Hello dear readers! Here's part two of Beth Versus the Cocktail Dress! I don't really have a lot to say, 'cepting that I'll be posting the next parts pretty quickly, I think there's five parts in all. Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you like this next part. :)

The elevator ride was…eventful. He didn't try to kiss me again, thank the heavens, but he certainly was being 'forward' about what he thought. To the point where, when the bell finally rang for our floor, I practically leapt out of the car. He smirked at my reaction. Sure, go ahead you lecher, think that I'm just excited to be one of your many notches on your belt. Psh, like I'd lower myself to that. Literally.

Once in the room, I made the excuse I'd just quickly rinse off and change, then be right out. He offered to help me, but I turned him down, using the 'innocent and embarrassed' card. Once in the bathroom, I turned on the shower and went to grab my phone—

Wait, my phone. Where was my phone? My eyes widened as I realized exactly where my phone was. Still in my jeans pocket, in the surveillance van. Lot of good it does me there. I thought about getting into contact with Sarah or John, but I had no earwig. Boy, Beth, you're on your A-game here, aren't you? I sighed in frustration. Now what was I going to do? I took quick stock of my things—no phone, no communication, no gun. I did have my chopstick knives—the only thing I had going for this outfit, apparently. Well, there was only one way out the room, and to get there, I'd have to go through Valerian. Assassin he was, but I stood a chance if I was able to distract him enough. And with the way his libertine mind worked, I figured I stood a pretty decent chance. After actually rinsing off and changing into the 'nightgown' Valerian gave me (as if you could call the scant scrap of flimsy fabric, clothing), I walked out the door.

He was waiting for me, the lust in his eyes evident as his eyes raked over my body. Ugh, creeper. I smiled softly, and once again wondered why on earth I didn't take Seduction School when I had the chance. Then again, I had a feeling any teacher of that class would probably be a creeper. He kissed me again, and I let him. It was a good cover to do a quick scan of any weapons on his body. His back was smooth, but there was a knife under his dress shirt; I could feel it. Okay, I can fight knives. He started to tug off the little jacket, and I used my elbow to push him backwards, coming up with a quick kick to the groin.

He ran at me, and I didn't have time to duck. Asshole got in a pretty good blow to my right shoulder. Rotating slightly to the left, I delivered a chop to the back of his neck, and reached for my hidden knife. About the same time, he pulled a gun. Fuck.

"Now, now, pet, you don't want to be doing anything to get you into trouble, would you? Why don't we just calm down, you can drop the knife."

My hand was suspended in mid-air; my heart beating fast. This was not a situation I wanted to find myself in. Barrel trained on me from ten feet—I wouldn't be able to fight against that. Now, had he held the gun to my back—I can fight against it. Or from fifty feet. But ten feet? Yeah, I was pretty screwed.

I let the knife drop to the floor, and stood my ground as he walked towards me. It took all my willpower to stand on both feet without shaking. It was stupid of me to think I could really return to field work. What was I thinking? The man was a deadly assassin. And I was foolish enough to think I wouldn't get into trouble.

He stopped in front of me and picked up the knife I dropped, gun trained on me all the while. Examining it, he chuckled.

"This is what you thought to protect yourself with? A clever little defense, to be sure, but against a trained killer? A bit foolish, I think."

He stayed close to me, which kept me on edge. If he'd just shoot me, I'd feel a bit better about the whole situation. But I knew that wasn't how he worked. Well, maybe, but I had a sinking suspicion that he had something special in store for me being the woman who had rejected him. He placed a hand on my cheek, and I snarled. I'll give you a clever defense.

"Now, now, none of that, little Audrey. Who sent you? FBI? CIA? Or maybe you're Fulcrum?"

I kept my face stoic, but inwardly, I cheered. I may be dead soon, but I'd get my answers, one way or another. Now my only question—which way to play it?

"Well, you are a brilliant man. When did you first decide I was working for someone?"

"Women do not reject me. You did, and I can only assume it's because you have a husband somewhere, and you'd feel guilty cheating on him." Rolling his eyes, he shook his head at me. "You women with morals never cease to amaze me."

In the back of my head, I heard something John had said about Chuck; he may not be a great spy, but his ability to talk got him out of a couple tough spots. I'd play it like Chuck; I just had to keep him talking. "Contrary to popular belief, you're not as astoundingly handsome as you think. But you're right about one thing—women with morals are amazing."

He traced the curve of my neck, and my breath hitched. There was no way I'd be able to fight him off; if I had any hope of surviving, I'd have to fake it till I could fight it. Roughly pushing me back into the wall, he forced his tongue down my throat; his arms already ripping my jacket off. I didn't fight him, partly because I knew it wouldn't do any good, and partly because the man still had the gun. He roughly shoved me, and my hip hit the dresser, causing me to roll my ankle and trip. He dropped partly on top of me, and I willed myself not to scream as his weight painfully pressed down on my ankle. I could take the pain; really, I was okay with everything until he put a knife to my throat.

I started to hyperventilate; my throat closed up, and I started to shake. The memories of last time a knife was at my throat flooded my memory, and I started to get dizzy. In the back of my mind, I knew I had to fight—Valerian's hands were pushing the nightgown up, roving all over my legs, but I couldn't get myself to respond. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion; my body went numb.

There we go! :) Wonder what's gonna happen to poor Beth? Valerian's not a very nice man, is he? Hope you enjoyed reading it!