Gathering at the clock tower

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower - Ashley's Room

"I'll never understand why people are so afraid to admit what they feel."

Ashley smiled, running a finger down his jaw line.

"Because most people can't tell what other people are feeling. And they don't want to get hurt."

His fingers traced her bikini line, making her skin tingle with anticipation. Her back arched, her eyes closed, his name on her lips. They laughed together, easily, not because of embarassment or nervousness. But because of the comfort they had in each other, in just being together.

She remember the lingerie she had bought, too late.

"Save that for later, my love. You know I wouldn't like anything on you right now."

She let out a contented sigh in pleasure.

"Whatever you want..."

He pulled her sweater up and off, without urgency, taking his time. There was no rush to finish. This was just about showing how they felt about one another. He removed her bra with a practiced hand, like he was slowly unwrapping a present. He remembered all the places she liked to be touched, how she liked to feel his mouth on her body. He followed the map she had given him, touching her so delicately that her need built to the boiling point, every nerve ending on her body crying out for him. She reveled in the slow burn that spread over her body, the excitement of being held back from the edge.

When she thought she couldn't stand it any more, he paused to remove his own clothes, and she watched him with appreciation and lust. Her eyes alone told him how much she wanted him, but it wasn't just the need for sex, it was the need to be as close to him as possible, to have a physical representation of the love they felt. And now that he had told her that he loved her, and she believed it now without question, because he showed it, in the way he treated her, the way he looked at her. And she would swear that she could feel it when he touched her, that she was his and he was hers.

He kissed her body from her legs to her chest, his lips like hot irons against her skin, her body arching against him each time they touched her. Her stomach tightened as she raised her head slightly so she could look into his eyes as they looked up at her, her breathing heavy with desire. He touched her neck with his nose and her head fell back against the pillow, as he traced a line up to her chin that made her moan. And then he was inside her and her moan deepened. His hands were taking hers, intertwining his fingers with hers. She didn't know where he ended and she began.

"Ti amo, Ashley."

He kissed her, and it was like explosions going off in every part of her body, more erotic than anything he had done to her yet. She squeezed his hands, willing him to move, the build up in her body maddening.

"Ti adoro, my only love."

Then he began to move. She moaned against his mouth, finding his lips again. Her legs hugged him to her, her hips rose to meet his movements, their bodies working together in tandem. Ashley had had countless lovers throughout the centuries, but it was only now that she truly gave her heart, and felt it received with love in return. And that reciprocity was reflected in their lovemaking, neither wanting what they felt to end, both caring more for the pleasure of the other than themselves, bringing both hearts together in a crescendo of feeling that no one could break.

 

[Oracle]

Gabe's Office

With a child's excitement Zizi asked Gabe about the cheesecake, and he teased that he was going to eat it all himself. She tried to pout at him, but it didn't really work before she was also trying not to laugh. He did go and get it though, along with two forks.

"I am a very healthy, muscular, growing man, Liz....Did I mention muscular? Muscular. [he grinned playfully] I need my fuel."

She looked up at him appreciatively.

"Oh, believe me, I've noticed. Maybe I should let you eat it all."

She blushed then, a deep red.

He handed her a fork, reluctantly agreeing to share, which made her smile again. That smile broadened as he used his fork to scrape the "I'm sorry" off the top of the cake.

"MUCH better."

"No apologies," she agreed.

She put a fork full of cheesecake into her mouth, closing her eyes at that first bite.

"Mmm it's so good," she said, mouth full.

Then she held up her fork, and made a sort of oops face.

"Maybe there's one more apology needed. Zach. I'm sorry I let that happen."

She licked the back of her fork.

"I won't ask you to forgive what he did and I'm not going to make excuses for him. There was no excuse and I told him so. I told him he was the only person who hurt me today."

In her heart, she wanted Zach (and Ash) and Gabe to be friends, but she knew that especially now, that wasn't going to happen overnight. And she wanted Gabe to feel supported, and know that it wasn't okay with her what had been done to him.

"And I wouldn't ask you to come back to the Clocktower. Except..."

She waved her fork around, indicating their current predicament.

"Isis' wards do make it the safest place to be right now."

She stuck her fork into the cheesecake again.

"I could sneak you onto one of the empty floors? No one would have to know you were even there..."

 

[MorningStar]

The Dorilton - Penthouse

No....I'm not okay, Delilah. I just messed everything up. BIG time.

"Oh, Alycia - no you didn't. You know who we were dealing with. There's nothing you could have done. I should have...I should have offered her the penthouse and found a way to get it."

She had no idea whether Maxim would give it to her or not, but something had held her back from offering it.

It just INFURIATED ME and... I snapped.

"As it would have ANYONE. You're too hard on yourself, Alycia."

And she was. Alycia held herself to such a high standard, and blamed herself even when it was OTHERS who didn't measure up.

...Nedry...Zach...Ashley...Andrew.

ANDREW? What had HE done this time? Please tell me he's not stalking Alycia. Or Sharon. Or anyone.

....Haleigh.....CAMERON!

Delilah frowned sadly, seeing how hurt Alycia was by Cameron's betrayal. She wanted to smack him for not listening to her when she told him to break it off with Alycia BEFORE something happened with Haleigh.

I'm SO TIRED of being disrespected, second guessed, dismissed, having my credentials and my relationships questioned by those people (the birds of prey). I don't EVER recall having this much difficulty with the Six...not even when that... ROBO SLUT (Delilah knew who THAT was ) and I were at odds.

Delilah chuckled good naturedly.

"I think you might be having selective memory."

She smiled at her friend.

"All I can tell you is, from what I've seen, those people KNOW how valuable an asset you are, how strong a woman, how smart, how knowledgeable. But you're a new group, and it takes time to reach the same comfort level, knowledge and FRIENDSHIP that someone like you and I share. It's not going to happen immediately. Look at me and..."

She was about to say, Haleigh.

"Sharon. We had a rocky start when she came back. I treated her in ways I'm not proud of. But now? I would die for her, and she for me. It takes time. And I think...I think it's worth it."

Delilah...Rose is COUNTING on me. I've GOT to stop Nedry, before he hurts her and her children, and I KNOW I can.

"You WILL. WE will. John is working on things on his end, and Zizi. They'll get us what we need."

But what's done is done. I have to change course...and find another way...and quickly.

"You'll find a way. You always do."

Thank you for your help tonight.

"I'm always here for you Alycia, whatever you need, just as you've been there for me."

She pulled her friend into a hug.

"Anything you need, you just call me."

 

[Artemis]

The Clocktower- Alycia's floor

"As it would have ANYONE. You're too hard on yourself, Alycia."

:: She looked away for a moment. Delilah was right. Others, like Nicolas....and even HALEIGH had remarked on this. She'd been an over achiever since she was a little girl, it drove her, but it also left her worn down and exhausted in other ways. ::

:: She sighed, appreciating this "safe space" moment that her dear friend was offering her in the aftermath of this disastrous meeting with Bianca.::

Delilah chuckled good naturedly.

"I think you might be having selective memory."

She smiled at her friend.

:: She laughed a bit herself, nostalgia DOES give way to romanticizing the past. It could be a sort of escape...but it could also do a disservice when glossing over how bad things were at one time or another::

"All I can tell you is, from what I've seen, those people KNOW how valuable an asset you are, how strong a woman, how smart, how knowledgeable. But you're a new group, and it takes time to reach the same comfort level, knowledge and FRIENDSHIP that someone like you and I share. It's not going to happen immediately. Look at me and..."

She was about to say, Haleigh.

"Sharon. We had a rocky start when she came back. I treated her in ways I'm not proud of. But now? I would die for her, and she for me. It takes time. And I think...I think it's worth it."

:: Sharon. Alycia's sister amazon, dear friend, colleague....she understood what Delilah was saying. What she didn't know, was that BEFORE all of this, Delilah would have said HALEIGH...and once upon a time, ALYCIA could have said that about Haleigh as well. But....they cared deeply for Sharon, and they knew the feeling was mutual. Delilah also encouraged Alycia about her dynamic with the rest of her team. She had history with Zach...even though she was struggling with him now. She also had history with Zizi, and she realized, in her dealings with Rose, that she needed to strengthen those ties. Zizi offered so much, and operated with a good heart. Alycia felt PRIDE when watching her friend and ally, knowing that she helped put her on the path she was now on, and how well she THRIVED in it. ::

:: Things would work out....somehow.::

:: And with Nedry...Delilah once again offered encouragement::

"You WILL. WE will. John is working on things on his end, and Zizi. They'll get us what we need."

"You'll find a way. You always do."

"I'm always here for you Alycia, whatever you need, just as you've been there for me."

She pulled her friend into a hug.

:: She warmly returned Delilah's embrace::

I'm glad that we haven't lost each other in the midst of all these changes, Delilah.

"Anything you need, you just call me."

Thank you. And you do the same, Delilah.

BE SAFE out there...

:: She didn't have to say more on that, Delilah knew just how crazy things had become since Black Widow AND Persephone had switched sides, they'd both been effected by it, and nearly lost people they cared about because of it.::

:: The two women bid each other farewell, and as Delilah is leaving, Alycia meets Xavier, Sharon and her gryfalcons on a nearby rooftop, where Dome is waiting for them to board.::

:: Even though she feels hopeful after her talk with Delilah, Sharon and Xavier can see how tired Alycia looks. Sharon heard everything that happened in the penthouse, and so, little is said on the way back to the clocktower, it's clear that the Amazon doesn't want to discuss it just now.::

:: Back at the clocktower, Sharon puts her gryfalcons in their state of the art aviary that now sits on the rooftop of the tower, and promises she'll be be down to check on Alycia in a bit. Alycia declines Xavier's offer for company at this time, stating that she needs time alone to think, but since they're all kind of "hunkering down" in the clocktower for the next night or so, she'll reach out to him soon but before she leaves him to go to her guest floor, She lets him know that she appreciates his apology for how he spoke to her earlier. It WAS one of the things that had upset her. She assures him that when she is feeling better, she'll reach out.::

:: And with that, she makes her way down via elevator, to her guest floor. Inside the spacious apartment, she makes her way into the living room . the sounds of activity from either the floor above or below are blocked out, due to sound proofing, and the sounds from the outside activity at street level are barely heard in the apartment, only the sound of her high heels clicking across the hard wood floor, in a slow, rhythm, can be heard. Soon she reaches the sitting area, and just COLLAPSES down into one of the seats, exhaling loudly, and letting her head fall back. ::

I have failed.

:: she closes her eyes. Sounds and images...memories...flashing through her head.::

:: Everything from Cameron and Haleigh, to Sharon vs Ashley, to trying to save Zach, and nearly dying herself, to a grotesque, "in your face" image of Dennis Nedry LEERING at her like she was something good to EAT, all these things...and MORE- like Andrew, the issue with Zach and Gabe, her trying be a source of support to Zizi, were swirling in her head::

:: She vacilated between sadness, exhaustion, anger, and RESENTMENT, and her emotions broadcast LOUDLY to those who would be uniquely able to "hear" or "feel" them. The way Alycia felt right now...she just didn't care.::

:: after several minutes just sitting there, in the darkness, she speaks softly to no one in particular...::

:: Her eyes remain closed, as a tear soon falls. She felt so defeated in this moment::

She [ Delilah] said it takes time...goddess...please let her be right...

:: she just continued to sit/lay where she was. In the dark.::

 

[Cypher]

Zizi: "Oh, believe me, I've noticed. Maybe I should let you eat it all."

Gabe grinned as Zizi blushe, admitting she noticed his physique.

"Are you trying to make me fat to keep Rae away from me?"

He joked, handing Zizi the fork. Then he ponder for a moment.

"Huh...on second thought maybe you're right."

He laughed, the thought of Rae man handling him making him slightly frightened. Luckily for him, Ramsey was keeping her occupied so he could enjoy his cheesecake feast with Zizi.

He wiped away the 'I'm Sorry' and ate the frosting.

"MUCH better."

Zizi: "No apologises."

Gabe nodded, taking a bite along with Zizi. He let out a muffled laugh as he chewed, seeing her reaction to the cheesecake.

Zizi: "Mmm it's so good."

"Mmhmm."

He agreed while chewing.

"I truly believe whoever invented cheesecake is a God."

Poking one of the Oreos off the top of the cake, he scooped it onto his fork before eating it.

Zizi: "Maybe there's one more apology needed. Zach. I'm sorry I let that happen."

Gabe rolled his eyes at her mentioning Zach, then shook his head.

"You didn't let anything happen. He assumed and jumped to conclusions. You had no control over that OR how he would react."

Zach may have been right about SOME things regarding his and Zizi's rocky transition from friends to a couple, but he wasn't right about EVERYTHING. And the fact that Zach even insinuated that he assaulted Zizi was disgusting. Even worse was that Gabe even ENTERTAINED the idea that maybe he had forced Zizi into an uncomfortable situation when they were on the couch.. It meant that Zach got into a god damn head and he stopped trusting in his relationship with Zizi. That pissed him off even more.

Zizi: "I won't ask you to forgive what he did and I'm not going to make excuses for him. There was no excuse and I told him so. I told him he was the only person who hurt me today."

Good, he can fuck off. Gabe though to himself as he picked at the cheesecake stubbornly. But Gabe was pretty surprised by her last statement, his brows furrowing just a bit.

"Aw sweetheart....you shouldn't have been hurt at all today."

He said with a sigh, hating that any of this caused Zizi grief.

Zizi: "And I wouldn't ask you to come back to the Clocktower. Except..."

"Nope."

Gabe shook his head, already knowing what she was about to say.

Zizi: "Isis' wards do make it the safest place to be right now."

"Not happening."

He continued as she tried to sell him on the idea of going back to the Clocktower. Zach was a dickhead. Ashley was backing that dickhead up. And now he probably had the rest of the Birds of Prey all wanting him dead because of the accusations Zach was throwing around. He was safer being hand delivered with a fucking bow to Persephone and Black Widow than going back to the Clocktower.

Zizi: I could sneak you onto one of the empty floors? No one would have to know you were even there..."

Gabe put his fork down with a sigh.

"I don't want to be snuck in, Liz. It's bullshit that I even HAVE to be at this point. I haven't done anything to those people...."

And he hadn't. He had done nothing but HELP them since day one. Being snuck in was like him admitting he was in the wrong when he wasn't; ZACH was.

Taking her hand within his.

"I'm safe here. This is the same system I put up in the Sanctuary. [hesitating] But..."

With a deep sigh, he hated the way she was looking at him right now.

"If it'll make you feel better knowing i'm protected by Isis' runes....i'll go back with you."

Shrugging.

"I don't want you worrying when you already have enough to worry about with Nedry and Hellfire."

 

[Oracle]

Gabe's Office

"Are you trying to make me fat to keep Rae away from me?"

"Not a bad idea," she mumbled.

"Huh...on second thought maybe you're right."

She laughed, shaking the image of Ramsey and Rae out of her head. It was easy, sitting there, eating with him. But there was one more difficult thing they needed to talk about. She apologized for letting Zach attack him.

"You didn't let anything happen. He assumed and jumped to conclusions. You had no control over that OR how he would react."

"I know...but maybe if I had said something sooner...told him and Ashley to back off...I don't know. I just hate that you had to be put through that."

Being falsely accused of pretty much assaulting her wasn't something she wanted anyone to have to go through.

And then she broached the subject of the Clocktower...

"Nope. Not happening."

She made her case, but he wasn't having it. She even offered to sneak him inside.

"I don't want to be snuck in, Liz. It's bullshit that I even HAVE to be at this point. I haven't done anything to those people...I'm safe here. This is the same system I put up in the Sanctuary. [hesitating] But...If it'll make you feel better knowing i'm protected by Isis' runes....i'll go back with you. I don't want you worrying when you already have enough to worry about with Nedry and Hellfire."

He had taken her hand, and she looked down at it for a moment, then back up into his eyes, considering. She took a deep breath.

"No, no you're right. As long as you'll be safe here."

She looked into his face for confirmation of that, then leaned closer and kissed his lips, smiling because they tasted of Oreos. Her smile widened as her next thought came to her.

"Maybe the Clocktower should have a feed to your cameras, so I can keep an eye on you."

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower -- Ashley's Room

Zach felt the happiest he had ever been, and he could sense that Ash's exhilaration rivaled his own. There had been tears of joy in her eyes by the time they were through, and even HE felt it: something different this time, transcendent. Even for him, it was more than usual.

Empathically he always shared a sensational experience, much more than could be had otherwise, because even when he just had a partner in lust the amplification of that kind of pleasure was fantastic. But this time they'd reached new heights. Even in his last relationship, a decade long, he'd never gotten such intense feedback. He made it last as long as possible.

They snuggled together afterwards, splitting the pint of half-melted Rocky Road ice cream. He was about to reach for room temperature beer, and suggest they figure out what to order for dinner, when he sensed something on a lower floor. Alycia was back, and from the way her emotions were registering, the meeting with her informant had not gone well at all.

Zach's easy smile was somewhat diminished, and he sighed. He was really frustrated with Alycia right now, but still, she was a friend, and she was feeling down. Their relationship lately had gotten rocky, ever since she found out about his romance with Ashley, which probably wouldn't have been such a huge deal if it hadn't been for the debacle with Cameron and Haleigh. He needed to talk to her anyway, to tell her about who all he'd called to get the UN angle working, and eventually they were going to have to talk about their argument.

He sighed again, as he turned to Ashley, telling her he needed to go have a chat --or more likely, a fight-- with Alycia. He encouraged her to order something delicious for dinner, because he'd be back in a little bit. He got dressed in crumpled clothes, and stuck the beer in the fridge on the way out. Hopefully it'd be cold by the time he was back. He had a feeling he'd really want a drink when this next conversation was over.

He stopped outside Alycia's suite. There was strife on the other side of that door, and it was a good thing Zach was coming from an emotional high, otherwise he wasn't sure he'd be able to handle what he was facing, coupled with his own negative feelings. He took a deep breath, and knocked.

"Alycia? It's Zach. We need to talk."

 

[Berserker]

Bear Mountain State Park

Alek tracked the bear all afternoon and evening, moving higher and higher up the mountain. He saw scat, clawed trees, but had no sighting of the bear himself. He was hoping the smell of the leftover fish he had cooked for lunch would attract him, but no such luck. He had, however, swiped another bottle of whiskey from a campsite he'd passed, and now it too was almost empty as he sat by the fire, voices in his head.

Alek: “We’ll figure this out. We just have to put up with this for a little while. It won’t be forever.”

Persephone softly sighed out, her eyes going to the fire that was nearly burnt out in the fireplace.

Seph: "Then the cabin."

Alek: "Then the cabin."

Alek threw the empty bottle angrily into the woods. Tracking had kept his mind mostly occupied, but now, he was alone in his head, and the amount of incredibly fucked up his situation was pressed down on his skull like a vise. How could she forget everything so easily? One sentence from Haleigh and everything they had said meant nothing to her?

Seph: "Promise me. Promise me...no matter what happens we're in this together...Don't shut me out..."

She kissed him, and when she broke it he pressed his forehead to hers, looking into her eyes.

Alek: “We’re in this together, always. I promise. No matter what happens.”

But it was all bullshit.

He laid down on the ground and watched the flames. He could still feel her soft lips against his skin, her hands touching him. Could see her face, how beautiful she looked lying next to him in the candlelight, her hair a halo around her. He closed his eyes, and all he saw, all he heard, was her.

Her hand reached up and touched his face, and she moved in closer. He thought she was going to kiss him, but instead she whispered to him.

Seph: "I love you."

His eyes widened. Surprise didn’t describe the feeling at hearing those words from her. His heart felt like it would burst from his chest. This was everything he had wanted. For he didn’t want to possess her as Hades had; all he wanted from her was her love.

He moved his lips close to her ear, and whispered for her ears only, the words he had silently said to her a thousand times.

“I love you too, forever and always. Queen of my heart.”

He lifted his head, looking into her eyes again before leaning down slowly and pressing his lips against hers. When he pulled back again, he smiled, and kissed her again, keeping her in his arms as he stood up, and carried her back to the bed.

"Seph..."

He wanted to rip his own heart from his chest. He thought she would come. He really had. Once she calmed down, realized what he had done, thought about the things he had told her. But she didn't.

His hand found the skin on his chest where his heart would be and rubbed, as if he could soothe the ache there. With his eyes closed she was there, smiling, her hand tracing the scars on his chest, the warmth of her body all he needed in the world.

He fell asleep there, her name on his lips, and dreamt only of making love to her in a small cabin in the snow.

 

[Tachyon]

Well, Bollocks. The meeting was a bust because they were trying to reason with the most entitled bitch ever...oh and Alycia tried to kill her too. Probably didn't help, but likely nothing would have and it was fun to see the Amazon rattle her cage before sending her off. Unfortunately for her, her two front tires had no lugs nuts anymore and would need replacing while the air conditioning would inexplicably fail. So while she would walk away from this, she would indeed be having a tough next few minutes, relatively speaking.

Meanwhile, Alycia was bummed out, not interested in company and wanting to be alone. Xavier found it a shame. And it sadly reminded him that while they had chemistry, they had not had time to make any connection. At least not one that would allow him to be the help he wished he could be to her.

Xavier was pacing in his apartment, unsure of what to do just yet. He and Sharon had done their jobs tonight, but the weight of the mission weighed heavily on Alycia. Suddenly, he had an idea.

For a catburglar and escapist, the air vents in any building were a boon. Once inside, you could spy on anyone, get nearly anywhere, because everything needed air and almost no one wanted to custom make smaller or secure air ducts. Moving with absolute silence and extreme speed, Xavier lay a light smear of sage essential oil in the feed vents to Alycia's apartment, then returned to his own surroundings. She might not see him tonight, but she would know that he was thinking of her, that someone was indeed still on her side.

Xavier took a shower, changing into something comfortable for hanging around and then tried to think of what he could be doing right about...now.

 

[Matrix]

Miss D ass was getting drunk. Yep, seen this before. Especially when Set-boy brings her the good shit from Alison. If regular hemlock they kept in the special chambers at the Parthenon was vodka, this shit was moonshine. But it apparently lacked the warning burn you got from alcohol, so Miss D was drinking it like grape Kool-Aid.

Steel showed up and she showed him the closet I selected to enchant. He was incredulous, as if his big ass didn't turn into living steel. It was funny as hell, and with Miss D scolding him I had to get my seven laughs in. She offered to let him try the closet again and I realized that was not necessarily all that was on the table. Keeping it real, that had me kinda fucked up a little bit. I mean, our relationship ain't nothing like that, but at the same time it was at times something like that. So yeah, I was a lil jelly. And we BOTH knew she was worse than me. Everybody else at the HC is screwing everywhere and anywhere and my lil chambermaids side pieces are sneaking around. One would not even take off her clothes in case she had to run from Miss D! I did her every way you can and never even saw a boob. The shit you think of when a woman you love just got thirsty as hell.

But THAT is a question to be researched and answered another day.

:: she immediately turns him around, and begins ushering him out of the room, back toward the common areas of the large suite.::

Thank you for coming, detective.

:: She says as she hurries him toward the double doors of their suite::

Until we meet again, later tonight.

:: out the doors he goes::

Good evening!

:: The doors SLAM shut! and on the inside, Dominique turns and leans her back against the doors, looking a bit wide eyed at the moment::

Richard, this hemlock that my nephew sent over by way of Alison...it is quite potent!

Hell yeah it is. We might want to switch to water before you miss your meeting.

OK, I had a little attitude, but not too much. It's like this, I know that her feelings are complicated. And so I would never play her face when I am doing my thing, and she does me the same way. In fact, she stopped herself just now. But that don't mean I am not mildly salty. I usher her over to a chair to relax and placed a glass of ice water in front of her.

Once Sharon finishes watching out for this meeting, she will make her way to the Parthenon and com-link me. Then we can move to meet her. By the way, I saw you and Ashley talking. What's next, will you do each other's hair? Slumber party mani/pedi's?

I knew it was petty to joke her about the girl, but...I can be petty. I laugh while Miss D looks at me like I am crazy.

 

[Cypher]

Zizi: "I know...but maybe if I had said something sooner...told him and Ashley to back off...I don't know. I just hate that you had to be put through that."

Gabe shrugged, there was nothing they could do about it now. Zach had his opinions on Gabe, and Gabe had his opinions on Zach. They were not going to be friends anytime soon.

"It is what it is, Liz. No worries...i'm not in a relationship with him, thank God."

He replied with a small laugh. He didn't want Zizi to feel guilty about what transpired, because she was just as much a victim in that mess than he was. Moreso really, because she was stuck between her friend and her lover. It was definitely a shitty place to be in.

She suggested he go back to the Clocktower to which he adamantly refused. He was not about to walk into that shit show again. Him and Zizi may have talked through the issues, but everything between him, Zach, and Ashley were still very raw. But as she looked down at their hands that were clasped together, he could see she wanted him to go back with her....and honestly, he didn't want to part ways with her just yet either.

Zizi: "No, no you're right. As long as you'll be safe here."

Gabe gave her a small smile as she leaned in and kissed him. He could feel her smile against his lips causing him to smile in return, breaking the kiss and looking at her with a wide grin.

"What?"

He asked with amusement, her smirk cheeky with a hint of mischief.

Zizi: "Maybe the Clocktower should have a feed to your cameras, so I can keep an eye on you."

"Oh, really? Elizabeth York....I never would have pegged you as a voyeur."

Gabe joked with a laugh, his one hand moving to her cheek as his face became more serious. He gently ran his thumb along the flushed pink tones of her skin, looking into her eyes.

"Or you could stay the night here?"

He offered in hopes this could be a happy medium.

"We could order in....watch movies? Just hang out like old times."

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower - Ashley's Room

They had taken their time, letting the sensations build until they both came together in a way that was so much more than what they had ever experienced. Ashley blinked away tears as she held Zach's gaze, keeping him close to her, so overcome with emotion was she. He held her for a time afterwards, their hands intertwined. She raised his to her lips and kissed the backs of them, feeling safe and warm and loved.

They lay together in bed, eating melty ice cream as if it was caviar, her pausing every now and then to kiss him, or to smile at him, or just to watch him.

She saw him tense, his smile falter just a little bit, and she looked at him questioningly. He explained that he needed to go to see Alycia.

Ashley sighed, and nodded.

"Okay. As long as you come back to me."

She brought his hand to her lips again. Despite Alycia not being her favorite person, Ashley could see that it was bothering him, and that he needed to do this. Much the same way she had needed to make up with Zizi before coming back to him. So she didn't argue, didn't get angry or jealous. She was his and he was hers, and if he needed to talk to Alycia, then he needed to talk to her.

She laid back in bed after watching him leave, the sheet tucked up under her arms. Smiles kept spreading over her lips involuntarily as she thought of him: his smile, or what it felt like when he kissed her, the way he exclaimed in Italian. And him telling her he loved her.

Zach had said to order dinner, so she tried to think of what to have. What did she feel like eating...

Tacos.

She mentally shook her head. Then a lightbulb went off and she picked up her phone from the bedside table. She ordered pretty much everything on the menu from Otto.

Zach would like Italian.

 

[Oracle]

Gabe's Penthouse Office

Zizi suggested having the Clocktower linked to Gabe's security feeds.

"Oh, really? Elizabeth York....I never would have pegged you as a voyeur."

She blushed crimson for like the tenth time that day, and gave him another quick kiss on the lips.

"I just want to make sure you're safe."

She grinned.

"And if I just happened to catch a glimpse of your muscular-ness..."

Gabe laughed, and so did she. He put his hand on her cheek and ran his thumb over her skin, sending prickly hot gooseflesh down her neck. His tone was serious when he spoke.

"Or you could stay the night here?"

Her eyes closed briefly at his touch.

"We could order in....watch movies? Just hang out like old times."

The smile on Zizi's face threatened to take over her head, it was so big.

"Oh, could we?"

Her joy at the idea was clear, her going so far as to clap her hands together in delight. Her eyes went wide then.

"I have it. Star Trek movie marathon. The old ones AND the new ones. It'll be perfect."

And Gabe deserved to have his favorite after the day he'd had. Zizi pulled out her phone and sent a message to the main screen at her workstation, so that it would display for Ashley - Staying with Gabe tonight. - but not leave room for a reply. Tonight was all about her and Gabe, all the criticism and other people were out of their relationship. At least for the night.

 

[Artemis]

The Clocktower- Alycia's Floor

:: Alycia continued to sit alone, in the dark. She hadn't moved much since she returned, and she'd allowed herself to move through the storm of emotions that had swelled up in her. ::

:: At this particular moment, she was holding the lasso of truth in her hands. She didn't have her eyes open to look at it, she just held it. Hestia's lasso glowed, and she felt's divine power, the warmth seemed to sooth her. She KNEW her motives were TRUE, and so...as Delilah had said, somehow she'd find a way to bring Nedry down before it was too late. She'd triumphed before, when the odds seemed impossible, she could do so again!::

:: But what about everything else? She couldn't avoid the pain and bitterness she felt about Cameron and Haleigh, and the mere sight of Ashley and Zach TURNED HER STOMACH. Why did someone was wretched and crass as ASHLEY get to be with Zach? Alycia had been there FIRST. Ashley didn't deserve someone like him. Even if ALYCIA wasn't with him, he deserved BETTER than Ashley, and she knew Sharon, Dominique, and Delilah agreed with her on that.::

:: But she wasn't overlooked. There was Xavier. He was a good guy, a THOUGHTFUL guy....and he seemed so willing to do whatever it took to make Alycia smile. Just as she she was about to get pulled DEEPER into the whirlpool of unhappiness she was in...she'd thought of him. Unbeknownst to her....::

Moving with absolute silence and extreme speed, Xavier lay a light smear of sage essential oil in the feed vents to Alycia's apartment, then returned to his own surroundings. She might not see him tonight, but she would know that he was thinking of her, that someone was indeed still on her side.

:: As she breathed in and out slowly...soon, she began to feel...somewhat calmer. Was it the lasso? No...it wasn't that, there was something, a quality in the air that had changed in the last several minutes. She didn't know it, but Xavier had once again proved he was serious about being on HER side.::

:: she sat up in her seat, and took a tissue, dabbing her eyes, when...::

"Alycia? It's Zach. We need to talk."

:: She froze for a moment.::

Oh GAWD, not HIM again. Maybe if I'm VERY quiet. He'll GO AWAY.

:: She knew that wouldn't be the case. He was an EMPATH and he'd know she was nearby. It's not like she was AFRAID, it's just that she didn't want to see him, or Andrew, or anyone ELSE on the "ashley fan club" train at this time. She was TIRED of all them, and the only reason she'd come back here tonight was for safety's sake. She COULD have stayed at her own luxury apartment on the top floor of the Charope building, but something told her that she should take Zizi up on her offer, in the name of doing her part to help the team "be together."::

:: That didn't mean she needed to deal with ZACH right now, in the aftermath of a stinging defeat.::

What am I doing? I don't HAVE to talk to him or anyone ELSE if I don't want to!

:: She stood up, and marched toward the doors, and without hesitation, she opens one, and "greets" Zach coldly. He can see the tired, unhappy look on her face::

Zach, go back upstairs to Ashley.

:: That's the only person whom he valued anyway, and anyone who didn't get on the "Ashley Fan Club" train was going to be left behind. Well fuck that, and fuck the BOTH of them.::

I'm not interested in what you have to say.

:: She said with bitterness as she moves to close the door on him::

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower -- Alycia's Suite

He stood at the double doors somewhat patiently, even though it seemed like she was going to give him the silent treatment, as if that would make him go away. He considered speaking again, insisting that he knew she was there, but he could feel her frustration mounting and knew that soon enough it would get to the point of motivation. She sharply opened one of the doors. Why did it seem like she was always unhappy to see him now?

Alycia: Zach, go back upstairs to Ashley. I'm not interested in what you have to say.

Oh, HELL NO. Zach felt a surge of aggravation at her dismissal. He'd been cuddled up with his woman, euphoric. He could've spent the rest of the night just like that, basking in the warmth and intimacy. But no, he'd pulled himself out of that mood, gotten dressed, and come down here, because he'd sensed HER distress, and he wanted to make an effort to help his friend, and talk to her about their last meeting, because he didn't want to leave it like that.

She thought she was just going to shut the door in his face?! Zach put his foot down, having had quite enough of getting treated like THAT. The door practically bounced off the steel toe of his untied, hastily donned boot. He knew she was frustrated with him, but she didn't have the monopoly on exasperation -- he was upset with HER too, and if she believed she could just dismiss him AGAIN, like she had earlier? She was about to find out that one-on-one, he'd stand up against her condescension.

"WELL, that's just TOUGH, because I'm going say it anyway, and I'm not leaving until I do. I'm so furious with you right now, Aly. You treated me like a miscreant, you talked to me like I was an idiot!"

He said, as he twisted the handle of the other door, pushed it open abruptly and slipped past her into the apartment.

"You asked me if I was a novice, IN FRONT OF DAMN NEAR EVERY TEAM MEMBER! Is that how little you respect me?! I've only been dealing with everybody else's emotions since I was a little boy!"

He protested in a resentful tone, shaking his head, not exactly slamming the door, but roughly shoving it shut.

"Don't you TRUST me anymore?? You didn't even hear me out, You just dismissed my concerns, like they were baseless claims -- you PROSECUTED me!"

His expression was one of dismay, and disappointment.

"How could you TREAT me that way, Aly? I've NEVER done you like that."

 

[Artemis]

The Clocktower- Alycia's floor

She thought she was just going to shut the door in his face?! Zach put his foot down, having had quite enough of getting treated like THAT. The door practically bounced off the steel toe of his untied, hastily donned boot. He knew she was frustrated with him, but she didn't have the monopoly on exasperation -- he was upset with HER too, and if she believed she could just dismiss him AGAIN, like she had earlier? She was about to find out that one-on-one, he'd stand up against her condescension.

"WELL, that's just TOUGH, because I'm going say it anyway, and I'm not leaving until I do. I'm so furious with you right now, Aly. You treated me like a miscreant, you talked to me like I was an idiot!"

He said, as he twisted the handle of the other door, pushed it open abruptly and slipped past her into the apartment.

:: Her hazel eyes widen a bit as he QUICKLY blocks her from closing the door on his face, and THEN opens the other door to enter! HOW DARE HE!?::

:: She COULD have escalated her efforts to keep him out. But that's not what this was about, despite how angry, resentful, and BITTER she felt, she wasn't entertaining the idea of "getting physical" with him. That's not what her anger was about, this was ZACH after all.::

:: As he slips past her, her mouth opens wide, and she looks visibly surprised by his behavior.::

"You asked me if I was a novice, IN FRONT OF DAMN NEAR EVERY TEAM MEMBER! Is that how little you respect me?! I've only been dealing with everybody else's emotions since I was a little boy!"

He protested in a resentful tone, shaking his head, not exactly slamming the door, but roughly shoving it shut.

:: She SLAMS the other door shut and turns on her high heels walking toward him, and then passing him, as she makes her way back to the living room, leading him to follow her.::

Even a PRECOG can make a mistake, Zach. SOMEBODY had to pump the brakes on on your runway train of ASSUMPTION, and it OBVIOUSLY wasn't going to be that....WOMAN you've been laid up under for the last few DAYS.

And let's NOT talk about RESPECT, Zach. Let's NOT, because it's OBVIOUS that NONE of you respects ME, OR my credentials as a legal counselor, OR the nature of MY personal relationships that PRE-DATE this team.

:: She said, as she began to tremble with high levels of anger and resentment herself.::

He protested in a resentful tone, shaking his head, not exactly slamming the door, but roughly shoving it shut.

"Don't you TRUST me anymore??

Everyone asks ME that. Cameron. Haleigh. YOU. All you WRETCHED people ask ME that...and then you ALL do the most HORRIBLE things to BETRAY my trust...but you expect me to just keep going on, don't you!?

Well I'm NOT going to do that Zach!

ou didn't even hear me out, You just dismissed my concerns, like they were baseless claims -- you PROSECUTED me!"

WEREN'T they?

Gabe isn't a killer OR a rapist. He's known Zizi longer than YOU, AND Ashley. If you'd BOTHERED to find out more about him, instead of relying on your BIAS and the validation of Ashley, you'd KNOW that.

SOMEBODY had to stand in the way of what you and Ashley were trying to do, and since YOU expect everyone in this clocktower to get on the "ashley fan club" train...it fell on ME to be the BITCH, and when it comes to protecting the weak, or stopping a BULLY? I'll BE THAT.

You two were...HAVE done more harm than good, HURT more than helped, but I'm supposed to be okay with that!?

His expression was one of dismay, and disappointment.

"How could you TREAT me that way, Aly? I've NEVER done you like that."

:: Oh that was IT::

You...

...How could I!?

How could YOU!?

:: She SCREAMED!::

For someone who has been "dealing with people's emotions since you were a child." You NEVER ONCE perceived anything from ME!?

I was there FIRST, Zach! I've been there since the BEGINNING, and this...horned helmet wearing HUSSY is the one that you decide is "RIGHT" for you? SHE is the one you trust!? How do you think that makes ME feel!

And you think that WOULDN'T change everything? You think that WOULDN'T HURT!? You think that WOULDN'T COLOR MY PERCEPTION OF YOU, and your ability to make choices!?

:: she scoffed in utter disgust as she turned away, and with her back to Zach, she crossed her arms in front of her chest, her eyes were wide for a moment, as she STRUGGLED to get control of herself. Not for HIS sake, but for HER'S! She was not about to let another MAN that she had feelings for do this to HER! NO. NOT ONE MORE!::

How could *I!* How could I be so STUPID?

:: Just like that moment in front of Bishop, Alycia was now fully aware that her feelings about Zach were about to come spilling out. She was NOT about to give him, OR that horrible, uncaring, unfeeling woman ANY more room to hurt her.::

:: She inhaled sharply swallowed hard, it was almost PAINFUL for her, but Zach could FEEL her clamping down, closing off, using all of her strength and skill to lock up TIGHT. she puled a tissue from a kleenex box and dabbed her eyes, getting the tears before they fell::

:: Finally, slowly, she turned around to face him, and she spoke in a low, cold tone.::

I'm SICK of the clique mentality you people in this building try to perpetuate. I knew Zizi before ANY of you, I am the person who put her on the path that she now walks TODAY, but you all act like you know her SO MUCH BETTER, and YOU....with your "father knows best routine"...you were doing her more harm than good. SOMEBODY had to stand up to you and Ashley, and that's what I did.

Before you seek to HURT someone, ruin their life, and deeply impact the other person's life, you BETTER make sure you have PROOF and EVIDENCE to justify your actions.

Why do you think I'm scrambling to find a smoking gun on Nedry?

I can't nail him to the wall by his balls without EVIDENCE.

:: And now, after tonight's set back, she was struggling to figure out what her next move is. it didn't help that she was so upset...about other things too. She was trying so hard to reorient herself, and put things in order in her mind and her heart, but she was still trembling...zach could sense her trying to use the training the amazons gave her to mask her emotions...but they were too strong right now...and that tactic was not meant to be a BANDAID::

And now after my....setback tonight...I have that much more work to do, and that much less time to do it.

:: Bowing her head....she placed her head on her forehead. her attempt to clamp down on her emotions was giving her a HEADACHE at this point. But in her mind, being open around people she thought she could trust- with the exception of Sharon and Delilah- was ALWAYS a mistake. How was she going to succeed in defeating Nedry, if she couldn't stop making this same STUPID MISTAKE?::

:: And why was she talking to HIM about any of this!?::

Just get OUT of here, Zach.

I don't want to see you. I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to HEAR from you.

You have what you need, what you WANT. You don't have to walk around THROWING IT in everyone's face!

GET. OUT!

:: she bellows, as she orders him to leave. But somehow, she knew that short of physically throwing him out, he was NOT going to leave.::

:: she sinks down into a chair::

DAMN YOU!

Women like HALEIGH AND ASHLEY SAIL through life with approval, and men following after them, no matter HOW BADLY they behave, but ME!? I try SO HARD... and I end up with NOTHING! But I better make SURE that I NEVER question or CHALLENGE YOU, RIGHT? because YOUR feelings are the only ones that matter!

GET OUT!

:: She SCREAMS, finally looking up at him, with tears running down her face::

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower -- Alycia's Suite

Alycia: Even a PRECOG can make a mistake, Zach. SOMEBODY had to pump the brakes on on your runway train of ASSUMPTION, and it OBVIOUSLY wasn't going to be that....WOMAN you've been laid up under for the last few DAYS.

He let that first dig about his relationship go, because it was mild. He stalked after her, into the living room, his anger rising to match hers.

"THAT was not pumping the brakes, Alycia, you blew up the fucking TRACKS, so don't even play!"

Alycia: And let's NOT talk about RESPECT, Zach. Let's NOT, because it's OBVIOUS that NONE of you respects ME, OR my credentials as a legal counselor, OR the nature of MY personal relationships that PRE-DATE this team.

"Where is that even coming from?? We all accepted you to this TEAM on the basis of your credentials and personal relationships. And I have always respected you -- ALWAYS! And if I happen to disagree with you? I talk to you about it, I try to hear you out and understand what you're saying, not just DISMISS your point of view!"

He exclaimed, and then asked if she even trusted him still.

Alycia: Everyone asks ME that. Cameron. Haleigh. YOU. All you WRETCHED people ask ME that...and then you ALL do the most HORRIBLE things to BETRAY my trust...but you expect me to just keep going on, don't you!? Well I'm NOT going to do that Zach!

He scoffed with disdain.

"Oh, don't just lump me in with Cameron and Haleigh, I didn't BETRAY you, I didn't CHEAT ON you! What HORRIBLE THING have I done, huh? You tell me how I've WRONGED you!"

He demanded, but she wouldn't, so he went on, and accused her of just outright dismissing his concerns, treating them as baseless claims and prosecuting him for it.

Alycia: WEREN'T they?

"NO, THEY WEREN'T, if you would have LISTENED to what I was TRYING to tell you--"

Alycia: Gabe isn't a killer OR a rapist.

"WHEN DID I SAY THAT HE WAS?!"

He shouted, furious that she was doing this again, that she was still unwilling to even attempt to understand where he was coming from.

Alycia: He's known Zizi longer than YOU, AND Ashley. If you'd BOTHERED to find out more about him, instead of relying on your BIAS and the validation of Ashley, you'd KNOW that.

"Do you THINK it really makes a difference how Gods-damned LONG he's KNOWN her?!"

Alycia: SOMEBODY had to stand in the way of what you and Ashley were trying to do,

"What we were trying to do?! You do realize we are trying to make sure she's not being taken advantage of, RIGHT?!"

Alycia: and since YOU expect everyone in this clocktower to get on the "ashley fan club" train...it fell on ME to be the BITCH, and when it comes to protecting the weak, or stopping a BULLY? I'll BE THAT.

Zach looked at her like she had snakes for hair.

"ARE?! YOU?! SERIOUS?! You think I'M a bully, for acting in ZIZI'S defense, IS THAT IT?!"

He shouted, and then Alycia went full scale on him.

Alycia: For someone who has been "dealing with people's emotions since you were a child." You NEVER ONCE perceived anything from ME!?

"Oh NOW, you're ready to talk about this, well LET'S GO!"

Alycia: I was there FIRST, Zach! I've been there since the BEGINNING, and this...horned helmet wearing HUSSY--

"DO NOT TALK ABOUT ASHLEY THAT WAY!"

He interjected vehemently. He had TOLD her already how he felt about the way she always called Ash names, how she was always so disrespectful, and now it was time to put a full stop to it.

Alycia: She is the one that you decide is "RIGHT" for you? SHE is the one you trust!? How do you think that makes ME feel!

"I don't HAVE to think, I KNOW how that makes you feel, Aly, but here's the thing--"

Alycia: And you think that WOULDN'T change everything? You think that WOULDN'T HURT!? You think that WOULDN'T COLOR MY PERCEPTION OF YOU, and your ability to make choices!?

"Yes indeed, let's TALK about choices! You CHOSE to be with Cameron. And when I left Haleigh, YOU were unavailable, Aly, because you CHOSE to stay with Cameron, even though we had both ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGED and DISCUSSED the TRAIN WRECK we knew was coming. WHAT THE HELL did you expect from me? That the second Haleigh and I broke up, I'd come to steal you out from under HIM? Is THAT the kind of man you think I am?"

Alycia: I'm SICK of the clique mentality you people in this building try to perpetuate.

"Oh, come OFF it, the only people who cliqued up were you, Sharon, and Dominique, because you ALL want to put Ashley down! But you didn't REALIZE that Ashley has good relationships with everybody ELSE on this team, so when the REST of us STOOD UP TO you three, you threatened to quit, instead of even attempting to address the issue! So even though Zizi, Viv, John and I have all been trying to talk to Ashley, and get her to let the grudge go and just try to work with you three, there's hardly been ANY improvement, and WHY?! Because in your HEARTS, you all harbor HATRED for her, STILL. You won't even give her a CHANCE, but meanwhile, you want to berate ME about my BIAS against GABE -- who I KNOW, for a FACT, has HURT people that I care about!"

Alycia: I knew Zizi before ANY of you, I am the person who put her on the path that she now walks TODAY, but you all act like you know her SO MUCH BETTER, and YOU....with your "father knows best routine"

Zach rolled his eyes.

"It wasn't ANYTHING LIKE THAT, Aly. Maybe if you'd give me a chance to EXPLAIN my motivation--"

Alycia: you were doing her more harm than good. SOMEBODY had to stand up to you and Ashley, and that's what I did. Before you seek to HURT someone, ruin their life, and deeply impact the other person's life, you BETTER make sure you have PROOF and EVIDENCE to justify your actions.

"I wasn't TRYING to ruin his life. I was TRYING to ruin his smug fucking FACE, because when I came in, Zizi was SAD and SCARED, and he was SATISFIED, and that was all the evidence I needed at the time. You'll have to forgive me for losing my temper, and not stopping to build a court case."

He replied, aggravated, because he really wasn't too keen on this continued persecution. It wasn't like he was the only person in the group to ever lose their temper and strike somebody. SHARON. Alycia touched the topic of Nedry, but that was not something Zach could be concerned with right now. They could discuss that LATER, after they got themselves worked out again. The only problem was that Alycia was apparently DONE with this.

Alycia: Just get OUT of here, Zach.

"How about: NOOOOO."

Alycia: I don't want to see you. I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to HEAR from you.

"NONE of that is true."

He quipped, crossing his arms.

Alycia: You have what you need, what you WANT. You don't have to walk around THROWING IT in everyone's face!

"What??"

He asked, an incredulous expression.

Alycia: GET. OUT!

"Aly, if I walk out that door, it means I'm giving up on our friendship, and I'm not going to DO that, so if YOU want to give up? You can certainly MAKE me get out. You go RIGHT ahead, but just understand I'm not going to make it so easy for you."

Alycia: DAMN YOU!

She said, sinking into a chair.

"Yeah, that's what I thought."

He grumbled.

Alycia: Women like HALEIGH AND ASHLEY SAIL through life with approval, and men following after them, no matter HOW BADLY they behave, but ME!? I try SO HARD... and I end up with NOTHING!

"With NOTHING? Why would you say that?? Why are you so hung up on what other women have, that you devalue what you've got? Oh, what, you think I haven't noticed you and Xavier yet?"

Alycia: But I better make SURE that I NEVER question or CHALLENGE YOU, RIGHT?

"That's NOT what I'm trying to say, and you KNOW IT. You DISAGREE with me, that's FINE. But maybe you could do so without treating me like I'm a perp on trial?? MAYBE you could stop and remember to be considerate of the fact that I have feelings too??"

Alycia: because YOUR feelings are the only ones that matter! GET OUT!

"NO! A THOUSAND TIMES NO!"

He exclaimed at the top of his voice. He wasn't leaving. He wasn't DONE trying.

"If my feelings were all that mattered, Alycia, I'd never have come down here tonight. I'd have left you down here, miserable and alone. But I didn't. I FELT YOUR PAIN, and I dropped what I was doing to come down here and try to TALK TO YOU. Because I CARE about you, and I don't want you to suffer."

He huffed.

 

[Artemis]

The Clocktower- Alycia's floor

"Oh, don't just lump me in with Cameron and Haleigh, I didn't BETRAY you, I didn't CHEAT ON you! What HORRIBLE THING have I done, huh? You tell me how I've WRONGED you!"

You could've TOLD ME what happened, Zach. Once YOU got it, You could've given me a WARNING! We...we'd TALKED about this...about THEM before.

I just never imagined that I wouldn't be...

:: She said this with pain, AND shame::

...smart enough...quick enough to GET OUT...before it was too late.

:: looking up at the ceiling.::

I wasted my time...I let the wrong...the WORST people in...

:: she said with sadness::

...and they made a COMPLETE FOOL of me.

:: the topic of Gabe and Zizi::

"What we were trying to do?! You do realize we are trying to make sure she's not being taken advantage of, RIGHT?!"

Well maybe if you'd been AROUND, instead of spending EVERY WAKING MOMENT with Oldenburg, you'd have KNOWN exactly what was going on, instead of depending on one empathic flash to inform your RASH decision.

Do you think Zizi's physical challenge extends to her mental capacity? It DOESN'T. She knew what she was doing, and she was making her way along as best she knew how! I saw the two of them at Rose's dinner last night, and I observed them they were MORE than fine. It's too bad your empathy didnt register her feelings at THAT time. And if there was something truly WRONG with the man, ROSE would have divined it, just like she discovered the truth about HALEIGH and what she did!

People go through a range of emotions during interpersonal relationships, Zach. I would think you'd know that. And sometimes, ANXIETY, even FEAR and even DISTRESS are part and parcel of that experience.

It doesn't mean he was abusing her, or taking advantage of her, and TWICE she told you that's NOT what he was doing, and you dismissed HER. You jumped to the worse possible conclusion because you ALREADY didn't like him, and all you needed was justifcation, no matter how THIN it was, to do what you had already wanted to do.

You're mad at ME for pushing back, but maybe you should be thinking MORE about what kind of damage YOU caused HER.

And do you HONESTLY think that ANYONE in this building cares what Gabe did to AVA years ago? That BITCH GUTTED YOU, Zach. She STABBED ME IN THE BACK. Why would you think that I or ANYONE ELSE here would CARE what happened to her at this or ANY time?

:: back to them, and the team dynamics...and this is when Alycia could no longer stand to indulge Zach in this conversation. her emotions were spilling out despite her best efforts to contain them, and she HATED that HE of all people was here to see, FEEL, KNOW this.::

"I don't HAVE to think, I KNOW how that makes you feel, Aly, but here's the thing--"

Alycia: And you think that WOULDN'T change everything? You think that WOULDN'T HURT!? You think that WOULDN'T COLOR MY PERCEPTION OF YOU, and your ability to make choices!?

"Yes indeed, let's TALK about choices! You CHOSE to be with Cameron. And when I left Haleigh, YOU were unavailable, Aly, because you CHOSE to stay with Cameron, WHAT THE HELL did you expect from me? That the second Haleigh and I broke up, I'd come to steal you out from under HIM? Is THAT the kind of man you think I am?"

If I'd been AWARE of that development between yourself and Haleigh, I could've made a more informed decision. Not even because of possibilities between US, but for SELF PRESERVATION!

:: she screamed::

THEY MADE A FOOL OF ME, the trust, the time, the bonds...ALL of it was nothing but LIES and I was an IDIOT for having invested my time in EITHER of those HORRIBLE, ROTTEN BASTARDS!

:: she slammed her hand down, and SMASHED the end table beside the chair::

and once again, NO ONE has to PAY for they did to ME. EVERYONE gets to run off into the sunset.

"NO REGRETS"...Cameron said.

He doesn't even CARE!

and NEITHER did she [ Haleigh].

She could NEVER be a real friend to another woman...and I was STUPID for having wasted my time and effort on her.

NOW, she and her backstabbing SLUT SISTER are attacking us from all sides, and GETTING AWAY WITH IT!

They deserve to hurt, suffer, and BURN!

ALL THREE OF THEM!

:: To the topic of Ashley and the team dynamic::

"Oh, come OFF it, the only people who cliqued up were you, Sharon, and Dominique, because you ALL want to put Ashley down! But you didn't REALIZE that Ashley has good relationships with everybody ELSE on this team, so when the REST of us STOOD UP TO you three, you threatened to quit, instead of even attempting to address the issue!

:: she flailed her arms and shouted::

OH FUCK THAT BITCH!

Your head is so far up her ass, she could MURDER someone and you'd find a way to justify it. JUST LIKE you've tried to justify EVERY act of TERROR and VIOLENCE that Persephone and Black Widow has committed against us, even the one that left YOU nearly DEAD, but you want to hold Sharon, Myself and DOMINIQUE to some lop sided, UNEQUAL standard!

Just because YOU and the rest of them TOLERATE her BS doesn't mean the world OUTSIDE of these walls should have to. Sharon, myself, Dominique, we are PROFESSIONALS, we DON'T put up with this kind of behavior!

:: now a bit closer to him::

And I'm NOT HERE FOR THAT! WE'RE THE ONES WHO SAVED YOUR LIFE!

The two amazons who, according to HER, can't fight, or do anything ELSE.

Sharon and I both have special histories with you. THAT SHOULD NOT BE ERASED BECAUSE OF HER!

Ashley a BULLY, she thrives on conflict and violence, and she has antagonized Sharon and Myself for NO OTHER REASON than the fact that we are AMAZONS. Most OTHER people would call that what it is...PREJUDICE, but of course YOU won't think she can do ANYTHING wrong. You OVERLOOK the things SHE does, and magnify ANY transgression by myself, Sharon or Dominique, real OR imagined.

ANY sane man that would pick HER? And claim that SHE is GOOD and decent? I certainly do QUESTION his judgement!

:: And with that, she ordered Zach OUT of her guest suite::

Just get OUT of here, Zach. I'm tired of being told what I can and can't say, and I'm not going to let you, her or anyone ELSE in this building stand in my way to get JUSTICE.

"How about: NOOOOO."

I don't want to see you. I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to HEAR from you.

"NONE of that is true."

You have what you need, what you WANT. You don't have to walk around THROWING IT in everyone's face!

"What??"

He asked, an incredulous expression.

I said GET. OUT!

"Aly, if I walk out that door, it means I'm giving up on our friendship, and I'm not going to DO that, so if YOU want to give up? You can certainly MAKE me get out. You go RIGHT ahead, but just understand I'm not going to make it so easy for you."

:: she looked at him in disbelief, was he REALLY daring her to try and throw him out physically? As if she COULDN'T?::

You KNOW what I can do...

:: He stood there with his arms folded. For a moment, she was going to just LAUNCH herself upon him, and throw him RIGHT OUT...but....::

DAMN me....CURSE HIM....I....can't....

:: She couldn't attack him, not like this. He didn't come here to antagonize her or to be her enemy, and deep down, she knew that. and...as AWFUL and as EMBARRASSED as she felt for this, she cared about him. ::

Silly, STUPID me...

:: and she sank down into ANOTHER chair, covering her face with her hands::

Women like HALEIGH AND ASHLEY SAIL through life with approval, and men following after them, no matter HOW BADLY they behave, but ME!? I try SO HARD... and I end up with NOTHING!

"With NOTHING? Why would you say that?? Why are you so hung up on what other women have, that you devalue what you've got? Oh, what, you think I haven't noticed you and Xavier yet?"

I'm HUNG UP on women who behave BADLY and do WRONG THINGS, ALWAYS getting away with it, and being PRAISED for their behavior. While women like ME, who have always had to work TWICE as hard, and be TWICE as efficient to prove themselves, STILL get questioned, overlooked, abused...BURNED. And I'm expected to "keep on" as if NOTHING'S wrong. While the rest of them continue to be rewarded! It'S NOT RIGHT, and I'm TIRED of people telling me that it is or that I shouldn't speak on it!

And I'd be surprised if you noticed ANYTHING, much less "me and Xavier..." as IF you KNOW what we are, when *I* don't even know what WE are. I don't have to KNOW someone "like that" to enjoy sex with them. I would imagine YOU of all people should know THAT.

But I'd be a FOOL again to open up, just like I was fool to believe that WE would be there to...comfort each other when the darkness of those two thoughtless, selfish assholes (Cameron and Haleigh) encircled us.

But I better make SURE that I NEVER question or CHALLENGE YOU, RIGHT?

"That's NOT what I'm trying to say, and you KNOW IT. You DISAGREE with me, that's FINE. But maybe you could do so without treating me like I'm a perp on trial?? MAYBE you could stop and remember to be considerate of the fact that I have feelings too??"

:: sigh::

:: Cameron once said that even without her amazonian powers, one of her deadliest weapons was her tongue. She could utterly eviscerate a person's self esteem, their character, and credibility with her tongue, and everyone, from Cameron and Haleigh, to Zach had seen her do this, in the courtroom, and other settings, but it was often when she felt hurt, scared or made a fool of that she would turn that power on her loved ones.::

::she leaned forward, with her head lowered and her hands on her face::

because YOUR feelings are the only ones that matter!

:: Once more with feeling::

GET OUT!

"NO! A THOUSAND TIMES NO!"

He exclaimed at the top of his voice. He wasn't leaving. He wasn't DONE trying.

:: nothing short of physically throwing him out WOULD make him live. WHY!?? WHY was he doing this!?::

"If my feelings were all that mattered, Alycia, I'd never have come down here tonight. I'd have left you down here, miserable and alone. But I didn't. I FELT YOUR PAIN, and I dropped what I was doing to come down here and try to TALK TO YOU. Because I CARE about you, and I don't want you to suffer."

He huffed.

:: was he serious? no....she couldn't believe him. she'd heard things like this BEFORE! ::

I've heard versions of this before.

:: she said quietly::

I let Cameron convince that I should STAY in "man's world", after the Blue Moon. I let him CONVINCE me that the Six NEEDED me back.

I never should've listened to him. I was HAPPY on Themyscira.

After becoming one of only two people to survive contact with the T-virus, and then having my life blown apart by Bishop and Bianca, I was truly REBORN on Themyscira.

I only came BACK during the Blue Moon because Morgan, Alison, and Delilah, my FRIENDS, needed some HELP.

I let that...telepathic SNAKE (Cameron) CHARM me and convince me that there was something HERE for me...and he pulled the rug out from UNDER ME. He and that souless, heartless, unfeeling KITCHEN APPLIANCE, Haleigh!

I'm tired of having to make adjustments and concessions for everyone. I hold myself to a high standard...while everyone else just skates and coasts, and gets whatever they want, no matter how badly they behave. I can't deal with that.

:: and he KNEW that was a serious thing with her, even before she met Ashley, so it wasn't JUST about HER.::

I PROMISED Rose that I would stop Nedry, and I will find a way to do it...even if I have to make him DISAPPEAR.

But AFTER THAT?

I'm LEAVING.

:: She didn't say it aloud, but she felt it. She would never like Ashley. That kind of woman was not someone Alycia could be friends with OR TRUST, and if that's who Zach wanted to be with....what could she do? Yes, she was HURT, EMBARRASSED that she ever allowed herself to enjoy the once tremendous work/personal chemistry they had, but she didn't have to stay around for this. She didn't NEED these people, and she was not about to let herself open up to another man and be made a fool of, AGAIN.::

I'm sorry that I hurt your feelings, Zach. You're not my enemy, but I also don't recognize you anymore, and I can't lie or pretend like you didn't hurt me either, because you did. I thought we would look out for each other, and be there for EACH OTHER in the aftermath of that darkness that was Haleigh and Cameron. Another stupid mistake on my part.

I'm tired of looking like a fool

and I want to leave this place.

:: Still, there was one lingering personal question...::

.... Zach...there is something I'd like to know. It's a personal thing.

Did you EVER consider me? Or was I wrong the whole time, and got my signals botched big time.

:: Some highly intelligent, powerful, successful women STRUGGLED with men, It wasn't that they were unattractive, and had nothing to offer, but for whatever reason, they just couldn't pick the right ones. She wanted to know if she was prone to misreading men as badly as she had misread CAMERON, because if she was? Then Xavier was definitely getting iced out before she left this building, left this team, left this "world" and returned to Themyscira.::

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower -- Alycia's Suite

Alycia: You could've TOLD ME what happened, Zach. Once YOU got it, You could've given me a WARNING! We...we'd TALKED about this...about THEM before.

"Ugh, give me a BREAK, Aly. I'm SORRY I didn't instantly inform you of the failure of my relationship."

He replied, throwing his hands up, vexed.

Alycia: I just never imagined that I wouldn't be... ...smart enough...quick enough to GET OUT...before it was too late. I wasted my time...I let the wrong...the WORST people in... ...and they made a COMPLETE FOOL of me.

He could feel her disappointment, her sadness, her shame, and he sighed heavily.

"Stop being so damned hard on yourself, Alycia. CAMERON is to blame for what HE DID to you. HE deceived you, HE cheated on you, HE failed the relationship, NOT YOU."

Alycia: Well maybe if you'd been AROUND, instead of spending EVERY WAKING MOMENT with Oldenburg, you'd have KNOWN exactly what was going on, instead of depending on one empathic flash to inform your RASH decision.

"ONE EMPATHIC FLASH?! You have NO IDEA what it's like for me Alycia. You have NO IDEA what it's like, to be subject to the emotions of every person in the vicinity. So don't even, with that. And I've 'been around', Alycia. I was here at the Clocktower last night, when he came to pick her up. He dampened her mood THEN too, but I let it go, because I TRIED to give him the benefit of the doubt. All I ended up giving him was a chance to hurt her worse."

Alycia: Do you think Zizi's physical challenge extends to her mental capacity? It DOESN'T.

"Of course I don't think that."

Alycia: She knew what she was doing, and she was making her way along as best she knew how! I saw the two of them at Rose's dinner last night, and I observed them they were MORE than fine. It's too bad your empathy didnt register her feelings at THAT time. And if there was something truly WRONG with the man, ROSE would have divined it, just like she discovered the truth about HALEIGH and what she did!

He laughed, sarcastic and bitter.

"OH HO HO, yes, TOO BAD I wasn't invited to THAT little soiree at the Sanctuary... you might have heard, I'VE BEEN BANNED FROM THERE. That MIGHT be why you haven't seen much of me lately. You've been spending all your time there, hanging out with your new bestie ROSE, who, I am SO SURE, has just the nicest things to say about me right now."

Alycia: People go through a range of emotions during interpersonal relationships, Zach. I would think you'd know that. And sometimes, ANXIETY, even FEAR and even DISTRESS are part and parcel of that experience. It doesn't mean he was abusing her, or taking advantage of her, and TWICE she told you that's NOT what he was doing, and you dismissed HER. You jumped to the worse possible conclusion because you ALREADY didn't like him, and all you needed was justification, no matter how THIN it was, to do what you had already wanted to do.

"Do you really believe that, that I just wander about, looking for reasons to pick fights? I thought you knew me better than that, I honestly did."

He replied with disappointment.

"The sad part, to me, is that you're STILL dismissing everything I say. You're upset with me for spending so much time with Ashley, but when she saw how upset I was, she cared enough to find out WHY before just disregarding me."

Alycia: And do you HONESTLY think that ANYONE in this building cares what Gabe did to AVA years ago? That BITCH GUTTED YOU, Zach. She STABBED ME IN THE BACK. Why would you think that I or ANYONE ELSE here would CARE what happened to her at this or ANY time?

"Because it sets a precedence, Alycia. He broke the heart of a previous girlfriend. You think he won't do that again? You think he's some great guy, after one group dinner with him, but where is he now, huh? He didn't exactly stick around when everybody showed up, don't you find that suspicious? He HAD plenty of people willing to vouch for him, but apparently didn't want to make his case. Hmmm."

He said, stroking his beard thoughtfully. They got onto the topic of cliques, and Ashley.

Alycia: OH FUCK THAT BITCH!

"That's ENOUGH, do you understand me? If you call her a bitch again, Alycia, so help me GODS, I WILL WALK OUT OF HERE, and that'll be the END of this friendship. And that applies to 'hussy', and 'slut', and 'whore', and whatever other demeaning words you've got for her. If you don't have anything nice to say about her, then don't say anything about her in front of me."

He said, the most grim tone, and a severe expression.

Alycia: Your head is so far up her ass, she could MURDER someone and you'd find a way to justify it.

"If it was justifiable, you bet your ass I would. I dated BLACK WIDOW for over TEN YEARS. You think I look at something like homicide in black and white? You think I haven't been faced with MY OWN moral dilemmas?"

Alycia: JUST LIKE you've tried to justify EVERY act of TERROR and VIOLENCE that Persephone and Black Widow has committed against us, even the one that left YOU nearly DEAD,

"And yet you've dismissed my opinions on THOSE matters, AS WELL, because my concerns mean very little to you, apparently."

Alycia: but you want to hold Sharon, Myself and DOMINIQUE to some lop sided, UNEQUAL standard!

"Because I've politely requested that you three stop attacking me and my girlfriend?"

Alycia: Just because YOU and the rest of them TOLERATE her BS doesn't mean the world OUTSIDE of these walls should have to. Sharon, myself, Dominique, we are PROFESSIONALS, we DON'T put up with this kind of behavior!

"No, instead you gang up on and disrespect her at every opportunity. Very professional indeed."

Alycia: And I'm NOT HERE FOR THAT! WE'RE THE ONES WHO SAVED YOUR LIFE! The two amazons who, according to HER, can't fight, or do anything ELSE. Sharon and I both have special histories with you. THAT SHOULD NOT BE ERASED BECAUSE OF HER!

"IT'S NOT, but it's CERTAINLY put me in a difficult position, because my FRIENDS refuse to do anything except HATE my girlfriend!"

Alycia: Ashley a BULLY, she thrives on conflict and violence, and she has antagonized Sharon and Myself for NO OTHER REASON than the fact that we are AMAZONS. Most OTHER people would call that what it is...PREJUDICE, but of course YOU won't think she can do ANYTHING wrong. You OVERLOOK the things SHE does, and magnify ANY transgression by myself, Sharon or Dominique, real OR imagined. ANY sane man that would pick HER? And claim that SHE is GOOD and decent? I certainly do QUESTION his judgement!

"You know what? I'm very sorry that you and her got off to a bad start. I wish there was something I could do about it, but all I can do is try to convince you to give her a chance. The crazy part is, Ashley is willing to work on this issue. She even approached Isis and thanked her for healing me."

He told her, and then she got fed up and tried to order him out, but he stubbornly defied her, because he wasn't ready to give up just yet. She went so far as to imply she'd PHYSICALLY force him out, and he just stared at her, 'waiting', his arms folded calmly. He told her to go ahead. She didn't. Instead she complained about having nothing, and he countered with: Xavier.

Alycia: I'm HUNG UP on women who behave BADLY and do WRONG THINGS, ALWAYS getting away with it, and being PRAISED for their behavior. While women like ME, who have always had to work TWICE as hard, and be TWICE as efficient to prove themselves, STILL get questioned, overlooked, abused...BURNED. And I'm expected to "keep on" as if NOTHING'S wrong. While the rest of them continue to be rewarded! It'S NOT RIGHT, and I'm TIRED of people telling me that it is or that I shouldn't speak on it!

"So change it up then. Stop trying so hard. Let go a little on occasion. Cut loose. Behave badly."

Alycia: And I'd be surprised if you noticed ANYTHING, much less "me and Xavier..." as IF you KNOW what we are, when *I* don't even know what WE are. I don't have to KNOW someone "like that" to enjoy sex with them. I would imagine YOU of all people should know THAT.

"And wasn't your fling with Xavier a satisfying experience? You're making my point FOR ME."

Alycia: But I'd be a FOOL again to open up, just like I was fool to believe that WE would be there to...comfort each other when the darkness of those two thoughtless, selfish assholes (Cameron and Haleigh) encircled us.

"Well, perhaps you should just 'enjoy sex' with X on a regular basis. It's not really my business, but you deserve something nice. YOU are the one who won't let yourself have it. Keep it casual if you don't want something serious. Nobody's going to think any less of you."

He shrugged. She made a comment about making sure to never challenge him, and he pushed back on that. He didn't mind being challenged, it was being ATTACKED that he didn't like. She tried to imply that his feelings were all that mattered, and he set her straight about that.

Alycia: I've heard versions of this before. I let Cameron convince that I should STAY in "man's world", after the Blue Moon. I let him CONVINCE me that the Six NEEDED me back. I never should've listened to him. I was HAPPY on Themyscira. After becoming one of only two people to survive contact with the T-virus, and then having my life blown apart by Bishop and Bianca, I was truly REBORN on Themyscira. I only came BACK during the Blue Moon because Morgan, Alison, and Delilah, my FRIENDS, needed some HELP. I let that...telepathic SNAKE (Cameron) CHARM me and convince me that there was something HERE for me...and he pulled the rug out from UNDER ME. He and that souless, heartless, unfeeling KITCHEN APPLIANCE, Haleigh!

"Well I'M NOT Cameron. You keep talking about how longstanding our friendship is, yet you act like it means NOTHING when I come down here to try to salvage our friendship."

Alycia: I'm sorry that I hurt your feelings, Zach. You're not my enemy, but I also don't recognize you anymore, and I can't lie or pretend like you didn't hurt me either, because you did. I thought we would look out for each other, and be there for EACH OTHER in the aftermath of that darkness that was Haleigh and Cameron. Another stupid mistake on my part.

"If I hurt you somehow, I'm sorry. But Alycia, I told you the other night at the Infirmary. We CAN be there for each other. We CAN look out for each other. We're still FRIENDS, or at least that's what I'VE been thinking this entire time. Imagine my surprise when you keep treating me like your opponent."

Alycia: Zach...there is something I'd like to know. It's a personal thing. Did you EVER consider me? Or was I wrong the whole time, and got my signals botched big time.

"Aly..."

He started, looking at her considerately.

"You're a very attractive woman, you're intelligent, you're strong. Any man would be lucky to have you."

He knew that wouldn't be a good enough answer, and he sighed.

"There was a time, near the end of my relationship with Haleigh, when I knew I couldn't save it with her, because she loved Cameron too much. And I knew eventually they were going to find a way to be together, and that would leave you and me in the wake. Yes, I thought there could be something between us. But lately? We've seen a lot more of each other than usual, and we have been misfiring on all cylinders. We've misunderstood each other, we've hurt each other, we've disappointed each other. So maybe it's better that we never ruined our friendship by trying to make it something more."

Not to MENTION he'd fallen madly in love with Ashley, but he think it'd help to bring that up right now.

 

[Tachyon]

A run. He needed to run. Xavier could not sleep and his mind was in a state of flux. He needed to think and so he decided to run.

Besides, he had a new mark. A mark that needed relieving of something it did not need to have. It's name? E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY

They innovated Kevlar, Nylon, and many other materials and agricultural science breakthroughs. Along the way, according to a guy that knew a guy that knew a guy with DuPont, as it is called, they developed a frictionless material that they shelved with no idea of what to do with it. A little low level hacking with some other guys that he knew and Xavier knew precisely where it was held. It was in a secure building, if it could be called that. The truth was these types of targets used archaic and obvious security methods that were not designed for the threat he posed to them. Besides, it was sitting in a closet or some vault lying fallow, likely forgotten. They would never miss it.

Donning all black, Xavier took 3 breaths and was off. Once he left the city he could REALLY go for it without having to worry about just what this trip was for, his moving through the air creating passive shockwaves that could allow him to be tracked or could harm others in closed environmentsl like a city. He often worked around it, but this would make things much easier.

Arriving in Wilmington, Delaware, he slowed and circled to where he planned to infiltrate. The electronic locks? A joke. The guards? predictable and slow. The Vault door to the shelved artifacts? A minor challenge while blurring so as to not be recorded by video. And the quarry was his: a single bolt of this cloth. It was indeed nigh frictionless, hard for him to hold flat in one hand. He cradled it as he zoomed back to the Clocktower, the entire gig taking less that a half hour. Laying out the cloth, he admired its beauty, the quality of the work. Satisfied, he laid it aside and showered again, mentally going over the caper in his head as he cleaned up and then straight to bed, naked, his energy level finally low enough to rest.

Now for him to perform the second act of this particular caper: asking Isis to reform this cloth to his specifications in the morning. Xavier rolled over and went soundly to sleep.