KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

"The ultimate value of life depends on awareness and the power of contemplation rather than survival." -Aristotle

San Felipe, Mexico (Elysium)

There's still a crowd in Nadia Falk's hospital room, but nothing like there was earlier, when 20 people crowded in the room to wish her well from her injuries. Nadia's still in good spirits, especially after Alec filled her and everyone else in on what happened with Jack and Irina at the elevator.

Irina stunned everyone coming into the room looking like she was in her late 20s. Perhaps no one was more stunned than little Maria, who couldn't believe how much Irina looked like Nadia.

However, Jack and Irina have not been seen for some time. It's pretty easy to guess where and what they're doing right now, given that they've fallen for one another again.

It's been a couple hours, and Nadia's gotten a nap in. Tom Falk, Mary Falk, Owen Schroeder, Milo Rambaldi, Alec Derevko, and Laurent L'Andre remain in the room. The members of Storm Crew wanted to stay to discuss Arvin Sloane, but Tom refuses to get them involved after Jerome and Charlie were shot trying to protect the Falk house. Thankfully, their deaths helped relaunch communications between Elysium and Hell and they were a part of the trade that has two names left: Arvin Sloane going to Hell, Helen of Troy going to Elysium.

As for Nadia's presence here, she asked to be here. She felt bad for not having Tom involved in her pursuit of Elena, so she asked to be present for Sloane.

Nadia really hasn't said much about Sloane since she heard he crossed the portal. In her mind, her business with him was settled during Tom's Project Nadia conquest. She got her shots in on Sloane at the end, along with Tom, Sydney, and Jack. She never has forgiven him for what she did to her, from the Rambaldi Fluid to killing her and an unborn Maria. But the difference between him and Elena was that Nadia still had business to settle with Elena. She'd just as rather imagine him not even existing.

Rambaldi addresses Nadia, having just returned to the room. "How are you feeling, Miss Nadia?"

Nadia cracks a small smile as she rubs her head. "I've been better...but everyone's made me feel a lot better than I was, thank you."

Tom points to his head. "Are the church bells still ringing in your head?"

Nadia laughs a little. "A little. But they're quieting down. It's my shoulder that's hurting me more now."

Rambaldi then says with a smile "I don't believe you have a concussion, my lady. I think that doctor is just overly cautious, given how boring his job has become in Elysium."

"You can diagnose concussions now?"

"No...I just know these things." Rambaldi then finishes with a smile and turns his attention to the rest of the group. "Now, Tom called this meeting to address one Arvin Sloane..."

Tom cuts him off. "Yeah, we need a gameplan for approaching him."

Rambaldi says "Tom..."

But he's cut off by Owen, who has a bit of a twinkle in his eye. "I was going to call Jacqueline later today. Enough time has passed, I think."

Tom notices the twinkle. Owen has the hots for Jacqueline! "This is really more than some mission for you, is it?"

Owen sheepishly shrugs. "I must say, I feel pity for her..."

"And you want sweep her off your feet when you ride in with your shining armor!"

This allows Owen to crack a tiny smirk. "That's pretty close to what I had in mind, yes."

Tom walks up to Owen and whispers in his ear "I thought you were afraid of getting attached to someone."

Owen pauses for a moment, then whispers back in Tom's ear "I've decided living a life in fear of love is a life not worth living at all."

Rambaldi asks "Gentlemen?"

Rambaldi goes to say something else, but is cut off once again by Tom, who thinks Rambaldi just wants to get on with the program. "Right, now I've given this some thought and we have to be extremely delicate with Sloane. The last thing we want is Arvin running free and untracked or doing something to hurt Emily and Jacqueline."

Before Rambaldi can even utter a breath, Alec says "How do you propose we proceed?"

Nadia replies "Jack has been inside the home. Perhaps he can take a couple people in there and get the drop on Arvin..."

Tom nods. "Right, that's a good idea."

"Gentlemen!"

Now Rambaldi's getting a little irritated. He's clearly got something to say and he's not having a chance to say it. Rambaldi quickly turns to Nadia, momentarily forgetting his manners. "...ma'am." Rambaldi then turns to the rest of the group. "None of that will be necessary."

Tom gives Rambaldi a very funny look. "Huh? Jacqueline's our inside gal...her connection with Owen is our ace in the hole!"

"But here you are, talking about quickly running in and catching the mouse before he scurries away. Do you really believe you're that fast and Arvin is not that cunning?"

Tom sighs. "He doesn't like me one bit..."

Nadia then says "I'll go. He'll stay around for me. After all, he knows the truth about me not being his daughter."

Tom flashes Nadia an angry look as he points a stubborn finger at her. "Abso-fucking-lutely not! You're hurt! Remember?"

"I'll board a plane and fly there!"

Rambaldi nods. "Tom's right. You're not in the physical condition to be doing such a thing." Rambaldi then turns to Tom. "And after what you did to Arvin the last time you saw him, he'll look at you like a scared child looking at his abusive father."

Tom relaxes and lets out a few evil chuckles...the memories of the abuse he inflicted on Sloane in Brussels, along with the thought of Sloane cowering in the corner while he approached gives him here gives Tom some kind of demented joy. "All the more reason I should be there."

"You've already proven your point to him. And fear can lead to flight."

Laurent then steps up. "It is said that me and Tom look a lot alike. Perhaps I can be a source of momentary confusion for Sloane."

Rambaldi shakes his head. "No, you're taller than he is, and he's fully aware of who you are after what you did to Gordon Dean in the Elysian Council." Rambaldi turns to Alec. "And you, you killed the man that controlled his cartel, Francisco Alvarado. Surely he hasn't forgotten about you."

Alec grunts, then nods disappointed, as if he's disappointed he won't be staining his hidden blade with Sloane's blood. Tom catches on to that, and even though he's been one to cross moral lines, can't help but be a little disturbed at Alec's cold-bloodedness right now. Tom worries about Laurent, but he fears Alec.

Tom then lets out a dejected sigh. Rambaldi's shooting down his ideas one by one. "What else do we have left, then?"

Rambaldi forms a wide, closed smile. "Me."

Everyone, especially Laurent and Alec, give Rambaldi surprised looks.

Rambaldi definitely notices. "Think about it, everyone. Who else would he hold a bigger grudge against than me?"

Everyone stops and ponders that. Besides Owen, everyone knows that Sloane was obsessed with all things Rambaldi, and that obsession led to the betrayal and demise orchestrated by Rambaldi himself.

Owen asks "What all did you to do him?"

Rambaldi bluntly replies "Ruin every facet of his life."

Tom folds his arms, intrigued by this idea. "How do you approach him?"

Rambaldi turns to Tom. "I'll just show up. I think he'll have a thing or two he'll want to say. I'll give him a chance to air his grievances...and I'll give him a chance to be the bearer of his own actions once again."

Tom nods. "We should be nearby for support..."

"That will most certainly not be necessary. I must face him alone."

"Why?"

"Because I need his full and undivided attention."

Laurent then puts a hand on Rambaldi's shoulder. "You'll also need a gun." He then looks over at Tom. "Do you still have Elena's gun at your house?"

Ramabldi cuts Tom off. "That will not be necessary, either. I rather despise the thought of a gun in my hand."

Alec reaches into his robe and pulls out a short sword that was hanging from his hip. "It would do me great honor if you slayed Arvin with my sword."

Rambaldi puts a hand on the sword, as if pushing it away. "No. Like I said, I will give Sloane a chance to be responsible for his actions once again."

Laurent shakes his head quickly. "Arvin still has a gun! You can't face him unarmed?"

Rambaldi gives Laurent a very, very funny look and steps back. "Unarmed, you say? Oh no, Laurent. I'll be very much armed indeed."

Owen makes a connection that causes his eyes to bug out. "Suicide bomb?"

Rambaldi shakes his head slowly and laughs. "As a man that knows and deals with matters related to the IRA, would I be wrong to accuse you of living up to your stereotype just now?"

Owen shrugs, unoffended. "Not really. It'd actually be factual, given our own supply of explosives."

Rambaldi then looks over at Nadia, who's also got a confused look on her face. "Nadia. You and Tom know most of all what I am capable of."

Nadia gives Rambaldi another confused look. So does Tom. Apparently they're not making the connection.

Rambaldi smiles wide. "I'm sure the answer will come to you before the deed is done."

Laurent asks "When will you go?"

Rambaldi turns to him. "Right now." Rambaldi turns to Nadia. "I shall see you when you return home tonight."

Nadia points out "But he doctor wants to keep me for observation!"

"Nadia, you're going home tonight. Trust me." Rambaldi then closes his eyes and teleports away.

Suddenly Tom gasps when he looks at Laurent. He just figured out what Rambaldi is going to do.

Owen notices and asks "What's he doing?"

Tom then turns to Owen with a smug look on his face. "He's going to take the greatest gift he gave to me and Nadia and turn it into Sloane's worst nightmare."

Nadia lets out a loud gasp, causing the room to look at her. She too has figured it out.

Tuscany, Italy (Elysium)

The hood on his robe is resting casually on the back of his shoulders. Around him, it's a nice day, which is very common in this very lush and beautiful part of Italy. Birds chirping, clear skys, and a gentle wind brushing his face.

And on Rambaldi's face is a familiar closed and relaxed smile. He just knocked on the door of Arvin Sloane's house in Tuscany and is just casually waiting for the door to open.

He's been waiting for a bit longer than someone would answer the door if this was a friendly or casual visit. And Rambaldi knows exactly why: Arvin Sloane is home.

The door opens in front of him and Emily, obviously faking a smile, kindly says "Hello. Can I help you with something?"

Rambaldi's face doesn't move a centimeter off its smile when he sees Emily, but he can see right through her. Behind the smile lies a tense and frustrated woman. Even her voice had a bit of strain to it that not everyone would catch.

But the ever smiling Rambaldi replies "Is Mr. Sloane home?"

Emily hesitates. "No, he just left. How do you know him?"

Rambaldi resist the urge to chuckle. A flat out lie from a woman who, unlike her husband, isn't a very good liar. But Rambaldi knows she's not doing the lying willingly. "Did he say he was going to be gone long?"

Emily quickly stammers "N..no...I mean, I'm not sure. Who are you?"

"Just an old friend." Rambaldi bends over and picks up a duffel bag next to his feet. "I don't believe he'll be gone long, from the sounds of it. So you tell him when he returns that I'll be in his second floor den."

"Milo, I don't think he wants you insi..."

Rambaldi holds up his hand, catching Emily in the gotcha moment. "I thought you didn't know who I was."

Emily lets out a few tense breaths and suddenly, her fake calm look is replaced by a very real nervous look on her face.

Rambaldi calmly puts a hand on her shoulder and, in as comforting tone as he can manage, says "Your suffering will be over soon. Go be with Jacqueline...and tell Arvin that I'm waiting for him in his den. I know he's home."

Emily remains frozen in fear, but eventually manages a slight nod. She then opens the door wide open for Rambaldi, who casually steps through and immediately heads up the stairs, duffel bag in hand.

So beautiful.

Milo Rambaldi is mesmerized at the scenery he's looking at, looking out from behind Sloane's desk in his rather roomy den. The windows are a couple feet taller than Rambaldi, with a couple more feet of wall on top before the ceiling hits. The walls are a dark purple, the drapes a lighter purple. There are bookshelves on both sides of the wall, along with some vintage Italian paintings. It's an office fit for a CEO or someone of that ilk.

Rambaldi also guesses it'd be fitting for someone who is power hungry and short like Sloane, perhaps feeling the need to overcompensate a little.

But it's the scenery outside that has Rambaldi's attention. Trees in full bloom, some green, others adorned in flowers. Off in the distance, he can see some vineyards and farmland. The Tuscany area is considered among the most lush land in the world. And as evidenced by the rustic look of the room, with its older books and paintings, Tuscany is known for its culture as well.

The footsteps behind Rambaldi do little to break his concentration. Rambaldi knows whose footsteps they belong to, but he doesn't really seem too concerned...about anything, really.

The voice behind those footsteps speaks up. "Get the hell out of my house."

Rambaldi doesn't flinch or avert his gaze after Sloane's stern warning.

"Did you hear what I said, Milo? Get. Out. I no longer have any business..."

Rambaldi casually cuts him off. "I always loved Tuscany. Some of the most awe inspiring landscape can be found here. Perhaps that's what has inspired so much culture here, too. This place could be so perfect, but I've always had a problem with it." Rambaldi then slowly turns his head to face Sloane. "I never liked the people that live here."

Sloane stands in an Italian silk shirt and khaki pants. It's a very relaxed look for Sloane, whose usual attire was about as short and to the point as could be. But Sloane's not looking very relaxed right now, especially as he fidgets with the gun in his right hand. "I suppose that comment is directed towards me."

Rambaldi shrugs. "It's been a lifelong bother of mine, the people here. Such arrogance and pretentiousness. But my ire for Tuscans is made more true now that you've tried to set up roots here again."

"Is that so? Tell me, just what was I to you?"

"I'm not sure what you mean by that."

"When I was pursuing the pieces of your prophecy, you must have seen or known what I was up to."

"I saw. I saw it 500 years ago in my mind. I saw it with my own eyes in the decades prior to your death."

"You clearly don't like me very much. So what was I to you when I was alive? Was I the chosen one for you? I'm the one that ended up with the Horizon! And I was cheated out of it like I was just a pawn standing in the front of the King in chess!"

"You were necessary. Nothing more."

Sloane snickers as he looks down at his gun. "I guess it's fitting that you converse in riddles, seeing as I devoted my life to your riddles."

"And how does that make you feel, Arvin?"

Sloane looks back at Rambaldi with a sneer. "Like my life was wasted."

Rambaldi starts walking around the desk. "Yes, but do you feel that you the only one that feels cheated because of your actions? Or do you feel any sort of remorse for the others you left in your wake?"

"Why do you think I'm in this house, Milo?"

"Is that all? Yes, Emily Sloane was a tragic loss in your conquest. But what about Sydney's fiance? What about Marcus Dixon's wife? What of Nadia? What of her unborn child..."

"ENOUGH!"

Rambaldi smirks. "Even you feel some weight from the trail of dead you left behind. Didn't you say after Nadia died that 'sometimes, death is necessary'? No matter, actions speak louder than words. But the sad fact remains that you were never the light of anyone's life, you only marred everything you touched."

"Is this what you're here for, Milo? To give me a lecture? To make me feel some sort of sorrow for pursuing your prophecy? What about you? You said you knew of my exploits 500 years before they happened. Don't you feel remorse for what you created?"

Rambaldi frowns. "Every day, I feel remorse over what I did, especially what I did to Tom and Nadia. I have made it my life's goal from here on out to make sure they're taken care of. But by the time I realized what I had done, too much had been set in motion. Documents and artifacts were sent to far reaches of the world and irretrievable. That's why I created the Ultimate Prophecy. I knew then I couldn't stop what I had created...and I knew then I had to stop you."

"Then? Are you saying you're here to stop me now?" Sloane then looks behind at the duffel bag that Rambaldi has set on the desk. "Is your weapon of choice in that bag?"

Rambaldi stretches out his arms to his side. "I am unarmed. I do not need to bring a weapon to kill you."

Sloane draws his gun and points it at Rambaldi. "Then you are a bigger fool that I could have imagined."

Rambaldi lowers his arms and clasps his hands casually at his waist. "I have lied. I cannot say that I hated every man I met in Tuscany. There was a writer that I met when I was alive. I forget his name, and he never published anything memorable, but I have never forgotten what he once told me about the art of writing. He told me that every story needs a fool." Rambaldi then smiles. "Who do you think was the fool in the story I created?"

Sloane doesn't need to answer that. He knows that comment was directed at him. But still, he can't help but be offended. "I'm the fool?"

At this moment, Rambaldi closes his eyes and starts moving his lips like he's making a silent incantation.

"What are you doing?"

Rambaldi doesn't respond, continuing with his incantation.

Sloane continues anyway. "You are wrong if you think I was the fool. What about Irina Derevko? She spent her whole life pursuing something that she couldn't even take advantage of! And what about Nadia? That fool thought she had the right to tell me how I could live my life! She and her daughter deserved what happened to them! And Danny? Sydney's fiancee? He just didn't know how to keep his mouth shut! And Dixon's wife...maybe that one was a bit harsh, but Marcus killed my wife! How do you think I felt?"

Rambaldi pauses his incantation for a moment. "And you killed Tom's. How do you think he felt?" Rambaldi then resumes his incantation.

"And I only didn't get away with it because I was nothing but bait for you!" Sloane cocks the hammer of his pistol. "I have no idea what you hoped to accomplish here, but for once, it would seem you are not in control of destiny. Farewell, Milo."

Sloane pulls the trigger. The sound of the gun going off is heard...just a split second before everything suddenly screeches to a halt.

A bird flying by the window behind Rambaldi is frozen in mid-flight. Trees are frozen in mid-sway from the wind. A fly that was buzzing near Sloane's ear has stopped in mid-air.

Time has stopped.

Rambaldi has stopped his incantation. He opens his eyes. He sees the beginnings of smoke beginning to emerge from Sloane's pistol, but no bullet that he can see so far. This is a good sign to him.

Rambaldi slowly walks up to a frozen Sloane. "When Nadia died, I tasked Laurent L'Andre with finding her unborn child. It took some time, but Maria Falk was eventually found, but she was so little and frail in her amniotic sac. Laurent carefully recovered her and brought her to me. When I got a hold of her, I was able to manipulate time to advance Maria's life about four months to the point where she was born right before my eyes, like it was supposed to be. Time stayed normal except for the bubble I created for her. Since coming here, I have become more powerful than I was when I was alive. In addition to having visions of the future, I know how to manipulate time, whether it's for one person's appearance or the very act of stopping the clock for everyone. I do not know why I have this power, only that I do have it."

Rambaldi turns and looks outside. "Right now, the world is on pause. When I resume time, the world will not know what happened. They will not sense that time stopped." Rambaldi then turns back to Sloane. "That includes you."

Rambaldi takes a couple steps closer to Sloane. "When I told Tom and Nadia what I was coming here to do, they didn't make the connection that I would manipulate time to stop you. Those two, who received the biggest benefit of time manipulation that I've given to anyone so far, couldn't make the connection. Why is that? It's not that they're dense or unintelligent. Quite the contrary, actually. But they've seen I've been able to heal scars and take years off of a person's life. And to give parents the child they lost...there is no greater gift that can be given in my eyes." Rambaldi takes a couple more steps to Sloane. "Now, this next part is important. I want you to remember this in Hell. And I know you'll remember it because I've had full conversations with Laurent and Alec in frozen time and they've remembered every word I said coming out of the time freeze."

Rambaldi wipes away some smoke from the gun and pulls out a flashlight. He shines the light into the barrel of the gun and sees the bullet about a half inch from reaching the mouth of the barrel. Rambaldi looks satisfied as he puts the flashlight back in his robe pocket. "Do you know what the best application of power is?"

Rambaldi looks up at Sloane's frozen face and lets out a quick chuckle. "Of course you don't! Your application of power was to rule with an iron fist and let those around you fear you. That, my fool, is not power. Power is having power, but not showing it until the most opportune moments like I'm doing now. And that is why Tom and Nadia didn't know what I was about to do here."

Rambaldi puts a kind hand on Sloane's shoulder. "I could have stopped all of you the moment you crossed the portal. I knew what was happening and I knew what was going to happen. I foresaw every bit of it. I could have gone to the portal, froze time like I did now, and had Il Credo Divino butcher each and every one of you. But I didn't do that. That's because it was not the best solution at the time."

Rambaldi then turns away and starts pacing. "Could I have done more to end my prophecy before the 90s and 2000s? Perhaps. But that was not the best solution, either. No, I believe that humans are capable of wonderful things when they are left to solve their own problems. Struggle formed and tightened the bond that Tom and Nadia have. Struggle tightened the bond that Jack had with Sydney, that Sydney has with Michael Vaughn. As tragic as Tom and Nadia's story was, their story was also one that created one of the tightest bonds of love two people can have for one another. Even now! This struggle drove Tom and Nadia away from each other for a short spell, but now, they're back to being as close as they were. But they're not the only ones that have benefited from me taking a back seat to all of this. Mary Falk has tightened her bond with her husband Thomas. Tom's brother Eddie, after years of wallowing in self-pity and cynicism, fell in love with Julieta Romero, a kind soul whose experiences with men were dubious at best. Emilio Ortega, whose head was cracked open like a coconut when he was so very young, has found a father figure he can trust and a family that has taken him in as one of their own. Owen Schroeder, the leader of a peaceful Irish group who has lived in Elysium in fear for falling for the fairer sex, well, I think something very good will happen with him and your daughter...your REAL daughter, excuse me. I wouldn't want you to be confused over who is or isn't your daughter again. But I believe Owen and Jacqueline fancy each other quite a bit."

Rambaldi pauses to see if Sloane would react, but of course he wouldn't since time is frozen. "Tom also exercised his demons by eliminating the Lobos Rabiosos cartel again, Nadia got rid of her demon by killing Elena yesterday, and Irina..." Rambaldi then laughs a little. "I am perhaps most proud of this development of them all. I watched Irina the most out of all of my players in my prophecy. Her life was one giant internal conflict...over Jack, over Sydney, over Nadia, over the ones she loved and deeply cared about. Even the cagiest of people can't hide their emotions over the ones they care about the most for very long. I saw the conflict in her eyes around all three of them, I heard it in her voice. Mary, in their time together before Irina's death, merely confirmed what I had learned about her. And by allowing humans to solve their own problems, I allowed Irina to solve her problem of trust. She now has the love and respect of Nadia, and as of this morning, Irina has won the stone heart of Jack once again. What kind of man would I be if I had just, with one singular act, wiped everything away? Everyone that I just told you about would still be meandering through their postlives, Irina wouldn't have her much deserved redemption, and I would not have contact with Hell once again. Contact with Hell does have its advantages, particularly with a venture that I plan on starting after I'm done with you."

Rambaldi looks to Sloane's left, where a prized painting hangs on the wall. "Excuse me for a moment." Rambaldi turns around and opens up his duffel bag. He reaches in and pulls out a large blue tarp, a clear tarp, and some duct tape. With items in hand, he turns back and starts walking to Sloane's left side. "What kind of cruel man would I be if I can't clean up after my own messes? And there is no ring of Hell that would accept a man that would be as cruel as to destroy fine art like this."

Rambaldi, with the aid of a chair, tapes the blue tarp to cover the picture. He gets off the chair and lays the clear tarp next to Sloane's feet. All the while, he's going about this very meticulously. He's not rushed, he's not nervous, and he's not clumsy. He's just, well, being his usual calm and downright odd self.

Rambaldi, when he's done, returns to stand face to face with Sloane. "I'm afraid this is where we must part ways. I want to thank you for being my fool. You played your part well, but you've overstayed your welcome. I only hope you take away some important lessons from what I'm saying to you. There's two that I want you in particular to take away. One: Just like in life, you will have managed to bury yourself with your actions."

Rambaldi stops. He steps back, grabs Sloane's outstretched right arm, and bends it inwards at the elbow. He continues pulling back on the arm and shaping it until he has it where he wants it. Rambaldi finishes and steps back.

Arvin Sloane is now pointing his own gun at his own right temple.

Rambaldi's smile disappears. In his face now shows an angry scowl. "And the second lesson is simple."

Rambaldi steps nose to nose with Sloane. He takes a couple deep breaths, letting his distaste for Sloane swell up in him, letting the faces of those he hurt rush through his mind.

In a deep whisper, Rambaldi says "I'm better than you."

He takes a couple more breaths to let that sink in, but his haunting scowl remains on his face. "If you learn nothing else from all of what I'm telling you, I want this simple, basic fact to gnaw at you while you suffer. In fact, I want it to be your biggest source of suffering besides whatever pain you may experience. I want you to know, most of all, that I'm better than you. You idolized me, but you never could be me. For one, you lack my powers. But you also lack my humility. That last part is why I'm better than you."

Rambaldi turns his back to Sloane and calmly takes a couple steps forward. He relaxes as lets out a tense breath, then reaches in his robe pocket and pulls out two ear plugs. Before he plugs his ears, he says "And let your pain start now."

Rambaldi plugs his ears. He closes his eyes and moves his lips again.

POW! THUD!

Rambaldi opens his eyes again and casually takes out his ear plugs, his hands having never left his ears. He looks outside and sees the birds chirping again. Time has resumed in the world.

But he doesn't turn around right away. That's because he has no desire to see Arvin Sloane's dead body behind him. He has no desire to see the gaping holes that are now in Arvin Sloane's head, pouring out blood from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

A yell is heard from down stairs. "ARVIN!"

It's Emily's voice. She thinks he's shot Rambaldi. Rambaldi goes to say something...but stops. Suddenly, he feels like a hypocrite after the speech he just gave Sloane about humans discovering things on their own. So, he says nothing and just stares off into space patiently, his brown eyes looking forward like daggers.

Finally, he turns around when he hears the sound of weight being taken off a tarp. He sees Sloane's blood has been 100% contained to the tarps, with no sight of Sloane anywhere. He smiles over that. He will be able to clean up his own mess, with no trace of Sloane left for Emily and Jacqueline.

Rambaldi knees over and starts folding the plastic tarp. Just as he finishes, he hears Emily and Jacqueline running up the stairs. He stands up to his feet and taking down the blue tarp as Emily and Jacqueline run into the room.

They both see the folded clear tarp on the ground, which is red from Sloane's blood being folded into it. They see the gun that's on the ground next to it, and they see Rambaldi taking down the blue tarp, which has a few blood splatters on it. A nervous Emily asks "What happened? I could have sworn he was going to shoot you!"

Rambaldi pulls the last part of the tarp off the wall. "He only thought he was."

Jacqueline puts the pieces together and gasps. "He shot himself?"

Rambaldi starts folding the blue tarp. "He killed himself here like he did in real life. His murder of Nadia Falk and Maria Falk was his undoing in life, and his actions starting from the second he crossed the portal was his undoing here."

Jacqueline shakes his head. "My dad wasn't suicidal!"

"Suicide has more forms than the intentional act of killing one self. Taking actions that come with no ethical or moral backing and the wonton destruction of everyone he loved around him...that is a different kind of suicide. It's a suicide of the soul. And no world or realm except for Hell has room for the soulless."

Emily takes a few deep breaths. "So, he's not coming back? This is it?"

Rambaldi nods as he finishes folding the blue tarp. He picks up the clear tarp and says "I will confirm that with the Elysian Ambassador of Hell here momentarily, but if the Ambassador's angry demeanor has anything to say about it, I think Sloane, Elena Derevko, and everyone else that crossed the portal will have an even more unpleasant stay in Hell than they had before, and that includes being put in a place you can't get out of. You're safe now."

Relieved tears fill both mother and daughter's eyes. Jacqueline reaches over and hugs Emily. With her voice broken over emotions, she says "It's all over, Mom. He won't hurt you ever again."

Emily hugs Jacqueline back and squeezes her tightly. "He won't hurt US ever again!" Emily then looks over at Rambaldi, who's picking up Sloane's gun. "Thank you, Milo."

Rambaldi looks back at Emily and cordially nods his head. "I live to serve. If you ever are in need of anything from me, you can find me at my villa in Vecchiano or you can call me. I will leave my card on the desk for you. I feel regret that I have not extended you two the same courtesy that I'm extending the Falks and Bristows. Forgive my oversight."

Emily shakes her head quickly. "I never sought you out because I didn't want any reminders of the man I shared my life with. I just want to live a peaceful life with my daughter from here on out. Nothing more."

Jacqueline hangs her head. "I hope this doesn't mean Owen's not going to call me now."

Rambaldi laughs as he walks over to the desk and puts the tarp and gun in the duffel bag. "Quite the contrary, Jacqueline. In about two hours, you'll be getting a call from him."

A hopeful, but skeptical Jacqueline asks "How do you know that?"

Rambaldi zips up the duffel bag and turns to Jacqueline with a confident smile. "Because I just know these things."

Santa Barbara, California (Earth)

Much like Tom and Nadia Falk, Michael and Sydney Vaughn have a house on the beach. The four of them would be the first to tell you that, with what they went through in their CIA careers and personal lives, living on a beach is a well earned reward.

Michael is at work and the kids are inside with their nanny. Sydney would normally be working today, but after a small fire broke out in her office building, she got the rest of the day off, and she's enjoying it by reading a book on her beach chair, with an umbrella above her to shield her from the sun.

Suddenly, she hears a pair of quick bird whistles in her ear, followed by a "Hey Syd."

Sydney's eyes raise quickly. It still surprises her when someone from Elysium drops in on her, especially when she's not expecting it. Today, she's not expecting it. Her weekly chat with Nadia isn't for another couple days.

Sydney flops the book on her lap and asks "Tom, is that you?"

Tom replies "Yeah, how's it going?"

Sydney warily replies "Good...is this a casual visit?"

After a pause, Tom replies "No. Nadia's not going to be able to chat with you for a couple weeks."

A worried Sydney asks "Why? What happened?"

"She got a little banged up and messed her shoulder up. She'll be fine in two weeks, but it's generally not a good idea to teleport with injuries like that."

"Oh, well, tell her I hope she gets better."

"Absolutely, she'll be glad to hear that. But that's not why I'm here. It's about Irina Derevko."

Sydney shifts uncomfortably in her chair and her worry grows. She grimly asks "What about her?"

"Irina bailed out Nadia in a massive way earlier today. She took one for the team in the process."

Sydney quickly sits forward from her previously reclining position. "WHAT?"

"Irina got choked out, but she's alright. In fact, she's better than alright. She's earned our trust...including your father's."

Sydney lets out a relieved breath, but still has a look of disbelief. "My mother was honest with you guys."

"She's earned a permanent stay in Elysium. But I think all of us would feel it'd be best if Irina herself could tell you what happened and just who she is now. In fact, she's asked to have a one on one with you. I hate to leave you stewing like this, but in two weeks, when Nadia's healed up, would you talk to Irina? I think we'd both agree that it'd be best if Nadia escorted her."

Sydney pauses for a moment and thinks about all the moments she had with her mother. Sydney always suspected that something just was not right about the way Irina acted around her, but from what she's been hearing, maybe the way she acted around her WAS genuine, and her criminal life was an act of survival. Still in somewhat disbelief, she mutters "You really do believe that she's changed."

"I believe her soul has been liberated. I wouldn't come to you with this if I didn't believe Irina was legit."

Sydney nods. Tom's an extremely loyal man who wouldn't lead her astray, but he's also a man who generally had good judgment on who to trust, with his lone exception being Mitch Hayes. Sydney's been burned before in partnerships where trust was an issue, but if Tom's signing off on this, then that helps her tremendously. "Ok, let's do the third Sunday from now. That's about two weeks and a half. That'll give Nadia time to heal and me...to prepare mentally for this."

"Ok, I'll let her know. Oh, do you still talk to Marshall Flinkmann?"

Sydney lets out a surprised laugh. That question came out of left field for her. "Yeah, we talk every now and then. Why?"

"My brother has a technical question and Marshall's the biggest geek I know. Eddie's here right now, actually. Would it be too much to ask for you to give Marshall a call? I'll guide you through the questions."

Sydney laughs again. "Oh geez...fine, I'll grab the cell phone."

Siberian forest (Elysium)

"Gentlemen! I am proud to introduce..."

Alec snaps "ALRIGHT! WE GET IT!" Alec sarcastically continues "The awe inspiring Mammon is here!"

Rambaldi and Laurent both give him curious looks. Usually, Alec's bottled up and cold in these instances, but it seems like he's got some of his spunk back. Perhaps Irina did liberate him spiritually after all.

The guard meekly says "I'm just doing what my master..."

From behind him, Mammon steps through the portal, looking as imposing as ever. "I never have asked for such a thing. You thought it would be a good idea."

The guard turns to Mammon fearfully. "But sir..."

Mammon steps aside and motions to the the portal. "That will be all, Vlad."

Vlad, the precocious guard, humbly walks back through the portal.

Mammon turns back to Rambaldi, notices Laurent and Alec flanked behind him, and at the 20 assassins behind them. "It will be a great day when I step across this portal and I no longer have to see all of you here."

Rambaldi shakes his head. "There will be two guards here at all times."

"You do not trust me by now?"

"I only wish to match your trust in us. You keep two guards on the other side at all times as well, I'm told."

Mammon chuckles and gruffly says "You're very observant." Mammon then gets serious again. "So, you have news for me?"

"I am here to conclude our deal."

Mammon's eyes light up in delightful surprise. "You took care of Arvin Sloane?"

Rambaldi cordially nods. "He has been dealt with. You can confirm with Purgatory."

"I think I'll just do that." Mammon pulls out his two way radio.

As he does, Rambaldi turns to Laurent. He doesn't say anything, but gives him a subtle headnod.

Laurent cordially nods and disappears.

Before Mammon can talk into his walkie, he gives Rambaldi a curious look. "What is that about?"

In his usual almost-eerie calm, Rambaldi replies "A matter less important than what you're about to do."

Mammon gives Rambaldi a curious eye. If he didn't know any better, he'd guess Rambaldi was a serial killer. After all, only serial killers are as calm as Rambaldi constantly is.

Mammon brings the radio to his mouth. "Purgatory Central Command, this is Mammon. Checking on the arrival of Arvin Sloane."

A few seconds pass. Finally, the walkie chimes. "Roger, Mammon. Mr. Sloane is here and in a very foul mood. Shall I send him up?"

Mammon pauses as he gives Rambaldi a curious eye. He then asks in his walkie "Tell me...how did he arrive?"

"Checking now." After a few seconds, the guy on the other end of the walkie says "This is...shocking. Self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head."

Mammon gives Rambaldi a disturbed look. He then goes back to the walkie and says "Send him up. Over." Mammon then lets his arm hang with his radio in it. He addresses Rambaldi, who hasn't flinched. "Arvin Sloane was not suicidal...even in his 5 years on ice, he never showed any signs of wanting to die."

Rambaldi pauses, then says "Let's just say that I have certain powers."

Mammon looks away and lets out a sarcastic chuckle. "You're just full of surprises."

"That is why Arvin is dead and we are concluding our deal." Rambaldi then quickly changes the subject. "Is she ready?"

Before Mammon answers, Laurent re-appears with Paris of Troy. Paris takes a moment to looks at his surroundings. The portal, Mammon, the assassins...he knows where he is. "Why am I here?"

Mammon noticeably sighs. "Because I have something of yours." He then turns around to the guards on the other side of the portal. "Bring Helen of Troy here."

The guard nods and runs off to his left.

In the meantime, Paris starts visibly shaking. A couple tears fall down his face as he lets out a relieved gasp. He's ignoring the fact that Laurent is digging his nails a little into his arm.

Rambaldi turns back to Paris. "Look at me." Paris does as instructed. "Do you know why I asked Helen to be a part of our barter agreement?"

Paris shakes his head. "I don't deserve her after what I did to you."

"That's your opinion. Your actions were no more desperate than the ones that Tom Falk took many times with Nadia. I'd be a hypocrite if I condemned you for those actions, as Tom's desperation was a key part of my prophecy. You may have thought you were at your wits end, but I concede that you actually put me in a moral checkmate."

Paris looks down at the ground. "I don't know what to say..."

"'Thank you' would be a start."

"Thank you, Milo. I am forever in your debt for this. I will do anything you ask of me from here on out, as long as I get to keep Helen in my life."

Rambaldi pauses as a frown forms on his face. "That said, your actions did cause grief to innocent people. The only thing I need from you is to never have any contact with the Elysian Council ever again, including myself. You also will cause no harm to no one else. Slip up, and I ensure you are sent to the colorless, tasteless world of Purgatory."

Mammon then chimes in "And he will stay in Purgatory forever."

Rambaldi turns to Mammon and gives him a curious look. "Why would you do that?"

"Because a part of the reason I'm giving up Helen is she's become more trouble than she's worth. If Paris is anything like her, I'd rather just not deal with him."

Rambaldi turns to Paris. "Most would say Purgatory is worse than Hell. So you know what you face if you draw my ire again."

Paris nods. "Now that I have Helen again, I will do nothing that could jeopardize my existence here. You have my word."

Rambaldi smirks, as if he knows the answer to that already. "I believe you."

Mammon then says "She is here."

Everyone looks forward to see a ragged-looking Helen cautiously stepping through the portal. She looks as beat up as she was when she and Paris conspired to bring Sloane and Co. across the portal. Hair all matted, face cut up with both fresh and old scars, and just generally looking disheveled. She sees Paris and gives him a relieved smile. But that smile disappears when she locks eyes with Mammon.

Mammon eyes her with a menacing look, but doesn't say anything. Apparently, Helen has pissed him off, probably over the caper that she helped start with Paris.

Once Helen walks by Mammon, Paris rips his arm away from Laurent's grip and starts jogging up to Helen. Laurent lets out an offended "Hey!"

Rambaldi turns to Laurent and says "Let him be. He won't bother us anymore."

Laurent lets out a sigh. "I still hate that man."

"He's immaterial to us now."

Paris and Helen couldn't care less that Rambaldi and Laurent are talking about them, because right now, they're hugging like they've never hugged each other before. Even though it's hurting Helen a little, she doesn't mind at all. After all, it's been thousands of years since she's been truly free, save for her surprise trip to Elysium to set up the invasion that Rambaldi just cleaned up.

Rambaldi slowly walks up to the hugging couple. "Helen."

Helen lets go of Paris and says "Yes?"

"Do you have any broken bones?"

Helen quickly and timidly shakes her head. "N...no."

Paris points out "She has some previous injuries that have calcified."

Rambaldi nods, then looks at Helen with a small smile on his face. "Would you like to be restored to your former glory?"

Helen timidly nods. "Yes, but I don't know how that is possible."

Rambaldi flatly says "I'm capable of more than you think. I know photography wasn't around in your time, but can you recall an image of yourself looking in a mirror?"

Helen pauses, then smiles with her cracked lips. "Yes...but it's sort of faint."

Rambaldi then places his hands on the sides of Helen's head. "No matter. Just hold that image in your mind."

Everyone else watches in amazement as Rambaldi closes his eyes and starts to move his lips like he's performing an incantation, much like he did when he stopped time to have Sloane kill himself earlier.

Suddenly, Helen's body glows so bright, you can't make out any physical features of her. The light her body exudes is so bright, it's blinding everyone around her, except for Rambaldi, who has his eyes closed tightly.

Rambaldi then lets go and stops the incantation. The light that Helen is beaming out disappears, and in its place stands the beautiful and fair woman who once launched a thousand ships in her name. Her blonde hair is radiant and flowing, her body shapely and vigorous, her smile beautiful enough to warm even the coldest heart.

Helen examines herself and, despite still wearing what could generously be called rags on her body, starts laughing when she sees herself beautiful again. In addition to looking like a new woman, she feels like a new woman, too.

Paris laughs too as more tears fall down her face. He lightly grabs Helen's cheeks with his fingers and smiles wider at the smoothness of Helen's skin. "I told you you would be beautiful again, my love."

Helen reaches up and grabs Paris's wrists, then leans in and gives Paris a tender kiss on the lips.

That's enough to get a loud groan from Mammon.

It's also enough for Paris to suddenly get inspiration and teleport away with Helen without any goodbyes. It draws a chuckle from Rambaldi.

Mammon gruffly says "That bitch didn't even say thanks."

Rambaldi turns back to Mammon. "I have little doubt that Helen is grateful for what I've done. Besides, it's hard to talk when you're kissing someone."

Mammon examines Rambaldi some more. "What else do you have up your sleeve? It is obvious to me now that you are some sort of God here."

Rambaldi shakes his head quickly. "My powers have limits. Besides, I cannot be God. God lets his people solve their own problems and hides, but sometimes, I believe you need to serve and give the people you serve a little nudge at times. After all..." Rambaldi turns to Laurent and Alec, who obediently remain behind him. "What is Il Credo Divino's motto again?"

Laurent and Alec both say in unison "Suppress Oppression and Promote Progress."

Rambaldi nods and turns back to Mammon. "There you have it. Now, our deal is concluded, but there is another matter that we need to take care of. I made a request before we parted ways the last time. Have you come through?"

Mammon nods as he reaches inside his silk robe and pulls out a rolled up stack of papers. "You wanted these."

Rambaldi walks up and takes the papers from Mammon when they're offered to him.

Mammon asks "Are you sure you want to do all that?"

Rambaldi unrolls the papers and starts thumbing through the pages, which are many. His eyes go wide. "This is more than I thought!"

"Indeed. Are you still up to it?"

Rambaldi then turns to Laurent and Alec with a wide closed grin. "Hunting season is back in session."

It's enough to cause both Laurent and Alec to flash big toothy smiles.

END OF CHAPTER

Author note: Ok, I lied. One more chapter.