to the main stage/platform where SHE will be.

there will be floating screens, as well as a large main screen that will depict various images of high fashion, famous women (mostly Madonna's choosing) mixed with women who have fought and survived breast cancer.

I will be appearing on the catwalks, as well as on the screen at some point as a "video model" for various songs.

Ava, you'll be responsible for media coverage, and the final "promotional push" on all media outlets today. You've got to assure Madonna that you can promote HER and this cause because it's VERY dear and important to her. She lost her mother to breast cancer when she was a child.

Haleigh and Liquid Crystal will pull out the stops for a full scale photo shoot this afternoon. the photo shoot will run in every major fashion and women's magazine....and Madonna herself will be posing in some shots. we're all wearing WHITE ensembles designed by Donatella Versace with the traditional pink ribbon pinned on for breast cancer awareness. I want you to participate as a print model for this shoot...and i also want you there bcause...if there IS a problem with the birds...we will need your powers to try to STOP them from hurting any staff, both from haleigh's team and illustra's...not to mention any bystanders or members of madonna's camp.


On ANOTHER note, before we get to the Parthenon...I wanted your opinion on something.

Do you think I should have Nicolas involved in the shoot? he'd be the only male model....but MEN have been effected by breast cancer...their wives, mothers, and sisters....and perhaps it would help continue to draw the increased attention we've been getting from the younger, upwardly mobile male demographic if we continue to involve Illustra's first MALE signature model in high profile photo spreads such as this?

<< Morgan was in full business mode. showing Persephone floor plans for the Parthenon's palace ballroom that would be convereted in a splended, state of the art venue for this occasion, as well as various sketches of outfits to be modeled in the photoshoot and other information, including a very nice profile of Nicolas in one of his photo shoots after being debuted as Illustra singature male model.>>

[Silver Swan]

<< far away from the glamorous Parthenon or the striking Illustra, there was this deslote abandonned "industrial" area where many manufacturing plants and warehouses once stood. now it was a derilict area where drug pushers and prostittues roamed....not a place anyone from Illustra or the Parthenon would willingly choose to spend much time...not a place ANYONE with sense would want to be really, BUT it was the PERFECT place for something sinster to be born and grown in. the cover of "ghost town" made it most appealing for such things.>>

<< here....underground of the now vacant lot of the warehouse where Master Mold's parts were assembled is a woman who had been here before...captured by Commander Rick Riley, a renegade military officer form the united states military who had defected to mystech's mission. this woman had been brutalized for not only challenging Mystech's influence and government politics, but for also alligning herself with MysTech's most hated enemies...THE SIX.>>

<< last time she was here...she was nearly raped but she was saved by her friend Alycia Barnett and The Six took care of the rest. She did not live much longer after that, for the very monstrous Master Mold was brought online in this building and on it's first outing rampage in the city, SHE was it's first casualty.>>

that was the history...but NOT the ending

<< some doctors say that its a good therapty to go BACK to the scene of a truama and confront it head on. but they never factored the macinations of a global evil like MysTech into their theory.>>

<< Sharon Kelly died at the hands of Master Mold in November of 2006. Now...nearly a YEAR LATER, she opens her now silver eyes ...and has only the faintest recollection of where she is. She doesnt CARE where she is....all she wants is REVENGE!>>

<< THEY left her to DIE! THEY promised...HALEIGH promised they would protect her and she LIED!!!>>

<< death did not bring "peace" for Sharon Kelly and as she awakens in the cell...from one nightmare...the REALITY she sees and believes to be real is not entirely accurate but again...she doesnt know...or CARE.>>

<< she's BACK...and she has ONE THING on her mind!! REVENGE against Haleigh and DESTROYING EVERYTHING in her life as SHE destroyed Sharon's!>>


<< part of the programming and mental altering process she was subjected to INCLUDED the knowledge that Haleigh was Stavros Cassadine's step daughter, that AVA , his OTHER daughter was now apart of the Six [they neglected to mention that it was her ESSENCE mereged with another woman]. The six harbored evil, murdering criminals...part of a family that WILLINGLY and KNOWINGLY assisted in the means to murder the senator. they'd alrady taken her husband and her son long ago....which was what lead her to champion equal rights and protection for mutants and meta humans and look where THAT got her!?>>

<< well THIS TIME someone was going to PAY! they betrayed her, INSULTED and SQUANDERED her efforts and memory. they didnt protect HER...they didnt care!! well now she'd make them PAY!! ALL OF THEM!>>

<< as Sharon still floated in the containment tube, surrounded by the nutriet rich bubbling liquid , she was now wearing some sort of helmet with opaque goggles over her eyes. they were now broadcasting IMAGES to go with the memories that they had mixed into her own former memories and subconscious.>>

<< fast flashing, hard hitting images of Haleigh Davidoff in some of her WORST moments! killing, stealing, blackmailing, abusing, plotting! Images of her constantly provoking Morgan, defaming Alison, harrasing Alycia! Killing innocent people, LAUGHING as she ended lives and destroyed families!

I ....i TRUSTED her...i risked my LIFE for her and she was an evil, lying, self serving twisted murdering back stabbing BITCH!

<< Sharon's thoughts of Haleigh were so VENOMOUS that a telepath would be hard pressed NOT to be pulled into feeling the SAME WAY if they read Sharon 's mind.>>

ITS HER FAULT THAT I DIED!!! SHE KNEW ABOUT MASTER MOLD!

<< images of Haleigh in meeting rooms with Stavros and Ava, toasting the HIGH LIFE and success they now had as Cassadine Corp flourished with Mystech. CELEBRATING the blood of innocents b eing spilled, LAUGHING as they knowing provided Mystech with the means to end Sharon's life. First the Super Soldier, HALEIGH'S boyfriend....and then Master Mold.>>

all i wanted to do...was stand up for what was RIGHT...and for THAT i was marked for death..deceived by people who said i could trust them....SHE SAID SHE WAS ON MY SIDE! SHE SAID SHE'D PROTECT ME!!


<< images of meetings between Stavros and Malice- with HALEIGH present as they decide to "deal with the constant rabble known as Sharon Kelly! suddenly MALICE appears in front of and addresses Sharon in the cell. its not real....only a manifestation of her mind and her subconscious as she is further warped by the "suits">>

Malice: You see, Sharon. Stavros and I were evil, but you KNEW we were evil. you went after us and we went after YOU. all our cards were on the table! but HALEIGH? that woman has made a CAREER out of lying, deceiving and misleading. She joined the six by BLACK MAILING morgan over the well being of her sister! what kind of woman is she? she's just as morally bankrupt as her father, Stavros. i OFFERED her the chance to JOIN mystech, Christopher Victory and Adam Chandler did as well...but she felt she would be more effective as a self serving "Double agent". SHE USES PEOPLE, Sharon. she USED you and then she ABANDONNED YOU. leaving you a SITTING DUCK for DEATH.

<< the images of her running for her life and then being annihilated by Master Mold play back in FULL EFFECT and Malice shifts to the form of HARBINGER.>>

Harbinger: I've left the Six, Sharon. I couldnt condone the evil they were harboring. HALEIGH IS EVIL and now her sister is with her!! they are not here to help...they are here to HURT and KILL. they killed YOU and the lead MALICE to us!! all the work you did for mutants and metahumans is for NOTHING...humans hate mutants more than ever now...and its only a matter of TIME before the government does something!

YOU have something YOU can do Sharon! you can make HALEIGH PAY! you can BREAK HER the way she never thought she COULD be broken! she HURT you Sharon. HURT HER BACK!

<< Harbinger's form changes....to that of ZACH!>>

Zach: aww Sharon...look at you now! all DEAD and everything. You were left behind and forgotten like yesterday's trash. It was FUN being WITH YOU while you were alive. I never HAD a "sugar mama" before, but you sure made it EASY for me! Haleigh may not have had your prestige and elegance...OR your money....but she's DAMN good in bed and i knew once i met her, that I had to let you go. You just werent YOUNG enough...not PRETTY enough. You were just a STEPPING STONE and now, I'll never have to worry or WANT for anything again. Thanks for the ride Sharon...sorry you died before you could get off...but maybe it was better that way! Haleigh convinced me that being with a "WEAK HUMAN" would never be as exciting as being with someone like HER!

<< Sharon's newly silver eyes narrowed...as she begin to shed tears of betrayal and ANGER!>>


I HATE YOU!

<< Zach changed ot the form of MORGAN in her unholy INFERNO costume.>>


Morgan: I NEVER LIKED HER, Sharon! that dishonest, self serving pathetic wench! she USED me and my sister! she KNEW that my magick would not able to stop master mold...and she SET ME UP to take the fall. she wanted ME to die too. EVERYONE she comes in contact with gets hurt...or DIES. Save us, Sharon! save us ALL and KILL HER!

<< and finally, Morgan shifts to the form of Sharon's SON...a mutant who was killed by Mystech in a railroad accident. his body is cut and mangled and bloody...but no matter HOW he looks....he's still her SON and she loves her baby!>>

Kyle: Mommy!! i missed you!! You've come back for me? Can you help me?? that mean woman...Haleigh...she talks about you and she hurts my feelings. She calls you nasty names..and she tells me that you dont love me. she makes me sad mommy!! KILL HER MOMMY!


my baby!!


HALEIGH DAVIDOFF!! YOU RUINED MY LIFE!!! AND NOW I'LL KILL YOU!!!


<< and with that, Sharon Kelly.....SCREAMS!>>

<< her scream...so loud, so powerfull...so ear piercing...that it causes a MASSIVE feed back around the lab and BLOWS APART the containment tube she is in...with an explosive shatter, the glass and nutrient fluid spray forth everywhere and as she continues to scream, the monitors of her body and mind begin to spike off the scale...her powers are now FULLY activated and the programming is COMPLETE!>>

<< Sharon Kelly died...and Silver Swan has taken her place!>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Nodding a thank you to Mike, she caught his wondering eyes and smirked. ::

"Thank you, Mike."

:: As he made his way to the driver seat, Morgan immediately got to buisness. Overlooking the various papers Morgan handed her, Ava listened carefully as she reviewed the documents. It was going to be a very extravagent event for a wonderful cause. Hopefully nothing--or anyone--would ruin it. Nodding her head periodically as Morgan gave her instructions about her role in the event, Ava's eyes shot up at the mentioning of wearing all white. Well that was going to be uncomfortable. ::

"White? I can't remember the last time I ever wore white...come to think of it, i've NEVER worn white. I'm barely comfortable in this red skirt."

:: Letting out a small laugh, Ava gathered the files on her lap and began to straighten them. Handing the files back to Morgan, Ava glanced out the window seeing The Parthenon ahead. Birds were flocked around that building as well. Shaking her head, someone was behind this. There was no other explaination. ::

"I'll try my best to keep the birds at bay. I have complete control over animals, but when they're in mass numbers like this, it's a little more difficult."

:: Closing her eyes at the birds as the car pulled in front of the Parthenon, Ava calmed the birds with soothing thoughts and words. Like a pet owner would if their dog or cat was feeling frightened. The birds began to settle on the ground and the surrounding trees. Some on The Parthenon itself. Opening her eyes, she looked to Morgan. ::

"Alright, we have a clear path to the doors."

[Oracle]

<< Morgan wondered what the mystery of the birds was? she didnt have any idea that the answer was now FULLY conscious and aware. as Sharon Kelly SCREAMS and destroys the containment tube where she had been nurtured and programmed...her SCREAM sets off the predatory and agressive instinct in birds ALL ACROSS NYC and surrounding areas. what was once reported as isolated and unusual attacks by birds on humans would now escalate to new, DEADLY levels.>>


<< but as the effect began to take effect....Morgan and Ava were headed to the Parthenon while Nicolas arranged for Cameron to receive cover and transportation to Illustra. it was time to meet with Dr. Victoria and with Haleigh and Alycia.>>

Illustra


<< Cameron was arriving to Illustra. Morgan left word with the receptionist in the crystaline lobby as well as security that Cameron was to be received by Nicolas King and brought up to the 99th floor's office suite conference room.>>

<< Haleigh, Delilah and Alycia were already there and the order for NO physial or verbal contact between Alycia and Haleigh was to be enforced by Delilah until Karen arrived.>>

<< Karen had stated that Zach was NOT to be present at this session and however he may have felt simply didnt matter to her. her own ability to hide her disdain for more than one person in this family dynamic was fading but she was not down and out YET.>>

<< Zach would soon come to wish he wasnt even AT Illustra soon enough.>>

<< and so, as Morgan and Ava were now attending their meeting with Madonna at the Parthenon so too were Cameron, Alycia and Haleigh meeting with Dr. Victoria at Illustra with Nicolas and Delilah supervising for everyone's protection.>>

<< but no matter where ANY of them were at the moment, they'd ALL be witness to one of the most unusal sights of the day so far...and soon, they'd realize that all was not as "welll ordered" as they would hope it would be.>>

[Rampage]

As Morgan began to make her way inside, Mike handed her an envelope. Inside was a donation for one million dollars in the name of Octavius Weatherspoon. A letter was enclosed that read:

I wish you the best for tonight's benefit. This is a donation I am enclosing in the name of a man who was very kind to me when I was a child visiting the US. I was taking some audit engineering classes at NC State and he took an interest in my well-being, just as he did with all students (especially those of color looking for a role model) on that campus. He checked on me because of my very young age and my father encouraged his mentorship in part due to the fact that we both were of African descent. I only knew him for a summer , but we kept in contact until one day I realized that I had received no word for some time.

That is when I discovered that Dr. Weatherspoon had succumbed to male breast cancer, which is much more rare but very deadly due to the fact that most men mistake its signs and are unaware of what is going on until it is too late.

He had been aware but was fighting a losing battle that he stoically kept to himself while helping others. I hope that someday both women and men can free themselves of this dreaded disease and that is why I could not let this moment pass without donating to this cause.

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh sighed.... she got the feeling that Morgan wasn't telling her everything.... but since that was something Haleigh could be justly accused of herself, she didn't say anything as Ava hurried off to meet Morgan. Haleigh still time before she was to see Dr. Victoria, and she decided to try to wash away her worries with a shower.

The hot water was soothing to the body.... but even as Haleigh had a spare minute to lose herself completely in uninterrupted thought, little was done to soothe the mind... she wondered if Morgan's removal of CI security defenses was a subconscious indication that Morgan was losing confidence in the trust she placed in Haleigh.... trust that was hard earned. Haleigh knew she had a responsibility to the team... and to Morgan... she was to resume the role of co-leader, this time partnered with Morgan. She wanted to... but internally, she was hesistant. Everytime her status was elevated in this way, it came on the coattails of losing someone.... and though Alison wasn't dead.... the fact remained that she was gone and Morgan wasn't the only one who was really feeling it. Haleigh wondered what input Alison would have.... being able to see what was coming was a true blessing... one that they might have become TOO acustomed to as a team... one they probably took for granted.... and now they had to learn the hard way. Even more unsettling than THAT was this trouble with her memories.... while she could try to shower away the blackness that her nightmare had left.... she was apparently HELPLESS to prevent these attacks.... and WORSE, now she feared she was a danger to OTHERS. Before.... it was just a matter of exposed privacy... and the embarrasment of sharing parts of her past she'd rather not the others see.... but judging by the state of her apartment this morning.... it was clear that if they were not careful.... Haleigh could wind up inadvertantly hurting someone.

She stepped out of the glass shower, wrapping herself in a towel as she dried her hair gently with another before leaning over the countertop and wiping off a section of the mirror, revealing Zach. He had come up behind her quietly, and now he wrapped her in a hug as she turned to face him.

Z:"Good morning, Beautiful. Did you know you do Tae Bo in your sleep? What were you dreaming of? You were REALLY thrashing about."

"Oh.... nothing.... just the devouring of my SOUL."

Z:"Devouring? That sounds nice." He said playfully, picking her up and setting her on the counter, kissing her neck. "You know what you need? Someone to help you relax.... and you're in luck.... because I'm the man for the job."

"honey.... I've got to meet with Karen--"

She starts, as he smirks and unwraps her towel, respoonding confidently. "Then I'd better get started, hadn't I?"

*****

Haleigh got dressed hurriedly, checking her watch before buttoning up a black 'tuxedo' style blouse. She hopped by pulling on a shoe.

"The LAST thing I need is to be late...."

Z:"You want me to escort you... I can back up whatever lame excuse you give."

"No.... for some reason, Karen requested that you WEREN'T there.... it was weird... she always seemed okay with you before.... in fact.... she always seemed to like YOU more than she liked ME."

Zach smiled softly, an enlightened look on his face. "I think I might have a theory on what that's about... [seeing Haleigh's confusion] Oh.... you were out of it last night.... when Morgan and the rest showed up... Alycia was there... and in trying to help you... and keep her from possibly taking a shot at you... I'm afraid I may have overstepped a line or two.... you know... I think Dr. Victoria is quite right.... if I were to be there... what with King AND Barnett.... I might let my emotions best me... and my instinct to protect you might become... a hindrance. Look, don't worry about me... I'll read the paper.. and clean up the rest of this mess."

He reasoned, and she shrugged... she didn't have much to argue with him and she needed to be going. She gave him a parting kiss and hurried off to the 99th floor. she was NOT looking forward to this... she had a slight feeling that Karen would be inclined to DEFEND Alycia... and Haleigh did NOT think the woman deserved it or that anything she had done COULD be defended.... but that would just have to be dealt with. Alison had seemed to think that Haleigh and Alycia would kiss and make up.... and while Haleigh was highly doubtful, who was SHE to question a Seer's assertions?

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah yawned as she sat in a lounge area outside one of the offices on the 99th floor. Alycia was inside, and it was her job to keep Haleigh OUT. ]

Oh, THAT would be fun. Trying to keep Metallo out of somewhere she wanted to be...

[ Delilah hadn't had much sleep the night before. Though she had assured Alycia that she didn't hold the day before's activities against her, she knew that like all good-hearted people Alycia would be much harder on herself than others ever could be. And it was clear that being confronted by the images of herself and her behavior were causing deep trouble for the human. Once again Delilah was thrust into a situation of a friend in need that she didn't know how to help. But that was why Karen was here, and if anyone could fix this, it was the Doctor.

The lounge had a television, and Delilah was mindlessly flipping channels by pointing at the tv - not needing a remote. Every channel it seemed was running coverage of the mysterious bird attacks. ]

"What the hell? Has EVERYONE gone to crazy-land today?!"

[ Delilah kept flipping. She just needed a few moments without a crisis to deal with. ]

Please, god, just let Jerry Springer be on.

[Shadow Weaver]

<< arriving through the double doors of the main vestibule for the office suites on the 99th floor, Dr. Victoria closed the doors behind her and turned to see Delilah sitting outside the conference room where Alycia was. she was watching something on TV.>>

<< walking forward and looking very professional and stylish in a Jones New York ensemble consisting of a black tailored blazer w/white shell and matching black pencil skirt, the doctor's legs were supported by black leather sling back J.Renae 4 inch high heels. though Karen was older than everyone on the six, she kept her body in shape and her looks defied her age..and she could wear high heels with the best of them. it added to her stern, polished, professional look. her hair was down, styled in a perfect, sleek, side parted bouncing flip do. she was carrying an attache'.>>

Good afternoon Delilah!

<< she spoke in a very cheerfull, refreshed tone. even her normally stern expression was a little softer as she smiled at the young woman.>>

thank you for looking after Alycia last night. i felt better knowing that you were there to keep her safe. DESPITE what others here think...Alycia is human..and as such..needs protection even when she's standing shoulder to shoulder with super powered beings.


I trust that no one has attempted to contact Alycia today?


<< noticing Delilah's look as she watched the television screen, Karen walked around to where Delilah was sitting, Karen "half sat" on the desk next to her and looked over to the television.>>


Bird attacks??

<< karen spoke with a puzzeled tone.>>

that reminds me...a pair of sparrows charged at Morgan and myself the day before when we were having lunch with Nicolas! it was most peculiar thing! and BEFORE i got to the cafe to meet them...there was a bird in my office in Soho!!! when i opened the window to help it get out....it seemed to be more ANNOYED with me than greatfull to have an escape!

<< watching footage of injured sailors comoing off boats that had been harrassed by seagulls.>>

this looks like more than a mere disturbance in nature....it's INCREASING in its severity.

<< looking at her cartier watch briefly, Karen stood up, moving on to matters at hand.>>

But i can't be concered with "what if"...only "WHAT IS" and how to FIX it.
Nicolas should be arriving with Cameron shortly and Haleigh will be down. You will escort her into the conference room and instruct her to sit at least 6 chairs away from Alycia. I will take the lead from there.

<< touching Delilah on her shoulder.>>

I know you'd rather be doing something...ANYTHING other than this, but believe me...your presence and the help you've given has been much appreciated by myself AND Alycia. Think of this as a way to reciprocate the kindness she showed you back when she was your defense attourney. If OTHER people in this building realized that she is MORE than the pariah the try to paint her out to be....half our issue here today would be solved.

I'll see you inside.

[Jacob Black]

:: Cameron was en route to Illustra and he was suprisingly calm about the entire situation. He had a rather good and relaxing morning after an extremely exhausting night and he was ready and prepared for what was going to happen, he trusted that Dr. Victoria wouldn't let this go to something that was dangerous but he also knew that Alycia was extremely angry and although she had time to rest, he knew the second that she laid eyes on him, everything would come back to her and it made the fact that she needed space from him, pointless. ::

"Just speak when spoken too and when asked a question. Otherwise.. keep your mouth shut!"

:: It was a good plan, but he knew that when he got into a room with these ladies; one who he had great feelings for and the other he had almost no feelings for was sure to be explosive between all THREE of them. He prepared himself as he stepped out of his car and entered into the Crystalline Lobby, thanking the driver. As he found himself now in the center of the room, he shot a quick message to Nicholas, thinking it best not to get the attention of the receptionist and cause suspicion for him being recognized around town. ::

"Hey Nich, I'm in the lobby.. ready to go whenever you are..."

:: He now waited for Nicholas to escort him to where he needed to go. He kept his eyes on the prize and took a moment to breathe. Nicholas showed up sooner than expected and he soon found himself and Rampage in the elevator heading up the 99th floor where all the Office Suites were kept, and the Conference Room, where the meeting would most likely be held. As they entered the floor, Cameron caught sight of a bird flying past the window, he usually never saw birds this high up on the floors, but that bird triggered a vision that would explain to him just why these birds were flying around and acting all crazy. ::

Cameron saw himself underground, but he had no clue where he was, but he knew for some reason he was underneath the ground. In the distance he saw a door with a very bright white light beaming out from the sides and cracks. Cameron began to walk towards the door as he heard voices in the distance.

"Kill Haleigh, she is responsible for your death!"

And things of that nature. Before long, Cameron had reached the door and slowly opened it and when he did his ears were assaulted with a deafening scream. Not so much a cry of fear or desperation, but seemingly a WARCRY! Cameron was blasted with breaking glass and thrown out of the room.

It was her. She wasn't dead, at least not anymore. Sharon Kelly would walk the Earth once again, but she wasn't going to be the same woman. She wasn't going to be a friend and ally of the Six, she would try and destroy Haleigh Davidoff and anyone who got in her way!

:: Snapping back into Reality, Cameron ear's ached and when he felt his face he noticed a clean cut on his left cheek that now started to drip with blood. The ramifications of being in that violent of a vision. It must have been from the glass. He quickly took a hankerchief out and whiped his face as if he was sweating and headed towards the first person he saw which was Delilah. He would have to tell somebody about this vision, and he knew the person he had to tell was Morgan, the leader of the group, just how well she would receive his words was probably going to be disastrous, but he knew he had to tell her, immediately after this meeting. He greeted Delilah. ::

"Good Morning, Delilah.. Can we go in?"

:: He knew he was not her favorite person. The last time they met he had possessed her body in order to try to get Morgan NOT to decimate "Rachel Gray" who turned out to be his mother. Cameron sucked it up and nodded to her slightly, giving her the respect a police officer should get and stood there with his hands clasped behind his back. ::

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah nodded as Doctor Victoria spoke to her. Now she felt ashamed for wanting to escape. ]

I should be more like her...

[ Cameron entered the room next, and actually ASKED if he could go in. She was still wary of him - he might have been on this team before but he was practically new to her. She wasn't about to accept him out of hand - especially not with all the drama surrounding him and his arrival. BUT she wasn't going to be the one to rock the boat either. ]

"You can go in - but stay as far away from Alycia as possible. Take your cues from Doctor Victoria."

[ She nodded towards the conference room, indicating they could proceed. ]

"Morning, Nicolas."

[Rampage]

Hey Nich, I'm in the lobby.. ready to go whenever you are...


Nicolas heard these words in his head and quickly headed down to the lobby to find Cameron. He had enough on his mind as it was and he calmly pushed it aside so that he could concentrate here.

As the two men rode the elevator up, Nicolas felt a psychic "spike" in activity from Cameron as he had his episode. As he emerged from it, a bit bloody for wear, Nicola handed him a handkerchief so that he could make himself presentable again. Cameron's mind was practically screaming about the return of Sharon, so he shot a mental admonishment to Cameron.

Please concentrate. I am aware of what you are mentally screaming about right now. Just focus on remaining calm here and we will deal with everything in its time. Whatever you do, DO NOT GET PHYSICAL. No one will harm you here, I will make sure of that.

As they encountered Delilah, she greeted them professionally. He nodded back to her and led escorted Cameron in per her instructions.

Hello, Delilah.

As he stepped in with Cameron, he turned back and spoke to Delilah again in a low voice with hushed tones.

As a peace officer, I understand that you posses tactical mediation training and experience far beyond what I have as an academic. I will follow your lead in this situation. Whatever you need, I am at the disposal of yourself and the Doctor. Just let me know if I can help.

[Shadow Weaver]

<< inside the conference room, Karen walked in and found Alycia looking out of a window, watching what looked like birds...at this high an altitude and traveling INTO the city?>>

<< Karen narrowed her eyes for a moment.>>

maybe the birds have more to do with this than i realize?


<< still, the doctor couldnt afford to start second guessing herself.>>

Alycia?

<< she said with a reassuring smile.>>

hello there. you look well rested. I know today is not something you looked forward, but its for the best and i'll be here to make sure that you get through it. just remember there is no "right way"....you dont have to put up a hard front and while i KNOW you arent intimidated by Haleigh OR Cameron...no one is going to retaliate against you for speaking your peace..NO ONE.

<< setting her attache down at the head of the long table that faced the panoramic window>>

just remember, that you must allow each of them their time to speak too.

<< setting some papers out. Karen had compiled a rather LENGTHY file on most members of the Six...though Cameron's had stopped short due to his untimely death...it contained MUCH of his history that he would probably like to sweep under the rug.>>


If you would come and sit by me. I've left instructions for Haleigh and Cameron to sit six seats away from you and they are to sit on opposite sides of the table. Nicolas and Delilah will be supervising, to ensure your safety and the general order of this session and if someone prooves to be BEYOND control...then i will scramble their powers with my magick.

<< Karen had done this before...both with Haleigh and Blaze.>>

there's is much unertainty today but i think you're ALL poised to have much needed break throughs and increased levels of understanding that will enable you to deal with things in a more HEALTHY and well adjusted manner.

<< Cameron and Nicolas were entering.>>

Cameron....please be seated...six seats away from Alycia and do NOT address her until i tell you to do so.

Nicolas, you will sit between them.

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Alycia, who by now was remarkably calm..considering what she was going to have to deal with, turned as Karen entered the conference room. she smiled and nodded as Karen greeted her and complimented her on her refreshed appearence.::

:: she too was wearing a suit, it was standard procedure for her to remain professionally attired even when she wasnt at the pentagon. she always had excellent taste in clothing in well, believing that "business couture" was a weapon in the battlefield of the corporate and legal worlds. Her outfit consisted of wrap round white cashmere blouse, a Calvin Klein black tailored jacket and perfectly fitted black Calvin Klein slacks with black leather high heels. her raven black hair was down and styled in a sleek full wrap. ::

:: another costume procedure for her now was to always be armed. concealed in under her blazer was a holster carrying a repulsor blaster, the sleek, small fire arm packed enough energy and concussive power to blow up a battle tank. She knew Nicolas would most likely detect it...but she didnt give him cause to tamper with it before and so she kept quiet about it this time as well.::


Hello and thank you, doctor. It was in large part that emergency session with you that gave me the chance i needed to collect myself before i lost myself.

::as Karen asked her to be seated, Alycia breathed slowly as she moved away from the window, turning away from the seagulls that were streaking by even at this high altitude.::

Allright....I understand



:: she took her seat, with a pose that made her look like she was ready to participate in a business meeting. it was almost an unconscious habit for her at this point. she turned to see Nicolas and Cameron entered and immediately her eyes conveyed a look of contempt and disapproval as she rolled her eyes at Cameron and looked away, THANKFULL that the doctor forbade him from being able to speak to her. but she knew SHE TOO had to behave...and so, she immediately began to think of other things, and keep her mind as settled and free of negativity as she could. Karen's talk with her had encouraged her to be more proactive...but it would be put to the test when HALEIGH arrived.::

[Jacob Black]

:: Cameron was relieved to know that Nicholas had an idea of what all these birds were about and he wondered if Nicholas had told Morgan anything. Regardless, after this meeting, he would tell Morgan what he had seen. She had a right to know. He stepped into the Conference Room to see a much better looking Alycia and Dr. Victoria in the center as she gave her instructions. At least they would be separated from each other. It would give them time to duck and cover in case a chair happen to fly their way. He nodded to the Doctor. ::

"Good Morning, Dr. Victoria... no problem..."

:: Taking a seat six seats away from Alycia in the corner, Cameron waited for Haleigh to arrive. He was kind of glad because this meant somewhat some alone time and it would be the first time he would be able to talk to Haleigh without Zach being in the room to take care of her or coddle her like he had been before. Perhaps there could be some real progress made. ::

:: Cameron found himself looking out the window as he continued to watch the birds along with the others and couldn't shake what he had seen. He looked over at Alycia, and as much bad blood as there was between them, this was going to rock her world. Perhaps he should say something to Karen before they began? How could she possibly come to terms with the death of Sharon when her looming return was on the forefront. He shot a message to Nicholas. ::

"Nich, I don't feel right about this.. how can Alycia have any kind of breakthrough when the person that died in her ARMS is alive and on a path of revenge? Should we tell Karen?"

[Rampage]

NO. We need to try to mend as much as we can before this gets out. If Alycia's upset NOW, how will she be once this is all confirmed? Besides, the issues in this room go far beyond Sharon Kelly herself. Maybe if you three settle some things, we can have a united front for whatever is to come. Now, focus on the task at hand...On second thought, maybe Karen should be privy to this.I will speak with her. Unfortunately, she may not be very open to this coming from you.


Nicolas stood and leaned over the table, looking at Karen.


Dr. Victoria, I need to talk to you IMMEDIATELY and in private, if you do not mind. It is quite important.

[Shadow Weaver]

<< as Karen stood at her spot to sit in, she was making some last minute preperations and had a legal pad with notes directly infront of her. she looked up briefly to make sure Cameron had followed her instructions, then looked at Alycia, who was looking a little unhappy and that was to be expected.>>

<< Nicolas asked for an immediately audience and Karen looked at him, given his tone, something must be wrong. as she closed her attache case, her ring finger on that hand was adorned with the beautifull and exquisite "mother ring" he had presented her.>>

Of course, Nicolas. just a moment.

<< pressing the com link button ont he conference table>>

the intercom in the lounge area beyond the double doors: Delilah? please come into the conference room to supervise Cameron and Alycia while i have a private word with Nicolas. leave the double doors to the conference room open so that Haleigh can arrive and instruct her to sit on the opposite side of the table form cameron and six seats away from Alycia. SHE is not to have any verbal contact with Alycia either until I arrive back.

<< as Delilah acknowledges, Karen walks forward. looking very professional and stylish in a Jones New York ensemble consisting of a black tailored blazer w/white shell and matching black pencil skirt, the doctor's legs were supported by black leather sling back J.Renae 4 inch high heels. though Karen was older than everyone on the six, she kept her body in shape and her looks defied her age..and she could wear high heels with the best of them. it added to her stern, polished, professional look. her hair was down, styled in a perfect, sleek, side parted bouncing flip do.>>

<< she leads Nicolas out of the conference room and through the lounge, to the office suite that was once occupied by Alycia when she was still the ADA for the state of New York. while there were some basic furnishings here...the personal touch of Alycia was long gone and the room seemed empty and hollow.>>

<< looking up at Nicolas, the doctor fixed her opal blue eyes on the tall young man.>>

yes, what is it, Nicolas?

[Rampage]

I have news that will definitely impact the people in this proceeding and i am unsure how you would like to proceed. When I was in Haleigh's mind, I found a transmission that was the source of her problems, at least MOST of them. I tracked it back to an underground lot somewhere in the city where I saw...Sharon Kelly, and she is full of hate and bent on revenge.

She has either been cloned and had memories implanted or this is the real deal with a re-animated body or..maybe she was never really dead at all. In either case this is what I saw...

Nicolas replays for Karen the end of his trip into Haleigh's mind and the scene he saw before Cameron had to pull him out.

In addition, Cameron has had a vision that has revealed the SAME information that I just gave you. I have instructed him to keep quiet and focus on this meeting, but it is definitely on his mind. What do you think we should do?



Nicolas waits for her answer...

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen had her arms folded at first...but as Nicolas spoke, she unfolded her arms and looked at him with a blank stare at first. with each blink of her opal blue eyes...the look went form blank to disbelief.>>

Nicolas...i don't think this is funny AT ALL!

<< she spoke with a stern and sharp tone.>>

<< but then he provided a "play back" of sorts...and as watched his experience and the feedback from Haleigh's mind...the final, "in your face" fleeting but SHOCKING appearence of a blonde woman whose eyes were now sparkling SILVER and full of RAGE caused Karen to cover her mouth.>>

oh my STARS!!

<< she reeled from that horrible apparition. Nicolas was right. this would MORE than "effect" the people in today's session...and NOT in a good way. Sharon Kelly's death was the spectre in the bitter and WIDE rift between Haleigh and Alycia. >>

....that was no clone. that rage...that was something that could ONLY be conveyed by the REAL Sharon.

<< Karen put her hand over her heart...>>

Alycia, Haleigh and Morgan are ALL at risk!! This...this is the kind of thing that sends people over the edge.

<< breathing deeply before she began to speak again.>>

But i am NOT here to cause panic and that is just what this will do. as horrible as what i'm about to say will sound....You are NOT to speak about this to anyone else. I KNOW you told Morgan. I can feel my daughter's distress even now. But if I can't get Haleigh and Alycia to see the ERROR of their ways and REPAIR the damage to their relationship...then I CERTAINLY wouldnt be able to calm them after revealing something as monstrous as THIS!

Alycia has already demonstrated remarkable progress and it's time for HALEIGH to own up to HER end of this situation.

<< looking out of the window at the gray skies.>>

I have a feeling...that whoever is responsible for Sharon's seemingly impossible return is also the 'external influence' behind Haleigh's attacks..and its all based on a THEME...LOSS OF CONTROL! she's spent SO MUCH TIME deceiving and HIDING things from people thinking that she's in control...well now she's faced with a growing situation that she CANT control. She needs to learn that NO ONE is an island and now, thanks to what you've told me...I have even LESS time to do with these two women what should take MONTHS with a remotely NORMAL patient.

<< sighing out loud.>>

NOW is not the time Nicolas. If I DONT get them on course...if this team DOESNT come together...then I fear that Sharon Kelly will be a FATAL object less in both loss of control AND revenge.

Haleigh has ALOT of skeletons in her closet and ALOT of people's blood on her hands...like it or NOT..she DID sit on the fact that she was connected to the Cassadines...the people who FINANCED and ENGINEERED the design for Master Mold. this WHOLE RIFT between her and Alycia stems from the fact that Alycia blew her cover and wouldnt play HER game...again..its about CONTROL.

Haleigh's going to have to get a clue...or she may lose MORE than "peace".

<< walking back, she turned to Nicolas.>>

since neither you nor cameron are precogs, you cant begin to know when or if sharon is coming for us anytime soon. we must carry on NORMALLY as wel can right now.

NOT A WORD of this in the session.

<< walking out of the office, it was cleare to Nicolas that the doctor was talking to HERSELF as much as she was HIM. she had damage control to do..and while she may have been a highly respected psychotherapist...she wasnt a goddess..she couldnt fix EVERYTHING all at once and Nicolas had dropped one HELL of a bomb on her.>>

Sharon..ALIVE!! and HELL BENT on revenge!!

:: she had NO TIME to process it...and yet..she HAD to accept it. she HAD to process it enough to keep it under wraps for the time being.::

:: returning to the conference room, there was a fading look of extreme dismay on her face...one that only the most perceptive of people would have caught before she returned to full on "doctor mode">>

[Rampage]

Nicolas was a bit stung that Karen at first was disbelieving, but he understood. That is why he displayed what had occurred. It was so amazing, and yet SO damaging. He nodded as Karen gave him firm instructions regarding how to handle this information, and he played along completely.

He in fact was in agreement with what she had decided, despite her stated misgivings on how it would sound to him. He fully realized the delicateness of the situation, and he "spoke" to Cameron as they re-entered.

Not a word, man. We are trying to fix what we can AS we can. Hang tight and we will work on this info AFTER the session. Just stay on the task at hand for now.

Nicolas took his seat and waited for the session to begin...

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Having strode back into the conference room and making her way around the long table, Karen sat down next to Alycia, looking over at Delilah and Cameron. Cameron had apparently followed directions and stayed in his seat and made no attempts at Alycia.>>


<< her eyes conveyed a slight level of agitation as she looked at her cartier watch.>>

well apparently being ON TIME for a session means very little to the person who is MOST IN NEED OF IT!

<< Karen couldnt STAND people who showed a lack of regard and protocall and Haleigh was already rapidly DESCENDING her list. It was now 5 minutes past the time they were supposed to start.>>

<< looking over some notes.>>

Nicolas, if she's not here in the next five minutes FIND HER and bring her here. I have LITTLE TOLERANCE for people who do not treat these sessions with the seriousness they require.

People did not put their day on hold so that SHE could be "fashionably late."

<< her mind was STILL reeling. there were a few select things in her life that had TRULY shocked her to her core. Christopher's affair with Diana aka Malice; Blaze being Christopher's daughter and Morgan's half sister; Morgan's death during the Master Mold Caper (and Sharon's ) ...the battle with the Super Soldier...and NOW...the impossible return of Sharon...but the woman was NOTHING like she was before. in that BRIEF glimpse, Karen saw a violent TIDAL WAVE of hatred...INSANE hatred!!! what or WHO could have done this to HER!?! and WHAT kind of an effect would it have on Haleigh and Alycia!?>>

<< her daughter, MORGAN was "OUT THERE", the birds were erratic and Sharon could be "out there' right now TOO. what if she went after MORGAN? what if Morgan couldnt defend herself in TIME!?>>

<< her maternal instinct was rising by the second as she put her hand on her forehead>>

GET A GRIP KAREN!!

<< The doctor struggled to contain herself and keep herself composed...all the while waiting for Haleigh.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh entered the conference room with an air of detached professionalism, taking her seat across from Cameron as Karen instructed her without much comment or concern for the seating arrangement. Six chairs away seemed odd.... though Haleigh did recall that one time the rabid Alycia had confronted her about her ties to mystech... and the disconcerting way Alycia spit everywhere when she yelled.... so perhaps the doctor was creating a safe distance for the lawyer's saliva to travel without requiring Cameron or Haleigh to bring an umbrella. Always so considerate, Karen. Haleigh thought, as she leaned back a little in her exec style chair, crossing her legs at the knee. She gave a soft smile to Nicolas and a nod to Cameron, before in turn confidently acknowledging Karen, Delilah, and though begrudgingly, even Alycia with eye contact.

"My apologies if I kept everyone waiting.... my place was such a disaster zone this morning...."

She said politely as she settled in. She knew Nicolas was here because he was the ONLY [aside from Morgan, who was busy] one who could best Haleigh physically.... and Karen, of course, was the therapist... but Delilah's presence was interesting.... Haleigh surmised that she was here in case the need to squirrel Barnett away should ever arise. How bad did Karen want to make this? Ultimately.... SHE was the catalyst... and she was well trained and experienced to diffuse a conflict.... Haleigh wondered if it was overkill to have Nic and Dee here.... but then.... Haleigh's idea of solving a conflict like this was to lock the two people at odds in a room together UNARMED.... and let them 'work it out' amongst themselves. Granted.... only one party ever walked away from that type of solution... but the problem went away after that, didn't it?

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen locked her opal blue eyes on Haleigh and followed her with them as the young woman sat down at her assigned spot. across the table from cameron and six seats away from alycia's other side. with everyone there, Karen could now begin, and as Haleigh offered her apologies for being tardy, Karen stood up.>>

arriving on time for meetings such as this goes a long way in conveying your sincerity to LEARN and GAIN from the experience, Haleigh. perhaps one day you will understand that.


<< as she said this, she walked around the table and across the room to the double doors, shutting them>>

I have asked Nicolas and Delilah here to be supervisors and peace keepers during this session. Haleigh, Alycia and Cameron, you are NOT to address them, nor attempt to bring them into the discussions to bolster your poisitions on any matter we discuss.


what is discussed in this room today stays in this room and is not to be spoken of to any outside party. Morgan of course, will receive a general report because she is the leader and has the right to know about my review of those in this room who hare on her team.


<< walking back and arriving to her spot at the head of the long conference table, Karen remained standing.>>

Ground rules: no one is to interrupt anyone else when the person i have called on is speaking. there will be no name calling, no threats of any kind and NO physical contact. IF anyone of you attempts to assault the other...you will be restrained by Nicolas or Delilah if you proove to be BEYOND their control, i will be forced to SCRAMBLE your powers with my magick and bind you in mystic chains.

there will be NO retaliation AFTER this session by ANYONE against ANYONE ELSE for the things that they have said..and if that DOES happen, the person responsible will face LEGAL action which i will make SURE is brought about swiftly.

<< looking at Haleigh as she said that. Karen stopped to make SURE the woman knew that Karen would NOT tolerate her typical violent solutions to problems.>>

it is my sincere hope that EACH of you fully participates today for there is MORE at stake than your foolish pride << looking at Haleigh>>, your false sense of entitlement << looking Cameron>> or your righteous indignation << Looking at Alycia.>> there is a TEAM that needs to be able to function..now MORE than ever and due to a growing problem that involves a two people directly in this room and the recent RETURN of another...the balance and cohesion of the team is at stake.

it's time to get to the ROOT of the problem and address it.

<< sitting down.>>

we will now begin.

It is obvious that there is a wide rift between Haleigh and Alycia, one that is filled with the painfull spectre of Senator Sharon Kelly, a woman who died in a violent and tragic way. NEITHER of you has done a good job HONORING her memory. BOTH of you have culpability in this matter between you that has now reached toxic levels and << looking at Haleigh>> your apartment wouldnt be the disaster area it is NOW if you had addressed this issue BEFORE.

<< turning to Cameron.>>

and you? well, youve been given a chance that most people...super powered or not could only dare to dream of. as have YOU, Haleigh. you BOTH returned from the dead beating seemingly impossible odds, but YOU cameron, clearly have returned with a feeling of ENTITLEMENT. Your DEATH caused more than a little pain and friction and people had to CLEAN UP YOUR MESS, now that you're BACK...people have to try to AVOID a potential NEW mess. It's time for YOU to race reality and ACKNOWLEDGE some things.


<< leaning back in her executive chair. Karen paused, before turning to and gesturing to Alycia.>>

Alycia? We'll start with you today. You had quite a painfull night last night, being subjected to an emotionally corrective experience that caused you to nearly fragment in your psyche. Rest assured that you're under MY protection now . Please tell us how you feel about Cameron returning from the dead and what you feel about Haleigh?

NO ONE ELSE is to speak while Alycia is talking.

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Karen left the room for a moment and Delilah walked in. something must be going on. Alycia could FEEL it. the brooch on the lapell of her blazer served as a secret communication/information feed device and if her field commander for Force Works HAD to contact her on a pressing federal or presidential level matter...this would be how he reached her. She suspected that the rise in bird attacks across the city and surrounding suburbs ..even the ports was on more than just HER mind and with Nicolas being so adamant about speaking to Karen, Alycia's instinct to want to find out WHAT was gnawing at her.::

:: she sighed as she looked around for a moment, not wanting to pain her eyes with the sight of Cameron and her stomach turning at the thought of having to share a space with that murdering thug, Haleigh.::

:: soon, Karen and Nicolas rejoined them and Haleigh finally arrived. Karen dressed her down for being late and closed the doors. the sound of the doors closing wasnt at all loud in reality but in Alycia's mind...it sounded like PRISON doors going on LOCK DOWN.::

:: her mind raced for a moment, with a wild , out of control fantasy of leaping across the table and strangling Cameron...or smashing a chair over Haleigh's head....but even Karen said it was okay to have errant thoughts.::

:: Karen addressed them all formally. it was time. she set the ground rules and opened the session with her own preface based on what she knew and had observed over the past two nights and she spoke across lines...making sure everyone knew that NONE of them was above reproach or accountability today and that she hoped they all would GAIN and BENEFIT form this. THAT was what Alycia was hoping too..::

Alycia? We'll start with you today. You had quite a painfull night last night, being subjected to an emotionally corrective experience that caused you to nearly fragment in your psyche. Rest assured that you're under MY protection now . Please tell us how you feel about Cameron returning from the dead and what you feel about Haleigh?

NO ONE ELSE is to speak while Alycia is talking.


:: Alycia felt like she was falling into the deep end of a pool after having been PUSHED!! but WHY? she'd interrogated, grilled and cross examined HUNDREDS of hardened, down right MURDEROUS criminals. she'd been called as a witness herself in many trials. she'd gone on GLOBAL television the night Master Mold stormed the city and blew the whistle on MysTech...providing video evidence given to her by Haleigh! so why was THIS moment any more harrowing than any of THOSE from before!?::

go to it girl!! now's your chance!

:: sitting up, and looking poised in her seat, Alycia began.::

Doctor, to be perfetly honest with you? I feel this is a slap in my face. Not only have i been made to look like a fraud but if this was to be DETECTED by any authority, i could lose my standing in the legal world...i could be brought before authorities on charges of fraud and WORSE. it seems to me that MANY of the things i have done for this team..no matter if they were at my expense or NOT has been taken for granted by more than one member and THIS is now a "in your face" example!

HE gets to COME BACK from the dead...while OTHER people like Sharon Kelly and my father stay DEAD? WHY? WHY HIM? He wasnt ANY kind of man to look up to BEFORE and it's OBVIOUS what kind of respect he places on PRIVACY as he wrote about and saw to it that OUR unexpectedly INTIMATE moment was BROADCAST for EVERYONE in Illustra to see and know about.

I guess when you come back from the dead...losing everything you own...the feelings of others, just doesnt matter as much. HE gets to do this ALL OVER again and yet...there are OTHER people who i'd RATHER see....that i will NEVER get to see again.


I just don't think its FAIR and quite honestly i'm NOT happy to see him. He's a TELEPATH! it makes me wonder if he didnt COMPELL me into the situation he so boastfully GLOATED about in his journal but i guess i can't proove that NOW can i?

:: when asked about Haleigh? Alycia looked up at the ceiling for a moment, she felt like she was about to be carried away on a high speed roller coaster.::

What i feel about Haleigh cannot be conveyed in merely a few sentences. The immediate feeling? CONTEMPT. I despise her. the woman has made a LIFE out of deception, pain and murder. The family that she benefited from...built their empire on the BLOOD of innocents, and their most famous target was Sharon Kelly. SHE knew what they were capable of. SHE KNEW what they could do and what they were GOING to do and she just SAT BACK!

You know what makes it worse? is that she BRAGGED about her protection was the BEST that money could be. WHAT kind of protection? the kind that get's you captured by another mutant and put into the hands of one of HER former commanding officers? a man who beat me and broke me arm and then tried to RAPE Sharon? WHAT kind of protection? the kind that left Sharon DEAD while SHE pretended NOT to know where Master Mold came from? WHAT kind of protection? the kind that allows one OF HER former boyfriends to come STALKING me in the woods..tyring to MURDER ME? she wasnt even THERE to help sharon and I. it took Morgan, Alison, Delilah, Alexis and Adrian Lockhart's powers COMBINED to even HALT the Super Soldier long enough to get us out of there and where was SHE? on a 'Retreat' with Blaze, showing HER how to KILL people.

:: oh yes, another little secret of Haleigh's blown out of the water.::

HER kind of protection leaves you WIDE OPEN to get MORE than stabbed in the back...it leaves you with a PERMANENT TARGET SCOPE on your HEAD.

I feel that this woman operates BEYOND and OUTSIDE of any kind of decency or regard for human life. her actions and her own admissions have made it clear that anyone is expendable to her and she will use people to her own end. She BEGAN her time with the six by BLACKMAILING Morgan over the where abouts of Blaze, whom we had thought to be DEAD following their time on Valiant. She never ONCE intended to help Morgan..she only wanted to USE Morgan to take down the Citadle.

I FEEL that this woman is a threat to my safety and my wellbeing. When i sit back and THINK about all the situations that have nearly ENDED my life...nearly ALL of them had some connection to HER...and yet she claims to offer the best protection money can buy? BULLSHIT!!

:: Alycia yelled with full effect.::

I do NOT want to end up like Sharon...i ADMIT IT...I don't WANT to die...but i also realize that by being friends with Morgan, Alison, Delilah...and working with Nicolas, forming a professional relationship with him..and basically positioning myself on the "side" of mutant rights...that i have placed myself at risk...but what i FEEL is that HALEIGH brings me one step closer to death. I don't trust her...not with me...and NOT with any of my friends on this team.

Sharon, a woman who risked her life and her standing on capitol hill DAILY defending mutants and metahumans trusted her protection to Haleigh...and it got her DEAD.

Do I want that kind of protection? do i want to trust the words of a LIAR who uses people and willfully witholds information? HELL NO i dont.

THAT'S how feel about Haleigh.

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen kept her position as Alycia spoke. most of this she had before..but today it was presented differently. it was well ordered and focused. Alycia had valid points and she was making them, but her trademark forcefull tone was coming through loud and clear. If Alycia was cross examining someone on the witness stand right now...they'd most likely be yelling for someone to get her away from them...or to save them. she'd seen it happen before. She watched both Haleigh and Cameron as Alycia spoke. noting even the most minute changes in their posture or facial expressions. "disapproval" was in the air...not to mention down right "anger" on the part of Haleigh, but in Karen's mind....as UNOBJECTIVE as this may have been...it was HALEIGH who had the MOST to answer for. still, she continued to function on the level. >>

You feel betrayed and abandonned...thrown to the wolves? and why not? you're a human being, and despite your impressive legal/political powers...when it comes down to it...you are NOT mutant , metahuman, witch or otherwise..you are ONLY human and if you are RISKING your life to help these gifted people, then they SHOULD protect you shouldnt they?

<< Karen listened as Alycia whole heartedly agreeing.>>

and as for cameron? well, i think his return has provoked many things from many people, but YOU clearly have a more personal stake in it for obvious reasons...not just personal but professional. you feel that he has once again disrespected you and tromped all over your efforts on his behalf even after his death?

<< again alycia agreed.>>

and that is why we are here. to give each of you chance to do what Alycia has just done...which is to put things OUT on the table and then we discuss them one at a time.

now youve BOTH heard what Alycia has to say. She's ENTITLED to feel the way she does and you can't rebuke her for that. what you CAN do is offer YOUR response to the issues she has brought up.

REMEMBER the ground rules.

<< turning in her executive chair a bit, she faces Haleigh and gestures.>>

Haleigh? you may begin. start with Alycia's charges to YOU first and then move on to YOUR feelings about Cameron.

[Jessica Hamby]

Karen opened with a few derisive comments.... dually noted by Haleigh, who ALREADY felt that Karen was less than impartial.... nevertheless, Haleigh didn't say anything.... she instead smiled at Karen, an almost sardonic look on her face, tilting her head slightly, as if evaluating Karen's statements. Alycia was given the floor first, and Haleigh steepled her fingers..... her expression changing to one of bored apathy.... it was clear she put almost no importance in whatever Alycia might have to say..... but as alycia went on..... and got EVERYTHING out..... going so far as to expose ANOTHER of Haleigh's secrets.... the gleam in Haleigh's eyes turned far more malignant..... Karen validated Alycia's feelings and offered a little input.... and then gave the floor to Haleigh-- but NOT before admonishing the hybrid to remember the rules. She must have seen the look on Haleigh's face.... the dark, almost MURDEROUS look... and strangely, when Karen called her name, the look disappeared... and her expression became blank again as she looked at the doctor for a moment. She took a deep breath.... and appeared to be calculating her response.... alycia had said MANY scathing things.... but the picture she painted of Haleigh was tainted.... and Alycia clearly only saw what she WANTED to see... a callous monster. Despite knowing the DIFFERENCE between reality and Alycia's delusional, fictional version of Haleigh, the hybrid couldn't help a fleeting flash of her nightmare.... and her own feelings triggered by the sight of the ice cold, scarlet blood creeping up her arms.... and it made her pause. She glanced down at her hands again... looking pensive..... before looking up at Alycia, her expression grim and her tone thick with sarcasm.

"The people in attendance today already KNOW my shady past, Alycia.... but THANKS..... for that.... COMPELLING recap. Go ON... just tell EVERYTHING.... hell, between YOU and my RAMPANT memory attacks, maybe EVERY personal aspect of my life can be put out on display." She said, bitingly.... and then paused again.... as if she compose herself again.... it was like an INSTICTUAL reaction on Haleigh's part to be abrasive... and she seemed to realize just now.... as if she CAUGHT herself at it. She spoke again.... this time with a more measured tone. "Well... since we're being... BRUTALLY honest.... I guess I'll just SAY IT. I. DONT. CARE. [throwing her hands up defensively] No.... let me explain. It's clear you hate me.... you've made a point to say as many hurtful things as you could in your opening statements... there may have been a time when I allowed you to HURT me.... when I allowed you to have that kind of power over me.... however.... in listening to you today, Barnett... it has become clear to me that THAT is no longer true. The last time we were together.... I said some things.... some very personal... emotional things... and the REASON we have such a RIFT now was shown CLEARLY that day.... because EVEN WHEN I reached out... and exposed some very PRIVATE feelings to not only YOU, but the entire ASSEMBLY... you treated me as POORLY as you did the day you confronted me about Stavros Cassadine... you TREATED me as if I was some ROBOTIC machine... you DEHUMANIZED me.... acted like I was some 'mechanical misfit' with NO emotional core..... and you STILL act like that now. BUT..... i must have gotten a LOT out that day..... because the truth is.... you just said ALL THAT.... and the ONLY thing that sparked any anger on my part was that she seem to DISREGARD the notion of discretion, JUST SO you can feel you've OUTED me.... which is something you must get your kicks from, as you do it EVERYTIME you see me. And.... as far as how you FEEL about me.... [cynical laugh] You HATE me.... SHOCKER. Well.... you can hate me, if you want. You can LOATH ME with every fiber of your being.... but that won't bother me. Why, you ask? Because YOU can leave.... you can go home... and you don't have to face ME anymore once you do.... you can wake up EVERY day and hate me... and yet... ALL the contempt you will have amassed in your LIFETIME of hating me will PALE IN COMPARISON.... to the SELFLOATHING that I have for myself. [pausing.... as if to determine whether or not to go on] Because.... the brutal TRUTH of the matter is... when I go home tonight.... [swallowing thickly] I still have to face me. [making eye contact with Alycia and holding it, despite the shame in her eyes] and when I look in the mirror, I have no choice but to see ME..... and when I close my eyes.... I have to FACE what I have become.... and everything I have EVER done. [quietly] So you SIT THERE.... and you hate me. But I want you to KNOW..... that it will NEVER have the effect.... of the contempt that i have for MYSELF..... or the SELFLOATHING that i have.... KNOWING.... that there is NO ONE more responsible for my own misery.... NO ONE more RESPONSIBLE for the Inferno incident.... [blinking back tears] NO ONE.... MORE RESPONSIBLE... FOR SHARON'S DEATH.... THAN ME." She stopped..... took a deep breath... and looked like she might not go on... for only a moment. "But yes.... you are PERFECTLY ENTITLED to feel the way you do."

"As far as how I feel about YOU.... I don't know.... I used to respect you. I cannot anymore.... everybody acts like you ought to get some sort of special treatment because youre 'only human'.... but I know better than that. MANY very SMART, very STRONG people have gotten themselve into a LOT of trouble by underestimating others. You may not shoot fire out of your ass..... but that doesn't mean you are POWERLESS.... yours.... is a different KIND of power.... far more insidious.... yours is a power of the MIND.... maybe not like Cameron's or Nicolas'.... but it is NOT to be overlooked.... YOUR POWER is showcased in the courtroom.... in the legal arena.... the government.... and it is THIS power that allows you to stand 'shoulder to shoulder' with us. You don't need GUNS.... or KNIVES.... or Supernatural Abilities.... and its EASY to see and WELL DOCUMENTED.... but worse than OTHERS CODDLING YOU..... is that YOU YOURSELF like to use being human as some kind of SOAPBOX to stand on.... and you preach.... and you try to OVERCOMPENSATE for not having abilities by being an ABSOLUTE FRIGID BITCH.... a PATHOLOGICAL ballbuster with SO MANY enemies that its a WONDER ANYONE can protect you. And in the midst of AALLLL that.... when it comes down to the line.... when it matters MOST.... you use being 'only human' as a CRUTCH.... an EXCUSE for allowing yourself to be IDENTIFIED as a VICTIM.... a martyr.... and I HATE THAT."

"Oh.... and for the record.... I don't think Cameron came back JUST TO INCONVIENIENCE you, Barnett.... or to spite any of us. He just CAME BACK.... and you aren't the ONLY ONE who has to deal with that.... so don't make out like it was all to bother you."

Haleigh stopped.... still staring Alycia down.... and let what she said sink in.... before slowly turning to look at Cameron. Her expression turned soft.... and troubled.

"Cameron.... there are a lot of things that should have been said. I'm glad you're back.... but things are not so black and white. the very fact that I'm planning a WEDDING ought to hint that things with Zach are very serious.... and frankly... I don't appreciate you acting like I should blow him off and be with you. This isn't just about you and me anymore.... it's about him too...... Now.... I care about you.... I really do.... but there are a LOT of unresolved issues between us.... the most recent being the way you left. now I KNOW that you didn't INTEND for things to happen the way you did.... but that doesn't ERASE the feeling of ABANDONMENT that you left me with."

[Shadow Weaver]

<< as Karen crossed her legs at the knee she continued to sit , facing Haleigh as the woman began to speak. on at least TWO occassions, Karen held up her hand to remind Haleigh about name calling. but she did not interrupt the woman.>>

<< something important was going on here...SHE was conveying things in a way that REQUIRED listening to. She wasnt falling back on the abrasive, almost passive/agressive attitude defense...she was ANSWERING Alycia's charges and rebutting them to her defense.>>

<< Karen listened intently as it became CLEAR now that Haleigh was so abrasive, so willing to discard and dismiss others feelings bcause she was so ENTRENCHED in her own STORM of self loathing and contempt. and when a person feels THIS way...why WOULD they have much regard for anyone else? Why WOULD they believe that anyone ELSE could see the good in them when they dont see the good in themselves? [if there is any truly there :D ]>>

<< Karen watched Haleigh's face...there was emotion hidden behind that "techno organic" exterior. there WAS a core and Alycia had steam rolled over it...THAT hurt Haleigh but Alycia had only assumed that Haleigh wouldnt care...just like she didnt SEEM to care about anything ELSE...but she was WRONG and here they were now. AGAIN, Karen found her self SOFTENING on her stance about Haleigh. no matter what this woman played at...she was STILL a young woman...who had been through unimaginable trauma herself! the fact that she sat here today in a body that was NOT the same body that Karen had originally MET her in was proof of that alone.>>

<< Haleigh had been hurt by ALycia...more than once. there had ONCE been mutual trust and respect..but cruel fate and circumstance obliterated that...but EVEN WITH THAT being true...there comes a time when one or BOTH parties has to take RESPONSIBILITY and CONTROL the situation..to bring it BACK to how it should be!>>

<< Haleigh then went on to speak on how she felt Alycia hid behind the "only human" complex. Karen didnt quite see that but she DID see an increase in Alycia's "ball buster" behavior ever since Sharon's death. Even NICOLAS had recently commented that this behavior was due to Alycia wanting to compensate for not having any super powers. As Haleigh spoke, it became clear to Karen that while Haleigh SAID she didnt respect Alycia, on SOME level there was mutual respect on both parties ends. they BOTH had such similar backgrounds even BEFORE the genesis of the Six and their fields of work had led them to cross paths before. there was a world of hurt and pain and misunderstanding on both sides...but with Haleigh's SURPRISINGLY substantial response here, Karen felt like she had something to work with.>>

<< there was, however, one thing that Karen would not allow.>>

Haleigh, Alycia's issues with Cameron are not YOUR concern and do not require your opinion ot be offered.

<< karen spoke with a clear tone with a hint of icy disdain.>>

Alycia, Cameron, you will disregard the statements made by Haleigh in reference to Alycia's position on Cameron.

THAT ASIDE, Haleigh, you've FINALLY given me ...US something solid here. deep down, beneath this hardened exterior, beneath all those maladaptive, MADDENING personality traits you have...there's a heart and a soul of a woman. YOU said it yourself...there's a CORE and Alycia steam rolled over it...more than once apparently. Maybe you didnt think that was possible at the time, maybe SHE didnt think it was possible based on how YOU presented yourself. You both had a tempestuous relationship following the Inferno and it was only JUST BEFORE the Master Mold disaster that you two had become trusting and shared mutual respect for one another.

You've admitted here that you feel guilt and responsibility for Sharon's death. I dont think you EVER said that before to Alycia or anyone ELSE. You've admitted to SELF LOATHING and while your , at times, WRECKLESS and INFURIATING behavior would suggest it...THIS confirms it and why WOULD you give place to someone ELSE'S hatred of you..when you have ENOUGH of it for yourself?

You're more AWARE now than you were before, but you've still got much to do.

Finally, you accuse Alycia of hiding behind an "only human" crutch. but how can she be anything else BUT? the FACT REMAINS that she is NOT a mutant, meta human, witch or anything ELSE BUT human and despite her "powers" that are well recognized..even by someone like YOU, who is NEVER quick to give credit, she is STILL only human and was RAISED with the idea that MORTALITY is FINAL. She was BEATEN and BRUTALIZED by one of YOUR commanding officers. YOUR former boyfriend, who was turned into a MONSTER was sent to KILL her and Sharon and YOU were not there to HELP HER!

Sharon Kelly DIED IN HER ARMS. that's a trauma that anyone of you in this room could and may have faced BEFORE but YOU all had the benefit of EACH OTHER to get THROUGH IT. There have been men in the MILITARY who have been reduced to living their lives in psycho wards because of the trauma they've experienced in combat. ALYCIA was a civilian and has suffered through scenarios BEYOND some military men's worst nightmares. are you suggesting that she SHOULD have endured these things and that it WASNT your responsibility to do all you could to protect her? YOU offered your services. if I were her, i wouldve FIRED YOU.



Alycia, in her WILDEST DREAMS, couldnt have imagined being in a moment like that....and she NEVER really DEALT with it afterward, NOR did anyone ELSE follow up. She was/IS your ally and as such DESERVES protection. The enemeis she's gained in the legal and political word come with the territory. NO ONE deserves to live in constant fear of DEATH Haleigh and THAT is what she just told us she is suffereing from. DEATH comes to us ALL..but ot be CRIPPLED by a fear of it...THAT is something NO ONE should have to suffer with. and let's be honest here...YOU and CAMERON have cheated death. Alycia can't COUNT on an otherworldly being or some magickal force to do the same for her. its not what she was raised to expect, and its not apart of her sensibilities.

<< nodding her head>>

You're right..she IS over compensating...its a defense..just like YOUR MANY destructive defenses and so...that makes you BOTH equally at fault.

You want to BLAME her for being simply what she is and that's just not reasonable OR fair. you can ONLY hold her responsible for what she's DONE to you and i think you've FINALLY put it into words that people can GRASP and say "oh yes...those are VALID reasons". You rail against HER for blaming YOU for what YOU appear to be to HER and many other people. you would have them realize that its NOT so cut and dried based on your statements today. Yet YOU wont afford Alycia the same courtesy.


<< if haleigh didnt realize it, KAREN had just VALIDATED Haleigh's position....not at Alycia's expense...but just to show that Haleigh was NO LESS valid than Alycia. it was a FAIR and IMPARTIAL move and prooved not only to the DOCTOR that she could come th rough as a truly professional therapist but that she COULD see the humanity in Haleigh after all.>>

It's OKAY to cry Haleigh....after all, YOU are still human YOURSELF. ALL mutants...even HYBRIDS are BORN of humans. It wouldnt KILL you to remember that.

<<with her eyes fixed on the hybrid a moment longer, Karen made a few notes on her legal pade before turning from Haleigh, and she now looks upon Cameron.>>

and now we come to YOU and before you allow Haleigh's inappropriating chide of Alycia in regards to your return to fill your head with false notions, let me remind you that you are to DISREGARD her statments on THAT and ONLY answer the charges made by Alycia and Haleigh. SEPERATELY of course.

as part of YOUR superivision, NICOLAS will be monitoring your mental powers and if it APPEARS that you are in ANYWAY reaching into the minds of Alycia or Haleigh, i will use my magick to scramble your powers.

You may begin. With HALEIGH first, and then Alycia.

Remember the ground rules.

[MorningStar]

[ Entering the conference room at Karen's bidding, Delilah sat in a chair pulled to a corner of the room, where she would be out of the way but still able to watch the participants of this little "rap session". She had to admit to herself that the personal nature of most of what was being discussed made her feel a little uncomfortable to be there.

Though as she listened to Alycia, she couldn't help but think that she was overreacting a bit to Cameron's return from the dead - it wasn't his choice, really. None of them sat there and said, "Yes, Cameron King, No, Sharon Kelly." She wasn't sure Alycia had a right to be angry about that. About Cameron's indiscretions and his general arrogance? Yes. But this...

And though she understood Alycia's point of view on Haleigh, she thought Alycia was being a little harsh. Delilah herself didn't always agree with Haleigh, or even like her, but ALL that Alycia was blaming her for could not be laid at her feet. Haleigh was not as cold blooded as even Haleigh thought she was.

And just as Delilah was feeling sorry for Haleigh...then Haleigh started to be Haleigh. Melodramatic, hostile, defensive. The "poor me everyone hates me" attitude. It once again, was all about her. The martyr.

Delilah had to repress a laugh as the thought crossed her mind that in another life, these two would have made excellent friends.

Luckily Doctor Victoria was more diplomatic and helpful in her assessment of the situation. But as she listened to Karen speak about Alycia once more, she couldn't help but think how nice it would be if the rest of them were afforded the luxury of being allowed to be human. ]

[Jacob Black]

:: Cameron was a little nervous, but he had ALOT to say, so he took a deep breathe and he began. ::

"Haleigh, I admit I completely overreacted when I saw you with Zach, in the courtyard of a frieken church, looking at the place for your WEDDING. It is my fault. I guess it was just, I never thought that, I... never expected Zach would become such a figure in your life to the point of an engagement. He was always around but I never had to see him Haleigh. I never had to WATCH him..touch you and hold you. It was something I didn't expect. I freaked out. But put yourself in my shoes at that moment, Haleigh. Say I was there with, I don't know, Vivica after you had just returned to Earth and we were standing in front of you, engagement rings and all, picking the church for our wedding. I know you, Hales, you would have flipped your lid."

:: He looked down at the table, wondering if he should say what he had planned on saying next. He had to. It was the only way to get through to Haleigh. ::

"I understand, you love Zach and that is something I have to deal with. I did expect you to just dump him and be with me, because... I would have done that for YOU. You felt abandoned and I can't take away that pain and god dammit Haleigh, I wish that I could, it seems like everytime we take a step forward, we take two steps back, and it just boggles my mind. I am not saying it should all be hunky dorey again, Hales, but I can't shake you. Ever since I came back, the only person I wanted to talk to, be with, think about.. is YOU, and it is tearing me up inside because I don't want to you NOT to be happy.. but..but Haleigh... "

:: He swallowed in his mouth, seeming to gasp for air for a moment. ::

"I.. I love you. I really do, and I couldn't say it before because I was too in love with myself. But DYING gives you perspective, Haleigh and while we may have our issues that need to be resolved, one of mine has. I love you, with every fiber of my being, and you need to know that. I will be there for you as a friend if you choose to be with Zach and you DO get married, but I will be there for you AFTER that too. After we are done fufilling this destiny as the Six, after we are too old to walk but young enough to kick ass, I will be there for you, until the end of time. I may have abandoned you, I may have hurt you, and I owe you a sincere apology. I know what I want now Haleigh, and it might not be what you want to hear, but I NEED to tell somebody, and you NEED to know this.."

:: Cameron kept darting his eyes back and forthe between Haleigh and Karen trying not to show such a vulnerable side. Now that he had went this far, he turned to look at Alycia, making direct eye contact. ::

"Okay, when it comes to you Alycia, you hated me from the moment you heard my name. You didn't judge me from personal experience, you judged me from my file, you judged me from my past, and at the time, from the words of Morgan. I mean, when I first met you, you were threatening legal charges and the SEC, so I don't know how you thought I was supposed to like you, because from day one you wanted to take down. You think I am beneath you, and it pisses me off."

:: Gaining his composure he began to play with his hands, a sign of nervousness. ::

"I don't talk much about my childhood, Alycia, but if you are EVER going to gain insight as to WHY I am the way I am, then I guess it will help. I came into this world COMPLETELY alone. No Family. No NOTHING. The only "family" I ever knew was the streets. There were nights when I was a kid and had just escaped from the hell hole of an orphanage that I slept in DUMPSTERS and didn't eat for days!"

:: Tears began to well up in his eyes, slowly, he was REALLY trying to control it. ::

"I had to FIGHT... for EVERYTHING. Food, shelter, the clothes on my back, and most importantly, my LIFE. I fell in with the wrong crowd and that resulted in the blood of a single MOTHER on my hands at the age of sixteen. Do you KNOW what that does to a CHILD? I detached myself from emotions and the world and haven't been back since. It was the only thing that kept me ALIVE. That cockiness? That devil may care attitude? The SHELL of a man that stands that stands in front of you today is nothing more than a SAD and SCARED little BOY who lost his innocence, who doesn't feel, and doesn't CARE..."

:: Cameron was on the verge of a serious breakdown. He NEVER spoke of his childhood with ANYONE. He was now teammates with such rich and priveledged people and it made him EMBARASSED to know he got to where he was from the SEWERS. He was completely self loathing. Tears fell down his face as he wiped them away, continuing. ::

"You talk as if I chose to come back, Alycia, and I didn't... and to be honest, if I had known my return would cause you and everyone else such STRIFE, I would have begged for someone else to go in my place. You are angry at me because I got to come back and the people you cared about didn't get that luxury. Plain and Simple.. it's NOT my fault. If you want to be mad, that's fine, I would be too, but be angry at the gods and FATE, not the product of their ultimate design."

"And when it comes to our kiss, I wrote that in a private journal that was never meant to be seen by anyone. Those were taken from my LA compound to figure out why I had dissappeared, that entry was stumbled upon by ACCIDENT, for the last time it was never meant to be seen. That kiss was innocent, random and a fleeting moment in time, and it was interesting enough for me to write about. That's it. You make me sound like I went to every major publishing house and broadcast the word, and I didn't.. in fact I never told ANYONE about that moment. I mean we don't get along Alycia, but I wouldn't do that to you, that was a private moment, and say that you were mentally coerced all you want, but we both know it's not the case..."

:: He took a deep breath, finally starting to calm down as he looked at Alycia and then back at Dr. Victoria. ::

"I'm done..."

[Shadow Weaver]

<< it would seem that Alycia, Haleigh and Cameron werent the only ones "LEARNING" today. Karen herself was learning ...or perhaps REMINDED why she NEEDED to remain impartial and objective, for even SHE had allowed personal feelings to color and slant her judgement and evulations of both Haleigh and Cameron. DESPITE all that they seemed to be in their "arenas" or on the surface...both of them were young people...not remotely close to their 30's and in a world of pain. they dealt with this pain in the only ways they could...ways that they learned as coping mechanisms int he face of the traumatic situations.>>

<< stripping these defenses away, getting to the root of things, Karen could see there were some geunine, even GOOD hearts in this room and her elegant, stern facial expression had begun to soften without her realizing it. >>

<< Cameron relived his humiliating childhood...a childhood that NO ONE should have to endure....as he spoke to Alycia. it took courage to admit these things in front of them...especially with Nicolas and Delilah in the room but his honesty, his OPEN and UP FRONT candor, it was real and Karen couldnt deny it. Cameron finished, and was clearly distraught. Karen stood up quietly and brought down a few kleenex tissues over to him before going to sit back down.>>

Okay.

<< she said as she once again crossed her legs.>>

Cameron, you've taken quite a brave and bold step today. One that I honestly did not think you were prepared or willing to take.

<< facing him..>>

You've revealed some things about yourself today that are unimaginable for most of us in this room. youve survived impossible odds and you did it the best way you knew how. again...the theme here among you is DEFENSE/COPING mechanisms and in the midst of traumatic situations...these are what you came to use but the problem is that once youve come to accept them as the proper way to handle things...its hard to break them. i think the three of you in this room have something that MANY of my clients do not. you ALL have shown a deeper sense of awareness of your own maladaptive behavior and while some of you...

<< looking at Haleigh>>

have tried to ignore the problem, and others << looking at Alycia and Cameron>> hid behind the mechanisms, you ALL know that there's a better way..a more HEALTHY way.

Cameron, you had to make choices th at even I cant imagine having to make. So it's only NATURAL for you to have a more cut throat attitude, and ot be willing to do dastardly deeds...its how you survived at one point in your life. but you're not there anymore..not in ANY way shape or form.

today is about ACCOUNTABILITY as well as healing. to be able to OWN UP to your responsibility, even in regards to the problems you face takes courage. to be able to ALLOW yourselves to let go...and HEAL....that takes courage too! its not easy to let go of something...because it leaves a void... a wide space that will make you feel vulnerable and "up in the air" and it will be SO EASY to revert BACK...but i think you ALL realize how WRONG and how UNHELPFULL that is.

<< looking among the three people in the room.>>

now that we've put our cards out on the table, it's time to discuss.

EACH of you has heard what the other has to say and i want you to KEEP that in mind as we begin these discussions. we are here to day to take responsibility and to HEAL...not to attack, not to defame and NOT to dismiss.

<< looking at Haleigh, who was most LIKELY to try to mistreat alycia.>>

let's suppose, that everything that happens in this world is perfet. allow yourselves to imagine the BEST POSSIBLE scenario for the outcome of this meeting. put your pride and put what you THINK is going to happen aside.

Haleigh? knowing what you know about yourself and how Alycia feels about you. knowing now that you BOTH are equally to blame in this situation, with the opportunity to discuss and recover and HEAL...what would you like to see happen between you and Alycia?

be HONEST and dont be afraid to express things that might make you seem "soft". we're not here to put up a front , or live up to reputations.

this is NOT to say that this is all it takes to fix this. I just want to see if you are WILLING to look ahead to a POSITIVE outcome.


<< looking at Alycia as she says this.>>

remember, no one is to interrupt while the person i have chosen is speaking.

[Rampage]

Nicolas simply listened as he watched Karen work. She was very good, much better than he even realized. She was also dealing very well with her problems with Haleigh and Cameron as they went along, although he could still sense that she favored Alycia.

As Alycia began, she seemed FAR too whiny to him. He understood that Sharon was gone and that they were great friends and she looked up to her, but what right did that give her to threaten them with government persecution and dissection? HE didn't turn on the entire set of friends he EVER had because HIS dad died!!! How dare she!! She acted as if she weren't in this as deep as the rest of them, as if she were simply trying to help and got caught up in this ride unwittingly. She was just as driven and ambitious as Haleigh EVER was yet she played Haleigh for the bad guy. He was disappointed. He did not doubt that she had a problem, or that she was even close to a breakdown, but to him it seemed as much a situation of loss of control as anything else. She needed to realize that she was not always the baddest bitch around and that for all her crying, there were people who endured FAR worse. He wondered if in her self-pity she had ever considered flying to Darfur or to Eritrea or to Calcutta, places where people endured unimaginable things with a dignity that she had yet to match. THERE she would see TRUE suffering. Suffering he had seen with his own two eyes, yet could not ease for all his might.

Finally, as a person of African descent who has seen plenty of persecution due to color alone, he felt that Alycia was WAAAAAY too demeaning with her thoughts on metahumans, who (in the case of the Six) put their lives on the line every day to protect those like her simply because of they way they were BORN. It would be easy for all of them to run off to a remote area they could protect or to get in league (at least tacitly ) with evil and leave people like Alycia to rot. Or simply go to Limbo and live, create their own little corner to enjoy and say FUCK THIS. But they didn't, and the closest human to them all had the audacity to get upset because fate smiled on them at times after they endured the ULTIMATE penalty for the path they chose in trying to help??!! Nicolas was quite upset, and he had to remind himself that she was mentally and emotionally impaired at the moment, that maybe she would be more enlightened after she dealt with her problems.

He looked upon her with disappointment for a second, just a second, and then he calmed himself, breathing deeply.

Haleigh had a good rebuttal to Alycia's points and she gave an overall good accounting of herself. He had sensed the self-loathing when inside her mind, as evidenced by her strong subconscious defenses. Haleigh was a woman who would do a XXX-rated gang-bang spread in Penthouse and sell the video feed on DVD before she would do a Barbara Walters in-depth 1-hour spot. She hated her insides so much that in some ways he wondered how she could even know if she TRULY loved anyone at all. As good as Zach was to her, the fact that he had made apparently NO headway on this subject made him wonder whether he was REALLY the one? Or was he relying on the fact that she had no one else she trusted and going along for the ride, enjoying her body's pleasures and the relative comfort of their lives?

As Karen warned Cameron, Nicolas checked for mental manipulation or subterfuge. There was none at all from Cameron.

Then Cameron spoke, and he REALLY let it all hang out. In the end, for all everyone had said about him, he was a young man who had taken life by the tail making everything from nothing and made some truly bad decisions along the way. He then DIED and was seemingly trying to apply lessons learned from when one loses everything. While he did seem to have a knack for doing everything the wrong way, he meant well and that had an impression on Nicolas. He understood that intentions meant nothing to this group, oftentimes. But it would HAVE to matter now, because he WAS here and he deserved his life back simply because it was HIS. NO ONE ELSE's. It seemed that everyone in this group had a chance to come back, so this was not uncharted territory. It would soon be time for people to realize that he deserved at least what THEY got.

Nicolas teleported in another handkerchief and passed it to Cameron after he used what Karen gave him, and watched as the next phase began.

[Jessica Hamby]

Karen, surprisingly, was able to forget about being judgemental long enough to agree with some of what Haleigh had to say.... and though Karen would step in on alycia's behalf often enough to be noticed, there was still some understanding.... and Haleigh sensed that however painful is was to admit what she did.... it had gained SOME ground.... She had a look of stubborn disagreement as Karen defended Alycia.... it was clear that in Haleigh's eyes... Alycia did not DESERVE Karen's defense..... but Karen made it clear that she would defend those she liked and leave the others out cold.... and Haleigh knew there was little to be done about it. underneath the frustration it caused.... Haleigh knew Karen was between a rock and a hard place.... and it had to be hard to lay down personal feelings and be impartial. Still... it was at times, infuriating to be on the short end.... and to be without the luxuries afforded by Karen's personal affection. Haleigh fought the desire to reply....there were several times she wanted to snap back... but she didnt. She simply shook her head or furrowed her brow.... and did a combination of both when Karen tried to assure her it was OKAY to cry.... it might be okay to her.... but Haleigh was never comfortable with it and personally felt that it never HELPED anything.... except to maybe garner pity.... which was something Haleigh hated to get from a person, ESPECIALLY if she didn't like or agree with that person.

Haleigh shrugged as Karen reprimanded her for offering a personal opinion on Alycia's feelings towards Cameron.... she didn't care... but it was yet another glaring discrepancy in Karen's 'treatment'.... the doctor had let Alycia practically stomp all over them both... but anytime one of THEM returned the favor.... they got a slap on the wrists. :rolleyes:

It was Cameron's turn.... and Haleigh faced him.... her demeanor changing... softening. It was apparent that of all the people in THIS room.... he was the she was most likely to listen to... and it was obvious that they shared a level of understanding that only comes with being 'birds of a feather'. He explained his behavior.... and it was not an unreasonable way for him to feel.... but he seemed to forget that not too long ago, their postions had been REVERSED.... nearly exactly..... Haleigh had died herself.... and when she came back, she found Cameron with Alexis.... but she hadn't reacted so adversely to it... she had resigned to it.... and it was THIS that caused her to react so negatively to HIS reaction to her and Zach. Cameron expressed that he wished he could ease her sense of abandonment.... and though it was touching... Haleigh didnt know how to explain to him that it wasn't the FIRST time... and that at this point... it would have to be something she dealt with. He struggled through those three all-important words.... the words that they BOTH witheld from each other.... and the gravity of hearing those words far too late caused Haleigh's expression to break to one of somber sadness... she looked down, closing her eyes softly, furrowing her brow, as he asserted that he would be there for her no matter what. It was all the things she wanted, and NEEDED to hear from him.... but now they only made things harder. She looked up at him, nodding softly.... but not responding.

He moved on to Alycia.... and began sharing things about his past that he NEVER talked about....things that haleigh already knew... but to see him tell everyone explicitly.... it was still poignant to watch. She slowly reached across the table, taking his hand.... the best offer of support she could give. If hearing him talk about kissing Alycia had any kind of effect or sparked any jealousy on Haleigh's part... it didn't show. Karen offered her input again... this time, without the disdain that usually dripped from her tone... and she took a moment to transition the session to an open discussion, prompting Haleigh to voice her expectations. Haleigh glanced at karen and then at Alycia... as she considered Karen's proposal of a perfect world. but Haleigh looked to be in disagreement... and when her chance came to speak.... the frustration was still evident.

"Karen.... there's no such THING as a perfect world... and there never WILL be... and in my opinion... it would be both pointless and naive to pretend like it is or base our expectations of each other on THAT notion. Given this.... I can only answer your question to the best of my ability... and i can preface that you probably WONT like it.... but since there are PLENTY of things we don't like and have to LIVE with... I'm sure you can find a way to deal with it."

She turned to face Alycia, pausing breifly before addressing the question with as flatly as she could. It was difficult to keep from getting worked up.... but she did her best. "Karen wants me to be honest.... and so I shall. I don't want ANYTHING to do with you. I just.... want to wash my hands of you. Personally.... i feel that we could NEVER reconcile.... because you seem to CONTINUOUSLY and without EXCEPTION believe me to be the very WORST in the evil of the world.... and I can't see how you or I could ever overcome that..... and frankly, I don't want to TRY. You may find that infuriating... or ridiculous.... but I HAVE tried trusting you... respecting you.... DESPITE the fact that you looked for every chance to out me.... and that turned out to be a very SEVERE mistake on my part... and I'm not willing to just FORGET about that. It's like you can't HELP but crucify me... and when given the chance.... you always HAVE... and i just can't see how we could ever have ANY kind of friendship in the face of that. I can't trust you. [looking to Karen] So.... no... to answer your curiousity.... I'm NOT willing to look forward to a positive outcome. I don't see how one could be POSSIBLE.... and I'd just rather be DONE with it.... thats no front... that's just... what i think."

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen rocked in her chair slowly a bit, as Haleigh almost reflexively returned to a stubborn, stone wall mentality. So much for hoping for a breakthrough and moving to the next level.>>

<< she steepled her fingers as she listened and looked upon Haleigh.>>

insolent child. if you had all the answers, you wouldnt be in this room NOW would you? you wouldnt have to LIVE with the blood of innocents and their screams in their last moments of life as you TOOK their lives.

there are many things in this world you dont like...but i'm sure you can live with them.

<< As Haleigh immediately dismanteled what Karen was trying to do, Karen stood up.>>

STUPID GIRL! I've had ALL I CAN TAKE!

<< thrusting her hand forward..and snapping her finger, a rushing harp sound is heard as Haleigh is turned into a TURKEY>>

if you MUST continue to make so much POINTLESS noise...then perhaps you should live out the rest of your days in a form MORE FITTING!

<< glaring at Haleigh as she put her hand on her hips....the rushing, warping echo of a voice could be heard.>>

THAT was a wild day dream...THIS is reality

there are many things in this world you dont like...but i'm sure you can live with them


<< Karen shook her head...keeping herself in focus and NOT giving in to her desire to slice Haleigh up for this false sense of indignation and haughtyness. HALEIGH was just as contemptable as Alycia. THEY both had much to answer for....Karen wanted to allow Haleigh the LUXURY of thinking OUTSIDE her cynical, self destructive box..but she was far too comfortable in it.>>


Haleigh, you're not cooperating or participating at this point. you are doing what you always do. you open for a moment, and then close back up immediately. you have no more room to disavow Alycia than she does YOU.

the fact of the matter is...BOTH of you have screwed up and while the specific details between you could bring ANYONE to exhausting if listening long enough...WE DONT HAVE THE TIME to start at the beginning again.

<< her tone became sharp. she wasnt about to allow Haleigh to fold up and be content in dismissing Alycia. ALYCIA wasnt her problem. she may have PAINFULLY COMPOUNDED IT...but Haleigh's issues stemmed far back and beyond Alycia. the MEMORY flashbacks prooved that. her OPENING STATEMENT prooved that.>>

This RAMBO act of yours is going ot be the death of you. I told you that before and i'm REMINDING you of that now.

while we sit here in this room, and while i try to HELP the three of you..there are forces at work OUT THERE who would see you ALL DEAD.

<< Nicolas knows what she speaks of.>>

and while you may think, "oh i've heard this before"....trust me...as much as you loathe yourself...you CHERISH the fact that you sit here today...ALIVE and even ABLE to revel in your own toxic pitty party. You dont want to die anymore than Alycia or Cameron does. You dont want to lose control..but gues what? that's why you're here NOW because the ADVENT of your loss of control is UPON YOU and not only is YOUR LIFE at stake...so is everyone ELSE'S in this room..and even those NOT immediately present. so while you think you're shutting Alycia down...how about shutting down your own EGO for once and learning how to go with the flow?

<< turning to Alycia.>>

Alycia? as badly hurt as you have been, and while i WONT deny youve endured more than most...YOU can be just as deadly and implaceable when crossed. These two have detailed the hurt YOU have caused them and so you have MUCH culpability in this matter today as well.

I know you, young lady, and while you are suffering right now..you are NOT weak, your are NOT helpless and you are CERTAINLY not intimidated by anyone in this room or any place ELSE. Haleigh has screwed up. we all know that. She's done a TERRIBLE job by you on many occassions and she uses the excuse of YOU being a ball busting BITCH to relieve HER of the burden SHE volunteered to take when she promised to protect you.

But what did you do BEFORE you met her? when OTHERS reneged on their promises or prooved to be less than capable? you stepped up , you took control and you got it done! you NEVER depended on anyone, so you SHOULDNT begin to slide into that mode NOW with Haleigh or anyone else.

You're wrong and so is she. the question is...are EITHER of you smart enough or BRAVE enough to admit it? to realize that YOU BOTH dug this rift between you? if ANYONE in this room was perfect then I would be the FIRST to hand this session over to them. but that wont happen.

<< looking at Alycia.>>

Alycia, i told you before, you have inner reserves of strength that would do any warrior proud. when you are at your worst..its OKAY to revel in that for a time, its like falling into a mud puddle, but there comes a time when you have to GET UP and GET OUT.

Haleigh has let you down...JOIN THE CLUB. She's let MANY people down. YOU got along FINE before you met her and you can do it NOW in spite of her short comings but YOU'VE prooven to be just as hurtfull as she can be despite being "only human."

I've read files on BOTH of you. I know your histories...and at the CORE..both of you have much in common. strong, decent women with courage that would SHAME generals in the military, ambition and drive...courage of conviction! there's NO REASON the two of you cant work through this...but you'd BOTH rather WASTE TIME in posturing than being TRUTHFULL.

<< looking at Cameron.>>

surprisingly, YOU are perhaps in the best shape right now. You've LEARNED form your mistakes. you're AWARE of what youve done and how wrong it was and you're hear today..FACING these things in front of people who HARDLY represent the virtues of TRUST AND UNDERSTANDING

<< Glaring at Haleigh and looking disapprovingly at Alycia.>>

at this point, << she stops herself form saying "despite how i PERSONALLY feel about you." >> you've done a far better job then EITHER of these two in helping to get to the root of things AND ADDRESS them.

I cant BEGIN to know what it would be like to live your life...in the gutter...then to rise to the top...only to have it all taken away and THEN be given the precious "second chance". its a journey i have not taken...but CLEARLY the profoundness of it has not been lost on you and for THAT, i must give you credit for having something THESE TWO do not seem to posses....an ability to THINK OUTSIDE OF YOURSELF.

<< turning to alycia.>>

Alycia, you OVER compensate because you fear that being human among super powered beings makes you WEAK. did anyone ever tell you that for a fact? or did this come from your need to continuously keep HALEIGH beneath your heels when you saw she was more like you than you would want to admit...even in the NOT SO STERLING ways?

I think that is the case...for BOTH of you and i am NOT interested in a rebuttal from EITHER of you on that.


DESPITE Haleigh's nonsense, are YOU prepared to stand up and do the right thing at this point? if YOU had the chance to do what YOU could to fix things and show me just how STRONG you truly are...would you? This means APOLOGIZING and UNDERSTANDING WHY you are apologizing. this means taking a hard look at that awfull mirror that none of us wants to face..and seeing the parts of ourselves that are maladaptive. and this means...being able to function OUTSIDE of your dysfunctional, yet "comfortable" mechanism?

[Oracle]

<< and as the Doctor stopped pulling punches with her clients, so too did NATURE seem to lose HER hold on those directly under her sway..namely the birds.>>

fast forward across town to the Parthenon

<< an hour has passed, Morgan and Ava have successfully met with Madonna and Liz Rosenburg, going over the final details with Morgan and giving Ava approval for her final media blitz for the concert/gala event. It was a job well done and both parties were satisfied. However, Morgan and Ava were unaware of the LESS than smooth process going on at Illustra.>>


<< as the two women stepped outside, THEY, along with everyone at Illustra..and anyone ELSE in the area outside or IN for that matter would be treated to a most eerie sight.>>


The Cell

Rick Riley: The Doctor is smacking Haleigh up again. She does it so well, i suspect she enjoys it. Isnt THAT a twist. a THERAPIST who enjoys savaging her patients. Maybe THAT was what Christopher liked about the hoity toity bitch.

<< he smoked a cigar as he watched the liquid crystal screen in the shadowy , technologically advance control room of the cell.>>

Suit 2: Dr. Victoria could CRACK Haleigh...and do our job for us!

Suit 3: and if something were to HAPPEN to her at Haleigh's hands...that would be ALL we needed! the Six would turn their backs on Haleigh but before THEY could kill her, our NEWEST weapon would do it for us!

suit 2: should we initiate another memory feed back? or manipulate another subroutine?

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh had been doing a rather remarkable job of maintaining her composure.... but there was only SO MUCH abuse a person could take... and just as Karen began to show that SHE was reaching the end of her patience, and saw fit to bear down and try to put Haleigh in her place, the ORDER of the session quickly degenerated... and Haleigh's anger surfaced as she interrupted loudly.

"GOD DAMN IT, KAREN! WILL YOU JUST STOP?! This isn't ABOUT my fucking ego! I left my EGO at the door! Maybe if you would JUST LISTEN! It's not an ACT, doctor.... its ALL I HAVE, and it's kept me alive for THIS LONG.... and though you dont LIKE it, EVERYTHING in me is telling me that I can ONLY be hurt by this TWISTED, perpetually DISTORTED relationship! I'm TELLING YOU that I CANT bring myself do what you think I should because the TRUST isn't there. Call it maladaptive, or stubborn or just plain STUPID, but I CANT, OKAY?! Why can't YOU look PAST what you think of me or my behavior and SEE that?? WHY cant you understand that?? I've given ALL that I can.... and I've been HONEST! Is NOTHING EVER GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU?!"

[Silver Swan]

:: did they REALLY think they had any control over her? did they REALLY THINK she CARD about what THEY wanted?::

:: Sharon Kelly had just freed herself from her "incubation tube" and was now standing tall...looking younger, and perhaps MORE beautifull than she had been in her original life. Her now silver eyes gleamed with a chaotic glint as she looked around...breathing with an almost predatory heave.::


:: she heard them talking about her....MORE people...wanting to control her...use her...abuse her!! not now...not EVER AGAIN!::

BOOM!!

:: busting the doors down with her now Shift X (lift/press 50 tons) strength, Sharon BUSTS into through the control room to find RICK RILEY and two others...::

YOU!!

:: she bellows.::

YOU will be the FIRST!!

:: spreading her arms, Sharon spins "wonder woman style" ...faster and faster until she becomes a living TORNADO..and if gale force winds werent bad enough....from the malestrom, "stars".....spiked, "throwing stars" come FLYING OUT...spinning so fast and hurling at such high velocities.::

the OTHER two suits have NO time to react....as the main viewer, and everything ELSE around the room is SPRAYED with blood...THEIR blood as Sharon unleashes as BARRAGE of spining stars into their bodies..slicing them, tearing at their flesh, ripping their bodies and leaving them RAVAGED. they fall to the floor...MORE than dead....the room now dripping and stained with blood.::

:: Sharon stops...her hair flowing behind her as she looks around furiously. RICK RILEY IS GONE!::

HE ESCAPED!!

:: she slams her fist down...THROGH a bloody computer console.::

NO MATTER!! I'll have his head...RIGHT BESIDE HER'S!!

:: leaving the control room, Sharon instinctively knows her way...she was here BEFORE..she NEVER FORGOT..NEVER FORGAVE! and after a while, passing by the prisons where long dead corpses and remains could be found...Sharon emerges ABOVE GROUND.::

:: the grey skies greet her, the winds kiss her nude form. there's no one in this derelict area to see this most unusual sight....but even if there were..she wouldnt care. she'd just KILL THEM.::

:: feelings. senssations...remembering...but memories are conflicted, disjointed...muddled...all that is CLEAR is that HALEIGH MUST DIE!::

I will FIND HER!! i'll MAKE HER PAY!

:: and with that...Sharon SCREAMS...a sonic scream SO POWERFULL, SO TERRIFYING that BIRDS from EVERYWHERE begin to FLY en masse..as if they were MIGRATED in a frenzy. they are flying across the skies toward the direction of where the CELL once stood and everyone including Morgan and Ava outside the Parthenon along with Karen, Nicolas, Delilah, Alycia, Cameron and Haleigh at Illustra would see this most UNUSUAL sight. Birds...especially of different species should NOT be congregating like this.::

:: thre are so MANY..that as they pass over one spot to the next...it causes that area to DARKEN as if under an eclipse. the cries and sounds of the birds are shrill. they are BEYOND agitated...they are BESIDE themselves and they are coming to greet their new mistress....the Silver Swan!::

[Jill Monroe]

<< at the Parthenon, Morgan emerges from the main doors of the floor lobby with Ava, smiling with satisfaction.>>


well, THAT went quite well i think. we've covered all the last minute details, and all the appropriate papers have been signed by both partiers. everything is in place! you handled yourself very well, Ava. I am pleased to know that you will handling the final media push for today before the event.

the only thing let, will be the photo shoot later this afternoon.

<< walking forward, Morgan felt a strong breeze, almost like something was PUSHING the air along. her blonde hair began to flow forward.>>

whoa..feel that wind!

<< suddenly, the high pitched calls and screams of seagulls, crows and sparrows ...all at once could be heard. the massive sound of fluttering wings...and an immense, long BLACK SHADOW began to flow ominously over Ava and Morgan.>>

what the hell is THAT!?

<< she looked up and gasped...as HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of birds were flying through the air...so many...so much NOISE...>>

GODDESS!

<< she watched with disbelief as suddenly she and ava both seemed VERY SMALL in comparison to THIS above them. these birds were moving like a MASSIVE "super avaian organism". their cries were so loud and so overswhelming...that some of the more sensitive car alarms began to go off in the area around them. people were crashing their cars at the sight of this....others were transfixed in their walking...>>

the others...at Illustra...they HAVE to be seeing this!! I hope their okay...i REALLY hope that this doesnt have anything to do with HALEIGH!!

<< looking to the direction they are going>>

They're headed to east...toward Illustra!! do you think they're about to attack?? we need to get back!

<< she was about to teleport them...but she remembered they were out in public. >>

MIKE!! << she called out with urgency>> we need you!!

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Walking out of The Parthenon, the meeting had went very well. No inturruptions, no disagreements. It was perfect. ::

"She was a very nice woman. Very professional and passionate about the cause. I hope we can work with her again in the future. As for the photoshoot, i'm actually looking more forward to it now."

:: Stepping out to the sidewalk, a gust of wind blew past Ava, causing a few of her curled locks to come loose from her low ponytail and flow across her face. Before Morgan even asked what was going on, Ava looked up seeing the birds flocking across the sky. She could feel their desire and hypnotic like mindset. Chaos began to fill the streets as it darkened from the birds shadows. ::

"SOMEONE is behind this. They're controlling the birds, I can FEEL it. We need to get back to Illustra, immediately."

[Oracle]

<< and with that, Mike quickly makes his way around to pick up the women and speeds off to Illustra, prooving once again what a maverick he is with short cuts and handling of the vehical.>>

<< Morgan and Ava are getting back to Illustra just in time...for not only is something wrong with the birds..but something is wrong on the 99th floor. The session is dengenerating and as some might have expected, Haleigh , due to her INABILITY to cooperate it seemed, was now making things FAR harder than they needed to be.>>

<< at this point, the doctor was going to have to administer extreme psycho therapy...AGAIN, but before she would get to that, she would have to clear the room of Delilah, Nicolas and Cameron, who was the LEAST needing of this next step Karen was preparing to take.>>

<< BUT OF COURSE...this couldnt happen before things FURTHER degenerated, for if Haleigh [or anyone else ] thought that Alycia would COWER in her presence? and if she would just SIT BACK and be spoken of so poorly by a woman who was in NO BETTER a position? oh THEY ALL had another thing coming.>>

<< and so, once again it is prooven WHY the only person who CAN treat them is Karen and why SHE may need a therapist HERSELF when this is all said and done.>>

<< chaos in the skies, chaos within illustra...and all on a collision course with MURDEROUS HATRED in the form of a woman that haunts MORE than one person's heart.>>

<< Haleigh is in for a world of pain when these objects collide.>>

<< and so we watch>>

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Alycia used the chair to mask her body's desire to spring to action, take aim with her repulsor blaster and blow Haleigh's head off. For a BRIEF and SHOCKING moment, Alycia had begun to leave her own zone of bitterness and hatred. Karen was leading her out and Haleigh's own opening statement was one that Alycia hadnt expected.::


:: somewhere along the way, Alycia had gotten in too deep with her feelings. Her friendships with Morgan and Alison were one thing, her status with Delilah as her former attourney and often teams colleague in law enforcemenet was another link to the six. She'd helped many of them in legal matters and she'd prooven to be just as scarey and deadly as any OTHER type of foe they might have had.::

:: but somewhere along the way she'd gotten sloppy. she realized that now.::

:: Sharon's death , her grief and unresolved issues, all played a role in her moving away from what she knew was the right way of doing things and if more than a few people had a dime view of her for THAT...that would bother her MORE than any political or legal enemy she made. she was H APPY to make an enemy of someone who deserved to be at the receiving end of her wrath and take down...but what about those who were HER innocent casualties?::

:: She'd hurt Haleigh. She never gave Cameron a chance and while at the time she may have been justified...she'd never bothered to tie up those loose ends. THEY were human TOO. they may have had powers..but it was clear that they felt SHE did too in a different sort of way..but still she was one of the FEW who could stand shoulder to shoulder with them.::

:: she locked eyes with Haleigh, not wavering fora moment. dammit, if she was not going to do anything ELSE ..she was going to make SURE to be a woman about this!::

:: some of haleigh's words had hit home...and had CONVICTED Alycia. her heart dropped in her stomach.::

:: and Cameron ...by the time HE'd gotten done, she felt like she'd been an unfeeling bully. those were the kind of people she wanted to FIGHT in the courtroom! she didnt want to add to the pain of someone who didnt deserve it.::

Oh Cameron....

:: Alycia's heart and mind softened on him. Karen was leading them along...it seemed that a slow crawl was happening and THAT was hopefull but HALEIGH derailed it and dared to dismiss and shut down Alycia?

oh HELL NO!

:: she exclaimed but Karen raised her hand in rebuke to silence her and proceeded to dress alycia down as well as Haleigh.::

:: Karen was RIGHT. Alycia needed to get her act together. THEY both were at fault and look...NOW people were looking at ALYCIA like SHE was a pole axed ox! Alycia had gotten "egg on her face" before and always managed to clean herself up. what was so different NOW? She had become destabilized because of Sharon but instead of getting the help she needed when those who could or maybe even SHOULD have offered did NOT...she let it stay the way it was...and that brought her down, made her less effective. but she'd be DAMNED if she was going to be put in her place by THIS woman. human with feelings or NOT. Alycia was NOT going to take th is anymore.::

:: Karen turned to Alycia as Haleigh had her outburst.::

You know what? I could have GUESSED this was coming. I dont care if you or anyone ELSE in this room thinks "lowly" of me now. I have had a BAD run lately and i realize now that i've been in the wrong. I'm not so proud or so STUCK ON STUPID that I can't get TOLD and have to endure someone DIGGING IN MY ASS to get me to get a clue and act right.

but YOU? you have the GAUL to sit here and compare your interactions with ME to being a "perverse relationship" when your every DEALING with ANYONE in this BUILDING has been an exercise in manipulation and ABUSE?

:: she slid up to the table in her seat. her hands both palm down firmly on the table in plain view of everyone.::

Karen, i AM woman enough to admit that i've been acting ridiculous lately. not because i care about what ANYONE in this room thinks of me...but because i've been selling myself out by wallowing in this. I realize now that i was hurting and i felt LET DOWN by HER and her EMPTY BOASTS at being the best at what she does despite her tally card being as long and as FILLED as 5th avenue during rush hour traffic.

I want to be honest as well! In this past hour...i've felt HORRIBLE as i realized that I had BECOME like the kind of people i dedicated myself to FIGHTING AGAINST. When i first met Cameron...i went after him because of what he was doing to Morgan. at the time, it may have been an understandable course of action...but I ...my PARENTS would NEVER have approved of me being what essentially amounted to a BULLY toward him.

<< she looks at Cameron.>>

We were never friends. We were associates and at one point client/attourney.

You HURT me when i found out you'd written about that..."moment". a MOMENT that i still cant explain why it happened. i t was EMBARRASSING ...and again..its because of this stupid game of "reputation upholding" that i and OTHER people in this room play.

Here you are...and the old things...they really SHOULDNT matter, should they?

:: she looks up at the ceiling::


but you know what? I APOLOGIZE. I've held something against you that you couldn't help and I was being childish and short sighted. I've let my emotions and my frayed feelings cloud my judgement for too long.

:: but HALEIGH would not be the one she would apologize to TODAY.::

you're right Karen, I'm being rather ridiculous right now and i'm EMBARRASSED at my self. but i'll be DAMNED if i'm going to be minimized and dismissed by HER of all people. SHE can't even cooperate long enough to get through a therapy session and you b etter believe that if it was just she and i in this room? she'd try to murder me just like she's murdered so many OTHER people....

but you know what? that's fine. I dont HAVE to deal with her. I don't need any kind of input from her. She wants to tell ME what I can do and yet WHINE about what SHE CANT do? FUCK THAT!

in fact..i dont have to deal with ANYONE in this building. I can take my happy ass BACK to capitol hill and I'll show you JUST what i can do, because while YOU want to act like I've committed original sin? i'm not the one who hides behind these walls and these people to allude the PUNISHMENT that you are due...punishment that ANY court in this or MANY OTHER countries would be MORE than within their rights to enforce if you were to some how be FOUND and captured.

and would you be so willing to endanger anyone ELSE in this building for your freedom?

I am NOT here for you. I do not have to cater to YOU.


:: Alycia's mind was made up. FUCK THEM. She was going back to washington and she was pull out ALL the stops. Haleigh was getting what she deserved and if she wanted a REPRIEVE from "self loathing" Alycia would GIVE it to her. She was now presidential agent, she had NO REASON to bend to the request of the six..and if any of them felt the way Haleigh did? then FUCK THEM TOO. SHe was no one's bitch..and she was THROUGH wallowing, THROUGH crying..and THROUGH being second guessed.::

I'm leaving immediately. going back to capitol hill!

:: and with that, Alycia stands up and makes a strong, direct move toward the double doors, to leave. grabbing hold of the door knob, she couldnt WAIT to get away from HER! but as soon as she opened the door, the windows all around that conference room were BLACKENED...there was this STRANGE...unsettling sound!! ::


:: still at the door, she turned back, looking over her shoulder!::

BIRDS!!....hundreds...THOUSANDS!!! and....mutliple species!! its JUST like what they field commander described!!


:: her brooch began to vibrate...she was being paged. now she HAD to leave! whatever she had secretly HOPED to come of today's meeting was DASHED. Haleigh made it IMPOSSIBLE to want to try to set things right and no matter HOW bad Alycia may have felt..she wasnt ABOUT to let THAT "mechanical misfit" kick her while she was down. it was an ENDLESS push/pull situation and Karen had ALMOST seemed to give them BOTH just enough room to TRY to fix it.::

:: but now...almost as if the birds were a symbol....that was over. the birds continud to stream past..some banging into the window...but most just kept going. it was like a FRIEGHT TRAIN of feathers and cries::

:: Alycia turned...and walked out. she wasnt stopping. not for Haleigh..not for ANYONE. she was BACK allright....and someone was going to REGRET IT.::

[Oracle]

<< The night that Alycia had killed Stavros Cassidine, Harbinger had predicted a vicious, genocidal war between mutants and humans...it was a VERY distinct possible thread of time and events that WOULD occur if Haleigh had harmed or killed Alycia. it was at this moment that it became clear that while she may not have liked Alycia anymore...she had NO CHOICE but to deal with her because Alycia's new position gave her a NEW kind of power and leverage, one that Alycia at one time would NEVER have considered using....but as the rift between Haleigh and Alycia grew...and Alycia's own suffering promoted clouded judgement, the distinct possibility of that time thread becoming REALITY was inching closer and closer.>>

<< IF EVER there was a time for Nicolas AND Delilah to remember Harbinger's words of warning..it was NOW. the LEGAL implications....the FALL OUT were too great to ignore. they couldnt touch alycia NOR could they stop her from leaving for if she were to be hurt..not only would MORGAN confront them for answers...but the government would come down on Illustra like a ray of light through a magnifying glass.>>

<< KAREN , in an attempt to get through to Haleigh, had cast a spell on her to FORCE her to see the path her life was taking her on and where it could lead. she unknowingly tapped into the SAME time thread with her spell that Alison had saw...and the spell reveled that Haleigh, through a cumulative effect of past deeds and current behaviors would DRIVE AWAY the members of the six and leave herself open. The Six themselves would HAVE to leave her..to save their own lives and SHE would FINALLY have to answer for her crimes...CAPITOL offenses that she had long evaded due to her deep roots in the world of espionage....but her actions...and ALYCIA brought and end to that...and with the war between mutants and humans now raviging the country, the government not only makes an example of Haleigh, but dehumanizes her as she is given over for final, BRUTAL experimentation...with Alycia Barnett supervising.>>

<< at this moment, as the session degenerated AND as the birds began to swarm past Illustra in a truly BIZARRE fashion that would have interrupted the session ANYWAY, Dr. Victoria, Nicolas and Delilah had to do SOMETHING....but they were in a rock and a hard place. >>

<< the birds were more than just a freak of nature...it was a sign...that Haleigh was losing more and more control and as she lost control...the lives of the six were being placed in MORE uncertain peril.>>>


<< Alycia was leaving, and it appeared the safety and security of Illustra's "residents" was about to go out of the window. They may have not liked Alycia...but they shouldve remembered that she didnt cause this problem by herself either.>>


there was something ELSE

<< as the BIRDS came STORMING through the skies and past the 99th floor of Illustra, Haleigh began to feel something...it was odd...like something had been BROKEN. not physically..but deep within.>>

<< back at the cell when Sharon Kelly murdered two of "the suits"...her spinning star barrage DESTROYED much of the control counsel being used to mainpulate Haleigh's sub routines. Rick Riley, again managed to escape but now, Haleigh was a sitting duck for more "memory flash backs" and system cascade failure...which could include her VITAL functions.>>

<< Alycia was leaving..and it SEEMED that Haleigh's problems were going to get WORSE rather than better, unless Karen did something.>>

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen's eyes widened, before narrowing into a disapproving glare as Haleigh interrupted her and shut down this phase of the discussion with her apparent UNWILLINGNESS or INABILITY to do what Karen wanted her to do.>>

<< Karen, realized she was being heavy handed but she HAD to be with Haleigh, it SEEMED that was the only thing she responded to at times. but then again Haleigh was so UNPREDICTABLE than ANYONE would find themselves scrambling on just what to do with her from one moment to the next.>>

<< this isnt what was supposed to be happening! about the ONLY thing that had been rsolved...was CAMERON'S part.>>

<< Alycia started up but Karen hushed her. Haleigh continued and that was it...the meeting was now on a slippery slope...DOWN.>>

Haleigh Davidoff!!

<< Karen snapped, sharply.>>

You're issue is NOT with me and so, RAILING against me and what i'm trying to get you to DO will avail you NOTHING. you're spinning your wheels in a mess that you helped to create.

<< she turned to Alycia...and Alycia blew up. she "rose up" in anger. it was happening again. even as alycia had done her best to take a small step forward...Haleigh's inability or unwillingness to do so causd HER to revert back as well. NEITHER ONE of them seemed to be willing to STEP outside of their maladaptive comfort zones...and if one DID, the OTHER could do little more than snipe and continue to lick their wounds as if they had a RIGHT to wallow in self pity.>>

Alycia! don't fall back NOW after you've been so willing to do the right thing! You don't have to MEET her on her level of non cooperation!

<< but it was too late. Alycia was no fool and she knew that people were probably thinking very poorly of her. why SHOULD she want to stay in a room with someone who had NO INTEREST in making an effort?>>

<< Alycia stood up, preparing to leave. at LEAST she wasnt going after Haleigh or Cameron. in fact..she'd APOLOGIZED to Cameron.>>

Alycia!!

<< Karen called after her as she stood up...her facial expression conveyed PURE agitation with Haleigh and Alycia. there was a SLIVER of "give" there...and Haleigh just pulled back and made the tension return and ALycia did no better as she immediately returned to HER warpath.>>

<< as Karen thought FAST on what to do next, the birds came...it was the most unsettling thing! even though they were enclosed and HIGH off the ground level, Karen felt herself encroached by this MASSIVE flying stream of hostile birds. where were they going?? thankfully it seemed they WERENET interested in Illustra itself. but the sheer magnitude of this frenzied migration, the fact that day turned to BLACK because of the flowing stream of birds...and their horrid cries...it made Karen MORE than a little uneasy as she looked among the others in the room >>

Oh my stars!!


<< catching sight of alycia out the cornder of her eye, the woman was making a hasty retreat.>>


Alycia!

<< not making any sudden moves, the birds were still passing by but their seemingly ENDLESS parade was finaly starting to end...and with it..the din of their frenzied cries and sounds of chaos..>>

Wonderfull. Simply WONDERFULL.

<< she turns to Cameron.>>

Cameron? you may leave. At this point, there's no need for you to be apart of this. I have to deal with them and QUICKLY...too much is at stake for this NONSENSE to go on any further. I will pass my review on to Morgan..it will be favorable. Thank you for your willigness to cooperate and participate.

Delilah? you may go as well. I suspect Alycia is planning to make a fast exit from Illustra. She's not interested in attacking Haleigh directly. At th is point...if anyone touches her or tries to impeded her path...it could be construed as hostile action by mutants against humans...and the comittee of super human activities is just waiting for the chance to come down on mutants and metahumans with full legal justification. I dont want you to try to talk to her about this, i just want you to make sure that she leaves Illustra unharmed.

Thank you for your assistance. i know today has been hard for you. please keep the confidentiality clause in mind as you leave this room.

<< turning to Haleigh.>>

It's obvious you don't want the help I'm offering. You certainly wont be getting it from anyone ELSE either, which means you are content to realize the destiny that i showed you from before. the choices you make determine the life you lead...or lack there of. being aware of something is one thing. being willing to DO something about it...trying unconventional methods to that end..THAT requires a level of willingness you do not have. you said so yourself. I have tried all that i can with you at this point....and I do not feel another "more intense" session with you is in order for the LAST one clearly did not have a permanent result.

You may leave as well but you are to STAY AWAY from Alycia. Morgan will receive my report.

<< she folded her arms as she dismissed Haleigh.>>

Nicolas, you will stay behind.

<< waiting till Haleigh left before speaking again....Karen's more rapid breathing suggested she as more than a little upset.>>

I need a word with you.

<< her tone seemed more UNCERTAIN than anything else. >>

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh wore the most smug look at Alycia retaliated, shutting down and preparing to leave.... as Alycia stood up from the table, so did Haleigh, quickly and reactively, in such a manner that her chair rolled back wildly and ran into the wall ten feet behind her. She watched Alycia rant and then stalk out the door.... and haleigh seemed MORE than satisfied to have pushed her right out the door!

"Good RIDDANCE!"

She exclaimed, as Karen reacted, trying to stay Alycia and then admonishing Haleigh... but Haleigh was hardly listening to the doctor.... something within her had SNAPPED.... and the change in her was apparent... and she scoffed as Karen suggested that Haleigh wouldn't allow anyone to help her and then went on to warn her to stay away from Alycia.

"WhatEVER... it's OBVIOUS that YOU can't help me! and just WHY would go ANYWHERE NEAR that SHITHEAD human?? You know, for a THERAPIST, you're an AWFUL listener.... I JUST SAID I didnt want ANYTHING to do with her! Maybe if you-- AAAGH!"

She cried suddenly, clamping her hands over her ears.... she whipped around to see the birds.... THOUSANDS of them.... turning the skies BLACK... and worse than THAT.... the sounds they were making.... it was deafening! Haleigh winced, trying to block out the sound.... but she noticed the OTHERS weren't having so severe a reaction.... how could they NOT? The sound was EARSPLITTING to Haleigh..... and she could only be thankful when the birds began to thin out... and much of the noise faded. The others were staring.... and Haleigh was huffed... and she took her chance to storm out, SLAMMING her OPEN hand into the center of the double doors and causing them to bust open violently, wooden shards and splinters flying about. Her head was KILLING her... she could hardly THINK over the pulsing pressure.... and the lights began to flicker as she faltered in her stalking step, stumbling into a potted plant.... she tried to right herself again.... but her very HEARTBEAT took an erratic pace and skipped beats, as more memories overtook her.... and ALL the screens in Illustra came to life.... with flashes of the NERVOUS battle with the Super Soldier....

Morgan and Alison do their best to fight him off... as Haleigh and the rest destroy Nervous.... everything seems to come together, despite, the chaos, and finally the team begins to make their escape... but there is one MORE surprise in store, and everyone is HELPLESS to stop it: the Super soldier busts into view....having lunged out from the shadows and smoke from the approaching meltdown and explosion. his face mangled and dripping with blood. his stature immediately dwarfs the two witches as he cold cocks Morgan across the jaw SO HARD she's stunned and dazed as she hits the ground with a thud and slides a few paces away....laying dangerously close to a puddle of that liquid energy.......there's no time for them to react as he wastes no time as he bears down on Alison swings his other arm under and forward...SLAMMING his photon weapon, now in the form of a javeline THROUGH Guardian's abdomen....the photon javeline punctures through her back....as he PUSHES it in forcefully.

the Shape stands , seemingly triumphant , silent and without emotion as he clenches his fists and continues to breath hard and heavy. the place is falling, MELTING down and will soon explode, permanantly changing the subterranean geographcy of the arctic circle. Everyone scrambles to help, with Haleigh lifting a badly injured Alison from the floor and staring uncertainly into the eyes of the Super Soldier.... hesitating only a split second before making a dash for the portal that is their exit.

Haleigh crumples to her knees in the middle of the hallway, clutching her chest, shutting her eyes tightly.... gasping for breath.... spasms take over her.... and the floodgates open once more... and ALL the monitors in Illustra continue their display... and even as Alycia retreats.... and the others who attended the session begin to leave... they are ALL witness.... as there is hardly a room in the cutting edge Illustra tower that DOESNT have at least one screen....

A slow country song plays from a portable radio, as Patch and I dance cheek to cheek beneath a starry night sky, amid the fresh snowfall. We move together slowly on the hardened ice of Hamstead's Pond, as the music wafts down from the embankment above. Neither of us speaks, as a full moon shines down on us, and a sky full of stars helps to brighten the night. We whisper, kiss softly, and turn slowly. It is a nice moment, and I am just tipsy enough to forget the pain I carry and just let everything be, as I lay my head on his chest and close my eyes. The DJ puts on a brighter song, and we look at each other and smile. I suggest we have some fun, and Patch offers to go get our skates out of his pack so we can test the ice. I nod and take another sip straight from the bottle of wine that Patch swiped from his parents hiding place. Patrick heads off up the hill to our horses, who are grazing on hay in the makeshift paddock we built ourselves. Horses are almost as great passion of mine as photography is, and it is one I share with Patch. My horse, Comet (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/titaniazane/horseclydesdale.jpg), is a gentle giant, a Clydesdale. Patrick's is a black beauty, a Percheron named Orion (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/titaniazane/horsebeast2.jpg). I watch him, and take a moment to snap a picture of the sight, a beautiful silhouette of him and the horses, who lift their heads and snort out thick puffs of steam as he rifles through our stuff. Two teenaged boys in baseball letterman jackets emerge from the bushes on the other side of the pond. Ugh.... great... its Cooper and Conner Hewitt... Cooper, the more assertive of the twins, speaks first.

Cooper: "Well.... lookee who we got here. It's nearin' curfew, Haleigh... you shouldn't be out here all alone... something bad might happen."

My response is rapid and like wildfire... I don't try to hide that I don't like them. "Something bad might happen to YOU, Coop. I can handle MYSELF just fine."

Conner: "Oh, I bet you can, baby." He shoots back, and both of them laugh, while I am less than amused. My patience thinner than usual and my blood alcohol higher, but I’m gracious enough to give them a warning.

"I don't have TIME or energy for this, boys. While don't you two go fuck yourselves and leave me alone? Don't you have some cheerleaders to harass? I'm WAY out of your league. You ain't never HAD it, you ain't never gonna GET it... so give it a goddamned rest okay?"

Conner, who is a little more intelligent and less abrasive, can sense I'm not in the mood and looks to his brother. Cooper, on the other hand, tastes a challenge and refuses to back down. "Oo... potty MOUTH. You wanna know what your problem is? You're getting a little too sassy for your own good. What you need is a man to put you in your place... Your daddy hasn't been around to DO that now has he? And everybody KNOWS that bitchass little Paddywagon of yours cant HANDLE you."

Stupid asshole. I can't believe I used to be friends with these guys. It all ended when they spread the most awful rumors on the ninth grade about things I allegedly did with the two of them. I shake my head, but can't help my escalating anger level. "Dammit, Coop... this is your FINAL warning... I kicked your asses three years ago, and So help me God, I'll do it again."

Cooper moves in closer, and is now toe to toe with me. He stands a good ten inches taller than me and I can tell he's trying to intimidate me with his size, which I REALLY hate... and is unsuccessful anyway, because he's thin and wiry, and I can fight way better than one might think. Cooper thinks he can stare me down, and tries to call what he assumes is a bluff on my part.

Cooper: "I'd like to see that. We ain't little boys anymore, Haleigh."

I stare back at him, and don't look away, even when Patrick, who is standing at the top of the hill about fifty feet back, calls my name to try and disperse the tension. Cooper ignores his approach, and as Patch calls my name again, I shake my head and begin to turn away from Coop's ridiculous drama.... but Cooper isn't done yet... and he GRABS me by my elbows and forcefully pulls me close.... I brace my hands against his chest, leaning away from his advance, spitting in his face. He BACKHANDS me before THROWING me into the snow bank... and I see STARS as I try to recover from the sting.... everything happens so FAST... Cooper is in an absolute BLIND FRENZY and is upon me in SECONDS... and it is ALL I CAN DO to recover enough to punch him hard enough to BREAK his nose, and as the blood comes, he recoils, and it's all i need to kick him SQUARE in the chest with both feet and launch him backwards... turning the tables. It's not above me to kick him while he's down, and I DO.

Conner reacts a little slowly and jumps in, and Patrick races down the incline to help. It lasts only minutes before a familiar voice calls out for the fighting to stop. Patrick and I stop and look up, and the twins collect themselves and draw back, hurt and bleeding. I climb up the snow-covered bank, Patrick in tow. It's Mama's brother, and he's visibly pissed. He'll never understand.

"Uncle Pete... We... THEY started it..."

He ain't having it, and I can tell he knows I've had a little to drink. Really, it was only a little. He folds his arms across his chest. "You'd better get in the truck, girl. Patch.... you too, boy." Jeff steps out of the passenger side and reaches out to catch me as I wobble. I can tell he's disappointed, and I hang my head and slink past.

"Yessir." I slur sheepishly.... all this activity has catalyzed the alcohol in my system.

Patrick gives it a try. "Pete--"

"Not another word, young man. Get your things, I'm taking you two home." We climb into his red dodge truck with 'Fire Rescue Marshall' markings painted on it. Jeff offers to take the horses back, and he grabs his coat and gloves out of the truck, giving Patch one of those father-son looks that shuts everybody up.

[Jill Monroe]

<< as the limo, driven by Mike screeches up the circular drive outside of Illustra's long row of doors, Morgan rushes out as Mike opens the door.>>

Thank you Mike!

<< she says as she walks with a brisk pace, her high heels clicking in a fast rhythm along the ground and the marble floors in Illustra's crystaline lobby.>>

<< various personnel in Illustra were already buzzing loudly about the strange phenomena of the birds that had just passed over the building...the skies above. people were more than distracted from their tasks, they were downright unnerved.>>

Let's take the private express elevator.

<< the two women made their way quickly through the crowds ...some wanting to question MORGAN about the birds...as if SHE would REALLY have an answer for THAT?>>

<< once inside the elevator, it would not stop again until the 25th floor and then not again until the 99th floor. the express tube wouldnt stop again after that until the 101rst floor. only Morgan had a key to this elevator, copies were given out at her discretion.>>

<< while on the elevator.>>

I don't have to tell you that I am less than hopefull about what I will find on the 99th floor.

I have the feeling that people didnt cooperate with my mother..and quite frankly im getting tired of this. If ANY of us was the picture of perfect mental health...i'd LOVE to see them step forward.

<< Morgan rolled her eyes and stepped forward a bit.>>


I know that Haleigh is your sister, but if i find out that she's refusing help or has become a danger to this team, our security or Illustra, I'm relieving her of all her duties to the six. She's NEVER taken well to being chided or reprimanded by my mother...or ANYONE for that matter and if my mother can't help her..who the hell is going to be able to?

<< exhaling as she lost whatever sense of ACCOMPLISHMENT she had from earlier, Morgan was now rubbing her forehead as the express elevator finally reached the 99th floor.>>

here we are.

<< walking out first, morgan strode down the long hall way leading to the double doors that opened to the large, lobby/reception area of the office suites and conference room. as she entered, her eyes widened as the double doors to the conference room came SLAMMING open and crashing off their hinges!>>

what the hell is THIS!?

<< she yelled as she took her position, ready to attack, before seeing it was HALEIGH, who was struggling, clearly in the throws of another episode.>>

HALEIGH!

<< Morgan went over to her, and immediately took hold of her to keep her from falling. Haleigh was shaking badly and at that moment, the screens and monitors all flickered to lilfe once more. Morgan, now holding Haleigh from falling all the way down looks around her as wall mounted monitors over looking various points in the conference room as well as the TV and monitor and wall mounted monitors in the circular vestibule, and in various hall floors..including the residential floors were ZACH was....AND...to the risk of the six...monitors on the BUSINESS FLOORS far below.>>


Morgan and Alison do their best to fight him off... as Haleigh and the rest destroy Nervous.... everything seems to come together, despite, the chaos, and finally the team begins to make their escape... but there is one MORE surprise in store, and everyone is HELPLESS to stop it: the Super soldier busts into view....having lunged out from the shadows and smoke from the approaching meltdown and explosion. his face mangled and dripping with blood. his stature immediately dwarfs the two witches as he cold cocks Morgan across the jaw SO HARD she's stunned and dazed as she hits the ground with a thud and slides a few paces away....laying dangerously close to a puddle of that liquid energy.......there's no time for them to react as he wastes no time as he bears down on Alison swings his other arm under and forward...SLAMMING his photon weapon, now in the form of a javeline THROUGH Guardian's abdomen....the photon javeline punctures through her back....as he PUSHES it in forcefully.

the Shape stands , seemingly triumphant , silent and without emotion as he clenches his fists and continues to breath hard and heavy. the place is falling, MELTING down and will soon explode, permanantly changing the subterranean geographcy of the arctic circle. Everyone scrambles to help, with Haleigh lifting a badly injured Alison from the floor and staring uncertainly into the eyes of the Super Soldier.... hesitating only a split second before making a dash for the portal that is their exit.

<< Morgan's face tightens at the forced "reviewing" of a painfull defeat at the hands of the Super Soldier. for all her power and strength...both she and Alison TOGETHER could only hold him back for moments..and even then, it prooved to be not enough. Haleigh and Cameron lead the charge to rescue them, but Morgan only FAINTLY remembered being carried by Delilah, before collapsing...unable to move, barely THINK. as she was later told in Limbo, Haleigh rendered her unconscious, with the butt of her gun, in order to force the closing of the stepping disc they had used to escape NERVOUS and ensure that Haleigh's explosive devises LEVELED the underground complex. it was at THIS time in Limbo, that Morgan and Haleigh had finally reached a new level of peace and understanding..and found TRUST in each other. Haleigh had come BACK for Morgan AND ALISON in the face of certain death.>>

<< looking down at the clearly shaken and pained Haleigh, Morgan turned to Nicolas and her mother.>>

These images...they're not just broadcasting here, they're broadcasting ALL OVER Illustra!!

<< the images began to fade and fuzz out...flickering again to show something ELSE this time. a personal memory of Haleigh's from the PAST.>>



A slow country song plays from a portable radio, as Patch and I dance cheek to cheek beneath a starry night sky, amid the fresh snowfall. We move together slowly on the hardened ice of Hamstead's Pond, as the music wafts down from the embankment above. Neither of us speaks, as a full moon shines down on us, and a sky full of stars helps to brighten the night. We whisper, kiss softly, and turn slowly. It is a nice moment, and I am just tipsy enough to forget the pain I carry and just let everything be, as I lay my head on his chest and close my eyes. The DJ puts on a brighter song, and we look at each other and smile. I suggest we have some fun, and Patch offers to go get our skates out of his pack so we can test the ice. I nod and take another sip straight from the bottle of wine that Patch swiped from his parents hiding place. Patrick heads off up the hill to our horses, who are grazing on hay in the makeshift paddock we built ourselves. Horses are almost as great passion of mine as photography is, and it is one I share with Patch. My horse, Comet, is a gentle giant, a Clydesdale. Patrick's is a black beauty, a Percheron named Orion. I watch him, and take a moment to snap a picture of the sight, a beautiful silhouette of him and the horses, who lift their heads and snort out thick puffs of steam as he rifles through our stuff. Two teenaged boys in baseball letterman jackets emerge from the bushes on the other side of the pond. Ugh.... great... its Cooper and Conner Hewitt... Cooper, the more assertive of the twins, speaks first.

Cooper: "Well.... lookee who we got here. It's nearin' curfew, Haleigh... you shouldn't be out here all alone... something bad might happen."

My response is rapid and like wildfire... I don't try to hide that I don't like them. "Something bad might happen to YOU, Coop. I can handle MYSELF just fine."

Conner: "Oh, I bet you can, baby." He shoots back, and both of them laugh, while I am less than amused. My patience thinner than usual and my blood alcohol higher, but I’m gracious enough to give them a warning.

"I don't have TIME or energy for this, boys. While don't you two go fuck yourselves and leave me alone? Don't you have some cheerleaders to harass? I'm WAY out of your league. You ain't never HAD it, you ain't never gonna GET it... so give it a goddamned rest okay?"

Conner, who is a little more intelligent and less abrasive, can sense I'm not in the mood and looks to his brother. Cooper, on the other hand, tastes a challenge and refuses to back down. "Oo... potty MOUTH. You wanna know what your problem is? You're getting a little too sassy for your own good. What you need is a man to put you in your place... Your daddy hasn't been around to DO that now has he? And everybody KNOWS that bitchass little Paddywagon of yours cant HANDLE you."

Stupid asshole. I can't believe I used to be friends with these guys. It all ended when they spread the most awful rumors on the ninth grade about things I allegedly did with the two of them. I shake my head, but can't help my escalating anger level. "Dammit, Coop... this is your FINAL warning... I kicked your asses three years ago, and So help me God, I'll do it again."

Cooper moves in closer, and is now toe to toe with me. He stands a good ten inches taller than me and I can tell he's trying to intimidate me with his size, which I REALLY hate... and is unsuccessful anyway, because he's thin and wiry, and I can fight way better than one might think. Cooper thinks he can stare me down, and tries to call what he assumes is a bluff on my part.

Cooper: "I'd like to see that. We ain't little boys anymore, Haleigh."

I stare back at him, and don't look away, even when Patrick, who is standing at the top of the hill about fifty feet back, calls my name to try and disperse the tension. Cooper ignores his approach, and as Patch calls my name again, I shake my head and begin to turn away from Coop's ridiculous drama.... but Cooper isn't done yet... and he GRABS me by my elbows and forcefully pulls me close.... I brace my hands against his chest, leaning away from his advance, spitting in his face. He BACKHANDS me before THROWING me into the snow bank... and I see STARS as I try to recover from the sting.... everything happens so FAST... Cooper is in an absolute BLIND FRENZY and is upon me in SECONDS... and it is ALL I CAN DO to recover enough to punch him hard enough to BREAK his nose, and as the blood comes, he recoils, and it's all i need to kick him SQUARE in the chest with both feet and launch him backwards... turning the tables. It's not above me to kick him while he's down, and I DO.

Conner reacts a little slowly and jumps in, and Patrick races down the incline to help. It lasts only minutes before a familiar voice calls out for the fighting to stop. Patrick and I stop and look up, and the twins collect themselves and draw back, hurt and bleeding. I climb up the snow-covered bank, Patrick in tow. It's Mama's brother, and he's visibly pissed. He'll never understand.

"Uncle Pete... We... THEY started it..."

He ain't having it, and I can tell he knows I've had a little to drink. Really, it was only a little. He folds his arms across his chest. "You'd better get in the truck, girl. Patch.... you too, boy." Jeff steps out of the passenger side and reaches out to catch me as I wobble. I can tell he's disappointed, and I hang my head and slink past.

"Yessir." I slur sheepishly.... all this activity has catalyzed the alcohol in my system.

Patrick gives it a try. "Pete--"

"Not another word, young man. Get your things, I'm taking you two home." We climb into his red dodge truck with 'Fire Rescue Marshall' markings painted on it. Jeff offers to take the horses back, and he grabs his coat and gloves out of the truck, giving Patch one of those father-son looks that shuts everybody up.

<< another moment with Patrick, before his horrifying run as the Super Soldier. he was a handsome fellow really, and definately LOVED his sweetheart, Haleigh. It was a sweet moment to see Haleigh so young and fresh, FREE of the demons and hauntings that plagued her now. but in a scene that could have come out of any "coming of age" movie about two long time, destined lovers, Haleigh and Patrick are confronted by twins..Cooper and Conner. They typify the type of men that Morgan would beat bloody. They crash Haleigh and Patrick's party and behave in the barbaric manner that Morgan has come to expect from most males. Though this happened years ago, she can't help but roll her eyes.>>

they're lucky it wasnt ME they were dealing with.

<< she thinks as she continues to steady Haleigh. Haleigh was a little inebriated from the wine, and not as effective as she couldve been and PATRICK? well it was so surreal to see him HUMAN...a far cry from the monstrous thing SHE knew him as. Each time she watched him...she felt a pang of regret and hatred toward MysTech...not only did they END his life as a human...they turned him into something so horrible, so terrifying...that he HAD to die. He would have kept on killing with no feeling or remorse and she wondered HOW Haleigh lived with that...seeing them together in the past with these memories...its clear that HE was the one for her and now..that could NEVER happen. Suddenly, Zach didnt seem like much to morgan at all...and for her to be scrutinizing HALEIGH'S choice in men?? well that just showed how far those two had come ..not only as team mates but as FRIENDS and even "FAMILY.">>

<< her uncle appears and scolds them both...ordering them into the car. he's a strong man it seems. from the old school definately and wont put up with any crap. Morgan never respected her father...she'd seen him as an avaricious, self absorbed pig..and HE was the template to which she would hold ALL men from there on.>>

<< another personal , private moment of Haleigh's on full display, another history lesson at HER expense. Morgan hated that she was going through this...but she still had to find out what happened in this conference room and more pressingly...>>

Where is Alycia?

<< looking around to see only Cameron, Nicolas and Karen.>>

I only HOPE that the monitors on the business floors below didnt provide a clear image of these memories from NERVOUS or Haleigh's past...or we may ALL have an even BIGGER problem on our hands.

<< yet another hint to Harbinger's prediction>>

[Shadow Weaver]

<< turning as Haleigh seemed to trumpet Alycia's departure, Karen huffed loudly , cutting her off.>>

YOU just don't GET IT do you? NOTHING that can be said will have ANY effect on you because YOUR MIND is ..i dont know...PRE PROGRAMMED like an ANTIQUATED computer and cant accept ANYTHING NEW or ANY new kind of approach. If I can't help you..then you better BELIEVE that no one else OUT THERE << gesturing to the window>> will. You REAP what you SEW and YOU'VE got just as many enemies as Alycia...here AND abroad. YOUR HEAD is wanted as a WALL MOUNT by many officials on Capitol Hill where Alycia works! did it EVER occurr to you that THIS could be the moment that makes or breaks you? She's LEAVING..not because YOU got the victory..but because she may well be getting ready to lower the boon on YOU..and WE will be scarcely able to do ANYTHING ABOUT IT once the GOVERNMENT comes calling. we may ALL be doomed...BECAUSE OF YOU!

<< loss of control, an unwillingness to find a better way to deal with the problem, a stoic yet self loathing attitude that allowed her to devalue others as she devalued herself? WHY couldnt Haleigh see what the doctor was trying to tell her? This went FAR BEYOND Alycia...but ALYCIA was CERTAINLY a main factor in this. BOTH women were WRONG in different ways..but ONE of them could make life hard for ALL OF THE OTHERS.>>

<< the birds charged through the sky and Haleigh lurched forward as she slammed the doors of the conference room open and OFF their hinges. Karen's opal blue eyes widened at the sharp and severe movements of Haleigh. she wasnt going after Alycia, she was being beseiged..AGAIN.>>

It's happening AGAIN...and of ALL DAYS

<< Karen's tone was SO exasperated as she moved forward. She saw Morgan and Ava on the other side of the now demolished doors...Morgan had taken hold of Haleigh, steadying her and keeping her from falling and as the memories played out on the screen in full effect...most likely ALL THROUGH the building...>>

WHAT WAS I THINKING

<< flinging her hands...she started to say "trying to help Haleigh is like trying to drown an ocean".>>


Alycia's bond with this team has been ERRODING ever since Master Mold. NO BODY realizes the IMPORTANCE of her relationship to this team..not even her true friends. She's not just "another human"...and she's not one of the bigoted masses. her position is unique..but SHE like all of us has their limits..their breaking point. Haleigh does the SAME THING she accues Alycia of..and yet she cannot begin to take accountability, as if telling us she loathes herself is enough? MOST OF US have times when we are not proud of ourselves..it doesnt remove the RESPONSBILITY we must take for our actions!

<< Looking at Nicolas and Delilah>>

If more of YOU had called THEM on this and forced them to face up and hold accountability...WE wouldnt be here dealing with THIS...on TOP of everything ELSE that's happening.

<< "everything ELSE" of course being the impending attack of Sharon Kelly aka the Silver Swan. at this point, Nicolas, Cameron, Karen and Morgan were the only ones who knew...but with the now threatening bird phenomena...it was going to become more and more pressing. Karen's frustration was peaking...but even as her face showed a look of extreme disapproval, she stopped herself. Morgan called out, asking where Alycia was.>>

She's left this room, Morgan. Most likely she is going back to washington to facilitate the capture and extridition of Haleigh.

I have failed.....

<< She leans on the edge of the table closes to the door, wrapping one of her arms around her waist..and resting her foread down in the palm of her other hand as she bowed her head..her "flipped" hair falling forward.>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Exiting the car, Ava looked into the sky as she followed Morgan into Illustra. The birds were flocking all around Illustra, creating a massive shadow on the building and the street. Finally entering the building, Ava moved quickly to the express elevator and entered it. Morgan warned her about Haleigh and what would happen if she became out of control again, in which Ava responded. ::

"Morgan, I understand you're bias when it comes to Karen and Alycia in this situation, but perhaps you should try looking at it from HALEIGH's point of view. And before you defensively retort about me being bias as well, i'm not. I can see both sides quite clearly thanks to my 'duel' personalities. However, if these...'episodes' get any worse, I agree about releaving her of duty. She is no help to anyone if she's not well."

:: Exiting the elevator as it arrived on the 99th floor, Ava quickly rushed into the conference room right as Haleigh began to have one of her fits again. Running to her side, Morgan joined her as they both tried to steady her thrashing. Images of Haleigh's childhood began to play on the screen again, this time, her interaction with schoolmates Cooper and Conner. Ava remembered those assholes. When they couldn't get Haleigh they went after Ava. Until Ava kicked Conner in the nuts causing his one testical to be lodged within his body. ::

:: Holding Haleigh's head still, Morgan asked where Alycia was, and Karen answered briskly. ::

"What?! Jesus Christ...someone, go stop Alycia before she leaves Illustra! Haleigh's life isn't just on the line, hers as well! Those birds could kill her."

:: This was ridiculous already, what the hell happened in this meeting of theres? Ava understood that Karen was only human and had her faults, but to let the situation escalate into what it's become made her question if there was more finger pointing than 'therepy'. Nevertheless, Karen looked defeated and Ava wasn't going to push any further into what had happened. She was more concerned about keeping Alycia in Illustra and helping Haleigh. ::

:: Looking over to Morgan. ::

"Do you have any idea what the hell is going on? New York City has suddenly turned into a Hitchcock movie.."

[Jill Monroe]

<< Ava was right, on many things. Morgan was TRYING to remain objective, but she wasnt succeeding. It wasnt an UNWILLINGNESS on her part like what Haleigh was doing with karen and alycia...it was something else? emotion? hidden resentment? maybe BOTH. had she EVER forgotten or truly forgiven those early days with Haleigh?>>

NO!

<< even there WAS a bone of contention between them, Morgan wouldnt wish THIS on Haleigh, and she certainly wouldnt want to jeopardize the whole team's wellbeing ...not in her right mind. She'd BEEN down that road before during the Inferno and the shame of that would ALWAYS haunt her. Ava was speaking the truth, no spin, no bias and Morgan found herself slightly envious of the goddess' ability to be TRULY impartial at this moment. WHY COULDNDT SHE?>>

<< as these memories played, and Karen declared where Alycia had gone...her mother looked genuinely spent and defeated as she said she had failed. Morgan looked at her mother and then down at Haleigh, then to Ava. If Alycia WAS going to sound the alarm on Haleigh and flush her out..then they WOULD ALL be caught up in it. WHY would Alycia do this? what could have happened in here today? She didnt doubt her mother, but she knew Haleigh was difficult and even ORORO had reached wits end with her in times past and if Ororo, a timeless being could become agitated with a mortal...then OBVIOUSLY peers would have a lower threshold of tolerance.>>

you failed? more like I have failed. I shouldve been here to HELP you in some way, mother.

<< feeling convicted on many levels at this moment. what good was she if she couldnt help keep her "house" in order? and Alycia was racing head long into disaster.>>

Ava is right, Alycia can't leave...the birds outside...they'll come AFTER her! I'd better go after her. I can almost imagine she doesnt want to see anyone in this room judging by the looks on Nicolas and Delilah's faces. When i get back..I want a FULL REPORT on what happened. No spinning, no nonsense, just THE TRUTH.

<< as Ava asked HER if she had any idea what was going on..Morgan looked at her with genuine dismay>>

if only i KNEW. it's NOT magickal, that much i can say..but that leaves MORE than a few other possibilities including the mystech factor that we saw the other night...

i CANT say anthing..NOT NOW!! its not the right time!!

but if we DONT get it together and find a way to help haleigh...i think we're ALL going to get caught up in this...insane "alfred hitchcock" moment.

<< Morgan maded sure Haleigh was firmly supported by Persephone.>>

it's still during "business hours" so i best take the elevator. Alycia couldnt have gotten out of the building THAT fast...unless one of her operatives was nearby and waiting for her like at the Parthenon.

I'll be back!

<< Morgan rushes out of the vestibule of the office suite and down the hall of the 99th floor to intercept Alycia before she can leave the building.>>

[Jacob Black]

:: Cameron was watching something he dreaded witnessing. A complete and utter destruction which should have been helping everyone in the room. He felt for Haleigh he really did, but DAMN both of those women were stubborn and he had a feeling that they weren't going to resolve anything with each other in this meeting. Cameron was still on cloud nine at the words of both Alycia and Karen. Two people he never thought would say a nice thing about him EVER. Alycia had actually apologized to him and Karen was giving him CREDIT for changing. Even though things were looking up for Cameron, things seemed to be going extremely bad for the team in general, and as the team discussed Alison's vision and what might happen in the future, Cameron got a jabbing pain in his stomach. It felt like an instinct, as if her vision was already starting to come true. It felt like a psychic hunch. He didn't have time to explore it as BIRDS seemed to overtake Illustra and the building. ::

"What the HELL? Oh my god.. it's starting..."

:: Sharon Kelly was back and in full effect and this was only the beginning. Cameron never really liked birds and they made him nervous and THIS many birds was almost enough to drive him over the edge, but he remained seemingly calm. Haleigh left by slamming through the double door before having another one of her episodes to be caught in the hands of Morgan. This time her memories were again of Patrick and a man named Connor. Patrick seemed to be a huge theme in Haleigh's life, which lead him to think that somehow the Super Soldier or at least Rick Riley was apart of what was going on with her. Maybe Rick Riley was responsible for Sharon coming back as well. Morgan went racing off to help Alycia and they were left alone in the room once more. ::

"Here, let's not just stand here.. with these birds and everything crazy, we have got to get Haleigh to a safe spot where she is not going to go all wonky. Ava can you see if we can perhaps get a technological lockdown on all the monitors in Illustra? Disable them temporarily? She has got to have something on her computer at home. At least take her back to her place and you and Zach can work on that?

:: He turned to Nicholas and Karen with a look of dismay ::

"I have to talk to the both of you..."

[Rampage]

Nicolas was enjoying the breakthrough. The people before him seemed to be making massive headway and it seemed to be going well. Too well.

Haleigh and Alycia tore again at each other and Alycia stormed out, all but declaring war on the lot of them. Nicolas was about to intercept her when Karen warned that she could not be impeded. So Nicolas made sure that her elevator went amazingly slowly for an Illustra elevator, stopping on nearly EVERY floor wile he tried to think of something.

As Haleigh STORMED off, she was caught in the throes of another attack, falling to her knees as she broadcast over every available monitor in Illustra!!!!

As Morgan caught her and fretted about the information being broadcast, Nicolas pulled the plug of every TV he could mentally find on every level below the 99th. He turned to Delilah as Morgan turned to leave .

Delilah, with your powers I think you may be able to track the source of the transmission affecting Haleigh. It is on the wavelength that I am mentally describing now. Delilah would have a measure of the frequency in Hz taken from his earlier analysis and some patterns of encryption to try in case the frequency was modulated to deter detection. He "spoke" to Mike as he waited downstairs.

Take cover!!! Pull out all the stops but a damn pretty black woman probably followed by Ms. Victoria is not to be harmed by the birds. Got me? Good.

Mike was already on top of things, having seen the birds as he whisked Morgan and Ava here. He had already pulled out his Mossberg and filled it with buckshot (some of these birds looked huge!!) and he was hunkered down in the car, ready for anything as he watched the door...

[Alycia Barnett]

:: moving with a purpose, Alycia was out of the conference room as soon as she broke out of being transfixed by th sight of the birds at that altitude. she looked more direc, less savage but she walked with the determination of a heat seeking missile.::

:: her raven black hair even blowing a bit with each step as the air met with her while moving out of the vestibule and into the hall. She'd just missed Morgan and Ava coming up...and as she stood in the elevator, she began to decompress, leaning back against the wall...and crying as she put her hand over her eyes.::

STOP IT! this is NOT the time for this shit!

:: she yelled out loud. all she wanted to do was get away. get OUT and get back to washington. once she was THERE, she would do what she was under SO MUCH PRESSURE to do, give Haleigh to the feds and make her answer for a LIST of capitol offenses. Alycia had told the six a while ago that she could be one of their greatest allies or foes. she meant that and even though some of THEM might have forgotten it, SHE didnt.::

:: Nicolas was smart enough to see where Alycia was at ..he didnt need to be a telepath to know that she was on the war path now and this time she would take no prisoners. it had nothing to do with cameron or anyone else..it had EVERYTHING to do with HALEIGH and the CANCER she represented to Alycia. not merely evil, not even depraved...simply MALIGNENT.::

:: she opened her eyes, as the last few tears slid down her smooth brown skinned cheek and realized that it was time for her to EMBRACE the FULL mantle of her position and if that meant busting Haleigh's ass wide open..then so be it. She couldnt hold back any more...not for Morgan or anyone else.::

:: the elevator began to slow...and jerk. stopping at one floor. Alycia fidgeted, not wanting to come into contact with any "personnell" in illustra. she was not supposed to be seen by ANYONE but as the doors opened with a ding...there was no one there. she stood and waited and finally the doors closed. as the hum of the elevator begin it stopped just as abruptly.::

AGAIN?

:: she bellowed...and still no one came. after 3 more times..and what seemed like an ETERNITY, Alycia looked up and shouted...::

It's either that stupid bitch Haleigh, or NICOLAS. BASTARDS!

:: she stepped off the elevator and this time, she made her way to the stairs. walking through the door, Alycia, who was now in much better shape than before (despite having always been petite) began to run down the stairs at a side angle since she was wearing heels. she pressed her brooch pin on her lapelle.::

<< Deputy Field Commander? This is special agent Barnett! I'm attempting to leave Illustra Inc. the situation has CHANGED...only now, I'm having a hard time getting out!

field commander:>> Miss Barnett? are you under duress? are you being held against your will? we are ready to descend upon Illustra with full legal power to enter the premesis to extract you and anyone you have arrested if necessary.

<< Not just yet, commander. However, i want you to stand on yellow alert and tell Force Works to be ready to move in. If i am not out of this building in the next 10 minutes and you have not received any further communication from me, then assume i have been injured or worse..and call the National Security Advisor. you have a lock on my bio signature, you'll KNOW if something happens to me and in that case, use whatever FORCE necessary to blow this place WIDE OPEN.

>>:Copy that, Miss Barnett, we have your signal full strength. vitals are running high right now. are you SURE you're allright?

<< : trust me, I am. I'm just getting a little workout right now. i have information that needs to be relayed to the security advisor immediately before we proceed any further with his agenda with regards to a known fugitive. I'm ending communications now...there's technical disturbances in the building.

>>: Copy that, Miss Barnett. we'll be waiting.



:: down the stairs she moved. DAMN this was a hell of a way to travel but because the stair case was on the SIDE of Illustra with no doors between flights and low lighting..it would be EASY to lose somone here and Nicolas would be hard pressed to try to stop her now. she was unaware that Morgan and Ava had returned, or that Morgan was looking for her, ALL she cared about NOW was getting out, and getting back so that she could deal with Haleigh once and for ALL.::

:: Karen had tried her best, Alycia BELIEVED in what the doctor was trying to do, but Haleigh destroyed it. just like she destroys everything ELSE. THEY might back down to her..but Alycia WONT.::

[MorningStar]

Delilah? you may go as well. I suspect Alycia is planning to make a fast exit from Illustra. She's not interested in attacking Haleigh directly. At th is point...if anyone touches her or tries to impeded her path...it could be construed as hostile action by mutants against humans...and the comittee of super human activities is just waiting for the chance to come down on mutants and metahumans with full legal justification. I dont want you to try to talk to her about this, i just want you to make sure that she leaves Illustra unharmed.

[ Delilah nodded, though internally she thought they had to do SOMEthing. They couldn't just let Alycia turn against them. But if she trusted anybody, it was the doctor. So she headed for the stairs, taking them two at a time, ready to put her surveillance skills to test... ]

[Alycia Barnett]

:: after a few flights, even Alycia began to tire for a bit.::

UGH! these shoes!!

:: she sat down for a minute, her breathing echoed up and down the seemingly endless stair well but as she had a moment to think, she heard something far above...the faint foot falls. SOMEONE was coming! but WHO? and how far away were they?::

:: she leaned over a bit, trying to see, but they may have been to many flights above still.::

I'm NOT going to RUN from anyone.

:: she said, as she ran her hand over her repulsor blaster. was it Haleigh? no, she'd come through a wall like a demented metallic Kool-aid man. Nicolas would appear in front of her giving a pretty speech...was it DELILAH? why should DELILAH be chasing her?::

:: Alycia stood up and began to make her way down.::

this is ridiculous!

:: she grumbled as she went down::

trying to stop ME from leaving. who do they think THEY ARE!! I'm an agent of the united states government. I dont have to put up with this bullshit!

:: it seemed like the stairs NEVER ended and suddenly she turned to look again.::

I KNOW SOMEONE'S UP THERE!

:: she shouted::

Whoever you are, how DARE you follow me!

:: she decided to wait right there on the landing she had stopped at. whoever it WAS, they would have to show themselves as they got closer and she would confront them, REMINDING them that it was a FELONY to impede the actions of a federal agent.::

[Jill Monroe]

<< at that moment, Morgan, unaware that Delilah was trailing Alycia from a somewhat discreet distance, appeared on the landing beside Alycia via stepping disc.>>

Alycia! HERE you are. I used my scrying glass to track you...and NO ONE can move faster than a teleporter.

<< she said with an almos relieved tone.>>

WHY are you running down the stair well? and why are you leaving? WHAT happened up there? don't run out on ME like this. You owe me an explanation before you attempt to tear this place down with Force Works. I AM your friend...and maybe i havent done the best job of showing that lately..but we're all guilty of not doing our best at times.

<< Morgan looked directly at Alycia.>>

I'm asking you, woman to woman...and as your FRIEND to just...WAIT a moment and TALK to me. What you're about to do is going to hurt MORE than just Haleigh. you'll put us ALL at risk of imprisonment or DEATH.

is that what you really want?

[Alycia Barnett]

:: jumping as the light of Morgan's stepping disc lit up the area around her, Alycia was mildly relieved that it was Morgan appearing and not one of the others.::

Alycia! HERE you are. I used my scrying glass to track you...and NO ONE can move faster than a teleporter.

<< she said with an almos relieved tone.>>


Morgan...


WHY are you running down the stair well? and why are you leaving? WHAT happened up there? don't run out on ME like this. You owe me an explanation before you attempt to tear this place down with Force Works. I AM your friend...and maybe i havent done the best job of showing that lately..but we're all guilty of not doing our best at times.

<< Morgan looked directly at Alycia.>>


:: Alycia looked with disbelief at first, but then the expression melted into a cool, almost aloof countenance as Alycia relaxed her body and began to speak with Morgan, "woman to woman".::

Why am i going down the stairs you ask? Because one of YOUR team mates decided it would be FUNNY to try and hem me up in an ELEVATOR 90 floors up from the ground. NEVERMIND IF i was claustrophobic or anything like that.

it's like it always was BEFORE, Morgan. You keep company with someone so STUPID and so BENEATH CONTEMPT and she INFECTS the others with her bullshit. She's a CANCER that needs to be IRRADICATED.

:: Alycia's biting tone ECHOED through the stairwell.::

oh and someone is following me right now. i cant be sure WHO or how far down they are...but when i stopped to rest..i heard echoes of foot falls. FAINT...but they werent mine. I dont know WHO IT IS but i can almost GUESS its one of THEM.

I dont HAVE to stay here if i dont want to Morgan. There's NOTHING keeping me here and quite honestly? I AM ready to lower the boon on Haleigh and DAMN what else happens. It would be NO DIFFERENT than if SHE were planning one of her MANY raids of rival espionage agencies...storming the facilities and BUTCHERING the men/women there as she plunders their secrets and technology. You're harboring an INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST, Morgan and its TIME she was BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.

I'm asking you, woman to woman...and as your FRIEND to just...WAIT a moment and TALK to me. What you're about to do is going to hurt MORE than just Haleigh. you'll put us ALL at risk of imprisonment or DEATH.

is that what you really want?

okay...let's talk. let's be real about this because trying to be NICE with your "FRIENDS" just doesnt avail anything. They seem to think that enabling a killer is more important than FIXING a problem. Morgan, I'm DONE. I don't CARE what they think. I might BE in one of my waning periods right now. I've never claimed to always have the BEST insight on things at all times, but i have a JOB that i charged with doing and my PERSONAL feelings is what got me INTO this mess...NOW its time for me to PULL OUT and do what i need to do.

Are YOU prepared to stand by why they try to stop me..possibly INJURE ME as i leave here? is that what YOU want?

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan saw what was going on. Alycia was backed into a corner and she was ready to come out with BOTH BARRELS blasting. Morgan knew this because she'd BEEN THERE. The Inferno was HER coming out with both barrels blasting...as she exploded with rage against the people who were out to get her. HALEIGH and CAMERON. and NOW once again...HALEIGH AND CAMERON were involved in a sequel and if anyone thought that because Alycia was ONLY HUMAN that she was any LESS a threat? they were mistaken. Not only was this woman an ally with as much knowledge on the six if not MORE than mystech...this was a woman who kept the DELICATE if not sometimes PRETENTIOUS balance/civility between them and government. on some level..BOTH sides were aware of the other and how they felt but the government...in the interest of avoiding controversy at this point and in the name of Sharon Kelly's legacy (as promoted posthumously by Alycia) had not went ahead with such initiatives as the mutant registration/control act and other subtle movements up to and including a full scale sentinel program.>>

<< but here they were. Alycia was on the presipice and fully ready to take the plunge...dragging the six down with her as she destroyed Haleigh. did anyone BESIDE Morgan immediately see this comparison between THIS moment and the Infero? did anyone NOT remember HARBINGER'S horrifying prophecy the night that Stavros was killed and Haleigh tried to blackmail Alycia? SOMETHING had to give.>>

OKAY...OKAY!!

Just WAIT A MINUTE PLEASE!

<< Morgan shouted.>>

<< she looked up to see who, if anyone was there but she saw no one...but at the same time...the winding stair well would blur at a point of looking so high up. if someone WERE there, they wouldnt be stupid enough to just STAND UP in plain sight.>>

if someone is here Alycia, they can't hurt you. I KNOW you can defend yourself but I'm here now and you're a guest in MY building. NO ONE is going to hurt you okay? But YOU cant let Haleigh or ANYBODY ELSE have the power to make you go NUCLEAR. I KNOW beacuse i've BEEN THERE with het and cameron.

you see...they thought it was FUNNY to insult and harrass me at every turn. they went out of their way to demean me and try to make me out to be a pariah in MY OWN DAMN BUILDING. When i could NO LONGER rail against them..when i felt like NO ONE CARED and would DO anything about them...I LOST IT and i snapped. I was pushed over the edge and became the "Darkchilde", unleashing the Inferno and you know what happened? In my RAMPAGE of REVENGE...I not only murdered Haleigh , but i tore Cameron's skeleton out of his body AND ...i KILLED MY SISTER.

I wanted to HURT THEM as they HURT ME but once i lost myself..it was like getting swept away in a tsunami. i had no control even though i was reigning hell down on them. THEY pushed me to that point..and in essence they had power over me when they did that. I lost control..and now i carry the burden of GUILT AND SHAME and no matter how far i go...THAT will always be there in my mind like a haunting whisper...that i'm still a MONSTER just waiting to explode all over again.

Obviously, as you know, things were fixed. PAINFULL Lessons were learned and lives mended I was fortunate enough to have not one..but TWO mothers who were there to help me..but also DIG IN MY ASS and let me know that i had to take back control and that i had to RISE ABOVE.

Haleigh and Cameron were WRONG, Alycia and what happend was THEIR FAULT but I was NO BETTER than they were.i nearly destroyed a city in my quest to destroy them and in the end, had things NOT been set right...neither of us might be here talking right now.

So Alycia...i KNOW where you are right now. You're ready to show HALEIGH that YOU arent ANYBODY'S BITCH and even if THEY dont know it..I DO girl. we've BEEN FRIENDS for ages and i KNOW how you do things. You dont NEED to be superhuman to kick ass and you dont need HALEIGH'S approval to know that youve got your shit together!

<< sighing out as she looked at her friend.>>

there's so much happening right now alycia...SO MUCH...and I know you want to leave..but you CANT. NOT because i want to stop you from doing your duty...but because it's NOT SAFE for you to go outside right now. THE BIRDS..they are...out of control! something or SOMEONE inciting them to this FRENZIED new level of behavior and WE dont know what's coming. we dont know WHO is EXACTLY behind this.

<< "exactly" was the world she would use to justify what was basically a LIE she just told. SURE there was no DIRECT proof that Sharon Kelly was behind the birds going berserk...but it wasnt a far fetched guess either...but right now, the key here as to reach out to Alycia and catch her reasoning..NOT push her to panic mood.>>

please stay here..for your safety AND for ours. I know what you want to do, and truthfully, neither i nor anyone else here can stop you. if we did...we would most likely fullfill Harbinger's prophecy. HALEIGH may not get that..but i do and while I will not abandon her in her hour of NEED right now..i WONT let HER endanger THIS TEAM or the people who work in Illustra.

CLEARLY the problem between you and she is at a point NOW that it threatens the security of this team and because of this, I'm going to have to make a descision. BUT before i do anything...i want to be clear on something.

Alycia, you're my friend and I love you. You've had my back in this cut throat business and youve shown ME things that i might not have know about in the business and legal world. you are TRULY a hell of a woman BUT I WONT have you making ANY attempts on Haleigh's life while you are here, is that clear?

What she's going through right now..it's only getting worse and the PRIVACY of this team is becoming more and more at risk. She IS losing control and there's precious LITTLE any of US seem to be able to do about it. I dont know WHAT we can do...She wont accept my mother's help in dealing with the situation with YOU..and this is pushing you closer and closer to the edge. let ME be the buffer between you and that final step okay?

If Haleigh is to be turned over to the authorities..if that is what MUST happen, then so be it. I will make SURE that everyone else cooperates BUT if you can look at ME and REMEMBER what happened to ME and realize that i KNOW where you are right now...and BELIEVE we when i say i want to HELP you the way i wished someone had helped ME before i snapped? then we can really try to get this problem solved.

we'll go back upstairs and we'll meet with my mother. ill make it clear that if anyone cant HELP in this process then they need to get the hell out and that includes Zach.

But if i'm going to help you? youve got to TRUST ME and youve got to CALM DOWN and just..wait. dont act..just wait.

Remember, Harbinger ALSO predicted that you and Haleigh would reconcile. she didnt tell us HOW but we know that her visions were never wrong. we've always been able to set our compasses by them and even though she's not HERE to show us the way...she at least gave us sight of ONE goal to reach.

If i can save Haleigh..and help YOU then I will have help continue to tip the scales to balance all the HELL i caused during the Inferno.

[Alycia Barnett]

:: who the hell did they think they were playing with? she wasnt afraid of any of them and she would SHOW them.::

:: Alycia looked at Morgan with defiance, a look that very well meant that she wasnt having it. she wasnt stopping for ANYONE this time. SCREW Haleigh, if she were spinning out of control, then Alycia would spin her ass right into a GAS CHAMBER.::

:: But as she prepared to protest, Morgan beat her to it...because Morgan had something the others didnt. she had UNDERSTANDING. they all thought Alycia was being selfish , harsh and whiney...but many of them had said the same thing about Morgan before SHE went over the edge and back THEN the only person who saw clearly was ALISON and no one listened to HER either..just as no one seemed to listen to Karen NOW.::

:: Morgan reached back to what she felt to be an embarrasing, shameful chapter in her life and showed just how far she'd come from that...and Morgan wasnt here judging Alycia, she was here offering to HELP and stand BY her when everyone else wanted to look down their noses like the fake and phony hypocrates they were.::

:: Karen had started to pull Alycia out of her mental funk, but Haleigh once again prooved why a person can NEVER benefit from doing that around HER..and so Alycia temporarily reverted back but here was Morgan..offerent another hand to pull Alycia BACK OUT and walk WITH her away from the edge. no judgement...no condition..just true friendship.::

:: Alycia's look of animosity softened as she relented.::

Okay...allright, Morgan. You have my word. I will not greenlight Haleigh's capture and i will do nothing to harm her while I am here.

I dont...i dont want to fight with her. TRUTHFULLY, i dont want to LOOK at her but i know it wont ever be that easy...and earlier, Karen was laying the foundation...making it SAFE for me to look OUTSIDE of myself and see things from the OTHER SIDE...with Cameron and Haleigh...i even APOLOGIZED to Cameron beacuse i realized that in coming down on him as i did...i was NO BETTER than the BULLIES that i swore i would fight in the legal and political arena.

He's...so DIFFERENT now, Morgan. I dont know what to say...I feel EMPTY in that I dont have the HATRED for him that i once had.

:: Alycia looked at her hand for a moment...she had to do SOMETHING...anything to seem LESS like the idiot she was feeling herself to be.::

look at me...standing here blubbering on like some moron.

THIS is the part of therapy that i hate...it starts pulling things out of you...and you start feeling...ODD.

Don't worry alycia...that means that its WORKING and that YOU are RESPONDING because deep down..you KNOW there's a better way to be. I'm no therapist..but ive got PERSONAL experience to fall back on. If you and Cameron have reached some form of closure..then that's wonderfull. I look forward to the report my mother has. Now we just have to work on this problem with Haleigh.


She ruined this..she flat out refused to cooperate with Karen at every turn and when Karen got heavy handed with her...she turned and attacked ME...like SHE ALWAYS does. Im NOT anyone's doormat...and that bitch needs to REMEMBER that.

I know how Haleigh gets. I think everyone does and just because no one has SAID ANYTHING just yet..doesnt mean its not in their minds. You werent there in ancient greece with us when Haleigh spent OVER AN HOUR causing drama over NOTHING...we KNOW what she does and we ALL had a go at her..and still NOTHING. You saw her behavior the night Stavros died. her actions were INEXPLICABLE. even ALISON couldnt grapple with her nonsense. My mother has WARNED HER both as a therapist and as a witch that if Haleigh KEEPS on this path...she will wind up ALONE and ALIENATED and i dont care how DETACHED and TOUGH she thinks she is....these memory flash backs PROOVE there's a little girl inside who's been HURT the world over and Haleigh is in a vaccum rignt now. My mother was right....the REST OF US SHOULD have stepped in and spoken up ...held you both responsible for your parts in this rift before it got here to THIS point...but since we cant change the past...we're just going to have to muddle our way through the HERE AND NOW. I meant what i said...you can trust me and we will get through this together. this isnt about THEM..its about YOU and its about HALEIGH.

allright, I'm ready to go back when you are. and i'm ready to do the right thing.

:: Alycia nodded, and was ready to get to work. she smiled at her friend...thanking her for this moment. Morgan may not have been a therapist, but she was definately a woman with empathy. she seemed FAR MORE "understanding" than she was over a year ago and alycia could see the change in her. she didnt even speak ILL of haleigh.::


:: and so, with a stepping disc, Morgan and Alycia leave the stairwell and unknown to Alycia, DELILAH, the person who was trailing her, just found her job becoming a WHOLE LOT easier.::

[Oracle]

<< and so, Morgan successfully convinces Alycia to stay and she does it the right way..by appealing to Alycia on a level that is MUTUALLY understood. both women have now experienced the kind of pain, frustration and ANGER that drives a person to rage and loss of control. only ONE of those women has LOST themselves in that and now carries the guilt and shame and so she is now reaching out to her friend the way no one else could for HER. Morgan has come quite far>>

<< Morgan has ALSO demonstrated that she's a better leader and descision maker than she might suspect for in reaching out to her friend, she has not abandonned Haleigh either. She is determined to do what is RIGHT and save all those that she can but she will NOT be overwhelmed. indeed, as she bucklees down to take control, she feels that she might just be cut out for helping alycia and haleigh AFTER ALL and with her friends...the team coming together WITH HER...the MIGHT ALL benefit from this...but WE might just be getting ahead of ourselves...after all, Harbinger is not here to verify any of this is she? ;) >>

<< back on the 99th floor, Morgan returns with Alycia and is now ready to hear a report on what exactly happened. Delilah has returned as well and so now the entire team, plus cameron , alycia and dr. victoria are there. Morgan has made it clear she will not tolerate any SPIN or DRAMA during this briefing from ANYONE and for the moment Cameron has been allowed to stay...not only for his safety from the birds...but because inspite of all that's happened, he ULTIMATEY still belongs to the six.>>


<< the time has come for answers and accoutability but even THAT will not stop HALEIGH from further spinning out of control and as she goes..her riptide will pull everyone else in with varying unpleasant results.>>

<< and if things werent chaotic enough INSIDE...the world OUTSIDE was being turned on its ear as the city was now transfixed by the eerie and increasingly DANGEROS phenomena of THE BIRDS...the calling card of a recently returned and utterly vengefull Sharon Kelly. She is on the surface now and on the loose. whatever control Haleigh thinks she might be able to hold on to? Sharon will do rip THAT and so much more away from her.>>

<< and so we watch.>>

[Jill Monroe]

<< and so, back on the 99th floor, the main conference room of the executive office suite, Morgan sits on the edge of the long conference table, with her hand on her mother's shoulder while she looks at Delilah, Nicolas and Cameron.>>

I can't control what's going on out THERE..and there's more than a slight possibility that the birds and their increasingly hostile behavior is linked to Haleigh's growing problem...BUT i'm sitting here in the conference room of Alycia's former satellite office..and the DOORS of the conference room are laying on the floor...DESTROYED.

I come up here, Alycia is ready to lower the boon on Haleigh, HALEIGEH is under another attack and the rest of you are standing here looking shell shocked.

I'd like to know what happened and i dont want any SPIN, i dont want ANY insults..i want the TRUTH.

oh and by the way...i realize just how BAD the situation with Alycia and Haleigh is but the bottom line is that we need her and she needs us. its BEEN this way and it will BE that way. Her position doesnt make her a target for anyone in this room and she's GOING to be here for the time being. if anyone doesnt like it...and if it prevents you from doing your job..then you can leave NOW and go stay at the Parthenon.


My job...is to keep this building, the people in it ...this team SAFE that includes Haleigh...and even Cameron BUT Alycia is my friend and i will NOT abandon her. Everyone in this room has benefited from what she can do. Cameron, Persephone, Delilah, HALEIGH and especially ME. WE ALL shouldve done MORE about this situation with Alycia and Haleigh when there was MORE OPPORTUNITY and TIME. NOW we are at a point where this issue is more than a LITTLE LINKED to the overall bigger problem. Haleigh's getting worse and if WE dont get to the bottom of this..somebody ELSE might and then we'll ALL be screwed.

My mother is pretty good at what she does..and if she's been able to treat and CHECK criminally insane people, if she can rehabilitate some of the supposedly worst repeat offenders...why is it that she cant make any kind of headway with Haleigh?

<< it was true, Karen had an amazingly high rate of success and was highly respected on the east coast as well as being on the national board of certified counselors. it was NOT readily known that in some cases, she would use minor spells to further STRENGTHEN the healing/therapy process. an extra "push" to jumpstart a process she knew her patient was already capable of. in more extreme cases, like her last psycho therapy session with Haleigh, she'd use her magick to reach places NO amount of words could. it prooved to be a thorough , cathartic, if not draining experience for the patient, but they almost ALWAYS were ever so greatfull, believing they'd come to have the breakthrough on their own..and so it also served to boost their own self confidence and esteem. STILL, with Haleigh...no amount of experience, not even precognition or magick could break through her TOXIC defense mechanisms. she was her OWN greatest enemy.>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Backburning her dislike for Cameron, Ava agreed that taking Haleigh back to her apartment was the best idea. In a tornado of winds, Ava transported both herself and Haleigh back to Haleigh's penthouse. Appearing in the livingroom, Haleigh was already placed on the couch. ::

"Zach! Zach, Haleigh had another episode!"

:: Raising her voice to get Zach's attention, wherever he may have been in the penthouse, Ava sighed out. Standing from her side as Zach entered the livingroom, Ava moved so Zach could be by her side. ::

"Stay with her, I need to transfer all of Illustra's access codes to me before she has another episode. We can't afford to have any more of her memories broadcast for everyone to see, or for these episodes to get to the point of her shutting Illustra's systems down and the building being vulnerable of breaches. I'll be back."

:: Quickly exiting the livingroom and heading to Haleigh's private office, she punched in the access code she used before only to be DENIED access. ::

"Damnit, Haleigh!"

:: Slamming her palm into the door out of frustration, screw this, she thought, now placing her palm on the pad and sending a massive electrical surge into the systems, frying the entire network. Pushing the door open, Ava had a pretty good hunch that Haleigh only had time to change her entry codes and not every single computer code because of the meeting she was summoned to go to. Or atleast she hoped that was the case. ::

"Computer, activate."

:: The computer rose from the desk, turning on immediately. Ava rounded the desk and luckily, was able to enter her system without a problem. Hacking into Illustra's security grid, Ava transfered all security codes, shut down procedures, back up systems, back up codes, and even security feeds, into Ava's name. Creating a protection code with a mixture of Greek symbols and numbers, and protecting those codes with numerous firewalls and FALSE codes, Ava needed to make sure that Haleigh wouldn't simply be able to shut down vital systems in an episode. Having numerous protection codes and firewalls would atleast keep her at bay for a little while, and give the six enough time to figure out who was doing this. ::

"Computer, shut down."

:: Dispite not having as much technological knowledge as Haleigh, Ava knew her way around a computer system. Learning how to hack, make firewalls and viruses, was required in Stavros' eyes. Exiting Haleigh's office, Ava made her way back into the livingroom. ::

"I need to get back to the others. Keep an eye on her Zach. If anything happens, call me immediately."

:: Disappearing in a tornado of winds, Ava reappeared in the 99th floor conference room. Seeing the others standing around, Ava craned her neck back and sighed out. ::

"I hacked into Haleigh's computer and transfered all of Illustra's vital systems, security codes, and procedures--amoung other things--into my name. I created a very advanced coding of symbols and numbers to protect what i've done, along with numerous firewalls and false coding to throw her off if necessary. Illustra's safe for now, but i'm not sure how long it will be before Haleigh's mind is able to bypass what i've done, during one of her attacks."

[Jill Monroe]

<< as she removed her hand from her mother's shoulder, Persephone appeared. She'd taken Haleigh back to her apartment, leaving her in Zach's care. a sound move since Haleigh would be in no shape to continue today and Morgan did not want to add more to her pain.>>

<< Persephone notified them that she'd hacked Haleigh's computer and taken elaborate steps to ensure the safety and security of Illustra's internal systems, including broadcasting. Impressive! this was CLEARLY the side of AVA within Persephone at work.>>

a sound move, ava.

<< Morgan said.>>

and now that you're here, we can continue this group meeting. I need some answers..and i want some options! we're not going to be able to go on like this....this PASSIVE attack on Haleigh is growing...and all her other problems or issues are now becoming worse themselves

Mother, could you please give me your report on the session? and the progress made?

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh was clearly delusional as Morgan caught her and tried to steady her shaking.... and after the memory from her childhood played..... seeing Morgan triggered flashes of the final moments of the battle with Master Mold..... and Haleigh giving everything she could to keep Morgan from being pulled into the vortex.

"Morgan..... I've got you...... I wont let go..... I won't.... "

She murmured.... but Morgan rushed off to find Alycia, and the monitors [now only the ones on and above the 99th floor] replayed Morgan being torn from Haleigh's grip and pulled into the vortex.... and Morgan's final scream sounded stereophonic. Haleigh looked STRICKEN with grief.... as if she were not just remembering these moments... but LIVING them.... She tossed, as if in a bad nightmare, though her eyes were opened and glazed over, as if out of focus. The metal in the room began to tremble, the lights flickered and light objects took flight. Metal picture frames CRASHED to the floor as Haleigh recalled Karen fighting against Master Mold, as Alison, Morningstar, and Haleigh slowly recovered from being subdued by Malice and Blackout.

Ava and Cameron came together enough to agree that moving Haleigh back to a place she felt safe was ideal... and so Ava took Haleigh back to her apartment, where she alerted Zach, who had been almost TRANSFIXED on the monitor playback.

Z:"I've got her... you can go."

Ava left.... Haleigh seemed to be CRASHING vitally, and Zach gathered her in his arms, and tried to comfort her. "Christ, Ava, what the hell HAPPENED up there? The session was supposed to HELP...." He called, looking worried, as now the metal in the loft began to shift and move violently. Ava transferred security codes and the like, the stonewall Haleigh.... and while for now the lights came back on and the building itself calmed, it wouldn't be long before Haleigh synced back up with the computers.... Zach held her close... shushing her and trying to calm her down.

Z:"Baby....shhh.... it's okay..... listen to me, Haleigh, you're safe now.... you're safe.... it's gonna be okay.... everything will be alright."

Haleigh seemed to be in a state between sleep and wakefulness.... and subconsciously, she was aware of what was going on.... and as he reassured her.... she DID feel safer here.... in his arms.... and slowly... the trembling became less intense.... and she began to come closer back from the edge... the brink of total recklessness.

[Shadow Weaver]

<<Morgan went to find Alycia while Delilah was already following Alycia from a discreet distance. Nicolas did immediate damage control following the latest "broadcast" of Haleigh's memories and Cameron was surprisingly proactive on Haleigh's behalf...even Ava allowed herself to take his cue and do what was best for Haleigh by getting her back to her apartment and with Zach.>>

<< Karen had taken the time to reign herself in. EVERYTIME she dealt with Haleigh, that woman took her to the edge of reason and understanding. There was NOTHING funny or novel about it. Haleigh had a PROBLEM. the fact that she ADMITTED to self loathing and STILL functioned DEEP in her maladaptive strategies with NO SIGN OR DESIRE to get better...it made Karen consider the posibility that Haleigh might needed to be COMMITTED. She knew her daughter was preparing to relieve Haleigh of duty, and being placed in psychiatric custody would certainly help...but who would take her? who would be ABLE To try to treat her. WHY wouldnt this woman just STEP BACK and let herself HEAL and MOVE AWAY from this horrid state of being? she wasnt STUPID, she wasnt ALWAYS this bad...WHY WAS IT SO HARD FOR HALEIGH? Karen was one of the few qualified..but she was at the point how where she was ready to deem Haleigh a lost cause. >>

<< this went BEYOND any personal dislike. this was a clinical analysis based on everything she'd seen and heard..and NOW she was going to say it. Morgan returned, and addressed everyone. Alycia was standing nearby and looking MORE like her "old self", the woman that was calm, cool and collective. maybe talking with morgan helped her in some way? whatever happened, at this point, everyone SAVE Haleigh was now present and it was time to begin.>>

<< Karen stood up as Morgan removed her hand from her shoulder. clearing her throat as she straightened her tailored blazer, looking at Nicolas with a look that suggested "that's IT..i have HAD IT>>

Certainly,

<< she replied in her own icy and disdainfull tone.>>

The session began with Haleigh arriving late. in the early half, all participants were cooperative, and remained open to direction. Cameron was genuinenly ready to demonstrate the changes he had undergone; Alycia was wary but WANTED to find a way out of her issue and move beyond it and Haleigh? well Haleigh does what she always does...she DERAILED the progress with her willfull and intentional abrasive and destructive behavior.

Cameron required the least amount of directing. He was more than primed to help correct HIS part in this problem between the dynamic of himself, haleigh and alycia.

despite my PERSONAL reservations about him..it is my professional opinion that Cameron CAN be trusted to act in the best interest of this team and that he will not try to harm or take advantage of Alycia...in fact he apologized for his indiscretions toward her. He displayed courage and allowed apart of himself that once drove him to be cruel and avaricious to NOW serve as a lesson in reflection.

Alycia was understandably defensive, not OUTWARDLY but her body language, her facial expressions, they suggested that she felt like she was the bastard in the room. She's used to reading people...due to her experiences in the courtroom and boardrooms and i suspect that she picked up on the disapproval coming from Nicolas and Delilah. She began to feel more than ever like people were turning against her unfairly BUT inspite of this, she went FORWARD, doing the best that she could, speaking her mind as only she knew how. She slipped into the "victim" mode and I explained to her that being victimized against your will is one thing. FALLING DOWN and PLAYING the victim, expecting others, who (in the case of haleigh) cant even take care of themsleves to take care of you is weak and foolish. Even THOUGH haleigh made promises she couldnt keep, Alycia was smart enough and should have realized THAT all along. It might have lessened the burden she's been suffering from.

<< looking at Nicolas.>>

a person doesnt HAVE to start out knowing all the answers or being the most enlightened...but being willing to LEARN and to GET there is what is important and THAT is what i observed from Alycia.

<< turning back to Morgan>>

She KNOWS she's made mistakes and poor judgement since the tragedy of Master Mold. She wants to pick herself up and move AHEAD and get BACK to her true self....and given her track record, KNOWING how thorough and committed she is to whatever she sets her mind to. She even humbled herself and APOLOGIZED to Cameron, as she realized that she had become the kind of person SHE pledged to FIGHT in the courtroom..a bully toward him and i knew from this and a previous meeting with Alycia that she was ready and WILLING to address her problem with Haleigh and to come to a true understanding, possibly FORGIVENESS.

it is my professional opinion that Alycia WILL recover and will return to a more balanced mind set. She is not a risk. Her PROFESSIONAL obligations to the government, and the possibility of her arresting Haleigh...that is not something ANYONE in this room can interfere with.

<< looking among the group>>

and then we come to Haleigh..

<< her name dripped off Karen's tongue like a drop of flaming acid>>

Haleigh was the most unreceptive and uncooperative person in this session. from the very beginning, she questioned my approach, my motives and minimized the need for the session itself. she insulted Alycia, inspite of the ground rule against name calling and took the opportunity to basically excuse her behavior by saying it didnt matter what anyone else thought...even if they thought she was a monster that was okay because she KNEW she was a monster and no one could hate her more than she hates herself.

I've heard better lines from an alcoholic who can't stop getting caught for DUI's.

<< Karen quipped as she folded her arms.>>

Being AWARE of a problem is fine, until you begin using what you've identified as your EXCUSE For intolerable, bad behavior and THAT is what Haleigh is doing. its what she ALWAYS does and we're right back to square one. Haleigh resisted all attempts at reason, and when i took a hardline approach, she became openly hostile and beligerent. The tone of the session deteriorated from there with Alycia temporarily reverting and storming out and shortly after that, the birds came charge through the sky around Illustra, covering us in a sea of SHADOW....it was at THIS moment that Haleigh experienced her latest "episode" and then Morgan and Ava arrived.

Haleigh, in my opinion is a risk to the safety and security of this team and this building. the larger picture that YOU ALL will have to consider is that she IS a fugitive in several countries INCLUDING the united states. she's a highly sought after war criminal in both the legal and espionage realms and Alycia is DUTY BOUND to arrest her. by NOT having down so...and by COVERING for the six as she has, Alycia places her own well being and standing in jeopardy but at this point, She's not willing to do it anymore and I cannot blame her.

Haleigh can and WILL drain ANYONE of all they have to give. she is , to put it simply, an emotional LEECH and on the OTHER SIDE, she is so ROOTED in her ways, that she REFUSES to even LOOK UP to see other ways of being. she is so COMFORTABLE with her toxic dysfunction that it doesnt reigster to her. THIS is what makes it so EASY for her to engage in the most inexplicable, often INFURIATING acts and conversations as MANY of you have experienced, only NOW there's something happening where not only can she control her behavior, but she cant control her BODY. THIS is TOO SERIOUS to ignore OR to minimize.

<< her eyebrows raised slightly as she spoke.>>

Haleigh needs to be RELIEVED of duty AND considered a flight risk. She knows just as well as you all do that Alycia has the power to arrest her and bring her to justice. If she kills Alycia..she will cause Harbinger's prediction to come to pass and we will ALL pay the price. I warned her myself once before that if she continued on this path, she would ALIENATE everyone around her and be left ALONE..to DIE with no one caring. She may have hid behind the "self loathing" excuse to act as though it didnt matter, but she is STILL human and she doesnt want to die. she wants the same things that she thinks everyone else has.

There is a loss of control happening here and something MUST be done about it. For HER saftey and peace of mind...such as it is, I recommend she NOT be involved in any further activities of THE SIX. She needs to be confined to her quarters or placed somewhere OUTSIDE of this building. keep the lines of communication OPEN but do not let her back until after this crisis is addressed.

[Jacob Black]

:: Suprisingly enough, Ava didn't give Cameron and witty insult and just took her sister back to her apartment, while Morgan arriving, taking her place behind her mother as she was asking for a complete briefing on what had happened during the meeting from Karen. ::

"All Hell Broke Loose, that's what happened..."

:: Karen made her observations in a clear and concise manner. He was still in a very surreal state to know that Karen was actually admitting his progress to Morgan, it was just something that never happened to him before. It made him feel that the path he was now on was the right one. Karen continued onto Alycia and her observations were fair. Even though she had such a hard exterior, at least Cameron understood her. He got her motives and her reasons for doing what she had done, he also understood the pressure she was under. Sometimes Cameron felt surprisingly human in the prescence of people like Morgan and Alison. So much power that Cameron could only hope to have. ::

:: Then the subject came to Haleigh. He knew that this would not go well but he was extremely distressed when they wanted to relieve her of her duties and send her away to get psychiatric treatment. But Cameron didn't know just WHO could treat her and just HOW they would get her out of Illustra if she did leave, and most of all, he didn't WANT her to leave. He waited for Karen to finish her statements before he made a small statement. ::

"I am just REALLY worried about that Dr. Victoria. The most progress she has made has been with this TEAM. I just.. sending her away seems DANGEROUS to me now, especially with the birds out here now.. I agree with relieving her of her duties to the Six, even though she is going to flip, but I don't think we should send her away..."

:: He looked at Morgan as he said this hoping to convey that he knew that Sharon Kelly was behind the birds and that she was gunning for Haleigh and that if they separated her from the Six it might make it THAT much easier for Sharon to get at her unnoticed. ::

:: Cameron was also worried about his sister's vision. None of them knew how this would come into fruition or HOW it might come to be. Could this decision be the straw that breaks Haleigh's back, and could it literally set her off the deep end. It all seemed SO dire now that every decision and thought made Cameron second guess his thoughts. ::

[Rampage]

Nicolas spoke up, his voice even and deep.

I agree with Cameron. In fact, I have a couple of concerns. In this meeting, as well as in times previous, Haleigh has exhibited poor behavior, listening skills, and has been emotionally unavailable. That is a FACT.

But in the end, Alycia was ready to KNOWINGLY send Haleigh her death, and possibly us with her. Alycia is as smart if not smarter than anyone else in this ROOM. She realizes that if she green-lights Haleigh's apprehension that she will open the door to investigations into all of us as Haleigh's co-conspirators. Although you have defended her and stood by her as a best friend Morgan, she was willing to risk OUTING you and your family here in order to strike at Haleigh. I believe that as we attempt to move forward that it is not unreasonable to ask that the threat of this intervention is not dangled over our heads. She has a right to feel safe, and SO DO WE.

And as we look at Haleigh, are we considering this all from her position? Even as she acts in a way that is not productive emotionally for those around her, she has saved far more lives as an agent of this team than she has taken as a killer. Shouldn't that fact ALONE inspire us not to give up on her, especially when we see the pain that she is in?

Yet the people who she lives with and have fought alongside bring someone in who is armed with a device specifically aimed at bringing her down while simultaneously admonishing her to be non-threatening and peaceful. She is attacked mentally by some outside force we have yet to ascertain yet we are evaluating her mental competency at the same time. She is reminded that although this has been her home, that it could be taken away and WE may stand idly by and do nothing about it, that thought alone would drive some people mad.

Yet we say nothing to Alycia about what the likely consequences of her actions would be. Make no mistake, if Alycia steps aside and allows the less enlightened in this administration to act against mutants and metahumans, there will be a war. Millions of people will die, and I do not have to be a Seer to see that. And for what?

There are problems here, but they are on both sides, and Alycia does not benefit from hiding behind her position in this government as she lashes out at Haleigh. She has kept Haleigh a secret from others for quite some time. She generates no further risk to herself from continuing to do so. To act otherwise allows Alycia to use her government office to rationalize a decision with horrific and murderous consequences.

Look, I want what's best for BOTH women. Both of them need our help, both of them have been valuable to this team, and BOTH of them need to address this situation in an adult manner. No threats, no weapons. There is quite simply too much at stake for everyone here...

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Karen explained what had happened, and it left a bad taste in Ava's mouth. Shaking her head, Ava stepped forward to address Morgan, Alycia, and Karen. ::

"I mean no disrespect to either one of you [Alycia and Karen], but Haleigh is not the enemy here. I understand that you [Alycia] are feeling vulernable and compensate by being defensive. You don't want to end up like Sharon Kelly, and that's a perfectly normal response after loosing her. But coming into Illustra with weapons specifically designed to hurt Haleigh is unexceptable. She is a member of our TEAM. Haleigh would NEVER hurt you. NOT because she couldn't, but because you CARES for the two of you too much."

:: Pointing to both Morgan and Karen. ::

"She values your friendship, Morgan. And she respects you Karen. She would not MURDER one of your trusted friends because she is angry or upset. She wouldn't risk loosing either one of you to 'stick it to Alycia'. And if you can't see that by now, you haven't opened your eyes to who Haleigh truly is. She's intreverted with her emotions. When she feels cornered, she strikes out like a cobra and spits just as much venom at you as you do to her. She WANTS to open up, but her insecurities and doubts prevent her from doing so. And when you stand there and say she's unstable and an emotional LEECH to this group, you wonder why she reverts back to her old ways? This team is the closest thing she's had to a family in a LONG time. And a family STICKS TOGETHER; not take sides and single out a person. She is a member of this team and she's being attacked by unknown forces at the moment. She needs our HELP, NOT our judgements."

:: Ava knew Karen and Morgan both cared about Alycia's well being, but Haleigh was in need of help as well. It really ticked the goddess off hearing what Karen had said, and she wouldn't stand there and take it any longer. She respected Dr. Victoria GREATLY, moreso than she knew. She had experiences with Karen's alter and was quite fond of her. But sometimes, even FAMILY needed to hear the harsh truth. Nicolas spoke up as well, which was a bit shocking, but wonderful all the same. It was nice to know that Ava wasn't alone in the way she felt. ::

"We're all standing here bickering and upset over situations we can't change. Alycia will always dispise Haleigh, and Haleigh will never befriend Alycia. The best thing we can do is help Alycia with her emotional distress, and try and find WHO is attacking Haleigh before they send her too far over the edge we can no longer help."

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Alycia looked upon Cameron. He seemed less and less like the man she once knew. Maybe she could...trust him after all? She then snapped her glare at Nicolas as he spoke, but she waited until AVA finished first. Both had points, but Nicolas seemed to miss everything Karen said about Alycia realizing she was falling into a bad pattern of behavior as of late.::

I'm here NOW arent I? I DIDNT leave the building and I havent contacted Force Works OR Washington. I've agreed to STAY and HELP..AND I gave my word to Morgan that I wouldnt have Haleigh captured/arrested behind this as long as she stays away from me.

Nicolas, I saw you in that conference room and I've been dealing with people LONG ENOUGH to know what they must be thinking and I dont need to be a TELEPATH to know it.

Not everyone has the BENEFIT of a nearly invunlerable physical constitution or the LUXURY of "taking hits" and recovering shortly there after and while you may deem yourself the paradigm of rationality? I seem to remember when YOU were the one who didnt "get it" when you first joined this team. You came into my office acting like you were in DIRE need of a copy of "how to win friends and influence people".

My reputation speaks for itself. I've been doing what i do and facing the risks that come since LONG before you knew this team. You'll PARDON ME if i had a moment of WEAKNESS and gave in to BAD JUDGEMENT.

The FACT of the matter IS, that if I WERENT in this position right now...then YOU probably wouldnt be standing here. Yes, i HAVE kept the secret of the Six safe. it was not only a "professional courtesy" due to my friendship with Morgan, but it was because i CARE about the people on this team. But even I have my limits. I'm NOBODY'S doormat in this room.

:: looking at Nicolas::

and i WON'T be spoken about as if i were some bastard stepchild.

:: looking at Ava::

and there was a time where i respected and cared for Haleigh as well. we WORKED together as a team. we shared information and i put even MORE distance between her and the gov't as they closed in on her from all sides.

Ava, you speak the truth, I'm TERRIFIED of ending up like Sharon. I won't go into just how its ravaged my mind, but after several sessions with karen, she's helped me to realize that i need to get a hold of myself. I'm acting like i've never faced terrible circumstances ..even DEATH before. Death threats, assassination attempts, kidnappings..its ALL par for the course even BEFORE i became more involved with the Six. NOW the biggest difference is that i'm under pressure from ANOTHER SIDE to do what SO MANY PEOPLE across the country would LOVE...to FLUSH this team out so that the government could make an example of mutants and metahumans everywhere. I play a delicate game right now..doing what so many OTHER people on capitol hill do...STALLING.

What i've done i've done willingly and GLADLY but people like HALEIGH have made me wonder if its WORTH IT. Some of you in this room i owe NO obligations to and if this were to be scrutinized by an outside source..I would be deemed a traitor to the Committee of SuperHuman Affairs, stripped of my title and blackballed from the legal and political community. I'd be assed out and for WHAT? a group of people that could just as easily teleport to Limbo and leave me holding the bag to stand in proxy for THEM just because i KNEW THEM?

:: looking at Nicolas with hostility::

YOU might think it's okay to have me as the lamb tied to the stake...but i DON'T.

:: looking at Ava::

I brought those weapons with me, because prior to being picked up by Delilah and Morgan, I had already received communications from Force Works agents about the unusual "bird activity", NOT TO MENTION a flurry of e-transactions, and other "flow" being directed to a location that is familiar to more than one person in this room THE CELL, a strong hold of MysTech that was commanded by Rick Riley, a former commanding officer of Haleigh's back when they both served in the military. He defected shortly before SHE did.

:: Alycia was feeling herself back in her old mode..the one where she was on her beat. despite her hostile feeling toward Nicolas and what she felt was a scantimonious attitude, Ava had appealed further to her sense of reason.::

Morgan and Delilah are the only ones in this room who will remember, that to strike at Haleigh and the team at the time, Rick kidnapped Sharon and myself. He was attempting to carry out MysTech's order to assassinate Sharon due to her staunch support of mutant rights..and to extract information from ME about the identities of the members of the six. when we resisted...he beat me and broke my arm and he attacked and nearly raped Sharon.

That was THEN..when i wasnt as ABLE to defend myself. NOW i can!

:: she paused for a moment.::

The Six came and saved us..and engaged Rick Riley, the mutant, Pipeline, a small group of Sentinels and they won. Rick Riley ESCAPED and was never found..and that was ALSO when Master Mold came ONLINE.

Morgan DESTROYED the warehouse of the cell, leaving the vacant lot..but as my Force Works agents detected, the UNDERGROUND complex, where the dungeons, labs and secret access tunnels to other mystech facilities were located...it's STILL ACTIVE and THIS is where all the recent spike in e-transfers and other "covert" activity has been funneling to.

When i saw this information, it took me back and it touched a nerve. If i was to go and investigate this personally, I wanted to be PREPARED I wanted to be ready to defend myself so that if Rick...WAS still alive and I crossed paths with him...our REMATCH would not be NEARLY as one sided as it was the last time.. the EMP wand, i ADMIT was brought specifically with Haleigh in mind, but after our LAST encounter in Greece, I ...i Just didnt feel SAFE around her.

:: looking at Ava and Nicolas::

you can look down on me all you want and I don't care. I dont have to answer to YOU , I've been REMINDED of what i should be doing by the doctor and after a few words with Morgan on the stairwell, I'm ready to get back to it. I never operated based on my approval ratings before and im not going to now. I'm doing what i HAVE to do and helping the people that i ...have come to care about....despite the risk of my job and my livelyhood.

If THAT doesnt register with some of you...OH WELL.

:: Alycia stood her ground and that was that. She wouldnt give NIcolas anymore room to judge her, or try to shift this on to HER. While he was busy posturing, SHE knew her heart a hell of a lot better than he did and she wasnt going to let HIM or anyone ELSE dictate her actions anymore.::

I've AGREED to Morgan NOT to lower the boon on Haleigh... but if something IS going to happen to me while im involved..it better not be from HER or anyone ELSE's hands in this room and that's all im going to say about it.

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen kept her arms folded as she lean/sat on the edge of the conference table, looking at Cameron and then the others as they spoke on her analysis of Haleigh.>>

I have reservations as WELL. WHO or WHAT agency, even if they were WILLING to, would TAKE Haleigh? She'd only regress even FURTHER and MURDER everyone there while trying to escape.

<< looking at Ava.>>

You may not like what I have to say, but I'm the doctor and I've been doing this longer than you've been alive. I have experience, i have clinical knowledge and i don't just toss out dispairiging remarks to describe someone for the fun of it.

all of you seem to FORGET that BECAUSE you're mutants and metahumans, and some of you have outward manifestations of your nature, that you CAN'T be seen by conventional doctors. Even your biological and dna signatures would TIP THEM OFF. My position of being a doctor and a witch, and the mother of one of the people on this team...has THRUST me into a position that under any OTHER circumstance i would NEVER have taken.

<< looking at Nicolas.>>

Do you think i ENJOY FAILING with a patient? this is not the first time I have tried to help Haleigh. she resists me at every turn, no matter what approach i take.

<< turning to Ava.>>

And you stand there, and imply that I'm doing this just to defame her? that i WANT to see her down and out? Do you have ANY idea what it's like to have to deal with this team in the capacity of a therapist and TRY to remain impartial and objective despite deep running ties with more than one member? I'm NOT perfect, I have my days...and after TODAY, If i had to say or DO anything? i would WASH MY HANDS of HER and LOCK HER in a PADDED ROOM! Just because I'm a therapist does not mean that I do not have feelings, or that I do not struggle and i would appreciate it if YOU and anyone ELSE in this room would STOP holding me to some impossible standard. I am NOT here to excuse behavior, NOR am i here to say a person is fine when clearly they are NOT.

Morgan asked me for a professional analysis, I gave it to her. You don't like it? that's fine. GOOD LUCK getting a "second opinion" from ANYONE qualified enough to treat someone with HER degree of neuroses without them discovering her TRUE nature as a mutant hybrid.

<< her glare was cold and her eyebrows indicated just how pissed she was.>>

I want to help and i have TRIED everything i can thus far SHORT of casting a spell on her AGAIN. Everyone in that room saw how she IMMEDIATELY derailed the discussion, even when she had NO CAUSE to go down that path. She was given a chance to speak, free of any interruption or retaliation and when challenged to further delve into the issue and to approach it from a different angle all for the sake of thought and discussion, she immediately went into a mode that availed NOTHING but what you see NOW.

THE LAST TIME i went to her, was AFTER her attack on Nicolas, which prompted HIM to come and see me in Soho at 1 am in the morning. Do you remember how you felt then Nicolas? THAT is how Alycia is feeling NOW so why YOU stand there and try to act like you have all the answers, i suggest YOU remember that not so long ago YOU were on the verge of "doing something" to Haleigh and it was I who helped YOU to get a hold of yourself just as I am doing with Alycia now. When i met with Haleigh that night, she was ALMOST as bad as she was today. I had to FORCE her to sit down with magick and FORCE her to confront HERSELF and ALL the toxic developments there in with a spell. it was THAT SPELL that showed her her own possible fate. NOT anything Alycia herself had done. HER choices determine the life she leads and as long as she's here, YOUR lives will be affected in some way as well. THAT was the ultimate goal of the spell. It worked..for a time, but as you can see...it certainly wasnt long enough.

Therapy doesnt make a person ABOUT FACE right then and there. It helps a person STABILIZE so that they can see for themselves that its time to change and THEN feel able to move TOWARD it. ALYCIA is demonstrating that. She KNOWS she was wrong for specific things she has done and she stands here now, admitting that the EMP wand was over the top but she also explained her other arsenal of weaponry.

Just because both women have culpability doesnt mean its EQUAL between them and HISTORY is NOT on Haleigh's side. Sorry if you cant handle or accept that but SHE is the one with the burden here and so far, ALL attempts at HELPING her have failed.

now if YOU have a solution that is so great and so effective that I am obviously not ENLIGHTENED ENOUGH to see it? then PLEASE share it with me.

<< Karen was thoroughly fed up. She was FRUSTRATED that Haleigh kept rejecting her help and that now, these others were acting like THEY had all the answers. Even SHE could see the OBVIOUS problem of "haleigh needs help" but as any therapist could tell you...some people are BEYOND help..BEYOND therapy.>>

<< Looking at Morgan.>>

Now if you will kindly excuse me. I have taken ENOUGH for one day.

<< Karen abruptly pushes past the group and walks out, fast deliberate and clearly exasperated. She was returning to the 107th floor, clearly feeling defeated and unappreciated. >>

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan looked and listened, she wanted dialogue, but to her it seemed that SOME were insisting that Alycia be blamed in some way for this or that SHE should be made an issue of. Her mother lost her ability to tolerate more than one person in the room and after letting loose, she abruptly exited.>>

Mother!!

<< she started to go after her, but she couldnt. she had a job to do and she knew her mother could take care of herself right now. Morgan shook her head and sighed as she looked at the others.>>

Nicolas , Ava, I intercepted Alycia in the stairwell and had a talk with her. She's given me her word that she wont lower the boon on Haleigh. My mother told you and she has told you that she KNOWS she was wrong from bringing the EMP with the specific purpose ...or even possibility of hurting Haleigh. Her REASON wasnt an excuse, it was an explanation. Alycia knows better and she WANTS to do better. She's trying..even NOW. TRYING is the key word here. Did haleigh even TRY to accept help today? from the sound of it, NO. All my mother was doing was calling it as she saw it, and while some of you may think it's harsh...is it really my mother's job to make a person think they are okay when they are NOT? If HALEIGH stopped using her problem as an EXCUSE and TRULY "opened up" as Ava says she is trying to do and ALLOWED herself to get the help she needs, then we wouldnt be discussing the possibility of COMMITTING her. But Cameron has a point...WHERE would we send her? is ANY place safe? no standard facility would take Haleigh and, I DO feel , if left to her own devices, she will slip further down into these bad patterns of behavior.

Does that make ME DISLIKE her? no. Does it make me question her ability to function on and with the six? YES. As for the matter of her being relieved of duty? that is not up for discussion. it is GOING to happen and I'm going to be the one to tell her. THAT is my job.


How can WE help her, if my mother, who is more qualified, CANNOT? FAMILY doesnt make problems go away. WE are supposed to be her family, but we have not done a very good job of holding her accountable and now look where we are. Alycia is STILL here , despite how she feels about people in this room, and willing to help. She understands that she is not to harm Haleigh and she understands that we need her to CONTINUE to cover for us.

Haleigh's MEMORIES are flashing across screens everywhere and she's going through what she HATES the most...a LOSS of control! and this loss is placing US at risk...and though you may not like it, we HAVE to acknowledge the fact that Alycia would not be LEGALLY WRONG for having Haleigh captured and arrested. we share a vital relationship with Alycia and i KNOW that the bulk of it is due to my friendship with her...but I CAN remain true to my friendship with Alycia and STILL do all that i can for Haleigh, who i've come to trust.

<< Alycia spat back at Nicolas, and answered Ava. Clearly Alycia's hostility was directed at Nicolas but in the midst of her response to Ava, she provided them with a VALUABLE CLUE!>>

<< Morgan threw her hand up and exhaled with a laugh.>>

you SEE? THE CELL! the black guards ...MORE signs pointing to MysTech and Rick Riley? HE was never found. If these attacks are centered on HALEIGH...then it MUST be them!

<< standing up from the table.>>

I remember the battle Alycia speaks of well enough, there is no building above ground...i leveled it and there's no OBVIOUS entrance to the underground lair. We need to go there...see if we can find anything...a clue or SOMETHING because right now, we're not getting ahead...we're just spinning our wheels and not only is Haleigh suffering, so are we all.

I dont have the benefit of Alison's powers as a precog but i DO have the SCRYING GLASS and because i've been to that place before, the scrying glass can give us a sort of view and detect certain threats.

I see no need to involve my mother in this particular part of the situation. in fact..none of you needs to go. I'll go...and see what i can find.

<< It might have been MAD on her part, but Morgan needed to get out of Illustra at this point. she was feeling almost FAINT as her heart raced and her head POUNDED. she wasnt telling them something that they needed to know. but she couldnt figure out the right time! how do you tell people that someone that has remained a souce of grief and anguish is coming BACK for revenge? THIS was one of the many reasons why she respected Alison so much as a precog. the woman had the burden of "SEEING" and knowing things that were terrifying, even heart breaking and yet, she did not become overwhelmed by her visions and here was Morgan, buckling under the silent fear that she was FAILING as a leader of the team and that she wasnt doing enough to protect Haleigh or the team.>>

<< she looked at Nicolas for a moment.>>

Thanks...for being there today. I know it couldnt be easy, Alycia thinks that you look down on her and now she's back to square one with not trusting you...and my mother...I can see she's very upset. Its not just because of Haleigh's actions, its because Haleigh has thus far prooven to be the one person she HASNT been able to REACH in someway...and to HELP. she's NOT USED to inexplicable situations.

<< looking at the others.>>

I ...dont have the benefit of precognition....i'm doing the best that i can right now...so i ask, that you please give me the chance and the TIME. you can all stay here. my teleporting power and my magick will protect me, and i'll only be gone long enough to determine just what..if ANY link there is between what's happening to Haleigh and this clue that Alycia has given us.

[Alycia Barnett]

::the brooch on Alycia's lapell begin to beep softly. Her Force Works officer was trying to reach her. But she was in another place already...in her mind. Morgan had just taken the conversation and turned it on it's ear. she was going to go to the cell, by herself? she was basically YANKING Alycia's own mission out from under her! first the lamb tied to the stake, and now invisible? She was NO ONE'S SUBORDINANT in this room.::


::Alycia looked like she was struggling to find words. what could she expect? she didnt know, but she'd had her fill of this group...especially Nicolas and she needed to leave.::


well...i guess i really WAS out of order after all!

:: Alycia turned and walked away, leaving the room quietly. with her back to the team, they couldnt see the dazed look on her face. What had Morgan done? what the hell was going on?::

:: Alycia went down the hall, into the dark corridor, and found a private alcove to slip into and sit down.::

hate...distrust...disoriented...agitated...betraye d....in over head....bastards...liars....hate them...cant trust them..

:: she bowed her head, resing her hands on her forehead as her raven black hair fell forward. she was doing it again....but THIS time, it wasnt so unreasonable. yet ANOTHER blow being dealt to her and now, she had to collect herself. she STILL had an agenda of her own....that from the pentagon. HER OWN agenda was to investigate what , if anything was going on at the cell. if this caused her to overlap with the six...so be it, but she'd be DAMNED if she had to deal with Nicolas, who right now, was at the BOTTOM of her list. She didnt care what he thought of her. he was just a spoiled, sheltered, pampered playboy hot to trot male slut who had the benefit of mutant powers. She'd broken men like him before in the legal and corporate world.::

:: Alycia couldnt process it right. her heart was beating rapidly as her thoughts seemed to echo in her mind. she didnt show anything outward. no. she was not going to let this derail her. she'd find ANOTHER WAY....and she wouldnt lean on the six to get her through this. why should she? they hadnt been there for her the LAST TIME.::


:: in the alcove, down the darkened hallway corridor of the 99th floor, the government agent sat. she WOULD be leaving tonight and NO ONE was going to stop her. she had ways....access to technology that would allow her to do so.::

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah stepped off the elevator onto the 99th floor. She had lost Alycia somewhere in the crowds below. She wasn't sure how she could have gotten out of the stairwell and through the lobby with out being seen, but somehow she had. Delilah had gone out into the madness outside, and there was no sign of Alycia. She sighed. She didn't know what she was going to tell the others.

As she walked towards the offices, she noticed Alycia sitting there, looking distraught. How had she gotten there? Well, at least she hadn't lost her for good... ]

"Alycia? You came back. I'm glad."

[ As she got closer, Delilah saw just HOW agitated Alycia was. ]

"Are you allright? Did something else happen?"

[Rampage]

Nicolas listened as Alycia retorted. She may have been trying, but she was still lost in the behavior in her head, and Nicolas was concerned that she was only saying the right things, not truly making the progress she needed to make. But it was apparent that she would consider any dissent as a "threat", so he silenced his next attempt to reach her and watched as she walked out after Morgan's announcement about investigating the cell. He shook his head, his lip tight as she spoke of investigating alone.

No, Morgan. There is no need for you to go there alone. You may be right in not sending us ALL, but Mystech has analyzed you extensively from your previous battles I'm sure, and they may have a nasty surprise or two for you. But I am a relatively unknown quantity, especially after recent events. Things have changed for me, and that is something that they could not have prepared for. I could accompany you as you investigate. Maybe my scientific training will be of some benefit, ESPECIALLY if I can find out what they are using to harm Haleigh.

Ava has Haleigh to tend to, Delilah is speaking to Alycia now, and Cameron can stay at my place. Our...similar mental natures will allow him to know if something does go wrong and he can sound the cavalry if needed. But as for investigating this cell, I must INSIST on the buddy system. I have nothing else to really do and it only makes sense. There is safety in numbers.

Nicolas was even and calm in tone but Morgan would notice that there was an intensity about him as he spoke. He did not want anything to happen to her and he would be DAMNED if he would see her go it alone.

[Jacob Black]

:: As Alycia left the room, the rest were left to ponder her words. She was right as much as Cameron didn't want to admit it, she had spent a good amount of time covering up their messes when nobody else would. She helped in the securing of Ava Cassadine when she really wanted to capture her and take her into custody. She was THERE for the Master Mold battle and Cameron wasn't and that was something that he would never forgive himself for. Everyone was making their case but these people were NOT in the room when the session began and they didn't see what Cameron had seen. He waited until Alycia left before he spoke once more. ::

"Okay, all I have to say is that out of all the people in this room, I probably have the biggest reason NOT to like Alycia. But the fact of the matter is, NONE of you besides Nicholas were in the room when this therapy session began and none of you had heard her words, saw her emotions, read her face. I was. And speaking as someone who she was talking to DIRECTLY, she IS trying! And for none of you to realize that or acknowledge it is ridiculous. Think what you want about Alycia, but right NOW, Sharon Kelly is BACK, the woman whose death CAUSED this big of a rift between Haleigh and Alycia and it is doing NO good to sit there and belittle the progress she has made. For once in your guys' lives, ACKNOWLEDGE the doctor's words. I spent too much time disregarding them and guess where that got me? DEAD. But by all means if you want to follow in my footsteps, then go right ahead."

:: He listened to Nicholas as he spoke to Morgan. He was such a gentlemen. It was weird to see Morgan's face SOFTEN when she talked to Nicholas. It meant something. Cameron wasn't sure what it was, but it meant something. He looked at Morgan and at Nicholas as he spoke. ::

"Nicholas, you CAN'T go. This is something that Morgan has to do on her own. She is the LEADER of this team, she is the one at the end of the day who is going to have to make the decisions that we either can't or don't want to make. We don't have Alison here to help us anymore. It's not as easy as it once was. Let MORGAN be the LEADER. She is more than capable of protecting herself, and if there are any problems, she will let us know."

:: He shot a glance to the both of them. He knew this moment was important to Morgan. She felt like she had to be the leader of the team, and while she had been before, it was easier for her last time when Alison was around there to back her up and support her. She didn't have that this time around. Cameron knew she needed to go at this alone to prove that she could do this without Alison. ::

"Of course, Morgan DOES have the final word, but I think it is best we stay and guard Illustra why she is gone."

[Rampage]

Nicolas listened as Cameron spoke concerning Morgan going. He really did take in what was said, but he did not agree.

I understand what you are saying Cameron, but in a way that is what is wrong with everyone on this team. I miss Alison and her insight as a Seer WAS invaluable. But to stand by and have Morgan shoulder that responsibility on her own is not what we should do as a team.

Morgan, Alison was tactician and co-leader and would have been involved if this situation had come up with her here. That mantle fell to Haleigh with Alison's departure, and she would have been equally involved now, maybe even going HERSELF with her skill set so that you could still lead if something were to happen. That does not mean that you have to necessarily stand alone when you have others who will stand with you. You are a good leader, and you do not need to prove yourself AT ALL. It is ultimately your decision but I think it is more important for ALL of us to know that we don't have to go it alone. That is what seems to trouble Alycia the most, and that is what seems to infect far too many of our individual situations.

Nicolas looks at Morgan and Cameron earnestly.

We are metahumans, but even WE don't need to be ALONE. That's why we are supposed to be a team.

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan looked as Alycia left and Delilah followed after her. She was clearly offended...and it was mostly directed at Nicolas. Morgan wished , sometimes, that Nicolas would keep his analysis to himself. He didnt know Alycia the way Morgan, Karen or even the other remainding members of the Six did and clearly no one in the room seemed to care what her mother had to say. NO WONDER she was fed up. Morgan realized thaat her mother was charged with the often THANKLESS and FRUSTRATING task of counseling people who usually felt like they had all the answers and right now, Morgan felt like Nicolas was ENABLING Haleigh's inexcusable behavior at the session. Persephone went to see to Haleigh...leaving only the three in the room now. >>

<< Morgan's icy violet eyes conveyed a look of discontent as Nicolas spoke. She wasnt too thrilled with him right now, being so quick to cast blame on Alycia that Morgan didnt feel the woman deserved. She'd OWNED UP to her actions..which is more than could be said for Haleigh at this point. hell she wasnt sure if any of them in this room were really on the page she needed them to be on, but Cameron surprised her...again as he spoke up against Nicolas, giving Alycia the credit she deserved , acknowledging Karen's words AND trying his best to support Morgan.>>

<< Maybe SHE was too hasty in her own reaction to him after his return. Her own mother gave him a surprisingly glowing recommendation DESPITE her personal feelings and that counted for something major.>

<< she waited for a moment.>>

I've heard what both of you have to say. Nicolas, Alison WOULD be involved if she was here...but she is not and NO ONE misses her more than I do. Not only would she be able to help us...but she too is a friend of Alycia's and can vouch her the woman's integrity. something YOU seem to want to question at every turn..inspite of my mother's analysis in that session, a session that HALEIGH apparently ruined. The woman owned up to her questionable posture when she arrived to Illustra and in providing her explanation, she gave us the first PHYSICAL clue we've had so far in trying to help Haleigh. i think THAT is what you need to remember.

Cameron, i cant tell you how surprised...and how appreciative i am of your support right now. it seems that you and alycia rose to the challenge that was before you in that session and because of that..you've helped eliminate SOME of the burden in this situation. I thank you for that. As time goes on..perhaps you and Alycia will be able to become more friendly with each other but along the way, if either of you needs help, I'm sure my mother will be willing to offer her services again. Right now, i think she's frustrated, and rightly so. Everything she said this afternoon was pretty much IGNORED by the majority of people in this room...and I seem to remember Alison being in that same position more than once.

I'm NOT going spend anymore time pointing fingers. It's OBVIOUS who has the greater problem and who needs MORE help. Alycia, CAN at least, take care of herself right now and is NOT a red flag. Haleigh IS.

The only chance we have to try to help Haleigh and get her some RELIEF ...is for me to go to the cell and see what, if anything, i can find out!

<< looking at the two men.>>

Cameron...Nicolas is right...from a tactical stand point at least. It will be BETTER for two people to go and beacuse of his abilities, I feel that he should be the one to accompany me. If there's a problem he can contact you faster becuase you're both telepathic where as neither of you can contact ME due to my psi screen.

You can stay here in Illustra..but stay OUT of sight of any of the workers and staff on the lower floors. Ava will stay behind to see to Haleigh while Delilah and Alycia talk. My mother is probably in my pent house, resting.


Nicolas and I will go and see what we can discover in the Cell. NOT A WORD about Sharon to Haleigh....or anyone else, Cameron.


As soon as i change into my costume, we will be on our way. i'll stop in Limbo along the way.


and Cameron...thank you.


If it's any consolation....i'd much rather see YOU with Haleigh than Zach. HIS self righteous attitude has been getting under my skin more and more as of late...especially when it comes to the subject of Alycia.

<< morgan's icy tone was a bit softer as she said this. it wasnt easy for her to relent on things that she was set on, but in his case..she realized it wouldnt be so bad and she didnt CARE what anyone thought of her personal observation on the Haleigh/Zach/Cameron triangle. >>

[Jacob Black]

:: Cameron listened to Nicholas' words and he was right from a tactical standpoint, but Cameron just wasn't sure where everyone in this new roster of the Six stood when it came to how they were assigned to things in the team. Then Morgan spoke. It was the words he wanted to hear since coming back. With Alison gone, and Alexis dead, he felt lost. He knew eventually he could patch things up with Haleigh, but for whatever reason, after spending time in what is Morgan's DOMAIN (Limbo) and thinking back to the past, he felt like he needed her approval more than anyone else's. He felt like he had to make up everything to her. Her words literally almost FLOORED the telepath. He nodded and agreed with Morgan as he responded. ::

"Alright, I understand. I think I might look in on Karen. Be safe and Nicholas alert me immediately if ANYTHING goes south. I want to know. I will let you know if something happens here..."

:: He nodded to them, still floating from Morgan's words as he stepped out of the conference room and into the elevator, pushing the button for Morgan's floor, taking a moment to exhale deeply. Today had been a day of extreme personal growth and development. He felt on top of the world, but he stayed remarkably grounded, knowing this was a mere baby step for what he would need to do. Reaching Morgan's floor, he walked down the hall and rang the bell of Morgan's penthouse, awaiting for the Doctor to answer. There was other things he wanted to discuss with her on a more sensitive and personal level, things he wasn't sure he wanted to say to the others just yet. In all reality, he just needed to clear his head, and felt that after the day they had Karen was really the only person he could talk to about this now. ::

"Dr. Victoria.. are you there?"

[Rampage]

Nicolas listened as Morgan spoke. He understood her devotion to Alycia, but he was concerned that it was misplaced. He was not in doubt about what she HAD done FOR them, but he was concerned about her and what she MIGHT do now. Alycia was a public official, in charge LITERALLY of the lives of millions. That position required a higher level of mental equilibrium in his mind than simply being a member of this team. In his estimation, much had been ASKED OF and GIVEN TO Alycia, and much more was required FROM her. And despite Dr. Victoria's (whom he respected greatly) supportive analysis, she could not HEAR her thoughts. HE could. And they were not the thoughts of a person who was placing everything on the table or being forthcoming about her own problems. He wondered of a man had EVER gotten this much benefit of the doubt from Morgan. A part of him declared than no man could say what this woman had already said to them and even LIVE. But he quietly agreed to disagree, preferring to hope that they were right for the moment.

Morgan, I do not intend to question Alycia's integrity or her desire to be well. My concern was that her anger and fear would lead her to do far more damage than Haleigh could EVER cause, especially with her position as policymaker for millions and I hoped to impress the urgency of the situation upon her. I do not doubt that she is closer to recovery than Haleigh is, but considering that we just questioned whether Haleigh should be institutionalized, that did not make me feel much better at the time. In the end, I only want her to be OK. If you and Karen feel that she is on the right path, I will question it no further.

I will change quickly and meet you wherever you designate.

[Oracle]

<< and so, despite the strain and not seeing eye to eye, the remaining members of the six take Morgan's direction and go their seperate ways. Cameron goes to visit Doctor Victoria while Ava returns to Haleigh's apartment and Delilah speaks with Alycia and Nicolas prepares for the recon mission to The Cell.>>

<< Haleigh may enjoy another brief calm within Illustra as the team struggles but the birds outside are anything BUT calm and today's most bizarre development has signaled what several have suspected...Sharon Kelly has come back but she is NO LONGER a friend , supporter or ally of the Six. she's now a blood enemy...her mind ablaze with the fire of HATRED and that hatred focused like a ray of light onto HALEIGH. Nicolas suspects that Alycia may not be forthcoming and despite Morgan's unwavering support of her dear friend...HE is ON to something. >>

<< Morgan struggles to embrace the mantle of leader, without the guidance of her best friend and powerfull precog, Alison and she is determined to help Haleigh and Alycia the best way she can BUT HER mind is ablaze as well..with ANXIETY for this growing problem in the Six threatens to DERAIL her project with Madonna and push her into public ruin in the fashion and business world. >>

<< like the birds in the sky...the Six as a team are "up in the air" with no idea where they or this situation will fall...or its affects on their lives. >>

<< and so we watch.>>