Chapter Eleven (Mr. Finch Gets Frisky)
Amelia Harper was dressed to the nines. The party she would be attending tonight was a very special social event, only the most exclusively affluent people would be present.
She wanted to look her best and had taken extra time with her appearance.
From his place of concealment, Reese's eyes ran the length of the red silk gown she sported. A heavenly creation from the line of Christian Dior which felt like a second skin on her carefully sculptured body. Reese didn't know anything from designer frocks but he knew what looked good and Amelia Harper looked ..good.
Of course, the woman worked diligently with her personal trainer and highly paid chef in order to maintain that girlish figure. Cost was no object in her world..not any longer, at least.
Matching Jimmy Choo stilettos completed the stunning ensemble. She wore nothing else but an indecently priced perfume. She had thrown an ankle length white mink coat over her left arm for later, when the temperature would drop.
She didn't wish to wrinkle her gown now, however. She was even careful with the small Louboutin hand bag whose silver chain hung from her shoulder. Inside was her lip stick, silver powder case, a comb and of course, her platinum card for any unexpected emergencies.
She had never had to actually make use of the card as men were constantly caring for the more mundane things in life for her. But, a girl couldn't be too careful these days.
Amelia pushed her key pad, hearing the familiar click as her door unlocked. She stepped carefully in her heels, not wishing to scuff the liquid leather of the red creations.
Reese had approached quietly, his right arm going about the woman's throat, his free hand covering her mouth, his fingers squeezing tightly enough to dissuade any sounds of protest.
She had stiffened and buckled wildly for a brief second until his soothing, calming voice washed over her frantic mind. "shhhh." He advised, halting any further thoughts of struggle with his ever tightening arm about her throat. "Stay calm."
The seductive whisper caressed her ear, which was very close to his mouth. She felt the warm breath fan her cheeks. He smelled of spearmint gum. Which somehow terrorized her even more.
"Listen carefully to what I am saying." Reese disliked repeating himself at such times, his silky baritone sending icy chills up and down her spine. He relaxed into her form, pulling the lithe body hard against his muscular frame.
Amelia could feel the unbendable strength emitted in his powerful body. She whimpered brokenly, her eyes darting about, but seeing no path of escape and no source of help.
"Imagine if you will..Amelia."
The use of her name made the woman cringe. This man knew her..knew where she lived...how much more did he know about her?
Reese kept his hand over her mouth, the frantic breaths she offered warming his fingers somewhat. The night was getting colder. "How Amanda Collins must have felt in the same situation."
He tightened his arm, cutting off her air supply for a brief, breathless moment. Amelia had tip-toed, trying to lessen the pain, crying out a strangled, garbled response but..he eased the pressure slowly but surely. "Not a nice feeling..is it."
Her fingers grasped the thickness of the leather coat he wore, her nails marring the sleek rawhide of his sleeves, for dear life. "P…Ple…" she rasped a plea which fell on deaf ears, muffled though it had been.
Reese's fingers left her mouth, crushing into her carefully coiffed hair, leaning her neck painfully to one side. "You sent your man to her apartment," He glanced to the white mink, that she had dropped on the ground beneath her feet. "..Not a nice thing to do, Amelia. You and your friend..Thomas Cain. You've caused all sorts of trouble for Ms. Collins."
The man eased her head even further over his bend forearm.
Amelia gasped her fright, sucking in great gulps of god-sent air, thankful for the opportunity given. "I….I'm sorr…."
"One quick flick is all it takes." Reese's fingers tightened into the disarrayed hair to demonstrate. "Your spine cannot take the pressure. They say you die instantly but..I don't know." He grimaced slightly, keeping his tone conversational at best. "I've done this a few times now and the way the body twitches and jerks?" he shook his head minutely.
A feeble cry of dismay escaped the woman's lips.
"I have no medical degree, of course." His fingers kept a vigilant pressure on her head, his arm snuggly tight about her neckline. "maybe it's the same principle as chopping the head off a chicken..the body doesn't know it's dead for a while."
Black spots swam before Amelia's frantic eyes, she fought to remain conscious.
"Consider this a wake-up call, Amelia." John suggested silkily. "Your life has been a rather self-indulgent one. I would think seriously about changing your direction..before it's too late."
Cordelia walked down a long passageway. She knew evil things lurked in the dark recesses of the hidden corners, the ones shadowed by eerily moving figures. Faceless entities. Still, she felt compelled to move..forward.
A dim, hazy light beckoned her..far off, down the tunneled corridor. The only sound, her uneven, hurried breathing. The silence surrounding her was ominous.
Dread filled her mind. She wanted to run far away from this awful place but her legs refused to obey her commands.
Something horrible awaited her..in that light up ahead. Something deadly..was reaching out for her and still the shadows moved with fluid evasiveness. A profoundly deep seeded despair washed over the woman.
She moved..closer, her fear mounting.
She tried to halt her steps, to retrace the path she had taken. She wanted to cry out for help but her throat was paralyzed.
Suddenly she could smell and taste salty foam..thick clumps of sea weed gathered around her feet, slowing her momentum. She stared down at the churning sea as it rushed about her ever sinking form.
She could feel the sand give way beneath her feet. She was sinking..fast.
The sound of a fierce wind caught her attention. She looked out over the horizon. Heavy storm clouds rolled in but they were suddenly blocked out by a gigantic wall of water, higher than a ten story building.
The dark clouds raced across the wide expanse. Cordelia's breath caught in her throat and she knew, without doubt..she did not have much time left.
Terror gripped her mind. There was no where to go.
The massive sheet of water rushed toward her..
John Reese clicked his blue tooth 'active'. Fusco answered his phone dutifully. "What?" he sounded extremely bored.
"Lionel..tomorrow." Reese rethought the intended statement. "Or..maybe the next day..maybe Thursday. Whenever you get around to it." The man shrugged casually, having parked his motorcycle in it's usual spot, in Finch's underground garage, the one off 4th and Parkway. He placed his helmet on the seat, unfastening the tap of his leather jacket, the one closest to his throat. "No rush about it. There's a red BMW parked out by Mill Creek Marsh, Northern Section. It might behoove you to check out the truck."
"Jesus Christ, Reese.." Fusco was no longer bored, at least..more irritated, were his tone any criteria by which to judge. "Really?" he shook his head disgustedly. "You realize you ARE speaking to a cop, right?"
"No dead bodies laying around..yet." Reese climbed into the new car Finch bought to replace the one that John had 'accidently' backed into the police escort transporting one of their recent Persons Of Interest to the courthouse a few months back. "This one is very much alive. When I left her, she was bitching about ticks and poison ivy and her new red shoes..or that's what it sounded like. It was kinda muffled."
Fusco sighed lightly, returning to his coffee cup, which he held cradled in his large hands. He sat at the small kitchen table, munching on some grapes.
"Ms. Harper is ruminating on her past misdeeds..give her some time, huh?" Reese pulled the sleek auto out of it's stall, backing up, then sped out of the exit unto the his next destination.
Fusco had to admire the guy's style. He checked on Davidivitch who was watching an old 'I Love Lucy' rerun on the small television set in the living room.
They had ordered Chinese. She still picked at the small box of noodles with chop sticks, her energies focused on the tv screen.
The man swiped a cockroach off the leg of the table. He stomped it into the linoleum floor. "One down, huh." He followed the big man's reasoning, approving of Reese's methods. "Yeah, well..Cain is surrounded by gorillas packing heat so, the next one might present a problem and what about the old man? No damned way you can get to him. His type? They don't fear hellfire itself and you know that."
"You're a pessimist, Lionel." Reese pulled up in front of a ritzy apartment building. His keen, intelligent eyes swept the parameter absently. He had his route already well established in his mind. He had mapped it out this morning. "I got it covered."
Fusco lifted unimpressed brows, clicking off the connection, replacing his cell into his inner jacket pocket. "Yeah, well.." he muttered to himself. "You better had, Kimosabe..you get taken out and this entire operation is kaput..finis. "
For a moment, Lionel thought about joining Davidivitch on the ratty sofa but settled for rummaging through the cupboards and refrigerator instead. He needed a snack. One that wasn't so ..healthy.
Harold Finch heard the disturbance from his room, where he had set up his computer systems. It was just about as efficient as the one at the library but of course, this one was only a make-shift point of operation.
The hour was late, the wind outside the small cabin had picked up somewhat. The weather site on his laptop said, a cold front was moving down from Canada and would hit by early morning.
He could see across the darkened hallway into the other bedroom. He had insisted Cordelia leave the door slightly ajar.
She had been restless now for the past half hour but it seemed, her dreams were taking a turn for the worse.
She muttered, several phrases coming through loud and clear, however.
He arose, crossing the space, coming to stand beside the half opened door to better hear what was transpiring with the young lady. Harold stood, leaning slightly, his brow furrowed and concerned.
Cordelia could not get her breath, the wall towering high above her now..the hypnotic swell over her head..the white swirl of water plunging to the beach, the graceful arch of the majestic wave closing about her small body, for the sheer size dwarfed all things in it's path.
She looked up, to see tons of emerald green ocean dropping down ..slowly..she gulped for breath..a scream rising in her throat.
Harold rushed into the room, mindless of proprieties, seeing the young woman thrashing about jerkily in the covers of the small twin-sized bed. He came to her aid, his hands taking hold of the slender shoulders, shaking gently. "…Cordelia!" he spoke quietly as not to disturb her more than she already seemed but his voice fell on deaf ears.
She continued to scream, fighting whatever demons now possessing her. She pushed against his hands, a strength borne of the terror she obviously experienced.
Finch could think of nothing else, so he gathered the writhing body into his arms, holding tightly, murmuring gentle inanities, as he attempted sooth and comfort.
"I'm here." He muttered repeatedly.. "It's..alright now."
He held tight, and soon the wild thrashing movements ceased. Cordelia had worn herself thin, finally collapsing into a sobbing heap of frayed nerves and exhausted listlessness.
She held tightly to the man's neckline, having latched on to his presence in the beginning, gulping frantically for air, her entire body trembling violently.
Harold's hand soothed her tense back muscles with soft strokes of reassurance, his free arm holding her comfortingly close. "It's over." He spoke calmly, his quiet, authorative tone somehow managing to reach her clouded mind. "You're safe." He closed his eyes, feeling the trembling lessen finally. "It's ok." He murmured soothingly.
The silence of the room filtered into Cordelia's shattered thoughts. The wind outside lulled her chaotic mind.
She held on to the only piece of solid reality she could at that point. The fear was gone..replaced by a deep, abiding sense of safety and contentment.
She felt the strength of the arms which surrounded her, reveling in the security offered. She turned her head, moving ever so slightly away, in order to ascertain if her senses lied to her. She knew his scent now by heart.
And, he was there..the blue green eyes watching her so intently, the odd shaped face that had become so endearingly precious to her. His glasses were absent..his eyes must be tired.
He sometimes removed them, massaged his eyes. Squinted at his computer screen for a bit before replacing them, then getting down to serious business.
She wasn't sure what exactly his 'business' was, but he was very diligent whenever he attended it.
Always staring straight ahead, focused on those screens he had set up. Cordelia could barely check her email, and was constantly losing files and 'documents'. This man was so smart..so..capable.
But now those eyes were focused exclusively on her. She studied the lines of his face..the cleft in his chin..the way his mouth softened when he forgot to be guarded.
"Are you alright?" he asked. She loved his voice..the very sound erotically sensual to her suddenly. The refined lilting way he drew out the end of his sentences. Did he truly care if she was.. 'alright', she wondered. Or was he just being solicitous, as was his way.
He had loosened his tie. Cordelia's eyes fell to the opened 'v' of his shirt. She was enthralled with the small smattering of chest hair she could see starting just under the hollow of his throat, disappearing into the unbuttoned crispness of the expensive garment.
Finch felt the electric charge between them, the emerald stones stagnating his thought processes for an instant. He knew he should end the moment. He attempted the feat. "…you were..dreaming, Cordelia…that's all."
His eyes fell to the full, pouty lips. Her hair was loose, falling everywhere..over her shoulders, down her back.. soft and luxurious and..touchable. God, he loved her hair!
She reminded him of a wild creature, a lost, hurt one. He smiled at her tentatively. "That's all it was." He gently tried to disengage himself from the situation, certainly but moreso..his own emotional involvement.
But, Cordelia would have none of it. She gasped, a shudder racking her body, and she gripped his neckline for dear life. "N-No." she asked feebly, pressing her body tightly against his, the raspy whisper touching something dead inside the man.
Harold closed his eyes, savoring the feel of the woman in his arms. For one brief moment, he tightened his hold, his hands caressing her back lovingly. He could hear her breathing and it comforted him on a level he examined briefly then dismissed.
"…Ms Fellows.." putting things on a more formal footing, he thought..probably, this should be the way to go..and he had ever so reluctantly..loosened his hold on the warm, fragrant body, feeling himself rapidly losing control of the situation..not to mention, his common sense.
"P-Please..d-don't." Cordelia wasn't above pleading at this stage, desperate to experience some kind..any kind of intimacy with this man. Her pride seemed so unimportant suddenly. She searched those penetrating eyes religiously, looking for a weakness..a softening..
Finch tried a weak smile, fumbling for the correct words. "Perhaps we should retire to the kitchen. A hot cup of coffe.."
"Please!" Cordelia's eyes filled with the threat of unshed tears and her bottom lip trembled invitingly.
Harold's heart melted by degrees but…some nagging side of him screamed..be responsible here, idiot. She is just a child reaching out from the darkness. He cleared his throat a bit before attempting speech.
"Then at least.." he would settle for the mundane. "Get back under the covers. You will catch your death." He ever so gently reached, his hands clasping the slender wrists still latched about his neckline but Cordelia closed her eyes tightly, reaffirming her grip two-fold, holding desperately, her body once again, pressed to his.
Harold was hard pressed to know exactly what to do. Certainly he did not mind her seeking comfort in him but neither was it acceptable to take advantage of her vulnerability.
He hesitantly..relaxed his stance, allowing her time to adjust to her awakened state. His arms gently..ever so lightly, fell to his side. His hands itched to return to the warmth of her body. But that would be..just wrong on his part. "You are intelligent enough to know.." he wasn't certain if he was speaking to himself or the girl. "this is all Freudian on your part." He felt it should be reminded. "Keeping that in mind, then.." he breathed in a calming breath, his hands reaching but he squelched any real contact, doubling his fists tightly, forcing them back to his sides. "I see no real harm in..a few moments of .." he nodded sagely. "human interaction, if it will make you feel less apprehensive."
Harold waited patiently, disciplining his mind religiously. Her body was so ..warm and ..perfect.
He was determined to weather the moment. Surely, it was a test any self-respecting male would pass effortlessly, once his mind was..
Cordelia lay her head on his shoulder, sighing deeply. The warmth of her breath enthralled the man, for it traveled over the flesh of his neckline, sending shivers of delight up and down his arms.
Harold swallowed hard, refocusing his thoughts.
Cordelia moved ever so slightly, her lips touching his skin, soft kisses placed ever so lightly along the curve of his jawline, moving slowly..downward. Her breath hot, and heavy with involvement by the time she reached the base of his throat.
Finch closed his eyes slowly, basking in the sensuality of her actions. "..Stop doing..that." he demanded, albeit..half-heartedly. But..she didn't. Settling instead, closer still, snuggling to his warmth..her mouth gently traveling over the scratchy surface of his unshaven chin, clumsily searching for..and eventually finding..his lips.
Which he parted slightly, encouraging such brazen behavior, knowing full well he was doing so but unable, at this point, to do less. The touch of the incredibly sensual mouth, stunned him into complacency..for a long beat.
Her lips tasted deliciously sweet, fitting to his mouth perfectly, as if she were made for him alone. Her breath on the side of his cheek thrilled him no end.
Harold lifted his arms involentarily, seeking her waistline, his fingers moving aside the fabric of his shirt which she had asked to borrow earlier this evening, as she had forgotten to purchase proper night wear.
His hands felt hot flesh, as he slid them about the small waistline, fitting to the indenture of the smooth, creamy skin. He pulled the girl to him, his mouth suddenly probing her lips with gentle, well-thought out, deeply searching caresses right down to the moment his tongue probed languidly into the hot hollow awaiting his exploration.
The small, imperceptible catch of her breath caused Harold's stomach to tighten spasmodically. And her melodic moan of pleasure sent ripples of adrenalin up into the pit of his stomach. He tightened his embrace almost painfully, unaware of having done so.
Cordelia's body was fused with his, the only thing separating them, two securely fastened buttons on the upper part of her breast area. And a pair of ..blue lace panties.
But, Harold could feel the delectable crush of full, young..ripe mounds against his chest..the heat of her body infiltrated the fabric of his shirt. The taunt little tummy leaned suggestively to his abdomen and he was loathe to put a halt to his own actions.