This chapter is based on Xena Warrior Princess The Biter Suite episode music by Joseph LoDuca. Songs: what's still unwritten you can erase, dead our hears are hurting 1&2, hate is the star, the way out/ the love of your love. And spikes response to Buffy's song give me something to sing about. From the episode once more with feeling. Yes I know Jerome is dead, but he exist in Jeremiah, Quinn and Bella's subconscious.

Jeremiah POV

As I stared at my reflection I frowned. Was I doing the right thing by keeping her isolated?

"Hello Jeremiah. Aww come now, why the cold shoulder Brother? Believe me, I don't want to be here any more then you want me to be, but you have to admit that you need my help."

"Your a figment of my imagination. Though I can't for the life of me figure out why my subconscious would want to create you. I can't stand you, no, make that, I hate you."

"Believe me the feeling is mutual. The truth is like it or not you need my help. You broke Quinn sprit and you can't figure out how to fix her." Jerome said with a slight chuckle.

"This isn't funny. I can't keep forcing her to eat and even when I do, she just throws the food up. She's getting skinnier and if something doesn't change soon, I'm afraid that I'm going to loose her. So go ahead, tell me what I have to do to get Quinn back."

"First off  Echo needs to go. She will only cause problems down the line."

"Not going to happen."

"Quinn is right you know, Echo hates both her and Bella. She doesn't care the slightest bit about Bella's welfare. She's only pretending to care about her. You know that right?"

"That's nonsense. Echo sees Bella as her daughter. She's not going anywhere."

"And your supposed to be the smart one. She hates Bella. But suit yourself, when it blow up in your face, don't say that I didn't warn you." Jerome replies.

Quinn/ Jerome in her head POV

I cant believe Jeremiah actually went through with his threat to forcefully feed Me. If I'm not careful, he might go through with the other threat. I shudder at the thought. I can't stand needles. "Hello Pooh Bear."

I groaned when I saw Jerome leaning against a tree with a satisfied smirk on his face. "Ug not again. What do you want Gingersnap?! Why can't you just go away and leave me alone? Why must you continue to torment me?"

"Must we continue to go over this?" Jerome sighs. "It's your dream. I'm only here because you want me to be. Your the one who chose my form."

"Oh yeah? And why would I choose you?"

"I suppose it's because I was the least worst of the choices you had."

"Who could possibly be worse then you?" I reply sarcastically.

"Galavan or Echo or Jeremiah, Molly, my mother."

"Ugh. Go away Jerome."

"As you wish." With that Jerome disappears and I sigh with relief.

"Finally. Maybe now I'll get a peaceful sleep."

"Hello Pooh. I'm glad that your feeling fine. I thought I might loose you. Don't be sad sing a song and then you'll be happy all day long. Trust me, my sweet Quinn, I'm here to be your guide."

I groan as I hear Jerome singing off in the distance. I groan as he pops up next to me again. "Fine. You like little dittys? I've got one for yah. You are acting very strangely that I hardly know it's you. Still, wouldn't trust you as far as I could throw you."

"Ow. Your wrong not to trust one who knows you so well. I never betrayed you, that was Barbara, Molly and Roseabella."

"How did Bella betray me? And Barbara said that shooting me was an accident." I reply in confusion. Jerome smiles.

"Quinn be warned Quinn beware by closing your eyes you can see what isn't there. Lies maybe truth and the truth maybe lies. Fate is a wheel it will reveal all you've become all that you feel. Destiny knows what has to be you'll pay the price nothing is free. We can play tricks on you, I will show you the truth your to troubled to face."

"Lion and bull eagle and snake to live or die is a choice you have to make. Can you undo what you create? Step through the wheel follow your fate. What's still unwritten you can erase. Come see with a vision denied you on earth. Come, I'll show you the way. But all consequences are your own creation and there's a price you must pay." Jerome with a smile.

"Price? What price?"

"I'm merely your guide here long for a grin you'll get no free ride here. If you want to know more then spin." With that a big wheel appears next to Me. Still confused I spin the wheel.

Suddenly, it's as if I was watching a movie of my life. I saw myself with the invitation to "change your life" as I entered the building. "Surly there's something that you desire. Something that usual techniques haven't helped you accomplish?" Barbara asks.

"Yes. I could use help finding the sister of a friend of mine. Her mother sold her to
Her Uncle for money and drugs. He took her away and I never saw her again. I've always wanted to know what became of her. Is she safe? Is she happy?"

"What this person's name?"

"Her mother never named her but I think I remember her Uncle calling her Desdemona. Her Uncle's name is Zachary, Zachary Trumble. I don't know what his plans for her were or if he even kept her."

Then I watch as I get angry with Barbara and Tabitha for lying to me. "You never looked for her did you?"

"Oh we did but we decided that it was best for all parties involved that her location remain unknown." Tabitha replies.

"You know what? I'm done. I'm leaving the sirens."

"If you walk out that door and you will regret it. No one leaves the Sirens. No one." Barbara warns.

The scene then changes to the day that I was shot. As usual I had to rescue Bella. I watch as I am shot. To my surprise the shot didn't come from Barbara's gun but rather that of one of the women of the league of shadows. Barbara tackles the lady. "What have you done?! Someone call an ambulance! NOW!" Barbara yells. How had I not noticed that before? The scene changes again and I am now in the hospital.

"What's going on? Where am I? Where's Bella? Why can't I feel my legs?" The doctors shift nervously.

"The the bullet severed Your spinal chord. Your paralyzed from the waste down. I'm afraid that you will never walk again. I am so sorry."

"This is all Bella's fault. Maybe Barbara and Tabitha were right. Maybe it would have been better if I had never found her at all." I watch myself say bitterly.

"But... But.. I blamed Barbara for what happened not Bella..."

"Actually, you blamed Bella you just don't want to admit it. After all, if it wasn't for your desire to find Bella that put a strain on your relationship with Barbara. If you hadn't wanted to find her and hadn't felt betrayed by Barbara, you never would have left the sirens."

"It was Bella's fault that you left, causing Barbara to be angry with you. It's goes without saying that it was Bella's fault that you were shot. If you hadn't had to rescue her, Barbara wouldn't have allowed a league member to shoot you, and you never would have lost your ability to walk."

"Yes, but it's because of Bella that I can walk again."

"True, but as with your being shot there are feelings of hatred towards Bella,
for obtaining the cure, that you have not been willing to address let alone, admit."

Suddenly, I'm in a room with Bella that Echos our angry voices. "Tell me how you feel!" I yell at Bella.

Bella: "Me huwt inside! Don't you?" Bella asked a look of confusion on her face.

Me: "My heart is hurting beyond words. The pain is tearing up my soul. These days have seen my spirit die. My life propelled out of control. My wounds lie naked to the world. My depth of suffering exposed. This damaged past can never heal until this nightmare book is closed."

Bella: "Me heawt is huwting heart is beyond words. The pain is tearing up my soul. Please tell me how can me weteabe the life that all this sadness stole. Because of you this happened! Because you had to carry out your vengeful little plans!"

Me: "It's you who should feel guilty, because of you Jerome is dead. His blood is on your hands."

Bella: "If only you had neba bwougnt me thewe."

"Me: "If only you had done what you were told."

Bella: "It's you who's to be blamed."

Me: "And you should be ashamed."

Bella: It's you fault!"

Me: "No it's yours!"

Bella: "How could you?"

Me: "How could you?"

Bella: "It's your fault!"

Me: "It's your fault!"

The dream skips ahead to after I'm given the cure.

"Not that I'm not thrilled to be able to walk again but how is this possible? What did you do Jeremiah?"

"I didn't do anything. Bella was the one who obtained the cure though I'm not exactly sure how..." Jeremiah replies.

Then the scene changed to once again being at the Sirens club. I am watching a recording of Bella speaking with Dr. Strange. I let out a low growl as does the other version of me. How dare she betray me like this! I didn't want to be cured this way! She knew how I felt about Dr. Strange . She sought his help out after I specifically told her to stay away from Him. She broke her promise and She lied to my face. She is no better then Barbara or Tabitha.

"Are you starting to see a pattern here?" Jerome asks.

"We sorted that out though, Bella was tricked into talking with Dr. Strange. She didn't break her promise..."

"That doesn't mean that you weren't angry with her."

The dream changes again and now I watch as I interact with Molly. Upon seeing her I frown. If I should be angry with and hate anyone it should be her not Bella. She betrayed me multiple times and for what? Because she was jealous of my relationships? Because she was afraid that Jeremiah would tell her ex where she was?

"Why must I always be saving Bella? Why can't she ever do as she is told? Ugh! Skip a head a few hours and now I'm being forced to choose between my family or Bella's freedom. "This is all Bella's fault! If she hadn't thrown multiple fits and insisted that she come with us, this wouldn't be happening right now. I hate to admit it, but Echo was right, Bella is such a spoiled brat! It is her fault that Jeremiah is forcing me to make this impossible choice."

"But... Why would I blame Bella for Jeremiah's choice of punishment?"

"I'll take it from here puddin." A Strange woman dressed in a clown outfit replies kissing Jerome on the lips causing me to growl slightly.

Who was this clown and what made her think she could kiss my man? Wait did I just call Jerome my man? What has gotten into me? I don't love Jerome that way anymore....

"The names Harley Quinn nice to meetcha. As for the outfit, you'll find out soon enough. I ain't gonna give you no spoilers." The woman replies holding out her hand for me to shake. "So what else do you want to know?"

"Why would I blame Bella for Jeremiah's punishments?"

"Sounds like you need to talk to the Doc." A minute later, Harley returns in a white lab coat and holding a clipboard.

"Hello Miss Young. My name is Doctor Harleen Quinnzell. Harley tells me you have a psychology question for me?"

"Why would I blame Bella for Jeremiah's choice of punishment?"

The Doctor takes off her glasses momentarily and uses a wipe to clean them before replying. "It's quite simple really. It begins very small.
Seems like nothing much at all, just a germ just a speck, just a grain. But the seed has been sown. And before you know it's grown.It has spread through your life like a strain."

"And its power will strangle your love and your joy. And its hunger consumes, for it lives to destroy. Hate is the star it becomes who you are.  Not the hated but the hater, has a torment that's greater. It will eat you alive, consume you and spit you out.  Hate's gonna win, that there's no doubt about. Hate doesn't care who you are, hate is the star."

"Learning hate is an art. Even people who are smart, can be caught, can be crushed, can be creamed. Hate has swallowed you whole. Did you think you're in control? Hate you thought, hate you spoke, hate you dreamed. All your hate gave me substance. Your lives are undone. It's your eye of destruction. Your hatred has won!"

"I never dreamed that we'd be distanced by a hate. That all the trust we had would go."

Bella: "How could Me hate you?"

Me: "How could it come to pass, this awful twist of fate?"

Bella: "How could Me huwt you?"

Me: "This madness can't be so."

Bella: "Me can't beliebe it."

Me: "I never dreamed that any barriers could rise."

Bella: owa that Me'd eba ever see the stwanga in you eyes."

Me: "Our hearts were hurting both the same."

Bella: The huwt was teawing up our souls."

Me: "The fury in us made us blind."

Bella: "We could not see beyond the pain.

Me: "If we can turn again to love..."

Bella: If we can heal these open boo boos."

Me: We'll leave this hatred far behind.

Bella: "So not a trace of hate remains."

Bella and I: We'll fix our damaged past. And we'll grow stronger side by side. To stand together through the storms. We're safe 'cause love will be our guide!"

"See, I don't hate Bella."

"Umm humm. Classic case of denial. Fine. Correct me when I make a wrong statement. You HATE Bella's childish behavior. You Hate that she acts like a toddler and throws fits when she can't have her way. You hate that she is constantly getting herself into situations where you have to continually rescue her. You blame her for your being shot. You HATE it when she calls you mama because you don't feel worthy of that title. The cold harsh truth even if you don't want to admit it, is that you do Hate Bella."

"And what about Barbara and Molly? They are the ones who really betrayed me. Do I hate them as well?"

"No. You understand both Barbara's and Molly's reasons behind their actions. However, you don't understand Bella's behavior at all. It is all Bella's fault that your sprit has been broken."

Suddenly Jeremiah appears and smiles at me.

"You're lost and confused but I understand the once beloved friend has been hurt by your words. You feel all alone, betrayed and a drift, but maybe her loss can be viewed as a gift. Now I'll be your rock and your strength and support, your close confidant in whom you can consort."

"I know you completely come melt into me unleash the power of your destiny. You've proved to yourself now that you've made the choice that your just like me, with as evil a will. Our forces are meant to be merged into one. Gotham will be panicked when our work is done. Imagine how awesome together we'd be so feel what I'm feeling, come melt into me."

"Did that fill you with glee to accuse and hurt your little friend? Did that ease your suffering or bring it to and end? All of your anger will poison you yet, unless you can just let go..." Jerome whispers.

"Nothing more need be said. Ding dong the brats gonna be dead." Jeremiah said with a chuckle.

"No." I whisper. "Please Jeremiah...." I plead but Jeremiah shakes his head sadly. At this, I fall to my knees. "I can't do this anymore, I can't go on living with the choice that I was forced to make. Life's a show, and we all play our parts. And when the music starts, We open up our hearts. Its alright if something's come out wrong, We'll sing a happy song, and you can sing along.Where there's life, there hope."

"Every days a gift. Wishes can come true.
Whistle while you work, so hard all day...
To be like other girls. To fit in, in this glittering world. Don't give me songs, Don't give me songs. Give me something to sing about. I need something to sing about....Life's a song,
You don't get to rehearse. And every single verse can make it that mush worse."

"Still Jeremiah,  you don't know why I ignore...
The million things or more, I should be dancing for. Please, give me something to sing about... I need something to sing about...." Again Jeremiah shakes his head no before disappearing.

Jerome appears once more and helps me to my feet. "Life's not a song, life isn't bliss, life is just this, it's living. You'll get along, the pain that you feel, only can heal by living. You have to go on living, so one of us is living."

Suddenly, the room is filled with laughter and shadowy figures appear. One of Barbara, one of Echo, one of Jeremiah, one of Jerome, one of Molly and my mother, one of Bella and finally one of myself. "It begins very small seems like nothing much at all, just a germ just a speck just a grain. But the seed has been sown and before you know it's grown it has spread through your life like a stain. And it's power will strangle your love and your joy and it's hunger consumes for it lives to destroy. Hate is the star it becomes who you are not the hated but the hater, has a tournament that's greater it will eat you alive. Consume you and spit you out hates gonna win that there's no doubt about."

"Hate doesn't care who you are hate is the star. Learning hate is an art even people who are smart can be crushed and be creamed. It has swallowed you whole did you think you were in control hate thought hate you spoke hate you dreamed. Your lives are undone it's your evil destruction your hatred has won."

"I never thought that we'd be distanced by a Hate. That all the trust we had would go."

"How could me hate you?" Bella asks sadly.

"How could it come to pass this awful twist of fate? I never dreamed that any barriers could rise." Quinn replies.

"Owa that Me'd eba see the stwanga in you eyes." Bella replies.

"Our hearts were hurting just the same. The hurt was tearing up our souls. The fury in us made us blind. If we can turn again to love we will leave this hatred far behind and we will overcome our damaged past and grow stronger side by side. To stand together through the storms we are safe because love will be our guide.

Bella then turns to me looking very confused "You lied?"

"Yes I lied. I thought I could protect you from the truth. Deliver you from evil and spare your innocence and youth. That I could simply will was the real untruth. I wore a mask to cover my deceit but underneath all I couldn't keep my doubt. Now I'm left without a mask and one question left to ask. I'm sorry please help me forgive me. Don't hate me don't leave me forgive me. Forgive me my debt as only you could. Forgive me the hate replace evil with good. I'm so sorry that I couldn't stop Jerome from leaving us."

"Quinn, what are you doing? Why are you bringing me into this? This has nothing to do with me. Leave me out of it." Jerome replies.

"I'm so sorry, I couldn't be the mother that you deserve. I regret that I put you in danger. I didn't know the consequences of my choices would have been so harsh. If I had only known, then I'd have made you stay at the compound. Can you forgive me? Open up your heart and let me in?"

"No matter if the fates against us turn, there's one thing from all of this I've learned, that what I need from you is to forgive me. I'm sorry, believe me. Stop hating, stop hurting, forgive me. Forgive those who harm you, do good to those who hate. Forgive but not forget, I know it's not too late. Please forgive me..."

Bella nods but then pauses her lower lip trembling as if she's trying to stop herself from bursting into tears. "What is it Baby? What's wrong?"

"Me so sowwy. Me sowwy me was such a bad baby. Me pwomise me twy to do betta. Can you fowgibe me? Can Me call you mama again?" Bella asks but before I can answer her, I find myself being shaken awake. I groan. It had all been a dream. Bella being safe and forgiving me had all just a dream. I knew that it was too good to be true. Bella would never forgive me for what I've done...

Bella POV strange dream.

"Hello Baby."

"First of all, Me am not you baby. Secondly what do you want Echo? Can't you see that Me am sleepy?"

"Being sleepy won't excuse you. I'm here to guide you."

"Guide me? Me am not going anywhya with you. Me don't twust you."

"Your wrong not to trust one who knows you so well. I never betrayed you that was Quinn." Echo says with a smile. "Come let me show you the truth that your too troubled to face."

I watched as a small me was abused by my mother while Quinn and Jerome and Jeremiah played happily off in the distance. I saw how angry she got whenever Lila hurt the boys but she didn't care about me at all. She didn't want to acknowledge my existence. I watch as I am being beaten once more by my Uncle/ so called father.

Where was Quinn when You needed her the most? Where was she when You were being abused by both Lila and her brother? She was spending time with Jeremiah and Jerome and then with Barbara. Sure she said that she searched for you, but obviously she didn't search hard enough." Echo whispers.

The scene changes and now we are at the Siren's club and I am being once again being beaten while Quinn just stands there and watches. Then I watch as the two of us are shot. Then the scene changes again and now we are back at the sirens so Quinn can carry out her plans for revenge.

I watch as Quinn's sister grabs me and holds me hostage. Quinn doesn't seem to care. All she cares about it making amends with Molly. She even calls me a lair. Then the scene changes once more and we are at Arkham Asylum to rescue Quinn's mother. "If you release my mother you can have Bella."

Wait WHAT? Did she just offer my freedom in
exchange for her mother's? How could she do that to me? I thought that she said that she loved me?

"Don't close your eyes. I know the truth hurts but it's always better then lies. There's more to the story then you know."

I watch as I call out to Quinn. "Please don't leave me Mama."

"I am not nor have I ever been your mother. I will never be your mother. Your mother was a drunken wh*re who wanted you dead. She sold you for drugs. You should realize by now that no one truly loves you. Your own brother Jerome would rather throw himself off a building then have to deal with you."

"I'd rather join Jerome in the hereafter then be stuck being your mother for the rest of my life. Don't ever call me mama again. Come Molly, we have a boat to catch. Goodbye and good riddance!"

"She lied to you. She promised that she would always be there for you and that she'd always love you. She lied. Your angry aren't you Bella? You hate Quinn don't you? And you have every right to after what she did to you." Echo says and I frown.

"No this isn't wight. Me couldn't hate Pooh Bea. Me lobes hewa and she lobes me."

The dream changes and now Quinn and I are in a room that echos loudly each time either one of us accuses the other of something. "Tell me how you feel. Right now. Nothing about the past right now." Quinn demands.

"Me huwt inside!" I yell then whispers " don't you?"

"My heart is hurting beyond words the pain is tearing up my soul these days have seen my sprit die my life propelled out of control. My wounds like naked to the world. My depth of suffering exposed. This damaged past can never heal until this nightmare book is closed."

"My heawt is huwting behold wowds the pain is tearing up my soul. Please tell me how can Me wetwebe the life that all this sadness stole? Because of you this happened! Because you had to cawwy out you bengeful little plans. If only you had neba bwought me there."

"If only you had done as you were told." Quinn replies back angrily.

"It's you who's to be blamed."

"And you should be ashamed of your childish behavior." Quinn replies.

"Everything that's happened is your fault!"

"No it's yours." Quinn replies.

Jerome appears clapping his hands. "Certain people seem to lack a certain introspection. Running like a maniac in the wrong direction. Frankly the two of you are such stubborn does that I wasn't holding out much hope. Even with some magic but we will see. Bella, look here..." Bella watches a video of Jeremiah giving me instructions and of Quinn pleading with him not to make her do what he is saying.

"Please. Don't make me do this. Please don't take my daughter from me that's a price that I cannot pay. Since I gave my heart away."

"Quinn, I tried to help you throughout your trials, but you did not heed my advice. There is little that can be done now."

"Please Jeremiah, if you have one once of kindnesses left in you, you won't make me do this. I love her. She's my child and if you say my life with her is done, then finish off what you began. Punish me in whatever way, it won't matter anymore. Lock me up and throw away the key. Since you took my heart away."

"Oh and Quinn one more thing, Bella is not to know of this discussion. If you say a word to her about this, I wont hesitate to hurt her. Make your choice."

"And we know what it was she chose don't we Bella?" Bella nods her eye filling with tears.

"Yes." She whispers then turning to me she looks at me confused "You lied?"

"Yes I lied. I thought I could protect you from the truth. Deliver you from evil and spare your innocence and youth. That I could simply will was the real untruth. I wore a mask to cover my deceit but underneath all I couldn't keep my doubt."

"Now I'm left without a mask and one question left to ask. I'm sorry please help me forgive me. Don't hate me don't leave me forgive me. Forgive me my debt as only you could. Forgive me the hate replace evil with good. I'm so sorry that I couldn't stop Jerome from leaving us."

"Quinn, what are you doing? Why are you bringing me into this? This has nothing to do with me. Leave me out of it." Jerome replies.

"I'm so sorry, I couldn't be the mother that you deserve. I regret that I put you in danger. I didn't know the consequences of my choices would have been so harsh. If I had only known, then I'd have made you stay at the compound. Can you forgive me? Open up your heart and let me in?"

"No matter if the fates against us turn, there's one thing from all of this I've learned, that what I need from you is to forgive me. I'm sorry, believe me. Stop hating, stop hurting, forgive me. Forgive those who harm you, do good to those who hate. Forgive but not forget, I know it's not too late. Please forgive me..."

I awoke and began to shiver. That was one of the scariest dreams I had ever had. But it held some truth too it. Pooh Bea was right, it was me fault that Jewome went bye bye. Me shouldn't habe followed Gowden and Jewome to the woof. Me was the weason Jewome fell. He fell cause he was twying to sabe me fwom falling.