She was surrounded by a magnificent feeling. It was warm and comforting. It smelt wonderful too. It was familiar, she couldn't figure out how, but it was extremely familiar. She opened her eyes slowly. Maria found herself lying in a large canopy bed and when she looked forward, the most beautiful view welcomed her. She saw the ocean, a bright blue sky, fluffy clouds floated lazily across the horizon. She sat up slowly and brought her hand to her head. Instantly she knew something was off. She could have sworn her hair had been chopped off, but here she was running her fingers through long curls. Confused, she looked back out the window. She sighed happily at the calming scenery in front of her. She hadn't felt this good in a long time. Why was that? She placed her hand on her cheek thoughtfully, while she tried to remember something, something important. But it seemed so far away, as if it wasn't real. She jumped slightly when she felt something shift in the bed. Before she could turn though, she felt a pair of strong arms encircle her. She was pulled back against a lean chest. She wasn't sure why, but she was extremely happy. The smell of aftershave and scotch was intoxicating. She could tell he was close to her, she could feel his breathe on her neck. She shivered pleasurably when she felt a pair of hot lips meet her skin. His stubble tickled erotically. A small gasp escaped her lips and she could feel him smile against her skin. She had yet to see his face, but something deep down told her she knew who it was. But who was it? She tried to think. She thought hard, but his lips and tongue on her skin distracted her too much. Finally she gave up, closed her eyes and leaned into the man, allowing him to do whatever he wanted. She sighed in content when she felt him nuzzle her shoulder with his nose sweetly. And then something unexpected happened. The room got dark all of a sudden, the warmth she felt was disappearing, and cold darkness replaced it. The window that showed the beautiful ocean disappeared, a wall of chains and torture equipment replacing it. She looked in horror at the wall. His wrists were bound above his head and he was strapped to the wall, his dark curls were wet. By the light of the candles scattered around the room, she saw that it was blood that was causing the man's wet hair. Her horror continued when she looked at the other side of the room, where another man lay strapped to a table, his wrists and ankles covered in blood and bruises. His face a bloody mess. She could feel hot tears stream down her face, but when she went to wipe them away, she discovered that she too, was strapped to a table. She suddenly became aware of the danger she was in as she saw a dark figure hover over her, his bare chest glinting in the candle light.

She was scared. No doubt about it. She was terrified, but more so for the two men who were bloodied and injured then for herself. Finally finding her voice she screamed. She screamed out the names of the men that she so hard tried to forget, the pain unbearable. The thought of them injured, or worse dead, was the worst possible thing that could ever happen. Worse than her being tortured, her being raped mercilessly. They had so much more to give to the world then she did. They had so much good in them. She screamed their names as loud as she could, as if screaming the names would bring back reality and she would awake in her loft, on her couch, with reruns of Doctor Who playing on the television.

She awoke with a start, sitting up in bed fast, then groaning in pain when her head began to pound. She looked around noticing that she was back in her prison cell. She felt herself sigh in relief. It had been a dream…a terrible terrible nightmare. Maria stiffened suddenly. She felt something or someone shift in the bed beside her. That's when she noticed an arm draped across her lap. Hesitantly she turned her head to look down at what lay next to her and what she saw caused her to go rigid with fright. Lying next to her in bed was her captor. She looked more closely at him in the dim light; she could tell he was sleeping. There were bags under his eyes and his mouth was open slightly, small snore escaping his lips every once in awhile. She couldn't help but think he looked exhausted. What happened? Why is he in my bed? Maria continued to look at him. Maria lay back down and turned to face him. She felt too weak and tired to try and get him to leave, plus he looked so peaceful sleeping next to her. She brought her hand to his face and brushed his bangs aside. He is so beautiful…She hated to admit it, but she couldn't help her thoughts as she ran her fingertips over his cheek and lips. She ignored the small voice in the back of her mind that continuously reminded her that he was an evil psychopath that had kidnapped her and locked her in a room alone. She jumped slightly when the hand that had been resting across her waist reached up and held her hand on his cheek. He then turned his face and kissed her palm tenderly, his stubble scratching at wrist. She looked at his face hard, waiting for him to open his eyes, but he never did. Letting go of her hand, he encircled her into his arms and pulled her closer to him. Maria placed her hands on his chest and continued to look at him. I should be scared right now…I should be angry….I should not be enjoying this like I am…Maria you are so stupid….What in the world are you doing? Maria scolded herself. Somehow through all the shit he put her through and all the creepy and sweet things he had done for her, she couldn't bring herself to be angry with him or hate him. She looked back at his sleeping face and for the first time she noticed that his expression was sad. Maybe he is lonely…Once again she brought her hand to his face and stroked it softly. "You don't have to be lonely anymore…"She whispered this to him softly and then leaned her head against his chest again, falling back to sleep.

"You don't have to be lonely anymore…" He continued to pretend to be asleep until he knew she was no longer awake. Only then did he allow himself to look at her. She had been sleeping for 2 and a half days and now she was falling back to sleep. He was worried about her. Her natural skin color never fully returned, she was still sickly pale and her beautiful hair was starting to look dim and lifeless. He sighed heavily and brought his lips to her forehead. What is going on with me…This wasn't supposed to happen… Somehow during the continuous rapes and beatings, and nightly visit and watching her from his office, he had grown attached to this small woman who lay in his arms. He wouldn't call it love, but she was definitely more than a prisoner. He sighed again. This is very bad…Reluctantly he pulled away from her and stood up. He grabbed his shirt that he had placed on her desk the night before and threw it on. He looked back down at Maria, who still slept soundly on the bed. She looked so small, so fragile in the big bed all by herself. He walked back over to the bed and sat on the edge, bringing his hand to her short curls and stroking them affectionately. Pursing his lips he pulled away and stood up. Moriarty began to leave the room, but before he could exit he looked back into the dark room and frowned. He couldn't allow her to stay in this dark room anymore…it was too cruel. He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out his small remote. He pushed a button and the slates that covered the windows began to move away, revealing a full moon gleaming across the ocean. Now satisfied, he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him but no locking it.

Yall, I am so sorry it took me so long to update. Between two jobs, working on my Bachelor's degree, and taking care of my sibling, I have absolutely no life. I'm not going to make any promises but I am going to try and update sooner. Also, I'm not sorry for the fluff in this chapter. I rather enjoyed it, but I love fluff so :P Anywho, comments? Concerns? Reviews? Let me know what yall think! 3

Tata