A/N:

Okay, okay I know that you guys wanted to see some kick-ass on R.J but let's be honest here, what's more important? Getting a few cheap kicks on the guy and basically dropping to his level, or having Talia overcome her fear of losing control and keeping the characters in, well, character? I'm sorry if it's not what you were expecting XD

Anyways, R.J has been taken back to the studio after being caught. But now what? Read on and prosper! XD

*Talia's POV*

It was a strange feeling, to not give into such temptation. You have no idea how much I wanted to let that side of me take over and… I don't know. I didn't want to kill R.J, I'm not a killer and to be honest I don't think I could cope with having something like that hanging over me. It wasn't me. And to be honest I don't think that side of me was either. It was just that I wanted to make him suffer. But where was that going to get me? It would bring me right down to his level. I was right there with the pressure building behind my eyes and I was ready to get what I wanted… But I couldn't. Not for his sake, but for the others and, selfishly, mine.

I remembered back when it happened in that warehouse, and again on the outskirts of the Town. It was horrible. The darkness, the loss of all control and consciousness, the waking up to find that something despicable happened at your hands… and most of all the revolting feeling that you had done exactly what the enemy had wanted. I didn't ever want R.J to manipulate me ever again. That went for all of us. And if that meant giving up a slither of satisfaction that would have only hurt me inside later… then I'd damn well do it. And if that was wrong or disappointing in some people's eyes, then I don't care. I wasn't turning into an out of control creature for anybody. Especially not R.J.

Jack had taken him to the studio and called the police, not that I thought it was going to help but hey, it was better than having him around here. He was still meant to be serving his sentence for the first time. As in manslaughter, kidnapping and illegal forging of studio documents to name a few… So in theory we didn't even have to give away anything to do with the toons. And we all knew that R.J wouldn't give anything away wither. Not only would it add another charge to his sentence for covering a conspiracy, but it would also put a stop to what he wanted. If R.J wanted to put an end to the Warner and Fleischer work and get all the experimentation he ca out of us, then there was no way he was going to risk loosing it to the public eye. He's not stupid; he's too selfish to be.

"You did good kiddo." Yakko said suddenly.

"I would have at least given him another black eye to match the other one though." Dot huffed.

Wakko shrugged and wrapped his arms around my waist, "You can borrow my mallet next time."

I ruffled his cap, "Hopefully there won't be a next time."

"I'll second that one." Yakko smirked, leaning on his brother's head.

"I'll third it!" his siblings chanted.

I allowed myself a smile. It was good to have something to smile about, but I wasn't letting myself get too comfortable, "Tell you what, why don't you go back to the Town and tell the others that things are starting to clear up here."

"Really?" Wakko asked curiously.

"Yeah, I'll join you in a minute."

"Why not now?" Dot questioned, arms folded.

"I'm going to wait until the police show up. And then Jack and I'll join you soon enough."

Yakko cocked an eyebrow, "Waiting for Jar-Head, huh?"

"Yeah..." I answered, raising an eyebrow of my own.

"And why's that?" he smirked.

"No reason really, I'm just waiting."

"Uh-huh…" the trio sang smugly.

What was all that about? "Huh?"

"Nothing." They grinned. They leant to the side to peer behind me, flashed me another beam before saluting me, "Bye!"

I shook my head in amused confusion as they vanished swiftly from the room. But that also made me wonder what was behind me that made them sneak off. My answer was given in the form of a familiar clearing of the throat. Turning around, I saw Jack looking tired and yet satisfied coming through the doorway.

"Where is he?" I asked."

"In Dr. Scratchansniff's office. The police will be here soon for him."

I nodded, "Has he said anything?"

"Nothing apart from the usual. I can't be bothered listening to it anymore."

"There's something I don't understand," I admitted, "He gave in too easily. Why didn't he put up more of a fight?"

"You're complaining?" he challenged good-naturedly.

"No of course not, but this is R.J we're talking about. He doesn't just give in."

Jack looked uneasy, "I know… but frankly I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth."

Neither did I. But something didn't sit right, "I want to talk to him."

"What?" he cried, eyes widening.

"You heard. Before he gets taken away I need to get some answers from him."

"Talia I don't think th-"

"I'm not asking. I'm sorry but there's things I need to know and what better time to ask then when he's secured and," I paused at the irony of my next statement, "running out of time?"

Jack looked strained, but he could tell when my mind was made up, "I don't like this, you know I don't. But… let me stand outside the door. You can call me if you need me."

I didn't expect that to be honest, and for fear of loosing this opportunity, I agreed, "Sure."

Dr. S was standing guard when we entered his office, trying to talk to R.J through some psychological techniques but judging by the sweat on his grow and wringing his hands it clearly wasn't going well. Naturally he didn't feel it right to leave me alone with R.J either and as touched as I was by their concern I was adamant. Finally Jack offered that it would offer me internal closure, naturally sensing a psychological discussion later, Dr. S allowed it.

Being in a room with this madman, no matter that he was currently with his hands tied behind his back and sat across the room, it still unnerved me. All those memories of the past, the rooftop, the warehouse, the ticks and mind games… they all stirred now. It was strange, when he was going something, anything, I didn't hesitate to act. But when he just sat there, so calm and controlled, he scared me. It was like when I first saw him at the outskirts of the Town. He was so formal and calm. It scared me because he looked like he was totally in control. Even now as he was rendered helpless and at our mercy he just looked on as if this was what he wanted. Like we had played right into his hands. The only thing that comforted me was the slight swelling under his eye when where I'd hit him.

"Good afternoon, Miss. Nolan. May I congratulate you?"

What for? "This is what you wanted, isn't it?"

"Oh?"

"Don't. Just don't." I ordered, "Just answer me. You wanted to be caught, didn't you?"

He sneered at me, "Now what made you say that?"

"You gave in too easily."

R.J laughed, "Paranoia is not an attractive factor, Miss. Nolan. But… sometimes it pays off."

"Tell me why."

I couldn't read his expression, "It doesn't seem I have a choice, does it? Well if you must know… When I first saw those three mutations appear to me, my next actions were to dispose of them and then just wait it out until you arrived. It would be killing two birds with one stone if you will; my father's irresponsibility's would be erased and I would be able to continue my research. But sadly, one trick besmirched the other it seemed. And here I am."

So… that plan Yakko thought up seriously worked? I had to admit, that made me slightly more comforted, "But why give up and just let yourself get taken?"

"Unlike you and your stubborn pets, Miss. Nolan, sometimes I know when it's time to take a step back."

"… Say that again."

"Oh don't get me wrong, Miss. Nolan, this isn't over by far and I have much more to finish here."

"Good luck behind bars."

He let out a slow laugh and shook his head, "Not this time. Didn't I just say I have things to finish up?"

"Like what exactly?"

"You see, that Town is trapped by that the Fleischer's did, and what every other studio allowed. I plan to free it. And that can only happen by making is cease to exist."

"Your version of freeing something, is killing it?"

"You have your version, I have mine."

"And how exactly did you plan on doing that?"

He flashed a look of pure scorn, "Sometimes infiltrating from the side isn't always the best option, as I found out."

Slowly, it was coming together. And I hated every minute of it, "So… You moved inside the town, to lure us all there and kill the Warner's, take the rest of us for your sick experiments, and then use whatever means necessary to free the Town by killing it?"

"If you wanted to put it into basic terms, yes."

"You're sick."

"I was underestimating to the quantity of the Town. Trail and error, I now know that it is by far more effecting to take down a section at a time from the outside, make the rats swarm to the centre for an easy extermination later."

So he was admitting that he'd gotten a factor wrong? "So that's why you let yourself get taken here, you wanted out because that's how you wanted to plan your next move."

"Such a bright girl when you want to be." He leered, which is why I wanted to tell you something. Something which might just interest you. The Waiting Room holds many secrets, Miss. Nolan. And I'm willing to share one with you, for something in return."

"Not interested."

"I think you might be. A debt repaid is an interesting thing, don't you think?"

What the hell did that mean? No, I was beyond caring, "Screw you. You're done, R.J, you've got nothing. You were in way over your head this time and you know it, why can't you just let it go?"

The sounds of sirens wailed outside and I knew that time was running out to finish this. Apparently, so did he, "If you assist me, I can offer you something."

"I told you I'm not interested in what's in the Waiting Room." I spat.

"Take a look, you might be."

"What will I find?" I demanded.

"An option."

"I think the time for riddles has long past don't you think?"

"No riddles, Miss. Nolan. This time I admit that I need assistance and I'm willing to return the favour for it." He shrugged, "Think about it…"

There was a knock at the door, Jack was calling me to wrap things up. I glared at R.J, fists clenched, "Time's running out for you this time. And it runs out the next time I see you anywhere me or my family. Toons included."

"You'll help me, Miss. Nolan. One day."

"Don't count on it." I spat as I stormed out of the room and past Jack.

Anger pulsated through me and I couldn't stop shaking, I just needed to move. Do something. If I stopped still then I didn't think that I'd be able to keep myself steady. I could see Jack wanting to follow me, but I think he understood that I needed to be alone, and besides, he had the authorities to deal with. And so I just kept walking. I didn't know where I was going, the maze of corridors guiding me at random. How dare he assume that I'd help him! I'd never help him, not now, not ever. Insane… He was insane…

Finally, I came to a stop and collapsed against a wall, trying to catch my breath and stop the tears of frustration tipping over the edge. Cheeks flushed and hands clammy, I stared up at the ceiling in hopes of getting more air into my lungs. Although, on averting my eyes from the bright light, I caught sight of a the label on a room before me. It was another office. But I recognised it because only a few doors down was the… Waiting Room. No, I couldn't go in there. What was the point? But then again… why was I already making my way there?

The door opened with a heavy groan, and I stared at the two machines in distaste. The engraving at the bottom of the Animator stood out. J and C Fleischer. A dept repaid. Such a solemn statement that made my heart ache. But, it also stirred something in my mind that just didn't sit well. Why had R.J chosen those words before? A debt repaid is an interesting thing, don't you think? What? I dropped to my knees to get a better look at the words. My hands traced them carefully, I added slight pressure and gasped as the area around it dented a little in a perfect square. It wasn't just a metal slate of a machine. It was a little cubby-hole.

Cautiously, I leaned towards camouflaged cabinet while doing my best to keep an eye Out for traps, I didn't want to take any chances. I prised the small door open and hissed as an icy cold burnt at my fingertips. A mist escaped from the compartment that sent a chill over my skin. It was like a freezer in there. A temperature controlled space that gave off a pale blue light. In the depths of which, was a test-tube rack with a single syringe slotted neatly inside it. It was the cure?

God I made it sound to whimsical. But I guess with the right amount of work and science, it was bound to be possible. And there was only one. The one that R.J had before had been confiscated and destroyed. Was this R.J's back up? This was what he was offering me. If I helped him, then I could get my life back. There was only enough for one person. That's cruel, R.J, even for you. What do I do with it?

I picked it up and examined the blue liquid, my fingers numb from the cold. It really was just that simple. One shot and it was over. Part of me wanted to, just to get it over with and get back to normal. And yet, I wasn't sure. I just didn't know what to do. The bare needle hovered over my wrist, conflict building within me. If I take it, then I get a half-way normal life and won't have to hide anymore. If I don't then, I'm stuck pretty much in the same routine of secrets and conspiracies. The thin metal tip prodded my skin, but didn't penetrate as I didn't intend it to. I hadn't made up my mind. But I needed to. I had to make a choice. To cure…? Or not…?

A/N:

So, what will Talia do? Find out in the next chapter, only three more to go guys! Wow, nearly over, that's a scary thought actually, lol XD