A simple matter of Consequence


Author: Sakura123

Genre: Supernatural/Humor/Drama

Rated: T+ (PG-13: For Violence, adult content, and partial language)

Summary: What does Allison do when someone is unintentionally sending visions of their own death through her dreams, thus enabling her to dream nor see anything else otherwise? Set before Allison has her third child, Marie. The story in question can be considered Alternate Universe given the setup of the storyline and mention of various episodes and the asbence of Marie. Det. Scanlon and Manuel Devalos make various appearances throughout the story.

Disclaimer: MEDIUM, and all characters, or familiar places are property of its respective creator and NBC Television Networks. Storyline and Original Characters (minor, and major) are copyrighted to me the author. "Is it any wonder?" is property of Keane.

Authors' note. This my first Medium fanfiction ever written (11-15-16-05). Constructive criticism is welcome. You'll forgive me if I represent an OD paitent incorrectly, I've never seen one and are barely familar with the proceedure of de-tox.


I

I always thought that I knew

I'd always have the right to

Be living in the kingdom of the good and true

It's so long, that now I think I was wrong

And you were laughing along

And now I look a fool for thinking you were on,

my side

Is it any wonder I'm tired?

Is it any wonder that I feel uptight?

Is it any wonder I don't know what's right?

Sometimes

It's hard to know where I stand

It's hard to know where I am

Well maybe it's a puzzle I don't understand

But sometimes

I get the feeling that I'm

Stranded in the wrong time

Where love is just a lyric in a children rhyme,

a sound bite

Is it any wonder that I'm tired?

Is it any wonder that I feel uptight?

Is it any wonder I don't know what's right?

Oh, these days, after all the misery you made

Is it any wonder that I feel afraid?

Is it any wonder that I feel betrayed?

Nothing left inside this old cathedral

Just the sad lonely spires

Adding you make it right

Oh, but you try

Is it any wonder I'm tired?

Is it any wonder that I feel uptight?

Is it any wonder I don't know what's right?

Oh, these days, after all the misery you made

Is it any wonder that I feel afraid?

Is it any wonder that I feel betrayed?


Chapter Ten: Passing Judgement


Allison groaned inwardly at the sight of Demeter standing at the desk haggling one of the nurses. She looked around for any sign of the husband, George. There was none. Brushing her hair out of her face Allison moved forward, marveling at how Demeter even found out Fangora was here. Assuming that was reason she was here, for her disowned daughter. Allison stopped a couple inches away from the woman standing at the desk, arguing with the nurse that seemed unfazed by the woman's cryptic threats as if she were used to them. Allison looked toward the nurse; A elderly woman, near white hair upon her head tied into a large messy bun. Her brown features seemed hardly touched by the hard times she obviously endured in her lifetime --- not exactly youthful but far from old and haggard looking. ". . . Marjorie quit playing games, I want to see her!" Demeter cried, outraged.

The old woman, Marjorie, shook her head again. "I'm sorry Mrs. McAllen, I don't have permission to let you see her. As I've said, you'll have to speak to Dr. Kahu about this," Marjorie stated in a calm voice. Demeter raised her head heavenward as she turned on her heel and prepared to walk away, she stopped short when she came face to face with Allison Dubois. Allison barely smiled at the reaction she wrought from the woman, Demeter's face hardened considerably. "I can't say it's a pleasure to see you again Mrs. Dubois," Demeter drawled. Allison shook her head in agreement her eyes flashing with mock-surprise. She laughed through her teeth. "Neither can I, Mrs. McAllen," Allison answered truthfully. "What brings you here?"

Demeter shrugged her shoulders. "Contrary to whatever your thinking, I work here Mrs. Dubois. I'm a nurse. I heard my daughter had been brought in for a overdose. I wanted to see her. But for some reason I can't," Demeter answered tersely. Allison nodded her head; This was far too convenient for her taste. In spite of the fact she never looked up any information on Demeter's occupation, she had never expected the woman to work at this particular hospital. It would explain how she got her daughter into a mental hospital, partly. Not to mention that the neighborhood she lived in resembled the one she lived in -save for the row houses. The entire neighborhood, full well off families and couples, would probably think her entire family was crazy if her daughter turned out to be a genuine rotten egg. In some odd way Allison found herself thanking her better judgement on the issue of not telling her parents about her secret. Allison refocused her attentions on Demeter to find that she had pulled her cell phone out and was dialing a number. Slowly averting her eyes toward the hall beyond the front desk, Allison hoisted her bag up onto her shoulder and she headed past Mrs. McAllen. Demeter looked up from her cell phone in time to catch the woman trying to evade her, snapping her cell phone shut she followed after Allison ignoring the calls from Marjorie. "Mrs. Dubois, do you have anything with bringing my daughter here?" Demeter inquired briskly. Allison shot the woman a regarding look.

"No, Fangora got here all by herself," Allison answered sarcastically. Demeter was puzzled by her answer. "You mean she brought herself here, Mrs. Dubois? I thought she was overdosed," McAllen said. Allison shook her head quickly. "No, I mean, she put herself here because she overdosed. Why are you following me?" Allison inquired sharply. Demeter grinned in satisfaction at the fact that she had been even able to follow the woman so long without being shooed away. "I plan on seeing my daughter before the end of my shift, which is fifteen minutes from now. I am her mother after all," Demeter said as a matter-of-fact. "You were her mother. According Fangora you disowned her the moment she walked back into the house," Allison corrected. Demeter scrubbed her nails across the white shirt of her uniform. "Do you believe everything that girl tells you? Honestly, Mrs. Dubois," Demeter scoffed. "I thought you were smarter than that." Allison did not answer to the woman's insult she continued down the hall toward Fangora's room. Demeter followed in silence thinking of ways to further provoke the woman beside her, nothing came to mind. Once they reached the room Allison gave Demeter a look that said "butt out," but the older woman would have no one bossing her around.

A nurse noticed the two standing at door preparing to enter, she hurried up to them swallowing the anxiety growing in her chest. She could defuse the unmistakable crisis about to happen without getting hurt. "Excuse me, you can't go in there. The patient is sleeping right now," The meek nurse said. Allison shifted her gaze to the nurse then nodded, she released the door nob. "Do you think you can contact me on when she can be released?" Allison asked rummaging through her bag for Devalos' business card. She extended her hand to the nurse who stepped forward to take it. The nurse stared at the card puzzled. "Are you the legal guardian?" The nurse asked scratching her arm. Allison opened her mouth to answer, Demeter stepped up from behind the blonde with a cunning smile. "No. No she isn't. I'm the girl's legal guardian. Her mother actually, Demeter McAllen," Demeter offered, confidant the first year nurse would take her side. The nurse gave both women regarding looks before raising a finger and heading toward the desk.

Allison shot a glare at Demeter whom countered with a glare of equal strength. The nurse returned from the desk twisting the edges of the card that Allison had given her, she swallowed roughly. "Dr. Kahu is busy in surgery right now. But he says if the legal guardian or parent of Persephone McAllen did not arrive within the 24 hour period she would be handed over to Mrs. Dubois. I take it you're the parent?" The nurse asked. Demeter blinked wearily, was this girl an air-head? Did she not just tell her she was Persephone's mother? When the nurse got no answer she nodded her head then headed back to the desk, she returned with the clipboard. "Just sign all your information here. Dr. Kahu will inform you when you can take her home," The mousy nurse explained. "Certainly," Demeter answered in an over exaggerated voice. The mousy nurse sent an apologetic look in Allison's direction, the assistant to the D.A. rolled her eyes in response turning on her heel. She walked down the hall quickly biting down on her lip to keep the string of profanities at bay.

"Um, excuse me miss! Ma'am!" The nurse called after her. Alison turned raising an eyebrow in response, what did she want? The mousy nurse raised her hand that held the card between two fingers. "Do you want this back?" She asked. Allison shook her head with a flippant wave of her hand. "No, keep it. Just in case," Allison answered before walking away. The nurse lowered her arm, she stared down at the card curiously. Why keep it if the original guardian was standing right in front of her? It seemed really pointless, to her at least. Shoving the card in her shirt pocket she looked toward Demeter who handed the woman the clipboard. The mousy nurse smiled appreciatively, she turned to return to the desk but Demeter's hand on her shoulder stopped her. She turned and looked at the woman in question. "Do you think its okay if I can see her? Just for a moment?" Demeter asked. The nurse shook her head no, this time more firmly than before. Demeter looked up at the clock, her shift was almost over but there was no harm in a little overtime. "All right, I'll come back later," She said kindly. The nurse nodded her head then walked back over to the desk, she gripped the edges of the counter like they were a sanctuary. Demeter headed down the hall ahead of her, grinning the all way.


Allison drove through the half empty streets like a mad woman, her anger had reached its peek at the hospital and now she was taking it out on unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians alike. Her driving wasn't exactly frantic, but there were times where she had almost hit a person on her way to Bayside Apartments. Two times she had almost had head on collision with a vehicle ahead of her. Demeter, the two-faced hussie, she had done this on purpose. If only she had waited until the woman left the desk then headed to Fangora's room, none of this would've happened. Allison managed to calm herself down by the ninth red light, she waited patient for the light to change while staring down at her cell phone clutched in her hand, pressed against the steering wheel. Her heart thudded calmly in her chest now. The light turned green, Allison moved forward at a the required speed with a bit more force on the pedal.

When she arrived at Bay Apartments she spotted Scanlon's car parked in front of the entrance, she pulled up behind his car and stopped. Stepping out of her car she headed toward the entrance, she stepped through the revolving door into the lobby. The cool air hit her in an instant comforting her heated body, several people glanced in her direction not completely acknowledging her presence. She headed toward the desk, the man looked up at her, eyebrows raised. "I was wondering if a detective by the name of Lee Scanlon came through here?" Allison said. The man nodded his head in affirmative. "Yeah, he's on the third floor, room B-35. It's the only white door on that floor. Take the right corridor," He said. Allison thanked the man for the information, she headed for the elevator and bored it with haste. The elevator was of an old design. Give or take it was probably as old as the building it resided in (which was 75 years according to the plaque on the stone wall's entrance). Allison pulled the gate down as she pressed the third button. There was a loud creek above her followed by a groan, the elevator began to ascend. Allison stayed in the middle of the elevator feeling slightly uneasy in the old piece of machinery.

Finally the elevator arrived on the third floor, the gates slid away from each other allowing Allison to step off. The medium surveyed the dark halls. The carpet was an old forest green, the walls were a dingy brown riddled with cracks and peeling plaster, the lights were styled in an old art decor design. The ceiling sunk in threatening to cave in on top of its residents. It was hard to believe anyone would live in such a seedy looking place. It was deceiving, especially with how kept-up the lobby looked. Gripping the strap of her purse Allison continued down the hall, turning to the right she spotted the white door down the hall. She hurried down the hall careful to observe the plaster chunks beneath her. There was there was no hesitance in her hand as she grasped the door knob and entered the sunlit room. To her surprise the living room was much more spruce looking compared to what laid outside, Allison gave the modern decor a brief looking over. The half-open drawers let her know Scanlon had been in them, she suspected he was still in here. "Det. Scanlon?" Venturing further inside the room she poked her head inside the kitchen, no one inside. The next room, the bedroom, she entered she was much more fortunate. Lee stood in front of a vanity just across from the bed behind him, looking over items in a box with scrutiny. "Det. Scanlon?" She called again. This time the man turned in response to his name being called, he frowned when he realized it was Allison. "What are you doing here?" He asked, a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

Allison shrugged absentmindedly. "Demeter McAllen showed up, so I had no reason to stay there," Allison answered casually. Scanlon was even more bothered by at the flippant manner Allison used to answer him. "You do realize there's a restraining order against Demeter and George McAllen for attacking their daughter?" Scanlon said, his tone harsh. Allison shook her head, she had left right after interrogating the McAllen's and thus never bothered to trouble herself with them anymore, as far as she was concerned her involvement with them was severed completely. Until now, that is. "No, I didn't, and you failed to clue me in on it as well," Allison reprimanded. "How'd you get the judge to agree to a restraining order?" Scanlon briefly explained that after receiving the filed police report (about two days after Allison's interrogation), Fayden was in a "generous mood" when he decided to give Devalos what he wanted and placed a restraining order on the McAllen couple. Scanlon was sure the two got the notice in the mail but failed to inform Allison about it when Demeter showed up at the hospital. Allison frowned deeply at this news, feeling sorely left out. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, it probably would've helped out with whatever happened down at the hospital," Scanlon grunted. I won't argue with you there, Allison begrudgingly regarded the pure white bedroom with interest. Her house wasn't half as clean as this place. She wondered how anyone could live in such a sterile environment without losing some of their God-given sanity. "Do you have a search warrant for this?" Allison said. Scanlon nodded reaching into his jacket and revealing the familiar blue-green tinted paper.

"Are you the only one investigating this place?" Allison continued to pry.

Scanlon shook his head. "A team will be here to re-investigate soon. By the way, I got the name of your mystery woman," He pulled another piece of paper from his jacket and handed it to Allison. Allison stared at the large color photo, the woman smiling back at her was indeed the same woman she had seen her dream. Her was longer than it was in her dream, the oval ring remained on her thumb –– currently pressed against her cheek. She checked the vital status of the woman --- 5'9', Born August 23 1977; blood type O-Neg; Danish-American. Nothing really seemed to stick out or was out of the ordinary, until she ventured back up the page and spotted her name. Emily Brennan. Allison felt her stomach twist in knots, her conversation with Joe and the dream playing in her head like a burlesquing film. Her hand pressed against the side of her face sliding upward in a rough manner. Allison's face felt hot, it wasn't from embarrassment, regrettably. "You alright?" Scanlon inquired. Allison nodded her head quickly giving the picture another look, Emily's eyes were unkind, her smile did not reach the forced happy emotion.

The eyeshadow all around her eyes seemed to empathize on this fact. She let out a short and shaky laugh. "My husband called me a while ago, saying he talked to a Emily Brennan," Allison said. Scanlon raised an eyebrow taking the picture from his partner, he gave the picture a looking over then raised his eyebrow. "Did he?" Was all he said turning back the vanity. "Yeah, he told me that she was going to Arizona P.D. to pick her boyfriend," Allison walked past him toward the bathroom. The bathroom also looked like something out of a glossy magazine photo. The mirror hanging above the sink was framed by white frame illuminated by flourescent lights, the sink was surrounded by a black marble counter. The floor was covered in ceramic glass solidified by concrete. The walls were the same sterile white, the ceiling was covered in a large painted yellow sunflower, there were no windows. The only thing that wasn't black or white was the gray ground level tub and the blue shower curtains. There was an obvious clash of weak and overpowering tastes in this room alone.

She turned her sights on the toilet shoved up in the corner across from the tub. There she found a two women. One stood straight-backed, her hand clutching the bony arm of the woman sitting on the toilet. The bony arm was wrapped with tourniquet which she held tight in her hand, she winced as the needle pushed its way into her vein and injected the substance into her bloodstream. In a few moments she was out like a light leaning against the cool surface of the wall beside her. Emily discarded the needle and tourniquet into the garbage can and ventured past Allison into her bedroom. Not a few seconds later the white wolf --hardly the size Allison had remembered seeing him as-- trotted into the bathroom and laid down next to the unconscious body. Allison turned her head toward the door, the bathroom lights were off, save one on the beside table. Emily sat on the edge of the bed in nothing but her underwear, she held the hotel phone to her ear.

" . . . Sleeping right now, her and the beast. I still don't understand why she had to stay here, Michael," Emily's dry voice was disconcerting. "Its not like she would've --- oh, fine, fine. I won't ask anymore questions. Take ---" Emily's head jerked away from the phone. A look of disbelief was written across her face. She slammed the phone down on its cradle. "—Care. Bastard," She uttered lying down in her bed. The lamp went out and the world was plunged into darkness. Allison blinked a couple of times before realizing she was standing in the middle of the bathroom floor no longer in the memory. She sighed in relief. Allison stepped out of the bathroom expecting to find Scanlon still hanging over the vanity, he was no longer in the bedroom. Allison found him in the living room looking through pictures clutched in his hand. "Did you find anything in the bathroom. I mean, besides the toilet?" Lee joked. "No not really, just that Fangora spent the night here at one point. Emily Brennan drugged her and left her in that bathroom. She called Michael Strife and went to sleep afterward," Allison explained. Scanlon nodded his head. "Why do I get the feeling that girl is more trouble than she's worth?" He muttered to himself.

"What?"

Scanlon shook his head, he shoved the pictures into the inside pocket of his jacket. Allison regarded warily as he headed away from coffee table. "Its nothin', c'mon, let's get out of here," Scanlon headed for the door and vanished. Allison stood where she was for a few minutes giving the room one last looking over. She followed after Scanlon shutting the apartment door behind her.


(Recess):


Ariel met her sister outside on the playground, she found her on the swings swinging back and forth in a rhythmic motion. When they weren't fighting (of Bridget wasn't stealing things) Bridget could actually be someone Ariel could tolerate to be around, someone better than a friend to play with. But at the moment, Bridget was in the dog house with Ariel. Again. The oldest sister didn't let her presence become known too soon as she watched her sister swinging happily along with one her friends, Washburne was the name he went by. He was only two years older than Bridget --seven years old-- and somehow he managed to let himself get bossed into putting crazy glue on their teacher's chair. Ariel felt bad for Ms. Simone but not as bad as she would've felt if it was one of her teacher's that ended up stuck to their chair.

Bridget had apologized, Washburne tried to blame the entire scheme on Bridget. Both voices went unheard and Ms. Simone had called one of their parents anyway. Ariel wasn't sure which one she managed to get a hold of, but when she returned from the principle's office (where Ariel had been summoned to met Bridget and Mr. Reynolds), she promptly explained that Bridget was in "a lot of trouble." Bridget's fingers twisted around each other in dread while Ariel did what she did best, give her sister the 'I told you so' expression and revel in her sister's misery for the time being.

Ariel stepped out from behind the slide and approached the slide, Bridget looked up from the ground rushing away from to her sister, her pleasant expression vanished replaced with a pouted one. Ariel rolled her eyes, Bridget was still a little too young to know what true anger was beyond pouting. Which was probably a good thing. Bridget finally came to a full stop and leapt from the swing leaving Washburne to swing by himself, she trudged past her sister with her arms folded. Ariel followed after the girl after shooting a glare at Washburne who just stuck his tongue at her. Ariel shook her head and hurried to catch up with Bridget. "Why are you following me?" Bridget grumbled. "I'm supposed to follow you, Mr. Reynolds told me so. 'Unless your in class, your sister Ariel is to watch you until school is over and your parents are debriefed on the issue.' See?" Ariel recited Malcolm Reynold's words precise to her little sister who huffed. "So what! All I did was spill the crazy glue on the chair! I ran back to my seat before I got a chance to clean it up, 'cause Mr. Tam was coming," Bridget rebuked, stomping up the stairs.

"Okay, now your just lying. You told Mr. Reynolds you and Washburne pulled a prank on Mr. Tam, on purpose," Ariel corrected. Bridget turned swiftly on one heel her chubby face becoming redder by the second. "Like he would've believed if I told the truth," Bridget said in a snooty tone, completely betraying the expected intelligence level of a 5-year-old girl. Ariel rolled her eyes. The ring of the bell echoed throughout the school yard, the children discarded their games and rushed toward the doorway. Bridget and Ariel hurried through the closed doors to avoid being bum rushed by the mob of children. Bridget lead her sister down the hall sticking close to the sidelines as the student bodies came darting by. Ariel followed complaining to herself all the way. Once they reached Bridget's next class Ariel stepped in front of her sister halting her in her tracks. "Okay, remember you have to meet me outside –-" Ariel caught Bridget's eyes wandering toward something behind her. Ariel turned abruptly her eyes concentrating on the unfamiliar adult in front of her.

The woman stopped suddenly her face laced with faint realization and excitement. She brushed her hair out of her face tucking it behind her ear. She extended her hand to shake either girl's hand. "Excuse me, are you Ariel and Bridget Dubois?" She asked as Bridget shook her hand (rather roughly). The youngest opened her mouth to respond but Ariel clamped her hand over her little sister's mouth. "Who's asking?" Ariel interjected glaring at her sister. She knew her behavior itself was suspicious and would hint at something being hidden, but at the moment it was better than Bridget giving their name away so unconstrainedly. The woman seemed taken aback by Ariel harsh demeanor toward her, she kept her smile on her face nevertheless.

"Well, I'm a friend of your Mom's. My name's Amy Johnson. Your mother's told so much about you," The woman answered. Ariel titled her head to the side, she grunted as her hand was pushed away from her little sister's hand. Ariel shot her a forewarning glance. "Don't say anything!" She snapped. Bridget folded her arms against her chest and pressed her lips together. Ariel focused on the woman standing across from them, her gaze all the more mistrusting. "Mom never said anything about you," Ariel said. Amy shrugged her shoulder brushing her red hair out of her face. "Tell your mom I was looking for her, here's my number," Amy handed Ariel her card which the girl promptly took from the woman's possession. "I'll see you around girls." The woman turned and walked away, she moved briskly across the now empty halls the click of her heels echoing against the walls. Ariel glowered at her retreating back before returning her attention on Bridget. "If you see that woman again, ignore her or tell a teacher she's bothering you. I'm going to my class now, so you better not cause any trouble. Do you understand me? Bridget!" Ariel snapped.

Bridget gave her sister the strongest glare she muster. "Okay! I heard you the first time. Jeez!" Bridget stomped into her classroom not caring if anyone was staring at her or Ariel. The eldest Dubois marched down the hall wary of her surroundings as she made her way toward her part of the school.


Fangora made a smacking noise with her lips as she became aware of her surroundings, she turned her head toward the window across from her. The bright morning sun was no longer present, the warm dying sunlight of the afternoon came to visit her, assuming the role as the horrible bedside fellow. She raised pulled her arm connected to the IV out from underneath her head puzzled by how it got there, her head throbbed reminding her of the overabundance of alcohol she swallowed the previous night. Her body felt completely stiff from lying in the same position for hours, rolling her head around on her pillow she attempted to push herself upright. "Blah, ugh," Fangora stuck her tongue in a vain attempt to rid herself of the dry patch in her mouth. She scrubbed her face jarring the IV in her arm loose, immediately the alarms on the piece of machinery next to her went off. The liquid in the IV dribbled down onto the floor as two nurses rushed into the room. Fangora locked eyes with both of them for no more than a second as she began to scoot toward the edge of the bed, she knew they would try to detain her. Prior experience taught her to be quick when escaping the enemy. Aside from the throbbing headache, the nausea, and dry throat, Fangora felt mighty fine. "Mrs. McAllen please remain in bed," The mousy nurse proclaimed panicked. Fangora's feet landed on the cold tile floor with a grunt, her legs felt a little wobbly but nevertheless obliged to her commands as she moved forward. "I'm fine," She rasped, glowering at the woman across from her. "Just give me my discharge papers and I'm outta your hair," Fangora groaned pressing her hands and forehead against the window pane. She was thankful they had left her clothing on her body, she half-expected to be in a hospital gown. Fangora twisted her leg over the other, she had the vengeful need to pee now. The mousy nurse had managed to turn the machine off. She approached the teenager with concerned. "Well, as much as I would love to give those papers, your mother is here ---"

"My mother? What is she doing here? Where's Mrs. Dubois?" Fangora spat nastily. The mousy nurse shrugged her shoulders as she reached into her shirt pocket revealing a crumpled card. "She left after your mother came in. Mrs. Dubois was no longer needed since the official guardian came within the 24 hour period," The nurse answered hesitantly. Fangora cursed utter her breath a string of profanities of a foreign language (Chinese) and then banged her head against the glass. Which of course turned out to be a bad idea, her head started throbbing again reminding her of the hangover she suffered from. "You can call her if you like, but regulations say you have to go with the official guardian," The nurse continued. Do those regulations hold when your parents have disowned you? It was a question Fangora felt she should've asked the nurse –-regrettably seven years her senior–- but the woman was already walking out of the room after muttering a quick 'I'll get her for you.' Fangora didn't want to see her mother now or in the future, while she was disheartened by the demotion of her status in the family, Fangora hardened herself knowing there was no point in weeping over it. The beating she got from her parents let her know they had no qualms about harming her if she entered their lives again. Or at least their house.

Fangora made it a point to distance herself from all relations if she could help it. She stared a little more out the window, her eyes full of contemn. Getting out of the hospital the conventional way was more or less a defiant impossible. Too many faces probably saw her unconscious and there would be too much hassle to try to impersonate an employee and walk out of the place as well. Climbing out the window sounded like a swell idea right now. Her fingers played with the peeling paint of the window as Demeter entered the hospital room at a brisk pace. Fangora did not turn to meet the woman who strode over to the bed and placed a hand on the mattress. "What do you want?" Fangora spoke harshly. Demeter traced the crooked edges of the untidy sheet like it were her own then shifted her attention to her daughter, former. "What every mother wants for her daughter; A good life. And to be honest, you've done the opposite of that," Demeter quipped.

Fangora shrugged her shoulders; The good life her mother planned for her flew out the window the moment she confessed her secret and they stuck her in an asylum. "Well, you've got no say-so in my life anymore. You disowned me, I'm no longer Persephone McAllen. I'm just Fangora (or Peppy) - former stripper, oh, and, currently homeless because I maxed out my friend's credit cards and was kicked out of the apartment we rented after overstaying in a hotel --- or motel, whatever," Fangora rambled angrily. "As far as I'm concerned, you've got nothing to do with what I do with my life from here on out." Demeter glowered at the back of her daughter. "Well, according to law your still a minor, therefore you don't have a say in what happens in your life unless by some circumstantiating miracle all your relatives died. Even then you wouldn't have authority over what you could or could not do, because your not old enough to face the real world out there. In the long run you know you can't take care of yourself, that alone is an overwhelming job. Ask anyone who's dropped out of high-school or even those graduated from collage," Demeter snarled, none-too-happy that her 'daughter' was lecturing her on what she couldn't control in her life.

Fangora continued to stare out the window, already her hands were resting underneath the panel of window just waiting for the opportune moment to push it up and fly out like an escaped bird from its cage. Whether or not her mother's words were true was not a concern to Fangora, she would cross that bridge when she got to it. It was never good to think too far ahead of yourself and all Fangora was focused on right now was the here and now. (Okay, maybe she thought about what she would do after jumping out the window. Maybe.) Nothing else mattered. "If you've got nothing positive to say to me Demeter, then I suggest you leave. I'll not be badgered by a woman who's not my mother," Fangora rebuked tersely. Demeter resisted from laughing at the teenager across from where she stood. The hunched and near-defeated demeanor of her daughter did not bleed sympathy out of her. She wasn't someone who associated herself with crazy people, even if they were from her own womb. "I'll be back in ten minutes. I've gotta speak with Dr. Kahu about what to do with you in such a delicate condition," Demeter uttered. "You stay right where you are. Do you I make myself clear?"

Fangora's jaw tightened at the command. "As glass. I ain't goin' nowhere," She answered. Demeter regarded Fangora for a while longer before nodding again. "Good, I'll be back." Demeter proceeded out of the room at a hasty pace. Fangora listened to her brisk footsteps fade in background noise of the hospital outside her room. She remained frozen in her place, her mind reflecting on the harsh words between mother and daughter. There was a pang of disappointment swelling in her chest; For a brief moment Fangora almost felt like Persephone again, squabbling with her mother. She even dared to think that Demeter had come to beg for her daughter --- that would never happen! Swallowing she pushed the window open slowly so as not to attract any attention to herself. Making sure no one was coming, Fangora hauled herself through the open window, she fell face first into the bushes. The prickly foliage scratched and poked at her face. "Ai-ya!" She cried pulling her face away from the prickly foliage. Fangora pulled herself upright and hurried as fast as she could across the parking lot. She fell into a more casual walking pace as a ambulance rolled past her, its sirens blazing. Once she knew was on the sidewalk and far enough not to draw suspicious-eyes to her, Fangora bolted up the steep hill as fast as her semi-unsteady legs would take her. It was too hot to keep running like she was, her mind was already calculating how far she was from her desired destination.


Michael marched out onto the school parking lot toward a blue Jaguar where Emily was waiting. He scratched the side of his head as his eyes wandered the vacant lot overcrowded with cars of the faculty members and so forth. There was little greeting from the man as he grasped the driver side door. Opening it he allowed Brennan to step out of the car. "Why can't I ever drive?" The red haired woman mumbled stepping past Michael. Michael climbed into the warm seat pulling the door shut. Emily opened the passenger side door and slid inside the car for a second time. She regarded her lover quietly while he stared into space, his face devoid of any sort of a expression. Reaching over she stroked the stubble on his face causing Michael to shy away from her touch. "What is it?" Brennan inquired. Michael yawned wearily shaking his head, he was in no mood to talk about whatever was on his mind. "How'd it go?" He asked.

Emily shrugged her shoulders slowly staring off into the distance. "I'm not entirely sure. He didn't take notice of my using his last name, and the daughters were wary of me. No doubt from all the 'never talk to strangers' talks their parents gave them." Brennan paused thoughtfully for a moment causing Michael to shoot a glance in her direction. Emily turned to meet his hardened gaze. "Why is it exactly we're bothering this family? I thought it was just Fangora you wanted?" Emily ventured. Michael sighed inwardly to himself. "Because, she's bound to have told them something," He uttered starting the car. "So your just going to off them, along with her? Wouldn't it be easier to have her thrown in jail?" She continued. Michael did not answer her as he pulled out of the school parking lot. Emily sat back in her chair with slight announce, the conversation was over. She knew better than to try and bring it up at a stop light or later on for that matter. Michael would backhand her quicker than she could react and do other things she'd rather not dwell upon. Scratching the back of her head she focused her attentions on the world passing by her window.

"Can I trust you to hold to your word?" Michael asked a few moments later.

Emily's eyes slowly wandered from the window to her lover.

She cracked a grin. "Of course."


Allison sighed dejectedly as she listened to Devalos' briefing of the trial in the coming week and month of June. The inside of her head felt like a jumbled mess, full of regret and visions that wanted to come together but never quiet seemed to fit together as one whole picture. She had a motive, she had a killer(s), she had a victim, but none of this seemed to really matter. No, her objective was to keep a turn of events --that would ultimately lead to the death of the victum-- from happening and with no idea how, exactly. Rubbing the side of her head she refocused her attention on her boss. "Have you've been listening to a word I've said?" Manuel said. Allison shook her head slowly eyeing the stacks of files on the table in front of her. "No, not really," A nervous laugh escaped her lips as she scratched the side of her face. "I was --- did Scanlon tell you what happened?"

Devalos tried his best not to look completely irritated by Allison's less than cooperative behavior, he rubbed his temples wearily recounting all that he remembered saying to her. "As you well you know, the trial is this week coming and Judge Fayden has agreed to present our case. There are eleven jurors, the majority of them being males since the court believes one too many women would judge the verdict emotionally instead of rationally. Your job as is to find out who will or won't side with my argument, and that Fangora is present when the trial begins. We have two witnesses which can testify to Strife's kidnaping Persephone and that she indeed was forced into working in his strip joint." He paused shuffling through a few papers on his table. "We also have evidence to his murdering Elliot MacHale, provided by an informant of Scanlon's," Manuel finished.

"Do we have any evidence that he murdered Maggie Mui?" Allison asked. Manuel shook his head. "The bullets matched the gun used in Mui's demise but there's not a trace of evidence on her body or the gun that says Strife murdered her. I'm sorry Allison," Devalos said. Allison shook her head, her face was laced with disappointment but she understood. Kira and Fangora was all they had against Michael and it would have to do. She just hoped Maggie appreciate all that they were doing for her and her comrade. Devalos looked up from his papers again, a more thoughtful expression on his face. "Now what was it, that Scanlon told me?" He asked lightly. Allison shrugged her shoulders having been reminded of her question that went unanswered, she wasn't sure it really mattered anymore. "Demeter McAllen was in the hospital earlier. She told me she worked there as a nurse and wanted to see her daughter. Somehow or another she ended up with guardianship over Fangora since she appeared within the twenty-four hour time period," Allison explained. "I didn't know there was a restraining order on the McAllen's and Demeter failed to tell me, so I was pretty much out of options as to what do. I left and met Scanlon at the Bayside apartments." Allison fell quiet staring up expectantly at her boss.

If Devalos looked vexed he didn't show it. His eyes were trained on Allison's near-irritated face as his lips parted to speak. "He had a warrant to search the house of your mystery woman, Emily Brennan. Whom by the way, also picked up Michael Strife from the Arizona P.D.," Manuel explained. Allison nodded her head slowly. "When I was at the apartment, I saw her --- in her bathroom sticking Fangora with a needle --- probably full of sedative. She was talking to Michael Strife about something, I don't know what," Allison answered. Devalos nodded his head again his eyes averting back to the paperwork on his desk. "I am sorry I didn't tell you about the restraining order Allison," Devalos offered.

Allison pressed her lips against each other at the reminder of being unaware of the restraining order. Things were hectic around the D.A.'s office, in Devalos' case, so she couldn't be too surprised that she didn't receive notice right away. Nevertheless. . . . Allison gave a wave of her hand as she stood up, the folders in hand. "Doesn't matter. I'll go and get Fangora as soon as I can. I'll look through these and give you all the information I can pick up. Let me know anything else happens," Allison said hoisting her purse strap a little higher on her shoulder. Devalos nodded his head and watched the woman head out the room at a brisk business-like pace. Shaking his head he reaching over he picked the phone up and began to dial a number. There was a brief pause as he listened to the line ringing on the other end. A click and a rough "Hello?" brought the man out of his blank stare. "Yes, I am looking for Doctor David Drummond," He began.

There was a slight pause from the person on the other end. "Doctor Drummond isn't here right now, would you like to leave a message?" The man asked. Devalos sighed in exasperation. "Yes, tell him that Manuel Devalos as looking for him. It concerns one of his last youth patient, Persephone McAllen," Devalos expressed briefly. There was another pause on the end of the line, Devalos was beginning to think that man had hung up on him when a disgruntled grunt filled his ear. "All right, I'll give him the message," And with that the man hung up.


(TBC)