A shot before closing Re DOuble.

[Ace Evros]

As her fingertips reached his shoulder, she would seem to pause, and pull her hand back. Something felt weird about the skin, though she couldn't see what. He pulled further into the steam, hiding it, and moving away from her. " You figure, now that they have you dead, your account will be frozen. Can't pay me for protection? So instead you offer yourself to me, like I am a Mercenary, whom takes payment one way or another." He said, not facing her, not turning. His eyes were narrowed, and his fist was clenched tight, knuckles whitening.

" Yes, i have no other way to pay you." She spoke back, tears still there, and confusion. The way he looked at her, surely he wanted too....

" Get out, now." He spoke, his throat held a lump, and anger made it worse. " Go, out of here." He ordered. " There is a phone on my bed, call the last dialed number. It will reach your Mother, and Daughter. They are with a friend of mine. I knew they would rush, if this happened. So I sent help. Go now, and talk to your daughter." He said, demanding now. His fury, barely contained. His muscles Bulging under the tan skin.

She hesitated, and touched his shoulder again, moving in. And she seen it, the weird feeling. His left shoulder and part of the right, were no more then scar tissue over muscle. Muscle rebuilt, by his nano machines. And skin, that of a burn victim, his healing not able to regenerate it fully. She moved her hand, placing it over her mouth. And gasped as he turned upon her, his hands slamming against the wall on both sides of her. " I said go. You not understand English Saundra. Go talk to your daughter, and be happy she is alive. And let her Know you love her." He said, this time, moving her out, and slamming shut the shower door.

----------------------------

4 Years ago......

Young Vace, a scientist, from colledge, mastering in age 12. His projects, nanomachines, and well paid by his own fathers company and lab. It was here that they met. Him and a young man with a nose for trouble, and bad luck mixed with uncanny luck. Dace Raezyr. Both young genius' fresh from the school, and in the business of earning a great living. One night, Dace's girlfriend, is shot in front of him, at a movie theater. Off in rage, he takes on the name Specter, and hunts down the men responsible, using the newest weapons from the Xenocos Labs. Along with him is Vace, his sidekick and best friend.

Later Taking the name Specter, Vace hears of a crime syndicate, working as a business front. The business, a foundation offering money to women whom husbands are in between jobs, to help pay for living. The crime family, was secretly, making the women work as whores, for the pleasure of business men whom paid big money, for married women fixes. One case would bring Vace in, and even though he saved one woman. The Crime family, sent in a woman, begging his help to shut them down. Taking the bait, Vace, goes in, under the guise of a business man. And when he gets to the room, they were waiting. The woman was one of their boss's, a cruel heartless dominatrix. She tied him to the wall, lashed off his shirt, leaving him beaten and bruised. Fighting back, Vace, tipped over a candle, starting a fire. The flames lept fast by the special oils, and furnishings. Tied and unable to get free, he was burned baddly, on his left shoulder. And right, as he dislocated it, and freed himself. Many refused his help to be free of this, either hooked on drugs, or so used. So he left them, all but the one that had scarred him. She now walks the roads, not far away. Her mind shattered, and thinking her a small girl, raised in the streets.
-----------------

End Flashback......

His lessons of such women, and betrayal, had been his anger to Saundra. Offering herself just for help.

[Ace Evros]

One year later.......

Saundra lived in a new location with her daughter and mom. Safe from all harm. And Vace, still in the reverted firehouse he called home. He drank time to time with his old freind the war vet. Spending time with the oldtimer and his old wife. Fixing their houses problems and lending money when things got tight. But still Vace held his secret. Held the persona of Specter. A man on the look out for pay. The right cause to take up his guns and run through Hell itself. He laughed as he thought on this, over his drink. A good old scotch. Aged just right, a seven year old. Gloved hands swirling the glass lightly, the aroma caught in his sensitive olfactory senses.

A table secluded in darkness from the rest, eyes time to time shimmering as light caught them. Like a predator looking for prey. But perhaps it was a man just enjoying the peace. Time before the next adventure. Forgetting the last, buried with another name, another state.

[Rave and Abel Darkfire]

Vace smiled as the waitress came to refill his drink. Sure he held the bottle on his table, bought for with his money, but she always did. Supposed it was because she was his sister. Melody, a young lass just fresh from high school, and working in the establishment as a favor to the owner. She brought in the patrons, though all she did was sing and play her guitar and waitress. None touched her here, like they would at the place she wanted to work. But Vace, he knew she would be cheated and violated. Older brothers job to look out for their baby sis. But do not call her that. She already kicked the shit out of her cheating ex-boyfriend. And she could hold her own in the martial arts tournies like him. Better anymore. His back, those shoulders were tight skin, scarred. Unless he wore his suit, made him better refined, numbed the pain receptors.

He would shift his long coat to a dark black, shifting into the shadows more. Even as she glared at him, for googling over her best friend from school, whom worked here. Even shared the firehouse. Gods it might aswell be hers, the way she made desicions. She always came close to finding his secret, but only knew he worked as a Merc. She then walked over to the bar, gossiping with Jen. Jenifer Staren. Gods what another pain.

Vace tipped the glass, the brown liquid sliding across tongue, and lighting it with warmth. Even though the cubes of ice remained.

[Rave and Abel Darkfire]

Vace smiled as he would throw a quarter into the air, guiding it to the slot on the old fashion juke box. His powers would flow along the air, using the condenced flow to push the button. Seventy-two, a song once played by generations past. -Black Betty- Version recited by Meatloaf. As it played he would rise up and take to the dance floor once a hit with crowds. Now nothing but a reminder of a past club. He smiled, as he took the last of his drink, the smooth liquid quenching two tastes. Flipping the cup to his table, on a flow of iced water, used like a slide from an X-men tale. He winked to Jess, not caring for attitude was one thing. She flowed well in his dance, and she would be scooted to him, though she offered little resistance.

A smile met and greeted eachother. This was one thing he rarely did, had taught her to dance to impress her then boyfreind. His mother making him take dance class in all the types. Such a song and tis fast beat would guide him into a cross between tango and waltz. Guiding her through the steps in lead. She kept up, adding her own flare which suprised him. It seemed her and his sister had gone to the clubs and practiced. A revelation that made him smile. they deserved it, after working so hard and coming home to a cranky brother.

His hips would lightly grind against hers, as he pulled her tight. Her form lithe and swaying with the grace of a hunting panthress. One she held on her back, perched as if ready to pounce. It was hot, or their dancing was making him heat. But softly his tan skin glistened, as he tossed his coat to his sister, and a wink. She was going to chew him out, it rested in her eyes for now.

[AVATAR OF DEATH]

As the man grabbed the woman and grinded together on the dance floor. An old presence would be kept from his cousin, in fact both presences when his brother finally arrived. Dace took his seat, watching Vace and some waitress dance to an old hit. He laughed, to see his other cousin look ready to whack the ass a good one. Melody he always found a breath of fresh air, but perhaps it was because he was so much like Vace then he cared to admit. Dace Evros, one of the family that had awoken in a new age, whos people no longer all were alone in the space, or in the species list. Mutations, or perhaps evolutions as it could be counted to, roamed this landscape now aswell. He felt some, their signatures so close a few were among the people whom may never know their powers truth.

Dace was from Seven Hells, but had come over here alongside his brother. Zack. Zack Evros, boy genius. Studied alongside Benaries in a school for regulars and the gifted. Here. And now back in town were they, why? It was just time, it made all things run. Setting course with even those that travelled its sands without aging.

" A drink Mel. Make it one of your famous."