Disclaimer: Sadly, Bioware owns all.

A/N: This chapter is rated M to be on the safe side. I'm actually really satisfied with the way it turned out and almost ended the story here, but I was encouraged to continue. Enjoy!

Chapter 10

The tips of the flogger fell lightly against my skin, almost tickling. Arch's strokes were passionless and his strength had ebbed. I remained unmoving, my wrists still bound, unsure of his intent or desire. He paced restlessly behind me, his breathing ragged, his body worn. Sweat poured down his bare chest and a frown adorned his face. He grunted in resignation and released my bindings.

I sagged to the floor and turned toward him, mindful of the new welts on my back. Arch tossed the flogger aside with little care, ignoring me in favor of the view outside. Still I remained unmoving, awaiting his pleasure. This new, pensive mood was unlike him and I grew ever more uncomfortable.

I did not believe he suspected me of breaching his security systems, or was even aware of the material stored in my privacy mod. Had that been the case, I would have been killed when he first learned of my trespasses. No, that was not worried me, but rather the unfamiliarity of his emotional state. Arch was a man of routine, and because of that, I was a creature of habit as well. His mood did not fit his routine and I did not like it.

He gazed out the window for what seemed an eternity, dark eyes scanning the void. I watched him from the floor, my skin cooling from the heat of his passions. I had never believed him one for deep thought, but over the years I had realized Arch held many secrets I had not even begun to discover. Worry crept in my veins and sent a shiver up my spine. Arch turned suddenly and seemed to realize I was still on the floor. He grabbed his discarded shirt and tossed it my way almost as an afterthought.

"Here," he ordered curtly. "Cover up."

Flustered, I did as told, all the while questioning if I had done something wrong. Arch remained motionless at the window and I decided to clean myself of his attentions. He had not used me fully for his desires that night, and while a part of me was relieved, I still wondered at his lack of vigor.

He had arrived home not two hours earlier. I had served him dinner, a quiet, uncomfortable affair. He spoke little and I did not prod him. Angering Arch in his first hour home held little appeal and I had already assumed his passions that eve would run to violence. Despite my training and cooperation, his arousal waned. Instinctively I knew his tastes had turned to more tender flesh.

O o O o O o O

The meeting with Brulin Ton was scheduled for the next morning and Arch had me accompany him, dressed in the most whorish outfit I'm sure he could find. I struggled to stand in the high heels, balancing precariously on the balls of my feet. I understood what he planned, and was grateful that the material was not suctioned to my skin, but I did not appreciate the cut of the dress. It hung loose about my shoulders and gaped around my midsection. One slight breeze and everyone at the meeting would be witness to my assets.

The cargo hold was empty of life, the dock workers conveniently absent. We arrived early so Arch's guards could secure the perimeter. They fanned out, the familiar ring of their armor clanking loudly as they took up position. Arch waited with me at the car, his eyes noticeably absent their usual hunger. Given the previous night's stunted play, I was not surprised.

Ton and his entourage arrived not long after and Arch strode through the hold like a man with purpose. I followed from a respectable distance, wary of the cool air that caressed my skin. I did not need to provide more of a distraction than what Arch had intended. He told me that my mere presence would suffice. I crossed my arms for modesty's sake and hoped he was right.

The two businessmen exchanged pointless pleasantries, commenting on the recent political shifts in the region. From what little information I received, the political structure of the Terminus Systems was ever changing and chaotic. I considered it a wonder that Omega functioned as well as it did and my thoughts drifted briefly to Aria.

I snapped back to attention when I heard Ton's voice. He was speaking in hushed tones with Arch, but the lust in his gaze was unmistakable. Disgust welled up inside of me and I shifted uncomfortably. Only with great effort did I keep from running back to the car, but it seemed luck was on my side that day.

A man I did not know, one of Ton's guards presumably, leaned down to whisper in the fat man's ear. Ton's jowls quivered as he slowly nodded and I heard Arch's rumble of agreement. The guard then straightened and approached me. In that moment, I feared the worst: I was to be whored out to Brulin Ton.

"Please come with me, miss." The guard gestured to the side and I looked at him with suspicion.

"I don't take orders from you."

I couldn't tell for sure, but to this day I believe he laughed at me under his opaque helmet. "Arch's orders. Mr. Ton finds your presence…distracting. I'm to escort you back to the car. You'll wait there until the meeting is completed."

It took me a moment to process the information, completely at odds with what I had expected. I nodded dumbly and followed him, my high heels clicking loudly on the hold's floor. He was polite enough to open the door for me and I slid in awkwardly, mindful of my dress and working to keep it from flapping open. He waited until I was situated and took up position by the car door.

I frowned at this new development, and curious, I questioned him. "Are you going to stay there the entire time?"

His helmeted head bobbed briefly. "Orders, miss."

My frown deepened as did my confusion. "Whose orders?"

"I'm not at liberty to say, miss."

I bit my tongue on a sharp retort, anger threatening to overwhelm my better senses. I sifted through the previous night's events, unsure if I had upset Arch, angered him in any manner. Nothing sprang to the forefront of my mind and I knew if I had given offense, Arch would have punished me accordingly. As it was, he had barely touched me, the welts on my back more akin to light bruises.

My thoughts shifted to the slave girl, the memory of her dark eyes under long lashes. I remembered the first night I shared with Arch, his treatment of me, of the arguments between him and his wife. Their enmity had grown gradually stronger and then she never returned. A dark laugh escaped my lips as I realized the truth. Arch had already lost interest in me. I was to be shipped off or dealt with as was his wife. That had been what the one-eyed slave meant.

A slight shuffling of movement caught my attention and I turned toward the sound. By the restless looks of his guards, it seemed as if Arch's meeting was almost over. I adjusted my dress once more and prepared for his return. However, I was caught by surprise when Ton's guard shifted from his post outside the car. He leaned down subtly, and to anyone watching it looked as if he was holding open the door for me. I looked up into the shadows of his helmet, a question on my lips.

"I was instructed to deliver a package."

The words echoed in my ears as he deftly slid a parcel into the car. I took the small object without hesitation, hiding it in the folds of my dress. The guard shifted once more and moved to allow Arch access to the car. I made room for him as he sank into the seat, using that brief movement to secure the package on my person. I hoped that Arch's indifference would remain consistent, and when his eyes did not meet mine, I knew it would.

It wasn't until later that night that I was able to examine Aria's package in greater detail. Arch had been restless the entire day, pacing to and fro and snapping at the servants. I did nothing to calm him, preferring to stay out of his way entirely. He was more than happy to let me, passing me by with little more than brief glance. Even in bed he barely acknowledged my presence, only pausing once in his ill mood to run his fingers through my hair. His dark eyes met my own and I saw in them an emotion I did not recognize.

He turned away from me then and I was left staring at his back. A surprising feeling of loneliness welled up inside me and I cursed my weakness. I had always known what I was to Arch, had always acknowledged that I was nothing more than a slave. And yet, despite his maltreatment of me, I still cared for him. Aside from Mother, he was the only real thing I knew of love.

The night cycle wore on and Arch's soft snores drifted upon the air. I watched him sleep for a time, studied the rise and fall of his chest. It was only when I was sure that he was deep asleep that I slipped deftly from the covers. I padded softly across the floor to the washroom and uncovered the package from where I'd hidden it. With care borne of long years, I unwrapped it.

Two strange bits of tech fell into my palm and I studied them cautiously. I realized that the first was an attachment for an omni-tool, modified to be compatible with most models. Curious, I installed it and watched with fascinated awe as data streamed forth. Aria had sent me a compression mine, the second bit of tech, complete with instructions; talented employee indeed.

A wicked smile graced my lips. I knew exactly what to do.

I switched off my 'tool, not wanting the light to disturb Arch's slumber. I paused in my excitement and listened, his steady snores barely audible over the pounding of my heart. My anxiety eased and I set the mine on the countertop, attention riveted on the mirror. A costumed face looked back at me and I barely recognized myself.

The hot water was welcome, cleansing. A million thoughts raced through my mind as I scrubbed the heavy makeup from my face. I had never wanted this life, had been thrust into it unwillingly. The woman in the mirror was a thing of Arch's creation. She was not me.

In my frenzy I noticed a pair of scissors in the drawer and I used them without hesitation. Clumps of long, silken hair drifted quietly into the sink, strands falling almost lazily to the floor. I cut until there was nothing left for me to trim and again I met my reflection in the mirror. Short, spiky hair now topped my head and dark satisfaction heated my veins.

I was no longer Arch's whore. I was Jin.

I moved quietly through the room, always wary of the changes of rhythm in Arch's breaths. My preparations did not take long. I only needed to throw on some clothes, a simple pair of pants and top. My boots were under the bed and I quickly pulled them on. I stood and pocketed my favorite book. It was then that nostalgia gripped me and I saw Arch's drawer.

I realize now that I took an awful risk, but at the time it seemed a necessity. Looking over my shoulder I noticed that Arch had not moved and decided to take a chance. The wardrobe doors creaked slightly as I opened them and fished around for the latch. It caught with little effort and the drawer opened with what sounded like a roar amidst the silence.

My heart stilled and I froze. I was certain in that moment that I was dead, but nothing happened. No guards burst through the door and soft snores still drifted upon the air, constant and uninterrupted. I breathed a sigh of relief and gathered my courage once more.

I ignored the drawer's contents and reached for my own desires. The matching pistols were resting within the shoulder holster and I took them without a second thought. A slight glint caught my eye and I recognized Arch's knife. I almost left it behind, but on impulse, I grabbed it. It was a beautiful blade and still held value.

The drawer clicked shut softly and I moved to the window. According to the readout, compression mines were implosive devices and excellent tools for use specifically on structural weaknesses. Following the instructions I had been given, I placed the mine on the inner seal of the window and armed it. I worried little about its detection as it was well hidden by the cheap curtains Arch's wife had purchased many years ago.

I took one last look at Arch, studying him, putting to memory every line of his body. His face was peaceful in sleep and I ached to find him still beautiful. Almost reluctantly I turned from him and made my way down the hall to the entryway. Using the access codes I had recovered from Arch's files I bypassed the security systems. The hiss of the main doors went unnoticed in the night and I slipped out, locking the blast doors on my way. It would not do to leave the hull breach uncontained.

Myriad emotions flooded my system but what I remember most about that moment was the feeling of control. I had survived.

I made my way through the rugged streets, dirt stained vagrants and beggars pestering me for money. I ignored the curses directed toward me and pulled my hood up, inured to the suffering of others. They were still alive. The needed no assistance from me.

I found myself in front of Afterlife short hours later. I wasn't surprised when the bouncer let me bypass the impatient crowds. I knew I was expected. Her man greeted me in the entryway and I followed him inside. She had a drink waiting for me and I took it without hesitation, settling in beside her.

"I heard there was an accident in the upper levels, explosive decompression in sector twenty-three."

I could hear the hint of a smile in her voice and I merely nodded.

"An entire apartment complex lost." She shook her head, eyes sparkling. "Tragic."

I sipped on my drink, the adrenaline still coursing wildly through my blood. Aria had said we were alike. Perhaps. Perhaps not. I had yet to discern for myself. In the meantime, however, I was content to take what she offered. And she offered far more than Arch ever had.

Her eyes met mine, the familiar glint present. She inclined her head ever so slightly, that anyone other than I would have missed it. Dark satisfaction crept once more into my veins. I was free. My gaze followed Aria's and we once more watched the dancers before us, lithe bodies swimming in a sea of light.