Chapter 12

New York – Los Angeles Phone Call

Adelle DeWitt is on the phone with Richard Davies. She has just informed him of Jack's decision to remove Richard's previous calling imprint. Jack's wishes were met. He can no longer relive days and he does not feel the need to stop Tru from saving lives any more. He finally sees Tru's calling as rightful and has made it his duty to stand by her side and try and help her through her mission until she finds a way to save her sister. The Dollhouse's support however proved to be shocking to his mentor, Richard Davies.

"It was NOT your call." Yells Richard at Adelle on the phone. " We had an agreement and what you just did is a direct and shameless violation of that agreement. You do remember that I'm a lawyer, don't you… and quite a vicious one. I make the rules and you follow, is that understood?"

"Threats are very unbecoming of a man of your status Mr. Davies. I highly recommend that you take a deep breath or two before you throw any more accusations at me. I am the lady of this House and will do what I see is in its best interest." Answers Adelle with the grace and stamina she's well known and respected for.

"And you honestly believe that wiping Jack off of his enhancement imprint is in your best interest? Especially now that Tru knows about this place and that her twin sister is trapped in there with no identity? You really are that naïve?"

"Are you the one that naïve Richard to think that Tru is capable of doing anything?"

"You certainly don't know Tru! You've already witnessed Caroline's stubbornness, but when it comes to family, she's not half as stubborn as Tru. Besides, what you took away from Jack was not yours to mess with. I paid for his release and enhancement with my own daughter's freedom."

"It seems that you are missing out on the point that Jack himself was never yours to mess with either; and nor was Caroline." Says Adelle. "She gave us enough trouble that eventually turned against her. Her only way out was in. She volunteered."

"And who do you think helped Caroline find all that evidence against Rossum and the Dollhouse? It was me all along. Can't you realize that I was the hidden puppeteer outside the Dollhouse? And when the time came and her ability was activated, I had to push the last button and get her in too deep. She volunteered because I pushed her to it. Jack on the other hand was my reward, it was a fair trade."

"He was the one chosen to be released in exchange for Caroline because his time was almost up. Our 5 year contract with Jack, just like our contracts with all the other actives, states he gets his full identity back upon release with one added enhancement. Upon a long conversation that we allowed you to have with him on the day of his release, the power to relive days - your previous power - was decided to be that enhancement. The rest was an imprint of your values and points of view. It was your persuasion but Jack's decision nevertheless. He's no longer an active; he's a free man now and has the right to make his own decisions. If he chooses to keep that power then we will keep it. If he chooses to work on Tru's side instead, then we will respect his wishes. It was his choice to remove that imprint today and it's neither yours nor the Dollhouse's place to deny him that right."

"It was a package, Adelle, a whole package; one that you will give back or I'll make sure Rossum has their say on this situation."

"Now there's no need for extreme measures Mr. Davies; I'm sure we can find common grounds. Tell me what you think we should do to compensate, and I'll be more than happy to serve. Provided that it does not entail re-imprinting Jack with something he does not approve of."

"Forget about Jack. It's too late now. Though he hasn't fully acknowledged it yet, but I knew he was getting too close to Tru in the past few weeks, on an emotional level that is. He even volunteered to help her on the Christmas Eve case. It was only a matter of time. His bitterness has turned him against me, and I guess I am the one to be blamed for that. I never should've let him in on so much information."

"Does that information include knowledge of any supernatural mean to access the Source of Tru's and Echo's powers by any chance? Because if Echo goes on reliving days, she will evolve into a fully mature person, one that consists of several different personas that neither one of us can estimate or control the amount of damage she can cause!" Justifies Adelle. "We need access to have power over Echo's ability, and Jack seems to be quite certain of how to get it for us."

"Jack was playing you all along." Says Richard. "He only knows what I know, and that is definitely not enough information for something that mystical. Do you think that if there actually was an easy access to the Source of this power we'd be having this conversation? There is no such thing. Believe me, I've tried."

"I understand how complicated this whole thing is, but I cannot go on ignoring that Echo is turning into a dangerous force. Do you have any idea what kind of danger she will be on all of us? She will literally have over 35 different personalities and intellects stuffed in her brain. That is a serious problem."

"Wouldn't that make her a genius?" Wonders Richard.

"A genius with a superpower! Not a very comforting fact knowing that she's already filled with a lot of grudge against the Dollhouse. We've had another similar situation with one of our former actives happen here in the past. His name was Alpha, but with him it was a technical mistake. We cannot allow it to happen again, especially not with Echo!"

"Adelle, I think the solution lies in the problem itself. I'm shocked that you're not as sharp as I thought you were to pick up on that." Says Richard confidently.

"What are you talking about?"

"Since your clumsiness has cost me a soldier, you will make up for it by giving me another one….. Echo!"

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Adelle asks in disbelief.

"You will use Jack's imprint on Echo. And unlike Jack, I expect her to be obedient to me, and stay that way."

"How do you expect her to be obedient to you after everything that you have done to her and everything you have put her through, Mr. Davies?"

"You're not listening correctly. I don't want Caroline… I want Echo as a sleeper active imprinted with my values and beliefs. If she is going to evolve into a unique and genius collection of people all rolled into one the way you claim she is, then I want her on my side when that happens. Now you make sure she's all wrapped up and standing at my door in a matter of 24 hours. And before you ask, yes, you will get paid quite generously for this deal."

"You plan on having the twins fight against each other?" Asks Adelle.

"What… Haven't you ever heard of the story of 'Cain and Abel'?"

"It's cruelty."

"It's life."

Call ends, Richard turns to face a man sitting on the couch in his office and says, "It'll be the two of you against Tru & Jack now. You will be her handler."

The man lifts his head up and smiles with satisfaction. Then the smile turns into a loud laughter.

"What's so funny?" Asks Richard, "Alpha, what are you laughing at?"

"Nothing! I'm just glad you took my advice. It's about time! … Omega and I will finally be a team!" Alpha says with a sigh.

"Omega?"

"Of course! It's the perfect name for her, don't you think? It represents 'The End'."

"Of life? Or the Dollhouse?" Asks Richard.

"Both!" Answers Alpha with a wide smile. "I promise you, together we're invincible… we won't let you down."

Author's Notes:

Hope you enjoyed the story so far. Only one chapter left.