A beautiful, deadly Rose

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion – Morning Room

"I said I handled it, Alek!"

"ALEK!"

Ava was pleading with him, but he didn’t even hear it, didn’t see her. All he COULD see, was Ravena’s hands – and other things – all over Ava.

The servant was trembling in his grasp. Surely Alek’s eyes could burn a hole through the guy’s skull, so hot with anger they were. But then he felt her hands on his arm, pulling at him.

"Put him down! He doesn't know anything!"

He was breathing hard, he looked at Ava, then back at the servant. The guy didn’t know anything. But that was okay, one of his little birds would. And if not…

He threw the man to the ground and prepared to go find Ravena himself. Ava was pulling him out into the hallway. Now her hands were on his chest as it heaved up and down with his boiling blood rushing through his ears.

"Hey...HEY...look at me!"

He avoided her eyes, his head thrashing this way and that until she grabbed his face and steadied it, forcing him to look into her eyes.

"You CAN'T go after Ravena! You have no idea what he's capable of...."

“Oh I know what he’s capable of. But he doesn’t know what I’M CAPABLE OF.”

"You go after him, you start a civil war among the courts! I DON'T want you getting hurt because of me!"

“He put his HANDS on you Ava. I can’t let that go! Fucking Malice doesn’t give him the right to-”

She touched her forehead to his, and it was like cool water lapping against his face.

"Stop....stop...Just calm down..."

He was taking deep breaths, his matching hers. He closed his eyes, shaking his head. When he opened them she was still looking worriedly into his eyes, her hands trying to calm him. She was so close…

He kissed her, gently, conscious of her wounds. His hands slid around her waist and he pulled her into his arms protectively.

“I will never let him hurt you again, I swear it.”

He kissed the top of her head.

“He won’t get away with this – I promise, I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

Zizi had apparently brought all her clothes and things down into the guest room sometime before Tachyon and Steel had brought her back to the Clocktower last night. Not that she had all that much. She dressed quickly for work in jeans and leather jacket, then hit the stairs up to the above level. Zizi had to use the elevator between floors, but it was fast for Ashley this way.

And since Zizi barely slept, of course she was up and at work when Ashley came into the loft.

“Good morning – how are you feeling?

Ashley’s voice betrayed no hint of emotion as she responded.

“Fine. Just heading to work, I’m late.”

She went to the fridge and pulled out a carton of orange juice, taking a long drink from it without getting a glass.

I’m sorry I thought you were going to sleep longer. John called, he said you didn’t need to worry about coming in this morning.

“No, it’s fine, I’ll go.”

Oracle looked at her a bit puzzled – Ashley never went to work if she didn’t have to.

”And those came for you.”

Oracle pointed to a vase of flowers. Ashley pulled the card.

Anytime you want to feel better, I'm your man.

“Oh, barf.”

She picked up the vase and threw it and the card into the trashcan. She looked at Zizi, challenging her with her look to say anything to her about it.

“I’m going out. I’m sure there are scumbags out there who need their asses kicked. I’ll see you later Zees.”

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Catacombs- Control Room

She ran her left hand through her hair, down the back of her head, to her neck, which she stretched side to side.

Coming, Mother.

:: When Haleigh arrived, Diana was facing a mirror, and indeed, the look on her face when she saw Haleigh behind her was NOT happy one.::

Time for more punishment, in retaliation for what provocation, she wasn't sure. Simply existing? She appeared in the control room almost instantly, still armed and battle suited from before. Her mother looked displeased, which was entirely normal, and not at all a cause for Haleigh's concern.

"Whatever I did to piss you off this time, I apologize, and it won't happen again. Now if you don't mind terribly, I'm gonna go beat the bullshit out of Bishop. He's so full of it, I might kill him in the process. That'll be satisfying to me, and when it breaks Delilah's heart and fills her with white hot rage, it'll be satisfying to YOU, too."

:: Diana didn't turn to face Haleigh. She simply took another long drink of champagne from a new flute::

You do realize, just how USELESS it is to try to lie to a telepath, don't you?

:: NOW she turns around to face Haleigh, and closes the distance between them.::

And yes, I do mind.

:: She circled, and was now just behind Haleigh::

So if you value your ability to remain ambulatory... you'll stand here, and WAIT until I'm finished.

:: If Haleigh tried her, Malice would use her psi powers to FORCE her to comply. But in a further sign that Malice's "ICING OUT" of Haleigh for the past week might be beginning to thaw...she gives the hybrid the benefit of the doubt.::

You'll have your moment with Bishop, and I expect that you will hurt him BADLY. I'll take all the pain, every sensation he's experiencing, and at the right moment, I'll BROADCAST IT to MorningStar via psionic projection. She'll think SHE'S dying, and her body will react to that projection in such a way that she'll crippled by it.

:: She moves back to the other side of Haleigh::

It's been so long since I've savored HER pain and sorrow. Even now, she thinks she has it all together. She BARELY restored her friendship with Morgan and Alison, and ALISON will NEVER trust her again, while Blaze secretly hopes that Delilah GIVES her a reason to strike her down. The Six is withering, Scion...and I DO have you, in large part, to THANK for that. Crushing them will be such FUN!

:: Taking a drink of her champagne::

Now much as I would RATHER you preserve Bishop...as in leave his body ALIVE and viable for the SUPER SOLDIER project that I've asked Talisman to revive, I'll SETTLE for a viable genetic sample.

:: She moves closer to Haleigh::

I have ANOTHER task for you to complete as well.

I want you to visit the Sanctuary, that place where the psionic mutant ROSE resides, and cares for mutant orphans.

Talisman's Black Knight did not fare so well when she faced Rose. Let's see if YOU can do any better.

I want you to capture one of those children, and bring it back to the Hellfire Catacombs.

:: Diana looks at Haleigh, and tilts her head::

What's that? Is that...hesitation...RELUCTANCE that I'm sensing from you? Because if it IS...

 

[Steel]

Coffee Shop

He was deep in his thoughts as the barista handed him his coffee. He smiled and put a nice tip in the jar – these people worked hard for not much in an often thankless job. As he turned he heard his name.

John.

Scanning the room, he located the source – it was Alycia. It looked like she was spread out at a table, doing some work. She waved to him to come over, which he did.

“Alycia.”

He nodded to her. He wasn’t unfriendly, but he also wasn’t sure what was coming next from her. In truth, it could be anything.

Do you have some time? Please, sit down. I'd like to talk with you for a moment.

“Sure.”

He pointed over at the counter.

“Can I get you anything?”

He eyed her a second, then sat.

“Listen, Alycia, I have to tell you…it’s been a long night and if you just want to badmouth one of my teammates, I’m honestly just not up for it.”

He didn’t say it in a nasty way, just an honest one.

 

[Persephone]

She could feel his breathing start to slow finally. It caused her to exhale a bit in relief, shutting her eyes as he shut his. Good, he was starting to level out again. But in that moment of calm, Ava began to process what had just happened. This man, whom she only knew for a short period of time, was willing to put his life on the line to avenge her. There was a reason Helena held onto him so tightly....a reason why she trusted him so implicitly. In that moment, Ava learned a little more about Berserker.

Feeling his face tilt, his lips gently touched hers. Ava's eyes shut tightly for a moment, feeling the burning sensation of tears trying to come forward. No, she wouldn't allow it. She used her hands that were still on his cheeks to deepen the kiss, using all those swelling emotions inside of her to be let out in a different outlet. As he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her upward and into his arms, Ava let the kiss linger a bit longer before her lips barely left his--grazing them gently.

Alek: "I will never let him hurt you again. I swear it."

Ava closed her eyes, running her hands down his jaw and neck. He actually meant it. In this fucked up Hellfire world of dog eat dog, he was the exception. She felt him kiss her forehead, her face then burring into the crook of his neck, taking in the smell of his woodsy cologne.

Alek: "He won’t get away with this – I promise, I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”

He truly believed he could, and it caused Ava great pain. Because she knew she would never be safe there. Not with Diana. But for one singular moment, she allowed herself to be vulnerable enough to believe it.

"I know you'll try."

She whispered, her disastrous fate already mapped out.

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion – Corridor

"I know you'll try."

He picked up his head and tilted her face up so she had to look at him.

“I will.”

His eyes showed his conviction.

“You’re not to worry about anything.”

He kissed her again, then smiled down at her reassuringly.

“I think I need some air.”

He laughed nervously.

“Will you be alright for a bit?”

He saw her look.

“I promise I won’t attack Ravena. Right now.”

Convinced that she would be okay, he gave her another quick kiss and walked down the corridor and around a corner. Once he was out of sight his face clouded again, his eyebrows knit together. He strode quickly down the hallway – not outside – but to the Red Court’s quarters and Helena’s room.

He knocked briskly on the door, and once given leave he entered.

He crossed the room quickly to Helena’s side and kissed her cheek.

“Helena, my Queen…we have a problem.”

He stepped back from her, looking into her face with earnest.

“The White King has attacked a member of our court. Helena, he has raped our Red Rook. This cannot be allowed to stand.”

He knelt in front of her and bowed his head.

“Give me leave to kill him.”

He looked up.

“Let us show the White Court that they cannot attack our people unanswered. Our retribution must be swift and deliberate.”

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Catacombs -- Control Room

Malice: You do realize, just how USELESS it is to try to lie to a telepath, don't you?

"Okay FINE, It probably WILL happen again, since you won't clue me in on how I have managed to displease you so."

Malice: And yes, I do mind. :: She circled, and was now just behind Haleigh:: So if you value your ability to remain ambulatory... you'll stand here, and WAIT until I'm finished.

Haleigh pulled a switchblade from thin air, took a slow, patient breath, and then started using the tip of the knife to clean the grit out from under her fingernails.

"I'm waiting."

Malice told her she'd get to abuse Bishop, and that Malice herself would make sure Delilah felt every excruciating bit of it. Haleigh could feel the evil coming out of her mother's pores, but she didn't flinch.

"That'll help with my secondary objective. SEE, we can work TOGETHER."

She said with a sardonic smile. Malice commented on the currently pitiful state of the Six, and thanked Haleigh for it. Haleigh glanced up from her fingernails for a second, then nodded graciously to acknowledge the gratitude, then switched the blade to her other hand.

Malice: Now much as I would RATHER you preserve Bishop...as in leave his body ALIVE and viable for the SUPER SOLDIER project that I've asked Talisman to revive, I'll SETTLE for a viable genetic sample.

"A genetic sample? [she shrugs] Alright, I'll collect something for you."

Malice: I have ANOTHER task for you to complete as well.

"Yeah, seems like we must be getting low on Cheerios, the way everybody is around here. You want me to pick some up on the way home?"

She joked, but Malice was all business, and what she said next drained all the mirth from Haleigh's face.

Malice: I want you to visit the Sanctuary, that place where the psionic mutant ROSE resides, and cares for mutant orphans. Talisman's Black Knight did not fare so well when she faced Rose. Let's see if YOU can do any better. I want you to capture one of those children, and bring it back to the Hellfire Catacombs.

Something inside Haleigh twisted, hard and sharp like a knife between her ribs. Did she have to fuck with the orphans? Haleigh had already allowed 42 of those kids to suffer and die, and that was bad enough. Couldn't Malice wait until they were older to ruin their lives and make them wish they were dead?

Malice: What's that? Is that...hesitation...RELUCTANCE that I'm sensing from you? Because if it IS...

Haleigh's mind flashed to Ava, and she looked Malice in the eyes. They both knew she would comply, because as long as Ava was at Hellfire, Malice had Haleigh under the proverbial gun.

"It's nothing. I'll get you the child. I'll get you anything."

She said darkly, disgusted with herself but no less determined to complete the mission. She folded the knife in her hands and slipped it into a pocket.

"Am I dismissed?"

 

[Persephone]

Alek: “I will. You’re not to worry about anything.”

He almost convinced her. Almost. But the moment of comfort was fleeting and she knew it was back to reality. Ava gave him a nod and a small smile for a bit of reassurance despite herself.

Alek: “I think I need some air.”

Ava gave him a look that said she didn't buy it.

"If 'some air' means the White Wing..."

Alek: “I promise I won’t attack Ravena. Right now.”

Ava rolled her eyes at the 'right now' part.

"Uh huh."

He gently kissed her before she watched him disappear around the corridor. Leaning her back against the wall, Ava sighed out. What the hell just happened...

 

[Enchantrah]

Despite hers and Diana's progress in having AVA be the one to attack another white court member, they briefly put their plans on hold for the wayward goddess in order for Diana to deal with her daughter. So Helena departed to her chambers to freshen up. Sitting at her vanity, she ran a large powder brush along her cheekbones just as she heard a rather rough knock on her door.

"Yes?"

Looking in her mirror, she saw Berserker enter her room, immediately causing her to smile.

"Ah, Alek..."

He strode over and gave her a welcomed kiss on the cheek.

"What can I do for you?"

Alek: "Helena, my Queen....we have a problem."

Helena's brows furrowed, but her lips remained turned upright in a smile. She always enjoyed seeing her little bear so wound up.

"Darling, we have many problems as of late. You need to be a little more specific."

Alek: “The White King has attacked a member of our court."

Helena's smile turned into a smirk as she placed her powder brush down and picked up a smaller bronzing brush.

"Is that so?"

Obviously she knew of the attack, she help FACILITATE it. She needed Ava to give Diana an excuse to psi blast her again....not that Diana NEEDED an excuse, however a punishment without crime would cause the little inmates to revolt. Therefore it was necessary to send Ravena to push Ava's buttons. Now her Red Rook was on the fast track towards Destination Persephone.

Alek: "Helena, he has raped our Red Rook. This cannot be allowed to stand.”

Helena immediately stopped sweeping the brush along her cheeks. Her smirk fading. Her eyes expressing utter shock. It felt like a sledgehammer had hit her chest and forced all the air from her lungs. For a BRIEF moment Helena looked horrified.

Alek: “Give me leave to kill him. Let us show the White Court that they cannot attack our people unanswered. Our retribution must be swift and deliberate.”

She then composed herself, though not very convincingly.

Clearing her throat.

"You will do no such thing, Alek."

Helena placed the bronzing brush onto her vanity and stood. Straightening out her red blazer, she turned to Alek who looked rather stunned by her denying his request. Helena walked up to him and began to straighten the wrinkled lapels of his jacket, smoothing them out with her hands. It was obvious he had a moment with the goddess.

"You are NOT to attack Ravena, do you understand me? *I* will handle this."

Helena's voice was even and devoid of emotion. She showed no signs of levity or sarcasm. She looked at her Knight as serious as a heart attack. Something Helena was not known for. And in a move quite uncharacteristic, she warned him.

"She will need you later."

She gently placed her hand on Alek's cheek.

"But understand I am doing this as a means to make us STRONGER. You know there is always a method to my ways."

Helena moved past Alek and to her chamber room door, opening it for him to leave.

"Don't let your heart turn you into a fool, Berserker."

 

[Artemis]

Midtown Manhattan- Coffee House

“Sure.”

He pointed over at the counter.

“Can I get you anything?”

:: Laughing a bit::

Thank you, but no...they'll bring me another soon. I've been a regular here since my days as the ADA.

He eyed her a second, then sat.

“Listen, Alycia, I have to tell you…it’s been a long night and if you just want to badmouth one of my teammates, I’m honestly just not up for it.”

He didn’t say it in a nasty way, just an honest one.

:: The smile from her face faded, as she rolled her hazel eyes and scoffed.::

:: She stopped herself from ending their little powow and pulled back her flash of offense::

John, please. We're on the SAME SIDE. We have been for years. My history with you didn't begin with the Birds of prey.

:: Looking at him with her hazel eyes::

And I hope that it won't end there, if it turns out that I can't continue my work with them. Even if I can't continue my work with them, I'll still be here in the city, doing my work at Charope, LLC, working with the UN....renewing my commitment to Rose...

:: She pauses for a moment::

A missed call...from Zizi.

::Zizi- Elizabeth York.::

:: There was a voicemail, but she couldn't listen to it just now, she didn't want to be rude in front of John. ::

I'll check this as soon as I'm alone.

:: She wondered what it could be about, but just seeing Zizi's name on her screen made her think....::

John I've been out here [in this] for a long time. Long before I was an Amazon, a federal agent or even an ADA.

:: She wanted to share this with John::

My amazonian name, Charope, it means "Brilliant Confrontation." Queen Hypolytta gave me that name because of my skills as a lawyer, an advocate and a legal counselor. She said my courage and ability to use the law to protect the weak and the innocent...it was a divine GIFT!

She gave me that name...and so much more.

:: Her silver feminum bracelets shimmer::

And now I'm back here, back HOME where I can do so much more than I EVER was able to before.

Imagine then, my excitement, the HONOR I felt, at the prospect of working with my ally, my FRIEND Zizi!

John, I've known that girl since before even you. I remember when I met this...arrogant, but BRILLIANT young HACKER with a GIANT chip on her shoulder. She....didn't give a damn, and she was perfectly willing to use her amazing talents not only for personal gain, but to cause MUCH chaos.

I was prepared to take her down. I had an airtight case, and I was going to NAIL her. But.... something HAPPENED.

:: Images of Zizi THEN, along with images of Zizi NOW flash through Alycia's mind.::

Instead of BURYING her, my instincts told me to look closer, look DEEPER....and that there was a truly gifted girl who needed a CHANCE to reorient herself after going through MORE than her share of HELL.

I did that.

I gave her a chance, and she's proven me right 100 times over!

:: She looks at a picture of Zizi on her computer screen::

To come back here, reborn as an Amazon, to regain and EXPAND my legal credentials, AND to be able to work with Zizi again? Full circle doesnt begin to describe it.

But...if any of that resonates with you...can't you understand then...WHY I might be more than a little ANGRY with Ashley Oldenburg?

We don't have to get into a discussion about HER, John. But I SHOULD be able to talk to you about THIS. We've had so many OTHER talks in the past...we've been colleagues...and we BOTH have Zizi in common.

:: But Ashley wasn't the ONLY thing that was bothering Alycia, and John, having a closer view of her, could see that, it was even evidenced by her breathing, and her manicured hands that were trembling a bit!::

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion – Red Queen’s Quarters

"You will do no such thing, Alek."

He looked up at her in surprise, then raised himself to a standing position. She couldn’t possibly mean to allow this transgression. This was an act of war.

“Excuse me, my Queen? He violated her – you know what he can do!”

Helena came towards him, then set about fixing his jacket for him. He wanted to scream. But he didn’t, he let her.

"You are NOT to attack Ravena, do you understand me? *I* will handle this."

He stared at her for quite a long time, wrestling internally with his emotions before he was able to get them under control. Finally he nodded.

“Yes, Queen. As you say.”

He owed everything to Helena, his first loyalty he owed to her. He had to do as she wished. But still…he doubted the wisdom of not sending in a proportionate response.

"She will need you later."

His eyes darted to her face, something unsaid passing between them as she touched his cheek. Those words horrified him. Helena might send him to hurt someone, intimidate them, or charm them. But NEVER to comfort them. What the hell were they going to do to Ava?

"But understand I am doing this as a means to make us STRONGER. You know there is always a method to my ways."

He bowed his head.

“Yes, Helena, I know that. You always do what you must to protect us. I am at your side, as always.”

Helena opened the door, indicating for him to leave, so he nodded to her and walked into the hallway. As he passed she added one last bit of advice.

"Don't let your heart turn you into a fool, Berserker."

He smiled.

“You know my heart belongs only to you, my Queen.”

He walked away, hearing her close the door behind him. He stopped walking and leaned against the wall, bringing his fists to his forehead before sliding down the wall into a seated position on the cold floor.

What the hell was he going to do now?

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Catacombs- Control Room

Malice told her she'd get to abuse Bishop, and that Malice herself would make sure Delilah felt every excruciating bit of it. Haleigh could feel the evil coming out of her mother's pores, but she didn't flinch.

"That'll help with my secondary objective. SEE, we can work TOGETHER."

She said with a sardonic smile. Malice commented on the currently pitiful state of the Six, and thanked Haleigh for it. Haleigh glanced up from her fingernails for a second, then nodded graciously to acknowledge the gratitude, then switched the blade to her other hand.

:: So the girl was learning after all. But at the mention of the Six, and their pathetic state Diana sensed something from Haleigh on a VERY deep level. what was this?? How trite, a shred of what...GUILT? REGRET? Diana couldn't decide if she what she felt was amusement, disappointment, or pity. Haleigh was having a MUCH harder time letting go than she thought she would::

"A genetic sample? [she shrugs] Alright, I'll collect something for you."

:: Haleigh was on such thin ice, but she had to know that. THAT was what made her intriguing to Diana all these years...and even now, she wasn't afraid of the odds being against her, no matter how deadly they may be.::

:: Malice gave her one MORE mission, and this one clearly struck a nerve with Haleigh, which Malice just knew it would! Sensing the hesitation and reluctance on Haleigh's part, Malice questioned her and Haleigh knew what this could lead to.::

Haleigh's mind flashed to Ava, and she looked Malice in the eyes. They both knew she would comply, because as long as Ava was at Hellfire, Malice had Haleigh under the proverbial gun.

"It's nothing. I'll get you the child. I'll get you anything."

She said darkly, disgusted with herself but no less determined to complete the mission. She folded the knife in her hands and slipped it into a pocket.

"Am I dismissed?"

:: Too bad for Haleigh, she didn't know that even WITH her obedience this time, she was STILL going to be made to suffer. Again, that matter regarding Ashley Oldenburg being on the premisis, and her doing NOTHING about it. But since Malice knew Haleigh was growing accustomed to some of Malice's approaches, it was time to CHANGE them, hence the carefully laid plans with Enchantrah regarding Persephone. ::

You are indeed.

:: As Haleigh was leaving, she offered this last warning::

Don't make the mistake your father did....and think that I will suffer incompetence...OR failure.

:: The hybrid was gone. Malice had a pleased look on her face, and now...it was time wait...and watch.::

 

[Longshot]

NYC - Out Front - Vanguard

Silver Swan: "You may not KNOW how ON TIME your words were. Just when I found myself feeling LOST again, you offered a reminder, an ANCHOR, and I THANK YOU for that. "

:: She smiled at him. He had never seen her smile. ::

"You're welcome Sharon."

Silver Swan: "I want you to know that what you're doing is important. You hold on to it, with the motivation you have, and no doubt you WILL succeed, perhaps to the same heights that I did, but in your own way! I'll never be a senator again. I'll never be the woman that I was...but I can still do PLENTY as the woman I am TODAY, including making sure that people like you are SAFE to do what you're called to do."

"I believe in myself...that much is true. But I didn't realize how much I needed to hear that out loud until just now. So thank YOU."

There's something else that you reminded me of that I need to speak with you about.

Katie is with ROSE.

SHE saved you from Persephone.

[ she gestured for him to follow her to a more secluded area behind the trees, commanding Artemis and Antiope to keep watch and alert her of any spies or intruders]

What was she like that night? How did she SEEM to you?

:: Simon thought for a moment before proceeding. ::

"The others are right to be worried about Rose. She's really been a lifeline to me since the attack. I've been to the sanctuary a few times a week for months now. I like to see Katie and the other kids, make sure they are doing okay. Teach them tricks. Just try and give them a little joy. Rose also helped me when I felt a lot darker than I did now. She gave me a reading, gave me advice...helped me confirm a few things that I had been feeling."

"She's one of the only people that I can call a friend these days. I went to see her last night..but things didn't necessarily go as planned."

"Look...I don't know how Rose operates when threatened, but I do know that her first show of force wasn't against Av--Persephone. When I arrived on her block, Rose was under attack from somebody that was apparently casing her sanctuary. Looking for ways in. It was The Black Knight of The Hellfire Club. While I don't know much about the inner workings of all these things, but it was clear that The Black Court was interested in securing some of her children for their own machinations."

[pausing]

"The Knight attacked me...Rose offered her salvation, she refused, declared me an enemy of The Hellfire Club and then Rose proceeded to shoot her out of her turf like a rocket, much like what you did to Valkyrie last night. I mean...she seemed ANGRY, but who wouldn't be? Two attacks on her children in such a short amount of time? I would lose it. I do remember being..a bit scared FOR her. I've never seen that kind of display of power in my life..well, that's a lie because I saw her do it AGAIN with Persephone.."

:: It was still painful to think about Ava, which made him feel stupid. He didn't KNOW Ava..at least not enough to really care one way or another what happens to her. She had been a conquest for him. A trophy. He wanted to prove to himself that he could get a girl like Ava and he had. But he never thought much of the reason behind that. She would have never entertained him if there weren't something....there between them. And there was. Something that Simon hadn't expected. But it felt good. He felt himself..."trying" with Ava..to get to know her. He cared about how she was feeling, wanted to know more about her. It was a VERY rare occurence for Simon..or at least the old Simon. Somehow..she got a bit under his skin, and to see her go in the direction that she had, it was painful, it was sad...and it was a bit pathetic when he considered her power and just who she was. But he had seen weakness in Ava in the months they had spent casually spending time together. He had watched her struggle in her sleep and dodge his questions with sex and passion. He also couldn't ignore that whatever their connection was, it hadn't stopped her from trying to end his life. Her allegiance was clear, so what was Simon to do? Ava wanted to lie down with dogs and she had. It was her problem to deal with the stench coming from her body now. She drew the line in the sand..and Simon would follow suit with that line. She wouldn't catch him off guard like that again. ::

"Her attack on Persephone seemed even MORE brutal than her attack on The Black Knight..and again, in terms of power, understandably so. She admonished Zach for failing her and she dissappeared into the night."

:: thinking for a moment. ::

"She's not unprotected. She has a mysterious ally that calls himself Citadel. I couldn't place him at first, but I've seen news stories about him. A number of people in the city being saved by a mysterious stranger in a t-shirt and jeans. That's an obscure reference, but when I saw him, I knew it was him. Rose seemed to have relied on him for quite some time now."

"The problem about Rose...is that's she has been through so much, that I am not sure if I am trying to downplay her rage because I care about her, or at least try and understand it. But I CAN say, that seeing it first hand? Rose in battle and the Rose I've come to know, are two VERY different people. But I know that kind of rage...I recognize it. I FELT it after The Purifiers...but I'm dealing with it. I'm worried that she might feel like she doesn't have anyone to turn to. Or maybe she doesn't want to burden anybody. I would have checked in on her sooner...but with the way things have been going lately..I've kind of felt like a lightning rod for attacks. I don't want to bring anything that might hurt those kids any more than they have been.."

"But it's clear that she's on the radar of The Hellfire Club and they are NOT hiding their desire to harvest her children for their own machinations."

:: pausing for a moment. ::

"And if I am being honest, as much as I want to pretend she's okay...I think that Rose is going through something VERY dark and knowing now the kind of power that she wields..I think it's worth looking into. I don't want her to do something she regrets and can't fix in a moment of unresolved rage."

"I don't think you should wait any longer to go see her."

:: grabbing her arm gently with his left hand. ::

"But before you go. Since everybody is drawing lines in the sand. I want you to know..I may be new to all of this..but I have your back. And my power, as untrained as it is...could SHIFT the tide of ANY battle in your...in MY favor. My numbers will grow with Vanguard, as will my influence. So in the coming days, don't forget me as an ally. I'll help you if I can in any way."

"And...it's none of my business, and I don't know the true details of what transpired last night. You've always shown good judgment to ME, but I don't know you very well. All I can do is speak from my own perception..my OWN point of view. Please reconsider your stance on the Birds of Prey. You are the Silver Swan, by namesake alone you are a fit there. I don't know THEM very well...but I know Vivica...and I know she's struggled to find a place she fit in for a very long time. She doesn't give her heart and her loyalty as easily as she used to, so I know that if SHE believes in it...there's gotta be something there.."

"I'm not trying to force it on you..and like I said, I have your back regardless, as I hope you will have mine. I just think you really owe it to yourself to be happy and to feel like you fit in...and I think you could fit in with them, okay? That's all."

"Please. Go to Rose...and please keep me posted. Until we meet again..Silver Swan."

 

[Black Widow]

Bishop's

Haleigh touched the door knob and it unlocked, along with several dead bolts. She chuckled at his pitifully human methods of protection. She explored his place looking for anything of interest, making no attempt to put things back the way she found them, calm and deliberate because she knew she wouldn't be found for a while. The task itself wasn't really an imperative, but it was helping her focus on something while she continued to talk herself into stealing an orphan for Cameron's mother to experiment on. It was a distasteful task, and she knew that was one of the reasons why Malice was making her do it.

I let a missile hit 42 of the sorry little bastards, what's one more? Why do I even care? I don't know those fucking kids. I don't owe any of them JACK SHIT. But Ava, I owe big time.... fuck. Fuck. FUCK! Why did you have to follow me Ava? I don't want to watch them kill you slowly.

Haleigh didn't care if she got herself tortured, or killed, or worse. She truly believed she deserved all the ways she was suffering. She'd brought it all on herself, and it was no less than a monster like her could earn. She sighed and pushed those thoughts back down again. She didn't feel safe inside her own mind, even across town from the mansion.

After rifling through every cubic foot, she went back for the bottle with the most dust and poured herself a glassful. Then she helped herself to his humidor. She lowered herself onto his couch and put her feet, heels and all, up on his coffee table. She glanced up at the TV and it flickered on as Haleigh clipped the end of the cigar, letting the discarded tip fall to his carpet, and flicked a zippo to get it started. It was immensely satisfying to fill his living room with smoke. She channel surfed until he was outside. Then she started streaming a video strictly for his 'benefit'. She smirked as she watched. On screen, Sally Spectra left the office and Delilah smacked the back of Andrew's head.

"Hello Bishop, you're just in time for the GOOD part."

She said with a plume of smoke as he walked in through the front door. She pointed towards the TV with the cigar, and took a long draw from her glass. Bishop glanced that way instinctively. On screen, Andrew had his hands on Delilah's waist. The volume was down too low to hear what they were saying, but once they started kissing, Haleigh turned up the sound. Andrew pressed Delilah up against the desk, and Delilah responded by wrapping her legs around him.

"You know, I always thought of Delilah as one of the 'make love to me' types. I wouldn't expect--"

She paused just long enough for them to hear Delilah tell Andrew to do something useful with his hands, and then Haleigh laughed with wicked mirth, the smoke leaving her lungs in short puffs. Andrew started to push Delilah's dress up, and Haleigh whistled and looked at Bishop.

"Oh, he is straight GIVIN' IT to your girl, Max. Well, I guess we can't call her YOUR girl anymore, huh? [she looks back at the TV, leaning her head to the right] I can't confirm it from this angle, but I think he KEEPS her panties after this. You never see her put 'em back on anyway. Dirty Delilah. [she clicks her tongue] I never would have guessed."

 

[Steel]

Coffee Shop

John, please. We're on the SAME SIDE. We have been for years. My history with you didn't begin with the Birds of prey.

“I never said we weren’t on the same side, Alycia.”

He rubbed his tired eyes.

“I’m just not in the mood for a lecture right now is all.”

And I hope that it won't end there, if it turns out that I can't continue my work with them. Even if I can't continue my work with them, I'll still be here in the city, doing my work at Charope, LLC, working with

Alycia stopped to check her phone.

“I’m not about to turn my back on you, Alycia. You have a right to make your own decisions. That doesn’t mean I’m not your friend.”

He sipped his coffee as Alycia talked about her past.

And now I'm back here, back HOME where I can do so much more than I EVER was able to before. Imagine then, my excitement, the HONOR I felt, at the prospect of working with my ally, my FRIEND Zizi!

John, I've known that girl since before even you. I remember when I met this...arrogant, but BRILLIANT young HACKER with a GIANT chip on her shoulder. She....didn't give a damn, and she was perfectly willing to use her amazing talents not only for personal gain, but to cause MUCH chaos.

I was prepared to take her down. I had an airtight case, and I was going to NAIL her. But.... something HAPPENED. Instead of BURYING her, my instincts told me to look closer, look DEEPER....and that there was a truly gifted girl who needed a CHANCE to reorient herself after going through MORE than her share of HELL. I did that. I gave her a chance, and she's proven me right 100 times over!

But...if any of that resonates with you...can't you understand then...WHY I might be more than a little ANGRY with Ashley Oldenburg?

He looked her straight on, coming at her honestly.

“To tell you the truth, Alycia, no.”

He held up a hand to signal for her to let him finish.

“What you did for Zizi, she will be forever grateful to you. You saved her life, in more ways than one. But don’t you see: why did Zizi deserve that chance and Ashley doesn’t? You talk about seeing a change in Zizi, well *I* have seen the change in Ashley. When she came into my charge she had a bad attitude and an ice cold heart. But I have seen that heart melt, slowly, little by little. We don’t give up on the most damaged just because they take more work.”

He sat back in his chair and looked at Alycia. Something seemed…off with her.

“Alycia, is there something else bothering you?”

 

[Recall]

New York City - Headed towards Clandestine Headquarters

:: The crisp air of the city was envigorating and her meeting with Jack had somewhat put her at ease. It was nice to connect to her old life in Europe, even if just for a moment. It reminded her of how far she had come since returning to New York, and if anything it let her know that everything she had endured over the last four years had been worth it. With her earbuds in, she began to casually walk down the street. As she moved along the crowd, silently humming along to the beat of the bass pounding in her ear, she realized that her normal civilian vision had shifted into intelligence mode. She began to watch the interactions of the people around her, surveying the license plates of the cars that passed by or were parked by the sidewalk, cross referencing them against her own brain for any suspicious activity. This was a bi-product of her ability. When she wasn't actively thinking of something, her powers usually came out to play. She was in overdrive. ::

:: Everything was going smoothly until she noticed something peculiar and became hyper focused. A non descript van in an outlier part of the city. The exact amount of distance it took for tourists to realize that they were nowhere near Times Square. They would buy maps, they would buy bottles of waters and would pay whatever amount they could to try and not be lost. One of the things about New York was that if you admitted you were a tourist, people immediately wanted to stab you. Vivica could count the amount of times she had been asked where Broadway was, if they were close to the Empire State Building. Everytime she smiled and sparkled, trying to disuade people from thinking that New Yorkers were a rough and tumble kind of people, which they were, very much so. Despite all the things it had to offer, New York City was a dangerous place and if you rounded the wrong corner, or said the wrong thing to the wrong person, you would end up dead. ::

:: Crime was alive and well in a place like The Big Apple - drugs, murder, theft...and what Vivica was seeing unfolding right before her very eyes. Human Trafficking. In her years in Europe, it was a trade that was very extensive and far reaching, and there were many a depraved asian business man or fat italin gambino interested in the delicacies of the flesh of American women. Young girls were bamboozled, offered fake modeling contracts, told to wait as bus stations or busy intersections to be picked up, to be ushered into a life they had no clue about. Vivica had seen it in her own neighborhood growing up. Girls going to be models who were never heard from again. Girls being flattered by the offer of headshots only to be brutalized. Her years in intelligence and her own upbringing on Crenshaw alerted her to a trafficking ring that was operating in front of her very eyes. ::

:: Her eyes narrowed. ::

"Oh not TODAY, Satan."

:: She surveyed a van at the corner of the block she was on. A fat man reading a magazine was behind the wheel as she noticed several men with flyers offering modeling opportunities and free photo sessions. She saw two greasy men in suits on cell phones, talking about contracts, of fake business contacts and superficial gigs that didn't exist. Vivica watched as they narrowed in on a woman who seemed lost and a little bit scared. Her pulse began to race. ::

:: Even with her enhanced hearing, she was too far away to know exactly what was being said. All Vivica knew was that this girl had been convinced to get into said nondescript van, and she wasn't ABOUT to let that happen. From her purse, she pulled out "Cookie" a blinged out handgun given to her by her Aunt Gloria when she first settled into New York City, and thankfully for Aunt Gloria, Vivica was one HELL of a shot. ::

:: She ran with peak human speed as she called out to the girl and the men in the surrounding area, who all seemed painfully aware of each other, despite their best efforts to pretend that they were strangers. ::

"Unhand that girl you overweight HONKIES!"

:: Vivica fired a shot straight at them, intentionally missing them. Hoping to scare them enough to unhand the girl and LEAVE the area. They were braver than she had anticipated. The first shot had intentionally missed them, the remaining four bullets in her chamber would not. She RAN down the street as the crowd began to scatter and run creating chaos as the four flyer pushers and the two suited men, dodged STRAIGHT for the van...WITH the girl in tow. Vivica ran, closing the gap between her and the van as it TORE OUT from the sidewalk, screeching away with GREAT speed. Immeditately, she hit her comm link, the ones that Oracle had given ALL of them. She reached out to somebody she just had a FEELING would be in the area. ::

"Valkyrie. This is Recall. Sorry about last night...but I think I have a way to make it up to you. Feel like taking out six perverts? Sending you my location on our eye lens. They're gonna crash in a few blocks. Trust me."

:: Charging forward, she sped ahead as the van tried to round the corner, nearly tipping on TWO wheels and into an ALLEY. With NO hesitation, Vivica aimed and shot out the four tires, one right after another with PERFECT accuracy as she watched the van SLIP on it's side and FLIP as it rounded the corner. She hoped the woman they had captured was safe, but in any case, being brutally wounded in a car accident was a FAR better fate than being the whore of some depraved bigot for the rest of your life. She took a beat as she began to RUN towards the scene, hoping their base op wasn't RIGHT where they were headed to. She knew Ashley needed to smack some heads. She knew they would be easy targets, but mostly she just knew, that she wanted to let Ashley know she was thinking of her, even if she smacked her and told her that she didn't care and to back off. Either way, Zach would have to wait for the time being. ::

 

[Bishop]

Queens

Bishop had been targeting the guy for two weeks. He got steadily closer and closer, taking out one piece of shit underling after another, until finally the guy was holed up in some abandoned apartment building up in Queens, shitting himself because he knew someone was coming for him.

The place was lousy with assholes, and they all came out of the woodwork as soon as he kicked the hallway door open. The guard on the door was sufficiently surprised that he barely had his gun drawn before a spray from Bishop's HK416 assault rifle lit him up. He grabbed the body with his left hand and held him as a shield. The hallway erupted, the body shredding as Bishop sprayed the oncomers with bullets and they made feeble attempts to get shots off on target. A grunt came out of the door to his right; Bishop smashed the butt of the HK into his face, dropping him. Clearing the hallway, he emptied his magazine into the door at the end, then dropped the rifle and the body to the side, pulling out twin pistols.

Coming through the door, one of the guards waived a gun at him. He knocked it away with his left hand and shot the guy point blank in the head, before putting two in each of the three other guards in rapid succession. A woman was screaming.

From the next room came another goon, this time holding the screaming woman in front of him.

The guy yelled to him, "You're going to back up and let me walk out of here."

Bishop laughed. "I don't think so."

"But I have a hostage!" The guy shot back.

"Yeah, and I've got two FN Five-Sevens. What's your point?" Bishop put two in his head. He told the woman to run. That just left the man in the bedroom, and anyone stupid enough to still be with him. The dirtbag he was here for. Peter O'Halloran.

Old Pete was a real scumbag: drugs, prostitution, gun running, you name it. He also liked to dabble in human trafficking, but didn't always get it right and a lot of those he trafficked ended up dead.

Bishop kicked in the door of the bedroom. The last remaining guard was climbing out the window to the fire escape. As the guard turned to pull his boss up after him, he pulled the trip wire Bishop had strung earlier over the fire escape, setting off the C4 he had placed there. The guard and the fire escape disappeared in a ball of fire, and Pete was thrown backwards onto the floor by the blast.

He looked up at Bishop in terror.

"Please! I'll give you anything you want!" he begged.

Bishop raised an eyebrow, "Anything?"

Nervous laughter came out of Pete's mouth, as he stammered, "Yes, yes, anything. Here! Sit down, have...have a beer."

Bishop holstered the two five sevens. Shaking, Pete got up from the floor, and opened one of the beers sitting on the table in front of him before setting it down. Bishop picked it up and took a long drink. Pete looked at him with a mixture of apprehension and relief. Bishop lowered the bottle.

"Sorry, not my brand."

Smashing the bottle on the table, he shoved the broken end up into Pete's throat. Bishop turned and walked out, leaving Pete on the floor, drowning in his own blood.

Coming back out into the hallway, a young kid of about 18 or 19 cowered among the dead men. Bishop looked him up and down as he tried to shield himself with his hands. He could tell from the spreading stain that the boy had pissed himself.

As Bishop reached the kid, he paused, and said, "Tell his bosses I'm coming for them next."

And then he was gone.

Back in Manhattan, he pulled out his cell and dialed Delilah.

"Hey. Wasn't sure if you'd be awake yet. I was thinking...maybe we could grab some breakfast?"

Delilah: "Oh. I'd like to but it's really not a good time."

He heard another voice over the phone line.

Andrew: "Hey, Delilah - want to get something to eat?"

His eyes rolled upward as he blew the air out of his cheeks.

"Of course. The punk kid is there."

Delilah: "Maxim, no-"

"Sorry to have bothered you."

And he hung up.

That little shit. What the hell was Delilah doing with a guy like that?! He had to be ten years younger than she was. And Delilah was no cougar. He had been famous, sure, but now he was just a has-been. And the stupid asshole had blown through all the money he'd earned so it wasn't that. Plus now that he had Maxim's body and bank accounts he could pretty much blow any challenger out of the water in that respect.

Hadn't he been patient? Hadn't he given her space when she asked for it? And then she was showing up at his place, and calling him for advice...and yet she was STILL fucking that half-wit.

By the time he reached the safe house he was angry. REALLY angry. But his anger was momentarily forgotten as he noticed that his security protocols were no longer engaged. He silently crept through the front door into the darkness. Light was coming from the tv set illuminating the room and he drew one of the five-sevens, training it on the figure seated on his couch. Realizing who it was, he took his finger off the trigger and pointed the gun at the ceiling.

"Hello Bishop, you're just in time for the GOOD part."

"What you doing here, Big Red? Aren't you supposed to be sipping champagne at the Hellfire Club or whatever it is those fuckers do with their time?"

He looked at her blankly for a second.

"Oh, right, Delilah said you were blonde now. I like it."

Mentioning Delilah just made his anger flare again. He tossed the gun onto the table. She was smoking a cigar, and indicating something on the tv.

"So, blondie, what the hell do you want because I sure as hell aint in the mood."

He walked forward until his eyes caught a flicker of motion on the tv, and soon after his eyes registered what it was. He turned towards the set.

Delilah. And the punk kid.

"You know, I always thought of Delilah as one of the 'make love to me' types. I wouldn't expect--"

He swallowed. Hard. He didn't take his eyes off the screen.

"You shut your mouth."

"Oh, he is straight GIVIN' IT to your girl, Max. Well, I guess we can't call her YOUR girl anymore, huh? [she looks back at the TV, leaning her head to the right] I can't confirm it from this angle, but I think he KEEPS her panties after this. You never see her put 'em back on anyway. Dirty Delilah. [she clicks her tongue] I never would have guessed."

Bishop turned towards Haleigh, his face cold.

"Turn that off."

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Oracle gave Ashley a sidelong look. She NEVER went to work if she could possibly help it. And here she was, concerned about being late?

And then she threw Zach’s beautiful flowers into the trash. She was going to comment on it, but Ashley gave her such a look that she thought better of it.

She was acting grouchier than usual, and while Zizi could understand it after what had occurred the night before with Sharon and the others, Zizi thought that they two of them had been beyond that sort of thing. Ashley put up a wall to be sure, but Zizi had thought the armor had come off between the two of them.

“I’m going out. I’m sure there are scumbags out there who need their asses kicked. I’ll see you later Zees.”

“See you later!”

Zizi waved, trying to sound upbeat. But she was definitely worried.

Her systems dinged to tell her that an algorithm she had been running was finished. And she nearly choked on her Big Gulp when she looked at the screen.

She fired off a quick text to Zach.

Get to the Clocktower. NOW.

 

[Artemis]

Midtown- Coffee House

He looked her straight on, coming at her honestly.

“To tell you the truth, Alycia, no.”

:: Alycia audibly exhaled, looking disappointed as she shook her head::

JOHN...

He held up a hand to signal for her to let him finish.

“What you did for Zizi, she will be forever grateful to you. You saved her life, in more ways than one. But don’t you see: why did Zizi deserve that chance and Ashley doesn’t? You talk about seeing a change in Zizi, well *I* have seen the change in Ashley. When she came into my charge she had a bad attitude and an ice cold heart. But I have seen that heart melt, slowly, little by little. We don’t give up on the most damaged just because they take more work.”

:: Touche'. And NOT much different from what Zizi herself had said in central park. Did Alycia get to pick and chose who was WORTHY of help and consideration? What if the Amazons had done that to HER and Sharon?::

:: Still....::

John...look me in the eye and tell me you're OKAY with her disrespect, her open BIGOTRY toward amazons, or the way she takes PLEASURE in antagonizing other people?

Because right now, even though I can't deny what you OR Zizi said to me, I ALSO can't ignore what I see, HEAR...and feel regarding this woman.

Even ZIZI had a stopping point. Even SHE knew when to BACK OFF if for no other reason than SELF PRESERVATION. Where does it stop with Ashley?

I've NEVER run from a challenge OR a fight before, and you know that. But I ALSO didn't fool myself into thinking I could drown the ocean either.


here I am, contemplating what's best for me...how I can be most effective, and I just don't see that happening, working along side someone who thinks its OKAY to disrespect me simply because of who I am.

It doesn't have to be EASY to help someone. But it DOES have to serve a purpose, and I'm sorry...but I just don't see what you're saying about that woman. Beyond that, you CAN'T help someone if they don't want to be help, to learn, to change or to GROW.

:: she stopped there. If John could address these things, then she could close that book. He was a straight shooter, but not an asshole. That went a long way with Alycia, and she valued his input. If she couldn't trust him or Oracle, then she DIDN'T need to stay. ::

He sat back in his chair and looked at Alycia. Something seemed…off with her.

“Alycia, is there something else bothering you?”

:: He was RIGHT. It wasn't JUST Ashley.::

:: But she couldn't tell HIM about Cameron and that treacherous BITCH HALEIGH! No...THAT was too personal even for him.::

I was with them...[ The Six] for a long time, John. I was Morgan Victoria's counsel for many years, Dr. Karen Victoria's as well. I was even the executrix of Cameron King's will when he was thought to be deceased.

My life became...VERY intertwined with theirs and it served a purpose so I was okay with that.

It's BECAUSE of my close association with them that I ended up becoming an AMAZON.

But before that...I had a long road to navigate when it came to my inferiority complex. Being a...."FLATSCAN" in the presence of a demon sorceress, a precog, a goddess, a fire elemental, a demi-god, a technopath, a telepath, and a light bringer, its the stuff of fantasies for some, for others...it's life ruining...and then there was me...somewhere in the middle, never knowing for sure if this would work, if I MATTERED to them...I was a MESS in that regard.

Do you know who helped PULL me out of that? HALEIGH DAVIDOFF. Of ALL the people on that team...SHE was the one that saw something in me I didn't even see in myself!?

:: she leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table and bowed her head resting her hands on her forehead::

She and I went from being rivals locked in "information wars" to being allies that we implicitly trusted and when I nearly died in the Arklay Mansion, she was one of the ones who helped save my life.

After I was healed and reborn as an Amazon...I wanted Haleigh to SEE me, see what I'd become, just like Zizi had wanted me to see what SHE'D become.

I wouldn't have felt that way for someone I didn't care about, John.

And now...

:: tears fell from eyes::

....I feel like a FOOL for it, and I HATE her for that.

:: She looked at John, as her hazel eyes flashed with such bitterness::

You don't know her like I do, like Sharon does. You don't know what she's capable of. The kind of emotional roulette and ABUSE she'll visit upon you, how she'll LURE you in, and make you trust her FACADE, and then turn around and STAB YOU IN THE BACK, CRUSH you if she thinks she has to. It's ALL okay in her book if she can justify it with her WARPED "moral compass."

You see, John, her betrayal of the Six is not the only thing...she did something to ME on a VERY personal level, and I found out about it when Sharon, Dominique and I went to the Parthenon yesterday.

So right now...even if I DIDN'T know Haleigh for the turncoat that she now is...I would STILL shove a bolt of divine lightning down her throat. She doesn't VALUE anyone else's feelings, goals, hopes or dreams...ONLY her's...and ONLY those people that she can USE, like ZACH. But once she's done, that's IT.

HE doesn't want to see it, and if anyone should know better, it should be HIM because the same thing that she did to ME, it ALSO effected HIM. But She could be standing before him with a freshly killed BLOODY corpse at her feet, and he would find any reason he could to believe that someone ELSE did it and just happened to leave it there.

:: her hand balls into a fist::

 

[Valkyrie]

Near Clandestine Intelligence

Ashley was patrolling the area. There were a couple leads she needed to chase down, and this seemed like as good a time as any. That’s what she was here for, right? X-Unit and all that, keep mutant shit hidden from the rest of the world they everyone didn’t start hunting mutants. Pay her dues. Get out.

It was all a means to an end, same as the BOP. She would be here long after they were all gone.

"Valkyrie. This is Recall. Sorry about last night...but I think I have a way to make it up to you. Feel like taking out six perverts? Sending you my location on our eye lens. They're gonna crash in a few blocks. Trust me."

What the hell. Six castrations seemed just as good a way to pass the time as any. Plus she was close by. She ran to the location Viv had sent to her and arrived just in time to see a van flip over as it turned into an alley. Making the scene, Viv was already standing there.

“So, what do you need?”