Disclaimer – These characters clearly don't belong to me, am simply borrowing them for the purposes of this story.

AN: This short chapter is much darker in tone than the others – if that's not something you want to read then maybe you leave this story now. Tempted to change the rating – but nothing graphic here, just talk of unsettling behaviour.

Falling Slowly Chapter Seven

She is smaller than I imagined now that I am this close to her, almost insubstantial. It remains to be seen whether she is worth this time I am going to spend with her. I can wrap my hand round the top of her arm as I lead her back into her home, the slenderness of her frame suggesting that she might not be as worthy as an opponent as I have always assumed.

That of course will be resolved over the next few days, how she responds is almost insignificant I suppose; she will die quickly or it will take time. I know which I would prefer but the outcome will be the same. It would just be so much more fun if she were able to participate in our dalliance for as long as possible. And I'm certain Patrick will appreciate that Teresa is amongst friends who will give her their full attention.

I intend to give her my absolute attention now that we are alone.

I force her into a sitting position on her couch and sit across from her so that I might share with her our schedule for the next several days.

"Teresa, you have probably ten minutes or so before what I gave you knocks you out; I must apologise for drugging you like this. I want you to know that it's my intention to have you conscious through our time together, but obviously we need to leave your apartment so it's simpler to inhibit your movement while we take you to your final residence. Some friends of mine will be here very soon to help me escort you there, so luckily we get to spend a few minutes together first."

"Do me a favour and spare me the civility. Take me where you're gonna take me, and let's just get this over with."

"You need to learn how to speak to guests, Teresa. No wonder you're still single if this is how you talk to men who bring you flowers. Actually, we should get these in water – leave them on show for Patrick to find, am sure he'll just hate that someone else has been spoiling you with gifts. I hope you have a vase that will do them justice."

"I keep the trash in the kitchen."

"Insolence is not attractive Teresa, and I will tire of it quickly. Maybe we'll just leave the flowers to wither; perhaps Patrick will appreciate the symbolism."

I think perhaps Agent Lisbon will be a worthy opponent; she is fighting off the effects of the drug with admirable fortitude. I'm going to enjoy this very much.

"So Teresa, you must be wondering why I'm here."

"I assumed you wanted to go for coffee."

I lean forward quickly and land a punch across her left cheek bone, sending her sprawling across the sofa. I should be more patient, but rudeness offends me.

"Enough Teresa, you should hope I will show you more courtesy when our roles are reversed and you are my guest. We'll get there soon; first I wanted a little chat about Patrick."

She is an admirable women really, her cheek is already swollen and her eye will certainly blacken as the minutes pass but Teresa is sitting up again as though I hadn't just nearly knocked her unconscious. And she truly must be on the edge of consciousness as the drug I administered works its way through her system, but I can see her straighten her spine and try to remain as dignified as possible in her current state of undress. It's no wonder Patrick has such affection for her, I mean it's a shame for her really that he chose her and brought her into our little argument.

"I was listening to what you and Patrick spoke about last night."

This gets a pleasing reaction, best described I think as a look of utter nausea passing across her lovely features.

"You've bugged my apartment?"

"I have. We've been enjoying listening to you for a while, though admittedly last night was the most interesting of your performances. It did give me the insight that I needed, obviously Patrick needs reminding of my place in his life. I confess it hurt to hear that you are the most significant person in his life; I had always assumed the journey we were on together was mutual."

Her eyes are starting and she is fighting harder and harder to stay conscious, to give me the last of her attention.

"Before you sleep Teresa I wanted to leave you with an image to dream about. Do you remember all that Patrick spoke to you about last night; I do. He asked you a very interesting question at one point – and that certainly got my attention. He mentioned me, I think I can quote him - "he knows me; imagine what he could do." I took that to be something of a challenge Teresa; just think how much Patrick is going to imagine all of the things I could do to you. Just visualise how tortured he will be in your absence."

"He will find you, and he will stop you."

"But Teresa, you will be dead so you will never know for sure. You've wasted all these years of your life chasing after me, and I've simply walked through your front door and put an end to it all. But I can promise you a glorious ending if that is something you would be interested in."

I crouch down in front of the couch, holding Teresa by the arm to focus the last of her remaining attention on what I am about to say. I want her to hallucinate about my words when she is under. I hold her steady with one hand while the other moves to hold her cross between my figures.

"I find it fascinating that you are a woman with faith, it moves me on some level. It's beautiful that you carry this iconography with you every day, believing in his significance and power. What I thought might be fun is if I used this as inspiration for your final journey Teresa."

She unblinkingly meets my eyes as I confess my plans to her, and I do admire her courage; but she must soon accept that courage is no weapon against a blade.

"I think it would be a wonderfully devastating scene for Patrick to walk in on if you were sacrificed in a similar way. The crucifixion is an image of such power, to find you like that would literally bring the man to his knees. Don't you think that's a worthy end for you Teresa? You would bring Patrick and I back together, which has been your true role in this game all along."

"I'm not afraid of you, you can do what you want but I refuse to be afraid."

"I admire that Teresa, but I can honestly tell you that will change when I begin my work on you. But that's in our very near future, you going to sleep first."

And I'm correct as Teresa finally succumbs to unconsciousness. My phone is ringing; my associates are outside so we will be able to transport Teresa to a place we can work more efficiently. I get to have a little fun here first though; I need to leave my clichéd little calling card to let them know exactly who Agent Lisbon will spend her last hours with.

I move to her kitchen, removing a perfectly ordinary knife from a rack on the counter and prepare to go to work. This is always my favourite part, the possibilities for exploring my work on another new canvas never fails to thrill.

I'm going to enjoy this very much.