Pride sighed for the umpteenth time. The information that Julian had passed along was great. He knew that slaves changed names as they went to new countries. The problem was who was to say that that the said slaves would keep those new names? He had tried to find out whether a Dylan Morrison had been to Saudi Arabia or some other desert country. But there had been no record of anything like that.
It had been suggested that seeing as LaSalle had been shipped in a crate, perhaps he had been handled like a zoo animal or even like a shipment of snakes would be. There was also the possibility that he had been flown in a private plane. Still, there should have been a declaration somewhere. The team had so far come up empty, but there were still an awful lot of records to go through. And that didn't include their regular workload. Luckily, Gibbs' team, though busier than the NOLA office, had also been lending a hand to help. Between the two teams, everyone hoped they would have a clue of LaSalle's whereabouts.
The one who had the biggest urgency about it all was Pride himself. He knew the worst that Phoenix could dish out. But there were a few lines even she did not cross, as horrible as she was. For example, she never let any man touch her slaves. But others might not have that stipulation. And once a slave was out of her hands, anything could happen. And that's what worried Pride the most. He had tried his damndest to protect Chris. And now… he couldn't give up. He still felt responsible for his agent. And there would be nothing he wouldn't do to get him back. Even if Pride went back into slavery himself.
Julian had greatly enjoyed Phoenix's company that morning. They had just finished an invigorating round of passionate sex, and the kissing reignited Julian's flame for Phoenix. It was confusing for sure. He wanted her. But he knew he was always in danger with what he was doing. But how he wanted her… and he knew that she loved him at some level. And for now, that was enough for him.
After he rolled off Phoenix (she did permit him to be on top) he lay panting at her side. She smiled warmly at him and basked in the afterglow. At last she told him, "I need to go back to the training centre. But only for a short visit… I'm enjoying it too much here. It's such a nice change of pace. But why don't you come with me, Julian?" As she asked her question, she traced her fingers along his bare chest, liking the muscles there.
Julian put his hand on hers as he looked at her. He knew what she was saying. Phoenix was enjoying his company and would miss him. And he had wanted a chance to look at the facility for some time. Therefore after giving her a kiss, he said softly, "Yes. I would love that." She grinned at him, and wrapped her arms around him, both of them enjoying the bare skin on skin contact.
Finally they got up. Julian went to his room to change and get ready for the day. According to Phoenix, they'd be leaving the next day. He needed to pack. Although he could have left it to one of the slaves, Julian still preferred doing things on his own. Jared was already in his room, tidying things up. Julian let him… the slave still felt awkward in here, but it would take time. Today, Julian asked for breakfast in his room, and ordered a large breakfast with lots of food. As he ate some of it, he told Jared, "Come on, have some. It's better than slops. And I did say whenever you want something in here, just get it."
Jared paused and eyed the food. He did want some. It looked good. But the years of training made him stop and ignore it. Julian watched with an inward sigh. Finally he had enough. Hating himself, he made his words an order, "Jared, eat."
Now that he had a clear command, Jared came near. He still hesitated at the table, but Julian knew better and did not take any notice of him. Jared stood still, and then reached out a hand for an apple. He had almost touched the fruit when he stopped again. But the other man continued to eat and say nothing. Jared looked again at him, and back to the apple. Giving a nervous breath, he picked up the apple. Having got it, he quickly withdrew from the table and sat in a corner out of sight. But Julian smiled. He could hear the crunching of apple coming from the hidden corner. Small victories.
The next day, they were back in New York. Phoenix thought about visiting Gibbs and company but decided it would be better to go to the facility first. Time enough for the Silver Fox later.
For the first time, Julian found himself blindfolded. But he understood. The place was top secret. And he already knew about the house in New Orleans, as it had been one of his childhood homes. But this place would be a whole new kettle of fish. And that was driven home to him when the first place Phoenix showed him was the cells where the newly captured slaves wake up after being drugged.
He looked at them with apprehension, and for one brief moment wondered if this is what happened to his father who had disappeared. Then he shoved that thought out… Dad was dead. So was her mother. That's all there was to it. The next thing Phoenix showed him was the open area where they processed the slaves. It was busy as usual. Julian's eyes were wide as he took in everything. Phoenix explained things as she went along, "This us where the slaves get collared, here we strip them and give them new clothes, plus chains. And as you can see, we take every opportunity to touch them however we like… it gets them used to the contact, as well as showing them their place." Julian bit his lip as she went on, and he got plenty of curious looks from the women and slaves.
Later on, the two of them had a good supper, waited on by the usual slaves. Then Phoenix wanted to see a new group that had only been captured the previous week. She had them summoned, and the guards quickly had the slaves in front of them. "Ah, Julian, we don't get these often. But I have plans for the young one." She pointed out a young lad who looked all of sixteen. He hung close to his father, who had blazing eyes. The man snapped, "You will not touch my son! Do what you want to me, but you won't have him."
Phoenix laughed and simply told the man, "You don't have any choice in the matter." Ignoring him for the moment, she inspected the others. There were two other men, both of whom were younger than the father. After some questions, she learned that one was the younger brother of the father, while the other was a family friend. Phoenix took a liking to the younger brother, whose name was Kevin. Deciding at last that she needed to inspect them all further, she ordered them stripped.
Julian winced, but did not move. He watched as the men glanced at each other helplessly before doing as ordered. The father, Mike, fought a bit to not allow his son Sam to undergo such a degrading thing, but in the end, he had to give in. Phoenix smiled at Kevin first, and ran her hand over his trembling body, and making him swallow hard as she explored places he really would have rathered she not. As expected, Mike cursed her as she did the same treatment to Sam.
Phoenix stopped to look at him then, and Julian knew what was coming next. He ran his hand through his black hair as the order came, "Take him and whip him good." He watched emotionlessly as Mike was strung up and punished. At last it was over, and the slaves were put away.
Julian sighed, but curiously asked Phoenix, "What plans did you have for Sam, exactly? As far as I know, you don't usually have them that young."
Phoenix leaned over and kissed him first before answering, "You're right, I don't normally. Not my cup of tea. But I did have a request for one from a client who pays very well. As soon as he's trained a bit more, he'll be shipped out."
He was quiet, and asked softly, "And he won't see his family again, I'm guessing? And where is he going, may I ask?"
"No. I separate them, just in case. The brothers won't see each other again either. As for where he's going, if he does well, he's off to Saudi Arabia." She answered lightly.
Julian froze at this information. Could it be? It wasn't possible, was it? Suddenly realizing he had been silent a little too long, Julian smoothly covered, "Really? That's quite a long way from here. And they take slaves?"
Phoenix glanced at him, but smiled. "They do, indeed. Have done, actually, for a very long time. Did you know they even took a few men during the World War and when they fought in the desert… there were a few unsuspecting victims. And goodness knows some of them have plenty of money." She paused in thought. Nodding in satisfaction, she told him, "The last slave I sent them was worth a lot of money. And they are so pleased with him, they want a young one for their daughter."
Julian made his next question casual, "Really? And will this new lad learn from the other? Who was he?"
Phoenix now looked at Julian sharply and said nothing for a moment. But to his great relief, she answered finally in a brisk tone, "The slave I sent them used to be an agent in New Orleans. And yes, he would teach the other, if he is allowed." She stood up, and with a bite in her voice, warned him, "If you tell anyone that I did this, well… let's say you will not like the consequences. I probably wouldn't touch you. But your brother is a different matter." With that she walked away.
Julian gave a ragged breath. His brother had to stay out of this. And Sam was going to LaSalle! There must be a way of tracking where Sam went. And letting the NOLA team know. He had to go see Sam now and try to come up with a plan.
He had to ask several guards the directions… this place was like a labyrinth. Finally, he found the right place, and sucked in a breath at the sight of Mike. Right. He'd almost forgotten the man had gotten whipped. Julian turned to find Sam in the next cell, as close to the bars as he could nearest his father. Mike looked up at him, and with a voice laced with pain, asked, "Who are you? Please… leave my son alone. Please… I beg you. Do what you want to me, but please."
Julian sighed deeply. He answered the man gently, "I am not going to harm anyone. I promise. Hold on a moment." He quickly found a guard, who gave him supplies and let him into Mike's cell. Julian sat behind the slave and started sponging him off, ignoring the wincing and groans he gave. He talked to them all for a good while, but noted that Kevin was missing. Sam asked where his uncle had gone, but Julian wouldn't answer him. There was no point. They'd find out soon enough.
Julian had just put his supplies away and had explained to Mike that there would be no painkillers forthcoming, when they all swung to the sound of a door opening. Phoenix herself dragged Kevin in, and raised an eyebrow at Julian. She dumped the naked groaning man in his cell and locked the door. Motioning to Julian, she told him, "I see you've been cleaning the slaves up. You needn't have bothered. Someone else could have done that. But come, leave them alone. I dare say they have plenty of thinking to do." Phoenix took Julian's arm and led him away, but not before the man had a glimpse of the terrified expression on the face of Kevin. The others were already leaning in to ask what happened. Julian was glad for one brief moment that he hadn't been the one to tell the others about this.
He'd already imagined that instead of Kevin, it was Luca, his brother.
