On to the next one

[Oracle]

<< The Six elected to stay at Minerva's Mansion for several more days, allowing them and especially Cameron time to visit with Alison, update her on the situation with Viper, though she would be privvy to most due to her status as a precog and adjust to the departure of Sharon Kelly as well as the revelation that Alycia Barnett herself had never been involved in their latest caper.>>

<< It also allowed Haleigh time to fully assess her new status and the changes to her physiology following her restoration from the T Virus. She was now the ONLY other person beside Alycia Barnett who had SURVIVED the T Virus' final stage of infection but the trauma that Viper caused when she used her power on Haleigh and then Malice restoring Haleigh left the hybrid forever changed. She needed time to understand that and Minerva's Mansion, FAR AWAY from the general populace and backed by alien technology was a far better place to do it than Melrose Place.>>

<< Something about the fresh air and rolling sea around this mysterious cliff side villa helped to bring a calmness and refreshed feeling to most of the Six as they prepared to move on to whatever may wait for them. But there was at least one thing some were NOT looking forward to, and that was explaining to Morgan why Sharon was no longer with the Six.>>

<< Delilah was struggling with guilt, misplaced as it may be. But on a deeper level the guilt was not entirely linked to Sharon. It was linked to something else far more deep, another ghost like that of Mystech.>>

[MorningStar]

Delilah ran. The soft sand cushioned her bare feet, and the sea spray cooled her as the sun shone down. She had been at it for miles. It usually cleared her head but the demons were still there, her mind still addled. So she just kept running.

Finally, she gave up. She was wearing short black Under Armour shorts (http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/womens/gearline/heatgear/compression/pid1207733-Women-s-Volleyball-MPZ-Short/1207733-001) and light blue sports bra (http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/womens/apparel/sports-bras/mid-impact/pid1210861-Women-s-UA-Duplicity-A-B-Cup-/1210861-001), so she jumped into the ocean in her clothes to cool off and then sat on the warm sand to let herself dry, still breathing heavily.

She rested her elbows on her knees as she looked out over the expanse of the ocean. If only she could bottle this moment and stay in it forever.

She didn't want to face what was inside her head. It was crippling.

It wasn't really about Sharon - she could deal with her leaving, in time. But the shame. The guilt. First that she had killed Bishop...and second that she regretted it. Her feelings betrayed her teammates, and her actions betrayed herself.

It was almost too much for her to bear. Her heart ached with it. She couldn't imagine having to go through the rest of her life like this.

[Pam De Beaufort]

Sitting outside on the terrace overlooking the ocean, Ava held a mug of green tea close to her mouth, softly blowing the heated liquid in an effort to cool it. Wrapped in a light weight blanket with her knees tucked up close to her body, the morning temperature was slightly chilly; even moreso due to the fact they were right by the sea. Though Ava could have easily manipulated the weather, heating the area just enough to make her comfortable, the goddess sometimes enjoyed having no sway over the elements. Just allowing them to be as they are.

Taking a small sip of her tea, the soft breeze managed to pull a few strands of hair out of the loose side braid that held the majority of her main together. The pieces tickled her face, causing her to brush them away so the wind could catch them in their current. Moments like this made Ava truly appreciate that there were places like Minerva's Mansion and Arie Island that she could go to and escape the realities of the six. However the memories and feelings of Sheena Island were still very raw within the goddess. Her talk with Alison had helped a bit...the precogs words sinking in even further as the days had passed and Ava had time to really think about them. But it was still a working progress; a progress that she knew was going to take some time.

For right now, Ava didn't want to think about those thoughts--those complications. Closing her eyes, with her hands still cupped around the hot mug full of tea, she rested the base of the mug on her knee and let her head relax back into the large lounge chair. The sound of the ocean was hypnotizing, and the overall air in Greece was just so much more intoxicating a light, unlike the thick smog of LA. Soaking in the sun that slowly began to sink into the ocean, it truly felt nice to be "home".

[Jessica Hamby]

>>Subject Identified:
>>Delilah Trelaven
>>AKA Morningstar
>>Affiliation: Ally
>>Threat Level: Low
>>Status: Active Superhuman
>>Vitals: Out of Range
>>Distance: 475 m [1558.39 ft] stationary

Haleigh watched from the window as Delilah finally stopped running and sat down to catch her breath. Haleigh's return had brought about some changes that she was getting used to, one of which was a visual overlay of information. Any time she looked at a person or object, she automatically saw all the data she had about that particular thing in a type of 'heads up display' to the left of her visual field. There was now a constant stream of information running through Haleigh's peripheral vision but surprisingly, it wasn't all the distracting. She found it quite easy to process the information, things like vital signs, height/weight/age, known powers and abilities, social security numbers, contact information, criminal, bank, and public records, etc. All the while on the right information about herself was listed; her own vitals, emotions, hormone and energy levels, her GPS coordinates and elevation according to sea level, what direction she was facing, how many pounds per square inch of force she put behind a punch, anything and everything.

She kept an eye on Delilah for a minute. There was something BOTHERING Delilah, but she didn't want to just come out and say it. Haleigh wished Delilah trusted her enough to confide in her, but Delilah wasn't ready for that yet. Haleigh sighed and moved away from the window, turning back towards the door to her suite. Information on the mansion starting streaming on her left, its floor plans, exit routes, structural integrity, and the location of every living being within its walls displayed for Haleigh like a radar map. Haleigh went to visit with her sister, who was on the terrace. Ava had been quieter than usual since arrival at Minerva's. Something was bothering her too.

>>Subject Identified:
>>Ava Cassadine
>>AKA Persephone
>>Affiliation: Blood Relative
>>Threat Level: Low
>>Status: Partially Reincarnated -- Active Superhuman
>> Vitals: Pulse 78/min Respiration 15/min
>>Core Body Temp: 36.05 C [96.9 F]
>>Distance: 1.5 m [4.92 ft] and closing

"Are you cold, Ava?"

[Harbinger]

:: elsewhere, Alison Marble sat in her executive study. It was her personal "command office" within the sprawling mansion. ::

:: after her conversation with Ava, she decided she needed to contact Morgan. She knew the fellow witch would be upset if she was not informed of so many deep changes to the team and that she would have felt like she was denied the opportunity to have possibly change the course of events. Sharon Kelly and Nicolas King had left the Six, the team had a harrowing battle with Viper and Haleigh had become a zombie...these werent details you could just relay "another time". Morgan deserved to know.::

:: BUT FIRST.....::

:: She sat at her large desk, and across the room on one of the walls, an opening in the wall reveals a spinning, sparkling "vortex" effect that soon shimmers to reveal, the rotunda on Themyscria!::

:: Alison is contacting ALYCIA BARNETT.::

[Oracle]

<< Themyscria, also known as "Paradise Island", home of the legendary and VERY long lived race of AMAZONS, a hold over from the "mythological" times that Persephone hailed from. The island itself was undetectable by men or their technology and on this island, free from the influence of men, the women had been able to develop their physical and mental skills for centuries. They were an ancient race of women who were among the BEST FIGHTERS on the planet. Their island was an impossible blend of classic antiquity, alien technology and mystical enhancement. It was also now the home to the former mistress of Minerva's mansion, Barbara Minerva, another hold over from Persephone's past with the MoE who was know reborn as an amazon after a heroic sacrifice and death. AND it was home to another key figure in the Six's lives...Alycia Barnett, who had been trained in the ways and discipline of an Amazon, affording a new status she'd never known before.>>

<< The Six had seen "Alycia" at LAX. She was different, STRONGER, faster, and wearing the mysterious "feminum" bracelets that essentially made her BULLET PROOF to most ballistic and conventional weapons and energy projections. But that was not the REAL Alycia. It was a "Life Model Decoy", a well planned psychological tactic used by Viper to shake and rattle the Six and it worked...too well. With the Six, especially Ava and Haleigh still reeling from the fact that it wasnt REALLY Alycia that had been involved in these recent events...it left Ava with extreme conflicted feelings and Haleigh was now puzzled.>>

<< Alison, who was currently hosting her former team and her forever family, felt it necessary to contact Alycia. To make sure she was truly okay and to inform her of what happened. Viper had used her image and likeness, her relationship to t he Six as a ploy against them. She deserved to know about it and Haleigh (and Ava) needed some closer on THAT part of all of this, to know that Alycia was STILL friendly with the Team still part of their FAMILY.>>

<< and so, using the special channels of communication she and the queen of themyscria established shortly after her succession of Barbara as the mistress of Minerva's Mansio, Alison opens a channel to Themyscria and speaks to Alycia first privately.>>

[Alycia Barnett]

:: a lot of time had passed since the day Athena and Hecate had given her passage to Themyscria. She arrived a battered, broken shell of her former self, fresh off the trauma of having been attacked by Zombies in Arklay mansion and having her life blown apart thanks to Bishop. Everything she had worked for went down the drain, lost forever... and yet inspite of her near mental breakdown, that tremendous inner strength that had been apart of her since childhood allowed her to take one last brave step into the unknown for her own sake.::

:: It had been a long time....and there had been several times where Alycia could have, or wanted to contact The six but it was not the right time. She'd been through so much with them. Alot bad but some good as well. It all went into a deep, long standing history that had bound her life to the six and vice versa. She needed time to recover and during that time she had been trained and shown a new way by the Amazons, ones that helped her to be the woman she once remembered herself as being and MORE. She was now an AMAZON, a true gift that most in the mortal world would never know. ::

:: was it time to return to them now? she didnt feel ready to leave Themyscria BUT she was ready to at least establish communication and now was as good a time as any.::

:: having been summonded to the hall of knowledge by one of her amazonian sisters, Alycia was greeted by a true surprise when she saw HARBINGER in the shimmering scrying pool. She smiled and greeted Alison warmly, an instant contrast to the demeanor the life model decoy of her which had been programmed to exagerrate the WORST feelings Alycia may have had toward the Six.::

:: Alison greeted her and asked her how she was, if everything was alright. Alycia could hear and see the curiosity and CONCERN in the precog and if the PRECOG had something on her mind about Alycia enough to contact her , then it must be serious.::

I'm...fine Alison! Never better actually. I know its been a long time...but I needed this time to...recover. I needed to REALLY recover.


Alison: Nobody can blame you for staying away, Alycia. The things you endured....were more than we EVER had a right to ask...or even expect of you. You made the right choice to go to Themyscria.

Alison: However, as you must know, no matter where ANY of us goes, or what we do....we have a bond among us in the six, we have something that we've all survived....MYSTECH. The team recently was haunted by the ghosts of mystech in the very real form of Jessica Marcus...daughter of James Marcus....her name was VIPER.

:: Alycia listens as Alison fills her in on the main changes of the Six, their current residence in Melrose Place, the departure of Sharon and Nicolas, Barbas, Morgan's sabbatical etc. Then she tells Alycia the events of the past caper with Viper, Terra Save, WilPharma, the bio terror events, the Sisterhood....and the "life model decoy", it was awful! Alycia's face showed visible signs of agitation at the revelation of a "life model decoy" that assumed HER role and place in the outside world.::

Alycia: this is outrageous....

Alison: but not entirely unexpected. you were just a much a thorn in Mystech's side as we were. Jessica Marcus knew everything her father and Malice knew and you participated in the destruction of Mystech, Arklay and more...all things that she was the "heiress" to. She used you...or rather your image and likness to hurt team, which is already on shakey ground. you know how THAT goes.....family drama.

Alycia: Yes...I know. But I wouldnt have done those things...

Alison: I know that Alycia. and deep down they do too. I thought you should know what happened, and I wanted them to see you at least like this, so they could have closer. It was a deadly ploy that she used against them and it worked very well.


:: Alycia nodded.::

Alycia: of course. where are they?

Alison: They're here at the mansion. The Sisterhood dropped them off her after they left Sheena Island. It was a sensible move. Gave us a c hance to see each other, for me to help them as they recover etc. and now a chance for them to see you. They need to more than they might suspect.

Alycia: I had often thought about returning to "man's world"...but it just wasnt the right time. I thought about everything from before, including The Six.

Alison: It wasnt the right time. Sometimes they dont understand that...but as a precog, i know better than most. I had to take time once I became Harbinger, which is why i did not come to the Six's aid during the Silver Swan caper...despite my PERSONAL feelings...I had to do what was truly best in the overall scheme of things. NOW is the time, where even this brief appearence from you can do the most good. I'll summon them now.

:: Alycia continues to remain visible on the mystic viewing portal in Alison's office as Alison contacts the Six via the mansion's comlink asking them to come ot her executive study.::

[Pam De Beaufort]

Time seemed to pass more slowly here, like you could actually breathe without loosing your breath. Dire situations and missions all disappeared and relaxation was actually the way of life. It was a welcomed change, that was for sure. Resting her head back, Ava closed her eyes while tightening the blanket around her shoulders.

Haleigh: "Are you cold, Ava?"

Not bothering to open her eyes, a small smile appeared on her lips.

"A little chilled, yes. But it's nice."

Finally opening her eyes, Ava shifted them in her sisters direction.

"Join me?"

She hadn't really caught up with Haleigh since Malice had healed her. Ava wanted to give her sister time. Time to come to terms with what happened. Time to realize that there was no guilt to be felt because none of it was her fault. Unfortunately, it seemed they wouldn't have any time to actually have a conversation. Alison's voice rang over the comlink that ran throughout Minerva's Mansion asking the six to join her in her study.

Standing from the plush lounger, Ava let the blanket slide off her shoulders and down onto the chair.

"I guess that talk you want to have with me will have to wait."

Ava wasn't oblivious to the fact that Haleigh knew something was wrong with her. In fact, knowing her sister, she knew everything there was to know before Ava could even tell her. Walking with Haleigh up to the mansion, it took a few minutes before they reached Alison's study.

Walking through the doors, Ava's eyes first caught sight of Alison. But soon, they moved over to the mystic viewing portal that connected to Alycia. Ava's body immediately recoiled internally; stiffening at the site of the former district attorney. It took a few very LONG seconds to realize that she hadn't moved a muscle--that she was just staring at the image of Alycia with a disdain.

"You wanted to see us?"

Ava spoke evenly, finally pealing her eyes away from Alycia and moving them to look at Alison.

[MorningStar]

The deep blue sea was hypnotic. Alison's voice reached her ears but it didn't really register. She just kept staring at the ocean.

She had betrayed her teammates and left them for Bishop's ideals. And the rift she had set in motion between her and Sharon had become a chasm that drove the Silver Swan out of the Six altogether. She had wanted to punish "Alycia" for her supposed betrayal. But who was she to point fingers? How they could look at Delilah after all that had happened, she didn't know.

And Bishop...she had murdered him out of spite, revenge. And there was the secret that she kept from everyone, that she had truly loved him, loved him still...and she had blown him apart. What kind of person could do that? No "bigger picture", no "higher purpose" - she wasn't sacrificing someone in order to save the world. And the guilt was destroying her.

Her limbs were oh so heavy where she sat, water droplets still drying on her skin, the sand sticking to her bare feet. And then suddenly, they felt light as air. A peacefulness came over her as she knew what she had to do.

She stood and walked, trancelike, towards the sea, towards that peace she so longed for. The coolness of the waves lapped at her feet. The sun was warm on her face. And as the ocean washed over her, pulled her under, she felt a sense of perfect calm. And then everything was finally darkness.

[Jessica Hamby]

Ava: A little chilled, yes. but it's nice. Join Me?

Haleigh smiled softly and moved in, but stopped abruptly. Haleigh could sense that Alison's voice was currently transmitting over the com link-- ah, yes, a summons.

Ava: I guess that talk you want to have will have to wait.

[chuckling] "I suppose so. It's alright... we'll have it soon."

She knew what Ava was thinking. What if the team would be better off without her? It was easier here, staring out at the sea. It reminded her of their sanctuary on Aerie. What if Aerie really was a better place for her? Haleigh considered this about her OWN fate as well, and she knew that Ava was even MORE tied to Aerie than Haleigh, for Ava had spent an extended time there, even after the rest of them went to Melrose. But Haleigh knew she could NOT leave the team now, she could not abandon them. What new outcome would be seen from her 'transformation', she didn't know, but the team had lost too many people recently for Haleigh to decide that she wanted to take a vacation. and so, whether she was the leader they needed or not, they were stuck with her.

Haleigh and Ava walked in comfortable silence to Alison's study. Alycia was easily visible through through a portal of some kind. Haleigh didn't quite know what to say, so she simply nodded curtly.

>>Visual Representation Of:
>> Alycia Barnett
>>Affiliation: ???
>>Threat Level: Low
>>Status: Human
>>Distance: Indeterminable

Her gaze shifted, as Ava asked Alison why she'd called. Likely, Alison was trying to give them some closure, and to help them [especially Ava] separate their recent experience with the clone from what was actually happening with the REAL Alycia, THEIR Alycia.

>>Subject identified.
>>Alison Marble

The stats kept coming. Haleigh tossed a glance out the window in this room. There was a spectacular view from every vantage point. She could see the beach where Delilah was again. It looked like Delilah had decided to go for another swim. But this wasn't a quick dip, and Haleigh found that she kept watching for Delilah to resurface. The others might think it rude for her to have turned her back on them, but her brow was creasing with concern. The surf was moderate, there was no visible riptide. Haleigh begin sweeping her gaze wider, in case Delilah had managed to swim farther than she initially expected, but Haleigh's eyes kept going back to the same dark shape among the tide that she was QUITE certain was Delilah. It was not moving the way a swimmer would.

>>WARNING!
>>Average Human Breathhold 60 seconds.
>>Current time underwater 01:45

[warily] "Alison, How long can Delilah hold her breath?"

[Harbinger]

:: Alison and Alycia talked for a few more minutes before Ava and Haleigh arrived, but Delilah was not with them.::

:: Ava and Haleigh had their guarded reactions when seeing the image of the REAL Alycia who did not have the brooding, dark countenance that her clone had. Alison watched them even as they carefully regarded Alycia and tried not to show any visible reaction.::

It's alright...it's really her. :: Alison said as she leaned back in her large executive chair and steepled her two index fingers under her chin.::

I felt like it was time to actually check up on her. She's still part of our family, whether she's here or not. She's been on Themyscria for some time now and while she hasnt returned to the outside world like Sharon, it was because it wasnt the right time for HER. i'm sure you can understand that, Ava. :: referring to her the goddess' own extended solitude on Aerie::

I've been telling her what's happened. Because HER likeness and image was used in Viper's nefarious plot, as an emotional trump card against you all, it was only fair that the REAL Alycia know about it.


:: Alison looked distracted for a moment.::

[warily] "Alison, How long can Delilah hold her breath?"

:: the din of the waves outside of her open windows suddenly rang LOUD in her ears as she looked out over the ocean.::

that's not a question you should be asking NOW of all times.... Delilah...

:: the way she says it, confirms what Haleigh might have suspected. something is wrong. she stands up.::

Alycia, there's something wrong. I have to go...but I...we'll be in touch SOON!

Alycia: :: with a concerned look on her face:: Okay Alison....you take care...all of you!

:: Alison moves over to the window and BLINKS out of sight. the others follow as quickly as they can as Alison BLINKS into view on the shoreline where Delilah was last standing. the waves and the wind move and alison's blue/black hair blows back in the wind as she peers out over the sea::

Even with her power to create a force field around herself...this is WRONG.

I didnt think it'd happen THIS quickly! I contacted Alycia to help bridge the gap, to help bring some peace and closure but she [Delilah] didnt give me the chance!

:: Alison said with distress.::

[Oracle]

<< from the shoreline out into the endless sea, the waters flow and move with an unending rhythm. with each wave and current, the water welcomes Delilah into its all encompassing grasp. If its an escape she wants...its an escape she'll get. a deep, dark, cold hideaway from which there is no return. many have been claimed by the sea before so she wouldnt be the first...but her death would be such a tragic and senseless thing.>>

<< as she sank deeper and deeper into her own despair, the sea's subtle but unwavering grip pulls her down. it replaces her own feelings with a cold numbness that will soon be followed by darkness that even HER light cant dispell...and then...DEATH.>>

<< perhaps then she can finally resolve her true issue....that of BISHOP. Where ever he now was...perhaps she'd soon come face to face with him again.>>

<< the past never truly leaves us does it? no in most cases it remains and in the worst case it HAUNTS...KILLS.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

Alison explained her reason for calling them and why Alycia was 'here', and Haleigh gave a polite, preoccupied nod, even as her concern for Delilah's well being escalated.

"Of course Alycia should know. It's not her fault it happened.... but it affects her and her reputation."

She replied curtly, her unease about Delilah begining to over ride her desire to resolve any lingering issues.

>>WARNING!
Current Submersion Time: 02:32

Alison: That's not a question you should be asking NOW of all times....

"I know it seems random, you'll have to forgive me but if what I suspect is accurate-- this takes precedence."

>>WARNING!
Current Submersion Time: 03:01

"That's too long. It's time to DO SOMETHING!"

Alison: Delilah... Alycia, there's something wrong. I have to go... but I.... we'll be in touch soon!

Alison comes to the same conclusion and blinks out of sight. Haleigh is fast on her heels, using molecular dispersion and knowing that Ava can transport herself. Alison reappears on the beach and searches the sea. Haleigh, in her haste, reappears in waist deep waters RIGHT where she last saw the shape she thought to be Delilah. But Delilah isn't here anymore, she must have moved once Haleigh lost visual contact!

>>SCANNING

Alison: Even with her power to create a forcefield around herself.... this is WRONG. I didn't think it'd happen THIS quickly! I contacted Alycia to help bridge the gap, to help bring some peace and closure but she [D] didn't give me the chance!

Haleigh's gaze jerked over to alsion increduously.

"YOU KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND YOU DIDNT WARN ME?!??!"

She went vehemently back to searching the waters for Delilah. It would waste precious time to argue right now. Haleigh felt a pang of guilt for being clueless, for not paying more attention, for not trying harder to get Delilah to admit to what was bothering her. She had been trying to respect Delilah's need for privacy. Stupid decision!

Over there! She ducked under the oncoming wave and swam parallel to the shore to where Delilah was being pushed around by the waves, lifeless. She reached Delilah as quickly as she could, and tried not to notice how suddenly ethereal Delilah looked, her hair fanned out and gently flowing behind her in the water, her body limp, her expression untroubled and almost peaceful. Not YET Delilah! She pulled Delilah up out of the water, cradling her high as she waded quickly back to shore.

>>WARNING!
>>Vitals: Pulse 0/min Respiration 0/min
>>Core Body Temp: 25.5 C [78 F]
>>Status: Deceased

"She's flatlined!"

Haleigh said quickly, laying Delilah flat on her back in the dry sand.

"GOD DAMN IT, THIS IS NOT HAPPENING ON MY WATCH!"

>>Suggested Reaction: Begin lifesaving measures immediately
>>Procedure recommended: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
>>2 repetitions assisted breathing per 30 chest compressions
>>Mouth to mouth Step one: tilt head back

She followed protocol to the letter, trying not to be TOO forceful during chest compressions, as she didn't wanted to inadvertently crack Delilah's ribs with her super strength. She said nothing aloud, as she was focused on her efforts and trying not to be overly emotional, but in her head, she was alternately pleading with Delilah to stay and admonishing her for trying to leave.

[Harbinger]

:: Alison looks at Haleigh in disbelief. Was she really going to do this now?::

Haleigh, now is not the TIME. Delilah is a grown woman. Short of locking her in restraints from the beginning, which I don't think any of YOU would have approved of, what ELSE would you have had me do?

This goes far beyond what's happening HERE.

:: Alison said forcefully as she brushed some of her blue/black hair back behind one of her ears while Haleigh frantically retrieves Delilah. On the shoreline, Haleigh attempts to revive her. Alison is genuinely concerned but strangely, she holds back::

The problem here was in the making LONG before this moment and I think both of you know what it was.

:: reminding them that while she was a precog, she was no longer a front line member of the six and sometimes, it didnt take a precog to see the bigger picture. this situation was the breaking point of something that had been going on all along....everything from Bishop to Sharon and Alycia. Malice had pointed it out but nobody listened then. They were too busy trying to dismiss the validity of that insight because it came from Malice. Delilah had tried to stand in the gap for the team against Malice's cruelty. It was a bold but misguided sacrifice and NOW she was paying the price as her own mental stability seemed to have fragmented and now THIS.::

:: it was a painful indicator of how things really WERE with the Six now. Two members GONE. One member, broken and suicidal...and another one pulled back from the brink but still not sure what her life now would be like.::

:: what could Alison say as a precog to fix any of that?::

:: Alison was about to transport Delilah to the infimary when a roll of thunder could be heard across the horizon, subtle but standing out against the din of the waves.::

:: Alison looked up at the curiously grey and swirling skies above now.::

[Pam De Beaufort]

It was a slightly uncomfortable situation, standing there in the presents of Alycia knowing that she had done absolutely nothing wrong yet hating her all at the same time. Ava kept her eyes glued onto Alison knowing EXACTLY why she had brought them there, however she needed to ask anyway. Maybe just to buy some time...maybe to try and distract herself from the image of Alycia all together. Regardless, Ava didn't want to be there.

Haleigh: How long can Delilah hold her breath?

Snapping out of her mini funk, Ava narrowed her eyes in a 'what the fuck?' manner before glancing at Haleigh questionably.

"What?"

Alison: That's not a question you should be asking NOW of all times....

Haleigh: I know it seems random, you'll have to forgive me but if what I suspect is accurate-- this takes precedence.

"What's going on? [looking between Alison and Haleigh] Is something wrong with Delilah?"

The haste in Alison's voice and look in Haleigh's eyes were enough of an answer. Alison quickly severed the link with Alycia before blinking out of the room. Haleigh followed using her molecular dispersion. Ava quickly followed in a tornado of winds. Appearing on the beach, Haleigh was already waist deep in the ocean.

"What the HELL is going on?!"

Like she wasn't even there, Haleigh and Alison quickly conversed about Delilah being under the water for too long. It turned more into an argument once Alison revealed that she KNEW Delilah was trying to commit suicide. Ava looked at Alison in astonishment, utterly shocked that she wouldn't have atleast TRIED to stop Delilah; or atleast warn Haleigh or herself.

Tearing her eyes away from Alison just as Haleigh brought Delilah's lifeless body up to the shore, her sister immediately began chest compressions and mouth to mouth. Scrambling to her knees beside Haleigh and Delilah, Ava took over mouth to mouth, allowing Haleigh to concentrate on the chest compressions.

Alison: This goes far beyond what's happening HERE. The problem here was in the making LONG before this moment and I think both of you know what it was.

Continuing the mouth to mouth, Ava looked up at Alison, realizing that she wasn't the one to blame for this. Everyone had a part in what was happening to Delilah because they didn't pay enough attention to how deeply hurt she was....how BISHOP had truly effected her. Rolling her eyes shut, Ava honestly thought she had gotten over Bishop....psycho boyfriends who try to kill their friends tended to do that to people. But apparently Delilah was more in love with him than any of them realized.

"Damnit!"

Ava continued to blow in two breaths to every set of compressions Haleigh did.

"Common Delilah....breathe..."

Ava heard the soft rumble of thunder and immediately looked into the sky. The clouds were grey and swirling above them. She could sense there was no change in the atmospheric pressure in the surrounding area, therefore this occurrence wasn't natural.

[to Alison] "It's not me.."

She quickly stated before pushing two more breaths into Delilah's lungs.

[Ororo]

:: the eerie change in the skies above, the roll of thunder and a haunting whistle in the wind herald the appearence of a column of wind and dead leaves.::

:: the shadowed form of Ororo appears before fully revealing her as she steps forward, wearing her customary white "goddess dress" and blue robe.::

Ororo: You cannot help her. Not now. Her spirit is broken.


:: taking a few steps forward, she stands over Haleigh, Ava and the fallen Delilah.::


Ororo: There lies, the SMALLEST flicker of life...that resilience that She is known for, deep within her soul. Give her to me, so that I may help her. She deserves a chance to truly HEAL from what she's been through...what lead up to this moment.

:: they knew Ororo enough to know that when she appeared on EARTH in physical reality that it was serious and that her requests were more "commands". ::

:: she motions for Haleigh and Ava to step back.::

Ororo: What has happened here is not at all Alison's fault or even her responsibility. Look within yourselves for fault and blame if you just need to fullfill that compulsion. You missed the warning signs and now here you are. I will do what I can for her and she'll return soon enough.


:: and with that Ororo stands over Delilah and another wider column of wind forms as they disappear. Ororo has carried Delilah away to her garden oasis in Limbo. For HOW LONG is anyone's guess but if Delilah will be saved through all of it, there can be no complaining.::

:: the skies return to their NATURAL form from before, and there is no more rolling thunder in the air. Alison, Ava and Haleigh are left there, with one LESS team member. It was a moment similar to one that they'd faced a couple years ago.::

[Harbinger]

:: Alison looks at Ororo with concern. There was a COLLECTIVE fail when it came to Delilah. There was no point, no need to blame anyone in particular and she didnt hold anything against Haleigh for her initial reaction, but would HALEIGH continue to press that issue?::

:: Alison hid her own DISMAY over Delilah quite well. Her time at Minerva's Mansion, a world away from her former team and family had allowed her to revisit some of her "old ways" but her task now as Harbinger was one of global importance and she NEEDED to be colder, more calculated.::

:: beneath her exterior, in her heart she ached.::

I know this seems abrupt...but there's nothing more we can do here. Delilah's gone and under Ororo's care. We have to trust that Ororo will do the right thing...just as she's done before.

We should go back inside. I'm contacting Morgan. You've lost 3 team members ....she needs to know about this.

:: Alison returns inside the mansion and back to her study. She then reaches out to Morgan with a mystic summons.::

:: the moment that Haleigh had not exactly looked forward to was now about to be at hand.::

[Pam De Beaufort]

Ororo: You cannot help her. Not now. Her spirit is broken.

Hearing Ororo's familiar voice, Ava looked up after another round of mouth to mouth.

"What does that mean? We can't let her die!"

Ororo: There lies, the SMALLEST flicker of life...that resilience that She is known for, deep within her soul. Give her to me, so that I may help her. She deserves a chance to truly HEAL from what she's been through...what lead up to this moment.

Hesitant to stop the mouth to mouth in fear that the lack of oxygen intake in Delilah would stall their reviving efforts, Ava finally moved her body back and sat on her legs which were tucked under her body from kneeling. Haleigh was just as hesitant, but finally Ororo took Delilah.

Ororo: What has happened here is not at all Alison's fault or even her responsibility. Look within yourselves for fault and blame if you just need to fullfill that compulsion. You missed the warning signs and now here you are. I will do what I can for her and she'll return soon enough.

Looking at Delilah's lifeless body in Ororo's arms, Ava looked defeated. She was right. This was THEIR fault. They didn't see the warning signs that something was wrong with Delilah. Either that or they dismissed them, believing she was strong enough to overcome them by herself.

Ororo disappeared and the sky returned to it's normal state. Ava sat quietly in the sand. Delilah was gone. Sharon was gone. Nicolas was gone. The six was now down to three....and even THAT was sketchy due to Ava's own hesitations about staying on the team. Lifting the back of her hand to her forehead to push back some strands of loose hair that stuck to her slightly perspired forehead, she vaguely heard Alison state that they needed to inform Morgan of their current situation in between her own raging thoughts.

Slowly standing from the sand, Ava made her way back to the mansion, following Alison into her study. Standing in the background with her arms folded across her chest and her shoulder resting against the large bookcase, Alison began to summon Morgan. THIS should be an interesting call...

[Jessica Hamby]

Alison: Short of locking her in restraints from the beginning, which I don't think any of YOU would have approved of, what ELSE would you have had me do?

[while doing chest compressions] "Something! Anything! why wouldn't you at least TELL me?? Didn't you think it was important? Wasn't it something I needed to know? It would have made a difference in the way I handled the situation, we could have at least TRIED to prevent it."

She pauses as Ava takes over on rescue breathing, staring up at Alison, looking grief stricken, not angry. She slung her hair back out of her face and resumed compressions tirelessly.

"I'm not trying to place blame here, I just don't understand! Of ALL the information to share, why didn't you trust me with something as profound as THIS??"

Alison: The problem here was in the making LONG before this moment and I think both of you know what it was.

Bishop. Everyone knew that Delilah still felt terribly guilty about killing him. And try as Haleigh might, she couldn't get Delilah to see that there was nothing for her to feel guilty for, that she'd made the best possible choice. I should have killed bishop myself. I should have never left it to Delilah to end his malcontent life.

Ava: Common Delilah.... breathe...

But she wasn't going to. She was too far gone. Haleigh knew this, but couldn't bring herself to stop trying to save Delilah. She couldn't say out loud that Delilah was gone.

I waited too long. I should have done something immediately.

Her hesitation had cost them every chance they might have had of rescuing Delilah. She had known something wasn't quite right. She had watched Delilah walk into the ocean, to her death, and had not responded properly, and now all she could do was try to force Delilah's heart to keep beating, try to force air into her lungs... but it did no good.

Ororo: You cannot help her.

"I.... I know..."

She whispered, staring down at Delilah as the tears fell. the stats stayed the same. Zero pulse, zero breathing, and disasterously dead. The ghostly image of Delilah floating in the water haunted Haleigh. Ororo was speaking, but most of it was lost on Haleigh. She didn't need anyone to tell her it was her fault. She knew it to be the unequivocal truth.

Alison: we should go back inside. I'm contacting Morgan. You've lost 3 team members...she needs to know about this.

"Probably more than three. Where is your brother?"

The all to oft-asked question. Cameron had been scarce since they made it to Minerva's and now, during a time of crisis he hadn't even bothered with showing up? And Cameron wasn't the only one whose standing with the team was in question. Haleigh knew that Ava was thinking about leaving, going back to Aerie. Sharon left, Nicolas defected. That left only Haleigh.

There was a limit to everyone's endurance. Haleigh had survived a GUANTLET of tribulation just to get to this point, but now... she felt she couldn't move. The loss of Delilah was too much to bear, and it was the final blow in a very long line of personal failures that Haleigh had been suffering ever since Morgan had went on sabbatical.

"You can tell Morgan without me. I..... I can't do this anymore. It's too much."

Her tone was defeated, her voice broke with grief. Delilah had been the best of them, the purest, the kindest, the humblest. And now she was gone.

[Harbinger]

:: Alison rose from her chair at her desk, a look of disbelief followed by a frown of disapproval could be seen on her face.::

I can't believe what i'm HEARING.

You arrive on my doorstep courtesy of the Sisterhood, after saving the world from Viper and thereby preventing another reassurgance of Mystech....you get a NEW LEASE on life that FEW OTHERS with the T Virus could EVER HOPE FOR THIS is how you repay the sister fates? by turning tail?

didnt you hear ANYTHING Ororo said!?

BOTH of you....

:: she slams her hand down on the desk as a rushing chime is heard and the double doors to her executive study slam shut!::

I love you both....and think about how FAR I have come to be able to say that to ANYONE, Haleigh...let alone you. Ava, a woman whom I despised at our first meeting in the Time Stream is now a TRUSTED, CLOSE FRIEND.

You're welcomed here ANYTIME and this is no exception but the two of you need to GET A GRIP!

How DARE you stand there and wallow in your illogical, FOOLISH hang ups about Alycia and other MINOR issues when Delilah's life is at stake...when this TEAM as at stake! GET OVER IT! GET OVER HER! She wasnt there, its NOT her fault. END OF STORY!

:: moving on to the most pressing issue of Delilah.::

I KNOW this is upsetting...I'M upset! Think how MORGAN is going to feel when she finds out about this? Don't you think it would be BETTER for ALL of us to be here?


Ororo said she will do what she can for Delilah. This is nothing to be taken lightly...there was a collective fail here...no one person is at fault but it's NOT too late!

She's helped us before...she's snatched more th an a FEW of us from the oblivion of TRUE death...give her t he chance to do that for Delilah and then...instead cowardly coping out...be READY to do RIGHT when she returns because if you think THIS is the end??? you're WRONG.

The reason why I have NOT said more thus far is because even though I "saw' this moment...I also saw MORE to this time th read...its NOT OVER and it has PLENTY to do with Bishop...I dont know HOW, i can't quite "SEE" that yet..its some k ind of anamoly that exists across ALL timethreads relating to Delilah, probable or not.

Whatever's coming, she needs her FRIENDS...her FAMILY! Are you going to stand there and act SO selfish and SHORT SIGHTED as to abandon her and ultimately your destiny NOW?

as for Cameron...he's wandering through the mansion, struggling with his issues about Sharon mostly. He cared about her deeply, and he feels he failed her. THAT is another issue all together....Sharon...She and Nicolas' exit from the team.

[Jill Monroe]

<< energy sounds off as a STEPPING disc opens! its the first time in MONTHS that any of them have seen this power signature. Spellbinder emerges, wearing her still current choice of costume. From the tone of Alison's communication, Spell was certain something was SERIOUSLY wrong but Alison wouldnt reveal ANY details.>>

<< Spellbinder stands in the study, looking among the three women, its OBVIOUS she just arrived in the middle of something deadly serious. immediate pleasantries would have to be short and sweet.>>

ALISON....Haleigh, Ava!

I came as soon as Alison called.

<< she says in an anxious tone.>>

you're all together, here in Minerva's Mansion?

Where's everyone else? Sharon, Nicolas, Cameron...DELILAH?

<< she looks at each of them.>>

what's wrong? what's happened?

<< the demon sorceress had been on Aerie for quite some time now, along with her sister, Firebird (cross time alternate of Foxfire), and her mother and Mike, who were living semi "retired" lives on the island together.>>

<< Morgan had needed time to rest and recover herself after the Barbas caper which was a deeply personal nightmare for her but she told Haleigh to make SURE she called her if they needed ANY help. That call never came, so Morgan assumed things were okay or at least under control. That ALISON would call her at this of all times, and that she'd find them in Minerva's mansion look quite upset...it was NOT a good feeling that now washed over the violet eyed, blonde haired sorceress.>>

TELL ME?!

[Jessica Hamby]

Alison: I can't believe what i'm HEARING.

You arrive on my doorstep courtesy of the Sisterhood, after saving the world from Viper and thereby preventing another reassurgance of Mystech....you get a NEW LEASE on life that FEW OTHERS with the T Virus could EVER HOPE FOR THIS is how you repay the sister fates? by turning tail?

didnt you hear ANYTHING Ororo said!?

"I..."

Her eyes wide and her expression stunned, she gaped at Alison, who harshly admonished them, and for once, Haleigh didn't argue or offer a defense.

Alison: Ororo said she will do what she can for Delilah. She's helped us before...she's snatched more than a few of us from the oblivion of TRUE death...

It was true, and Haleigh realized this as she sighed and lowered herself into an armchair. she buried her face in her hands, rubbing her eyes gently, trying to pull herself together.

Alison: Whatever's coming, she needs her FRIENDS...her FAMILY! Are you going to stand there and act SO selfish and SHORT SIGHTED as to abandon her and ultimately your destiny NOW?

"No... I won't. Forgive me, I.... lost myself there for a moment."

Being unable to prevent Delilah's 'death' had deeply shaken Haleigh, but Alison had the right response; to challenge Haleigh rather than attempt to console her.

"Look at that... I surprised the precog."

She joked weakly, and then Alison explained that Cameron was wandering the halls or something. Oh yes, that's an excellent use of his time while one of his other friends is DYING. Haleigh suppressed the urge to roll her red-rimmed eyes. A familiar old song heralds the arrival of Morgan, who immediately senses something is terribly wrong.

Morgan: Where's everyone else? Sharon, Nicolas, Cameron... DELILAH? what's wrong? what's happened? TELL ME!?

"Morgan... they're... [sigh] gone. Sharon needed some alone time, away from the six, and I supported her decision to leave. Nicolas... [looking a bit cross] Nicolas fell for his aunt's bullshit. For some reason he believes she will love him more, that things will be better for him with her, so he left us and went to live at Hellfire. I imagine he's enjoying himself as the Black Court's honorary prince. Cameron is... [glancing at Alison with a raised eyebrow, then her gaze locks again with Morgan's] Cameron's being Cameron right now."

And all that THAT entails. It was clear Haleigh was a bit irritated with Cameron, but aside from their sordid history, no one truly knew the concrete reason why except Haleigh herself. But now came the hard part: explaining why Delilah wasn't present. Even with the newfound hope that she'd recover, the gravity of what she'd done, and Haleigh's failure to prevent it from happening, still left Haleigh crushed and though she'd pulled herself together and was back to thinking clearly, she felt very strongly upset about it.

"Delilah.... [her eyes welling up again] Delilah is with Ororo now. [pausing to steel herself for the revelation] Morgan, she attempted suicide."

Such a short, simple sentence. But it was the first time any of them had said it aloud, and the recognition of Delilah trying to take her own life was so profound. Haleigh felt slightly winded, as if she'd shouted it at the top of her lungs. She shook her head gently, not quite able to fathom why Delilah had ever gotten to the point where she felt THIS was the answer.

[Pam De Beaufort]

Ava's eyes were cast down, completely blank and void of any expression. Delilah attempted suicide. Delilah tried to kill her. Delilah DID kill herself. She's gone......

No.

She's with Ororo. If anyone could help her it was Ororo. She brought people back from the brink of death numerous times. She was powerful beyond imagination. She could help....she HAD to. But then Ava's stomach turned; the acid churning deep within her in an effort to escape. The sickening thought of her OWN family being slaughtered flashed into her mind. Titania, Brenthon, Alessandra, Elektra, Karen [crosstime alter]...Ororo could do nothing for them. Nothing. What if Ororo could do nothing for Delilah? What if they were so BLIND to Delilah's withering state that it was too late. What if....what if....the what if's were KILLING her.

SLAM!

Jumping as Alison's hand hit the hard desktop, Ava finally shut her eyes; a single tear finally falling down her cheek. The precog began to chastise them....chastise HER for her ridiculous feelings about Alycia. They seemed so trivial now after what had happened. Ava didn't say anything...what was there to say? Sorry? What would that word do to help now?

Ava's line of sight didn't waver; it remained focused on the wood floors that filled Alison's study. A small little notch in the wood a few feet from her was particularly interesting....Ava kept her eyes on that....atleast until the familiar sounds of Spellbinder's stepping discs finally forced her to look up.

Morgan: ALISON....Haleigh, Ava! I came as soon as Alison called. Where's everyone else? Sharon, Nicolas, Cameron...DELILAH?

Hearing Morgan ask for Delilah was like feeling thick sharp blades cut deep into her chest. How the hell were they supposed to explain this? How could anyone explain this when it was so unbelievable to begin with. Haleigh tried, doing a thorough enough job explaining Nicolas, Sharon, and Cameron. But when it came time for Delilah, she could tell her sister was cracking.

Haleigh: "Delilah.... [her eyes welling up again] Delilah is with Ororo now. [pausing to steel herself for the revelation] Morgan, she attempted suicide."

To hear the words out loud actually caused Ava's eyes to fill with tears. It seemed to incredible to be true...but it was. The words proved it. Haleigh stopped....Ava knew this was extremely hard for her. It was eating her alive...the guilt...the what ifs...the second guessing. So before Morgan completely unhinged, Ava tried to further explain why Delilah did what she did.

Looking at Morgan, Ava quickly wiped the tears away from her eyes before they had a chance to fall to her cheeks.

"This situation was Viper was....very difficult for her. It brought back major issues involving Bishop...it made her question her loyalties to Sharon...it made her turn her back on who we ALL thought was Alycia. She just...cracked. We thought she was okay....we thought she was handling it--that she needed space and time alone to herself. We didn't know how deep it ran....we just...we didn't see it."

SHE didn't see it, was the more accurate phrase. She obviously knew Delilah was having a difficult time because of Sharon and Alycia, but she never in a million years thought it would ever escalate into something like this. Delilah was always the shining light on the team. The person who could handle anything with grace and never hesitated to ask for help. Ava just assumed if she was hurting as badly as she was....she would have gone to someone. She was so wrapped up in her own woes that she didn't see it. And it cost Delilah her life.

Shaking her head gently, Ava's eyes lowered back down to the small notch in the wood floor. With a faint whisper...

"I'm...sorry..."

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan reflexively looked to ALISON to fill her in, as that would often be the case in years past, but Alison had a different role in relation to the TEAM now, which she was NOT directly apart of anymore. The precog held back as Morgan bellowed for someone to tell her.>>

<< Haleigh stepped forward first, Then Ava. She expected them to say something happened to CAMERON....AGAIN :rolleyes: He made being wreckless and a "damsel in distress" an ARTFORM!>>

<< but then the TRUTH was told and the revelations hit Morgan like a wrecking ball.>>

<< Sharon. GONE. Nicolas. GONE. Delilah....SUICIDE ATTEMPT!?>>

....goddess....how could this....i mean....no....no-no..

<< Morgan's mouth opened with shock as she placed her hand on her chest. Sharon and Nicolas!? they LEFT the team!? what could have brought them to THIS? On one level, Morgan had often suspected that one day Nicolas might want to spend time with Dominique, being that she was his ONLY LIVING blood relative on earth. They had a bond, a TRAGIC bond but a bond no less. But Dominique was a member of the Hellfire Club...and most importantly, a member of The Sisterhood. The truce was still in tact apparently but to lose Nicolas to Hellfire was definately a blow on many levels and SHARON, another trusted friend, why did SHE leave. when last Morgan saw her, she was settling into her role on the front lines of the Six! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED!? and then....>>

DELILAH!

<< she exclaimed as she staggered a bit.>>

<< Alison comes up to Morgan and places a hand on Morgan's shoulder.>>

<< Morgan IMMEDIATELY went into overdrive as she began to respirate faster...her BEST FRIEND, the woman who had been there for her SO MANY times...times when NO OTHER would have stood by her...and she nearly KILLED HERSELF ...while Morgan was sunning herself on AERIE, what kind of "BEST FRIEND" was she?? Morgan began to get UPSET.>>

OhMYGODDESS!?

<< a chime sounds off she began to look among them.>>

how could this happen!?


I have to go to LIMBO! I have to do something! I can't just let her....why didnt you CALL ME!?why didnt somebody TELL ME!? I'm her best friend...i'm supposed to PROTECT HER!


:: Alison, who was standing behind Morgan, gently takes both of Morgan's arms.::

Alison: Morgan, don't. Ororo has her. YOU and I know better than MOST what she can do in times like this....

Morgan: ALISON! what the hell happened!? why didnt somebody CALL ME! HALEIGH!?

<< she bellows as she looks at Haleigh.>>

I TOLD YOU....

<< she says as she nearly chokes with despair.>>

If you NEEDED ME TO CALL ME! I WOULDNT HAVE LET THIS HAPPEN! I WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE FOR YOU ALL!

<< tears streaming down her face.>>

and now they're gone....and DELILAH...she's....

<< it was JUST as Delilah had predicted only hours earlier when she made her descision. Morgan took all the blame on herself. and she took it hard.>>



"This situation was Viper was....very difficult for her. It brought back major issues involving Bishop...it made her question her loyalties to Sharon...it made her turn her back on who we ALL thought was Alycia. She just...cracked. We thought she was okay....we thought she was handling it--that she needed space and time alone to herself. We didn't know how deep it ran....we just...we didn't see it."

FUCKING BISHOP!

<< chimes sound off and thunder rumbles.>>

He RUINED OUR LIVES! He TOUCHED DELILAH! I should RESURRECT HIM.... << her countenance darkens>> SO I CAN KILL HIM AGAIN! only it wont be as clean and efficient as when Delilah did it....I'll MAKE HIM SUFFER just as he made US suffer!

<< Morgan attempts to pull away from Alison.>>

Alison: Morgan...STOP! You can't do that...you KNOW what HARM a necromancy spell can cause...look what happened to KAREN when she....

<< Morgan turns around and looks at Alison.>>

Then WHAT would you have me DO, Alison!? Just STAND here and WAIT?

Was it JUST Bishop!? you mentioned the Sisterhood! what did they have to do with this?? "you ALL thought was Alycia?" so who was it!?? what happened with Sharon? EXPLAIN THIS TO ME! I NEED TO UNDERSTAND!

[Oracle]

<< Morgan and Delilah had been friends since CHILDHOOD, their lives had overlapped through so many milestones from then to Valiant up till now. Morgan and Blaze loved her as a sister, Karen regarded her as a daughter. She was the heart of the team, the moral conscience even when it wasnt "popular". She WAS the light in every since...and to know that that light had nearly been extinguished, that in her moment of utter despair she was ALONE, that Morgan was NOT there to help her, it BROKE the sorceress' heart!>>

<< Morgan's reaction was one of increasing grief and dismay and finally ANGER. But she noticeably didnt BLAME anyone directly for this...except for the fact that nobody came to her before it was "too late." In her mind , if there was anyone to blame it was BISHOP. >>

<< They didnt tell her of the cruelty that Delilah endured for the sake of shielding the team, HALEIGH in particular from Sharon and even worse MALICE during the uneasy alliance between the Six and the Sisterhood against Viper. Morgan would NEVER have allowed Delilah to stand in the gap like that against Malice, nor would she have sat idly by and let the rift between Sharon and the team grow to the point that lead Sharon to leave the Six.>>

<< she was freefalling emotionally as she tried to understand HOW this could have happened! >>

<< she struggled with Alison , who prevented her from going off half cocked to either cast a FORBIDDEN necromancy spell or to rush to Limbo and attempt to interfere with what Ororo was doing. She was acting on emotion, not thinking clearly. Alison knew that.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

It was difficult to relay, and even more difficult to accept. Morgan was not taking it well.

>>WARNING!
>>Subject: Morgan Victoria
>>Pulse 148/min Respirations 30/min
>>Blood Pressure 132/90

"I know this is upsetting, but you've got to take Deep Breaths, Morgan. You're going to work yourself up into a panic attack."

Morgan: OhMYGODDESS! how could this happen!? I have to go to LIMBO! I have to do something! I can't just let her....why didnt you CALL ME!?why didnt somebody TELL ME!? I'm her best friend...i'm supposed to PROTECT HER!

It was impossible to even attempt to regain her composure, seeing Morgan come undone. Haleigh couldn't stop herself from silently sobbing as Alison tried to talk Morgan down from not only storming Limbo, but resurrecting Bishop!

Alison: Morgan, don't. Ororo has her. YOU and I know better than MOST what she can do in times like this....

Morgan: ALISON! what the hell happened!? why didnt somebody CALL ME! HALEIGH!? I TOLD YOU....If you NEEDED ME TO CALL ME! I WOULDNT HAVE LET THIS HAPPEN! I WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE FOR YOU ALL!

"I'm so sorry Morgan.... I thought I could handle it... I had no idea she was this far gone! I tried to get her to understand that killing Bishop wasn't anything to be ashamed of, but I couldn't get her to LISTEN to me... I thought she just needed some time! If I had known... If I had suspected ANYTHING like this--"

Morgan: Was it JUST Bishop!? you mentioned the Sisterhood! what did they have to do with this?? "you ALL thought was Alycia?" so who was it!?? what happened with Sharon? EXPLAIN THIS TO ME! I NEED TO UNDERSTAND!

"No, it wasn't just Bishop. Sharon grew resentful at Melrose, she began being spiteful and bitter and provoking me, challenging me at every opportunity. Delilah objected, she took a stand against Sharon for the way she was behaving and Sharon responded being treating Delilah with as much contempt as possible. The animosity built to the breaking point. Sharon tried to kill me, she gravely injured Nicolas! It was a nightmare, but there was no time to try and disengage, the bioterrorism at LAX took precedence. We rescued a clone of Alycia, among others, including Senator Davis and Claudia Zacchara. Delilah and I went to talk to the woman we THOUGHT was Alycia, but Alycia would have none of it! She blamed us, she blamed the Six for everything that was wrong with her life and I think Delilah might have taken it to heart. Alycia wanted nothing to do with us. THEN... there was the attack on Hellfire. On Nic's request, we went to offer assistance to Dominique. We began working with the sisterhood to figure out who was behind all these T virus outbreaks, but all the while Malice was her usual charming self. She poked every emotional and psychological wound she could. Cameron, myself, and Delilah were favorite targets of hers. Alycia's clone murdered Ron Davis! We went to a former warehouse of Bishop's to meet with Alycia about the murder, and an argument ensued about Delilah's choice of venue. Alycia still refused our help, and she left for Sheena Island without us. We reconvened with the sisterhood, put up with even MORE verbal abuse from Malice, and then went after Alycia and Sharon, to fight the woman behind the madness, Viper. We caught up withe the clone of Alycia, but she betrayed us, which provoked a lot of anger in Delilah, and in us ALL. Her betrayal-- and Viper's actions-- brought Delilah to her darkest mood. She was seriously considering murder. It probably brought up a lot of leftover emotion from Bishop. It was revealed that Viper had brainwashed 'Alycia', and she slit her throat right in front of us! Viper turned me into a zombie. I know that I tried to finish Alycia off, but the details are fuzzy. Sharon subdued me, they defeated Viper, but the clone still died and it must have been very traumatic for them all. but then... it was revealed that it hadn't even BEEN the REAL Alycia, that it was a 'Life Model Decoy' and that Alycia was okay on Themyscria. We all came back here, to Minerva's. Malice revived me, and after that we all kind of... retreated into ourselves to try and make sense of the whole ordeal. this morning Delilah got up, went for a run, and then a swim, everything seemed, if not 'fine', then at least on its way to being 'fine'. Ava and I answered Alison's call and came here to the study to talk with the REAL Alycia, [haltingly] but Delilah.... didn't respond. She'd gone for another... swim. [starting to weep again] she went.. for a swim... and drowned herself in the ocean! By the time we realized... by the time I pulled her out... we were too late. I was too late. I tried to revive her... but I couldn't save her. She was... already gone. Ororo came and took her away.... and here we are."

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan didnt try to get overly physical with Alison. Her dear friend was only trying to keep her from making any hasty descisions or actions....ESPECIALLY that necromancy spell.>>

<< As Haleigh offered a more in depth timeline of events that lead to Delilah's "demise", Morgan stopped struggling physically and verbally with Alison...as her heart sank...and cracked with grief and guilt. what Haleigh described was outrageous! the team had endured one HELL of a caper this time round and even though they were "victorious" in the end and the truce with the Sisterhood remained in effect for the time being, there were STILL painfull losses>>

By the goddess....Haleigh....

She'd gone for another... swim. [starting to weep again] she went.. for a swim... and drowned herself in the ocean! By the time we realized... by the time I pulled her out... we were too late. I was too late. I tried to revive her... but I couldn't save her. She was... already gone. Ororo came and took her away.... and here we are."

Hecate....I've failed AGAIN. First Blaze (the inferno), now the team....and now.... << she shuddered as she allowed herself to be embraced by a truly saddened Alison, who looks over at Haleigh and Ava, tears streaming down her own face as well.>> Delilah! << she replies in a weeping tone.>>

I was so SELFISH! I took all this time on Aerie...and all the while the TEAM was falling apart! I couldve DONE something to HELP! i couldve found out what Sharon's problem was...i could have stopped her from hurting people-- appealed to her sense of REASON! I helped her once before after she returned as the Silver Swan...I could have PROTECTED Delilah from that telepathic whore MALICE! It's MY fault!

<< she cries.>>

you needed an extra pair of hands, eyes...and another source of FIRE POWER to deal with that VIPER woman....I let you all down....and Delilah paid the ultimate price...

<< it didnt matter that Ororo could (and most likely would) SAVE Delilah. What had her best friends FINAL moments of consciousness been like? How heart broken...how broken in her SPIRIT must she have been to just cast herself into the cold oblivion of the OCEAN. She went there....ALONE. and Morgan, who , at her core, HAD to be able to control the situations she was in, was NOT there to help her...STOP her... SAVE HER!>>

<< felt that this was the ULTIMATE failure on her part. Blaze, Alison and Delilah were her SISTERS...some blood some not...but she loved them all as such. The Six, for better or for worse were her FAMILY and several years after they FIRST came together, She couldnt imagine a life WITHOUT them on a permanent basis...their lives were bound by threads of fate DECADES in the making.>>

<< Alison held her as she weeped for her fallen friend. >>

[Pam De Beaufort]

Morgan began to unravel, asking why no one had called to her for help. Asking how it could have gotten this far. Ava didn't respond because she didn't have an answer. As they had said before, everyone THOUGHT Delilah was handling the situation personally. Everyone THOUGHT she would have come to them if she was upset. It was a grave miscalculation and there was nothing to say to Morgan that would make the situation any less horrible.

Haleigh went into a very detailed description of what had happened. Everything from the LAX bio terror attack, to the Hellfire Club attack, to Alycia's clone. Hearing it all over again really put into perspective how truly fucked up the past couple of weeks had been. It also elevated her hatred for Viper THAT much more [despite the fact she was dead].

Morgan: Hecate....I've failed AGAIN. First Blaze (the inferno), now the team....and now.... << she shuddered as she allowed herself to be embraced by a truly saddened Alison, who looks over at Haleigh and Ava, tears streaming down her own face as well.>> Delilah! << she replies in a weeping tone.>>

Ava looked up at Morgan who began to completely break down into Alison's arms, who was ALSO crying now as well. She didn't even have to look at Haleigh to know how red her eyes were from the tears. The three strongest woman she knew were falling apart before her eyes.

Morgan: I was so SELFISH! I took all this time on Aerie...and all the while the TEAM was falling apart! I couldve DONE something to HELP!

"Morgan, there was nothing you could have done. Sharon was growing out of this team; she needed space from us. She needed to create her own direction in life. She just....CLASHED with us along the way. And Delilah? Delilah's issues were well hidden....NONE of us knew what was brewing within her. You can't blame yourself for needing time to recooperate--time to heal yourself. If you hadn't taken it, you could have been in a similar situation as Delilah. Delilah just--we always just assumed she would be okay because she was the shining light of this team. But even the strongest beacon fades eventually if not properly taken care of."

Ava was oddly put together in that moment. Maybe it was because everyone else was falling apart and she needed to stay strong for them all. Maybe it was because she had already gone through a situation like this before. But despite wanting to cry right along with them, Ava kept her tears at bay.

"We have to believe that Ororo is taking care of Delilah, physically and emotionally. We can't dwell on what we didn't see before. How is that helping her now? Once she comes back from all this...she'll need our support, not our overwhelming guilt. It's hard....this whole situation SUCKS....but we weren't strong enough for her before, but we CAN BE now. Okay?"

[Jessica Hamby]

Morgan: By the goddess...Haleigh....

"I know, Morgan..... I know. It all happened so fast. We were getting along fine for a few weeks and then everything just spun wildly out of control."

Morgan blamed herself, which surprised Haleigh. The LAST person at fault here was Morgan. Ava cut in and made Haleigh's point for her; if Morgan HAD been there, she might've helped with Sharon, but Delilah was bottling her emotions. If she hadn't been comfortable talking to HALEIGH about Bishop, she NEVER would have brought it up to Morgan. Haleigh had been over the ordeal with Bishop the second Delilah had killed him, and she'd stuck up for Delilah when everyone else was taking her to task for having fallen in love with him. It made Haleigh wonder WHY Delilah hadn't mentioned it until Haleigh confronted her at Minerva's. Morgan lamented that she could have helped with Viper and it was all true... her being there WOULD have helped, but not at the expense of her psychological health and Ava brought that point up as well. She also reminded them that they needed to be STRONG for Delilah now.

"My sister's right.... but whether or not Ororo [pausing to take a deep breath] can or will bring her back.... the most troubling thing of all is that Delilah felt this was the only way to deal with what was troubling her. I assumed that she knew she could talk to me about ANYTHING; maybe she thought I'd think less of her because she felt guilty about killing him. [shaking her head] I should have told her I loved her BECAUSE she felt guilty about it. I had my chance but I tried to reason with her instead, I tried to rationalize the need for his death and assuage her guilt. [choking up again] She's such a good person... I could never feel guilty for doing what she did. I should have just told her that she was a far better human being than I'll ever be and left it at that. [voicing her thoughts from earlier] No.... I should have killed Bishop myself. I should have never left it to Delilah to take his life. [burying her face in her hands] I let her do it; I wanted her to have a chance to redeem herself for leaving us, I was so happy she'd taken that shot.... I never realized how much she wounded herself with it. And now.... she's taken her own life to balance the scales. I'd murder Bishop a thousand times to have her back, to save her that pain, that guilt."

[Harbinger]

:: Alison held Morgan and stroked her blonde hair as Ava and Haleigh spoke. Nodding slowly in agreement with the things they were saying.::

Morgan, don't do this to yourself. You did this when You left Valiant, after Black had maimed you and left Blaze for dead...Haleigh and Ava are both right and We HAVE to trust in Ororo just as we have reflexively done so before.

The issue isnt who's to blame. Far from it. The Six SAVED THE WORLD from Viper and in the process dealt with some lingering but very REAL "ghosts" from our past involving Mystech.

The issue here is Delilah and Bishop's own haunting of her. There's MORE to this.

But all i can SEE right now is Delilah and that she will be restored by Ororo. Whatever failing there may have been collectively, we will have a chance to make it right. To HELP her and make sure she doesnt have to shoulder the burden alone anymore.

Delilah also took on MORE pain when she chose to stand in the gap for the team against Malice's cruelty. That's a job that Morgan, myself or even Haleigh are better suited for...our personalities...our backgrounds and our attitudes make us better suited to deal with her accordingly.

:: Morgan stands up right slowly as Alison looks into her eyes.::

I KNOW you would use a necromancy spell to bring Bishop back just to kill him again...but you know that's not the responsible thing to do. I ALSO know how you are Morgan...as soon as you're left alone, you'll get ANGRY and act accordingly. You CAN'T cast that spell! You saw what it did to your mother when she....::glances at Ava:: resurrected Michael. It took Hecate herself to heal her!

:: she looks among them all.::

Obviously nobody needs to go anywhere right now. Not until we know something more on Delilah's condition. The mansion is open for all of you. Morgan I'll have one of the staff show you to a suite. Ororo will contact us when the time is right. We'll just have to trust in her as we have before but we can wait for her together, here at the mansion.

[Oracle]

<< and so after a few more moments, the 4 slowly exit the study with Morgan being shown to her guest suite on one of the many floors of the mansion while Ava and Haleigh return to theirs.>>

<< it was a somber day and the survivors of the last caper who were still with the team had all "retreated" in various ways in the safety and luxurious grounds of Minerva's Mansion.>>

<< the next few hours...DAYS were the same way now with each woman pondernig things, slowly finding clarity from the pain they were all in.>>

<< they manage to find a slow but steady rhythm to their activities, and met with each other for breakfast, lunch and dinner before finally sitting together in one of the lounges waiting for any word or sign from Ororo.>>

<< but still, nothing. as they say...a watched pot never boils.>>

[Jill Monroe]

<< Emerging from her suite at pre dawn, the sorceress wraps her silk mini robe around her tall, feminine form. wearing "pussy cat" high heeled slides, she closes the double doors to her suite and begans to walk. down the hall of the floor she's on.>>

<< she has no particular destination in mind, its just that she couldnt sleep. she was haunted by images of Delilah ...memories of past and the recent present and the all crashed into an AWFUL image of a broken hearted delilah DROWNING IN THE OCEAN.>>

<< Morgan shudders a bit as she composes herself.>>

<< she walks slowly taking in the sights, sounds and splendor of this mysterious, sprawling mansion. from one floor to another she walks...with only her high heels echoing against the marble floors of some areas she walks through. its an absent minded "tour" of sorts. anything to allow her a chance to keep herself calm and keep herself from thinking about what she REALLY wanted to do. So many things that were going on THEN were issues NOW. Sharon, Alycia, BISHOP....>>

FLASH
ILLUSTRA- WAR ROOM
<< Morgan stared into Delilah's eyes too...silently conveying from her own violet eyes a plea for Delilah to please understand and to see CLEARLY...but it appeared that would not happen, as she turned away and attempted to rebutt everything being said. She was acting....like HALEIGH in one of HER impossibly stubborn moments and it shocked Morgan.>>

Delilah! listen to yourself!

You're lashing out at us...we're NOT your enemy..we're your FRIENDS...your FAMILY , just like Ava said...and I would think you'd know me AND Alison better than that of all the people in this room.

You're IGNORING the content of Alison's words..her VISIONS and you're accusing her of playing "God"...that is what HE does. WE not only defend this world...but we have the RIGHT to defend ourselves and Haleigh is right...that MORE than INCLUDES Sharon. She's not just my friend anymore..she's a METAHUMAN. She's at risk more than EVER not only because the world thinks her DEAD but because someone out there BESIDES us knows that She and the Silver Swan are ONE IN THE SAME and has tried to MURDER her.

You know ME, Delilah. Sharon was my friend BEFORE her death and return and if any harmed HER...or YOU..or Alison or ANYONE ELSE in this room, they would have to deal with ME and you wouldnt be so AGAINST it then. WHY NOW, are you so AGAINST Sharon having the RIGHT to defend herself? If Connor was THAT worried about his own safety, he wouldnt have attacked a woman who can juggle cars, telepathically command hoards of birds and shoot spinning stars from her person.

<< rolling her eyes with contempt at the thought of Connor.>>
FLASH

<< Morgan stopped by a large statue of ATHENA as she leaned against it, shutting her eyes tightly as more memories came back.>>

FLASH
ILLUSTRA-WAR ROOM: UGLY confrontation between Delilah and the team...
the people that WE killed...were people that NO ONE ELSE could CAPTURE...the concept of "bringing THEM to justice" sounds about as logical as going to a gun battle with a KNIFE and further more....we had no choice. our lives, our families , our friends and the WORLD were at stake time and again. Sharon was INSANE...driven by the programming of MysTech...she was supposed to be DEAD...even Ororo had advised against the use of magick to bring her back and THEY brought her back. She could no more help herself for what she'd been TURNED INTO than YOU can for who YOU are...and do you think the bigots...the RABID mutant haters of the world would think twice before coming after you or US if given the chance?

<< the INFERNO.>>

...and if you MUST bring that up...trust me, NO ONE knows better than ME how horrible the Inferno was...it was MY fault...Haleigh isnt even in the same BODY because of me and i have to LIVE with that guilt and SHAME , so just once, will you REMEMBER that you're my friend and not use the TRUTH as a WEAPON against ME or anyone else in this room? it REALLY doesnt become you.

<< Morgan's hurt and bitterness shown through that last part of the statement. but she wouldnt take a shot at Delilah...because despite how bad this was going, this was still her best friend...or was she? grabbing Delilah's arm..but NOT using her super strength, Morgan wanted to make SURE Delilah KNEW >>

So this is what it comes down to? you turning your back on us...on ME and ALISON...This TEAM...your family...for a MAN!? how DARE you choose HIM over US!

<< she bellowed with betrayal in her voice....Delilah pulled away from her and left and Morgan stood there, stunned...>>

What just happened here!?
FLASH


<< sigh>>

<< her sigh even seems to carry and echo around her.>>

FLASH

I think...maybe I should go and confront Delilah AND Connor TOGETHER...but Ill do it by myself. I can STILL get to the mansion in plenty of time with my stepping disc. But i want Delilah to know exactly what kind of RISK she's taking -- if he finds out that she's a mutant, he might try to kill HER! And I want HIM to know that I'm not afraid of him! I've got the power to make him dissappear to a place where NO ONE will find him!

<< she balls her fist up as a halo of magick forms around it.>>

and if he provokes me... goddess forgive me for what i might do to HIM...this is all HIS FAULT!

<< Morgan HATED arrogant, controlling men. she hated how they ruined lives...especially those of women. Her father...Blaze's former lover/employer...Rick Riley...Stavros...so many different men had she seen like this before...and now once again...one of them was casting a long shadow over the life of someone she cared for.>>
FLASH



This is ALL HIS FAULT!

FLASH
BISHOP'S APARTMENT


you can't just turn your back on your FRIENDS, your family, your BEST FRIEND for a MAN...least of all HIM.




[ Delilah slapped a hand to her forehead. After a second's pause she took a deep breath and looked up. ]

"My god Morgan, this isn't about a MAN. You STILL don't get it, do you? You are so clouded by your irrational hatred of all men - except that gay man trapped in a straight man's body Nicolas - that THAT is all you can think of. You didn't listen to a word I said, did you?"

<< Morgan's eyes widened with disbelief.>>

You've obviously brushed up on "How to be an asshole 101" since dealing with this prick.

Is this what its come to? you insulting us and using the truth as a WEAPON against us because WE are united against this moron and the DANGER he poses that you insist on dealing with? this man who is out to destroy US and that includes YOU. you ARE one of US you know.

She pointed emphatically at Connor. ]

"But don't you see? That's it - he's a HUMAN. He's not a threat to us, not really. But once we start sacrificing some humans, then what's next? ALL humans? If Alison's vision is true then we would all be better off WITHOUT them. IS that what's next? Because the way you all talk it's not too far of a jump. And I will NOT have that on my conscience."

<< Morgan stood poised with her arms folded as she glared at Delilah.>>

On the CONTRARY. Humans like HIM are very MUCH a threat. What do you think would happen if ALYCIA suddenly decided to "switch sides" ...do you have any idea what kind of DAMAGE she could do? ...
FLASH

<<without even REALIZING the odd irony here considernig what happened with Alycia's CLONE on Sheena Island and how that clone had a tremendous emotional impact on the team, especially DELILAH.>>

FLASH
HE is out to destroy us.

he's been STALKING US Delilah and he's probably using USE YOU to get NEXT to us.
FLASH

<< she had been RIGHT...they all saw it...SURVIVED it.>>



FLASH
The END of the confrontation between Spellbinder, MorningStar and Bishop

Delilah, Give me a call when you get OVER your messiah complex....if you're still ALIVE when this is all said and done.

<< she turns her back on Delilah and faces Connor..her face now totally enshrouded in shadow as she steps forward.>>

[to Bishiop]and YOU...

<< thunder rumbles in the air.>>

YOU may have HER fooled, but WE see right through you, you bigoted piece of TRASH. YOU STAY AWAY from my friends...from sharon...from ME....or by the soul of hecate..I'll KILL YOU in ways that are BEYOND all known philosophies and NO ONE will be able to stop ME!

<< a crash of thunder and flash of lightning heralds the opening of a stepping disc as Morgan teleports away, leaving the sound of lingering eldritch chimes in the air where she once stood.>>
FLASH

<< Morgan blinks hard a few times as she disengages from full focus on those memories.>>

But he did it anyway! he RUINED our lives...he hurt all of us ...he hurt DELILAH even from beyond the GRAVE her hurts her! How can i STOP him...without bringing him back to KILL HIM!? And would that even matter? Delilah killed him to save Sharon ...and he still got the drop on her. no matter what I'd do to him NOW it wouldnt change ANYTHING.

But then....

<< she looks up to the barrel vaulted ceiling high above and looks concerned.>>

WHAT am I supposed to do!?

<< she asks in anguish in the dark halls of the mansion.>>

How can I help Delilah??

[Oracle]

<< the mysterious sky of pre down outside of the windows in the hall showed an almost sprectal light through as Morgan expressed her concern and frustration outloud.>>

<< the tall sorceress walked further down the hall, passing statues of other gods and goddesses including Hecate , Artemis and Demeter! they were all her silent audience as she walked and "thought" aloud.>>

<< waiting is the hardest thing, especially when you have the power to teleport through time and space but Morgan had no choice BUT to wait. Delilah was in the balance. They all had to wait and trust Ororo.>>

<< What's worse...an idle mind or a vengeful mind? Morgan was always one to hold a grudge, like her diety ancestor, Hecate and she has carried out revenge many times before...but how would it help now? WOULD it help now? Or would it only add to the confusion and heartache they'd been experiencing. How could you really get revenge on someone who was already dead? even with necromancy....what price would that be worth?>>


<< the only thing that outweighed her vengefull feelings were her questions now.>>

[Demeter]

Morgan: WHAT am I supposed to do!? How can I help Delilah??

"You must make the the difficult decision of doing nothing."

An elegant voice stated from behind Morgan. Watching as Hecate's decedent quickly turned around to face Demeter, the goddess smiled softly, noting her confused and somewhat startled expression.

"Hecate and Athena thought I was better suited for this situation."

Answering the question as to why she was there before Morgan could ask it. Placing her hand gently behind Morgan's back, she gestured down the hall with her other one.

"Come. Walk with me."

Demeter slowly began to walk with Morgan, her long pearl white silk gown pooling on the hardwood floors behind her. It was certainly rare for Demeter to make appearances to the six; that was usually left to her sister Athena and good friend Hecate. However this particular case was very special. The six have been fractured emotionally due to Delilah's unfortunate "accident", and that fracture had to be fixed before it began to splinter into even more issues.

"I understand how you feel, Morgan. You are racked with guilt but you're filled with fury and revenge. You want to release what is building within you--but if you truly want to help Delilah now? You must reign in your anger and focus on the future, not the past. Delilah is being healed emotionally and physically right now, however when she returns to you she will need the support of her friends. Focusing all of your efforts and energy on Bishop will not aid in Delilah's recovery. She needs you....her ROCK...when she returns. She mustn't feel even more guilt or remorse due to an action you put into motion."

Demeter's tone was noticeably different than Athena and Hecate. They always seemed to have an edge to their voice--an effort to show their power and strength. Demeter was very smooth and calming, yet always with confidence. She felt there was no need for intimidation tactics or showcasing. She simply cared for these people and wanted to help them as best she could.

"Love is a complicated thing. It can give someone great strength and fulfillment.....or it can completely destroy them. A piece of Delilah's heart was taken by Bishop....a choice that is not always ours to choose. However if given time, anyone can survive a heartbreak. You did with Nicolas; Haleigh did with Cameron. However Delilah wasn't given that luxury to fully heal. It WILL take time.....but you are a strong, compassionate, and loving woman who I know will be there to aid her every step of the way. You must remember THAT....not the bitter guilt. Not the resentment. And certainly not the revenge. The biggest dishonor you can inflict on Bishop's memory now would be to get BEYOND this crisis...now dwell on it."

[Jill Monroe]

"You must make the the difficult decision of doing nothing."

<< Morgan's violet eyes widened and she spun around, slightly startled by the sudden and unlikely appearence of one of the goddesses here in modern times. It was Demeter!>>

Demeter!

Hecate and Athena thought I was better suited for this situation."

Answering the question as to why she was there before Morgan could ask it. Placing her hand gently behind Morgan's back, she gestured down the hall with her other one.

"Come. Walk with me."

<< Morgan settled. At least it was a friendly face, one that was RARELY SEEN but still. She knew that if DEMETER appeared here of all the goddesses then it must be something she was best qualified to counsel Morgan on and the sorceress WELCOMED any insight and advice that might give her clarity now.>>

<< walking with the goddess down the dark hallway, passing other statues, she exhaled slowly as she allowed herself to listen and trust that Demeter would offer something she hadnt thought of herself.>>


"I understand how you feel, Morgan. You are racked with guilt but you're filled with fury and revenge. You want to release what is building within you--but if you truly want to help Delilah now? You must reign in your anger and focus on the future, not the past. Delilah is being healed emotionally and physically right now, however when she returns to you she will need the support of her friends. Focusing all of your efforts and energy on Bishop will not aid in Delilah's recovery. She needs you....her ROCK...when she returns. She mustn't feel even more guilt or remorse due to an action you put into motion."

<< Morgan thought for a moment about her diety ancestor, HECATE, who was LEGENDARY for holding grudges. Morgan was too. Demeter was offering her a light to another path to take and in light of what happened to Delilah , the LAST thing Morgan wanted to do was reopen old wounds to her heart and soul.>>



Demeter's tone was noticeably different than Athena and Hecate. They always seemed to have an edge to their voice--an effort to show their power and strength. Demeter was very smooth and calming, yet always with confidence. She felt there was no need for intimidation tactics or showcasing. She simply cared for these people and wanted to help them as best she could.

"Love is a complicated thing. It can give someone great strength and fulfillment.....or it can completely destroy them. A piece of Delilah's heart was taken by Bishop....a choice that is not always ours to choose. However if given time, anyone can survive a heartbreak. You did with Nicolas; Haleigh did with Cameron. However Delilah wasn't given that luxury to fully heal. It WILL take time.....but you are a strong, compassionate, and loving woman who I know will be there to aid her every step of the way. You must remember THAT....not the bitter guilt. Not the resentment. And certainly not the revenge. The biggest dishonor you can inflict on Bishop's memory now would be to get BEYOND this crisis...now dwell on it."

You said something just a minute ago about focusing on the future and not the past...and you reminded me that I don't HAVE to give in to holding a grudge...like Hecate is known for. But I can't EVER forget what Bishop did to us. He RUINED OUR LIVES. I can't ever forget it. But the key is to not let that motivate my actions in the PRESENT. We survived, we were given a chance to recover, in large part thanks to you goddesses returning the "favor" from our last time together in ancient greece. none of us realized the depth of Delilah's trauma. But now that we know and Ororo is helping to make sure we have the chance to HELP her through it....we...I wont squander that with attempts at revenge.

<< it was a further testimony to how FAR Morgan had come since her days with Valiant or even in the beginnings of the Six up till now that she could see this so quickly and allowed herself to listen to the words of wisdom from another who was so unlike her own anecestor Hecate.>>


<< she looks at Demeter with a visible look of relief on her face.>>

Demeter....I can't thank you ENOUGH. It's hard for me...not to factor violence into my solutions to most problems, but I have learned that violence or revenge is not always the answer. I understand that now more than ever before.

I now know that it's okay to WAIT. and when Delilah returns, I will be prepared to truly help her...the RIGHT way.

[Pam De Beaufort]

Sitting on the balcony off of her bedroom, Ava scanned her eyes along the Mediterranean coast. The view wasn't as spectacular as it had been a few days ago. The water seemed darker, more sinister. The pristine sand carried a red hue to it. The sun had long since gone leaving only clouds and gray gloom. The day Delilah had "died" the property around Minerva's Mansion died along with her. Though logically everyone knew that Delilah was being helped in Limbo--brought back to life emotionally and physically--it was still a very hard blow for the entire team. They tried to continue on with life; meeting daily for each meal as a group and trying to continue on with life. But every breakfast, and every lunch, and every dinner was a charade. They all put on their brave faces, their individual tough facades to show they were "accepting and dealing" with what had happened....but that wasn't the case. Ava could see Morgan was racked with guilt and thirsting for Bishops blood. Haleigh was consumed with guilt as well but she hid it better than Morgan. Haleigh always remained stoic and even when she was reeling on the inside. And Alison was probably the most calm out of everyone...probably do to her precognition. She had an inside view of how Delilah was doing and when she would come back. But even Alison seemed more closed up than usual. Everyone was present at Minerva's Mansion....but they were not whole. Not after what had happened.

Growing restless, Ava moved away from the railings of her balcony and headed back inside to her room. It was nearly 2am in the morning and she wasn't the least bit tired. Deciding to take a walk...grab something to eat....ANYTHING to take her mind off of her every growing insomnia, Ava grabbed her black sweater jacket and pulled it around her body while heading out her bedroom door.

She began to walk aimlessly around the large estate, picking and choosing different directions to go in in an effort to get lost. She needed to focus her mind on a task, and finding her bedroom in the massive mansion seemed like a pretty accessible one at the moment. It was maybe 10 minutes into her quest to get lost when she heard faint voices echoing throughout the massive hallways a head. She clearly heard Morgan responding to someone...and she could of sworn the other woman's voice was her mothers. Walking in the direction of the conversation, Ava turned down the hall and was in fact met with Morgan and Demeter conversing.

A bit confused and taken aback.

"Morgan...Mother?....What are you doing here?"

[Demeter]

Morgan: You said something just a minute ago about focusing on the future and not the past...and you reminded me that I don't HAVE to give in to holding a grudge...like Hecate is known for.

With a small chuckle.

"Yes...she's quite notorious for her grudges."

Morgan: But I can't EVER forget what Bishop did to us. He RUINED OUR LIVES.

"Nor should you forget."

Morgan: But now that we know and Ororo is helping to make sure we have the chance to HELP her through it....we...I wont squander that with attempts at revenge.

Demeter smiled, pleased that Morgan was looking beyond the immediate gratification of revenge and toward the bigger picture: Delilah's health and well being. There was no doubt that Morgan Victoria was Hecate's protege, however the growth and maturity of Morgan's decision to cast a blind eye to her own emotional needs and focus on Delilah's was a tribute to how much she had grown as a woman, a witch, and a team member.

"Good, Morgan. I'm so happy to hear you say that."

Morgan: Demeter....I can't thank you ENOUGH. It's hard for me...not to factor violence into my solutions to most problems, but I have learned that violence or revenge is not always the answer. I understand that now more than ever before. I now know that it's okay to WAIT. and when Delilah returns, I will be prepared to truly help her...the RIGHT way.

"It's in your nature to be a fierce and dominant woman who thrives on protecting your own....you ARE a product of Hecate afterall. However to see you reign in your carnal instincts and focus on Delilah is a true sentiment of how much you have grown for the BETTER. This new outlook will only enhance your strength as a leader and protector."

Taking Morgan's hand, Demeter gave her a reassuring squeeze along with a smile.

"And there's no need to thank me. I look at all of you as an extension of us [Athena and Hecate]. You're apart of our family [pausing]....and speaking of family."

Before Persephone even turned the corner, Demeter's eyes were focused down the hall to where her daughter would appear. And without fail, there she was.

Persephone: "Morgan...Mother?....What are you doing here?"

"Hello my darling. We all heard about Delilah....I'm so sorry for what you and your friends are going through. [looking to Morgan] I came to offer guidance and support, [looking back at Persephone] and to speak with you."

[Jessica Hamby]

The water was dark, with a penetrating coldness that enveloped Haleigh as she swam, ever deeper, frantic in her search. Over there!

>>WARNING!
>>Vitals: Pulse 0/min Respirations 0/min
>>Core Body Temp: 25.5 C [78 F]
>>Status: Deceased

Not yet Delilah!

She swam faster, harder, ignoring the cold against her skin, and the burn in her muscles. She wasn't fast enough! Delilah looked so peaceful... almost as if she was sleeping. The water flowed through her hair gently, and her body was suspended there, unmoving. Haleigh finally drew nearer, but Delilah still remained just out of reach. Haleigh experienced a pang of stark terror. There was a sinister shape in the water behind her... a shark? No, it was Bishop! He wrapped his arms around her torso, staring at Haleigh with an arrogant, malevolent smirk as he dragged Delilah backwards, into the black abyss he'd come from.

"DELILAHHHHHH!"

Her own screams woke her. Haleigh was covered in a cold sweat, her heart pounding, her whole body trembling, her breathing labored. It was early, but still dark outside. Haleigh resigned to another crying jag. She balled up tightly, pulling the covers over her head. There was no one here to pretend to be strong for, there were still hours left until she had to put the mask back on and go to breakfast. she had to get this out of her system... she had to find a way to be okay again, REALLY okay, instead of just acting like it... but she was having such a hard time wrapping her mind around it. Quantum physics, she could understand. Malice's state of mind, she'd even begun to fathom...

But how could Delilah ever think this world would be better without her in it??

She called Zach. It would still be late afternoon on the west coast.

Zach: You had the nightmare again.

"How did you know?"

Zach: I could feel it from here. I wish you'd let me come there, I could make it easier for you to bear.

His tone was sick with despair. Haleigh shuddered, realizing how strong their bond had gotten.... he could sense her emotion on the other side of the planet. She wished he was here too.

"But then you'd be subject to the grief of FOUR women, instead of just mine from a distance. I couldn't be so selfish as to make you suffer that. I'll settle for you convincing me that everything will be okay."

Zach: If Ororo has stepped in, that's a good sign. She was able to bring back Cameron, much to my dismay.

[whispering mournfully] "What if Delilah doesn't WANT to come back? She took her own life...."

Zach: You have to stay positive, Haleigh. It's going to be okay....

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan couldnt help but feel a sense of calm and clarity now. Was it Demeter's touch? not entirely, for even before, Morgan began to feel it was okay to give into that SMALL but no less persistant "voice" deep within her mind and heart. Demeter validated that voice, gave Morgan the courage to try THIS way instead of the way she was accustomed to.>>

<< Karen and Ororo would be very proud of her at this moment and as Demeter took her hand, Morgan gently squeezed the goddess' hand and smiled.>>

I'm so glad...that you were able to return. Not just here in these times, but in general, after what happened in ancient Greece. I bet that even Hecate and Athena find inspiration from your grace and comforting ways. I know I do. The Six...we're lucky to have such fantastic help and support from the most unlikely of sources and beings the world would never suspect even existed..you help us...so that we can help those who CAN'T help themselves.

<< that was once a creed of Valiants, and it was also one of the Six's most basic functions. It was easy to lose sight of that along the way, but this whole situation with Delilah, the time Morgan and others spent tring to cope and understand it and now with Demeter's encouragement...it was all a reminder that sometimes the person most in need might not be someone running from a zombie, but one of their OWN. fortunately for THEM they'd get a second chance with Delilah.>>

<< Demeter spoke of them being extended family and they WERE. Morgan being Hecate's ultimate descendate and Demeter and Hecate being apart of the "trinity of the moon, Demeter being Persephone's mother AND Hecate [Darkchilde] and Persephone being so close in times past and alternate.>>

<< and speaking of family....>>

: "Morgan...Mother?....What are you doing here?"

<< Morgan looked over to see Persephone.>>

Persephone!

I couldn't sleep...i was too upset...too worried and trying to figure out just WHAT i was supposed to do. Your mother appeared before me unexpectedly but she offered me such sound advice, validating what i guess i was afraid to acknowledge coming from my own mind and heart.

<< she looked at Demeter and then back to Persephone.>>

But now that we've finished talking, I'll leave you too alone.

Blessed be, Demeter.

<< Morgan says as she takes her leave, passing Persephone and touching her arm gently to silently say goodbye for now.>>

<< Morgan had walked far on her own, after Demeter appeared, they walked even further and now on her way back to the floor of her suite she would pass the floor Haleigh's suite was on. She thought about stopping by but it was pre dawn...Haleigh would likely be asleep and besides, there was no point in bothering anyone else at the moment. they'd see each other soon enough. for now, the sorceress decided to return to her own suite and just rest for a bit before the sunrise, confident in knowing that she be more effective in helping her best friend.>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

Both her mother and Morgan explained her sudden appearance in Minerva's Mansion, and it made sense. Out of all the gods and goddesses on Mount Olympus, Demeter had always been the one to advice those who were in need and take them under her wing when needed. It was the mothering aspect of her shining through. Morgan seemed to be in a much better state of mind after her discussion with Demeter....she bid both of them a goodnight before departing and leaving them to talk alone.

"Thank you....for talking with her. She's been struggling with what to do."

Demeter: "Of course. Sometimes an unbiased opinion is the most helpful."

Persephone gently nodded, looking away from her mother unsure of what to say. They really hadn't had moments like this since she was a little girl. A mother comforting her daughter....a real heart to heart. It was a little unsettling and uncomfortable, which Demeter obviously picked up on. Looking up as her mother moved toward her, Demeter placed her hand on Persephone's head, gently stroking down her long wavy hair.

Demeter: "Lets go somewhere more private to talk, hmm? I think there's a sitting room up a head."

For whatever reason it was actually a comfort feeling her mother's touch. Maybe she didn't realize how much she truly missed having a parental figure that could become the support system as opposed to her always having to keep up a strong front.

Both she and her mother made their way down the hall and into a beautifully decorated sitting room filled with books, artifacts, and old world artwork. It was like stepping back in time--much like all of Minerva's Mansion. That was probably one of the reasons Ava liked staying there. It felt like home.

Taking a seat, Demeter followed suit. Hunched over with her elbows resting on her knees, Ava sighed softly; her eyes searching the bookshelf afar for answers she knew it did not have.

"I can't....I don't know if I can do this anymore."

[Demeter]

Demeter studied her daughter sitting next to her. She looked so different....so beautiful even in her pained state. Maybe that was what made her so beautiful? The fact that her daughter was sitting in front of her so vulnerable and raw....something that she lacked back in ancient Greece. It was a part of Persephone that she tried desperately to release...PULL OUT of her before she turned evil, but she couldn't. The darkness was too powerful and too all consuming. However sitting there now, Demeter could finally see the little girl before the darkness.

Persephone: "I can't....I don't know if I can do this anymore."

"Do what? Feel emotions? Pain? Sadness? Persephone, those are all natural reactions to what has happened.

Persephone: "And what about anger? I'm FURIOUS with Delilah! How could she do this to us? How could she be so selfish to think that we wouldn't care if she died?! That this world would be a better place without her?! [her eyes start to fill with tears] I've lost so many people......some by my own hand.....that I don't know if I can do this anymore! I don't know if I can willingly subject myself to the possibility of loosing anyone else....especially if I'M the cause."

Demeter's expression was pained as she listened to her daughter unload all of what was building inside of her the past few days. The guilt, the anger, the pain, the uncertainty. It was even more telling that she STILL thought she was capable of killing her own friends...her own family. Without saying a word, Demeter pulled Persephone to her; that act alone causing her daughter to start to cry.

"Shhh...."

Gently stroking her hair, Demeter rested her chin on Persephone's head.

"You have changed so much sweetheart....you aren't capable of the acts you committed before. And you shouldn't question yourself or ALLOW anyone ELSE [Malice] to make you start questioning yourself of that fact. You have prooven yourself on this team and in this life. I've forgiven you....there's no need to hold onto the guilt. As for Delilah.....you have a right to be angry. Suicide is a selfish act, but it's the act of someone who literally believes it's their only way out of whatever demons are haunting them. I know how upsetting this situation has made you and everyone else on this team, but you must remember that you have all overcome so much. Delilah will be fine, however the wounds are still raw; both with her and with you."

Persephone began to sit back up; her face stained with tears still, however her eyes finally dry. Cupping her hand next to her daughters face, Demeter softly smiled.

"It will take time. But you are strong my love.You will overcome this hurdle, I promise you."

Persephone leaned forward, embracing her mother with a hug.

Persephone: "I love you."

Words that were not often spoken from her daughter, Demeter smiled, her own eyes glossing over with tears.

"I love you too."

[Oracle]

<< and so as some hearts are soothed and spirits settled on the eve of the future, other hearts begin to beat anew with a chance few could imagine.>>

<< zooming around and out of the cliffside mansion out to the ocean...IN to the ocean's dark and swirling waters. the dark, cold "otherworld" that will welcome anyone willing to let go of their hold on life.>>

<< the waters flow an swirl, with even a fish or two swimming by.>>

<< zooming away from the ocean up, straight up....high into the air, the sky...higher still!>>

<< it gets rather quiet now with only the mist of water vapor and clouds in the line of vision. soon, the lines of sky and space blur, as does this natural dimension giving way to another supernatural dimension.>>

<< the thinest viel parts and gives way from our time and space to the "otherplace"...a dimension OUTSIDE of time and space.>>

<< Limbo- a seemingly endless realm full of darkness, cold and magick. large floating masses drift along the endless expanse while the skies rage with swelling black clouds and violet hued lightning bolts. demons of all sizes and shapes, some winged, some not can be seen at various places.>>

<< stepping discs open at random moments and points and just as quickly they close. from these discs , one could go ANYWHERE ANYTIME but while that may be a dream for some, for those who knew better, it is a nightmare waiting to happen as one could EASILY get lost...BURIED in the TIMESTREAM when falling through these discs.>>

<< zooming along, narrowly avoiding some demons here and there, there is one truly unique spot in this already mysterious realm. a garden oasis that commands its space, one that the demons KNOW not to cross into. A place that would make the garden of Eden seem COMMON.>>

<< it is a living testimony to the power, the WILL of one of the most powerful figures in Limbo, Ororo Monroe, the immortal weather goddes who once rode the winds on EARTH as an X-Man. Her story has woven into that of the Six's and other crosstime counterparts past present and future. mainstream and alternate.>>

<< her primary function is the guardian of the "DARK TRINITY", which itself is the living legacy of HECATE spread across the multiverse in three distinct manifestations- Spellbinder, Darkchilde and Magik. She has assisted each of the Dark Trinity and their friends/family time and again and along the way has earned the respect of many friend AND foe.>>

<< Here we find her, in the center of her sprawling, lush garden oasis, inside of her Citadle. on one of the floors in one of the rooms, lays a slumbering Delilah Trelevan. Time passes differently in Limbo than it does on Earth and so while only a week has passed on earth, MONTHS have passed in Limbo. Ororo had pulled Delilah back from passing on, successfully restored and revived her and then placed her in a deep sleep, appearing before her on the astral plane and helping her to regain herself...her SOUL. chasing away some emotional demons that harmed her....giving her time to truly REST.>>

<< but now, the time has come for Delilah to WAKE UP.>>

<< Ororo sits beside her as she lays in the canopy bed and waves her hand slowly as its shadow passes over Delilah's sleeping face. a small cloud forms with a gentle breeze and mist to stir Delilah from her sleep.>>

<< Delilah will STILL be surprised, believing that what she's experience was HER afterlife but now to see she is in fact ALIVE..and in the care of Ororo.>>

[MorningStar]

Darkness.

It enveloped Delilah like a blanket, thick and swirling.

Nothing.

And then suddenly, feeling returned. The light was blinding, even through her closed eyes.

Memories of wherever she had been were lost like dreams upon waking, no matter how she grasped at them. Her eyes fluttered.

And opened.

Her eyes found Ororo...and she smiled up into that glorious face...and then the memories of her human life returned, hitting her like a slap, and her face fell. She turned away from Ororo, burying her face in the pillow.

She knew where she was - she had woken here once before. But this time, she didn't want to.

She sobbed from the depths of herself.

"Why am I here?! What have you done?!"

[Ororo]

:: Ororo smiled at the young woman as she finally awakened from her slumber as Ororo's sleep spell had worn off 24 hours ago. ::

:: the young woman soon came to the realization of where she was, when she was and how she came to be here. now that she was fully conscious, she was still stuck in the last moment SHE remembered.::

She sobbed from the depths of herself.

"Why am I here?! What have you done?!"

:: Ororo looked upon her even as she began to react accordingly.::

Ororo: You're here because you needed my help.

I did what I must...I preserved a life.

:: she kept her answers short and to the point. there was plenty to discuss and Ororo knew how young people on modern day earth had a tendency to talk much and listen little. ;) ::

:: Ororo kept a calm, gentle tone and demeanor. She knew Delilah was hurting. Ororo had STARTED the healing process but now Delilah would have to take the driver's seat.::

I brought you here to the tranquility and safety of my garden so that I could help bring you back to yourself and eventually, send you on your way. Your friends...you're family are waiting for you. they're deeply concerned about you. They tried their best to save you when they saw what happened, but ultimately it was beyond their power...and that is where I stepped in.

[MorningStar]

I did what I must...I preserved a life.

Delilah turned back over. She closed her eyes as if hiding from the world.

"They should have let me die."

Your friends...you're family are waiting for you.

Her eyes opened then, startled at the thought. The edge to her voice was gone, as she spoke to the woman who had cared for her in the past, and save Karen was the most dominant mother figure in her life.

"I...I...can't go back, Ororo. Not after...this."

She couldn't say the words.

But she knew she couldn't face her team mates. She felt so ashamed for the past, the things she'd done. Done to them. And if she had worried them now...how could she look them in the eyes? It was one more layer added to the weight on her shoulders, that she hadn't thought about them before she walked into the sea.

"It's there all the time - this churning inside me. The guilt, Ororo...the guilt - it's always there. What I've done. Eating me up inside. I can't shake it. Even if I tell myself it's okay...it isn't. I used to be a good person, I know I was. I did the right thing, at all costs. But now? Now I'm just a murderer. I'm no better than he was."

He of course, referred to Bishop.

[Ororo]

:: Ororo sat as still and patient as the massive oak tree in the center of her garden oasis as Delilah tossed and turned not only physically but mentally as well. She was truly at war with herself. the GUILT was swallowing all rational thought and what it left behind was consuming Delilah's vitality and mental stability.::

Ororo: You can go back. and you must.


"It's there all the time - this churning inside me. The guilt, Ororo...the guilt - it's always there. What I've done. Eating me up inside. I can't shake it. Even if I tell myself it's okay...it isn't. I used to be a good person, I know I was. I did the right thing, at all costs. But now? Now I'm just a murderer. I'm no better than he was."

He of course, referred to Bishop.

:: Ororo looks at Delilah calmly.::

You are not what the mortals called..."the messiah". You are not perfect...even the gods and goddesses of antiquity were not perfect. to hold yourself to some impossible standard only does YOU diservice.

:: it seemed rather surprising that Ororo would attempt to calm Delilah about feeling so guilty over killing someone, but if anyone could understand...it was Ororo, both as the leader of her OWN superhero team once and later as the immortal sorceress she'd now become but even BEYOND that....as a young girl forced to defend herself from a man...::

Delilah, I have lived longer than you have ever been alive. I have experienced many things both in the realm of humans and here in Limbo. As you live and learn it changes your perspective on things.

FLASH

a hot night in Cairo Eygpt. the back alleys of a merchant's market place. a young girl with silver hair and blue eyes, orphaned and fending for herself as thief and pickpocket has just fallen into the clutches of an older man with no scrupples and no restraint. that girl is Ororo!

The older man offered a hot meal and a place to sleep...but the cost was too high, too perverted! Even in her desperate state, she knew it was not for her but he wouldnt take no for an answer. he grabs her, HURTS her and now as she lays on the ground, terrified and pleading for him to leave her be, he stands over her like a predator in the forest sizing up its pray before he attempts to force himself on her.

Flashing images at different view points of the resulting struggle! painfully lingering views of Ororo's tear streaked face as she tries her best to free herself.

Finally, when that ultimate perverse moment is about to occurr, Ororo's survival instinct kicks in as she brings forth the knife she carries and with all her strength and will, she PLUNGES it into the horrid man's HEART. she pushes him off as DEATH welcomes him into her embrace and scrambles away, watching as he takes his last breath and dies in the alley.

FLASH

Ororo: To preserve a life sometimes you must TAKE a life. and in those very clear instances, there is no exception. There are some things...some people who do not deserve to live. They would see scores of lives ended in order to achieve their own foolish, misguided, EVIL goals!

FLASH

<< LIMBO! ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER REALITY>>
the screams of a little girl filled the area around them, and from the far right....they see a little girl. a little blonde hair girl in a pink dress and wearing the mysteious "beatrice medallion". running frantically for her life, she can't be anymore than 7 years old. Tears streaking down her panicked face.>>


<< the little girl is MORGAN...no, not really Morgan, but her cross time altnerate, Magik(Illyana) . the women have traveled BACK in time and are now in Limbo at the time when Magik had first arrived as a little girl, kidnapped by the evil demon mage Belasco.>>

<< as she runs, Belasco appears. the tall, striking man who is demonic appearence with a wicked grin on his face as he is instantly upon upon little Illyana>>

Belasco: THERE you are, you naughty girl. You've been most difficult and I am displeased. I am tired of your attitude, Illyana. Your precious x-men are DEAD, they cannot save you and now its time to take your medicine.

<< a truly horrific scene unfolds as Belasco yanks the child by her hair and pulls her to the ground. Standing over her, Belasco attacks her, physically assaulting her, beating her! she cries out in pain, begging for someone to help her, but her cries are only met with more physical abuse. it is truly a heart rending sight to behold>>

:: the winds in the labyrinth seemed to roar with anger themselves....answering the cries of the little girl, as lightning flickered in the far distant shadows...the bolts began to lash out forward toward the direction of where Belasco was.::

:: thunder crashed as well. someone was coming, and that someone was ANGRY. ::


woman's voice: BELASCO!!!!

:: a YOUNG Ororo swooped into view, flying at high speeds as she pushed more elemental chaos ahead of her.::

STORM was sporting a MOHAWK, and wearing a striking, provocative leather outfit consisting of a leather bodice which revealed cleavage, straps, thigh high boots and a black cape. a skull arorned the center of her bodice at the cleavage area. Storm looked unholy and sexy at the same time and she was ENRAGED. This must have been the way she was when she finally had begun to master the art of sorcerey in Limbo, which would mean her X-men had died not that long ago::

Storm: Belasco, you son of a bitch! It is not enough that you have destroyed my X-men, now you wish to harm this child as well!? did you think i would let you get away with this!? DID YOU THINK I'D LET YOU LIVE??

:: swooping down as she slams Belasco with a large boulder she carried with her winds, and lands....gesturing menacingly, bright yellow halo's of dark magick form around her hands::

I'm not just a mutant anymore, monster. I'm a sorceress....what YOU made me. Only you didnt realize that magick is apart of my heritage. I've watched as you destroyed the people I love, and now you try to destroy this child...NOW i'll SEE YOU DEAD!

:: Storm savagely attacks Belasco. lashing out at him with her mutant powers AND her magickal powers. the sight of her being so violent is shocking to the women of the Six. Storm cries out like a bird of prey as she makes pass after deadly pass against the demon mage, who attempts to defend himself.::

:: Storm herself seems more demonic at this point, her solid white eyes glowing, her teeth slightly fanged, and of course her unholy, erotic costume.::


:: she beats Belasco back viciously as the young Illyana slowly picks herself up and hides behind a large rock nearby...shaking with fear.::


:: Belasco falls before Storm's wrath, as she now stands over him...her clenched fists radiating with pulsating lightning as she growls with contempt::

Storm: what now oh demon mage, no sick retort, no mocking comment for me now that you cannot do anything MORE than you already have? are you so surprised that the student has SURPASSED her teacher?

Belasco: please......Storm, MERCY!! I BEG YOU!

Storm: YOU beg for MERCY? did you show any of that to my X-men when you MURDERED THEM!?

NEVER!....DIE YOU BASTARD!

SUPREME THUNDER...CRASH!


:: as the winds SPIN around the cavern, Lightning begins to flash and strike all around faster and faster coalescing into a monstrous single force, it is easy to forget just how primal and POWERFULL this elemental force is, but at this moment, the women of the Six are REMINDED as Storm lifts her hands high above....thunder CRASHES and BLASTS so hard that it ROCKS the labryinth HARD.....and LIGHTNING....CRASHES DOWN in such a BROARD , WIDE SCALE that it envelopes the ENTIRE area of the battle where Storm and Belasco are....Belasco screams are blood curdling as the savage blue/white lightning reduce him to nothing but ash and bones....at the high heeled boots of Storm...who stands triumphant.....::

:: she looks up in the air, closing her eyes as tears fall down her face::

Storm: it is done my friends...your deaths are avenged, Illyana is saved....and Belasco is destroyed.

:: she puts her hand over her heart...a look of pain on her face as she weeps...for her fallen X-men. Illyana cautiously comes close to her... As Storm's face contorts again with pain....this is the moment where Storm lost her last shred of innocence, her soul becoming tainted, CORRUPTED by the evil of dark magick..the evil she sought to destroy was now apart of her and that was the ultimate, ironic last lesson Belasco had instore for the weather witch.::

:: as she slowly bends down to pick up a still tearfull and frightened Illyana, Storm begins to softly comfort her as she carries her away, leaving Belasco's ashes to blow away in the winds. Soon she fades away::

FLASH

I have BEEN where you are, child. I have MADE the choice. To safe guard those i cared for...to avenge those i could NOT save. To save a life, to protect the lives of those you care about...you did what you had to do.

Bishop was as twisted...as evil as BELASCO. Perhaps worse because with a creature like Belasco, it was easy to see where he stood. Bishop was a wolf in sheeps clothing. He manipulated, he USED you as a catspaw....a stepping stone to HIS OWN END.

As "guilty" as you may feel now. Would have risked living with yourself after the deaths of your friends facilitated by him? would you have been able to live with knowing that he catalyzed a wave of mutant persecution the likes of which had never seen before? MANY innocents would have been murdered and soon, YOU would have joined the ranks of the dead at his alter.

:: harsh but true.::

You made the right choice. Difficult as it may have been, you did the right thing. Your friends did not know how deeply this affected you. But perhaps YOU do not now how much gratitude they have for your actions in Arklay Mansion? That you are all where you are NOW is in large part because of YOUR course of action THEN. You LIVE, the world remains safe and protected...the good FAR outweighs the "bad" [killing Bishop] and he has joined the ranks of Christopher Victory...in eternal damnation.

[MorningStar]

You can go back. and you must.

She looked pleadingly at the weather witch.

"Why are we forced to go on? Why are WE the ones who have to keep going, despite all the pain and loss and hardship. It's just not fair that we have to carry all these things with us that regular people don't even have to think about."

You are not what the mortals called..."the messiah". You are not perfect...even the gods and goddesses of antiquity were not perfect. to hold yourself to some impossible standard only does YOU diservice.

Though Ororo's words were meant to comfort her, the reference to Delilah as "the messiah" - as Sharon had so often spitefully referred to her - was a painful stab to her heart. The tears welled up in her eyes again.

"I don't think I'm perfect. But I've always seen clearly between right and wrong. But now...it's like I'm going through the world BLIND."

To preserve a life sometimes you must TAKE a life.

"But, Ororo, I didn't have to. I'm a mutant for god's sake! And he was a human. I didn't need to kill - I could have turned him over to the authorities. I WANTED to kill him. And I can't live with that."

Your friends did not know how deeply this affected you. But perhaps YOU do not now how much gratitude they have for your actions in Arklay Mansion?

Delilah shook her head and turned away again as she whispered.

"All they see is betrayal."

[Ororo]

She looked pleadingly at the weather witch.

"Why are we forced to go on? Why are WE the ones who have to keep going, despite all the pain and loss and hardship. It's just not fair that we have to carry all these things with us that regular people don't even have to think about."

Ororo: Because, child. to whom much is given...much is required. "regular" people dont survive infections by viruses that could ravage entire populations. "regular" people dont carry the legacy of HECATE in their blood line. "regular" people do not stand against the vast...TERRIBLE power of an entity like MYSTECH. The SIX are humanity's HOPE...and who BETTER for that to be, then FELLOW HUMANS? Lest you forget...mutants ARE human too. That is something your Bishop could notquite understand and I suspect that was a willfull lack of understanding on his part.



"I don't think I'm perfect. But I've always seen clearly between right and wrong. But now...it's like I'm going through the world BLIND."

:: Ororo takes Delilah's hand into her own, not wanting to cause the child any MORE sorrow or stress, but to help her see CLEARLY for her own sake.::

Delilah, I was once where you are but I suspect YOU never had to make the choice to kill someone at the age of 11. I did! and would I do it again? YES. there was no time to debate the merits of it. My my innocence as virgin...my LIFE were at stake.

"Right and Wrong" are such subjective and often LIMITING concepts. I have learned that MANY times over since my time on earth AND in limbo.



"But, Ororo, I didn't have to. I'm a mutant for god's sake!

Yes. You did.

And he was a human.

and you are not? mutants in general are not?

I didn't need to kill - I could have turned him over to the authorities. I WANTED to kill him. And I can't live with that."

Bishop lured you into his plans with a ruse. He used your heart, your nobel, trusting spirit as a MEANS to achieve HIS own end, child. When you finally saw clearly, you had LITTLE time to cope with the pain of the BETRAYAL from his deceit and the PARAMOUNT task of saving Silver Swan and The Six was at hand! You put your own feelings aside and you ACTED just as you should have to protect your friends...your FAMILY.

The outcome, as i said earlier, would have been MUCH worse had Bishop lived. His crusade would have grown from a one man vigilante act into some kind of rabid movement on par with the "burning times" in medieval europe. would that have been "RIGHT" to you, Delilah?

I have been where you are. I have FELT the pain of guilt, the LOSS of "innocence". It was in fact the last bitter lesson of Belasco's when I killed HIM to avenge my x-men and protect a crosstime alternate of Morgan (Magik) from his violating touch. My soul was forever tainted by dark magick. But what would have been worse? adhering to some rigid concept to exclusion of all else and watching somebody who needed my help DIE?


Delilah shook her head and turned away again as she whispered.

"All they see is betrayal."

Fond as I am of you, my child, I must confess that I find your blind devotion and resulting guilt to this man to be rather disturbing. It is taking so much away from you...to the point that you've robbed your FAMILY of the chance to try to help you!

As we speak, Alison, Haleigh and Persephone wait together. Alison contacted Morgan and she immediately arrived there and is waiting with them. They are waiting for you. you cannot speak OR assume for them Delilah. just as YOU have been given a precious 2nd chance, you must put aside this emotional dischord you have allowed into yourself and give THEM the chance to be there for you.

[MorningStar]

Because, child. To whom much is given...much is required.

She turned her head back to Ororo and sat up a little, the passion going back into her voice. Not quite anger...but urgency.

"Don't we deserve a real life too? Maybe I can't be the responsible one anymore. I'm just so...tired. Tired of...horrible things happening all around me and trying to stick my fingers in the holes in the dam. When I make a mistake, it affects the world and everyone around me. That is just so hard..."

Her voice trailed off. How could she make Ororo understand? Her mistakes cost lives - they weren't like other peoples'. She couldn't afford to lose her head, to let her emotions get the better of her. She just couldn't seem to get her old self back.

"Right and Wrong" are such subjective and often LIMITING concepts. I have learned that MANY times over since my time on earth AND in limbo.

"But how do I learn to believe that, Ororo? How can I?" she said softly.

She wasn't Haleigh. Haleigh could kill someone for the benefit of the world and not blink an eye or lose a single night's sleep. But Delilah didn't think she could ever be that way, as much as she might want to be.

Fond as I am of you, my child, I must confess that I find your blind devotion and resulting guilt to this man to be rather disturbing. It is taking so much away from you...to the point that you've robbed your FAMILY of the chance to try to help you!

"I...I can't talk to them about it. I'm too ashamed. I don't - I don't WANT to feel this way. And I can't see how they could understand why this bothers me so much. They don't understand, they never understood it. And if YOU can't - how could they ever? Especially now that I've lost Sharon to us anyway, after everything?"

As we speak, Alison, Haleigh and Persephone wait together. Alison contacted Morgan and she immediately arrived there and is waiting with them. They are waiting for you. you cannot speak OR assume for them Delilah. just as YOU have been given a precious 2nd chance, you must put aside this emotional dischord you have allowed into yourself and give THEM the chance to be there for you.

"I can't...not until I can move past this. Until then, it's like I'm betraying them all over again."

[Ororo]

"Don't we deserve a real life too? Maybe I can't be the responsible one anymore. I'm just so...tired. Tired of...horrible things happening all around me and trying to stick my fingers in the holes in the dam. When I make a mistake, it affects the world and everyone around me. That is just so hard..."

Ororo: Of course you do, child. I think of my own young, early life with the X-men. Though we had this tremendous responsibility resting on our shoulders...we were still wide eyed youth who wanted to LIVE our lives. we were HUMAN.

AS a human, you are bound to make mistakes. The mistakes you made have not had the negative impact on the world you feel they have...versus the WILLFULL, CALCULATED plans of a bigoted, hateful man bent on destroying an entire section of the human population....[Bishop]




"But how do I learn to believe that, Ororo? How can I?"

:: the young woman struggled to see Ororo's [and others like Haleigh or Alison] perspective on the concepts of "right and wrong".::

Short of living and learning? I do not know how else I could explain it. The good you have done, HOWEVER you may have had to go about it given the situation, far outweighs whatever "moral" consequence you might associate with it. You have to realize that in a world that you live, knowing what you know...things are not as simple...cut and dry as they might seem to a normal mortal. the "rules" set in a society that is at its core as corrupt as a rotten apple cannot govern you absolutely. you will box yourself in and make yourself less effective.


:: the young woman continued to remain ashamed, guilt ridden...::


"I...I can't talk to them about it. I'm too ashamed. I don't - I don't WANT to feel this way. And I can't see how they could understand why this bothers me so much. They don't understand, they never understood it. And if YOU can't - how could they ever? Especially now that I've lost Sharon to us anyway, after everything?"

:: as Ororo tried to encourage her to prepare to return to her waiting friends and family...::




"I can't...not until I can move past this. Until then, it's like I'm betraying them all over again."

:: Ororo sighed and looked upon Delilah. She had concern in her facial expression but her patience did not wane. She understood that Delilah had such high ideals and a strong conviction when it came to things like "right and wrong". Delilah didnt know it, but she TOTALLY reminded Ororo of HERSELF in earliest days following the manifestation of her mutant power over the weather, when she saw herself (and was worshipped) as a GODDESS, the caretaker of living things. She had such a strict view of taking another life....but circumstances FORCED that to change forever. She learned to adapt to the NEW reality and move accordingly. Delilah was not making that transition no matter HOW Ororo tried to appeal to her.::

:: pausing for a moment...a whispering wind flows through the mysterious citadle::

Tell me, child. What can I do to help you? You cannot go on like this and I will not allow you to remain here, hidden within these walls. That would not become you either.

[MorningStar]

Delilah sat up fully, and pulled her knees to her chest under the covers. As Ororo tried to explain her view of "the ends justify the means", Delilah rested her head on her knees, deep in thought.

Short of living and learning? I do not know how else I could explain it. The good you have done, HOWEVER you may have had to go about it given the situation, far outweighs whatever "moral" consequence you might associate with it. You have to realize that in a world that you live, knowing what you know...things are not as simple...cut and dry as they might seem to a normal mortal. the "rules" set in a society that is at its core as corrupt as a rotten apple cannot govern you absolutely. you will box yourself in and make yourself less effective.

Try as she might she didn't think she could learn to believe that whatever she did could be justified by making the world "a better place". As much as she wished she could, she just didn't believe that was in her.

She raised her head, and looked up into Ororo's concerned but wise face.

Tell me, child. What can I do to help you? You cannot go on like this and I will not allow you to remain here, hidden within these walls. That would not become you either.

She had secretly hoped she would be allowed to stay here is Ororo's Oasis, as she had once before in her time of need. She thought for a second. Then she started to speak, stopped, and started again.

"Ororo...couldn't...couldn't YOU take my guilt away? Couldn't you do something that would make me stop feeling like this?"

[Ororo]

"Ororo...couldn't...couldn't YOU take my guilt away? Couldn't you do something that would make me stop feeling like this?"


:: Ororo looked at her solemnly and did not speak for a few moments that seemed to last like MINUTES.::

Ororo: What you are asking of me, I cannot give. It would beyond wrong of me to tamper with you in such a way. corrupted by dark magick as i am, i still retain my sense of self and my role as "guardian" to the dark trinity, and indirectly to those closest to each manifestation of that trinity, would not allow me to do such a thing...not without extreme necessity.

and yet, for you, THIS IS extreme because it threatens to permanently hinder you from living effectively and having healthy relationships with others.

:: she stands up.::

There is one alternative.

:: turning her back and walking a few steps away, and then turning back to face Delilah.::

But it is one that comes with risk. One that YOU must undertake on your own.

You must consult with ATHENA...and HECATE. I believe THEY will be able to do for you what I must not.

Be prepared for once you go and appeal their aid, the descision they make could change you forever!

I can send you there, via the time stream and Hecate will return you to Morgan's timeline.

Is this what you want, child?

[MorningStar]

She looked into Ororo's face hopefully - if the weather witch could do this for her, all her problems would be over. And she could go...go back.

What you are asking of me, I cannot give. It would beyond wrong of me to tamper with you in such a way. corrupted by dark magick as i am, i still retain my sense of self and my role as "guardian" to the dark trinity, and indirectly to those closest to each manifestation of that trinity, would not allow me to do such a thing...not without extreme necessity.

Delilah's face fell, but she nodded in understanding. She wouldn't ask Ororo to do something harmful to her, that wouldn't be fair. But then...

Ororo's warnings fell on deaf ears. Delilah's face brightened.

"Athena!" she gasped. The idea of approaching the goddess again was daunting to say the least. But could it be possible? Would they help her?

Is this what you want, child?

She sat up straight, throwing the covers off her legs.

"Yes, oh yes. That's what I want."

It seemed there was hope, after all.

[Ororo]

:: Ororo did not show any outward reaction as Delilah's face brightened up. She was so hopeful, so EAGER at the prospect of talking to the goddesses. Desperation sometimes lead to extreme choices. Ororo HERSELF knew that well when she turned to dark magick to compensate for her own mutant power over the weather which had begun to wane during her prolonged stay in limbo when she first arrived with her xmen all those moons ago. it was a decision that FOREVER changed her. She could empathize with Delilah, but she hoped Delilah had at least heard her warning and considered it.::

:: Delilah emerged from her bed, and was all too ready.::

Ororo: Then prepare yourself for you have chosen to take a path that will forever change you. Good luck, child. be ready to face what comes with that change. and may you find the recovery you are looking for.

Till next time...and hopefully under better circumstances.

:: Ororo smiles as she lifts her hands which are now encased in sparkling green halos of magick, winds swirl around her as cloak and hair flow. thunder crashes as she weaves a pattern of power to send Delilah out of the citadle, out of the GARDEN and into Limbo itself but timing it JUST right that Delilah appears and is immediately encompassed by a stepping disc that happened to open where she was appearing. Delilah was sent into the time stream...through limbo where ANYTIME and ANYPLACE was possible. ::

[Oracle]

<< ALL times and places were possible through Limbo...and thus...just about any LIFE you could imagine yourself was possible as well. The Six had seen it before, cross time alternates, traveling back to the past...to the future and everywhere in between. They knew it was there and in some cases it benefited them while in others it haunted or even threatened their lives.>>

<< Delilah asked for and risked alot in order to be rid of this guilt that was haunting her, but it was a chance she was willing to take.>>

<< after a wild impossible ride that was dreamy as it was unbelievable, the woman found herself tumbling out of a disc and now laying out in front of The Parthenon...she HAD in fact arrived in "Ancient" times, right outside of Athena's legendary temple. She'd been here before, with her team mates. But now that she was here alone, for a vastly different reason...it had a very different feel about it.>>

<< she would now find herself inside the temple, to that massive marbe statue of Athena that sat on a throne in the middle of the grand hall.>>

meanwhile

Greece, Minerva's Mansion

<< another day has passed and the four women, and now zach wait within the mansion, they find ways to distract themselves through the day and the safety of the mansion, being with Alison again all help but they ALL wonder what is taking so long with Delilah! surely Ororo would inform them if something had went WRONG. she was not one for deceipt OR hiding things...so what was it then?>>

<< Alison's precognition continued to show a tremendous "gray area" surrounding all timelines...probable or remote...concerning Delilah.>>

<< the subject of informing Nicolas, Karen and Michael about Delilah had come up. Morgan was against the idea of informing her mother, not wanting to bring her out of semi retirement and seeing how happen she'd been with michael. but she was in favor of contacting nicolas.>>

<< and so the remaining 4 are once again in Alison's executive study, at dusk, deciding if they should contact Nicolas or not.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

"Why SHOULD we tell him ANYTHING? HE'S the one who left! He doesn't CARE about us! He's off playing Prince of Darkness or whatever. Let him have his childish, selfish fun."

She argued bitterly, her layered anger at Nicolas showing. It wasn't just that he abandoned them, or that he chose Hellfire over them, though his deserting them opened old wounds about Cameron for Haleigh. It was more than that. 'Power without consequence' was very seductive. She had experienced that before. She had done as she pleased with no regard for others. It had been so very easy. The idea was alluring to her still, but the growth she had experienced during her time with the six would forever prevent her from returning to that lifestyle. She was better for it, and she didn't want to regress, but still, she secretly envied the freedom he suddenly had, that he could leave so easily and never look back, never feel the pull of responsibility that she felt. Haleigh herself could never leave that way. She considered this to be her family and was bound by love and obligation to protect them, to stay with them.

Zach took her hand gently, and she gave an annoyed sigh as she felt the resentment recede. Things had improved since Zach had arrived, for EVERYONE, but especially for Haleigh, and they all knew this was his doing. Though she had discouraged him coming, his powers were infinitely helpful. He had helped with subtlety, draining their anxiety and promoting a sense of hope, instilling a sense of calm among them. If he suffered under the weight of their emotions, he didn't let it show. Haleigh still had the dreams, and was still disturbed, but she didn't have anymore weeping fits and she could think and hear and talk about Delilah without having to struggle to keep her composure. She no longer needed to wear the stoic mask of self-control.

[Harbinger]

:: Alison leaned back in her plush chair, with her fingers clasped under her chin w/ the two index fingers "steepled" up.::

Haleigh, he's not locked in some contract or anything. He choose to go spend time with his aunt, his only LIVING blood relative on the planet. surely you can understand why someone in that position might want to do that...especially given all that happened with Sharon and the rest of the team.

what REALLY bothers you? the fact that he took what probably was a very timely break, that he's with his aunt, whom you arent necessarily fond of or that his relationship to her granted him membership into the hellfire club?

Ultimately itll have to be decided by you three. Inspite of all his problems...and drama...he IS loyal to the team. But he also wants to know his aunt better. He wants to become a better, more effective fighter. I see that clearly. I wouldnt begrudge him of that

[Jill Monroe]

<< first Haleigh and then Alison >>

Haleigh, You said he LEFT with Dominique, not that you cast him out!

<< Morgan responded.>>

Both he AND Sharon left. Her departure was more acceptable? was that because you didnt like her and were glad to see her go?

<< Morgan couldnt help but wonder. she wasnt at all trying to be confrontational, BUT it was a reasonable curiosity given all that had happened during this last caper.>>

But with Nicolas there's almost this..."jealous" tone you have. I dont know...I think it was for the best that he did go with Dominique when he did. Maybe his time with her will have allowed him to work through some things. He was a tremendous asset to the team, brave...loyal...but there were times where he (like most of us at some point) rubbed more than a few of us the wrong way. and to be honest...SOMETIMES I think he WOULD be better off with her permanently. It would certainly make it harder for the Sisterhood to strike at us if ....when the truce comes to an end.

<< recalling some of her own not so pleasant moments with Nicolas....but then.>>

But BESIDE all that...

<< Morgan wrapped her arms around herself as she turned and looked out of one of the large viewing windows to the ocean>>

I just think he'd want to know. I think he'd want to be there for her, just like he was for Alison and Ava when they fell through one of my discs.

After all we've been through. You and I, Haleigh, are the only ORIGINAL members of the team on active duty (since Alison was now on "reserve" and residing in Greece) we've seen members come and go and those who have remained....we've all grown, come through some HARD times. Some of us have done terrible things that most would deem "unforgivable" but here we are just the same.

I just dont think we should shut him out on this.

I can place the call and tell him not to worry about coming. I think he cares enough about Delilah that he would want and deserves to know and unlike my mother and Michael, he is not "retired"...so that's another reason why I would rather inform him than the others.

[MorningStar]

Green halos of Ororo’s magick swirled about her. Delilah caught glimpses of the frightening world of Limbo before she felt that disorienting sensation and fell through one stepping disc and then out another.

She landed hard on the ground. Her vision clearing and having regained her “sea legs”, Delilah stood and brushed herself off. She found herself once again at the Parthenon – and not the hotel. And it wasn’t the modern tourist filled pile of rubble. She was back in ancient times. She looked down at herself to see that Ororo had thought to dress her in a modern but classically-inspired goddess dress.

The Temple of Athena loomed before her. She walked slowly, almost timidly inside, and was met by the massive statue of a seated Athena. Even in inanimate form, Athena’s strength and wisdom shone through.

Delilah took a deep, shakey breath. She had to do this, needed to do this. She couldn’t go forward without their help. She looked around her at the seemingly deserted temple. Her footfalls echoed against the smooth stone floor as she walked through the pronaos into the main temple and to the altar placed in front of the statue. There were several unlit lamps. Waving her hand over them, Delilah lit them and they flickered brightly.

No one appeared. She didn’t know what else to do, so she knelt and spoke to the air, a bit nervously.

“Goddesses Athena and Hecate…”

Her voice found strength as she continued.

“Athena you once vowed to watch over us and help us when the occasion called for it. Hecate, you are the origin of magick and Morgan Victoria is your living avatar. I call upon you both now, I beseech your help. The guilt over the human that I killed – it cripples me and cripples my team. Please, please use your power to free me from my guilt so I can once again do good in this world.”

She paused then, before adding.

“I know I have no right to ask you this, but this is too much for me to overcome on my own. I see no other way. Ororo has sent me to you, she believes I am worth your efforts.”

Delilah wasn’t so sure she agreed with Ororo on that.

And still nothing happened. She felt no different, and neither of the two imposing and powerful goddesses appeared to her. She stood, and with a last glance around her, turned and left the temple.

[Jessica Hamby]

Alison: Haleigh, he's not locked in some contract or anything. He chose to go spend time with his aunt--

"Yes, he CHOSE to leave us, and all his problems here. He CHOSE her. Over US. He thought she could love him more, or better, or WHATEVER. He thought life would be better there than it was with us. Well I hope he's happy. I hope he's positively JUBILANT, while the rest of us here are floundering in our problems."

She replied with rancor. Alison tried to ask what was REALLY bothering her, insisting that this little 'break' of his was both timely and beneficial.

"Timely? TIMELY?!? After everything that's happened you think that NOW is the best time for him to leave us? With Morgan gone, and my near FINAL death and then Sharon leaving, and Cameron's depression over her departure, and Ava very well considering leaving herself, you think his abandonment was timely? He left at the WORST possible time. And what if my sister HAD left?? And then Delilah-- Then it would just be me here. I would have left the moment her heart stopped beating. and THEN who would stand in the gap for the humans?? We can't ALL be so cavalier. We have a responsibility to EACH OTHER more than anything. And he disregarded that."

Alison: He wants to become a better, more effective fighter. I see that clearly. I wouldn't begrudge him of that.

"Was the time I spent with him in the Danger Room REGULARLY not accomplishing that?"

Morgan: Haleigh, you said he LEFT with Dominique, not that you cast him out! both he AND Sharon left. Her departure was more acceptable? was that because you didn't like her and were glad to see her go?

"I wasn't glad to see her go," she insisted. "but Sharon needed time apart from us like she needed AIR in her lungs and Sharon is only RECENTLY a super. She wasn't born with this, she was born HUMAN, and she needs to come to terms with HERSELF before she can integrate into our group--"

Morgan: But with Nicolas there's almost this... 'jealous' tone you have.

She had tried to keep it under control, but apparently the ONE person she tried to keep it from most had picked up on it. Haleigh looked momentarily wary, but the expression passed. It was a truth she didn't want to articulate. The relationship between Haleigh and Nicolas was something that every single person had a stake in, and it affected Morgan most of all. They had broken Morgan's heart with it, and it was one of the only things Haleigh was ashamed of. So she didn't want to admit aloud that she missed him, or that she was hurt that he'd thought Dominique could possibly love him more than they could -- than SHE could. but that wasn't the ONLY thing that was bothering her about his absence. It was simply the only thing she didn't want to say in present company. There were plenty of other, less taboo concerns, so she focused on those, and said nothing of her jealousy that he just MIGHT actually be better off with his aunt.

Morgan: and to be honest... SOMETIMES I think he WOULD be better off with her permanently. It would certainly make it harder for the Sisterhood to strike at us if... when the truce comes to an end.

"Oh, is THAT so? Because I beg to differ. They [the sisterhood] are NOT fools. IF the truce ever ends and he is still there, they will end the truce because he is WITH them, and no longer poses a threat. Which means he will be AGAINST us. And he knows FAR TOO MUCH about all of us as it is. The longer he stays with them, the more like THEM he will become. Sure, he can be impetuous sometimes, but he has a good heart and he wants to be a good man. They lack the ability to encourage him to be a good man. They will destroy everything that is good in him, without really trying. Their philosophies alone will turn his heart as black as theirs. Sharon I don't worry about, Sharon is a grown woman, set in her convictions. But Nicolas is what, 23 years old now? He's young, malleable, and still a child to them. They will groom him and make a marionette of him and he'll never even know it because THEY have the ability to conceal their thoughts and intentions from him. Whether or NOT Dominique has the best of intentions... Malice is there, and she reigns supreme in Hellfire. She lets the other queens THINK they have clout, but only so she can use them. The Loyalty of the sisterhood is only as strong as DIANA wants it to be. Never forget that Malice accrues assets like Trump does real estate.... and now Nicolas is in HER house."

Morgan: I just think he'd want to know. I think he'd want to be there for her, just like he was for Alison and Ava when they fell through one of my discs.

[scoffing] "Yeah right. He knew more about her state of mind than any of the rest of us. If he'd given a damn about being there for her then, he'd be here in this room right now."

She said, but without much conviction. She knew Nicolas had been trying NOT to hear Delilah's thoughts, out of respect for the fact that Delilah herself didn't like him in her head. But Haleigh wished he hadn't. If he could have seen this coming, surely he would have said or done something. She didn't blame him, but the should haves were still eating at her.

Morgan: I just don't think we should shut him out on this.

"Fine, whatever. Tell him if you must."

She assented with a shrug. She had already grown tired of this discussion. All she REALLY wanted at this point was to see Delilah walk through the door. Why hadn't Ororo kept them updated, at least? This waiting game was nothing but wretched agony.

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan placed a hand on Haleigh's shoulder, stopping her from turning away and looked directly at her. Speaking directly but calmly and with understanding. >>

Look, Haleigh. The PAIN that you and Nicolas caused me...is something I'll NEVER forget. But I HAVE forgiven you...BOTH of you. I broke your original body...you broke my heart. and yet, despite all of that...and everything else...I trust you and I cant imagine doing THIS [ the Six] without you.

If you have feelings for Nicolas...which clearly you do...that's FINE. He's not "MINE" anymore. You're entitled to those feelings. But dont let them color your judgement now.

<< She moves to the center of the room, addressing them all.>>

We can all agree that Sharon made the right choice for herself to leave and that when she's truly ready, she can come back. But even if I'm in the minority here, I think Nicolas made the best choice for himself at this time. I mean...think about it. IF he had said anything about what Delilah was thinking/feeling, Delilah would have felt even MORE violated. We KNOW she hates telepathic intrusion. Moreover, and I can say this to YOU ALL because i think you'll understand me, I DO think Dominique is better qualified to "handle" Nicolas than we are. There are things that happened with him...that I've had a HARD TIME getting past and that was one of the reasons why I had to go to Aerie.

<< a howling is heard faintly in the background as images of Set's son , the HOUND, and most frightening of all...the man who RAPED AND MURDERED an alternate Morgan flash across the minds and memories of all those present in the room.>>

...Nicolas took me places I never thought I'd be with a man and some of that was truly tremendous ...and then when it all came crashing down he left me to freefall. I've managed to "recover" enough to feel that I can be effective again as a leader, fighter, a WOMAN. and apparently not soon enough...given what's happened to Delilah.

Nicolas, for better or for worse, is still apart of this time. He's spending time with his aunt...who am I to begrduge him of that?

It's obvious you're unhappy with him and I'm not here to deny you how you feel, but i'm GOING to place that call. I'll tell him what's happened BUT that he needs not to come. I'll also take the time to find out where his mind is at and ask him some questions.


<< she looks at her.>>

Haleigh, there was a time where Alison and I would have tried to do to you what you're doing to Nicolas now. It would be just as wrong.


I hope you can understand that I need to do what I feel is best. and I have a feeling that we may need him soon. Alison says that the more she tries to focus on Delilah and the time threads surrounding her...that there's an ANAMOLY. For a precog, If there's anything WORSE than something BAD...its something UNCERTAIN. We dont know what could becoming our way, HER way.

[Athena]

The Temple of Athena loomed before her. She walked slowly, almost timidly inside, and was met by the massive statue of a seated Athena. Even in inanimate form, Athena’s strength and wisdom shone through.

Delilah took a deep, shakey breath. She had to do this, needed to do this. She couldn’t go forward without their help. She looked around her at the seemingly deserted temple. Her footfalls echoed against the smooth stone floor as she walked through the pronaos into the main temple and to the altar placed in front of the statue. There were several unlit lamps. Waving her hand over them, Delilah lit them and they flickered brightly.

No one appeared. She didn’t know what else to do, so she knelt and spoke to the air, a bit nervously.

“Goddesses Athena and Hecate…”

Her voice found strength as she continued.

“Athena you once vowed to watch over us and help us when the occasion called for it. Hecate, you are the origin of magick and Morgan Victoria is your living avatar. I call upon you both now, I beseech your help. The guilt over the human that I killed – it cripples me and cripples my team. Please, please use your power to free me from my guilt so I can once again do good in this world.”

She paused then, before adding.

“I know I have no right to ask you this, but this is too much for me to overcome on my own. I see no other way. Ororo has sent me to you, she believes I am worth your efforts.”

Delilah wasn’t so sure she agreed with Ororo on that.

And still nothing happened. She felt no different, and neither of the two imposing and powerful goddesses appeared to her. She stood, and with a last glance around her, turned and left the temple.


:: How quickly some forgot, the ways of Athena. When a TRUE warrior who is WORTHY beseeches her, she does answer, for FROM HER, comes all wisdom and strength!::

:: Delilah was NOT unlike many who had come LONG before her , coming to the temple to either pay homage to the goddess or seek her aid. But unlike some...Delilah FIRMLY stands among the WORTHY. Ororo was quite right in sending her here. If ANYONE deserved favor from Athena, it was this young woman::

:: Delilah far more quickly than she did coming into the temple, she did not stop to wait...to LISTEN. And as she left the eeriely silent temple, there was still that haunting silence....until....::

:: zooming up to the face of the massive marble statue seated on the white marble throne...the mournfull sound of a gong tolls in the air and the featurless eyes of the statue OPEN as though the statue had come to life once again just as it had when they were here before and she confronted/challeneged Nicolas.::

:: the eyes seem IGNITED with energy but the manifestation goes unseen by Delilah, who thinks this is all in vain.::

[Hecate]

<< when Delilah emerged outside of the Parthenon, she would find the view quite different, as the sky was now whirling in a haunting gray vortex, the winds were blowing a bit more and there was the sound of elemental disturbance in the air.>>

<< she would be greeted by the sight of HECATE, the moon goddess...and the goddess of witchcraft!>>

<< the woman looked as beautifull and SINSTER as ever. her blonde hair was flowing in the wind as she stood seemingly waiting on Delilah.>>

Leaving so soon?

<< she sounded so much like MORGAN, but her vocal tone was slightly deeper, there was a haunting resonance to it.>>

<< she looked upon Delilah with familiarity but there was also that sinister glint in her eye.>>

[Harbinger]

Alison: Haleigh, he's not locked in some contract or anything. He chose to go spend time with his aunt--

"Yes, he CHOSE to leave us, and all his problems here. He CHOSE her. Over US. He thought she could love him more, or better, or WHATEVER. He thought life would be better there than it was with us. Well I hope he's happy. I hope he's positively JUBILANT, while the rest of us here are floundering in our problems."

Can YOU say that with any certainty? you're not a telepath, Haleigh.

How can you even suggest a "competition" of whether Dominique or yourself [or the six] could love him "more/better/whatever..."

:: Morgan hit the nail on the head about the jealousy part. Alison suspected that too and though they were ALL rocked by the situation that was born from...it was better to come from Morgan, who was MOST affected by it but managed to survive, recover and most important of all...FORGIVE.::

He's a young man...he NEEDS the guidance and firmness that ONLY Dominique can give him. Like it not, she IS his only living blood relative, and SHE is charged with protecting him from his Father AND if necessary, safeguarding the WORLD from HIM.

Trust me, as a tactician, and a precog, i can ASSURE you that Dominique would KILL ANYONE who lent themselves to the release of SET and that includes MALICE herself. They know it...and that is why they regard Nicolas DISTANTLY. Malice, for all her power and bitchy ways is no fool...she's not going to tamper with something that once unleashed could harm even HER. Nicolas should not be viewed as some kind of "advantage" or "tool" to the sisterhood. Dominique wouldnt allow it and the other two queens would rather NOT cross her on that. Dominique's BURDEN with Nicolas is much like MINE with Pandora.

:: She hoped Haleigh would push past her EMOTIONS and see this clearly.::

The "right time" for one may not be the right time for another.

The three of you in this room ARE the core of the team. You needed to deal with Delilah's tragedy privately and NOW, if you choose to involve Nicolas, you will be better able to deal with him as you deal with this.

:: Morgan speaks to Haleigh, ultimately informing her that she will contact Nicolas on her own and update him but inform him that he need not come at this time, which to Alison, was the best thing to do.::

Give him time, Haleigh...just as you were given, just as Ava was given after what happened with Mike. He IS a vital part of your team and in the times to come, you will need him as he needs you. Dominique's position in his life is no threat to yours...and deep down you know that.

[Pam De Beaufort]

"How the hell did this turn into The Great Nicolas Debate?"

Ava deadpanned as everyone argued whether or not Nicolas deserved to go with Dominique, was going to turn on them, should have seen what was going on with Delilah, ect. ect.

"It's no secret that I don't care for Nicolas, never had, probably never will. However this isn't about HIM and his choice to go with Dominique. This is about Delilah. And he DOES [looking at Haleigh] have a right to know what's going on. He's apart of this team whether you or I like it or not."

Ava left it at that. So much could be dug up and thrown in her face about her own actions in the past involving Nicolas and how everyone forgave her. She didn't really deserve to dislike Nicolas considering he never did anything to her [and she ultimately did EVERYTHING To him], but she just DID. It was how Ava was built. However because he was apart of their team, when it counted, she would be there to defend him....if only slightly. ;)

"Could we please discuss something other than that baboon? Like why haven't we heard anything from Ororo yet? Usually no news is good news....but i'm beginning to worry."

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan looked up at the ceiling as Ava responded. She couldnt help but laugh a bit.>>

Well, I imagine it WOULD have stayed on track with being just about Delilah and my merely mentioning that Nicolas should be contacted, but Haleigh objected strongly and so ...here we are.

<< She looks at Ava and shrugs.>>

"Could we please discuss something other than that baboon? Like why haven't we heard anything from Ororo yet? Usually no news is good news....but i'm beginning to worry."

<< Morgan bowed her head, placing her hand on her forehead and again she seemed both dismayed and amused. Ava reminded her of how she'd been toward more than a few members of VALIANT. Alison looked at Ava knowing she was doing what she did best. :p >>

<< after a few moments, Morgan looked up again.>>

We dont have a choice...we have to believe that no news is good news. Ororo's track record is SOLID. She's the guardian of the dark trinity and if there was ever a time she COULDNT fix something, she let it be known.

Maybe Delilah needed more after care than we know?

[MorningStar]

Stepping out from the columns of the temple, Delilah shivered and rubbed her bare arms. The air had take a decisively cool turn, and she looked up at a darkened sky. Foreboding, to say the least.

"Hecate!"

Delilah was startled, not expecting to see Hecate standing before her, sounding like one of Morgan exclamations as she said her name. Despite having been in the presence of the goddess of witchcraft many times, and the close connection between her and Delilah's best friend Morgan, Delilah always felt uneasy around her and this time was no different. She would never feel "relaxed" around Hecate, the way she was around Ororo.

Leaving so soon?

Delilah immediately felt like a naughty child. What had she been thinking? Coming here to ask Hecate's help? She shook her head.

"I'm...I'm sorry - I should never have come here. It was wrong of me - this was a mistake."

[Hecate]

I'm not here to harm you. Far from it!

<< Hecate looked at MorningStar knowingly as the young woman was not quite as comfortable in her presence as she was Morgan's or Ororo's.>>

Why are you apologizing? you ASKED to come here didnt you?

<< she took a couple steps closer.>>

You need some help, don't you?

Why do you constantly put yourself in BONDAGE?

<< referring to Delilah tendancy to second guess herself or hold herself to some seemingly "impossible" standard in an ever changing world.>>

You came here because you need FREEDOM. You think you're the only one who has had "forbidden" wishes or thoughts? whom are they "forbidden" by? whose RULES are you playing by? yours or someone ELSE'S?

<< she grabs Delilah's wrist suddenly. it was a surprising move but the goddess didnt hurt Delilah with her grip.>>

The mess you're in...it reminds me of some of the things that went on in Mt. Olympus...with Zeus tampering and interferring with people's lives and causing hardship and headache. I experienced that FIRST HAND. [Hades/Persephone].

But we're past that now. and now YOU want to be past that guilt. that misplaced guilt that is holding you back, isnt that right?

[MorningStar]

You need some help, don't you?

Delilah instinctively took a tentative half step back as Hecate came towards her.

"I'm...I'm not Morgan. I don't have the right to ask for your help."

Hecate grabbed her wrist, and she jumped, but the goddess's grip was firm but not hostile.

The mess you're in...it reminds me of some of the things that went on in Mt. Olympus...with Zeus tampering and interferring with people's lives and causing hardship and headache. I experienced that FIRST HAND. [Hades/Persephone].

Delilah lowered her head, resigned.

"I know, I know. The gods shouldn't interfere in the lives of mortals. I have to just, learn to live with my actions. I know that now. Somehow..."

But we're past that now. and now YOU want to be past that guilt. that misplaced guilt that is holding you back, isnt that right?

Delilah looked up in surprise.

"Ye-yes. I don't want to have to feel guilty anymore. I want to be able to get past this and rejoin my team. Can- can YOU help me?"

[Hecate]

you helped fix a wrong that nearly destroyed me...and later threatened to destroy my legacy (the dark trinity) in the multiverse. people like US (referring to herself, the other gods/goddesses, mutants etc) have to ..."look out" for each other sometimes don't we?

<< she leads Delilah back toward the interior of the Parthenon.>>

because of YOU I was able to find it in my heart to forgive Persephone. and I know how much Morgan and Alison care for you. Even now, their anguish over your apparent "loss" troubled them deeply. You have helped Morgan many times, even by challenging her on some of her choices. You're a true friend and LIKE Morgan, I never forget those who have shown loyalty to me.

<< Delilah sees the change in the EYES of the massive marble statue of athena sitting on the equally massive throne at the end of the grand hall.>>

and I know ATHENA always answers the calls of a TRUE warrior in need.



Delilah looked up in surprise.

"Ye-yes. I don't want to have to feel guilty anymore. I want to be able to get past this and rejoin my team. Can- can YOU help me?"

<< Hecate smirked.>>

That's better....you're already anticipating FREEDOM from this BONDAGE.

[Zachary Armani]

Haleigh had firmly discouraged Zach from coming, in fact, she refused to tell him where exactly she was, and at first, he respected her request. But three straight nights of Haleigh's distress, and the shaky tone of her voice over the phone and he'd completely disregarded her assurance that she could handle it. He used her emotion to find her, even halfway across the planet. That her anguish could reach him across that much distance was a sign that he was more attuned to her than he'd ever been to anyone else and he simply couldn't bear staying away. Not when he could HELP by being here. He didn't care if it would be hard for him, he simply wanted to make it easier for her. And besides... he owed her for the strife he'd caused HER over the thing with Sharon.

It wasn't so bad, being here. The sum of their grief was overwhelming at first, but Zach had a very high capacity for ALL emotion, and as an empath, he was well equipped to deal with it. And things WERE getting better. Haleigh was much closer to normal. She was able to get a handle on the grief, and other emotions were coming back to her. Like anger, for example:

Haleigh: Why SHOULD we tell him ANYTHING? HE'D the one who left! He doesn't CARE about us! He's off playing Prince of Darkness or whatever. Let him have his childish, selfish fun.

Roiling resentment with an undercurrent of jealousy and a general wariness, but it was mostly anger. He took her hand gently, reducing the load somewhat. She argued back and forth with Morgan about Nicolas, as she was wont to do. It was a good thing, actually. It was normal for her to debate with them, and normal was good. After everything they'd been through, everything SHE had been through, normal was the best they could hope for. Zach suspected something else, too. He and Haleigh had already talked about Nicolas leaving, and Sharon as well, and everything that had happened since she went to New York, and Haleigh hadn't been QUITE so angry with Nicolas right away, just mildly irritated. But Cameron had recently informed them that he was going to stay at Minerva's for a while to recover, and he'd made himself SCARCE, and Zach figured that THAT was bothering Haleigh as well, and she was simply redirecting her anger and disappointment with Cameron towards the situation with Nicolas. They weren't so very different. Both had loved her and left her and Haleigh's abandonment issues were repeatedly renewed.

He couldn't be TOO cross about it. Once they left, it damaged the tenuous bond, and Zach could sense that Haleigh was withdrawing from both of them, which, while an uncomfortable process for Haleigh, was good news for him. Cameron had once been the biggest threat to Zach, now he was just an annoyance. Nicolas, she still cared about. But the state of her relationship with Cameron was now nearly irreparable. He wouldn't at all be surprised if she finally decided once and for all to let him go. She wasn't all THAT hurt by Cameron's decision this time, and she wasn't terribly surprised either. She was angry, but she was dealing with it, and SOME emotions Zach knew not to tamper with. She needed the anger for a while, then she'd get over it, just like that. Zach wasn't the jealous type, and despite Haleigh's emotional investment in Nicolas' departure, Zach knew that HE was the one Haleigh turned to, and he counted himself lucky that she DID.

Morgan: Look, Haleigh. the PAIN that you and Nicolas caused me...

Zach sensed a surge of uneasiness and regret from Haleigh. Morgan had put her hand on Haleigh's shoulder and she stood stock still, as if waiting for the blow. but Morgan went on to reassure her and evenwent so far as to say that she trusted Haleigh and that she couldn't imagine the Six without her, and Haleigh sighed, flooding relief, pulling Morgan into a hug quickly.

Haleigh: Thank you, Morgan. That means a lot. And I've missed you too, by the way.

Morgan: If you have feelings for Nicolas...which clearly you do.. that's FINE. He's not "MINE" anymore. You're entitled to those feelings. But don't let them color your judgment now.

Haleigh: [shaking her head gently] He's not mine either. That ship sank a while back. But I guess its time I stopped being so obstinate. You're right, if he needs time with his last living relative, we shouldn't hold it against him. but I WON'T go so far as to say him being at Hellfire isn't risky. I STILL think Malice will take advantage of that as best she can. I still feel the cold tendrils of her mindset...

A chill of apprehension passed through Haleigh, but it was gone again. Zach noticed something else... Haleigh had, through the course of her short conversation her, spent most of her ire. She was moving through emotions so quickly since her return from the 'undead'. He only needed to get her started down the right path and it seemed she was resolving things herself without him seeing it through to the end. Morgan was now saying that she was DEFINITELY going to call Nicolas, that it was for the best and Haleigh nodded in surrender.

Ava: How the hell did this turn into The Great Nicolas Debate?

Zach smirked with delight, as Ava redirected the conversation. It was something Zach might've said, but it wasn't his place to comment, really. He tried not to get TOO involved. He wasn't 'one of them'. She mentioned Delilah and the topic that was surely the forefront of everyone's mind, how long it was taking. Ava was worried, Morgan hopeful, Alison confident, Haleigh anxious.

Ava: Like why haven't we heard anything from Ororo yet? Usually no news is good news, but I'm beginning to worry.

Morgan: We don't have a choice...we have to believe that no news is good news. Ororo's track record is SOLID. She's the guardian of the dark trinity and if ever there was a time she COULDN'T fix something, she let it be known. Maybe Delilah needed more after care than we know?

Haleigh: I just want her BACK already. I can hardly stand this WAITING.

[MorningStar]

Delilah was surprised that Hecate seemed to feel she owed her - she wouldn't have thought her actions would register on Hecate's radar at all, really. She looked away, though, as Hecate mentioned Morgan and Alison and their sadness over her.

And that was when she noticed the eyes on the statue of Athena moving. And it was seriously creeping her out.

Her attention was drawn back to Hecate, as she answered Delilah's call for help.

That's better....you're already anticipating FREEDOM from this BONDAGE.

"I don't WANT to feel like this. I understand the arguments in my head, but I just can't make myself feel that way."

In spite of herself, and her caution around Hecate, tears sprang to her eyes.

"I don't WANT to let down my friends. I don't WANT to hurt them more than I have. But no matter what I do THIS is always gnawing at me - eating me ALIVE!"

[Hecate]

<< Hecate looked upon Delilah was bewilderment. How EMOTIONAL she was being at this moment!>>

Now now!

<< Hecate said as she took hold of Delilah by her arms.>>

Don't get all upset now. It'll all be over in a moment.

<< she said with a smile on her face.>>

Just BREATHE!

<< she shook Delilah a bit to make her comply.>>

That's it....Breathe IN......and out. IN....and out....

In.....and

<< she shoves Delilah back and at that moment a crack of thunder and a chime sound off as Delilah falls into a mystical vortex>>

EXHALE!

<< Athena's eyes in the statue which had been glowing, now FLARE OUT as Delilah's last glimpse of Hecate is obscurbed by flowing mystic energy and then DARKNESS.>>

<< Delilah loses consciousness but not in a scarey well. It's as though she's been sedated and taken one hell of a power nap.>>

Hecate: no more tears...no more guilt. LIVE again!

<< the goddesses resonating voice could be heard in the skies outside of MINERVA'S mansion and Delilah was now in the Stone Garden of the mansion, laying across a large stone garden bench.>>

<< Persephone, Spellbinder and Harbinger would IMMEDIATELY sense the fleeting presence of Hecate but the goddess would not be anywhere present once they all rushed out to the stone garden to find a sleeping Delilah, whole and ALIVE and now waking up.>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

Haleigh: I just want her BACK already. I can hardly stand this WAITING.

As if almost on cue, Ava inhaled a quick breath--her body shuddering as if a chill swept over her. It was her body's reaction to Hecate's "presents"...her connection to the goddess. Morgan would feel a similar reaction as well.

"Hecate is near...or her presents is at least."

Ava seemed a bit confused. Why could she feel the presents of her old friend? Had she decided to pay a visit to the group as her mother did? She was completely unaware that her very presents was a direct result of Delilah being in Minerva's Garden right at that moment.

[to Morgan] "My connection to her isn't as strong as yours. Can you feel where she is?"

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan ran her gloved hand through her blonde hair and slowly exhaled. Haleigh finally relented and it was good to see her so much less stubborn than she would often have been in the past. BOTH of them had changed and grown so much over the last couple of years.>>

<< after a few moments, Morgan was preparing to open a scrying pool when suddenly she felt a sensation. a pull from a force that was deeply familiar to her.>>

Hecate: no more tears...no more guilt. LIVE again!

<< the goddesses resonating voice could be heard in the windy skies outside of MINERVA'S mansion.>>

Goddess!

<< she looked up from what she was about to do.>>

[to Morgan] "My connection to her isn't as strong as yours. Can you feel where she is?"

She...She breached time and space, opening a vortex into our mainstream reality ....out over the Stone Gardens!

Alison: the eastern side of the grounds.

Well we better go there....

<< gesturing, she summons a stepping disc and teleports them all, including Zach to the stone gardens. they arrive near the center of the garden which is adorned with marble accents and stone statues. the wind is breezy and the air smells quite fresh.>>

she's gone....she was never really HERE.

<< but even feeling her presence like that , knowing that her appearences on this plane of existence in time was so RARE, it HAD to have meant something and soon she saw what it meant.>>

<< DELILAH laying on a stone bench.>>

LOOK!

Delilah!

<< she rushes over to the woman with the others following close behind.>>

Alison: be careful not to startle her, Morgan....

<< Morgan doesnt crowd Delilah but does draw near and reaches out as she crouches down, to touch Delilah's arm.>>

Delilah??....are you...OKAY!?

[MorningStar]

Hecate took a hold of Delilah’s arms. But this time, she didn’t flinch.

Don't get all upset now. It'll all be over in a moment.

Delilah nodded, taking deep breaths. Despite the recent past, controlling her emotions was easy for Delilah – she had been suppressing her true feelings about things her whole life. But unlike recently, this time she was able to get a hold of herself, the way she used to.

And then just as she was feeling relaxed Hecate PUSHED her backwards! Her eyelids began to feel heavy, so heavy...and then nothing. She was out for the count, lost in the magickal vortex.

No more tears...no more guilt. LIVE again!

Hecate’s words echoed in Delilah’s mind as she slowly returned to consciousness, now transported to Minerva’s garden. She felt a hand on her arm, and her eyes fluttered open. She felt disoriented, with no idea where she was or really even how she had got there. It was if everything that had happened since she left the beach was but a dream. And to Delilah’s refreshed mind, a pleasant one.

She propped herself up on one arm, and looked about her. Finally getting her bearings (and recognizing that she was back at Minerva’s island) she looked directly at Morgan, who was silently staring back at her.

“Morgan!”

She said it with surprise, for her friend had not been on the island the day before. Delilah then, without a tear, hugged Morgan tightly.

“I’m so sorry.”

[Pam De Beaufort]

Morgan: She...She breached time and space, opening a vortex into our mainstream reality ....out over the Stone Gardens!

Alison: the eastern side of the grounds.

Morgan opened up a stepping disc and quickly transported everyone to the gardens. It only took but a second before seeing Delilah laying on a stone slab asleep but very much Alive.

Morgan: LOOK! Delilah!

Morgan quickly rushed over and Ava followed suit, keeping her pace slowly and a few steps behind. She didn't want to crowd Delilah, especially if she was still in a fragile state. However once Delilah awoke she seemed...normal. Like just waking up from a good night sleep. Like she hadn't just tried to KILL herself. She embraced a willing Morgan in a tight hug--Ava watched.

"How do you feel, Delilah?"

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan looked closely, with concern. Delilah began to stir and as Morgan began to move back a little to give her some room, her friend seemed to come fully to, even reach up to pull her into a hug!>>

<< Morgan was surprised! but quickly returned her friend's embrace.>>

Hush now! There's nothing to be sorry about!

<< Morgan couldnt help but feel a bit of emotion herself as she held her friend who was clearly ALIVE and WHOLE again.>>

Are you alright!?

<< Persephone echoed that question as Morgan pulled back a bit to look Delilah over.>>

Did Ororo call for Hecate to assist with healing you? I sensed Hecate's presence shortly before spotting you in the stone garden!

<< slowly standing up with Delilah, offering her support if the woman needed it.>>

We've been so WORRIED.

[Harbinger]

Yes....we were.

and now we're RELIEVED to have you back with us.


:: as they began to walk back toward the mansion, the skies above still seemed to be unsettled, even after Hecate's vortex had closed. Alison looked up briefly. Something ELSE had changed too with Delilah's sudden return but she couldnt be sure WHAT it was just yet. But she knew that since Ororo hadn't returned Delilah personally, that meant that whatever happened between Delilah's departure and NOW...there was some kind of detour along the way.::

:: that "anamoly" that Alison kept seeing, it was now GROWING in time threads related to delilah...whether possible or remote.::

And we want you to know...that we're HERE for you. We may not have known the severity of what was going on before, Delilah, and we're sorry we missed the signs...but Ororo...and apparently Hecate have given us a second chance and we're going to make sure we do whatever we can to help you.

While you're here...please, don't hesitate to tell us what you need.

:: Alison didnt even realize she was including HERSELF as though she were back ON the team's front roster again. But she WAS a founding member, and wherever she was NOW in life, The Six would ALWAYS be her FAMILY.::

[MorningStar]

She had hugged Morgan without thinking about it, without hesitating. But after she had moved to do it, she felt a twinge of apprehension. How would Morgan react? Was she angry? But she needn’t have worried – and really, she should have known better. Morgan said soothing words, instantly forgiving her.

Morgan and Ava spoke together:

Are you alright!?

"How do you feel, Delilah?"

Delilah pulled back from Morgan and looked around at the others present. She took a breath.

“I’m, I’m okay I think.”

She smiled at the faces staring back at her. She was starting to feel a little self-conscious.

Did Ororo call for Hecate to assist with healing you? I sensed Hecate's presence shortly before spotting you in the stone garden!
Delilah was still a little embarrassed about having asked for Hecate’s help. So it took her a second to reply.

“Yes, Ororo sent me to Hecate...after I woke up. We talked…”

She let her sentence trail off. Now that she was fully alert, she was assessing herself even as Morgan looked her over. Did she feel any different? She wasn’t sure. More peaceful, she was sure of that. But what had Hecate done to her? She still remembered everything, after all.

Morgan helped her up.

We've been so WORRIED.

Yes....we were.

Her eyes slid to her other friend. She inhaled sharply – Alison could be cold and even less forgiving than Morgan. Was everything really okay?

and now we're RELIEVED to have you back with us.

She exhaled, and gave Alison a small smile, relieved herself. Alison expressed that they were all there to help her.

“Thank you – thank you all – but I think I’m going to be okay.”

She had that sense of peace that time with Ororo always gave her. And she did feel much better.

While you're here...please, don't hesitate to tell us what you need.

“Alison, I’d love a beer.”

And then she laughed.

[Pam De Beaufort]

Ava studied Delilah's facial expression, her body language--her overall demeanor. She was completely normal.; like she had just decided to pay everyone a visit after being on an extended vacation. Certainly not someone who was so distraught that they tried to commit suicide. As Delilah confirmed that she was okay, everyone began to walk back to the mansion. Ava slowly followed, taking Haleigh by the crook of the arm in a "sisterly gesture" as to not cause any suspicion. She linked arms with Haleigh and gave her "the look". A look that explained to her sister that SOMETHING was very off with this sudden transformation of Delilah's. Ava knew Ororo and her methods of helping those who needed healing. Ororo wouldn't just simply take away all of Delilah's pain. She would help her; assist her in digging deep into her soul to seek out the demons that were haunting her. She would tell Delilah that the pain and distress that brought her to the brink of killing herself couldn't simply just disappear. She had to come face to face with it then overcome it. Ororo would send Delilah back alive and mended emotionally, but there would be a lot more work to be done on Delilah's part. This entire situation reeked Hecate. Why else would her essence be so prominent? Why else would Delilah have mentioned going to her? Ava had a nagging suspicion that Delilah didn't DEAL with her issues, she simply made them disappear.

In a "private" whisper--knowing Delilah has very acute hearing.

"Now that Delilah is back and well....maybe we can have that talk you've been meaning to have with me, Haleigh?"

Indicating indirectly she needed to speak to her about Delilah.

"I'm sure we can slip away before the group dinner."

[Jessica Hamby]

"I just want her BACK already. I can hardly stand this WAITING."

She confessed, gesturing with exasperation, then taking a deep breath and hugging herself. It could have been mistaken for a summons with the events that followed. Ava gasped, alarming Haleigh.

"What is it, Ava?"

Ava: Hecate is near... or her presence is at least. [to Morgan] My connection to her isn't as strong as yours. Can you feel where she is?"

Morgan: She...she breached time and space, opening a vortex into our mainstream reality... out over the stone gardens!

"What does that mean, why would she come here?"

Morgan: Well we better go there....

They were transported immediately, and found Delilah almost immediately. the 'visual' of Delilah's living, breathing vitals scrolling across her vision nearly brought tears to Haleigh's eyes. she blinked them back as Morgan leaned over Delilah, and Delilah woke up, seemingly fine. Haleigh slipped her hand into Zach's and inhaled steadily.

Morgan: Are you alright?!

Ava: How do you feel, Delilah?

Haleigh kept quiet, firstly because she felt she was about to burst with emotion, and secondly because Delilah didn't need to be asked the same question three different ways. Haleigh felt Zach drain enough of the elation from her mind to allow her to relax a little, as Delilah apologized and mentioned Ororo and Hecate, then insisted she was okay. Just like that? Not that Haleigh wasn't tremendously grateful to have Delilah back.... but it just seemed so..... EASY. She.... TALKED with Hecate? and that was it? She'd like beer? Delilah laughed and it was a wonderful sound, considering that there was a considerable amount of time spent thinking they'd NEVER hear Delilah laugh again. However.... Delilah was avoiding the enormous purple spotted ELEPHANT in the garden, and Haleigh wasn't sure that was conducive to recovery. They began to make their way back to Minerva's, and Ava linked arms with Haleigh. They shared a glance of implicit understanding.

Ava: Now that Delilah is back and well....maybe we can have that talk you've been meaning to have with me, Haleigh? I'm sure we can slip away before the group dinner.

[nodding] "Yes, I think now would be the perfect time. [to Zach] You go on ahead, honey."

She said aloud, then discreetly mouthed 'watch her' to him as she and Ava separated from the group.

[Pam De Beaufort]

Deciding to take the longest route possible to give them the time needed to talk, Ava and Haleigh headed to the north end of the estate while the others walked toward the south. The sisters remained quiet until Morgan, Alison, Delilah, and Zach had disappeared from view. Still, Ava kept her voice at a low whisper.

"At least i'm not alone in thinking something is off with Delilah. She's acting as if she DIDN'T just try and kill herself three days ago. [shaking her head] This has something to do with Hecate, I know it."

Continuing to walk down the gravel path that lead to the main entrance of the mansion, Ava kept her pace slow and steady.

"The only reason why Hecate would step into a situation like this is if Delilah sought her out. And the only reason Delilah would do something like that is if she wanted Hecate to do something Ororo would not."

[Jessica Hamby]

Ava: The only reason why Hecate would step into a situation like this is if Delilah sought her out. And the only reason Delilah would do something like that is if she wanted Hecate to do something Ororo would not.

"I agree.... but Ororo must have given SOME kind of consent for Delilah contacting Hecate. I mean, it's not like we have the goddess' cell phone number.... though we SHOULD."

They stalled for time, taking a longer path. Haleigh stopped to smell the flowers, trying to inhale the tranquility of the garden, but unease was still coiled deep within.

"ORORO is the one who took her, why didn't she RETURN her? And for that matter, why didn't Hecate stop by officially? She just... DROPPED Delilah off. That seems weird to me. This whole THING is fucking weird. DAYS without word from Ororo and then POOF! There's Delilah, sleeping it off in the garden. And now she's fine? We're supposed to just swallow that? Every time she said she was okay I just wanted to shake her and say 'YOU TRIED TO KILL YOURSELF! THAT IS NOT OKAY!"

She said, then winced at the memory of the whole ordeal.

"But I don't know what to do... I don't want to jar her, or freak her out or send her over the edge again, but shouldn't we face this thing head on? Shouldn't we talk about it, or address it or SOMETHING? I mean.... she sure seemed like she was going to be OKAY before. She never let it show that she WASN'T okay, but then I dragged her out of the ocean, so clearly there were issues, and if she's just gone back to bottling the issues or ignoring them, then we're just in a terrible cycle, and I don't know if I'm strong enough to go through this again. I DON'T want to give her a major guilt trip but...."

[Pam De Beaufort]

Ororo: ORORO is the one who took her, why didn't she RETURN her? And for that matter, why didn't Hecate stop by officially? She just... DROPPED Delilah off. That seems weird to me.

"I've known Ororo for a long time and if she doesn't agree with someone's choices, she doesn't STOP them from pursuing them, she simply warns them of the possible consequences and allows the events fall into place. I think that's what happened here. Delilah went to Hecate after Ororo wouldn't help her do whatever she wanted done....then Hecate dropped her off. I'm assuming she didn't stick around because we as a group wouldn't approve of whatever she did. Hecate may be on the side of good, but that doesn't mean she always follows the "rules"."

Haleigh: Every time she said she was okay I just wanted to shake her and say 'YOU TRIED TO KILL YOURSELF! THAT IS NOT OKAY!"

[in a soft whisper] "I know..."

Sighing, Ava knew how difficult this entire situation was for Haleigh. But she was right. The last time they just brushed their concerns for Delilah under the rug because she insisted she was alright ended in disaster. But how could they approach her now without insulting her or causing any more stress to her.

Haleigh: But I don't know what to do... I don't want to jar her, or freak her out or send her over the edge again, but shouldn't we face this thing head on? Shouldn't we talk about it, or address it or SOMETHING?

"I think we should....but...[scoffing]...I don't know. i just...don't know what to do. It's such a delicate situation, but I think whatever Hecate did for Delilah WON'T benefit her in the end; I know THAT much."

Haleigh: ...if she's just gone back to bottling the issues or ignoring them, then we're just in a terrible cycle, and I don't know if I'm strong enough to go through this again. I DON'T want to give her a major guilt trip but....

"But we need to do something. We weren't there for Delilah before because we all thought she could handle it. We can't let that happen again."

Their conversation seemed so short, yet their journey ended finally as they reached the front of the estate approximately thirty minutes later. Stopping at the steps that lead to the door, Ava turned to Haleigh.

"I don't think we should go to her directly...at least not just yet. And I don't think we should go to Morgan....she seems to be hanging onto the hope that Delilah is better than ever. You know how Morgan is; she'll go into mother lion mode and lash out at us for even suggesting that Delilah did something to herself. I think our best bet is Alison. She's the most neutral in the matter and she has the added advantage of seeing the future."

[Jessica Hamby]

Ava: [about Hecate] I'm assuming she didn't stick around because we as a group wouldn't approve of whatever she did. Hecate may be on the side of good, but that doesn't mean she always follows the 'rules'.

[knowingly] "Nor do we. You'd think WE of all people would understand her actions, if only she'd take the time to explain them. And anyway, since when did she give a damn whether or not WE approve of anything?"

She replied, and then sighed in exasperated resignation. Ava agreed that they needed to do SOMETHING about, and Haleigh was glad to have an ally. It would be so much easier to discuss it with the others if she had someone to back her play. Ava suggested they go to Alison first, and Haleigh nodded in assent.

"There was a time in my life when secrecy was paramount.... when I valued nothing more than keeping information under tight wraps, and it served me very well. But now... I wish we could live in a world of glass 'walls' where everything is transparent and light is shone into the crevice of every mystery and NOTHING is kept quiet. We could be free of the shadows of misunderstanding and ignorance."

They were now on the front steps of the mansion, and Haleigh paused to say one last thing before they went in:

"Ava, if you EVER need time away from the Six, or you have something weighing on you, or you need to talk, PLEASE come find me. I will ALWAYS be here for you, I will ALWAYS be willing to listen. Don't be afraid that I might judge you or shrug you off. If it troubles you, it troubles ME and I'll do my best to keep you safe and sane. You're my sister and I love you and if you were ever to.... to try and take your own life... I wouldn't survive it. Promise me you'll talk to me LONG before that ever crosses your mind."

[Pam De Beaufort]

For someone who was so closed off and emotionally careful in past years, Ava looked upon her sister like she was looking upon a different person. She was insightful and frank. She wanted everything to be out in the open; for the six to not have any secrets. She put her feelings out in the open in a way that made Ava almost take a step back in shock, wondering if this was even her sister at all. Then she said those very words that almost knocked the breath out of her. If SHE were ever to try and kill her self. Shaking her head firmly, Ava disagreed, but allowed Haleigh to finish what she had to say.

"Honey, I would never try to kill myself....I'm too damn narcissistic to end my own life."

A small grin tugged on her lips, hoping to ease Haleigh's worry with a little joke. Though it wasn't ENTIRELY untrue. :p

"I promise, I will come to you if I ever think I can't handle something on my own. But this works both ways. YOU need to stop with the whole "i'm the older sister, I can handle it" bullshit and remember I'M here for you too. Come to me whenever you need me, Hales. And I love you too."

Embracing Haleigh, Ava hugged her tightly and closed her eyes. It was moments like these that she was glad she had become apart of the six--that she had found her sister again.

"Come on. We need to go talk to Alison."

[Oracle]

<< the day passes, and Minerva's Mansion is filled with joy and fellowship as the remaining members of the Six, Alison and even Pandora gather in the grand dining room for an evening of food and fellowship.>>

<< on the surface things seem fine and no one is more RELIEVED to have Delilah back than Morgan, who holds Delilah, Alison and Blaze especially in a protective place in her heart. But there are others among the group who, while also glad to have Delilah back in one piece, cant help but feel something is amiss. Alison herself had alluded to uncertainty surrounding the time threads involving Delilah AFTER her return.>>

<< for now though, it was good to welcome her home. With "the Six" down to 4 at the moment, the needed to make the most of this downtime that they could before returning to their lives in L.A., without Alison.>>

<< after the evening is over and later on when most have retired and the staff of the mansion changes shifts, Delilah has retired to her suite. Morgan quietly met with Alison in her executive study and NOW she had a chance to contact Nicolas via the scrying portal Alison used earlier to contact Alycia.>>

<< Nicolas was surprised to see Morgan with Alison and from the view he had, Morgan was at Minerva's. So clearly SOMETHING had happened to bring her back from Aerie. Morgan filled him in, standing ahead of Alison's desk while Alison sat quietly at her desk. Alot HAD happened...shocking to see the least. Viper had been defeated , Haleigh had at once been totally zombiefied and then RESTORED by Malice, and then DELILAH. Relaying the events was no easy task. But Morgan did so with care. She and Alison watched as Nicolas reacted to what he was hearing.>>

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan finished what she had to say.>>

....and that's where we are now. Ororo, and apparently Hecate returned Delilah alive and whole back to us at the Mansion hours ago. She's sleeping now.

There's no need for you to come here, we just felt that you'd want to know about this.

Alison has been hosting us and said we can stay as long as we need to.

<< She and Alison waited for Nicolas to offer his response.>>

[Rampage]

Much had occurred since Nicolas left the Six to be with his aunt. he had changed considerably;though in ways not apparent to the naked eye. He had been witing for the right time to check back in...perhaps this weekend when he had some time away from his work.

Nicolas had been working out when he got the familiar chime notification of Morgan's scrying glass. He had not expected contact at this time and so he surmised that it had to be important.

He smiled as he saw the pretty sorceress and was even more surprised to see Alison, someone who he also held dear to himself. He composed himself quickly and listened as Morgan began to tell him what had gone on without the normal niceties that marked their conversations. His jaw dropped when he heard of Delilah's plight, and he cursed himself for his unwillingness (and, later on, inability) to monitor Delilah's mental state as he had done in the past from time to time. He realized that this was a consequence of his newfound power set, but he had no idea that the issue would come up so quickly. he listened as Morgan finished before he reacted.

"....and that's where we are now. Ororo, and apparently Hecate returned Delilah alive and whole back to us at the Mansion hours ago. She's sleeping now.

There's no need for you to come here, we just felt that you'd want to know about this."

The last sentence was too late as Nicolas emerged from a corner of the room to one side of the pair of women. His face was even and composed as he stepped closer to them.

It is good to see you two. Thanks goodness Delilah is safe but she is hardly whole is she? Will Karen provide therapy for her? Or, if she prefers, I can arrange discreet and comprehensive therapy for her. Whatever she requires I am willing to help provide. I apologize for not checking in sooner.

Nicolas paused as he spoke to ladies and looked at them. He was missing something. Then he recalled the last sentence, played it again in his mind.


Hold on, am I unneeded? Or am I unwelcome?

The young demigod waited for an answer...

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan looked over her shoulder as Alison indicated a change in the room just before Nicolas showed up.>>

<< Morgan "sighed" in her mind. He was STILL impulsive as ever, but he meant well.>>

Nicolas.

<< she said, as she looked him over for a moment while Alison stood up from her desk and moved around it to join Morgan. Both women looked calm and werent showing any signs of agitation at his sudden arrival.>>

It is good to see you two. Thanks goodness Delilah is safe but she is hardly whole is she? Will Karen provide therapy for her? Or, if she prefers, I can arrange discreet and comprehensive therapy for her. Whatever she requires I am willing to help provide. I apologize for not checking in sooner.

Nicolas paused as he spoke to ladies and looked at them. He was missing something. Then he recalled the last sentence, played it again in his mind.

She says she's fine. We're at least going to give her a day or two before we talk to her more about what happened...as she's only just returned.

No, my mother will not be involved at this time. She's semi retired on Aerie and I want to let her enjoy herself there with Mike.

Alison: take it easy, Nicolas. Delilah still have a very dim view of you and I dont think it's the best thing for her to see you just now or for you to be DIRECTLY involved. But Morgan, Ava and I felt you should at least KNOW what was going on, since you are still connected to the team. Haleigh was the only dissenting opinion...at first but eventually logic won out over her emotion.

Morgan: It's not that you're "not welcome"...not by any means. But I have to be carefull here. When Alison called me, after I got here, i heard about the extreme turmoil the team had been in. Sharon is gone, you left with Dominique....there was so much going on. and Delilah...she slipped through the cracks.

I have to be sure that things are stable with her now and I know that if she sees you just now, it will not sit well with her.

Alison: As I told Haleigh and the others, I recognized how well timed and valuable your break with Dominique would be. It was I who immediately backed Morgan's descision to inform you of what was going on. The team is in a very unusual place right now but thankfully since their defeating Viper, they have had the benefit of downtime with no immediate threats looming. Delilah's situation is serious and will need to be handled carefully. Morgan has stepped forward to oversee that and rightfully so, given her own close bond to Delilah. You have to trust her judgement and know that it is nothing against YOU nor is it that you're "not welcomed".

Morgan: We'll keep you informed as things move along.

<< looking at Alison.>>

I think that's everything, so I'm going to head to my suite now. Nicolas, before you leave, you can walk me there. There's a few more things I'd like to say to you.

Alison: Sounds fine, Morg. I'll wrap up here. There's a few other things I want to do while I'm here.

:: not at all indicating that she was expecting two OTHER guests in her office soon after Morgan and Nicolas left.::

Alison: Good to see you again, Nicolas. Till next time, you take care.

:: Alison said as she waved goodbye while Morgan motioned for him to walk with her. the double doors shut behind them and Alison leans back a bit on her desk, narrowing her colbalt blue eyes, a rushing chiming sound is heard as the wooden panels on the wall close, hiding the viewing portal. Now she would wait for the next two that wanted to see her.::

[Oracle]

<< Morgan and Nicolas walk together through the mansion, heading toward her suite. eventually, they reach the same hall where Morgan and Ava encountered Demeter several nights ago. the large statues of various gods and goddesses silently stand watch over the pair as they move down the moonlight hall.>>

<< and as they talk, Ava and Haleigh now make their way to Alison to voice their genuine concerns.>>

<< the only one who seemed to be most relaxed at the moment was Delilah herself. >>

[Rampage]

Nicolas listened as they explained the situation and the very real fact that Dee and him did not get along. The sentiment of Haleigh saddened him a bit, and he noticed upon his arrival that she seemed...physically different. He would speak with her soon enough. He continued to listen as Alison was supportive of his time with Dominique, which made him happy. He winked and smiled as the sorceress watched him walk Morgan to her suite. He started to grasp her hand but decided to see how she would react to the current situation before being so forward.

As they walked, he took a moment to smell her perfume, take her in. She was as beautiful as ever. His thoughts strayed for a moment to the more...profane before he concentrated back to the task at hand. He cleared his throat and addressed her.

So Morgan...it has been far too long. You look as beautiful as ever.

He brushed back a bit of her hair. He always loved to play with her hair.

What is on your mind? I am all ears.

[Jill Monroe]

<< As they walked along, Morgan's high heels echoed with each step she made on the marble floors. She took a moment to look up and notice the statues evenly spaced along side her.>>

Its nice that you still care, Nicolas. There were some among us who thought you might not.

Apparently I missed ALOT during my absence, with all the breakdowns within the team. But I'm glad that you took the opportunity to spend time with your aunt. I think you needed that time apart as did some others.

<< she looked over at Nicolas.>>

I dont have a problem with you...not anymore. As I told Haleigh, I have forgiven.

But I can't speak for Delilah.

[Rampage]

He nodded as Morgan spoke to him. He listened and paused a moment as she explained that she had forgiven him. He turned her gently to him and touched her face.

I realize that Delilah may never forgive me as your friend and due to our own past. That is her choice. I AM glad that you have forgiven me, but I want you to know that I have never felt so low as I did when I hurt you. I have no excuses...I still hope that one day we can be together again, but I have accepted that it may never be. Understand that there will always be love in my heart for you Morgan.

Nicolas words were raw and honest, his gaze unblinking as he expressed sincere remorse and love for the sorceress. He kissed her cheek gently and gave her a hug.


If any of you EVER need me, I will be there. But for now, my path takes me away from here. I have a destiny to fulfill in regards to my father, a part to play that has been recently revealed by my grandmother Nut (pronounced NEWT). So I train and I ready myself for the road ahead.

Nicolas stood tall again, lifting Morgan's chin to face him.

So beautiful...

The young demigod simply stared into her eyes, smiling, enjoying this moment...

[Jill Monroe]

He nodded as Morgan spoke to him. He listened and paused a moment as she explained that she had forgiven him. He turned her gently to him and touched her face.

I realize that Delilah may never forgive me as your friend and due to our own past. That is her choice. I AM glad that you have forgiven me, but I want you to know that I have never felt so low as I did when I hurt you. I have no excuses...I still hope that one day we can be together again, but I have accepted that it may never be. Understand that there will always be love in my heart for you Morgan.

Nicolas words were raw and honest, his gaze unblinking as he expressed sincere remorse and love for the sorceress. He kissed her cheek gently and gave her a hug.


<< Morgan tensed a bit as he hugged her, but that feeling passed for the moment. It had been a long time since these two had embraced but so much had changed in that passage of time.>>

Nicolas, her feelings about what happened between you, haleigh and myself are one thing...i'm talking about when you attacked her. i dont think ANY of us could tolerate that. As weird as it sounds...it's one thing if it's Sharon, Haleigh, Alison or even ME....but Delilah?

<< as to the subject of the two of them.>>

I'm not Alison, I dont "see" the future...but while I have forgiven and I'm okay with you...I'm not ready to BE with you like that. I dont know if I ever will be AGAIN. But we'll be friends. I hope you can accept that. I need to do what is best for me and while I know I can trust you, I just don't feel that I can be in an intimate relationship.

<< Morgan gently pulls away.>>

I look forward to when you do return to the team fulltime. By then I'll be there as well and though we may not be a "couple"...we'll always have our own personal history and our friendship.



If any of you EVER need me, I will be there. But for now, my path takes me away from here. I have a destiny to fulfill in regards to my father, a part to play that has been recently revealed by my grandmother Nut (pronounced NEWT). So I train and I ready myself for the road ahead.

Nicolas stood tall again, lifting Morgan's chin to face him.

So beautiful...

The young demigod simply stared into her eyes, smiling, enjoying this moment...


<< Morgan allowed the physical contact and it didnt seem to take away from her or her position. Nicolas was just being tender with her for a moment. a moment like which they hadnt had in a while. he reaffirmed his commitment to the team and that he was making his own we down a path of personal development.>>

<< he mentioned his father...which of course never sat well with her. then his GRANDMOTHER, "Nut". That was intriguing. But now was not the time. At least now she knew where he stood with the team and he knew where she stood with him.>>

<< Morgan looked up at Nicolas. He complimented her beauty. She smiled for a moment before removing his hand.>>

I'm glad we had this chance to talk. I'm very glad you're doing well and I know when you come back, you'll be better than ever.

We'll stay in touch and believe me, Delilah would appreciate knowing that you were concerned for her.

<< she takes Nicolas' hand and squeezes it a bit.>>

you take care...and be safe. talk to you soon.

<< she says with warmth.>>

[Rampage]

You take care Morgan. I'll be in touch.

Nicolas stepped away and Morgan entered her suite. He was satisfied with where they were and he understood her situation. He planned to return to New York SOON, but not just YET.

He teleported outside Haleigh's door, took a breath and then knocked. He whispered to himself.


No time like the present.

[Pam De Beaufort]

Since Delilah's return, Ava kept her mouth in check and her concerns to herself; at least until she and Haleigh would go to Alison to voice them. Sitting in her sisters suite, Ava popped a few grapes in her mouth as she watched her sister play around on her laptop.

"It's been two days, Hales. We can't keep tip toeing around this giant pink elephant in the room. Delilah is WAY too laid back and nonchalant about what happened. We need to go talk to Alison now."

Chewing the last remains of the grape in her mouth, a soft knock on Haleigh's door made the goddess look to the right where the entry of her sister's suite was. Ava was closest to the door; slipping off the bed, she headed for it.

"I got it."

Opening the door, Ava's relaxed expression immediately tensed upon seeing Nicolas. It was definitely not the person she would have expected to be on the other side, but she suspected that Alison and Morgan finally called him informing him of the situation.

"Oh, it's you."

Sighing, Ava opened the door completely and stepped aside to reveal Nicolas to Haleigh.

"Well i'm going to go.....somewhere else. [to Haleigh] Come find me when you're finished with him."

Walking out the door and passing Nicolas, Ava gave him a coy smile and patted him on the shoulder as she passed.

"Good luck."

In reference to Haleigh's major distaste to all things Nicolas at the moment. It was quite amusing consider Ava's own feelings for the demi god--If it were any other situation she would have stuck around and enjoyed the show. But in this circumstance her sister needed to finish the conversation quickly so they could go speak to Alison about more important things--Delilah.

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh lay leaned back against Zach, snuggled with her laptop in hand, not really doing anything except enjoying the lazy embrace, a look of relaxed contentment on her face. This was nice. She found it comforting, just to be held by someone she cherished, someone who she knew cherished her and after all that she'd been through, this was much needed. Ava was sitting across from them, munching on grapes at the foot of the bed and finally saying that they needed to talk to Alison NOW.

"Not yet.... she's busy."

Haleigh was immediately aware of the arrival Nicolas in the mansion, but she stayed where she was. Clearly Alison and Morgan had contacted him about the recent events and apparently he'd decided to show up. He stayed in the study for a few minutes, then Haleigh sensed him and Morgan leave the study and walk back towards her suite, which was just down the hall from Haleigh's. Not that Haleigh was trying to spy on them or anything, but since Delilah's suicide attempt, Haleigh had posted temporary cameras everywhere around the mansion so that she could monitor the OTHERS and make sure there were no other surprises, so as Morgan and Nicolas walked and talked, Haleigh heard their discussion in her head and saw their hug. She knew from the conversation that Nicolas was about to leave again, to go back, and so she waited to get up, allowing them the illusion of privacy.

Alison was now alone and probably knew who she was waiting for. Haleigh closed her computer and slipped out of Zach's arms, signalling that Ava should rise also when she suddenly sensed Nicolas RIGHT outside the door to her suite. There was a faint knock and Haleigh sighed, knowing what this meant. Ava offered to open the door and then revealed Nicolas.

Ava: Oh, it's you. Well I'm going to go.... somewhere else. Come find me when you're finished with him. [to Nicolas] Good Luck."

Haleigh COULD say something cruel about Morgan shooting his advances down, or even about how he must be in a hurry to get back to playtime, but she decided not to. Instead, she cut to the chase. She had more important discussions to be having right now, so she intended to take care of this one quite quickly. Besides that... she knew that he could not hear her thoughts anymore, that Malice resurrecting her had left her with some new kind of firewall against all OTHER telepaths, and so if she wasn't verbally upfront about her stance, he'd be genuinely confused.

"I assume you're here because they told you my opinion on informing you about Delilah, and you want to know why or whatever. Not that I have to justify myself to you, but I've no problem saying it straight to your face. I didn't think you deserved, or that you'd CARE to know what was going on with us anymore. Not only did you LEAVE us, but you did so without so much as explaining WHY, or bothering to say goodbye, which is something I've come to expect from CAMERON, but not you. Certainly Not after everything we've been through together. But apparently you don't give a flying fuck about us. APPARENTLY you don't find this family WORTHY enough to stick around for, and you know what, that's YOUR loss, but why can't you just be a MAN and come out and SAY IT? and if that's NOT the way you feel about it? Well then, you DEFINITELY should have said something, OTHERWISE, don't be so surprised if I don't deem it necessary to inform you about the family YOU abandoned so you could go fuck around at Hellfire and bask in the glory of being Prince of the Black Court, while the rest of us tried to recover not only from Viper and my DEATH and resurrection, but from the fact that the very BEST person here, the kindest, noblest, purest of us ALL, tried to take her own life because she thought so little of HERSELF that she believed it would be beneficial if she were dead and gone. Now if you'll EXCUSE me, my sister and I need to speak with Alison, because I may have been blind before, but Delilah needs me and I'm not going to let her down AGAIN."

[Rampage]

"I assume you're here because they told you my opinion on informing you about Delilah, and you want to know why or whatever. Not that I have to justify myself to you, but I've no problem saying it straight to your face. I didn't think you deserved, or that you'd CARE to know what was going on with us anymore. Not only did you LEAVE us, but you did so without so much as explaining WHY, or bothering to say goodbye, which is something I've come to expect from CAMERON, but not you. Certainly Not after everything we've been through together. But apparently you don't give a flying fuck about us. APPARENTLY you don't find this family WORTHY enough to stick around for, and you know what, that's YOUR loss, but why can't you just be a MAN and come out and SAY IT? and if that's NOT the way you feel about it? Well then, you DEFINITELY should have said something, OTHERWISE, don't be so surprised if I don't deem it necessary to inform you about the family YOU abandoned so you could go fuck around at Hellfire and bask in the glory of being Prince of the Black Court, while the rest of us tried to recover not only from Viper and my DEATH and resurrection, but from the fact that the very BEST person here, the kindest, noblest, purest of us ALL, tried to take her own life because she thought so little of HERSELF that she believed it would be beneficial if she were dead and gone. Now if you'll EXCUSE me, my sister and I need to speak with Alison, because I may have been blind before, but Delilah needs me and I'm not going to let her down AGAIN."

Nicolas listened to what she said, how she said it. They both knew he could no longer hear her thoughts. The reason, however, was not what SHE thought it was. He replied, his voice nearly a whisper.

I love you too, Hales. And I wish I could have stayed. But without the help I received, I would have killed you ALL. And there is nothing you could have done to stop me. You, most of all, would have loved and trusted me until the painful and bitter end. I would rather you hate me now than go through that. So take care, and I love you Haleigh. If you ever need me, I will be there.

Nicolas turns and walk away...

[Jessica Hamby]

He let her rant, and more than that, even: he knew what was driving it. He may not be inside her head anymore, but he proved he KNEW her very well. He listened and he heard, and his reply cut through the resentment like a knife.

Nicolas: I love you too, Hales. And I wish I could have stayed. But without the help I received, I would have killed you ALL. And there is nothing you could have done to stop me. You, most of all, would have loved and trusted me until the painful and bitter end. I would rather you hate me now than go through that. So take care, and I love you Haleigh. If you ever need me, I will be there.

He turned to walk away, and for a split second, she watched him go. Then:

"I understand, you know. The need to leave, to recuperate, to spend time regaining control of yourself and your sanity. My sister, Morgan, Karen.... they needed to leave too. But hell, even SHARON said goodbye. They all explained what was going on and I accepted it. I just need to know WHY. I need to know you're not.... turning your back on us. [pausing] I'm sorry. I don't hate you, but I think you KNOW that. Please be careful... at Hellfire. I know you trust your aunt, but don't forget to be VIGILANT while you're there. AND..... you can always come home. Don't forget that either."

She said gently, and then let him go. She walked the opposite direction down the hall, finding her sister not too far and beckoning her to come along.

"Alright then... Alison's waiting."

[Rampage]

"I understand, you know. The need to leave, to recuperate, to spend time regaining control of yourself and your sanity. My sister, Morgan, Karen.... they needed to leave too. But hell, even SHARON said goodbye. They all explained what was going on and I accepted it. I just need to know WHY. I need to know you're not.... turning your back on us. [pausing] I'm sorry. I don't hate you, but I think you KNOW that. Please be careful... at Hellfire. I know you trust your aunt, but don't forget to be VIGILANT while you're there. AND..... you can always come home. Don't forget that either."


Nicolas kept walking as she spoke, and it was one of the hardest things he had ever done. He wanted to twirl her in a hug, make her smile, rub Zach's face in it JUST a bit.

Alas it was not NOW to be. But he was not sad, not in the least. It was enough for him to know that the two loves he had in his life loved him back; and that the future was brighter than it had been in some time.

Nicolas smiled as he walked out of the mansion, out to the beach and, with a leap, took to the sky. It was such a beautiful night that he decided to fly home...

[Harbinger]

:: Sitting back behind her desk, Alison awaited the arrivals. First Ava, then Haleigh. Nicolas had left the mansion and Alison was glad that he didnt overplay his role in all of this. By doing what he did, he ensured a smoother return to the team when the time was right.::

:: soon they both arrived and Alison shuts the doors behind them with her TK.::

You've been waiting for this moment for some time now.

:: she let them bring their concerns and questions to her before saying anything else.::

:: there WAS cause for concern and yet, not quite in the way they thought.::

[Pam De Beaufort]

Ava waited down the hallway for Haleigh to wrap up her conversation with Nicolas. She didn't go too far after leaving the two to talk, knowing that Haleigh was going to say her peace and leave it at that. The subject of Nicolas was sore, but it was only sore because of Cameron's constant need to leave the group high and dry anytime the going got tough. It hurt Haleigh deeply, and she was displacing that hurt onto Nicolas. Regardless, Ava's assumptions that the conversation would be short and sweet were sound. After Haleigh met up with her, they both made their way down to an already waiting Alison.

Alison: You've been waiting for this moment for some time now.

"You're starting to sound like a fortune cookie, Alison.."

Ava deadpanned sarcastically. In reality the goddess was just nervous to talk to the one person who could "see" clearly about what was going on with Delilah. She was afraid of what Alison might or might not say. A joke seemed like a good place to release the growing nerves.

Taking a seat in front of Alison's desk, it was already apparent that the precog knew why they were there.

"You already know we think that there's something off with Delilah. Someone who was in her condition doesn't simply come back after a few days and play off her suicide attempt as if she just stubbed her toe. Alison, what's going on? Are our assumptions that Hecate cast a spell on her accurate? Is Delilah even DEALING with what happened to her or was it all 'white washed' away?"

[Harbinger]

:: Alison waves her hand dismissively and "fake laughs" at Ava's deadpan humour. If ever there were someone among the group to offer up remarks like that in serious moments and pull it off, it would be Ava.::




Taking a seat in front of Alison's desk, it was already apparent that the precog knew why they were there.

"You already know we think that there's something off with Delilah. Someone who was in her condition doesn't simply come back after a few days and play off her suicide attempt as if she just stubbed her toe. Alison, what's going on? Are our assumptions that Hecate cast a spell on her accurate? Is Delilah even DEALING with what happened to her or was it all 'white washed' away?"

:: Alison listened as she leaned back in her chair. Yes there was something definately amiss and Ava and Haleigh were definately observant of that.::

I wont insult you by pretending you're not on to something.

Normally, I do not attempt to pry into Ororo's affairs. I trust her and beyond that, my precognition is always hampered in Limbo whether I'm there or with others who are there.

But even BEFORE this, I had said that when Delilah return, I saw an anamoly of sorts ever present in all timethreads related to her...whether highly likely or remote.

Now that she's here, its clear that something is changed...something is wrong. Not necessarily WITH HER though.

What i can see clearly is that Ororo acted as she always does...responsible, firm, thoughtful and carefull. She DID revive Delilah and attempted to counsel her to help her as she once did Morgan, Cameron and myself.

:: Alison's eyes turn solid white as she concentrates...she can't fix on ORORO clearly, but she can fix on Delilah and her recent chain of events now that she's back on Earth.::

Ororo did all that she could...all that she WOULD. She has her limits and she wont let ANYONE persuade her to cross them. Her ultimate duty is the Dark Trinity.

Delilah was gripped...CRIPPLED by the pain of GUILT...GUILT and SADNESS OVER BISHOP.

:: Alison says with dismay::

Try as she could, Ororo could NOT console her or get her to see...to understand on her own. Delilah just...didnt have it in her.

Whatever happened to Delilah between the time she left Ororo and was returned here happened while she was in the presence of Hecate.

It was something about what Delilah wanted...Ororo would not do it but HECATE would.

:: Alison's eyes return to their norma colbalt blue state.::

Hecate took away the pain...took away the guilt. She gave Delilah what she asked for. Delilah felt that she could not go on like this...

:: looking at Ava and Haleigh::

And she was right. She would not have been able to function. It would have hampered and crippled her in all ways. She knew better than any of us could suspect how deep this was and she wanted...needed...BEGGED for a way out. She beseeched the goddesses Athena and Hecate and they answered her.

Athena deems Delilah a warrior worthy and Hecate considered this "returning a favor."

They didnt harm her, or CHANGE anything Ororo did. They gave her what she wanted.

Was it in keeping with a NATURAL recovery? No it wasnt. But then again, being brought back from the dead itself isnt exactly natural either.

I know neither of you will like this, but I'm telling you that you CAN'T question Delilah about her choice. Ororo did all she could to inform Delilah of the possible consequences of her actions and Delilah made her choice.

The more pressing thing is this..."ANAMOLY"...i cant call it anything else because I can't get a better fix on it...but something relating to Delilah is now looming and its moving across time threads! it's becoming IMMINENT that whatever it is...will manifest before her and WE need to be ready to stand by her and help her....PROTECT her if necessary.

I wish i could tell you more, but I can't.

[Jessica Hamby]

Ava said nothing about Nicolas and for this, Haleigh was grateful. In the back of her mind, she was preparing for the possibility that Nicolas would still let her down. prepare for the worst, hope for the best. She felt guilty that she thought this way, but her history with Cameron, and even Nicolas himself, her made her cautious. She also felt guilty that she allowed Nicolas the power to hurt her by disappointing her, but such was the consequence of life as an emotional being.

They reached the study. Alison made the most obvious statement, possibly ever. Ava had a sense of humor and Haleigh simply sat down in the chair next to her sister. they broached the topic of Delilah, and Alison was gracious enough to be absolutely honest and as concise as her abilities afforded. she explained Ororo's stance, and it was exactly as Ava and Haleigh had suspected.

Alison: Delilah was gripped...CRIPPLED by the pain of GUILT...GUILT and SADNESS OVER BISHOP. Try as she could, Ororo could NOT console her or get her to see...to understand on her own. Delilah just...didn't have it in her.

"Of course not. Delilah is not like us. She ENTIRELY lacks the capacity to kill dispassionately, and it is a virtue none of the rest of us can claim. I didn't understand that before; I barely can now, but I shouldn't have allowed her to kill Bishop. I assumed the act would be her redemption, instead of her undoing, and I was fatally wrong."

Alison went on to explain that Hecate granted this concession and that Delilah DID in fact need it, and admonished them not to question Delilah about her decision. Haleigh nodded begrudgingly.

"Well... it was, after all, HER choice. I know we must respect that. Doesn't mean I'm particularly comfortable with this sense of doom I feel."

Alison explained the anomaly to the best of her ability, and Haleigh slumped back in her chair, disappointed.

"So we do.... nothing?"

She asked, with a note of apprehension.

[Pam De Beaufort]

Alison explained in full detail exactly what was going on with Delilah, and confirmed that Haleigh and Ava's concerns were correct--Hecate DID do something to Delilah that took away the pain she was feeling. Ava could understand where Delilah was coming from. There were so many times in her past that she wished someone could just all her hardships disappear....but it just didn't seem RIGHT.

Alison: "Well... it was, after all, HER choice. I know we must respect that. Doesn't mean I'm particularly comfortable with this sense of doom I feel."

"Well I think it's a crock of shit. Delilah is a DAMN STRONG individual who lost herself because of that bastard Bishop. She could have worked through her problems. We could have HELPED her if she would have given us the chance. What is there to say that every time something bad happens from here on out, one of us wont run to Hecate so she can wave her magic wand and make it all disappear? [sighing] Whatever."

Ava was noticeably agitated that Alison and Haleigh were so easy to dismiss the situation. ESPECIALLY Alison. If it were only that easy dealing with despair back when they were held captive and torchered for months in an alternate timeline. Ava had to deal with her problems with very brutal therapy sessions, and even THEN she had a damn breakdown which resulted in her murdering Mike. It wasn't until her self imposed exile to Arie that she actually felt like herself again. But it took nearly a year to fully feel "normal". It just grated at Ava's nerves--made her JEALOUS--that it was so easily fixed for Delilah....she wished the same could have been done for her.

"Regardless, I won't say anything. As much as I dislike how she went about getting help, she is a good friend and i'm glad she is alive, safe, and well in mind and soul. I just hope this doesn't come to bite her in the ass later..."

Haleigh: "So we do....nothing?"

Looking at Alison, Ava was curious of the answer as well. She added onto the question.

"And do we tell Morgan of what has happened?"

[Harbinger]

:: Alison nodded to the negative on both their feelings about "doing nothing" or "being simply okay" with it. it wasnt that simple.::

I've been thinking about it before you even decided to come and talk to me about it. I've been going over it in my head. am I okay with it? No i'm NOT. But I'd rather have had someone like HECATE indulge Delilah if for no other reason than to keep her going down a timethread where she is a victim of her own inability to recover and becomes something that she would rather die than live as.

Remember what i said...she was CRIPPLED by this and because it all happened the way it did, we were left with very few options. Ororo and Hecate are not in her daily life their attitudes towards handling these things are different than ours and though Ororo is more "conservative" than Hecate in someways, Ororo will only go so far with anyone outside of the Dark Trinity.

She gave Delilah fair warning and counsel after she restored her. Delilah was incapable of understanding much coming to terms with it or the idea of "recovering" from it? not even possible for her to fathom.

Strong though she may be, of a higher moral fiber than most of us though she may be....THIS was the one thing SHE could not overcome on her own. We ALL have that part of us...that issue within ourselves. Desperation motivated her to reach out to someone that had the power and willingness to do what she could not. She didnt feel that ANY of us...not even Morgan or Karen could understand...would "Forgive" her...or be able to help her. WE know or at least we BELIEVE that's not true. But it was HER life and she needed to have a sense of control that she felt she no longer had.

Hecate wouldnt do something to one of her own's [morgan's] nearest and dearest to HURT her. but at the same time, we all know that Hecate does things HER OWN way and it may not be immediately clear what the over impact is.

:: Alison looks at them with a furrowed brown as she leans forward and rests her elbows on her desk.::

I've gone over this many a time in the few hours...i've considered other time threads and outcomes. Given the hand we've been dealt, THIS is the best way to go.


Does it mean that it will stay this way? ...REMEMBER what i just said...there's some kind of anamoly now MOVING across time threads linked Delilah...going from REMOTE to clearly IMMINENT. That change is directly linked to her choice of action but I can't tell what it is.

All i can say is that we're going to have to be READY to stand by her...help her...and PROTECT her.

Haleigh, it's like that time i showed you the crystaline chess board...all we could do was go by what we saw on it when the "clock" struck midnight.

Try to understand, as questionable or even as objectionable as we may find Delilah's choice...ours is not to judge or question her. We have to be ready to deal with the OUTCOME and though I can't be sure, i suspect that in that, she will come to terms with herself in a way she could not at THIS time.

:: and as for the subject of Morgan::

I have a strong suspicion Morgan KNOWS and just didnt want to let on. When it comes to those she holds nearest and dearest, we all know how protective she can be. But a few nights ago, she had a conversation with Demeter, who appeared before her when she was most distressed.

Morgan has centered herself and is ready for whatever's coming. I can tell you that she'll be receptive to what we may decide to say to her.

we should all just keep ourselves free of as much personal judgement as we can. Don't look at Delilah as if she's grown a third eye or anything like that.

the good thing is that this is happening HERE, where we can deal with it privately and among ourselves and whatever may be coming, we'll have "home court advantage".

[Pam De Beaufort]

Well at least her assumptions that Delilah's decision was going to lead to problems was correct. Alison confirmed that some sort of anomaly was shifting through the all the time lines directly linked to Delilah. Now it was just a matter of finding out if it was a minor bump or a giant shit storm on the way.

With a sigh, Ava nodded her head agreeing not to treat Delilah any differently than before. But honestly, how could they not? Even if Delilah HADN'T gone to Hecate and had her guilt removed, it was still an awkward situation. Delilah literally killed herself....how were they NOT supposed to act differently around her? But Ava always took Alison's visions and suggestions seriously, therefore she would act as if nothing ever happened.

"Well i'm at least glad that Morgan isn't oblivious to what is going on. The last thing we need right now is a rift in the team; especially with this anomaly you're talking about involving Delilah."

Hearing the large grandfather clock begin to chime, Ava glanced at the time seeing it was six o'clock. For the past week, since Delilah was first taken away by Ororo, the remaining members of the six [and Pandora] ate dinner every night at six. Not that anyone really enjoyed the dinner or ate much for that matter. Everyone's thoughts and concerns were about Delilah. But tonight, with Delilah's return, there was sure to be some normal and light hearted discussions.

"We should probably head down to dinner..."

[Oracle]

<< sometimes the most pressing and uncertain situations dont manifest in the form of a monster or a disaster. sometimes they come from the most unlikely of places or PEOPLE...>>

Zooming through the mansion on a slumbering Delilah.

<< another day and evening pass, as the the active members of the Six and Harbinger prepare to go forward knowing that although things are better...they're still not RIGHT.>>

<< What happens next will be right in line with the extraordinary circumstances that the Six often find themselves in...and yet...it will be a trust test for each of them as once again the old effects and even HAUNTS the new.>>