1368 words, this chapter

Chapter Four, Torture

Lester manned the comms and the monitors himself. "Nothing, Matt? Damn. OK. Noted. No, nothing from anyone else. Yet. Abby? Damn. Proceed down the waterfront. Connor? The list contains a few references to 'university.' How should I bloody know which one? Hit them all. Hit anything with 'university' in the name!"

"Lester?"

He inwardly cursed. It was the one voice he dreaded hearing. "Yes, Becker. I don't suppose you've found her yet?"

"No. We're running out of time..."

"Captain. Steady. There is another warehouse not far from your current position."

"Another one."

"Yes, and we will search every blessed one in the United Kingdom and beyond if we have to."

Becker laughed. "We will. Uh...thanks, Lester."

"Anytime. Now, bring me my field coordinator."

"Yes, sir."

Jess was surprised when the door opened. She didn't think it had been that long.

She wasn't lowered.

The man yelled up, "My men have a few ideas as to what they'd like to do to you."

There were snickers and laughs.

"I might let them. I might go first."

Jess closed her eyes and tried not to whimper.

"I need that information, girlie. I'm not sure you'd be able to talk once we get started on you."

They laughed and whistled.

"So, last offer. Talk now or we'll get the information anyway and then we'll have our fun. You won't be the same afterward, I promise."

Jess couldn't help it, she cried and whimpered.

The guys liked this, a lot.

"That's right, honey, you don't want that. We might, but we've got bigger problems than you. Last chance to talk and go home...whole."

Jess whimpered louder.

"So?"

Jess shivered and shook.

"I can't hear her. Lower her a little."

Jess came down and she felt the man grab her foot. "What's your answer, honey?"

Jess shook and looked at him. "G-g-go...to...hell...bastard."

The man screamed. The guys grabbed at her.

"No! We need her to talk! Then you can all have a turn."

Jess cried.

"Too late honey," he sneered.

Jess sucked in a sob. "Won't...talk..."

The men laughed and whooped. "Oh, she won't?" asked the leader with a nasty laugh. Jess was hoisted up again. She felt ropes around her ankles. She groaned then screamed as a weight was attached. It pulled at her already throbbing shoulders.

"This will snap those little arms in two."

She was tugged down, then released quickly. She screamed.

"Talk!"

"No!"

They tugged again.

"No!" she screamed.

"How much more can you stand angel?"

Jess didn't know. Her arms hurt like hell, but she hadn't heard or felt any snaps...yet.

"Again!" cried the leader.

Jess braced for the pull...

It didn't come. She heard a large crash, like the building was coming down. She saw lots of light fill the dark warehouse. Then screams, shouts, and...gunfire?

Or she was dreaming.

Then she heard her name.

She was being pulled again, but gently, her legs felt the weight lifted and then she was slowly and gently pulled all the way down.

She never felt the cold ground. Instead she felt warmth and softness as she was tenderly held. Then a gentle hand caressed her cheeks.

"Jess."

She opened her eyes and saw chocolate.

The chocolate brown eyes of Captain Becker.

Instantly she sobbed.

He held her close as he took off his jacket, pulling it around her. "It's OK. I'm here. I've got you. You're safe."

"Becker," she whispered, snuggling close.

He hugged her close to his body, rubbing her shoulders and trying to get her to stop shaking.

"I...I didn't tell them..."

"Sh. I don't' care. I'm just glad you're safe."

She looked at him. His eyes were red. He'd been crying. "I'm so sorry."

He laughed "For what?"

"I...was afraid. I was disgusted. What you did...to that monster. But you aren't..." She sobbed, tears blurring her vision. "You're nothing like these assholes."

He laughed again. "You haven't heard what I plan to do them."

She chuckled. "I'm sorry to say that I won't protest."

He smiled and hugged her closer.

"Um, Captain?" asked a woman's voice. "Do you think we could get in and have a look at our patient?"

Becker moved enough so Jess could see medics. She recognized a few. Instantly she blushed. She was naked after all. She suddenly felt very self-conscious. "I'm...not dressed."

He laughed, relief pouring over him. "It's fine."

"I'm so embarrassed."

He stopped smiling. He hung his head. "That's why they did it to you, to humiliate you," he said softly.

She nodded.

"Although," he said, his smirk appearing, "you've never look more lovely so they're stupid."

She laughed.

Then his face got dark. "Did they...hurt you?"

"They strung me up like a dead cow!"

He made a noise like a sob and a laugh and hugged her tightly. "I know. They're going to pay...for everything."

She pulled back. "I'm OK. I think." She looked at his fearful eyes. "No, Becker, they didn't...do anything else."

He nodded gently and took her head in his hands. "I'd be by your side no matter what...they did."

She smiled, tears falling. "I know." She threw her arms around him and sobbed. "Thank you. Becker, thank you."

"Sh. Don't," he said, cradling her head next to his.

"They were going to Becker, they were going to..."

He growled, feeling fury burn inside of him, but the more she clung and cried the more it began to dim.

"You got here...you came in time," she said, crying.

"Thank God," he whispered.

She nodded.

They heard boots walking closer. "Captain? Must we insist?"

He sighed, slightly chuckling. He pulled away from Jess a tiny bit. "Yes," he said, but he smiled at Jess. "They do need to see to you. They're the pros. They'll fix you up."

Jess nodded, but she blushed. The coat wasn't much cover.

Becker stepped aside and to her relief, not only was the head medic female she was a good friend. She broke into tears. "Beverly," she said.

Beverly grabbed her hand. "Jess, thank the good Lord," she said. She was fighting tears. She sighed. "I really need 'Bev the medic' to kick in."

Jess chuckled.

"I need the others, OK?'

Jess smiled and nodded. "They can all come over. I know it's their job."

Bev laughed and looked at Becker. "They're a bit afraid."

He smiled smugly. "Good."

"Don't you have bad guys to deal with?" she asked.

Becker looked at Jess. "Yeah, but...are you OK... I mean for now?"

She smiled and nodded. "I'm in good hands."

Bev wrapped a blanket around her. "Yes she is, so scoot."

Becker reluctantly joined his men.

"OK, Jess. Let's see what's going on," Beverly said.

"My arms are on fire."

Bev nodded sympatheticly. "They may be dislocated. How long was that weight secured?"

"Not long. Minutes maybe."

"Oh, that's good news."

"I'm freezing, and hungry, and dizzy and I have a headache..."

"We'll get you some food and some pain medicine," Beverly said, "but Becker might insist on warming you up himself." She smirked.

"It sounds good," said Jess with a blush and chuckle.

Soon they had her on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance.

"Can I see Becker before we leave?"

Bev began to answer when he appeared, to her amusement. "Speak of the devil."

He crawled inside. "Hey. I have to stay. We're pretty sure we got all of them, but I want to make doubly sure."

She nodded.

"I'll see you at the ARC."

"Do you promise, Becker?"

He smiled, taking her hand and squeezing it. "Nothing can keep me away."

She smiled.

Beverly raised an eyebrow at him. He just chuckled and shook his head. She closed the door and smiled at Jess. "Everything's going to be fine," she said, sitting beside Jess. "We've all been terribly worried. Everyone's been out looking And that man...he's been the worst of us all."

Jess burst into tears. "I knew he'd come."

End of Chapter Four