Battle To The End - Complete Version

[starcrossed]

Can you believe the story is complete?

I just wanted to thank all the writers that shared in creating the story with me : Cheza, Chanvre, Guitargirl, Iwo, Oceancat46, p12, and Wildroses. Thank you all.

Moreover, thank you to all of you that showed support for our writing and took the time to read our work.

BATTLE TO THE END

Megan was still trembling in Justin's arms, even long after they had left his Montana estate. Cloud demanded, albeit gently for Megan's sake, that they return to Chicago at once. The four boarded Justin's private jet to make the journey, but Marty felt ill-at-ease and couldn't help but wonder if taking Justin's plane would ultimately be their downfall.

"Will the final battle be in Chicago?", Megan wondered. However, at the same time it would make sense. After all, Chicago was where Justin had introduced himself to Marty with the help of Marcus.

Megan felt unsure of Justin's men because they were huge like Keane, although she was sure he would not allow them to hurt her in any way. She was still reeling from killing Keane at the estate. "I'm a card-carrying peaceful girl...tree hugger and all," she thought. "What on Earth possessed me?"

Marty stared out the window. He still wasn't sure which side Justin was on. His eyes scanned the sky for the first inkling of the skyline of the city he loved. Cloud could tell he was deeply troubled, but she wasn't sure how to ease his troubled mind.

"Mind if I smoke?", Marty finally asked Justin.

"Go ahead, feel free. There's also a bar over there on the left. It's fully stocked," Justin said.

Marty lit up a cigarette. Megan couldn't help but be mesmerized by its glow. He deeply inhaled the smoke and blew it out. Instantly, he seemed to relax a bit.

Megan got up and went to the bar to see what it had to offer. She found a bottle of Jim Beam and poured Marty a drink and went to talk to him. Justin's eyes followed her every step of the way. Meanwhile, Cloud was staring at Justin trying to determine the answer to the same question that was running through Marty's mind..."Which side is he on?"...she sat deep in thought watching the other three interact. She couldn't afford to ignore her intuition twice; it had almost proven fatal with Keane.

Finally, the Chicago skyline began to come into view...

[starcrossed]

When they finally landed in Chicago, Megan felt slightly relieved. She wanted to believe the best in Justin, she couldn't deny her great physical desire for him, but she knew that he was still a vampire. She couldn't imagine sacrificing her mortalityto live forever in another's curse. The idea of a blossoming relationship, was just out of the question. Megan set her mind to focus on what was important. What was important was just staying alive.

The group decided that the best choice of action was to stay at a hotel in the city. If they felt that their safety was at risk at any time, they could easily change location.They didn't want to risk anything.

"What are we going to do, now?" Megan asked Cloud.

Cloud was looking out the small window of the hotel. The view of the city was perfect. The city of Chicago was perfect. Cloud loved visiting the mortal realm. It was so amazing to her that something so breath taking, could be so fragile. Life was so fragile.

She turned to Megan, "The Darkness will be getting desperatee enough thatt they will be taking more chances trying to locate you. All we have to do is let them know that you are here. Then they will come."

"That is great Cloud. Really...But how in the hell are you planning on stopping them? If the group is a s large as you say that it is, then what are we going to do to take them down? I think we should just call the freaking' police!" Megan was frustrated, that the whole horrible experience just couldn't end.

"Megan, do you think that the police would do anything to help us?" Marty began to speak gently to her, "I know this is a lot to handle. We just have to work on a plan and focus on that. I didn't ask to be involved in any of this, but I realize that this is the story and I am in for the length of it, so to speak."

"I just don't think that...."

"The idea is to take down the Darkness. The ancient leaders are only of thirteen members, the rest of the group are just followers. Almost like a cult, brainwashed emotionally vulnerable souls, that are easy prey. The ancients have traded there souls for divine power,"
Justin sounded monotone, like it didn't matter or his mind was miles from them.

"Are there only thirteen members at all times? not more...like someone that was after power too and made a deal on the side?" Megan thoughts returned to Rachel. She remembered that Rachel had told her that she had made that trade for power. Megan hated to bring the subject up, around the still grieving Justin, but it had to be done.

"No. Only thirteen members at any time. Why?' Justin inquired.

"I hate to tell you this...Rachel told me that she had traded her soul for power, before she was...She was part of the thirteen."

Justin turned away, not saying a single word. He looked as if he had already known , but did not want to admit the truth even to himself.

"They will replace her." Marty was sitting on the bed. He looked sleepy as he shifted uncomfortably on the edge.

"LH has a performance in a few days..." Cloud began.

"We do? I don't recall.." Marty began, then changed his answer,"I guess that we do now. So if you are acting as a manager now Cloud what percentage of the cut are you asking for? 10%?"

" I should ask for 15%...Marty just needs Megan to walk on stage for a moment. The Darkness will have a few scouts out looking for you at the concert. They will grab you and we will follow."

" Are you crazy? You want them to take me??" Megan couldn't believe her ears.

"We need to find out were they are. You as bait makes perfect sense. We wouldn't let them hurt you, we just need to get to them to end this." Justin still seemed distant.

"Megan, I agree with you" Marty started," The idea is too risky. If we lose her at anytime and they do finish the ritual? Megan is dead and the world lost. We should think of another idea."

Cloud was firm, "This is the only way. Megan will be safe enough, but he longer we wait means that the Darkness has more time to plan against us. We need to move in fast. We will find them and then we will destroy them."

"How? Are you planning on killing them all, like you did Rachel?" Megan regretted the words the moment that they left her mouth.

Justin turned to Megan, all hell's fury coming from his every pore. "Cloud killed my sister? "

[starcrossed]

As Justin asked the question to Cloud. She didn't answer him and she tried to lose eye contact with him but as he asked the question again. She lost control and looked into his eyes, she could see the Fumes as he raged on horror...

[starcrossed]

Justin's anger was unstoppable. Cloud stood proudly before him, without any sign of fear in her eyes.

"She was going to kill Megan. She had no soul worth saving, Rachel was part of them. The Darkness was all that she was." Cloud made no excuses for her actions.

Justin's anger over took his senses. Like a bursting dam, he charged forward, murder was in his eyes. His target was Cloud.

"You heartless bi*ch! She was my sister!!" Justin finger tips turned to claw like talons. He was inches from Cloud.

Marty leaped off the bed, and grabbed the enraged Justin from the back. "Cloud was only doing what she thought was right. I know that your hurting, but think about what would have happened! If Rachel killed Megan then we would all be dead by now. The darkness would have won. She sold her soul, man! That thing was not your sister."Marty struggled to keep his hold on Justin.

"I am going to kill you. She was my sister!!!" Madness seemed to control Justin. His feature's changed, and you could see his fangs starting to transform from his mouth. He was allowing his inner demon to come forth.

"I can't hold him much longer"Marty warned Megan with a look ,as Cloud stood motionless.

"Let him go Marty..."Cloud looked ready to kill herself.

"What is wrong with both of you!!" Megan demanded.

Megan was at loss what to do. She began to realize that she really couldn't do anything. Justin's pain and rage was too high to calm down. Cloud was to proud a warrior, to stand down. If she didn't defuse the situation fast, they were going to be one person short in the mission.

"Justin" Megan tried desperately to find a mental path to his mind. "Justin, you have to stop this. We can't fight each other. Justin, please..."She felt his mind stir from her intrusion, "Justin, this is not you. Stop it. I know that you are hurting, but you have to understand! I was dying, Cloud had to save me and bring me back. That person was no longer your sister...or my best friend. Please don't do this."

All the rage from Justin seemed to stop.He seemed to have heard Megan through the madness.

"Let me go." Justin struggled to free himself from Marty's solid grip."I need some air."

Marty released his hold, as Justin turned and stormed from the hotel room.

"Well, I think we could use some food and rest. I will call for room service. What shall I order?" Cloud asked calmly.

Marty and Megan stared at each other. Complete disbelief on both their faces. How could anyone or anything, think about food after all of that?

[starcrossed]

A few moments later Justin returned with his head down. He turned-on the TV and watched without saying a word.

...."Forget the room service, we need to get to that revolving restaurant on top of our hotel", Megan finally decided for all of them in an attempt to reduce the tension in the air. After all we will have the best view of all the in-coming planes, but we won't be visible because of the high booths. Cloud & Justin agreed, but didn't want to dress-up "just to eat". Marty smirked at them, and pointed-out that they would stick-out in a high-end restaurant wearing their wrinkled travel clothes. Megan thought to herself "yea, stick-out" as she watched Marty paint his fingernails black, and pick-out his attire.

Marty was wearing one of his tight black jackets with scarlet red trim, pin-striped pants, black leather boots whose tips exaggerated to large points, and sunglasses as if to further make himself incognito. From a separate pouch within his luggage, Marty then selected a dozen-so leather and rubber bracelets. To complete his wardrobe, Marty donned a hat, not unlike chimney sweeps once wore. Mary noticed Megan staring at him, and rhetorically asked "you're not wearing that, are you?" ...Megan broke from her extended stare, and said no...and looked through her things for something to change into.

Megan finally settled on wearing....

[starcrossed]

Megan couldn't decide on anything. Her mind was spinning too fast...a direct result of the nightmarish whirlwind her life had become during the past few days. "What a way to start a new year," Megan thought, "but I guess we are living this year with reckless abandonment as Marty encouraged us to do on NYE."

Megan looked around and realized Cloud had vanished. Marty stepped out into the hall to look for her, and Justin skulked into the bathroom to see if he could do something about his appearance for dinner.

Megan thought she saw someone on the balcony. Trembling she went to the sliding glass door. Thankfully, it was just Cloud. She presented Megan with a bag of clothes.

"Where did you get this?", Megan asked.

"I just thought you might need a few things, so I went incognito, snuck into your place, and packed a bag," Cloud said with a smile.

Megan was thrilled to have some fresh clothes after all these days on the run. As she re-entered the room, Justin came out of the bathroom and announced he was going downstairs.

"I want some time alone. I need some time alone," he said. He left the room before the last two words were completely out of his mouth.

Cloud was eyeing him from a position on the balcony where he could not spot her. She was still trying to figure out exactly whose side he was on.

"Go take a quick shower. I know you've got to feel pretty grungy after all this time traveling," Cloud said.

Megan shot her a worried glance.

"I'll stand guard. We'll wait until you are ready to go up to the restaurant," Cloud slowly but firmly encouraged her to go into the bathroom and clean up.

As Megan took her shower, the tension seemed to melt from her shoulders with the heat of the water. She had almost forgotten how good it felt to wash whatever the world had to throw at you off after a rough day, much less an unreal nightmare.

As she climbed out of the shower, she opened the bag Cloud had brought and found a sexy, red dress inside, and a pair of black stilettos.

"This is perfect for the restaurant!", she thought.

She let go a sigh of relief as she realized the stilettos were not her NYE shoes. She really had no desire to ever see them again.

Megan dressed quickly. She didn't want to keep the others waiting. She debated whether or not to dry her hair, but decided that would take too long. She noticed Cloud had packed some hair fasteners. She picked up the pair of red chopsticks for her hair and twisted it into a neat French twist.

As she wiped the fog from the mirror to apply her make-up, she heard Marty re-enter the room. He and Cloud seemed to be having a heated exchange, and the subject was Justin...

[starcrossed]

She tryed not to be a listener, but she needed to hear what was going on. She listened very carefully as she heard them say...

[starcrossed]

" I am telling you the truth, Cloud...I don't know what Justin is planning. When I knew him..he was out to take over the world. I thought that was what I wanted. I was wrong. I just don't trust him."Marty sounded frustrated.

Clouds words were clear and to the point, "I know that Megan has feelings for him. But , if Justin is in any way a threat to our mission, then I will kill him myself."

Megan stood in the bathroom quietly, she hoped that the two would leave the room soon and she could make a discreet exit from the hotel room. She was in shock about what she had heard. However, she had seen such an evil part of Justin come out that she didn't know what to believe anymore.

The voices still could be heard in the next room. Megan listened to the final exchange of words, in shock.

"Cloud, does Megan realize that Justin mentally forced her to kill Keane? I know that Keane was the bad guy, but the fact that Justin so easily used her to take a life? I hate that. " Sorrow filled Marty's words.

"She doesn't. I can't be sure what she knows. In my realm I can see everything. In the mortal realm, there are to many emotions all around me. I can't feel her. I think that she should know what Justin did. I think she does...deep inside. she is just so infatuated with the being that she doesn't want to see the truth."

"We should tell her..."

"Marty, we can't. She has to decide what to do on her own. Her mind and heart have to tell her what to do. The first step is for her to realize that Justin may not be her hero after all."

The two left the hotel room. Shutting the door behind them with a slam.

Megan opened the bathroom door. Her face was flushed. It was hot in their, but she didn't want to let Marty or Cloud find her in the room still. Megan sat on the bed. Her mind was so cloudy.

"He used me...he didn't even care about what taking a life meant to me.." Megan's thoughts raced through her mind.

Megan was furious. She could have so easily given herself to Justin. So many times did she just overflow with passion for the man. The reality of the conversation she heard was like a cold shower. She could never think of Justin the same way ever again.

For all that Megan knew, all her feelings were nothing but a mental game that Justin continued to play on her. She knew that she could still make a mental connection with him. Maybe it was still that simple for Justin to make a connection with her mind, and use her.

Justin and Rachel were both related. Megan began to believe that the desire for power and the emotional link to darkness within them, might mean that both siblings were destined for evil.

Megan wanted to kill Justin. At least she emotionally felt as if things between them from that moment on would be dead. She hated the man. The spell was broken.

So much for Megan's personal romance novel...

[starcrossed]

As soon as Megan realized she was sitting on the bed in dream world thinking about all of these mixed emotions and feelings she thought about Justin and how powerful his emotions can effect her.

She knew that Cloud and Marty were both trying to protect her from different sides and she realized she had lost all feelings for Justin and wanted revenge for Using her.

After all the dramatic thoughts...Megan Rushed out of the room finding that Marty and Cloud were waiting for her patiently in the corridor near the Grey fast elevator.

"I..I'm sorry I was late" Megan said.

"It's ok Megan. Cloud and I were just... um... talking," Marty Replied.

"Quick you two, get in the elevator !" Cloud said.

They both stumbled into the elevator. Only silence was heard as the elevator was going down.

The three of them found the resturaunt they were going to go to and then at the corner of Marty's eye he saw...Justin sitting at a table with two other men with black ninja suits on.

Megan, Marty and Cloud were wondering Who they were...

[starcrossed]

Time seemed to have stopped around them. The restaurant was full, but not a single person moved. they were completely frozen.

Megan turned to her companions, "What is going on?"

Marty looked at Megan and Cloud, "I don't know, but this can't be good. Cloud?"

"The darkness is already here. They found us. And from the looks of it, Justin is sitting with them."

Justin who was engrossed in a conversation with the ninjas stopped talking, and began to rise from the table. The ninjas quickly rose to their feet.

They were all dressed in what Megan assumed was the traditional ninja outfit. However, the men didn't seem to have any visible weapons on them.

Justin smiled overly sweetly as he spoke. "What? Aren't you all going to say' Hello' to my friends? They really do want to meet you Megan. They seem to be interested in your help for a little 'party' they are going to have soon. I told them that you would be excited to meet them."

"You were a part of them all along. You and Rachel are the same..." Megan began , but her words were stopped by Justin.

"I am nothing like my sister. I loved her with all that i could. She hated me...hated what I became. I was a vile creature to her a Vampire. Did she ever tell you why she hated that? No. Knowing my sister, she probably didn't...You see little Megan.Rachel always believed that I had failed for allowing myself to be cursed with this. She and I both wanted to be a part of the Darkness. We studied it, we searched for it. That is how I came to be cursed. I looked so damn hard for the evil, and the evil found me. Rachel hated that I was a low vampire. She dreamed of both of us ruling the world together. I dreamed of ruling the world alone, when she turned her back on me! I pretended to care. but, my sister and I both were always in pursuit of more. I tried to find it first..you were the key. Rachel, she was better at acting than I ever thought. She told me that we were still a team. I guess she wanted it all for herself. I don't blame her. She really couldn't wait around well I wasted time trying to break my curse so I had a soul to sell. I really was hoping to take Marty's...too bad that didn't work out..."

" I won't let you take her" Cloud made her words sound like a clear threat.

"I am not afraid of you anymore. I always was a little afraid. i thought you were something more to me...something special. I thought that you were my 'soul mate'. I was wrong." Megan began to step toward Justin and the ninjas.

"You made me kill Keane didn't you Justin? Oh, I am not mad..it felt wrong, but it was what you wanted, right?" Megan looked at the ninjas. "Justin will you tell them to back off a moment? I mean all I want is one more kiss before I go with them. I see that my sacrifice is so important to your cause." Megan acted as coy as she could. Something inside her was changing. She could finally feel it.

The feeling of something under her skin, had somehow changed into a feeling of power coursing beneath her skin. She didn't feel like herself anymore. She felt new.

"Megan what are you doing?" Marty was about to reach for her, but Megan gestured for him to stop.

"Cloud and Marty...please stop. I know what I want to do, I know what I need to do." Megan was inches from Justin. He smiled seductively as he lowered his mouth to meet Megan's.

Their lips met passionately. Justin lowered himself more to gain access to Megan's open mouth.

When Megan felt his concentration was only on her, she called all her stregth from deep inside her soul. A strange white glow began to illuminate around her. Justin, just began to notice and break the kiss, when Megan had called forth for a sacred dagger. It appeared from no where and was now securly within her hand.

"I am sorry Justin' those were the last words that Justin heard as Megan plunged the dagger into his heart.

Justin staggered back, complete shock written on his face. Then a burst of flames engulfed in a burst of flames, and his body imploded into ash.

The spell that had kept the room frozen was broken, and the ninjas were caught in a room of people staring. The men fled for the nearest back exit. They didn't dare gather any more attention.

Waiters bustled through the room with food. Noise was everywhere.

"Run!!" Cloud grabbed Megan and pulled her toward the door.

Marty followed them quickly as they made there way to the elevators. They needed to get to the parking level and fast.

The ninjas were now where behind them.

"Cloud I know what I am" Megan began as she ran along with Marty and Cloud.

"You have always been special." Marty smiled at Megan.

The group made there way to the parking level , got in their car and took off from the danger.

"We are going to need to call another hotel. Marty make the call. Put it under another name, and charge it to my account. They still can't trace that account. We should be safe... until we decide to go after them."Cloud made the order clear as she focused on the road.

Marty made the call. The hotel was set and the car was racing toward safety. Far away from the danger of the evening.

[starcrossed]

As soon as they took off, (Cloud was the driver and Marty and megan were in the back). Cloud was pressing the accellerator as fast as she could going 100 miles an hour.

While Cloud was driving Fast, Marty and Megan were in the back of the car. Megan had a feeling, some kind of feeling about Marty. It was a Soft feeling that made her feel special whenever he was around, it was like a vibe.

Marty was looking back to find that there was no trace of the ninja's and as soon as he looked back, he found that Megan was lost into his eyes. He looked her back into the eyes and then he looked at cloud and then straight back at Megan's eyes. Soon he found himself lost in Megan's Eyes.And He started to feel that vibe/feeling that Megan felt For him.

As they lost the ninjas, they decided to drive back to their hotel room for the night.

The 3 of them went up the elevator nd straight into the hotel room. Cloud decided she wanted a shower after all that driving .While she was in the bathroom having a shower, Megan and Marty were Sitting on the couch together talking about the "feeling" they had.

As they began being lost in each others eyes. As Marty's hand began feeling down her neck, there faces began becoming closer and closer...They Began Moving closer to each other.
Then... they shared a passionate kiss....

[starcrossed]

"We can't do this!!" Megan broke the kiss. "Marty at one time I would have given anything to be the one that you wanted. It is a dream that I am sure many woman have had. I really do want you. But, the way that things are going...I just can't. i hope that you understand."

"Megan you have nothing to apologize for. Your right. Right now really isn't the time for us to get romantic. We had a moment...we are still cool, right?" Marty always had an understanding way about him.

"We are perfect." Megan felt nervous silence in the air, "do you think I am a freak now?"

Marty was taken back for a second. "What? Why? because of the kissing....no."

"I didn't mean that. I know that I am not a freak with kissing. At least I hope that I am not. I really have not had the best of luck with the guys I attract, until you that was. No. I meant for my new ability." Megan tried to explain herself, "I felt the power inside me. I thought about a dagger and it was in my hand. I can't understand how I did it...I just did. The funny part is that I think that I can do more if I try."

"You have a gift. That is way the Darkness needs you. Justin wanted my soul..."

Megan cut off Marty "Your intentions are pure...it makes your soul stronger than what others have."

Marty smiled, "Your a flirt.."

Megan laughed. And the two just took a moment to relax. They were friends. No passion. It was a blissful place to be in the moment.

[starcrossed]

As they were laying in their beds that night megan wasnt sure whether she shouold have broken the kiss or no, but she figured it was maybe the right thing for a little while.

She wondered how Marty really felt about her inside and she didnt want to hurt him, even though she didnt even know how She felt about marty ?

BANG (megan heard a noise outside the hotel) it hadn't awoken Marty and Cloud. What was it?...

[starcrossed]

The noise came agian. It was from outside. The noise was louder this time.Marty stirred from his sleep fully alert.

"Shhh..." Marty went over to were Megan sat on the bed and covered her mouth."Don't make a sound."

Cloud was already fully alert by the sound, was checking the perimeter of the room for any sign's that someone was trying to get in. Carefully she looked out the hotel window. She could see the street below. It appeared to be clear, but she wasn't going to take any more chances.

Whispering she called to Marty. He quickly came to Cloud, as Megan got out of bed and put on her shoes. Stiletto' s were not made for running, but Megan thought that she was doing a kick a** job since she was in them so often.

"Marty, stay close to Megan. We need to get out of here as quickly as possible. I don't know if anyone has found us so quickly, but we can't tell. We need to get out fast." Cloud seemed uneasy as she spoke to Marty.

Megan forced herself to stay calm. She tried to call on her new inner ability to read for any signs that something was outside.

Her heat began to beat faster. The warmth of power followed through her veins, as she felt her body transitioning to a new level of consciousness.

"There close... I can feel them...they don't seem to be here, they are next door at the other building. They made a mistake. We have to move fast."

"Megan?" Marty was astonished at Megan's new power. he couldn't understand it, but he loved the show Hero's, and this was the live version. He was impressed.

"Follow her instructions, stay by her side. She is ready.The battle will begin." Cloud was now calm. the force of Megan's power could be felt by her, she knew that Maegan was ready for the ultimate battle of good versus darkness.

Leaving the hotel room, they tried to stay as quite as they could. They were on the fifth floor of the hotel. The elevator was the fastest way to get to the ground floor, but the safest was down the stairs.

They made there way down to the ground floor. The parking structure was only a few steps away, but they had parked the car outside between the two hotels.

"They have a bug planted on the car...they can follow us. That is how they know. We have to steal another car." Megan was still using her abilities to their advantage.

"Follow me" Cloud made the statement sound like a demand. She had a way of doing that.

Marty and Megan followed Cloud as she found a Black 1970 Chevelle Super Sport. Cloud concentrated on the door lock, until it popped up . Then the engine started with a roar.

"Megan you drive" Cloud clearly called to Megan, the countinued"...can you find them?"

Megan nodded as she took the drivers seat. Marty and Cloud entered through the passenger side. Cloud sat in back and Marty took the passenger seat.

"Love the car Cloud."Marty loved a classic car with some muscle in it.

Megan couldn't have imagined a short lifetime ago that he would have ever been prepared for a moment such as this, but the words came out from her heart. "It's time to end this. I will find them."

Megan drove the car away from the buildings. She tried not to drive to quickly, so not to get to much attention from anyone that might be watching.

She focused her attention on only one thing. Finding the darkness. She could feel the hatred flowing from their very existence.

"Cloud, they are coming here. To Chicago. I feel them...moving toward us. So much anger." Megan focused.

"We will be ready for them. When will hey be here?" Cloud was confident.

" This just seems to easy...why are they already coming here?"

"Justin set everything up." Cloud puased for a moment, before finishing, " From the start of this trip Justin planned everything. I knew that I shouldn't trust him. But he had the quickest connections to do anything.I don't spend nearly enough time in the mortal realm to maintain my connections. I should never have trusted him. I knew better."

"It will be a the small benefit event that LH will be playing at, wouldn't it? It makes perfect sense. Marty has to show up. Justin knew that we had to show up. Who ever took the book from Marty knew that. It was all a plan."Megan hated Justin's dusty corpse. Cursing him all the way to hell.

"Then I will call the guys and cancel the show. I won't put anyone in danger."Marty was worried about his friends being in danger, as well as Megan.

"That is the reason I care about you...you would never sacrifice your friends, that is so like you.Cloud and I can handle this...alone. The benefit is real, and their are too many witnesses to do anything to you or the guys. Play the show. The darkness will be there waiting for us. We will be ready and lead them away. Trust us to win this fight please."

"I am not a coward! I will fight right by your side."

"I would never think that you are a coward. I just don't want anything to happen to you. You have a family that needs and loves you. I am all alone in this world. I wouldn't be able to focus if I knew that I was placing you in that kind of danger. Please don't make this harder than it already has to be."

"Marty...Megan is right. She can't be distracted." Cloud chimed in her two cents, as she looked out the rear window for any cars that might be tailing them.

"Marty you don't know how important you have been to me. My gift is because of you. I realized it after you kissed me. I felt my real emotions for once. That love for someone who cared about me in return. Friendship or whatever this is. I was able to focus my ability, because you helped me heal all the pain in my soul. That is what has made this work. I can be me." Megan placed all of her heart on the table with her final words, " If you really do care for me, you will trust me and let us do this alone."

Without a second thought, Marty answered "I never lie about my feelings. I do care about you. Your a special person. I don't like this at all. However, I will trust you and know that you will come back in one piece." Marty turned away from Megan to stare out the side passenger window.Marty was obviously disturbed by the plan that Megan had, but he wasn't going to go against her wishes. He did care for her.

The benefit would arrive very soon...

[starcrossed]

as Marty had agreed to Megan because he cared about her,he turned back to talk to her.

"Look Megan, I'm doing this because I Love you, and I have since the first time is saw you. I want you to be careful !" Marty explained.

"Just please trust me Marty, well...I think I have loved you all along, my feelings have made me feel a way that I havent felt before, and I trust you just please will you trust me back" Megan replied.

"I wish that Kiss we had lasted longer," Marty said to her.

[starcrossed]

Megan smiled to herself. She couldn't believe that he told her that he loved her. She knew that it was more as a love of a friend than anything. But, the fact that someone cared for her, made her heart skip a beat.She never felt that genuine emotion from anyone. She didn't know if what they had would ever really work, or if it was brought on by the entire chain of events. At the moment she didn't care. She was finally loved by someone. The feeling was indescribable.

" I do too." Megan lowered her voice to a whisper, but she still caught Marty's smirk.

"Doesn't look like anyone is following us. I think that we are in the clear for the time being. We are going to have to ditch this car, and find another one. We can't chance the police stopping us for a stolen car." Cloud searched around the back seat cushion for anything left behind. She found a jacket. The coat pocket still held a few bucks. Cloud handed them to Marty.

"What do I look like I need a few bucks?" Marty laughed to himself.

"Megan and you need food. Do you remember the last time that you had a meal?"

Megan couldn't remember the last time she had a meal. "I could use a burger and French fries."

"Then we ditch the car and then get some grub."

Cloud seemed focused, "We have two days before your performance Marty. We can't live out of the car. We are going to have to stay someplace."

"I know of a old warehouse that is abandoned. We might be able to stay there...I don't think that anyone would find us." Megan could remember seeing the warehouse on her way to work. She never saw anyone around it. It was the safest bet for them to stay for the next two days.

"I have a better location for us..." Marty stated.

"Then let's get to it. Cloud what car do you want? Find one for sale...No more stolen cars. We have enough problems, and I have enough to buy a used one. "

"I am going to miss this car."

"Marty..." Megan began and stopped, as she thanked God that a man was placing a for sale sign on a old Nissan Quest that he was cleaning.

"No not a mini van!!!" Marty complained.

"Yes, the mini van." Megan pulled the car over to the man, and began to work out a deal for the purchase.

[starcrossed]

After they had secured the purchase of the mini-van, much to Marty's dismay, the trio made their way to the old warehouse. When Marty pulled the door back and ushered the ladies inside, Megan gasped. The inside was nothing like she had pictured it. She thought it would be dank and dark, but it wasn't. It was dressed up more like a loft apartment. There were beds, even a big bathtub stocked with bubble bath, soap, and shampoo.

"After the destruction of all the Hammerhouses, we decided we needed to invest in an unlikely property where we could crash if need be," Marty explained as she stood there with her mouth wide open.

He placed the board across the latch on the gigantic door. Cloud suggested everyone get some rest. "We'll devise our strategy plan tomorrow," she said.

The next two days flew by. Strategy meetings were held numerous times each day in the living room area of the warehouse. Megan used the workout area Dino had constructed to prepare for the battle physically, while Cloud helped her develop her inner gift and power. By the night of the show, her power was almost consuming her.

When they prepared to head to the show, Cloud and Megan got a surprise. Marty had taken the liberty of renting a car with Cloud's credit card...it was a '64 1/2 Mustang convertible. Cloud sighed and chastised Marty that the car would draw attention to them.

"Well, it all ends tonight doesn't it?," he explained. "I couldn't show up for the show in a mini-van!"

Cloud couldn't help but think he sounded like a teenager whining for his way, but she gave in. "It is a very sweet ride. I miss my little car." She couldn't help but think of her little red one they had started their journey in. "But we cannot put the top down!", she implored.

"Yes, ma'am!", Marty said as he jumped in the back seat. Megan slid behind the steering wheel. She knew exactly where they were going. She could feel it in her soul. Her gut instincts helped her navigate the necessary twists and turns to get to the club flawlessly. Cloud kept watch out of the passenger side window, as Marty kept a lookout behind them from the backseat.

Megan's instincts drove the car safely up to the club without her being totally conscious. Her senses were far too powerful to be quelled.

"We're here," Cloud announced. "Marty, go get ready for the show. Megan and I have some work to do."

Marty looked at Cloud in disbelief that she was sending him away, much less forcing him to endanger the people he treasured most in the process of the final battle. "Cloud's probably right though...they wouldn't go after the band with such a crowd here for the show," he thought. Hammerheads were lined up outside the building. Marty quickly waved to them and ducked inside to join Billy, Bobby, and Dino as they prepared for the benefit.

As he left, Megan turned to Cloud. "Let's finish this," she said. Her eyes were glowing.

[starcrossed]

Cloud and Megan Laughed hysterically.

Backstage, Bobby was looking at Megan through a window.

"Is that your Girlfriend" Bobby asked.

"What makes you say that?" Marty Repiled.

"I dunno. I saw you and her in the same car" said Bobby.

Marty rolled his eyes.

"Hang on I think I know her from somewhere."As Bobby looked closer, his eyes began to open wide, as if he knew her.

"Wait, um... Marty, I know her!" Bobby announced.

"Who?"

"Her (pointing in Megans direction), isnt her name like...Megan or something?" Bobby said.

"How do you know her Bobby?" Marty asked.

[starcrossed]

"Where do you know her from?" Marty insisted now.

Bobby tried to maintain an air of seriousness, "I think she was from a dream...Your dream girl...". With that final word, Bobby began to laugh uncontrollably.

Marty relaxed and began to laugh. "Megan is just a friend. She was the girl from the last show...the one who was suppose to drop of something."

"Oh. I thought she was familiar. I knew her name at least. That's cool man. You know that I am just messing with you. Let's get ready to put on another great show."

Marty walked over to the window and gave a silent prayer that Cloud and Megan would win their battle. Then turned to focus on the show.

In the car, Megan and Clouds nervous laughter stopped at the same time. They knew that this was it. The determination of a lifetime would be the only thing they had to fight the greatest battle that they would ever know.They had the plan set, and all they had was a hour before they put everything into motion.

[starcrossed]

Megan and Cloud were thinking they had to win! It was destiny, they thought.

"WAIT" Megan ordered, as Cloud was about to drive off.

"What happened Megan?" Cloud asked.

"Oh, nothing... I just want to go say bye to Marty." A tear streamed down her face, Megan announced.

"Oh, be quick though!" Cloud said.

Megan got out of the car to say bye to Marty...