The Red Lands ::Private RP::

[Aerivel]

Before Audrey could answer his phone went off. Flipping it open, he saw the message from Randy saying that Roi had just finished surgery and was currently in critical condition. "Hmph," he said, snapping it shut, "Maybe. We'll just have to wait and see, won't we?" Though, in all honesty, he didn't really care what happened to the bird girl, it wasn't like he could have just waltzed in there and unhooked her from those machines and carried her out when she was half-bandaged and probably wouldn't survive the trip over the desert back to the SHIELD dome; he was much more interested in thinking of ways to avert Dylan's attention away from Shannon. Ignoring Michael's taunting he finished, "It looks like we're almost there. You should go and make sure everything's prepared."

Nancy sighed, momentarily forgetting that Randy was there. He pulled up a chair next to Whitney and crossed his arms, "I don't claim t'know everythin', kid, cause sure's hell I don't. But y'know them kids, think they're invincible, don't think nothin' 'bout tomorrow or nothin' 'bout the people care 'bout 'em," Randy had glanced at them and scurried out of the room, Nancy figured maybe she was just queasy after seeing all the blood. "Well, it ain't nothin' y'did wrong, kid, y'jes didn't go w' the best o' employers," he paused and then said more quietly, "This place jes gonna get more crazy's the news spreads... Soon she's healthy 'nough, I'm takin' her outta here. Ain't no tellin' what them higher up psychos Pegasus got under's thumb 'er gonna wanna do with 'er."

[KatDrama]

"Yeah yeah..." Michael waved with her hand, annoyed at being told what to do. In that instant she had disappeared. Michael's jumps were interesting in that they happened without much fanfare. All there could be seen of her for the moment she disappeared was a light haze. Other than that her jumps were pretty much instantaneous.

Whitney sighed. He had been thinking about this too. "But where to go..." He asked, though he knew the answer. If they didn't want to try to make it in the outlands the only place to go was SHIELD. The humans certainly wouldn't let them in Neo York, and crossing the bridge to god nows what was beyond was out of the question.

[Aerivel]

Nancy took a deep breath, "Well, I gotta mind t'go t'that SHIELD. They done took my kid there for safe keepin', Pegasus been wantin' t' tear that 'un up too." He watched Whitney carefully. Nancy didn't know what the medical facilities were like in SHIELD or how skilled their doctors were, but if Roi kept up her little habit of getting herself torn up, they'd need someone to help take care of her. "Well, yer welcome t'come, less'n y'got somethin' keepin' y'here," he shrugged, wondering what Whitney would think.

At that, Randy came toddling back in, carrying a white bundle in her hands; she'd run off to the laundry room on the next floor and brought Whitney a clean shirt, "Here," she said, holding it out to him, noticing that he was seemingly oblivious to the stains all over his shirt, "Clean clothes might make you feel better!" One could almost see the little hearts at the end of her sentences when she talked.

The truck slowed and stopped for a moment as Audrey passed through the entrance to the SHIELD dome. Most everyone there knew him well enough, so it was no trouble to get through the gates, especially when he said he'd returned with half of the special task he'd been assigned. He pulled into the dark parking garage of the large building where a few lights kept just enough light that you might see a wandering pedestrian before flattening them. Parking the truck and leaving the delivery man's cap in the seat, he went to unlock the hatch.

[KatDrama]

"Hey, wake up." Shannon had lurched awake as they stopped. He gently tapped Roi on the temple. "We're here." Hesitantly Shannon watched as the latch opened, wondering what awaited them now.

An escort of men had arrived in the parking garage, all well armed with guns. "Michael sent us here, as per protocol." One said, saluting Whitney as he waited for orders.

Whitney looked up dazed at Randy. He had not noticed his shirt at all. "Thank you." He finally said, a grateful, if tired smile came across his worried face. Whitney stood up and accepted the shirt. He began to unbutton his soiled shirt, for he was wearing an undershirt that was clean for the most part. He then pulled the new shirt on, dropping the old shirt in a hamper for medical scrubs. Whitney leaned against the counter and stared at Roi, her chest rising and falling with the sounds of the respirator. "Yeah...no...nothing's really keeping me..." He thought painfully of the woman he had loved. After the fight they'd been having recently he sensed that things were over. Maybe it really was best to move on. Really move.

[Aerivel]

Audrey nodded to the armed guard, slowly opening the latch as he pulled the gun from his own pocket and brought it up, "All right, get out," he said coldly, steadily holding his gun toward Shannon. "Dylan, you're going to go with these men. They won't hurt you," he said as though he were threatening them if they dared to, "They're going to take you to your room. After I've made my report, I'll come to you with any new orders. As for you," he said to Shannon, "You're coming with me."

Dylan froze as the armed guard greeted them. She didn't want to be separted from Shannon again and looked to him, wondering what she should do.

"Well... I'm gonna go'n take care o' a couple things..." Nancy said, standing, "You jes' keep an eye on 'er, I'll be back in a few," and he was gone.

Randy watched as Nancy left, then looked curiously back to Whitney. "But... I thought you had a girlfriend? Won't she be sad that you're leaving...?" she asked, a little disappointed that he seemed so ready to abandon his love. At least, that's how it looked from her perspective.

[KatDrama]

Shannon immediately became defensive, his arm wrapped around Dylan as he slowly got up and got out of the truck, giving a Dylan a hand down as he did so. "What is the meaning of this?" Shannon glared at Audrey. For some reason he couldn't shake the feeling that he had been betrayed. Shannon intertwined his hand with Dylan's. The look he gave Audrey was one of 'make me.'

Whitney sighed, rubbing his eyes as he did so. "Me and Sam...it's over...she made that clear to me this morning...." He said, more than a little heartbroken. Whitney slid down into a chair. After that intense surgery he felt as though all of his energy had left him.

[Aerivel]

"Aw..." Randy watched the poor man as he wilted into the chair, "I'm sorry," she said sincerely, "I know how you feel..." though she didn't feel it was the time to go into the details of her life, "But, you're still young and handsome! I'm sure somewhere there'll be a girl who appreciates what a hard worker you are!" she said, trying to be cheerful but not to the point that it came out as mockery. Gently, she went behind the chair and hugged him from behind, hoping a little sign of affection might cheer up him a bit.

Audrey sighed, his gun unwavering, "Look, it's not up to me, all right? My orders were to retrieve the angel and the demon. That doesn't include you. Since you're an uninvited guest, I have to take you to my boss to see what he wants us to do with you. Do you really think SHIELD would trust an ex-Pegasus lackey so easily? Especially one as high-ranking as you are," he said almost smugly, glancing from Dylan and then back to Shannon, "I was quite serious. They won't dare hurt her. SHIELD was very specific that anyone found at fault as far as harm coming to either of them would be severely punished."

He brought his gun to Shannon's chin, leaning in closely to his ear and whispering so none of the men nor Dylan could hear, "I'm not going to pretend to like you, but if I wanted to hurt you I would be man enough to use my fists. If you don't want to cause trouble for her, you'll come with me quietly and let me explain the situation to SHIELD. I'm sure given the circumstances we'll be able to work something out. You have my word no harm will come to either of you for the time being; like I said, it's in both of our best interests that she remain unharmed... And sane."

[KatDrama]

Finally Shannon grimly consented with a nod of his head as he let go of Dylan. He felt a pain ring through his heart when he was called Pegasus's lackey. It wasn't a truth that he wanted to acknowledge. Shannon put a brave smile on his face for Dylan. "Alright, I'll see you later then." He nodded at her. He didn't doubt Audrey that if they went through all that effort to save Dylan that they would take good care of her.

"This way, please." One of the soldiers had lowered his gun and gestured in a direction of some doors leading out of the garage. The other troops surrounded her, more there for her protection than containment.

"Lead on then." Shannon's smiled grew tired as he waited for Audrey to take him wherever he had to be taken.



Whitney quietly accepted Randy's hug, grateful for the comfort. "You're a kind person." Whitney finally said. He didn't move or look back at her. At that moment he really couldn't, didn't want to. He was however graciously moved by how this woman who had been so abused was being so nice to him.

[Aerivel]

Dylan pouted but soon saw that there was no way around it. Sadly, she let the soldiers lead her away into a corridor that looked comfortable enough... Nice and carpeted, but not overly extravagant or gaudy like the ones in the Pegasus dome. She started to wonder if she would be locked up in a bedroom like Roi had... She could only hope there wasn't some crazy person like Pegasus waiting around.

"...Good." Audrey slowly led Shannon away from the Dylan escort group, through a different hallway that was tiled, with little in the way of doors and decoration, and finally to a set of doors that led into a large, office-like area. At the desk was a man who was facing the other direction, probably working on paperwork.

"It's me. I've gotten the demon safely here. I don't know how much Michael told you, but the angel is in critical condition. I didn't want to risk moving her and putting her into further danger; I've received word from Randy that she's being cared for by the best doctor left in the Pegasus dome. As soon as she is well enough, I will go back for her," he paused, glancing to Shannon before finishing, "This is one of Pegasus's men... Or, he used to be. If you haven't already been informed, Pegasus is dead and his dome is in an uproar right now," his expression changed, as though he were unhappy about what he was about to say, "The demon has grown... Attached to this man. Dr. Ashley McCracker's final message to me was that she is mentally ill and unstable and as such if anything happened to him, it might cause irrepairable mental damage... Should we leave him in the same care as the demon?" he asked, hoping the answer would be no. He wanted to put Shannon in a closet.

"Not really..." she begged to differ, "But, I try," she winked, squeezing him tight before pulling away and walking in front of him, "Well, would you like any coffee? Hot tea?"

[KatDrama]

The man at the desk didn't even turn around. "We are aware of the situation." The man finally said in a droll voice. He had been well briefed by my Michael. "Casey will want to question him later." The man said as he turned a page in his report. "Place him in a holding cell until then."

Shannon was entirely surprised by the news that Pegasus was dead. Shock showed on his face and he was burning with questions, about Pegasus and the bird girl. But this didn't seem the time or the place. A grim smile crossed his face as he heard the words 'cell'. From one dungeon to another.

"Just some water. Thanks." Whitney sighed, his mouth feeling very dry. Whitney enjoyed the comfort the maid gave him. But he was beyond becoming happy at that moment. He continued to rub his eyes as he took his glasses off.

[Aerivel]

"One water coming up!" she cheered, "Don't go anywhere, okay?" and off she went down the hallway to get a fresh bottled water from the vending machine.

Audrey couldn't help a small smirk, but he cleared his throat and let it fade away, "All right, I'll take care of it, then. Come on," he said quietly to Shannon, taking him back out into the hallway, stopping for a moment to pop the cramps out of his neck that he always got from extended periods of driving. He sighed, trying to hide the pleasure he got from being able to put Shannon in a cell... Even if only temporarily. Figuring Shannon at least knew something about the angel, he dared to ask, "What kind of person is that bird girl? I thought Pegasus was unkillable." He led Shannon into what looked like a sort of break room lounging area, leaning up against the wall with his arms crossed indicating there were some things he wanted to know as well before locking the pretty man away.

Dylan had been put into what looked like a freshly cleaned bedroom. They hadn't locked her into the room but had firmly told her not to go anywhere and to make herself comfortable for the time being until they received further orders. Out of curiosity, she opened up the closet, seeing that it was full of dresses. "Aw... Yer kiddin'..." I hope those ain't fer me...

[KatDrama]

Shannon thought since they were pausing in this room it was fine for him to sit down for a minute. He sat down on a couch, resting his arm on the back of it. He looked up at Audrey with a determined smirk. "Roi is...a mad woman. You keep referring to an angel and a demon, which I presume to mean Roi and Dylan. But of the two Roi is definitely the demon." He sighed and leaned his head back to rest on the back of the couch. "A white demon." He said with a small smile. "When I first met her it was because she had gone berserc and cut her own throat." He cast a glance up at Audrey, wondering what the other man was thinking. "I'm curious though as well...how did she manage to do it?"

Whitney sighed and sat back further in his chair, listening to the sound of Roi's monitor beeping out the timing of her heart.

[Aerivel]

Audrey cocked an eyebrow; he'd just assumed since the bird was the one with the feathers that she was the angel. "You don't say. Suicidal? I suppose one would have to be such to take on Pegasus. Still," he smirked a bit, "Turns out the good doctor had given her a debilitating serum and he was fool enough to fall for her seductive trap. I hear he made quite the satisfying crunching sound when his skull hit the pavement after plummeting from the rooftop." He laughed a little under his breath, "b*****d. He deserved anything she did to him," Shannon didn't need to know that Audrey was old enough to remember vividly the slaughter Pegasus had unleashed on his family.

"Well, looks like you're unemployed," his expression changed as he stared at Shannon, his gaze unreadable as the gold and red flecks in his own eyes seemed to dance like they were in a snow globe. He wanted to know more about this man but far from wanting to befriend him as it seemed Shannon was the only thing standing between himself and Dylan. "You say Roi is the demon? You really think so highly of Dylan as to say she's an angel?"

"Special delivery!" she cheered, kissing the cold water bottle before she handed it to him, "And it's full of love!" That poor man. He was so tired and exhausted from work and now his lover had left him as well. If nothing else, Randy would at least get him to smile.

[KatDrama]

"Heh." Shannon laughed, a dirty smile on his face. "Well, Roi can be a little demon at times..." From the look on his face it was obvious he was referring to naughty big people times. Since the moment he met him somehow Shannon felt this strain that he was competition. He wanted to make it very clear that he had already marked Dylan as his own. "And at other times she can be so soft and gentle, such an angel." He said tenderly, his thoughts also still in dirty places.

"Thanks." Whitney said, very tired. He accepted the water and took a sip of it. Finally Whitney stood and pushed several chairs together. He grabbed his lab coat and sat back down, propping his feet up in one. "If you don't mind...I'm going to catch a little nap. Can you keep an eye on her?" He said drowsily to Randy, his mind already obviously half asleep.

[Aerivel]

"Of course!" she reached into the closet and took out a pillow and blanket, forcing the pillow under his head and tossing the blanket over him. "You rest up, I'll take good care of her!" Randy said reassuringly as she took a seat next to the bed.

A twitch went down Audrey's spine and he looked away until the blush of rage left his cheeks. "Hmph," his crossed arms tightened, seeing this was going to be harder than he thought. "I see," he said, pausing, letting his gaze fall to the floor at his feet, his bangs falling over his eyes.

He stood there silently for a moment. He didn't want Shannon's sympathy, but he felt he should make one thing very clear, "McCracker contacted me almost immediately after he found her. He ran a lot of tests on her, figured out who her parents were; he'd been one of the few doctors who dared visit our pitiful little town. She would only have been a baby when Pegasus massacred the people in our town, too young to remember the slaughter. But I remember all of it," he stopped, shifting his weight, "My best friend was her older brother." He looked up to Shannon, the determination strong in his eyes, "So, you see, I won't give up on this so easily."