The Birds

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra-99th floor conference room

<< turning as Haleigh seemed to trumpet Alycia's departure, Karen huffed loudly , cutting her off.>>

YOU just don't GET IT do you? NOTHING that can be said will have ANY effect on you because YOUR MIND is ..i dont know...PRE PROGRAMMED like an ANTIQUATED computer and cant accept ANYTHING NEW or ANY new kind of approach. If I can't help you..then you better BELIEVE that no one else OUT THERE << gesturing to the window>> will. You REAP what you SEW and YOU'VE got just as many enemies as Alycia...here AND abroad. YOUR HEAD is wanted as a WALL MOUNT by many officials on Capitol Hill where Alycia works! did it EVER occurr to you that THIS could be the moment that makes or breaks you? She's LEAVING..not because YOU got the victory..but because she may well be getting ready to lower the boon on YOU..and WE will be scarcely able to do ANYTHING ABOUT IT once the GOVERNMENT comes calling. we may ALL be doomed...BECAUSE OF YOU!

<< loss of control, an unwillingness to find a better way to deal with the problem, a stoic yet self loathing attitude that allowed her to devalue others as she devalued herself? WHY couldnt Haleigh see what the doctor was trying to tell her? This went FAR BEYOND Alycia...but ALYCIA was CERTAINLY a main factor in this. BOTH women were WRONG in different ways..but ONE of them could make life hard for ALL OF THE OTHERS.>>

<< the birds charged through the sky and Haleigh lurched forward as she slammed the doors of the conference room open and OFF their hinges. Karen's opal blue eyes widened at the sharp and severe movements of Haleigh. she wasnt going after Alycia, she was being beseiged..AGAIN.>>

It's happening AGAIN...and of ALL DAYS

<< Karen's tone was SO exasperated as she moved forward. She saw Morgan and Ava on the other side of the now demolished doors...Morgan had taken hold of Haleigh, steadying her and keeping her from falling and as the memories played out on the screen in full effect...most likely ALL THROUGH the building...>>

WHAT WAS I THINKING

<< flinging her hands...she started to say "trying to help Haleigh is like trying to drown an ocean".>>


Alycia's bond with this team has been ERRODING ever since Master Mold. NO BODY realizes the IMPORTANCE of her relationship to this team..not even her true friends. She's not just "another human"...and she's not one of the bigoted masses. her position is unique..but SHE like all of us has their limits..their breaking point. Haleigh does the SAME THING she accues Alycia of..and yet she cannot begin to take accountability, as if telling us she loathes herself is enough? MOST OF US have times when we are not proud of ourselves..it doesnt remove the RESPONSBILITY we must take for our actions!

<< Looking at Nicolas and Delilah>>

If more of YOU had called THEM on this and forced them to face up and hold accountability...WE wouldnt be here dealing with THIS...on TOP of everything ELSE that's happening.

<< "everything ELSE" of course being the impending attack of Sharon Kelly aka the Silver Swan. at this point, Nicolas, Cameron, Karen and Morgan were the only ones who knew...but with the now threatening bird phenomena...it was going to become more and more pressing. Karen's frustration was peaking...but even as her face showed a look of extreme disapproval, she stopped herself. Morgan called out, asking where Alycia was.>>

She's left this room, Morgan. Most likely she is going back to washington to facilitate the capture and extridition of Haleigh.

I have failed.....

<< She leans on the edge of the table closes to the door, wrapping one of her arms around her waist..and resting her foread down in the palm of her other hand as she bowed her head..her "flipped" hair falling forward.>>

 

[Persephone]

:: Exiting the car, Ava looked into the sky as she followed Morgan into Illustra. The birds were flocking all around Illustra, creating a massive shadow on the building and the street. Finally entering the building, Ava moved quickly to the express elevator and entered it. Morgan warned her about Haleigh and what would happen if she became out of control again, in which Ava responded. ::

"Morgan, I understand you're bias when it comes to Karen and Alycia in this situation, but perhaps you should try looking at it from HALEIGH's point of view. And before you defensively retort about me being bias as well, i'm not. I can see both sides quite clearly thanks to my 'duel' personalities. However, if these...'episodes' get any worse, I agree about releaving her of duty. She is no help to anyone if she's not well."

:: Exiting the elevator as it arrived on the 99th floor, Ava quickly rushed into the conference room right as Haleigh began to have one of her fits again. Running to her side, Morgan joined her as they both tried to steady her thrashing. Images of Haleigh's childhood began to play on the screen again, this time, her interaction with schoolmates Cooper and Conner. Ava remembered those assholes. When they couldn't get Haleigh they went after Ava. Until Ava kicked Conner in the nuts causing his one testical to be lodged within his body. ::

:: Holding Haleigh's head still, Morgan asked where Alycia was, and Karen answered briskly. ::

"What?! Jesus Christ...someone, go stop Alycia before she leaves Illustra! Haleigh's life isn't just on the line, hers as well! Those birds could kill her."

:: This was ridiculous already, what the hell happened in this meeting of theres? Ava understood that Karen was only human and had her faults, but to let the situation escalate into what it's become made her question if there was more finger pointing than 'therepy'. Nevertheless, Karen looked defeated and Ava wasn't going to push any further into what had happened. She was more concerned about keeping Alycia in Illustra and helping Haleigh. ::

:: Looking over to Morgan. ::

"Do you have any idea what the hell is going on? New York City has suddenly turned into a Hitchcock movie.."

 

[Spellbinder]

Illustra-99th floor

<< Ava was right, on many things. Morgan was TRYING to remain objective, but she wasnt succeeding. It wasnt an UNWILLINGNESS on her part like what Haleigh was doing with karen and alycia...it was something else? emotion? hidden resentment? maybe BOTH. had she EVER forgotten or truly forgiven those early days with Haleigh?>>

NO!

<< even there WAS a bone of contention between them, Morgan wouldnt wish THIS on Haleigh, and she certainly wouldnt want to jeopardize the whole team's wellbeing ...not in her right mind. She'd BEEN down that road before during the Inferno and the shame of that would ALWAYS haunt her. Ava was speaking the truth, no spin, no bias and Morgan found herself slightly envious of the goddess' ability to be TRULY impartial at this moment. WHY COULDNDT SHE?>>

<< as these memories played, and Karen declared where Alycia had gone...her mother looked genuinely spent and defeated as she said she had failed. Morgan looked at her mother and then down at Haleigh, then to Ava. If Alycia WAS going to sound the alarm on Haleigh and flush her out..then they WOULD ALL be caught up in it. WHY would Alycia do this? what could have happened in here today? She didnt doubt her mother, but she knew Haleigh was difficult and even ORORO had reached wits end with her in times past and if Ororo, a timeless being could become agitated with a mortal...then OBVIOUSLY peers would have a lower threshold of tolerance.>>

you failed? more like I have failed. I shouldve been here to HELP you in some way, mother.

<< feeling convicted on many levels at this moment. what good was she if she couldnt help keep her "house" in order? and Alycia was racing head long into disaster.>>

Ava is right, Alycia can't leave...the birds outside...they'll come AFTER her! I'd better go after her. I can almost imagine she doesnt want to see anyone in this room judging by the looks on Nicolas and Delilah's faces. When i get back..I want a FULL REPORT on what happened. No spinning, no nonsense, just THE TRUTH.

<< as Ava asked HER if she had any idea what was going on..Morgan looked at her with genuine dismay>>

if only i KNEW. it's NOT magickal, that much i can say..but that leaves MORE than a few other possibilities including the mystech factor that we saw the other night...

i CANT say anthing..NOT NOW!! its not the right time!!

but if we DONT get it together and find a way to help haleigh...i think we're ALL going to get caught up in this...insane "alfred hitchcock" moment.

<< Morgan maded sure Haleigh was firmly supported by Persephone.>>

it's still during "business hours" so i best take the elevator. Alycia couldnt have gotten out of the building THAT fast...unless one of her operatives was nearby and waiting for her like at the Parthenon.

I'll be back!

<< Morgan rushes out of the vestibule of the office suite and down the hall of the 99th floor to intercept Alycia before she can leave the building.>>

 

[Prophet]

:: Cameron was watching something he dreaded witnessing. A complete and utter destruction which should have been helping everyone in the room. He felt for Haleigh he really did, but DAMN both of those women were stubborn and he had a feeling that they weren't going to resolve anything with each other in this meeting. Cameron was still on cloud nine at the words of both Alycia and Karen. Two people he never thought would say a nice thing about him EVER. Alycia had actually apologized to him and Karen was giving him CREDIT for changing. Even though things were looking up for Cameron, things seemed to be going extremely bad for the team in general, and as the team discussed Alison's vision and what might happen in the future, Cameron got a jabbing pain in his stomach. It felt like an instinct, as if her vision was already starting to come true. It felt like a psychic hunch. He didn't have time to explore it as BIRDS seemed to overtake Illustra and the building. ::

"What the HELL? Oh my god.. it's starting..."

:: Sharon Kelly was back and in full effect and this was only the beginning. Cameron never really liked birds and they made him nervous and THIS many birds was almost enough to drive him over the edge, but he remained seemingly calm. Haleigh left by slamming through the double door before having another one of her episodes to be caught in the hands of Morgan. This time her memories were again of Patrick and a man named Connor. Patrick seemed to be a huge theme in Haleigh's life, which lead him to think that somehow the Super Soldier or at least Rick Riley was apart of what was going on with her. Maybe Rick Riley was responsible for Sharon coming back as well. Morgan went racing off to help Alycia and they were left alone in the room once more. ::

"Here, let's not just stand here.. with these birds and everything crazy, we have got to get Haleigh to a safe spot where she is not going to go all wonky. Ava can you see if we can perhaps get a technological lockdown on all the monitors in Illustra? Disable them temporarily? She has got to have something on her computer at home. At least take her back to her place and you and Zach can work on that?

:: He turned to Nicholas and Karen with a look of dismay ::

"I have to talk to the both of you..."

 

[Rampage]

All hell broke loose!!!

Nicolas was enjoying the breakthrough. The people before him seemed to be making massive headway and it seemed to be going well. Too well.

Haleigh and Alycia tore again at each other and Alycia stormed out, all but declaring war on the lot of them. Nicolas was about to intercept her when Karen warned that she could not be impeded. So Nicolas made sure that her elevator went amazingly slowly for an Illustra elevator, stopping on nearly EVERY floor wile he tried to think of something.

As Haleigh STORMED off, she was caught in the throes of another attack, falling to her knees as she broadcast over every available monitor in Illustra!!!!

As Morgan caught her and fretted about the information being broadcast, Nicolas pulled the plug of every TV he could mentally find on every level below the 99th. He turned to Delilah as Morgan turned to leave .

Delilah, with your powers I think you may be able to track the source of the transmission affecting Haleigh. It is on the wavelength that I am mentally describing now. Delilah would have a measure of the frequency in Hz taken from his earlier analysis and some patterns of encryption to try in case the frequency was modulated to deter detection. He "spoke" to Mike as he waited downstairs.

Take cover!!! Pull out all the stops but a damn pretty black woman probably followed by Ms. Victoria is not to be harmed by the birds. Got me? Good.

Mike was already on top of things, having seen the birds as he whisked Morgan and Ava here. He had already pulled out his Mossberg and filled it with buckshot (some of these birds looked huge!!) and he was hunkered down in the car, ready for anything as he watched the door...

 

[Artemis]

Illustra- 85th floor from the elevator to the stairwell

:: moving with a purpose, Alycia was out of the conference room as soon as she broke out of being transfixed by th sight of the birds at that altitude. she looked more direc, less savage but she walked with the determination of a heat seeking missile.::

:: her raven black hair even blowing a bit with each step as the air met with her while moving out of the vestibule and into the hall. She'd just missed Morgan and Ava coming up...and as she stood in the elevator, she began to decompress, leaning back against the wall...and crying as she put her hand over her eyes.::

STOP IT! this is NOT the time for this shit!

:: she yelled out loud. all she wanted to do was get away. get OUT and get back to washington. once she was THERE, she would do what she was under SO MUCH PRESSURE to do, give Haleigh to the feds and make her answer for a LIST of capitol offenses. Alycia had told the six a while ago that she could be one of their greatest allies or foes. she meant that and even though some of THEM might have forgotten it, SHE didnt.::

:: Nicolas was smart enough to see where Alycia was at ..he didnt need to be a telepath to know that she was on the war path now and this time she would take no prisoners. it had nothing to do with cameron or anyone else..it had EVERYTHING to do with HALEIGH and the CANCER she represented to Alycia. not merely evil, not even depraved...simply MALIGNENT.::

:: she opened her eyes, as the last few tears slid down her smooth brown skinned cheek and realized that it was time for her to EMBRACE the FULL mantle of her position and if that meant busting Haleigh's ass wide open..then so be it. She couldnt hold back any more...not for Morgan or anyone else.::

:: the elevator began to slow...and jerk. stopping at one floor. Alycia fidgeted, not wanting to come into contact with any "personnell" in illustra. she was not supposed to be seen by ANYONE but as the doors opened with a ding...there was no one there. she stood and waited and finally the doors closed. as the hum of the elevator begin it stopped just as abruptly.::

AGAIN?

:: she bellowed...and still no one came. after 3 more times..and what seemed like an ETERNITY, Alycia looked up and shouted...::

It's either that stupid bitch Haleigh, or NICOLAS. BASTARDS!

:: she stepped off the elevator and this time, she made her way to the stairs. walking through the door, Alycia, who was now in much better shape than before (despite having always been petite) began to run down the stairs at a side angle since she was wearing heels. she pressed her brooch pin on her lapelle.::

<< Deputy Field Commander? This is special agent Barnett! I'm attempting to leave Illustra Inc. the situation has CHANGED...only now, I'm having a hard time getting out!

field commander:>> Miss Barnett? are you under duress? are you being held against your will? we are ready to descend upon Illustra with full legal power to enter the premesis to extract you and anyone you have arrested if necessary.

<< Not just yet, commander. However, i want you to stand on yellow alert and tell Force Works to be ready to move in. If i am not out of this building in the next 10 minutes and you have not received any further communication from me, then assume i have been injured or worse..and call the National Security Advisor. you have a lock on my bio signature, you'll KNOW if something happens to me and in that case, use whatever FORCE necessary to blow this place WIDE OPEN.

>>:Copy that, Miss Barnett, we have your signal full strength. vitals are running high right now. are you SURE you're allright?

<< : trust me, I am. I'm just getting a little workout right now. i have information that needs to be relayed to the security advisor immediately before we proceed any further with his agenda with regards to a known fugitive. I'm ending communications now...there's technical disturbances in the building.

>>: Copy that, Miss Barnett. we'll be waiting.



:: down the stairs she moved. DAMN this was a hell of a way to travel but because the stair case was on the SIDE of Illustra with no doors between flights and low lighting..it would be EASY to lose somone here and Nicolas would be hard pressed to try to stop her now. she was unaware that Morgan and Ava had returned, or that Morgan was looking for her, ALL she cared about NOW was getting out, and getting back so that she could deal with Haleigh once and for ALL.::

:: Karen had tried her best, Alycia BELIEVED in what the doctor was trying to do, but Haleigh destroyed it. just like she destroys everything ELSE. THEY might back down to her..but Alycia WONT.::

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah? you may go as well. I suspect Alycia is planning to make a fast exit from Illustra. She's not interested in attacking Haleigh directly. At th is point...if anyone touches her or tries to impeded her path...it could be construed as hostile action by mutants against humans...and the comittee of super human activities is just waiting for the chance to come down on mutants and metahumans with full legal justification. I dont want you to try to talk to her about this, i just want you to make sure that she leaves Illustra unharmed.

[ Delilah nodded, though internally she thought they had to do SOMEthing. They couldn't just let Alycia turn against them. But if she trusted anybody, it was the doctor. So she headed for the stairs, taking them two at a time, ready to put her surveillance skills to test... ]

 

[Artemis]

Illustra- the never ending stairwell

:: after a few flights, even Alycia began to tire for a bit.::

UGH! these shoes!!

:: she sat down for a minute, her breathing echoed up and down the seemingly endless stair well but as she had a moment to think, she heard something far above...the faint foot falls. SOMEONE was coming! but WHO? and how far away were they?::

:: she leaned over a bit, trying to see, but they may have been to many flights above still.::

I'm NOT going to RUN from anyone.

:: she said, as she ran her hand over her repulsor blaster. was it Haleigh? no, she'd come through a wall like a demented metallic Kool-aid man. Nicolas would appear in front of her giving a pretty speech...was it DELILAH? why should DELILAH be chasing her?::

:: Alycia stood up and began to make her way down.::

this is ridiculous!

:: she grumbled as she went down::

trying to stop ME from leaving. who do they think THEY ARE!! I'm an agent of the united states government. I dont have to put up with this bullshit!

:: it seemed like the stairs NEVER ended and suddenly she turned to look again.::

I KNOW SOMEONE'S UP THERE!

:: she shouted::

Whoever you are, how DARE you follow me!

:: she decided to wait right there on the landing she had stopped at. whoever it WAS, they would have to show themselves as they got closer and she would confront them, REMINDING them that it was a FELONY to impede the actions of a federal agent.::

 

[Spellbinder]

Illustra- the stair well

<< at that moment, Morgan, unaware that Delilah was trailing Alycia from a somewhat discreet distance, appeared on the landing beside Alycia via stepping disc.>>

Alycia! HERE you are. I used my scrying glass to track you...and NO ONE can move faster than a teleporter.

<< she said with an almos relieved tone.>>

WHY are you running down the stair well? and why are you leaving? WHAT happened up there? don't run out on ME like this. You owe me an explanation before you attempt to tear this place down with Force Works. I AM your friend...and maybe i havent done the best job of showing that lately..but we're all guilty of not doing our best at times.

<< Morgan looked directly at Alycia.>>

I'm asking you, woman to woman...and as your FRIEND to just...WAIT a moment and TALK to me. What you're about to do is going to hurt MORE than just Haleigh. you'll put us ALL at risk of imprisonment or DEATH.

is that what you really want?

 

[Artemis]

Illustra- the stair well

:: jumping as the light of Morgan's stepping disc lit up the area around her, Alycia was mildly relieved that it was Morgan appearing and not one of the others.::

Alycia! HERE you are. I used my scrying glass to track you...and NO ONE can move faster than a teleporter.

<< she said with an almos relieved tone.>>

Morgan...

WHY are you running down the stair well? and why are you leaving? WHAT happened up there? don't run out on ME like this. You owe me an explanation before you attempt to tear this place down with Force Works. I AM your friend...and maybe i havent done the best job of showing that lately..but we're all guilty of not doing our best at times.

<< Morgan looked directly at Alycia.>>

:: Alycia looked with disbelief at first, but then the expression melted into a cool, almost aloof countenance as Alycia relaxed her body and began to speak with Morgan, "woman to woman".::

Why am i going down the stairs you ask? Because one of YOUR team mates decided it would be FUNNY to try and hem me up in an ELEVATOR 90 floors up from the ground. NEVERMIND IF i was claustrophobic or anything like that.

it's like it always was BEFORE, Morgan. You keep company with someone so STUPID and so BENEATH CONTEMPT and she INFECTS the others with her bullshit. She's a CANCER that needs to be IRRADICATED.

:: Alycia's biting tone ECHOED through the stairwell.::

oh and someone is following me right now. i cant be sure WHO or how far down they are...but when i stopped to rest..i heard echoes of foot falls. FAINT...but they werent mine. I dont know WHO IT IS but i can almost GUESS its one of THEM.

I dont HAVE to stay here if i dont want to Morgan. There's NOTHING keeping me here and quite honestly? I AM ready to lower the boon on Haleigh and DAMN what else happens. It would be NO DIFFERENT than if SHE were planning one of her MANY raids of rival espionage agencies...storming the facilities and BUTCHERING the men/women there as she plunders their secrets and technology. You're harboring an INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST, Morgan and its TIME she was BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.

I'm asking you, woman to woman...and as your FRIEND to just...WAIT a moment and TALK to me. What you're about to do is going to hurt MORE than just Haleigh. you'll put us ALL at risk of imprisonment or DEATH.

is that what you really want?

okay...let's talk. let's be real about this because trying to be NICE with your "FRIENDS" just doesnt avail anything. They seem to think that enabling a killer is more important than FIXING a problem. Morgan, I'm DONE. I don't CARE what they think. I might BE in one of my waning periods right now. I've never claimed to always have the BEST insight on things at all times, but i have a JOB that i charged with doing and my PERSONAL feelings is what got me INTO this mess...NOW its time for me to PULL OUT and do what i need to do.

Are YOU prepared to stand by why they try to stop me..possibly INJURE ME as i leave here? is that what YOU want?

 

[Spellbinder]

Illustra-stairwell

<< Morgan saw what was going on. Alycia was backed into a corner and she was ready to come out with BOTH BARRELS blasting. Morgan knew this because she'd BEEN THERE. The Inferno was HER coming out with both barrels blasting...as she exploded with rage against the people who were out to get her. HALEIGH and CAMERON. and NOW once again...HALEIGH AND CAMERON were involved in a sequel and if anyone thought that because Alycia was ONLY HUMAN that she was any LESS a threat? they were mistaken. Not only was this woman an ally with as much knowledge on the six if not MORE than mystech...this was a woman who kept the DELICATE if not sometimes PRETENTIOUS balance/civility between them and government. on some level..BOTH sides were aware of the other and how they felt but the government...in the interest of avoiding controversy at this point and in the name of Sharon Kelly's legacy (as promoted posthumously by Alycia) had not went ahead with such initiatives as the mutant registration/control act and other subtle movements up to and including a full scale sentinel program.>>

<< but here they were. Alycia was on the presipice and fully ready to take the plunge...dragging the six down with her as she destroyed Haleigh. did anyone BESIDE Morgan immediately see this comparison between THIS moment and the Infero? did anyone NOT remember HARBINGER'S horrifying prophecy the night that Stavros was killed and Haleigh tried to blackmail Alycia? SOMETHING had to give.>>

OKAY...OKAY!!

Just WAIT A MINUTE PLEASE!

<< Morgan shouted.>>

<< she looked up to see who, if anyone was there but she saw no one...but at the same time...the winding stair well would blur at a point of looking so high up. if someone WERE there, they wouldnt be stupid enough to just STAND UP in plain sight.>>

if someone is here Alycia, they can't hurt you. I KNOW you can defend yourself but I'm here now and you're a guest in MY building. NO ONE is going to hurt you okay? But YOU cant let Haleigh or ANYBODY ELSE have the power to make you go NUCLEAR. I KNOW beacuse i've BEEN THERE with het and cameron.

you see...they thought it was FUNNY to insult and harrass me at every turn. they went out of their way to demean me and try to make me out to be a pariah in MY OWN DAMN BUILDING. When i could NO LONGER rail against them..when i felt like NO ONE CARED and would DO anything about them...I LOST IT and i snapped. I was pushed over the edge and became the "Darkchilde", unleashing the Inferno and you know what happened? In my RAMPAGE of REVENGE...I not only murdered Haleigh , but i tore Cameron's skeleton out of his body AND ...i KILLED MY SISTER.

I wanted to HURT THEM as they HURT ME but once i lost myself..it was like getting swept away in a tsunami. i had no control even though i was reigning hell down on them. THEY pushed me to that point..and in essence they had power over me when they did that. I lost control..and now i carry the burden of GUILT AND SHAME and no matter how far i go...THAT will always be there in my mind like a haunting whisper...that i'm still a MONSTER just waiting to explode all over again.

Obviously, as you know, things were fixed. PAINFULL Lessons were learned and lives mended I was fortunate enough to have not one..but TWO mothers who were there to help me..but also DIG IN MY ASS and let me know that i had to take back control and that i had to RISE ABOVE.

Haleigh and Cameron were WRONG, Alycia and what happend was THEIR FAULT but I was NO BETTER than they were.i nearly destroyed a city in my quest to destroy them and in the end, had things NOT been set right...neither of us might be here talking right now.

So Alycia...i KNOW where you are right now. You're ready to show HALEIGH that YOU arent ANYBODY'S BITCH and even if THEY dont know it..I DO girl. we've BEEN FRIENDS for ages and i KNOW how you do things. You dont NEED to be superhuman to kick ass and you dont need HALEIGH'S approval to know that youve got your shit together!

<< sighing out as she looked at her friend.>>

there's so much happening right now alycia...SO MUCH...and I know you want to leave..but you CANT. NOT because i want to stop you from doing your duty...but because it's NOT SAFE for you to go outside right now. THE BIRDS..they are...out of control! something or SOMEONE inciting them to this FRENZIED new level of behavior and WE dont know what's coming. we dont know WHO is EXACTLY behind this.

<< "exactly" was the world she would use to justify what was basically a LIE she just told. SURE there was no DIRECT proof that Sharon Kelly was behind the birds going berserk...but it wasnt a far fetched guess either...but right now, the key here as to reach out to Alycia and catch her reasoning..NOT push her to panic mood.>>

please stay here..for your safety AND for ours. I know what you want to do, and truthfully, neither i nor anyone else here can stop you. if we did...we would most likely fullfill Harbinger's prophecy. HALEIGH may not get that..but i do and while I will not abandon her in her hour of NEED right now..i WONT let HER endanger THIS TEAM or the people who work in Illustra.

CLEARLY the problem between you and she is at a point NOW that it threatens the security of this team and because of this, I'm going to have to make a descision. BUT before i do anything...i want to be clear on something.

Alycia, you're my friend and I love you. You've had my back in this cut throat business and youve shown ME things that i might not have know about in the business and legal world. you are TRULY a hell of a woman BUT I WONT have you making ANY attempts on Haleigh's life while you are here, is that clear?

What she's going through right now..it's only getting worse and the PRIVACY of this team is becoming more and more at risk. She IS losing control and there's precious LITTLE any of US seem to be able to do about it. I dont know WHAT we can do...She wont accept my mother's help in dealing with the situation with YOU..and this is pushing you closer and closer to the edge. let ME be the buffer between you and that final step okay?

If Haleigh is to be turned over to the authorities..if that is what MUST happen, then so be it. I will make SURE that everyone else cooperates BUT if you can look at ME and REMEMBER what happened to ME and realize that i KNOW where you are right now...and BELIEVE we when i say i want to HELP you the way i wished someone had helped ME before i snapped? then we can really try to get this problem solved.

we'll go back upstairs and we'll meet with my mother. ill make it clear that if anyone cant HELP in this process then they need to get the hell out and that includes Zach.

But if i'm going to help you? youve got to TRUST ME and youve got to CALM DOWN and just..wait. dont act..just wait.

Remember, Harbinger ALSO predicted that you and Haleigh would reconcile. she didnt tell us HOW but we know that her visions were never wrong. we've always been able to set our compasses by them and even though she's not HERE to show us the way...she at least gave us sight of ONE goal to reach.

If i can save Haleigh..and help YOU then I will have help continue to tip the scales to balance all the HELL i caused during the Inferno.

 

[Artemis]

Illustra- the stairwell

:: who the hell did they think they were playing with? she wasnt afraid of any of them and she would SHOW them.::

:: Alycia looked at Morgan with defiance, a look that very well meant that she wasnt having it. she wasnt stopping for ANYONE this time. SCREW Haleigh, if she were spinning out of control, then Alycia would spin her ass right into a GAS CHAMBER.::

:: But as she prepared to protest, Morgan beat her to it...because Morgan had something the others didnt. she had UNDERSTANDING. they all thought Alycia was being selfish , harsh and whiney...but many of them had said the same thing about Morgan before SHE went over the edge and back THEN the only person who saw clearly was ALISON and no one listened to HER either..just as no one seemed to listen to Karen NOW.::

:: Morgan reached back to what she felt to be an embarrasing, shameful chapter in her life and showed just how far she'd come from that...and Morgan wasnt here judging Alycia, she was here offering to HELP and stand BY her when everyone else wanted to look down their noses like the fake and phony hypocrates they were.::

:: Karen had started to pull Alycia out of her mental funk, but Haleigh once again prooved why a person can NEVER benefit from doing that around HER..and so Alycia temporarily reverted back but here was Morgan..offerent another hand to pull Alycia BACK OUT and walk WITH her away from the edge. no judgement...no condition..just true friendship.::

:: Alycia's look of animosity softened as she relented.::

Okay...allright, Morgan. You have my word. I will not greenlight Haleigh's capture and i will do nothing to harm her while I am here.

I dont...i dont want to fight with her. TRUTHFULLY, i dont want to LOOK at her but i know it wont ever be that easy...and earlier, Karen was laying the foundation...making it SAFE for me to look OUTSIDE of myself and see things from the OTHER SIDE...with Cameron and Haleigh...i even APOLOGIZED to Cameron beacuse i realized that in coming down on him as i did...i was NO BETTER than the BULLIES that i swore i would fight in the legal and political arena.

He's...so DIFFERENT now, Morgan. I dont know what to say...I feel EMPTY in that I dont have the HATRED for him that i once had.

:: Alycia looked at her hand for a moment...she had to do SOMETHING...anything to seem LESS like the idiot she was feeling herself to be.::

look at me...standing here blubbering on like some moron.

THIS is the part of therapy that i hate...it starts pulling things out of you...and you start feeling...ODD.

Don't worry alycia...that means that its WORKING and that YOU are RESPONDING because deep down..you KNOW there's a better way to be. I'm no therapist..but ive got PERSONAL experience to fall back on. If you and Cameron have reached some form of closure..then that's wonderfull. I look forward to the report my mother has. Now we just have to work on this problem with Haleigh.

She ruined this..she flat out refused to cooperate with Karen at every turn and when Karen got heavy handed with her...she turned and attacked ME...like SHE ALWAYS does. Im NOT anyone's doormat...and that bitch needs to REMEMBER that.

I know how Haleigh gets. I think everyone does and just because no one has SAID ANYTHING just yet..doesnt mean its not in their minds. You werent there in ancient greece with us when Haleigh spent OVER AN HOUR causing drama over NOTHING...we KNOW what she does and we ALL had a go at her..and still NOTHING. You saw her behavior the night Stavros died. her actions were INEXPLICABLE. even ALISON couldnt grapple with her nonsense. My mother has WARNED HER both as a therapist and as a witch that if Haleigh KEEPS on this path...she will wind up ALONE and ALIENATED and i dont care how DETACHED and TOUGH she thinks she is....these memory flash backs PROOVE there's a little girl inside who's been HURT the world over and Haleigh is in a vaccum rignt now. My mother was right....the REST OF US SHOULD have stepped in and spoken up ...held you both responsible for your parts in this rift before it got here to THIS point...but since we cant change the past...we're just going to have to muddle our way through the HERE AND NOW. I meant what i said...you can trust me and we will get through this together. this isnt about THEM..its about YOU and its about HALEIGH.

allright, I'm ready to go back when you are. and i'm ready to do the right thing.

:: Alycia nodded, and was ready to get to work. she smiled at her friend...thanking her for this moment. Morgan may not have been a therapist, but she was definately a woman with empathy. she seemed FAR MORE "understanding" than she was over a year ago and alycia could see the change in her. she didnt even speak ILL of haleigh.::


:: and so, with a stepping disc, Morgan and Alycia leave the stairwell and unknown to Alycia, DELILAH, the person who was trailing her, just found her job becoming a WHOLE LOT easier.::

 

[Seer]

regroup

<< and so, Morgan successfully convinces Alycia to stay and she does it the right way..by appealing to Alycia on a level that is MUTUALLY understood. both women have now experienced the kind of pain, frustration and ANGER that drives a person to rage and loss of control. only ONE of those women has LOST themselves in that and now carries the guilt and shame and so she is now reaching out to her friend the way no one else could for HER. Morgan has come quite far>>

<< Morgan has ALSO demonstrated that she's a better leader and descision maker than she might suspect for in reaching out to her friend, she has not abandonned Haleigh either. She is determined to do what is RIGHT and save all those that she can but she will NOT be overwhelmed. indeed, as she bucklees down to take control, she feels that she might just be cut out for helping alycia and haleigh AFTER ALL and with her friends...the team coming together WITH HER...the MIGHT ALL benefit from this...but WE might just be getting ahead of ourselves...after all, Harbinger is not here to verify any of this is she? >>

<< back on the 99th floor, Morgan returns with Alycia and is now ready to hear a report on what exactly happened. Delilah has returned as well and so now the entire team, plus cameron , alycia and dr. victoria are there. Morgan has made it clear she will not tolerate any SPIN or DRAMA during this briefing from ANYONE and for the moment Cameron has been allowed to stay...not only for his safety from the birds...but because inspite of all that's happened, he ULTIMATEY still belongs to the six.>>


<< the time has come for answers and accoutability but even THAT will not stop HALEIGH from further spinning out of control and as she goes..her riptide will pull everyone else in with varying unpleasant results.>>

<< and if things werent chaotic enough INSIDE...the world OUTSIDE was being turned on its ear as the city was now transfixed by the eerie and increasingly DANGEROS phenomena of THE BIRDS...the calling card of a recently returned and utterly vengefull Sharon Kelly. She is on the surface now and on the loose. whatever control Haleigh thinks she might be able to hold on to? Sharon will do rip THAT and so much more away from her.>>

<< and so we watch.>>

 

[Spellbinder]

Illustra- 99th floor

<< and so, back on the 99th floor, the main conference room of the executive office suite, Morgan sits on the edge of the long conference table, with her hand on her mother's shoulder while she looks at Delilah, Nicolas and Cameron.>>

I can't control what's going on out THERE..and there's more than a slight possibility that the birds and their increasingly hostile behavior is linked to Haleigh's growing problem...BUT i'm sitting here in the conference room of Alycia's former satellite office..and the DOORS of the conference room are laying on the floor...DESTROYED.

I come up here, Alycia is ready to lower the boon on Haleigh, HALEIGEH is under another attack and the rest of you are standing here looking shell shocked.

I'd like to know what happened and i dont want any SPIN, i dont want ANY insults..i want the TRUTH.

oh and by the way...i realize just how BAD the situation with Alycia and Haleigh is but the bottom line is that we need her and she needs us. its BEEN this way and it will BE that way. Her position doesnt make her a target for anyone in this room and she's GOING to be here for the time being. if anyone doesnt like it...and if it prevents you from doing your job..then you can leave NOW and go stay at the Parthenon.


My job...is to keep this building, the people in it ...this team SAFE that includes Haleigh...and even Cameron BUT Alycia is my friend and i will NOT abandon her. Everyone in this room has benefited from what she can do. Cameron, Persephone, Delilah, HALEIGH and especially ME. WE ALL shouldve done MORE about this situation with Alycia and Haleigh when there was MORE OPPORTUNITY and TIME. NOW we are at a point where this issue is more than a LITTLE LINKED to the overall bigger problem. Haleigh's getting worse and if WE dont get to the bottom of this..somebody ELSE might and then we'll ALL be screwed.

My mother is pretty good at what she does..and if she's been able to treat and CHECK criminally insane people, if she can rehabilitate some of the supposedly worst repeat offenders...why is it that she cant make any kind of headway with Haleigh?

<< it was true, Karen had an amazingly high rate of success and was highly respected on the east coast as well as being on the national board of certified counselors. it was NOT readily known that in some cases, she would use minor spells to further STRENGTHEN the healing/therapy process. an extra "push" to jumpstart a process she knew her patient was already capable of. in more extreme cases, like her last psycho therapy session with Haleigh, she'd use her magick to reach places NO amount of words could. it prooved to be a thorough , cathartic, if not draining experience for the patient, but they almost ALWAYS were ever so greatfull, believing they'd come to have the breakthrough on their own..and so it also served to boost their own self confidence and esteem. STILL, with Haleigh...no amount of experience, not even precognition or magick could break through her TOXIC defense mechanisms. she was her OWN greatest enemy.>>

 

[Persephone]

:: Backburning her dislike for Cameron, Ava agreed that taking Haleigh back to her apartment was the best idea. In a tornado of winds, Ava transported both herself and Haleigh back to Haleigh's penthouse. Appearing in the livingroom, Haleigh was already placed on the couch. ::

"Zach! Zach, Haleigh had another episode!"

:: Raising her voice to get Zach's attention, wherever he may have been in the penthouse, Ava sighed out. Standing from her side as Zach entered the livingroom, Ava moved so Zach could be by her side. ::

"Stay with her, I need to transfer all of Illustra's access codes to me before she has another episode. We can't afford to have any more of her memories broadcast for everyone to see, or for these episodes to get to the point of her shutting Illustra's systems down and the building being vulnerable of breaches. I'll be back."

:: Quickly exiting the livingroom and heading to Haleigh's private office, she punched in the access code she used before only to be DENIED access. ::

"Damnit, Haleigh!"

:: Slamming her palm into the door out of frustration, screw this, she thought, now placing her palm on the pad and sending a massive electrical surge into the systems, frying the entire network. Pushing the door open, Ava had a pretty good hunch that Haleigh only had time to change her entry codes and not every single computer code because of the meeting she was summoned to go to. Or atleast she hoped that was the case. ::

"Computer, activate."

:: The computer rose from the desk, turning on immediately. Ava rounded the desk and luckily, was able to enter her system without a problem. Hacking into Illustra's security grid, Ava transfered all security codes, shut down procedures, back up systems, back up codes, and even security feeds, into Ava's name. Creating a protection code with a mixture of Greek symbols and numbers, and protecting those codes with numerous firewalls and FALSE codes, Ava needed to make sure that Haleigh wouldn't simply be able to shut down vital systems in an episode. Having numerous protection codes and firewalls would atleast keep her at bay for a little while, and give the six enough time to figure out who was doing this. ::

"Computer, shut down."

:: Dispite not having as much technological knowledge as Haleigh, Ava knew her way around a computer system. Learning how to hack, make firewalls and viruses, was required in Stavros' eyes. Exiting Haleigh's office, Ava made her way back into the livingroom. ::

"I need to get back to the others. Keep an eye on her Zach. If anything happens, call me immediately."

:: Disappearing in a tornado of winds, Ava reappeared in the 99th floor conference room. Seeing the others standing around, Ava craned her neck back and sighed out. ::

"I hacked into Haleigh's computer and transfered all of Illustra's vital systems, security codes, and procedures--amoung other things--into my name. I created a very advanced coding of symbols and numbers to protect what i've done, along with numerous firewalls and false coding to throw her off if necessary. Illustra's safe for now, but i'm not sure how long it will be before Haleigh's mind is able to bypass what i've done, during one of her attacks."

 

[Spellbinder]

Illustra-99th floor

<< as she removed her hand from her mother's shoulder, Persephone appeared. She'd taken Haleigh back to her apartment, leaving her in Zach's care. a sound move since Haleigh would be in no shape to continue today and Morgan did not want to add more to her pain.>>

<< Persephone notified them that she'd hacked Haleigh's computer and taken elaborate steps to ensure the safety and security of Illustra's internal systems, including broadcasting. Impressive! this was CLEARLY the side of AVA within Persephone at work.>>

a sound move, ava.

<< Morgan said.>>

and now that you're here, we can continue this group meeting. I need some answers..and i want some options! we're not going to be able to go on like this....this PASSIVE attack on Haleigh is growing...and all her other problems or issues are now becoming worse themselves

Mother, could you please give me your report on the session? and the progress made?

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh was clearly delusional as Morgan caught her and tried to steady her shaking.... and after the memory from her childhood played..... seeing Morgan triggered flashes of the final moments of the battle with Master Mold..... and Haleigh giving everything she could to keep Morgan from being pulled into the vortex.

"Morgan..... I've got you...... I wont let go..... I won't.... "

She murmured.... but Morgan rushed off to find Alycia, and the monitors [now only the ones on and above the 99th floor] replayed Morgan being torn from Haleigh's grip and pulled into the vortex.... and Morgan's final scream sounded stereophonic. Haleigh looked STRICKEN with grief.... as if she were not just remembering these moments... but LIVING them.... She tossed, as if in a bad nightmare, though her eyes were opened and glazed over, as if out of focus. The metal in the room began to tremble, the lights flickered and light objects took flight. Metal picture frames CRASHED to the floor as Haleigh recalled Karen fighting against Master Mold, as Alison, Morningstar, and Haleigh slowly recovered from being subdued by Malice and Blackout.

Ava and Cameron came together enough to agree that moving Haleigh back to a place she felt safe was ideal... and so Ava took Haleigh back to her apartment, where she alerted Zach, who had been almost TRANSFIXED on the monitor playback.

Z:"I've got her... you can go."

Ava left.... Haleigh seemed to be CRASHING vitally, and Zach gathered her in his arms, and tried to comfort her. "Christ, Ava, what the hell HAPPENED up there? The session was supposed to HELP...." He called, looking worried, as now the metal in the loft began to shift and move violently. Ava transferred security codes and the like, the stonewall Haleigh.... and while for now the lights came back on and the building itself calmed, it wouldn't be long before Haleigh synced back up with the computers.... Zach held her close... shushing her and trying to calm her down.

Z:"Baby....shhh.... it's okay..... listen to me, Haleigh, you're safe now.... you're safe.... it's gonna be okay.... everything will be alright."

Haleigh seemed to be in a state between sleep and wakefulness.... and subconsciously, she was aware of what was going on.... and as he reassured her.... she DID feel safer here.... in his arms.... and slowly... the trembling became less intense.... and she began to come closer back from the edge... the brink of total recklessness.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra- 99th floor conference room

<<Morgan went to find Alycia while Delilah was already following Alycia from a discreet distance. Nicolas did immediate damage control following the latest "broadcast" of Haleigh's memories and Cameron was surprisingly proactive on Haleigh's behalf...even Ava allowed herself to take his cue and do what was best for Haleigh by getting her back to her apartment and with Zach.>>

<< Karen had taken the time to reign herself in. EVERYTIME she dealt with Haleigh, that woman took her to the edge of reason and understanding. There was NOTHING funny or novel about it. Haleigh had a PROBLEM. the fact that she ADMITTED to self loathing and STILL functioned DEEP in her maladaptive strategies with NO SIGN OR DESIRE to get better...it made Karen consider the posibility that Haleigh might needed to be COMMITTED. She knew her daughter was preparing to relieve Haleigh of duty, and being placed in psychiatric custody would certainly help...but who would take her? who would be ABLE To try to treat her. WHY wouldnt this woman just STEP BACK and let herself HEAL and MOVE AWAY from this horrid state of being? she wasnt STUPID, she wasnt ALWAYS this bad...WHY WAS IT SO HARD FOR HALEIGH? Karen was one of the few qualified..but she was at the point how where she was ready to deem Haleigh a lost cause. >>

<< this went BEYOND any personal dislike. this was a clinical analysis based on everything she'd seen and heard..and NOW she was going to say it. Morgan returned, and addressed everyone. Alycia was standing nearby and looking MORE like her "old self", the woman that was calm, cool and collective. maybe talking with morgan helped her in some way? whatever happened, at this point, everyone SAVE Haleigh was now present and it was time to begin.>>

<< Karen stood up as Morgan removed her hand from her shoulder. clearing her throat as she straightened her tailored blazer, looking at Nicolas with a look that suggested "that's IT..i have HAD IT>>

Certainly,

<< she replied in her own icy and disdainfull tone.>>

The session began with Haleigh arriving late. in the early half, all participants were cooperative, and remained open to direction. Cameron was genuinenly ready to demonstrate the changes he had undergone; Alycia was wary but WANTED to find a way out of her issue and move beyond it and Haleigh? well Haleigh does what she always does...she DERAILED the progress with her willfull and intentional abrasive and destructive behavior.

Cameron required the least amount of directing. He was more than primed to help correct HIS part in this problem between the dynamic of himself, haleigh and alycia.

despite my PERSONAL reservations about him..it is my professional opinion that Cameron CAN be trusted to act in the best interest of this team and that he will not try to harm or take advantage of Alycia...in fact he apologized for his indiscretions toward her. He displayed courage and allowed apart of himself that once drove him to be cruel and avaricious to NOW serve as a lesson in reflection.

Alycia was understandably defensive, not OUTWARDLY but her body language, her facial expressions, they suggested that she felt like she was the bastard in the room. She's used to reading people...due to her experiences in the courtroom and boardrooms and i suspect that she picked up on the disapproval coming from Nicolas and Delilah. She began to feel more than ever like people were turning against her unfairly BUT inspite of this, she went FORWARD, doing the best that she could, speaking her mind as only she knew how. She slipped into the "victim" mode and I explained to her that being victimized against your will is one thing. FALLING DOWN and PLAYING the victim, expecting others, who (in the case of haleigh) cant even take care of themsleves to take care of you is weak and foolish. Even THOUGH haleigh made promises she couldnt keep, Alycia was smart enough and should have realized THAT all along. It might have lessened the burden she's been suffering from.

<< looking at Nicolas.>>

a person doesnt HAVE to start out knowing all the answers or being the most enlightened...but being willing to LEARN and to GET there is what is important and THAT is what i observed from Alycia.

<< turning back to Morgan>>

She KNOWS she's made mistakes and poor judgement since the tragedy of Master Mold. She wants to pick herself up and move AHEAD and get BACK to her true self....and given her track record, KNOWING how thorough and committed she is to whatever she sets her mind to. She even humbled herself and APOLOGIZED to Cameron, as she realized that she had become the kind of person SHE pledged to FIGHT in the courtroom..a bully toward him and i knew from this and a previous meeting with Alycia that she was ready and WILLING to address her problem with Haleigh and to come to a true understanding, possibly FORGIVENESS.

it is my professional opinion that Alycia WILL recover and will return to a more balanced mind set. She is not a risk. Her PROFESSIONAL obligations to the government, and the possibility of her arresting Haleigh...that is not something ANYONE in this room can interfere with.

<< looking among the group>>

and then we come to Haleigh..

<< her name dripped off Karen's tongue like a drop of flaming acid>>

Haleigh was the most unreceptive and uncooperative person in this session. from the very beginning, she questioned my approach, my motives and minimized the need for the session itself. she insulted Alycia, inspite of the ground rule against name calling and took the opportunity to basically excuse her behavior by saying it didnt matter what anyone else thought...even if they thought she was a monster that was okay because she KNEW she was a monster and no one could hate her more than she hates herself.

I've heard better lines from an alcoholic who can't stop getting caught for DUI's.

<< Karen quipped as she folded her arms.>>

Being AWARE of a problem is fine, until you begin using what you've identified as your EXCUSE For intolerable, bad behavior and THAT is what Haleigh is doing. its what she ALWAYS does and we're right back to square one. Haleigh resisted all attempts at reason, and when i took a hardline approach, she became openly hostile and beligerent. The tone of the session deteriorated from there with Alycia temporarily reverting and storming out and shortly after that, the birds came charge through the sky around Illustra, covering us in a sea of SHADOW....it was at THIS moment that Haleigh experienced her latest "episode" and then Morgan and Ava arrived.

Haleigh, in my opinion is a risk to the safety and security of this team and this building. the larger picture that YOU ALL will have to consider is that she IS a fugitive in several countries INCLUDING the united states. she's a highly sought after war criminal in both the legal and espionage realms and Alycia is DUTY BOUND to arrest her. by NOT having down so...and by COVERING for the six as she has, Alycia places her own well being and standing in jeopardy but at this point, She's not willing to do it anymore and I cannot blame her.

Haleigh can and WILL drain ANYONE of all they have to give. she is , to put it simply, an emotional LEECH and on the OTHER SIDE, she is so ROOTED in her ways, that she REFUSES to even LOOK UP to see other ways of being. she is so COMFORTABLE with her toxic dysfunction that it doesnt reigster to her. THIS is what makes it so EASY for her to engage in the most inexplicable, often INFURIATING acts and conversations as MANY of you have experienced, only NOW there's something happening where not only can she control her behavior, but she cant control her BODY. THIS is TOO SERIOUS to ignore OR to minimize.

<< her eyebrows raised slightly as she spoke.>>

Haleigh needs to be RELIEVED of duty AND considered a flight risk. She knows just as well as you all do that Alycia has the power to arrest her and bring her to justice. If she kills Alycia..she will cause Harbinger's prediction to come to pass and we will ALL pay the price. I warned her myself once before that if she continued on this path, she would ALIENATE everyone around her and be left ALONE..to DIE with no one caring. She may have hid behind the "self loathing" excuse to act as though it didnt matter, but she is STILL human and she doesnt want to die. she wants the same things that she thinks everyone else has.

There is a loss of control happening here and something MUST be done about it. For HER saftey and peace of mind...such as it is, I recommend she NOT be involved in any further activities of THE SIX. She needs to be confined to her quarters or placed somewhere OUTSIDE of this building. keep the lines of communication OPEN but do not let her back until after this crisis is addressed.

 

[Prophet]

99th floor - conference room

:: Suprisingly enough, Ava didn't give Cameron and witty insult and just took her sister back to her apartment, while Morgan arriving, taking her place behind her mother as she was asking for a complete briefing on what had happened during the meeting from Karen. ::

"All Hell Broke Loose, that's what happened..."

:: Karen made her observations in a clear and concise manner. He was still in a very surreal state to know that Karen was actually admitting his progress to Morgan, it was just something that never happened to him before. It made him feel that the path he was now on was the right one. Karen continued onto Alycia and her observations were fair. Even though she had such a hard exterior, at least Cameron understood her. He got her motives and her reasons for doing what she had done, he also understood the pressure she was under. Sometimes Cameron felt surprisingly human in the prescence of people like Morgan and Alison. So much power that Cameron could only hope to have. ::

:: Then the subject came to Haleigh. He knew that this would not go well but he was extremely distressed when they wanted to relieve her of her duties and send her away to get psychiatric treatment. But Cameron didn't know just WHO could treat her and just HOW they would get her out of Illustra if she did leave, and most of all, he didn't WANT her to leave. He waited for Karen to finish her statements before he made a small statement. ::

"I am just REALLY worried about that Dr. Victoria. The most progress she has made has been with this TEAM. I just.. sending her away seems DANGEROUS to me now, especially with the birds out here now.. I agree with relieving her of her duties to the Six, even though she is going to flip, but I don't think we should send her away..."

:: He looked at Morgan as he said this hoping to convey that he knew that Sharon Kelly was behind the birds and that she was gunning for Haleigh and that if they separated her from the Six it might make it THAT much easier for Sharon to get at her unnoticed. ::

:: Cameron was also worried about his sister's vision. None of them knew how this would come into fruition or HOW it might come to be. Could this decision be the straw that breaks Haleigh's back, and could it literally set her off the deep end. It all seemed SO dire now that every decision and thought made Cameron second guess his thoughts. ::

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas spoke up, his voice even and deep.

I agree with Cameron. In fact, I have a couple of concerns. In this meeting, as well as in times previous, Haleigh has exhibited poor behavior, listening skills, and has been emotionally unavailable. That is a FACT.

But in the end, Alycia was ready to KNOWINGLY send Haleigh her death, and possibly us with her. Alycia is as smart if not smarter than anyone else in this ROOM. She realizes that if she green-lights Haleigh's apprehension that she will open the door to investigations into all of us as Haleigh's co-conspirators. Although you have defended her and stood by her as a best friend Morgan, she was willing to risk OUTING you and your family here in order to strike at Haleigh. I believe that as we attempt to move forward that it is not unreasonable to ask that the threat of this intervention is not dangled over our heads. She has a right to feel safe, and SO DO WE.

And as we look at Haleigh, are we considering this all from her position? Even as she acts in a way that is not productive emotionally for those around her, she has saved far more lives as an agent of this team than she has taken as a killer. Shouldn't that fact ALONE inspire us not to give up on her, especially when we see the pain that she is in?

Yet the people who she lives with and have fought alongside bring someone in who is armed with a device specifically aimed at bringing her down while simultaneously admonishing her to be non-threatening and peaceful. She is attacked mentally by some outside force we have yet to ascertain yet we are evaluating her mental competency at the same time. She is reminded that although this has been her home, that it could be taken away and WE may stand idly by and do nothing about it, that thought alone would drive some people mad.

Yet we say nothing to Alycia about what the likely consequences of her actions would be. Make no mistake, if Alycia steps aside and allows the less enlightened in this administration to act against mutants and metahumans, there will be a war. Millions of people will die, and I do not have to be a Seer to see that. And for what?

There are problems here, but they are on both sides, and Alycia does not benefit from hiding behind her position in this government as she lashes out at Haleigh. She has kept Haleigh a secret from others for quite some time. She generates no further risk to herself from continuing to do so. To act otherwise allows Alycia to use her government office to rationalize a decision with horrific and murderous consequences.

Look, I want what's best for BOTH women. Both of them need our help, both of them have been valuable to this team, and BOTH of them need to address this situation in an adult manner. No threats, no weapons. There is quite simply too much at stake for everyone here...