Ice Cream and Armageddon

[Cracked View]

It looked normal, felt normal, even smelled normal. Save for the tension between Jara and Evan, everything appeared to be normal, *save* for the fact that there were no other versions of herself popping up anywhere. The PSD was still there, and Steele. Okay, that part *wasn't* normal. The semi-queasy feeling she'd get when around mirrors? Normal. Not being able to recall what the Hell happened right after having Lilith go off on her? A serious fill in the gap.

Anyhoo, the pair was soon out the door, on their way down to the PSD inside Jara's *neon pink* SUV. Wait, she didn't have one of those before, but the outfit she was wearing exposed enough skin to show off the tattoos that she'd purchased she and Eve did the whole 'in search of thing.' Eve's tattoo? Yupper, she still had it.

Jara was a little on the quiet side during the drive, not sure what really to say considering Eve wasn't remembering everything just yet. Too bad Jara also *knew* the reason why.

It was all so confusing that she'd questioned briefly if she'd lost it, but checking a few little facts helped her hold things together. Eve didn't really understand Evan's behavior of why there was such tension between he and Jara, or why Jara looked ... different. She still had the tattoos that she and Eve had gotten that day, and likewise herself, right along with the ear and navel piercings, so that was still the same. But she'd had to do a double take at the neon pink SUV. That was just weird. And hard on the eyes.

Remaining quiet for a few minutes after the ride started, Eve finally drew a deep breath and looked at Jara. "So, are you going to fill me in on what I missed? I feel like I was told a little, and that it's." Though what she'd been told hadn't really been small things, either. She was still feeling vaguely sick over the idea that she'd 'killed' Steele.

"Mmm, I can't. Not yet." She took a deep breath, keeping an eye on the road. "'Cause ye made me promise." And the look on her face said that she was dead serious.

Eve stared at her. She couldn't help it; it definitely sounded like something she'd do, but it was also so *frustrating.* "Uh-huh. Great. You know, this situation is really starting to suck." Sighing, she looked out the window, fingers tightening a little in her lap.

"Once we see how Steele is, I'm supposed to take you to your favorite ice cream place, order you your favorite, and after you go through your usual brain freeze routine, tell you some of it." Pulling up at the check-in station, both girls would have their irises scanned before proceeding inside. Eve would get a few 'welcome backs' from the security personnel.

This PSD seemed a lot more ... PSDish? More like a real life version of 'Men In Black' meets 'Ghostbusters' meets 'The X-Files' setting. They even reminded Eve that she would have to get a physical before being reinstated back into the PSD by Dr. Stacy Hanson.

... Wait. Wasn't she in Evan's reality?

Waiting for them by the elevator, with clip board in hand and dressed in a lab coat and gym shoes? Yup, it was her alright. "*Eve!*" She bounced over, giving her a huge hug! "I'm glad you're okay!"

Faintly, she wondered if anyone noticed the blank, sometime perplexed stare she gave them. For the most part, Eve tried to smile, give a 'thank you' or 'nice to be back' or some other little nicety, all the while puzzling over the whole thing. Having Jara make that promise to her was just...stupid! But then again, she could only suspect that it meant that the truth was probably worse than she even thought ...

But she was starting to realize that if she thought about it too much, she *was* going to drive herself batty. If it could be that bad, then shouldn't she try to enjoy being blissfully ignorant for a little while?

"Hey ..." Hanson's appearance confused her a little, but she couldn't say she was disappointed. She liked Hanson. She returned the hug, then stepped back. "I think I am, anyway. Nice to see you."

"Yeah, I know: what the fuck, right?" Stacy gave her a knowing wink, and the pair were ushered into the elevator. Stacy blew a huge bubble with her gum before sucking it back inside her mouth. "Well, the cut and dry version is that Agent Steele woke up from his coma about 15 minutes ago, and if I wasn't a card carrying member of the PSD, I'd swear this would have totally freaked me
out. Fer sure. We're still running tests on him, but as of right now, there does not appear to be any sort of damage. He's a little disoriented, but that's to be expected. I gave the green light for you guys to see him, but not too long okay?"

Upon reaching the lower levels, Stacy escorted them to the examination room, where Steele had more wires hooked up to him than a surround sound home theatre system. Upon seeing the girls, he gave a half smile, and rolled his eyes at the doctors.

"Okay Steele, you've got visitors. Thirty minutes, then you need to rest up."

Steele slowly nodded, annoyed look still there, as everyone else left the room to leave the three of them inside.

"Got that right." Eve murmured in response to Stacy's little comment, but she couldn't quite muster a smile with that one. She was a little anxious now; Steele was awake, and while she was eager to see him and make sure he was okay, she wasn't sure what would happen. She'd learned, of course, that things rarely went as expected - or hoped.

Once Stacy left the three of them alone inside, Eve had glanced at Jara, nibbling the inside of her lip, fingers hooked in the belt loops of her jeans, and she even stepped closer. "Hey. How you feeling?" Yeah, start small.

"Wondering why when a person wakes up from a coma, they always tell 'em they need to rest!" There went that trademark grin of his. He had a slight beard going, and really looked tired. "So, I miss anything?"

Jara was a little misty eyed herself, and she gave Steele a hug. "Had us scared there for a minute, bossman!" Taking a step back, Jara looked over at Eve.

"Notice how she avoids the question?" She couldn't even keep a straight face with that one. She glanced at Jara with that smile, then stepped up beside Tohmas, even leaned down to kiss his scruffy cheek. She couldn't help being unsure; there was still that lingering 'what if' at the edge of her mind, and curiosity often got the better of her. "I'm really glad to see you're awake." ... And that she hadn't missed it by being out on her own.

"Jara?" That was all Steele had to say, and the girl went out into the hall, whistling a little tune, leaving the two alone. "Hmmm. Insert awkward moment for double Jeopardy, Alex." Steele smiled.

"Yeeeah. I've had a lot of those today." She'd glanced back at Jara with an arched brow, then shrugged it off and turned back to him. Oh. Alone together. The awkwardness undoubtedly showed in her smile and stance; at least she dropped her hands from her pockets, and wasn't even fidgeting. "Tohmas, um ... I don't ... I don't even remember what happened." She didn't really expect him to be able to fill in the gaps, or even try, but she confessed it softly, with a soft shake of her head.

"I know. Evan filled me in. It'll make sense soon enough, and for the record, you did what you had to do, frail. No one blames you, most of all, moi."

Hopping off the table, Steele put his arm around her, giving Eve a hug. "When you remember everything, and I get the green light to get out of here, you and I will hash this all out, feel me?"

Giving him a quizzical look, Eve then shrugged. *Evan* filled him in ..? Nice to know that he was talking to *someone* then; Eve hadn't decided what to think about him - whether he was upset and withdrawn over the events, or pointedly giving her the cold shoulder. She leaned into him at the hug, sliding her arms around him. "Yeah. I guess I'm just afraid to know *what* happened, you know? Jara and Evan told me a little, but she says I made her promise not to tell me the rest until a little later." She tightened her arms a little. "Any word when they'll let you out?"

"Nah. I guess once Doc Hanson feels I'm good to go. All and all? I feel like myself for the first time in a long time, if that makes any sense."

"Yeah." She had to smile, straighten up a little from leaning so much into him. "I hope she gives it soon. Things are a bit weird without you around. No noise in the media room." Her smile became a little mischievous, before fading off a bit. "Besides, Jara's neon pink car scares me." She even had a straight face!

"You two better not have all the TVs set on WE, Oxygen, or Lifetime! ... *Neon* pink? I swear first she gets a ..." Then Steele gave Eve a look, taking a step or two back to look her over, giving her the eye. "... Tattoo ... Okay, I don't want to know - Yet."

Glancing up at the clock, he sighed. "Whelp, I guess it's time for them to proddle and prick me some more. You take care of yourself, frail. I'll be seeing you soon. And no wearing my shirts to bed - Unless I get a picture sent to me." Where'd that come from? Either way, Steele just laughed at the expression on her face, as Dr. Hanson and her team were filing back inside the room.

"Sorry Eve, but you have to go now, and be sure to schedule yourself an appointment too, okay?"

Jara would be waiting for her out in the hall, leaning against the wall.

Blink, blink. His shirts ...? She'd even opened her mouth to ask, but too late. But it gave her an idea or two for later! She looked at Hanson and nodded, then leaned in to kiss his cheek again. "Okay. I'll be back as soon as I'm able, if they don't let you out first." She was hoping for that, but one thing at a time. Flashing him a little smile, she walked out to meet up with Jara again. "Okay. Gotta schedule my own funtime appointment, and we're out."

Nodding, she followed Eve to the main desk, still remaining unusually quiet, until they were back on the road. Pulling up the GPS, Jara punched in the address that was given to her, and they were on their way. Soon enough, Eve found herself surrounded by her old stomping grounds. "Hey, did ye want to swing by the coffee shop to say hi, or get this thing over with first?"

Appointment made, Eve left with Jara, though she glanced at her on occasion. Studying, weighing glances. At the question though ... "Jara. The suspense is killing me. No more stalling. If I made you promise, I understand, though I'm kind of hating myself for that at the moment. But I can't *take* it anymore. Let's do this, okay?"

"It be dun dun duuuun!" If there were any doubts that Eve had said *something* to Jara prior to all of this, they pulled up at her favorite ice cream place, and Jara ordered her favorite dish without having to say a word? But Jara didn't order anything; it *had* to be serious. Picking out a random booth, she sat down, and took a deep breath. "You ready?"

The hot fudge sundae with extra whipped cream and peanuts was mostly picked at before she ever even took a bite. Once the sugary treat hit her tongue, it seemed to awaken her hunger, and Eve *did* give herself a brain freeze. Halfway through she had to stop, press fingertips to her temples. "Ow ..." A few seconds to shake it off, and she looked at Jara and nodded, pulse suddenly quick.

Nodding slowly, Jara stared at her, then said a single word: "Nora."

One blink later, Eve found herself in the middle of a serious battle, alongside Brehnic, Eve X, Medieval Jarrod, Evan, and a bunch of nasty Daemons.

(Evan -) "So let me get this straight: when these fuckers tried to free Steele from the Void, it caused the Reality Glitch, and it split him into two separate entities?" He was firing shots between words.

(Jarrod -) " 'Fraid so. Christian - or Cromwell - took the evil half o' Steele. They have to kill the good half to hav' complete control. "

(Brehnic -) "We need to get the damned portal closed, before we are seriously out numbered!"

(Eve X -) "Lilith has an idea, but we need to get closer. Cover me!" Levitating into the air, Eve X flew right towards the portal, which was heavily guarded by countless numbers of the Daemon Horde; they were being led by a very wicked looking Argus Steele, complete with feral green eyes.

Going from a single spoken word to an all out war zone was a stunning experience. The words sank in quickly, and Eve found herself reeling from them, but even more so by the appearance of Steele. This was definitely *not* the Steele she'd been familiar with. "Oh my God." Two entities. Where was the other half? Things made sense and they didn't. Eve was out of her element in
the battle zone, but it didn't stop her from trying - and even showing herself to be a fair shot with a gun when pressed. It was just ... unreal.

(Evan -) "Hey Eve, guess we know why Reality kept resetting itself - two Steeles fighting for control, only our version didn't even know he was doing it! Go 'X! I got your back!"

Eve X seemed to be Eve without restraint - along with sharing her body with a Daemonic Spirit that was supposed to completely take her over, but instead found common ground with her host, turning on Cromwell and slaying any Daemons they encountered. Eve X had mastered all her of abilities, and was using them like a pro, shifting from offense to defense. With the guys providing cover fire, she was getting closer. Then the unexpected happened: they suddenly split into two! Lilith and Eve X were side-by-side doing some serious damage! Only problem was that for every Daemon slain, several more took its place.

(Brehnic -) "Fuck! I lost visual of Steele! Everybody on your toes!"

That warning would come too late, as Eve found herself snatched from where she stood into the arms of Argus Steele. "Hey babe. Miss me?" His presence was overpowering - the evil was raw, naked. That evil grin was quickly replaced with a deep tongue as Steele tasted the fruits of his soon-to-be conquest. "Don't worry, babe. I'm not letting anything happen to you, least not out here. Damn, you're hot!"

(Evan -) "Holy! He's got Eve! Shit!"

(Jarrod -) "Focus on the girls! I got this!"

Eve had been so distracted by what Eve X had done that she'd *forgotten* Steele in those few seconds. That was all it took, and the warning was just a heartbeat too late. She'd found herself snatched up, and the Feeling of that evil alone was enough to make her recoil, almost choking, throat burning from bile. "Let *go!*" The words came between gritted teeth as she twisted, trying to break free of the grasp - just before a hand landed on his chest and reflexively, horrified, she let go a pulse of bright energy. At that close range, the sheer wickedness of his presence was overwhelming, and it threatened to cloud her mind, make her retaliate in an effort to 'cleanse' it.

"Dammit, girl, they said you were on the edge of losing it, but no matter what I threw at you, it didn't break you. Guess we all underestimated you, frail. Won't happen again. I'm breaking that fucking glass of yours, and showing the Realm the *real* Eve Lizt." Gripping her closer, he pressed his body to hers, that primitive aura washing over her, flaunting this in front of them all.

(Evan -) "Dammit, she's in trouble!"

(Brehnic -) "Evan, no! Cover Eve X and Lilith!"

But it was too late. Evan had been distracted enough that one of the Daemons slipped through their barrage and snatched Eve X up, ripping her in half. Her scream would haunt Evan forever...

Lilith lost it, going on a relentless killing spree until she finally reached the remains of her host. Unable to save her, she cradled the upper half, bloody tears flowing freely.

(Jarrod -) "Steele! Ye know who I am boyo, an' I cannae let ye do this. Fer our friendship, stop this now!"

Steele paused at nibbling on Eve's neck to long enough to glance in Jarrod's direction. "Old friend, if I had any good left inside me, I'd consider it. Your death will be swift, like the other Jared I killed."

She'd tried a lot of little retaliatory things - biting, kicking, kneeing, but of course it had little effect. What are you *doing?* She wasn't sure if it was her voice, or Eve X, or insanity creeping in on little clawed feet, but it rose clearly from the depths of her mind. This *isn't* the one you're so into. Point blank? She was afraid, and not entirely for the reasons she'd thought - while she was afraid of Steele in this state, she recognized this wasn't the person she knew, but she also wasn't a violent girl - but she kept being afraid of trying to hurt him for that reason, *everyone* was screwed! And she just ... she couldn't let that happen. "Fuck you, Daemon pawn!" Eve reached up, one hand to either side of his face as if she were trying to turn him to look at her - and threw open the proverbial flood gates. Even she wasn't sure where it all came from, but the energy burned hot, pure white, blinding, and her hands were the conduit.

[Cracked View]

"Bingo. That's it, baby, let it *all* out." That was the opening Argus was waiting for. He was soaking her energy up like a sponge, while replacing it with something darker from within the depths of her own soul. All the anger from being sent to Stonebridge by her parents, the doctors, anyone that made fun of her. The looks. The whispers. The stares. Wanting to do something about it but never could. "Look beyond the mirror Eve, for what you fear most is ... Yourself."

Lilith shrieked as the life glow faded from Eve. Blood red eyes glared in the direction of Argus, then assumed her true guise, looking like some nightmare harpy from Hades. She launched herself at Steele, casting spell after spell.

(Brehnic -) "Dammit dammit dammit! We just lost our shot at closing that portal!" Glancing down at himself, a choice was made. He took off running for the portal, shooting at anything he didn't recognize. Once he was close enough, grenade pins were pulled free and with both guns firing, Brehnic charged the portal.

Eve could feel it. A small tug at first, then it became more noticeable, until she'd actually feel herself being pulled slowly away from Argus. Evan was giving it all he had, and just like he did before with Everett - he was pushing himself past his limits, and his body was starting to burn itself out.

(Jarrod -) "Then ye bring this upon yerself." One instant, Steele was there, and the next, he was blown through several buildings.

Eve would be caught by Steele! "He's not down for long. And you know what you gotta do." Pressing a gun into her hand, Tohmas smiles at her. "Do it."

Argus was pissed. Yup, that summed it up. He'd toyed with them long enough. That's when the portal sudden imploded upon itself, taking a good portion of the Daemon horde with it. *Now* he was really pissed!

Jara did what Jarrod asked of her, using the Spirits to shield Tohmas from Argus until he was needed, no matter the cost. She sent those same Spirits after Argus to slow him down. "C'mon Eve, they won't slow him down forever!"

She'd been able to Feel it - even as she'd poured the energy out, something else had been seeping in, taking its place. It had been something of a far darker note, something that threatened to corrupt all with the slightest touch. The anger started to take over, pure rage, pointed at ... *everything.* It was a feeling like being caught in a stormy sea, fighting against waves and undertow alike that forced her down, and she was essentially powerless to do anything about it.

The tug was the first thing to finally edge through the red cloud obscuring her mind, and it was only noted because it was insistent. She'd actually looked at Evan, her eyes taking a second more to focus, and mouthed the word, 'No.' Not that it did any good. It was all becoming a blur - Evan's burn, the blast that threw Steele, and a blink brought her once more face to face with ... Steele. The difference was easy to Feel, and the crimson haze was already beginning to clear, now that she was free of Argus. "... What?" But she knew what he was getting at, even as her fingers closed around the gun, and she'd stared up at him. Where had he come from?

The implosion of the portal made her jump, reflexively, and her chest hurt. Now or never.

Eve leaned up to steal a quick kiss, complete with the murmured words, "Love you." She couldn't let herself think about it. Her eyes stung and blurred a little, but she pointed the gun at his heart and pulled the trigger, feeling numb all the way.

One blink, and Tohmas was there. The next blink, she'd just shot Evan through the heart! It was no dream, and his eyes were wide from the shock, chest exploding, and his body fell to the ground. "Damn, that sucks. Anyone else forget I'm a *Realm Walker?* I control time and space! This has gone on long enough. You." He pointed at Eve. "Come with me, or I kill the rest of them. Then I'll go back through time and kill everyone close to you, while you watch. Oh yeah ... and this is for the Daemon crack earlier." The remains of Evan's body turned into dust, aged within seconds.

Then he turned his sights of Jara. "Damn Rico, you look fine as a bitch. Too bad you got to - " The word 'die' never came out, as he found himself tackled by Lilith. She used her spells to warp Argus'
perceptions, so he couldn't see her. The two went at it like there was no tomorrow, but the outcome was never in doubt.

Eve wouldn't have time to grieve over Evan, for Jarrod and Jara were pulling her out of there. "C'mon Eve, we hav' to get ye far from here. "

-Eve.- It was like someone had whispered inside her head, echoing faintly. -Eve.- It was coming from Eve X!

Even Jara had looked in her direction. "Oh my God. She's still alive, but barely ..."

Her expression was a mirror for Evan's. She stumbled back a step, still holding the gun, but feeling numb and sick all over. She'd looked at Argus, able to taste her pulse at the back of her throat. This ... this just wasn't going to end, was it? "No!" Lilith made her attack about that time, and she'd thought to aim at Argus, pull the trigger, but was afraid of who he'd put in his place this time. Jarrod and Jara could tow her pretty easily, and though she stumbled, she tried to keep up. She tensed at the voice, and realized Jara heard it too. Wide-eyed, she suddenly broke into a run, heading for the broken body of Eve X. "I'm here!" Thought just as much as said.

She was going into deep shock; it was a wonder she'd managed to stay alive this long. Spitting up blood, tears had welled up in her eyes. -I'm scared.- To Jarrod and Jara, she wasn't talking, but to Eve ... -I can't feel my legs. Am I ... dying? -

(Jarrod -) "We have to hurry. We can' do anything for her, Eve."

-I feel cold.-

Jara looked at Eve, unsure what was going on, but she knew *something* was. "She's fighting not to cross over."

It was even worse, seeing her. Eve had dropped into a kneel beside her, trying very hard not to *really* look at her. The fingers of her free hand found Eve X's, curled around. "It's okay. It's okay to be scared. It's okay to let go; it won't hurt anymore, I promise." She'd been there, done that. The pressure was on, but she didn't want to just *leave* her, either. "Why are you fighting it?" Barely a whisper, but she could See Eve X fading, right before her eyes.

-That son ... of ... a bitch ... won't .... taint ... you!- That would be Eve X's final action - her grip tightened around Eve's hand, and she used her remaining life force to purge what Argus had done to her. -Ooo ... pretty... ligh... - Eve X's hand was cold as it went limp inside Eve's.

"Are we done yet? This is fun and all, but I have a deadline to meet." The husk of Lilith was discarded, and Argus stood there before them. "Two left, Eve. You decide their fate. Ten seconds." He stood there calmly, so sure of himself. He was the total opposite of Tohmas, and yet there were times when Eve had seen shades of Argus - the green eyes!

Jarrod lowered his head. "No more die today."

Argus smiled. "Let me guess? You were trying to summon Arion and Devantious? They don't exist anymore - Cromwell saw to that. And after I kill Mr. Goody Two Shoes ..." He sounded like Duncan MacCleod. "... There will be only one. Time's up, frail."

She could Feel the difference, instantly. A sharp intake of breath, and her fingers tightened quickly around Eve X's ... and held tight for a moment even after hers went limp. Eve Felt ... brighter. More awake, energetic.

Giving no real reaction to the sound of Argus' voice, Eve sniffled softly and gently released the dead girl's hand, straightening. Why was it Argus was focused on *her?* She would have just thought he should be hellbent on wiping them *all* out. Some weird connection, or was he just insane? "No. No one else dies." She finally looked up at Argus, her expression empty. "Jarrod and Jara get to walk away, untouched." ... But she hadn't actually agreed to anything, yet.

"That's the plan, frail. And I did say ten seconds." Snapping his fingers, Jara suddenly went into convulsions. Her body was wracked with pain, and blood vessels began popping randomly through her body. "I'm sending her through countless Realms. Has to hurt. Looks painful, too. Bitch, don't fuck with me. I hold the cards here, not you. If I have to ask again ... Well ..." Jara's face began *melting,* and the screams were making her throat raw.

"Then fuck it, Argus! Do what the fuck you wanna do. You wanna take me with you? What the fuck is stopping you? The fact that I hate *your* fucking guts, and that *will not* change?" The fingers of her free hand curled into a tight little fist, the other tightening on the gun. "Let her *go!*" It was starting to wear on Eve. Damage to *her* was one thing, but everyone else ... "I don't really give a damn what you do to me, but let them go!" She was getting to the point where she couldn't stand it any longer, but the weight of the gun in her hand was oddly comforting.

(Jarrod -) "Wait! Fer the luv of God! Eve! The gun! *Shoot him!* Kill *Steele*, right?"

"Stop fucking telling me what to do!" Funny, even as she half-turned and shouted the words at Jarrod, she pointed the gun at Steele and pulled the trigger, silently praying he didn't pull the same trick again.


Was it *that* easy? All they had to do was kill Steele and Reboot Reality. The bullet sounded like a thousand shards of glass falling to the floor. The remaining Daemon Horde was destroyed, and Argus? There was a glint of fear in those feral eyes, as he was actually wounded!

Jarrod had scooped Jara up, and he was running as fast and far as he could. Argus back-handed Eve, the moment of fear now replaced with an all-consuming rage. "You skanky piece of Realm filth! I will destroy everything you hold de- " A fist to the mouth stopped him from finishing that retort, as Tohmas ... Let's just say was going medieval all over Argus' ass.

She couldn't believe she was actually able to shoot him, even if he was just winged. She'd held the gun hoping for an opening, but was afraid to take the chance and have him change places with Jarrod or Jara. The hit had sent her reeling, stars flashing across her eyes for a few seconds before she shook it off and saw Tohmas getting into it again. Sitting on the ground, she went for gun again, dropped a foot or two away. "Tohmas!"

Talk about mirror images. Save for the way they talked, the color of their eyes, and a certain gunshot wound, it would have been hard to tell them apart.

(Argus )- "Boy, that little Goth wanna-be has got you whipped!"

(Tohmas -) "That's the last time you lay your hands on her." *Blamm!* A gun went off ... And nothing. Tohmas stood over the prone body of Argus with a gun similar to the one Eve was holding, while most of Argus' head and face were now missing.

Reality went woozy for a second before snapping back. Tohmas fell to his knees, holding himself. Jarrod, who was facing Tohmas, eyes grew wide. "Steele ..." Jarrod looked at Eve . "Ye hav' to finish th' job, lass."

Upon seeing Tohmas, half of him appeared to be decaying before her very eyes. "They say killing yourself is a sin. Guess they were right. Ooh, I'm not feeling too hot right now."

For a few seconds, Eve was dizzy enough that she could do little more than try to be still and not fall off the ground. As soon as things felt a little more solid, she'd skittered from where she sat on the ground to Tohmas, dropping down with him. This was ... "Oh my God." She'd been afraid of what would happen when ... "Tohmas ..." Her eyes were stinging again. She heard what Jared said, but it was hard to pick up that gun again; hard enough to try to do that the *first* time. Almost mechanically, her hand found the gun he'd used, numbed fingers curling around it.

"You gotta do this, Elf. The good guys won this round, but Cromwell is still out there. I guess Darth Vader has nothing on me when it comes to the dark side, eh?" Tohmas' voice was nothing more than a hoarse whisper, but a half smile lingered. "Hey Pirate, how's Jara?"

"She'll be okay. I'm not sure I can say if her face ..." Raising himself up, Tohmas used his good hand to cause Jara's body to shimmer slightly. "Damn, not strong enough. Sorry." He looked back to Eve. "I'm not saying goodbye, 'cause it's not. It's 'to be continued,' right?" He even winked at her.

Funny, he could get a smile out of her even in a bad situation. She had to sniffle a little with it, but she nodded. "Yeah. To be continued." The hand that held the gun shook, but she was able to take the shot without too much trouble, especially at that close range. For a few seconds afterward she was still, holding the gun, until she lowered her hand, letting it slip loose, empty eyed.

Jarrod knelt beside her, his hand on her shoulder. "You did what needed to be done, lass. I have a suggestion on how to deal with all of this. Jara?"

She was also there, though her face was covered by a hood. "Yeah, I'm here, and I think you might have something, because there's too much to take. Hey buddy, we need to ask you something ..."

It was kept basic, and Eve was placed under hypnosis with a key word given, when she was deemed ready to remember. In her current state, it was easy to put her under, and it also served to allow her to actually rest without the threat of nightmares. Jarrod scooped her up into his arms, and Jara held herself, sighing. "Did we do it this time?" Looking at the sleeping Eve in his arms. "I don't think I can handle another Reality trip, and I know she can't."

Jarrod nodded slowly as they crossed back over to Eve's Reality. "As cold as dis may sound, all that were killed were from extinct Realities, and at least they will be at peace, save Brehnic. He will be back, but without knowledge of this. "

Jara nodded, as Jarrod placed Eve onto her bed. "So how long will she be out? "

Jarrod shrugged. "That's up to her. Let's take a look at ye now. Tohmas was too weak to - Or mayhap he was stronger than he thought he was ..."

Jara was already looking for a mirror, a bemused look at her new features. "Damn! I still have the tattoos! Cool!" Then she stiffened, looking over by the window. "Evan?"

Jarrod remained long enough to ensure things were back they way they needed to be.

Brehnic was indeed back, but had no memory of what had happened, or those involved.

Steele was found, a victim of a freak accident, and was currently in a coma. Jara covered for Eve, telling the PSD she was resting.

Jarrod returned to the Rhy'Din Realm in hopes of finding Arion and/or Devantious. With that, Eve blinked, finding herself back inside the ice cream parlor.

Eve jumped on finding the surroundings changed, and looked visibly shaken. It was like it had all happened over again - she had to tuck her hands beneath the table, linked together to stop the shaking, and her eyes had teared up again. She'd even opened her mouth to say something, but gave up on it, instead leaning her head back against the back of the booth. "Oh my God ..." Murmured softly as she closed her eyes.