| Chapter 36 Tara slowly opened her eyes and looked around. She noticed Nick sitting in a chair next to the bed, asleep. She sat up, looking over at him. Her head was foggy, and she had a hard time concentrating. She wondered what the drug was that they had given her, and why she wasn't chained up again. Tara slipped from the bed and walked around the room, looking at things. For the most part, the room was bare. There was the bed, and dresser, a couple of chairs, and that was it. She opened the closet, surprised to see clothes hanging in it. She looked through them, they were all her size. Tara then went to the dresser and opened the drawers, again, more of her size clothing. She sighed, realizing they were planning on keeping her for a long time. She glanced back to make sure Nick was still sleeping, then made her way into the bathroom. She looked around, not finding much. There was a tooth brush and toothpaste, a hair brush and some other toiletries. Everything was the brands she used, and she knew that Nick had to have told them what to get for her. She took the opportunity to relieve herself while she was in there. Not knowing what they had in store for her, she was going to take advantage of anything she could. She walked out of the bathroom, and looked over at Nick. He was staring at her. His cold blue eyes burning a hole through her. "You have fun exploring?" he asked. Tara shrugged her shoulders and sat back down on the bed, "Nick, you can still come back. You can always come back." "Stop it," Nick said, standing up and glaring at her. "Nick, one moment of weakness doesn't damn you forever. He will still forgive you," she continued. Nick moved closer to her, grabbing her face in his hand and squeezing until she squirmed. "I said stop it! I don't want to ask for forgiveness, I like the way I feel now, and I plan on staying this way," he spat. Nick held her there, staring at her. Tara could feel his anger and his desire. She tried to pull free from his grasp, but he squeezed tighter. "You're hurting me," she managed to get out. Nick slowly let her go, not taking his eyes from hers. Tara glared at him, rubbing her cheeks. "So what do we do now?" she asked. Nick crossed his arms and looked at her, "What do you mean?" "I mean, I'm not gonna turn, and you obviously don't want to come back. So, where does that leave us?" she asked. He shrugged his shoulders, "I dunno. But I wouldn't say you weren't gonna turn just yet." "Nick, there is nothing that you can do to me that hasn't already been done before. I will not turn," Tara stated. Nick laughed, "I'm not so sure about that. I have a very vivid imagination, ya know." Tara shook her head and looked out the window. It was daylight, and she wondered just how long she'd slept. Nick sat back down in the chair and stared at her. Tara tried to ignore him, but he didn't make it easy. Every time she moved to look in another direction, he would move to be in her line of sight. "What?" Tara said, getting annoyed at his little game. "I was just wondering," Nick said. Tara waited for him to finish, but he didn't. She sighed, "Wondering what?" "If you ever thought about us getting together after I came back," Nick said. Tara stared at him, "Nick, I love Brian. I'm married to Brian. I love you, but as my friend, nothing more. And why are you asking me that in the first place?" He smiled at her, "Cause I know how much you enjoy that feeling. And ever since I stepped in on that dream of yours, I've wondered what it would be like with us. Haven't you?" "No Nick, I haven't," she said flatly. "Come on, I know that you can't be satisfied with Brian. Not being able to share your whole self with him, and him not being able to elicit the feelings in you that someone like us can. I know you miss that feeling, I can see it in your face," Nick taunted. Tara was completely shocked. She couldn't believe he was saying this to her, thinking this. Nick came closer to her and grabbed her by the hair, pulling her to him. "I know that if I kiss you right now, that you'd like it, crave it," he whispered. Tara tried to push him away, but his hold wouldn't break. "Nick, don't do this. You're gonna regret it later," she said. He smiled, "So let me regret," he said as he bent down and captured her mouth in a slow, passionate kiss. Tara closed her eyes, the emotions washing over her. When Nick broke the kiss she looked up at him, a tear trailing down her cheek. "See, I told you. You want more, I can feel it," he said, grinning at her. Tara glared at him, bringing her hand up and slapping him across the face as hard as she could. Nick laughed at her as he rubbed his cheek, "Wanna play hard to get huh? Well we'll see how much you fight after we get finished with you." Tara swallowed hard, "We?" Nick said nothing but grabbed her and pushed her down on the bed. Tara struggled against him, but he managed to lock the cuffs around her wrists, attaching her to the headboard of the bed. Then he moved to cuff her feet as well. Tara tried to open the cuffs, but couldn't manage to focus enough to do it. Nick smiled at her, "That drug is a wonder ain't it?" "Nick, what are you doing?" she asked. "Me? Nothing, but I know someone that would love this," he said, then turned and left the room. A few minutes later Nick returned with Jered in tow. "Oh God," Tara said under her breath. She knew what was coming, and she knew she couldn't fight him. The drug had rendered her useless of using her powers. Jered walked over and sat down on the side of the bed, "Well well, what kind of mess have you gotten yourself into now?" Tara ignored him, staring at Nick, "Nick, please. You can't let him do this." "Oh now you beg," Nick laughed, "Tell ya what, you turn and I'll stop him." Tara rolled her eyes, "Nick, I'm not gonna turn." "Then I can't stop him," Nick said, walking over and sitting in a chair. "You're staying?" both Tara and Jered asked at the same time. Nick glared at Jered, "Yeah, you have a problem with it?" Tara caught the threat in Nick's voice, and looked at Jered. "Yeah I do actually," Jered said, standing up to face Nick. Nick looked at him, "Don't make me put you in your place in front of her. It wouldn't be good for your self esteem." Tara couldn't help it, she laughed. This only infuriated Jered more, and he turned on her, slapping her so hard that he drew blood on her lip. Tara looked over at Nick, but he did nothing. "Oh don't look to him for protection," Jered said, "As long as I don't kill you, I have free reign." Tara looked to Nick, and he nodded his agreement. "So are you staying?" she asked, hoping to get the two arguing again. Nick looked at her for a few minutes, then over to Jered. "Naw, I think I'll go find Evi. Don't think Jered would do his best if I was here watching anyway," he said, getting up. Tara's heart was in her throat, "Nick, please don't let him do this, please!" she begged. He turned and stared at her, "Maybe you'll appreciate me after you learn what true torture is." Then he looked at Jered, an evil grin on his face, "Have fun," and with that he was out the door. "Nick!" Tara yelled after him. Jered laughed, looking down at her, "Oh, this is going to be fun." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian stood in front of the windows looking out at the ocean. They had arrived late the night before, and everyone had been up since early morning. There were many �others' there with them, helping them get Lyn's extra house ready. They had taken most of the furniture out, and had installed a new security system, that allowed them to see the entire house from Lyn's living room. It was late afternoon now, and everyone was taking a break, except Lyn. She wouldn't stop working. That was how she was dealing with everything, to just keep busy so that she didn't have to think about it. Brian sighed, staring at the water. His skin was crawling and he didn't know why. He felt nauseous, felt like he was going to scream if he didn't get out of the house. "Bri, you OK?" Howie asked, seeing the pained look on his face. Brian didn't say anything, but turned and walked out the door, heading down to the beach. "What's wrong?" Kevin asked, walking over to the windows and watching his cousin head for the shore line. Howie shrugged his shoulders, "I dunno. He looked like he was gonna freak or something." "Well, shouldn't someone go out there and see what's up his ass?" A.J. asked from the couch. Kevin looked at him, "Bone, his wife is being held by demons and sirens, undergoing who knows what kind of torture. I think we know what's up his ass." A.J. sighed, "I know. Sorry." "Just give him some time alone for now. He'll talk to us when he's ready," Kevin said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian walked along the beach, still feeling like he was about to explode. He wanted to cry, but he wasn't sure why. His hands were shaking and he was starting to hyperventilate. He stopped walking and sat down, putting his head in his hands and letting the tears come. "What's wrong? What's happening?" he asked. "Tell me what you feel?" Tracy asked. Brian jumped looking over at her, "I really wish you'd stop doing that." "Sorry," she said, "Now tell me." "I...I'm not sure. I feel like I want to get away from this place. I'm going nuts and I don't know why. My skin is crawling, I can't breathe, I can't think....I just wanna scream," Brian explained. Tracy looked at him, "Do you and Tara still feel what the other is feeling?" Brain looked at her, horror in his eyes, "Yes." Tracy put her hand on his shoulder, "She's tough. Whatever they do to her, she will get through it." He stared at her, tears in his eyes, "I'm not so sure. This feels like nothing I've ever felt before. She's hurting, really bad." "I know," Tracy said, pulling Brian over and letting him cry on her shoulder, "I know." Chapter 37 |