"Slipping Through, Part 1"
By: Zale Tregat
Merrick Braston
Vrax Draydge
Analesse D'vrishay
Beshno [NPC+]
Moril Astren

Location: New Plouton Spaceport; Antorial Industries; Antorial Safehouse
Date: Vadris 28, 4 ABY

***

Her dark head was visible above the crowd as it moved toward the front of the line waiting to get onto the transport. From his spot in the line where he'd said his goodbyes, Zale Tregat watched her go. She stopped at the top of the ramp and waved to him, mouthing a wish for him to give her best to Merrick Braston.

Nice touch, Zale thought with a smile. He raised his hand to wave one more time, and then turned to disappear into the crowd.

Anyone observing would have thought Zale Tregat's business done, and now a return to the office would be in order. However, any who thought that would have been sorely mistaken.

While he may appear to be the owner and president of Antorial Industries, Zale Tregat's background had been very extensive in the security field, among others. Knowing where to move in a crowd, how to appear or disappear, be seen or invisible, was second nature to him.

He'd spotted the man shortly after arriving and had kept him in the corner of his eye the entire time. Now, Zale angled around, moving to come in on the man's flank. He paused about fifteen meters from the man and waited. He did not need to wait for long however.

After only a minute of the man staring intently at the transport until it finally lifted off into the air, he turned his gaze from the stars and pulled a comlink from a pocket.

"I'm at the port," he said. "The woman just got onto the transport. She's gone. No more worries for you."

Zale couldn't hear the response, but it was obvious praise of some sort.

"Sure, I'll stop by tonight," the man answered. "I look forward to seeing you, sir." He laughed a vicious laugh, the laugh of someone used to inflicting pain on others. With a flick of his thumb, he turned off the comlink and dropped it back into a pocket.

The man nearly jumped out of his skin as Zale Tregat emerged from the shadows beside him. A gloved hand flicked outward, and suddenly a long staff extended into the night. With smooth, fluid motions, Zale swept the weapon under the man's feet, flipping him onto his back. A strangled cry emerged from his throat just before the staff cracked against the side of his skull, dropping him into unconsciousness.

"I don't think you'll be making that appointment."

***

"D'orva's been captured, sir. They sniffed him out at the spaceport."

Vrax Draydge idly stroked the grizzled red stubble covering his cheek using the backs of his mutilated fingers. Even with this displeasing latest report, he felt closer than ever to delivering vengeance upon the whore who had robbed him of his digits, and the lover who had been destined for him. "He won't talk...not yet," Vrax mused, "and when he does, it'll be too late for Tregat to do anything about it. So, the woman's gone then?"

His male informant made a deep, sly laugh through the comm device. "That's what Zale Tregat would like us to believe. Whoever he sent on that transport was good...but she wasn't Analesse D'vrishay."

For a single, tense moment, Vrax sat upright in his reclining chair, his mouth twisting savagely. But, his anger was momentarily stayed. "I know where she is, Sir. Mr. Tregat's tucked her away somewhere he thinks is safe." The man chuckled. "She won't be for long, if you don't want her to be."

"Oh, I don't," Vrax rasped. "Take care of that slippery whore. Get to her and get rid of her. She's a nuisance I don't have time for, and maybe this will show that Tregat bastard he has no idea who he's messing with."

"Yes, sir," his henchman answered hungrily, obviously in anticipation of what he had been prohibited from doing during his first encounter with the delectable Ms. D'vrishay.

With his man sent on his way and his problem soon to be eliminated, Vrax Draydge returned once more to nursing his glass of cheap brandy. Kaysa liked brandy, he remembered lustfully; he hoped to share a glass with her in the very near future, and much more.

***

"Zale, I need to talk to you."

Zale Tregat looked up from the report he'd been reading. In the doorway of his office stood Merrick Braston. The look of concern on his friend's face made Zale set the report aside and move around to the other side of the desk. "What is it," he asked.

"It's Kaysa," Merrick said. "You know about our 'date' and the other night? It went alright for awhile, but...she's gone over the edge, Zale. Her drinking is worse than ever, and we have to stop her. All of us, all the people who still care for her, we need to do something before she pushes us until it's impossible for anyone to care for her any longer."

Zale sighed and leaned back against the desk, a frown turning down his features as he thought over what Merrick had said. "That will prove more difficult than you think. I'll happily help however I can, but...but I can't right now, Merrick. Things have happened. Things that...that you should know about, but it's difficult. This whole thing is getting bigger than I expected, bigger than any of us expected. There's a lot to tell, but I'll skip to the important part and can fill in the rest later. The other night, Analesse was attacked in her home." Merrick surged forward, his face suddenly clouded. Zale held up a hand. "Stop, and hear me out!" Surprisingly, Merrick did. "I've been doing some checking and I do have some information, but not much. Her attacker warned her off you, so I'm thinking a jealous boyfriend who doesn't like the rumours swirling around about the two of you.

"That's the reason she'd missed the meetings with us," Zale continued. "She's in a safe-house now, under guard by my people."

Merrick relaxed slightly and nodded. "Thank you," he said softly.

"We tricked them into thinking that she'd left the planet as she'd been told to do," Zale said, sitting back on his desk. "One of them was watching as Saris boarded the transport heading off-planet, pretending to be Analesse. I was there when he reported back to his superior that she was gone, and then took out some of my aggression on him. He's in a holding cell now, and Moril is questioning him. I don't think he knows who he was working for, but if he did Moril will find out."

"And, you're sure she's safe?"

Zale nodded. "Of course," he said. "I've got my people watching her."

"And, all of your people are working only for you?" Merrick asked carefully.

"Merrick," Zale said, an eyebrow raised at Merrick's doubts, "these are my people, completely loyal to me."

The musician sucked in a deep breath, let it out and nodded. "Where is she?"

"At one of Antorial's safe houses."

Merrick sighed. "Yes. Which safe house, and where?"

Zale pushed himself off the desk. "Why are you asking?"

"Because she was attacked, and I want to go see her. I need to see her, Zale. Where is she, Zale?" Merrick took a step forward.

With a long sigh, Zale reached over to his desk and transferred some information to a data chip. "There. I've got my people watching, inside and out. No one can get close without us knowing about it."

"Let's hope you're right, Zale," Merrick said. He tossed the chip up and caught it. "Thanks. I'll see you soon. And, when you have time, we need to stop Kaysa from destroying herself, and bringing all of us down with her."

"Count on it," Zale answered with a nod. "I'll see you later, buddy."

Merrick chuckled. "Count on it." With that, he was gone.

***

"I know, Mr. Tregat, I've tried. But you wouldn't believe how stubborn she is." The guard looked over his shoulder at the woman sitting motionless in the window embrasure and staring out into the city. She hadn't moved since arriving. "I'll try again later," the dark-haired man assured Zale through his comm. "I'm sure she'll get hungry sometime."

"Has she spoken," Zale asked. "She agreed easy enough, but I didn't expect her to close herself off like this. Go ahead and leave the tray for her. She may decide to pick at it on her own." He shook his head as he realized that the instructions seemed to parallel feeding Hope when she was having one of her particularly finicky moods. "I'll see if I can stop by later to check in on her too."

"Will do, Mr. Tregat," Beshno sighed, "though" --he dropped his voice to a whisper and turned his back to Analesse-- "I feel her watching me sometimes, when I get too close. It's sort of creepy, sir, finding her staring at your reflection in the window without your realizing it, and then when you do, it's a little disarming, you know? Didn't you tell her I'm a good guy?"

"I tried to tell her my people are safe," Zale said. "But, under the circumstances, wouldn't you be leery as well? I know I would. It's a difficult time for her, Beshno, and all we can do is our best to help her through it. Keep a sharp eye out. I don't know who's after her, and that's what concerns me the most."

"You take care of them, sir; I'll make sure our friend here is safe...even if she tries to gouge out my eyes." Beshno grinned.

"Sounds like a plan to me, Beshno," Zale answered with a grin of his own. "I'll talk to you later. Make sure your replacement checks in with me when he takes over. I'm heading over to speak with Merrick now, so have him pick me up on my personal comlink. Tregat out."

Saluting Zale, despite the absence of a visual feed, Beshno replied, "Yes, Sir!" And once the connection was closed, Beshno sighed heavily as he reattached the device to his wristband. Analesse still didn't stir. "He'll kill me if she starves to death," he muttered with resignation and cautiously began crossing the cozy living area towards Analesse, who was still tucked perfectly against where the window ledge curved into the wall.

Beshno scrubbed a hand through his short-cropped hair, nervous about finally approaching his charge after hours of awkward silence. Her identity had been withheld by Zale, who hoped to increase the level of safety by keeping her anonymous - not even Beshno knew her name. What he did know was that she was young and attractive, and it had crossed his mind more than once that she was a mistress Zale was trying to conceal from his wife. The idea brought an envious grin to Beshno's face, even though he was already happily married. "The rich and powerful ones always get the perks," he sighed.

Analesse was again staring at his reflection as he stopped behind her. She pulled her knees in tighter against her chest. Beshno maintained a comfortable distance and started awkwardly, "Well...some view, hm?" Analesse's eyes shifted sideways to watch him suspiciously. Beshno cleared his throat and took one step back; gingerly, he seated himself on the bench lined up against the adjacent wall.

Studying Analesse furtively, he re-evaluated his earlier theory of why Zale was so intent on protecting her. She was frightened, that much was clear from her close and wary demeanour, and the guarded manner in which she folded herself into an even tinier ball when he drew near, or even looked her way. And Beshno sympathized with her, so small and fragile she appeared in the long, oversized sweater she wore and loose-fitting black pants that covered her bare feet.

"Like a child," he murmured to himself, then smiled as an idea struck him. With careful movements, he reached into his jacket's inner pocket to pull out a flipcase. Analesse's brown eyes fixed to the object in his hand in an admixture of curiousity and uneasiness. Beshno allayed both when he opened the flipcase to reveal two photographs, one embedded on each side. "My family," he told her with pride and affection ringing from his voice and grin.

Analesse, having identified the genuine joy in Beshno, slid her legs over the sill's edge and leaned forward for a closer look. Beshno was surprised with a large smile as Analesse pointed to the lower image, that of a blonde-haired boy no more than five and displaying a missing front tooth with a beaming grin. "Your son?" she asked softly, the first time Beshno had heard her speak.

He nodded emphatically. "Javesh. Mine and my wife's only child, but we hope to have more soon."

Analesse gazed at Beshno expectantly as she held open her palm. "May I?"

Looking between her hand and the flipcase she was eyeing, Beshno chuckled and offered it to her. There wasn't even a flinch as she accepted; instead, she stared intently at the photographs. "They're both so beautiful," she whispered. Her thumb brushed lightly over the second image, that of a woman with flowing red hair and the greenest eyes Analesse had ever witnessed. "What's her name?"

"That's Lilia." A dreamy sigh passed from Beshno's lips. "Met her seven years ago and we've been together since. Loved her the minute I saw her, and it killed me," he admitted with a bashful shake of his head. "I didn't think she'd have me, but she did, and I felt a fool for holding back as long as I did with her. If she hadn't made the first move, we'd probably still be nothing more than friends."

Another bright grin formed at the memory, and as gentle and love-struck as Beshno seemed in that moment, Analesse experienced no fear when he'd risen and taken a seat beside her on the sill. He tapped the image of his son and continued, "Then, Javesh came and I finally, truly came to learn that if you want something in this life, you've gotta fight for it. If Lilia hadn't fought for us, I never would have experienced the miracle of fatherhood."

There was pure love in Beshno's eyes when Analesse watched him staring at his son's image. It made her heart ache - longing to be so complete, as Beshno obviously was. And it was through her own cowardice that she suffered such loneliness, for as ambitious as she was in business, Analesse was craven when the matters of the heart were involved. That's precisely why Merrick's still with his wife, she sulked internally, but wasn't allowed to do so for long before Beshno clapped his hands upon his knees and asked cheerfully, "You married? Got any kids?" He grinned knowingly and playfully nudged her arm with his elbow. "Got a thing going with my boss, hm? He's quite the lady's man, I've heard."

Previously sullen, Analesse was moved to laughter by Beshno, and before she could deny any such claims a chime sounded from the door, pulling Beshno immediately to his feet. On alert, all sign of humour vanished and Beshno marched towards the door where the security viewer provided a fully enhanced image of a man waiting on the other end. Beshno frowned, the expression not missed by Analesse, who rose from the window embrasure and trepidly moved towards him. "What's wrong? Who-- Who is it?"

Noting her growing panic, Beshno smiled wanly. "It's just Mezluh - he's another of Zale's men." Analesse nodded slowly and took a noticeable step back when Beshno released the door.

Mezluh stepped through, his eyes wandering towards Analesse. He smiled in greeting, but she could detect no warmth behind the gesture. "What's going on, Mezluh?" Beshno's question drew his attention, freeing Analesse from his unsettling gaze.

"Mr. Tregat had me dispatched - says you're needed at home." Mezluh shrugged. "The boy's sick, or some such drama. You go on, I'll take over from here."

Beshno heard nothing beyond report of his son's falling ill; with great urgency, he hurried to Analesse. "I've got to go, but Mezluh will be watching. You'll be fine - I've enjoyed our time."

"What? W-Wait!" But Beshno had already rushed from the room, leaving just Analesse and Mezluh to occupy it.

The newcomer reached behind himself to activate the door's security lock while watching Analesse with a steeply canted smile. Unconsciously aware of Beshno's flipcase still in her hand, Analesse held it protectively against her chest. His half-lidded, dark gaze flicked to her right shoulder, where the wide neckline of her shirt had fallen down to reveal the smooth, pale slope of flesh. Analesse felt chilled when his eyes remained fixed to her exposed shoulder, and hastily she started away.

"I...I'm going to get ready for bed. Good night," she called back breathlessly.

"Goodnight," Mezluh sang. "And don't worry, Ms. D'vrishay, I'll be watching you."

She disappeared inside her room, sealing the door behind her, leaving Mezluh's lazy salute unreceived. He chuckled at her distress and took a relaxing seat upon the sofa while he did what he was appointed to do: watch Analesse...very closely.

***

"Zale," came Moril's voice from the comm on the desk, "I've got an incoming from Beshno."

Zale turned back from where he'd been staring out his window overlooking the city. Somewhere out there was the mastermind behind Analesse's attack. The man they'd captured hadn't broken yet, and Moril was taking a break from the questioning. Once the medics had cleared the thug for more questions, Moril would start back in. For now, Zale could only wait for answers.

"Put him through," he said, and moved to sit at his desk. There was an audible click on the line as Moril patched Beshno through to Zale's comm. "Beshno, how's everything with our charge?"

"She was fine. I had her laughing and everything, sir," the man answered distractedly. "But...Mr. Tregat...something's not right. I've just arrived home and...." Beshno took a moment to collect his thoughts, then began again with greater clarity. "Sir, when I arrived home, my son wasn't ill. In fact, sir...my wife claims she never contacted you to begin with. No offense, sir...but are you sure Moril got the message right?"

The momentary calm he felt at hearing that Analesse was laughing disappeared just as abruptly as it had arrived. "Which message, Beshno?" Zale reached down and tapped at a button on his desk.

Beshno paused, fearful he had made a grave error. "Sir? The...the message that I had to rush home, that my boy was ill. Mezluh came to tell me half an hour ago that you said I was relieved for the night so I could get home to my wife and child. He's there now, sir...with the woman."

Zale nodded as Moril entered the office. "Got a call about thirty-five minutes ago," he said. "I had security dispatch someone to take over. Is anything amiss?"

Zale quickly brought up the security feeds from the safe house and frowned. "Analesse is in her room sleeping, and Mezluh's watching the HoloNet." He turned back to the image of Beshno. "And your boy is fine?" At Beshno's nod, he glanced back over to Moril. "Trace back the incoming message. I'm going to do a drive by on the safe house. Thank you for contacting us, Besh. We'll go ahead and look into the matter. Something isn't adding up."

"Yes, Mr. Tregat," Beshno replied. "Sorry, sir, I had no idea...."

"You had no way to know, Beshno," Zale said. "If you'd like, we'll keep you posted on the outcome."

"Of course, sir. I...I truly liked the woman. I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to her, and not because of me, too."

"Whatever happens, Beshno, I want you to make sure you keep one thing clear: nothing that has happened or will happen is your fault. I'll talk to you soon, Besh. For now, enjoy your time with your family."

There was a heavy sigh on the other end. "Yes, sir. Thank you." And he closed the connection.

Moril stepped out of the way as Zale made for the door. "I'll get you the information on your comlink as soon as I have it," he said. "And, I'll be having a talk with our security dispatcher. Mezluh's last three psych evals haven't been shining, but I'm sure that's no reason to worry now."

"No," Zale said, stopping in the doorway, "but someone calling in and having our security person swapped on a false excuse is a reason to worry. Let's just hope it's nothing, and we'll be laughing about it in the next couple hours. For now, I'm not taking any chances."

Moril nodded and moved toward his own desk as Zale disappeared into the lift heading for the garage.

---

"Slipping Through, Part 2"
By: Zale Tregat
Merrick Braston
Analesse D'vrishay
Mezluh [NPC+]
Moril Astren

Location: Antorial Safehouse
Date: Vadris 28, 4 ABY

***

"When did you become so shy, Ms. D'vrishay?"

His voice had struck her as familiar the moment he'd stepped into the safehouse, but it had been his eyes that confirmed it. Analesse sat quaking on the bed, knees drawn in tightly, as Mezluh, the man who had attacked her the previous night, stood outside her door.

He was not watching the holonet, as Zale's tampered surveillance monitors indicated; Mezluh was taunting and toying with Analesse as he had the other night, attempting to incapacitate his prey with fear before moving in for the kill. Analesse was holding fast to her dwindling calm, but with each moment that passed, trapped in a corner with no route of escape, her composure became all the more taxed. She'd refused to weep, knowing that would require her to give in to self-pity and desolation, but the longer Mezluh tormented her like a caged animal, the closer to despair she grew.

"Come now, Ms. D'vrishay," he whispered into the door, "I know you're there. Why don't you want to play? To finish what was so abruptly interrupted the other night?" His coarse, grating laughter was enough to start her cringing, but Analesse made not a whimper. She wasn't prepared to surrender to defeat just yet.

Careful that the bed didn't make a sound when it was shifted, Analesse climbed down and tread softly as she explored the room in search of a weapon, a hiding place, a secret escape route - anything to free her from her predicament.

As she did, Analesse fought to ignore Mezluh's jeering remarks and sordid threats, but one statement in particular stopped her in her tracks and stripped her of any lingering resolve. "Ms. D'vrishay...I have all the security codes to every room in this safehouse. Don't you think I can gain access to this room at any time?" Then, there was a series of rapid beeps as the door-lock was disengaged. It slid open for Mezluh, who stood grinning hungrily outside.

His frigid brown eyes sparkled with vulgar glee as they scanned the seemingly empty room. Analesse was nowhere in sight. "Oh, so you wanna play first, hm?" Mezluh laughed thickly, aroused by the hunt. His heavy-footed steps thumped against the floor as he entered the room to begin his search. "The boss said I could have you," he continued, first throwing back the curtains covering the windows, then moving on. "He said: 'The bitch deserves it for trying to fool me.' " Next, the bed mattress was tossed clear of its frame and crashed into the nighttable as it tumbled to the floor. Mezluh smirked with mild irritation as his attempt proved fruitless. He spun around and stalked next towards the closet.

"You didn't really expect us to believe that was you on the transport, did you!?" The closet was occupied by nothing but Analesse's packed suitcases. Mezluh kicked them aside in his growing rage before storming towards the refresher, the final probable location of his quarry.

His crotch was throbbing for Analesse now, aching to punish her for her impudence. Baring his teeth in a vicious smile, Mezluh punched the refresher's door release and growled, "Now I've got you, whore." He was rewarded with a solid blow to the forehead before the door had fully slid open. Staggering back, Mezluh's bleary-eyed gaze barely caught a glimpse of Analesse - face contorted in sheer determination, hatred and fear - winding back her arms and violently swinging them forward again with a scream.

Hurtling towards his face was a long, metal towel rod that had been removed from the refresher wall, and it was gripped fiercely in Analesse's hands. He bellowed in pain and rage as his cheek was struck, then his upper arm. Mezluh stumbled backwards, narrowly avoiding another severe blow to the face, but Analesse was undeterred and backhanded him on the rod's downward sweep. He clutched his side, where a well-aimed strike had connected with his ribs; he vowed that he would not suffer another hit.

Despite the blinding pain shooting out from every point of impact on his body, Mezluh roared primally, trapping the rod in his large hands before it could land another blow. Analesse's wide, stunned eyes reflected in their brown pools the feral, twisted smile Mezluh shot her. Before she could react, the rod was ripped from her hands and, before it had even hit the ground where Mezluh had thrown it aside, Analesse was slammed against the nearest wall towards which the momentum of Mezluh's close-fisted strike had sent her spinning.

Momentarily blacking out, Analesse crumpled to the ground, but Mezluh refused to let her off so easily. He shook her back into consciousness, where Analesse regained her ability to scream at the top of her lungs. His laughter nearly exceeded her shrill cries. "You can sleep," he spat, "after I've had my turn," and crushed Analesse between him and the wall as he pressed himself to her.

Arms pinned under his torso, Analesse could only resort to thrashing and pushing against him with her meagre weight, but her efforts were diminished by the throttling grip Mezluh had around her throat; it became a struggle just to breathe, let alone fight him off. A trickle of blood from the gash she had inflicted upon his forehead dribbled down his nose and his grin broadened, the scent of warm blood spurring him on.

"By the way," he rasped while working at the fastenings of his pants, "the boss said I could kill you when I was through - said you're too sneaky, more trouble than you're worth." With a grunt, he jerked his pants down and moved onto Analesse's clothing, where she struggled feebly again to impede his success. But he prevailed, and chuckled deeply when he endeavoured next to dispose of her undergarment. "Now," he husked in anticipation, "shall we begin?" And as dragged down her panties with a victorious groan, Analesse finally allowed her tears to flow.

***

The speeder was going well over the posted safe limit as Merrick Braston whipped it around a corner and down a long stretch. He'd decided shortly after starting out to not be upset with Zale. Zale was, after all, doing what he could to protect Analesse. But now she was trapped away in a hidden retreat with no one but the security people Zale assigned to watch her.

The speeder slowed in the parking area near the safe house, and Merrick leapt out. He raced down the street toward the half-lit building that was the Antorial safe house. He pounded up the steps to the door and stopped. He thought briefly of knocking, but a scream from within dashed all thoughts of cordiality from his mind. He tapped in the security code and the lock snapped free. The door banged open and Merrick raced in.

The sounds were muffled, but Merrick managed to find his way to the bedroom. The sight within at once filled him with dread and boiled his anger. He bolted into the room as the man finished tearing away Analesse's panties and prepared to impale her upon himself. Filled with his lusts, the man didn't even notice the sudden movement, but when Merrick caught the back of his jacket he found himself being flung backward.

As the man tumbled to the floor with his pants tangled around his ankles, Merrick spun smoothly and settled into a crouch. "Lessa? Can you hear me?"

Her eyes showed only confusion and little sign of recognition as, folded tightly in a ball upon the floor, she blinked up at Merrick. "Y-yes," she whispered shakily.

"Good," Merrick said, but his attention was now fully on the form on the floor trying to pull his pants back up. He strode forward, and reached down and hauled the thug up, shoving him toward the far wall as he did. "I'm not sure whether I should kill you, or send you to the prison where I'll make sure you're put in a cell with the biggest guy there and give him a million credits to bugger you every day for the rest of your life." He snapped a fist out, cracking across Mezluh's jaw, and slid forward to slam a knee into his crotch.

Mezluh hollered in agony and folded to the ground, nursing his throbbing organ. Even in his pain, he managed a tight-lipped smile of disdain for Merrick. "You think...you can touch me?" he forced out. "I know people. You can't...get rid of...me...for long." Then, he swung out his fist, aiming an uppercut for Merrick's chin.

Few knew how well Merrick had been taught to fight. Realistically, Zale Tregat was the only one who had an inkling of Merrick's skill. Mezluh was about to find out. With a shifting of his weight, Merrick avoided the attack and managed to clamp a hand onto the man's wrist. With a violent twist, Mezluh seemed to turn inside out until he was facing the wall. A full-bodied groan filled the room as Merrick slammed him against the wall, then swung him toward the door. "I can't wait to see what Zale will have to say to you," Merrick snarled as he pushed him through the open door, keeping hold of a pressure point to control the man. "Let's try some questions. Who are you working for?"

Mezluh laughed hoarsely, the effort of even breathing against the pain sending a dash of spittle from his lips. "It doesn't matter," he grunted. "He'll be through with all of you long before you even find him."

"Now that was a wrong answer, bub," Merrick said as he fired a jab into the man's abdomen, then slammed him again into the wall. "We don't like wrong answers. What we do like is finding out what sort of lowlife sent a punk like you to rough up a woman." Merrick lifted him up and slammed him back into the wall so he could look into the man's eyes. "Who hired you?"

His empty brown eyes stared unwaveringly at Merrick as he gave his answer in the form of bloodied saliva launched into Merrick's face. Mezluh chuckled deeply.

"Bad move, bub," Merrick said. The shift of his body was subtle but fluidly fast. In a heartbeat, a dull snap was heard from the man's wrist. As Mezluh bellowed a howl of pain, Merrick slammed his head back into the wall, sending the man's eyes rolling up into his head as he fell unconscious.

As Mezluh crumpled into a heap, Merrick turned and rushed to Analesse. He stopped short, coming upon her standing no more than ten feet from where Mezluh now rested. She had straightened out her clothing, and would have looked untouched otherwise had it not been for the split lower lip and drying tears staining her cheeks. Analesse turned her lethargic gaze from Mezluh, to Merrick who she executed a wan smile for. "Come to visit?" she joked weakly.

"With Zale stuffing you away in this secret hidey hole, I thought you might like a visit from a friendly face," he said. "I need to get that guy tied up and call Zale."

"I'll find you something," she murmured listlessly, and turned back into the bedroom to seek out anything she could fashion into bindings.

Merrick turned back to the unconscious thug still laying sprawled on the floor. He moved to stand over the man, wishing he could will the information from his disgusting mind. It took considerable effort to keep himself from kicking the man.

Returning shortly, Analesse presented Merrick with two long sashes, procured from the silk robes she had brought with her. "These should do. I-I don't mind if you wreck them."

"Thanks," Merrick said as he bent down to bind Mezluh. "I'll buy you another."

She shook her head quickly and wrapped her arms around herself as she took a step back. "I don't want you to do that. You don't owe me anything, Merrick. I mean that...about everything."

He finished tying off the sash around Mezluh's ankles and stood up. "Are you alright? We should get you looked at. I'm...I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner. I went to talk to Zale, about Kaysa, and he told me what happened. I came straight here. It's...it's over between me and Kaysa, Analesse. She and I...we've changed too much, we want different things, and...I do still care for her, and want to help her, but...but I don't want to be with her anymore, not like that."

"If that's what you've decided is best," she answered quietly, still not meeting his eyes, "then I'm...glad for you. You have many fans, I'm sure, who will be overjoyed that you're no longer attached romantically."

Merrick blinked. "Analesse, I'm not going to ask you what's wrong, because...I know you were just attacked and...were already attacked...so I know that things are a mess right now. One of the reasons why I can't be with Kaysa is because in the time I've been with you, I've realized some things about myself. I like who I am with you, Lessa. I like who we are together. We've been free, happy. I've been able to smile again...I've found my muse again."

She chuckled wryly and whispered, "And I've found nothing but misery. I was second in your life until Kaysa screwed up; you expect me to be flattered that you've finally settled for me because your wife isn't cutting it for you anymore?" Shaking her head in disbelief, Analesse shouted, "I stayed for you, Merrick! I risked my safety by staying on this damned planet because Zale convinced me - as foolish as I was - that you wanted me around. It's been nearly two days, Merrick, since I was attacked. If you cared as much as he suggests, then where the hells were you!"

"Staying away like you wanted me to," Merrick answered. "I thought you were going to be coming by the studio, but you never showed up. I found out from Zale later on that you showed up, but you ran off when Kaysa made a little demonstration for you. I was giving you space because that seemed to be what you wanted... And I've been thinking."

"I have too," she sighed. "And I'm still confused. I just...I can't involve myself with a married man, Merrick. I still have something of a good reputation on this planet - I don't want it besmirched entirely by being accused of luring you from your wife. And what's to say you won't just run back to her? Where will that leave me then? Ruined and alone?"

"I guess your opinion of me has fallen far in the last few days," Merrick said. "A fool I am for thinking that if I chose to leave Kaysa that we might have a future together. For whatever hurts I've caused you, Ms. D'vrishay, I offer my deepest apologies. Once Zale arrives, I'll go."

"You didn't leave your wife for me, Merrick," Analesse told him sadly. "I'm not the kind of woman men flock towards. I just don't want us both to make a mistake. Don't you know how much that could cost us both?"

"I'm unhappy with my life, miserable," Merrick said. "The time I've spent with you has been happier than any time in recent months. I care for you very much, Lessa. I'm leaving Kaysa, and that's that. She'll try to woo me back, but she's going to fail. That marriage doesn't hold what I'd once hoped it did. It's over. I had hoped that, free from her, there could be something between us. But, it doesn't appear you want that. In any case, I'm free from Kaysa."

Even with her throbbing, broken lip, Analesse gave Merrick a quivering, wistful smile. "Don't you understand? Someone doesn't want us together, and they were willing to kill us both to ensure we were kept apart. Doesn't that scare you, Merrick? Gods...it scares me still, and I don't want anything happening to you because we didn't listen to those threats seriously. As it is," she admitted, "I probably have to leave the planet. I'm too afraid to stay, knowing I'm alone most of the time, and a perfect target because of that. I-I..." Analesse closed her eyes, gathering nerve enough to whisper, "I care for you more than I should've allowed myself to, and I don't want to be apart from you, Merrick...but how can this possibly work without jeopardizing both our lives?'

"If you are going to leave the planet, then I'm going with you," Merrick said, a hint of a smile on his lips. "And, if you're staying, then I'll be with you the entire time. If someone tries to get to you, they'll have to go through me. Just like Lumpy there. I would rather die but be with you for the short time we may have than turn away and never know what we could have together, Lessa. And, I don't want to walk away from you, and let the bastards doing this win."

"Now you're sounding like Zale," she quipped, and a little of her sparkle returned as Analesse chuckled lightly. Then, her languid eyes studied Merrick from under their dark lashes, gauging his sincerity. With a smile as charming as his, Analesse didn't think he could be anything but genuine. Sighing deeply, Analesse nodded resolutely. "Okay...I promise not to go anywhere. And I think...we can give this a try - but slowly," she added quickly. "I've never really done this before, and I don't want to ruin it before it's even begun."

"That sounds like a perfect plan to me," Merrick said with a smile. "Zale should be here very soon. We'll either have to get a hotel, probably under a false name, or Zale will have to find us another safe house. While I don't want to run from them, I don't want to invite them through the front door either. Besides, I think a private sanctuary of some sort will be needed." He reached out and hesitantly took her hand. "Next time I go into the studio, you are coming with me. No meeting me there. We go together."

She took a deep, calming breath, and released it as a sigh of laughter. Still slightly dazed from what had transpired, it took Analesse some time to process what she and Merrick had just agreed to; and when she did, Analesse slid into his embrace, absolutely grateful for his anchoring presence, but more so relieved that she was able to hold him as his companion and not simply an acquaintance. She nestled her head upon his shoulder and closed her eyes in utter tranquility. "I'm glad you finally came," Analesse whispered. "You do owe me a song, after all."

"Yes, I do," he said just as softly, for only her. "I've known how I felt about you for awhile, or now that I look back I see it. The situation I was in, it...I knew I wasn't happy there, but I felt there was an obligation. I don't think so now. I care for her, for the woman she was, and I want to help. But, the marriage, the romance, all of that with Kaysa, it's done. Now that I know you're out there, right here, I know where I want to be." He gave her a gentle squeeze. "Right here."

"I'm so glad you came," she sighed. "I just wish you didn't have to see me like...that. I did try to fight him off, Merrick, I did.... It...it was just too hard and I'm so sorry...."

"Don't be sorry," Merrick said softly. "There's no need to be sorry. Besides, I really didn't have a chance to see much once I saw it was what was happening. All I could do was act, and I only wish I'd been here sooner. Still, I doubt he gave himself that gash, so I think you gave a fair accounting of yourself." He gave her a kiss on the forehead. "I'm just glad I got here when I did. If he'd--"

"Analesse!? Merrick!?"

Merrick stopped and turned back toward the sound of the voice coming from downstairs. "Up here, Zale," he called.

The sound of Zale's footsteps pounding up the stairs could be heard. When he reached the top of the stairs and spotted Mezluh sprawled against the wall, he stopped. His eyes seemed to spark with anger as he glared at the unconscious form. When he turned to face where Merrick and Analesse were still clinging to each other, the anger was still visible, but it looked like a good portion of it was directed inward.

"Analesse, I don't know how to express how bad I feel, how sorry I am, that this happened," Zale said. "I've had too much faith in my own people, in their loyalty to me and to Antorial. If you are willing to allow me to continue providing security for you until we find out who is behind this, I promise you that I will only have people near you who I can personally vouch for their loyalty without any question or doubt. Myself and Moril."

Merrick raised an eyebrow as he half-turned toward Zale but kept an arm around Analesse. "I think Saris might be able to help a little there too; she's picked up a lot, and she's loyal. And, there's me, and I don't plan to be apart from Analesse until this is over. And, if we need more than that, I'm sure that both Keeve and Kimara would be willing to pitch in to help as well."

Zale thought it over and nodded. He felt a little bad at not including Tel in his list, and he did feel he could trust the man with his life, but it was better to keep the list small for now. He turned his gaze back to Analesse. "If you are willing to allow me to provide for your safety, I'll have Merrick take you to another of our safe houses."

"No," she answered decisively, though from her smile it was apparent there was no ill-will against Zale for his failure. "No more safehouses. I'm not going to hide, Zale - I can't; I won't be silenced, or scared off the planet...not because of these people." Sliding an arm around Merrick's waist, Analesse added, "Besides...we have a club to start renovating, and I can't do that from a safehouse. Anyway, Merrick's pledged to protect me; I'm not worried."

"Well, I guess that settles that then," he said. "If you'd like to meet tomorrow, we can. Otherwise, unless the two of you need me for anything more, I'm going to take our traitor back and start questioning him." He gave them both a smile, then a quick wink to Merrick before moving to haul the still-unconscious Mezluh up to take him out to the speeder.

"Zale," Analesse called out gently, and when he looked back, she finished sincerely, "Thank you for everything. I'll definitely meet you tomorrow. We have much to discuss."

Zale gave her a smile and nodded. "I'm happy I was able to help," he said, allowing his gaze to briefly drop to where her arm disappeared around Merrick's back. He gave them another nod, and turned to head down to the speeder with Mezluh.

Analesse gazed up at Merrick and sighed in exhaustion and relief. "We should get going, too. I don't want to be here a moment longer than I have to be. I guess," she said slowly and watching him uncertainly, "we need to get me home. My apartment, then?"

"Your apartment," Merrick agreed. "My speeder's outside. Are you hungry? We can stop someplace to grab a bite to eat to take with us."

"Well, you're just falling right into the role of caring, thoughtful...." Hesitating, she chuckled and asked, "What...are you exactly?"

"A very close friend, for certain. Beyond that, I'm not sure if I know how to define it beyond someone who cares for you very much. I guess...I'm...well...what would you like for me to be?"

Turning to face him, Analesse slid her hand into his. "How about," she whispered, grinning, "you be my escort home for now, and we go from there?"

Merrick turned the phrase over in his head for a moment, a growing smile spreading over his face. Then finally, he nodded. "That's perfect," he said. "Come, my dear, your carriage awaits."

As they started for the bedroom to retrieve Analesse's bags, she mused, "You think you'll write a song about all this, Merrick?"

"Only with your permission," Merrick said. "I don't think it would be a very nice song." He smiled at her. "But it'd have a happy ending."

She laughed and nudged him playfully. "Just don't add that line to it. That's so horribly clichéd.... I think I should have creative license over this next album - imagine the difference."

"I think, reworked a little, it could be a wonderful line," Merrick said. "And, I'd definitely be very appreciative of your creative input on the album. You have a keen ear for music, and I think we could do very well writing together." He stopped and grinned at her before picking up her bags. "Now, let's get you home."

Covering his hand with hers as she wrapped it around the case's handle, Analesse whispered, "Let's." And despite the pain of her injuries, some of which was in the form of memories of her barely averted violation, Analesse was content with how it had all ended. She especially revelled in the prospect of a night alone with Merrick getting better acquainted, sharing laughter and, above all else, making music.

---

"Torturous Turnabout, Part 1"
By: Maeren Shivral
Kaysa Zenarr
Cadwin Tarell [NPC+]
Vrax Draydge [NPC+]
Tav [NPC+]

Location: Cadwin's Apartment - Yallder, New Plouton
Date: Vadris 28, 4 ABY

***

Shiv moaned as Tav pulled out of her, the action stimulating the rings adorning her privates to the point where it triggered an orgasm that surged through her entire body. She cried out in pure ecstasy, her body shuddering visibly. A moment later Tav released his load, spattering it over Shiv's upturned face, earning another cry of pleasure from her. From behind, the stranger whose name neither she nor Kaysa had really cared to find out when they'd picked him up out in the club pulled out and scrambled out from beneath her to add his seed to Tav's.

She collapsed back onto the bed with a heavy sigh and reached over to grab the spice cigarra from the side of the bed. She took a long drag from it and let out a long sigh of relief. Kaysa and Cadwin were together on the other side of the mattress, coupling just as frenetically as Shiv and her two had been.

The stranger pressed himself to Shiv's cheek.

"Just a moment, love," Shiv said. "I'm having a smoke. When I'm done, I'll happily suck you dry, or you can go get a good sucking from Kaysa."

"Uh, sure," he said. With that, he turned and moved over to where Kaysa and Cadwin were working their way toward a climax. "Hey, sweets, got a little for me?"

Kaysa laughed shrilly and breathlessly answered, "For that small...fella? Not worth...the effort." Clutching Cadwin to her with one hand, she used to the other to swat the young stranger's offering away.

He gave a yelp of pain and stepped back. "Only small because I just gave your friend a creamy treat. If you want one too..."

"You haven't got enough left for me," Kaysa groaned in ecstasy, and smiled at the man in challenge. "Unless you can prove me wrong..."

"Oh, I can prove you wrong," he said. "Now open up and get me going, sweets and I'll show you just how wrong you are."

Before she could entertain his offer, Kaysa reached her climax with a scream of delight, clinging fiercely to Cadwin. As he jerked against her one final time, Kaysa sighed in complete drowsy elation, and murmured to their catch of the evening - still standing with his organ unattended, "Sorry...none for you tonight, little boy."

"This is bulls--"

Cadwin looked at the kid and frowned. "Take a hike, junior," he said. "She doesn't want what you're offering. And, you'd be best to go before I get upset."

He started to argue, but the look in Cadwin's eye stayed his tongue. "Fine," he spat, then turned to Shiv. He tossed a card onto her bare belly. "You find yourself looking for a good time, call me. I'll even pay you if you want."

"Ooh," Shiv purred sarcastically, "you mean I can be a real whore? If I charged, you couldn't afford me. But maybe you'll get a call from me." As she waved him toward the door, she pulled Tav's head down between her legs and let him get to work.

"You want me to go get you some more spice," Cadwin asked Kaysa as he slid himself to her side and ran a hand along the length of her body.

"I want you," she answered firmly, "to cease bringing home pathetic losers, Cad. You got lucky with Tav, but the rest?" Kaysa sighed tediously.

"Shiv seemed to enjoy him," Cadwin answered.

Shiv rolled her eyes before she shuddered with a moan induced by Tav's ministrations. "He filled me up, and that was all, Cad," she said. "A dildo would have done the same, and wouldn't have kept yammering and telling me how good it was the entire time. You don't know how close I was to telling him 'No shit, buddy, I can feel your dick in my ass, you don't have to tell me how good you are or I am.' " She rolled her eyes again. "Oh gods, but Tav is a dream."

"And there isn't always enough of him to go around," Kaysa complained. "Don't you have anyone else for us, Cad?" Smiling alluringly, Kaysa stroked his groin as she pleaded sweetly, "Won't you find me someone, my love? Someone worthy?"

"I'll have to look," Cadwin said. "It won't be easy finding someone to please you. I'll probably have to have them tried out. You want to do the auditions, Shiv?"

Shiv grinned over at him. "You know I do," she said.

"Great," Cadwin said. "We can start tomorr--" Before he could finish, his comlink beeped. With a sigh, he reached over and picked it up, and set it to privacy mode. "Cadwin." There was a pause on the other side and Cadwin grinned. "Just having some fun with my wives, even though it isn't official with Shiv yet." He listened for several moments, his grin getting wider. "Oh, you better believe it. Hey...if you want a piece of something really special, why don't you come over. Kaysa was just asking for someone worthy, and I can't think of anyone more worthy than you." Cad laughed. "You will? Great. I'll see you soon then, buddy." After another moment, he laughed and clicked off the comlink. "Oh, my love, I think you will love this guy. I can't wait to watch him screw you until you're screaming."

Kaysa sat up, intrigued. "Who is he? And I had no idea you had any friends, Cad," she teased.

Cadwin laughed. "He's someone who regularly goes to this bar I go to," he said. "We've talked, and he seems like a great guy. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders, and talked me through some difficult times when you were spending more time on your other husbands."

"You always had us, Cadwin," Shiv said, flashing the ring he'd given her. "Though, no need to worry now that you have your harem of two. We should get our own place where we can entertain, don't you think? Oh gods...oh Tav, I love you. Don't you think that would be a great idea, Kaysa?"

She nodded slowly, clearly ruminating Cadwin's idea. "I'd like to meet this friend first. You think he'd be opposed to meeting us?"

"Certainly hope not," Cadwin said, "especially since I invited him over to specifically meet you in a very intimate way."

Chuckling, Kaysa slipped her arms around Cadwin's shoulders and hung lazily from him. "You told him about me before? And he was very interested?"

"Oh, he was very interested," Cadwin said. "He thought you were amazing, and said I was a lucky man. Now he gets to be a lucky man too."

"You cad," she admonished affectionately and bestowed upon her husband a tingling, fiery kiss in gratitude of his upcoming gift. In the background, Shiv was again crying out in rapture.

Cadwin could only grin to himself as he returned Kaysa's kiss with equal fervour. Things were definitely going right now, and Kaysa and Shiv were all his. Life was good.

***

As they lounged within, lazy but excited about the pending arrival of their new friend, Shiv took a drag from another spice cigarra and passed it to Tav. She wore not a stitch, as was common recently. Only when she went out in public did she put on clothes, and then those she wore were quite scandalous, mainly equadis.

A knock sounded at the door and she turned her glassy gaze to the door. A grin curled her lips as she lazily sat up in anticipation.

Cadwin grinned at Kaysa as he started toward the door. "Excited, my love? I think you'll love this guy. And I know he'll love you."

Kaysa, too, was roused with anticipation, and rose from the armchair she'd been lounging in while savouring a tumbler of brandy. Watching the door desirously, she took another sip and allowed one side of her robe to fall off her shoulder, baring her voluptuous and pale breast in offering to whoever Cadwin had secured for them.

Cadwin was almost giddy as he hurried to the door. With a flourish, he pulled the door open and reached out to shake the hand of the man on the other side. "Come on in, there's someone I want you to meet."

Kaysa's eyes fixed on the disembodied hand reaching through the doorway, on the stumps of two fingers that were no longer present. It was only Shiv's startled gasp that tore Kaysa's gaze from the ruined hand, to the figure to whom it belonged. Her world came to a jarring stop, and everything after happened in slow motion. The door slid closed behind Cadwin and his mystery friend, while Shiv staggered to her feet; then, his grinning eyes met Kaysa's, exuding vicious, primal lust, and her body grew numb. As her glass plummeted towards the ground, Kaysa was incapable of anything but to whisper, "Cadwin...what have you done?"

Beside him, Vrax Draydge smiled.

Cadwin's smile faltered as he looked between Kaysa and Vrax. "What's wrong, Kaysa? Are you alright?" His focus was caught on Kaysa's eyes, and didn't see where Tav had one hand across Shiv's abdomen while the other twisted one arm behind her, holding her body tight against his to minimize her struggles. All of the spice she'd smoked made her listless and clumsy, and the young man was having no problem keeping her under control. Tears slid down her cheeks, however, and the beginnings of a sob was ready to tear loose from her throat.

Vrax moved his tall, solid body past Cadwin in his slinking gait and approached Kaysa slowly. She remained frozen to her spot in the living area, trembling violently and gasping for air between her strangled sobs. "The name's Vrax Draydge," he drawled, his voice gritty and thickened by lust. Stopping before Kaysa, he noticed the blood quickly draining from her face and once blushing chest; his tongue passed over his smiling lips as one rough hand cupped her exposed breast. Kaysa cried out, his touch snapping her back into reality, and as she staggered away, he gripped the soft, yielding flesh painfully and jerked her back towards him. She screamed in terror and thrashed about in his binding embrace. "Miss me, my love?" Vrax whispered.

"Hey!" Cadwin snarled. "This isn't funny. What the hell are you doing? This isn't...who the hell are you? Kaysa? Kaysa, what's wrong? What the hell is going on?"

"Don't worry, Pal," Vrax assured him. "Kaysa here and I are" --he smoothed his hand across the tops of her breasts-- "old friends."

Kaysa wept convulsively and shook her head in wild disbelief. "No...no you're dead! You're supposed to be!"

"Stop that!" Cadwin shouted. "She's my wife. Who the hell are you? She doesn't want you, this. Oh gods, Kaysa, I'm so sorry, I didn't know. I didn't know! Leave her alone, you bastard!"

And before Cadwin could reach them, a shrill cry ripped from Kaysa's throat, just as a blaster bolt sang towards Cadwin's chest from Vrax's concealed weapon. Vrax grinned maliciously as he watched Cadwin thrown back against the door then topple forward onto the ground. Kaysa continued to scream and fought to extricate her arm from Vrax's tenacious hold, but as he slid the weapon into the holster hidden beneath his jacket and turned to her once again, she stiffened in horror and stared at him through bleary eyes. "Now that he's finally shut up..." He nodded to his compatriot, still restraining Shiv. "Shall we begin?"

Tav reached around and slid his fingers between Shiv's legs then sucked them dry with a grin. Both of Shiv's arms were twisted around behind her back and caught between her body and his so he held her easily with the one arm under her breasts. "I'm ready, boss," he said.

Vrax chuckled darkly and spun Kaysa around until her back was against his torso, and his arm curled around her neck. "Then we'll be in the bedroom," he breathed against her ear. With his other arm about her midsection, he lifted the flailing Kaysa's feet clear off the ground and carried her towards the bedroom. "Tell me when you're done with the blonde bitch," he called back. "I have a special treat especially for her...."

"I've already had her a couple times tonight, so one more time and she's yours. I'll even clean her up after I give her my gift." He shifted his weight and as he did, Shiv let out a shuddering gasp in between her sobs. "Easy entry," Tav said with a chuckle for Vrax. "She's crying now, but I'll have her making pleasure sounds soon enough. Little bitch is constantly in heat, boss. I love it."

"I only hope dear Kaysa is as submissive," he quipped, to which Kaysa responded with an angry curse. Vrax grinned. "Don't tell me you're afraid of me, Kaysa." Brushing his lips against her cheek, Vrax clucked his tongue disapprovingly as she twisted her head away from his kiss. She kicked and tensed her body in futile attempts to break his hold. He only admonished her further. "Why do you have to be so feisty all the time?" he teased.

"I hate you!" she shrieked in answer, but this only drew fond laughter from Vrax.

"Come now...remember all the good times we had?" He deposited Kaysa unceremoniously onto the bed. She hastily scrambled towards the opposite side on hands and knees, but catching her loose hair between his fingers, Vrax dragged her back. With a wordless scream, Kaysa voiced her response to the question he'd previously posed. He moaned happily. "I'm glad you agree. I can make you scream again, Kaysa" --he threw her prostrate onto the mattress and quickly straddled her before she could rise-- "like old times, like the last..."

Pinning her arms above her head, Vrax peeled back her robe gingerly and savoured the sight of inch after inch of creamy pale flesh being exposed. Kaysa fought harder to free her arms and throw him off, but, amused, Vrax finally tore her garment fully clear with a sharp tug. The cool air striking her naked back and rear sent Kaysa into a panic; shrieking and writhing, she only succeeded in exciting Vrax. His engorged organ pressed into her backside from beneath his pants as Vrax lay atop her. Kaysa wept vocally, and louder when he attempted to kiss her tears away.

"We've done this before, Kayse," he murmured. "Why put up such a fight now?"

"If it's revenge you want," she husked, "then just kill me, Vrax. Why can't you realize? I won't love you!"

"You will," he assured her, and stroked her hair soothingly. "I've watched over you for so long, protected you.... That's more than your husbands can claim." His hand pulled away from her head, and moments later Kaysa heard a zipper being released. She sobbed bitterly. "Right now, Zale has all his time and resources devoted to protecting Merrick's mistress. And Merrick?" He chuckled deeply and smoothed his hand over her rear. "Well...I don't pretend to know what goes on in Ms. D'vrishay's apartment, but whatever it is, I doubt Mr. Braston will be leaving anytime soon."

"You're a liar," she whimpered. "He...he promised they weren't doing anything."

Vrax sighed sadly. "If that were true...he'd be here right now, wouldn't he?"

Kaysa was too stunned by Vrax's information to do more than gasp as his organ rubbed against her opening, and as Shiv's shrill moans intensified outside. Merrick had deceived her, had been carrying on with Analesse despite his promise of otherwise. Her efforts had been wasted; her musician was no longer her own.

"That's it, my love," she barely heard Vrax mutter in all her anguish. "Don't struggle...that's it."

She hadn't done anything wrong, or at least anything that she hadn't tried to control. Yet, Merrick and Zale were gone, had abandoned her without offering a chance. Her pain was real - why couldn't they understand? Even as Vrax's fetid breath fell heavily against her cheek with every grunt, and his sweat splattering upon Kaysa's back with each thrust, her mind focused only on her husbands - the men she had bound herself to - having deserted her and their love. Why couldn't they have sought to gain insight into her very tangible sadness and pain? Wasn't it their duty as husbands to try?

Disillusioned and overcome with grief, Kaysa sobbed not over her violation, but for what she had lost. Vrax could ravage her body all he desired, but Kaysa knew he could not touch her soul - it had already been utterly torn apart.

---

"Torturous Turnabout, Part 2"
By: Maeren Shivral
Kaysa Zenarr
Cadwin Tarell [NPC+]
Vrax Draydge [NPC+]
Tav [NPC+]

Location: Cadwin's Apartment - Yallder, New Plouton
Date: Vadris 28, 4 ABY

***

Tav poked his head into the bedroom. "Hey, boss," he said. "The blonde's all ready for you. She's such a slut, it's unbelievable. You get her going, and it doesn't matter if she doesn't want it, she takes it. She'll even suck you off without a nip or scratch."

"Big difference from the last time," Vrax noted approvingly. "I'll be out in a minute. Make sure she stays ready."

"Oh, I'll keep her nice and wet for you," Tav said and disappeared to get Shiv all ready for Vrax.

He rolled over again and curled up against Kaysa's back. She twitched but didn't pull away. "Keep warm," he whispered and kissed her shoulder. Even then, she remained too catatonic to do more than blink slowly. Vrax grinned and made certain to pull the bedsheets over her naked form before slipping out of bed. "I'll be back soon...unless you'd like to watch me punish your blonde witch." And chuckling with sinister anticipation, Vrax strode unclothed out into the living area.

In one corner, Cadwin was seated in a chair, to which his arms and legs were bound. His chin rested on his chest, but every once in a while, a groan escaped to indicate his growing consciousness. On the other side lay Shiv, sprawled across the sofa and being manually stimulated by Tav to keep her awake. "Perfect," Vrax rumbled, and approached.

"She's kind of looped from the spice," Tav said when he noticed Vrax was in the room, "but she seems aware enough." He stepped back and grinned with a hungry gleam in his eye.

"Good...good..." Vrax murmured as he leaned over Shiv's face. Her vacuous gaze shifted towards his face, with no sign of recognition. "Don't doze off yet," he told her, "the fun's not over." With his rough-skinned, mutilated hand, Vrax delivered a stinging blow to Shiv's cheek, leaving behind a reddening imprint.

The blow seemed to snap some life into her, and she let out a cry. Recognition came slowly, and she shrank back into the couch away from him. "Oh gods," she rasped.

"Ah, then you do know who I am." Vrax loomed closer, his face hovering just above Shiv's, and raised his hand into view. "Remember this?" His turned it over to display either side and waggled his stumps and fingers for emphasis. "Thought I'd forget all about this, did you?"

"You were hurting Kaysa," Shiv managed. "You were hurting Kaysa, and you had to be stopped."

Vrax tsked admonishingly. "Is that what she told you? That I was hurting her? Oh, that's not what she was telling me just now as I took her from behind." Chuckling lowly, Vrax told her, "You shouldn't have interfered last time...and I can't have you doing the same this time. So...I do think a lesson is in order." He straightened up and looked over his shoulder at Tav. "Get me my kit. It's in my jacket."

A moment later, Tav dropped the kit into Vrax's open hand. He stepped back, pulling on the rest of his clothes as he did so. Vrax set the kit down upon the coffee table, and watched Shiv askance as he blindly began opening it. "Tav, when you're done there, you'd better come here and hold her down." His smile was vicious as he turned it upon Shiv. "It's time to settle things, blondie."

"Sure thing, boss," Tav said as he pulled his shirt over his head.

On the sofa, Shiv was beginning to get frantic. Her eyes blazed with panicked fright. "Please," she rasped. "Please, don't hurt me. I'll do anything you want, anything at all. Just please don't hurt me. Don't hurt me, I'll do whatever you want. Anything. Just, please...please don't hurt me..." Tears rolled down her cheeks and over her breasts before they dropped off and into the couch. "Please...anything, I swear. Just don't...don't hurt me."

"And what would you do for me?" Vrax asked in a patronizing sing-song. He opened one flap of the kit, then the other to reveal a row of various metallic instruments, all with sharp points of some kind. "Will you give me my fingers back, Blondie? Or my lost time with Kaysa?"

"I can't do that," Shiv sobbed. "You know I can't. But anything I can do, I will. Please, just don't hurt me. I'll be your whore. I'll whore for you. Anything. Just...just don't hurt me...don't...don't cut me...please."

Vrax grinned as he brushed his remaining fingers across the selection of tools laid before him. His deranged mind settled on a jagged-edged razor with a blade the length of his middle-finger. He bent over Shiv, displaying the tool, and whispered, "Anything, hm?" Cold, gray eyes motioned suggestively towards his shaft. "Go on...take it, and maybe I'll lose the taste for blood."

Eagerly, Shiv took him all the way into her mouth, working at him as skillfully and pleasurably as she could. Her life was hanging in the balance, or if not her life, her body scarred beyond recognition as payment for what she had done to Vrax in rescuing Kaysa. She was good, and her need to please him was driven by her desperation to remain whole and uncut.

Vrax's crazed, fiendish expression remained unchanged and unaffected by whatever arousal Shiv could manage to inspire in him. Gripping her hair, and ensuring her head could not pull away, he nodded to Tav, who proceeded forward to restrain her. "Keep going, Blondie," he urged. "Just keep going..."

Shiv let out a whimper as Tav's weight suddenly pressed down on her, effectively pinning her to the couch. But, despite the rough treatment, she did not try to pull away. She had to prove to Vrax that she was worth his time and indulgence. She had to show him that she was worth more to him unmarred. She had to.

Above her, murmured conversation passed between Vrax and Tav, made incoherent by the pounding of her heart in both ears. The blade in Vrax's hand disappeared behind his thigh, and that was the last Shiv saw before his free hand was slipped over her eyes. "Almost there," Vrax told her thickly. The rings pierced through her nipples were toyed with in turn, gently and with little force. Then, Shiv's world exploded into nothing but blinding white light as pain ripped through her body. Vrax, suspecting he might gain another severed appendage if it remained within Shiv's mouth, pulled away quickly. He was laughing.

A scream filled the room and Shiv's body bucked against the pain that crashed over her. Blood was everywhere and she could barely think straight. Her foot narrowly missed caving in Tav's crotch and instead slammed his thigh so hard he lost his footing and came down right on top of her. When he finally pulled back away, he was a bloody mess. Mixed within Shiv's screams was profanity that would have made the seediest spacer blush.

And through it all, Vrax laughed lowly and with satisfaction, while he tossed the violently procured rings into the air, only to catch them in his open hand. Still attached to the hoops were torn chunks of flesh that had come away with the rings. One Shiv's breasts open seeping wounds remained where most of Shiv's nipples remained, now each split in two. As she continued to scream, Vrax purred, "Now, we're really getting things going."

"Oh gods," Shiv wailed. "Please no...not...not more...please leave me alone..."

Tav made a disgruntled noise, but didn't shift from holding Shiv in place.

"Come now, Shiv," Vrax chided, again leaning over her and casting his shadow across her blood-spattered chest. "You didn't stop, now did you?" The still-gleaming blade appeared again and lowered to her cheek, where Vrax pressed it into the soft, delicate flesh. "Want another, Blondie?"

"No, please," Shiv begged. "Please don't hurt me. Please...I'll do anything...just don't hut me more...I'll do whatever you want. Please...please don't hurt me."

The more she pleaded, the more pressure Vrax applied. Biting into her flesh, the blade released a droplet of blood that rolled down her cheek and mingled with Shiv's tears. "I think," he mused, "you'll look much better with a little decoration...."

"Please no," Shiv said, her eyes clear and filled with panic. Any effects of the drugs she'd consumed were gone with the first spike of pain. "Please, Vrax, please don't hurt me more. I'll do anything...please...don't hurt me."

"Vrax!" The stern, loud cry turned Vrax around towards Kaysa, standing pale and dishevelled in the living room's entryway.

He smiled innocently. "Yes, my love? What is it?" His eyes roamed over her body hungrily. "Ready for another go?"

She caught her breath barely and whispered in horror, "What are you doing? Leave her!" Kaysa rushed forward, hoping to come to Shiv's aid, but Vrax was there in an instant to trap her in an unwelcome embrace. Her eyes seethed with hatred. "You hurt her, you'll never have me. Understand?!"

"Oh, Kaysa," Vrax crooned sympathetically, "I'm making the demands here, remember?" Even as she twisted away, Vrax planted a kiss on her forehead. He then sharply tugged her back into his arms, and no longer was he wearing a self-satisfied grin. "I'm in control here, Kaysa," he rasped. "Don't cross me. As much as I love you, I will hurt you to get what I need."

"Then kill me and be done with it," she spat. "I'm not giving you anything, Vrax."

Snickering in mad delight, Vrax dipped his hand between her legs and retorted suggestively, "But you already have, my love. And you will again soon."

"Kaysa," Shiv sobbed. "Oh gods, I'm sorry...I'm...please, Vrax...please...do what you need to to me, but don't hurt Kaysa. Please don't hurt her..."

"Shiv, be quiet!" Kaysa told her tearfully. She kept her eyes on Shiv, fearing to look down again at the mess upon her chest. "Let me handle this. Let me...let me suffer for us both, okay?"

Shiv tried to hold back a sob. "Too late," she managed to croak. "It's too late, Kaysa. He got me, and it hurts so fucking bad. I'll...it'll be me...I'll suffer, and...and maybe he'll treat you alright. You...you stay safe because I'm already fucked up. Okay? You stay safe because he's already hurt me...okay?"

"Shut up!" Kaysa shrieked, reaching past Vrax towards her lover. Her body shook in her uncontrollable weeping. "Shiv, we'll fix it. We'll fix everything. Don't give up!"

"That's enough now," Vrax told her almost gently and began pushing her towards the bedroom.

"Promise me, Shiv!" she cried out desperately.

"Look what he did to me, Kaysa? And he won't stop, no matter what he says. No matter what he says to you, he won't stop hurting me. You can't stop it! I can't promise because he won't stop, not for anything."

Sobbing miserably, Kaysa shook her head in denial while still trying to squeeze free of Vrax's hold. "Just hold on," she whispered hoarsely. "I love you, Shiv...just don't leave me...." And with a sorrowful smile for her lover, Kaysa was finally carried into the bedroom. The door sealed behind them.

Shiv squeezed her eyes closed. "I'll try, Kaysa," she whispered. "I'll try...I will."

"Vrax, leave her alone," Kaysa warned once they were in the room, and Vrax had already begun to guide her back to the bed.

"She deserves to suffer for what she did to us," he explained between kisses planted upon her throat, and shoulders, and chest. She remained unreceptive to them all. "Don't ruin my fun, Kaysa. I've been waiting a long time for this."

"And if you continue to hurt her," Kaysa reminded, "I'll never forgive you."

As he laid her upon the mattress, Vrax's disconcerting stare fixed on Kaysa's eyes, and he whispered, "And you'll never love me, either, but if I kill the blonde bitch, there might be a little room for me in your heart."

"No," Kaysa answered tearfully. "There will never be, and most definitely not if you hurt Shiv again."

Vrax studied her incredulously, and with a touch of visible panic. "You know we're meant to be together, don't you?" he reminded her. "You would let her get between us?"

"You are if you continue to harm her," Kaysa replied viciously. His jaw clenched and his hands tightened around her arms, but as Kaysa's fingers brushed lightly over his cheek, all sign of tension vanished from him and Vrax turned his lips into her palm for a desperate kiss. "Just promise not to hurt her," Kaysa whispered. She swallowed hard to suppress her revulsion.

"I promise I'll try," Vrax answered hastily, moving his kisses to her inner arm, "if you promise to love me."

Feeling the bile rise into her throat, and a sob giving chase to it, Kaysa could only nod in mute accord. With a guttural moan of triumph and arousal, Vrax unceremoniously began pumping himself into Kaysa; she closed her eyes tightly and turned her cheek to avoid the stench of his strained breath falling against her face.

Biting down on her bottom lip was all she could do to keep from screaming, but for Shiv she would endure anything, and if being ravaged and defiled by Vrax was the cost, Kaysa would pay it. If this was her penance for driving away all who had ever cared for her - an eternity subjected to Vrax's twisted idea of love and affection - Kaysa bitterly suspected that the gods now punishing her certainly held a flair for cruel irony.

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