Business as usual

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Illustra-107th floor, Morgan's sitting room

:: Alison had remained seated, shifting her position as the disuccsion went on. She was able to find the inner reserve of her marble hard heart as Nicolas spoke, looking upon him with the same cold stare that she once looked upon Cameron with. her cobalt blue eyes hid whatever emotion she was feeling as he attempted to write her off an elitist snob. ::

:: Alison listened to Delilah's words...they were telling indeed. She looked inside herself and realized that both Delilah and Karen were right that perhaps she had been UNKIND and UNJUSTLY overbearing and scrutinizing Nicolas too hard all things considered. BUT she wasnt sure that HE understand her position, She was relieved that Karen pressed on to make sure that he DID and to get him to drop the big speeches and blustering.::

:: it seemed they all had been able to work through somethings during this meeting. She stood up and went over to Haleigh, standing next to her as Karen reminded them of how far they had come and taking Karen's hand in her own. Alison remembered waking in Limbo after their NERVOUS caper. She had been stabbed by the super soldier and nearly died, but Haleigh came back for her...Haleigh AND her brother...they came back for her and Morgan. It was at that moment that things completely changed between the two women and began to go to where they were now. Perhaps it was possible that she could give Nicolas the same chance that she gave Haleigh and her brother? Karen was right...all attempts at building relationships come with risk...but its WORTH that risk and being a precog gave her an EDGE.::

:: as they seemed to reach a new level of understanding and Karen encouraged them all, Alison's stern , cold facial expression softened and seemed less unforgiving as she looked upon Nicolas.::

:: speaking in a softer, but cool tone::

You...you can stay here in Illustra, on the floor you are on now. I arranged for Cameron's personal effects to be placed in storage ...keeping a few select items for myself and giving some to Haleigh.

:: Alison was never one for over extending. She would not say MUCH about how she felt...and this was the best she could do for now, but at least Nicolas knew he was welcomed to stay in Illustra and on the 102nd floor. She looked over at Haleigh....with an almost WEARY look in her cobalt blue eyes. The Seer was tired in more than one way.::

:: looking back at Karen, Alison smiled a bit::

Karen, thank you...for helping us before we all went mad.


I think it will take TIME, but I believe we can all learn to adjust and work together.
 
Nicolas listened to Alison's invitation. Although it was still a bit standoffish, he understood the effort it took for her to do ANYTHING , especially considering her past. he smiled at the group.

"Thank you Alison. I had not been on that floor yet because I wanted your permission first. If it's OK, I will check on Blaze for a moment, and then I will spend some time decorating."

Nicolas turned to Dr. Victoria and reached out to her, touching her shoulder as he spoke.

"Dr. Victoria, thank you for your help. I hope to speak to you again soon and not under such a cloud. I have missed you and Ororo both greatly."

Smiling furrther as he walked towards the door of the apartment, Nicolas glanced back and spoke to Haleigh.

"Oh, and Haleigh, thanks for not shooting me."

Nicolas chuckled to himself as he exited the apartment, his good humor returning. He knew this would still be a challenge, but he felt better about his chances...
 
Haleigh stood near the window, her arms still folded across her chest, as she listened to Nicolas.... there were SEVERAL things she was willing to rebut... but Dr. Victoria reigned him in and redirected him well... and before long, with Delilah's input as well... a mutual understanding seemed to be reached. Karen took her and Alison's hand, and encouraged them to be receptive to him.

Nicolas apologized, and heartfelt as it was, Haleigh seemed unmoved. After a beat, she nodded once, slowly, as if accepting what he said. Alison relented a bit and offered to allow him to stay on Cameron's floor. Haleigh was about to speak up and ask if she could collect a few things from his place... but Alison 'saw' that coming. Haleigh smiled gratefully and nodded once more. Nicolas turned to leave and thanked Haleigh for not shooting him. He seemed to be joking about it... but he just had no idea. Haleigh called after him, making her own effort to begin to build the bridge between them.... but made it clear that she wasn't going to make it easy for him. She was still squaring with the whole Blackout incident... and for now she was going to be as watchful as ever.

"Nicolas.... trust is a tricky thing. It is HARD to earn and easy to lose. Just... keep that in mind. And... cliche as it is... Actions DO speak louder than words." She paused for a second and then added on: "Hey, by the way... Blaze has come back to Illustra.... she's on her couch. [she shrugs softly] So you don't have to look for her. Tell her I.... [pausing again, as if struggling with what was best to say] never mind."

She turned to Alison after Nicolas left, giving her a wary glance. "We'll see." Was all she had to say about him. She was still skeptical... but at least now she was willing to give him one more chance [as he'd already blown his FIRST one, in her eyes.] She looked Alison over.... she looks so tired. It's been a hell of a day already.

"Why don't you take the rest of the day off, Alison. You watched over us last night... youve been working hard. Let ME and my security detail guard over Illustra and its residents for a while. Get some rest." She turned to Karen with a soft smile. "Thank you, too... he seems to listen to you a lot better than us."
 
Illustra-107th floor

::Alison nodded slightly as Haleigh spoke to Nicolas, she agreed with her on much of what she said. She too was bitter over Blackout, having never liked Alexis from the beginning and remember how she tried to HELP her when her brother had died...all of that and she wound up betraying the team. Alison watched as Nicolas left. whatever her thoughts were...they were a secret, even unto him. As he finally departed, Alison slowly exhaled.::

::Haleigh suggested she take the rest of the day off, and after the meeting with the senior staff of illustra this morning, the problems with Nicolas and the reunion with Morgan...not to mention having stayed up the night before, Alison WAS tired::

::speaking in a soft, cool tone::

The business of Illustra is pretty much set for the day. Alycia is busy working in her office, and I can tell she does not want to be disturbed.

:: looking around at the more quiet space around them, Alison nodded in agreement to Haleigh.::

I think i do need a bit of rest. I'll be on my floor in my quaters if anyone should need me.....and thank you, Haleigh.

:: slowly leaving the area, she passed by the doctor::

Thank you again, Karen.

:: she smiled softly and made her way up the small set of stairs through the other areas of the penthouse before finally reaching the double doors and leaving for the 106th floor. The Seer would finally see HERSELF getting some rest.::
 
Nicolas walked to the elevator and set it for Blaze's floor. He realized that Haleigh was willing to shoot him, but she did not seem to realize how... ridiculous that would have been. Unless he was missing something, which he realized was also possible, seeing as he knew little about his teammates.

The elevator opened to the proper floor and he stepped out, walking into Blaze 's apartment and over to where she was laying.

"Hello there. Are you OK sweeteheart? The meeting is over but I was a bit worried. I thought I would come by and check up on you and ask you a favor. Would you be willing to help me decorate a bit?? I have always been a bit of a utilitarian, but I want a modern but stylish look. I also want to install an almost rainforest look in my great room, with lots of green leafy plants and maybe...I'm not sure. Feel like helping out?"

Nicolas smiled as he watched for Blaze's reply. Looking at her reminded him, he needed to get out of here soon, maybe find some...physical companionship. After all, he had needs...
 
Blaze's apartment

Curled up on the leather couch with a baby blue blanket, Blaze's green eyes were closed. She appeared to be sleeping or was she? Her chest rising with a few breaths as the elevator chimed. Still, Blaze's lips tugged upward into a smile at his footsteps and the fragrant cologne Nicolas wore. Like a cat sleeping her ears were still keen on his active form.

Opening her eyes, she looked up from her pillow with a small smile at his greeting. She felt comfortable and connected to him. It was at this time she remembered how close Haleigh and Cameron were, and now she was friends with the outsider.

"Hey stranger, I'm...better...I had a relapse in memory occur. Although Haleigh did not mean to provoke it, her physicality triggered a memory I had long forgotten." Sitting up, she moved to slide down the couch to give Nicolas room to sit.

"I'm sorry for my outburst, its just a painful memory I live with. You can read my mind if you desire, you'll find that exact memory and how similar it was when Haleigh grabbed me." Her voice still shaken up but she seemed settled down. She paused as the Telepath asked for a favor.

"Depends on what it is." She said gently, before nodding her head. "A rain forest, that sounds fabulous. I like that idea, although I'm not the fashion expert or the interior designer type, but I'll give it a shot." She rose from the couch, placing her hands on her hips. "I'm assuming they gave you Cameron's suite?" She asked, positive she knew the answer.

"Well, let's get to it." Stepping closer to him, she looked up to him with a sparkle in her eyes. "Pier One Imports is a favorite store of mine, they offer some grand ideas for accessories. And I know there's a nursery down the street full of lush house plants and exotic greenery."

At this point, Blaze was thrilled to assist Nicolas. It also proved that he was willing to ask for help, something Alison and Haleigh had misinterpreted. "You seem like you made a truce between the others." Blaze didn't mention names, she still felt bad, but not enough to apologize. Even if she felt sorrow for the damage she caused, she felt the need to shy away from her friends. Nicolas barely knew her yet he didn't judge her and vice versa. The two shared a great connection.

"I will apologize to Haleigh, Alison, Karen, and Delilah in the future. But, I'm still recovering from the backlash in memory. I was abused as a child by my foster father which is why I'm explosive. Its not something I discuss but I want you to understand. The way Haleigh grabbed me and shouted was exactly how Gregory, my step - father behaved. I didn't even realize it was still floating around." Sighing, Blaze cleared her mind from the altercation between herself and Haleigh or Gregory.

"So, where to, babe?"
 
"You lead the way. I am much better at buying than picking out. I have all the tech I need at my old Philly apartment, but I need a woman's touch to make the place more ...homey. I also have another favor once it's done, something I could do myself but it would make it more special if you did it for me. I will keep that a secret for right now if you don't mind. As for your bad memories, I have an idea about that. When we have a chance to work with you I will try it with your permission. I think that it will help you greatly. So, pretty lady, let's get some stuff purchased and hurry back to the apartment. Then you can see what I can REALLY do!!"

Nicolas took Blaze's hand and motioned for her to lead the way, laughing.
 
Illustra- Morgan's penthouse

<< as Nicolas and Alison departed, Karen bid them each farewell. Haleigh was now leaving and Karen bid her a farewell for the time being as well. she walked Haleigh to the double doors and quietly closed them as Haleigh left. turning around, Karen looked up and exhaled herself>>

my goodness.....a mother's work is NEVER done it seems.

<< she laughed a bit to herself thinking about how for all the power and ability these young men and women possesed they all still needed a motherly guidance from time to time. the fact that she was a noted psycho therapist helped as well.>>


<< she moved t hrough the penthouse and climbed up a flight of stairs, quietly making her way down the hall leading to the various bedrooms and peeking into Morgan's chamber of dreams. She found her daughter sleeping soundly on her large circular bed, with tinkerbell and the kitten nearby curled up together. Karen smiled as she looked upon her daughter>>

rest now, my child.

tomorrow will bring new things for you to see and discover and hopefully it will bring a new day of healthy interactions for your friends and family as well.

<< she quietly closed the door and left. returning to the sitting room where she conjured herself a pot of fresh tea, some light pastry and a book to read. listening to smooth modern jazz, the doctor sat in the large, sunken in sitting room and and enjoyed her book, preferring to spend a quiet evening in rather than going out or venturing to other floors of illustra.>>
 
on to the evening

<< and so, one small crisis was seemingly dealt with. the team was reminded of their past, and redirected to hopefully AVOID making mistakes of the past.>>

<< as Dr. Victoria enjoyed her book, evening was settling over New York City. A floor below, Alison Marble finally laid down to rest in her large, spacious and dark luxury apartment. Several floors below HER, Nicolas was attempting to make his new living space seem more "like home" to him, and he reached out to his new found friend Blaze Fielding for help.>>

<< Haleigh was attending to personal business as well as the night security detail of Illustra while Alycia Barnett had returned to her office after a day of information gathering and investigation on a "personal" project.>>

<< Persphone, who had for the most part, stayed out of contact with her new team mates had made a surprising and touching gesture to Morgan in private. Her future interactions with the team and indeed the future of her new life here in this time and space so far from her own was still very much "up in the air". Only time would tell what she would make of her life, her new team mates and new destiny.>>

<< but with everything else that happens...we just have to wait and see.>>
 
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