A/N Thanks for the reviews. They make it worth writing for. Just to clarify, the strip means the famous Las Vegas strip where all the casino's and everything are. Just my lazy way of writing it. From this chapter onwards it gets a little more twisted and maybe not completely realistic, but there we go. That's just the way my imagination rolls!

The strip was truly alive tonight, but then it always is. It appeared as though the whole world was lit up by the garish, glowing displays on top of every building. They moved swiftly through the crowds, heading towards Fremont Street, the seedier side of Vegas. But Catherine doubted they were going to leave the strip. This route was familiar to her. She had a terrible feeling she knew where they were going.

They waltzed easily through the entrance of the French Palace. As they passed through the doors, the security guard winked at Ellie. She nodded to him. Catherine kept Ellie close to her side as they moved deeper into the club. She jumped as a heavy hand clamped down on her shoulder, but relaxed again when she heard Ted Beaton's voice booming out behind her.

"Catherine. Sweetheart. What brings you here on this fine evening? Have I done something wrong?" he joked.

Catherine turned to face him. "Not yet. How are you doing?"

"Never better. And you?"

Catherine simply shrugged.

Ted turned his attention to Ellie. "What about you Princess? Are you here to dance tonight?"

Ellie glared at him and he grimaced. "Ooops."

Catherine's heart sank as her fears were confirmed. "Please tell me you're not," she whispered, shaking her head.

Ellie swallowed, unable to answer.

Catherine's eyes flashed dangerously as she turned on Ted. Her voice was low and filled with anger.

"How could you let her do this? Why didn't you tell me? What would it have taken for you to just call me? All you would have had to say was 'Hey Cath. Guess who our newest dancer is. Oh it's only your teenage niece. Yeah I know she's just a kid, but their are plenty of sick perverts out there who fantasize about a young thing like her, taking off her clothes.' Then I would have rushed in here, beaten the shit out of you and dragged her out right at the start. You make me sick!"

She was yelling now, not caring that everyone was staring. Ted appeared unfazed. He looked to Ellie and said calmly, "What did you bring her in here for? You knew she'd react like this."

Suddenly Ellie was looking a lot smaller, maybe even scared.

"I had to show her for real. Ted I want out and Catherine's the only one who can help me."

Annoyance spread across his face, but she ignored it and ploughed on.

"One night, after a show, you told me how special Catherine was. You said she was a fallen angel in a world of sinners. You told me how you always knew that she was too for all this, but no matter how much you wanted to get her out, you couldn't, because you were too selfish to risk losing something so precious. Then afterwards you said that I reminded you so much of her that it scared you sometimes."

Ellie paused for breathe and glanced sideways at Catherine. She was white with shock.

"Well you were right. In many ways I am just like Catherine. She taught me to dance and she taught me well. The punters love me, just as they loved her back then. But I've still got something to learn. Catherine got out. Now I want to learn to escape for myself."

She fell quiet. Her eyes dropped down to the floor. She grabbed Catherine's hand and guided her out onto the street, leaving behind a stunned Ted Beaton.

Once outside, Catherine gulped down several lung fulls of the thick, warm night air. Ellie reached into her bag and retrieved a cigarette and a lighter. She was trying to look confident and in control, but Catherine could see her hands shaking violently as she struggled to light the cigarette. Eventually she gave up and shoved them back into her bag.

"Is there anything else I need to see?"

Ellie nodded her head weakly, one hand rubbing her forehead. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry it has to be like this, but..."

Catherine shook her head to silence her. "Lead on."

They left the strip now and headed down Fremont Street. Catherine's spirits sank even lower. This route had once been familiar to her too. Catherine had never been particularly ashamed of her past as an exotic dancer, but there were some elements that accompanied it that she tried desperately to forget.

Nestled between an all night cafe and a sports bar was a set of ornate, heavy, black double doors. Through the doors the top of a winding staircase was visible. The downward spiral was lit by tiny twinkling lights, like stars. Catherine didn't need to look up at the sign above the door to know where she was. She remembered it well.

From the outside the 'Black Iris' club may have looked insignificant, but the long line of people snaking along the sidewalk showed how untrue this was. In the past Catherine had come her a lot, but rarely to dance. She had other business, down in the back rooms of the club. She suspected that this was where they were heading down.

Ellie ignored the queuing clubbers and marched straight up to the two bouncers guarding the doors. The greasy looking one leered hungrily at Catherine. The more distinguished looking one of the pair blew Ellie a kiss.

"Good evening Ellie, my darling."

She smiled sweetly at him. "Patrick, always a pleasure."

Despite his politeness Catherine hated him on instinct. Ellie seemed to know everyone around here, just as Catherine had once done, but not one of them cared enough to try and stop her.

A/N I thought I would put in a bit of Catherine's infamous sarcasm in this chapter.

The 'Black Iris' club does not exist, as far as I know, outside of my imagination,

so don't go searching the streets of Vegas for it!

As always please review, thank you.