Bio Hazard

[Persephone]

"So...how is it?"

James: Well....it's...strong.

"Strong?"

James: Are you sure there no healers around here? I'm starting to feel a little woozy...

Scoffing playfully, Ava tossed a red dish towel in James' face before rolling her eyes.

"Oh come off it! My cooking isn't THAT bad."

James: [with a chuckle] Sure...sure.

Snatching the plate away from James, Ava headed over to the sink to clean it off.

"You keep insulting my cooking and you're going to CONTINUE to sleep on the couch."

It had been nearly three weeks since Ava returned to the six as an active member. After being on a secluded island for over a month by herself—not to mention having dealt with extremely traumatic ordeals prior to that—needless to say it was taking the goddess a bit more time to adjust to being back in the ‘real world’ than she originally thought. It was even to the point where intimacy with one of her oldest flames [James] made her feel uncomfortable. It was an irrational fear of becoming too emotional and flying off the handle like she did before….stupid but true. So while James had been staying in her apartment, he was sleeping on the couch.

Feeling James’ arms wrap around her body from behind, Ava inhaled a deep breath while closing her eyes.

James: I happen to like your couch.

“I guess so….there’s a perfectly good bed in the guest room that you could use, but you refuse.”

James: I’d rather sleep in yours.

“…James..”

Tensing, Ava shrugged her shoulders up in an effort to loosen his grip on her. Taking the hint, he let go, allowing Ava to turn around and look at him.

James: Hey…hey…bad joke on my part.

“No, you’re right. I’ve been acting like a fool the past three weeks while you’ve been nothing but fantastic to me.”

James: Av—

Moving forward, Ava cut him off by crushing her lips into his. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she could feel James’ hesitation which only made her intensify the kiss. Finally, she could feel him giving in. He pushed her back against the kitchen counter, his primal instinct kicking in. Extending her neck back allowing his lips access, he quickly lifted her with one swift movement; Ava wrapping her legs around his hips to secure her body.

James: [out of breath] Maybe I should insult your cooking more often.

With a mischievous grin, their lips met once again. Moving out of the kitchen, James carried Ava down the hall and disappeared into the bedroom.

 

[Siren]

"La spedizione shedualed per atterrare stasera al pilastro 56. Ho bisogno di questa transazione occupata di uniformemente, capito? I' m. che va per Milano di mattina e la I don' necessità di t di occuparsi del LAPD ora….Buon. Ciao."

The shipment has been shedualed to land at pier 56 tonight. I need this transaction dealt with smoothly, understood? I'm leaving for Milan in the morning and I don't need to deal with the LAPD right now....Good. Ciao.

Tossing her iPhone onto her bed, Claudia folded a black blouse before carefully packing it into her Louis Vuitton suitcase. Deciding to head to Milan for a couple weeks, she hadn't seen her uncle since arriving in the States two months ago. And in all honesty, there was only so much of American life she could take. She missed the freedom of Italy. The food, the fashion, the smells, and sights. It had been her home for nearly her entire life, and she need a 'fix'. But also, she hoped that it would help ease her stress as well. It had been a rough few weeks since her encounter with Barbas. Avoiding her sister Clara like the plague, Claudia didn't have the stomach to face her....to talk about what had happened. To explain why she never told her about Trevor. To THINK about her even KNOWING every dirty little detail. Barbas may have been gone, but his actions left wounds that were still extremely raw for Claudia.

Since leaving Melrose Place both Claudia and Clara moved into the large mansion located in the hills of Hollywood. It was a beautifully custom built home larger than any home in the tri-state area. This not only 'showed off' how much money the Zacchara's had [], but it also gave each sister [and Johnny] their own space so they didn't feel like they were living on top of each other. This was especially helpful in Claudia's quest to avoid Clara.

Turning around, Claudia survayed the luggage that was already packed. Numerous bags filled with enough clothing and shoes to last any normal person atleast three months.

"Dresses....casual wear....workout attire....purses....shoes....shoes....shoes....[nibbling her bottom lip] Maybe I should bring an empty bag for the shoes i'll be buying there?....Hmmm..."

Shaking her head, the brunette headed into her walk in closet to grab some last minute items before closing up her last packed bag.

 

[MorningStar]

Cameron explained how he had grown up in LA. That explained a lot. Delilah looked around, out at the wide street on the other side of the glass.

“I can’t get used to it myself. Maybe because New York was so me. I just don’t feel like this is home. But I’m learning to live with it at least.”

She sipped her frappaccino. It was a poor substitute for green tea ice cream from the Chinese Ice Cream Factory back in New York, but it was the closest she could find. And it was a lot closer than LA’s sorry excuse for Chinese take-out, that was for sure.

”… I just want to know where your head is at with this team, and I want you to know that I have your back...Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to woo you. I just know that things with all of us have a tendency to get hectic and I would love to know that deep down, no matter what happens, we have each other covered.”

Delilah nodded. It would actually be good to have someone whose backing she could count on, with Morgan and Alison gone. Not that she couldn’t REALLY trust Ava and Haleigh, but they had been on opposite sides of the fence lately, and things weren’t exactly comfortable there. And though she had started to patch things up with Sharon, they weren’t exactly best friends yet. And Nicolas…well, ‘nuff said.

“You better not be trying to “woo” me. Don’t think I didn’t see that little exchange between you and Sharon this morning.”

Delilah winked and smiled.

“Listen, Cameron, you’re Alison’s brother. And I’ll always have your back if for no other reason than that – especially with her away. But I do appreciate the reciprocity – some damn weird shit has been going on with these people lately, and I’m not all that convinced who would be on my side if I needed it.”

She took another bite of scone, her face thoughtful.

“How much do you know about what’s been going on since you last saw us?”

 

[Prophet]

Starbucks on Wilshire

:: Delilah mentioned missing New York and not really fitting in with Los Angeles. He concurred. ::

"It's definitely different from the city, I enjoy the pace of the West Coast much more than the East.."

:: Cameron blushed for a moment at the mention of Sharon. He had hoped that nobody had witnessed their exchange earlier in the morning. ::

"Yeah about that..."

:: Thankfully he didn't have to find an excuse because Delilah continued and she agreed with Cameron. The two were forming somewhat of an unlikely alliance. ::

"I noticed.. I've seen alot of these changes with my own abilities as a telepath but they only take me so far. I know what happened with Haleigh and Nicolas. Obviously I know about Barbas, but I am confused as to WHY we are even in Los Angeles? What happened? How is BLAZE back from the dead, not that I haven't been there myself.."

:: Cameron sipped his coffee from his straw furrowed his brow. ::

"And furthermore.. Who's Bishop?"

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah’s face fell. “Who told you about Bishop?” She looked down for a moment.

“Blaze…well, we spent some time in an alternate universe, and that Blaze decided to hitch a ride back with us. She’s…she’s not the same as our Blaze. But it’s easy to forget that most of the time. She feels like Blaze.”

Delilah smiled a little.

“As for why we left New York…we had to. We were exposed. By a vigilante named Bishop. All of us, and the humans, they came after us. Illustra was destroyed. I transported us via wormhole…and Hecate made sure we ended up on the island of Aerie. I know it sounds crazy, but we made a deal with Malice and the Sisterhood, and they fixed things for us so we could return to the human world. Morgan needed it…”

She stared off into space for a second, remembering how much Delilah hadn’t needed to return…

“And here we are. Morgan owned this property, so we all moved in here.”

She tried to smile, like it was no big deal. She stirred her drink absentmindedly with her straw.

“And now Nicolas thinks he’s being persecuted because he treated both Morgan and Haleigh like shit and I don’t kiss his ass for it.”

 

[Prophet]

Starbucks on Wilshire

:: Cameron was a little more than floored once Delilah finally revealed who Bishop was. Prophet had seeing visions of things he had missed since coming back and around Delilah, Bishop factored highly. He just wasn't sure the circumstances around the two of them, and he realized that it probably wouldn't be productive to push much further. ::

"Nobody told me about him..."

:: Delilah explained Blaze and he figured that made sense enough and began wondering where he would have ended up in alternate timelines. Then came the part of the deal with Malice and the Sisterhood. He almost shivered when Delilah mentioned her name. For a moment he went back to the times he was tortured from by his sister at the hand of Malice before quickly settling back into reality. ::

"It's odd I would have thought i'd known that Morgan owned property in Los Angeles..."

:: He picked a piece of his croissant and put a little bit of butter on it before throwing it in his mouth and chewed it before taking another drink of his iced coffee. ::

"On the subject of Nicolas. I am floored. What the hell is wrong with hi-- both of them? Looks as if he's trying to take my old position as the token asshole.."

:: Cameron adjusted his posture in his chair. ::

"Haleigh's not married or anything like that? And Sharon.. how is she the way she IS now? It's incredible! And are we staying here? Is Illustra rebuilt? What's everyone up to.. and who the hell are the Zacchara's and why is anyone associating with them?"

:: He had so many questions and wasn't intending to overwhelm Delilah, but he almost couldn't help himself. ::

 

[Black Widow]

Nicolas: Thanks. I HAVE gone a couple of weeks without food with no problem. I think that maybe I get energy from… HIS realm to sustain me. Perhaps in that way it is not a good thing, right?

Haleigh felt a chill run down her spine at the mention of Set, but she kept her expression neutral.

"Yes… I would venture to say it would be best if you did not get comfortable drawing from… Set's… realm."

She went back to eating, quite clearly not wanting to discuss the matter further. Nicolas changed subjects, notifying Zach of some paperwork that needed signing. Haleigh smiled gently, as Zach shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

Zach: "I appreciate the gesture, but you don't need to do that, Nicolas."

Haleigh gave Zach a soft pat on the knee as Nicolas got up and said he'd meet Haleigh in the car.

"Nicolas spends his free time plotting ways to give his money away. The rest of us just humor him."

Zach: "Well it's generous but completely unnecessary."

"Of course it is, sweetheart. You don't have to accept if you don't want to."

Zach: "WELL… I wouldn't want to offend him by rejecting his gift. [winking] Leave your plate, I'll take care of the mess."

He offered, and Haleigh smiled and gave him a kiss as she rose to get dressed. Once she was fully suited, she appeared in the passenger seat of his car, running a quick, precautionary systems diagnostics test on the Bugatti Veyron, partially to make sure everything was in order, and partially to admire what was under the hood.

[Amusedly] "Hmm… and I thought my DB9 was a gas hog. Still… it's quite a feat of engineering. [after a beat] Don't take Santa Monica, traffic is backed up due to an accident. Venice Blvd would be better. Shall I upload the route to your car's navigation system, or will you just extract it from my mind?"

 

[MorningStar]

"It's odd I would have thought i'd known that Morgan owned property in Los Angeles..."

Delilah shrugged. "I think she and Karen bought it recently."

"On the subject of Nicolas. I am floored. What the hell is wrong with hi-- both of them? Looks as if he's trying to take my old position as the token asshole.."

Delilah scoffed. "Yeah, except that you would have at least admitted to being an asshole. Nicolas acts like he's done absolutely nothing wrong and that MORGAN is the one who is wrong for not immediately forgiving him. Did I mentioned he used his powers on me...TWICE?" She shook her head. "He flaunted his relationship with Haleigh in front of Morgan's face, then when he thought he might have a CHANCE of getting back with Morgan, he kicked Haleigh to the curb. I can't believe she even SPEAKS to him. Add to that that he acts like he's the only one who's put his life on the line for somebody else and..."

She looked up from where she had been ripping the remains of her scone to shreds. She brushed her hands together to get the crumbs off.

"Let's just say there's no love lost between us. And Mike of course doesn't think Nicolas can do any wrong."

"Haleigh's not married or anything like that? And Sharon.. how is she the way she IS now? It's incredible! And are we staying here? Is Illustra still intact? What's everyone up to.. and who the hell are the Zacchara's and why is anyone associating with them?"

"Haleigh..." Delilah laughed and raised her eyebrows. "No, she's not married. She found out Zach slept with Sharon and that engagement ended right quick. But he's back" she made airquotes and rolled her eyes "now supposedly. But with Haleigh, who really knows?"

She took a long drink. This was more talking than Delilah had done in the entire past three weeks.

"As for Sharon...MysTech experiment. She didn't handle it so well at first, but she's calmed down a lot since. She's more like her old self." Delilah stopped and cocked her head, thinking for a sec. "Actually, she's nothing like her old self." Delilah sighed. "Well, she's a paradox, I guess."

"Your guess is as good as mine as far as the Zacchara's. They moved in to Melrose Place just after we did. Sharon knew them - and didn't like them - and I think Haleigh had heard of them. I remember the name from ny time on the force, but never dealt with the girls. They have ties to the mob, and Claudia's a real bitch who pretty much tried to RUIN Morgan. Who rightly threw their asses out of here. I'd be perfectly happy if we never had anything to do with them again."

She raised an eyebrow at Cameron.

"Anything else you want to know? Eye color? Bra size?"

 

[Prophet]

Starbucks on Wilshire

:: Cameron listened intently as Delilah gave him the lowdown on things that had happened in his absence. There was the usual end of the world drama but more intriguing was the intense amount of emotional trauma everybody had suffered over the past few months, and secretly it made him happy that he wasn't there, in a way. The telepath smirked at Morningstar as she threw in her last little bit. ::

"I'm telling ya Trelaven, you should come with a two drink minimum."

:: He laughed, finishing off the rest of his coffee and he let out a big sigh. ::

"But I think I am good.. at least for now. Everyone will probably be up and moving around by now if you wanna head back, though the mood does seem rather quiet without Morgan and Alison and Blaze. It's nice eh?"

:: Cameron winked at Delilah as he threw his coffee away and proceeded to eat the rest of his croissant. ::

"I guess my last question is.. do you want to know anything. About me?"

:: He didn't really WANT to discuss it because he felt like people were looking for answers he just couldn't give and that most wouldn't understand, but he figured he would go out on a limb for Delilah since they were starting on the path of trust. ::

 

[MorningStar]

"I'm telling you Trelaven, you should come with a two drink minimum."

Delilah coughed and some frappaccino went up her nose.

"Damn, right."

"...Everyone will probably be up and moving around by now if you wanna head back, though the mood does seem rather quiet without Morgan and Alison and Blaze. It's nice eh?"

"Like the calm after a hurricane." She laughed. It was nice to just sit and talk, without being judged. "You're okay, King. Though you might wanna think about changing your name legally...don't want people to confuse you with the other one."

As they got up to return to Melrose Place, Cameron asked if she wanted to know anything about him.

"I don't want to pry...but if you don't mind me asking. Who IS the best shag you've ever had?"

Delilah smiled over at him, then she looked away as she got serious. "I'm not going to pretend I'm not curious. But if you want to talk about what happened to you, I'm a good listener. Despite the whole Nicolas is the devil part of the earlier conversation."

 

[Prophet]

Starbucks on Wilshire

:: Cameron laughed out loud as Delilah asked who was the best shag he ever had! Who knew Delilah was such a comedian? He coughed a little to get over the laugh attack. ::

"Alexis Quartermaine hands down. But only when she was had fallen off the wagon. But seriously.."

:: He looked down trying to formulate the right words. It really wasn't all that complicated he just didn't know how to get it across. ::

"It's like this.. the somewhat abridged version. I just got a second chance at this whole game called life. I had all this pressure from EVERYONE. I was freaked out to be quite honest, that I would fail everyone. I had promised I wouldn't be the same guy I was before. I wouldn't push people to the edge, I wouldn't be an asshole.. and to be quite honest..."

:: Cameron cleared his throat a little nervous. ::

"I had no clue how to do that.. It's how I survived. I did have a life that required it. A little bit you know about from that big old group therapy session we had so long ago. But when I got it all out, when I realized that I had a long and HARD road ahead of me... I knew I had to leave. I mean it may sound childish but I don't really CARE ya know? How could I have stayed? Alison was gone, Haleigh was engaged to Zach, Nicolas seemed like my replacement.. I had to get out I knew I would just fail, and I couldn't do that..."

:: putting his hand under his chin. ::

"I came back to Los Angeles to get away from EVERYONE. It was selfish and I know that but even now I know it's the best decision I made. I got my quote on quote sobriety. I stayed at my compound in the city and pretty much just worked on myself. I excerised, I meditated, I trained, and it WORKED. For the first time in my life I think I was happy, and I knew I was strong.. and then I heard Alison was dead..."

:: He let out a big sigh, his chest expanding and then exhaling. ::

"I spent HOURS day after day on the Astral Plane looking for her. I felt I was the only one who could reach her, who could bring her back, and then.. well you know what happened with Barbas..."

:: Cameron picked up a few crumbs from his pastry and ate them quickly, rubbing his fingers together. ::

"I think the Powers that Be work in mysterious ways. I've tried to get away from this "destiny" so many times and I can't stay gone for long. So after being rescued once AGAIN and believe me when I say, no one is more tired of THAT than I am.. save for maybe Alison, I knew I had to stay. It was a sign. This was where I am supposed to be. I know I have had to make apologies and I am sorry for just up and leaving without telling anybody but I am not sorry that I LEFT, because.. well.. it really saved my soul, Trelaven.."

:: He smiled softly at Delilah before rolling his eyes. ::

"So.. now you know.. I don't know I feel like we should at least hug or braid each other's hair or something... but, how about we get back to Melrose?"

:: Prophet stood up and pushed in his chair ::

"But I have to say, this was.. ENJOYABLE. I had fun, and from now on, just know I got your back, alright?"

 

[MorningStar]

“Go Alexis…” Delilah said quietly.

Cameron told his story, and Delilah noticed how familiar it sounded.

"So.. now you know.. I don't know I feel like we should at least hug or braid each other's hair or something... but, how about we get back to Melrose?"

“Aw, come ‘ere King.” Delilah pulled Cameron into a half hug, half head lock and mussed his hair and laughed.

“But seriously, I know exactly how you felt. After…Bishop…I had planned to leave the team, go away, clear my head. But Alison wouldn’t let me leave…”

She walked outside with Cameron.

“But I DO understand. And I DO have your back too. So if you need anything, just ask.”

She smiled. At this moment, Cameron felt like a little brother to her, too.

 

[Seer]

and time passes

<< the day moves along. Cameron is finding his way back, figuring out his place in the Six, one aspect of his life that was very important and yet so changed now.>>

<< He didnt have Alison here but he knew she was still apart of the team's extended family and now he and Haleigh were the only original members present. Even Morgan was away for an indefinate period of time.>>

<< still the young man was feeling is way carefully, maybe not as carefull as he should be though, given his growing curiosity about Sharon Kelly.>>

<< Ava, now back with the team , her sister and civilization was also adjusting but for her, being more of a complete woman..not a goddess or "team mate" as her focus. enjoying her time with her latest companion and leisure. She come so far...and considering that she was essentially "half of two people" in one body from another timeline, she was doing quite well after all she'd been through since being here.>>

<< Nicolas, ever hopefull for Morgan, was tempered by her reserved response to him. He'd visited her and she was ...gracious, but there came a time where she asked him to leave her be. She needed time away from it all and with Blaze there with her, there was no reason to think she wouldnt be safe on Aerie. The road of forgiveness was not easily traveled for her. Back in L.A. Nicolas began exploring his business ventures, including a partnership with Haleigh. He also began looking to satisfy his own..."needs". Still, he was doing a good job babysitting Morgan's small white kitten in the witch's absence. He could be counted on for something AFTER all! >>

<< after a day of of activity for the members of the current roster, most had returned to Melrose Place it was now early evening and smooth jazz played through the complex's outdoor soundsystem. Sharon, who relished in not having any particular obligations at this time, was sitting out in the courtyard reading while her gryfalcons perached high above in one of the trees overlooking the large interior spanish courtyard.>>

<< despite her returning to a sense of normal, the mutate couldnt help but pick up on the unsettled feeling that certain people had toward her. Not Delilah, Not Nicolas...but HALEIGH AND ZACH. and then of course there was Cameron, though his feeling..at least what his heart beat and breathing told Sharon, was something else. she STILL didnrt know what to make of that or what she'd do about it.>>

<< for now though, something else would become apparent, the need to resolve an old , unsettled issue.>>

 

[Silver Swan]

MP- Courtyard

[ she heard cars pulling up on Melrose Avenue and people coming, she knew who all was there by their vocal patterns even from the smallest whisper. she sat, uninterested in the coming arrivals as she crossed her legs at the knee.]


[ after hearing Ava carrying on like a wild cat in heat at consistent intervals through the day, the mutate had more than enough clues as to THAT woman's physical condition. apparently self imposed exile on Aerie did wonders for her centuries old libido ]

[ truth be told Sharon was rather annoyed at the idea of Zach being here. Not because of HIM, but because she KNEW Haleigh would act stupid toward her now that he was back. She wasnt sure how much of THAT she would tolerate.]

[ as she heard Haleigh and Zach's voices along with Nicolas' her face frowned up JUST a bit.]

Maybe I shouldve gone to Aerie. Between Scarlett O'Hara being gone with the wind in her apartment and Linda Hamilton returning with Little boy blue...i dont know which is worse!

[Sharon thought as they made their way into the courtyard.]

 

[Prophet]

Melrose Place - Courtyard

:: Cameron pulled into the parking lot as he turned off his car and popped the trunk, taking out several large shopping bags from various places in Los Angeles. He had needed to do some shopping. The day had been quite peaceful and he figured that the best way to KEEP it peaceful was to spend the day OUT of the complex. So he went around and picked up some clothes, accents for his apartments and other things of the sort. ::

:: As he made his way to the courtyard he was met with an awkward situation. Haleigh. Zach. Nicolas. How gloriously uncomfortable. Cameron sighed heavily as he made his way through the courtyard and up to his apartment where he set down his bag, opened his fridge, grabbed two beers and headed back down to the courtyard where Sharon was. ::

"Fancy a beverage, Sharon?"

:: The telepath gestured down to the cold beer in his hand. He knew Sharon Kelly was a classy woman but sometimes in Los Angeles with all the damn heat a BEER was exactly the right thing to drink. ::

"It may not be Pinot, but I think it will suffice for the heat. It's starting to cool down a little though.."

:: He did his best to ignore Haleigh and her companions, and hey the fact that Haleigh would see him yet AGAIN with Sharon didn't necessarily hurt either. She seemed to be eyeing him rather ominously. He sat down on one of the lounge chairs. ::

"In any case.. how was your day?"

 

[Black Widow]

The sun is setting over Melrose as Zach's sleek Mercedes S65 AMG pulls up to the curb, with Haleigh's Aston Martin shadowing it closely, almost as if it were being towed-- and it was, in a sense. Both Haleigh and Zach emerged from the Mercedes and the cars drove off to park themselves. They get out, laughing as Haleigh continued to delightfully relay the outcome of her workout session with Nicolas.

"You should have SEEN his face when I slammed him on his back. It was so priceless."

They began to stroll up the sidewalk to the main entrance of Melrose, hand in hand, when they heard the purr of Nic's car behind them. Nic hopped out, looked extremely pleased with himself and requested the 'valet service' with good spirits. Haleigh nodded and off zoomed his unoccupied car, as Nicolas hastened his walk to join the couple on their way in.

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear…. I was JUST telling Zach all about how I OWNED you in the danger room today. Don't bother denying it."

Cameron bustled by them, laden with bags and in an extreme hurry but it was a surprise to no one. He never tried to make small talk anymore. Haleigh suppressed a sigh, and Zach, sensing her disappointment, gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Haleigh moved on to something more pleasant.

"So, Nic…. How did you enjoy your outing on the empress? I trust you ate dinner… because you SAID you'd planned on it and Zach and I went out for dinner."

They passed through the wrought iron gate into the courtyard. Haleigh nearly stopped dead in her tracks but had the presence of mind to smoothly keep moving. Sharon was there… sitting in the courtyard… pretending to 'read.'

As IF no one would see through THAT. Please. She can't read in her own damn apartment? She spends ALL HER TIME in the courtyard, watching everyone come and go… staring at people with her creepy, beady silver HAWKEYES… tossing dirty looks everywhere…. practically forcing people to acknowledge her presence because we have to PASS her to get to our doors… ugh.

Zach: "Good Evening, Sharon."

He said politely. Haleigh was going to attempt to do the same, but down the stairs traipsed Cameron, offering Sharon a drink and chatting about the weather. He even asked how her day was. It stung like a slap in the face. Was he TRYING to offend her openly now? It wasn't enough to deliberately snub her, ignore her and visibly avoid her…. He had to tease her as well. Haleigh clenched her jaw in indignation, unable to stop herself from glowering at him. And Sharon, who was ENCOURAGING the whole ridiculous thing, as IF she had any interest at ALL in Cameron, WHICH SHE DIDN'T. Haleigh and Zach still had to cross the length of the courtyard to get to her apartment, and the position of the pool meant they had to walk rather close by where Sharon and Cameron sat. Haleigh tried not to scowl... how she cursed the layout of the complex. She couldn't walk the long way around the pool, that'd be embarrassingly obvious... nor could they simply teleport to her apartment, for that would be a type of surrender Haleigh would not resign to. No... they would walk by, and Haleigh would have to do her best to avoid glaring at them the whole way. Haleigh wrenched her gaze from Cameron and Sharon to look at Nicolas with nonchalance.

"Well Nicolas, I hope you enjoy the rest of your night. It's time Zach and I retired for the evening."

 

[Silver Swan]

in the courtyard

[ Sharon let her book down a bit as she looked with an unwavering glare upon the new arrivals, tolerant of one, irritated with two. the 4th one seemed to HURRY back down to join her in a nearby lounge chair, offering her...a BEER!?]

Hello again, Cameron.

well...isnt this amusing.


[she said with a low tone as she took the beer.]

[ he engaged her in small talk. what could he POSSIBLY have to talk with HER about? why would he? it may have been unfair of her, but since EVERYONE ELSE, EXCEPT Morgan and Nicolas had regarded her as a MONSTER at some point, why wouldnt HE? Still, he wasnt like the other men here, which helped ALOT and he WAS Alison's brother. Maybe that would count for something.]

Thank you for being so...thoughtfull. Which is more than can be said for other people around here lately.

[ looking dead at Haleigh.]

and their RUDENESS.

Zach: "Good Evening, Sharon."

Good EVENING, Zach. I hope your speaking to me doesnt get you into trouble with your WARDEN...i mean girlfriend.

[ Sharon feigns concern as she mockingly lifts her beer can to Haleigh in a "toast". Sharon couldnt read thoughts, but she could HEAR anything, including the subtle changes in a person's body, bloodflow, heartbeat...anything that was effected by emotion changes, including anger and JEALOUSY.]

[ Zach could TRY to keep the peace but this was an inevitable conflict, considering Haleigh holding something against Sharon for MONTHS now that had yet to be addressed and resolved.]

 

[Persephone]

Tangled in a mess of satin sheets, needless to say it had been a exhausting day. Making up three weeks worth of sex in seven hours, it was a pretty impressive task....one that Ava was unaware Sharon heard. But, it serves her right for laying around the pool deck all day listening in on people's private affairs!

James: We've been in here all day.

Softly moving her lips along James' collar bone, Ava interlinked her fingers with his.

"Noo....we were in the living room.....the kitchen.....the guest bedroom you refused to sleep in..."

James: I like that bedroom...

"Yeah, uh huh."

Softly chuckling, Ava climbed on top of James, moving her lips to his. After a day like today, she was beginning to wonder why she even went to Arie? She should have just gone to James' flat and spent her month of self imposed exile there. At least then she would have enjoyed herself a little more.

James: [between kisses] As much....as i'm enjoying...this.....didn't you have dinner plans...with your sister?

With her fingers still interlinked with his, Ava pinned his hands down above his head, grinning at him.

"She'll understand."

James: Av...you're making this REALLY difficult.

A sexy throaty giggle could be heard as she trailed a line of kisses down James' neck, fully preparing to 'take advantage of him'. However, Ava stopped mid kiss, sitting up and looking toward the bedroom window that overlooked the main courtyard.

"Uh oh.."

James: What's wrong?

Hearing the voices of Sharon, Haleigh, Cameron, and Zach....that was a GIANT recipe for disaster. Haleigh was extremely resentful about Sharon being involved with Zach. Cameron was avoiding Haleigh like the plague because of her involvement with both Zach AND Nicolas. And Sharon was just....Sharon. Throw all three into the same area with Zach in tow? Not good.

"Maybe dinner wouldn't be such a bad idea..."

Looking down at James, he had a puzzled look on his face.

"Haleigh, Cameron, Zach, and Sharon."

That was all he needed to hear in order to understand. Although James wasn't a permanent fixture in the six, he knew the ins and outs of the group. Ava had no reason to hide anything from him, and it was nice to talk to someone outside of the group to get their insight on different situations.

James: You better hurry then.

Not having to tell her twice, Ava climbed off James; he playfully spanking her ass as she got off the bed. Throwing him a glare, she quickly grabbed her robe and headed for the front door. Walking out onto the second floor walkway overlooking the courtyard, Ava saw what could be a bitch fight just WAITING to happen.

Sharon: Good EVENING, Zach. I hope your speaking to me doesnt get you into trouble with your WARDEN...i mean girlfriend.

[clearing her throat] "Hey...Dinner's already on it's way. Why don't you and Zach come up for some drinks before it gets here."

 

[Rampage]

"You should have SEEN his face when I slammed him on his back. It was so priceless."

As Nicolas rolled up, he laughed as Haleigh detailed her exploits earlier in their sparring. She was a fighting and killing machine; on days like today, Nicolas often fought and let her "let loose", seeing how much damage he could take. It was CONSIDERABLE, and the rest of the Six could sleep soundly knowing that he was her punching bag and not them. Still, it was spirited, and it taught him to battle without TK and/or telepathic "cheating".\

He pulled in and hopped out, sticking his tongue out at Haleigh as he nodded towards the car while catching up to them.

Valet treatment please.

Haleigh obliged and then went back to sticking it to the demigod.

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear…. I was JUST telling Zach all about how I OWNED you in the danger room today. Don't bother denying it."

Zach...what would you have thought if I had brought back your prize all broken up? I decided to do you a favor today and LET her win. Isn't that right, shorty?

Nicolas laughing loudly as he said this, simply pulling the mutate's chain and throwing in a height joke for good measure. Nothing could dampen his modd after the past few hours. A smooth run on a world-class yacht, a full-body massage and...well let's just say the young man was certainly in a good mood.

Seriously, she was in rare form today Zach. Make sure you don't piss her off. If you do...don't call me.

They all walked in to see Sharon lounging in th ecourtyard. Nicola shad no quarrel with her; indeed, they had gotten along fine, better than he'd hoped considering, but he could feel the tension between her and Haleigh as thick as chowder. Zach spoke pleasantly to Sharon.

Zach: "Good Evening, Sharon."

She did not answer immediately, and it got no better when Cameron came down and spoke to her, ignoring the three of them as Sharon finally responded.

Good EVENING, Zach. I hope your speaking to me doesnt get you into trouble with your WARDEN...i mean girlfriend.

Nicolas' right eyebrow raised at the comment, catty and sharp. He decided that he needed to say SOMETHING just as Ava made her appearance.

[clearing her throat] "Hey...Dinner's already on it's way. Why don't you and Zach come up for some drinks before it gets here."

Hey Sharon...Cameron. Sharon, I was hoping you would join me for dinner this evening. Cameron, you are welcome to come if you wish. We can go to a restaurant or I can cook. A friend reminded me that I need to eat regularly and so I am heeding that advice. Besides, we haven't talked in some time now.

 

[Silver Swan]

MP - courtyard

[ Sharon sat there, looking unapologetic as she made an obviously catty remark toward Haleigh. Ava appeared inviting Haleigh and Zach to dinner. and Sharon was sorely tempted to put HER on blast for being a cat in heat for most of the day. How could she POSSIBLY have time to clean up after herself while laying on her BACK most of the day?]

[ but why bother? They HAD found some solid ground between them a while back and Ava was ...AT TIMES...seemingly more logical and mature than Haleigh ]

[ Sharon closes her book and sets it down.]

See all the things you've MISSED, Cameron?

[ She said with a mocking tone.]

Hey Sharon...Cameron. Sharon, I was hoping you would join me for dinner this evening. Cameron, you are welcome to come if you wish. We can go to a restaurant or I can cook. A friend reminded me that I need to eat regularly and so I am heeding that advice. Besides, we haven't talked in some time now.

Hello Nicolas.

[ taking a moment to admire her perfectly manicured silver nails before looking at the young man]

Yes, a restaurant sounds just fine. As long as you dont bring one of your little tarts with you. Itll be a pleasant change from all the HEAVY BREATHING [Ava] that has filled the apartment today.

[ standing up she looks down at Cameron.]

You look a little lost...and hungry. Why dont you join me?

[ While the idea of dinner out sounded appealing if for no other reason than to just hear something OTHER than Ava panting like bitch in heat for hours on end Sharon had little tolerance for the young creatures Nicolas was dating POST Morgan (and Haleigh). Morgan was in her 30's and definately of a different mind set and even Haleigh was preferrable to some of these bimbos that Nicolas now employed (and slept with). Sharon had no problems with Nicolas and her history with him ran deep, but even HE couldnt keep her from speaking her mind when she wanted to.]