Back again xD! What can I say, I just can't get away from my laptop when I read all those reviews –seriously they always bring me up when I'm depressed :) speaking of depression, this chapter might be more angsty. Not moving much in the plot, though.

Warning M for this chapter : Rape (italic passage), you've been warned.

Thanks to: Iloveplotbunnies, Ebony10, chocolateymenta, Frogster, (thanks for pointing out the grammatical detail), Chiisana Minako, chocolatefan, Famous4it, leelou09, rigspeltforeverxx, Jomo5292, LOLY POP XD, DanniGaGa, Flora (merci pour le commentaire xD ça fait toujours plaisir ! J'essayerai d'être à la hauteur des futures attentes xD) MK (hope you'll *like* this one better :) ), Jane Doe (thank you xD) for their reviews, and to all the people who favourite and alert this story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Mentalist, I do not earn money over these fics, and I definitely don't deny having an obsession with AUs xD! warning: my English grammar isn't the best. Hope you'll enjoy the story anyway –won't blame you if you don't ;D


Slave

11.

Dessert went smoothly, and Teresa didn't have to bear sneaky comments from Harper neither from Byron about her and Jane's little…intercourse. In fact, none of them mentioned it at all or understated it. Perhaps Jane was right; Lady Byron was too pissed off and Harper didn't want to mess with her friend. Needless to say, she was glad no-one brought it up. She still wasn't sure how to behave with Jane, what to expect from him, or what he expected from her. She couldn't deny her attraction to him and she wasn't a hundred percent sure she would push him away if he made a move on her. And she had felt his reaction against her thigh, despite the layers of silk of her dress. A blush crept on her cheeks at the thought, mostly because she had liked it.

"Mrs Jane, do you feel all right?" Lord Byron's voice woke her up and she nearly fall off her chair, jumping in surprise.

"Uh…yes, I'm fine, thank you" she replied quickly –and slapped herself for the squeezing tone.

"You look like you could use a room for a while. Why don't you all stay for the night?" he added with a glance at everyone. "We have enough bedrooms for everyone, and we could talk business longer."

"As tempting the invitation is my Lord" Jane replied smoothly "I'm afraid we'll decline. The butlers are waiting for us to come back, and I'd hate to leave them up all night."

"Hey, that's what they are paid for!" the dry man protested, returning his attention on Teresa. "I'm sure they'll understand anyway. It's already past midnight."

Somehow, Teresa wondered if the man was convinced she'd influence Jane's decision if she decided to stay, and if Jane's word would overcome the others. If she put aside the fact that the trio was at the head of the company, it was true that appearances pushed Jane on the front stage. He had been the most talkative and agreeable, while Mashburn and Brooke were quiet and observant. So that was the strategy? Making one of them do the talking to distract and let the others analyze? Give the image of a read leader and its followers rather than a perfectly equal triangle? So Lord Byron was indeed thinking he was their real leader? She merely smirked at the idea of her being able to influence Jane's views. He was her master, not the other way round…she froze at the thought. Since when did she fell proud of being one of Jane's subordinate?

Teresa pushed the dangerous reflection aside and turned her attention back to the table and the main discussion, even though she knew she wouldn't understand most of it. Lack of knowledge on the subject; she knew she should have asked about it during the sailing trip.

It was past one in the morning when they got out of table. A second time, Teresa excused herself to the bathroom, completely exhausted. Thankfully, her weird hour's shifts back in America helped her rebuff the temptation of dozing off. Though bearing hours of negotiations of something she wasn't part of wasn't the most exciting event. Jane had warned her, she couldn't really blame him. As she washed her hands, trying desperately not to give in the urge to splash her face with water and mess with her make up, the door opened behind. At first, she didn't notice, until she saw the Lord's reflection in the glass. She jumped in surprise and turned round, facing the character, heart beating wild.

"Lord Byron" she jabbered, feeling stupid at once, "I'm sorry I didn't see you."

He didn't answer but stepped closer, invading her personal space. The greed in his eyes made her shiver and she had to tighten her fists to cool down and not loose it in front of his hungry gaze.

"I dare hope you will accept my invitation of remaining at the main house tonight?" the Lord said in a sweet-lusty tone. Fear paralyzed her as he took a lock of her hair in his hand, playing with it. "My wife told me about your…let's say making out with your husband in this very room. You are quite daring, Mrs Jane. I'm sure you're the energetic and aggressive kind, everything my wife isn't these days."

The words hit her hard, and triggered some memories she wished so much she could forget.

*Flashback*

A knock on the door awoke her. She was lying in the narrow bed of domestic the first man who bought her gave her to sleep in, and wished she could hit whoever was waking her up. She traipsed reluctantly to the door and opened. The dry face of her master appeared, and she restrained a grimace. What did the old fag wanted now?

"Do you need something sir?" she asked, still dozing off.

"Shut up" he replied dryly, pushing her inside and following her. He closed the door and locked behind, then turned towards her and pointed the bed.

"Undress and lay down" he ordered sharply. That sentence slapped her awake.

"Excuse me?" she asked in disbelief.

"I won't repeat myself, salve" the man stepped forward and caught her chin. "Take that nightdress off and lie down on the bed before I do it myself."

Her blood froze and she couldn't hold back a shiver along her spin. No way. Not again.

"No" she replied forcefully, escaping his grasp by stepping back. "No sir, get out of my room!"

The answer earned her a blow on the face. His hands grabbed immediately her nightdress by the collar and tore it apart. Her upper body was quickly denuded as he pushed her on the mattress.

"I knew right away you were a feisty one" she heard him pant as his hand rolled over her skin, touching parts she'd never wanted him to. "Energetic, aggressive, everything my wife isn't these days."

His fingers caressed her collarbone, lowered on her breasts and took them fully in his palms. She tried to push him away, struggling from his grip, pleaded him to let her go, he ignored her cries and when she tried to bite him or kick him away, he hit her until she didn't resist him anymore.

"No one is going to help you. Don't forget I am you master, slave."

He parted her legs and thrust into her with no warning. She closed her eyes, biting her lips to restrain her screams, wanting to escape this nightmare. He didn't stop until he used her for all her worth, until she couldn't cry anymore. The following day, she knew the other maids were aware of what happened. But no one did a thing. She realized why; it was either her or them.

*End flashback*

The next night, and the night after that, and the following nights he would come back. Each time she would fight hopelessly, each time he would beat her until she crawled into a ball, and go on with his ritual calling her 'slave'. Again, and again; until she managed to run away. Only to get caught and sold to another who'd threaten to cut his youngest slave's finger, a small girl, if she didn't sleep with him. No one would help her, no matter how much she begged, ran, or fight.

"Teresa, you don't have to be afraid of me. I won't hurt you, or abuse you in any way."

The touch of a finger on her cheeks made her jump. Fear, mixed with anger and adrenaline gave her the push she needed to blow his hand away, glaring at him with all her might. Never again. Never she would allow this feeling of panic dominate her again.

"Get your paws off me you pig!" she shouted, stepping back. "And don't you dare come close to me."

The Lord didn't seem affected and, ignoring her outburst, moved closer.

"Oh come on! You can claim at your friends you've been sleeping with a Lord afterwards! Don't think I am not aware of the reason you married Mr Jane. You are young and pretty but poor I presume? And he's good looking for sure but has the money. I have money too…"

"I am no whore. Just stay away from me" she growled, first clenching, eyes narrowing. One step closer and she was definitely punching his nose. The door suddenly opened and Jane walked into the room. When he saw the Lord devouring Teresa with his eyes, and the young woman's jerky breathing, anxiety written all over her features, he shot sharply:

"I'm sorry to disappoint you Lord Byron, but I am very possessive of my wife. We will be leaving now."

He joined her and slightly touched her back to signal their departure. Teresa followed him without a word. Behind him, Mashburn and Harper were glaring at the Lord. Without any good-bye, they walked out the room to the carriage.

All along the drive back, Teresa remained silent, staring outside, fists clenching from time to time to restrain tears. She didn't pay attention to the three other passengers. She just lost herself in what she could see of the maze of streets, her vision blurred by the moisture in her eyes.

Never again.

When they arrived at the house, she went directly to the room she shared with Jane, ignoring Van Pelt's surprised glance and calls, and took off the beautiful dress, not caring if she tore it, throwing it on the ground. Then she sat on the bed, biting her lip and hugging herself, only in her underclothes. She had forgotten how it felt, being trapped with no exit in sight. Being a pray between men's hands. The 'why' she was so wary of Jane, in the early days. How did she erase so easily the feeling, up to the point of accepting his hands on her? She barely smirked at her own question, knowing the answer already.

She trusted him.

"Teresa?"

His voice made her jump slightly, startled. She didn't even hear him come in. He walked up to her and kneed besides her slowly. His hand brushed over hers, as if asking if she accepted his presence. Teresa didn't move. Just stared back at the wall ahead.

"Teresa, look at me." His tone was firm, yet gentle and understanding and he tried to meet her eyes. "Teresa?" A single tear formed in her left eye. She didn't try to blink it away. The blond man bit his lower lip and stood up. He cupped her cheek, and when she didn't protest, pushed her gently on the bed. It broke his heart to see how unresisting she was, not even trying to shove him away. Even when he settled next to her, she didn't budge. She just stared somewhere, gaze unfocused. He pulled her against him, arms wrapped around her shoulders, chin resting above her head.

"You'll be fine Teresa" he whispered. "I won't let anything happen to you." His finger slipped into her hair, soothing her when she stilled. "I promise; I won't let anyone lean a hand on you again."

Her hand clenched his shirt and she buried her head in his chest. Only then, she allowed silent tears to run freely down her cheeks. Only then, she allowed herself to be vulnerable, break in his arms and cry until she couldn't any more.

-S-

When she woke up, she was still wrapped up in his arms, comfortably settled against his chest. She frowned. He had changed clothes in between. The black suit had been traded by the usual grey one and he smelt like he had taken a bath not so long ago. No more traces of the previous night on him. She, was still in the underclothes of the previous day. A slight move made her realize he was awaked. A brush of lips on her forehead reminded her why she had been crying, yet she felt better. The gesture was sweet and comforting.

"We'll be heading back in four days" he announced softly. "In agreement with Walter and Brooke, I'm putting an end at the negotiation of a potential contract with that Lord. His firm is on the edge of bankrupt anyway."

Teresa frowned, puzzled. She hoisted herself on her elbow, holding her covers over her chest while he stood up in the room. He had definitely changed clothes, that grey suit he usually wore gave her a sense of what she considered now normality. Jane without his grey suit wasn't Jane. Perhaps the fact that suit fitted him particularly well had something to do with it. Teresa pushed the thought aside, managing not to blush, and asked as a reply:

"I thought you agreed to sign it already?"

"That's not a problem. Contracts are just papers that can easily be…lost, I trust Brooke for that" an evil smirk grew on his face before he added on a dry tone. "I will never be associated to a son of a bitch having no ethic. Walter and Brooke were livid when I last saw them. I think she's well decided to make sure his company sinks and I'm waiting to hear if she needs my help whatsoever. We can do some tourism if you wish" he added with a smile. "Grace and Rigsby must be walking downtown right now. I was planning on letting you go with them and I taking care of business, but since there is no more business and you were sleeping sound, would you accept my company for the afternoon?"

-S-

After a quick lunch, they went out and spent most of their time walking around and enjoying the clement weather of the day. The following days on servants and neighbours advices, Jane and she, sometimes accompanied with Rigsby and Van Pelt, would go in the centre and visit what was ought to, like the National Library, the Queens gardens, the unmistakable Big Ben, numerous parks and markets...Time flowed fast enough, and before they realized it, it was the last night before departure. Despite having her fun; Teresa was glad at the prospect of going back home. London was nice, true, but she missed the countryside Jane's manor offered. Quick enough, suitcases were packed, ready for the long trip back. Jane went to bed early, claiming he wanted to be fresh in the morning. Teresa stayed a little bit longer, stuck in a book about London, before remembering they were due to board at eight the next morning.

Once on their room, she lay down next to him and faced him. After the Byron incident, none of them had mentioned the kiss. When they were alone, both would be incredibly talkative, avoiding the subject by any means. She sighed, knowing they couldn't dodge the underlying issue for too long. His eyes were closed and he was apparently sleeping. His unregulated breath betrayed him though, and she noticed a flicked of his nose and a small twist of his lid, as if battling whether he should open them or not. Teresa smiled softly and whispered before closing her own:

"Thank you; for everything."

Later that night, when she opened her eyes, she deliberately ignored the fact he was spooning her, an arm thrown over her waist, face buried in her hair. She just closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep, lulled by his slow breath pattern and the comfort of his embrace.


At Jane's residence, on the other side of the ocean…

It was still early in the morning, yet a high carriage rolled down the alley of Jane's residence and stopped right in front of the fences. A man jumped off the driver's seat and went to the door to open it. Two tall silhouettes covered by long deep brown capes walked out, looking around with a visible frown on both foreheads. Elise, busy around a bunch of yellow roses, noticed them first. The Asian woman cast a worried glance at the newcomers, before calling out for her husband not far away.

"Kimball? You might want to go to the main entrance."

The head butler arrived slightly running, wondering what had caught Elise's attention. When he saw the unexpected guests, he frowned.

"Go and send me Julian for the horses, I'll deal with the witches" he ordered, grumbling. "Mrs Miller and Mrs Frye are paying a visit to their dear absent brother."


Err…to be honest, that last paragraph was a complete spur of the moment. Ah, family…Hey, it'd be too easy if they came back and 'happily ever after' xD

I'll try a happier and fluffier chapter next time…and we learn more about Jane's past…In the meantime, could you cheer me up by letting me know what you think? Good or bad, I wanna drown into reviews! xD

Thanks for reading so far!

Next chapter preview:

His face was too close. She couldn't help it and leant closer, remembering how warm those lips had been against hers. His hot breath tickled her face and she hesitated. What if he wasn't sleeping? What if he woke up and found her staring at him? Wouldn't that be creepy?

"Teresa?"

She froze as his eyes opened and he gazed at her sleepily. Until now, she hadn't realised how close her face was to his. Damn her stupid crush! He, was smirking as if knowing what was running through her head.

"If you wanted to kiss me, you just had to say so."