WHAT IF?.......
Venin finds BlackDagger after his escape

** Under an assumed name.
Jim Johnson.

It was simple. The guys at the new gig took to calling him Jimmy-boy, and even J.J. Either way it still echoed some of who he was. Thanks to Alan, he had new ID, a bank account, a past. Married, divorced, 2 kids, even a dog. Looking for work had been easy. He now had a high-school diploma, a college degree, a social security number, a life. Because of Abyss, his progeny, prospered, thrived, and he never even had a girlfriend. He often just stared at his new identity, breathing air, fresh scents, walking around without worrying too much if his co-workers would mess with him. Now it all didn't come without a price, but the 1999 Trans-am, the last gift from GUARD came in handy for the payments. He had 'old friends'for references, he had college professors who would 'always recommend him'. Even a High School Councilor that will remember him as the 'brightest'. He almost could believe he led such a life. With about 2,000 dollars to his name, a job he held for about 2 months now, and almost his own apartment. He wasn't foolish enough to believe he disappeared, vanished without a trace. But he was confident enough that no one could find him for at least a little while. In the sub-burbs of Chicago, in construction. He never tired of the work, creating things with his own hands. They boss even told him he would be prime for promotion in a few weeks. He was punctual, did what he was told, and the utmost concern for safety, and welfare of his co-workers. With his degree he also was able to claw his way in above entry level. Making decent money, efficient, quick. Never using the UNnatural powers. No now that was his dark little secret. He moved to the mirror. The dark circles that hung under his eyes were gone. The uniform was simple, jeans, a white tee shirt. He grabbed his hard hat from the chair, and moved out of his temporary residence. Moving down the Hotel 64's stairs, to the cherry red mustang that awaited him. Grabbing the keys from his pocket, and flipping through them. Alan was right, about everything. Nodding to the hired help as he left they called after him. A slight Asian accent. ** Have a good day Mr. Johnson! ** He managed a sure grin and waved before opening his car-door. **

*a cigarette to raises to lips as she watches the hotel across the way......a day off, something she hadn`t had in ages...she didn`t know what to do....the last day off she had spent at the range, target shooting, and in the wreck room....this one she was actually ordered to go out, off base...she was almost positive that the orders were a result of Scratch, her father....he had been telling her she had been working too hard, telling her to get out..relax....something that to her seemed a waste of time...so she had utilized her time, and done some research.....she was off base as ordered...and technically she was relaxing....after all, wasn`t relaxing doing somethign you enjoyed....and hunting she enjoyed...she had been ordered to stay away from Washington state, unless she was on base...which was a shame, she would have loved to see some of their faces at the lair when she started hauling in rogues...so for now she was on a slightly different hunt, for another rogue......a recent Hunter that had fled the base..he had managed to hide well, but there was one minor flaw he had forgotten...a flaw that only she knew...he had forgotten to change the serial numbers on the mustang when he registered it...but who would have thought to look? after all, the car was thought destroyed...noone had known what had happened to it, noone except her and James....perhaps if he glanced across the street he would see, perhaps not...there was nothing outstanding about her...cowboy boots, leather jacket, blue jeans..she pretty much blended in with everyone else in the neighbourhood, she watches him step from the building and climb into the car... a puff of smoke leaving her lips..she merely watches waiting for him to drive away before she moves....she had put a tracker on the car, and once he was gone she would probbaly go upstairs and place a few bugs...then maybe even follow him, she had found this place, she just didn`t know yet, what else he did*

** Holding the hard-hat beneath one arm, turning the key with the free hand. Opening the door, A smirk over his face remembering the words his boss asked him. When they first met. // You work well under pressure? // == You might say that. == // Construction is a competitive field, if the other guy can get it built faster, and better we are out of a job. Can you deal with competition? // == Very well. == // And we aren't playing with big tools here son. Can you deal with people telling you exactly what to do, and when to do it? // == I wish you could ask my former employer, they would tell you exactly how well I react to such demands. I would say that I am very reliable when it comes to such requirements. == // Why should I hire you instead of the other 100 applicants? // == Because I am never late, I never tire, I never complain, and I have very deep ethics and morals. I would not cut corners to save the bottom line, and would not work for a company that would do that. I could never work for someone who put the business before the people. Never again. I will not compromise safety, and I get along well with others. I refuse to stake my loyalties on a company I think would ever do that. That's why I chose /you/ .== The last bit is what got him hired. James wasn't scared of failing anymore. Instead he was motivated, he was ready to dare. He had his self-preservation factor kicked in. He never knew exactly what it would have been to have died, without this change. Without this chance to live. To live on the Earth, to breath it's air, to drink of it's waters. To scratch his balls if he wanted to without 6 different people reviewing a tape to make sure it wasn't a signal of some convoluted plot to overthrow GUARD. He slept soundly, never hearing the whirrs of machines, the pressing of lights and cameras he never noticed until their absence. Even in this busy area, he found solitude, silence. Thinking of this too as he drove, pulling eventually into the Site, tarping the car, securing the cover. He wasn't about to let the dust scratch that baby. Moving, throwing his helmet on, swiping his badge through. Early as usual, moving, reviewing the plans, his mind working as it always had. He took a bit of architecture, that was long ago. He knew things sometimes couldn't be built as planned because some jerk decided to have a lobotomy, before drawing the blueprints up. Compromising look for security. Finding his station and started moving the materials he needed. **

*a smile crosses her lips as she listens to the car purr...some things about her hadn`t changed....she watches him drive away then takes a last drag form the smoke, crushing it out beneath her bootheel and pulls what looks to be a palm pilot from her pocket...a common enough device these days that noone looked twice at it...she watches the light move across it for a few minutes then repockets it and steps out into the street..ignoring the blaring horn as a car squeels to a stop..it wasn`t going to hit her, she didn`t care...she ignores the curses thrown at her through an open window and opens the hotel door, stepping into the lobby...a genial smile is on her lips as she approaches the counter* Hello, can I get a room for the night Of course *she takes the cards that Yvette slides over to her and starts typing..Yvette sighs..damn Airline lost my luggage and I can`t go anywhere till they find it * the girl looks up at her as she slides the receipt across the counter* they seem to be doing that a lot lately...sign please...hope it shows up soon *Yvette signs the receipt using Dayres name....a personal joke that the poor woman will never know about* I hope so too *she accepts the proffered key,then leans over almost conspiratorily* thanks...By the way, I just saw a gorgeous guy leave here....he on my floor *she winks* any chance of catching sight of him again? *the woman chuckles* he is hot isn`t he *she giggles* thats Mr. Johnson...one of our long term residents..yeah, hes on the same floor as you, other end unfortuantley *Yvette sighs as if disapointed* oh well, maybe I will luck out...I`ll be in my room if the airline calls thanks *she turns and heads up to the elevator...she gets off at the appropriate floor and pauses briefly at her assigned room to open the door and toss the key on the table before coontinuing down the hallway...the pungent odor of cleaning supplies filling the air, yet even over that, her unnatural senses can still smell him...each person has their own scent, and she manages to track his...a smile crosses her lips as she sees the cleaning lady in there...she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a smoke then steps into the room *uhmm excuse me? *she leans on the table near the door, one hand slipping a small bug under the lip* but uhmmm do have any matches? *she gestures to her smoke* The woman nods and reaches into the cart, and venin steps forward to accept the proffered pack* thank you *she nods and lights the smoke then walks over to the garbage can to drop the spent match, one hand lightly brushing the lampshade, leaving yet another bug..she places the pack back on the womans cart, smiles and steps out...then with a smile on her lips she heads out the back door of the hotel*

** Moving through his day, a smile that never seemed to fade from his face. An essence that was contagious. An open ear to problems. Listening to the trivial things these men thought about. This in a way was what he had been waiting for, for too long. He knew the job couldn't last forever. The place would be built. He'd have to find another place to hide. Again a small price to pay. Dreaming too, perhaps he could finally settle down, find a real wife. Eventually tell her of everything. A real best friend, a real confidant. He knew the chances of him having children were next to none, but he always wanted some. Go to church, never kill again. It was like a hazed dream, he knew was too good to come true. Lunch soon came and he moved to the small cart. Ordering a heavier than normal portion, knowing even that couldn't fill him. Passing the man a wrinkled 20, he himself earned. By his hard work and his endurance. Leaving the change, and sitting down to eat. People gathered around him, although he picked an out of the way spot. He had friends, he had people asking him how he was. Not just to make files about it. Still thinking every answer carefully. People accepted him. He thrived off of this as well. Then some-one called to him. Pointing with their thumb. ** Hey Jim, I think your ex-wife is here. She's the psycho right? Dark hair, she is very well built. She was asking all sorts of questions about you. Where you lived now . . . How you liked this 'new'job. ** James tore his eyes towards where the man was pointing. No one was there. His heart raced, his eyes looked everywhere. Standing up, as he nearly toppled the table. ==No not here not /now/==. . .The co-worker just laughed, pointing. ** Got'cha! April Fools! ** Laughter erupted from the crowd, as he shook his head, his eyes shooting back and forth. His heart raced his breathing stopped. His hands shook. He tried to contain that. Forcing a smile and a deep chuckle to his lips sitting again, shaking his head. The same co-worker still laughing saying ** Man she must have been a bitch! You should have seen yourself, you looked like you were about to flee the country! ** James simply shook his head. ** If you only knew. ** He coughed a bit, looking back at his meal, taking a few more small bites. He couldn't have animals at the hotel, and his power reserve wasn't any higher than normal. This fact scared him more than anything. His thoughts raced, ==They know. . . no they don't. They don't know. . . == He stirred his beans and then looked back to the workers who continued to laugh, joke about things. Adding polite laughs occasionally. Relieved when the lunch whistle blew, Knowing the event went without a hitch. **

*she heads down the street to where she had left her bike.....a honda interceptor, sleek, smooth efficient, and fast, it was the ultimate crotch rocket....She flicks the cigarete butt into a gutter and straddles the bike....the tracker appearing in her hand...she studies it for a few minutes then reaches for her helmet...a full one with a blackened faceplate, not one of these wimpy ass half helmets that everyone seems to wear these days...one as black as the bike...the tracker vanishes into a pocket and the bike fires up..then she pulls out onto the road, barrelling full speed towards the mustangs location.....a few minutes later she spots it, and parks beside it...a smile is on her lips as her gaze rakes the vehicle..still in perfect shape....she dismounts and looks around, trying to determine where James would be....spotting the construction she crosses the street towards it, looking closely at the various workers, until she spots James...she moves into the shadows of the office trailer and leans against it, a smoke once more on her lips....if shes spotted she`ll make a move...if not she'll wait till their coffe break*

** His smile soon returned, although he learned an important lesson. He kept his guard up at all times. Looking, though these people were his friends who knew what GUARD could dream up if they wanted him badly enough. Brainwash these innocent people, play the deadly game of cat and mouse, finding a comfortable routine. James was all about routines as well. He was like clock work .He sighed, he really couldn't hope for a normal life, either way. James worked through the coffee break. Soon final whistle was called, he secured all the equipment, checking everything three times. Wouldn't it be lovely for the newer sections to crumble from one over-looked detail. . . Finally swiping his card to clock out, and moving to his car. Pulling off the tarp. A few people waving as they walked to their perspective vehicles, a few waving saying they had to go out sometime. A mention of a poker game Saturday night, another mentioning a big party the following Friday. James just nodded, mentioning he'd try. He never would though. He shrugged it off. Shining a few smudges the car still gathered, off with his shirt. Moving away, dusting off the grime. Sweat, dust. black trails over his flesh from the mix of the two. He also smelled faintly of axle grease. He wiped off his forehead, grabbing a towel from the back. Quickly dabbing himself down. The day's work was not equivalent to even a workout in the rec room. But he did not use an ounce of his UNnatural powers. This being his proudest accomplishment. Pausing, as he folded the tarp. Narrowing his eyes, as he placed it in the trunk. No hesitation was shown, something wasn't right. Getting into his car, and revving the engine, before the doom could descend on him. Backing up, obeying all traffic laws at this time, and just going back to the hotel. He hoped soon that he'd have his OWN place. Pulling into his space, and clubbing his car, tarp back in place, moving to the reception area. Calling in carefully. ** Hello? ** Finally pulling himself all the way in the door, and calling again. ** Hello? I need my mail. . .** He paused, and went to ring the bell, waiting for a few moments. Looking around at a few things. Seeing that this very motel had housed Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis just last night. Laughing a bit, pulling the sign-in sheet back around, reading the names. At the name before 'Dayre'the lady came back in. ** I is so sorry Mr. Johnson, I have mail right here now.

*she sighs as she sees the men break for coffee, a few urging James to accompany them, but he resisted and continued working...oh well she would have a chance later....she moves out of the shadows and heads back to the bike, then moves it to the roof of a parkade across the street....few ever park on the roof, so not many would see her..and from here she could watch...and get some sun, then maybe she`d have a bit of a tan and they`d believe that she had been relaxing on her day off....she got strange looks when she told them her last day off had been spent at the shooting range...she sits almost motionless for hours..then finally she watches James remove the tarp from the car and head out..shes assuming towards the hotel...she watches the tracker for a bit, to confirm then kicks the bike to life and heads out of the parkade, parking directly in front...she places the helmet on the seat...then turns..and pushes open the lobby door.......a feral gleam in her eyes as she notes James still at the counter...she comes up behind him.... her voice, low seemingly friendly, yet with a slight hint of warning....she wouldn`t do anything here, not yet, not now...not in front of the girl* Hello

** Taking the mail, hearing a bike pull up. Flipping through it, most of it was junk. Keeping the bank statement, and asking her to shred the rest. She nodded, and he thanked her. Standing there as he looked through his latest billing statement. Full activity on the account. Pride flushing through his veins. An air he couldn't deny. This was /his/. He didn't have to share it with anyone. Taking the bills too. One for the Hotel, some for insurance on the car. It was all his. He turned, hearing a semi familiar voice. Nearly in slow motion, he felt his mind recognize that voice. His blood to run ice. Felt his fingers roll numb. Blinking upwards, feeling a bead of sweat rolling off of his forehead, splatter on the bills. Swallowing hard, as he then very casually rose a brow. Looking at her, and then back to his bills. Playing this off very casually. ** Hello, ** He looked to her as if he didn't know who she was. Not making a scene in front of the girl. No Yvette, and him were much better than that. Looking at his bills again in silence, and then shuffling them all together. Turning to Mie-Lung again and smiling. Patting the mail and saying again. ** Thanks again. ** Looking at Yvette one last time before passing by her, not saying another word. Moving jogging casually towards the stairs, keeping her very monitored in his peripheral. Pausing when out of Mie's sight narrowing his eyes a bit at Yvette, nodding for her to follow before disappearing towards his room. His mind was thinking fast. He had to think of something, anything. Just to give him a few more days to relocate. **

*she can feel his nervousness, smell the fear and sweat..she knows exactally whats running through his head...the same thoughts that would have been running through hers a year ago....can she buy time? escape? talk sense into them?...she watches him as he turns up the hallway, wondering for a minute if he was going to try and run...but he should know its futile...if she tracked him this far, she could track him further....she turns to the lady at the counter* the airline call for me yet? Names Dayre? *the woman shake sher head, and Yvette heads up towards the elevator, following James....every sense alert, just in case he should try somehting foolish*

** His mind worked quickly, assessing everything he knew about GUARD. Finally before the key hit the lock, he had an idea, as thin as it may have been. Turning the lock, and pushing the door open. Tossing his mail on the chair, and moving to the bathroom, pulling off a very /very/ convincing -Casual- act. Moving, turning on the shower and testing the water. The old pipes took a bit trying to warm up. Peeling off his grimy shirt, dusting off a little of the grease that still managed to cling to him. He was as fit, if not fitter in some ways than he had been before leaving GUARD. When Yvette finally got to the door, which was still ajar he looked at her and glared. In a /very/ low voice he hissed. ** What the /hell/ are you doing here? ** Seeming still casual, as if seeing an old friend. Looking around, and then tossing the shirt into the hamper to be washed. ** Are you trying to ruin everything? ** He hissed even lower in a tone that only she could hear. He looked at her widening his eyes a little. ** Come in close the door, and keep quiet. . . Did Scratch send you too? ** Drawing closer, looking behind her and then back towards her. His voice just as low. He allowed himself to be nervous, though he managed to calm himself a bit more. ** Did /anyone/ see you coming here? Shit Yvette! ** Locking the door behind her, still keeping his tone very quiet. Moving back to the bathroom waiting for her to answer. **

*she follows up to his room, a smirk staying on her lips....she doesn`t immediately, she just steps into the room, the door closing behind her...her gaze roam his cut appreciatively ((*The mun ewwww* Its your brother for the gods sakes)) before her emerald eyes lock onto his* why do you think I`m here? *he was acting casual, too casual actually...he had managed to push back that momentary twinge of fear she had smelled...she leans up against a wall, arms crossed over her chest* ruin everything? * a smirk crosses her lips....it was nice ploy he was trying...but that brief bit of fear had betrayed him, that and the fact that nothing had been done to discourage her active attempts at tracking him....she just hadn`t let her sucess be known, not yet...she watches him, her answers to his question only being more questions, only one question does she actually answer, least in her own way* noone knows who I am

They /all/ know who are Yvette don't be daft. ** Thinking fast, grinning a bit as he pulled out the last bit of GUARD contraband he managed to get while fleeing. Moving to the drawer grabbing the surveillance equipment he pulled out of his Trans Am. . Tossing them to the bed. He let the fear still drip off him looking and then shaking his head. ** Like they would let /you/ just -come- here. ** He hissed again, his voice growing even more silent. Glaring at her, and shaking her head. Mumbling something about her being too good, and she was after all doing her /job/. Sitting on the bed, unlacing his boots.. Pulling them off one by one. His body controlled enough it stopped shaking. He could do this, he had come too far, too long. Almost knowing she knew, but it was a chance. A small chance. Placing the boots next to his bed, and peeling off his socks. Rolling them into a ball before tossing them into the hamper with the shirt. Sighing and looking at her knowing she would want an 'explanation' Starting slowly, as to keep his story straight. ** This started before you were even brought into holding. I can't /tell/ you what this is about, but I am sure you will figure it out. ** He hissed quietly. Thinking of a way to say it without breaking GUARD protocol. ** You know Jesse Raymond, the computers, the systems when you broke out. It just didn't 'happen'. /Nothing/ just happens. Same as the American base, when the RUNners ruined it. ** His voice hardly above the water. ** They knew it all, all the advancements. ** Staring at her seeing if she got the point. ** My 'helping' you get out, my 'attitude'with you in the cell, everything . . . carefully constructed. I was /supposed/ to befriend /you/. ** Looking directly at her and narrowing his eyes a bit. Standing pulling off his belt. ** If /you/ ruined this. . . ** He added a soft laugh a shake of his head, and hushed, before hanging his belt in the closet. Turning back to her near fondly, a smile passing over his lips. Resuming their conversation normally. Saying very lightly, the chuckle still on his lips as he moved to the bathroom to go 'bathe'.** You scared the hell out of me.

*She watches him as he removes pieces of clothing...she didn`t care if he totally stripped, she might appreciate the view((Gawds girl!! stop thinking like that...thats sick!!)), but its not going to stop her from her job..she was a hunter, he was a rogue* Back that far? *she raises a skeptical eyebrow, her tone neutral...perhaps she did sort of believe him* I know, they have pre-cogs...they always have, but they can`t predict every possible outcome of everything, and the more people involved the harder to read *still her tone remains flat, no hint of what shes thinking, she just remains leaning agains the wall, waiting for him to continue*Perhaps it was *she shrugs* It doesn`t matter to me what matters is now.....*she pushes off the wall as he goes into the bathroom one hand reaching out to stop the door and her eyes scan over the interior...seeing no windows she steps back and once more leans up against the wall...she just wanted to make sure he wasn`t going to escape...if hes got a weapon stashed in there she could care less...she has one too...besides, it would be foolish of him, and useless....* So your implying this is a mission?

I am not implying anything. . .. /especially/ to you. . . . But if you insist on /taking me in/ do it silently as you can. **Flipping on the tape for her, as before he shut the door. Either way, he was not going to fight Yvette. He couldn't strike her, not even for his freedom. He stood behind the closed door looking almost defeated. Only time could tell, what she gathered from the files he nabbed about Abyss before their meeting. Everything that Jesse told about him basically. All his weaknesses, all of his strong points. All their similarities circled in bright red pen. The other parts were memos that were still fairly recent, discussing the new codes. A few circled, normal notes along the margins of the paper. A few names he jotted down while on the phone. Nothing important. The tape simply contained everything that Alan said, James'voice was omitted as it didn't record his side ever.. There was some hard incriminating evidence on there, half of it ruined when he ripped it out of the car. Mostly it contained Alan speaking back what James told him. * //Nice wheels.... Company car?//*//.silence // when I broke her out from the complex in France.// . . . .silence . . . static . . .// But since she offed your friend, I guess it was a needed thing//silence . .. mummbles . . .// With Ven`s hatred of him and everything? I don`t think so.... I mean, Aerik could . . . .static. . . her, when she`s at full strength and . . . static. . .fighting. No way//. . .static . . .// if he could.// . . .. silence . . . //I knew about that much.// . . . .static . . . //.hurting you that day after we all escaped from the complex. And I. . //static / / she`d gone to such trouble to return one of her jailors to his own after helping her escape. I. . . silence static . . // Because of that the NAVY both applauded me and hated me// . . . static// I dislike you... More to the fact that I don`t agree with// . . .silence. . . static / / I don`t like it`s tactics, and I find somthing wrong// . . . .static. // . .silence // . . .static. /// not to trust about me? I didn`t bring anyone here to . . .//silence / / trust me that much.... When I give my word, I . . .//static// As far asYvette being //static. . .// her brains //silence. . .//sister?? // Yes... I`ll tell you somthing else.Before she went into //static, muffles noises.// . Emotional as //static// came out, that`s when all the//silence//... Whatever happened to her, //static// your jail. And Aerik was never//static//silence.. // Aerik turned her into a R.UN.er to begin with. Her hatred for //static// be none to surprised if for whatever reason she`s there, it`s //silence//of her own will//static// Watch your back... You`ve come out here and given //static//if it does, watch your ass. == The rest was blank. == James bathed taking his time. Washing all of the grime out of his hair. He heard the phone ring. There was another package at the front desk for him. The machine picked it up. He ignored it and continued to then dry his hair. Braiding the tresses down his back. **

*Her brow raises slightly as he turns on the tape recorder, but she remains where she is, leaning against he wall .....She watches him enter the bathroom, the door closing behind him, then she casually moves towards the bed and rifles through the files....before hes out of the bathrom shes back in position, the files looking untouched everything in the order and position he left them in..she glances at the tape recorder as he steps out of the bathroom then slowly reaches into her pocket* You expect me to take that as evidence? *her hand withdraws with a pack of smokes and she puts one to her lips* tapes are easy to dub, and theres nothing of interest there, except for the fact that you seem to have revealed that I`m GUARD, and possibly Jesse *the pack vanishes back into her jacket and a lighter appears* You have any other evidence you wish to incriminate yourself with? *the flame flares up, as she takes a pull on the smoke then the lighter too vanishes in a pocket*

** He moved to the room again the towel wrapped around his waist, yes covering everything. He went to the closet, pulling out pants, a shirt, boxers, socks. He laid them out on the bed, not even that interested in if she believed him at this point or not. He could always leave again later. It only took her months of great training to get out again. The next time he would leave no trail. Move abroad. Anything. Perhaps even stay with the RUNners, there was a joke. Safety in numbers. . . shrugging at this point, still nonchalant. ** Why not? For the record, and for the bugs placed in here either while I bathed or before. . . I also told him about Rikky, about /our/ father, and about Zak. Vince is back, and something about how Jesse was captured. ** Thinking for a moment and then turning to her looking her dead in the eyes. ** Oh yes, the Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus were mentioned a few times in the drive to the garage. ** Pulling on the shorts, continuing to get dressed. Pulling his shirt on, Finally moving to his boots, taking the towel and shining them up a bit. A crisp scent of head-and shoulders floated from the bathroom. He knew nothing /that/ incriminating was on the tape. ** I /don't/ need to convince you of anything except take me or leave now. ** Looking towards her and saying in a very clear clean voice. ** You know you don't laugh anymore. It disturbs me.

*she merely watches as he lays out his clothes, her only movement is the raising of the smoke to her lips*give me anoth...*....she blinks and steps away from the wall, the smoke raised half to her lips..as his words actually penetrate* `our` father? *puzzlement are within her gaze and tone only to be replaced with a hardness in the next words as she steps almost menacingly towards him* what about Zak? *anythinng else he siad is gone, she didnt` hear it..even her first question is almost forgotten at mention of Zak...thats one thing from her life as a runner that she has tried to hide, to protect the best that she can*

You heard me. . . very clearly. Don't. . .** He dodged her questions a bit looking at her, his eyes widening a bit. Whispering very sincerely. ** Jesus, you didn't know. . . /they/ didn't even have the decency to tell you? ** He shook his head and chuckled. Very nerviously. Covering his slip easily. Watching her approach. ** What are you going to kill me? I didn't catch him. . .I didn't even know until I had to leave. He has nothing to do with the mess in the first place. ** Shaking his head, grabbing a leather jacket, and swiping it for bugs. Finding one in the lining looking at it, her and then squishing it between his fingers. ** You do know when you take me back, they will have to imprison me question me, mind wipe me and start all over. Make it as smooth as possible. ** He was very annoyed at this point. Scoffing utterly honest. ** I wouldn't be surprised if it was you working for them to protect the bastard. ** Working this easily into the conversation. Very calmly, hardly giving her time to speak. ** You hated /him/ so much. Something about our mother, and how she was killed. You were convinced it was //him.// You /now/ say Aerik did this to you. Made you hate /him/. at first I thought it was a RUNner ploy. To make you think you are a HUNTER Yvette, because the bastard is so strong, Alan, the fool, even admitted /how/ strong on that tape. ** Pointing to it at this point, wandering to the door-frame trying to find more bugs, the phone the usual places. ** I thought that you asked him to plant you. ** The words hurt, and as much as he didn't want to say them he had to, to save his own skin. ** /He/ ** With the same spite she used in the cell, the same exact tone. ** I quote " Killed her, murdered her. I don't care what it takes, no matter if they reform me to GUARD I'll find this out again. I'll run again " That's what /you/ said. Frankly it doesn't matter now that you were right. ** His tone again was calm. He grit his teeth, not wanting to see her in pain. Not wanting to watch her turn to stone. Quietly adding, . . . near compassionately. ** I know you don't care about that anyway. . .it's no matter. ** Adding a soft chuckle, very lightly saying. ** We're just America's most dysfunctional family. ** Finding the one on the lamp-shade. ** Zakai, is in solitary. They couldn't tell you Yvette. . . they were afraid you would go AWOL. . . I'm so /SICK/ of this shit! Can't you see that? ** Letting the truth come out finally. ** I am sick of the lies, the way they manipulated you, Jesse, me, it's all a twisted game. It's not - Us- Verses them it's us against us! ** He paused, taking a deep breath. Looking to her and saying again honestly. ** You've changed. You changing, and Vince broke the camel's back. *Shaking his head. ** Let's go you have to take me in . . . because nothing I can say or do will convince you otherwise. You're stone.

They have Zakai? *the words void, dead of all emotion....she closes her eyes for a minute, her tongue moistening her lips as she takes a deep breath, almost as if fighting against emotion, trying to deny it* when? *the cigarette hangs forgotten between her fingers as she simply stares, all his words mixing up in her head, seeming almost to come out garbled, things that don`t make sense...that somehow seem wrong, out of place....tense silence hangs for long moments* `our` mother? *she slowly shakes her head, alsmost as if trying to clear it* He had had nothing to do with my mothers death, he was just too late.*her head still shakes......she rememebr the conversations in the cell, she remembers what she had said, but somehow the words don`t seem right, they don`t match what she knew...what she remembered...*....RUNners killed her, and GUARD killed them... *once more silence hangs as she struggles to make sense of it all* Zak? captured? *the cigarette burns down, the cherry singing her flesh before falling off and dying, all this going unnoticed* No, can`t be *a hand runs through her short cropped hair and she looks up at you, her gaze narrowing* no, none of this is true...your just trying to manipulate me

Think about it Yvette, our powers. . . our weaknesses, our anger, stubbornness. . . That's //why// I helped you escape. No matter what they try to tell me, that I did what was needed." You know this as well as I do. It's just jumbled somewhere.** Motioning to her head and then sighing. ** And it sure as hell wasn't Aerik who did it. I know you can remember, you talk about everything else. And yeah 'Dad''s ** Making this point very clear. ** Version of the story goes something like that. A valiant effort, he tried to help you guys run away, but something like GUARD got to your first, /nothing/ to do with RUNners. And they killed "MOM" ** He sighed, knowing that she didn't appreciate the situation. His hands thrust into his pockets, as he looked to the ground, finally sitting again. ** Though I do think he loved her. In a way loved you too. ** He sat in silence for a long moment before saying in addition. In the most sympathetic tone he could. ** Think about it Yvette, for one moment put me aside. //They// couldn't let Zakai wander around, knowing all he knew. You can't even read the files. Hell Ei-Que wrote some of them. Though I don't think she knows he is there either. He missed you when you were captured, by Rikky, the files mentioned heightened sense of smell. . .** Pointing to his nose, and shoving his hands back into his pockets. ** would follow your scent trail, sleep with your jacket. Cute crap like that she classified as obsessive. ** Slumping his large frame for a moment. Clenching his fists and looking at her. ** I thought about how foolish this life was. I really did. I thought 'How could Yvette deal with this? Day in day out.'. . .now I envy every moment you had. But you know what. Save yourself the heartache, I have no reason to manipulate you. I am telling you to take me in. Because I can't stand to see you like this. I'd rather be locked up and away from the crap, then neck deep in it. I can't stand to see you like a rock, I can't stand to see you so hateful about whatever you are obsessed about now. I'm not trying to manipulate you, GUARD has already done a lovely job of that dear /sister/.

No can`t be *she looks at the filter still between her fingers and throws it in the direction of the wastebasket* Your fathers a military bigwig, you weren`t raised GUARD *she takes a deep breath and lets memories play through her head, memories of her mothers death..somthing she didn`t want to revisit, but had to.....she leans heavily on the wall* I was there, I saw it all....it was RUNners, they ambushed us...shot my mother, would have killed me, but Scratch, my father, showed up just in time..she taps her temple* I see it all, its all up here... I can`t forget something that haunts me .*as she talks some emotion slowly starts to filter into her voice, just a little bit, but its there...confusion, hurt, fear, anger...bringing James in is now one of the furthest things form her mind...too much was going on here, too many things that made sense yet didn`t ...she didn`t know what was going on, who had manipulated*Zak? *more emotion tinges the one word than anything previous....* the fool....I thought I taught him better than that, he should have given up, gone into hiding...*she looks over at him* How did they know? I thought I kept him hidden, protected him.*once more her voice drops the emotion, as she fights for control...emotions were a weakness, a weakness she didnt` need right now* .he doesn`t belong to GUARD, he doesn`t belong to anyone

Scratch says he gave me to the military bastard. To conceal his second kid. He just hoped I was natural. When General Blacke raised me, and my `mother` died. . . he stopped caring. Because I /was not his son/. You were only two. But that`s not why I left. -You- That`s why I left. The other crap, Rika, Scratch, Vince, was all there too. I think Scratch manipulated you, as much as you think you love that man. I think he got Rikky to mess with your mind, who knows. . . ** Pulling his hands out of his pockets. Folding them in his lap, sinking smaller and smaller. ** But your version was that Scratch was there. Not saving, but killing. Because she ran away too. To save you. You have to remember that. ** Fiddling with his fingers. Looking almost, lost. Looking at what a loss to say. At what to do. ** You may think I am a coward, a liar, or failed, or whatever you may think. But honestly to took more balls to walk away. It took more courage just now to tell you everything. I don`t blame you for not believing it. And I tell you the story you just told me is /not/ the one that you told me back in the cell. God Yvette, I don`t want you to have to think about how /our/ yes yours, mine our mother died. I never even knew her! ** Looking to her very sincerely. Understanding exactly what she was going through, even down to Zakai. The tape replayed again as it reached the end stopped and rewound. Watching the poor broken device spin. Silently hearing Abyss` words. ** I shouldn`t have told you any of that. ** He continued to watch the tape. ** I guess you`ll believe whatever you want. It`s not Zakai`s fault that he was caught. Jesse was with us, Alan split, you`re here. . . you all lived together. Where did he have to go? Maybe this way you can still be together. . . but while he`s in GUARD he`s theirs. . . as much as I was, as much as anyone it. We aren`t people we are possessions. Toys. To be played with and discarded when they want. You know that much at least. Do what you did before read the files. The ones that aren`t there. . . the ones that I could never find to support you. Because of that . . . ** The words fell into air. They hung there like the smoke that hazed the room. There was no more tears, there was no more sorrows. There just was the truth. A truth she told him, and she now didn`t remember. ** I am so sorry Yvette.

*manipulated....that she doesn`t doubt....after all she was a prisoner for ages...she just doens`t know how, she deoens`t recall any attempts to get around her shields *her knees come up to her chest her elbows propped on them, her hands cradling her face* I remember what I said, but it doesn`t make sense...not to me....what I said doesn't match what I know, what I remember....maybe my words were the manipulation? *she tries to piece the memory together, but little things just don`t match up...why were they there to begin with? why weren`t they on base?..stupid little facts...why has she never questioned them before?*why? *she looks up at James...why was he doing this? was he the one manipulating her?....it had to be...GUARD was ruthless, even manipulative...to a point, but she didn`t think they would go to the required extremes to convince her this was reality if it wasn`t....it had to have been aerik that manipulated her...it made more sense....why would her own father....fingers run through her hair, almost pulling it out* It makes no sense

** Watching her as she questioned it. At least he got her thinking, or this was a plot for her own twisted game. He watched her, moving to the bathroom, grabbing asprin, and a tall glass of water. The tape still reeling.=== More to the fact that I don`t agree with// . . .silence. . . static / / I don`t like it`s tactics, and I find something wrong// . . . .static. // . .silence // . . .static. /// not to trust about me? I didn`t bring anyone here to . . .//silence / / trust me that much.... When I give my word, I . . .//static// As far as Yvette being //static. . .// her brains //silence. . .//sister?? // Yes...I`ll tell you somthing else. Before she went into //static, muffles noises.// . Emotional as //static// came out, that`s when all the//silence//... Whatever happened to her, //static// your jail. And Aerik was never//static//silence.. // Aerik turned her into a R.UN.er to begin with. Her hatred for //static// be none to surprised if for whatever reason she`s there, it`s //silence//of her own will //static// Watch your back... You`ve come out here and given //static//silence.... if it does, watch your ass. ==== Walking back with the glass and the aspirin, holding it out towards her. ** He wanted his family back? I don't understand it either, his logic makes no sense. "We wanted another kid, so badly, had it and gave it away hid it from GUARD," What would they do to him if they found out? Why even bother? And why the hell would Aerik waste his time on you in the first place? From what I hear about the guy Alan said he has his own agenda. . . again unless you were placed back in GUARD, as a RUNner ploy, or simply, when you were jailed, they messed with your head. . . ** He wasn't sure. Sitting beside her on floor, not touching her. ** I don't know Yvette, I don't know. Look if you are here, /they/ //know// you are here. Or will. They more than likely know everything I said. Or will when you get back to them. ** He watched her, finally reaching out, pulling the blanket from his bed as well, wrapping it very gentle around her shoulders. ** Yvette don't do that. . . you'll hurt yourself more, ** Wincing as she pulled and tugged. Finally leaning all the way back, the base of his head pressed against the wall. ** It doesn't add up, then there is a reason why. Either Aerik got to you, or GUARD did. And the truth of the matter is no one has seen Aerik Winters since the American base incident.

Nooooo *its almost a pained moan as she simply rocks her head in her hands...too much doesn`t make sense...too much conflicts within her head now that she is going over every detail...too many minor things aren`t right, but what was truth, what was manipulation?* why? why would either side do it? what if both sides have? whats the truth? *she ignores the proffered glass and aspirin* Aerik has his own agenda, own plans...as does GUARD, and GEMlabs and everybody else in this damn world *a faint shiver starts in her body as she thinks of everyone that may been through her head, everybody that somehow got around her infallable shield...and the shiver grows...that was one phobia that noone had ever managed to cure...she was absolutely terrfied, totally hated the thought of anyone rooting within her mind, sorting through her thoughts like they would laundry....and now, with the mind bank she had finnally been talked into taking, who knows what was going on, what they knew, heard, saw....how much more of her they had altered.....who was she anyhow? did she even exist? ever?...the blanket around her shoulder does nothing to assauge the shivering as her thought continue to wander in chaotic circles*

Yes they do. Their own agendas. You know what. . . ** Just to ease her pain, going out on a limb. ** I bet you are right. It was stupid of me to say otherwise, I mean you were there. I'm sure that then Eclipse is just doing this to get at Scratch. ** He lied through his teeth, anything, anything to give her a peace of mind. Even if it was for now. Minutes passed, he could hear the ticking of the clock near his bed. He watched it, watched her shake like a broken rocking chair. Back and forth, waiting to fall and shatter to the ground. Finally scooping her up, even if she protested, prepared to fight, and place her on the bed. Grabbing a few more blankets out of the closet, saying very lightly. ** You look exactly how I feel. How I've felt ever since I saw you in the damned complex. ** Taking off her shoes, and pulling her to the pillows very gently. Finally trying to pry her locked fingers from her head. Sitting beside her, in every way trying to think of some thing to comfort her. Finally. . . asking in desperation. ** Is there anything I can do? Do you need food, water? Space? Do you need to go outside? ** Thinking of anything, knowing this wasn't just GUARD's doing. . . or was it. He rose a brow, thinking of what she said, what if they both were in on it. . . Pulling her hair from her face, the ratted clumps that she nearly scalped. ** If anything, . . . if you want me to go back . . ** It was too much information for her to think about at once. He was at an utter loss of what to do. Offering, something a hope perhaps. ** Maybe you know we could stick together. I don't have any mental powers. . . I mean ** He just let it drop, sitting there in silence again. Patting her shoulders. **

*either shes ignoring him, or she doesn`t see him..she shows no reaction as he scoops her up...shes once more roaming the confines of her mind, wandering the twisted paths that are there....amazing a few are dead ends....half memories where there should be full......why were all the Hunters and RUnner involved in her mothers death dead..the only surviors Scratch and herself?..his attempt to change does nothing for her...already she`s started down that path and there is nothing he can do to get her off of it, the only one that can stop it is herself..fortunatley its a path she know well...insanity has followed her ever since her incarceration...something shes been fooling herself about....ignoring...her obsessions were what had held her together...slowly her shaking stops and she just lays there, staring at the ceiling...unfortunatlye her mind wasn't as easy to heal as her body.....a mind which had always been a fragile thing, and now, even more so.......finally her mind turns down another path one where few memories seem to be obscurred or blocked, but even those she can`t be 100% sure of....Zakai...she sees no reason why either side, GUARD or RUNner would manipulate him towards her, both would see him as a valuable tool, one they could utilize against the other....and now GUARD had him...that was something she had to stop...she couldnt` let them keep him.....she sits up and looks around...she doesn`t know how long shes been there, doesn`t know what time it is, all she knows is that somehow she ended up over here, James beside her.......her `brother`...a strange concept she might never get used to...she doens`t say a word, she merely gets up and puts her boots back on....her mind racing with plans* Get away from here and ditch the mustang...thats how I found you

** He watches her stand, putting back on her boots. Expressionless. Gathering the few files, the few bits and pieces of his former life. Simply tossing it in the waste-basket. It meant /nothing/ to him now. The tides had turned, and swept her back out to sea. ** What are you going to do now? ** Fingers curling, as he shoved his hands into his pockets. Looking at the cherry mustang, narrowing his eyes. A smile as he handed her the keys. ** Give it back to Vince, he'd want it more than me anyway. That is if you are headed back that way. **Tossing the keys to her as he moved to gather his things. Packing the essentials. Leaving behind the ID, the bills. He'd stop at the bank withdraw the cash he had left and just go. He still had Abyss'number somewhere in his jacket. Patting the pocket and taking his duffel bag. Awaiting an answer to his question, if she even cared to give any. Debating if he should even care, which side was right, which side had dabbled in her mind, which side was the crueler. In this contemplation he washed his hands of both. A Libra, a balance. It could not be met. As he said it was no longer Us, against them. . . it was much more. Much deeper. If it had remained just the fighting, just the battles. No They got too greedy too fast, too efficient. Too complicated. Drawing his duffel closer in the door-way offering an almost lop-sided grin. ** I don't suppose I'll see you any time soon either Yvette. . .

*She watches emotionlessly as he tosses the GUARD stuff....the earlier conflict no longer even visible in her eyes...she had walled it away, she wasn`t even going to analyze it, just take the facts and deal with it...there was nothing else she could do...if she started thinking she would break down again...* going back to GUARD, getting Zak out...I`ll decide then....*she looks down at the keys being handed to her, the breakout runnign thorugh her mind...how much of that was prefabricated?..she stops that though...she can`t wander those paths....not now not later, never...not if she wanted to retain her sanity...or a semblence of it ..a deep sigh leaves her body and she reaches into her pocket and hands him the key to the bike* Fine, ya need a vehicle in the meantime....offload it as soon as you can though....I`ll tell them it got swiped, easy enough in Chicago....she reaches for the doorknob then pauses as he asks his question* No, I highly doubt it *the voice, the attitude, once more they were emotionless, the stone bitch was back*

** She was gone, passing him at the door-way. He watched her, waited until she was out of sight. ** I miss /you/. . . I am sure Zak will too ** He was not about to take a vehicle she recommended. He walked to the road, hitching with his thumb. He looked well kept, a good wholesome American boy. It didn't take long for him to get a ride pulling along side of him. He hopped in, and motioned wherever the man was going. A while later, a few hours or so. in the hotel, the small package that had arrived earlier was accidentally opened. Just punctured by a pen really. No theatrics, no explosions, Instead a small thin layer of invisible gas seeped through the small hole. IT didn't kill everyone, but merely put them all in a very sound sleep. At this time forces were called in, causally, looking room to room, finding James'finding the tape, the files, strands of his hair, dirty laundry and other hair, yet to be identified which was Yvette's. The room was vacant, the Id's spread over the comforter. The place was cleaned, as if he was never there, the woman Mie-Lung didn't ever remember the polite boy who sided in room 206. Nor were there any records of one either. The team was quick efficient and the general public was so easy to manipulate. No one seen him, which way he hitch-hiked. Again it was like he dropped off of the face of the planet. And Yvette was right with every bit of luck, she wouldn't have to see him again. Actually no one would. Maybe in a few years they could forget he ever existed. **