The Collector

Dr Fielding helped Party to sit up. She frowned at how weak and afraid he was, especially as it had been partly her fault. The hypnotic regression torture had left him believing that he was only ten years old, reliving his most painful memories over and over and even though she felt foolish speaking softly and carefully to a grown man, she knew that she had to in order to help him escape.

“Now then, Gerard, how are you feeling?”

Party swallowed hard and nodded. He had grown used to being brave for Mikey’s sake and this felt like one of those times when he had to be grown up again.

“I’m okay.”
“Are you sure? I need you to be very brave, Gerard. Do you think you can manage that?”
“Yes,” he nodded with a little uncertainty.
“I’m going to get you out of here,” she nodded, hoping the confirmation would help him to accept that it was possible. “No one will hurt you any more, okay?”
“But… what about Mikey?” Party’s eyes flashed with panic. “He still has Mikey.”
“No, he doesn’t. Mikey's safe.”

Fielding shook her head firmly, desperately hoping he would believe her. Whoever Mikey was, she knew that at the very least he was not Korse’s prisoner too. She just hoped that Party would emerge from his regressed state before she had to tell him that she had very likely lied to him.

“Really?” Party’s expression lit up with excitement and happiness. “He’s really safe? Can I see him?”
“We have to get you out of here first.” She nodded, hating that she was lying to him. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” Party nodded enthusiastically.

Fielding turned to see the uniform lying in a neat bundle on the floor and Green poised, waiting to restrain the guard on the bed, once Party had moved.

“Thank you,” Fielding nodded, pressing the uniform into Party’s hands. “Come on, we don’t have much time. Gerard, I want you to put this on.”

Getting to her feet as Party began to don the uniform, Fielding turned to Green and pointed to the still open door through which the droid had emerged earlier.

“Where does that lead?” She asked hurriedly.
“Ultimately to the laboratories and the Memory Chamber, depending on which way you turn.”
“The laboratories I know, and I know how to get out from there.”
It seemed almost an afterthought and Fielding frowned deeply as she turned back to Green.
“Are you able to access the system and disable the cameras in here and en route to the laboratories?”
“Yes, I can do that,” Green confirmed. “It will take a few moments.”
“How are you doing, Gerard?”
“I’m ready,” Party replied rolling up the material on the sleeves a few inches and tucking it inside the cuff.
“Good. Green?”
“Done, all cameras disabled.”

*

“When they come out, make sure you don’t kill the prisoner!” Korse yelled as he and four draculoids reached the corridor housing Party’s cell.

A crackle on his communicator caught his attention.

“Yes?” He snapped.
“Sir, the last we caught before the cameras went off was they they were heading for the laboratories.”
“Excellent,” he smiled. “Dispatch a contingent of draculoids to the laboratories to cut them off. We’ll follow them from here. They’ll be caught in the middle.”
“Yes, sir.”

Korse drew up alongside the draculoids outside the cell.

“They’ve apparently gone through the other door to the laboratories,” he drew his gun, ready to fight. “We have draculoids there, we have their escape cut off. Open the door and let's get our errant doctor back under control.”

*

“So, Red Star,” Kami smiled once they had completed what to them had been nothing short of a banquet. “What clothes would you like to choose?”
“Well, I suppose…” Red looked at Jet for help, she had no idea what was reasonable to ask for. “I guess a change of shirt maybe?”
“Oh, bless you, you’re so sweet!” Kami grinned, resting on the arm of the sofa on which Jet was sitting, absently playing with his hair. “Jet, your sister is adorable.”
“It runs in the family, Kami,” Jet grinned earning a slight tug on one of his curls.
“Come on, my love,” she extended a hand to Red as she stood up. “Let’s see if we can’t get you kitted out. Kobra mentioned that you’re wearing everything you own and we can’t have that, can we? Us girls have got to have a selection of beautiful things, especially if we want to have tongues hanging out.”
“She manages that with what she has,” Kobra replied, flushing a bright red as he realised he’d not only said it out loud, but in front of Jet and Ghoul.
“Kobra,” Jet folded his arms as Ghoul chuckled quietly to himself. “I think we need to have a little talk, don’t you?”
‘Umm, yeah, okay,” he replied with uncertainty as a smirking Red was led from the room by Kami.

Kobra turned a glare toward Ghoul who had begun laughing openly now.

“Maybe I should voice my objections to Party about his choice in partner?” Kobra snapped at Ghoul, trying now not to meet Jet’s questioning eyes.
“Perhaps, Kobra,” Ghoul began, his laughter fading into a broad mischievous smile, “Jet’s concerned about your lack of subtlety? Or more likely, your reputation?”
“My reputation!” Kobra spluttered. “There’s nothing…”
“You’re not called the snake charmer for nothing, you know,” Ghoul smirked.
“Only you call me that!” Kobra objected.
“For a reason!” Ghoul retorted.
“Kobra,” Jet got to his feet, refusing to be ignored any further. “Let’s step outside, shall we?”
“Er… yeah, okay,” Kobra replied quietly.

The words sounded ominous and briefly the question of whether he should fight back if Jet decided to beat him up crossed his mind. He knew, deep down, that with his martial arts skills, he ought to win, but Jet threw one hell of a right hook and angry Jet even more so. Following him outside it was as if Kobra had only now noticed how much broader Jet was, and he found his fists clenching as Ghoul called after them.

“Don’t get into it without letting me watch,” he laughed. “I could do with a good show.”

Ghoul leaned forward and scoured the table for leftovers. Finding a few uneaten potatoes, he fished them from the bowl and sat back. He couldn’t remember feeling this full, ever. Closing his eyes, he didn’t even feel himself fall asleep.

*

“Jet,” Kobra offered his friend an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry, man. I didn’t mean…”
“Kobra, you did,” Jet spoke calmly. “You know you did.”
“No, Jet, really…”
“At least, I hope you meant it, because if you’re just messing with my sister’s feelings, I am not going to be impressed.”
“Oh!” Kobra appeared thoughtful, rather than worried. “Jet, I’m not messing with Red’s feelings, I really do care about her.”
“Ghoul mentioned your reputation,” Jet began solemnly. “I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that we’re all aware of it.”
“This is different,” Kobra insisted.
“How so?” Jet raised an eyebrow.
“Because I’d never do anything to hurt either of you,” Kobra’s expression now matched Jet’s for sincerity.
“Good, because if you do hurt her, I’ll break your legs. Deal?”
“Seems more than fair,” Kobra nodded, extending his arm to shake Jet’s proffered hand.
“So, when’s the wedding?” Jet asked, tilting his head.
“The… what?” Kobra’s eyes widened.
“You’re already backing out of this?” Jet growled angrily.
“No… I … oh, I guess…”
“Relax,” Jet chuckled. “I’m just kidding. Your face though!” Jet beamed at the now pouting man.
“Not funny, man!” Kobra grumbled.
“It is from where I'm standing!” Jet slapped him on the back as the two men headed back inside. “Go help her pick out some clothes, you know she’ll want your opinion.”
“Thanks, Jet, I feel much happier knowing you approve,” Kobra nodded.
“In all seriousness, Kobra, if my sister is going to be with anyone, I can’t imagine anyone better for her than one of my best friends. I'm happy for you both, dude.”

Jet took a seat on the sofa once more as Kobra walked toward the shop front to meet Kami and Red. Glancing over at the gently snoring Ghoul, Jet chuckled to himself - he had the right idea. Leaning back he allowed himself the same luxury of sleep.

*

“Hey, Kami,” Kobra called. “How’s it going?”
“Ah, your young lady has excellent taste.”
“Thanks,” Kobra beamed.
“I meant her taste in clothes, Kobra, sweetheart,” Kami laughed.
“I know,” Kobra grinned at the retort.
“I’m your young lady now, am I?” Red poked her head through the changing room curtains.

Kobra licked his lips as he admired Red’s mussed hair, knowing she had either taken something off, put something on or both.

“What? See something you like?” She asked teasingly.

Moving forward quickly, Kobra pushed his arms through the curtain and pulled her close, kissing her urgently. Within seconds, her hands were in his hair and around his waist pulling him closer until their hips met.

“Call me if you need me,” Kami laughed softly as she excused herself and returned to the living room in which Jet and Ghoul were both sleeping.

Only when he relaxed into the moment did he realise that his hands had settled on bare flesh. Raising one hand to run through her soft blonde hair, he sighed into the kiss as she ran her tongue across his lips. Delighted that she wanted him with as much passion as his own, he parted his lips, allowing their tongues to explore each other for the first time.
After a few minutes, Red pulled slowly back from the kiss, their lips almost objecting to parting as they hung on until the very last moment. Kobra’s eyes settled on Red’s as his lips curled up into a happy smile.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Red tilted her head.
“I thought I had,” Kobra grinned. “'Let me try again,” he added moving closer once more.
“Ah!” Red placed a finger across his lips. “A man of action, not words?”

Kobra lowered his eyes, taking in her pale skin, only now realising she was standing in only her underwear. He swallowed thickly as he tried not to react, but his eyes gave everything away.

“You really are beautiful, you know,” he said tenderly.

Running a hand across his cheek and down his sculptured jaw line, Red’s expression gave him the answer he was looking for long before she spoke.

“What can I say, Mikeyway, you’re like some sort of Greek God.”
“Oh? Which one?” He asked with a grin. “Adonis? Eros?”
“I was thinking Hermes, Divine Trickster and God of Thieves.”

Kobra’s grin fell into a lopsided smirk and he raised his eyebrows.

“Oh, it’s like that is it?” He asked, pulling her closer once more.
“You're a handsome man, Kobra, but you're hardly a subtle one.”

Laughing softly, Kobra ran his hands down her arms, pausing as he recognised a faded scar on her right forearm.

“Oh, I remember this,” he smiled. “You broke your arm in training. It was a nasty break too, it came right through your skin. You were what? Ten?”
“Eight,” she corrected.
“I was really worried about you,” he lowered his eyes. “And if I'm honest, I was worried I was going to get into trouble for letting you do it.”
“You didn’t let me do it, though. If I recall, your exact words to me were: ‘Don’t even try it, Scarlet, you’ll hurt yourself’. But being the defiant eight year old I was, I did it anyway.”
“Defiant eight year old?” He laughed. “When did you stop?”

Red thumped him playfully on the arm, pouting at the comment briefly, before running a thoughtful finger down the length of the scar as she thought back to the painful and frightening incident.

“I still don’t know how I didn’t get into trouble,” he shrugged.
“Because I told the Sensei that it was entirely my fault on the way to the hospital,” she replied.
“You risked getting kicked out of the class?” Kobra stared at her, stunned at her maturity at so young an age.
“Of course!” Red replied. “I couldn’t risk you being thrown out, could I?”
“You’re amazing!” He smiled.
“You visited me every day,” she smiled in return. “I knew you were special even then.”
“Are you going to tell me about these?” He asked running his fingers across another deeper, fresher set of scars over her left collar bone, noting that there were also some across her shoulder blade.”
“Later, maybe, now’s not the time. Do you mind?”
“Not at all, whenever your ready.” He replied in a comforting tone. “Once we’ve rescued Party and everything is good again, I’m going to give thanks that Candi turned traitor, because without her, you wouldn’t be here right now.”
“And we will rescue Party and everything will be all right again,” she replied squeezing his hand and placing a gentle kiss on his lips. “Now, help me choose some clothes. I want to look good when we kick some draculoid ass tomorrow.”
“Aren’t you worried what my taste in clothes might be like?”
“No,” she shook her head with a grin as she pulled on a close fitting, low cut, green jersey top with spaghetti straps and very little back.
“No,” he almost choked on the word as he admired how it clung to her, “we seem to have similar tastes.”
“Kami said I could have a whole new outfit,” Red beamed. “Can you hand me those pants, please?”

Kobra turned, and following the line of her finger crossed over to a rail of clothes with a pair of slightly stretchy blue acid wash jeans that were so faded as to be almost white.

“These?” Kobra checked before picking them up.
“Yeah,” Red replied. “Do you like them?”
“Yeah, they look nice,” he replied as he handed them over.

Watching as she pulled them on, his expression brightened. It was one of those moments when something looked nice on the hanger, but so much better when worn. The dip of the waistband skimmed the hem of the green top as it rested over her hips, the legs tapering like a second skin.

“Oh, yes,” he nodded his approval. “Are they comfortable? I mean, can you fight in them?”
There wasn’t a great deal of room in the changing area, but just to be certain, Red performed a series of high kicks and twists to test the stretch in the material. Not only did they allow very free movement but the fabric seemed to settle back into place without adjustment immediately after.

“Probably the comfiest pants I've ever had,” Red grinned happily, admiring them in the mirror.
“And the sexiest too,” he added, reaching for her again.
“Ah, ah,” she wagged her finger. “I need to pick out a jacket.”

Red headed for one rail as Kobra looked at another. Rifling slowly through the items, Kobra pulled out a bright red jacket, not dissimilar to his own, holding it up to get an impression of how it might look.

“Think again!” Red cut through his deliberations.
“What? It’s nice!” He protested.
“If you think we’re wearing his and hers matching jackets, you are mistaken!”

Pushing it back onto the rail, Kobra frowned, it was a nice jacket. Continuing along the rail without finding anything else he liked, he turned to find Red already wearing a dark green and cream biker style leather jacket that nipped delicately in at the waist, with padded ridges along the bottom and small zips at the cuffs of the sleeves.

“That’s the one,” he nodded approvingly.
“Yeah?” She asked, pulling her boots back on to complete the outfit.
“You look stunning!”
“Let’s go thank Kami and show Jet!” She said enthusiastically.
“Maybe keep your jacket on,” he commented as he followed her back to the living room.

*

Unaware that both Jet and Ghoul had fallen asleep, Red practically bounced into the room, excited to show everyone her new clothes.

“Kami!” She cried. “What do you think?”
“Oh, sis, you look lovely!” Jet opened his eyes to see Red turning around with her arms stretched out.
“Beautiful!” Kami replied, her eyes and smile wide with appreciation. “I thought you’d go for the green top. It looks gorgeous on you, my love. Slip your jacket off, let me see it properly.”
“Er… well…” Kobra began, but Red was already removing it.
“Perfect!” Kami clapped her hands together.
“What the hell is that?” Jet suddenly cried in surprise as he saw how revealing the top was.
“What? Would you all quit staring at my battle scars, they’re nothing to be ashamed of!”
“That’s not what Kobra’s looking at,” Ghoul chuckled.
“Oh, shut it, you!” Red scowled at the tiny troublemaker.
“Scarlet! You know what I'm talking about - that practically non-existent top!”
“This little thing?” She asked cheekily with her hands on her hips.
“Little is exactly the word!” Jet fumed.
“You know he likes her, and knowing his rep you still thought Kobra’d pick out something sensible? You're an idiot!” Ghoul reasoned unhelpfully and to Jet’s annoyance.
“It is sensible!” Red argued. “There's no way this'll get in the way of fighting.”
“There's not enough material in that to get in the way of anything!” Jet fumed.
“There’s nothing wrong with it!” Red insisted.
“Well, it’s not my area of expertise,” Ghoul tipped his head as if considering something, “but shouldn’t they be covered?”
“Yes!” Jet agreed. “And with more than bits of string!”
“Well now you're just being rude about Kami’s clothes,” Red pouted.
“No, the clothes are lovely,” Jet sounded a little sheepish, but held his ground, “but that’s far too revealing.”
“I love it!” Kobra piped up, risking Jet’s wrath.
“So do I,” Kami agreed. “It’s very popular this season.”
“Well, there you go, Jet.” Ghoul shrugged. “It’s fashionable.”

Jet turned an expression of frustration toward Ghoul. He had thought, just for one fleeting moment, that Ghoul was on his side, but he should have known better. Ghoul was only being his usual irritating self.

“Did I ask for your opinion, Ballet Boy?” He snapped, earning only a chuckle from the shorter man - it seemed he had got the reaction he’d been aiming for.

“I wouldn’t let Party hear you say that,” Ghoul warned.
“Why? Is he going to beat me up because I teased his boyfriend?” Jet mocked.
“No, but he might take offence himself,” Ghoul mused.
“Ghoul?” Kobra cut in in a warning tone.
“I’ve known him since we were kids,” Ghoul shrugged. “Where do you think we met?”
“Ghoul!” Kobra yelled. “What the fuck?”
“What?” Ghoul threw up his arms. “I’m not taking this ballet flak on my own!”
“Party trained in ballet? And you knew!” Jet was pointing at Kobra and laughing hard now. “Of course you knew! Oh, you are not getting away with keeping that a secret!”
“He didn’t want…” Kobra began.
“What?” Jet interrupted him. “He’s already a diva, this probably explains why!”
“Hey!” Ghoul pouted. “I’m not a diva and I did ballet!”
“No, but you are smitten with one,” Red laughed, enjoying the moment.

Ghoul smirked, glad that attention was now diverted from him and was firmly on the outed secret, as brother and sister laughed raucously at Party’s expense.

“See!” Kobra complained. “Happy now?”
“Delirious!” Ghoul grinned in reply.

Notes

Hello, lovely readers! I hope you're still enjoying this. Extra length chapter this time because I was having a lot of fun and there didn't seem to be a good break before the one I went for.
I hope you like it!!

Thanks again to my lovely friend Clarissa for more background on Red and a couple of cracking lines!!

Sas xx