The dark before the dawn

[Bishop]

The Cliffs of Aerie

Maxim sat on the cliff, looking out at the sunrise over the ocean. His hands, resting on knees, held a bottle of Power’s that he’d swiped from the bar in Alison’s office as he’d left. Almost empty now. It was so peaceful here. He could tell why they came to this place. Escape the city – all the pain, all the death.

He had been such a fool. To think he would ever be more than a killer. To think they were going to have a life together, in this world? Might as well sign him up for a straightjacket. But that was all over now, those ridiculous dreams. His child was gone, not even in this dimension or universe or whatever it was, wherever it was those people went when they weren’t here. That’s where Alison had taken her. A place he couldn’t go. But that was the point. Delilah couldn’t go there either, and that made her safe.

Delilah. This very spot was where she had found out he had come back to life, back to her. She had changed everything, but now she despised him and she always would. If they had had any chance, it was gone now with this final betrayal. She should have let Hecate break that curse. Sometimes she was too selfless for her own good.

He wasn’t crying anymore – he had no tears left. He felt dead inside. Numb. Blank. His heart cold stone. He had nothing. No one.

He had felt this way before. And now, he could be what he had been. What he was made for. What he was best at doing. The killer of killers. Justice.

Bishop.

 

[Arsenal]

Karen gasped as Delilah turned on him. He was not surprised though. In fact, he had heard it before so it affected Shadow Weaver a LOT more than it did him. He was focused on the people who were truly lost and even though he would probably acknowledge being too harsh right now at some later time, right now Delilah could kiss his ass.

He was still distracted by it all and so he registered very little of what else happened until Sharon spoke to him.

Alycia, Michael...come with me. There is little we can do. Our hearts ALL ache for Delilah and Alison. But this...is a pain that Delilah will HAVE to recover and move on from if she is to have ANY hope of seeing her daughter and being everything that Ororo will no doubt teach Alexia about Delilah. And ALISON. She will need time to recover from this...but she did the right thing. She knew the risks...the cost and sacrifice necessary to save the life of a friend and she did what was required. It is just what an AMAZON would have done and Harbinger has prooven her honor more than once.

Michael, as chief of security for this island and mansion, you will contact the families of the fallen. Alycia and I will provide you with support and assistance.

I have it. It is my responsibility. For the record, the cover story is going to be a shipwreck. That will explain the...lack of a body to bury. I will prepare reports and gather their effects now. You two go help the-

Michael, you LET Sharon and Alycia help you with those contacts. Once we have seen to Alison being stable in bed, I will join you.

GODDAMMIT. Not in a mood to argue right now.

Sure doc. On it.

Mike sighed heavily as he headed with Alycia to a console. He felt so WEARY right now.

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon

Cameron was dragging her backwards out of the room. Screaming. She was still screaming. Struggling.

And then she just couldn’t any more. She had nothing left, and collapsed into his arms, sobbing.

"Shh...Dee...Calm down. Shh..Come on now..."

He held her, she buried her face in his chest, and it was as if Cameron was the only thing anchoring her to the world. The pain in her chest was so great she didn’t think she could keep going, keep breathing. Him telling her to breathe felt like the only thing keeping her doing so.

She faintly heard Morgan’s voice, and the sensation of moving through a stepping disc. She didn’t look up for a long time; she just leaned there, crying. A part of her had thought Morgan had come to kill her, and another part of her was surprised that she hadn’t.

When she finally was able to speak, she sounded dazed.

“Cameron…why are you still here…with me? I don’t…I don’t know if I can keep doing this…it hurts so much…”

Her body seemed wracked with physical pain. She looked up into his eyes, her’s pleading and childlike.

“I wish they had just let me die.”

 

[Isis]

Isis' departure

:: Sometimes NOT having a family had its benefits. Dominique lost her sister MANY moons ago. Her village, her LIFE as it was...all of that now seemed so far gone and yet, in moments like this, she found herself looking at the people in this room with a mix of curiosity and contempt.::

:: The seemed to squabble about EVERY LITTLE THING and yet...was the Sisterhood any different behind closed doors?::

:: Delilah was a woman practically destroyed by circumstances beyond her control. Isis couldn't HELP but wonder why the woman didnt seem to register the fact that she should be GRATEFUL for her LIFE and that she at LEAST had the chance to see her daughter ONE DAY when there were people like Sharon who would never see her son or NICOLAS who would never see his mother and worse...was indirectly responsible for her death.::

:: It was a terrible, COMPLEX situation to be certain. From what she knew of Harbinger, she knew the woman would not act in a way such as this with a light heart. But by now, conscious thought and character wouldnt matter to a woman in Delilah's position. Dominique herself remembered her SISTER's fierce stance on carrying NICOLAS to term despite her pleas for her to NOT do so. There were just some things that were too primal to a woman.::

:: Everyone exercised restraint, including Nicolas, whom Dominique was quite pleased with for his handling of the situation thus far. She stood by him, she hadn't left his side since she first rose to speak in support of him and offer a gesture of understanding to Delilah.::

::But as Harbinger remained steadfast, everything degenerated. It was a truly sad, wretched scene to watch unfold as Delilah attacked Harbinger and was subsequently taken away by Prophet and Spellbinder, who herself looked as though she'd seen a ghost and had all the LIFE drained out of her after Delilah's verbal attack upon her.::

:: Dominique's contempt slowly shifted to SYMPATHY as Alison finally collapsed into Persephone's arms and Firebird announced that Spellbinder had retreated from Earth to Limbo. This was indeed a terrible time for them...but this was an INTERNAL affair and so long as NICOLAS was not in any danger, she had no need to be here.::

:: And so, as Karen, Blaze and Persephone attended Alison, Nicolas was about to carry out Alison's wishes to find Bishop and see him off of this island.::

I will join you, Nicolas.

:: She gives one last lingering gaze upon Harbinger, her face shows the genuine sympathy she feels for the witch.::

May Hecate be with you in this, your hour of need, Precog.

:: A quiet but sincere thought as she nods to Karen, Ava and Blaze. Nicolas escorts her, arm in arm and she passes Michael, Sharon and Alycia. Nodding to them as well. This would be the last time they'd see her this evening.::

:: ABOVE GROUND and out on the island itself, Dominique walks with Nicolas::

It is a tragic thing...one that I'm sure your Harbinger did not wish to participate in but when faced with such unappealing options...and a choice HAS TO BE MADE, there are few people who CAN make a choice knowing what it will cost them. ISIS gave ME the strength to choose LIFE...to choose to HONOR my covenant with her rather than give in to my LUST for VENGEANCE upon you.

You did well tonight, on all fronts. Because of you, Spellbinder was able to stop Circe. Of course I realize right now that CIRCE would be an almost WELCOMED DISTRACTION for the lot of you...

:: Dominique held Nicolas' arm closer to her as they continued to walk along. They'd already pin pointed BISHOP's location, which is where they were headed now.::

You clearly have found your place with these people. I sense that you're as much a part of them as they are you. The road to recovery will not be easy. But WE both know that from our own ...FAMILY ISSUES...don't we?

:: She looks up at her nephew with a calm but unwavering gaze::

Hopefully Delilah will find a peaceful starting point to begin HER recovery. It is truly terrible, what she had to endure. It's beyond anything even I would wish upon my worst enemy.

Use the lessons you have learned and the wisdom you have gained, Nicolas. Continue to handle yourself as you do now. Help those among your group that you know will respond and most importantly RECEIVE your efforts.

There he is now...

:: looking up ahead to the plateau where Bishop sits::

I will take my leave now. Be careful. Be well. If you need me...you know how to call.

:: She pulls away...hesitating for a moment before turning back and EMBRACING Nicolas for a moment. The wind and waves around them continue to play their natural symphony as Dominique's cape flows around them both.::

I hope things will work out for your group.

:: With that, Dominique lets go and steps back. With her sceptre in hand, a golden column of energy beams down upon her and her form disappears in that column as the column itself VANISHES leaving Nicolas alone now, with Bishop just a few feet behind him.::

 

[Prophet]

Aerie to NYC

He heard the footsteps trailing them as he cradled a hysterical Delilah in his arms. He was equal parts on edge and absolutely heartbroken over the grief that his family was experiencing. When he saw Morgan make her entrance, he looked up at hers. The same icy blue eyes that he shared with his sister looked at the Leader of The Six with a quiet confidence and solace.

"Cameron, I'm taking us three away from here. Now. Enough Damage Has Been Done."

At first Cameron was confused but as he looked at her, and FELT the very warmth of her heart begin to "ice" over, he bowed his head out of desperation. She was closing herself off. Not just from Delilah, but from all of them. Though she lacked the rage that had sparked The Inferno, Cameron couldn't help but be shaken with thoughts of what might become of Morgan after this.

In the twinkle of an eye, the three of them were moved from The Island of Aerie to The Parthenon Hotel in New York City. Cameron did not move from Delilah, and when they reappeared, he was still on the floor. Delilah's cries were beginning to subside but her mental state was not improving.

Keep her here. At least for now. Take care of her, Cameron. Be there for her in whatever way she needs. There is nothing more I can do…none of the rest of us can or even SHOULD do anything. In her eyes…we’ve done too much.

If you need my mother, you know how to reach her and she’ll come and assist in whatever way necessary. Please keep me posted.

Morgan...please. You can't..not now.

He felt torn between cradling Delilah and trying to convince Morgan to stay here on EARTH. To stay here with her family. He may not have been able to to read her mind..but the way she was speaking.. the way she was acting? She was planning to leave them ALL.

You heard what she said. WE …mainly ALISON have done her more harm than good.
If the only thing I can do NOW is to REMOVE any source of continued PAIN from her, then THAT is within my power and I have done it.


Your sister did what had to be done.

Bishop and Alison saved her life and one day she will see her baby girl…and it won’t be the death of her. That’s it.

"WAIT!"

Cameron attempted to stand but Delilah's current state and position would not allow him to move as freely as he would have liked in this moment.

"I love you.. You go. But you HEAL. And THEN.. you COME BACK. You hear me? You come BACK..."

Morgan's eyes told no stories.

Goodbye.

there’s no greater power….than the power of…GOODBYE.

<< and with that, Spellbinder teleports AWAY. She does NOT return to Minerva’s Mansion OR Melrose Place.>>

He stayed with Delilah, holding her and caressing her hair as she slowly and painstakingly began to calm down.

"Cameron...why are you still here...with me? I don't...I don't know if I can keep doing this...it hurts...it hurts so much"

Cameron gave her a half smile, and tucked a few stray strands of her away from her face.

"I'm here because you need me. And i'll be here as long as you need me."

He looked at the look of pure desperation and pain in her face and eyes.

"Scratch that. I'm here and i'm not going to leave your side until I decide that it's time."

She felt so fragile in his arms, and all the "light" about her seemed to be... GONE. It was harrowing to see and experience but still, Cameron's resolve and demeanor remained strong.

"I wish they had just let me die.."

"Now that's foolish talk..and I won't hear any more of it.. okay?"

He unwraveled himself from her body as he rose to the floor, and slowly but surely he helped her rise to her feet. All the while this was going on, Cameron had compelled his staff to prepare quarters for Delilah, instructing that her room be left to only the BASIC of necessities. No sharp edges, no hairbrushes, nothing that could in any way allow Delilah to bring harm to herself. As much as he loved and trusted her, he was not about to take ANY chances this time. She attempted to speak, but he put his hand over her mouth gently.

"No more, Delilah...just silence. Just calm your thoughts...ease your mind and breathe. You're exhausted.. and you need rest. You've been through a gauntlet tonight, my dear. And for now, it's over.. come on let's get you cleaned up okay?"

Delilah didn't really have any human response to his question as he led her to his master bathroom and turned on the faucet to the large antique porcelain bathtub. He walked over, before taking a moment, helping Delilah to undress and get into the tub. As she sat there with her knees pressed to her chest, Cameron began to wash her, trying to help her "scrub away the day." He used a calming lavender scented body wash that would help to relax her mind, which he had to admit, he was a little worried about. She said nothing, only seeming to look off into the distance into "wonderland". After her bath, he brushed her hair for her and helped her slip into one of the plush and luxurious white cotton Parthenon Hotel robes, before leading her to one of his guest bedrooms, turned down the sheet and helped her crawled into bed, effectively tucking her in. As he sat on the bed looking over her, he searched for the right words to say. Nothing seemed appropriate at this moment.

"Delilah..."

[looking at her warmly]

"You are one of my best friends...probably my closest confidant. You always tell me when i'm being stupid, or egotistical, or just out of my mind. And you do it in a way that is so..blunt yet gentle.. eloquent yet harsh. I want to be able to do that for you now, but.. I just.. I don't have that kind of finesse I guess.. But I do know this. If you left..if you HAD died and stayed dead? I would have been heartbroken..I would have lost a "sister". I know that things seem bad right now, but..I need you to hold on Delilah. I need you to WANT to live...if not for yourself, or me...but for Alexia. I know i'm taking a risk at even mentioning her name to you right now, but that baby girl is going to need you, and you are going to need that baby girl..and for that matter..I need you. I need you here, Delilah. And I need you to try for me, okay? It's not going to be easy..it's actually going to suck. But I need you to do this. And i'lll be with you...every step of the way. I promise, Dee...I won't leave you..."

He placed his hand over hers and he rubbed it gently.

"And that...my dear, is FAR more than enough for one day. Just know that I love you. And sleep on it..."

He stood from the bed, bent down and kissed her forehead before leaving her guest room and LOCKING the door behind him. Another precaution. Making his way over to the bar, he poured himself a Scotch, STRAIGHT UP, and opened the french doors that led to his expansive balcony. There was a slight wind in the air, and the now comforting and large, milky white moon hung high in the sky. He leaned over the bannister for a moment. Taking everything in. Things were about to get far more complicated. Morgan would be missing in action. Alison would be dealing with the loss of a friend and would no doubt distance her from the Six. Haleigh was on leave..Ava came and went.. Sharon was not on active duty. Just as he was planning to get them all back to New York and FULLY reconstitute what they were BEFORE the events of Bishop...everything seemed to be falling apart.

But it was in times of great strife and turmoil that a person truly found out what they were made of. This group knew that better than everybody. Unfortunately, at this moment Cameron seemed to be the only person who realized just how important it was for them to STICK together and remain united. They had been in hiding for so long, they were just only now beginning to reintegrate into society in BIG ways, and he WANTED that for them. More than anything. It's why he returned to New York instead of Los Angeles. It was why he was rennovating The Parthenon. It was TIME for his family..to COME HOME. And now, more than ever, it felt like that would no longer be probable.

Thankfully, Cameron was a gambling man, and as he took a sip of his warm scotch, he looked over the skyline and he exhaled. For now, he could only focus..on Delilah.

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas was disappointed by Delilah's attack but he held stead, remained calm as Isis' grasp on his arm helped him to keep his emotional equilibrium.

It continued to descend until finally Delilah was led away by Cam, with Morgan following to teleport them away. Mike seemed drained and had one hell of a job ahead of HIM in the days ahead. Meanwhile, Alison was weakening...he could tell.

Bishop was WRONG. He said she would forgive me.

*I* am the precog. *I* knew better. I knew what this would cost me.

But better the pain of this loss...than to BURY another loved one. I saw Morgan and Sharon's deaths and I could do nothing to stop them.

But for Ororo, the seige perilous and a mad act of mystech...BOTH of them would still be dead. I was powerless then. I was NOT powerless now. I saved...her life. I SPARED her daughter the anguish and BURDEN of EVER having to live knowing that SHE would have caused her mother's death.

I can live with whatever comes because of that and more importantly...Delilah WILL live to see her daughter again.

It was incredibly sad. He KNEW how close they all were. And he could see Ali trying to hold it together. She turned away even as people reached for her.

:: Alison's back stiffens up as she shuts her colbalt blue eyes tightly and grits her teeth. She doesnt turn to face ANY of them, instead, she holds a hand up for SILENCE from Blaze::

NICOLAS. Go and see to Bishop. Provide him passage off of Minerva's aerie back to where ever he wants to go.

I have nothing more to say to him.

CURSE HIM!

Done. I have it handled.

As he was about to leave Alison to Karen and Ava Blaze interjected.

Blaze quickly interrupts as Sharon begins to lead Alycia and Michael out of the Infirmary and Nicolas, along with Dominique prepared to exit to find Bishop.

Morgan…she’s gone.

Alycia: Well of course she’s gone. She teleported Delilah and Cameron away…

NO. I mean she’s GONE. I…I can sense it through our psychic rapport as sisters.

Blaze looks at them all before resting her apple green eyes on NICOLAS.

She teleported Cameron and Delilah to The Parthenon and she left them there. She said GOODBYE to Cameron and Delilah. I…FELT this from her …MY Morgan in MY timeline the night MY Alison and Morgan cast Delilah out of the Six over BISHOP and what he tried to do to Sharon.

After she left the Parthenon, she didn’t return to Melrose Place…and she’s NOT coming back here. She’s left EARTH. She’s teleported to LIMBO and …

Karen: Dear Hecate…I sense it too. She’s withdrawing from Blaze. From ME.

Blaze pauses for a moment…blinking back tears and inhaling deeply for a moment, then exhaling…

She wont respond to my thought calls. All I get from her is that “the light is gone…” and SHE is not coming back.

She looks at Karen, then Nicolas.

My sister has decided that she needed to leave this place…this WORLD because she thinks she can’t do anything right and she’s not fit to protect us anymore. She's lost any sense of certainty that she had before and she's going to the one place where she can truly ESCAPE...

Leave her to me. Tend to the others.

I will join you, Nicolas.

:: She gives one last lingering gaze upon Harbinger, her face shows the genuine sympathy she feels for the witch.::

May Hecate be with you in this, your hour of need, Precog.

:: A quiet but sincere thought as she nods to Karen, Ava and Blaze. Nicolas escorts her, arm in arm and she passes Michael, Sharon and Alycia. Nodding to them as well. This would be the last time they'd see her this evening.::

Nicolas walked and listened as the sorceress spoke to him. She expresses pride in the way he handled things. He was too surprised to really respond at first.

Hopefully Delilah will find a peaceful starting point to begin HER recovery. It is truly terrible, what she had to endure. It's beyond anything even I would wish upon my worst enemy.

Use the lessons you have learned and the wisdom you have gained, Nicolas. Continue to handle yourself as you do now. Help those among your group that you know will respond and most importantly RECEIVE your efforts.

There he is now...

:: looking up ahead to the plateau where Bishop sits::

I will take my leave now. Be careful. Be well. If you need me...you know how to call.

:: She pulls away...hesitating for a moment before turning back and EMBRACING Nicolas for a moment. The wind and waves around them continue to play their natural symphony as Dominique's cape flows around them both.::

I hope things will work out for your group.

Thank you. I appreciate you standing with me in this, even beyond your responsibilities. I promise to be in touch soon. Be well...love you.

:: With that, Dominique lets go and steps back. With her sceptre in hand, a golden column of energy beams down upon her and her form disappears in that column as the column itself VANISHES leaving Nicolas alone now, with Bishop just a few feet behind him.::

He turns swiftly, approaching Bishop. He saw before him a hardened man, one who had been broken and now was applying a veneer over his pain. He nodded to him but said nothing at first. After a moment of simply looking on, he finally spoke.

What you did today is one of the bravest things I have ever seen. I fight...THINGS all the time and to be honest, the hardest part is the fight itself. My hopes and dreams and desires are all aligned and I can give my entire effort to the cause. Today, I saw you fight what you wanted, what you hoped for, what you hoped to have BACK to save the people you love, knowing the cost. I am glad that I contacted you, our differences aside.

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon

Delilah allowed herself to be led around. It was like she was moving through a fog. He bathed her, brushed her hair, dressed her. She just stared off into space. The emptiness consumed her.

Cameron led her to a bedroom, and tucked her into the expensive crisp cotton sheets. Her father had done that for her as a little girl. Her limbs felt so heavy…

Cameron was talking to her. Dear, sweet, Cameron. So often misunderstood by the others… She almost broke again when he mentioned her daughter’s name, but she was so numb that no tears came. He got up and moved towards the door.

“Cameron?”

She turned away from him, onto her side.

“Thank you.”

And then she closed her eyes, not caring if she ever opened them again.

 

[Bishop]

The Cliffs of Aerie

What you did today is one of the bravest things I have ever seen. I fight...THINGS all the time and to be honest, the hardest part is the fight itself. My hopes and dreams and desires are all aligned and I can give my entire effort to the cause. Today, I saw you fight what you wanted, what you hoped for, what you hoped to have BACK to save the people you love, knowing the cost. I am glad that I contacted you, our differences aside.

“Yeah, well, kid, it probably would have been better for everyone involved if you had never called. But my life was fucked before and it will be fucked again.”

Bishop looked up at Nicolas, staring for a long moment before turning back to the ocean. He thrust the hand that held the bottle of whiskey out towards him.

“Drink?”

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas looked at the man and his offer of drink. He took a seat and a swig of the alcohol. Good shit. He sighed as he watched the ocean.

As a kid who DID kill his mother in childbirth, I can tell you that what you have done will help her as she grows. You have no idea how much it will help her.

Nicolas sighed again, focused on a shark in the water about 100 yards out. Then he spoke again.

I cannot unfuck your life man. If I could I swear I would. But remember that Alison has allowed her to know you in her dreams. And you WILL see her again. Never forget that. And you got to be the hero here, no matter how it feels today.

 

[Bishop]

The Cliffs of Aerie

As a kid who DID kill his mother in childbirth, I can tell you that what you have done will help her as she grows. You have no idea how much it will help her.

Bishop shook his head. Poor kid.

“Man, that is a tough break. The world is a messed up place.”

I cannot unfuck your life man. If I could I swear I would. But remember that Alison has allowed her to know you in her dreams. And you WILL see her again. Never forget that. And you got to be the hero here, no matter how it feels today.

He took another drink from the bottle, still looking out over the expanse of peaceful blue water.

“You know, if you think about it, the chances of me EVER seeing my daughter again are pretty slim. I mean, let’s get real. Naw.”

He shook his head in the negative, looked down at the ground.

“I’m no one’s hero. I destroyed Delilah’s life. If not today, there are dozens of others to choose from.”

He dug at the ground absentmindedly with his foot.

“This Ororo…you’ve met her? Is she…is my daughter in good hands at least?”

He couldn’t look Nicolas in the eye as he asked the question – and he was afraid of what the answer might be. Alexia was most likely going to grow up without parents – how good of a life could she have raised by someone who had no reason to care for her?

He looked back out to sea.

“You know the worst part? I got to hold her. Really hold her. And I feel so guilty about that because Delilah never got to. I feel terrible because I got to hold my daughter.”

He shook his head again and took another drink.

“Like I said. Fucked up.”

 

[Rampage]

“This Ororo…you’ve met her? Is she…is my daughter in good hands at least?”

He couldn’t look Nicolas in the eye as he asked the question – and he was afraid of what the answer might be. Alexia was most likely going to grow up without parents – how good of a life could she have raised by someone who had no reason to care for her?

Yeah I have. She is powerful and good and caring and has integrity. Your daughter will be raised well and she will want for no physical thing. And Ororo is probably Dee's best shot to see her sooner rather than later. And YOU TOO man.

He patted Bishop on the leg and stood up.

Never give up that faith. Never stop hoping man. Because while you knock yourself for making a hard choice, MY FATHER wants me dead so he can come to this world in my body and make a harem of my aunt and Morgan. And THEN he wants to do REALLY horrible things.

Nicolas laughed a bitter laugh. His life sounded much more absurd when he tried to explain it.

There are shitty Dads and then there is you, between a rock and a hard place and doing the best you can for both your girls.

Nicolas looked out over the water. It was so beautiful, so serene. He wished he had more to give the man but he had no idea what else to say. Nothing would fix today's events for him. He looked over to Bishop and spoke again.

I will always be able to find you should either of them need you. If you need me you will have a way to get in touch. As for today, you just THINK of where you want to go away from here and I will take you there.

Nicolas looked out over the water again as he gave the man time to gather himself.

 

[Bishop]

The Cliffs of Aerie

Nicolas told him that this Ororo was good people. He could take comfort in that, he HAD to, because there was nothing else.

And Ororo is probably Dee's best shot to see her sooner rather than later. And YOU TOO man.

“Pfft – right.”

There wasn’t a chance in HELL the Six would let him get anywhere near that child now. It’s not like she was just at her grandma’s in Jersey.

I will always be able to find you should either of them need you. If you need me you will have a way to get in touch. As for today, you just THINK of where you want to go away from here and I will take you there.

Bishop stood up, tossed the empty whiskey bottle away, and held out his hand to Nicolas.

“Thank you, for making sure I got to meet my daughter, at least this once.”

He took a deep breath – god knew how this guy was going to transport him away from Aerie.

“And now Kid, I guess it’s time for me to go.”

He thought of the center of Times Square.

And then he found himself there.

“Huh.”

That powers stuff was pretty useful, he had to admit.

And with that, he blended into the night.

 

[Rampage]

Bishop stood up, tossed the empty whiskey bottle away, and held out his hand to Nicolas.

“Thank you, for making sure I got to meet my daughter, at least this once.”

He took a deep breath – god knew how this guy was going to transport him away from Aerie.

“And now Kid, I guess it’s time for me to go.”

Nicolas shook his hand with some warmth as he looked at him for the last time.

Times Square huh? Of course.

Nicolas shunted Bishop through the Astral Plane and into the heart of the most dynamic city in the world. Now, with no need to hesitate, he continued...

...to Melrose Place.

Entering Morgan's apartment, he heard a scuffle and then crying, plaintive crying. He moved quickly to where Tinkerbell was, picking her up and comforting her as she cried for her Mommy.

I know Tink. Mommy's gone and I have to go find her. In order to do that, I need your help. Can you help me?

Tink meowed, seeming to understand what was being asked.

Good GIRL. Just hold on and lessee if we can find Mommy...

Nicolas moved through Morgan's bedroom to a corner that seemed innocuous. But it held a stepping disc from Morgan that went to Limbo. It was an auto-escape method for her that he was well aware of. However, he knew that without Morgan the disc could be just a shot in the dark. He could accidentally take them anywhere, any time, any dimension. But this was all he had and he needed to try. He was unsure if he could get to her through the Astral Plane and was in no mood to experiment a completely unproven method, So, using Tink as a homing beacon of sorts, he stepped through in hopes of landing...

...PAYDIRT!! He landed at the Summit, Morgans tower and surely where she had gone to be alone right now. Moving quickly, Nicolas reached her Chamber of Dreams, being careful to dodge discs along the way as he went.

Knocking, he entered, setting down Tinkerbell as he strode forward to take the sorceress in his arms.

Morgan...I brought you a visitor and figured maybe I would stick around a bit since I was already here...especially since I missed you already.

 

[Spellbinder]

Limbo

<< Limbo, the “Otherplace”. A realm outside of time & space and in many ways, the ultimate GATEWAY TO the time stream. This eldritch domain was a place of mystery, fear and dark magick and it was ruled by Spellbinder. As the years passed since the Inferno Event, Spellbinder had come to regard this place as her “Secret Garden”. Whether that was a good or bad thing depended on who you asked, but no one could deny that her unique link to this place and her inate mutant ability to telepathically control the “Stepping discs” that originated from this place made her special AND dangerous.>>

<< With the notable exception of Ororo’s mystical garden oasis, Limbo REFLECTED it’s ruler and right now, skies above the Summit swirled while bolts of black lightning blasted out at all different points and the winds and thunder raged. Spellbinder was ANGRY!>>

<<ZOOMING inside of the MASSIVE, high reaching SUMMIT that was carved from the very mountain itself, we move from the main floors UP to the higher levels, specifically to the inner most personal, largest dwelling- Spellbinder’s Chamber of Dreams.>>

Memories...pictures...images...keepsakes...

USELESS.

JUNK!

SELFISH.

<< A framed picture of Morgan, Alison and Delilah from a “Fash Bash” at Illustra SMASHES into a stone wall, shattering.>>

STUPID.

<< Morgan’s gloved hands can be seen SLAMMING DOWN another large picture- this one of Karen seated in the middle with Morgan and Delilah standing behind her on either side. The glass shatters and the picture SNAPS in half as Morgan SMASHES it down on her vanity.>>

COW!!!

<< Morgan’s purple high heeled boot SLAMS DOWN on a picture of herself and Delilah. A photo from their childhood….CRUSHED under the high heel of an enraged demon sorceress.>>

<< She spins around , her hair flowing upward as dark winds gust and whistle through the large Chamber of Dreams and around the Summit in general.>>

THE NERVE OF THAT….


<< as she turns and moves, in mid step…Spellbinder’s costume SHIFTS. NOW she is
wearing her ORIGINAL costume from her days in VALIANT. As her costume shifts, so does her overall appearence.>>

DUMB BITCH!

<< ZARK!>>


<< An eldritch bolt BLASTS a framed picture of Morgan, Delilah and Blaze on holiday in Europe several years ago.>>

OUR FRIENDSHIP MEANT NOTHING TO HER!


<< Morgan seethes with RAGE as chimes sound off and her costume shifts AGAIN to the first costume she donned as a founding member of THE SIX.>>

SHE NEVER TRULY understood OR accepted US [referring to herself and Alison]

<< She began hurling and SMASHING gifts and trinkets Delilah had given her about the chamber>>

SELF RIGHTEOUS WHORE!

<< A stone statue of BISHOP sculpted with INTRICATE detail RISES UP from the floor of the Chamber at Spellbinder’s command>>

DEVOTED to THIS man.

<< She turns to face “Bishop”. Her face now completely enshrouded in shadow, save for her glowing , solid violet eyes. Her hair is now longer again and flowing and SHE is wearing the costume that manifested the night she unleashed the INFERNO.>>

HE should’ve stayed DEAD.

Nicolas moved through Morgan's bedroom to a corner that seemed innocuous. But it held a stepping disc from Morgan that went to Limbo. It was an auto-escape method for her that he was well aware of. However, he knew that without Morgan the disc could be just a shot in the dark. He could accidentally take them anywhere, any time, any dimension. But this was all he had and he needed to try. He was unsure if he could get to her through the Astral Plane and was in no mood to experiment a completely unproven method, So, using Tink as a homing beacon of sorts, he stepped through in hopes of landing...

...PAYDIRT!! He landed at the Summit, Morgans tower and surely where she had gone to be alone right now. Moving quickly, Nicolas reached her Chamber of Dreams, being careful to dodge discs along the way as he went.

<< she TREMBLES with such RAGE in her SOUL as her fists CLENCH. ANOTHER stone statue rises up. THIS one is of DELILAH herself>>

SHE’S so STUPID!

<< she tilts her head, starring at the two statues. She walks around them slowly she continues to fume. As she speaks, her voice is now altered, having a haunting resonance to it. She’s manifesting more and more of her “DARKCHILD” traits. All the while, UNAWARE (impossible as that may seem ) that NICOLAS has arrived, carrying little Tinkerbell with him. He has sense enough to stay back and stay out of her immediate notice at the moment as he holds on to Tinker, keeping her well supported in his arms.>>

ONE LIFE AFTER THE NEXT, she follows this asshole to the grave. DOOMED to die in heart break and betrayal EVERYTIME.

<< She slowly circles around the statues>>

She doesn’t even value HER OWN LIFE. She’d rather THROW IT AWAY TIME AND AGAIN. BRAIN DEAD TWIT! SHE KILLED HERSELF OVER THAT VIGILANTE SCUMBAG.
SHE JUDGES ME for my relationship with NICOLAS?

When Nicolas hurt ME, I CAST HIM OUT! I DIDN’T PLACE HIM OVER MY OWN SELF PRESERVATION.

<< back to her original position, she stands facing the statues, her face still enshrouded in shadow>>

WELL! She won’t have to worry about ME OR ALISON caring about her sniveling self ANYMORE!


SHE CAN DIE WITH HIM!

<< Spellbinder thrusts her arms out, her hands are “palm out” in a “stop” gesture as a large halo of dark magick forms around them, chimes sound off and…>>

<<ZARK!>>


<< she DESTROYS the stone figures of Bishop and Delilah with a LARGE eldritch bolt!>>

And THIS TIME SHE CAN STAY DEAD!

<< She RUSHES forward and SLAMS her high heeled boot down on the stone face of Bishop>>

She’s so STUPID and SHORT SIGHTED! She doesn’t even CARE about HER OWN LIFE! What kind of person would rather DIE than LIVE for their child?!

<< She SLAMS her high heeled boot down on the stone face of Delilah. She GRINDS her high heeled boot down into it as she sneers with CONTEMPT.>>

SHE’S WEAK!

I HATE HER!!!

<< Spellbinder SCREAMS as she furiously turns and suddenly she hears… sees….>>

Knocking, he entered, setting down Tinkerbell as he strode forward to take the sorceress in his arms.

…..
NICOLAS!?

<< she’s ASTONISHED to see HIM here. NONE of them should’ve been able to follow her here! SHE sees him and HE sees HER…in all of her DARKCHILD persona. She holds her hand out for him to stop where he is. Not another step closer.>>

….How DARE you come here!

<< thunder CRASHES outside the summit to underscore her disapproval.>>

THIS IS MY PLACE! I RULE HERE AND I DON’T HAVE TO BE JUDGED….BY PEOPLE LIKE HER!

<< Nicolas knew she wasn’t angry AT him and he could see from her posture that she wasn’t going to be aggressive with him. She paused…>>

Morgan...I brought you a visitor and figured maybe I would stick around a bit since I was already here...especially since I missed you already.

…..

<< Morgan calms down…the darkchild visage slowly fades and she returns to her current costume…>>

Nicolas….

Tinker…baby!

<< She bends down, holding her hands out to the distressed Siamese, who mews and bleets as she hurries forward to her mommy’s waiting embrace. Morgan gathers tinkerbell up in her arms, standing up once more as she cradles the Siamese like a baby.>>

Nicolas…you weren’t supposed to see …HEAR any of that.

I came here…because this is the only place that I can be myself…say what I feel…work through the pain of LOSS and BETRAYAL without being called a MONSTER or a BITCH or whatever ELSE that stupid COW thinks of me.

<< Nicolas approaches her and wraps his arms around her as she holds Tinkerbell close. She shudders with grief and some disorientation from her emotional freefall.>>

She never cared for me…OR Alison. Nothing we could do for her was RIGHT. WE were never RIGHT. WE valued HER for her genuine light and righteousness as it were…and she BURNED us with it!

ALL WE WANTED WAS FOR HER TO BE SAFE…for her to LIVE! She could live her life with that stupid OAF she loves so much...and if she didnt DIE AGAIN eventually she'd see her daughter.

She could have just LEFT us tonight…turned her back on us. But she reached down…WAY DOWN and she hit BOTH of us below the belt…that’s how I KNOW she felt this way for sometime. It didn’t just when that slimey asshole BISHOP was blowing her back out in ILLUSTRA. She’s looked down on us for a LONG WHILE.


I’M NOT SORRY for what I did and ALISON shouldn’t be either! ALISON SAVED THAT UNGRATEFUL BITCH’S LIFE!

If she didnt like what we did, All she had to do was turn her back…walk out those doors and WORM HOLE her way out of our lives if she was so upset about it. SHE STILL WOULD BE ALIVE TO SEE HER DAUGHTER.

The IDIOT thinks ORORO was in on it too! Like Alison and ORORO were PLOTTING to

<< her voice shifts via magick to sound like…>>

”STEAL MY BABY!”

<< Morgan suddenly pulls away from Nicolas, she absent mindedly sets Tinker down on the large plush bed as she begins pacing about, fuming once more as her pain inflames….>>

AS IF!

As IF she’s SO “important” that we have nothing BETTER to do with our lives…are time…our POWER than to try to control HER LIFE!?

PLEASE! SHE CANT EVEN CONTROL HERSELF! SHE DIES EVERY OTHER cycle of the moon and she’s hopelessly “IN LOVE” with a man who is destined to leave her heart broken & betrayed in one life after the next!

Blaze was RIGHT! SHE DOESN’T WANT HELP. She didn’t even want to LIVE for her CHILD!

When *I* was out of control…I didn’t berate the people who had to intervene and HELP ME for not ASKING ME FIRST! WHO HAD THE TIME!?

CONTROL.

As IF ANY of us have gotten to CONTROL the vast majority of things that have HAPPENED to US and yet we go on LIVING without trying to call a GRAND INQUISITION about who's to blame.


<< Morgan says with a biting, dismissive tone before scoffing. She crushes more of the fragments of the obliterated statues beneath her high heels.>>

Maybe if she had controlled HERSELF she wouldn’t be where she is NOW. But no…why bother looking within when it’s so EASY to “BLAME THE BITCHES, ALISON AND MORGAN”…that’s what most of the people on the Six have done for SOME TIME NOW, ISNT IT!?

<< She shrieks as she turns back to face Nicolas.>>

Well I'll tell YOU something.

I'm FINISHED. With HER...with ALL of it.

I DONE with it, Nicolas!

I don't have to be bothered with her HERE. I don't have to do ANYTHING I don't want to do here. This is MY domain and I'm STAYING here. I'm better off here anyway. I'm apparently in NO place to make ANY moves or descisions in the interest of protecting those I care about and I'm not going to allow my time and efforts to be wasted ANY MORE.

 

[Rampage]

MELT. DOWN.

The GOOD news is how far they had come. Even as pissed as she was, even in full Darkchilde mode, she was accessible to him and calmed as he embraced her...at least a little.

She was emoting, yelling, letting her feelings out. All of Ma's books said that was a good thing. He was not so sure as he tried to hold on and just LISTEN. Finally, she pulled away.

<< Morgan suddenly pulls away from Nicolas, she absent mindedly sets Tinker down on the large plush bed as she begins pacing about, fuming once more as her pain inflames….>>

AS IF!

As IF she’s SO “important” that we have nothing BETTER to do with our lives…are time…our POWER than to try to control HER LIFE!?

PLEASE! SHE CANT EVEN CONTROL HERSELF! SHE DIES EVERY OTHER cycle of the moon and she’s hopelessly “IN LOVE” with a man who is destined to leave her heart broken & betrayed in one life after the next!

Blaze was RIGHT! SHE DOESN’T WANT HELP. She didn’t even want to LIVE for her CHILD!

When *I* was out of control…I didn’t berate the people who had to intervene and HELP ME for not ASKING ME FIRST! WHO HAD THE TIME!?

CONTROL.

As IF ANY of us have gotten to CONTROL the vast majority of things that have HAPPENED to US and yet we go on LIVING without trying to call a GRAND INQUISITION about who's to blame.


<< Morgan says with a biting, dismissive tone before scoffing. She crushes more of the fragments of the obliterated statues beneath her high heels.>>

Maybe if she had controlled HERSELF she wouldn’t be where she is NOW. But no…why bother looking within when it’s so EASY to “BLAME THE BITCHES, ALISON AND MORGAN”…that’s what most of the people on the Six have done for SOME TIME NOW, ISNT IT!?

<< She shrieks as she turns back to face Nicolas.>>

Well I'll tell YOU something.

I'm FINISHED. With HER...with ALL of it.

I DONE with it, Nicolas!

I don't have to be bothered with her HERE. I don't have to do ANYTHING I don't want to do here. This is MY domain and I'm STAYING here. I'm better off here anyway. I'm apparently in NO place to make ANY moves or descisions in the interest of protecting those I care about and I'm not going to allow my time and efforts to be wasted ANY MORE.

Nicolas stood up to look at her, still thinking of what to say. Finally, he opens his mouth...

Morgan. I am not here to judge you or even to try to calm you down right now. I am here because I care about you and I do not want you to seal yourself away from everyone...from me, because of Delilah.

When I realized that you had left Earth for here I was worried about you. We all were. Your sister, your mother...both feared the worst. I HAD to come see you, make sure you were OK, and offer to do what I told Athena and Hecate and Demeter I would do when they sent us to the Underworld: stand by you when things become difficult.

He grasped her hands as he continued.

When they spoke to me about our mission, it struck a chord with me. I was their champion, true. But my charge was to stand with you so when things go wrong you have someone to lean on. And that is what I wanted to tell you. I realize that you need time and space to work through your pain. But what I cannot let you do is seal yourself away from all of us for the sake of this pain and anger you feel right now.

Nicolas touched her face gently, lifting it slightly to see her eye to eye.

I am here for YOU Morgan. I can stay another minute, another hour, another day, whatever you need. And when you are ready, I can go and give you space to recharge, to vent, to regroup. But I could not let another moment go by without telling you something.

He breathed in and then out, looked off into the distace as if at something or someone, and then looked back at Morgan.

I love you Morgan Victoria.

 

[Spellbinder]

Limbo

<< Morgan was momentarily taken aback by Nicolas.>>

<< He was BRAVE to have come here, but his motive was pure. He wanted to see about her, make sure she was all right...for her mother and her sister's sakes..and his own! he cared for her, LOVED her.>>

<< It was as if things had come FULL CIRCLE. Morgan and Nicolas, the darkchilde and son of set. >>

<< In this "Otherplace", Nicolas had just ANCHORED Morgan, kept her from completely seperating and sealing herself away from him, from her mother, her sister, the WORLD that needed her...ALL of them.>>

Nicolas...

<< she took his hands into hers, allowing their fingers to intertwine>>

I love you too.

<< She allows her to pull her into his arms once more, to be held by him and finally kissed by him. The kiss would have gone on forever in a place such as this and he was truly prepared to remain with her in this eldritch dimension. He knew her for ALL that she was...including this and he was not repulsed by it. In a time like this, when a big part of her life had seemingly turned out to be a LIE in her mind, that meant so much.>>

<< But she would not allow him to stay. She could not. >>

<< soon, she pulls away from his hold, his kiss.>>

Nicolas...you were magnificent in the Underworld. I don't think I've ever been more proud to battle by your side than I am after this Blue Moon caper.

You've come so far with our team...our family...and WE have come so far amongst ourselves.

Everything's been so wonderful...having my sister back, the house of spectra, cameron...but now...everything just seems so distant to me. even circe feels like a MINOR detail tonight...

Delilah...

<< Morgan bowed her head & closed her eyes tightly>>

She hates Alison now...she attacked her...wanted to kill her. She hates us both. I know she's suffered a loss that few of us can even fathom. & i hate it. i hate the fact that im powerless to do anything about it. but what's WORSE is that even if i COULD, my help would not be wanted by her. I obviously overestimated my worth to her and when she said those terrible things...it burned something away inside of me. I felt that! Now...I feel that the truth is she never really understood or accepted Alison or I.

I dont think we understood her either. I dont know that I EVER KNEW HER.

But Nicolas...when I teleported her & Cameron to the Parthenon & LEFT them there, I said GOODBYE. Not so much to Cameron...as to HER.

I...

Nicolas...I don't feel ANYTHING for her anymore.

What kind of...

Was I just as much a fraud as she was?? how can i feel this way about someone ive known all of my life, cared for & loved so!?

I dont know....I don't know ANYTHING...this friendship, this SISTERHOOD with her, it spans most of my life...and now its DEAD. She said so herself and ...it's as if my mind and heart IMMEDIATELY responded and ADAPTED to that new REALITY.

I have to be sure that this is the way it's supposed to be for me. I will not be the woman, the friend (to those who'll still have me), the sister, the lover, the leader that i'm supposed to be until I work through this & truly am at peace with what has happened...what has forever changed.

and this is one thing, that even you, dear heart, can't see me through.

But...I will have a better chance at finding my peace of mind FASTER with you returning to earth to be there for my mother and sister, for the SIX FAMILY.

Haleigh is away on sabbatical, Sharon is not on active duty, Ruby is untested and I'm not certain about her...and now with the rift between Alison, myself and Delilah...I'm certain we've lost her as a teammate...or anything else. you heard the things she said. Why would she want to fight by our side or even live with us anymore...and why would anyone WANT someone who feels like that about them in their midst? Perhaps Cameron can help her start life anew in New York.

With our team down by so many members and now, with Delilah's loss...The team needs as much STABILITY as possible. Reach out to Alycia, see if she's here....THERE to stay. Cameron's back, Sharon's helping Ruby with training...



Please look out for Firebird. I did not mean to cause her any pain or distress...and I know this was hard for her to watch unfold, considering what she saw in her own native timeline. Please assure her and my mother that I WILL be back. I just need this time...and i need in a place where I am truly safe and free of any further unpleasant surprises and changes.

Just knowing you as you are NOW and how wonderful things have been between us up till now gives me hope for our future, but in order for me to recover from this ...it feels like BETRAYAL...i need this time here to myself.

Return to earth now, dear Nicolas

<< a stepping opens at a verticle orientation behind Nicolas, large enough for him to just walk through when he's ready>>

Give my mother & my sister my love & assure them that I will return to them...to all of you soon.

Be sure to help Blaze with anything she needs at Spectra as well...

<< Morgan says with a soft smile on her face>>

Thank you for your help, your support...your love.

<< one last kiss and then she stands back, now with Tinkerbell having jumped up into her waiting arms>>

Tinker will stay with me now, but you know her...she may slip through the shadows to visit you when you least expect it.

<< Tinker "chirps" in agreement as she slowly blinks her blue eyes while watching Nicolas>>

<< This wasnt goodbye....it was>>

See you later.

<< Morgan says softly as she and Tinker watch Nicolas depart through the stepping disc. As it closes behind him, Morgan holds Tinker close and begins to shed tears. Tinker begins to purr as she lightly touches Morgan's cheek with her little wet nose, trying her best to comfort her mommy>>

<< Spellbinder promised Prophet and Rampage she would return and she would keep that promise. But right now? She couldnt bear to be anywhere near Delilah. Morgan also felt that Delilah might have a chance to start recovering if she remained out of sight, out of mind. She knew Alison well enough to know she would do the same thing.>>

<< This was one fracture...one rift in the Six family that would be deep and painful, with no easily way to repair it anytime soon. But for now, in this "Otherplace", Spellbinder had nothing BUT time to begin processing her new reality and new path...a path where the LIGHT was absent.>>

 

[Rampage]

Some moments...you just savor them. This was such a moment.

Morgan returned his expression of love and they kissed for a very long time. But, as all good things, the moment was ended and Morgan began to open up about what was bothering her at her core: the end of the sisterhood she shared with Delilah and how quickly and easy it seemed to be after all they had been through.

She hates Alison now...she attacked her...wanted to kill her. She hates us both. I know she's suffered a loss that few of us can even fathom. & i hate it. i hate the fact that im powerless to do anything about it. but what's WORSE is that even if i COULD, my help would not be wanted by her. I obviously overestimated my worth to her and when she said those terrible things...it burned something away inside of me. I felt that! Now...I feel that the truth is she never really understood or accepted Alison or I.

I dont think we understood her either. I dont know that I EVER KNEW HER.

But Nicolas...when I teleported her & Cameron to the Parthenon & LEFT them there, I said GOODBYE. Not so much to Cameron...as to HER.

I...

Nicolas...I don't feel ANYTHING for her anymore.

What kind of...

Was I just as much a fraud as she was?? how can i feel this way about someone ive known all of my life, cared for & loved so!?

No, you weren't. You are being too hard on yourself. This was, unfortunately, long in coming, the fact that she fundamentally sees things differently than we do and there has been no understanding that allows her to bridge the gap. It is noteworthy that the main reason that we DID keep her in the dark here is that there was no longer any trust that she would do what was necessary to save herself because she does not seem to value her own life. And that she was more angry that we did not tell her what we planned than that we acted in what was clearly her self-interest is a disconnect that has existed for some time, since the time when she left us and met with Bishop.

I dont know....I don't know ANYTHING...this friendship, this SISTERHOOD with her, it spans most of my life...and now its DEAD. She said so herself and ...it's as if my mind and heart IMMEDIATELY responded and ADAPTED to that new REALITY.

I have to be sure that this is the way it's supposed to be for me. I will not be the woman, the friend (to those who'll still have me), the sister, the lover, the leader that i'm supposed to be until I work through this & truly am at peace with what has happened...what has forever changed.

and this is one thing, that even you, dear heart, can't see me through.

But...I will have a better chance at finding my peace of mind FASTER with you returning to earth to be there for my mother and sister, for the SIX FAMILY.

Haleigh is away on sabbatical, Sharon is not on active duty, Ruby is untested and I'm not certain about her...and now with the rift between Alison, myself and Delilah...I'm certain we've lost her as a teammate...or anything else. you heard the things she said. Why would she want to fight by our side or even live with us anymore...and why would anyone WANT someone who feels like that about them in their midst? Perhaps Cameron can help her start life anew in New York.

With our team down by so many members and now, with Delilah's loss...The team needs as much STABILITY as possible. Reach out to Alycia, see if she's here....THERE to stay. Cameron's back, Sharon's helping Ruby with training...

I will help see to Ruby's training and I suspect that Mike and I will be able to sweet talk Alycia into hanging around at least for a while.

Morgan goes on to worry about Karen and Blaze, to ask him to look after them. He nodded as she spoke as no further words need be said in that regard. He knew that she would be staying now for some time. But at least NOW he also knew she would return.

Return to earth now, dear Nicolas

<< a stepping opens at a verticle orientation behind Nicolas, large enough for him to just walk through when he's ready>>

Give my mother & my sister my love & assure them that I will return to them...to all of you soon.

Be sure to help Blaze with anything she needs at Spectra as well...

<< Morgan says with a soft smile on her face>>

Thank you for your help, your support...your love.

<< one last kiss and then she stands back, now with Tinkerbell having jumped up into her waiting arms>>

Tinker will stay with me now, but you know her...she may slip through the shadows to visit you when you least expect it.

<< Tinker "chirps" in agreement as she slowly blinks her blue eyes while watching Nicolas>>

<< This wasnt goodbye....it was>>

See you later.

See you. Do not stay away for too long, else I will return for you Spellbinder. BE well.

And with that, he departed, tranported by disc...

...back to Aerie. He stretched and smiled. As much as he felt bad for Delilah, he took satisfaction in what he was able to accomplish in the last day. And he knew Morgan would be back.

So he walked back to the mansion, prepared to share the relatively good news and to get back to the business of the Six...

 

[Prophet]

Dawn in NYC

As the sun slowly began to rise on the island of Manhattan, Cameron found himself once again on his expansive balcony, this time he was engaged in a yoga session, a passion he had come across during his return to The Six while he was living in Melrose Place. The poses calmed him and made him feel extremely grounded, and had allowed his third eye to remain open and strong. Inhaling deeply, he moved into the "peacock" pose as he slowly began to exhale, and with every second he began to slowly began to let the events of the night before melt away, allowing him a few moments of peace. He had spoken to his sister briefly last night after he knew that Delilah was asleep and she was definitely worse for the wear. As much as he wished he could go and be with his sister, the current situation dictated that Delilah needed HIM. Alison usually tended to go it "alone" much like Morgan did, and despite that, she would have the support of Ava, Sharon, Karen and Nicolas. Delilah had HIM and HIM alone.

Several minutes passed as Cameron finished up his routine, placing his hands firmly on the ground, with his nose pressing the pavement. He gave thanks to the universe for and lingered there for a few moments, taking in all the energy that was coursing through his body. Cameron had never been a spiritual person, but as a telepath and an empath, he understood the flowing of energies, and the inherent energy present in all things, so yoga was something he could connect to. And with everything going on around him right now, he most definitely needed to make sure that he stayed grateful, grounded and STRONG..for himself and others.

"Namaste..."

Standing to his feet, he grabbed a towel and his bottle of water and headed to the Master Bathroom. Turning on the giant and expansive, multi-headed shower, he disrobed and felt the warm heat of the shower heads on his skin. There was nothing in this world as delicious as the perfect shower, he was sure of it. Slipping into a pair of dark washed denim jeans, and mindlessly grabbing a black slim fit v neck t-shirt from his large walk-in closet, he meticulously styled his hair. He realized that he might be wasting time in order to avoid having to see Delilah, who had been asleep in the room down the hall. It wasn't that he didn't want to see her, it was just that Cameron was used to being in the position of the rescued...not the rescuer. He wasn't necessarily comfortable with the title OF "Rescuer" but..if there was anybody that needed to be rescued, it was Delilah..and he was the only one who had remained ambiguous during the altercation between friends. He was the only one who could help.

As he began to walk down the hall, he could hear his wait staff preparing breakfast. They had been informed of Delilah's presence and had reacted accordingly, preparing enough portions for two and making sure to only serve things that could either be eaten by hand or spoon. As such, breakfast consisted of fruit parfaits made with fresh organic strawberries, blueberries and greek yogurt.

Hesistantly, he knocked on his friend's door....

"Delilah...It's Cameron...you up?"

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon

"Delilah...It's Cameron...you up?"

“I’m awake.”

Delilah spoke softly, but Cameron didn’t need for her to speak aloud anyway. She was still wearing the white robe that said The Parthenon New York on it. But now she lay motionless on her side on the hard wood floor in a patch of sunlight that came through the windows. She felt the warmth but it did nothing to improve her mood. She still felt numb.

She had woken up early and not been able to go back to sleep, her mind replaying the events of the night before over and over. They didn’t get any easier to understand the more she thought them over. How could Alison have done this to her? Why couldn’t Morgan see what she had done? How could her BEST FRIEND not back her up? It was like she didn’t know them at all, like they hadn’t been her friends at all.

She felt as she had when they had come to Aerie the last time – absolutely alone. But no, this time was different. This time she had Cameron. But how long until Alison took him from her as well? After all, he was her brother.

Where would she go then?

 

[Prophet]

The Parthenon

Delilah: I'm awake.

Cameron turned the handle on the door and walked in as he looked down at Delilah laying on the floor of the bedroom in a very sad looking state. Well, actually it was the absence of emotion. She seemed totally numb, even while her face basked in the sunlight rising from the trees in Central Park. He didn't move closer to her.

"Well..I guess awake is a relative term...but Good Morning. I've had the staff pull a mountain's worth of clothes from the boutiques on the lower levels. Basically anything you could imagine. It's all your size, and anything that doesn't fit we will get it tailored to make sure it does..."

He walked over to the windows and slowly began to draw back the curtains, letting as much light as possible wash over the room.

"I've laid a few options out for you in the Guest Bathroom..these will have to do until I can get your things couriered from Los Angeles..."

Walking over to Delilah, he gently grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up and onto the bed.

"But first things first.. we have breakfast waiting for us in the kitchen. Assorted fruits and greek yogurt, granola... anything you could want...Let's go..."

Cameron was being somewhat mechanical with Delilah, but in his experience, whenever a person was sad like Delilah was, when given the CHOICE to do something or to continue to wallow, they would always choose wallow. Cameron was giving her small things to do that she knew she could accomplish. He was essentially guiding her along, knowing that the return to routine would do her a world of good and allow her to maybe be able to talk about the situation.

Guiding her to the kitchen, the two sat down at the breakfast nook while Cameron dismissed the wait staff. Sun flooded the charming breakfast nook, and Delilah would notice that when she sat down that her plate was FULL of delicious looking food to eat.

"Now, this is the way to eat breakfast! Eh?"

Prophet began to eat some strawberries, dipping them in to the thick and creamy greek yogurt. He noticed that Delilah wasn't really touching her food.

"Okay, Delilah. You NEED to eat. And..."

[looking away for a moment]

"You need to start talking.. How are you feeling? Did sleep do anything to help ease your mind? Where's your head at. I need to know so that I can know what to do next.."