Dischord is in the air

[Seer]

<< inside Illustra, and now in a conference room of one of the lower floors, the members of the six, dr. victoria and a JUST NOW RETURNED Cameron King arrive. Some seat themselves, others stand but there is a rushed, confused and even UPSET feeling among the team.>>

<< their own agitation temporarily negates the ongoing question "what the hell is going on with the birds?" and while they grapple with Cameron's return, there are OTHERS who are well aware of what is going on..and already plotting ways to take advantage of it.>>

<< zoom across town and to the derilict building. below ground and into the covert, fortified cell where the last remnants of MYSTECH now hide...and plot.>>

suit 1: did you get the massive energy readings at St. Patricks when IT was there?

suit 2: sensors indicating that temporal fields were suspended but even with our sensors on IT...we could not detect or get a visual on the source of the temporal distortion.

<< meaning, they could not get a fix on Ororo.>>

suit 3: but IT was talking to someone else...wasnt it? or perhaps it's own programming is faulty.

suit 1: weird happenings are nothing new for this specimen. it is accustomed to things out of the ordinary but apparently MALICE wasnt as good as she THOUGHT she was.

<< the computer scan and visual feed from haleigh shows the return of CAMERON KING.>>

suit 1: that's Cameron King, aka Prophet. mutant, telepath and owner of king enterprises. his mother was an operative of the six before being killed during her battle with Valiant, the team where we first had contact with Spellbinder and Foxfire. HE is the brother of the precog, Alison Marble. His OTHER sister, Erika King was a witch but apparently not a good one. She was compelled by Malice to help in the capture and torture of him. He obviously survived his ordeal with them.

<< they watch the liquid crystal display screen as Morgan and the others react. they have NO idea that Haleigh is now a raving security risk..even as they react poorly to Cameron's return.>>

Suit 2: this is the moment we need! we can activate a system wide failure of it's memory files and cause massive feedbacks to bring about confusion and random malfunctions. the second step in our plan to render it weak and prime it for capture.

suit 3: it's almost too easy. isnt it? with it's now erratic state of being and the influx of emotions caused by the return of its former ally and even sexual partner it is now disjointed, LESS than aware of other situations.

suit 1: agreed. activate the subroutines associated with memory and function, begin a gradual disruption to cause memory feedback and malfunction. this will ADD to its confusion and discomfort.

<< suit 1 stands up.>>

suit 1: i'm going to check on the status of our new subject. i just received an alert that the memory feed is complete and it can be brought "online" and fully conscious at anytime. we'll need to do a test run.

<< and with that, one man leaves, while the other two begin activating deep hidden subroutines within Haleigh's core that will cause repressed memories AND feelings to be forced to the surface at the most random moments. she will experience a gradual loss of collective and control that will only get WORSE, even causing PHYSICAL illness as it progresses. but even the mightiest of floods start with a single drop or trickle...and so they take care not to OVERLOAD.>>

<< and so it begins...the pain of FINDING a lost team mate while still dealing with the pain of LOSING another...and the personal pain that Haleigh is about to experience will only ADD to it.>>

and so we watch

 

[Prophet]

Illustra - Conference Room

:: Cameron looked over to Nicholas as he simply nodded and shook his head politely,continuing to look at Morgan as she too went on her own sort of reaction about how awful he was for not telling anybody that he had left. Jesus, he hadn't planned on being gone very long! A DAY if that! He had gone to see his sister in Los Angeles for lunch and he never came back! That wasn't his fault, and he wasn't going to feel sorry for the Six about that. He sighed as Morgan talked to him with anger and pain. She kept speaking of Alison, and how much he hurt HER, and that was getting to him the most. He began to talk as they made their way into the elevator, once safe inside the elevator, Cameron spoke. ::

"You know the things that hurt MOST Morgan? I thought YOU were dead, the last thing Ororo showed me of you was you getting dragged into the Siege Perilous. I thought for that moment that I would never see you again. I don't give a DAMN about the differences we have HAD in the past, it is the PAST, and we were both DEAD in the past. All I knew is that when I saw YOU, standing there, ALIVE, I didn't give a shit about anything else! I was glad that you were still breathing, but when you see me, when you see Cameron standing in front of you, you think of how much I hurt Alison and the whole team with circumstances out of my control."

:: He turned for a quick second, not raising his voice whatsoever or yelling at all. He was speaking very clear, very CONCISE and very to the point, he wanted to show that he wasn't going to be the angry womanizer again. He was going to be an adult, he was going to plead his case. ::

"I had went to Los Angeles to see my sister at her estate, and never came back. I was captured and tortured for MONTHS by my own SISTER and MALICE. I could barely think about ANYTHING let alone other people. My mind was fragile! I couldn't think, move, barely speak. I was bloody and bruised and left for dead. The next thing I knew I was awakening in the Gardens of Limbo, taken there to recover, to return. Had I any CLUE what you all were to go through, I would have come back in a SECOND! I would have come back battered, bloodied, bruised. I know I hurt Alison but you don't understand Morgan is that the ONE person I wanted to see, the ONE person I wanted to hold, the ONE person I thought would have my back was ALISON. Say all that you want, I know that she WOULD have been happy to see me. I feel like I am being blamed for Erika, you all may not have been fond of her but she was my SISTER, for god sake's, let's not forget I never had any family at all up until recently. The one sister I found out I had, disliked me as much as I disliked her, I clang to Erika. Sorry I made an error in judgement, but don't pretend like you knew all along Morgan, because you didn't know what she would do, not even Ororo did. That is all I have to say, if this is TOO much for you to deal with, if you can't possibly ever accept me back into your life, if Haleigh can't either, I will leave, I will go the Parthenon, but I won't stop helping the SIX, call me whatever YOU want, I am over fighting with ANY of you... I just wanted my family back, I know I was stupid to think that this would be all hunky dorey, but a guy can dream I guess."

:: He looked down and let Morgan take in his words. He had said alot and it was alot to take in. All he wanted was to have Morgan look at it from his sister's point of view, as much as she may have been hesitant, Alison would have walked through fire for her brother, though she would never admit that outloud, and Morgan KNEW that. Morgan knew that Cameron was an asset to the group, she knew he was a founding member of the group and she KNEW this was a part of his destiny. ::

 

[Spellbinder]

Illustra- conference room

<< Morgan looked rather disjointed as Cameron continued to reference the Seige Perilous. that was a moment in her life where EVERYTHING had came to an end and there was NOTHING she could do about it. in her last moments...when Haleigh tried VALIANTLY to save her, she was hoping PRAYING that Haleigh would KEEP her from being swallowed into that cosmic oblivion..but then it was OVER, she was pulled in and everything she knew..everything she was...was LOST.>>

<< for HIM to speak on this...it UPSET HER because it was one of the moments in her life where she felt weak and out of control...and worse...AFRAID! after all..who WANTS to die?>>

<< shaking her head.>>

I gave my LIFE but it wasnt enough to save Sharon and MANY citizens of NYC died that night. I gave my LIFE to tip the scales..to ATONE for what i had done during the INFERNO...but i didnt WANT to die....i just did what i had to do to save my friends...and what was left of the city. I had already failed Sharon, i wasnt about to fail THEM.

<< the inferno, another source of shame for morgan>>


and how DARE you bring that up! You weren't even there! you LEFT as soon as we returned from Limbo following NERVOUS! YOU WERENT THERE!! maybe if you HAD BEEN...YOU COULDVE HELPD SAVE SHARON or helped the team...or ANTICIPATED that Shockwave was a ticking time bomb just WAITING TO HAPPEN! but NO! you just HAD TO LEAVE and didnt have the DECENCY to tell ANYONE where you were going. Not your sister...not even HALEIGH.

<< it was no secret that those two had LOVE for each other and Morgan was not the onlyone in the room who knew just how deep it was.>>

Alison TRIED to find you later...but could not. MAYBE if we had had ANY clue as to where or WHY you were leaving..it could have made the difference. do you REALLY think we would have LEFT YOU TO DIE at the hands of Malice and Erika if we'd known? when we found out....ALISON lost herself and LEVELED the terrordome...it was the most terrifying thing i'd seen from her in a LONG time and coming from ME...that says ALOT.




<< breathing and calming down.>>

I don't know what you expected me to do today , Cameron. When you died...I grieved for you as a fallen team mate..but we were NEVER that close. Our history has been rocky and while we were beginning to recover from that, you LEFT before any real progress could be made. ALISON was my friend...and i ALWAYS had her best interest at heart. You may not have had a family, but when you showed up...you REMINDED HER of why SHE LEFT HER FAMILY. You judged her at EVERY TURN and you lauded Erika as if she were the MESSIAH and i KNEW that she was PHONEY.

True i may not have known just how far she would go, but the simple fact that she chose YOUR FUNERAL as the time to ATTACK Alison shows just how spineless and WEAK she was. She DESERVED death.

I can't just ACT like everything will be okay Cameron because it's NOT. We've LOST Alison...she's not DEAD but it FEELS LIKE an ETERNITY now seperates us from her and now you're here...as suddenly as SHE left. what did you THINK would happen? we'd throw a GALA?

 

[Black Widow]

Thankfully, no one reacted using their powers, and the spare [photog] was taken care of quickly, as the whole group moved inside to a state of the art conference room to talk this through in private. Haleigh being the first to know about this, was coming to terms with it better, as she seated herself at the table. As Cameron became dejected over both Morgan's and Haleigh adverse reactions to his return, Haleigh seemed to soften... she placed her hand on his gently, and none of those present [aside from Zach, Cameron, and Haleigh herself] would have even the slightest idea that HALEIGH'S own initial reaction was negative.... indeed.... it seemed like it almost hadn't happened.... or she'd FORGOT all the yelling they had done.


"Cameron... no.... it's not that.... it's just... this is a LOT to drop on a person all of a sudden... even people like US, who have made beyond the grave comebacks of our OWN. You've got to give us a chance to GRASP the idea... it just takes ti--"

She stops suddenly, recoiling, taking her hand back from his and covering her eyes as she gives a pained gasp. Anyone with a view of the monitors MAY catch a quick flickering, but it is both subtle AND brief. Haleigh internally experiences the emotion that struck her the moment she found out Cameron was dead... and the awful memories of Malice taunting her about it, followed by Morgan's last seconds... and her SCREAM. But the memories are fleeting and disorganized, they overlap each other and are cut into bits, and shuffled around like a deck of cards... and they happen so quickly that by the time Zach asks what's wrong, they are gone again.

"I... don't know. I'm okay... I just have a terrible headache all of a sudden."

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra

<< once inside, Karen took a seat as well, assessing the situation and those most deeply affected by it. Persephone and Nicolas had the least to gain or lose in this situation and they would help to control the situation if it became violent. Delilah, while having been aquainted with Cameron, did not know him that well and would most likely serve to help Morgan if she became too unhinged. unfortunately though, Haleigh didnt have any personal buffer. Zach was more than cast into an awkward light by this shocking turn of events...and with the coming of their wedding..he HAD to be rather upset himself. Karen kept an eye on him and Haleigh while her daughter and Cameron exchanged words.>>

good morgan, be honest, and up front. but dont go out of your way to hurt or insult!

<< Morgan had come a long way. in the earlier days of the six, Cameron would be on the floor with a broken jaw by now and that would have served little. Karen herself was not overly fond of the young mutant, but she couldnt deny him the chance to try to reclaim parts of his life back and part of that included moments like this. it isnt easy to "come back" after being dead and for those who had to mourn and grieve...to find out that it was all for seemingly NOTHING? well THAT is just as painfull.>>

<< she didnt speak. but if she needed to, she would redirect the converasation if it got off course. she didnt have to worry though because a flickering sound got her attention, her eyebrows raised a bit as she turned and her flipped hair followed suit. monitors, all over the room came on and began broadcasting images.>>

what is....

<< she began to ask as they came into view. images...flashing, jaunted and chaotic in their apparence. Malice torturing Haleigh ...and Morgan's last moments...as she was pulled, screaming with fear into the seige perilous. Karen hadnt been there for the moment of her daughter's death. she had to be told by haleigh and alison that night...and to SEE IT now...it was so nauseating for her as she put her hand on her forehead and looked away.>>

what..was that?

 

[Prophet]

Illustra - Conference Room

:: Cameron listened to Morgan yell at him about everything and he decided that THIS time, he was going to just LET her. She was right, what was he thinking? That everyone would just drop everything and grab a pizza, paint toe nails and talk about what boys the girls were interested in since he had been gone, like he had been on a vacation with friends instead of being dead. His death was DIFFERENT. It seemed completely final, it seemed like the death.. that they COULDN'T prevent. The one person in the group that WASN'T coming back. They were finally coming to terms with all of this. He was buried in the ground, his WILL was read and his gravestone was now in a cemetery. ::

"I know, Morgan. I know you are right. I don't know WHAT I thought, but being in Limbo, being by myself, having all this time to reflect, just on me, just on life, the one thing I wanted more than anything was my FAMILY back. Morgan, again we were NEVER close, but it doesn't mean that I didn't MISS you. The way you enter every room with a lofty charm, always dressed to impress. Your one liners. I missed that, no matter HOW twisted our relationship as people may have been. I was out of line. There will never be anything I will be able to do to make up for Erika and it will be something I have to deal with in life. I was so wrong about her, it's not even funny."

:: At this point Haleigh placed his hand on hers and it was as if Cameron HIMSELF forgot what he was saying as she responded. What the heck was up with her. He gently scanned her mind, something was off. Like she wasn't controlling what she was saying, but ZACH seemed like he had everything under control so he turned back to Morgan. ::

"I know I have MISSED alot, Morgan! I know I have not been there! I know that I vanished, but I am not the SAME person I once was, I am not like Erika, I took the lesson and the teaching of Ororo and I LEARNED from it. I know what I have to do, and I know my place is within this team. I know what it is like to miss Alison, Morgan, just like the rest of you. I don't care what I did in the past because I am not that person anymore. I'm not! I am not concerned with the person I was as much as the person I am trying to be. So I leave it in your hands, you don't want me here, I won't stay, I will go find my OWN destiny, but we both know it's here. I am willing to do WHATEVER it takes.. WHATEVER.. IT...TAKES..."

:: He looked to the others in the room, and somewhat apologizes for ostracizing the others during his conversation. ::

"I am sorry for being so involved with Morgan and Haleigh, not letting anyone to get a chance to speak. I know this is difficult for all of you, since you have really no clue who I am other than what you have been told, I just wanted to say, thank you. Thank You for stepping up and being a part of this team, when I could not. Thank You for putting your lives on the line for the people I love, no matter how much they THINK I refuse to show it. Thank You."

 

[Black Widow]

Zach brings Haleigh a glass of water.... watching her carefully. Regardless of how Cameron's return might affect them both, he was more worried about the sudden twist of events... Haleigh RARELY got headaches... if ever she did, something was NOT right, and though he'd been too focused on her to catch sight of the monitors, he knew enough to know that it wasn't JUST a headache. Karen was suddenly withdrawn and looking a little uneasy... and she asked a question that, couple with her reaction, was confusing to Haleigh....

"What do you mean?? What was WHAT?"

She asked, now sounding a tad alarmed. "What did you see--" Haleigh stopped again, DROPPING the glass of water, spilling it all over the table in front of her and the monitors FLARED with images again, this time of the first night in the Citadel, intermixed with the most recent fight to the death with Athena... until they suddenly gave way to a SERENE setting... this time accompanied with sound.... and playing linearly, almost as if a movie... but clearly seen through Haleigh's 'eyes'.

[playing on the monitors]Bunny! Patch and I crawl through the fallen leaves as slowly as we can so that we don't scare it. It looks so pretty... white like magic against the snow spotted brown of the forest floor.

"Look Patchwick! It's the Easter bunny!"

Young Patrick:"Shh Hayee! you'll scare it away. you think it'll give us some peeps?"

I sigh happily. What a great idea. "I love peeps."

The rabbit spooks and takes off through the forest, as footsteps crunch the snow behind us, and someone scoops me up, holding me way over top his head with one arm before dropping me, only to catch me and smile. Okay, it was fun, and a little scary, but I refuse to squeal, and fold my arms instead. Daddy frowns.

"What's wrong baby bear?"

"Daddy, you scared away the Easter bunny! We wanted peeps!"

"Aww sweetie, I'm sorry, I didnt mean to. will you ever forgive your poor stupid father?"

Well... when he begs me like that, how can i say no? "Hmph. I guess so... if you'll share me a candybar."

Daddy laughs softly, tucking me under his arm and picking Patrick up with his other arm. He's so strong... I feel safe.

"You mean if I'll share a candybar with you? Okay, I'll split one with you when we get home, I promise. Alright buckeroos. It's time to break camp before this snow gets too thick to get home."

He brings us back to the campsite, where Mama is laughing and packing up camp, and Mr. and Mrs. Phillips stop teasing each other to kiss as they take down their tent. Daddy sets Patrick down, and he runs to help his parents as Daddy sets me down. I run over to tell Mama the news.

"Mama, I saw the Easter bunny! Daddy scared it away but I forgave him."

Mama is excited and jealous, i can tell. she only ever got to see the eater bunny at the mall, and i tell her that maybe i'll ask him[he's my new friend, after all] to come by and visit. Mama says that will be nice, and I grab a rolled sleeping bag to put in the back of the truck.

"My my, Hunter Davidoff. And here I thought you gave up frightening forest critters. WHAT were you thinking?" She says to him as I give him a stern, four year old look.

******

A couple of hours later, I snuggle between my parents in Daddy's pickup as we drive home. I see the sign for our town, and pretty please Daddy to let me drive. He says okay and I slide happily into his lap, and he lets me have full control for a couple of miles as we passed into the outskirts of town. A woman in white, almost invisible against the snow covered scenery, steps out on the road. Doesn't she see us? Mama cries my Daddy's name in horror, and he grabs the wheel and swerves to miss the woman. The noise is so loud it hurts my ears. The truck skids out of control on the slippery roads, slides down a slight embankment and rolls over. Daddy wraps his arms around me and though its scary, I feel safer. I can feel the world going upside down again, as our truck makes a second roll and then the cold winter air is in my face, and I land on top of Daddy. The truck is way over there... broken. Mr Phillips comes down the hill shouting for us... they were following us home. He sees me and Daddy. I feel okay, having only a few burning scrapes, but Daddy moves slowly and won't sit up. Patrick's father knelt by Daddy, who began to cough up blood.

"Haleigh... are you okay, baby bear?" Daddy asks, and I nod, as he looks up at Mr Phillips. "Jeff... where's Lara?"

"I dunno, Hunt. What happened?? That was a terrible wreck, We've got to get you to a hospital, man. you're in a bad way." He replies. I wonder what he means. Daddy will be okay... he always is. He can pull splinters from his hand without flinching.

"I don't think... you gotta find Lara. What if she's--" Daddy starts, but stops when he hears Mama's shrill cries. He sighs, and Mr. Phillips calls out.

"Here, Lara, we're over here."

Daddy grabs his friend's arm urgently. Why does he seem so worried? "Jeff... [coughs violently] you gotta take care of my girls. Remember our promise?? I'm not gonna make it to a hospital."

Mama reaches us and is immediately at Daddy's side. "Shut UP Hunter, don't you DARE talk like that. You'd goddamn'd better make it, or I'LL bring you back to life and kill you." I don't understand... Daddy is pale white and coughing more and more, and he won't let go of Mr. Phillips.

"Jeff... you remember our promise... you swore, damn it." Jeff nods silently, and Daddy turns to us. "Okay... okay. Lara... honey... I want you... and Haleigh.... to always remember... how much... I--"

He goes quiet and lays his head back, closing his eyes and being still. Mama puts her hand over her mouth, trembling. Mr. Phillips hugs her. Whats the matter? I reach out and touched Daddy, trying to shake him softly.

"Daddy... wake up. Daddy... you can't go to sleep silly... we gotta split a candybar... [frowning]Daddy, you promised. Wake up..."

Mama lifts me up out of the snow, wrapping her parka around me. I realize I've been shivering. Why won't Daddy wake up? He's a light sleeper.

"Sweetie... Daddy's not... going to wake up." Mama says softly, her voice cracking, and I stare at Daddy. Why not? Snow begins to fall again. Mr. Phillips leads us back up the embankment to his truck, where Mrs. Phillips and Patrick are waiting.

Jeff:"Wanda... drive them to Clark County Hospital... send help. Hunter... he's gone."


Haleigh draws in a sharp breath, reacting to the spilt water, seemingly unaware that the ENTIRE group has witnessed the memory lapse she just had....

"Ugh... sorry... gawd.... it feels like someone just STABBED me in the back of the head..." she says sheepishly, as she looks up at the group. "What is it... what's wrong?"

 

[Persephone]

:: Morgan began to yell, causing Ava to look away from the photographer in a plead for them to shut up. Quickly turning her attention back to him, she gave him a quick, fake smile, before laughing at the shouting. ::

"It doesn't look like you'll be meeting with Ms. Victoria or Davidoff today. I will personally send you a check for today's photoshoot in full, in addition to the payment you will recieve for the reschedualed photoshoot on Monday."

:: Nodding to the photographer, even though HE was wrong with the dates, Ava needed him to leave immediately. Boosting his ego seemed to work; not to mention extra cash in his pocket. Shaking his hand as he departed for his van, Ava jogged to opened door leading into Illustra, quickly making her way to the converance room where everyone had gone to. Opening the door, Ava stopped, walking in midway through Haleigh's second batch of visions. Seeing Haleigh's father, she remembered seeing pictures of him when she was a little girl, shortly after his death. Ava always found him handsome, the type of man she would become involved with in a second. But even though she had known Haleigh the longest, she was never actually told how Hunter died. It was a subject that Haleigh's family didn't like speaking about. ::

:: Slowly closing the door, Ava's eyes saddened seeing Haleigh call out for her father after he died. Even seeing Hunter like that was devestating for her. She always saw pictures of him as a strong, confident man. A loving father. A 'hero' type. But to see him laying helpless in the snow moments before dying completely destoryed those beautiful images of that man. Shifting her eyes to Haleigh as she spoke, it was obvious she didn't have a clue what everyone else had just seen. ::

"Haleigh, why don't you sit down. You look pale."

:: Grabbing a bottle of water this time, Ava's stacked heals crushed the broken glass as she walked over to her. Opening the bottle, she handed it to her sister. ::

 

[Spellbinder]

Illustra- conference room

<< Morgan, who still had her white, "oversized" round rimmed escada sun glasses on, had an expression of extreme agitation on her face. she wasnt begrudging Cameron his second chance at life..but the sudden gravity of this whole thing...this "IN YOUR FACE" feeling it was upsetting her, she felt like she was being blasted in the face by a never ending stream of water and that cameron didnt understand. still, she didnt think of him as the enemy.>>

<< as Cameron responded to her, she listened. there was something different about him indeed. he was more feeling. his words were more thoughtfull and he wasnt near as fake and phony as he had been in the past. he actually ADDRESSED the issues she brought up instead of dismissing them and calling her a bitch. but he was still adamant that he wanted his team, his family BACK. and that wasnt wrong at all.>>

<< He had spent time with Ororo and he apparently HEEDED her warnings. Morgan was reminded of that nightmare he had, the night that Helena Quartermaine had crashed their party at the Parthenon...the one that SHE somehow had witnessed or been apart of even though it wasnt HER dream. they had never gotten the chance to talk about it before he disappeared and now here they were, and Cameron was speaking about Ororo and what he'd LEARNED from her! a while back, he despised Ororo for her impartial judgements and for protecting Morgan, now he seemed to respect her. changes indeed.>>

<< Morgan's facial expression softened as Haleigh spoke>>

it's not that i dont want you here....not at all. how can i deny you a second chance when I and at least two other people in this room have similar stories? but as haleigh just said....

<<the monitors flickered on. flashing , hard hitting images of Malice torturing Haleigh, her revealing Cameron's death and then...as if she needed reminding of it the moments of HER OWN death...that SCREAM. morgan closed her eyes and looked down as Karen asked "what was that." >>

<< Morgan looked around as Haleigh asked KAREN what she saw?>>

you didnt see...you didnt HEAR that? the monitors....they...

<< she was interrupted as Haleigh drops her glass and yet ANOTHER scene of sorts played out but this one was longer, more detailed and it became clear that these werent random images with no meaning...these were MEMORIES of HALEIGH'S...the names alone were an indicator of that!>>



patrick...the super soldier...

<< Morgan said softly. this was the man who had come to be one of the most terrifying monsters the six had ever faced...again and again. but here he was...as a young man with his humanity. Morgan couldnt believe it! memories of haleighs. memories that she obviously would have kept secret.>>


<< the scene is so beautifull, Morgan almost feels like she's watching a children's story unfold...but as the families were leaving together...a woman in white appears.>>

malice!!

<< this woman had blighted the lives of EVERYONE in the conference room, save Persephone. Malice. the white queen. she was the crown jewel of MysTech and had begun her campaign of terror in the lives of the six and their families as children and here was the moment where she had arrived...>

curse her..

<< Morgan says softly ...as the tragic scene unfolds. Morgan's sunglasses allow her to look stoic in the face of tragedy but her mind churns with disdain and bitterness.>>


<< the images fade, leaving Morgan standing and at a loss for words.>>

...Haleigh...that was YOU in those images? those are your memories. arent they?

<< Morgan moves over to Haleigh.>>

are you okay??

 

[Prophet]

Illustra - The Conference Room

:: Cameron was calmed by the fact that for the first time ever in their lives' they were having a civil conversation with each other, something that was a BIG first for both of them. They were understanding each other, but in the middle of Morgan's speech, they were interrupted by the monitors in the conference flashing on as moments of Malice torturing Haleigh, Cameron's death was revealed, and then the moments of Morgan's death. ::

:: Haleigh seemed to be the most confused out of everyone as Haleigh dropped her glass of water and more images were flashing on the screen, which Cameron discerned to be memories of Haleigh's. The people everything. It seemed so serene, Haleigh was an absolutely ADORABLE little girl and to see Patrick aka Super Soldier was rather odd. He was one of the biggest menacers of the Six and there he was... human and innocent. It is amazing what humanity can do to a person. ::

:: The accident unfolded as Cameron instinctively recognized Malice. She went that far back with the Six? It was ridiculous and more than ever Cameron wished HE could have been there to see her demise. He couldn't believe that it was HER that caused the accident. Haleigh was just a little girl! This was ridiculous and heart breaking. The images faded and they were left alone. Cameron wanted to hold Haleigh but she didn't seem to know what had gone on. ::

"Haleigh...do you know what just happened? What happened thirty seconds ago? Do you remember?"

:: He stands closer to her and puts his hand on hers ::

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra's conference room

<< at this moment, Karen decided to speak. Cameron needed to understand that he wasnt being rejected, nor would be be turned out into the world alone with no source of support or family....still a bit unsure of what just happened with the monitors and now seeing that she wasnt the only one who saw it...she paused for a moment before speaking.>>

Cameron, Morgan and Haleigh are the only ORIGINAL members of the six left. that should tell you just how much has changed in this group ALONE. Of course they wont reject you or abandon you. you're not the enemy and after all youve been through, how could they do such a thing?

but there IS a period of adjustment that MUST be allowed. You cant expect things to happen in any time table....just rest on the fact that now that you're here, you'll get the help and support you need as you begin your life again. PERSONAL relationships may take time to reestablish but that's how it is...for ALL of us.

<< sound advice from Karen...as a doctor and as a mother. but as Morgan and Haleigh both attempted to level with Cameron...it happened again. the monitors flashing and flickering as once more, images played. this time steady and ordered, like a video clip. a little girl, so young and filled with bright innocence, a young boy..brave and vital. two sets of loving parents who watched over them. This was HALEIGH'S family and friends...the scene was very serene...reminding her of the days when she, christopher and little morgan were a happy family together.>>

<< her experience as a doctor told her that these had to be memories and long hidden repressed ones at that for no one on the team really had any insight into her background and even Karen herself couldnt have seen this with the spell she had cast on Haleigh a while back as she didnt try to go that far back. but all too soon, the scene changed from one of happiness to one of TRAGEDY...with the brief image of a woman in white...>>

<< Karen's eyes narrowed...>>

MALICE!

<< She recognized that woman immediately as the bitterness in her own heart flashed. Malice was the one who stole Christopher and broke up HER family as well. and as the scene ended so tragically with the death of Haleigh's father...Karen's eyes fixed on Haleigh. her memory now on full display for EVERYONE. this was not the kind of dynamic Karen would have chosen for a moment like this.>>

<< as Ava and Morgan went to Haleigh, Karen spoke.>>

Perhaps the sudden shock of Cameron's returning has upset her so much that her own mental defenses are down. sometimes, trauma and extreme confrontation can bring BACK long repressed memories.

<< Karen realized that Haleigh might not understand why she was saying this...if she didnt see the first images, she probably hadnt seen these either..and she anticipated a rather disoriented response.>>

 

[Persephone]

:: Seeing Cameron place his hand on Haleigh, Ava instinctively grabbed his hand, bending it painfully backward. She could tell Haleigh was aggrivated with Cameron, not to mention Morgan as well. From what she read about Cameron King, his ego seemed to enter a room twenty minutes before he did. And with Ava's past history with arrogant men, this boy was already rubbing her the wrong way. ::

"Back off, little man."

:: Any more pressure and Cameron's wrist would completely snap in half. The tension of it being bent backwards in a way wrists shouldn't bend was already painful enough to send a message that Persephone wasn't playing around. ::

 

[Prophet]

Illustra - Conference Room

:: Cameron felt the pain of Ava's touch as she bent his wrist backwards, instinctively protective of Haleigh. He could discern with his telepathic abilities that this woman was Haleigh's sister but had not always been and that she used to be a goddess. He sighed to himself and thought ::

"Note to self, do not mess with this woman.."

:: He tried to relax his wrist as he looked up at Ava and gave a less than enthusiastic half smile. ::

"Point taken, Ava..."

 

[Black Widow]

"Well, yes.. I'm feeling a little dizzy, now that you mention it. Maybe I should sit down."

Haleigh responded, as Ava handed her water in a plastic bottle. She looked around at everyone.... they were acting rather odd. Cameron put his hand on hers and questioned her gently. Confused and slightly insulted, she pulled her hand out from under his.

"Of COURSE I remember, Cameron. I'm not suffering from ALZHEIMERS... I just have a migraine. Honestly..."

She assured absently... but her mind seemed to be on other things, as she thought about what SHE'D just seen... a painful memory she'd long since put away.... she didn't even realize that Ava had taken hold of Cameron... and she STILL didn't seem to be aware that the WHOLE team had been subjected to the same thing she had, through her connection with technology. Zach slowly pulled his eyes from the screens [which were now black except for the warning in white letters: 'No Video Feed Detected'] and looked at Haleigh with a very sad expression. Haleigh briefly made eye contact, confused at his reaction, before Morgan came closer.

...Haleigh...that was YOU in those images? those are your memories. arent they? are you okay??

Even Morgan's demeanor had changed, become more gentle.... Haleigh looked genuinely disoriented at the treatment, but before she could ask what the hell Morgan was talking about... before she could brush it off, Karen spoke:

Perhaps the sudden shock of Cameron's returning has upset her so much that her own mental defenses are down. sometimes, trauma and extreme confrontation can bring BACK long repressed memories.

It began to dawn on Haleigh.... as it all came together... the monitors being on but now blank.... and everyone's sudden concern about her.

"You.... you all saw that? [disjointedly] It was nothing.... just.... a movie i saw the other night.... I...." She pauses, realizing from their faces that they were NOT buying it.... she sighs heavily, reluctantly telling them the truth. "That.... was the day my father died.... my mother and I survived with MINIMAL superficial injuries.... but obviously... our lives would never be the same. I haven't thought about THAT in YEARS.... I don't know WHY it suddenly popped into my head.... but it was BROADCAST for all of you.... thats... I don't know.... never happened before. Maybe.... maybe I've got some kind of computer virus? My.... this is embarrassing."

She admited, as she tried to grapple with the situation.

 

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah followed the others to the conference room. Her eyes darted around - watchful, suspicious. Everyone was taking this all too well, if you asked her. She took a seat at the table, in good view of Cameron. She reached down, and pulled her gun from its ankle holster. She leveled it under the table at Cameron, and clicked off the safety. ]

"Not to minimize Haleigh's pain here, but can we go back to Cameron being alive for a second? How do we know he's really Cameron? You all are being very accepting all of a sudden. First this guy who's supposed to be dead shows up, and now we're all seeing Haleigh's memories in technicolor? Seems mightly suspicious to me...how do we know that blood's not the only thing he has in common with Erika?"

 

[Prophet]

Illustra - The Conference Room

:: As Cameron looked towards Haleigh as she couldn't hide behind her movie story, she revealed that the memory was of the day her Father died, and instantly and naturally people were pointing things towards Cameron. It would make sense, the only thing was is that Cameron KNEW he wasn't doing anything wrong. He heard Delilah make her case and as he scanned her mind he knew about the gun. She was a firecracker, Delilah was, and bright too. He countered back to her. ::

"First, I am SURE that Haleigh can vouch that I am really who I am say I am. Secondly, I do not need to be shot, so unless that gun is for Zach over there, I don't know WHY you have it out. Something is obviously going on with Haleigh. It could be the Techno Organic Virus, maybe something about it is changing or making her go wonky? It's possible right? Because what I can tell is that something is overriding her.. software so to speak..."

:: He shot a glance to Morgan and then to Nicholas as he looked down at his clothes, perhaps he did need something a little different if this night were to escalate to anything else. Cameron asked Nicholas for help in that department. ::

"Meanwhile, I am not going to be help to anyone dressed like I am the second coming of Christ. Nicholas, is that offer still open for something a little more suitable?"

:: Cameron was hoping to get off on the right foot with these people. Ava was physically aggressive, Delilah was weary and Nicholas seemed to be the only one who hadn't done anything to show he was weary of Cameron. Right now it was all that he had. ::

 

[Rampage]

Conference Room

Nicolas sat quietly as the other spoke, allowing the team to work out what was going on. As they spoke, he scanned Cameron's mind. He could no longer attack it, but he could take a look around. NO doubt Cameron would notice eventually, so he made it quick, looking for what he needed to know.

As the meeting moved on, it began to descend into chaos. Haleigh began to broadcast memories into the monitor screens. The first was the death of Morgan via the Siege Perilous. The next was a scene of the death of Haleigh's own father at the hands of MALICE.

The scene had a strong effect on everyone whose lives had been touched by that woman. It was sad to realize that she had started destroying lives so long ago. As Haleigh reacted to the scenes, she dropped her water glass. Ava moved quickly to comfort her sister and to provide a warning to Cameron while Delilah proceeded to level a gun at him under the table. This was not good, and it had the potential to get worse.

Cameron then made the mistake of almost suggesting that Delilah's gun was for Zach. His lack of respect for Haleigh's partner prompted Nicolas to act.

The glass on the floor gathered itself and deposited in the wastebasket. As that occurred, Nicolas looked at Delilah. She was taking no chances, but the weapon needlessly upped the ante. He spoke to her first.

Delilah, please holster your weapon. If Haleigh is projecting her powers unheeded, the chance that she could make that go off is too high for it to be waved around. I am certain that we can ALL behave ourselves, isn't that right Cameron? <<looks at Cameron>>

Now I believe he is the real article. His allowing my quick scan confirms that he know far too much to be otherwise. But for right now Cameron, there are lots of bad converging situations here, so I am going to ask that you keep your distance for a moment and refrain from your disrespect of Zach. Ava, if you don't mind...

Cameron's chair slides back about three feet, away from everyone.

Now let's take a breath and avoid something we will truly regret. First, <<dials a number on his phone>> Hello Mike? Look, pick up a set of clothes, men's medium build pronto. Call me downstairs when you get it. ETA. !0 minutes, Cool. <<looks back at Cameron>> You will have clothing VERY shortly that should fit until we can do better.

Nicolas looks at Haleigh's agitated face before turning to Morgan...

The bigger question for me at the moment is how do we check Haleigh to make sure she is OK?

 

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah switched the gun to her left hand and moved it above the table top - still trained on Cameron - then switched it back to her strong hand. She smirked as Cameron told her he didn't need to be shot. What the hell would he say if he did? ]

"I'll decide if you're a danger to these people myself, thank you very much. And I like my gun where it is, if you don't mind."

[ Nicolas asked her to put her gun up, for safety reasons. She looked at Cameron intently for a few seconds as she thought it over, then bent her arm at the elbow pointing the gun to the ceiling. She clicked on the safety and returned it to its holster. She looked at Nicolas. ]

"No matter - not like I need a gun to take care of this one if I have to."

[ Her eyes flicked back to Cameron. This was all too convenient to be a coincidence. Even if Cameron was who he said - that didn't mean he was here for benificent purposes. Erika had taken them by surprise and needed to be put down - she wouldn't let them make the same mistake twice just because he was a familiar face. ]

 

[Black Widow]

Zach glared at Cameron as he suggested that Delilah turn her gun on HIM. He narrowed his eyes... there wouldn't be much longer he would let Cameron play his little game... the only reason he didnt challenge him NOW was because he didn't want to further distress Haleigh... she was already frustrated and vexed enough. Instead, he opted for a more sly retaliation... he did the one thing he could TELL Cameron wanted to do desperately: He gathered Haleigh in his arms gently, pulling her close as he smirked at Cameron over her shoulder.

Zach:"It's okay baby.... I'm sure we'll figure this out... it's probably nothing. Like Dr. Victoria suggested.... the stress."

He offered, and she nodded absently. Nicolas and Delilah further speculated on Cameron's adverse timing and what might be wrong with Haleigh, as Zach and Haleigh pulled apart. Haleigh crinkled her brow... shaking her head.

"Please.... PLEASE stop talking about me like I've LEFT the room. I am RIGHT here. Now.... I don't know if it IS just stress, or what... but we can run a few diagnostic tests to check for viruses and malfunctions. If theres SOMETHING WRONG, we'll FIX it. If it's simply that I need to RELAX.... then I'll have to find a way to do that... but JUST for sanity's sake, can we STOP jumping on each other?? Delilah, this IS Cameron King. His DNA matches, and I'm not getting any weird readings on him.... and if you aren't comfortable trusting my powers right now, I understand.... but you CAN be comfortable in that ORORO herself came from Limbo and SUSPENDED TIME to reintroduce him... and that must have been VERY difficult for her. I know that you're just being careful, but please.... don't hold Erika's actions against Cameron. He had no control over her... and he paid the ultimate price for it."

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra- conference room

<< shooting an icy glare of disapproval at Cameron, the doctor was NOT impressed with his casual violation of Delilah's thoughts. Delilah was also like a daughter to Karen. She and Alison were the sisters Morgan never had and through the years, both Delilah and Alison had come to form bonds of their own with Karen. Cameron's disdain for Zach was WELL noted but his whole "sweeping in and expecting them to adapt" was very short sighted of him.>>

I see one thing about you hasnt changed with dying, near death or time in limbo

<< karen said in an icy tone>>

you still seem to think that peering into people's mind...especially the ones you called TEAM MATES or FRIENDS...WITHOUT their premission is okay.

<< she continued.>>

I have NEVER cared for you due to your mistreatment of my daughter. It was YOUR fault that she was driven over the edge and murdered her own half sister Blaze and whether or not you've apologize is of NO importance to me. You can't say "sorry" for the kind of damage YOU'VE caused and expect that it will rectify anything.

You have a VERY maladaptive, PARASITIC personality and you can FEIGN enlightenment all you wish....But i've dealt with men like you in my office time and again and they are VERY good at wearing masks.

Here's a lesson in common sense for you. When you've been returned, seemingly from the dead to your team mates and would be friends...and they are having an adjustment reaction, don't take it upon yourself to reach into their minds and violate their privacy. that's something most telepaths don't seem to understand. but I'm going to tell you what i told you last time. Not only is Morgan my daughter...but Alison and Delilah are as well. Stay OUT of Delilah's mind unless she gives you permission!

<< her reprimand was sharp and the tone of her voice was slicing. the doctor had showed this side of herself to Haleigh and Blaze before as well.>>

<< as Delilah trained her gun on Cameron inspite of his efforts to assure her, Nicolas did what he could to keep things calm while Haleigh seemed to be suffering from more than mere stress.>>

I can help with the diagnostic of Haleigh. between my spells and my field experience in mental health....

<< the last time they met, Karen subjected Haleigh to the most INTENSE form of psycho therapy. many people were left PHYSICALLY sick after going through something that and while Haleigh was stronger and more durable than an average human, she too had been affected by that encounter with Karen but she had taken that and LEARNED and used it to move forward.>>

i think the best thing to do is to take her away from this room for now. she needs to be in a calm, quiet place with a cool temperature and low lighting.

<< standing up, she looked at Zach.>>

If you wouldnt mind taking us to one of the office lounges on another floor, Ava, please come with me as well.