The ice storm

[Spellbinder]

<<Meanwhile, Haleigh had just gained an audience with Alison; Vivica and Cameron were discussing secrets and revelations in his apartment while Alexis was sleeping in her's. Alyica was still working in her office on the 95th floor....so for the moment...the team and their allies seemed to be safe and secure as the wintery night wore on>>

<< the snow outside began to grow heavy...and winds were whipping more fiercely. the temperature had dropped as well. an ice storm was blowing in from the west and settling over a large portion of the five boroughs.....the FIRST of many complications to blight the path of the six in the coming days...but for now...in the comfort and safety of Illustra..each member of the team went about his/her business on their private floors..while their allies also enjoyed an extended stay.>>

 

[Black Widow]

"Are you OKAY??" Haleigh asked, in a tone as if she'd just seen Alison fall down a flight of stairs. Haleigh looked concerned and a little uneasy. She wasnt exactly sure how to talk to Alison... the concept was a tad foreign.... and she didnt want to rub Alison the wrong way and once AGAIN strain relations... not when things were JUST starting to mesh.

"I'm sorry if I woke you... I... we need to talk. I've heard things... things about the Six being in danger. I wanted to give you your space... but this takes precedence. May I come in?"

Rather than inviting herself in, or just pushing past, as Haleigh might've done before... she respected Alison's space.... trying to start off on the right foot. she wasnt overly submissive... but nor was she overbearing as she had previously been.

 

[Harbinger]

106th floor

::Alison had a way of looking VERY unapproachable and unwelcoming. it was something Haleigh and most of the Six had seen or been on the receiving end of. As Haleigh asked her if she were okay....Alison remained silent...refusing to answer the woman...it wasnt in Alison's nature to admit personal distress. She COULDNT....she'd spent YEARS making sure that no one got the drop on her it was now second nature. But after a few moments she did grant Haleigh entry.::

come in.

:: it was very silent in this apartment...the scent of vanilla and blueberry seemed to mix just perfectly in the air around Alison's space. it was the first time Haleigh had been on this floor much less inside this apartment. She would note how DARK Alison kept it....with little to NO lighting at all right now save the light coming in from the floor to ceiling windows along the far end panoramic window facing out to the sky above the city. but from what she could tell...the apartment was decorated in a very "rustic" theme..looking like something Martha Stewart would be so proud of. the sound of a grandfather clock could be heard ticking in the air...how appropriate for a time mage.::


::up a small flight of stairs to a secondary floor was where Alison's sitting room could be found. there were large, exquisite potted plants in her sitting room, providing a very cozy atmosphere and the furniture was antique , french dark wood and deep seated as well.::

::Alison seated herself in a large chair w/ ottoman. wearing a black, gem toned mini robe....it was clear her personal wardrobe defied the cold, killer image that was most often associated with the precog. her luxury apartment was very serene and cozy in contrast with morgan's cutting edge art deco/technological themed apartment. just a bit more insight into one of the most mysterious members of the six::

::her tone was still cold..but not as abrasive::

would you like something to drink?


::Alison seemed like she wasnt completely herself as her cobalt blue eyes seemed to glow in the darkness of the room. she watched Haleigh as the woman seated herself. it may have SEEMED like Alison didnt want her there....but again that was just her presentation..this would be the time where the women finally were able to sort some things out as well as discuss the dangers looming over The Six NOW.::

 

[Foxfire]

Jasmine's apartment

** Blankets of frigid snow traversed the once busy city of New York. Blizzard like winds howled loudly as darkness approached. Inside Jasmine's contemporary apartment that same darkness had arisen. **

"Why are you here?"

** A strong and determined feminine voice asked through the dim lighting of her place. The familiar aroma of cigar smoke neared the area where Jasmine stood. Turning around her cucumber green eyes focused on her father's Smokey shadow. Clouds of thick cigar smoke filing all around him. She knew in the dim lighting of her place he sat smug with himself for gaining access to her place. Her impatience growing thin with him. Silence washed over her small apartment and the only hint of sound was the hazardous winds outside, even some tree branches scratching at the windows like nails on a chalkboard. **

Victor: "You know very well why I am here Jasmine. You betrayed your family and most of all me! And that will not be tolerated! Your friendship is Morgan Victoria will be ceased immediately."

** It was just like her father to threaten his "little girl" by death or other criminal activity. She pondered if he knew Alycia and her co - workers planned to destroy the Klein family. Her guess was probably not, leaving Victor vulnerable to the NYPD and other government agencies. "What I do is my business Victor and you had no right to show up uninvited." Another wave of smoke was blown hurried as the muscular shadow stood up. **

Victor: "You call killing Mr. Barker and strong arming Morgan's plans as your doing? You still haven't comprehended my power yet. As much as you struggle you'll always be a Klein despite your birthright. Your too far gone to repent now....you think by cleaning up your mess you'll be in her good graces?"

** A vindictive laugh reverberated along the marble walls and back into Jasmine's face. She felt the cold glare in her fathers eyes. She also knew his men were roaming around her apartment, probably snooping for evidence. They were here to kill her but for Frost she had other options, starting now. "I don't expect Morgan to forgive me and I don't grovel at her feet either. I still think she's a bitch but whose counting how many times she's been labeled that. Let's skip the bullshit Dad, your here to attempt to kill me."

Victor: "Attempt? My dear, you will be killed in a tragic blaze of fun! Yes,...a suicide. Fitting don't you think? Your wanted everywhere...so you'll kill yourself."

** His looming presence getting closer to Jasmine. She had on the other hand blocked his words listening to her surroundings. She noticed a floorboard creak clueing her in on the other men. Her eyes sparkled now able to see her fathers facial expression. **

"Well, Dad I had to disappoint but...I'm not dying you are."

** Her hands thrusted forward as an explosion of ice sprang furiously toward Victor. Dense silver ice impacted into his business suit freezing him and his bewildered picture. Jasmine almost wished she had a camera on hand. His tall muscular form deeply frozen as a beautiful statue of ice. **

** The other men turned with their guns raised as bullets pelted forward. Shifting to the side Jasmine forced her limber body into a vivid display of gymnastic flips and somersaults. Vases, lamps, pillows, filing cabinets all buried with deep penetrating bullets. Disappearing into the shadows Jasmine waved her hand frantically to lower the room's temperature to thirty degrees. She herself was in need of weapons besides her powers, she was still woozy from Haleigh's tranquilizer dart. And with her recent problems of fire and ice they weren't a dominant weapon at this time. **

** Sprinting into her kitchen she crouched down to slide easily into her metallic stove with a thud. Her fingertips typing in a number on the side to a locked code where hidden weapons were kept. The open door opened when the oven rack came forward and a semi -- large rectangular box was released. The box opened to reveal a nice artful collection of top quality guns, knifes, gadgets, and other assortments. Plucking a machine gun with a sew machetes. She retyped the code and off the oven went, disguised quick nicely. Placing a clip into the magnum it clicked. Her other knives were hidden underneath her clothing, one on her ankle and the other in the back of her pants. Blowing a fallen piece of hair in her line of vision she waited for the others. **

Men: Do you have a visual? Negative!"

** Rolling her green eyes their voices already gave away their positions. Pushing herself off the wall, Jasmine walked out as she squeezed the trigger. Round after round of bullets flying directly at them. "Miss me?" She perked a brow again when they spun around firing at her. She side stepped yanking the refrigerator door open using it as a shield. Bullets hitting into solid objects such as milk, eggs, etc. It was a classic scene out of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. She jogged around the corner to the living room. "Okay guys, I surrender." She tried to play the stupidly card, hey it was worth a shot. **

Men: "Come out! And drop your weapon."

** She walked out to see all three of them with regular handguns aimed at her. She released the machine gun as they lowered their guns exactly when she dropped to the floor. Catching her gun she fired and sprayed a few rounds into them. All three dropping like flies as smoke blew from the head of the gun. Climbing to her feet she ran into her office, checking her computer. Luckily they hadn't accessed this room yet. Grabbing her files she implanted a virus into her computer destroying any information. Last on the agenda was her apartment, she would destroy it. Stopping at a picture frame of herself the frame rose to reveal a security system. Frost enabled a bomb to destruct in her apartment giving her ten minutes to escape. A robot's voice echoing in the room, "sequence programmed, destruction in ten minutes."

** Running out to the living room she stopped to survey the damage done to her apartment, "I kinda like it." She turned to see Victor standing there still frozen, a look of joy in Jasmine's eyes. Scooping up a steel baseball bat Jasmine swung viciously like some pro baseball player. A loud clank was heard and then chunks of ice exploded everywhere like glass. Blood flying with it as Victor was dead. Her green eyes morphing into a cold bitter blue tint, "said I wasn't going anywhere." She stomped down a small snowball size chunk, crushing it. "Seven minutes left."

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh followed Alison up to her sitting room in a bit of a shocked daze, glancing around at her surroundings... she felt like she was in the twilight zone... THIS was how Alison decorated? It just seemed so.... out of character. Maybe Haleigh and Alison were more alike than either of them thought... Haleigh now realized that Alison put up a hard-edged persona, steel walls to protect a human core that has been bruised a little too much. Haleigh now thought it odd that it hadn't already occured to her that Alison wasn't so cold ALL the time... Haleigh seated herself in an armchair across from Alison. It was rather dark in here... but Haleigh saw Alison fine and locked eyes with her.

"No, thank you.... I do believe I've had enough to drink tonight. Are you SURE you're alright? You seem... upset."

Haleigh leaned forward, intertwining her fingers and resting her elbow on her knees. It was a position she took when she knew she had a lot of difficult things to say... Haleigh was never really much of a talker and the things she'd been saying lately were mostly more revealing than she was usually comfortable with. She was trying to ease into things... but there was SO much between them... she was having trouble picking a place to begin. She took a deep breath and sighed, deciding to dive in and get it over with, much like she had with Morgan.

"Listen, Alison... there are very few things that hit close to home with me. But when I thought we were going to lose you coming out of nervous... it REALLY got my attention.... and it made me realize... how thoroughly HEADSTRONG I've been. You and I got off to a really rocky start... and it was mostly MY fault. I was selfish and manipulative. I never really got over you trying to get rid of Cameron and Me in the Citadle. The funny thing is, without a DOUBT, I wouldve done the SAME thing in your position... but I don't know... on my end... I think it really hurt my pride to be the DEAD WEIGHT you were shedding. I know you tried to warn me about Morgan losing control, I know you TRIED to tell me I was on the path to death... but I was too stubborn and prideful to listen, and it was my own fault I died. I ALSO know... I am about sixty percent responsible for what happened to Blaze... because I instigated all that mess. I don't know WHY I thought Morgan would be better off OUT of control. Obviously it was a gross miscalculation on my part." Haleigh paused, taking another deep breath and continuing on, a little quieter than she'd began. "I'm kind of rambling. I guess... what I'm trying to say is.... I don't know WHAT I would've done if I'd lost you in Nervous, because i've really come to respect you... and I... honestly dont blame you for hating me... and I'm really, TRULY sorry for all the shit that I've caused."

 

[Harbinger]

106th floor- Alison's

::Alison's cobalt blue eyes remained fixed on Haleigh...from across the way. She adjusted her position in the large deep seated lounge chair and remained silent as Haleigh spoke. Indeed there were some startling admissions on the part of that woman. Alison could have easily shrugged it off by simply saying "i knew you would say that"...for she could see all possible time threads, but this was different..it was heart felt. The group had been through so much and Alison had nearly died in Haleigh's arms even THAT was too wild a scenario for the precog to have imagined on her own.::

:: bowing her head....resting her forehead down on her her hands as she exhaled, Alison seemed to be weary as she waited a few moments to respond::


sometimes, being a precog ....can be such a curse. Blaze's death and all that lead up to it was the biggest example of that. I can't prevent everything i "see" no matter how powerfull I am. In NERVOUS....everything was happening so fast , and my magick, as well as Morgan's was severely limited. The two of us have OTHER powers...but it was the first time I truly felt HANDICAPED...and then the moment of mine and Morgan's impending doom came....it happened faster than even I could have anticipated and it was the first time that i....i truly felt FEAR.

::her voice began to crack...as she seemed to hesitate with anguish::

I havent been the same since I awoke in Ororo's citadle. There are nightmares....there are moments of uncertainty...moments that i HAVENT HAD before. I suppose...that is what OTHERS have felt when I purposefully placed them in peril.


We ALL did terrible things to each other in the beginning...and even if the logic and understanding of the "WHY" can be seen....it doesnt always make it right.


Nearly dying in NERVOUS....it forced me to experience memories i had long surpressed or NEGATED.....the experience has left me RATTLED and off balanced.....and I'm having a HARD time with that right now. After years traveling the world...studying with/battling some of the most deadly and powerfull mages and other creatures i came to believe myself somewhat invincible....my precognition coupled with my magicks and time manipulation make me VERY HARD to surprise much less subdue...but along the way....i replaced my humanity with my POWER. Morgan did the same thing...its one of the reasons we have always gotten along so well....we both used our POWER to hide our humanity.


I....I'm sorry for hurting you. In my life, I never really gave place to many other people's feelings. I did what i had to do or what i wanted to do...no matter what. But ....you saved me in NERVOUS. Never even in my WILDEST of visions could i have imagined that happening. There are alot of things that I have refused to give place to....Cameron is one, and treating you like a human being is another. It's time that I changed BOTH of those things....while there's still time.

::a slight allusion to the peril that loomed over the horizon for the Six. Alison was being the MOST genuine with anyone in this group OUTSIDE of Morgan that she had EVER been to date.::

 

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah - probably due to her police training more than anything else - decided to keep watch over Morgan that night. Knowing that Morgan wouldn't mind if she stayed in her guest room, she preferred to stretch out on the couch where she could keep an eye on the door... ]

 

[Artemis]

95th floor

::Alycia finally finished her leg work...as the documents she ordered from Bobby were delivered via an over night courrier. as she took them and returned to her office on the 95th floor...her grin was almost DEMONIC in its glee.::

well well..this family...in particular little Jasmine has enough of a paper trail on them to make at least a ring or two around SATURN.

::laughing softly to herself...she seated herself in another large executive leather chair and curled up in it as she was now facing a far wall on the east side of the office....sifting through the documents::

exposing HER will be child's play and when I'm through with her...she'll be lucky if they dont lethally inject her THAT DAY.

::her cellphone rings...and she takes it from her hip and opens it..::

Alycia: Barnett here.


Sharon Kelly: Alycia, is everything okay?

Alycia: so far so good Sharon. the Klein family may be brutal but they dont often clean up after themselves. The FATHER is so hell bent on destroy Morgan and Illustra that he's basically made his ill mannered daughter his expendable cats paw. Its a shame ill have to dissect her ass in court like a science project.

::Sharon and Alycia both laugh::

Alycia: Sharon, I need you to have the IRS AND the SEC close in on them starting TOMMOROW. Its possible that they've had some HELP from some of your COLLEAGUES. MysTech technology and man power has been employed by the father and Jasmine has been subjected to conditioning and experimentation......and.....she's the identical TWIN of the recently slain Blaze Fielding...MORGAN'S half SISTER Blaze!

My first step is to snatch XS back from Jasmine and bring her up on charges of fraud, extortion, theft, harrassment and MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE. Delilah Trelaven, the police officer who i helped beat the charges leveled against HER several years back, is with us. WHO BETTER to make the arrest when i contact the ADA for a warrant?

::smirking::

everything's pretty much falling into place , Sharon. There should be no problems destroying Jasmine and her family. and dont worry about me. I'm staying at Illustra as a guest of Morgan's so ill be safe. Ill see you tommorow at court.

::they bid fond farwell's and hung up and Alycia began to close up shop. saving some files on her pc and encrypting them. storing paper files in a secure safe and a few other minor details::

 

[Prophet]

:: Cameron was absolutely floored. It wasn't exactly what he was expecting to hear. He thought that maybe she worked in the world of intelligence or even with Haleigh at Clandestine Intelligence but he never dreamed that she was a member of the CIA. The even weirder thing was that he couldn't understand why there was even a branch of the government that dealt with the world of magick and mutants let alone an organization that knew about the Six before any of the members did. He wanted to explode. He wanted to throw his desk across the room. The entire time he had known Vivica she was really just doing a job that she was assigned to. He was pissed. ::

"Part of me wants to kill you for lying to me. That would be what the old Cameron would have done. I know that all of the hours you logged taking notes on my whereabouts and making sure I didn't kill myself doesn't outweigh the late night business projects and chinese food, the birthday parties, the good and bad times..."

:: He stood up from his desk and took a look out of his wall to wall windows which gave a considerable view of the Greater Manhattan area. Cameron could deal with this. He would be okay. ::

"I can deal with this, Vivica. It won't be easy but I want full disclosure from now on. No more secrets... Got it?"

:: He sat back at his desk as the flat screen monitor in front of him broadcasted a crazy and colorful screen saver. Prophet had to focus and figure out what Vivica knew. ::

"Okay, tonight was the XS party. It was supposed to be some kind of rememberance party in Blaze's honor. But somebody showed up. A Jasmine Klein. She looked exactly like Blaze. That was pretty much who she claimed to be. She said she was her identical twin. That they were separated at birth. What can you tell me about her?"

:: Prophet needed to know everything he could about Jasmine in order to better be able to deal with her. He would also ask Vivica about the Super Sentinel. He needed protection for Alison and Morgan as well as Senator Kelly and Alycia. ::

 

[Foxfire]

Jasmine's place to Liquid images

** Turning around Jasmine tucked the files into her leather jacket. Walking outside as gusts of wind intertwined around the icy assassin. "Jasmine!" Called a voice as Haleigh walked up to her with a heavy winter coat on. Jasmine frowned, "I thought you were having a meeting with your friends." The woman nodded, "I did we discussed everything, I'm here to take you back. Did you get the files?" Jasmine nodded, "yeah." The girl got closer, "give them to me." Her tone dominant and cold unlike Haleigh's soft and commanding tone. She began to become suspicious. "Why are you here?" Jasmine watched the girl's eyes dilate, "I told you, now come on before this storm gets worse." **

** Executing a round house kick Jasmine struck the woman done. She fell sliding onto the icy balcony as her skin transformed into a tall redhead with a nasty scar running down the side of her right eye. She jumped to her feet and opened her palm as a gun appeared. Firing two shots before Jasmine could react. Jasmine cried out in pain as a blast of white hot pain shot through her lung and her stomach, knocking her down. Gasping for air she was dazed and in traumatic shock. The woman walking over with her gun raised to shoot Jasmine in the skull. With seconds to bare on her life she formed an ice shield around herself using the wintery weather. Creating an ice spear she threw it forward impaling the red head in the skull. **

** Blood lingered in her throat as she reached her wrist watch and hitting a tracking device that would alert Haleigh and her company she was in distress. She waited for the helicopter to rescue her. Four minutes remaining until her place exploded to pieces. Using the last of her strength to roll on her side to prevent herself from drowning in her own blood. A haggard cough sounded from the young mutant. She saw the wings of a helicopter approaching her with its blazing light on her. Medical staff rescuing Jasmine before the plane took off for Liquid Crystal Images. The medical staff already cutting into her clothing as she weakly handed them the file before she lost consciousness. "We're losing her!" Yelled the older man as the helicopter flew over Broadway. "Inform the director of this incident and let her know the files are safe." **

** Rushing inside Jasmine was rolled into the medical center of LC. Stained blood over her porcelain skin and her clothing. Doctors furiously attempting to save her life. "stay with us Jasmine." **

 

[Persephone]

:: Walking from her bedroom after a restless sleep, Alexis couldn't get her mind off of Jasmine. This woman was eating away at her; the fact that she would use Blaze's memory to hurt the people closest to the fire elemental. With a low sigh, Alexis made her way into her livingroom, wrapping her dark plum robe around her body tightly. Making a knot with the cloth tie, she plopped down on her sofa, reaching for her remote control. Flipping the television on, Access Hollywood came on explaining the evening's festivities at XS. Groaning, Alexis watched as the woman made comments about the different celebrities showing up and what they were wearing. Then of course, Alison, Morgan, and Delilah were brought up in the last segment, along with Haleigh. Alexis parted her lips watching the woman pose for the camara's and the woman comment about various things. Flipping the TV off, Alexis tossed the remote to the side and rested her head back. ::

"This is ridiculous."

:: Muttering under her breath, the blonde pushed herself up off her sofa and made her way to the front door. After watching Alison rush down the hall in an almost panicked state, at the time, Alexis knew the woman wanted to be left alone...but now, she'd feel better knowing everything was alright. Stepping outside of her penthouse, Alexis made her way down to Alison's living quarters at the end of the hall. Stopping short, maybe she was asleep? Or she could very well be awake for the same reasons Alexis was. Knocking softly on the precog's large wooden double doors, Alexis wrapped her arms around her chilled body, waiting. ::

 

[Recall]

Cameron's Office - Illustra

< His breathing pattern was slightly higher than normal but his heartbeat had not gotten up. Cameron was taking this much better than Vivica had previously acessed. She had already ran all the possible scenarios of how he would react when she told him and this one of the better ones consider 86% of all of those scenarios ended up with the end of their friendship. For once Vivica wished that she didn't spend all of her time calculating scenarios and variants and dowloading constant information to her endless memory bank of a brain. That was why her friendship with Cameron was so important to her. When she was with him she actually felt things that made people human like laughter and fun and even pain and basic human emotions. She realized she was lost in thought and quickly snapped back to reality and the office as she went back to work on Cameron's shocking confession about Jasmine. >

"Jasmine Klein is in Manhattan? I had thought Omega-4 was keeping better tabs on her..."

< Omega-4 had files and extensive information on all mutants and practicioners of magick that were currently or could in the future be connected to the Six. It was all part of Case No. 6 and now she began to scan through her computer like brain and bring up Jasmine's file to ease Cameron or set him off even more. >

"As much as it may be difficult for you to accept she is indeed the identical twin sister of Blaze Fielding. At birth a man named Victor Klein switched his sick and dying daughter with Jasmine. When Victor's child died, Blaze's mother thought that it was her own and it was never questioned..."

< She began to find all the relevant information on Jasmine as most of her record was bloodstained and rather gruesome. This woman was dangerous. >

"Jasmine became Victor's golden child. He raised her to be his protege and she conformed to him quite easily. And although Jasmine was brainwashed by her surrogate father she wasn't stupid and after a few years of digging she came across the name of Haleigh Davidoff who provided the Klein family with a number of surveillance and weapons capabilities. Her further digging had ties that all came back to either King Enterprises or Illustra Inc. Eventually she went to Illustra. She had tried to get a meeting with Morgan Victoria. It was most likely a subconscious search for the sister. For some reason she felt like she had to meet Morgan. Her attempts were quickly derailed when she met Alison Marble instead. Alison quickly discerned who Jasmine was and had her removed from Illustra.. though she never told Morgan..."

< She stood up from the chair she had been sitting in and began to pace the room as she walked back and forth. >

"Do not blame Alison for one second. She did what she had to do in order to protect Morgan. At the time Blaze was still considered dead. This Jasmine would have pushed Morgan over the edge and that would have prevented the Six from being reunited. When Blaze actually died in the Inferno, Victor decided to become clean.. well clean for Victor. He told her that Blaze and Jasmine were switched at birth by a nurse mix up and when he told her Blaze was dead he made sure to name Morgan Victoria as the killer as he was a prominent investor in Mystech. My guess is that she is back and trying to claim the life of Morgan. Though a subconscious part of her wants the life that Blaze had, her being here is a pure act of vengeance. I would watch out for her Cameron..."

 

[Foxfire]

"Paddles!! DON'T you dare quit on me kid!" Yelled Doctor Adams, one of the brightest female surgeons around. She was stationed at Liquid Images for Haleigh and her company. The tall brunette was used to seeing brutal injuries. Her team swarmed around Jasmine who had flat lined just five minutes ago. But the good doctor was too stubborn to give up.

Bright lighting shined down onto a pale looking Jasmine whose eyes were closed. Massive amounts of blood staining her clothing and her body. Doctor Adams charged the medical paddles, "clear!" She yelled as Jasmine's body jolted upright from the electrical charge. Cursing under her breath the doctor flicked a needle injected Jasmine's blood stream. She silently prayed for this one.

Meanwhile Jasmine was on another plain with a stunning and serene landscape of crisp mountains probably Colorado. She stood looking around with a look of shock when she saw a familiar face approach. While peering down at the Colorado River Jasmine saw a second reflection of Blaze! Turning around she gasped, "Blaze?" Blaze smiled and walked forward taking a hold of her sisters hands. "Hello Jas." Tears welled up in Jasmine's eyes she had waited for this FOREVER. For some unexplainable reason she was able to see Blaze probably because Jasmine had crossed over temporarily. "I see your giving my teammates one hell of a time." A small smirk running over her lips when she turned serious, "they deserve more...this hatred you have got you killed....see." She motioned with her hand and the scene changed to the operating room where Jasmine was with doctors all around her. A loud gasp escaping her. Blaze wrapped an arm around her sister warmly, "its okay, its not permanent you'll go back." Jasmine frowned, "what if I wanna stay here?" Blaze shook her head, "your place is with them...one day you and I will be reunited." Jasmine looked down as she wiped away her tears, "there's nothing for me Blaze, why go back." Blaze's green eyes appeared determined and fierce, "well your going back and that's final. Don't make me kick your ass." She chuckled under she hugged her sister tightly, "now go...all your questions will be answered in time. I warn you though the path your on is rocky with the Six but if you reverse it they will except you...but you'll face challenges much beyond your imagination. And one more thing..." Jasmine turned around to see Blaze in her face, "leave Morgan alone...it really pisses me off." Jasmine nodded when her sister backed up, "Jasmine!" Both twins locking eyes, "yes?" Blaze smiled, "I love you." For the first time in her life Jasmine felt love, had she been dreaming? No, this was real. "I love you too." Blaze waved her hand disappearing. **

"We've got a heartbeat!" Yelled the nurse. Jennifer Adams grinned triumphantly. By three hours later Jasmine was still unconscious but she would live. She would recover from this incident and when she came back she'd have a bit of spark to her like Blaze. However that wouldn't be happening right away. Her small frame hooked up to a breathing device while her lungs healed. All bullets removed and her body stitched. Things were looking up for the mutant. But most of all she finally reunited with Blaze, a very touching moment. Jasmine had a reason to live plus grow to love and except members of the Six. It would be a bumpy ride the mutant was willing to tackle. Guess Haleigh was right, death changes a person. For Frosty it would be positive. **

 

[Black Widow]

"Oh, Alison...." Haleigh said softly. She wished she knew how best to comfort Alison... but anything she could think of seemed too awkward to be effective, so she simply sat where she was.

"I used to think we were SO different. The nightmares... I can't say those will go away, because I just dont know. when I was plagued with them after escaping Mystech the FIRST time... I had a maladapted way of dealing with them... I simply STOPPED sleeping.... but the uncertainty... that will pass. Your confidence in your abilities will return with time. Sometimes we get blindsided and thats just a way of life. I know when I was betrayed behind enemy lines... i felt like I should have seen it coming. I felt like I should have KNOWN not to trust certain people... and after that... I had a very hard time listening to my instinct... I would ALWAYS second guess myself.... but that passed."

"Its OKAY to be afraid... its only healthy, after all, and EVERYONE is afraid of something. Mortal peril is one of those things that is a popular fear. Death... you know, that's reasonable. I may not be afraid of death..... but I KNOW what's beyond it... so the unknown doesnt loom over me... I DO have one fear though... I'm afraid of losing the people I care about... and that fear has only increased since Blaze's death.... but Alison... you've GOT to know... we, Morgan, Cameron, Alexis, Delilah and I... would NEVER let anything happen to you. We GOT your back. You dont HAVE to be PERFECT and in control and infallible ALL the time. We can share the burden when you feel like you need a break." Haleigh relaxed her shoulders, sitting back in the chair, interlocking her fingers and placing her hands on the back of her head. She attempted lightening the mood.

"Well, in your defense... I am kind of only HALF human... and lately... I've been well skilled at hiding that half. Yes.... I think we all are going to make some changes, out of neccessity. We ALL need to treat each other better... before the option is lost to us forever.... like it was with Blaze..... Alison.... we're in danger again, aren't we? Its like a vicious circle... We managed to BARELY scrape away with our lives and nothing more... and nearly as soon as we get home... someone ELSE is coming for us. I know you see something developing.... what is it?"

*meanwhile at Clandestine Intelligence, tucked away safely beneath the closed Liquid Crystal Images tower*

In Sector VI, the hospital wing, Dr. Adams walked out of the OR Room after having cleaned up from Jasmine's close call return from flatline. The Senior Officer in Charge while Haleigh and Zach were out approached her or details.

SOC:"How is the girl? The field agents that brought her in said she was in grave condition upon arrival."

Dr. Adams:"Well... she's finally stabilized. We almost lost her... but she's a fighter... She's in critical condition still... I'm having her transferred to ICU for at least a couple of days, until I see some serious progress."

SOC:"Actually... Im afraid I cant authorize that. We can't reach Director Davidoff... shes gone offline or something. She left SPECIFIC instructions to place Ms. Klein under PROTECTIVE custody until the threat is neutralized. She has to be moved to a MORE secure floor."

Dr: "OKAY.... we are in a HIDDEN, UNDERGROUND building. In case you didn't notice, we just passed two ARMED guards coming out of the OR and no one gets in without key cards and passwords, even if they are bleeding from the head. You aren't going to FIND a more secure medical unit than this one... and that patient will DIE if you take her off medical support."

SOC: "I have my orders, Dr. Adams. You'll have to oversee the MOVEMENT of an ICU team and the required equipment down Sector XII. I'll have a temporary clearance card issued to you. Someone will be here in a few minutes to escort you down there... I will call the standby doctor to come in and fill your place, you are to stay with the girl until we can reach the Director for further instructions. Prep Ms. Klein for movement."

Dr. Adams sighed. There were only a couple of times in her six year career with CI that THIS level of preferential treatment had been given to a patient. Jasmine Klein must be special indeed.

 

[Harbinger]

back at Illustra- the 106th floor

::As Haleigh spoke, Alison "saw" the arrival of Alexis at her front double doors. at the precog's mental command, the doors opened slowly and Alexis was granted entry, it was also Alexis' first time ever entering Alison Marble's domain. she would see just how DARK it was inside...the haunting silence save the ticking of the regal grand father clock that could be heard. a sparkling silver orb appeared in front of Alexis...it seemed to have a bewitching, yet soothing effect as it beckoned her along...leading her through the dark space....Alexis could smell the perfect blend of vanilla and blueberry...and could see faintly the cozy "rustic" decor in the expanse of the luxury apartment....again, it was something that Martha Stewart wouldve been proud off. Soon Alexis found herself lead up a small flight of steps to the secondary floor and after a few more steps...Alexis could hear Haleigh and Alison talking in the sitting room. She would find the room...with the large, lush potted plants and other tastefully applied foliage in the cozy area...and the wintery night skyline of manhattan providing faint illumination from the floor-to-ceiling panoramic window::

::without even looking back..since she already knew alexis was there...alison welcomed the meta human to come sit down with them.::


::readjusting her position in the large, deep seated lounge chair w/ottoman..Alison was now curled up in the chair and resting her upper body over on one arm of the chair. she listened thoughtfully as Haleigh offered surprisingly heartfull empathy and understanding....and referenced her own experiences, her own feelings of the impact of Blaze's death. It was surprising to hear Haleigh state that she was concerned for Alison's wellbeing. Alison had never presented herself as someone who NEEDED or WANTED the concern of others...she always seemed so stone cold and steadfast...able to look after herself no matter what. But Haleigh was right...Alison couldnt nor did she NEED to be perfect and infallible ALL the time....thats why the team was there to support each other when needed. Alison found herself thinking about how brutal she had been with Haleigh months ago and while the logic maybe even the necessity of the brutal treatment could be seen...it still didnt make it FAIR. She nodded silently in agreement as Haleigh remarked on how they ALL were beginning to treat each other better. Just as Alexis had joined them.::

::after a few moments, Alison began to speak. the slow, strong, echoed ticking of the grandfather clock played in the air. her eyes glowing solid white now::

time threads....exist simultaneously...some are more glaring than others and even I can't determine "what" will cause one time thread to become more likely than the other. in Limbo, my precognition is SEVERLY limited as time flows differently there...its one of the few realms where the same laws dont apply. But once we returned to Earth and began to settle in...from the moment I realized JASMINE had RETURNED so many months after I first intercepted her...i saw a seed of GREAT TROUBLE for ALL of us...and this time...Alycia Barnett, a close personal friend of Morgan, Delilah and myself as well as a powerfull attourney of "super star" proportions and Senator Sharon Kelly, one of the strongest and most trusted allies we HAVE in the federal government are ALSO included. When Alycia destroys Jasmine and the Klein family in circuit and federal court....MysTech will lose yet ANOTHER "arm" in which they blight the citizens of NYC and beyond. They are fast growing TIRED of the interference of Alycia and Sharon both in helping US and their involvment in our mission to protect the privacy and anonymity of mutants, metahumans and magick users world wide and now...Alycia's very public campaign to dismantle a crime family that has been in the service of Mystech for decades. The SUPER SOLDIER's consciousness...his CORE SURVIVED the nuclear explosion that destroyed NERVOUS and was retrieved by MysTech's recovery agents. it is being merged with......
::Alison seemed to concentrate as she "looked" further ahead::

the MASTER MOLD project that i saw months ago after we escaped the Citadle. the MASTER MOLD is the most powerfull sentinel in the HISTORY of the sentinel program..it literally produces the armies of sentinels that we have faced and scores more world wide....this super sentinel will be imbued with the consciousness, tactical savvy and other programs/mandates of the super soldier..it will be the first successfull synergy of living awarness and technology! The Master Mold will be released into the populace of NYC and its prime objective...to ANNIHILATE Sharon Kelly and Alycia Barnett as they are leaving a celebratory function.

:: pausing for a moment....Alison continues::

Morgan and I will be nearby...and we will ATTEMPT to save them....but

::bowing head with sadness as her eyes return to their bewitching cobalt blue color::

we will not be successfull. the death glow hangs over Alycia and Sharon as brightly as the sun shines. the Master Mold will decimate the city as well.

::as Alison's voice faded into the air...once again only the slow, strong ticking of the regal grandfather clock filled the air...suddenly the clock bells begin to toll...it is now 3 am and Haleigh and Alexis are left to process what Alison has just told them. meanwhile...outside..the icy winds howled a bit..as the snow fell more steady and whipped through the air. conditions on the roads were becoming slippery as the temperature was now 10 degrees::

 

[Persephone]

:: Quietly walking into the room the small orb lead her to, Alexis looked to both Alison and Haleigh as they spoke, feeling a bit out of place. They seemed to be in an intense conversation, once Alexis didn't want to inturupt. But as Alison waved her to join them, she took a few strides forward, meeting up with the plush sofa in which Alison sat on. ::

:: Still dressed in black fleece drawstring pants and a thin black long sleeved shirt with the phrase "Blondes do it best...literally", Alexis rounded the couch and took a seat by both Alison and Haleigh; tucking her one leg under her body. Keeping her cold hands withdrawn in her plum colored robe sleeves, Lex wrapped her arms around her body listening to Alison's words. Pressing her lips together as she finished, the deaths of Alycia and Sharon made Alexis' eyes lower thinking this was unexceptable. Shaking her head, Alexis looked to Aliso. ::

"We've stopped your visions before...we, made the outcomes change. We can do the same thing with Sharon and Alycia."

:: Seeing Alison wasn't very convinced, nor Haleigh, Alexis let out a small sigh as she lifted her fingers to her side swept bangs, pushing them behind her ear. ::

"Look, this team has battled a lot of "demons" this past year...and we did it when we were at each others throats. When we were all cocky, and self absorbed, and self distructive. But we did it. We stopped my father and Christopher, we stopped your mother(to Alison), we helped Morgan through the worst breakdown in history, we killed my pyscho aunt, we got through Nervous. We did ALL that when we all couldn't stand to be in the same room with each other. But now? Now i'm sitting in your penthouse, invited, with Haleigh. Now, this team has finally come together AS A TEAM, and my God, if we could destory all that evil before, imagin the damage we could do now."

:: Okay, so pep talks were Alexis' strongest trait, but she had to atleast try to bring the moral up a bit. Hell, she was pretty much thinking the same thing as Alison was, this Master Mold project was going to be the end of not only Alycia and Sharon, but the six as well. But as she spoke to the woman, as she explained to them that now that they finally became the team they were so destined to become, they WOULD be unstoppable...Alexis stopped to think. Maybe she was actually right. Maybe this taem would be able to get through anything now...it was possible. ::

"I know the odds are stacked against us, but we can't just sit here and accept that Alycia and Sharon are going to die. Or that the six AND New York will be destroyed in the process. I refuse to accept that....not now. Not ever."

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh leaned forward as Alexis stopped talking, a blaze of determination in her eyes. She felt the same way Alexis did, and jumped on the bandwagon.

"Alexis is right... that outcome is INTOLERABLE. I may not be especially attached to Alycia... but she does a good job getting us out of legal jams that arise from the bodies, blood and chaos that follow in our wake.... and Sharon Kelly is a good woman and a GREAT senator. We cannot sit idle and let you and Morgan alone protect them... we can ALL help. There are many BAD things you have 'seen' that we have prevented... and we can stop this too."

Haleigh's voice is soft but firm, a tone that commands attention but is not loud or abrasive. Her body was relaxed but she seemed to have a lot on her mind. She brought her hands down to her lap and exhaled slowly, her mind dropping back to Jasmine. Things were just SO complicated with her....

"Jasmine is quite a handful... and while her FATHER deserves everything Alycia can nail him for..... I think we might be going about dealing with the girl the wrong way. A couple of agents of mine are periodically checking up on her... I told her to get her affairs in order before I have her picked up... I don't want her out on the streets.... its dangerous for all of us.... she knows TOO much about us.... and we run the risk of her trying to contact Morgan again... Morgan doesnt need that kind of stress and confusion now..."

 

[Prophet]

:: Cameron watched Vivica as she began to process things inside her head. She always did this when she was lost in thought because quite honestly her brain was always working overtime. As she explained the story surrounding Jasmine part of him felt bad for her because she reminded him alot of herself when he first found out that Alison was his sister and that his mother was a horrible and evil woman. On the other hand the Six had really become the family that he never had in his life and he would be damned if anybody ever try and take one of his family members away from him. ::

"Ok.. So Jasmine is trouble.. That is good to have in mind. Vivica I want you to know I am not mad at you.. quite honestly this is the smallest bombshell that has been dropped on me since I met the Six. I am just glad we can be honest with each other from now on..."

:: His thoughts went back to Alison and the depressed aura surrounding her entire body. He had never seen her so shaken. Now that he knew Vivica had resources that Haleigh didn't have.. He could ask her for help. For protection. ::

"Now that everything is out in the open what I wanted to talk to you about is Alison. She has seen something called the Super Sentinel and in almost every time line she has gazed into she dies along with Alycia Barnett, Sharon Kelly and Morgan. I have never seen her like this before. I need you to do some digging for me Vivica. Find out everything you can about it. I want 24 hour protection surrounding those four people with the most qualified people you have.. The second something seems awry you are to notify me..."

:: Cameron turned away from Vivica for a Moment ::

"I am not about to lose everything I have worked so hard to change in myself. If I change and Alison doesn't live long enough to see them in their full fruition.. it will have been for nothing. I lost my mother, one sister is in Limbo and the other is facing impending death.. I can't lose someone else Vivica.. Please do this for me..."

:: Vivica discussed in detail with Cameron about the protection that those four people already had since they had large ties to the Six and the two devised a plan of action. After a tender hug Cameron was left to his thoughts. ::

"Come On Cameron...You can do this. It's time to show what your made of.. Your sister has saved you so many times. You will be the one to save her this time. Even if you have to die to do it.. At least then she will know that you love her..."

 

[Harbinger]

::a few moments of silence after the grandfather clock tolled...and soon Alexis spoke up. It was a surprising change to hear Alexis attempting to put a proactive, positive spin on a looming thread. But one thing stood out above all else.... "we've stopped your visions before.". it was good to know the members of this team were finally realizing the power they possesed as a UNIT and that they wouldnt run or hide from the dangers that they faced or the ones Alison saw in their future...they would FACE them TOGETHER.::

::As Haleigh responded in agreement to Alexis and going further speak on the subject of Jasmine there was silence after she finished and Alison spoke again.::

You both make very valid points....the state of this team now is what will make a critical difference in the times to come.

::Alison knew that even though the team may attempt to alter their individual courses of action to make themselves close at hand for that moment when Master Mold makes his fatal pass at Alycia and Sharon, it wasnt the events LEADING up to the moment...it was the actual moment itself....and how FAST they would respond to HER distress call.::

We have to be carefull, alert and have our eyes open at all times. Its not the events LEADING UP TO the moment that are the problem..its the ACTUAL MOMENT ITSELF....it all depends on ...how FAST you all can respond to my distress call.

::looking down for a moment....::

As for Jasmine, I agree...it is vital that she be kept away from Morgan at this time. Delilah is staying in Morgan's penthouse with her right now. Delilah herself was shaken up by Jasmine's appearence...for she too had grown close to Blaze during their time together on the team VALIANT....she is still having a hard time being comfortable to reside in Blaze's old apartment on the 105th floor. Haleigh, you will be having a conversation with Alycia Barnett yourself shortly--she is on the 95th floor in her satellite office that Morgan had built for her in Illustra and she is staying here as a guest....for her safety. Its up to YOU to convince her not to destroy Jasmine in court. It will not be easy to convince of it either. She's ready to take Jasmine and her family down in the worst way...but if you can assure her that Jasmine will release the deed to XS back into Morgan's custody, Alycia will not go through with her plan to have Delilah arrest Jasmine and begin the process of her arraignment/trial etc....SHE WILL however be succesfull in destroying the Klein family....it is one of the most important roles she is destined to serve.

::exhaling, Alison put her hands over her face and rubbed slowly as she leaned back into the large, deep seated lounge chair::

I never imagined that my precognition would actually bring with it a feeling of such gloom and despair. The ONLY OTHER time i felt this way was when I saw Morgan losing control and Blaze's death on the horizon...but after NERVOUS...i find myself painfully too aware of my own mortality and how so many vast, terrible powers threaten US and the world over.

::Alison seemed so surprisingly human....there was a certain vulnerable vibe about her now. she had definately softened since her own near death. But at the same time..it seemed that she was upset at herself for feeling this way....like she was weaker or less effective. Haleigh's words began to ring in her head... "you dont have to be PERFECT and INFALLIBLE all the time...". she let those words help to ease the tremendous feeling of SELF DOUBT...something she'd never experienced before::

::as the women discussed the situation, Cameron and Vivica were approaching the same situation from another direction...the team was definately becoming more proactive and looking out for one another like never before. But it was getting late, they all needed to get some sleep, as Morgan and Delilah were doing. the winter storm was well under way and Haleigh had yet to speak to Alycia....but at least the group was AWARE and looking ahead with caution and determination::

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh nods as Alison speaks, looking at the grandfather clock, belatedly registering the time. she listens to Alison with interest... for alison seemed to know what Hales was going to do even before Haleigh rose to excuse herself. She smiled, giving a light laugh.

"Yes... I was JUST about to excuse myself... so THAT'S who is working so late. I was wondering who was such a hustler... but Alycia has quite a campaign against the Klein family so I can see WHY shed want to be prepared. Don't worry... I'll take care of Jasmine... I think i'm finally getting through to her... she's beginning to LISTEN to me... and I think if I asked, she would gladly hand over the deed... which I can give to Morgan in the morning.... and if she DOESNT... then I will TAKE it from her... and make sure she's NOT in the position to fight back for it.... but I highly doubt it will come to that. Alison... don't WORRY about Alycia and Sharon... we will cross that bridge when we come to it. I'm sure well ALL be okay."

Haleigh stood and stretched.... taking a deep breath and running her hand through her hair.

"Well... I suppose I have a talk with Miss Barnett to get along to... you two should REALLY get some sleep... its late. Rest easy.... I'll be keeping a watchful eye over us all... and I GAURANTEE you're safer under my care than the president is at FORT KNOX."