Chloe had covered a lot of distance and she stopped to look around at the buildings looming above her. She had managed to get some broken directions from the few people who were willing to speak to her but for the most part they wanted nothing to do with her. She had a few that had tried to take liberties with her based on her attire and she was finding her patience with being treated like an object was definitely wearing thin. She snatched a worn out rag of a robe off of one of the lower level balconies of an apartment and wrapped it around herself. She covered her hair and face with the red scarf from her dress.

She wanted so badly to be back in America with Clark and Lex. It was her desire to be back in America that drove her to the foot of the American Embassy building. She felt an overwhelming sense of comfort knowing that she was a few feet from safety. She approached the gates of the embassy and was stopped briefly by the guard. She didn't have ID nor did she have a passport with her but her accent and a flash of her blonde hair was enough to convince the guard to let her into the building to speak with someone.

He led her up the stairs of the embassy and down the hall to a waiting room. She spouted off what had happened, what she had seen and her fears for Lex and Clark but the guard seemed unconcerned. He told her to stay in the waiting room and assured her that he would get someone to come and meet with her.

She paced the waiting room anxiously waiting for someone, anyone, to come and see her. She couldn't bare to just sit in the chair and patiently wait so she stood and walked circles in the tiny room. She looked out the window and wondered how far she had traveled through the night. The city was huge, bigger than she had thought. She looked at the buildings that spanned ahead of her and she strained her eyes trying to see the edge of the desert, straining to see where Joshua's palace was.

"Mrs. Sullivan is it?"

She was startled from her thoughts by the voice and turned to meet a well-dressed man walking towards her.

"Oh thank God! You have to help me. My friends are being held in a-"

"Whoa. Whoa. Slow down." The man placed his hands on Chloe's shoulders in an attempt to calm her. "My guard has told me some of your story, now slow down and start from the beginning."

Chloe forced herself to slow her speech as she told him everything. He slowed her down a few times when she got over excited and he comforted her when she started to get upset.

"Do you have any proof to back up your accusations?" He finally asked once she had finished telling him everything.

"You mean besides this tragedy of an outfit." She snapped sarcastically.

"I realize that you have been through a lot but these are some very serious allegations you are making. I need more than just the word of a teenager before I can do anything. That and I'm afraid so far what you have told me does not prove that Mr. Bruha has broken any laws that he can be persecuted with while he is still in this country."

"What?" Chloe's shock was evident in her tone. "What do you mean he hasn't broken any laws?"

She stood up, arms flailing to the sides. "Any laws you mean besides kidnapping, holding people against their will, rape, sex with someone of the same sex. If I'm not mistaken homosexual tendencies are against the law in this country."

"Yes to all of the above. Unfortunately though someone of Mr. Bruha's monetary influence is sometimes regarded as above the law. I'm afraid that there isn't a police officer or judge that would find him guilty before he could either have them killed or pay them off."

"You can't be serious."

"I'm afraid there isn't anything that I can do for since there is nothing more to go on than your word verses his."

"My word isn't all that I have." She reached into the folds of the scarf that she had wrapped around herself and tore apart the handmade stitches. Her hands trembled as she pulled out a tiny camera from within the hidden pocket.

"What is this?" He took the tiny device from her hand and examined it closely.

"A camera courtesy of the American military." He looked up at her questioningly, "And my uncle." She added with a smirk.

"What is on it?"

"Photographic evidence of Clark and Lex being held against their will at some party, not to mention a number of women's photographs that I bet you will find on some missing persons lists somewhere. I took them when I was inside the women's apartment complex. Some of the women in there have been missing for up to eight years. I'm not sure of the quality because I was trying to make it look like I was dancing while I was taking them."

"I'll have them developed here on site so we don't risk anyone on Joshua's payroll getting their hands on them. In the meantime you have to stay here, it's too dangerous for you to be out walking around the city. If what you say is true then we may stand a chance at getting your friends back."

"I'm coming with you." Chloe jumped in front of him as he turned to leave the room.

"I think it's best if you stay here."

"Listen Mr. no offense or anything but I just met you and I'm not letting those pictures out of my site."

He smiled at her forcefulness. "Follow me then. But stay close and don't touch anything. I will call for someone to get you something more" He coughed slightly, "appropriate to wear."

She returned the smile thankful that he didn't put up as much of a fight as she had been prepared to battle.

XXXXXXXXXXX

"What do you mean you want him back? I sent that blonde over to appease your appetite until Saturday." Joshua argued into the phone.

"What blonde?" Amir asked on the other line.

"Not funny Amir."

"I swear I have no idea what blonde you are talking about. If you do in fact have a blonde on her way over I am sure that I can find ways to keep her occupied."

"I'll find out where the hell that driver took her but in the meantime I have every intention of keeping Clark here with me until Saturday."

"Fine, fine. Keep the boy but don't spoil him before I get a chance at him. The fight is tomorrow and I expect he will be in good health for his return to me."

"Don't be so sure that your man will win Amir."

Laughter filled the phone for a moment before Amir replied. "Come now Joshua you can't seriously think for one minute that runt of yours could beat my choice in an opponent. He is pale and skinny not to mention does not have the technical training provided to soldiers in this country. Shier has been trained in a number of martial arts and hand-to-hand combat. He has never lost a fight. It will be a shame for you to lose two pieces of your collection in one fowl swoop."

"Maybe there won't be a fight. After all I have him back now and what was it you said? Possession is nine tenths of the law."

"Come now, I have no worries that you will follow through with your end of the bargain simply because you have already announced it. That and if he miraculously does win think of the publicity for your collection. It is a win-win for you either way. You advertise your collection whether he wins or losses."

"The blonde, when she arrives, is at your complete disposal. Do with her what you see fit but I want pictures of the evening and her body before you dispose of it. I think my boys need to see what happens to those who go against me."

"Consider it done. I will see you at the fight tomorrow."

Once Joshua was off the phone he turned to one of his waiting guards and ordered him to track down Chloe and the guard responsible for her delivery to Amir. He made it clear that he wanted the guard punished for his inability to carry out the simple task of driving her to Amir's in a timely manner.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

Clark and Lex were still lying on the bed, both having had a restless sleep, when Joshua entered the kitchen. They cringe slightly at the interruption so early in the morning but made no effort to get up and meet their unwelcome guest.

"Wake up boys we have a busy day ahead of us." Joshua's voice filled the room.

Neither of them moved hoping that he would just go away. Clark's first thought when he had opened his eyes had been of Chloe. He didn't think he could make it through the day if he had to do anything other than lay in bed and grieve for her.

"Get up now." Joshua's tone became much more authoritative.

Lex sat up from the pillows and glared at him.

"Come now. Let's not start this morning off with an attitude." Joshua crossed the room to stand beside Lex's side of the bed. "You know what happens when you take an attitude with me don't you."

Lex was unwavering. He sat staring up at Joshua with so much hatred and anger than he didn't think he was capable of containing it.

Joshua leaned in and Lex fought every urge he had to strangle the life out of him here and now. He knew it would do no good. Joshua would have guards posted outside the door. The last escape efforts had failed so why would today be any different. The thought of escape made him think briefly of Chloe again.

He hadn't even thought of Chloe as a viable option for rescue and when she had appeared it had been short lived and fatal for her. No one would rescue them now. No one else even knew they were alive, no one that is except his father.

Lex's heart tightened at the thought of his father. Did he know of their attempts to escape? Did he know that tomorrow his son would be in a fight for his life? Did he care? Lex already knew the answer to that which made it even that much more painful to think about.

"This new attitude will not serve you well in the long run. Get up and get your friend here up before I get angry and find lessons for you both right here in this bed." He said leaning over so his face was right in Lex's face.

With his words he turned and walked to the chair against the wall and sat down. "Either way I win. You have one minute starting now." He referred to his watch and began timing.

"Clark." Lex shook his friend. "Clark we have to get up."

"I know I heard." Clark's words had no emotion, no tone and the sound of his friend's indifference to the threat worried Lex.

"No really get up." Lex encouraged Clark as he got off the bed and rounded the corner to Clark's side.

Clark still hadn't moved and Lex grabbed his arm hauling him up onto his feet.

"Please don't do this." Lex warned his tone filled with worry more than anything else. He saw how delicate Clark was and he worried that Joshua's threat might push Clark past any threshold of sanity.

The clapping from the other side of the room made both boys turn to face Joshua.

"Well done Lex and only 10 seconds left to spare. Lets get moving shall we."

"Where are we going?"

"To the ball room where you will be fighting tomorrow. My men have already set up the ring and the seating for the audience. We have to brush up on you technique if you have any hope of winning." He smiled between Lex and Clark as he motioned for them to follow him out of the bedroom.

"Look, I know you are upset. I am too. I'm tired and I'm angry and I want to be anywhere but here but we need to work together if we are going to make it through tomorrow. You have to snap out of it."

Clark looked at Lex blankly as thoughts of Chloe, his parents, and his friends all mixed together in his mind. He heard the concern in Lex's voice but didn't think he really had the energy to care.

"Please Clark." Lex insisted again as he lead Clark out of the apartment by the arm.