Title: Power Behind the Throne 10

Author: Ethiercn

Rating: MA

Disclaimer: Don't own them, and I am making no profit.

Deathly pale, Angelica paused before the dining room door. She tucked her hair behind her ears. She clasped her hands until they stopped shaking. She took a deep breath. Her stomach hurt. She couldn't do this. A brief image of Nova and Speedball's faces when their families had been targeted flashed before her eyes. She closed her eyes to block out all the images.

She needed to do this. She dipped her head and took a deep breath. Steeling herself she opened the door and entered the room.

As usual, an impeccably dressed Shaw sat at the head of an already laid table. "You're late," he accused.

"Sorry," she mumbled as she sat down.

"It's my fault, sir," Thomas said as he picked up his knife and fork. "I interrupted her bath."

Angel looked at her plate. Why did Thomas defend her?

Shaw stared at Thomas, grunted and then turned to his plate. "You're not eating," he said after a few minutes.

Angel looked up from her plate, "Not hungry."

Shaw frowned and exchanged a glance with Thomas who shrugged. "Is anything wrong? You are no good to me ill."

Angel stared down at her fork. The utensil started to bend. Startled, she switched off her power, hoping that neither made had realized what she had done. "Cramps," she said. "Really bad menstrual cramps."

A funny look came over Shaw's face. "Rachel can bring some aspirin to your room. You are excused if you wish."

Angel left the table as quickly as she could.

Consumed with a feeling of helplessness, Vance stared at the ceiling in the bunkhouse. Every part of him wanted to be with Angel, but he forced himself to stay in the bunk. He couldn't afford to be missed; Angel was right about that. Hopefully tomorrow he could check up on her. Not that it would do much good.

He never wanted to see her like that again.

"You didn't eat much at breakfast," Thomas said as he waited for the guardsmen to get into place for the practice session.

"I wasn't hungry," Firestar replied. The food tasted like ash. She shifted from foot to foot, unnerved by the weight of his eyes upon her.

"Still cramps? You don't look like you've slept."

"You're keeping me prisoner," Angel flexed her hands. She needed the session to start now.

"Ah, you're upset that Mr. Jones seems to have forgotten about you. It's best that you forgot him in turn."

"Don't say his name," she growled, turning angrily toward and taking a step forward. Her hands curled into fists.

"Touchy," he reached gently and took hold of her chin, raising her head so he could study her face. "And we were getting along so well." One finger moved to lightly stroke her cheek. "Shaw's your father now, and a little confusion is, of course, natural after everything." He lightly brushed her lips with his. "Sweet," he murmured. "You're not quite what I thought. I see what attracted my brother."

"Let go," Firestar demanded.

He let go of her chin, but moved more fully into her space, so close that he could feel the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed quickly. "You're not friendless here," he continued softly. "Not entirely."

Angry, she looked up at him. "You're saying you're my friend?"

He leaned into her. "You're trembling," he brushed his lips against her cheek.

"Don't," Firestar pleaded, her heads coming to rest on his chest, clutching the material of his uniform. He could feel the power humming though at that moment.

"Don't what? Touch you? Why, because you're afraid that you'll like it?" He pushed before kissing her gently. "Time for practice. The object is to take me out. I'm sure you'll enjoy that at least," He turned and left the ready room.

Firestar stared at his back and her eyes glowed. She hated him.

Before the door to the practice room slid fully open, Firestar flew though the opening. The practice room had been configured to resemble a maze, complete with corridors and sudden stops.

Not that it was going to stop her.

Thomas wanted her to take him out; she was willing oblige.

Anything to make the refrain of death in her head stop.

She wanted to hurt Thomas. This was his fault. His and Shaw's.

She blinked back the tears.

Two guardsmen appeared, but she quickly melted their weapons. Her next shot forced them back and caused them to collide. As she flew, over them she let out a low pulse, hopefully taking the comm. devices.

A few turns later, a net slammed into her, forcing her to the ground.

"Not so tough, guardsmen said as he leapt down from his position. "Don't understand what all the fuss is about. Just because you're a looker," He smirked.

Bastard, she thought. Quickly she burned her way though the netting and launched herself at the masked man. In less than a second, his gun was slag. She landed on top of him, forcing him to the ground. She pulled back a glowing hand.

The man's eyes widened. "No! Don't'!! Please!"
She punched him hard in the face. Twice.

She rose and flew off quickly to find Thomas.

Underneath his mask, Vance bit his lip in worry as he watched Angel demolish the guardsmen. Too angry, he thought, watching her pick up guardsmen and throw him into Phillip. Thomas asking us to push her on top of her father isn't good. She needs to get away from here.

Halfway though the maze, Firestar got tired of the whole thing. All the corridors, all the guardsmen popping out of nowhere. She hated games. She paused in mid-flight, then charged direction, burning her way though wall after wall.

"Impressive, not what I had in mind, but impressive," Thomas said as he watched her progress on his Blackberry.

"Perhaps, we pushed too much, sir," Vance commented, making himself sound nervous and not worried.

"Perhaps it's something else," Thomas replied. "No worries, Ralph. She won't hurt us. Get up there."

Vance wasn't so sure.

There he is, Firestar thought, as she melted her though a wall. Dodging the net he shot off at her, she flew towards him.

"You're beautiful when you're angry," Thomas shouted at her. "Perhaps after your monthly . . ."

The blast hit an inch from his feet, and he fell backwards with muffled curse.

Firestar closed in.

Shielding himself, Vance jumped down from his perch and landed as gently as he could on Firestar. She fell to the ground. She twisted under him. Her hand pushed at him, and then she hit him across the face. She started to heat up more, so much so that he could feel it though his shield. "It's me," he whispered. "Remember. Not much longer, I swear." He felt the air cool and saw Angel give a slight nod, felt her take several deep breaths.

Vance moved as Thomas walked up. "Good work, Ralph. Brave move." He leaned down and gently pulled Firestar to her feet. "Don't let me distract you next time."

Firestar yanked her arm from his grasp, and head down, walked away to the showers without saying a word.