A Scripta

Providence knew Masonry had died, which was one reason she went home. She also heard he lived again, but not the circumstances. She envisioned him as a walking corpse, akin to the zombies of the Vahzilok or Banished Pantheon.

However, Womby put her mind at ease, so to speak. "He's aliver 'n you an' me," he told her over lunch after her meeting with Idaho. "Got a magical mace an' 's stoned all th' time. Got somethin' ta do with'is girl."

"Stoned?"

He nodded, biting off some of his hamburger. "Jasmine. Th' man reeks of jasmine."

She wondered what that could mean, but it made it seem even more important to find him. Womby mentioned Mase (Title him Masonry, never Nate, she thought) and went to the D to find him. It took a couple of days, but once when she came in, she was immediately assaulted by patchouli - deep, dark, musky earth - and jasmine. She saw him, leaning against the bar, standing next to what she knew immediately as a red-haired succubus dressed head to toe in red.

Making the sign of the cross, she approached him. He was staring out into space, not even paying attention to the conversation around him. She could see he wore sunglasses, and guessed probably why. She stepped into his line of sight.

He looked up at the interruption, then smiled. "Prov? Prov! Providencea," he almost sang, and took her in his arms for a bear hug. "Where've you been?"

She needed to get away from the sickening scent that was making her both horny and sick to her stomach. "Home, Nate," she said, after he let her down, and she tried to ignore his own bulge in his pants. "I hath go home, to attend matters private. I have speech with thee anon." She motioned to the other bar.

"Sure, sure, can I get you any-"

But she was already moving, getting out of the radius of the succubus and taking large gulps of clearer air. He followed demurely.

She was standing, finally breathing clean air, and looked up at Nate who looked at her concernedly. "You okay?"

"Thou art not dead," she said accusingly.

He smiled, folded his arms across his chest, and laughed. "No! No, I'm not - the most wonderful person came into my life! She brought me back, Prov - she gives me everything I ever wanted and more, much more - "

Providence stood and listed to him espouse on the beauty of his new lover. He used words like "goddess" and "gentle", "powerful" and "adoring."

"And ye kill for her?"

He stopped in mid-word. "Hm?"

"For her. Thou shalt kill."

"If she asked me, I would."

"Wouldst thou?" Tears began to form in her eyes. "Truly?"

"Yes, she doesn't mind that-"

"Didst to the Isles go, children dead by thine hand?"

"Yes, but-"

"Whyfor?" She stared at him, almost seeing the same monster that others saw. She couldn't believe...

"Because I liked it," he said, leaning close to her now. "I still do, Prov. Don't start the guilt shit on me."

"Thou...thou...thy-" Her hands flew to her mouth, holding back both being sick, and her own gasping words.

Now Nate disappeared, to be replaced by Masonry, a cold, stony, dispassionate murderer. "I do like it, it gives me power. I have their life in my hands. They belong to me."

"NO!!!" She screamed and jerked as far away from him as she could. "No, no, no, liketh not monster, no! Thou lovest me, and Kit, and ... Frosty! Whyfor killing, why?!"

"Prov, c'mon, I wouldn't hurt you."

"Whatof thine precious lady? Sayth my death she demands-"

"Yes, I would."

There was silence in her ears, not even the music from the club penetrated it. She stared at him, saw only him, a man who had been so kind and protective and now...now...

"...e'en Frosty?" she whispered.

His voice held no emotion as he stated, "Even him."

Suddenly, she screamed, "WHY?!!" so loudly that it attracted all the patrons at the other bar.

Masonry walked closer to her as he spoke, "Because I love her. And she lets me do what I want. If I want to kill, I will. She doesn't judge me," his voice dropped to a low growl, "like some people seem to do."

That tone of voice made her start - and like a rabbit, she darted around him, to run into the other bar, down the stairs, her tears falling freely now, so that she slammed into the wall at the bottom of the stairs and fell into a crumpled heap. She ignored the other heroes who stopped to help, jumped into the open elevator, and ran, blindly she didn't know - just to get away from the monster that had been her friend Nathan Greene.

Silent Blue couldn't believe it. Out of the whole of Paragon City, a security level 50 picked her to be a sidekick. He said he had watched her for about an hour over in Kings Row and liked what he saw, and after joining her for a mission, asked her to come with her to help him. His name was Masonry - he was made of stone, had a deep, but nice voice. The only thing that bothered her was his eyes: they were totally black.

They went into a nondescript warehouse, where she came face to face with a woman wearing a skimpy, but colorful outfit. Then the woman threw what looked like a metal ring at her - it slashed into and through her.

Masonry took out the scantily clad woman and then ran over to Blue. He smiled, but it wasn't the same gentle smile he had given her all day; it was angrily joyful. "I think she's ready for you now, Twist," he said, and plunged his hands into her gaping wound. He let out a gasp synchronized with her own, in pain or pleasure, she wasn't sure.

Blue felt something invade her consciousness. She saw a skeletal face looming before her and screamed. It resolved itself into her own face. Don't be afraid, dear, it said. I am Death. Surrender or it will be painful for you.

Skeletal hands plucked at her very being, shredding it away. She forgot her parents. She forgot her friends. She forgot her super hero name. She forgot her own name.

Masonry opened his eyes and removed bloody hands from the girl's body. "Twist?"

The body knitted itself quickly. The girl opened her eyes, now a sapphire blue. "Mase," she said, smiling.

Masonry gathered the girl in his arms and kissed her. Releasing her, Twist shook her head. "Two hours, no more."

Masonry sighed. "Oh, Twist..." He put his head on her shoulder. "There has to be one out there."

"There is, lover, there is." She reached up and caressed his cheek. "Enjoy this one for now."

----------------------

The phone on the desk rang shrilly. The man in black held his head against it; any sudden noise, no matter how low, usually bothered him. This was strange, considering he could create loud and sudden noises that could scramble up the insides of most people's internal organs.

He plucked the phone off its cradle before it had a chance to disturb him furhter. "Alderman, FBSA."

"Another heroine buried in a metal storage crate, sir. Kings Row again."

"Oh, Jesus. Who does this one belong to?"

"Northstar Angels, sir."

Third one of those this month, he thought sourly. Someone's out to get them. He needed to talk to Myra and fast, before she and her girls thought of vengeance. "Be right down," he sighed.

Masonry chuckled as he floated by the security at the elevators, now secure in his ghost-form. He floated backwards for about three feet and bumped into something.

I can't bump into anything, I'm a ghost--

He slowly turned around to face a very tall, blueish-green skinned man. His costume was white based but a rainbow of color streaked in very wide stripes along the sides. His otherwise plain blue and red cape billowed in a ghostly wind.

"Mas," said the blue-skinned man, then morphed into a dark-haired, dark-skinned dapper gentleman.

"Doppy," replied Masonry.

"How did you like hell?"

"I didn't."

"Oh, nice place to visit but didn't want to live there?" He smiled and morphed into a demon-like creature, with small horns, ashen skin, wings and hooves. "Seems to be just the place for you."

"Not anymore. Move aside."

Doppy folded his arms across his broad chest. "Say please."

Masonry narrowed his eyes. "Please."

Doppy looked thoughtful. "Hm... nuh uh." Then he slammed a fist into Masonry's face.

Masonry floated backward, stunned at the surprise of the attack. Doppy pulled energy from around him and threw it at Masonry in a wave, coursing him back among the security guards. Masonry struggled to right himself. He felt something cold and sharp slice through his chest, then a bolt of ice freeze his arm solid. Something else slammed hard into his head, like a hammer of fire.

He stood, wincing, and faced a huge bruiser and two cops, one male and one female. Both of them were different than what he remembered. Before, they were merely white, faceless, nondescript as he looked in ghost form. This time the bruiser wore a black leather jacket, jeans and motorcycle boots; the two cops looked like police officers in uniform. All of them glared at him with eyes full of fury.

Masonry was going to utter something, but the lady cop drew her revolver and shot him. The bolt of fire went right through his head, the pain making him scream in agony. At the same time the bruiser tacked him and plowed him through the elevator doors--

------------

Jackie Risoti saw ghosts. She often saw them as they floated up through the morgue, lost and confused, and sometimes saw other ghosts guide them away. It was worse after two twelve-hour shifts, just like now. She worked in the lab on the other side of the newly established suite of rooms for a special and highly-sensitive patient whose own ghost she saw wandering on its own.

Jackie wiped her eyes and settled back from the microscope - then saw something flash out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see a pair of ghosts fly into her lab. One huge man grabbed the one leading the chase - he was defined wearing huge pointy shoulder pads. The big one punched the other solidly in the stomach and then a fire sword appeared in its hand and he slashed at the shoulder-padded one's head. He jerked up in the air.

Three other ghosts were right behind the large one, a woman and another man. The third one she had often seen in the elevator to the floor, and took it as some sort of psychopomp, and was translucent. He raised his hands and yet another ghost appeared, and shot energy bolts at the pointy-shoulder-padded ghost.

All three of them pounced on the other, either shooting bolts of energy or firing fire and ice. She could only watch helplessly as the other buckled under their attacks.

"What're you doing here?"

Jackie turned to the wall and saw another ghost, this one in full color of red and white, with a red cross on his chest. She had never heard another ghost speak before. This one seemed to have a strange blue/black aura around him. She walked over to him, looked right at him.

He looked at her, too. "You'd better get back," he said, and waved his arm as if pushing her behind him. She moved back, her brow knitted in confusion. Three of the ghosts held the one they had beaten, who was limp in their arms.

"Oh, hey, Mas! Come to visit me? Here I am."

The ghost raised its head and its eyes blazed red. "You son of a BITCH." He strained against them.

"You should have known better when I beat you in the arena that time. It didn't take much. You going to run away again?"

"You can't hide behind this security forever. You can't live forever. I'll get past them, and I'll get you, I'll get your SOUL."

The man waved his hand airily. "You'll still have to go through these."

"I'll have help next time."

"I'm sorry," said the man in red and white calmly, "there isn't going to BE a next time."

The one in the center flexed his muscles but the three held him fast. He glared at them, and she watched as he slowly gained color. His shirt turned brown, his face wore a red mask. His hair became black. His arms were white bands, and his shoulder were brown with gold spikes.

The ghosts still held him.

He struggled against them, focusing his eyes on Jackie now. Slowly, his eyes began to register panic. He jerked his arms and knocked over a rack of vials. Jackie screeched and ran to the phone to get security. The man growled and then fell over, knocked over by some invisible force that sent him flying into the cabinets.

He recovered faster than expected and turned into almost a brown streak as he ran out the nearest door and down a corridor. The ghosts followed, including the one in red and white. "That's it, Mas, run like the coward you--urk!" Something yanked him back suddenly, snapping him backwards like a rubber band and back through the wall he had come out of initially.

Jackie looked at the shattered glass on the floor. She went to the closet for a broom, and opened it slowly, peeking in. She half expected the man in brown to come barreling out of the closet to choke her.

(Thanks Vagz, for letting me borrow E and Doppy)

Dear Mr. Matsumoto,

We have reason to believe that your domestic partner, Nathan Joseph Greene, has passed away quietly as of November 22, 2007.

He was initially discovered in his granite form encased on a hill at the Monkey Island Asylum for the Criminally Insane, Cutlass Island campus on November 18, 2007. For four days there have been no signs of life via technological or magical means. The death has been ruled a suicide.

After discussions with asylum personnel, the body can remain in its present state if you so wish. If you wish it to be excavated and moved, we may be able to assist you.

We at the Federal Bureau of Superhero Affairs express our deepest condolences.

Sincerely,

Agent Nyx,
Assistant Researcher

So the muse whispered a story in my ear, a transparent moment like gossamer wings she wears...

It was a calling. Idaho paused a moment to turn and look out into the bay at Talos Island, away from the land and out into the ocean, westward.

Nate'd be proud of you, son.

Idaho turned, burst into flame like he did when he was startled. A white-haired, dark-skinned, bearded man with glowing white eyes sat among the boxes. He was transparent, like many people who wore invisibility cloaks.

The man wore a cowboy hat, long duster coat and carried pistols. He looked like he had stepped out of a western. He smiled. This was my favorite lifetime. I was a scout and later a lawman in the Dakotas.

"You read minds?"

He chuckled. I'm a ghost.

Now Idaho noticed the man's mouth didn't move. The man stayed there, seemingly frozen.

"You know my original?"

Knew. He's dead.

Idaho blinked. "D...dead?"

Your agent friend will tell you soon enough, Duncan, I thought you'd rather hear it from me. Yes, indeed, Nate would have been right proud of you. It's good you didn't see him as he was before he died, Duncan.

"Who are you?"

He sang a few notes and then said, That translates to Lodestar. I was his Kheldian bondmate. I loved Nathan Joseph Greene. I died in his body.

"Where..." Idaho's sudden tears dried as the fire caught them. "Where's the body?"

Lodestar faded away slowly. I now join my friends, he said smiling. You are not Masonry, you're your own man.

The last word faded among Idaho's flames and the ocean's wind.

Lodestar watched helplessly as Mason – no longer Nate, who seemed lost within his own self – felt elated when he heard that Styrm had escaped prison. He’ll find me, he’ll know I’ll help him, he’ll break me out and—

No, he won’t.

Lodestar and Mason both realized it at the same time. They both realized that he would never be released from the asylum, and both realized they would live long lives here. Lodestar knew now he had waited far too long. However it didn’t mean he would permanently give up. As long as he lived, he would watch for another chance to change him. He knew Dais’ke was the last link. At Dais’ke’s look of anger, Lodestar felt the link snap.

Now Lodestar knew he had free reign. All he needed to do was begin concentrating on this new Mason creature living inside this body, to work with it to exorcise it, change it or—

Then darkness crushed him.
-------------------------------------------------

Agent Nyx watched as the three people who were visiting Greene teleported away. He knew from Masonry’s files that the man could turn to stone, but when he did, he breathed. This time he turned to stone and sunk into the ground, not breathing.

As the PPD officer disappeared, Nyx went over the rise, summoning the asylum personnel who had been within shouting distance. He knew a simple stethoscope would go through the rock, so he had already sensors for Kheldian essences and human heat. Nothing registered.

He asked for further monitors and sensors. Whatever could be portable was brought up, even some mining equipment and other gadgets that they had used to find trapped miners by sensing body heat through miles of rock. Finally, at 3 a.m., Nyx noticed the humans around him were exhausted, so he set some permanent monitors around Greene and headed to the office to make his report.

One of the asylum personnel looked back at the stone set into the hill and said, “Looks like a tombstone.”

Lodestar stormed over to Nate, who was sleeping at the base of a leafless gray tree, and picked him up by the scruff of his neck. "Wake up pretty boy, rise and shine!" he said with a joyous leer, and slapped Nate across the face.

Nate blinked in total surprise. Then Lodestar changed before his eyes into Daisuke, who looked at him with eyes full of anguish. "Look at me, Mase," he said in Daisuke's pain-filled voice.

Stepping back, Nate focused on Daisuke.

"Why did you put our love away?"

"Because it's feeling. I can't feel it. It will bring up hate."

"This . . ." He turned into Fyre, her eyes blazing red, the area around her all aflame; "is not this. . ." He turned back into Daisuke in his cowboy outfit, what Nate considered his favorite outfit.

"You saw I was angry at him - "

"You didn't feel him." Lodestar as Daisuke stepped back. "I know your memories. You were able to comfort people. You felt their pain. You understood them. You cared."

"It was a sham."

Daisuke faded, and Lodestar appeared with a knowing smile on his face. "Liar," he said. "Lies upon lies, upon lies. Expose one lie, another is there." Lodestar looked around. "I can't lock you away. I can't lock you out. I can't rightly lock myself out because there are too many things going on around you that I will need to know about and possibly intervene."

Nate's eyes narrowed. "Oh? Now you're going to intervene? I thought that you, as a guide, don't do that."

"A guide needs to know the direction. He needs to be the leader and knows where he's going."

He paused a minute to let Nate think about what that meant. Nate's eyes widened slightly. "You don't know where you're going."

Lodestar gazed at Nate. "It means, Nate, we need to walk this path together. It also means that I never, ever, want to see that look of anguish on his face again." He pointed. "Go out there."

Lodestar welcomed the summons back into Nate’s mind. He no longer belonged among the world of men. He no longer was a man. He no longer knew who he was.

Nate’s mind was empty and gray. Whatever light existed was diffused, blank, empty. The world was flat. No scent was carried along an existent wind. Where was the grass, the fire, the blood, the flesh?

He stood surveying the scene, as Nate appeared beside him. Nate was dressed in gray, in the same colors as the asylum’s uniform, the only difference was his hair was black. Lodestar smiled at him. “Want the car back?”

Nate focused on Lodestar. Lodestar stepped back for a moment in fear. Nate’s eyes were also gray, empty.

“Nate, I don’t think you’re ready to go back out there.”

“There’s nothing left for me here. I’ve done all I could. I’ve exorcised all the dead demons and put aside all the ones that were living.” He pointed over Lodestar’s shoulder. “Now I need to confront the ones out there.”

“You’re just as dangerous. You don’t feel anything.”

“I never did, Lodestar.”

“Of course you did. You still love Dais’kay--“

Nate suddenly collapsed. Lodestar went to his knees beside him and watched as Nate grew even grayer, as if blood flowed out of him. Then Nate himself faded slowly, even while Lodestar tried to gather him in his arms. As Nate disappeared, Lodestar whispered, “You’re not ready, Nate…”

Thwunk.

Lodestar knew that sound well. It was the sound of something forcibly entering a human body. The object was usually not sharp, but didn't have the same "crunch" or "pop" as a hammer or a bat. This object would actually go through the body somehow.

Slurp - Thwunk.

Lodestar stared at the mass on the ground that might have been a man but was now a pile of flesh, blood and bones. He looked at Nate, who had a wild, feral look, as if he would jump over the pile to attack him in the same way. Nate had in his hand a simple carpenter's hammer, full of blood and gore.

If I leave him alone with this he'll be stuck here forever, killing the man who frightened him more than anything, the man who actually beat him within an inch of his life; who, when Nate didn't do what he demanded, proceded to beat him with a paddle used for paddle-ball, broke it, grabbed a poker, then started beating him with that. Then the man proceeded to get his way anyway.

Nate was five years old and wouldn't sit on his uncle's lap.

"Nate, look at me, Nate. Focus."

He looked up, took a shuddering breath, looked down at his handiwork. "I hate him, I hate him."

"He's gone. He can't hurt you."

"He hurts me here!" Nate grabbed his chest.

Lodestar kicked the body. "You've gone beyond this, Nate."

He looked up at Lodestar. "What do you mean?"

"You know what he was trying to do, your uncle the pedophile." Lodestar stepped on the mass of flesh. "But it didn't get to you, you know why?"

"Why?"

Lodestar smiled at him. "You love Dais'ke."

He looked confused.

"You can love a man or a woman. Some people can't after being exposed to that." Lodestar looked into Nate's eyes and said, "Let it go."

Nate stared at him, dropped the hammer. It disappeared before it hit the ground.

Nate perked his head at the older man's approach. Expectantly, he asked, "Daisuke?"

"No."

"Oh." He looked down disappointedly. "Anyone?"

"Star."

He smiled. "She a good person."

Lodestar sat down and nodded. "That she is. A rare pure jewel."

"I don't hate her."

He said nothing, looking across to him.

"Daisuke," he said wistfully. "He's left me."

"Nate, I don't--"

"I don't really blame him. I was never good for him. I destroyed him."

"Nate, he hasn't left you."

"Nothing. Not even tried to find out how I was doing." He sat back down again. "I hurt him so much." Nate focused on Lodestar. Nate's eyes were clear, without any anguish. "Lodestar, it's okay." He looked down. "He doesn't want me anymore. I've hurt him too much."

Lodestar touched Nate's hand. "I don't think he's left you. I think he's giving you time to be alone so you can work things out here," he gestured to the empty land before him.

"If he never comes back, I'll be all right. I'll just move on, find some nice girl, or find no one at all."

Lodestar looked at Nate's face, studied his aura. He hid nothing, no anger, no defiance, no lying. "You're serious."

He nodded. "I'm sad, but I'll be all right. I couldn't take it out on him."

"Will you take it out on anyone?"

Nate smiled slightly. "I'll try not to." Lodestar looked beyond Nate to see a woman standing a few feet behind him. Nate didn't turn around to see where Lodestar was looking.

He sighed. "It's my mother." He got up from kneeling on the ground next to Lodestar. "I'll be with her for a while, but if Daisuke comes..."

Lodestar nodded and watched Nate turn to go back to see this woman - who had knives sticking out of her back.

Masonry opened the door to the individual therapy room and stopped, his hand on the handle of the door. "You," he whispered.

"Come in, Nate."

Masonry sat down across from the person that he hadn't seen since his time in prison. Dr. Orbison sat straight and stiff at the other side of the table.

"We have all the time you need, Nate." He uncapped a pen and poised it over paper, eyeing Masonry as he did so. He scribbled something, recapped the pen and sat back. "So how's your life been?"

"It was fine."

"Until you fucked it up again." He rattled off, counting on his fingers, "Threatening your teammates. Going to the Isles. Getting taken into the Repatriation Program at the FBSA. Assault. Murder."

"Murder?!"

"At least a dozen murders have already been pegged on you over in the Isles. You go back over there, you're dead."
"I have no plans to go back."

"You had no plans to fuck it all up, either."

"So you don't believe me."

He folded his arms across his chest. "Not a bit."

"What the hell do I have to do to satisfy you people?"

"Do what you're supposed to do, for one. What're you here for, Nate?"

"I'm a danger to myself and--"

"No, here. As a hero. What for?"

"Glory."

"You had people who worshiped you, I hear. Not good enough?"

"I had to leave them."

"Were they good enough? Rumor has it you killed them."

"Some."

"And you don't feel one bit of remorse."

"I didn't at the time. I do now."

"Did you feel anything at the time?"

"Anger."

"Who are you angry at?"

Masonry had been pondering that all day and all night. He looked up and snarled, "Everyone."

"Why?"

"You're all a threat."

"Because..?"

"You'll all hurt me."

Orbison looked at him, and gave a short laugh. "You think my life is centered around you? You think I stay up nights plotting ways to hurt you?"

"No, I--" He stopped, "No."

"So who are you angry at?"

"Myself?"

"Oh, don't start the pity parties, I didn't bring along any cake."

"You, right now."

"Good. And why?"

"Because you're insulting me."

"Something small like that statement makes you ready to jump over this table and kill me."

"Among other reasons."

"Reasons that had to do with me doing something with you that you didn't like. Don't like to think, do you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're lazy."

"I'm not getting it --"

Orbison leaned back. "I'll wait."

Masonry stared at him. What does he mean? He remembered Star's words, Stopping easy and hard. Hard to start to stop, but easy once you do it. Why is it hard to start to stop? Because you have to physically - or mentally - switch what you're doing. Like handling the mace, the momentum carries it along, and your weight's behind it as it moves through the air, but what if you know it's heading toward a target you didn't want to hit? How hard is it to stop it? You've pulled muscles by pulling back on the mace and stopping a swing. Same with the anger - it swings, heading toward its target, you need to yank it back. With Ben helping you along, validating your anger and using it, you forgot how. But you can if you really want to.

"Were you born evil?"

Masonry came out of his reverie to stare at him. "What?"

"Were you born evil? Were you set on this world to kill people?"

He blinked and thought back. "No, it wasn't until the abuse at school."

"That's when you thought you were evil?"

"I wanted to hurt them at the time, but I couldn't."

"Were you evil, then?"

"Is wanting revenge evil?"

"My question first, Nate."

Masonry said quietly, "No."

"Did the drugs make you evil?"

"No."

"Your first Kheldian made you evil?"

"No, no, I think it was before that."

"So somewhere between graduating high school and your first Kheldian, you became evil."

"I don't think evil."

"Then what."

"I know what you mean by being lazy."

Orbison gave him a nod. "Then explain it to me."

"If I'm going down a path of anger, it's easier for me to keep on going than it is to stop. It's like pulling back something you already have in motion."

Orbison nodded. "Good. It only took you ten minutes to figure it out. There's hope for you, yet." He smiled. "I can see the anger in your eyes already. What're you going to do about it?"

Masonry sighed. "Nothing."

"Because you can't, can you? You jump over this table and you'll be dead within ten minutes. You and your Kheldian."

"Jack too? They said Jack would be extrac--"

"They won't have time if you attack me now. Ah, so that stops you, the death of your Kheldian. The death of your boyfriend won't?"

"Don't bring him into this."

"He's the one whose name you utter in dreams, who you depend on, and he's refusing you. What're you going to do about it?"

He's refusing you.

Orbison sat back and buffed his nails. "Kill him, I say. He's not doing what you want. He doesn't worship you anymore, he doesn't trust you. That's what you're thinking, isn't it? You want to kill him."

"He's done nothing to me. He's always been there. I l--" He stopped.

"If you loved me like that, Nate, I would have committed suicide a long time ago." He stood up. "I have plenty of time to go through this, Nate, but you don't. Think about this: How do you stop yourself?"

"What do you mean I don't?"

"For your safety you're going to be moved to the Peregrine Island facility. Think about my question, and you won't have to worry about yours."

He disappeared from sight.

(edit: corrected formatting and clarity)

Masonry walked into the pre-op room and started stripping. He was still irritated from seeing Daisuke - and he hadn't seen him since, even though he looked for him. He threw his shirt onto the chair, his belt following with a snap, and falling off it. Boots, socks, pants and underwear followed. He slipped on the johnny just as the curtain opened.

"You're already undressed?" Hannah stared at him, trying not to oogle. Hannah, stop it.

He gave her a slight smile. "Johnny's too small though." It barely covered him.

"That's because it's for a human, there should be one large enough here." She squatted and opened a drawer under the bed. She rummaged though trying not to look at his legs. She stood up, and she was very close to him, close enough to smell him. Looking up into his dark blue eyes, she muttered, "Here...you...go."

The two stared at each other, then Masonry blinked, coughed and looked away, blushing. One hand came up and took the johnny from her hand, even while he didn't look at her. "Thanks."

Hannah swallowed, backed away. "Sure. I'll send... I'll send Steve in for the IV."

Masonry was blushing, as he held the new johnny close to his chest. "Okay, fine, that's fine." She almost ran between the curtains to get out.

Humans, admonished Luminescence. You know what he is.

He's still attractive, Lumi!

He's a killer. Lots of killers are attractive so they can get their quarries. He will kill you with the same passion he looked at you. Don't. Don't, Hannah, don't.

"I'm going to check the equipment," she said to both Steve and Luminescence.

Think. Clinically. She concentrated entirely on the machines before her, watching Steve place the electrodes on the big man's head. Then she nodded to Steven when he sat down. "1000 milliamps. Three seconds."

The EEG went off again. Hannah nodded. "Again."

Steve hit the button again. She saw something jerk out of the corner of her eye - his hand was squeezed tight around the iron bar. His muscles were tightening in his arm, thick sinews bunching up under the skin. "He's trying to get out of it," Hannah said. "You'll need to give him more anesthesia next time."

The muscles relaxed. Steve went to the IV with more sedative. As he touched Masonry's arm, his other hand snapped out of the restraints, reached over his chest and grabbed a hold of Steve's wrist so tightly that Hannah heard the bones crunch. In a flash she was on the same side of the bed as Steven as she gripped Masonry's arm in the same place that he held Steve's. She squeezed, and would press on the nerve that would cause pain to release his hand.

"Don't. Take. It," he growled. Steven whimpered.

Hannah felt the muscles relax under her hand as he slowly let go of Steve's crushed wrist. "Dais'ke," he whispered and his hand went back to his side as he passed out.

Hannah took a hold of Steve's hand and willed her healing energy into it. She felt bones knit, muscles straighten, and Steve sighed. "Thanks, doc," he said.

"Don't mention it." She smiled, though it looked forced. "Sit down over there, I'll finish this." She walked over to the ECT machine, her lips pursed and determined.

--------------

Masonry opened his eyes to stare at a white ceiling. He tried to sit up but was tied down. He looked around, saw he was in a bed, the railings up. He blinked, not sure where he was, but figuring someone would come around to untie him.

He slowly remembered he was in a hospital, that he came in for the shock therapy. Jack was somewhere in his mind. Daisuke was alone. Jack had thrown away the drugs during the time he had spoken to Daisuke. He needed to tell the doctor that.

Someone came over to the side of the bed. He was dressed in a suit and wore dark glasses, similar to Crey agents. "Mr. Greene," he said, and Masonry knew by the tone of his voice that he was in big trouble. "We've been called in to take you to Peregrine Asylum."

"Asylum? They said I was fine."

"Doctor Weiner and said you attacked one of her nurses during your treatment." He stepped away and folded his arms across his chest. "You are a danger to yourself and others, Mr. Greene. You can voluntarily commit yourself or we will be forced to take you tied up like you are." He looked at his watch. "One minute."

He yanked at the restraints. "What's the fucking difference?!"

"The difference is, Mr. Greene, is that if you sign yourself in, you are not violating your parole."

"What about my clothes? And I have other--"

"Keen Frost will be informed." The man smiled coldly. "You're not good at hiding it."

"I should at least see--"

"You are a danger to him as well. Especially to him. Thirty seconds."

Jack, Jack, what do I do?

No answer. He tried to shove his way back, to abandon his body, but something stopped him. He was fully conscious when the agent said, "Fifteen seconds."

He looked back and forth, like a deer caught in headlights, not knowing what to do. Then, he stopped, his mind's eye focused on one thing: Daisuke's pain-filled eyes. "Okay, I'll sign myself in."

Open letter to Masonry:

Okay, Nate, I've had it with you.

Grow the fuck up.

You've ruined a man's life, a man who you supposedly "love", who loves you to the ends of the earth and back, and you threw it all away. You've done this before. But this time it hurt me, your director.

We know who you reflect, just like Kill did. We know whose moods you reflect, we know when the player's had a bad day or is on a downswing - because he ruins other characters' lives. And when the player's on an upswing, you get "healed" somehow.

I've given you everything: out of prison. A permanent babysitter (Lodestar) - who's mealy-mouthed for a reason. Time and space to go and fulfil those "wicked desires" as Daisuke calls them. Kit forgave you. Notion forgave you. Artemis forgave you. Star's almost there in forgiving you. A psychiatrist, a neurosurgeon, and shock therapy. The FBSA. DRUGS, for chrissake. Thrown away.

No more, Nate, no more. As your director signed off last night, tears of sadness and frustration in her eyes, she thought of what Daisuke's static face looked like, and hoped that Daisuke's player could put more distance between them than she could.

If you are this dark and evil, Nate, I don't mind playing you out - but not on Virtue or not with the Gang o' Four or with anyone that I know. Because your actions will disgust your fellow players like they already have. Your director can live with with that darkness and evil and wallow in it - who made who, after all - but not forever and not with people whose lives you've already tortured.

So here's the deal - no, actually, no. There is no deal. You grow up. If you don't grow up then I'll get Kill back to be the badge whore and you disappear into retirement never to be seen again. Will it hurt me? Sure it will. But I never, ever want to see Daisuke - or me - that upset again.

Masonry Redux: I need to speak with Lieutenant Matsumoto, please.

Masonry Redux: Lieutenant Matsumoto - oh, thank you.

Keen Stronghold raises an eyebrow.

Masonry Redux: Excuse me.

Keen Stronghold: I'm busy here.

Masonry Redux: I would like to speak with you, it shouldn't take long.

Keen Stronghold narrows his eyes.

Masonry Redux: It regards a personal matter.

Keen Stronghold: I don't think we have anything to--

Masonry Redux: (speaking in Japanese) [It has to do with something that was taken from you.]

Keen Stronghold: [Why should I talk it over with you?]

Masonry Redux: [Because it is something...that needs to be done.]

Keen Stronghold gives a small sigh.

Keen Stronghold: Where.

Masonry Redux: Someplace quiet and without interruption, if you please.

Masonry Redux: A rooftop, perhaps. Can you still fly?

Keen Stronghold: Yes.

Keen Stronghold messes with his comm. (changes his costume)

Keen Stronghold: Pick a building.

Masonry Redux: Nice suit. (finds a building)

Masonry Redux: Acceptable?

Keen Stronghold: I guess.

Masonry Redux: So tell me how Havoc came to be, as you know it.

Keen Stronghold: Who wants to know?

Masonry Redux: Me. Lodestar.

Masonry Redux: My host has a "havoc" that would need to be extracted.

Keen Stronghold: I understand.

Masonry Redux nods.

Keen Stronghold: Although I'm afraid I might not have enough information for you.

Masonry Redux: Perception is part of the inquiry.

Masonry Redux: What you know and remember - and how you felt - will be useful.

Keen Stronghold: ::dispassionately:: Alright.

Masonry Redux: I would offer a seat.

Keen Stronghold: I was on duty, and got caught in an ambush. One member of Arachnos hit me with a strange red energy.

Masonry Redux: Such as the ones usually from their weapons?

Keen Stronghold: I passed out. Next thing I remember is pummeling a hero around, and liking it.

Masonry Redux weaves a little.

Masonry Redux: Go on.

Keen Stronghold: I felt powerful. Enough to take down anyone to satisfy my... innermost wicked desires.

Masonry Redux: Did you have many?

Keen Stronghold: I'd rather skip that part.

Masonry Redux nods.

Keen Stronghold: ::looks around a little::

Masonry Redux: As you wish, though it would be helpful, as to the extent of what could possibly be extracted.

Masonry Redux: My host has enough anger to power the city.

Keen Stronghold: I lost my Captain, my wife, my normal life.

Masonry Redux tilts his head.

Keen Stronghold: I wanted them back. I set my mind to have them back.

Keen Stronghold: The anger was unbearable. I couldn't control it.

Keen Stronghold: I heard my own voice inside my head, asking things I didn't want to do.

Masonry Redux: But you liked it.

Keen Stronghold: That's correct. Yet I refused them enough.

Masonry Redux: So your own will is what changed you, but I am not understanding where Havoc came from.

Keen Stronghold: Whatever struck me, it got out eventually.

Masonry Redux: If Havoc is your darker nature, then what were you?

Masonry Redux: You forced it out.

Masonry Redux: Let me try to understand this.

Keen Stronghold: I guess I did.

Keen Stronghold: I felt like it was going to take me over, and I didn't want that.

Masonry Redux: So I am not understanding how Havoc came to be.

Masonry Redux: If he came to be before you did these things, then...your anger must be bottomless.

Keen Stronghold: When that explosion happened, I saw a red image of myself in front of me. It was burning.

Masonry Redux nods.

Masonry Redux: But if you still had anger after...

Keen Stronghold: After he appeared, I could feel no anger. Hate. Nothing.

Keen Stronghold: But... I was afraid.

Masonry Redux: Yes, yes. Go on.

Masonry Redux: Afraid?

Keen Stronghold: ... couldn't handle a gun.

Keen Stronghold: I couldn't do my job. I had no authority.

Masonry Redux nods.

Keen Stronghold: It was when an engineer, friends with my Guardian, suggested the use of force fields.

Keen Stronghold: I could use them. They meant no harm. To anyone.

Masonry Redux: So you became more passive in your abilities.

Keen Stronghold: Correct.

Masonry Redux: Hm.

Keen Stronghold: Still, I felt insecure. Weak.

Keen Stronghold: Coward.

Masonry Redux: How so? You still worked, your abilities were supportive now.

Keen Stronghold: Havoc had taken my wife hostage, and I went after him to take her back. Somehow.

Keen Stronghold: That was when... Masonry helped me on my journey.

Keen Stronghold: The old Mase I knew.

Masonry Redux: Yes.

Masonry Redux: ::forlornly:: Yes.

Masonry Redux: You did get her back.

Keen Stronghold: When I got to Havoc, we fought, talked. Found out he's been misled.

Keen Stronghold: He didn't want to accept it. He kept talking about his boss, his boss--

Masonry Redux: Yes?

Keen Stronghold ponders for a moment.

Masonry Redux 's tail twitches excitedly.

Keen Stronghold: I had no idea who he was.

Masonry Redux: But Havoc would know.

Keen Stronghold: So do I. But memories are... blurry.

Masonry Redux: You share memories, even separated?

Keen Stronghold: I wanted my "anger" back.

Masonry Redux: But why, if it destroys you?

Keen Stronghold: Anger is a human feeling. One shouldn't live without it. It's only natural.

Masonry Redux: Not when it controls a man.

Keen Stronghold: ... I wanted to be like I was before the whole thing.

Masonry Redux: And the man can no longer control himself.

Masonry Redux: So.. you would not voluntarily go through that again.

Keen Stronghold: Not recommend it.

Masonry Redux sighs disgustedly.

Keen Stronghold: Even so, I don't know who was the responsible for that.

Masonry Redux: Havoc may know.

Keen Stronghold: That's unlikely. He only remembers his boss' voice.

Masonry Redux: Hm.

Keen Stronghold: ... Oranbega... when he was there... with Eri.

Keen Stronghold: He couldn't see him.

Keen Stronghold: It was only a voice.

Keen Stronghold: He was just... a flunky.

Masonry Redux: Times like these I wish I could do magic...

[Help] Spiney Peace: recharge enhancements slotted into powers

Masonry Redux: Oh, I see.

Masonry Redux: That explains much of his demeanor.

Keen Stronghold: When Havoc gave me back my... "anger," our memories had sort of a connection, but we couldn't share it when we did it for the first time.

Masonry Redux: I understand.

Keen Stronghold: We decided to try it again... recently. I have some of his memories now, but they're inconsistent.

Masonry Redux: Then you may not be certain.

Keen Stronghold: Perhaps.

Masonry Redux 's tail twitches again.

Keen Stronghold: Havoc was able to live, using the magic essence he's made of.

Keen Stronghold: But it's only enough to keep him standing, so he can't really do much of magic.

Masonry Redux: This, what is extracted, should not be allowed to "live".

Keen Stronghold: His anger was also toned down, but it's still there.

Masonry Redux: I have seen it.

Keen Stronghold: ... of all things, he's just myself. I don't have any intention of... eliminating him.

Masonry Redux: That would be you, yes.

Masonry Redux: The issue is of not only would it extract my host's anger...but mine as well.

Keen Stronghold: ... yours?

Masonry Redux chuckles, sounding like low tones.

Keen Stronghold: Oh. I see.

Masonry Redux: Do you not think I can be angry as well?

Masonry Redux: My host's anger is slowly affecting me also.

Masonry Redux: If it is extracted...

Masonry Redux: Then we will be at peace.

Masonry Redux: ::quietly:: And dead.

Keen Stronghold frowns inside the mask.

Keen Stronghold: Lodestar. I'm going to be honest here.

Keen Stronghold: When I was under this "thing's" possession... I felt like it was swallowing me.

Keen Stronghold: I didn't feel it was going to be released. It happened because I struggled.

Keen Stronghold: I fought it out. I didn't want it. I had people to care about. I was hurting them.

Keen Stronghold: I can't *even* imagine Mase being taken by that.

Keen Stronghold: ::quietly:: ... he doesn't need any kind of evil magic to hurt people.

Masonry Redux: Which is why it needs to be removed.

Keen Stronghold: It would just make things much worse. Not just to him.

Keen Stronghold: Mase has succumbed to many... pitiful things.

Keen Stronghold: Like vengeance.

Masonry Redux: Yes.

Keen Stronghold: If I didn't struggle, Havoc wouldn't have been created.

Keen Stronghold: ... I'd become him.

Masonry Redux: He won't struggle, Hisagi, that is the problem.

Keen Stronghold: This is what you want?

Masonry Redux: I want him to be happy.

Masonry Redux: But not at the expense of others' lives.

Keen Stronghold: ::annoyed:: ... you're sounding like Daisuke.

Masonry Redux: He is my bondmate. I love him too, after a fashion.

Masonry Redux: He takes the lives of innocents and I should draw the line, but I don't.

Keen Stronghold: ... what kind of friend are you?

Masonry Redux: What do you mean?

Keen Stronghold: You "love" him enough to go havoc - and I'm not talking about magic here.

Keen Stronghold: You protect him, but don't stop him.

Keen Stronghold: If I was on his case before he got into the FBSA... he'd be rotting in jail.

Masonry Redux: No, I . . . because at that moment...

Masonry Redux: Truthfully, as well he should.

Keen Stronghold: Sorry, Lodestar. This is just a bad idea.

Keen Stronghold: I'm not supporting it.

Masonry Redux: What do I do, Hisagi?!

Keen Stronghold: In fact, I'll make sure it doesn't happen.

Masonry Redux: How so.

Keen Stronghold: ::sternly:: Going against you, if I need.

Masonry Redux sighs.

Masonry Redux: That, I do not wish...

Masonry Redux: Then we must take the other route.

Keen Stronghold: Whatever it is... I probably won't b--

Masonry Redux: I had hoped for a permanent solution.

Keen Stronghold winces.

Masonry Redux: Hisagi?

Keen Stronghold looks around suspiciously.

Keen Stronghold: ::mutters:: ... there's someone here.

Masonry Redux: I see no one here.

Keen Stronghold: ... I need to go...

Keen Stronghold looks thoughtful and confused.

Masonry Redux: Hisagi...

Masonry Redux: If you need help.

Keen Stronghold winces harder.

Keen Stronghold: ... I do not!

Masonry Redux: ::sternly:: Which you do. :

Keen Stronghold: ::muttering:: Where's it coming from?

(begins to fly off, flies very high and crashes)

Masonry Redux: Hisagi!

Masonry Redux bends to the body.

Keen Stronghold: ... ungh-- Leave me alone...

Masonry Redux: Hisagi, yes you do.

Masonry Redux cradles him.

Masonry Redux: What is wrong?

Masonry Redux: Where does it hurt?

Masonry Redux: ::slowly picks him up to stand::

Keen Stronghold: ::can't get up on his own::

Masonry Redux: ::holds him up against him::

Masonry Redux: ::the two stand together, Mase holding Hisagi up::

Keen Stronghold: ::grabs his own chest fiercely, tries to say something but fails, eyes glow red as he winces again::

Keen Stronghold: ::a vulture in robes is nearby::

Masonry Redux: ::sends healing energy to Hisagi as he looks around::

Keen Stronghold: ::the healing makes it actually worse::

Keen Stronghold: ........ I feel it-- ::grunts::

Keen Stronghold: ..... no, not again--

Masonry Redux: I have you.

Keen Stronghold: .... that doesn't... HELP!

Keen Stronghold: ::yanks away::

Keen Stronghold: ......... you're... full of hate...!

Masonry Redux: ::lets out a breath::

Masonry Redux: No!

Masonry Redux: No he's not.

Keen Stronghold: :;the vulture goes away, he recovers slowly::

Masonry Redux: ::watches something retreat from the shadows::

Masonry Redux: Hisagi...

Masonry Redux: ::touches his shoulder::

Keen Stronghold: ... I felt it... again.

Masonry Redux: ...something controls you, still.

Keen Stronghold: I don't know.

Masonry Redux: ::looks down and away::

Masonry Redux: That part of you has never completely left.

Masonry Redux: Otherwise, you would accept Nate and Daisuke.

Keen Stronghold: That "part" has always been there, Lodestar.

Keen Stronghold: It's my own feeling to feel... hate towards Masonry.

Masonry Redux lets out a small gasp.

Masonry Redux: I. I am sorry.

Masonry Redux: I am sorry he has done this to you.

Masonry Redux: But--

Masonry Redux: You have the feelings that you say are human.

Masonry Redux: If your will was able to control it, it can do it again.

Keen Stronghold: Humans can only forgive so much, Lodestar.

Masonry Redux: He does not expect you to forgive him.

Masonry Redux: He hopes you would forgive your brother.

Keen Stronghold: I don't intend to.

Keen Stronghold: Daisuke knows better what he does.

Masonry Redux: He is young and trusts too much.

Keen Stronghold: He's a damn adult.

Keen Stronghold: He's blind - but because he doesn't *want* to see it.

Masonry Redux: Because of the same reason I am here, Hisagi.

Masonry Redux: We believe there is something good in there.

Keen Stronghold: I believed, too.

Masonry Redux: He is trying, and no one sees it.

Masonry Redux: His killing of innocents changed your mind.

Keen Stronghold: Pointless killing of innocents.

Masonry Redux: And his want to do so again.

Masonry Redux: He must be stopped...I had hoped by taking the anger it would stop him.

Masonry Redux sighs.

Masonry Redux: I suppose I must try my luck with shock therapy.

Keen Stronghold: He won't be able to live without anger.

Keen Stronghold: He'll feel like... dying.

Keen Stronghold: ... like I did.

Masonry Redux: Yet you live.

Keen Stronghold: I got *it* back.

Keen Stronghold: I *have* my evil instincts back.

Masonry Redux would stomp his foot in frustration if he had one.

Keen Stronghold: I can hold a gun again.

Masonry Redux: So you believe taking the anger would not only stop him but kill him?

Keen Stronghold: He'd sink deep into a hole of depression.

Keen Stronghold: If he doesn't have willpower, he'd never get out of it.

Keen Stronghold: Seeing the facts, I'd say... he has none.

Masonry Redux: He has no willpower now!

Masonry Redux: What else can I do?

Keen Stronghold: Are you looking for a salvation?

Keen Stronghold: ::quietly:: I wonder if there's one.

Masonry Redux: We are trying...

Keen Stronghold: ... for HOW long?

Masonry Redux: *He* is trying... drugs.

Keen Stronghold: How many lives it's going to cost?

Keen Stronghold: How many friends hurt?

Masonry Redux: Do you suggest I kill him like a rabid dog?

Keen Stronghold: Drugs?! That was what got him into all of this to begin with.

Masonry Redux: And shock therapy.

Keen Stronghold: ... does he even believe in God?

Masonry Redux: No.

Keen Stronghold: ::mutters:: Not that it means anything.

Masonry Redux: Your will, the love for your wife is what brought you out of it.

Keen Stronghold: I'm not fond of shock therapy. It looks like a last resort.

Masonry Redux: Do you think I enjoy it?

Masonry Redux: I try to hide but I can't fully...

Masonry Redux: Some Kheldians have died under this.

Keen Stronghold: What's your task as a Peacebringer, regarding your host?

Masonry Redux: Mostly Nictus, but still...

Masonry Redux: I am to protect him, save his life, and to guide him.

Masonry Redux: I cannot and will not "drive" him forever.

Keen Stronghold: ... sorry, I am blaming you again.

Keen Stronghold: But one can deny guiding, and Masonry does it rather well.

Masonry Redux: ::gently:: If it will make you feel better.

Masonry Redux: Yes, he can.

Masonry Redux: By force if necessary.

Keen Stronghold: Force hasn't been working on him.

Keen Stronghold: You can tell.

Masonry Redux: ((Oh, sorry, misunderstood that other sentence))

Masonry Redux: Then what do you suggest?

Masonry Redux: Please be honest, Hisagi. ::quietly:: I think I know the answer.

Keen Stronghold: Removal from society. At the very least.

Keen Stronghold: But that's me.

Masonry Redux: You believe he is irredeemable.

[Broadcast]Lord Valentine: LF Positron TF

Keen Stronghold: ::dispassionately:: Correct.

Masonry Redux: And the removal of the anger could kill him.

Keen Stronghold: I don't think he'd get to that stage.

Keen Stronghold: I don't see it being "extracted." He'd just... take it for himself.

Keen Stronghold: And use it for his own willing.

Masonry Redux weaves back and forth, agitated.

Keen Stronghold: And *that* I won't let happen.

Keen Stronghold: He'd not... hesitate to kill anyone on his way.

Masonry Redux: I know.

Masonry Redux: I know too well.

Keen Stronghold: Do you think *we* can take that risk?

Keen Stronghold: Who would he kill?

Masonry Redux: You don't want to know.

Keen Stronghold clenches his teeth.

Masonry Redux: Anyone.

Masonry Redux: You, me if he could.

Keen Stronghold: I can't let this happen. I was hoping to count on you, too. But now I'm not really sure.

Masonry Redux: I guide, Hisagi.

Masonry Redux: I make suggestions.

Masonry Redux: And heal the body when it is hurt, and heal others if they are hurt.

Masonry Redux: I cannot tear him out. We've tried that.

Masonry Redux: The fury makes him strong.

Keen Stronghold: And enhancing it is *not* an option.

Masonry Redux: No.

Masonry Redux: He finds his own excuses.

Keen Stronghold: I know.

Masonry Redux: Then, Hisagi, I am sorry I have taken so much of your time.

Keen Stronghold: No problem, I guess.

Masonry Redux: But something controls you, and I wish to see it.

Keen Stronghold: I'm afraid you won't.

Masonry Redux: I wish to help you.

Keen Stronghold: It doesn't concern you.

Masonry Redux: You are a stubborn man.

Keen Stronghold: ::grins:: No kidding.

Keen Stronghold: Take care.

Masonry Redux: Sayonara.

Keen Stronghold: ((Jack will meet someone else. Or rather, feel his presence.))

(Although this will probably be role-played, this scene has been playing over and over for days.  This is posted for your later comparison on how it will be role-played.)

Robin threw open the door to the PPD station in frustration.  They stole her purse - again!  Luckily she learned to keep her cash in her pocket and the purse as a distraction.  But it was such an inconvenience -  The door bounced against something and slammed back into her arm.  "Ow!"

"I am sorry," said a huge, armored creature.

Robin looked up.  And up.  The creature's white eyes glowed in a mask that looked like a gargoyle.  The thing was all shoulders and chest, with a miniature waist and legs that looked far to spindly to carry such a weight.  She gasped in spite of herself.  "Are you hurt?" it asked.

"I uh..." she rubbed her arm where the door hit it.  "It'll bruise."

The creature held out a huge claw.  "May I?"

Robin, against her better judgement, held out her arm.  The creature took it gently in a claw, then touched it with the tip of the other, tracing along her arm.  She felt a tingle as he did it.

"There.  All better now."

She smiled at him.  "Thanks."

"Don't mention it."  He shouldered past her into the PPD building.  She watched him go, thinking, Maybe capes aren't so bad.

Three cops looked up from behind the counter.  "Where is Lieutenant Hisagi Matsumoto," thundered the creature.

They all pointed at a door.  The creature squeezed through it and came face to face with another policeman.  "I am looking for Lieutenant Matsumoto."

He pointed down the hall.  After a few more inquiries, the creature found himself standing just outside Hisagi's cubicle.  He barely fit in the aisle, and he knew he couldn't fit in the cubie.  He concentrated for a moment, then, in an explosion of white light, turned into a floating, tentacle-based squid-like being.  He tilted himself and stood in the doorway to the cubicle.  Hisagi was concentrating on writing at his desk.

"Lieutenant Matsumoto."

"Yes."  He didn't look up.

"I need to speak with you."

"I'm busy."  He looked up.  "Who are you?"

"I am Lodestar."

Hisagi's eyes narrowed.  "Mase's Kheldian.  What do I need to speak with you for?"

Speaking in Japanese, Lodestar said, "[I need to ask you some questions about some personal matters that, even though I speak this language, someone else could very well understand.  It has to do with some havoc.]"

Hisagi looked startled for a moment.  Lodestar tipped forward, waiting.  Then Hisagi turned, grabbed his coat and stormed past the floating Kheldian.  Lodestar followed dutifully...

Beckham.

Mike, this is Hannah.

Hi, Hannah -

I'm calling about that patient you referred to me as an emergency case, Nathan Greene.

-  this must be about Na--yes.

You prescribed daily ECT.  He's not that severe.

He's dangerous, Hannah.

Institutionalize him.

He'll kill his way out.  You probably don't know half of what he's done and what he feels.

I know more than half, Mike.

When's his next appointment?

Monday.

Five days?!

He's on Remeron.  I don't agree with your high dosage - 

You shouldn't let him loose over the weekend.

 - on Monday we'll start three times a week for two weeks and then we'll reassess.  And why not?

He's a meta with a Kheldian.  The Kheldian heals him and flushes it out of his system as an invading chemical.

Mike, you have no idea how a Kheldian can work.  If the Kheldian wants to not heal him, he won't. 

Hannah, you should not undermine my findings.  I'll be talking to Dr. Sullivan later.  Good day, doctor.  ::click::
 
::slam::

Linda Malloy watched the man walk by the glass windows, and her heart swelled. Something about him, she had no idea what, why he seemed to evoke such a glow out of her. She had defended heroes before, heroes more buff, more handsome, but Masonry, he was just so...cute.

"Hi, Linda," he said, pulling out the chair across from her.

"Hi, Nate. What were you in solitary for this time?"

"Somebody passed out in front of me, they thought I did something."

"Did you?"

"No."

She nodded briskly. "All right,then. Here's what we're going to do. We're going to aim the bar really high. After we get the confession dismissed, I'm going to ask that all the charges be dismissed, because, technically, they have no evidence that you did these crimes."

Masonry shook his head. "No. I did them. I deserve to be punished."

"Don't you think that your time in here so far is enough? Don't you think everything that you've done for the city is punishment enough?"

"I need to be watched."

"Nate, you're not on the drugs anymore."

"That's why. I'm evil."

"You are not," Mallory folded her arms across her chest. "Everybody gets mad at someone sometimes."

"But to want them dead?"

She looked down at her papers. She had read his psych reports and knew the answer to that question. He was jealous, pure and simple. But he didn't hate them enough to kill them, or she would have read Pace's obituary by now. "All right, " she stated. "But this isn't about them. Once the confession is out, they have no physical evidence connecting you to the crimes." She looked up and smiled. "You'll be free."

He looked down at the table. "Hm."

"Hm?"

"I was telling Fyre last night that I didn't want to be free. That I wanted to stay here. When they decided to put me back into solitary because some ex-sorcerer had a seizure, I realized I didn't want to stay here."

"Good, Nate. I thought I was going to have to fight an uphill battle." She rearranged the papers. "Now, here's the worst case scenario, and we're working our way backwards."

"Execution."

"Yes. They won't do that."

"How about a plea bargain?"

"It depends on what happens with the confession. We'll get you out of here, even if it means you have to keep wearing that teleport belt. We can change the teleport coordinates to something like a cell in Futura Force or the nearest police cell..."

He nodded, half listening. Scenarios ran the gamut from life in prison with no chance of parole or work release, all the way to total freedom. She would start from total freedom and work her way down. She didn't expect the total freedom, but she would push for some jail time with work release, probably a couple of more years.

His mind went back to the night before, when Fyre wouldn't believe he was capable of evil that he thought he was. "I've seen you with other people, Frosty, Rogue, Kit, Scott, Em, and Star. You can't not care." He told her that he almost tore Star's wings off. He didn't tell her that Em put him in his place with an order and a command, "UNDERSTOOD?"

"Nate, I know I'm boring you."

He gave her an awkward smile. "I'm sorry."

She smiled. "You pay me the big bucks to think for you. I just want you to know what to expect."

"Thanks, Linda."

"Just keep doing what you're doing, Nate. It doesn't matter what E says. And don't skip anymore, it looks bad."

"What about drinking?"

She gave him a skeptical look.

He smiled. "Drugs?"

"Nate..."

"Sex?"

She gathered up her papers even as she blushed. "Go on, get out of here."

His chuckle was deep and sexy as she watched him get up, like a lion rising from a meal. He squared his shoulders and fixed her with his dark, smoldering eyes. Then they crinkled as he grinned, because he knew what he had done to her for that one moment. He turned and knocked on the door for them to take him away.

Malloy took a deep breath to steady herself. No wonder Serena stuck with him. But she would have to beat off all the women with a bat. Or, Malloy thought with a grin, a katana.