Tom closed his eyes for a second and then opened them He suddenly found himself in the mobile house he had once shared with Mcnair. Thorn was sat at the opposite side to him
"why are we here?"asked tom
"Your subconscious. you should tell me." Thorn pointed at Tom but he didn't reply a looked puzzled "Fine I merely brought you to the place your mind judge to be the most safe. Curious that it's not the B and B "Thorn looked around at the surroundings.
"So we're in my mind." Tom said remembering the last time he received an offer like Tom relised he dealing with a very different kind of deamon. The devil had tried straight for an apocalypse. Thorn seemed almost seemed like he had no inclination to cause one.
"I find it easier to do deals where no-one can listen in." replied Thorn
"So you know what I want?"tom asked trying to get straight to the point.
"I'll take a stab in the dark you want Hal to revert back to being good." seeming somewhat bored.
"Yes" Tom replied quietly
"for how long?"
"forever. I want him good forever." replied Tom
"I'm not going to do that. I could but I don't want to. You don't have anything to offer as a fair trade."
"how about then. Until I die or 80 years. Whichever is longer" Tom realised Hal had nearly been able to resist bad Hal last time. Had it not been for Hatch and Rook he would've stayed good. Tom hoped 80 years as good Hal would be enough
"Thats a possibility. But remember there are rules to this deal, if good Hal chooses to revert to Bad Hal by choice not simply because Hal wants to then Hal will revert. Also I will need to offer bad Hal something very precious in order for him not to simply counteract your deal. He could simply asked to be sent 80 years into the future. Plus you will need to give me something in exchange "
"I understand. What do you want."Tom replied hoping it was something he could let go.
"your innocence. Your flower so to speak" Thorn answered
Tom raised his eyes he had never thought about doing something like that "you mean you want to f.."
"Not me you simpleton. "interrupted Thorn "The choice of partner is yours but you only have until 8am tomorrow to achieve this. And it cannot be Alex or Hal"
"Alex is ghost how could she do this?"Tom asked
"in my club Ghosts can do anything he living can. And Alex would let you do it simply to get Hal back. Hal probably wouldn't but i'm just covering myself. I want this to be a challenge"
Tom couldn't fathom why Thorn had requested something like that. "why do you want this?"
"I don't. I want the consequences of this. I am playing a far larger game then you could possibly imagine. You are merely a pawn" Thorn replied casually.
"What are you going to offer bad Hal?"
"A different kind of flower." Thorn replied and raised his eyebrows suggesting that this was not this simple.
Tom could tell whatever Thorn was up to was not good. But Tom knew that this was probably his only chance to get his best friend back. Alex wouldn't let bad Hal live if she couldn't get Good Hal back and if Hal became good perhaps he could resist this time. Without the other old ones it would be in Hals hands. Especially if Alex was around to keep him good.
Tom decided and soud loudly "deal"
The Tom woke up once again in the office.
"what did you agree to Tom?"Alex asked nervously She knew Tom was easily succeptable to clever individuals and thorn wouldn't be able to rule hell if he wasn't clever.
"Ok next is Hal"
The room became surrounded in darkness
Hal awoke in the in brothel he had grown up in.
"Why did you bring me here? Bad memories"
"your choice" Thron answered.
"so I guess Tom Asked for you to revert me"
"yes Until he dies or 80 is longer"
"I guess I'll ask to cancel Toms deal."
"I never break a I have something else to offer you."
"what could you possibly offer me?"
"Allow me to whisper it to you."
"You're not going to make me commit suicide?" Hal asked. He remembered captain hatch. But he also remembered this was the person who saved him years ago.
"no that breaks my deal with Tom" Thorn pointed out.
"this is what you get. A flower of a sort." Thorn saod and began to approach him
Hal looked at Thorn sceptically he didn't think he could trust him but he realised Thorn has had plenty of time to manipulate him in tthe same way captain hatch did.
Mr thorn the whispered into Hal's ' eyes widened in surprise
"what? You would give me that?"
"In exchange for you not reverting back during that time and Helping Tom with his task yes, now you get why you have to revert in order to get what you have always wanted. But you will have to wait a little while to get it." Thorn smiled He knew he had already won.
"how did you know thats what I have always desired?"
"Unlike the devil I pride myself on knowing people And I've known you since you were a child. I know why you do this endless cycle."
"I accept the keep this a secret between us"
"of course"
Then Hal awoke back in the office
"What did you offer him" Alex asked
" A flower." Hal responded.
"what kind of flower?"Alex asked unsatisfied with the answer.
"that's our secret."Thorn interrupted
"well at least tell me what did you offer Tom?"
"i'll let him explain."
"time for your deal Alex."
The room went dark
Alex found herself in her old house back in Scotland
"What do you have for me then?" Alex asked
"for you it is slightly harder. Considering what you want Tom just asked for, so how about for you to become human human completely alive like you were in the dream."
Alex thought about it it seemed a good deal. Too good .Could this be so she couldn't stop Thorn from taking over or could it be to do with Hal's deal. "can I delay our deal?"
Thorn didn't seem that surprised but he chuckled "why?"
Alex went for the simpler response. "you just did a deal with Lord Hal. I don't trust him"
" but you trust me?" Sarcastically asked Thorn
Alex honestly thought about it for a second and the gave an honest response "no. I don't trust you I know you are up to I trust him less"
"Fair enough. we will delay the deal until you are ready." Said Thorn
Alex awoke in the office.
"interesting Two deal one delayed." Thorn said to himself the he looked at the four infornt of him and looked Tom in the eye"now then Tom go see if you can complete your task. Remember our rules/"
Then all four left the room. Gabriel appeared before him
"How very predictable. "Thorn said
"I will sabotage his every attempt. You will fail." Gabriel repsonded
Thorn smiled"you are welcome to try." The Gabriel waled out the door.
"this is almost too easy."Thorn said to himself.
"so what was your deal?" Alex asked
"if I give away my flower to anyone but you or Hal. We get good Hal back for 80 years or unil I die whichever is longer."
"Thats the strangest deal I've ever heard"Alex said
Tom shrugged "He seemed to think it would make me a useful prawn in a larger game"
"do you mean pawn? "Derisivly aked Hal
"yeah well it's pretty much the same thing." Tom said defensively.
"I take you are going to sabotage our every effort?"
"actually I intend to help"
"Part of my deal."
"what the hell were you offered?"Alex figured she understood bad Hal pretty well but this she could not work out
"A rather special flower."
"Why would you want a flower?"Tom asked
Hal responded"it's not a literal flower."
"huh?"
Hal covered his face with his palm. "it's a riddle. You Neanderthal"
"So how do we proceed?" Christa interjected
"we find someone promiscuous. Right?"Hal answered
"Fine." said Tom
"I thought you wanted it to be special?"Alex asked
"Allison didn't want me why should I be picky anymore?"
"Ok fine. Christa you go with Tom to get a drink. Me and Alex will seek out the options."
Tom and Christa walked towards the bar.
"why are you doing this?"Alex asked Hal. She still didn't trust him
"Thorn offered me the one thing I've always wanted. Especially since I became a vampire. If getting Tom laid get's it for me then that and 80years of being good will be well spent."
"why would he offer this deal to Tom?"Alex asked hoping then Hal might give something away
Hal thought for a moment then gave an answer. "probably so Tom screws up someone else's life much like George did to Nina. Werewolf have a habit of doing it."
"So does that mean if we succeed I will never have to talk to you again?"
"No but you won't have to talk to me for a long time by the time you do. Tom will probably be dead"
"fine let's do this."