Folks,

I'm putting the trigger warnings here so no one misses them - death, torture, cutting, violence, kidnapping, restraints and mentions of rape & incest. I think that's all of them. If I've missed anything that causes you any issue, please let me know and I'll add them.

Thanks again to Bailey for being beta, she saved you all from a tense shift that would have given you whiplash.

Sorry you all had to wait so long on this one. It's about twice as long as the other chapters have been so hopefully that eases the pain a bit.

Rookie Blue characters are not mine. I get no payment but reviews. So... :D

Gail didn't know how long she'd been out. She just knew she had a screaming headache and her hands and legs were bound to a table. Fuck. Not again. Don't panic. Don't panic. Wait. My head hurts but that's…that's…that was when Gail realized she had awakened to the sound of Holly screaming. Her instinct was to struggle against her bonds right away but she fought that down. Maybe they hadn't noticed her yet. She barely opened her eyes peering out of her lashes. Not blindfolded. That was good at least, but all she could see without turning her head was the ceiling. Wood. Unfinished wood. Holly was still screaming but it was less pain and more frustration. She could hear Perik walking around the room in those goddamn wingtips.

Okay, Gail, what's the first thing? Damn this was going to be so much harder if she kept hearing her mother's voice. That was going to get annoying. Assess the situation. What is it then? Restrained. Still slightly drugged. Assests…Gail flexed the fingers of her right hand carefully and tugged on the hem of what she hoped was her jacket sleeve. Oh sweet Jesus on a pogo stick! The bastard left her jacket on! Calm. Breathe even. Don't want to get caught. Now what? It's there.

Gail could've cried. She carefully and slowly worked her fingers around the single razor blade she had stashed in the jacket hem. She took a chance and turned her head slightly. She saw Perik bent over Holly's feet. He seemed to be studying them. Where was Stapleton? That was the million dollar question.

Holly had her eyes screwed shut. Perik was talking mostly to himself but still acted like he was addressing Holly. "Dr. Stewart, I can't tell you how happy I am to be able to entertain you at long last. You know the last time I had Gail over we were rudely interrupted. This time I'll finish what I started."

He moved and Gail caught the flash of a scalpel. He had made cuts on the bottoms of Holly's feet. That explained the screaming. Holly's feet were very sensitive. She and Gail had been to get pedicures when they first became friends and Holly giggled the entire time. Gail had secretly thought it was adorable. That son-of-a-bitch. He'll pay for that. Making her suffer. Turning a memory into ash.

"They're going to find us. It would be better for you if you turned yourself in," Holly said shakily.

He laughed, a high-pitched maniacal laugh. "Dr. Stewart, I assure you no one is coming for you. Least of all here."

"Where is here?"

That would be good information to know. Keep him talking, Holly. If he's talking, he's not cutting on you.

"Ah, ah, ah. I'm afraid that's need to know information, and you don't need to know."

"Why? Are you afraid that I'll tell someone?" Holly asked sarcastically.

"Good. You're in good spirits. That'll help. We probably need to set your pain threshold before Gail wakes up. It'll be more accurate."

He leaned over Holly then and made an incision along the length of her shin. She screamed in pain and kept screaming. Gail had worked the razor blade out of the cuff of her jacket and had managed to make some headway on the restraint on her right hand. Her legs and left arm were still bound but with a few more minutes she was fairly certain she could free her right hand. Unfortunately, that meant listening to Holly being tortured and remaining silent.

"Now, Dr. Stewart, on a scale of 0 to 10 what is your pain level?"

"You're insane," Holly sobs out.

Perik takes the scalpel and puts it on Holly's left forearm. "You're right handed. Correct, Dr. Stewart?" Then he twirls it against her skin making a round cut.

"Arrrggghhhhh!"

"Now. What. Is. Your. Pain. Level?!"

"Kiss. My. Ass."

He drove the scalpel into her forearm sinking the blade. She screamed again. "You can stop this. Just tell me your pain level."

Gail couldn't stand it any longer. She made sure her right wrist looked like it was still bound. She tucked the razor blade back in the jacket sleeve and tried to sound like she was just coming to. It wasn't hard. "Don't you fucking touch her again!"

Perik whipped around and faced her. "Gail, so nice of you to join us. Dr. Stewart here is being less than cooperative. I had such high hopes for her."

"Why is she here, Ross? You and I both know that I'm the one you want," Gail did her best to look him in the eye.

He laughed again, and it was the most terrifying thing Gail had ever heard. "Because of you Gail. Because you love her."

Gail felt all the blood drain out of her face. If she was honest, it felt like her asshole was trying to fall out of her body. She'd never had this feeling of dread before, not even the last time she was in a basement with him. She tried to keep her voice steady, "Then you fucked up. Let her go, Ross. She has nothing to do with this and she means nothing special to me."

"Gail, do not make me angry. Do not lie to me. If Dr. Stewart meant nothing to you, I'd have had Megan kill her a long time ago. The only reason she's alive now is so you'll be honest with me," he said and Gail looked at him in confusion. "Tell me how you feel about Dr. Stewart, Gail. Tell me honestly. I'll know if you're lying." He turned and walked behind Holly, trailing the scalpel over her neck dangerously.

"She's a good person, Ross. She doesn't deserve this. Let her go."

"Tell you what. How about I cut her carotid and paint you in her blood. How would that be?" He asked and Gail licked her lips nervously in response. "Tell me!" He pushed the point of the scalpel against the pulse point in Holly's throat.

"She the most wonderful person I ever met!" Gail screamed.

"Go on," he said and removed the scalpel.

Gail knew this was a bad idea but he wasn't torturing Holly and had even moved away from her somewhat. Holly's eyes slid shut with relief Gail thought. Gail was afraid to lie so she just began saying whatever came into her mind. "She's beautiful, and smart and sexy and…what do you want to know, Ross?" Maybe she could get him talking. Buy herself and Holly some time.

"No, Gail. It doesn't work that way I'm afraid." He turned and cut Holly's cheek with the scalpel.

"Stop! Stop! I'll tell you whatever you want to know! Just stop hurting her!"

"Ahh, can you hear it? The desperation in your voice? It's like a fine wine to me, Gail. You know there are very few things in life that can bring me pleasure. I'm sure you know that. I'm sure you've read my psychological file. But that timbre and pitch is almost more satisfying than taking a woman," he said as he rubbed himself with the hand not holding the scalpel.

Gail got an all too accurate picture of what was about to happen. She had to buy them time. "Where's your minion, Ross?"

"She'll be along in a bit. She's busy entertaining Dr. Stewart's friend, Agent Parker. I wonder if she'll beg. It's always satisfying to make the arrogant ones beg." He smiled cruelly.

Gail felt a shiver run up her spine and an overwhelming sense of pity for Ryan. She'd done nothing to Gail really. She'd even been honest with her about her relationship with Holly. Ryan didn't deserve that. Perik still hadn't gotten close enough to Gail for her to chance trying to free herself. "I hope Parker kills her."

"That would be a miracle. The last I saw of Agent Parker she was tied up on the floor of their hotel room and was still recovering from the beating I gave her. Megan is well-versed in several forms of combat. Megan was determined…how did she put it? Not to be a 'victim' again. I just had to explain to her that it was better to be the devil's right hand than to be in his path."

"Is she really your niece?"

"Yes. My sister's daughter. I began her training early. She was ten. A precocious child. But alas, I got bored. You see, I preferred less fuss. Too many questions about where she got her bumps and bruises. So I found out that women of the night were much less trouble. I could do anything I wanted. I could watch the light drain out of their eyes. No one really came looking for them until you showed up. Bad luck that." He twirled the scalpel. "Then, I contacted Megan again. She tried to tell me that she wanted nothing to do with me but I knew her secret you see. So, eventually, she knew what she had to do. I had to promise that she would get to help."

"Help kill the women?"

"No, Gail. To help kill you. She can't stand that you've become so important to me. She can't stand not being my 'best girl.'"

Gail felt a wave of nausea roll over her and it had nothing to do with her impending death. He was a monster who had created a monster. His sexual abuse of his niece had broken her irreparably. She blew a breath out of her mouth. "Okay. I'm on a tight schedule here as you can see. So when does she get back to help kill me?"

"Oh it's not that simple. I owe you. I was just ending their lives and I never really challenged any of them. Before Ms. Lambert, I didn't realize just how satisfying that it could be to see what their limits were. It's like a whole new world has opened up for me. I really am grateful. Grateful, yes. That's what this emotion is."

Gail swallowed and licked her lips. "Are you grateful enough to let us go?"

"See, I told Megan you had the most wonderful sense of humor. She didn't believe me. Now back to the subject at hand. Dr. Stewart. Your feelings for her. Remember, I'll know if you're lying."

Gail closed her eyes. She saw no way around it. This was not the way she wanted to say it. Where. To whom but if it kept him from cutting on Holly, at least for now, she didn't have many other options. "She's the love of my life."

She saw Holly's eyes widen at this revelation. She couldn't imagine why. She was there wasn't she? Does she think I talk like that to everybody? How is this surprising news?

"Oh, how delicious. I think I'm going to let Megan take her first while you watch."

"You fucking bastard!" Gail screamed. She could think of nothing worse than having to watch helplessly as Holly was raped.

"And you Dr. Stewart, How do you feel about, Gail?" She didn't answer for a moment and he started walking to Gail. "When you fell after Megan shot at you, you hurt your pisiform bone in your wrist didn't you Dr. Stewart? How about I make you both match?" He picked up a hammer.

"I love her! I love her, more than I love anything or anyone!"

"Your fear. Your fear is so delicious to me. I really can't wait on Megan much longer. Excuse me I'll be right back." He pivots then and turns on an MP3 player hooked up to some speakers. Addicted to Love comes on. "How apropos. Entertain yourselves."

As soon as he walked out of the room, Gail removed her right hand from the restraint. Holly looked over and said, "Thank God. I was trying to keep him from looking over there."

"You knew?" Gail asked quietly.

"I saw you wake up. Then I noticed you were fiddling with your wrist. I was hoping you had a 'trick up your sleeve.' See what I did there?"

"God, still such a nerd," Gail said as she began undoing the restraint on her left hand. Then she did her feet. Gail slid off the table silently and quickly made her way to Holly. She began to untie her. "So you love me, huh?"

Holly looked into her eyes seriously. "Yes."

"Why all the 'I don't want to see her' bullshit then?"

"Sue me. I was trying to avoid you being tied to a table. Can we talk about this later?"

"Yeah," Gail said as she struggled with Holly's leg restraints.

"He's coming Gail! He's coming!" Holly whispered urgently.

Assess the situation, Gail. You have to make a split-second decision, the right split-second decision. Okay. Surprise attack. It's the only way. He probably still has the scalpel but he left the hammer. Gail picked up the hammer and twirled it in her right hand. Its weight was comforting and a little reassuring. She hid behind the door. He'd be focused on Holly as he walked into the room. She was still lying on the table looking like she was still bound. As soon as he looked to his left, he'd know Gail wasn't there. She took a steadying breath. Just like good ol' Mom trained you. If nothing else, he can't get Holly. I won't let him hurt Holly anymore.

"I can't get Megan which probably means she's in the dead zone and should be here soon," Perik was speaking before he entered the room.

Gail swung the hammer at him and it landed satisfyingly on his right arm with a crack. He screamed in pain and lunged at Gail. They hit the wall. She was able to hit him again with the hammer but not as hard. She grappled with him trying to keep his hands off her neck. She decided to go for power with the hammer and hit him as hard as she could in the ribs, again and again, and again. She saw Holly struggling with her bonds out of the corner of her eye. Her last blow made Perik begin to retreat. He was moving towards Holly. She launched herself at him and they went bouncing off the wall. He managed to push her down and ran up the stairs.

"Stay here! Stay here until I come get you! Find a weapon in case I don't come back!" She screamed as she hurled herself up the stairs.

Holly got off the table carefully. She wasn't sure if her leg or feet would hold her. She would need to see to the bleeding as soon as Gail got back. If Gail got back. "Of course I have to be in love with the idiot that launches herself at a serial killer like it's nothing. 'If I don't come back', honestly, who says stuff like that?" She took a few tentative steps. There were sounds of a struggle above her. It sounded like the upstairs was exploding one piece of furniture at a time. She found another scalpel. Well, that would have to do. There was a crash above her and she listened as the struggle died out. Then someone was coming down the stairs. She held her breath.

It was Gail. Covered in blood from head to toe. She staggered back into the basement. "Oh my God, Gail! Is that your blood, honey?!"

"No, but you need to come see. See if you can save him." Gail spoke in an emotionless monotone. Holly figured she was in shock.

"Okay, but I'm going to need your help. I'm not sure I can walk without leaning on something."

"That's fine. Hop on my back. I'll piggyback you up the stairs."

When they got to the living room Holly could see what made all the noise. Every piece of furniture in the room was turned over, or broken, or both. Ross Perik was lying on the floor with a table leg sticking out of his chest. Holly knew that there was nothing to be done for him. Nothing that didn't involve a team of trauma surgeons.

Gail gently let Holly down so that she could kneel next to Perik. Gail kicked his leg with her foot. "Ross! Ross, you piece of shit! Where are we?"

"Going to hell," he murmured, his eyes still closed.

"You first. You sick son of a bitch."

"Mr. Perik, where are we so I can tell the emergency responders?" Holly asked hoping his sense of self-preservation would kick in.

He opened his eyes and chuckled weakly blood running out of the corner of his mouth. "I'm afraid the only phone is sticking in my lower back. Good luck, Dr. Stewart. Megan will be here soon." He closed his eyes and took his last ragged breath.

Holly felt his neck for a pulse. It was weak and slowing. Then it stopped. "He's dead."

"Good," Gail spit blood out of her mouth.

"Was he telling the truth about the phone?"

"Only one way to tell."

They worked together to roll him over and sure enough, a cordless phone was shattered and parts of it were sticking into Perik. Holly couldn't think about the force required for that.

"Gail, let me look at you."

"I'm fine. You're the one with incisions everywhere. I need to check you over."

"As long as I don't try to stand and walk, I should be okay for now. Are you bleeding anywhere? Is that all his blood?"

"Just my mouth I think. He split the inside of my cheek. Lucky punch. Yeah, it's all his. The table leg was handy and I was getting tired." Gail looked at Holly then and it was desperate and pleading.

"Gail, I know you wouldn't have killed him unless it was absolutely necessary. Not being sorry you did it isn't the same as enjoying it. He was an evil, evil man who planned on torturing and killing us both. It was him or us. Thank you."

"What if I am sorry? Does that make me weak?" For once, the vulnerability was plain on Gail's face.

Holly's heart broke a little bit. "No, Gail. It makes you remarkable. It makes you a very special person."

"Yeah, well…let me look at you." Gail knelt down next to Holly and reached out to touch her injured cheek.

Holly looked into Gail's eyes, "That girl had an arsenal the last time I saw her. I don't want to be here when she gets here. Wherever here is."

"Okay. Let me look around and gather some stuff up. Can you stay here?"

"Yeah," Holly nodded.

"I'll be right back."

It was creepier sitting next to Ross Perik's dead body than Holly thought it would be. She was around death all the time. She'd autopsied hundreds upon hundreds of bodies. Dead bodies did not freak her out. The thought of Ross Perik not being dead? Now, that freaked her out. The music finally stopped. Gail must have turned off the music. Thank God. Holly just stared at Perik. Stared at him until she had the irrational thought that he moved. That's impossible. She had it again. How long had Gail been gone? She started to move to back away from him and managed to open the cut along her tibia more. "Shit!"

"What is it?" Gail yelled as she came running back into the room holding a large duffel bag. It looked to Holly like she'd managed to wash the blood off her face and hands. She still had some on her clothes but she looked significantly better.

"It's nothing. I just managed to open the cut along my lower leg more."

"I need to look at it."

"No. We need to go. I have no idea how long I was out and you were out at least an hour longer than I was. We have no idea where we are or when she might get here. Did you find any cell phones? They took ours at the hotel."

"No, but I did manage to find a first aid kit. Let me look at your leg."

"Gail, I really want to leave. I'm assuming there's a car or something."

"Yeah. I found keys by the door that I'm hoping fit the nondescript van outside."

"Fantastic. Help me up. I'll look at my leg in the van."

Gail wanted to argue but she didn't. "Fine. Put your arm around my shoulder then." She leaned down to help Holly up. "Why aren't you wearing more clothes?"

"I'd just gotten out of the shower." The room started to spin for Holly.

"I see," Gail grunted with the effort it was costing her to bear Holly's weight.

"Whoa."

"What's wrong?"

"The room is spinning."

"Hold on to me. I've got you. Don't let go. Can you walk or do I need to carry you?"

"Don't be silly. I can…" Holly stopped speaking as Gail picked her up. "Well then. It's amazing you can do that with those skinny arms."

"Shut up and hold on to me, Lunchbox." Gail staggered but she held their weight. She managed to get Holly into the passenger seat of the van. "Put your feet up on the dash. I'll go back and get the duffel and first aid kit."

Gail returned a few minutes later, duffel in hand. She opened the back of the van and threw it inside. She dug in it for a moment and handed the first aid kit to Holly. Holly took it in her hands gingerly and said, "Thank you. Thank you for everything."

Gail's eyes hardened. "It's nothing. You shouldn't've been here at all. Let's get out of here." Gail walked around the van and took keys out of her pocket. She climbed in, put the key in the ignition, said a prayer and turned the key. The van cranked. "Thank God," she murmured.

Holly reached out for her hand. "Let's go." Gail took it and squeezed.

Special thanks to Orphan Black for reminding me about single blade razor blades.