episode2

~Episode Two~ Possessed And Distressed

Back to the Sanctuary

~Part Two~

"To be mature means to face, and not evade, every fresh crisis that comes." (Fritz Kunkel)

Nicolette sighed as she lounged around the den in her pj pants and a tank top, flipping aimlessly through channels on the tv. Though she was back, she really didn't feel like it. Things just didn't feel the same. Mercy didn't really come around and talk with her, she was usually hanging out with Gaby, or Orlando. The newbies were completely wrapped up in themselves and their high school drama of who liked whom, and who was jealous of whom. And she wasn't with Alex. It was weird to have him around and not be with him. Though he was his usual sweet self, checking in on her, bringing her food...sitting with her when she was sick to her stomach. Though today, she had felt pretty good....so far that is. But part of her just wished things could go back to the way they had been.

~*~*~*~

AJ made his way inside from his car with an arm full of shopping bags. When he was bored or slightly upset...he shopped and today he had gone a little overboard. He had bought lots of things he didn't need...and a few he did. But it had given him time to think about things and what the future may hold for him...and Nicky.

Strolling down the hallway, he checked his watch and tossed his bags into his room as he came to it. Digging around in one, he pulled something out and turned, going down to the kitchen. Finding no one inside, he checked the nearest room where most everyone could be found like a day on today...the den.

~*~*~*~

"God...why is there never anything on tv when I'm watching it?" Nicky growled as she hit the up button and cut off Montel going on about some injustice to something or other. She sighed and pulled the blanket over her legs, stretching out completely on the sofa. "Three hundred and a bazillion channels and nothing on." She snorted and hit the DVD button, powering up the machine. Maybe someone had left something interesting in there.

AJ grinned and moved into the room, flopping down on the couch beside her. "Hey...how ya feeling?" He removed his black shades and hung them from his Nautica shirt collar. "Nothing good on, huh?"

She shook her head and watched as Buffy moved onto the screen. "Ugh, and I don't wanna watch that." She sighed and shut the DVD back off...returning to flipping through the channels. Today she felt restless.

He nodded and began to chew on his thumbnail. "So um...I think soon we should take you to the doctor. Make sure everything is okay." He shrugged a little. "I read somewhere it's good to go when you first find out."

She nodded and glanced at him. "Yeah...I guess I should go, huh."

"Yeah...just to be sure. And I'm going with you...so no worries." He shifted and stifled a yawn, catching her gaze. "So I went shopping today and...I got you something."

"You did?" She gave a slight grin and pushed herself into a sitting position. "What?"

Reaching down on the side of the couch, he plucked up a yellow binder book with cute little pictures of bears and rabbits on the cover. "I know it's like really soon to be getting this kinda stuff, but I saw it and thought of you." He placed the book in her lap. "If you don't want it...I could always take it back."

Nicky ran her hand over the smooth cover and slowly flipped it open. "Oh wow...." she giggled slightly. "A baby book." She flipped more pages, taking in all that it contained. "Ooh look....baby's first words....ooh you can put pictures of their hand and feet prints here....aww we can keep a lock of hair from a first haircut..." she rambled off the different things, her eyes wide. Finally she looked up to him, hugging the book to her chest. "I love it....thank you."

AJ smiled and released the breath he was holding just in case she said she didn't like it. "You're very welcome." He gazed out into the hall and chuckled. "A lot of the stuff I got was for the baby. Teddy bears and stuff. They used to be just toys, but now I look at them and it's like wow...my kid is gonna need all this and wanna play with this."

"I know....." She sighed and bit her bottom lip. "It's still kind of hard for me to believe..."

"Yeah, I'm still in the shock stage." He reached over and lightly rubbed her hand. "But it's a nice shock just the same. I'm sure by the time he or she comes...we'll be totally prepared to handle a baby."

"I hope so..." Nicky ran a hand over her stomach, lifting her shirt a little.

He nodded and peeped around a little, smiling more to himself. "You're gonna get a lil poofy tummy. I bet you look so cute."

She made a face. "I�ll get fat....I don't want to get fat. And I'll waddle....and then people won't be able to tell me apart from Howard."

"That's..." He snickered and then coughed, straightening up. "That's not true. For one thing, Howard isn't nearly as gorgeous as you are. Besides...you won't get fat...you'll be cute and have that glow that pregnant women get. And I'll be here everyday to remind you of how beautiful you are..."

She pouted at him and ran a hand over the baby book again as Orlando entered the room.

"Hey, what's goin on?" He fell lazily into a chair and popped the leg rest out, leaning back.

"Hey O....look what Alex got me." Nicky grinned and held the book up. "It's for the baby."

Orlando grinned. "Cool....getting stocked up early, eh?"

AJ smirked and ran a hand through his hair. "Kinda. I went shopping and well...I went a little over board. Besides it's all so cute and to know that I have a reason to be buying it now...it makes me feel good." He fluffed out the collar of his shirt. "I wish I knew what it was already...heh though yellow is a neutral color for a boy or girl. And I love yellow so I'm just gonna get all yellow things."

Nicolette laughed and flipped through the book again. "Poor child will be surrounded by yellow."

Orlando chuckled and shook his head. "That baby is going to have more stuff than it knows what to do with."

"Ain't that the truth." His friend replied, laughing a little. "It's gonna be richer than the Olsen twins after everyone here gives it this or that. And as the father, I have a right to spoil it totally and completely until it is rotten...which I plan to do."

Nicky laughed. "They'll know to come to daddy when they want something." She sighed and glanced over at O. "Where's Mercy?"

He shrugged. "I dunno....I checked her room and she wasn't there, I thought maybe you'd know."

AJ rubbed his eyes and scratched his chest a little. "Her motorcycle isn't in the garage. Maybe she went out..." He popped his knuckles and leaned back against the couch. "Though I haven't seen her in a few days really."

"Yeah...me...me either." Nicky bit her lip and frowned slightly, studying the cover of the baby book.

"Oh...well I haven't seen a note." Orlando ran a hand over his face. "Ever since the whole going evil thing....she's been different." He pulled his phone out and flipped it open...dialing her number, then lifting the phone to his ear. "It worries me."

"Me too." Nicolette stood and tossed aside the blanket. "But it's my fault really....she's still pissed at me...I know it." She sighed. "I'm gonna go put this away." Then she headed out of the room.

AJ sighed thoughtfully and watched Nicky go. He shook his head and grabbed up the remote, turning the tv back on. He wished he knew what to do to make her feel better...and to assure her that no one blamed her. But he assumed these were demons that she had to work on, though he'd be there every step of the way to help her.

~*~*~*~

Mercy yawned and blinked as she heard her cell phone ring. She pulled it out and glanced at the number, flipping it open. "Hello?"

Orlando grinned at hearing his girlfriend's voice. "Hey princess....whatcha doing?"

"Nothing much. Gaby and I were hanging out but she had to jet, so now I'm just chilling." She stretched out on the grass and glanced up at the sky. "Why? Is something wrong?"

"No...just wondering where you were." He grinned and leaned back in the seat.

She nodded and raked her fingers through her hair. "Oh, well I would have left a note but we were in a hurry to get some skating done....so it slipped my mind." She watched the people as they moved around and took a breath, breathing in the warm, salty air. "Now I have a craving to go surfing but I don't think I am."

Orlando nodded. "You're at the boardwalk?" He gave a small yawn and rubbed his eyes.

�Yep." She chirped and started swinging her legs. "I figured I wouldn't be missed so...I dipped out."

"Hey now...." he frowned. "What a thing to say to your boyfriend." A small pout fell over his lips.

Mercy grinned and switched the phone to her other ear. "I'm sorry baby. I meant that no one else would miss me." She tilted her head as a surfer dude walked by. "Of course I knew you would....I miss you too."

He grinned and lowered his voice. "I miss you too, princess....a lot."

"Aww...guess that's my cue to hurry home then, huh?" She giggled and hopped off the wall, making her way over to the bike. She climbed on and unstrapped her helmet. "I mean I don't want you in distress over missing me so much."

Orlando chuckled lowly. "You just bring yourself back here." He lifted a brow and smirked to himself.

Mercy snickered. "Yes sir. I'll be there on the double."

"Good....love ya." He laughed and lowered his phone...shutting it off.

~*~*~*~

She nodded and snapped off her own phone. Stuffing it away and putting on her helmet, she started up and took off, flying towards her home.

~*~*~*~

AJ glanced over at O and lifted a brow. "You found her, I assume?"

He nodded and pocketed his phone. "Yeah, she was at the boardwalk."

"Can I ask you something?" AJ turned off the tv and turned his full attention to Orlando.

"Yeah....sure." He blinked and nodded his head.

Clearing his throat, AJ frowned slightly as he gathered his thoughts. "What is up with Mercy? I mean, she's been odd since the going evil thing. And I understand why but...well it's over and done with ya know?"

Orlando sighed and ran a hand over his face. "I...I don't really know. She just seems distant...then all cuddly the next." He shrugged his shoulders. "I wish I knew, bro."

"I just...I don't like the way it's upsetting Nicky. She needs to be calm and relaxed right now...but she is worried about Mercy." He chewed on the inside of his cheek. "And I try to tell her that Mercy doesn't blame her for what happened...but she doesn't believe me. So...maybe you could talk to Mercy...see what's up."

He nodded. "I'm worried about her too. And yeah, I should talk to her...." he bit his lip. "I...I don't think I've been quite there for her lately....I mean, I am....but I dunno...." he sighed. "I try to do my best, ya know...but sometimes it's just hard." His eyes met AJ's. "But yeah, I'll talk to her....I need to."

AJ nodded slowly. "Yeah I know how that is. I wanna be there for Nicky but...a part of me feels that she would rather I just kept my distance." He shook his head and pouted a little. "But I don't plan to do that so...tough cheese for her." He chuckled a little. "I'm gonna be there and annoy her until she takes me back."

This caused his friend to laugh. "You are going to annoy the hell out of her." He shook his head and sighed. "Though if I were in your shoes....I'd be doin� the same thing. Maybe she'll finally give up fighting and get back with you."

"Right. Cause I hope she knows that I don't plan to just let go, especially not now." He sighed and stretched his legs out. "I can't...she and this baby mean everything to me. I have to have her back..."

O nodded. "I know you do....and you will. You two are soulmates....just like Mercy and I. You will get back together...I'm sure of it."

AJ grinned at that. "That's true. I just hope she remembers that." He stroked his goatee. "I hurt her so bad, and I'll spend however long it takes to make it up to her."

Orlando nodded. "You will....."

His friend glanced down then rubbed his eyes. "I think this baby was a god send. It's gonna get Nicky and I back together, and make us a real family." He gave a thoughtful sigh. "I'm finally gonna have a real family...and everything I've always wanted.

~*~*~*~

Mercedes rolled her head on her shoulders and stretched her arms over her head, popping her joints. Since getting the new amulets, talking with the powers wasn't as bad as it used to be. Now when she went under, instead of getting a brain-splitting headache afterwards, she only got a blinding sharp pain above her eyes.

Glancing at Nicky as they walked down the hall, she yawned a little. "So...you feeling okay?"

Nicky nodded as she pulled her hair up and tied it. "Yeah, I'm good.....how are you?"

Her friend shrugged and rubbed the end of her nose. "I'm alright."

She nodded again. "Well that's better than not alright.....right?"

Mercy gave another shrug. "Yeah I guess it is." She moved up to the den door. "I mean I could be depressed or sick...but I'm not. I'm...alright."

Nicky just sighed and followed her into the den where their partners were waiting to hear the news from the Powers.

AJ looked up as the girls walked in and turned off the golf game he had been watching. "What's up?"

Leaning against the wall, Mercy twisted a strand of her black hair around her finger. "The TPB came a calling with an interesting one for us this time."

Orlando's brow furrowed. "What this time?"

Nicky took a seat on the sofa. "A little boy...he sees visions and so a Mantura Demon has taken over his body..." she bit her lip and frowned.

"Yeah, and he has no plans to leave...so that's where we come in." The other Oracle commented. "His poor mom doesn't even know that he's possessed....which is good for her cause a Mantura is not a pretty sight."

AJ made a face. "So...we what? Get the demon out then kill it?"

She nodded. "Sounds like a plan to me."

O blinked. "Geeze....poor kid." He nodded and rose to his feet. "Alright.....let's do it then."

AJ nodded as well and stood, smoothing down his clothes. "Yeah let's help him out." He tilted his head a little. "Should we take weapons or anything?"

"I would think so." O chewed his lip. "I mean, once we get the thing out.....we have to kill it. We need weapons to do that."

Nicky nodded and rose to her feet. "Yes, you'll need weapons....this thing is like....7 feet tall with razor sharp teeth."

"Yeah but I don't wanna scare the kid." He shrugged. "But alright weapons. Cool."

Mercy picked at her nails and stepped off from the wall. "I'll go get them." She then walked out of the room and headed down to the weapons room.

Orlando frowned and sent AJ a look.

Nicky just sighed and wrapped her arms around herself.

AJ shook his head and glanced to Nicky. "Okay so we'll be back as soon as we can alright? Well as soon as we kill this demon..."

Nicky turned to him....blinking. "Say what?"

He gave her a blank expression and shrugged. "We'll be back as soon as the demon is dead and the little boy is safe."

She frowned slightly. "Um...are you saying I can't go?" She lifted a brow and watched him.

"Oh boy..." Orlando muttered under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck. He motioned to the door. "I'm....I'm gonna go get the keys to the Navi.." then he hurried out of the room. He did not want to witness a fight between them.

AJ folded his arms over his chest and nodded. "Uh yeah, that's exactly what I'm saying. There is no way I'm letting you come with us to fight a 7 foot demon." He returned her frown. "You are gonna stay here where you and the baby will be safe."

Her eyes narrowed. "That's not fair....this is my job, in case you hadn't noticed."

"I know this is your job...but it's different now." He sighed and walked over to her, rubbing his hands up and down her arms. "You are gonna have our baby...and I don't wanna take the chance of something bad happening to you. So I want you here...where I know you'll be safe and sound."

She frowned and lowered her gaze...stomping her foot. "But I can't just sit here waiting."

AJ had to grin; she was so cute when she was angry. "You can...research something or go look at all the things I bought for the baby." He caressed her cheek, smoothing his fingers over her soft skin. "I just don't want anything to happen to you...or our child."

Nicky pulled away. She understood where he was coming from...but if she didn't go fight that would give Mercy something else to hang over her head. And besides, it was her job...she was back and couldn't just sit around doing nothing while everyone else risked their lives. She shook her head. "Fine...."

With a deep sigh, he nodded and walked over to the door. "I know you're pissed at me but it's for the best. You are already stressed out with everything that has been going on...and I won't let this make it worse. So just relax and let us handle it." He started out then stopped and turned around. "I'm just trying to look out for you...I hope you know that." He then strolled out and into the hall, making his way to the weapons room.

She fell sideways onto the sofa and mimicked him before growling and burying her face into a pillow. These next eight months or so were going to suck. She just knew it.

~*~*~*~

Sitting behind the wheel of the Navigator, Mercy rubbed the bridge of her nose with her fingers. The only thing she really wanted to do was chill in her bed, so deep under the covers that no one could ever find her. But instead she was playing patsy to the TPB again...as it always was. Today though, she just wasn't in the mood to fight.

Parking on the street in front of the quaint little white house, she turned off the engine and looked at it. Seemed normal enough, but she knew well enough to know that nothing was as normal as it seemed in L.A.

AJ sat in the backseat, his eyes darting back from the house to Orlando and Mercy. The ride over here had been so quiet; he could actually hear himself think. He didn't like it though; he didn't like the way things had changed. If there was a way to go back in time and redo it, he wished he could find it.

Orlando sighed and looked to the house. He hadn't liked the ride over much either. The tension in the Navi could be cut with a butter knife, that's how thick it was. Something needed to be done....because things could not stay like this. He sighed again and made sure his weapons were safely tucked away. "So this is it, huh?"

"Yes." Mercy nodded and checked the addy the powers had given her again. "This is the house. It looks nice...for a place where a demon possessed little boy lives."

He nodded and pushed his door open. "Alright, well let's get this over with."

Soundlessly, his girlfriend opened her door and eased out, making sure her weapons were tucked away under her coat.

AJ opened his door and hopped out, closing it behind him. He looked around at the cute little neighborhood and smiled. This would be the perfect place to raise a child. Lots of room to play..good schools..he could even get a dog.

Orlando took a breath and headed up the walkway to the porch. He chuckled and shook his head. "So what do we say.....excuse us ma'am...but your son is possessed and we're here to exercise him."

Mercy sneezed and frowned, the pollen making her allergies act up. She followed him onto the porch and peaked through the window. "We could say we are from some program...some thing that checks kids to make sure they are happy in their environment." She sneezed again and rubbed her eyes. "This family just moved onto this block so they should buy it."

He nodded and shrugged. "Alright...well here goes nothing." He lifted a fist and knocked on the door, stepping back and waiting.

After a moment, the sound of a lock sliding came and the door opened revealing a pleasant young woman, probably in her early thirties, with soft curly brown hair falling around her shoulders. She wiped her hands on a dishtowel and looked out at the trio. "Yes?"

"Um hello. I am Mercedes Demarco and these are my associates, AJ McLean and Orlando Bloom." She smiled warmly at the woman. "We are conducting a study for our child psychology class on how kids take to new environments. We got word that you and your family are new to the area...and we were hoping we could ask you a few questions."

The woman's bright green eyes blinked and she glanced at them, taking in their appearances. "Oh uh......what kind of questions?"

Mercy flashed her another charming grin. "Just basic questions. How is your child adjusting to the new school? Has he or she made any friends? Um...do they like this new place?"

She nodded and tilted her head. "Well I suppose it wouldn't hurt...." She pushed the screen door open and waved them inside. "I'm Elizabeth Gregory." She held a hand out, smiling brightly.

Orlando stepped inside and took her hand. "A pleasure to meet you." Then he moved aside allowing the others to follow him in. His eyes darted around the modest home, taking in the cozy appearance. They had a nice place. Kind of reminded him of his home back in England.

AJ stepped inside after Mercy and smiled to Elizabeth, moving more into the living room. He glanced at the pictures on the mantel above the fireplace, seeing a dark haired little boy in one with a dog. He picked it up and surveyed it closer. "Is this your son Mrs. Gregory?"

A clouded look passed through Elizabeth's eyes and she quickly blinked it away. "Yes...yes that's my little Brandon." She moved to a chair and waved a hand. "Please....be seated."

Mercy glanced around, noting how quiet it was. Little boys usually caused lot of noise�and she should know since Adrian was a loud ass little boy. She sunk down onto the couch and discreetly shifted the athemay in her boot.

AJ nodded and put the picture back, sitting down in the chair closest to him. "He is really cute. Did he take the move to here well?"

Orlando sank down onto the couch next to Mercy, making sure his weapons were still hidden away.

Elizabeth sank into a chair and shrugged. "Well the best any five year old would." She smiled faintly as her fingers played with the fringe on the dishtowel. "He has his moments, but for the most part...he...he is happy."

"Where is he by the way?" Mercy glanced this way and that, wishing she could sneak away to look around. "I'm sure we would all love to meet him."

A look passed over her face but quickly disappeared. "Oh...he's outside. He just gets too loud for the house sometimes." She chuckled lightly and rose to her feet. "But um....well I'm sure he would love to meet you." She bit her lip and moved to a doorway. "Follow me."

Orlando rose to his feet and caught Mercy's eye. Had she noticed the hesitation and slight fear that he had picked up from Elizabeth? Surely it was because of the demon. He took a breath and followed behind the woman.

AJ and Mercy stood at the same time and followed Orlando behind the mother. They moved out onto the back porch to find little Brandon in the back yard, seemingly just playing like any regular child would.

He tossed around a large ball to himself and giggled as he chased after it. AJ could help but grin and think about the �what ifs� as he watched him. What if his own child turned out like that? A cute little boy he could play football with.

Mercedes ran a hand through her hair and watched the little boy. He was cute.

Elizabeth glanced back at the trio...then called her son over. "Uh....Brandon honey, please come here....there are some people who would like to meet you."

Brandon looked over and grabbed up his ball, making his little cute self over to his mother. He hid behind her legs and stuck his thumb in his mouth, looking at the strangers. "Who dey?"

Orlando couldn't help but grin as the watched the boy. He didn't look like he could possibly be possessed by a demon.

His mother smoothed his hair. "They are from a college class...and have to do some homework about how people are doing in their new homes." She knelt down and wrapped an arm around his waist. "And they would just like to say hello."

Smiling, Mercy bent down eye level to the little boy. "Hi..my name is Mercedes...like the car. This is Orlando and AJ." She pointed to each guy as she said his name. "We heard you just moved here. Do you like this place? Your new school?"

The little boy made a face. "Not weally. I liked my old house better." He hugged his little ball and looked to AJ, the snickered. "Mommy look! He drew on himself!"

AJ chuckled and ran a hand over his tattooed. Kids always seemed to think that about him.

Orlando couldn't help but laugh. Kids were too cute.

Elizabeth nodded. "It looks that way, doesn't it." She kissed his cheek. "How 'bout you tell them about your new friend...the little girl that lives across the street."

Brandon frowned and shook his head. "I don't like girls! Girls are yucky!" He threw his ball over to the bushes and wiped his nose. "She always trying to kiss me."

Elizabeth laughed lightly. "She's just being friendly." She grinned over at Mercy and the guys.

Mercy nodded and pinched his cheek. "Yeah, and when you get older...you won't mind so much."

He grinned and bit his bottom lip, his eyes falling on the amulet around her neck. "Pwetty..." His eyebrows creased a little and he looked to Orlando and AJ, his eyes falling to the rings on their hands. "Pwetty wings..."

Orlando nodded. "Uh yeah...." he shifted on his feet.

Elizabeth rubbed his head and rose to her feet. "Why don't I go get us some lemonade and we can all sit out here and talk." She leaned down and kissed the top of his head. "I'll be right back, kiddo." Then she grinned at the others and moved back into the house.

AJ watched her go then turned back to the little boy, folding his arms over his chest. "So Brandon...where did you live before coming here?"

The little boy stepped off the porch and chuckled. "Well well well...look who has come to get rid of me." He glanced up, his eyes red as coals of fire, his voice deeper than James Earl Jones. "I was wondering when you would show up."

Lifting a brow, Mercedes put her hands on her hips. Looks like it was showtime.

"Well looks like we're here." Orlando folded his arms and tilted his head, watching the small boy.

Brandon sighed. "I'm not leaving this vessel and you can not make me. I like it in here...it's all safe and warm."

"See that's where you are wrong. You're leaving that kid if we have to drag you outta him." Mercy snapped. "Now we can do this the hard way or the easy way. It's your decision."

"I see." He said and pouted a little bit. "Well then, I choose the hard way!" And with that he lifted up his little hands and the sky seemed to darken. A cold wind creeped into the atmosphere, making the shutters on the windows bang against the house.

Orlando frowned and stepped off the porch, slowly pulling his dagger out from his jeans, but then quickly slid it back in. He couldn't use a dagger on the child.

AJ stepped off the porch as well and moved to the other side of Brandon. "Don't make us hurt you now." He was bluffing of course since there was no way he could go kung fun on a little kid...not even an evil little kid.

Brandon laughed darkly and started to shake, making red electric pulses shoot up through his body. With a dark growl, he pointed at AJ and Orlando and grunted, making the volts sprang out and hit each man dead in the stomach, knocking them to their knees. He snickered and turned his attention to Mercy, trying to do the same thing to her. Only she was too quick for him.

Mercedes dived off the porch and into the rose bushes just as the volt whizzed by her. She frowned and huffed the hair outta her face, pulling the sharp thorns from her skin. This was not gonna be a good day.

Orlando fell to his knees, wrapping his arms around his body, the pain shooting throughout him. He rolled to his side and pushed himself up. They had to get this demon out of this boy somehow.

Letting out a slight groan, AJ took a breath and forced himself to stand, the pain feeling like little piercing knots in his stomach. Maybe if he grabbed the little boy and shook him, that would get the demon out. Alright so it wasn't a smart plan but right now, he would try anything.

"Ohh the toys still want to play, huh?" The demon remarked, grinning widely. "Fine with me." With a wave of his hand, he sent AJ flying through the glass kitchen window hard, making him hit the table and roll onto the floor.

Elizabeth let out a shriek and flew outside onto the porch. "Brandon!" She glared at her son and marched down the steps. "You stop that this instant!"

"Ma'am...no..." Orlando lunged and moved in front of her. "That....that's not your son."

She shook her head, her voice wavering. "Then...then who...who is he? He...he just isn't the same." She took a breath and tried to calm herself down.

AJ felt the blow like an 18-wheeler as he hit the table then the floor. He moaned and rolled onto his side, cringing at the shooting tremors that flowed through his back.

Mercy glanced into the kitchen to see AJ trying to get up, but the pain was stopping him. She stepped out from behind the bush and faced the little boy, her eyes dark. "Leave him now."

"Or what?!" He screamed, causing the ground to shake beneath them. "You can't harm me or you harm the child! I am invincible!" He rubbed his hands together and formed a bright blue energy ball, hurling it at her with all his might. It hit her in the chest, causing her to slam against the porch pole like a rag doll.

Elizabeth let out a scream and covered her face with her hands.

Orlando shook his head and moved her back further. "Stay back." He ordered, before hurrying over to his girlfriend.

"God..." Mercy took a breath and touched her throbbing side, knowing at once that she had broken a rib. How in the hell were they supposed to fight the demon if he used the kid as his personal shield?

Crawling out of the kitchen, AJ picked the glass out of his arm and rubbed his chin. "This is hopeless."

O sighed and carefully helped Mercy to her feet. "He won't come out....I dunno what we're gonna do. We...we can't hurt the boy."

She nodded and held her rib. "Maybe we'll have to take out the boy and the demon. Or...maybe if we choke him out then the demon will come out..."

AJ frowned and made his way over to his friends, watching as Brandon twirled in a circle, kicking up dust and rocks. "What do we do?"

Orlando shrugged. "I...I dunno..." He wet his lips and sighed, rubbing his face.

~*~*~*~

Nicky sighed as she clicked the mouse and scanned the page that loaded. She wasn't going to just sit around and do nothing. Her friends needed her; her amulet had flashed a few times. They were in trouble, she just knew it. And since Alex wasn't going to let her go fight, then she'd find another way to stop the demon.

"Mantura...Mantura.." She muttered as she swiveled her chair from side to side, twirling her hair around a finger. She'd found out that Mantura demons could only possess people to actually get anything done. And that they mostly used visionists as their medians....for they could see the future. That would give the Mantura the control it needed so its powers could grow. And this one had possessed a boy.

Nicky frowned and tugged on her hair as she read more information. They were also almost near impossible to remove once in someone's body. There was no way they could kill this child....he was a boy....5 years old. Instinctively her hand moved to her stomach and she rubbed it. No, not a child. Okay, so there had to be some other way.

"God...come on, there's gotta be something." She frowned and pushed the chair away from the desk...rolling it back to the table covered with books. She grabbed up a large one and began flipping pages. She would find a way to get this demon out of this boy....she just knew she would. And she wasn't going to stop until she did.

~*~*~*~

Fifteen minutes later, Nicky had her answer. She clutched the page she'd ripped out of the book, in her hand and hurried down the hall and to the garage. Alex wasn't going to be too happy when she showed up, but she didn't care. She knew what needed to be done and was going to do it. She pulled the keys to her Spyder out and slid behind the wheel. "Mister Demon..." she muttered as she started the car up and pulled out of the garage. "You're going down."

~*~*~*~

Brandon grabbed AJ's wrist and squeezed, catching it in a vice like grip. He jerked him forward and kicked him in the chest hard, knocking the wind outta him with a whoosh. He then turned to Orlando, kicking his feet from under him before he could tackle him. He kicked him in the face and gripped Mercy's dagger, tossing it at her as she came up on his right. It flew with great speed, striking and piercing right through her hand.

"Fuck!" She snapped and fell to her knees, her staked hand trembling and bleeding.

"I..I can't believe we are getting our asses kicked by a...lil kid." AJ coughed, rolling away to a safer area. "I'm never living this down."

Orlando nodded and groaned as he sat up, rubbing his head. His eyes moved to where Elizabeth stood in horror, watching what she thought was her son, try to kill these poor "college kids".

Mercy glared at the little boy and stood, pulling out the knife and tossing it to the ground. She was getting fed up with this kid. Ripping her shirt, she tied it around her hand. "I say we kill him and be done with it."

AJ shook his head. "We...we can't. He's just a child."

"He doesn't kick our asses like a child." She replied, watching as Brandon conjured up another batch of energy balls before letting them go.

Orlando shook his head. "We can't just kill him......" He didn't know what else they were gonna do, but they couldn't do that.

The little possessed boy chuckled at the trio. "You have no power over me here. I call the shots." He raised his hands into the air and chanted a little, causing bright bolts of lightning to strike each person down. "And you will die trying to stop me."

AJ screamed as the bolt hit him and flipped onto his back, his skin on fire. He couldn't take much more of this, just letting this demon get away with killing him. He may be in a kid's body but his hits were very powerful.

Once again Mercy was forced to her knees, the lightning scorching her clothes. She was growing impatient.

Orlando fell again, his chest heaving. He didn't know how much more he could take. He coughed and sat up, shaking his head. "You're a wuss...come out and fight like the demon you really are!" He glared at the boy. "Don't hide behind an innocent child."

Elizabeth just fell to her knees, watching the scene in horror...she'd long since stopped begging her son to stop, now just sobbed into her hands, not knowing what she could do to stop this madness.

"This child wasn't that innocent to begin with." The demon replied, laughing. "And besides, I'm having fun." He circled the young people and his eyes flashed. "I know just what to do with you three." He grinned and pointed two fingers at the ground, which immediately started to shake and rumble. Bit by bit, the very earth began to rip open, ready to suck anyone and everyone down into the depths of hell.

~*~*~*~

Nicky screeched her car to a stop right behind the Navi and flung the door open, grabbing the paper and jumping out. She heard the low rumble and felt the ground shake. Following the sounds she hurried around the side of the house and lifted the latch to the gate, pushing it open and letting herself in.

~*~*~*~

O let out a cry as he clawed at the grass, trying to keep himself from slipping into the fiery darkness below. He glanced over to see Mercy and AJ doing the same. "God help us!" He cried out, as more pieces of earth fell away and he was pulled further down, his legs now dangling into the air.

Suddenly hands gripped his wrists and yanked him back, pulling him to safety. He blinked and lifted his head to see Nicky hurrying over to AJ and tugging him back, then she moved to Mercy and took hold of her arms, lifting her from the edge of the hole.

"Hey..." Nicky grinned at her friend and knelt down next to her, once Mercedes was safely back on the ground. She pushed some hair out of her face and held out the paper. "I know how to get him out......"

Mercy blinked, surprised to see Nicky before. She then shook her head and looked down to the paper she held. "How?"

AJ rubbed his eyes and crawled over to where Nicky knelt with Mercy. He glared at her and frowned. "What are you doing here! You were supposed to stay home!"

She brushed AJ's comment off and motioned to the paper. "With our amulets. We have to combine our powers and then we'll be strong enough to force him out. Then once out....someone has to get the boy away from him and the rest can finish him off."

Orlando wiped his face and just lay on the grass, listening to the Nicky relay her plan. Sounded good to him. Right now he was about willing to try anything.

"Alright let's do it." Mercy replied. "How do we start?"

Nicky shifted and glanced to the boy before turning her eyes back to Mercy. "Uh....we just have to do kinda like we do when we do that time warp thing ya know....like how we got back from Istanbul." She rubbed her amulet. "And it'll create this force that we can use our minds to control and force him out of the boy."

Her friend nodded and turned her gaze to Brandon, who was shouting in some demonic language, trying to conjure up some new hell for them to face. She took Nicky's hands in hers and closed her eyes, trying to draw from the power of the amulets. At first it seemed that nothing would happen, as if the amulets had ran outta juice. The red ruby flickered then slowly died out, turning into an odd stone.

Brandon smirked and unleashed his fury on the group, making razor sharp knives appear from nowhere and hurl towards them. They zipped through the air and right for the foursome, preparing to stab them all in the head.

AJ clamped his eyes shut and awaited for the blinding pain that would ultimately kill him. When nothing came, he peeked one eye open to see the knives hovering mere inches from his nose...and from the others. His mouth fell and he jerked his head to the girls; the amulets creating a sort of invisible shield around all of them.

Orlando's jaw dropped as he watched the scene before him, his eyes wide. "Wow...." he breathed out.

Suddenly Brandon let out a cry as an odd yellow mist drifted from the amulets and wrapped around his small body. It entered his ears and nose, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get it to stop. It continued to fill him until he was a glowing yellow figure. He cried out in pain, his head doing a complete 360 on his shoulders as the eyes rolled back to show the whites. Jerking and trembling, he let out a gurgled sound deep from his throat as he was lifted into the air.

His limbs thrashed from side to side when out of nowhere, a dark formless energy seeped out of his pores like a popped pimple. It crumpled up onto the ground and started to pulse, a murking vile mess. The little boy then floated softly to the ground, blinking his little eyes and looking around. He pouted and whimpered. "Mommy?"

Elizabeth stared in shock, then quickly scrambled across the grass, wrapping her arms around her son. "Shhh baby..." she tried to soothe him, tears still streaming down her face.

Orlando glanced from the demon, to Brandon, to the girls...then back again. It was working. The monster was being forced out and now they could actually fight him and this time...kill him.

Pulling her hands back and opening her eyes, Mercy watched as the pile of black ooze began to bubble and grow into something new. It shifted, making two large arms with long green nails spring out on either side. A deformed horned head slowly pushed itself up from outta it's stomach, growling angrily, showing crimson red fangs hat dripped with mucus.

AJ made a face and held his nose at the smell, turning his attention to Nicky. "Okay the little boy is fine. Bye." He lightly pushed or her to go around the front.

She shook her head. "Not yet.....we have to get him out of here, or he could possess him again." She frowned at him and crawled along the ground over to Elizabeth and Brandon huddled.

"Come on...come with me." She helped Elizabeth scoop her son up and then slowly inched them around the large hole.

Orlando whistled, trying to attract the demon's attention so Nicky could get them out and away.

AJ frowned but shook his head. That's Nicky for you, always putting herself in the line of fire to help someone in need.

The Mantura crouched on all fours as its spinal cord realigned itself. He howled out, his piercing green eyes searching for his host. "Nooo." It hissed as it watched the boy and his mother try to sneak away. "NOOO!!" It reached out a long arm for them, grabbing air.

Mercy plucked up her knife and smirked, this was something she could work with. "Hey Mantura...what say we try this again huh?" Taking a breath, she darted behind it and plunged her knife into it's middle back, rendering it frozen in place.

Nicky winced as the demon tried to swipe at them, but she kept moving. Finally, they moved from around the hole..then she lead them towards the gate. She closed and locked it behind them, then glanced back to her friends. "Good luck." She mumbled, before turning and following behind the woman and her child.

O quickly withdrew his dagger, pulling his 9mm from his boot. "This is more like it. Now we can take ya." He smirked and slowly circled the large beast.

Once he saw that Nicky and the others were safe from harm, AJ stood and plucked his twin daggers from behind him. He twirled them between his fingers and walked over to the demon, watching it try to removed the knife deep in it's back. It glanced around at the three people and growled.

"I will not go!" It snapped out, his eyes staring at the gate where the others had disappeared behind. "The child! Bring back the child!"

Shaking her head, Mercedes frowned. "You are so dead...it's not even funny. Taking control of a poor little boy...what the hell is wrong with you? You couldn't possess an adult like a normal demon?"

Orlando tilted his head and wiped his brow....watching the monster. He stood back a step and waited, letting Mercy berate him. Served the dumbass right.

The demon stuck out its long tongue and made a strangled cry, still trying to move. Mercy snickered and kicked it in the face hard. "That's for my hand." She then moved behind it and kicked its large black penis, making it howl even louder. "That's for the poor little kid you possessed."

AJ chuckled and took a breath. He was just ready to kill this thing and get home. "What say we do him already and burn the corpse. I've had enough of him to last a lifetime."

O nodded and moved back to the monster. "I say that's a fine good idea, chap." He lifted his dagger and plunged it into the side, a slimy, green ooze leaking out. Then he pulled the blade out, and plunged it in again. "And this is for just being you."

The Mantura screamed in pain and trembled, not being able to do anything but be killed. He shouted curses at the three, promising to come back bigger and badder, or saying that he would be avenged by those like him. Of course no one paid attention to him.

Drawing together all his strength, AJ slammed both of his daggers into the beast's head with such force, that it split right down the middle, his brain and flesh falling to the side limply as he died. He gave a snort and kicked one side of the brain. "Never mess with children."

Orlando turned his head away as his stomach lurched. Sometimes he wondered how he handled this job.

"Mercedes?" He wiped his dagger and slid it back into his pants, tucking his gun away also. "You aight, baby?" He moved towards her.

Frowning, Mercy nodded slowly and flexed the fingers on her injured hand. Since she used her amulet to get rid of the demon, it would take a while before she could heal herself. She sighed and rubbed her side. "I'm good...can we go home now?"

AJ nodded. "Best words I've heard all day."

O nodded and wrapped his arm around her waist. "I agree...." he glanced back and watched as the demon's body slowly began to shrivel and disappear and the large hole formed back to the ground. "Come on�" He led her across the yard and towards the gate.

She wordlessly let him lead her along, resting her head against his shoulder.

Glancing around, AJ smiled and began to follow. With all that had happened aside, he still thought this was a pretty nice neighborhood.

~*~*~*~

Nicky stood from the porch as the group rounded the corner of the house and headed towards them. She stuck her hands in her back pockets and glanced down at Elizabeth and Brandon, then back to her friends.

Elizabeth slowly rose to her feet; Brandon wrapped around her body. She rubbed his back and wet her lips, waiting for the trio to get near.

AJ saw Nicky and moved over to her, standing beside her. "Are you alright?" Were the first words he spoke.

"I'm fine." She folded her arms over her chest and turned to back to Brandon.

Sighing, AJ nodded and turned to the others. He didn't care if she was mad as hell at him, he was gonna protect her and his child anyway he could. Even if that meant locking her in her room forever.

Mercy sighed as she and Orlando came to stand in front of Brandon and his mother. The little boy didn't even look upset or affected by what had happened to him.

He grinned and held his mother tightly. "I know you. I saw you in ma dweams."

Orlando grinned a little. "You did, huh..."

Elizabeth chuckled lightly and smiled at the group. "Thank you so much...."

The little boy nodded. "Yes. Tank you too."

"Aww..." Mercy said smiling, leaning over to kiss his little cheek. "You are both very welcome. I don't think you'll be having anymore problems from now on. Well...except for maybe that little girl who likes to kiss you."

Elizabeth smiled and kissed his head. "I think he'll manage."

Nicky grinned. "Aww one day you'll want a girl kissing you." She giggled and rubbed his arm.

Brandon stuck out his tongue and shook his head. "Girls are still yucky!" Then he giggled. "But not you two. You're pwetty..."

Merecdes grinned and checked her watch. "Take care Brandon...we'll check up on you from time to time."

Nicky grinned and kissed his forehead. "Thank you...." Then she stepped back and swung her keys.

Orlando nodded. "Yes, both you take care." He smiled warmly at the mother and son and slid his hand into his girlfriend's. "We'll see ya around."

~*~*~*~

Mercedes laid on her back in the pool, lightly treading water as she drifted along. Her hand had healed but her side was still kinda sore, so she had figured a relaxing swim might make her feel better. Now as she felt the warm water massaging her tender muscles, she knew that it had been a good idea.

With her eyes closed, she felt her head gently touch the wall. Turning, she pushed off and calmly started to float to the other side. Her mind was clear for once, almost serene as she daydreamed about nothing in particular.

Orlando entered the pool and spotted Mercy. He ran a hand through his hair and moved to the side she was floating at. Kneeling down by the edge, he cleared his throat.

Opening her eyes, she smiled at him and ran her fingers through the water. "Hey...come to join me?"

He grinned at her and stood, kicking off his pants. "I can...if ya don't mind some skinny dipping." Then he pulled off his shirt and shucked off his boxers, sliding into the pool next to her.

She chuckled as he undressed. "I never have before...don't plan to start now." Staring up at the high ceiling, she retained her smile and glanced at him. "I love you."

He grinned and lowered himself in the water...running a hand over her tummy. "I love you."

"Today was something, huh?" She swayed her head from side to side. "To think a demon would actually possess a poor kid. Makes me so mad..."

He nodded and leaned back against the wall, treading the water. "It's sad...really."

She shrugged. "No one ever said demons wouldn't sink low or play dirty." She then righted herself and glanced at him. "Is something wrong? You look....odd."

Orlando sighed and watched her...then he nodded. "Well, not wrong persay....but, I dunno....things just have been kind of..." he paused and searched for the words. "Different...lately."

Mercy tilted her head and watched him. "What do you mean?"

"I dunno...you've been acting different....I've been different...." He shrugged. "Baby, what's goin on....you know you can tell me."

"Oh." Was all she said before slipping beneath the surface. Moments later she came back up and wiped the water out of her face, taking a deep breath. "I don't know. I just...I feel different. I don't feel like the person I was before...before things happened."

He watched her, nodding slowly. "What are you thinking?"

She hunched her shoulders and swam in a circle. "I'm thinking that my side hurts. I'm thinking that maybe I should start streaking my hair again..." She then faced him and bit her bottom lip. "I'm thinking how mad I still kinda am at Nicky..."

He nodded, just letting her talk.

�I mean I know why she did what she did, but that doesn't change the fact that she did it." She frowned a little. "Like I said...I'm just conflicted over everything that has happened. I'm getting over it though."

He nodded and swam to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "It's going to be okay, baby..." he kissed her forehead. "I promise."

She smiled faintly and hugged him. "I know." She then pulled away and looked into his eyes. "It's just that since AJ and Nicky broke up, I felt like we have drifted apart. Maybe it's silly but that's how I feel...so I've been doing things alone or with Gaby to occupy my time."

Orlando bit his lip and brushed some wet hair from her face. "I know...I'm sorry...I just..." he shrugged. "I dunno...things have just been so messed up." He kissed her forehead again. "But baby, come talk to me...let me know this....don't go off and let this eat at ya."

"Things have only been messed up with the others." Mercy whispered, glancing at the crystal clear water. "I don't like it when things change or become different. I don't like it when we seem to drift apart and there is no reason. AJ and Nicky broke up...not us. It's sad and it's unfair but it didn't happen to us." She pulled away completely and lay back on her back. "Besides now that she is knocked up...it's only a matter of time..."

He shrugged. "A matter of time before what...they get back together? Good for them...but they're not us...just like you said..so who cares?" He moved towards her again. "And things have been messed up with us too...all that happened with you and the amulet....I think everyone is just stressed..." He ran a hand over his face. �We need a vaca."

She looked at him. "I'm not stressed...not at the moment anyway." She sighed. "Orlando look, all of this is just a lot to process, ya know? With Nicky being pregnant I'm right back where I started...in charge. I have to do everything around here and keep it together...and whenever someone needs something they are gonna come to me." She lifted a brow. "And suppose she decides to just go AWOL again?"

He sighed. "I don't think she's going to do that." Then he shrugged. "What do you want then, baby...."

Mercy thought for a moment before speaking. "Honestly...I wanna go back to the way things were before all the shit hit the fan. But that's not possible so I'll just settle for this." She motioned to her surroundings. "It's not easy for me to just let things go or put them aside but I'm going to. I have to anyway, right? For the good of everyone else?"

He wet his lips and nodded. "Let's make the most out of this, okay?" His eyes pleaded for her to agree and he pulled her to him again. "Let's just put the past where it belongs and move on."

"Alright." She didn't sound convincing, not even to herself but she did mean what she said. "I'll pretend like none of it ever happened."

He shook his head but didn't say anything. He hadn't meant it like that....but fine, if that's what she wanted.

So what do you want then?" She asked, wrapping her legs around his waist.

Orlando sighed. "Baby, we know it happened and you don't have to pretend like it didn't.....but just let it go. If you don't it's gonna eat away at you and make it worse. Don't let it get in the way of your friendship....who knows when something might happen and they won't be around....I think we all know how quickly that could happen."

She nodded. "Just cause I'm a little ticked at Nicky doesn't mean I don't love her. If she needed something right now I would be there to get it for her." Her eyes lowered and she hugged him tighter. "I just don't like the feeling like I've been thrown away...like I don't matter. I don't like it when people leave me or let me go."

"I know..." He kissed the top of her head. "And you mean a lot to Nicky, even I know this. She loves you too." He soothingly rubbed her back. "And I don't think she was just throwing you away....saying you didn't matter. She's beating herself up over it...worried sick you hate her."

"I don't hate her. I told her this and I meant what I said." She pouted a little. "Sometimes I wish I could but I can't. She's my best friend and we have been through too much for me to hate her." She grinned. "Though if she doesn't make me god mother then I will hate her until the end of time."

Orlando chuckled and hugged her. "I'm sure she will." He kissed her head again.

Mercy took a breath and lightly splashed him. "After today...I don't even know if I want kids anymore." She lifted a brow and rubbed his shoulders. "I mean cause odds are mine will be possessed and there won't even be a demon involved."

"Heey.." he laughed and shook his head. "Our children will be beautiful, wonderful children."

"We'll see about that." She giggled and leaned back a little. "Alright I'm better now. Thank you for letting me dump my problems on you. I had said that I wasn't gonna tell them anymore...then I couldn't be judged, ya know? But now I'm glad I did. I feel better..."

He kissed her mouth lightly. "Baby, I want you to talk to me....about anything, okay..." He met her eyes. "You don't have to tell the others....but you can tell me."

Mercy nodded and smoothed her hands over his cheeks. "I know and I will from now on." She took a deep, slow breath. "There is something I have to tell you..."

Orlando turned his head and kissed her palm, then nodded. "What is it?"

"Well...." She began, trying to hold in the grin that threatened to show. "Orlando...my angel...my sweetheart...you're poking me in the stomach and it hurts." She snickered, which soon turned into a full out giggle fest.

He just laughed and slid his hands to her sides. "Why you..." He tickled her, his fingers dancing over her skin.

Mercy yelped and pulled away, but not before pushing him down under the water. "You said I could tell you anything!" She smirked and turned, swimming rapidly for the ladder on the other side.

Surfacing, he rubbed his eyes and was soon hot on her trail. "Get back here!"

She laughed and swam harder, secretly hoping he would catch her. Mercy knew that there were things in this life that couldn't be explained or changed...and she accepted that. Because she knew that as long as she had Orlando, nothing else mattered. As long as he loved her and cared for her...she could do anything and she could take on anything. She could even put aside her own fears and anger...and forgive her best friend.