Casualties of War

The tensions were still high between Haleigh and Delilah as she and Alek approached the wormhole. They were all evacuating together, but that didn't mean they were back together as a team. Haleigh and Ava still betrayed and tried to kill The Six and Birds multiple times, and despite working together to take out Diana and the other Queens, wounds were still very fresh. Ava kept a tight grip on Alek's hand as she lead the way, turning to look back at him.

"We'll figure everything out once we're safe."

She knew he must be feeling completely uprooted and unsure of what to do next. His entire life had been Hellfire and Helena, and now he had neither of those things to go back to. Just as Ava was about to step through the wormhole, a shiver went down her spine at the sudden voice of Helena screaming at them. Turning as Helena pulled Alek from her grasp, Ava lunged forward in an attempt to grab him back.

"NOO!!"

But Helena had encased him in with her powers, the red ribbon crushing him and making him gasp for air. Ava's eyes were filled with both horror and fury.

Helena: "HIS BLOOD IS ON YOUR HANDS!"

"ALEK!"

But he and Helena were already gone.

"NO! NO!!!"

Ava began to run back into Hellfire, the ceiling and pillars crashing down all around her.

Haleigh: “Ava, come on, please!"

Ava ducked from a piece of falling marble before turning to look at Haleigh. Her eyes were filled with fear and pain.

"I can't just leave him!!"

Haleigh: "If she wanted to kill him outright she’d have done it right here and now in front of us. She’ll hurt him first--"

Ava shut her eyes tightly hearing that, tears burning from behind them. She knew exactly what Helena was capable of doing which is why she couldn't just leave him and escape. She couldn't abandon him...he hadn't abandoned her ONCE.

Haleigh: "--but that will give us time. Let’s regroup first, and then I’ll help you find him. We’ll go after him together, alright?”

The floor began to crack beneath her causing Ava to stumble to more solid ground. The whole White Wing was about to collapse in on itself, and despite Ava's hesitation, she knew she couldn't stay. It took every fiber of her being to move back toward that wormhole, every bit of willpower she had to leave. But she stepped through the wormhole, and in seconds she, Haleigh, Delilah, Bishop, and an unconscious Cameron were all standing outside on the streets in front of where the Hellfire Club once stood. Ava's chest heaved in and out as she looked at a brownstone standing where the club should have been. In a slight daze as her mind went a million miles a minute trying to think where Helena could have possibly taken Alek, Ava didn't realize Haleigh had already hot wired a car and loaded Cameron into it ready to go.

Haleigh: “I’ve got a Safehouse a few miles from here, where we can all get our bearings and decide what to do next.”

Ava slowly backed away from the brownstone, her red boots clacking softly against the asphalt of the road. She finally turned to the Yukon, getting into the back seat of the car.

"Hurry."

The tone of her voice monotone and devoid of emotion. She didn't have time to sit around and gather their bearings. She needed to find Alek and get him back NOW.
 
Hellfire to The Clocktower

"Are you guys okay?"

Rampage: "Are WE okay? Girl, are YOU okay?! That...was amazing, Viv."

Recall became a bit embarrassed.

Steel: "We're fine."

Vivica blushed a bit in John's direction. Thankfully he understood. Recall knew she was the shit. She didn't need The Six to tell her that. It was one of her pet peeves - when she proved to be just as effective as she always had been and a random member of The Six or their Inner Circle looked at her like she was an alien or that they couldn't believe she could be as effective as she was.

Steel: "The Six didn't appreciate what they had. Their loss, our gain."

Recall flourished once more before realizing she was a bad ass secret agent who had just blown up an entire wing of the Hellfire Mansion. After that, she toughened up.

Steel: "Malice is dead, the other queens are gone. We're getting out of here."

"Amen."

She stone faced it to The Clocktower, getting there almost instantaneously thanks to Citadle, an ally who was proving his weight in gold. A few seconds later she was beyond relieved to see Ashley and Zach appear there as well. Carrying Alexis Quartermaine with them. Vivica almost did a double take.

Rampage: "Alexis? Gods - Alexis! What happened? And why did you bring her here?!"

Nicholas acted like a typical member of The Six, but Vivica couldn't avert her eyes. The rest of the chatter around her dissappeared for a moment. She had heard the myth of Alexis, but it never resonated with her. Vivica knew Alexis. Not in some kind of yaya sisterhood kind of way, but Vivica had worked with Tempo Magazine on a number of events over the years. In fact, out of both Cameron and Morgan, during that time, the one helping her make decisions had been Alexis. And Cameron never believed her to be a traitor. And he was right. Helena had done it to her. She was a blemish on the reputation of The Six and most of them had disowned her or declared her an enemy. Vivica was suddenly very thankful that it was the Birds of Prey who rescued her.

John: "Who's Alexis?"

"An ex member of The Six."

Rampage: "You all know this is Helena''s niece, right? Who betrayed and almost killed most of the Six?"

John: "Wait - Alexis Chandler-Quartermaine?"

Vivica nodded.

"As we live and breathe. That's her. And...sorry to pull rank here Nicky, but she's in our custody. And also you weren't really there for this and don't really have a dog in this fight."

Zizi: "She helped us. I don't know why, but she did. Now is not the time to debate it."

"I agree with that. And I know that whatever reason she was brought back has nothing to do with the lot of us, so we might as well let her wake up and see what she has to say."

Ashley: "What do we do with her now?"

Rampage: "Turn her back into a statue. Im serious. There's no telling what she did to Oror to get out of Limbo."

Vivica rolled her eyes.

"I'd be more concerned with the fact that Princess Quartermaine has been moved from the garden AWHILE ago and the Sorceress Supreme had no idea, but that's just me."

Oracle: "We'll sort that out once she's awake. She needs to rest. Andrew's asleep in the guest room...John, carry her to my room for me please?"

Vivica watched as John walked over and grabbed Alexis in a delicate and strong way, like she was a porcelain doll he couldn't break. Having Steel as a field partner was beginning to be her new favorite thing.

Rampage: "I can guard her, if you want. Who knows what she'll do if she wakes up."

Recall furrowed her brow. Nicholas had a lot of nerve playing protector when they had just rescued him from certain death a mere few moments ago. Thankfully Zizi intervened on her behalf.

Zizi: "Thank you, but I don't think that will be necessary."

A bit more eloquently said than Vivica would have liked but it seemed to work.

Rampage: "Then I should check on Morgan. But I'll have some questions for Alexis, when she's awake. Thank you both, for your help. All of you."

Steel: "It was nothing."

"Speak for yourself. It was something. And The Six would do well to not forget our help."

Steel: "And I'll keep an eye on her, just in case."

Vivica shook her head and followed both John and Zizi into Oracle's room. Steel slipped Alexis into bed as Oracle tended to her needs, wiping her face with a warm washcloth. None of them wanted to leave the room.

Zizi: "Come, John, let her sleep. She had plenty of chance to kill our people today, and she didn't. I think a little trust is in order."

John shot her a glance.

"I'd like to sit with her for a few minutes. Just in case she wakes up. I'm the only person she knows on this team. I just want to make sure she's okay and set up and then I'll leave. I promise."

Begrudgingly, they left her alone for a few moments.

"Long time no see, Lex."

Vivica took a seat on the ottoman at the end of the bed, untensing her shoulders. .Her body had been running on adrenaline and she needed a moment to "reprogram" herself in privacy. Without her powers, she had been an agent who put in hours that seemed god like, with her powers, she could run for a good three weeks before ever giving herself the chance to process anything. But the last few weeks had been traumatic and while she had been doing her best to maintain homeostasis (so to speak), she found herself at the end of her rope. She had watched John squeeze life out of a snake. She had seen a marble pillar shatter an almighty gargoyle. She had watched Andrew nearly die. And then there was The Purifier Event. Vivica knew many of those kids, but her pain remained silent. It didn't feel right to speak about how devestated she was to see young mutants killed before they even reached the rising action of their ability. And everyone else's pain seemed to be so much louder. Vivica had taken this more personally than most. She had grown up in a world of blatent inequality. It was something she had gotten used to. When she found out she was a super, it changed something in her. Made her feel like she was worth something. And for a long time she was able to forget just how marginalized, alone and scared she felt as a little girl. But sitting here in this room, next to an unconscious Alexis Quartermaine, a woman she never thought she'd see again, it began to hit Vivica, and she wept. Uncontrollably. It had been her second outburst in less than twenty four hours and for a moment, it caused her concern. Perhaps she was becoming unhinged. She had been trained to deal with the most graphic and devestating of conditions, but this was beating her. Her tear filled eyes looked upon the blonde statuesque beauty in the bed in front of her.

"This is going to be so hard for you..."

Vivica wasn't stupid. Ororo had brought Cameron back, it wasn't outside the realm of possibility for her to bring Alexis back. But membership to The Six and the cult of Morgan Victoria had to be paid in blood, and with Ororo in the driver seat, there was no telling what they would require of Alexis. Morgan had tried to make up with her recently, but it was nothing that remained in Vivica's heart. Morgan caused the end of the world because she hated Cameron for no reason other than the fact that he existed and he didn't take her shit. It was the same reason Morgan hated Haleigh for so long. Morgan was a dictator. So many lives had been lost, and she had first hand experience of what it was like to die as collateral damage of The Six. And that is what Alexis was. The team was completely different then than it was now. Then they just scorched the Earth not caring who they hurt. As long as they got the victory they could justify their actions. What happened to Alexis would never happen now. Vivica wondered if Alexis was here for revenge.

"Viv, stop. Get your head right."

She figured the right amount of time had passed that she could re-enter the room without anybody questioning the length of time in which she had been gone. She'd had a good show today, and there was a small part of her that wanted to keep up appearances if only to shield a bit of the burden from Oracle, Her lover had just been killed in front of her and she was still in full leadership mode. It wasn't right but she also knew that she couldn't convince her to do anything else. Perhaps it was good for her to focus on anything but Gabe right now, but Vivica made a mental note to circle back when things calmed down for a moment. Zizi hadn't pryed into Vivica's life and she would return the favor. Her eyes met John's for a moment as an uncomfortable feeling washed over her. John had been her rock in this mission. She was still getting to know the other birds, but there was something about John that made her feel so safe. She had watched as he squeezed the life out of The Black Knight, his energy never flinching. She had been a mess lately. The whole affair with Blaze had left a sour taste in her mouth. She didn't love Blaze, and if Vivica was being honest with herself, she still couldn't decide if Blaze had actually liked her or if she was running damage control for her sister. If Blaze and Morgan could get Vivica on their side, it would definitely throw Cameron for a loop, and Vivica was done playing The Six's games. Still, there was no way a guy like John would ever go for a girl like Vivica. She was crass, loud, outspoken, ostentatious. He was cool, calm, collected. She'd never seen strength that quiet before in her life. But Vivica was also a woman who believed in living in the moment, and saying what you meant. And meaning what you said. So she walked over to John, letting out a bit of a sigh as she grabbed a bottle of water, opening it and taking a small drink.

"What a day it's been and it's barely noon. That's a new record, right?"

Recall sat the bottle down on the kitchen counter.

"Would you mind escorting me to the roof for a bit, John? It might be nice to get a bit of fresh air.."

He hesitated for a moment but complied as they made their way towards a roof landing on The Clocktower. There wasn't much room to move, but the view of the city was absolutely breathtaking. Vivica leaning over a railing, soft wind blowing through her hair.

"Jesus Christ, it's views like this that make what we're doing worth it, right Johnny?"

She pivoted now facing John who still looked a bit tense.

"Come on. We gotta savor the small victories. Step into this wind, it feels great I promise."
 
The White Wing

Haleigh was shouting orders, as if she was their fucking leader, as if she hadn't gone over to their worst enemy, attacked them, betrayed them. Delilah told her what she could do with her damn orders.

Black Widow: “Delilah, please, I don’t want to leave anyone behind, ok?”

"Too fucking late."

Delilah turned her back on Haleigh, and with a whoosh of power, opened a wormhole out to the street. The only people going back to the Parthenon tonight would be her and Cameron. Haleigh and Cameron passed through, then Delilah nearly threw Bishop through, so there were only two left.

Delilah wished these people would get a move on. She was waiting for Ava and the lug from Hellfire to pass through the wormhole before she could close it and this whole thing - and her forced association with Haleigh - would be over. And then it happened so fast, fast even for someone who could move at the speed of light. Helena's voice, and then her power enveloping the Red Knight as she SNATCHED him and the two disappeared. There were a good five seconds of pure shock at what had happened before Delilah reacted.

"Why don't you come back and FIGHT, you bitch!"

Delilah yelled to the air, but there was no response from the Red Queen. Delilah scoffed. Queen without a throne. Ava however had turned back towards the Mansion.

"Come on Ava, we've got to leave NOW."

Ava: "I can't just leave him!!"

"He's not HERE, not anymore. We've got to go."

Black Widow: “Ava, come on, please! If she wanted to kill him outright she’d have done it right here and now in front of us. She’ll hurt him first, but that will give us time. Let’s regroup first, and then I’ll help you find him. We’ll go after him together, alright?”

Working with the guy in the short term was one thing, though Delilah questioned whether the Red Knight was even on their side, considering he'd buried Bishop in a pile of rubble. His choice of target made her like him more though. But did Ava honestly think this guy was some hero that she'd just run off into the sunset with? Please.

Haleigh broke into a large SUV on the street. Typical.

Black Widow: “I’ve got a Safehouse a few miles from here, where we can all get our bearings and decide what to do next.”

"NEXT, I'M taking Cameron back to the Parthenon, and you all go can wherever the hell you want."
 
Manhattan — City Streets

Delilah got that look on her face, the disapproving one that let Haleigh know she was doing something less than heroic.

“I’ll give it back, okay? I’ll park it right back here with a full tank of gas.”

She said defensively as she secured Cameron in the car. It was an emergency, and they needed a vehicle. It wasn’t something Haleigh usually thought twice about, but Delilah’s reaction made her feel mildly guilty. She encouraged everyone to get in the car, but Delilah wanted to split up. Haleigh scowled as she slammed Cameron’s door shut, locked it, then reinforced it with bolts and armor plating.

“You don’t want us in the Parthenon, and for you, that’s probably just wise tactics given everything we’ve recently done to deserve your mistrust, so I won’t take it personal. But if you think you’re going to keep me away from Cameron while he’s trapped on the astral plane with Malice, you’re out of your fucking MIND.”

She replied in a hard tone. The building wasn’t collapsing on top of them, but they were still at risk of being attacked, and Haleigh had already proven that hurt feelings were low on the priority list when lives were in danger.

“Splitting up right now will just make us easier targets if what’s left of the inner circle wants to retaliate. If you really want him at the Parthenon, then we’re coming in. If not, then you’re coming with us. Either way, we need to go, so how about you get in the fucking car, Delilah?”

She added, with as much patience as she could muster. She climbed into the driver seat and shut her door.

“I’m NOT trying to order you around, but we’re wasting time with our asses hanging out in the open here. We’ll go wherever you want, and you can feel free to bitch me out all you want on the drive over, but let’s fucking go already.”

Ava got in the SUV, and as soon as all the doors shut, Haleigh burnt rubber getting out of there. She caught herself gripping the steering wheel a little too tight and forced herself to relax her hands. It was almost surreal, looking in the rear view at the brownstone cover-up and knowing she was free of the place. She had given up on ever escaping Hellfire, but it was happening. She was leaving, Ava was with her.

It wasn’t a clean break, of course. Cameron’s body was here, but his mind was at risk, still fighting her mother. That was a significant concern for Haleigh, who found herself bitterly wishing she could take his place. But that particular instinct was the reason they were all in this mess. Delilah had said they expected this outcome, but that didn’t give Haleigh anything but anxiety. If she made it out of Hellfire, but Cameron died fighting her mother.... it was too painful to think about right now.

She focused on driving, calculating the fastest route to their destination based on the traffic. She glanced to her left as a blacked out sedan pulled up next to her. It had been a habitual move, just an instinctive check to make sure the car next to her didn’t present a threat, but in the reflection of the other car’s window, she saw Scion looking back at her. It sent a chill down her spine, and she took an immediate right, slamming on the brakes and swerving onto the cross street.

The SUV threatened to roll over, but Haleigh kept at least two tires on the ground and then shifted the weight of the vehicle back as she straightened the wheel. The other car continued on nonchalantly. It was only my reflection, Haleigh realized. She glanced at the others uncomfortably, running her hand through her short blond hair.

“Sorry.”

She mumbled, as she tried to ignore the way her skin crawled. She had to make a change, anything to make a difference. She isolated the code controlling her hair color and growth rate. She altered it from blonde, changing it back to red, and then ramped up the growth rate so that it would be shoulder length in minutes instead of months. As it grew out, Haleigh found Ava’s eyes in the rear view mirror.

“I’m searching the satellites for Alek’s cellphone,”

She started to say, wishing she’d secretly implanted a GPS chip under his skin while he slept. Hindsight was 20/20. She was also searching for Helena’s cell, and Kelly’s, and Heidi’s, and any others from Hellfire, even the dead ones. Over her time there she’d familiarized herself with every personal device possible so she could find them again if needed. The NSA were amateurs compared to Black Widow.

“And if any of them show up on a camera anywhere, I’ll know it. If they use their passports or bank accounts or credit cards.... They can’t hide from me for long. We’ll get him back.”
 
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65th & Fifth Ave, NYC

Delilah sighed as Haleigh decided to make a gigantic show of barricading Cameron inside the (stolen) SUV. Suddenly she was protective of Cameron. What about all those other years she didn't give a shit?

Black Widow: “You don’t want us in the Parthenon,"

"No, I don't."

Black Widow: "and for you, that’s probably just wise tactics given everything we’ve recently done to deserve your mistrust, so I won’t take it personal."

"Oh feel free to take it personal."

Black Widow: “But if you think you’re going to keep me away from Cameron while he’s trapped on the astral plane with Malice, you’re out of your fucking MIND.”

"All of a sudden you care so much?"

She scoffed and turned away, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Right now Cameron needs people around him who won't abandon him."

Black Widow: “Splitting up right now will just make us easier targets if what’s left of the inner circle wants to retaliate. If you really want him at the Parthenon, then we’re coming in. If not, then you’re coming with us. Either way, we need to go, so how about you get in the fucking car, Delilah?”

Delilah turned back towards Haleigh, and her eyes narrowed.

"Fine."

She could always wormhole him to the Parthenon at the first opportunity, which she couldn't do while he was locked in the car.

Black Widow: “I’m NOT trying to order you around, but we’re wasting time with our asses hanging out in the open here. We’ll go wherever you want, and you can feel free to bitch me out all you want on the drive over, but let’s fucking go already.”

Delilah opened the back passenger door and hopped inside next to Cameron. Bishop came towards her.

"You're in the back."

She slammed the door. She sure as hell didn't want to be in a car with BOTH of them, but she hadn't put up with him this long just to let him get killed now. Haleigh pulled the car into traffic, and Delilah reached out and took Cameron's hand. Haleigh suddenly SLAMMED on the car's breaks and made a 90 degree turn onto a side street.

"Jesus! If your plan was to kill us all, there were easier ways."

It seemed had Haleigh decided that now was a good time to play beauty parlor and fix her hair. Delilah shook her head silently.

Black Widow: “I’m searching the satellites for Alek’s cellphone. And if any of them show up on a camera anywhere, I’ll know it. If they use their passports or bank accounts or credit cards.... They can’t hide from me for long. We’ll get him back.”

"Are you sure he wants to be found? He didn't look to be entirely onboard with Team Destroy Hellfire."
 
The Clocktower

Steel sunk down into one of the dining chairs, still pulled away from the table. He knew he should probably be doing something to help clean up, but he just needed a moment to just breathe. Ashley handed him a beer on her way past him, which he gratefully took and had a good long drink. He flexed his joints and wondered if he was getting too old for this shit.

After a time Vivica came out of Zizi's room where Alexis was recovering, and grabbed one of the bottles of water Zizi had put out on the kitchen butcher block.

Vivica: "What a day it's been and it's barely noon. That's a new record, right?"

John looked up at her.

"Sadly, probably not."

Vivica: "Would you mind escorting me to the roof for a bit, John? It might be nice to get a bit of fresh air..."

He was taken slightly aback, but then decided she must have something she wanted to talk about.

"Um, sure, okay."

John moved to get up from the chair. He wasn't close to the Six, but she was; this was probably a difficult day for her. He let Vivica go first up the stairs to the roof deck, then was hit by the wind as he stepped outside.

Vivica: "Jesus Christ, it's views like this that make what we're doing worth it, right Johnny?"

"I like to think there are other rewards."

He took in a deep breath of the fresh air.

"But the city is beautiful."

Vivica: "Come on. We gotta savor the small victories. Step into this wind, it feels great I promise."

He moved out of shelter so the strong wind blew his clothes.

"Hey, listen, I'm sorry about Ruby. I know she was a friend."
 
The Clocktower

Zizi felt so weary all of a sudden. But there were still things to be done. She left Vivica with Alexis in her room. It was nice that if Alexis woke up, she would see a familiar face. Vivica was very thoughtful like that. Zizi put some bottles of water out on the island, then wheeled back over to her workstation. There were loose ends to be tied up before anyone looked too closely at what happened, and she wanted to do a double check of the Clocktower's security. She was reasonably sure that Helen's revelation about watching them had been an idle threat, but Zizi wanted to be sure.

When she was confident everything was in order, she took one last look over her desk. Her eyes landed on a picture of her and Gabe. She reached out and touched it gently. He would have done things today so much better than she had. The Queens would have been begging for Mercy before any of the Birds even stepped inside the Mansion. The Mansion where he'd died. Zizi closed her eyes and bowed her head.

She felt a hand on her shoulder.

Ashley: "I'm sorry. I failed you."

Zizi shook her head silently, opening her eyes.

"No."

She sighed out.

"You didn't."

She looked up at Ashley, then turned around to face her.

"Wanting revenge...wanting Helena to die...it scares me."

Ashley leaned down to her.

Ashley: "She deserves to die."

Zizi nodded.

"Maybe so. But I never wanted to do it myself before."

Ashley: "I promise you, Zizi, I'll do it for you. She can't run from me forever. She's as good as dead."

Zizi didn't respond. Finally she headed in the direction of the private elevator to the lower floors.

"Ashley, there's money in my purse, order food for everyone please. I'm sure they're all hungry. And there's plenty of room downstairs if people want to shower or rest."

She gave Ashley a half smile and wheeled away.
 
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The Clocktower

Ashley had done the best battlefield surgery that she could, but now they were left with the question of what to do with her. Though she was likely to just disappear and go her own merry way once she woke up if past experience was any indication. Nicolas King was in favor of turning her "back into a statue", which was definitely a backstory she wanted to hear. But not right now.

"Didn't think you had it in you Nic. Hey, I like this guy."

She took another swig from the bottle of moonshine, which was now dangerously low.

Vivica: "I'd be more concerned with the fact that Princess Quartermaine has been moved from the garden AWHILE ago and the Sorceress Supreme had no idea, but that's just me."

Alix: "A darkness surrounds Morgan Victoria. She will not be seeing clearly."

"Well that was nice and cryptic. If I didn't believe you were a witch before, I would now."

Alix: "I prefer magick user or demon hunter."

Ashley raised an eyebrow at her. Pretty cocky for the new kid on the block. Nicolas left to go wherever it was he normally went, and Zizi and John helped move their patient somewhere to sleep it off, and Viv went with them. That left her and Zach with the "magick user".

Alix: "Alix Osborne. Karen Victoria sent me."

"Of course she did."

Zach: “Oh, I haven’t heard from her in a while, I hope she’s doing well.”

"Probably off somewhere eating live kittens."

Ashley rolled her eyes. She could not fucking escape Karen Victoria.

"Ashley Oldenburg. Thanks for the assist."

She added the second part because she could feel Zach's eyeballs burning into her telling her to be nice. The girl Alix held out her hand, so Ashley handed her the liquor bottle. When she took it back, little miss healer started sidling up to Zach.

Alix: "Hi, I'm Alix, and you are?"

"Engaged."

Best put it right out there that he was hands off. But she felt her body relax as Zach's arm slipped around her waist. She leaned into him.

Zach: ”And I can hardly wait until the day you say married instead....”

That made Ashley smile. Alix turned up her nose at them.

Alix: "Cute."

Zach: “It’s nice to meet you, Alix. I’m Zach. Thanks for the assist, with Alexis, and with Andrew. Speaking of my best man, I think I’ll look in on him, if you ladies will excuse me.”

Zach kissed her cheek on his way out, leaving the two women alone.

Alix: "So, this is awkward. Drink?"

"Absolutely."

Relieved, Ashley went to retrieve something for them, and she dropped off a beer with John on her way past him as well. Zizi had returned from her room and was now working quietly at her computer things. Ashley deliberated for a moment, then walked up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry. I failed you."

It wasn't something she usually felt, letting someone down.

Zizi: "No. You didn't. Wanting revenge...wanting Helena to die...it scares me."

Zizi hadn't experienced the kind of loss that drove people to want these things. Until now. Ashley didn't give it a second thought. And neither should Zizi. Ashley leaned down to her level.

"She deserves to die."

Zizi nodded.

Zizi: "Maybe so. But I never wanted to do it myself before."

It wasn't terribly feasible for Zizi to actually kill Helena herself, though Ashley thought it might be cathartic as hell for her. But Helena needed to die, for Zizi, for her, for Gabe, for all of them.

"I promise you, Zizi, I'll do it for you. She can't run from me forever. She's as good as dead."

They were both silent. Then Zizi told her to get money from her purse and order food.

"Hell yes."

Ashley was starving. And she needed a shower. Definitely. Order food, then shower.

She brought a bottle of something over to the new girl and then pulled out her phone and started ordering food from everywhere. When she hung up, there was a tap tapping from behind her, and here came Mina. She must have been hiding somewhere, listening with her blind ears.

Mina: "Alix, my driver just called to say he's on his way up with the supplies you asked for from your shop. I'm going to take my leave then. Thank you for your assistance today. Your help was invaluable."

She turned to face Ashley.

Mina: "Unlike some others who give the word fail new meaning."

"Oh, why don't you go play in traffic?!"

Ashley snapped at her with a scowl, turning towards her room and heading for a shower. She called behind her.

"Someone let the food in when it gets here!"
 
Ava's mind was racing, the disagreement between Delilah and Haleigh mere background noise. She was trying to figure out where Helena would have taken Alek. Ava remembered having discussions with Alek about safe houses the Red Queen had throughout the world in case of possible attacks against Hellfire. London was obviously number one, but that would have been too risky and too obvious for Helena to take him to.

"Berlin....Monaco...Prague...Madrid..."

She began to whisper a list of the safe houses she remembered Alek showing her during his first initial security run down with her. Ava shut her eyes at the sound of the car door slamming, whatever fight that was happening somehow finally coming to a conclusion. She told Haleigh to hurry because she was not about to sit around and watch her vs Delilah round whatever. Taking out her phone, she began to text Mystique...Alexis...whatever she called herself now. She realized Mystique was Alexis Quartermaine when she was watching the events unfold on Aerie with Alison. She knew of Alexis and her backstory with the six, but none of that matter because Mystique had helped her many times over in Hellfire, and that was enough for Ava to trust that she wasn't as bad as everyone claimed. Hell, Ava had no room for judgement regardless.

>> Helena took Alek. I need lists of every place she would go that's off the radar.

Ava's heart was racing as she stared at the message as it was delivered, impatiently waiting for some response.

>> You owe me nothing, but please help me find him.

Ava didn't notice anything that was going on in the car until Haleigh took a sharp turn causing her to quickly grab onto the handle above the window, holding on. She gave her sister a less than thrilled look, noting the sudden hair change but not thinking twice about it. Looking back down at her phone, there was still no response from Alexis, Ava shutting her eyes and huffing out. It wasn't lost to Ava that Haleigh could read her texts and whom she was sending them to, but none of that mattered. Whoever could help her find Alek was fair game in Ava's book.

Haleigh: “I’m searching the satellites for Alek’s cellphone. And if any of them show up on a camera anywhere, I’ll know it. If they use their passports or bank accounts or credit cards.... They can’t hide from me for long. We’ll get him back.”

Delilah: "Are you sure he wants to be found? He didn't look to be entirely onboard with Team Destroy Hellfire."

"He was on my team [looking at Delilah]....he was on my team the moment I walked into that hell hole."

There was no anger or malice in her tone, only a conviction that rivaled the pain in her voice. She looked away from Delilah and back to her phone, scrolling through her contact list.

"And now Helena's going to try and kill him for choosing me."

With Haleigh focusing on the American Inner Circle, Ava knew there would be one person that would definitely help in Europe if only for one reason and one reason alone...

>> I killed Ravena. I think this allots me some information.

She hit send, the message delivering to Domino.
 
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Manhattan — City Streets

Haleigh was trying to get them all in the car so they could get to somewhere safer than Hellfire’s front porch, but Delilah was being obstinate. Haleigh ventured that Delilah didn’t want them at the Parthenon, and got immediate confirmation. She didn’t take it personal, despite Delilah invitation to. She understood the air was not clear, and that it would probably be a while before they got back a semblance of comfort with each other.

Delilah: “All of a sudden you care so much?”

Haleigh was so taken aback by that question that she had to look at Delilah to see if she was really serious. Haleigh honestly did not even know what to say to that. Delilah, meanwhile, scoffed and crossed her arms, declaring that Cameron needed people around him that wouldn’t abandon him.

“Are you just saying everything you can think of to hurt me right now, or should I be taking you seriously?”

She asked, running low on patience. She argued that splitting up right now was a bad tactical move, and wherever they went they were going together. Delilah whipped around on her like she had some rebuttal, but just spat ‘fine’ instead and climbed into the SUV next to Cameron. Everybody else got in too, even Bishop.

As frustrating as he was, it was probably good that he stuck around. If her mother got the better of Cameron and tried to repossess Haleigh again, Bishop would be quick to try and kill her (again). Maybe she should equip him with an EMP baton like she had Alek. She shuddered at the memory of the pain those things caused. She didn’t trust Bishop not to abuse the power it gave him, either. It was something she’d have to think about.

She thought she saw Scion in a passing car, and made an abrupt evasive maneuver before realizing it had just been her reflection. She changed her hair, needing to feel some sense of difference, some distance from who she had become at Hellfire. She needed to feel like she wasn’t her mother’s intellectual property. Unfortunately the hair adjustment didn’t really help, except that maybe now she could look at herself in a mirror without flinching.

Delilah: “Jesus! If your plan was to kill us all, there are easier ways!”

Haleigh turned her whole upper half around to look back at Delilah.

“I have NEVER wanted to kill you. My plan has always been to keep you alive, no matter the cost.”

She replied, before shifting back to look ahead. She glanced back at Ava through the rear view, knowing that her sister’s mind was consumed by Alek’s disappearance. She tried to reassure her that they’d find him, that she was already looking and it wouldn’t be long. Ava was texting Alexis for help, and even Domino for intel.

Delilah expressed doubt that Alek was really on their team. Delilah was blissfully ignorant of what Hellfire was really like, and what kinds of sacrifices had to be made to even survive there, and how much it really meant that Alek had turned on Helena, and stood with them instead. Ava replied sadly that Alek had been on her side since she arrived at that ‘hellhole’.

“Don’t waste your breath trying to explain it to her, Ava. Delilah doesn’t give two turtle shits what we went through at Hellfire. We ‘chose’ to go there, and to stay. In her mind that makes our pain invalid. Only her suffering matters, apparently.”
 
A Stolen SUV with a Bitch Driving

Delilah thought it was rich that THIS TIME Haleigh wanted to protect Cameron. Where had she been all those other times, when he needed protection? Delilah didn't care what her motivation was, she had just spent months helping the very woman who had mercilessly tortured Cameron, either personally or by her orders, on multiple occasions.

Black Widow: "Are you just saying everything you can think of to hurt me right now, or should I be taking you seriously?”

"Do you even know what he did to himself after you left? Do you know what that did to him?"

To all of us.

Haleigh took a sudden turn which almost rolled the SUV. Delilah said there were easier ways to kill them.

Black Widow: “I have NEVER wanted to kill you. My plan has always been to keep you alive, no matter the cost.”

"Yeah, well some costs are too high."

Delilah looked out the window. This was such typical Haleigh. No matter what she did, it was justified. She wasn't really at fault. In fact she should be applauded for her actions. Fuck off.

It was obvious to Delilah but apparently not to anyone else conscious in the car that the whole "Alek" thing could have been orchestrated by Helena. Plant a spy in their camp, up his boni fides with a "kidnapping". Luring her prey back into a trap when they came to rescue him. When she suggested (delicately, in all fairness) that maybe the Red Knight was playing both sides, considering he hand't been wholeheartedly on their team during the whole mansion battle, Ava wasn't hearing any of it.

Ava: "He was on my team [looking at Delilah]....he was on my team the moment I walked into that hell hole. And now Helena's going to try and kill him for choosing me."

She sighed. If anyone knew what it was like to love the wrong man...

"Just be careful."

Black Widow: “Don’t waste your breath trying to explain it to her, Ava. Delilah doesn’t give two turtle shits what we went through at Hellfire. We ‘chose’ to go there, and to stay. In her mind that makes our pain invalid. Only her suffering matters, apparently.”

"Oh fuck off, Haleigh. Your pain."

She scoffed.

"Why don't you ask Zach about HIS pain?"
 
The Clocktower

John: "I'd like to think there are other rewards."

Vivica blushed and nodded in agreement. There had been so much loss lately. And upheaval. It was a good time to remind oneself of the things that made it all worthwhile.

John: "But the city is beautiful."

"It's everything. I've lived in every major city at one point or another. Whatever the city lacks in beauty she more than makes up for with personality. Best decision I ever made was to come back here."

Even though at times it felt like the worst. Vivica moved towards the end of the roof, leaning over the railing and letting the wind blow through her hair, imploring John to join her.

"Come on. We gotta savor the small victories. Step into this wind, it feels great I promise."

She watched his face as the wind whipped his clothes and he experienced that little bit of joy that he was unable to contain within himself. It was a split second, but Vivica was perceptive enough to pick up on it. He was such a stoic man. Bit bottled up. At least it seemed that way to her. He didn't offer much about himself, but then again, Vivica hadn't asked. Still, there was something about that split second smirk that brought her a lot of joy herself, even butterflies. But she knew this was likely something she was feeling because she was trying to ignore other emotions. This was the Vivica standard protocol. And thinking further, it was these kind of "butterflies" that made her a bit more understanding of Ashley ad Zach. That was a closer battle than they were admitting. Many people died and it could have been just as easily members of The Birds of Prey. It was a coin toss. It made you a little bit less concerned with propriety and circumstance. Sometimes you just wanted to chase what made you feel good and go with it.

John: "Hey, listen, I'm sorry about Ruby. I know she was a friend."

Vivica felt her stomach turn a bit at the thought of Cassandra. She was such a sweet naive girl. A bit infuriating but she just wanted to belong. Vivica identified with that and it was the reason she had taken the girl a bit under her wing. Unfortunately, Vivica knew that Cassandra's path would likely lead to disaster. She wasn't strong enough for them. Didn't have the constitution any of them would respect. It was the same thing they used to think about her. For a moment, Vivica took a moment to feel a bit of pride and ego...when the dust settled, they could take credit for the fact that they came there to attack Hellfire and they did. The Birds had nearly destroyed the entire Black Court, and they had suffered no casualties. She let out an exasperated sigh as she spun around, her back now leaning against the cement railing.

"Thank you, John. We weren't friends for long, but she definitely helped me see things a bit differently."

She looked at John seriously.

"And thank you for having my back as well as you did back there. That could have gone a lot worse than it did...."

[pausing for a moment]

"And how are you? I feel like you do a lot of listening, and not a lot of talking. I'd like to offer you the same respect...how are you feeling about all of this?"
 
The Clocktower

VIvica was talking about the view and how it made all they did worth it. He told her he liked to think there were other rewards. He meant helping people, making the city safe and keeping mutant crimes from poisoning all of humankind against mutants. But he saw Vivica blush and realized too late that she hadn't taken his meaning. He allowed, though, that the city was beautiful.

Vivica: "It's everything. I've lived in every major city at one point or another. Whatever the city lacks in beauty she more than makes up for with personality. Best decision I ever made was to come back here."

"I'd think this city held a lot of bad memories for you."

Not to mention that she was now on their team, rather than on The Six with Cameron King.

She encouraged him to come out into the wind, which he did. The air was refreshing, giving him a little boost of energy to his tired body. He gave her his condolences about Ruby, the member of the Six who had been lost. Maybe if they had gotten there sooner...

Vivica: "Thank you, John. We weren't friends for long, but she definitely helped me see things a bit differently. And thank you for having my back as well as you did back there. That could have gone a lot worse than it did...."

He reached out and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I will always have your back, Viv. This isn't the Six. You can count on us. Even Ashley."

A hint of a smile came over his lips.

Vivica: "And how are you? I feel like you do a lot of listening, and not a lot of talking. I'd like to offer you the same respect...how are you feeling about all of this?"

He breathed in and exhaled deeply.

"Oh, like I'm bone tired."

He scratched his beard, thinking of how to really answer that question.

"Like I wish we'd gotten there in time to save Ruby. Like I wish Andrew hadn't come close to dying. Like I wish Isis had been around to heal our team instead of having to depend on Ashley's surgery skills and some girl we never met before."

He opened his hands.

"But, that's how it goes."
 
Manhattan — City Streets

Delilah was saying the most spiteful things, which prompted Haleigh to ask directly whether Delilah was just saying everything she could think of to hurt Haleigh, or if Haleigh should actually be taking her seriously at this point. It made a difference, primarily in how Haleigh would handle such attacks. Instead of a direct answer, Delilah asked Haleigh if she knew what Cameron had done to himself after Haleigh left, and if she knew what her leaving had done to him. Haleigh’s expression hardened but she kept her gaze glued to the road ahead.

“Just trying to hurt me then. I swear, it’s like you think I don’t have any regrets unless you pile them on. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not a fucking robot.”

She replied bitterly. She performed an evasive driving maneuver, which of course Delilah had to comment on as if Haleigh was intentionally trying to kill them. At that, Haleigh looked back at Delilah and told her that the plan had always been to keep her alive, no matter the cost. Delilah, being as obstinate as ever, countered that some costs were too high. Haleigh shook her head.

“The day I accept your premise will probably be the day you die, so how bad do you really want to convince me here?”

She asked, more rhetorically than anything. Everybody had to know that to Haleigh, there were no costs too high. She had proven that many times over in the past few weeks alone. Haleigh shifted the topic, reassuring Ava that they would find Alek, and that she was already working on just that in the back of her mind. Delilah suggested that Alek wasn’t actually on their ‘team’, but Ava replied that Alek had been on her side since she walked into hell. Which was true; he’d been there for both sisters. But Delilah probably didn’t give a damn, and Haleigh pointed that out so Ava wouldn’t waste her breath.

Delilah: "Oh fuck off, Haleigh. Your pain."

“See, Ava? I rest my case.”

Delilah: "Why don't you ask Zach about HIS pain?"

Haleigh rolled her eyes so hard that her head moved as she pulled onto a street with warehouses in various states of disrepair. A large metal door rolled open and Haleigh pulled the SUV into the most dilapidated old factory in the area, where steel used to be made.

“Bitch, please. It took him less than a day to find himself a brand new trophy wife, so don’t you come at me with his pain.”

She shot back in irritation as she parked the car and got out, going to the back and opening Cameron’s door to extract him next. She looked at Delilah as she pulled Cameron from his seat and onto her shoulders.

“Why are you even bringing everyone else into the conversation? It’s YOUR pain we need to talk about, Delilah. So why don’t you quit beating around the bush and just let me have it? Say what you need to say, and let’s deal with it.”
 
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The SUV

Bishop wasn't saying a thing.

Delilah was clearly extra pissed off at him with Haleigh around. She had been civil to him before, but now she barely cared that he had been almost buried alive in the ruins of the Hellfire Mansion. And she was angry. It was uncharacteristic of her. He knew that she had been wounded deeply, or she would never be acting this way.

Being trapped in a car with her and Haleigh wasn't his idea of fun, but he sure as hell wasn't going to leave Haleigh alone with Delilah to control the narrative and make everything HIS fault. HE hadn't done anything wrong: they weren't together when he'd fucked Haleigh. And SHE had been fucking that boy. Delilah knew that; she'd admitted as much. No, this anger was all because of Haleigh. So he was going to make sure she didn't have any chance to push things over onto him.

Thirty seconds in and the car ride was already excruciating.

Ava was going on and on about the guy who tried to kill him. Who DID kill Haleigh, from the screaming Ava was doing about it right before they'd left the Mansion. He did like the red hair, but he wasn't about to say so. In any case, that was the guy they were talking about saving. The Six should've left these two to Hellfire.

He'd also never heard Delilah be so vindictive. Not even towards him. And let's face it, he usually deserved it.

Black Widow: "Are you just saying everything you can think of to hurt me right now, or should I be taking you seriously?”

Delilah: "Do you even know what he did to himself after you left? Do you know what that did to him?"

Black Widow: “Don’t waste your breath trying to explain it to her, Ava. Delilah doesn’t give two turtle shits what we went through at Hellfire. We ‘chose’ to go there, and to stay. In her mind that makes our pain invalid. Only her suffering matters, apparently.”

Delilah: "Oh fuck off, Haleigh. Your pain. Why don't you ask Zach about HIS pain?"

Black Widow: “See, Ava? I rest my case.”

Delilah: “Bitch, please. It took him less than a day to find himself a brand new trophy wife, so don’t you come at me with his pain.”

"Oh will you both, shut. The hell. UP already."

He couldn't help it. They hadn't stopped bickering since the second they had left Hellfire. And he couldn't take this shit anymore.

"Delilah, you sat in my kitchen and told me how you knew Haleigh was doing all this to protect you and the others. That she had a plan. A stupid fucked up plan, but a plan. You know this. You can't decide now that she was out to get you all along. Even I can't believe that one."

He turned to Haleigh.

"And you. When you went to Hellfire, I spent that night watching Delilah sob over you. So don't act like SHE never cared about what was happening to YOU either."

Haleigh had put the SUV into park and Bishop flung the door open and got out irritably.

"I need a fucking drink."
 
Delilah and Haleigh were going back and forth, and even with Ava being distracted on her phone trying to get ahold of informants that could potentially lead her in the right direction as to where Helena took Alek, she could still tell how bitter and heated it was getting. The bickering ended for a brief moment with Haleigh trying to ease Ava's worries that she would ping Alek's location and that they would find him. However Delilah interjected saying he didn't exactly seem like he was on 'their team'. That was what caused Ava to finally respond, turning to Delilah, someone she hadn't seen or spoken to in months, and told her that Alek was on Ava's side and had been since the beginning. She wasn't malicious in her tone, nor was she a mess of emotions, she was direct and calm because quite frankly, she didn't have the time or energy to get into it with Delilah.

Delilah: "Just be careful."

That surprised Ava. She hadn't hurt Delilah the same way Haleigh had, but she still betrayed The Six by leaving them and going to Hellfire to help Haleigh. She knew there would be consequences to her actions once coming back to the group, but Delilah seemed more understanding of her situation with Alek. That was when Ava's eyes shifted to the third row of seats seeing Bishop sitting there looking like the same asshole she had always known him to be, and knew why Delilah was less hostile to her given the situation. Ava looked back at Delilah.

"I am."

Her response was simple yet didn't leave any room for questions. Ava knew Alek wasn't like Bishop. She knew that despite his dark side, he would never hurt her the way Bishop had hurt Delilah.

Haleigh: “Don’t waste your breath trying to explain it to her, Ava. Delilah doesn’t give two turtle shits what we went through at Hellfire. We ‘chose’ to go there, and to stay. In her mind that makes our pain invalid. Only her suffering matters, apparently.”

That made Ava sigh out heavily, the fight starting back up with even more fire than before. The pain and anger both Delilah and Haleigh were harboring toward each other was nothing like Ava had seen before. But again, she didn't have the time nor the patience to deal with their fighting

"Haleigh--"

Delilah: "Oh fuck off, Haleigh. Your pain."

Black Widow: “See, Ava? I rest my case.”

"Both of you, STOP."

Delilah: "Why don't you ask Zach about HIS pain?"

The mentioning of Zach stung Ava in a way Persephone hadn't let her feel since luring him to the rooftop to kill him. She slightly winced.

Bishop: "Oh will you both, shut. The hell. UP already."

Saved by the ex...sort of. Ava gestured at Bishop in an exasperated way as if to say 'thank you' for interjecting. He began to go off on both of them, giving them both the harsh reality of how the situation between them really was from an outsiders point of view. Delilah was hurt by Haleigh's actions, both in leaving The Six and what Haleigh was forced to do by Diana. And Haleigh was hurt that Delilah actually saw her as a monster and not someone who was a marionette to a psychotic woman. They both had reasons to be angry at each other, but the ironic part was they were angry because they LOVED each other so damn much. The SUV slowed to a stop in one of Haleigh's warehouses, Bishop pushing the door open.

Bishop: "I need a fucking drink."

Ava followed suit, climbing out of the car.

"I need a whole damn bottle at this point."

She deadpanned before shutting the door as well. Looking back down at her phone, she began to walk a few feet away from the SUV, her focus going back to Alek.
 
The Stolen SUV

The pity party going on in the front seat was making Delilah sick.

Black Widow: “Just trying to hurt me then. I swear, it’s like you think I don’t have any regrets unless you pile them on. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not a fucking robot.”

"Oh, I'm sorry, am I making you feel bad?"

Delilah rolled her eyes. Haleigh was giving her some bullshit about doing anything to save their lives. Delilah told her that some costs were too high. Like endangering her daughter.

Black Widow: “The day I accept your premise will probably be the day you die, so how bad do you really want to convince me here?”

"Please."

Delilah shook her head.

"You're so full of yourself you think no one can survive without you. Oh please, Haleigh, do protect us weaklings."

Ava: "Both of you, STOP."

Bishop: "Oh will you both, shut. The hell. UP already."

Delilah turned around with narrowed eyes.

"YOU shut the hell up. Be glad I didn't leave you under that rubble."

Bishop: "Delilah, you sat in my kitchen and told me how you knew Haleigh was doing all this to protect you and the others. That she had a plan. A stupid fucked up plan, but a plan. You know this. You can't decide now that she was out to get you all along. Even I can't believe that one."

"Yeah, well, that was before she decided putting ideas about our daughter into Malice's head was a good idea."

Bishop: "And you. When you went to Hellfire, I spent that night watching Delilah sob over you. So don't act like SHE never cared about what was happening to YOU either."

"Shut UP, Maxim."

The car stopped, and Haleigh got out, pulling Cameron out the driver side.

Bishop: "I need a fucking drink."

Ava: "I need a whole damn bottle at this point."

Maxim slid out the back and moved away from the car. Ava was a little ways away on her phone. And Haleigh was still on her. Thinking they were going to "have it out" and then everything would be fine. Wrong.

Black Widow: “Why are you even bringing everyone else into the conversation? It’s YOUR pain we need to talk about, Delilah. So why don’t you quit beating around the bush and just let me have it? Say what you need to say, and let’s deal with it.”

"Sorry, I'm not looking to make you feel better."

She ran a hand through her hair.

"And there are more pressing issues. Alexis is here. Which means we need to talk to Ororo and find out what the hell is happening in Limbo."

Delilah crossed her arms and faced Haleigh.

"So, are you calling your sister, or should I?"
 
The Clocktower

She felt the weight of his strong hand on her shoulder. It was curious. He was a man made of techno organic steel but his touch still felt warm. He still felt human. It was comforting to her.

John: "I will always have your back, Viv. This isn't the Six. You can count on us. Even Ashley."

Vivica smiled, attempting to believe him when history had shown her otherwise. There was a time she would have jumped in front of a moving train for Cameron, and vice versa. The Birds of Prey were different from The Six. In every way. But this world was one she knew well. And she was of the mindset that you either died a hero or lived long enough to see yourself become the villain. And sometimes the villain was not the person on the opposite end of the battlefield from you. Trust had always been an issue for Vivica, but she was working on it and John's words were helping.

"Now that I know. She'd have Blaze strung up like a turkey right about now if I wanted her to."

Vivica asked John how he was feeling.

John: "Oh, like I'm bone tired."

She smirked.

John: "Like I wish we'd gotten there in time to save Ruby. Like I wish Andrew hadn't come close to dying. Like I wish Isis had been around to heal our team instead of having to depend on Ashley's surgery skills and some girl we never met before...but, that's how it goes."

Vivica nodded as her mind let her go back to moments before in the mansion. They had made a strong showing and when push came to shove they proved they were not a team to mess with, but it had still been a bit traumatic.

"Ashley's surgery skills come at far less of a cost than Dominique's magick. And it says something to me that a stranger was more willing to help us than her. We offered her a home after Hellfire and then she tried to make us work for her..."

Recall recoiled her face in disgust as she tried to focus on the beautiful landscape of the city and the wind blowing past her face as she tucked a tendril of her hair behind her ears.

"And don't get me started on Sharon.."

Vivica was pissed at both Sharon and Isis at this point. Vivica had worked her ass off trying to make them feel comfortable, that they at least had an ally in her, somebody that was willing to work WITH them. But they did what they always did, chose themselves. And while Vivica couldn't fault them for that, she did find it wildly hypocritical considering their entire ethos was protecting those in need, specifically women. Sharon was an Amazon by title only. She was an affront to their values and it was clear her path as an Amazon was just another "badge" to pin on her lapel. Their silence during this entire caper spoke volumes to who they were as people and Vivica would make sure they knew it the next time she saw either of them.

"What I DO know, is that you and I...we killed it today. Killed THEM. And then we burned their house down. Luck is always involved, but when I look back and run scenarios, which I'm known to do, without you there, without your STRENGTH and your SKILL, Andrew and I would have likely died..."

[softly]

"I know you're not a showboater. I know you'll likely say that you were just doing what had to be done, that you don't need the praise..but I think...it's important now more than ever to make sure that people you care about know how you feel.."

She was looking at him with different eyes than before, but she still kept her composure. She had just left Blaze because she was worried she was doing what she always did when it came to love - fall hard, ignore warning signs, and keep peace even when she was unhappy because she didn't want to be alone. And John was her teammate, who had shown no previous interest. She had fallen in love with a co-worker once before and it landed both her and Zach in the Middle East fighting for their lives. She would not repeat that scenario. For the team, she would bottle these feelings until she understood them better. She immediately plugged back into her more perky expressive self as she gave John a smile.

"I think you're a pretty amazing man, John. I feel honored to work with you. Just wanted to thank you for restoring a bit of my faith in the male species."

Vivica gave him a kiss on the cheek and squeezed his hand.

"We really should be getting back...and take a bit off of Zizi's plate if we can, without her realizing we are doing it.."

Recall smiled as she began to make her way towards the stairwell.

"You coming?"
 
The Clocktower - Roof

John was sure fighting alongside the Six today had been difficult for Vivica. She didn't really talk about the harried past between them too often, and he would never pry, but it had to be hard. They had never accepted her as one of them. It made his heart hurt for her. But he also wanted her to know that they would never do that to her. Their team might be new in its current form, but they had been fashioning it for years now, and he was as sure about that as about anything right now.

Vivica: "Now that I know. She'd have Blaze strung up like a turkey right about now if I wanted her to."

He grinned. That was true. Though Ashley would probably do that even with less reason.

"Shed a tear in front of her and Ashley'll be dragging Blaze out onto the street by her hair so that as many people as possible could witness her getting her ass beat."

Vivica asked him how he was feeling. John had a plethora of feelings all running through himself at once. He was tired, upset, happy, guilty, angry...and let down.

Vivica: "Ashley's surgery skills come at far less of a cost than Dominique's magick. And it says something to me that a stranger was more willing to help us than her. We offered her a home after Hellfire and then she tried to make us work for her... And don't get me started on Sharon.."

"They...and Alycia...didn't realize that we aren't like the Six. They were used to being leaders, and here, that was something they would have to earn. I still don't think they understand that. Having to prove yourself."

Their behavior had made it clear that they thought themselves above the others due to their time with the Six, and expected to be thanked profusely for lowering themselves to their level. When they were treated as equals, they felt disrespected. Everyone, even Ashley, had tried to be accepting of them, to give them a pass. But in the end, it is better that they part ways with the BOP.

Vivica: "What I DO know, is that you and I...we killed it today. Killed THEM. And then we burned their house down. Luck is always involved, but when I look back and run scenarios, which I'm known to do, without you there, without your STRENGTH and your SKILL, Andrew and I would have likely died..."

He didn't want to think about a scenario like that.

"I think you would have surprised yourselves..."

Both of them underestimated their abilities.

Vivica: "I know you're not a showboater. I know you'll likely say that you were just doing what had to be done, that you don't need the praise..but I think...it's important now more than ever to make sure that people you care about know how you feel.."

He didn't know what to say to that, and just smiled sheepishly for a moment.

"We're a team, Viv - we keep each other safe."

Vivica: "I think you're a pretty amazing man, John. I feel honored to work with you. Just wanted to thank you for restoring a bit of my faith in the male species."

He felt her squeeze his hand, and then was surprised when she kissed his cheek.

Vivica: "We really should be getting back...and take a bit off of Zizi's plate if we can, without her realizing we are doing it.."

His face feel at that.

"Yes. She'll pretend to be fine. But I think we all saw yesterday that she isn't. And she won't be, for a while. She'll have the funeral to deal with, and it will take all of us to get her through it, I think."

Vivica started for the stairs.

Vivica: "You coming?"

He nodded, then started to follow. He opened the door and held it for her.

"You know, Viv, you shouldn't rest your faith in males solely on my shoulders. I mean, I drink beer...I watch sport...sometimes I drink right out of the milk carton..."
 
Manhattan

Delilah: You're so full of yourself you think no one can survive without you. Oh please, Haleigh, do protect us weaklings.

“Wow, you feel free to presume some condescending fucking bullshit on my behalf, don’t you?”

Haleigh griped as she drove them to the safe house. There was some discussion over who’s team Alek was on, and then Delilah tried to throw Zach’s pain in Haleigh’s face too. Haleigh shot that down bitterly, and then Ava attempted to break up the fight. Haleigh was about to agree to an armistice, if Delilah could bear to do the same (doubtful!), but then Bishop chimed in too. Haleigh looked back at him, all her irritation focused suddenly on his brute features.

“Are you suicidal?!”

She asked, in a tone that implied she might oblige him if he was. Delilah suggested he should just be grateful she didn’t leave him buried under the rubble. Of course, Max wasn’t deterred, and proceeded to tell Delilah about herself. That would have been a little satisfying, but Delilah brought up the Alexia thing again. Haleigh wanted to scream, but managed to keep her tone regulated. Strained, but regulated.

“If you don’t know me better than that, I don’t understand how you ever thought it’d be a good idea for me to raise her in the event of your death.”

Haleigh replied, before Bishop rounded on her and let slip how upset Delilah had been the night Haleigh had left for Hellfire. Delilah quickly told him to shut up, clearly wanting to discourage him from continuing. Haleigh shook her head softly as she parked the car and got out.

“Well Max, I’ll concede, she used to care. Back before my stupid fucked up plan really FUBAR’d our entire friendship.”

She replied as she pulled Cameron out of the car. Max had apparently had a very rough day and needed a drink.

“There’s a rusty tap on the back wall there—”

She started to say, but then Ava declared she wanted a whole damn bottle, and Haleigh softened her stance a bit.

“Alright, come on. I’ve got a case of whiskey downstairs.”

She told her sister, as she turned her eyes on a large piece of old machinery. It looked like it had been there fifty years and hadn’t run in twenty-five, but when Haleigh’s gaze lifted, so did the machine, revealing a set of metal stairs descending into a massive titanium vault. The lights came on as they went. Haleigh lowered the machine back down to cover the main entrance when they were all in.

When they reached the first landing the Safehouse seemed exponentially expansive. It had twelve foot ceilings and an open floor plan, and looked very much like a modern, fully furnished home. Haleigh carried Cameron to the couch and eased him down onto it, kneeling next to him and checking his vitals as Delilah suggested they should check on Limbo.

Delilah: "So, are you calling your sister, or should I?"

Haleigh gave a heavy sigh. What exactly did Delilah expect her to say when she called? ‘Hey Morg, it’s me, Haleigh. Thanks for stopping by this morning. Sorry you got shot and Blaze almost drowned. But could you tell us what’s up with Shockwave, we’re pretty sure she escaped your garden’. No, Alexis was the least of Haleigh’s worries. Mystique had been there with her in Hellfire the entire time. Whatever the situation with her, it was long since settled and Haleigh couldn’t prioritize solving the mystery right now. Not when Morgan and Blaze had to be evacuated, Nic was rescued by the Birds of Prey, the new girl died....

She stared at Cameron as her sense of calm deteriorated. The concerns in her mind were unrelenting. What if he never wakes up? What if she kills him? What if SHE comes back and he doesn’t? She wanted to have a contingency plan for everything, but she felt mentally exhausted and battle weary. But most of all, she felt more defeated than ever before. Haleigh paused to regain her composure, pinching the bridge of her nose for a moment.

“You call her.”
 
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