/ â€œWho are you?â€ She asks./<br/><br/>â€œYou can call me Blackhawk.â€  He introduced himself, mentally shocked at what a normal conversation this seemed to be, given the time and placeâ€”and the people involved.  Standing on the street having a casual conversation with another mutant wasn't something he would typically have considered.  Seemed the night was going to be full of surprises.<br/><br/>/Then taking a clawed hand she reached up and pulled the hood of her cloak down to reveal what she really looked like./<br/><br/>Hard gray eyes softened marginally as Blackhawk took in the strange appearance of the girl before him.  He felt in a moment that he saw the hard path that she must have walked to become who she was, the mockery and torment she must have endured from the ignorant public just because of the way she looked.  Such insight struck deeply at what little remained of the warm and compassionate in his heart, and he knew he couldn't let his own past with the Circle keep this girl from the help she might be able to receive under their protection.<br/><br/>/ â€œWho were those people I saw earlier?â€ She asks. â€œAre they bad people?â€/<br/><br/>â€œThey are the Omega Circle, the government-sanctioned team that guards this city.  They're not evil... just occasionally misguided.â€<br/><br/>Gabriel watched Xena face down the man who had shot her with a mixture of awe and sadness.<br/><br/>â€œI can't believe I'm saying this,â€  He began, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, careful not to seem threatening, â€œbut the Circle might be the best place for you.  They do their best to make this city a better place for people like us, and they will be able to help you.â€<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">And protect you.</span>He thought silently,<br/><br/>Before he could continue, he caught the sound of footsteps coming around the alley behind him, and spun, one hand outstretched protectively and the other releasing his bo staff to it's full length.<br/><br/>/ "Yo, Black hawk! Who's you're friend?" He smiled in an almost mocking way. /<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Ren.</span>He scowled at the Omega Circle member, not bothering to hide his disdain. Straightening slightly, he flicked his wrist again and his staff retracted back into the handle. â€œSomeone you don't need to be bothering,â€ he retorted.  â€œWhat do you want?â€<br/><br/>- - -<br/><br/><br/>â€œWe'll continue searching tomorrow.â€  Morgan nodded, disappointed in himself for the vague relief he felt at the decision.  Even so, one look at his teammates told him that he didn't need to push themâ€”and his luckâ€”any further tonight, either.  â€œI'll send team designations to your personals tonight.  Check them in the morning and head out toâ€”â€œ<br/><br/>The sound of gunshots broke him away from his train of thought.<br/><br/>/"If we plan to pursue," he stated, "I advise we do so quickly. My reach is becoming thinner as we speak-" "As in now."/<br/><br/>â€œJeremy, Allison, Ricâ€”  Stay put,â€ he commanded quickly.  He hoped Allison would pick up on his subliminal attempt to keep Ethan and Blackhawk from another explosive argument and ensure that Ricochet did indeed remain behind. â€œGhost, with me.â€<br/><br/>Heading in the direction from which the gunshots had come, Morgan silently prayed for a quick and quiet end to the night.  The last thing they needed was another fiasco to explain to the General.  If Blackhawk was involved, he had no doubt the younger man could take of the situation and would only resent their interference, but he couldn't turn a blind eye to the commotion with a clear conscious, either.