Gathering at the clock tower

[Artemis]

The Clocktower

"But you're not getting the facts. You're just dismissing Zach.

I'm pushing BACK, and challenging HIM on why HE didn't gather facts, EVIDENCE.

"What matters is what IS, not what we can PROVE. I'm not saying there's anything to prove, necessarily, but this obviously didn't come out of nowhere..."

What he BELIEVES!?

:: eyeroll::

A man once convinced 2000 people to drink poison and inject their children with because of a "belief" that the government was coming to take their children, and it was better for them to die "free." They died because of a FALSE belief.

When it comes to situations like this, the implications of it, and the long lasting...potentially LIFE INTERRUPTING impact that the actions taken regarding this situation can have on multiple lives? Beliefs don't matter. FACTS DO.

If you both know Zach as well as you think you do, you know he wouldn't lie about this."

:: Oh he was doing too much now. ::

Listen, rookie. I've known Zach AND Zizi on a personal AND professional level longer than you've even Oracle's house guest, long before you Delilah's distraction, AND since long before you were "outed" by Nimrod. I don't need to validate my credentials OR the nature of my relationship with Zach to you, and quite frankly, I'm getting tired of you, and everyone else in this building treating Sharon and I like outsiders when WE have deeper ties to people involved in this than YOU.

Zach may BELIEVE, but that doesn't mean he's not MISTAKEN in that belief either That's the part YOU seem to be missing.

:: And so it went. Even as the discussion unfolding and Alycia pushed back and challenged Zach to find proof of his allegations, there came none, and he seemed unwilling to do so. That he could use the excuse that HE didn't care for Gabe as reason to validate him attacking the man was beyond pathetic, especially the way he and others chastised Sharon when she attacked Ashley, denying HER feelings on the matter. That he would cite Ava, as if ANYONE in that room cared about HER at this moment, was BIZARRE...especially considering what she'd done to HIM! ::

:: Was this how it was going to be? Selective accountability? Carless, reckless behavior OKAY when a "BELIEF" was cited, but only CERTAIN people's beliefs mattered? She hoped not, but as things went on...she began to lose some of the hope she had the night she and Zach supposedly "made up." Especially now, with that horned helmet wearing hussy hanging all over him like an giant snake.::

:: And Zizi, she had withdrawn, and put up a wall, one that Alycia decided was not the time to try and breach. She hoped that the girl would remember that there were others on this team she could turn to for a completely different kind of experience and support, but for now....::

::....the topic of Nedry as at hand.::

"Sounds like a plan. Alycia, do you and Delilah need backup for this meeting?"

I'll have Sharon and Xavier with me tonight, along with Delilah. I'll be covered for this, but thanks for the offer.

::Steel himself would be meeting with Dominique, Sharon, and Richard even later tonight, when most were asleep.

"Sounds like we have a plan."

She addressed everyone assembled again.

"Isis' wards are protecting the Clocktower from Black Widow and Persephone. In the interest of safety, I urge you all to spend your nights here for the time being. There's plenty of room."

We'll return to the clocktower, traveling in Dome.

For now...

:: Looking at Zizi for a moment...::

I have some prep work on this case to do.

:: and with that, she left.::

Sharon: [ to Xavier] we're leaving at 7:15.

:: He would recall that Alycia said SHE was leaving at 7:30. But Xavier knew Sharon would want to be there ahead, and posted up. It was a sound move. This way the could determine if Bianca had any traps set up for Delilah and Alycia.::

:: With that, Sharon departed as well.::



-------------

:: Isis stood with Matrix, and looked at Steel. She communicated with Richard via her "hearing thoughts" spell.::

I'll cast a doorway spell in my suite, so that we can have a clear, instant path from here to my Diamond suite at the parthenon.

:: Once the meeting was concluded, and the two of t hem were in the hallway, Steel soon emerged, and in that brief moment where it was just the three of them.::

Detective Steel, please meet Richard and myself in my suite of the clocktower in ten minutes. I have something to show you.

:: And with that, Isis and Matrix left Steel before the others began coming out in the hallway. ::

:: Back on Dominique's floor, in that suite...::

Richard, pick a door, one that will not be an obvious choice to the others. The only others in this dwelling with any knowledge of magick and the occult are Mina Harker, and Xavier. But the rest will not immediately be aware of this, and I want to keep it that way.

By the time Steel arrives, the spell will be complete, and we will let him know. This will be...an "escape route" and "backdoor" for us.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

Everyone was going their separate ways. She & Zach were going to Ashley’s room, because it didn’t feel right them staying out here in the open, in Zizi’s space. But before they were all the way there, Ashley squeezed Zach’s hand and let go, telling him she would be right back. She walked over to where Isis was preparing to leave with Rich.

“Dominique?”

She cleared her throat.

“Uh, thank you, for healing Zach.”

She turned and rejoined Zach, taking his hand once again. Outside the door to her room, Ashley stopped, and moved to face Zach. She slowly slid her arms up his chest and around to his back, pressing her body against him in a tight hug. She pulled away and smiled reassuringly into his face.

“I’m going to try and talk to her.”

She touched his chest once more and then walked towards Zizi’s room. She knocked, then opened the door.

“Can I come in?”

She stepped inside, and saw Zizi setting out clothes. She sat down on the bed. When she spoke, her voice was soft.

“Please don’t be mad at me anymore.”

She paused, looking at the back of Zizi’s head.

“I don’t like it.”

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower – Zizi’s Room

After getting everyone situated with their suite assignments and keys, Zizi was getting ready to take a shower, and was pulling out clean clothes. She felt gross, and just wanted to stand under the hot water for a while. Then she would call Gabe, and see if he would meet with her. She thought he would, but maybe just to say he couldn’t put up with all of this garbage, but that they could still be friends.

Everything had become such a mess. Zach had lost his mind. But in some ways, what had happened after was much worse. Everyone commenting like that, about her. About Gabe. Who had spent the last two days helping her. She wished right then that she had never brought him to the Clocktower.

It wasn’t that she didn’t know that everyone was trying to help her. Alycia, Sharon & Isis ganging up on Zach because they wanted to back her up, Zach & Ashley thinking they were saving her, and sweet Richard, Xavier, Andrew & John just trying to figure out what was going on. But it was humiliating, like she couldn’t have a date without the help of ten people. Or that her choice in companionship had to be vetted by a committee and okayed by the board of directors.

She had never felt so far from normal in her entire life.

She appreciated Alycia’s words of support in the hallway, her belief in Zizi, but right now she just wanted an hour or two where she wasn’t under a microscope, or treated like she was going to break.

Ashley knocked on the door, and asked to come in.

“If you must.”

It was colder than she’d ever treated her, but she just really didn’t want company, especially the company of the person who had started all this mess. And she really didn’t want to hear a lecture about Gabe.

Zizi didn’t turn around to look at Ashley as she came in the room and sat on the bed.

“Please don’t be mad at me anymore. I don’t like it.”

Zizi exhaled, then turned herself around.

“I told you what happened, Ashley. Did you even tell Zach? How could you let him believe all those things about Gabe, about ME? When earlier today you were telling me how great it was that Gabe loved me?”

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower – Zizi’s Room

“I did tell Zach, I swear. And…”

She was flustered, and struggled to explain.

“I was so confused. I did think it was great that Gabe knew you so well, and loved you because of it. But then I talked to Zach, and…well, you HAVE been upset every time you’ve seen him…and he does make you feel bad about yourself. And you were so upset after you didn’t have sex…but Zach said GABE got his happy ending so that meant he’d pressured you into it. And Zach was so sure from how you were feeling that he had hurt you. And I…I didn’t like that. You are always so nauseatingly happy. And since Gabe’s been here you haven’t been. And most guys aren’t like Zach, they’re cruel, and I didn’t want that for you. I loved Alek and he hurt me and I didn’t want you to get hurt too. Cause you’re my friend.”

She paused.

“Probably my only friend.”

She fingered the cloth of the bedspread, looking down at it as she talked. But finally, she met Zizi’s eyes.

“And I’m sorry.”

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower – Zizi’s Room

Zizi watched Ashley trying to explain, fidgeting all the while. She was more uncomfortable than she had ever seen her. Zizi’s face softened as Ashley said Zizi was her only friend.

“I am not your only friend.”

Zizi spoke gently.

“You have Zach. And Andrew. And John. And Viv. The others will come around.”

She breathed out heavily.

“But all guys are not Alek. Gabe is not Alek.”

She met Ashley’s eyes.

“You should have believed me. I TOLD you what I was feeling, and why. You should have trusted what I said. And you also need to let me run my own life.”

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower – Zizi’s Room

Zizi told her she had other friends. But not ones like Zizi. She had given her a place to stay, and refused to kick her out even when they others threatened to quit if she didn’t. No one else would have done that. Well, other than Zach.

“But all guys are not Alek. Gabe is not Alek.”

Zizi looked her in the eye, and she nodded.

“It’s just, it’s hard to know for sure. It took me a long time to figure out what Alek was. I was worried that the same thing would happen to you with Gabe. And if we could stop that…we had to try…”

“You should have believed me. I TOLD you what I feeling, and why. You should have trusted what I said. And you also need to let me run my own life.”

Ashley nodded.

“Okay.”

She wiped her nose on her sleeve.

“Do you forgive me then?”

Zizi smiled at her, and reached over and put her arms around her. Ashley closed her eyes, taking comfort in the hug. When they separated, Ashley looked at Zizi solemnly. There was something else she needed to say.

“Please talk to Zach. He feels so terrible about this. He never wanted to hurt you Zizi, never. Talk to him, explain to him. He needs you to. Please.”

Zach needed Zizi not to hate him, and besides that, maybe after talking to her, he would have a better idea of what really happened. And then maybe they’d really know if Zizi was in trouble or not.

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower – Zizi’s Room

Ashley asked her if she forgave her. Zizi looked at her for a moment, then pulled her into a hug.

“Of course I do.”

She couldn’t stay mad at her, not when she so clearly was sorry, and hadn’t intended to be malicious. And when it came right down to it, her problems weren’t Ashley’s fault, not really. Her problems were of her own making.

“Please talk to Zach. He feels so terrible about this. He never wanted to hurt you Zizi, never. Talk to him, explain to him. He needs you to. Please.”

She did not want to talk to Zach right now. Her mind knew his heart was in the right place, but her heart was still angry about where his fist had got to.

But the pleading look in Ashley’s eyes sold her. Maybe if she explained things to him, he would listen, and stop making ridiculous accusations about Gabe.

“Okay.”

Ashley’s face lit up like a kid’s on Christmas morning, and she took Zizi’s hand and led her back to her own room. She went up to Zach, smiling, and put her hands on his chest, giving him a peck on the lips.

Ashley: “I’m going to go out and run an errand, leave you two to talk. I’ll be back soon.”

And with that, she bounded away, out of the apartment, leaving Zizi and Zach alone. Zizi wheeled further into the room, then folded her hands in her lap, waiting for him to say something.

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower -- Ashley's Room

Thankfully there was no more arguing about Gods-damned Gabe. They finished discussion the solution to Nedry, and people were leaving. Ashley and Zach walked in the direction of her room until she peeled away, calling Dominique's name.

Oh, GODS, please no.

Zach thought, but there was no renewal of hostilities. Ashley thanked Isis for healing him, and Zach when she came back to him, he gave her a small, proud smile. She hugged him, and her affection was like CPR. She told him she was going to talk to Zizi. Zach disappeared into Ashley's room and shut the door before anyone else decided they needed to tell him how horrible he was for losing his temper.

He went to the window and stared out of it for a second, then reached for his phone. He made a couple of calls to get the ball rolling on the U.N. hearing. He wasn't sure exactly how he'd pull it off without any contact with anyone at the Sanctuary, but he at least started the process. He was just hanging up the phone when Ashley came in high-spirited. Behind her came Zizi, wroth on wheels. Ashley kissed him and evaporated, leaving him and Zizi alone, and Zach wondered just how Ash had managed to get Ziz to agree to this, because she very clearly wanted to be somewhere else.

"Ziz.."

He started, carrying a chair over one-handedly so he could sit with her. He sighed heavily, and tried to choose his words.

"I heard you say you were fine, everything's fine, Gabe didn't do anything wrong... I heard you. I trust you, I respect you, and I wish I could believe you."

He searched for her gaze.

"But when Ash and I got here? Everything was NOT fine. YOU... were not fine."

He held up his hand, halting any rebuttal.

"DON'T launch a defense for him, please, just hear me out. I know what you felt. If you insist on denying or ignoring it, that's YOUR choice, but I couldn't-- and wouldn't."

He took a deep breath, managing his anger.

"I made some logical assumptions, based on many years of experience dealing with people's emotions. And I care about you A LOT, so I became REALLY upset. I lost my temper, and I hit him. I shouldn't be proud of that, but I don't regret it either."

He said, and then shook his head slowly.

"You can say he didn't do anything wrong, but Zizi? If he doesn't make you feel safe, comfortable, and happy, then he isn't doing anything RIGHT either."

He sat back, his hands on his knees. He thought maybe if he explained something, she'd understand. She still might be mad at him, but at least she'd know the 'why' of it all.

"My father never hit my mother. He never forced himself on her, or anything like that. What he did was much more insidious. And he didn't push her off that ledge physically, but he might as well have."

He bit his lip, recalling things he didn't like to talk about.

"I was much too young to comprehend it, but there were some things I understood intuitively. My mother loved him very much, but my father never loved anyone. No, my father loved power. On a large scale, as a politician on the global stage, and on a small scale, in interpersonal relationships."

He leaned forward again, his elbows on his knees, intertwining his fingers.

"He'd never blatantly insult me, but through his backhand compliments and criticizing commentary, he made me feel stupid, inadequate, and unworthy of him. No matter how badly I wanted to, no matter how hard I tried, I felt I could never please him."

He was staring at his hands, twiddling his thumbs as he spoke.

"For years I was fearful of disappointing my father. Subtly he kept me trying, though. There were times it seemed I'd just barely fallen short of his expectations. He'd say things like 'it could be better', and I believed I could. I let him control my self-esteem for a long time. It took me quite some time to realize he'd treated my mother in a similar manner, that he was unkind to her, that he was unfaithful to her. But if you ask the people who knew her best, she had every one of them convinced that everything was fine. She forged the fairy-tale, right up until the night she jumped."

He stopped for a moment, and when the wave of grief passed, he continued.

"My mother was a wonderful woman. She was beautiful, and smart, and kind. She taught me to be compassionate, and considerate, and courteous. She is gone from this world, because the love of HER life kept her hurting for his own amusement."

Finally, he looked up at her.

"It's not just that I don't like Gabe. I DON'T, and I've got my reasons, but that's not justification to HIT somebody. Regardless of whether I think he deserves you, YOU DO have the right to choose who you date. But Ziz, I care about your happiness. I won't tolerate him hurting you, or making you feel bad about yourself. Please don't ask me to overlook that. I've seen it more than once."

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower - Ashley's Room

She sat and waited for Zach to start in on how Gabe was a butthole. He pulled a chair over and sat facing her, and it made her feel like the time her dad let her do her homework in "the box" at his work.

"I heard you say you were fine, everything's fine, Gabe didn't do anything wrong... I heard you. I trust you, I respect you, and I wish I could believe you."

"Zach..."

She hated to dismiss him, but he sounded like such a broken record, and she was so tired of hearing this. It was insane.

"But when Ash and I got here? Everything was NOT fine. YOU... were not fine.

No, she hadn't been fine, but that was NOT because of Gabe. Her face scrunched into an exasperated look, and she was about to ask him if he had listened to ANYTHING Ashley had told him about their conversation, when he stopped her from speaking.

"DON'T launch a defense for him, please, just hear me out. I know what you felt. If you insist on denying or ignoring it, that's YOUR choice, but I couldn't-- and wouldn't. I made some logical assumptions,

"Key word assumptions."

"based on many years of experience dealing with people's emotions. And I care about you A LOT, so I became REALLY upset. I lost my temper, and I hit him. I shouldn't be proud of that, but I don't regret it either."

"Oh, don't you. Well that's just great, Zach."

"You can say he didn't do anything wrong, but Zizi? If he doesn't make you feel safe, comfortable, and happy, then he isn't doing anything RIGHT either."

She stared at him, a bit taken aback. Not every relationship started out moonlight and roses. There were extenuating circumstances involved, kinks they just had to work out. They just needed time to get comfortable with each other.

But then Zach started to talk about his parents. About how his father treated him and his mother. And Zizi's anger was replaced by sorrow for him.

"My mother was a wonderful woman. She was beautiful, and smart, and kind. She taught me to be compassionate, and considerate, and courteous. She is gone from this world, because the love of HER life kept her hurting for his own amusement."

"Oh, Zach, honey, I'm so sorry."

She reached out and put her hand comfortingly on his arm, forgetting to be angry at him. What a terrible thing for a child to go through.

"It's not just that I don't like Gabe. I DON'T, and I've got my reasons, but that's not justification to HIT somebody. Regardless of whether I think he deserves you, YOU DO have the right to choose who you date. But Ziz, I care about your happiness. I won't tolerate him hurting you, or making you feel bad about yourself. Please don't ask me to overlook that. I've seen it more than once."

Zizi looked down and to the side, a little half laugh escaping her lips.

"You and Gabe have more in common than you know."

It sounded like Zach's father and Gabe's father would get along swimmingly. She looked back up at Zach.

"Just now I told Ashley that not all men are like Alek, and now I'm going to tell you: not all men are like your father."

She sighed, closing her eyes briefly.

"Ashley told me that she told you what she and I talked about after you came back today."

She shook her head.

"It's not something I really want to..."

She took a deep breath.

"I felt guilty and ashamed because I was too afraid to have something I wanted. It was about me, and my feelings and hangups, not his."

She paused.

"Yes, I am insecure around the man I've loved since I was sixteen and who I never thought would see me as anything other than his 'best bud'. That doesn't make him a monster, or me a victim."

She looked down into her lap.

"Zach, honey, I...it means the world to me that you care about me enough to take on pretty much the entire team to protect me. It really does. You are my dear friend."

She looked up into his eyes.

"But you are wrong about this. Couldn't you...can't we...look, I'll make a deal with you. I won't ask you to overlook anything, but I will ask you to not base your determination on less than a day's time, when that day has been as crazy as this one has. You see how I am the next time he and I are together. That is, if Gabe even takes me back."

She looked down again.

"You tell me then that he doesn't make me happy."

Zizi raised her eyes.

"And Zach, you ask me what's wrong if I'm feeling low, rather than jumping to conclusions - no matter how many years of experience those conclusions are based on. Because the person that hurt me today, that was you."

 

[Seer]

Sometime later

<< At the Charope building, Alycia waits in her recently remodled (courtesy of Xavier) lobby for Delilah Trelevan. Delilah had provided Alycia with the location they were going to, which she had forwarded to Silver Swan and Tachyon. The two of them were already posted up outside that location, sight unseen, with Sharon's gryfalcons, and a small group of sparrows hidden in the trees nearby.>>

<< Delilah picked Alycia up, and in just a little while, they arrived to safehouse that she still had access to.>>

Silver Swan to Tachyon via their com link: There they go. Let's move in closer. I'll be able to hear EVERYTHING.

<< And so, the amazonian powerhouse, and the speedster move in close- but still remain hidden, while the birds shift as well, with several sparrows perched on a window sill, and the gryfalcons sitting sentry on light fixtures on the ground of the safe house.>>

<< Alycia and Delilah were now waiting.>>

----------------------------------

<< At the clocktower on Dominique's floor>>

<< Isis had cast her doorway spell on the door that Richard selected. A quick test run revealed that now, to get from the clocktower to her diamond suite at the parthenon, all she would have to do, is open the door, and walk through. But to the unware, and the uninformed, opening this door would simply lead to a large wardrobe closet in the suite of the clocktower. >>

<< Once the finishing touches were complete, the sorceress and her ward moved to the living room . Dominique seated herself and poured a tall flute of hemlock, while Richard happily helped himself to a large tray of food she had brought forth>>

Dominique: I could hardly believe my ears, Richard.

:: the sorceress replies after her first satisfying drink of the mysitcal concoction::

Dominique: Valkyrie offered THANKS for my efforts on behalf of Zach.

:: Richard heard the ever so slight tone variance in her voice, she was indeed surprised.::

Dominique: I did not think she would be capable of even the most basic level of etiquette. A remarkable moment indeed.

:: Richard knew that behavior was important to Dominique, she was similar to Shadow Weaver in that regard, and so, the sorceress was somewhat pleased, but hardly naive.::

Dominique: This does not mean I'll be inviting her for tea. But perhaps Vivica's faith in the woman isn't completely misplaced after all.

:: She said as she took another drink::

Dominique: I considered checking on Zizi...but I want US to remain scarce in this building right now. I don't want our presence to be missed, when we slip away for our little follow up with Steel, at my diamond suite.

:: they were waiting for him to arrive so that Dominique could show him something. She wondered what was keeping him. ::

Dominique: It's not like the detective to be so...DELAYED.

Richard: Maybe he's talking to Zizi now.

Dominique: Perhaps. If so, that's a good thing. He's a mature....sensible man, the perfect antidote to the impetuousness of Zach Armani from earlier.

----------------------------

<< And others in the clocktower were busy with various things...as night began to fall. >>

 

[MorningStar]

Charope to The Dorilton

Delilah pulled up the front of Charope in her black Lexus RC F, and Alycia slid into the passenger seat. Delilah hopped onto Broadway and headed uptown.

"This is going to be fun."

Her sarcasm was evident. Spending time with Bianca was about the last thing Delilah wanted to do, but if it got Alycia what she needed...

Delilah used her key card and pulled into the underground garage beneath the Dorilton. She parked and they took the elevator to the penthouse. Flicking on the lights, it was still the same empty place it had been the last time she had been there. It had only been the night before but it felt like a lifetime ago. Delilah felt a pang about what might have been, but pushed it down into the recesses of her mind. She wasn't going to do that, not anymore.

It wasn't long before the doorman buzzed and notified them that their visitor had arrived.

"Send her up."

Delilah turned to Alycia, and gave her a weak smile.

"Time to put those powers of persuasion to use."

 

[Millennia]

The Dorilton

It had taken hours to get back into her suite at the Hellfire Mansion. That bitch Persephone, that nobody, thought she was going to put one over on her? Not bloody likely. Bianca was beginning to rethink her little retreat at the Mansion, and considered heading to her own home in the city. But it would be a pity to not have a visit from Alek before she left. Especially since she knew how much it would likely irk Ava Cassadine.

Bianca stepped off the private elevator into the penthouse of the Dorilton. She was wearing a curve-hugging white dress with a cut out at the midriff, with a sable stole over it. She saw Delilah and Alycia Barnett waiting for her, and gave them a look of disdain.

"Well at least you didn't ruin the place by trying to decorate it - I'm sure your taste level is not commensurate with a place like this."

Suggesting that, of course, hers was.

She stepped further inside, turning, taking in what she could see. Her eyes moved to Delilah.

"The doorman almost wasn't going to let my driver park in front of the building. Ridiculous. If I were living here, he would be replaced immediately."

She continued to examine things, before sighing and returning to where Delilah & Alycia stood.

"I have the mansion on the Upper East Side, of course, but it's all the way on the other side of the park."

She looked around her pointedly.

"You called this meeting. Am I supposed to sit on the floor like a heathen?"

 

[MorningStar]

The Dorilton - Penthouse

"Well at least you didn't ruin the place by trying to decorate it - I'm sure your taste level is not commensurate with a place like this."

THAT was a little stab in the gut - not because Bianca was insulting her, but the talk of her furnishing the place...

Bianca was looking around, and Delilah could see how much she had wanted to see this place. What a stupid thing to care about.

"The doorman almost wasn't going to let my driver park in front of the building. Ridiculous. If I were living here, he would be replaced immediately."

"Oh really, I'd suggest he get a raise."

Delilah arched her eyebrow at Bianca.

"I have the mansion on the Upper East Side, of course, but it's all the way on the other side of the park."

Delilah gave her a mock understanding look.

"What problems you do have."

"You called this meeting. Am I supposed to sit on the floor like a heathen?"

"I thought we could talk on the terrace."

Delilah indicated with her arm the way, and they exited two French doors into the garden terrace, which had still been meticulously kept despite the apartment being vacant. There was a outdoor seating area, and soft lights illuminated the greenery in the failing light of the day. This was a beautiful setting - and also one where Silver Swan could easily see and hear everything, and be there quickly if necessary.

Bianca: "So, let's get down to it, I have an appointment to keep. Why am I here?"

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower -- Ashley's Room

He sensed her anger melting, giving way to melancholy.

Zizi: Oh, Zach, honey, I'm so sorry.

"Yeah. Me too."

He said quietly. She put her hand on his arm, offering comfort, and it helped. He finally breached the Gabe topic, not as a character assassination, but with the focus on his concern for Zizi's happiness.

Zizi: You and Gabe have more in common than you know.

"Great."

He replied sarcastically, his mouth tightening afterwards.

Zizi: Just now I told Ashley that not all men are like Alek, and now I'm going to tell you: not all men are like your father.

"Many men are."

He said with a solemn expression. She sighed and brought up what she and Ashley had been talking about. It was skin-crawlingly awkward, but it was important to address, and Zach helped deplete some of her embarrassment so she could push through it. The way she described it made a certain amount of sense, but Zach still blamed Gabe.

"If that's the case, Zizi, he should be helping you through that. If he's your 'best bud', then he ought to understand why you might be uncomfortable."

Zizi expressed gratitude that Zach was willing to take on the team to protect her, and he half smiled, because he'd fight whoever he had to in order to keep her safe. She deserved it.

Zizi: But you are wrong about this. Couldn't you...can't we...look, I'll make a deal with you. I won't ask you to overlook anything, but I will ask you to not base your determination on less than a day's time, when that day has been as crazy as this one has. You see how I am the next time he and I are together. That is, if Gabe even takes me back.

"If he broke up with you because of THIS, I might have to kick his ass again."

He deadpanned. He didn't like the idea, but she DID have the right to date whoever she wanted, and at least this way Zach wouldn't be shut out. She didn't seem to want to hide anything that was going on, which helped her case.

Zizi: And Zach, you ask me what's wrong if I'm feeling low, rather than jumping to conclusions - no matter how many years of experience those conclusions are based on. Because the person that hurt me today, that was you.

He took her hand, locking eyes.

"I know, and I'm really, truly sorry for that. It wasn't at all my intent. I just... I just LOST IT. Everybody seems to think since I'm an empath I should be able to control my emotions perfectly, but it's never been like that. Everyone is driven by their emotions, but I am driven by everyone's emotions."

He paused to give consideration to her 'deal'.

"Alright, but if I ask you what's wrong and you do that woman thing like 'I'm FINE'? I'm telling you NOW, I will NOT accept that answer."

 

[Steel]

The Clocktower

Steel offered to provide backup for Delilah & Alycia's meeting that night, but Alycia declined.

I'll have Sharon and Xavier with me tonight, along with Delilah. I'll be covered for this, but thanks for the offer.

"I'm here if you need me."

Detective Steel, please meet Richard and myself in my suite of the Clocktower in ten minutes. I have something to show you.

"Of course, I'd be happy to."

Zizi's meeting wrapped up, and she let them all know where they'd be sleeping. When he was able to slip away unnoticed, he took the elevator down to Isis & Rich's floor.

"I apologize for being late. I hate to make an excuse to convince Andrew to go pick up things from our apartments later, since it looks like we'll be staying here for a bit."

Steel didn't really see the point in him having to do that - why would they attack him after all, and if it wasn't at the Clocktower it would be somewhere else. But he wanted to set a good example and go along with what would probably keep the others safer.

"What did you want to show me?"

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower - Ashley's Room

Zizi uncomfortably told Zach why he had been picking up on the emotions from her that he had.

"If that's the case, Zizi, he should be helping you through that. If he's your 'best bud', then he ought to understand why you might be uncomfortable."

"Except that I didn't actually tell him anything that I was feeling. I didn't want him to think I was even more messed up..."

She should have probably told him about her fears, but that felt almost the same as letting a disaster happen. She didn't want to draw more attention to the fact that she wasn't normal.

"If he broke up with you because of THIS, I might have to kick his ass again."

She looked at him sharply. She knew he was kidding, but just to be sure...

"Don't you dare."

She reminded him then, that it had been HIM that had hurt her, not Gabe.

"I know, and I'm really, truly sorry for that. It wasn't at all my intent. I just... I just LOST IT. Everybody seems to think since I'm an empath I should be able to control my emotions perfectly, but it's never been like that. Everyone is driven by their emotions, but I am driven by everyone's emotions."

"I know you're sorry, honey, I know you are."

He thought about what she had proposed, about giving her a chance to prove that Gabe didn't really make her unhappy.

"Alright, but if I ask you what's wrong and you do that woman thing like 'I'm FINE'? I'm telling you NOW, I will NOT accept that answer."

She nodded.

"Deal."

Her "white knight" now in place to guard her from emotional harm, she reached over and gave Zach a hug.

"I'm thankful for you, Zach. Even when you make a huge mess of things."

Pulling back, she considered something else she wanted to say. One good meddle deserved another.

"You know that Ashley loves you, right? And she's petrified that you will decide that Sharon and Alycia are more important to you than she is."

She gave him a half smile.

"See? It's not only girls in wheelchairs who are insecure about the men they care about."

Zizi turned around and made her way back to her own room, shutting and locking the door behind her. Her phone buzzed, and she pulled it out of her pocket. She had a text from Gabe. Butterflies were congregating in her stomach while she opened the app.

>> Gabe: I just got to my office. I'll be here if you still want to talk....If you don't, I understand.

Zizi rattled off a message, texting with two hands.

>> I was just about to get into the shower. Can I meet you there in about an hour? Unless you need more time to get your work stuff done?

Zizi of course wanted to head up there right away, but she felt gross in her gym clothes and wanted to at least make an effort at looking decent. And despite wanting badly to see him, she was also pretty worried about what he was going to say.

A quick shower and clean clothes later, Zizi was wearing a dark purple dress which had little bugs embroidered on it which Zizi found adorable, and heading outside to catch a cab uptown to Gabe's office. She asked the driver to make a stop on the way, and wait for her, but she still arrived within the hour, taking the elevator to the penthouse carrying a box in her lap.

Gabe's office was locked up tighter than Fort Knox. She pressed the call button next to the door, and moved back so she could look up into the security camera she knew was there. She opened the lid of the box in her lap to reveal an Oreo cheesecake with the words I'm sorry written on the top in blue icing.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

Ashley felt a lot better now that Zizi wasn't mad at her anymore. Now everything could go back to normal.

She hoped that Zach had been able to bring Zizi around to his point of view, but she knew that Zizi wouldn't be able to stay mad at him, and HE would be feeling a lot better now too. And maybe if Zizi at least heard what Zach was saying, she would realize what Gabe was doing if it happened again. They would have to keep an eye on the guy to make sure, but they could do that. She wouldn't let Zizi be hurt. And maybe Zach had done enough to make Gabe sit up and act right.

She saw that her door was open and peeked in to see Zach there, but no Zizi. She held up the assembled goods in her hands.

"I got you some surprises to cheer you up."

She dumped a large Victoria's Secret bag on the floor, and climbed onto her bed. She had a pint of ice cream, two spoons, and a six pack of Zach's favorite beer in her hands.

"How did it go?"

 

[Cypher]

Zizi>> I was just about to get into the shower. Can I meet you there in about an hour? Unless you need more time to get your work stuff done?

A message popped up in the corner of his computer monitor causing Gabe to pause the game he was mindlessly playing, mainly trying to keep his mind from over analyzing the current situation and driving himself insane.

>>Work can wait. I'll see you in an hour.

Truth be told, he hadn't even started the project he was supposed to be working on. How could he after what had happened? Instead he opted for booze and Injustice League 2. But now he knew Zizi was definitely coming over, and his mind began to race again. The thought of losing his best friend made his heart ache, but even worse....that he hurt the one person in the world he swore he would never hurt.

The hour went by quickly, which was both good and bad. He knew she would be there any minute, but at the same time, he was nervous this would be the last time he would see her. Standing by the large windows that overlooked the city, the alarms began to beep indicating there was a guest at his door.

Sir, Elizabeth York has arrived.

The female computerized voice [think Jarvis from Iron Man] relayed, a holographic image appearing on the glass in front of him showing a video feed of Zizi outside the door looking up at the camera. She had an Oreo cheesecake in her lap with the words 'I'm sorry' written on it. Gabe softly smile, his brows creasing as he stood there for a moment taking in the image. There was nothing for her to be sorry about....but the gesture alone was one of the reasons why he loved Zizi so damn much.

"Unlock doors, Falcon."

He instructed, 'Falcon' being what he called his AI computer system meaning 'eye in the sky'. He always knew Zizi enjoyed being watchful over others--the eye in the sky--a homage to her and his years of friendship with her. Gabe made his way to the front door as it unlocked, he opened it and was immediately meet with her beautiful eyes. He gave her a soft smile, holding a dozen blue fully bloomed roses. He knew how much she loved Doctor Who, the color based off the blue telephone box.

"Hey kid."

He murmured, stepping to the side and allowing her in. Once in, Falcon immediately locked the doors and reinitiated security systems.

"Trade you..."

He said with a soft laugh, handing Zizi the flowers as he took the boxed cheesecake from her. Looking down at the cake, he studied the words 'I'm sorry' as he placed the box down on the table.

"Liz...you have nothing to be sorry about. You didn't do anything wrong."

Turning around to face her, Gabe looked at her with a pained expression.

"I'M the one who should be apologizing. I never meant to hurt you...I never EVER want to hurt you...I--I [stammering] You're the most important person to me aside from my mum. I can't--I just--"

Gabe swallowed hard, slightly out of breath from the adrenaline coursing through him.

"If you think I took advantage of you like Zach said, i'm so sorry. Liz, I'm so fuckin' sorry...."

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower -- Ashley's Room

Zizi: Except that I didn't actually tell him anything that I was feeling. I didn't want him to think I was even more messed up...

Well, he should've known it was something to at least talk about before you two ever got to the point where you might feel guilty about not doing something.

Zach thought stubbornly, unwilling to forgive Gabe so easily. Even if Zach was considering the possibility that Gabe hadn't maliciously hurt her, it was still neglectful. Zach jokd about kicking Gabe's ass again, and Zizi warned him not to. He apologized for losing his temper, then they made their 'deal' and hugged it out.

Zizi: You know that Ashley loves you, right?

He smiled warmly.

"Yeah, and I know it scares her."

Zizi: And she's petrified that you will decide that Sharon and Alycia are more important to you than she is.

"Wait, what??"

Zizi: See? It's not only girls in wheelchairs who are insecure about the men they care about.

Zach gave her a meaningful look.

"See, you're no more 'messed up' than the rest of us."

He said, and then she left. He put the chair back where it belonged, then kicked his shoes off and flopped back onto Ash's bed. The pillow smelled like her, and it made him smile again. He pulled his phone back out and checked his email. 24 hours without paying it any attention and it was like an avalanche of correspondence. He passed the time replying to the essentials and deleting the spam.

Ash came in a while later, saying she had some surprises to lift his mood. He smiled, because she cheered him up just by returning. She dropped a bag on the floor, set a six-pack of Shiner Bock on the nightstand, and handed him a spoon, asking how his heart-to-heart with Zizi went.

"Come here, let me hold you."

He said, as she climbed onto the bed with him. He waited until she was settled in his arms to speak again.

"I have a few very opinionated female friends. And if any of them think that they can get between us, they will find themselves sorely mistaken, because YOU are the number one woman in my life now, capisci?"

 

[Oracle]

Cypher's Office

Zizi was starting to get nervous that Gabe had changed his mind, when he opened the door. She looked into his brown eyes, and was transfixed for a moment - if she had been able to, she would have gone weak in the knees - before she registered the flowers he was holding, and gasped in surprise and delight.

"Those...are amazing! They look like they were just flown in from Gallifrey!"

They were roses, the most beautiful shade of blue she had ever seen. He moved aside so she could enter. She tilted the open box up so he could see it.

"Trade you..."

He took the cheesecake box from her and handed her the bouquet of flowers, which she cradled in her arms, looking down at them and admiring them, smiling, but looking up again as he started speaking.

"Liz...you have nothing to be sorry about. You didn't do anything wrong. I'M the one who should be apologizing.

"No, Gabe..."

"I never meant to hurt you...I never EVER want to hurt you...

"I know that..."

"I--I [stammering] You're the most important person to me aside from my mum. I can't--I just--"

She reached out her hand and took his.

"If you think I took advantage of you like Zach said, I'm so sorry. Liz, I'm so fuckin' sorry...."

Zizi pulled his hand towards her so she could wrap him into a hug.

"You didn't do anything to hurt me. Zach - he got it all wrong. I'm so sorry I brought you into this mess."

When he pulled back, she started, noticing the split lip he had.

"Oh...Gabe...your lip. Are you okay?"

She looked up into his face with concern, running her thumb lightly over the cut, her hand then moving to his cheek.

"Can we...can we sit together? There are things, I need to say. Explain."

They moved further inside, and Gabe sat down, helping Zizi to move from her chair to sit next to him. She took another long inhale of the scent of the flowers before setting them down on the table. She reached over and took Gabe's hand with her own, sighing as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"You should have run away screaming yesterday when you had the chance."

She inclined her neck to look up at him.

"It's not too late."

She put her other hand on his forearm, took a deep breath, and started.

"Gabe, you know I have loved you my whole life. And I knew that you didn't look at me that way. I knew that. And it was okay, because you were still my best friend and I wouldn't trade that for the whole world. And then yesterday... I knew that wasn't a date, I'm not stupid. But then Ashley convinced me to wear that outfit and she was saying all these things. And I thought, well maybe he will see me in this dress and realize that he really does want to be with me."

She smiled at the memory of the happiness she had felt as she got ready the day before. But then her face fell, and she looked down at her lap.

"But you didn't. You didn't even notice the dress. So yes, I felt hurt, but that wasn't your fault. It was me, trying to wish something into reality. And I was acting so crazy, and Zach & Ashley were awful to you...you couldn't have known what was going on, shouldn't have known."

She paused for another deep breath, it coming out a little shaky.

"And then this afternoon, when I acted like a lunatic."

She nestled more into his side, tilting her head up to look into his face.

"Suddenly I had everything I'd ever wanted. And I wanted to be with you. I wanted you to make love to me."

Zizi looked away again.

"I haven't been with anyone since my accident. And I got so scared. I didn't want to lose you after I finally..."

Zizi's voice broke, tears in her eyes.

"So I panicked. And I hated that I had messed everything up. I felt so guilty, and ashamed at being so stupid. I wanted to make you happy, and instead...I made everything weird."

She took a steadying breath.

"So that's what Zach was feeling from me. That's why he thought you had hurt me."

She looked up into his eyes again, the tears falling down her cheeks.

"But it wasn't you, it was me."