"Come on!", her mother screamed at her during practice. Despite wondering what else she should be doing Janet still tried harder, blocking her mother's attack from every angle she could come from. Janet had been training with a sword, and it was always a real sword and never a practice or a toy one, pretty much from the moment she took her in as a young child. Her mother made her practice for hours everyday since to make sure she became an expert from a young age. Jin and the others always commented her on her skills. And Janet always silently told herself the Mr. MacDonald, or McAllister or whatever you wanted to call him, seemed impressed with her too.

But she was never good enough for her mother, no matter how hard she tried.

Janet always told herself that it was because she didn't want her to become complacent, overconfident in her ability and skills. Because once she made her immortal overconfidence would get you killed in a hurry. Janet had seen it the entire time with her mother. Anytime an immortal challenged her, especially a male one, they saw her as a weaker opponent. And she generally let them, right up until she was ready to kill them. Then they saw what she was truly capable of as a warrior.

Still it was starting to get annoying. Janet was more than capable of defending herself now. Even being able to hang with her mother who had had been fighting for centuries. No small feet in the decade plus she'd been raised by her. So why did that seem to make her mother angrier and more aggressive the longer the training duel went? Instead of that making her worried about Victoria losing her temper that just made Janet more determined to earn her respect, show her she was ready to be an immortal. Then maybe, maybe she finally showed that she she loved her like a true mother after all this time.

Even now, even with Omar looking on from his workout machine she didn't seemed impressed with her or with her skill. Not for the first time Janet was more than able to hold her own during her training, even getting her mother to look confused as her usual lines of attack wasn't working. In fact to anybody else she might have started to look a little furious. Maybe that's why a small part of Janet's mind, a small, very vocal rebellious part that refused to be beaten out of her, had her smile ever so slightly at her slight victory. But she covered it up quick, but not fast enough judging by her mother expression. And then it was too late.

With a vicious scream she got threw her defenses and backhanded her. Janet's head whipped around as he fell tot he floor. Janet was partially aware that Omar ceased his workout. She was more aware of her mother practically on top of her, pulling her up by her hair."You think you're that good now you little bitch?, she demanded. Right now Janet wished she was screaming in her face. But she recognized the cold fury just underneath her calm words. She had been the recipient of that fury enough times to recognize it. "You think that since you got lucky this time that you can take on your own mother?"

"It seemed like more than luck to me," Omar finally spoke up. Janet looked over at him, silently pleading for him to be quiet before he made her angrier. He looked her right in the eyes, seemingly understanding her plight. But he kept going on, "In fact it seems to me she had your number this time around." Janet winced, anticipating her Mother next action but it never came. Oh she hauled her up by the hair as usual but instead of the beating she usually received her mother just held on to her hair and stared down Omar.. Somewhere in all of that Janet became aware that Omar actually walked forward because he was closer than he was a moment ago, almost ready to attack. Janet watched her mother as she kept looking at Omar. Then she glanced at her and smiled. Just like when she let Nathan...

No, no, no, no. Not again. Please, to whomever is listening, please not again.

"If you wanted her that bad you should have said so," her mother told him. Dragging her over to the workout machine, and past a bewildered Omar, she pushed her down and bent her over the workout bench. Then without warning yanked her shorts down to her knees letting Omar see everything. Janet was too mortified to move, to even protest. "Go ahead," she heard her mother say almost causally, "relieve some of that stress that has to have built up over the years." With that she walked out of the room. Leaving her and Omar, alone in the room. Janet wanted to beg, plead, promise to do just about anything if he wouldn't do it, not like Nathan would have. But fear kept her quiet, fear of angering her mother more than him, even as she heard him come closer. He felt his calloused hand on her leg and she froze, preparing for the worst. Then she felt her short being pulled back up.

"Get up Janet," he said. She did so not sure what to expect. Not looking at her as she turned around he added, "You may want to fix your pants a little better than I did." She looked down, while nothing was exposed there was still enough skin showing she felt indecent. Readjusting her shorts Omar finally looked at her and sat her down on the bench. She was more than confused as he sat down next to her. "I have never claimed to be an honorable man," he said after a bit. "I have done things most people wouldn't be proud of but I still am. But there is one thing I have never done. I have never lay with someone who wasn't willing. In that respect you will always be safe with me."

In her confusion a sob escaped that broke out into a full on cry despite how hard she tried to stop it. Omar put a uncertain hand on her back to try and calm her down. "I'm sorry," she got out.

"You have no reason to apologize to me. Or a reason to be afraid."

"You don't understand," she went on. "She'll get angry with me. She'll do things because she'll think I screwed this up some how. And it'll be my fault. It's always my fault."

"Janet," he said firmly, "her actions will not be yours."

"It will be," she protested. "just like at the orphanage. When she killed that woman and I couldn't stop her. It was my fault she died. All because I couldn't stop her." her greatest shame, her biggest guilt. She had never spoken it out loud to any one.

"You were a child," Omar told her. "What could you have done to stop a grown woman?" That question hit her like a ton of bricks. What could she have done? She could remember the gun in her mother's hand as clear as day. But her mother said she let it happen. But what could she have done to stop it? After she calmed down a bit Omar told her, "If you are worried that she might think you didn't let me have my way with you, let's just sit here for a while longer. Let her think what ever her sick imagination conjures up. I will be your safe haven."

"Th... thank you," she meekly uttered.

He nodded in response and they sat there in relative silence for a bit. Then, "I may not be your only safe haven." She looked at him confused, what was he talking about? "While I have had only the briefest meeting with your high school teacher," she tensed up again, Omar waited a moment before continuing, "Jin seemed to think that he might be a honorable man in his own right."

"What if Jin's wrong?", she asked. Then flinched expecting a backlash.

Instead Omar shrugged and went, "He has been wrong before. But based on things he shared with me about their brief conversation I don't think he is here. If you so wish, I will help you leave so he can help you." Her teacher did want to help her, she knew that. From the moment she started at the school she could tell he radiated kindness. Just about everyone outside of the Principal's daughter and her clique had a good thing to say about him. Even after he discovered who her mother was he offered to help get her out of this situation. She wanted to jump on the offer, then and now.

But as always she said, "I... I can't. She'll find me no matter where I go. I'm sorry."

If Omar was offended he didn't show it. "Then I will still be your safe haven. And I will be here if you decide to change you mind."

Omar kept that promise too, every time Victoria got to be too much Omar would just suggest he would want some "alone" time with Janet and she would practically throw her at him. And in those moments Janet did feel safe. Although from time to time she wondered why Jin would look at them in a peculiar way from across the room. She was positive if he asked him Omar would tell him what was really going on. Maybe he already did seeing how Jin knew how much Omar hated it when she was passed off to Nathan. All she knew her mother was oblivious to what was really going on when Omar took her somewhere else. For the first time since she could remember she truly felt safe when those moments happened.

It only lasted about two months.

She wasn't sure what happened or what started it but one day she walked into one of the rooms in the place Jin had settled the group where her mother and the others were and Omar had just exploded. "You will not use her like that anymore!" Janet had stopped as soon as she passed the doorway. For the briefest of moments she thought his outburst was directed at her. After his initial shock was over she realized he was staring at her mother, who just looked unimpressed as always. The fact Jin was actively trying to clam Omar down said what ever set him off was bad.

"He wants her," was all Victoria said. "So we send the little tramp in then we jump him. I'll even let you cut off his head if it'll make you feel better." That sick feeling in her gut started to form, not after her mother called her a tramp, but realizing that she was talking about McAllister. "Especially if we get him before an official challenge happens..."

"Enough!", Omar exploded. "Janet is not you personal plaything for you dishonorable actions, you flagrant disregard of the rules of the Game. She deserves better than you."

"She doesn't deserve anything less than what I give her. Isn't that right sweetie." That was the first indication that Victoria was even aware that she was in the room. Even after the things she just said. "You mother is talking to you," Victoria came at her, "answer when spoken too." She drew her hand back to strike her. Janet had already started flinching in preparation of the blow. Then Omar grabbed Victoria's hand before the blow could even land. He mother looked confused and angry. "Take you hand off of me you bastard!"

"Omar," Jin started to say.

"No," he snapped back. "Not this time. The girl has been used as a tool long enough. I will put a stop to it now. Outside witch." Letting her go Omar stormed out of the room grabbing his scimitar on the way out. Janet tried to stop him as Victoria followed him out with an all too familiar smirk on her face but Jin put a hand on her shoulder and just shook his head. Before long both of them heard the familiar clangs of metal on metal. Despite Jin's warning she ran out of the room. Briefly aware that Jin was following her she rushed outside where once again the older Immortal stopped her from getting involved. All she could at the moment was do like him and watch.

When she wasn't looking or Omar was having "his way" with her he trained with her. So she knew his scimitar was designed more for slicing than anything else, which he was trying to do with all the skill he had. Victoria used a rapier, and made sure Janet knew how to use one as well, with all the precise strike and blocks she could muster. Omar obviously had the superior strength but her mother had the agility. But she had something else too, she had a mind and a willingness to manipulate. Seeing her talk droves of various thugs over the years into assaulting any immortal she wanted to target. That mind included her fighting as well, often getting into her opponent's head doing so getting so flustered that she could capitalize and take their heads. And if that didn't work...

After what seemed like hours but was only several minutes Janet saw it. How she was able to get their swords down then grab his wrist. Janet wanted to cry out and warn him but it was already too late, Victoria was able to position the blades so they were behind her neck and they were so close to each other. Janet finally found her voice. "No!", she called out. Neither took their eyes off the other. "Don't do it!", she went on. "Please Mother don't to it. I'll do what you want. Just don't..."

"Janet," Omar called out. "Do not lower yourself. If my fate is what you fear then I face it gladly because you found your strength." As usual Victoria blew him a kiss the pushed, using what hidden leverage she had to spin him away. Janet dropped to her knees and hid her eyes not wanting to see Omar lose his life. But she could still hear. Hear a body drop. Hear her mother scream as his Quickening came to her. Then she heard nothing, then footsteps coming toward her.

She didn't look up, refused to look up. Not out of fear of her mother like she normally would have. But out of a new fear of what she herself might do after Victoria killed Omar. Some one who only wanted her to be safe. Victoria grabbed her hair and looked at her as she usually did to get her point across. But she didn't speak right away as she was somewhat taken aback by the hate Janet was currently feeling but she covered it quickly enough, but Janet saw it. Then she pointed at the headless body. "Look what happened because of you." Then Jin grabbed her arm and forced to let go of Janet. "What the fuck!", she exclaimed after she got free.

Looking as angry as Janet had ever seen him Jin simply said, "Do not sully Omar's memory in your manipulations of this girl." They stared each other down. Given that she was still feeling the effects of the Quickening Victoria backed off. Still she looked back at Omar's body then looked her in the eyes before walking off. It wasn't said but the message was clear, this was on Janet.

But right then Jin's words kept repeating in her head. "Your manipulations of this girl" Manipulations. That's what her mother did, manipulate. Those thugs, her opponents, even her. Janet always felt sorry for the others when she saw it so way did she always fall for them.

Hours later Janet was sporting a fresh bruise on her chest, never anywhere visible her mother was too smart, usually. And once again she believed that she deserved it for causing what happened. Jin's words still echoed in her head but her Mother's was starting to drive them out. She went outside and hugged her knees as she sat on the ground wishing she had the strength to fight back.. Before long she was aware of somebody sitting next to her on the bench she was leaning on. She looked up to see Jin just staring out in the distance. She lowered her head in shame, afraid he would lash out at her as well. Before long she meek out a small, "I'm sorry."

Calmly, and still looking forward, Jin said, "I was unaware you had done anything to wrong me."

"Omar," she said after a bit, he didn't react. "And Ezekiel," she went on. "Both of them are dead because of me. Omar died because he thought he had to defend me. Ezekiel is dead because I didn't help him because I'm not bound to the rules yet." Her mother's latest guilt trip, and yet another one she was falling for. Why was she this pathetic? Why couldn't she fight back against her mother's manipulations when she could see them so clearly, especially now. What strength did she have? What was Omar talking about before he died.

"Omar decisions were his own," Jin said after a bit. "He lived by his own code, by what he thought was right. As for Ezekiel," he trailed off. Janet looked up at him to see him look a bit wistful. "While he may not have seen it that way but I considered him my friend. And I will miss him dearly. But I can take some comfort in the fact he was finally granted his fondest desire and met an opponent that could relieve his his 'cursed' life. And between the two of us I know Ezekiel would have taken some offense if you interfered with his duel with your former teacher." Janet looked away again, feeling ashamed once more. He was right Ezekiel would have been angry if she interfered. Even if she wasn't really an immortal yet the rules still had to apply, didn't they?

Then Jin dropped another bomb, "I'm aware of what your mother wanted you to do to your teacher's friends after we captured them." Janet looked away, mostly ashamed again but a bit of confusion in there as well. How did he know? "Thank you for not doing so. Omar was impressed with your restraint as well once he found out. Called it you hidden strength." Was that what he was talking about, the fact she disobeyed her mother's direct order. "It would have made the meeting with your teacher more complicated then what it was." He sighed and went back looking out to the distance. "And I'm sure he's more than aware that a storm is coming over the horizon." Janet wasn't sure what to say to that. Obviously it was a metaphor for McAllister coming after her mother, even she knew what was going on there. Then Jin held a hand toward her. He was holding a phone. She just stared at it until he gestured that he wanted her to take it.

"I don't understand,' she said as she looked it over.

"It was Omar's.' He looked at her again and gave her a warm smile, like the ones he used to give Ezekiel after he was done hacking something. "I'm sure he would have wanted you to have it. I'm not quite sure how he managed it but apparently it won't lock." He stood to leave but lingered a bit, "Before resetting it and erasing the contents have a look around. You might discover something helpful."

Alone again she just studied the phone he just gave her. She had one already so Janet didn't quite understand why he thought Omar would let her have this one. Still she looked back at the building to make sure she was still alone then turned the phone one. Like Jin said it wasn't locked so she started going through the various features. Going through his contacts, out of curiosity more than anything, her heart stopped momentarily. There was a listing for a McAllister. And her photo was used for his name. Why...? How? Was Omar actually talking to him? And for how long?

Finding their text messages she nearly dropped the phone. Omar told him exactly where they were. She looked back at the building, did Jin know about this? Janet kept reading the texts, there was a warning. If he came before she was ready Omar threatened to kill him. Before she was ready? Did he mean her, before she was ready? Ready for what? McAllister apparently agreed to these terms. Just to keep her safe as he put. She had a good idea what happened to people who try to keep her safe. Victoria takes care of them.

That's what she told herself as she set the phone to take a video of her. To keep him away. Because trying to keep her safe gets people killed. The phone recording her Janet wasn't sure what to say at first. So she just blurted out, "Omar is dead." A bit of sadness crept up on her but she held it back. "I'm not sure what you two had planned but..." Both of them wanted her safe. Both of them wanted to get her away from here, away from her mother. Neither of them knew how unwise that was, how angry she'd get. How she'd twist things until Janet started believing it was her fault. That her mother was a monster that saw her as a tool to be used.

That thought finally broke her. Admitting to herself that her mother was a monster, that she was never going to love her like a daughter. That she was just a means to an end and nothing else. Janet lowered the phone as the tears and the sobs came and wouldn't stop. When she finally got herself under control she realized that she was still recording. She looked right at the phone, before her courage left her. "I'm ready. I want to leave. Please Mr. MacDonald, Mr. McAllister... help me."