Chapter 10: Old Habits Die Hard

Something was wrong. He couldn't get in touch with Dennis—couldn't get in touch with anyone from the office really, and that bothered the hell out of him.

Jack opened the door of the diner, holding the bell so it wouldn't make noise. Closing the door quietly behind him, he went in search of Gloria. It didn't take long to find her.

He couldn't tell if she was dead or alive. Her limp body was on the floor and she had a large cut on her forehead. He ran over to her and turned her head toward him. She moaned lightly and he released the breath he hadn't known he had been holding.

Placing a finger to his lips, he helped Gloria into a sitting position. She gently touched the gash on her head.

"It was Nattie. I came in and she hit me with something. I saw Deb…she was on the floor in the office." Gloria whispered. "I don't know if she was dead."

Jack nodded. Wondering if he was too late, he slowly stood and peeked over the counter.

Deb was on her knees, blood covered her shirt. Nattie stood behind her with a dangerous looking knife, the blade pressing hard against Deb's slender neck.

"Natalia, stop!" He vaulted over the counter in one fluid movement.

Natalia turned around, clearly furious with this interruption. She made Deb stand up and then with a flick of her wrist, sent her slamming into the counter top.

"Nattie. Listen to me. I'm not going to fight you. All I want to do is help you." Jack said, his hands up.

Nattie chuckled, a sultry sound indeed.

"My dear Jackie-boy. Do you really think I'd give up this power? This feeling of freedom? I don't think so. All my life I've been taking care of people. I've been the one to come to if anyone had a problem. People took advantage of my kindheartedness. Do you know how good it feels not to care about these pathetic mortals?" She tossed her head, sending her curls over her shoulder.

"Come on Nattie. You don't like this. You're too good for this."

"Are you trying to negotiate with me, Lover?" She laughed and shook her head. "Who knew that you were such a sissy."

She was right in front of him. He looked into her eyes. They were cold and empty. She put her hands on his hips and pulled him closer.

"I'll…never…go…back." She kissed him between each word. Without warning, she pushed him back and sent him flying over the counter.

Gloria hustled over to Deb's unconscious body and pulled her as gently as she could from the counter. She huddled under the counter.

Jack slowly rose to his feet. His anger had reached it's boiling point. He was sick of being beaten on, tired of being the whipping boy. This was bullshit and he was finished playing.

Damn it, it was time to kick some ass.

He charged and vaulted the counter once again. He grabbed Nattie by the hair and rammed his fist into her face.

She caught his fist and twisted his arm until he could practically feel the bones beginning to break. He spun to his right and elbowed Nattie in the stomach. She released the pressure on his arm just enough for him to break free. She punched him in the face several times before kicking him in the stomach. She leapt for the knife that had fallen from her hands when the fight began.

Anticipating her move and summoning the strength he had left, Jack grabbed Nattie's hair. Spinning her around, he slammed her head down as he brought his knee up. Blood spilled from Nattie's mouth as she fell to the floor in a heap.

He stood and rolled his shoulders. He was surprised to find that he did not feel guilty about beating on Nattie. He tried to tell himself it was because it wasn't Natalia anymore, but he knew the truth. He still loved a good fight. The sting in his hands, the crunch of bone, the spray of blood. He breathed deep and flexed his fingers.

Jack was so caught up in his own thoughts that he didn't see Nattie get up and get her knife. He heard her as she moved in behind him. Without thinking, he grabbed her wrist, spun her around and placed the knife against her throat.

"Tsk tsk tsk. You shouldn't do that. That's rude," he said against her neck. She struggled against him.

"I'm going to kill you. And this time they won't be sending you on assignments. You are going to the Corridors."

Jack chuckled. He was feeling better than he had felt in days. Stronger, more like himself.

He wrapped his arm around her waist, pressing her closer to him. She had her head tilted to the side to keep the blade of the dagger from piercing her skin. Not that it would kill her, it would just hurt like a bitch.

He had never been a man of great willpower. He kissed the side of her neck and felt her tense. He ran his tongue over the sensitive spot just under her jaw.

"What are you doing Ferriman?" Nattie asked. Her voice was throaty, and not just with anger. He was turning her on and he knew it.

"Isn't it obvious?" He asked against her ear. He moved the knife blade down her throat, down farther still until the tip pointed just above her heart.

I'm killing you. Though he hadn't spoken the words out loud, he knew she could hear them.

"Do it. I'll have you then. Go on Jack." She said in a taunting voice. "You'll belong to me, and you will go to Hell."

He tightened his hold on her. Resting his head on her shoulder, he grinned.

"Yeah, well…Been there, done that."

She screamed as he plunged the knife into her heart.

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