Disclaimer: Bioware owns some.

A/N: Thanks to my beta, drakontion, for her help and to everyone following along. This chapter is rated M for violence and sexual content.

Chapter 5

The days followed with little variation in the usual routine. I kept to myself, devouring every kernel of knowledge I could find. The pile of unread books slowly dwindled and I contented myself with studying the basics of biology and chemistry. Much to my surprise, I took an immediate interest and fed my burgeoning fascination.

At night I attended Arch's desires to the best of my ability. He was careful not to injure me further and restrained his more violent passions. He nuzzled my neck, tracing his fingers down my body and sending shivers through my system. His touch was gentle, surprisingly careful, and it was intimacy such as this that I learned to despise. It was another form of his torments, albeit a pleasant one.

I remember clearly the second night he took me out of the apartments. Arch was stalking restlessly through the halls, upset at some mistake one of his subordinates had committed. He paced up and down the corridors, snapping at the servants and berating the guards. I watched him for a time, observed his anger, and waited for its volatility to dissipate. I had time enough to spare, although I did not want to risk attracting his ire before he was able to burn it off.

He stalked into the bedroom and marched to the bar. Roughly, he grasped the decanter and poured himself a brandy, the smooth amber liquid sloshing into a snifter. Arch tossed back his head and downed it swiftly, immediately pouring himself another. He sunk into the couch cushions next to me and frowned, brow creased as his dark eyes smouldered.

I set my book aside as I recognized opportunity. The tension in his body was present, but I knew by the time he finished his second glass Arch would be receptive to suggestion, and I might not have to endure another night of his attentions before my body had fully recovered.

"Perhaps a night out would help?"

He turned to me, dark eyes gleaming as they narrowed. I had to step cautiously lest his anger explode once more. Choosing my words carefully, I continued.

"I remember you used to hunt vorcha when you first took me in. You have not been hunting in some time now, unless I'm mistaken?"

I held my breath and awaited his reply, knowing full well what I was asking. If he disagreed with my suggestion or thought me intrusive, I would pay the price for my trespass. However, if he liked the idea, I might be allowed to accompany him. It was a risk I was willing to take.

Arch studied me, a thoughtful glint in his eyes. He sipped on his brandy and considered. I could see the gears turning in his mind by the firm set of his jaw, the absence of focus in his gaze. Finishing his second glass of brandy he turned once more to me and nodded.

"How would you like to come with me?"

I smiled sweetly up at him and inwardly congratulated myself on a successful gamble. "Let me get my shoes."

There was no set day or night cycle to Omega. Shops were open for business around the clock, the shipping and smuggling lanes funneling in wares regardless of the time. The hours of Omega's industries paralleled those of the clubs, facilitating both the gain and loss of credits in one fell swoop. Newcomers to Omega would be taken by its exotic façade, by the bustling activity and exchange of currency, only to realize they had celebrated away their newfound fortunes. Many a tale ended on the street or in the gutter.

We left the safety and comfort of his housing complex for those same bright lights and dark gutters, braving the grit and grime of the alleyways. As always, armed guards accompanied us, and I pretended to relax in the comfort of the car while my adrenaline pumped wildly. I had acquired a taste for the outside during my last outing and I reveled in the chance to feel it anew.

Arch recognized my excitement and pulled me close, squeezing my shoulders against his sturdy form, his own excitement sparkling in his eyes. An anticipatory smile creased his face, and he reached for his pistols. Despite his taste in transportation, Arch had lovely taste in weaponry. His pistols were small for a man of his size, yet still packed enough of a punch to jar my wiry frame. The magazines were light and almost delicate, able to hold close to twenty small caliber, piercing rounds. He told me once he preferred penetration to power, accuracy to blunt force. In his ego, Arch sometimes fancied himself an artist.

We descended to the lower levels, the garish glow of the traffic lanes lighting our way. The landing pad slowly came into view, personal cabs veering sideways to avoid our steady approach. I bounced on the seat as we touched down, a rougher landing than the last, but still my excitement swelled. We were out and I longed to feel different air upon my face.

Arch stepped out and shouldered his holster, buckling the straps with nimble fingers while the driver opened the door on my side. The driver extended his arm to offer assistance. His hand was smooth from lack of hard labor and I took it without hesitation. His job fulfilled, the driver returned to his seat in the car and waited on Arch's pleasure. I briefly wondered if he served any other purpose, then realized it didn't matter, and took my place at Arch's side.

As they had during our previous outing, the guards kept a wary eye on threats to their employer. It was unsurprising as their continued employment depended upon his safety. They maintained a secure perimeter, one of the men scouting ahead to search for targets. He radioed back within minutes and our hunting party was off, working to thin the ranks of the vorcha menace.

Arch went ahead with two more of his guards and left me with the bulk of our escort. I didn't mind and basked in the tiny taste of freedom I enjoyed. Despite the confines of the alleyway, I did not feel caged; much the opposite. The walls of the apartments were no longer crowding me and Arch was off to parts unknown. It was enough to send my imagination soaring, at least for a little while. My grand imaginings were cut short, however, when I heard Arch's return.

He was doubled over and breathing heavily, exhilaration in his eyes. The two guards followed slightly behind him, slowing so that his weakness would not be overtly noticeable. I approached, slipping through the ranks of the guards, concern and curiosity on my lips.

"Arch?" I asked carefully. I did not want him to believe I thought him weak, but neither did I want to ignore him. "I think I may be getting tired. Shall we go home now?"

He shook his head and straightened, eyes still gleaming darkly. "Here," he shoved one of his guns in my hand. "Do you remember how to use it?"

I nodded and pushed the memory of the blue-eyed vagrant from my mind. How could I forget the feel of a pistol after that night?

"Good." He gestured down the alley. "Squeeze off a few rounds."

I did as requested and gripped the pistol firmly, squeezing the trigger as the blood pounded in my ears. The report echoed down the hall, swirling in, out, and around us. I saw a smile crease Arch's lips and fired again, knowing that it pleased him. I emptied the clip as I aimed at nothing and Arch watched me hungrily.

He moved behind me, adjusting my stance as he nudged my legs with his own. He told me I needed to improve my posture when firing, improve my aim. I obliged and allowed him to coach me. Arch ejected the empty clip and instructed me on how to load another one. He pressed it into my palm and showed me how, and although I was intrigued, I worried that I would damage the seemingly delicate clip.

His laugh was deep and rich and I saw the hunger burn in his eyes. I would have questioned the wisdom to hunt with Arch, save that my excited blood was throbbing as well. I had discovered very few pleasures in my life, and I realized I wanted this. I wanted my fingers wrapped around a gun, to feel the cold metal of it warm to my touch. I wanted to experience its kick, the heat of discharge as I let loose a round. I finally understood why he loved his pistols so much, and I found that I did too.

He pulled me against him as I squeezed off the last round, his arousal pressing against my back. My blood boiled and heat surged within me, but as I turned to face him, I recognized Arch's eyes held more than hunger. He was not quite finished with his hunt.

"Come with me, Jin." He ordered in a throaty voice.

I gathered my wits and did as commanded, the coterie of guards following in our wake. We trailed a winding path through the sublevels of Omega, twisting and turning around the grime. Smatterings of homeless were occasionally visible through the rubbish, but many were skittish of our presence, and for that I could not blame them.

The stench of vorcha permeated the air, and Arch and I moved through the waste toward a balcony, which overlooked a massive trash pile below. He gestured to his guards and they fanned out in all directions, hurriedly securing the perimeter. Arch pulled his jacket tight, wary of the grime, and crouched down next to the scout. They exchanged hushed words before Arch stood again, his eyes virtually glowing with anticipation.

"Over here, Jin. Stay with me."

We crouched next to the balcony's railing, careful to remain unnoticed. I watched as Arch loaded his pistol, the black of his gun almost invisible against the black of his suit. Dark eyes glittered back at me and as my thoughts drifted to the unarmed vorcha, I realized what I had done.

The group opened fire at once, multiple rounds shredding the vorcha nesting below us. Arch stood and emptied a clip into the fray. I could almost swear he was laughing in his excitement except Arch rarely laughed. He reloaded and fired again, only pausing in the mayhem when he realized I had not joined him

"Take a shot, Jin. Go ahead." He squeezed off another few rounds. "They're nothing but animals. Come on."

He pulled me up and helped me aim. I had no choice. I had to fire and so I did. The pistol warmed to my touch as it discharged, kicking slightly against the force of the round. I felt the blood pound in my ears, barely audible over the din of gunfire. Death floated on the air and I watched the vorcha scurry for cover. I mowed them down as did the rest of our party, Arch's satisfaction written plain on his face. My bloodthirstiness had pleased him, and as the adrenaline pumping through my body slowed, dire realization dawned on me: I had enjoyed it as well.

He took me in the car and I had wanted him to. I ached to feel him inside me, to feel the pounding of the blood in my veins once more. I craved the warmth of his pistol in my hands, the wave of adrenaline pulsating throughout my body so fast and so furious as to encompass ecstasy itself. I rode him hard, body straining against the urge to give myself over to him completely. And then, in a burst of euphoria, I did.

He took me again in his bed, his appetite unfulfilled by our short coupling in the car. His touch was methodical, teasing and deliciously torturous in its intensity, and I writhed beneath him, wanton and ready. Adrenaline surged within my body once more and the memory of the night's events only served to heighten my pleasure. I wanted as I had never wanted before, and to me, Arch was a means to an end.

He slept well that night, cradling my small body in his arms as he snored softly. I lay awake for a time watching him, amused by the serenity of his face. Gone were the concerns of the day, the constant desires and greed that drove him. In its place was the face of a man, simple yet dangerous in its beauty. He had sated his own pleasures that night, and in doing so, fulfilled those of mine I had not yet come to fully realize. I decided then to learn from him and to become more that what I was. No longer would I simply be Arch's whore. I would gain control. I would be Jin.