23 September 2003 - Meeting Up

AiMsTeR and Tegan

Christian

Christian pursed his lips as he stood on the sidewalk. He was in Tulsa again, now standing in the very spot that he and Taylor were 'introduced' by Kirk.

He knew the Hansons' house was only a block or two away, but he wasn't particularly interested in facing them again. He was more wondering where Kirk was... and hoping he and Chloe would be around.

Mouse

Fafnir swivelled his head and snarled, before jumping into a deadly lope. Mouse cursed and ran after him, one arm wrapped around her already unweidly belly. Bets followed her and the wolf quickly. "FAFNIR!"

I'm gonna kill the little bastard! Fafnir snarled and moved faster.

Dammit, you stop now, you son of a bitch! Mouse bent over panting for a moment, before running after her wolf again. You're not killing anyone! At least not in public.

Fine. We get him out of sight, and kill him then. Fafnir shot back.

Excuse me, who are we killing? Bets sounded confused.

Imposter traitor. Fafnir growled.

Christian...Mouse shook her head, then lunged forward to grab her wolf by the ruff before he leapt for Christian's throat. "Stop it, now." She shook his head roughly. "I told you to *stop*." She glanced upwards, mouth set in a thin line and eyes smouldering with anger. "Hello, Christian. New look."

Bets sniffed him carefully as Fafnir's snarls continued to rumble up threateningly through his throat. Hmm. Interesting.

Christian

Christian pursed his lips and looked them up and down.

He wasn't as calm as he'd normally be, but not because of Fafnir. More because of Mouse. Even though he'd never admit it aloud.

"Jane," he nodded to her.

He looked to Fafnir, then to Bets.

"Looks like you've picked up another friend. No word on Taylor?"

He mentally crossed his fingers.

Mouse

"Nothing. Nothing whatsoever," Mouse sighed, despair showing on her face. "I should've been able to..." She bit her lip and stood carefully, one hand still in Fafnir's fur.

^Canweeathim?Ineedblood.^ One of the three informed her calmly.

"And yeah, new friend. I think you met, back in Quantico. Bets. The doctor's dog." Her mouth twitched briefly in pain. "Interesting thing about Lance. He's alive again. Bastet brought him back, for reasons known only to herself, which wil probably remain hidden since she's been killed by Glory. But hey, that's the magical community's problem, not aliens."

Christian

"Ok," Christian laughed softly, "I have absolutely no idea of what you were just talking about, but ok."

He rubbed his chin, feeling some more growth.

"Yeah, I remember you. Lance Green's malamute. Beautiful dog," he smiled.

He guessed Blakesley would have taken Taylor anywhere but Tulsa, but Kirk might have had connections.

Mouse

Bets preened slightly at Christian's praise. Fafnir's snarls redoubled in volume.

"Oh, stop it, you, you male!" Mouse said in disgust to her wolf. He glanced upwards at her, then fell silent. The silence was somehow more disquieting then the growling. "I babble. Often. So. Spook said you broke Blakesley's fingers. Can I just say, well done?" Mouse grinned a blood thirsty grin.

Christian

Christian smiled.

"Thanks but... that's nothing compared to what I want to do."

Then he lifted his left arm to point some things out.

"Snapped each finger twice... see these long bones in the back of the hand? I snapped those. Then... got four bones in his wrist, snapped the arm itself, then broke his elbow."

He let his arm fall by his side.

"Needless to say he won't be using his left arm for a while."

Mouse

"Only if he replys on nature. He might have other means open to him," Mouse pointed out. "Who the hell knows who or what he's got stashed away in those labratories. Which are apperantly everywhere..." Her eyes glimmered with tears for a moment. "Taylor's somewhere I can't reach him. And the link we have is very, very strong. If he was anywhere even in this state, I'd be able to find him. Or Fafnir would...as it is..."

Can't feel him. He's lost. Fafnir howled mournfully for a moment, eerie wolfsong out of place on surburban streets.

Christian

"I know, I know..." Christian shook his head, running his fingers through his hair.

"He just... the son of a bitch is really grinding my nerves," his right fist clenched, "he just doesn't see that he's not the $#!+ing president and not everything will always go his way. I thought Chris and I could have taught him that, but no..."

He sneered a little.

"I warned him. I told him that if he layed a finger on Taylor with my knowledge, that he wouldn't have any left. But I guarantee that promise is outdated."

He glanced at Fafnir, squinting behind his shades.

"The bastard deserves alot more than I could ever give."

Mouse

"Christina dropped in to see Natalia," Mouse said carefully, feeling his emotions jump when he mentioned her. "Apparently, she saw Nat when she was still in the labs. She's promised not to hunt me or the Hansons, because we're looking after Nat...well, we were. I hope...I hope she doesn't hold it against us. I really do." Mouse looked worried. "She was *really* pissed off at Tanya...wouldn't want her that angry at me or mine."

Christian

"I know."

Christian cracked his knuckles.

"And I've sworn to protect Tanya should she set foot in Houston again, and I will continue to stick by that."

He looked around for a moment.

"You haven't seen Steel around, have you?"

Mouse

Mouse frowned for a moment. "I did have animals watching him, me and Tay. They might've stopped. Let me check..." She raised her head and whistled. A beautiful black crow came swooping down out of the sky and landed on her outstretched wrist.

Hello, beautiful one. He walked up her shoulder and rubbed his beak along her cheek. You called for me?

Always, black hearted one. Mouse replied. Have you been watching that two legger?

Indeed, quite. So noisy. The crow ruffled his feathers and cawed hoarsely. Two leggers.

Indeed. Mouse scratched his head, ignoring the slight pain and the streacks of blood from her arm where his claws sunk into her arm. Can you take this dark haired one to him?

I think I may. Can you say please?

Please, dear heart. He needs a guide.

Then I will. The crow flapped his wings and looked at Christian with a sharp eye, clacking his strong beak. But can he keep up?

We shall see. Fly. Mouse bent her wrist and cast the crow upwards. "Follow him. He'll take you where you need to go." And no tricks!

Blimeney, you think you didn't trust me or something! The crow laughed. Good for you. Ok, no tricks.

Christian

"You want me to follow a bird?" Christian raised his eyebrows.

"I mean yeah, that's fine for you and Tay, but... he could lose me and I'll never find the damn thing again."

Mouse and Spook

"He's promised no tricks," Mouse said, then the crow yelled out a warning before hightailing it out of there. Mouse and her Pack whirled smoothly, Mouse's hand coming up with a glittering blade and the canines moving forward in a slink, teeth bared in threatening grimaces. Mouse then cried out, and went to her knees as her Pack sense wavered, then disappeared. Fafnir and Bets were thrown into instant confusion, whining and whimpering as they cowered into Mouse's side.

Christina walked calmly over to them. "Hey, Mouse. Dogs." She looked at Christian, and her eyebrow lifted slightly over the anonymous black shades. "Lover. Well, of a sort."

"Spook...what the *hell* have you done?!" Mouse cried out weakly, face white and shivering hard.

"Went up a level," Christina said. "Kansas...it's quite lovely this time of year."

Christian

"Christina," Christian returned, frowning as he watched Mouse and the wolves.

What the heck...

He pursed his lips and waved his arms a little.

"What the heck just happened here?"

Mouse and Spook

"Shh, shh, it's alright, it's alright," Mouse said as she wrapped her arms around both the cowering canines and held them tight. "It's alright. It's alright. I can't hear them! You've cut the Pack bond! SPOOK, WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!" Mouse screamed at the alien hunter, then returned her attention to the frightened animals. "Shh now, it's alright, it's ok, we'll fix this, I'm right here..."

"Interesting side effects of things." Christina raised her shades to reveal her pure black eyes. "It's strange, but nothing seems to affect me any more..."

Christian

Christian hesitated, the confused look on his face not disappearing.

Lowering his eyebrows, he attempted to take her gun from her. Only those years of training stopped him giving an exclamation when it didn't work.

He stepped back slightly.

"Null," he frowned.

Mouse and Spook

"Is that what it's called?" Christina said curiously. "I didn't know. Seemed to shock the agents an awful lot though." She smiled slightly. "So, coming quietly or loudly but still coming with, Chrissy baby? I wanted to talk to you."

"Oh god..." Mouse whimpered, all her emotional supports cut adrift.

Christian

"Turn it off and I might consider it."

He looked down at Mouse.

"Don't worry Jane," he assured softly, "it's only while she's in range. It's a power that numbs the effect of all others."

Mouse

"See, I don't know if I can quite do that." Christina smiled as she moved her shades back down over her eyes. "I'm finding it quite freeing. And I think that if you want me to leave Tanya be, at least for the moment, you'll come and distract me. This whole power thing...it's quite novel. Haven't got fulll reign of it yet." She looked at Mouse consideringly, then reached out and *twisted* something in Mouse's head.

Mouse screamed, hands flying to cover her eyes. "Oh god! Why, why did you do that?!"

"Because I could. What, exactly, did I do?" Christina inquired.

"You tore down my memory block! Oh god, oh god..." Mouse rocked and wept.

Christian

"Picture a switch in your mind and flick it and what the hell are you talking about?" Christian shook his head.

"And if you can reverse what you just did, I'd suggest that you do. And leave her alone."

Mouse and Spook

"I'm not sure how to do that yet," Christina said as Mouse wept, reliving the memories of the day the Spider killed her parents.

"He killed them, he killed them, he killed them..." The dogs cowered and whined against her.

Christina tilted her head slightly as she swung the gun down off her shoulder to rest easy in her arms, one finger curled around the trigger. "This is only loaded with buckshot. Which will hurt like a bitch, but probably not kill you. I think. So, coming with, Chrissy? Or do I have to do this the hard way?"

Christian

"Wha..."

Christian waved his hands in confusion.

"What exactly do you want here?" he frowned, glancing at Mouse.

Spook

"Well, duh!" Christina frowned. "Obviously, more then a little of Taylor's blondness rubbed off on you, even with the hair dyed. Looks good on you," she mentioned casually. "What I want, darling, is you. We go, and Mouse gets a chance to get herself together again, I don't go immediately to hunt Tanya down and kill her, so that's two good deeds for your redemption list."

Christian

"Woah, woah, wait," Christian put his hand up for a second.

"Surely you think I have more important things to do at the moment. And you know if you even try anything with Tanya that I will stop you."

Spook

"YOu can try," Christina said cheerfully. "Seeing as how I took down an entire building of agents of various powers, thinking one pregnant one who doesn't know I'm coming or when won't be that hard." She cocked the gun, and moved it so it pointed at him. "I'm bored with the talking now, baby. Let's move it along."

Christian

"Wait! Wait... $#!+," he cursed, raising his hands in surrender.

"Surely we can talk about this, right? I mean come on..."

Spook

"Um, I think we covered everything. Either you come now, or I go find Tanya and deliver her and her miracle child to death," Christina said. "Time's up, Christian. You come now, and I don't do that. Or you still come, and I still go off and do that."

Christian

"$#!+," Christian cursed, realizing he was at her mercy for now.

He bit his bottom lip, then looked up at her.

"Where... do you want me? What are you gonna do?" he shrugged.

Mouse and Spook

"Not sure yet. Don't worry, it won't be too strenous." Christina smiled slightly. "You're the last person who made me feel anything...as nifty as this power is, I find myself feeling oddly...empty. Wanting. Lacking. Something, I don't know what."

"Ohohoh," Mouse whimpered.

"This is quite distressing for empaths. I know the empathic agents I killed were too busy throwing hysterics to notice me. Shall we get going? I have a van across the street."

Christian

Christian looked over, his tongue playing against the back of his throat.

Spook had definately changed somehow. How, he didn't know. And he wasn't sure he wanted to.

"Ok, ok. Just get the hell away from her," he frowned.

Spook

"Let's go then, baby." Christina grinned, and gestured wth her shot gun. "After you, of course." He started walking and she followed him. "Hands out please," she said briskly, getting out a pair of handcuffs. "Just a precaution, you realise. I can't trust you, just yet." She put the shot gun down so she wouldn't be too encumbered. Mouse was still weeping across the road, still in the limits of Christina's range. "Please do realise that without your power, I can more then likely hand you your ass on a platter?"

Christian

"Yeah well I thought I'd get some warning before this truce ended," Christian glared, before lowering his hands to in front of him.

"What the hell are you gonna do?"

Spook

"Ah, ah, ah, truce only was to cover fatalities. I haven't hurt you yet, or killed you." Christina smiled. "Truce covered from my side of things. I don't trust you to see it quite that way, however." She clipped the cuffs around his wrists, then opened the door of the van. "You'll probably need a leg up."

Christian

Christian looked into the van and almost sneered.

"Yeah whatever."

He got into the van by himself, and sat into the far seat resting his feet onto the small shelf in front of him.

Spook

Christina shrugged and closed the door behind him. "Whatever you wish. This can go easy or hard." She picked up her shot gun, and walked around to the back of the van, opening the back door and stowing her gun in a rack, before squirming through the two seats in the front to drop into the driver's seat. "Well, let's get this show in the road." She gunned the van, and glanced over at him. "I didn't want to threaten you into the van, but Tanya has this way of getting her hooks into people..." She sighed. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry for what I did to Mouse. I wasn't anticpating her prescence."

Christian

"You're a very twisted woman," Christian shook his head, looking out the window.

"What the $#!+ happened to you? You run off, and the next thing I hear you've murdered 50 agents."

Spook

"I ran off and became changed. This...is having more effects then I first anticipated," Christina said thoughtfully. "I was expecting to die. Not to come out. Here. Feel." She laid her hand against his cheek. "It's all so cold now..." Her body temperature had dropped to a bare 15 degrees Celsius, and she knew it would chill him. "Everything...so distant. So...meaningless. Cold. It's all so cold now..."

Christian

Christian shivered, inching away from her.

"For all I know you could have come back with a disease," he frowned.

"I don't know what the hell happened to you, but I'm hell sure I don't want to get involved."

Mouse and Spook

Christina laughed slightly as she turned her attention to driving. "It's not a disease. If you were still in contact with Craig, you'd know that. Apparently I'm not the only one to go into the wreckage of Smallville and come out, fundamentally changed."

Mouse shuddered a breath into her lungs as the van drove off. After about ten minutes, she got shakily to her feet and staggered back to the Hanson house. She collapsed on Taylor's bed, emotionally and physically worn out, soon falling asleep.

The alien hunter spared the angry Christian a glance. "You're involved because I wish you to be. I remember...things with you. Feeling. Being. I want to remember. See how much of this is permanent never to be changed, and how much will slowly change over time. The eyes, for example. The...distanced mind set. And you scold me for killing fifty agents? I've killed before. So have you. I think you've killed more aliens then I. I just did it, all in one go. Was fun too." She grinned. "Matrix. Excellent movie. Did the whole Neo and Trinity rescue Morpheus scene. Execept it was only me. But mainly, I like talking to you."

Christian

"I probably have killed more," Christian shook his head, "but not... I was at least in my right mind."

He glanced at her, then turned back to the window, pulling on the cuffs to test their strength.

"And for all I know your freaking... radiation or whatever the hell it is could kill me."

Spook

"No. It's died down," Christina said as she swung the van through the city traffic and got onto a highway. "Do you really think I would've gone out among humans if a Geiger counter screamed at me? The radiation's gone. I'm as...radioactively hot as you are. All that's left is what it's done. Or rather, I think it was this green rock I found that did it." She slid a cassette tape into the tape deck, and the Beetles started to sing.

Lucy in the sky, with diamonds...

Christian

Christian winced at the music and leant his head back into the head rest.

"What do you want Chris? Where the hell are you taking me?" he demanded.

Spook

"What do I want? Conversation, someone to talk to, someone to talk things over with. Someone to make me feel at least partly alive again. Where? Not sure yet. Tanya didn't get rid of *everything* I owned. All my easily disposable assets, but I still have safe houses scattered everywhere. I'm going to one of them." Christina glanced at him. "Do you have a music preference? I basically have older stuff...you could try for a radio station."

Christian

"Anything but that."

Christian leant forward and shut the tape off. He sat back and stared at it, then looked out the window again.

"All you want is someone to talk to, and you can't even trust me to talk without handcuffing me?"

Spook

Christina chuckled slightly. "No. I don't trust you. At all. You turned on Craig...and I have far less of a hold on you then Craig. Let me see, what else I got..." She fossicked in a box of tapes. "Beatles, Manfred Man, Duran Duran. You might like him. Madonna, Mamas and the Papas, who I'm pretty sure you won't like. The Ramones, the Police, Sex Pistols. Ben Harper. Pick a tape, any tape."

Christian

"Nice to know. And none of those," Christian frowned, his eyes on the collection of tapes.

"Man, you have some $#!+ or what?"

If he could fold his arms, he would have.

"And I didn't turn on Craig."

Spook

"So what you doing with an agent then?" Christina said calmly. "You know what he'll think. So, what music do you like, and I'll see if I can pick some up."

Christian

"I don't like music," Christian frowned, "but if anything, heavy metal."

He looked out the window again.

"And Tanya is as much a sister to me as Craig is a father. If Craig finally shows up one day and asks me to do something for him, I will. But until then I'm sticking with her."

Spook

"She's going to be very angry with me," Christina said thoughtfully, then nodded. "Good, cos I'm still pissed at her. Message, that office. Don't mess with my head. Don't take it kind. Actually, think I lifted some heavymetal tapes from some agent." She dug in the box again, then slid it into the tapeplayer. Heavymetal played. "Noy my particular music type, but hey. Whatever rocks your boat."

Christian

Christian rolled his eyes and turned away again. What the hell was he getting himself into?

"She had the authority, and as far as I'm concerned it was suitable."

He ground his teeth for a moment, every second getting more annoyed with the cuffs on his wrists.

Spook

"As far as you were concerned, yes. I almost wish she had killed me. Don't declaw the kitty, for it paces the cage inside her own head and beware the bite regained," Christina said in an almost singsong voice. "Not my words. A mix of what Natalia and Mouse said. Natty's quite, quite insane. But so would you be if you'd been consigned to hell with Blakesley for over three years. Well, three as far as I know. She was probably there longer. She's quite, quite broken. The perfect little sex doll. Poor girl."

Christian

"And if she wants to live like that, $#!+ her. Send her back as far as I'm concerned," he waved his right hand.

"She doesn't belong out here now. She's back where she belongs. It's Taylor that doesn't belong there."

He hesitated.

"Is this going to last long? Because I am really in the middle of a search."

Spook

"And I thought I was cold..." Christina murmured. "You think she wants to be how she is? I assure you, you wouldn't have lived through what she has in as nearly good condition." The van drove on steadily. "I don't know how long this will take. A while, probably. I could help you find him...if Tanya hadn't destroyed my data. So, oops for the telepath."

Christian

"I'll find him," Christian insisted, "with or without anyone's help."

He shook some hair out of his eyes.

"And it doesn't matter if she wants to be where she is or not. She most likely doesn't want to be free either. It'd probably do her and everyone else a favour if someone put her out of her misery. And as for me, I wouldn't be in her position in the first place. Go figure."

Spook

"So you think..." Christina shook her head slightly. "Sometimes, you have to be in the other person's place before you can understand. You have never been truly humbled...and now I'm scaring myself, so I'll stop. Damn, what the hell is up with this? Half the time I sound like some New Age freak..." She snorted in disgust. "Comes and goes though. Hopefully, this time it'll stay gone. So. How's life with an agent?"

Christian

"Fine, thank you," Christian frowned, tugging on the cuffs again.

He was even more pissed that he couldn't use his atom manipulation on them.

"And F.Y.I. I've been raped. Thank you again. Next subject."

Spook

"Try living as a hybrid with no powers in an intensely powerful alien community. Bully target, rape target, oh yeah, let's get Christina because she can't protect herself, and damn, she won't tell either. And you can practice on her. So don't even try that card with me, Chrissy. It don't wash. It's also why I hate telepaths so damn much." Her mouth tightened slightly. "You want them off, convince me I can trust you not to run or try and disable me. And then I'll think about it."

Christian

"Oh, you'll 'think about it'," Christian almost spat, "that's so promising. Don't do me any $#!+ing favours."

He sat back and put his right foot on the dashboard again as he watched and memorized where they were going.

"You think a schoolyard was hard? I grew up in a warehouse... many warehouses, with criminals. Most who didn't give a $#!+ about personal space. You wouldn't know where I was coming from unless you saw it, so don't try that $#!+ with me."

Spook

"And you don't know where I'm coming from either," Christina said back. "So, we both had shitty childhoods. Goodo. We've both had shitty adult lives. In fact, our lives pretty much suck, anyway you look at it. However," she raised a finger, "you have people you can call family. I have absolutely no one. Not a single soul. Not even sentinent beings without souls. No one and nothing." She tapped her nails on the steering wheel. "I envy you for that." She grinned slightly. "And yes, the powers thing has always been an issue."

Christian

"Of course it has, Greenie. Everyone that's ever known you by name has known that."

He rolled his eyes again.

"And so much for freaking family. Yeah, they're trying to kill each other. One will hardly let me have an inch, and who knows what the other's gonna do when he find out what I've been doing the past couple of months."

He laughed suddenly.

"He always kills those who stop working for him somehow. Not that I've officially stopped, I'm still open to him. But yeah... I'm hoping the son thing is gonna give me some leverage."

Spook

"Actually, you're the only one who calls me that," Christina commented. "And I don't like your chances if Craig catches up to you. My own policy with the man is to stay the hell away. Never worked for him, so far as I know. Never contracted for him. Don't like him, don't like the way he does things and yeah, massive hatred of 'paths. Maybe he'll let you get some quick talking and thinking down. If he doesn't just send a hitman after you. Course, he could decide to kill you personally. Being his son and all."

Christian

Christian stared at her for a moment, then chuckled and turned away.

"Yeah, thanks for your vote of confidence. I haven't done anything anyway. Yeah, I've killed some people... I'm sure he wouldn't mind that."

He scratched his chin, then yanked on the cuffs suddenly looking for any leverage. He swore when he couldn't get it.

"And Tanya... he knows I couldn't go up against Tanya if I even freaking tried. So I'll have leverage there. The only thing..." he frowned, "I've had so many chances to kill aliens and I keep passing over them. That includes the Hansons... although I don't think he knows about the cloning thing yet."

He gazed out the window again, thoughtfully.

Spook

"Don't pull on the cuffs too hard. You'll cut your wrists," Christina said with a bit of concern in her voice. "He'll see it in your head, regardless. If he comes for you himself. Hey, he came for Jane's parents. Why shouldn't he come for you personally?" Christina turned her eyes back to the road, slipping the shades to the top of her head. "Like Death's deal with wizards...which you won't understand if you haven't read the Discworld novels." She smiled slightly.

Christian

"Me? Read a book? Ha!"

Christian moved his leg a little so his hands were behind it, then started fiddling with the cuffs to see if there was any safety lock or something. Failing, that he tried to squeeze his hands through.

"And that's if he even wants me dead. As I said, I'd still do anything for him. He might find a use for me now I've made... 'friends' with the other side."

He flinched a little as a cuff pinched his skin.

Spook

"You should try reading. And I did warn you about the cuffs." Christina raised an eyebrow. "Want something to drink? Got a cooler with some stuff in it, if you're thirsty. Basically, Death has a contract to be present at the death of every wizard. Other people he can not worry about so much, but wizards get preferential treatment. They see the eigth colour, octarine. Should read them. Vetinari reminds me of Craig...and they're both men I don't want to meet." She winced slightly at the music continuing to pour out of the speakers, before the tape wound to a halt. She reached out and changed it to the other side. "Always good to be useful. Keeps you from dying, sometimes."

Christian

"Yeah whatever," he shook his head, still trying to squeeze his left hand through.

"I have absolutely no interest in fictional stories, thank you. My life and the lives of the people around me are quite enough entertainment."

Christian

"Please do stop that. I prefer talking to a conscious passenger," Christina said. "And you're going to cut your wrists up something shocking."

They drove along in silence for a bit, heavy metal thumping.

Soon, Christina was driving into OK City, fingers tapping along the steering wheel. She pulled up in front of a warehouse on the outskirts. "Welcome to the Rabbit Hole. Yo, Alice!" She rolled down the window and yelled out it. A door opened tentatively in the warehouse, and a woman with shockingly magenta coloured hair poked her head round the corner.

"Spooky?"

"Yes, it's me. Got a guest."

"Safety's been pining."

"Poor little mouse. Have to do something about that. Got any absinthe?"

The woman laughed, a surprisingly husky sound. "When do I not? Come on in. Your friend's welcome."

"Funny thing about that..."

"Told you about bringing strange boys home. Bad girl."

"Always. It's why you love me."

"Oh yes, Spooky. Well, come on in then." She disappeared back inside and a car door opened. Christina carefully drove through it into the shaded darkness of the warehouse. Mirrors and off dimensions confused the eye and bewildered the senses.

"My advice? Get high as quickly as possible. It's the only way this place makes sense." Christina grinned at Christian, before sliding out of the van. Alice ran up to her and hugged her briefly.

"Saw you on the websitey. You a bad, bad girl, Spooky. You're shoot on sight now."

"Well, don't I feel proud? C'mon, Alice." Christina led the young looking woman up to the car. "Christian, Alice. This is Alice's place, the Rabbit Hole."

"Come to join the mad tea party? It's freehold here. Unless you come in under another's control. In which case, you stay that way. Your business here is your own." Prismatic sparkling eyes regarded Christian keenly. "Mutant/Dath. You?"

Christian

Christian raised his eyebrows.

"Dath," he replied, not moving an inch.

He looked around for a moment, taking in his surroundings.

Spook

"It's a bit overwhelming, yes?" Alice grinned and bounced slightly in her mismatching, clashing colours of clothing. Christina meanwhile was examining a new statue.

"Whose this?"

"Oh, I don't know. Some rowdy. Bad bad man, got turned into stone. Mew!" Alice ran into the mismatched corridors. Christina laughed, her voice echoing off the odd angles of the cut up warehouse. "Mew de mew mew! Safety darling, c'mon out and say hi to Auntie Spook. And her brand new friend. He's a full blood, and we know them, we do. Slightly offputting, but we won't hold it against him. Oh no. Unless he's rude. Which he might be. Which means he won't get any sugar with his medicine."

"Don't be fooled by the act. Alice is all there." Christina moved around to the back of the van. "You going to come out, or sulk all day?"

"Spooky, baby girl, what have you been doing? Tanya has been getting quite the lashing down."

"She put a command in my head. It didn't stick. I killed agents."

"Oh, bad girl! Spankings all round."

"What, from you? You don't hit hard enough."

Alice let off a peal of laughter.

Christian

"And if I wasn't freaking cuffed I could probably help you with that."

Christian leant on the dashboard as he lowered himself from the van and stepped back a little. He looked up at the cieling, then towards the entrance.

Spook

"Don't even try, darling boy," Alice said cheerfully as she reappeared with a dark green bottle, three glasses, some spoons and a container of sugar. "The wards are back up. And they're far enough outside Spooky's range that they won't be affected."

"She's such a smart girl." Christina came back out of the back of the van, cradling a large cloth covered object. "Where do you want it, Alice?"

"Just come put it down here," Alice said. "I trust you're keeping your guest under control?"

"Oh yes. So. Absinthe?"

"All accounted for. Sit. Come on, beautiful boy, sit. Chase your troubles away and follow the green fairy." Alice set up the bottle on a table and arranged the three glasses around it. She danced over to Christian, multicoloured skirts whirling around her ankles. "It's a mad tea party, and it would be ever so rude if you didn't join in. It'll be fun. Promise."

Christian

"Jeezus," Christian frowned, looking her up and down.

Then he turned to Christina.

"Got some nuts on your family tree or what? And I ain't drinking any of that $#!+."

Spook

"Does he think we're related, Spooky?" Alice said, then they both burst out laughing. "Oh no, dear child. Not in the slightest. We're just understanding of each other's natures. I have other beverages, if you wish. Other things not so pleasent to taste." She put a finger to the side of her nose and winking before turning away. "Where did you find this darkling child, Spooky love?"

"Labratory."

"Dearie me. Dearie dearie me. Now that's the one class I don't serve. No scientists allowed. I have agents, hunters, mutants, demons, witches, rogues, assassins, thieves. But no scientists." Alice clapped her hands, and knelt slightly. A huge cat ran out of the shadows, and jumped into her arms.

"He's new."

"Spooky, Christian. This is RK."

"Which stands for?"

"Road kill," Alice said cheerfully. The cat in question was a large battle scarred tom, who she draped around her shoulders like a fur. He thrummed with an immense purr. Christina laughed.

"You have the oddest sense of humour."

"You take what you're given."

Christian

"I didn't think you were related," Christian scorned, "it's a figure of speech."

He clenched his fists again, looking in the direction the cat came from.

"And you're both psychos. What the hell am I doing here?"

Spook

"The question is, aren't you mad as well? We're all mad here," Alice laughed, before bending slightly so the large cat could slip from her shoulders to the floor. "You're here because Spooky brought you here, of course." The cat eyed Christian suspicuosly, spat in his direction, then waltzed off to beg caresses from Christina. "And don't mind RK. He doesn't like men."

"He's dandy, Alice." Christina bent to pet the cat, and her shades clattered to the floor. "Bother that." She picked them up and put them on the table. "Where'd you get him?"

"Someone forgot to pay his tab. RK came as payment. He's a wonderful sentry." Alice put a finger thoughtfully on her chin, and stared at Christian, gem-like eyes reflecting flashes of light and scales gleaming. "I think I've heard your name before. Christian, Dathrian. Spooky?"

"Craig's protege."

"Oh. Oh! How excitement. A celebrity."

Christian

Christian snorted and looked away.

"I'm not a celebrity, and I'm not $#!+ing insane," he fumed.

He tugged on the cuffs again, feeling the annoyance build in his chest.

Spook

"Ah, but you are." Alice tilted her head slightly then traced a finger down his face. "So famous. Oh, Spooky! He's so pretty."

Christina laughed. "Shoulda seen him before, if you think he's pretty now."

"Pretty, in a dark and dangerous way. Not a word, RK, not a word. He's worse then the mouse," Alice confided to Christina.

"Oh? How so?"

"Well, he's definetly more viscious. Poor, poor Nick. Nick-a-lick. Oh. Nick was lickable, alright." She bent forward slightly. "Before RK raked a paw down his cheek. Now Nicky is in hospital. Poor boy. So, what's the pleasure for this evening? I have non-alcoholic or hallucingenic beverages, if you prefer."

"I'll just have something lemony, Alice."

"And for the darkling child, as ROland to the Dark Tower comes?"

Christian

Christian frowned, leaning away from her.

"Nothing," he insisted.

He glanced at Christina, feeling weird all of a sudden. But he definately wasn't gonna trust anything from here.

Spook

"Ask, and ye shall recieve." Alice took his hand in hers. "Come. Sit. Pretend for a moment, that life is insanity, and that you revel in it." Her eyes taunted him to accept her offer. "Spooky. Keys."

"If you can get him to agree to stay inside until I leave the Rabbit Hole, you're welcome to them." Christina held up her hand, and the handcuff key glittered in it. "Make a promise I can trust."

"Ah, she's truthful for once."

"The truth is a weapon."

"How true. Hurtful thing. How long are you staying?"

"Today, tonight and most of tomorrow. I have business to conduct."

"Is he slave, captive, toy or what?"

"Unwilling companion, for the moment."

Christian

Christian glared across at Christina.

"And none of the above are gonna happen, either," he warned, his usual bite not leaving his voice for an instant.

He pulled his hand away from Alice.

Spook

"So *you* think," Alice said. "But Christina's such a dom, mew! Bad girl, mrowr. I caught the funniest thing on the vidyo!"

"Yeah?"

"Tanya getting chewed out. Oh, so funny! You're causing such a fuss, a cat among the pigeons." RK looked up sharply. "Metaphorical pigeons, sorry, RK. But yes. They're quite upset. And dear? Matrix?" Alice giggled, and the corner of Christina's mouth quirked up.

"I like the movies, what can I say?"

"Do you need more things, Spooky?"

"No, I'm quite sure I have everything I need. Well be staying the night, however."

"Lucky I have a room. Queen of Hearts is free."

Christina's eyebrow rose. "Oh? Is it now?"

"So's the Croquet room, but I think the Queen of Hearts will serve you better."

Christian

Christian's glare turned to Alice for the moment.

"Sorry, Alice in Wonderland, but I have a strict problem with authority."

He tugged on the cuffs again, his anger returning after a moment of worry. He looked to Spook.

"When the hell are you gonna let me go? It's a bit hard to find a torture old Blakesley at the moment."

Spook

"Everyone has problems with authority, darkling one. But there's the rub. It's still there. Blakesley still around? I would've thought for sure something would have eaten him by now. Chomped him up with big pointy teeth, rawr!" Alice snapped her jaws.

"Unfortunately, no."

"So, what's the buzz, tell me what's a happening, Spooky?"

"Blakesley kidnapped Taylor Hanson. Again. Chrissy wants to go find him, but I interfered with that."

"Aw, no cakes for the angelic darkness."

"Quite. And this will take as long as I wish."

Christian

Christian turned and glared at the wall again.

"Well whatever you have planned, just get it the $#!+ over with," he insisted, his right knee bouncing away.

"I need to kill someone. Soon."

Spook

"I can probably arrange that," Alice said cheerfully.

"She can, you know. Demon?"

"A lot of Masters go over rapid turnover in minions."

"Ah. Anyway. I think to bed." Christina stood. "Do I have ti get the gun out to make you come?"

Christian

Christian glared at her again, but stood.

"And I'm not killing innocents," he looked between them.

Spook

"I did say demon. Didn't I say demon?" Alice turned to Christina for confirmation, and the hunter nodded. She turned back to Christian. "Demon. Vampire, to be precise."

"You can kill them and not feel giulty about it. They're just demon possessed corpses. Soul long gone."

Christian

"Just because they're demon doesn't mean they're guilty of something. And I'd prefer to stick to my own kind thankyouverymuch."

He shook the hair out of his eyes and looked back toward the entrance again.

Spook

"Well they do have to kill people to live. Unlive," Alice pointed out. "I vant to suck your blood! All that gig."

"Anyway. Room, Alice?"

"As you will, sweet lady of night and darkling child. The Queen gets most upset when you're late." Alice walked to a wall, and then opened it to reveal another corridor. "Come on then."

Meeting up

Christian's eyes darted toward Christina, hidden behind his shades.

Shaking his head slightly, wondering what he was getting himself into, he followed.

Spook

Alice muttered to herself as they moved deeper into the maze of corridors. The walls were covered with carinval mirrors and painted in bizairre hues, most often seen with the aid of drugs. "Safety!" She tapped a tube running along the top of the wall, where a small white mouse blinked at her. "Don't chew through to the other dimensions, hear?"

"He hasn't yet," Christina said dryly.

"Ah, but he's one of the mice who built the earth. Sneaky six dimensionist bugger."

"And the answer is?"

"42. The hard part is figuring out the question. Here we are." She opened a door on her left, and revealed a stark room, with red walls and heart shaped pillows scattered over an immense four poster bed. The posts rose upwards, with cleverly designed holes hidden into their lines. There was a cage in the corner and several rrings set into the walls.

Christina's eyebrow went up slightly. "Redecorating, Alice?"

"My word, yes." She shoved them inside, then closed the door behind her. "Have fun."

Christian

Christian looked around and gulped slightly.

"What the hell is going on here?" he shook his head with a frown.

Spook

"Alice's idea of a joke. It *did not* look like this last time." Christina frowned, then turned to the door. She turned the knob, but nothing happened, even when she shoved against it. "Alice!"

"Chain up the kitty, dearling. He's biteworthy, mew!"

"Alice, this really isn't what I had in mind."

Giggles echoed from behind the door. "It might not be what you have planned, but it might be what you need."

Christian

Christian glared at the door.

"See if you turned off your freaking power I'd have us out of here in a second," he scowled.

He stood back a little, looking at the rings on the walls.

Spook

"Sorry, I can't actually seem to figure out how to do that. Might as well make the best of a bad situation though," Christina mused as she wandered over to the bed. She sat down on it and kicked off her boots before looking in the bedside table. "Bad Alice."

Christian

"I told you," Christian scorned, not looking at her.

"Picture a switch and flick it. It's that easy, honestly. Craig had to tell heaps of newcomers. The worthless freaking scum that they were."

He shook his head.

Spook

"I don't think my powers work the way yours do," Christina said carefully, keeping a rein on her temper. "Done that, tried it. Doesn't work. You don't seem to get it, at all." She sighedm before shimmying out of her pants and folding them to put them in the drawer. "Night." She climbed into the bed and resolutely closed her eyes.

Christian

Christian growled slightly, looking around again. He made his way over to a corner and sat down, leaning his head against the wall.

He needed to be out of her range so he could actually regain some control. Then he'd blow this joint and go look for Blakesley.

He eyes darted toward the door. He knew a million ways to pick a million locks... it depended on what was holding the door closed. And of course, a lot of that depended on telekinesis anyway.

Spook

"She has a bar across the outside," Christina said without opening her eyes. "She has an odd sense of what tickles her."

"I do indeed!" Alice's voice echoed through a speaker.

"Go away, Alice."

"Oh, don't sulk, Spooky. Why don't you just jump him and do him?"

"Done that already, and I'm not in the mood."

"Is he good?"

"Why the hell do you care? You like girls."

"I can appreciate, Spooky love."

Christian

Christian looked up for the speakers, soon spotting them in the cieling.

"Leave us the $#!+ alone, freak," he murmured.

He laid his wrists to the ground, putting a foot over the chain, and tried to pull the cuffs off that way.

Spook

"Mew de mew, I'm feeling contrary."

"Go away, Alice."

"I know, that's why I'm here."

"If you want the cuffs off, I need to know you're not going to try and kill me in my sleep."

"Do you like the bed, Spooky?"

"Yes, it's very comfortable."

"Useful too."

Christian

"How the hell am I supposed to $#!+ing kill you?!" Christian exclaimed, "my best hope would be to freaking strangle you or something, but I am definately not wanting to get even that close."

He shook his head and looked toward the door.

Spook

"Ok, stay over there then." Christina held her hand up and dangled the key. "Don't come and get the key."

"You're such a tease, Spooky."

"Shut up, Alice."

"I think I could be offended, RK."

"Well, I am trying to sleep. Tends not to bring out the best in me when I can't."

Christian

Christian looked up at the key, then to Spook.

"How do I know you'd give it to me anyway?" he frowned.

He moved his hands over his leg and shuffled a little.

Spook

"I always keep my word. Didn't give my word to you, but I did make a promise." Christina opened her eyes. "That gives me more leeway in what I do. If you come over here, I will unlock the handcuffs."

Christian

Christian sat for a moment, considering it.

Finally, he slid back up the wall, and cautiously approached.

"No one's word means anything to me anymore," he raised his eyebrows, stopping near her, "you can never trust anyone anymore."

Spook

"My word is my bond," Christina said calmly and she sat up before moving the sheets back and moving to Christian. "Mouse knows I won't touch her or the Hansons. I gave my word, and that ties me to it. If I was going to die, or have to kill one of them, I would die. It's my own version of honour. Twisted, yes, but still honourable in my own way." She lifted his hands and inserted the key, unlocking them. "And voila. I think there might be some antibacterial cream in the bathroom." She nodded at a small door set into the wall. "Put them on the scratches."

Christian

Christian rubbed his wrists and held his right, which was bleeding more, as he headed for the bathroom.

As he went through he closed it behind him, then made his way to the cabinet. Looking through, he found the antibacterial liquid, and took it to the basin.

He squinted at himself in the mirror and rubbed his eyes.

"Man..."

Then he opened the small jar and began rubbing it onto his wrists, flinching every now and then.

Spook

Christina shrugged and then decided to look around. She didn't feel self conscious in front of Christian. Hell, he'd already seen everything. So had Alice. But only because Alice was the type of person who had cameras everywhere. She ran her hand along one of the rings set into the wall. "What made you get into this, Alice?"

"I was bored. And besides, I cater to a very odd crowd."

"I have realised..." She moved on to look in the drawers set into the bottom of the bed. Her eyes widened. "Alice, you're a very wicked woman."

"Thank you."

"Now, that is rather nice..." Christina picked out a collar, a simple silver ring.

"Wouldn't it look nice on his neck?"

"Don't tempt me."

"I am a devil, Spooky. It's my job."

Christian

Once Christian had rubbed a good amount of the liquid into his cuts, he washed excess off and dried his wrists with a nearby towel. Then he leant over into the basin and began to rinse his eyebrow ring, figuring he'd better put some of the liquid on that too. Just in case it got infected.

That done he washed his face and dried it with the towel, then leant over the basin for a moment.

What exactly was happening here? He had no idea. He wasn't use to being the captive.

Spook

"C'mon, you know you wanna jump his manly bones," Alice giggled.

"No."

"Collar...he'd look so yummy with more shiny things."

"No."

"Shiiiiinnnyyy, Spooky, shiiiiinnnyyyy."

"I don't share your fascination with shiny things."

"C'mon! I'll even give you ten percent."

"You're a sick, disturbed person."

"That's why you looooove me!" A pause. "Screw him, you know you want to."

Christian

Christian stopped by the door as he heard what they were saying to each other and frowned.

Man, what did he do to deserve this? Oh yeah, a number of things...

He opened the door and stepped through.

Spook

Alice could see him step through, and smiled to herself. Christina however, didn't.

"But he's so yummy looking. If I ever decided to play on the other team again, I'd do him in a heartbeat."

"Sometimes I wonder if you have one."

"Not nice to hint that I may be a bloodsucking fiend, Spooky."

"I'm not really a nice person."

"See, you and him are perfect for each other!" Alice hid her giggles behind a hand.

"Match made in hell, Alice."

"Wicked and naughty girls have more fun, and get better things in thir Christmas stockings. Look in the next drawer."

"Ok." Christina shook her head slightly as she did as she was requested. "You're very evil. Who the hell can fit into something like that, anyway?"

"Isn't it delicous?"

"Not the word I would use to describe that outfit."

"Aw, you're no fun."

"No, usually not."

"But you used to have such *good* ideas."

"Yeah well, people change."

"I still have that video..."

"You conniving little bitch. You *videod* that?"

"Bet your beautiful black eyes I did. Wonder if Christian would like to see it?"

Christian

"Rest assured if it's something to do with her," Christian indicated Christina, "then I don't."

He glared up at the camera, then stood back against the wall and folded his arms.

Spook

"Ohh, nasty boy, go stand in the corner. Someone needs a whipping," Alice sang.

"Still pissed off?"

"Well, obviously, Spooky. Most guys love to watch porn. And you were so *cute* when you were 16."

"Whole nother lifetime ago." Christina slid the drawer shut, but kept hold of the collar. "This is nice though."

"I thought so. Sometimes metal is better then leather."

Christina nodded, running her fingers along the smooth metal. "Sadist."

"No, bit of a masochist myself. Want to hear the puppy bark? Ruff ruff! You were such the lovely Black Lady."

Christian

"I don't have to watch pornos for entertainment," Christian looked up at the camera again, "I can make my own."

He slid his sunglasses from his eyes for a moment, before realizing he couldn't change them while he was still in Christina's range. Cursing, he slid them back on.

Spook

"Want to be in one?" Alice said. She was always on the look out for new talent. "You've got the look that's going for the moment..."

"Good for him. Now, can you leave us be?" Christina said, getting back into the bed. "Christian, the bed's huge. And if you don't want to get that close to me, heaven forbid, use some of the pillows at least."

"Or you could go into the cage," Alice offered gleefully.

"Somehow, I don't think that's what he will do..."

Christian

"Damn straight," Christian glared at the camera again, glancing at the speakers.

"And I only perform for whoever I'm doing. Sorry."

Spook

"Shut up and let me sleep, Alice." Christina rolled over in the huge bed and bured her head in a pillow.

"I bet you two worked well together," Alice said consideringly.

"It was purely physical. We f*cked, that's all. Can you go away now?"

"I'll see you in the morning then. And I really do think he'd look perfectly yummy with the collar on."

"Yeah, peachy keen. I need sleep. Go away."

Christian

"You're not getting anything around my $#!+ing neck," Christian almost sneered.

He made his way over to the bed, grabbed a pillow and threw it into the corner, before following it.

Spook

"Sez you," Alice retorted.

"If he doesn't annoy me too much, he won't have one on. Ok? Satisfied, Alice? Can you let me *sleep* now?"

Christian

Christian slumped down into the corner and stretched his arms, not in the least bit tired.

"Just rack off and let her sleep, for Christ's sake!" he exclaimed, still fuming.

Spook

Christina flung her arm out in the direction of the camera, and Alice squeaked in surprise as it went dark. A flurry of smoke came out of the now deceased machine. With a sickening sound of feedback, the speakers died as well.

"Thank god." Christina buried her face further into the pillows. "Did I kill them?"

Christian

"I'm hoping..."

Christian raised his eyebrows.

"Just get to sleep. The sooner you wake up, the sooner I get out of here."

Spook

"Mmph. Good point." Christina curled up in on herself, then opened one eye to look at him. "I haven't quite decided what to do with you yet. We leave here, but...you leaving in an opposite direction? Probably not gonna happen."

Christian

"Are you just *trying* to piss me off?" Christian demanded with a glare.

"Because if you are, it's working. It's $#!+ing working. ANd I don't know what the $#!+ you want from me, but if it's anything major you're probably not gonna get it."

Spook

"Just telling you how it is." Christina closed her eyes again. "And it's only converstaion that I want. For now. Who knows how things will change? Not *trying* to piss you off per se, though I seem to have a gift for that."

Christian

"$#!+ing oath," Christian looked to the wall in front of him and banged his head back against the wall behind him.

He closed his eyes for a moment and pursed his lips. He'd wait until she was asleep before having a proper look around.

Spook

Christina closed her eyes, and breathed in and out slowly. She was truly tired.

Christian

Christian waited until he was sure Christina was asleep, and then slowly stood.

He looked up at the broken camera, and sighed thankfully. Making his way over to the bed quietly, he found her pants on the floor and began to look through them.

'Bingo'.

He grabbed her cell phone, replaced the pants quietly, and made his way into the bathroom and closed the door.

Turning the phone on, he quickly dialled Tanya's number and put it to his ear.

Tanya

Tanya picked up her ringing phone. She didn't recgonise the number, but there wasn't anything new about that occurance.

"Hello?"

Christian

"Tanya! Tanya, Tanya..." Christian exclaimed, keeping his voice down.

"You will not believe what the heck has happened to me. But before that, Spook has Null. You know, the power that numbs all others? And she has me freaking captive in some... I don't know, warehouse somewhere."

He had to keep his voice just over a whisper, so Christina wouldn't hear.

Tanya

"But... she doesn't have a power... or she didn't. How did that happen, do you know?" Tanya asked. "Null... that would explain a few things. Need backup, or can you handle this one on your own?"

Spook

Christina roused slightly, keeping her breathing low and steady. Why, that manipulative telekinetic...she rolled over like she was asleep, murmuring slightly in a drowsy voice.

Christian

"Well she has a power now, she was in Kansas, and... something happened."

He looked up at the door.

"And I don't know what the hell to do! My powers are dead, and if I try to move an inch she points her freaking gun on me or threatens to go after you. I don't, I don't know what to do..."

Tanya

Tanya considered the matter briefly.

"Option one, you stay with her and aim to get her trust. But act smart and don't have a change of heart overnight, that'll only make her suspicious. If you later have an avenue for escape, take advantage of it, or alternatively, since you may be in a position to get information, you might want to find a way to use it against her. Option two make a break for it. She can't get me if I got to the space station and the only way there is through the use of powers. Unless she had control of Null, she can't come after me. Normally I wouldn't be concerned aboout death threats - get them all the time. But in Spooks' case I'll make an exception."

Spook

In a fluid move, Christina cocked back the hammer of the pistol she slept with under her pillow and held it to Christian's head. "Phone please. Very rude, rummaging in my things. Bad, bad boy..." She had one arm around his neck and the other held the muzzle of the hand gun to the spot just above his ear.

Christian

"$#!+!" Christian almost screamed, dropping the phone.