Wonderland Minus the Alice

There was a quiet, low curse, bare more than a whisper as Hayden checked an incoming text, the mentioned help apparently being less than agreeable to something or another. The wheel of the car was given a less than kind jerk, the car being maneuvered out of the lot of the Podunk fuel station and back onto the road. Jayden, sitting as he was in the back, stretched a hand out, landing it on Drea's shoulder long enough only to keep her from getting whiplash with the unexpected motion before dropping it away again. It didn't take long, especially at the less than proper speeds that were being used to find the side road that was being sought after, the turn onto it no more kind than the exit of the lot. Cornflower blue head snapped away from the window sharply to cast a chastising glance at his brother's reckless driving, the motion coming quick enough to catch the cellphone from beaning him in the side of the head. Flipping his Brother the bird but looking down at what was on the screen, the low hiss that left his lips while reading was enough to set anyone's fur on end. Thankfully, the lighting was low enough that the look dancing across his features was one that would likely go unnoticed unless someone were watching him exceptionally closely.

Upon dropping the cell back over the seat and onto the armrest so that it was easily accessible, he swiftly picked up his notepad and pen before beginning to scribble away like a mad man. Finally seeming satisfied with whatever he'd written, the paper was shifted, a quick wriggle of his fingers given to catch Drea's attention if it weren't already held. Knowing that the light was far from helpful, a Zippo was yanked from his pocket, the flare of flame quickly illuminating what lay on the paper to a point of being legible, even by someone who was not gifted with the sight needed to see through the mostly blackened back seat of the vehicle.

"There were apparently things we weren't aware of. We were expecting two people to show up, but apparently something happened to one of them. Asking forgiveness in advance if the one showing up is less than...Less than nice. She's usually amazing and resourceful as Hell..."

The writing was the usual chicken scratch style that all of the Quads seemed to hold no matter how long they sat and tried to make something look painstakingly neat and concise. The obvious level of distress was more apparent in the wording, as well as the lack of apparent finish to the note itself. Running a free hand back through his hair, he dropped his head for a moment, gathering himself into a semblance of control. There was adamant refusal within him to fall apart, even over the loss of such an old friend, at least while Aiden's girlfriend was here and obviously in need of protection, even if she didn't seem aware of that fact.

Drea sat back and stared out the windshield, and would have been content to remain unmoving if either Hayden, or Jayden would stop driving like the devil himself was on their tails. So instead there was a great deal of shifting around in the seat until she found a position in her seat belt that offered a bit of protection to keep her head from bouncing off the side window.

The exchange between the brothers somehow left her feeling more helpless then she already had been. A hell of an accomplishment considering she had just lost the woman that had saved her from Montana, her mentor, and his partner all within a few hours of one another. All in a single night, and all because of some magical source she had no way of tracking. It was maddening, the waiting, the watching as everyone that mattered to her strolled into the line of fire. She'd meant to leave, but the idea of running seemed selfish. Like they would just give up on her if she was out of sight.

The note was scanned quickly, and she nodded in mute acceptance. It was nice to have a heads up, but in the end there was nothing she could do either way. Except wait. Running her hand back through her own hair she flashed a brave smile at him and turned her attention to lighting a cigarette. "Don't worry I'm with you. Whatever the mood of whom ever shows up, we are going to need the help, I can't exactly afford to be picky." She rolled the window on her side down a few inches and ashed her cigarette in he high speed winds.

Like a Bat out of Hell, or perhaps it was into that Hayden drove, the time passing by obviously not swiftly enough, trapped as it seemed within the eternally slow hourglass. Stars rose and twinkled high overhead, their appearance clear even from within the confines of the car as the trip was through clear skies and surprisingly unpolluted areas of land. The drive continued on for long enough that by the time the vehicle began to slow, many of those same diamond eyes had begun to dim and disappear, the far horizon sparking with all the colors of flame as the sun began to peer it's head through the remaining vestiges of night. Hayden began looking about, gaze narrowing through both windshield and tinted window as he seemed to be looking for something, or perhaps a someone considering what little the note had said.

Hayden had slowed the car to nearly a crawl when the roar of an engine coming up behind them at breakneck speed had him veering rapidly to the side of the road, nearly but not quite putting them into the ditch. The streetlight red 1969 Camaro shot past them, before whipping around in a rather impressive show of skill, gravel spitting up behind it, a cloud of dust and debris rising for a moment to partially encompass the muscle car before settling once more as it came to a complete stop in the center of the road, nose pointed dangerously close to the ditch. The Driver's door opened even before the debris had fully settled, a long, black cargo clad leg reaching out to touch the ground. Leading up to a matching black flack jacket that had been left to hang open, a white wife beater hugged a figure that was just shy of hourglass. Dark cherry hair shot through with white streaks hung low over aviator covered eyes while the back was cut into a slew of messy spikes. Black combat boot covered feet carried the obviously feminine figure towards your own vehicle, stopping only when she was close enough to plant one hand on the roof and lean down to look through the now partially open window.

The free hand, several of the long fingers graced by some very viscous looking armor began flashing about in a flurry of motion that was nearly too quick to decipher. Unstrapping almost warily, Hayden shifted in his seat, his own hands moving now with a grace and speed that said the girl, or was it a woman knew well that language that you had begun to be taught over the past year or two. Jayden on the other hand appeared more than content with simply sitting back and watching, his eyes flashing as he seemed to be taking mental note of what was being said. When a lull seemed to come about, paper was written upon with a speed that you had yet to see from him, almost as if he expected to miss something in the brief span it took him to write for you.

"That's Star. It looks like she was ground locked by the Military after a training flight that went horribly, horribly awry. Simon, her partner and the other three birds were lost. Shot down over some foreign place that she's not at liberty to name. From what I can tell, she Awakened due to the situation and is now a Mage though I'm not sure what tradition she's working under. Give Hayden a minute to find out what else he can before introducing yourself. You won't have to say much, though feel free to release whatever information you want being as we consider her one of us even if she only recently joined the ranks of the preternatural."

It had taken a little while for her to recognize that they weren't returning to the Academy. The only reason she could figure was that they were headed to wherever Aidan had been taken. When she'd realized they were taking her to him she'd nearly suffered a panic attack. Didn't they understand how dangerous an idea that was? How could it have slipped their minds? Their resources were shrouded in mystery, but it would have taken someone paying absolutely no attention at all to miss the fact they were well to do. The point being, they had the cash to look into all the possibilities of what was going on. Yet they had come up empty handed, and continued to do so for the next year. This was some terrible source to the messages, someone she had no power to stop. Either by forcing them to, or doing as the notes bid and leaving those she had come to love the most.

She'd tried so hard to ignore the notes, but one day in a flash of defiance she'd gone against the order of the sender, and told the guys. Though not Aidan, a fact she still wasn't sure she regretted, regardless to it being a bad idea to not tell him. Knowing about them certainly hadn't saved the others. In the darkness of the back seat she'd bowed her head over her cigarette and stopped trying to hold back her tears. Occasionally she appreciated her long hair, it offered the illusion that neither brother noticed she was being fragile again; despite her previous claims that she was anything but.

Even in the state of tragedy, shock eventually wore away and she curled up as best she could and drifted off to sleep. Not waking up until the car nearly went into the ditch. Righting herself, and glancing between Jayden and Hayden made sure they were both alright. They certainly seemed to be, and each had his gaze locked on the red haired woman that stalked toward them like she hadn't yet decided if they were friend and not food. Shrinking down a bit in her seat, she peered past the brother that was driving and watched over his shoulder as she fell into the language she had been painstakingly learning, like it were her native tongue... So to speak. Glancing at the note explained a great deal, though she had guessed this woman was the one they had come to meet. There was a nod to his suggestion that she make introductions, but she didn't move to interrupt the conversation she was already having.

Drea hadn't yet decided if she wanted Star's full attention focused on her.

The entirety of the conversation spanned less time than a good commercial break, a silent interlude between car drives one might suppose. When hands stopped flying, brows ceasing to furrow far enough up to cause appreciation from even an old Grandmother, Hayden cautiously opened the door enough to cause the red headed woman to have to step back. Keeping her in his peripheral, he extended a hand back to his twin who accepted it and swung himself up and over the seat before turning his body just enough to twist out the door and stand beside him. Jayden cast a glance back at you, his hand reaching back in to offer you a solid grasp out, one that should you take it placed you protectively between the two of them. It didn't seem as if the two didn't trust her, more as if they didn't trust her stability, thus keeping you from being a clear target from any sort of explosion that might come from her. For it was clear, this was a woman who was either looking for a fight and would likely be the one to come out on top or at the very least give as good as she got. It was not clear in what was visible of her features beneath the fall of hair, but more in the way her body was being carried. It was clear that she took notice of you though, what may have been a cursory inspection ran over you before she said something to the two guys that was in something other than English.

Whatever it was drew a sharp look from the guys, one of them (Hayden) shooting a concerned glance down at you before ducking back into the car and grabbing out a few things. There was the sound of the security system being reactivated before the door was shut again, and you would find yourself being nudged gently towards the Camaro which still sat, low lights on casting a half shadow around the vehicle. The flip of a wrist must have had a button being pressed or something for the lights on the car flashed once before the sound of doors being unlocked rather than resealed became clear. Star was then seen to be walking around to the back of the vehicle, the trunk being popped and something extracted before she walked back over to the guys car, leaving you free to be able to get into hers. Giving you an apologetic glance, Jayden slipped temporarily into the Driver's seat, making sure to take any opportunity away of you being able to take off with it. It would have been a long opportunity even if it had crossed your mind, because Star was away for less than three minutes before you caught sight of her striding back towards her car. Even before she had quite fully reached her door, Jayden was back out of it and extending the door to her much like a chauffeur would. Aviator bearing head turned in your direction, the flash of a hoop through her lower lip finally noticeable beneath the dark sky.

"We're taking you to your boyfriend, have no fear. He's as safe as he's going to be anywhere, even if his sudden bug is less than chancy in it's appearance. That's not luck or coincidence, that's sheer planning on someone's part. If you haven't figured it out already, they're trying to split the group of you up. We're taking my wheels because I'm an unexpected factor thrown into the equation. Whoever's been using your people as target practice are going to either have to show themselves, up their game, or if you're lucky, this will at least give you some brief reprieve. Besides, since detonations seem to be their current specialty...They'll find me a bit more of a challenge in that department. If you need a name, call me Orian. My other piece of advice, if I tell you to do something, do it. If there's opportunity, I'll ask for input, if not, don't make all of our life's more difficult by fighting me on something. Last but not least, no Heroics. That's the type of shit that'll get you AND everyone else involved with injured or dead."

She did get out of he car, and swallowed back her pride twice in a span of only a few minutes. First when she needed the protection of Hayden and Jayden, and secondly when she responded to Orion with little more then a nod. It wasn't like those thoughts hadn't crossed her mind, but it was frustrating to have them sounded off at her like she was too featherbrained, or too simple to reach them on her own. Realistically, she reasoned, the other woman was just trying to lay the ground work for the near future. However it smacked of condescension, and she was rapidly growing tired of that particular feeling. The brother that slipped into the driver seat of the Camaro was given a dryly amused glance before she slid into the back seat of the new car without offering a single word of complaint. Oh she had them, but clearly she was sitting at the little kids table, no one was going to listen to her rationale for everything so she didn't bother to offer it.

Hell maybe they were right, and did no better. She certainly had little to no foundation to work off in a matter like this one.

So she sat while they finished up, lighting yet another cigarette and smoking it quietly while all the adults figured out what to do. The burning of the smoke helped to alleviate the gnawing feeling in her gut that the longer she was with all of them the greater danger they were in. Sure the list of things those trying to get rid of her would have to do might in fact shift with the arrival with this newest x factor, but the options she presented oh-so-casually were for the most part unacceptable. Especially the one where the source of all of this upped their game. It would have taken an extreme internalization to not notice how close to the edge Star was, for whatever reason. Drea expected it was a good one, but without a way to know it seemed like all that was being offered was a spin on the wheel of fortune. IT could go well... Or it could go very very poorly.

Her recent luck didn't go far to convince her that things would be taking a turn for the better in the near or distant future.

Once the three of you were assembled in the car, Star, or as she had advised you to call her, Orion climbed in as well. There was something about her movements that bespoke a severe sort of training, though at the same time, it was off, almost as if there were something missing. Some step or part that was no longer in place, or perhaps it was being ignored flat out. Were you to look around the interior itself, it was as meticulous, orderly really as it's owner. No spec of dust, not an empty food wrapper, not even a single sign of the ash from a cigarette being smoked. There was no out of the ordinary scent, not even one from one of those hanging car fresheners. Instead it smelled how a car properly should. Grease. Oil and fuel. Even a hint of the smell of the road. Nothing to mark where it or the woman who owned it had been. More specifically, nothing to identify the woman herself. Drawing the door shut behind her, she set the vehicle off in the opposite direction of where the two of you had come from.

No music was turned on, no words spoken from either of your now three companions. Were you to look closely it actually seemed like they were listening. Anticipating something that you had yet to be informed of. The guys car was a mere spec in the distance, visible only to your eyes if you strained, pushed your vision to it's very limits. Even that spec was lost though not for very long when the brilliant rise of an explosion screamed skywards. Hayden and Jayden hung their heads for a moment, as if in mutual silence saying goodbye to their wheels. It was for only the blink of an eye though before they rose up once more, the synchronization of their movements an odd sort of comfort, though comfort none the less if you allowed to be, the familiarity of it from happier times a blanket that could be wrapped around your shoulders. There was no pause in Orion's path, in fact it seemed that she pushed the pedal a bit closer to the floor, her obvious intention to put distance between her vehicle and it's occupants from the site of where this newest ball of fire had taken place.

That was when you would find a slender case, black on black that were it opened would be found to carry a surprising eccentrically organized list of music. Store bought as well as obviously pirated playlists were tucked in together, little sheets of paper with perfectly scripted hand writing labeling each song that was on it as well as the artist and album name that it originated from. A fair majority of it was not English bands, those of which were translated by simple two or three word notes from Jayden. Those that were ranged from NiN and Apocalyptica to Evanesence and Valora. Noticeable as well were bands like Nickleback and Adele, two that seemed rather off from the general scheme of the lot.

"They didn't mention if you'd eaten or drank anything recently, but if you open the compartment between you, reach into the trunk and there's consumables back there. I wouldn't suggest drinking too much since bathroom breaks are going to be few and far between with the route I'm taking. There's also packs of cigarettes which you're welcome to though if you burn anything, you're buying me a new one and good luck with that. The music selection is for after we talk, which if you don't pick something you'll deal with whatever I do. Regardless, Tell me what's been happening. From the VERY beginning up until now. Make me see it through your eyes, not a passerby's."

For some reason she felt like she should have expected another explosion. Still the sound caught her by surprise, despite the tension in the air, and her cigarette momentarily slipped from her fingers. There was some soft cursing in Japanese while she collected it, and looked out the back window to watch the black mushroom cloud rise up toward the heavens. Drea decided that in that moment that she had already had quite enough of explosions, and fire in general. It was just a car, but it represented so much more then that. It had been the Academy, it had been her time at the police station, it was her retreat from her previous life. A life she had tried so desperately to forget, only to realize that there were some things you just couldn't escape, no matter where you went or who you became. Things like your hometown, and your parents. Even if she never became them they had still forged her, to some degree she would never admit out loud, into who she was.

The idea of telling her life story to Aidan, Jayden, Hayden, and Braden didn't strike her as a good time. Telling it to someone she didn't know, and was obviously going to dissect it for information, was not on her list of top one thousand things to do during her lifetime. Lighting a new cigarette off the last flickering glow of the previous, she sighed and spoke fairly quickly without looking up at anyone else in the car.

"Grew up in Helena, Montana. Lived in a trailer park with my parents. An only child, and I've always been a loner." Hopefully that would express what had been an exceptionally frustrating childhood. " My mother used to enter me into those pageant things for young kids, and at one of the locations she met a woman who also had a daughter there. Mom and this woman hit it off, and she along with her kids moved to Helena and into our park. The other woman also had a son who was a little older then the girl and I. We were inseparable for the year or so that they lived in the park. I was only eight, so I didn't really understand what happened, and I haven't been able to find any information despite my efforts. But he vanished, and she and her mother moved away shortly after. Things were normalish until I turned fourteen and really started acting out. Lilia saved me from military school, and brought me to the Academy. Things here started a little rocky, but they turned out pretty okay, or more were going pretty okay. Then the notes started." A third cigarette was lit off the second, and she sighed in a mix of frustration, guilt, and general bad feelings stirred up by talking about people she tried very hard never to mention.

"I got set up, through Aidan, with Andrew and eventually his partner Jacob. Both homicide detectives, Drew who was dating Lilia took me on as an apprentice so to speak. Taught me the ropes, I kept the files, ran for coffee, all the basics and occasionally I would get to offer input on something that was going on in one of their cases. I shadowed them more or less from the first week I got to the Academy. So for the last twoish years, un... until tonight." Her voice cracked and she slowed her speech down in an attempt to keep a firm hold on herself for the next part. Words coming in bursts, followed by a short pause for her to complete some small distraction, and regain composure before she continued. "Until tonight, or more last night when Drew drove his car and Lisa into a gas truck... Lilia was moving here, she'd just gotten a job at the academy and Drew was helping her move.... Until recently she still worked at the high-school in Helena... Drew proposed last w.. ...Drew proposed recently, and she'd accepted... Then they got blown apart."

She was getting ahead of herself, and knew it. Wish a soft growl mostly at herself she attempted to fill in the blanks she'd left. "I got to the academy just before my fifteenth birthday, and only a week before Aidan's seventeenth. Aidan and I became good friends, but in that first year there was a string of murders that kept Drew and Jacob at the station most of the time. So with the academy's loose guidelines and times for their classes I managed to be there most of the time too. One night when I was coming home late I got jumped between the parking garage and the dorm. They caught me from behind and were going to toss me over the bluff, but Hayden, Jayden, and Braden came out of nowhere and kicked their asses to the curb." Here at least she was able to flash the two brothers with her, an appreciative smile.


"Not long after that the notes started. More then I can count, and all with different handwriting, but the messages are always pretty close to the same thing. Leave your not wanted here, go home don't you know your just a charity case, ect ect. It wasn't until later they started to threaten violence, and then they appeared again tonight. On the windshield on the way to the crash site, and again just after the second explosion that killed Jacob. Who ever it is, is taking credit for whats happened, and wants me gone from the collective." Lapsing back into silence she lit a fourth cigarette and sank back into her hood, not wanting to know what sort of expressions she had earned with her little story.

"So you realize that you're NOT a charity case. Good. Lilah and the Quads don't do them, or little girls who crack under pressure. The fact that I even got a call implies that you're not the first. You're doing well enough towards proving that you're not the second either, but that could always change. Continue on the path that you are now and you might actually manage to impress me, not that I give a damn either way. Nor am I stupid enough to think that you give a damn about my opinion."

Orion lapsed into silence then, her stance seemingly more relaxed now that she was on the road and moving again, though never completely at ease. There was what sounded like the roar of a match being struck in the otherwise quiet of the car, it's brilliant, if brief flare bringing to life the bite of menthol smoke along with the rush of cool air as her window was rolled down to admit a breeze. Her seat had been dropped back, far enough that it nearly had her head in Jayden's lap which left one wondering how in the Hell she even saw the road that she was driving you down. It was also noticeable, as close as you were that his skin for the briefest moment had darkened, Sea shaded eyes darkening with something discernible the closer she drew to him. Though never once did he shift to move away, nor a hand reach out to brush back the strands of dark cherry red that fell so mockingly over her glasses covered gaze.

"Let me see if I get your download. You're trailer trash, or at least were by right of birth. You wouldn't have lasted at the Academy if you didn't turn your act around, though with Lilah and these fuckers as Role models, you would have had to have been a Sociopath not to. As for the vanishing kid, there are a lot of ways anywhere in the world for a kid to disappear, but a place like Montana has their fair share of them. It's probably nothing, though if you remember names and faces, I'll take a stab at it and see what I come up with. Homicide though, huh ? Sounds like a pretty heavy task choice for a kid as young as you were. But the names are familiar to me even if I never met them. Aidon talked enough about Drew to wear someone's ear off so I might as well have. I don't do condolences though, so if you're looking for them, talk to someone else. They were good people though, especially Lilah. She took the gifts that birth had blessed her with and was always finding some lost cause or another to bring back to the light."

ADD or ADHD should have been tattooed on the back of Orion's neck, or maybe even on her forehead with the way she was shifting gears with the points she was running over. There seemed to be little or no pattern whatsoever, as if her thoughts were as random and flyaway as the stars themselves. From most people her lack of seeming compassion, her choice of words would have sounded blatantly insulting, like she was some type of emotionless bitch who belonged anywhere but here. That was the thing though, whatever she may seem, she was still here, apparently willing to help which for the moment seemed enough for the Guys. Speaking of which, Hayden cast a vaguely concerned glance in your direction during Orion's newest pause in words, silently trying to either ask forgiveness for her coolness or maybe ask that you not spout off on her which while partially in your rights would likely go very badly for all those concerned. The look was short lived though before he turned his focus to digging around in the glove box that seemed the only place in the car that was in disarray. He was in the process of that when the phone she had settled into a holder on the dash began ringing, what might be Russian Acid Rock blaring out as a call came in. Raising the phone to her ear, the now dead cigarette was tossed out the still open window, free arm tucking back beneath her head as she began using her knee to control the car.

"What have I told you about calling me while I'm on a job ? No the explosion was obviously not MY car, it was my Employer's, though I was the one who set the charges. Now do yourself a favor and stop scolding me like I'm a child. Just because you're his Big Brother doesn't mean you have the right to continually try interfering in my life. Even he didn't try doing that though he had more right than you ever will. I don't need or want a babysitter nor a Guardian. I'd suggest you cease and desist or our Superiors are going to have a field day when I press harassment charges on you."

Never once did Orion's voice raise, nor was her choice of language anything but business proper. Even her very body language seemed calm, composed, the only part of her being that might have given something away still hidden by her glasses which she didn't appear to be intending to remove anytime soon. Jayden on the other hand looked surprisingly like Braden at the moment, his usual smooth exterior beyond ruffled, bordering more on infuriated. A hand settled on Orian's shoulder, causing her head to tilt back so that her protected eyes could presumably fall upon him. A lackadaisical smirk teased across her lips as a hand rose so that her fingers could brush momentarily across his in what was undeniably a soothing, calming gesture. Though the action remained hidden, she did cut a glance your way, fire burst eyes landing heavily on you for a moment before finally gliding away. Motions then were exchanged between the three, Hayden moving to sit back by you while Jayden switched to ride shotgun.

"I'm going to need to see the paper that these notes were on and have you give me the times and locations they were found. Also, seeing the inside of your room would be helpful as well as the places that you spend most of your time, though that's rather unlikely to happen now. At least at this exact moment. I'm also going to need a compiled list of family and friends, immediate or otherwise for the three victims. It may not sound like much but right now it's a starting point. Also, while I'm sure you've already thought over most of this, it never hurts to have a new set of eyes looking it over from a different vantage point. Also looking into the driver of that first truck couldn't hurt either. Make sure it was actually carrying what it was rumored to be."

'So you realize that you're NOT a charity case. Good. Lilah and the Quads don't do them, or little girls who crack under pressure.' She frowned and glanced in Star's direction, it was like the woman had absolutely no empathy what-so-ever, that or she simply gave absolutely no care whatsoever as to the words that flew past her lips. Biting back what could only be described as an indignation rage, she kept her silence through the monologue. 'Let me see if I get your download. You're trailer trash, or at least were by right of birth.' She flinched at the words, and wondered how she had gotten so lucky as to have a legacy like that to live up to. Knowing her words were going to be picked apart hadn't made the real life version of it any easier to bear.

"Yea." Was the only response she managed, short and to the point. Not enough to give away any of the tempest that spun within her. When Orion's gaze shifted her way she was looking out the window. Seemingly missing the comforting hand that landed on the drivers shoulder, and the switching of seats by the twins. 'I'm going to need to see the paper that these notes were on and have you give me the times and locations they were found.' She'd kept the paper, but it had never occurred to her to write down the dates and times, her memory wasn't that good, and there were so many. Enough to act as confetti for several parades, since they had been arriving for better then a year. "Happy to give you what I have, or would be but it's all back at the school." Still she didn't look at them, inwardly she didn't think she could, and manage to keep her composure. That seemed to be a requirement suddenly, and she'd be damned if she would cry in front of that woman.

The frown was brief, nor horribly intense, but it was there none the less. Perhaps blowing the car sky high hadn't been the wise option she'd initially thought it to be. It wouldn't do to worry over much, there had been situations where she'd worked around more and had less to go on. Besides, while she'd never been to the Academy other than to do a drop off or pick up, the Guys and their companion who so obviously needed the help had been. The idea spiraling through her head suddenly was more than enough to plant a Cheshire's grin firmly in place. One that drew an exceptionally careful look from Jayden the moment she turned it in his direction. He knew the look that had been the progenitor of that smile, this new version one that clearly stated there were no rules she was afraid to break, no boundaries she was afraid to cross in the name of achieving her goal. It was a dangerous look, one that also bespoke of great thrills for whoever was courageous enough to go along with her newest scheme. Mother preserve him, preserve them all really, but he wouldn't leave her side. Not that he ever would have, but Simon was gone now and he was damned if he'd leave her alone. It was perhaps a suicidal level of loyalty, but it was one that he and the rest of his brothers were quite well known for, especially when it came to those that they were the closest to, that they valued above all else. So by the time her words were set free, he had been able to school himself into a semblance of serenity.

"Of course that's where they are. If we're lucky, they're somewhere secure, like your room and not Matron's Jessandra's office. If we're unlucky, that means things are going to get really interesting. Being as I can't jump myself into your room, the whole not having ever been there before, I'm going to hope one of your two erstwhile companions here have. It'd be easier to send you for the fact that you'd know best where they are, but they're also more likely to make it back out then you are if something goes pear shaped. You're also going to need to get in touch with Braden and see if you can't drag his squirrely ass out as well. We're going to need you and your lovely little crew together if we're going to make this work without a hitch."

"Me?" Her head snapped around to look at Star, completely taken aback at the idea that she might be involved in anything that might even resemble danger. A helpless laugh escaped her as she shook her head a few times back and forth. Folding her hands over her stomach, she leaned over almost seeming to fold in half so she could rest her forehead on the knee of her crossed legs. This was one of those rare occasions where it helped her to be only five-foot two.

'Suck it up.' Her mental voice chided her, 'You can do this, just keep moving forward. Just get Braden, Jayden and Kayden to Aidan.' It seemed a goal that she might just be able to reach. ' It's just a little further.' Swallowing, she straightened and this time searched her pockets and pulled out a few ingredients and still without a word rolled herself a joint. Everything was tucked away again as she lit it and finally lifted her eyes to lock them with Stars sunglasses in the tilted reflection of the rear-view mirror.

"I have them in a box in my room." She finally spoke in a swirling wash of white smoke that would have made the caterpillar proud. "Their tucked away though, it would probably be easiest for me to grab them. Though who ever this is might be watching the school."

"No, not you, the mouse in my pocket was exactly who I was talking about. Yes of course you as while Aidon might have my head when we get to him, you'd be the surest route. As to the school being watched, I'm well aware it is. In fact I'm glad it is. Because while you go in and get your box, my two favorite Brothers here are going to spread a bit of a white lie for me. Well maybe not so little of one but more like one that's large enough to get the type of reaction I'm looking for if it's to be had.

So here's the scoop. Being as I'm going to be dropping the three of you all in different places as well as trying to pick you back up as well, I'm going to need to conserve what I can. Little Miss Caterpillar you're getting dropped first. You have three minutes from start to finish to get your box and anything else you might need. Once you have your hands on it, DON'T set it down as we won't be having time to waste. Jayden and Hayden, you're going to spread the story that she was killed in an explosion. In your car to be more specific when she tried taking off in it while you two were in the Bathroom at a fuel station. Give me reactions of people, no matter how insignificant they may seem and we'll go over them when we reconvene. You two are going to have ten minutes from when I dump you, so try to be somewhere unobtrusive by nine and a half."

Seeming rather pleased with herself, Orion pulled up into an out of the way station that barely had enough lights to be marked as on, and a singular pump that had one outlet for customers. Parking behind it and turning the engine off, feet were propped up on the dashboard, her hands sort of copying yours as they folded across her stomach with far too much comfort and ease in the situation at hand. Conversation flared between the two males, their dark heads lowered as this one seemed to be more along some mental bond that they shared rather then via hand gestures. Finally looking back up, they both nodded, a quick flash of fingers depicting their drop points as well as their readiness before they turned and three sets of eyes were found to be resting on you.

It was almost easy to slip into the west wing, and up to the tower to her room. The door sprang open at her touch and once again she was faced with packing with little to no room to spare. So back into her backpack went her wooden sword, the favored of her drawing books, the two stuffed foxes one that had come with her from Montana, and the one that Aidan had given to her when he had given her, her car, and finally a wooden cigar box that contained her mp3 player.

Into a bag with it, and then she exited her room. Glancing at her watch she realized that she had thirty seconds to drop into Aidan's room and grabbed something that he and Braden had probably forgotten when they... She pulled up short. Hadn't they said originally that Braden was with Aidan? Shaking her head, she left it alone for now, she would question it later when they were out of here. Once back out of Aidan's room she veritably flew down the steps to hit the meeting spot on time.

The transplantation of particles and molecules was surprisingly painless, and while not the first time that you had experienced it, it was not something that most Mages brandied about. Consider it a gross misuse of power if you will, but one that was loved none the less by the daring and perhaps slightly insane Hollower that you were traveling with. You had indeed been dropped in your room, your last instructions you were given to stay as out of sight as possible since you were supposed to be dead, if only temporarily so. Quick affection, of the usual silent kind was given from Hayden and Jay before they as well were sent into their designated locations, somber, weary expressions in place before they ever exited the car. If they managed to pull this off, it would be the acting job of their life, one that was Grammy award winning. Simon would be proud of them, was the thought that sprang instantly to mind, one that Orion was glad she was alone for as tears sprang uncontrollably free, their burn an unwelcome sting within her eyes. Wiping them away with a fierce snarl and the back of her hand once the Aviators had been set aside briefly, she focused on the far horizon, picking one point and one point only, the dedication to it helping to clear her mind...If only temporarily.

By the time the allotted three minutes had passed, her body was back as it had been when the three had been sent out, no sign of her momentary fall to weakness. It was easy enough to pick the girl up, her strands unique enough even if she was not a Supernatural. Granted from what she knew, most would have popped by now if they were going to, but there were such things as late bloomers with all of the differing races so maybe she was just one of those. It bore a certain level of looking into later, seeing if maybe there was something more in her family tree that could be causing this whole little fiasco to spring up. Whoever it was had gotten ballsy though, killing not one, but two cops was not a way to get yourself in good with anyone. Whoever it was either had to have enough clout to believe they were safe regardless of what they did(which admittedly was a scary thought even to her), or they were mad enough not to care if they got caught as long as they got what they wanted out of it which was apparently for this mere slip of a girl to leave the Academy. What in the Hell could she have done to make this type of an enemy was the real question ? Was there something the Guys had somehow overlooked ? Doubtful, but not impossible.

Seconds later, the aforementioned Girl was in the backseat again, her rather impressively small amount of luggage in tow, and Orion was reaching out for the Guys when she hit a wall so unexpectedly that she bounced off of it metaphysically, the backlash enough to leave her head ringing with an almost mind numbing sensation of nausea caterwauling through her insides. Head dropping down between her legs, there were several ten counts before she tentatively, cautiously tried tip toeing outwards again. Sure enough, the wall was still smack dab in place. Dropping back into her seat with a curse, she turned just enough to cant her gaze over the seat with a muttered,

"We have a problem."

Back at the Academy, Hayden and Jay were coming at it from two separate corners of the grounds. Knowing that they only had a small window in which to work, niceties were immediately dropped, their true heritage shining through. Word had been dropped into the right ears, even the gossip mongers seemingly genuinely saddened by the news, especially on the tail of that about Lilah whom many of them had known and been looking forward to seeing on a more frequent basis. There was no time to test every single person to see whether they were being deceptive or not, so for now it would have to be good enough to judge by outward reactions. Hayden had already gotten to the official area of Campus, the one where offices and the like were usually found when the change became more obvious. One that left a sensation like acid burning it's way along his skin. Keeping his facial expressions as they had been, AkA giving no outward sign, he tried discreetly looking about to see who or what could be causing it. Nothing in any sort of immediate vicinity, he stepped up the few stairs and was going to open the heavy double doors to step inside when the pain tore through him with a violence that nearly had him blacking out for a second.

Obviously not his own, there was only a very limited few who he would be able to feel it from, and only one currently that was close enough for it to be this potent. Again, a second attack, this one narrowly missing where the heart was located. Sliding down to his knees, vision a blurry haze, there was four minutes till they were expecting a pickup. Four minutes that would have his Brother dead if he didn't let the cat out of the bag now. Reaching out for Jay's signature, he dug metaphysical claws into it as deeply as he dared before yanking it to him and at the exact same second, throwing them as far from the Academy as he could. Barely taking the time to land, wherever it may be that he'd put them, he cradled his brother to his chest before repeatedly jumping them, time and time again until he had just enough juice left for one more go. Finally catching his breath, it was to the nauseating scent of blood and the sounds of a heartbeat growing threadier by the moment. Rapidly assessing the situation as best as he could, he cursed himself for ever having left his other half alone to begin with. Digging through Jay's pocket's he found the secondary phone that he kept on him, never having used though always saying it would come in handy some day. Dialing in Orion's number by heart, his words were brief. Simple and to the point.

"Jayden's hurt something fierce. We're not at the Academy, Hell I'm not really sure where we are. If you can get a lock on us, pick up is needed NOW."

She popped back into the car, and was quick to tuck the backpack, also holding few changes of clothing and other essentials on top of the few significant items she possessed. The smaller shoulder bag was set on the floor between her feet. At the last second she had thought to grab her survival bag, she'd had it since she'd been ten. Updating it's contents over the years but the general idea of it was the same. Essentials; dried food, a small vacuum sealed tree tent. Water purifying tablets, a subzero rated sleeping bag big enough for two people. Half of what she'd paid for was the size, and how small a cylinder it could be rolled into. Damn thing was no bigger then a hefty flashlight, which was also in there and of the LED variety. Numerous other useful odds and ends, including a first aid kit. Something Drew had taught her to always have close at hand.

At the mention of trouble she thought about it, and reached for her bag to pull it out when the phone call came into Star. Her gut told her something was wrong, but then it had been telling her that since they had gotten back here. There was no way they would walk away from this uninjured. The big bad was completely focused on them, and out for the pain. She didn't hear much beyond the immediate concern, and the fact that Hayden was actually talking, or more making demands due to what was quickly spiraling downward into yet another emergency. Telling Star to do whatever it was she did was wasted breath, if nothing else she felt that perhaps she could trust the woman to do what was in the best interest of the guys.

Struck suddenly with inspiration, she tucked the second bag in the back hopped over the seat into the front so that the guys could be dropped in the back. Kneeling on the seat she snapped open the first aid kit and started opening things she could only guess at needing. Iodine, bandaging, gauze. All the while her lips silently moving in a desperate prayer to whatever deity would bother to listen for the two of them. 'Please don't be dead... Please don't be dead...'

"Of course all you'd wear is that damned fishnet."

The words were whispered on a half furious, half frustrated breath as two bodies did indeed appear in the backseat. Hayden's head was lowered over Jay's chest, fingers swiftly working to tear away the shredded remnants of the skintight shirt he'd been wearing. The smell of blood was an alluring tang, even your mortal senses being able to recognize that this was no ordinary vitae that you were picking up on. Scraps of material were being chucked out the already open window, careless of where they landed as long as it wasn't in the car itself or on it. While Aidon might have returned to a more normal coloring as he reached adulthood, these two had not, thus Jayden's blue topped head was resting on the seat, eyes closed as breaths came in through quiet wheezes, almost as if something were restricting his breathing. To any who were watching, Hayden's eyes shot wide as he finally seemed to come across what he'd been looking for, or at least part of it. Shooting a swift look from the corner of his eyes over at Orion, they finally flickered anxiously over to you. For a moment his eyes closed, a deep breath being sucked in through gritted teeth then his hand struck out, faster then a viper's blow and there was the wet, distressing squelching sound as something was torn free from flesh and tossed into Orion's waiting lap.

"Get it out of here Star. As far and as fast as you can. Drea, I'm going to need your help now. I got the main portion of it out, but it's the bullets that will end up killing him slowly if we don't get them out. I can heal him afterwards, but their composite metal will injure me as well, meaning my hands will be too shaky for what I need to do. I'll walk you through it, but I have faith in you. I wouldn't ask you to if I didn't. Once you have that gone Star, get out and keep watch, I'm going to be too distracted to be able to."

For a moment in time, Hayden sounded More like Braden or Aidon with his far too serious tone and words. His usual light hear-ted mannerisms gone, it was dark enough that you likely would not see the pain that had flared as his hand had wrapped around the cold iron bar to rip it free of Jay's body. Orion did do as was ordered, the Aviators finally being removed and tucked away onto the visor over the Driver's seat. For the first time you saw her eyes revealed, the maddening blend of oranges, reds, and golds, lending to a rather explosive discordance to which there was no pupil evident. It made a strange sort of sense when the thought came to mind that she admitted she was the one who had blown their car up like some sort of supernova. Whatever was home now though was not kind, nor compassionate, but rather a well oiled machine. A woman who knew how to take orders and had no compunctions about killing. Whatever it was that had been on her lap had disappeared almost as quick as it had landed, and now she was removing herself from the vehicle, and making to withdraw something, or perhaps a few somethings from the trunk. The sun was barely risen, it's rays offering a surprising lack of warmth, though thankfully a bit more light to work by when he finally turned back to you.

"You ready ?"

So much blood, there was just so much of it. The explosions had been different, there was nothing to see, and fire didn't leave room for life to spill over the skin and soak into the concrete, or the fabric of the car seat in this case. Emotion surged through her, shock, disbelief, heart wrenching concern, and finally beneath that in a razor thin layer a deep rage had settled in and was germinating. Simmering, and directed at the source that was causing all this pain. It was out there, laughing at them, dancing in the wake of their misery and she felt blossom within her heart the ability to truly despise something. For the first time she truly wanted someone or someones dead.

Wrapping the rage around her, along with the shock, and desperation, for him to be okay; because she still couldn't tell which one it was. Summoning all that she moved the front seat forward as far as it would go, pulled sweatshirt and tee shirt over her head leaving them forgotten on the floor as she hopped over into the back. Kneeling on the floor, and ignoring how warm and wet the carpeting was she gave a sharp nod to the question. Hands cleared of hanging sleeves she whispered an apology that she didn't wait for him to respond to. Her fingers were lightening fast in resolving that there were no exit wounds. Pulling off her belt she folded it in half and jammed it between his teeth before using her other hand to dig for the first bullet. She was as fast as caution would allow her to be, her fingers sliding into the wounds only once in order to find the bullet. The work taking such concentration that everything that made her Drea was focused on this single task, the most important thing she'd ever done.

One by one they hit the empty ashtray, "Reach back between the seats and hand me a towel." Her voice had that edge to it, enough to encourage people to do as she asked and not to argue with her, not that they would have in this case. After the cloth was in hand she doused in with the iodine, which was going to suck. It would however kill any bacteria or other foreign contaminants. The excess iodine was wiped away with the towel, and she began to lay the gauze down and tape it into place over the wounds.

Even with the belt held between his teeth, the sounds muffled, there were still noises to be heard. His body arched like a jagged lightning bolt shooting to the Havens, whatever the bullets were made of seeming to do more damage being in them than the actual entrance itself. It was unavoidable that your fingers would brush against other things as you searched out each and every one of the bullets, though things, innards were not supposed to feel like this, the corrosion, the welts of burns already evident even as brief as your contact with them was. The sounds did die down after a while, obvious signs of his body slipping into true unconsciousness, whether it be from the damage itself or the pain caused by it. The hope that it was his body trying desperately to heal was unlikely, at least until all of the bullets had been removed. Hayden sat there, half perched, half crouched in the back, fingers almost white in his struggle to hold his brother still so that you could do what needed be done. Whatever it might cause you to think of him, he was not fighting back the sheen of tears that boiled within his gaze, fed half by fear and half by rage. Whoever had done this had done it with intent, knowing full well what the cold iron would do to a changeling. This was no attempt to put them on the sidelines, but a direct attempt at removing them entirely. He realized that even if no one else here did. At least no one that was conscious currently.

When the bullets had all been dropped into the tray, he reached around you and pried the container out of it's holder and shoved it out the window towards Orion. Nodding silently, the receptacle was in her hand one moment and gone the next. Shooting a half glance in the partially closed window, a frown tangled with her brows for a moment as she looked at where Jayden lay, finally so still. Obviously not caring about the container one iota, she crawled back into the car, eyeing you as you worked about cleaning the wounds as best as you could. Even lost to the fade as he presently was, Jayden's face still screwed up into a severe grimace as the cleansing agent was applied liberally. When you went to lay the gauze down and in place, there was a quiet sound of pause from Hayden. Not stopping but rather asking you to wait, he settled his hands over his Siblings chest and after chanting something in a rather odd, sing song whisper, he moved his hands over the worst of the injuries, never quite touching but more of a whisper of a caress. Staying like that for several long moments, he finally shrank back against the vehicle, his own skin seeming a bit pale for a few minutes. Motioning to you with one hand to return to your initial intentions, you would be able to see well enough that whatever he had done, the wounds were partially sealed. Far from perfectly healed but enough that he could be moved without killing him due to sheer blood loss. Then again, could blood loss alone kill him ?

"Hayden, you're going to drive. Once you have him bound up, you're free to sit back there though it's going to be cramped. You know where we're going and if you've forgotten, there's a route plotted out on the GPS under the disc-player."

It became all too clear what her words had meant, though she did wait like she had mentioned until you had his wounds patched as best as you could. Shifting around to the backseat, his head was lifted with a surprising level of concern before being placed in her lap. Reaching a hand out, her Aviator's were settled into them before Hayden turned around, the ignition kicking back over, the car roaring to life before settling into a low thrumming growl of a purr. His eyes, so very much like his Brother's looked at you for a moment, seeming to say the choice was up to you but obviously being more than willing to wait until you made whatever the decision may be.

Climbing briefly out of the car she used a second bottle of water to rinse off as best she could before, still only in her bra, she gestured for Hayden to scoot over into the navigator seat so she could drive. If he refused she offered him a shrug. "It makes the most sense, I haven't exerted myself today. Your whiter then a paper-plate, just scoot over and let me follow the gps. I can drive, if nothing else." Assuming he moved she slid into place, and grabbed her sweatshirt, taking only a few seconds to slider her sweatshirt over her bare skin, and zipped it most of the way closed. Shoving the sleeves up to her elbows she let them get settled, put on her seat-belt and put the car into gear. Her free hand found the gps and flipped it on, it would be simple enough to follow it's instructions.

Lighting a cigarette she caught a brief glimpse of Star in the back seat with Jay's head in her lap, her brows furrowed but she didn't comment and moments later she was settling in for what she figured would be a fairly long drive. It gave her plenty of time to consider the fact that the bullets had seared the flesh all the way in. Not many types of ammo came to mind with those kind of possibilities. They had been strangely colored too, dark, nearly black. Even now she didn't know all the details her companions did, that needed to change and soon, but she had a goal to reach. She needed to get them to Aidan. "What about Bradan?" She looked over at Hayden, concern surfacing again. "Is he still inside?"

He did scoot over, a quiet, thankful look easing his features briefly back into those of the young Man you knew. It was short lived though as he dropped his head back against the rest, a breath being exhaled as he attempted to work a few of the obvious kinks from his upper body. Seeming to have no luck, he slouched down just enough to be able to drop his head into the hollow, that way it would block the sun from his eyes, at least partially, allowing for at least a cat nap since you seemed willing to take at least part of the drive off his shoulders. There was no look given to the other woman sitting in the backseat, though there was enough tension left visible upon him to know that he was not fully comfortable with the idea of fading and leaving you at her not so tender mercies. Though it would appear sleep at least was in his cards, when a mere few minutes later, the slow, even rise and fall of his chest said that he had already fallen prey to the sandman's machinations.

Ah but the drive. It took a good part of the day, pushing into the late afternoon. Not because it was so far away, but because the route itself was one that doubled and tripled back in some locations, while going completely out of the way in others. A stop for gas was needed around noon, one where the rather aware Mage in the back seat slid a plastic card over to you, advising to just pay at the pump rather than go in. If any concern was given about it being used to track the lot of you, a sly smile and the explanation that it was hers but not hers was all that was offered up. By the time you were back in, there was a fresh bottle of water, a King size Twix bar, and a bag of Harvest Cheddar Sun chips waiting on the arm between the seats. Your Navigator still asleep, his Sibling still in the Fade, it left only Orion who possibly could have placed them there.

"It's not a lot, and I don't know if it's even something you like, but food, even if it's just munch worthies for now need to go into your system. Your not going to be any good to any of them, or yourself if you don't keep your own tank fueled."

It was around three thirty or four when the GPS finally informed you that you had reached your destination. Just an empty lot out in the middle of bum fuck Egypt, Motioning for you to pull up next to it and kill the engine, there were suddenly low vibrations noticeable. Not from the car itself but coming from somewhere beneath it. Were you to look around, the very center of the lot could be seen sinking into the ground, leaving an opening that stretched down some unknown distance.

Driving at least was something that could be focused on, and the gps seemed more then willing to bark what appeared to be random directions at her. Still diligently she followed them, stopping to put gas in and offering an appreciative smile, through briefly lived, was flashed in appreciation for the food. While it was inspected subtly to make sure there were no apparent additions to any of it, but the food was hermetically sealed and thus more then acceptable. Hell she hadn't really thought about it, but she and her stomach were finally in agreement that they were more then happy to accept the fuel offered.

She glanced around the car every so often as she made her way northish, Hayden and Jay both obviously needed the rest. One to heal, the other to recover, whatever magic he had wielded over his brother had probably saved his life. She was no doctor, but Jay had been in a bad way, even if the wounds had been burnt from the in side, they could still bleed, and had. Thankfully magic was real, and even occasionally on their side. Though there seemed to be a great deal more that could go wrong with it, that had gone wrong, then had gone right. They were all overdue for a change. Finally, hours after the chips and candy-bar she pulled up into their destination.

Nowhere. Figures...

Then the ground seemed to fall in on itself, opening a path into it's depths of the earth and she just sort of sat there and stared. "What the hell..." She murmured to herself, expecting no answer from anyone involved. Reaching over she touched Hayden's knee lightly to wake him, then glanced over her shoulder to Jay, and finally to Star. "I... Is it safe to get out? That is intentional right?"

Subtle as it may have been, the inspection was noted, if for no other reason than the action was one she would have made herself. From appearances, perhaps you were more than just a pretty head that the oldest of the Quads had decided to pick up as his eye candy. At least he seemed to have made you a permanent fixture unlike some young Males might have done. Then again, Aidon had never been one to randomly go about sowing his wild oats. Hell, none of them really had. The drive though had went superbly, your skill behind the wheel more than enough to keep you on the road without any sort of difficulty. Then again, that was perhaps in part due to the fact that there had been no interruptions, no challenges, whether they be from whether or other more sentient sources. She wouldn't judge you too harshly though, you had likely been one of the larger helping hands in saving Jayden, and if nothing else, she owed you for that. She was well aware of the fact that one of the younger Quads carried a torch for her, though he had never insulted any of them with bringing it up while Si....Things were different now. A relationship was the farthest from her mind, love having no part in her life any longer. At least not of THAT fashion. Would it be so bad to give him something ? Even if it was a good scrumping when he was healed to help both of them release some steam ?

It was as if he'd simply been dozing, the hand you went to place upon his knee being grasped gently but firmly at the wrist before it ever connected. Eyes pried themselves open slowly, their color closer to a blackish blue as his gaze swept around their surroundings before finally coming to land on your hand, a quick blink seeming to refocus him on what was going on. Looking rather apologetically up at you, he gave your wrist a gentle pat before releasing it as he straightened in his seat. Looking back again at Orion and Jayden, he didn't seem horribly worried when he realized that his Brother was still under. Almost as if his still immobile state were something that was expected. What apparently was unexpected was the way that Orion was so gently brushing the long spikes of hair back from his eyes, words falling quietly from her lips in Russian as she made her way about waking him. It was not a quick thing, more quiet, drowsy murmurs than anything at first. Yet the fiery haired woman was inordinately patient, down to the point of her hands guiding him up so that his head rested upon her shoulder rather than her lap. Though when her gaze, the glasses having been returned to cover her eyes swerved to you, her face was once more to it's neutral state.

"No, I just happened to luck out and take us to the site of an Earthquake. Yes, it's intentional. Our last leg of transportation is down there. It's the only way to get to where your boy-toy and these two's brothers are located at. So if you could do me a favor and get out, swing the seat on your way so that I can get lazy bones back here out as well. Me thinks he's suddenly decided to try out to be the next Rip Van Winkle."

She quirked a slender brow as he grabbed her wrist with a trained sort of ambient accuracy. Telling herself it was silly to have hurt feelings, she did as Star bid her and got out of the car. She must have woken them from naps on a dozen of separate occasions and never gotten that response, however the last few hours had been high stress, it really wasn't fair to judge him for being on edge. Twitching her nose as her emotional roller coaster looped around and switched over to guilt. There had to be a pill for mood swings like the last 12 hours had brought on.

Keeping all of the girly feelings and their fluctuation quiet, she worked around the collective to get her bag of useful things. Silence reigned as she stepped back out of the way while the other three did whatever it was that needed doing. If she couldn't help, at the very least she could keep herself out of the way, she couldn't bear the idea of being a hindrance with things so bad. So she wasn't going to ask, or demand to know how far they were from their destination and Aidan. What little Orion's sarcasm had given away, really only clarified that they were moving in the right direction.

'Just a little farther.' Came the silent promise for the umpteenth time, the whisper had moved through her head on more occasions then she cared to number. Her posture clearly indicated that she was ready and able to follow them as they continued forward.

Orion did indeed make her way out of the vehicle, seemingly as used to crawling out of the back as she was of the Driver's seat. Reaching in again, she didn't quite lift Jayden out, but more helped guide him out, his eyes still half closed and weighted with drowsiness. Once he was on his feet, unsteady as they may be, she linked an arm around his waist, letting one of his drape over her shoulder. Nodding at Hayden then back towards Jayden's other arm, the more conscious of the two made quick work of helping balance out their wounded party member's weight. Between the two of them, they guided him towards where the depression in the ground was located. Though before they strayed too far from the car, you realized that she HAD remembered to close it up and lock it securely, an even more astonishing feat noted when the car seemed to ripple for a moment before fading from your sight completely. Turning her head towards you as if figuring you might have questions even if you didn't speak them aloud,

"There are a few perks believe it or not to not only being a military brat, but also military personnel. It's one of the newer, more stable stealth units. It was an early birthday present you might say. It should hold her secure until we get back and if not I feel sorry for whoever sees passed it."

Moving back towards the sink hole then, it was all too clear the closer you got that there was actually a set of stairs that lead down, leading one to believe that there was possibly another stealth unit or two of some form at work here. Carefully assisting Jayden down them with Hayden stepping down after, the more cognizant of the two turned back to look at you. This time his gaze was fully sympathetic, his free hand flashing long enough to confirm what you already knew. That it wouldn't be much longer and you'd be able to feel the comfort of Aidon's arms around you again, if not more importantly the comfort of knowing that he was actually okay. The satisfaction and the certainty of being able to see him with your own two eyes and not having only the word of other people to go by, especially considering the stress that the lot of you were under. When it was done gesturing at you, his fingers beckoned you closer, gesturing that he wished to help you down since the lighting here wasn't the best in the world. Should you take that which was offered, his fingers would curl around yours. No sexuality nor forwardness to the touch, simply that of a friend offering what little he could in the line of balance over terrain you didn't know as well as consolation for the situation itself.

By the time you reached the bottom of the flight, you realized you were looking at an actual honest to God subway, or was it a railway system hidden beneath the ground of Maine. In what appeared mint condition, there was no marking or emblem to say what organization it belonged to, only a simple keypad of sorts that rested beside it's doors. Helping Jayden, who seemed a bit more aware now over to it, Orion leaned forward, a beam suddenly appearing to scan her retina. A card was extracted from the ass pocket of her pants and slid through the scanner and last but not least, three series of eighteen digit codes were entered in. Paranoid as all get out, enough security to make even some banks look twice, the doors finally hissed open, lights immediately starting to flare into a dim presence along both sides of the single car. Couches as well as single person seating were settled beneath the lights, some sort of what might be a conductors unit stationed at the very front.

The exertion obviously having drained Jayden more than any of them had expected, Orion quickly settled him onto the nearest couch before settling into a crouch on the floor beside him. More concerned then you were quite certain she liked letting on, she finally turned to you and extended that same card that she'd given you at the fuel station. Instructions on how to operate the car as well as how to input it's intended destination was surprisingly simple, even if given in a tone that was less then cordial. When she was done relaying them, she turned fully away from you, the hand that wasn't settled lightly on Hayden's chest moving to clasp Hayden's wrist as he swayed for the second time that day before taking a seat beside her on the floor.