To Ageless, who is officially one of my new muses *eg*

A/N 1: As in the previous chapters – ideas for fic and character development, questions, plotbunnies, suggestions, flames, character pictures, corrections, additions, comments, and everything in between can be mailed to hack_heaven@usa.net

A/N 2: MissNovelist: *wide, innocent eyes* Trouble? (Stop laughing, Ageless. You, too, Viva ^^)

Archangel: That's okay ^^. And yeah, there will be some all-out, uninterrupted fights at some point - several of the characters are harboring some seriously homicidal feelings towards each other, soo...*smirk*

Rascal: Well, in that case I'm afraid we'll have to push Dre's birthday just a little bit *g*. It wouldn't fit in right now...

ArticKitty: Not sure how many couples there will be, actually - I'm not even sure if both of the 'couples' in the last chapter will evolve into real relationships *g*. And yeah, there will be a couple of new characters (and the re-appearance of an old) later on, but it will take a while :)

Italics indicates thoughts/telepathy (including Laetitia's use of her powers)

'...' Indicates a conversation between Jhonen and a spirit

* * *

Chapter Forty: In the Midst of Motives

* * *

Jhonen shuffled his feet, wondering how to bring up the subject of his momentary control of Erik. He was alone with Laetitia once again - once the others had made sure that she was all right, they had left to give her some privacy. Jhonen had gotten up to leave, too, but for some reason Laetitia had asked him to stay.

He stood by the door, watching a bit uneasy as Laetitia sat on the bed, taking a few minutes to regain her strength. At first he'd thought that she wanted to talk to him about something, but she had yet to open her mouth. Maybe she just wanted to be near him...

Yeah, right. Dream on, his conscience whispered. She could have any man she wanted, why would she pick you?

Shut up! Jhonen snapped and focused on the task at hand instead - Erik. And more importantly, Erik's fear. He wanted to talk to someone about it, and Laetitia was the person he felt most comfortable with. He didn't know the others that well yet, and besides...she understood him.

"Laetitia?"

The woman in question looked up.

"Yes?"

Jhonen bit his lower lip, silently debating how to broach the subject. He finally settled on the most direct, if not exactly graceful way.

"He was afraid of me," Jhonen said quietly.

Laetitia's ears perked up and she sent the younger mutant an interested look.

"Who?"

"Erik. He was afraid of me," Jhonen repeated and shook his head in confusion. "He didn't want to tell me where you were, so I got angry and ordered him to tell me...and he did."

Her tiredness immediately forgotten, Laetitia motioned for Jhonen to sit down. The boy hesitated for a second, then sat down on the bed next to her.

"Has it ever happened before?" she asked, and the sudden intensity in her voice caught Jhonen off-guard.

"No, I mean...he never does what I tell him to," Jhonen replied confused. "He usually only tells me something if it's to his own advantage."

Laetitia nodded slowly with a thoughtful look on her face.

"What has Ryan told you about your powers?" she finally asked.

Jhonen shrugged.

"Not much - he's never heard of someone with my powers, so he doesn't know much about them. Just that I can talk to spirits, and I'd pretty much figured that out myself," he explained. "He told me that the best thing to do would be to work with the spirits, since he didn't think I'd be able to control them," he added.

"And yet you just did," Laetitia mumbled with a slightly smile.

You make this too easy, Ryan.

Jhonen frowned as he realized that Laetitia was right.

"I *did* control him," he replied, almost surprised, then looked at Laetitia. "Do you think that Ryan...?"

"Lied?" Laetitia finished, and Jhonen nodded.

"I think he did it for your sake," Laetitia explained quietly. "I think he wanted to protect you - he didn't think you were strong enough to control the spirits, so instead he just chose to say that they couldn't be controlled."

"But he still lied to me," Jhonen said angrily. "And I trusted him, damnit!"

"For your own sake, Jhonen. He just wanted to protect you," Laetitia repeated.

"Yeah, right!" Jhonen grumbled. "He doesn't care about me, he was just afraid that I might actually be able to defend myself. They always treated me like a kid just because I was the youngest of the guys."

Unseen to Jhonen, Laetitia smiled. It was almost too easy - less than three days, and the boy was already furious at Ryan. So young, so innocent...so easily controlled. She liked that.

"They're afraid of change," she explained. "They've become used to seeing you as a kid...they can't see that you've grown up."

"They will," Jhonen promised. "I guarantee you that." He paused for a moment, then sent the Greek woman a curious look. "Do you really think I can control them? The spirits, I mean?"

Laetitia frowned, then nodded slowly.

"I think that if you *want* to control them, you can. The only reason why you haven't done so before, is because Ryan advised you to be diplomatic and understand the spirits, instead of claiming control of your mind. He made you believe that it was impossible, so you never dared to try."

"I controlled Erik. I think I can do it again," Jhonen said slowly. "I want to try, but..."

"But what?" Laetitia asked softly.

Jhonen shrugged helplessly.

"I just...what if it goes wrong? I don't want to be alone in my head with an angry spirit."

Laetitia leaned closer and caressed his cheek, and Jhonen sent her a wide-eyed look.

"You don't have to be alone, Jhonen. I can help you," she whispered. "If you allow me to, I can use my powers to go inside your head and stay there while you face off with Erik." She paused, then continued in a more serious voice. "But it's risky - if you suddenly start to fight me, you could kill me."

"I thought your powers only worked when people were asleep," Jhonen replied in the same quiet voice, and Laetitia smiled slightly.

"To control someone, yes. To talk to you in your mind, you only have to be very relaxed," she replied. "But I have to be able to trust you, Jhonen. If we do this, I will be putting my life in your hands. If you start to fight me, you could drive me insane, even kill me."

"You can trust me," Jhonen replied with quiet conviction. "I won't hurt you, no matter what happens."

Laetitia smiled in return, and motioned for the boy to lie down on the bed.

"I know. Just relax and focus on controlling Erik. I'll be with you every step of the way, I promise."

Jhonen nodded. Relax and focus on Erik...he could do that. And relaxing wouldn't be a problem...he *did* feel kind of drowsy. He lay down and closed his eyes, concentration on the spirit world. He felt something, a slight brush of a mental feather at the edges of his mind as Laetitia used her powers, but it wasn't uncomfortable. More like...calming, in a way.

He took a deep breath, then breathed out slowly and let himself be transported to the spirit world.

* * *

A roar of thunder tore through the air, and Jhonen spun around, ready to defend himself. Erik's personal world was almost exactly as he remembered it. The heavy thunderclouds were still there, but now they no longer just hovered in the horizon - the sky was hidden completely by the black, ominous clouds, lit up by fierce red lightning. The endless lake was there, too, with its pitch-black surface that didn't reflect but absorbed, trapping any mirror image beneath the liquid forever.

Jhonen pointedly ignored the nightmarish landscape, though. This was *his* head and *his* world now, and none of this could hurt him unless he let it.

"Laetitia?" he asked and looked around.

I'm here, Laetitia replied. I can't make myself visible, but I'm here.

"Are you...okay?" he asked hesitantly. "I haven't hurt you or anything, have I?"

No...you didn't fight me at all, Laetitia comforted him. Don't worry about me; find Erik instead and let's settle this.

Jhonen nodded and took a look around, but Erik was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is he?" Jhonen asked. "He knows I'm here; why is he hiding?"

He's afraid of you, Laetitia explained. He's afraid of what you can do. He doesn't want to face you now - you'll have to force him out.

Jhonen nodded grimly. He'd been hearing voices from the day his powers manifested - it was about time he took control of his mind. And he would start with the spirit that had caused him most trouble of all.

"ERIK!" he shouted, and his voice echoed through the twisted landscape. The endless lake seemed to pick up his mood, and on the black surface aggressive waves appeared, hammering against the shore.

"Quit yelling, moron. I'm not deaf," Erik sneered and appeared about thirty feet from Jhonen. He still looked the way Jhonen remembered him - angry, restless, and far older than he'd been in life. Even the dark circles under his eyes were still there.

But something had changed. Jhonen wasn't sure what, but there was something...a feeling, more than something physical. Whatever it was, though, it would have to wait.

"What do you want?" Erik asked sourly.

Jhonen's eyes grew cold.

"Some answers. Now."

Erik snorted.

"Not likely," he said and turned around to leave.

"Stop!" Jhonen snapped...and Erik stopped.

Jhonen's eyes widened in surprise. He could actually *see* Erik's fight against the command, but no matter how hard the spirit tried, it was impossible to get loose.

"Let me go, damnit!" Erik growled, but Jhonen just sent him a cold smile.

"Not until I get some answers," he replied.

Erik glared at him, but didn't reply.

Order him to tell you, Laetitia whispered. Show him that *you're* in control now, and there will be nothing he can do to stop you.

Jhonen nodded slowly. He was starting to suspect that Laetitia was right - he'd stopped Erik from leaving, hadn't he? He'd stopped him with nothing more than a word, an order. *He* was in control now, not Erik.

"All right. Let's start with the beginning: Why did you look me up in the first place?" Jhonen demanded.

"I wanted revenge, and you were the best chance of getting it," Erik replied sourly. He sounded downright angry with Jhonen, but the defiance and the stubbornness had almost disappeared.

"And why did you keep giving me information?" Jhonen asked.

"Because we had a deal - I helped you, you helped me, remember?" Erik snapped.

He's lying. He doesn't care about the deal, Laetitia whispered, and Jhonen clenched his fists. Take control, Jhonen, Laetitia continued. Show him once and for all that this is *your* mind, and that you won't tolerate any games.

Jhonen nodded and turned his attention to the spirit again.

"Liar," he said in a voice that shook from barely controlled fury. "I want the truth, Erik, and I want it now."

Erik hesitated, and Jhonen anger flared up.

"The truth! NOW!" He yelled, and a roar of thunder followed his words, making Erik pale slightly. Jhonen was in control now, and they both knew it.

"I wanted you to change sides," the spirit confessed and took a small step away from Jhonen. "I would never have gotten any revenge on the humans if you had remained with Cretes."

"And is that why you didn't warn me about their rescue-attempt before it was too late?" Jhonen demanded.

Erik sighed and his shoulder slumped in defeat.

"Yes," he admitted. "I figured that if Nike got hurt, you'd be pissed enough to turn away from Cretes for good."

"You manipulated me!" Jhonen growled. "You little-"

"I was just trying to get even, damnit! And I did you a favor, moron - Nike is a hell of a lot better looking than any of your old teammates!" Erik snapped, but Jhonen ignored him and took a threatening step forward.

"Listen closely, Erik, because I'm only going to say this once: the rules have changed. From now on you do as I tell you to, without arguments. You will not bother me, you will not try to attack me, and you will not lie to me. Do you understand?" he said in a low voice.

"Fuck you!" Erik snapped.

There was a sudden flash of pain in Jhonen's mind as Erik tried to get loose, but to no avail. Before Erik could do any real damage, Jhonen had sent the spirit flying into a nearby rock with only a thought. Erik slowly and painfully got back on his feet and Jhonen smiled coldly.

"Do you understand?" he repeated, and the unsaid threat hung heavily in the air between them.

Erik glared at him, but Jhonen didn't back off. For an endless moment the two were locked in a battle of wills, then finally Erik looked away.

"Yeah," he mumbled. "I understand."

Good job, Jhonen, Laetitia praised him, and Jhonen smiled at the words. Now, let's get out of here, shall we?

Jhonen nodded, and felt the landscape fade away around him as he returned to the real world.

* * *

Jhonen opened his eyes slowly. He could feel the beginning of a headache thanks to the concentration it had required to keep Erik under control, but he didn't care. For the first time since his powers had manifested three years ago, he was in control of his own mind. He would no longer have to listen to the random spirits that showed up in his head, would no longer have to listen to complains and pointless comments about his every action. He was in control, and he did not intend to give that up again.

At the edge of the bed Laetitia rubbed her temples, and Jhonen frowned.

"Laetitia? Are you okay?" he asked concerned.

"It's nothing," Laetitia replied in a deliberately faint voice. "A headache, nothing else. Ryan's mindbolt hit harder than I thought. Give me a few minutes, and I'll be all right again."

"He shouldn't have used that strong a bolt on you," Jhonen said angrily. "He could have killed you!"

Laetitia shrugged weakly.

"The dangers of my profession, Jhonen. I'm a walking target, even when I'm just guarding a hostage."

"It's not fair! You never asked to become a killer," Jhonen said and got up. "I wish there was something..." he paused, and Laetitia looked up with a sudden intensity in her dark eyes.

"Yes?" she said, encouraging him to go on.

Jhonen sighed.

"I just...for a moment I wanted to get even," he confessed.

"It would be impossible to get even when they're together," Laetitia pointed out. "And we don't know when they're split up in smaller groups."

"Bu I do," Jhonen replied, a certain eagerness creeping into his voice. "Now that I can control Erik, I can make him tell me if any of them are alone!"

"But they're your old teammates, Jhonen," Laetitia said gently. "Would you betray them...for me?"

"They think I'm a traitor, anyway," Jhonen replied angrily. "And Ryan lied to me - about you, and about my powers. They don't deserve my loyalty; they never did."

Laetitia smiled, not the cold, slightly arrogant smile most people saw, but a smile of genuine warmth, and Jhonen found himself smiling back.

"Thank you," Laetitia said softly, and Jhonen nodded in reply, a bit proud that he could make her smile like that.

He took a moment to clear his thoughts, then took a deep breath and closed his eyes, searching for Erik's presence in his mind.

'Erik!' he snapped. He could feel the headache flare up, but ignored it. He could feel sorry for himself later; right now they had more important things to think about.

'Yes?' Erik replied, and although there was a hint of anger in his voice, it was obvious that his defiance had been broken.

'Where're the Guardians?' Jhonen asked, and Erik snorted.

'In the cabin they've rented, moron,' he replied.

'*All* of them?' Jhonen demanded, and Erik hesitated.

'Well?' Jhonen asked, and let a bit of his anger show.

'No,' Erik replied sourly. 'Two of them are on their way to a bar downtown.'

'Who?'

'Prue and Deirdre. Now leave me the fuck alone!' Erik snapped.

'Don't go too far away,' Jhonen replied with a hint of malice. 'I'll need you later on to show me where the bar is.'

'Asshole!' Erik sneered, but it was only a symbolic resistance. There was nothing he could do to stop Jhonen now, and they both knew that.

Jhonen just smirked slightly and dismissed Erik with a thought. Much as he hated to admit it, control felt *good*. He'd spend too many years following the whims of others, and the power he had suddenly been given was a welcomed change.

And *this* was what Ryan has been keeping from him...?

Jhonen clenched his fists at the memory of his former leader. He'd trusted him, damnit! He'd trusted him, and what had the result been? Nothing but lies and betrayal.

"Jhonen?" Laetitia asked, and Jhonen looked at her.

"It worked," he finally said. "Erik told me."

"Told you what?" Laetitia asked, and a hint of curiosity crept into her voice.

"The Guardians...Prue and Deirdre are on their way to a bar downtown, alone," Jhonen told her. "I ordered Erik to tell me...and he did."

Laetitia smiled coldly, and this time there was no warmth or mercy in her eyes.

"Alone, you said? And you can find that bar?"

Jhonen nodded.

"Yeah. What are we going to do?" he asked. He knew that what he'd done was wrong, but somehow he'd stopped caring. There was no way the Guardians would ever understand his decision, and if they were determined to think the worst of him, well, then he might as well go all the way.

Laetitia smirked slightly.

"We are going to find Blade and Jordane, and then the four of us are going to have a chat with a couple of Guardians."

* * *

Coming up: What's going to happen to Deirdre and Prue? And will Kyle and West show up in time to save them? Tune in next time *g*