Jasper, Jack's POV

"Sh-Shadowdusk...please...I-I-"

"Hush, child. It is meerly the change, think of the pain as well as a way to remind you that you are MY sparkling. Someday, I promise we shall not have the other woman you call your 'true mother' in the way."

I felt panic tear my heart, twisting with the pain as well. As bloody tears streamed down my face, I managed to speak.

"I-I-I will n-never be-ngh!...I will ne-never be y-yours." I hissed, thanking any higher being that mom was at work, and Arcee at base.

Shadowdusk growled, sending a shooting pain through my head.

"Do not DARE speak to your mother in such a way!"

"Y-You're not my m-mother! You a-are ins-sane, and t-take pl-pleasure in others p-pain, even m-mine! I know the tr-truth, Sh-Shadowdusk! Th-the pain, it i-isn't supposed to b-be this harsh! You h-have made it th-this painful!"

It was true, I knew it was. The pain should have only torn at my head bones and organs, there was no way that it was supposed to tear at my very heart and soul, or try and destroy my sanity.

"FOOLISH! PAIN IS A MEANS OF ESCAPE! FROM REALITY, FROM FEAR! I AM PROTECTING YOU-!"

"Th-this is far fr-from protection! You on-only want me to never for-forget that I-I'm 'yours'!" I replied sharply.

Pain seared my spine, making me scream and clutch at my head. My brain felt as though it were being torn apart, my heart and soul being tortured by what felt like dancing flames, while my thorat felt as though it was being wrung by a cord.

Shadowdusk tried to force words through my lips, but for the first time, I was able to stop the words, biting into my forearm to keep the words at bay.

I don't know how long I sat there with the pain ripping at me, but in the end Shadowdusk finally gave up.

She actualy gave up.

Or so I thought.

Just when the pain had vanished and I removed my lips from my arm, a pain struck at my mind, sharp as a knife.

I screamed out, wanting the pain to stop.

"I'M S-S-SORRY! ST-STOP, PL-PL-PLEASE! JUST STOP!"

That was when she finally left, grumbling as she, for the first time, released her connection to I. Even if temporary, it was a welcome relief.

I panted as my tears of blood trickled down my face. I stared at the ceiling, regaining my thoughts and sanity at a painfully slow pace.

I felt bile rise up my throat and I barely made it to the bathroom in time to throw up.

I soon began to dry heave, then finally my stomach calmed and I sat back on my heels. I slowly lifted my hands, burrying my face in them.

I soon began to cry into my palms, sobbing and not caring as the blood dripped through my fingers, onto my clothes.

What had I done to deserve this? Had I commited some crime against the universe? Once again, I wondered if I'd known what would happen in the chamber of Vector Sigma, if I would've still done it.

Yes. Yes I would, for the good of my family.

More bile rose into my throat, and I quickly leaned back over the toilet. I now heaved up blood along with the contents of my stomach.

My throat felt raw as I stood, flushing the toilet before going and washing my hands. I rinsed my mouth with water as well. I then changed into new clothes, shoving my old, bloodied ones in the wash, since I'd rather not have my mom freak out at the sight of blood.

After I turned on the washer, I situated myself on the couch, curling up on my side, I blinked back more tears, refusing them the privledge to fall. I then slowly fell into a dreamless sleep.

Chamber of Vector Sigma, Shadowdusk's POV

I slowly re-established my connection with Moonsoul, my poor little sweet spark.

As innocent as when I had first seen him, my little sparkling...

Yes, MY little darling.

Not that human woman's, mine. She wasn't fit to even be in Moonsoul's presence. I growled angrily, yet was careful not to awaken Moonsoul.

But soon, my problem would be solved, and soon nothing would come between my sweet spark and I.

Long before, many had called me obsessive, insane. But all I saw was my mind organizing itself. Finding a way to create a bond of perfection with Moonsoul, now.

Yes...That human woman would die, I would watch her blood trickle down her pale, fragile, lifeless form. I would make my little Moonsoul watch, so he'd know that no other loved him so dearly as I.

And the key of Vector Sigma would help bring me to my sparkling's side.

Jasper, Jack's POV

I awoke to the sound of soft laughter.

Groaning slightly, I snugled in deeper to the soft couch.

"Jack, come on sweetie, it's time to eat."

A flaring pain in my head brought me to my senses. I was barely able to hold in a yelp, and mentaly told Shadowdusk to stop.

She listened, barely.

I turned over to smile sleepily up at mom, my real mom, who returned the smile.

"Hey mom." I greeted, yawning and stretching my arms above my head as I sat up. She laughed.

"Hey. I figured you might like to have some dinner, since you obviously weren't going to wake up on your own."

I paled slightly as I remembered earlier, and how I'd emptied the contents of my stomach (and then some) into the toilet bowl. I hesitantly shook my head.

"Actually mom, I'm not feeling so great. I think I'm catching a 24 hour flu."

She pressed her hand to my forehead, then frowned in concern.

"My gosh, Jack! You're burning up! Go to bed this instant!" She exclaimed, pointing at the stairs.

I was all too willing, considering I'd much rather be sleeping then retching in the toilet.

I changed into some sweat pants, leaving my torso bare. I then brushed my teeth quickly, noting with slight nausia that my eyes were an even brighter blue then the day before.

I left my bathroom and crawled under the covers of my bed, falling back into a deep sleep.

Though unlike on the couch, this was anything but dreamless.

Dream

I was in a dark room, though even in the dim light there was, I could see the walls.

They were stained in blood.

The stench of death was thick in the air, almost suffocating me. I quickly cupped a hand over my mouth and nose in a feeble attempt to breathe, but I couldn't.

Yet strangely, I felt nothing but utter peace...

I moved forward slowly, my feet tapping lightly on the floor. I stopped before one of the walls, and I reched up.

I carefully traced my fingers along a streak of blood.

Tendrils of dark blood shot out from the walls around me, binding me. I tried desperately to scream, but blood filled my mouth, spilling from my lips. A tendril of the warm liquid covered my eyes, while the others pulled me down.

I couldn't breath! I couldn't see! I was being pulled away from everything, ripped from sanity!

Dream end

I sat up straight with a gasp.

I realized it had just been a dream. A terrible, terrible dream.

I was panting, and soaked in sweat and bloody tears. The blood reminded me of my vile dream, and I jumped out of bed.

I barely made it to the toilet to vomit nothing but blood.