Still with me? Plot twist...this is turning into a cross over!
LaSalle had been assigned to house cleaning duty. Basically just dusting everywhere...but at least he was out of his cell and doing something. He had the top floor of the house to do, whatever rooms were not locked. LaSalle wished for the umpteenth time that his wrist chains were gone because it was very awkward dusting things with two hands. Plus the fact he still tripped on the shackles now and then. Having finished one room, he moved on to the next. It seemed to be a private library, as the walls were all bookcases with books of all types on them. He looked around the room in wonder. Who would have thought she read so much? Marching up to a bookcase with his duster in hand, his eyes scanned the titles. Most of the books on this shelf seemed to be classics: 1984, A Christmas Carol, The Call of the Wild, The Count of Monte Cristo, and even Black Beauty. He moved on to the next shelf and this seemed to be more random titles, some of which he hadn't heard of, and some he had: The Chrysalids, Divergent, Jurassic Park, Under the Dome, Zoo, and even some Star Trek novels. LaSalle became curious. He reached out and picked a book up, a naval fiction one called To Glory We Steer. Ah, this one told about the old time ships and a man called Bolitho. It jumped right into the action, and Chris was sucked in. He hungrily read the pages. His mind had been far too full of what was happening to him so he gladly escaped into another world.
He didn't know how long he'd been standing there when he heard behind him, "And what the hell do you think you're doing?" LaSalle snapped the book shut and casually replaced it on the shelf, finishing with a flourish of the duster. He made his voice indifferent as he replied, "Ah, just dusting in here. Just like I was told to." Phoenix strode over angrily, and he flicked his eyes at her nervously. "Kneel, slave!" He sighed, but plunked himself down on the floor. She grabbed his collar and made him look at her. "You were not doing what you were told. You were messing around with the books! And furthermore you were reading." She said it like it was the worst thing in the world. LaSalle decided to try to get on her good side by saying, "I'm sorry. I realize I should have been working. It won't happen again, I promise." He got a slap across the face and looked up at her as she growled, "But you were READING!" LaSalle was genuinely puzzled. He tried again, "Hey, I know I should have been working, but…" he was cut short as she gave him a punch. His cheek split (again) and he felt the blood dripping down. Finally Phoenix paused. She watched LaSalle's facial expression for a few seconds before she realized it. "You really don't know do you? Slaves are forbidden from reading." Christopher sighed. Oh that's what she was going on about. Another stupid slave rule. Another thing he was going to get in shit for.
Phoenix considered him. He really was too cute. She thought about taking him then and there. She really did have to pack to go to New York for the next day though. Well, the girls had been asking for something special. Here was her gift to them. They were all on vacation after all! Phoenix fished around in her pocket and found her leash. She clipped it on to Chris' collar and he sighed, but rose obediently. She led him down to the punishment room, passing King on the way. Pride looked like hell, but he also looked ready to defend him. LaSalle shook his head at him to not start trouble. King hesitated, then turned away from him. It cost him a great effort, Chris noted, but it was for the best.
He found himself standing next to the wall and chained to it. What was on today's menu? A flogging? A beating? Heaven forbid, a foot whipping? Whatever it was, if he was here in this room, it wouldn't be pleasant.
Phoenix smirked at him and pulled her phone out. She talked into it, and Chris knew it was Sophia on the line. Phoenix told her to bring some of the other ladies and they would all meet up in the punishment room. Having done that, she hung up, and took off LaSalle's shackles. He looked down at the wounds on his ankles. His wrists probably looked the same. They were certainly sore. He got the chance to find out as she unlocked the wrist chain as well. He winced as he saw the red marks that scored them. Now the only thing holding him to the wall was a chain on his collar.
He looked up as he heard the women coming in. They all brought a chair with them. Now why would they do that? They placed the chairs in a half circle and he looked at the ladies in puzzlement. Victoria was there, so was Sophia and Lucy, and two more. They all watched Phoenix expectantly. Phoenix unhooked LaSalle and brought him before them. She leered at him, and Chris felt immediately uncomfortable with the situation. The dreaded command came, "Strip, boy." He looked at the waiting ladies, but seeing no choice, he did so. He made no attempt to hide himself, having found out in earlier experiences they did not appreciate it.
Phoenix laughed at him before explaining, "These very nice ladies are in charge of you tonight. You'll do your very best to entertain them. Do whatever they ask. But do start with a nice lap dance on all of them. Victoria has some serum for you so they'll enjoy themselves. If they want to lie with you, you'll not complain. If not and they only want to kick your ass while you're drugged up with serum, so be it. You are their entertainment. They earned it." She looked at the ladies and smile, "Have fun with him." Phoenix watched the frightened look on LaSalle's face, but also the bravery of him as he obediently knelt so Victoria could inject him. Nodding with satisfaction, she left him to his doom.
Next Day
Gibbs rubbed his temples. It had been a long day, and the case his team was working on was frustrating to say in the least. He looked around at his team. Dinozzo was on the phone, Bishop was pouring through files, and McGee was pounding away on his computer. Tony soon hung up, "No one knows anything, boss."
Gibbs sighed, then sat up straight as his phone rang. He picked it up, "Yup." The voice in his ear told him he had a visitor coming up the elevator. "Okay, thanks." Probably it was the informant they had been working with. He opened his folder and rechecked his information. He was reaching for a pen when he paused. He felt eyes on him. Grey eyes. Gibbs looked up at Phoenix standing there. His team all stopped what they were doing and stared too. She smiled, "Good morning, Gibbs. We need to talk." She turned to look at Dinozzo's ashen face. "Him too." Gibbs sighed, but nodded, "Okay, conference room." Bishop spoke up, "Hey, we need to be there too." Phoenix glanced at the blonde agent. She thought a moment, then nodded. "Fine. You and Agent McGee can attend as well."
Soon the five of them were gathered in the conference room. Phoenix smirked at Tony, "And how has my pretty boy been?" Tony pinched his lips together, refusing to rise to the bait. Gibbs retorted, "Enough of that. What do you want?" She continued to watch Tony, "I want to see my mark on him again." Dinozzo's jaw tightened, but he answered Gibbs' silent question, "It's okay boss." He took off his jacket and tie and tossed them on the table. He paused to take a deep breath before unbuttoning his shirt and shrugging it off. Phoenix smiled to see the graceful fiery bird that she had carved into his chest. She touched it, and traced the lines, ignoring his involuntary shudder. No one in the room said anything, but no one could take their eyes off Tony's horrific scars either. She walked around to his back and observed the criss cross scars easily visible. She went to his front again and had one more look. She nodded, "Get dressed." Tony gladly did so, and Gibbs repeated his question, "What do you want, Phoenix?"
Phoenix smiled, "Have a few questions for you." She procured a list from her pocket and gave it to him. Gibbs ran over the list, then handed it to Bishop. "Most of that is classified." Phoenix chucked, "Yes, that's why I came to you. And as per our little agreement, you must give it to me. I'll even give you something I know you want in exchange. Understand, I don't even have to do this, but I'm being nice." The team looked at each other, and Bishop answered, "What do you have for us?" Phoenix looked at her, "Not until you give me the information." Gibbs sighed; she was right of course. "How soon do you want it?" She answered, "Twenty-four hours." Bishop nodded. It was doable, just.
Gibbs turned to Phoenix again as she spoke, "And Gibbs...there is one more thing to discuss." He raised an eyebrow, What's that?" She smiled, "It's time for you to come with me." Gibbs inhaled sharply, but nodded. Tony very quietly said, "Remember what we agreed on, please." She shot him a look, then smirked. "You miss my bed already, pretty boy?" McGee saw his friend flinch, and he felt angry at the way Phoenix was treating him. But there was nothing he could do. Dinozzo had his mental scars, as well as his physical ones.
Phoenix went to Gibbs and traced some of the lines on Gibbs' face. "We leave now. You don't need a single thing." She whispered in his ear, "Not even clothes. But for the sake of your modesty here, I'll let you leave them on." Gibbs didn't react. It was only her way to try to demean him. He answered, "Fine, let's go and get this over with." Bishop had tears in her eyes, "Gibbs, stay safe." Phoenix replied, "Silver Fox, I'll get the car ready. If you want to say goodbye to anyone else, you have ten minutes. Then I expect you out there. And I will be checking for a chip so don't even think about putting one in."
Gibbs nodded. He would have to break the news to Abby… it wouldn't be fair for anyone else to do it. He headed to the elevator and found his way to the lab, surprising the lab technician. "Hey Gibbs, what brings you here? I haven't finished those tests you asked me for. It'll be a while yet." Abby looked at Gibbs' closed expression and asked, "Wait, has something happened? Is everyone okay?" He shortly replied, "Phoenix is here. I have to go with her." Abby's eyes opened wide and she gasped, "No! She can't have you!" She grabbed him in a big hug. Gibbs patted her and kissed her on the head, "You know I have to go Abs. I'm only gone for a week. I promise you I will be back." Abby gave Gibbs a last crushing hug, then let go of him. "I really wish you didn't have to do this! But I'll see you when you get back. Just try to come back in one piece." Gibbs nodded and headed over to Ducky. One piece. Minus whatever she strips off my back, I'm sure, he thought.
Ducky was sober when he heard that Gibbs was going. He didn't agree with this whole thing, but knew that they hadn't had any choices in the matter. He hoped that Gibbs wouldn't come back again in the mess that he did the last time. But he knew that it was highly unlikely that he would escape her cruel and sadistic ways.
Promptly ten minutes later, Gibbs met Phoenix in the garage where she had parked her vehicle. He had not allowed anyone else to come. This was private between him and Phoenix. "All ready there? Good." She gestured to the trunk. "Get in." Gibbs barely contained a sigh, and climbed in the back. He knew she had to drug him, and exposed his neck for her. She smiled at his willingness and had a needle at the ready. She punctured his jugular and he felt the stuff flowing through his veins..
Just before he started getting sleepy, Gibbs asked her, "Where are we going?" He drifted off just as he heard her reply, "New Orleans."
The Following Day
The phone rang at Bishop's desk. She quickly picked it up, and it was Phoenix on the line, on an untraceable number. "Hey, Ellie, have you got my information for me?" Bishop suppressed a sigh. What was Gibbs doing now? She answered, "Yes I do." She heard Phoenix chuckle, and reply, "That's good. Get it all together in a stick. Go to Ulysses Grant's grave. Give the stick to the courier. You will also find what you want there." She hung up there.
Bishop and McGee quickly made their way to the famous grave. They spotted a woman standing there with her hand on a kneeling man's shoulder. People passed by them curiously, but this was New York. People didn't pay that much attention. Bishop walked to the pair and said, "We're doing an exchange, I hear?" The woman smiled and casually moved her shirt so her gun showed as a warning before answering, "That's right. You got our stuff?" McGee handed her the stick. The woman fingered it, and pulled out a laptop from her bag. She plugged it in and checked it out. "Looks good here." Putting everything away she nodded at the kneeling man. "This is Loren Grant. He's who you're looking for in your current case. He's the one who shot your sailor." Both agents looked down surprised at the man. He had been on the suspect list, but was definitely not on the top of it. McGee started to say, "How…" when she interrupted. "Never you mind how we figured it out. Fact is, we did, and we have no use for him. He's been to our...facility...and we've worked him over nicely. Point is, I think he's more than ready to talk to you. He'd rather go to jail than be a slave to us. So he's yours."
Bishop didn't know what to say other than, "Oh...thank you." The woman smiled, lifted the chin of the frightened looking man, and kissed him. She pulled away and he jerked his head down. She nodded, "Have fun with him. He screams like a girl." With that she walked away and disappeared into the milling New York crowd.
Welcome back Gibbs! Or not...