Title: Blaque as the Night
Author: liz_Z
E-mail: liz_Z@secret-agent.com
Category: Action/Adventure, Drama
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Not exactly, but if there are, they'll be for Catevari'
Season/Sequel info: Third story in the Reversed Images' series
Disclaimer: Don't own any of the characters (at least, I don't own the canon ones); I just like totally rearranging the show's continuity.
Author's notes: A few months back I returned from an almost two-week-long car trip that included, but was definitely not limited to, my attendance of I-maniCon 2002. On said trip, I made the unfortunate discovery that long car trips cause accelerated breeding of new plot bunnies (which is not a good thing when one considers how many unfinished stories I have already). So, in my attempt to ignore the half a dozen new bunnies that were jumping out of the woodwork, I started to type this up instead (oh, and just so you know, the bunny-ignoring part didn't work -- you're sure to hear more from me in the future).


Prologue


Deep in the bowels of a supposedly abandoned building, a group of scientists in haz-mat suits stood in a sterile laboratory, swarming around a large metal door and the panel of thick glass beside it. The room on the other side of the glass was dark and poorly ventilated, barely habitable. But it was safe -- at least, for the people outside. They all stood around the window and peered inside, watching nervously as its lone inhabitant paced the confines of the room anxiously, muttering to herself.

The woman was thin and shapely, with long, dark hair spilling over her shoulders. She could have been considered beautiful, if it wasn't for her eyes. They were a bright, fiery red, and seemed a stark contrast with her delicate features.

Without warning the woman looked up, staring straight at the portal. Her expression never stayed the same for more than a second; it kept changing, as if she couldn't decide what she should be feeling. One minute she looked terrified, the next moment consumed by despair, the next possessed by a murderous rage. Go away, she pleaded, her tone both frightened and threatening at the same time.

Can she see us? one of the scientists asked, glancing nervously over at the others. His name was Jimmy Deharty, he was new to the project, and he felt distinctly shaken by the sight of the strange woman behind the glass.

No, it's a one-way mirror another scientist replied, shaking his head in the negative. He seemed entranced by the figure behind the glass, and watched her every move with a hungry gaze that to Jimmy seemed almost as unnerving as the woman herself.

Go away, the woman repeated, her voice sounding distinctly hostile now. I don't want to hurt you. Her inner battle was raging on, and it looked as if the anger was winning. Her expression was growing more menacing with every second.

Maybe we should leave, Jimmy said nervously.

Don't worry, it'll be fine, the head scientist replied, placing a gloved hand on the frightened man's shoulder. You'll get used to this eventually. Just don't let her touch your skin. He turned to the others and said in a stern tone, Alright people, let's do this. The other men scurried to obey him, taking up pre-ordained positions with familiar ease. They had done this many times before, and would do so many times again. It was just part of the job.

One of the scientists walked over and began the sequence that would de-pressurize the door, allowing him and his colleagues to go inside. Other men prepared the lone hospital bed for use, undoing the restraining straps and standing at the ready. The head scientist handed Jimmy a long needle filled with a clear liquid. Just inject her with the sedative and get out of there. That's all you need to do, you got that Deharty? Jimmy nodded, eyes wide. The head scientist nodded toward the man standing by the door. The man pressed a final button and the door swung open with a hiss.

Jimmy took a deep breath and stepped into the darkened room, gripping the needle in his right hand nervously. As soon as he stepped into the room the woman whirled around to look in his direction, her eyes filled with fright. Jimmy held up his hands in a placating gesture. D-don't worry ma'am, I'm not going to hurt you, he said, silently berating himself for stuttering. He hadn't stuttered since the fifth grade, why was he starting again now? Because he was scared silly, that was why.

Get away from me, the woman said in a warning tone, backing slowly toward a corner of the room.

I'm not going to hurt you, Jimmy repeated, hoping he sounded braver than he felt. I'm just going to give you something to help you relax, that's all.

The woman laughed, a sharp, bitter sound that caused Jimmy to jump. I haven't been relaxed in years. An anguished expression crossed her face and she fell to her knees, gasping for breath. she said, her voice taking on a feral tone. Get out of here NOW! Then she leapt to her feet and lunged at Jimmy in one smooth motion, snatching the needle from his hand and stabbing it through the cloth of the haz-mat suit and into his arm.

I warned you, she said, a maniacal grin spreading across her face.

Jimmy could hear chaos erupting in the next room. Frantic cries of Close the door! Close the door! were easily audible, along with the noise caused by half a dozen terrified scientists scrambling to do just that. However, they were too late, and the woman slid smoothly through the space left by the open door.

Jimmy tried to crawl out of the room, but he only made it halfway out of the door before the tranquilizer began to take effect and his muscles refused to obey him. He did, however, have a perfect view of what was going on in the lab. Several of the scientists were rushing at the woman in an attempt to subdue her, but she was able to dodge their attacks easily. They, however, seemed easy prey for her. Within two minutes all of them, including the head scientist, lay moaning on the ground.

The woman bent over the head scientist, the corners of her mouth turned up in a cruel sneer. she said in an icy tone, have made my life a living hell. She leaned over, removing the helmet from the terrified scientist's head. Time that you went there yourself. She placed a hand on each side of the man's face and kissed him long and full on the lips. The man struggled, but both he and Jimmy already knew it was too late.

The woman repeated her performance with each of the other scientists in the room. Finally she came to Jimmy. She removed his helmet with a flourish, bending down until her face was mere inches from her own. He looked up at her with frightened eyes, knowing he could do nothing to stop her. However, she paused before administering the kiss of death. You haven't done anything to me, she said quietly, not yet anyway. They haven't corrupted you yet. I think... she paused for a moment, licking her lips, I think I'll let you live.

She stood, turning around and surveying the carnage she had single-handedly caused. Then she turned and walked out of the room. Jimmy heaved a sigh of relief that the woman had seen fit to let him live. Then the tranquilizer took its full effect and he passed out.