Whatever it takes

[Lovely]

October 23, 2008
10:30pm
Veinna Estate
Follows: A New Champ

The ride back had been less than joyous even with her so close. How was he going to explain what she'd seen? How was he going to take care of that bit of business on the other end of her life? Why was he thinking he needed to take care of that at all? Something about her kept Rory's mind ticking in strange ways all the way back. The static between the boys seemed contagious, too even as Caleb sewed Marc up and kept him quiet. The news that he would live was strangely a mixed blessing. His antics had stirred up enough trouble to take weeks to fix, but it seemed for the moment he'd been punished enough for it. The static wasn't imagined when they'd been poured out at the service entrance to get Marc out first. The spark was sharp, but probably just dry air. Somehow he knew better when his fingers again sparked as he helped Wesley out of the car to bring her in the front. He'd waved the driver off. Everyone was out and for the moment they were alone at the entrance like the whole place belonged just to him. After locks and alarms were undone, the silence and expanse of the room around them both seemed uneasy, strange, and charged. "Hope you don't mind holing up here tonight. I'm sure you must be exhausted. We have a guest room ready if you're tired," he offered, though he didn't want her to be alone.

Wes was speechless as Rory led her into the house, she had to work to keep her mouth closed and not gasp at the lavish interior and impressive exterior. "It's like a castle." She whispered softly, not really meaning to say that as she turned in a slow circle to take in the spacious foyer. She realized a moment later that Rory was talking to her, asking her something, which she nearly missed. Wes turned and nodded sort of numbly before finally blinking, she laughed nervously. "Um sure.. " She seemed hesitant and blushed, looking scared but like there was something she needed but didn't want to say.

She seemed to be scared, maybe worried about the boys with the way she looked around. "Don't worry. The others've got things under control a while without me. Mitch is probably back now, too. You hungry? Want a drink? We didn't exactly get to finish the ones we started back there. Help calm you down a little?"

"No thank you." She muttered quietly, feeling near tears and turning her face away and down, it was humiliating to have to ask and at his reminder about the others, she was even less inclined to voice what she needed.

"Okay... no food, nothing to drink? You sure? Maybe just lay down for a bit and let the night stop spinning? I'm a little dizzy from smelling the boys all the way home and I'm not even...," he almost said feral like it was part of everyone's world. It probably wasn't part of hers, at least not yet. "Buzzed.. um. Okay so, what can I do to help you feel at home?"

She just shook her head still not looking at him, the way he kept going on about the others made her acutely aware that they were somewhere in this massive house. This was not her home or even the bulldog's, it was unfamiliar and daunting.. overwhelming. How could she tell him what normally happened at home? He was so different.. the bulldog had money but nothing like this. Wes felt like she was an ugly stain in and otherwise pristine place. "Whatever.. that's fine." She murmured quietly, agreeing with whatever he suggested so she wouldn't have to tell him anything.

"No, whatever is not fine," he chuckled uneasily, trying to get her to open up a little to him. He leaned closer, looking around where she had and not seeing anyone at the moment. He held his fingers a short distance and tried again. "A little drink? Something that will help you sleep?"

She kept her head mostly lowered but tilted it up a little to look at him, shy, timid.. scared. She was used to being lashed out at, not reached out to, she really wasn't sure what to do with herself and she was scared of what he would think of her if he knew. "I don't want to tell you." She finally whispered, feeling the tears burn her eyes and start to slip down her cheek.

[Lovely]

"Wesley? Okay you don't have to tell me, but I want you to know that you -can-, okay?" She was about to cry. The kind of tears that were fought hard against and she seemed to be losing. Was she that scared? Scared of him, the estate, or something else? "How about... I want you to tell me. I want you to feel comfortable here."

"I'm sorry." Her head tilted a little more, he'd see her blue eyes shimmering with tears and the ones that glistened her cheek. "It's.." She started but then bit at her lip, still not wanting him to know how dirty she was. "It's.. sort of.. an odd request.. " She began again but wasn't getting too far in actually telling him what it was. "Some things.. for me to sleep."

"Oh? I'm sure it's not that odd," he said, trying to reassure her still and keep her talking. "My mind is aflutter with wonder. Might not be a good idea to let it flutter on its own. Good imagination and all. Go on."

"Oh.." He was being so nice about it, he was going to think she was a filthy freak. Better to get it out and over with so he could get her out of his nice house. "Well.. one thing is.. I'm not allowed to wear anything to bed.. to sleep, I have to sleep naked." She stalled by giving him the lesser of the two details.

His jaw dropped a little as a few of the flutters became a lot clearer in his mind than a moment before. Not odd at all. He grinned but tried not to. "Pity.. I uh.. I mean sure. Sure, that's not a problem here," he said, a bit of a shrug to assure her further that it wasn't a big deal. "Is that it?"

She managed to give him a soft smile as he reassured her but that wasn't the worst of it and she knew that she had to tell him the rest, only she wasn't sure how. "No.. umm." Her hand brushed her cheek and she realized she could sort of show him. "The bulldog was always worried that I'd run away.." She used the nickname Rory had for her 'boyfriend'. "He um.." Wesley took a deep breath and put her hands out in front of her, crossing her wrists. "Can you tie my hands to the headboard?" She cringed as she asked, feeling like a huge weight was being crushed down on her.

He gave her a strange look, wrapping her hands in his and pushing them down gently. He needed to sit down. Not just his thoughts were fluttering now. He offered her a seat first. "No.. no... um.. come over here and talk to me."

She looked down at the floor again as she stood there, apologising for asking him and feeling so ashamed. "I'm sorry.." Her blue eyes welled with tears again, she was able to mostly blink these away.

"Oh.. no no no.. hey... c'mon... what are those for?" He reached out again, this time to keep her from turning away. He tried to catch her chin, keep her gaze. He spoke even softer, trying not to echo. "I didn't bring you here to make you a priso-... is.. is that what he does? He makes y-... damn, what a sick f*ck. I'm sorry, I meant him, not you. No one should do that to you."

She wrapped her arms around her middle, not able to look at him, she nodded her head as her cheeks burned with shame. She felt kind of sick to her stomach, but not like she'd actually throw up. "I can't believe I even..asked you to do that.. I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking.. "

[Lovely]

"Hey, no, it's okay," he said softly, reaching for one of her hands from her waist and trying to calm her. "If... if you want m-... I can't believe I'm saying this," he paused, shocked to hear the words come out of his own mouth. "If you want me to do that... whatever you want. You are my guest... anything you want, okay? Just name it."

"How about you tie her up and I'll take a go at it," Marcus leered, coming up to the foyer, still swollen and bloody, but mobile.

She didn't even flinch or looked shocked at Marcus's words. She looked away from Rory again, softly murmuring. "Wouldn't be the first time.." The bulldog had on occassion made her f*ck an important client or guard in need of a major reward. Of course she was tied or held down for such things, but she wasn't a stranger to being forced or used.

Rory turned at the sound of Marcus' voice, almost feeling ill himself. "Why aren't you in bed? You're broken and useless until that arm heals. Off duty and off your feet. That's a direct order."

"Bite me," he snapped, his lip curling in feral style, snarling at the man and working his shoulder and feeling he could work a few other things to make him feel better. "I saw the doc, chief.. gave me some shit for the pain. Let me take her for a while. I'll stay in bed as long as you want."

"Shut it or cut it, Marcus. She's a guest. My guest and you keep your eyes and hands off, you hear me? Get up to your room and stay there. I'll put Mitch outside your door with a gun and ripped bloodbag if I have to."

She cast a sideways glance at Rory, but didn't turn, waiting ans expecting him to hand her over to the other man, to be his plaything for awhile. Her head turned sharply at his words, staring slightly shocked at Rory, as he denied the other man's request and 'defended' her?

"Ooo.. well aren't you Mister White Knight," Marcus chuckled, his eyes heavy-lidded from the obvious pain killers. "Don't let him fool you sweetheart. He's a killer just like your boy back home, ain'tcha Ror?" He chuckled and rolled off the door frame where he leaned on his good arm. "And in case he doesn't tell you himself... he sucks in bed. Come see me and I'll make you go home happy."

She turned towards Marcus and a flash of anger sparkled in her stunning blue eyes. But she smiled, her lashes veiling her eyes a little, a comehither look on her face and inviting stance. "Is that so?" She all but purred. "Why don't you come give us a taste.. just so I can compare.. " She puckered a kiss at Marcus, inviting him to come closer for a real one. Her fingers stroking lightly at the low revealing V of her top.

"See that Rory? She knows the better man... oops.. I mean the only man in the room. If you'll excuse me, Sunshine, I think your prom date has a dance with me now."

Rory watched her reaction to Marcus and caught the subtle change. He'd felt the small spark in the car and now he nodded, stepping back. "Yep.. you're right. What was I thinking. Hope you'll have a nice time," he layered on with sarcasm and his hand going toward the intercom on the phone table as he stepped back. The button pressed, he barked into it, not taking his eyes off of Marcus or Wesley. "Mitch?! Front room please."

The corners of her mouth twitched and she took a step toward Marcus. "Mmmm hmmm.." She reached for him as if to pull him into an embrace, but as her hands slid one to his cheek the other on his arm, her eyes seemed to glow. She imagined to some thing horrible and then let the feeling it would induce flow from her fingers into him. She wanted him to suffer the agony of it long enough to bring him to his knees and possibly imobilize him awhile.. if not a swift kick in the balls would work.

[Lovely]

"That's what I'm talkin' about, Rory. See, she likes m-...," he started, curling into her fingers and reaching to curl his where he wanted when he was stopped short. Marcus turned pale, nearly green. "Wha-... nnnn... no...," he winced, unable to pull away from her for a moment as whatever it was washed over him. It wasn't an embrace, but seeking to have her hold him up as he seemed to stumble in weakened panic. "No, stop it... I can't do this. NO... Get them off of me!!!!!!!!" He was suddenly screaming and pulling away from her, brushing at what seemed to be invisible animals, not small ones, leaping at him.

"What the fu--- fraggin' hell... Wesley... what...?" Rory whispered, looking at her then at Marcus who seemed to be wincing in deeper pain and stumbling back to the doorway.

Wesley looked up to Rory as Marcus stumbled away, at first looking pissed but pleased that she'd given him the 'taste'. But her expression turned fearful and worried, wrapping into herself again, she started for the door. "I'm sorry..I shouldn't have.. " She assumed he'd be angry with her as Marcus 'freaked', for using such gifts on one of his 'own'.

Rory laughed. "I'll pay you to do that for the rest of the night," he whispered to her, though Marcus' hearing likely picked it up if he wasn't preoccupied.

Marcus slapped and slung clenched fists and grabbed at the unseen foe, rubbing his chest and arm and shoulder as he appeared to be bitten repeatedly. The medicines from the boys downstairs must have amplified the effect somehow. In a whirl of aggravated fury, he transformed in the hall, howling loudly as he felt the phantom 'bite' on him again. His shirt was tatters and his wolfen maw chased after nothing and tore at only himself.

Wes spun at Rory's laughter, her eyes widening. "Y-you're not angry with me?" She asked with uncertainty, her eyes looking more worried as Marcus shifted, she took a step toward Rory then, eyeing Marcus with some fear.

"No, of course not, why? I just wondered... so I don't make you mad and get that myself. Ignore him and let him chase his cock around. He gets like that all the time. He can such his own dick for all I care... no really.. he can."

It dawned on him suddenly that she'd seen Marcus alter form and whatever she'd done wasn't normal. "Wait... y-... you're... oh we definitely need to talk. As soon as Mitch gets back, alright?"

She nodded in agreement, still wrapped around herself, watching himwith curious and still worried eyes. "Of course.. we'll talk.. You're sure.. you're not angry?" She glanced around, for this Mitch and keeping a cautious gaez on Marcus.

Mitch was up the stairs and in the front room, hearing his name spoken in vain. "What.. what did I d... what the hell's wrong with him?" He stopped short, dodging the tumbling dervish that was Marcus whose furry and furious form bolted past him. "Oh.. OOOhhh," he said, looking at Rory, then Wesley, connecting the events from earlier that were a fog in his mind as he continued to calm from his lusted state. His eyes were still flaring visibly red in the dim hallway as he came in closer. Clasping his hands and smiling, he nodded to the lady, then offered Rory a wink. "A guest. How nice. Welcome."

[Lovely]

"Wow.. kind of alot of people around here.. are you all family?" She asked looking from Rory to Mitch, she presumed and then smiling softly. She slowly uncurled one arm from her middle and reached a hand to Mitch. "I'm Wes.. I think I'm with him.." She teased a bit, feeling more at ease without Marcus in the room and getting a good vibe from Mitch, despite the red flare of his eyes.

"Lucky bastard," he said out loud, offering her a solid, warm and friendly handshake. "Well if you're with him, that means I'm on watch from the sound of that call. Where am I going, boss?"

Rory chuckled at the family comment. "More than I think you want to know. C'mon," he started when Mitch decided be polite. He rolled his eyes at the 'boss' comment and slapped the man's arm with a quick rap of his fingers. "Ehht.. you saw what happened to him, didn't you?" He warned teasingly. "Yes, you're on watch - him. Keep him in his room and if you have to.. hell, if you want to, shoot him." He said it off the cuff, part serious and part teasing, though a much smaller part, not realizing how it might have sounded to her, especially after Marcus' comment. He backpedaled a little. "Just keep him sedated. Tell the boys he needs something stronger to knock him out, got it?"

Mitch accepted the warm handshake, feeling calmer and strangely curious, though he didn't know why, which made him more curious. He blinked at Rory's statement for a moment as he let go. "Right... sedated. Okay, yeah."

Wesley quietly watched the interaction, seeming to fade into the woodwork as they spoke, used to having to keep out of the way. She chewed her lip and quietly looked around the beautiful house, what part of it she could see.

"Are you okay?" Rory slipped behind her, a hand on her shoulder, comforting and gentle. He whispered to her ear, "This room is like grand central. Would you like to see upstairs where you can stay as long as you like?"

Mitch backed away, giving the two of them another odd look and a nod of obedience that sent the crimson and brown swirling in his gaze. As wolflike in his manly appearance as the wolf that had left the room before him, he exuded the air of the duty and protective nature assigned to his post, moving off after the beast as he was directed.

She smiled softly and nodded, glancing around again. "Sounds good to me.. better than standing in the foyer all night.. though it's probably bigger than my apartment."

Rory grinned and offered a partial laugh that was more apology than anything else. He'd pulled her far out of her element and now he needed to make up for it. He slid his arm around her waist and laced into her fingers that still curled there, leading her to the stairs. "Relax. If you want to talk, great, if not, that's great, too. If you really want..need... absolutely anything, I want you to tell me.. ask... deal?"

"Relax said the nightman.." She murmured softly the line of an Eagles song. "There's alot to take in.. sort of a very.. different kind of night for me.. I mean this place is impressive, but even without that.. tonight is alot.. you know?" Her fingers felt his and a little smile played on her lips as she grasped his fingers back and leaned into his shoulder lightly.

[Lovely]

"You can check out any time you like...," he countered with another line and he turned to tease her, but was caught off guard by the appearance of the genuine smile. It was small and she snuggled into him as they walked, but he stopped on the stair. "But... please don't leave." The sound was soft and if she didn't have her ear to his shoulder and chest at that moment, she might not have heard it.

Her foot paused as it came down on the step, ready to push her up to the next. "One thing at a time.." She whispered in reply to his last, her ice blue eyes seeming to deepen with sparkle as she reached up to brush a soft sweet kiss to his lips.

It was a quick kiss, and witnessed on at least two cameras there on the main staircase. As such, Rory pulled away gently and nodded, "Right. One thing at a time. Sorry." Yeah, he'd pay for it later if the boys were watching the monitor, but he didn't care. They brought her home... what did they expect... but he wasn't giving them any more of a show than that. "Sorry," he said again and curled around her a bit for her to lean the rest of the way up the steps to a room toward the far end of the long hallway.

"Stop saying you're sorry.. I don't know what you're sorry for.. but knock it off okay?" She gave a less warm smile, one that was more light and brief, though just as genuine as the one she'd shown him a moment before. She stayed curled to him, worried about many things and taking comfort in his warmth and closeness.

"Hmm... you sound like someone I know, but I can't quite place a finger on it," he teased, trying to remain light. Usually he was the one stop others' apologies. "How about... 'sorry' I didn't do this months ago when I first saw you? Alright. Hope you don't mind the decor too much. The view is nice at least," he said, opening the door to his room that may as well have been a guest room for as much time as he spent in it.

She stepped into the room looking around and then stopping and turning towards him, waiting for him to close the door. "What do you mean.. should have done this months ago when you first saw me?" Her voice was softly questioning, how long had he been thinking of getting her away from the bulldog and was this planned?

He gave her an apologetic but wordless smirk. Maybe he shouldn't have said anything. The wink would hopefully tell her that he had secrets to reveal, one at a time, but right now he'd not worry her with them. His voice chimed in on another topic as he stepped across the room. "Come check out this view. City lights are pretty nice from out here."

She folded her arms and regarded him as he stepped across the room, she didn't move yet and tapped her fingers on her folded arm. "I'm sure they are.. but what does a girl like me care about the view? The view never been for me." She shrugged, her eyes moving along the lines of his shoulder and down his side.

"Humor me," he smiled softly, holding the door open to the small balcony a moment before slipping through it himself and out of her view for the moment. She'd hear a clink of metal on the railing and a slightly further--away.. "Please?"

Looking down at the floor, she bit her lip and took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders a little she walked slowly out onto the small balcony. Hovering at the doorway and looking hesitantly around for him, she lifted her hand slighty and murmured softly. "hi."

"Hi... up here," he chuckled, watching her as he lay on a flat part of roof over the door. "The view is better with someone to share it with... want a hand up?"

[Lovely]

She turned and gave him a curious stare. "Oh my goodness.. " She chuckled nervously and pulled her lower lip in to lick it before letting it come back out. "Umm, promise not to let me fall? or push me off?"

"I promise," he smiled, pointing to the bench and rail where he'd climbed up like he had for thirty years, holding his hand out to guide her up. "And thanks."

Looking down she held up her finger in a 'one minute' gesture, Wes bent down and slipped her stappy and very high heels from her feet before moving with her now bare feet to climb up on the bench and rail. Though her skirt was pretty short, she still shifted it higher to give her legs more ease of motion and then reached for Rory's hand as she balanced on the rail. "Well this is not something I do everyday.." Her chuckle was slightly nervous.

"Maybe it should be. It makes you laugh. It's pretty," he said softly and honestly. "Okay.. just a bit more, got it?"

"If you drop me.. " She warned lightly, giing him a look that said she was kidding but scared and her eyes whispered how much she was trusting him at the moment, beyond the obvious. Her fingers tightened around his hand and she pulled herself the rest of the way up to join him on the roof.

"Wouldn't dream of it," he insisted, sitting up as she adjusted beside him and settled her nerves. "So what's the secret password? I mean... hideout like this," he teased, leaning way over the edge and looking around like he might fall, though he was securely holding on. He looked back at her and winked, "I mean... unless you know the pass, I may have to throw you off. I'm kidding and don't panic, okay?"

"Keep it up.. I might have to push you off.." She chuckled and tried her best to pull her skirt down to cover her legs, though it did little to hide her slender stems. "Maybe you should just tell me the password to be safe?"

"Hmm... nah, I don't think I can do that," he shook his head, teasing, watching her attempts to cover her legs though he tried to pretend he wasn't. "You can give it your best guess though." His dark eyes seemed to warm up the cool ledge as he looked in hers from close up.

"I guess you'll have to throw me over.." She said softly, giving up on trying to cover her legs, the skirt barely covered her upper thighs, her blue eyes lifted to his and she smiled gently. "I have no idea.. what the password would be.."

"I'll give you a hint... it starts with...," he said, leaning closer to take her mind off her legs, bringing himself closer for a kiss.

Her lips were soft and almost shy as she kissed him back, feeling something in the kiss, when for so long all she'd felt was cold, control, and harsh or brutal force.

His lips tingled for a moment like his fingers had in the car. Whatever it was, it was a good feeling and tasted warm like safety and security. He pulled away, liking his lip a little from the spark. "Close enough," he grinned. Someone might be falling, but it had nothing to do with being thrown from the roof. "Better with someone share, huh?" He smiled and nodded to the view, though he looked less at it than he did at her, watching how her eyes shown and reflected the far away glimmers.

[Lovely]

She shrugged not looking at the view and turning to him. "I don't know.. never seen this view before.. but I think I like it.." She wasn't talking about the view and more about the man who was close enough to feel the warmth of his body.

"So... for that 'one thing at a time'.... what comes next? A room with a view, a secret password... "

"An explaination.. the answer to the question I asked before you changed the subject. Good job on that, though.. very nice distraction."

"Oh.. um...," he smirked and watched her eyes. "Nothing much about it, really. Just... I dunno... saw you there a couple times and decided there had to be a reason that I noticed. Sooo... I looked into your bulldog a little more and wondered ... what the hell a jewel like you would be doing in a corroded setting like that," he shrugged, looking off toward the city.

"Oh.. I see, did you find the answer to your questions?" Her tongue ran over her lips and she looked down to the shingles of the roof, withdrawing slightly.

"About him? More than I wanted to know... about you... not so much," he said, looking for something to focus on on the horizon, feeling himself get fidgety. He looked back at her, his gaze washing gently as if to hold her in tender embrace, but fearing touching her at the moment. "I don't mean it to sound like that... it was accidental, really. He's an assignment.. a promise now... someone we need to 'take care of' ... business dealings and what have you, but you...," he shook his head. "I wasn't looking, so you were a surprise really... and I'm glad. Glad I didn't take care of things right away. It gave me some time... some hope," he smiled nervously and it faded it quickly.

"Yeah well he's a... not a very nice guy.. and me.. once upon a time I was a nice girl. Now I'm just property.. trash... a punching bag.. whatever is convienent or suits his mood." She shrugged, not daring to look at Rory really. "Hope.. for what?" Now she glanced up at him, but then quickly looked away.

"You're still a nice girl... in a f*cking bad situation," he said plainly, pulling a fluff from his pant leg and tossing it to the wind. "And the 'hope' part is me probably having a moment of extreme stupidity. I could have gotten us both killed tonight, but it was worth it... that was the 'thank you'... and for coming out here. The boys will drive you home or wherever you want to go if you don't want to stay."

She bit her lip gently and looked out to the distance, not even noticing the gorgeous view as she blinked away the tears, she knew she was going to pay.. soon as the bulldog noticed she wasn't where she was supposed to be.. and Rory was at least half right.. he'd probably kill her or make her wish he did.

"And you have a safe place for as long as you do stay. Tell you what. It's cold up here and you're not really dressed for staying long up here. It's in the open and all, not that anyone will see us up here, but... you know," he said, gracefully sliding around her to the ledge to ease down to the rail to help her down.

She nodded slowly and looked at him once he was lowering down. "But as soon as I step off these grounds.." She shrugged and then brought herself to the edge to lower down.

"No 'but'... you're safe. Free... you don't ever have to go back there or worry about him."

"Free.. what the hell is free? That word isn't part of my vocabulary.. You'll have to refresh my memory on what that means." She laughed, but sounded as though she was on the verge of tears, turning back toward the doors into his room.

[Lovely]

"Being able to say what you want.. what you feel... what you think... wear what you want... go where you want and not fear... that... is being free," he said slowly, coming in behind her, securing the door and closing the slats of the wooden shades over them. Rory stepped around her gently to secure the door to the hallway, locking it as well. "But we can start slowly, okay? No cameras in here.. no microphones, no bullshit. No one sees in, no one comes in and the walls in this place are pretty thick. If you want to curse a blue streak and talk down every guy you've ever met... go for it. No one here will say 'boo' about it or touch you or make you fear... I promise. When you're up to it... the door unlocks from the inside. Let yourself out... check out the house. Let the boys know if you're going outside, though. That's would be a nasty surprise, but not because you've done anything wrong.. they're just well trained. Except Marcus, but we hope to have him off his papers soon."

Wesley listened to him, but his words didn't sink in very deeply, for someone who had been forced to live like she had, it would take more than words for her to believe. She watched him as he moved around, nodding slowly and looking a little lost, her fingers played lightly at her lips, eyes taking in more of the room's detail. "Just like that.. huh? Sounds so easy doesn't it?" She didn't know whether to sit or stand, she had nothing to wear but the sleazy outfit she'd had on all night.

Rory hadn't wanted to overwhelm her or scare her. He'd done his best to comfort her and he was comforted himself knowing she could handle herself against the likes of Marcus. He was likely the worst threat in the house. Keeping her safe from her employer would be a rougher task but he promised to himself and to the air between them that he would look after her. She deserved so much more. If only he could help her see it. "Just like that," he said, flashing a quick grin and realizing she must be freezing sitting out here. "C'mon. Still up for the rest of the tour?" He offered his hand, keeping watch for any 'effect' she might have on him as well.

She chuckled a little, nervous still and afraid but she didn't want to feel like that, Rory was different. Wes smiled a little and shrugged. "I don't really have anything else to do.. unless you have some sharp sticks and we can go poke that jerk with them!" Her eyes darkened in shades of blue with her anger, but washed away to icey and bright as her gaze shifted back to Rory. "I mean.. hi.. sure I'd love to enjoy some more of your charming company.." She pulled her lip in between her teeth and took the hand that he offered, gently wrapping her fingers around it and stepping closer to him, nearly leaning against his shoulder.

"That'll take a lot of sticks... wait.. which jerk?" She'd met several though he assumed she meant Marcus. Then again the bulldog could use a few whacks with a bat, himself. A wider and gentler smile offered up as he realized she called him charming. "Don't do that," he chuckled. "It'll all go to my head and then you won't know what to do with me.... though I'm likely to give you some suggestions. There.. that's nice, huh? Hey, are you hungry at all, yet? How about that drink since we kinda had to leave ours behind back there?" He tried again, wondering if the fresh air had helped.

"I don't know. I'm not allowed to eat after 10 and it's got to be after.. I'm - I'm on a very strict diet." She explained and then sighed, feeling the not too distant past tug on her. "I might be a little too nervous for anything to eat.. anyway." She tried to cover but it was pointless to make excuses. "Sorry.. just an eventful night.. and alot to figure out... and.. wait.. I meant it.. you are charming.. and handsome.. and.. and I think I kinda like you.. which is wierd and nice cause I haven't really liked anyone in a long time." She blushed at the sudden admission and turned her face away, feeling the heat in her cheeks.

A rare moment. He was briefly speechless, letting her flush fade. "Hey, how about something to settle our nerves anyway, c'mon," he offered quietly. "We can have it brought to the room so we can relax, how about that? I'll have a tray brought up. Cognac? Martini?... Cocoa? I wouldn't want to be accused of liquoring you into a coma. How about some of our wine? Can't get it anywhere else, hm?"

Oh god they even had their own wine?? She'd heard the name Veinna before and had heard plenty of rumors... but seeing this place and being here with him. Was it real or was this just a dream? She shook her head gently, her eyes drifting back up to his. "No.. it's okay.. I'm fine... really no need to go out of your way.." She wasn't used to anyone being so nice, even in just simply thinking of or considering what she might want or need. "Do you think alcohol is a good idea?"

"Not going out of my way," he smiled. "If I were, we'd be going to the kitchen. We're not. We're staying right here. And this gig is coming off and we're both going to relax... if... that's okay?" He tugged a little at the smokey t-shirt.

"Sure it is.. whatever you want to do.. I'm kinda along for the ride and trying not to be too much of a disturbance." She motioned back toward the roof where they'd been. "Though.. I think I kinda screwed that one up already with your.. friend." This time her hand motioned toward the door and out into the house where the altercation with Marcus had happened.

[Lovely]

"Friend? Which... what friend was that? Anyway, you haven't done a thing to worry about," he reassured, though he wondered. It was definitely safest for her in here. "If anything, my boys caused the disturbance tonight, definitely not you. Likely to dock them both a couple month's pay for grandstanding like that, too."

"I meant.. what did you call him, Marc? But.. I shouldn't have.. and you shouldn't.. punish him." She shook her head, putting her other hand on his arm, she knew all to well about punishment. "Boys.. will be boys.. and in that enviorment.. come on it was an underground fight.. not like it was tea with the prime minister or something.."

"It was more than that... you saw it. Even for an underground fight they should know better. Means there will be a lot of cleaning up to do. Too many people there -saw- what happened, but who knows how many -know- what happened, or what they think they saw. They were careless and we can't afford careless," he muttered, losing the smile a moment before beaming it back at her. "Oh well... job security, I guess. And no, it was nothing like tea with the PM. The PM doesn't have a sense of humor like our boys. "

She stared at him a moment with her eyes a little wide, hardly believing that he didn't seem at all upset about what she'd done to Marc. He seemed only concerned with what people had seen, it was just so strange yet she understood it in a way. "You.. you've had tea.. wow.. really two different worlds, huh?"

"I like this world better... right here where I can take my shoes off," he confided. "Would you like tea? We can do tea. He doesn't have a sense of humor, but he has this riduculous sense of gift giving and our finance group in London was swimming in tea bags all last Spring. They shipped us a crate, a -crate- of the damn stuff. I dunno. Maybe he does have a sense of humor, but I don't get it."

"It seems like a nice world." She admitted, looking around his room a little, but not too much. "I'm really okay.. I don't need anything.. to eat or anything. Really.. besides it's after 10pm.. " She just kind of shrugged as she reminded him of her earlier comment about not eating.

"Okay... I didn't ask about need. I asked about something you'd like. I can be anything... seriously, anything for -you-. What sounds good?"

"I can't.." She said softly, a bit sadly as if she wished she could. "I'm not allowed to eat anything this late..and I'm kept on a very strict diet, anyway.. " She reminded gently, maybe more telling herself she couldn't than telling him, the way she'd been treated and for awhile now.. she was used to being controlled. She glanced at him but her eyes were kept lowered most of the time.

"Not anymore," he said softly, waiting for her to realize he was watching her and wondering if she realized how serious he was in intending to keep her away from where she'd been. "You -can- here.. if you want to wake up and have nothing but the marshmallows out of the cereal box... like Tyler... or grill a steak and have french fries.. it's yours. Anything... or nothing at all, but not because you're not allowed to have anything, just if that's all you want, okay. You're not going back to that life, Wesley. You don't belong there." He wondered if she really understood yet how much he was going to insist on that, on her not ever going back to that life again.

She looked up at him, finally lifting her gaze fully, but her expression was nearly wistful and her eyes shone softly. "It must be nice to be able to believe in things like that happening." She sighed, blinking at the sting of tears that threatened yet again. She couldn't believe how much she'd been crying tonight and that Rory wasn't angry at her for it. She shook her head. "He's not just going to let me leave him... you don't understand what he's like, what he'll do.. and you can't risk your family. I'm just his wh*re.. it's never been by choice, at least not mine.. but that's what I am.. I'm his property.. a furnishing.. just one he likes to use and show off alot."

[Lovely]

"Believe, then," he said after a moment, knowing arguing would only upset her more and saying nothing was building a fury inside him already. He leaned down a bit, seeing eye level with her for the moment. "Believe me...," he whispered, hoping to catch a kiss before she turned away.

Her hand came up and soft fingers cupped his face as she gazed longingly into his eyes. "I .. can't let you.. if you or someone you loved got hurt because of me.. I can't ask you to take that risk." He was so close she could feel his warm breath and she wanted so much to kiss him, even leaned into him a little.

He sighed and pulled away quietly. "You're not asking me, I'm doing it for myself. Since I saw you the first time... saw who you were with, what he was doing...," he shook his head. "The risk is worth it, by the way," he offered as he turned to slide off his shoes and set them out of the way in the closet. "Slavery ended over a hundred years ago, but some people seem to forget that."

She'd hoped somewhere deep down that he would have kissed her, just so she could feel and believe in something different for a moment. "I didn't mean it like.. I'm sorry. He's just cruel and viscious. I didn't want to bring trouble to your door." She apologised softly, feeling like she offended or hurt him somehow by not simply jumping in head first. She followed him toward the closet, seeking to make up for her wrong. She'd tried to protest his wishes, but she'd learned to be quite submissive and it wouldn't really take a whole lot for him get her to accept what he wanted. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"Sorry? Why? He is all of those things. But, 'trouble' already lives here... and comes home to roost every night, don't worry about that. Hm... rose or vanilla?" He took a box down from the shelf before he turned around to find her right beside him.

"Sorry.. because.. I.. didn't do as you wished.. I offended and upset you.. I didn't mean to. " She stammered over her explaination and licked her lips, waiting for some kind of reprimand or punishment, her head tilted down. When she realized he wasn't going to hit her, she slowly lifted her gaze again to see him holding a box. His question confused her and she glanced from his face to the box and back again. "Rose or vanilla?... whichever you prefer.."

Oh this is going to take work, he sighed inwardly. "I'm not upset and it takes a hell of a lot to offend me. Incense... got a little something to go with it to help take my edge off, you're more than welcome to have some. I like them both... that's why I have both. How about rose?" He grinned and reached to the vase by his window, pulling a white rose from the loose arrangement to give her.

"You're not upset?" She glanced at him sideways and tilted her face up some, offering a bit of a smile, her eyes seemed to dance in the light reflected from the lamp in the room. "Rose is fine.. incense helps you take the edge off?" Her lips curved up a little more at his words but when he offered her the rose it was as if her entire being glowed with happiness at the simple gesture. She held the flower in a delicate grip and brought it under her nose to catch it's scent. Her laugh was a tiny delighted sound and she spun towards him, looping her arm around his shoulder and bringing her lips to his in offer of a sweet kiss.

The kiss caught him a little off guard, but he was quick to hold her. "Mmmm... I might like rose better," he considered, chuckling and offering another kiss, not intending to shy away this time.

She caught herself by surprise with the 'outburst' and trembled a little as he held her, surprised again when he offered another kiss, one she happily shared with him. She took her time, savouring the contact and lingering as long as he'd allow in the kiss, not wanting it to end.

[Lovely]

Mitch had followed Rory's scent back up the stairs as he came back with his report. He was used to coming in unannounced, but maybe he should have knocked this time. "Yo, Ror... Marc's left the bui-.... whoa.. um.. hey," he paused, stopping short inside the room, realizing the interruption. "Right, so, maybe I'll just go back down and write the report.. it'll be there in the morning."

"Uh huhn." Rory's attention didn't turn toward the source of the interruption, but he paused long enough to acknowledge him. Speaking more to the woman in his arms, he gave the simplest of instructions. "Morning's fine. I'll be down when I'm down, don't get me in the morning."

She held back the giggle as they were interupted and shyly tried to hide her smile from him, wanting to pull him into endless kisses for days and days. Her heart was fluttering and Mitch faded away before they were even done speaking, the tall dark handsome man who held her close was all she focused on.

He heard Mitch step away, and nodded toward the door. "Did I mention something about being in the open? I'm sure I did... didn't I? Let me get that locked and barricaded before anyone else gets any ideas," he grinned, not letting her stray too far from his embrace.

"You did.." Her smiled started to fade, thinking again that she'd done something wrong, but he grinned and she was confused, he kept her close and did not appear angry. She swallowed and bit her lip before looking at him again and speaking softly. "What.. if -we- get ideas?" She was starting to relax ever so slowly but it was alot of back and forth as she wasn't used to being able to simply be.

"I've already got ideas. See? Shoes off... maybe add a little music... a little rose.. mmm yeah, a few ideas," he nodded as he got the door locked then turned to offer her everything on this side of it. "Please... be my guest."

She winked at him, feeling a giddy giggle bubble up. "I am your guest.. and you should be yourself comfortable.. it's your place.." She stepped back into the room, her gaze sweeping around more. "So.. are you going to give me the full tour? Show me the best sights and places to hang out?" She asked with a hopeful smile that wavered slightly, she was still unsure but trying to be brave.

"The best? This is it. Well, the quietest and safest, at least for right this minute. I honestly will give you a full tour, but not tonight. Please, have a seat anywhere you like... I mean it... anyplace that looks comfy to you." He chuckled, passing by her to set up the small hearth. The room was large like the house itself would indicate but looked as though it saw little attention, more like a hotel room itself with a warm, but not terribly 'lived in' feel. "Cool night... fire?"

"Actually.. if you.. could I.. do you have.." She motioned to her clothes, looking embarrassed now at the skimpy 'hooker outfit' that her bulldog had made her wear. "Something that is remotely comfortable ..if it's not too much trouble.. just a shirt or something of yours or the butler's would do.." She played nervously with the low cut top that hid little of her fine attributes.

"The butler's won't do. Henry's a stuffed shirt and ... no offense, but you'd stuff his a little too much. He's... um... nevermind... tee shirt okay?" He pulled his attention away from staring and pointed back at the closet.

[Lovely]

Wes nodded and brought a thankful smile to her face to show him it was appreciated. "Umm.. not to be picky.. do you have a button down.. maybe.. I can work with that a little more.. "

He smiled, "Thank you." A specific request was a step in the right direction. He turned and dug one out for her. "How's this?"

She wasn't sure why he thanked her and didn't reallly give a response to that, she did nod when he held up the shirt and started to lift her hand to take it from him, but hesitated. "Are.. you sure you don't mind..?"

He shrugged. "Of course not. Why would I mind? Wash room's in there if you want to freshen up, change when you're ready." Rory gestured with it to the closed door and again offered the cover-up to her. "You're the guest.. I'm the host.. I'm ... hosting."

"This.. all feels.. weird.. I mean.. you're being so nice.. and I really can't remember the last time someone was nice.. truly nice.. I'm not sure I know what to do with myself.. do you think you can help me out with that?" Her fingers curled around the shirt and she smiled softly at him. Wondering how in the world she could ever be normal again.. or if she could.

"Mmmhmm... I think I can," he nodded, following the shirt as she took hold of it. "First... relax. I'm the one person in this house that doesn't bite."

"Relax?.. oh.. I'm not sure I know how.." She chuckled but it was sadly true, how often had she been able to let her guard down in the past few years.. probably not at all. "So.. do you have step by step instructions for that?"

"First... you breathe, then do it again, change into this and come sit down, or lay down, or stand.. dance and sing if you want... just remember to breathe," he said quietly, moving closer.

"Breathe.. what if I forget?" Her smile was soft and a little shy as he came closer, her eyes lighting up. "What if something.. takes my breath away?"

"He'll give it back," he offered in a soft breath. "This... is called relaxing,"he indicated, letting the shirt go from his fingers to sweep her up into a lingering and uninterrupted kiss.

"Promise...you'll give it back?" She whispered, meeting him in the kiss, his shirt slipping from her fingers to the floor as her arms rose to wrap around his shoulders.

"I'll think about it. I might just take it away again if I do," he chuckled. "Think you took mine away a while ago."

She kissed his lips again, lightly. "I don't know how I managed that one.. " Words were lost to her for a moment and her eyes teared up a bit, she was a little overwhelmed by him. Wes leaned against him, chest to chest with her arms wrapped around him. "I'm scared Rory... I don't know how to be anything.. I'm not even sure if I'm a person anymore."

[Lovely]

"You're a person. A scared, lonely, lost person, but we're going to fix that. First, by letting you dress like something other than a farking Barbie doll. I mean, I love the outfit, but on a mannequin, not a human. I'll be here, take your time, okay?"

"So.. you don't like Barbie?" She snifflled a little as she pulled slowly away from him, wiping the corners of her eyes. "Is it alright if I take a quick shower?" She motioned towards the bathroom he'd pointed out earlier and glanced down at her outfit again.

"I like Barbie - I'd like to thank Barbie... for giving me all those dreams I had when I was 10 and GI Joe just wasn't doing a thing for me," he teased, reaching to dab her cheek. "Of course it's alright. I'll just be out here, okay?"

"okay.." Her hand lifted to curl around his at her cheek and her eyes closed for a moment as her face tilted to his fingers. "I'll be right back." She promised and then let him go, stepping reluctantly away to freshen up and change.

He waited for the door to close and started to do the relaxing thing himself. It wasn't the incense itself, but a habit when he smoked, getting a box down off the shelf to get started. It wasn't going to be much, not with the boys' antics from earlier making him stay a little on the alert side, but just enough to take the edge off. The incense was started and the pipe filled and set by the bed where he sat down, deeper in thought as he glanced at the washroom door. Leaving the pipe unlit, he slid back on the pillows, staring at the ceiling and listening to the water run, absentmindedly working the buttons of his shirt.

She wasn't long in the bathroom, two minutes to peel away the tight fabric, a few minutes under the warm water to lather and rinse, finding his products lined neatly. She broke down a little in the shower sagging against the wall and letting the tears flow for a couple of minutes, letting the fear and tension wash away to a point with the soap suds that disappeared down the drain. When the bathroom door open the tranformation was stunning, from Barbie to natural glowing beauty. Her long dar hair, let loose and flowing in curls and waves over her shoulders. Her torso was no longer squeezed and held by the binding contoring outfit and now sat naturally, the curve of her hip more graceful and her chest full and high, looking somehow larger in his shirt than in the 'hooker wear'.. Her legs and feet were bare and her skin silky smooth, marred by a few bruises that couldn't be hidden. Wes crossed with swift graceful movement to the bed, watching Rory as he relaxed there. "Thank you.. I feel a little better... this feels alot better." She motioned to the shirt that covered her to her thighs and was not fully buttoned to allow her comfort and movement.

"Looks better," he admitted, though the bruises caught his attention. He tried to ignore them for her comfort. Sitting up, he moved over to allow her a spot to rest. "Come on up here... or there's a chair by the desk if you want," he motioned, his gaze landing on the pipe a moment. "That too, if you want. I was going to, but.. I mean.. are you allergic or do you even like it?"

Her smile returned, though not a full one, it was there and lighting her face softly. "I think.. if you don't mind too much.. I'd like to stick close to you for a bit.." She sank carefully down on top of the blankets, near him and rested back against the head board carefully. Some of the marks on her were 'fresh' and still hurt and there were some pains that had no visible bruise to show where it lived. To someone with Rory's particular experiences he might see how she moved like someone who had been beaten awfully badly more than once.. in her case the bulldog roughed her up daily and put her in a bad way at least monthly. She'd been in the hospital a few times as well, but mostly he was just very rough for the sake of being that way. "I haven't smoked in.. ages it seems.. another pleasure that I'm not allowed to indulge in.. I'd probably be a total light weight and it might make me really sleepy.. but no.. I'm not allergic or anything and I don't mind at all if you wanted to."

[Lovely]

He observed the rigid movements and the caution as if she might break, but knowing the man and his tendencies to play King of the Hill, he suspected she wouldn't break, though they'd likely tried a few times. "That's okay. Maybe the rest will help you ... ," he left the 'heal' off.. he'd said enough. "Rose is nice, huh? Not as pretty as you are. This is much better. More real."

She nodded, leaning forward genlty to rest her arm over her bent knees. "It feels better.. I almost forgot what I look like under all that.. it's nice.. very nice to not have to get all made up and dolled up to go to bed... it is completely ridiculous sometimes." She tensed slightly right after the words came out, almost expecting a backhand for speaking her mind or even having an opinion on something she'd not been given permission to have one about.

"He makes you... before you sleep?" Rory was aghast. He had three sisters who would hardly stand for getting dolled up for a wedding let alone. "Not sometimes, that's an 'all the time' ridiculous, if you ask me. Not to mention, it tastes terrible."

"Yeah well so is being tied to the bed post while you sleep.. but that didn't stop him.." She murmured half under her breath, her jaw working in a bit of anger at the man for all the things he'd forced her to suffer. Her fingers plucked in absent frustration at the bedcover.

"Hey... hey, Wesley, it's okay. There's none of that here in this room. Not with me, okay? Come on back here," he offered, reaching for the pipe and the match that waited beside it and offering her to curl up closer and share it with him. "Nothing that you don't want to do... that's how it's supposed to work."

"It's not okay!" She snapped a little, looking at him with a sharp flash of anger in her eyes that faded immediately away as it was not meant for him. "I'm sorry.. I'm sorry.. You're right.. but the way it's supposed to be and the way it is.. " She shook her head again, taking a deep breath. "Maybe.. I could use a little.. untensing.." She nodded toward the pipe and tried to smile and make up for snapping at him. She longed to curl up next to him and feel safer than she had in a very long time.

"Sure thing," he said, defensively stiffened, though not upset. He was wary, prepared if she decided to start lashing out or try to run out, shoes or no shoes, since the house was still on a general alert as it was. He reached behind his head and struck the match on the rough underside of the headboard, pulling it back in a practiced manor to the pipe, letting loose the stinging sweet fragrance that rode over the scents of smokey roses in the air. He took the smallest hint of the first smoke, letting it smoulder a little before handing it to her. "Definitely a better world here," he sighed out a moment later.

The puff she took was small and cautious as she didn't lie when she said it had been ages. Her head nodded in agreement as she held her breath a moment before slowly letting the bit of smoke back out and handing the pipe back.

"Doing okay so far?" His arm flowed around her shoulder as he took another puff himself. There wasn't much in it, but enough to get them working well toward relaxation. "You wanted to see sights? I may have just the thing," he mused a moment.

She turned to take her turn when he was done, her hand reached up to rest over his as his arm came around her shoulder. "It's alright... I think I'm good here.."

"I think so, too," he smiled, exhaling away from her then turning back to rest a light kiss to her cheek and her neck. "Very good. Only a little left... help yourself," he offered her the last before it burned itself out as he nuzzled her gently.

[Lovely]

"You're sweet." She spoke softly, giving him a little smile at how he offered her the last instead of taking it for himself.

"I'm not all sweetness and light... please..."

"Gosh I hope not.." She said in all honesty, sweet and nice were good, but she didn't want somone who was too good or squeaky clean or spineless, not that she thought Rory was any of that.

He sighed and explained, a bit. "Gambling, hookers... though it looks like I'm slowing down or stopping one of my vices." He motioned to the pipe again to share with his guest and even offered a line or two later if she was bored.

She was wary of Marcus still.. and the others in Rory's family because she didn't know them and had been taught not to trust anyone. "Is the door locked?" She asked softly as she paused before deciding on whether to take some more.

"My door is always locked when I'm entertaining." He grinned a lillte more.

Wes smiled at his reply. "Does that make me the entertainment or you the entertainment?"

"Yes..." He smiled then took the last hit that she'd declined. Rory exhaled away from her, pulling her close to 'steal' a kiss.

Sweet, indeed. The smoke had helped her relax a little more and she gently returned the kiss. She gave him a few extra to go with the one he 'stole'.

The effect of the smoke only sweetened and relaxed him into the kisses more, adding a few more, taking a few more and finding himself hungrily curling and twining, wanting more, but not wanting to scare her or make her feel that's all he wanted. She was amazing, but he couldn't help himself, feeling safe and warm with her there.

She eased gently into his twining limbs and curled back with him, her lips staying on his, responding just as hungrily to him. Wes wasn't normally one to act in such a way, having not really been with any one in this way, she'd been with the 'bulldog' for so long. Sometimes it seemed as if she could not remember what life was like or what she had been like before he came along. Rory was different making her feel something.. alive inside.. wanted but not like a piece of property, the way the bulldog had.