A Weekend Affair # 6 - The Red Bacchanalia

From a dark corner of the private room where John and Ava were currently engaged in some good old fashion sexual deviance, a pair of cobalt blue eyes appeared in the corner as The White King watched the encounter from his study. He had used his powers to shield him from being detected and Heidi was busy getting ready for the event. He was biding his time, getting a feel for the mansion before letting the others know he had come back. Part of him was bitter, his absence had seemed to bond them all together. It made him feel for a moment as if he were actually the problem with Hellfire, but he knew better. A common enemy was a valuable tool, and he was that in this moment.

"Well, now seems a good a time as any...Here goes nothing."

With a wave of his hand, Cameron dropped the shields he had in place, allowing him to be tracked in the mansion, and watched from his phone as several security alerts lit up. It would only be a matter of time before Haleigh and the others were aware, but Cameron didn't want to cause a giant scene at Ashley's event, despite the fact that he felt a bit thrown under the bus by her in terms of their agreement about Alek. He had never mentioned her name to anybody, never linked her to anything he had said to the others and as his mind allowed him to gleam the goings on in the mansion from the memories of those in the Great Hall, for a moment he found himself a bit afraid.

Reaching out with his mind, Cameron entered both Ava's and Ashley's brains, speaking to them as he leaned back in his chair.

[to Ashley and Ava via thought call] "I'm told you two are supposed to get to me before the others? I'm in my study."

It would be a race to see who got their first - Ava and Ashley...or his wife. Or the firing squad.
 
Hellfire - The Bacchanalia

Zach had forgotten about politics, forgotten about power. All he could think about was how it felt to be with her, not just physically, but emotionally. He was steeped in her desire, and it was far beyond simple lust. He felt it within himself too, an old lonely ache that had found an echo, immensely gratifying in its familiarity.

He wanted more than her body, and shared more of himself in the process. She clung to him, her hands pulling him closer, her leg hooked around him to keep him where she wanted him. His hands slid over her body, groping for purchase. His mouth was pressed against hers as much as possible.

Brienne: Don’t stop.... don’t ever stop...

“No... never...”

He swore, as she got close. She came and it was like a riptide of passion, pulling him along to his climax. He groaned with pleasure, thrusting himself deeply and holding there, his forehead resting on hers.

“But, maybe, a brief pause from time to time will be necessary....”

He said, with a delirious smile. He kissed her gently now, slowly, though it was still laced with need.

“I don’t want you to leave tomorrow....”

He whispered.
 
The Bacchanalia - Near the Fighting Pit

Ashley liked this new feeling, the one where she didn't feel she had to stop touching AJ just because Alek was around. She leaned back against him, the warmth of his body encompassing her in a feeling of absolute security. Alek suggested that Heidi's silence meant she was on Cameron's side.

Haleigh: "Let's hope not, I like Heidi. It'd be a shame to have to put her down. And we must remember, it's entirely possible Cameron has seized her mind, and taken her free will. But if she attacks, we won't have much choice."

Ashley tore another strip of meat off the bone she held, then waved it around a little.

"You know, this situation really sucks Haleigh."

AJ: "At least the pack is not stretched too thin."

Ashley turned her head to smile at him.

Haleigh: "True. And I've been able to talk to White Court security, tell them the truth before Cameron had a chance to spin the situation."

Alek: "Excellent. They need to hear truth not spin."

Ashley nodded.

"But some will choose to believe what they want anyway. Some will not like the idea of their queen carrying the Red Court's heir."

Their eyes drifted to the fight going on for fun below, knowing that it might be very real in a few hours.

Haleigh: "Siphon has really distinguished himself from your rank and file."

"He is an excellent example to the other men."

Alek: "We've decided to make him our new Rook. It's a good time to have a full court. And, of course, we want to reward our people when they save a regent's life."

"Plus our Knight and Bishop found him to be a more than adequate candidate."

Alek gave her a look, and she smirked back at him. He started getting lovey dovey with Haleigh again, which was incredibly unappetizing. Luckily, Bretta chose that moment to arrive. Ashley flashed her a wide smile.

Bretta: “Well, you three [AJ, Ashley, and Alek] completely know how to throw a party! Ashley, you look sensational as always.”

"Thank you, Bretta. As do you. We appreciate that you chose to dress for our humble theme."

Bretta *teasingly*: “Why, you little minx! I should’ve known that you’d show every female up in this place.”

"I appreciate the sentiment, but we all know, no one can outshine an honest to goodness faerie."

Alek: "Bretta! Don't you look festive? Are you enjoying yourself? Not homesick just yet, I hope. Make sure you try the excellent food."

Ashley wondered if Alek had fucked Bretta yet, or if he was going to try and somehow do it under Haleigh's nose. But no, she was sure she would have heard about it if he had. He wouldn't have been able to help it but brag.

"More wine, Bretta?"

Ashley gestured for a servant to come fill up her own goblet, and check on the European Red Queen's as well. She gestured towards the sand floor below them.

"Do you enjoy blood sports?"

Ashley heard Alek's phone buzz, then felt her own, and she pulled it from the pocket sewn into her skirt. It was a security alert. She looked up.

"Cameron."

She said the word, even though she knew the others had gotten the same alert she had. She tossed the remnant of her meal on a passing tray, looking around for Ava and not seeing her, sent her a text.

Cameron: [to Ashley and Ava via thought call] "I'm told you two are supposed to get to me before the others? I'm in my study."

"He's in his study. Alek..."

Alek: "I know, I know. I'll keep her away."

"Bretta, I hope you'll excuse me. Please enjoy the party."

Ashley clasped AJ's hand, and hoped Ava would join them along the way. When they were out of the room and moving down the hallway, she gave him the instruction she knew he wouldn't like.

"Stay outside, make sure the guard is in place and ready."

She stopped, and faced him.

"But if I start yelling, get your ass inside and save me."

She grinned, and stood on her toes to kiss him forcefully, her hands on his chest. That taken care of, she continued walking quickly towards the White Wing.
 
The Bacchanalia - Private Room

His eyes were all on Ava, her body plain for him to see, her hands on Isabelle's breasts, their mouths coming together with passionate desire. Ava moved lower, taking the girl's breast in her mouth, causing John to lean forward, already ready to take Ava. She looked up at him as she spread her partner's thighs, and his eyes were filled with a primal need, that was only so tenuously not being fulfilled already.

The girl's moans were instantaneous when Ava's mouth connected with her intimate regions. He felt as if he were stranded on a desert island, a million miles between he and Ava. So he stood, moving slowly, predatory, towards the two women. He pulled at the hem of his tunic, raising it to remove it. But just as he was about to bring it over his head, there was a voice in his ear, telling him that Security had picked up Cameron. In his study, of all places.

He let the tunic fall back into place, looking down at Ava. This really was the worst possible timing. He offered her his hand.

[com] "Amanda, Ben, you know the plan. Get our guards in position near Cameron's study and prepare to protect the White Queen."

His eyes were sad, and his nether regions throbbing, as he spoke just to his queen.

"I have to go too."

He touched her cheek, leaning in to give her a gentle kiss.

"Be safe. If he attacks, get out of there, form up back here with us."

He looked around them with a sigh.

"To be continued, yeah?"

And with a last smile, he ducked through the drapes, heading to back Alek up with Haleigh. He could see the special Red guards that had been assigned to Haleigh marching towards her to join the two already there. He ducked through the line they were forming to stand at Haleigh's side. He nodded to Alek, then her, and then his body melted to organic steel.

"He won't get through me, I promise."
 
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Ava was quite literally making a meal out of the servant, the moans coming from the girl like a symphony of pleasure drowned out by the loud music of the party. Ava lifted her gaze seeing John stand from his chair, the look of absolute lust in his eyes. They were dark - darker than even hers - as he slowly began to move toward them. Ava was already anticipating what John was going to do to her, her sex throbbing and wet at the thought. As he made his way closer, preparing to undress, suddenly security was speaking in her ear piece saying that Cameron was in Hellfire. Now?! He chose now to show up? Out of all the times he could have paraded his disgruntled ass into Hellfire, he decided to make his appearance when Ava was about to get the threesome she had been wanting with John. But all of the fun and desire had to be put on the back burner immediately, Ava's eyes filled with concern as she looked up at John knowing that this was it. This was the moment that would either tear Hellfire apart or bring it even closer together.

John offered his hand and Ava took it, standing from the couch and grabbing her discarded dress.

John: [com] "Amanda, Ben, you know the plan. Get our guards to the Red party and prepare to protect the White Queen."

Ava slipped her dress back on, zipping it up before putting on her sheer overlay, snapping it back around her neck and shoulder. It was then that John's hand touched her cheek, Ava grasping his wrist and clutching it.

John: "I have to go too. Be safe. If he attacks, get out of there, form up back here with us."

She hated that they had to separate, but if Cameron was unhinged, Haleigh needed all the protection she could get.

"I will..."

She whispered as John kissed her, Ava holding his face for a moment.

"I love you."

John looked around, the same amount of disappointment in his eyes as were in hers.

John: "To be continued, yeah?"

Ava gave him a small smile.

"Definitely."

Then John was gone and Ava's face became serious. Inhaling a deep breath, she disappeared in a tornado of winds, the heavy red curtains blowing out into the party as she left. Reappearing outside Cameron's study, Ashley and AJ were already there, Ava looking grimly at them both before turning to the closed door and pushing it open. There he was, sitting at his desk as if nothing had ever happened. Ava's eyes narrowed as she walked into the room.

"So you finally decided to come back and face your problems? The problems you left ME high and dry to deal with."

Yeah, she was pissed.

"I'm sure you've poked around my head enough to know exactly what's been happening here while you've been gone."

Ava shook her head, looking at him in disbelief.

"They [gesturing to Ashley and AJ, though she meant everyone in general] thought I was plotting Haleigh's murder with you! That I was going to kill her and her children! I nearly started a CIVIL WAR, Cameron!"

It was then Ava's eyes looked at him with less hostility and more pain at the thought of how things had gone so far south so quickly. She didn't want to fight her friend. She didn't even want to entertain the idea of it. But as pissed off as she was at Cameron, she couldn't let him hurt Haleigh's children. They were the innocents in all of this, and Ava would be damned if she didn't do everything in her power to protect them.

"I understand you're hurting....but please tell me you're not here to start an actual war. No one here wants to fight you, Cameron. But we will...to protect those babies."
 
Hellfire -- The Bacchanalia

AJ lamented how soon Ava left after coming over to greet his Queen. Really he was not so secretly disappointed that the two Queens had stopped with the heavy petting of each other.

Ash: But I promised no one else but you, so I guess I can’t invite Ava to sleep over anymore...

“Hmm... well... can’t argue with that, I suppose.”

AJ replied, leading his Queen over to the fighting pit and having some roast bear brought over to her. She ate like an animal, and it was rather hot. Savage could’ve spent all night watching her, but Haleigh and Alek came over to interrupt.

AJ kept his arms wrapped around his Queen, holding her against his body, and she made no effort to pull away when the others came near. That seemingly small detail made AJ the happiest man in the room right then. Haleigh complimented his Queen and the party, and then went straight to discussing business.

“At least the pack is not stretched too thin.”

He commented, though there really wasn’t much else that could be said, as Alek noted, it was just a matter of waiting. Haleigh mentioned that she’d had a chance to tell her Watchmen the truth, before the White King could spin the situation to his advantage. Alek seemed that good, and AJ nodded in light agreement. The more their numbers, the better, and Haleigh would need defenders within her own Court, as well as the others.

Ash: But some will choose to believe what they want anyway. Some will not like the idea of their queen carrying the Red Court's heir.

Haleigh: Those will be the ones that will die.

The White Queen said darkly, and Savage glanced at her with a small smirk. He could see a she-wolf behind her eyes, or perhaps more appropriately, a mama bear intent on protecting her cubs. Her apprehension from earlier was no longer apparent, and that would be very helpful when her husband finally returned.

They discussed, briefly, Siphon’s promotion, and then the little fairy queen came over for pleasantries. AJ let the others speak, his gaze moving from one to the other, until he noticed in his peripheral vision that Haleigh’s head perked up abruptly, and then seconds later all their phones started to make noise. Ashley was the one to announce it. The White King had returned, and now they must act quickly.

Haleigh: Heidi’s in her room, getting dressed for the party, as if nothing is wrong....

“We should send Jack to escort her. If he can bring her here separately from her King, we might have a better chance at recovering her.”

He suggested, and Haleigh nodded. Ashley led him out of the Bacchanalia, and as they went he called for Jack, and sent him to collect Heidi. AJ followed his Queen to Cameron’s study, and made a noise of protest when she suggested he wait outside. But Ava appeared, and the two Queens went ahead together, leaving Savage standing outside in the hall, with a tri-color assortment of security guards from different courts. He could hear Ava reading Cameron the riot act.
 
Maybe it was because he was an empath, or maybe it was because she was a fool, but either way Brienne was feeling something beyond just the physical since their blow up fight after the Black Gala. He had promised her he wasn't using her, something she never truly believed was possible because she always fucked men and kicked them out before they had a chance to use her. But this time, she felt it when he said it. Zach used his abilities and shared himself with her, and it was a completely different experience for Brienne. And after what he said in regards to Haleigh's snide comment? It made her want him even more in a way she hadn't allowed herself to want a man before.

Their bodies worked in perfect unison, Brienne close to finding her release and begging Zach never to stop. She took a bite of the poison apple, and now that poison was like a drug to her.

Zach: “No... never...”

His words the hit to keep her high going. Brienne rolled her eyes shut in ecstasy as she came, her body finding the release it craved as Zach groaned out to, thrusting hard into her and coming as well. Out of breath, Brienne was panting out as Zach rested his forehead against hers, her arms still holding him tightly against her body.

Zach: “But, maybe, a brief pause from time to time will be necessary....”

She cracked a small smile, making a playful noise of contemplation before chuckling. Zach's lips then pressed against hers, Brienne's smile melting into his touch. Her hands slid from his shoulder and down his neck, holding his face gently as he pulled back from the kiss.

Zach: “I don’t want you to leave tomorrow....”

That made her stomach drop as she looked up into his eyes, her brows creasing with displeasure at the thought.

"For the first time all weekend....I don't either..."

Brienne never wanted to come to America, and the moment she arrived, all she wanted to do was go home to London and get back to her life of partying, drugs, and power. But now, none of that seemed quite as appealing. Brienne lowered her eyes from his, hesitating for a moment.

"Maybe this was a bad idea, Zach....I'm a regent at another branch, and you...you're obligated to serve your King and Queen here. I know what that entails. I know you can't just up and leave whenever you want..."

She was beginning to question why she allowed Zach to crack open this little piece of her, because that crack was fissuring so, so quickly.

"Then again, I always do tend to lean towards the bad ideas."

She grimly joked with a half smile, knowing she had fallen quite deep down the rabbit hole already.
 
The Bacchanalia - Fighting Pit

They were discussing the last plans for Cameron's return, and Haleigh gave the go ahead that any White Court member who sided with Cameron against her was to die. That was fine with Ashley: stamping out treason was a smart strategy. And then the alert came that Cameron was back.

Haleigh: Heidi’s in her room, getting dressed for the party, as if nothing is wrong....

"A good sign, or a red herring..."

AJ: “We should send Jack to escort her. If he can bring her here separately from her King, we might have a better chance at recovering her.”

Haleigh nodded.

"Agreed."

If Heidi had gone over to Cameron, it was Jack Ashley felt the worst for. She didn't question his loyalty, not for a moment, but it wouldn't be easy. It would be terrible.

"Apologize to Jack that it's not in person, but let him know about Siphon's impending promotion. He doesn't need any more surprises."

She went over the plan, which included his ass absolutely coming in like the Red Knight he was and saving her if needed, and kissed him hard one last time before they got into this mess. When they reached Cameron's study, Ava tornadoed in, and Ashley gave AJ's hand a tight squeeze, her eyes staying on his until she reached the door and went inside. The calm that Ava had after their meeting with Haleigh, and during the party, now had evaporated and she was spitting mad.

Ava: "So you finally decided to come back and face your problems? The problems you left ME high and dry to deal with. I'm sure you've poked around my head enough to know exactly what's been happening here while you've been gone."

"How is Elena, by the way?"

Ashley smirked and moved to take a seat. Her eyes stayed on Cameron, but as he hadn't made any move towards them, she thought it was best to de-escalate their position.

"I hope she fucked some sense into you."

Ava: "They thought I was plotting Haleigh's murder with you! That I was going to kill her and her children! I nearly started a CIVIL WAR, Cameron!"

Ashley really wished she'd thought to bring her wine with her.

Ava: "I understand you're hurting....but please tell me you're not here to start an actual war. No one here wants to fight you, Cameron. But we will...to protect those babies."

Ashley kept her voice level, calm. She believed this was a situation that could be controlled, that Cameron would cool down if he hadn't already - of course, if he hadn't gone nutball crazy like his sister.

"What do you intend to do, Cameron?"
 
Hellfire Club – The Bacchanalia


:: Bretta joined Ashley, Alek, Haleigh, and AJ at a table overlooking the pit where groups of men were fighting. It was all very exciting, and though Bretta wasn’t a fan of blood sports, the men were putting on quite an impressive show. She complimented the three Red Court members at the table on a great party. Ashley spoke up about Bretta’s teasing. ::

Ashley: "I appreciate the sentiment, but we all know, no one can outshine an honest to goodness faerie."

*modestly*: “That may be true, but I am not the star of the night tonight.”

Alek: "Bretta! Don't you look festive? Are you enjoying yourself? Not homesick just yet, I hope. Make sure you try the excellent food."

:: Bretta smiled and dipped her head in a bashful manner. ::

“Well, you know what they say: ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do.’ I’m just so impressed that your stylists here have managed to find the perfect outfits for me as well as for Damien and Cassandra. But don’t worry about me; I’m not homesick just yet.”

Ashley: "More wine, Bretta?"

“Oh, thank you ever so much.”

:: Bretta said as a server came and filled up her goblet as well as offering her some meat. She took that as well. For a moment, she eyed the meat on the bone before shrugging her shoulders and daintily started to tear off some meat with her fingers and popped them in her mouth. It wasn’t what she was used to, but she could handle it for tonight. ::

Ashley: "Do you enjoy blood sports?"

:: Bretta was about to answer when phones started buzzing and then Ashley said that it was Cameron. She had to leave the party it would seem. ::

Ashley: "Bretta, I hope you'll excuse me. Please enjoy the party."

“Not at all. Go."

:: Bretta had already deduced that something had happened between Haleigh and Cameron. After all, why didn’t he show up at brunch, especially since Haleigh was now expecting? It would seem, judging from the Red Guards forming around Haleigh, that it was much bigger. Bretta was very concerned, as there were now babies involved. So she muttered a spell in an ancient Fae language under her breath. The spell was like a ‘hearing thoughts’ spell, only it was more formulated for instruction. Because the Fae were so vast and covered a large amount of ground, this spell was ideal for the leader, or commander, to instruct the Fae with their thoughts. Bretta did so now with both Cassandra and Damien. ::

[via ‘instruction spell’] ”Cassandra. Damien. I need you both by my side please. Haleigh might be in some kind of situation with her husband. Now, Damien, you know that I don't like to involve myself unless I know the full story, but there are two innocent lives here, the babies, and I'm concerned. I'd like for her to know she can count on us.”

:: The spell was broken, but Cassandra and Damien would be by her side soon. Bretta nodded at John as he appeared by Haleigh’s side, and then she felt movement as both Damien and Cassandra sat down on either side of her. Smiling in satisfaction, she took hold of both Damien and Cassandra’s hands and nodded over at Haleigh. ::

“You have the full support and cooperation of my Court, if the need should arise.”

Cassandra: *warmly*: “Yes. Whatever you and your babies need, Your Majesty.”
 
Hellfire Club – The Bacchanalia


Gia sighed as she downed a shot of whiskey. She had just arrived to the Red Event a few minutes ago. Now, normally she would’ve been all over two hot men fighting down in the pit, but, to be honest, she was still reeling from the confrontation that had happened at Nefaria HQ. As it turned out, Samuel’s father knew that Archer had killed her father, along with some other top men, and that they had kept it from her. All that time, all that effort, into finding out who had done the deed – and they knew all along. It was a total betrayal, and one that had shocked her to the core. Wasn’t there anybody she could trust?

Without any trouble, Samuel’s father had spit out the truth defiantly. It seemed that he, too, had been upset about what had happened to his son, as well as to his close friend the Count. That actually would’ve made sense, as she felt the same way – but it seemed that he was furious that she still wanted to be White Bishop; that she still wanted to be a part of Hellfire. Slowly Gia began to unearth secret plans for some people stage a coup of their own at Nefaria. That was unacceptable, and she said as much, and what followed could only be described as “blood on the walls” – literally. What had transpired in that tragic boardroom was a standoff between Gia and Samuel’s father. It had been upsetting when Gia executed the traitors at point blank. The media was probably having a heyday right now – she had long been snuck out of the building – but for Gia...it was awful. She didn’t relish what she had been forced to do. Not at all. On the plus side, though, there were still people there who had her back; who stood by her at Nefaria. Now she had to rebuild Nefaria again.

She watched lazily as everybody trickled in: her own Court, the Black Court, the White Court, some of the Europeans...she took instant notice when the representatives of the European Red Court came in together, and in one shade of red, as a united front. They all looked incredible, but the true showstoppers were the American Red Court. Gia had to hand it to them; they certainly knew how to throw a grand old party.

Ashley welcomed them all, and then gifted them a beautiful goblet with their Court color in diamond on them. A servant handed her her goblet.

“Thank you.”

As she took a drink from hers, Gia couldn’t help but wonder how much she’d get for it on eBay. Not that she would, of course, she was only curious. Her grey eyes followed both Cass and Damien as they broke away from the group and headed off to a secluded area. She’d get in touch with them later, in case they didn’t want to be disturbed at the moment. So, instead, she took her goblet and wandered over to the far side of the fighting pit and took in some action.

She was deep into the fighting. It was extremely mesmerizing, the way they moved, that it completely startled her when her comm came on She had bought one of those comms that the Secret Service in Washington use on her way back from Nefaria and she had asked the Watchmen to show her how it works and whatnot. She figured that since she reaffirmed her loyalty to Haleigh, she had to start acting the part.

“What?”

The news wasn’t good. Cameron was back in Hellfire. Gia immediately straightened and gazed around the room until her eyes fell on Haleigh.

“Okay, I’ve got eyes on Scion and I’m making my way to her side. If possible, call up Orion and have him get to her side as well. His last known location was with the European Black Queen at the Red Event and I refuse to break up that twosome.”

Gia was now on the move, never letting her eyes stray from Haleigh. She arrived at the table, but there was no way she could get to her actual side, so she took a side beside Cass across from Haleigh. Gia nodded at her Queen, letting her know that Zach would be coming shortly.
 
In a very short matter of time both Ashley and Ava had appeared outside of his study before entering as Cameron remained in his chair. He knew the climate was very delicate in this moment and he didn't want to give them any indication that he was planning on attacking them.

Ava: "So you finally decided to come back and face your problems? The problems you left ME high and dry to deal with."

"Ava, I've been gone for twelve hours at the maximum. It's not as if I've been missing for days."

Ashley: "How is Elena, by the way?"

Cameron returned her smirk, as Ashley took a seat in the chair next to him, which was a good sign. She didn't think he was going to attack, and he wasn't.

Ashley: "I hope she fucked some sense into you."

"Oh she's doing quite well actually. But you'll get the opportunity to learn much more about what she's been up to when she arrives here tomorrow. With our daughter she's been raising in Mexico for the last seven years."

Ava: "I'm sure youve poked around my head enough to know exactly what's been happening here while you've been gone. They thought I was plotting Haleigh's murder with you! That I was going to kill her and her children! I nearly started a CIVIL WAR, Cameron!"

Cameron shook his head. Everybody was operating on hunches, assuming the worst, and now blaming him for the actions that they took because of those hunches and fears. He understood it but he didn't like it.

"I'm fine by the way, Ava. After finding out my mother was married to your father, that my wife is pregnant with another man's baby, and that some other woman has been keeping a child from me for nearly a decade. Just peachy. Thanks for asking. But, please, go on yet again about the constant heartbreak anger and sorrow it is to be Ava Cassadine. I'm sorry my wife was a bitch to you, and that the others assumed you to be a traitor, but that has little to do with ME, and much more to do with how people really feel about you."

He grimaced. One of his problems was that he had been incredibly close to Ava, and while she hadn't betrayed him or anything of that nature, but she also was as ready to strike him down as easily as the people who were ready to strike her down, without any level of evidence, though she seemed to be missing that bit of irony. Thankfully, her tone seemed to calm down as well.

Ava: "I understand you're hurting...but please tell me you're not here to start an actual war. No one here wants to fight you, Cameron. But we will...to protect those babies."

He exhaled.

"Ava, I'm here because this is my home. I'm not here to start a war, but the fact that people think I would at the drop of a hat definitely puts more than a few things into perspective."

Ashley spoke as he turned his head towards hers.

Ashley: "What do you intend to do, Cameron?"

"I don't fuckin' know, Ashley. What am I supposed to do? All of this? It's fucked up. And I realize that my wife and I are at fault, but that's not to say I am going to let either of you pretend that we haven't had your backs when you've experienced your own bouts of "mania" over the years. None of us is without our mistakes. But this feels impossible.."

[sighing]

"I love my wife, but I think my wife loves Alek more than me. So it looks like we are now both members of a very depressing and pathetic club, eh Ash?"

He turned his glance towards her. She had gone through this with Alek, though to a much less extreme degree. There were no children involved.

"Outside of that, Haleigh doesn't have to be my wife, or my lover, or even my friend in order to be my Queen. I went over to white, and I knew what I was doing when I did so."

[pausing]

"But while she is my wife, she is a King, and the children growing inside of her are related. My son will have a sister, who's father will be Alek. But that little girl will be a part of my son, and there is no way that I could ever harm something that my son loves. And in turn, hurting Alek will hurt the little girl who will love my little boy, so that is out of the question as well. We got ourselves into this mess, and that means we have no choice but to charge forward and protect the mess we have made. Make the best of it..."

[thinking for a moment]

"All of this boils down to me needing to talk to my wife, and seeing where her head is at. Outside of all that, as if there weren't too many layers to the onion already, I want to do this all in a way that is respectful to the two of you. I'm just not sure how that looks, so I'll need your help in figuring this out. And I need to thank you for everything that you did in my absence. You kept things together. And that means I owe both of you one hell of a favor. As well as my gratitude. Thank You."
 
Cameron's Study

Ashley and Ava entered Cameron's study, and Ava made it clear that she was pissed off. Ashley moved to a seat, asking how Elena was, and not really giving a shit other than whether she calmed Cameron down enough that he wouldn't kill anybody.

Cameron: "Oh she's doing quite well actually. But you'll get the opportunity to learn much more about what she's been up to when she arrives here tomorrow. With our daughter she's been raising in Mexico for the last seven years."

"Fucking hell. Did you know about this?"

Suddenly, Haleigh's idea of being replaced didn't seem so farfetched. Ava, however, kept it on track, angrily saying how everyone had thought Ava had plotted Haleigh's murder with Cameron.

Cameron: "I'm fine by the way, Ava. After finding out my mother was married to your father, that my wife is pregnant with another man's baby, and that some other woman has been keeping a child from me for nearly a decade. Just peachy. Thanks for asking. But, please, go on yet again about the constant heartbreak anger and sorrow it is to be Ava Cassadine. I'm sorry my wife was a bitch to you, and that the others assumed you to be a traitor, but that has little to do with ME, and much more to do with how people really feel about you."

Ashley laughed. Cameron always did play the persecuted well.

"Cameron, you do not get to make this about you, not this time. Ava was suspected because of her friendship with you. So have a little respect."

Ava laid it on the table: she hoped he wasn't there to start a war, but that the rest of them were prepared to protect Haleigh's children.

Cameron: "Ava, I'm here because this is my home. I'm not here to start a war, but the fact that people think I would at the drop of a hat definitely puts more than a few things into perspective."

"You left here, after trying to get Ava to support you killing Alek because of petty jealousy, after telling me you wouldn't raise another man's child. You disappear off the face of the earth, without a word to anybody. You smash up your suite. Haleigh was almost poisoned. You brought those assumptions on yourself.'

And she knew Cameron. If he'd had the opportunity, in the state of mind he was in when he left? He would have killed Alek, at least. She asked his intentions, because that after all was what they were there to find out.

Cameron: "I don't fuckin' know, Ashley. What am I supposed to do? All of this? It's fucked up. And I realize that my wife and I are at fault, but that's not to say I am going to let either of you pretend that we haven't had your backs when you've experienced your own bouts of "mania" over the years. None of us is without our mistakes. But this feels impossible."

"Don't you give me that we've had your back crap. What do you think we're doing right now? Only protecting your wife, not to mention supporting her, and trying to keep you from making a mistake you can't come back from."

Cameron: "I love my wife, but I think my wife loves Alek more than me. So it looks like we are now both members of a very depressing and pathetic club, eh Ash?"

Ashley rolled her eyes.

"Oh for fuck's sake, Cameron. Stop pitying yourself and go talk to your wife. All you're doing now is pushing her further towards him. She thinks you want to kill her. And assuming you didn't try already earlier today...?"

She raised her eyebrows at him with the leading question, looking for confirmation before moving on.

"Then maybe you should go tell her that instead of sitting here with us. Maybe, I don't know, check to see if she's okay after someone tried to kill her. She married you for a fucking reason, Cameron. But right now, the only man supporting what she's going through is Alek."

Cameron: "Outside of that, Haleigh doesn't have to be my wife, or my lover, or even my friend in order to be my Queen. I went over to white, and I knew what I was doing when I did so."

Yeah, they all knew what he was doing.

Cameron: "But while she is my wife, she is a King, and the children growing inside of her are related. My son will have a sister, who's father will be Alek. But that little girl will be a part of my son, and there is no way that I could ever harm something that my son loves. And in turn, hurting Alek will hurt the little girl who will love my little boy, so that is out of the question as well. We got ourselves into this mess, and that means we have no choice but to charge forward and protect the mess we have made. Make the best of it...All of this boils down to me needing to talk to my wife, and seeing where her head is at. Outside of all that, as if there weren't too many layers to the onion already, I want to do this all in a way that is respectful to the two of you. I'm just not sure how that looks, so I'll need your help in figuring this out. And I need to thank you for everything that you did in my absence. You kept things together. And that means I owe both of you one hell of a favor. As well as my gratitude. Thank You."

"Stop making speeches and go apologize to your wife. And for gods' sake, do not start out with how hard this has been on you. Also, whatever you do, do not tell her you have a kid with the Wicked Witch of the Churro before you've made up."

Ashley rolled her eyes again, at the thought of Elena back in the mansion. But then she looked Cameron dead in the eye, pointing her finger at him.

"Oh, and if you are lying to us right now, and you do go into my party and try and kill my king, you will force my hand."

Her body relaxed, and she leaned back in her chair. She gave a little smile with a flourish with her hand.

"And Cameron, you haven't even told me whether you liked my outfit."
 
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Hellfire - The Bacchanalia

Zach admitted, without thinking, that he didn't want her to leave the next day, and he instantly regretted bringing it up, when he saw her gaze lock with his. He could feel her displeasure at his confession, see it in her eyes. She was probably looking forward to going home, and getting the excuse to disconnect from the intensity of their hot and heavy entanglement. He had known she was just looking for a fling, and tried to push it further, gotten attached. He braced himself for what she was about to say, got himself ready to pretend it didn't hurt.

Brienne: For the first time all weekend....I don't either...

His heart soared, and he leaned in to kiss her, but then she looked away and he thought he would die.

Brienne: Maybe this was a bad idea, Zach...

"Don't say that.... You don't have to leave, you could stay with me, you're a Queen, you can do whatever you want..."

The words spilled out excitedly as his eyes lit up with the idea. His phone buzzed and he completely ignored it.

Brienne: I'm a regent at another branch, and you...you're obligated to serve your King and Queen here. I know what that entails. I know you can't just up and leave whenever you want...

"Aw, I'm not a prisoner here, when things settle down, I'll be able to visit.... if you'd like that...."

He suggested quickly. She gave a little half smile and joked about leaning towards bad ideas. He grinned big, and kissed her eagerly.

Watchman: Your excellency...

Zach pulled from the kiss and looked up angrily.

"What the fuck, man, this better be an emergency!"

He said sharply, trying to pull the bottom half of Brienne's dress to cover her up better. The underling averted his gaze.

Watchman: I apologize, but I was sent to inform you the White King has returned.

"Alright, I'm informed. Thank you and goodbye."

He replied pointedly, and the guard turned and left. He eased himself back from Brienne, and shifted to sit on the sofa next to her. After a heavy sigh, he looked over at her.

"Speaking of obligations... I need to go out there and make sure nobody gets overly excited."

He told her, and then he leaned over to kiss her again, before standing up and offering her his hand.
 
Hellfire -- The White Wing

Heidi was in her suite, getting ready for the Red Party. She had just gotten into her dress when there was someone knocking rapidly on her door. Her servant went to answer it immediately, and Jack came in, looking so good that Heidi's mouth dropped open. He immediately rushed over to her and kissed her like he hadn't seen her in years. It kind of made her swoon a bit, but even as she smiled and was about to thank him, he blitzed her with the most bizarre questions. Where had she been, where was the White King, were they planning on attacking, and more. He asked them all so quickly she couldn't answer, and he was already trying to talk her out of it.

She took his hands and reassured him, answering his questions one by one, and agreeing, of course, to go to the party and speak with her Queen. On the way he told her what had happened at Brunch, and how concerned he'd been not knowing her whereabouts. It was kind of sweet, his worrying. She was pretty sure no one else was particularly worried about where she had been or what she was doing. He escorted her to the party, where it was just as fantastic as she imagined it would be. She would definitely enjoy this to its fullest, but first, her Queen.

Haleigh: Heidi. You've kept me waiting all day.

"I'm sorry, Your Grace. When I found the King in Mexico, he requested I wait and return with him this evening. I did deliver your message, of course."

Haleigh: Of course. And he didn't give a damn to return in a timely fashion. What were you two doing there all day?

"Well, Cameron was visiting with his darling little daughter--"

Haleigh: His what??

Heidi's brow rose in surprise. She had asked Cameron if Haleigh knew, if that was why they were quarreling, but he hadn't even acknowledged her questions. She could think of any other reason they'd be upset with each other, so she'd presumed that was it, and he hadn't answered because she'd asked the correct questions.

"Oh.... didn't you know? I didn't realize...."

Haleigh looked more irate than Heidi had ever seen her, and so she stopped talking.

Haleigh: With Elena?

Heidi nodded.

Haleigh: How old?

"I don't know, Your Grace--"

Haleigh: An infant, a toddler?

"No, older, maybe five?"

She guessed.
 
The moment she saw Cameron, the anger began to rise again within Ava. He was just sitting there, like he hadn't disappeared without a trace in the midst of the biggest shitstorm to hit their club in years.

Cameron: "Ava, I've been gone for twelve hours at the maximum. It's not as if I've been missing for days."

"A lot of things can happen within these walls in 12 hours, Cameron."

Ava snapped back, his dismissive tone not sitting well with her. Ashley took a seat calling him out on Elena as Ava sat down as well. That was when Cameron dropped an atomic sized bomb stating that Elena was coming to the club with their daughter. Ava's eyes widened, her mouth parting in utter shock.

"Holy shit.."

Ashley: "Fucking hell. Did you know about this?"

This was just adding more gasoline to the already burning inferno that Ava and Ashley were supposed to be trying to put out. But no, lets throw another kid into the mix! Ava shook her head in disbelief, wishing she could take a peek into Cameron's head for once instead of getting blindsided by all this insanity. But no, she didn't have that luxury, not like him. She knew he had already probed her brain and knew exactly what happened when he was gone, and she called him out on it. While he was playing house with his new family, his real home was crumbling around them all with Ava getting painted a traitor.

Cameron: "I'm fine by the way, Ava. After finding out my mother was married to your father, that my wife is pregnant with another man's baby, and that some other woman has been keeping a child from me for nearly a decade. Just peachy. Thanks for asking. But, please, go on yet again about the constant heartbreak anger and sorrow it is to be Ava Cassadine."

"Excuse me?"

Cameron: "I'm sorry my wife was a bitch to you, and that the others assumed you to be a traitor, but that has little to do with ME, and much more to do with how people really feel about you."

Ava recoiled back in disbelief at his words, staring at him as he grimaced; like he hurt himself by what he said. Ava's eyes narrowed, scoffing out as she leaned back forward, closing the gap between them.

"FIRST of all, my father married your mother, a woman who has despised me since my conception. That situation is complete shit for the BOTH of us, thank you. And SECONDLY, this whoooole [gesturing out with her hands] situation that we're in is because of YOU and YOUR WIFE. You and Haleigh decided on having an open marriage and fucking other people, so you don't get to sit there and wallow in self pity because of your bruised pride when she gets knocked up by a man you've been sharing her with for YEARS."

Ava spat out venomously.

Ashley: "Cameron, you do not get to make this about you, not this time. Ava was suspected because of her friendship with you. So have a little respect."

"What's happening isn't just effecting you Cameron, and that's exactly what I told you at the Gala. This is a domino effect, and all the pieces began toppling over when you left."

Ava shook her head, angry and hurt by Cameron's words. But she knew she couldn't continue to fight him, not when the bigger issue at hand was whether or not he was there to try and fix things with his wife, or start a war.

Cameron: "Ava, I'm here because this is my home. I'm not here to start a war, but the fact that people think I would at the drop of a hat definitely puts more than a few things into perspective."

"Perspective? Cameron...common..."

Ava groaned out, letting her forehead fall into her hand. This wasn't about people's 'true feelings' about him as a person or King. This was about how everything looked on the surface, and the ripple effect it caused once he left.

Ashley: "You left here, after trying to get Ava to support you killing Alek because of petty jealousy, after telling me you wouldn't raise another man's child. You disappear off the face of the earth, without a word to anybody. You smash up your suite. Haleigh was almost poisoned. You brought those assumptions on yourself.'

Ashley said it best, Ava simply lifting her head to look at him. She was done fighting about what happened when he left and the mess he left her in. It was done and over with. What was important now was why he was back and what he planned on doing in regards to Haleigh. Cameron and Ashley went back and forth, Ashley telling Cameron in a not so subtle way to go find Haleigh and actually talk to her about how he was feeling and how he was afraid that Haleigh loved Alek more than her. Cameron was a very prideful man, and for him to admit that said a lot. It showed how much he really loved Haleigh, and how much he didn't want to lose her. But the problem was, he was saying all of this to them and not his wife. Ashley, being the blunt bitch that she was, told Cameron exactly that.

Cameron: And I need to thank you for everything that you did in my absence. You kept things together. And that means I owe both of you one hell of a favor. As well as my gratitude. Thank You."

Ava sighed, knowing this was Cameron trying to make peace and say he was sorry.

"You can thank us by fixing this, Cam. Tell Haleigh you love her. Tell her that you're jealous of her and Alek. There's nothing wrong with admitting that you want your wife to yourself. And for god sakes, tell her exactly what you just told us: that you'll care for Haleigh's little girl because she will forever be linked to your little boy. Don't be like your mother, Cameron....don't hate a child because of who her parents are."

Ava left him with that, knowing he would understand exactly what she meant.

Ashley: "Oh, and if you are lying to us right now, and you do go into my party and try and kill my king, you will force my hand."

Ava glanced at Ashley, then to Cameron. She lifted her eyebrow at Cameron as if to say, she isn't fucking around.

Ashley: "And Cameron, you haven't even told me whether you liked my outfit."

Ava rolled her eyes at Ashley flaunting her outfit once again.

"It's edible."

She added with an even, yet humored tone.
 
Ashley: "Fucking hell. Did you know about this?"

"Not a damn clue."

Ava had came in hot and he had countered her.

Ava: "FIRST of all, my father married your mother, a woman who has despised me since my conception. That situation is complete shit for the BOTH of us, thank you. And SECONDLY, this whooooole situation that we're in is because of YOU and YOUR WIFE. You and Haleigh decided on having an open marriage and fucking other people, so you don't get to sit there and wallow in self pity because of your bruised pride when she gets knocked up by a man you've been sharing her with for YEARS."

The White King winced.

Ashley: "Cameron, you do not get to make this about you, not this time. Ava was suspected because of her friendship with you. So have a little respect."

Ava: "What's happening isn't just effecting you Cameron, and that's exactly what I told you at the Gala. This is a domino effect, and all the pieces began toppling over when you left."

"I fucking know that you guys! But come on..FUCK. Talk about a one two punch. If I would have stayed? There would have been NO mansion for ANY of us to live. I WOULD have done something I regretted. I WOULD have started a war."

[sighing]

"Ava, I'm here because this is my home. I'm not here to start a war, but the fact that people think I would at the drop of a hat definitely puts more than a few things into perspective."

Ava: "Perspective? Cameron...common..."

Ashley: "You left here, after trying to get Ava to support you killing Alek because of petty jealousy after telling me you wouldn't raise another man's child. You dissappear off the face of the earth, without a word to anybody. You smash up your suite. Haleigh was almost poisoned. You brought those assumptions on yourself."

Cameron laughed.

"Don't get too big for your britches, Ashley. I never threatened to kill him. I was simply holding up my end of a bargain you were well aware of. He was supposed to LEAVE. That was the plan all along, it was the plan I told Ava, the one I asked her to back at the Black Gala and it was one that I didn't come up with on my own. So let's not rewrite history."

He got down to the brass tacks of what he was going through, and Ashley met him with a bit of tough love.

Ashley: "Oh for fuck's sake, Cameron. Stop pitying yourself and go talk to your wife. All you're doing now is pushing her further towards him. She thinks you want to kill her. And assuming you didn't try already earlier today...?"

He rolled his eyes and she continued.

Ashley: "Then maybe you should go tell her that instead of sitting here with us. Maybe, I don't know, check to see if she's okay after someone tried to kill her. She married you for a fucking reason, Cameron. But right now, the only man supporting what she's going through is Alek."

"She's not the only one going through things."

Ashley: "Stop making speeches and go apologize to your wife. And for god's sake, do not start out with how hard this has been on you. Also, whatever you do, do not tell her you have a kid with the Wicked Witch of the Churro before you've made up."

A wave of consciousness rushed over him.

"Too late. My Knight just did."

Ava: "You can thank us by fixing this, Cam. Tell Haleigh you love her. Tell her that you're jealous of her and Alek. There's nothing wrong with admitting that you want your wife to yourself. And for god sakes, tell her exactly what you told us: that you'll care for Haleigh's little girl because she will be forever linked to your little boy. Don't be like your mother, Cameron...don't hate a child because of who her parents are."

He thought for a moment. It was a task easier said than done.

Ashley: "Oh, and if you are lying to us right now, and you do go into my party and try and kill my kind, you will force my hand."

Cameron smirked jokingly.

"I think of your forceful hands sometimes, when I'm going to sleep..."

Ashley: "And Cameron, you haven't even told me whether you liked my outfit."

Ava: "It's edible."

"It's exactly what I was hoping for..Now, if you'll excuse me..I think it's time for me to talk to my wife. I'm not sure I should walk into the Great Hall.."
 
Hellfire -- The Bacchanalia

Ash: You know, this situation really sucks Haleigh.

“Really? No... this whole time I’ve been thinking everything is totally awesome...”

She said with a sardonic smirk. They discussed, as a group, what would become of anyone in White who stood against them. That was an easy decision to make. It was one thing if they just didn’t like Haleigh herself, because Haleigh didn’t care. But she would not have her daughter live every day under threat of violence because some disgruntled fuck didn’t like who her father was. So either everyone in the Club was going to get on board for this, or they would be killed, and if they were lucky it’d be a quick death.

Haleigh, watching Siphon in the fighting pit, noted that he’d really distinguished himself lately, and Ash agreed, while Alek revealed that he’d been promoted to Red Rook. He explained that it was a good time to have a full court, and that they liked to reward members who saved Regents. She smiled softly as he kissed her hand, not just at that sweet gesture, but the larger one over all: he was telling the Club without a doubt that he valued her as much as himself or his own Queen.

Bretta came over to socialize, and Haleigh gave her a smile and a thanks, while Alek greeted her as well, but it was Ashley who really took over talking to her. Haleigh didn’t mind, really, she was too distracted to really be present. She leaned into Alek, her arm slipping around him comfortably. In the span of this weekend they had gone from friends with excellent benefits to something much more, and while it had been unexpected it was still appreciated.

Alek: Got any nervous energy you’d like to work off?

“Ha, do you mean in the fighting pits.....”

She turned into him, her hand going to stroke his beard.

“Or somewhere more private?”

She asked, but then her smile died, and her body tensed, as she looked off in the distance. Everyone’s phones started going off, and Ashley announced it. Haleigh informed them that Heidi was in her room, getting ready for the party. She nodded in agreement when Ash presented that it was either good news or a feint. AJ suggested sending Jack to bring her in, and it was the best option they had, so she agreed to that too.

Haleigh raised her mental ‘firewall’, locking Cameron out of her mind. It had been the one ability she’d gotten from her mother, a veritably impenetrable psi-screen, but she’d let it down for him, she’d trusted him that much, before all this. The key players began to shift into position. Guards swarmed closer, as Ash and AJ went to meet Cameron. Gia came over, and said that Zach was on his way. John approached, turned to metal, and swore Cameron wouldn’t get through him.

“Let’s hope he doesn’t try.”

She said grimly. She didn’t want to see anyone hurt for Cameron’s pride, not even Cameron himself. Bretta called over her newly acquired princess, and her rook, and pledged their support. Haleigh was a bit surprised by that, since she had figured the best they could hope for was that the Europeans would just stay clear of whatever fight broke out.

“Thank you, Bretta, you don’t have to do that.”

She said, and then she spotted Heidi and Jack coming in. She turned to talk with her Knight, with tactful questioning. No need to trigger an early attack, but she couldn’t hide her irritation. Heidi apologized, and assured Haleigh that she’d delivered the message, which annoyed Haleigh even more, because it meant that Cameron had deliberately disrespected and ignored her.

And then Haleigh asked what they’d been doing in Mexico all damned day, because surely they couldn’t BOTH have been fucking Elena, and Heidi divulged that Cameron had been spending time with his daughter. His kid with Elena. And he’d been mad at Haleigh, for carrying Alek’s child? Haleigh tried to get intel on how old the girl was, so she’d have an idea of how long Cameron had been keeping this affair from her. Five years, apparently, and they had been married for six.

It wasn’t the fact that it was Elena, although that in itself was troubling enough. It was the secrecy of it. They had both agreed to an open relationship, but Haleigh hadn’t hidden anything from him. But when their marriage faced it biggest challenge, he ran to Elena, and evidently he had his own little family with her, all this time. How many business trips had really been time spent with Elena and their child?

That was when all the doubt dissipated, and Haleigh knew the truth. Their marriage was a sham, and all the times he’d told her he loved her, that he’d do anything to make her happy, that they were meant to be together, it was just lies. And she had stupidly believed it all. He’d married her for power, nothing more, and told her what he knew she wanted to hear, all these years. She was so angry she couldn’t think straight.
 
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Cameron's Study

Cameron said he hadn't known about a daughter in Mexico. Ashley shook her head.

"That bitch is some piece of work."

Needless to say, they had never gotten along.

Ava, who had already been angry, near exploded when Cameron blamed the whole "we think you tried to kill Haleigh" thing on her, like he hadn't fucked off and left them with a problem of his making.

Ava: "FIRST of all, my father married your mother, a woman who has despised me since my conception. That situation is complete shit for the BOTH of us, thank you. And SECONDLY, this whoooole [gesturing out with her hands] situation that we're in is because of YOU and YOUR WIFE. You and Haleigh decided on having an open marriage and fucking other people, so you don't get to sit there and wallow in self pity because of your bruised pride when she gets knocked up by a man you've been sharing her with for YEARS."

She wasn't wrong. It may not have been what Cameron wanted, but it was what he and Haleigh had been asking for. Ashley tried to defend Ava, to let him know that it was their friendship that had made her a target, something he owed her for.

Ava: "What's happening isn't just effecting you Cameron, and that's exactly what I told you at the Gala. This is a domino effect, and all the pieces began toppling over when you left."

Cameron: "I fucking know that you guys! But come on..FUCK. Talk about a one two punch. If I would have stayed? There would have been NO mansion for ANY of us to live. I WOULD have done
something I regretted. I WOULD have started a war."

"Then you frickin' should have told someone that. 'Ava, I'm going off grid while I clear my head.' You're a king, Cameron, not just some guy off the street. You can't just disappear without telling anyone when your wife thinks you might kill her."

Cameron went into pity mode, and Ashley told him, his actions brought the assumptions everyone was making on. And he wasn't here to dispel any of them.

Cameron: "Don't get too big for your britches, Ashley. I never threatened to kill him. I was simply holding up my end of a bargain you were well aware of. He was supposed to LEAVE. That was the
plan all along, it was the plan I told Ava, the one I asked her to back at the Black Gala and it was one that I didn't come up with on my own. So let's not rewrite history."

"Well that's not the story I heard. And excuse me, too big for my britches? Just who the fuck do you think you're talking to? You're not MY king, Cameron."

He talked about accepting Haleigh's daughter as his son's sister, and Alek as his son's sister's father. But also, that he was afraid that Haleigh loved Alek more than him. Which everyone else in the room pretty much thought was insane. She told him to go fucking tell Haleigh that, instead of letting Alek be the only one comforting her in her time of need. He also pulled his "king" bs, thanking them for keeping things together while he was gone.

Ava: "You can thank us by fixing this, Cam. Tell Haleigh you love her. Tell her that you're jealous of her and Alek. There's nothing wrong with admitting that you want your wife to yourself. And for god sakes, tell her exactly what you just told us: that you'll care for Haleigh's little girl because she will forever be linked to your little boy. Don't be like your mother, Cameron....don't hate a child because of who her parents are."

"You may be going through 'things' too, but she's the one carrrying two babies inside of her. Something she did, you'll remember, not because it was what she wanted, and at great personal risk, to please you. So get your head out of your ass and fix this, and you can worry about your own feelings tomorrow. Man up and be a king."

Ashley threw in that if he was playing them, he would not like how it ended, just to be safe. And then she asked how Cameron liked her outfit, because, hey, it had taken fucking forever to get on.

Cameron: "It's exactly what I was hoping for..Now, if you'll excuse me.I think it's time for me to talk to my wife. I'm not sure I should walk into the Great Hall.."

Ashley sighed.

"I think now is the perfect time for a grand gesture, don't you think? And for fuck's sake, everyone in this building needs to see that you aren't on a murderous rampage. Behind closed doors won't cut it this time. Also, your odds of getting Haleigh to leave the protection she has around her to come talk to you alone? Slim to none. So, buck up, and eat some crow for the team."

She stood up, but waited for him to be out the door before turning to Ava, brushing a piece of fuzz off her skirt.

"Remind me again: do we care if they kill each other?"
 
They were all going back and forth, much like in the Queen's meeting earlier. It was actually better that all their shit was put out on the table so they could deal with it instead of letting it fester any longer. Everyone was feeling some sort of way because of this situation, but nothing would be resolved until Cameron and Haleigh actually confronted each other. Ava knew it would be a blow out of epic proportions, but it needed to happen. And if they really did love each other as much as they both said they did, then they would get through it. If not? Ava just sighed heavily at the thought.

Ashley pretty much summed up everything that needed to be said about Cameron going to talk to Haleigh. There was no way in hell that Haleigh would agree to meet him alone, not when she was under the assumption for the past 12 hours that he was trying to kill her. So it was up to Cameron to suck it up and go into the Great Hall and confront her at the party. Despite Ava's anger at both Cameron and Haleigh, she definitely didn't envy either of them having to do this publicly. But then again, they did put themselves into this situation, so now they had to deal with the very public fallout.

As Cameron got up, so did Ava and Ashley. Ava glanced over at Ashley with an exasperated look as Cameron exited his study.

Ashley: "Remind me again: do we care if they kill each other?"

Ava shrugged with a roll of her eyes.

"Yes. Checks and balances, innocent babies, friendships. Yada yada."

Ava listed off the reasons casually, entirely done with getting pulled into Cameron and Haleigh's drama. She just hoped they blew up at each other, got all their anger out, worked through it, and were make up fucking each other by nights end. Cameron was already heading down the hallway when Ava and Ashley exited the study. There was a black guard waiting for them as they came out, bowing respectfully.

Black Guard: "My Queen, may I speak with you in private."

Ava looked at Ashley and gave her a nod.

"I'll meet you back at the party. [deadpan] Wouldn't want to miss this."

She gave Ashley a small smile before walking a few feet away in the opposite direction with her guard.

Black Guard: "You grace, I was informed that you wanted to know immediately if your father stepped foot within Hellfire again...."

Ava tipped her head back as her eyes shut with a groan.

"You've got to be kidding me..."

Black Guard: "I apologize your grace."

"This night just keeps getting better and better."

She joked grimly as she lifted her head and looked at her guard.

"No, you've done well. Thank you. Where is he?"

Black Guard: "Down in the catacombs, you majesty."

Ava nodded, her blood already starting to boil. If Stavros believed her threat to be idle? He just made a grave mistake. Ava lifted her hand to her ear wanting to inform John, but stopped. She didn't want to publicly communicate on com-link to her entire court that her father was within Hellfire; not when they were already primed and ready to defend Haleigh if shit hit the fan once Cameron arrived.

"Please return to the party and inform the Black King where i've gone. I want the rest of the court and guard to stay alert within the party - the White King will be arriving soon."

The Black Guard bowed before moving past Ava to disappear down the hall. She stood tense for a moment, her mind racing just as rapidly as her heart. Ava's hands were balled into fists as she narrowed her eyes, scoffing out disgust. Ava moved to the elevator, hitting the button hard as the doors dinged open. Stepping inside, the doors slowly began to shut, murder evident in her eyes. Someone was going to die tonight, that was for DAMN sure.
 
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Brienne admitted that for the first time since arriving in America, she didn't want to go home. The look in Zach's eyes was like a child seeing a lit Christmas tree for the first time. It made her heart hurt because she knew that whatever this was wouldn't be simple because she was a Queen at the European Branch while he was a Rook at the American. She wondered out loud if this was all just a bad idea.

Zach: "Don't say that.... You don't have to leave, you could stay with me, you're a Queen, you can do whatever you want..."

He spoke so fast, trying to convince her, trying to make her see that it would be an easy fix. He was determined to get her to stay and Brienne couldn't help but feel wanted in that moment. But there was no way Haleigh would allow Brienne to stay with Zach for an extended period of time. Hell, Brienne wouldn't want to stay in a wing where she would be constantly fighting with the bitch. So Brienne began to list the reasons how it wouldn't work, more so trying to convince herself that this should be a fling, just like she had planned from the beginning.

Zach: "Aw, I'm not a prisoner here, when things settle down, I'll be able to visit.... if you'd like that...."

Brienne hesitated, wanting to disregard his suggestion and just rip the band aid off before things became too messy. But in the end, she always did tend to go down the more difficult path in life, and this was no exception. Brienne got a taste for what it was like to actually be accepted and wanted by someone, and she wasn't willing to give that up quite yet. Zach grinned widely as she conceded, making Brienne laugh, though it was muffled as he attacked her lips with a kiss. Her smile faded as she tasted him, her arms pulling him close. Despite still being intimately connected, she found herself throbbing for Zach once again. But that was when a voice rang out.

Watchman: Your excellency...

Zach pulled away and Brienne looked over to see the watchman standing there.

Zach: "What the fuck, man, this better be an emergency!"

Brienne wasn't modest, especially in front of men, but the fact that Zach was trying to cover her and protect her modesty was the most charming thing. She looked up at him, unable to keep from smiling despite the look of absolute murder in Zach's eyes.

Watchman: I apologize, but I was sent to inform you the White King has returned.

That made Brienne's smile fade. And so the night would focus back to Haleigh and her never ending soap oprea of drama. She knew with this information Zach had to leave because of his duty to his Queen. This was exactly what made their situation difficult; his loyalty to a woman who despised her.

Zach: "Alright, I'm informed. Thank you and goodbye."

Brienne frowned as Zach moved off her, now sitting next to her. She pulled the material of her dress down to cover herself as he stated he needed to go do his job. He leaned in and gave her a small kiss, Brienne returning it with a sigh.

"Haleigh's lucky to have you."

Zach stood, offering his hand to her. Taking it, Brienne stood, walking with Zach to the curtain that closed off the room. She then stopped, turning to him, her eyes actually expressing worry.

"Be careful. Cameron's a King...he's powerful. And so is his sister."

The Shaws and the Kings dated back centuries, and Brienne knew exactly how powerful the Kings were. If Cameron did go rogue, his sister would no doubt back him, and that would be very dangerous for anyone on the receiving end.
 
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