Nick tensed, then felt himself relax as he saw her hesitate. The needle continued to twirl, the ambient room light glinting off the stainless steel. She raised her other hand to her mouth to tap her lacquered nails on her lips in thought. A small grin twitched at the corner of her painted mouth. She put the needle back down on the velvet pad and reached for the medical bag. She pulled out a surgical scalpel, the highly polished instrument's glimmer flashing in the darkened room.

She moved back behind Nick and bent to whisper once more in his ear. "I find this works much better when the flesh I work on is bared." She took the blade and ran it lightly down the front of his shirt, catching the threads that held the buttons on and shredding them slowly. His shirt fell loose at the front, held shut only by the leather strap across his chest. On his chest rested a Med-alert pendant. Polished nails toyed with the silver medallion. "Ooooh. Pretty jewelry. A caduceus. Hippocrates must be rolling over in his grave…first do no harm …" Her mouth turned up in a nausea-inducing smile.

She moved the scalpel to the sleeves of his shirt, the sharp blade requiring little pressure to cut through the cotton fabric from shoulder to wrist. She continued the cut up through the collar, catching the side of his neck and drawing blood. She bent her lips to the cut and lightly licked at it. She stood back up and made a show of relishing in its taste. She cocked her head to the side, her expression pensive.

"Your Fire is strong. That's housed here," she said, running her hand into the front of his opened shirt to place a palm over his heart. "Your Metal is strong as well," she noted, moving her hand to spread across his sternum. She ran her nails across his pecs leaving light scratch marks behind. "Your Fire is well balanced by your Water," she continued as her hand ran down his stomach to rest on his groin. The grating giggle was back as she enjoyed feeling him squirm beneath her touch. Her hand left his crotch to move back up to his stomach. "Your Earth- your intellect- is housed here in your spleen. Also quite strong. But your Wood, your Hun, it is in disorder." She bent closer to his ear. "I can taste it. Your Hun is your Ethereal Soul. I sense that you were very close to Death recently. Your soul was caught between This world and the Next. Part of it still seeks the Next."

Nick had managed to swallow back his emotions and the words that choked in his throat as he was forced to submit to her taunting and touches. Until now. Her words, quietly whispered in his ear, echoed and reverberated in his mind. He recoiled at the accusation that any part of him longed for death. He wanted to scream at her, You're wrong. I proved it. I fought. I made it. I lived. But he refused to allow her to rile him and he gained small satisfaction at the disappointed frown on her face when she failed to get a reaction from him.

Her disappointment soon translated to anger and she began again to carve at the fabric of his shirt, no longer caring about the long slices she was leaving in his flesh. When she was done his shirt was gone, replaced by long rivulets of crimson that dripped down his arms, neck, back, and chest.

Warrick sat silently, his smack talk having abandoned him. His eyes flitted between watching what was happening to his partner and watching the expression on The Voice's face as he took in the spectacle.

The TV monitors behind their captor all showed the same scene. Sang had frozen the video in place, the image that of Warrick's tear-stained face as he bent to talk to Nick on the stretcher.

The room was silent as she worked on Nick's shirt. Off in the dark could now be heard the slightest of sounds. Scratching. Rustling. And an odd humming. He closed his eyes, trying to concentrate on the noise, hoping it might give a clue as to their whereabouts or aid in their escape in some way. But the sounds were fleeting and only barely perceptible. His focus was interrupted by the return of the doctor's voice.

She had exchanged the scalpel for the first of the steel needles again and moved to the back of Nick's chair. With his shirt gone the tendons in his neck were now exposed. Taut with fear and tension. She ran an enameled nail down one of them slowly, her hand coming to rest on his shoulder.

"Allow me to give you gentleman the benefit of an anatomy lesson. Watch carefully." She took the thin needle and placed it at the point on Nick's neck where it joined his back. "This is the Ulnar Nerve," and in saying it, thrust the needle into his flesh. Nick immediately seized in pain and stared wide-eyed as his right hand curled into a fist, the effort so strong his nails dug into his palm. "The patient is now experiencing the contraction of the muscles in his hand and forearm. Tendons are being pulled beyond their normal capabilities, and the muscle fibers are being stretched as well." She left the needle in place and reached around to grab Nick's hand. She made a show of trying to pry his fingers open, but was unable to do so. "Quite strong, aren't you?" she said coolly.

She moved to the bag and pulled out a second needle. Nick's concentration was taken by the pain and the sight of his hand under someone else's control. He made no sign of noticing as she returned to her place behind him with the next needle.

"This is the Obturator Nerve." She bent at the waist, her hair brushing across Nick's shoulders as she ran her fingertips across his flank through the open back of the chair. Finding the right location with nimble fingers, she forced the needle into the flesh of his lower back next to his spine.

Warrick watched in horror as Nick's right leg was seized by terrible spasms. His partner's foot twitched and jerked at the leather restraints and he writhed in agony.

Warrick sputtered with uncontrollable hatred and disgust. The sight of his partner in so much pain was too much. All he had to do was open his mouth. A few words and this could be over.

He met Nick's eyes. His partner was grunting, his jaw clenched so tightly the muscles in his cheeks were protruding. But he was also shaking his head. Don't give it up. Not on my account, his eyes read.

Warrick shook his head sadly in response. Kept his peace and held Nick's gaze in silent acknowledgment.

Madame Chu had stepped back to enjoy her handiwork and studied the unspoken communication between the two men. She gave an admiring nod at the strength she saw there.

"Quite the bond you two have," she commented. "Let's see how strong it really is."

She moved back to the table and pulled out a third needle, twirling it in her fingers.

"The next lesson is a particular favorite of mine. This is the Ilioinguinal Nerve." She bent once more to place the needle slightly above the previous one. "Let's see how strong your Water is," she said with an evil smile.

She poked the needle just under the surface of his skin, toying with him; reveling in the anticipation. She thrust the metal sliver in with what could only be described as an orgasmic groan and Nick's lower half exploded in fire.

"This nerve controls the abdomen, the thighs, and the Center of his Yang," she said with a leer. She stepped back around to study Nick's face, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she watched, captivated with what she saw.

Nick wrestled in anguish, but this was too much. It spread from his stomach to his groin like fire, the center of his body a supernova of bright white pain. His chest heaved violently but the agony stole his breath. As his gasping quickened he felt his vision gray. Hyperventilation brought his CO2 to levels incompatible with consciousness and his head dropped forward on his chest as he mercifully passed out.

Warrick watched helplessly as he saw his partner straining to bend in his seat, the straps on his chest and legs the only thing holding the man straight in the chair. Nick's eyes looked around him wildly, unseeing as he futilely attempted to suck air in fast enough past clenched teeth. Nick's gasping accelerated and as Warrick tried to catch his partner's eyes he saw them begin to roll back in their sockets. Nick's head bobbed twice, then his chin crashed into his chest to loll there. His pale face slackened and Warrick felt himself take what felt like his first breath in hours as his partner finally succumbed to the pain. It was then that he reached his decision. There was no way he'd let his friend face another minute like the last one.

"You have broken him, my Dear." Warrick tore his eyes away from his partner's unconscious form at the unexpected sound. The Voice had remained silent through all of Nick's suffering, the only indication he was aware of it the fleeting smiles that tugged at the corners of his mouth. His eyes were expressionless. Cold and dead.

"I can wake him, if you wish. I thought perhaps you might give Mr. Brown another chance to save his partner from my further ministrations. Of course, I could always have his wife brought out …working on a woman could be very interesting."

"No. She remains where she is. The wise general does not squander his assets for pleasure. They are kept behind the lines to insure victory."

She nodded and returned to the table to pick up the scalpel. "I thought to use my medicinal preparation on him, but I think another avenue presents itself."

She sliced the leather strap over Nick's left arm and it fell in two slack pieces off his limb. She ran a finger lovingly across his swollen wrist, prodding ungently at the bones. "He appears to have fractured some of the carpal bones. First, I will relieve him of his primitive attempt at first aid." She lifted his limp hand and ran the scalpel over the white bandage tape, the cardboard slats falling free to the floor. Once the splint had been removed she toyed with his fingers. Grasping the middle finger she pulled it back, hyperextending his hand, causing the broken bones to grate on one another. Nick gasped and lifted his head from his chest, dragged up from the blackness to confront the new pain assailing him. She dropped the hand to let it fall onto the chair arm, causing another flare of pain. His arm now free he pulled his hand to his chest and cradled it, a brief sob escaping his lips.

Warrick now knew the decision he had reached was the right one. While his friend was unconscious he could pretend that they had time. That the torture was ending. Now that Nick had been awakened for what could only be another round, he knew it was over.

"All right! Stop! You crazy sadistic bitch! Leave him alone!" He turned his gaze to The Voice. "I'll tell you where Kenny is. You just gotta…you gotta stop this, Man. You gotta stop it." A tear ran from his eye to sit fat and glistening on his cheek. "Enough!"

The Voice sat up straighter in his chair, awaiting the information he'd been promised. Warrick tossed a look at Nick in reassurance. This was the right thing to do. It was their only chance.

But that look was back in Nick's eyes. The look that said, don't do this. Don't do this for me. He knew his partner would never want someone else hurt for his sake. That despite the enmity the two showed for each other, Nick Stokes would never have it be said that he caved if it meant Kenny's death. But this was… too much.

He shook his head at Nick. "Nicky, I gotta… You can't."

Nick clenched his teeth, grinding his words out painfully between tight lips. "Don't, Rick. Don't. You know he won't let us go. Don't do this… I can..." As a new flare of pain grabbed a hold of him his words dissolved into a groan, but he held Warrick's gaze. "Don't do it, Bro."

The fire of righteous anger burned in those brown eyes and Warrick faltered in his decision. If Nick could just hold out, maybe they could still get out of this. He gave a small nod and turned back to The Voice.

Sang's face reflected his disappointment and he shook his head in mock dismay. "You hold the life of Mr. Longman more valuable than your partner's? Who is Mr. Longman to you? An individual whom you have not seen in more than a decade." He then nodded at the doctor in affirmation of her next move.

She gave a smile; she was just as happy to be able to continue her work.

"Let's try something a little different, shall we?" She cocked her head to the side to look into Nick's eyes. He allowed himself to glare back, hating the sensation she was giving him of being studied like one of Grissom's specimens under glass.

Nick would not give her any satisfaction by breaking eye contact. It was a terrible effort on his part. His right hand trembled from staying in such an unnatural position; his clenched fist was nearly impossible to move. He would be lucky if he didn't break the fingers in this hand as well. His leg still spasmed, twitching uncontrollably, all of his muscles in conflict at having the nerves manipulated by the needles.

The pain from his broken wrist slowly faded into a new throbbing, a slight distraction from the agony that consumed the entire lower half of his body. Waves of white-hot pain enveloped him over and over again. The doctor continued to admire her handiwork, a tiny smile curling her lips. Nick's breathing was rapid and heavy, his mouth open from panting so hard. He wasn't going to pass out again and the instigator and the tormented locked eyes in a fierce war of wills.

Madame Chu allowed her eyes to roam over Nick's form; she was obviously amused by the way he fought his body's response to her techniques. She watched as beads of sweat that quickly gathered at his brow began to roll down his face and over his chin to drip onto his bare heaving chest. She took one of her fingers and caressed the soaked skin. Her nail traveled over his right pec, curved over towards his side, and came to rest on his hip.

"You demonstrate stamina and endurance. Such a waste of energy that could be used for more interesting and satisfying activities," she purred.

Nick fought the black dots that lined his vision as he valiantly tried to block the assault of the combined needles' havoc on his muscular and nervous system. "Most...people who lack the necessary skills in bed... have to resort to these kinds of... tactics to get off…sweetheart," Nick grunted in between ragged breaths.

Warrick smiled at his partner's ability to insult his tormentor. Madame Chu didn't find Nick's sense of humor amusing. She grabbed his hair roughly, yanking his head up at a painful angle as she brought her face down to his.

"We'll see how much out of order your Hun really is," she hissed. As the doctor let go Nick's head snapped back to its original position.

Warrick felt like a morbid spectator. The Voice and the physician exchanged silent communication as the man rifled through his box of files, digging out another folder. Madame Chu headed into a darkened area of the lair and Warrick could hear the movement of objects, almost like glass containers were being moved around. He strained to see what was going on; whatever she was seeking was connected to some further torture technique to be used against his best friend.

Warrick dragged his gaze back over to his partner. Nick looked bad. His complexion had lost all its color, and he was panting heavily from the mounting assault to his body. The tiny needles were still embedded in his flesh; he couldn't imagine how Nick was channeling what must have been an insurmountable cascade of pain. Between the heavy breathing he saw Nick's lips move. The counting had begun again. Nick was using the same technique for controlling his panic attacks on the barbaric tactics he was battling.

Nick's body shuddered uncontrollably as he cradled his injured left hand toward his stomach. He peeled open his closed eyelids and he and Warrick looked at each other. Warrick tried to send Nick an expression of thanks, at his bravery, his determination and his amazing resolve. Nick groaned, but nodded, his gaze watching the darkened area of the room.

"Maybe I can shed some light on the object of your curiosities," the Voice spoke. He pulled the remote out once more. With a press of a button, two tiny lights glowed on, the soft illumination exposing the rear section of the room.

Warrick's eyes grew large at the various tanks, aquariums, and small cages that had been hidden from view. Now all the little sounds of rustling and movement could be explained. It was like some twisted version of Grissom's office. From his confined position Warrick spotted a variety of snakes, lizards, and exotic fish. Madame Chu was peering intently at a small glass box. Warrick felt a sudden pang of fear resonate from the pit of his stomach.

He whipped his head around to see Nick's expression pale at the implications. Warrick let his jaw hang open as realization dawned on him. He spotted the Voice observing his expressions as he opened the file folder dramatically in front of him.

"It seems Mr. Stokes was admitted to the cardiac unit for the first day of his stay, while they observed his reactions to the insect bites." The Voice thumbed a few pages. "Although dehydrated, the staff's main concern was the anaphylactic shock you were suffering from. I read in a summary report that while you were inside your little coffin you were able to keep the ants from swarming under your clothes."

Sang locked eyes with Nick who stared back at him. "You were very resourceful. It wasn't until you shifted around that they found their way under your shirt and dined on your flesh. Lucky man, your team found you before you succumbed to the high levels of ant venom."

The Voice wandered over, standing between both criminalists. He looked at both men, an easy and calm expression on his countenance. "You do know that any kind of neurotoxin exposure can lead to a severe allergic reaction."

Mr. Sang raised an eyebrow and as if on signal his assistant sauntered back with a little box filled with sand and pebbles. Madame Chu set the container next to her velvet pad. Nick sat up straighter, though his defiance had lost its edge from before.

The doctor smiled coyly, picking up on the fear she detected in Nick's posture. She found another needle and licked the end of it with her tongue. She walked behind Nick, running her fingertips along his throat and up into his hair as she ruffled it playfully. She ran her delicate fingers along Nick's neck.

"The Median nerve runs along your seventh cervical and the first thoracic vertebrae. If just the right pressure is applied," she cooed before inserting her needle into the flesh, "it can have a very special reaction."

Nick hissed as the metal tore through his skin but unlike the excruciating pain from before, he felt an odd sensation snake down his right arm all the way through his palm and fingers. Nick stared at his limb as thousands of pinpricks assaulted him and then something horrifying happened. The pain quickly faded to an all encompassing numbness. His hand was still clenched into a fist, but instead of feeling the tendons and muscle fibers strain beyond normal, he felt nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Madame Chu giggled again. "I've incapacitated your arm." She walked back in front of him as he fought against his chest strap. She took her scalpel and sliced the leather bonds that imprisoned his arm. She bent down again and peered mockingly into his face. "I've set it free." She laughed cruelly at him. "Problems?"

Warrick wanted to do anything to help. It was obvious that his partner could not move his arm. Those brown eyes were betraying his fresh panic at the newest form of immobility. Nick fought the restraints to his legs and chest, exhausting precious energy. Madame Chu's face lit up in excitement.

The Voice remained indifferent as he observed both reactions. Warrick watched him as the man suddenly covered his ear with his hand. The man appeared to be wearing a small ear piece. His assistant stopped tormenting Nick momentarily at the interruption. The Voice's calm exterior cracked slightly, his eyes narrowed in annoyance. He spoke at the floor, into what must have been a tiny microphone hidden on him. "I said not to disturb me."

Warrick watched as the Asian man became more agitated at whatever was being told to him. "Tell Mr. Braun that it is unacceptable. He knows what he needs to do." A few more moments of silence and the Voice slammed his fist onto the table. "You imbecile! I will handle this myself." He looked over at his assistant. "I have other matters to attend to. Let me know when you obtain the information I want."

The Voice made his way around the table and cast one parting shot at Warrick. "You have a choice to make, Mr. Brown. I hope for your friend's sake it is the right one."

Warrick watched as the mob boss disappeared into the shadows of the low-lit room. He turned to face the physician who eyed him coolly.

Madame Chu slipped on a leather glove and opened the lid to the small glass box. She dug her hand into it and finally found the elusive creature. "This is Buthotus, one of the rarest scorpions in Asia." The doctor held a creature about two inches in length. Two claws snapped several times at the intrusion. She held onto it by its scaly body, the black creature's eight legs wiggling in the air.

The physician held the creature between her fingers as the angry insect struggled to free itself from her grasp. "This species contains a neurotoxin which depolarizes the nervous system of the victim. The venom can cause a great deal of pain and suffering alone, but in the case of Mr. Stokes…" She looked at Warrick, then moved to fix her gaze on Nick. "It can kill you in a matter of minutes. Five, perhaps ten, before it begins to constrict your airway."

She placed the creature on Nick's bare shoulder, grabbing roughly at his left arm as it rose to wipe the creature off. She took his hand as a lover would, wrapping it up in both of her strong hands and holding it to her breasts where Nick could feel her cold heart barely beating. Her actions had barely registered on her bodily functions. He felt the first acceleration of its rhythm as she stared enrapt as the scorpion's hairy legs crawled along his numb skin. The eight-legged invertebrate began a very slow descent down Nick's arm. The CSI could barely control his ragged intake of breath, his eyes widening as he stared in horror at the poisonous beast. He struggled to pull his broken hand away from his captor, his efforts only succeeding in causing him further agony.

Warrick pulled on his bonds. "For Christ sakes, take it off of him," he beseeched.

Nick tried to make his impaired limb work as the rest of his body squirmed as the insect's tiny legs moved. His heart rocketed inside his chest; he began counting backwards at the ensuing panic. Madame Chu looked over at Warrick. "It's very agitated that I disturbed it and the poor thing is very hungry. Can't say when the last time we fed it was. This species can regulate its venom based on the size of its prey. If it stings Mr. Stokes you still have enough time for me to revive him. I am a trained doctor and I have all the necessary medicine." She cocked an eyebrow, "Is Kenny Longman worth all of his suffering?" She took a breath and leaned towards Warrick. "Is he worth your partner's life?" Warrick's mouth went dry as he watched the scorpion scurry over Nick's immobile arm.

TBC...

We'd like to thank Amy for her wonderful knowledge for this chapter.