(Sin) Held Up So High on Such a Breakable Thread~

[Sparrow]

Sir, we might have a slight problem?
The guard at the door phrased it like a question, intimidated. Jace Hunter ran his hands through his dark hair and closed his eyes briefly, leaning back in his leather chair. The guard waited nervously at the Archangel's bedroom door, until Jace cracked one eye open at him.

You're still here. It was a statement laced with annoyance. The guard nodded and Jace sighed exasperatedly. He stood up abruptly and took a step towards the shaking man.
Where? Jace watched him carefully, enjoying the effect he had on this pitiful male.
The dead girl's Archangel has not moved. The DA wants him out. The guard spitted out.
I said where you idiot, not the backstory. But assuming from your trivial information he is in the dungeon. I'll deal with it.
Jace grabbed his black hoodie from his coat hook and walked past the guard. Immediatly the man shut the dorm room door and stood up a little taller. Jace still stood over him and looked him in the eye with a frightening smirk. The man took a step back until he was pressed against the wall. Cracking his neck for extra effect, he spoke.
Tell Kaycee to reschedule supper. And he walked away, shaking his head at the stupidity of those below him.


Jace made his way down the concrete stairs and stopped at the bottom one, looking at Sinclair with disgust. He sat down, pulling his hoodie around him in the chilly, dimly lit dungeon and his eyes lost their menance to a rather flat look. Why are you still here? His voice echoed in the darkness and his uncaring gaze couldn't help but flicker to Isabelle's newly covered but very present body and the blood that surrounded it.

[Sinclair]

Sinclair's own eyes didn't hold much more emotion than Jace's as he looked up toward him. He was surprised to see him, but not alarmed. No, there was no reason Jace couldn't be in the dungeon, and there was little Jace could do to him now. But, what Jace asked, that was a hard one to answer. He knew he was sitting there. Watching Isabelle. But what did Jace want to hear?

"Waiting for you,"Sinclair answered, his tone cold."I figured someone'd come down here eventually." Actually, that couldn't be farther from the truth, but honestly, what were the odds that Sinclair Gabriel could stop Jace from taking Isabelle? If he did fight it, he was afraid that Jace would do something harsh, like mutilate her corpse. So as much as he would like to get revenge, he was going to try to make peace with Jace. As it was, he didn't make any sort of movement toward getting up or assisting Jace in touching, let alone moving Isabelle. Afterall, he didn't pretend that he could find sympathy; this was Kaycee's brother, and he wasn't exactly on great terms with Kaycee since Isabelle.

[Sparrow]

Jace leaned back against the stairwell, sitting sideways and thinking quietly to himself. He waited for a few moments, measuring his thoughts out before he spoke.

I suppose that's a lie, but in your state of mind, you're in the position for lying. I won't call you on it. And I'm not in charge of taking care of the deceased so stop looking at her like she's going to be snatched away any second. He reprimanded almost casually and drifted his eyes to the ceiling above him.

You must hate my sister right now, Jace commented, his usual barricade hiding his thoughts down for the moment as his mind drifted. I'm sure you hate yourself more though. It's not a bad thing, its gives us drive towards something. Revenge mostly. Kaycee... that's what drives her most of the time. Revenge and arrogance in her own capabilities. For Isabelle's death, it was both I'm assuming. Without realizing it, Jace had said Isabelle's name for the first time rather than referring to her as "girl".

[Sinclair]

Sinclair's expression became one of curiosity as Jace stated that he wasn't there to take Isabelle away. He wasn't? Sinclair had no idea what Jace could want, then. Casual conversation seemed out of the question. . . He decided to ask, but before he could manage to decide what he wanted to say, he found himself listening to Jace again.

"I don't hate your sister. I know I should, Jace, but I could never hate Kaycee."Sinclair answered honestly."But, I don't see why she'd need to get revenge on Isabelle. If she was mad at me, she should have killed me instead. She didn't even know Isabelle. I'm not going to get revenge. I'm not going to do anything to hurt Kaycee, no matter how tempting it may seem right now."

"But, Jace, what I want to know is, why are you here now, if not for her? You're not exactly great at cheering people up, and I doubt anyone'd send you down to bother with me. Actually, I'm still a bit surprised the D.A. didn't order my execution, as well, to be quite honest. Not that I'm complaining."Sinclair explained.

[Sparrow]

Jace smirked in the darkness. Unintentionally, Sinclair had given him a dark topic and brought his usual coldness back.
She doesn't hate you either surprisingly. Sometimes I wish she would, and then I don't care anymore. He admitted, playing his fingers along his leg like a piano as he spoke.

Are you really that stupid? Do you not remember their encounter on the beach? It involved a tiger. he reminded Sinclair with an annoyed tone. Even I can see Kaycee also hates Isabelle for other reasons. And she wouldn't hurt you. For also many reasons. Mostly too complex to keep me interested. He yawned in accordance to what he was saying and glanced over at Sinclair.

I was sent here to get you out of here so they could take the body away. Why me? I don't know. Probably because you're grieving and no one wants to disturb that. I don't care if I do because it's unimportant to me. Jace spoke with brutal honesty. And you're an Archangel. Dark Angel is gracious enough to give you a second chance. I wouldn't be but your or most anyone here's life is trivial to me. Though the words had an ending tone, Jace made no move to get up. He figured Sin would have some sort of answer and he would just have to sit down again.

[Sinclair]

"Come on, Jace, I'm not that bad, am I? I don't think I've ever done anything to you. We could get along. I could be useful, and you know it."Sinclair objected to Jace. Not that Jace liking him mattered much to him. It wouldn't change much, and it was a long shot. Even if he could pull off winning his favor, he doubted he'd be at the top of the list. No, the Dark Angel would come before him, and since Sinclair found no reason not to go against the Dark Angel, they were bound to be on opposite sides.

"That tiger attacked me because I provoked it, and Kaycee made no attempt to help me. She seemed content with letting Sparrow kill me. He was just a silly X-Man, anyway. You'd think your sister would have been proud that I'd be so confrontational with the enemy. Anyway, I know they didn't get along on the beach, I was there. I just don't know what Kaycee's problem was."Sinclair responded, his tone now passive.

"To get me?"Sinclair echoed quizzically. Then, he went on to say that no one wanted to disturb his grieving. It took him a minute, but by the time Jace had stopped speaking, Sinclair broke into laughter- something he didn't think he'd do for a long, long time.

"If they didn't want to deal with me grieving, they shouldn't have killed my girlfriend,"Sinclair's voice held more anger, more rage than he'd usually be heard with. Even though he was laughing, he pulled the tone off with ease. Maybe his power had it's perks? "I don't need a second chance, Jace. I didn't do anything wrong, I didn't murder anyone. And Isabelle didn't hurt anyone. I'm sure I'm not the first one to bring an X-Men into the Corporation."

[Sparrow]

Ha, I think I would keep you alive for the entertainment if anything. I don't get along with people. I don't have "friends" and I would only base you being allowed to speak to me on your usefulness which right now, I couldn't trust you anyway. So don't count on me giving you any breaks. Jace's voice was actually amused until Sinclair's tone changed. With that, Jace stood up and stepped off the stairs, eyebrows raised at the grieving boy's boldness.

You don't just play dumb, do you? You actually are a moron. Kaycee didn't do anything about the tiger because she couldn't. She's a genius, you dolt and a hacker. She only fights physically when necessary. And that didn't qualify as necessary. Jace began to pace, nearly laughing at Sinclair's ignorance. Here's the kicker. You don't know what Kaycee's problem is? She still "cares about you", or so she says. Of course Isabelle is a threat! Kaycee is jealous. Even I can see that and the only reason I care is because we are siblings and I feel bound to her. Let me spell it out for you. 1) You and my sister have a "fling" so to speak. 2) You break up. 3) You end up with new girl. 4)New girl makes Kaycee jealous. And of course 5)The two of them go at it. The weird part is its over you. I don't see what's so special about you but apparently they see something I would rather shoot.

Jace had almost finished his rant in exasperation but when Sinclair laughed, he got more intense and angry. Listen you miserable excuse for a human being; you did something wrong. Admit it. You betrayed the company you swore to protect which doesn't include X-men barging in uninvited. Actually you are the first, but I guess it doesn't matter now. Because you did murder someone. Her. Jace's angry voice faded into a harsh, cold tone and he pointed at Isabelle. You brought upon her death and you can't face it. We didn't kill her you did. And now, you can't stand to leave this place because it would be giving up on her. You killed her and it just hit you, you can't save her and that tears you up.You want to just fade away with her in this darkness but it doesn't work like that. So you're a coward. Two girls were in love with you and now one of them is dead and the other... probably isn't going to come back to you. And you can't even get up and face her death head on. You're right you don't need a second chance. But only because you don't deserve one Sinclair. Jace, finished with his rant, leaned against a nearby wall. His eyes watched Sin closely.

[Sinclair]

Sinclair listened to Jace's rant in its entirety before he bothered to verbally respond to any of it. And, if anything, he looked as amused as Jace had when he'd responded to Sinclair saying he was useful for most of it. As it was, Sinclair wasn't worried about being useful to him, but he could pretend. It seemed like the right thing to say at the time- maybe he did depend a bit too much on his lie detecting ability. But in a place like the Corporation, it was useful, otherwise he was sure he wouldn't have been allowed to become an Archangel. Or, he would have been made some common lackey or something. His abilities were far from offensive, so there was a certain level of superiority that all the other members had on him because of that. He knew it. But Jace's statement that he could be around for entertainment seemed funny to him, since he was around to entertain people. His 'angelic' voice made this an easy task. Somehow, though, he didn't think that was what Jace was referring to.

Sinclair had to admit, it was a bit strange for Jace to call him a moron. Sinclair didn't think he was a moron, he was the one getting the information he wanted. Who'd know Kaycee better than her brother? And even if Sinclair had suspected it, he had just gotten confirmation. Sinclair did remember their relationship well, so it made sense. And, then, there was something that made the calm 'I'm listening' smile disappear. He murdered Isabelle? His eyes shifted to Isabelle, and pain filled them. Oh, no. He closed his eyes, wishing Jace would just shut up. But he went on, unfortunately. He was wrong about the fading into darkness part; Sinclair knew it wouldn't help, and he had lied before, he did still want revenge. He didn't want revenge on Kaycee, he wanted revenge on the Dark Angel.

To avoid letting himself get sick with thoughts of Isabelle, Sinclair moved swiftly, getting to his feet, his hands clenched. Even as he got up, his face was terribly pale and his stance, at least at first, was wobbly. Hopefully, if he got upset (perhaps giving Jace the reaction he wanted) then Jace would change the topic. Sinclair honestly would be sick if he thought anymore about it. He knew it. And somehow, vomiting in front of the male in the room with him wasn't a pleasant idea.

"You don't know what you're talking about. It didn't work out between your sister and I, but that's no reason for Isabelle to be dead right now. I don't want to be with Kaycee, or I would be!"Sinclair argued, though once more, he was lying to Jace. Perhaps, he was lying to himself as well. With Isabelle laying, dead on the floor a few feet from him he couldn't really admit that he still cared at all about Kaycee. Could he? It was quite the question. "It was your demented sister that put the knife to Isabelle, but there's no question in my mind that you were proud of her for it, Jace. You probably wished you could have done it yourself, you sick bastard," Sinclair hadn't meant to get this angry, but now he was taking steps toward Jace. If he got close enough, and angry enough, he knew he'd hit Jace even if it was obviously a battle he'd lose. His shoulder still hurt from earlier, though he wasn't complaining aloud about it, so a fight might not have been in Sinclair's best interest. But Sinclair thought Jace had it coming.

[Sparrow]

Jace watched him calmly. He had never had trouble with hiding his expressions from people. His eyes didn't even flicker when Sinclair began taking steps towards him.

Kaycee was following orders, you idiot. You're the reason little Izzy is dead. She just enjoyed doing it. His voice didn't change pitch- but continued on its smooth, dark tone. Lie to me, if you want Sinclair but you'll never lie to yourself. Jace was about to turn around then but Sinclair then got in his face and Jace whirled back.
Sit down, worthless. He growled, pushing Sinclair back to the floor on his shoulder. He had forgotten about that injury but the force was enough to knock Sin down.

You are so pathetic. Of course I'm proud of her. I'm Jace Hunter. Standing over him, Jace's even tone slid into a creepy hiss. I would have loved to kill your ugly little bitch Sinclair. Never doubt otherwise. And if by demented you mean evil, I'm going to let that comment about my sister go. His eyes were narrowed and Sin should probably have backed down from that alone.

[Sinclair]

Sin, at least for a moment, was amused by Jace. Despite his anger, he was truly amused that Jace mentioned lying again. Ah, yes, Sinclair could lie, but Jace could not get away with a lie to Sinclair. Sinclair assumed this meant Jace knew where Sinclair's strength was, not that it'd help him presently. As it was, he needed something offensive, something physical. Being charming only went so far, and his charm was obviously lost on Jace. Even if Jace did find him charming, by some miracle, he didn't let it influence him, it seemed.

Sinclair's expression shifted to account for the pain from Jace pushing him. He had no chance of staying on his feet, especially when his balance took a backseat to the toleration of pain.

"Damn you, Jace,"he mumbled, but he kept his gaze down as he seemed to be thinking of his next move. The way to get a bully to leave you alone was not to prove to them they could keep you down. So after a few seconds, Sinclair's defiant gaze was lifted to meet Jace's expression. He'd waited, perhaps, mostly to give himself time to make sure Jace didn't see his pain. Then, he shifted, looking away while mumbling something, trying to give Jace the impression that he was merely uncomfortable in the position he'd fallen in, and reluctant to know he'd been beat. In reality, he was just moving his legs a bit so that he was able to make his next, somewhat stupid move. Despite everything he'd witnessed with Isabelle and Kaycee, he drew his leg swiftly along the floor with every intention of tripping Jace. To distract from the sound of his movement, and perhaps to distract from the movement itself (if at all possible, which he was still uncertain about anyway) he decided it would be fitting to go on arguing with Jace.

"You think you know me so well, do you?"Sinclair growled,"But, Jace, you don't. I bet, when all's said and done, you're jealous of Kaycee- is that why you're acting like you know everything? Because she does?" Sinclair may have sounded passionate, he may have sounded like he really cared, he may have sounded as mad about what he was saying as anything else, but he really didn't care why Jace was so quick to judge him or whether or not Jace was really jealous of Kaycee. It wasn't a fight he wanted to pick, he just needed something to say, and that was the first thing that came to mind. He wanted to be able to judge, to know things about Jace by observation, too! He just. . .wasn't very good at it.

[Sparrow]

Damn me. Jace agreed. Damn me to hell. I'm sure that's where I'm going.

He took a step closer to his injured foe and nearly fell down from a sudden leg underneath his feet. He sidestepped and almost lost his balance but caught it, only by pressing firmly against the stone wall.

Jace, sweating a little, pushed himself up, until he was standing normally again. His eyebrows narrowed threateningly and he leaned against the wall he had just saved himself on.
Is that what you think? I'm jealous of my sister? You'd be wrong. I don't claim to know everything. But I know enough. He growled, going through a list of things he would love to do to Sinclair. However, unknown to Sin, the Dark Angel did not want the youth harmed physically. Jace would just have to call the shoulder one accidental. And maybe a few new bruises could fall under the same category if Sin kept this up.

[Sinclair]

Sinclair grinned at the fact that Jace hadn't magically predicted his move. No, he'd almost fallen, and that was proof enough. The other thing he had to grin about was that Jace had yet to wave his knife at Sin's throat over it. That was good. Sinclair shook his head to Jace's question, though.

"Not really."he admitted casually as he got to his feet, intentionally avoiding the use of his injured arm to assist getting up. If Jace was against the wall, Sin figured he couldn't easily push him back down. Or, well, that he couldn't do so quickly. Once up, he watched Jace, curiously at first. What was it he said he wanted again? It only took Sin a moment to recall; he wanted Sin to leave. Sinclair knew he could refuse just to be a jerk. But that wasn't what Sinclair wanted to do. Instead, he began walking toward the stairway that would lead out of the dungeon. But as he walked in that direction, he began speaking aloud.

"Where does your precious Dark Angel expect me to go, if I can't be in here? Is he going to ground me to the Corporation building or something, for my naughty deed? I wouldn't put it past him."Sinclair questioned, his tone a bit taunting. He wasn't leaving without making it known that he wasn't doing it because of the Dark Angel. No, he wanted to make it sound like it was his own choice to leave- even if it really wasn't.

[Sparrow]

Jace was infurtiated by Sinclair's almost victorious grin but he refused to let the youth see that. That would just make it more of a triumph. As he watched Sin prepare to leave the room, Jace was satisfied. He had completed his job and felt like he had won. Which was good. People got hurt when Jace lost.

However at peace Jace had been with Sinclair walking away, quickly dissolved with Sin's next comment. He couldn't believe this rude little punk thought he could get away with insulting the Dark Angel?

Almost as fast as the lightning he could control, Jace appeared behind Sinclair. Swiftly, he reached into his boot and pulled out his freshly cleaned blade since Isabelle's death, then held it not too gently against Sin's throat.
Your insolence is not tolerated. Do not speak that way about the Dark Angel. You will respect him and his authority.

[Sparrow]

Jace was infurtiated by Sinclair's almost victorious grin but he refused to let the youth see that. That would just make it more of a triumph. As he watched Sin prepare to leave the room, Jace was satisfied. He had completed his job and felt like he had won. Which was good. People got hurt when Jace lost.

However at peace Jace had been with Sinclair walking away, quickly dissolved with Sin's next comment. He couldn't believe this rude little punk thought he could get away with insulting the Dark Angel?

Almost as fast as the lightning he could control, Jace appeared behind Sinclair. Swiftly, he reached into his boot and pulled out his freshly cleaned blade since Isabelle's death, then held it not too gently against Sin's throat.
Your insolence is not tolerated. Do not speak that way about the Dark Angel. You will respect him and his authority. He hissed in Sinclair's ear.

[Sinclair]

Sinclair had not expected Jace to appear that fast. He expected to be able to see him coming, but no. And, with the knife out, Sinclair's face grew pale yet again- which, by the way, was not a fun thing to go through once, let alone the numerous times it'd happened already in the recent hours. And last time he was in this particular position- Sinclair couldn't think of it. So he closed his eyes tightly. This time he didn't have to watch a murder, which was good. But he wouldn't want to watch his own murder, anyway, if Jace took it that far..

"Jace, let go. Let go."Sinclair pleaded, feeling there wasn't much else he could do. Except, of course, his next move which was to attempt to draw himself closer to Jace, hopefully putting even a little distance between himself and the knife. "I'm sorry, I won't say anything about him." Having his life threatened like this did make Sinclair Gabriel question why he'd spoken in the first place, why he'd dared to say it at all. He didn't like the Dark Angel, and he had no problem making that obvious, but he had known Jace wouldn't like what he had to say. And it wasn't worth it, not now. It hadn't accomplished anything.