Disclaimer: This is a non-profit work of fiction. All characters and places belong to those who created, and produced Swamp Thing. This is one of the last stories Jacqui and I worked on together. In honour of what a wonderful friend and writer she was I tried my best to finish the story. We didn't really plan the end, but I hope Jacqui you approve ... I tried to stay true to our ideas. Feedback would be greatly appreciated, who knows, perhaps all the incentive I need to finish the sequel is knowing at least one person wants to find out what happens.
The Way It Burns - Chapter 1: Kidnapped
A telephone rang in a darkened room. The figure seated at a desk reached forward, controlling any hint of eagerness he spoke calmly. "You have him?" He asked.
"We're just following him now." The voice on the other end spoke a thickly accented English.
"I don't want progress reports, Hugo." The shadowy figure let anger into his voice, "just tell me when you have results."
"I was just checking what you wanted to do with the senator, Sir. I have a man watching him now but..."
"Did he play his role?"
"He was ... satisfactory, but he's very nervous now."
"Then kill him." The response came without hesitation. "And don't call me again until you have the Doctor. That is all that interests me." He slammed down the receiver and leant back in his chair, away from even the faint light let in by the heavy curtains. Even in the gloom there was something odd about his still form, something gnarled and misshapen.
The journey back was a long one, and promised to be tiring, especially as it would soon be dark. Graham glanced at Dr Arcane in the passenger seat and restrained an impulse to sigh. He had been hoping that the Doctor would share the driving on the way home, when he was in a good mood he liked to drive, especially on the open road.
Unfortunately he wasn't in a good mood. Anton Arcane slumped in his seat, glaring at the road ahead and occasionally favouring Graham with a less than friendly glance. *Now what could possibly be MY fault?* Graham thought, all too well aware that if the Doctor wanted to take his temper out on the only available target then he would make no effort at fairness. He took another sideways glance at his employer and knew he should keep silent, he just couldn't bear the strain of waiting.
"Er, didn't go so well with the senator then Sir?"
"What extraordinary perspicacity Graham, however did you arrive at that conclusion?" He snarled, "Man's a bloody fool, wasted three days of my precious time on vague hints and promises, and then rushed me out of his ghastly *weekend retreat* as if the hounds of hell were at his back." Arcane folded his arms disgruntledly, "No doubt YOU enjoyed yourself Graham, frolicking about in the forest at my expense, having a little holiday."
Graham knew better than to engage in that discussion. He tried peering intently through the windscreen as if the vast expanse of empty road suddenly needed his full attention.
"Of course I blame you for this fiasco, Graham."
*Of course you do.* "Me Sir?"
"You did the background checks, man, and spent long enough on it. Couldn't you have picked up that he was a time wasting moron?"
*Obviously my fault then, how could I have missed a thing like that.* Graham was stung by the injustice but he wasn't surprised, he was used to it. If Dr Arcane wanted a reason to complain he would find one, however irrational.
"He did seem to have a lot to offer Sir," Graham protested mildly, "a key figure in weapons' appropriations for the military, and he seemed eager to do business with you."
"Eager to keep me in that ridiculous affectation of a log cabin and regale me with endless stories of his pioneer ancestors, dammit the man's wealthy enough to be able to entertain his guests properly. I shouldn't be surprised if he's senile."
Graham had rather enjoyed the tranquillity of the woods, he had even enjoyed seeing less than usual of Dr Arcane. He wouldn't want to make a habit of it but he had to admit it did make a peaceful interlude. Still it seemed that the Doctor was back on form, whining and resentful because he hadn't had the weekend of partying he'd been expecting. Graham felt it wise not to get into a discussion about it but he did think it odd that after all the Senator's eagerness for a meeting he seemed to make so little effort.
Graham tightened his grasp on the wheel, was it paranoia to start wondering if there wasn't some hidden motive here, maybe to do with getting Dr Arcane out of Houma? He considered raising the matter with his employer but a quick glance showed him that he had twisted in his seat to gaze morosely out of the side window. Better to have a silently sulking Arcane than to encourage him in any speculations that would inevitably come round to the personal and professional inadequacies of a certain lab assistant.
They drove on in silence for at least another hour, the Doctor seemed to be asleep and Graham was finding the monotony of the drive soporific especially as it was now fully dark.
The dense cover of the trees gave way to flat farmland on either side with nothing to break up the view. Graham was just wondering whether to risk putting on the radio to keep himself awake when the big grey shape of van hurtled out from the grassland directly ahead of him. He slammed on the brakes and sent the humvee into a spin, stopping just centimetres from the van.
Arcane jolted awake with a shout of rage as he was thrown forward in his seat belt. "Graham, you moron..."
Graham had already looked in his rear view mirror and had his worst fears confirmed. "Sir, ambush," he managed to stammer out.
Arcane reacted immediately, fumbling in the glove compartment for his gun, but it was too late. It took only an instant for someone to smash his side window and Arcane found he had a pistol pressed to his head. Slowly, carefully he raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.
Arcane was dragged out of the car and ordered to stand with his hands on the roof while a big, silent man frisked him for weapons. He could see that Graham was being similarly treated on his side of the car. This was a well organised attack, two cars and at least four well armed men, hardly just a robbery. Arcane had a feeling that, yet again, he was somebody's target. It was not a good feeling.
One of the men holding Graham spoke to Arcane's captor, "What should I do with the driver, Sir?" He asked, with a menacing wave of his gun.
Arcane felt a sudden sharper edge to the fear that had so far only been for himself. He began to protest but was silenced by the increased pressure of a gun to his head. The hitherto silent leader spoke in a faintly Germanic accent, "We take him, he is the good doctor's assistant, he might be useful."
By the light of the assembled headlights Arcane and Graham exchanged glances of mingled relief that no one was to die yet with abject fear over what *was* planned for them.
A man who had been back to the van returned with what looked like a medicine bag. Arcane watched as he prepared two syringes. He could see no point in struggling so he just let himself go limp and submitted to the injection. Arcane could see that Graham was trying to resist and he tried to warn him not to, but there was no need. The brief rebellion was easily quelled.
"Gentlemen, no need for any unpleasantness. You have a long flight ahead of you and it will simply be a lot easier all round if you sleep through it"
The drug took quick effect, Arcane and Graham collapsed to the ground without further incident. Gesturing for the two unconscious men to be loaded in the truck, the man in charge hurriedly moved their captives vehicle into nearby bushes, where it became almost invisible from the road. Making one last check, to ensure that nothing was left to incriminate himself and his team he climbed aboard the lead truck. The two vehicles pulled away, making quick time down the highway and towards a large field that could just barely be seen through the wind shield.
Reaching the field, the strike team found their plane already waiting for them, its engines rumbling in the quiet air. Carrying the two men with them, they boarded the plane.
"Strap them down, ensure they won't be able to move if the drug wears off!" With another brief order the leader dispatched two men to drive the two incriminating trucks to another location. Assuming the local authorities even noticed the absence of Dr. Arcane and his assistant, there would be nothing to link their disappearance to his employer. Relaxing back in his seat, he settled in for the long flight home.
Stirring uneasily, Arcane forced his eyes open. Staring in confusion at the white ceiling above him, it took several moments before he remembered what had happened. Sitting quickly, Arcane winced at the dull pounding in his head, an after effect he attributed to the drug that had been administered. Looking around he was amazed by the surroundings, the plush red carpeting, rich wood panelling and rather ornate furnishings. Including the huge four poster bed he found himself sitting on.
Before Arcane had time to fully access the strange situation he was in, the room's door opened and in walked the very man that had kidnapped himself and Graham. *Graham!*
Turning his head he spied his assistant laying on the bed as well, still unconscious. More relieved than he cared to admit at finding Graham still alive and with him, Arcane turned his attention back to their kidnapper. Narrowing his eyes, he glared, "Why have you brought us here? How dare you kidnap me!? Do you know who I am?' I .."
"Yes, Dr. Arcane, I am fully aware of your identity." The man interrupted, sketching a short bow, "My name is Hugo. My employer wishes to met with you right away."
"Frankly, I am not interesting in what 'your employer' wants!" Standing, Arcane put on his best threatening expression, ignoring the fact he wasn't exactly in the best of bargaining positions. "I demand that my assistant and I be returned to Houma immediately!"
"Frankly, Sir," Hugo's voice, faintly twinged with a German accent, did not raise in the slightest. "It does not matter what you want. Please come quietly, or I will be forced to make you." With a simple gesture Hugo indicated the weapon he was carrying in a side holster.
"Very well," Arcane swallowed, *best not to push the issue until I find out what this is all about.* He waved a hand in Graham's direction. "As you can see my assistant here is still unconscious..."
"His presence will not be needed. I will send a Doctor to check on him," Hugo held up a hand, "And now, if you please Dr. Arcane, follow me." Turning his back he made his way out the door, not looking back to see if the Doctor was following.
With a last glance at Graham, and no choice Arcane sighed and left to follow his so-called kidnapper. Through hallways with hardwood floors and the same red carpeting he followed along, trying to keep track of which direction they were travelling. A task that proved difficult as there seemed to be no pattern or end to the doorways and branches they passed.
Finally the seemingly unending journey came to a stop before a set of closed doors. "This way Dr. Arcane," Hugo pushed the doors open motioning for Arcane to proceed him. Throwing a glare at the man Arcane strode into the room ready to demand answers to his questions. The sight that met his eyes momentarily halted his words.
The first thing he noticed was the overdone gaudiness of the room, the furnishings were so rich in detail and type they fairly screamed vulgarity. The second and third things he noticed were the two people inside the room. The woman was tall, svelte and blonde, just the sort of woman he had been expecting to make the acquaintance of at the Senator's pathetic excuse for a weekend getaway. The second person, presumably his kidnapper's employer was what caused his momentary speechlessness. The man was hunched forward in a leather backed chair, and clutching what appeared to be a ivory cane. Even though the man was half in a shadow Arcane could tell that something was not right, for one the hand that held the cane had the appearance more claw then a hand, with the fingers seemingly fused together. From the way the man was sitting Arcane could tell something was also wrong with his spine.
"Ah, Dr. Arcane," the man's voice also indicated some sickness, being rather weak and raspy, "So good of you to join us."
"I don't recall having any particular choice in the matter," Arcane glared, voice gaining a dangerous edge. "I don't know who you think you are, but I demand that my assistant and I be released and returned this very minute."
"My name is Sir James Willoughby-Smythe Dr. Arcane and this is my wife Lissa," The blonde woman smiled warmly, stepping forward to shake Arcane's hand.
"A pleasure to meet you," Holding his hand a little longer than necessary, Arcane was conscious of his response to her enticing closeness.
"Lissa!" James voice drew a small frown on his wife's features, "Get our guest a glass of brandy." She made sure to give Arcane's hand one more squeeze before letting go. "I must apologise for my rather unconventional way of securing your presence here Doctor. However I find myself in urgent need of your expertise." He gestured to his own body, "As you can see I'm quite sick."
"I don't bloody care if you're sick or not!" Arcane absently accepted the glass of brandy Lissa handed to him. "I am a scientist, I don't practice in the medical field. Both facts which are besides the point as my services are not for hire. I don't appreciate being drugged and dragged away from my work and home to god knows where! I demand to be returned!"
"I do not require a medical Doctor, frankly, the so called experts in the medical field could do nothing for me. No, Dr. Arcane, it is your genius that I require." James held up a hand to hold off Arcane from speaking. "Please, Doctor, just hear me out."
"You have exactly five minutes." Arcane glowered, becoming more confident in the situation as the conversation progressed and no violence appeared to be forthcoming.
"I am suffering from a genetic condition, something I understand to be a speciality of yours. This condition has the consequence of causing unnatural cell growth in my bones. No one else has been able to come close to finding a cure, but I believe that you Dr. Arcane possess the genius to be able to help me. I will of course pay you handsomely, and you will have all the lab equipment you could possibly need."
"I certainly sympathize with your dilemma, Sir James, but as I said my services are not for hire." Arcane made of show of trying to look appropriately contrite. "I have important experiments of my own I can't leave unsupervised. I must ask you return my assistant and I immediately." Considering the way he was approached Arcane thought it wise to throw out a small bone. "I, of course, would be willing to take a look at several tissue samples back in my lab."
"I'm afraid you misunderstand me Doctor." James waved a hand towards Hugo, who had remained silent and motionless throughout the entire conversation and who now slid his weapon out of the holster. "I don't believe I offered you the choice of refusing."
"Now see here ..."
"No Doctor, you see here!" Making a sudden effort to stand, James heaved himself upright, shaking unsteadily. "I am dying! You are my last hope, and you will succeed! Or you and your assistant won't live long enough to ever see your home again." Breathing heavily he sat back down. "Hugo, take the good Doctor back to his room. We will talk again later Dr. Arcane."
"Listen you conniving old .." Growling dangerously he stepped forward, stopped when Hugo placed a strong arm on his shoulder.
"You had better come quietly Doctor." Hugo warned, tapping him gently at the base of the skull with the gun. "Or things will get ugly."
Stamping down on his anger, Arcane allowed himself to be pulled from the room, and led back to where he had first woken up.
Hugo opened the door to the opulent bed chamber and pushed Arcane forward. "We don't have time to waste, Doctor. You can have half an hour to compose yourself and then I'll be back to show you to your lab."
As soon as Arcane re-entered the bedroom Graham got up from the bed and rushed to him, just stopping short of embracing his employer. His relief was so obvious that the Doctor had to repress a smile, Graham's steadfast loyalty could be rather touching. Suddenly aware of his persistent headache, Arcane sat on the bed and held up a hand to halt Graham's flood of questions.
He gave a succinct account of his encounter, aware that he really had very little information.
Graham sat down next to him and was quiet for a moment, taking in what he'd been told. It didn't sound good. "Sir, do you have any idea where we are?"
"I doubt we are still in the United States Graham, we were brought here by 'plane and this place..." he looked around the bedroom, "It's old, it may have suffered at the hands of an interior designer but it has a basic quality, an ancient feel to it. I think we're in Europe."
"That Neanderthal who kidnapped us sounded sort of German I thought," Graham offered.
"Hmm, doesn't necessarily mean anything, our host affects some version of an English accent and a British title - none of which struck me as very convincing. I do wonder if we are somewhere in the East?" He registered Graham's bewildered look, "Eastern Europe, do keep up," He snapped. "and that would be worrying, remote, hard to get help."
Arcane had barely been able to finish briefing Graham when there was a knock at the door. That was a surprise, Hugo hadn't seemed the type to observe the civilities. The Doctor motioned for Graham to stay where he was and went to the door himself. He was pleasantly surprised to find his host's wife standing in the entrance.
Lady Willoughby-Smythe, " he smiled charmingly, "an unexpected pleasure."
"I thought it might be more fitting if I showed you around, Doctor. Hugo is a loyal retainer and devoted to my husband but he is hardly stimulating company."
This was his first opportunity to take a proper look at her and Arcane liked what he saw. A tall, slender blonde with a curvaceous shape which was shown off to advantage by the thin silk blouse and figure hugging skirt she was wearing. He found his eyes drawn to the outline of her breasts and felt a familiar surge of desire. Arcane had deprived himself of female company recently, trying to get ahead with his work before he took time off. As a result he had found the disappointments of his visit to the Senator particularly trying. The very least he could get from this appalling episode would be a little relaxation in attractive company.
He raised his eyes, taking in her mischievous, knowing, smile. "Oh I'm sure I will find your company most stimulating, dear lady."
"Do please call me Lissa," she said, placing a hand on his arm and pressing just a little closer. "If I can call you Anton?"
Arcane breathed in the subtle scents of her expensive perfume and automatically leant towards her, responding to her close proximity "I would be delighted, Lissa,." He purred seductively as he allowed her to lead the way.
Graham had been ignored throughout this exchange. He wasn't surprised. He assumed he was meant to follow and resignedly scuttled off after them. The Doctor hadn't mentioned this woman when recounting his meeting with Willoughby-Smythe and Graham had experienced a familiar sense of doom when he saw her. Bitter experience had taught him that women were trouble.
The walk through the cold, high ceiling corridors took on something of the feel of a leisurely stroll as Arcane engaged in conversation with his new acquaintance. Graham knew his place, he kept a few steps behind and tried to make good use of the journey, memorising the route, he had a feeling they'd doubled back on themselves a few times and suspected that even a castle in Europe wasn't quite so labyrinthine as to allow for such distances if travelled more directly.
Concentrating on the geography also helped Graham to blot out the conversation going on ahead of him, the giggling of that woman was grating on his nerves and he always hated to hear the Doctor talking to one of his bimbos. It was painfully embarrassing. When Graham overheard a comment about Lissa's 'pretty little head' he cringed inwardly and made a determined effort to close his ears. It had never surprised him that so many women had attempted to kill Dr Arcane, indeed he was surprised more hadn't made the effort after being treated to the slender repertoire of chat-up lines. Graham sighed, perhaps there were worse things than being called a moron and a half-witted excuse for an assistant after all.
After wandering a tortuous maze of corridors they did eventually arrive in one that was better lit and had clearly been modernised, with a gleaming new steel door set into one side. Melissa hardly had to announce that they had arrived at the lab. By this time she had her arm entwined in Dr Arcane's and her hand resting, possessively, on his. Graham glared at her, *Tramp,* he thought, * under dressed, oversexed, flashy tramp.*
Arcane, who had been fully occupied gazing into Lissa's eyes, looked up and caught Graham's sullen expression. He frowned at his assistant and waved his free hand irritably, "Well go on then," he snapped, "take a look round, check it out."
He turned back to the woman, dismissing Graham with barely a glance. Lissa waited until they were alone in the corridor and turned fully towards him.
She looked him up and down, making it obvious that she was aware of his aroused state. She freed her hands, and rested them lightly on his waist, leaning towards him so that he could feel the warmth of her breath on his neck.
"Anton," She said, her voice low and intimate, "I love my husband, of course"
"Of course you do, my dear,"
"But he's been ill so long, he's not really the man he was. And I am a woman, Anton, I have needs."
She slid her hands lower, until she had a firm grip on his buttocks, pulling him in towards her until their bodies were pressed close together.
"I do understand," Arcane answered, a little breathlessly.
Lissa felt the growing hardness of his erection pressed against her thigh and, smiling seductively, she rubbed against him. Arcane groaned, her needs be damned, he was too aroused to consider anything but the ache in his own groin. He was ready and willing to take her right now. Not-so-gently gripping her soft golden hair he kissed her savagely as a preliminary to pushing her up against the wall. Lissa responded eagerly and managed to force her hand in between them and reach down until she found his zipper. She fumbled clumsily, thwarted by lack of space and by the way that his swollen erection pressed against the tight confines of his trousers, distorting the fastener.
The movements of her hand were having an increasingly disturbing effect on Arcane, he had already been painfully aroused and was now just desperate for relief. When Lissa finally managed to undo his zip a little way and slid a couple of her fingers inside he didn't think he could contain himself.
She burrowed under the thin fabric of his pants and was finally able to touch the hot, distended, surface of his cock with her cool fingers. It was the most exquisite agony, Arcane thrust against her hand, hungry for more.
Then she stopped, roughly withdrew her hand and straightened up. Arcane cried out loud at this sudden deprivation. Lissa pushed him away, a rough shove that sent him reeling backwards and she was looking at him in what could only be described as panic. "Can't you hear?" She hissed, "tidy yourself up, hurry."
Arcane could barely hear anything, blood was rushing in his ears and his senses were distorted by lust. He did just have enough wits left to register that Lissa was serious, and genuinely afraid. He could see that Lissa was straightening her blouse and hurriedly dabbing at her mouth, trying to remedy the ravages of her lipstick. She passed him the handkerchief and he wiped his face. He managed to clean himself up somewhat and then struggled to restore his clothing. His hands were shaking and he could now hear the sound of footsteps that had alerted Lissa. It panicked him and made him even more clumsy. He couldn't get a steady enough grasp on his zipper to fasten it. Lissa flashed him a look of sheer anger and reached over, her touch was far from erotic as she yanked the zip up and Arcane winced as she forced his swollen erection back into the tight confines of his trousers.
By the time Hugo emerged into the well lit corridor there was nothing to see that could count as indisputable proof. Arcane and Lissa were fully dressed and almost through the doorway into the lab.
"Good day Milady, Doctor," he said. The guilty couple stopped and turned towards him. Hugo looked at them closely, taking in their dishevelled states and Arcane's strained expression. He said nothing, just raised an eyebrow and nodded coldly to his employer's wife before walking off. Lissa cast Arcane a desperate look and set off at a run in the opposite direction, leaving him alone in the corridor.
Arcane took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the lab. Graham was across the other side of the room checking through an equipment cabinet with an air of innocent disregard. It didn't convince his employer at all, Arcane knew that Graham would have been eavesdropping and would be well aware of what had been going on.
*Just one word,* he thought, *one word or one wrong look out of you Graham and you're dead!* The Doctor swept over to the nearest bench, slamming his fist down on it so hard that it shook. He would have quite liked an opportunity to take his frustration out on Graham but he really wasn't ready for the kind of unspoken but slightly smug disapproval the man somehow managed to exude whenever his employer had woman trouble. Arcane bit back the urge to relieve his tension with a somewhat hysterical tantrum. He had plenty of other problems to worry about, best to just try to apply his mind here and let the well tried remedy of hard work overcome his physical discomfort.
"Graham?" He spoke calmly.
His assistant turned to him, his expression slightly wary, "yes Sir?"
"Anything for me to look at old chap, any records from our host's medical tests?"
Graham smiled, he wasn't going to take the punishment for the Doctor's little adventure - or at least not yet. "Got a whole lot of data here, Sir," he said, scuttling happily to Arcane's side.
For the next hour or so the two of them worked together putting together an overview of Willoughby-Smythe's condition. It was actually quite interesting and Arcane's capacity for being absorbed in his work almost enabled him to disregard the fact that he was being held prisoner. He hadn't quite recovered from his abortive encounter with Lissa but the physical strain had faded to a dull nagging ache and he was hopeful that better organisation would enable him to reach a more satisfying conclusion when they next found the chance to meet in privacy. He was, therefore, almost cheerful when Willoughby-Smythe and the ever present Hugo arrived in the lab.
The sick man looked even more deformed and distorted when he was up and on the move, his twisted limbs forced him to lean heavily on Hugo and the harsh light of the lab showed up the ugly, warty growths on his face very clearly. Hugo pulled out a chair and helped his master sit.
Arcane wiped his hands and faced his captors with a show of bravado. "Come to check on your prisoners, Sir James?" he said, with just a hint of contempt in the way he spoke the name.
The sick man wheezed, his voice harsh with disease. "I just wanted to be sure that you found the facilities to your liking."
"As cages go, this one is quite well gilded."
"And my wife, did you find her to your liking too?"
The Doctor made a fairly convincing job of looking blank. A brief look of anger crossed Willoughby-Smythe's face and he nodded to Hugo, seemingly handing the discussion over to him.
Hugo stepped up close to Arcane, until they were almost nose to nose. "Lady Willoughby-Smythe is a most exuberant person, Doctor. Very lively and warm hearted." He paused and took a small but vicious looking knife out of his pocket and began to play with it, meaningfully. "Sir James doesn't like it when anyone tries to take advantage of her ... affectionate nature. He really doesn't like it."
Arcane looked doubtfully at the knife, "Er yes," he said carefully, "I can see that he might not."
"Sir James has asked me to remind you that you have a particular job to do, that you don't want to be engaging in certain ... distractions."
"Really?"
"Ya, really. And if you aren't able to manage that level of self restraint then I shall have to make sure of it for you."
Hugo stepped right up to Arcane and pressed the tip of his knife into the Doctor's crotch. "You see, Doctor, Sir James needs you for your mind. Any of your other ... attributes are optional extras here."
Hugo lowered his voice and whispered into Arcane's ear, "I assure you, Dr Arcane, that if you so much as touch Milady again I will have your balls for a trophy. Literally."
He pressed the knife harder into Arcane's groin, the sharp tip piercing his clothing right through to his flesh. Arcane yelped, more with fear than pain, as the knife pricked at his scrotum.
"Aaagh, no." He tried to back away, frightened to move too much in case Hugo pressed harder on the knife.
"Do you understand?"
"Hugo, Sir James," Arcane cried ingratiatingly, "you really have got the wrong impression from somewhere. I assure you."
"Oh, I doubt that," Hugo said. He did, however, withdraw his knife and Arcane took advantage of the respite.
"No, you see I'm ... well I'm gay."
Hugo looked astonished, and he wasn't the only one. Graham had been hovering anxiously over by Sir James and he had acquired an expression of slack jawed incredulity.
*Dammit,* Arcane thought, *Can't the idiot keep up! He'll get me castrated if he doesn't use whatever minute fraction of intelligence he does possess.*
Swiftly, before anyone else could notice Graham too clearly, Arcane took matters into his own hands - literally. He covered the distance between them in a couple of strides and grabbed his assistant in a rough hug.
He glanced over at Sir James and, aiming at a look of embarrassment said, "Graham is more than my assistant, we are ... together, we have been for years."
*Deep breath Anton, concentrate on what you've got to lose here.* Arcane closed his eyes, took Graham's face in both hands and pulled him in for a kiss.
He could feel Graham start and try to pull away at the unexpected contact. Tightening his grip Arcane prevented his assistant from moving and spoiling the charade. *Bloody idiot! Can't he even play along!*
After a suitable length of time he released Graham's mouth, turning a slightly embarrassed face towards his captors. "So you can see Sir James any intentions I have towards your lovely wife are purely platonic I assure you!"
Darting a quick side-ways glance at his assistant, he was relieved to see that this time the man at least had the intelligence to look as if everything was perfectly natural.
"It would appear I was a trifle to hasty in my conclusion of your intention towards my wife." James waved Hugo off, slowly and tortuously gaining his feet. "I'll leave you to your work then. Oh," He waved off-handedly, "and I had a room prepared for your assistant, but I assume you'll be wanting to sleep together?"
*Bugger!* Arcane forced a smile, "Yes, of course. That's jolly good of you Sir James."
"Right then, I'll send Hugo for you when super is ready to be served. Until then Doctor." Nodding slightly he made his way from the room. Hugo made as if to follow his master before stopping and turning back to Arcane.
"You may really be in a relationship with your assistant Dr. Arcane, but just in case I'll be keeping a eye on the two of you." Hugo gently stroked his knife once more. "The consequences of your lying won't be ... pleasant." Smiling he turned and left Arcane and Graham once more alone in the lab.
"Damn it all Graham." Arcane turned on his assistant the moment the door closed, "Can't you even have the brains to recognize the seriousness of the situation and back me up! What do I pay you for!"
*Not for playing your lover I'm sure.* "Er, sorry sir. I was just surprised ..." Graham absently touched his lips. "I, I didn't expect you to, to ..."
"Yes I know Graham," Arcane glared, "However unpleasant it might have been it was the only solution to the problem." Unconsciously his hands dropped down to half-cover his groin protectively. "We'll just have to keep the charade up that we're lovers." Shrugging, Arcane forced himself to return to the work at hand. "After all, how hard could it be?!"
"Yes, Sir," Graham sighed, resolutely forcing his mind away from the Doctor's kiss. It hadn't exactly been unpleasant, and although he hadn't had much practical experience to base his assumption on, his employer had been quite a good kisser. Still, it was something that didn't bare thinking about to closely. If he didn't watch it he'd be saying he enjoyed it next.
For the next several hours they worked in almost complete silence, only necessary commands and notations breaking the air. Before Arcane was fully aware of the passage of time, Sir James tissue samples were really quite fascinating, the door to the lab had opened once again. Instead of Hugo's rather severe face, which he had been expecting, the lovely Lady James slid through the opening.
"Lady Willoughby-Smythe," Arcane swallowed, backing up a space.
"I thought we had agreed on Lissa Anton," Lissa purred, gliding further into the room. "My husband and Hugo are busy with other affairs. Leaving me quite alone and lonely." Peeking coyly through her lashes, she smiled up at Arcane.
"I'm sorry to hear that Lady ... Lissa," He corrected upon seeing her displeased look.
"I thought you might be willing to keep a lady company." Lissa moved in close, placing one small hand on Arcane's sleeve. "I know a place that is very secluded. Perfect for ... " tilting her head she paused suggestively, " ... conversation."
Arcane could feel the heat of her hand burning a hole through his shirt, seeming to send a signal straight to his groin. Squirming uncomfortably he slid out from under her grip. "I, I'd normally love to Lissa, but I have quite a lot of work to get done."
"Couldn't you put it off Anton, I really am quite lonely." Emphasizing the word Lissa leaned into his personal space, tracing a finger down his shirt. "I would love the pleasure of your company."
"I, I .." Sweating Arcane looked desperately around for Graham, spying the man skulking in the corner. "Well the truth is Lissa that ..."
"The truth Milady," Hugo's smug voice intruded upon the scene, "is that Dr. Arcane and his assistant are lover's. Isn't that right Doctor?"
"Yes, yes, quite right." Arcane had to force a smile, all the while wishing he could wipe the smirk of the man's face in a permanent manner. However as long as he remained at the mercy of Sir James and his henchman, nothing was worth the risk of losing any part of his anatomy. No matter how tempting the stimulus. He would just have to suffer through the temptation that Lissa presented.
"You're not serious?!" Lissa's mouth briefly dropped open in shock before she recovered herself enough to put on a blank expression. "Er, I mean, how lovely for you."
"Yes," Arcane beckoned Graham over, sliding an arm around his shoulders. "Graham and I have been happily involved for quite a few years now. Haven't we Graham?" His finger's tightened in warning.
"Er, yes, very happy." Graham couldn't resist smirking at the flash of rage that briefly swam across Lissa's face, *looks like she won't be getting into the Doctor's pants this time.* He fairly glowed at the satisfaction that idea invoked.
"Congratulations," Lissa began to back towards the door, "Well, I must go, a woman's work is never done after all." She nodded politely to everyone before gracefully exciting the room.
"Well Doctor," Hugo stepped closer, one hand subtly tapping at the knife that was still hanging on his belt, "I've come to inform you that supper will be served in half an hour. You just have enough time to change."
"Change," Arcane echoed, hanging unto Graham even tighter. He forced a jovial smile, "My dear chap, I don't recall having time to pack a change of clothing. Do you Graham?"
"No, Sir," Stony-faced Graham glared at Hugo, "It must have been due to being kidnapped."
"The sarcasm has been noted Mr. Graham." Sir James retainer did not look concerned, "Suitable clothing has been arranged for the length of your stay. Now, I'll just escort you both back to your room."
Without waiting for a reply or even acknowledgement, Hugo turned on his heal and strode from the room. Giving Arcane and Graham no choice but to follow. Not even two minutes later they arrived back to their prison. And not by travelling the same route Graham noticed.
Silently Hugo stood to one side, "The appropriate clothing is laid out on the bed. I'll wait here to escort you to the dining area."
Scowling Arcane all but flung the door open, slamming it shut the instance Graham was through. "I swear when we get out of here I am going to ensure that pathetic excuse for a man has a close encounter with a very sharp sword!"
"Of course Doctor," Graham muttered dutifully, walking over to the bed as Arcane continued to utter low threats. Grimacing Graham fingered the two tuxedo's laying on the bed.
"Lovely," Arcane groused, peering over his shoulder. "Told what to dress as if he was my bloody mother!" He grabbed one set of clothing off the bed. "Best get changed before that moron decides to come in and dress us himself!"
Looking at the tag to make sure it was his size Arcane stalked into the bathroom to change, leaving the dubious privacy of the room for Graham. Sighing the man hastily stripped out of his clothes and tugged on the pants, tucking the shirt and fumbling with the cummerbund. Graham was struggling to get the bow-tie done up when Arcane strolled back out. It seemed as if his employer had no trouble getting his tied properly.
"Aren't you ready yet Graham?"
"I can't get this," Making another messy attempt, he tugged disgustedly at the small slip of silk. " ... tied right."
"Oh bloody hell, Graham, just come here." Rolling his eyes in frustration Arcane slapped Graham's hands away, reaching up to fix the tie himself. At that moment Hugo chose to open the door and step in. Sensing the opportunity to reinforce his position Arcane seized it.
For the second time in one day he leaned in to kiss his assistant. Relieved that, at least this time, the man had the sense to act natural and keep his posture relaxed. Holding the kiss several seconds longer than necessary he finally stepped away. "Really Graham, one of these days I'll have to teach how to properly tie a bow-tie."
"Are you ready Doctor?" Hugo's voice broke in, for once breaking his monotone and sounding a trifle impatient.
"Yes, quite." Arcane smiled, shrugging on his jacket and handing his assistant his. He was actually somewhat amused to see that Graham appeared somewhat stunned and wouldn't met his eyes.
"Follow me then." Doing as told, Arcane followed Hugo out the door, Graham trailing somewhat reluctantly behind them both. Truth be told he couldn't get his mind off what just happened. Graham had been shocked at the impulse he'd had to return his employer's kiss, certainly a reaction he hadn't expected. *I couldn't have enjoyed it!* Miserably Graham felt like banging his head against the wall. *I am not attracted to Dr. Arcane. I am not!* However he had the sickening feeling that his life was about to get a whole hell of a lot more complicated.
He had to stop suddenly to avoid bumping into Arcane, having been so involved in his thoughts he hadn't noticed they'd reached the dinning room. Not meeting the irritated glare Arcane was sending his way he shuffled in behind his employer.
Graham got through dinner by concentrating on his food. Even he could tell that it wasn't very good for such an apparently wealthy household. Dr Arcane was openly contemptuous, which Graham thought a bit risky, in fact he was hostile to Sir James all evening and seemed to concentrate all his attention on their host in a way that was just looking for trouble. Graham could see that the Doctor didn't believe a word of the aristocratic English pose that Willoughby-Smythe presented, he was effortlessly flaunting his own impeccable origins and continually correcting and patronising James. Graham was effectively left out of the conversation, which was rather a relief, except that it left him free to notice that Hugo was growing increasingly angry and also seemed to leave him open to the curious gaze of an equally silent Lissa. That woman was clearly unhappy that she had been cut off from her prey, and the way she looked at him was unfriendly to say the least. Graham shuddered, black widow spider this one. No wonder most women terrified him.
His worst moment had come when the Doctor had gone with Sir James to view his wine cellar, Hugo tagging along as usual. Graham had cringed at being left alone with Lissa and he'd buried his nose in his third glass of brandy, trying to avoid her attention. It hadn't worked, while he hovered near the decanters, trying to be inconspicuous she came up to him and leant in close. Her face nearly touched his and her barely covered breast seemed entirely too prominent.
"You needn't think I'm fooled little man."
Graham gazed at her with his best confused expression.
"Someone like Anton wouldn't slake his thirsts with a pathetic bumbling creature like you, he is man of passion. He needs a woman, and one who is a match for him, not some snivelling servant."
Graham felt himself redden with anger, how he hated all those women who used the Doctor and exploited his unfortunate weaknesses. "If you admire him so much why do you want to put him at risk? You heard *your* servant's threats."
"There's nothing like a little danger to add spice to an encounter," she smiled cruelly, "and anyway the danger isn't to me. Once I've had your precious Anton Hugo can take his balls if he likes, I'm never so interested in coming back for seconds."
Graham felt his throat constrict, this bitch wanted her conquest at all cost, perhaps she even found it exciting that her husband would have a man mutilated for touching her. He found courage in his fear for Arcane and managed to fix Lissa with a smile that was almost confident. "I'm sorry Milady, he likes to play with women and tease them a little but ultimately none of you have got what he wants. For that he comes to *me*"."
Her gaze wavered a little, she seemed almost convinced. "Really? You know I don't think I believe you little man. I will just have to find out won't I?"
Graham turned his head away, cursing his own stupidity. Now he had thrown down a challenge to this woman! She would never leave the doctor alone.
The tense moment was interrupted by the return of the rest of the group, Arcane's loud criticisms of the wine cellar audible from along the corridor. By the time the three men re-entered the room Lissa was standing with the brandy decanter in her hands and proceeded to fuss over pouring them drinks. Graham rushed to the sideboard and began to offer Arcane some of the alternative spirits on display.
"Wouldn't you prefer a scotch Sir, or maybe a liquor?"
"Do stop babbling Graham, you know I prefer brandy after dinner." He had already drunk enough to be in a relaxed and slightly unguarded mood. He smiled up at Lissa, appreciating the way her low cut gown gave him an enticing view of her breasts, "thank you, my dear, I would appreciate a brandy."
The woman handed him a glass, her pouring technique in marked contrast to the brisk way she had dealt with her husband and Hugo. Lissa managed to make a slow job of it, getting surprisingly close for such a simple task. As she bent forward she managed to put her free hand on Arcane's thigh and gave a suggestive little squeeze. He raise his eyebrows at her, alcohol had stoked up his already rampant libido and reduced his ability to think clearly. He breathed in her perfume and registered the delightful presence of so much firm, young, female flesh. His body reacted without giving his mind time to argue and he had a sudden and intense rush of blood to the groin.
Lissa straightened up slowly, it was surely the merest accident that her hand slipped a little higher and she had to steady herself by pressing down rather hard. Arcane couldn't contain just a slight groan as her fingers found his most sensitive and swollen flesh. Lissa removed her hand and turned round to give Graham a look of pure, malevolent triumph. Graham clutched his glass and cringed inwardly, he had been watching James and Hugo and knew that Lissa's little performance had not gone unnoticed. He frowned anxiously at Arcane who, at first, cast him a rather irritated look. Then enough reason returned to his lust and alcohol addled brain for him to glance round at his audience.
James' face was pure thunder, and Hugo had removed his knife from his pocket and was playing with it suggestively, testing out the sharpness of its blades. Arcane turned pale, he bent forward in his seat trying to hide the evidence of Lissa's effect on him.
James looked contemptuous, "I suggest we retire for the night, " he said in a frigid tone, "You have plenty to occupy you tomorrow, Doctor. Plenty of *work*."
"Hugo," he added, "please accompany these gentlemen to their room."
The short walk was silent, though Hugo did seem to feel the need to fill the space by a great deal of fiddling with his knife. Arcane grew even paler, but he still had to shuffle along in a rather ungainly manner, both hands clasped in front of him.
When they arrived at the sanctuary of their bedroom Graham was relieved to see that two pairs of pyjamas had been laid out.
Dr Arcane was silent, he grabbed up the pyjamas that were clearly meant for him and almost ran into the bathroom. Graham got changed quickly and climbed into bed. He considered showering when the Doctor was finished but he decided he'd better stake his claim to one side of the bed before his employer thought to order him to sleep on the floor.
Arcane was a long time showering and when he finally emerged he did seem to be moving a little more easily, not that he had entirely recovered from his last encounter with *that* woman. Graham noticed this. Then he wondered why he noticed. It wasn't that he was ... no! Or that those encounters when the Doctor had pretended to be intimate with him had been at all ... no! It was simply his job to protect Dr Arcane, which in this case meant keeping a very close - eye - on Lissa's attempts to seduce him. That was all.
Arcane looked at Graham, carefully lying so close to the edge of the bed he appeared ready to fall out. He seemed about to say something but just shrugged resignedly and got carefully into bed himself. For a moment they lay rigid, both gazing up at the ceiling, silent. Then Graham said, "Sir, I..."
"Shut up Graham."
"Yes Sir."
"And put out the light."
For many hours both men lay awake, preoccupied with their own thoughts and too intent on keeping a distance between them to be able to relax. Arcane was too warm, he kept throwing off the covers and shifting uncomfortably in the limited space he had. He was tense, restless. Dammit, that woman was killing him. Between her and the Neanderthal twerp of a servant he was in real trouble.
*Damn, damn, damn.* He thought, *I am a man after all. I have perfectly normal needs.* He rubbed his sweaty hands on his pyjamas, and realised he was twisting and tugging at the fabric in his restlessness. He nearly groaned out loud. He needed a woman, badly. The only thing he needed more was to hang on to all the parts of his anatomy that he had arrived with. He really had to get out of this place and away from its insane inhabitants before he was driven crazy himself.
Arcane ground his teeth in frustration and cast an evil glare at the still form of Graham next to him. *probably asleep* he thought, *great lump of clay. Nothing to keep him awake, no needs or desires there.* Arcane did just allow himself to wonder, the superior mind does explore every option. He shook his head slightly. Last resorts. He closed his eyes and tried to force himself to sleep.
Graham lay on his side, curled up in the foetal position. He had been chasing the same thoughts around his head for hours. That women was putting the Doctor at risk. He knew from bitter experience that Arcane was easily enticed into danger by women. Eventually he would crack and the consequences would be terrible. Graham couldn't bear to think about what would happen to Dr Arcane if he was caught with that hussy. He winced at the prospect. He had to protect the Doctor, simply had to, he couldn't let harm come to him. He knew that Arcane wouldn't be able to hold out much longer, trapped here with no other outlet for his sexual drives.
Graham couldn't keep his thoughts away from the pretence Dr Arcane had put up with him. It was all pretence of course, on both sides. He forced down the recollection of how slow and lingering Arcane's kisses had been, and how ... strange his own reactions. Just pretence. But to save the Doctor from pain and injury surely he had to at least consider ...? Graham's imagination wouldn't let him take that thought any further, curled up into a ball, fists clenched in his misery he prepared for a sleepless night.
It was the early hours of the morning before the sound of Arcane's snoring told Graham that he, at least, was getting some sleep. Graham smiled slightly, he doubted his employer would ever admit to anything as plebeian as snoring! He tried to let the sleepy sounds sooth him, tried to be confident that all would be well and they'd find an escape route before anything bad could happen to the Doctor.
He had just begun to settle a little, drift into sleep, when the noises from the other side of the bed changed.
At first Graham was concerned that the moans and gasps were indicators of pain. Then he realised that the Doctor was dreaming. He stiffened, trying to lie completely still. The noises became louder and more obvious in nature. Arcane thrashed about, rolling across the divide between the two sides of the bed. One hand brushed against Graham and he flinched away, trying to avoid the contact.
Then the warm body of the other man rolled right next to him. Graham felt hot breath on his neck as Arcane nuzzled up against him and a jumble of meaningless noises, not quite words, were whispered into his skin. The sounds were intense and even Graham could hear the lust in the breathless moaning. He felt the pressure of a hand stroking down his back and with his other arm the Doctor circled Graham's waist and pulled him close until their two bodies were tightly pressed together. Graham could feel Arcane's slender form wrapped around him. It was strange, he was shocked and deathly afraid but he also felt other sensations, in ways that he had never done before. Almost mesmerised by the strangeness he let himself relax against Arcane, but he couldn't keep from letting out a little gasp when he felt the tell tale hardness of his employer's erection pressing into him. He had never felt such a thing before, never been so close to another man's arousal. It made him shiver...but not in an altogether bad way. The murmurings in his ear became louder, more urgent, "Lissa," Arcane cried out.
Graham froze, cringing. He had never felt such humiliation. Lissa, the Doctor was dreaming about Lissa . Of course he was, who else could he have on his mind? Grateful that the darkness hid him, Graham carefully pulled himself loose from Arcane's grip and rushed for the bathroom.
"Wha..." Suddenly robbed of the pleasant sensations of just a moment before, he'd been having a most wonderful dream about Lissa, Arcane jolted out of sleep. Looking around he noticed at once that Graham's side of the bed was now vacated and the bathroom door was shut. He also noticed that he was uncomfortably close to where Graham had been sleeping, in fact it could be argued that he was all but on top of his assistant's former position. *I didn't ..* Groaning he let his head fall back against the pillow, *I did.* He could only guess that while asleep he'd somehow made some move towards Graham that woke his assistant up and send him fleeing for the bathroom. *Bloody hell! Couldn't the little bugger have simply woken me up instead of fleeing as if I'd committed some sort of crime.*
In the bathroom Graham was busy trying to calm down. Really it was no surprise that his employer had been dreaming about that awful women. He hadn't exactly hidden how much he wanted that tramp. And's it not like there was really anything going on between the two of them, they weren't really lovers, weren't in a relationship! Graham pointedly ignored what felt like disappointment at that thought. So what it had felt kinda nice, it was probably just because it was new and that, that he hadn't much experience with that sort of thing. Really, that's all it was. Sure he'd noticed before how attractive the Doctor was, but in a off-hand way. Despite of what the rest of Arcane's employee's thought, he'd never considered his employer that way before. He respected the man's genius, even worshipped him, but he didn't want to sleep with him!
Taking a deep calming breath Graham emptied his mind, as much as he would have liked to stay in the bathroom the rest of the night Arcane might have a few words to say about it. Opening the door he crept back into the main room. Slinking over to the bed he noted with silent relief that the Doctor was now back on his side. Climbing in Graham held his breath, giving up thanks as he managed to settle in without disturbing his employer.