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Chapter Text

The Silas Hills, May 25th, 2004

As dawn breaks over Silas County, a mist rolls through the hills and trees. And smoke rises from one of the hills.

There a camp was set up by the dozens of students and spies from across the D.E.B.S agency, set themselves up in preparation for a raid. With their kind of firepower, they could conquer the whole county should they choose.

When they set up here, they thought they were isolated enough that the higher ups at Silas shouldn't have paid them any heed...key word being "Thought".

Within the encampment itself, smoke rises not from any campfire or the like. Instead it comes from the burned tents and ruined trailers. The campfires themselves have spread across the camp, and had since faded.

All over the campground themselves, laid dozens D.E.B.S agents/students that set up shop here; beaten, shot and burned.

Some were clinging to life, but if one were to wander across the campsite, they would mistake it for the aftermath of a tornado following a rampage by Jason Voorhees.

Down a ridge a ways from the camp, a girl with short black hair his under a brush. She just watched her squad get wiped out by what she thought was one girl, but now isn't sure.

She clutches her chest and wipes her eyes, the horror now settling in. She hears something in the ridge above her, she winces as another girl, a redhead slips down a mudslide.

The redhead hits the ground with a groan, and staggers to her her feet, when she sees her peer in the bushes.

"Annie-!"

"Shhh.." Her partner, Annie whispers.

"Let me in," the redhead says with a half sob.

"Don't make a sound..." Annie covers the redhead's mouth "They could hear us-"

Suddenly, an arrow lands in the brush, hitting the ground between the girls, causing them to yelp.

Landing before the brush is a girl in a dark leather jacket and matching pants. In her hands, is a bow with another arrow aimed at them.

The dark haired girl reaches for a gun, but flinches back when the arrow grazes her hand.

Unfazed, the girl in black says "Where are they ?

"You betrayed our Academy!" The redhead argues "Betrayed what we stood-"

"No one here gives a shit what you stand for." The girl in black steps forward, pointing a new arrow to the red head's face "Where is Petrie ?"

The two disarmed agents look at each other, holding each other in a protective huddle, before Annie looks back to her attacker, "We didn't know she'd-"

"You're not telling me where she is!"

"She set up North East from here!" Annie weakly points in that direction "They set up a surveillance site; big chrome RV, under heavy guard. You can't miss it!"

"Don't intend to." The girl in black drops her hood, revealing the face of Amy Bradshaw "I sure didn't miss you."

Amy turns around and begins making her way towards the trail.

"You'll never get away with this!" The redhead tries to argue "By siding with Lucy Diamond, you'll put a target on your back for the rest of your life!"

Amy turns back towards, fires another arrow, this one hitting between their heads.

"Funny, I'm the one with the arrows."

"Well, actually-" Annie tries to say, but stops when Amy glares back at her.

"You should probably run." Amy turns back around "Looks like you became a traitor."

-----

As those two girls said, Amy found four chrome RV's in a clear up a trail.

What Amy didn't expect was that two of them were smoking wrecks. One was on it's side, and another had it's front tires blown out.

This encampment was left in as much of a mess as Amy left the previous camp, except the bodies left behind here, she recognized as the higher ups.

Amy puts on a brave face, with everything she just did to dozens of other agents; students that she attends the Academy with. Agents she might have called friends at some point.

And she put many of them down without looking them in the eye.

So these bodies shouldn't bother her...or so she thought when she thinks she sees Phipps laying down against the side of the RV, with three red holes in his suit.

Someone else was here, and as low as Petrie would sink, Amy didn't think she could carry this out. Not on her own at least.

Amy closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She looks away from Phipp's body, readying her bow, as she makes her way into the RV's doorway, which loosely open.

As Amy steps into the trailer, a shot fires, barley missing her head by a few inches. She turns towards the back of the trailer and fires her arrow.

An older woman screams, and Amy sees Miss Petrie landing against the back wall with the arrow in her stomach. Petrie looks forwards, gasping and breathing in shock.

Amy reserves herself, and pays no mind to the living space around her; seemingly ignoring the closet door on the other end beginning to close.

"I guess those archery classes were good for something." Petrie winces as she leans back against the wall "Almost didn't think it'd be you who'd put me down. Always was scared it'd be that wolf girl to be honest-"

"Oh my god, are you monologuing ?" Amy rolls her eyes "Real supervillain shit; the kind they do when they know they're beat."

"You think you beat us ?" Petrie tries to keep herself from sliding down the wall.

"I brought your operation to it's knees-!"

"Ah yes, a perfect toy soldier for Diamond!" Petrie laughs cynically, "And now that she got her way, what's stopping her from throwing you in the trash-?"

Amy steps forward, taking hold of the arrow and twisting it in Petrie's stomach, causing the older woman to winces and seethe.

"Stop! Stop! Stop it!" Petrie eyes begin to water, as Amy leers down at her.

"Where is he ?!" Amy says through her teeth "Where is Bobby ?"

Petrie chuckles and shakes her head.

"Is this what this is all about ?" She starts to spit up blood "That you sunk so low, burned so many bridges and threw away your future ? All for some guy ?"

Petrie coughs.

"You two really are a match made in Heaven. Sinking to Hell and taking our whole agency with you for this lovers quarrel." Petrie gestures around the room "Matthews didn't take kindly, not getting what he wants. Started taking his anger out on us, would you believe it ?"

Amy narrows her eyes as she takes Petrie by her neck and lifts her to her feet.

"Bobby. Matthews." She says plainly "Where. Is. He ?"

"You really think it's going to stop here." Petrie starts to lose coherency "With your little rampage, you'll be marked for the rest of your short life- you'll have no future after this. Nothing beyond being another Lucy Dia-"

As Petrie rambles, Amy's ears pick up the sound of a door creaking open, and a gun locking. Wordlessly, Amy takes Petrie by the arms and spins her around as three shouts ring out, hitting the older woman in the back.

Standing there is Bobby Matthews. He is dressed in his black swat gear, and noticeably lacks the scar that Liane Bradshaw cut across his face days before. The spitting image of when he's "On duty."

He just gives Amy this goofy but smug smile.

"Hey, babe," He says "You come all this way to see me-?"

Bobby is interrupted when Amy shoves Petrie's body against him, the older woman breathing her last. Bobby backs away, and stumbles.

He shoves Petrie aside and tries to shoot at Amy, but is caught by surprise as Amy lunges upon him with an arrow in one of her hands. Just as Bobby sees the arrow...Amy plunges it into his left eye.

Bobby screams and falls to his knees, not registering the sting at first, as Amy looks with a hateful glare. With his good eye, Bobby notices Amy pulling something from the side of her boot...a hunting knife.

"No," Bobby gasps "Please babe-"

"Shhhh," Amy sticks the blade into Bobby's neck.

He gasps, and coughs, blood pouring through his lips, as he stares up in disbelief.

"I told you it was over." Amy saws her knife through Bobby's neck "Take a fucking hint."

Bobby weakly reaches for his gun, before dropping to the side.

Amy closes her eyes.

She did it. She took out Petrie's loyalists, took out Bobby, avenged her mother and saved Silas and probably the world...

And she felt empty for it.

She takes a few deep breaths, and her eyes start to water.

Her ears pick up another noise from outside...The sound of helicopter wings.

Sighing heavily, Amy readies her bow and steps outside. In the air above her, were two helicopters circling the scene. They had the D.E.B.S insignia on their sides.

But what caught Amy's attention was who was standing before her. She doesn't even notice the bodies have disappeared.

Standing there was Janet, Max and Dominique.

The latter two looked militant and determined, while Janet looked sad and disappointed.

"You knew this was coming Amy," Janet sighs sadly "Bobby, I can get, but-"

"You can't walk away with this," Max says "You spilled too much D.E.B.S blood!"

"Vous avez eu votre revanche, et où cela vous a-t-il mené ?" Dominique adds "Now you only have justice."

Despite feeling her heart sinking, Amy closes her eyes and nod.

"If that's the way it's got to be-"

"It didn't have to be this way!" Janet shouts, her eyes starting to water "You didn't have to become this!"

"You said that Lucy Diamond wasn't what the D.E.B.S said she was," Max tries to remain firm, but winds up wiping her eye "And you became that very thing."

"What does that make you ?" Dominique states.

Amy looks away, shaking her head, before looking back at her friends.

"Guess, I'm the bad guy here, am I ?"

None of her friends respond. Looking down at her bow, Amy nods.

"Then if I'm the bad guy..."

As Amy aims her bow, her friends open fire.

-----

The Coven's Boarding House

Amy awakens with a lurch and a cough. She barely notices Lucy crouching beside her and looking her over, and has to blink a few times to get the water out of her eyes.

As Amy comes down, she sees she's in a bathtub, wearing a blue two piece bathing suit, and holding two things in her hands; a pair of marbles.

"-I got you, I got you," She finally registers Lucy's voice as Lucy lifts her by the shoulders.

As Amy's head stops spinning, she feels an ache and sinking feeling in her heart. She looks around, seeing Bonnie and Nancy on either side of the tub in a pair of dark wet t-shirts.

Standing at the doorway was Sarah. Amy was about to ask where she was or what just happened when it hit her.

Her whole rampage and killing spree was a dream. A controlled dream

Earlier this morning, when the coven heard of Amy's training session and bruises, the Coven came up with a solution.

This was something they did after graduating high school; to say the Coven had lingering issues wasn't just an understatement, it was a fact of life.

Common sense would dictate they just go see a therapist, But they found this to be a more immediate and less expensive.

They didn't fill her in on the "ingredients" - except for cutting a small lock of Amy's hair - they with this "incantation", she can enter a controlled dream to vent out to the world around her, comparing it to a video game.

It was something of a "therapy box" as Nancy described it, saying she found it to be a healthier alternative to hurting herself or others. Both Nancy and Sarah used this multiple times in the aftermath of Chris' death.

The results vary.

And hearing how Amy nearly broke her own wrist and knuckles in their workout room, they figured she could use a trip herself.

"How long was I out ?" Amy mumbles as she tries to climb out of the tub.

"Easy, easy," Lucy helps Amy sit up "You were put under for six hours."

Amy winces, handing the marbles to Bonnie, and puts hand on her forehead.

"How you feeling ?" Nancy tries not to sound too concerned, but Sarah's "bad influence" was rubbing off on her.

"Sick as fuck." Amy pinches the bridge of her nose, holding out her hand and letting Lucy and Bonnie lift her out of the tub, and Sarah prepares to hand her a towel "I think I'm gonna-"

Amy feels her stomach twist, and nearly slips as she makes her way towards the toilet. It didn't look or sound pretty as she began to throw up, causing the others to look away, and Lucy to crawl up behind and rub her back.

After a moment of  this, Amy rests her forearms on the toilet seat, and her forehead on her arms.

"It's okay," Lucy brushes a hand through Amy's hair "You made it out."

"It felt so real." Amy mumbles in a muffled voice "I thought- I thought I actually-"

Brigitte was heard making her way down the hall stopping at the doorway. From what she heard, she had the feeling that something really, really bad was happening.

"Is she okay ?" Brigitte asks "I heard-"

She takes one look at the scene and gets her answer.

"It was so fucked up," Amy says, spitting into the toilet, before looking towards Lucy "Are you sure it was in my head ?"

Lucy gulps a little before answering.

"I hope so." Lucy says "You...you looked vicious when you were under."

-----

Moments later, after Amy cleaned, dried and dressed herself up, she found herself on the couch and the living room.

On her lap was an open bag of pretzels, and a can of Pepsi in her hang. Amy found out it was 3:00 in the afternoon when she was first put under, and was making up for a missed lunch.

On the TV, she had an episode of Teen Titans playing, but she wasn't paying attention. She was just trying to shake off the feeling she got from her "session", yet her mind keeps running back to it.

So when she told the girls to just give her some space for now, even Lucy listened.

Too bad, not everyone got the memo.

There's a light knocking on the wall into the living room's entrance. Leaning against, was Brigitte Fitzgerald, wearing a pair of dark grey sweatpants and a baggy black hoodie.

"You know in the comics," Brigitte takes notice of what Amy was watching "Slade and Tara's thing was a lot more creepy."

Amy says nothing, but looks at Brigitte with this unreadable expression.

"But I guess something like that resonates with you ?" Brigitte heads towards the couch.

"Not really." Amy shrugs, "Just needed something on."

Testing her waters, Brigitte takes a seat at the other end of the couch.

Trying to dodge the uncomfortable subject, Amy looks over Brigitte's clothes.

"You going out in that ?"

"Pardon ?"

"Your date, I mean." Amy refers to Rochelle's show tonight "It's not really what I'd-"

"Okay, first ?" Brigitte interrupts "I'm not here to distract you. The last thing you need is to beat around the bush."

"When'd you become a therapist ?"

"Sarah's not a good influence, I'm afraid." Brigitte shrugs, mimicking Nancy's "excuse".

"What's there to talk about ?" Amy asks incredulously, putting a hand on her aching forehead "I went in, had that dream and killed people-"

Amy holds up three fingers.

"It's no biggie. I killed three people as an agent." Amy looks ahead, sounding more unsure of herself with the next sentence "I just...killed...I killed everyone else."

Amy looks back at Brigitte, who is listening more intently.

"Bobby, Petrie...and the other students."

Brigitte doesn't show it, but she sinks a little when she hears that.

"Oh."

"And like, I know it was a dream," Amy tries to rationalize herself "But it was a controlled dream so, it's not like..."

Amy shudders as a realization washes over her.

"I'm not capable of doing all of that, right ?" Amy asks "Like, that wasn't me, right ? I don't- It...it was like I was becoming something else."

Brigitte nods with a flat expression.

"Yeah, it happens to me all the time."

This time, Amy looks at Brigitte intently, and Brigitte decides it's her turn to share.

"When I..." Brigitte looks at her hand, "Become that thing, I try to convince myself that it's not me me."

Brigitte looks back at Amy.

"That it's something I can't control. That it's not a real part of me." She explains "That when I turn, I am something else."

Brigitte taps the side of her head.

"But with every time your school used me, made me a training exercise," Brigitte shudders, "The more I start to remember."

She shakes her head.

"I remember being in the woods; in this warehouse; wherever they drop me off." Brigitte starts counting her fingers "And I see their faces, you know ? The students they set me loose on. And after a while, the lines between me and...that...they start to blur."

Amy didn't think it was possible but her expression sinks lower.

"When I wake up" Brigitte looks back at Amy "I was a lot like you; heart goes up in your neck; stomach sinks to your ass; and your head doesn't stop spinning."

There is a pause, before Brigitte says.

"So whatever you saw or did...it must have been ugly."

After another pause, Amy finally speaks.

"So that *was* me," She says "That went on that killing spree-"

Brigitte shrugs.

"I think it's more like what you could be." The brunette answers "You won't like it but it's there."

"I could become the bad guy." Amy realizes.

"I mean," Brigitte shrugs "If you're fighting what we're up against, we're kind of the good guys by default."

Amy looks back ahead and nods a little, but still wasn't sure of herself.

Corrupt conspiracy or no, Amy didn't think she could massacre a whole army of young women like her, students and agents with their lives ahead of them...and still call herself the good guy.

Besides, with what she heard of Sasha Greene and Jillian Rhodes, would that make her any different than Bobby or Petrie ?

As she wonders this, the mere thought of those two sent that sick and angry feeling boiling over her, and she finds herself going back into that headspace.

Before she could stop herself, Amy asks "Have you ever taken revenge ?"

There was a beat, and Amy notices Brigitte's hesitation, before the brunette tries playing it off.

Reaching for the pretzel bag, Brigitte helps herself to a few before she answers.

"I didn't think of it as revenge at the time, but there was my stalker." Brigitte puts on a brave face as she thinks back to Ghost's basement "I...lured him into a trap and after I killed him...I turned."

Sheepishly, Brigitte looks away, rubs her arm, and looks back at Amy.

"I was trapped in a basement for a week I think. Maybe four days." Brigitte relaxes after shuddering again, "I had nothing to eat and when I was turned I..."

Brigitte doesn't finish her sentence, but trails off. She thinks Amy got the message, as the blonde's eyes widen with realization.

"Oh."

"Yeah." Brigitte rubs the back of her neck "I didn't think of it as being me...I didn't think I was capable of that-"

"And it made you sick ?"

"I don't remember." Brigitte says honestly "I guess they all make me sick, but when I think back to him I feel..."

Brigitte pauses again, thinking it over.

"Numb, I guess." Brigitte decides, looking aside and scratching her ear "I mean when I heard about who he was, I guess I could contend myself with him not hurting anyone else. I guess it was like swatting a mosquito or something."

Brigitte tilts her head from side to side as she makes her point.

"It didn't make me feel too good," She says "But I didn't feel horrible." She looks back at Amy "I guess when they're not innocent, it makes you feel like less of a monster."

"I didn't take you as the philosophical type." Lucy's voice says.

Brigitte and Amy look up, caught off guard, to see Lucy has taken Brigitte's spot against the doorway. Peaking over Lucy's shoulder was Sarah.

"How long were you listening ?"

"As far back as you are talking about Rochelle's show." Sarah enters the room with Lucy "Speaking of..."

As Sarah steps towards her, Brigitte gets off the couch, letting Lucy take her spot.

"You're not planning to wear this, tonight ? Are you ?" Sarah asks.

"What about it ?" Brigitte looks down at her clothes "It's not like we're going to an opera house."

"Mmm, it kind of is." Sarah says with a teasing smirk "Besides, it's your first date! We want to show that yours ours, and we are yours!"

Brigitte tries to look away, her face turning a mild pink. Lucy, and even Amy in spite of her mood, couldn't help but grin in amusement.

"Come on," Sarah takes Brigitte's hand "We had some dresses ordered-"

"I don't do dresses." Brigitte insists, "None of that prom girl shit."

"Oh, we found something for you." Sarah says before looking back at Lucy and Amy "We'll give you your space."

"We still got five hours." Brigitte says, as Sarah takes her hands

"All the more time to prep." Sarah leads her out the room.

AS they leave, Sarah stops and looks back and forth between Brigitte and Amy.

"Oh, and also, those kinds of feelings don't make you a monster; they mean you're more human than you think."

And like that, Sarah leads Brigitte out the room.

Once alone with Amy, Lucy fakes a cough before speaking.

"Sounds like that controlled dream of yours did a number on ya."

"You think ?" Amy pinches the bridge of her nose, before looking at Lucy "You don't think I could do that, do you ?"

"Do what ?"

"Don't play dumb, you overheard."

"I mean," Lucy waves her hand in a circle, "They tell me it's something you conjured up in a controlled vision. Maybe part of you, subconsciously wanted to-"

"Kill the D.E.B.S. ?" Amy asks.

"I mean I don't see you doing something like that," Lucy tries to rationalize "And I hope you wouldn't."

Amy looks at the coffee table putting her hands together and gritting her teeth.

"It just won't go away." Amy whispers "That- feeling in my gut-"

"I know sweetie," Lucy outs a hand on Amy's knee.

"Petrie...Bobby..." Amy has venom in her voice, that Lucy never heard from her before "I just can't let them get away with it-"

"We won't-"

"And if I have to burn the D.E.B.S. to the ground-" Amy raises her fist, about to pound herself on her other leg before Lucy catches it.

"Hey, hey!" Lucy raises her voice, despite trying to sound gentle "That's supervillain speak; that's not you."

"They tried to kill my mom!"

"Not those students. Not those agents," Lucy looks into Amy's eyes "They're as wrapped up in this as you were."

Amy closes her eyes, and takes a deep breath. They're wet when she opens them, but she tries to maintain her glare.

"Not Bobby," Amy says "And certainly not Petrie."

Lucy takes Amy's hands, locking their fingers together.

"And that's why I'll take care of it." Lucy still sounding firm, "I won't let you go down the same path as me."

"Lucy," Amy shakes her head "This is my fight."

"And this is the kind of fight that never ends until one side is crushed." Lucy insists "You had a dream about fighting it and it immediately made you sick."

Lucy taps herself on the chest.

"Me, I can bear it. I've been fighting this for years." Lucy's eyes starting to well up "You, you still have a lot more to lose than me-"

"I still have you." Amy wipes Lucy's eyes, her own starting to water as well.

"No, I have you. I left everything behind for you, except my life." Lucy puts her hands on Amy's cheeks "And if I have to give that up for you, that's not even a question!"

Amy says nothing but forms a sad smile, as Lucy wipes a tear running down the blonde's face.

"This has been my fight," Lucy sighs, "I just dragged you and your mother into it. But I'm going to make this right."

"No. I chose this." Amy sits away from Lucy "I chose you! If I lose everything because of it, then it's my choice."

Gently, Lucy leans forward and puts a hand on Amy's cheek.

"You still have your mother. That's more than what I have." Lucy says "And she'd want you, Amy. She'd want you alive. She'd want you free. Not putting your neck on the line for her."

Lucy brushes a lock of Amy's hair before adding.

"And me. Nothing as worthless as me."

Amy pauses, not having a response to this without talking in circles. Instead, she looks back at the TV.

"But what if she doesn't want...me me." Amy wipes her eyes, "Then what will I have ?"

Lucy doesn't have a response. Instead she takes Amy into a gentle hug. They stay like this for a moment, not saying or doing anything save for Lucy rocking Amy a little.

As Lucy tried to find an answer...she found herself going back to a dark and ugly point in her life.

-----

Unspecified Forest Region, Papua New Guinea, April 30th, 2003

It's been a long couple months for Lucy and Darla.

After taking care of the last of the Schaeffer's, Lucy had a long talk with Darla. It took a few nights of sleeping out of the same bed, but Darla was able to keep her party girl lifestyle in check for Lucy.

As the new new year started, the two have been going on a steady path.

With the Schaffer's all dead, Lucinda Reynolds decided to be a lot less "work" focused. She went back to being a homebody, and kept her head down, hoping that the "urban legend" of Lucy Diamond would fade into obscurity.

Darla, as spending less of Lucy's money, and looking for a job to keep herself less reliant on Lucy. At the time, Darla got back into school; Lucy got her a place in The University of Queensland, and was working at a Best Buy.

Of course, Darla had her own things going on, such as visiting these friends she had at Queensland. She hasn't really gotten around to introducing them to Lucy.

Lucy doesn't mind, not being too much of a people person, though she finds it suspicious when Darla is pretty dodgy when talking about them.

Despite this, Lucy and Darla were in a far better place than they were at the end of the year...

Until they went to see Daredevil a month or so back. Somewhere in the theatre, Lucy's ear picked up the chatter of two young women.

"Doesn't that Kingpin guy look like Mr. P ?"

"Yeah, sounds like him too."

When Lucy looked, she saw four girls in D.E.B.S uniforms sitting in a row.

Two were carrying large popcorn bags, and from a distance, could have passed themselves off as a regular school girls on an outing ("About the only time it made sense for them to dress like that," Lucy thought)

Lucy was sure they didn't notice her in the theatre, but it's what she isn't sure of that bothered her. She knew the past couple years, this agency has taken notice of her exploits.

From her information heist, to her killing off the Schaefer syndicate, it seemed that the legend and rumors of "Lucy Diamond" were spreading across the underworld. And the D.E.B.S were on her ass ever since.

Deciding she couldn't keep her head too down, Lucy had another spot to crash. Darla insisted on staying behind, hoping to catch up on school and such.

Lucy reached out to Scud, and as far as he could find, the D.E.B.S didn't know of Darla. So Lucy deemed it acceptable for Darla to stay at her safehouse in Brisbane.

To better cover her tracks, Lucy had all pictures of her removed from the Brisbane spot, to another safe house in Papua New Guinea.

For the past month Lucy has been keeping her head down, with Scud keeping an eye on things until the coast is clear.

-----

Lucy's safe house here was a mere lodge in an isolated spot, just a trail away from a sea shore, to a hot white beach.

She thought she had total privacy. So much so that for the first week she doesn't leave the property, and went around in her undies or bathing suit.

It was nice, quiet and free out here. Made Lucy wish she didn't have to go back to civilization...but her outdoorsy side kicked in.

In her free time, she soon spent a couple weeks on a backpacking tour across the Indonesian region, picking up wildlife photography as a hobby.

Speaking of, while Lucy thought she had total privacy, she made friends with a couple of neighbors; at the moment, Lucy was sitting at her computer in her bedroom, and was looking out to see them on her porch through her wall window, and slide-in door.

It was a pair of thylacine that Lucy nicknamed "Johnny and June". Despite her habit of taking pictures of animals, Lucy was advised by one of the locals that "If you think you saw one, for their sake you didn't."

Still, these two were comfortable enough around Lucy that they had no issue going onto her deck and eating some leftover beef she had in her fridge from dinner earlier. The sunset made the sky a darkening red.

At the moment, Lucy focused her current discussion. She was on MSN messenger posting back and forth with Darla. Lucy is wearing a dark tank top, and a matching swim skirt.

Darla: Are you sure that you won't be staying another week?

Lucy: Believe me. I wish I could. But still have things to take care of at home

Darla: You looked so chill in your pictures though. It was the most relaxed and happy I seen you since the New Year.

Lucy: Oh let me tell you, the picture is prettier than the scene. That komodo dragon started chasing me when I took that picture!!1!

Darla: Ha ha ha

Lucy: It's not funny! I hadn't screamed like that since I was a kid1!!

Darla: Thats WHAT makes it funny!

Despite herself, Lucy chuckles and rolls her eyes. And she's the supervillain.

Darla types in another message.

Darla: You're saying only a few days ?

Lucy: Scud just wants to make sure everythings clean before I go

Lucy: You almost sound like you don't WANT me coming back. Hiding something ???

Darla: Are you KIDDING ? I miss you like crazy! No one else really fills the void and those videos you send don't do you any justice!!!

Lucy smirks.

At least three times, Lucy would do these little "shows" for Darla on her webcam. Darla would put them on a drive for her viewing pleasure.

There was something about how isolated Lucy was that made her comfortable doing things like this. Maybe it was that sense of privacy and freedom it gave her that made her more confident about this.

With this, Lucy knew what request was coming.

Darla: Speaking of...

Darla: You think got one more in you? You know...one more before coming back ?

Darla sends Lucy a picture of a puppy dog giving that look.

Lucy: Just give me a minute cutie

Lucy took a moment, setting up her playlist, and webcam, which she pointed the camera towards the bed.

Lucy climbs onto the bed, and with a click of her remote, "Genie In The Bottle" begins playing. The last three videos included "Hot In Herre", "Your Body is a Wonderland", and "Touch My Body".

As the song starts to play, Lucy strikes a prowling cat pose, her backside facing the camera. Lucy looks over her shoulder with a small, teasing smile.

"Come on, come on, uh, yeah," Lucy mouths to the words, standing up onto her knees, "Oh-ooh, whoa-oh/Come on, come on, uh..."

As she begins, Lucy quickly but sensually turns to face the camera, groping her clothes breasts with one hand, and petting herself between the legs.

"I feel like I've been locked up tight for a century of lonely nights/Waiting for someone, to release me..." Lucy lip syncs, beginning to undress with one hand, and pleasure herself with another "You're lickin' you lips/And blowing kisses my way/But that mean I'm gonna give it away/Baby, baby, baby-y-y-y..."

It was the same routine as usual, and almost literally the same song and dance. Throughout the song, she would dance, pose and sensually remove her clothes, whilst lip syncing to the lyrics. All the while stimulating herself to release by the song's end.

This video was no different than the others. Just a little something to keep Darla company...Besides the company she already keeps.

-----

Lucy's safehouse, Brisbane, Australia, May 2nd, 2003

It was sundown by the time Lucy returned to her safehouse

This morning, Lucy had gotten a message from Scud. Whatever D.E.B.S were in Brisbane for, they're out of town now.

There's been chatter about a "trafficking ring" shut down by the D.E.B.S agents, so it was likely the ones at the theatre were the stationed agents on their off time.

So while Lucy thought she'd be home in four to five days, she decided to surprise Darla on day three.

As Lucinda Reynolds, she drove solo to her safehouse, and noticed two other cars in the driveway. She knew one was Darla's but the other one was unfamiliar. She figures it might just be friends she has over.

Parking her own car just off the driveway, Lucy quickly but quietly made her way to the front door. Once inside she can hear the laughter of young women.

Ah, Lucy figures, Darla's just entertaining guests.

As she gets her shoes off, Lucy hears something running in the kitchen a short way down the hall.

Quietly, and mischievously planning to pounce if it's Darla, Lucy prepares herself for her girlfriends' surprise. But as Lucy rounds the corner she gets a nasty surprise of her own.

Standing before her open fridge was a naked woman.

She was black, with short brown and curly hair, and was estimated to be in her twenties. She was picking out four cans of orange and cream soda from the top shelf, before she turned around.

"Ah!" The intruder yelps, dropping the cans to the floor.

Lucy just stood there with slack jawed and wide eyes. Her body was almost paralyzed and her mind trying to put the pieces together, while also denying what's in front of her.

"Jesusfuckingchrist!" The intruder covers her mouth with a gasp, "You're her, aren't you ? Darla's girl; from those videos!"

With this stranger speaking, Lucy finally finds her voice.

"What...are you doing...in my house ?" Lucy's voice was barely above a whisper, as if she wasn't already figuring it out "Where's Darla ?"

The newcomer looks away with an embarrassed and guilty expression. She covers her breasts and junk with her arm and hand, but nudges her head towards the hall.

There Lucy can pick up the sound of Darla's muffled laughter, and that of two other girls.

No, no no, Lucy shakes her head in disbelief. She wouldn't do that, would she ? They are getting better now.

But already Lucy herself was on the move, heading down the hall towards the bedroom at such a speech, she may have been running.

When she reached the bedroom door, which was left open, Lucy's eyes fixated on the sight on her bed.

There was a naked Darla, on all fours on the bed itself, kneeling her head between the legs on this shorter white girl with long black hair; this girl was wearing nothing but a pair of glasses, and squeezing her breasts sensually with her eyes clenched shut.

Behind Darla, there was another naked black girl, who looked a little taller and lankier than both of them, and had shoulder length dark hair. She was pleasuring herself and Darla with a double-ended sex toy.

They went on like this for a few more seconds, until Darla noticed someone was standing at the doorway.

"Hey, Tonya, what took you so-? OHMYGOD!"

The three stop their fun, to see Lucy standing before them with this flat expression on her face, which was becoming red. Subconsciously, Lucy is reaching for her gun.

The other two girls gasp/scream, as they back away from Darla, who looked absolutely embarrassed.

"Lucy...you..." Darla looks away, "You're a day early."

-----

The rest happened so fast.

It must have been twenty minutes in real time, but from Lucy's perspective, it felt like a blink. Lucy doesn't remember the last time she lost her cool like that, or when she used such vulgar language.

She quickly kicked those three girls out of the safe house, and had half of a mind to make them leave without their clothes to teach them a lesson. But instead she focused on Darla.

At the moment, Darla sits on the living room couch, now wearing a purple bathrobe, with this unreadable expression.

Lucy had her arms crossed, as she paced back and forth before Darla.

"How long have you been seeing them ?" Lucy asks.

Darla says nothing.

"Darla ?!" Lucy impatiently raises her voice, stepping forward and taking Darla by the chin "How long has this been going on ?"

"I'd say hey were trying to rape me." Darla's tone implies she rehearsed that "But you probably won't buy that one."

Lucy's glare becomes more hardened.

"Who are they ?"

"Girls from the university." Darla finally answers, looking away from Lucy "Met them at the start of the semester."

"You were seeing them for that long ?"

"No, just last week." Darla's expression and tone still unreadable.

"Where are the others ?" Lucy steps away from Darla.

Darla doesn't speak, but her silence answers for her.

Lucy's glaring eyes start to water when she asks again.

"How long ?"

"From back in October, okay ? Different girls almost every other week! Happy ?" Darla snaps, standing up from the couch "You were away a lot-"

"Oh, so this is my fault ?"

"No!" Darla raises her voice, before shrugging and rubbing the back of her neck "I'm damaged, okay ? Acting out, you know ?"

The way Darla says this, Lucy thinks that she thinks she can get away with this. Darla even had the audacity to give her this soft and warm smile as she reaches forward and cups Lucy's cheek.

"Just like you."

Lucy steps away, again shaking her head.

"Don't do that! Don't use that as an excuse!!" Lucy raises her voice.

"Oh, like you're any better!" Darla crosses her arms. "Miss I-Kill-And-Steal-Because-Of-My-Daddy-Issues!"

Lucy didn't notice she slapped Darla across the face until after Darla stared at her with these wet and watery eyes.

"There it is," Darla scoffs again, rubbing her own cheek "There's that damage."

Darla leans in as Lucy was still taken aback by what she did. She smiles, but in a cynical and spiteful manner.

"We were made for each other."

"I thought you'd be different." Lucy whispers, tears running down her face as she steps away from Darla again "Not more of the same; I wanted us to mean something!"

Darla's smile flattens again, and she holds her arms out.

"You can't fix what's broken." Darla states bluntly "You needed something to fill that in your life," Darla jabs her fingers over Lucy's chest, pointing at her heart "And I needed money, a roof and revenge."

Lucy blinks back a few tears, trying to fight the break in her voice, as she tries to remain firm.

"So that's what I was to you, huh ?" Lucy clenches her fists and gritting her teeth "Just a meal ticket."

"No," Darla tries to sound firm and reassuring, "You were the best thing to happen to me; making me more than I thought I could be!"

Yet again, Darla gets into Lucy's face, attempting to cup her cheeks.

And yet again, Lucy flinches away.

"And me ? I'm your pet, am I not ?" Darla adds.

"My what ?!" Lucy raises her voice, taken aback by what Darla's saying.

"Come on, Lulu." Darla circles Lucy "You don't live the life you do without something missing. There's a void in there-"

Yet again Darla taps Lucy over her heart. Lucy keeps flinching away and shaking her head.

"Don't pretend for a moment, this actually meant something for either of us!" Darla argues, "I was your charity case. You'd have to be an idiot if you didn't see that."

Reserving herself and doing all she can to remain sober, Lucy finally responds.

"So I *am* just your meal ticket."

"And I'm the one thing giving your life any meaning. Something that fills your void." Darla doesn't change her expression and tone "To throw me away, you'll go back to having nothing."

That was all Lucy needed to hear.

"Get out." Lucy says quietly.

Unbothered, Darla scoffs and crosses her arms "You don't mean tha-"

"GET OUT!" Lucy gets into Darla's face, pointing towards the door as tears are running down her face "I don't want to look at you! I don't want to talk to you!! I want you OUT!!!"

Darla says nothing, but stares with an unmoved expression. She reaches forward, attempting to touch Lucy's cheek.

This time, Lucy grabs Darla's wrist and squeezes in twisting before Darla feels something pop. Darla cries out and buckles over when Lucy releases her.

As she did, it clicks on Lucy what she just did, and she looks at her hand in disbelief. Lucy closes her eyes and takes a few breaths to try to reserve herself.

"If you're not out by an hour, I'll throw you out myself." Lucy reaches for her gun.

Darla still gives Lucy that same unreadable look, as she stands back upright.

"Fine. Throw away the only good thing in your life." Darla says in a spiteful tone, and walks out of the room "What will you have then ?"

-----

Not an hour later, a redressed Darla was walking down the driveway. She was carrying a backpack on her back, and dragging being a suitcase on wheels.

Lucy doesn't watch her. She stayed in her bedroom, until she heard her front door close. She didn't want to look weak, vulnerable, or to second guess herself.

Her guess, was that Darla was going to be bunking with those three girls, and is more than likely to start fucking them, and pick up where she interrupted them. And that thought made Lucy's stomach twist and her eyes leak.

When she was sure she was alone and away from prying eyes and ears, she sat in her bed and for the first time since her mother passed, Lucy let herself cry. It was an ugly and loud noise, and probably would have disturbed the neighbors with how loud she was but she didn't care.

Not content with this, Lucy would take the pillow and used it as a punching bag.

She didn't feel any better. A pillow couldn't feel anything. You couldn't hurt it, so what good it venting going to do.

After a while, Lucy had to get out of the bedroom, and get her mind off Darla. She went to the bathroom, undressed to nothing and filled her bathtub to the overflow in hot water.

She didn't pay much mind to how it scalded her, or how steam was coming off her body. She just buried her head into her knees, and sat there in a fetal position, and continued to cry.

She doesn't leave the tub until around midnight.

With all this said, had Lucy let herself watch Darla as she left, or as she packed...she probably would have noticed the drive that Darla took from her computer...

-----

Corvae Labs, Silas County, May 25th, 2004

"Fucking ow!" Max's gasp is barely audible, but the way Mattie responded from the other side of the room, she may as well screamed it.

"Watch your profanity," Mattie mutters, standing at the wall at the back of the room, "We're only trying to fix you."

For the past several hours, Max and Dominique have been face down on two operating tables, under the watch and care of three surgeons and four nurses.

Both girls wore only hospital gowns, with the backs open to give them better access to their necks.

To try to keep both girls out of it, they were doped up to the point of not remembering the night before. And yet, as Max begins to stir, it seems like it's wearing off.

Max's ears pick up the sound of Dominique mumbling. It seemed like she was coming down as well.

"Did we make it ?"

"You're almost there," they hear a distant voice of one of the surgeons "We may have to give you another dose-"

Dominique winces, feeling something being pulled from her neck.

"S'il vous plaît, faites," Dominique winces harder as she feels something being pumped into her wrists.

"Easy...easy..." Someone else says "When you open your eyes again, you won't feel a thing."

"Promise," Max also winces, feeling something being tugged in her neck.

It was numbing, not bringing any pain, but she could still feel the movement. Still, it annoyed her to the point where she cries out.

"Can you give me a shot ?" Max asks, relaxing as she feels another dose being put into her wrist.

The lights in the room were blinding, but as Max and Dominique relaxed more, things started to phase.

Unseen to the doctors, both Max and Dom heard footsteps rapidly approaching. They felt someone leaning in beside their ears and two voices whisper to them in unison.

"Come with us," They say "You're not gonna want to see this."

-----

When both Max and Dominique opened their eyes, the first they noticed was they were no longer on any hospital beds.

They were laying on something dry and hard, and it felt as if they were dropped from  a great height.

As they got their bearings, they notice how warm the air was, exceeding that of the hottest summer. They also noticed they were back in their D.E.B.S uniforms. And they were in what appeared to be on a city street.

Already, the sweat on their skin formed an itchy slick around their hair, and their skin became one with their clothes.

"What is this ?" Max mutters as she sits up, and her eyes widen as she looks to the skies.

She looks back at Dominique, who struggles to sit upright, before Max takes her by the shoulders and pulls her up.

"Where are-?" Dominique mumbles, as her vision spins, but looks up to see the sky as well.

It was orange, and not from any sunset or anything. The kind of orange sky you get when a forest fire has consumed the forests itself and has now reached the city.

Or what was left of the city at least.

The place looked like it was hit by a nuke or something, as buildings all around them were reduced to rubble, as far as they could see. And even that was mudded by the smoke and ash in the and the drizzle on their skin.

It took a few blinks, but both girls noticed what looked like black rain coming from the skies.

They were silent for a moment, taking in the scene around them. If they had to guess, they were in the middle of some city blocks, with buildings collapsed, and the concrete they laid upon was cracked and hot.

In the distance, their ears could pick this "booming" sound. On the surface, they sounded like bombs dropping and going off, but as they went on, they formed a pattern.

A footstep-like pattern.

"Enfer..." Dominique mutters.

"What did you say ?"

"Nous sommes en enfer," Dominique looks at Max "We are in Hell."

"The worst kind of hell-" Another girl's voice whispers, catching both off guard.

"-Is the one here on Earth." Another voice echoes.

When both Max and Dominique look and see two other D.E.B.S girls; like all the others they've been seeing, they're both pale, sickly and bloodied. Up close, and in this light, Max and Dom can see how hollow and empty their eyes were.

"You have gotten off this road." One says.

"But you were not the only ones who walk it." Another finishes.

As they spoke, Max and Dominique noticed other girls surrounding them, emerging from the orange mist.

There were dozens, if not a hundred. All in varying stages of pale, bloodied, with even hints of decay; and all with that same distant look upon their faces.

One by one, each of them surround Max and Dominique, in a massive circle, the two girls huddle. They stare at their ethereal captors with increasing horror.

Once they were settled, the ghostly D.E.B.S began to speak; nearly a hundred voices speaking in unison

"You opened our tomb, uncovered our fate," They said "But in doing so, you opened his gate."

Max and Dominique hear the sound of jet fighters in the skies above them, but when they look up, they see nothing but the movement in the "clouds".

They also heard the sound of gunfire and missiles blasting in the distance, but that was quickly silenced by something.

"REEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNN-NNNGGG!!!"

Max and Dominique's eyes widen and they share a glance as they hear that exact same roar as their previous "vision". It didn't take a rocket scientist to guess what caused this destruction.

And as quickly as the fighter jets flew above them...they flew back as fiery wrecks, which crashed into the building around them.

Max and Dominique scream, flinch and stagger, but the ghostly girls don't even wince.

"They played around like it was a game," They say in unison "And for this, the world was consumed in flame."

"REEEEOOONNG!!!" It roars again, and the footsteps increase.

In the smoky distance, both Max and Dominique can just make out the shape of this beast, as it strides past. A rumbling growl is heard, and they spot the shadow of it's tail.

"Holy shit, Petrie, what did you do ?" Max quietly mutters in horror.

"The ones who sought their glory and fame, awoke the beast they could not tame." The girls answer "Their toys did nothing but provoke his reign."

In the distance, another booming noise is heard, echoed by other roars. This one is coming from the sky.

Max looks to the side to see the petrified Domonique, who is muttering something under her breath, and shaking her head in denial.

"Nothing on earth is his equal. A creature without fear." The ghosts continue, "He looks down on all the haughty, for he is king over all the proud."

"REEEEEEOOOOOONNNNGGG!!!"

It roars again, and as it's shape advances towards them within the city, the black rain, smoke and debris begin to cloud over them. Both Max and Dominique look away, shielding their faces as the shadow looms over them.

As they become engulfed in the cloud, the ghostly voices continue.

"There are many things in the deep. Many of them should stay asleep." They say, "And yet your people wanted more, and so came knocking at their door."

-----

When the smoke and dust clear, Max and Dominique saw they were...sitting in chairs, in some hallway.

Still in their D.E.B.S uniforms, Max and Dominique were taken aback by the cooler temperature and brighter lights.

Their skin and clothes were still soaked and sweaty, and they found themselves running their hands through their matted hair, making sure they were still there

"Jesus..." Max puts a hand on her chest, feeling her heart slowing "I thought we'd never wake-"

"Don't jinx it!" Dominique holds a warning finger up to Max.

"You thought you were awake; it would help a lot." The ghostly voices whisper "But a nightmare, it is not."

"You jinxed it!" Dominique facepalms, before she and Max hear other voices and footsteps.

"And you didn't have it put down ?" The voice of Baron Vordenberg gets their attention. When Max and Dom look, they see the man in question being led by an entourage of four bodyguards, and a secretary who was filling him in on yesterday's catch.

"We thought it was dead," The secretary, a young woman with short brown hair and glasses answers "Then it spoke in it's sleep; we ran it by Director Petrie and-"

"Hold on," Vordenberg raises a hand to silence his secretary, "Michelle told you to keep this a secret ?"

"No, she wanted me to tell you," The secretary answers in a deadpan voice "Like I did. Just now."

"Funny girl," Vordenberg deadpans, scratching his nose "What has he told her ?"

"Nothing, he keeps muttering but hasn't really spoken to us."

Looking at each other, Max and Dominique stand up, and Max speaks to get their attention.

"Excuse me," Max says, walking up towards them "You're talking about the vampire, right ? He's here, you mean ?"

But neither Vordenberg nor his entourage looked in her direction. They didn't even seem to even hear them as they continued their discussion.

"Well, as long as he hasn't spoken to anyone else." Vordenberg looks towards this doorway "He speaks to no one else before me."

It clicks on Max and Dominique that who or whatever he's talking about is just behind that door. And that person is the vampire that attacked yesterday.

"Do we even know if he's awake ?" Vordenberg asks.

"I am." A loud, heavily accent and raspy voice answers from behind the door.

One could have heard a pin drop as all eyes looked to the door. After a pause the voice speaks again.

"You're not hiding, Baron." The Count says "I can hear your heartbeat increasing. I can smell your last brandy on your breath; and feel that stomach sinking sensation you always brought to me. So for once, don't be a coward and face the monster at your door."

For a moment, Vordenberg is hesitant, and looks around at his entourage. While Max and Dominique are sure they're standing right there, it doesn't appear that the Baron notices them.

Vordenberg looks towards his bodyguards and mouths "Hold the line."

As the Baron attempts to go down the hall, the Count speaks again.

"I see you have me cuffed; these will do little good, you couldn't have even used iron or vervain. It would take no effort for me to break these and go to the door myself, and there's nothing your paid muscle can do to prevent me from walking down the hall with your head in my hand. So stop wasting my time, before I alleviate my boredom."

Vordenberg closes his eyes and mouths "Fich..." before turning towards the door. He looks towards his bodyguards and tells them "Keep your sights on the door..."

The guards nod, pulling out their guns. When Max and Dominique reach for their own, they realize their straps are missing.

Out of caution, Max steps forwards, trying to grab Vordenberg's shoulder.

"You can't be serious," She says, but Vordenerg doesn't look her way "The least you could do is call in some-"

Max's eyes widen as her hand phases through the Baron's shoulder.

She and Dominique look at each other in realization.

To confirm their suspicions, Domonique reaches out towards the secretary, trying to touch her lower back. Which her hand phases right through.

They weren't here. Not really at least.

They haven't awoken from their vision, but instead plopped into another.

"Where your body lies in one place," The ghostly voices say "The rest wanders..."

Oblivious to his non corporal observers, Vordenberg opens the door to the room, and two of his guards stand just outside their door pistols at the ready.

Sitting in a hospital bed, his wrists cuffed to the side bars was the Count.

Outside of the darkened halls of the abandoned Academy, he was more freakish to look at in the light of the hospital room. The bluish grey pajama bottoms and light green t-shirt really looked out of place for his overall appearance.

His eyes were sunken and dark, with pupils shrunken from the light and a crooked beak of a nose. Looking at him brought to mind the image of Count Orlok, and his dark grey stringy hair invoked images of Gollum.

His skin was this ashen pale grey from partial decay. As Max and Dominique had a better look at him, they could see that his disfigurement was from severe burning. The scars were faded but the damage was done.

The Count looks to an unsettled Vordenberg, and grins. His lips and gums had red sores, something Max and Dominique guess was healing over from Janet shooting him the day before.

"Ah, Cornelius! As I live and breathe!" The Count leers towards the Baron "Despite your best efforts..."

Vordenberg stutters a bit, before finding the words.

"What efforts ? The Academy was lost in the mist, as were you, Elias!" Vordenberg fakes a smile "Those who fight and runaway, live to-"

"And after ten years, you finally sent the rescue party!" The Count chuckles sarcastically, "I knew you haven't forgotten me."

As they speak, Max and Dominique tentatively enter the room, realizing that no one could see/feel/hear them anyways.

Saving face, Vordenverg himself chuckles.

"But of course!" Vordenberg says, "To save a valued friend and ally for the war to come, how could I-?"

"Bah! Schluss mit dem Blödsinn, Cornelius," The Count scoffs "You send your newest army of girl scouts to collect our little toys. My guess you're either starting or getting caught up in someone else's war. Beschäme den teufel, und verschütte die wahrheit."

Sighing heavily, Vordenberg notices a chair at the far end of the room. He heads to the chair, and takes a seat, but doesn't move any close to the Count.

Max and Dominique cautiously circle the room. They were sure that they were unseen, but for a second, it looked like the Count's eyes locked with theirs.

As Vordenberg takes his seat, he puts his hands together before he speaks.

"Very well," Vordenberg sighs "You do remember the beast of Odo Island ?"

"Oh, how could I forget ?" The Count looks at the burn scars on his hands. If they could move, he'd be gesturing around his face.

"Well, a little birdie tells me that an enemy of our friends has gotten her hands on the Caller." Vordenberg grins, as the Counts expression flattens "And the official word is she intends to set the drachen on cities across the globe. Hence our need for weapons."

"Who ?" The Count narrows his eyes, "I was told that relic was buried forever. Who has claimed it for themselves ?"

"Her name is Lucinda Reynolds."

The Count blinks with a disbelieving expression.

"As in Jeremiah's girl ?" The Count shakes his head "She's a school girl! A nobody! Schaeffer didn't think she was worth going after!"

"You've been buried away for too long, my friend." Vordenberg chuckles, "After our partners took Jeremiah and boys out of the equation, Little Lucy returned the favor."

Chuckling and shaking his head in disbelief, the Count lays back onto the bed, "And I take it you think our firecrackers can best the beast ?"

Vordenberg shrugs.

"It's plan A." Vordenberg raises a finger, "But nothing increases support for fighting terror than successful acts of terror!"

The Count sits back up, a knowing grin forming on his face.

"So..." The Count raises an eyebrow, "You finally found a monster to slay."

Again, Vordenberg shrugs.

"You're sister's on vacation," He says "I had to make due."

The Count grits his teeth, and seethes and the indirect mention of Mircalla. He closes his eyes and shudders in rage, his fangs cutting into his lips.

He then closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

"And where do I come in ?" The Count asks, looking back at Vordenberg.

"I beg your pardon ?"

"Your plan B ?" The Count tilts his head, "You know, even Casa Bravo did squat to that dragon of yours. Surely your people, the D.E.B.S, they know the names of the other beasts. Do they know where they sleep; how they could stand against your Leviathan ? Do you have any plan B that ends with you the victor ?"

There's a pause, but Vordenberg has no answer.

"That's what I thought." The Count clicks his tongue "I've taken what I needed from you, Cornelius. But by the looks of it-"

Nonchalantly, the Count pulls his wrist, breaking one of the cuffs from his bedpost.

"-You still need me."

Vordenberg is a little taken aback. Max and Dominique watch in silence, further driving home that their agencies are not the good guys here.

But what can they do to stop or stand against them ?

"I'll...I'll bring it up to the directors." Vordenberg says, trying to stay calm as he gets up from his seat.

"Yeah, you do that."

As Vordenberg steps out of the room, Max and Dominique are still for a moment, before the Count speaks again.

"And I'll be seeing you two soon..."

When they look, the Count is staring in their direction, with a toothy grin showing red fangs.

And as Max and Dominique were about to scream out in surprise, a white flash clouds their vision. All they hear is the ghostly voices.

"You unearthed a devil, and the deal they made," They say, "And from the gates of Hell, the world will pay."

-----

As the light faded, Max and Dominique heard the faded voices of their doctors muttering something they couldn't make out.

Max was the first to come down, as her vision faded in and her head stopped spinning. She sits up laying in a different bed, now wearing a pale green gown.

Beside her, Dominique also comes too, sitting in a different bed but wearing a matching gown. Both of them register the taste of blood in their mouths, but pay it little mind.

A female doctor is looking them over; she's thin, white with short but curly red hair, and looks somewhere in her 40's or 50's. The doctor has her hands on Max's shoulders as Max tries sitting up.

"Easy...easy..." The doctor says, ushering Max to slowly sit up "You don't want to exert yourself too much..."

Dominique, despite her headache, finds some snarky comeback; "C'est ce qu'ils disent tous."

"Ah, she's joking," The doctor chuckles, "That's a good sign."

The doctor releases Max, turning towards the foot of the bed, where she picks up her notepad.

"Now, all things considered, you are recovering pretty quickly, but I'd advise staying off your feet-"

"That's all well and good, doctor." Mattie's voice catches their attention, "But I'll be handling this from here."

Standing at the door is Mattie herself, with a hand on her hip and a wry grin on her face. She is wearing a white two piece suit, with a matching skirt and heels.

"I still say they need a recovery period." The doctor gestures to her patients, "We just removed two electrical devices from-"

"That will be all, doctor." Mattie insists, her grin telling the doctor to accept her job of the day is done.

Wordlessly, the doctor nods, regards her patients with a final glance, before leaving the room.

Now alone with the two younger women, Mattie makes her way towards the beds. Neither girl really pays Mattie much mind until she speaks, still reeling from what they just saw/heard.

"Well, I'd certainly say you caught up on sleep." Mattie clicks her tongue, "But I'm guessing you didn't like what you-"

"Where is he ?" Max raises her voice and glares at the vampire.

"He ?"

"Don't play dumb!" Max gets up from the bed, but wobbles a bit as she finds her foot, "That...other vampire! That thing that attacked our squad yesterday!"

Mattie's expression flattens and her eyes narrow.

"I'm sure I don't know what you're-"

"You're hiding him." Dominique tries to get off the bed, but winces as she feels her neck. There's something bumpy there, like a healed incision "They have him in another wing-"

"And how do I know you're still not tripping-?" Mattie crosses her arms, before Max interrupts.

"We saw that mess they left in the Academy!" Max gestures to the side, "There were bodies all over the place!"

"If you can even call them bodies." Dominique shudders, and rubs her arm.

"There was something happening between the Baron and that monster." Max speaks in a calmer, but still angry and determined tone "He let that thing slaughter his students..."

Mattie slowly blinks and tilts her head. Her expression doesn't change as she circles Max.

"These are serious accusations." Mattie remarks, "One that could very well sink this whole operation, as well as the Baron's standing with Corvae."

Standing before Max, Mattie leans in dramatically.

"I wouldn't be throwing them around without proof."

"We saw it ourselves!" Dominique points towards the door "We saw it while we were put under-"

Oh ?" Mattie gives this look of feigned shock and disbelief "You mean while you were drugged and asleep ? Yeah, that's not what we call a reliable source-"

"You're a community full of vampires and magic!" Dominique gets off her bed on wobbly feet, "Are ghostly visions really that hard of a sell ?"

Mattie glares at Dominique, gritting her teeth and showing her fangs, "In case you haven't figured it out, We prefer to keep things quiet at Silas. Especially if rumors can make you...disappear."

Putting her hands together, Mattie looks back and forth between the two spies before she continues.

"Honestly, how you two became secret agents of a clandestine agency are beyond me." Mattie takes a seat at the foot of Dominique's bed, "One would think you'd have mastered some subtlety in your training."

As she says this, Mattie regains her usual grin.

"Speaking of, you shouldn't be worrying about those devices any time soon," Mattie reaches towards a flinching Dominique, noting the increasingly fading scar on her neck "I'll be reviewing your...findings myself. See if there's anything else we missed."

Noticing Dominique's reaction, Max feels the back of her own neck. She notices a hardened part of her skin, which she guesses is also from a surgical scar.

And with the knowing look Mattie was giving them, it clicks to her where that taste of blood was coming from.

"With that said, we should have you out later tonight. Of course, your headmistress wants you to keep your heads down, she has something for you under the books."

Mattie opens her jacket, and from one of the inner-pockets, pulls out a piece of paper, and hands it to Dominique. Max makes her way over to get a look.

It was an arrest warrant for Amy Bradshaw.

"Amy Bradshaw," Max reads "Treason, and aiding/abetting a wanted felon."

Max and Dominique look skeptically at Mattie, who just shrugged.

"Oh come now, what did you think Petrie expected from you ?" Mattie steps away from the bed "You're part of a manhunt, girls!"

"She's our friend."

"And so, she trusts you to let her close. Especially at a vulnerable time, with what happened to her mother-" Mattie covers her mouth with a mock gasp, "Oops!"

Max and Dominique double take upon hearing this. Their eyes wide and their jaws dropped.

"What happened to Liane ?" Dominique asks.

Mattie's expression flattens again, and she sighs with exaggerated sorrow.

"She was found battered in her home in Texas. She was left near dead." Mattie looks down solemnly, before raising a finger "As it happens, the Baron had Matthews sent in to keep an eye on her. Curious how things played out, isn't it ?"

Max grits her teeth upon hearing this, her shock giving way to vengeful anger.

Dominique is more stoic, but she shakes a little when she clutches her hands.

"It's like I said girls," Mattie says as she's about to leave the room, "The time has come to prove where your ultimate loyalties lie."

-----

Meridian Hospital, Houston Texas

It was early in the afternoon, when Carmilla Karnstein stepped out from the back of a taxi.

Following behind her, was her partner and travel buddy, still going by "Gibb".

They had a long flight here and a busy morning, with them taking a 6:AM flight and spending two hours settling into the suite they're gonna stay a couple days at max.

The whole while, "Gibb", having caught onto what Carmilla knew, spent the whole day and the night before grilling Carmilla on what else she was hiding.

"You didn't have to come with me, you know." Carmilla says as she and Gibb reach the hospital's entrance.

"What, and you slip away with your secrets ?" Gibb shakes her head, and grabs Carmilla's hands "Nah, I'm riding your ass like a dog on a cat."

As Gibb says this, she adds a blunt and sarcastic "Ruff, ruff", leaning sensually into the vampire's ear with a slight growl. Carmilla leans away.

"Uh, G ?"  Carmilla gestures to the side.

She and Carmilla notice they passed a mother in the lobby, sitting with her four year old daughter, and covering her ears from what Gibb had just said.

Carmilla and Gibb look glance at each other, and at their held hands.

"Yeah ?" Gibb says, "What of it ?"

"Don't make a scene." Carmilla pulls Gibb along, but lets go of her hand "Let me do the talking."

It wasn't too long before they reached a receptionist, this older woman with short dark brown hair, and a pair of glasses. She was writing something in a pad before looking up at them.

"Yeah ? How can I help you ?"

"Yes, is Liane Bradshaw taking visitors or-?" Carmilla asks, but the receptionist interrupts.

"Miss Bradshaw is under watch." The receptionist answered bluntly "They're only allowing family to visit. Can we have a name ?"

"Carmilla Karnstein." She answers, putting her hands in her pockets "I'm here on behalf of her daughter."

"Are you related ?"

"No."

"Is this her daughter ?" The receptionist gestures towards Gibb, who gives her this unamused look.

"We think we know something about her assailant." Carmilla recalls Mattie telling her what to say "Her daughter can't be here, but we think it can help."

"I see." The receptionist narrows her eyes suspiciously "If you think you have something to help with the case, I'd recommend running by the boys in blue first."

"We need to speak to Bradshaw."

"And you will speak to the officers first." The receptionist insists "If you take a seat, I can have them right with you."

Carmilla and Gibb glance at each other, before nodding with acceptance.

They waited a moment or two, before they were approached by a security guard, this lanky dirty blonde middle aged man.

"Miss Karnstein ?"

"That's the name." Carmilla replies.

"We just want to ask a few questions, if you don't mind."

-----

Near the top floor, in a hall just outside Liane's room, Carmilla and Gibb were led before two police officers.

One was a thin older black man with slick dark hair and a small beard; and a younger white guy with a buzzcut and a red goatee, who was a little on the plump side. Both of them were looking over both women with skepticism and suspicion.

The older officer was the one doing the talking; "So they're telling me you know Bradshaw's daughter ?" He asks "So why isn't she here ?"

"I know someone who knows her." Carmilla crosses her arms, remembering to tell them what Mattie told her "From the academy."

Gibb just stood behind Carmilla, moving towards the wall to distance herself from the discussion.

"From the art academy, in Barcelona ?" The officer asks "See, we tried reaching her there, but we haven't heard nothing-"

"She's not in Barcelona." Carmilla answers truthfully "But she's keeping her head down."

The two officers exchange a glance before the younger one speaks.

"A likely story." He says "From what we're told, she and the assailant were in a bad way."

Carmilla sighs, scratching the back of her neck as she remembers to repeat what she's prepared.

"Her daughter, Amy, she's gathering what she can on Bobby Matthews." Carmilla says "She knows things that can bring him down for good, but she want to be sure the coast is clear."

The officers exchange another glance, before the older one shakes his head.

"Well, she's wasting her time I'm afraid." The older officer says "Cuz with that stunt Matthews pulled, he's lucky he doesn't get put to sleep when we take him back to the kennel."

To mark his partner's point, the younger officer mimes injecting a syringe.

This time Carmilla and Gibb share a look. From what they hear, he might have it coming, but it still sounds too good for him.

Looking back at the officers, Carmilla asks "But can we see her ? We were asked to speak to her for her daughter."

"Fine. But you'll be under watch."

Carmila nods, reluctantly accepting the terms.

"And of course..." The younger officer spreads his arms and legs miming a frisking position.

Looking back at Gibb, Carmilla rolls her eyes before nodding to the officers.

"Fine." Carmilla says, assuming the position "Make it quick."

-----

After the frisking, and the officers checking to see if Liane was awake, Carmilla was let into the room. Keeping an eye on them, was the younger officer.

Gibb just waited outside.

Lifting her head off the bed a little, was Liane Bradshaw in a green patient's gown. She looked more tired than sore, and had noticeable bruises on her forehead, broken nose and her jaw.

The look Liane was giving her, pulled Carmilla to a quiet stop. As much as she tried to keep herself reserved, sober and aloof, the look Liane was giving her brought her back to the vulnerable days of being Mircalla.

"They tell me Amy sent you ?" Liane asks in a sore voice.

"She did." Carmilla finds her bearings and steps forward "I'm a friend of a friend."

"Which friend ?" Liane sits up, looking more apprehensive, "Not that asshole Bobby, I hope ?"

Carmilla shakes her head, this defensive glare in her eyes.

"No." She says firmly, taking a seat in a chair beside the bed "I have nothing to do with him. She wants nothing with him either."

Narrowing her eyes suspiciously, Liane asks "Are you the lesbian ?"

Wow, Carmilla thought; she really ripping off the band-aid, isn't she ?

"I am a lesbian." Carmilla answers bluntly, while still looking defensive "Is that a problem ?"

"Depends on if you make it one." Liane shrugs "You know, you remind me of those girls my Amy used to hang out with; young girls acting out, thinking their parents don't care-"

Trying to play it off, Carmilla shrugs.

"Well, my dad has wanted me dead since birth, so..."

"I'm sure that's not true."

"Nah, he told me to my face right before he died." Carmilla answers, before trying to change the subject "But we're not here to talk about me."

Liane nods, figuring she's just distracting herself.

"Amy," Liane says "Is she okay ?"

"I don't think okay is the right word." Carmilla tries not to sound too blunt "Her friends tell me she's really beating herself up after your...you know."

"But is she safe ?" Liane lifts from the bed, reaching for Carmilla's hand.

"She's keeping her head down." Carmilla puts her own hand on top of Liane's "A lot of...a lot of bad people are after her, and one of them came for you."

Liane winces and her eyes water. She clutches her torso where she was shot.

Carmilla doesn't notice that she stepped up to help, until she notices Liane holding her hand up.

"You know, my husband tried to keep Amy out of all kinds of people." Liane looks aside.

Carmilla silently grits her teeth, expecting Liane to say something along the lines of "Your people." That is until Liane speaks again.

"You know; dealers, gangsters, thugs." Liane continues "So when my Clay passed, and Amy started acting out...part of me just felt she was running down that same road she tried to keep her off."

Sighing and shaking her head, Liane looks back at Carmilla.

"Ah, but you're not here to hear a strange woman rambling." Liane says "You said you had a message from my Amy."

Carmilla blinks as she remembers what she's here for.

"Right, right," Carmilla gets from the chair "Just let me get my phone-"

This gets the officer's attention.

"Hold on," The officer raises both hands "You have contact with Miss Bradshaw ?"

Carmilla looks back at the officer, a little annoyed at his grasp with the obvious.

"Would I be here if I didn't ?"

"You realize that we've been seeking out Miss Bradshaw since the assault." The officer explains "And we're not alone; FBI, Homeland - Bradshaw is a special interest. If we can trace your call, that'll be a big help."

Crossing her arms, Carmilla's expression shifts to a more skeptical and suspicious one.

"And I say no ?"

"Then there's no call, and you'd be wasting our time. And yours."

Carmilla bites her tongue, and thinks for a moment.

This was not how she saw her vacation playing out. She got out of Silas so she wouldn't have to put up with this spy game nonsense.

This was just supposed to be a detour; check in on the old lady, get her to speak with her daughter. Maybe feed her blood if she's on the verge of death.

And here she was being pulled into an international investigation that could make or break the spy game. She really should learn when to say no.

...but if it gets her back to her vacation quicker.

"Fine," Carmilla says, scratching the back of her neck "But you'll need a warrant won't you ?"

"I'll be right on it." The officer nods, before stepping out of the room.

Outside in the hall, she can hear the two officers exchange words about getting a warrant. Turning her attention to Liane, Carmilla speaks again.

"You know, I'm told your daughter doesn't know if you're okay." The vampire re-takes her seat, "Can she expect good news or bad ?"

"I'm more concerned if she's okay," Liane shakes her head as she looks away, "Heart stopped three times the past few days. I'm told I'll be losing one of my kidneys, and they don't know how bad my liver took it."

Liane's eyes become more glassy, and her voice more grim as she looks back at Carmilla

"Said I lost a lot of blood, and with what they gave me, I'm running on fumes." Liane sighs "Any day now, I could expire. If I have even one chance to hear my Amy...I'll take it."

"And it's the best they can do here ?" Carmilla looks around the room at all the equipment.

"It's all they can do for me." Liane answers "My fate here is a coin flip in whatever god is out there."

Keeping an ear out, Carmilla picks up this slight whisper from Gibb's voice "The coast is clear."

"Hmmm," Carmilla gets up from her seat "You know, I'm not a doctor, but I did have to do some impromptu surgery myself."

Liane chucks and shakes her head.

"Back in the day ? You're what, 19 ?" Liane asks in a snarky tone "Let me guess, you dissected a fro-"

"I have a home grown remedy that fixes what you're in for." Carmilla answers, "Maybe get you up to snuff-"

Again, Liane chuckles.

"Kid, I don't know what to tell ya, I know better than to take the kind of medici- JESUS CHRIST!"

As Liane was speaking Carmilla lifts her own wrist to her mouth, and bites down. Hard enough to draw blood.

Carmilla lifts her wrist away, revealing her fangs to a disbelieving Liane. For the first time since she stepped into the room, Carmilla smiles; showing her fangs covered in red.

"Not quite," Carmilla says "But I was born on Christmas Eve!"

With that, just as Liane thought she was on the verge of another heart attack, the vampire lifts her blooding wrist to the ostensibly older woman's mouth.

-----

That evening, at Silas Community Theatre

Sarah, Nancy, Bonnie and Brigitte stepped out of Nancy's car at the theatre's parking lot. Gathering outside the theatre was a crowd of a hundred patrons or so. Most of them being Silas Students celebrating the end of the school year.

For the past few hours, the girls have been going through a set of clothes to settle on. Sarah and Bonnie wanted something classy to go out in, but Nancy and Brigitte didn't want to stand out too much.

It was a community theatre, not Broadway, as both Brigitte and Nancy kept insisting. But Bonnie and Sarah insisted on looking their best while supporting Rochelle's premiere.

With the clothes they ordered, Bonnie and Nancy settled with a pair of bodycon dresses. Nancy's was black and she wore her leather jacket over it. Bonnie's was blue, and opted out of a jacket in favor of showing off her back and shoulders.

Regrettably for Bonnie, it was a chill evening.

Sarah was wearing a white tie dress, with a grey checker pattern, and wore a blue denim jacket over that. And Brigitte, going for a more tomboyish look, went with a pair of black slacks, a white satin shit and a dark grey halter neck vest.

All this to say, they didn't stand out too much - except for Bonnie, with the skin she showed on her arms and leg, turning a few heads. The wolf whistles annoyed Brigitte and Nancy a little, but other than a few glares at a few gawkers, they didn't make a big issue about it.

Brigitte wasn't too enthused, having seen some of Rochelle's rehearsals - albeit from the sidelines - and felt a little bad at her lack of enthusiasm.

This was meant to be her actual first date with her girlfriends - she still can't believe she's taking this seriously. And yet the only sign she was excited was the shakes in her hands, which Sarah and Nancy take notice of.

"Nervous ?" Nancy takes g Brigitte's left hand, while Sarah takes her right.

"Can you tell ?" Brigitte asks, with a slight shake in her voice.

"It's okay if you are," Sarah says, "I always get the shakes when I'm out of my comfort zone."

Brigitte looks at Sarah skeptically before Nancy clarifies.

"Eh, I may have taken our Sarah to follow a t.A.T.u tour a couple years back." Nancy says, "Concerts used to shake Sarah's jimmies."

"Until they broke my walls down." Sarah adds, "Though we have ways of getting our minds off our worries."

Sarah, Nancy and Brigitte look up at the sky and a slight shudder courses through Sarah's body. One that the three of them share.

"And it looks like we have a lot to worry about," Sarah says, before looking back at her girlfriends, "But that can wait until tomorrow."

As they reached the entrance, there was a line of about twenty people. However, they spot an usher - this young man with short black hair - holding a sign reading "Sarah, Nancy, Bonnie. Brigitte."

Sarah waves him over, and he greets them with "Are you Miss Zimmerman's guests ?"

"That would be us." Bonnie answers.

"Miss Zimmerman set up a personal booth for you," He explains "If you just follow me."

"A booth, eh ?" Bonnie chuckles, as she and her friends are led through the door "It pays to have friends in the right place, doesn't it ?"

As the girls were led inside, a girl in a couple behind them complained, "Hey, we've been waiting!"

"Shh, I think that girl's Sidney Prescott." The boyfriend shushes his partner.

-----

As they were led through the theatre's halls, and up a flight of stairs, Brigitte found herself more and more at ease...at least until her senses were acting up.

It was subtle at first, and Brigitte didn't seem to pay it much mind the past few days. But was something that occurred after she first slept with Sarah and Nancy, but now that Brigitte was in a much more crowded place with this many people, it was harder to ignore.

From across the hall, Brigitte's ears could pick up whispers; make out specific words from passersby. All mostly rambling about their plans for the coming summer, where they're going to take their dates tonight.

One or two were talking about a failed attempt to make Lover's in R'lyeh into a movie back in the 80's and 90's (apparently both screen writers committed suicide in the process of writing the script).

And of course, there were a few Zeta boys talking about the nudity in this play.

There were also the smells Brigitte could pick up.

No matter how quickly she'd pass them by, or how little attention she gave people in this crowd, she could always tell just what kind of food they were eating earlier, what perfumes they used. Which girls were having their monthly visitor.

And when they passed the bathroom ? Less said about that the better, but when Brigitte gags and covers her ears, she gets a concerned look from her friends.

"B, are you okay ?" Nancy asks as she and Sarah help Brigitte up.

"What's wrong ?" Sarah echoes Nancy.

"I'm just peachy." Brigitte lies through her teeth, pinching the bridge of her nose "Can we just get to our seats ?"

And with that, they made their way up the stairs to the hall of their booth. As they neared the door, Brigitte's senses became a lot more focused, and as usual their focus was on Nancy.

It wasn't just the smell that got Brigitte's attention - the kind she always picked up when around pregnant women - but it was the sounds that Nancy's body was making.

These popping and gurgling noises from her stomach, which occurred constantly around her, and twice that day had Nancy throwing up.

By now Brigitte was sure of it. She didn't know how, but it was the only answer she had. Nancy Downs was-

"I figured you'd be out." A familiar voice catches their attention.

When they look, they see the Dean of Silas University, wearing a dark purple tie dress and a burgundy trench coat, and sunglasses with red rims. She had a hand at her hip, and had her hair in a bun.

At her side was her "son", William, dressed in all black like she was a bouncer or security guard, but a dark leather jacket. He crosses her arms, silently regarding the girls with a glance, but lets his "mother" do the talking.

As they speak, William gestures to the usher to walk, and he does so.

"It is Rochelle's show." Sarah answers. She and her friends were not looking pleased or amused, and crossed her arms at the Dean for her intrusion "We're just showing support is all."

"I mean no ill," The Dean raises both of her hands, "I'm here to enjoy the show, same as you. When you know the storm is coming, it does you good to cherish the calm."

"Yeah, well, we'd like to get back to cherishing it, so-" Nancy finds her voice stopping as the Dean slowly looks at her. The Dean had this paralyzing look that stopped Nancy still.

Saying nothing, but a little concerned, Brigitte gently takes hold of Nancy's hand. The Dean inhales deep, as if she's smelling the air.

Taken aback, Nancy snaps out of her paralysis and steps away from the Dean.

It was around here, the Dean noticed that Sarah was holding Brigitte's *other* hand. A knowing smile forms on her face.

"Well, I see you are part of the club, aren't you Fitzgerald ? Perhaps you'll find a place here after all." The Dean says to Brigitte with a teasing chuckle, "Congratulations."

The Dean then looks at Nancy, and pats her on the shoulder.

"To both of you."

Nancy raises an eyebrow and shares a look with Sarah and Bonnie in confusion.

"Excuse me ?" Sarah and Nancy say at the same time, as Brigitte looks away, biting her lip.

"Enjoy the calm girls," Dean looks back and forth between Brigitte and Nancy, "That's what we're all here for."

And with that, the Dean puts her hands behind her back, and turns to leave.

"Hey, wait!" Sarah says, "What did you mean by congra-"

The lights in the hall flickers off. When they turn back on, the Dean and her "son" are nowhere in sight. And Brigitte notices something else was in the air.

It was the smell of honey and blueberries, just like the drink she was given at Corvae.

At the doorway at the far end of the hall however, another guest enters with four bodyguards. Brigitte quickly recognizes him as Vordenberg.

He just regards her with a wave, and excuses himself and his entourage into their booth.

When she looks at him, that honey/blueberry scent increases. You know when you smell something and it's so strong you can actually taste it ? That was it.

Her mind kept going back to her meeting with Corvae. That drink that Vordenberg gave her; the stuff he shot down himself.

And the more Brigitte thought back to it, her teeth and fingers began that familiar ache. And that ache was spreading up the muscles in her arms and legs.

The kind she got when she was about to-

No, Brigitte put a hand on her forehead in denial, this wasn't her "time of the month." She already transformed and-

No. She can't change. Not here. Not now-

"B ?" Brigitte registers Sarah's voice, as she feels the witch's hand on her back.

Sarah, Nancy and Bonnie were giving her these worried looks, and Brigitte realizes she was doubled over and has her hands on her knees.

Nancy takes Brigitte by the shoulder, and just their touch and the sound of their voices soothed things down for her. It was like the aches were never there, and that unsettling sweet smell/taste disappeared as well.

Standing back up, Brigitte yet again holds her nose shut, before taking a breath.

"Yeah," Brigitte exhales, "Just caught a whiff of something is all."

The others share a questioning glance, as Brigitte gets her bearings.

"Come on," Brigitte says, "Let's just get to our seats, okay ?"

-----

"But father," Rochelle says, in character, "If it is the lesser who fear the Holy Ones, why is it that we should fear them."

She wears a red and green costume, and almost translucent dress that reveals her figure beneath. She has fake blue and green highlights in her hair, and her face is done with golden makeup around her lips and eyes.

"Daughter, how could you forget so easily ?" One of her co-stars, an older man portraying her father - dressed in large green robes, and wearing a fake grey beard - puts a hand on her back and shoulder, "Surely you wouldn't be asking this day of all. The loss of...the day we lost her."

"We didn't lose her." Rochelle puts a hand on her "fathers" cheek "She gave herself over."

"She gave herself over to restore what fell off the kilter." Her co-star says, putting a hand on Rochelle's lower back, and directs her to the front of stage "Look into the sky. Tell me what you see ?"

He gestures towards the audience, which he and Rochelle look upon.

"I see stars." Rochelle says, no breaking character, even as she looks up at her friends booth. Bonnie waves enthusiastically, while Sarah and Nancy are a little more reserved.

Brigitte looks like she's holding back an amused smile from their reaction.

"And what's beyond the stars ?" He "father" asks.

Rochelle squints her eyes.

"I don't know."

"Exactly." He says "But he did, and when he told us this union displeased those beyond the stars, and so it fell to your sister to restore the balance."

"But...how do we know ?" Rochelle asks, still in character, "How can we know what they do ?"

"Only he speaks to what's beyond." Her "father" once again gestures to the audience "And only he walks between our world and theirs."

From there, the play began into its first song "One and A Million Eyes: PT 1"; a song about one's place in the world, and establishing the upper crust of R'lyeh's society. It was akin to Prince of Egypt's "Through Heaven's Eyes" in terms of beat and subject, but the actual lyrics became bleak and cynical as it went on.

Lover's in R'lyeh: A Romantic Epic was a four hour musical based on the Cthulhu Mythos, the story can best be described as "Titanic meets The Little Mermaid". Set in ancient R'lyeh, it told the forbidden love story of a lowly servant named Phea, and Madith, the daughter of a ostensibly human high priest.

Throughout the first two acts, a figure known as The Ambassador- catches wind of this and offers the two lovers help by having them switch places in each other's social standings. Phea becomes part of the Holy Army, while Madith lives among the peasants.

From this, they live three days in each other's worlds. There is a whole classism angle, with the holy ones - mermaid/siren-like people who descend from the Deep Ones - being on top, while the mortals live beneath them as slaves and peasants.

From what Brigitte saw in rehearsals, the Ambassador was exploiting Phea and Madith's affair to start this race/class war. Madith was engaged to another "Holy One" who was to succeed her father as High Priest, and her "fixation" on Phea was met with great disapproval from her community.

Similarly, Phea is mocked and belittled for their affection for Madith, but the disapproval from their sister was the most harsh. When their affair is discovered, Madith's fiancé and Phea's sister went on the warpath, and brought their society with them.

Rochelle was playing Madith with this overly giddy princess performance. It was a whiplash seeing how more grounded and reserved Rochelle normally was...at least until the angst starts settling in as the story goes on.

As they watched the show, Brigitte was sitting between Sarah and Nancy. Bonnie sat on the far beside Nancy. Brigitte was a little relaxed to have a booth with these girls, and was a lot more thankful seemingly no one else could see them.

Throughout their watch, both Bonnie and Sarah would theatrically lip synch to some of the songs.

Nancy joined in their fun during the Ambassador's villain song "The Friendliest Stranger" which had two reprises; one where he addresses the people of R'lyeh, one where he addresses Madith, another where he addresses Phea.

During Madith and Phea's love song "Stars Fall, Sea's Rise," Sarah would theatrically lip sync while serenading an increasingly flustered and blushing Nancy and Brigitte.

One show stealer of course was the play's villain, The Ambassador; a masked figure who came from "Between the stars". It was hard to get a beat on him considering his front seems to change depending on who he's talking to.

With Madith, he's cold,  dismissive and unapproving, treating her like a naïve child he reluctantly indulges. With Phea, he's charming, down to Earth but still looks down on them, treating Phea's "turn" to R'lyeh's higher society as an amusing pet project.

85% of the Ambassador's dialogue consisted of soliloquies and sermons that wouldn't be out of place in Blood Meridian. But the actor playing him gave the Ambassador this exaggerated southern drawl. This made a lot of his sermons sound like the ramblings of Foghorn Leghorn.

Apparently, it was something carried over from past productions, so may have been part of the script.

Curiously, there seemed to be moments where there was a second Ambassador lurking in the background. But none of the other cast seem to acknowledge or address him.

He even seemed to disappear when he noticed he'd been noticed. As if he wasn't supposed to be seen.

Another scene stealer was "Aminnon Rhade", a slave woman and comic relief best friend/"wing woman" of Madith. Though it has less to do with her character, and more about her wearing a costume that left little to the imagination, save for her mask.

About an hour into the show, Aminnon had her own song, In Strange Eons, which was about uplifting one's spirit in the face of adversity. Though the lyrics took a backseat as she and her dancers performed in a very erotic manner.

During the In Strange Eons sequence, Brigitte felt Sarah and Nancy's hands on hers. When Brigitte looks at her hands, she sees them on their thighs.

Blushing, Brigitte tries to focus on the show - and all the sexy dancers that Rochelle was being pulled around through - but is distracted when Sarah and Nancy lean in to kiss her and each other.

Brigitte closes eyes and takes a deep breath. They're in their own booth, on a balcony. Their seats and lower halves are obstructed by rails. No one can really see what's going on.

Giving in, Brigitte returns these kisses, only stopping when Bonnie chuckles and rolls her eyes.

"Come on guys, get a room." Bonnie gives them a snarky smile.

Jokingly, Nancy flips the bird at Bonnie. Brigitte and Sarah share a laugh at this.

As the show went on, Brigitte's sense kept picking up that blueberry/honey smell and taste. She put on a good poker face for it, but it was increasingly hard to ignore over the next hour.

Especially when Brigitte's ears pick up this annoyingly high pitched noise. Like metal being dragged across glass in a pattern.

Towards the end of the second act, before intermission, Brigitte finally looks, she sees another booth at the far end. It was about a dozen or so yards away from theirs, but Brigitte can see the Baron watching the show with his entourage.

She could just make out that Vodernberg was holding a cup of tea or something, and was spinning a spoon along the rim.

As if he noticed that Brigitte was there, Vordenberg looked in her direction. She thinks she sees a knowing smile on his face. He began spinning his spoon anew, and that noise overpowered everything else Brigitte was supposed to hear.

She felt it creeping back up. That ache that heralded transformation. She felt it in her teeth, felt it in her fingernails, accompanied by an increasing "splitting" ache in her head.

If it wasn't for that ache, Brigitte's mind would put together that it may have something to do with that smell/noise.

"No," Brigitte quickly tells herself "Not, now...and not here..."

"Brigitte ? Ow, Brigitte!" Sarah's voice suddenly registers to her.

Brigitte realizes she's holding Sarah's hands in an iron grip and Sarah's expression was a pained wince. It looked like the show was going into intermission, but Brigitte was paying attention to all that.

Releasing Sarah's hand, Brigitte looks at her own. She doesn't see claws or sights of hair growth. But the ache remains.

The trembling in Brigitte's hand stops, and so does that noise. But when she looks at her friend's worried expressions, Brigitte stutters a bit as she gets up from her chair.

"I-..I have to go..." Brigitte nearly trips and she makes her way to the booth's door.

"B, what is it ?"

Brigitte doesn't answer at first, but she feels around her mouth, checking to see how sharp her teeth were. Finally, she speaks.

"Don't follow me...

With that, Brigitte dashes out the booth and into the hallway. All the while, she was covering her mouth.

She had to get out of here. Away from all the growing crowd, be it the people in their seats, or going out into the halls.

And as the halls filled, the "metal on glass" noise continued to sound off in Brigitte's ear.

-----

Back in the Coven's Boarding House

On the fold in couch, turned bed in the basement, Amy was still in her baggy clothes from earlier. For a few hours, she tried going back into that "controlled" dream from earlier.

Of course not knowing the "ingredients" or incantations to do so, she settled with just cuddling with Lucy on their folded out bed. Lucy herself just kept brushing a hand through Amy's head, and kept her eyes on her phone which she put aside.

At some point in the evening, a barely awake Amy says "I think I could do it."

"Hmm ?"

"The killing spree, I mean." Amy mumbles "I think I could-"

"No." Lucy says firmly, taking Amy's hand and lightly squeezing it "That's not you."

Lucy lifts Amy's hand to her mouth, and kisses her wrist.

"What I became, isn't what you'll be." Lucy says "I became a monster to-"

"But those stories about you-" Amy lifts her head off the pillow.

"Are half truths." Lucy says emphatically "I can live with being what they called me. Not you."

Lucy puts a hand on Amy's cheek.

"I sunk hell deep to become what I am." Lucy kisses Amy on the forehead "And I'll sink lower if it means keeping you afloat."

Amy opens her mouth to object, when Lucy's ringtone goes off, playing Hero by Enrique Iglesias. It was an unknown number, but Lucy has been expecting one all day.

"Gimme a minute." Lucy holds a finger to Amy's lips in a "shush" motion before answering the phone "Yes ?"

'"Hello ?" An older woman's voice answers on the other end "Amy ?"

Lucy's eyes widen, and Amy notices the way she's looking at her.

"What is it ?" Amy asks.

"Is this who I think it is ?" Lucy asks "Liane Bradshaw ?"

This time, Amy's eyes widen as she sits up "What ?"

"Yes. Is she with you or-?"

"Give me a second," Lucy quickly hands the phone to Amy "It's for you."

Amy thought she would hesitate, thought she would freeze, but her hand takes a mind of its own, snatching the phone.

"Mom ?!" Amy blurts out, holding the phone to her head, and covering her mouth.

Watching from the side, Lucy moves off the bed/couch, giving Amy some space.

"Amy, baby," Amy could hear her mother's somber smile from the other end, "Sweetie, are you okay ?"

Amy feels her eyes starting to well and her chest tighten at the sound of Liane's voice. Something like a cross between a chuckle and sob escapes her mouth when she replies.

"Am I okay ?" Amy blurts out "I thought you could be dead!"

"Shhh, it's okay baby girl." Liane would have hugged Amy had they been in the same room "Doctors think I might pull through...may need a new kidney but...I think I've been through worse."

Amy wipes her eyes, her expression stuck in a sad smile.

"I'm...I'm sorry." Amy says between two heavy breaths.

"Oh, for what now ?" Liane chuckles, "Amy, you're not the one who put me in here."

"But I did!" Amy unintentionally raises her voice as she stands off the bed "I mean, what did I put you through; I've only spoken to you twice the past couple months; I had to go on the run, and Bobby-"

"I. Don't. Blame. You." Liane says emphatically, and Amy begins pacing back and forth before the bed "Whatever you're kicking yourself for, I won't hold it against you."

Amy looks to the side, seeing Lucy standing and leaning against the door. The look on Amy's face asks Lucy if she set this up, and her answer is Lucy's knowing smile.

"But from what I'm hearing, it sounds like you're going through worse than me."

Amy stops, bites her lower lip, as a wave of guilt pulls her under.

"What...what did you hear ?"

"Sounds to me like some bad people are looking for you." Liane says with a heavy sigh "Bobby being one of them."

Amy winces at hearing Bobby's name, and Liane could hear her daughter seethe a little.

"Something like that," Amy exhales "I've...I've been through a lot..."

"That's what I heard," Liane says "Though I'm guessing some of what he said was bullshit."

Amy freezes, looking back at Lucy, whose expression was now flat and unreadable.

"Wha-what else has he said ?" Amy winces, preparing herself for the worst.

"Something about you seeing an older woman." Liane answers "A lesbian he says."

Amy closes her eyes and takes a few deep breaths. This was it, moment of truth.

"Amy...is there something you need to tell me ?" Liane tries to sound reassuring.

Briefly glancing at a worried looking Lucy, Amy closes her eyes and takes a shuddering breath.

"It...it's true mom." Amy swallows a lump in her throat "I like...I like girls."

-----

At the Meridian Hospital in Houston, Liane was still in her bed, but her room was now a little more crowded.

There were now three officers in the room, and two people from the FBI who visited Liane the past couple of days. Along with these Stingray devices and equipment set up that Liane herself didn't quite understand.

As Liane spoke, her discussion with Amy was being recorded, and Amy's phone was being traced. At the back of the room, Carmilla silently watches from the corner, since it was her phone being used.

At the moment, Liane pauses, after Amy broke the news. Her expression was unreadable, and she was silent for a moment, before Amy finally speaks.

"Are...are you mad ?" Amy sounds like she was on the verge of sobbing "Please mom, this isn't easy for me!"

Liane blinks a few times, looking around the room. The officers and agents kept up a professional demeanor, and Carmilla was looking away.

"Wh-why-? No sweetie." Liane says after stuttering a bit "I'm just...I'm just wrapping my head around it."

Liane pinches the bridge of her broken nose, ignoring the sore sting she's since gotten used too.

"When...he told me about you being with an older woman," Liane sighs "I wasn't sure I believed it, but with the past few days, I started letting it settle."

As she says this, Liane perks her head up.

"But when he says older woman-"

"She's 26, mom." Amy sounds a little more calm, but not quite relieved. "Just a year under, Bobby."

"Hmm," Liane thinks for a moment, "Well, I guess that's a little better. He tells me she's bad news...but I'm not inclined to take his word for it. What is she like ?"

"Lucy is...complicated, mom." Amy sighs, "She was in a bad place, and now we're trying to get out."

"And you say you're in hiding ?" Liane looks at one of the officers who gives her this expectant look "Are we talking gangs ? Cartels ?"

"Nothing like that mom," Amy says "But we can't really trust anyone with the feds. We don't think Bobby's alone."

As Amy is recorded saying this, the two FBI agents glance at each other.

"They say Lucy and I did something, but it's bullshit." Amy continues "I shouldn't even be talking on the phone about this; they could be listening."

This time, the officers are sharing looks, really hoping they don't blow it.

"But are you safe, Amy ?" Liane asks "That's what matters."

"I don't know," Amy replies "I don't know who to trust."

Looking at the agents, Liane takes a deep breath. She briefly locks eyes with Carmilla, and goes back to the taste of her blood in her mouth.

Liane thinks back to Carmilla looking her in the eyes; telling Liane she won't say anything about vampires, but she will be speaking to her daughter from an honest heart.

And despite Liane's attempts to resist, Carmilla's voice and her blood overpowered her will to argue. And so, Liane spoke from her honest heart.

"Amy, I've been speaking with the FBI."

"What ?"

"Homeland too; after what Bobby pulled, the search is on him." Liane glances back at Carmilla "Your messenger said you were collecting dirt on him; should help with their case."

"I guess..." Amy still sounds hesitant and uneasy "I- I just don't know if I can trust them-"

"You can trust me Amy," Liane puts a hand on her chest "I've been speaking to people who knew your father; a lot of them are pissed over Bobby's break out. They're taking this him pretty personally."

"Yeah," Amy answers in a calmer voice "So am I."

"If you can come back to the states, if you can come back home." Liane continues "We can make things right."

"I just," Amy sighs heavily "I just don't know what else I can do...but I think I wanna...I wanna..."

There's a pause for a moment, before Liane speaks again.

"Amy ? What is it ?"

"I think I want to kill him."

-----

Back at the boarding house, Amy takes a shuddering breath, relieved at what she just said. She looks to the side of the room, seeing Lucy with an increasingly worried expression on her face

For a moment, her mother is silent, which Amy took as her cue to continue.

"I think I could do it too." Amy wipes her eyes "If he were in front of me, I'd shoot him."

"Amy-"

"Or choke the life out of him!" Amy says with another half chuckle/half sob, not really believing what's coming out of her mouth "Or-or set him on fire!"

As she watches on, Lucy slowly shakes her head.

"Amy-" Liane tries to speak again, but Amy continues

"I don't care if I get burned in the process!" Amy sits back down onto the bed "I want him to hurt like you di-"

"Amy! I do care!" Liane raises her voice.

This gets Amy to stop and listen for a moment. Lucy moves away from the wall, and towards the folded out bed.

"You got your fathers zeal for justice...but you also got his heart." Liane explains, "You know, when you were still a baby, your father had a taste of revenge himself. It changed him."

Amy wipes her eye as Lucy crawls back onto the bed, and gently takes hold of her upper arms.

"You never told me that." Amy says.

"He never wanted me too." Liane shudders "Early in his career, there was a child predator who kept dodging the law; this great white whale of his station. One day your father found him with a child close to death, and didn't hesitate to shoot him on the spot."

Amy and Lucy share an unsettled glance, as Liane continues.

"Officially, it was done defending the kid. But your father told me he was probably looking for a reason; he went in hoping he'd do it. Didn't make him feel good or that he made things right; not until the kid recovered in the hospital. But your father learned the difference between justice and revenge."

Lucy gently takes Amy's hand and gives her a reassuring squeeze.

"You won't fix what's broken, Amy." Liane has a slight break in her voice "You especially won't put out a fire by burning yourself. You'll just leave more pain for those around you. What does that leave them ?"

Amy's eyes well up, and she stands up from the bed and away from Lucy.

"But-but I can't just let them get away with everything!" Amy lets out a slip "What they did to you!"

"And you won't." Liane says "You said you got dirt on Bobby Matthews. Why not put it to good use ? It's what your father would have done."

Amy exhales deeply, keeping herself from sobbing, and she takes a moment, thinking back to her father.

"What dad would have done." Amy repeats.

Looking back at Lucy, Amy's eyes start to water.

"Did I let him down ?"

"What do you mean ?"

Amy closes her eyes, preparing herself for the worst.

"About...about me liking...girls ?" Amy asks "Would he hate me for-?"

"No! No he wouldn't. He'd probably need time to digest it, I won't lie." Liane says firmly, "Your father was...a product of his time. You gotta understand, people weren't as accepting in our day. Especially where your father grew up. It takes him a while to adjust to these things."

Amy shivers a little, locking eyes with Lucy who now has a more cautious, but encouraging smile.

"Did you ever know your grandfather ?"

"No." Amy answers, "He never talked about him."

"He was a pretty hateful guy; taught Clay the worst of what he knows." Liane scoffs "And he was still unlearning we had you."

"You really think so ?"

"I think he'd be more concerned about the kind of woman you were with." Liane chuckles "But after Bobby, just about anyone would be a step up!"

Mother and daughter share a laugh, and Lucy watches on in smiles. As she does so, Lucy thinks back to the last couple times she visited her mother in the hospital.

Lucy remembers how her mother was so out of it, she didn't seem to register Lucy herself was there. She'd just keep asking where her daughter was.

To her embarrassment, Lucy notices a tear or two running down her face. She quickly wipes them hoping Amy doesn't see.

After their laugh, Liane continues.

"Just...just come home, baby girl." She says "Your momma needs you as much as you need her; and this Lucy girl has me curious."

"I..." Amy looks to Lucy, giving her a more assuring smile. Lucy mouths to Amy to do it "I-I will. I love you, mom."

"I love you too, sweetie." Liane sounded like she was on the verge of tears, "I know you'll do the right thing."

"I'll...I'll see you soon."

Amy hangs up, and flops back onto the bed with a shaky sigh. She has her eyes closed for a moment, trying to not let any more tears run. She has this tingly feeling in her chest, one she hasn't felt since she first got the bad news.

When Amy opens her eyes, she sees Lucy sitting and looming over her with this knowing smile.

"You," Amy reaches up and putting a hand on Lucy's cheek "You set this up, didn't you ?"

"I may have pulled a few strings." Lucy kisses Amy on the forehead, brushing a hand through her blonde hair "You gonna do it ? You gonna go back ?"

"I...I said I would." Amy sits up, and takes Lucy by the hand "Will you ?"

Lucy blinks a few times, thinking over her answer.

"I don't know." Lucy says, kissing Amy on the wrist "This is something I started, and something I intend to finish."

"You mean we."

"No." Lucy says firmly, cupping Amy's cheeks "This is something I dragged you into, and something I have to clean up."

Yet again, Lucy presses her forehead to Amy's head.

"I'm giving you a shot I never had." Lucy says "You still have something to go back to."

"No," Amy leans away and shakes her head, her eyes starting to water again. "I'm in this for you and-"

"You'll get out of this for me."

Lucy takes hold of both Amy's hands.

"I won't let you throw away your life for something like me." Lucy says "Look, I've been reaching out to Mattie; we're going to get you lifted out of Austria."

"What ?"

"You're going to go with what we have on Bobby, and get him turned over. You'll be the hero they need you to be."

Lucy uses her thumb to brush a tear running down Amy's face.

"And I'll be the villain they want me to be..."

-----

Back at the Silas Community Theatre

When Brigitte left during the intermission, she tripped twice while heading through the halls.

Her first plan was to get out of the building, and find somewhere to hide. Hopefully away from people she'd hurt.

The aches subsided, and Brigitte felt no other signs of change, save for the ache splitting her brain down the middle. The noises were louder and the smell was stronger.

Though it went against her instinct to run, she ended up hiding in one of the women's bathrooms. She found herself looming over a toilet, like she had the urge to throw up.

All that came out was this ugly coughing and spitting noises. Brigitte didn't realize she was sobbing until she stopped to take her breath.

In that time, two other women stepped into the bathroom, and hastily left after hearing Brigitte. She guesses the noises she was making were like a vocal "Out of Order" sign.

There was blood in her spit, and she touched her mouth to check if her teeth were sharp. She looks at her hands; no claws, fur or stretching. But they still shook and trembled.

As she tries and fails to get her bearings, Brigitte stands up from the toilet on shaking legs. She couldn't stop her tears if she tried, but took notice of a familiar smell in the air.

"Brigitte ?" Sarah's voice speaks, as Brigitte hears her enter the bathroom. Nancy's scent indicates the goth in question was with her.

"Go away," Brigitte's voice was barely audible, but neither witch listen to her.

Sarah opens the stall door, and catches Brigitte as she collapses.

"Hey, hey, hey," Sarah gingerly rubs Brigitte's back, "We got you. We got you."

Brigitte shakes her head, as Nancy joins the group hug.

"I think...I'm changing..." Brigitte still shakes, letting Sarah wipe a tear from her eye, "I'm not supposed to- Not now..."

Sarah and Nancy share a concerned glance.

"Do you need us to leave ?"

Brigitte steps away from them, shaking her head.

"No! I have to go!" Brigitte insists, "I- I don't want to hurt you!"

With a shake running through her body, Brigitte holds out her hand.

"Give me the keys...I have to get out of here..."

"Running ?" Another woman's voice says, "That's rather cowardly of you."

They turn, and see the Dean has entered the bathroom, and is looking them over with crossed arms and a coy smirk.

"I mean," The Dean advances towards them, "The way I see it, this is more of an opportunity than a crisis."

Not deterred by Brigitte's trembling or Sarah and Nancy's annoyed glares, the Dean stands before the bathroom mirror, pretending to check her makeup.

"Though I also thought you'd be smart enough to not accept drinks from strangers." The Dean looks back at Brigitte, "But hey, it happens to the best of us."

Brigitte manages to still herself, and glare towards the Dean, before she finds her voice.

"Wha- what are you talking about ?"

"About seven years ago," The Dean continued checking herself out, "The alchemists at Corvae were modifying wolfsbane in the form of a liquid narcotic; one that would allow us to control lycanthropes and their transformations."

As she says this, the Dean raises a finger.

"Using a specific noise frequency in their range, we can trigger a wolf's transformation." The Dean looks back to Brigitte "But not the wolves themselves. Corvae deemed it useless, and kept it on ice ever sense."

Brigitte says nothing, but her pupils shrink as realization hits her.

"That is until, someone paid Corvae a visit and one of its shareholders offered her a drink." The Dean tilts her head at Brigitte, "You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you B ?"

Before Brigitte could say or do anything, another ache ran up her back. She doubles over in another coughing fit, as an increasingly troubled Sarah and Nancy try to help her up.

"Well, how do we help ?/How do we get this out of her ?" Sarah and Nancy ask at the same time.

"There's not much you can do." The Dean shrugs as she approaches them, "It mostly passes on it's own; what you got here is a case of your body resisting it's change...to make room for other changes."

The Dean puts two fingers under Brigitte's chin, and directs the younger woman's gaze to hers.

"A little birdie tells me of your..." The Dean pauses to find the right euphemism "Invocation with these girls." She gives a teasing smirk to Sarah and Nancy "One that could bend the rules of nature."

Brigitte finally stands up on her own, looking questionably at the Dean, who continues her talk.

"Have you ever considered how it'd affect you ?" The Dean crosses her arms, glancing at Sarah and Nancy "Besides how it affected them ?"

"What do you mean affected ?" Sarah asks.

"Or us ?" Nancy echoes.

Focusing on Brigitte, the Dean takes her by the shoulders, and has her stand before the mirror.

"Take a look girl," The Dean says over Brigitte's shoulder "Now close your eyes."

Brigitte closes her eyes, and Sarah and Nancy look on with increasingly uncertain expressions.

The Dean looks to them "Hold her hands."

Neither Sarah nor Nancy were sure they could trust the Dean's assessment, but seeing as she's the only one that had any, they did just that. Both Sarah and Nancy stand beside Brigitte, taking both her hands into their own, and look in the mirror beside her.

"Now Brigitte, what you want to do is find a focus." The Dean says, rubbing her hands up and down an uncomfortable Brigitte' shoulders. Brigitte couldn't put her focus on it, but it got her tremors and shakes to stop.

"What now ?" Brigitte still sounds uneasy.

"I want you to imagine how your fangs grow; how your regular teeth morph into that of a wolf." The Dean leans over her left shoulder.

Brigitte does just that, and lets out a small pained cry as she feels that ache coming back.

Sarah and Nancy's eyes widen when they see Brigitte's gritted teeth. They're about to speak up, but a look from the Dean warns them to keep their traps shut.

"I want you to imagine your claws." The Dean leans over Brigitte's right shoulder, "How your fingernails become something else; that that could go from causing a nasty scratch to outright killing someone."

Brigitte winces, feeling that splitting ache forming in her finger tips.

It grows and grows, and Brigitte cries out a little louder. This time, she hears Sarah and Nancy gasp, and it was enough for Brigitte to open her eyes.

Brigitte gasps out in horror, releasing Sarah and Nancy's hands, as she sees her eyes have become wolf-like. Her ears pointed, and her teeth were fangs.

When she looks at her hands, she sees that claws have formed, and that her hands were already beginning to distort.

"OHMYGOD!!!" Brigitte blurts out.

Brigitte nearly slips in her panic, and would have fallen to the floor, had the Dean not held her shoulders. She tries to struggle and break herself free in her panic, but the Dean's voice overpowers her fight/flight response.

As Sarah and Nancy step forward to help her, the Dean stops them with a look,

"Hold still, Fitzgerald." The Dean holds Brigitte still, looming over her shoulder, "What you see before you is not out of your control."

Despite her panic, Brigitte feels her heart come to a slow, and her breathing becomes more even.

"I want you to close your eyes again." The Dean instructs her, "Use your sight and you smell to find another focus."

Coming down from this, Brigitte closes her eyes, and finds something to focus on.

She picks up that scent coming off of Nancy, and the sound of her and Sarah's raised heart beats. Despite herself, Brigitte finds herself forming a small smile.

"Now, as you did before, I want you to think of your teeth," The Dean instructs, "Think how they go from fangs that would rip the throat from a buffalo...into something more human when you awake."

Brigitte grits her teeth, but follows the Dean's words. She thinks of her teeth, and how they go back from being that of a wolf to that of a human.

And like that, the ache in her mouth was fading.

"Think of your claws," The Dean continues, "Ask yourself where they go when you awake ?"

As she's told, Brigitte tries to focus on her clawed hands. She once again noticed that painful stretching and splitting in her fingers was fading as well.

When Brigitte opens her eyes, she sees they're back to her usual green human eyes.

When she lifts her hands to check her teeth, she notices her hand is just that; no claws, no fur, nothing.

When she finally checks her teeth, she sees they are no longer fangs.

Covering her mouth in shock, Brigitte looks towards the Dean as the latter steps away from her, making "ta-da!" motion with her hands.

"What...what did you do to me ?" Brigitte looks at the mirror in disbelief.

"Absolutely nothing, girl." The Dean chuckles, "All that was in your control; all you needed was a nudge."

As Sarah and Nancy step forward and look over Brigitte, they give the Dean this skeptical look.

"But how did you know ?" Sarah asks.

"This isn't the first time I've seen something like this," The Dean puts her hands behind her back with a look of faux modesty, before gesturing to Brigitte, "But these things take time to master. But for now it seems you got a handle on the training wheels."

Brigitte finally looks towards the Dean, whose smirk becomes more coy.

"Hearing anything else, Fitz ?" The Dean crosses her arms.

Brigitte looks towards both Sarah and Nancy, who both put her hands on her shoulders, checking if she's okay. They say something to her, but all she hears is their heartbeats.

"I...I can control this ?" Brigitte finally asks.

"Well, practice will make perfect." The Dean shrugs, "But yes. It just won't be easy."

Brigitte looks at her human hands. She makes a breathy noise like a cross between a gasp, a sob and a chuckle.

She has a few tears running down her face, which Sarah and Nancy wipe from her face.

I can control this, Brigitte realized, this is something that can be mastered - something they can't use anymore.

It's not a curse...it's like a power.

Brigitte didn't notice she was crying/laughing at the same time, until she felt Nancy brushing a hand through her hair, and Sarah kissed her forehead. When she looks up, she sees both Sarah and Nancy are hugging her.

It was then Brigitte remembered something else, and vengeance filled her heart.

"The Baron," Brigitte grits her teeth, "I'll kill him-"

"No you won't." The Dean shakes her head, raising her hands a little "This is the calm before the storm; the last thing we need is for you to fire the first shot, that'll turn Silas into a battlefield. It's what the Baron expects of you."

Brigitte opens her mouth to object, when the Dean holds her hand up.

"Until then, just keep yourself focused, and will enjoy the calm while it lasts," The Dean looks over the three of them, but focuses on Brigitte "When you're ready to learn more, I will come for you."

And with that, the lights in the bathroom turn off, and immediately flicker back on to show the Dean has disappeared.

After a pause, and getting her bearings, Brigitte speaks.

"So...she knows magic ?"

"Vampire cult leader." Nancy puts an arm around Brigitte's shoulders, "Comes with the package."

"Are you sure you're okay, B ?" Sarah stands before Brigitte, and takes hands into her own, before pressing their foreheads together, "You still want to go ?"

Brigitte looks at her hands, closes her eyes, and listens to Sarah's heartbeat. It was like Brigitte could feel it through their touch.

Feeling Nancy behind her, resting her chin on her shoulder, Brigitte inhales her scent deeply, before releasing a shuddering breath.

"I...I think I want to see the rest of the show." Brigitte finally answers, swallowing her spit.

"Are you sure ?"

"Yeah, I just..." Brigitte shudders as she comes down, "I just need to keep myself focused."

Sarah and Nancy share a glance, and nod.

"Alright then," Sarah says "But if you think you're about to act up-"

Brigitte silences Sarah by kissing her, before turning her head to kiss Nancy.

"It's cool," Brigitte says, "You just gotta keep me focused, right ?"

Again, Sarah and Nancy look at eachother, nodding with acceptance. With this, Sarah stands to Brigitte's left, and Nancy to her right, as they both take her hands.

Sufficiently cooled down from her "episode", Brigitte leads them out the door.

-----

When they got back to their seats, not much else happened. Outside the show, at least.

Bonnie would ask if Brigitte was okay, and they'd tell her that Brigitte had a passing episode. Bonnie decided not to pry and trigger anything.

Throughout their watch, Brigitte just kept holding Sarah and Nancy's hands. She'd hear/feel their heartbeats through their touch, and kept her sense of smell focused on Nancy.

While Brigitte did catch that blueberry/honey smell, and the sound of metal and glass spinning, it was a lot more faint this time. The only time Brigitte looked toward Vordenberg's direction, the Baron was still in his booth.

It looked like he was still spinning his spoon around the rim of his tea cup, but was becoming increasingly frustrated as nothing happened.

When he seemed to notice that Brigitte noticed him, she looked away, and pretended to scratch her nose with her middle finger.

For the most part, they just focused on the show, and what Rochelle brought to her role as Madith.

The second half focused on the fallout of Phea and Madith's affair when it was revealed to their loved ones; and the looming threat of the Great Old Ones, who were so offended by their union.

At the same time, Phea and Madith have this arc where they fall too deep into each other's worlds, and wonder if they are a corrupting influence on each other.

As this happens, the Ambassador pulls the strings to begin his "Holy War" (or in his words "The Joke of Millenia!").

At first the audience would think they'd go the full Romeo and Juliet route, but it went for a surprisingly optimistic route in spite of the bleak setting.

For example, there was a subplot about Madith's fiancé and Phea's sister, who despite being on opposite ends of their social spectrum, join forces to put a stop to the affair. But in an ironic twist, they also end up falling in love.

The climax centered around the Ambassador trying to break Phea, Madith, and their civilization down, by showing them the destruction of the stars. However, one of the higher beings shows the stars reform from their remnants showing a vision of the world beginning anew.

This counters the Ambassador's nihilistic philosophy, and he throws a tantrum and leaves the world. As part of his punishment, the Ambassador would walk between worlds for all time, and be forced to witness the story of his failure every time it's told.

While the story ends with R'lyeh going into the sea, and the Great Old Ones coming to Earth, leaving the character's fates in the air.

Phea and Madith's story ends on a more ambiguous/bittersweet note; that even if they don't survive R'lyeh's fate, their story is remembered by the stars.

All set to the closing song "The Endless Cycle", being a semi-reprise to "Stars Fall, Seas Rise" and "One in A Million Eyes".

All this to say, it was a pretty good show, and the only other time Brigitte released Sarah and Nancy's hands was when they and Bonnie gave Rochelle a standing ovation.

When the curtains closed, the girls finally spoke again.

"So...?" Nancy asks.

"So what ?" Brigitte, brushes a hand through her hair.

"How was that for a first date ?" Sarah adds, before wincing a little, "You know, besides-"

"It could have been worse." Brigitte looks at her human hands, "Could have been a lot worse..."

Brigitte pauses for a moment, clutching her knuckles.

As she thinks about it, she can feel her claws starting to form. But when she thinks to stop, then they stop as well.

Looking back at her girlfriends, Brigitte speaks again.

"I hope it's not the last."

-----

D.E.B.S Academy, California Campus

The sun was going down on the campus. A chopper has landed on a helipad on the main building's roof.

Out from the chopper, steps Miss Petrie, along with two secretaries and an entourage of eight bodyguards. She is a little annoyed by the wind blowing in her face, but also the news she got earlier that morning.

She was told that their in-between with Homeland and head of the investigation, Bobby Matthews was arrested for the assault of Liane Bradshaw.

Petrie was quietly a little concerned with this getting out. If they were going to throw Matthews out for something, she'd prefer it was over something that didn't connect with Amy Bradshaw.

Especially if Bradshaw got sympathy for it.

But what really frustrates Petrie was the news that Bobby broke out, and got several police officers and civilians killed in a blast he set. And to make matters worse, was brought back to California.

If Bobby's actions get traced back to the Academy, Petrie isn't sure she's ready for the media circus. Best she can hope for is maybe putting him down, and spinning this story about him breaking and entering.

But that was easier said than done, seeing as she was hosting the D.E.B.S founders for tonight's briefing. Which includes Bobby's grandfather, Edwin Matthews.

Petrie was not looking forward to this meeting.

-----

In the main office, guards were at every door, and four different seats were set up before Petrie's desk.

Beside her desk, stood Mr. Phipps, presenting a projection screen behind the desk; on the screen itself were images and recordings taken from the investigation. A lot of them were taken from Max and Dominique's bugs.

In each seat were the D.E.B.S co-founders and deputy directors, and headmasters/mistresses of international D.E.B.S Academy's.

There was a 50 something black woman by the name of Charlotte Sullivan, wearing a grey suit and a pair of glasses; Julius Marin, balding Hispanic man with a short beard dressed in a blue suit that mirrors Petrie's.

There was Ellie Travis, another older woman, with short-cut greying blond hair, who was a little on the frumpy side, and in a black suit.

And finally, 75 year old Edwin Matthews, a military man passed his prime with a white buzzcut, dressed in a dark grey suit of his own.

Matthews tries to keep a professional demeanor along with his colleagues, but one could see the embarrassment in his eyes about the news surrounding his grandson. It seems no one else brought it up though.

At the moment, Phipps was giving a rundown on the current case "-And with our findings, we are still waiting for word from Director Petrie-"

"Wait no longer," Petrie herself answers, stepping into her office along with her entourage.

As she makes herself known, the co-founders stand, at which Petrie raises her hand for them to sit down.

"At ease," Petrie moves to her desk and taking her seat "Now what have I missed ?"

"I was just telling them of our findings," Phipps explains, stepping away from the desk "And going over what we know so far, but-"

"Ah yes," Petrie dismissively waves Phipps, before addressing the others "In collaboration with...former deputy director and Baron-"

Petrie raises a finger, taking a card out of her breast pocket, which she reads aloud.

"Cornelius Hans Albrecht, Lügenbaron von Vordenberg," Petrie narrows her eyes as she reads the card "Christ, that's a mouthful."

Petrie puts the card aside, putting her hands together on the table.

"We were able to excavate our campus in Silas County." Petrie explains "As I'm sure Phipps filled you in, our findings were...grim. But by digging through mud, we struck gold."

"Yes, tainted gold; sub-nuclear devices were never part of our armory." Sullivan speaks up "Just what was Vordenberg doing stockpiling these devices on D.E.B.S Property ?"

"Precisely." Marin nods in agreement, "Everything we're told of how he ran the programs, tells us his students were a personal army."

Petrie scoffs at this.

"Oh, don't get namby pamby here." Petrie rolls her eyes, as she looks over her audience "Our whole careers we're told that there are the hands that shoot, and the hands that point."

Petrie mimes pointing a gun with her fingers.

"We train these students as soldiers and agents. So we treat our best as such." Petrie says "And Vordenberg has quite the target to point at."

Petrie turns around, as the projector presents images taken from the Silas Campus

"I'm sure you're aware of Silas' eerie reputation." Petrie stands up from the desk and crosses her arms "Vampires, cults, human sacrifice; why Vordenberg's own ancestors almost lost everything to those leeches."

Looking over her audience again, Petrie continues.

"He was ahead of the curb with what we have on our hands. And she's given us a window into Corvae."

The projection next shows the sigil of the Corvae Corporation, as well as a montage of their labs.

"Vordenberg is a shareholder with 11% of the company in his pocket." Petrie explains "And with our interests aligning - and every other agency thinking we're a joke - Corvae is the last real backer we have."

Dramatically, Petrie gestures towards the deputy directors.

"But this ? We can save Silas, we can stop Diamond, and the D.E.B.S name on the map!" Petrie sounds unusually enthusiastic "Our names on the map!"

"Do we even know which she intends to strike ?" Ellie Travis raises a hand, "We were told that Diamond intends to strike in two days, and we're supposed to ready our whole student bodies to set up defenses."

Smiling subtly, Petrie re-takes her seat.

"As it happened, a little birdie told me about a leak. We had word that a lycanthrope whose allied with Diamond, stole vital intel from our people in Corvae." Petrie resists a smile, as she puts her hands together "With the risk of this getting back to Diamond, I have it on good authority that our white whale will make port in three locations, Ontario, Canada."

Petrie begins counting her fingers.

"Sudbury, Toronto, and Sault Ste Marie." Petrie says before raising a finger "And Sudbury is landlocked; if Diamond were to use her Caller there, it may increase the collateral damage."

"Are we to evacuate these locations ?" Marin asks.

"Unfortunately not," Petrie shakes her head with an exaggeratedly solemn sigh "We won't be able to convince the Canadian Government of the threat at hand, and without it, we wouldn't have the resources to evacuate these places ourselves. And the last thing we want is to cause mass panic from a threat they aren't aware of."

What Petrie doesn't add is that nothing proves how great a threat is than the potential body count it would leave behind. The more poor souls avenged, the bigger name the D.E.B.S will make for themselves.

"Don't forget Houston." A younger male gets their attention.

Entering the room was Bobby Matthews, wearing a green hoodie, a punisher t-shirt and dark slacks. Under his ear and eye, he wears three different band-aids.

Following behind him was a timid looking D.E.B.S agent, Kayla Sarto.

"I have it on good authority that Houston was on Lucy Diamond's radar." Bobby sounds irritated as he says this, thinking about how he was treated during his stay in a cell.

All shocked eyes were on Bobby, save for his grandfather, who looked away from him with a glare. As well, as Mr. Phipps, who also looks irritated at the younger agent.

"You're supposed to be under watch." Phipps says in a warning tone. Kayla looks away with a guilty expression.

"Nah, I was part of this op since Lucy Diamond stole my Amy." Bobby shakes his head and stands near the wall "And if this is going to be our last strike on Diamond, you need me there."

The others, save for Edwin, look cautiously towards Bobby and back at Petrie.

"Isn't he the one who-?" Marin starts to ask, before Edwin interrupts.

"Yes." Edwin says, with an exasperated sigh.

Looking towards his grandfather, Bobby gives him a boyish smile "Hey, gramps."

For the first time, the whole night, Edwin glares at Bobby; silently telling him "Don't you "Hey Gramps" me!"

Undeterred, the others look towards Petrie and Phipps.

"You've been sheltering a rogue agent and a fugitive ?" Sullivan asks.

"Sheltering is an ugly word." Petrie gives an annoyed look Bobby, "It's more like we're keeping an eye on him."

"He's killed civilians and police officers!" Ellie Travis gets up from her seat, pointing to Bobby "He firebombed a precinct! We made our people disappear for less!"

"Oh, don't be like that!" Bobby steps away from the wall and crosses his arms "It was a frame up! Diamond had Liane Bradshaw beaten in her home, and hired out the police in Houston to take me in and beat me down! How can you not-"

"Oh, you give me far too much credit!" A laughing voice is heard over the projector.

As everyone looks around for the source of the voice, the screen begins acting up, before revealing Lucy Diamond, dressed in her dark outfit, sitting on a spinning chair in a dark room.

Theatrically, Lucy dribbles her fingers together, and has one leg crossed over the other. She regards her audience with an unsettling grin.

"Oh, don't get up on my account," Lucy says a playfully sarcastic voice "I understand you're busy, so this won't take long-"

"Lucy Diamond," Bobby narrows his eyes, and steps before the projector "We met again..."

"I'm sorry, do I know you ?" Lucy tilts her head at Bobby, looking baffled and unfamiliar towards him.

"I won't let you get away with what you took from me!"

"You're going to have to be more specific." Lucy shrugs "I stole a lot of things, from a lot of people. Not that they weren't better off in my hands."

Bobby opens his mouth to speak, but Lucy holds up a hand.

"Doesn't matter, we have more important things to worry about."

Lucy turns her attention to Petrie, and her deputy directors.

"It's come to my attention that you and your students have been sticking your noses in my business." Lucy slowly slouches back into her chair "And believe me, I got your message loud and clear. Especially with what you know of Yobidashi-gawa."

Saving face, Petrie fakes a cough before reserving herself.

"Your Caller, yes." Petrie stands dramatically before the screen "We're aware of what you intend! Make no mistake, no matter how much of the world you burn; no matter how many lives lost to those you drag into your pointless war; it all ends the same!"

Putting her hands behind her back, Petrie leans in with a confident smile.

"With you before a firing squad."

Narrowing her eyes, Lucy leans in herself, focusing on Petrie.

"You know, the D.E.B.S and I have been doing the same song and dance for nearly five years." Lucy tilts her head from side to side "I settle a blood debt; I dig up your dirt; see the deals your agency made with the Schaffer syndicate-"

As Lucy says this, the deputy directors exchange these worrying glances.

"And yet, all I take is your tech, dirty secrets." Lucy gets up from her chair "I've been nothing but lenient towards you people, and yet you never were to catch that white whale of yours."

Lucy gestures her hands to run down her body, before putting them on her hips in an authoritative pose.

"What chance do you have with Leviathan ?"

This time Bobby speaks, shoving Petrie aside.

"Oh, don't you worry about that," Bobby points at Lucy "We'll destroy your monster too! Your time is over, Diamond!"

With an unamused smirk, Lucy crosses her arms, and leans in towards the camera.

"Which one are you ? Brad, was it ?" Lucy asks "Or was it Mark ? Ah, it doesn't matter."

Bobby just glares, and while Lucy speaks, she looks between Bobby and Petrie, letting everyone know who she's really addressing.

"Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook, and press down his tongue with a rope ?" Lucy begins, "Can you put a rope in his nose, and pierce his jaw with a hook ?"

As she speaks, Petrie and Bobby share a glance, wondering where she was going with this.

"Will he make many pleas to you, or will he speak to you with gentle words ?" Lucy continues, "Will he make a covenant with you ? Will you take him as a servant forever ?"

Watching on, the deputy directors quietly mutter to each other, while Phipps silently shakes his head.

"Will you play with him as with a bird, and tie him down for your young girls ?" Lucy darts her eyes across the room "Will the traders bargain for him ? Will they divide him among the merchants ?"

While Petrie tries to look more reserved, Bobby just rolls his eyes and scoffs.

"Can you fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears ?" Lucy dramatically raises one of her hands, "Lay your hand on him. Remember the battle, you will not do it again!"

Still trying to save face, Petrie speaks up.

"Your words mean nothing." She says "Empty threats of an impotent girl, playing with toys that don't belong to her."

What can I say; these things have a way of running into my hands." Lucy shrugs with a teasing smirk, making a playful squeezing motion with both hands, "In fact, it was your top agent, Amy that ran into my loving arms."

Yet again, Bobby shoves Petrie aside, raising his voice in indignation.

"Keep my girl's name OUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH!!" Bobby shouts.

"Funny you mention that, Clive. She can't keep me out of hers!"

Not a face in the room wasn't red.

"All this said, Lucy re-takes her seat, "We all know where this is going; I await you in Silas. It's high time we settle this for good."

And with that, the projection screen goes dark.

-----

From there, Petrie sort of handwaved the co-directors for their next strategy. They will need all hands on deck with this one; half their student body in the city's "Lucy" was posed to strike.

The other half were to settle in Silas for the final assault against Diamond. Already, the Silas D.E.B.S campus was being set up as a station. Petrie will be returning to Styria the next day to personally oversee the operation.

In the meantime, there was a personal matter closer to home for Petrie to look into. She had the other deputies excused - as well as her bodyguards and secretaries - and kept only Bobby and Edwin Matthews to her office.

This was something few eyes can see, and few ears can hear.

Once alone with his grandfather, and ostensible superior, Bobby was the first to speak as he took a seat in a chair beside Edwin.

"So, what's with you guys dodging my calls ?"

"I don't wish to speak to you, Robert." Edwin gets up from his seat, crosses his arms and looks away "A sentiment shared with the rest of us."

Quietly, Petrie heads to the alcohol cabinet in the corner of her room. She picks out a bottle of red wine and a small glass.

"Oh, don't be like that!" Bobby gets up from his chair "It's like I told you; Diamond framed me for assault, and had her cronies in the police force-"

Turning towards him, Edwin gets into Bobby's face.

"You really think you can bullshit me, boy ?" Edwin seethes, poking Bobby twice on his chest "You aren't a fucking kid anymore! I thought you would have learned some responsibility!"

Petrie helps herself to a glass of wine, watching this go down, as she re-takes her seat, and puts the bottle on the corner of her desk.

"But year after year, case after case, I wonder if you're worth the cause." Edwin finishes, looking away from Bobby

Bobby shakes his head, an annoyed glare forming on his face.

"You want me to say I'm sorry, fine, I'm sorry that bitch forced my hand." Bobby argues, "Didn't you escape a prison camp ? Kill like sixty guards ? What I did is no different!"

"Oh, don't do that!" Edwin raises his voice "Don't give me that crap; I'd never assault a woman in her own home-"

"It was Lucy Diamond!" Bobby raises his voice, getting into his grandfather's face "Amy's mom was beaten to a pulp when I got there! Cops showed up, and said they had a message from Lucy and beat the shit out of me!"

This time, Bobby jabs Edwin in the chest.

"Doesn't matter if you believe me, that's what's going on the record!" Bobby then glares at Petrie "Right ?"

Rather than answer, Petrie just looks away with this unreadable expression.

"What's gotten into you ?" Edwin shakes his head in disbelief "I heard you were a bad egg, but I didn't think you were this rotten ?"

"Only thing that's rotten is Diamond!" Bobby gets more agitated just saying her name "She and her poison turning Amy against this school; against me! She started this whole thing!"

Bobby traces his finger across the mark where Liane slashed him.

"This ? Is never going away, I think I'm entitled to some compensation!"

Stepping from his grandson, Edwin shakes his head.

"Entitled. That's one way of putting it." Edwin chuckles cynically, "Coddled brat is what you are."

"Oh, will you give it a rest!" Bobby groans in annoyance, "Mr. P was rambling to me all day about-"

"And that reminds me," Edwin turns his attention to Petrie "Just what were you doing sheltering him ?"

"In my defense," Petrie raises a hand, "He wasn't supposed to come back here. His part was done."

"What ?" Edwin asks, looking back and forth between Petrie and Bobby.

Bobby's own expression becomes sullen, and sulks back a little towards his chair, as Petrie explains.

"Well, your grandson was becoming a liability with the case, drawing unwanted attention," Petrie gestures to Bobby "We sent him to Houston to see if he can keep things quiet there. Get eyes off of Silas."

Edwin looks at Bobby, and then back to Petrie, as realization hits him.

"You had-"

"What happened to Mrs. Bradshaw was an unfortunate accident, but a welcome one." Petrie puts her hands together with a calm smile "It drew attention off us."

Shaking his head, Edwin takes a step back. He tries to compose himself as he yet again looks between Petrie and Bobby.

"I knew you'd get your hands dirty, Michelle." Edwin says to Petrie "I knew you had us making shady decisions, but not outright-"

"You were part of the Hawkins cleanup, Matthews!" Petrie raises her voice as she stands up from her chair, pointing at the old man "You're the last person to be moralizing here!"

Closing his eyes to reserve himself, Edwin takes a few deep breaths, as another realization settles in. He thinks back to Phipps' lecture about four students going to her manor to collect a weapon, only to turn out ripped apart

"Diamond's plans...they're not her plans are they ?"

"What can I say, gramps ?" Bobby steps forward and patting his grandfather "Good soldiers need a cause, otherwise they're just standard around with their dicks in their hands."

Incredulously, Edwin steps away from his grandson, once again shaking his head.

"You unbelievable bastard." Edwin puts both hands on Bobby's shoulder, preparing to shake the young man and raising his voice "You don't get it do you ? This isn't a game!"

Bobby puts his hand over his grandfather's face, specifically over his mouth to shut him up.

"Give it a rest, old man." Bobby shoves Edwin aside, pushing him into the desk, causing Petrie to flinch back "Phipps has been bitching to me about this all day and I've had enough!"

Edwin staggers up as Bobby advances towards him. He stared Bobby down with narrowed eyes and had a look of disappointment.

"You're not the hero, Robert." Edwin tries to keep his cool, "You never have been."

Unphased, Bobby glances towards the wine bottle, "You just couldn't keep playing along, could you old man ?"

Both Bobby and Edwin both made their moves, but Bobby was quicker; he snatches the bottle and swung it into his grandfather's face. Edwin buckles over and lands against the desk with a cough.

Before the older man can get his bearings, Bobby swings again, hitting Edwin in his upper back and the back of his neck. As Petrie again flinches into the corner, Edwin slips off the deck, onto the floor and landing on his back

Edwin tries to open his eyes, seeing his grandson looming down at him with an unmoved expression. Bobby swings the bottle down twice, both times hitting Edwin in his chest and ribs.

As Edwin gasps and groans from the impact, his teeth are stained red. He tries to open his eyes, but they're sore. He tries to get up, but he can't move.

Bobby crouched over his grandfather, putting one hand over the old man's mouth and nose, and the other on his neck. Then he presses down.

For nearly a minute, Edwin tries to struggle, tries to scream, but all that comes out is muffled whimpers. All the while, Bobby's expression never phases, and he makes no noise beyond the sound of his heavy breathing.

Soon, Edwin stops and is still, his partially closed eyes rolling into his head.

After a pause, Bobby looks up towards Petrie. She looks only a little shaken and intimidated at what just occurred.

"Now what are you gonna say ?" He asks.

Petrie takes a moment to get her bearings.

"You...you just killed a deputy director, you walking failure!" Petrie tries to save face, gesturing to Edwin's body "The three of us in here, and it happens your grandfather who doesn't walk out ? You'll sink everything we worked for!"

"Oh, you'll think of something." Bobby dismissively waves, taking the wine bottle, opening it and taking a swing.

As he paces around the desk, he himself thinks of something.

"We can have him placed and found in one of the dorms. The others will be too embarrassed to investigate further." He suggested, scratching his nose, "Put him in a girls bed or bathroom; put some coke or X on him, they'll sweep this all under the rug."

Bobby puts the bottle on the desk, circling it towards Petrie, who backs away. As Bobby passes it, he picks up the wine glass.

"Just to make sure we have an understanding, you weren't planning to extract me." Bobby speaks, noticing Petrie was glancing around for some escape.

"Looks like you're not as thick as we thought." Petrie chuckles nervously.

"Sweet talking me ain't gonna help."

An unamused, Bobby breaks the glass against the wall, leaving only its handle as a makeshift spike. He takes Petrie by the neck and forces her into the corner.

As Petrie tries to struggle, Bobby holds the spike under her neck and chin. Despite her panic, Petrie blinks a few times to get her bearings, before she manages to speak.

"You won't do it."

"How do you know ?"

"You walk out here with me and your grandfather dead, they'll never let you leave the campus." Petrie chuckles, "You won't make it down the hall, before the put you down! And make me and your grandfather martyrs."

"Yeah," Bobby shrugs, "But I don't think you want to be a martyr; they don't live to reap their rewards."

Bobby releases Petrie and steps away from her.

"And to keep that from happening, the two of us are going to need a deal."

Petrie just glares, feeling around her neck "What do you want then ?"

"I'm going back to Silas," Bobby uses the spike to point to Petrie, "I'm gonna be the one who puts Diamond down, and I'm gonna disappear afterwards. You'll give a plaque for my sacrifice, send a few mill my way; we get both our happy endings."

Petrie pauses, before nodding.

"Sure, anything else ?"

"When you bring Amy in, you're going to fix her, and I mean really fix her; till she knows better than to run." Bobby says, tapping the side of his head "You're going to tell everyone that Diamond killed her, when you actually handed her to me."

Bobby makes an airplane noise as he "flies" his spike in the air, before pointing to himself.

"You got a place to settle in then ?" Petrie tries to have some semblance of control here "You can't just drive off into the sunset with your baggage."

Bobby circles around, tapping his forehead as he thinks things through. He then gets the idea.

"We've got that lodge in the Appalachian Mountains." Bobby nods, "Yeah, that'll do."

As he says this, Bobby makes his way out of the room, setting the broken glass back on the desk.

"Until then, you got a mess to clean," Bobby says, "And I gotta shower with Kayla."

Bobby turns around before he exits the room.

"Oh and uh, you're also going to put Houston on the list. Real inhospitable place." Bobby raises a finger "And while we're at it ? Barcelona; it's the only way Amy will learn."

When Bobby finally leaves the room, Petrie puts a hand on her chest and exhales deeply.

With a slight stagger in her step, Petrie returns to her desk and retakes her seat. She picks up the wine bottles, and takes a quick swig, before looking over the desk at Edwin.

"Tough break, Ed." Petrie shrugs "But hey, better you than me."

-----

Later that night - or earlier, since Styria is nine hours ahead of California - back at the Coven's Boarding House.

It was near or just midnight when the girls returned to their residence.

The place was quiet, save for the TV being on in the basement. Probably Lucy and Amy watching something, or having fallen asleep themselves. The others were about ready to hit the hay themselves.

The day was especially busy for Rochelle, so there were no objections to just retiring to bed...though Bonnie may have had other plans, as she and Rochelle ended up in the same bed.

They tried to not make too much noise.

Sarah, Nancy and Brigitte retired to their bed, but unlike their friends, decided to hold back on sex for the night. Especially after Brigitte's "episode".

Instead, they settled for cuddling each other until they were finally able to sleep. All the while, Brigitte became more and more eased in their touch and scent.

Brigitte couldn't remember the last time she had a "Butterflies in her stomach" feeling. It was rare for her to feel this giddy about something, let alone be overwhelmed by it.

But what if the Dean says is true, whatever her, Sarah and Nancy's sexual ritual did to her, it didn't take the curse away. But it made it *not* a curse.

It gave her this sense of autonomy and control that she thought she'd lost when she became infected.

Early in the AM's, while Brigitte pretended to sleep, she held her hand up over her. She looked out the window to see it was a New Moon that night. As far from her "cycle" of change as she'd get.

And yet, when Brigitte closes her eyes, she imagines claws and fur growing from her hand.

When she opens them, they are there. She closes them, imagining they'd go away. And so they do.

Now, the Dean called this "training wheels"; apparently there was more for Brigitte to learn, which left her with more questions. And a lot that she won't have answered before the night is up.

For that she couldn't get a wink of sleep.

Well, that and another thing.

The more time she spent taking in the scent from Nancy, it was near impossible to ignore. And because of this, it increased Brigitte's suspicion that their "ritual" affected Nancy in some way too.

It was about 1:30 to 2:00 when Nancy got out of bed.

Ever since Brigitte first slept with these two, Nancy has been experiencing nausea each night and each morning. And each time, Nancy would insist it was something she ate or some kind of flu bug.

But that scent was giving Brigitte a second opinion.

And because this was becoming a daily/nightly occurrence, Sarah wasn't phased when Nancy went to the bathroom, and barely stirred. Brigitte on the other hand, was awake, and decided it was time to talk to her about it.

When Brigitte heard Nancy close the bathroom door, she quietly got out of bed, careful not to disturb Sarah. Quietly making her way down the hall, the only light source was coming from under the bathroom door.

When Brigitte quietly opens it, she sees Nancy looming over the toilet and breathing heavily. Nancy looked up at Brigitte, a little annoyed but more embarrassed. It didn't appear she threw up yet.

"...I think it was a false alarm..." Nancy looks away "I'm fine..."

"Nancy," Brigitte quietly closes the door, crouches down next to Nancy, and puts a hand on her back "I think-"

"I told you," Nancy wipes her tired eyes, "It's just a flu bug. I didn't eat much tonight, that's all."

Brigitte puts both her hands on Nancy's shoulders, and makes the goth look at her.

"Nancy please," Brigitte insists "I have to tell you something important."

"Does it have to be now ?" Nancy stands up away from the toilet, and gets a little irate, "B, I have to take the ducklings on a field trip tomorrow-"

"Nancy, I've been smelling something off of you." Brigitte whispers bluntly.

Nancy furrows her brow and narrows her eyes.

"And ?"

Brigitte sighs, and directs Nancy to stand up.

Putting the toilet seat down, Nancy takes a seat, while Brigitte sits on the edge of their bathtub. Brushing a hand through her hair, Brigitte takes a deep breath as Nancy listens expectantly.

"Okay, so," Brigitte fakes a cough, not sure how to explain herself, "When we first...you know, fucked...you said that your ritual could bend the rules of nature."

Nancy nods "Yeah ?"

"It did something to my condition, and I think it also did something to you two." Brigitte points to Nancy, and jabs a thumb down the hall to indicate Sarah.

"Okay ?"

Brigitte rubs the back of her neck as she explains herself.

"The scent you've been giving off, I smelled it before on other girls." Brigitte says, "Normally it's subtle, like I barely notice it but with my senses acting up..."

Brigitte pauses, and when Nancy notices her hesitation, her mind was already working it out. Not sure if she believes it, Nancy asks-

"What are you trying to say, B ?"

"The girls I caught the scent on...they were all..." Brigitte bites her lip, not finishing her sentence, but notices Nancy's eyes widened, and her mouth drops in realization.

As Nancy was piecing it together, Brigitte takes her hand, and places it on Nancy's stomach.

For a moment, Nancy looked like she had short-circuited. The noise she made barely passed as a gasp as she covered her mouth with one hand and her stomach with the other.

"I'm...I'm..." Nancy starts to stutter.

"I think you're pregnant, Nancy." Brigitte nods, "Actually, I'm pretty sure you are."

If Nancy wasn't sitting, she would have dropped on her ass at the revelation. However, when she tries to stand, her legs stagger, prompting Brigitte to stand up and catch her.

As if in a panic, Nancy begins to breath heavily and shake her head. Brigitte pulls Nancy into a reassuring hug, and kisses her temple.

"I- I don't know- I don't know how-" Nancy stutters, but her mind keeps piecing it together.

It had to have been when she and Sarah first brought Brigitte to their bed. Nancy thinks back to when she and Sarah "released" together...and how it felt like Sarah was being drained a little, and filling Nancy up.

Nancy remembers that tingly sensation she had in her womb when they woke up the next morning. It suddenly all made sense.

"Life." Nancy realizes, "Sarah poured her life force into me..."

Nancy was staring off into space for a moment, before looking back at Brigitte.

"I'm pregnant." Nancy states, putting her hand on her stomach, "I'm actually pregnant."

Brigitte notices Nancy's eyes are starting to water, and she puts her face into her hands. Nancy makes these heavy breathing noises, as Brigitte tentatively gets up off the tub, and puts an arm around Nancy.

For a moment, Brigitte wonders if she should say, before realizing there was really nothing she can say. So, she just holds Nancy until she comes down.

"I..." Nancy looks up at Brigitte, wiping her eyes, "This wasn't supposed to happen you know. I mean, Sarah and I thought about it, but we didn't- I didn't think it'd happen with-"

Nancy moves her hands in a circular motion.

"All this happening."

Brigitte nods, and begins gingerly rubbing Nancy's back, "Do you...want to tell Sarah or-?"

"No." Nancy shakes her head and wipes her eyes again, "We have too much on our plate already and..."

Nancy composes herself and sighs heavily.

"It's the middle of the night and we have a field trip tomorrow." Nancy gets up off the toilet seat, "We can't afford any distractions."

Brigitte gets up after Nancy "Is there anything you want me to do or-?"

"Just keep Sarah warm tonight." Nancy says, putting on a dark purple bathrobe, "I think I'm gonna sleep on the couch."

Before Nancy leaves the bathroom, she turns towards Brigitte, and kisses her on the forehead.

"Goodnight."

When Brigitte was left alone in the bathroom, she just looked at herself in the mirror.

"Looks like we're really in this, are we ?" She tells herself "There's no going back from this."

It was like the Dean told them earlier. Tonight was the calm before the storm.

Come sunrise, the storm is next.

-----

D.E.B.S. Interrogation Chamber, May 27th, 2004

For the past hour now - though it felt like much, much longer - both Amy and Brigitte sat cuffed to a table, both of them in red jumpsuits.

At that time, they were being grilled over by Petrie herself, wanting to know what they found out in their "radio silence" the past month. Just moments ago, Amy finally snapped at Petrie, like something she was holding in for so long finally boiled over.

Petrie was not impressed.

"You poor little fool; that Diamond girl has really got you screwed up in the head." Petrie says "But back to the matter at hand; there was a week or so of radio silence in Silas."

Petrie then glances at Brigitte.

"In fact, it's come to our attention that the little coven you cozied up to, has been looking more into what Lucy Diamond was up to, than even her former squad." Petrie says before turning to face Amy "After all, Miss Bailey and Miss Zimmerman showed themselves to be D.E.B.S material in their SATS. If they didn't turn us down, they could have actually made something of themselves."

Petrie looks back at Brigitte.

"Well, tell us what you learned ?"

Brigitte grits her teeth, takes a deep breath before speaking as calmly as she reasonably can.

"I know about as much as you do."

"I mean, it's not like you were making some nefarious friends yourself." Amy says, still glaring back at Petrie.

"I'm sure I don't know what you're-" Petrie starts to say before Amy interrupts.

"Cut the bullshit, Michelle!" Amy raises her voice, and gets up from her seat.

If she wasn't cuffed to the table, Amy would have likely throttled Petrie on the spot.

"We know about the Baron; we know what you two we're cooking up." Amy maintains her glare "And we know you set Bobby on my mom!"

Petrie takes a few steps back. She blinks before rolling her eyes.

"Oh come now, Miss Bradshaw! You're really going to let that drag you down to Diamond's level ?" Petrie crosses her arms, and stands back against the wall, out of Amy's reach "I mean, my mother walked out on me, and look how great I turned out!"

Neither Amy or Brigitte speak, only glare.

Composing herself, Petrie steps away from the wall, and circles to the table in the back of the room.

"Any other day, I'd say you have my sympathies for what's happened to your mother-" Petrie says dryly, before Amy interrupts.

"It would mean nothing from you!"

"-But it was an avoidable accident." Petrie raises a finger, before pointing at Amy "Had you not chosen Diamond, perhaps your mother would've been just fine."

Petrie retakes her seat.

"It was your choices that brought us here, Bradshaw." Petrie says bluntly, "You can't blame us for the consequences you reap."

"Fuck you!"

"Yes, yes. Let it all out." Petrie rolls her eyes "Maybe next time you'll know to choose your loyalties better. Your friends sure did."

Petrie lightly taps Amy on one of her temples, unbothered when Amy swats her hand away.

"But rest assured, we'll have that fixed when you leave this room." Petrie tilts her head with a smirk.

Petrie turns her attention to Brigitte, and the two narrow their eyes in a mutual glare.

"As for you, Fitzgerald." Petrie shakes her head "I knew you had to be trouble in your radio silence, but I didn't think you'd stoop as low as you did yesterday."

Taking the folder off the table, Petrie fishes out a picture from the day before.

In it was Brigitte, in handcuffs, wearing a black towel around her body at this beach. She was surrounded by four arresting agents, all with their guns out, with onlookers in the background.

Brigitte had this glare and beaten down look in her eyes, which were wolflike. A closer look at the picture would show Brigitte as having these clawed hangs. And her teeth were back to back to being fangs.

On both her fangs and claws, there was blood.

"Well, Fitzgerald ?" Petrie says, "I'm sure you have some explanation for this ?"