Chapter 36

Jethro showered for a long time. He was nauseated and his head hurt abominably. He slid slowly down the shower wall and sat on the bottom on the tile floor his head and arms on his knees. The water pounded down on his face as he lifted it to the stream. He tried to 'reach' for his wife as she had taught him in the hopes that she would respond if she wasn't too angry. After a moment he started to give up when suddenly he felt a wash of love, adoration and anxiety come back to him like a tidal wave. With a sigh of relief he acknowledged her and they just 'were' together for what seemed like a long time but in reality was only moments. The contact faded slowly, with regret, love and concern on both sides.

He finished the shower and left the bathroom with a towel wrapped round his waist. With a second towel he was drying his hair, as he moved toward the bed.

"I prefer it damp my Love." Sallah said with a purr.

Jethro paused only minutely and let the towel drop around his shoulders. He looked at her his face expressionless.

She lay against the pillows at the head of his bed and she was naked, one leg bent at the knee. Her black hair was loose and spread about her. She was lovely but to Gibbs she looked like a spider in a web.

"Très bien Madam."

He moved over to the bed as she gestured him forward. With a hungry smile she drew back the sheet and leaning into him she pulled loose his waist towel with a finger. He stood for a moment in the way she liked then slid in. She fell on to his mouth as if she were starving for a delicious meal. Gibbs let his mind wander to another time and space. He responded to her kisses and embraces in the way she wished. But he did not rouse. She was demanding of his services.

She thought over again and again that night that no one she had had been able to satisfy her the way he did. He was skilled and tactile, knowing how to please a woman. Finally Sallah sank into sleep finally after yet another orgasm where she screamed his name.

Jethro rose from the bed and went into the bathroom. He stood frozen allowing his automatic personae to fall away then dropped to his knees retching for 10 minutes. He brushed his teeth and climbed back into the shower. Finally he returned to the bed exhausted. Sallah had stretched out on the other side. He allowed his Marine training to fall into effect and went to sleep despite his nausea and revulsion. Abby smiling at him was the last picture he held in his mind.

In the morning Sallah woke slowly and stretched languidly. She turned her head smiling only to find the bed empty. Frowning, but unsurprised she sighed and climbed out of the bed. Taking his sheet she left the room going down the hall to her own suite. After a leisurely shower she dressed in a loose flowing silk blouse and fitted slacks.

Downstairs in the dining room she summoned LeVey and told him to go find Étienne. He looked like he was simmering but acknowledged her.

"I will find him My Lady."

"He is downstairs in the gym LeVey. He always works out early in the morning. Tell him he is to come to me when done. You are not to lay a finger on him. Do you understand?" She glanced up at him as she opened mail.

"I would not seriously harm him My Lady." He said stiffly.

"I was not worried about you hurting him LeVey. I doubt you could touch him. I do not want him killing anyone during the Holidays. It would be inconvenient."

She returned to the mail murmuring explicative's as she opened another bill. LeVey flushed and headed for the gym.

XXX

In the gym Étienne stood on his toes, hands and feet taped he moved lightly circling a heavy bag with focused intent. Ricard was working with weights across the room. Bogdan sat on a sit-up bench and just watched. With blinding speed Étienne struck the bag with both fists. In a whirlwind move he struck the bag hard enough with his feet in a scissors type kicks that it swung back and then he struck it again hard enough with his right fist it stood still.

A sheen of sweat covered Étienne and dripped from his shoulders and chest to his shorts. He ignored the perspiration that dripped from eye brows keeping his head slightly dipped to ensure it didn't go in his eyes.

A back kick, one, whirling for a fore kick, one. Then side kicks, repeating twice with alternating feet, fists following. His shorts clung to him with moisture. Mind focused in minute detail to his exercises, he still noted every movement in the room around him. Only complete awareness would provide him with safety. He had been working out now since 0500. He had finished his weight workout first and now was doing his La Savate.

He went through all the ritual defensive and offensive initial moves. He continued for a moment, then stopped quite suddenly and turned.

"BonJour LeVey. Comment allez-vous aujourd'hui ? Faites vous avez besoin de quelque chose ou vous êtes-vous ramenés à l'espar avec moi ? (Good day LeVey. How are you today? Do you need something or did you come to spar with me?)

Gibbs knew LeVey had watched him for at least 5 minutes. He had deliberately simplified his exercises, settling for broad muscle groupings and not the intricate practice he normally worked up to after warming up.

LeVey looked at him with open hostility. The man was not even breathing hard!

"When I meet with you to fight it will not be to spar. You had better bring a gun or I will kill you."

With a Gallic shrug, his face remained calm, his icy eyes direct. LeVey felt a shiver come on. He waved a hand to cover it.

"The Lady wishes you to attend her at once!"

"At once?" Étienne frowned. He nodded and picking up his towel he slipped his gym shoes on and left the room.

He made his way up toward Sallah's office followed closely by LeVey. Towel around his neck, he was fully aware of his bare chest and wet shorts and the effect they would have on Sallah. He knocked at the door.

"Entré!" She called brusquely.

Étienne opened the door and stepped in with LeVey right on his heels. Sallah turned and raised her brows in surprise.

"Étienne! Pourquoi êtes-vous ici couverts dans la sueur et ne pas habillés ? (Why are you here covered with sweat and not in your clothes?) Although I am enjoying it! Have you had a good workout my Love?"

"Oui Madam, but I came at once to you as LeVey indicated you had need of me tout de suite. J'ai été inquiété quelque chose a été incorrecte pour vous ma Lady."(I was worried something was wrong with you My Lady.)

"LeVey vraiment? You told Étienne to come at once to me?"

"Oui Madam. I did as you told me."

"You did not. I am most displeased that you misled my Étienne. You have displeased me very much. Assez!"

LeVey dropped to the floor as if he was a puppet with cut strings. His eyes rolled back and he began to twitch. A roar of pain came from his mouth. Gibbs winced internally, no expression on his face or in his eyes. Sallah watched him closely for a sign of discomfort then she walked to him.

"Bogdan has placed the pleasure/pain response quite well don't you think?"

Another shrug from Gibbs. He began to unwrap his hand tape.

"Does it end in death like Robert's or simply cause a desire for revenge My Lady?" He looked directly into her black eyes.

"C'est vrai. That point has not been exercised yet. Should I allow it to happen? He hates you very much." Her eyes remained on him.

"I have no fear of him my Lady. But I will kill him for you if you wish."

A smile slowly spread across her face. "Non, he has not outlived his usefulness yet. Go and dress my Darling. Our guests from Poland will be here soon."

"As you wish my Lady." Gibbs turned and left the room. Sallah watched his tight muscled ass in the wet shorts as he walked away and licked her lips. She then returned her attention to LeVey. Yes, a spider indeed.