Author's notes: Ok, here is the chapter I've been warning you about. The content is that you might find in a PG-13 movie or an R movie. Possibly a romance novel. I tried to be as tasteful as possible, so please read at your own risk. I did not move this to an M rating because others I have read with the same rating have gone further. If you feel that it is best for this to move ratings, please let me know. Thanks. Remember to review early and review often.
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Colby wasn't sure if he had heard Rachel correctly. "Rachel?" He looked at her for clarification on what she had said.
"Colby, if I'm spoiled goods the Prophet won't want me. Don't you see, the only way to keep him away is to make myself undesirable."
He shook his head and took her hand. "Rachel, I know you're worried, but this isn't the way."
Standing up rapidly and stalking over to the window, Rachel wrapped her arms around herself. "Easy for you to say. In three days I'm going to be raped by the servant of God." The words were spat out, her anger evident.
Colby moved over to her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. His voice was strong with emotion, "I've told you. I will not let that happen."
"That's what you've said, but when it comes down to it; will you?" Suddenly the anger left her and she felt her knees sag.
Colby helped her back to the mattress; "We'll need to be ready to make our move, so lets try to get some sleep." He moved to the other side and lay down. "If I know Don, he won't stop until he finds us."
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After coming up empty at all three locations, Don had redirected the search to the next three places that Amita had determined. As he flew into the Liberty County airport, he spoke with Megan who was heading up the search at another site. "I can't help but worry that Stone has found out about the raids at the other settlements and he'll be on the move."
"The local have been doing their best to keep things under wraps Don." Megan looked at the information in front of her. "What time do you want to go in the morning with these next locations?"
"Tonight. I don't want to give them time to move very far. I'm also having them put up roadblocks."
"Tonight? Do you think that's the best idea? A person can lose a lot of evidence or even a witness under cover of darkness."
"That's a risk I'm willing to take. I want these people off balance; we might get lucky and have someone talk."
"Loose lips sink ships." Megan quipped.
"Exactly. How soon will you be in place?" Don questioned. He could hear her talking to another agent.
"They tell me we should be there in forty-five minutes. What's David's ETA?"
"He's there already. Get everyone ready to go as soon as you get there and call me. I'll be waiting. Talk to you later." Don hung up and then dialed Amita's number. After three rings she picked up. "Hi Amita, its' Don. Anything more on your end?"
Amita didn't relish giving the man the information she had. "I'm afraid not Don. I've ran the data again and I'm still getting the same hits on my list." She could hear the man sigh.
"I wish there was something more I could tell you Don."
"It's ok Amita. We're hitting the next three settlements tonight. We hope by going at them again so quickly we will get lucky. Call if you find anything you think might help."
"I will Don. Bye." Amita closed her cell phone and sat back down dejectedly. Suddenly she flipped her phone open again and hit a number. A few moments later she heard Charlie's cheerful hello.
"Amita!"
"Hey Charlie, I need some help."
"Sure, what can I do for you?"
As quickly as possible Amita told Charlie about what was happening. The concern in his voice when he heard about Colby made her wince. Keeping the information about a friend from him had probably not been the right choice, but it was too late to worry about that now. She hoped that he would understand that everyone had only done what they felt was best. "I don't know what I did wrong with the data?"
Charlie could hear the anguish in her voice. "Amita, there wasn't a lot of hard data to work with and what we can do is only project probabilities. Remember there is a reason that they are called probabilities, if not we would call them certainties."
"I know, but Charlie, I've let Don down. Worse, my inability to get the right answers might cost Colby and the other agent their lives." Amita sounded as bad as she felt. Never had she felt so responsible for the results of her work.
"Amita," Charlie spoke to her softly. "Don understands the nature of this type of work. He doesn't expect us to be right every time. Statistically it can't happen." He paused and waited to see if the young woman would speak. When she didn't, he continued. "Would you like me to come back and help?"
The answer rushed from her lips, "No Charlie. I'll send you the data and you can see if I've missed anything. What you are doing is too important to your career. Colby wouldn't want you to throw anything away on his account."
"Because he would have faith in the work you are doing." Charlie finished for her. "Alright, send me the information and I'll take a look at it. Amita, I have faith in you too."
"Thanks Charlie. Call me later and let me know if the numbers look right to you."
"I will. Bye."
"Bye." She waited until she heard him disconnect. "I love you Charlie."
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The agent rubbed his tired eyes, it was 1:45 a.m. and he was waiting for the call from his boss to let him know when to mount the raid on the Disciple's holding. Taking a sip of his now cooling coffee, David grimaced. 'Damn it Granger, where are you?' The next series of raids would hopefully yield some information that would help them find their friend.
David was thinking about the last time he and Colby had gone out together. It never ceased to amaze him how many women were casting looks towards his partner. Colby seemed oblivious to it and when David mentioned it, the other man had a good laugh.
"David, all they know is what they see. They see the suit and tie and think I'm a good catch. I know it sounds crazy, but what I want is a woman that doesn't care about anything other than who I am on the inside; someone who will be a partner, not a clingy thing that can't take care of herself."
Agreeing with Colby, David had gone on to admit he did have a slight crush on Claudia Gomez. Of course Colby now delighted in the opportunity to tease him about it. 'What I wouldn't give to hear some of his shit right now.'
The ringing of his phone caused David to slop the cold coffee. Swearing and setting down the cup, he answered. "Sinclair." He listened and acknowledged the message. Looking at the other men in the room, he stood. "Ok guys, let's hit it."
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It was two a.m. and a caravan of vehicles pulled into the dusty driveway that led to the Disciples settlement. They pulled in and the men and women swarmed from the cars and within minutes had secured the several buildings that comprised the ranch.
Don was moving around the buildings, checking with other agents and officers to see if any new information was being collected. A state trooper found him in the kitchen of one of the houses and informed him that some blood had been found. Following the trooper out, they made their way to a barn that was standing at the edge of the woods. Inside a length of rope was wrapped around a support post. Kneeling down, Don noticed that the rope was covered in blood. "I want this bagged and sent in for DNA testing. I need to know who was being held."
Walking back into the house he was motioned over by another agent. "Agent Eppes, one of our agents is in with a woman," he flipped open a notepad. "A Naomi Russell. She told the agent the Prophet's newest wife was brought here."
"Did she say anything about Colby?"
"She refused to say much more. We're still working on her though."
"Push harder. I'm sure they were both here and I want to know where they went." Don pulled out his phone and called the rest of the team to see if they had any luck. This location seemed to be their best bet so far."
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The sound of the trapdoor being moved brought Colby out of his light slumber. His arm felt heavy and when he looked at it he could see the cause; Rachel had fallen asleep and had rolled up next to him. Her head was on his upper arm and chest. Nudging her gently he whispered to her, "We might be getting our chance soon. Be ready."
"Come down here both of you. Rachel, come down first." The voice of Arner Stone was firm.
Rachel shot Colby an angry look and started down the ladder. Colby followed and when he got to the bottom he was surprised to see Arner with his arm wrapped around Rachel's neck. A gun was held in his hand and it was pressed into her side. "Sorry," his tone was anything but apologetic. "It seems that the government continues to persecute my people. Rachel, I never imagined that you would be so popular. Let's get to the vehicle. You hero," he indicated to Colby. "Don't go getting any bright ideas. I'd hate for something to happen to my fiancé."
Colby looked at Rachel and gave the smallest of headshakes. He allowed himself to be bound and then loaded into the back of a large blue Suburban, where he was instructed to lay flat on the floor. Moments later Rachel was helped in and the door shut behind them.
They had traveled for a while when a cell phone rang. Arner answered and it was immediately evident that he was not happy. "What?! Are you sure? Just the hard surface roads. Alright. Thanks for the call."
Arner turned to the man driving and relayed the information to him. Roadblocks had been set up. Apparently, the back roads were not of a concern, so they would need to stick to those and there would be a change in plans. They would go to another remote location and wait it out.
In the darkness Colby made his way to her ear and whispered to her. "I'm sorry Rachel."
"I think my time is just about up."
Back at the cabin he had turned it over and over in his mind before he had fallen asleep and he had made up his mind. Whispering back to her, Colby spoke with conviction, "I'll do what you want Rachel."
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Amita had been staying by her phone, hoping to hear some good news. Both David and Megan had called and told her that their locations had not provided any evidence of Colby or Rachel being there. She felt terrible, there had to be something wrong with her results.
She had just put a cup of water into the microwave to heat for tea when the phone rang. Looking at the display she could see that it was Don. "Hello Don." She listened intently while the agent told her that Colby and Rachel had been to this location. The problem was that they had been moved. He was compiling new information and could she start looking at it?
"Certainly Don. Have them send it to my email and I'll get started right away." Hanging up she smiled momentarily and walked back to her computer, tea forgotten for the time being.
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The vehicle came to a stop and the captives were led through the dark woods. Following a man with a flashlight, they were shown to what appeared to be a small one-room cabin. They were hustled inside and a fourth man entered with several blankets and a small flashlight. The men backed out of the room and the thick wooden door was shut behind them.
Rachel felt for the flashlight and thumbed it on. She moved to Colby and picked at the ropes that secured his hands. The knots loosened and Colby's hands were soon free. He stood trying to rub the feeling back into his fingers as Rachel turned her attention to looking for a way out. The single window was boarded shut and after pushing on the boards, Rachel concluded that the nails were going to hold tight.
"I'm guessing that they have probably left someone watching the door." Colby walked to the door and pounded on it. A minute later the door was flung open and an angry looking man was demanding to know what was going on.
Colby smiled sweetly at the man, "Just wanted to make sure we left a wake up call for 10 a.m., we'd like to sleep in a little."
With a scowl the man slammed the door shut and they could hear a wooden bar falling into place. "He must be watching from a little ways off. I don't think he's right outside the door." Colby looked around the cabin. Other than several cabinets hanging on the wall it was completely bare. "Remind me to complain about these accommodations." He sat down gingerly.
"What I wouldn't give for a hot bath right now." Sighed Rachel as she sat down beside him. "I don't know how much juice these batteries have, so I guess we better conserve it." She switched off the flashlight and the room was thrown back into pitch-blackness.
They sat quietly for a few minutes until Rachel cleared her throat lightly. "So, did you really mean it? What you told me in the car?" She was feeling a little embarrassed about bringing the subject up.
He reached out and felt for Rachel's location. Putting his arm around her and giving a comforting squeeze, Colby spoke to her reassuringly. "Rachel, I know you are scared. I will do whatever you want me to do, if it will help you."
Feeling her way up his arm, Rachel laid her hand on his cheek and slowly caressed it. "Then do this for me. I refuse to have my first time be with that beast." She let her fingers trail from his check down and along his jaw line, the beginnings of a beard evident by the roughness. "Please Colby."
He reached up for her hand and clasped it with his own. "Are you sure this is what you really want Rachel?" He questioned. "I feel as if I would be taking advantage of you. It doesn't feel like I would be doing right by you."
"Damn it Colby," the emotion thick in her voice. "People have sex everyday for worse reasons. They go to the bar, get drunk and fuck in the back alleys. They pick up prostitutes on side streets. They cheat on their spouses with the pool boy. I'm asking you for a little pity. I want you to have sex with me." She tried to pull her hands from his grasp.
"Rachel." He held her tightly. "That's my concern, you are such a beautiful, smart, strong woman and it would have nothing to do with pity if I sleep with you. I'm afraid that I wouldn't be doing it for you, but for my own self-gratification." There, he had told her the truth.
"Colby, I know that this doesn't seem to be the time or the place for this. But think about it, if we had met under different circumstances, we might have ended up at this point anyway. What I want is for you to help me save myself from Stone." She pulled his hands up to her face and kissed them. "Colby?"
He slid his hands from hers and lightly stroked the hair away from her face. He placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "Alright." Colby eased her back onto the blanket, the hard floor beneath her. He slowly let his lips and hands travel along the length of her body. He felt her respond to his feathery touches and in time he could feel her pressing into them.
This was not the way she had envisioned her first time, but the lightness of his fingers and the feel of his breath on her skin was causing her body to respond in ways she had never allowed. His tongue was tracing a line from her collarbone to where the buttons of the dress met. He slowly undid the first button and then the second. The cool air did little to battle the heat starting to build within her. Her hands found his head and began running through his hair as his mouth and hands caressed her.
She could feel him fumbling with the next button and she abruptly sat up. Colby was concerned until she whispered in a passion deepened voice, "Let me help."
Rachel pulled the cotton dress over her head and let it fall to the floor. Their eyes had adjusted to the darkness of the room and Colby could see the faint outline of her body. The white bra and panties illuminated by the dim light, almost like a beacon in the darkness.
Swallowing hard, Colby attempted one more time to dissuade Rachel. "You're sure?" He asked as he shifted, the fullness pressing against his pants was becoming more uncomfortable.
To answer she reached up and pulled his lips to hers in a passion filled kiss, her tongue pushing past his lips. His hands dropped to her sides and stroked up and down, each time moving closer to her breasts. Rachel's fingers deftly plucked at the buttons of his shirt and soon it was hanging open; her own hands running over his chest and abdomen as if trying to memorize every line. He shrugged out of it and it fell next to the dress.
Colby's hands continued to stroke her smooth skin around her chest and moving inward he cupped her breasts gently and massaged the taunt nipples with his thumbs, the smooth cotton rubbing lightly against her flesh. He lowered the straps and unhooked it, letting it fall away from her creamy skin. Lowering his head he began to lavish kisses on them. Pulling a nipple into his mouth he delighted in the feel and the taste of her skin.
Rachel moaned low in her throat as he licked and sucked his way lower. By the time he had removed her panties she was pushing against him in a way that she never would have imagined. The sensations she felt were washing over her like wave after wave of warm water. Suddenly, she could not breathe and her body felt as if it were ready to explode. Closing her eyes she tried to make her lungs respond, but she was powerless. Then, as if by magic, air rushed in again and she felt as if every bone in her body had ceased to exist.
Colby moved back up to her face and reached out to her. He smoothed her hair and peppered her with little kisses. "Are you still with me?" He asked softly.
"Mmmmmm, yes. I've never felt so." Rachel was lost for words. Gradually she became aware of the firmness pressing against her hip. With one hand she reached out and felt the smoothness of his back. The other hand snaked around to his waist and pulled at the button that held the pants together. "I want you so much Colby." Her voice sounded so foreign to her own ears. "Make love to me."
Kicking his shoes off, Colby slid the pants and his briefs off his hips and then pulled them off; another addition for the pile of shed clothing. His erection was rock hard and a groan slipped past his mouth when Rachel slid her hand around the length of it. Her hand kept a firm grip on it as she slid it up and down. Positioning himself between Rachel's legs he took care to make sure there was as much moisture as possible for the initial entry.
"It might sting for a minute sweetheart, but it will feel good once you stretch a little. Trust me." Colby quietly spoke into her ear, his hand stroking her hair.
"I trust you Colby."
Taking a deep breath he slowly pushed his hardness into her. Bit by bit it slid in, he felt a small shudder from Rachel as he made the first push. "Easy babe, almost there." Once he was fully in he remained still for a moment. As he felt her muscles yield, he slowly began stroking in and out.
Rachel soon found the initial pain had been replaced by an incredible feeling for fullness. Her lower body had a mind of it's own as she began to push and grind against him. Her legs swung up and locked around his lower back as she tried to maintain the rhythm he was setting.
Trying to keep himself in check, Colby found that his vision was beginning to blacken a little around the edges. The speed of his thrusts increased and a cry escaped his mouth. Pushing deep within her, Colby's head hung limply as he waited for his pulse to return to a more normal speed. Wrapping his arms around Rachel, Colby rolled over, pulling her on top of him and they lay there in the afterglow.
Once she trusted her voice, she spoke softly. "Colby, that was amazing. Thank you." She leaned closer and gave him a kiss. She moved slowly from him and lay close to him, listening to his heartbeat. She could feel his arm holding her tight to him.
He gave her a warm squeeze and reached for the second blanket, pulling it up over their bodies. "I hope I didn't hurt you."
"No you didn't." She snuggled close and in minutes her breathing had evened out and he could tell that she was sleeping. Closing his eyes Colby told himself it would just be for a moment. But soon he was sleeping a deep, satisfying sleep.
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Another day was dawning and Don was starting to feel like they were making some headway finally. Naomi Russell had continued to disclose information and with what they knew they were going to press the male elder. Don reasoned that he would most likely know where the Prophet had fled.
Armed with the fact that the blood had been confirmed as coming from Colby, Don had the first physical proof that the agents had been there. Slamming his folder down on the table, he leaned over the man. "Don't jerk me around. I know they were held here. Where did they go?"
"The Prophet is a great man and he does not need to explain God's plan to all."
"This is bullshit. Tell me where they went!"
"I will not help you with your persecution of the Prophet." The man remained steadfast.
"Get his ass out of here before I forget his rights." Don waited until the man had been led from the room and then he sat down and cradled his head. A trooper stuck his head inside asked Don if he needed anything. Don shook his head and laying it down on the table he closed his eyes, he would rest them for just a minute. After several minutes, he opened them again and went out to find the local law enforcement officers.
"I want the name of everyone in this area that is associated with this religion and I want contacts they might have. It's obvious that they are getting outside help. Also have those contact names cross-referenced with property tax information. I need to know where they might be trying to hide." Don looked at the tired faces staring back at him. "Bring in whatever fresh replacements you have and get them briefed. I want all of you to try and catch some shut-eye."
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The sound of the door opening didn't wake the sleeping agents, however the sound of the Prophet yelling at the top of his lungs did. "Fornicators! I have brought a viper into the nest."
Colby stood up and helped Rachel to her feet, giving her the blanket to wrap around her. He reached for his underwear and slipped it on while looking defiantly at Stone. He reached for his pants and slipped them on as well. The other men had rushed in and could see what had obviously transpired.
With spit flying from his mouth as he raged, Stone yelled for the Disciples to grab Colby and then he turned his attention to Rachel. "Put your clothes on Jezebel. There is no need for modesty when you have lain with another. Brother Parker, go and get me a rod. It is time for these sinners to atone for their sin."
Rachel dressed quickly and stood watching warily. The Prophet told the men holding Colby to take him outside and then he grabbed her arm and pulled her outside too. Making sure he had everyone's attention, Stone began to thunder, "Leviticus 26:18 tells us I will punish you for your sins seven times over. Rachel, it is obvious that this man has defiled you. I will pray for your soul if you will beg for God's forgiveness."
Rachel began to talk, but Colby glared at her to be quiet and began talking to Stone. "You're right Stone, It was my fault, I pushed her into being with me. She only submitted because she knew that man has dominion over the woman. She dared not to defy me."
Shaking her head Rachel looked at Colby. She knew what he was doing, but she didn't like the idea. Colby shot her another look, trying to convey to her that he wanted her to play along. Biting her lip, Rachel looked down and tried to look repentant.
"So you are accepting all blame for this?" Stone's eyes held a maniacal sheen.
"Yes." Colby replied stoically.
"Bind him to the tree." Stone ordered his men.
They pushed him over to a tree and forced his arms around it. The rough bark rubbed painfully against his bare chest as they tied his hands together. He turned his head slightly and made eye contact with Rachel who was now being held tight by another disciple.
One of the men returned and handed the Prophet a fishing pole, minus the reel. Stone swung the fiberglass rod through the air, listening to the sound of air rushing past it. "The Old Testament speaks to us about punishment for the misdeeds of man." Speaking to Colby he continued. "You have accepted responsibility for this action and now you will accept yours and the woman's punishment. It will be seven lashes for each of you." With that the man swung the rod back and brought it rushing forward, striking the young agent across the back. A thin line of blood appeared.
The Prophet smiled. "One!"