Chapter 12: Hands Tied

A/N: It's been awhile, but I did finally get this out, thanks to lilacsbloom. Hope everyone enjoys the continuation of this saga.

Chi-Chi's hands were still cuffed together, as she sat alone in a heavy linked steel chair. It was the kind that held heavy equipment, and it was linked the two ki drainers on her keeping her locked in place. Her abnormal strength from her training made this a necessity as the chains wrapped down to another set of cuffs around her legs.

Dressed in a simple white dress, her hair unbound, she rested as best as she could patiently for her returning visitors. The lead prosecutor and Dr. Fairweather would be coming back to speak with her and hopefully they would bring her three week old son with the promise that she finally get the chance to hold him, of which the vindictive and procrastinating nurses and caretakers had try to take her position with her baby.

Her baby boy… they had no right to him. But she reigned in that anger even as her hands clenched together. Chichi would do and say anything to get out of this hell.

Spilling a great deal of information to the authorities about several low key crime families that had Kakarot's ear, the locations of drops, bodies, names, informants, accounts and go betweens as proof of her willingness to cooperate. But going further and ousting someone like Zamasu… that would be a dead giveaway to them, especially Kakarot. She still had a head on her shoulders, and if he truly abandoned her.

She shook her head, knowing what Kakarot would say and do to her for crossing him. Zamasu was a close and personal contact, along with the many politicians, it would be required that Mr. Black take care of any loose ends. It would leave her dead and her child would be either left without her or killed.

"I won't betray him… I can't." She told herself quietly. Rubbing her hands together feeling the chaffing of her skin as it was so dry and she had not been allowed outside yet to get some much needed sun either.

It was another several minutes until finally the door opened up, Chi-Chi was greeted by a man wearing a charcoal gray suit, his slightly balding head. Carrying a brown briefcase in one arm tucked alongside a thin laptop strapped to it. Holding the door open the next appearance soon greeted Chi-Chi was her favorite psychoanalyst. Dr. Fairweather, a passive smile on her face as she looked at Chi-Chi who kept herself composed not moving or saying much. The doctor watched the honed eyes of her current assignment follow her looking at her.

The two didn't bother saying hello as they moved to set themselves up in the room, a table out of Chi-Chi's reach as she was still heavily weighed down to the floor.

The prosecutor by Chi-Chi's own personal guess pulled out several large yellow file folders and laid them out of the table. His computer withdrawn and set up along with another monitor that was turned towards Chi-Chi.

The situation was spoken without a word as the doctor waited for the other occupant to speak. Not having addressed anything Chi-Chi probably assumed that this was due to her evaluating what her reactions would be to their guest. Having spoken to several different detectives, Yamcha, Krillin, and Tien who were apparently the ones responsible for her apprehension, but this was her first time talking directly to the prosecution.

Clearing his throat the man turned towards the woman in detention, his fingers laced through one another as he looked squarely at her. "Miss Mao, I've not met with you before so I shall be to the point as I have a busy schedule today."

Coughing again he drew up a folder, "I am chief prosecutor Davis Arnolds, I have been looking over a lot of your information given to us, along with the details of all the crimes you've been accused of." He thumbed his cheek as he looked at Chi-Chi who remained stoic still. "You've killed and hurt a great deal of people, but you did so under a great deal of duress and a situation that I as a father could never imagine for my own child. However, that being said I cannot simply pardon you for your actions and let you roam about freely."

Pulling out several sheets of paper he laid them out in front of himself and for her to look over. "You have been honest with the detectives who work your case and that of Mr. Black. A lot of good things have come out as a result of your testimony though undocumented of course, you to the rest of the world are dead. Which is also why I have to be the one to inform you of the fact that your father has passed away."

Chi-Chi didn't react, she didn't even blink. The other two occupants looked at her expecting some reaction.

"Chi-Chi," Dr. Fairweather spoke for the first time. "Your father died shortly after the news of your death, he had lived with hopes of finding you again. It was a mistake that our detectives made with the rush to cover up your death. They overlooked that detail and failed to contact him to prevent his death." She was told to keep the words suicide out, there could be a minor hiccup in their prosecution and perhaps a civil suit against the government and others if it was their actions that could lead to a very black eye for those in charge and their reputation.

Still she said nothing her fingers ran over the dry skin for a moment but remained where they were.

The prosecutor looked towards the doctor who brought up a folder to block as she whispered something to him. Chi-Chi didn't care to listen in, because it didn't matter.

What was left of her humanity died a long time ago, killing, death, suffering, pain. All of them were known well by her, were she to show emotion she would be seen as weak. Her life revolved around everything that normal people stayed away from.

"Miss Mao," Once finished he set down another slip of paper in front of her. "As per your willingness to be a confidential informant it would be negligent on our part not to recognize that you have worked with us and your information has been reliable on multiple counts."

The detained prisoner watched as the prosecutor pulled out a phone from his pocket and typed in a short message. "So as a show of good faith." He stated looking towards the door as it opened back up, one of the nurses was walking inside. "You've demanded time with your child, so as an assurance of your continued cooperation and good will. I will give you till the remainder of this interview to be with your child."

Still she kept her composure, the only hint of her emotion was the pressure of her feet digging into the smooth tiled floor.

Though a bit hesitant the nurse approached and slowly offered the small babe towards Chi-Chi whose fingers trembled slightly as they turned upwards and without taking her eyes off of him soon she felt the soft white blanket wrapped around him fell into her fingers.

She didn't feel the chains on her wrist as she looked down at her baby who still remained asleep. Allowing herself that moment, Chi-Chi did the only thing she could think to do.

She smiled, her face moving to press a chaste kiss from her dry lips upon his forehead until dropping her head to press her forehead against his own.

She rocked slowly and as best as she could, how she had waited for something, anything like this. Finally she got her chance to have her baby, to hold him, love him as she should have.

"It appears you were right." The prosecutor said softly glancing at the psychologist who nodded approvingly.

It wasn't unexpected, "Right now the only thing that matters to her, and with her confinement, a sole dependence was placed upon the child. Without it she couldn't have functioned. It's allowing her to be human again. Though I still recommend monitoring her and future psychiatric sessions.

"Agreed, I have a scheduled work release program that operates out of south city, might not be the most ideal for her but it will keep her secluded and out of several local jurisdictions that have known mob connections and linked information that now go off world."

Drawing up a few more papers. "Miss Mao, once you have a moment we have all of these agreed changes for you and your child's release back under heavily supervised locations provided you give us more information and fol-"

"I don't care, I'll sign it just let me hold him." Chi-Chi said through a choked sob as tears now ran down her face. Gods she needed her baby boy so badly, the only person that mattered to her.

The prosecutor looked Dr. Fairweather who said nothing and went back to looking over her materials. It was going to be a couple days. But she would see how things would progress.

[***]

Supervised Release: The aforementioned release of the subject *Name Redacted* will remain in South City under the direction of Probationary release officer Knolls, required drug testing and mandatory meetings will commence every friday at scheduled days and shall not be missed without prior calling at least 24 hours in advance. Housing will not be at a halfway house, and subject will be situated in South City's Park Avenue housing projects.

It shall be noted that a restraint device anklet will be worn at all times, there will be no exceptions for its removal or damage, tampering, and as such will result in immediate incarceration for ten years and the child in her custody will be placed with Child Services Bureau for foster care.

This of course involves zero contact with old friends, family, and foreign species for a predetermined time to not allow compromising of subjects status. If violated, the previously mentioned punishment shall be enacted.

Travel is also restricted and any major changes to movement patterns and locations shall be noted to Probationary Officer Knolls for approval.

Upon signing of this agreement there will be no criminal acts, any and all M1 or greater penalties will result in punishment.

Chi-Chi signed away everything for a chance for freedom again, perhaps to start over, or maybe a chance to just be herself and a mother.

Yet she was the Black Maid, a killer and psychopath to those who knew of her status. To others she was just a woman who cut a deal to save her skin from prosecution by spilling some beans on key figures in the criminal circuit.

No one would care what happened to her.

Chi-Chi found only one type of work that could support her and her child. As no decent establishment would hire her with her undisclosed felony record. No one knew what she had done, and her records were altered, name taken away. To be lost in the system like so many others and forgotten. There were always a need for pretty girls, and Chi-Chi…no she was no longer that, Mallory Raven was just the poor soul to have the 'privilege' for working in a shit hole.

Afterall she was now just a pretty face and a stripper.

Mallory walked off stage, her leather bustier hanging below her breasts as she held her panties in the other hand, walking off stage with a couple hundred dollars strapped into strings around her thighs and leather cover.

"Hey girl, you jus finiz?" Chewed another stripper, peppermint was her stage name, a shaggy mess of red hair and freckles on her face. Though not the prettiest, she had painted assets that many got to taste. It made her a few extra bucks on the side.

Several other women of varying ages, all toiled away looking to prepare themselves for the day, where others were packing up making way for the next group of girls to go on stage or go out and serve the patrons.

"Yes," Mallory said solemnly stacking away her money. Two hundred and 14 dollars… it was so little, the prices to afford her son's daycare, her rent and other necessities. She'd have to keep working late.

Tucking her head slightly she heard the door to the dressing room pushed open. The scent quickly reached the noses of all of the women in attendance. "Alright, clubs cut tonight ladies."

Thirty Percent…it hurt to give so much away.

She pushed aside the money she was supposed to, tucking away the rest into her clothes.

"Nice show Mallory. Always love your talents." His sick voice…it was nothing like Kakarot's. No honey or sugar with his methods. Just bile and smoke. At one point in her life she would've killed this man without a second thought.

But how would that be possible now with her powers constantly in check with the ki anklet so well hidden from most knowing its purpose.

His hand touched her shoulder and still she did not move. "You're a crowd favorite, always have many wanting private shows."

It went down the front of her skin and around her breast. Still Mallory kept her composure, it's not worth it… it's not… "Ah well," he chuckled in her ear. "Just behave." He told her quietly so that others couldn't hear. "Your little ass belongs to me here remember that, or I'll have you shipped back to that little fucking prison before your can even spit. So be here tomorrow and I expect more good shows after you clean up the bar."

Still nothing, the man pulled back, finding his delight he went back to collecting his money and getting his jollies off on the other girls. After All, who would care what a two bit whore would have to say?

Checking her watch, she rounded the corner. Having gotten off the bus, public transportation. She cursed coming up the front door, her face not even red from the running as the front door was pulled open. The front reception desk was there a woman in their mid-fifties sitting behind the counter, idly filling out a crossword as she came up the desk only drawing up her eyes for a moment.

"You like to cut it close Miss. Raven," The receptionist poocked at her dismissively.

"Sorry, they make me stay late."

Snorting, "Well what can you expect, you just sell yourself for money."

Her hand clenched tightly behind her purse, "I don't have a choice, I can't find anywhere better to work."

Waving her off, "Yeah whatever you think, just keep stripping." Clicking the buzzer to unlock the next door so that Mallory could go inside to the next area.

Saying nothing there was little she could retort, finding another daycare for her son was impossible. So she bit her tongue, forced down her feelings once again deep inside of herself. Heading inside she made her way to the young nursery, moving quietly and with fluid grace of a panther she made her way to a whimpering babe.

His cries and tears coming as no doubt there were only a few things that could make him cry. Her nose wasn't assailed by one, so she knew the other immediately. "Shh, Mommy is here." Mallory said softly picking him up and setting him against her chest. The leather bustier still underneath her red shirt and jeans. Fortunately her shoes weren't the stilettos she had to wear to work. Rocking him gently as she turned to leave except as usual she was met with the caretakers.

"Miss Raven, you know that you have to be here for your designated time for pickup. These late hours are not what you pay for. Especially considering the nature of your child's heavy need for food, there are exceptions we can make but you will have to pay more if this continues." A woman in her early forties gave her a bit of scorn. She clearly had no love loss for the stripping single mother-clearly a dumb young woman who got knocked up and had issues with law enforcement- judging her for what was clearly her fault.

"I get forced into overtime that they threaten me with my job if I don't do it. I want to be here on time and make the bus to get here." Mallory could explain this until she was blue in the face, but they didn't understand.

"No more late slips Miss Raven, I'm serious."

Waiting, on her day off, her baby tucked against her chest as she was stuck on her PO. Even if she did nothing wrong, or didn't have any problems she was still forced to come here just to be checked in.

Arriving in a police station as per her agreed time to meet. The small detention room holding only several other people. Only plastic chairs, a small coffee table and an old TV hung up on the wall was the only source of comfort.

She looked like hell and felt worse, her poor baby just couldn't fall asleep and had kept her up all night. Her hair was disheveled slightly, clothes wrinkled and unwashed. Obvious wrinkles and sleep lines were showing in her features.

A yawn escaped her lips, Mallory's head slightly nodding off as maintaining any sort of alertness was impossible as she hadn't managed a decent nights sleep in over a week.

"Alright Raven you're up, get in here." The crass voice jarred her thoughts back.

Pushing away from the small plastic chair, she made her way into his office. The modest accommodations spread over his oak desk. A stack of papers, in the IN pile, and several smile folders were loaded up on the OUT pile. A clutter of other affects, photos, awards, and momentos littered the office space as he looked over Miss. Raven.

Knowing little, only his higher ups having access to the knowledge that this work release prisoner was Mrs. Black incognito and told not to share any information had given no inkling to PO Knolls about how serious this woman was.

"Okay let's get down to it…" He exhaled clearly bored before he began reading off all numbers of basic questions of drug use, tickets, fines, payment problems, relationships and current addresses and if any changes were needed to be made to her schedule.

Though once that was done, Knolls turned off his camera and snickered at Mallory, "How's work?"

"Fine."

"Not giving my buddy Travis any problems I hope. I've been hearing you aren't quite as hardworking as he would like." Translated: meaning you aren't doing the extra curricular jobs he's requesting.

"I have a child." It was a flat defense.

"Right, right. Only became a stripper, not a street corner girl."

Because you practically forced me into this job.

The officer signed off on a few more papers before looking back up at Mallory. "Time for your drug test."

"Again? I just did one last time."

He cocked an eyebrow at her. "Was that disobeying my command?"

Her nails dug into her wrist holding her child. "No…"

"That's what I thought, leave the brat on my desk and get into the stall."

She glared at him, "He's my baby, not a brat."

"Whatever, put the baby freak on my desk then?" His mocking tone referring to his tail. The furry appendage that only served to add greater ridicule to her. " And hurry up, I don't got all day."

How she wanted to lash out, for he was no better than her boss. She left him on her chair still tucked away, though he began to cry when she walked away only further adding another nail into her heart.

Mallory made her way towards to the small stall where she was going to give him another drug test from her urine. Another way of humiliating her, because he thought the same as everyone else.

"Face me, and remove your clothes. I have to make sure it's yours."

"Please I'm not hiding anything, can't-"

"Of course if you don't want too, I'm sure I could arrange a visit from CSB to make a wellness check on your child. Probably have him removed and placed in foster care. Wouldn't take me but a phone call and any number of positive drug tests I have stored away. Now shut up and strip."

It was a gun put against her head and she couldn't fight back. So she did as she was told, Her hands covering her chest as she held the cup out front of her. She felt tears springing at her eyes as she wished to just have this degradation stop.

Kakarot was never this cruel to me… Even if his love was fake he treated me better.

Her brown eyes looked up and saw him holding his phone out, recording her doing this for whatever sick fantasies he had. Once she finished she set the cup back on the toilet behind her.

"Make sure you give Travis my regards," Knolls laughed as Chi-Chi redressed herself. Her tears ready to spring from her eyes as she made her way out of the police station and towards the bus. Keeping only Gohan's head against her cheek.

I love you my baby, you're all I need. I just need you… I just need you..

Days without end, abuse without end. Chi-Chi Mao, Mrs. Black, or the Black Maid would never have been subjected to this.

Yet the woman she was now, was everything she had once preyed upon, once looked down on. The hardships brought on by the world only mounted as Gohan cried, and cried. His appetite never sated the apartment and the bed she used wasn't good enough. Or at least that's what she believed as she couldn't stop him from crying.

He always cries… Always crying. What am I doing wrong? I'm a good mother. I'm a good mother.

Slumped in the corner of her room wrapping her arms around herself, Mallory Raven began to break down and cry. She was helpless, destitute, poor, and treated like shit by the world around her. No one cared about her, and she could not even care for the only thing that mattered.

What am I going to do…

R&R

Kerghan