I'm sorry this is late! Yesterday was very full and then the internet has been sketchy and uncooperative today and... *sigh* It's a conspiracy, I say!

Anyway, new segment. Onward! (And seriously Erik, get a move on!)

xxix

Erik kissed Christine's temple as she lay on that simple mat, an old and threadbare thing when last he had been here. The entire room was musty and there was nothing pleasant about any of it. After all that she had endured, Erik could even admit to himself that he was not so selfish as to be glad of her company during this ordeal. She would have worried had she been left behind in their little temporary home, but at least she would have been safe. And that was what he wanted most for her.

The pair of scissors was a fortunate find—one that he doubted Samuel was aware even existed within the kit or else he would not have been so stupid as to leave it with him. He could not begin to work until he was certain they were locked in for the night, so he held his Christine and hummed soothing melodies to her, coaxing her to sleep. She should have some measure of respite.

It felt wrong to consider leaving her, if only for a moment, but he also could not risk bringing her along. He knew these hallways, knew how to hide, to go unseen, and while Christine was all loveliness, she had no such skills. She would rest here, and he would hurry back to her, lest any of their captors decide to check on them throughout the night.

Food and water had been brought. He would have rejected both had the water not come in sealed bottles, no sign of puncture or contamination evident. Christine had eyed both warily but he had persuaded her to eat a little something. It certainly would not be poisoned, but there was the possibility of a sedative so as to keep them pliant and still throughout the night, but Erik was not convinced that would be a bad thing for Christine. Not when she had already suffered so much and could use a deep sleep to aid recuperation.

It was only after she had eaten and taken a little water that she looked about the room with an anxious expression. It took no great measure of genius to understand her need.

"There is a washroom through that door."

He doubted his chain would permit him to make use of such facilities, but if things went well, he likely would not be so bound for long.

Christine had been asleep for almost an hour, and the house was quiet overhead before Erik broke apart the scissors and bent and manipulated them into a crude set of lock picks. He had an elegant pair tucked within his suitcase, he noted with a grimace, as these felt clumsy and short even as he manipulated both ends into the small lock about his ankle.

It took longer than he would care to admit, but at last the fastener gave way, leaving him free to move about at will.

He checked on Christine, and noted her slightly swollen eyes, the remnants of tears on her cheeks—a vivid reminder of just how miserable she truly was.

He hated the bandages covering her arms and legs, hated that even in sleep her hands clutched at nothing, her father's ring no longer there for her to hold. His poor little wife looked lost and confused, and he would have her free from here.

But standing about watching her would achieve nothing, so he crouched low and whispered gently against her temple. "I shall return shortly, little wife. You rest here."

The door was no great hindrance, once he discovered that a few of his tools remained in his basement dwelling after all. He ignored the lock entirely, choosing instead to focus on the hinges. They protested, and he would dabble more grease onto their lengths so as to ensure their cooperation, eventually managing to pull open the door just enough for him to slip through. He positioned it back so that it appeared as if nothing at all was wrong, and prayed silently that he would be quick enough that none would notice his absence.

He simply would not consider what it would mean for Christine should they realize his bonds were not sufficient inducement to remain where they had placed him.

The house was dark, the world beyond evidently suffering a storm for there was little light to cast shadows in the already black interior. Erik contemplated his options. He could risk the front door, but from what he remembered from his years spent here previously, the Shah had a rather magnificent security system to dissuade intruders. And, as it had become, it proved remarkably effective in keeping others of his choice inside.

Erik traversed the familiar passages, slowing his steps when he heard voices in a room beyond. He listened intently. A woman's voice, an artificial laugh...

Television.

Likely the goon.

He had stopped outside one of the guest suites, but now he moved all the more hurriedly. The overhead lights were functioning, which led him further to believe that the alarm would also be activated, and that also could indicate that the phones were connected as well.

He hoped he was not wrong.

He did not wish to return to this study—if he had his way, never would have again. But if there was a working phone to be had, it would be where the Shah could use it at his leisure. He only hoped that the man had remained true to his preference for landlines instead of relying solely on cellular devices.

Yet it was entirely possible that things had changed over the years.

The study was locked, no light emanating from beneath the door, and as he listened, measuring his breath so he could hear all the better into the room beyond, he was fairly confident that the Shah had already retired for the evening. He pulled out his lock picks, this set from his previous captivity, with finer points for more delicate work, before he slowly pushed upon the impediment.

Only to find it empty.

He had not realized how anxious he had been until he was now assured that he had yet to be caught, and he quickly entered the room and secured the lock once again, striding quickly to the corner of the room and used the hard-backed chair to wedge against the door, an additional obstacle should he require one.

He used no light, instead moving to the desk, the sleek black phone still resting in the corner. It was an old rotary style, a remnant of a lost age, but Erik held no reverence for it. He picked up the receiver quickly.

A dial tone.

His relief was nearly overwhelming.

Inputting the number took a frustrating amount of time. Erik was aware of every sound, every turn of the dial as eventually he was able to manage all of the necessary digits, praying all the while that Christine would sleep on, their captors ignorant of his absence.

"Hello?"

He could have contacted the authorities through the emergency number, but he knew how ridiculous their situation sounded. Which made calling upon the Daroga a necessary evil. "Do not speak, simply listen. Christine and I have been procured by the Shah and are being held at his estate. You will come. You will bring assistance. You will free my wife from this. Immediately. Do you understand?"

Perhaps he should have attempted at pleasantries, been more kindly in his manner. But the urgency was dire, stripping away whatever remnants of civility remained in him.

"The old house? From before?"

Erik closed his eyes briefly, gladdened that the man did not seek to argue with him, nor question the truthfulness of his claim. "Yes."

"Have they... is Christine all right?"

Erik very nearly flinched when he considered the state she was currently in. "No," hating that it was so very true. "And she will be even less so if the Shah is permitted to have access to her in the morning." Erik hesitated, needing to hear the words, needing to know for certain that for once, help would come when he sought it. "You will come?"

Nadir's answer was firm and instantaneous. "I promise. And I'll bring the damned cavalry with me."

Erik did not know why there was suddenly a lump in his throat, why it meant so much to him that for once the authorities seemed to be on his side. Yet it did. "Thank you," he managed, most sincerely.

"Just hang on, Erik. Keep that girl of yours safe. We're coming."

Erik replaced the receiver. They were not out of danger, not yet, but at least there was hope that help would come should he be unable to secure their freedom by his own means. Already he was growing anxious to return to Christine, to hold her and assure that he could keep her safe while she rested, so he returned the chair to its proper corner, surveying the room carefully for any signs of upset, before going to the door and carefully opening it.

Only to see a man staring at him.

"Didn't think it would take you very long to get out," Samuel noted, making no move to engage Erik physically. He was leaning against the wall of the hallway, his posture almost casual as he regarded Erik.

Erik stepped into the darkened passageway, shutting the door behind him. He would not panic, would not beg. If necessary, he would kill the man before him. He did not relish the thought, would likely be injured himself in the process, but he would do what was necessary. Always had. And now that Christine's life was so dependent upon him, he could do no less at present. "Will the Shah be gracing us with his presence as well?"

Samuel shrugged, crossing his arms. "Haven't called him yet."

Erik's eyes narrowed, assessing him. There were similarities in their situations, although the Shah had even gone so far as to have caused the maiming to this man's face in an effort to replicate his lost assassin. It somewhat surprised him that Samuel continued in his employ. But Erik knew full well that the appearance of acquiescence was not always the same thing as willingly consenting to working for the Shah. "Is there a particular reason for the delay?"

Samuel met his gaze unflinchingly. "I want out. Away from him. I think you could make that happen."

Erik's mouth formed a thin line. "You were the one to harm my wife. You think I could so easily overlook such abuses?"

The man shifted ever so slightly, leaving Erik with the distinct impression he was uncomfortable with the reminder. "I did what I had to. You think Jerry would have been any kinder to her? He likes to take advantage. I can guarantee she would have been in far worse shape if I hadn't done it myself."

Erik knew that. This man was efficient and cold, much as Erik had been. He derived no pleasure in the acts, not like some. But that did not make him overly inclined to help the man either. "And I suppose if I do not agree, you will make it known that I did not remain in my cell."

Samuel nodded solemnly. "If I must."

"I do not take kindly to coercion."

The man shrugged again. "We do what we must. Now, am I going to the Shah or are you going to be useful?"

Erik briefly considered striking. He typically relied upon weapons, would have taken great comfort in having one at his side. But when he had left this house all those years ago, he had taken all such devices with him as he faced the outside world. But there would be some measure of satisfaction to feel his bare hands squeezing at this man's neck, the images of him so deliberately cutting through Christine's flesh enough to make the prospect a pleasing one.

Yet when he considered that, considered what Christine would say if he was to confess such a thing, he hesitated.

"I have contacted the authorities. If you would care to vacate the premises before their arrival, I would suggest doing so shortly."

Samuel's eyes widened ever so slightly. "The alarm would make that difficult."

Erik raised an eyebrow. "Then by all means, you are welcome to be arrested. It would not grieve me to know that you would be punished for the harm you have caused Christine, regardless of your personal justification." He knew of those far too well, realized how hypocritical he was likely being. He had manipulated the entire situation with Christine to avoid even the possibility of serving any time in prison. But even now, he could not bring himself to wholly regret it. Not when he would still have the opportunity to spend the rest of his life with her, being whatever she needed. He was no fool. She would not recover from this ordeal quickly. But he would not be noble and submit to the police and tell them of all the wrongs he had done, seeking conviction for those crimes. To do so would not prove a benefit to Christine. And that was what mattered most.

Samuel continued to study Erik, eventually nodding slowly. "Fine. You'd better get back in the basement though. The Shah was thinking about surprising you with a visit."

Erik scowled. He had every intention of going there, but to do so... to wait for the Shah would mean that Christine would also be near. And he was so very tired of her being used against him, being hurt simply because he had the audacity to no longer obey.

"Is he in his usual bedroom?"

Samuel looked at him with some surprise, but it was quickly hidden away by the blank expression he had so clearly mastered. "Yes," he answered simply. "And he has her ring. The one I took. You might want to get that back from him."

"You tempt me to kill you now for what you did."

Samuel sighed. "Can't say I blame you for that, but I'd appreciate if you didn't. I'd like a chance to have a life of my own. Like you've got now."

Erik was slightly taken aback that for once he was in possession of a life worth envying, but he supposed he understood. He had a wife who loved him. His life held purpose now, meaning, besides torture and death. And there was nothing he would trade for the privilege of being with her.

Nothing at all.

So when Samuel turned and walked away, Erik did nothing to stop him, and he hoped he was not making a terrible mistake. He did not know if he intended to disable the alarm or simply break through a window and run, but should he choose the latter, he had to move quickly.

For when the police arrived, he would have to disappear as well. The Daroga might have been willing to come now, when the promise of arrests and closed cases proved too tempting to ignore. But he would not risk being arrested, and there was something that he would not allow his wife to leave without.

Not when it meant so much to her.

Sooo... who's ready for the whole damned cavalry? And who expected Samuel to actually be helpful? Think Erik was too easy on him? And do we think he's going to just go scoop up Christine and leave or perhaps make a quick stop first to meet with a certain Shah? Hmmm...