Title: Niflheim
Author: It's us if you haven't figured it out by now *lol*
Rating: Well for about 5 months this chapter was PG-13 but now, because of my mood and my need to write torture, it's R.
Summary: When it is dark enough you can see the stars.
Disclaimer: Ok first things first. There's a serious one in the first chapter – well as serious as you'll get from me – so here's this one. I was reading a fic the other day and by way of a disclaimer the author had this quote and I'm going to borrow it. "Fan fiction is for writers with original ideas, just not original characters." I think that pretty much sums up the fact that I don't own squat except the idea, Lars Fenaisyn, and Nicolas Parker, and even then I have to share them 50/50 with Syl!! *grin*
Replies:
Willows – Thanks for your review. Syl's the best ain't she?!
Kiera – Please do go on about how beautiful this fic is … we love to hear what everyone thinks of our work *lol* I did try to update as fast as I could.
Black Storm – Kiki, you're starting to sound like me; "I'm too lazy to sign in!" I must be rubbing off on you – not that that's a bad thing *big grin* Glad you like the suspense and interaction; we do try our very best!!
Mere – It was nice talking to you too and I'm glad we cleared up that stuff about the recapture of Alex. Your extremely long wait is over so I hope you enjoy.
Barbara – It made my day to read that you think we're the best. You're certainly good for our egos. I know I was parading around with a head swell for the entire day!! *lol* j/k Here's the next instalment for you.
Waterfall2014 – That line is one of my faves from Syl's chapter too; it rates up there along with all the McDonald references!! I'm glad Syl didn't let Alex get away … had she done so, how on Earth could I torture her further. And you all know me; I love my angst and suffering vbeg
L.McGonagall – I did try to update as quickly as I could but because of illness and studies, this chapter just took a very damn long time. Thanks for being so patient and thanks for your compliments; they mean the world to us.
Cyprus Tree – I love that line about the hooker boots too. It just shows of Syl's talent. Glad you're enjoying Nif; read on.
Cyclone – Your comments are just too kind and that bit about our styles blending together is exactly why I love writing with Syl. She's such a talent and we're both on such similar wavelengths it's really scary sometimes. There's no baby grand in this chapter – I was thinking more anvil anyway – but hopefully soon you'll get your opened can of whoop ass.
Cookie – Here's the next bit for you. Hope it works!
Magenta Lee – It's always nice to meet another Sydneysider; someone else who finally understands my Australian analogies (with the exception of Cyclone that is *lmao*). I guess I add them there because yes, I know what you mean when you say you don't follow American/Canadian references. Hell I find it hard to even name streets in NYC!! I've even been as far as google-ing up maps of the area so I can make my fics as accurate as possible. It's really not easy. Hope chapter 5 is everything you were waiting for and more!!
Author's Notes:
RivErStaR – My life has been a real bitch these past 5 or so months – I've been struck down with illness after illness after illness resulting in depression. Some days just get so difficult I wish I wasn't around to have to live through them but I just struggled on. It's now under control, thanks to some wonderful drugs and my life is starting to get back on track – I still have a long road ahead, but it has shortened somewhat.
I want to thank you all for your patience, and I'd also like to thank those of you who have been hounding me to get this done. It means the world to me to know that there are people out there who actually give a damn about what I write, so thank you all very much.
On a further note – risking this author's note to make it sound like an Emmy acceptance speech – there are a few people I'd like to take the time out to thank personally.
To my new muse – since the other ran away and you stepped in, you've done me proud. YOU ROCK!!!
My writing partner Syl – I wouldn't be here right now without you. You've been constantly on my back hounding me to get this chapter up and running and now that it is done, it's such a relief to have that extra weight lifted; you were starting to get heavy!! *lmao* It is a real honour to be writing this with you and as the chapters flow on, I love this fic more and more. Thanks for being such a great friend and writer.
Tracy – Thank you so much being that little voice in the back of my head. You telling me to hurry up and update has been a blessing. Believe it or not, but you actually started making me feel guilty about keeping these people waiting and that really got my arse into gear. Thanks for putting the pressure on and putting up with my 'but I've lost my muse' whining.
Finally to all the people at AI – You're such a great bunch of people and I couldn't ask to belong to a better fandom. There's talent galore and just reading all the posts kept me thinking about writing, even though you're only seeing the results now. Thank you all so much.
Okay enough with this shit and on with the fic. Will be seeing you with lucky chapter 7 soon!!
Sylphide's Notes: Hey!! Okay, first note here, is to the reader. An immense thank you for sticking with the fic this long, Amy and I realize it's been a long time but … life knocks, and she has to answer, just as much as I do. Both of us have really enjoyed reading your comments and reviews, -- yes, even the ones like Hurry the hell up or I'm gonna .. yeah, even those. It's great times and I sincerely love this. Fanfiction and writing just brings an extra light and a kind of relief to my day … it's my release and I'm proud of Amy for finishing this. Ever so proud!
Okay, second here is to Amy, my talented and professional partner. Love you to death, girl … and sorry I was so heavy on your back. I just knew the readers were anxious to see this … and ok, I admit it, so was I. I do realize you had homework and uni and everything, and trust me, girl, I had it too. So no fights … and no threats …
…anymore.
Haha. Just jokes. Anyway, that's all from me here – so readers, show us some love here and … yeah. Review! No flames … here's Amy's chapter, many long months in the making and arrival.
See you next chapter.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
NIFLHEIM – Chapter 5 – Celtic Wisdom
What Deakins saw as he emerged from his office upon hearing the loud commotion resembled a recent WWF Smack-down match. His top detective was an active participant of the office duel between he and Parker. Fists were flying everywhere, and Goren being a large man, was sure to inflict some serious damage on the younger detective if he wasn't stopped. He motioned for a group of by-standers to break up the fight and returned to his office. Not before adding final directions.
"Send Goren and Parker into my office when they've settled down." He paused at the door before adding, "No. Just send in Goren. I'll speak to them separately. It might be safer."
Not more than five minutes had passed when Goren entered his superior's office with a somewhat solemn look etched on his face.
"Shut the door behind you and take a seat," Deakins said with a grim but surprisingly gentle tone. He watched Goren sit whilst taking in his scruffy appearance. It was obvious that Parker hadn't managed to land a single blow, as there were no bruises beginning to form and no ripped material.
"Now," he continued. "You want to tell me what that," he gestured outside his office, "was all about? I know you Goren and you wouldn't have acted like that unless you were provoked."
"It's … it's – GRR!" Bobby gave a frustrated growl. "That – that, man! He just pushed me too far this time. No one … *no one* insults Alex to my face – or behind her back for that matter – and gets away with it. Captain, he's a hindrance to my investigation and I'm asking you to remove him from this case. Hell, by the way he's acting and from what he's saying, it's like he doesn't want to help find her."
Deakins gave Bobby a sympathetic glance as he leant back in his chair.
"Look, I don't trust him completely myself but after you, he's the best we've got. You do want to find Alex don't you?"
Goren sighed. "Yes, I …" he broke off. "Oh my God, Alex! Captain she called me about ten minutes ago before I got into that tumble with Parker. Said she'd managed to break free … something about hooker boots – that's not important." Shaking his head he continued. "She didn't get much further because Fenaisyn attacked and retied her. I don't think that she knows where she is. If we don't find her soon, he's going to hurt her – I have to find her … NOW!"
Deakins had never before in his life heard such emotion in Goren's voice. It was clear to him now that Robert cared for his partner much more than he wanted to let on.
"I'm assuming that since you're still here you weren't able to trace the call." Goren nodded. "You need to find something to help you re-trace her last movements. I remember you saying something about Central Park yesterday. Did you find anything?"
"No, not a single iota of anything related to her," he said with a frustrated sigh. "I was so sure she'd go there but CSU scouted the entire area and found zip. I showed her picture around and no one remembers seeing her – that's if she was there at all. This is so––"
A knock on the door interrupted him. It was Parker and Goren glared.
"What do you want? It had better be important."
"Sorry to interrupt but a woman just handed in a bag containing Eames' badge and identification." The words rushed from his mouth like water pouring down a cliff-face. "Thought you'd like to talk with––"
Parker was pushed aside by Goren who still had no time for the outsider. He stopped about midway and turned to face the younger detective.
"Where is she?"
"Interview room 3. Name's Sandra Wighton."
"Parker …" It looked as though he was going to apologise, but he just turned on his heel and continued on his way.
Goren rushed into the room, closed the door and sat down opposite Mrs Wighton. Then he studied her. She was an elderly woman, mid to late 70's, with greying hair and soft features on a kind-looking face. Her eyes were hazel, and even though they were adorned with crow's feet, they reminded him of someone. Someone whose eyes were almost that exact shade and whose eyes always sparkled with life. He sighed.
"Mrs Wighton," Goren started.
"Please, call me Sandra, dear," she told him with a gentle smile.
He smiled back. "Sandra I'm detective Goren. Robert. Now, I understand you handed in a bag containing a police badge and ID."
"Yes that's correct. I found it yesterday and didn't have time to hand it in. I looked in it thinking that maybe the person who owned it had something in there with their address on it. That's when I saw the badge and brought it here."
"Thank you for bringing it in so quickly. Do you remember where you found it?"
The old lady furrowed her brow as she thought. "What day was yesterday dear?"
Goren sighed quietly. "Yesterday was Tuesday Mrs Wighton."
"Ah … I remember now," she said with a smile. It was as though she was pleased with herself that she could remember. "I was at the park with my grandchildren. Sophia, she's 3 ½, and Alexander, he's nearly 2. I have photos. Let me get them out."
Although Bobby knew that time was ticking, trying to hurry grandma Sandra was only going to make her flustered and more likely to forget important details that could lead to Alex's whereabouts.
He watched with keen interest as Sandra proudly displayed numerous photos of her grandchildren. There were pictures of them horseback riding, at amusement parks, tussling with each other in a sand pit, and Santa photos – one for each year since their births. Accompanying each happy snap were lengthy, but well detailed stories. Bobby couldn't help but grin at the expression on little Sophia's face as her chestnut coloured pony chewed on her hair. They really were adorable children, and Bobby told Mrs Wighton just that.
She beamed with a grandmother's pride. "They are true little darlings. Do you have children Robert?"
"Ah … not yet," he admitted, squirming with discomfort. "One day perhaps. Now getting back to this bag …"
"Yes, yes, I'm sorry. I get distracted easily." She looked almost ashamed.
"That's quite okay. I enjoyed meeting Sophia and Alexander." Goren gave her his most charming grin.
"Something has happened to the person who owns the bag hasn't it?"
Goren was stunned. For someone with a mind as flaky as Mrs Wighton, she was as sharp as tack when it came to picking up details. "Yes. My partner, Alex … she … uh, she was kidnapped by an archenemy of mine who is using her to get back at me. If I don't find her soon he will most likely kill her. That's why it's so very important you tell me everything about the bag you found."
"I'm sorry to hear that about your partner. I hope you find her. Unfortunately there's not much more I can say about the bag. It was lying on the grass near the children's play equipment. Sophia found it and brought it to me. I looked around for its owner but I found no one." She saw Goren's look of disappointment and reached over the table and took his large hands in her smaller, more frail ones. "You'll find her dear, I know you will."
He sighed.
"You care about her a lot don't you? Don't bother denying it either. I can see it in your eyes."
His head jerked up and Sandra chuckled. Were his feelings really so obvious to everyone? Was she right? Did he really care about Alex in 'that' way? He shook his head to dismiss the thoughts.
"Of course I care about her," he admitted quietly. "She's my partner."
Sandra chuckled. "You'll figure it out soon enough Robert dear." She patted his hand. "Remember, the longest day – no matter how long its length – will surely end; and tomorrow begins anew."
Goren couldn't help but smile. "Shakespeare?"
"No," she said, shaking her head as they exchanged grins. "Just good old fashion Celtic wisdom."
"Ah," Goren replied; there were no words left to say. "Well, thanks for the words of wisdom Mrs Wighton, uh, Sandra. I just have one final question if that's okay with you."
"Name your price," she chuckled, her eyes shining with mirth.
"Would you be able to show me where Sophia found the bag?"
"Of course," Sandra said. "I don't have to be home until five."
They both laughed.
"I have a question for you, Robert."
"Name your price." He used her words from before.
"I like you Robert," she winked at him. "Do you have a picture of your young lady? Maybe I saw her yesterday."
Goren all but smacked his head on the wall. What hadn't he thought of that?
"Sure," he replied pulling a photo of Alex from his wallet. She had been goofing around when it was taken, however Bobby didn't see that. He only saw how the silly grin made her look younger and more beautiful. Alex didn't even know he had kept the photo taken many months ago as a joke. It was his little secret. The reason he kept it carefully tucked away in his wallet was because it made her feel closer to him – even when they were so far apart … like now. A part of her was still with him … with him in that one precious photo. He handed it Sandra with eyes full of expectant hope.
"She's very beautiful." Sandra watched gleefully as Robert all but blushed at her comment. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I saw her at the park yesterday. I really am very sorry."
"That's okay," he told her, disappointment showing on every surface of his face. "You tried your best. At least now I have a lead, which is more than I had a few minutes ago. Come on, let's get to the park."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"That was a *very* naughty thing you did Alex," Fenaisyn leered at her. "And you know what happens to naughty boys and girls."
Alex, now retied to the chair, glared at him. She was pissed off that she hadn't managed to escape. "Yeah, they have to sit in the 'time out' corner."
"Ha!" he laughed. "No. Actually they get beat up. It teaches them to never be bad again. You on the other hand, need to be taught a more serious lesson because I don't think that beating you up will work. Don't worry though, I'll think of some other way to dominate you."
At his feral grin, Alex cringed; she was scared. She knew to what he was inferring. The hooker boots, short leather miniskirt, white tank, and vest were a dead giveaway. Rape … She shuddered at the thought. Lars was going to try and assert his power over her by raping her; the primal way to power and she could do nothing to stop him.
Fenaisyn, as if sensing her uneasiness and discomfort, sauntered evilly towards her. Towering above her, he grinned.
"Bobby doesn't know what he's missing," he stated whilst running his filthy hands through her hair. "Maybe I should film the entire event for him. That way he won't miss a thing. What do you think?"
"You're a sick man and you need help," Alex vehemently hissed, trying with all her remaining strength to pull her head free from his slimy grasp.
"That may be true Alex dear," he told her. "But I'm the one in control here." Grabbing her face with both hands and holding it still, Fenaisyn forced his lips onto hers.
Alex jerked away and spat in his face. She was rewarded with a vicious punch to her left cheekbone. Fenaisyn obviously didn't appreciate his saliva shower.
"You'll do what I want, and you'll put up and shut up. Understand? There's nothing you, or your precious Bobby can do." Her captor was fuming.
She turned her head away as he continued to awkwardly molest her face and body. Tears began to well in her eyes, but Alex, whose strength was slowly starting to waver, fought back and blinked them away. After all she had been through, she refused to let her self control just walk out the door so easily. No. She still had her hands tightly clasped on Hope; the hope that Bobby was on his way, the same hope who had failed to escape from *that* box … Pandora's box.
By now, Fenaisyn was beginning to tire of his assault to Alex's neck and shoulders and began his descent down her body. Through the material of her vest and tank, he groped at her breasts and squeezed them … hard. Alex screamed in pain as his relentless fingers pinched into her sensitive flesh, surely marring her pale complexion. He continued to paw at her through the fabric, until in one clumsy movement, he ripped both the shirt and vest from her body; the shirt now in tatters. Her bra was his next victim as he pulled it from the front away from her body. The back strap snapped leaving only an angry red mark and welts, which were beginning to appear.
Her torso now completely exposed, and with no way of covering herself, Alex felt the full effects of humiliation and venerability settle in. There was nothing she could do and as much as she didn't want this to happen to her, she kept wishing that she'd pass out, so she was unconscious whilst Fenaisyn satisfied his needs.
"Don't go anywhere," he suddenly whispered into her ear. "I'll be back soon."
He stood up and stretched the kinks from his body. Bending like that was painful. "I'll have to do something to make this more enjoyable and less uncomfortable for me," he muttered to himself.
Alex watched Lars slink away whilst muttering to himself. She sighed, grateful that she had been left alone. Letting her head fall back, she closed her eyes and the let the tears she had been holding back, slide down her dirty cheeks.
"Where are you Bobby?" she whispered to the Heavens. "I need you."
After sitting alone in deathly silence for a few minutes, Alex heard Lars returning. Her heart rate and pulse rose as she realised that this was it. He was returning to finish what he had started. In a desperate attempt to escape, she struggled against her bonds but only succeeded in loosening them slightly. Not nearly enough to free a hand or foot.
Then suddenly, it struck her like a bolt of lightning. If Fenaisyn was to rape her, he would have to untie her to get her in a more appropriate position – trying to sexually assault someone who was tied to a chair took a lot more effort.
She grinned and thanked some higher beings for presenting her with this opportunity to escape. Hell, it was as though someone had handed it to her wrapped in shiny paper with ribbons and bows adorning it. There was only one problem with this plan though. She had but one chance to escape. If she were caught again, Lars would show her no mercy. She'd already tried his patience enough and there was no doubt in her mind that after the third time, she wouldn't be so lucky.
The remaining minutes of her 'alone time' were spent perfecting her escape plan. She wasn't given much time because the door swung open and Lars, carrying a camcorder, stepped in with an evil grin.
"Lucy, I'm home!"
Alex just smirked. It was now or never.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~ TBC … ~*~*~*~*~*~*~
End Notes:
This chapter's title 'Celtic Wisdom' was taken from a book of the same name. It is a book, which contains many inspiration quotes, proverbs, and Celtic triads that I have fallen in love with. They inspired this chapter, and changed its outcome enormously. So after an absence of so long, I hope this chapter lives up to my expectations and that you all enjoyed it. Here's just a few quotes and triads I pulled from this book:
"To every cow its calf, to every book its copy; every created thing is a reflection of its creator."
"The world it neither Scottish, English, not Irish, neither French, Dutch, not Chinese … It is but human, and each nation is only the partial development of a universal humanity." – James Grant
Three habits lead to success:
Patience,
Application, and
Vision.
Syl's Notes: See, didn't I tell you all that Amy's an overachieving genius? Damn, where am I supposed to go from here? Amy, I'm going to kill you!
Oh, and apologies for the extensive a/n's in the beginning.