Run Like Hell

[Cece Ryder]

"She might. I'm wearing Chanel." Cece said with a slight smile. "Although that IS what we wanted to discuss with you. And I don't mean perfume."

[Kat Donovan]

"Aye? Well, I dinnae think ye were here to ta sell me a magazine subscription."

"Um, no," Ashley replied. "We..."

"Ye can stop right there lass. The answer is no."

"You don't even bloody know what I was going to ask!" Ashley exclaimed.

[Cece Ryder]

"You are one of the few people here that really know Bellatrix." Cece said bluntly. "We need your help... and if not your help, at least your guidance."

[Kat Donovan]

"Stay away from the wee beastie if ye value yer lives," Kat said as she pulled down glasses and poured them all some scotch whiskey. "An I cannae no help you lass. I severed me connection to the ijulna." She glanced at the kids, "For reasons aye"."

[Cece Ryder]

"Then she has already won." Cece said softly as she took the scotch and took a sip.

[Kat Donovan]

"She always wins. She's the devil."

[Cece Ryder]

"Then don't you want to beat the devil at her own game?" Cece said as she looked at her over her glass. "Listen, I just spent the past couple of months being held by the Lady of the Ajem here. Then we came to an... understanding. They didn't exactly come over to the Jase side nor are they trying to rule, she's trying to survive as are we all. I already survived one post apocalyptic future... I don't think they deserve that." she gestured to the children before she took a sip and put the glass back on the table. "Dominus IS going to come and kill everyone. I know what's been going on. They used my mother. They destroyed worlds and they studied how she did that. I think... no planet is safe. No reality is safe. BUT we're all intelligent women here, and we know who's really holding Dominus' leash and that's your former Master. Dominus is a sadist and a nihilist but Bellatrix... she'll turn on her own if it saves her own skin. She's a survivor. There was a saying in my timeline. Survivors are just delayed death tolls. Which was true. All the 'survivors' besides those 'crazy people' willing to go back in time... sucked into a black hole along with the rest of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants."

[Kat Donovan]

Kat narrowed her eyes at Cece, "Aye. I ken my former master is a problem, but she no holds Dominus' leash. It's true she tempers him, but she gets him to focus his skills. Look, I cannae face her. I gave up that life. All I am is cannon fodder, and yer right I do have the bairns to think of. What is to come of them if I go running off on some Captain Ahab quest? No, I cannae help you lass."

Kat stood, "Have a safe journey wherever that be. Might I suggest far away."

[Cece Ryder]

"Didn't say you had to go off with us. But... we do need intel." Cece said and looked at Ashley who remained silent. "What my... friend and I are after is whatever you can tell us that would give us an edge against her. Even some small details that only someone like you would be aware of." she looked around the bunk house. "After all, if she knew you were active and helping us, then we lose our edge. So if being a mom is your new mission, so be it... but I know a few mothers who do what used to be referred to as... telecommuting."

[Kat Donovan]

"Bellatrix has two weaknesses," Kat said looking over her shoulder. "She avenges betrayal. She sees it as justice. And her second weakness will be her children. She's incapable of loving them, but she cares for them nonetheless, and as part of her code she must take care of them."

Ashley glanced at Cece and shrugged. Standing, "Thank you. And whose are those kids?"

Kat narrowed her eyes in suspicion, "Just some orphans that came came into me care lass."

Ashley nodded and started to head out the door. Kat was holding Lilith looking into her purple eyes. Letting out a long sigh she spoke barely above a whisper, "Stop."

Ashley was already halfway out the door turned and let it close softly behind her, and stood with her arms crossed.

"I owe them," Kat started. "There is a way to reestablish my connection to the ijulna, but I must go to Monestary. There's only one problem: I'm not and neither are any of you Jase'dasis."