A/N: This chapter is rather violent, so I'm rating it R just in case.
Italics signal thoughts, bold signals visions and bold italics signal telepathic conversations.
Chapter eleven: Justice
The Double Helix landed in a clearing in the woods, keeping the stealth mode. As they got out one by one, Kay kept sensing around the area to make sure it was safe. She was feeling slightly paranoid, it seemed. Everyone was fully alert, and they slowly made their way to the warehouse where Kay had traced John's lair.
They waltzed in without being seen, thanks to Kay and Emma's abilities. As they approached the room where the others were, John's psychic signal kept getting stronger. A couple of times they had to stop while Kay collected herself. Sarane and Marius were in the back, keeping an eye on the others and transferring information to Marina, who was watching the thermal scanners.
When they reached the doors, Kay's eyes darted around looking for a way of entry. But it wasn't necessary, since the doors opened automatically as soon as she was close enough. The sight before her made her gasp, and she had to put up as many mental barriers as she could, both for her and for Emma. The fear, tension and hatred were overwhelming.
Gabriel was sitting clutching Shalimar to him, while Viviane held Ben and John toyed with Ashleigh. Brennan's blood boiled, but Kay looked at him warningly, causing him to step back and keep quiet, sparks coming out of his hands as a sign of fury. Kay stepped inside the room, all 5 feet and 5 inches of her exuding confidence and control. She looked so powerful, even Gabriel felt slightly intimidated.
Ryanmoved closer, trying to dissuade Katharine, but Evan pulled him back. "Leave her alone, Melhriam, she knows what she's doing." Kay turned to Gabriel, an ironic smile playing on her lips.
"I absolutely cannot believe this. You guys went through all this trouble just to get me here? You're losing that subtle touch of yours, I'm afraid."
Gabriel glared at her and chuckled lowly, running his hands through Shalimar's hair and kissing her neck. "I haven't lost my touch, Katharine, but it was just so fun to kidnap and torture the people you care about. By the way, I'm impressed. Patty's massing wasn't strong enough, apparently."
Kay gritted her teeth, remembering the pain those blows had caused her. She then realized she had to take action, soon. She moved slowly to the middle of the room. She glared at Gabriel straight in the eye, and he shoved Shalimar aside, standing up. She spoke softly. "Taking the challenge, I see."
He flashed his sick smile at her. "Obviously. You see, I'm a gentleman, and I never refuse a challenge, especially from a lady."
She laughed derisively, shocking everyone. "You may be a man, but you aren't gentle." Pointing at Shalimar and Anna, she added, "That, they can vouch for."
He looked her in the eye territorially and started circling her like a predator circles its prey. She merely stood still, keeping her eyes on him at all times and not allowing him to glare her down. If this was going to be a duel of wills, she was not going to back down.
Everyone watched as she refused to lower her stare, watching Gabriel calmly as he tried to intimidate her. Sarane started ordering the others into position. "Guys, when she gives the signal, each of you pick a lady up and run back to the Helix. I'm taking John, and Chris can have Viviane."
Marius immediately refused. "You'll get yourself killed! I'm staying with you."
Sarane shook her head. "No, I can hold my own here. As soon as everyone else is safe, you double back to help me, okay?"
He gave in, giving her hand a squeeze before moving into position. Christina did the same, walking as close as she could to the doorway without entering and waited for Sarane. They nodded, sealing their deal, and walked forward to meet with their destinies.
Apparently Gabriel realized by her stance that she was not about to back down, so he decided to attack instead. Fortunately, she was ready for his dirty tricks. She sparred with him for some instants, and kicked a wall to propel herself backwards, narrowly avoiding a blast. In that split moment that she let her guard down in her concern for Kay, John sent an electricity blast Sarane's way. She took the electricity well, but it was still painful.
Feeling Sarane's way, Marius moved closer but was stopped by Evan. "Sarane can take care of herself. The faster we get them out, the faster you can get her and leave." Marius nodded his understanding and took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. Meanwhile, Christina fought Viviane strongly, evading psi-blasts at high speed. Sarane tried with all her might not to go into John's range, even though it was rather hard for her to do so.
Suddenly Kay fired a blinding psi-blast that ramified in three energy blasts, paralyzing Viviane, John and Gabriel. The team moved in and helped evacuate the place while Kay kept the psychic connection. Emma ran in front of the team, blinding the guards. She finished off the guards that encircled the Helix, and Jesse ran fast enough to catch her when she dropped exhausted within his arms, knocking them both to the ground.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, and he lifted her gingerly, easing her between his arms. He walked over to the Helix, only to be knocked down again by Marius, Evan and Brennan all heading back inside.
"Sorry!" they all yelled over their shoulders as Jesse lifted Emma again, a soft smile curving his lips as he shook his head.
They arrived to the room just as Gabriel tossed and exhausted Kay across the room. Evan and Marius headed straight to her, as Brennan attacked Gabriel fiercely. Lading in front of him after a flip, Brennan tackled Gabriel and kicked him in the ribs, causing him to moan in pain. "That's for Kay." As Evan reached Kay, she started to have a vision and motioned for Marius to come closer. She touched his arm and Marius winced as her power flowed through him, letting him see what she saw…
Christina finished Viviane off, falling down in sheer exhaustion and disbelief. Brennan and Gabriel still fought tirelessly, as Sarane tried to avoid John's blows but started to get tired. Gabriel powered up a psi-blast for Brennan, but Brennan's tesla coil caused him to miss his aim and hit John instead.
John absorbed the energy and united it with the one he had been accumulating and sent it Sarane's way. She was so tired she didn't react in time and it her full frontal, causing her to scream in pain as she collapsed. Marius ran to her as fast as he could, horrified, but it was far too late. She had died.
Marius returned to the present dimension with a jolt, shaking. Kay placed a soothing hand on his arms and spoke softly before passing out. "If you watch the signs, you can change the future. Only you." He nodded his understanding and she fell into Evan's arms.
He rose up slowly, and his blood froze when he heard the vaguely familiar scream of Lady Leighton as she fell, and the moans of a very hurt Christina. It is going to happen, he thought terrified. Then he heard Brennan gasp, like he had before, as Gabriel yelled and John blasted. And he didn't think, not for a second. He couldn't do anything but move.
Sarane saw Gabriel hit John, and when she finally spotted John's blast, he was already shooting it. I don't have enough time, she thought desperately. It's going to hit me, and I'm going to leave Marina. Oh God, I am so sorry. Please forgive me Marina. I never meant to fail you. As she readied herself for the inevitable blow, Marius tackled her to the ground. She still felt the hit, however, and she lost consciousness immediately, falling into the impending darkness. John moved over to pick up Viviane, but Kay had regained consciousness and psi-blasted the mirror wall behind them. Within seconds, it had shattered, and the glass had buried them.
Christina walked over to Evan as Kay got up and watched Brennan. He had punched Gabriel's face, knocking him to the ground, and had hit him until his hands were numb. "That's for what you did to those women." He pulled Kay's gun from her jacket and emptied it into Gabriel's already lifeless body. "And that was for Shal."
Kay limped up to him and gave him and long glare. "Just to make sure he's not coming back."
"Yeah", he agreed. They walked over to Evan and Christina, who were with Marius and Sarane. Brennan swung Marius over his shoulder and Evan carried Sarane out. Christina and Kay supported each other, and they walked the long walk to the Double Helix.
After the injured people had been loaded up, only Kay, Brennan and Evan remained outside. Kay turned to stare piercingly at the building, her breath troubled as she tried to summon her mind power. Evan placed a hand on her shoulder and allowed her to drain from him. She cast a look at Adam, who was urging the three of them in, and cast the warehouse one last look as she made it burst into flames.
They locked the doors and everyone stared at her silently. Ben got up and hugged her, and when they kissed Evan moved away to let the two have their reunion. Kay curled up in Ben's arms and was soon asleep as they headed back to Sanctuary. The nightmare had finally ended. Or so they thought.
A/N: I like this. I was thinking we may have yet another chapter before the epilogue. Still not sure.