Summary: It's a cold night in the city when all sorts of demons come out.
Authors Note: Hey, remember those dark spots I referred to earlier? This is what I was talking about, be warned there's a scene of nonconsensual sex. I forgot to put this warning on another story of mine and there were complaints so there you go.
There were a few questions in my reviews so I'll try to answer them.
Jamie: Joshua's reasons for staying with Kathryn I believe are answered in this chapter. Why she fell so hard for him will be answered in the following chapter (Hint: why were there so many suggestions that I keep Kathryn/Joshua together to begin with?)
J: I don't think Kathryn is at all ashamed by her sexuality. If anything it gives her power and as we all know she likes that. However that doesn't mean she appreciates someone calling her a slut even if it's in jest. (By the way I love Samantha too!)
Chapter 13: Every Breath You Take
The air that night was so cold it was as if death itself was touching down on Manhattan.
As Annette stepped out of the Kensington townhouse she wrapped her coat tighter around her body in an effort to fight off the chilly November air. She hadn't been expecting the cold weather and she cursed herself for allowing Kathryn to talk her into wearing such a ridiculously skimpy dress. Actually she hadn't asked so much as ordered her. It was the first time in her life Annette has taken an order from her nemesis and she had a sinking feeling it wouldn't be the last. She was now an official tribunal member and that meant that now she had to follow orders. Kathryn's orders.
Still Annette didn't regret her decision. She knew what the tribunal did and what it stood for but it honestly didn't matter anymore. High school was almost done with anyway and now her main concern was her future. New complications had arisen in her life over the past few days that made her stand back and think about what she wanted from her life. It hadn't taken Annette long to come to the conclusion that she wanted her future to be with Marcus. As such she didn't want there to be any obstacles between them and since she knew he would never drop the tribunal she had agreed to Kathryn's request to join.
Marcus was understandably confused at her decision but she knew deep down he was happy about it. He had been smiling all night and that made Annette happy. As the night wound down she realized that perhaps it wouldn't be so bad after all. Aside from Kathryn everyone seemed rather cordial and pleased at her arrival. In fact she had even made a couple of new friends and stayed to talk with them a little longer while Marcus headed home. He offered her a ride but she had her father's car so she kissed him goodnight and they parted ways.
Now as she wandered down the dark street towards her blue Volvo she wished she had taken him up on his offer. Annette had parked father away than she thought and it was a little spooky walking the dark street alone. As she approached her vehicle she fumbled in her purse for her keys. Just as she grasped them in her hand Annette suddenly became aware of quickly approaching footsteps from behind her. Eager to get out of the cold and now nervous about possibly impending danger she jammed the key in the lock...only it was the wrong key.
"Damnit" she whispered under her breath. "Come on, come on open."
Annette's hands shook as she tried to grasp the right key. It of course was the last one she tried and as she slid it into the lock she thought she was home free until she felt a cold, rough hand cover her smaller quaking ones. Annette jumped and shrieked "ah!"
"Annette, relax it's just me."
She turned and let out a soft sigh of relief when she saw it was only Joshua. "God you scared me" she told him breathlessly. "What are you doing sneaking up on me like that?"
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you but I needed to talk to you."
Joshua wasn't wearing a coat but he didn't appear to be bothered by the cold. He did however seem quite anxious which was odd for him. To Annette it always seemed he was the picture of calm and cool but now as she looked at him he almost seemed frantic in his appearance. "Joshua what's wrong?"
"I needed to talk to you alone" he explained.
"Okay what is it?"
"I wanted to apologize for what Kathryn has done."
Annette looked up at him in confusion as she repeated "what she's done? Joshua Kathryn hasn't done anything to me. Well not recently anyway. Is this about what happened tonight?"
"Yes of course it is!" he exclaimed startling her slightly. When he noticed her tense up he apologized yet again, "I'm sorry it's just I can't believe she would go so far to use you like that."
"Well" she laughed "it's hardly the first time but she really didn't use me. I wanted to join the tribunal."
Joshua took a step back from her as a look of disbelief washed over his face. "You wanted to join? Why? It's not who you are, the tribunal. You're better then those people in there Annette."
"No I'm not" she told him. "I may not agree with all their views on things but I'm not as different from them as you think. Look the truth is I joined because of Marcus."
He snickered "I knew it. He pressured you to join didn't he?"
"No! No one pressured me to join!" she yelled at him feeling frustrated by his line of questioning. They might be friends but he had no right to demand answers the way he was. "I love Marcus and I wanted to be with him."
"Marcus" he spat with disgust "you can't really love him. I mean you two come from completely different worlds."
Annette gawked at him in shock before asking him a dangerously low voice "are you insinuating because he's black I shouldn't be with him because if you are this conversation is finished."
"No of course not" he replied in a tone that was hardly convincing. "It's just that I don't think you've thought this whole thing through."
"Trust me I have. I love Marcus but their other factors I have to think about as well."
"Such as?"
Avoiding his eyes Annette told him primly "it's really none of your business Joshua. Now if you're done interrogating me I have to get going home."
"Wait a second" he grabbed her arm and with sudden force spun her back around to face him. His face twisting in anger Joshua demanded "what about me?"
Trying to pull out of his grasp she asked "what do you mean?"
His expression softening he whispered "I love you Annette, I always have. No matter what you say I know deep down you feel the same way."
"Joshua I care about you-as a friend. You know that but I'm not in love with you. How could I be when I-"
Taking his hands off of her abruptly he pushed her back against the car and sneered "friends? You just want to be friends? God where have I heard that before?"
Annette knew he was referring to that night three years ago when after she found him kissing Kathryn she broke up with him. The ironic thing was Annette had come to Joshua on that evening with the intended purpose of breaking off things with him even before she saw him with another girl. When she told him she just wanted to be friends he plead with her to stay with him and then declared his love for her. Annette had been touched but she knew she didn't feel the same. They broke up that night not because of Kathryn's involvement but really because the relationship had come to an end. At least from Annette's point of view.
"Look I have to get going before my dad starts to worry about me." She tried to once again get in her car but Joshua wouldn't allow it. He again grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back to him.
"This is all her fault you know"
"Who's?"
"Kathryn" he spat with absolute venom. "No matter what you say I know she's the reason you broke up with me that night. She purposely pulled me into a kiss because she saw you were on your way over to me."
"I don't doubt it but she's not the reason I broke up with you."
Joshua didn't seem to be hearing her and he continued on with his bitter diatribe. "Now she's taken the one thing I value most in this world and turned her into just another simpering slut to follow-"
"Joshua stop it" she demanded shocked by his cruel words.
"You use to be good and pure Annette but now she's tainted you. She's ruined you, RUINED you!"
Annette was officially scared now. Trying to pull out of his grasp she told him as calmly as she could "Joshua let go of me."
"She needs to pay for what she's done" he said his voice low and threatening.
"Let go" she told him.
At last he seemed to notice she was speaking to him. Joshua stared down at his hand that was clenching her arm and then let go of her. He didn't apologize for his outburst he just hissed "I'm going to destroy her for this."
Annette didn't know what to say to him all she wanted to do was get the hell out of there. Without another word to him she finally got her door opened and got inside the car. Slamming the door shut she looked at him through the window shield. Joshua was looking back at her as if she was a stranger. The odd thing was she too thought she was looking at a completely different guy. Where was the intelligent, cool, level headed guy she knew? Joshua wasn't just acting irrational he was acting crazed and it frightened her.
As she watched him turn and head back to his house she contemplated what he had told her. Would he really do something to hurt Kathryn? Normally she would think such a thought was ridiculous but after seeing that intense look in his eyes she wasn't sure what to believe. After a moment of thinking it over she reached for the cell phone in her purse. Annette called information and got the number of the Merteuil residence.
As she dialed the number she knew Kathryn probably wouldn't be grateful for the information. On the contrary she would most likely just laugh it off and tell Annette to get a life. Still she thought she should at least warn Kathryn, no matter how much she disliked her, that she might be in danger.
However as fate would have it she got a busy signal. Annette listened to the beeping for a moment before finally hanging up. She looked back at the Kensignton home and sighed. "It looks like you're on your own Kathryn" she whispered aloud before driving off.
* * * * * *
"So, how did it go tonight?"
"Oh just as I planned" Kathryn replied coyly as she cradled the phone to her ear.
Sebastian snickered softly at her answer "then I take it you haven't been dethroned?"
"No on the contrary my leadership is as strong as ever."
"And Joshua?"
"Poor, poor Joshua" she mused her voice laced with phony sympathy. "He lost big tonight and not just to me."
"My, whatever did you do?"
Kathryn let out a laugh as she admired her reflection in the hallway mirror. She was wearing an elegant black negligee that was sexy but still left enough up for the imagination. Running her hand down the smooth, silky fabric she replied "I'll tell you everything when you get here. Where are you anyway?"
He sighed "I'm with Blaine in some coffee house in SoHo. We just got done looking through a couple of galleries and now we're having something to eat."
"God could my boyfriend be more queer?" she huffed.
"Could my girlfriend be more of a bitch?"
Kathryn smiled "when are you coming over?"
"We should be done shortly. I'll probably be there around one."
"One? That's like forty minutes away."
"Sorry but I promise I'll be worth the wait"
"Promises, promises" she sighed. "I'll make sure the door in unlocked. The doorman has already gone home and most of the staff has already retired for the evening. We'll have absolute privacy."
"Sounds good, I'll see you soon"
"Bye"
Kathryn hung up the phone with a satisfied smile on her face. Although she hated to be kept waiting she decided to put the time to good use and get things set up. She retrieved some wine from her parents collection and headed back to her room. Tonight Kathryn intended on celebrating her victory in style. Not only did she have Sebastian, she had control of the tribunal as well. Her win that night left her feeling especially powerful, it was as if nothing could touch her.
Grasping the red wine in one hand Kathryn pushed her bedroom door open with the other and stepped inside. She nearly dropped the bottle when she saw that she wasn't alone. "Joshua!" she exclaimed startled "you scared the fuck out of me! What are you doing here?"
He rose up from his seat on her bed with a cool grin on his face. Obviously he was quite pleased that he had scared her. "Good evening to you too Katie. You don't look happy to see me."
"Happy is not the word I would use" she spat as she sat the wine down on her desk with a hard thud. Turning back to him she demanded "just how the hell did you get in here anyway?"
"Door was unlocked"
"We have this thing in America called a bell..."
"Yes but had I used that I would have missed out on scaring the shit out of you. Not to mention I have a sinking feeling you wouldn't invite me in."
Kathryn nodded "you would be right."
Joshua's normally cool expression darkened as he stepped closer to her. Reaching out he touched her face and whispered "that would be such a shame because we have so much to talk about."
There was a strange look in his eyes that made Kathryn tense up under his touch. She had a feeling what ever he wanted to discuss she wasn't interested in. Pulling out of his reach she told him curtly "I'd love to but unfortunately I'm expecting company so if you wouldn't mind leaving."
"Oh yes Valmont" he snickered. "I overheard you on the phone with him. He won't be here for a little while so we have some time."
Getting fed up with the conversation she hissed "look if you're hear to whine some more about what I did to your precious Annette I'm not interested."
"Actually I wanted to congratulate you on a job well done. You completely screwed me over."
Kathryn shrugged "why maim your opponent when you can destroy them. You taught me that."
"The student surpasses the teacher." Joshua's face fell serious as he revealed "I loved her you know."
"Yes I know" she replied with a smug smile. "That's what made the victory so sweet. I finally knocked her off that pedestal you put her on."
"And it only took you three years to do it."
Kathryn glared at him and hissed "get out."
He shook his head at her request and then slowly started to advance on her. "I loved Annette, I always have, even when I was with you. I use to lay awake at night wishing it was her I was holding in my arms rather than you." Kathryn regarded him somewhat stunned and then a flash of hurt clouded over her face. Joshua smiled "you always thought it was you, didn't you? The first time we fucked I pretended it was her and it wasn't just that first time. You see Katie I could never have her, thanks to you. That day she broke up with me some part of me died. I knew then I would never have what I truly wanted so I settled for second best. I settled for you."
Kathryn flinched at his words and turned away from him. She didn't want Joshua to see that he was really hurting her. Her voice quaking slightly she asked "are you done yet? Because I really have things to do."
He came up from behind her and spun her back around to face him. "You were smart, beautiful, clever, but you were never her. You couldn't even hold a candle. Deep down I knew you were nothing more than a common slut, just like all the rest. The only reason I chose you instead of one of them was because I thought it might make Annette jealous and she would come back to me. But it didn't work, she just wanted to be friends."
Joshua said the last word sharply and squeezed her arm causing Kathryn to wince. "Let go Joshua you're hurting me."
"Oh sweetheart you haven't even begun to feel pain" he sneered. "See if it wasn't bad enough that you caused me to loose Annette in the first place, you purposely made the wedge between us even greater. Sending that prick Marcus after her, allowing Valmont to put his filthy hands on her, and then you bring her into the tribunal! You turn her into another one of your mindless sheep to control!"
"Once upon a time they were your sheep too"
"You destroyed her!" he yelled. "You took the one thing I truly loved in this word and perverted it, tainted it just for your own sick pleasure!"
"Joshua let go of me!" Kathryn had gone from feeling annoyed to frightened by him. His eyes were hard and dark and he was gripping her so tightly she knew there would be a bruise in the morning. Kathryn had seen him angry before but in all the years she'd known him she never saw him like this. He never scared her before.
Joshua seemed to know he was frightening her and worse yet he seemed to be getting off by it. With a cruel smile he told her "you took something from me and now I'm going to take something from you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Control my luv, it's the one thing you covet above all else. You know during all that time we were together I don't think I ever saw you loose your cool. I use to admire that most about you. Even during sex you were able to keep your emotions in check. Huh, is it like that with Valmont? When he spreads those supple thighs apart do you let him take over?"
Joshua reached down between her legs and rubbed her crudely. Kathryn tried to push him away with her free arm but he proved to be stronger than her. "Get your fucking hands off me or I swear to god I'll scream!"
"Go ahead" he laughed "I always enjoyed it more when you were vocal anyway."
"The servants will hear you!"
He snickered "oh but they've all retired for the evening, remember? Besides which if memory serves you have that strict rule with them that says they're not allowed on the floor when you have guests. Since you had a special night with Sebastian planned I'm guessing that rule went into effect some time ago. So it looks like it's just you and me Katie."
"No!" she screamed as she quickly kneed him in the groin. Almost immediately Joshua let go of her and she ran towards the door. As her hand grasped at the brass handle she was able to open it but only a crack before...
BAM!
Joshua appeared suddenly behind her, slamming the door closed with the weight of his body. "Going somewhere?"
Kathryn backed away from him and tried to think of an alternate route out of the bedroom. Since he was blocking the only exit the only other option was off the balcony but she wanted to keep her limbs in tact so that was out of the question. She considered locking herself in her closet or bathroom but she knew Joshua could get in if he wanted to. With no other option left she remembered her gun. The one ironically enough he gave her.
She darted over to the desk and pulled open the drawer only to find it locked. FUCK! After Sebastian had gotten to her gun so easily she decided to lock it up and she had placed the key...in her bureau across the room. Still Kathryn yanked on the drawer handle desperately. Looking up she saw Joshua advancing on her yet again, a malicious glint in his eyes. Getting to her feet she ordered him "stay the hell away from me or I swear to god I will fucking kill you!"
Joshua clucked his tongue, "oh promises, promises."
Backing away from him as he neared Kathryn noticed too late that Joshua held something in his hand. It was gleaming and sharp, it looked like one of her crystal paper weights. Before she could run away from him Joshua leapt forward and struck her across the face with it. The sharp, knife like edge ripped into her skin causing a sizable gash.
Kathryn let out a loud, piercing sound of pain as she clutched her face. There was blood gushing out and if felt as if someone had just ripped her face open. She fell to the ground, gasping for breath. Joshua came up beside her and chuckled. "Did I nick you?" He pulled her to her feet and grabbed her hands away "oh you won't win prom queen with your face looking like that. Perhaps I should even it out." Joshua brought her hand back and backed handed her across the other cheek. Kathryn screamed and stumbled back. Once again he grabbed her only this time he turned her away from him and slammed her onto the hard desk.
With her aching face now being smothered against the desk she gasped for breath, wishing to god he'd have mercy on her and leave her alone but knowing it wasn't nearly over with. When she felt him come up behind her Kathryn pleaded as tears fell down her face "please, Joshua please stop."
"But I'm just getting started Katie" he whispered in her ear.
She thought he was going to hit her again but quickly realized what he was really up to, what he really meant when he told her he intended on taking her control away. It was so much worse than getting a beating. Joshua's hands roughly yanked her nightgown up and her panties off. When she felt his hands on her Kathryn desperately tried to squirm away but it was useless. Even at her full strength he was far stronger than her. Still she thrashed on the desk, her hands grasping at anything that might help her fight him off. "NO!" she yelled at him. "Get off of me please Joshua, don't do this!"
Kathryn heard the familiar sound of him taking off his belt buckle followed by his pants hitting the floor. "You know" he chuckled "if I didn't know better I would think you weren't in the mood."
"STOP IT!" she yelled.
Joshua only laughed off her pleas as she felt him behind her, hard. He didn't give her any warning before he thrust inside of her roughly. Kathryn was as dry as a bone and when he entered her it felt as if she was being ripped in two. She screamed in pain as he piston in and out of her. Crying hysterically Kathryn yelped and her hands reached out for something, anything. Joshua must have noticed this because he stopped mid thrust, grabbed her wrists and using his discarded belt used it to tie her hands behind her back. "NO, no please, ahh! Don't Joshua you're going to...please it hurts so bad..."
Grasping her by the hair he brought her head up and whispered in her ear "I certainly hope so"
He fucked her hard and brutal as he yanked her head back in time with his thrusting. Joshua would pull her hair and then slam her head back on the desk. About the third time he did this Kathryn eventually passed out. Later she wouldn't be sure if it was from the loss of blood or if he truly knocked her unconscience, either way she was grateful. However when she awoke she realized it was far from over.
As her eyes fluttered open she realizes she was looking up at her ceiling and she was now lying on her back. She knew right away she was in her bed and for one beautiful instant she couldn't remember anything that had happened. Then she felt the pain in her face and then worse yet the pain between her legs. Picking her head up Kathryn looked down and realized she was now naked, her body was bruised and aching.
Right away she tried to get back up but was quickly pushed back down. Joshua appeared over her, that same cruel smile from earlier on his face. "Good you're awake" he said in a voice that was almost comforting. "You passed out on me earlier and it wasn't nearly as fun to fuck you when weren't awake."
"Joshua" she whispered her voice trembling "please stop, I won't tell just leave me alone."
"Oh but I don't think you've quite learned your lesson yet."
Noticing that same glint in his eye that appeared right before he sliced into her face she began to try and get away. Kathryn sat up but he quickly hit her across the face sending her reeling back. "I told you we're not finished yet bitch!" Joshua got back on top of her and spread her legs wide. Once again he pushed himself roughly inside of her only this time it hurt ten times worse. Kathryn's sex was already swollen and torn. Feeling him moving within her again only made the pain that much more intense.
"Ah!!" she screamed as he thrust quickly. Loud sobs soon followed as she tried to catch her breath.
"Enough of that!" he yelled at her before hitting her once again across the face. "I know you get off on the rough stuff so knock it off. You love this!"
"Stop it, stop it, stop it" she repeated over and over again as he roughly tugged at her breasts.
He didn't stop though and instead got even more brutal as he sawed in and out of her. Just as Joshua wanted Kathryn had lost complete control and was now crying and wishing to god he would just kill her. Right then she would have rather died than go through this.
Looking up at Joshua she couldn't believe this was the same man she loved for years. Three years she loved him, she loved this monster unconditionally. Worse yet she trusted him and now he was killing her. And he was enjoying it.
All Kathryn could do was cry and try to breath through the pain. In the back on her mind she prayed for Sebastian to come but at the same time she didn't want him to see her like this. Weak, pathetic, ruined.
"Oh yeah I'm almost there" Joshua groaned in her ear. "Are you close Katie?"
Kathryn gave one last effort to push him off of her but it was fruitless. He thrust into her twice more and she waited for him to fill her. However Joshua had one last humiliation in store for her. Right before he came he pulled out of Kathryn and then came on top of her bruised skin. She let out a disgusted sob when she felt the hot liquid hit her. Joshua snickered at that, "you always did hate that didn't you?"
Climbing off the bed she heard his footsteps retreat momentarily and she knew then she should get up and run. Kathryn tried to move but couldn't, weather because she was immobilized by fear or because she was too soar to walk. Joshua walked back to her a minute later, fixing his pants and putting his belt back on. As he did Kathryn noticed a smear of her own blood on the leather and she closed her eyes. As he stood over her she was torn between wishing he'd leave and hoping he'd finish the job and just kill her.
"Well Katie my luv it's been fun but I have to get going. Don't worry I promise I'll call later, you know make sure you don't do anything stupid like tell someone about our wonderful night together." Kathryn's eyes opened and she wished she had enough strength to fight him, kill him for what he'd done but she didn't.
Joshua sat beside her on the bed gently touching her face "hey what shall we call our first daughter?" He was playing the marraige game. A technique he used when ever she was angry at him. Kathryn's stomach started to turn.
A single tear rolled down her eyes as he spoke "I was thinking about Amanda or what do you think about Annette? No perhaps that's a little too ironic. Well I have to go, good-bye Katie." Bending forward he planted a light kiss on her forehead and then left.
Kathryn waited until she heard the door close before leaning over on her side and throwing up.
* * * * * *
Kathryn was going to be pissed. As Sebastian tossed the cab driver some money he cursed Blaine under his breath. He insisted after they ate that he stop off at one last gallery so he could go ogle the owner. Sebastian had reluctantly gone since he wanted to get a look at some of the guys modern imperialistic work. By the time he finally arrived at the Merteuil townhouse it was over an hour since he hung up with Kathryn.
Luckily she hadn't gotten angry and locked the door on him. Stepping inside he grinned thinking of all the ways he planned on making it up to her. Sebastian walked across the sitting room and headed up the stairs to the second floor realizing for the first time how quiet everything was. He climbed the steps even quicker and called out "Kathryn! Baby I'm sorry I'm late but it couldn't be helped. Fucking Blaine...Kathryn?"
He got to her door and opened it expecting to find her on the bed waiting him wearing some sexy teddy. Indeed she was on the bed but Sebastian most definitely was not prepared for what he found. "Jesus Christ" he breathed.
The first thing he noticed was her naked body, bruised and battered and then as she turned to look at him he saw her face. "Kathryn!" he called to her and he ran to her side. "Oh my god"
Kathryn's face was for lack of a better word a complete mess. There was a large bloody gash on one side, her eyes were blackened and one looked like it was bruised shut. When she saw him come in she immediately backed away and cried "no, please no."
Sebastian was so shocked he could barely catch his breath. "Kathryn, it's okay. It's me Sebastian, god what happened to you?"
She shook her head at him as if it pained her to answer. Once again he went to touch her but this time she didn't back away instead she tried to cover herself with a sheet. Sebastian realized she was beaten and even though she was naked it hadn't occurred to him she had been raped until she tried to hide herself from him. "Kathryn what happened?" he asked as he gently pulled the sheet away. Sebastian got a quick glance of her sex and saw it was red and bloodied. "Oh...oh god" he whispered his hands trembling at the thought of someone touching her in such a way. The fact that someone had come in and turned this once confident girl into a quaking, bloody mess made him sick.
Sebastian's head was reeling as he was torn between whisking Kathryn in his arms to comfort her and running out to find the son of a bitch who did this and tear him apart. However he knew those things could wait, first he had to get her help. With his hands still shaking Sebastian reached inside his coat and pulled out his cell phone. "I'm going to call an ambulance" he explained to her "and then we'll-"
"No!" she yelled as she sat up and gripped his arm. "No!'
"Kathryn I have to" he explained "your face...and you could have internal injuries."
"I don't care" she whispered "I'm not going to the hospital."
Sebastian couldn't understand her thinking. As comfortingly as possibly he told her "we have to take you to the hospital and then talk to the police. They have to find the sicko that did this."
"It was Joshua"
Her voice was so soft and tiny he wasn't sure he had heard her correctly the first time. "Joshua?" he repeated. "Joshua did this to you?"
When Kathryn looked up at him and nodded Sebastian jumped to his feet. His fists clenching in anger as he thought of that piece of shit touching her, hitting her. His Kathryn.
"I'm going to kill him" he breathed. "I'm going to fucking tear his legs off."
Looking away from him Kathryn spoke "he was teaching me a lesson. I...I brought Annette to the tribunal so they wouldn't throw me out. It worked, I beat Joshua. He was...angry and I kept....I kept pushing him. He threatened me and I laughed in his face. I came home and after I hung up with you I turned around...he was here."
"He followed you home?"
She nodded weakly and continued "he was acting strange. I knew something was off but I kept pushing him. He told me he never...he didn't love me. It's always been Annette but I took her away from him. He said he was going to take away my control and I knew then...he was going to hurt me. I ran, I tried to get away but he was stronger. He cut my face and then..." Kathryn looked over towards the desk "he...he...did it...there but then I passed out and I was back in bed. He was still inside me though, I begged him to stop but he kept going. Oh god I didn't want to...Sebastian you have to believe to, I didn't want him inside me" she pleaded.
"I know, I know" he whispered putting his arm around her comfortingly. "This isn't your fault, he did this. I should have gotten here sooner."
Kathryn remained stoic in his arms but her body shook a great deal. "We should still call the police" he told her.
She pulled away "no, you can't Sebastian. It will just make things worse"
"What do you want to do then?"
"I want to take a bath. I need to wash him off of me. Can you please help me?"
Sebastian had seen enough crime shows to know that the victim wasn't suppose to shower right away because it would be harder to prove rape. However seeing as Kathryn didn't want to report it and didn't want to go to the hospital and he didn't want to force her to go he didn't know anything else that would make her feel better. Sebastian nodded "yeah I'll go run you a bath. I'll be right back." He went to kiss her forehead and she quickly cowered away from him in fear. Sebastian felt pained that she couldn't even stand to have him touch her.
Heading into the bathroom he turned on the warm water then sunk to his knees as the water ran. This was all his fault, Joshua did this to her because he hadn't been there to stop it. If he had just arrived when he told her he would maybe he could have stopped it or at least gotten his hands on Joshua. Sebastian pressed his forehead against the porcelain rim of the tub and closed his eyes. He felt like he could cry over what happened to Kathryn but he wouldn't allow himself. Now he had to help her and get her through this.
With the bathtub filled Sebastian shut the water off and then walked back to the bedroom. "It's ready" he told her gently. "Would you like me to help you in?"
Kathryn nodded mutely and he bent down to pick her up. She winced at his touch but he knew it was the only way. As he carried her to the tub Sebastian noticed a line of blood trickle down from between her legs. Once again he vowed to hurt the bastard for what he'd done to her.
As gently as possible he placed her in the bath water. Kathryn choked back a sob of pain as the water hit against her wounds. "It's okay" Sebastian cooed. "Just relax. Now I have to clean you up a little so those cuts don't get infected."
Using a warm wash cloth Sebastian brought it to her face and touched it against her battered skin. Kathryn hissed at the pain and backed away. "Kathryn I have to" he told her sternly. "It will be worse if I don't."
"Okay" she responded quietly.
Sebastian proceeded as delicately as possible to clean her up without hurting her. He cleaned the blood from her face and the rest of her body. However when he hesitantly brought the wash cloth between he legs Kathryn stopped him. "I'll do it" she murmured.
He nodded in understanding and then got to his feet. "I'm just going to make up the bed. I'll be back."
After taking some sheets from the linen closet he started to leave the bathroom when Kathryn suddenly reached out and grasped his hand. Looking up at him with her eyes wide and vulnerable she told him "thank you."
"Of course" he smiled slightly at her then went back to the bedroom. Sebastian started a fire in the fireplace and then tossed in the bloodied sheets. He placed the new ones on taking his time to make sure everything was perfect and clean. Then he cleaned up where Kathryn had obviously gotten sick earlier and went to retrieve her from the bathroom. He found her staring off into space, sitting in a bath of bloody water.
"Are you ready?" he asked kneeling down beside her. When Kathryn looked over at him and nodded he bent back down and carried her back to her room. Sebastian had pulled out a long white nightgown from her closet along with a long, warm robe. He helped her get dressed and then tucked her under the covers. "I'm not going to leave" he promised her "I'm just going to go take a seat on your couch. Go to sleep and when you wake up I'll be here, okay?"
"Sebastian no" Kathryn reached out and grasped his hand again. "Will you lay with me, please? Just stay with me."
He was surprised at the request given that every time he attempted to comfort her before she backed away from him. Still Sebastian wasn't about to deny her now. Sitting back on the bed he laid down beside her. Almost immediately Kathryn curled up against him and didn't back away when he put his arm around her. They laid like that in utter silence for a little while. Then all of a sudden Kathryn began to cry. She sobbed long and hard as she clung to his chest shaking like a child. Sebastian's heart broke then as he listened to her cry. Joshua had managed to do the impossible, he had destroyed Kathryn Merteuil. Deep down Sebastian wondered if she would survive this. Would she ever come back to him?
For hours that night he pondered these questions and many more. Eventually Kathryn's tears gave way to sleep and he knew then what he had to do. As quietly as possible he pulled away from her and got out of bed. Sebastian knew he promised to not leave but there was something he needed to take care of first. Watching Kathryn at peace finally he caressed her dark hair and whispered to her "he's never going to hurt you again."
* * * * * *
Sebastian had known she was right. As the cab whizzed down Broadway he thought about Kathryn's resistance to go to the police. At the time it seemed absurd to Sebastian that she wouldn't want to report her assault. For a brief moment he even thought she might be trying to protect Joshua until it dawned on him why she would be so resistant. No matter how horrible Kathryn's bruises looked it would still be her word against his.
Kathryn would tell the police what Joshua did and his lawyers would just chalk it up to rough sex. They had dated for three years and as soon as the jury heard that it would start appearing less like rape. Kathryn's name would get dragged through the mud and she'd be even more destroyed than she already was. Sebastian wasn't about to let that happen. Not while he had breath in his body. It was up to him to get vengeance for Kathryn.
It hadn't been as difficult as he expected to hunt down Joshua. When he called the Kensington residence posing as one of Joshua's friends they told him that their driver dropped him off at Saunter, a club down by Battery park. Sebastian was familiar with it and had the cab drop him off a block away. As he walked down to the building he called the club where a gruff voice barked hello. "Is Bethany there?" he asked
"Hold on a minute!"
A few minutes later a tired voice greeted him "hello?"
"Hey Beth it's Valmont. I need a favor"
"Do you now?" she snickered. "What can I help you with this evening Valmont?"
"I'm looking for this guy, Joshua Kensington. He's tall, with dark-"
"I know who he is" he yelled over the pulsating music. "He's in here with a couple of girls. I'm not waiting on him but one of the other girls is. Do you want me to tell him you're looking for him?"
"No!" he said immediately. "No, I want you to tell him a petite blond, who looked a little out of place was asking for him. She wants to meet him down at the park. Can you tell him that?"
There was a second of hesitation "yeah sure, no problem."
"Thank you"
Sebastian hung up with her and then walked the rest of the way down to the park. As he waited by the entrance for Joshua to arrive it began to snow but Sebastian barely noticed. He was too consumed at the moment by what he was about to do he wasn't thinking about the weather or anything else for that matter.
Twenty minutes after he hung up with Beth Joshua appeared. The bastard was wearing a smile, obviously quite pleased that Annette wanted to meet with him. Sebastian waited for him to pass before appearing from out of the shadows. Joshua spun around when he heard him and his smile immediately fell. "Valmont?" Shaking his head he grumbled "of course. You had that waitress lure me out here. What's the matter too afraid to face me in public?"
"No" he sneered "I just didn't want any witnesses."
"Witnesses?" he snickered "To what?"
Sebastian slowly began to circle him as he spoke, "did you really think you were going to be able to walk away from what you did to her? You beat her and then force yourself inside her, did you think you wouldn't pay for that?"
Joshua barely batted an eye lash at his accusations. Instead he feigned confusion "rape? Who did I rape? Surely you're not referring to what happened between me and Kathryn tonight."
"You know damn well that's what I'm referring to" Sebastian hissed.
"Oh Valmont" he chuckled "you silly, naive little boy. Do you honestly think I forced her? Come on this is Kathryn we're talking about." Joshua smiled smugly "she was begging for it."
Sebastian reacted immediately by punching him hard in the face. As Joshua stumbled back he advanced on him and continued to hit him until he fell back into the snow. Climbing on top of him he started swinging wildly until Joshua blocked one of his hits and then punched Sebastian back with equal force. He fell to the side and using the fact that he was disoriented Joshua jumped on him. The two boys wrestled around in the snow with Joshua eventually ending up on top. Hitting him across the face he laughed "you know it's funny Valmont, your girlfriend could fight me off better than you can."
Joshua continued to hit him until he got his fill. Getting back on his feet he looked down at Valmont in disgust and then spit at him. "I hope you are your whore are very happy together" he sneered before walking away.
Sebastian could feel his nose trickling with blood as he watched Joshua's departing foot steps. He knew he could just let him walk out, call it a night but there was no way he was walking out of this park without doing what he came there to do. Reaching into his pocket he grasped the only option he had left.
* * * * * *
Kathryn awoke with a sudden jolt.
Gasping for breath she sat up in her bed looking around her darkened bedroom. She had been having a nightmare but she couldn't remember it. She might have thought she dreamed the whole night if her body wasn't aching and she didn't feel so dirty.
Almost immediately Kathryn realized she was alone. Sebastian was no longer beside her and he didn't appear to be in her bedroom. "Sebastian" she called out to him but was met with no answer. Right away a sinking feeling came over her as she thought about the look that appeared on his face when she told him that Joshua had done this to her. The look in his eyes wasn't just angry it was determined.
Kathryn's mind began to go into overdrive as she contemplated all the places Sebastian could be. The most obvious one filled her with absolute dread. Sebastian had gone after Joshua, he was going to make him pay for what he did to her. Normally this would be a scenario that would please Kathryn but now she was more worried about his safety. Now that she knew what Joshua was truly capable of she panicked.
Sitting in her bed alone in the dark like this she was reminded of something. Months ago when the electricity went out she was alone in her room with Sebastian and he found her...
"Oh god" she said aloud as she got up from the bed. Her legs however were still weak and soar so she has trouble standing. Limping over to the desk, blocking out her last memory of it as best she could Kathryn went to the second to last drawer and tried to open it. Just as she suspected it was no longer locked. Her gun was also no longer inside.
"Damnit" she cursed before slamming the drawer shut.
Kathryn had no way of knowing where Joshua and Sebastian could be. Even if she did she was in no condition to chase after them. Besides which she was probably too late. There was nothing left for her to do. Nothing that is besides protect the person she loved. She was in absolutely no mind set to plan and strategies but she had to force herself now. She had to help Sebastian just like he helped her because if she didn't have him she had no one.
Slowly she made her way over to the telephone. Cradling it against her face she dialed her second in command. "Hello" Marcus groggy voice greeted her.
"It's me" she replied gravely "we have a situation."
* * * * * *
Sebastian's hand gripped the small, steal weapon in his coat. As Joshua walked away from him, his feet crunching against the newly fallen snow, Sebastian got to his feet. "Hey Joshua" he called out to him.
As expected the older boy stopped at the sound of his name and turned around "what?"
"Did I ever tell you about how sweet Annette looked when she was sucking on my dick?"
This triggered the exact effect Sebastian had hoped it would. Joshua's face grew dark as he charged at him yelling "you son of a bitch!'
He ran at him knocking him back on the ground. Once again they wrestled around with one another, each fighting for dominance. However this time there was a different outcome. As Joshua brought his hands up to his enemies neck and attempted to strangle him Sebastian pulled his weapon out and pressed the cold steal to his chest.
BAM!! BAM!! BAM!!
It took three bullets before Joshua at last went still. With a groan of disgust Sebastian pushed him off and on to his back. He got to his feet and stared over him. Joshua's struggled for a final breath and his face twitched in agony. "You deserve so much worse than this" he whispered to him before releasing the final bullet into his head. With that it was over with. He did what he came there to do.
Sebastian was surprised to find that he wasn't nearly as horrified as he thought he would be. He had killed a man but it didn't feel wrong. Looking down as a pool of crimson that was slowly engulfing the snow Sebastian breathed easily knowing that at the very least Kathryn was now safe.
He didn't stick around for long. After having filed off the serial number on the gun, Sebastian tossed it into the Hudson river then walked a few blocks before catching a cab. On the way back to Kathryn's he thought about what he would say to her. Would she understand? Would she be grateful? He couldn't be sure.
When he arrived at the Merteuil residence he quietly crept back into Kathryn's bedroom as quietly as he crept out. Sebastian let out a sigh of relief when he saw that she was still asleep. Slipping his jacket off he climbed in beside her and wrapped her into his arms. He wasn't sure what would happen in the morning but he didn't care so long as she was okay.
As Kathryn fell asleep that night, she allowed herself to relax even if it was only for a little while. Sebastian was alive she told herself, he was safe. However she also knew this meant Joshua was not. Closing her eyes tightly Kathryn clung even harder to Sebastian's chest. She could still smell the gun powder on him.
- to be continued (Please Review)