CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

Monsters and Men

It's a game. That's it. He's pissed, sure, but that isn't all of it. This is something he's been wanting to do, since the factory days. It's just a game. Hang in there. He's fucking with your head. When it comes down to it he's just a man. That's it. Just a man who can't stand the thought of being weak. Nothing more. Don't think too much. Hang in there.

The knife withdrew, the hand on her neck relaxed. He raised off of her but she didn't bother to delude herself with thoughts that he was finished with her.

Probably fishing for another weapon. Looks like he's gonna use them all on me tonight. Talk about making it count, geez.

Instead he turned her over onto her back. She glanced at him, then just as quickly looked away. That dead stare was too much. Seeing it was painful and horrifying.

You're just one of them now, those eyes seemed to say. And because of that I won't hold back. Not anymore.

She thought of what he'd said earlier: "We're not gonna see each other for a while after tonight are we?"

Had that been a test? When she'd answered he'd went straight for her. She thought of him leaning against the wall, looking so peaceful - for him - as he thought of what he'd do to her tonight.

Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. Don't overthink his motives Sam. You know better than that. It's all just part of the game.

"Look at me."

Reluctantly she forced herself to look at him again, hoping her stare was non-confrontational and calm. Something told her it was anything but.

"Don't look away," he said quietly. His mood had shifted from crazed to eerily placid. "Hear me?"

"Yeah," she whispered and flinched, wondering if she was even meant to speak.

He lowered himself on top of her and she heard the sound of a zipper.

Okay, here we go. Almost over.

He was close, too close, his weight on her, never looking away from her. "We both get what we want." He said and smiled, the expression without malice.

He was inside her in one quick motion and she clenched her fists. This was the part she'd have trouble staying submissive through. She almost wished he'd kept her handcuffed, doing so would probably keep her from being punished more.

Oh you know that's why he took them off. He knows you too well.

"This was what ya wanted...wasn't it?" He moved slowly, teasing her. She liked it hard and fast and he knew it. "Answer."

"Yes."

He put his mouth to her ear. "Beg for it," he hissed. "Come on, come on. Do it."

"I want it," she told him shakily. "Please."

That was true. She did want it, as much as she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of hearing her beg. But there was no other way.

This has been the longest night of my life. This needs to end....preferably with me still breathing.

"Gonna have to be more convincing than that."

"Please," she looked at the ruined ceiling, glad she didn't have to see his face now. "You know. You know. So do it."

"No." He withdrew from her.

"Yes," she snapped, throwing caution to the wind. "Come on. Goddamn you, just do it."

"That's it." He muttered approvingly.

This is my part of the game now, she thought. This is where I take over.

He knew her well but that went both ways. As unfathomable as he was she knew he'd still follow the same pattern when it came to sex.

Weakness.

Without warning he slammed himself into her and she had to grab the sides of the table.

"Like this?" He rasped, thrusting into her viciously.

She bit her lip, not wanting him to hear how much she was enjoying it.

"What was that? Stop?" He was taunting her but his breath was ragged, his control nearly gone.

"Don't stop," she whispered. "Faster. Please." She moved her body against his, unable to help herself.

That was all the prompting he needed. He pounded into her mercilessly, snarling crazed obscenities into her ear. Without thinking she brought her hands to his back, grabbing onto his coat. When she realized what she was doing she brought them back to her sides, hoping he was too carried away to notice.

"No," he gasped. "Put 'em back."

She did, pulling him close to her. To her surprise he seemed to enjoy it, tangling one hand into her hair as he slammed into her. All reason left her then and she forgot everything that had happened. For a moment it was just this and nothing else. No pain, no resentment, no madness and death. Just the way he could make her feel. The pressure was building up inside and she couldn't stop it, didn't want to.

"I love you, you bastard. Oh my God, I'm gonna come. Fuck me. I hate you. Don't stop. Don't you dare stop."

She heard herself saying the words and was appalled at how crazy she sounded. Then the feeling washed over her and suddenly it didn't matter. Nothing did. She didn't bother to stifle her scream and was only vaguely aware of his teeth sinking into her flesh as he came too. A few more savage thrusts and he stopped, panting against her skin.

They lay like that, unmoving and tangled together on the tabletop. Then he kissed her and she wanted to hit him. She was done. He'd taken his tithe and now she could go. He owed her now.

Not that easy.

She tried to push him away, torn between wanting him to leave her alone and wanting him to continue. In response he grasped one of her hands and put it to his face. Feeling his scars underneath her fingers she shuddered, wracked with sadness, love, pity and an inexplicable guilt. It was as if he were reminding her of the truths she knew about him. The grainy video image of him carving his face flashed through her head and she pushed it away. He had chosen this life, he'd made himself into a monster. There was no reason she had to suffer for it.

But still.......

No second thoughts dumbass. No more Jack. He is what he wants to be. All you can do is go on.

He broke away from her but made no move to get up. "I did mean what I said....out there." He said simply and she gave an inward head-shake. She knew what he was referring to and she didn't believe it, not for a second. The problem was, he seemed to believe it.

On impulse she told him about the dream she'd had in the ambulance. Maybe it was a mistake but she figured maybe, just maybe, it would make him understand.

When she was finished he shrugged.

"It was just the drug Sam. Makes you see things. I should know. Anyway you're stronger than that. You'd be okay."

She wasn't strong, she knew damn well she wasn't. Not right now anyway.

"If you say so." She replied.

"You thought I was gonna kill you. Didn't you?" His eyes were obsidian glints in the lamplight.

"Yeah. And don't bother to deny it, I know it crossed your mind."

He smiled. "Oh it did. But only for a minute. Like I said, what would I do without you? Be all alone, no one to talk to but the Bat? Hm? He doesn't like me too much and he's not a very good listener. Not at all. No, you might leave but at least I know you'll still be around."

And if I'm alive you can always find me, she thought. He'd always be around, out there somewhere until one of them was dead. Samantha knew that should terrify her. It didn't.

"Remember when I broke out of Arkham and you told me you couldn't place your fate with mine?" He asked quietly.

"Yes. It was already too late though, wasn't it?"

"Yeah," he answered. "Too late for the both of us."