Dear Readers – The next few chapters will be delving into a level of humanity that is somewhat shocking and all too true. These were hard chapters to write as I would like nothing better than for all good things to happen to Gabriella. She has become like my own daughter and I would never wish any harm to come to her. However, as with most stories, there is always a pinnacle of tragedy and angst that brings a level of interest and depth to the characters as well as to the plot. I do not write these chapters flippantly, but have tried to express how I would respond under the given circumstances.

Another side-note – I do not espouse that everyone with metal studs in their mouth or multiple earrings in their ear are of the same nature as Jason! In crafting Jason, I wanted a human whose appearance would shock a very sheltered young woman, such as Gabriella. That's all there is to it. Obviously, Jason's character is not determined by the ornaments that he adorns himself with! True adornment, such as it is in the case of Jason, comes from within.

As for how Gabby's family will responds to her first situation in Chapter 31, please review the Clan laws and bylaws that Leo and Mike talked about in previous chapters. These are hard rules to follow and implement – especially given the circumstances that Gabby will find her self in. Always, discipline is meted out for the sole intention of protecting the family as a whole unit – including the one so chastised. As Spock in Star Trek told Captain Kirk in ST2, "The good of the many outweigh the good of the few, or the one…", or something along those lines.

Be blessed!

*****

"What are you doing?" Gabby asked, alarmed.

"Going to talk, Gabs!" Jason replied without emotion.

"About what?" she asked, her heart starting to race.

"About us!" he said as he turned up a hill.

As Jason drove, she looked around the bridle trail area furtively, hoping to see someone, anyone who may help her. She didn't know exactly what Jason had in mind, but Gabby had a good idea it had nothing to do with talking.

He drove for quite a while, putting as much distance between them and anyone who would be watching. Finding a flat area under some trees, he put guided the 4Runner underneath. Jason then put the car in park, applied the brake, and turned the engine off but kept the music going.

He turned towards his passenger, saying, "Now, I want you to know that I'm willing to forgive being ignored in that restaurant. Mike will be told that you were as pleasant as a warm spring day! That is, if you cooperate!" Jason had that 'look' again.

"What do you mean 'cooperate'?" Gabby asked, feeling more than a little anxious.

"Well, you see - I've always had a thing for reptiles ever since Devon and I became friends. Gaele wasn't at all interested in me, though I never tried to push it with her since I didn't have any kind of leverage. I knew Mike would believe her so I kept my distance. But, when Mike assigned me to you and the way he was last week when you were so rude to me, man, it was just too perfect! " Jason grinned and turned up the volume on the console as he continued, " When I saw you last week in that bathing suit and then playing volleyball, well, I decided right then and there to give you a little intro on romance!"

Gabby grabbed for the door handle to open it, but it was locked. Jason watched as she tried to work the lock, but it wouldn't budge. "It's broken, Gabs!" he said smoothly. "Can only unlock it from my side!"

Gabby looked back at him, horrified. "You better not try anything! If Mike finds out...."

"Finds out what? That we talked." Jason coolly replied. "That's all he's going to know is that we talked!" He stared at her, running his eyes over her. Gabby cringed back, not sure what to do. "You cooperate, and Mike will get a glowing report today. Don't cooperate, and your toast with him! I'll make you out to look so bad he'll probably ground you for a month!"

Gabby was not so sure about that. Once she told her uncle about what Jason tried to do, Jason would be the one toasted! She started formulating defense strategies as she warned him, "You better get this car back on the road, buddy! I know how to protect myself!" she yelled at him, glaring menacingly.

"Yeah, well so can I. You don't think it's lost on me what Devon and Seth know how to do? I've been friends with them for years. The way they're built, the moves Devon showed me years ago when I was getting picked on by the football team at school. That started me into martial arts - or, didn't Devon tell you that?"

Devon hadn't told her that, actually, but it didn't impress her. What she was learning at home was way beyond what these little schools of self defense taught. To even speak of them in the same context of being equal to the art of ninja was absurd. "So? Devon knows more about that stuff than you ever will!" Gabby blurted out, but then cringed knowing she had said more than she should of.

"What? He's a ninja or something? HA! That'll be the day. A reptile ninja - how ridiculous." and Jason leaned in towards her.

Gabby knew the rule - no striking humans. She knew the exception, when one's home is invaded, protect at all costs. But, this was Jason's car, not hers. Mike never mentioned anything about a personal assault on this level. Gabby sat frozen to her seat, not wanting to be harassed by this dirt-bag of a person, but not wanting to disobey Clan rules, either. So, she pushed him back. Unfortunately, her action put a wicked grin on Jason's face. "You know you want me, Sweetheart! Why not let me push you!" and then he grabbed her.

Distract him, that's what she could do. Gabby thought she could talk her way out of this, so she yelled out in panic, "What about Melissa? You're engaged with her. What will she think if she found out?"

"She won't believe a word, dear. She's human, you're not! Missy doesn't see you as anything more than an oddity; certainly not competition for my affections. As far as Melissa is concerned, your family assures me of a great many perks I otherwise would never have access to!"

Gabby was right, he was using her family - especially Mike.

Jason pulled Gabby towards him as he prepared to kiss her. She grabbed his arms and pushed back. She turned in her seat and put her feet up against the center section of the dashboard, creating an equal but opposite action. With Gabby's inherent strength, Jason couldn't budge her. She screamed at him and told him that Mike would kill him if he even so much as touched her.

"Not if I convince him that you came on to me. After all, I saved you last week - I'm your hero! It'll be that old infatuation with the rescuer syndrome. Mike'll buy it, don't worry." Jason declared. Then, as he climbed out of his seat and was making for her, Gabby decided to go for broke. As he loomed over her with his face getting ever closer and his hands reaching for things he had no business going for, Gabby flat handed him square on his snout. The force of the impact threw him back into his seat and up against the window, rocking the SUV. He yelled loudly in complaint as he covered his face. Gabby could see blood dripping over his mouth and down his shirt, a good sign that she had broken Jason's nose!

He was angry, now, no longer wanting her out of lust but to prove a point. He jumped onto her, but not before she had her left leg cocked back. In an instant, she ninja kicked him back into his seat and the car door. It wasn't as hard a kick as she could have delivered, but it was enough to knock him silly as his head hit the window with a thud.

Dazed, he was in a semi state of unconsciousness; just enough out of it for Gabby to quickly reach over to his door and flip the universal lock. Quickly, she tried her side and found she could open it! Not wasting any time, she leapt out and slammed it shut. Running down the riding trail, she screamed for help - but no one was there! Gabby looked back and saw that Jason was getting out of his car and running after her! He was fast and he was very upset.

Gabby sprinted down the road, trying to see if there was anyone anywhere who might help her. She looked back and saw that Jason was gaining on her!

"You can't get far! People will wonder why you're running and then call the police!" he yelled,

"I'll tell them what you tried to do!" she shot back as she ran.

"Hey, one look at me with blood all over the place and one look at you with your green skin and red hair - you'll be in jail before nightfall! People around here are not as used to your family as the people in Carmel are!" Jason declared loudly.

Gabby was nearly hysterical. She knew he was right. What was she going to do? Where was she? Right there she wished Mike would drive up and she wouldn't care if he yelled at her or stuck her in the gym for the next week. She wanted to go home. Gabby cried in her desperate desire to be within the safety of her family unit.

She stopped running and looked back, sobbing. Jason had stopped, too, his anger dissipating when he noticed how upset Gabby was. "Hey, look, I'm sorry - really. "He pleaded, "You can sit in the backseat, okay? If I don't bring you back, you'll be in bigger trouble than for just breaking my nose." Actually, Jason was thinking about how angry Mike would be at him for deserting his niece in Monterey!

"YOU DESERVED IT!" she screamed at him, her weeping changing over to rage.

"Yeah, maybe. But, you owe me! I saved you last week! "Jason was still holding his nose and it made his voice sound muffled. Gabby was crying, not wanting to believe that she 'owed' Jason anything, especially what he was trying to cash in on.

"I'll walk back to the studio!" she exclaimed defiantly, balling her fists in determination.

"Yeah and get lost in the process!! Get in the car, Gabs! "

"NO! Leave me alone or I won't hold back next time!" she warned.

"As if. You just got lucky. Get in the car before someone sees you! "Jason beseeched her.

"I mean it, Jason. You even look like you're going to touch me and I'll rip your head off! And don't assume I can't!" she glared threateningly at him. She remembered more than two weeks before when she was in Carmel how Devon told her to screw up her face to scare people. He had looked hideous, when he had shown her how to do it. Now, she used that trick and she immediately saw surprise and foreboding in Jason's face. "Good," she thought, "he's getting the message that I'm serious!"

"Okay, you win. I'll keep my hands to myself - promise!" he said haltingly. "J- Just get in the car so I can take you back to the studio - please!"

Gabby skirted round him and before she even got into the backseat of his 4Runner, she made sure the locks worked. They did and so she stepped in and closed the door.

Jason carefully sat behind the wheel, looking cautiously in the rearview mirror at Gabby, who remained visually angry at him. He quickly took the path back to the main road and for the remainder of the drive to the studio, said nothing more. Gabby was trying to formulate the right words to explain to Mike why Jason had a broken nose. She didn't have any proof whatsoever that he had hurt her, other than her word of his attempted assault. Even her clothes lacked the evidence of being man-handled. If Jason was true to what he told her, he would use his long standing friendship with Devon to enforce his version of what happened! Gabby only had a little more than two weeks with the family and an open dislike for the human. She was sure Mike would side with Jason.

"WHAT IN BLAZES WERE YOU THINKING, GABBY?" Mike yelled at her as he drove the Saleen south along Highway One.

They were on their way home from the music studio after Gabby's horrific experience with Jason. Her uncle was enraged beyond description and terrifying her with every word he spoke.

Earlier, she had returned to the studio with Jason about the same time that Mike had come out of the building. When they hadn't returned when he thought they should have, Mike had become concerned. He had been waiting for them and was quite relieved when he saw Jason's familiar Jeep pull into the parking lot. But when he saw the blood on Jason's shirt and the black and blue coloring on his nose, Mike glared back at Gabby in accusation. The look on Mike's face was terrifying! Instead of explaining the situation, Gabby just hung back, not sure what to say. Gabby felt right in defending herself, all things considered, but it was the lack of proof she didn't have which kept her from telling her side of it. All she could do was stand there and listen to 'Jason-the-creepoid' tell his version. He went on about how nice he had been to her, trying to chit chat over lunch. He claimed that when he tried to help her back into the car, that was when she went all crazy and attacked him.

"All I was doing was opening the door and taking her arm to help her in. That was it. Next thing I know, I'm getting punched in the face and kicked in the chest!" Jason complained. "Honestly, Mike, I think your niece is loony! I'd appreciate it if you'd just keep her away from me!"

Gabby seethed under her breath. The nerve of Jason; begging Mike to keep her away from him! Yet, for all practical purposes, his injuries were consistent with how he put it. It was the story that he so artfully wrapped around it that was bogus!

Mike glared at his niece even more, which only made it harder for her to contradict Jason.

Mike took both of them back into the building. He made Gabby wait in the lobby while he walked Jason to one of the back rooms and past a couple of the soundmen that were on their way home for the weekend. They were shocked to see Jason's face all bruised up. They looked over at Gabby as she sat huddled in one of the chairs in the reception area, trying not to look in their direction. To them, she looked as guilty as Jason portrayed her. But, all she was trying to do was to hide her tears.

After a half-hour, Jason came back out with a nose splint and an ice pack. "Get some rest, Jas, okay! You can take the week off with pay. I'm real sorry about this. I'll make sure she stays away from you next weekend!" Mike apologized.

He then roughly pulled Gabby up out of the chair and led her through the front door. Without a word, he walked her to the Saleen. Though they were nearly the same height, Gabby had all she could do to keep up with her uncle as he practically pulled her along. Once he had the passenger door open, he just about threw her into the front seat.

Getting into the driver's side and belting himself in, Mike turned the car on, put it into reverse, and slipped out of his parking spot. He put the Saleen into third gear and gunned the car in a fit of anger, roaring out the driveway and down the street towards the main interstate leading to Carmel. He was silent as he carefully worked through the traffic.

When they reached a stretch in the road where it was desolate, that was when Mike started yelling at her.

"WITH ALL THAT I TAUGHT YOU THIS WEEK, TODAY YOU DECIDE TO VIOLATE ONE OF OUR MOST SACRED RULES?" Mike bellowed.

Gabby sat there, stoic and staring straight ahead. She was afraid that if she tried to say anything, Mike would slap her. He seemed that angry with her! This was the side of Mike that Leo had warned her about! And she was genuinely frightened! Gabby finally couldn't contain the emotions that were building up and so she began to cry.

"STOP IT, RIGHT NOW - YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO CRY.....NOT AFTER WHAT YOUDIDTOJASON!" Mike's voice seemed to gain volume with each word he uttered, spouting the last few words as one. He turned left onto the road that led to the house. From that point on, he remained silent.

Gabby hugged the door as they meandered through the forest. It was peaceful and serene, but for Gabby it was full of foreboding. She was fearful of what was to come. All that she had accomplished this week and the week before was gone in an instant. Everything that went right, she was now certain of, would be followed with all of it going down the tubes in a hurry!

As the house came into view, Gabby noticed that Don was back, his sedan parked along the side of the garage. Dread overwhelmed her once again.

Mike told her to stay in the living room and to not move. She stood there, trembling and afraid. He then left to go confer with his brothers and returned shortly with them. Gabby noticed right away as they walked into the living room that they were not a happy bunch.

"Gabriella Edwards, come with us." Don instructed solemnly.

Not uttering a word, she followed them into the family room and over to the gymnasium door. It was not lost on her that by using her full name, they were expressing a formality of great dimensions.

Don motioned for her to lead the way down the steps. Gabby swallowed anxiously, remembering not too long ago how she was forced to stand before them in judgment. Now, here she was again in the same situation. She fought back the tears and obediently walked down the stair, Don following behind her with Mike and Raph behind him. Her legs trembled from the fear growing within her as she remembered the punishment for striking a human. Gabby was hoping that since she was an initiate and not a full member of the clan, they might go easy on her. But, she doubted that very much. When she had first been educated on the infraction, it was communicated to her as a very grievous and an almost unforgivable infraction.

Once on the gym floor and standing before the tribunal again, Gabby did her best to remain calm, but she could not stop herself from trembling.

"I want the truth, Gabby." Don requested. "Did you hit Jason?"

How come Don didn't ask her why she hit him? Asking her if she had hit him indicated that they didn't care why! It irked her that they assumed that Jason had been telling the truth! But, she had learned not to long ago that questions had to be answered in the way they were presented to her, "Yes." was all she could say.

"Do you understand the rule about striking humans?" he asked sternly. The look of disappointment on Don's face was excruciatingly painful for Gabby to bear.

"Yes. "She replied solemnly. Just 'yes' and 'no' questions would not help her explain what really went on in Monterey. Gabby was frustrated and close to tears again. But, she knew from the first time being before the tribunal that she didn't have the right to speak without permission.

"You understand the punishment?" Don asked, looking at her with subdued anger.

Gabby hesitated, not thoroughly convinced they would banish her even for one day. But, the question was asked and the answer anticipated by her council.

"Yes." She replied softly. Gabby felt her entire world collapsing. She fought for composure as her head began to swim, momentarily making her dizzy. It would not go well if she fainted right then and there, though. In fact it would have been embarrassing. Quickly, she dug deep within herself to battle the lightheadedness she was feeling. She glanced quickly at her father to see if he was if the same mind as Don, but Raphael had the same expression on his face as his brother. Gabby was crestfallen. She was hoping that Raph would have at least requested from Don her view of what happened. But her father's expression was flat and emotionally detached from her. He remained silent and apparently siding with his brother's position in judgment. That hurt the most.

Don straightened his posture as he proclaimed, "Then, Gabriella Perry, you are to remain in this gym from this point on until Tuesday! You will not be given any blanket and only one meal a day! Water will be provided to you, but that will be it. We hope that you will think hard about what you did today. Let it be the last time we have to discipline you for such an infraction." and with that, they started to file out and up the stairs.

But then Gabby declared angrily, her voice shaky, "Not one of you has yet to ask ME what happened!"

Don motioned for the others to continue up the stairs. He turned towards Gabby and walked deliberately towards her. Her eyes widened at his approach and she tried to back away from him. But, he reached her too quickly. Gabby soon found herself flat on her face on the wood floor. Her fall was not hard, but it was sudden; Don doing the 'honors' so quickly Gabby didn't even see it coming.

"No back talk, especially from one so accused! You do not have a say in this!" he declared. He went on, speaking softly, "We cannot under any circumstances afford to have even one person from this family striking anyone outside this family - regardless of the situation. Gabby, we can lose EVERYTHING that has taken us years to accomplish. We almost experienced that when your father killed a man years ago. I told you about that. I can't believe that you've forgotten already what I told you about the year he spent in jail. Raph lost everything in the lawsuits that followed. If even one of us injures a human, we could lose more than our wealth – we could all lose our freedom! Humans tolerate us and that is all they do. It may be ugly, but it's the truth." And with that, Don returned to the stairs and disappeared up the steps.

Gabby stayed down on the floor, crying and wondering what the next few days would be like. Banished! Well, almost. She was still in the house, but to go with only one meal per day for three days and without the stimuli of conversations and her family seemed intolerable. What about the professor? How would he react to this? It all seemed so incredibly unfair to her. She cried harder until she couldn't cry anymore. How could they just arbitrarily say that she was guilty? If Jason was there next Saturday, would he try to take advantage of her again? She wanted so much to tell them all how he had treated her, but they evidently weren't interested. It seemed the only thing they cared about was upholding the Clan laws.

*****

Rage was what she was feeling the most of. It seemed to consume her as the hours wore on. Rage over the way the 'counsel' had judged her, how they had punished her. She hated them. How could they do this to her? She hated Jason, especially, for the lies he told that put her down in this dungeon. If he were here in this gym right now, she would take the katana sword and cut him to pieces. So much anger was brewing within her, that Gabby frightened even herself!

*****

It was hard to tell what day it was after a while. Lights on or lights off, time stood still. She thought it might be Sunday, but she wasn't sure. She was glad, though, that the council had at least allowed her to leave the lights on! Three days in the dark would have been overwhelming; despite the fact she had pretty much overcome her fear of it.

One meal awaited her after the sound of a door opening and closing woke her up. She had no idea how long she had been asleep. The bowl of soup and small loaf of bread gave her few clues to what part of the day it was. The soup was rich in flavor and probably in nutrients, too, but it did nothing to fill her up.

A case of water bottles had been left at the top of the stairs for her and she had brought them back down to the gymnasium floor. She was glad for the restroom that had the shower. There was only one towel so she had to make a decision to use it to dry her self off when she bathed or to use it as a blanket. She decided on the former.

It felt good to bath. At the very least, it gave her some diversion from her boredom. Gabby let the water cascade over her, allowing herself to bask in the rivulets of water that found their way along her form to the drain below. She also washed some of her personal items, but decided not to do the same with her outer clothing. Not having a fresh change of anything made it necessary to skimp on what she washed. The chore, again, helped to divert her mood a little.

She slept a lot, not having much to do other than bath and wash her clothes. When she wasn't sleeping, her thoughts continued to replay the event in Monterey. She could not fathom that her family upstairs would have approved of Jason's behavior towards her. Yet, what was she suppose to do? It scared her to think that she might still have to work with Jason the following Saturday. What if he were to assault her yet again? If she fought back, Gabby might end up banished to the gym for an entire week – or worse!

*****



Hunger, that's what woke her up. Her stomach growled pitifully. She drank more of the water, but the one light meal per day did not satisfy her appetite. Gabby had never gone hungry a day in her life, except maybe when she was locked in the basement closet years ago. That was when she became deathly afraid of the dark! Though the gym was a lot bigger than that closet, she still felt a bit of the old claustrophobia she developed from her experience years ago. Not being able to leave the gym was very much like being locked in that cabinet.

*****

No sounds. Gabby could hear nothing but her own breathing. It was very disconcerting for her. She strained to hear even the tiniest of squeaks from the rooms above, but Mike had the house built very well. Except for that first step by her bedroom door, the house was rock solid!

Thinking about her room, she longed for her bed - comfortable and warm! The chill of the gymnasium was now noticeable to her and her back ached from lying on the hardwood floor. Gabby tried to sleep as much as she could, but between her gnawing hunger and the pain in her back, it was proving difficult.

Gabby prayed, hoping that this punishment would end quickly. She prayed for Seth and asked God to forgive her. Forgive her of what? She had done nothing wrong but to defend her honor. Yet her family had judged her guilty and for that she was repentant. Would they ever listen to her side? Don seemed totally uninterested. Gabby didn't know what she would do if Mike made her go to the studio next Saturday. It became her all consuming fear.

Well into her sentence, she was sitting against the wall and staring across the expanse of the room. Gabby found that time passed by quicker - or, so it seemed - by counting the dimples in the soundproof panels in the ceiling. As she made her way across the width, keeping track of the number that she was on, she noticed a discrepancy. There was a dimple that seemed slightly off in color than the others. When Gabby looked for more of them, she found that they were strategically placed around the room in the ceiling. She thought it quite odd.

Then, it dawned on her! Raph had mentioned about how well she had been doing with the equipment. Other than the one time when she was forced to work in the dark, he had never partaken of her training. Thinking about Don's security business, Gabby surmised that these darker spots in the ceiling might be cameras! The more she thought about it the more it made sense. The DVD's she had viewed only a couple of weeks before had to be made in some way. Gabby then remembered the angle on the view seemed a little high, as if the camera were above the performers.

Gabby stood up and walked over to inspect each and every one of the spots.

"Hey, she found the cameras!" Mike exclaimed in surprise.

"Impossible!" Don said as she came into the monitor room. "Those cameras mimic the indentations of that ceiling; no way could she detect them!"

"Well, she has. In fact...yep, she's going over to all six." Mike replied, somewhat amused.

Don just groaned, shaking his head, commenting, "She's too smart for her own good, except where it counts! Too much like her father, that girl."