I'm well aware it's been an unpardonably long time since I've updated this story. But I'd be glad for readers (and reviewers), as I have a bit of time to write before class starts again. Hope you all enjoy!

Ursula

Chapter 9

Claire reached Jordan's office before he did that morning and busied herself at her desk, trying not to speculate on how their interaction would play out after the events of the previous evening. She tried not to look up from her work when he entered, hoping he would appreciate avoiding the topic as much as she would, but he stopped in front of her desk and cleared his throat to get her attention.

"Claire, a word?" He gestured for her to follow him into his office, and she did, obediently, although not with an accompanying sense of dread.

Seeking to head him off before he found time to berate her, she began: "Jordan, I'm sorry about last night, I just…"

He interrupted. "It's funny you should bring that up Claire, as that was exactly what I wanted to discuss." She prepared herself for some high-minded justification, a claim that his kissing her had been merely another facet of his experimental method, but his next comment shocked her to speechlessness. "Now, I'm at a loss as to how to put this tactfully, but as you know, I have security detail monitoring the hallways of the Center twenty four hours a day, and I have to say they've brought some rather disturbing information to my attention concerning your behavior."

She could only nod, thoroughly confused.

"You were spotted, Claire, going into Shawn's apartment last night and leaving again this morning looking rather – how shall I put this – disheveled?"

Still unable to speak, she cocked a quizzical eyebrow at him. Where could this possibly be going?

"Now Claire, I can in no way condone such behavior among my employees. What would the public reaction be if they saw me portrayed as running some sort of…" He leaned toward her and dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, as if this would be enough to win her to his point. "…house of ill repute."

This loosened her tongue. "Excuse me? I'm not sure I understand you here Jordan."

He gave her his familiar disappointed father figure look. "Claire, we are both well aware of your - ah – history, but I thought we were clear that behavior that may have been acceptable, or even necessary, in your old life has no place while you're living here under my protection."

"I don't like what you're implying, Jordan." Claire pursed her lips, willing her voice not to rise to an angry level.

"Oh Claire, I think we're past implying. We're good friends here." His smile was sickening. "I think I can safely just come out and say what I mean."

"By all means."

"I can't have you peddling your services to my employees. It's disruptive to the working environment to have you sneaking in and out of various men's rooms in the middle of the night, keeping them up until all hours…"

All hope of control was now lost for Claire as she fairly choked on her rage. Jordan was venting his petty jealousy having discovered her spending the night at Shawn's by calling her a whore to her face. She laughed mirthlessly. "Various men Jordan? No – one man, one. Are you just upset because I spent the night there instead of cozied up in your apartment? Are you looking for some salacious tryst so you can play the role of jilted lover? Well I apologize, because I have nothing so scandalous to give you. The truth is, it's none of your business what when on between me and Shawn last night, but because I pity your pathetic attempt to discredit me, I'm going to tell you what happened anyway. That's what you want, isn't it? A confession? Bless me Father for I have sinned?" She fairly spat the words at him. "Well here it is. I did spend the night at Shawn's apartment. I slept in his bed next to him all night. Period. So sorry to disappoint."

During her rant, he had rounded his desk to approach her, his disappointed expression changing as she raged to one of anger that bordered on hatred. Then, just as he had done two nights before, he slapped her soundly across the face, making sickening contact with the bruise that was already there. "I'm surprised at you Claire." His voice remained calm. "That you would speak to me like this after everything I've given you, everything I've done for you." He grabbed her upper arms and shook her violently; her teeth rattled alarmingly in her head, and her own anger turned to fear. "That you would throw everything back in my face with no regard for the sacrifices I've made on your behalf. Where's your gratitude, your appreciation? I deserve your reverence, not your contempt." He shoved her roughly and she, losing her balance, crumpled to the floor. Jordan towered over her menacingly, but seemingly satisfied with the impression he had left, he smoothed his shirt front in an effort to maintain his composure. His concerned parent expression returned abruptly, and he said in icy tones: "I will not be requiring your services today Claire. Perhaps you should return to your apartment and think over what you've done, decide where your allegiances lie."

Without even really rising from her subjugated poison on the floor, she scrabbled to the door, breathing raggedly. All respect, all feelings of indebtedness that she had wrestled with regarding Jordan left her, and she was left with a sense of overwhelming anger and fear. Jordan believed his every action was justified, and Claire was left with no doubt of what he was capable of should she cross him again.

She scrambled to her apartment, carelessly shoving aside the other 4400s that crossed her path in her hurry to do what she needed to. She flung open her closet door and began throwing her belongings into the open duffel on her bed. She struggled not to cry, for she was leaving the only home she had known for years, even before her abduction. She barely registered the knock on her door, and Shawn poked his head in uninvited to find her packing.

"I stopped by Jordan's to see you, but he said you were taking a sick day, so I thought I'd – Hey, what's going on?" She ignored him and he stepped farther into the room. "Claire, what are you…? Are you packing?"

She rounded on him and snapped, "Yes Shawn, yes. That's pretty clearly what I'm doing."

"Are you leaving?"

"I have to go. I can't stay here."

"Did Jordan -?"

"Shawn, don't ask me. Please. I've said it a million times. Just don't ask me."

"But you can't just –"

She stopped hurling objects into her bag and looked at him, her eyes blazing. "I can. I have to. I'm going."

He swallowed, brought up short by the prospect of losing her. "Fine. But, I mean, where will you go? Do you have any idea…"

"No, no I don't. I have no plan, no ideas, nowhere to go. But I have to go somewhere." As he looked down at her, she seemed defeated, not determined, blindly running away with nothing to run to.

"I – I know a place."

"What?"

"I mean, I think I know a place you could stay. Just for awhile. Just until you figured things out." Her look of hope was almost unbearable.