Plot: Marcus Pike heads a highly efficient task force for many years now and his career is going up and up. She on the other hand is trying to organize her life from a trying ordeal when an unexpected event put her life on a spin again.

WARNING: TALK OF AND SCENES OF TORTURE & VIOLENCE

MUSIC: Dance with the Devil- Breaking Benjamin

CHAPTER 15

I am aware of the things I have done that I am not proud of,

And I do not need to be reminded of them.

If anyone has got to shake hands with

the reaper on my account,

I am sure you won't be anywhere to be found.

So, step out of my light as

I find my way through this darkness.

~L.L. Musings~

After what seems like hours the convoy of dark vans stops. The sound of metal doors rumbling close could be heard in the background and closed shut with a loud thump. Men stand at the secured doors each one carrying more than one weapon. The vans almost open at the same time and men step out.

In one of the vans they bring down someone with a black sack on his head. Handcuffed and blinded, the person tries to resist his captors but they keep a tight hold of his arm as they almost drag him on the ground.

An elevator shaft opens and the men enter with their 'guest'. The two men who grasp the man's arms could feel him trembling. The gag they stuffed in the man's mouth after sealing it with a wide strip of duct tape prevents him from screaming his head off but it doesn't stop him from making annoying whining sounds. It stops many of them from begging for their life and in return they would promise money, women and many other preposterous things that they can exchange for their freedom and survival. This one is the type to do that.

The elevator suddenly stops and opens up to a large area. The men roughly take their captive to a room and dump him in a chair. His hands were released from the handcuffs behind him. The captive had only a moment of relief it was cut short when his hands were grabbed and bound separately again. When the sack was pulled off from his head the man began to struggle. The man jolts, shocked at the slap he was given on the side of the head. Breathing fast the man turns his head this way and that as if trying to see who hit him but most of his senses were rendered inutile. He's blind folded, gagged, and his ears were stuffed with ear plugs.

What a relief he could hear again! He sighs as the plugs were pulled from him ears. "Hey asshole! We'll take off the gag. You keep quiet, get it?" He almost had a heart attack. The angry man's breath was hot in his ears. He nods many times to be certain the man could see he understood. "Good."

Footsteps. He feels a presence in front of him. Body heat.

Someone tugs at the edge of the tape on the side of his face. He forces himself to stay still. The warning slap on the side of his head was by no means a tap. It made his ears ring. He could still feel it.

He cried out in agony as someone ripped the tape from his face. It had surely taken some stubble and skin from his chin then a hand cups his jaw forcing it open. Metal clinked against his teeth. He struggles with the person who holds his jaw open but another grabs his head and hair and held it back. He was about to panic when the ball of rag was pulled out of his mouth. The blindfold followed just as fast. Mist cloud his focus. He had to blink away the whiteness and blurry vision. He could finally see he's in a metal chair, his hands were handcuffed on the arms. The chair seems to be different as if its purpose is not to provide comfort. He couldn't slide the handcuff down the arms and there were slots and holes here and there for what purpose he hopes he wouldn't know. He could dimly see his shoes; he wore them for the Fundraising party at the gallery. A sudden sound made him jump. He squints from the bright light focused on him. Through the haze of his still unfocused vision he could almost see some people standing or sitting, he's not sure.

"Can you see me?"

"Huh?" There, the objects are beginning to focus, becoming more sharp and clear.

"James! There! You can see me! Whoo-hoo!" He could dimly make out a man across from him wearing dark clothes. "You made it!" The man claps as he casually leans against a metal table. "Nice to meet you, buddy!"

James was confused at the friendly greeting but his attention caught the thing that the man was leaning on, he almost gasps as he recognized the 'table'. He struggles from his cuffs but they held him steadfast. "Who…who the fuck are you? The fuck am I doing here?" His voice sounds raspy and rough. He winces at the pain coming from the dryness of his mouth and throat.

"I'm not important but…I know you."

The man in black smiles at him again, he doesn't like that smile. "Why do I….wait." James blinks and tries to stay calm. "I think I know you… ?" The man in front of him wears black boots, black military type pants with pockets, long sleeved pullover. The sleeves were pulled back up the man's forearms.

The man in black looked sad, concerned. "Oh, you forgot it already? Do you need to remember?"

James nods. "Well, it's kinda hazy."

There's that smile again. "Let me help you." He drawls.

His foggy memory caught up. Shit! James went wide-eyed. That move…from stillness to action…cat like gait but heavy tread. Shit! The guy in the blood-stained shirt? The fist smashes into his face. Fuck! That punch- solid and strong. It had enough force for James and the chair to topple backwards. With a sharp gasp his head snaps back as someone kicks the chair back and he got pushed viciously upright. James blinks, his vision swims and it weaves drunkenly back and forth to the man standing five steps away from him. "Fucking hell!" James spat some blood out to the side with a groan. "My yacht! That's you!" The man looks down at him; impartial, cold, stoic as he suffers the after effects.

The man claps in satisfaction. "Glad you remember!"

"What the fuck do you want?" James slurs, a little woozy from the punch.

"Let's see. First item: a pound of flesh." The man in black leans back at the stainless steel table again. Feet crossed.

"For what?" The man reaches into a black box and tosses something in a plastic Ziploc with a sharp flick of his wrist. The object hit his groin a little strongly. "Ah! What the fuck…? What's this?"

"Look at it!" The man almost yelled and glares at him.

James cringed as if another blow is imminent. "Wait…wait!" James looks down. It says it's an evidence bag and in the bag there's a gold comb with green rhinestones…

"You don't remember?"

"No." he gasps.

"Tessa." The man curls his lips.

"Why?"

The man stares at him in disbelief. "She's in a coma."

"A coma. Why?"

"You almost beat her to death!"

"No! I…I don't remember anything." James racks up his brain. "I talked to her at my father's office…."

"You also made her best friend enter her into the auction!"

James gulps. "Yes. I did."

"You also bet on her."

"I'm sorry…."

"For what?"

"For the auction….and betting on her."

"What were your plans for her?"

"Dinner and…"

"And?"

"We'll…I'll take her to my yacht."

"And torture her there?" the man whispers.

"Huh? No…"

"Oh James, why are you suddenly shy?" the man shakes his head when James avoid his gaze.

"I…I don't know what you mean…"

"Hmm...I wanna show you something. Jog your memory a little more, okay?" The man takes a tablet on the autopsy table behind him and plays a video. Before the video ends he plays another and played another one and another and another….

"Where…"

"James…James…James…you were a bad boy! You have so many of these! You're such a collector! You keep them in USB's in your yacht's safety deposit box under the wet bar. You tried to hide it but we're good at finding things!"

"It's…it's just for fun." James was shocked. He lowers his head.

"I dunno…" The man swipes the tablet, shaking his head. "They don't look like they're having fun, whereas you…" The man shows him one of the videos he paused. "So, was this your plan for Tessa too?"

"I don't remember those…"

The man curls his lips in derision. "Oh sure. So you don't remember beating and raping these women or beating up Tessa?"

"No…I must've been drunk." James cringes as the man walks slowly to him.

"Oh yeah, we all heard that before. 'I was drunk. I had a lot to drink. I was stoned.' So many alibis, excuses and justifications. You just like inflicting pain. Admit it." The man leans back to the stainless steel table again.

"I will pay those women and I will apologize…"

"It's all about money for you, isn't?"

"It's effective…"

"Effective? Money and fear?"

"I don't understand."

"Coercion for their silence."

"Money and fear are effective tools." James froze as the man's eyes changed.

"You will not see the light of day until she wakes up."

His captor is impartial, cold, stoic again. "What if she doesn't?"

"Then your nightmare will never end."

"What will you do to me?" The man looks down at him and smirks.

"Anything."

James frowns, then smiles. "Oh…I remember your voice. Yeah, you were the one fucking Tessa that night…" The new punch added to the dizziness that has yet to stop in James's head.

"Shut your mouth." The man glares at him.

"Marcus! Ah, that's you!" James began chuckling. "Tessa was moaning and groaning your name….fuck!" This punch made James realize the man was still holding back. That one definitely hurt. "Shit!"

"I want to kill you right now."

"Oh…what will your people think?"

"They wouldn't bat an eyelash."

"It's because they're scared." James gulps when the men around Marcus laugh at his words. They lean and lounge around the room, faces hidden in black ski masks.

"Oh yeah, they're scared. Terrified! Wanna be scared? You get off on pain, right? I wonder how much pain you could really endure. Do you know that there are numerous kinds of pain? Shall we find out?"

James gulps and then realizes he just swallowed blood. "Does Tessa know that you have this violent side in you?"

"Oh, are you trying to get under my skin? I know what you're doing, James." Marcus laughs and shakes his head when James grins. "Why would she need to know of this side of myself?"

"I think in the future you might turn it against her." James's grin vanishes at Marcus's dark chuckle. It sounds more malicious this time.

"James…tsk-tsk-tsk! Are you trying to find something in common with me? I'm really touched!" James winces when Marcus grabs his sore shoulder. "You really don't get it do you?" Marcus asks gently.

"What?"

"You are special to me." Marcus looks at James fondly even as he tightens his grip until James is whimpering. "And I'd like you to know, Tessa will NEVER ever see this side of me ever. Is that clear enough for you?" He almost purrs the words.

"Men like you are like me…" In a haze of pain things went dark for a moment like a light bulb blinking. "Fuck! Agh!"

"What did you say?" Marcus steps back and adjusts the brass knuckle. "Men like me don't take it out on helpless women…."

"Did you see what she did to me?!"

"Yeah, I did. Unfortunately you didn't give her enough chance to do this…" Marcus slams his fist on James's forehead wound, the one Tessa gave him. "There. That's perfect." Marcus quips when the wound re-opened.

"Fuck you!" James raises his head to keep the blood from dripping down the front of his face. He could smell it…ugh!

Marcus chuckles deep and throaty. "James, you'd like that, wouldn't you? You're not my type." Marcus removes the brass knuckles and James breathes a kind of relief. "But if you want I'll bring someone who'd want to fuck you that way, hmm?" Marcus handed the weapon to another man. "Tomorrow." Marcus grins at him.

"No…no…you wouldn't…"

"I would…but…if you're a good boy…"

"Yes…yes…I'll…mfp!" James got wide eyed when Marcus covers his mouth with his hand and his other wraps around his throat. It starts to clench tight.

"James, you need to be more than that, okay?" James nods, eyes wide open, scared. "I heard you can introduce me to some people…" Marcus let him go.

"What people?" His voice rasps as he takes in deep gulps of air.

"You know, people. Your people."

"I don't know…." Marcus motions to one of the men to come over with the knuckles. "Ah…ah…please be more specific..." James almost panics when like a surgeon's assistant the man in the ski mask picks the brass weapon and slaps it on Marcus's palm. "Tell me…what do you want?"

"Hmm," Marcus tilts his head with a smile. "I think we'll continue this session tomorrow." Marcus smiles at his guest. He returns the brass device to the other man.

"Look man, I'm sorry. Please, I'll do what you ask me. Let me go!"

"I like your company, man! Don't worry you'll see me tomorrow." Marcus opens a bag he took behind him. "Don't miss me!"

James wanted to feel some relief that the 'session' is over for the day but Marcus is still not finished terrorizing him yet. "What's that?" James looks at the syringe being carefully filled from an ampoule.

"This? Just vitamins and minerals. It's good for you." Marcus shrugs nonchalantly as he tilts James's head to expose his neck.

"No!" James tried his hardest to struggle but Marcus is hella strong. He would've admired the man's strength if that force wasn't turned against him. "No…please…not…no…"

"See? It's good for you." Marcus pats James's cheek after the man's head lolled down. Then he motions the men to be quiet as he takes James's pulse. "He's out. You're safe." Marcus removes his heavy duty gloves after replacing the blindfold and ear plugs on James. "Fred, you and the guys will take care of him, right?"

"No problem, chief. We'll take care of him." The others nod as the others remove their ski masks. "This one's special."

"Guys, I know you're all pissed at this asshole. I'm pissed at him."

Of course, their chief's girlfriend is in ICU. That was tragic. "Sorry chief. I hope Tessa pulls through." Fred nods, the others follow him. "Don't worry, we'll be patient."

"Keep in mind this guy knows psych games. He did one to me. He'll do the same until one of you slips up and before you know it he has a gun on your face or worse. Is that clear?"

"Yeah, chief." The guys chorused.

"He's all yours when I'm done with him. He has a lot of info for us. Just look at what we found at his yacht. "

"He's one sick bastard."

"Precisely! Make sure this sick bastard stays here."

Fred supervises the detention of James in one of the secured cells surrounded in poured concrete. The man will stay quiet and easy to manage with Marcus's sedative that they can top up.

"What's eating you, Paul?" Marcus asks his second in command after they're on the road.

"I'm worried, chief." Paul looks at his boss. They sit at the passenger area in the very same SUV where Marcus cradled Tessa's broken body. He continues when Marcus stays silent, arms crossed. "I know you're doing this for Tessa but you're also going to damage your career."

"Tessa would say that." Marcus frowns, looking out the window.

"Sir, it might not be my place to stay this but if this goes sideways all your hard work and reputation would go down the drain." His boss does that thing whenever he's worried; rubbing his lips with his thumb.

"I know…"

"Please…"

"He hurt Tessa."

Paul closes his eyes at that voice that came from deep in Marcus. "I'm aware sir. This is not the time to lose focus or throw everything away for that scumbag."

"I'm not losing focus."

"You are." Paul is risking everything here too. Technically Marcus is still his boss and he still has authority over Paul. With his hands dipped in two proverbial pies Marcus commands both the bureau team and he's an authority in this country. "You have." Paul exchanges looks with their driver. The agent looks worried too.

"The woman who matters to me most is battling for her life. Treated like a toy to be played with and discarded like the many women James has abused and used." Marcus examines his slightly reddened knuckles.

"Sir, you don't need to tell us how you feel for her. We have seen it. You have been personally attacked by someone you have been hunting. He hurt someone you care for very deeply. No one could be impartial in that situation and it's blinding you."

"I have diplomatic immunity. Limited, but I can ask for more."

Shit. Paul forgot about Marcus's clout and his immunity. "That's good and all but you need to keep this legit. None of this should be traced back to you."

"I would break every bone in James's body to get my pound of flesh, Paul."

"Not this way sir. Tessa would lose you. When she wakes up and finds you gone it would break her heart. Find a way."

-o0o-

ICU, ROOM 6:

"Mel…"

"Marcus. Hi, man." Mel turns to the soft touch on his shoulder.

"Thank you for visiting." Marcus warmly grasps Mel's hand.

"Hey, I just didn't tell you but I'm sometimes here when I get off work." Mel leans his shoulder and head on the concrete side of the viewing window of the ICU.

Marcus gave the forlorn man's shoulder a comforting squeeze. "You can come here whenever you want."

"This is all my fault. My fault."

"I doubt if you knew this would happen to her."

"Doesn't matter, man. She's in there because of me! I knew the wrong people. God damn it!"

Marcus pats the other man on the shoulder. "We have to be strong."

"Marcus, right now I'm freaking angry. If that bastard's right in front of me I'd…." Mel balls his fist.

"What would you do?"

"Kill him. Kill James."

"Mel….do you know James that well?"

"No man. I know he had been in and out of the country. I don't know what about. We're not that close. I know the dad more than the son."

"The police is looking for him." Marcus took a deep breath.

"I can find that asshole." Mel takes in the dark bruises on Tessa's face, the arm in a sling and the choke bruises on her neck.

"How?"

"Just between us, okay?" Mel whispers at Marcus's nod. "I know people who could find that motherfucker."

"Really? How?"

"Do you really wanna know?"

"Yeah. Tell me."

Mel seemed to hesitate. "No. I think it's better if you do not know, you know?" Mel placed his hand on Marcus's shoulder.

"I might be able to help you out…"

"No, I brought that asshole to Tessa and that monster did this to my sister and my friend!" Mel grits his teeth in rage. "I'll kill that guy!" the man hissed, eyes red. "She didn't deserve this!" Mel roughly swept the tears from his face. "When I find that bastard…you wanna be there to watch, brother in law?"

-o0o-

Marcus's office-

"Buddy, there you are." Mike looks back at Marcus from his hospital bed thousands of miles away.

"You look like death." Marcus smirks but inside him he is seething in rage. Mike, one of the two people he loves the most in this world is bound in the bed for the infirm, the diseased, the violated.

"Asshole." Mike grins back and for a moment Marcus could glimpse the old Mike in that smile. "Say, you look like you need six hours of sleep."

"I'm getting enough."

"I don't think so. You might end up as Tessa's hospital-mate."

"That would be kinda convenient. And you?"

"I manage." Mike grins. "I look better than…"

"Hell."

"Ah, the man thinks he's funny."

"Ah, the man also thinks he is funnier."

"Tell me what happened to your meeting with Tessa's family?"

"Shocked, angry. The brother didn't want to tell his mother about Tessa."

"Why?"

"Weak heart."

"Damn." Mike shook his head. "Wouldn't she worry if Tessa disappears?"

"The son convinced his father to tell the truth so I let them break the news to Tessa's mom."

"When did you see Tessa?"

"Just yesterday. I spent most of the day with her."

"How is she doing?" Mike sighs and his own anger surface by the twitching of the man's jaw.

"Same as before; in a coma but she's out of the ICU."

"That's good to hear. I'll tell Ashley. How long ago?"

"Yesterday. Today's the second day."

"Any hope of her waking up soon?" Mike sighs when his friend shook his head.

"She's stable and the doc says it's a good thing for now." The two friends were quiet for a moment.

"I guess that's a good thing." Mike continued after the nurse finished checking his medication drip. "And how's that other project?"

"He remains my project." Marcus swirls the red wine in the goblet, admiring the way the wine clings to the side of the crystal.

"Shit Marcus…."

"He hurt her, Mike."

Mike studies his friend intently. There's something different about Marcus. Was it the way he holds his body? Was it the way he speaks, how his voice grates at the mention of James, the man who hurt Tessa?

Three weeks ago Mike was surprised at the two consecutive calls. From zilch to two calls. Marcus's voice sounds great. In their video calls there seems to be some kind of lightness in the way he talks. Mike thought it was about the new post he got. Yeah, someone would be happy about that. To be posted at one of the prime countries in Asia and given diplomatic immunity to dispense his duty for his country. Many in the service aspire that.

Of course Mike was so happy to get a call from his friend. They had a lot of catching up to do, exchange updates on their respective duties and responsibilities. The problem with analysts is they can't turn off the skill even if they wanted to. Either you are or you're not. They talk about the various political and cultural developments in some key hot spots in Asia, Europe, North and South America. No matter where they were in the world they try to make sure they get have some feel of what's been happening by picking at each other's brains.

Mike remembers those times and think of the changes. Marcus always finds a way to return the topic to Tessa. Subtle. His friend is good at that. Mike knew Marcus had been hiding something from him and he just wants his friend to just blurt it out because Mike already knows. Mike chuckles to himself when Marcus said goodbye on the day they were gonna have that sting operation in the gallery. Marcus said he was looking forward to going home.

Home. Tessa is Marcus's home. And someone hurt the person Marcus had ever called his succor, his refuge. And it changed his friend. There's a kind of ruthlessness that he had never glimpsed, but it's there now. Awakened.

"I saw what he did to her, Marcus."

"He's also the courier."

Mike tilts his head in surprise. "You didn't mention that."

"We did more digging the day after I hunted him down…"

"Digging? Hunting?" Mike shakes his head. "Your new 'procedures'?

"We found evidence of his activities plus more." Marcus reached over and showed Mike the file. "There's an attachment on the email I sent you."

"I need you to be careful, Marcus."

"You're the second person who warned me."

"Who?"

"Paul."

"Listen to him. Think of Tessa." Mike grimaces as he tries to get comfy in his bed.

"I need you to request additional immunity…"

"Why?"

"To do what I need to do."

"To kill him?" Mike was saddened on the emotion that flared in his friend's eyes. "Marcus, this'll scar you."

"I don't know what you mean." Marcus looks up to Mike after he took a long sip of his wine.

"I don't want to lose my friend and Tessa wouldn't want to lose the man she loves."

"I have it under control."

"Nothing can ever be under control you know that."

"Additional immunity, Mike. I know you're good at your job."

"Buddy hey…"

"Let me do mine, alright?"

-o0o-

DANCE WITH THE DEVIL

Breaking Benjamin

Here I stand
Helpless and left for dead

Close your eyes
So many days go by
Easy to find what's wrong
Harder to find what's right

I believe in you
I can show you that
I can see right through
All your empty lies
I won't stay long
In this world so wrong

Say goodbye
As we dance with the devil tonight
Don't you dare look at him in the eye
As we dance with the devil tonight

Trembling
Crawling across my skin
Feeling your cold dead eyes
Stealing the life of mine

I believe in you
I can show you that
I can see right through
All your empty lies
I won't last long
In this world so wrong

Say goodbye
As we dance with the devil tonight
Don't you dare look at him in the eye
As we dance with the devil tonight

Hold on
Hold on

Say goodbye
As we dance with the devil tonight
Don't you dare look at him in the eye
As we dance with the devil tonight

Hold on
Hold on

Goodbye