Tales from th lost city

[grdybiwife]

"How am I supposed to know that," Lem said with a shrug as she cleaned the goop off her blade and slid it back into the sheath at her back. Her lips still curled a little at Edward's compliments but she tried her best to keep her mind clear of him. They had more important things to deal with and she had the patience of an immortal.

It didn't work, Lem reached out and pushed a few strands of his hair back, then wiped a bit of blood off his earlobe. Against her better judgement she gave her thumb a lick and spat out the acrid taste on her tongue.

"I told you not to eat that," Don said with a smirk as he hit the button on his com. He had a vague notion of where to find them. That hot little sorceress smelled vaguely like sazon and meduros, her accent had the sing songy latin flare he only heard from the Caribbean Spanish speaking peoples who lived uptown.

It only took him a moment to figure the thing out and about a minute more to figure out Jackie's location. "In Spanish Harlem...109th and Lexington..."

"And you taffata, must drive," Lem said to Edward, then leaned in close to him and whispered, "The faster we get there, the faster you can get me home." Then ran her teeth along the bruise she raised during their last tryst.

Don shook his head at that. Nicky might have been right about Edward being better suited for a woman like Lem. There was no way he could have been turned on after what they'd just been through. He had to admit, she did look hot with those blades flailing around but still there was no reaction in his pants

 

[Othermoose]

Quinn spent most of the battle covering the rest of the team. He was better suited at keeping the zombies off of the others than fighting monsters anyways. After all the enemies had been dispatched Quinn joined the others, just as Don mentioned Spanish Harlem. "Road trip!" Quinn shouted as the group walked to one of the SUVs. "So why are we going to Spanish Harlem. Also who was the glowy chick. And last question: where's Nicky? Actually I lied, that wasn't my last question. How do you know Nicky, tattoos?" Quinn asked getting into the back of the SUV.

 

[silvertongue217]

“Even I could have told you that was a bad idea” Edward said shaking his head and watching her tasting the creatures blood “who know what’s in that” He remarked pushing his bullet proof vest off and shrugging his shoulders.

“Can you boys finish up?” He asked looking over at the rest of his agents and cocking his head “I’ve got a downed agent to check on!”

They nodded their affirmatives and Edward moved brining Don and Lem to the door. Elaine surprisingly followed humming to her self as her robes changed to a pair of short shorts a tight top and cowgirl boots.

“You know your probably not invited” Edward said looking over at her “Beside isn’t the boss looking for you?”

“Oh Daina can wait” She said laughing even though her eyes showed concern “I need to check on my pupil see if he needs any thing”

“Uh pretty sure he isn’t going to want your help” Edward said snorting and looking over at Quinn “you coming with?” He asked “Or going back to the hide out”

 

[Othermoose]

"No, but I am breathing fast." Quinn laughed. "See? Because he asked if I'm comming?" Quinn continued to laugh. He followed the group still chuckling at his joke. He watched as Elaine's robes transformed into a small top and a pair of short shorts. Quinn gave a wolf whistle to the woman. "You don't look half bad in normal clothes, robes." Quinn said as the group made their way to the SUVs parked outside of the station. "So where are we going and who am I sitting next to?" Quinn asked the others, not wanting to go back to the base. "One of your guys will get my bike, right bossman?" Quinn asked as he tugged on the locked door of an SUV.

 

[grdybiwife]

"With me kid," Don said as he yanked Quinn to him in a rough head lock. "I don't want her anywhere near me. Don't let the robes fool you, she'll have you naked and bound before you can blink." Lem laughed at that as she climbed into the front seat beside Edward and popped a few of those tabs he gave her to satisfy her hunger and nearly gagged.

"You're right these things are awful," she told him with a cough but it did the trick and she felt herself calming a little. She leaned back in her seat and put her feet up on the dashboard as Edward started the car, listening to Don tell of his association with Nicky.

"I known her about a year or so," he said as he pulled off his bloody t-shirt and tossed it into the back seat, "unintentionally" at Elaine. He was still wearing his tank top though but it did very little to hide the mass of muscle he carried around. "I helped her out of a sketchy situation, granted she didn't really need it but she was still grateful. She's a good kid so I look out for her as best I can and she keeps me from losing my shit. No big deal."

"I beg to differ," Lem said with a glance at Don. There was no bravado in the way he spoke of the little seer and it was endearing. Just one more thing to intrigue her. "So you don't try to bone anything with tits."

"Ehh tits are optional," he said with a playful wink at Quinn.

"Good to know," Lem said with a chuckle and turned her attention back to Edward. "He's full of surprises that one.

 

[silvertongue217]

“I’m trying to wrap my head around the fact he said tits were optional” Edward said leaning into her and winking before griping the steering wheel and turning down the block.

“I mean I love your tits” He said winking at her before looking over at Don “So if tits are optional do you take men to Don?” He said his smile trying to be teasing. He decided to give the man an olive branch of sorts both because of his capabilities and because Lem seemed to like him in a friendly sort of way.

“I for one love a good pair of tits” Elaine purred glancing down at hr own chest “Diana has-“

“Stop!” Edward said shaking his head “I don’t need to hear that”

“Suit your self” Elaine purred looking over at Don “You are a nice hunk of man oh the things I could do to you” she said before giving a soft giggle.

 

[grdybiwife]

"That's the first thing she's said that I've agreed with," Lem mumbled with a snort, not wanting the wizard to hear and think that might be an invitation of sorts.

"I take who I want Eddie my boy. The way I figure it, while keep my gifts from the masses," Don said with a conspicuous tug at his crotch before he glanced back at Elaine. "But you, I want no parts of," he said with a sneer. "Don't get me wrong I love a woman with power but I hate a snotty entitled bitch."

"I could be wrong but would it be right for me to say burn after that," Lem whispered to Edward as she lean over the center console, her lips on his ear. She didn't need to whisper but she wanted to be closer to him, to smell him. She would have rode in his lap if she thought he was capable of driving.

 

[silvertongue217]

Edward laughed a deep rumbling sound that caused the endorphins to come out in his sweat. He put a hand on her thigh and gave it a slight squeeze before finally answering her.

“I believe it is” Edward said laughing and looking over at Elaine “You sure you want to come? No offense Ma’am but I doubt he reception at the house is going to be any warmer”

“I’m fine” Elaine said snorting “I am above such pettiness”

“If you say so lady” He said rolling his eyes and looking over at Don “I agree with you on the snotty bitch part though I like some one a little more dark for my taste” He said glancing over at Lem and winking.

 

[Othermoose]

Quinn was, for probably the first time in his life, speechless. After a moment he regained his tongue. "So before you guys start your orgy, let me out. You guys are all either too old or too male for my tastes." Quinn said scooting away from Don. "I mean age might not be that big of a deal, but I'm not into being tied down. Or having my blood sucked." Quinn said, playing with the strap of his backpack. He really wanted to pick Don's brain and learn more about Nicky, but he just couldn't think of a good way to do it. "So to pull the subject away from our collective dicks, what's going to happen with the crazy scientist dude? Do you think he's got more freaks, no offense muscles, running around the city?" Quinn asked, hoping not to have to fight for at least another week.

 

[grdybiwife]

"Well it seems we've offended the little thief," Lem said with a smirk as leaned her head on Edward's shoulder and chuckled a little. "But there is no need for you to be concerned for your blood. I would happily drink a quart of dead before I sampled the vileness that no doubt courses through your veins," she added, all the while dragging her nails along Edward's hand on her lap.

"Damn dude she said she'd rather kill herself that fuck with you...that's harsh. I don't know what you did but she is not one whose shit list I want to be on," Don said with a smirk as he jostled Quinn's shoulders. "You don't have to worry about me either. You're not tall enough to ride this ride. And I doubt Edward wants to share, no matter how nicely I ask...Fuck Lem I was only kidding," Don shouted barely dodging one of her throwing knives as it somersaulted towards his shoulder.

"And that's why I didn't aim for your throat. Mind your mouth halfling," was Lem's warning as she reached back to yank the blade from the seat between Quinn and Don. "Next time it's the garrote and I would not miss with that."

 

[silvertongue217]

“We should do this more often” Elaine quipped laughing “I’ve forgotten how amusing others can be the college is to… Stuffy for my taste”

“If you say so lady” Edward said watching as Lem pulled out her dagger “I don’t think your invited to this club though” He said glancing at the others as he pulled into the place Don mentioned.

“Hope Jackie is okay” Edward said his ton growing somber “I like the man and I would hate to lose one of our own on this day” He said looking at the building and getting out before walking ovr and opening Lem’s door for her.


Meanwhile upstairs

“Fuck my head” Jackie growled groaning and pinching the bridge of his nose “any one get the number of that bloody train” He said opening his eyes and expecting his team to be there waiting.

Instead he got Laz

“What the-“ He said before narrowing his eyes “Where is every one else he said cooly” Getting up an wincing at his sore muscles “Did you take me back to HQ or is this your place?” He said looking around and noticing it was hers. He was about to snap at her to take him home when he noticed a picture of the two of them taken right before they were “supposed” to graduate.

“You have that?” He said his eyes widening in surprise before he turned to her “why?” He asked narrowing his eyes “to remember what you did to me?”

 

[grdybiwife]

"You ungrateful self righteous asshole..." Laz began and the entire building began to tremble. So deep in her feelings she didn't realize it until Nicky got to her feet, shouting her name. It sounded far off, deep in her mind but she couldn't ignore it and eventually she settled down, her booted feet back on the carpet.

"I think we should take a minute and few deep, purposeful breaths before things get out of control," Nicky suggested in a quiet voice as she pulled a joint out of her hoodie pocket. "You don't mind do you," She asked and Laz lit the end with a snap without taking her fiery glare off Jackie. Nicky took a couple tokes and passed it off to Laz. "You guys keep that one. I'll just go in the other room so you guys can sort out...whatever it is that you got going on. And let's try and keep the magic out of it."

Laz stood there seething, the joint smoldering between her fingers a moment before she folded her legs beneath her to hover a few feet above the carpet. She started to speak but took a hit instead, then another, and another before she finally dropped her eyes.

"You know what I did... What happened to your... I never thought... "Another toke and then came the tears. " You have no fucking idea how much that day haunts me, how awful I feel about what I did to him. Then all those things you said to me... But you know what that whole thing taught me a few things. Trust my own judgement because that's all that matters. I have more power in my right hand than that entire shit hole of faculty. And lastly, " She said as she slipped off her boots and rolled up her sleeves to reveal the jagged scars on her forearms and ankle. "I'm diametrically opposed to death. My Pops says it's because I'm not done but I don't think I'll be testing that theory out again. So I guess what I'm saying is I don't give a shit what you think of me Jackie Boy because nothing could be worse than what I know about myself. Forgive me or don't, it's up to you, but you know deep down everything I did, everything that happened after wouldn't have if you didn't ask." With that Laz wiped her face and stood, the lit joint floated slowly towards Jackie as she put her feet down and headed down the hall to find Nicky.

"Hey short stack you old enough to drink," She shouted and the bathroom door crept open slowly. "Why are you in the can?"

"Ummm well I didn't feel right hanging out in your bedroom and I heard somewhere that the safest place to be in an earthquake is the bath tub."

"Yeah I'm sorry about that," Laz said with a smirk as she lead Nicky to the kitchen to grab a couple beers from the fridge.

Nicky shrugged as she took a sip. "So and him had a thing."

"Yeah something... She's got some fuckin nerve, " Laz growled and slammed her beer down on the counter. Her nostrils flared, eyes ablaze as she stalked to the door and flung it open. "Teach that fucking bitch to test me with her loose ass," She mumbled as a sheen of yellow developed around the doorway and spread down the hallway then disappeared inside the elevator. "I wonder if she still has that thing about rats."

***************************************************************​

"I've frankly had my fill of you for the day," Lem mumbled as she got out of the car and immediately slipped her arm around Edward.

"Here, here," Don agreed as he fell in behind the two. He hit a few buttons on his com and a hologram of the building sprouted from his wrist. "This thing is cool as fuck... Jackie's dot is on 8."I

 

[silvertongue217]

“The best tech around apparently” Edward murmured feeling Lem sliding her hand in and using his own to tug her close to him. He breathed her in not just her scent but her very essence as if he was a man dying of thirst. Even with an agent down he found himself eager to wrap things up and take Lem home to enjoy her in privacy.

“Well I am not going any where until I see if Jackie is safe” Elaine said stepping before them all and marching up to the door ignoring every one else as she tried the handle.

……………………………..

Jackie stayed quite during her rant and to his credit tried not to dismiss her or ignore her. He liked to think himself capable of admitting when he was wrong or at least giving a person the benefit of the doubt. He had carried this anger around for quite a while so long that he didn’t know if it was valid any more.

Was he in the wrong? Not so much with the college but with Laz? After all she did warn him…. She did do it for him even though she didn’t want to. Back then he was desperate desperate to heal and fix his brother and get him back a dangerous path that only destroyed him.

All of which she warned him about

He starred at her as she left feeling awkward did he just go in thee and act as if nothing happened? Was it water under the bridge? He doubted it was that simple. His eyes glanced at the picture again and he smiled at the memory and faced the reality of his feelings.

He missed her

He sighed and followed after her appearing in the kitchen “Can I have a beer?” He asked sitting down in the chair next to Laz and shooting her an awkward smile.

 

[grdybiwife]

Laz smirked a little as Jackie took a seat next to her. She sat forward and put her beer down in front of him, rubbing the base against the table top a few times before she slowly began to lift it. As it rose another bottle sprouted out from the bottom and she pushed it over towards Jackie.

Nicky watched the whole thing with slack jawed amazement, trying to decide if she was just really high or if she'd actually seen what she just saw. She didn't have long to think on it though, there a little nagging at the back of her neck that told her someone familiar was getting close. "Don's here," she announced and Laz smirked a little.

"And so is Elaine that dumb bitch...I can't believe she's still wants to try me after what I showed her before they gave me the boot," Laz said as she got up from the table, leaving her beer behind, and headed towards the door. "I want to see her face when she steps off that elevator."

As she opened the door, Alazne mumbled a few words and rubbed her hands together. A orb of amber light formed between them but unlike her protective shield it was opaque and waves of energy flowed around inside it. With a push the orb floated down the hall to collide with the elevator doors and exploded with a crack to become a iridescent sheen before the doors.

"Hey Nicky can you see that?"

"See what," the little seer asked as she came up behind Laz. All she saw was the hallway.

"Give it a minute," she said with a smirk as she sipped her beer.

*****************************************************​

Don rolled his eyes as he grabbed for the other door. "From what I saw early seems to me the further away from you he is the safer he might feel." Held the door open for the others, deliberately blocking Elaine's path. If she really wanted to get in, he was sure she could have but Don just wanted to further his point. Nobody was interested in her tagging along and he was sure the girl with the yellow eyes was going to have something to say about them bringing the wizard to her place. He just wanted to make it clear to anybody that might be watching that they were pretty much hostages in this situation.

Lem got to the elevator first and was surprised when it opened before her finger hit the call button. It smelled of sage but she didn't think much of it and made her way inside, pulling Edward along with her. Funny it stayed open just long enough for everyone to get in before it started up, but no one had pushed a button.

******************************************************​

"What am I looking for again," Nicky asked as she leaned on the other side of the door frame, her eyes only slightly bloodshot under heavy lids. But Laz didn't answer, just stood there with her jaws clenched eyeing the elevator. It dinged, the doors opened and Elaine came rushing out.

And disappeared.

"The rest of you are more than welcome. Jackie's fine," Laz said as she turned from the door, a look of utter delight on her face. But she stopped when she realized no one moved. "Come on, it's cool I swear. If I didn't want you here, you wouldn't have found us, no matter what kind of gadgets you have."

"She's cool...really." Nicky said and Don narrowed his eyes at her, but Lem was the first one out of the elevator.

"I don't know where you sent her but for that alone I am in your debt," she said as she came up to the woman and stuck out her hand. "Lem..."

"Yeah Pop told me all about you lady," Laz said with a wide smile as she accepted the offered hand. " 'She is not to be fucked with' were his exact words and he doesn't use that kind of language often. And your Donovan Vanderhugh, lab generated human/vampire hybrid. Edward Thorton, MPC agent extraodinaire...amongst other things. And Quentin Fuller, everybody's favorite wererat and you'll keep your hands were I can see them while you're in my place or you leave without them."

"I think I'm in love," Don muttered to himself as he made his way inside and flopped down on the sofa.

 

[Othermoose]

Quinn's nose twitched as they rode the elevator up. It smelled like sage and something else he surprisingly couldn't place. The doors slide open to reveal Jack, Nicky, and the glowing woman who Quinn didn't know waiting for them. Elaine confidently walked into the apartment before disappearing. After a tense moment everyone was assured that they wouldn't be sent off, so they all entered the apartment. The tattooed woman then began to tell everyone that she knew them, finishing with a command for Quinn to keep his hands where she could see them. "I'm hurt. You just met me and already assume that I'm a thief. That's the problem with people today, the just refuse to see the good in others." Quinn said in mock outrage as he subtly placed a bell he "borrowed" from the lobby onto the floor.

After he was free of anything he'd stolen from the building he walked over to Nicky. "Hey Nicky. It's good to see you again, it's been too long. How've you been?" Quinn asked her giving her a quick hug, before letting go and standing confidently in front of her. Quinn hoped she'd see the combat hardened badass that he felt like, instead of the dumb loudmouth kid he actually was.

 

[silvertongue217]

“You always were a fan of that trick” Jackie murmured shaking his head and picking up the beer. A small smile however graced his face and he took a measured sip as he watched the others piling in. He heard Laz laughing about whatever she did to Elaine and felt a momentary twinge of sympathy. No matter how he grew or distanced himself from the college he couldn’t help but see him self as her pupil some times and she did care about him even after all the bad blood between them.

His phone buzzed and he pulled it out as he rose to join the others he flipped it open sighing as he noticed the number

SHE SENT ME INTO A RAT’S NEST

“Laz” Jackie called coming in and smiling at the others “send her back to the college please” He said tapping the phone and handing it to her.

“Was every thing taken care of?” Jackie asked raising an eyebrow as he regarded Edward

“Yeah how you feeling?” Edward asked looking at him closely “last I remember you were getting blown up”

“Yeah about that” Jackie said turning over to Laz and looking at her “The last I checked your magic wasn’t that thorough how did you heal me so easily?” He asked sitting down on the couch next to her.

 

[grdybiwife]

Nicky was shocked when Quinn threw his arms around her. Aside from it being completely unexpected, she wasn't quite sure what to make of him anymore. He was taller than she remembered and a little harder around the edges. She smiled wide as he pulled back and hit her with his 100 mph barrage of questions. That hadn't changed.

"Well look who's mostly grown up," she said and reached to rough his hair a bit before she put her arm around his neck to pull him aside. "I don't know how you got into this Quinn but this isn't anything like when we were mixed up with the Ferry brothers. Whatever these people have going on is serious business...I might not be able to save you like before. I've seen inside her head," she said with a nod at Lem who sat on the edge of the sofa staring out the window while everyone talked around her. "Remember when Scar toyed with that mouse in Lion King...well that's what she's been doing with you. Please don't make her show you who she really is," Nicky said, her tone severe but pleading as she stepped close to him and pulled him into another hug. "But still it's really good to see you. I haven't seen any of the old gang since I broke Denny's nose."

Don watched them from the corner of the couch he'd claimed when he first entered the apartment. An odd feeling bubbled up in his stomach as Nicky's eyes lit up talking to ratboy. It wasn't jealousy that's for sure, but there was something protective in that glare. Then there was a bottle in his hand, breaking his concentration and Laz flopped down next to him.

"She's a big girl, I'm certain she can take care of herself," she said to him with a smirk, then shift her eyes at Jackie. "That goes for you too. I know where I sent her, serves her right for thinking she could come here. I don't know what kind of perverted hold she has on you Jackie but it's about time you cut those strings. She doesn't give a shit about you, or anybody else for that matter. Why do you think she hates me so much? I'll tell you why, because for a short wonderful time I had you..."

"And this is why I don't trifle with sorcery," Lem droned from the window sill making Laz smirk a little.

"...Think about it Jackie, really think. Most of what I know about magic I learned from her, then you came along and she hated the fact that me and you had something. So know I won't send her back to the academy. If she wants out of the rat's nest she can do it herself."

"BOOM!" Don shouted just to lighten the mood and Laz chuckled a little as she sipped her beer.

"And about my skills," she said as she kicked her bare feet up on the coffee table. "The academy isn't the only place to learn. In fact it's the worse place for someone like me. After I tried to...when I...my Pop finally decided it was time to be a real parent."

"Mmm Daddy issues my..."Don trailed off in gag, clutching at his throat and all Laz did was rub her fingers together.

"That's enough out of you," she said with a pat to Don's thigh looked around the room at everyone. "From what my Dad says, you guys need me. There's only so much Jackie can do in the magic department and no matter how pussy whipped the white wolf is, Elaine and her acolytes are too wishy washy to be trusted. You want to save this fucked up new world we live in you'll need me."

 

[silvertongue217]

Edward listened to Laz’s little speech as well as the exchange between her and Edward. He suspected they were past lovers from the minute he saw them interact with one another so he wasn’t surprised. He and the MPC knew very little about Jackies time at the college they guarded their secrets with fever and determination. Clearly whatever went down between Jackie and the college dealt with both of these woman.

“Well I certainly don’t mind the extra fire power” Edward finally said taking a sip of his beer “what do you think?” He asked looking over at Jackie he noticed Jackie had a far off look in his eyes and cleared his throat trying to get his attention.

“Huh” Jackie said looking a little startled “what did I miss?”

“What do you think of Laz joining the team?” Edward asked again nodding at her.

“Why are you asking me?” Jackie asked raising an eyebrow “you’re the boss”

“Oh you lead this tam more than I do Jackie” Edward said laughing “besides you’re the one with the ex girl friend….” He said trailing off.

Jackie looked over at her for several seconds before finally sighing “We could use her as long as she plays nice I seem to remember you not being one for teams” He reminded her folding his arms and watching her.

“You going to play nice or is this going to be the academy all over again?” He asked locking his intense amethyst eyes with her.

 

[grdybiwife]

"I'm not that girl anymore Jackie," Laz said with a huff, meeting Jackie's glare with her own steely eyes. "I know who I am now, what I'm capable of, and the quicker you realize that the easier this will be for both of us. Well you anyway because from the looks of things you're the only one with a problem, even after I saved your life...after I told you exactly what not to do," she added with a raised eyebrow. Don snickered a little beside her and Laz shift her eyes at him but he didn't say anything. "And besides it's a lot easier to get along with people who aren't looking at me like some sort of unfortunate accident. As far as I can see, nobody in this room has ever really belonged, not for nothing that's the best situation for me. Two killers, a couple runts, a half breed, and whatever the hell you are now. And I can't help but think that's on purpose, a regular gang of misfits," she said with a chuckle.

"One big happy dysfunctional family," Lem quipped and Don raised his beer.

"Complete with a hot mom and an annoying little brother." Alazne smirked at that, and clinked her beer against Don's, refilling both their near empty bottles. "Oh come on Jackie how can you not love this girl."

"He did once," she said with a sad smile, but it didn't last through her sip. "If you can't work with me, it's your loss not mine. You won't be able to do this by yourself, no matter who you brought back with you. So what's more important Jackie Boy, your hurt feelings or saving this city? I know what's more important to me."

 

[silvertongue217]

“I didn’t say-“ Jackie said before finally giving out a sigh and puff “Fine she’s in one big happy dysfunctional family” He said flinching at her he used to love me comment. He didn’t bother to correct her or try or throw their relationship in her face. A part of him wanted to be pissed at her for more or less airing their dirty laundry to the rest of the team. Instead he looked over at Edward “can we go back to HQ now?” He asked raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah my cars out front and I want to wash the blood off of me” He said getting up “you coming with?” He asked Laz “We have a bar we all hang out slash live above and below your more than welcome a room there if your interested” He said looking over at Lem “how about you babe? You staying or going?”

 

[grdybiwife]

"I know you're rip shit right now...I can feel that hostility but I didn't do anything but confirm what they already thought. This is gonna be hard, for both of us, but we have to do it together. We've changed Jackie, you have to see that." "Yeah sure, I'll tag along ," Laz said to Edward as she stood. All of a sudden her shoes were on, a overstuffed duffle bag on one arm and her staff in the other. "If you don't mind I'll meet you there. I haven't been in a car in years." And like that she was gone.

"She is..."

"Geez Don do you ever turn off," Lem said as she stood, shaking her head and the man shrugged his shoulders.

"Not with so many capable women around." He was the first to the door and was shocked when it opened onto the street. "God she's awesome," he mumbled under his breath as he took a step out onto the street. The next one brought him to the curb. "That's it Lem I'm over you."

"Awww I'm sad," she said with a smirk as she took Edward's hand to wrap his arm around her shoulders. "It seems you have one less headache."

"It won't last," Nicky said with a giggle as she stepped out of the door and slammed into Don's back. "It's called a bridge," she heard Laz say inside her head, louder than all the other voices. "When Edward starts the car, you'll be here but don't get out the same side you got in."

"I don't think I like all of you having access to my thoughts," Lem said as she climbed into the passenger seat."

"Well my dear if it's any consolation I can fix that little issue you have with the sun," Laz channeled with a smirk as she settled down on the big sofa that dominated the common room at the cleaners. She'd already claimed a room, the one directly beneath Jackie's and next door to Don, smudged it and transported all the essential belongs she might need. "You better be right about the Pop or I'll never forgive you."

 

[silvertongue217]

“Get used to it” Jackie murmured watching as they appeared in front of the bar “This is the kind of stuff that happens when you live with magical users” He remarked even though he smiled a bit as he walked into the bar. It was sort of like a home coming to him, back to the college days when it was he and her against the world. His mind flashed with memories of them together and lingered on some of the more romantic ones. He quickly stopped it though blushing knowing she would have seen and heard those thoughts. He walked into the bar and ignored the bar instead going up to his room.

“Going to get some rest” He called before climbing up the stairs and entering his bedroom. He stripped nude and got into the shower climbing in trying not to think any more romantic or sexual thoughts about his ex girlfriend who now seemed to be living with him.

Christ his life was complicated

Meanwhile

“I should go write my report about the damn scientist” Edward murmured stepping into the bar “but I’m not really interested much more interested in having some much needed R&R with you” He said to Lem coming over and smiling at her “What do you say beautiful want to go shower off the battle with me?” He asked leaning over and giving her a deep kiss before locking his fingers with her.

 

[Othermoose]

Quinn returned Nicky's hug, trying not to seem too eager. She smelled just like he renebered, sweet with just the slightest hint of New York's street. He wanted this to last forever, but after a moment he reluctantly pulled away. He hid his disappointment behind a huge smile. "I'm only here because they needed the best of the best. I'm suprised they even let an amateur like you join the team." Quinn joked. "Before this all ends, I bet I'll be the one rescuing you." He said still smiling. It was good to be near her again, it felt familiar and safe. He listened as her voice changed to worry as she told him to watch himself around Lem. "Don't worry about her, she loves me. She just won't admit it." Quinn said still smiling.

The group only spent a while longer in Laz's apartment before she teleported the group back to the bar. Quinn had joked and laughed along with the others, but now he wanted some alone time with Nicky. He approached Nicky and flashed her an overly charming smile, the kind so over the top it was clearly a joke. "Hey baby, lets go get us a slice." He said imitating Johnny Elvis, a guy in their old group who thought greasers were cool. Quinn laughed at his own joke before returning to his normal voice. "Seriously though. Lets go to Luigi's. It'll be just like old times. Except now I have a badass super sweet motorcycle equipped with secert government gizmos to take us on instead of the subway." Quinn said trying to keep his excitement at its normal level.

 

[grdybiwife]

Lem was finding it more and more difficult to hide how much Edward made her blush. The kiss he laid on her just then forced a moan out of her so deep she thought it might have been better suited for behind closed doors. Nicky let out a little whistle but quickly averted her eyes when Lem shoot her a look over Edward's shoulder.

"I'll gladly serve as your distraction," Lem said as she wrapped his tie around her free hand to pull Edward down the stairs. "And once the hunger is satisfied, I won't mind helping you with that report. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours," She added with a smirk as she locked the door behind them. Both their rooms were below and she wanted to insure they were not disturbed. She wished se could disconnect those pesky coms but she knew that was a fantasy that would never come true.

"I'm beginning to wish we had bumped into each other before all this, " She mused as she made her way into her room. With her back to him, Lem dropped her weapons belt on the desk, then laid out the throwing blades beside them. They would need to be cleaned but that could wait. And in a blur she was naked, her clothes in a mess on the floor at her feet. "I know you knew of me...that you kept them from rounding me up as long as you could and I appreciate that. Really I do, but we could have been at this a while now," She added with a raised eye brow as she headed into her bathroom and jumped immediately into the shower. Temperature of the water was of little concern to her so she went right to it, rinsing the remnants of their most recent battle away. She knew there world be more, all she could do was hope that their dalliance with zombies were over.

"I don't care what you say Quinn that woman scare me... And she actually told me she likes me," She said, giving the boy a little nudge. Nicky frowned at his impersonation of the guy from their old crew, she'd always hated that douche bag poser asshole. Most of them were, hence why she didn't hang out with them anymore. But Quinn was different. Maybe because he was too young at the time to pretend to be something he wasn't. It seemed like the few extra inches in his stature weren't the only thing that changed about him.

"Maybe some other time. I've had my fill of the world today. I just wanna find a room, pack a bowl, and take a nap. My fucking head is killing me." It was mostly true and she hoped that Quinn wouldn't take it personally but Nicky needed a moment to regroup. This was a whole new world for her, with the magic and resurrection, it was a lot to take in and she still wasn't sure how real the last few hours were. She didn't even wait for his response before she made her way upstairs on tired legs. When she got to Don't room, Nicky didn't make it further than the bed. Nor did she have a chance to get her bowl from her bag. As soon as she put her head phones on, the music blaring into her ears, her head found the pillow and she fell into a deep sleep.

Don watched the whole thing in silence and by the time Nicky disappeared upstairs, he felt a little bad for the youngest member of the team. "Bet she'd come around faster if you stop pretending to be someone else," he said with a clap to Quinn back. "Take it from a guy who has no idea who he is most of the time. I haven't had a place of my own since I escaped that nutto but I've never been short on pussy. Think on that."

He wasn't at all surprised to see Nicky curled up in his bed. Fully dressed and fast asleep. Don knew this would take a toll on her, it's why he insisted she didn't come. But what was done was done, and he couldn't fault her for wanting to be apart of something. Especially when it was something good, so he moved quietly around the room, gathering up a change of clothes so he could dress in the bathroom after his shower. "First things first though no shoes on my bed," he mumbled as he sat to take them off. A soft kiss to the top of her head and he was off to take a quick shower then see what trouble he could get into.

From her room across the hall, Alazne listened to the others moving around, fighting the urge to peek in on Jackie. He wouldn't appreciate it, she knew that, so she made a vow to respect this world's physical boundaries as much as she could. And she would keep all mental communication at a minimum. There would be times when it couldn't be helped but it wouldn't be good for her own emotional wellbeing to pop in and out his consciousness. They needed to start over and the next time she saw him Laz would propose just that.

 

[Othermoose]

"But doing stupid impressions is what I do..." Quinn said crestfallen after Don walked away. Being the clown was what Quinn did; he wasn't acting, or at least he didn't think he was. After a moment Quinn's thoughts got too deep for him. He shook his head and walked into the kitchen for a snack. He looked around for a bit, but was suprised to find he wasn't hungry. "That's really weird. I'm always hungry." Quinn thought leaving the kitchen. He walked to the elevator and pressed the button that would take him to his floor. He thought about his conversation with Nicky and what Don had said. He wondered if he'd somehow insulted Nicky and her being tired was really just a nice way of saying no to him. His mood gradually grew more sour as he made his way into his room. He didn't want to think about Nicky anymore, but his brain wouldn't let her leave his head. "Stupid emotions." Quinn grunted as he fell onto his bed to try to get some rest.