Talking it Over
JP with Trustno1 and Cindy
Takes place before Episode 4
The day that followed their plunge into the void and the strange awakening in the RV had passed like a fevered dream, each moment thick with the tension of unspoken truths. The morning sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting striped patterns on the walls of the cramped bedroom. Alyssa sat cross-legged on the bed, wearing an oversized Guns N’ Roses T-shirt that hung loosely on her frame, its faded logo a burst of red and yellow against the black fabric. She absently toyed with the hem, her gaze distant, lost in thoughts she wasn’t ready to share.
Sartre leaned against the doorway, his arms crossed, the faint shadow of stubble lining his jaw. His voice broke the silence, low and measured, carrying the weight of a question he had turned over in his mind countless times. “Alyssa… back in the basement. That look you gave me… what was that? There's something different about you."
Alyssa glanced upward at Peter, her eyes had a haunted quality about them that hadn't been there before.
Look? Which look was he talking about? The one after she confronted the children, saw the world end, got thrown into the cosmos, tried to spare him all of it? Which look?
"I don't know. I mean I don't know how to explain it to you." Alyssa finally spoke up after a long silence. "I saw things. They changed me. I feel different - like somehow." Alyssa sighed. She really had no idea how to put what she felt or had experienced into a way that would make sense. "I saw Prue - a lot - in the visions. I think I might have gained something - but I also feel like I lost something." Alyssa knew she was doing terribly at this and, not on purpose, suddenly changed the topic. "In those visions you can get - have you ever seen the world end?" (edited)
"I mean you looked at me wild eyed, like our relationship and bond if I could say that had grown even stronger than it was. Like when you looked at the phone that one night and said "Ohh, that!" he smiled. "But more extreme." What have you seen, when you last talked to Prue, what did she say to you?"
"I felt it had grown stronger. I could feel it in every part of me." She hoped that didn't sound stalkerish, that's not at all how she meant it. Alyssa thought back to Prue’s words. "She said that I was strong and could fight. She also said that you and I - that we - well it was Prue - so can probably imagine." Alyssa felt a familiar blush come to her face. "I saw ... the cosmos, the infinite but also how the world could be destroyed." A concerned look crossed her face. "We didn't stop the end of the world, I don't think. Not completely. We stopped one way the world might end." A sudden memory. "I was shown Piper - and her husband Leo. She's having a hard time and taking it out on him. I think I need to talk with her before we leave NY. Maybe, see her in person." Alyssa paused. "I also would like to see my father, if that's, at all, possible."
Piper Lives in San Francisco. Are you Suggesting that she is in New York? Did you see any other of The Halliwell sisters in your vision? When we first met them they mentioned that their half-sister Paige was here in New York. We could possibly meet Piper and your father at The King’s Gambit Chess Club or The Ebon Catacomb club." He noticed Alyssa's laptop, she was searching for a permanent residence for the group. An estate. What are you looking for there?" And Prue said that me and you, what Agent Wilson?" Peter then asked something else. "Those talismans, do you still have them? You seem to have picked the last one up by telekinesis. That was the same power that Prue had." said Sartre.
"I don't know if she's in New York. I just feel like I have to talk to her. I want to speak to my father in private, I'm not sure I'll be able to reach him or where he is, at the moment." Alyssa responded to his next question. "We need a more permanent base, something larger. I mean its great we all get along but after a while tight quarters can start to seem suffocating, and the team deserves space." It was apparently Peter's turn to abruptly change the subject. "Yes, I still have them. My jewelry box on the table there," pointing out a small black and silver box, "they're in there." Alyssa looked up from her computer at the last statement and blinked. "I hadn't recalled, but now that you mention it. Is it possible? Nah," shaking her head. But then obviously the hacker lost herself in thought for a moment. "But what if...." She spotted a water cup, the kind with a lid and straw on a side table, actually next to the jewelry box. Alyssa focused on the cup, it was empty, she already knew that. The hacker attempted willing the cup to her, after all what's the worst that could happen?
Satre watched the cup. To see what would happen. "You do have Piper's number in your phone Alyssa. I would recommend meeting with your father at the chess club. It's more private there. "
"As for Prue; what exactly was that 90s bad girl telling you Alyssa?" Sartre could not help but smile.
"Yes, I have her number. And I suppose, if I can get a hold of my father I can ask him to meet me there." Alyssa sighed at his next question, but slightly smiled. "Do you really need details? She basically said I should be more adventurous in bed." Alyssa paused. "I need to concentrate for a minute." She got quiet and tried to focus again on the cup. Alyssa was really just guessing that's how telekinesis would work, if she actually had acquired that ability.
The cup began to shake ever so slightly, it rose, hovered above the table for a moment and then...
The insulated tall cup, black with purple flowers on it, flew slowly towards Alyssa and Peter. The hacker's eyes became wide and in her excitement, she lost her concentration and the cup dropped on to the floor. The room however was small enough that it landed near the hacker's feet.
She smiled, a real smile that hadn't been seen in days. "Tell me you saw that?" Asking the man beside her.
"Ohh, I saw it, my hacker. I love you Alyssa. May we talk in the chip?" Sartre asked.
"Sure, I guess. And I love you, too." Alyssa responded.
"I feel the love in every part of you as well Alyssa." Peter proclaimed, then added, "Something worries me. With us this close, even closer for some reason it could open avenues eventually, but what if we wind up like Piper and Leo?
"Piper is struggling because she's lost Prue twice now and Leo was supposed to be their guardian angel. He wasn't supposed to let that happen, according to her." Turning to face him and taking both of his hands gently in hers. "I won't ever do that to you. I don't expect you to fix everything for me or make something impossible happen. I only ask that you're there by my side though - well everything - and you have been. We are not Piper and Leo, actually I think we're not like them at all."
"How are we different?" He asked as Guns and Roses' 17-year-old album began to play began to guide her to the bed. "I hope that doesn't bother you too much and that you weren't hoping for "Use your Illusion One and Two." my Alyssa." He smiled.
"Nothing from Guns and Roses ever bothers me but their best album is and always will be Appetite for Destruction." Alyssa commented.
"I'm thinking of going out later. I'll remember that."
Alyssa nodded, the two made plans and Alyssa got showered and dressed. For a change, and because of where they were headed put on a black skirt, that wasn't exactly mini on her but would have been on most people and a short sleeved button up shirt, purple. She wore her black boots and leather jacket and headed down the ladder that functioned as stairs.
Peter was still getting ready but Sung was awake.