Author Note - Welcome to my first attempt at working with a cowriter, southernbookgirl.
Kensi felt like her heart was being ripped out of her chest as they dragged Jack away - and she knew things were only going to get worse. Only a few minutes later, two men returned for her. She had to decide now if she was going to fight and escape or if she was going to cooperate in hopes of saving Jack too. She was torn, but the moment they put their hands in her, instinct took over. They moved to tie her hands before removing her shackles, and she fought. She head butted one in the nose, and kicked the other in the crotch, dropping both to their knees instantly. Their cries brought more men running in, and she continued to fight.
She managed to down seven men before one of them had the sense to go get a gun. He kept out of her reach, and fired a shot into the wall before levelling the gun to aim at her head. Quickly she decided that if this was going to be the end, she would continue to fight. She grabbed another of their men as a shield, and pulled out her only weapon - the piece of wire she had been using to pick the lock. She didn't hear or see the man whose nose she had broken when he stood up and picked up a rock, hitting her on the forehead. She dropped to the ground unconscious, while the group of them exchanged looks and then began rapidly arguing in Pashto.
They had initially thought she was a desperate jilted lover searching for Jack, but it was now obvious she was something far more deadly. Until they could decide what to do with her, it was clear she would need to be kept subdued and chained.
She awoke with a groan, her head killing her. She could feel the dried blood on her face and the goose egg that had already formed. Looking around, it was clear that she was no longer in the same place as before. She had been moved, and now found not only was her ankle shackled to the wall but her hands were tied behind her back. She felt weak and dizzy from lack of food, and the blow to her head, but she still held on to her defiance when she felt their eyes on her. She raised her head and glared.
One of the leaders strode over to her and grabbed her by the hair.
"You are lucky to still be alive. Do not test our patience." He said before slapping her across the face. The others clapped and jeered but Kensi was not ready to give up. She raised her head again and spit at him. Once again he yanked her head back.
"She thinks we are joking, yes? Perhaps we should show her the only thing women are good for." One of them called.
"It is a shame she is a filthy whore. I do not want another man's trash." Another spoke.
The one who held her head up simply stared into her eyes. She fought the fear welling up in her and kept her expression defiant. He drew a knife from his belt and held it to her throat.
"Do you know how easy it would be to slit your throat right now?" He asked, digging the tip into her neck just enough to cause a few drops of blood to bead on her neck. "Do not tempt me." He said, bringing his knee up into her chest and then dropping her on the ground. "I am not convinced that an American whore is of any value to us."
Kensi lay on the ground, feeling overwhelmed by pain but still wanting to fight even though she knew that it was not her best option. She stayed down, breathing deeply to control the pain. Before she was able to weigh her options, she found herself hauled upright again and pinned against the wall. Her new attacker was one of the ones she had downed in her earlier struggle and he was clearly still angry. His hand wrapped around her neck, as he stared into her eyes.
"I like when they fight. It makes the final victory so much more rewarding." He leered. "I will enjoy breaking you." The man grinned at her before letting her drop to the ground. Her head hit the wall and she lost consciousness once again.
Kensi woke up to find herself back in the cave. The fire pit was empty and there was a definite chill to the air. She tried to huddle in the blanket they had left but still felt chilled to the bone, she stretched gently to try and relieve the stiffness from lying on the rocky ground, but it did little good. Her entire body ached. She settled back against the cave wall. As she tried to get comfortable, the cold stone provided a bit of relief for her aching and bruised shoulders and back. She really began to assess her present situation. She had been beaten by the Taliban, their threats of personal violence (and the pleasure they took from such actions) increasing with each turn. Though she was called "Badass Blye" by her partner, the agent was unsure how much more she could withstand. Although she had people – friends, coworkers, loved ones – waiting for her back home, Kensi avoided thinking about them at all costs. Otherwise, she would breakdown from the loneliness and separation. She would rather deal with the throbbing feelings from her beatings; the tender pain of her bruises; and the sharp stinging of her cut and chapped skin than have her heart bruised and broken over her separation from her loved ones back in Los Angeles.
Already weak from hunger and continual beatings, Kensi did not have the mental strength or energy to try and sort out her feelings on the matter. The White Ghost, while a lie spun by the CIA, did exist in real life, just in a different form than initially imagined. Her capture, the abuse inflicted upon Kensi and Jack, the agent's conflicted feelings about her relationship with her partner, her work…all of it caused much strain and stress on Kensi. The agony became too much, and Kensi soon surrendered to the blissful darkness of unconsciousness, putting her thoughts and feelings to rest for the time being.