Back to the team, then a little snippet from Jared, because he's so much fun.
Gregorio and Sonja huddled together, pouring over the detailed autopsy report from Dr. Wade. NOPD had found their fallen officer Joe McArthur with a bullet in his head, and Loretta had already finished with the body. The girls had been very sad to hear of Joe's death. Now that they knew for sure that Sophia had run with Phoenix, they also knew that Joe had paid a terrible price. Officer Sophia Elsin had in fact quit NOPD pretty much the hour she went into that apartment, and there was a city-wide manhunt for her. The girls hoped that someone would find her, but it was unlikely. The fact that they didn't even know anyone else who worked for Phoenix just solidified things.
The report just told them pretty much what Loretta did. Joe had died shortly after Sophia and her ladies had taken Miguel away. Ballistics had come back from Sebastian, and it proved that the bullet in Joe's head had in fact come from Sophia's gun, so she had indeed shot her own partner. There were bruises on his body indicating that he had taken a beating. That was pretty much all they knew.
The frustrating thing in this case was that they knew who and why, but not where. Therefore, they were not that much farther ahead than they had been, especially that Miguel had been taken too. Yes, they were grateful to him for saving both Sonja's and Sebastian's lives. They dearly wished they could have done something in return, but there had not been enough time.
They had waited a few days to talk to the widow, as they knew NOPD would have been talking to her, and they knew that it would be a very hard time for her and her family. Tammy called her at last, asking if they could speak with her. She had agreed, and both girls were off to her house.
Soon enough, the two agents pulled in front of a cozy and tidy house. They hopped out and knocked on the door. Tammy admired the flowers in the front lawn...obviously someone took good care of the gardens. The door opened, and a blonde woman appeared there. Sonja smiled, "Good morning, we're from NCIS. I'm Agent Percy and this is Agent Gregorio." Sarah McArthur nodded, and invited them in. She led them to her living room and let them sit on her couch. Gregorio started things off, "Mrs. McArthur, I want to say how very sorry I am for the loss of your husband." The widow nodded, "Please, call me Sarah. And thank you." Tammy asked, "How much has NOPD told you?" Sarah replied, "Not a whole lot, actually. They told me that they think Sophia shot him. I don't know why she would...we've known each other for years. They've been the best partners for each other that I know of anyway. Why would she just turn on him?"
The agents looked at each other. Tammy answered, "Have you heard of Phoenix, the woman?" Sarah nodded, "Joe told me something her the day that NOPD did a training session about that. She's some woman who kidnaps men and makes them her slaves." Sonja nodded, "Yes, that's right. Sophia works for Phoenix, unfortunately. Last night they took another man while Joe was with them." Sarah started to cry, but she understood, "So they thought that Joe knew too much? I miss him so much! I want him back! But, if it had to end this way, I'm glad that they killed him and didn't take him as a slave. What Joe told me was pretty bad." She wiped away more tears. Sonja looked at the ground, and Tammy sighed. That made Sarah look at them more closely. "Someone close to you has been taken, am I right?" Gregorio nodded, "Yes actually. Two of our own agents. We don't know where they are, but we know they're still alive." Sarah gasped, "Oh, I am so sorry! What Joe told me about her was horrible...I wish I could help you." Sonja replied, "So you had no clue that Sophia wasn't who you thought she was?" Again Sarah shook her head, "No, not at all. Sophia was a great girl to be around. She was funny, kind, and they were very protective of each other. If I wasn't sure that Joe loved me unconditionally, I'd be seriously jealous. What do I tell my children? They all loved Sophia too." She started to cry again. Tammy put her hand on Sarah's shoulder, "I'm sorry, Sarah. You have two beautiful children. I think I'd wait to tell them about that." Sarah nodded tearfully, "They took the news about their dad so hard. I hate to hurt them more. I'll wait until they are ready. Thank you." She pulled Tammy into a hug, and the agent let her cry on her shoulder for a few minutes.
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Loretta walked into Sebastian's lab to ask him a question. She found him standing there in deep thought. "Sebastian? Are you okay?" He jumped and scattered all the papers that he had on the desk. "Good golly, Doc! You scared me!" Loretta smiled, "Sorry, Sebastian. I didn't mean to. Here, I'll help you." She bent down and they both picked up the papers. Loretta noted most of them were the photographs that Phoenix had sent to them of Pride. "Still looking at these?" she asked. Sebastian nodded, "Yeah, I keep thinking I'm missing something." Dr. Wade looked at the tired expression on the lab technician's face. She gently put a hand on his arm and asked, "Are you okay?" The tall man swallowed hard and pushed up his glasses. He sighed, but answered her, "Yeah, yeah I'm fine. I'm just...not sleeping well." He looked at the concern on her face and continued, "I'm having nightmares. Miguel...saved me. If it hadn't been for him, I'd be...you know where I'd be! I just...I feel guilty about Miguel. And I don't know if I'd be able to handle what she gives out." He gestured at the photographs, "Just look at these. King is the strongest man I know. And what she's done to him…" Loretta wrapped him in her arms in a warm and loving hug. He struggled to not to cry, but couldn't help one tear. He quickly swiped it away, but he knew Loretta understood.
She smiled sadly at him, "You know, Sebastian, this is NOT your fault. Miguel did save you both, and I'm so grateful. I don't think he'd want you to feel guilty. Like he said, he knew they'd catch up to him at some point...it was a matter of when, not if. Best thing we can do is keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep our hopes up, no matter what." Sebastian nodded, "I get it. I really do. I just can't help but look at these photos, and see that video of LaSalle...and imagine myself in their places. Because we know what Phoenix does, and….I...if...well, you know if circumstances were different, I'd be there, right now, right this minute, kneeling before her and…" Loretta cut him off, "You can't go there, Sebastian. I know how that feels, but you can't go there. Just focus on being here and what we need to do to get them back. Okay?" He nodded, they hugged one more time, and then Loretta left him, knowing that Sebastian was strong too...he could get through this.
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Jared had returned from tending to Miguel. The runaway was sick, burning with infection from the whipping, and Jared wasn't sure if he would even live. It was a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't.
He was now in Phoenix's room, cleaning and straightening things. He knew she'd be working on her neverending paperwork, so he wanted to finish before she came back. He glanced around the room once more. It was a haven to Phoenix, as everyone's bedroom should be, but his own room of nightmares. He thought once more on the choice he had made...the choice to stay with her. Did he regret his choice now? No, because his family was safe. She had promised him that at least. His father would never know the horrors of slavery. His mother would continue to be alive. His friends that he had known would all be safe. As for himself, he had served her too long. As much as he wanted to be free, he knew his own mental state. He was too bound to her.
Click! The door opened, and Jared swung around with surprise. Phoenix came in and went to her bathroom. She was done earlier than he thought. He looked at the time. It wasn't terribly late, but in case she wanted an earlier night, he turned down the bed for her. He waited in his usual spot, kneeling by the foot of the bed. She soon came out in her housecoat, and Jared's mouth went dry. That usually meant...but it didn't always. He mentally shook himself and waited without moving. Phoenix came to him and looked at him for a long time. She smiled, "I want to try something different, boy." Jared flicked his eyes up at her, trying to read her expression. The command came, "Strip." He licked his lips nervously, but stood up and pulled his clothes off.
He stood before her, watching her closely. She put her arms around him and drew him into a kiss. He let her, not responding to her advance. She deepened it, pushing him towards her bed at the same time. He sat on the bed and she pulled back to look in his eyes. He looked away from her and she touched his chin, moving him back to her. Jared didn't want this. He was not allowed to say no, but as beautiful as she was, he had no interest in this. He hated the demon behind the angel mask. He let her hands roam over his body, trying to stir him up. He was scared, but didn't say a word. He had been trained too well to protest. At last, Phoenix pushed him down to the bed, chained him, and started to make love to him. He was too confused at first. No serum? What was going on? Phoenix kept kissing him, making him excited. No...he still didn't want this. But she was stirring the deeps in him, making him desire her. "No…" he whispered. She ignored him, putting feather light kisses on his chest. She lay with him, driving him deeper into his cloud of pleasure.
Before he could finish though, she got off him. No...Jared wanted more. He opened his blue eyes to see the grey ones go from warm and loving to cold and fierce. Had he displeased her? She purred, "I wanted to see if you would desire me after all." He whispered from his cloud, "Yes…" She smirked, "I thought as much." She unchained his hands and made him sit up. But we're not done yet! I need more...he thought. She put a hand on him down there...making him quiver. She reached behind him and under the pillow. His eyes went large as he saw the needle with serum in it. He should have known. She smiled at him, "I would never have let you share my pleasure with me. I would only give that to those who are my equal. You are not my equal, my pretty boy. You are my slave, my beautiful slave, but slave nevertheless. Put out your hand." Jared did, puzzled. She placed the needle in his hand. He looked at her, and understood with horror. He must inject himself. He had never done that before...she had always done it. But again, she was not actually telling him to do it. He looked at the clear liquid in the shaft. This small thing brought him down to his deepest hell. Once again he gazed into her eyes. She was merely waiting. Jared swallowed hard. He knew what was expected of him.
Sighing, Jared prepared himself. He removed the cap from the needle, took a deep breath, and plunged the thing into his own jugular. He paused before making his thumb depress the needle, then took the plunge. Jared yanked out the needle out of his neck, and in a moment of quick fury, threw it across the room. Phoenix gave his temple a quick kiss and whispered in his ear, "Thank you, boy." The boy nearly destroyed him, and it rang in his head over and over again as she chained him once again, and he felt the pain taking over him.
Poor Jared! Please review...I really do appreciate it.
