A/N: Sorry Eric lovers, he's evil in this one… Mention of rape in this chapter, I don't think it's too graphic, but anyway I warned you in advance. Don't kill me? R&R!

CHAPTER 21: BAPTISM

-You know, you're not really my type, all skin and bones… and a woman really shouldn't have these many muscles, you know. This is why I love Calleigh's body. She's soft, and round, and mature…-, Eric panted as he thrust deeper and deeper in Vera's core. She stubbornly refused to utter a single sound, and she had decided not to keep her eyes closed in fear that would only help the tears come faster; instead, she kept looking disapprovingly at the man.

-You're not really talkative, are you? That's fine. God knows Calleigh has the awful habit of talking too much… but she's a great fuck, so I put up with her shrill voice anyway… you're better as far as bedside manners are concerned…-, he kept talking to her, not really looking at her, as if he was reciting a well practiced speech.

-You're passive. I've heard cheetahs are submissive, but I thought that did not apply to sex… or are you enjoying yourself? Why are you not fighting me?-, he asked her, slapping her face to get a reaction while still inside her.

A dull tump was hear from outside the room. Eric smirked, exiting for Vera's slick vagina without having climaxed yet. He grabbed her throat with a hand, applying enough pressure to hurt without risking to choke her or make her pass out. –I don't think Jesse's taking our rendez-vous too well… I bet he would have liked to be here at my place himself… too bad he did not have the guts to stop me and claim you as his own…-, he taunted the girl, whispering in her ear. He bit her earlobe then, eliciting a small gasp of pain from Vera.

-Oh, you're getting responsive. See? It's not so bad. Now turn around, I want to play with you some more before you regain your strength. -, he ordered her. Vera did not move. Eric smirked, and kissed her hard on the lips. When she did not open her mouth under his pressure, he bit her lower lip, the fatter one, until he tasted blood on his tongue. He flipped her over the mattress, and Vera gasped in pain, howling like a dog. He told her so.

-You know, Calleigh never let me do this to her. It's really frustrating, she has this amazing body, with which she teases you merciless, but when you think you've finally earned the right to claim it, she doesn't let you play, the frigid bitch. She really is a tease. I was wasting my time with her…-

When Vera felt the pressure of Eric's hard length on her ass, she wanted to scream. She couldn't, though. She was not strong enough, she needed more of the Cuban's sick sexual energy to heal herself completely, and in the meantime, she had to let him do to her body whatever he pleased.

She had never had anal sex before, but she disliked the idea of doing it with a vengeance. Hell, she disliked sex altogether! Of all the ways she could have lost her virginity, she had to be raped?

The first thrusts had been the worst, for her hymen was struggling with all it had not to let the Cuban gain access. It only made more painful for the girl, and when he finally managed to break into her, to violate her, she almost breathed a sigh of relief.

The pain between her legs still stung, but it was nothing compared to what he was doing to her back. To avoid screaming, she bit on the pillow, choking on her sobs. That had to wait.

Outside, silent tears were streaming down Calleigh's eyes. She had heard everything Eric had said about her, every single damn thing… how could he have fooled her? How could she have let him fool her? Had their romance been a complete lie?

He was not like that, he was not a monster, he did not rape women…

Had she been worthless? A pain in his ass? Had their lovemaking meant nothing to him? And why the hell did it all have to hurt so much? After all, it had been her who had dumped him, why should his opinion matter? He was just saying those horrible things to hurt her.

Was Vera really enjoying herself, after the initial reluctance to have him force her to have sex with him? Why wasn't she screaming, kicking, punching, hell!, biting him? Was she really as… open, physically and mentally speaking, to let Eric do whatever he pleased with her body?

Was she turning him on? More than she herself ever could? What was so special about her, to have all the men around her want to have her? Why wasn't she refusing them, dammit! She couldn't have them all! It wasn't fair…

Jesse had a protective arm draped around his colleague's shoulders, he was holding her as she cried her eyes dry. He wasn't better, though, even if he was trying with all his might not to let her see it.

The lack of sound's from Vera's part was driving him crazy. On the one hand, he was glad it was somewhat quiet, it probably meant Eric wasn't being that hard on her, right? But on the other hand, that same fact unsettled him. Doubt gripped his heart. Was she, by any chance, enjoying it? He had heard as well that cheetahs were the most submissive among were-animals, they often engaged in bondage and such practices, always choosing to be the submissive part. They seemed to enjoy being hurt. Was Eric's brutality turning the girl on?, he thought angrily. Why wasn't she protesting?

Did she love Horatio to that extent? Was she letting Eric do whatever he wanted with her battered body, all for Horatio's sake? And Calleigh, how could she have let Eric have his way with the girl so quickly? Was she, too, enamored with their redheaded boss? For the love of God, was that woman insatiable? She had barely stopped seeing the Cuban and she was already pining for another man? Was she such a bitch?

Finally, they heard cries coming from inside Vera's room. Their heads snapped towards it immediately, Jesse ready to burst in there. Calleigh stood up, letting her coworker enough room to stand as well; he rushed to the door.

When he opened it, his jaw dropped. Eric was sprawled on the bed, unconscious; Vera was standing in the middle of the room, fastening the hospital gown as best as she could around her body. When she noticed him, and focused her gaze on him, Jesse discovered with horror that her eyes were devoid of any emotion. Her blank stare made a shiver ran down his spine, her eyes looked haunted.

The girl shrugged, not sparing Eric a glance as she approached Jesse.

-Don't worry, I didn't kill him. He's just passed out, I pushed a couple of nerves in his neck. He was starting to hurt me, my ears are sensitive…-, she said, brushing past him and exiting the hospital room.

Both Jesse and Calleigh regarded her with shock written all over their faces. She was standing, and speaking, and although she seemed to have some difficulties in walking in a straight line, she seemed fine.

She had bruise marks around her throat, love bites and teeth marks on every inch of bare flesh, but otherwise she seemed fine.

-Find me some clothes. I have somewhere else to be. -, she said, willing her voice to sound strong and steady. Instead, it rang pleading and thick with emotion in Jesse's ears, and he blamed himself for ever thinking she could have enjoyed what Eric did to her. He nodded, not able to find words, and ran away from the broken girl.

Vera sighed, shagging to the ground. With a start, Calleigh realized she had deliberately let the only chair vacant for her.

-Here, take the chair. I've been sitting all the time. -, she lied, feeling bad for the girl. Vera raised her head to look at her Mistress, then nodded and stood, not without some difficulties. Calleigh noticed she seemed to be experiencing some pain between her legs, the way she walked was awkward, and a terrible thought flickered through her mind.

-Vera, were you… I mean, had you already…?-, she tried asking, but she could not bring herself to utter the words. The girl looked at her strangely for a while, and the blonde wondered if perhaps she had misunderstood and said something foolish, but then, to her horror, Vera shook her head no.

-I was a virgin. -, she mumbled, confirming her Mistress's painful thoughts.

***CONTINUES***

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