Everybody hates Claudia!

[Spellbinder]

her dressing room

<< Spellbinder was listening to the surprise run away hit Bust the windows out your car as she happily received a beautifull boquet of gold glitter kissed roses from MAC. she smirked as she smelled the roses in her dressing room.>>

i ripped your heart out of its chest!

<< she sang along with the song, but changing the lyrics as she looked in her mirror.>>

I didn't know that It would feel SO GOOD!

<< the song plays as Morgan imagines herself ridding herself of the problem of Nicolas once and for all.>>

<< but the moment was interuppted as her mother burst into the dressing room, followed by the others. Morgan quickly turned and looked at her mother with a bemused expression as her mother GLARED at her.>>

what??

I thought it all ended nicely!

<< pretending to act surprised.>>

<< Blaze congratulated her and Morgan giggled with wicked glee as she took her sister's hand into her own and gently squeezed it.>>

It WAS rather fun!

<< Delilah joined Karen in questioning Morgan.>>

<< Morgan sighed loudly as she sat down in her chair.>>

oh...can't i just ENJOY the moment? The MAC campaign was a SUCCESS...DESPITE Claudia's efforts to sabotage me! She doesnt know who she's fucking with, but she'll soon find out!

and as for Nicolas?

<< remaining defiant.>>

I'm NOT sorry. He doesnt care about the hurt and pain HE has caused...so why should I?

<< taking a moment to admire her finely manicured nails>>

It's not as if I cast a SPELL on him or anything...and after the damage he caused to MY building, not to mention ATTACKING MY FRIENDS...I would think MORE of you would want me to do MORE to him!

Somebody should....before he....

<< pauses for a moment as if she was distracted....but in fact she saw the FIGURE in the mirror...looking at her.>>

he....does something ELSE!

 

[Firebird]

“Can it, Blaze.”

A thin brow arched along her head slightly amused that the 'peanut gallery' finally decided to intervene. But rather than subject to arguing with Delilah, Blaze remained quiet for the time being. Hey, people COULD have a different opinion. After all Delilah did blow off her friends for her boyfriend or should I say dead boyfriend. So, nobody was perfect.

As Morgan reached out to squeeze Blaze's hand she shared a grin with her sister before Delilah began to preach about what was 'wrong'.

What is UP with everyone today huh Morg? Raining on your parade like this. I think Delilah's just pissed because she hasn't gotten laid in a long time. Do you think she'd be offended if I bought her a vibrator?

Blaze was sarcastic in her thinking while the others addressed her sister.

 

[MorningStar]

I'm NOT sorry. He doesnt care about the hurt and pain HE has caused...so why should I?

<< taking a moment to admire her finely manicured nails>>

It's not as if I cast a SPELL on him or anything...and after the damage he caused to MY building, not to mention ATTACKING MY FRIENDS...I would think MORE of you would want me to do MORE to him!

Delilah rolled her eyes, then cocked her head.

"Come on Morgan, you know I don't give a rats ass in hell about Nicolas...I'm talking about YOU. Something is not right with you. Has Barbas come after you again?"

She wan't about to pretend like nothing was going on. Because THIS wasn't her friend. It would be great if Morgan could just let Nicolas out of her life, but Delilah didn't buy it for one second. And she cared too much for her friend to just accept what was easy. It was clear that Karen noticed something as well, and that gave her the conviction to stand up to Morgan's assurances that she was fine.

 

[Spellbinder]

Morgan's dressing room

Delilah rolled her eyes, then cocked her head.

"Come on Morgan, you know I don't give a rats ass in hell about Nicolas...I'm talking about YOU. Something is not right with you. Has Barbas come after you again?"

<< Morgan didnt immediately respond. She was transfixed , seemingly by her own reflection in the mirror, but only to HER, was the figure, the dark, scarey version of Nicolas visible, starring back at her from within the mirror.>>

<< for a few moments, her seemingly revived confidence was overshadowed by....>>

Barbas: only a delay of the inevitable Morgan. What he can't have...he will ruin and destroy. he IS the son of set! the egyptian god of destruction! its what he DOES...its who he IS!

<< Morgan starred in disbelief.>>

<< Delilah's voice echoed and finally cut in, bringing Morgan back to attention to those in the dressing room.>>

<< blinking a few times, she looks at Delilah in astonishment.>>

Dee...are you serious!?

ME? there's something wrong with HIM! HE gets a job with AFFINITY of all modeling agencies? He shows up for this most IMPORTANT shoot...he just HAD to be apart of THIS of all things? And Claudia...that botox bitch...she's using him and he is too STUPID to see it. you know, for someone who wants to pass himself off as some selfless philanthropist....he is nothing more than a corrupt fraud!

<< her tone was so bitter and she was so CONVINCED of what she spoke of.>>

No, Delilah, there's nothing wrong with me. There's something wrong with HIM and I'm THROUGH being made to REACT. I have outlasted every OTHER man who has tried to hurt or kill me...i will deal with HIM as well and Claudia is on my list too. She thinks she knows what she's doing? She hasnt the FAINTEST IDEA just WHO she is messing with.

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah listened to Morgan – who clearly had fire running through her veins at this particular time. She was like the old Morgan she had once known, the Morgan from the time of her visions in Limbo of Valiant. The Morgan that took no shit from anyone and didn’t care who she stepped on in the process, battle scarred and tough as nails.

Something was wrong with Morgan, but it wasn’t Barbas. It was Nicolas. Always Nicolas. He had ruined her life and kept coming back for more.

Delilah’s face softened, and she uncrossed her arms. Reaching out, she touched Morgan’s arm lightly.

“You’re right, Morg – now, what can we do to help? Throwing them BOTH out of Melrose Place seems like the logical first step...”

 

[Rampage]

I'll show you DEMONIC, sweetie.

<< and as she looks alluringly over her shoulder at the camera and club scene becomes darker, she closes in for her kiss to Nicolas...and as she kisses him, she unleashes a SHOCK courtesy of Limbo's black lightning bolts...JOLTING Nicolas as she looks utterly DEMONIC only to him and Haleigh. she HOLDS him firmly , making SURE he feels it.>>

was it good for YOU? you piece of TRASH?

Nicolas was jolted by her attack but did not show it to her. He would not give her that satisfaction. However, is own anger, indignation, and hurt emotionally was broadcast loud and clear to Haleigh, who pleaded for him to do NOTHING.

NICOLAS! Don't react. For once… don't even validate her by response. Something must be done about Morgan's state of mind… but YOU can't help her anymore. Just retreat, for the greater good… I told you before… Morgan needs a victory. You let her have this one… just this once. Trust me.

Nicolas finished the shoot quietly, sending Haleigh no response at all. His own feelings about what had occurred would hit the hybrid and Mike like a jackhammer, a response to his own attempt to fight his personal demon. It would be strong enough even to be felt by Sharon and Dominique THROUGH their protections as someone with whom he'd shared a rapport recently and and as his only living maternal relative.

As everyone dispersed, Nicolas walked towards the back as he happened to overhear Karen ask Haleigh about him.

....Is Nicolas alright?

Nicolas looked at her directly, pausing for a moment as if deciding whether to respond to a question that he could only regard as ludicrous. As if he could be all right when his ex has decided that because he cheated (with out of this world levels of coercion, let us not forget) that he is now a stalker and would-be murderer and it is open season on him at will. And DEFENDING himself is no option, because his adoptive family hangs in the balance, taking her side as if CHEATING, even at its worst, deserves THIS. Even the knowledge that Barbas was behind a lot of this gave him NO comfort, he was both disappointed in her lack of internal strength and in her apparent ability to either pretend to love his before or be so sociopathic as to convert it all to hatred and then some.

So Nicolas just looked at her for a moment, then left, shaking his head as he disappeared behind a door, then vanished with no trace...

...reappearing in the desert, in a vain attempt to get himself together. He fell to his knees, pounding the sand beneath him over and over, heating it up until it converted to glass silica, then kept pounding away, tearing it into tiny ground particles of glass as he roared in his indignation.

Gustav had taught him to be a gentleman, but he had also trained him to be a weapon, that he could not allow gender to make him lower his guard. Morgan was one of only a few PEOPLE of any gender that could attack him like that and LIVE, much less not be counterattacked. And his frustration, pain and anger was SLOWLY getting the best of him in spite of his efforts to the contrary. As he continued to vent, he could hear laughter as the glass below him took a form which stopped him in his tracks.

Below him was a glass life-sized figure of Morgan Victoria.

As he watched in horror, it arose and struck him across the face, cutting him in spite of his invulnerability. Nicolas staggered back, covering himself with his arms as the figure struck at him again and again, and the voice of Barbas could be heard...

She'll be the death of you. If you don't fight back, she'll kill you right now. Then she'll work on Mike-

NO!!

-Karen won't be the wiser. She'll destroy his reputation just as she has done yours, and the team will follow her like sheep as Ava is let loose to finish what she started-

SHUT UP!!!

Nicolas reached out impossibly fast, jerking up the figure and crushing it's neck in one quick motion, a frightening display of power in a way that could be realistically applied to the real version of the sorceress. As the scene finished, Morgan ALONE would see the last of it play out in the mirror, a glimpse of her neck being crushed by a Nicolas that was darkened and angry, silencing her in word and action in one explosive motion before the glass itself would shatter, spraying her, Blaze and Delilah with small shards of glass at high speed...

As Nicolas let go of the broken apparition, he turned quickly, throwing up in disgust at how he had been so manipulated. He felt as if he had no where to turn, he was isolated and alone. But maybe this was for the best, because he had another small thought piercing his mind, a question concerning that timeline in which Morgan had been murdered. It was with this thought that he called on someone who could help him work through this, perhaps the only person who would take the time.

The astral plane would resound with one word, and thousands of psychics and mystics would take note as it reverberated throughout the plane...

ALISON!!!!

 

[Fusion]

Hollywood Park Casino

Barbas: She'll be the END of you, Princess. There's only one way to stop her… you must defend yourself.

Johnny: "Clara…"

Claudia: "Just catch her."

Johnny: "Catch her?"

But soon he understood… Claudia was somehow sapping Clara of her energy… Clara felt weaker and less alert with each passing second, and as her sister let go and Johnny swept in to catch her, she nearly collapsed against him. She used her powers on me!

Barbas: "She'll only hurt you, Princess. She's already started."

"Leave me alone, Daddy."

It was a murmur… Johnny barely heard it as he stooped down to scoop Clara's legs up so that he could carry her. He tried to explain something to Claudia.

Johnny: "You know, Claudia…. I was never hired to be a 'bodyguard' for Clara, not really. That's the way we play it, and people don't ask questions because of Clara's position in the family. Of COURSE the daughter will have protection around the clock. But Clara… doesn't need any protection. She never has. She can protect herself. Anthony originally hired me because he wanted someone to always be keeping an eye on Clara… and she KNEW that, she allowed it simply to placate him. [furrowing his brow] I'm not sure WHY exactly she insisted I came to L.A."

Claudia: "Could you teleport her home, Johnny…..I'll have someone pick up her car later…"

Was she even listening to him? It was then he noticed how focused she was on Clara. Something was wrong… she looked unsettled.

Johnny: "Claudia? What happened, what's wrong?"

Claudia: "Just…. Make sure she doesn't sleep…"

Johnny: "How am I gonna do that??"

Clara was nuzzling against his shoulder… mumbling something about being tired. Johnny shook her a little to try and rouse her. Claudia was little help. What was WRONG with her??

Johnny disappeared, developing an idea of what to do with Clara to shake the sleepiness out of her. Was it cruel? Probably a little… he considered, as he appeared by the Melrose poolside. But it would certainly wake her right back up [and maybe sober her up a little as well]. It was chilly enough outside that he wished he hadn't forgotten his leather jacket at the casino... And it had been a mostly overcast day… so he didn't doubt the water of the pool to be quite cold. He stood at the very edge of the pool, at the shallow end.

Johnny: "I'm really sorry about this, Clara."

[sleepily] "Sorry about what?"

He dropped her into the pool.

 

[Black Widow]

MAC shoot

Thankfully, Nicolas listened… but Haleigh could feel the backlash of emotion from him… and somehow, despite being angry with him for his recent actions… she felt bad for him. He knew Barbas was behind this but it didn't make her reactions to him any LESS painful. Maybe he would realize that he was experiencing Morgan's side of the Set deal. YES, they'd been manipulated by Set… but that didn't make what they did any LESS PAINFUL. Haleigh suspected, however… that in his distress, Nicolas might not have the presence of mind to see that.

Karen and the others gathered together and stopped by Haleigh on the way to the dressing room.

Karen: "I see you haven't lost your touch. Morgan knew exactly what she was doing when she hired Liquid Crystal to handle all imagery of projects she was involved in."

[with a smile] "Yes, well…. I'm just pleased that we could work together on so lucrative a deal. It'll really help re-establish us BOTH here on the West Coast."

Karen: "Is Nicolas alright?"

[sadly] "I'm afraid not,--"

Blaze: "Yes, the poor baby suffered quite the shock of his life! I do hope he's alright. Who cares about Nicolas! He's a big boy…although from what I hear he could use a little miracle grow in the basement."

Delilah: "Can it, Blaze."

[crossly] "Seriously. A little COMPASSION would go a long way, Blaze. For all his FAULTS… he's still one of US. We need to band TOGETHER, or Barbas will tear us apart."

Morgan: "I'm NOT sorry. He doesn't care about the hurt and pain HE has caused… so why should I?"

[sighing, rubbing her eyes] "Morgan…."

It was another futile effort. Morgan and Delilah went back and forth. Haleigh knew she couldn't FORCE Morgan to forgive Nicolas… and she was the LAST person to be suggesting that violence wasn't the answer. It WASN'T… but they'd all just LAUGH if HALEIGH was the person to point it out. No use in wasting her breath.

Delilah: "Throwing them BOTH out of Melrose Place seems like the logical first step."

[shaking her head] "No. That's the LAST thing we should do in regards to EITHER of them. [shrugging lightly] No offense… but throwing Nicolas out will just further exacerbate his problem. He feels like he's being disregarded by the group in favor of Morgan. Ostracizing him even more runs the risk of making him bitter and retaliatory. We SAW what happened the other morning. We have the responsibility to AVOID provoking that from him just was we have the responsibility to TEACH him not to react that way. We should station someone with him, someone who can tolerate him and calm him down. Sharon's been spending a good deal of time with him… she's probably the best fit at the moment."

Diplomacy… that would be what was needed for Nicolas. It was unfortunate that Barbas had picked NOW to menace them… probably not a coincidence, though. And tempting though it may be to throw Claudia out into the cold on her ass and make her homeless… that wasn't the best course of action right now either.

"And as for Claudia…. One should keep their friends close and their enemies CLOSER. The Zaccharas are right where we WANT them. The system is already in place for me to monitor their activities in and around Melrose. Evicting them would be counterproductive. Let Claudia THINK she's gotten the best of us… for now anyway. Maybe we'll get lucky… and Barbas will kill her tonight. Then we won't have to bother."

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Morgan's dressing room

<< Karen couldnt BELIEVE that a wicked smile spread across her stern face as Blaze proceeded to mock Nicolas. FIREBIRD was definately an UPGRADE from Foxfire and Karen had taken to the cross time alternate more than anyone would have thought would happen.>>

<< Firebird was Spellbinder's sister...she had slipped into that role here as she was in her own time, but she brought those KEY differences that made her stand apart from mainstream Blaze, including having more control and manifestations over her power, being more polished, fashion savvy..and yes, BITCHY >>

<< Delilah chided Blaze immediately even as Morgan laughed at her jokes and Karen covered her face for a moment, to try to conceal her own unexpecxted amusement. She did not override Delilah or Haleigh as they corrected Blaze, for while NO ONE HAD to like Nicolas [and he certainly wasnt making it easy to do anything BUT dislike him at this point] they DID have a family to maintain and protect.>>

<< Haleigh and Delilah were genuinely concerned about Morgan, as was Karen. she looked at her daughter with concern as the sorceress showed signs of her old ways...pre INFERNO...manifesting.>>

I think Haleigh is quite right. Mike had also suggested having Nicolas stay with Sharon or vice versa. Throwing him out would only mean he has to "travel" to cause problems if he gets to that point.

<< looking among them.>>

I look at Nicolas, and at some points I feel that he can redeem himself and at other times...I hardly know him anymore.

We have the responsibility to AVOID provoking that from him just was we have the responsibility to TEACH him not to react that way. We should station someone with him, someone who can tolerate him and calm him down. Sharon's been spending a good deal of time with him… she's probably the best fit at the moment.

I agree...there is just as much danger in casting Nicolas aside OR allowing him to be provoked beyond restraint. that would force us to have to make a descision...to protect ourselves as well as countless others.


<< speaking freely in front of Morgan, who was obviously more interested in her own reflection at the moment. >>

we must keep him with us AND we must TEACH HIM, as Haleigh said. Emotional Intelligence (a coin termed by a therapist in the 1990's) is what is missing here....

<< glancing at her daughter for a moment>>

by both of them. It is the same thing that Set exploited in Nicolas. It's very key...when being attacked by something as passive, but no less deadly as what Barbas is doing.

I'm not terribly happy with Nicolas myself at the moment and that Claudia...well, i certainly misjudged HER. A mistake that I could EASILY rectify but Michael insists that would not be of help.

<< she said with a grudging tone. Haleigh said that it was better for them to keep the Zaccharas right where they were, so as to keep an EYE on them. No one could argue with that.>>

Very well....

<< Karen was about to add something else, but then...>>

 

[Spellbinder]

the dressing room

<< Morgan was looking at Delilah, but then, she saw something out of the corner of her eye. She turned back to the mirror.>>

<< her own refracted image seemed to say..."somebody...HELP ME!">>

“You’re right, Morg – now, what can we do to help? Throwing them BOTH out of Melrose Place seems like the logical first step...”

<< Morgan was again distracted as she watched the image in the mirror...as "she" seemed to be more crystaline in appearence which made Morgan look even more curiously at it, until finally, suddenly, SHOCKINGLY the crystaline image of herself is ATTACKED by the dark , scarey "Nicolas"! He grabs her neck and crushes it, the image shatters with a look of pained fear contorted on its face...and Morgan gasps as she staggers up OUTof her seat, even as Delilah was touching her.>>

Karen: Morgan! What is it!?

<< Morgan looks utterly dismayed...as she looks down , and then to her mother, Delilah, Haleigh, Blaze and Mike...>>

He's coming for me! I saw it! It felt like something ALISON would "see"...I'm not a precog...but I just SAW Nicolas ATTACK ME in the mirror....he crushed my NECK!

You HAVE to believe me!

<< she grabs hold of Delilah's hand.>>

I SAW IT! In the MIRROR! I have to GET HIM before he gets ME!

<< she turns to Haleigh..>>

You...you said that something happened in another timeline. You said Nicolas MURDERED me. Tell me...what happened? what happened to ME!? Why didnt anyone...why didnt ALISON, DELILAH and MY MOTHER help me!?

 

[Black Widow]

Karen agreed with a everything Haleigh said, [imagine that!] and there seemed to be an understanding. Morgan was very alert, it seemed… she was off in her own world. It worried Haleigh…. Seeing Morgan looking so… calmly CRAZY… almost transfixed. Delilah was trying to talk to her. There was one thing Karen brought up that Haleigh noted… but didn't feel too hopeful about:

Karen: "I look at Nicolas, and at some points I feel he can redeem himself and at other times…I hardly know him any more."

"It's sad to say…. But I think Nicolas' redemption may be too far off for us to concern ourselves with at the moment. When he is ready, he'll seek forgiveness. Right now he's still waiting for an understanding that can never be reached without an apology that he's unwilling to give because he feels that being manipulated is a suitable excuse. He still thinks the retribution he's faced is too steep for his wrongdoing. He won't stop to realize that his little temper tantrum the other morning sent any ground he'd previously gained to hell in a handbasket…. Nor does he seem to understand that Barbas has made everything much worse than it was. He's reacting to Morgan as if she's really doing ANY of this with a clear head…. But look at her…. She's been staring at that mirror like a crackhead ever since we got in here. So until Nicolas can pull himself together and SEEK redemption… I'm afraid we've got more pressing matters at hand…. Like Morgan's mental stability--"

As if to punctuate Haleigh's point, Morgan gasps and staggers to her feet, knocking over her vanity chair.

Karen: "Morgan! What is it!?"

Morgan: "He's coming for me! I saw it! It felt like something ALISON would 'see'…I'm not a precog…but I just SAW Nicolas ATTACK ME in the mirror….he cruched my neck! [grabbing Delilah's hand] You HAVE to believe me! I SAW IT! In the MIRROR! I have to GET HIM before he gets ME!"

"Morgan, now, just calm down, okay? We believe you… we believe you saw something that frightened you, and maybe it WAS Nicolas, but you said YOURSELF… you're not a precog. Barbas SPECIALIZES in terror, and he's playing on your fears."

Morgan: "You…you said that something happened in another timeline. You said Nicolas MURDERED me. Tell me…what happened? What happened to ME!? Why didn't anyone…why didn't ALISON, DELILAH, and MY MOTHER help me!?"

Haleigh grimaced a bit. She had really never intended for Morgan to get so hung up on that other timeline… but then, Haleigh's delivery of the news had NOT been the most tactful. That was how she got when she was 'cornered'. Now they just had to deal with it. She held eye contact with Morgan, a steely expression taking over.

"It doesn't MATTER what happened in that timeline Morgan, because that's NOT what is going to happen HERE. Do you understand?"

 

[Isis]

the desert

[the desert was a harsh, unforgiving realm. the weak were either transformed into beings of strength or they perished. there was no middle ground. it was in the desert that a young, battered, hopeless woman who had lost all sense of self and purpose was renewed by her patron diety...in fact she became her diety's avatar for these modern times. The woman returned to the world as Dominique Deveraux a sexy , wealthy chanteuse and more importantly, the avatar of ISIS, the egyptian goddess of rebirth and magick.]

[ her first meeting...reunion withher nephew was both violent and tragic...LIFE CHANGING, but along the way, Dominique came to understand that as his ONLY living maternal relative, as well as the avatar for Isis, her mission was NOT to kill Nicolas, the son of Set [Isis' brother] but rather to PROTECT HIM from Set ever taking hold of him again.]

[ when they departed the last time, it was on a positive , tender note. Dominique returned to th "The Sisterhood" and Nicolas to "The Six". They would hardly see one another, save the occassional business meeting and even then, Dominique remained aloof. She may have been able to FORGIVE Nicolas, but she could not FORGET the COST that came with his life into this world....the death of her sister, not to mention her sister's RAPE at the hands of Set and Dominique's own violent sexual assault by Nicolas while posessed by Set.]

[ Isis recovered from the trauma of her reunion of Nicolas, AND she banished Set from this plane of existence, but she was not QUITE ready to deal with Nicolas as CLOSELY as he might like.]

[ STILL, there were some instances when preference must take a backseat to responsibility. and Nicolas may not have realized that his emotional turmoil had not gone unnoticed by more than one person.]

[ as Barbas torments him and he suddenly and shocking attacks the glass doll of Morgan before he realizes what he's done, his cries for Alison yield an unexpected result. many times he called for DOMINIQUE since the Set caper and she ignored him. He KNEW it would be this way...but THIS time, he called for Alison, the HARBINGER, and this time it would be different.]

[ the winds whip into a frenzy off over the horizon, as an explosive sandstorm forms and begins to sweep across the expanse TOWARD Nicolas. the sand storm TIGHTENS into a wind funnel of explosive sand particles and sparkling golden shards. finally the funnel reaches Nicolas and dispears and Dominique, ISIS appears, standing regal in her garb as the BLACK QUEEN of the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle.]

[ she looked at him for more than a few moments. She was beautifull but she also looked stern....she could be one with this land. harsh, unforgiving and fully capable of destroying her foes. WHY was SHE here instead of Alison? A question among many.]


What do you think you're DOING!?

[ Dominique asks in an indignant tone.]

 

[Rampage]

What do you think you're DOING!?

Nicolas paused, actually SHOCKED more than anything else. It was DOMINIQUE, his aunt, who had been at best lukewarm since their detente months ago. He had nothing against her at ALL< but he was puzzled. She had ignored many of his non-business requests and now she was coming unbidden...Nicolas dusted himself off, his dignity and sense of shame at his current state replacing much of his despair.

I could ask the same thing. Why have you come, ISIS?

referring to her mantle since that is how she had come to him.

 

[Isis]

the desert

I am not the one shouting across the astral plane for every psychic and mystic to hear.

[ Spoken in a clear, disdainfull tone, Dominique looked at him as he stood up and composed himself. He may try to pull it together, but she KNEW how bad it was.]

The Harbinger has spoken to me recently. She saw this moment coming and asked me to....appear before you and...lend a hand. the truce between the Six and the Sisterhood still stands.

[ she narrows her eyes.]

and from the "sound" of things...[ referring to the feedback she'd felt all the way in NYC moments ago.] it appears you need all the help you can get.

[ she stepped forward]

you have lost your way, child...and whether we like it or not...i am your only living maternal relative. you are becoming dangerously unbalanced, by forces not of your control and it is not the Harbinger's responsibility to deal with it...it is MINE. If you lose control, SET will find the gateway to try again, and I am charged with the task of either protecting you or destroying you...WHATEVER is necessary to prevent SET from returning.

 

[Siren]

Claudia's eyes were trained on Clara as Johnny caught her, lifting her up with swift and ease into a cradle position. Her sister was pretty out of it; drowsy and tried....but most importantly Barbas' manipulations had been put on hold. She wasn't a danger to anyone now. Johnny began to explain that he was never hired to be a bodyguard for Clara, more like a 'watcher'. Her father made it a point to always have someone on his pay roll keep tabs on those he loved and wanted to control. But honestly, Claudia didn't care WHY Johnny was here. Why he was still being paid by Clara to hang around. Or why Clara insisted on bringing him to LA. At that moment, Claudia just kept replaying the words Barbas was saying to Clara. The fears he was trying to manipulate. Fears about HER. Finally, Johnny teleported away, leaving Claudia in the casino VIP lounge alone.

Barbas: [while clapping] Bravo. I almost had that one....she was THIS close to being my little puppet and taking you and that boy, Johnny, out.

"Leave her alone."

Barbas: Why? She's so much fun to play with.....and her fears about you and her father are just too perfect not to use.

Closing her eyes, Barbas' words stung Claudia. Her fears about you and her father.. The last thing Claudia ever wanted was for her baby sister to EVER be scared of her....to ever COMPARE her to their father.

Barbas: Aww.....did I strike a nerve, Claudia? Does it BOTHER you that Clara thinks you're exactly like you're father?

Claudia opened her eyes and walked over to the couch where Clara had been sitting and began to gather her purse and coat again.

"No. I'm nothing like my father.. Clara knows that."

Barbas: Really? You're nothing like Anthony? Correct me if i'm wrong, Claudia dear....but didn't you just threaten the lives of an innocent young girls family if she didn't do for you what you asked her to?

"That's different. That was buisness."

Claudia stated coldly, trying her damnest not to let Barbas get to her. To work her like he had in the past.

Barbas: BUISNESS? That was buisness?....I see. You're right, Claudia. You're nothing like your father....your father didn't kill your cousins and their family when Clara ran away as a teenager to SHOW others AND Clara never to defy him. To never disobey him? Is that how unlike your father you are?

"My father is a PIG. He's psychotic....EVIL. I'm NOTHING like him."

Barbas: Maybe you're right. Because your father would have never put Clara's life in danger by screwing with very POWERFUL people's lives like you did today. You won't admit it, Claudia...but you're in WAY over your head. You're good at what you do, I give you that. But nine against one? Seven of which have extrodinary powers you're not even fully AWARE of what they are yet?

"Maybe you don't know me as well as you THINK, Barbas. I've gone through FAR worse than dealing with a group of overpowered bitches and their bed buddies. I've been hurt in FAR worse ways than anything you or THEY could EVER do to me. So if you think i'm going to run scared from THEM, YOU, OR ANYONE ELSE, you've got another thing coming! And as for Clara....[Claudia's eyes grew dark] STAY AWAY FROM MY SISTER. Because I SWEAR to you if you EVER HURT her, it will be the LAST thing your MISERABLE ASS will EVER DO AGAIN."

Claudia's voice reverberated throughout the room making patrons in the casino stop what they were doing and look toward the VIP room in shock. Claudia was THROUGH with Barbas' games. She was DONE with his tricks and his tactics. And she was MORE than finished with him using Clara as a pon in his little games. Snatching her own purse from the nearby table she placed it on earlier, Claudia stormed out of the VIP lounge passing gawkers who were heard the brunette yelling. Arriving at the casino's exit, Claudia pushed a wad of one hundred dollar bills into the chest of the security guard who tried to prevent her from finding Clara earlier.

"Drive my sisters car back to her home. The directions are inside the [folded] money."

Security Guard: But Miss Zacchara--

Claudia cut the guards sentence off with one simple look. Either 'you do it or die', look. He quickly nodded, taking the keys from Claudia's hand and rushing out of the casino toward the parking lot. Exiting the casino as well, Claudia's car was parked right in front of the door. She had no desire to stay a while, just get her sister and leave. Getting into her car, finally, Claudia drove away, heading back to Melrose Place.

 

[Firebird]

Morg's dressing room

"Seriously. A little COMPASSION would go a long way, Blaze. For all his FAULTS… he's still one of US. We need to band TOGETHER, or Barbas will tear us apart."

Compassion my ass! If he messes with my sister again I won't think twice about burning his little dick off! Then you can manifest a fire extinguisher for the both of us.

Blaze was being catty in her thoughts but she honestly didn't care anymore. She was tired of hearing Nicolas and his 'woe is me' attitude. In fact the entire team had more back bone than him. At first she tried to give him a chance. But not any more. At long as he kept his distance from her sister she was fine. But she'd happily burn his ass alive if he thought of getting back with Morgan.

Peering over to the side to see Karen and Morgan chuckling as Haleigh and Delilah chided her. While Blaze couldn't blame either of them for attempting to rectify the situation but it burned her blood at Nicolas' temper tantrums. Delilah was quick to forgive him and even Haleigh did too or at least they concealed it well.

Her head snapped to the side to see Morgan startled and horrified, pointing towards the mirror. Karen, Delilah, and Haleigh were quick to console Morgan.

"I don't know, Delilah is on to something. Nicolas and Claudia are the problem here. Morgan has tolerated them long enough. Perhaps it would be best to isolate them. Unless someone can rehabilitate them. Nicolas....maybe but Claudia is trouble. No only did Alison forewarn us but we've seen what she's capable of."

Blaze shook her head hotly, "No! It does matter, Haleigh. Morgan wants to know so tell her. She has a right to know. The cat was let already out of the bag. There's no going back. So might as well clear the air. Otherwise Barbas could utilize that."

 

[Fusion]

Melrose

The water was a cold shock to her dulled senses, and had the desired effect of jump starting her consciousness. She found her footing and sprung up out of the water, freezing. She flung her hair back, wiping the water out of her eyes.

"JOHN! WHAT! THE HELL!"

He crouched at the ledge, apologizing, explaining that he couldn’t think of anything else to wake her up, and that he had to, because of Barbas. He insisted it was a matter of safety.

"Safety is an ILLUSION, John! Weren't you listening to me earlier?? Barbas doesn't CARE if I'm asleep."

Johnny: "He almost killed your sister when SHE fell asleep… so it's not unreasonable for me to be worried, you see. Here, come on, I'll pull you out."

He reached out to her, and with the brief passing of a mischievous smirk, she braced herself against the side wall of the pool and took his hand, yanking with her body weight to pull him off balance and into the pool. He resurfaced almost immediately, and his reaction, the funny little sound of surprise he made, caused Clara to giggle.

Johnny: "CHRIST this is cold."

Clara agreed, her teeth beginning to chatter. They both waded through the water to the steps leading out, and quickly made for the apartment, seeking dry warmth.

"I'm famished."

Johnny: "Shall I call Demetri to fix us a late lunch?"

"MMm, yes please."

She responded, as she let them into their apartment. They were immediately halted, their middle-aged housekeeper Isabella, whom Claudia had flown over from Italy with the chef, was dropping the duster in her hand and rushing over.

Isabella: "Mi Signora, which thing is happened?!"

"oh, now look what you've done, John."

Clara smiled softly… the woman insisted on improving her broken, heavily accented English, even though both Claudia and Clara spoke fluent Italian. Johnny, realizing that they both must look like a couple of crazy people, soaked from head to toe and fully dressed, replied with a little sarcasm to calm her worries, but it was lost in translation.

Johnny: "We went for a swim."

She stared at him blankly, as if not understanding WHY they would go swimming during the cold snap… or why they'd do it fully dressed.

"Isabella, siamo caduto nell'acqua."

Isabella: "Terrible! You will obtain ill! You must remove clothing!"

Johnny: "And we will, as soon as you move-- [he went to leave the tiled area of the foyer, but she moved to block his path] Listen, you crazy old lady, I'm cold and wet!"

Isabella: "You stay outside from carpet! I will bring towel."

Clara found this mildly amusing… there were visible vacuum lines on the carpeting and, in the housekeepers defense, both Johnny and Clara were dripping wet. They both stood there as Isabella scurried away, rummaged through the linen closet in the bathroom, and hurried back. She handed a towel to Johnny, then grabbed him by the elbows and turned him to face the wall away from Clara.

Isabella: "No peek!"

She reprimanded, unfolding Clara's towel and holding it up to block the view as she kept a suspicious eye on Johnny. Clara was starting to undress, all the while chuckling softly at the housekeeper's overzealous disposition, to which Johnny was dragging his feet.

Isabella: "Signore, rapidamente!"

Johnny: "Sì, Sì, rapidamente. Jesus, Clara, this lady is a wacko."

[giggling] "Aw come on, John. You don't want to 'obtain ill'! And she isn't ABOUT to let you soak the nice clean carpet."

Johnny: "Yeah, well--"

He started to say, without anything really substantial to come back with. Forgetting that they were both undressing, he tossed an innocent glance over his shoulder at her. She finished surprisingly more quickly than he had, and was now taking the towel from Isabella wrapping it around her. Isabella snapped Clara's wet shirt at him, stinging his bare torso with it as she caught him looking.

Isabella: "Signore, no peek!"

Johnny: "Ow, okay, damn, I'm sorry."

Clara, trying to hide an awkward, slightly pleased smile, glanced at him knowingly.

"I'm going to go rinse the chlorine out of my hair."

Johnny: "Okay, I'll call for lunch."

"I'd like pasta…"

She suggested as she headed for the bathroom. He watched her go, even though Isabella continued to fuss over him.

 

[Siren]

A bit of time had passed since Claudia left the casino. She didn't want to go straight home, hoping that Clara had calmed down, or sobered up...hopefully both. But mostly, she really didn't want to FACE Clara after obtaining her memories involving Barbas. But it was inevitable that she had to go home. Especially since her extremely expensive Gucci healed shoes were now becoming a permement fixture on her foot. Adorable to look at, horrible to wear.

Walking into the main gates of Melrose Place, the entire complex was quiet. Everyone still appeared to be at the MAC photoshoot. Heading up the curved staircase to her apartment door, she could hear the faintest of talking inside. Opening the front door, Claudia walked in seeing Johnny sitting at the diningroom table and Demetri cooking in the kitchen. Closing the door behind her, Isabella, her housekeeper from Italy quicking came rushing toward Claudia.

Isabella: No! No! No! Elimini i vostri pattini, mancanza! Vaccumed appena il pavimento!

Claudia held up her hands in a 'surrender' fashion, knowing how protective Isabella was of her work. She had just vaccumed the floor and GOD KNOWS she didn't like anyone walking on it with shoes. Taking one shoe off at a time, she handed them to Isabella in a 'peace offering', who then gave her a gracious smile before heading down the hall to put them into Claudia's closet. Isabella, although pushy, was a fantastic housekeeper. She kept everything in order and entertained the hell out of Claudia. She was even known to put Claudia's uncle Rudy in his place when it came to his cleanliness. Claudia always had the sneeking suspicion that her uncle was secretly scared of Isabella.

Walking over to the couch, Claudia placed her red hobo on the coffee table before sitting down. She didn't say a word to Johnny; what was there to say? She heard the shower running in the bathroom so obviously Clara was alright. So it was pointless to strike up a conversation that would lead them nowhere. Especially since Claudia wasn't really in the mood to talk. Tucking her feet next to her body, she leaned forward and grabbed the remote control from the table and a piece of Italian imported liquorice from a small candy bowl Isabella put out for 'guests'. Turning the television on, Claudia pulled at the liquorice with her teeth, flipping the channels before settling on 'The Closer'. She had seen the show a few times to know it was interesting enough to keep her attention, and hopefully stop her from thinking about what was REALLY bothering her.

 

[Rampage]

The Harbinger has spoken to me recently. She saw this moment coming and asked me to....appear before you and...lend a hand. the truce between the Six and the Sisterhood still stands.

[ she narrows her eyes.]

and from the "sound" of things...[ referring to the feedback she'd felt all the way in NYC moments ago.] it appears you need all the help you can get.

[ she stepped forward]

you have lost your way, child...and whether we like it or not...i am your only living maternal relative. you are becoming dangerously unbalanced, by forces not of your control and it is not the Harbinger's responsibility to deal with it...it is MINE. If you lose control, SET will find the gateway to try again, and I am charged with the task of either protecting you or destroying you...WHATEVER is necessary to prevent SET from returning.

Nicolas looked at her. She was beautiful, and he hated that she was so psi-screened. He could only guess as to how his mother looked back then. He looked away for a moment as he thought of her role and responsibility, what she'd just said.

It's a pity that your role is the only reason you came, though I know I cannot ever blame you if that is your disposition concerning me.....anyway, it seems that in spite of my intentions and efforts that it is my lot to be despised. I have been attacked in ways I could have never imagined a year ago when I joined the Six, and it seems that maybe...now is the time to leave. Because I am trying to endure the abuse, hoping for better days but I am finding that I am continually provoked and losing the battle to maintain control in the face of my current treatment. And no one is more cognizant of what me losing control could cost EVERYONE than I am.

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah threw a worried glance at Morgan. She was definitely acting a little out of her mind – but was that it, or was it real? She tended to give her friend the benefit of the doubt…

“Excuse me, but why do we give a damn whether Nicolas’ problems are exacerbated or not? You’re right, Haleigh, we saw the other morning what could happen. Why should we go out of our way for HIM? Why would we INVITE that trouble into our doorstep? He already has used his powers on me TWICE. We need to keep him as far away from Morgan as possible.”

She went and sat down next to Morgan.

“At least until we can be sure he’s really not stalking her. Because Morgan’s right – we can’t wait to take precautions until it’s too late.”