A.N: Hey guys. sorry it's bloody taken me so long. College life pretty much doesn't allow me much of a social life (Is that sad that I include this in my social life, or what? lmao). Anyway, many uber thanks to my beta-reader, Rednymph, and thanks to all those who review! Much love from my side of the continent. ^.^ enjoy, and if not, do say so.

(Updated 2/3/11)

Chapter 7: Mistake Number 1

"Nothing ever ends Adrian." Those were my last words to Adrian that day. He had no idea what I meant, but that is irrelevant; he will understand one day. The fact of the matter is that human behavior is utterly unpredictable. Though I may not seem it, I am still human-deep inside there still lies a human core. I was created like any other being, micro-organisms fusing together to create intellectual walking bags of animal protein.

But how godly I have become. Janey once said I was like god. I had protested; If there is a god, I am nothing like him-I once told her.

However, here on my newfound home, I have evolved. I have made things evolve. I have watched them-encouraged them. I have created intelligent life. Is that not what a god does? Is that not what I have been doing all along? Is that not how Earth was created? I am skeptical. No god would not let happen what carried on there. I will not let this world suffer the same fate.
It is no longer dark here. Not like it once was. But I still am lonely.

December 3rd, 1986. I am no longer standing on my preferred Martian soil, but upon the soil of which I was born. I am back in New York, the very place where the destruction took place in my name. I am watching. I feel no anger towards the man before me- the very man that initiated my ostracism. As he smirks at me, I turn my head. I see another, and know him as Walter J. Kovacs. I saved his life- it appears as if it was only seconds before, but I know better.

It is November 2nd, 1985. I raised my hand, I know what is to come. I know his part in my future. Everything changes with one simple complication, I know both paths well, but still I raise my hand.
So much blood. Innocent and unknowing beings had been sacrificed for a great cause. I had been here and back many times over. I have relived it for too long. I made a decision.

It is once again December 3rd, 1986. I see that decision take its final steps. I see the product of that decision. There is a woman: Insignificant in my plans. She stands beside him, tears stain her pale face. I am confused, and yet I know everything. Another life had been taken at my expense. No more, I decide. No more lives to be spent. No more lives to be wasted for the good or bad of mankind. This is why I have come back. I know this and as I perform an act only a god should have carried out, I cannot help but ponder what I have become.

I am standing once again on the planet of which I have left unnamed, for one cannot name something they have known so little. I am watching the life I created evolve, watching as it takes shape and learns its boundaries… I did not create life to be cruel.

I know the repercussions of my actions. I knew not the fate of the world of which I was born. But I know the fate of it should I choose not to go. It feels nice to finally be able to choose.

Brrrrrinngggg…. Brrrinnnnnnggggg…

Teri frowned as she fumbled with the back of her earring. "You got that?" She called from the bathroom, her eyes flicking anxiously between her reflection in the mirror to the phone in the bedroom.

No one answered her as the obnoxious ringing continued.

Cursing under her breath, Teri shuffled into the adjacent room. As she finished fussing with her earring, she snatched the phone up from the receiver. Teri glanced at her watch as she cradled the plastic apparatus between her shoulder and chin; her chauffeur would be waiting downstairs for her about now. "Hello?" She asked breathlessly, smoothing out her pencil skirt with her hands.

"Teri?"

She blinked once. Twice. "Yes?"

"It's Daniel."

Her breath caught in her throat. "Hey…" Teri looked up, transferring the phone to her hand as she straightened.

An awkward silence passed between the two, and it took Daniel a long moment to regain himself.

"Ror- Walter came to see us the other night…"

Teri nodded, swallowing. She half expected Walter to come through the open bedroom door and interrupt, but he didn't: He was probably still with Alice. "So I heard." She answered, uncomfortably. It had been such a long time since they'd talked, and she'd barely known the man-It was like trying to strike up a conversation with a distant relative.
Teri licked her lips. "He said that he didn't think you two would be up for it." Teri paused a second. "Its okay." She whispered. "I understand." Her plan had its risks, and she fully identified with the worry that they must have been feeling towards it.

Daniel groaned on the other end, and when he spoke, his voice was hushed. "Look, it's not like I don't want to help out with this-"

"-You have a baby on the way." Teri interrupted; the excuse in itself was enough to justify his withdraw. Teri knew of her own anxiety towards Alice in context to the plan, and she could only imagine what it would be like for Laurie and Dan, being so close to her due date that is.

"Well, er… Ror-er, Walter told you, huh?" He asked slowly. Something quietly squeaked on the other end, like he was wiping something.

Teri didn't answer him. She didn't want to rush him off the phone, but truly she was going to be late.

"Laurie may not approve." Daniel said after a moment, pulling Teri from her thoughts. "And I plan to leave her out of it, but…" He sighed. "I want to help."

It brought a smile to Teri's face; she wasn't going to lie, his help would make a big difference. "Thank you Daniel."

Walter pursed his lips. "Sure you can't call in sick again?"

Teri rolled her eyes. "Jesus, Walt, I have bills to pay."

May not if she screws up. Walter watched Teri's smooth hands fumble with a stack of ink-ridden work papers. "If Veidt suspects something, would be perfect time for him to pounce."

Teri scoffed at that, "Adrian wouldn't kill me with other people around as witness." She sniffled, running a hand through her hair-disheveling it-before picking up the very files she'd been fussing with since she'd gotten off the phone with Daniel. "It's not his style."

She's right. Veidt would send someone else to do his dirty work. Rorschach commented. Walter's head tilted slightly to the side as his body rested against the kitchen counter. "Don't go anywhere alone." He warned, flicking his eyes to his daughter in the highchair at the table, bouncing and giggling as her mother rushed about gathering last minute things for work. He pursed his lips; he didn't know what he would do if she went and got herself killed-

Teri shot him a glance. "Stop worrying." She told him, confidently. "I can very well take care of myself."

He wanted to scoff at that statement. "Have a weapon?"

"What?" Teri asked, her eyebrows furrowing. The papers she had in her hand rustled softly as she shoved them into a pile.

"Feel better if you took one." Walter replied, looking her up and down. Teri looked so artificial in her black pencil skirt, blouse and coat. It… just wasn't her. Liked the newsvendor Teri better than corporate-whore Teri. Rorschach remarked with a sneer; Walter brushed it off, but didn't disagree.

"Leave it be, Walter." Her eyes caught the clock above Walter's head; Teri jumped. "Oh god, I'm late!" She shoved the rest of the papers that were scattered on the kitchen table into a large manila envelope. Teri then maneuvered around the table and pressed her lips to Alice's head. "Love ya, sweetheart."

Walter glanced around the kitchen for something sharp she could take with her. If he'd thought about this earlier, he could have found her a proper weapon to take with-He made a mental note to start planning for things like this. Walter's mouth twitched as he found what he was looking for; a steak knife. It wasn't much, definitely not first choice, but it was better than nothing.

As Teri came to kiss him, Walter thrust the blade-hilt first-in her direction. She frowned, looking down at the stainless steel knife and then back up to glare at him. "No." She knew better than to take a knife to work.

Walter grabbed her hand and placed the wooden hilt in her palm. "Take it." He demanded.

After a second of exchanging glowers, Teri sighed heavily and accepted it. "Where am I gonna put it?" She asked him, placing a hand on her hip, skeptically.

"Be creative."

"Sorry it took me so long." Teri breathed out as she slid into the back of the sleek black Toyota, slipping her hands under her skirt to keep it from riding up as she settled into the seat.

"Not a problem, Ms. Kovacs." Her chauffer replied sweetly; he had been resting against the outside of the car, chewing on a toothpick. He waited until she was well inside before closing her door for her. He then walked briskly to the driver's side and slipped in. "The name's Charlie by the way, miss."

Teri caught his eyes through the rear-view mirror: They were polite, brown eyes. "Nice to meet you Charlie and please, Teri's just fine." She told him with a smile.

Charlie considered this. "I'll keep that in mind." He replied with a smirk as he pulled out of the parking spot and into the busy, morning traffic.

Walter watched from the doorframe of the apartment building as Teri got into the company car that Veidt had sent. He crossed his arms, ignoring the many people that hurried along the street in front of him, but it was his eyes that were locked only on that car-the distinctive sound of the door slamming, locking Teri into the backseat of a cage.

Rorschach started. Veidt would send someone else to do his dirty work. He repeated, his shoulder coming off of the frame-his body tensing-straightening.

Walter's eyes caught the sickly grin of the man who dropped into the drivers seat of the car and started the ignition. He had no time to react as the car pulled out from the curb. Walter jerked forward, his hands reaching for the one thing that was already out of grasp.

Rorschach crashed into a stranger as he stumbled out to the side of the street, chasing the car. The stranger cursed and gave him the bird before continuing on his way, but Walter paid him no heed. "No!" He cried out, the company car now halfway down the block.

Cursing under his breath, he cried out again as Teri turned in the back seat to look at him: She smiled and raised her hand in a wave. She had no idea.

Walter's stomach dropped; he had just sent Teri to her death.

"Long morning, huh?" He asked, flicking his eyes to look in the mirror at the woman behind him; he reached up with a free hand and gave it a slight adjustment.

Teri nodded, turning back into her seat and resting against the gray interior. "You have no idea." She sighed, it was nice that Walter had walked her out: she could get used to that. Teri let her gaze wander out the window to the passing streets and pedestrians; despite the sunny weather, most of the New York's citizens were dressed in long coats, hats and warm gloves. Teri hated how the sun was so deceiving here-it could be the brightest day out and still be ten degrees.

"Hope everything's alright, though." Charlie commented. He spoke with very Boston accent, but that wasn't abnormal for NY, just intriguing. Teri always had a knack for telling accents.

Teri merely nodded. "Oh yeah." She reached for the seatbelt.

Charlie continued to look at her, pretending that he never saw the short ginger male try and rush the car. He would have to mention that to Adrian; they were under the impression that she was a single mother with no romantic interests-perhaps they were wrong. "Mr. Veidt said that this will be a regular thing- you and me."

The metal buckle clicked as it locked in place. Teri shifted in the back seat, getting comfortable before she placed her folders on the seat beside her and pulled her blazer tighter around her body. It was a bit chilly inside the car, but she knew it would warm quickly.

Teri really didn't know what to say to that. She wouldn't deny that she was secretly pleased at having a chauffeur; it made her feel important.

"Yeah." Teri replied needlessly before closing her eyes and letting her head rest again the back of her seat. It had been a long morning so far, and besides, it was just too damn early to stare out the window at the passing city that she had come to know all too well.

Walter ran back up to the apartment, taking the steps two at a time. He hurtled through Teri's front door and nearly ran over Ashley on his way to the phone.

"Whoah! Slow down!" Ashley called.

The phone was nearly knocked off the nightstand as he jerked the receiver from its perch. He then growled at the operator to patch him into Pyramid enterprises: she put him on hold.

Letting out a puff of air he plopped on the bed-the mattress groaning under his sudden weight-as he waited impatiently for the call to be put through. Walter worked it out in his head what would be said: He would confront Veidt, threaten him to release Teri, perhaps even offer an exchange. No, Rorschach interjected, Teri's plan. Can't blow cover. Walter's eyes narrowed as Ashley's silhouette appeared in the doorway. Perhaps we're blowing this out of proportion. Rorschach calmed. Letting emotions get in way of revenge. Not bright. His jaw tightened; "But Teri." he growled. "Could be in danger."

"Walter?" Ashley whispered from the doorway, one hand lingering on her chest, warily. "You okay?"

He was just about to retort with something rude when the dispatch for Pyramid enterprises picked up. "Hello, how may I help you?"

Walter faltered: He didn't know what he was going to say. Should he talked to Veidt? Would Veidt believe it was truly him? Or did Veidt already know, and perhaps expected a call from him? Walter made a quick decision. "Er… need to speak with Ms. Kovacs from advertising." Can leave Teri a message, should we be overreacting, she'll call back… Rorschach calmed. If not… well…we'll deal with that when it comes.

"I'll patch you through."

"Hurm." Walter muttered, reaching up with a free hand and wiping at his runny nose. He shifted uncomfortably on the bed.

"Walter?"

His eyes flicked to the young girl in the door way and blinked; Ashley wore a very worried look on her face, her fingers uneasily touched the doorframe beside her. Walter nodded. "I'm fine." He lied, quietly.

The phone started ringing on the other end and even though he knew that Teri wasn't going to be there, Walter held his breath.

It was several minutes before Teri opened her eyes again and when she did, she started. "Where are we going?"

Charlie looked back at her in the rear-view mirror. "Just taking the scenic route, miss. A lot less traffic 'round here." He announced a little too cheerfully.

Teri blinked a few times. Did I fall asleep? She pushed back the sleeve of her jacket to peek at her watch: She was twenty minutes late.
Teri anxiously bit her lip. "I was supposed to be there at six." She told him, leaning forward and resting her elbow on the side of the passenger seat, allowing her an easier look at where they were going. She recognized the area, but it was a long ways off from work.

"Six?" Charlie exclaimed, his eyebrows shooting up. "I was told seven." There was a teasing tone weaved into his voice.

Her face scrunched in confusion. "No. No, I'm always there at six." Teri could have sworn that they were going the exact opposite direction from where she was supposed to be.

The car made a sudden turn down a road that led to the train-yard, or at least what had remained of it: Veidt had decided not to rebuild this part of town, for steam trains were outdated-mono-rails were more modern. Teri's stomach dropped as the station came into view; the very train station that she'd arrived at almost two years ago. She'd taken her first steps in New York to start a new life, here.

The sight brought memories to the surface that she would rather not have and though she tried shoving them back down, the image outside her window jerked them up through her throat.

Abandoned, the station was in shambles, half collapsed, half charred from an apparent fire that must have happened after the blast. It was covered in graffiti, and glass still littered the street and sidewalk.
Behind a large slab of concrete- the platform-a train lay, its belly exposed like a dead beetle, rusted and deteriorated from the weather.

Teri shuttered, taking in a breath that she discovered she'd been holding. "I think you should turn around." She commented nervously, sitting back in her seat.

"I like it back here." Charlie replied, pulling the car to a stop. "It's quiet, and no one comes around anymore." He shrugged, peering calmly out his window. "At least not like they used to, anyway."

She didn't like the way he said that last line. Don't go anywhere alone… Walter voice rang through her mind over and over again. Teri swiftly turned her head this way and that, searching for someone- anyone, but Charlie was right; there was no one around. Why would there be? It was six-twenty in the morning, at an abandoned train-station….

"You know," Charlie started, cutting all thoughts off. "You've been a very naughty girl, miss Kovacs." He eyed her through the mirror.

Teri froze. A shiver ran down the length of her spine. She knew then that she had gotten herself into something-something bad. Teri reached for the door handle and was surprised when she found that it was actually unlocked; Teri shoved the door opened and swiftly exited. Just run, fast. Teri told herself, getting as much space between her and the driver as she could.

Charlie slowly opened his own door, watching as Teri started away. He stretched and for the first time exposed the gun that was strapped to his waist.
"Hey, where ya goin'?" He playfully called after Teri. She didn't turn around, but he could tell she was having a hard time getting anywhere fast; her skirt posed a serious obstacle.

Charlie reached up, scratching the back of his ear before bringing the .45 from its holster. He cocked it. "It's the beginning of such a beautiful day!" He barked at her as he jerked towards her, taking long, open strides.

The sunrise had already started, but the sky was still wrought with pinks, oranges, yellows and blues, the clouds moving slowly away from the rising horizon. Personally, he thought it was too early to do a killing, but if it had to be done, it had to be done: Especially since Veidt paid extra for her.

Charlie raised the gun, aimed, and squeezed the trigger.