"Fringey…"
Summary: Sarah and her sisters see there's an even darker side to Dyad's little cloning-fest…
(Not sure about this one but while I await more details for "Nessun Dorma" I'll play round with this darker one and see how it goes. Afraid you'll have to consider this the Allison-Donnie-friendly corner of the OB multiverse. After all, she can't be veering toward insanity and he can't be a rat in every universe…)
Disclaimer: No copywrite infringement intended.
Part XXIV…
Three months previously…
"Oh my God! Donnie?! Donnie?!" Allison, frantically scanning the bleeding arm, looking for other injuries…
"Ally?..." he stared up from where he'd fallen in the street…Then glancing down the street…Rising with sudden desperate lunge to her startled surprise… "Ally?! Leekie!" he pointed at the car with headlights visible just moving out and toward them…
"Son of a bitch!" she howled, raising bat…Stepping into the street…
"Ally! No!" Donnie grabbed at her…As a shotgun blast roared just over their heads…They turned to look…
"Get the hell outta here, you bastard!" Sarah, Mrs. S's shotgun firmly in hand, pointing now at Leekie's rather nice bourgeois-mobile…
The car moving off, rather hastily…Passing close by the furious, bat-waving Allison and the limping but protectively close Donnie…
Fury immediately back to frantic anxiety with the danger of the moment gone… "Donnie?! We've got to get you to the hospital!" Allison pulling cell phone…
"I'm ok, the bullet just grazed my arm…" he noted… "Sarah? If you just have a bandage or something to wrap this up…" he raised the arm, wincing a bit…
"She shot you…I'm going to kill her…" Allison, matter-of-factly, calmly raging…
"Mrs. Dr. Leekie?" Sarah eyed him, shotgun by her side now. He, nodding, with sigh…
"Your mother…Genetically…"
"She is not my mother…" Allison, cold fury. "And I'm going to kill her."
"Ally…She didn't shoot me…I don't think she meant to have her guy hurt me. I kinda actually hurt her…" he sighed. "She claimed she was trying to block Leekie, help you girls, but then wanted to know where Kira was…Though, frankly…"
"You didn't tell her about Fee?!" Sarah, anxiously.
"No…Though aren't you glad I don't know where she is…" he gave a woebegone stare…
"She shot you for not telling her where Kira is?" Allison stared.
"No…Like I said…Her goon shot me…Protecting her…I really don't think they wanted to kill me. I'm not even sure she really wanted to know about Kira. I kinda think she meant what she said about wanting to block Leekie…"
"We'll talk about that later, right now we've gotta get that arm looked to…We should take him to the hospital, Sarah!" Allison urged…Gently taking the wounded arm…Carefully examining…
"I'm ok, really…" he noted. "This might be the time for Sarah to go find her daughter…" he eyed Sarah.
"A little later…" she said, carefully. "Ally's right…We should get that arm tended to…"
"Ok." He eyed her, then Allison… "You're right to doubt me…And all this…I could just be lying. A set up…" He nodded.
"I don't doubt you, Donnie…" Allison, hastily. Glance to the watching Sarah… "And Sarah just needs to be cautious…"
"Ally…It's ok." He gave a wan smile. "You'd have every right to question all this, after what's happened. And given these people, I want you to be careful."
"It's all right, Don…" Sarah sighed. "Lets get you inside and we'll see where we go from there, ok?"
"Sure….Thanks…" he nodded. Groaning a bit as he moved.
"It's still bleeding…Graze or no…" Allison, anxiously. Pulling off sweater… "Here, let me put this round the arm…"
"It'll come out with salt…" she noted to his stare…Your good sweater?... "Don't worry about it." She tied it round the arm carefully, wincing at his repressed groans.
"Sorry…There, come on…" she led him gently.
"Thank you." He smiled wanly at her worried face. "And thanks for saving my life, slugger." Grin, which she returned…
"So…This female Leekie…?" Sarah began as they made for the house, back on sidewalk… "She wanted to talk to you?"
"She said she was our mother?" Allison cut in. Sarah, staring…
"Genetically…She said she'd provided the first cell…That all the medical problems were variations on her own. I gather she's fairly sick, actually." He eyed the two women.
"God, we're Leekies…?" Sarah sighed.
"No, we'd be…Whatever her maiden was…" Allison corrected. "Though of course, it's still possible some of his…Uh…" she caught Sarah's glare.
"We have to get more from her…She's the key to knowing if you guys are likely to develop more problems." Donnie noted.
"True enough…" Sarah agreed. "But she said she wanted to block Leekie? Her husband?"
"It could be true…" Allison reflected. "If she considers herself our mother…"
"These Dyad bastards don't have children, Ally…" Sarah shook her head. "They have test subjects, that's all…We can't go placing any faith in this one."
"Not faith…But…No reason we can't make use of her, when the time comes…" Allison noted with careful stare. "Careful on these stairs, honey…" she offered her arm in support.
…..
Present…The retreat cottage where a befuddled Donnie blinked at the bright-eyed Allison before him in sweater, blouse, and slacks clutching an extra-large trash bag…
"Is anything wrong, Donnie?" Olive/Rachel/ "Allison" eyed him. "You seem a little…Confused?"
"Hmmn? Uh, no…No." he nodded carefully, pondering…
Slam and lock the door and call the girls?...Welcome whoever into the place and try to find the nearest knife or hachet?
"It's all good…" he nodded again, beaming…
Ok…Which one? Crazy Helena, maybe? But Sarah says she always lets her accent slip…And she's dead.
Some new sister?…Sister in law?...Maybe even the one the girls are looking for? The one the Dyad folks wear like a suit?
Ok…Obviously whoever she is, she's been sent to try and fool me…Play Ally.
And I saw right through her…Hmmph, not too shabby…
Right, put it on my tombstone… "Not too shabby"…Though less so when you already know your real wife is out doing a little playacting herself…
"Why don't you walk me to the dumpster?" "Allison" smiled… "Get a little fresh air…" she put her free arm round his before he could object.
So I don't have to kill you right away…Spoils the test, after all…
…
Dyad Institute, present…
An hour later than last…
"Come in…" "Rachel"/Helena called to a timid knock…
Eyeing the lawyer in her doorway, with a wave… "Yeah…Come, I don't bite. Much." Smile.
"I thought you might have left already, ma'am."
"So many loose ends…" shrug… "Even on day off, can't clear desk. But I go soon as I find something important here."
"Well…" he eyed the nearest chair to her desk…She catching and glancing…
"Sit. Talk. What's on your mind?" smile.
"Ma'am…We were under very careful instructions from Director Leekie…And you…"
"We rethink policy, Aldous and I…New approach, kill with cooperation." Smile. "You have objection?"
"Ma'am…There are things in the files still."
"We cutting edge of science, right?" she eyed him. "All for benefit of Mankind, regardless of cost…Right?"
"Uh…I wouldn't know, ma'am…And I really prefer not…"
"Fine, then. You know nothing, so no problem…Just assist government people and show them everything they want to see."
"Are you absolutely sure Dr. Leekie has signed off on this policy, ma'am?"
Frigid stare… "You question my authority here, now?"
"No…Certainly not, Ms. Duncan…"
"That is good. Well, we have nice talk…Now all better? You clear on program?"
"Uh…I suppose…" he rose.
"Very good. We talk tomorrow, say…Eleven? I leave memo for Dr. Leekie to join us, ok?"
"I think that would be…" he moved to the door…
"Wait…!"
"Uh…Ma'am?"
"You know how tea maker works?" she eyed him. "Cup of tea would be nice now."
Another knock at her outer office door…
"More interruptions…" she sighed. "Some day off…Get that, would you?"
He went into the outer office and opened for the two agents, tall and short, who bore, if possible, even grimmer expressions…
"Hey, boys!" she waved from her desk. "Had bit more to do…What's up?"
Both entered…The lawyer pondering whether to make his exit now and consider fleeing for Rio or…
"Tea, please?" Helena eyed him.
Right…He went to the tea maker…
"Ms. Duncan." Short, coldly. "We're finding some serious and highly incrimination information in your computer files."
"No…" she gave a startled expression. "You don't say."
"I'm afraid we're going to have to impound all records and you will have to stay on the premises until the police arrive."
"Police? Am I being charged?" she stared. Giving the taller a brief, friendly smile…Hey, there…
"I would say, definitely, yes, ma'am. And would you know the current whereabouts of Dr. Aldous Leekie and his wife?"
Helena, blanching…
"His what?..."
"Claire Leekie, the senior director?"
"Yeah…That wife…Oh…" she nodded.
Hello, other mother…
"Ms. Duncan? This is no laughing matter." Short frowned. "The charges against you may well include accessory to murder along with illegal human experimentation."
"Oh, no…I'm not laughing…Believe…" she shook her head.
And other mother will not be either, soon…
"I'm very shocked to hear this…Very…Distressed." She shook her head, biting lip.
"Earl Grey, ok?" the lawyer asked.
"Oh, yes." She beamed. "Lemon, one sugar. You want tea?" she eyed the pair.
"Thank you, no, ma'am." Short shook his head.
"That would be nice…" Tall nodded…Glancing at Short's frown…
"Is no problem…He get you some. Tea for gentleman?" she eyed the lawyer who was finding the making of tea a bit of a relief under the circumstances, actually.
"One of your staff…Dr. Philipps…Just told us, when we confronted him with one of your files on experiments he performed on several young women…?"
"No…" Helena stared. "Dr. Philipps is such nice man?" shaking head. "Can't believe it."
"Ma'am." Short eyed her coolly. "You were supervisory approval on that project. The files were created by you."
"Oh…I see." Helena leaned back. "I must have forgotten." Winsome stare, sigh…
"We'd like to see the labs on floors SSB-SSSSB, ma'am?"
"Sure…Of course. Hello?" she addressed the lawyer… "You wanta take boys to labs they want to see?"
Wanta? As in…My choice? He thought…
"We'd like for you to accompany us, Ms. Duncan." Tall explained politely.
"As you aren't going anywhere, it shouldn't be too much of an inconvenience." Short noted, grimly.
Hmmn…Well…Someone there may know Tomas…He was lab guy.
"No…Fine…Good…" she nodded, rising. "I always love to see labs…Always stuck in office…Lets go." She paused.
"You come too…" she eyed the lawyer, dutifully and hopefully manning his post at the tea maker.
"Yes, Ms. Duncan…" sigh.
"Anyone hungry like me? We stop by cafeteria?"
….
Helena by turns leading the way, by turns falling back behind the lawyer…Nodding to various startled employees as they stared at her and the government agents…Increased now to six in the column…Plus a stunned looking couple of researchers, the aforementioned Dr. Philipps, a tall, lean graying man in late fifties, now among them.
She munching on a protein bar she'd had the lawyer get from the cafeteria as they passed…She rather regretfully noting the nice tables.
Must try to stop by before leaving after I find out about Tomas…
"We'll need a retinal scan, Ms. Duncan…" the lawyer noted as the group bordered the elevator.
"Sure…We very cutting edge…" she grinned to Short who eyed her as she went to the scanner indicated by the lawyer. Peering…
"Accepted…Duncan, Rachel…"
Very cutting edge…She felt her favorite knife in a pocket of her suit.
"Has she gone insane?" Philipps hissed to the lawyer as the elevator stopped and the group got off…
"You're an expert on this project, not me…" the lawyer shrugged.
"Hey, you…Philipps?" she called back to him. "You remember Dr. Tomas Paleogolikis?"
"Ms. Duncan?" Philipps stared. "Tomas is head of my department…"
"Of course he is…" she nodded, apologetic smile. "I lose track, place is so big." She noted to Tall who nodded.
Well…Now…Time to consider ending tour…Unless…
Mother…?
"You know when Dr. Leekie, Mrs…Will be coming next? When she's coming?" she eyed Philipps, who stared.
Uh-oh…This one knows about sisters…He has doubt…Better watch.
"All senior staff are on leave due to the investigation, Ms. Duncan." Philipps noted. "In fact I didn't expect to see you…"
"Some things to clean up…" she shrugged.
"I see…" careful look.
Oooh…You…See…Smart guy. She frowned.
Ok, you think you got me, huh? Can't say in front of cops here but you think you figured me out, eh?
Clever little devil minion…
But not so lucky guess…For you.
"And Dr. Paleogolikis?" she asked, pleasantly. "Is he out today?"
"I believe so…" Philipps, affecting casual tone now.
"We'll want to see him as soon as possible." Short noted. "He's been figuring in several rather interesting files."
I bet…Helena eyed Philipps.
Cute game…Tomas sends me to kill sisters for Devil, saying we fight Devil...Devils laugh at fool Helena…
But I stand in the light now…I am Cain with blood of sisters on my hands…Mark that can never be removed.
I make no excuses…I am Cain, not angel…Sinner, not saint…
But even Cain can have chance for redemption…Can save his dead brother's children…And her living sisters'…
Family…What to say?...Can't choose, can't leave, always part…Even Cain…She eyed Philipps who glanced at her nervously but affecting a bit of bravado…
Thinks he has me, little devil…What, try to make deal?...Clone girl, let great doctor/assistant creator go and I don't tell on you?...
I don't thinks so…
We need to have private talk, little devil…Before you decide to spill beans on me, I maybe spill a little blood, eh?
But first you tell me where I find Tomas…And other mother…
Devil incarnate in woman…The light and the darkness in one…Madonna and whorish devil in one…
And I find peace…And redemption…
Forgiveness, I leave to God…My poor sisters…And poor, true Mama…
Take pity on angry daughter, Mama…I have lot to deal with these last years.
…
Present, the police station…Reassigned desk of Elisabeth Childs…
Ok…Allison eyed the report paperwork before her…
I can do this…Just call Art or that Ms. DeAngelis if I get stuck…Praying ex-Mrs. Bell is absent.
Heck, if Sarah can manage to wade through it…
"Childs?" the captain startled her.
"Sir?" she looked over at his stern face…
"Just wanted to say…In spite of everything…Nice to have you back." He grinned. "And I want that report before you leave…" renewed stern glance.
"Yes, sir." She nodded. He returning nod, headed for his office.
Well, Beth…She eyed the photo of Beth on the desk. We all owe you so much, honey…Sarah's child, my marriage and family, Cosima's hope for survival…Our unknown sisters' freedom…Help me just this once more so we can clear your name and finish your career the way it should end, with the honor you earned, my poor, poor sister.
And the bastards who tormented you in Hell where they belong.
And try to forgive Paul, if he proves true…He did, I think, come to love you in a way. And he is trying to honor your memory by helping us.