From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe

[[Image:|300px|]]
A moonlit couple
Ansen Delacroix
Player: @Santo.
Origin:	Confidential
Archetype:	Confidential
Threat Level:	Confidential
Personal Data
Real Name:	Confidential
Known Aliases:	Confidential
Species:	Human
Age:	28
Height:	6'1"
Weight:	186lbs
Eye Color:	Golden Hazel
Hair Color:	Dirty Blonde
Biographical Data
Nationality:	Confidential
Occupation:	Owner of Archeron Aquisitions
Place of Birth:	Virginia
Base of Operations:	Confidential
Marital Status:	Married to Cassandra Delacroix aka Baby Shank
Known Relatives:	Parents and brother Justin (deceased)
Known Powers
Sub-sonic defenses due to cybernetic implants
Known Abilities
Marksman, tactician, espionage
Equipment
Composite and Longbow
No additional information available.

Contents 1 Coming to the Isles 2 Living a New Life 3 Taking Back a Life 4 The Life is Lost

Coming to the Isles

Ansen was new to the Agency.. he was in DC and attending some political function.. dress uniform and all. His director.. Nathaniel Sheppard.. was escorting him around introducing him to politicians, generals, ministers.. and private funders. As far as Ansen could recall, he never did get all the name straight that night. All he remembered was the boredom and the bad food and watered down drinks. He was introduced as some sort aid and not the killer in training he was supposed to be. They spoke over drinks.. Ansen staying sober as Director Sheppard seemed trying to convince alot of the Washington movers and shakers to make a donation or to come see the new facilities. They parted ways and Ansen was soon shipped to Paragon to step up his field training and take a few classes at the University.

Training... it was an intersting time. Ansen was discovered to be a crackshot and had a sharp mind for tactics and he was assigned a private instructor... Sargeant Major Stephen Daniels. He was the head of security at the base and had been Navy Seals.. CIA.. Longbow.. and quite a mean old cuss to boot. He took Ansen under his wing and trounced him about the gym till Ansen could hold his own. He smiled thinking of the first time he had thrown the old man to the mat. To help make Ansen a better sharpshooter he introduced him to archery. The idea was to increase his stamina for holding a heavy rifle to his shoulder for long periods of time. He would take Ansen to the range and hand him a bow and one arrow, then he would be forced to stand as long as he could with the weapon fully drawn. His fingers would be blistered and bleeding.. his shoulders on fire by the time the bowstring slipped from his cramped digits.

At first is was just hold and release.. then Ansen discovered that if he focused on the target at the other end of the course, it became a form of meditation. He would stand, immobile, for hours.. envisioning the shot, the path and sound of the arrow as it cleft the air. The first time he let it slip from his fingertips and saw the fletching retreating from him only to strike the bullseye dead center.. well fuck rifles after that. Ansen soon became dedicated to the artform and mastery of archery. He found a woodworker to teach him to make his own bow for the first time and learned the best feathers for fletching his own quarrels. Needless to say in this high tech day.. his superiors were not happy or amused. So Ansen challenged them. Put him on the range.. target course with his bow versus their best sharpshooter. Ansen stepped to the start position with an easy smile, an arrow twirling in his fingertips. When the whistle blew he had drawn and released practically before the other man even had the rifle to his shoulder. The play of muscles across his back.. the pleasant ache of fingers and shoulders fighting the tension of the braided nylon of the string. He lived for this moment and he did not dissapoint. Hell everyone knew of Longbow and they had to begrudge him the right to choice the weapon he handled best. But he never forget the look of pure and anger and resentment Director Sheppard flashed at him. As if Ansen had stolen something from him.

Ansen had just stepped off the sub, the passage had taken the last of his money, and set foot on the gangway that carried him to Sharkshead. He had his weapons.. and a duffle bag that held his few clothes and the little momentos he had been able to grab as he fled from those he had worked for. This was the Isles and he made sure to hide the shaking shock that he still felt from the dockside battle back in Paragon. Ansen was now a rogue agent and they had sent their best to bring him back or make sure he never shared a one of their secrets. When the face that loomed before him was so familiar.. Ansen was doubly glad he couldn't here the cold dissapointment in the voice. His mentor.. surrogate father.. Sargeant Major Stephen Daniels stood at the end of the pier with a weapon trained on him. "Stop right there son.. Ansen. You took an oath. What do you think you're doing?" Ansen read his features and his hand curled about the bow as he stared hard at the man. "They sent me on a suicide run Sarge... I wasn't supposed to survive." Jaw tightened and fingers flexed as his eye never left the man. "You here to bring me in or pull the trigger?"

"Boy.. I'll kill you if I have to. Just come back with me Ansen. I'll help you straighten this out.. Fix this." Daniels' voice was calm, and his face never wavered in expression. All Ansen saw cold determination.. no empathy at all. Daniels was what he never would be.. the perfect soldier. "Fix this?? They experimented on me Sarge.. they stole my hearing!! I didn't sign up for that. They didn't even ask.. I woke up in a god damn recovery room." Ansen's frame was vibrating from anger he wanted to unleash..his hand dropping towards the quarrels strapped to his thigh. "It didn't work they way they hoped.. the hearing loss was an accident Ansen. Come back and maybe we can get it back." Ansen took a step back on the pier.. his head shaking his response, before he froze seeing Sarge's thumb flick off the safety on his weapon. "You don't get it.. after they did this." His hand lifts from the arrows and makes a gesture near his ear. "Knew they screwed up.. and I could prove it.. they sent me out..into an ambush." The words are clipped and bitten from his lips into the air as his eye narrows at the man he thought he could trust above all others. "Now I have these as well." A trembling hand hovered near his scars.. the wounds a week or so old but still red and healing. "So I gave up my hearing for duty... for honor.. and they took my damn eye for it Sarge. I'm out.. I'm done.. Go home Sarge.." His voice sounding tired and resigned at the last as he watched the man and his fingers closed about the end of a shaft. "Don't make me do this... please..."

Ansen now looked around his surroundings.. trying to clear the image of Daniels' lying dead with an arrow in his chest from a mind just as scarred as his body. He picked a direction and was trudging aimlessly lost in his thoughts. It was stupid.. especially with his new handicaps.. but he was also exhausted. Ansen had been on the run for 36 hours without sleep even before Daniels had caught up to him. So he didn't see the figures in the alley on his blind side.. or hear the voice behind him demanding his stop. But he did feel the the wood that spintered into the back of his knee and drove him to the ground, bracing himself on his hands. Looking up through his fallen hair.. Ansen's gaze travelled over the fancy spats and up the expensive suit to one of the Marcone's territory bosses. "I said.. you forgot to pay for your passport stamp pretty boy.." The man chuckled at his own wit.. referring to Ansen's scars. Ansen tried to turn his head.. get some idea as to how many and where but the man stomped on his hand as he did. "Hey punk!.. you look at me while I's is talkin' to you." He grinded his heel into the flesh and knuckles and Ansen's face clenched in pain. "Now.. we run these docks and if you want to keep breathing you need to make it worth my trouble."

He drew in a slow breath and then punched the man in the balls with his free hand as hard as he could from his position. Jumping to his feet as he yanked free his hand and the boss went down on his ass. Ansen whipped the bow in a circle as he spun, hoping to keep them at bay and see exactly what he was up against. But as he began to turn, stars flashed and his head screamed as a blackjack struck the base of his skull. He staggered and his legs were knocked out from under him and he landed on his back, the breath whooshing from him. When he blinked his vision clear.. there was a booted foot on his chest and snub nosed revolver pointed at his head. "Look I don't have anything.. I'm sorry.. I used all my cash to get here." He was playing for time now, his mind going over strategies at a furious rate. The capone was getting to his feet and he minced close and kicked Ansen in the ribs three or four times.. he lost count when the bone cracked. "Maybe then someone wants a piece you bad back there.. we can get us some cash for your sorry hide... Lift him up boys." Beefy hands manhandled him to his feet and the revolver was reversed and the handle cracked into his jaw, snapping his head to the side. He spit blood and thought he had survived the Tsoo and the Agency just to end up a punching bag for two-bit gangsters. The capone was in front of him and his eyes said he was about to return Ansen's favor.. "You won't need a pair when we gets done with ya.." His liquored breath filled Ansen's face with his malicious chuckle, his leg drawing back to knee Ansen in the groin.

Suddenly Ansen's face was wet and he looked down to see blood on his chest before the body before him toppled over backwards. Ansen shook of his stunned stupor and broke his arm free as the second man on his left got a shocked look on his face as hole appeared in his forehead. Whoever it was, was good and had a silencer on. Ansen grabbbed up his bow and swung it hard into the chin of the last man trying to hold on to him and then followed up with a knee to his solar plexus and then grabbed his head and slammed it down into his rising knee. He felt the cartilidge in his nose shatter before he tossed the unconcious man to the ground and spun to face the next danger. They were all dead.. He was the only one standing. Scanning the area, his body was alert and he drew a shaft to the bowstring as he heard footsteps approaching. "I'm not after you for myself pal.. I just don't like unfair fights." The voice was cultured.. intelligent and should not have been in an alley in Sharkshead. Not that Ansen heard any of those words. The man entered the light and was tucking the 9mm's away into a dual holder at his back. He was in motorcycle leathers and his face was rugged yet held those European touches to it. "You alright there?" Hands held out to show he was unarmed for the moment. Ansen relaxed slightly and lowered the bow buy kept the arrow knotched. "Just swell.. thanks for the assist. I got it from here.." He noticed the man pause and examine his as well..must be the damn scars.."You hold yourself like a man that needs to know his enviroment.. I'd say government training.. Am I right?"

Ansen nodded slightly. "This is not your usual digs I'd guess." He was still wary.. a stranger that was a deadshot and apparently didn't mind killing..."Correct but I do live in the Isles now." He offered his hand. "Jarod.." Ansen glanced at the hand then slid the arrow back in the sheath and shook it. "Ansen.. thanks.. Good timing." Jarod nodded and smiled easily, then looked at Ansen's scarred features once again. "You picked a good time to come ashore I guess."

Living a New Life

His arms were strapped down. A tug of his hips showed his legs and ankles were secured as well. The room was cold steel and sterile. There was a fog over his mind.. he had recalled going to sleep in his room and was struggling back to wakefullness. Eyes blinked the last of the sleep from his brain and he called out in a raspy voice. "What the hell is going on here? I'm agent Delacroix.. there has to be a mistake." At first only silence answered him. Ansen strained againt his bonds, getting more frantic. Was the base attacked in the night? How come there were no alarms? Something was seriously wrong here.

"You might as well lay still Delacroix.. you are not going anywhere." The voice had that small treble that said it came a speaker in the room somewhere. He turned his head seeking a source. "Up here Delacroix.." Those pale amber eyes searched upwards and he saw the large planes that gave view of an operating gallery. His gaze narrowed as he saw the pinched features under the spectacled stare of Director Sheppard. "Sheppard... what the hell is this? Get someone to untie me.." That haughty gaze burned into Ansen with nothing but hate and resentment. "You need to remember your place Delacroix.. I am the Director. And have wasted a lot of time and effort on you.. You spurn our weapons for your little bow and arrows." The scorn in his voice rose as he warmed up to his subject.. "And now you decide you can't follow orders!! That weapon I sent you to get was invaluable! You have made me a failure before my superiors!"

Ansen was stunned. It was about the mission? His choice of weapons? "I have never failed before Sheppard.. there were women and children there. They would have died." He shook his head and flailed again at his bonds.. "You need to punish me.. serve me up to them.. I get it okay. Just let me out of here. I get the point." "NO! You don't get the point! You owe me Ansen. You cost me a lot prestige and funding with this loss." Thin lips curled in a sadistic snear. "Now its time to pay up. You lost me one project.. you'll be the star of another. Sonics.. if the procedure works..you'll be able to detect objects..enemies.. like a bat. Of course the surgery is very experimental.. Who knows what could wrong.." The eyes pierced Ansen with pure hate and loathing and vindication. "Lets see if you disobey any orders after this.." The man turned his back as the door in the OR opened and doctors and nurses filed in. Ansen's eyes were open wide and wild with fear. "Sheppard!! Come Back Sheppard.. You can't do this! Sheppard!!" His voice was muffled as a mask was lowered over his nose and mouth and the gas flooded his lungs. He fought with all his being before he lost conciousness...

Ansen jerked up in the bed..his heart was thundering and he breath short. His mouth was dry and he took a slow swallow, moistening his lips. Cassie still slumbered beside him and he smiled and placed a light touch on her shoulder. She was in an exhausted state, curled on her side a peaceful smile on her elfin features. Calloused fingers stroked her hair and she made a soft murmur of pleasure before settling deeper into her sleep. Ansen couldn't help but think she deserved the rest after the past couple days of mercenary work.. and of course the passionate lovemaking of just a few hours ago. Being with her drove him to heights he had never known with any other woman. His eye darkened as his dream came back to him and he slipped from the bed without disturbing her. He only went to his desk at the end of the bedroom and fired up the PC. He checked his message boards.. then his email. Another email from the doctors, wanting him to come in as soon as possible. And he sighed softly, drawing one knee upwards towards his chest. Ansen knew why the nightmare came.. he was terrified. He kept reassuring Cassie that the procedure was nothing. But after the way that first surgery took place and ended. He was scared to death of having that mask placed on his face once more. He was afraid he might lose something else instead of gaining back what was lost. He was afraid of leaving her alone...

Taking Back a Life

The codes had worked and they had made it into the complex easily. Durance had come through, the man still felt sense a loyalty to Ansen for pulling him out of a bad op, even though he had been ordered to leave him behind. Sheppard wasn't thrilled when Ansen disobeyed once more but a live agent was much prefered over a POW. Cassie had recruited Bal and the Doc for back up and the strike force made their way through the Agency complex. He didn't think they had been betrayed but the base was overflowing with guards and agents.

They were fighting for every inch of ground and Ansen had to admit he was enjoying the payback. He knew these men and women were only following orders but those orders came from a corrupt Director. Even more than the payback.. he was enjoying seeing Cassie take point and charge. She was a force to be reckoned with and his heart swelled with pride and admiration as she took down one foe after another. There was the smell of ozone burning and he needed to focus back on his enviroment. Theses electrically charged battle suits were new and were proving to be extremely hazardous. A flash out the corner of his eye and he was spinning away, his bow rising in a fluid motion and a shaft sent speeding to the target.

They finally located the original sonic device that took his hearing from him and Dr. Kineta had it stored in her knapsack. Just to find the control center and locate a terminal he could use to guarantee the Agency had no more ties to him or his new life with Cassie. They were moving down the levels methodically, Cassie was on point and leaving a swath of groaning bodies in her wake. A smile of fierce adoration was hidden behind his face cover and another arrow took a grunt high in the leg before the man could strike her from behind.

Another secured door and they were inside the control center. Monitors glowed from all around and dozens of armored helmets turned their way.. Well this was gonna be fun. Cassie called out for him to get to the terminal and she and the others would hold them at bay. It was solid thinking but he couldn't put down the bow with her in danger. His hand and arm were a blur, string drawn and released as he sent arrow after arrow into the mobs. There was a flash of heat and brimstone and he was shocked to see Bal transformed into some demonic form. Using the distraction it made in the soldiers, he finally accessed the system and began destroying every file that held even the smallest mention of him.

He was across the room from the others and couldn't hear the gears of the security door behind as it slid open and he was grappled from behind and swarmed over. His bow wrist was gripped in a nerve pinch and the weapon dropped from the numbed fingers. There was the sharp stab of a hypodermic needle in his neck and he was fighting to hold onto conciousness. The last image he saw as the steel door was sliding shut was Cassie's anguished features as she was running to intercept them.

He awoke in a cell, naked but for his briefs, his armor stripped from him. He was groggy only for a moment til he recalled where he was and who had him. Stark terror filled him, not for himself.. but Cassie and the others. He prayed to god they had followed his directions and gotten clear. The door opened and eight men filed in followed by Sheppard. Ansen's golden eye glared at the man and he stood straight and tall. "I knew I'd get my revenge on you one day Delacroix. Who would have thought you'd be stupid enough to actually walk through the front door." He stepped close and nodded and Ansen was grabbed roughly, his arms pinned behind him. "Seems we are missing some tech and some files, your little soldiers took with them when they left a man behind.." Ansen's heart skipped a beat in gratitude knowing Cassie was safe, but he was schooled to keep such from his face. "I only took what was mine and owed to me." He growled and didn't bother to struggle just yet.. he was trapped and outnumbered.

"No Delacroix.. You are still property of the Agency. And you need to learn to follow orders." Fingers snapped and fists struck Ansen from multiple directions. He ducked his head and tried to kick out with his legs and feet. One of the men holding him was close enough that a sharp blow dislocated his knee and Asnen had one arm free. His hand lashed onto Sheppard's throat and he dug in his fingers seeking to crush the life from him. Knuckles slammed into his kidneys and sternum and he fell to his knees in pain and loss of breath. Got to get up.. can't be down.. But it was too late and he was struck about the head and face. His lip split open and he tasted blood and bit his tongue as he was cuffed on the ears and fell to the ground. Booted toes jabbed and pounded as he was kicked and stomped upon. He was curling up in a fetal position to protect his vitals and fighting back the cries of pain he wanted to let out.

Cold water and shards of ice jarred him back to conciousness and he found himself held down on a low table. "You aren't allowed to black out Delacroix.. you have to feel all of it." Sheppard stood over him, idly running a length of chain through his hands. "You are going to revive my career.. I have lots of new devices and when I am done you will be a perfect obedient killing machine." The man dug his thumb into the empty eyesocket and Asnen cried out this time in pain. "You'll thank me.. I have a new mechanical eye for you..and I think well cut out these scars and put in a metal faceplate. I'm tired of looking at the failure on your face. We will start tomorrow night.. but for now.. I am going to make sure your body can handle the pain of the procedure.. Can't have any broken bones. They will take too long to heal. But we can tenderize the flesh and make it easier to cut into.."

His arm drew back with a feral snarl and the length of chain came down in a lash across Ansen's stomach. He jerked against those holding him down as muscles clenched about the pain. Two men stepped up with chains as well and began to lay about his thighs. They were professionals and never got the cold iron near any bones. Sheppards features were twisted in animalistic glee and the steel stole his breath again and again. He was crying in pain and terror.. there was no sense holding it in now. He felt wetness on his stomach and knew skin had broken and the blood slicked chain struck over and over with no sense of rythm. His abs were on fire and he couldn't even draw enough breath to croak out his agony. He felt broken even if his bones were intact.

Tears ran from his one good eye and his mind numbed to the pain.. his thoughts sought sanity in the one perfect thing in his life.. Cassie. He saw her smile.. her blush..her face when it laughed.. when they made love. He was hoping she made it to Jarod.. was hoping they would come for him but knew it might not be possible. He promised her he'd never leave her. He failed her.. he couldn't bear the thought of her alone. She had suffered so much in such a short time and her courage had been a beacon for his love. She was so strong and fierce and yet soft and loving as well. Images of Rome brought calm.. His body was a mass of blood and bruised flesh and its weakness was drawing him to the darkness again. As he lost conciousness, words were spoken in the silence of his mind.. I love you Cassie.. Please forgive me.. I never meant to leave you alone..

When he next awoke, he was clothed in some stitched leather and chained to an operating table. The drugs had his focus off and he was slowly becoming aware of his pain and injuries again. He fought to hold himself awake, and his eye sharpened to pick up the details. He was guarded that was obvious. At least six men in the room with him. He flexed against his bonds and then gasped at his screamed with the abuse they had taken. It didn't look like he was getting away this time. He was daydreaming about a world where he married the love of his life and he and Cassie had grown old together, when the door was slammed open and she burst into the room. She was snarling some battle cries and tore into the men like an avenging angel.. his angel. "Look out!" he croaked and she spun, dropping to her knee and disembowled the man seeking to crush her with a piece of equipment. The tip of her blade was wedged under one of the eyebolts and she strained and shattered the steel holding him down.

He slid to his feet and stumbled against her, chains still dragging from his torso. "I knew you'd come..." Whispered as he kissed her with bruised lips.. "Sheppard is on the way we need to go now." She nodded and he could feel the relief in her but the rage was there as well. "We tore up all his equipment.. he is not making any cyborgs..Ever." Her voice was short and radiated her anger and he smiled softly. He limped out the door and saw a battle raging. Doc was there again and Bal.. and a hooded form. The figure radiated death and quite frankly he even felt a sense of dread seeing him. Cassie followed his gaze and then looked at him with a lopsided sort of grin. "Jarod.." Ansen just nodded and then the floor shook and a voice boomed across the lab. "Delacroix! You will not escape me again!" Cassie left him and leaped the short distance to the Director with a cry of her own.. "You are a dead man Sheppard!"

Sheppard's armor glowed with some odd energy and Jarod moved to back her up as the others took out his soldiers. Cassie was cascaded with the power and growled in pain and frustration. Her blades struck again and again, metal chipping away. Ansen saw his weapons close by and dragged himself to them. Cassie was driven to her knees and Sheppard's hands were raised, glowing with deadly might. Ansen took aim and and a slow breath and released... the arrow flying true and striking Sheppard in the shoulder and breaking his momentum. Cassie sprung up from the floor and slashed him from groin to sternum and the blood flowed as she cleaved his armor like crepe paper. In the sudden silence.. a shot rang out and Sheppard's eyes widened in shock as crimson dripped from the sudden hole in the center of his forehead. Jarod's arm lowered a smoking gun as Sheppard toppled to the floor dead.

Ansen's body gave out once more and he was falling towards the ground when a lithe lovely form was under the crook of his arm, supporting him with her strength and love.. Her voice was thick with emotion and as she hugged him tight, he gasped in pain.. "I'm sorry.. I thought I lost you.. I love you Ansen.." He smiled and cupped her cheek, ignoring the others as he looked into her eyes.. "I love you Cassie.. I couldn't leave you.." She grinned and then toughened up as she knew others were watching.."Come on.. Lets get you outta here.."

The Life is Lost

The phone interrupted his afternoon workout session. Cassandra had left on a job, a favor for a previous client and Ansen had decided to get in some more practice with the new guns he had been gifted. Having already adjusted his depth perception for the bow, it wasn't too great a task but the recoil was a new item in the equation. Setting the 9mm aside he grabbed up his cell. "Ansen"

"Delacroix." The voice was unmistakable and Ansen snarled into the phone. "Durance. I thought we agreed we were done with each other." A tired sigh met his response and the tone on the other end softened. "Look Ansen, I wouldn't be calling if it wasn't important." The silence stretched and finally Durance spoke again. "We have a sighting.. it's Sheppard again." Ansen felt his breath stop and his heart rate increase. Closing his eye against the flood of memories. "You're sure?" Though he knew Durance wouldn't call without verifying it. "Yes I am and there is one other thing Ansen. Your wife appears to be with him." His brow furrowed and his heart seemed to jump in his throat. "You mean on of those girls he altered into metas again? Cause Cassie is out on a job."

"I don't know Ansen. But she reads like your wife and we got a voice print on surveillance. It matched a hundred percent." Another long pause and then Durance spoke with an odd note. "That isn't even the weirdest part. They are just walking down the street, arm in arm like on some stroll. They aren't hiding and she... she isn't struggling." Ansen's jaw tightened and he checked the gun in his hand. Expelling the bullet in the chamber and dropping the clip and reloading in a simple fluid motion. "Where?" "St. Martial.. the Jackpot district."

Ansen was dressed casually to keep interest down and followed Durance's directions. They had moved from the bright neon of the casinos and were close to the tents of the Carnival. He studied the pair intensely. The woman walked like Cassie.. looked like her in every detail. Ansen tried Cassie's cell again for about the 20th time since Durance called him and just cut off again after a ring or two. Drawing a deep breath he followed and moved closer, seeking a good place to intercept them. Finally they moved under a dark awning and he stepped into their path. "What's the game Sheppard?"

His hand was at the small of his back, resting lightly on the grip of the gun. His eye moving immediatley to the woman. "Cassie?" She smiled.. and reached out to caress his scarred cheek and then slapped him hard. "Only my friends call me that." And she stepped back to nestle into Sheppard's side. "She isn't a clone if you are worried Ansen. Neither am I." Sheppard's voice was the same as the one from his nightmares and Ansen glared at the man. "We are from another dimension. You have most likely heard of it by now." "Praetoria.." Ansen had heard of the doppleganger world and others meeting their own doubles. "And you still know me?" "Oh yes. Even there were are old foes Mr. Delacroix. In fact in my world I got the pleasure to kill you myself." He chuckled and stroked the other Cassie's face and kissed her lightly. "Imagine my surprise though to discover here I met an untimely end from you are your wife. And not once but twice." That sinster laugh scraped over Ansen's senses and his fingers went taut on the gun. "I saw the footage too. Your little lady was quite deadly and intrigueing. I was curious when my other tried to duplicate her, so I went home and located the real deal. She was quite the hellcat and breaking her to serve me was very enjoyable." A leer given with those words and he fondled the alter Cassie in a familiar way.

Even if it wasn't his wife, Ansen's rage kept climbing. This man wouldn't leave his nightmares, his world, his life alone. And now he was destroying the life of someone who looked like the woman he loved. "Why? You said you killed in your world. I killed mine.. there was no reason to do this." Sheppard laughed harshly. "Oh yes there is. You are an unknown. My other left lots of files and hidden bases here. I can become quite powerful but I knew they would call you. You are the hero.. as it were. So I figured I'd stop you first." Cassie's double chose that moment to chime. "Seriously? I married this here? Look at him.. old and scarred.. missing an eye. And you think him a threat? I don't see it dear." Knowing she wasn't his didn't help. Ansen always worried his flaws would outweigh his heart, or whatever it was Cassie saw in him. His golden eye pleaded with the woman. "You really don't know what he is capable of. He can't love anyone. Once he is done, he will toss you aside." Her fist struck him hard on the jaw and he rocked from the impact. "Shut the hell up. You're nothing but a beat up loser."

Ansen drew the gun in a fluid motion and pointed it at Sheppard's chest. "I won't let you come here and start this all over again. It ends now." Sheppard seemed very unconcerned and his brows arched slightly. "A gun? My tapes showed you favored a bow. This is a surprise." "Yeah well.. lets see you outrun a bullet." Ansen snarled and his finger tightened on the trigger, just before his wife's double stepped in the way. "No no hotshot. You wanna shoot him you gotta shoot your little lovey dovey first." She smirked and rested her back to Sheppard's chest. Sheppard laughed at the look on Ansen's face and then his arm snaked about the woman's neck and tightened there till she was struggling for breath. "Now. You set the gun down or I kill her." The other Cassie's eyes were wide and she struggled feebly as her air left her body.

Ansen stood immobile.. torn as to what to do. He could take the shot but what if he missed? An arrow from 500 paces was no problem. A gun at point blank range and he was worried. A low sigh escaped him and he dropped the gun. "You win." Sheppard laughed and his other hand flashed through the air and Ansen felt a fire in his shoulder. A blade very like the one's Cassie carried was buried in his flesh. "I always win." He released the other blue haired woman and she rubbed at her neck. "Geesh.. not so real next time. The sap was gonna give in anyways." She knelt and lifted the gun, rising to trail her nails along Ansen's chest and the blood flowing across it. Handing the gun to Sheppard, she spun and ripped the blade from his shoulder and he cried out. "This is mine." Sheppard waved the gun about in an absent manner. "Oh and if you are wondering. I don't have your wife. At least not yet. I just used a scrambler on your cell phone." He looked curiously between the pair and then back to Ansen with a grin of pure malice. "Here's a preview. Say goodbye to your wife.."

The retort of the gun was loud in the small space and the woman fell against him. His arms caught her instinctively and her shocked eyes stared into his as the light left them. The blood flowing down her back and coating his hands. Ansen gave a howl of pain and rage and let her fall from him as he made to rush Sheppard. The gun was already there and steady. Time slowed as Ansen saw the finger squeeze the trigger. Pain seared through his chest.. and he knew his heart was ruptured. Feeling each last beat as it slowed. Sinking to his knees as he looked at the face of his killer. But that wasn't face Ansen was seeing. It was a heart shaped elfin visage framed by blue hair. She was smiling that smile just for him and her arms enveloped him as he felt the warmth leave him. His last breath.. his last words were for her.. "I love you Cassie... Forgive me.."