Jess was contently asleep until something pressed on her back and her head buzzed with activity, jolting her awake. She sat up, her arm instinctively reaching out and latching onto what had just touched her, grabbing metal. The links pulled together, pinching her fingers. She yipped, holding the injured hand to her chest. The light clicked on and she looked up at a very infuriated Octavius. His face was red and gathered up in a permanent snarl as he bellowed about something. She didn't need words; his body language spoke for itself as he limped over to her shackles and detached them from their mooring. She assumed the sounds he spat periodically were curses as he grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the room, the chains rattling loudly, making her wince. The metal yanked on her ankles, causing her to trip as they stormed into a lab. She froze, yanking her arm out of Octavius's grip, and stopping solidly where she was. She started to shake her head 'no' just before launching into a flurry of signs.

"No more. I don't like this thing on my back. I won't put up with any more experiments." She spelled out a few choice names aimed at Otto she hoped he wouldn't figure out. "Take this off of my back. I want to go home, now!" Before she could stop herself, she punctuated her final demand with a very universal sign, shoving her middle finger into the air between her and Octavius. They both stood there, Otto's face darkening as Jess stared at her own hand, hardly believing she'd just flipped off an already angry Doctor Octopus. Sooner than she could put away the offending finger, he had grabbed onto it, and was using it as a lever. The pain shot through her body as he lowered her to her knees. She cried as he leaned over and whispered something into her ear. Her instinct telling her the tone was not a friendly one. He let go, and the pain subsided enough for Jess to stand up, nursing the hand. With tears running down her face, she followed Octavius over to a low metal table, where he had her sit down. A notepad was handed to her and she read it while keeping watch on Octavius.

"They didn't pay the ransom. Instead, the bug was waiting for me, expecting that I'd bring you along. Apparently the city has no care for you. So you are either going to give me access to Oscorp's network, or I will continue my experiments on you until the city does decide to make an attempt to get you released. Considering your apparent expendability, you should also think about watching your language." Jess finished, staring at the paper as Doctor Octopus moved about the lab, grabbing surgical tools and other things she barely paid notice to. The pad fell from her fingers to the floor, making Octavius pause and look over his shoulder at her. She stared at her empty hand, hardly noticing the small pressure on her back and the ensuing lack of sound. An actuator set the pad on the table next to her along with a pen, then returned to helping Otto prepare. A small whimper brought his attention back to her and the notepad in her hand.

"What happens when I'm no longer useful to me?" She'd sketched a skull and crossbones with a question mark next to it.

"If you prove useful, and capable, I will put you to work on some computer maintenance I rarely have the time for." It was a strangely generous offer, but if it allowed him more time to do less mundane tasks, she might be worth keeping.

With the abandonment of the city, she should be more likely stay. I also doubt Oscorp would take her back if they knew their network might have been compromised because of her, and also simply through affiliation with me.

What if we made it so she would be guaranteed to compromise her job at Oscorp? Her presence would give us more time to focus on the important tasks.

And if all else fails, I can threaten to compromise Oscorp for the ransom instead. Octavius handed the pad over to Jess, her face growing confused.

"I'd stay? I'd work on your computers?" She scribbled back.

"Yes, though I will still work on your hearing."

"I hate hearing. That seems hardly fair."

"I didn't say it would be." He glared at her when an actuator moved over and took off the shackles. Jess swung her feet, rolling her ankles in the air. "Don't try to escape. The device on you also doubles as a shock collar of sorts. You get too far from me and it will fire." Upon reading the page, Jessica's hand ran along the back of hr neck. Octavius walked off and returned with her laptop.

"I'm a prisoner." The paper had written, complete with a frowning face. He handed her the laptop and wrote on the page.

"Log on and check your Oscorp e-mail. I want to know how they've reacted to this." Jess nodded and logged on, opening her e-mail. There was one new message.

"Dear Miss Roarn,

Due to recent events, you have been temporarily suspended until further notice. Upon return, your position will be returned pending investigation." Jess smiled until something went off in her head, her eyes dimming as she quickly logged out. She opened Notepad and typed rapidly.

"They'll track the IP. The fact that I checked my e-mail from a new address just sealed my fate…" She paused, looking over at Octavius. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?" She scowled as he shrugged and went back to organizing the items on the counter. She signed a couple choice words at his back, until he turned around, holding a capped syringe in his hand. She nearly dropped her laptop as she jumped off of the table. Jessica ran two steps before her legs gave out, a shock running the length of her spine. The notepad landed on the floor next to her and she looked over at it.

"I'm going to fix the spinal tap. It will bother you less after this." Jess cowered against a desk as Octavius squatted and uncapped the needle, tapping it before pushing the plunger just enough to clear the air out. He held Jess's arm with an actuator and a hand while administering the sedative. A silent tear ran down her cheek as Otto helped her up and brought her back to the table where he set her down on her stomach. Jessica's eyes drooped as she fought the anesthetic, but eventually she gave in, her breath shallow, as the world closed in on her.