Chapter 2

"Ashelin!" Torn roared as he stumbled into the palace throan room. Ashelin slowly walked into the room wearing a strapless black corset that pushed her breasts up. Under it was a short black skirt, and to finish the look, she wore a pair of tall heeled black boots that reached just abover her knees. She strutted over to Torn, and looked up at him.

"You kept me waiting Torn." he gritted his teeth, and clenched his fists when he saw her.

"You...you filthy whore! Is this your idea of a sick joke? Walking up to me dressed like this?" Ashelin took a step back in shock.

"Torn...what are you talking about? How can you say these things about me?" tears began to well up in her eyes. Torn grabbed her arm and yanked her forward harshly.

"Shut up. You know what I'm talking about. I dont know why I ever loved you."

"Torn...let go. You're hurting me." Torn suddenly shoved her to the ground, and turned his back to her.

"You're dead to me now." he didnt look at her as he walked away leaving her on the floor.

~3 Years Later~

Torn stepped into his small apartment. He hung his coat up on the hook next to the fridge.

"Honey! I'm home!" he called. A cat ran down the set of stairs, and rubbed up against his leg. "Hello Honey. Did you miss me?" he reached down and scrattched the brown cat behind her ears. Keira followed down the stairs shortly in only a white bath robe. Her thin legs were visable, and Torn's eyes traced the figure of them.

"Any luck tonight Torn?" she asked while grabbing a couple of beers from the fridge. She handed him one, and took a long sip from hers.

"Yeah. Found the guy in his friend's basement. Luckily we got that search warrent tonight. He would have been gone by morning." Torn slapped two hundred dollars on the the counter. She sighed heavily.

"So, no luck with the other bounty?" Torn frowned and shook his head.

"No leads. I'm one of the best bounty hunters that we have, and I cant find one man in my own damn city. Everyone always locks up when ever I mention him. Theres no way that the entire city can be in on it." he turned and glanced out the window with a scowl across his face. Keira sat down at the small fold up table.

"Its possible Torn. The entire city is full of organized crime now. Ever since...Praxis stepped down from her rank and disappeared...the city just went to shit." Torn closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath.

"Thank you for not using her first name. Still gets me pissed." Keira stood up, and rubbed Torn's back lightly.

"Shhh...it happened years ago. Let it go." Torn shook his head.

"Have you let go of what Jak did to you?" Keira closed her eyes and held back the tears. She always got choked up when ever she remembered that day. Torn turned to look at her, and lifted her chin with his finger. He wiped away the tear that ran across her cheek.

"Im starting to..." she whimpered.

"Sorry Keira...I wont mention it again." she followed Torn up the stairs to their bedroom. Keira fell down onto the bed, and closed her eyes.

"We really need to move..." she grumbled. Torn sat on the edge of his side of the bed, and removed his boots. He pulled off his shirt, and tossed it into the laundry hamper.

"I know. But its all that we can afford. I'm trying Keira." she rolled over onto her side, and lifted her upper half up on her elbow. The front of her robe opened and fell down off her shoulder. Torn turned his head towards her, and the large amount of cleavage caught his eye. He laid on his side next to her, and pulled the robe down off of her other shoulder exposing both of her breasts. Keira looked up at him, and pushed her bangs out of her eyes. Torn ran his fingers through her long green hair, and placed his forehead against hers. He closed his eyes as she rubbed his forearm.

"Take me Torn..." Keira breathed. Torn opened his eyes slowly, and gazed down at her. He forced her onto her back, and she opened the front of her robe. He traced his fingers down her curved hips to her knees, and back up to her thighs. He pulled her legs apart gently, and kissed the inside of her thigh. He unbuckled his belt, and slipped his pants and boxers down. He tossed them onto the floor next to the bed. Keira lifted her left leg up onto his shoulder as he hoisted himself above her. She drew in a deep breath as he entered her. He was never able to fully enter her because he was to large. Knowing Keira's comfort limit he kept his place steady, and consistant. He buried his face into her neck and bit it lightly. Both of their breathing became heavy as Torn reached his peak. With one last powerful thrust, his and Keira's breathing began to slow down. Torn rolled over onto his back to catch his breath, and Keira slowly sat up. She pulled her hair over her shoulder, and smiled lightly at Torn. But it soon faded when he stood up, and tied his blue robe around himself. He opened up the window, and leaned on the lip of it, and lit up a cigarette.

"How is the quiting going?" Keira whispered. Torn took a long drag off of it.

"With the stress I'm under? Not going to well babe." Keira stood up and kissed Torn on the cheek.

"I'm going to shower. Goodnight hun." she said heavily.

"Night..." Torn mumbled. He turned his face back to the window. The cool breeze felt good against his warm skin. He finished his cigarette quickly, and laid back down. He knew that him and Keira living together would result to this. He cared for her, but he just didnt love her. He just couldnt get over Ashelin, and he knew that Keira wasnt over Jak. But they were all that they had left. They just had to settle. It wasnt right, but it mad it possible to survive.