I'm terribly sorry.

I wish I had post earlier, but due to some personal business, this could not be. But now I can post, so, do not think I'll give up on this, because I won't.

I bring to you this chapter, then. I hope you enjoy it.

Happy Valentine's day, by the way.

WARNING: Somewhat graphic scenes ahead.

Chapter #18

Night had already fallen when Angel awoke. Chestnut eyes opened just to meet a dark ceiling above his head.

The weight upon his chest told him she lied there, warm and peaceful, unaware that what kept her still asleep was the mere sound of his rhythmic heartbeat, and the loving embrace in which he held her.

Angel's gaze wandered to lie upon her face, and trace her delicate features. What a beautiful woman she was… so serene, so peaceful… how he loved to see her like that. So beautiful she seemed in her sleep… a serene beauty it was, so unlike from the one she possessed when awake; fierce and wild, stubborn and powerful in her own way. Truthfully, this was an unique woman.

Slowly, the Latino removed the redhead from his chest, so he could leave without disturbing her. Aubrey turned slightly, however, she did not wake. Angel stood next to her a few moments, then gently placed a kiss upon her forehead, and whispered he would return.

He exited the enormous building in a haste, heading to his place to get some stuff. If he was supposed to keep an eye on his partner, he needed to get some things, starting for some clothes. As Angel drove in the snowy street, his cellphone started ringing in his pocket. The Latino took the device and answered.

"Hola?"

"Hey Angel! Where are you! I've been looking for you mate!" Said Bodie through the calling line.

"Oh, Bodie, amigo, sorry I couldn't call you earlier, I've been with Aubrey…-" He started, but was abruptly interrupted by his friend.

"Really now? And how are things going, Romeo?" The blonde asked teasingly.

"Well… I'm going to stay with her for a few days… she ain't feeling well."

"Is she sick or what?"

"More or less… Uhm, listen Bodie, I left her alone and now I'm going to my place, I'll call you as soon as I can, yeah?"

"Uh, you can meet me at your place you know? I'm here." Bodie said with a small laugh.

"And why are you at my place, bro?" Angel asked, surprised.

"Because I was looking for you, genius."

"Está bien, see you there." Angel said before hanging off.

Mere minutes passed before Angel arrived to his so called home and found Bodie just inside the building, waiting for him with a big smile dancing upon his lips.

"Yo! Angel! It's cold, isn't it?" Said the blonde as soon as he spotted his Latino friend.

"I'm freezing." Angel answered, still feeling the burning cold upon his skin.

"Oh, don't worry, you'll get used to it mate." Bodie said as he gave him a manly hug.

"You say that every damn winter, and every damn winter I freeze, man."

"Uh… sorry Angel, nothing I can do about it." Bodie laughed.

Heading to the elevators, the pair headed to Angel's apartment. And were welcomed by a warm atmosphere. Dark, and yet welcoming. Angel turned on the lights, just to immediately head to his bedroom to get whatever he needed.

"So, what's wrong with her, mate?" Asked Bodie as he followed his friend.

"I don't know… we just went to see her father last night and she was just odd, you know? And when I went to check on her this mourning, she was like dead; I think she had a collapse or something." Angel responded as he picked his stuff.

"A collapse, you say? That's odd…" Bodie muttered.

"Indeed it is, hermano…" Angel sighed.

"But why did you went to check on her dude? Did she called you or something?"

"I just had this feeling, you know, that something wasn't ok with mi chica, so I went to see her." The Latino answered, remembering the hollow expression Aubrey held last night.

"It ain't a joke that love is powerful…" Bodie mused.

Angel couldn't help smiling at that, "No, it's not." He muttered before continue with his duty.

The chilling air of the night brushed a pale skin, already cold though he had only been there for mere seconds. An emerald gaze wandered to the top of the building. Golden locks danced at pace with the soft wind, a powerful, fast heartbeat betraying the intentions the man's face wouldn't show, until a coy smile danced upon his fine lips, excited as he was and was unable to hide for any longer.

A light chuckle escaped the lips of the youth, before cracking into an insane laugher. Finally, he was here! He was so sick of waiting for this, and now… he would finally be able to do it.

Once the laugher stopped, the youth breathed deep, and noticing the few people near by that send him odd locks, he gave them the politest smile he had ever gave, then he entered the building, just as if nothing had ever happened. The welcoming warmth of the inside of the building felt almost exciting over his cold skin, and once again, the youth with the golden hair couldn't help smiling. He walked calmly, perfectly in control as he obliged himself to, and entered the elevators, not a soul noticing his presence at all. How he loved it; to go unnoticed whenever he pleased. It almost amused him, that people were so easily deceived.

Pressing a bottom, the machine started its ascent. Humming a song for himself, the blonde patiently waiting, his heart beating faster every time the passed a level. Soon, he would find himself anxious, patience vanishing and turning into morbid excitement. Just a few more floors…

When the elevator finally stopped, he almost felt as if his heart had stopped with the machine. It was finally time.

He put a foot out of the machine, then the other, as if savoring the very moment he took on it. However were to look at his face, and hope to see the handsome features that were so proper of him, would be terribly disappointed, for now anyone would mistake this man for an insane one. A pale hand reached out for the hold of the door, turning it and immediately opening the wooden door with a slight wince of the wood. The man then made his way into the darkness of the apartment.

Emerald eyes piercing the darkness, a hidden insane smile haunting his lips and cursing his beauty.

"You know, she now knows I love her, Bodie…" The Latino suddenly said, almost finishing with his stuff.

"You told her, didn't you?" The blonde replied, not paying to much mind as he watched a basketball game in the TV.

"Well… more or less… but she said we were dating when we went to the Glitterati Tower!" Angel said, a joyful smile taking over his lips at the memory, an odd feeling burning in his stomach.

Bodie turned from the TV to look at his long time friend, "Now, that is interesting." He said, just before turning off the TV and joining the Latino. "Tell me, how was it."

"The asshole of Kerith was harassing her, we cuddled some and he asked if we were dating, then she said we were… oh my god it felt so great…" He said, letting out a sigh.

"It seems we're gonna be celebrating another couple, eh?" Bodie mused, letting out a light chuckle.

"Yes!" Angel exclaimed, excited and joyful as he was, then stopped as he listened to his friend, "Wait, what? Another? What do you mean…-" He then stopped, fully realizing what Bodie had just said. "You and Emilia…? Don't tell me…"

A light blush appeared upon Bodie's cheeks, betraying his thoughts, "Well… We… We're on it, mate…" The blonde replied, a soft laugher scaling his lips.

"Wow… I knew you had feelings for her, but never really expected you to have the guts to turn your friendship into something more… serious…" Angel chuckled. "You'd look perfect, you know, but I wonder who'd be the man in the relationship."

"Oh shut up you…" Bodie said, joining his friend in the laugher.

"No, really, she's got more guts than you, mi amigo." The Latino said, still amused.

"Whatever…" Bodie said dismissively, yet still smiling. "But I do love her, and I hope she loves me back…"

"Maybe she does." Said Angel, packing some stuff.

Bodie allowed himself a small smile, considering his possibilities and the precious moments he and Emilia had spent together. It made him remember of the suffering his Latino friend had endured just to get to the sassy, pompous redhead everybody seemed to lust but no one dared to get; Bodie silently thanked that he had fallen in love with a much less complicated woman, or that was, at least, what he thought.

The blonde stared at the Latino, silently admiring his devotion for such a woman. He had never given up, he had never stopped fighting for her, no matter the cost, no matter the screams, the rejections, the humiliations… no matter what he still stood by her side… that was something Bodie secretly admired about his friend.

Angel seemed to notice the odd stare his friend was sending him, for he immediately said, "Well, Aubrey's waiting for me, I guess I should be going now…"

"Sure mate, I'm going too." Bodie said, standing up.

"Como quieras, viejo." Angel said in Spanish.

Bodie smiled, "Can we go to buy some food, mate? I'm starving."

At first, the Latino thought it stupid; Aubrey was alone and probably the fever hadn't lowered at all, but still, she was asleep and it was unlikely that she were to awake in the next hour, so, considering it for the second time, Angel accepted, "There's a restaurant by the corner." He said, smiling back at his friend. "But we shouldn't take long."

"I promise you, Angel, we won't." Said Bodie, his smile widening at the answer.

He stopped before a half closed door. A slight breathing coming out, perfectly clear in the dead silence. He reached out to fully open the door and step into the bedroom. Silver moonlight spread across the room, defying the darkness with its silver gloom. A slim figure soundly sleeping over the silken sheets. Red hair was barely visible beneath a thick blanket; delicate limbs like marble in the darkness.

There she lied, unaware of the figure standing in front of her bed, ready to attack.

Slowly, the youth with golden hair approached, gently removing the blanket from the partially naked body of the woman. Slightly brushing her fingers upon her warm flesh, it felt like alabaster under his touch. Emerald eyes traced her beautiful features, now exposed to his avid sight. Truthfully, this was the woman he had been craving for.

A sudden urge to ravage her right then and there took over him, yet he tried to control it at his best. Patience, patience; this had to be a glorious moment, and nothing would ruin it, specially not something as brutal and wild as this urge. Control. He always kept himself controlled, he couldn't lose now; he had to wait.

Slender fingers descended to brush the soft skin of her cheeks, feeling her warmth against his freezing one. His cold seemed to have some effect upon her, for she moved slightly, yet didn't wake up. Gregory allowed himself a satisfied smirk, then retired to a lonely chair in a corner, watching her sleep.

Sweet dreams she seemed to be having, so calm she seemed… it made him want to destroy her the most. His cousin smiled in her sleep, as if reviving one of her most joyful memories. Or perhaps was she dreaming about her Latino 'friend', he wondered, remembering the handsome youth he had just met the previous night. Most likely, she was dreaming about him. He was sure of it.

A shame he wouldn't be here to witness what he was about to do.

Slowly, hazel orbs started opening, just to meet the darkness.

Aubrey found herself alone in the bed, no sheets covering her frame anymore… That was odd, she remembered Angel had covered her with it. She immediately felt cold, and couldn't help but instinctively reach out for her missing blanket. Half rising, Aubrey grabbed it, and was about to cover herself with it, until she suddenly stopped.

She was not alone.

Her breath was caught in her throat, and then, in the dead silence of the night, she heard it. Another breath in the room. The sound of her desperate heartbeat flooded her ears, feeling the pulse of fear within her veins. It couldn't be Angel, and she knew it full well. The sudden urge to flee took over her within an instant, the adrenaline starting to flow within her, her brain sending orders to her petrified limbs; those she did not dare to move.

It took her mere seconds to decide what to do. Within the blink of an eye, the redhead jumped out of the bed, and ran towards the door, desperately wanting to escape. Although, she never expected the arm that caught her and pinned her to the wooden floor; the fall cold and painful against her exposed skin, a hand rapidly catching her throat, halting her breath. The pain and the shock being too much for her to take. The hit she had received in the head soon blurring her vision.

The figure trapped her beneath its bigger frame. "Not so fast, sweetheart." Came a calm whisper from a voice all too known for the redhead youth. The shock made her lay still, unable to move, no longer struggling to break free and swallow some air. "God damn it, you're fast, I'll have to give you credit for that."

No… It could not be him, he was leaving soon… This had to be some sort of nightmare, she forced herself to believe, until she saw the emerald sparkle of his eyes through the thick darkness. "No…" she managed to say through clenched teeth and fleeting breath; desperate gasps leaving her lips as she once again struggled against the offending hand. This had to be a nightmare.

But sometimes, we just can't chance some facts.

"Aubrey, my dear, you truly look beautiful when you're sleeping." Said her cousin with his calm voice, "But you look even more beautiful when you're scared… I wonder if I'll find another form of beauty in you tonight." He said, his features slowly meeting the moonlight.

And there, trapping her, was him. Her cousin, Gregory. The hand trapping her throat softened its grasp if only a bit, allowing her some air to enter her lungs. Coughing some, she couldn't take her eyes off of him. She should've know… the bastard wasn't stupid enough to come and leave without something; she could almost tell what was going to happen next, by the look he was piercing her with. And yet, the knowing of her immediate future did not help her at all to fight back her fear.

"You know, my dear, this would be so much sweeter if I were to do this right here and now, but, as you know, I'm a considerate man." He said, sending her a wicked smile, "Now, please, get up." Greg then released her, and stood before her, offering the redhead a hand.

Aubrey stared at him, then at the offered hand. Was he stupid? Did he seriously think she would give in so easily? It didn't matter how wounded or sick she was, she wouldn't let him have her. Lu$h Crew never gives up. That was the thought that made her stand and run as fast as she could; and although she made it this time till the living room, she soon discovered it would be completely useless, as she felt her ankle twist and hurt at the strong hold her cousin placed upon it. Her body immediately crashing against the floor and her head spinning at the impact; a scream leaving her lips as her body met the floor.

"You really think yourself cunning, don't you, my sweet?" Asked Greg, pulling her by the ankle and making her bare flesh to brush against the wood. "It would be easier if you just complied."

Unable to fight against his strong grasp, Aubrey could only focus on the pain, she could already feel the burned flesh of her knees and the increasing ache of her head. Soon enough, she found herself in his arms, being carried directly to her bed. There was no more she could do to prevent this from happening -not that she'd had any chance from the beginning-. He placed her upon the silk with too much delicacy to be trusted, and stood before her, savoring her perfection underneath the moonlight.

A look towards his belt was enough for her to know what would happen then.

And it took him mere seconds to decide how to start this.

A strong hand came to hold her underwear and fiercely strip her from it; the clothing digging into her skin, tearing a pained scream from her soft lips. And though she still tried to push him back, it was completely useless, as he gripped her wrists with painful strength and positioned himself over her once more. His lips descended to ravage her mouth, drawing a yelp of protest from the young woman, and stealing the few air she had been able to breath.

"So long have I wished to do this… and now… finally…" Came an excited whisper from her cousin, which made her skin crawl. "I'm going to enjoy this far more than I should…"

Clamping her tights together, Aubrey refused to allow him destroy her, no matter how inevitable she knew it was. She couldn't give in. And although she struggled and screamed, she could not stop it.

It was quick, it was painful, it was terminating. Aubrey's screams tore the dead silence of the night.

The restaurant was animated; the friendly chattering of the people filling it entirely. The music suitable for the charismatic atmosphere; some couple here and there holding nice chatter. And the two lads in the furthest corner of the establishment were, by no mean, an exception to the previous statement.

Memories of younger days would be told, dreams long forgotten would arise once again, exciting the youths to finally fulfill them, although they both knew some things were impossible; it didn't matter, however, for one day they'd be accomplished. Stories of adventures long past would be related, and happenings from more recent days would be as well. Until the late hour they had wandered into became evident, the pair decided it was time for them to payed the bill, then exited the establishment between laugher and chattering.

"I must admit, that was a good one, pal." Said Bodie, laughing. Angel simply followed, heading to his car as the freezing cold met his skin. "Could you gimme a ride home, Angel?"

"Sure, amigo, get in." Said the Latino as he entered the car, relieved of getting away from the cold.

His friend followed and soon they found themselves on the street, Angel'a car rapidly passing the streets. Bodie's home was not far from there, so it was no surprise that they had arrived the blonde's place within few minutes. Bodie got off the vehicle as he thanked, then waved his hand at him in a parting gesture, as he wished him good luck.

Angel couldn't help but thank his friend with a smile.

"I hope Aubrey gets better soon, please take good care of her, Angel!" Bodie exclaimed as he saw his friend part.

"Do not worry, mi amigo, I will." The Latino responded, the chilling wind carrying his voice.

Breathy pleas and moans would be heard in the top of the tower; blood and sweat tarnishing the silk. Like a doll, she would be handled, aimless as she was, her pained and wounded body twisting and aching, succumbing to his every move. Gasping in pain, the redhead begged whoever god that listened to her for this to stop; hot tears running down her pale cheeks.

Moaning his excitement, the golden haired youth was indeed enjoying this, and she couldn't help but be repulsed; sick with herself and spoiled with his invasion. Every moan that escaped his lips would be an outrage to her, every thrust a stab, every whispered word a blasphemy against her self.

His seed was soon released within her, soiling her completely. She felt him removing himself from her, leaving her there, her bloodied body numb and aching after the assault. Emerald eyes traced the naked body of the youth, taking in as much as he could, making himself sure he would not forget this moment. How beautiful she seemed right now; hurt and broken, her beautiful features distorted and twisted by pain.

Her eyes reminded fixed upon the lonely moon, the redhead completely ignorant of the man that had corrupted her. The silver face of the star seemed to mourn the fate of the woman, pitying her suffering with silent tears. She barely noticed him putting his clothes back on, too lost in her self-pity to actually notice something.

"It's been a pleasure, my dear." Came the pleased and smug voice of her cousin.

Exiting the trance she was in, her eyes immediate lied upon his fine features, shooting daggers at him and cursing him for everything he had done, though, disconnected as her mind was from reality, she could barely wish for something more than to make him disappear.

"Oh, don't give me that look. I've done nothing wrong, merely taken what was rightfully mine." Said Greg, "But, however, it's late and I suppose you want some rest. Goodnight, my sweet."

Probably that was the last that he said to her that night, probably he hadn't said even that… Only thing she was certain of, was the sound of footsteps upon wood, and the creak of the door as it was opened, then closed.

"Good night, mister, I see you've returned."

Angel couldn't help but smile, "Oh, yes, I have." Then he would head right to the elevators and press a bottom for the elevator to get to the lobby.

With a small ring, the machine would stop; golden doors would open to reveal a youth. Emerald eyes and golden hair would shine, eclipsing even the most precious stone; a blonde young man would pass him by, and the Latino would entered the recently lonely machine, completely ignorant of who the golden haired youth would be.

The golden doors opened, revealing a mahogany door before him. Angel would open the door, his stuff at his back and a dazzling smile dancing upon his lips. His steps would break the silence, his path only Illuminated by the silver beams of the moonlight.

An unmoving figure would lie upon the silken sheets of her bed. The slender body of the redhead still. It could only mean she was still asleep.

The Latino stopped, however, at the sight of crimson dancing on her skin.

Bathed in the silver moonlight, porcelain skin would gloom, the red of blood defiling the marble of her skin; crimson would shine as rubies underneath the silver beams, naked body fully exposed to his horrified eyes; crystalline eyes lost in the horizon, blood spilled upon the silk, scars breaking her skin.

Dropping whatever he had been carrying this whole time, he rushed to embrace her, horrified of what he was witnessing. Tears would blur his vision. Screams of desperation would tear the night.

Dear god… I was literally dying to write this… and now I've finally done it.

I can breath now.