1.15 Possessed

Session Summary

POSESSED

[Jen: you can insert the opening montage if desired. Scott didn't take any notes on it, and I can't remember all of it, so. I did, however, do the one at the end.]

Deaver opens his mailbox and discovers a letter with an Oxford University return address. He opens it immediately, and reads as he heads for his apartment. The letter is from Dr. Annette Clause [pronounced 'Klaus'], a world-renowned particle physicist. She has been reading up on his work from his time at Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and writes that she is close to duplicating his findings but isn't quite there. She offers him a position as her co-researcher, including equal credit and a lecture tour around Europe if he'll come to England and offer his expertise. Deaver is so shocked by the offer that he slams into a wall on his way in to his apartment, where he immediately calls his department head, Dr. Helmholtz, to set up a meeting.

* * *

Chase stops by Kelly's dorm room in the morning. Kelly doesn't look like she's slept very much, but she seems to be reveling in it. She gives Chase the lowdown on Sterling Law: it is a subsidiary of a larger law firm called Wolfram & Hart, and is famous for getting it's clients off of charges that are seemingly insurmountable. Arthur Abrahams is no exception - he has been charged with several counts of murder, kidnapping, extortion, and was implicated in a blackout at a hospital in Colorado Springs about ten years ago. She couldn't help noticing that his lawyer's last name is McCallum. She shows Chase the firm website, and points out a tiny spot in one image where its possible to click through to a password-protected site. She hasn't yet figured out how to crack it, but as they chat, her software figures out the necessary information to break in. Kelly logs in to the hidden site, and comes face to face with a page full of pictures of demons. She freaks out and shuts it down. Chase asks for the login information and some detailed instructions on how to hack in to her mother's work machine, thanks Kelly for her help, and leaves the room with a frown on her face.

* * *

Raveena is sitting in her dorm room waiting for Ethan, who is about twenty minutes late to meet her. She stares hard at the phone, picks it up, begins to dial ? puts it down again. Picks it up, dials a few numbers ? puts it down. Finally, she takes a deep breath, and dials Ethan's number. No answer. Worried now, she heads for his room to check on him. She knocks, and no one answers. She tries the door handle, and the door is open. She pushes it inward to reveal Ethan braced against his bed, covered in blood. He looks up with an intense, pained expression and tells her to get out. NOW. Instead, Raveena has a seat in Ethan's desk chair and ask him what is wrong. He keeps trying to get her to leave, and she insists that he give her some answers as to what has happened to him. Seeming out of control of his actions, Ethan almost hits Raveena, and then sweeps a cup of pencils off the desk towards her, all the while apologizing and still insisting that she GO. Ethan suddenly falls back on the bed and starts convulsing, while muttering in a language Raveena doesn't understand. She cries out and tries to get him to respond to her.

Chase is walking down the hall from Kelly's room when she hears Raveena's voice cry out from behind Ethan's door. Chase is unsure whether or not it's safe to interrupt, so she knocks and calls out to Raveena. Raveena tells her now is NOT a good time, but the tone isn't the one Chase was expecting [cough] so she opens the door. She is in time to see a bloody Ethan sprawled out on the bed, and Raveena muttering about demons and speaking in tongues. Chase immediately goes to the bed to see if she can determine the source of the blood, and discovers deep lacerations on Ethan's hands. Looking down, she sees a shattered glass with orange liquid spilled on the floor. Closer inspection reveals the liquid to be orange juice, and the shards of glass are also bloody. About this time, Ethan wakes up, and is quite grouchy that Raveena, and now Chase, is there. Raveena continues to try to get answers out of him, and he says he'll be fine as soon as he takes his medicine - would Raveena please just LEAVE, and he'll talk to her about it in a little bit? At this Chase goes to the medicine cabinet and pulls out a prescription bottle. She reads the label and looks at Ethan, asking him when he last took one of these. He tells her, and she pitches the bottle to him, telling him he's overdue. She then escorts Raveena out of the room, telling her quietly that she'll explain what's going on in a minute. With the door shut behind them, Chase tells Raveena that it appears Ethan is struggling with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (Chase recognized the meds). She tells Raveena a little bit about the condition: JME is characterized by adolescent onset, consciousness during attacks, and involves a lack of control of head and arm movements. Someone with JME has to be very vigilant about taking meds, and a lack of sleep [cough] is one of the factors that can bring on a full-blown seizure. They continue to talk about the subject for a while (including what Raveena should do if Ethan ever has a seizure when she's around) as Raveena walks to Nikki's place with Chase.

* * *

Gabe wakes up in Jade's room, mostly because Jade is shaking him and telling him to get up. She tells him that she has a meeting to go to for the Daughters - does he want to come? He agrees to go with her, even though she's never mentioned the meeting before and he didn't hear the phone ring. On their way out the door, Gabe asks Jade where they're going. She admits that she doesn't know. By the time they reach the outdoors, however, Jade has her answer: they're going to Common Grounds to meet someone about something really important. Jade explains to Gabe that she's reached a point in her training where she can now communicate telepathically with other members of the DoH. It's the coolest thing! Gabe is a little wigged by this, and somewhat alarmed at the number of things Jade DOESN'T know about the meeting they're going to. She explains that the meeting is with a contact to get DoH in on the ground floor of something important that's going on. A big power is coming to McKennitt, and the DoH wants to be involved in its arrival so that they can be sure they make the best of whatever situation occurs. The two enter Common Grounds, and Jade pauses ? then heads directly for the table where Kyp Bryant is seated.

* * *

At Nikki's place, Chase and Raveena fill Nikki in on the morning's events. As they're talking about Sterling Law and Ethan's condition, Nikki gets a call on her cell phone. It's Deaver, calling to tell her about the letter he received from Dr. Clause. Deaver tells her that he doesn't want to leave her and the place he's made for himself here. Nikki points out to him that it is a wonderful opportunity, and that as much as she doesn't want him to go, he should think about it seriously. She hangs up the phone and looks very down, but doesn't tell the girls what the call was about.

* * *

Jade and Gabe have a seat at Kyp's table at Common Grounds. Kyp miffed that Gabe is present, but still agrees to talk to Jade. Kyp has a contact (apparently female, although he keeps trying, pretty unsuccessfully, to keep her of anonymous gender) that is critical to the arrival of a mysterious "power" in McKennitt. He tells Jade, "Things are on schedule for our meeting, but one of the key players has been flaky of late. We believe that if the right pressure is applied, she/he/it will see reason and comply. Power is coming to McKennitt, and our job is to make sure that that power is wielded beneficially, not catastrophically." Kyp will do whatever it takes to make that happen, but he needs some help. Therefore, the DoH is officially in on the meeting. Jade seems really pleased with this outcome, and she and Gabe leave the coffee shop.

Outside, Gabe grills Jade about what just happened. She is infuriatingly vague, not so much because she doesn't want to give him answers, but because she doesn't really know them. She tells him that she trusts her friends in DoH and is acting on that trust. Gabe announces that Cernunos' Grove should be told about what is happening - he is 98% sure that this power is his old buddy Zolor, and as CG was the coven that managed to banish him last time, they should be alerted to his impending return. Jade scoffs at this, telling Gabe that Cerrnunos' Grove is a bunch of nutty and useless witches, and that the DoH can handle this on their own. She tells him that he should have a little faith in the organization he voluntarily joined.

* * *

The group meets up for their Friday lunch on campus. Eliza and Aimee are there, and Eliza is regaling Chase and Raveena with stories about Geoff's misbegotten youth. She is in the middle of a choice dish about the time she and Geoff and a bunch of other students streaked through the high school wearing nothing but masks designed to look like the Assistant Principal (she was attempting to instate a new dress code), when Geoff shows up, takes stock of the situation, and immediately claps a hand over Eliza's mouth while attempting to change the subject, pointing out that Aimee and Eliza have to leave that afternoon and that they should be going. Eliza announces that she has PLENTY of time for a few more stories, and Chase cheerfully offers to skip class for the occasion. Geoff gives her a dirty look, but she just grins. Geoff is saved by the appearance of Deaver, who tells the gang about the letter he received from Oxford, and that someone in an important position is giving his research weight and credence. The gang congratulates him, while Nikki fades in to the background with her own thoughts. Deaver tells them that he isn't planning on leaving, and some of the group is dumbfounded by this decision - the gig in Oxford would make his career. Jade has back to Nikki during the conversation, and suddenly, Nikki pipes up and snaps at Jade to stop talking about Alex that way. Jade freezes, but says nothing. Nikki then says, "Of course I can hear what you're saying because you're... not talking." Jade turns and realizes that Nikki can hear her thoughts (in the same way that she can hear the thoughts of other DoH members), and turns to face Nikki. Nikki notices that Jade is prepping a spell and leaps at her (there was some nasty "conversation" happening, no doubt). The two tumble to the ground shouting and pulling at each other's hair. While they are wrestling on ground there is a sudden burst of light, and both girls go flying in opposite directions. Nikki is fine, but Jade is unconscious. Nikki frantically checks herself for horns or a tail or something, and then starts roundly cussing out Jade in Spanish. Chase checks Jade's pulse and tries to wake her, but is unsuccessful. She's not responding to anything. She announces that they need to get Jade to the hospital or something if she doesn't wake up soon. Geoff and Aimee haul Eliza off the scene as quickly as they can - some things about McKennitt aren't worth explaining. Gabe tells the group that Jade probably tried to cast a spell that backfired, and they decide to take her to the DoH instead of a medic. Raveena picks up Jade and they head for Dionne's house.

At Dionne's, the group is politely thanked for bringing Jade to them (Nikki and Deaver wait by the car), and they don't seem very fazed by the fact that she tried to magick Nikki. They do, however, seem surprised that Nikki could hear Jade's thoughts. Chase brusquely spits out that Nikki is an empathic. The group is dismissed after the Daughter's float Jade out of the room, but Gabe lingers after his friends head back to the car. Gabe quizzes Dionne on the meeting with Kyp that morning. She refuses to tell Gabe anything more about it, saying he should trust his friends in the DoH and uphold his vow to this organization. Their goal is to make bad things not happen. If someone is going to wield the power, who do you want it to be? She then assures him Jade will be fine and he leaves, frustrated. Outside Dionne's house Gabe tells everybody about the meeting he was a part of at Common Grounds. Everyone parts ways for the afternoon.

* * *

Chase goes back to Nikki's place to follow up on Kelly's research. She is stunned by what she learns - Sterling Law specializes in representing demons of all stripes and colors, and her mother is aware of the situation. Judging by her mom's personal notes, Karen McCallum has no personal moral objections to what she does. It's her job. Even in the case of the Colorado Springs hospital blackout (where Chase's paternal grandfather, Aidan, was a patient at the time), she betrays no personal remorse. Apparently, Abrahams worships a demon who is into child sacrifices, and the blackout was one of many schemes to get an unwilling "volunteer". As Chase sits back and stares at the computer screen, Nikki comes in and asks how she's doing. Chase confides that she doesn't know what to do. Everything they're fighting here in McKennitt is what her mom is representing in Denver. She knows her mom well, and talking to her would be pointless. Her eyes are wide open. And she can't do anything about the clients in Denver - they're essentially untouchable. As Chase lifts a hand to push the hair out of her face, her eyes catches the fiery sparkle of the tennis bracelet her mother gave her for her twentieth birthday.

* * *

Gabe is sitting on the roof of the science library, sans trench coat, feeling the sun. He's not alone - there is a pretty girl a bit apart from him on the roof, quietly smoking a cigarette. Gabe recognizes her from the Cernunos' Grove meetings he has been attending. She crushes out her cigarette and starts for the staircase. As she passes Gabe, she stops to talk to him. She can understand how he would be frustrated by his situation, and hopes that he realizes that there are some people who will give him answers -- not everyone turns a deaf ear. She leaves without giving him her name. [Not that he asked. Real social and suave, our Gabe.]

* * *

Geoff gives Eliza a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, and gives the same to Aimee. He tells them how wonderful it was to see them, and promises that he will get up to New York soon. They take off for home.

* * *

Deaver is sitting in Dr. Helmholtz's office, discussing the offer he has received. Dr. Helmholtz quite honestly tells him that Phillipi doesn't have the resources to offer him something comparable - not in terms of equipment, facilities, salary, or prestige. He tells her that she was the only one willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, and that he has a life here in McKennitt that he doesn't want to leave. He asks her if she will assist him in composing a letter to Dr. Clause with a counter offer that would enable him to participate in her research from Phillipi. She is happy to help, and they set to work.

* * *

Raveena goes to Ethan's room, and timidly knocks on the door. Ethan opens it, and stands in the doorway. Raveena tries to stammer out an apology, but Ethan is still a little upset with her, and wants to know what the heck she meant by calling him a demon. The conversation is NOT going well, and Raveena turns to leave. Ethan tells her as starts to go that it was nice to be normal for a while, to have no one know. Everyone always freaks out when they find out. Raveena stops and turns back to him, says something disgustingly cute [sorry, I can't remember what it was] and Ethan smiles, relents, and steps aside to let her in.

* * *

Jade shows up at Gabe's room, feeling like herself again. Gabe asks her about the scene with Nikki - WHY did she cast at her like that? Jade shrugs and says that she suddenly got really angry, and it just seemed like the right thing to do. Gabe expresses his reservations about how the DoH intends to handle the impending arrival of Zolor, and it leads to another discussion of trust. Jade passionately defends the Daughters, and tells Gabe that he has to trust his friends and the vow that he made. Gabe replies "Trust has always been a problem for me." Jade looks at him and says, "Well I trust you." Gabe gives her no response.

* * *

It's evening, and Deaver in hard at work in his lab. In his hands he holds the necklace that Janet Tinto wore when she came to McKennitt looking for him. The center stone is softly glowing, and the eerie light illuminates Deaver's preoccupied expression.

* * *

Raveena is still in Ethan's room. They're sitting side by side on the bed, and she begins to tell him a story. "Back when I was seven, my momma told me ... "

* * *

From behind a woman, we see a door open. Gabe is standing in the doorway. He looks at her a moment and says, "G'day, Batay." She steps aside to let him in.

* * *

Chase is curled up on the back porch of Nikki's house, cigarette in one hand and pencil in the other. She is scowling over a student loan application, and her eye lingers on the blank line labeled 'parent income'. Footsteps approach, and she looks up to find herself face to face with Eric Laure. Eric seats himself on the step and comments that he hasn't seen her around in a while. She tells him she's done with the alumni crowd. He comments that since the number of humans who party with them is limited, he's hoping she can help him out with something ? and test out his latest concoction. He pulls out a tin of pills and offers it to her. Naturally, since she's helping him out, it's free. Chase takes a deep breath, looks him in the eye, and tells him that if she's learned anything in the last few months it's that absolutely nothing is free. "Now get out." She looks back down at the paper in her lap and breathes a relieved sigh as the footsteps crunch away over the fallen leaves. All of the sudden, however, the footsteps start coming back toward her. She takes a quick drag off the cigarette and angrily snaps, "Did I or did I not tell you to GO AWAY??" But it isn't Eric standing in front of her - it's Geoff, sporting a new haircut and some gorgeous flowers. He's caught off guard, and stammers something about not remembering that as part of their last conversation, while she stammers out something that sounds a lot like "Geoff ? hey ? wha ? hair ? wow ? " [Such an articulate pair.] He cuts her off and launches in to a speech about how people say things they don't mean when they're upset, and that he loves her, and that he wants her with him. [Jen - feel free to incorporate speech here - alas, I just don't remember it.] She quietly asks him if he basically wants to know if she's changed her mind, and when he manages a "yeah", she tells him she has. At that, Geoff leans down and kisses her.

FINIS.