Disclaimer: I do not own Dominion. I do, however, own my OCs and additional plot lines that are clearly not from the show.

Please enjoy and let me know what you think.

Chapter 1: Audience with a Snake

Her blade plunged into the possessed's neck, snagging on dense muscle and bone before a final jerk cleanly severed its head from its body. A fine spray of dark mist filled the air, coating her face and t-shirt as she moved in to face another.

Elise raised her short sword, glistening with thick, dark blood, to block the claw aimed at her face. The possessed opened its mouth, bearing sharp fangs dripping with saliva, and expelled a breath. She cringed. The putrid stench burning her nose and making her eyes water.

A hand reached for her ankle. She felt jagged claws dig into her skin and a weak tug from a previous felled possessed trying to throw her off balance. Elise braced herself, planting her feet as she concentrated all her strength into wrenching the blade free.

It tore through the possessed's claws and, brandishing the sword in a wide arc, she slashed across its abdomen. The creature crumpled to the ground, black eyes wide and entrails emptying onto the dusty earth.

Elise reversed her blade and swiftly stabbed it through the neck of the last possessed, which promptly released its grip on her ankle. She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply.

Adrenaline surged through her veins, fuelling the dark part of her that elated in the prospect of bloodshed. Her grip on the sword was relaxed, but her fingers twitched with a desire to plunge the blade into soft flesh.

"I thought I told you to stay inside." Elise opened her eyes and turned to look at the girl standing in the doorway of a decrepit shed.

The girl ignored her and surveyed the scene with an awestricken expression. Five corpses lay sprawled on the dusty earth around Elise, eyes open and glazed over. A small gasp escaped her when she caught sight of the severed head but a few feet away from her.

"Y-You killed them all," the girl whispered.

"Obviously." She watched as the colour slowly drained from girl's face. "Something wrong Florence?"

Russet brown eyes snapped to her, narrowing in disgust. "You killed them."

The corner of Elise's mouth quirked into an amused smirk. "So I should have invited them in for tea instead?"

"No, but–"

"But what?"

Florence glanced at the severed head. "They were human once."

Elise watched her fidget uncomfortably, drawing the light grey cardigan tightly around her petite frame. The girl resembled her father in many ways. Her dirty blonde hair, dark eyes and olive complexion. Even every subtle facial expression, which communicated her thoughts clearly.

If only the girl shared the same mindset.

"Once being the operative word." Elise placed the tip of her blade over the heart of the nearest corpse. "Their human selves are long gone. They're nothing but empty shells; puppets in the service of angels."

"But–"

"You're beginning to annoy me," she narrowed her eyes at the girl. "That childish naivety isn't nearly as charming as you think."

Florence glared at her. "At least I'm not a heartless bitch."

The moment those words left her lips, Florence clamped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide in surprise. Elise couldn't help but smirk at her reaction. Clearly her mother had raised her to be a decent little girl.

"I-I'm sorry. T-That was–"

"Don't ruin the moment by apologising." Elise chuckled, crouching down beside the corpse. "I'm finally starting to like you."

Using its shirt to wipe the blood from her blade, she sheath it and did a quick once over of the corpse. Elise hadn't expected to find anything, though she was somewhat disappointed anyway.

It had been a long while since she'd been faced with so many possessed. Coupled with the unsettling feeling she had experienced as of late, Elise suspected that something interesting was about to happen soon.

She rose, slipping the blade into the sheath strapped across her lower back. Without a second glance at Florence or the carnage she left in her wake, Elise walked over to the car and popped open the boot.

There was very little aside from a worn rucksack, a plastic bag containing food and water, and a handful of additional weaponry, including a standard issue military sniper rifle.

Bypassing the supplies, Elise tugged the rucksack closer and pulled out a spare shirt. She quickly went about stripping out of her bloody t-shirt, making sure to wipe her face and arms clean, before tugging on a dark grey long-sleeved top.

She tossed her ruined shirt into the boot, grabbed a bottle of water and slammed the door shut.

"Florence."

The girl had yet to move from her position, completely fixated on the bodies. Elise spared a glance at her when she failed to respond. Her shock was understandable. It was the first time Florence had witnessed such violence.

"Look at me." After a moment's hesitation, the girl met her calm gaze. "Get in the car."

Florence had spent the last few hours fidgeting uncontrollably. Her legs bounced and her fingers tapped on the door-side armrest. It was her way of silently expressing her discomfort.

Something Elise had come to learn over the course of their lengthy journey. A habit she seemed to have unwittingly inherited from her father.

"I should hogtie you," Elise stated nonchalantly.

The girl blinked up at her. "What?"

"You're beginning to annoy me again." She glanced at the girl. "Stop squirming."

"Sorry. I can't exactly help it." Florence clasped her hands in her lap and frowned. "I-"

She hesitated, chewing on her lower lip as she squeezed her hands tightly. Her legs once again began to bounce. Elise felt her eye begin to twitch. She could see the movement in the corner of her eye and found it irritating beyond belief.

"Your father?"

Florence nodded sheepishly. "I might be a little nervous."

"What's the point?" She glanced at Elise, her brow furrowed in confusion. "You have no other choice, and Lester committed to taking you in, regardless of whether or not you get along."

"Are you always so…uncaring?"

The corner of Elise's mouth twitched. "Perhaps."

Unclasping her hands, Florence twisted in the seat to face Elise. Silence encompassed them as she took the time to observe the woman who had become her escort. Elise was focused on the road ahead, her piercing gaze observant and unwavering.

There was very little that escaped her notice, as Florence had been quick to learn during the course of their journey. She was smart and cunning and ruthless…and oddly magnetic.

Florence felt unsettled in her presence, but at the same time, knew that there was no safer place than by Elise's side. Still, Florence was curious as to why her father hadn't come to fetch her as well.

"You…know him well?"

"Well enough." Was Elise's curt reply.

Her dark eyes narrowed. "Care to elaborate?"

Elise spared a quick glance in her direction. "You want my honest opinion?"

"Yes."

"He's an arrogant, impulsive, intolerable bastard," she said without hesitation.

Taken by surprise, there was very little Florence could do aside from stare at the woman. She had hoped for something a bit more…pleasant… It was terrifying enough being forced from her home and into the care of someone she didn't know.

Some reassurance would have been nice.

"Maybe this is a mistake…" she muttered under her breath. "Maybe I should go back home…"

"Home? If you recall there's nothing left of it. Well, nothing but a pile of charred debris that is." Florence fisted her hands in the fabric of her dark purple dress and averted her eyes. "Lester's your only chance for survival. Accept it."

"You're unpleasant company. Has anyone ever told you that?"

A subtle smirk played on her lips as she veered the car to avoid a rotting caress in the middle of the road. "It's been mentioned."

Florence couldn't help but allow the smallest smile to show through her otherwise disheartened expression. Maybe it was Elise's obscure way of attempting to cheer her up.

"Despite his many many flaws, Lester's a good man." Elise briefly met her gaze. "I trust him with my life."

Something in the tone of her voice struck a chord with Florence. A familiarity in those words that made her eyes widen slightly. Those words her mother had spoken before her death.

Florence tightened her grip on the fabric of her dress. It was still difficult to wrap her head around…her mother was dead. A dull ache bloomed in her chest and she closed her eyes.

"Look."

Opening her eyes, Florence stared at the concrete structure barely outlined in the distance. "That's Vega?"

As they drew nearer, she could begin to make out the various buildings that comprised the city, surrounded by a mountainous wall. It was the first time she had seen a city, and the prospect of so many people living in close quarters seemed almost unimaginable.

"It's a little overwhelming," she admitted.

"You'll get used to it."

Florence glanced at Elise. "Have you?"

She didn't respond, instead, reaching over to the glove compartment in front of Florence. Shuffling through the mess of papers inside, Elise removed a sealed envelope and handed it to her.

"This will grant you access into the city. I've made arrangements for a friend of mine to meet you at the wall and escort you safely to your father."

Florence accepted the envelope with slight hesitation. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"You're not coming with me?" The woman's silence was answer enough. "Will I see you again?"

A slight, almost ghostly smile appeared on her lips. "Perhaps."

Elise reached for the transceiver nestled in the cup holder by the armrest as they approached the city. Florence leant forward, peering up at the monstrous wall with a growing sense of apprehension.

Just looking at her new home made her feel claustrophobic, which was a ridiculous thought in itself. The city was enormous.

"McAllister, 4375. Transporting additional passenger," Elise spoke into the transceiver, her voice oddly authoritative.

Florence briefly wondered if the woman held some sort of military standing in Vega. It certainly wouldn't surprise her if such was the case. What she had learnt about Elise over the last week indicated that she could be nothing short of a capable leader.

"Open up, kids," Elise playfully demanded with a sly grin. "Mama needs a drink."

A soft sigh escaped Florence as she sat back in her seat. Or maybe not. Elise wasn't the kind to take any situation too seriously. Convening with others to make tactical decisions would be nothing short of disastrous.

"You couldn't have stayed away a little longer, hey McAllister," the deep voice responded over the transceiver.

"And leave that perfectly aged Scotch in the hands of someone so unappreciative? I think not."

"Don't get cocky. Next win is mine."

"Whatever you say, Walsh. I expect you to pay up."

The man chuckled. "Come on in, Mama."

Placing the transceiver back into the cup holder, Elise gave the slightest shake of her head. Florence stared curiously, not missing the lingering smile on the woman's lips.

"Is he your boyfriend?" She found herself asking.

Elise glanced at her, eyebrow raised. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, you were flirting, weren't you? I might not have had much interaction with other people, but I've read enough books to know flirting when I see it."

The screech of metal grating upon metal interrupted their conversation. Florence sat back in her seat to watch the gate open, willing to let the matter go for the moment. As of this moment, Elise was the only female presence in her life, and until Florence found someone more suitable, she would make do.

Passing through the gate, the car crawled to halt in a small loading area. Elise cut the gas and unclipped her seatbelt before reaching for her short sword. She seemed far too at ease about the situation, considering that they were surrounded by armed soldiers, all of whom seemed prepared to fire at the slightest whiff of danger.

"Relax." Her attention snapped to Elise, who wore the same calm expression she had used earlier to pacify Florence's fear. "Once they scan your eyes and confirm that you're not possessed, they'll seem far less threatening."

The smirk she wore brought Florence some comfort and the girl managed a hesitant smile in return. Elise was the first out of the car, not once objecting to the unnecessary manhandling as a black device was held in front of her face.

Florence jerked when her passenger-side door flew open. A hand gripped her arm tightly and hauled her from the vehicle. She instinctively struggled against the soldier's grip, but was easily subdued by him.

Elise witnessed the girl's panic in the corner of her eye and gave a mute sigh. Florence was nervous, understandably so given the nature of the circumstances which brought her to Vega. But it was clear that, despite her eloquence, the girl was not in control of her emotions.

"Hey." The soldier holding the terrified girl looked up at Elise. "Go easy on her. She's not used to strangers."

"Not my problem," he replied gruffly.

Her lips tugged into a wicked smirk. "You'll make it your problem if you want to keep your station."

The soldier hesitated, his dark eyes glistening with uncertainty as he searched her face. It was a moment longer before he complied with her 'request' and loosened his hold on Florence, who relaxed a bit.

Elise narrowed her eyes at the soldier and jerked her head to the left. With some reluctance, he stepped back, giving Florence a wide enough berth so that she relaxed entirely. The girl opened her eyes and, after a quick glance at Elise, allowed the soldier wielding the scanner to approach her.

"He looks like he's about to piss himself." Elise turned as a tall, dark-haired soldier stepped up to her with an amused smile on his lips. "I lose more good men to you than those bloody eight-balls."

"Such a bitter accusation," she replied. "I know something that just might make you forgive me."

Her fingers glided up his arm with a deliberate slowness as she moved in closer. A playful smile quirked her mouth as his arm instinctively wrapped around her waist. His attention darted to the surrounding soldiers, clearly uncomfortable with the small display of affection.

Elise would have laughed, but she found his reaction far too endearing to spoil just yet. Walsh was a private man and, whilst she had managed to open him up to the notion of flirting in public, public displays of affection were still a working progress.

"Elise," he murmured as her face drew nearer.

His eyes flickered to her lips and, after a moment of hesitation, gave a sigh of defeat. Walsh tightened his grip on her waist and leant forward to meet her halfway. At the last second, just as her lips were about to brush his, a sly grin materialised on Elise's face and she pulled away.

Walsh blinked at her, processing the situation before narrowing his eyes. "Minx."

"You make it so easy for me, Walsh," Elise replied teasingly. "How am I supposed to resist turning your ears that adorable shade of red?"

A snicker from the sidelines had Walsh's glare snap to the trio of soldiers standing by the main entrance. They immediately sobered up, clearing their throats and averting their gaze to avoid another accidental slip-up.

"How can one woman cause me so much trouble?" Walsh muttered under his breath as his green eyes landed on her face. "Don't answer that."

"I think you should ease up a little. Taking yourself too seriously all the time only sucks the joy out of life."

"This coming from you. When's the last time you took anything seriously?"

Elise grinned. "About a month ago, when I considered dropping your ass."

He brought his left hand up to rub the back of his neck and awkwardly cleared his throat. "Let's not bring that up ever again."

Walsh glanced over at the blonde girl shifting nervously in front of the passenger-side door. The girl hadn't moved an inch, clearly ill at ease under the steely gaze of the soldier Elise had berated.

"That's Lester's daughter?" Elise nodded and his dark brows shot up in surprise. "Are you sure? Such a pretty little darling can't be related to that idiot."

"You'd be surprised." She tilted her head to look over her shoulder. "Florence."

The girl ripped her attention from the soldier and focused on Elise, who beckoned her to them with a nonchalant wave. Florence stopped beside her and, upon noticing the rather tall and imposing man watching her, began to fidget again.

"Keep squirming and I really will hogtie you."

Walsh blinked at her. "Hogtie?"

"Un. Pleasant," Florence said with narrowed eyes.

A smirk touched Elise's lips as she glanced at the girl. "Florence, meet Walsh. He'll be the one escorting you home."

Florence hesitantly met his gaze, her eyes glimmering with uncertainty. Walsh, having noticed her discomfort, graced her with the gentlest smile he could muster. He was somewhat relieved when the girl responded positively to the gesture and visibly relaxed.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Florence." With his arm across his waist, Walsh gave a gentlemanly bow, which elicited a soft giggle from the girl. "Welcome to Vega."

"Thank you, Mr. Walsh," Florence replied quietly, her gaze flickering back to Elise.

The woman observed the exchange with mild interest. "Now that the two of you are all friendly, I'll be heading out."

Walsh gently grabbed her arm as she made to walk away, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "I'll drop by tonight?"

"I don't know. I'm a girl with a busy schedule." Elise smiled playfully. "And right now I have an audience with a snake."

Elise sat across from Consul David Whele, her arms draped casually over the armrests and her legs crossed. She had been escorted to his office a few minutes ago by two of his personal guard, both of whom were now stationed at the door.

Apparently the dear Consul thought she would make a break for it. An impish smile tugged at her lips and he narrowed his gaze.

"This is no joking matter," he said. "Were you anyone else, I would have your head."

"It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside to know that you think so highly of me," Elise replied offhandedly. "My life's only worth something because I'm useful."

"Indeed. And so long as you continue to be of use to me, you'll be provided with everything your little heart desires." He sat back in his chair, the fingers of his right hand drumming softly against the desk. "There was a good reason for your delay, I presume."

"You presume right." She curled her fist under her chin and regarded him with a cool expression. "I just had to go sightseeing. You know, it's not often I'm allowed to go out and play, so I do my best to make the most of it."

Unamused by her attempt to lighten the mood, Consul Whele got to his feet and circled around the desk. Elise watched him with a veiled awareness as he came to a stop in front of her.

"I'm beginning to consider the possibility that you've outlived your usefulness." He leant back against the desk and folded his arms across his chest, appraising her with calculating eyes. "Unless, of course, you have something to report."

Elise refrained from chuckling at his purposefully blatant threat. The Consul was a man of artful words, dishing out veiled warnings to those who dared cross him. When it came to her, however, he was far more direct in his approach.

She was not averse to wordplay, nor was she incapable of grasping subtle insinuations. It was simply a matter of preference. And Elise preferred when others were blunt about their intentions

"The delegation from Helena will be arriving tonight, as per your request. Evelyn intends to send her consort, I believe you're familiar with her."

"I see," he touched his chin thoughtfully. "And what of the fleet? Are the rumours true."

Elise inclined her head. "As far as I can tell. They certainly didn't make it easy for me to look around. I suppose I should have expected as much being sent as your envoy."

A devilish smirk touched his lips. "With Helena's fleet at our disposal we may very well win this war."

"And provide a demonstration of Vega's strength to the survivors," she added. "The new world will need a leader after all."

Green eyes narrowed in warning and, again, she smiled. Consul Whele uncrossed his arms and leant forward. His hands came to rest on the back of the chair, positioned at either side of her head as he moved his face nearer.

She remained unperturbed by his closeness, staring back calmly as his piercing gaze sought to reveal something.

"What aren't you tell me," he demanded in a deceptively soothing tone.

The corner of her mouth quirked into a lopsided grin. "Nothing too exciting, I assure you."

"Is that so?"

She felt his fingers brush the top of her left ear before drawing back to reveal flakes of dried blood. He examined it as though it were the most interesting thing in the room before turning his gaze back to Elise.

"Well, would you look at that," she remarked flippantly.

Consul Whele slammed his hand against the back of the chair. "Care to try again?"

"Since you ask so sweetly." His brow twitched in annoyance, eliciting a chuckle from Elise. "I had a run in with an eight-ball, or five."

He immediately pulled away. "Five?"

"Not to worry, Consul. They're far too dead to pose any problems."

"You killed them all."

"That's what I just said." She watched him curiously, noticing that he seemed far less surprised by the reemergence of such a large group of the possessed. "Did something happen while I was away?"

Turning his back on her, Consul Whele circled around the desk and took a seat. "A soldier snuck out of the city this morning. He claimed to have encountered three eight-balls, one of which followed him back here."

He reached for the bottle of Scotch sitting on the small silver tray on his desk and poured himself a drink. Elise watched with narrowed eyes, knowing full well that this was his way of passively enacting his revenge for her tardiness.

"The people of Vega have grown complacent over the years. We live in comfort and safety, neglecting the dangers beyond these walls." He sipped at his drink. "It's time we reminded the people of the reality they face."

Elise furrowed her brow in guarded curiosity. "What are you suggesting?"

An overly charming smile appeared on his lips as he set the glass on the desk and gently pushed it towards her. Elise sat forward, catching it before it slipped off the table and onto the floor. She quirked an eyebrow in question.

"I hope you will attend the Jubilee tomorrow evening, as my guest, of course."

Her eyes flickered from his unsettlingly sweet smile to the glass in her hand. After a brief moment of contemplation, she raised the glass out to him and tipped her head slightly.

"Gladly," she replied before downing the remaining Scotch.