"Can't Deny Destiny"
Chapter 7 "The High Place, the Bad Place, and Everywhere in Between"
Rogue Angel Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Note: I'm working on the rest of the story.. I need feedback. ***** Original Cindy and Max's apartment There was a knock at the door, Original Cindy opened it. Jesse stood in the hall. He was wearing something that any bike messenger would wear, a gawky, un-trendy monstrosity of an attempt of being hip. He looked uncomfortable and awkward in the mismatched ensemble. But still, he was a convincing bike messenger. "Jam Pony Bike Messenger, you have a package for pick up?" he said with a grin. "Boy, you good," Original Cindy said, handing him the package. "I called half an hour ago, that's great time." "I try, I've got people to impress, Ma'am." He left and rode his bike to the actual Jam Pony. In front of the building he got off of his bike and walked it in. He pulled his jacket off and walked up to a guy with loose brown hair and glasses. "Hey, are you Sketchy?" The guy turned. "Who's asking?" "I'm a friend of Max's. She needs a favor." "What kind of favor?" "She needs this packet delivered to her. But in a different box. Alec said there's a tube in his locker that you should use." "Why don't you deliver it? Aren't you a messenger?" "I'm not and I can't. You're the one who has to do it." "Where do I deliver it to?" "There's a hotel right outside of town towards the rural area. It's the Seattle Inn. Room 104." "I know the place. It takes a while to get there." "I know. Max really needs you to hurry. This package has information that could save her sister's life." Sketchy grabbed the packet and ripped it open. He took the papers and looked at them. "TB? Her sister has TB?" "Yeah, she's getting really close to dying and they just need the information. And I'll pay you a hundred dollars." He held out the cash. Sketchy smiled and took the money. "I'm her man." Sketchy went to Alec's locker and picked it open. He pulled out the packing tube and put the papers in it. He then stuck it in his bag and left. Jesse changed out of the clothes and walked back out. He got on his bike and rode towards the market. He ducked into an alley and saw the one of the group he was told to look for. A lanky guy with dark hair wearing a white shirt. Xander walked by and didn't notice Jesse jet off in the opposite direction.
"Fuck," Xander yelled. He picked up his walkie talkie, "I lost the messenger." "It's ok, he probably was just a worker doing his job. How about you head back? There's food," Willow replied. "Every Scooby needs his snacks," Xander said and he headed back to the headquarters. The Hotel By the time Jesse returned, Sketchy was long gone. Jesse was hot and sweaty and sore when he got back but the reaction he got from the group made him forget it all. He had played a part to save a girl's life, he was so proud of himself. And Isabel was proud of him too. Liz and Maxwell were taking turns reading the documents and taking notes and checking out the blood sample. Michael put his hand on Jesse's shoulder. "Way to go." Michael didn't wait for any reaction, he left and went to the other room. Maxie and Faith were both sitting next to Jondy who was now in a tub of ice. Michael came in and put his hand on Faith's shoulder. "They're working on a plan. It seems like a good one." Faith nodded. Michael sat and Faith snuggled into him, he put his arms around her. He could feel her fear. He kissed the back of her neck and tried to send the vibe that everything was going to be ok. Faith tensed and then turned. "What happened at the restaurant with Liz?" "She was shot and Maxwell healed her. You saw that?" Michael said. "Yeah. Is he going to heal Jondy?" "He's going to try. Him and Liz are studying about TB and checking out blood samples to see if he can figure out how he should deal with it." Faith relaxed a bit. "She's going to be fine then?" "We hope," Michael said. "We have a little more than thirteen hours." Maxie said without looking away from Jondy. "You can take a break if you want Faith. You seem tired." "I am, but I don't need to go." "She's not going anywhere. If you sleep in this hotel room, I can wake you for any changes." "Ok, I guess. Thanks." Faith kissed Jondy and Maxie's forehead and her and Michael left. Jondy's eyes fluttered open and Maxie grabbed her hand. "So cold," Jondy croaked out. "Your body temp was skyrocketed, we had to get you to cool down." "I'm cold now." Maxie helped Jondy out of the tub and she sat her against it. Jondy seemed a little more awake. "Maxie, I'm sorry I didn't make myself seen to you sooner. We should have had more time together." "We should have and we might get it. Liz's Max might have a way to cure you." A smile slowly formed on Jondy's lips. "That boy is amazing." "He is. Liz is lucky to have found him. He's enthralled by her." "He's just like Zack. Protective but sensitive. Those boys are peas in a pod." Maxie put Jondy's hand in hers. "They are, aren't they?" "Uh huh. And Zack looks at you like Maxwell looks at Liz." Maxie thought about it for a second. "He does, doesn't he?" "Is there an echo in here?" Jondy said trying to laugh, it turned into a cough. "Don't, Jon, save your strength." Jondy nodded and leaned into her sister. "I'll try." Zack came into the bathroom and saw the two girls leaning against the bathtub. "How goes it, Jondy?" "Peaches. I've never been better," she said, coughing in her chest. "How about you, Maxie?" "I think crappy sums it up. Maybe shitty... Nah, fucked up is the phase I'm looking for. Fucked up." Zack offered a small smile. "I think Zane's itching to play nurse for a while if you want to take a break." "I'm fine," Maxie said. "Go, I need to talk to Zane anyway," Jondy said. "You want me to?" Jondy gave a small nod. Zack helped Maxie up and the two of them pulled Jondy to her feet and carried her to her bed. Faith and Michael had fallen asleep on the other side of it. They were deep asleep. "I'll send Zane in," Zack said. Maxie and Zack left and a few minutes later Zane entered. "You wanted to see me?" Zane asked. Jondy laid on the bed, her eyes barely staying open. "Come here." Zane crouched down next to her, he brushed a stray hair from her face. "Yes?" Jondy pulled on his shirt and he leaned closer. She leaned up and kissed him. He returned the kiss and she lowered to the bed. "I love you," she whispered. "I know you do." "Take me to the High Place," she said. "In a while." "Now," she gasped. "Why?" "How long do I have?" she asked. Zane looked to the clock. "Thirteen hours." "I don't." "What do you mean?" "I coughed blood before." Zane froze, her twenty-four hour warning had come earlier than she had told anyone. "When?" "During the football game. Around noon." Zane looked at the clock. Instead of having thirteen hours, they had one. "Fuck," he said. "I'm sorry. I was just going to..." "Not tell us." "Yeah," Jondy said with tears in her eyes. "I've got to tell," Zane said. "They're going to be pissed," Jondy said with a smile. "I wouldn't be smiling if I were you." "You're a lucky bastard in that you're not me. Go tell them." Zane kissed her softly and left. "Faith," Jondy said. She repeated her name twice before Faith stirred. "Yeah." "Wake up," Jondy whispered. Faith sat up and Zack barged into the room. "What the fuck, Jondy?" Jondy tried to smile but it was a weak attempt. Maxie rushed in past Zack and launched herself onto Jondy with her arms flailing. Faith ripped her sister off. Jondy's face was red from where Maxie had hit her. Jondy started coughing. "What got in your head, Maxie? You trying to kill her?" Faith asked. "She's down to an hour, Faith. She didn't tell us that she started coughing blood during the game yesterday. We've got till noon." Faith looked at Jondy. "You lied?" "I was trying to protect you guys," Jondy said in her defense. "Bull shit," Maxie and Faith both snapped. Jondy started crying. "I tried... But the Blue Lady is weak in me. I'm a bad person. The Nomlies are coming for me, they're gonna take me. I can feel it. They're coming." "We won't let them take you, Jon. We're getting you to the High Place," Maxie said. Maxie and Faith picked Jondy up and carried her to the BMW. Zack went back into the other hotel room. "Maxwell, Liz, you're down to an hour. Brin, you and Zane go with the group to the High Place. We'll follow." Brin and Zane nodded and ran out to the car. Zane got behind the wheel. He sped to the Space Needle and they carried Jondy to the top. Maxie and Brin helped Jondy get on top of the Needle. "See Jon, the High Place," Maxie said in a soft voice. "It's so pretty up here," Jondy whispered. She was right, the sky was unnaturally clear and blue. The sun shone. It could have been a perfect day. After a few minutes on the top of the roof, Maxie and Brin lead Jondy inside where Faith and Zane had made a bed for Jondy to lay on. Maxie looked at her watch, 11:30... Half an hour left till zero hour. Jondy laid calmly, the eye of the hurricane. The other four were frantically pacing around her. After a few minutes Zack entered the room. "They're in here," he said. Almost immediately everyone else loaded into the room. The Roswell gang made their way up to Jondy. "It's about fucking time. We've got fifteen minutes," Faith snapped. Jondy waved Maxwell back. "Let me say goodbye first, just incase..." Maxwell nodded and each X-5 approached Jondy and she hugged all of them and kissed them on their forehead. She hugged all of the non-transgenics next and then she laid back down. Syl looked to her watch, the goodbye's had taken five minutes. She had ten left. Tears flowed down Syl's cheeks. The X-5's huddled together and watched as Maxwell put his hands on Jondy's chest. She was coughing roughly, her breathing was ragged and shallow, and blood pooled at the corners of her lips. She was nearing the end. Maxwell's hands began to glow. Liz put her hand on his shoulder and he began to glow. Michael grasped Liz's hand and she began to glow. Isabel put her hand on Michael's shoulder and Kyle his hand on Maxwell's other shoulder. Each of them began to glow. Isabel put the healing stones around Jondy's chest and Jondy began to glow. The light they radiated was intense. Maxwell began to sweat. Jondy's eyes closed and her breath stopped flowing. A series of beeps from watches let the group know it was noon. Maxwell broke his connection with Jondy and the light faded. It took everyone a few seconds for their eyes to adjust. When they could see they saw a saddening image, Jondy's head had slumped to the side, relaxed. They waited for a breath. Isabel closed her eyes and let herself find Jondy's subconscious. It was an icy scene, a young child with a shaved head was bent over a frozen lake. There was a figure below the ice. Jondy stood on the ice, dressed in black fatigues and a black leather duster, she watched as the young figure on the rim of the lake struggling with a decision. "What is this?" Isabel asked. Jondy replied without turning to her. "This is my escape. The girl there is me, Maxie's under the water. In about two seconds I'm going to run and abandon a fellow soldier, my sister, my best friend." Just like Jondy foretold, the figure took off running. "She got out though," Isabel said. "I shouldn't have left," Jondy said with a hurt voice. "I'm a bad soldier."
The scene changed and Isabel and Jondy were standing at the end of a corridor. "Nomlies," Jondy whispered in a voice mixed with fear and hate. A man led a group of children, all with shaved heads, through a corridor. They passed a door with a small barred opening; the door had X-2/0045D engraved on it. Suddenly a hideous face appeared at the opening and the man it belongs to cackled. The children pulled back against the wall in fear. The man, Lydecker, snapped to the children, "Get moving, soldiers. No one told you to stop." "Bastard," Jondy said and Lydecker walked through her. "You need to wake up," Isabel said. Jondy looked around and now the two adults were in a dormitory the X-5's were all asleep, except for Max and Jondy who were sitting up and talking quietly. "Everyone's alive here. We're together." "It's only a memory, Jondy. Your family is waiting for you." Jondy points around the room, "There's where Ben, Tinga, Jack and Eva sleep. They're in the Good Place. They're the ones waiting for me." The scene changed again. This time the child with the shaved head that Jondy had identified as herself bent over a fallen figure. The adult Jondy turned. "No." A young girl pointed a gun into a light but Lydecker lined up a shot. The adult Jondy launched herself at him and soared through him as he pulled the trigger. "Eva," was her battle cry. She crashed to the ground. Isabel stood next to her. "What is this?" The picture froze and Jondy looked up. "This was the incident that made us leave. Maxie's first seizure, they were going to take her to the Nomlies... No, they were going to take her and dissect her, to find out what was wrong and make her copies better." Jondy turned to Isabel. "Am I dead? Is this the Bad Place? Is this Hell?" "This is not Hell." "You've never been here," Jondy said looking at Isabel, her eyes on fire, full of hatred. "They tried to break me here, kill my spirit. It must be Hell." Isabel broke the link and was suddenly back in the real world. She opened her eyes. Jondy hadn't moved yet. "No," a gentle whisper was spoken from the X-5 group, the speaker not identified. "She's alive," Isabel said. Zane put his fingers on her neck and looked for a pulse. "No pulse." "I just dream walked her. She's alive," Isabel said with tears in her eyes. "She has to be." "When a battery's not working, you've got to jump start it." Michael's hands radiated and he put them over Jondy's heart and released an energy bolt. Jondy's eyes flew open and she gasped. She was then rushed by everyone in the room, she was the center of a large group hug. "Need to breathe." She managed to get out and everyone peeled off of her. "You're ok?" Zane asked. Jondy responded by grabbing his hand and nodded. She turned her gaze to Isabel, "Was I dreaming?" "I was there," Isabel said softly. "You saw my Bad Place?" "And it's gone," Isabel said. Jondy smiled and turned to Maxwell. "You. You are amazing." Jondy gave him a hug. "All of you are. Liz chose good friends, even you Maria." "I still think you're a bitch," Maria said with a grin. "Takes one to find another." Jondy smiled and then Maria and her hugged. Maxie punched Jondy in the back. Jondy dropped to the ground. She got up and turned around. "Did I neglect to mention that I was on the brink of death seconds ago? I just died or did you forget?" "That was because you lied. Every time you lie, I'm gonna hit you." "Fuck, lesson learned, ok?" Jondy said. "Can we go get food? I'm starved." "You and your stomach," Jace said punching Jondy's stomach softly. "Emergency's over, time for food," she joked. "I haven't eaten since... Before the mission. Eleven hours." "You can eat by yourself. I think I speak for everyone when I say, I'm exhausted," Brin said yawning. "Too much drama." Everyone made some type of agreement gesture, except for Maxie. "I'll go with."
Diner Maxie and Jondy sat across from each other in the diner. They were now in clean street clothes. They hadn't spoken much since they left the Space Needle. They ate in silence, Jondy consumed with the guilt of her secrecy and her near death experience. Maxie cleared her throat and Jondy looked at her. "What?" Jondy asked. "You're acting like a child." "I wouldn't know how to," Jondy said with more sarcasm than she meant. "What do you mean?" "You had foster parents after the Pulse, didn't you?" Maxie thought back to her foster dad and Lucy. "Yeah." "I didn't. I was on my own the whole time. If I wasn't with Zane or Zack, I was alone. No fake families, no chance to salvage a childhood." She took a breath and looked at her sister. "I always kinda dreamed about what you'd grow up to be." "What did you think I'd be?" "Just like me. And you are. Better than me actually." "I'm not better." "Right." Jondy stabbed at her food with her fork. "Shit," Maxie said. "What? Don't like me stabbing my eggs? I'm not..." "Bitch and crew are on to us." "You're fucking me?" "Nope. Red head is on your six. With the 'tan in a can' brunette." "Do they notice us?" "Not sure." "Get up and go to the Ladies room. Smooth and slow," Jondy ordered. "What about you?" "My back's to them, they can't tell it's me. Go." Maxie got up and went towards the bathroom. Jondy picked up a newspaper and set it up in front of her face. She heard someone sit across from her. "I thought I gave an order." She lowered the paper. "I'm not one to take orders," Buffy responded. "What does it take to get rid of you people?" "Give us Faith." "Never," Jondy said folding up her paper. "Excuse me, I just lost my appetite." Jondy got up and dropped a few bills down. "Two settings? Where's the person you were with? Is it Faith?" Buffy asked.
"Faith's long gone. As soon as the trade went under she left. She's gone." "Where to?" "If I knew, I still wouldn't tell you. She's in good hands now. Our family's very protective. She won't cross the law again. She's no longer your deal." Buffy grabbed Jondy's arm. Jondy looked at Buffy's hand on her arm then at Buffy. "She is my deal. And she belongs in a prison." Jondy glanced up and caught sight of Maxie coming out of the ladies room. Jondy flicked her eyes to the back door and Maxie went. "You know nothing about Faith." "Enlighten me." "You can't handle the truth." "The truth, yes; the cliché, no." Jondy whip[ed out with lightning fast reaction and ripped Buffy's hand off of her arm and put her in an arm lock. "Take the clue and fuck off." Jondy let go of Buffy and she left the cafe. Buffy followed after her. Jondy led Buffy to the nearest market and easily lost Buffy in the crowd. Jondy spotted Maxie on a roof top and headed over to her. "You clean?" Jondy asked climbing up the ladder. "The two chicks that I saw haven't got any clue on how to track. Any easier and they'd need to be blind." "We need to go to ground," Jondy ordered. "We've got tails on us and they keep coming." "Should we spilt?" Maxie asked. "Negative," Jondy responded. "I'm not up to par, entirely. If I had to, I don't think I could sustain a long fight all that well. He got the virus but neglected the entirety of the crossbow wound." "Wasn't a priority." "I know," Jondy closed her eyes. "Ok. We just have to out maneuver them. Keep to the rooftops as much as we can." "Do you think they have Sector Passes?" "Logan's on their side, what do you think?" Maxie grew mad quickly. "That bastard. He promised he wouldn't do anything until I evaluated it." "Hey, head in the game. Is that a yes?" "Yes. They probably have city wide Sector Passes. And he knows where I hang out. He knows me very well." "But he don't know me for shit. We'll take the roof way, like you suggested. And we'll cut straight for the hotel. We get there and we get Faith and get the fuck out of Dodge." Maxie nodded and the two girls took off running. In the market, Buffy ran into Willow and Cordellia. "I lost her," Buffy said. "What about you two?" "Gone. They're fast," Willow responded. "Too fast," Buffy added, she rubbed her sore arm. "And they can jump far, too," Cordellia added. "How do you know that?" Buffy asked. Cordellia pointed and the three girls watched as Jondy and Maxie ran across the roof tops and jumped easily over the gaps between buildings even if the gap was wide. Soon the two were out of sight. "Wasn't she just shot last night?" Willow asked in regards to Jondy. "I think we need to talk to Logan again. He needs to be a little less candid about what the hell they are," Buffy responded.
Chapter 7 "The High Place, the Bad Place, and Everywhere in Between"
Rogue Angel Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Note: I'm working on the rest of the story.. I need feedback. ***** Original Cindy and Max's apartment There was a knock at the door, Original Cindy opened it. Jesse stood in the hall. He was wearing something that any bike messenger would wear, a gawky, un-trendy monstrosity of an attempt of being hip. He looked uncomfortable and awkward in the mismatched ensemble. But still, he was a convincing bike messenger. "Jam Pony Bike Messenger, you have a package for pick up?" he said with a grin. "Boy, you good," Original Cindy said, handing him the package. "I called half an hour ago, that's great time." "I try, I've got people to impress, Ma'am." He left and rode his bike to the actual Jam Pony. In front of the building he got off of his bike and walked it in. He pulled his jacket off and walked up to a guy with loose brown hair and glasses. "Hey, are you Sketchy?" The guy turned. "Who's asking?" "I'm a friend of Max's. She needs a favor." "What kind of favor?" "She needs this packet delivered to her. But in a different box. Alec said there's a tube in his locker that you should use." "Why don't you deliver it? Aren't you a messenger?" "I'm not and I can't. You're the one who has to do it." "Where do I deliver it to?" "There's a hotel right outside of town towards the rural area. It's the Seattle Inn. Room 104." "I know the place. It takes a while to get there." "I know. Max really needs you to hurry. This package has information that could save her sister's life." Sketchy grabbed the packet and ripped it open. He took the papers and looked at them. "TB? Her sister has TB?" "Yeah, she's getting really close to dying and they just need the information. And I'll pay you a hundred dollars." He held out the cash. Sketchy smiled and took the money. "I'm her man." Sketchy went to Alec's locker and picked it open. He pulled out the packing tube and put the papers in it. He then stuck it in his bag and left. Jesse changed out of the clothes and walked back out. He got on his bike and rode towards the market. He ducked into an alley and saw the one of the group he was told to look for. A lanky guy with dark hair wearing a white shirt. Xander walked by and didn't notice Jesse jet off in the opposite direction.
"Fuck," Xander yelled. He picked up his walkie talkie, "I lost the messenger." "It's ok, he probably was just a worker doing his job. How about you head back? There's food," Willow replied. "Every Scooby needs his snacks," Xander said and he headed back to the headquarters. The Hotel By the time Jesse returned, Sketchy was long gone. Jesse was hot and sweaty and sore when he got back but the reaction he got from the group made him forget it all. He had played a part to save a girl's life, he was so proud of himself. And Isabel was proud of him too. Liz and Maxwell were taking turns reading the documents and taking notes and checking out the blood sample. Michael put his hand on Jesse's shoulder. "Way to go." Michael didn't wait for any reaction, he left and went to the other room. Maxie and Faith were both sitting next to Jondy who was now in a tub of ice. Michael came in and put his hand on Faith's shoulder. "They're working on a plan. It seems like a good one." Faith nodded. Michael sat and Faith snuggled into him, he put his arms around her. He could feel her fear. He kissed the back of her neck and tried to send the vibe that everything was going to be ok. Faith tensed and then turned. "What happened at the restaurant with Liz?" "She was shot and Maxwell healed her. You saw that?" Michael said. "Yeah. Is he going to heal Jondy?" "He's going to try. Him and Liz are studying about TB and checking out blood samples to see if he can figure out how he should deal with it." Faith relaxed a bit. "She's going to be fine then?" "We hope," Michael said. "We have a little more than thirteen hours." Maxie said without looking away from Jondy. "You can take a break if you want Faith. You seem tired." "I am, but I don't need to go." "She's not going anywhere. If you sleep in this hotel room, I can wake you for any changes." "Ok, I guess. Thanks." Faith kissed Jondy and Maxie's forehead and her and Michael left. Jondy's eyes fluttered open and Maxie grabbed her hand. "So cold," Jondy croaked out. "Your body temp was skyrocketed, we had to get you to cool down." "I'm cold now." Maxie helped Jondy out of the tub and she sat her against it. Jondy seemed a little more awake. "Maxie, I'm sorry I didn't make myself seen to you sooner. We should have had more time together." "We should have and we might get it. Liz's Max might have a way to cure you." A smile slowly formed on Jondy's lips. "That boy is amazing." "He is. Liz is lucky to have found him. He's enthralled by her." "He's just like Zack. Protective but sensitive. Those boys are peas in a pod." Maxie put Jondy's hand in hers. "They are, aren't they?" "Uh huh. And Zack looks at you like Maxwell looks at Liz." Maxie thought about it for a second. "He does, doesn't he?" "Is there an echo in here?" Jondy said trying to laugh, it turned into a cough. "Don't, Jon, save your strength." Jondy nodded and leaned into her sister. "I'll try." Zack came into the bathroom and saw the two girls leaning against the bathtub. "How goes it, Jondy?" "Peaches. I've never been better," she said, coughing in her chest. "How about you, Maxie?" "I think crappy sums it up. Maybe shitty... Nah, fucked up is the phase I'm looking for. Fucked up." Zack offered a small smile. "I think Zane's itching to play nurse for a while if you want to take a break." "I'm fine," Maxie said. "Go, I need to talk to Zane anyway," Jondy said. "You want me to?" Jondy gave a small nod. Zack helped Maxie up and the two of them pulled Jondy to her feet and carried her to her bed. Faith and Michael had fallen asleep on the other side of it. They were deep asleep. "I'll send Zane in," Zack said. Maxie and Zack left and a few minutes later Zane entered. "You wanted to see me?" Zane asked. Jondy laid on the bed, her eyes barely staying open. "Come here." Zane crouched down next to her, he brushed a stray hair from her face. "Yes?" Jondy pulled on his shirt and he leaned closer. She leaned up and kissed him. He returned the kiss and she lowered to the bed. "I love you," she whispered. "I know you do." "Take me to the High Place," she said. "In a while." "Now," she gasped. "Why?" "How long do I have?" she asked. Zane looked to the clock. "Thirteen hours." "I don't." "What do you mean?" "I coughed blood before." Zane froze, her twenty-four hour warning had come earlier than she had told anyone. "When?" "During the football game. Around noon." Zane looked at the clock. Instead of having thirteen hours, they had one. "Fuck," he said. "I'm sorry. I was just going to..." "Not tell us." "Yeah," Jondy said with tears in her eyes. "I've got to tell," Zane said. "They're going to be pissed," Jondy said with a smile. "I wouldn't be smiling if I were you." "You're a lucky bastard in that you're not me. Go tell them." Zane kissed her softly and left. "Faith," Jondy said. She repeated her name twice before Faith stirred. "Yeah." "Wake up," Jondy whispered. Faith sat up and Zack barged into the room. "What the fuck, Jondy?" Jondy tried to smile but it was a weak attempt. Maxie rushed in past Zack and launched herself onto Jondy with her arms flailing. Faith ripped her sister off. Jondy's face was red from where Maxie had hit her. Jondy started coughing. "What got in your head, Maxie? You trying to kill her?" Faith asked. "She's down to an hour, Faith. She didn't tell us that she started coughing blood during the game yesterday. We've got till noon." Faith looked at Jondy. "You lied?" "I was trying to protect you guys," Jondy said in her defense. "Bull shit," Maxie and Faith both snapped. Jondy started crying. "I tried... But the Blue Lady is weak in me. I'm a bad person. The Nomlies are coming for me, they're gonna take me. I can feel it. They're coming." "We won't let them take you, Jon. We're getting you to the High Place," Maxie said. Maxie and Faith picked Jondy up and carried her to the BMW. Zack went back into the other hotel room. "Maxwell, Liz, you're down to an hour. Brin, you and Zane go with the group to the High Place. We'll follow." Brin and Zane nodded and ran out to the car. Zane got behind the wheel. He sped to the Space Needle and they carried Jondy to the top. Maxie and Brin helped Jondy get on top of the Needle. "See Jon, the High Place," Maxie said in a soft voice. "It's so pretty up here," Jondy whispered. She was right, the sky was unnaturally clear and blue. The sun shone. It could have been a perfect day. After a few minutes on the top of the roof, Maxie and Brin lead Jondy inside where Faith and Zane had made a bed for Jondy to lay on. Maxie looked at her watch, 11:30... Half an hour left till zero hour. Jondy laid calmly, the eye of the hurricane. The other four were frantically pacing around her. After a few minutes Zack entered the room. "They're in here," he said. Almost immediately everyone else loaded into the room. The Roswell gang made their way up to Jondy. "It's about fucking time. We've got fifteen minutes," Faith snapped. Jondy waved Maxwell back. "Let me say goodbye first, just incase..." Maxwell nodded and each X-5 approached Jondy and she hugged all of them and kissed them on their forehead. She hugged all of the non-transgenics next and then she laid back down. Syl looked to her watch, the goodbye's had taken five minutes. She had ten left. Tears flowed down Syl's cheeks. The X-5's huddled together and watched as Maxwell put his hands on Jondy's chest. She was coughing roughly, her breathing was ragged and shallow, and blood pooled at the corners of her lips. She was nearing the end. Maxwell's hands began to glow. Liz put her hand on his shoulder and he began to glow. Michael grasped Liz's hand and she began to glow. Isabel put her hand on Michael's shoulder and Kyle his hand on Maxwell's other shoulder. Each of them began to glow. Isabel put the healing stones around Jondy's chest and Jondy began to glow. The light they radiated was intense. Maxwell began to sweat. Jondy's eyes closed and her breath stopped flowing. A series of beeps from watches let the group know it was noon. Maxwell broke his connection with Jondy and the light faded. It took everyone a few seconds for their eyes to adjust. When they could see they saw a saddening image, Jondy's head had slumped to the side, relaxed. They waited for a breath. Isabel closed her eyes and let herself find Jondy's subconscious. It was an icy scene, a young child with a shaved head was bent over a frozen lake. There was a figure below the ice. Jondy stood on the ice, dressed in black fatigues and a black leather duster, she watched as the young figure on the rim of the lake struggling with a decision. "What is this?" Isabel asked. Jondy replied without turning to her. "This is my escape. The girl there is me, Maxie's under the water. In about two seconds I'm going to run and abandon a fellow soldier, my sister, my best friend." Just like Jondy foretold, the figure took off running. "She got out though," Isabel said. "I shouldn't have left," Jondy said with a hurt voice. "I'm a bad soldier."
The scene changed and Isabel and Jondy were standing at the end of a corridor. "Nomlies," Jondy whispered in a voice mixed with fear and hate. A man led a group of children, all with shaved heads, through a corridor. They passed a door with a small barred opening; the door had X-2/0045D engraved on it. Suddenly a hideous face appeared at the opening and the man it belongs to cackled. The children pulled back against the wall in fear. The man, Lydecker, snapped to the children, "Get moving, soldiers. No one told you to stop." "Bastard," Jondy said and Lydecker walked through her. "You need to wake up," Isabel said. Jondy looked around and now the two adults were in a dormitory the X-5's were all asleep, except for Max and Jondy who were sitting up and talking quietly. "Everyone's alive here. We're together." "It's only a memory, Jondy. Your family is waiting for you." Jondy points around the room, "There's where Ben, Tinga, Jack and Eva sleep. They're in the Good Place. They're the ones waiting for me." The scene changed again. This time the child with the shaved head that Jondy had identified as herself bent over a fallen figure. The adult Jondy turned. "No." A young girl pointed a gun into a light but Lydecker lined up a shot. The adult Jondy launched herself at him and soared through him as he pulled the trigger. "Eva," was her battle cry. She crashed to the ground. Isabel stood next to her. "What is this?" The picture froze and Jondy looked up. "This was the incident that made us leave. Maxie's first seizure, they were going to take her to the Nomlies... No, they were going to take her and dissect her, to find out what was wrong and make her copies better." Jondy turned to Isabel. "Am I dead? Is this the Bad Place? Is this Hell?" "This is not Hell." "You've never been here," Jondy said looking at Isabel, her eyes on fire, full of hatred. "They tried to break me here, kill my spirit. It must be Hell." Isabel broke the link and was suddenly back in the real world. She opened her eyes. Jondy hadn't moved yet. "No," a gentle whisper was spoken from the X-5 group, the speaker not identified. "She's alive," Isabel said. Zane put his fingers on her neck and looked for a pulse. "No pulse." "I just dream walked her. She's alive," Isabel said with tears in her eyes. "She has to be." "When a battery's not working, you've got to jump start it." Michael's hands radiated and he put them over Jondy's heart and released an energy bolt. Jondy's eyes flew open and she gasped. She was then rushed by everyone in the room, she was the center of a large group hug. "Need to breathe." She managed to get out and everyone peeled off of her. "You're ok?" Zane asked. Jondy responded by grabbing his hand and nodded. She turned her gaze to Isabel, "Was I dreaming?" "I was there," Isabel said softly. "You saw my Bad Place?" "And it's gone," Isabel said. Jondy smiled and turned to Maxwell. "You. You are amazing." Jondy gave him a hug. "All of you are. Liz chose good friends, even you Maria." "I still think you're a bitch," Maria said with a grin. "Takes one to find another." Jondy smiled and then Maria and her hugged. Maxie punched Jondy in the back. Jondy dropped to the ground. She got up and turned around. "Did I neglect to mention that I was on the brink of death seconds ago? I just died or did you forget?" "That was because you lied. Every time you lie, I'm gonna hit you." "Fuck, lesson learned, ok?" Jondy said. "Can we go get food? I'm starved." "You and your stomach," Jace said punching Jondy's stomach softly. "Emergency's over, time for food," she joked. "I haven't eaten since... Before the mission. Eleven hours." "You can eat by yourself. I think I speak for everyone when I say, I'm exhausted," Brin said yawning. "Too much drama." Everyone made some type of agreement gesture, except for Maxie. "I'll go with."
Diner Maxie and Jondy sat across from each other in the diner. They were now in clean street clothes. They hadn't spoken much since they left the Space Needle. They ate in silence, Jondy consumed with the guilt of her secrecy and her near death experience. Maxie cleared her throat and Jondy looked at her. "What?" Jondy asked. "You're acting like a child." "I wouldn't know how to," Jondy said with more sarcasm than she meant. "What do you mean?" "You had foster parents after the Pulse, didn't you?" Maxie thought back to her foster dad and Lucy. "Yeah." "I didn't. I was on my own the whole time. If I wasn't with Zane or Zack, I was alone. No fake families, no chance to salvage a childhood." She took a breath and looked at her sister. "I always kinda dreamed about what you'd grow up to be." "What did you think I'd be?" "Just like me. And you are. Better than me actually." "I'm not better." "Right." Jondy stabbed at her food with her fork. "Shit," Maxie said. "What? Don't like me stabbing my eggs? I'm not..." "Bitch and crew are on to us." "You're fucking me?" "Nope. Red head is on your six. With the 'tan in a can' brunette." "Do they notice us?" "Not sure." "Get up and go to the Ladies room. Smooth and slow," Jondy ordered. "What about you?" "My back's to them, they can't tell it's me. Go." Maxie got up and went towards the bathroom. Jondy picked up a newspaper and set it up in front of her face. She heard someone sit across from her. "I thought I gave an order." She lowered the paper. "I'm not one to take orders," Buffy responded. "What does it take to get rid of you people?" "Give us Faith." "Never," Jondy said folding up her paper. "Excuse me, I just lost my appetite." Jondy got up and dropped a few bills down. "Two settings? Where's the person you were with? Is it Faith?" Buffy asked.
"Faith's long gone. As soon as the trade went under she left. She's gone." "Where to?" "If I knew, I still wouldn't tell you. She's in good hands now. Our family's very protective. She won't cross the law again. She's no longer your deal." Buffy grabbed Jondy's arm. Jondy looked at Buffy's hand on her arm then at Buffy. "She is my deal. And she belongs in a prison." Jondy glanced up and caught sight of Maxie coming out of the ladies room. Jondy flicked her eyes to the back door and Maxie went. "You know nothing about Faith." "Enlighten me." "You can't handle the truth." "The truth, yes; the cliché, no." Jondy whip[ed out with lightning fast reaction and ripped Buffy's hand off of her arm and put her in an arm lock. "Take the clue and fuck off." Jondy let go of Buffy and she left the cafe. Buffy followed after her. Jondy led Buffy to the nearest market and easily lost Buffy in the crowd. Jondy spotted Maxie on a roof top and headed over to her. "You clean?" Jondy asked climbing up the ladder. "The two chicks that I saw haven't got any clue on how to track. Any easier and they'd need to be blind." "We need to go to ground," Jondy ordered. "We've got tails on us and they keep coming." "Should we spilt?" Maxie asked. "Negative," Jondy responded. "I'm not up to par, entirely. If I had to, I don't think I could sustain a long fight all that well. He got the virus but neglected the entirety of the crossbow wound." "Wasn't a priority." "I know," Jondy closed her eyes. "Ok. We just have to out maneuver them. Keep to the rooftops as much as we can." "Do you think they have Sector Passes?" "Logan's on their side, what do you think?" Maxie grew mad quickly. "That bastard. He promised he wouldn't do anything until I evaluated it." "Hey, head in the game. Is that a yes?" "Yes. They probably have city wide Sector Passes. And he knows where I hang out. He knows me very well." "But he don't know me for shit. We'll take the roof way, like you suggested. And we'll cut straight for the hotel. We get there and we get Faith and get the fuck out of Dodge." Maxie nodded and the two girls took off running. In the market, Buffy ran into Willow and Cordellia. "I lost her," Buffy said. "What about you two?" "Gone. They're fast," Willow responded. "Too fast," Buffy added, she rubbed her sore arm. "And they can jump far, too," Cordellia added. "How do you know that?" Buffy asked. Cordellia pointed and the three girls watched as Jondy and Maxie ran across the roof tops and jumped easily over the gaps between buildings even if the gap was wide. Soon the two were out of sight. "Wasn't she just shot last night?" Willow asked in regards to Jondy. "I think we need to talk to Logan again. He needs to be a little less candid about what the hell they are," Buffy responded.