(Ten)

Bruce sat on his bed in the barracks. Valentin, the boss, was opposite him. They were playing cards as they continued to block Joseph from the viewing screen in case Seth came back. Valentin's Second was crouched down on the floor, working on the next bed. He was exhausted and in a great deal of pain from all of his efforts, the longer he kept doing this, the weaker his power was becoming. He needed badly to rest. He cursed softly as his nose began to bleed again, this was the third bad nosebleed he'd had in two hour's time. He stood and staggered awkwardly into the lav, cupping his chin in his hands.

Valentin played his hand and watched Joseph leave without rising. He knew his man was exhausted, but also that his loyalty wasn't in question. Joseph would keep at it until he dropped. Valentin looked across his cards to Bruce.

Bruce had been quiet and lost in his own thoughts the whole time they'd been stuck in here. He spent a lot of time in the lav, showering as an excuse to hide. The fact was he missed Justin horribly and couldn't stop himself from crying from the loss. Justin had been at his side for as long as he cared to remember and now he was confused and all alone without his brave protector here. He wasn't sure of what was going on or who he should trust. The transition from Cerise to this vessel had been a jarring drop into a hole, he had no idea what to think or to feel.

He was afraid.

The cause of that fear? He was grimly fascinated with Kimble, had been so ever since he'd laid eyes on him in the cage. Bruce found himself lingering by the door of their room, watching the pilot's every move. He was certain that Kimble had once been Zander and was nervous about it, but he couldn't be sure. The pilot skin was so different than his vague memory of Zander all those years ago. Either way, both men had been beautiful, alluring in a way that even now Bruce didn't understand. It was as if the Siskan was some kind of strange magnet, drawing him near every time he heard that strange unforgettable voice.

Bruce had cringed during Kimble's vicious beating, it was worse than anything Valentin had ever dished out to him. Bruce was surprised when the Siskan didn't explode into violence in his own defense, killing everyone on board. Maybe Kimble would break down as Zander had, maybe not. Bruce had no desire to be around when he did.

Valentin was unaware of Bruce's fascination with Kimble, but his grief over Justin was palatable, it was etched on the man's face. It disgusted Valentin, he saw it as a weakness. Homosexuals in general revolted him, he just couldn't understand the appeal of one man fucking another in the ass, emasculating one another. Just the thought of it made him shiver and gag. It was true he really didn't know Bruce that well, but he needed him all the same if they were to escape. He had to be sure of this man's loyalty.

"Are you with us on this?" Valentin asked, meaning their plan to escape.

Bruce jumped at the sound of his Master's voice. "Oh? Yes. Yes, of course I am, sir."

"If you wuss out on us again... I will kill you myself. Are we clear?"

"Um. Yes. We're clear, sir." Bruce looked up at his Master. Valentin's broken nose made him seem that much more dangerous, like an escaped criminal rather than a brave warrior. There was a hint of madness in those eyes.

"Good. I'm counting on you."

Joseph returned from the lav, pale and trembling. He knelt down in front of Valentin, his face white as a ghost. "My Lord?"

"Yes?"

"I must rest. I'll finish as soon as I can, sir, but..." he paused as he blacked out and swayed to one side, collapsing with a groan.

Valentin cursed softly and caught him as he fell, spilling cards all over the floor. He continued to growl with impatience. He knew Joseph had been performing above and beyond his expectations, but he was unhappy with how long this was taking. He wanted out now. He hauled Joe up onto the next bed and covered him up.

"Is he going to be all right, my Lord?" Bruce asked, his eyes full of concern. It sickened him how Joseph was killing himself for Valentin.

"He'll be fine. He just needs to sleep. At least he's trying. What have you done for us?"

Bruce just put his head down and was quiet. He waited a moment, but Valentin had lost interest in the game. He got up and resumed his position in the doorway again. He could hear the loud heavy metal music coming up from the floor. He'd been a Clansman all his life and had never heard music such as this. It was so angry and full of pain. He wondered if it was Kimble playing it. He wondered a lot of things about Kimble now.