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Shackled Ch. 01

By: Story_Spinner



Special thanks to my wonderful partner, Fish_Tales.

Chapter 1

It had begun nobly, as with most things that eventually become corrupted. The Earth had been heating up, so greenhouse gases needed to be reduced. There was widespread poverty and illness. Food was in limited supply. Governments had decided that the best way to manage this was through the use of carbon taxes that would limit the use of carbon and encourage the development of alternative energy sources. Drugs were to be used sparingly and rationing was implemented. Land for the production of food was appropriated. In some cases, whole nations had been appropriated.

Energy companies, pharmaceutical companies and food producers had become the most powerful organisations in the world.

Now, citizens no longer knew if governments ran the world or if corporations did. They had become entwined. The boundaries between corporate and government had become blurred. Information was controlled. Citizens struggled to live any aspect of their life without government or corporate interference.

The Global Energy, Health and Food Management Council (GEHFMC) had become the most important body in the world. The IMF reported to it. Even the United Nations reported to it. Energy, health and nutrition were the most important issues on the planet.

No one could supply any fuel, drugs or food besides governments and major corporations. They had licences that were acquired with huge fees. The money was, of course, recouped from consumers. There was no "leakage".Unauthorised supply resulted in swift apprehension and punishment. 

Severe punishment.

Global consumption of these essentials had been reduced, but only for the poor. The minority rich used as much energy, drugs and food, if not more, as before. 

Cars were rare and little-used by the general populace because of the metals and energy required to produce them. It was worth almost a year of the average salary to buy a bottom range one. And that was if you could afford to run it. 

Houses? Forget it. Houses had long ago been out of the reach of normal people. Now either the Government or corporations owned all of the new building developments and suburbs. Anyone who had owned a house before the change was a multimillionaire. The problem was if you didn't have a high enough regular income to service your energy, health and food requirements, then you were forced to sell it anyway.

To the government.

Because cars and houses were so expensive, everyone lived close to their workplaces. The government and large companies controlled the whole population.

This was life as it was now. Everyone accepted it. The present generation had known no different, but there were still people who remembered what it was like to have a car, or a house or natural food. 

Special Police Forces patrolled the streets. 

In 2040, life wasn't much fun.

If you were alive.


***************

The Glock felt heavy in his hand. It was old, but it was his favorite. Polymer frame. Ferritic nitrocarburizing. It wouldn't rust.

He was racking his brain, trying to work out how many rounds he'd used.

Eleven? Twelve?

He could check, but he didn't have time. He had to make it to the dumpster. 

Or he was dead.

Assume twelve. That means three rounds left. I've got to make it to the dumpster.

He took a deep breath.

The Package was at his feet. That's what he called him: The Package. No point getting personal. They wouldn't know each other for long. He might even be dead soon. Who knew? No point being on a first name basis with a corpse.

"Get the fuck up," he said. "We have to make it to the dumpster. Can you make it?"

The Package was breathing heavily. He was out of condition. He nodded.

"I....think....so," he said between gasps.

Fat fuck.

Why can't they send me to get someone fit for once? Even just healthy. Someone who could at least run more than ten meters without throwing up.

"Well don't think so, know so," he said. "When I say 'three' we bolt for the dumpster. And...."

"....and what?" asked The Package. 

"Don't expect me to fucking carry you. If it comes down to you or me, it's me. Do you fucking understand?"

The Package nodded, his face red with exertion.

The rain kept coming down, a steady drizzle. The slick blackness of the bitumen looked treacherous in the dark, but they had to make it. The police weren't far behind.

Here goes.

He tightened his grip on the empty bottle in his hand.

"One....two....three!"

He threw the empty bottle twenty metres down the alley and high into the air. He pulled The Package to his feet by the collar and turned and ran in the other direction.

As fast as he could.

The bottle smashed as it hit the bitumen. 

Run.

Fast.

Thirty meters to go.

No gunfire.

Yet.

Twenty meters.

Nothing.

Yet.

Five meters.

He made it. He was behind the dumpster. The Package lumbered towards him and made it too.

Good.

That's why he trained. If he got out of this alive, he would never again procrastinate about getting out of bed to train. Jessica had always complained about the amount of time he spent training. He always told her that it was about being prepared. 

For this.

She didn't complain anymore.

She was dead.

Stop thinking about her. You have to get this fat fuck back and collect your money.

That's all you should be thinking about.

Fat fuck. A bit of alliteration. Poetry under gunfire. Had to be a book in that....

Stop fucking around, Hansen.

There were still no shots. No footsteps. Just the rain dripping off the dumpster, into the puddles in the bitumen. Just the heavy breathing of his alliterative companion. The Package. The fat fuck. 

Maybe I've lost them.

Yeah, right. Or maybe they're getting into better positions.... 

He bent down on one knee and checked the gun. The Glock had three rounds left.

So, he'd used twelve.

I need to get out of this alley. 

There were three ways out. The way he'd come in was one. He wasn't going back that way. There was also the end of the alley. 

Too far for The Package.

There was another right-of-way that ran off the alley. He didn't know where it lead, but he did know where it would lead if he stayed here.

Dead.

No more kisses from Jessica.

Jessica's dead, forget about her. No more drinking. No more dingy dives to sleep in. No more shit jobs.

Get a grip of yourself, mate. That's your life. Get over it or lose it.

He had to make it back. Not to much admitedly, but at least it was something.

His breathing had returned to normal. He looked up and down the alley. There was no movement. That didn't mean anything, but it was promising.

Maybe they'd been scared off. He'd taken one of them down. He didn't know if he was dead.

Fuck him.

If they could get to the right-of-way, then they had a chance. There were only two of them left following and there were three ways out. 

You're a gambler. 

Thirty three point three percent chance of picking the right answer.

Recurring.

He got up from his haunches and poked his head up slowly from behind the dumpster. 

Nothing.

Right.

Now is the time.

"Right, we're nearly there. When I say 'three', we're outta here. Get it?"

The Package looked up and nodded. He couldn't suck in enough air to speak.

Hansen counted down in his head and yelled, "Three!"

They took off.

His legs pumped hard, but he trained hard. He could keep it up.

If he wanted to live.

He turned around the corner and into the right of way.

It was clear! And he was only thirty metres from the main street. 

People. Crowds.

Safety.

He turned around. The Package was making a good fist of it, but there was still some distance to go. He pointed the gun down the alley. The Package ran past him and he waited a couple of seconds, the gun pointing down the alley. Then he turned.

Run!

He bolted for the end of the lane till his lungs felt like they were filled with burning sulphur. He passed the fat fuck, but he kept running.

He made it. It came out next to a transit stop. He leaned against the aluminium and glass shelter. He was sucking in big breaths of air.

The Package collapsed onto his knees beside him.

They were alive.

"What....do....we....do....now?" gasped his running companion. 

"We catch the bus," Hansen said. "Unless you'd like to walk?"

He smirked at The Package.

And I can get rid of you and get paid.

Fat fuck. 

Shackled Ch. 02



Ten long years of her life had been eaten up by her work and what did she have to show for it? Nothing. Emma hugged her black parker closer to her body, shivering as a gust of wind hit her small frame. Under a dark hat she'd stuffed her hair inside and tugged it low, ditched her reading glasses and dressed herself in a pair of jeans that sported several tears in them and a t-shirt. Nothings screamed 'look at me' which is just what she wanted. 

This was a far cry from her 'comfortable' day to day life, she thought wryly. She'd been the brain, the one everyone depended on, specializing in pharmaceuticals. Young and naive, she'd been striving to make the world a better place...a place where drugs could be affordable again and the sick could be cared for once again. Forget this rationing. The general public would have a way...some hope. 

That was weeks ago...2 weeks and 3 days to be exact when she had gotten word of the true plan behind the work she had plunged herself into and walked away from the company with a disk hidden in the safety of her bra. Her bra! Anger had bubbled over and then panic. She'd only copied her data in hopes of finding out the big picture of the corporations plan. Then she would have to find the cure...ironically, a cure in which she had been working on to begin with.

"They'll hunt you down like a dog, Em." Simon had warned her when he'd gotten wind of her plan.

"I can't let them get away with this." She'd argued back, "Imagine it! Men, women and children are rapidly dropping like flies...if this gets out. If it's what I think it is the populations will dwindle further. And then what? Hmmm? It could be your kids, Simon. Your wife. I'm not going to let that happen."

And hung they did. The Special Forces were everywhere, questioning, scanning. Living in constant state of fear and nerves was exhausting. She hadn't eaten or slept in days, traveled through the seedy, dark alleyways of the city and stayed to herself. No contact with friends or family. 

Prim and proper little Emma Hopson...a fugitive. She almost laughed out loud at herself. Nerdy Emma who usually had her nose stuck to a computer screen or her eyes fixed under a microscope. What did she know about the streets? Not much, but she was damn proud of herself for doing this well for this long. However, hunger and fatigue were getting the best of her. She wanted out of the cold and into the warmth.

Eying the small bar ahead, Emma looked around quickly and made her way over, holding onto her hat as another gust of wind picked up. Her stomach knotted with nerves as she peaked into the small establishment and 'casually' took a gander around the place. No Special Forces, just your average drunks.

Walking in fully, she headed to the restroom first in hopes of warming up her hands under some hot water and taking care of some basic hygiene before drowning the cold inside with something alcoholic.

****

Hansen had dropped off The Package and received a tidy sum for it. "Fat fuck" was actually a dissident leader who'd informed on his own group to the Special Police Forces. The shed where he'd handed him over was full of angry looking people. There were saws, hammers, electric prods....

It didn't look like fat fuck was going to have a very pleasant night.

Fuck him.

He stood outside the shed, on the edge of a pier. The black, oily water was calm below him, the rain droplets making dimples all over its surface. He took the fake badges off the sleeves of his shirt. Poor old fat fuck. He'd thought Hansen was government, come to get him. He placed the badges in one hand and squeezed them up. He leaned back and pitched them into the water.

Selling out your mates wasn't a good idea. Especially if they find out. Hansen had been sold out by one of his own. 

And he'd found out. 

The motherfucker didn't live to regret his mistake. He'd died with a grenade in his mouth. "Cat got your tongue?" was the last thing Hansen had said to him before his head had disappeared in different directions.

Now it was going to be fat fuck's time. Fuck you, fat fuck.

He smirked. If he'd asked for payment by the kilo, then it might been an even more lucrative job.

You're a card, Hansen.

But as he looked down on the water, his look was grim. There was no humour in his eyes. He turned away from the edge of the pier and looked towards the lights of the city.

"I need a fucking beer," he muttered, and strode away from the shed.

It's your funeral, fat fuck, and I'm not going.

*****

Hansen headed to his favorite bar. He only had two rules when it came to bars; they had to be dark and they had to serve beer. It made it pretty easy to find one.

No point limiting your options.

Here in the concrete facades of the city, the wind collected and funneled down the streets. Hansen pushed against the irregular cold gusts of wind, the rain driving into his face like icy pin pricks. His cheeks were going numb.

Nothing a beer or three won't fix.

He went through the doors of the bar and into its warmth. There were a few people in there, mainly the usual drunks and a few desperate couples engaged in stilted conversation and furtive touches.

People.

If it weren't for the fact that their fuck ups provided him with a lucrative income, Hansen could quite easily live his life without people. Since Jess, he hadn't had to interact with many, besides for business transactions.

And that's the way I like it, he thought.

He strode to the bar. The bartender had thick forearms, thicker biceps and an even thicker neck. There was still muscle under there somewhere, but he was doing a good job of hiding it. A few more years and the camouflage would be complete and perfect.

The bartender grunted at him.

"Liam. What'll it be?"

Hansen raised an eye back at him.

"Let's try something different tonight," he said.

"Ok, a beer," said the bartender without waiting. He threw Hansen a clean bar towel that was folded next to him.

Hansen wiped the rain off his face and head and placed the towel back down on his bar.

The bartender placed a beer in front of him.

"Better pull me another one, Carl," Hansen said to the bartender.

The bartender looked at him, no sign of humour.

"So it's gonna be one of those nights?" he said.

"I reckon," he replied.

He picked up his glass off the bar and decided to take a seat there. It was safer. Henry was not one to banter and he was closer to the beer. He had a pocket full of money and bar full of booze.

What more could I want?

****

The bathroom was dimly light, but thankfully it was small and had a lock on the door, prohibiting anyone else from bursting through. She hoped anyway. The single light bulb ahead flickered, threatening to plunge her into darkness. Emma only wished she could hide out so easily, but took what she could take.

The warm water made her sigh as she rinsed off her hands and squeezed the last bit of soap from the soap dispenser and worked up the lather, washing her face and blotting it it dry with the last remains of rough cheap paper towels. 

Feeling moderately human again Emma made short work of finger combing her hair and twirling the long length of it up on top of her hair and stuffing her baseball hat back on - a loan from Simon upon her 'escape'. 

Patting her back pocket, making sure what little cash she had managed to take out of her account and the disk were still safe and sound. "Okay...you're good. Time to get a drink and something to eat."

With a deep breath, she studied herself one last time and then pushed open the bathroom door, stepping through it. Low mumbles filled the air as people talked, drinking and exchanging...whatever it was they were exchanging. Thankfully, the bar was empty...apart from one man. She studied him a moment, shifting nervously and then pushed forward, sliding onto the a bar stool as one hell of a big man came lumbering over. "What will it be?"

"Um..." Damn...she drew a blank a moment and stared at his thick neck, blinking slowly. "Irish coffee? Yes...Irish coffee and do you have any food?"

She rarely frequented bars and something told her this joint didn't pack anything nutritious, but again, she would take what she could get.

The big man studied her a moment until she found herself tugging at her hat and drumming her fingers against the the top of the bar. "Never mind."

"No worries sweet cheeks, I'll throw in a little something. Looks like you need a little meat on your bones." He said, making her flush self consciously. Moments later a large bowl of nuts and pretzels appearance and Emma almost moaned with delight. Yeah, it wasn't fancy, but it would fill the gnawing hunger in her gut. 

"Thank you." She mumbled softly and tossed half a handful into her mouth, chewing with purpose. 

****

Hansen was on to his third beer and Carl would keep them coming for as long as he wanted. The familiar buzz in his head was there to distract him from his life.

A woman came and sat beside him. She was wearing ragged jeans and a baseball cap. Unusual, but not too out of line for the place they were in. He felt his space invaded.

Why the fuck do you have to sit here when there's plenty of room everywhere else?

"Irish coffee? Yes...Irish coffee and do you have any food?" she said. Her voice was cultured and he could tell she was educated. She didn't belong here and that got his radar pricking up a little.

Oh, he thought, one of those.

He looked across at her while she was dealing with Carl. She was pale and slender. Underneath her baseball cap, he could see some wisps of brown hair. He was looking at her in profile, trying to be surreptitious, so he couldn't get a full view of her, but the view he did have was a good one.

Probably some rich wife slumming it. Occasionally he ran into one of those, looking to see how the other half lives.

And fucks.

Then they could run off back to their sugar daddies, content that they'd done something daring. They probably all sat around drinking champagne at lunch and recounting their exploits with those from the "other side."

Hansen had fucked a few in his day. Sort of his way of giving the finger to the privileged.

Geez, you're funny tonight, Hansen. The finger....

He wasn't in the mood to engage tonight, but she grated on him. It wasn't her fault. Everyone did. Talking to people or listening to them was like running his fingernails down a blackboard, uncomfortable and something to be avoided.

He drank his beer and held his counsel. Carl could handle her. He nodded towards the bartender who nodded back.

Code: another beer on the way while I handle the rich bitch slumming it. He had known Carl for a long time and they didn't need to speak. It was like there was telepathy between them. Carl had many skills. Some were useful. Some were dangerous. He and Carl understood each other.

He waited while the bartender handled his new client. He saw him bring over a bowl of nuts and pretzels and place it in front of the woman. Then Carl walked to the tap and pulled him another beer.

He felt good with the money he had and the alcohol was making him feel loose.

He couldn't resist.

"Never had anyone order food in here before, Carl."

Carl looked at him with a face that said: now, whaddya wanna start talkin' like that for?

"Yeah," continued Hansen."Food and an Irish Coffee," he said mockingly.

He took another large sip of his beer. The woman was eating her nuts and pretzels and doing a very good job of ignoring him, but he could see her jaw clenching. She was also looking ahead way too intently at the shelf of spirits to have not heard him.

He chuckled to himself.

If I can irk one rich, self-satisfied bitch tonight, then I've done the world a service.

"Carl," he said. "One more....and hold the coffee."

You are a card, Hansen, he thought, a real card. 



Shackled Ch. 03



Thank you for all your feedback. It is always welcome -- good or bad. And a special thank you to my partner in crime, Fish_Tales -- you have been a joy to write with!

*

Emma wasn't entirely sure why she had chosen the seat right next to the man at the bar. Perhaps because he seemed normal compared to the rest of the group in the joint and was lost in his own thoughts, or so she thought.

Somehow, her presence seemed to irritate him, but Emma had her plan in mind, eat, drink and get the hell out of dodge until she could find someone to help her plight.

Soon the big lug named Carl scooted her coffee her way. The liquid sloshed slightly over the rim, but she didn't care. She needed to warm up and perk up her senses a little. Carefully she took a sip of the hot liquid and closed her eyes a moment, relishing the hot coffee and liquor that burned a path to her belly. Nothing had ever tasted so good after the hell she'd just gone through.

"Thank you, Carl." She told the bartender sweetly and flashed him a small smile, which earned her a snort from her bar stool companion. She stiffed slightly and after another long draw on her coffee, she turned her face to his, hoping she looked braver than she felt.

"I'm sorry, have I offended you in some way? Because correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe we even know each other." Turning back to her meager meal, she threw down some more nuts. What a state she was in. She had no change of clothes, no other money, no jewelry to pawn...she'd kill for a little lip balm and some mascara. It was the simple things. Instead she was stuck next to some jackass who was coming close to being a heckler.

****

The black cars cruised silently into position and their electric motors were switched off. The LED sign at the front of the bar said "Carl's Place."

There were six cars. Two at the front entrance. Two at the service entrance at the rear of the building and there was also a car at either end of the street. The cars were unmarked, but it was unmistakeable as to what they were: Special Police Force.

SPF.

The door of the car closest to the bar's entrance opened. A uniformed man got out of the car. He was dressed in black. He was part of their elite apprehension squad. He walked over to the other car on the opposite side of the entrance and tapped on the rear window.

The window noiselessly slid down.

The man inside the car was dressed in black. His silver hair was a sharp contrast to the black of his uniform and his small cap.

"Yes?" said the man inside the car.

"Sir," said the man standing outside. "We've had a tip-off that Emma Hopson is in the bar."

He stood there, his black helmet concealing his features. The rain continued to drizzle and the water ran in rivulets down his helmet and some down the back of his neck and under his jacket, but it didn't appear to concern him.

"Good," nodded the silver haired man. He waited. "But do I really have to be here and do we really need all this to apprehend her?" He looked at the other cars on the street. He also knew that there were two more at the rear and that the street had been secured.

"Sir, we also know that Liam Hansen is in the bar," he said.

The silver haired man raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, that's good. Better than good," he said smiling. Now he wondered if he had enough firepower. It might be better to call for more backup.

"Sir, our operative in there suggests that they may know each other. They are sitting together and conversing."

"Coincidence?" asked the silver haired man.

"Sir, there are never coincidences where Hansen is concerned," he said. "We suspect they're working together."

The silver haired man nodded and rubbed his chin with long, gnarly fingers. A general meeting with a dissident was not normally Hansen's MO. He wasn't a dissident type of guy. Hopson must have hired him to do something. They wouldn't be meeting about bettering the world. Not Hansen. They were planning something. If it involved Hansen, it would be something big and it would be something disruptive.

Like always.

"Thank you," he said to the man standing outside the car. "We need to get them both. I need Hansen alive. He has contacts with all the dissident groups and he knows where they meet. We do not believe he has a great deal of loyalty to them. We have to get him. Maybe he will deal."

"Sir," said the other man. "Deal? Hansen has never dealt before."

"We can bargain with him," said the silver haired man. "Give him something he wants."

"Sir, like what?"

"Freedom, money, whatever."

"Sir?"

The silver haired man knew what he was thinking.

"Oh, don't worry, Corporal," he said, "Liam Hansen has caused too much trouble to ever actually be released. We deal with him to find out what we can....then we kill him."

The other man's face was completely hidden by the dark plastic of his visor, but there was no doubt he was smiling under there. The night vision capability built into the helmet meant that he could also see the silver haired man smiling.

"Get me the feed on the operative inside and send it to my comms unit." He pulled a small, slim device out of his pocket with a screen and held it up. "Then sit back and wait for my order. We need Hansen alive if it's at all possible."

The Corporal nodded and started to walk away. He stopped and then turned back to the silver haired man.

"Sir?"

"What is it?"

"Sir, what do we do with Hopson?" he asked.

"Oh, you don't have to be so gentle with her," he said.

"Sir?"

"Kill her."

****

Hansen knew he was getting under the woman's skin. It was a skill he had and he was good at it, but he was surprised when she turned to him.

"I'm sorry, have I offended you in some way? Because correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe we even know each other."

That takes balls, he thought.

Now that he'd started the game, he thought he may as well play the fish in.

"Nah, you haven't offended me. I don't get offended," he said. "I just don't like your type."

He watched her. She was trying way too hard to ignore him and focus on her nuts and coffee.

Way too hard. The fish was hooked.

She did look good though, in a strained, 'trying to look like one of you people' way.

"And I don't believe we know each other unless I cleaned your pool up in the hills," he said.

You're a mean bastard, Hansen. Why can't you just let it go? Drink your beers and stop pulling the wings off rich bitch flies.

Why?

****

If it hadn't been for his attitude, Emma would have found him rather attractive. But with each passing word that slipped from his mouth she was beginning to think of him as a toad. The hills?! He had to be kidding. She was sure he was doing more than cleaning pools if he was up in the hills...probably servicing rich women for extra cash. What an ass!

She let out a little snort and shook her head, slanting him an unamused look. "Do I seriously look like I'm some rich bored wife down here slumming it for the weekend? If I do, then I'm doing a better job than I thought I was! Ha!"

Actually laughing out loud, she rolled her shoulders and stretched out her arms above her head before dropping them down. Turning away, she stood and drained the rest of her coffee, ready to face the outside world again instead of shooting the breeze with some sexy...correction! Some slimy toad of a man. Lips twitching, she dug into her back pocket and fished out her cash. As the money slipped out, so did her disk, clattering the floor.

"Shit." She mumbled and quickly retrieved the valuable piece of data, continuing to ignore his stare as she stood back up and dropped a couple of bills on the counter before shoving the disk back into her pocket. Adjusting her cap, she glanced past his face and glanced outside. Even through the dingy windows, she knew something was up. An alarm went off in her head and she blew out a long drawn out breath.

"Carl?" The big man turned and fixed his small eyes on her brilliant and wide eyed gaze. "I'll pay you double for that Irish coffee if you tell me where your back door is...or better yet, some top secret escape hatch I could use."

Without a word he made a slight gesture with his right shoulder and turned his gaze that way too without a word. She nodded slowly and swallowed hard, dropping another bill down. "Thanks big guy. I owe you one."

Turning on her heels, she took the disk back out, bent forward with her back to Mr. Toad and jammed the disk between her tits, secured by her bra and reached for the small blade she'd also 'borrowed' for emergencies. Oh to have a gun! She could seriously use some fire power, but didn't know if she could even stab another human, never mind shoot one. Killing didn't quite fit into her day to day life.

Feeling clammy, she slowly walked to the back of the bar, pushing through a swinging door to what she hoped was the stock room. "Please please please don't be out there." She murmured to herself, trying to calm her racing heart.

****

Hansen smirked at her retort. He sighed and sat back with his beer, taking only a sip. A small sip.

He was looking in the mirror behind Carl and he could see someone pointing a comms unit at him.

Now Hansen didn't think he was an ugly guy. Far from it. The ladies had made him aware that he had something about him that was attractive, not that he really knew what that 'something' was, but it was there nonetheless. However, when a strange guy is sitting twenty feet away from you pointing his comms unit at you, then he felt that it was a fair bet they weren't recruiting him for a modeling shoot.

Something was up.

The woman seemed paranoid and she was in a rush. He looked at Carl. Carl looked towards the windows and nodded. If only all the women he'd met could be like Carl.

Muscly and hairy?

No.

Stop joking around. There's something going on outside and the guy with the comms units isn't even being secretive anymore. Might be time to bid adieu....

The woman was getting more fidgety. She took out the money to pay Carl and a shiny disc fell out of her pants. She quickly snatched it up and hid it.

The woman wanted to go.

Quickly.

Hansen sat there, sipping his beer slowly. She didn't acknowledge him as she got up and slowly started to walk towards the rear of the bar.

"You want some more nuts, mister?" said Carl dropping a bowl in front of him.

Hansen looked at him and then looked down at the bowl. There was a plastic explosive the size of a small battery in there amongst the nuts.

"Don't mind if I do," he said reaching into the bowl and palming the explosive. He popped a few nuts into his mouth and chewed slowly.

The woman was nearly at the rear swinging doors. They led to the store room and then further along to the rear entrance. It wouldn't take the guy with the comms unit long to realize something was up because the lavatories were on the opposite side of the room and she obviously wasn't an employee.

Hansen didn't know if they were after him or her. He just knew this was about to get messy.

Real messy.

She started to push on the doors.

Hansen's mind was running through the scenario. He owed her nothing, so if she was in trouble, then what the fuck did he care?

But....

They might be after him and she was just a paranoid rich bitch who'd seen some commotion and was afraid of the embarrassment of getting caught here.

He made up his mind. He put the glass of beer down hard, making sure to splash it.

"Be careful, mister," said Carl.

She was just about through the doors.

Hansen stood up and made as if he was unsteady. He started an ungainly walk towards the door, making sure to veer about a little.

"Aww, honey, ya know I don't mean nuffin' by that," he called, "alls I said was ya butt was a little big. S'all honey...."

He got to the doors and they were still swinging from the woman's exit. He pushed through them. He could see her five meters in front of him.

He ran up behind her and grabbed her around the waist, making sure to pin her arms. He placed his other hand over her mouth. She bucked against him.

Why did he bother? I could just knock her out and get away myself.

But they might want her.

Alright, alright, I heard you.

He hated his conscience. It always seemed to be trying to get him in trouble.

Or killed.

She struggled in his clasp, but he was too strong for her. He put his mouth close to her ear and whispered.

"Now, Irish, I don't know who the fuck you are and what the fuck you're running from, but you have to listen to me," he said. "I'm going to let you go, but we have to walk out that door holding hands and I want you to give me a kiss. A soft kiss so I can still look around behind you and you can look behind me. Get it? You piss me off, and you're on your own. Either they kill you or I kill you. Understand?"

Gee, Hansen, you'll do anything for a kiss, you softie.



Shackled Ch. 04



Loving the feedback, but I have to add that this is no reflection of my political views. I write and WE write for entertainment sake, not to make a point. And yes, it's probably not your classic 'erotic romance' that you see on Lit, but it has its moments. If you want to read for just smut sake, move along. You've hit the wrong story!

*

Emma struggled to breathe in her moment of panic, but as his warm breath hit the side of her sensitive neck and ear, she stilled and slowly nodded. He was going to help her? Slimy toad was going to help her? It seemed too good to be true, but she had little choice in the matter. She needed an out and quickly.

His hand moved away and she sucked in a breath, trying to calm herself. "Okay..." Glancing over at him she held his gaze for a moment and then her soft slender hand slid into his own. Small steps. She tried to look casual and mentally counted to ten before she took the lead. Stepping forward her hand gripped his tightly and she pushed open the door.

As soon as the drizzle hit her face, she swiveled on her heels and faked a soft laugh, stumbling forward and against his body. A body that was a lot more solid than she had originally thought it would be. Full soft breasts cushioned against his chest as she moved in, her eyes open and acutely aware of their surroundings as their lips met.

The jolt of pleasure wasn't expected either and for a split second she fought the urge to close her eyes and explore it, but quickly shoved it aside. This was was NO time to get all gaga over a man who moments ago was rubbing her in all the wrong ways. Special forces were guarding the end of the alleyway behind him. Tucking her face close, she breathed against his ear. "Two special forces behind you, blocking the alleyway."

She made a show of nuzzling his neck, unable to prevent from inhaling his scent as she slid her free hand over his back in a mock hug. "I don't know how, but if there is anyway to get me out of here, please help me. I know you don't know me from Adam, but trust me when I tell you this, if they catch me I'm dead and so are a lot of other people."

****

He took his hand from her mouth, but kept his other arm around her arms and body.

Just in case.

Her response had him relaxing his grip and then she'd wordlessly taken his hand. Her hand was small in his. In fact, she was small, period. Granted, she was attractive, but good looks weren't going to get them out of this.

She'd turned towards the door at the end of the small corridor and led him through it onto the alley. It was still drizzling outside. Everything was shiny and it took his eyes a few seconds to adjust.

She laughed softly and turned to press her body against his. She raised her head towards his and he had to tilt down so that their lips could meet. She was a good actress and put on a good show. He was aware of her body pressing into his, especially her breasts.

Another time, Irish, and this would've been fun.

She pressed her head to the side of his face, her warm breath on his ear. She had a faint scent of whiskey from her coffee. Her lips brushed his ear.

Really fun....

His mind was brought back.

"Two special forces behind you, blocking the alleyway," she whispered.

He moved his head slightly to acknowledge her observation. There was a car at the end to which he was looking at, but he couldn't tell how many SPF's there were attached to it.

Two minimum, four maximum.

He knew there would be others guarding the front as well, so reinforcements were nearby.

He felt her slide her hand up his back in the act of an embrace.

She really is a good actress, he thought.

He had the plastic explosive in his pocket and he had the Glock. He hadn't reloaded it since his adventure with Fat Fuck, so it meant he only had three rounds.

Good idea, Hansen. So desperate to get a drink that you don't bother to get more ammo.

They stood there in an embrace. He was struggling to keep his side of the bargain and make it look realistic. He pressed her more closely and she began nuzzling his neck.

It doesn't look good, Hansen. Maybe you should have left the girl.

She kept her head in the crook of his neck and kissed him there, her arms still around him.

Or maybe not. He couldn't leave her.

And she felt so warm....

He moved his head again slightly, so that his mouth was just touching her ear and he made a show of kissing it gently.

"Look, down the front of my pants I have a gun," he said. "Don't take it personally, I am happy to see you, but that really is a gun."

He paused.

Always with the jokes, Hansen. Plenty of time for that later.

"I don't know if you can use a gun, but it's a Glock. It's old by your standards, but it's reliable. I only have three shots in it from a...um, er.... previous job tonight."

He kept kissing her ear. It felt good.

"I took the safety off before we got out here. I've pulled the rack so it's cocked, if you'll pardon the expression." He smirked, but there was no one to see it. "Before we part, I want you to put your hands down the front of my pants, pull it out and shove it down the front of yours."

He paused again.

"It'll just look like you're copping a feel," he said. "You know how to do that don't you? I'll stay pressed close to you to shield what you're doing."

He laughed lightly and kept his mouth close to her ear, interspersed with some kisses. He had his hand lightly pulling her head closer. He was sure now it would look realistic.

"Do you reckon you can do that for me, Irish?" he asked. "Once you've got it, I'll tell you what we do next. If we get out of this, I promise you won't have to put your hands down there again. Ok?"

He gave her a squeeze and hoped she'd get the hint and grab the gun.

"I promise," he said. "I'm good. I haven't been killed once so far."

First kisses, now fondling. You really are shameless, Hansen.

****

She'd sort of expected him to run after she begged him for a little help, but somehow the toad was slowly turning into Prince Charming. Okay, so maybe not that perfect and she doubted there would be a happily ever after, but at least he had a soul!

His instructions made her lips twitch involuntarily. He was a bigger smartass than she was and she sort of liked that.

The soft kisses to her ear made her shiver and she bit on her lower lip to stop herself from gasping out loud. His lips felt so good...warm and surprisingly silky. As distracting as they were, she did her best to listen. She'd never shot a gun in her life, but then again, she'd never been on the run either, slummed in in the streets or put anyone else's life in jeopardy.

Hands in his pants?! For a moment she wondered what sort of crap he was pulling, but he seemed dead serious. "You know how to do that don't you? I'll stay pressed close to you to shield what you're doing."

"I d-do." She stammered , earning her a light laugh and then his mouth was on her skin again and he was pulling her closer. Oh god! She hoped he wasn't full of shit and trying to be all bad and impressive, getting them both killed in process. "I'll do it...just don't get us killed, please." She whispered back, tilting her head to 'nibble' on his earlobe, only the nibble was more of a bite before she kissed it better for him.

With him squeezing her close, she let out a soft moan and ducked her head against, kissing his neck and breathing nervously, her soft breaths puffing against his bare skin as she slide her hands over his hard abs and pushed them into his pants, feeling the cool metal of his gun almost instantly.

Carefully she pulled it out and slid it down her own pants as casually as possible. "I got it." She breathed, "Nice gun by the way." She added, trying to ease the tension in her own mind. "It's big."

****

She whispered in his ear, her soft lips rubbing against it. Then she bit his ear lightly and soothed it with a kiss.

Irish just fucking bit me.

"Hey, none of that talk," he whispered back. "Didn't I just say I've never been killed before? I don't intend to make this the first time. You just have to trust me."

He kept holding her tight. It must feel terrifying for her to be in this situation with a total stranger.

So fucking what?

That's better, Hansen.

The rain was getting heavier and they were getting soaked. They would have to make a move soon.

He kept holding her close, her head nuzzled to his neck. She kept kissing him and slid her hand under his shirt and over the waist of his jeans. She had gone in a little to the right so she had to slide her hand back across towards the gun. Her hand felt cool and smooth on his body.

Shit, just get the gun. If you keep this up, I'll have to try and think with a boner.

He felt the gun slide out of his pants.

At least there's more room for me down there.

He pulled her closer and lowered his lips to her ear again.

"Nice one, Irish. Keep joking like that and you'll stay loose. If we get out of this, I'll make sure to shoot you with my big gun," he said. "We better do something or they'll start to get suspicious."

He paused.

"Oh, and I don't mean that," he added quickly.

He loosened his grip on her a little and stood beside her with his arm around her neck.

"The guy watching us inside saw me stagger out pretending to be drunk. I drink enough to have had a lot of practice at it so I'm sure I convinced him. That means they won't be surprised when we start to stagger with my arm around you. You pretend like you're trying to hold me up and you can make all sorts of disparaging remarks if you like."

He smiled at her.

Hansen? Disparaging? Who are you trying to impress?

"You can't see it yet, but about 15 meters down in my direction, there's a doorway. I drink here a lot, I know it's there. The door is flimsy. If we can get to within five meters of it I think I can smash it down with one hit."

He looked across at her.

"Do you think we can do that?" he asked. "I know it sounds a little short-term, but I'll work out what to do once we're in there. But we have to get moving. They won't sit there all night."

He pretended to stagger a little bit and the hand not around her neck flew over and touched her breast.

"Shit, sorry, Irish," he said.

The started to walk very slowly in the direction of the doorway.

"S'all I was sayin'," he shouted. "I always loved ya. She meant nuffin' to me."

Ten metres to go.

"By the way, Irish," he said. "If we're going to be so close for a while, what's your name?"

****

So much for keeping warm and dry. As the rain picked up, she could feel it seep through her baseball cap, wetting her hair, dribbling down the sides of the brim and trickling down the back of her parker. She couldn't stand the feeling of wet clothes clinging to her skin, but the longer she stood with him, the more soaked they were both getting.

When he loosened his hold, she caught his arm and gasped audibly when he accidentally grabbed her breast. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at him, but he shot her the most charming of grins. Leaning into his side she made a show of trying to keep him steady as his bigger body continued to stagger and sway, his voice booming down the alley and bouncing off the walls.

"This is what happens when you drink too much!" She chided a little louder, "You stick your dick in places it shouldn't be stuck."

She felt his weight give a little, making her stagger as well as she wound an arm around his lean waist, her fingers gripping the side of his shirt and unwittingly bunching up the material, her skin rubbing up against his own. Her heart was pounding her ears. "I don't know why I came to help you...you know you break my heart when you call and you act like this."

She huffed and sniffed, "I hope it burns when you pee."

Had she just said that. Gawwwwd! At least he held his own and didn't laugh, although by the garbled sound he made, she was sure he'd maybe at least choked a little. Please let this plan work, please let this plan work. She thought to herself.

Five meters to go and she sighed softly, "It's Emma...my name is Emma. What's yours?"

"Jesus!" She suddenly exclaimed, "You weigh a freakin' ton!"

One of the men took a step forward and yelled, "Hey!"

Emma stiffened against him and gripped his shirt into a death grip.

****

She was good. They staggered towards the doorway, and she carried on exactly like a trash talking woman would when they found out ole' Bobby Lee had been screwin' around.

He coughed in surprise.

Geez, a bit harsh. She didn't have to be that good an actress....

"Awww, honey bunsszzsh.....'" he slurred.

They were nearly there, but he wanted to be in the best position in case he needed a few extra seconds. He didn't really know if he could smash the door on his first attempt, but there was no need to let her know.

She turned her head towards him and whispered her name. She really was attractive. She was soaked with rain and wet strands of her hair hung lank down the back of her neck. Sans makeup, soaked, in the dark and she still looked good. It made it easy for him to want to protect her.

At least for now.

A superficial bastard are you, Hansen.

He didn't get a chance to tell her his name. One of the SPF's took a step towards them and called.

"Hey."

Emma pressed into him closely and grabbed his shirt.

Fuck. Here goes.

"Whaddya want, copper?" he yelled up the alley towards the man. He was dressed in black combat gear and had a helmet over his head. The three other men with him all looked the same.

Quadruplets come to kill.

Him.

Her.

It didn't matter.

Kill.

He was leaning into her with his right arm around her shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Irish," he whispered, "but I'm going to stick my left hand down your pants on the count of three. You need to turn a little to make it easy for me."

He paused.

"I promise I'll buy you dinner later," he said very quietly.

Her hand loosened slightly on his shirt and he started to sway across her body to hide the fact he was going for the gun. He pressed his hand to her belly and left it there.

"Fuckin' cop bastards," he yelled, "can't even have a good time with your girlfriend...."

He pretended to be falling. His hand slid down the front of her jeans and pulled out the gun, keeping his eyes on the front guy. He wouldn't get through the helmet, but his suit would do him no good. Hansen had Gooby bullets. From China. He wasn't a patriot when it came to personal safety. He didn't care what he used.

Or where it came from.

Just do it.

Now.

He shoved Emma hard into the doorway and heard her crack against the door. The force against her gave him the momentum to push sideways and roll in the other direction, watching the cops. Their eyes didn't know who to follow: Emma or Hansen. Their heads turned to the doorway because Emma had disappeared into it.

Dumb fucks.

He turned on one knee and put a bullet in the front cop's knee.

Two bullets left.

Fuck.

As the cop went down, his men were distracted for a moment and he dove for the doorway. He landed right on Emma, but tried to take some of the sting out of his landing by placing his hands on either side of her before collapsing. She seemed ok, if dazed.

"Close your fucking eyes," he yelled at her. No time for niceties. He didn't have time to smash the door, so he shot the lock.

The sound at such close quarters nearly deafened him, but the door swung open.

One bullet.

Fuck.

Fuck

Fuck.

There was no gentleness. He grabbed Emma by the waist of her jeans, hoisted her up in one motion and threw her onto his shoulder.

He smashed through the door and ran into a large open space. There was a door at the other end. He couldn't hear the cops and he realised that they hadn't fired.

Yet.

Get to the door.

"By the way, Emma, I'm Liam," he said bouncing with her on his shoulder as he tried to make it across the open space towards the other door. "Enjoying our first date?"

I just hope it's not our last.



Shackled Ch. 05



Note: Trying to make the chapter's longer for those of you that wanted them. :)

Chapter 5

Emma's mind was reeling, trying to grasp all that was going on. Still trying to gain her bearings, she squeaked in alarm as he not too gently hoisted her up and then knocked the breath out of her. With a soft grunt, she balance on his shoulder, her hands shoot down to grip the back of his shirt. She lost the hat, her long wet hair tumbling over her head and blocking her vision. All she could see was his ass and what an ass it was. But it was no time for ass staring, she was sure of it. 

She managed to get out a soft 'uh huh' as he bounced her on his shoulder, surprised that he was able to carry her so easily while sprinting ahead. Where was he going?! 

"Enjoying our first date?"

She laughed breathlessly at that. "I'm not bored." That earned her a true chuckle and strangely enough it warmed her. Unfortunately all too soon, she heard the shout of the men. Heavy foot falls echoed in the empty building, the jingle and clanking of equipment as they charged in. 

"I think we have company!! Put me down, I can run!!"

The world spun and then she was being lowered. Her feet hit the ground as she tossed her head back and pushed her hair away. Liam seemed to instantly have a hold of her wrist, pulling her along. She willed her legs to move took off with him. "Tell me you have a plan!" She pleaded as shouts grew louder behind.

"STOP! FREEZE!" came a loud command, both of them ignoring the yells as they focused on the door, getting to the door. To her dismay their outlet burst and more special forces came running in, armed with intent to kill. 

****

He couldn't help laughing, even though he could hear the cops behind them. 

Hansen flipped her from his shoulder and she landed on her feet. He still had his gun in one hand and he grabbed her wrist with the other and pulled her along.

She exclaimed. She sounded nervous. He couldn't blame her. 

I'd be nervous too.

He smirked to himself.

If I wasn't so good.

They weren't far from the door, but the footfalls behind then indicated that the cops had entered the building.

"STOP! FREEZE!" came the command from behind them.

Hansen dragged Emma along with him for a couple more steps, but then the door in front of them burst open and four SPF's came through it with weapons raised.

Fuck.

He pulled up and Emma bumped into the back of him.

"Shit," he said loudly to the one who appeared to be in charge. Hansen had a grin on his face and continued talking to him. "Lucky you guys are here. This bitch nearly got away from me."

He pushed Emma away roughly so that she was in front of him. He looked directly into her eyes for a few moments, and then looked sideways. Three SPF's had followed them in and there were four in front of him.

Seven cops.

One bullet.

Fuck.

"What's the reward?" he asked. "And remember guys, I got her first," he said with a wink.

Please, Emma, understand what I'm trying to do, he thought, because even I don't know. I just need to buy time.

"Step away from the girl, Hansen," said the lead guy. "Now, and do it slowly."

Hansen started to move his arms. He heard their weapons cock.

"And drop the gun."

He'd forgotten about the gun. He made a show of very slowly placing the gun down on the floor while running his left hand up his leg, his fingers dipping into the pocket of his jeans and extracting the explosive that Carl had thoughtfully provided.

He looked at Emma as he got rid of the gun, his eyes staring straight into hers. He blinked and then kept looking straight at her. He knew it wasn't his fault, but he felt apologetic all the same.

You've got brown eyes, Irish, er, I mean Emma. I hope I get a chance to look more closely.

He raised himself up from his bent over position and turned to look at the cop. He ran his hand through his short hair and tried to smile.

Think of a fucking plan.

"This must be a mistake. You see, I was supposed to catch this bitch and then claim the reward," he said waving his hand towards her. "Now you guys are trying to muscle in. That's not fair. Plus, I was just about to give her a quick one, if you know what I mean."

He winked at the cop. "No reason you can't mix business with pleasure, I say."

What's your plan?

"Hansen, we don't want the girl any more than you do. We want you," said the cop. "Now step away from her."

There was only one reason they would want Hansen and the girl separated. They were going to kill one of them, but wanted the other alive and didn't want them in the line of fire.

Which one?

What do you fucking care, as long as it's not you.

"Yeah, well I don't think the fucking reward was worth it anyway," he said and turned toward the door they'd come in. "Keep the fucking bitch, but I'm going to complain to your superiors. This is fucked. I did all the work."

He started to walk.

"Stop!"

Hansen turned around and folded his arms.

"What?" he said, standing with his arms folded. "You want me to arrest her for you as well. You can't fucking do that yourself?"

Emma was just standing there, looking at him. He didn't know what she made of all this, but he hoped she understood he was buying time, to think up a plan.

That I don't have.

Think.

All the guns were pointed at them. There was nothing he could think of that they could do.

The lead guy walked a little closer to him. He took another smaller gun out of his holster. 

He pointed it straight at Hansen's head.

Sorry, Emma. Sorry, me.

He stared straight at the cop's black helmet.

The cop pulled the trigger and a jolt went through him. It felt like a rock had hit him on the side of his neck, but he was unhurt besides a sting.

Fuck! What the fuck was that?

"That's a restraint device, Hansen," said the cop. "If you get more than fifty meters away from me, you're dead. Your head will blow off, not that it would be much of a loss. Consider yourself warned."

At least now, though, Hansen knew something. They wanted him alive. That meant they wanted the girl dead. He watched as the soldier walked up to Emma and pointed the gun at her. Then he shot her with whatever the fuck it was.

"If either of you move further than fifty meters away from me or each other, then you're dead."

Hansen looked at Emma.

Brown-eyed Emma.

He looked up and pretended to sigh.

At last. I have a plan, Emma, he thought, just hang on.

In the row of windows above them, he saw a shadow. It was a big shadow. The shadow moved across till it was between the two sets of SPF units that had them hemmed in. There was something in the shadow's hands. A gun.

A motherfucking big gun.

He grabbed the explosive in his hand more tightly and looked at Emma. A slight smirk crossed his face.

Good old Carl. 

****

If he hadn't been for that wink, Emma could have reached down and clobbered him. She already felt sick and panicky inside, unsure if she wanted to start screaming hysterically or throw up. Either one didn't seem very brave, so she swallowed the bile that rose in her throat and clenched down on her teeth. If she died, everything died with her. A hope for a cure would be gone, more innocent people dead. The thought made her eyes sting with unshed tears. How could she have been so stupid, so gullible! 10 fucking hears of her life gone and nothing to show for it but a decent place to lay her head and food in her belly. No great love, no kids, not even a real life. God she was pathetic!

Liam's voice broke through her thoughts and strangely enough, soothed down her growing fears. 

The men in black weren't buying his little charade. This couldn't be good, but Liam didn't seem to be giving up so easily.

Weapons cocked and her spine stiffened, her fists clenching. She watched him move, unable to keep her eyes on them. Instead she watched him following orders, his gaze locking with her own. She just wished she could read his mind. All too quickly he broke contact and began to bullshit again.

She heard him droning on, talking in circles she was sure. He didn't have a plan, did he? He was just buying time and then the unthinkable happened. The cop raised a gun to Liam's head and everything inside her shuddered with dread. She let out a small scream of panic, smothering her mouth with her hands as he pulled the trigger. Sweat broke out on her forehead and her eyes squeezed shut, unable to watch, but when the cop began to talk again, she opened them. He was alive!

"That's a restraint device, Hansen," said the cop. "If you get more than fifty metres away from me, you're dead. Your head will blow off, not that it would be much of a loss. Consider yourself warned."

She stood stock still as the cop reached her and pointed the gun, trying not to cringe or flinch, but squeezing her eyes tightly shut. However the shot did make her flinch. But why hadn't they just killed her? What were they going to do?

"If either of you move further than fifty meters away from me or each other, then you're dead."

Looking over at Liam, she watched the wheels in his brain turning. She could tell he was up to something, and thought BINGO! as he slanted her a smirk. All hell was going to break loose. Her body tightened again, ready for the fight or in her case, the flight. After all, they were now literally stuck together. 

****

"I'm telling you," Hansen yelled, "If I don't share in the reward money, then you fuckers will be answering to your boss."

The lead cop walked over to him. 

"You can stop the game, fuckwit. We're taking you and the girl away," he said. He turned around to his men. "Take them outside. If they do anything, shoot the girl. To kill."

Hansen rolled his eyes as if he was exasperated. The shadow had gone. He needed to buy time. He didn't know which way Carl was going to come in.

Shit. Ten years ago he would have come in from the roof. Too fat now.

Stop joking. This is fucking serious.

What did he know? Their orders were to bring him in alive. It wouldn't mean they wouldn't kill him if they had to, but it would make them hesitate. That would give him an advantage.

What didn't he know? Why did they want Emma? Why was she expendable?

Twenty questions might be better left for later, Hansen, you have the small problem of seven SPF's with serious artillery pointed at you.

Hansen started to sing.

"I've got you, under my skin...."

The lead SPF walked towards him with the gun pointed at him.

"Shut the fuck up, Hansen or I swear I'll shoot you right now. Fuck orders."

"....I've got you, deep...."

"Shut.. The.. Fuck.. Up.. I will put a bullet in your head you fucking piece of shit."

Hansen looked at him.

"There are ladies here, mate," he said. "Take it easy."

"Not for long there won't be," said the SPF.

"See, that's why you're angry at me," he said. "You have to sit around and take orders from dumbasses who get paid ten times what you do. And then you get to rough up innocent civilians, including women. You're a real tough boy," he winked, "no wonder you're angry. I always thought it was your little dick."

The SPF was blew out a loud breath under his helmet, but decided to back out of the banter.

Hansen had bought a few minutes, but where the fuck was Carl? He saw the cops behind Emma move towards her and he felt the prod of a gun barrel in his back.

Where are you, Carl?

A deafening explosion rocked the building. It had come from the pub. All the soldiers dropped to their knees and pointed their guns at the two entrances. Hansen didn't need an invitation. He pressed the small button on his explosive and let it fall from his hands. Then he sprinted towards Emma at full pace and tackled her. He heard her let out a surprised wail as he knocked the air from her lungs. They flew five meters and he landed on top of her on the hard floor of the warehouse.

"We really have to stop jumping each other in public," he said to her and pressed himself tightly over her.

The bomb went off and then Hansen heard the familiar rat-a-tat-tat of a machine gun, but it wasn't the SPF's, it was Carl, his silhouette taking up most of the doorway. He looked behind him. Most of the SPF's were down, but in the dust and smoke he could see the leader getting up and turning towards them.

He reached down between their bodies and shoved his hand down the front of Emma's pants. 

Shit. He'd had the gun before they entered the warehouse. It was on the floor about ten meters away and he couldn't reach it....

"Sorry," he said to her, "I guess I'm just a lecherous old bastard."

He started to get up off her, but the SPF was up and pointing the gun at him.

"You fucker," he said through his helmet, "You're not going to get away this time, orders or no orders."

His finger started to pull on the trigger when another rat-a-tat-tat sounded out. The cop sunk to his knees and fell down helmet first into the floor and lay still. Standing a few meters behind him was Carl with the machine gun. He picked up Hansen's gun from the floor and threw it to him.

"It's only got one round left," he said as he caught it.

"Never fear," said Carl who then tossed him a couple of cartridges.

"Nice work. How did you know?" asked Hansen.

"I was watching the operative in the bar longer than you were," he said and rolled his eyes. "When you left, I got him and stuck explosives down his pants and told him to walk outside or I'd blow him up."

"Shit," said Hansen. "We heard the explosion. What happened?"

"Well," said Carl with an expressionless face, "I let him get outside close to his mates, then I blew him up."

Hansen smiled. Emma was picking herself up off the floor slowly. She looked battered, but at least she was intact. 

"Sorry about that," he said to her. "Next time I shove my hand down your pants without asking, I really do have to make sure there is a gun in there. I guess now I really owe you dinner."

"I don't want to cramp your style, Liam, but, maybe we can keep the courting for later," said Carl. "What do we do now?"

"Oh, let me think about that," said Hansen. "Oh, yeah. Run. And fast."

Carl rolled his eyes.

"Great plan," he said. "Lucky I'm in such good shape."

Hansen laughed, grabbed Emma's arm and they made their way to the exit.

"Woops," yelled Carl, "Don't forget this." He reached into the leader's uniform pocket and pulled out a small unit the size of a battery.

"What's that?" asked Hansen.

"It's the main transponder for the restraint device. If you and your lady friend get more than fifty metres away from it or each other, then boom, no more heads."

"Fuck me," he said, catching the unit Carl threw to him.

When they got to the exit, Carl stopped and spoke to them.

"I'll go towards the river, you head into town. That way they should split up, leaving us with only half the cops to cope with each."

Hansen nodded. He had pressed Emma close to him and could feel her heart beating.

Good. At least you're ready for action.

"Thanks, Carl," he said. "I owe you."

"Nothing. If you need to talk, get me through Bonnie O'Reilly. Now let's get the fuck out of here."

Carl turned left out of the doorway and Hansen pushed Emma to the right.

Just as they were about ten meters apart, Carl yelled out.

"Hey."

They looked around.

"What?" asked Hansen.

"Next time, I'm thinking the lady shouldn't order Irish Coffee in a beat up dive. Doesn't really keep a cover too well."

Hansen laughed.

Then Carl turned and started running again.

Hansen tightened his grip on Emma's wrist, turned and winked at her.

"Thank God we have some privacy again, Irish."

They started to run down the alley toward the center of the city.

****

The silver haired man sat in his armored car. He watched the operative walk slowly out of the bar towards the SPF's standing outside. They gathered around him and he was pointing at his pants. 

His jaw tightened. This didn't seem right.

Suddenly, the operative and the SPF's disappeared in a blinding flash and his car rocked, followed by a thunderous boom.

He waited a few seconds to regain his composure and yelled at the driver of the car.

"Where the fuck is Gray? Has he got back to you?"

"No, sir," said the driver. "His comms unit isn't responding. There should have been eight men in the alley behind the bar, sir. Surely they will have handled Hansen and the girl?"

The silver haired man pursed his lips and let a long breath of air through his nostrils.

"Never bet against Hansen," he said. "Now call HQ and tell them to get every fucking available unit out here."

He sat back in the seat and watched the carnage outside.

Next time I kill him. 

****

Once again Emma wasn't sure what to think and where to turn, but Liam seemed to have everything under control. He thrived on chaos and challenges, teasing her with his smiles, winks and witty banter. But she had to give him credit, he had gotten her out alive. She wanted to thank Carl as well. The big man sure knew how to move and she promised herself that next time she saw him, she would definitely have to squeeze him tight and give him an extra big tip for his troubles.

Running along side Liam proved to be a challenge. His legs were longer, he was stronger and definitely more fit. While she wasn't quite soft, she was also used the softer side of life, using her brain more than her body when it came day to day life. "Remind me to lay off the pretzels before we start running marathons!" She breathed. 

Hands locked together, she had no choice but to keep up until her legs and lungs were burning. The rain began again and she groaned, sucking in breath after breath. Reaching her free hand to the front of her shirt, pressing it between her breasts to feel the disk. It was still there, crammed between the lush fullness of her breast and protection of her bra.

"What's the plan?" She wheezed out, sorely wishing now that she had thought things out a little better. Saving the world didn't hadn't seemed so dangerous and complicated at the time.

His abrupt stop made her collide into the back of his body with a loud grunt and then she was being tugged into a darkened doorway, his body crowding hers again. She clutched at his shirt, panting from excursion, her legs trembling with fatigue. "Seems like we're stuck together for a while, Liam. But, I think maybe we need to establish some personal boundaries here." She teased softly, her voice just above a whisper. "If I had know the nerdy scientific type turned you on so much, I would have been more prepared."

Trying to control her heart rate, she dropped her head back against the cold steel he had her pressed against and tried to think of anything but her pending death. "Please tell me we can find a spot to think without running. I know people, but I don't want them involved. Friends and family are out and so are most of my co-workers. My place is a no go for obvious reasons. Damn it..." She sucked in another breath, blinking back tears of frustration and swallowing hard, "Sorry, I'm good. I won't blubber all over you." 

****

Emma was trying her best to keep up with him, but no one could have kept up with him the way he was running. He could hear her breathing becoming heavier and he was having to drag her along.

Better stop for a tick or she'll blow up.

The rain had started again so they had to be careful not to slip. The streets were quiet seeing it was wet and late. They hadn't come across any more cops, but he could hear the sirens. They were well away from the scene and there would be confusion at least for a while. This gave them the chance to get well away.




Shackled Ch. 05



He stopped in front of a doorway and she crashed into him.

"Hey, it's only fifty meters we have to keep to," he said looking at her. Then he smiled. "Not that I mind...."

They stood in the doorway and she hung onto him, getting her breath back.

"Shit, if I'd known you were the nerdy scientific type, then I would have asked you what the plan was."

He held her lightly by the shoulders while she regained her breath. She was worried. 

Who wouldn't be? But most people didn't have Liam Hansen looking after them. 

Her eyes started to well up and she looked like she was going to cry. It was all starting to hit her now.

Shit. Don't cry.

"Hey. We got out of that and we'll get out of this," he said. "I hate crying ok, it uses up valuable energy, so stop it," he said trying to sound like he didn't care, but he didn't feel like he was very convincing. She looked....

....lost.

"My place isn't so far from here. We'll go there and then we can rest up and think about what to do," he said. He kept looking at her. "And, I reckon if I'm going to keep acting like Don Quixote, then you owe me an explanation. I can't help you if I don't know what's going on."

She looked at him as if she didn't believe him.

"Don't worry. My place is safe. No one knows about it," he said.

He winked at her.

"I better correct myself. It's safe from the SPF's, but you'll still have to contend with me!"

He took her hand, squeezed it and started to move out of the doorway.

"Ready for the second heat?" he said.

He pulled her and started to run.

Again.

"By the way," he said over his shoulder to her and smiling, "We haven't discussed the pay for this job." 

****

He was being sweet and she appreciated that. Even if he was trying to sound all rough and tough, by the look on his face she could tell that he wasn't quite accomplishing the task. She smiled slightly, not quite believing that she could be lucky enough to find a dry spot for the night or even a couple of hours. If she had to pick between SPF and him, right now he won hands down, but she wouldn't admit that to him. At least not yet. 

Before she had a chance to respond, he was tugging her out into the street again. She groaned, pushing her body to keep up with his. "I don't believe you were really giving me a choice! I'm not sure that I'm up for paying you if these services continue to keep me cold and wet."

He let out a chuckle, flashing her a grin. "How about warm and wet?"

This instantly brought color to her face. "Smartass." But that was enough to keep her moving. As they reached the dimly lit streets, he slowed slightly. "Oh thank god." She sighed as they slowed to walk and he tugged her close to his side. Still holding hands, most would have taken them for random lovers, even if it was a bit strange that they were both drenched and still walking in the poring rain. 

Her feet were screaming and legs crying for a break by the time she pushed her through a rotting abandoned building in the midst of an area she wouldn't have dream of venturing through alone or at all for that matter. Huddled close to his side, she gave him a bewildered look. "Please tell me this isn't home sweet home."

"Ye have little faith, Irish." He muttered, tugging her over broken glass and god knows what else hidden by the darkness. Something flickered, making her blink and focus on his free hand. A lighter. Great. By the flickering flame, he pulled her through several crumbling sections, before reaching a heavy steel door that was heavily decorated with graffiti. 

Letting go, she watched him muscle the door open, usher her inside and down the first few steps. Soon he joined her, shutting it behind before flicking on an overhead light. The light buzzed, flickered and complained a moment before shedding light on their situation. "Interesting digs." She murmured softly as he secured the door and the lead the way down the narrow stairwell to what she could only describe as an underground lair. 

It seemed like the greatest of plans to lock himself down under ground. What if SPF found it? How did he get out? The explosion earlier made her smile to herself. Probably blow his way out. She bit back a small laugh, too tired to fire off any more questions. It wasn't the swanky by any means, but she had to hand it to the guy, it was fairly clean and functional. It was one large room flanked with cabinets, all of which seemed to have the same steely gray color. Weapons decorated the wall above the large unmade bed and on the far end, she spotted what looked like a small kitchenette area, some of the counter space used as a makeshift desk and a small blocked off gray box which she could only assume was the bathroom. It looked a little on the spartan side, but she wouldn't have expected anything more from him.

For a moment her eyes shifted to his back as he slowly stripped off his wet shirt and plopped in unceremoniously on the floor. "Hey, I'm not picking up your dirty socks." She teased and looked away, sitting her button the edge of a step to removed her sopping wet sneakers. 

****

Hansen felt better with his shirt off. He went to the wall, flicked the switch and a fan began to whir in the ceiling. 

"What?" he said, "You don't do laundry?"

He saw her looking up at the ceiling. He was sure she was thinking that not many people had heaters in this part of town. 

"It's hooked up to the gas line. I tapped it in a few years ago. So it's free," he smiled.

He went to one of the cupboards and pulled out two towels. She was sitting down on the entrance steps, removing her wet shoes. He threw her one and then started to dry himself down. His jeans were wet too. There was nothing he could do about that, but remove them,. He pulled them off and threw them down next to his shirt and continued to wipe himself down.

He went to another cupboard and pulled out a black t shirt, a fresh pair of jeans and underwear.

Well, here goes, he thought.

He turned around next to the kitchen bench to preserve what modesty he could and pulled his underwear off. He gave himself a quick wipe and then put on the dry pair of jocks.

He saw her looking at him when he turned around.

"Hey, Irish, don't tell me you've never seen that before," he said. He paused for a while and then the side of his mouth crooked up in a smile. "Oh, you've seen it before, but you've never seen it this good before."

He laughed. He enjoyed teasing her and making her feel uncomfortable. 

Maybe I can get used to people again.

"Anyway, you want something to eat or drink? I'm having a beer and I'm happy to make you a sandwich," he said. "Just a little one for you. Don't want you getting fat and not being able to run." He winked.

He looked her over on the step. She really was beautiful in a natural way. Smart and beautiful.

Maybe I could really get used to people again....

"Sorry," he said, "but as surprising as it may sound, I don't get much female company here. You're free to borrow one of my t shirts and we'll hang your clothes under the heater. They should dry in a few hours."

He went to the fridge and pulled out two beers. He threw one to her. He hadn't even put on his t shirt and jeans yet and he was enjoying her looking at him.

He went to the cupboard, pulled out the largest t shirt he had and threw it to her as well.

He had a big grin on his face.

"You can change in the bathroom, but it's a bit tight. When you're ready, let me know and I'll turn around. But be warned, I'm not entirely trustworthy."

He started laughing. 

****

"I do, just not yours." She said, poking out her tongue as she peeled off her socks and then glanced up at the ceiling. The warmth that flooded the room made her sigh. It felt so good, she wanted to strip herself and just stand under it, but that would have definitely giving him ideas. That that she considered herself that much to look at.

When her gaze moved back down, she seemed caught in the site of his naked body. Even though the important bits were covered, more or less, for a moment he stole her breath and she stared, mouth slightly agape. 

She giggled nervously and quickly snapped her gaze away, standing and standing awkwardly in his space, his domain and creating a little puddle on his floor. When he mentioned food, she almost drooled on herself, taking his banter with a grain of salt and a smile. "But don't you know, I like'em big." She told him, surprised at herself once again. Her face heated again at her own naughty little joke, catching the beer he threw her way and then the shirt that hit her square in the face.

Taking her drink to the kitchen, she set it aside, watching him move around her as he began to prep a couple of sandwiches. "Um...I hate to keep taking advantage of your hospitality, but...I don't suppose I could use your shower for just a minute? It has been a few days and well..."

"Knock yourself out, Irish. I promise not to peek...much."

Since there was no door, she could see where modesty had to be thrown out the window. Thankfully the shower wasn't in full view, but one little glance around the corner and voila! Her treats would be on display, but the need to get clean over road her modesty in that moment. "OK...I'm um, stripping."

Squirming and wiggling out of her clothes, she plopped them down, taking her panties and bra along, figuring they could use a good scrubbing anyway. Inside the tiny bathroom, she stepped into the bathroom and turned on the water, letting out a surprise yelp as cold water hit her already cold skin. Fuck! No hot water! Gritting her teeth she grabbed the sliver of soap he had left and stripped off her undies, scrubbing herself up and then her underwear as best as possible. His shampoo was just as bare, but she managed to lather and rinse, feeling better knowing she didn't smell rank anymore...at least by her standards.

Ringing out her under things, she set them aside and quickly towels herself off, her teeth shattering in her head as she struggled into his too big t-shirt which hung around her knees. Still...she felt completely naked and vulnerable. 

Slowly she walked out, glancing around to find him sitting on the bed Indian style, sipping on his beer and chowing down. Wet clothes in hand, she went to hang them up as he instructed and then grabbed her own meal, walking to the bed and sinking slowly to the edge of it. Her body was still trembling, lips a little off colored, but she felt better than she had in days. "Thank you." 

****

Cheeky sod.

Hansen got to work on the sandwiches. He had some rye bread and not much else. Mrs. Chan had given him a cold chicken for helping her clean her shop after vandals had sprayed the front of it and that would have to do for a filling. If they were going to be hunkered down longer, then he'd have to think about food tomorrow. He had plenty of beer, but survival on that would be difficult. He knew; he'd tried it.

He heard her draw her breath in sharply when the cold water hit her and he chuckled again.

"You'll get used to it," he called out to her as he walked to the fridge, but he didn't think she heard him. He could have taken a quick peek at her on his way to fetch the chicken, but he didn't think that was fair and it was no way to build trust. Much to his surprise, he really did like her. She'd coped well with everything that had been thrown at her and she'd retained her spirit. She was going to have tell him what was going on, but he figured a shower and the warmth of the room would make her feel comfortable. There was plenty of time for that.

He made a couple of chicken sandwiches for them each. He took another couple of beers from the fridge and set one next to her sandwich on the counter and then he went and sat on the bed to start his dinner. Well, at one a.m it wasn't really dinner, but he needed to stop that gnawing in his stomach.

She walked out in his t shirt and it hung down to her knees. He chuckled to himself again. She looked freshly scrubbed and attractive, except her lips were blue.

It's hard being on the run. Wait till you've been doing it for years.

"You'll warm up soon enough," he said looking at her with a wry grin.

He hadn't bothered to put his jeans and t shirt on yet, but he figured if she was going to wear just a t shirt then there wasn't too much between them now anyway.

She got her meal from the bench and sat down. "Thank you," she said and began to eat.

"Don't mind me with the beers," he said, "but I do tend to like a few, ah, 'tranquilizers' of an evening. You don't have to keep up, otherwise you might pass out. We might need to run again tomorrow and it's murder with a hangover."

He looked at her sitting on the edge of the bed. 

You're a pretty one, Irish.

He finished a mouthful of his sandwich and washed it down with a beer. He studied her sitting on the bed as he ate. He always ate and drank slowly and chewed every mouthful very carefully. He was trying to think, but he really needed to know why they wanted her.

"So, Irish, er, I mean Emma. You say you're a scientist. Now, I know I'm a charming hunk of a man, but why did I really run into you tonight?" he said. "And why do they want to kill you?"

He sat back and continued with his food.

Ball's in your court, Irish. I can't help you if I don't know what's going on.

He waited.



Shackled Ch. 06



And there it was. The million dollar question. She was trying not to scarf down the sandwich as though she hadn't eaten in days, but she truly hadn't really eaten in days. Her stomach cramped painfully as she forced herself to go slow, swallowed and took a sip of his brew. She had never been much of a drinker and the beer was bitter on her tongue. Pulling a face, she set it aside, thinking that this had to be the best sandwich ever made in human history, when logically she knew it wasn't.

"I am a scientist or was..." She began and picked up her food, setting the plate aside and getting up. Walking to her shoes, she crouched down, making her to bend at the knees so she wasn't flashing him an eyeful of pale bottom anything else he might enjoy.

Carefully she dug the disk she'd set on the inside of her shoe while his back had been turned and returned. Feeling as though they were in it together now, she tossed it to him, watching the shiny piece of technology plop down in front of him as she took another bite and sighed happily. Her cheeks bulged slightly as she chewed and swallowed, climbing onto the bed to face him.

He looked so casual and so good, his lean body relaxed as if he hadn't a care in the world. She was slowly warming up and fatigue was taking its toll, but she knew she owed him some information. At the very least! Drawing in a breath and started. "Ten years ago I was hired on as a scientist for THE most powerful pharmaceutical companies. I was only 24, eager, naive and had grand ideas of saving the world with affordable drugs for all. The perks weren't bad either. I got a warm place to live in, food, a little money in my pocket and a little extra to send home. So I couldn't complain."

Pressing the bottle to her lips, she took another sip of the bitter brew. "I don't want to brag, but, I soon climbed up to one of the lead scientists in one particular venture. Needless to say, I was very excited. This was exactly what I had envisioned it to be. I could taste the success. Can you imagine it? Affordable drugs for everyone? Enough to go around when someone is sick? It would mean healthier children, seniors, hell -- adults!"

His eyes studied her intently and she felt a little self conscious as she said to hell with it and scarfed the rest of her food down with a long draw of beer at the end and moaned. "God, that was good. Thanks." Tucking his oversized shirt over her knees, she tugged it lower her legs as she drew her knees up, leaving her small bare feet sticking out the bottom. Her eyes turned darker as she remembered finding out the real truth behind the project. "We were almost there...on the verge of a breakthrough. I came in one day a little early, eager to get back at it. Only, I ended up walking into a lot more than I bargained for. Someone had leaked some information out...probably a tech who didn't know any better. At first I thought it was bullshit. But as I did some digging, I found it to be all true. The corporation is going to use the information that I copied on that disk there to start and endemic and it won't be pretty. If you think things are bad now, they will be a hundred times worse. They will find the fight for complete control."

Her voice broke off as she drew in a breath, clearing her throat. No tears, she'd promised, no crying. "It's my fault. I should have realized, I should have known! When I learned the truth, I panicked and copied all my data. I only told one person whom I trust implicitly. I knew they were onto me. You can't just copy shit off the system and get away with it. But he managed to get me out before someone caught me. That was three days ago and I've been running since. I can finish the project we started, the cure to this disease that they will spread. If I don't though, all hell will break loose and people will start dropping like flies. I don't know how we'll get this out and who to trust, but we...I...need to find a way."

She drew a shaky breath and blew it out, her shoulders sagging as she propped her chin on her knees. "I really am sorry I got you into this...I was just looking to get warm. I didn't expect to bump into The Hills Poolboy." She added lightly.

****

He sat back and listened to her story. He was amazed she could get her sandwich down so quickly. Obviously she hadn't eaten for a while. By her grimacing, he could tell she didn't like beer.

More for me in case the end of the world happens.

Halfway through her story, she got up off the bed and walked towards her shoes. The impact of her story had not lessened her attractiveness. She was a glorious sight walking in his t shirt. He smirked as she tried to extricate a disk from her shoes without giving him an eyeful. She nearly succeeded, but not quite.

Nice ass.

She turned to him and he returned his face to a serious countenance. She threw the disk on the bed in front of him.

"This is what they want to kill you for?" he asked.

She nodded, chewing on the final part of her sandwich.

She moved herself fully onto the bed and sat next to him. She had the t shirt stretched over her knees and all that was showing were her small feet.

Beautiful little feet.

He so wanted to reach out and stroke them, to make her feel safe.

Take it easy, Hansen. You're getting attached. You remember what happened the last time you got attached? Yeah, that's right.

I really should do something about you voices....

He shook his head slightly. She didn't see him and she continued her story. She looked depressed and tired and slumped so that her chin rested on her knees. Her face was doleful.

We?

Hansen, she said 'we'. Now's the time we say, 'nice to meet you, no worries and bye'.

I can't do that. She's fucked. She won't last a day out there on her own. Plus, we've got the electronic shackles.

Someone will know how to decommission the shackles. She's lasted this long.

Dumb luck. Not that she's dumb. We can't listen to this about an epidemic and not do anything. Sounds like she can do something about it.

Great! Save the children, yada yada yada. I don't want to die.

We've never been scared of dying before. We can really stick it to those fucking monsters and for once it won't be W.I.I.F.M.

Don't pull that 'what's in it for me' shit. Remember the last time you did something because it was the right thing to do? No one is alive.

Carl is.

He's Carl. He's unkillable.

Fuck it, I'm helping her.

It's your problem.

Hansen smiled to himself.

Oh, no it's not. You'll be there too. Thanks bro'.

He brought himself back into the room and looked at her.

"Ha," he said to her, "I'd whip The Hills Pool Boy's ass!"

He got up and went to the bench. He put his jeans and t shirt on. He didn't want her to feel uncomfortable. He pulled another beer from the fridge and took a long drag on it. Then he placed his hands on the bench and looked at her on the bed.

"So these bastards are going to start an epidemic and then keep the cure so that they can regulate who dies and who doesn't?"

She nodded. She looked tired.

"And this disk has everything you need to develop a cure?"

She nodded again. She looked really tired now.

Maybe the time for questions is tomorrow.

He walked over to the bed. He took her hand and lifted her onto her feet. He pulled the covers of the bed back and lay her down on there. When she was laying her head on the pillow, he pulled the covers back over her. He sat on the edge of the bed and stroked her shoulder and head a couple of times.

"Well, Irish, this is your lucky week," he said. "I have a couple of spare days to save the world. We'll work out the fee later, but because you let me stick my hands down your pants, I reckon a discount is in order. Plus, I can't very well spend my fee if I don't save the world. How incentivised."

He looked down at her, smiling for a few moments, then he leant over and kissed her on the forehead.

He got up, sculled the last of his beer and switched the light off in the room. He went to the bed and lay next to her, on top of the covers.

I was just going to have a beer and now I'm saving the world.

You're a dickhead, Hansen.

"Shut up," he said.

Oops.

He felt her flinch.

"Sorry," he said, "I wasn't talking to you."

The voice in his head smiled.

Suicide. That's what this is. Suicide.

****

She was too tired to argue as he tucked her into his bed, even more surprised when he gently caressed her head and shoulder and then dropped a kiss on her head. Big bad Liam was showing a softer side which she was going to quickly get used to if he didn't stop.

There were other issues to tackle of course. Like the fact that they were literally stuck together due to the implanted devices. She tried to focus on the things she needed to talk to him about, but fatigue was quickly taking over and soon was lulled by the warmth of the room and comfort of his bed. She was half asleep when she heard him. His voice rang clear in the silence of the room.

She flinched, jerking back awake and then settled down again. Too tired to wonder who he thought he was talking to, she drifted off with a soft yawn.

Emma slept hard, but sometime in the night stirred, her body stiffening at the feel of Liam's body curled up against her own, one heavy arm over her hip, his hand splayed loosely over her abdomen. The panic that sharply spiked soon dissipated when she realized where she was and who he was. He must have rolled she realized, seeking comfort and warmth himself and it felt good. His warm breath fanned her clean hair, tickling her scalp. Smiling to herself, she let it be, feeling secure and protected and let herself drift back into the blackness.

****

Meanwhile, the silver haired man followed the woman and walked into the office. He was meeting Paul Lindeman, the Chairman of Pfizaxson, the largest drug company in the world.

The woman pointed him to a seat and he sat across the desk from Lindeman. The size of the desk meant that he was still a few meters away from him.

"So what the fuck happened?" asked Lindeman. He was fat. He was bald. And he was bombastic. Three things the silver haired man detested.

But he was the Chairman of Pfizaxson, so he basically ran the country. Years ago, he would have been called The President, but that had ceased with the end of democracy.

"We lost her," said the silver haired man. "But we'll find her again. Soon."

"The news stream said it was fucking carnage down there," said Lindeman, banging the desk.

Lindeman's antics didn't bother the silver haired man. He'd seen worse. He'd done worse.

"Yes, they killed eighteen men and critically injured two."

Lindeman looked across at him and raised his eyebrows. "So there were people with the girl?"

"Yes," said the silver haired man. "Liam Hansen and Carl O'Shaughnessy. It looks like she has business...."

Lindeman put his hand up and cut him off.

"Hang on there," he said. "You're telling me, that two men and a female scientist took out twenty of your crack Special Police Force members? Please, don't tell me that. Do you know how much money we give you to run the SPF? Do you?" he yelled.

"Yes, sir," he said.

"Last year it was over fucking fifty, fucking million, fucking dollars. I was part of the committee that set up the SPF to protect the interests of our country and our corporations."

"Yes, sir," said the silver haired man. "I understand that. We will get her."

Lindeman wasn't satisfied.

"Dammit! Two men and a fucking girl scientist putting billions of dollars at risk...."

"Sir, if I may ask, what does the girl have that makes it imperative to kill her?"

Lindeman looked at him impassively, but his face was getting redder.

"No, you may not fucking ask. It doesn't fucking matter and it's none of your fucking business!" he yelled. "I want her fucking dead. Get it. D.E.A.D.... Dead!"

The silver haired man nodded.

"Yes, sir."

"And who the hell are the other fucking guys anyway?"

"Sir, one is Liam Hansen...."

Lindeman smashed the table again with his fist.

"You already told me that!!"

"Sir, you don't understand...."

"What the fuck? I don't understand...."

The silver haired man interrupted him.

"Sir, Liam Hansen is his real name, but seven years ago he worked under the name of Patrick Flannery."

Lindeman went quiet and his face looked worried.

"Patrick Flannery? The Patrick Flannery? From Australia."

The silver haired man nodded.

"Yes, sir."

Lindeman looked more thoughtful now, less antagonistic.

"He destroyed Hardacre Industries. He killed all their management....He murdered the Chairman and CEO on tape and had it sent to every corporation...."

"Yes, sir," said the silver haired man. "He did."

"And you never caught him?"

"No, sir," he said. "He was underground. He was harmless, just doing some small jobs for small dissident groups. Chasing informers, running guns, that sort of thing. But...."

"Yes?" said Lindeman

"Sir, but two years ago we captured his wife and daughter," he said. "We lured him in by promising him that they would be released if he came in and gave himself up."

"I never heard about this. What happened?"

"Sir, when he met our people at the meeting point, the guards shot his wife and child...." the silver haired man paused. "....in front of him."

"Jesus Christ!"

"Yes, sir. What we didn't know was that he had brought Carl O'Shaughnessy and a team of men with him. He escaped."

"Now you have a fucking angry killing machine with nothing to live for?"

The silver haired man nodded.

"Yes, sir. He is extremely dangerous. In the opinion of many, he poses more risk to our way of life than a rogue state."

"Shit."

"Yes, sir. That is the term used most often in reference to Hansen. Shit."

Lindeman sat back, his fat gut spilling over the belt of his pants.

"Well, we need to kill them all then. If Hansen is working with the girl, then we need to terminate him as well. We can't afford loose ends."

"Yes, sir," nodded the silver haired man. "As soon as I leave here, I will put out an order that Hansen, O'Shaughnessy and the girl are to be terminated with extreme prejudice. There will be no option or scope for their survival."

Lindeman looked at him.

"I don't care how many men you need, what you need, you have it. Just call. Whatever it fucking takes."

The silver haired man looked impassively at him.

"Thank you, sir," he said and started to get up from his seat.

"I want them all dead," reiterated Lindeman, as if saying it often enough would make it happen.

"Yes, sir," said the silver haired man as he started to walk to the door.

"Wait," called Lindeman.

"Yes, sir?"

"Don't fuck this up."

"I won't, sir," he said.

He turned and walked out the door.

****

Liam lay there next to Emma, listening to her breathing till it became regular and he knew she was asleep. Then he quietly rose from the bed, switched off the heater and got back into bed, this time under the sheets. He kept his clothes on as he didn't want any misunderstandings. He found it hard to fall asleep with her body next to him. He hadn't slept next to someone for over two years.

He tried to keep a respectful distance from her, but as he got tired and his body shut down, he rolled and touched her. Then he pulled her a little closer and wrapped his arm around her. It was an automatic response, but in the fog of his mind he knew what he was doing.

She's asleep, she won't remember tomorrow. I need something. I need to touch her....

He pressed his face to the top of her head, smelling the soap on her hair. He smiled to himself as he realized he was lying at forty five degrees so that there would be no possible contact of his lower body with hers.

Ah, gentleman Hansen....

Her warmth and the comfort of holding her gently led him to sleep only to awake again moments later, thinking the voices would never stop. He knew what they're problem was. They could see what was coming.

Love no one. Care for no one. It makes you weak. It only hurts you.

So you let her fend for herself? Let her die. Like Jess....

Like Cassie....

You couldn't save them. You're 0 for 1.

Shut up.

Please? Just shut up....

The girl. Emma. He could feel her next to him in the darkness. She was warm and pressing back into him. He was holding her, his arm over her waist, her breathing rhythmical and comforting. He pressed his head against hers.

You won't die.

Oh, like Jess? Like Cassie?

You won't die....

He fell back to sleep.

They were standing at the river. In his hands, he held the note and he held a disk.

"Drop the weapon and come forward," boomed the voice from the loudspeaker.

There were cars everywhere. They were in a horseshoe formation, about fifty metres from him. In the middle of the horseshoe, there were SPF's and they had Jessica and Cassie.

He had to yell.

"What about them?" he said.

"They're safe," came the voice. "You have our word on that."

"You're word?"

"Yes."

He started to walk forward. Carl and the others were there. They were hidden, but they were there. Somewhere. Their first priority was his wife and daughter. He kept walking forward.

When he was about twenty metres away, he stopped.

"Let them go now," he said.

The men guarding his wife and daughter moved back slightly.

The damned loudspeaker. Why couldn't they just talk to him?

"When we have you, then they will be released, not before. Move forward. I repeat, once you are secured, they will be released unharmed."

He was willing to take the risk. They didn't know about Carl and the others. The plan had been for him to not be apprehended at all, but this was his wife and his daughter. If this was what it took, then so be it. Fuck, if it came down to that, if his wife and daughter were safe, then he didn't care if he was apprehended and killed.

As long as they were safe.

He was so close he could speak to them in a normal voice.

"Oh, Liam," cried Jessica. "You shouldn't have come."

"There, there," he said, "everything'll be alright."

His daughter was crying, hanging on to her mother's leg. His chest felt tight watching her so distraught.

"It'll be ok, Cassie. Daddy promises."

He was circled by the SPF's. He held his hands out and they fastened his wrists together with the polymer locks.

A man came out of the largest vehicle. He was a cold looking man, his face thin and his hair was silver. He didn't wear a helmet. Odd for the SPF, but he was obviously of a high rank. He turned to the men holding the woman and the girl.

"Let them go."

The helmeted officers just stood there.

He looked to Hansen with a stern look.

"You'll pay for all you've done, Flannery, but I keep my word."

"Thanks," said Hansen, "and fuck you."

The corners of the silver haired man's mouth tried to rise in a smile, but it looked like his face would crack if he continued so he reverted to a compassionless stare. He turned back to his men.

"Ok, Lieutenant, we have Flannery, now let them go."

"Sir, those aren't our orders."

The silver haired man looked at them as if he'd misheard.

"Your orders, Lieutenant," he said slowly, "are to do what I tell you to do."

"Sir, those aren't our orders."

Two SPF's walked up behind the silver haired man and stood beside him. Then another came up behind him. The silver haired man was caught in his own horseshoe.

He looked at Flannery. Flannery looked at him. Something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong.

"Sir," said the Lieutenant, "our orders are to show Flannery what happens to anyone who tries to disrupt our way of life."




Shackled Ch. 06



Flannery tried to move forward and he was hit with the butt of a gun. His eyes went bright and he fell to his knees.

"What...."

The expression on the face of the silver haired man didn't change, but his body tensed. The SPF's were aware of this and they moved in closer.

"Sir, we were given orders this morning." The Lieutenant looked towards the men holding Jessica and Cassie and they raised their weapons.

Flannery sat on his knees in the dirt, his ears still ringing from the blow and his eyes blurry.

"Noooo......"



The blast of guns was all he heard.

Then slience.

His life had ended.

As they fell onto the ground, it wasn't Jessica and Cassie. It was Emma.

Two Emmas.

Fuck me, Hansen, you couldn't even save one?

He woke with a start. He was sweating. It was still early.

What....

He was holding on to Emma. He remembered now. He hoped he hadn't woken her. He was pressing her close, his left arm around her waist, pulling her into him and his head on the top of her own. He slowly tried to extricate his arm from around her without too much disturbance.

He wouldn't get to sleep again. He lay on his back with his arms folded behind his head and stared at the ceiling. There was just enough light from his watch for there to be a dull green hue around him. He listened to her breathing and felt the warmth of her body under the sheets. It was comforting.

He felt better after sleeping.

He thought of his daughter and what she used to say in the morning. This time there were no tears. He was happy. He knew what he had to do.

What are we going to do today, daddy.

He smiled to himself.

Well, hon, I think we have to look after a scientist.

That sounds like fun.

Sure does. And then we're going to blow up and kill every motherfucker that's fucking up this place. But hon, that might take me a week or so, ok?

That's ok, daddy. You said a bad word. I won't tell mommy, but be careful. You'll get in trouble.

Yeah, sorry, hon.

Motherfuckers.



Shackled Ch. 07



Chapter 7

The second time around, Emma woke more slowly, stretching her body under the sheets and then burying her face in the pillow. She hadn't noticed before, but now she was more alert, she could smell him on the sheets and it was once again, strangely soothing. Still, while she could have stayed there half the day being lazy, there was no time for it. 

Rolling onto her back, she noticed he'd already gotten up, the sound of the shower giving her a clue that he was washing up. With a yawn, she slowly slid out of bed and grabbed her now clean and dry panties, slipping them on followed by her jeans. Since the shower was still running, she turned her back to the kitchen/bathroom area just in case and took off her shirt, making short work of slipping on her bra and then the shirt. Feeling a lot less naked, sat back down and finger combed her hair a moment, styling it in a long loose braid for now. It was at least practical.

Her stomach growled, but she still wasn't comfortable enough to 'help herself' in his place. This was still his domain and she was intruding. Not really an invited guest. Standing, she noticed her disk sitting on the small bedside table and stared at it, remembering their conversation from the night before. Did they have a chance?

Lost in thought, she jerked her gaze towards him and then quickly averted her gaze to the ceiling again, one hand coming up to shield her eyes. "Ah, sorry. Caught me off guard." She mumbled, wondering which way she should turn to avoid getting an eye full. 

She heard him chuckle with amusement. "Are you shy, Irish?"

A slow flush once again crept up her neck, coloring her cheeks all the way to the tip of her ears. OK...so she wasn't a virgin, but not only had it been many many years since her last encounter with a naked male, it had been less than impressive for one and she couldn't say that she'd spent much time enjoying the opposite sex like some. Too engrossed with her work, she lacked a lot when it came to matters of men and women, especially in the bedroom.

"I can tell that you're not. For shame, Liam." She teased back and cleared her throat again, studiously dropping her head and studying her bare toes while he got dressed. 

****

It felt good to have a shower. The cold water didn't bother Hansen. He'd been having cold showers for years. He had grown up on the beach in southern Australia and in winter the water there was frigid. Well, so far as Australia goes.

He finished up and stepped out into the kitchen area. Emma was up and she looked straight at him.

She was blushing furiously and she didn't know which way to look. Which, of course, made it all the more fun for him. He made sure to stand there for a few extra moments before grabbing his towel, but then he put her out of her misery by quickly toweling himself down and wrapping the towel around his torso.

"You're redder than a beetroot, Irish," he laughed. "No fear, I wasn't shy last night with you, that's for sure. You should keep your hands to yourself you know. It was only the first date and I wasn't expecting payment in that way."

He winked at her. He knew he was being mean as nothing had happened, but the sight of her turning ruby made him nearly keel over with laughter.

He turned to the counter and dressed himself. Then he made a big show of of walking over to her and waving his hand in front of her face.

"You can look now," he said with a chuckle. "I'm sure your toes will still be there later so you can stop counting them."

She looked up at him. For a moment his face turned serious. He took her hand gently.

"Emma. I'll do what I can. You're as safe with me as with anyone. But you have to trust me. It could get ugly and I'll do things.... things you don't like. I'm not always nice and I'm not always fair, but I care.... believe me I care...."

He was lost in thought for a few moments, but then he snapped out of it. He dropped her hand and walked back to the kitchen bench. On the way, he picked up his dirty jeans from last night. He rifled through the pockets and pulled out the small electronic transponder, its green light blinking. He set it down on the bench.

He slapped his hands together and said, "Well, for breakfast we have a choice. Weak coffee or strong coffee. What'll be, Irish?" 

Then he reached behind him, opened a cupboard door and slapped down a bottle on the bench.

Whiskey.

"For courage," he said.

His face was serious. 

****

She was touched by his words and something else that lingered in his gaze. Something told her that Liam definitely had a past he more than likely didn't want to talk about. She had no intentions of prodding for his deep seeded secrets either, but for a moment she wanted to wrap her arms around him and squeeze him tightly. It was silly. He could take care of himself better than she could herself, but he inspired the need to comfort him.

Shaking her head, she watched him mark over the kitchen. Coffee? Oh there was a God after all and he was merciful! "Weak is never an option. Strong all the way, but, not sure I want the whiskey this time around."

The look he shot her called her a chicken and she sighed and sat down on a nearby stool, leaning against the counter, "Well okay...maybe a splash."

Eying the transponder as he worked around the kitchen, Emma picked it up, studying it. "Do you know...anything about what they implanted in us? I'm pretty handy with technology, but I can't say that I've ever paid much attention to SPF's use of weaponry. Sticking so close might prove to be tricky at times. Plus, do we get any sort of warning before one or the other explodes? Seems rather barbaric. Not that I expected much else from them."

The scent of coffee made her stomach clench and mouth water. "If I molest you in my sleep again tonight, will you give me more coffee in the morning?" She teased, her eyes sparkling, warm and flecked with little bits of gold. 

****

"Hey," he said, smiling at her, "I have standards, you know. It was only a first date last night. What kind of guy do you think I am?"

He went back to the coffee. The smell permeated the room. It was one of the most relaxing things he thought to do these days, make a strong coffee. The smell itself was enough to be comforting. The percolator had finished and he poured them both a cup. He added a splash of whiskey to each cup, making sure that his splash was a little bigger.

Emma was looking at the transponder on the bench. Hansen was leaning forwards on the kitchen bench, propped on his elbows and sipping his coffee.

"You didn't have any problems sticking close to me last night," he said with a grin on his face.

She looked at him and stuck out her tongue. He looked at the transponder in her hands.

"Mrs. Chan will know what to do about that," he said.

"Mrs. Chan?" she said.

"I help her out every now and then. She runs a food shop in the city."

He could see Emma looking at him with a quizzical look on her face.

"Well," he said, shrugging his shoulders, "she runs more than just a food shop, but that's not important. She'll know about the transponder."

He stood up to relieve the pressure on his arms. He took another sip of the coffee. He could feel it permeating his body, warming him, getting him ready for the day ahead.

"The transponder unit can be disabled, I know that," he said. "But the shackles are another thing. We will need to log in to a master unit to disable those. That's trickier. Only SPF's have access to them. Sorting out the transponder is the main thing. We don't want to be losing it and blowing up, eh?"

She sat drinking her coffee. Hansen couldn't help looking at her sitting at the bench. Her little feet were perched on the bottom of the stool and she sat up straight, her body once again more defined since she was back in her clothes. Even though her dark hair was less than properly brushed, it gave her an untamed, feisty look, but warm. He wondered how warm she would be for the right person.

My beautiful scientist.

You're not the right person.

Nor is she.

She will lead you to your doom.

Shut up.

"Once we've sorted the transponder, then we just have to be careful ourselves. It's not the best that we have to stay close, as sometimes we'll be in danger, but we'll have to make of it what we can. Carl will know who to talk to about the shackles," he said. "We can't talk to him for a few days as he'll be hot. He'll be looking for a way to contact us and also waiting for us to contact him. But not now."

He walked around the bench towards the bed. He opened a drawer on the side table and took out a comms unit.

"First, I'll call Mrs. Chan," he said, "then we'll work out what to do next. Baby steps."

He walked back towards the kitchen bench.

"In the meantime, Irish," he said as he was about to walk around her, "don't go too far away."

As he passed her, he gave her a playful tap on her bottom at the edge of her stool and a kiss on the forehead before she could react.

He rolled his eyes and laughed at her. "Oh darling," he said in an exaggerated show of romance, "I need you so close, my head's about to explode."

It's all funny now, Hansen. All funny now.

Wait till it turns to tears.

****

Emma's skin tingled where he had kissed her and she fought the urge to touch it. He was a big flirt, that was all there was to it. Although he had started out being rather nasty before he'd figured out she wasn't a rich spoiled brat slumming it. He certainly was a strange man at times, she mused to herself and giggled at his over acting.

"I just bet you do. I guess I'm a better snuggle partner than Carl." She added lightly, grinning, "But I bet than man could put off some body heat in a pinch!"

"Carl and I go a long way, but would take a helluva lot for me to snuggle up to him." He shot back, sending her into another fit of giggles before they died down and finished off her coffee, letting the whiskey warm her insides.

Swiveling around on the bench, she watched him curiously. "Is there anything I can do? I won't wash dirty socks, but if I can help in any other way, I would be happy to lend a hand. I've never been very good at sitting still for long. Feels like such a waste of time."

Blowing out a breath, she moved, going to the sink to rinse out her cup. "I'll be right back...nature calls."

Stepping away, she slipped into the bathroom to relieve herself and while she was there, washed her hands and face, rinsing her mouth out as best she could without touching his toothbrush. Patting her face and hands dry, she returned, definitely feeling more alive and alert. He was already talking to Mrs. Chan or so she assumed, so she kept quiet and let her mind wander. Her parents had to be worried sick and she hoped that Simon hadn't gotten any heat for helping her out. He had a family to think of, but he turned a blind eye, letting her escape. For the greater good, he had told her, which made her eyes tear up, stinging.

She blinked furiously and inhaled a long breath. Would she make it through all this? Would any of them? 

****


"Not much good then, are ya?" he called after her.

When she walked off to the bathroom, he got the comms unit and punched in Mrs. Chan's number.

"Hello?" said the voice on the other end of the line in a cautious tone.

He had his details barred so she wouldn't know it was him.

"Mrs. Chan. It's Liam."

"Ahh, Liam," she said in an Asian accent, "Good to hear from you."

"Yes, ma'am," he said.

"I saw the news last night," she said. She laughed. "Have you and Carl been playing again?"

He laughed with her.

"Mrs. Chan, why would you assume it was us?"

"Ahh, when I see things blowing up and police going to hospital and the morgue, I know you gentlemen are around somewhere."

"I'm offended," he said.

"And they're dead," she said, more seriously. "How can I help you?"

"Before we got away, they shot a friend and me with electronic shackles."

"I'm surprised," she said.

"That I got shot?"

"That you have a friend."

He laughed.

"Oh, Mrs. Chan, am I really that bad?"

"Worse," she said.

"I have the transponder. We er... took it from one of the SPF's. Can I get it disabled?"

"My son can do that," she said, "but you know we can't do anything about the shackles unless we can get to a master unit. You'll need a cop for that."

"I know, but at least disabling the transponder will mean one less thing to worry about. Is it ok if I come visit?"

"Yes," she said, "I will be in the shop today. Thank you for helping me clean up the other day. Maybe I have another chicken for you. Put meat on those skinny bones."

"Thank you," he said. "If I catch those guys that did that to your shop...."

He heard Mrs. Chan laugh.

"Liam. They were just kids. You don't need to blow them up to the moon. Don't worry about it."

"Hey," he said. "I wasn't going to blow them up to the moon." He paused. "I was just going to shoot them and dump them in the harbor."

Mrs. Chan giggled. "Oh well, then...."

"I'll be there in a few hours, ok?"

"That will be ok. In the meantime stay close to your friend."

"I will," he said.

"Unlucky friend," she said, laughing.

He hung up.

He looked around the room. He heard the toilet flush. Emma was still in the bathroom.

I have to choose a gun. Maybe the Glock again....

He needed to talk to Emma about she needed to do with the disk. He assumed they had to give it to someone. 

He poured himself a small shot of whiskey into his dirty coffee cup and leaned on the kitchen bench.

And waited. 

****

Pulling herself together, Emma returned, finding Liam relaxing and nursing his mug close. "Did you and Mrs. Chan have a nice talk?" She asked lightly, smiling as she moved closer, but not too close. Instead she chose to keep the counter between them, crossing her arms and leaning against the counter top.

He made a noncommittal little grunt and gave her the most serious of looks. "She makes me crave fried rice."

Caught off guard, Emma threw her head back and laughed. Not just a little giggle, but a true laugh that shook her shoulders and made her face light up. Dropping her head back down, she shook it, trying to control the little giggles that followed. "Ohmygod." She breathed, sniffing and wiping away a stray tear from the corner of her eye. "You are too much, you know that?"

Drawing in a breath, she tapped down the remaining giggles, clearing her throat. "Okay...so...back to business. I take it she will be able to help us with the transponder?"

He nodded at this and she sighed with relief. "But not the shackles?"

She shook his head no.

"I need a computer. Something that will let me access the files I need and work. We also need help. If I get the formula finished that is one thing, but we need someone to use that formula. Know what I mean?"

Digging her hands in her pockets, she stood straighter and shifted from one foot to the other. "When do we leave?" 

****

Emma came out of the bathroom. She was smiling, but her eyes looked red.

Don't cry, Irish. I hate crying.

She made a point of staying on the other side of the bench. He missed her being close to him. They had built up an easy familiarity very quickly. 

Maybe she's a quick learner. Everyone else who gets close to me suffers.

Dies.

He got her laughing with a joke, but then she was all business again.


"Sick of being around me already, Irish?" he said. "Wait till it's been more than one night. Then you'll know the meaning of interminable."

He just looked at her for a few seconds without saying a word. She was shifting from one foot to the other. 

"Any more requests?" he said. It was a little difficult for him to sit there and take orders from someone he'd just met. Shit, it was difficult for him to take orders from anybody.

Admit it, Hansen. Especially a girl.

A girl, for God's sake. You don't need the hassle. Let her go. Bye bye. Ta ta. See you later. Sayonara. Arriverderci....

You done? Are you out of languages? She stays.

But....

She stays.

He kept staring at her for a few moments. Then he walked to the end of the kitchen bench. He opened a door underneath it and pulled out a small box, a big box and and even bigger box. He put them all on the counter and then he went around her silently to a small door in the wall just inside the entrance. He pressed his finger to a small pressure pad and the door flipped open. He pulled out a wicked looking knife with a sharp edge on one side and a serrated edge on the other and another box.

He went back to the bench and left those items on there. He walked to the bedside dresser and opened the drawer. It was the Glock from last night. He walked back looking at her and dropped that on the bench as well.

"Cat got your tongue, Irish?" 

He didn't like orders. He knew he should cool it....

....but I don't like orders.

He he he. Told you.

"Shut the fuck up," he shouted.

She jumped. 

"Not you," he said at her loudly, though not in a friendly way.

She just looked at the bench top. He opened the small box and took out three rectangular magazines. He picked up the Glock and ejected the magazine from it. Then he inserted the full magazine into it and set it on the table with the two spare magazines next to it. He opened the large box. He was focused on his work. His eyes were cold.

He put his hand into the large box and pulled out another gun.

"This is a Browning Hi-Power nine millimeter." He dropped the magazine out, held it up to her. "Thirteen shots. If you don't have enough firepower with this, then you were fucked before you started." He pushed the magazine back into the butt of the gun and slammed it on the bench loudly.

He opened one final box.

"Plastic bombs," he said. He held one up to her. They were similar to the one he'd used last night. He took three out of the box and laid them on the table. Then he meticulously put all the boxes back where he'd found them. He relocked the cabinet at the entrance.

He went to the cupboard next to the bed. He took out a holster and put it on over his shoulder. Then he grabbed a jacket from the same cupboard and put it on, zipping only the bottom third of it.

He walked back to the bench, still staring at her, his eyes cold, his movements economical and methodical.

He picked up the Browning and put it in the shoulder holster. With the jacket on, she couldn't even tell that he had a gun. He picked up the Glock and shoved it in the front of his pants. He picked up the knife and slid it into the back of his pants. He swept the bombs from the bench one at a time and put them into different pockets of his jacket.

He was a walking, talking, one man army. Looking at him, it was impossible to discern he was armed at all, let alone loaded with enough ammunition to take on a small country.

"You want to get some shoes on, Irish?" he said gruffly. "Then we'll fucking go."

She's making you angry.

You're making me angry.

He he he. 

****

She'd been too busy thinking of what was needed to see his face change, his body stiffen...the way his jaw clenched and the laughter died from his eyes. When she did, it was too late. It was like staring at a different man. 

Dumbfounded by his arsenal, she watched him move around his place, pulling all sorts of things out that she had no experience with. His sudden outburst made her flinch and her eyes widened. His didn't even meet her own. This was the second time he'd done that and her mind began to worry how stable her protector was. That familiar feeling of anxiety began to crawl up her spine, stiffening up her shoulders and making her weary. All those weapons were making her nervous, as well as his behavior.




Shackled Ch. 07



Watching him arm his body, she moistened her lips and frowned as he spoke again, his voice cold, gruff and well...pissy.

Her jaw clenched in sudden anger. What the fuck was his problem? She hadn't made unreasonable requests. Hadn't even demanded anything. Moving past him she sat her bottom down and began jerking on her shoes, lacing them up and then grabbed her own jacket, pulling it back on.

"Ready when you are." She muttered, shoving her hands into her pockets. Her eyes bypassed his cold stare, Nope, not going to look at your moody butt, she told herself, hoping that Mrs. Chan had better people skills.

For a long moment there was silence and Emma felt increasingly irritated and nervous, but stood her ground. Oooh no. She wasn't going to say she was sorry not doing anything worth this attitude. Nope...no way. He had no reason to have his panties in a wad and she wasn't going to stroke his ego. Not without an explanation from him as to what she did. Ha! What a relationship this was turning out to be. She inwardly laughed at that. Just like the real thing without sex. 

****

Hansen felt the anger start to leave him a little. He didn't like orders. He'd followed them once and....

He didn't like orders.

It'll be better like this. Keep it cool. Keep it professional.

You can't have emotion and protect the package.

The Package?

Now she's just a job?

Better.

Emma was standing there with her hands in her pockets.

"Sorry, Irish, it's not that I want a look at you, but you need to get your top off. They'll know what you were wearing last night," he said. "The cap has to go too. Just leave your hair as it is. They didn't get a look at that last night."

Yeah, right. If they want her, they'll know what she fucking looks like anyway.

Well, it makes it look like at least I know what I'm doing.

He walked over to the clothes cupboard again. He felt calm. In control. The feel and weight of the weapons on his body was a familiar and comforting feeling. 

He pulled a t shirt out. This one would fit her. It was one of Bonnie O'Reilly's. He had other clothes too, but jeans were jeans. He hadn't given her one of those shirts last night because he wanted a stash of original clothes that they could change every day and he only had three of Bonnie's shirts there. Might as well make an effort of disguise....

He threw her the t shirt. "You can get changed in the bathroom if you're modesty prevents it here." He turned around to give her some privacy and sat with his butt against the kitchen bench.

When it boiled down to it, he was going to help her. Were his motives pure? Was he altruistic? He certainly had his reasons for fighting the Global Energy, Health and Food Management Council, but it wasn't all about altruism. He wanted revenge. If he could knock the eyes out of the fuckers while helping the woman, then all good and well. The bottom line was he wouldn't be happy till he could kill everyone involved in his family's deaths and destroy the whole thing.

Even if it killed him.

Especially if it killed him.

What else was there to live for?

Emma came out of the bathroom. She stood there with there with her hands in her pockets. Her long dark hair was a little mussed up without the cap, but she still looked good. Bonnie's clothes fit her perfectly.

If Bonnie's clothes fit you perfectly, then you are indeed a fine woman.

He pushed the thoughts from his mind. 

Be professional.

At what?

Killing.

Killing is your business.

And business is about to get busy.

"Right," he said, "Get whatever you need. Bring the disk. We'll need it. We're going to the movies later, Irish. I hope you like movies. Don't say I don't take you anywhere. And...."

"And what?" she said, cutting him off a little defiantly. She obviously didn't like the new Hansen.

"Stay close or we'll lose our heads."

He tried to say it with a little lightness, but he was fighting with himself. He wanted to stay cool. Stay in control. 

Don't fall for The Package.

The Package?

Hansen.

You're back.

******

They came out of the abandoned shell of the building and onto the street. It was odd being with her on the street in daylight. He'd only been with her under lights or in the darkness of night. He explained things to her while they walked.

Not hand in hand this time.

"We'll go see Mrs. Chan. Her son will disable the transponder. Then we'll go see another person I know. He'll get us a computer. A clean one. I'm not sure if you'll have access to outside comms. If he can ensure that our machine is untraceable, then I guess you can use it. If not, you're work will have to be offline and we'll work out how to exchange data with your friends."

He kept walking as he talked. There were not many people on the streets. The air was still humid from last night, but the sky was clear. It was sunny. It should have been a pleasant day, but they had no time for frivolity.

Emma walked beside him, nodding occasionally or mumbling. He didn't really listen to her except to make sure she understood what he was talking about.

"As for a scientist to help you, I have no idea," he said. "As you can tell, I don't really have any cause for contact with them. Bonnie or Carl may know of someone. What about your boyfriend that helped you get the disk? Would he help?"

He smirked and looked sideways at her, struggling to keep up with his fast walking. She didn't complain though, just kept walking and keeping up. She hadn't said it was her boyfriend and he didn't think it was. He just wanted to needle her, show her she meant nothing to him besides someone to help.

The Package.

He kept walking. They turned left into a large street. He hadn't seen one SPF yet, but that meant nothing. There was no point wearing a disguise for him. He just kept out of their way, or ran. That had been the way for years.

They weren't far from Mrs. Chan's now. He pulled out the comms unit and pressed a button. A text message went to her phone.

There in 5. Black. No sugar.

****

Emma felt her own irritation flag as she changed. This was stressful for both of them and she was becoming increasingly sure that Liam had his own demons and agenda in this. Otherwise he would have gotten rid of her a hell of a lot sooner. Not playing Mr. Nice Guy. No feeding her, getting her warm and not even making a real move to get in her pants. Not that he would want to, she chided herself. It wasn't as though she was anything special and certainly wasn't gunning to get laid!

Swiftly she changed and returned to him, still a little rumpled. In the back of her mind she wondered who's shirt this was. It obviously was female or wouldn't have fit her so nicely, but she get her mouth shut. If he wanted to tell her, he would, she told herself. But it was hard not to ask. Her curiosity was maddening in that instance. She wanted to know what was going on in his mind.

Biting her tongue, she did as she was told and grabbed the disk, lifting her shirt enough to slid am arm inside and bury the disk safely in the confines of her bra once more. Then they were off and once again, she had to hustle her steps to keep up with his longer strides. It made it difficult to hold a conversation, but she listened on carefully as he informed her of the plans and what to expect.

She missed his smirk, concentrating on his foot steps instead and periodically glancing around. What struck her as odd was how pretty it was out compared to the day before and how she's never truly noticed the weather much anymore...or daylight. She was in to work before the sun was up and back when it went down. Coffee and sugar were her best friends and she was rather surprised that she hadn't turned into a blimp. 

"Simon would help...but I won't let him. He has a family, a wife and a kid. I don't want to endanger them. To be honest, I've been worried that he got in trouble just for turning a blind eye. He knew my plan and confronted me, but didn't stop me. I don't want to even think of the consequences."

She shuddered and hugged her middle, the mere thought making her queasy to say the least. She watched him pull out the comms unit, guessing that they had to be close and inwardly sighed. One less worry to think about! 

****

He kept pressing on and they crossed the street. He walked up to a modest shopfront with a mix of English and Chinese writing. He stopped at the doorway to listen to Emma.

I had a family, a wife and a kid. I know what the consequences are.

"Ok, so maybe we leave him alone for a while," he said. "We'll see what we get today."

He pushed the door of the shop and an electronic buzzer went off. He stood in the doorway and held it open for Emma to come through. They walked into the shop.

He always enjoyed visiting Mrs. Chan at her shop. The exotic smells made his mouth water. She had every conceivable oriental ingredient for sale and many that weren't. You could get anything you wanted here. Anything.

They got about five meters into the shop when a small, frail looking oriental woman in a one piece coat and a small hat came out from the back. She shrieked.

"Liam, I have not seen you for a very long time!" she said. She walked up to him and wrapped her small arms around him and gave him a vigorous hug. 

Hansen smiled as he held her. She looked like a doll in his arms. He bent his head down and gave her a long kiss on the forehead. She let him go and stepped back.

"Mrs. Chan, it's always a pleasure. And it's only been two weeks for God's sake"

"Ah, Liam, quit with the Mrs. Chan, I'm not that much older than you."

She had a very slight Chinese accent, but spoke English perfectly.

"Veracity has never been your strong point, so unfortunately, Mrs. Chan it is."

She chuckled and looked at Emma. "It's true," she said, "Liam is younger than my three Chinese sons. He is my fourth son."

"Thank you, Mrs. Chan," he said. He stepped out from between them and put his arm around Emma.

"This is Emma. She's the person I was telling you about that's electronically shackled to me."

She nodded approvingly at Emma.

"There are worse persons I could think of to be shackled to," she said with a smile and nodding towards Hansen.

Liam rolled his eyes and looked at Emma. He was already in a better mood just talking to Mrs. Chan. "Mrs. Chan thinks I'm a great catch for a woman, but that I make too much of an effort not to get caught." He turned back to Mrs. Chan. "Emma is a scientist and very intelligent. She could do better than me, Mrs. Chan."

Mrs. Chan hit him on the arm and laughed. "Don't be silly," she said. "Now come out the back. I have the coffee. While we drink and talk, my son will disable the transponder."

They followed the small woman to the back of the shop and went through a curtained doorway. There was a small kitchenette with a table and chairs. Hansen could smell the coffee. He and Emma sat down while Mrs. Chan busied herself organizing some cups and then she brought those and the percolator over to the table.

Hansen avoided Emma's eyes. He had been short with her today, but she had to realize that once they got into the full swing of this, it would get even worse.

Protect The Package.

It's Emma.

The Package. Then you both might live.

Before she sat down, Mrs. Chan went to a door at the rear of the kitchen and yelled something in Chinese. In moments, a tall thin man came to the entrance.

He nodded at Hansen. Hansen took the transponder and threw it to him.

"Ten minutes, Liam," was all he said.

Hansen nodded again and sat back in his chair. Mrs. Chan poured him a coffee and passed it to him. She did the same for Emma and then sat back.

She saw Emma's inquisitive look. "I don't drink coffee. I have enough energy as it is," said the oriental woman, smiling.

Hansen sipped on his coffee. 

"Very quiet," said Mrs. Chan, looking at him with a frown, "so you force me to ask what is going on. It's like pulling teeth with you." She looked across at Emma. "Sometimes he says a lot. Sometimes he says nothing. Sometimes he's happy. Sometimes he's sad. Liam is like the weather. You never know."

Emma looked at her and said, "I do know."

Hansen cringed.

"Ok, I can see I'm surrounded here," he said. He proceeded to tell Mrs. Chan the whole story. He didn't know what Emma was thinking, but she probably thought what the fuck he was doing telling this oriental woman. When he needed clarification, he would look at Emma to provide extra details or confirmation that what he was saying was correct. 

She sat there with her hands clasped on the table. She didn't move except to pour them more coffee and the rest of the time she listened intently and asked some specific questions.

When he'd finished, Mrs. Chan said, "Looks like an impossible situation." She paused for a few moments and then smiled. "Your favorite type."

"I guess," he said.

"You know you have very little chance here, don't you?"

"Yes." 

"You know you and her," she looked at Emma, "will probably die?"

"I do."

"But you will do it, won't you?" she said.

"I will," said Hansen.

"Because you are Liam Hansen."

"I am who I am," he said. "I can't change that."

The tall thin man popped his head into the room.

"It's done," he said. "You can forget about the transponder. You need to get to a master unit to disable the shackles. I can't help you with that."

"Thanks," said Liam.

"Never a problem for you, sir," he said and then disappeared just as quickly as he'd appeared.

Mrs. Chan looked at Emma, a hard look on her face. The twinkle in her eyes was gone as was the lightness and humor in her voice. "I know you have been worried about what Liam has been telling me. When I say that Liam is my fourth son, I mean it."

She raised one of her tiny hands and put it over Hansen's.

"Many years ago, my husband had a problem. It was a very bad problem. All of his friends could not help him or would not help him. Liam was an acquaintance of my husband. He helped him when it looked impossible. He.... saved him when no one else would. We owe him everything."

Hansen shook his head. "That's not true."

She put her other hand up so that her finger covered her lips and Hansen stopped talking. She paused for a further moment as if recounting the story pained her.

"I do not know you. If Liam brings you here and needs help, then I will help you because you are with Liam. My sons will help you. Nothing is too much to ask. Even our lives."

Her hand squeezed Hansen's tighter.

"You are lucky to have him. If he cannot save you, then God himself would have failed."

She stopped and looked at Liam. "I love you, son," she said.

He nodded at her. 

I love you, too.

But he couldn't say it.

Mrs. Chan took her hand back and clapped lightly. Her old demeanor was back. "This sounds like fun. So what more can we do to help?"

"I need a clean computer," he said. "I know it might take a few days. It needs to have untraceable comms if that is possible. We can get around it if it hasn't but it would be nice."

She looked at him and scoffed. "Oh, Liam, I thought you were going to give me something hard to do. I knew you didn't need guns – my God, you have enough weapons on you to start a small war."

She smiled. She was good at identifying weapons on people. In fact, she was just about the best he knew. Of course, she did have the advantage of hugging him before, but it was still impressive.

He smiled. 

They both looked at Emma. 

"If we start this, it finishes one way or the other," he said. "But it must finish. Do you want to start this?"

I hope she says no.

Shut up.

Well I'm allowed to have an opinion, aren't I? 

****


What choice did she have?? If she didn't start this, this virus...disease...would spread like wild fire. Leaning back in her chair, Emma rubbed her suddenly damp hands against the sturdy material of her jeans. "I see no other choice." She finally said, looking determined, if not so sure. "I couldn't live with the thought that I have unwittingly created something so evil. Even if that was not my goal. I let myself be used and I won't do that again. I've got to get this formula finished and bring them down."

Driving her fingers into her thick hair, she sighed and propped her elbows onto the small table, holding her head in her hands. "It makes me sick just thinking about it. I wish I had forgotten to lock up or left the stove on one day, but instead I was blind and naïve...this mistake will effect millions. I can't let that happen. So many innocent...."

Her voice trailed off, her throat tightening.

"There there..." Mrs. Chan soothed softly and caught one slender arm, pulling her hand down with a smile. "We will get you fixed up. I have all the faith in the world that if anyone can handle this job, it's Liam. With a you by his side, you will make a difference. The only thing we don't know for sure is how big of a difference."

Emma wasn't sure if that was much reassurance, but smiled and nodded slightly.

"NOW! Before I find you this clean computer that you speak off, you need sugar." The older lady grinned and stood, shuffling away and upon returning dropped a big box of sugary delights in front of Emma's nose. "Everything is made better with sweets. And you need a little more meat on your bones. Tisk tisk Liam. I'm sending you home with an extra chicken."

Emma laughed and sighed, "Will you adopt me too Mrs. Chan?" She teased and poked Liam in the side before picking up a decadent pastry and taking a large bite with a moan of pure satisfaction. 

Mrs. Chan let out a rough, almost cackle of a laugh. "I like this girl. You will keep her close."

"Do I have a choice?" He replied, earning him another glare and poke. 

"Hey!" She mumbled behind her pastry, "That's not nice. I'm excellent company."

"Well you two eat up. I'll be back."

"Mmmmph!" Emma gave her a wave, chewing happily on her food while Liam shot her a look. She raised her brows innocently and swallowed. "I like Mrs. Chan." Licking her fingers, she sipped on her coffee and sighed again, feeling tons better already. Her eyes held hers before she slid her hand over and caught his own with a soft smile. "Thank you. For bringing me here, for helping, for everything." 

****

There. It was done. She wanted to finish the work she had started. Not only would that mean they couldn't just disappear, it would put them directly in the firing line of what passed for a government.

You're gonna regret this....

Why don't you just shut the fuck up?

Suicide.

He felt Emma's hand slide over his. It felt soft and warm. She was smiling at him.

He didn't know what to say. He was not one for emotions. Jessica had always said that....

Yeah. You think about Jessica. It's all going to happen again. You're falling for her, aren't you?

I am not.

You are.

Fuck off.

It's all going to end in tragedy. I'm telling you.

He shook his head and he was back in Mrs. Chan's kitchenette. Emma still had her hand on his and it stirred emotions in him. Not only emotions if he was honest. He could feel his jeans becoming a little tight. He coughed and shifted his position discretely to give himself some more room down there.

Mrs. Chan came back into the room. 

"I'll be able to get a computer, but...."

"But what?" interrupted Hansen.

Mrs. Chan looked at him a little annoyed.

"Well, you don't talk, then you talk. I apologize for talking while you were rudely interrupting...."

He smiled wanly at her.

"Sorry."

"That's better. What I was saying," she said shooting him a look of admonition with a wink, "was that I can get the computer, but we need to make sure the comms are secure and untraceable. I should have it in a couple of days. I will get one of the boys to deliver it."




Shackled Ch. 07



Hansen nodded. "Thanks."

"Do you want me to look after the CD?" she asked.

Hansen looked at Emma and then shook his head. "No. I don't want you getting into trouble over this and I don't want to involve you in this."

Mrs. Chan shot him a look and a sly grin slowly broke out onto her face.

"Oh, I am involved in this," she said. "If you fuck with my family, you fuck with me."



Shackled Ch. 08



Emma and Hansen left the shop and walked around the corner. Mrs. Chan had filled a big bag with groceries and insisted they take it.

"Won't hurt our disguise at least," said Hansen, knowing full well that they weren't even disguised to begin with.

"What do we do now?" said Emma.

He looked across at her. He was feeling a little more relaxed now. He didn't like the way she'd asked for so much back at his place, but he understood where she was coming from. She didn't have experience in these situations. She would have to understand that when it came to this sort of problem, then he had the answers. She might be smart, but he was trained in this.

To survive.

To kill.

Baby steps were needed. One thing at a time. If they got too far ahead of themselves, they would miss a detail and disaster, or worse, would be the result.

"Didn't I say I was taking you on a date?" he said. "I think we should go to the movies. Do you like the movies?"

He started to walk down the street and didn't even look back to see if she was following him. When he got to the next intersection, he turned back to her and said, "If you're a really good girl, we can sit up the back where it's dark. There's a waiting list of broken hearts waiting for me there."

He laughed and started to cross the street.

Yeah right. 

****

Emma had no choice but to follow him. What surprised her is how he could be thinking about movies when they were trying to stay alive. Still, she found herself grinning as she took off after him. "Hey wait up! You run off on me and one or both of us go boom. Now I don't have much experience with relationships, but not sure that would be the explosive kind that I'd want to be a part of!"

Hurrying to keep up with his strides, she patted her hair, tucking it behind her ears as her braid began to unravel. "I've been meaning to ask if you have a brush."

She could practically hear him grumbling on the inside, but bumped his hip as they moved down the street and further into town. Her hands slipped back into his as she spotted the theater. "It has been years since I've seen a movie. Seems a little strange that now I have no job and running for my life that I would stop to enjoy one."

While it was a bit of a depressing thought, she was still smiling, her face bright and cheery. The flush of her cheeks brought out the sparkle in her eyes. "So are you treating me to popcorn too? If you do, I might let you cop a feel in the dark." She teased and giggled at her own little joke. 

****

A brush, Hansen. Did you hear that? You're about to go to war and she's worried about her hair. Hehehe.

For Christ's sake, fuck off will you?

I can't. I am you.

Emma bumped into him when he stopped near the theater. Her hand slipped easily into his. He nearly shook it off, but he decided it felt good and left it there. He rationalized it would be better to look after her if they were close to each other and you couldn't get much closer than holding hands.

How cute.

He felt like his head was going to explode. He needed drugs, but he couldn't tell her that. If the voices didn't stop soon, though, he would do something. Something bad. That wouldn't help anything.

Her voice, as always, brought him back to reality. He smiled. She thought she was really going to see a movie. He was fine with that.

"Yeah," was all he said. "It might help you relax."

He gripped her hand tighter and they walked towards the theater entrance. He kept a close lookout on the street for SPF's, but they had been surprisingly thin on the ground today. There must be a reason. They usually maintained a discrete, but constant, presence.

She was giggling at her jokes. That was a good sign. She would stay relaxed as long as she was with him.

"Yeah, that might help you relax too," he said. "But I've already copped a feel of you during the night. If you really want to relax, surely you can give me more than that?

He could play this game....

He stopped at the front doors of the cinema. There were a few customers in the line and not many more waiting in the foyer. It was still too early for movie goers. He turned to her and leaned towards her, his mouth brushing her ear.

Hey, that felt good.

"When we go up to the ticket counter and they ask to swipe our cards, don't do anything. I'll pull out an old paper card that looks like a standard money card. No one will know. The guy behind the counter will then give us two tickets. Ok?"

He pulled his head back a little from her ear to look at her face. She nodded. He returned his mouth to her ear.

"Good. Then we'll just sit here in the foyer for a few minutes and someone will come out and announce a movie that's not on here. We'll follow him. Ok? Now wrap your arm around me like we actually get on and we'll walk to the counter. This place will be loaded with cameras. We can be sure there'll be no facial recognition software with a direct feed back to the SRP, but it doesn't mean they might not be monitoring the live cameras. It would be a fluke, but it does happen," he said. "Now, Irish, pretend like you like me."

He turned her face, put one hand on the back of her head and gave her a firm kiss on her lips for a few seconds. He pulled his head back and winked.

"All for the part, Irish," he said, "all for the part."

Yeah right, fuckhead.

Oh, you're sulking.

Don't like to see me have some fun?

****

She was nodding as she listened to him intently, feeling that familiar tingle race down her spine as his lip brushed against her, his breath warm. She wanted to tilt her head to the side and expose the slender milky white column of her neck to him. Wanted to feel the brush of his warm lips against her bare skin and mentally shook herself again. 

Just follow directions, she was good at that. Listen to his words and put them into action. She could do that. No problem. Sliding her arm around his waist as she had done after their first meeting, she leaned in, prepared to make it look good. But his hard kiss had stunned her a moment. She blinked at him as he winked and drew away. Damn him! All for the part, her ass! 

Moistening her lips, she shrugged slightly and let her body bump close to his, her arm around his waist, his around hers. She hooked her fingers around a belt loop and held on as he pulled her in. They went through the motions as she pretended to be the doe eyed smitten girlfriend.

"You know, I'm a little disappoint, Liam. You had me going there for a minute. I was sure you were bringing me to see a real movie, as crazy as it seemed." Turning slightly, she gazed up him, not in the least upset, but more curious. "What kind of adventure are you taking me on now, hmm?" 

Unable to help herself and for a little payback, she toyed with the short hairs at the nape of his neck and nuzzled his neck, teasing his earlobe with her lips as she spoke. "All for the part, Liam, all for the part." She teased softly. 

****

Emma certainly followed his instructions to the letter. She held her arm around him and pressed in close to him. She felt warm and soft against him and he found that he didn't mind it at all.

Sucker.

He rolled his eyes at the voice. 

I really need those drugs.

You really think it'll be that easy to get rid of me, Hansen?

Fuck off.

Emma spoke again. She was good at getting rid of the voices in his head. He thought it might be sign. Jess had kept the voices at bay....

She's dead.

"We're are going to see something, but I doubt we'll have time to take in a movie."

She rubbed the back of his neck and nuzzled into him with her face. Then she lifted her head slightly and her lips toyed with his ear lobe. It felt good, but....

"Hey, I'm older than you," he whispered. "Show some respect, Irish. Crikey, next you'll be trying to get my pants off right here!"

He looked down at her and couldn't help smiling.

"I guess I deserved that," he said. "Not that it was unpleasant at all. Now let's get to the counter, we can't just stand around here canoodling." He gave her a light tap on the butt and looked at her with a cheeky grin before walking towards the counter.

The guy at the counter was young. He had sandy hair and pimples. "Liam," he said and nodded.

"Paul."

"I thought you two were going to stand in my foyer all afternoon," he said, looking pointedly at Emma. "I was about to book you a room next door."

Hansen laughed. "Sorry, the lady here gets understandably frisky any time she's close to me."

"Understandably?"

"Watch it, Paul, I can kick your ass any time I like."

"That you can, Liam," he grinned. "Understandable it is. I guess you're looking for some tickets to a movie."

"Sure am. You know, new girlfriend and all."

Paul looked at them.

"How many new girlfriends can one man have?" he said.

Hansen coughed.

"That ass kicking may not be far off...."

"Ok, give me your card."

Hansen dug into his pocket and pulled out something that looked like a credit card, except it was made of cardboard.

"You don't need the special card here, Liam."

"You can never be too careful, Paul. Remember that," he said. "Never."

Paul nodded, swiped the card and gave it back to Hansen. He waited for a couple of plastic tokens to be printed and then passed them to Hansen.

"I hope you enjoy the movie, sir," he said.

"Thank you. We will."

Paul looked over at Emma. "That's if she can keep her hands off you."

Liam laughed. "It'll be hard, that's for sure, Paulie, but hopefully she can manage it."

They took their tokens and went to sit on a couch in the foyer. Hansen held Emma close as they sat. He looked at her face and knew what she was thinking.

"Now we wait," he said and rested his head back against the couch, with his arm around her. 

****

Emma wanted to know what he was up to. The suspense was killing her, but she dared not ask him. At least not yet. She would see soon enough, why not enjoy a moment of relaxation. Truth be known she was still tired, although the sugary treats and coffee had definitely helped.

Liam lay his head against the couch, his body seemingly relaxed, but something told her he was wide open and alert. Not much got passed Liam. Snuggling closer, she let her gaze shift around the place. Absently her fingers moved through his hair, gently running through his short cropped do, light and teasing.

After a while, Emma shifted and pressed her cheek to his upper shoulder chest, sighing dramatically. "If we stay here much longer, I'm going to fall asleep." She mumbled, her gaze drifting and connecting with the young guy named Paul. He shot her a grin and shook his head, apparently chuckling to himself. She ordinarily would be annoyed, but she didn't really care. It felt good being close to him. His warmth, his scent, the strength of his hard body made her feel safe...and strangely tingly. She decided to ignore the tingly.

Glancing back at Paul, she found him gone and the window closed and shaded. Just as quickly, he appeared in the hallway, wearing a bright red vest and glasses. A man of many trades? She doubted it. "Ladies and...erm...gents. Your special early morning showing of Casablanca is this way."

"Holy shit," She mumbled, "That's an old one." 

****

Emma was getting right into her role. She sat on the couch next to him, snuggling in close with his arm around her. Her fingers were running through his short hair and he could feel their cool softness on his scalp.

He could also feel something else. He shifted slightly to give his erection some room and also because he didn't want her to notice. He wasn't overly embarrassed. Who wouldn't feel like this with a beautiful woman close to them, running her hands through their hair? It was only natural, but he didn't want to complicate things.

Yet.

She shifted a little and looked up at him, her head nestled on his shoulder. He agreed. In their sitting position, the guns were starting to press into him, but he couldn't really get up and rearrange them in the foyer of the movie complex.

Hansen absentmindedly stroked her long dark hair.

"They'll come when they're ready," he said. "Just be patient."

Just as he said that, Paul appeared at the entrance that led to the theaters. Hansen rolled his eyes and got up with Emma. They walked towards Paul and when they were close enough, he said, "Casablanca? That's what you could come up with?"

Paul shrugged his shoulders. "Shit, Liam," he whispered. "You think I'm a movie buff, or something?"

He turned and led them down the corridor that led to the theaters. As they got deeper into the complex, there were entrances to the different theaters. They passed them all and went to the end where there was a door marked 'Exit'. Paul pushed on the door and held it for them to go through. As they passed him, he let the door go and it noiselessly shut itself in a single, smooth motion.

The hallway was narrow, so Paul let them walk in front of him. "Jimmy's waiting," he said. "Mrs. Chan has rung. He has what you want."

Hansen nodded at Paul. "Thanks."

"Not a problem. I have to get back," he said, "You know popcorn never waits. I won't see you. He'll probably send you out the back when you're done. Good luck."

Hansen nodded again. They turned away from him and started to walk towards the door at the end of the corridor. They were nearly at the door when Paul called out quietly.

"Liam?"

They looked back. "Yeah?

"When the shooting starts, I'm in, ok," he said. He had his hand on the door they'd come in and was ready to go back out.

"What makes you think there'll be shooting, Paulie?" said Hansen with a hint of a smile.

"Just guessing," he said with a big grin.

"Thanks."

Paul walked out the door and they resumed walking toward the other door.

"Irish?" he said.

"Yes?"

"When we meet with Jimmy, let me do the talking. Mrs. Chan said he'd have something for us," he said. He knew that Emma would be confused. She wouldn't remember Mrs. Chan saying anything of the sort. But she had. 

In the bag of groceries they were carrying.

They were at the door now. He knocked. "It's me, Jimmy. Liam."

They waited for a few seconds and then the door opened. 

Jimmy was a thin, red-haired man with what was an attempt at a beard splotched over his face. He was pale and tall and he looked like a techno geek.

He was.

The best.

He led them into the room and it was lit up with gadgetry everywhere. Lights flashed and there were well over twenty screens showing various scenes, some of the city and some of other places that Hansen didn't recognize.

Jimmy led them into the center of the room where there was a small table and some chairs.

He motioned for them to sit down and then he sat opposite them.

He smiled at Hansen.

"So what brings you here?" he asked with a smile on his face. "As if I didn't know."

Hansen smiled back at him.

"Oh, you know, the usual. Save the world and all that shit."

"How many tries is that at saving the world?"

"Not sure, but try and try again is my motto," he said with a chuckle.

"It's always fun, that's for sure," said Jimmy. "Now let's get down to business...." 

****

Emma tried her best not to gape at the mass amount of gadgetry that Jimmy had store in his room. It was mind boggling. He easily put her lab to shame as far as computers went. 

While the boys talked, she let her gaze shift over the place, taking in the details, wishing with itchy fingers that could go tinker. She almost laughed out lout at that idea. Liam would probably have a coronary. Stay put, don't touch. Be seen, not heard. Gotcha.

She bit down on her tongue, listening intently to the two of them talking. They seemed to be old acquaintances and it seemed as though Liam was definitely no stranger to toiling with danger. Of course...that was sort of a given considering the man was a walking arsenal.

"Right." She heard Liam respond, his voice almost rough and at that point, she felt him slide a hand over her thigh, giving it a squeeze. 

She turned her gaze to Jimmy. His hazel eyes met her own. "Mrs. Chan tells me you need a computer. As you can see, I have plenty. But what I need see is your chip. Make sure we have the right components for the lovely...lady."

Emma glanced over at Liam who gave her a short nod. She wasn't entirely fond of how Jimmy was eying her. As discretely as possible, she leaned forward a little and slipped her hand down the front of her shirt, wiggled and then pulled out the disk.

Jimmy's smile turned into a leer, "Nice trick."

She held it before his gaze between two fingers pinched tightly, but as he made a grab for it, jerked it back. "Sorry, only I touch it. If you're as clever as you seem to be, you won't need to touch it."

Gone was sweet little Emma, replaced with a hard gaze and firm mouth. There was no way in hell she was gonna let him put his hands on what she had fought hard to keep safe. 

****

Hansen could see Emma wasn't taking to Jimmy. The guy was the best at what he did, but his social skills left something to be desired, even compared to his own. He tried to reassure her, putting his hand on her thigh and giving it a light squeeze. He wasn't sure it improved her demeanor. Jimmy was trustworthy and she needed to trust him.

Jimmy reached over to take it out of her hand, but she pulled back from him.

Hansen was impressed with her spunk, but this was going from bad to worse.

And you're here to help her, you fool.

I thought you'd gone.

You wish.

"Fuck me, you two," said Hansen. "You need him, Emma. I can't help you without knowing what's on the disk so that Jimmy can organize the required hardware and software. And you," he said glaring at Jimmy, "need some fucking serious social skills. Now get on with it or I'll get the fuck out of here and you can work this whole fucking thing out for yourselves."

All three of them sat there in silence. Hansen got up and walked to a bank of screens. He scanned them and saw one that was permanently on the entrance to Mrs. Chan's shop and also one was on what used to be the entrance to the pub Carl was hiding in. Correction, used to hide in. Now, the entrance was mainly rubble after the SPF operative had carried Carl's bomb out in his underwear. His nuts were somewhere in South America now. It gave Hansen an idea, but for now these two had to sort things out. He turned back to them.

"So? Can you kiss and make up or do I go outside, shoot someone and make some money for a change?" 

****

For a moment Emma still hesitated. She knew that he was right and she supposed if he trusted Jimmy, then so could she. If he kept his hands off of her and his eyes on the info, not her chest. "I'm sorry...a little jumpy I suppose." She mumbled and shifted.

Clearing her throat, she palmed the chip and then opened her hand, letting Jimmy pick it from skin. She did her best not to frown as his fingers lingered a little longer than they should. "May I watch?" She asked Jimmy, indicating that she wanted to move around to where he was at.

Jimmy grinned, "Suit yourself."

Liam let out a little snort and rolled his eyes towards the heavens as Emma stood. She slowly walked around, jamming her hands in her into the pockets of her jeans. Jimmy swiveled around, rolling to his work area. The disk soon vanished in one of the ports and for a moment Emma felt sick. If something went wrong, ten years of research would be down the tubes.

Puffing out a breath, she straightened and rolled her neck and shoulders, moving away. Maybe watching wasn't such a good idea. Her head was beginning to hurt. Squeezing the bridge of her nose, she moved to pace the room. 

****

Hansen snorted.

"I swear, Jimmy," he said, "if you weren't the best at this, I would have put a bullet in your red head a long time ago. I still might fucking do it."




Shackled Ch. 08



Jimmy looked over at Emma. "He has a temper, you know," he said with a wink at her.

Jimmy slipped the disk into a computer and they waited. Finally the screen in front of him lit up and there were a list of files. He hit the first one and there were slabs of text interspersed with molecular equations.

"Look at this, Liam," said Jimmy.

Hansen walked over to the screen. "Don't ask me, I failed chemistry."

"Well it's more microbiology," said Jimmy.

Hansen looked at Emma. She nodded.

"You're fucking kidding me?" said Jimmy.

Hansen coughed. "Does she look like a fucking kidder to you?" he said. Then he looked towards her. "No offense. I'm sure your hilarious when you need to be."

"You are grumpy today, Liam," said Jimmy. "So you have a virus with no cure? That seems a bit pointless."

Hansen shook his head. "No. Emma here, who you have been trying to annoy no end, was one of the lead scientists in developing it."

Jimmy looked around wide-eyed at her. "Why would you do that? And you looked so nice...."

"Jimmy, she didn't know. They were working on this to develop what is ostensibly a cure. They haven't got the cure yet. Emma here believes she and her team were not far off working it out before she did a runner, but she needs a computer and a way for them to communicate."

Jimmy sat looking at the screen quietly.

"First thing is," he said, "we should make a copy of it. If Emma here," he looked at her and smiled grimly, "disappears or is killed, then the information is gone."

Hansen stared directly at him. "That won't happen."

"Ah, Sir Galahad Liam of Hansen," he said. "Protector of all in distress, particularly hot looking damsels."

Jimmy gave Emma a sly wink. She looked stressed. She looked like she was about to be sick.

Hansen was humorless. "No," he said. "We've been electronically shackled. If Emma moves more than fifty meters from me, or disappears or is killed, then both our heads explode. It won't happen."

"Now that's what I call a blow job!" exclaimed Jimmy.

Hansen resisted the urge to grab him by his thin little neck and twist it. He was used to it.

"Ok, copy the disk. Also, do you have a clean machine with comms she can use to keep working on the cure with her partners."

"Do I have a deal...," started Jimmy in a salesman's voice.

Hansen cut him off.

"Just this once, Jimmy, put a sock in it."

Jimmy looked sheepishly across at Emma. 

She was smiling. 

****

Emma breathed a sigh of relief and watched their interaction. Liam looked as thought he might kill the poor nerd boy and for some reason she found that thought highly amusing. Why? She wasn't sure. After all, she was technically a nerd, but she definitely had more social skills than Jimmy.

"Maybe once this is all over we should take Jimmy out of here for a few hours. I think he could stand a little fresh air and some sun." She mused out loud and smiled at Liam.

"Haha – you mock now, but you'll love me when I save your asses." Jimmy mocked, but his tone was more teasing that peeved.

She moved to Liam and wrapped her arms around his waist, giving him a good squeeze. Getting in touch with her team was definitely the key. She'd wanted to keep them out of it for fear of hurting their lives, but when it came right down to it, it was all for the greater good, wasn't it.

Jimmy watched them by the reflection on his screen and shook his head, grinning. "Will it be safe?" She asked Liam softly, her eyes so big and full of questions as she gazed up at him, "Will they be able to track us or find out and harm them?"

"Depends." Jimmy cut in, his fingers flying over the keys. "If your team is sneaky enough, they could get away with it. Hard part will be first contact. Who do you trust the most in the company?"

She turned to gaze at the side of his skinny pale face, watching him work his magic. "Simon, Simon Thornton. He was next to me throughout the process. He helped me get out, but he has a family, so I was leery about getting him involved."

Pulling his lanky frame up, Jimmy popped out her disk and tossed it at Emma. She caught it, pulling herself away from Liam long enough to do her jiggly wiggle, securing it in its spot. "I'm beginning to like that dance." Jimmy teased and earned himself a glare from Liam.

"Okay, so I have a copy of the disk, it goes nowhere but with me." Walking around his equipment, he stooped low and grabbed a black case. "This has your clean machine and comms. Good luck to you both...I would say you're going to need it." 

****

Emma wrapped her arms around Hansen and squeezed him in a tight hug. He was surprised, but he had been in many situations where civilians had been stressed and feared for their lives. They tended to pin their hopes on anyone who looked capable of protecting them. 

That's all it is.

Sure.

Once we leave here your fucking gone.

Wanna bet?

Fuck off.

Emma was happy with trying to contact Simon Thornton. Hansen didn't care one way or the other. She said Thornton had a family, but he had agreed to protect her, not Thornton or his family. That might change when he met them.

It will change, Galahad. You're a sucker. You'll be walking around with a herd of lost lambs soon. Dickhead.

Fuck off.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.... my fucking hero.

You must be desperate, the Bible?

Jimmy seemed happy with what he had. 

"Good service, Jimmy," said Hansen, smirking. "For a nerd." He took the case and picked up Mrs. Chan's groceries.

Hansen patted the front of his pants where his gun was. 

"I've got all the good luck in the world down here," he said.

Jimmy smirked. "Well...."

"Don't even think about it," said Hansen, cutting him off.

Jimmy went quiet.

"Out the back way, I assume?" Hansen asked him.

Jimmy nodded.

"Thanks. You'll hear from us soon. Let's go, Irish."

He grabbed Emma's hand and almost pulled her out of Jimmy's lab. They walked a little further along the corridor they'd been in earlier and then Hansen pushed his way out of another door marked 'Exit'. This one led on to a dirty alley full of trash that hadn't been thrown down the chutes that were common in newer buildings.

They tip-toed their way down the alley, avoiding assorted detritus and junk and came back on to the main street. He stopped and turned to her.

"We're nearly done for the day," he said. "We have a lot to digest." He paused and looked down at the case and the bag in his other hand. "Plus I'm starving and I could really go for some food."

He thought for a moment, his face in thought as if he was contemplating whether he should tell her something or not.

"I have to make one more stop," he said. "I have a headache and I need something to fix it."

Bastard.

Hansen smiled to himself and they started walking again, making sure to avoid any SPF's.



Shackled Ch. 09



Emma had never considered herself to be a princess or a girly girl, but their tip toeing trip down the back alley was enough to make her want to scream 'eeewwww!' She was more than happy when they made it into the main streets again.

"Yeah, I'm pretty hungry too." She admitted, pushing her hair back and studying him as he seemed to struggle with some internal decision. She was about to ask him what was the matter when he finally spoke.

"Mmkay." Who was she to argue? Again, Hansen had pulled her through this far and was giving her the tools to put her plan into action. "Let me help with the bags at least. I can pull my own weight." She suggested and when he just shrugged, she took some groceries off his hands and followed close as they began to move again.

Her mind began to wander, thinking of Simon and the others. Would they truly be willing to work with her and put an end to the threat? She had to believe they would or pulling it off solo was going to be a real bitch. Well, not quite solo. She had Liam, she reminded herself and while he was definitely rough around the edge, there was definitely an ooey gooey center to the man. Of course, he would never admit that and she would never repeat that thought out loud. 

"Do you get headaches often?" She asked casually, wanting to get to know more about him. 

****

As they started walking, Emma offered to take the bag of groceries from him. He shifted it to his other hand and gave it to her. It meant letting go of her hand for a moment and it made him feel odd. He'd become used to it in his. He decided it was best not to hold her hand for now. The street was getting a little busier as people started to leave work. Not that what most people did now could be classed as 'work'. It was mostly running administration for the government. The real work was done somewhere else, where few people saw what was happening. More people on the street meant it would be easier to avoid SPF's if they saw them, but on the other hand, they would be harder to spot in the first place. Leaving one hand free might be prudent.

They walked in silence for a little while before she spoke.

He smiled to himself. 

Of course.

He kept walking. He certainly wasn't going to tell her about the voices in his head. He definitely wasn't going to tell her when they'd started. That was for another time, if ever.

Tell her the truth.

Enjoy yourself, fucker, you're going to have a rest.

Go ahead. You know what happens when you do that.

It's no worse than you. Laura will get rid of you.

Hehehe.

"Oh, in my previous work, I had a few close scrapes," he said. "I got knocked about a little. That's all. Now I sometimes get headaches that are a little stronger than most. I need something and then I'll be fine."

He turned to look at her as they walked down the street. She was intelligent and eventually she would know he had a problem. He would have to stop talking back to the voices. He'd done that already and she would start to think he was unstable.

It wasn't that he couldn't feel. He could feel. Jess and Cassie proved that. And Carl and Bonnie and Laura and Mrs. Chan.... Even Emma. But they had done things to him. Unspeakable things. He was an asset once. Now he was a liability. A liability that they wanted to destroy. Wished they had never created. He wished his life had turned out differently. Maybe not even been born.

You're getting maudlin, Hansen.

I'm fine. 

Hehehe.

He really needed to get to the doc....

They got to the curb and paused. He knew he'd gone quiet again and Emma would be wondering if she'd asked something wrong, but he didn't really want to talk.

I need to get to the doc....

They waited for a break in the traffic of the public transport vehicles and crossed. They walked a further twenty metres up the street and there was a sign for a medical clinic. It was a government clinic. They all were now.

They stood a little away from the entrance and Hansen took out his comms unit.

Need it now. Head fucked.

He pressed send and waited for a minute. His comms unit announced a message.

Up. Now.

He wondered what Emma would be thinking. They were walking around meeting all these shadowy characters, each with different skills, and each just as dangerous as each other. She had been introduced to a whole new world. A world that was fighting against the world she lived in, the world she came from and knew.

Hansen eschewed the elevators and led her to an opening next to them. They climbed up the stairs to the first floor of the clinic and then rejoined the foyer and walked into the main entrance of some consulting rooms.

A woman in a white coat approached the doors, ushered them through and then locked the door. When she turned around, she looked at Emma with an expressionless face. Hansen nodded and she noticeably relaxed. Even with an expressionless face, the woman was beautiful. She was beautiful in a totally glamorous way, not the natural, endearing attractiveness of Emma.

Dr. Laura Black had short blond hair, was nearly as tall as Hansen and her pale skin was perfect. 

She took Hansen into her arms and hugged him close. "I haven't seen you for weeks," she said, obviously glad to see him.

"I've been....busy."

She laughed. "You were last night. I saw the news stream. Now let me guess, Carl and yourself were out for some fun?"

"I wouldn't say fun," he said, "but yes, it was Carl and I." He paused for a moment. "And Emma," he said nodding to her.

Dr. Black hadn't let him go yet. She gave him another kiss on the cheek, a little too long for his liking in front of Emma, but then she let him go and stepped back.

She extended her hand to Emma.

"I'm Laura Black, Emma, nice to meet you," she said. "So you're why Liam hasn't called me in weeks?" she said smiling, but with no warmth.

Hansen looked at Emma. He knew her head must be spinning by now, but the look was the same she'd had a few times today.

You can trust her. 

****

Emma felt as though she could buy that explanation, but as he fell completely silent after, she began to worry. There had to be more to the story or maybe she had pushed too hard. Once again Liam was pulling her through some loops. He seemed to know all sort of people in 'high places' or in his case, low places. 

The glamorous doctor took her completely off guard. What sort of doctor looked like that? As if she'd just stepped off the pages of some glam magazine. She watched her hugging on Liam, her lips against his skin, her tall long body pressing close. For an instant she felt a sharp pang of jealousy and looked away, clenching her teeth. 

Slowly bending at the waist, Emma unburdened herself of the grocery bags and wiped her hands on her jeans. It didn't matter who Liam kissed, he wasn't hers. They weren't romantically involved, he was shackled to her against his will and compared to Dr. Glamor Girl, she looked tiny and mousy. 

Glamor girl extending a perfectly manicured hand. After glancing over at Liam, she took the woman's hand, although both of them clearly not thrilled with the exchange. Still, Emma managed to smile oh so sweetly. "I can't take all the credit. We only met a day ago...the rest of the time has nothing to do with me."

Dr. Glamor pulled her hand away, giving her a look that told her she was unconvinced and Emma almost laughed. Was the Barbie Doll jealous? Crazy broad. Still, it gave her a little thrill. "Liam is just helping get out of some, well trouble. Apparently he's good at doing such things."

Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him and crossed her arms under her breasts and leaned against an exam table. "I could wait outside if you'd like....would ah...that help, you two...catch up?" She asked, raising her brows questioningly. "I really don't mind." 

****

They shook hands, but Hansen could tell they hadn't got off to a good start.

Women.

Laura nodded. She knew he was good at 'such things'.

Emma sat back against a table and looked at him. She had her arms folded as she spoke.


Hansen looked at her.

She couldn't be.

Her eyebrows were raised.

She was!

He almost laughed out loud, but held it in. She was jealous. Come to think of it, so was Laura.

Shit. Over me?

"Um, that won't be necessary," he said quickly. "Dr. Black knows what I need."

Laura slowly turned around and opened the door to another room. While she was in there, Hansen looked around. At the ceiling. At the floor. At the open door. Anywhere but Emma. He felt like a naughty boy.

I haven't done anything wrong.

Yet.

Laura came back with a small plastic bottle. The bottle was unlabeled and small enough to fit in the palm of her hand. She gave Hansen the bottle and looked at him seriously.

"Only one a day," she said. "Promise me, Liam."

He promised. "Ok."

"There's enough in there for a few weeks so that you don't have to come back for a while, but you have to stop after a week. When you need more call me and I'll let you know when you can take more."

He nodded. 

Yeah, right.

He looked at Emma. She would know these weren't ordinary pills, but at least she didn't know what they actually were. The pills were Palazonol. They were used in the control of mentally unstable patients. People with personality disorders, violent tendencies, self harm and a host of other problems were prescribed them if they were too difficult to handle.

Only he and Laura knew why he took them.

And she wasn't saying.

To anyone.

"Right," he said. "We have to go."

"So short a visit, Liam," said Laura. "When you have time...."

"I sure will, doc," he said. "I'll call you again soon. Promise" He held up his hand with his thumb up.

Laura glanced at Emma and then back to him with a sceptical look on her face.

"Mmm. I'm sure," she said softly.

He picked up the case and looked at Emma so that she could get the groceries.

"You're certainly packing today, Liam," said Laura referring to the weapons he was carrying. Surely Emma would start to get suspicious as to how all these people were so good at clearly seeing what he went to such lengths to conceal. "Surely," she smiled seductively, "you weren't afraid of me?"

"Er, no," he said, "they wouldn't be enough to stop you." 

He smiled as he thought about her.... There was still something between them, but he pushed it out of his mind.

At least she's useful. She's your type. Not like the scientist.

Say what you like. As soon as I get home, you're gone.

We'll see.

"Well, better go," he said, walking over and giving her a light peck on the cheek. Laura turned her face and also gave him a quick brush on his lips with hers. "Er, um I have to cook dinner. We're eating in tonight."

She nodded. Then she looked to Emma.

"Bye," she said with no emotion, not even offering her hand.

They started to walk to the door when Laura said something softly.

"Maybe you can cook me dinner some time."

She looked wistful, even a little sad.

"You've never cooked me dinner."

Hansen could feel himself blushing as he opened the door and let Emma out.

"Sure thing, doc," he said over his shoulder as the door closed. "Sure thing." 

****

Emma's ears perked up a little. Apparently this was not your run of the mill headache medicine. So obviously, headaches weren't his only problem. She felt a twinge of remorse for feeling guilty about Laura. She obviously cared about Liam, even if it did seem to make him feel a little uncomfortable. Maybe it was just because she was there, invading their personal time. But she had offered, hadn't she?

Glancing away, she studying her scuffed shoes for a little while. Liam was making fast tracks to get out of there. Picking up the groceries, she gave Laura a curt nod and followed him out, catching the tall blondes wistful thoughts. She said nothing until they were out of there.

He turned them into the direction of 'home' or so she was hoping. With all the places they had been, to Emma it was impossible to distinguish where the hell they were at. She wasn't used to all this traveling about the city. The silence between them was deafening. She wanted to talk, to ask questions, to poke about and get some info, but was too afraid to piss him off.

"You certainly have a lot of friends, Liam." She stated casually, her stomach clenching with hunger. "I'm getting a whole new view of city."

Not going to talk about Dr. Glamor, she told herself. Not...gonna...do...it. He owed her no explanations. "So what are you cooking tonight? Or shall i do the honors? Either way, I am starving." She yammered on, noticing the dimming light of the day turning into dusk. "I hope those pills work. I hate to have our local hero be down and out. I certainly hate it when my head starts pounding. Makes for a crap day all around." 

****

They were walking back towards his place. He didn't have to rush now, so they could do it at a more leisurely pace, although they still needed to keep a look out for SPF's. He had been surprised that the SPF's were thin on the ground, but most of his movements in the past few months had been at night, so it was possible they had focused their attention on that time.

He felt relieved to walk beside Emma without having to explain something or introduce her to something new. It gave him some quiet and he liked that. The hazy sun was just starting to go down. Then she spoke.

Of course.

She was angling for information, but trying to be casual. He knew that at some stage, she would want to know about these people, how he knew them and why would they be so willing to help him in what was obviously going to be a dangerous situation.

"I do," he said.

That was it. He could explain later, when they ate. He was enjoying the silence between them.

You had been.

Hey, you're back. Not for long. I've got the Palazonol.

It won't work.

We'll see....

It wasn't the most romantic way to describe it, but he was getting used to her. She really was a good sport and she had coped so far with everything that had been thrown at her.

And she was attractive. Not in a Laura Black way. Shit, no one was that attractive....or dangerous. But she was beautiful and she was smart. He needed smart right now because he was invested in this. Emma didn't know, but he would be doing this with or without her and he would much prefer it to be with her. Soon they'd be back at his place and they could work out what to do next. The surveillance cameras at Jimmy's had been bugging him and he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He would, though.

Eventually.

She could talk, that was for sure. He guessed she wasn't any worse than anyone else, it was just that he hadn't been accustomed to so much communication. 

Since Jess.

She was talking again....

He turned to her as they walked. He was tempted to say that his head would stop pounding if she would stop talking, but he thought that might be rude.

Since when did you care about rude?

Since now.

You never used to. Must be love.

What?

Hehehe.

"Yes, I get severe pain in my head," he said, happy that she thought that. "Laura can get those for me." He winked and patted his coat pocket. "The special stuff, you know?"

He hoped that would keep her happy for a while. He had to take one tonight and he was worried about her staying with him. Unfortunately, there were no other options. He thought that tonight might be a good night for a few drinks and a talk. She might go to sleep earlier with a good meal and drinks under her belt. He would expect that she'd feel tired after all the walking they'd done. Yes, that's what they'd do, have a nice night in and try and get her to sleep. He had to take the Palazonol.

He felt better now that he had it in his pocket. Relief wasn't far away. Just the thought of it there made him feel better. He slowed a little and turned to her.

"Ok, Emma Hopson, I'll take you up on the cooking if you like," he said. "Seeing you don't do socks, you may as well do something."

He shifted the case to his other hand and reached down absentmindedly to grab her hand.

"No pressure at all, Irish," he said, "but I'll tell you after trying dinner whether you're worth keeping around or not."

He laughed and they kept walking.

I could get used to this.

Sucker. 

****

She laughed along with him. He'd like her cooking...even if he didn't admit it. It was actually once thing she enjoyed doing. One got tired of fast food and even though she lived alone, she enjoyed a good meal. Maybe she was a bit of a foodie. All she knew was she enjoyed food and was terribly cranky when hungry. However, Liam was making her smile despite the hunger pains that plagued her belly. The pastries had long since warn off and they hadn't bothered with lunch. She was going to have to start packing them food to take on their trips around the city. He was a machine.

Well...not a complete machine. He was in pain. But not the sort of pain he was trying to convince her of. This went deeper and he was trying his damnedest not to show it. 

"I suppose those are fair terms." She responded and shot him a cheeky grin, her eyes sparkling. She wouldn't push and prod...much. Not unless she felt he needed her to or put them in danger. But she was curious. She wanted to know about all these people at the very least. 

The image of Dr. Glamor flashed in her memory and she stuffed her away, feeling mildly irritated. Yep she got them for him...she was sure that's not all she got for him. She inwardly sighed mentally shook herself. Quit being a bitch. It doesn't matter what she does for him.

She was more than glad to reach his place again and this time wasn't so worried about traipsing through abandoned buildings. She blew out a sigh of relief when the steel door shut behind them. "Home sweet home." She sighed dramatically and giggled, kicking off her shoes before taking the groceries to the kitchen. Time to cook. 

****

Emma agreed to cook. He didn't mind. He was a good cook, but was liable to be a little more utilitarian, using food as an energy source rather than something that was to be enjoyed and savored.

Like her.

Fuck off, mate. As soon as I can get her to sleep, you're gone.

They shut the door behind them. He dropped the case on the floor and she put the groceries from Mrs. Chan on the kitchen bench. It felt good to be back. He needed to think and plan. He wanted to hurt them. Emma didn't realise it yet, but her plight gave him an excuse, a reason to go after the fuckers again. He'd kept his head down for a while, but now he was recharged. He wanted to cause them pain.

She kicked her shoes off and the scene was almost domestic. Her looked at her small feet and they looked, well....cute. He'd forgotten what that was like, to share space with someone. Sure, she talked a lot, but it was a small price to pay for her banter and companionship. He'd almost forgotten about the shackles. There'd been no need for them to be apart so it hadn't crossed his mind, but at some stage, that had to be handled. Fifty meters wasn't enough room for what he wanted to do. Also, that would be too close for her and he didn't want her in that sort of danger.

"I don't know what Mrs. Chan put in there for us, but I'm sure it'll be good," he said. "Feel free to make whatever you like. In the meantime, I'm having a beer. Like one?"

Without waiting for her answer, he walked over to the fridge and pulled one out for himself and one for her. If she didn't want it, then it wouldn't be a problem for him to have it. Shit, two beers were like an entrée for him.

He took his assorted weaponry from his person and put them neatly at one end of the bench. He pulled up a stool on the opposite side of the bench, opened his beer and then sat there to watch her prepare the meal.




Shackled Ch. 09



"So, Irish, what do you think so far," he said, taking a long pull on his beer. "Bored yet?" 

****

Emma let out a little snort, glancing over at the beer he had left out for her. It really didn't appeal to her taste. Water would probably be her better choice if she wanted to stay awake until dinner was over. "Bored is not quite the word I would use. I probably wouldn't mind being bored to be honest." She glanced over her shoulder at him as she unpacked the groceries and some of them in the fridge. "I'm not used to all this excitement. I lived, breathed and ate science. So in other words, one boring nerd."

She worked around the kitchen with surprising ease, putting some home made chicken fried rice. Before long the aroma of the food filled the air, making her mouth water. "This...experience is exhausting. If we make it out alive, I think first order of business is sleeping for a week."

Laughing to herself, she stirred the food, the motion of her arm bringing a little wiggle to her body. "So..." She paused, moving across the small counter to fill the two plates that she had set aside, fished out some forks and turned with a sweet smile, "Bon Appetite! I'm sorry if it's not really gourmet, but I'm hoping it will at least fix the nagging hunger. I don't know how you function on beer and strong coffee alone."

Her eyes softened slightly as she came around to sit on the bench with him. "I'm going to have to take care of you while we're stuck together. I can't let you get all weak and puny or you won't be able to protect me from the big bad guys."

Taking a bite of her dinner, she groaned and chewed happily, blissfully happy to be eating again. It only offered Liam a moment of silence before she started up again. "So will I ever get to hear your story? Or are we keeping it all about me? Not that I mind your man of mystery, silent, but sexy routine. But inquiring minds want to know." 

****

Hansen watched her cook. She knew her way around a kitchen. He kept drinking his beer. It didn't look like she was interested in hers, so he finished his and slid his hand across the bench, grabbed it and opened hers. He took another sip, less urgently this time. This would make things harder. He would prefer her to go to sleep early so that he could take the Palazonol and get most of the side-effects out of the way during the night. Maybe some whiskey later....

You're fucking weak. You care what she thinks?

Oh, did I hear something? Some static? Some crap?

Funny.

I've got a month's worth. Hope you've booked somewhere nice.

Fuck off.

He smiled. One boring cute nerd.

The smell of her cooking was making him hungry. It was obviously Asian style and it contained chicken and rice, but beyond that, he didn't really care. He needed some food, any food. He went to take another sip on his beer and found he'd already finished the second one.

Shit. You might want to slow down.

He got up and grabbed another one from the fridge. He also ran her a glass of water in case she wanted some. He wasn't really a wine person. Beer and spirits. Simple. Unlike his life.

He sat back down and watched her bustle around. He knew she wanted to talk about things, but he wasn't about to make her life easier. He was still working things out.

It's going to get much more tiring before it's over, Irish. Much more.

She danced around a little as she stirred the food, obviously getting to the end of the cooking. She was beautiful, intelligent and she had a sense of humor. Just watching her cook was making him feel relaxed. He used to enjoy watching Jess cook. 

When she was alive.

She finished stirring, got the plates out and began to spoon the food onto them. She pushed the plates across the bench towards him and retrieved some cutlery. Then she walked around and sat next to him. 

"I'm sure it will be ok," he said softly.

Hehehe. Hero Hansen. Behind every great man there's....

Fuck off.

She's going to take care of you. The last woman to do that....

Fuck. Off.

Hehehe.

The food was excellent. She had done a lot with not much. They ate for a few moments in silence, Hansen hoped it would be longer than at least a few moments.

Well, you did only ask for a few moments. Hehehe.

He knew that the question would eventually come. He knew she would want to know. He chewed on his food slowly, not looking at her.

"Sexy, Irish?" he said. "It's been a long time since anyone called me that."

He poked at his food and speared a piece of chicken with his fork. He put the piece in his mouth and chewed.

Slowy.

Thoughtfully.

He swallowed the chicken and had another long drink of his beer. It was finished.

Four won't hurt.

He got up, walked to the fridge and took out another beer. He took her glass from the other side of the counter and refilled it with water. He avoided her eyes.

He slid the drinks across the bench and then walked around to their side. He brushed her slightly on the way past. He wanted to put his arms around her and tell her it would be alright, but he couldn't. He didn't know if it would be alright. 

He sat back down. He was very close to her. His thigh was almost touching hers. He could feel the heat of her leg and his leg warming the air between them. 

He opened his beer. He knew she would be thinking about his drinking, but this was nothing for him. He could drink a huge amount of alcohol. It was one of the things that had happened to him after them.

Them.

She had a right to ask, he knew that. How much should he tell her? How much could she absorb? Would she be afraid of him?

He pushed his plate away from him and dropped the fork on the plate. His meal was only half eaten, but he didn't feel hungry anymore. He wanted the Palanozol. He needed the Palanozol. He didn't want to do anything else besides the Palanozol and booze.

Tell her you weak bastard. We'll see what she thinks then.

No.

Murderer.

No.

Killer.

No.

Tell her.

God....

He picked up his beer.

"The people who are after us. Who've tried to kill me. Who've tried to kill you. Who want to bring sickness on half the world to further their political and economic imperatives."

Shit. Imperatives. He hadn't talked like that for a long time.

He wasn't looking at her, he couldn't look at her. He sucked on the beer like a mother's teat until he drained it.

He slammed the can down on the bench and slowly turned around on his stool till he was facing her.

"I used to work for them."

Hehehe. 



Shackled Ch. 10



 "Sexy, Irish?" he said. "It's been a long time since anyone called me that." 

She felt her cheeks heat up and grinned a little, "Don't let it get to your head." Taking another bite, she studied his profile. Watching him methodically chew his food and swallow, then gulp down his beer. Obviously this wasn't something he wanted to talk about and the longer the silence extended, the worse Emma felt. She didn't want to dredge up bad memories, but felt like she at least had earned knowing a little something. After all, now they were in it together. 

He sat closer to her this time, his body almost brushing up against her own. It was comforting. So was the food, which filled her hungry belly and helped her relax. When he still didn't speak, she let out a little sigh and went to open her mouth and tell him never mind. She was such a softie, but pulling teeth just to learn his story wasn't worth it, was it? 

But then he spoke.

Carefully she set her plate aside and jumped when he slammed his beer down, watched him turn to face her. Her pretty face turned to his, gazing into his dark eyes. What she saw in them was both frightening and heart breaking all at once. 

For a moment she said nothing, but held his gaze, shifting her body so that they were face to face. Food and drinks forgotten. "So tell me more...tell me what happened. Why do they want to kill you? I already know why they want me."

Her voice was soft and low, she wasn't going to back down unless he insisted on not sharing, but since he'd taken the first step for her, she reached over and took one of his hands, linking her fingers with his. 

****                                                                                      

She leaned over close to him and took his hand. He hadn't expected that, but then he hadn't expected helping her last night. Now she wanted to know what was going on. She was in as much danger as he was. 

More.

At least he knew how to fight them, or at least go down fighting and cause those bastards the most of amount of damage imaginable.

He looked at her. "I'll tell you," he said. "It doesn't matter anyway. You're in as deep as I am." He paused. "As.... we all are."

He took in some air and let go of her hand. He walked around her and the bench and fetched another beer from the fridge. He needed it.

"I'm not from here," he said. "I come from Australia. At least came from there. Now I'm here. I was a junior sportsman there. Not world class, but pretty good at everything. I had a shot once at swimming, but I wasn't good enough.

"My family had a long military history. Once I was out of university," he smiled at her, "yes. I only act like I'm uneducated. I have a degree in, of all things, literature. Anyway, once I left school I joined the military. My athletic ability had me fast-tracked into Special Forces and my education gave me privileges, like being made an officer on entry."

Hansen stopped. He walked back around towards Emma. He didn't know why, but he wanted to be closer to her as he told his story. He sat on his stool, very close to her, looking her in the eye.

"When all the changes started and natural resources became the biggest issue facing the world, governments started to work in a different way. It became about sovereignty. Who owned this and who owned that. It became about pollution. On the face of it, all significant issues, but slowly the emphasis changed. It was more about who was allowed to do what, not what was best for the planet.

"I was involved in missions that ostensibly were about doing the best thing for the population. Get rid of this dictator, secure that resource, all those sorts of things. Gradually, I couldn't work out why we were doing things any more. My government became part of the the Global Energy, Health and Food Management Council, so I was not only working for our people, but for them. I worked with people from all the nations that had signed up, all of them Western, except for China. We did many....bad things."

He drank a bit more of his beer.

Slow down already.

"But you know all of this. My work was good, the best. If there was something to be done, my team would always do it. They discovered I had a very useful trait. I could do things that others couldn't. I was not immoral, their words, but amoral. If the job demanded it, then I could do it."

He looked at her.

"They studied me and tried to work out what it was about me that made me like that. I could lay waste to a whole city and not think twice about it. I'd been told it was the right thing to do, so I did it. There was a part of my brain that was able to disassociate pain and death from the job at hand. I could go....outside myself to follow orders. They couldn't really work it out. They started to give me a drug, Palazonol, that was supposed to heighten this mental process. It didn't work. In fact, it did the opposite: it gave me a conscience. I started to question what I was doing."

He paused for a moment.

"But, I didn't tell them that. After they started feeding me the Palazonol, I didn't know why the fuck I was doing anything I fucking did. Then a job went wrong. Wrong if you were them. We went to Indonesia. I was supposed to produce a disaster, something that destroyed a town. They were sitting on oil, lots of it. There were children, there were women, there were innocent peasants. They wanted to live on their land, the way they had for hundreds of years. I wouldn't do the job. I didn't do it. They did it with someone else, but it blew up in their faces. They wanted the oilfields, but they didn't want it to be overt. It ended up becoming a major issue and it was the beginning of the contrived wars. It was the beginning of when they stopped caring about how they looked and if their motives were obvious to the rest of the global population."

She kept looking at him, listening. He smiled at her and raised his hands. 

"I hope I'm not boring you," he said. "My team followed me in everything. I knew how to plan what the leaders wanted, but I looked after my team. I was the best. I was an asset. They put me in the care of Laura Black, basically twenty four seven. She's a neurosurgeon. Her job was to repair what the Palanozol had undone. I had not only become normal, they could have coped with that. I was actually becoming a problem. They could have put a bullet in me, I suppose, but my team was the best of the best and if they did that, they were taking a chance that it would all fall apart. You've met some of my team: Carl and Jimmy. Mrs. Chan's husband was there. Bonnie was there. You haven't met her, but you will. Bonnie could be watching you for weeks and you wouldn't know it. To keep her close to me, Laura Black was made the doctor, but she's also deadly in hand to hand combat. I wouldn't want to fight her. We always joke about that, but I'm serious, I don't know who would win there."

He smiled weakly at her.

"Of course, I'm lucky she likes me so it won't come to that."

He took another pull on his beer. He watched her. She was listening. 

Good. You have to know what we are.

"Our role changed a little as the world changed. Our work became much more related to the economic power of nations. We were involved in industrial espionage, we brought down governments for no reason other than they stood in the West's way and we conducted terrorism on a scale our enemies could never have thought of."

His beer was finished. There was more to the story, but he needed another.

It feels good to tell someone.

Dickhead, she won't understand. She'll be scared of you.

I don't care....anymore. 

****

Emma listened and watched him. The amount of beer he was consuming didn't go unnoticed. Not that she minded terribly. It was obviously his way of coping with a past that was eating at him. Palanozol...that name stuck in her brain. She'd heard of it before and none of it was very good. Strangely while he rattled on about his life, she began to worry more and more about him. They had harmed him and used him, like they had used her. 

He was also dangerous. But she had known that. Seen him dangerous he could be and was sure he could be brutal when it came down to it. But she had always seen a softer side of Liam. One that showed her how much he cared for his team and those he had come to know along the way. Like Mrs. Chan and her family. There was good in him and while he had done a lot of bad, that was then. This was now. This was a new Liam, a little battered, a little unstable, but one trying to make rights out of all sorts of wrongs.

He was still gazing at her face, more than likely waiting on her reaction. Standing, she surprised him by moving away and going to the fridge. She took out two bottles of beer, popped the tops and then slowly sauntered back. "Well, I have to say this does explain a few things." she started off slowly and handed him the bear. She wanted to pull him into a hug instead and squeeze him tight for comfort, but restrained herself. Instead she sat back down, her beer handing between her slightly spread thighs. For a moment she looked pensive, her eyes searching his darker gaze. "So when you went to see Laura...that was for the Palazonol, not headache medicine or am I wrong?"

He gave her a slight, if not reluctant nod. She blew out a breath. She wasn't completely familiar with the drug and all the side effects, but it was some heavy shit. "Okay, fair enough." With a small smile she took a long sip of her drink and then made a face. Definitely not what she wanted. "Liam, I already knew you were different and possibly a dangerous man if messed with the wrong way. I've noticed enough also to understand that you're also one of the good guys, even if you have your rough edges. I'm not here to judge you. I think the past should remain the past. Any other person would have ditch long before now and left me to those SPF bastards. I would be dead. And you've at least bought me some much needed time."

Her hands came up and gently caressed the side of his face a second before dropping. "Of course, now I have deduced, because I can be a smart cookie sometimes, that you were waiting for me to pass out to take your drugs. And I respect that in a way, but I want you to know you don't have to hide things. I might have been sheltered in a lot of ways, but by all accounts I should have unraveled days ago." She gave him a bit of a rueful grin. "I'm not a porcelain doll, I won't crack so easily. Is there more?" 

****

She had listened quietly to all he had to say. When he paused, she got and walked to the fridge and pulled another two beers out for them. She brought them back. She seemed to accept his story so far.

He drank a bit more of his beer.

"You've done well," he said. "Better than I thought you would. It's not easy when they're all gunning for you. I know."

He sucked in some more air and continued on.

"My team reported to a man called General Blaxland. He had once been a legitimate soldier. He was highly decorated and highly respected, but slowly he became more aligned to the economic side of the Global Energy, Health and Food Management Council. He was involved more in terrorism than military duties. At the time we didn't notice the shifting priorities of our missions, but in hindsight, we were his tools in serving his masters.

"The final mission we did for him was to protect the interests of a company called Hardacre Industries. They had been receiving threats from various groups around the world. They manufactured weapons that were being used by governments to quell insurgencies. They had plants all over the world, but we were asked to protect the one they had in Thailand. They used cheap labor and it also kept it out of the world's view.

"Bonnie was doing the initial surveillance and she came back with some terrifying news. Not only were they exploiting the local population, they were using children to work long hours in sometimes dangerous conditions. I thought that was bad enough, but then Bonnie found out that they were actually testing their weapons on the local people. They were killing people in their trials. Now, I never thought anyone would stoop to that, so I went in as part of the plan. I worked with the management there under the name of Patrick Flannery. They knew I was undercover to protect them. While I was there, they showed me..... more things.

"What they showed me was revolting. I was disgusted. When I spoke to the rest of the team, they all agreed with me. I went to General Blaxland for a face to face meeting. He listened to me as if it was all new to him. I remember him nodding and listening. He was an imposing figure. Tall and thin with silvery hair. He was just about the only person in senior ranks I truly respected. But.... he said we had to carry out the mission. We were to protect the plant while we worked on finding out who was threatening it. I was shocked. He was a true military hero and he was directing us to protect a business that was using live humans for the testing of lethal weapons."

Hansen stopped again. He really needed that beer. "Thanks," he said to Emma, tilting the bottle in her direction and then taking another slug of it.

"I went back to the team. I told them I was going to take the fuckers out. I was sick of what we were helping to do and couldn't bear to be a part of it. I was surprised with their reaction. They were surprised I'd taken this long to come around and they were all for it. Laura admitted they'd been sort of grooming me. They knew I was the one, in their words, that was finally going to do something about this. They had all been involved in some minor stuff here and there in helping rebels and insurgents, but they thought that this would be a significant kick in the teeth for the bastards, that maybe we could generate enough publicity to make the world come to its senses. There was only one problem.

"The Palanozol was not working as it should and my mind was deteriorating. I can't really describe it to you except to say that I hear voices. There is a constant chattering going on in my head. There's a 'good' side and a 'bad' side. They are constantly fighting. When I make decisions, I usually listen to the good side, but when I'm confronted or in danger, the bad side seems to take over, even when I'm doing supposedly good things.

"The job basically went to shit. We set up a plan. We were going to take all of the management hostage, then destroy the plant and then try to get as much media exposure as we could. We were naïve. We didn't realize how much the media was controlled by the governments and the corporations. Shit, we didn't realize that the governments really were the corporations."

He tried to slow his breathing.

"On the day we went in to grab the management, I totally lost it. I actually killed all of them. Then I killed the CEO on film and sent it to media outlets and to as many members of corporation boards as I could. These were evil men, but I had become them. Every time I put a bullet in them, I thought of the innocent people they had killed. I was a mess. Carl had to shoot me with a tranquilizer in the end. I massacred the whole management team at the plant while the others were rescuing the workers and destroying the facility. I'm not sure if you heard about it because they tried to keep it quiet, but they ended up twisting the story so that we were dangerous terrorists that had to be destroyed. Now, we live here, under their noses. Because we were from all different parts of the world, they thought that we'd scattered, but we came here. It was easier to hide here than anywhere else. We all do odd things as our part of the effort, but it is difficult to pull anything big together without exposing ourselves. The night I met you, I'd just dumped an informer with some insurgents. I believe they were going to kill him."

He smiled wryly.

"The problem is, after the incident at the bar where we rescued you, they will know that at least Carl and I are together. That means they will be coming after us. It means you're in even more danger because they know we have you and they know what we can do. Their urgency and effort to eliminate us will be doubled. But," he said, "your problem has given us something to target. That's why I asked you if you wanted to start this, because once it's started, it has to go all the way. You're shackled to me for now, so unfortunately, you have to be a part of it. The risk you're taking is that I can be very unstable. The Palazonol helps keep my voices quieter, but it can also be unpredictable. It can make me behave so coldly that nothing is beyond me. Nothing."

He drank more beer. 

"You're right, I wanted you to be asleep before I took the drug. It takes a few hours to stabilize and I can really sit there talking to myself in a creepy way and I didn't want to scare the crap out of you. I remember everything afterward, but at the time, I can't really control it. It scares even me."

He put the beer down and sat back on the stool. That was enough for now. He didn't want to tell her about how they'd killed his wife and child. He couldn't go back there for now.

"So you see," he said, "you're sort of with the safest person you could be with, but sort of with the most dangerous. If we weren't shackled, then maybe....." He shrugged his shoulders and lifted his palms upwards. "But we are shackled, so you're stuck with me." 

****

Emma smiled and nudged his foot with her bare one, "So you're a little crazy, we all have our faults." She teased softly. "I'm not complaining. At least you don't stink. Could be worse, always worse. I'd like you more if you stocked up on some sodas though. Honestly, I don't know how you can live on beers and coffee...by the way, should you really be drinking AND taking drugs?"

Setting aside her beer, she stretched a little and rolled her shoulders, digesting all the information he had given her. It definitely helped put the pieces together as to how he ended this way and why. While in some ways it was sad, at least he and his team had their eyes open. Not many cared to bother looking, content to stay in their own little bubbles and doing as they were told. Emma had been one of those people and like Liam, had gotten quite the shock of a lifetime.

"I think you and I have a lot more in common than we initially thought, Liam. And since we're stuck together, I say we make the best of it. And before you ask, no, I'm still not washing your dirty socks." She gave him a wink and stifled a yawn behind of her slender pale hands.

For a moment she watched him drink his beer, both of them falling silent before she started speaking again. "I've trusted you with a lot recently and well, I'm hoping you will trust me here too. I'm not a doctor and I won't pretend to know what you go through when you take those magical little pills. It doesn't sound like much fun." Drawing a breath, she let her fingers brush against his own, her gaze shifting to his hands. Large and strong. It was hard to picture him falling apart, mentally or in any other way. "So I'm proposing that maybe we can get comfortable, take your medicine and let me be here for you. I don't like the idea of me snoozing away while you have a small mental breakdown in a dark corner, Liam." 

****

She seemed to have absorbed what he'd told her. Of course, he hadn't told her what had happened to his family, but she didn't need to know that.

Yet.

She rubbed her foot on his, just a quick nudge. It made him feel....warm. Having her there made him feel better. The smells of cooking, sitting at the bench talking, her nudging his foot. 

Domesticity.

For a trained killer, he was very domestic. Laura had often joked about that. I'll fuck you all day long, Liam, but I'll be damned if I'm going to put your washing away. He smiled at that.




Shackled Ch. 10



I wouldn't want you putting my washing away, Laura, waste of a damned good ass.

Cute. Reminiscing are we?

Come back to say goodbye, have you?

Thinking of Laura. How nice. And you're stuck with a nerd who's going to get you killed.

I've got the Palazonol so just go quietly eh?

You're going to get us both killed.

Irish and I will be fine.

I meant us. You and me.

There is no us. No you and me. There's me. They put you here. You don't belong.

You're dead without me. You won't be able to do what's needed.

We'll see.

I hope not before it's too late.

I'll help the girl.

Just fuck her. She's just a girl. Fuck her and you'll see she's just that. Don't make her a cause, put her on a pedestal.

Nervous are we? Jealous maybe?

She's not important. We're important. She's nothing. A girl. To fuck. Then bye bye.

No. Bye you.

Don't.....

His thoughts were interrupted by Emma. 

Thank God for that.

If only you really knew how crazy I really was Irish....

He shook his head at her. He knew he shouldn't be drinking, but he knew his limits. He'd never had a problem with alcohol and the Palanozol and Laura had never warned him of one. They probably didn't know enough about it. What you don't know, won't hurt you. Jess had said that all the time. Now there were lots of things he wished he didn't know.

Jess.

No more.

Emma was fidgeting around in her seat. She wouldn't be quiet for long. He knew her well enough now. She started to speak.

He smiled.

Bingo.

She winked at him. She looked tired and was trying to keep some yawns down. It was time to go to bed. They had a big day tomorrow. He had to talk to Bonnie, but there would be heat everywhere. Carl would be with her. He needed to find out about Irish's friends, especially the guy that helped her. There was no point having the information on the disc and getting killed for it if there wasn't a chance they could hurt the government. Shit, that was the whole reason to do this. Hurt the motherfuckers.

He took another sip of his beer. She spoke again.

It's easy talking to you, Irish, I like it.

"I've trusted you with a lot recently and well, I'm hoping you will trust me here too. I'm not a doctor and I won't pretend to know what you go through when you take those magical little pills. It doesn't sound like much fun." 

She paused. He thought it must have taken her a significant amount of effort since she was rolling now. She drew in a breath.

Ahh, she needed air.

He loved watching her try to get everything out. He was sure that if she could, she would have two conversations going at once. She was beautiful and independent.

And innocent.

Her hands brushed his and he got that feeling again. Warmth. She was so small compared to him. A lot of people were, but he wanted to scoop her up, tell her it was all going to work, brush her ears with his lips, whisper that they were going to be ok....

But I didn't know.

For sure.

She kept going.

He winked back at her.

I better get a word in....

"Oh, with my charms, Irish," he said, "I think I could find a truck load of women willing to wash my socks. I can keep you.... for other purposes."

He smiled slyly. He knew he would embarrass her.

He drank again from his beer and his face became serious.

"Thank you for the dinner, Irish," he said, looking directly at her. "I appreciate it. Why don't we get cleaned up and ready for bed."

He stood up, directly in front of her, his legs almost touching hers as she perched on the kitchen stool. He put one of his hands over hers.

"If you want to be here, that's fine. Any excuse to lie next to me, eh?" he said playfully. "When I take the Palazonol, things happen. I don't exactly know, but it's not good. I say things. I'm not dangerous.... that I know of." He paused, his face blank. He stepped back and looked at the plastic bottle on the counter that Laura had given him.

The truth was, Hansen didn't like the Palazonol. It made him softer, less inclined to do the first instinctual thing. It was meant to do the opposite, of course, but Laura always worried that if did its job properly one day, then he would become an amoral killing machine. And uncontrollable. He worried about that, but for the moment, the Palazonol helped. 

And it got rid of him.

Me? No reason to be afraid.

I'm not.

Hehehehe.

He shook his head. 

"Why don't we get cleaned up and then go to bed?" he said. "The longer I have resting, then the better we'll both be tomorrow. You need to rest too. You get ready first, ok?"

He walked over to the bed and sat on it to wait for her.

He grinned at her and patted the spot beside him.

"No need to be shy after all we've gone through, so we'll sleep together," he said.

He wiggled his index finger at her and pretended to look scared.

"But you really do have to keep your hands off me this time...." 

****


His sly smile made her blush even while she rolled her eyes, trying to brush him off. "In your dreams." She mocked back and grinned in return. "And you're more than welcome for dinner. I girls gotta eat. You just happen to be stuck with me."

She clasped the hand that he slid over hers as he stood before her. She had to crane her head back slightly to gaze into his face as he spoke, reminding her of how small she was compared to him.

She snorted, "I confess, I cannot help myself. You are irresistible!"

Still, the possible effects of the drug made her worry. She tightened her smaller hand around his and drew herself up, pushing him back slightly so that she could stand without putting a crick in her neck. "It'll be fine. I'm not worried about it." She told him. It was a small lie. She was worried, but about him more than herself. She wanted him to be okay. To be better and not have to suffer.

Moving away, she reluctantly let go of the warmth of his hand and plucked up the shirt she had worn the night before. In the tiny confines of the bathroom, Emma brushed her teeth and rinsed her face, taking care of business as usual. She tend wiggled out of her pants and folded them neatly, setting them aside along with her shirt, then wiggled into the over sized one that was Liam's. 

She she returned, he was grinning and patting the spot beside him. She quirked a brow and gave him a small smile. He wiggled his index finger at her and pretended to look scared.

She giggled at that and crawled onto the bed, mindful of how much flesh she was flashing. "I can't promise anything. Your animal magnetism is hard to resist." She teased and pulled the sheet up over her bare legs, wiggling down into what had been her spot the night before. "Your turn. Hurry before I pass out and forget that I'm supposed to be molesting you."

That tickled her again and she giggled despite the seriousness of their situation. 

****

I hope you do pass out.

He got up and let Emma crawl into bed. She seemed relaxed enough. That was good. He wanted her relaxed. Not scared. It wouldn't do to be scared.

You fuck up when you're scared.

Tell me about it. You're going to take those stupid pills. With me gone, you're fucked.

Because you been such a great help so far.

You're alive.

Jess and Cassie aren't.

Can't win 'em all.

I have to.

He walked over to the kitchen bench, scooped up the little plastic bottle that Laura had given him and walked into the bathroom.

There used to be an old singer. He remembered his father used to play things called CDs. He always used to play this singer who'd been long dead, even then.

"It's now or never...."

Elvis. That was his name. Cheesy.

But Hansen had liked him.

Summed it up really.

Cheesy. Sentimental. 

That's why they'd had to fuck with his brain.

He washed his face with cold water. It stung, but it felt good. He hadn't shaved for a while. Since going out after Fat Fuck actually. The thought of what had happened to him made him smirk and he regretted it instantly. 

Thatta boy. That's the old Liam. Why take the pill? It'll take your edge. Your difference.

I can't think clearly with you there. You're not an edge. You're....sick.

His thoughts returned to Emma. Hopefully she'd fallen asleep. He doubted it, but it would be better. The Voice wouldn't give up without a fight and he didn't want her to hear it.

The struggle.

Yet he did though. Deep down, he did.

He wanted someone to hear the struggle. To share it with him. Like Jess had.

When she was alive.

He looked at himself in the mirror. 

You're fucked.

No argument there. Hehehe.

He shook his head. He opened the bottle and tipped it slightly. The little blue pill fell out onto the palm of his hand. It was so small, but it could do so much. It's promise, just it's promise was nearly enough. He hadn't taken one for a while. He'd wanted the edge. The difference. He couldn't go around getting people like Fat fuck without that. The Palanozol tempered that.

Or could he?

Maybe he was damn good, regardless of what they'd done to him. Maybe he could be effective and not be....

....a killer. A monster.

"You're the devil in disguise...."

Elvis again. Did that old dude have a song for everything?

Maybe he could do his work and be normal, whatever the fuck normal was.

Emma didn't seem to be afraid of him. Maybe it was because he'd saved her. 

So far. 

When the shit came down, would she be able to cope with it. Her situation was an excuse for him. Ok, it was more than that, but the truth of it was, her plight gave him a reason to hit back. To make a final last attempt at getting everyone to realize what was going on. That this was no way to live. No way to exist. 

Exist. That's all people were doing. They were existing for the benefit of others. Gullible. Scared. Ignorant people.

Existing.

We'll I'll make you see, whether you like it or not. I'll take the blindfolds off and then it's up to you. But at least I can say, "I did something." It might have been wrong. It might have been stupid, but I did. Something.

There was an old saying in Australia when he was growing up.

Don't leave it to your mates, do it for your mates.

None of these people were his mates. These gullible climbers who believed that existing was enough. But they didn't deserve this and he had to do something.

Anything.

He put the pill on his tongue, closed his mouth and looked at himself in the mirror a final time. His eyes stared back, an infinite reflection of glass onto cornea onto glass. No, not reflecting. Refracting. Bending. Twisting. Would he ever find the real Hansen again? The one that swam with his friends. That kicked a football. That loved the sun? His eyes started to moisten and well up so he turned and left the bathroom. He switched off the lights in the room, not looking at Emma. He could hear the low hum of the fridge and the rumbling of the electric buses on the surface.

He walked to the bed, navigating the short distance easily. He pulled the sheets back on the bed and slowly slid in, hoping that Emma would still be asleep. She would pretend she was anyway to save arguments.

Maybe.

He left his clothes on. He still didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable, even after all they'd been through. He lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, but not seeing it. There was only darkness.

The pill was still on his tongue.

You don't have to do it.

I do.

Why?

I have to do good, by being good.

Dickhead.

To you.

She's gonna die. You know that, don't you. And you probably will too. Dickhead.

I have to try.

You won't win. You'll kill all your friends. Those fucking humans up there don't give a shit. They're happy with the handouts they're given. 

I don't care.

Fuck, Liam. You could still be with the government. Be one of the lucky ones.

Lucky? 

He swallowed the pill.

You're a cunt, Hansen.

Maybe....

The Voice was getting lower.

You'll regret this....

Maybe....

He didn't care how it looked or what she would think. He rolled over and placed his arm over Emma and snuggled against her back. He pulled her close, his arm fully encircling her, only the t shirt between her bare body and his arm. He lowered his head a little so that his nose was buried in her hair. She smelt good. Like a woman. Different to him.

Tighter he pulled her. He would be crushing her soon if he didn't stop increasing the pressure.

You...are....

The Voice was fading.

But he would be back.

He wouldn't give up.

Ever.



Shackled Ch. 11



Emma lay still. She hadn't been quite wide awake, but conscious enough to feel Liam slide into bed. Her mind perked, knowing full well that he was going to be going through some changes with her present. But she remained calm and kept her breathing even and listened. When he finally turned and pulled her closer, she smiled and let him. His larger body radiated heat like a strong radiator and when he buried his nose against her hair she shivered slightly. 

The squeezing tightened and tightened again until she finally squirmed against him, her bottom bumping against his lower belly and hips. "Easy." She whispered softly, "I'm right here, Liam."

She wasn't sure quite what to expect or what to do, but as she wiggled against him, his hold slackened enough to turn. Slowly she wedged her shoulder against his chest and turned, letting out a puff of air. Then his grip tightened again, the pressure so great that she turned once again to face him. Her face pressed against his chest as she slid her own arm around him, her hand sliding over his back and caressing him through his shirt. 

"You're not alone," She continued. His great body shuddered against her own and she gave him a bit of a squeeze, wishing she could see his face. Reaching she slid her fingers through his hair, his warm breath fanning against the top of her head and under her ear she could hear his heart beat beating strong and fast. Then the trembling began and Emma tightened her hold, using a little brute force to pull herself up higher against his body. She caressed his short cropped hair, "It's okay. Shh..."

His eyes once closed opened and held hers, looking a little glassy and out of sorts. Her heart went out to him, wishing she could take his pain away. Not the physical ones, but the deep seeded emotional ones that went a lot deeper. 

****

Emma was awake, or maybe he squeezed her too tightly and awakened her. Either way, he didn't care. He was holding her. He needed to hold her.

She was wriggling in the embrace of his arm. He loosened his grip a little and she rolled to lay flat on her back. He squeezed her more tightly again and finally she rolled fully around to face him. He knew he was squeezing her too tightly, but the pill was starting to affect him. His faculties and any sense of delicateness were disappearing. The Voice was struggling too.

Enjoy it, Hansen. Canoodling with your professor. 

Come....to....say....goodbye....have....you.

Fuck her now before she's dead.

Fuck....you.

She brought him back as she had always done recently.

She was pressed against him and her arm was around his body, her hand caressing his back. He could still feel that, thank God. The Palanozol had to get rid of the Voice. If it didn't, he didn't know what he could do.

If you get rid of me you get rid of your edge.

I....can....hardly....hear....you....

Her hand was rubbing through his hair now. It felt good. She felt good. Smelt good. He didn't want to embarrass himself, but there was nothing he could do. He was glad he had come to bed dressed because there would be no mistaking how good he thought she felt. The hard evidence was pressing into her belly.

Hard evidence? 

He smiled to himself.

"I'm....sorry...." he said. "Irish."

She even sounded good, better than the Voice.

He thought he was going to burn up. He knew the symptoms of the drug so he was not afraid. It was the same every time. This time was different though, Emma was with him. Usually, he was under the supervision of someone who knew him, like Laura or Bonnie or even Carl had been there before. He hoped he didn't scare her. He hoped....

She hugged him more tightly and pulled herself up along his body until their faces were just apart. He could just see her face in the glow of light provided by the various appliances. He was aware of her breasts pressing into his chest. Of her legs against his. Of their groins together, the heat there making it almost unbearable for him.

He kept looking at her face. Actually, there were three faces, an effect of the drug, but he didn't care. 

They were all beautiful.

They were all her.

All Emma.

And she was alive.

He was shaking, he was hot and he was sweating. He gripped her even more tightly and kept staring at her. He could have closed his eyes, but he wanted to keep looking at her.

No point being embarrassed now. She was a woman. Surely she could forgive him being aroused by lying in bed with her, their bodies squeezed tightly together. There was nothing for her to worry about.

Was there?

Her face was so close to his and she looked so beautiful.

The middle one, that must be her face.

He ran his arm along her back and up to the nape of her neck. He pushed her head towards him.

I'll feel which one it is.

He felt her breath on his face and his eyes tried to focus.

"Sorry, Irish," he said breathing a little heavily, "but I have to take my chances....when I....can get them."

He followed the warmth of her breath and leaned his head forward, kissing her lips softly. It felt good, so good.... He pulled back to look at her.

He tried to smile, but he didn't know what his feelings were. He ended up smirking. 

"And they say I'm not romantic."

He moved forward and kissed her again.

Fuck it. May as well make the most of it. 

****

He was so hot, the heat off of his body rolling over her own and making her own heat, dampening with sweat. But she wouldn't let him go or wiggle away, she told herself. She would be there for him, even if the press of his hard arousal pressed between them felt highly intimate. He was all male, she had to hand him that. Every part of him strong and hard as he squeezed her.

Holding his gaze was easy for Emma. His eyes, even glassy from the drugs were so attractive and then his hand was moving up her body, cupping the back of her head. The cool strands of her hair sifted gently through his fingers as he pulled her closer.

Her heart did a funny little flip, her nerves humming to life. Deep in her belly she warmed, her body reacting to his nearness, tingling until she shivered. And then his lips pressed to hers, his breath warm and good. She let out a little gasp of surprise, but didn't fight him. It felt good, his lips gentle despite his internal struggle.

Then he drew back, a small smirk playing on his lips.

She opened her mouth say something in return, but his mouth came back down and smothered whatever she had to say. She promptly forgot what it was as he stole her breath away. This kiss was a little firmer, his mouth drawing on her fuller bottom lip. She flicked it with her tongue, tentatively kissing him, torn between pulling away and easing the pressure or going for it. It had been many years since the last time she'd kissed a man and to Liam she would probably be considered a virgin compared to the likes of Laura. But she couldn't hold back with him. 

Her mouth was soft and pliant, giving as much as he took. Shyly her tongue kept returning, tracing his bottom lip, tugging at it with her teeth and then slowly sliding against his own in a sensual slow dance as she opened up fully for him. 

Her body pressed closely, aching as she tightened her hold. Without thinking she slid a thigh over his hips and rocked her hips against his, whimpering softly. 

****

He was kissing her and it felt good. Damn good. He knew it would. His reserve was draining away. He was not "drugged" in the true sense of the word. His thought processes were gentler, more caring. He was still adjusting to the drug and his brain was whirling with images. Laura had described it as rebooting.

He was kissing Emma and she was returning his kiss, offering herself to him as he drew her bottom lip into his mouth. Her tongue was probing his mouth softly, shyly at first and then with added vigor as she seemed to grow more confident and willing.

He gently curled her long, brown hair in his fingers as he pressed her head to him. He looked into her eyes, brown he remembered, but he couldn't see their color in the near darkness of the room. He surprised himself, recalling the color of her eyes.

I must have paid attention.

The fact that he was still fully clothed, coupled with the heat of their bodies pressed together and the effect of the drug, meant that he had a very light sheen of sweat on him. She was beautiful. She wasn't his type of woman or so he thought. But then, what was his type of woman.....? He'd had many women, but now was not the time....

Her leg moved over his thigh and she pressed herself to him with more urgency. She was rocking her hips and making low, whimpering noises.

She only had the t shirt on and he could feel her body through it. If he hadn't left his clothes on, she would be in danger of....

What? She's an adult. If she wants to fuck....

He didn't want to take advantage of her. He knew from experience that people who were scared were more likely to cling to the ones who were protecting them. It heightened all of their senses. He had no doubt that he was more attractive to her because he was helping her, protecting her. 

He took his hand from her head, but continued kissing her. He then ran it down her back and to her practically bare ass cheeks. The t shirt had ridden up to her hips, so there was only her underwear between his hand and the smooth skin of her firm buttocks. He pushed her into him, responding with some small bucking of his own. 

He rolled over a little, so that his weight was on half of her body. He could feel her breast pressing into his chest. Her leg was around his his and he moved his hand onto her thigh.

He paused from kissing her for a moment.

"I'm....not... sure....I'm in....such....good....nick....for....this....Irish," he said.

But he continued to hold her and rock his hips. His jeans and underwear felt very tight now as he became harder.

I hope this is the right thing.

But he continued kissing her, pushing his tongue further into her warm mouth and driving his groin into her.

Hard to go back from here.... 

****

She clung to him, even as he rolled and pressed his weight into her, his body solid and hot. She could feel the sweat of his body dampening his shirt, making it cling. Her fingers tugged at the material, wanting it off. Wanting bare flesh under her eager hands.

As he pressed and rubbed against her own tilting hips, she gasped and whimpered against his mouth. He swallowed the sweet noises as their mouths clung. His large hands kept on caressing the full tightness of her bottom. In turn, she pulled her thigh up higher, hooking her leg more firmly around as they ground together, dry humping like worked up teenagers. The rough texture of his pants was rubbing her all too sweetly and pretty soon she was having a hard time thinking all together.

"Liam." She whimpered, her body pulsing as heat spread through her core. 

She knew it had to be bad...but it felt so good. But he was under the influence of drugs. What if he resented them doing this in once it wore off. What if she couldn't look him straight in the eyes anymore because she was taking advantage of his weakness. What if he truly didn't want her?

His words seemed to cool her a little and she forced herself to relax, pulling her mouth away to suck in a long deep breath. His face dropped lower to her neck and she bucked under him, her fingers curling into the material of his shirt as she let out a yelp and shuddered under him as her nipples tightened painfully. "Oh!" Her voice hit the side of his ear, loud and clear, followed by a delicious little whimper. 

Stopping was easier said than done. Her panties were embarrassingly wet. Never in her life had she felt so on fire! Her fingers tugged worked until she'd bunched up his shirt around his shoulder and kept on pulling. "For the love, Liam, take it off!" 

****

He felt like he was going to explode. He was hot. He was sweaty. 

And he was now as aroused as any man could be. 

I'm supposed to be protecting you.

The Voice had gone, but now his mind was jumping around, the faces of different women coming into his mind for seconds and then being replaced by others. It was the risk with the drug. His mind would recall similar incidents of the same emotional tenor to whatever he was experiencing at the time. That was why he always needed supervision and why he couldn't do anything for twelve hours as the drug took effect. If he was fighting, he would recall old missions and the results could be catastrophic. It could affect whatever he was doing either negatively or positively, depending on the previous experiences he'd had. It was reconstructing the memory of such experiences so as to shape his future behavior. He thought again of Laura's rebooting analogy just as she popped into his head.

He tried to focus on Emma and she started to steady in his mind. There were a few more flicks of his mental Rolodex, but ultimately it was Emma's face that both his eyes and his mind could focus on.

Just as well, I'm dry humping her like a dog on a football.

His mind cleared a little when she yelped in his ear.

For a moment, he thought he'd hurt her somehow with his weight on her, but it didn't sound like pain. It may have been pain, but it was pain borne of pleasure. She was making small whimpering noises now and nuzzling him.

If I keep this up, I'll have to go through with it.

He smirked to himself.

A man's gotta do, what....

He genuinely didn't know if he had the strength or if his mind would allow him to make love to her, but the heat between his legs wouldn't leave him now. The only way to relieve the pressure of his desire, of his lust was to take her the way she wanted to be taken.

His shirt was bunched in her fists and she was pulling it up his belly, over his chest and then she stopped at his shoulders. She was having a problem getting it off with his weight on her.

Here goes. This is it. The protector becomes the hunter....

He couldn't help, but use some humor to relieve some of his tension, both physical and emotional.

"Need a little help there, Irish?" he said. He was feeling better. The focus on their sexual excitement meant that his brain was thinking of only one thing: fucking Emma. It probably wasn't sustainable in the long term, but for now it would do. 

Pleasantly enough.

He rolled off her and onto his back. He then sat up as if doing a sit up and pulled the t shirt up and over his head and threw it on the floor. She was a lot smaller than he was, so he was easily able to put an arm under her and scoop her up so that she was now lying on top of him. He then ran his hands slowly along her thighs, up over her ass cheeks and hips and along her ribcage until he finally got to the bottom of her t shirt which had ridden up to just below her breasts.

Again, he sat up and felt his muscles ripple under her belly. He gripped the shirt and then pulled it up over her head and shoulders and threw that on the ground as well.

She was now lying on top of him, bare belly to bare belly. It did little to help him with his erection. He was harder than he'd been the whole night. He still had his jeans on and she still had her panties on. He put his arms around her and squeezed her into him and raised his head to kiss her. She was so small and light that he hardly felt her and his embrace felt like it was going to crush her.

As he kissed her, he ran his hand down her back and to the top of her panties. He slowly began to pull them down. He wanted this badly now, like nothing that he'd wanted for a long time.

I think I'm going to fuck the professor.

I'd better get an A.... 

****

Emma loved the taste of him. His kisses seemed to drown everything else out until in the end it was just him and her. Skin on skin, mostly, finally. He felt so good, so solid that it was hard to imagine that at that point he wasn't exactly in the best of conditions. 

His touch as making her rub against him, her small hands sliding against the hot skin of his shoulders and sides, caressing whatever bits of skin she could get to that wasn't pressed to her front as their tongues dueled. She curled hers around his, then flicked the roof on his mouth and nipped at his lips.

Big hands began to tug at her panties just as she slid her mouth over his chin and pressed kisses along his jaw line, dipping low to taste the slight saltiness of his skin before she nipped at his earlobe. She wasn't Laura, she wasn't smooth and experienced. She wasn't drop dead gorgeous. She actually surprised herself for getting naked and not being a complete mess about it. But he wasn't letting shyness take hold, instead driving her need further as those clever fingers dipped down the edges of her panties and squeezed her bare bottom. 

From her position, straddled over his thighs and pressed against him, there was no way those panties were coming down. She smiled against his skin as he tugged and pushed and got nowhere. It struck her as amusing, through the haze of passion. 

"Need a little help there, Liam?" She quipped breathlessly, smiling sweetly as she pressed her lips to his again, drowning whatever response he could have. Her hips kept rocking, rubbing against the roughness of his fly which was hitting her clit just right way through her panties and making her shiver. Moaning, she sucked in her already flat tummy and pulled her middle up every so slightly, even to drive her hands between them as she began to pop the button of his pants. 

She should have been shy, but as the button gave, she slowly sat up, panting softly, her lips moist swollen from their kisses. All pretty and pale with her long hair drifting over her shoulders, she sat on his thighs and with trembling fingers began to unzip him jeans, the rasp of metal and on metal almost deafening. This was it. The panties came off after this and there would be no turning back. 

****

It was easy. 

Making love to her. 

Her mouth covered his and her tongue was probing, looking for more of him. She was hungry for him and it was just as well because both of them needed to satisfied. His mind was well and truly focused on her alone. Maybe Emma had done him a favor. The workings of his mind under the drug could proceed in the background because he had something that needed immediate attention.

Her.

He could feel her soft hands sliding over his body, her touch making him harder and wanting her more. If their kisses grew anymore passionate, they would devour each other. She was lightly pulling on his bottom lip with her teeth.

Damn those panties. He wanted them off. Now.

She was kissing his face, running her lips onto his chin and then along his jaw, moving back to his ear. His fumbling with her underwear had at least got him to the stage where he could hold her smooth butt checks in his hands. He could almost hold a whole cheek in one of his hands, but he wanted....

....more.

Her playful teasing was breathy. 

Touche, he thought. It only made him hornier that at this moment she could share his sense of humor. The rocking of her hips was driving him mad. He wanted to pound her. Use her. She was nothing like he'd met before and he wanted to release himself into her.

Careful, buddy. This is no one night fuck....

She sucked in her stomach and reached her hand down between them. Her hand found the button of his jeans and she opened it. He drew in his breath. Her hand felt good on the skin of his lower belly. Its coolness only made him want it more, wanted her hand to go lower, to take hold of him.

She slid back slightly and sat up so that she was sitting on his thighs with her legs folded beneath her. In the dim green light he could see her pale nakedness. Her breasts. Her hair trailing down over her shoulders. Beautifully disheveled.




Shackled Ch. 11



Her hands went down to the crotch of his jeans. He could feel them through the thick material and it made his cock twitch in anticipation. She found the zipper and slid it down and he felt relief at being free of the constriction. He placed his hands on her hips, watching her undo his pants. He couldn't quite reach her panties now, she was too far down the bed.

"What about those, then?" he asked. His voice was hoarse now.

He'd never felt so alive. He was almost aching with desire now.

For her.

Emma.

All the other thoughts had left his mind.

Only she remained. 

****

She bit down on her lower lip as she concentrated on her task. Button, zipper, his wonderful hands touching the tops of her thighs as she wiggled back to giver herself some room to work. The further she backed away, his fingers slid down to her knees and then off.

A small breathless laugh met his question and then flushed. "Patience is a virtue." 

Only she wasn't very patient and neither was he. "Lets..." She tugged at his pants and was relieved when he lifted his hips for her. Cool fingers touched his skin as she dipped her fingers into the waist of his pants and underwear and pulled. "Get...these..."

She let out a grunt as she struggled a second and finally cursed and moved lower until she stood at the edge of the bed and pull. The jeans came off, tossed aside and her eyes hungrily took him in. Hooking her fingers into her panties, she kept her gaze focused on him and wiggled out of the flimsy material. Naked and oh so ready, she slowly crawled back up his body, her knees on either side of his body, pausing to dip down and kiss his beautiful cock.

He tensed, his hips rolling up and she smiled. Even in her inexperience, she wasn't a complete innocent. She knew he'd like it as she wrapped a hand around his hot flesh and stroked him as she peppered his lower abdomen with moist kisses, her breath fanning across his skin. 

Teasing him was fun, but she wanted to be closer still. Wanted to feel him against her own aching body. Maybe next time he'd let her play. If there would be a next time. Maybe he could show her a thing or two. "Liam." She sighed as she slid up and pressed her bare breasts to his chest, her hot slick sex intimately nudging against his hardness. 

All flushed and glowing, she tasted his mouth again and moaned as their naked bodies rubbed against one another. Reaching for more, her hips lifted to wiggle closer, her thighs flexing as his cock pressed lower, to the hot center of her. She gasped and squirmed, slowly sitting back as his fingers dug into her hips. "Oh yeees." She hissed out, closing her eyes to enjoy the sweet feel of him. 

****

She slid down the bed, away from him so that she could remove his pants. He wanted to touch her, but he felt better when she ran her fingers into the top of his underpants and started to try and pull them and his jeans off in one motion. She was struggling a little and it wasn't helped by both her weight and his own.

She was mumbling and cursing to herself and moved herself down to stand at the end of the bed. He raised his hips and finally she was able to pull them off. She looked at his naked body and then pulled her panties down to stand there in her own glorious nakedness.

She wasn't there for long. She placed her hands and knees on either side of him and slowly began to crawl back up his body. She paused with her head above his cock and he thought he was going to die from the anticipation. Then she lowered her head and he felt her warm breath on it. He felt her kiss it and he nearly erupted then, like a virgin teenager. He thrust upwards, but her lips were no longer there.

Emma was teasing him.

Her cool soft hand circled his shaft and began to slowly pump it. It's small size only heightened his pleasure and he feel the precum oozing out of him. He had been in this state for what felt like an eternity and his body was crying out in response to her touch.

Now he felt her warm breath around the top of where his cock joined his body. She showered warm, wet kisses on his lower abdomen, all the while pumping his shaft. The head of his cock was becoming slippery with anticipation. The kisses were making his body tremble and he bucked in response to them, uncontrollably hoping to elicit further pleasures.

She sighed his name and then let go of his cock. He was disappointed for a moment, but then she began to further slide up his body. She slid all the way up until she could kiss him again. He looked into her brown eyes, the dull green light of the apartment bouncing of the golden flecks in them. For all their nakedness, their urgent passion, she was still Emma and that made him even harder. He gently kissed her again, looking into her eyes so that he would remember this. Drug or no drug, this moment would be indelibly marked on his brain. 

And that's the way I want it.

He could feel her breasts on his chest, the nipples hard on his skin. Their hips were joined together, and even in this position, he could feel her wetness on his cock. She was breathing hard and moaning and eventually the movements of their desire led to his cock being right at the entrance to her cunt. The promise of warmth. Connection. Release. That's what he wanted and he was sure she wanted it as well.

He felt her hands on his chest and belly as she pushed herself and sat back up. Glorious, he thought, I can see her and fuck her. Her thighs would have squeezed a smaller man to death, but Hansen was not a small man.

He grabbed her hips and very gently lifted her. He didn't have to lift her much as her slit was poised directly above his cock. He moved a little and then let her come down slowly. She was so wet that he slid in easily, and the head of his cock felt the warm embrace of her cunt. He felt his head sliding past her walls and his shaft rubbing on her soft swollen lips.

It pleased him that she was enjoying it and he slowly bucked his hips to push his cock deeper and deeper into her warm depths. His cock felt so stiff that he felt like he was going to punch out the other side of her.

He looked at her, leaning back on his belly and thighs with closed eyes and impaled on him to her core. He took one hand off her hips and then gently ran his thumb to her slit, just above where his cock entered her. He gently inserted it into the slick gap and then ran it up until it rested on her clitoris. She was very wet and it only increased his desire. Then, as he pumped her with his cock, gently bucking his hips, he began to gently rub her clit, occasionally gathering some more of their juices so that it slid easily.

He didn't how much of this he could take, but watching her above him, with his cock thrusting into her and his thumb working her clit, he thought this was as perfect as anything could get.

Anything. 

****

What had promised to be a rough night with Emma trying to comfort him now seemed perfect. It didn't take her sharp mind to realize that their connection went deeper than just the physical, but in that moment, everything seemed utterly amazing. He was like the other piece of her puzzle, fitting her so perfectly that her body sang. Every nerve ending seem to crackle with pleasure, awareness and need of him. Liam, her protector, her friend and now her lover.

Sitting up against his lips with her tight little bottom resting on his upper thighs, Emma met his thrusts with her own rocking and rolling hips. Her hands splayed against his belly and she moaned deeply. His thumb only added to the sensation as he toyed with her clit and made her gasp and whimper. Dropping her head back, she arching her back and changed her position to lean back, moving her hands to his thighs instead. With legs spread wider, she took him deeper, her muscles squeezing him tight as she rode him. Each thrust and roll made her full breasts bounce deliciously as she took him again and again. 

His name passed her lips again and before long it wasn't enough, she needed the warmth of his body against her own. With a sultry moan, she pressed close again, her mouth grazing his chest, neck and shoulder, sucking and nipping at his skin. Her knees drew higher along his sides, riding him just that little bit harder. The pleasure that burst through her with every movement drew soft little sexy noises from her throat as she clenched all around him. "Ooh yes, Liam." 

****

Emma was lost in her own world. He didn't mind that. It was the point after all. Pleasure. He kept thrusting into her, all sense of decorum or concern abandoned. She was moving so much, rocking on his cock, that he thought she would fall off him. She had her hands pressed to his stomach to steady herself, but it only made him crave her more. He could feel her wetness running down his cock, to where his thumb was playing with her clit. He held her steady with his other hand on her hip as he pumped his cock deeper. He was plumbing her warm depths, yet he still wanted more.

He couldn't get deep enough.

He would never get deep enough.

He wouldn't be happy till he could split her with his cock.

This would have to do.

The feeling on his cock as her cunt clenched around it brought gasps from him. She shifted further backwards so that her hands were now behind her on his thighs. He watched as she arched her back, her hair falling down behind her and her firm full breasts thrust out in pleasure. Her legs were now spread wider, so he could push into her further. He couldn't believe there was a further, but her cunt clenched around his cock, making his thrusting even more pleasurable. He was trying to pleasure her clit, but she was too far back now and he allowed himself to enjoy the sensations – his cock sliding in and out of her.

She called his name and then moved back to cover his body with hers. He liked the feeling of her light weight on him. Her mouth was everywhere: his mouth, his chest, his neck, his shoulder. Parts of his body were stimulated that had never been stimulated before.

She drew her knees up beside his hips, granting him deeper access to her warm wet depths. Her cunt was spasming around his cock, almost hanging on to it when he tried to pull out. She was making soft purring noises.

He wanted to enjoy this for himself, to give her pleasure and watch it. He wanted to see that he could be good. Gentle. 

She was light, too light for him. He held on to her knees at his hips and while she had her arms around his neck, he flipped her over.

Now he was on top.

He held her knees in the crook of either of his arms, holding her legs up and widening the access for his body. He looked down at her for a moment, lowered his head and brushed her lips with his for a moment and then began to pump his cock into her again. He watched her breasts bounce with each thrust and her face was framed by the splayed brown hair all over the pillow. He pushed into her so hard that his pelvic bone was grinding into her small body.

"Oh, Emma," he cried as he kept pumping.

It was almost the first time he'd called her by her real name. He wouldn't have noticed that.

He wouldn't have noticed if the world had come to an end.

All he cared about was fucking her.

Emma. 

****

Emma let out a soft grunt as he flipped her followed by a squeal as he drove deeper. Her eyes widened and gazed up at him, reveling in the feel of him. His kiss was sweet, the sound of her name on his lips even sweeter. At least he knew, he was there with her. 

"Yeeesss!" She moaned back, his hips grinding against her own and knowingly or not, pushing against her clit. She was pushing her further, his cock so hard and pulsing that every thrust was making her shudder. "Liam..." She breathed, her hands moving up his arms and shoulders, touching his chest as she tweaked his flat nipples. 

The aching pressure was driving her crazy, but his weight made it impossible to do more than dig her shoulders back into the beg and thrust her chest up as her head tilted back. "Oh, oh, uuugh, Liam!"

She was there, the white hot heat pleasure crashing over her. She screamed, her legs tightening and tensing against his arms as her tight wet slit milked his cock, begging for him to fill her. She needed him to fill her, give her all that he had to give as she was doing for him. 

****

Hansen was worried that he might hurt Emma, such was the force with which he was pumping his cock into her. She looked at him, but her face betrayed no pain, only pleasure.

Her hands were all over him now, sending further tingles through his body. She grabbed his nipples and gave them a gentle tweak. He could feel his nuts hitting the bottom of her ass crack as his cock bottomed out in her cunt. The muscles in there were milking his cock, searching for the nectar of his release.

She was tensing beneath him and he knew that she was close to cumming. His urge was so overwhelming, his desire so primal, that he was not going to slow. He didn't want to slow. He couldn't. He wanted to fuck her till he could fill her with pent up lust.

Then she screamed in orgasm and her legs tensed against his arms. He held them there, keeping her legs spread as he continued to slam into her. She was writhing, dancing on the end of his cock as the climax washed over her. He ran his hands up her legs and grabbed her ankles to hold her legs even higher and wider, her small feet on either side of his face. His large hands encircled her ankles and held them tight. He continued pumping into her, grunting with the force of his own exertion. 

He felt it coming. He wanted to cum now, with her. He was thrusting into her cunt, still spasming in the last throes of her own orgasm, when he felt his balls tighten and he knew he was going to cum. He wanted to fill her. Drown her. He looked down at her face, flushed and hot from the exertion of cumming and he could hold back no longer. 

"Emma....fuck...!!!" he cried.

He smashed his cock into her one last time and held it there for a few seconds as he felt the liquid ribbons of his lust spurt from his cock into her. Again he thrust and more spurt out. He felt like it would never end, shot after shot of cum splashing into her cunt, coating the warm depths he'd been pumping. His breathing was ragged and he continued pumping his hips into her.

Slowly, he stopped pumping, but his cock continued twitching, only little droplets now, oozing out and into her. He slid his hands down her legs and they fell either side of him. He slowly lowered himself on top of her, careful to hold his weight with his forearms so that he wouldn't make her feel uncomfortable. He swept a strand of hair away from her face, and then kissed her softly on the mouth, looking at her the whole time. He brought a hand across and gently cradled her chin in it.

"I could think of worse things than being shackled to you, Irish," he said.

Again he lowered his head slowly, her chin in his hand. He kissed her forehead softly, then her nose and finally her lips. He stayed there for a few seconds before rolling off her and lying on his back, his breathing getting back to normal. He felt for her body, slid his arm under her and then drew her towards him, so that she was on her side facing him and could rest her head on his arm and chest.

"I surely could do this every night," he said.

And he meant it. 

****


She smiled gently and felt her heart melt as he kissed her softly, his lips just brushing and lingering and then their lips meeting for a sweet kiss. She hadn't pegged him as tender. Passionate, yes, but never would have guessed this side of him. Small warning bells went off in her head as she lay boneless under him. She was warm and happy and completely satisfied. He'd exceeded any expectations she could have had. 

As they rolled, she snuggled against his body, pressing her lips to his damp chest and sighed, then stifled a sudden yawn. 

She nuzzled his skin and grinned, her eyes looking up to study his face. He indeed looked more relaxed and at peace. She was sure it was mostly due to the medicine, but she was sure the sex hadn't hurt the situation. She just hoped he didn't regret it the next day. "I'll take that as a compliment. I'm not exactly experienced in this field." She murmured softly, earning her a cocked eyebrow.

Slightly she shook her hand and hugged his waist, this time actually yawning. 


"Don't worry, I wasn't a virgin." She let out a little snort and reached up to caress the stubble of his cheek. "Close your eyes...try to get some rest. We're going to need it." 

Her mind was swiftly shutting down, blackness of sleep seeping in and taking over. Before she could formula more thoughts or anything else to say, her eyes closed and she slid into sleep. Her soft breaths fanned against his chest as she lay cuddled along his side, warm and safe. 

****

Hansen felt good, better than he had in a long time. Shit, he felt a lot fucking better than he had in a long time. 

She was snuggled against him and, at this point in time, there was nothing else he'd rather be doing. She was looking at him, he could feel it, but he didn't want to look over. He felt self-conscious, in case he'd done something wrong. He hoped it wasn't the Palazonol making him think that. He didn't need self doubt and second guessing to creep into his makeup. Maybe it was just her. If he didn't care, he wouldn't be worried. Fuck and forget Carl used to say. He wasn't like that normally, but he had done it.

His mind returned to the bed. To her. She was warm and she was nuzzling his chest.

She took a breath and spoke. Of course, he smiled to himself. She'd been quiet for a few minutes, getting her breathing back. He actually liked it now. Her voice, the way she made sure they were communicating.

He felt like saying something smart. She had done very well. For him, anyway. Not that he was marking her.

Professor Hopson, you get an A plus in fucking. Let's see what the next assignment is....

Fuck, his head was going mad with frivolities.

He shook it slightly. He hoped it was his feelings for her that took some weight off his usual cynical gravitas and not the drug, otherwise he'd be useless.

She hugged him a little tighter, her arm over him and let out a soft yawn as she spoke.

He smiled.

"Sounds like I wasn't exciting enough for you, Irish," he laughed lightly. Then his voice got softer and more serious. "I mean, Emma."

He lay on his back and she was quiet, her breathing rapidly acquiring the regular rhythm of sleep. She felt warm next to him, comforting. All he wanted to do was protect her.

But he had wanted the same for his wife and daughter and he hadn't been able to do that. She would have to find out about them at some stage. Later. He could tell her later. For now, they had to try and find a way to finish the vaccine and then get the formula either made or sent to places where it could be made. 

For everyone.

That would fuck them.

And then....

He didn't want to think about that. Not till the vaccine was finished and Emma was safe.

But then....

He lay there, one arm under his head, staring at the ceiling, thinking.

The story of my life.

Thinking.

He also had to do something about the shackles. If the shackles remained, then Emma would be in too much danger as she'd have to stay close to him. He didn't want that. Especially not after tonight.

He hadn't meant for this to happen. C'est la vie, the French said. Then again, those fuckers ate snails and frogs, so who's to say it was a good idea?

He wasn't going to spend time worrying about it. There were bigger fish to fry.

Or frog's legs?

He rolled his eyes at himself.

I hope the drug hasn't replaced The Voice with Robin Williams.




Shackled Ch. 11



Who's Robin Williams?

Forget about it.

He was sick of thinking.

But at least they were his thoughts.

For now, there was nothing to do, but stare at the ceiling and enjoy the warmth of the body of the beautiful woman next to him. He was enjoying it a little too much, he thought. He could feel the hardness between his legs. This time it wasn't such a problem. It was less urgent, more a pleasant inconvenience than a hunger that had to be satiated.

He smiled to himself in the darkness.

I can live with that.

He tried not to think anymore and kept his eyes on the ceiling.

And let the drug do its job.



Shackled Ch. 12



Emma slept harder than she had in weeks. Every since she'd found out about the virus. Her mind took a moment to register her surroundings as she blinked sleepy eyes and felt the warm solid body beneath her own. A slow flush crept up her cheeks as realization hit. She was naked and sprawled out over Liam's solid form.

Taking a deep breath she slowly shifted, biting back a moan of pleasure as his skin rubbed against her own. Memories of their night together flashed through her mind, making her smile. He'd teased her about it not being exciting enough for her. If he only knew! It had been more than amazing for Emma and truth be know, she wanted more.

As her eyes adjusted to the dim lightly, she gazed at his sleeping face. He looked good, relaxed and completely out of it. His breathing was steady as it fanned against her face, one big hand splayed across her bare backside. She fought the grin that threatened to appear and instead carefully shifted off his body trying not to wake him. She needed to take care of business and was extremely sticky in embarrassing places. A quick shower would solve that.

Off the bed, she located the shirt she'd tossed aside and pressed it to her naked front. Just in case. She didn't want to make it a habit of strutting around in the nude. On tip toes, she moved away, strangely not worried about the fact that she was still flashing him a view of enticing bare bottom all the way up until she entered the small bathroom.

She went through the motions, dreading the cold water as it hit her skin. Her gasp echoed in the stall. How did he get used to this?!

****

Hansen's body might have slept, but his mind didn't. It never did. He could think in his sleep and remember everything afterward. It should have made him tired, driven him mad with exhaustion, but it didn't. It was the way it was.

After being in Jimmy's office with all the cameras monitoring the city, there had been something niggling at the back of Hansen's mind. Now he knew what it was.

The cameras were not Jimmy's, they were the SPF's, used to monitor as much as was possible of what was happening in the city. Jimmy had tapped into the feed somehow. Hansen didn't know how and it wouldn't have mattered if it was all explained to him. The important thing was that he'd noticed one on the bar where he'd first met Emma.

Was it a coincidence or had they been watching the place because they knew he and Carl met there? Carl had pretended to work there for months, but then it would have been odd that they hadn't apprehended him. Hansen himself was a frequent visitor there and they had made no attempt to try and get them. Maybe they wanted them all? It was a thought, but realistically, if they took out Carl and him, then it would be a major body blow to the team. They all had important skills, but they were the muscle. No muscle, meant the they couldn't do as much damage.

He was still thinking about that, when he felt Emma slide away from him carefully, to not wake him. He felt a pang of loss as her warmth retreated, but he figured she was going to the bathroom so he let her go and pretended to be still asleep.

He had to break their electronic shackles. There was no way around it. He couldn't knowingly place Emma in more danger than she was already in.

Especially after last night.

The shackles needed to be disabled so that she could work on the virus antidote and he could work on what he did best: roughing things up. To break the shackles, he would need to get into the SPF building that housed the main computer. That was easier said than done, but he could do it. He had breached a similar security system in South America once. It was messy. It was dangerous. But it could be done. Nothing was impossible.

With a little risk and pain.

He listened to Emma moving about in the bathroom and smiled when he heard her draw breath sharply.

Cold showers take a lot of getting used to.

He knew what he had to do. He would wait for Emma to finish in the bathroom and then he would clean himself up and have something to eat. He smiled again. She would insist on it.

He lay there with his arms folded behind his head, looking at the ceiling. He felt like whistling and he nearly did, but he was going to whistle an Elvis tune.

Shit.

They had a lot to do today and Hansen was always at his best when he had a lot to do.

Always.

****

Emma finished up and toweled herself off, wrapping herself up before combing out her hair. She struggled a little to pick out the knots, but finally got it smoothed down and towel dried. She'd never been a huge make up lover, but she did miss certain essentials that added to her femininity. Now after their shared night, she wished she could look a little nicer. She wasn't sure she could pull off sexy, but looking pretty never hurt anyone.

She frowned slightly as she brushed her teeth and spit, rinsing out her mouth. She was worrying about looking nice for Liam when people were in serious danger. Shaking her head, she shoved away her silly thoughts and sighed. Returning to the room and noticing that he was awake. A wave of self consciousness hit and she once again was angry with herself. Was one night of sex...really really good sex...going to turn her into a silly girl? She inwardly groaned. Maybe.

Clutching the towel close she smiled and padded towards the bed, taking a seat on the edge next to him. "Morning. Shower is all yours, but I will bug you for some clean clothes. Sure will be nice when I can wiggle back into my own wardrobe."

A cool hand slid over his forehead , down his cheek and neck. "How do you feel? You feel so warm...I'm really hating your shower. I'd kill for a hot soak in...and a shave. I'm beginning to feel like a porcupine and another week from now you'll be sleeping with a gorilla."

She made a face and resisted the urge to continue touching him. She wanted to. To touch his stubble and lean down to kiss his mouth. To crawl close and absorb his heat. She wanted to lay in bed all day and forget about their problems. For one more day. Just one. But she knew that wasn't going to be the case. She doubted that Liam ever lay around in bed for a day.

"So...what's on the agenda?"

****

Hansen just started wondering about the Palanozol and what it was doing to him, when Emma came out of the bathroom. He remained lying down with his hands behind his head. She had a towel wrapped around her and her dark, damp hair hung loosely. The cold shower had freshened her up and she looked perky and....beautiful.

Yes.

Beautiful.

He smiled gently at her, but with a sly movement of his eyes to hers.

"A gorilla, Irish?" he said. "Seemed like a tigress was already in my bed last night," he said, bouncing out of bed before she could do anything about it. He winked at her from the other side of the bed. "I don't know about clothes, either. If you ask me, you look just fine without them."

He laughed, grabbed a towel from the cupboard behind him and wrapped it around his waist to preserve some modesty.

"I was thinking, next time I need nursing, I'm requesting you as my personal nurse," he said, pursing his lips to hold back more of a sly smile. "Yep, never been looked after so well...."

He looked over at her sitting on the edge of the bed. She looked so beautiful. He could have done with some morning relief, but there were things to do....

He slid slowly slid across the bed towards her. He lay on his belly, the front of his body held up by his arms and his face so close to hers his breath was on her cheek.

He whispered.

"This changes nothing, Irish, ok?" he said. "Well, I mean it does, but you have nothing to be ashamed of. We have nothing to be ashamed of. You're young, smart and beautiful and I'm a man. If something hadn't happened last night, then I would have been worried."

He moved even slowly closer and then gave her the lightest of kisses on the cheek, leaving his lips there for a few lingering moments.

"Ok?" he said.

Then he pushed himself up and jumped off the bed.

He clapped his hands together loudly. He was back in his element, doing something. And no Voice. So far. It would come back.

It always did.

But for now....

"Well, first things first, I'm going to have a shower," he said. "And a coffee might be nice if you're willing, Irish. You can't be taking liberties with me without earning your keep."

He gave her another wink.

"Then....," he said, "we have a lot to do. I have an idea, but we have to go back and visit Jimmy again. We can talk as we walk."

He flashed her a quick look to see her reaction. There would be more walking today, lots of it. He did have a car, he hadn't told her that yet, but they drew attention, so foot power it would be for now.

He gathered his pants off the floor and grabbed some fresh clothes for himself as he made himself ready for the bathroom. He paused.

"There should be some clothes for you in that cupboard there," he said gesturing with his chin, "that's where I keep the wardrobe for all my naked damsels in distress."

He gave her another wink and then made an exaggerated motion of making an imaginary notch in an imaginary belt.

"Yessireee," he said, putting on a fake Southern accent, "I never did bags me a professor before, and real goodun she was too."

He jumped the bed and scooted into the bathroom before she could do anything about.

He poked his head back around the corner and winked.

"A reeeaaal goodun."

****

Emma was a little taken back by his energy. He was still Liam, only seemed a little less brooding and a lot more teasing. She smiled softly as he kissed her cheek, her pulse skittering as he spoke to her, teasingly and easing her worries. A startled giggled passed her lips as he called her a tigress.

The pretty flush made her skin glow as she watched him move around, getting an eye full of firm pale bottom before the towel came into place. Damn...she was enjoying that! She thought to herself and grinned.

She laughed as he winked. "Well, I suppose I could do that. I might even make you breakfast if you play your cards right."

And then she groaned, but was still smiling. "Well, I suppose that's alright. Saving the world is a dirty job, so I won't complain too much."

His next comment about damsels in distress made her laugh and roll her eyes. Grabbing a pillow she tossed it his way and stood, moving towards where he had indicated. "Go take a shower." She grinned, "If I had know that having sex with me would make you this perky, I would have controlled my desire to take advantage of you while you were down."

She shot him her own wink and watched him pop his head back into the bathroom as she started digging out some clothes. Minutes later she sported a pair of hip hugging jeans and a simple plain t-shirt that hugged a curves a little more generously than the previous ones, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

Padding barefoot into the kitchen, she began preparing the coffee, thankful that he liked it as strong as she did and then fished out a couple of eggs and scrambled them up to go with some toast. It was simple, but she needed food and Liam was going to learn to enjoy it as well. If anything, they needed the energy. All the walking always left her starving.

"You better hurry up in there. Make yourself pretty and come eat up if you want to get anything done today." She hollered out, setting his plate on the bench with his coffee along with her own before pulling on a pair of socks and her shoes.

****

He smiled as he heard her from the kitchen to make himself pretty.

Yeah right.

He looked at himself in the mirror. He hadn't felt this good in a long while, months actually. The constant debating with The Voice left him tired and drained and he felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. It could have also been due to the fact that he and Emma had made love last night.

He smiled crookedly at his reflection.

Yeah, maybe that too.

The drug would still be working through his system. Besides losing The Voice and feeling more chipper than usual, there didn't seem to be any negative effects. His temperature from last night was gone, but even that could have been attributable to Emma.

He quickly got through showering and dressed himself in the bathroom. Jeans and a black t shirt.

Fashion plate you are, Hansen.

He walked back out into the living area. The food smelled good. He'd hardly touched his dinner last night even though Emma had done a fine job of cooking. Eggs and toast.

And coffee.

Need coffee.

He threw his towel onto the bed and walked barefoot back over to the kitchen bench and sat next to her. She was fully dressed and ready to go and had started on her breakfast. He grabbed the coffee cup, tilted it towards her and took a sip. It was good, just how he liked it. Strong.

"Thanks, Irish," he said. "This is just what I needed."

She nodded.

He started to eat his breakfast, cutting very small pieces of both egg and toast and then chewing on them slowly. Food had never really interested him. He liked good food, for sure, but he viewed it more as a fuel source than something to be enjoyed. Eating always seemed to be getting in the way of doing something else, a waste of time.

After a few bites, he turned to Emma. He just needed to get it out and be over with it.

"Er, about last night. It doesn't change anything. Not for me," he said. "I'm not embarrassed and I won't apologize. It felt good to me. How we proceed from here is up to both of us, but the most important thing is that we do this job. Ok?"

He took another sip of his coffee. He leant over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

What's with all the kissing, lovely-dovey stuff?

He felt good, that was all. He had someone to look after, something to do and it made him feel good.

He always needed something to do. Something to plan. Something to save.

Or someone.

Maybe this time I can get it right.

"Plus," he said, cutting some more small pieces of food, "for breakfast and coffee like this, heck, you can stay around for as long as you like!"

He looked over at her and smiled again.

"Now," he said, "We're going to see Jimmy again today. He might have footage of the bar the night we met. I didn't think of that before. It might give us an idea of who is actually chasing us."

He anticipated her question.

"It will definitely be the government and their SPF cronies, but if we know who it is they're sending after us, then we will have a better idea of how to fight back or even stay clear of them until we can cause the maximum damage."

He put some more food in his mouth, took a gulp of the quickly cooling coffee and swallowed. He was getting bouncy. His body was coursing with energy. They'd have to leave soon.

"Carl will meet us there," he said, "I'll call him on the way. Once we see what we have, we'll have a better idea. Also...."

He looked across at her directly now.

".... we have to do something about the shackles. It just won't work with us having to be so close to each other with all the things we have to do. I think I know what to do, but I need to talk it over with the others. It's dangerous and it's only courtesy to find out if they want in or not."

He finished his coffee.

"Now, just because I want to get the shackles off, doesn't mean at night...."

He laughed at her and jumped off the stool. He went to the bed and picked up his shoes and then fished a pair of socks from the drawer beside it.

Once he had those on, he grabbed a light jacket. He sensed her looking at him.

"It'll be warm enough for you with a t shirt," he said. "especially with all the walking we're going to be doing. I have to wear the jacket."

He reached over to the drawer again and pulled out his gun. He popped the magazine from the handle, checked it and then popped it back in. Then he stood and stuffed the gun down the front of his pants, only the small handle poking out. Then he zipped the jacket hallway up his chest. He was dressed in black. All black.

"That's why I need the jacket," he said, softly.

He walked over and stood next to her adopting a mock parental tone.

"We can't just sit here eating all day," he said. "Let's get going. Jimmy first, then we'll see after that."

He didn't wait for her reaction. He turned and went to the door and held it open for her.

"Hurry, dear," he said with a smile on his face, "we're going for an excursion."

****

She watched him eat his breakfast between her own bites of food. Strangely enough, it felt good to be able to take care of him. She told herself it was because he was also taking care of her. Keeping her alive for as long as they were together. Still, she enjoyed the fact that she could do a little something in return. "You're welcome. I figured a little food couldn't hurt. We wouldn't want you getting too skinny, now would we?" She teased softly.

Sipping on her own coffee she flushed as he mentioned their night together again and sweetly kissed her cheek. His stubble tickled her cheek and made her skin tingle. She liked it, a lot. She turned to face him more fully, wanting to kiss him back, but a little too conscious of the fact that he was not only watching her, but gearing to go.

"I'm not embarrassed or ashamed." She assured him, smiling back at him even as her cheeks colored. "And I understand that our job is important. I think I can restrain myself a little as long as you keep yourself covered at all times. Flash me those buns again and I can't be held accountable for my actions."

She wiggled her brows and drained the rest of her coffee as she listened to him continue, his gaze warm, his eyes intense and full of intelligence and energy as he filled her in on their day. He was right about the shackles of course. As much as she enjoyed being near him, it was dangerous for both of them to be 'stuck' together.

"Makes sense...I'm okay with all of this. As long as we're careful, which I know you always are."

She shook her head and laughed softly, standing to clear up their little mess as he got ready. When she returned, she couldn't help to watch him. He loved efficiently, conserving as much energy as he could with each action. He also looked good. Rather sexy in his black on black outfit. It was mildly irritating that men didn't have to put forth as much effort as women in the looks department.

She smiled as he playfully chided her and resisted the urge to smack his ass as he turned and walked away, opening the door.

She paused a moment, then sauntered forward and tip toed up to press a soft kiss to his stubbly chin before bounding up the stairs. "I hope you plan on feeding me later on. All this running around sounds tiring and I get cranky." She teased and laughed. "Come on slow poke, quit staring at my ass and lets get a move on. I have to work out some soreness in my thighs anyway." She added and winked.

****

They were heading straight to the theater so it would be a shorter walk today. As they walked, Hansen pulled out his comms unit and typed into it.

Casablanca.

He hit the send button, waited for the delivery beep and then put it back in his pocket. They were only about ten minutes away from the theater. It was a warm day, warm enough to not wear the jacket, but he needed the jacket to conceal the gun. The sun was out, filtered by the smog of the city, sitting red in the sky. It was still only morning so it would get warmer. It didn't look like rain, but what did he care anyway? No rain delays in the work Hansen did. Emma was doing a good job of keeping up with him today.

"Never had personal training like this, I bet, Irish?" he asked her softly as they walked.




Shackled Ch. 12



Again, they kept to mostly the main streets and some secondary streets when he actually spotted SPFs. His pace was relentless.

No point getting somewhere slow, when you can get there quickly.

They stayed in the busiest sections, blending into the constant streams of workers and commuters.

Hide in the crowd.

It was the person who tried to hide who was usually the most obvious. The person hanging back from the group, slinking around. They didn't realize how obvious they looked to the trained eye. Predators always took out those hanging back from the group. They looked for them.

They were across the street from the theater and Hansen stopped. He took Emma gently by the forearm and stopped her too. "Wait, Irish, someone's coming in with us."

He looked up and down the street. He'd be here soon.

He always was.

"So, have you thought about what we can do once you can get working on your drug?" he said. "Bonnie is looking for somewhere quiet we can work on it. We're assuming you'll need some specialized equipment for a small manufacturing run to see if it works. We'll get that friend of yours and...."

Hansen stopped talking. He was coming up the street from the opposite side. He crossed the street and walked up to them. Rhinos may have been extinct, but Carl was the human epitome of one. He was only as tall as Hansen, but twice as wide and his arms were the size of most people's legs. He'd developed a bit of paunch lately. Too much time at the bar.

If you mistook him for cuddly, it'd be the last mistake you made.

He walked up to them.

"Liam," he nodded and then turned towards Emma. "Emma."

"Carl," he said, "I have an idea about the night at the bar."

Carl nodded.

"Oh, nice to see you too," he said. "No, 'how's the wife' or 'what about the kids'?"

Hansen shook his head with a smirk.

"You have neither of those," he said.

Carl grinned. He took a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it. He noticed the way Hansen looked at him.

"Tut, tut," said Hansen.

"I know, I know. I gave up," he said. "But the stress of being with you...."

Hansen smiled.

"I know, the stress of being with me. It makes people do all sorts of funny things, doesn't it, Irish?" he said with a wink to her. "Well, you better finish it then, mate, we have a movie to see."

"Can't smoke in the movies," Carl smiled. "All that passive smoke might kill someone. Wouldn't want to do that...."

Carl dragged on the cigarette a few times and then threw it on to the ground and ground it with his shoe. He picked it up and then tossed it into the bin.

"Shit, Carl, if I saw you coming towards me, a cigarette would be the least of my problems," said Hansen.

He gripped Emma's hand and nodded at Carl. The three of them walked to the curb and waited for a break in the traffic. When they got to the entrance of the theater, Carl walked up to the counter to speak to Paul while Emma and Hansen waited by the lounge area.

"If we can see who's after us," he said to Emma, "then we'll have a better handle on what to do. Jimmy might just have it on his archives."

Carl walked back to them with a grin on his face.

"Jimmy will be ready soon. I guess we should wait," he said. "Any small talk?"

Hansen smirked.

"It won't be about you then, Carl, will it?"

****

Liam's fast pace was tiring, but Emma kept up, moving through the crowds and sticking close relatively well for a novice. She wasn't sure how he was able to remain so cool or give up the appearance that he was with that jacket on. She herself was already feeling the effects of the quickly warming morning. When finally the reached the theater, she stopped and turned as he gently held her back."

As he stopped talking, Emma glanced in the direction of his gaze and saw Carl moving towards them. For a big man he sure moved swiftly and fluidly. His impressive size would make anyone think twice about crossing his path, but Emma harbored no fear or nerves when it came to Carl. He'd help save her life and for that she was thankful.



"Liam," he nodded and then turned towards Emma. "Emma."

She nodded back and smiled softly, standing between the two of them.

Liam began again and she grinned as Carl's sense own sense of humor came into play. You could definitely tell that they two had a good friendship. They exchanged banter, much to her amusement. Simon was probably her only true friend at work and outside of that, well...she was almost ashamed to say that she had no real relationships other than her family. Thankfully was was relatively close to her sister and parents. Her mind drifted a moment, wondering how they were and if they were safe. She suddenly began to worry, wishing she could send them word.

The sound of her nickname snapped her back to reality and she punched him lightly in the arm, "Hush you." This earned her raised brows from Carl, who smiled and let it go.

She gave Liam's hand a squeeze as he took hers and led her to the lounge, nodding slightly, "Makes sense to me. As for your earlier question, the sooner I can get work, the better. If I have Simon with me, well...we'll probably be able to whip something out sooner than later. The faster the better. I just hope that he's alright..." Her voice trailed off as Carl walked back towards hm with a grin.

Hansen smirked.

"You should talk." Emma quipped and Carl laughed.

"She's got you there."

Emma wiggled her brows and sat on the couch they had occupied on their first trip. Propping her elbows on her knees, she clasped her hands together and studied the dingy carpet. She mind seemed to bounce between the idea of having the shackles removed and Simon. She was worried about her own family and his. Worried about getting everything done in time. It was quickly giving her a headache and making her nauseous. Before she'd been more worried about staying alive long enough to figure it all out. Now she was, it seemed overwhelming trying to put it all together.

****

It wasn't long before Paul approached the entrance to the corridor leading to the theaters and announced that Casablanca was showing.

"He's gotta use a new movie someday," muttered Carl, shaking his head.

The three of them got up and followed Paul back into the depths of the theater.

"How are you doing, Paulie?" asked Carl.

Not bad," he said. "But you guys promised I could join this year to help you. I'm nineteen now you know."

Carl winked at Hansen.

"I know," said Hansen, "but you do a great job for us already. Not everyone can be in the field."

"That's true," said Carl. "Everyone has their part to play. Do you think it's easy for Liam here to go around picking up beautiful damsels in distress and showering them with his talents? It's dirty, but someone has to do it, right Liam?"

Paul snorted with laughter.

Hansen rolled his eyes as Carl patted him on the back.

"See what I have to put up with, Irish," he said to Emma.

They were led into Jimmy's control room and he was sitting at a large table. They all went over to him. None of them sat.

"Back so quickly, Liam," said the red haired Jimmy. He nodded to Carl and then to Emma with a crooked smile. "Carl. And the beautiful Emma."

"I see you're still trying to grow that poor excuse for a beard," said Carl. "I'm all for persistence, but five years? Shave it off man."

Jimmy winced and Carl started laughing at him.

"Ok," said Hansen, turning to Jimmy, "let's get back on track here. I noticed you had a feed from a government camera on the bar where Carl and I er, found Emma."

Jimmy nodded.

"I was wondering," he continued, "if you keep records of what you record?"

Jimmy rolled his eyes.

"Of course, I do. For at least a month. It gives us background on any jobs that we may need to do."

Hansen nodded. "Good. Let's have a look at the feed for that night. Just make it an hour before I showed up."

Jimmy nodded and got up and walked to a large desk surrounded by a bank of screens. He pressed a screen and then pulled up the scene at the front of the bar. He actually had two screens with two different views, one of the entrance and one of the street out the front.

He kept fast forwarding till Hansen and Emma were in the bar. The operative that had been watching them was already in there because there was no footage of him entering.

Carl nodded and murmured, "Yes, he was already in there before you two."

Jimmy kept fast forwarding until two black cars drove into view. An SPF got out of one car and walked over to the other car. The window slid down on the car.

Hansen, Carl and Jimmy all looked at each other at the same time.

"Fuck!" said Jimmy.

Hansen looked at Emma who had a quizzical look on her face.

"That's Blaxland. The guy I told you about. He used to be our commander."

Hansen shook his head.

Carl spoke up.

"He'll know our moves better than we do," he said. "Shit, he trained us."

"This vaccine Emma was working on must really be worrying them for Blaxland to be personally dealing with it," said Hansen. "It can't be just about money. They definitely want to use it and get rid of some problems."

Carl nodded and looked toward Emma and then back to Hansen.

"So?" he said.

Hansen had a grim look on his face, but his lip curled in a smile.

"So...." he said, "it changes nothing. We just have to be more careful about how we plan things. The fucker has really sold out if he's doing jobs personally."

The all sat there in silence, watching the screens as the carnage that Carl had instigated played out. They watch the operative walking out of the bar, the bomb down his pants and then Carl detonating it remotely. There were a lot of SPFs taken out. Blaxland wouldn't be happy with that. He would take it personally. If there was one thing he had, it was loyalty to his charges. Even when he'd turned, he'd tried to recruit Hansen and his team to the other side, both to use them and to protect them. Now he was one of them.

Hansen broke the silence.

"Emma, your friend. We have to bring him in," he said. He didn't let her speak. "I haven't told you, but Bonnie has been watching him for his own protection. She knows everything. One of the Chans is with her and they'll bring him in. We need to talk to him and find out what you guys need and where we go from here."

He turned to her. His face looked grim, but all of this had just made him more determined.

"Ok?"

He turned back to Carl.

"Looks like we've found the reason to all get back together. Can you organize that? It'll probably be tomorrow before we can all meet. I'll talk to Laura and the other Chans."

Carl nodded and spoke, his face hard, all humor gone.

"Killing is my business and it looks like the market just went up. Time to buy in."

****

The mood in the room turned in a hurry as soon as the men realized who they were dealing with and Emma felt a pang of anxiousness hit her. She listened silently to Carl and Liam, shoving her hands in her pockets. Liam's face was grim and made her worry all the more. From what he had told her about Blaxland, this was not a man to be fucked with or go against and yet he had done it before. But not without a price, she knew.

She let out a soft wavering breath and nodded slightly, dropping her gaze down her scuffed sneakers before moving her gaze back up to the screens. Watching everything like it was a movie felt surreal because she had lived it. Had been part of the action. She wanted to lean into Liam and hug him close just for a second, but wasn't going to look like a simpering little girl around Jimmy or Carl.

She nodded, feeling her nerves kick into high gear and a strange mixture of relief. So Simon was alright. So far anyway. From what she'd experienced alright, she knew that could change in a hurry, but if Liam's team was on it, she was fairly confident he would make it to her alive. So she kept her mouth shut and tried to breath. Her mind scrambling for all the things they would need.

The mention of Laura put a slight sour taste in her mouth, but she swallowed it back. Put your big girl panties on Emma. She told herself. She didn't have claim to Liam. They had just shared a moment, nothing more or less. Right? And yet in her heart a small nagging voice told her no. It had been more. She told that little voice to shut up and wondered if Liam's condition wasn't contagious. Talking to little voice. She smiled wryly and shook her heat. Liam gave her a questioning look and she shrugged.

They were set to go again, but before they left, she thanked Jimmy for his help and gave Carl a big hug. "Be safe big guy." Nothing seemed to phase him and his beefy arms pulled her close and gave her a breathtaking squeeze. She laughed and coughed, tapping his shoulder.

"Hey now!" Jimmy protested. "I didn't get a hug, what the fuck!?"

Emma grinned as she linked her hand with Liam's and began walking away, "When you shave, I'll think about it."

****

Hansen still felt good. The drug should have been well into doing whatever it was it did and he hadn't heard The Voice since it had started to take effect. He could think a lot more clearly.

Hello?

Nothing.

Good. Sometimes it's better to have an empty head.

He smiled to himself. He'd been accused often of having an empty head and this was one time when he would gladly accept it.

Once everyone had finished their goodbyes and Emma had effectively offended Jimmy, they were on their way out the back entrance. Carl and Jimmy were going to organise how to bring in Emma's colleague and Hansen would contact Laura and the Chans. They would have a meeting at his place. It was the safest location. He wasn't sure of the dynamics of having Laura and Bonnie there, especially with Emma staying at his place.

Surely everyone will be mature about it?

They picked their way through the garbage in the back lane, Hansen holding Emma's hand as if he'd been doing it all his life. Once they were out on the main street he paused.

"We have a lot of work to do, Irish. I just want to do one more thing and then we'll had back home to do some planning."

Home.

He was talking to her like she lived there. Well, she did at the moment, so he figured it was true. He didn't know for how long, but they had been thrust together for now under extraordinary circumstances and that was the way it was.

Emma nodded. She was probably looking forward to a shorter and less tiring day than yesterday. His mind went back to last night.

Probably stayed up longer than we should have.

Hansen would have blushed, but he wasn't the blushing type.

He wanted to find out who had access to the SPF offices housing the main computer. Then he could organize to have the shackles broken.

"Ok, let's walk this way."

He turned and walked hand in hand with Emma towards the centre of the city. In his other hand, he held his comms unit. He punched in a message.

Tomorrow. My place. 1pm. Mrs. Chan will bring lunch (thanks!). Flannery.

He put in Mrs. Chan and Laura's details and pressed send. He waited till he heard the familiar beep of the completed sending process and then slipped the unit back into his pocket.

Flannery was the name he used in case someone grabbed his comms unit and tried to find his contacts. Anyone sending a message to meet without using that name would not get a response.

"Just organizing lunch tomorrow," he said to Emma. "It should be, er, interesting."

He kept walking with Emma and then heard two beeps in quick succession. He kept walking, but pulled out the unit.

Of course I will bring lunch.

He smiled.

Mrs. Chan.

He checked the other message.

Goodie. A lunch date. Yum.

Laura.

Shit.

Hansen saw a group of SPFs sitting around drinking coffee and eating donuts.

Cops haven't changed much over the years.

The cops standing around gave him an idea. He pulled out the comms unit. He had to be careful. The team would be surprised at getting this much communication from him. He was being downright chatty for him.

Can you get me the name of an SPF that operates out of the main offices. One watching Simon would be ideal. Ta.

He sent the message to Bonnie. She would know. She would have scoped every SPF involved in the surveillance of Simon and know where they were from.

The message was returned within less than a minute.

Flannery. Long time no hear. Or anything else. No worries. I have two here. Details to follow. I believe we are having lunch tomorrow. Your place. Goodie. Yum

Bonnie.

Fuck. They were as bad as each other, she and Laura. I hope it all goes smoothly.

It had been months since they'd all met together. It would be good, even though the circumstances weren't the best. It was what it was. They had to keep their heads down and staying apart was the easiest way. When they all got together, things usually got blown up and people got killed. Better to not meet too often.

He'd almost forgotten that he had Emma's hand, but he felt her starting to tire.

"Sorry, Irish," he said, still walking. "One more thing and we're done. We're having a party tomorrow."

He heard Emma giggle. He spoke again.

"And we need some fireworks."

No laugh from her this time.

She's catching on.

****

As per usual, Emma was having to take two steps to Liam's one. They didn't talk much after leaving the theater, but her certainly was busy with the messages. Her eyes scanned the crowds as they weaved through people together, her hand in his, their bodies staying close and familiar. While she took in the little details, her mind still wandered to their shared night. She wasn't particularly looking forward to seeing Laura and vaguely began to wonder about Bonnie. Had they slept together as well? And was she bothered? Not really...what would bother her was Laura's slinky sexy body rubbing up again Liam like a cat in heat.

A party? She laughed, but quickly sobered when she realized that Liam's idea of a party was nowhere near normal. With her lips pressed together and unusually silent, she began to mentally calculate the plan for her and Simon and anyone else that could help. She had the information needed, the trick was creating the serum. Simon could do it. He was a virtual genius in the lab, which made him so valuable...just as she was. Too valuable and too dangerous now.

Gnawing on her lower lip, she forced her sore legs to keep on moving. "They are out in force today." she muttered softly, mostly to herself as she noticed the SPF units. It made her all the more nervous being out and about, but so far there hadn't been much of a hitch, so she trusted Liam to get her home safely. Back to their place. It had a nice ring to it, but not a thought she cared to linger on in that moment. They had bigger issues to deal with.

****

Emma had noticed the increased activity of the SPFs on the streets today. It didn't necessarily mean it was about them, but they still had to be careful. One of the advantages of hiding in the city was that you were more difficult to find than if you were holed up somewhere isolated. In the city, no one noticed you going about your business. People were too busy to worry about anyone but themselves. You could be unlucky, but it was less likely.

Hansen gripped her hand more tightly and kept walking.

"Yes," he said. "But maybe it's not about us."

Maybe.

"I just need to see about a few things," he continued, "and then we're done again." He looked across at her. "Sorry about all the walking."

They were walking down one of the main streets, down a hill towards the water. It looked like the water always looked -- dirty.

Hansen could remember where he came from. The blue water.




Shackled Ch. 12



They've probably fucked that too.

He crossed the street when he saw a break in traffic and pulled Emma with him. They walked a further fifty or so meters down the other side and then Hansen walked into a model toy shop. He looked at Emma and winked.

"We should get something for the kids."

A buzzer went off out the back as they walked through the door. Hansen stood just inside the shop holding Emma's hand and looking at the toys. He wasn't here for toys.

He heard footsteps from the back of the store and turned to look.

A big man came out of the doorway. He was tall, taller than Carl and just as solid. He saw Hansen and a crooked smile crossed his face. He walked a little more quickly towards them and held out his hand. Hansen shook it.

"Liam, what brings you here?" said the big man, running his other hand through brown hair streaked with grey.

"Oh, just a lovely warm day to go for walk with my girl," he said smiling at Emma mischievously. "Finley, this is Emma. Emma, Finley."

Hansen let go of Emma's hand so the two could shake.

"So this is the girl causing all of the trouble," Finely said smiling. "I should have known it would be a girl."

Hansen felt his ears go a little warm.

"Er, yeah, well, Emma is working on something that the government wants. She's in their way."

"Aren't we all," murmured Finley.

"I'm looking for some plastic," said Hansen.

"Ahh," smiled the big man, "you're taking her on a date. Everyone has to go on a date." He winked at Emma.

"I don't need much," interrupted Hansen, "but I need wire and detonators too."

The big man nodded.

"Doesn't have to be today," Hansen continued, "we're meeting at my place tomorrow. I would like you to come. I think I'll need you."

The big man smiled again.

"Yes, of course," he said. "I was feeling all left out that I hadn't been contacted yet. I'll be there. I'll talk to Carl. We'll go together."

The two men and Emma stood there for a few moments as if they were thinking. Then Finley spoke.

"Liam. When you say you don't need much, how much is not much?"

Hansen looked at him.

"Oh, only enough to blow up SPF Headquarters."

"Ahh," said Finley, "only that much not much."

Hansen nodded. He looked at Emma.

She probably doesn't know what the fuck we're talking about. She'll find out when we get back. I need a beer.

"You'll be there tomorrow. We'll talk then."

"With bells on," he said, "if I wasn't so macho."

Hansen laughed.

"You could turn up in a pink tutu and half the room would still be scared."

Finley snorted out a laugh.

"Yes, I suppose they would."

Hansen grabbed Emma's hand again. It had just become the normal thing for him to do now. Hang on to Emma.

Protect her.

Hansen's face turned serious.

"I could have called, but I wanted to see you, to make sure. Everyone in this has to want to be in this. It won't be easy."

"Don't be silly, Liam," he said. "Not be involved at a chance to cause some damage to the government and blow up some SPFs? Never!"

They both laughed and then Hansen started to walk towards the door.

"We'd best be off home. Poor old Emma here must feel like she's training for the Olympics."

"Wait!" called out Finley when they were nearly at the door.

"Yeah?" said Hansen turning around. He had Emma in front of him, but he stood high over her head and looked at Finley.

"Laura and Bonnie are coming?" he asked.

Hansen nodded. "Yes."

"And Emma here is coming?" he said looking at her.

"Yes."

Finley looked like his face was about to smile, but he held it straight.

"I'll bring enough plastic for two SPF Headquarters."

Hansen, still standing behind Emma, looked at him and rolled his eyes.

"I'm sure everything will be fine," he said opening the door and pulling gently on Emma's hand again. "Fine."

As the door closed slowly behind him, he could hear Finley laughing. "Sure, sure...."

Oh ye of little faith.

I need a beer.

"Home it is for now, Irish. Time for some talk and rest."



Shackled Ch. 13



A special thank you to all of you that have given us positive feedback. Happy that you are enjoying the story!



Emma was tired and a little confused. She certainly wasn't sure what the two men had gone on about, but she instantly liked Finley. That was until he mentioned Bonnie and Laura. A small frown wrinkled her brow as she gave Finley a questioning look, but the older man gave nothing away as Liam gently tugged her through the door again and out into the open. 

Home...sounded good. They didn't talk much on the way back, walking swiftly and carefully through the crowds until they finally made it to their small sanctuary. Emma's legs were on fire, sore and ready for a rest, but her mind hadn't stopped working. And her stomach was grumbling for attention. She needed food and strong dose of caffeine. 

"Well, that certainly was productive or so it seemed." She murmured, kicking off her sneakers and sighing with relief as she wiggled her sock clad toes. From behind she heard Liam moving, unzipping his jacket and removing his weapons as she padded across the room and straight for the kitchen. "I'll make us something to eat while you unload." She shot over her shoulder and began preparing the coffee before pulling out the fixings for sandwiches. Obviously Finley thought the other two women on the team would have something to say. Obviously, Liam had been involved with both and everyone was waiting for a fight to break out. She wanted to think she was above all that catty stuff, but then again, had never had to worry about these sort of things. Her dating life had been very minimal.

Gnawing on her bottom lip, she busied herself around the tiny kitchen, trying to shove away her worries. What was the point? They had slept together once. They weren't in love...were they? That was silly, they barely knew each other. Had only shared one night of mutual pleasure. They were both consenting adults and had much more to worry and think about. 

With plates fixed and mugs of steaming hot coffee finished, she served everything up with a small smile and once again as soon as her eyes fixed themselves on his handsome face, her pulse skittered out of control. "So...what are we discussing?" She asked casually, plopping her bottom down before picking up her food and taking a bite. 

****

She was a willing partner, he thought. They'd done a lot of walking in the past few days and she'd been uncomplaining. She also knew when to stick to him to follow the paths of least resistance and exposure.

Intelligence has a lot to do with it....

....and a fear of dying.

Whatever it was, he didn't care. Emma fit in and the only shame was that in this instance, she was the target. 

He was glad to be free of the gun. Walking around with it in his pants for such long periods could get tiresome, but he didn't wear a holster for fear it would be spotted and also because he could get quicker access to it in case of a confrontation. He watched Emma walking around, trying to get some looseness into her muscles.

"That would be good, Irish," he said quietly. "Thanks."

It didn't take her long to be busily preparing sandwiches and coffee. He watched her work. He could really get used to this. He appreciated her effort. She must be tired herself. He would have preferred a beer, but for the moment he was happy to have the sandwich and coffee. She worked effectively, with the bearing of someone who did whatever they did with the greatest care, whether it be working on a drug to cure a virus or making a humble sandwich. Her brown hair hung on her shoulders and her petite hands worked quickly. He didn't regret last night. He hoped that she didn't....

The beer can wait.

Emma put the food down on the bench and then tiredly sat down on one of the stools. He moved over to her. He was absorbed in his thoughts, admittedly mainly of her, and he was enjoying the silence. Of course, it didn't last.

He nearly smiled.

I don't mind so much now, Irish.

He walked over slowly to the bench next to her and sat down. He had a bite of his sandwich and then had a sip of his coffee. Strong, just the way he liked it. Shit, she was nearly making it better for him than he did himself. He slowly finished chewing his small bite of the sandwich and swallowed.

"We're going to try and have Simon here tomorrow," he said. "Between the two of you, you'll be able to let us know what you need. There are facilities we can commandeer in the east, but closer to here I'm not so sure. Bonnie will be able to tell us."

She nodded as he took another bite of his sandwich.

He smiled at her.

"Keep feeding me like this and I'll start looking like Carl," he said.

He kept looking at her. His voice was low.

Shit, mate, she's only a woman you're helping. So what about last night?

For a second he was worried, but then he realized it was his own mind and not The Voice.

"We also really need to disarm the shackles. I can't see how you can do your work and how I can do my work if we have the restriction of them on us. Not that I haven't enjoyed being close to you...." his voice trailed off.

He knew what he wanted to do.

Ah, fuck it.

He placed his coffee cup back on the bench and sat on the edge of his stool so that their knees were barely apart.

"Irish," he whispered. "I never thought I would feel like this again or that I should even be feeling like this now, but...."

He leaned forward and put one hand under her chin to lift it slightly. He looked into her brown eyes and noticed the light dancing on the golden flecks in them. He gently pulled her chin slightly closer and planted a light kiss on her lips. He moved his head back to look at her again. They were both silent for a few moments.

Yep.

That's better than the beer. 

****

She watched him eat as she waited for his answer and when he finally spoke, she listened intently and processed the info, digesting it silently. Then he smiled and his voice dipped low, making her feel all funny inside.

His eyes took her in and for a long moment she just held his gaze, her heart kicking up again. "Well, maybe a like my men a little beefier." She teased, her eyes sparkling. My men? She worried what he would think of that! It dawned on her that she was slowly staking claim. Thankfully he didn't continue along the lines of that conversation and returned to the problem at hand.


She swallowed another bite and gaze at him, wondering what he was thinking. His eyes were intense as he moved closer, their knees almost brushing. 

Her breath hitched gently as he cupped her face and tilted her chin up. She watched with wide eyes as he moved in and planted a soft kiss on her lips. Her fingers trembled as they slid over his chest, feeling the solidness of his body, the warmth of his skin radiating through his shirt. Her tongue came out to swipe her bottom lip, wanting to taste more of him. Scooting her bottom closer, she slid her knees between his and and bumped her nose against his own, wanting to get closer. To crawl into his lap and have him hold her. Forget about explosives and shackles, Bonnie and Laura and the whole damn mess.

"The feeling is mutual." she whispered back, "Although I've never felt like this before...and...well..." She paused and sighed, laughing softly. "This is crazy..." She finally said, unable to put the rest into words. She didn't want to dampen the mood by talking about Bonnie and Laura and whatever other conquests he had under his belt. She knew he wasn't feeding her some line just to get back into her pants. There was no need and Liam was better than that. She knew he wasn't going to bullshit her. So shutting off her worries, she slid her fingers higher, caressing his neck, moving in to press her lips to his again. 

****

He could feel her tongue in her mouth, pushing at her lip, but his couldn't quite find it through all of the things he was trying to do at once. The feeling of her hands over him was strengthening his resolve that he was not ashamed of last night and that tonight would be the same again.


She was laughing softly. In his mind, he agreed. All one could do was laugh. She was a scientist, he was a killer. They were shackled together and they were trying to stop the government and corporations from making a profit by decimating the world's poor. No one could have written this script. If they had, they would have been told it was too far-fetched.

He pulled his mouth back slightly from hers.

"The whole thing is crazy, Irish," he said. "The whole thing."

He pressed his lips to hers and worked his tongue to open her mouth. He wanted to taste her, everywhere, and this was only a sweet beginning. It was still early in the day, not even dark yet, but that meant they now had longer to enjoy each other.

His tongue found hers and he ran his arms around her waist, his hands sliding down to her butt to pull her closer. She was right on the edge of her seat, so he moved himself closer as well.

It was like he had known her for years, not days.

And all he could think of was kissing her.

Kissing her and holding her.

Just make sure she lives.

He nearly panicked, but then relaxed. It wasn't The Voice, it was him.

His mind went blank as the physical took over. Her hands were small and soft, but they were enough for him. More than enough. They felt cool on the back of his neck, but he knew he'd want them everywhere. He'd want to feel her everywhere. 

For now, this was a delicious entrée.

It almost felt like the first time. Last night he had been under the influence of the Palanozol and there had been an urgency to their lovemaking due to their tiredness. Tonight they had as long as they needed or wanted.

Time.

Entrée.

This time he was going to have main and dessert.

And enjoy it. 

****

The kissing seemed to go on and on, both of them shifting and moving until she was literally sitting in his lap, her thighs straddling his lap and bottom fitting snugly against the tops of his thighs as he caressed her slender back and tight ass.

She lost herself in the taste of him, his mouth firm, but gentle, meeting her kiss for kiss as she tugged at his short hair and busily slid her fingers over his neck, back and shoulders while she rocked ever so slightly against him.

He was making her ache again, the feeling sharp and throbbing, begging to be sated. But while her panties were becoming wetter by the minute, she pushed the urges aside. She wanted to linger, wanted to remember every detail. The way his tongue slid against her own and how they played, nipping and sucking, nibbling in turn on warm skin.

Her head dropped back as he trailed his mouth over the smooth column of her neck and then jerked slightly and giggled as he breathed against her ear and nipped her earlobe. "Ah! Tickles!" She gasped, but a delicious shiver of pleasure raced down her spine all the same and made her shudder, her hips grinding against his lap as she turned her face again and captured his mouth in a hot, wet kiss. 

****

Feeling her against him made him forget everything else. He was standing now, the stools not allowing him the contact his body craved. Their mouths were locked together and their tongues slowly felt out each other.

He grabbed her butt cheeks more tightly and then pulled her towards him, sliding her off her stool so that she was standing in front of him. He pressed her firmly towards him, grinding her into his groin, making no effort to hide how aroused she made him feel.

Now he could run his hands up higher, so that one was running up and down her back slowly, and the other was lightly wrapped in her hair and forcing her face towards him, giving him better access to her sweet mouth.

He ground himself into Emma, almost trying to fuse himself into her. He could feel her body responding.

He pulled his mouth away for a few moments.

"No regrets...." He whispered lightly in her ear and then went back to kissing her. 

Her breasts pressed into his chest through her t shirt and it was all he could do to not rip her clothes off right there at the kitchen bench. He knew he'd felt like this before, but it was different too. 

They didn't know each other that well, but it meant nothing. Only now meant something and they had all night to work out what that something was. 

But for now, he just had to feel her, explore her, use her, fuck her....

"I....think....we....should....move....to....the....bed....Emma...." he panted. 

He pushed himself into her one final time and then lifted her up by grabbing her ass in his hand and lifting her off the ground a few inches while pressed against him. She had hardly any weight at all, but the tightness of her body against his only inflamed him further. Plus, this way they could keep kissing as he walked her to the bed.

The bed.

Yes, that would be a good idea. 

****

Emma gasped as he lifted her, his hands firmly lifting her ass. With the first step towards the bed had Emma pulling her legs up and wrapping them around his waist with a soft moan that was muffled between their mouths. She was just as hungry as he was, her hands exploring, touching, groping, wanting him...naked. 

He made her feel so small and delicate and his kisses alone inflame her need. She'd never felt so ready, so quickly. The ache was frustrating and brought out her shameless side. She rubbed her breasts against his chest as her mouth sucked on his lower lip and bite down, tugging at it before swiping it with her tongue to sooth the pain. Something about him made her want to mark him, brand him as hers. Which was insane, because he wasn't hers apart from in that moment. 

Each step to the bed made her shift her weight slightly, grinding against his hardness, the heat between their jeans and friction was fast making her whimper and arch against him. He mumbled against her mouth, something that sounded like 'hold on'. She yelped in surprise as he leaned forward and instinctively clung to him, her arms and legs tightening. Her soft laughter fill the room as he crawled onto the bed, with her holding on for dear life. The sound sweet, pure and happy, but swiftly changing to another moan as he pressed down into her body and covered her with his weight.

Once again her mouth got busy, her breaths soft and panting as well as she licked the length of his neck and then nibbled on his skin, her nipples painfully hard as she pushed them against his hard unyielding chest. 

****

Emma pressed herself hard against him and wrapped her legs around his waist so that his hardness was shoved into her. His pants were becoming uncomfortable as he became stiffer. 

Plenty of time for that.

She was becoming hotter herself and she lightly bit his bottom lip and then ran her tongue along it to soothe it. The walk forced his cock to rub against her through their clothing and it did little to reduce the ache he felt down there. He needed to cum so badly and he thought he might need to satisfy his immediate urges so that he could relax into a long slow rhythm for her.

He moved along the bed with her clinging on underneath him and then he let his arms down slowly as they finally collapsed onto the mattress. She was laughing at the whole situation and it made him feel like this was the right thing to be doing.

You're a good one, Irish.

He let his weight fall onto her and he lay between her legs as they splayed out to accommodate him. He could feel her hard nipples pressing into his chest through their t shirts. He enjoyed feeling her pleasure and it only made him harder than he thought possible.

Her mouth was all over him, licking his neck and then lightly nibbling the same places. He pressed down onto her, dry humping her crotch while running his hands through her soft brown hair. He kissed her on the forehead and then pressed his arms up so that his chest was off hers. He pushed back a little and then was kneeling between her legs. He missed the touch of her mouth on him, but he had to get his t shirt off.

He ran his hands along the bottom of the shirt and then pulled it up quickly in one motion and it was off. He threw it onto the floor and looked down at her.

"I don't think I'll be needing that," he said with a smile.

Then he dropped himself back down so that his bare chest was on her. She still had her shirt on, but he could feel her better and her soft hands on his body were making him feel like he was going to melt from the heat.

His mouth found hers. He gently pushed his tongue to pry open her mouth and look for hers.

There was nothing else in his mind.

Just her.

Emma. 

****

He felt so good to hear and his smile made her smile. She sighed as his warm skin was bared, her hands moving over the smooth warmth of it as he captured her mouth with his own. Her tongue snuck out to meet his, slowly stroking against his own in a timeless dance that had them both shivering with pleasure. It amazed her how his kisses could be so sweet and sensual, while the rest of him was hard and obviously just as eager as her. 

Gently her nails scored his skin and then fingers smoothed over the marks as they kissed and he rocked between her thighs. The ache was unbearable and her panties were becoming increasingly wet with growing desire. His name slipped from her lips as they parted for a breath, her pretty face flushed, eyes bright and lips swollen and moist. She made a pretty picture, glowing and ready for him as her fingers messed up his hair and slid down his spine as far as she could reach. Then slowly they journey back up , over his shoulders and down his chest.

The way his muscles tensed and rippled under her fingers was fascinating to her as he responded to her touch. "There might be other things you could get rid of." She suggested playfully, her soft mouth playing along his chin and jaw, inhaling his scent as she pressed her face to the side of his neck. Everything about him inflamed her from the inside out and her nimble fingers were making fast tracks to hook into the waist of his jeans. She heard his breath hitch ever so slightly, just as her teeth grazed his shoulder and her fingers popped the button loose, then went for the zipper. 

"I hope you don't mind..." She whispered, feeling bold and wanton as she slid a cool soft hand against his hard heated flesh.

****

He couldn't keep up with the feeling of her small, soft hands. They were on his back, then his ribs, then his head, ruffling his short hair. When she ran them over his bare chest and nipples, he thought once again that he wouldn't be able to hold out. Her mouth was all over his face and neck, sweet caresses with her lips while her hands were now running down his body, slowly and softly down towards his cock....

The contrast of her cool, soft hands on his hard belly made him draw breath as he waited for them. Lower. Slowly lower. He felt like he was going to burst. She slid her fingers between the top of his jeans and his skin. Her fingers undid the top button and then started to work on the zip. Then he felt her hand slide over his hard cock.

He shook his head slowly, looking at her.

"Emma...." was all he could say, all he wanted to say. 

He lifted his hips so that her hand could get in there. He could feel the cool air on the end his released cock. The end of it was wet with precum. All he could think of was her soft hand on his cock. There was nothing else to think of.

He raised his hips higher again and a little to the side so that she could fully grasp him. He nuzzled in the crook of her neck, soft kisses to her ear and the side of her neck, smelling her, tasting her. Now he was on his side with her hand around his cock and his started to work on her jeans.




Shackled Ch. 13



"What good for the goose," he whispered hoarsely, "is good for the gander."

He opened the button and then slid his hand down her flat belly, under her panties and over her warmth. She was wet and he easily slid his finger down gently between her warm folds to press on her clit very lightly. Then he started to softly rub between her slick slit, making sure to swipe her clit on each pass . He tried to focus, but her hand on his cock was making it twitch and pulse in pleasure.

He kissed her again on the mouth and they lay there, hands on each other, desperate for each other. No modesty. No shame. Just wanton lust revealing itself.

****

His hoarse whisper sent pleasure down her spine as she finally wrapped her hands around his cock. He was warm, the slickness of his pre-cum lubing the way for her hand to stroke him. Her breath hitched in return as his large hand made short work of her own pants and slid inside. She moaned , her hips tilting slightly as his fingers slid between her wet lips and rubbed her clit.

It was positively the most erotic thing a man had ever done, and she was sure there was more to come. But in that instant laying together there, she was enthralled with pleasuring each other. Her body jerked and quivering slightly with each pass of his fingers over her sensitive bud. Her cunt tightening for him, wanting to be filled, but Liam continued to tease and so did she.

Her beautiful brown eyes held his gaze, both of their breaths uneven, the heat in the room growing as their own needs grew. Rolling towards him, she caught his mouth, continuing to stroke him, hungry to taste him again, only more fully. Would he let her? She hoped so...she was starving to make him quiver the way he did her.

Tightening her grip ever so slightly, she dipped her lips lower, pressing against the bare skin of his chest, her breath tickling and soothing all at once. She tasted him with her tongue, flicking one flat nipple teasingly. This new position made it harder for him to touch, but she didn't care. "The gander wants more." She murmured softly, moving to the other side of his chest and swirling her tongue around his other nipple. 

Propping herself up slightly, she struggled out of the shirt he had lent her and dropped it away as well. A small shy smile played on her lips, but she didn't cover herself. She wanted his hungry gaze on her as she slid her bra off and let it join the shirt before leaning back down to burn a trail with her own down his rippling abs. 

****

The taste of her tongue in his mouth and her hand gently stroking his cock was driving him mad. Their bodies were facing each other and he looked at her, flushed with desire, but still beautiful, innocent. His finger was softly caressing her clit and he could feel her quivering under his hand.

She pushed herself slightly down his body and her mouth left his. There was a brief moment of disappointment until he felt her soft lips on his chest and then her mouth moved to his nipple. The feeling of her tongue flicking out to pleasure him almost caused him to buck her off the bed. All the pent up tension that he'd felt since last night was boiling over. He'd tried to put the thoughts of it out of his mind, but it had been there all day, a teaser, a memory of something that felt so good. Tonight, there were no drugs, no inhibitions, and he was going to give her everything he wanted to give her.

Everything.

She had slid so far down now that his hand could no longer reach her heat. 

Take what you fucking like.

She tried to get herself into a sideways sitting position and it was enough to allow her to get her shirt off. She smiled shyly, but there was no embarrassment, no effort to hide herself from him. He was struggling to stay composed as he watched her slip her bra off and her full breasts were exposed to him. Everything was gone now and it was skin on skin as she slid back down onto his body and her face went back to his chest. Her soft brown hair was splayed over his body as he felt her kisses and tongue.

Lower she went, down to his abdomen and then onto the base of his shaft.

I so need this.

He didn't care that she was inexperienced. He didn't care that he was protecting her. He didn't care that she was probably one of the most intelligent people he'd met. Even the predicament they were in.

Don't care.

All he cared about was her mouth working its way to his cock while her hands ran over him. He needed this. Wanted this. Desperately.

He wanted his cock in her mouth. He wanted to fuck her face, fill her with him. Get rid of this damned teenaged tension. Then he could settle down instead of feeling like a balloon that was getting blow bigger and bigger and..... He wanted to fuck, suck, explore every bit of her.

"Emma," was all he softly said, placing his hands on her head, but there was nothing else he could say. Nothing that made sense. He was going to explode and the feel of her breasts trailing on his legs wasn't helping him contain it at all.

He looked at the ceiling with his hands entwined in her soft hair. He opened and closed his eyes at the sheer pleasure of what she was doing.

For him.

Fuck. 

****

He made no effort to stop her, for that she was glad. Her mouth was practically salivating by the time she reached his glistening cock, watching a another droplet of pre-cum ooze from the tip. He twitch in her hand, his fingers tangling in her long tresses, pushing the hair away from her cheeks and holding it up high on top of her head. Good thinking, she mused to herself and glanced up.

His long lean body was straining, his hips jerking as her breath blew softly against his heated skin. He loved watching him so turned on. So hard, he was pulsing in her hand. She might not be very experienced, but she knew by the way he responded, he was going to last long. The thought that it was because of her thrilled her even more so.

With a soft moan, she wiggled her naked body between his splayed legs and cupped his balls, pressing her lips to the base of his shaft. His hips strained, his fingers tightened and she smiled and let her tongue sneak out to take a long, slow, delicious swipe of his whole length from base to tip. There she licked at the droplets, one at a time, enthralled as they appeared before her very eyes. She was treating him like her favorite ice cream cone, swirling her tongue around and sampling his taste. The musk of his arousal filled her senses and made her ache all the more.

One final glance up to his handsome face and she opened up, sucking him into her eager, warm, wet mouth. That clever tongue curled on the underside, teasing as she swiped it back and forth, then flattened in on the way up. Returning back down with a slow suck and a hole new little swirling action as she tested his response to see what he liked best.

She could feel his heartbeat pulsing through his shaft as she slurped and bobbed and moaned softly, toying with his balls gently and stroking what bits of him she couldn't swallow, eager to have him reach the point of no return. 

****

The pressure. He could hardly bear it and it was building in him further with each sweet kiss she placed on him as she traveled down towards his cock. He had both of his hands full of her hair now and he was careful not to pull too tightly in his abandonment to the pleasure she was giving him.

He looked down at her and watched as her mouth started to work on the base of his rigid cock. One of small hands cupped his balls and her tongue worked the length of the shaft slowly. His hips bucked again involuntarily and he gripped her hair more tightly. At the head of his cock, she ran out her tongue to lick at the precum oozing from there. He hadn't felt like this for a long time. He was torn between enjoying her soft licks of his cock or shoving it roughly into her mouth and fucking it. 

Emma took the decision from him. She looked into his eyes, opened her mouth and then sunk onto his cock. The warm soft recesses of her mouth enclosed around him and took him to the next level of pleasure. She began bobbing on his cock, her tongue running along the bottom of his shaft and her sucking bringing gasps from him.

"Oh, Emma," he said, his hands still gripping her hair. "Fuck, yes, Emma."

He could hear her moaning as she sucked and bobbed on him and did other countless things to him. He couldn't keep track. It was all just one large feeling of rising pleasure and it was impossible to separate each of the discrete things she was doing to him.

Hansen wasn't an inexperienced man when it came to sex, but he couldn't remember when he'd last felt like this.

He didn't care.

Her sounds and actions were bringing him close to the point of release. He was starting to buck his hips rhythmically to the bobbing of her head and he was pressing down gently with his hands, trying to have as much of himself in her mouth as he could.

"Fuck, Emma, that's good."

It wasn't going to be long now. He could feel his cock stiffening even further and begin it's familiar twitch. He couldn't hold back much longer.

****

His moans were music to her ears and she knew she had him when his hips began to buck and his hands pressed her down. She relaxed her throat, only gagging slightly as he pushed more of himself into her mouth, bumping the back of her throat. It didn't phase her. Instead, her cheeks hollowed out as she increased the suction on his cock, slurping wetly, her lips tightening as she felt him tense and twitch. He seemed impossibly hard, his breath shuddering out as his fingers flexed.

One free hand slid against his hairy thigh, up to his hips and then sliding down to slid just under the side of his ass cheek, urging him to let go. The noises he made had her clenching her thighs, her nipples tightening painfully as she slurped with everything she had. The first spurt of his cum made her moan out as it hit the back of her throat and she quickly swallowed it. His warm salty spunk quickly began to fill her mouth. She slowed slightly, sucking every drop he had to give her until her cheeks practically bulge and she gulped, sucking air through her nose.

When he finally calmed, she pulled away, each lap of her tongue too sensitive for him to handle, drawing out gasp and shudder with each pass. She smiled and moved off, the taste of him still potent on her tongue as she pressed feathery soft kisses to still spasming abs. Her soft breasts brushed his warm skin as she slowly crawled up his body, straddling his hips as she moved and settled her torso against his own, pressing close to run her fingers now through his short cropped hair as her mouth pressed to his chin and mouth softly. 

His breathing was uneven and eyes a little glassy and she grinned, feeling proud of herself for making him feel so good. "I hope I did alright...do I get an A for effort?" She purred out teasingly, the soft slick heat of her sex pressed intimately against his softened dick. 

****

He bucked his hips forcefully and pressed down on her head, almost all of his cock trying force its way into her mouth. He could feel the end of his dick touch the back of her throat, but it only seemed to increase her efforts.

Her hand on his ass cheek, pushing him in, letting him know he should take his release. That was all he needed. He couldn't fight it and there was no point.

He tightened and then shot a load of his cum into her warm mouth. His cock was so far in her, that most of it hit the back of her throat.

"Oh, Emma!" he shouted out.

His first shot was followed by more and he just kept pumping his cock into her mouth and moaning. She was sucking it all down, her tongue and mouth still working on his cock, heightening the pleasure.

His heart was beating so hard he thought it would jump out of his chest and his ears were ringing.

"Fuck me," he said to himself quietly.

His cock twitched as the spasms of his orgasm became smaller and he loosened his grip on her. Her gentle sucks and licks were now almost too much for his hyper-sensitive cock and he was relieved as she started to make her way up his body, trailing kisses as she rose. She finally ended her travel, her mouth kissing his mouth and chin lightly. She ran her hands through his hair and he looked at her as his breathing and heart rate returned to something resembling normalcy.

She had her legs spread on either side of him and her warm lips were pressed against his cock. It was soft for now, but he could already feel the proximity of her sex causing a stir. She looked down at his face, her hair mussed by his tugging.

He smiled back up at her.

"I can see you were a double major then, Professor," he said.

He wrapped his arms around her and lifted his head to hers so that he could softly kiss her lips.

"You'd better get your strength back," he said. "There's a lot more to go yet now that the roads have been cleared, so to speak."

He chuckled and then gave her another kiss. He murmured softly into her mouth.

"A lot more to go yet...." 

****

Emma smiled against his mouth and giggled ever so softly, the sound almost lost between them. "Promises promises." She murmured between kisses. His mouth felt good against her own and his arms warm and secure around her body. Long fingers splayed along her sides, gently caressing. She felt the shift in him as suddenly it wasn't enough and his hands became more restless, moving to caressed the length of her spine and lower to cup her bottom.

She gasped into his mouth and shivered, her nipples tightened further, poking against his chest. Her body shifted, rubbing against his own ever so slightly until he surprised her with a move and rolled them.

With a yelp, she found herself flat on her back, his bigger body draped half over her own. She smiled at up him, one of his larger legs tangle with one of her own, pinning it down. Her hands wasted no time, moving over the bare flesh of his chest and shoulders, caressing him lovingly.

While they had shared a more urgent moment the night before, Emma felt strangely exposed now. The room was light and she was completely bare to his gaze. Her full breasts rose and fell with off beat breaths, her soft pale skin flushed, and soft pink nipples so tight she was sure they'd be able to cut glass. With Liam looming over her, looking devilishly handsome and sexy, it was once again amazing how different they were. He was all lean muscle, big and broad and yummy. She was all womanly curves, soft and supple. While nowhere near fat, everything she hid under her clothes screamed woman. All the way down to her cute belly button which compliment her flat quivering belly.

"Are you going to stare all night?" She teased, blushing even as she tried to be coy, "Or are you going to make good on those promises?" Raising her free leg slightly, she rubbed it against his hair roughened one. "Or are you all talk and no act--mph!" 

The rest of her words died as he swooped down to cut her off. Her body arched towards his as she opened her mouth to him again, their tongue greeting once again in a long wet kiss that shut down whatever witty comment would have come up next. 

****

He felt better now. With the urgency gone, he could really give her more than she bargained for. Or maybe she had bargained for it? She was murmuring into his mouth when he chuckled to himself. Now he was on top and she was pressed beneath him. He could already feel himself getting hard again and this time it was more pleasurable rather than an ache that needed to be rid.

He was resting on the palms of his hands, his face and chest above her and their lower bodies crushed together. He looked down at her, all mussed up brown hair and sparkling brown eyes. Hansen didn't let her talk. He covered her mouth with his and sought out her tongue, their hands roaming all over the other's body.

He raised his head for a moment.

"It seems the only way to keep you quiet, Irish, is to have something in your mouth at all times," he said, winking at her.

He lowered his head again, but this time he kissed her softly on the chin and then ran his lips down her neck and onto her chest. He paused at the area between her breasts as if deciding and then moved his mouth to one of them. The nipple was taut and erect and he placed his mouth over it while running his tongue around its base. He loved the way she was squirming under him. Then he flicked the end of it with his tongue and decided it was only fair the other one should get the same treatment. The tip of his tongue lightly flicked the end of her other nipple and then he ran his mouth down a little lower and kissed her in the cleft where her breast met her chest. He kissed her all along there, feeling the warm softness and then descended lower, under her rib cage and down to her belly button.

He slid himself down a little further on the bed and then lightly touched his tongue to her belly button. He kept his hands above him, each on one of her breasts, gently playing with her nipples. He looked up at her and murmured.

"I think there are other things down here to play with...."

He lowered himself further till his head was above her wet sex. He smirked up at her and then ran his tongue along her whole slit, just avoiding her clit. Finally, when he reached the top of her lips, he poked his tongue softly through her folds to find her clit. He lightly ran his tongue over the top of it and finally he could fully taste her.

Her hands were now on the back of his head and he pushed his tongue onto her slick nub with a little more force. His head was now trapped between her legs and there was nowhere else he'd rather be.

He finally pushed his tongue all the way through her wet folds and ran it around in circles at the base of her clit, occasionally swiping the top to change the sensations she was feeling. His mind drifted as he licked her and ran his warm tongue down her, probing gently at the entrance of her cunt.

He was immersed in the whole feeling.

Nowhere else I'd rather be.... 

****

Pleasure ripples through her body with each kiss, each touch and scrape of his stubbly chin and cheek as he made his way down her quivering body. She couldn't have spoken if she'd wanted to as he swipe at her slick sex and then teased her clit, making her body shift and trembled, her hips tilting to meet his hungry mouth. 

Like he had only moments ago, her fingers pushed through his hair, gripping the short strands as he pushed her thighs further apart with his broad shoulders and she clamped down on either side, holding him there.

Her fingers flexed, trying to be mindful not to dig into his scalp or tug, but she couldn't stop the trembling or the constant lift of her hips as she tried to ride his teasing tongue as he sampled her wetness, the sweet tang of her cream as he dove deep and then came back up to swirl around her sensitive bud. Each pass made her jerk and gasp, her breaths completely of sync as she panted and mewled. 

Her eyes were shut as she arched her neck back, her shoulders pressing into the mattress as her back arched, doing a slow body roll until her hips pushed up, pressing his tongue more fully to her clit. "Liam!" She gasped out loudly, the ache and pressure of her pending orgasm making her tense as she struggle not to press him more firmly between her legs. 

****

Emma was shuddering below his mouth, his tongue slowly dragging along her lips and clit and making small probing flicks into her sopping cunt. Her hands were loosening and tightening rhythmically in his hair and she flexed her hips, squeezing his head to her.

She bucked her hips upwards and he pushed his tongue further into her, this time moving it in and out, fucking her with it, savoring her taste. She cried out his name and he wrapped his arms around her legs and pulled her even closer, pushing his tongue deeper into her warm depths.




Shackled Ch. 13



He was pushing her now, pushing her to come. He wanted her to let go, to feel safe to let go. She had said she wasn't experienced, but she didn't need experience to feel this. This was basic. Fundamental. Visceral. 

He pushed his tongue into her again, but this time he ran one hand right around her hip and gently caressed her clit at the same time. He tried to time the thrusts of his tongue with the slow glide of his finger over her nub. He could feel her hands on his head. He could feel the hardness between his legs. 

But this was her turn to let go, to release the torrent of tension. He could feel her building, willing her body to the satiety. 

All he cared about now was his tongue licking the entrance to her cunt and pushing into it to the rhythm of his finger playing on her clit. He had her totally bound up in his arms, pulling her towards him. Drowning in her. Breathing her in.

Drowning or breathing?

He didn't give a fuck. 

****

She shuddered and cried out as he slid his arms around her legs and thighs, tangling them together as he pulled her closer. She let out a soft grunt as his tongue pushed in deeply and then began to rhythmically fuck her tight little slit, his clever fingers moving over her clit.

The pleasure that washed over her was breath taking, making her forget to breath all together as her fingers tightened in his hair. Her body kept straining off the bed as she almost fought the hold he had on her lower body. But Liam was relentless as she bucked and squirmed, her moans turning into high pitched little gasps.

He had her, right there. As the pleasure ballooned and pulsed between her legs and then began to flare. The tidal wave of white hot pleasure that hit her had her screaming. Her hands tightened into small fists in his hair as she screamed his name and snapped tightly. Shudder and shivers racked her body as she let it wash over her, again and again, each swipe and push of his tongue making her jerk like a puppet on a string until finally she fell boneless to the bed. Her fingers went lax, her breaths heaving noisily as she panted and whimpered.

With eyes closed, she licked her dry lips and let out a soft groan/moan, murmuring his name one last time. She could have easily rolled over and gone to sleep right then and there, but she knew...they weren't done, just yet.



Shackled Ch. 14



She was bucking under him and he knew she was reaching her orgasm. The strength of her hands in his hair surprised him, but it made him lick her slit and probe her warm recesses even harder. His finger was working on her clit and he found himself trying to use everything to pleasure all of her. All the while her bucking and moaning was becoming more desperate and his own pleasure became linked to hers. He wanted her to cum, was willing her to cum.

And finally she did.

She let out a low scream and called his name as with one final buck she came in his mouth. He pushed his tongue deeply into her and held it there as she came, pressing his face into her wet, musky cunt. As the pleasure washed over her in small convulsions, he began to once again run his tongue over her slit and up to her clit. It felt stiff and engorged from the pleasure and he ran his tongue around the bottom of it, taking a little swipe of the top occasionally.

Slowly, she went limp in his arms and under his mouth. Her breathing was ragged and she whimpered his name. He stayed there for a few moments, savouring all of her, making sure that he missed nothing. She was still except for the rise and fall of her ribcage. 

Hansen slowly eased himself up on his arms. He revelled in being the pleasure-giver, for making her feel like this. Spent. Satiated. 

He slowly crawled over her body, luxuriating in the feel of her silken skin under his, a light sheen of sweat making his passage all the smoother. When his face was above hers, he looked down at her with a crooked smile.

"Inexperienced my ass," he whispered.

He lowered his head and kissed her lightly on the lips. Then he pressed his groin into her, his hardness almost back to what it had been at the beginning of their love making.

"It looks like we still have more to go," he said. "Can't leave unfinished business."

Tomorrow, the others were coming, but that was tomorrow.

He kissed her again, this time lowering his body further so that his weight was on her. He ran his lips over the side of her neck and then up to her ears. Again he bucked his groin gently into her, his hard cock sliding over her wet lips.

"You have time for a short rest," he said, "but I think I know how to solve this little, er, large problem...." 

****

She shivered as his warm flesh hit her own, sliding slightly from the sweat that coated her skin, making it glow slightly. His soft teasing whisper made he smile, her eyes fluttering open to meet his gaze. "Well...you're a very good teacher. Maybe I should start calling you Professor." 

Her smile died a little as he bucked against her core, his hardness rubbing against her sensitive clit and slit, her flesh all swollen and ready for him. She gasped, her body moving slowly to meet his own, her hips tilting and pressing, her shoulders pulling back and breasts pushing upwards to meet his chest.

With his weight against her own, they were belly to belly and she moaned as he kissed her. The taste of her on his lips. Not unpleasant, but rather erotic. A very pleasant reminder of what he just done. Another shiver of delight followed as he brushed his lips against her neck and continued to murmur in her ear, his voice thick and husky. Her heart fluttered, her pulse picking right back up.

Her fingers slid over his back and caressed him, her knees bending to captured the sides of his hips as she dug her heels in the bed and rocking up to meet his bucking hips. "Mmmmm....I don't know about a rest. I wouldn't want to waste any time." She breathed, his cock slipping back and forth and when the blunt head pressed against her opening, she gasped and then moaned loudly,wrapping a leg around him and dropping her knee to the side, trying to give him greater access as she pushed her hips against his own. "Oh yes...we should solve this problem..." 

****

Hansen laughed. What was he, if not a problem solver?

His cock was pressed against his belly as he rubbed it slowly over Emma's wet cunt lips. He pushed himself up slightly so that he could look at her as he rocked over her body. She was flushed, but she looked ready and willing for more.

No rest for the wicked.

He smiled down at her.

"I think I've created a monster," he said and swooped down to give her a quick kiss again. "Not a scary monster...."

Her feet crawled up his body to wrap around the backs of his thighs and her knees feel away. He angled his hips, his cock poised above her wet entrance. He hovered there for a few moments, looking down at her, feeling her want and then he began to lower himself.

He felt his cock push at the entrance to her warm cunt. There was little resistance as she was wet from her juices and his tongue. The head of his cock passed into her and then he thrust himself in fully, all the while looking down at her.

"Emma," he moaned and then began to slowly pump his cock in and out of her, drawing it out all the way to the head and then easing it back all the way in until he felt like he was hitting the bottom of her warm depths.

He lowered himself down so that he could kiss her as he fucked her, feel her body crushed under him. He placed his hands under her head so that he could lift that beautiful face towards him. He was lost now in a milieu of kissing, fucking, holding. He rocked harder and harder, pumping his cock into her, grinding into her.

He sat back up a little on his haunches. He wanted to keep kissing her, tasting her mouth, but he also wanted fuck her as deeply as he could, push his cock into her further than he had been. He grabbed her ankles and pulled them up so that her feet were beside his head. Small, pretty feet and he kissed the underside of them gently. Then he pushed his cock into her as far as it would go, slamming the fronts of his thighs into her butt.

He didn't know how long he could last, but he wished it was forever.

He couldn't give a fuck about what was happening in the world at the moment.

His world was perfect. 

****

Emma had nowhere to go even if she wanted to. She was lost in the feel and taste of Liam and then found herself pinned between the bed and his bigger body. She gasped as his soft kisses on the bottoms of her feet tickled and then cried out as he slammed into her with much more force.

She gazed up at him with sultry eyes and a soft moist panting mouth as he worked her pussy with his cock. His hands caressed the length of her soft legs and thighs and she spread them slightly, enjoying the view and field of his firm chest and abs as he worked his hips. 

His hair roughened thighs brushed against her bottom as he gripped her tightly and moved. Emma squirmed, her tits bouncing with each thrust and eager thrust, their eyes holding, their breaths out heavy and uneven. Her hands gripped the sheets, tugging as he filled her again and again. With her thighs pushed together, she gripped him that much more, moaning and whimpering as he took charge.

The pressure built again, promising lots more delight. Reaching for him, Emma tried to grab hold and pull him down, calling his name as she tugged at her legs. Her knees bent slightly and he moved forward. Emma let out a small sound of surprise as he folded her almost in half, making her breath whoosh out before she drooped her ankles off his shoulders and lower. But the position again drove him that much deeper. 

Not that she minded. She had his mouth again and tasted him happily between noises of pleasure, her nails once against sinking into the flesh of his back as she tensed and bucked under him. 

****

He was pushing into her so hard, Emma was sliding up and down the bed with each thrust. There was no escape. He slammed into her and then he pulled her small body back for the next thrust. He was on his knees and her feet were on his shoulders, trying to pull them together as hungrily as he was.

He looked down at her, moaning and looking at him as he slammed himself deeper with each thrust. She almost had no control now, he was using her body in any way he wanted, pushing and pulling as he desired. Deeper. Wetter. Hotter.

"Ah, Emma," he said, his face almost on hers. He dropped it lower and sought out her mouth again, pushing his tongue out in search of hers as he continued to thrust. She was so wet now that he felt his cock sliding smoothly into her cunt like it was a warm bath. Except this bath gripped his cock and he could feel the walls of her cunt trying to grip them in vain as he pushed in and out of her.

She bucked under him in response to his fucking, grabbing his back, her fingers digging into him, imploring to push harder, to push further. There were no words needed now. Each movement, each action was understood by the other.

Hansen had never felt anything like this on the end of his cock. She was impaled on him and he could do with her what he wanted.

And he was.

And she wanted it too.

He could feel her movements becoming more ragged as he drove his cock into her, angling his hips so that his shaft would have access to her clit as it pumped in and out of her. He could feel his desire boiling even further. He was going to explode into her soon, feel his release yet again.

He wanted to fill her, drown her cunt.

He needed it. 

****

All she could do was cling to him...with her arms, her legs and her pussy. Every thrust was pushing her higher and higher into sweet oblivion where it was only him and her and nothing else mattered. 

She sucked on his tongue, bottom lip, biting down as he drove that little bit harder and making her grunt and moan out his name. She could feel him begin to strain, his muscles bunching and flexing as he moved and his cock impossibly hard and pulsing and knew he was right there with her. It was becoming too hard to kiss and breath at the same time and when he angled his hips just so, she pulled away and cried out, shuddering as he not only drove deep into her grasping cunt, but rubbed against her clit as well.

Her breaths became increasingly ragged and she twitched, her back bowing off the bed as she left out a helpless wail. Eyes squeezed tightly shut, she cried out and let herself lose control again. The wave of pure sweet, intoxicating pleasure that crashed over her sent her reeling. "Aaaahh Liam! OOooh yeeesss!" 

Every fiber of her body seemed to trembled and quake, so forceful it was almost scary. His hoarse grunt filled her ears as he whispered her name in return, sweat making their bodies slid and slap loudly, her pussy gushing and gripping as she came and creamed all over his pumping cock. 

****

He felt her cunt contract around his cock, almost stopping him from pushing into her, but her slick depths were his to take and he wasn't going to be denied. He continued pumping through her orgasm.

"Emma," he said in barely a whisper, his focus now on his cock and spilling his seed into her.

She was still in the throes of her pleasure, bucking convulsively when he felt his balls tighten and his cock twitch again. He thrust with even more urgency, the end of his cock covered in her juices and slicing a path through her.

"Ahhh..." was all he could cry out before he felt the cum spurting from his cock into her, the warm ribbons bringing a relief to the tension. He kept thrusting and cumming, filling her, dropping his head to kiss her, but it wasn't gentle. He had to get it all out of him, the kissing, the pumping, the cumming. He pressed down on her even harder, the muscles in his arms knotting as her body was now totally folded beneath him, her cunt sitting up as a prize.

"Emma," he said into her covered mouth as he slowly started to come down from his ecstasy, but his hips continued to twitch involuntarily, making him shudder as his cock was covered in the mix of their juices.

Finally, he loosened his grip on her and let her legs back up, around his torso and he dropped onto her, breathing heavily. He was spent, but he left his cock in her, feeling the warmth, his head in the crook of her neck.

"Fuck," was all he said, his hand reaching to grab her hair gently as he lay pressed on her.

It was not the most eloquent description he could have come up with, but it was the most appropriate. 

****

Emma was completely dazed and spent, laying under Liam's mass of muscle, their body slick with sweat. His expletive made her puff out a breathless laugh and then sigh as he tangled his fingers in her hair and stayed still. Her bent knees rested on either side of his hips, gently cradling his body as she slid her fingers lovingly up and down his back and shoulders. He was heavy, but she didn't seem to care in that moment. Never had anything felt so good or so right and as silly as it all seemed, everything inside her hummed with contentment and something a lot deeper flourished. 

"You say the sweetest things." She murmured softly, letting out another soft giggle. "And I do believe, you should remind me to stretch next time we attempt any bedroom activities."

Tugging at his hair playfully, she tilted his head to meet hers and kissed him lips softly, her own bruised and moist from his passionate display only moments ago. Her eyes were bright with happiness, desire and something else...something they probably weren't ready for. Something that was impossible with their current situation. Her heart suddenly ached, but she put on a smile instead of frowning. "All this play is making me hungry." She added teasingly and nipped at his lips. 

****

Hansen chuckled. 

"You have to be fit to play with me, Irish," he said.

Her body was pressed beneath him, his cock still in the moist warmth of her depths. He raised his head and paused from kissing her a while and looked down at her. She looked so happy. He should have luxuriated in such a moment of pleasure and joy, but there were doubts in his mind.

I hope I'm doing the right thing.

Her hands on his back felt soft and smooth, sliding up and down his skin. He couldn't believe it, but he was getting hard again.

I'm really acting like a teenager.

She nipped his lips softly with hers again and he responded by pressing down a little harder. His tongue gently pushed her lips apart to find hers and they kissed slowly, without the urgency of their previous efforts. He ground his hips into her and his cock was definitely getting harder.

Geeez.

His cock twitched at the thought.

"Well, Irish,' he said. "I may well have the perfect entrée for you...."

"Then food." He winked at her. "I promise."

He rocked back on her, lifting his chest and torso from hers, but their groins locked together. He couldn't believe he still had desire after their efforts. His arms were on either side of her.

He laughed, but his hard cock was serious. He wanted to feel her mouth on him one more time. To take control of her. He was protecting her, but they were more than that now. They were....

He shook his head. He had to get that thought out of his mind. He had to worry about getting her out of this alive. That was the first priority. He didn't want to be hurt again, to feel the loss he had before. He never wanted to feel like that again.

Ever.

He placed his hands on either side of her shoulders and then flipped them over so that she was on top. His cock was still in her, but his eyes were deadly serious now. He shouldn't have thought about that, about loss.

You can't lose something you don't have.

Yet.

He sat up a little, his belly rippling as he pulled his torso up. He kissed her softly again, quiet, and then leaned back again the wall. He needed this. To get this out. 

Again.

You think just fucking her will make feel less? You know what you are, Hansen. You'll only feel more. You're setting yourself up.

He nearly cried out in fear, but it was his voice, not The Voice, talking.

He pushed her shoulders down so that she was forced down the bed. He didn't ask her. He was taking. He felt her breast run down his chest and over his thighs.

No more hurt.

No more loss.

Then what are you doing?

He closed his eyes.

He didn't know what the fuck he was doing. 

****

Emma was surprised by his sudden and quick response all over again. She laughed along with him as he pushed himself up and then made her melt all over as they kissed passionately and softly. He was full contradictions and his eyes darkening and face suddenly serious as she sat on top of him. All womanly curves and glistening skin. 

Then he was pushing at her shoulders and she quirked a brow as she obliged and slid down his body. "Oh Liam...naughty boy." She breathed and giggled softly, sensually. The sound soft and sensual and then she said nothing. His cock stood proud and glistening with their combined juices. She should have been turned turned off...this was all new. But as her tiny hand wrapped around his length, she sighed and leaned forward, tentatively licked the head. When the taste of them didn't appall her, she went in for the kill. Her tongue swirling and dipping, teasing as she sucked him into her hungry mouth.

His soft growl filled the air and she moaned around him, taking more of him in as she stroked him as well. His reaction fueled her need to please him as her mind whirled with jumbled thoughts. What would tomorrow bring? What of the other women? The thought of them didn't settle well with her. She wasn't sure what to make of it...were they competition or not? And why was she so worried about all that when clearly their relationship was probably doomed from the beginning. She'd be lucky to still be alive when all this went down. While she had all the faith in the world in Liam, they were also out numbered by many.

Trying to tuck those worries away, she continued to suck and slurp, bobbing her head up and down happily. 

****

Hansen couldn't believe he still had anything left in him to give. He felt her tongue softly swirling around the head of his cock. He'd done more tonight than he had in months, but he needed this. He looked down at Emma between his legs as she took him back into her mouth and he instantly hardened further. Despite their previous efforts, her mouth and her hands still felt as good as the first time and he placed his hands in her long brown hair and gently twisted it through his fingers. His cock travelled through her mouth and back to her throat. She had grown more comfortable, all trepidation and doubt gone and she took him easily and without inhibition.

He didn't know what had come over him, but he knew he had to cum.

Again.

He may have looked like he didn't have a care in the world, but that was not the truth. He did. He was going to end this with Blaxland and the SPF's once and for all and Emma had given him the reason.

An excuse really.

Her mouth kept working on him. He could feel the soft warmth of her tongue as it ran along the underside of his shaft with each bob of her head. He grabbed tighter, forcing her down, speeding towards yet another orgasm.

Maybe this will finally help me think more clearly.

He had needed tonight more than she knew, than even he knew. He let out a small moan as his cock started to twitch. There was no need to speak. She knew what he wanted. What he needed.

What he craved.

He pumped his hips up to meet her face. Her nose pressed into his hard belly, his cock impaling her mouth. A mix of their juices was pooling in a ring around the base of his shaft. He continued to push her head down, trying to get his release. He could feel her small hands, her tongue, her throat. Everything was centered on the feeling of his cock.

Still his mind wandered, the sensations of Emma's efforts not enough to clear his mind. This was going to end. Living like this. Running. Fighting. Wallowing in the inevitability of how his life would turn out.




Shackled Ch. 14



He felt his cock twitch.

First I need this, then I can think....

He lay back, Emma sucking for all she was worth, her head bobbing up and down, the pleasure almost unbearable. He was close.

He jerked his hips up again and held tighter onto her hair, shoving his cock further and further into her mouth. He moaned in pleasure, but it was a moan of need, not just pleasure.

"Emma....not far...." 

His cock felt so good. She felt so good.

Then he could think.

Soon. 

****

Emma's eyes were watering as she took him deeply, his cock so good and hard, twitching as she used her tongue please him. Each soft moan and groan fueled to her to continue and a short thrill raced down her spine as he tightened his hold in her hair.

She said nothing, didn't want to talk as she slurped and sucked to her hearts content. Her beautiful eyes met his steady gaze as his body tightened further and she could feel his thighs tense and quiver, as if trying to reach for a little control. But she wanted to break it, to taste him again on her tongue. Hot and salty and oh so good.

His hips began to move, his cock hitting the back of her throat, making the tears slid down her soft cheeks, but she didn't care, she wanted all of him she could take. Wanted the night to last for as long as it could, to please him and tease him until she was well under his skin and in his heart.

His hoarse voice sent another shiver of anticipation down her spine and Emma double her efforts, watching him lay back, his back arching slightly, his hips driving up. She sucked in air through her nose and flicked her tongue over sensitive spot around the tip of his dick and moaned deeply. Her eyes told him to let go as she tasted his pre-cum. 

****

Despite all they had done, Hansen found himself once again on the edge of another orgasm. He was virtually fucking her mouth now, his hands tightly wound in her hair and his cock pumping into her, hitting the back of her throat.

He hadn't felt this before. He couldn't hold back from her. Couldn't keep it in. Keep his cool.

Keep control.

That's what made his life tick, kept him in check, gave him purpose.

Control.

He was ceding it to his scientist. Emma. He could fuck her all night. He had fucked her all night. Now, he was ready to shoot yet another load of his hot cum into her....

He was tensing and bucking. Her tongue was running over the hole at the end of his shaft, sending further sensations of pleasure coursing through him. He looked down at her and she was looking back at him, those flecked eyes wanting him to cum, telling him to come.

He could feel the cum boiling in him. He grabbed her hair even more tightly and slammed her head on to his cock while pumping his hips up, pressing her face into his belly.

"Oh, Emma....!" he called. 

He stayed in that position, his back arched off the bed, her head pressed onto his cock. Thick hot strands of cum pumped into her mouth and throat. He couldn't believe that he still had so much in him. She'd drained him, but not all of it. A second wave came, spewed out of him and into her mouth.

Emma.

His body was writhing, her warm mouth over his convulsing cock and all he could think of was pumping it out. All of it. 

Into Emma.

He was slowing, but she drew further twitches from his cock and body. He couldn't control this. He didn't even bother to try. He almost had tears in his eyes from the pleasure she'd given him.

Now he was coming down, her tongue still on him.

Coming down.

To what?

Reality.

Think about that tomorrow. Just enjoy this.

He had to save Emma.

For her.

For him. 

****

Emma took all that he gave and more, drawing on him until he was reduced to a trembling mass on the bed, his body twitching and arching to meet her skilled warm mouth. His fingers remained tight in her hair, until she'd sucked him dry and only then did she slowly ease off.

His cock slid himself down between his legs as she kissed her way up his body, his breaths coming out unevenly as her tongue dipped into his belly button, swirled and then slowly moved up. Her naked flesh brushed against his own as she slowly shifted and moaned, pressing herself to him, belly to belly before her lips gently pressed to his.

Those big chocolate eyes held his gaze and she smiled softly, feeling ridiculously happy that she'd made him feel so good. Happy that he'd left himself go when everything around him demanded such control and commitment to staying on course. Her lips lingered, her nose bumping against his, nudging as her lips split into a grin. "So...insatiable Liam...are you feeling a little more sated?" She teased ever so softly, her voice purring out.

Giggling, she slid to his side and curled her warm body against his own, draping a thigh over his and an arm around his waist as she pressed her cheek to his chest. The length of her hair cool and silky against his bare arm. In that moment everything felt right and perfect, even as shadows of the days to come threatened to ruin it all. Her heart was full, her body humming with pleasure and she was as close to him as any human could be. The urge to suddenly confess her feelings was overwhelming, threatening to spill from her mouth in the form of three little words that she couldn't possibly utter. 

****

Emma kept milking him for all he had and the warmth of her mouth drew some further small spurts from him. When he'd finished and the tension in his body melted away, she slowly slid up his body, her smooth soft skin providing him with further delightful sensations. His breathing was ragged as she kissed her way up his body, pausing at his belly button and swirling her tongue in it.

She finally reached him and softly kissed his lips. She nuzzled his face with her nose, smiling as she looked into his eyes. Hansen could only nod with a wry smile on his face. He was trying to not think about tomorrow. 

The future.

This is now.

She slid to his side, her warmth pressed against him. Her head lay on his chest and he instinctively ran his hand through her hair.

"Emma," he said softly, "Emma."

He lay back, her body pressed against his and looked up at the ceiling.

They were coming tomorrow and they would all be together for the first time in a long while. It would be good to see them. He always felt a spark when they were together. It meant they were going to do something. Doing something was Hansen's forte. He had to do something. They couldn't run forever and now he had Emma to think of. She wouldn't be able to run forever.

Hide.

Live in the shadows.

They were going to blow their way to the light. The light would expose the mess they were in, melt it away. But would they survive it?

He absentmindedly ran his hand through her hair, ruffling it softly. He could feel her breathing, her breast pressing against the side of his chest. His breathing had returned to its normal rhythm now.

"Nothing's going to happen to you, Emma," he whispered.

He tried to focus on what he thought they would do. What they should do. What they could do.

His mind was jumping, images flashing into it. Slow motion. Fast forward. Jess. Cassie. Smiling. Crying. Alive. Dead.

Emma.

His lovemaking with her had left him tired. He hugged her closer with his free arm and raised his head so he could kiss her on the top of the head. 

Three days and I'm in love?

No. You needed her. You needed love.

She just come along.

It still wasn't The Voice. This was him.

He hadn't meant to care so much. He didn't have to care so much, but he did.

Care.

Love?

Shit.

He fell asleep holding her tight. 



Shackled Ch. 15



(For all our 'fans' -- thank you for all the wonderful feedback! It's all wonderful and all helps. We do realize that the way this is set up -- it can be a little bit tedious to read. This will eventually change, but our readers want more now -- so here it goes. :)

Emma had fallen asleep right behind Liam, her gaze focused on his relaxed, sleeping face. Some men looked boyish when they slept, but not Liam. He was still sexy as hell in her eyes, but still harbored some hard edges that could be seen even when he was relaxed. But those edges only made her care for him more...for whatever reason, everything about him spoke to her.

He'd been exhausted and for a little while she'd enjoyed his warmth and let his even deep breaths lull her to sleep. Sometime in the early morning hours, one of them had stirred and naked bodies had pressed and made love again, lazy and sweet. He'd made her feel cherished and loved, bringing tears to her eyes, making her heart swell all over again. When it had been over, they'd slept again in a tangle of arms and legs until Emma finally woke a few hours later once more with a soft groan. She ached in all the right places. A sweet ache that reminded her of everything they had shared that night.

His face was pressed to her belly, his arms wrapped around her waist as her fingers tangled in his hairi. His rough stubbly face tickled her flesh with each little breath she took and she smiled, ruffling his hair. "Liam...time to get up." She murmured, glancing at the bright digits of his bedside clock. "We have just enough time to shower and change before we have company."

The thought sobered her a little. It was the end of their fantasy evening and back to reality. Wiggling out from under him, she pressed her lips to his mouth in a soft morning kiss and then slid off the bed, grasping one of his hand and tugging. "Come on...come shower with me real quick. You can keep me warm in that cold ass shower of yours."

****

He dreamt that he was walking with Emma down one of the city's streets, holding hands and looking in shop windows. They weren't running, they were walking. No furtive glances. No hanging in the shadows. No SPFs.

Just walking.

They were smiling and laughing with each other. He couldn't make out the conversation, but they were happy and playful. Like any couple.

Any couple in love.

He couldn't remember how they'd fixed their problem. He knew they had because they wouldn't be so happy otherwise. They paused at a shop window, a clothes store.

Emma's lips were moving, but he couldn't hear what she was saying. She was pointing at the shop window with her free hand and then gesturing to him and rolling her eyes in mock laughter. Obviously his clothes. She wanted him to get new clothes.

Hansen thought that a few pairs of jeans, some shorts, some t shirts and a coat or two were wardrobe enough. He always had. Except when he was working.

For the government.

He'd needed different clothes for that. Uniforms. Boots. Body armour. He didn't need those anymore. He was happy and he was with Emma.

They stood in front of the shop window, Emma throwing knowing glances at the window and Hansen resisting her exhortations to go into the store and take a look. He had an annoyed look on his face, but he was happy.

Happy.

Not a word he used often or a feeling he felt often. He still had the melancholy air inside of him at the loss of his family, but Emma had lifted the black cloud of depression from him. He could truly call himself happy now. At least as happy as he could be.

He started to move away from the shop window, knowing that if he stayed there any longer then it was conceivable that Emma would convince him to buy new clothes and he didn't want that. He felt her tug on his arm as she failed to move. He looked around at her, let's go written on his face.

She wasn't looking at him. She was looking at the window. The glass was highly reflective in the sunshine and Hansen had to squint to try and get a better look at what she was trying to make out. The clothes weren't so clear now. Emma moved closer to the window and took Hansen with her, reluctant to let go of his hand. He stepped closer with her.

What was that?

He thought he heard a voice in his head, but he must have been mistaken. The Voice had left him a long time ago. Laura had seen to that. And Emma's love.

Shit. There. He'd said it. Love.

Nothing good could come of that and he tried to push it from his mind. It was not safe for him to love or be loved. Everything he'd loved in his life had died. Sure, he had Carl, Laura, Bonnie and the others, but anything that was his, that he'd been charged with protecting, had always died.

Always.

At least he had Emma.

But don't love her. Just take each day as it comes and cherish it.

Don't love her.

They were really close to the glass now, so close that their noses were almost pressed against the window in their efforts to see inside more clearly. Now he could just see through the reflection. There were various mannequins in the window. He looked more closely at them.

Shit.

He squinted his eyes further, straining to see, holding Emma's hand more tightly.

The mannequins. He knew them. Who they were. One was Carl. There was Bonnie. A Laura. A Jimmy. There was even a Mrs. Chan. He knew he must be seeing things. His gaze scanned the display. Those ones....

Jess.

Cassie.

What the fuck?

His grip on Emma's hand tightened. He could feel her make a sound. Too hard, but he couldn't make out the words. The last mannequin.

Emma.

He had a sick feeling in his gut then. The smile left his face and all of a sudden he could not see at all into the shop. He felt Emma tugging on his arm, but she wasn't asking him to go, she was holding on for help.

A hand had come out of the window and it was gripped around her small throat. The hand was squeezing and pulling. Hansen couldn't see how the hand had come out of the window. There was no opening and the window was intact.

One of Emma's hands was scratching at her throat, the other was holding on to Hansen's. She was trying to breath and at the same time trying to resist being dragged through the glass. Hansen let go of her, but quickly grabbed her around the chest, his arms locked tightly around her. The motion gave the hand through the glass valuable millimeters and it took it, Emma now nearly at the glass. Hansen had to do something about the hand around her neck, but he knew if he let go, then Emma would be dragged through the glass and he wouldn't be able to follow.

He wouldn't be able to save her.

Hansen tried to lock his legs and tilt his body back, hanging on to Emma for dear life, but his shoes were sliding inexorably towards the glass. Emma was bucking and squirming. He couldn't see her face because he was holding her from behind, but he could see the hand wrapped around her throat, the red marks radiating from where the hand was squeezing her tight.

People walked past them, not even glancing at this battle for life and death. Nobody cared. Nobody helped him.

Nobody.

Slowly he slid towards the glass and Emma's movements became more frantic. They had been going for what felt like minutes. Surely she needed air or she was going to pass out. Hansen hung on, but her face was at the glass now.

No!

She's mine.

I love her.

He strained with all he had, sweat beading on his forehead.

Fight....this....

Emma's faced touched the glass. There was a sudden increase in force and Hansen was taken of his feet and dragged behind Emma.

She was gone.

Hansen smashed into the glass and fell back onto the pavement, shaking his head. Everything hurt, but he got up and pressed his face against the window.

Everyone was there.

And Emma.

Cold. Still. Not moving. Not alive.

Someone spoke behind him.

Hansen, not alive means dead.

Say it.

Dead.

He looked at her through the window for a few moments and then spun around. There was no one there.

I'm here. In your head.

I thought you were gone.

I'm the only thing you will have forever. The only thing.

Emma....?

No.

Hansen stood on the sidewalk, blood coming out of the side of his head. The commuters just walked straight past him, their robotic movements, morose faces and pale skin belying the fact that they were human.

Hansen wanted to cry, but there were no tears left. He'd cried too much before. He was dry.

He had no tears for Emma.

He couldn't save Emma.

Gone.

Dead.

****

Hansen slowly woke up. He could feel a hand ruffling his hair and his face was on Emma's warm belly.

I could get used to this.

Emma.

Bummer.

He moved a little.

"Easy for you to say," he said, "but some mad woman kept me up all night."

She struggled to get out from under him and his face hit the mattress. He knew they had the meeting, but it would be nice to just lie there for another couple of minutes. He couldn't believe it, but he could feel his hardness pressing into the bed. He shook his head. Surely he'd had enough....

He dropped his head and spoke into the mattress, his voice muffled.

"Nothing with you is real quick, Irish," he said. "I feel like I've been fucking for a week."

He pressed himself up on his free arm and looked at her. She looked beautiful. Her hair was ruffled and she was tugging on his arm, barely able to move it. His hardness twitched under him at the sight of her.

He smirked.

"Well, seeing you want to shower together, I guess I should make an effort for my guest."

Looking at her naked wasn't helping his erection at all so he figured he may as well get up. He pushed himself up, moved to the edge of the bed and sat, Emma still pulling on his arm. He looked down at his groin, shook his head and made an exaggerated show of looking shocked. Then he closed one eye and pursed his lips in mock admonishment as he looked at her.

"And no funny business."

****

She let her gaze fall to his hard cock and giggled, wiggling her brows. "No funny business? Thaaaat's not what you were saying last night. I'm pretty sure you were the one begging for more." She teased and let out a half giggle, half snort type of laugh.

Not being able to help herself, she pressed close to him, her soft curves and skin fitting perfectly against his form as she wound her arms around his waist and pulled him to her. Awkwardly and playfully she shuffled them back, laughing as he made a big production of the trip to the bathroom. Her mouth pressed to his neck and shoulder, letting him push her into the tiny bathroom and then crowding her into the tiny shower stall.

She was grinning until the cold water hit and then she squealed and tried to meld into him. He seemed unaffected, grinning as she squirmed and shivered, her pretty nipples turning instantly hard and poking into his chest and goosebumps spreading all over.

"Jesus! I don't know how you deal with that every morning." She complained with a shudder as the water pelted against him, then splashed up against her. Still, between the shiver and gasps, she grabbed the soap and began running her soapy hands over his body, relishing the feel of him. "Mmmmm...well, at least it's more fun than doing things alone." She quipped and leaned forward to swirl her tongue around one flat nipple.

****

Her squeals as the cold water hit her made him laugh.

"Thought you be used to it by now, Emma," he said.

She shivered and he could see the goosebumps rising on her smooth pale skin. One more pleasant side-effect of the cold water was that her nipples were erect and hard and he could feel them pressing into his skin as she held him close. His cock was again rock hard and it was pressing into her lower belly.

She had lathered the soap and was washing him down with her small hands. It just made his desire more palpable and his dick bounced and twitched in reply to her touch on his body. Then she leaned forward and he felt her warm tongue swirling on his tight, hard nipple. He placed his hand on the back of her head and leaned his head back against the wall and let out a soft moan. The feel of her warm tongue contrasted with the cold water to arouse him even more.

He let one of his hands slide down between them, their bodies slick with soap. Once his hand reached the top of her entrance, he slipped his finger between the folds, looking for her tender bud. He found it and then gently ran his finger over it. It felt hard and engorged.

"Looks like I'm not alone in thinking what I'm thinking," he murmured and then pushed another of his fingers gently into her while still sliding the other slowly over her clit.

He was sure the water didn't feel so cold now

Emma sighed and then moaned as Liam's clever fingers slid down between them and began toying with her sex. "Mmmmm...you might be right..." She breathed, her hips moving to press against him more fully, wanting his fingers among other things deep inside.

The slip of his fingers circled her hard little nub and made her quiver. For a moment her head fell forward, her forehead pressing against his chest as her own fingers slid down. Soapy and slippery they circled his hard twitching cock and she began to stroke him, feeling devilishly naughty and oh so good at the same time. "Oh yes." She sighed, her thighs trembling, her knees wobbling as stroked his hard shaft and nipped at his skin.

Her hips moved to meet his probing finger, rubbing against the others for added friction as she began to pant. He was quickly making her burn from the inside out. A sweet white hot flame that was making her ache and pulse for release. Lifting her head, she slid one hand up his shoulder, to the back of his neck and pushed it through his hair. Her fingers flexed, her small hand surprisingly strong as she gripped his hair and tugged him down to lock her lips with hers. Her mouth was almost desperate, much like his had been the night before. "One more time, Liam." She moaned out between kisses, her mouth sucking on his lower lip and nipping. "And I promise to make coffee after." She teased and giggled breathless as he backed her up against the stall, pressing her tight between it and his hard, unyielding body.

Her mouth was relentless on his, drawing his tongue deep into her mouth. The cold water was forgotten, only the heat of his body seeping into hers, his hands on her, his mouth eagerly reciprocating. Liam. She was lost in him all over again.

****

Emma angled her hips so that his hand had better access to her clit and warm slit. He pushed his finger into her and very gently rubbed the top of her clit with his thumb, occasionally dropping it to swirl around the base. She bucked and rode against his hand, trying to claim more for her nub of pleasure and forcing his finger in more deeply.

Her hand slid down between them and he felt her grasp his hard cock, the slippery soap making her pumping feel smooth and silken. Her other hand reached behind to the back of his neck, drawing his head down to hers so that she could kiss him. She was almost ravenous now, her mouth covering his. Between kisses, she moaned.

He laughed.

"Well, I guess there are some things one can endure if there is a coffee at the end of it," he said, pushing another finger into her.

The water and soap had made their bodies slick and he placed his free hand on her breast, gently tweaking her hard nipple. The kisses continued and he pushed his tongue into her, feeling the heat of her warm mouth. He pressed again her, one hand in her cunt and rubbing her clit, the other playing with alternating nipples. Squeezing, pulling, gently pinching. She was riding his fingers for all she was worth and he had her pressed tight against the shower wall. His cock felt like an iron bar in her small hand and he started to pump his hips in rhythm with the sliding of her hand up and down his shaft.

Hansen kissed her again, bearing down hard on her mouth. Her pumping of his cock was getting him harder all the time and his hips bucked into her. He took one hand from her breast and cupped it behind her, virtually one whole ass cheek sitting in his hand. Even though he didn't want to, he took his other hand from her clit, and cupped the other ass cheek in it.

Emma was pressed against the wall now with both his hands cupping her tight butt. She felt very light to him and he raised her about a foot in the air, her back sliding along the smooth wall of the shower. He stepped closer and she was dangling with her feet in the air and her face at his level.

He smiled at her.

Her cunt entrance hovered over the tip of his cock. He kept looking into her eyes and then slowly he started to let her slide back down until the tip of his cock was touching the entrance to her warm hole.

"I want this, Emma," he said in a hoarse whisper. "Again."

He recommenced her slide down the wall and his cock pushed through her swollen pink folds and into her cunt. He continued lowering her until she was totally impaled on his shaft, her clit resting against the base. Her small feet were still dangling off the floor, but he could hold her there easily. The shower water continued to beat down on them and he kissed each one of her nipples gently, giving them a swirl with his tongue before he returned to her mouth.

He pulled back slightly and started to gently rock his hips, pumping his cock into her and rubbing her clit with the shaft.

He closed his eyes, reveling in the travel of his cock in her warm cunt.

Wish I'd met you earlier, Emma.

****

"Yeees..." She moaned. She adored how easily he lifted her, cupping her tight little bottom and then slowly letting her sink onto his steely shaft. She mewled, the sexy little sounds muffled against his mouth as he kissed her deeply and then began to slowly thrust his hips between her legs.

She gasped and and clung, her nails digging into his shoulders , her thighs locking around his hips as she lifted her legs and wrapped them around him. She breathed his name, dropping her back against the stall as she gasped for a breath and shivered as his warm mouth slid down the length of the cool column of her neck.

The contrasting sensations of heat and cold was strangely sensual, making her even more aware of his body and where they touched, connected and held. She held his gaze, her lips swollen from his kisses and body flushed despite the cold as he drove a little faster, a little harder. She wanted to urge him, wanted to beg for him to take her hard and fast, but also relished the sweetness of their coupling. Her cunt clung to him like a glove, tightening and squeezing, beginning to milk his shaft as she began to feel herself teeter over the edge and into pure sweet oblivion. Emma's back stiffened, her limbs quivering as she felt the hot rush of release, her cry filling the small face as she creamed all over him all over again.

And still he moved, driving harder, making her tits bounce and body slide up against the shower stall. His big hands tightened on her ass, squeezing the globed as he took his own fill. His muscles rippled under her hands and legs as she held on tight, her sensitive pussy continuing to ripple as he kept pushing wave after wave of pleasure over her.

****

Hansen pressed Emma against the wall and slowly rocked his hips, kissing her as he drove his cock into her. She lifted her legs, her thighs wrapped around his hips and moaned into his mouth. He continued to slowly thrust into her as he ran his mouth down the side of her neck, first one side then the other.

As he felt her now familiar quickening, he sensed that she was once again approaching the edge of ecstasy and was not far from falling over it. He felt her body stiffen against him and her cunt clamped down tighter on his cock. The water was running over them, their bodies slick and wet and his driving cock - there was nothing else in that moment, but their bodies' inexorable race to orgasm.




Shackled Ch. 15



Suddenly, her nails dug into his shoulders and she stiffened again, this time there was no waiting or turning back as she came. She cried out in pleasure, her face a picture of determination to milk every last sensation from the peak she was on. He grabbed her ass tightly and began to pump his cock into her harder and more quickly as she continued to cum, impaled on his shaft. She whimpered in his embrace, her legs wrapped around him and her breasts sliding up and down his chest as he fucked her. He was close to the edge himself now and his cock started to twitch again in its familiar dance.

He stepped back for the wall and held her up by her butt easily, her arms and legs wrapped around him, clinging on for dear life as he pummeled her cunt. The water drove down on them and he could no longer stop his release.

"Emma...." was all he could mouth softly, closing his eyes, before he felt the cum starting to bubble from him.

He thrust urgently into her, only a few more times and then his cock exploded within her, sending ribbons of warm cum shooting into her welcoming cunt. Her depths contracted around his cock, teasing more from his cock than he thought possible. He kept driving, trying to milk every last bit of his release. He was still shooting into her, even though there was little left to give now. The pleasure slowly receded and he slowed his pace while kissing her lips softly.

"Emma," was still all he could say.

His rocking slowed until all he could feel was his cock pulsing within her, sending the last few drops of his essence into her. Finally, he stopped and they were in the shower with the cold water beating down on them, Emma with his arms and hips wrapped around him while his cock stayed warm within her.

Hansen gently lowered her to the floor of the shower, her body sliding against him. His cock slid out of her, still hard and was pressed between their bodies as they remained in their embrace. He lowered his head a little and kissed her softly on the mouth.

"I feel like I could do this forever," he whispered. "You're.... unbelievable."

He looked at her face, her normally soft brown hair plastered against her head and framing her brown eyes.

He kissed her on the nose.

"We really should get ready Emma, they'll be here in a few hours," he said softly. "Not that this isn't fun."

He pulled her tight one last time, then released her. His face changed and he smiled at her.

"I thought showers were for cleaning up," he said, "I believe I've actually managed to get dirtier!"

He shook his head at her and pressed his lips together.

"This time we better clean up and you owe me a coffee."

****

It was the perfect moment and like Liam, she wanted it to continue forever. But he was right, they would have company soon. She smiled at his last comment and wiggled her brows. "I didn't hear you complaining a moment ago." She teased and giggled softly, then sighed and pushed away slightly to grab the soap once more. "I suppose enough fun for now. I'll try to control myself if you do."

With those words, she began to soap him up again, her hands quickly and efficiently washing his body off, teasing him as she bite down on her lip and gave him what had to be the sweetest and yet naughtiest look she could manage.

When they were both clean, she stepped out of the ice box he called a shower and dried off. Her laughter filled the small space again as they playfully bumped and fought over the sink, then spent several moments lost in soft sensual kisses as Emma led him back to the bedroom for them to change. She once more borrowed some clothes. Wearing the jeans for the day before and a fresh shirt. She brushed out her hair and braided it, slipped on her shoes and went about fulfilling her promise of strong coffee.

Time was ticking by fast. Too fast for her taste. Her nerves began sent butterflies off in her stomach, which fluttered and made her slightly queasy. Sipping on her coffee, she sat on 'their' bench and waited anxiously for company to arrive. She wasn't let down. Precisely at two, Emma heard some commotion at the entrance and smiled as she heard the familiar voice of Mrs. Chan. Standing, Emma moved to stand next Liam, her hand bumping his, but then drawing back to slid it into her pocket. She didn't want to come across as the clingy helpless girlfriend. No, she wasn't helpless. She held her own, had learned some new tricks and was smart and dependable. Still, she felt as though she would easily drag Liam down being shackled to his side.

"Oh it's so nice to come here and see a pretty face. You should keep this one around, Liam." Mrs. Chan gushed, making Emma color as the older lady moved with surprising determination and grace. Emma was instantly greeted with a hug and bags of groceries. "I brought some more down. I know a woman cannot live on coffee alone. I even brought you some more pastries."

Emma's eyes widened and a grin spread over her lips. Mrs. Chan was a sweetheart through and through. "Thank you so much."

Right behind her, Mrs. Chan's son waved before shaking hands with Liam and then a small parade began the decent into his basement home.



Shackled Ch. 16



Hansen stood at the counter drinking his coffee. It was nice. Could have done with a splash of whiskey, but now was not the time.

Emma sat at the counter with her cup in front of her. She looked nervous and fidgety.

"Don't worry," said Hansen. "I have a plan."

He smiled. 

I have a plan. At least it sounds confident.....

Finally, there was noise behind the door. Liam got up and opened the door before anyone had even knocked. Mrs. Chan was first in line.

As usual.

She walked in, kissed him on the cheek and hugged him in a tight squeeze. When she was done squeezing him, she pushed herself away a little while still in his embrace and looked around him at Emma.

"Oh it's so nice to come here and see a pretty face. You should keep this one around, Liam."

"Oh," he said. "I thought you were talking about me."

She hit him lightly on the arm and moved into the room, going down the short set of stairs.

Victor was behind Mrs. Chan, her her oldest son. Black hair and thin. It was the thinness that fooled most people. They were only fooled once. But once was enough with him, you didn't get a second chance to learn from your mistake.

Hansen shook his hand and the Asian man nodded. In his other hand he had bags of groceries. He rolled his eyes as he looked down to the bags.

"Mother."

Hansen smiled. "I know."

"I better get these to her," said Victor, "or she will feel bad at not getting lunch ready."

Behind Victor was Carl. The big man nodded at Hansen and walked down into the room silently, followed by Jimmy, Paul and Finley. Waiting behind them, but not entering immediately was Laura Black. She looked stunning, her short blonde hair perfectly made up and her clothes only enhancing her style. She walked slowly up to him, her blue eyes looking directly into his.

"Hey," she said, and then placed both her hands on the side of his face and kissed him gently.

"Hey you too," he said, trying to not to respond to the kiss, but failing.

She stepped back. "We need to talk sometime, baby," she said softly.

Hansen's chest went tight.

"We do," he nodded.

Please, no trouble today.

She smiled, barely and then walked past him, to join the others. Hansen watched her in her jeans, white shirt and black coat. He wasn't the only one looking.

Yes, Laura has arrived.

Hansen looked around outside the doorway. No sign of Bonnie. He shut the door and walked up to Carl. He whispered in the big man's ear.

"Bonnie?"

Carl looked at him, already chewing on something.

"She said she'd be here. She'll be here."

Hansen nodded. The grocery bags were on the bench and Mrs. Chan was rifling through his drawers and cupboards to find cutlery and plates. Already she'd assembled plates of cold meats, salads, cakes and pastries. She might have thought the army was coming. She had poor Victor running around looking for things. She looked up for a moment directly at Hansen and smiled softly. Then she heard a clatter from behind and rolled her eyes before turning to say something to Victor.

Hansen surveyed the group. They hadn't been all together in the same room for a while. It had been too dangerous, he reflected. They used to be his team. Now they were all equals with the same aim in mind. 

Open the eyes of the world to what was happening. They were controlled by mega conglomerate businesses and their puppet governments. Didn't anyone care? They were all so busy acquiring and consuming that they hadn't seen anything wrong in the way the world was. Well there was something wrong and it was their job to right it.

If anyone cared.

"Liam?"

It was Carl. He was standing beside him. "Let's get it going. It won't matter for Bonnie, she'll be here soon."

Hansen nodded. 

He clapped his hands. "Ok," he said, looking towards Mrs. Chan. "Has everyone got a plate and some food? We may as well start. Bonnie will be here soon."

He got himself a plate, but he wasn't hungry. He dropped a small bread roll on it and some cold meat. He couldn't quite tell what meat it was, but it wouldn't matter, if Mrs. Chan had brought it, it would taste good. Everyone had found a place to stand or sit by now and the chatter was dropping. They were waiting for him to start.

He was about to say something when there was a knock at the door.

Bonnie.

He put his plate down on the small amount of space left on his bench and walked towards the door. When he reached the top of the stairs, he opened the door.

And there she was.

Bonnie.

Her face looked like the face of an angel that had seen too much evil. It was framed with straight shoulder length black hair. She was lucky to be a couple of inches over five foot, but she was the toughest woman he'd ever known. And the most reliable. She was a pit bull and luckily for Hansen, he was her favourite person. She loved him with a fierceness that frightened and smothered him, but made him feel better at the same time.

She looked at him, expressionless, her eyes looking directly into his. He could lose himself in those eyes and he had. They had known each other for nearly twenty years. Longer than he'd known Jess. Mrs. Chan. Even Carl. Bonnie was his past, his present and his future. There would always be Bonnie.

Whether he wanted her or not.

Her face softened.

A little.

"Liam."

The Irish accent. Faint, but still there.

"Bonnie."

She walked up closer to him and put her mouth at his ear. She had her hands against his chest for support because even with his head tilted down, she had to get on her toes. He felt her warm breath on his ear.

"It's been a long time."

"Yes," he whispered back hoarsely.

She let out a soft laugh. "A long time...." She gently kissed him on the ear and then stepped back. The softness had left her face, her green eyes piercing him, looking straight through him.

She was not happy. He could tell. But she was trying. An unhappy Bonnie meant trouble. Big trouble.

Shit.

Keep trying to be happy Bonnie. For me.

The room had gone quiet. Everyone was watching Bonnie and him. They never tired of this dance, of the heat. She had stepped back out the doorway and reached around the corner. She nodded at someone there and a man appeared in the doorway.

"Ladies and gentleman," she said theatrically, with small bow and extension of her arm, "I present for your pleasure, doctor and researcher extraordinaire, Simon Thornton."

A man walked into the doorway next to Bonnie. Everyone looked at him and then at Emma.

This was what they were all here for, the last piece of the puzzle. 

****

Emma tried to relax, greeting everyone quietly as they entered Liam's home and filled in the small space quickly. The act that Laura put on though, was off putting to say the least as she leaned in to kiss Liam on the lips. She watched his body tighten, trying to hold back, but inevitably kissing her back gently. A harsh pang of jealous hit her square in the chest and made her look away.

Pretending not to take notice, Emma found herself clenching her teeth. She felt foolish and silly, no promises had been made, but after their shared night...well...it was a bitter pill to swallow knowing that he'd shared such nights with her. But nothing could compare to the look that crossed his face with Bonnie appeared. 

Emma swallowed hard and watched their exchanged looks, the tension and chemistry there so thick she could have easily cut it with a knife. She felt her heart sink and yet her pulse hammered in her ears, jealousy laced with anger simmering under her calm facade...or so she thought. Laura caught her gaze and smirked, making Emma's eyes narrow. Clenched teeth now ground together, making her jaw ache, until movement made her gaze shift again. 

She watched as Bonnie stepped away from Liam and made her announcement with a flourish.


Emma's breath whooshed out softly as Simon appeared in the doorway and before she knew it, she was rushing forward and hugging him. He smiled and drew her close, burying his face in her wealth of freshly washed hair. "I'm so glad you're alright!" She gushed softly. A long moment later she stepped back and gave him a wobbly smile. "I was so worried they'd gotten to you."

Simon 's pale, lean face smiled down at her. His all too familiar freckles still dusted the bridge of his nose and across his cheeks. His hazel eyes still sharp and full of life and intelligence. He was okay. Which meant they could do something. "What about your family?"

"I sent them away. Soon after you left. I had a feeling that things would get, well, complicated."

Emma laughed and nodded, "That might be an understatement, but I still have the disk, as well as some muscle on my side." Turning to the group, she felt strangely awkward as her gaze met Liam's. "So now that we're all together, what's the next step?" 

****

Simon looked just like a researcher should and Emma rushed to embrace him. He looked fine, which meant the SPF's had only been watching him up to now. Once they worked out he was missing, there would be a more concerted effort on all of them. They had probably not stepped up the search for Emma and Hansen because they knew that, at some point, they would need to get to Simon to finish the work and get the antidote out there. Then the government would be able to get to them all with one net.

Or at least they thought.

There was some murmuring as Emma held him and Simon explained what he'd done.

Bonnie was looking directly at Hansen, one side of her lip slightly curled in a way that most would not even call a small smile, but for her it was downright laughter. She knew he would be wondering how she had retrieved the doctor so easily.

She knew everything.

About Hansen at least.

Her green eyes kept looking at him. The perfect face. The black hair. She was talking to him. No one would know. No one would hear. But she was talking to him, her eyes speaking more than any voice could. Even The Voice.

Where have you been?

Hansen returned her gaze. He had nothing to hide from Bonnie. He was probably the only person she loved. Truly loved, not just cared for, but truly loved. There was nothing he could do that would change that. He'd tried. Some of the things he'd done in the past....She loved him anyway. She'd nursed him. Put him back together so many times. He loved her, he always would, but the intensity was....

With her? Is that where? If you needed me, you should have....

Hansen shook his head slightly at her. Emma brought his mind back to the room. He turned to look at her as she spoke.


He turned back for a quick moment to Bonnie, her eyebrow was raised slightly. Not anything the others would notice, but Hansen did. She was amused with him even bothering to listen to Emma. Now both sides of her lips curled slightly, almost imperceptibly, with a friendly mocking in her eyes. 

Yeah, lover boy, what's the next step?

It didn't bother Hansen being the center of attention. He had been a CO from a young age and these people were part of the team.

His team.

What did bother him was that this was an acceleration of their efforts to slowly destabilize things. They were all working in their areas, meeting up occasionally and causing disturbances where they could. The plan had been to wait and see what developed and then go for a bigger strike.

Hansen smiled as he looked around the room.

"It's good to see us all together," he said. "First, we need to welcome Paul to the team. He's always been part of us, but this is the first time he's ever gotten out of that damn theater."

There were a few laughs and claps around the room. The young man's face went red as he nodded his head in acknowledgment to Hansen's greeting. Finley, who was standing closest to him, slapped him on the back.

Carl spoke.

"No doubt, he'll be bloody happy that he won't have to watch Casablanca one more time!"

Everyone laughed. Hansen's eyes were drawn to Emma, Laura and Bonnie. He was a tough man, but this was as edgy as he'd been in a long while. The team needed unity. He hoped they could do that. Emma was standing next to Simon, waiting to hear what they would be doing next. Laura sat next to Paul, the poor boy probably hyperventilating at having the super Amazon sitting so close to him. Bonnie stood alone, leaning against a wall, arms folded. 

Just looking.

"Now, I've told most of you the story in bits in pieces, but I'll tell you now again so that we all know what's going on. It's a bit long winded and complex, so when I finish, could someone please explain it to Carl again."

They all laughed and Carl pretended to be offended. Once they'd settled down, Hansen started recounting the story from the beginning. He would occasionally check with Emma to make sure the facts were ok and she would nod or explain something a little more to the group. He was proud of Emma. This was all foreign to her, but she was doing well in giving her information and being part of the team.

Especially considering Laura and Bonnie.

There were a few murmurs when he mentioned that Blaxland had been at the bar the night they'd almost been captured.

"He's fucking dead," Laura had said softly.

Normally that meant you would be dead.

Soon.

Hansen raised his hand.

"We don't want this to be personal. It will cloud our judgment."

"He made me do what I did to you...." she said.

He nodded.

"Yes. I'm sure he'll get what's coming, but in due course, Laura, in due course."

She breathed in deeply and nodded, but her face was cold.

Hansen told the story slowly. Ultimately the team would need to decide if they did anything and how they did it. He hoped they wanted in, but he wouldn't try to influence them. It was Emma's and his fight.

At the story's end, Hansen asked if there were any questions.

Jimmy quickly spoke, with a laugh in his voice.

"So how come, it's like you always, and I mean always, get the hot girls and we get to do all the dirty work?"

They laughed.

"I'm an officer," said Hansen, smiling, but glancing nervously at Emma, "I'm supposed to get all the perks. Plus Jimmy, you spend most of your time tapping away on a keyboard, you could hardly call that dirty could you?"

Jimmy smiled at him. Everyone quietened down for a moment. They were waiting. Hansen knew what they were waiting for, but it didn't make things easier. He was the CO, but there was always her.

"So this is it?"

Bonnie.

Hansen turned to her and nodded.

"Yes."

She stood up straight from leaning against the wall. Tiny frame. Overpowering presence.

"This is the job we've been looking for?" she asked.

"Yes. It is."

"To save the woman and Dr. Thornton?"

Hansen instinctively looked to Emma to reassure her all was ok. She and Thornton must have been fascinated by the group plotting to both save them and inflict some major damage to the government.

Ouch. Her name's Emma, Bonnie. Please.

Everyone had gone quiet. It seemed they didn't even want to breathe for fear of missing something.

"Yes, but we can also do much more. Stop the virus. This will hurt their plans. Be a severe setback to them," he said. "Plus, it will draw them out, in a big way, and we can finally have that day that most of us have craved. A showdown."

Bonnie stood looking at him, her eyes slightly narrowed, glistening green. She pursed her lips and let air slowly out of her nose, her body perfectly still.

Hansen stood there under the heat of her gaze. They were looking at each other and in turn everyone was looking at them. 

She shifted slightly on her feet, but her expression didn't change.

"I will go where you go, Liam," she said flatly. "If your think this is the job, then this is the job. I'm in."

She leaned back against the wall, looking first at Emma and then back to Hansen, her eyes again boring into him.

I love you. You hurt me. But I love you.

He nodded, the tiniest of movements.

Thank you. 

****

The tension in the room was palpable and Emma stiffened next to Simon when Bonnie went on a little rant. She clenched her teeth together to keep from speaking out of turn. Obviously she and Simon were outsiders. Even though they were part of this now. The others had history, on many levels. Some more personal than others, but all of them had a stake in this. 

She watched them exchanging glances and blew out a small breath of relief as Bonnie finally settled down. She made a mental note to stay out of Bonnie's way. It was time to focus on the plan. Time to focus on staying alive while saving others. Time to bring an empire of evil down. 

Emma glanced at Simon who smiled reassuringly and gave her hand a little squeeze. Something in his eyes told her he hadn't missed a thing. He was just a sharp and took in all the details. "First thing is first however...." She found herself speaking again, gaining Liam's attention. "While Simon takes the disk and starts things off where we left off, we need to do something about these shackles. We can't go about our business if you're stuck at my side and vise versa."

She watched Bonnie's dark eye brow raise as if this was a bit of news she hadn't been privy too and Emma felt a small tingle of excitement at having a little info that the Irish woman didn't have. She bit back a smile and cleared her throat. 

"Could be worse people to be shackled up to, eh Liam!" Jimmy pipped up and she watched Carl punched the skinny idiot in the arm. "Ow!"

Emma rolled her eyes and yet found herself chuckling despite his idiocy. "Well I'll gladly trade spots with you Jimmy, if you would like to be to shackled up to Liam, be my guest." She teased and winked over at Liam, earning a slitty eyed look from Bonnie.


Emma was new and she was intelligent, she would try not to start something.


Simon cleared his throat. "Shackles is it? How do you go about removing those?" 

****

Hansen was still a little worried at the dynamics of the women in the room, especially Bonnie. Laura was as hard as nails, but she was not very possessive....as long as she got what she thought was her share. Bonnie. Well, she was Bonnie.

Jimmy came out with a joke, but it didn't seem to help matters. Bonnie was alternating her gaze between Emma and Hansen and it wasn't exactly the look of love.

Come on, Bonnie. We've got work to do.

Hansen turned to him turned to Simon.

"Yes. They mean that Emma and I can't be more than fifty meters apart," he said. "Or a charge goes off and we're dead. We have to get them out, otherwise we won't be able to do our work."

"How do you do that?" asked Simon.

A voice came from the other side of the room. It was Victor, Mrs. Chan's son. "We need to get to a computer within one of the SPF Headquarters Buildings. Then we can disarm the shackles. Unfortunately, we can't get remote access to them. We have to physically get into a building to get to the database in the mainframe."

Hansen smiled.

"That's what I was going to say."

Victor smiled back at him. "Yeah right."

Mrs Chan gave her son a clip behind the ear and she was only half joking. 

"Don't talk to Liam like that."

Victor rubbed his head. "You know, sometimes I think he's your favourite son."

Everyone laughed.

"So," asked Simon, "how do we get into an SPF building to disarm the shackles? I'm sure they're well protected...."

Hansen interrupted him.

"Oh, they are. But SPF's get in and out, which means we can." He looked over to Bonnie. "How did we go targeting an SPF with high level clearance?"

Her face changed almost immediately and she was back into soldier mode.

"I think I have a candidate, Liam," she said. "One of the detail that was watching Simon. He looks pretty senior. He wasn't there often and spent half his time eating donuts."




Shackled Ch. 16



A few people in the room chuckled.

"Must be senior if he does nothing but eat donuts," said Hansen. "How do I get to him?"

"Well," said Bonnie, "they don't realize Simon is gone yet. I'm sure he'll make an appearance tonight." She turned to look at Emma. "Maybe we go out there and get him?"

Carl coughed.

"Might be better if you and I go, Bonnie. Maybe Laura as well for insurance." He looked over to Hansen. "I don't think it's a good idea for Liam and Emma to go. What if they get separated....things happen."

He shrugged his shoulders.

"I know what you mean, Carl," said Hansen, "but the quicker we do it, the better. Once we abduct him, we can force him to get us into the building and on to the mainframe and we can be unshackled."

Bonnie's face displayed something that at least resembled a smile. Carl nodded, slowly, but he didn't look convinced.

"Ok," he said. "But I'm coming."

"Good," said Hansen.

Laura Black stood up, startling Paul who was now reveling in sitting next to the glamorous killer. She looked at Hansen with her blue eyes.

You don't think I'd let you do this without me?

"I'm going too," she said. A statement not a request.

Hansen drew in a breath and nodded. Bonnie looked over to Emma and then back to Laura. She smirked and closed her eyes slightly and then looked back to Emma.

Let's see how you handle some competition. Extra competition.

"Ok, it's decided then," said Hansen. "Bonnie, Carl, Laura, Emma and myself will work on getting us unshackled." He looked around. "Jimmy. We need to know about Blaxland. There has to be someone pulling his strings and it will be a corporation. We need to find out who and why...."

He was interrupted.

"Liam...." It was Paul, the youngest. Hansen knew he would be eager to get involved.

"Wait, Paul," he said. "Patience. I was about to get to that. You need to go with Finley. He's going to be preparing some fireworks. You can help him out on that. Finley's shows are always fun."

The kid nodded, happy to be out of the cinema, if only for a while.

"Now, Victor, we need you to talk to Simon. Find out what he and Emma need to finish working on the cure. Then we need a facility. You know how to do that, so just go with your gut. Any questions, call."

Victor nodded. That was enough for Hansen. A nod meant it would all get done.

Hansen turned to the researcher. "Simon, for now, we want you to stay here. You won't be much use out in the field and you're too valuable in case something happens to you."

Simon nodded. "Ok. You're the expert. Emma's alive and well....I was always secretly hoping she was ok, but I had real fears once she was on the run. You guys look like you know what you're doing."

Bonnie snorted and rolled her eyes. It was nearly a laugh, but she held it in.

Hansen stared at her and then looked back to Simon. "Thanks. We try."

He turned his attention back to the group. This felt good. 

We're going to be doing something.

"So, everyone clear on what we're doing?" There were nods of agreement all around the room. "Good."

Hansen walked back over to Emma and put his arm around her shoulders.

"Make the most of it, Irish," he said, with a wink. "I know it's a depressing thought, but you'll be unshackled from me soon enough."

Everyone laughed.

Except Bonnie.

She stiffened and folded her arms even tighter.

"Well let's stop fucking around and get on with it," she said. "I suggest we finish eating and then start work."

The mood quietened. Her eyes remained focused on Emma. Again, no mind reading was necessary to understand the message she was sending.

The quicker we get this over and done with, the quicker I can be rid of you. 



Shackled Ch. 17



Emma felt the sting of Bonnie's stare clear through. If looks could have killed, she would have dropped right then and there. Thankfully, Simon shifted and steered her away from the evil glare towards the food. Giving Liam one last little glance, she smiled softly and went about fixing Simon a plate and then settled on the bench with him. They bent their heads close and began talking logistics while everyone buzzed on about their own parts that they would play.

Unable to stop herself, her gaze returned to Liam again and again and each time she was usually met by that ice cold Bonnie gaze. Simon caught it as well and bumped gently against Emma's arm. "You okay?"

"Mm?" Her gaze flickered back to her partner and she felt herself flush slightly. "Oh...yeah."

His own gaze moved over to Liam and then Bonnie before sliding back to hers. "I've known you for some time now Em and I hate to say it, but..." His voice dropped lower, keeping it between the two of them, "you've never had a date as far as I've known you and you certainly weren't making gaga eyes to any men on staff."

Emma blinked and chocked on her next bite, clearing her throat. "I am not making gaga eyes."

Simon grinned, "Yeah, yeah you are. But you better watch your step, someone isn't happy about it."

Shifting uncomfortably she shook her head slightly, "I have bigger issues to deal with. Whether or not there is anything between Liam and I is really...well, sadly, inconsequential compared to our work right now."

"Sure about that, Em?"

She met Simon's gaze with uncertainly. "No...not sure of much these days. Only that I can count on you and I can count on Liam. Bonnie...well, she might leave hanging if it wasn't for Liam. For him...I have a feeling she'd do just about anything. Like it or not."

"If it makes you feel any better sweetheart, I think Liam would do the same for you. Guys know this sort of thing...I can see it in his gaze. They might have a past, but that's what it is. A past."

With a soft snort, she grinned. "Since when have you become the Love Doctor, Simon." She nudged his side and pushed away her finished plate of grub. "Don't worry about me. I'll return what I know best and that's science. No heartache or confusion there. Together we'll make it work and let the chips fall where they will. Assuming I'm still alive before this all done with."

On impulse she pressed a kiss to his cheek and smacked a hang to his knee. "So you talk to Victor and I will go and get unshackled."

The thought was depressing. Where she had once felt helpless and trapped, now the thought of being torn apart from Liam left a strange ache in her chest. Laura wasn't even truly a threat to her, but in her eyes, Bonnie was. Bonnie was special, while Laura was a playful fun romp in the sack. So what did that make her?

****

Some time later they were in Bonnie's car. It wasn't technically Bonnie's car, but a car she'd stolen from a garage on their way out. They'd only need it for a short time. The meeting had ended later than Hansen had expected so it was dark and they were about a hundred meters down the street from Simon's apartment block. Hansen and Carl sat in front while the trio of women were in the back. Bonnie was explaining the situation.

"He usually only turns up at around six thirty to seven," she said. "He must treat it as his last visit of the day."

"How many SPFs watch it normally?" asked Carl.

"Two cars," said Bonnie. "Each with two men."

Carl nodded.

"I say we get the guns and hand bombs and blow the fuck out of them and then take the top cop."

Laura.

Carl sighed and Hansen smiled to himself. She would never allow herself to think that there was a subtle option, a path of least resistance. Bombs and guns were always her style.

"Maybe we want to do this quietly," said Hansen. "That way we'll have longer with the cop before they find out anything's wrong. At the moment, they think Simon's safely locked away in there and under their surveillance."

He turned around and grinned at Laura. She smiled back lightly and rolled her eyes. "You never show a girl the fireworks," she said with a giggle. "Well, not till the end of the evening anyway." She winked at him.

Hansen winced. He didn't really need to get into this, even jokingly, with three women in the car that all meant something to him.

"So where are the SPFs?" asked Hansen.

Bonnie breathed out and made a noise with her lips as if it was obvious. Hansen smirked. This was a good sign. She was getting into the task at hand. She pointed out two cars at either end of the street. They were not the usual black vehicle favored by SPF operatives.

"And what does our man normally do?" he asked again.

"He normally comes from the city end of the street and parks his car behind the car there. Then, one of them will walk with him to just outside the apartment and meet an SPF from the other car." Bonnie paused. "Then they stand out there and talk for about fifteen to twenty minutes. They might have a cigarette and sometimes they have something to eat like a small cake or something."

"So, the cars have only one operative in them for that time?" asked Hansen.

Bonnie nodded. "Yes."

Hansen looked over to Carl.

"Looks like that's the time. Easier to take out one person in a car than two," he said. "Then we take the top cop and....er....handle the other two."

Hansen didn't want to sound too cold with Emma there, but he knew they'd have to kill them. Emma was sitting directly behind then. He couldn't see her, but he slipped his hand between the seat and the car door and reached back quietly and gave her knee a squeeze. They were about to begin speeding things up and he wanted her to feel safe.

As safe as you can be when the SPFs are after you and you're shackled.

"I think," said Carl, "that when our friendly cop arrives, Laura and I take out a car each....without bombs and shooting." He looked at Laura and she had a mock pout on her face.

"What's a girl got to do to get some fun around here?" she said.

"Then," continued Carl, "Bonnie, Laura and I take out the other two guys and we grab the cop."

The two women in the back nodded that they agreed with the idea.

"Yes," said Bonnie, "then we don't risk Liam being separated from the girl."

The girl? Bonnie was sitting next to her. Geez.

He reached back and gave Emma's knee another squeeze.

"Ok, well you go and get into position," said Hansen, "and we'll stay here." He patted his waist and felt the gun shoved in there. "Remember, if you need anything, just signal. We can see the whole layout."

Carl, Bonnie and Laura got out of the car.

"Oooh," said Laura, looking to the others with a smile on her face, "do you think we should leave them alone in the car like that? They might get up to things. You know, like....funny things."

Carl rolled his eyes and gave a light laugh.

Bonnie pulled out the small rifle she had and loaded it with a loud 'clack'. She didn't smile.

"Just be ready if we need you," she said curtly to Liam. "If I need you."

In seconds, they'd disappeared, leaving Hansen and Emma in the car. He was still in the front seat, with her in the rear. He turned to look at her.

"Well, it's all about to start happening now," he said.

He knew she'd been quiet, but this was all so foreign to her. He wasn't even sure if she knew what they were about to do. They would probably have to kill all of the SPFs down there to get to the top cop. He hated doing all this in front of her, but it was necessary.

And Bonnie wasn't exactly making her feel welcome. He was going to have a word to Bonnie, but not in front of the others. He owed her that much.

He reached over and rubbed Emma's cheek with his hand.

"You ok?"

****

It was no secret that Emma was the outsider in the group -- thrust in the middle by no choice of her own. Or Liam's for that matter, but he certainly didn't seem to mind. She listened quietly, not in the least surprised by Laura's thirst for excitement. She slid her gaze out the window, avoiding Bonnie's looks as a small smirk played on her lips. So the doc liked to get dirty. In more ways than one. And Bonnie was the cold calculated queen when it came to trying to make her feel less than welcome.

She could feel Liam's tension as Bonnie's words hit home. Emma was glad she couldn't see his face, but found herself smiling softly as he reached back and squeezed her knee, not once but twice. Big bad Liam, trying to protect her from the women of his team. Emma gently brushed her fingers against his hand and said nothing until the plan was set and everyone sprang into action, Laura adding her own little jab towards Bonnie as they left.

Blowing out a long held breath, Emma leaned back against the seat and forced her body to relax. Every muscle in her body seemed tense, ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble. The concern in Liam's eyes warmed her a little, her skin tingling where he brushed his hand against her smooth cheek.

"I'm fine. You worry too much." She murmured softly and then cleared her throat. Her eyes held his steadily as she reached up and grasped his hand, giving it a squeeze. "I know this is new to me, but you don't have to baby me. It's bad enough that I'm in the way here, I don't want them thinking I'm a simpering little girly girl."

She bit her tongue, knowing that the last part came out a little harder than she meant, but she was tired of Bonnie's looks. Laura didn't bother her as much anymore...she liked to play while Bonnie was the hard core gamer. Blowing out another stead breath, she leaned forward a little to get closer, wanting the warmth of his body, but resisting the urge to grab a hold of him. "I also understand that...people are going to die in this situation Liam. They already have. There might not be bombs involved like Laura disturbingly wanted, but I get gist of things. I'm not going to crumble or crack. So do me a favor big guy..." her voice dropped down to a soft purr as she leaned in just a little further, her breath fanning his face sweetly, "stop worrying about me. I know you have a big gun and know how to use it."

Drawing back she winked and giggle softly. "Seriously, this is it. We're doing what we planned to do and after this, we're not going to be joined at the hip. I don't want you to worry about me, Liam. Besides...it's obvious that there are...unresolved feelings between a certain real Irish lady. I'm afraid if you keep hovering over me she'll either shoot me or you or both of us."

Jealously nagged in the back of her mind, but she tried to ignore it. Breaking her gaze away, she shifted it out the front window, looking for the team to return. Time was ticking and it wasn't really the time or the place to be hashing out feelings.

****

"Worrying is what I do and it's kept me alive so far," Hansen sighed. "It's not your fault that now I have someone else to worry about. Someone else that I care about...."

He trailed off and looked at her, so beautiful and plucky, but she really didn't realize what they were going to do. They had to get the shackles off and the chance of the senior SPF helping them without some form of coercion was minimal.

She looked at him directly, her resolve obvious.

"I'm not babying you...." he tried say, but she pressed on.

She winked at him and he smiled back at her.

"Yes," he said, "you certainly took all my best shots!"

He chuckled lightly.

He hadn't heard anything yet and he could see the senior SPF's car at the end of the street parked behind one of the surveillance vehicles.

What were they up to?

Emma interrupted his thoughts. She was talkative.

He didn't mind. He liked that now.

Like?

Shit, I think I ....

He smiled wryly at her for a moment and then his face returned back to its serious countenance.

"I'll explain about Bonnie, but now is not the time," he said. Then with a smile again, he added, "She won't shoot anyone I don't want her to shoot. So don't worry about her."

He paused for a while, turning around in his seat to look down at the scene below him. Now something was happening. The senior SPF was out of his car and knocking on the window of the car in front of him with no response.

Fuck.

He smiled to himself.

In the time he'd been talking to Emma, they must have taken out the surveillance vehicles and their occupants.

"Emma," he whispered, "it's about to start."

The cop was peering into the car and tapping on the window when he went down suddenly onto his butt, his legs collapsing from under him. He was stunned for a moment.

A moment is all she needs.

Laura slid out from under the car in what seemed like a millisecond and planted a kick in his face. He wobbled in his sitting position for a moment and then slid over onto his side. He was either concussed or incapacitated with pain. She stood over him for a second and then the others came to her side. Carl bent down and scooped the cop up like he was a bag of fruit and started to make his way back towards Hansen and Emma. The women peeled off, probably making sure that the scene looked as "normal" as possible to delay the discovery of the SPF's abduction.

As the Carl made his way up the hill with his human package, Hansen turned to Emma.

"It's long and it's complicated. Yes, I loved Bonnie. Actually, I still love Bonnie and she loves me," he said and took another deep breath. "But I'm not in love with Bonnie."

He turned fully and very quickly gave her a light kiss on the cheek before any of the others arrived and quickly returned to his position in the front seat.

He looked forward, through the windscreen, towards Carl who was only fifty metres away from him. Towards the two women who understood him and loved him unconditionally. He sighed.

Don't do it.

Shit, it sounded like The Voice. He was at least three days early! He'd need to take the drug, but he couldn't afford to be out of action while it worked.

It spoke again.

Don't say what you're going to say.

What was I going to say?

I'm in your head, dickwad, I know.

Fuck you.

He continued to look out of the windscreen.

"I can't be in love with Bonnie," he said in a whisper just loud enough for Emma, as if saying it quietly might reduce its meaning, lower its importance. "Because I think I'm in love with you."

There. I said it.

Hansen sat back and waited for the others. He'd said it now and couldn't take it back.

Great. What a romantic thing to say while you're on a killing spree. You're smooth.

I wanted her to know....

You've known her less than a week.

Fuck off or shut up. Your choice. Help me, but I won't let you hinder me.

You went so well with Jess and Cass without me.

So help me.

I will if you can keep your dick in your pants.

****

Emma slid her bottom towards the middle of the car to peer through the front window and caught sight of Carl who was lugging along their package. She listened to Liam talk and felt her heart melt as he turned to kiss her cheek softly. The rasp of his unshaven face was strangely soothing and when he gave her the warning, she braced herself for whatever came her way.

What she hadn't expected was his profession of love. Everything inside her stilled for a moment before her heart kicked into high gear. Her eyes focused on the side of his face. What was she to say? I love you too? It seemed completely and utterly crazy and yet she couldn't deny that connection she felt with him. How everything seemed to fit, physically, emotionally, in every way. It was true, he wasn't trying to babysit her, only trying to keep her safe.

"Liam..." She breathed out and reached forward to clasp his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. She forced him to look at her and saw the shift in his face, his body a little more tense and ready. "I love you too, so there. I said it as well. Our timing couldn't be more off, but in light of our situation, I'm glad you know." Her gaze sharpened on his handsome face as she swiped her thumb over his lower lip. "Something else is going on, isn't there?" she whispered.

But there was no time for a response before Laura opened the door and slid inside, shoving Emma back into her seat. "See?! I told you. Can't leave the two of them alone for one minute!" She announced.

Emma let out a soft grunt and rolled her eyes, "As if you could control yourself if left alone with him?" She shot back and crossed her arms.

Laura blinked at her, a little surprised, but quickly recovered and laughed. "Someone is feeling spunky. Seems like he's rubbing off on you in more ways than one."

Touche. Emma felt her cheeks flush warmly. "Don't be jealous, Laura. You had your turn."

Laura laughed, clearly enjoying the jabs. "Shut up, the pair of you." Bonnie snapped, her green eyes glaring.

Emma sat back, trying to absorb it all. Everything was moving so quickly, it was a little overwhelming. Leaving her feeling giddy and yet also frustrated. This wasn't the moment for love and romance, crammed in the back of a car with two ex girlfriends while a body was being piled into the trunk of the car.

The added weight jostled the vehicle and Emma shook her head. So much for her tidy little mundane world.

****

Carl sat in the driver's seat.

He always drove.

"Here we are," he said.

Thank God, thought Hansen. The banging in the boot from the captured SPF officer was driving him mad.

They were sitting in the car, a block from the SPF Headquarters, but they could see it's roof towering above all the other buildings in the area. There was an air of palpable tension in the small vehicle and it wasn't just about what they had to do in order to defuse the shackles.

Women.

Christ, haven't you got anything better to add?

Women.

Thanks.

"So how do we plan on getting in?"

Bonnie.

Hansen turned in his seat so he could look at everyone as he spoke.

"It's like any SPF facility. It will have electronic and biometric security," he said. "I'm assuming our friend kindly gave us his security passes?"

He smiled at Laura. She would have been the one to claim them.

She reached inside the neck of her sweater and pulled out some cards from her bra without a hint of self-consciousness. She smiled as she leaned forward and handed them to him.

"I should have let you get them out for yourself," she said with a sly smile and a wink.

Hansen felt his cheeks grow warm. He was used to Laura's teasing and flirting, but the women in the car were making him tense. He didn't need any further aggravation.

"Um, just knowing where they've been will be enough for me," he shot back.

"Oooh, a card fetish," she said. "I would have put them somewhere else then if I knew that...."

"Geez, Laura," said Hansen, rolling his eyes. "This is serious shit."

She giggled.

"So we have the cards," said Carl, interrupting. "That means the electronic security is taken care of. What about the biometrics?"

"It'll be more than one," said Bonnie.

"What do you mean?" asked Hansen.

Bonnie took a deep breath. She didn't look happy, but then, she would never be if Emma was anywhere near him. She could handle Laura, or at least she didn't fear her as a threat. But Emma....

"I mean more than one access method. It will be a combination. There'll be fingerprint or palm technology. They'll probably also have iris recognition."

"What about facial?" asked Laura, serious now that the business at hand was being discussed.

Bonnie shook her head.

"They don't use facial since the incident a few years ago. Plastic surgeons are too good these days."

Hansen was thinking, his brain going through the options.




Shackled Ch. 17



"How do we get him cooperative?" he asked no one in particular.

"Oh," said Carl, smiling, "I'm sure Laura will get him cooperative. Or dead."

Laura giggled.

Hansen shook his head.

"Nope. The place will be crawling with SPFs. We can't walk in there in a group and we'd need at least three. Two of us plus our friend in the boot."

"But without him we can't get through the biometric security," said Bonnie. "Maybe one plus the scumbag will have to do it."

"That will have to be me then," said Hansen. "We can't guarantee that he won't alert the others. It's not like I can take him in there totally tied up and gagged."

"I could cut his tongue out."

Laura. No giggling this time. She was serious.

"The problem is, until we disable the shackles, Emma and I will have to stay together."

"How convenient," muttered Bonnie under her breath, but just loud enough for everyone to hear.

Hansen looked at Emma, his face pensive.

Don't worry about the scientist. You have to do what you have to do.

I know.

You wanted help. This is my help.

This?

Yes. I can get you through it.

Fuck.

Just do it. It must be this way.

Fuck.

Hansen reached down, rolled up his trouser leg and pulled a knife from the sheath attached to his lower leg. The others in the car were silent. They understood.

That's my boy.

He turned to the others in the car.

"Laura," he said, "come out with me. I need you to help me with my....er....extractions."

"Yes, Liam," she said seriously, as she opened the door and got out. Once she'd closed the door, Hansen looked at Emma, but then spoke to Carl and Bonnie.

"No matter what you hear, stay in the car," he said. He motioned with his eyes to Emma. "Don't let her out of the car till I give the ok. For anything. I mean it."

Carl nodded. Bonnie scowled.

Hansen looked at the knife in his hand as he pulled on the car door to open it.

"For anything...." was all he said as he started to step out of the car.

You're going all religious on me, Liam.

Religious?

An eye for an eye. Ha ha ha.

You're a fucking evil bastard.

It's not me holding the knife....

****

Emma looked at Hanson through the glass, their gazes locking as a small shiver of dread slithered down her spine. She dropped her gaze down to her hands which she had clasped in her hand, her knuckles white as her heart began to pound. They were going to be up to something and from the sounds of it, it wasn't going to be pleasant...at all. For anyone involved, but particularly the guard.

"Emma..."

Carl's deeper, rougher voice caught her attention and she met his, gaze. No other words were exchanged as Bonnie made a soft sound of disgust in the back of her throat. Emma opened her mouth just then to unload a little of her own tension, but a sharp cry cut her off.

She jerked and sank deeper into the seat. "Is it really necessary?" She asked as the car rocked a little and she heard Liam swear. Laura's voice filtered in as well, lower, almost in hissing out and the car suddenly dipped a little as if extra weight had been added to it.

"Are you questioning Liam's methods?" Bonnie snapped and Emma stiffened and clenched her teeth.

"No, of course not. I was just asking a simple question."

Bonnie let out a soft grunt and clucked her tongue, turning away with a little sniff. The next blood curdling scream made her stomach dip and quiver, nausea sliding up her throat. She refused to give Bonnie something more to talk about, so stared out the window, grim faced. She knew he had to do what he had to do. If there was a way around it, Liam would have found it. She had to have faith in that. He was doing all he could to disarm them and keep them safe. She didn't want to be a hindrance to him any longer and had a lot more work to do with Simon. Although the idea of him going out alone was terrifying. Even thought she knew he'd done it a million times before...he was a lean, mean fighting machine trained for this sort of thing. But he still meant so much to her, it was making her chest hurt. Like a vise squeezing at her heart and robbing her of her breath.



Shackled Ch. 18



It was done. 

 Laura and Hansen had what they wanted. Hansen was now in the SPF's uniform and Laura had the small bag in her hands with the rest of what they'd gotten from the cop.

 He wouldn't be needing them anymore.

See? That wasn't so hard, was it?

 Hansen felt like throwing up. As soon as this was over, he needed the pills. He didn't care if they fried his brain, he'd be better off anyway, or at least the world would be. He couldn't keep doing this much longer and it was only going to get worse.

 Much worse.

 "You look good in that," said Laura with a wink. "Ever think of signing up?"

 Hansen shook his head. He held the helmet in his hand. He'd have to put it on when they entered the SPF building. He was still deciding who to take with him. Emma had to come because of the shackles. He would have preferred to take Carl, but the big man would be too obvious and, besides Hansen, he was probably the most recognizable of the group. It wouldn't be wise to take him into an SPF building.

 Bonnie or Laura?

 He didn't trust Bonnie with Emma. It was natural for her to feel dislike towards her and there was no way she would let him down, but even a second's hesitation could see the effort fail.

 Laura was more pliable. She'd follow orders and do anything he wanted without a moment's hesitation. She was probably also the best in their group at hand to hand combat except for himself. He smirked. She probably was better than him although he would never admit it. However, Laura did tend to spoil for a fight. She reveled in combat and confrontation even when a fight might not be the best course of action. 

 "Liam?"

 It was Laura.

 He raised his head from his thoughts. He looked at the doctor. Short blonde hair and blue eyes in a package nearly as tall as him. She looked like a homecoming queen....if you went to school with assassins. A black widow wouldn't stand a chance....

 But she looked so beautiful.

Because she's your type of girl.

 Yeah, that's what I want, romance advice from a voice in my head.

 Well, you don't seem to be doing such a great job.

 Why don't you help me get out of this first and then we can talk about match making?

 I will, but you better not end up with the scientist. I can see it already – white picket fence, kids....ugh.

 Hansen smiled to himself.

Now that would be funny.

 Don't even joke about it. Anyway, stop procrastinating. Take Laura with you.

 "Liam? Are you ok?"

 It was Laura again.

 "Yeah," he said. "Sorry. I was talking to Him."

 She nodded. There were some things between them that no one else would understand.

 "And what did He say?"

 "He said I should take you. You ok with that?"

 She smiled.

 "As if I would have let you take anyone else," she said. "I've nearly lost you a few times. I'm not risking it again."

 "Laura, I didn't mean to...."

 She put her hand up and shook her head.

 "I know, I know. Let's just get this done."

 They looked at each other for a few moments and then they got back in the car.

 Carl looked over at Hansen in the passenger seat, admiring his uniform.

 "Nice. I always thought you'd make a good SPF."

 Hansen snorted at him.

 "Yeah," said Laura, "and I was the lucky one who watched him change into it. Love the blue underwear, Liam."

 Hansen rolled his eyes.

 "It doesn't really work if the leader of the mission is the butt of everyone's humor...."

 "But it's such a nice butt," interrupted Laura again.

 Hansen turned in the seat and looked at her with raised eyebrows.

 "Ok," he said. "It's decided. It will be Emma, Laura and I to get into the building and disable the shackles."

 He heard Bonnie snort.

 He turned to her. Her eyes were slitted and her lips pursed. She was really pissed.

 "Bonnie and Carl will stay in the car. I have a comms unit. Anything funny starts to go down, then buzz me."

 Bonnie inhaled loudly.

 "Only thing going down here has been...."

 "Enough!" snapped Hansen at her. "We have to do this before we can really get underway. So let's focus and get the job done. Understand?"

 He was losing patience and some of the old Hansen came out. He looked at Bonnie with a hard stare. She held his gaze and then nodded.

 "Good," he said, softening his voice again.

 He reached into the glove box and pulled out his glock. He turned and passed the gun to Laura. 

 "It's old, but good. Know how to use it?"

 "Well, it's like everything else in your pants and I seem to be able to get everything else in there to work...."

 Carl started laughing. Hansen shook his head and hit him on the shoulder.

 The big man turned to him.

 "Well, you have to admit it was funny," he said, still chuckling.

 "Yeah, sure," muttered Hansen.

 He knew the signs. Some of his team reacted with humor when a major action was about to start, while others became sullen and withdrawn. It was all part of the territory for a military leader.

Military? With this bunch? 

 A figure of speech mate. You're talkative today.

 Just trying to stop you getting killed.

 Oh, thanks.

 It was time.

 "Laura? You've got the bag?" he asked.

 She patted the plastic bag on her lap.

 "Yes," she said, serious again.

 "Ok, then. Irish, we're going to play computer games. Let's get to work and clock the machine and then get the fuck out of here."

 He opened the door and stepped out of the car. It was nearly dark now. That would help them. There would be less activity in the building and they'd be able to negotiate the security measures without looking so obvious. Emma and Laura came to stand next to him.

 He took a set of cuffs from the belt of the SPF's uniform and tossed them to Laura. 

 "Oh, Liam," she said in a mock little girl voice. "Do we have time?"

 He shook his head and sighed. 

 "Cuff yourself and Irish. If anyone asks, then I'm bringing you in."

 "Woo. Two of us. I like the new Liam," she said with a giggle. "Yes I do."

 She took the cuffs and snapped one onto her wrist and the other onto Emma's. She made sure to not set them too tightly. In fact, both of the women would be able to slip out of them without the key should they need to quickly escape.

 Hansen looked at Emma. He smiled at her, a small smile, but enough to let her know he was relaxed.

 "Well, this is it, Irish," he said. "You up for it?"

 He didn't wait for her answer. They started to walk toward the building a couple of hundred metres away, the women in front and Hansen with his hand on Emma's back. He looked down at the bag Laura was carrying.

I hope the biometric security works with a dead man's eye.

 Don't worry, it'll work. The iris won't deteriorate for at least an hour. Trust me, eye know. Hehehe.

 Fuck me. Even you. Even you.... 

 

****

 

Emma's stomach rolled with nerves. Even the tall statuesque model next to her or Liam's reassuring look could make the onslaught of butterflies in her stomach go away. Numbly she watched Laura handcuff them, her eyes slowly taking in Liam's dark uniform and helmet. He certainly looked the part and it did suit him, although the job itself was all wrong. 

 As the cool metal slid across her wrists, she almost flinched, but kept herself steady and forced her shoulders to relax. Her pulse pounded in her ears as she watched Liam give a slight nod and slip on the helmet, closing the visor. A shiver ran down her spine, reminding her of all they had been running from and trying to avoid. This was it.

 To her surprise Laura tugged at the handcuffs, catching her attention and smiled, giving her a wink as Liam moved around them, placing a large warm hand against her back. She felt herself lean back, ever so slightly against his touch, needing his strength.

 There was no faking her fear. If they got caught in this act, things would be over. People she was growing to care for would die. "Don't look so damn nervous." Laura prodded gently.

 Emma glanced up at her briefly, "Easy for you to say blondie. You know how to kick ass. I know how to formulate drugs."

 Laura let out a small chuckle, "Good point. Stick with us and you'll be fine."

 "Can't say I have a choice or we all go boom." She muttered, feeling Liam's fingers flex against her back. The small gesture soothed her a fraction, but that fraction was just enough. 

 Staring ahead, Emma forced her feet to move, watching the distance grow smaller and smaller until they finally reached the entrance. The moment of truth. A man had died for this or at least been brutally mutilated so that they could get in and out in one piece. 

 Liam crowded them, pressing their bodies together together and looking big and touch. A bag rustled and Emma glanced down at what Laura was holding, feeling a wave of nausea roll over her as she saw the contents. Groaning softly, she looked away and blew out a long breath. "Something tells me you guys have done this before." 

 

****

 

They were at the security pad. Hansen looked down at it. It was a palm reader.

Shit.

 He'd need the whole hand. 

 "Now act suitably contrite and captured girls," he whispered.

 "Always for you," whispered back Laura with a grin.

 "Captured criminals don't normally smile," he said, "now pass me the hand."

 Laura reached into the bag, their bodies shielding the grim-looking appendage that came out. Hansen quickly glanced at Emma - she looked like she was going to be ill, but this was no time for sensitivities.

 He smiled weakly and placed it on the reader and the pad lit up and started to run through the algorithm. The pad changed color from red to green and the Access Granted message came up as the large glass doors hissed open. He dropped the hand back into the bag quickly.

 "Good," he said. "Now we have to find a terminal."

 He pushed them through the entrance and they walked at a normal pace into a large foyer. He had his helmet on so he was unidentifiable. He also had the cop's uniform with incorporated armor, so he had some defense if shit started to go down. The facial recognition software would be taking images from all the SPF buildings and surveillance cameras the government had and processing them for people of interest. There would be some time before Laura and Emma came up and were flagged by the security systems.

I hope.

 Laura grabbed his elbow lightly and motioned with her head to a large hallway running off the foyer. In front of the hallway was a desk with two cops on it, both of them without a helmet. The area they were in was not busy, but there were enough cops walking around, both helmeted and without helmets, so he knew they wouldn't stand out.

 "Alright, Laura, time for a show."

 She batted her eyes in mock subservience.

 "I always put on a show for you, honey," she said in a low voice.

 He grimaced and turned to Emma. "Irish, I'm going to act like a cop and talk like a cop. Just react. I know you can."

 He gave her hand a squeeze and started walking towards the desk pushing them along in front of him.

 "Shit girls," he said loudly, "I can't believe you were soliciting like that and the sun hadn't even gone down yet...."

 "Come on Mister," said Laura, shuffling in front of him, "if we both give you a show, you'll let us off wontcha?"

 He knew it would be playing with fire giving Laura carte blanche with her "character", but it was the best way to do it.

 "Hey, just keep quiet. I'm gonna book ya and then we'll see what happens next."

 "Aww, come on, Mister," she said. "One little let off for two nice little ladies...."

 He sighed at one of the cops on the desk.

 "Fucking whores," he said.

 "Hey," cried Laura, "who you callin' a whore?"

 Hansen sighed again and spoke to the desk jockey.

 "I'm from the south precinct. Picked up these two lovelies on the way to work there," he said. "Gotta desk here with a machine? Then I can book 'em and leave 'em to you. Commander down south won't want me hanging around here long helping you guys out."

 The cop nodded and turned his head down the corridor.

 "Down there. Any empty ones will be fine. Use your own details and it will automatically file it in under your sig."

 "Aww, come on," said Laura, "you don't have to book us...."

 Hansen shook his head.

 "Thanks. Great start to the day," he said to the cop. "Great start to the day...."

 He pushed Laura and Emma lightly.

 "Let's go ladies. The quicker I get this done, the quicker I can get outta here and leave you to these boys."

 Both of the cops on the desk smirked.

 Laura turned to them.

 "You'll help us, won't you?" she said in her most trampy voice.

 "I'd certainly help you, little lady," said one of the cops.

 "Shut up and come on," said Hansen, pushing them both roughly in the back.

 They got a few meters down the hall when Laura whispered in his ear. "I love it when you play rough."

 Hansen rolled his eyes even though no one could see them through the dark visor of the helmet.

The quicker I get this done, then the quicker I can get outta here.

 Ain't that the truth.

 For once we agree.

 Yeah, for once. 

 

****

 

The guard were so taken by Laura's brazen act, that in all reality all Emma had to do was lean into Liam's body, spreading her fingers over his chest and batting her eyes, smiling sweetly and occasionally batting them over to the other guards. It seemed to do the trick and before long he was shoving both of the women down the corridor again.

 With one strong hand under each other their upper arms, Liam tried to strong arm them a little. He almost lifted Emma off her toes, jostling her a little. She protested loudly and gave him a bit of an elbow, glaring at the black helmet until he set her down a little and she was able to walk. "Careful hun. You might bruise the goods and then she won't be able to perform." Laura said with a throaty laugh, earning her a glare as heat rose and flushed Emma's cheeks.

 He let out a grunt and moved them in the direction that the others had pointed. Low laughter filtered behind them and then dissipated as they found exactly what they were searching for. Lined up against a white wall with one long blue stripe down the middle sat several terminals, all of them free and open. "Must be a slow day for crime..." She muttered softly. "Is this what we're looking for?"

 "Yep...and probably is. They are all occupied trying to find us. Sort of funny if you ask me. They have us and don't even know it."

 Emma didn't find it at all amusing, feeling Liam's grip tighten as she bustled them forward. Laura took a glance at the system. "Well we're in luck...we thought right. It's iris biometric security."

 The word iris sent a shiver down Emma's spine and then made her skin crawl. She'd already witnessed the dead man's hand being used...the thought of his eyes being plucked out of his skull made the familiar acid fill her throat, making her gag. "I'll be glad when this is over with."

 Laura beamed her a smile. "Oh come on now! The fun has only begun!" She quipped and without blinking her own eyes, removed the prize she held in the bag. Emma turned her face away and blew out a breath. 

 

****

 

Hansen stood at one of the terminals with Laura and Emma. They'd been bantering together and he felt comfortable with his decision of pairing them. There would have been little banter with Bonnie....

 The terminals were set on small stands, each with with two spartan-looking plastic chairs. These were not private terminals, but it didn't matter to him. Once he was logged on and they were into the system, then they would be able to access anything they wanted. He looked at the blue strip running along the wall. There were small clear holes in it to the left of each computer. They were covered with blue glass and a small black rubber cradle directed the user to the correct spot so that their eye could be scanned. It was the iris security system....

 Hansen's comms unit made a small beep.

What the fuck is taking you so long? It's not a date. Get in and out. Now!

 He pursed his lips and looked at the women. Laura raised her eyebrow knowingly, making sure that Emma didn't see her. Bonnie? He nodded back.

 He was going to have to deal with her at some stage. She had always been stubborn and difficult, but he wouldn't stand for anything that risked the plan being compromised. He had to put her back in her place. 

 He quickly tapped in his response - Yep - and sent it.

Wow. That'll show her.

 The Voice.

Look, I don't have time for this now.

 No, you don't, but you need to sort her out. You need her on your side. In fact, you just need her.

 Later.

 Ok, but a good commander sorts things out before they fester and cause problems.

 Yep.

 Talkative today aren't we?

 Fuck off.

 Coughing brought him back. It was Laura. She'd noticed him looking at the comms unit blankly.

 "Oh, sorry," he said. "The security. Is it a lefty or a righty?"

 Laura looked at the rubber cradle on the wall.

 "Righty," said Laura.

 Emma looked at her as if to say something, but Laura continued after glancing at her quickly. 

 "I'm a doctor after all and the shape of the cradle suggests that. Also, the device is on the left hand side of each terminal. That suggests it's a righty."

 "Suggests?" said Hansen.

 Laura looked quickly at him.

 "Don't be pedantic," she snapped. "I'm certain. I've got it here."

 Hansen looked down at her hand. She'd had the eye in her hand during all their time at the terminal. Hansen had done a lot of distasteful things in his time, but walking around casually with a dead man's eyeball in his hand was not one of them.

What a girl, eh?

 He rolled his eyes and reached into his pocket. He drew out a small thin cable with a plug on each end.

 "You're so old fashioned," said Laura. "A cable? Surely the comms unit doesn't need a cable."

 "That's because I am old," he said with a smile. "This is so Victor can access the main computer once we're logged in. He can see everything and there'll be no signal picked up"

 Laura nodded, drawing in some breath.

 "Hey, smart move. No one looks for physical cable anymore...."

 Hansen tapped the side of his temple with his forefinger.

 "That's why I'm the boss...."

 He put his hand out and Laura dropped the eye into it just as a couple of SPFs walked past.

 "Get your hands off me!" she shrieked at him.

 The SPFs stopped. They were without helmets and smiled at him.

 "Need a hand?" one of them said.

 "Nah, boys," said Hansen, his helmet still on. "You know, hookers."

 They smiled more widely.

 "Well, if you want us to take them off your hands...."

 "Soon as I book them in, they're all yours," he said with a laugh. "I'll let you know. They're trouble though."

 Laura pouted and they didn't seem to worry that he was helmeted. He was never surprised at how distracting attractive women could be.

 "Good looking hookers," said the other SPF, "you've got all the luck. We just brought back some squatters. Students thinking they're rebels."

 He rolled his eyes.

 Hansen laughed.

 "Give me a hooker any day..."

 Hansen felt a small punch to his side. He didn't know it was Emma or Laura.

 The SPFs kept walking on without further conversation. 

 "Now stand around me," he said with a whisper to the women. He could feel Emma at his back. They'd be separated soon.




Shackled Ch. 18



Apart.

 He leaned over and looked into the eyepiece and placed the dead man's eye over his so that the scanner could read it. He held his breath for a few seconds, and then the black screen on the terminal lit up. He let his breath out slowly and then stood up. The terminal had a maintenance jack. He plugged one end of the cable into it and then pulled out his comms unit. He dialed a number and listened.

 "Mr. Hansen?"

 Victor.

 "Knock it off will you," he whispered. "How many times do you I have to tell you it's Liam."

 Victor paused.

 "But my mother is sitting next to me."

 Hansen laughed.

 "Shit, ok then. It's Mr. Hansen for now," he said. "You at a terminal?"

 "Yep."

 "Ok," said Hansen. "I'm in. I'm about to plug this comms unit into the machine and then you can do your stuff. How much time will you need?"

 "Should only be a couple of minutes, Liam," said Victor. Hansen heard a noise on the other end of the line. It sounded like a thud. "Er...I mean....Mr. Hansen."

 Hansen chuckled to himself. Mrs. Chan.

 "Ok. I'll plug the unit in and put it down. We'll be able to watch it on the screen?"

 "Yes."

 "Do we need to do anything once you disable the shackles or are we right to go?"

 "You should be ok to just get out of there. We can extract the shackles later. Miss Black will be able to do it."

 "Ok, I'm about to plug it in then," said Hansen.

 "Hey, Liam," another thud, "Ow!...umm....Mr. Hansen?"

 "Yes?"

 "How come I get all the geek jobs and never get to go out and have fun?"

 "Well you Asian boys are all techno wizards, aren't you?"

 "That's a generalization. We're not all nerds and mummy's boys, you know. On the next job I want to go out. I can fight and shoot you know...."

 Another thud.

Shit. 

 Mrs. Chan was going to kill him at this rate.

 "Ok, I'll see what I can do, but I can't promise anything."

 "Why?"

 "Your mother would kill me."

 He took the comms unit from his ear and plugged the cable into it. Now it was connected to the system. He made sure to place his arm over it and pretend he was pressing the buttons on the terminal's touch pad. In seconds, the terminal screen started scrolling around to different screens as Victor took control of it.

 Hansen watched the screen and whispered.

 "This is it, Emma," he whispered. "In a few minutes we'll be free and you won't have to run around with me and make me coffee anymore."

 Laura giggled.

 "Or breakfast."

 Hansen shook his head.

Free. 

 Hansen wasn't a sentimental man, but he did feel a slight twinge at the prospect of he and Emma being separated.

Maybe she was only here because she had to be. Maybe once she was free she would....

 The women stood to one side of him, quiet now, acting suitably contrite, but the hallway was empty. He watched the screen, flashing with different data to different locations. It was all a blur to him

Come on, mate. You sound like some sort of hero from a romance novel.

 What?

 Give it a rest. I'm in here too. You know how much I hate soppy crap like that.

 I wasn't being soppy.

 You're really gonna miss being shackled to the scientist? Give me a break.

 Fuck off.

 If your mind was big enough I'd start playing a violin. No room in here though.

 If my mind was big enough, I'd work out how to get rid of you. 

 That won't happen. Ever.

 We'll see.

 Still making eye jokes?

 Hansen groaned.

Hurry up, Victor, he thought. Just hurry the fuck up. 

 

****

 

While Liam was busy getting them separated, Emma was busy watching the small screen as well as looking over her shoulder, hoping that they could get out of there soon. Still...it seemed a little bittersweet. She would have no real excuse to stick close to him soon. She'd have to stick close to Simon while they worked out a solution to their problem and Liam did the muscle work. Strangely enough, it terrified her. She didn't want him getting hurt or worse...the nagging feeling that they would lose what connection they had formed once the shackles were gone was another fear. It seemed illogical, but fears never did bring much logic to the table.


 Pressing close, she sought the warmth of his body. His solidness that had brought her so much comfort. Taking a deep breath, she glanced at Laura who was enthralled with the process. Vaguely she wondered if the tall blond would enjoy extracting the shackles as well and how exactly that would go. 

 Fighting the urge to take Liam's hand and give a squeeze, she remained calm, cool and a little distance as her eyes scanned the screen. What seemed like an eternity went by until finally the screen blinked, a long line of scrolling script filled it and then blinked again before the words disabled flashed in bright letters. 

 "It's done." She murmured and cleared her throat, relieved and disappointed at the same time. 

 "Time to get the hell out of dodge!" Laura added.

 "How are we going to do that?" Emma asked, glancing over at the SPFs that still lingered in the background. 

 Laura flashed her a grin. "Just be ready to run."

 Emma groaned and slanted Liam a look that wasn't a cheerful one as Laura launched into an over dramatic hysterical fit. She pushed at Liam, making him stumbled back and crash against the wall. "You bastard!! I can't believe you're gonna book us!"

 Emma was jerked, still cuffed to Laura. "Work with me babe. I know you have it in ya." Laura shot back at Emma who's eyes widened. 

 Liam let out a grunt as the two men from behind began to yell. "Hey!"

 A hand grasped her shoulder and tugged, bringing Laura up with her. "What are these whores doi --"

 His words were cut short as Laura drew back her fit. Emma jerked to the side, stomping her foot onto the man's booted foot as Laura connected with his jaw. The man stumbled back with a curse as Emma wiggled her wrist free and moved away. Laura delivered a swift kick to the guys head, sending him down. 

 She heard Liam curse in return and watched as the second officer turn to join the action. Laura laughed almost gleefully as Liam shoved Emma behind his body. "Liam, for the love!" She began to protest, wanting to tell him she could take care of herself, but she was quickly hushed as Laura told them to run. 

 

****

 

Victor finished whatever it was he'd been doing and Disabled started blinking on the screen. 

 He looked casually down at the comms unit under his hand. He reached down with his other hand and pulled the small cable out of the computer and then out of the comms unit.

 "Excellent, Victor," he whispered into the unit. "Gotta go."

 He hung up and then punched a message into the unit.

Have to get out. Front door. Trust your instincts. 2 mins.

 He sent the message and pocketed the unit. Now they had to get out of here and it was unlikely he'd be able to just waltz out with the women. They were supposed to be hookers he'd picked up and charged after all. They would be expected to go to a cell.

 Hansen patted the police issue automatic on his hip as he stood up and faced them. It wasn't his Glock, but it was a gun. Laura had the Glock. It wouldn't be any less deadly in her hands. Emma had nothing.

 Except him.

Last girl that had only you to rely on....

Oh shut the fuck up will you. You're supposed to be helping.

 Just saying.

 Emma and Laura had been whispering behind him as he'd collected the comms unit. He thought they might have been trying to figure out how they could get out of here. He was looking for any form of inspiration. They were only about twenty meters from the entrance to the hallway so technically they weren't far from the entrance of the building. Also, most of the SPFs would be coming from the other end of the hallway as that's where their offices were. The only ones to worry about were the cops at the front desk and the odd few that were either on their way to leaving or entering the building and they were at a disadvantage as Hansen had the element of surprise. No one would be expecting a confrontation at an SPF administration building. 

 He watched as Laura moved a little closer and put her hands gently on his chest. He sighed. He'd worked with her for so long and knew her so well. 

A fight.

 She wants a fight.

 She always wants a fight.

 He sighed again.

 The look on Laura's face changed and she shoved forcefully against his chest. He let the force of her push cannon him into the wall. He made sure to drag on some cables so that terminals crashed to the floor. Noise was disruptive to most people's concentration and he needed as much disruption as he could manufacture.

 "You bastard!! I can't believe you're gonna book us!" she shrieked at him.

 The cops they'd been talking to were now at the desk with the other cops manning reception.

Four, that's nothing.

If they don't get their guns out before you.

Thanks for the encouragement.

 Just saying....

 Hansen had his back to the wall, his hand slipping down to the SPF automatic. One of the cops got to Emma, wrenching her up by the shoulder. She tried to stomp on his foot, but it would be useless against his boots.

At least she tried.

 Laura landed a perfect right hand on his chin and the cop went down backwards, his fall broken by a small terminal desk. Emma's hand came free from the cuffs and she fell away towards Hansen. He threw his helmet off even though it protected his head. They were much harder to fight with and took away his spatial awareness.

 He moved towards Emma and pulled her behind him just as Laura kicked the first cop in the face. This time his face went slack and he slid down to the floor.

 "Fuck me, Laura," he said. "You couldn't think of anything more subtle?"

 The cop's partner was now running towards them, trying to draw his gun at the same time.

 "You fucking whores!" he cried.

 Emma tried to say something to Hansen, but he couldn't make out what it was as he shielded her with his body. Laura looked at him momentarily with a slight nod. She'd take care of the approaching cop.

 "Run!" she yelled.

 He didn't know if it was a distraction to her plan or not, but he ran towards her, not away from her. To the approaching cop it would look like they were trying to close in on her together.

Good.

 "I've got her on this side," said Hansen. 

 The other cop stopped about five meters from Laura. He was breathing hard and he looked down to his unconscious partner on the floor. 

 Hansen clucked his tongue to himself.

Bad move, mate.

 As soon as his eyes moved to his partner, Laura jumped off one step and planted her foot in the middle of his chest. The air was pushed out of lungs and he was sent crashing into a terminal. As he slid down, she drove her knee into his face, snapping his head back and leaving him with a broken nose. She started to reach for the Glock....

 "Fuck it," yelled Hansen. "The desk cops. They're more important."

 Laura nodded at him and started down the hall towards reception. To the untrained observer it would look like they were doing the wrong thing going back towards the entrance and more cops, but the whole exchange had taken less than thirty seconds and the cops on reception would still be confused as to what was happening. They would have no idea that two whores would be causing more than just a minor disturbance. They had cameras, but all they'd see would be a scuffle. Hansen just hoped that it took them some time to absorb what they were seeing and that there weren't too many more police coming back to base at this particular moment.

 He grabbed Emma's hand and pulled her roughly with him, trailing Laura by about ten meters. He heard her behind him and took a quick glance behind to make sure there were no cops coming into the hallway. 

 "Come on, Irish," he said, "we don't have much time."

 Hansen now had the automatic in his hand. The time for subtlety was past.

 He heard the cops cry out at reception. They were out of his line of sight and then he heard the shots.

Laura.

 By the time he made it to the end of the hall and ran into the reception area, the cops were sitting with their faces down on the desk, blood pooling around their heads like a red halo. He pulled Emma past them and ran to Laura.

 "I guess their paperwork's fucked," he said. "Do we need anything to get out..." but he stopped, hearing shouts behind him. 

 Cops in black uniforms were coming down the hallway towards them.

 "Duck," yelled Laura.

 He threw Emma hard onto the floor just as Laura started to shoot back down the hallway. He dropped to one knee and started shooting as well, a deadly hail raining though the passage. The cops hadn't even drawn their guns and four of them went down. One of the cops used a shot colleague as a screen and sat on his haunches next to a terminal. Laura started to move back in his direction.

 "Fuck him," shouted Hansen. "The door. Give me a hand."

 "What? Another one?" she laughed, but she turned back towards him.

 Fire was now coming out of the hallway, but the cops were shooting blind. He and Laura each grabbed one of Emma's arms and started to run for the entrance. He could hear more shouts behind them now.

I hope the doors don't need security on the way out....

 He had the police armor on so he ran straight for the door, slightly in front of Emma and Laura, intending to smash through the glass, but the glass panels slid open. Hansen figured Laura must have killed the cops on reception before they'd had a chance to lock down the entrances.

 They had at least thirty meters to run before they made it to the street and safety of the car. 

 The shouting behind him was getting louder. There were more cops and they were getting closer. Their shooting had stopped, but it was only a matter of time before they got a visual on them and started firing again.

 "Run, Emma," he said, letting go of her arm so that Laura could pull her along. He turned to face the building they'd just escaped from.

 "Bonnie. Shit."

 "Nice to see you too," she said, with a cold smile on her face. "So, are you going to ask me for a dance or do I have to ask you, shy boy?"

 She must have been waiting at the door and she'd slipped in behind them as they came out. She turned her head to smile at him one more time, her black hair framing her face, and then dropped to one knee at the same time he did, holding her gun in her familiar two handed grip. 

 A synchronized ballet.

 Of death.

 She paused, her eyes ahead. They were both on one knee, shoulder to shoulder, their guns raised. She was waiting for his order.

 "Now!" he yelled.

 They started firing at the entrance and cops fell as they ran into the foyer. None made it near the entrance. They kept firing even when there were no cops to be seen, to make sure that Laura and Emma could make it to Carl and the car.

 His gun emptied first and Bonnie kept firing. She motioned with her head to the front of her pants while she kept firing the gun, increasing the intervals between shots to three, maybe four seconds. 

 "Don't be shy," she said grimly, still firing the gun.

 He rammed his hand down the front of her pants and pulled out another police issue automatic.

 They must have got another one.

 "The things I find in the most unlikely places," he said.

 She laughed.

 "Lucky I didn't wear larger pants, never know what else would have been down there. But then again," she said, all the while firing, "there's not much down there you haven't seen."

 He almost blushed, but this wasn't the time for it. He raised the fresh gun and started firing, timing his shots between her's so that it seemed like there were more gunmen than there actually were. 

Gunpersons, Hansen.

 He ignored the Voice in his head and kept firing. He heard screeching tyres behind him and he hoped it was Carl. He heard Laura shout, "Here," and he knew that it was.

 The gunfire was making his ears ring. Bonnie stopped firing. She was out. She threw the gun down and looked behind her. She stood up and something heavy the size of a tennis ball landed in her hands. He heard the rat-a-tat-tat of machine gun fire behind him and paused for a second and looked around.

 Laura had the gun at her hip and was blasting away into the now bullet-ridden entrance. She looked like an angel, her blonde hair in the light, except most angels didn't smile like her or have tight biceps flexing under the weight of a machine gun and its recoil. He looked back. He couldn't see any cops.

 Any live cops.

 Bonnie passed him the spherical metal object – a bomb. She turned and caught another one. Then Carl moved away from the car and Emma and Hansen could see he had one in his hand as well. Laura moved in front of them, covering the whole group in a veil of bullets, the machine gun sending its deadly trail in front of them. Carl, Bonnie and Hansen moved up beside her and she stopped shooting.

 "I really wish more would come out," she said. "They're such chickens."

 Carl laughed and looked back to Emma who was leaning on the car with a small metal box in her hand. He winked at her.

 "I've given her the detonator unit. Don't see why she can't have some fun," he said.

 Hansen smirked, but then shook his head.

 "You realize this is now just gratuitous, don't you?" he said. "It's not going to achieve anything. You're all just going to blow the whole building to the ground because you like it. You know that, don't you?"

 "Yes," they cried in unison and then started laughing.

 "Fuck me, sometimes I wonder who's really running this show."

 Hansen paused and smiled, looking at each one of them. The team.

His team.

 "Ok, let's do it, then," he said.

 Laura started again with the machine gun and moved forward a little further. Carl, Bonnie and Hansen followed her and separated slightly behind her into a fan shape and then threw the bombs in through the entrance so that as much of the building as possible would suffer the blast. 

 Laura kept firing and then started to walk slowly backwards as she saw the bombs fly into the building. The others turned and walked towards the car. Hansen knew they had to get out of the area quickly. The alarm would surely be out there now.

 He looked at Emma standing by the car as he walked towards her. She was looking towards the building, holding the detonator unit in her hand, her finger lightly pressing on the green button on top of the unit. When he was only a few metres from her, he took a deep breath.

 Laura stopped firing and they all stood and turned towards the building about fifty metres away. He could feel Emma at his shoulder. He slowly breathed the air out through his nose.

 "Ok, Irish, start the show."

 And then Hell rained down on the city.



Shackled Ch. 19



The power that rushed through Emma's body with the touch of a button was staggering. Her pulse pounded and breath whooshed softly out of her parted lips. She flinched as the explosion hit, leaning further back by instinct, trying to protect herself. The warmth of Liam's body soothed and thrilled her as well. 

 For a moment the five stood and watched the show before Emma finally let out a soft laugh and grinned up at Hanson, her brown eyes sparkling with excitement. What a rush! It had been wild and crazy, but she felt alive. It was easy to see how someone could get addicted to that feeling. The adrenaline, the adventure. No wonder Laura was always seeking a fight or a bit of a thrill. No wonder all three women were after Liam. He was all that wrapped in one attractive package.

 Shaking his head, he chuckled and ushered her into the car as Bonny moved with purpose, brushing past Liam and sliding into the front seat of the car. Obviously she didn't want to share any personal space with Emma and she was fine with that. Squeezed between Liam and Laura, Emma slid her hand over his knee and gave is a squeeze.

 Laura was grinning and practically bouncing in her seat. The doc had gotten what she wanted. "Holy shit. That was a blast! Literally! I like this chick after all. She has a little bang in her."

 Despite everything, Emma laughed and elbowed Laura gently. She winked and smacked the back of Carl's seat. "How about it big guy!! Take us back, so I can do a little digging."

 Emma cringed at the idea, wondering what exactly this procedure would entail. The car set off to their 'base' of operations, Liam's basement and home. Clearing her throat, she glanced over at Laura again. She looked relaxed, happy and at ease with herself. "Do you have what you need for the procedure?"

 She turned her blond head, dropping it against the head rest and pondered the question. "To be honest, not really. It is probably best I do it tomorrow, when I have all my tools and a little anesthetic. Unless you like pain."

 Emma shook her head, "No thanks. I don't like the idea of you 'digging'"

 Pursing her lips, Laura made a soft raspberry sound and shrugged, "I'll make it as painless as possible, but there will be some digging involved. "

 She felt Liam's hand slide over her own and give it a squeeze, making her realize that she was gripping him tightly. Deciding it was best to drop the subject, she forced herself to relax and slumped against the seat as they arrived at their destination. Everyone climbed out a few doors away from their actual hide out and began to walk. Car dropped a friendly hand on her head and gave her a little reassuring pat. Emma gave him a playful glare, but then grinned. The sweet lug was worried about her and she knew he cared. 

 "Home sweet home." She murmured softly, earning a cold death stare from Bonny. She ignored the ice princess and slipped passed her and down the narrow staircase. Mrs. Chan greeted with her usual warmth. Behind the others trailed and she figured they had things to talk about and instead fell next to Simon. "I made a big boom." She said with a grin and giggled.

 He cocked a brow and laughed, "You're just full of surprises aren't ya?"

 "Never thought I would be, but learning to like it."

 With a hot cup of coffee in her hands, courteous of Mrs. Chan, Emma relaxed with her new and old friends, waiting for what would be next on the 'to do' list and how Laura would proceed with the procedure. 

 

****

 

He didn't know how it had come to this. Honor. Respect. Service. Duty. These were the tenets he'd lived by for most of his life. But now, it had come to this. The silver-haired man sat in the chair, his lips pursed. He kept them firmly together because he was aware that he might say something wrong.

 No, not wrong. He might say something inappropriate, at least for the situation he was in. It wouldn't be wrong. But it wouldn't be right. He'd hated ambiguity all of his life. It was part of the reason he'd become a soldier. Right. Wrong. Black. White. Innocent. Guilty. Kill. Or be killed. Yes, ambiguity was not the path he'd chosen. Yet now, everything was ambiguous. Working for these motherfuckers, that wasn't ambiguous, that was just plain wrong. But....here he was, in a world of gray. He tried to stop thinking of how it had been. It was as it was. 

 Ambiguous.

 He made a mental note to never use the word ambiguous again.

I can't even spell it for fuck's sake.

 His thoughts were interrupted by Paul Lindeman.

 "So you're telling me this Hansen or Flannery or whatever-the-fuck-his-name-is, got into the SPF main administrative building with, not one, but two of his bitches and unshackled himself and then blew up the building and killed over forty officers?" 

 Blaxland nearly smiled.

 Nearly.

 He valued his career, but he was tiring of having to deal with these bloated desk jockeys. One day, not now, maybe not even soon, but one day, he was going to rid himself of his own shackles. These weak pasty-faced bastards didn't deserve him or what or he did for them, but for for now he would play along.

 For now....

 Blaxland returned from his thoughts and nodded.

 "Yes, sir," he said. "He did."

 "How the fuck did he do that?" asked Lindeman. The Chairman of Pfizaxson knew his company wouldn't be happy. "And a senior officer was left dead on the street with his hand cut off and his eye pulled out. Do you know what that does to public morale?"

Public morale? What about the SPF's morale?

 Blaxland knew the fat Chairman's ass was on the line over this.

 But what was this? What was Hansen and his motley crew working on?

And is there a line wide enough to fit Lindeman's fat ass on it?

 He nearly chuckled.

 Nearly.

 Fat ass or not, he had to play here and at least humor him. They didn't understand Hansen and they never would. Hansen didn't do things that made sense, he just did things. These fuckers would never understand; Hansen did things because they were right. There was a time when Blaxland had done the same, when he'd done what was right. That time was a distant memory now, but he understood Hansen.

 He'd made Hansen.

 "We didn't know he had his team together, sir," said Blaxland. "It would appear now that he has them all."

 Lindeman sat back in his chair and it creaked under the load of his corpulence. On either side of him were the Chairmen of two other major corporations. They were, effectively, the government. Lindeman was reflective. He knew Blaxland was good, but he needed the problem solved quickly and the Hansen motherfucker seemed to be better than good. He seemed....invincible and driven by a rage of righteousness. If there was something that peeved Lindeman, it was righteousness. Money and power were his only values. The only things that had value.

 "Well, what now then, General Blaxland?" he said. "I hope you're not going to tell me this Hansen character is unbeatable?"

 Blaxland shook his head. 

 "No one is unbeatable, sir," he said. "I created Hansen. I made him what he is now. I can beat him."

 Lindeman looked at him, narrowing his eyes.

 "You....created....him?" he asked.

 "Yes, sir," said the silver-haired man. "I created him for you. He was part of what made you what you are today."

 "Made me...."

 "He worked for you," continued Blaxland. "For the government. He was part of the unit we set up years ago to.....persuade.....people and states to follow our bidding. You know that. You know all of that. And he was damn good at it. Now you want him snuffed out....for the sake of expediency. Of course, I'll do it, but remember, he was one of us once.....Sir."

 "You created this monster?"

 "Yes, sir. Just like you manufactured wars and regional destabilization. Except Hansen cracked. His mind changed."

 "Changed?"

 He developed a conscience, sir," said Blaxland.

 "Conscience?"

 "Yes, sir. We though we'd changed him, but the neurosurgeon looking after him turned."

 "Turned?"

 Blaxland wanted to get up and slap the Chairman hard, but he resisted the temptation, instead he balled his hands tightly. He was quickly tiring of the one-word questions, but now wasn't the time to change things.

 Not now.

Soon.

 But not now.

 "Yes, sir," he said with a sigh. "Laura Black. She was a rebel sympathizer. She saw the opportunity to bring Hansen around to their way of thinking. From what we understand, it didn't take much to bring him around anyway."

 The men in front of him were silent for a moment. Captains of industry now running the world, with a general in front of them answering their inane questions. Blaxland saw the irony in this, but resisted the urge to smirk.

Wouldn't happen in the armed forces; generals don't answer to captains.

 "So," said Lindeman, finally breaking the silence, "your crack group was actually made up of rebels and they turned your best soldier into a rebel?"

Finally, he thought, an expansive question.

 "Yes."

My turn to keep it short.

 "This situation seems to be getting out of your control, general."

 The men on either side of Lindeman nodded their heads. A flurry of jowls and double chins. It looked like a Michelin man impersonator's convention.

Fucking sycophants.

 "No sir. We'll have to up the ante certainly, but you were the one who wanted him alive initially....sir. It was only at our last meeting you ordered me to kill them all. We had him at the bar. And Carl O'Shaughnessy. And the girl. We could have had them all. You wanted whoever was with her alive to find out how much information she'd given away. Information, by the way, sir, to which I still haven't been made privy to."

 Lindeman sat back in his chair as if he'd been slapped.

 "I...."

 "Sir," continued Blaxland, "Now we have to step up. We have to fight fire with fire to use an old cliché. We have to get them all. If we leave even one of them breathing, then it won't be over. It's never over with them....till they win."

 "How many of them are there?"

 "At least eight that we know of."

 "Eight?"

 Back to the one word questions.

 "Yes, sir."

 "So you're telling me that the whole of the SPF have to step up their efforts to eliminate the threat from just eight rebels?"

 "They're not just any eight...."

 Lindeman slammed his fist down on the desk. The two men beside him moved slightly. Blaxland guessed it would be the most exercise they'd do for the day. Lindeman's face was red and the veins in his neck were bulging. Civility and control were deserting him like it always did when his power and wealth were threatened.

 "I want these fuckers dead, Blaxland," he shouted. "I don't give a fuck what information may be out there, I want them dead. We'll deal with the fallout later. Dead. Do you hear me?"

Fallout?

 Blaxland nodded. 

 "Yes, sir. I hear you. Hard not to."

 Lindeman narrowed his eyes and stared at him. The silver-haired man held his gaze, his face impassive. The fat man relented first.

 "If news of the virus gets out, it will galvanise every rebel group globally."

Virus?

 "And," continued Lindeman, "cost us trillions. Trillions...." He trailed off. "Just kill them."

Virus? Trillions?

 Blaxland could have sworn the last time had been billions.

Trillions?

 "Yes, sir."

 "Anything you want, ask for it. Anything you need to do, just do it."

 In the depths of his mind, Blaxland remembered a corporation that had said that. It was long ago, when the struggle for the world's resources hadn't quite been won yet, but when corporations were making their concerted play for control. He'd been young. Long ago....

 That's what it all came down to. Control. Of people. Of resources. Of the earth.

Control.

 Just do it. 

 

****

 

Hansen rode in the back of the car with Emma squeezing his hand. He knew how she felt. She was excited and buzzing from her first real exposure to the danger and excitement of what he did. He'd never thought of it as dangerous and exciting, but he couldn't think of anything else he would be happy doing. She'd been on the run with him through some tight situations, but this had been planned and executed to perfection. 

 But....

 It had also shown their hand. Blaxland would know it was them the moment he was informed of the raid, and the surveillance footage would only confirm it. Everything would be stepped up another level.

Step up. One of Blaxland's favorite terms. It still felt odd that they were going to come up against him. He was almost a....father....

 He shook his head slightly as he heard Emma and Laura talk about what they'd just done and what the removal of the shackles involved. Blaxland had been no father. He'd been a mentor and a leader, but there had been too much of the svengali in him. He'd used them in the end, especially Hansen. He did have a sense of responsibility and honor towards them, but it had all been to do with what he wanted. He'd gotten in too deep and then he couldn't control what had happened to them.

To Jess and Cassie....

 They got out of the car some distance from Hansen's place. It would have to be dumped and they'd have to steal another one later. For now, they were all buzzing from what they'd just done. Hansen had the urge to shoot something. He knew what that meant.

 Showtime.

 He loved showtime. He loved action. He loved....

It's done now. You know that don't you. It now has to meander to its logical end. Blaxland or you.

 I know, but it won't be me and there won't be any meandering to it. I'll be going at him like a fucking tsunami.

 I would expect nothing less.

 Good, because that's what you're getting.

 He heard a laugh in his head, but they were already inside his place. Emma was still excited from their unshackling. Carl turned around to look at her. 

 "You're a natural at this, doc," he said. "And Finley, those ball devices you gave us really packed some punch. The common detonator was a great idea."

 The big man shrugged at Carl. "Not a problem, but if I'd been there I would have given you the good stuff, didn't want to give you amateurs too much firepower."

 Hansen enjoyed listening to the banter of his team.

 "Calm down," he said to all of them with a smile. "This isn't meant to be fun. And you," he said turning to face Emma, "are turning into a regular little commando."

 Emma already had a coffee in her hands and she was still flushed with excitement at what they'd done.

 Bonnie broke the frivolity.

 "How did you go with finding a lab for our two scientists here?" she asked Finley.

 "Well," said Finley. "We did a bit of searching, both through the computer and physically. We think we've found one. Simon seems to think it will do."

 The doctor cleared his throat. 

 "Yes, it's an abandoned plastics manufacturing facility close by. They've got some equipment there we can salvage and repair and what ever else we need, I've been told we can....er....source?"

 He looked over to Finley and the big man gave him a wink.

 "Yeah, doc," he said. "I'm sure we can source anything you need. Jimmy's still back in his den checking things out at the moment."

 "How far?" asked Hansen.

 "About thirty minutes drive," said Finley.

 Hansen nodded. "Good. We won't be too far apart then. We'll need two teams."

 "We're going to need to distract Blaxland while our two resident researchers get on with finalizing the vaccine," said Carl. "That's going to require a lot of firepower."

 Hansen thought for a few moments. He knew most of them would want to be out in the field, not protecting Emma and Simon. That would be seen as the "boring" job, but he needed dependable people there that could maintain their concentration over long periods of time.

 "It's going to be hot everywhere now," said Hansen. "You all know that Blaxland will be really gunning for us now."

 Everyone nodded their heads slowly.

He hasn't been doing a great job of finding you has he?

 What do you mean?

 Well, really, don't you think you've been pretty free to move around without much risk of being caught?

 I suppose the SPF presence on the street has been down. What are you saying?

 I'm not saying anything. I'm just a voice in your head.

 Well you keep being helpful and I may lay off taking the Palazonol.

 You can't do this without me. Stop threatening me.

 I'm not threatening. I'm telling.

 Bonnie was talking now.

 "He has been quiet though," she said, "I haven't seen a marked increase in SPF's since all this started going down." She briefly glanced at Emma.

 "Don't be fooled," said Laura back in serious mode. "The guy's a cunt. Remember, I'm the one who was closest to him and he was an asshole. It's always all about Blaxland, so any vestiges of loyalty or the like that you have for him, get rid of it. He's a cunt, pure and simple."

 They were all quiet again. The prospect of coming up against their former commander was not an occurrence anyone could train for. They would all do it, of course, but it was almost like fighting family or close friends.

 "Well, we all know how he plays," said Hansen. "He's full of tricks and I'm sure he hasn't shown us all of them."

 He looked to Bonnie. He wanted more from her. He needed more from her, but she was just standing to the side of the rest of the group, her face cold and impassive.

You need her.

 I know that.

 Well you'd better fucking sort it out.

 I will.

 "Ok," continued Hansen, "so we set the lab up, fit it out, do the work and then see how we can distribute the results. We have to keep the government and Blaxland distracted, so that means some of us will have to think of a plan that takes them away from where we are."

 He paused for a moment, looking at all of his team except for the missing Jimmy. He was so proud of them all. Each of them would give their life for the other. He could not have wished for more.

 "What do you think?" asked Carl.

 Hansen paused for a moment and then his face broke out in a grin.

Oh no.....

 Oh yes!

 "Well," he said. "You all know me and what I do when I'm confronted by enemy attack."

 Carl whistled. 

 Laura clapped.

 Mrs. Chan sighed.

 "Looks like we better start resourcing more firepower...." said Finley.

 Hansen nodded.

 "I say we go after the drug companies that created this virus in the first place," he said. "We find their executives and their board members. One by one, not all of them at a time. We make them stew. We make them scared. We make them distract Blaxland. Without Blaxland, those weak bastards couldn't pull the skin off a baked custard."

 "A baked custard?" said Laura, one eyebrow raised. "You used to be so inspirational. Baked custard?"

 Everyone laughed and Hansen smiled.

 "Well, you know what I mean," he said. "They'll be all over the general to protect their asses. That'll mean less looking for the lab and more looking for us. And we won't exactly be hiding."

 "Jesus fucking Christ, I love you," said Laura.

 Hansen laughed.

 "You just love mayhem. We also have to work out how we can make the biggest public noise about this. Maybe we can get our apathetic brothers and sisters in society to think for once in their meaningless lives. Jimmy will work out how to do that. We can jam state television and communications."




Shackled Ch. 19



There was still one thing on his mind and Carl articulated it. 

 "What about Simon's family?" he said. "Are we sure they're safe?"

 Hansen looked towards Mrs. Chan.

 "I was hoping...."

 The old woman waved her hand at him and smiled. She turned to Victor and her son nodded.

 "It's done," she said.

 "Thank you," he said. "I'll send someone else too from one of the rebel groups, they owe me a lot of favors, but we don't need to tell them what we're doing. I'll trust you to sort it out."

 Victor nodded. "Yes, Liam."

 Mrs. Chan's hand quickly slapped him on the back of the head and he winced.

 "Er....yes, Mr. Hansen."

 Everyone laughed.

You're spreading yourself thin, mate.

 I know. 

 Looking after the scientists, the scientist's family. Going after the drug corporations and you also have to create distractions.

 We are the best, you should know that by know.

 Even the best lose when they bite off more than they can chew.

 Scaredy cat.

 "So," said Hansen, "do we involve other rebels to help us cause the distractions or do we keep it in house?"

 Laura shook her head. "I don't trust anyone else. I say we keep it in house."

 Most of the others shook their heads. They wanted it kept to them. Hansen understood. They only trusted each other.

 Bonnie shifted from her stance leaning against the wall.

 "The fact that you're asking that," she said, "means you don't think we're up to this or you've gone soft? Which is it?"

 He looked at her. There was a collective intake of breath and the room became quiet.

Gone soft?

 His brow furrowed and then he noticed her lips twitch. She was almost turning the corners of her mouth up. She was about to smile.

 "Gone soft?" he said.

 This time she did smile and the atmosphere in the room instantly became lighter.

 He didn't know why he did it, but in front of everyone, he walked over to Bonnie and leaned down and gave her a light kiss on the lips.

 "Thank you," he whispered through his lips and into her mouth.

 He stepped back quickly and in the corners of her green eyes he could see small tears starting to build. She was blushing as she looked at him warmly with those intelligent eyes. Your welcome they said. 

 Hansen felt better.

That wasn't so hard was it?

 It's Bonnie.

 She's yours.

 She's not anyone's.

 You can't give back what you've been given.

 Hansen looked at her quickly again. Her face had returned to normal.

 "Let's eat," he said to the room, "and then my favorite doctor can explain how she's going to operate on Emma and me." He looked at Laura then back to Emma. "And I'm sure you're going to be happy to finally be unshackled from me. My snoring must be killing you!"

 Hansen felt himself tingling. This was all finally going to go down and the only thing in doubt was the outcome.

Feels good doesn't it?

 I guess.

 I guess? You were made for this.

 Made for this?

 Stop repeating what I say. You were made for this.

Made for this.....? 



Shackled Ch. 20



They were alone now. Emma was sitting next to him on the bed, discussing the procedure with Laura. He knew it wouldn't be that bad. He knew what real pain felt like and this wouldn't be close. Real pain wasn't even physical. No, losing something you love, something you valued above even your own life, that was real pain.

Pain that never stopped.

As the two women were talking, he felt Emma's hand slide into his and gave it a small squeeze. She was very close to him, her warmth radiating on to the side of his body, her hand in his....

You're going to make me sick. Holding hands like a love struck kid.

Oh. You didn't leave with the others.

Don't be a smart ass, it doesn't become you. At least, the smart part doesn't....

Well, you're here too then. Feel free to help out whenever you want.

The scientist and Laura seem to get on alright and they both like you, maybe....

Don't be disgusting!

Just don't let the pretty little scientist take your mind from the main game.

Never thought of it as a game.

It is. Just the stakes are higher, that's all. You have to let her and her friend finish off the vaccine.

I know that, mate. What do you think we've been doing for the last twenty four hours while you've been hiding in my head?

Just let her do it.

I will....

He heard his name. It was Emma.

*"So...when are we doing this and how? Obviously I need all my faculties and so does Liam if we're going to get anything done. What are the risks?"*

Hansen didn't think the procedure would be much at all, it was just the women talking medical procedures and getting a kick out of it. Shit, it was only a small transponder the size of a small ball bearing. If he could reach it, he would have dug the thing out himself.

"To be honest, your guess is as good as mine," said Laura, her brow furrowed. "I've never performed the procedure before. Usually people go boom before anyone gets to them in time...situations like this one are rare..."

"Well," said Hansen. "Do we have to do it? The shackles are tiny and under our skin. What harm is there in leaving them there?"

Laura sighed.

"Um....we don't really know, but Victor did say there would be nothing stopping the SPFs from reactivating them remotely once the confusion from our attack comes down."

"Ok, then it's best to get it done?" he said, looking sideways at Emma with a comforting glance.

"I'd think so," said Laura. "Just to be sure."

They were all silent for a moment. Then Laura spoke again.

"So....do you have anything strong, like whiskey or vodka?"

Hansen frowned at her. "You think we'll need to anaesthetize ourselves?" He looked at Emma again, his eyes wider, his look less comforting. "It'll hurt that much?"

"Fuck no," said Laura, "I've never done this before. I need to calm my nerves."

Hansen rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Great."

That's my girl.

Yeah.

Hehehehe.

****

Emma's nerves buzzed. She didn't find Laura's little wise crack very amusing, but it seemed like waiting even just one more day wasn't a very good option. Not after they had made their presence known so loudly. Clearing her throat, Emma stood, leaving Liam to sit and contemplate. His eyes dark and a sharp, just about the same way they were when they had first met and her heart went out to him. Had the medicine worn off so quickly?

With a soft sigh, she reached for Liam's alcohol while Laura seemed to move about his place with ease. As she returned, she noted that the tall blond was digging under Liam's bed, bringing out a small box of supplies. "A good doctor is always prepared." 

A twinge of jealous for a moment annoyed Emma. It was so blatantly obvious that Laura had stayed here regularly...as had Bonnie. Hell, she was wearing Bonnie's clothes! Suddenly she longed for her own clean and scuffed up attire, but tried not to be a baby about it. Forcing herself to see reason, she set the bottle of whiskey on the edge of the bench for Laura as she sashayed over and opened up the medical kit. Digging around, Laura's long slender fingers soon found a pair of tweezers and a sharp blade to do her dirty work. Next came some rubbing alcohol, bandages for both of them and a small bottle of anesthetic. "I'll just give you both a small local and hope for the best."

Unable to help herself, Emma let out a little snort. Laura didn't take offense of course and set her supplies up, going to the kitchen to sterilize her equipment. Emma sat down on the edge of the bend and clasped her hands together. While not thrilled, she wanted it over with as soon possible. I'm opting to go first, if that's alright. Because if I don't, you might have to hold me down."

Laura chuckled from behind her. "Take a swig of whiskey!"

Emma smiled slightly, "Not a bad idea...though I prefer coffee with mine."

Grasping the bottle she unscrewed the cap and locked eyes with Liam for a moment, then took a brave swig of the alcohol. It burned all the way down her throat and into her belly. She made a face and wrinkled her nose, shaking her head. "Gross."

"Amateur." Laura teased and came over to get her ready. Cool hands tugged her hair back away from her forehead. "This might be uncomfortable, but I need you to remain still. I'm going to inject a small amount of local anesthetic, then feel around to see if I can get a general location. I'm hoping it's superficial enough that I can feel it, then go right to work."

Emma nodded, tilting her head up and automatically shutting her eyes as her fingers curled around the edge of the bench and took on a death grip.

****

Laura busied herself with preparations and Hansen watched Emma grab the whiskey bottle. He was surprised as he watched her take a swig of the whiskey. He was amused at the way she looked after drinking it. It was....cute. She bravely leant over and gripped the bench and waited for Laura to inject the local anaesthetic.

Hansen reached for his neck and felt the slight bump where the shackle had been shot into him.

Yep, it's gonna hurt.

Thanks for the reassurance.

Hehehe.

You can laugh.

Hey, at least you'll get Laura handling you. It's been a while, shy boy.

Eh?

You know, like she used to.

Fuck off.

So eloquent. Hehehe.

Hansen heard a little groan from the bench and glanced over. Laura was starting to dig into Emma to retrieve the disabled shackle. Again, he rubbed the bump on his neck.

You know, I really am getting tired of you.

Really?

Yes. Really.

Who do you think put me here?

Put you here?

Yep.

You're always speaking in riddles. Put you here. Made me. What the fuck are you going on about?

You'll never find out if you keep taking the drug.

Palazonol?

Yep. You can walk around ignorant for the rest of your life. Or.....you can find out.

Find out what?

Who made you.

There you go again....

And who put me here.

Stop it.

And why.

Why?

I know you're from Australia, but you really have to stop acting like a cockatoo and repeating what I say. Yes....why.

Hansen clenched his jaw and looked back to the women. In a way it was good that he'd been distracted. He couldn't watch Emma in pain, not after all he'd done to protect her, even if was necessary.

Laura stood up from behind Emma.

"There. Done."

She dropped a small metal object onto the bench and then placed a gauze over Emma's wound.

"Press on that for a while, dear. You've been very brave. Once I remove Superman's shackle, I'll dress it with a fresh bandage and in no time you'll be back to normal."

Hansen looked into Emma's eyes. They were a little moist and reddened, but she'd done very well to not cry out. He winked at her nodded. Good girl.

She got up from bending over the bench and went and sat next to him on the edge of the bed. He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. He saw Laura look away quickly, embarrassed at their intimacy.

Well, she'll just have to get used to it.

Swapping glamazon for Dr. Nerd. You really have lost it.

Fuck off.

You really do need to broaden your vocabulary....

"Right," said Hansen, standing up from the bed and clapping his hands together lightly. "I guess it's my turn."

Laura smiled.

"Yeah, big boy. And my turn. Finally."

Hansen's face reddened a little.

"Well, take it easy on me will you?"

"Oh, I always save my best for you," said Laura with a sly grin. "Always...."

Hansen shook his head and walked to the bench. He picked up the bottle of whiskey, unscrewed the cap and took a large swig. In fact, it was probably three or four shots worth of whiskey in one swallow. Then, without saying anything, he leant over the bench.

"Geeez," said Laura. "I said just to numb the pain, not pass out." She paused. "Although I must say, you're in a very attractive position. Just saying."

Nothing can numb my pain.

He turned his head and looked at her and tried to smile, keeping the situation light.

"Maybe I'll need counseling after all this."

"I'd sure love to get into your head, see what I find there."

"I'm not sure you would, Laura. Now get this fucking thing out of me."

He gritted his teeth and waited for Laura to start her work. There was movement behind him.

"Now hold still," she said with a giggle and giving him a light slap to his arse. "Nice butt too....for an old fellow."

Hansen rolled his eyes and then felt Laura's fingers on his neck and then the sharp sting of a scalpel. Good.

He smiled because it meant this was nearly over. Or nearly the beginning. It depended on your perspective. Finally.

He broke out into a bigger smile at the thought of starting the fight.

You really are a sick fuck. She's sticking a knife in you and you're smiling.

Hehehe. Once we're finished here, I'm going to work.

Work?

I'm going to make every fucker who ever crossed me pay.

Wow. Every fucker?....Wow. Aiming high aren't we?

You don't know how high.

Of course I do. I'm in here remember. I just like asking rhetorical questions.

You do?

Don't be a smart arse.

****

e extraction of the disabled shackle was over quickly.

"There," said Laura, pulling it out and dropping it onto the bench.

She applied the gauze pad to his neck.

"Hold that firm for a few minutes, then let it go as I've taped it. It doesn't need much looking after. Not much more than a nick really."

Hansen stood up pressing the bandage to his neck. Laura walked around to talk to Emma for a few moments and he could smell coffee.

Good old Emma.

Oh God, spare me.

Fuck you.

I see you neglected to take my vocabulary advice.

Damn fucking right. I'm not good at taking advice.

You think?

Now who's asking rhetorical questions?

Emma left them for a moment to freshen up and get ready for bed.

Oh God, it gets worse. Bed?

Hansen smirked.

Man's gotta sleep.

I don't remember too much sleep happening the last time you were in bed with nerd lady.

Emma, mate. Her name's Emma.

Yeah. Nerd lady.

"So...."

Laura.

"Oh yeah, thanks for that," said Hansen.

She looked him in the eye, a serious look on her face.

"You know it wasn't a problem," she said, her voice husky all of a sudden.

"I know."

She pursed her lips and then smiled.

"I could stay?"

"Emma's here."

"I know that," she said. "I could stay."

Hansen looked at her and shook his head.

"Emma's here."

Laura smiled, a bigger smile this time.

"Typical. I miss you."

"I know."

"But not enough for....?"

"No," said Hansen, "not enough."

"I'm here you know," she said. "Right now."

"I know."

They looked at each other for a few seconds, but it felt like hours, their eyes exchanging information and memories that only they knew about.

"So," said Laura, taking a slow breath, "for now it's her and you?"

"It is."

Laura nodded.

"So it is....I guess."

Hansen loved Laura. She'd saved his life many timesand he had saved hers. It was ironic. She could keep saving him, but she kept losing him.

"I'm, sorry," he said.

She raised her hand to stop him and shook her head.

"Don't," she said. "Most guys would be desperate to have me, shit, they'd kill to have me, but the one guy I really want, doesn't want me."

Hansen looked at her, his heart pounding and his mind racing.

The nerd instead of Laura? You sure?

It is as it is.

Why do I bother?

Why do you?

Hansen nodded.

"I want you, but I love her."

She chuckled.

"Supergirl left on the shelf?"

He smiled wanly.

"I wouldn't say that."

"Spare me," said Laura, her eyes reddening. "I better go."

Hansen looked at her and then at the ground and then back to her.

"Yes," he said. "You better. Probably for the best."

He stepped towards her and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"You know what?" she asked.

"What?"

"You may not love me yet, but I love you," she said. "At least I'm fifty percent there. I just have to change your half of the equation."

He smiled.

"My dear Laura....," he said with a slight shake of his head. "Always working out the percentages and ever the optimist....but it won't happen."

"Not now," she said softly, "but I'm patient."

"I wouldn't want you to waste your time waiting for something that probably won't happen."

"Better to have nothing of the perfect man than to fully have something less than perfect."

He smiled.

"Perfect?" he said raising an eyebrow and smirking at her. "I'll have to remember that next time we argue."

Her face returned to its playful countenance and she placed her hands on her hips with a mock pout.

God, you're beautiful, Laura. Perfect....but not for me....

"Well don't expect me to repeat it," she said. "Old man."

"Hey, who are you calling...."

He quickly grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her forward, landing a more substantial kiss on her lips. She was surprised, but she kissed him back just as strongly. They kissed for a few moments before he gently released her.

"Not bad I reckon....for an old man," he said with a wink.

She sighed. "No, not bad."

They stood in silence for a few moments.

"Well," she said, "I better go. We all need our rest."

He nodded.

"We do."

Laura gave him one last smile and then turned and walked out of the door without looking back.

So you let her go? Just like that.

Yes. Just like that.

You know she's yours....if you want her.

She's not mine.

She is....and Bonnie.

Maybe you should become a matchmaker after all this is done. You seem to take a keen interest in my love life.

It's not your love life, it's what you're meant to do.

Mean't to do?

Questions again. Yes, meant to do. You can't give back what you've been given.

Given?

Oh for fuck's sake, Hansen. They're yours. Now you're mixed up with the scientist. The ying has been split from the yang.

Next you'll be calling me grasshopper or little master. The ying split from the yang? Really, mate.

The balance has been upset. Like when Jess was there.

Don't mention my wife.

But I have to. Was it fair on her?

I said I don't want to talk about it.

Typical. It's too hard so you'd rather blow something up or beat someone up.

Hansen shook his head.

Just don't fucking mention my wife!

Hansen stood looking at the closed door Laura had left through and then he took a deep breath and looked at the floor for a few moments, trying to shake the confusion out of his mind.

"Liam?"

It was Emma.

He looked around at her and smiled. She'd freshened up and looked beautiful, as usual. She tilted her head towards a mug of coffee sitting on the bench and then back to him.

"Made it fresh," she said. "Doing alright?"

His features softened. It was impossible to stay tense around her. He walked over towards the bench and decided he could with some coffee.

"Yes. I was just thinking about what we're going to do next."

She looked at him over her coffee, ever patient.

"But," he said, taking a sip of his coffee, "we need to go to bed."

He put the cup down and walked over to her. He hadn't shaved for days and he was high from what the team was about to do, but he leant down and kissed her lips softly.

He pulled back to look at her.

"Now, whether it's to sleep or not is entirely up to you, but we should definitely go to bed."

He smiled and leant down again to kiss her, this time a little harder.

"Yes," he murmured, "entirely up to you...."

(For those of you reading the stories I've have posted, I want to thank you for your patience and for your wonderful feedback. Yes, even the bad. If you are also following More Than Friendship Material, I understand there has been a lot of negative feedback from the last chapter I posted. I'm sorry if I offended anyone. I would hope you don't give up just yet...a lot of what we write is tongue in cheek and we've been dabbling with some fun and humor. Not is all as it seems though, so if you can muster up reading through our next posting when it gets done, please do. :) Until then, enjoy Shackled! :) )



Shackled Ch. 21



A shiver of delight ran down Emma's spine as Liam kissed her, the second time showing her that perhaps he was in the mood for more than sleep. Carefully she set aside her coffee and wound her arms around his neck, pressing closer. "Are you sure?" She murmured softly, gazing up into his eyes.

The sexy smile that crossed his lips made her laugh and with a little hop, she managed to wrap her legs around him. Big hands automatically grasped her firm bottom as she pressed her mouth to his again and again, sighed and moaning softly as her tongue traced against his own.

After spending so much time with Laura and Bonnie, part of her wanted to rub herself shameless against him, to rub her scent on him, to claim him as her own. She knew it was silly, but at that moment, with his hands on her body and his mouth tasting her own she didn't care.

Pulling back to breath in a breath, she tightened her legs and nipped at his bottom lip. His growing beard scrapped along her skin, but she didn't mind as she trailed her mouth over to his ear, breathing softly as she nipped at his earlobe and then dipped down over his neck. "Well come on then...take me to bed and tuck me in." She teased with a soft laugh.

Feeling safe and secure in his arms, she leaned back to look at him. Her smile was teasing, her eyes sparkling and her breaths already a little uneven. She was flushed and eager, happy to finally be alone with him again.

****

In moments she was as excited as a young girl and had jumped up into his arms. She was giggling and laughing and he hung onto her as she wrapped her legs around him.

They kissed.

And kissed.

And kissed....

Hansen smiled, each of his hands holding onto one of her small firm butt cheeks. He couldn't remember being this happy. He might have been.

Once.

But he couldn't remember when.

He kissed the top of her head, his face lost in her brown hair.

"Irish...." he murmured.

Oh please. You have to be kidding me....

Fuck off.

It's worse than the movies Jimmy plays. Give me a break.

I will, mate. Don't you worry, I will. A long break.

You're mad.

Yeah. Mad....

He pulled his head back so he could look into her eyes.

"Sorry about the stubble," he said. "I've been kinda busy."

He smiled at her again and kissed her on the lips lightly, running down to her chin and then leaning her back and kissing her on the neck.

"I could always stop. It's not like we're shackled anymore."

He winked at her.

"But I am a man of action and it might be difficult for you to get away...."

He didn't wait for her answer. He carried her towards the bed, not even feeling her weight in his arms.

"I'll tuck you in, Irish."

He winked at her and laid her down on the bed, her legs still wrapped around him. He looked down at her.

Young. Smart. Brave.

All his.

Hansen lay over her, their lower bodies pressed together on the edge of the bed and his arms rested beside her shoulders, holding him up. He leaned his head down so that their noses were nearly touching and he whispered to her.

"Now, I might be getting old," he said tilting his head. "And maybe my ears are shot. But I could have sworn that I heard you say you wanted me to tuck you in."

He paused.

"Well, I'm sure I can give you a damn good tucking. It's a specialty of mine."

He kissed her mouth hungrily, his body pressing into hers.

It was good to be alone. Finally....

Fuck me. They had to put me in the head of a Barbara Cartland character....

****

She knew he was struggling inside, but he was being playful and sweet, his voice dipping just a hint and making her shiver with anticipation. They were fully clothed, but her body was already humming. His kisses made her melt, the scratch of his rough stubble strangely erotic on her sensitive skin.

Beneath his solid body, Emma melted, her legs tightening around his lean hips as he took her breath away with his mouth. A soft whimper filled the air as their tongue met, thrusting and toying, curling around one another. Her fingers slid through his short hair and flexed, torn between caressing and gripping him to her so he wouldn't move.

"Liam..." She sighed, her body restless under his. Hips moved, wanting to get more contact, the core of her body aching with need. Everywhere he touched her, Emma felt ready to burn. Beneath her thin bra, her breast ached, nipples tight and poking eagerly through the material of her shirt, outlined shamelessly.

When the kiss broke off, her eyes were already a little dazed, her lips swollen and moist. "So far, your good night kisses are good...but I'm still not tucked and wearing way too many clothes." She teased, a small laugh bursting past her lips as she tugged at his shirt. He relented, letting her pull it over his head before she tossed it to let it land wherever.

Small softly hands slid over his skin. He was so warm and solid, his flesh smooth and tight over hard muscle. She wanted to map his body, enjoying the flex of his muscles moving under her fingers as they danced lower, his abs shuddering as she reached his pants. Her teeth sank into her lower lip as she gaze up at him oh so innocently. "Maybe I should see if you can perform the task at hand, Liam...you did say you were getting old..." She taunted some more, an impish grin lighting up her already happy face.

****

"Old indeed," he said, smiling at her. "I'll show you old...."

Her smooth hands ran over his bare torso and he could feel the familiar stirrings she brought out in him. Looking down at her, smiling back at him and laying on the bed with her legs wrapped his hips, he knew that he wouldn't be able to resist his urges for long. They were no longer shackled, but they would be joined tighter than ever. They had a job to do, he realized, but it was the furthest thing from his mind at the moment.

Yeah, what a focused combatant you are. Blaxland wants to toast your ass and all you want to do is get some scientist ass.

Hansen smirked. Emma probably thought it was directed at her, so he ran his hands over the back of her hands as they trailed down his stomach towards the top of his pants and....

Thank you for reminding me. A bit of privacy wouldn't go astray, you know.

Privacy? I have to watch the whole fucking thing.

Fucking....yeah right....fucking...mmmm.

Hansen smirked again, this time leading Emma's hands downwards, over the top of his pants and let them settle on the bulge that was rapidly growing there.

"Does that feel old to you?" he said, arching his brow.

He dropped down to be closer to her, his elbows on either side of her shoulders and he looked into her eyes, little flecks of gold sparkling iridescently in the light of the various appliances in his hideout. Her long hair framed her face and he made sure to press his groin more tightly into her, her hand still trapped between them, cupping his hardness. Clothes made her no less attractive, nor the need any less urgent. He lowered his head a little further and kissed her mouth softly.

"I'll tuck you in dear," he whispered. "In fact, I'll give you the best tucking you've ever had...."

His mouth sought hers with more vigor and now they were kissing, his lips mashing into her's and his tongue probing to find its counterpart. His body lowered until he was almost resting on her, joined as one.

Tomorrow we fight mate, remember?

Yeah. But tonight....

I know. I know.

****

Emma moaned into his mouth, her smaller body arching off the bed as she pressed her hands back against his ever growing bulge. The taste of him filled mouth and made her ache and throb to have so much more.

She shifted and rubbed him shamelessly until his hardness strained against the zipper of his pants and his own moan filled the air. Breaking off, she gasped and drew in a long breath. It was as though everything had shifted, from sweet and sensual to needy and desperate. From under him, she wiggled and arched, tugging at her shirt and pulling it over her head.

The material was flung over his shoulder as she grinned and went for her bra. "Are you going to just stare at me or get naked?" She teased breathlessly. "Because I want to be tucked and tucked...aaannnd tucked." She purred out next, tossing her bra over a slender shoulder as she reached to tug at his own clothes.

Her full breasts jiggled gently, her nipples already hard as she slid her hands down to undo his pants, soft smooth hands gliding down to grasp his warm silky length, so hard and twitching with excitement. "Mmmmm...someone is happy."

****

Hansen felt her hands on his crotch and he pushed his hips down to meet them, all the while kissing her mouth with an urgent hunger. She was writhing under him, trying to get some room to remove her shirt.

He smirked. He gave her some room, but not too much as he was enjoying the feeling of her body beneath him. Finally, she managed to get her shirt over her head and threw it away.

"You're bloody messy, you know that?" he said. "You need to learn some housekeeping etiquette if you're to....."

He stopped. Emma was now working on her bra.

"Good God, Irish," he said rolling his eyes. "If you keep this up you'll be....naked!"

As he spoke, her small hands had undone the zipper of his pants and he felt her fingers wrap around his shaft. His cock twitched, the smooth feel of her cool hands sending a slow rising pleasure through him.

He braced himself over her with one arm and then his other hand went to her breasts.

"So this is the point, is it? For a scientist, you're very....forward." he said with a smile. "If I'd met a scientist like you when I was younger, I might have stayed in school longer."

He lowered his head again to kiss her, a soft hand still in his pants and firmly gripping his cock. His tongue pushed into her mouth as his fingers rolled her hardened nipple.

"I think you might be in for an....extended tucking dear...."

He pushed himself off her a little and then pulled his own shirt off. He leant back down to kiss her again, this time her breasts pressed to his bare chest. Her hand was wedged between them. He wanted to take his jeans off, but lying on her, he wanted just a little more before he got to that.

He kissed the side of her head, just where the earlobe joined her neck and then lightly ran his tongue over it. He slid his lips down the side of her neck, to the top of her collarbone and then moved over to kiss her throat just under her chin. She was soft and warm and he felt like he could do this forever. Trailing kisses down her body....

He murmured.

"Yes....I'm afraid it's going to be a very extended tucking...."

Then he planted his mouth on her tight nipple, swirling his tongue around the base.

Very extended.

****

"I think you might be in for an....extended tucking dear...."

She gasped softly as he toyed with her, his mouth kissing her so sweetly and making her shiver and moan. OH but he had a clever mouth. Warm and firth, but soft as well when he took his time with her. She clenched her hand around him, her fingers flexing as she stroked him slowly and a little awkwardly with his weight pressed against her own.

"Mmmmm...is that a promise?" She breathed, letting her head roll to the side, giving her greater access to her bare warm flesh. She breathed shuddered out as he hit the sweet spots that made her insides clench. The top of her collarbone and small hollow at the base of her throat before he dipped lower still.

He pushed himself off her a little and then pulled his own shirt off. He leaned back down to kiss her again, this time her breasts pressed to his bare chest. Her hand was wedged between them. He wanted to take his jeans off, but lying on her, he wanted just a little more before he got to that.

He kissed the side of her head, just where the earlobe joined her neck and then lightly ran his tongue over it. He slid his lips down the side of her neck, to the top of her collarbone and then moved over to kiss her throat just under her chin. She was soft and warm and he felt like he could do this forever. Trailing kisses down her body....

"Yes....I'm afraid it's going to be a very extended tucking...."

Her hips jerked as his tongue swirled around her nipple and flicked the tip before applying just enough suction that her back arched off the bed and she mewled, driving her free hands through his hair and down his back, holding on tightly.

"Oh Liam..."

Already she was on fire, her womb clenching, her core hot and slick and oh so ready for him. But the feel of his mouth was too exciting to be denied. Coherent thoughts became harder to put together as his mouth slid from one breast to the other. His hot breath tickled her skin, then made her shiver as the dampness on her skin cooled, making her delicate skin pucker. "Liam." She moaned out, thrusting the other breast higher and more firmly against his mouth. No shame. No wondering, just pure sweet hot need that pulse between her legs, curling low in her belly and driving her slowly crazy with want.

She rocked against the bed, against him, wanting him as desperate as she was to feel him within her. To clenching his pulsing length as they moved together. Her soft fingers slid over his sensitive head, smearing the bit of pre-cum around so she could stroke her way back down and up again.

****

She gasped softly as he toyed with her, his mouth kissing her so sweetly and making her shiver and moan. OH but he had a clever mouth. Warm and firth, but soft as well when he took his time with her. She clenched her hand around him, her fingers flexing as she stroked him slowly and a little awkwardly with his weight pressed against her own.

"Mmmmm...is that a promise?" She breathed, letting her head roll to the side, giving her greater access to her bare warm flesh. She breathed shuddered out as he hit the sweet spots that made her insides clench. The top of her collarbone and small hollow at the base of her throat before he dipped lower still.

He pushed himself off her a little and then pulled his own shirt off. He leaned back down to kiss her again, this time her breasts pressed to his bare chest. Her hand was wedged between them. He wanted to take his jeans off, but lying on her, he wanted just a little more before he got to that.

He kissed the side of her head, just where the earlobe joined her neck and then lightly ran his tongue over it. He slid his lips down the side of her neck, to the top of her collarbone and then moved over to kiss her throat just under her chin. She was soft and warm and he felt like he could do this forever. Trailing kisses down her body....

Her hips jerked as his tongue swirled around her nipple and flicked the tip before applying just enough suction that her back arched off the bed and she mewled, driving her free hands through his hair and down his back, holding on tightly.

"Oh Liam..."

Already she was on fire, her womb clenching, her core hot and slick and oh so ready for him. But the feel of his mouth was too exciting to be denied. Coherent thoughts became harder to put together as his mouth slid from one breast to the other. His hot breath tickled her skin, then made her shiver as the dampness on her skin cooled, making her delicate skin pucker. "Liam." She moaned out, thrusting the other breast higher and more firmly against his mouth. No shame. No wondering, just pure sweet hot need that pulse between her legs, curling low in her belly and driving her slowly crazy with want.

She rocked against the bed, against him, wanting him as desperate as she was to feel him within her. To clenching his pulsing length as they moved together. Her soft fingers slid over his sensitive head, smearing the bit of pre-cum around so she could stroke her way back down and up again.

****

Emma was almost mindless, but something seemed...different. His touch was hot and heavy and his kisses made her body shudder and quiver, wanting so much more, but something nagged in the back of Emma's mind and she sensed that something was off.

Her body arched on it's own accord, her hand eager to please him, but as Liam nuzzled lower, she slid a free hand through his hair and grasped a fist full of hair, forcing his gaze to hers. "Liam?"

Her soft questioning tone made his eyes darken further and his breath hitched a fraction as she slowly smiled. A lazy, sexy, I am going to eat you up smile that came naturally as she gazed at him. "Come here."

An eye brow quirked...so like him and his teeth nipped at the tops of her breasts as he shifted up to accommodate her and then Emma surprised him, but letting go of his slick cock and shoving at his chest. "Let me."

It wasn't a request, but more of a command and without question, Liam rolled, bringing Emma over his body, his strong hands gripping her hips as she squirmed and wiggled, straddling his belly. Her long dark hair was disheveled, but still silky and smooth as she slowly pressed her chest to his and dropped her face close to his. She shared his breath, ever so sweetly pressing her lips to his. "Liam..." She moaned, wanting to taste him on her tongue, but more importantly, to make him forget everything but her.

When her eyes fluttered back open, she wiggled down, her slick sex rubbing against his shaft, nudging it against her entrance as she mewled softly. "I love you..." She murmured softly. She wanted his dark gaze to hold hers and never forget.

****

He was traveling down her body in a stream of kisses. On her breasts, underneath her breasts, along her ribcage....everywhere. He dropped lower, running his tongue in the soft curve just under her chest, running his tongue slowly along the ridge formed by her lowest rib.

"Let me," she said, flipping under him.

He understood and he rolled, letting her take the top position, her warm crotch sitting on his cock. He looked up at her, a different look, a hungry look and he knew they were in deep.

Both of them.

Her hair was disheveled, but she was as beautiful as ever, in fact, more beautiful than she had been before. Her comfort in his bed and her open display of desire only made her more attractive. She wanted him.

All of him.

Emma opened her mouth and he smiled. She knew what he liked and soon....

I love you....

Those words.

Shit.

I love you.

His cock was out of his jeans and pressed against her, their bodies joined at what felt like their centers. Cock, cunt. Basic. Simple. If he kept it basic, Hansen thought he could get through this and enjoy himself.

He smiled wryly, hoping she didn't notice.

I've done this a million times.

Just.

Fuck.

Her.

But her words weren't basic.

Or simple.

He writhed under her, bucking his hips up, trying to focus on the physical, focus on the here and now.

I love you.

She was not the first woman to say that to him. She was one of the few that were alive. Living did not mean an absence from scars and Hansen was not sure that he wanted Emma to risk those scars.

Again he bucked his hips and now the small hands that had been wrapped around his cock were on his chest, warm and silky. Looking at her face in the dim light of the room, a smile playing on her lips, he knew that she knew where he wanted those lips. Lower...down....

They'd been together for so short a time and yet they knew each other so well. Danger and the fight for survival had a lot to do with that. He had lived with danger and stress for many years now and he knew the accelerated development of a relationship that occurred under such circumstances. Working together was akin to hot housing emotions and feelings.

But....




Shackled Ch. 21



I love you.

He wasn't sure he was ready for that. Fuck, he wasn't sure she was ready for that.

Hansen tried to force it from his mind. He closed his eyes, focusing his attention on his cock. Just this once, he thought, just fuck her, just use her. For her. No fear, no concern. She wanted him, he knew that.

He opened his eyes, staring back at the woman that only days ago he'd insulted in a bar. Days that now felt like years. Maybe he was in....

Love.

Shit.

He looked up at her.

"Emma...."

She looked down at him, honest, pure....

I love you.

Shit.

He smirked, trying to maintain his composure.

"Now, are you going to take my jeans off or what, girl?"

I love you.

Fuck.

****

Emma fought the urge to stiffen, remaining relax and warm on top of him. She wanted him...but she also knew right then and there that the fractured part of him was back. Taking control and turning him cooler than he'd been when on his meds.

He wasn't returning the words, though he'd been the one to speak them first. Afraid? The idea seemed preposterous...big bad Liam afraid of three little words. But those three little words meant so much...and so much was at stake.

"Patience is a virtue." She purred out and giggled as he bucked down under her body. "What about foreplay?"

She laughed, the sound soft and sultry as she remained in command of her own emotions. She knew what she felt...knew what she wanted and there was no way in hell she was gonna let the broken parts of him turn her away. Tossing her long hair to the side, she leaned over him and worked her mouth over his chest. His guttural moan was music to her ears as his fingers pushed through her silky hair and guided her down.

"This better?" She sighed against his warm skin, dipping over his belly and loving how his muscles tensed and shuddered beneath her touch. "Oh yes...it's what you want..."

Clever little fingers undid his pants and began to tug as he lifted, until his bare hot and hard flesh was freed. She dove nibbled on the sexy line above one hip as her fingers just brushed over his hard cock. It twitched against her palm as his hips lifted, pressing against her hand instantly and his fingers tightened, tugging her face to where she needed to be. She laughed again, those dark eyes gazing up at him with an impish smile. "Impatient aren't we?"

Eager herself to please him, she grasped his cock more firmly and swirled her soft pink tongue around the tip of his dick, moaning softly before sucking him into her mouth. She moaned again, her eyes closing now as she took him deeper...her hot moist mouth like silk around his hardness as her tongue worked around him, flicking and caressing, tasting and feeling every ridge and bump under his smooth silky skin.

****

Hansen reveled in the feeling of her moving down his body, warm wet kisses on his chest, her hair trailing down, feathery tendrils adding to the anticipation of pleasure building in him. She slid down him....lower....lower.

So short a time....but already she knew what he wanted, what he craved, what he needed. She reached her target and her hands expertly worked at his jeans. He raised his hips, helping her to release him, free his hardness, but not for long. A small soft hand closed around him and then he felt the warmth of her tongue on the end of his cock, already slick with pre-cum. She teased him for a moment and then she dipped, expertly taking his length into her mouth, her hair now trailing across his thighs and belly.

He gasped quietly.

"Oh....Irish....Emma....fuck...."

His hands went to her head, gently, not forcing, but giving him some semblance of control, a way of holding himself back. Her head bobbed on him, her lips sliding up and down his shaft with ease while her tongue played its game in the hidden recesses of her mouth.

He was used to holding back, keeping something in reserve, but this damn woman with her brains and her charm and her....

"Fuck...." he muttered as she sucked him.

Why did she love him? Why did he love her? It only made it harder.

Too right it does you fool. Now you get it.

Get what? I can't control my....

Of course you can. What you can't do is control your cock.

He shook his head as Emma, his girl, sucked on him, bringing him pleasure, his cock bathed in the velvety gift that was her mouth.

No....

Yes. Your cock will get us killed. All of us.

All of us?

It would appear I have to fucking spell it out for you.

Still she sucked him, the movement rhythmical. It was safe, predictable....things previously alien to him.

What? Spell out what?

Even as he asked the question, his hands twined themselves in her hair as he pulled her down, forcing her onto his cock. He bucked his hips gently, trying to plumb the depths of her mouth, push further, slide deeper, safer....

You don't appear to be concentrating on what I'm saying....

The Voice in his head faded. He could talk later, now he wanted to focus on this woman and what she was doing to him, for him.

"Emma...."

There were no other words he could muster as his cock slid in and out of her mouth. He was harder than he thought possible, but he wanted to savor this, her mouth, her eagerness. He closed his eyes for a moment and basked in it, his mind silent for once. Her head in his hands, her mouth on his cock.

There was just him.

And there was just....

....her.

****

Emma reveled in pleasuring him. His breathless words, though a little crass were music to hear ears. She knew he was loving every minute of it. From the shift and buck of his hips, to his breathing, to his hands in her hair, pulling her further down his rock hard cock.

She moaned and sighed, slurping and sucking, her tongue never stopping. She bathed him with her mouth. Tickled and lapped and swirled her tongue around until she was tracing every bulging vein, inhaling his scent and teasing the velvety flesh with all that she had. It took every ounce of control not to pull away and press her slick hot cunt to his cock. She ached for him. Her womb tightening and quivering as pleasure pooled low in her gut.

She knew there would come her time. For now, she wanted to remind him just how much she wanted him, needed him, adored him. As he called out her name, she relaxed her throat, gagging only slightly as he forced himself deeper still, rhythmically taking her mouth again and again as she stroked him in tandem.

"Emma...."

Her eyes fluttered open and gazed up at him, filled with hope and love and triumph. Yes! She thought, it's me. Don't forget it.

More salty pre-cum washed over her tongue and she swallowed it, tasting him, craving more as she sucked that little bit harder and moaned again. hose beautiful eyes begged for more as she cupped his balls, urging him to empty himself. To lose himself for her.

****

Hansen's mind had never been so blank, not even during the time of his "conversion", when they'd fucked with his brain....his head....him.

Now all that he could feel was Emma's mouth on him, her hair in his hands, her lips sliding up and down his slick shaft. She was his, but for the moment she was his to use. He could feel his cock twitching, his balls tightening in her soft hand, the moist warm softness of her tongue and mouth bringing him to the point where he didn't have control.

Control.

He craved control. He needed control. Without control, there was no Hansen. At what point would this cause....

No.

He had to forget that.

He had to focus on the girl between his legs, his cock in her mouth. She was looking up at him, her eyes pleading as she sucked.

Let go, Liam. Just let go....

She dipped down again and this time he bucked harder and drove his cock further, pressing on the back of her throat. She was Emma, but she was his. He took what he needed and for the moment, this was what he needed.

His fingers grabbed her hair tighter and again he pushed deeper, feeling the heightening of the familiar tingle at the base of his shaft. Her lips pressed to his belly as he drove harder. He could felt the precum and saliva ringing her lips as they touched his body.

You're fucking her mouth, Hansen.

There was no malice. No overt desire to cause discomfort.

He just wanted what he wanted and he was taking it. She would have to know him, who he was, whathe was. This was no normal courtship, this was raw....needy....basic....visceral.

He drove into her mouth again, fingers twined in her long hair. The longing in his body was unbearable now. He tightened his grip and pulled her down further, clutching her head to his groin for one final thrust.

"Emma," he gasped, "I'm cumming."

He felt his seed explode from him, like a dam wall breaking, shooting a stream of warm cum into her mouth. He pulled back slightly, not wanting to hurt her, but also to give himself room. The cum seemed endless until finally he could thrust again to into her mouth, releasing himself into her, unloading everything.

He groaned as he came, wave after wave of his seed flooding her mouth.

"Emma...."

His grip loosened slightly, but still he came, not satisfied, not emptied. Smaller thrusts, no less urgent, but gentler now. The cum spurting from him, coating her mouth and throat, bringing relief.

His body relaxed as the last of his cum was sucked into her mouth. He lay his head back, his hands loosely in her hair now and his breathing slowly returned to normal.

He said nothing.

If Hansen had been a different type of man, he would have sighed, content and warm. Hansen wasn't that man. He couldn't remember ever feeling content and warm. He laid back and looked at the ceiling, his cock in her warm mouth.

Emma.

One day.

Content and warm.

He was silent.

One day.

Content.

One day....

****

Tears streamed down Emma's face. She hadn't minded as he stole her breath and gagged her with his driving cock. It had excited her to feel his strength and passion, but now she gulped in air and wiped her mouth clean, swiping at the tears and slowly sitting up.

She watched him regain his composure, admiring the way his chest rose and fell and slowly crawled up his body. She straddled his belly and pressed her hands on either side of his head, blocking his view of the ceiling. His eyes were still glazed as they met her pretty brown eyes.

"Stay with me." She urged softly, moving slowly to the side and pressing her lips to his neck and jaw. Her soft breasts pressed to his chest, her hands warm and soft as they caressed whatever flesh she could reach, needing more.

"Liam." She breathed against his ear, nipping at his ear lobe and then soothing it with her tongue. "We're not done yet..."

****

Hansen lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling quietly, only his slightly laboured breathing betraying the activity of the previous moments. He slowly returned to his resting state, staring, not thinking of anything in particular. His mind was like a movie reel at the end of playing....flickers, disjointed scenes, dancing lights.

He felt Emma stir at his feet and then she started to slide up his body. He kept looking at the ceiling, feeling her crawl over him, his skin still warm and flushed from his orgasm. She spread her legs and then crawled in small movements, her knees and hands on either side of him. She moved slowly and he relished the feel of her soft thighs on the outside of his legs and hips. Sometimes she dipped a little lower and her nipples trailed on him, firstly his belly and then his chest. He kept looking at the ceiling....

Emma's face slid in front of him, blocking his view. Her eyes were like pools of molten chocolate, warm and moist.

Emma then pressed her mouth to his ear, her breath warm. She took a small nip at the lobe and then ran her tongue around the same spot. He felt a stirring again in his groin. Her hands were all over him, soft small hands, but adept at making him feel alive. He raised one of his arms and wrapped it around her waist, pulling her closer to him, the evidence of his pleasure pressed firmly between them.

He felt her inhale gently.

His cock twitched at her words, his shaft running like a thick rod along the valley of her moist lips as she leaned over him.

He swallowed and nodded, still looking up the ceiling, one arm behind his head, the other on her rear, pulling her still tighter onto his hardness. He reveled in her attention to his body, her kisses, the movement of her hands, the way her warm mound molded around his shaft. She could stimulate him just by being her, in small, but effective ways.

"No," he said, his voice just a whisper, but still firm and masculine. "I guess we're not done yet."

This woman.

Emma.

He had a lot to do. They had a lot to do. He shrugged his shoulders imperceptibly as she kissed his neck and chest. For now, he could fuck.

Wanton.

Uninhibited.

Dirty.

Sweaty.

Fuck.

Tomorrow was tomorrow. Now was....

....for fucking.

He gathered his thoughts, enjoying feeling her weight on him and he bucked his hips gently, sliding his hard cock along those moist lips, the promise of warm pleasure just beyond them.

Warm, wet pleasure.

Fucking....

Sometimes it was for the best. It felt right.

Hansen smirked as she continued to kiss him gently, her hair trailing along his chest and her hands roaming over him.

And I always do what's right.

Well not always. Hehehe.

You? Can't you see I'm making love?

Making love? Looks more like animals rutting to me. Your usual style.

Hansen closed his eyes. He didn't need this now, he didn't need him. He tried to focus on Emma's kisses, her lips and her hands....

Trying to ignore me, eh? It won't work.

He shut his eyes tighter, like a child ignoring the boogeyman.

Yes.

You can't. I'm always here. Even when you're making love....or fucking. Hehehe.

Yes....no.

Hansen opened his eyes and sighed.

I'm making love. I love her.

Looked like fucking to me. She saw a bit more of the real you this time, didn't she?

Hansen shook his head slightly. He didn't want to alarm Emma, nor did he want her to stop. His cock was nestled in her warm folds and it was twitching at almost every kiss and touch of her lips on his chest. What she was doing was so good....so good.

No.

Yes. The real you. The one Bonnie and Laura know. The you that....fucks. Controls. Hurts....

No.

You nearly choked the poor girl. Lucky that was all you did. Controlled yourself. Just....

No.

Lucky for her. The scientist wouldn't be accustomed to....that.

Emma had now moved back up a little and was kissing him under his chin and his cock was at its hardest. He shifted his hips slightly, easing his cock back along her slick lips, towards the destination that would give him pleasure and force the Voice from his mind, from between them.

No.

Bonnie and Laura know what you really are. You hurt them.

They got over it.

Oh, dear Liam, I don't mean emotionally, I mean physically. You hurt them, you liked to hurt them.

No.

Yes.

But they....want me.

Funny, isn't it?

I can't have hurt them much, otherwise....

Otherwise what?

They wouldn't want me.

Oh, but they do, Liam. They do.

Me hurting them? No....

Liam, Liam, Liam....always the last to know.

No....

Be a good boy, Liam and let's not hurt the good scientist much. We need her for now. Later....well....

He heard the laughter and mocking in the Voice's words.

Fuck off.

He thought of Bonnie and Laura....hurting them....fucking them....

No! It's Emma on me.

Hansen's cock had now slid down to be poised at the entrance to Emma's cunt. Pleasure awaited. Relief. Escape....

I'll let you get to it. Remember....later Liam, later you can be you....

No.

Hehehe....

Hansen pressed more forcefully on Emma's butt and pulled her towards him, at the same time raising his hips gently. His cock felt no resistance and he smoothly slid into her warm depths.

"Emma," he whispered as he rocked his hips gently and closed his eyes.

****

"OH yes!" She moaned as she felt him nudge and then smoothly slide into her more than willing body. Her sex was hot and slick and tight, gripping him wonderfully as she sat up. Her lips parted ways with his chest as she straightened and then arched, dropping her head back with a shuddering breath. He felt so dam good, filling her so sweetly.

She braced her knees, holding herself slightly off his body as he slowly retracted and then thrust his hips upwards again in a gentle, but firm mostly. Emma gasped again and let out a mewling whimper. She ached deep inside, needing release almost as desperately as he had earlier. Pleasing him, teasing, tasting...it all had her worked up to a fevered pitch and Emma needed him to finish the job.

Her body hummed, almost trembling right on top of him as she held herself up and dropped her head a little, gazing down to where their bodies met. Her smooth tummy quivered as his cock pumped up into her, glistening with her own juices as he parted her pussy lips and took her. His fingers slid up to grip her hips and Emma moaned again. A slow sexy smile spread over her lips as she sank down fully and and met his thrust with her own rocking hips.

"Liam." She sighed, riding him with ease as her fingers slid over his chest and pressed, supporting her upper body. Her beautiful bare breasts gently bouncing as she worked herself over him. "Yeeeesssss..."

She was so close already, standing on the brink and ready to fly off. Leaning forward, she pressed her tits to his chest and nipped at his skin. "More...please...more!" She pleaded, "You're making me burn...I ache for you." She whispered.

Her face was close, her breaths against his neck as she tried to get closer, grinding her hips against his own. "I love you...."

****

Emma was impaled on his cock, rocking in ecstasy, his hands on her hips. Her movements were desperate, wanton and he steadied her, keeping her there as he bucked, pushing his cock deep into her.

She leaned forward, her breasts sandwiched between them. Her face was close to his now, her breathing labored. There was no shame in her desire and that's what he wanted. She voiced her need, making it tangible and it drove him, making her climax the only thought his mind could sustain. Words, she was talking to him, moaning, almost screaming, but he made out nothing. His cock was pounding into her, her folds spread over his shaft, wet with her juices. Uppermost in his mind was her and her pleasure. He feared their bodies would morph into one, their grinding forcing an almost unbearable heat between them.

He felt her hot breath on his neck and her hot cunt on his cock. It was heat. It was animal. It was lust.

Raw fucking. The way Hansen had always liked it.

Instinctive.

Visceral

Dirty.

Base.

A good woman screaming for more when she had never felt that urge before. For Hansen there was no dirty sex. It was, after all, about exchanging body fluids, heat, sweat. Fucking. That's what it was.

Fucking.

He continued to drive himself into her, just as she also bucked over him, his cock reaching into her warm depths. Her juices were now making their nexus wet and warm and he slid his finger down there, probing for her clitoris. It was mashed against his pelvis, but he managed to give it a soft rub. His finger was slick with their essence and he ran his finger over her clit, no resistance, no friction, just....sliding.




Shackled Ch. 21



Her mouth was at his neck now, her warm breath trailing along his shoulder. Her body was totally supported by his now, but that was barely felt. All he could feel was her warm depths, her lips on his neck, her bare cheek in his hand, her clit....

If he hadn't been so submerged in the depths of passion, in the urge to make her orgasm and bring forth his own repeat climax, then he may have paused.

I love you.

Still he allowed her to ride him, making sure that his shaft, his pelvis and his finger all assaulted her clit while his cock pushed further, deeper, into her. His urgency was such, he feared he would split her.

I love you.

He closed his eyes, his ass cheeks clenched as he bucked.

Why did she have to say that....now?

Even in the throes of almost orgasming, he had to shake his head to clear his mind, focus on their fucking, focus on Emma.

Time for that later.

"Emma," he said hoarsely, "fuck me, Emma....just....fuck....me."

He took his hand from her butt cheek and ran it up her flushed back to her hair, gently pulling her head up so that he could kiss her. His pumping into her was rhythmical now, trying to push her to the edge. He kissed her lips softly, their breath going from one to the other.

I love you.

"Cum for me Emma, when you're ready, cum for me, dear...."

He pressed his mouth to hers, his tongue searching, no shy exploration, plunging in, taking, demanding.

I love you.

****

Emma shuddered and creamed all over him. She was so hot, so slick and he was like hot steel filling her over and over again. His body was tense and harder, pushing into her. Fucking her, taking her, making her his over and over and she couldn't seem to get enough.

It was all she could do to remember to breath as their bodies slid against each other, wet with perspiration making their skin slide and slap almost lewdly. She was fucking him, but it was so much more. Her fingers tightened on his shoulders as her body strained and the pleasure built, making her ache, making her whimper out and gasp.

His fingers drew out soft cries and louder gasps as he toyed with her sensitive clit and grasped at her tight ass, but she rocked against him and tightened herself around his body, it was the feel of his soft kisses that were undoing. He didn't have to say the words because Emma read his feelings. Her breaths shuddered out and her cries filled the air as her body convulsed then and there. Her nails sank into his flesh as he sucked in her tongue and her pussy clamped down on his pumping cock.

Her scream became muffled by his mouth as she jerked and writhed against him. "Fuck yes!" She moaned, clinging and holding, feeling his light touch tighten again as his own body took her release and exploded with her own. She felt the hot gush of his cum filling her, bathing her walls with his hot sticky cum and completing their union.

Boneless, she sank against him, dazed and panting, her damp and clinging to both of their bodies as she rested her head against his shoulder and felt the mad beating of his own heart against hers.

****

Hansen felt her urgency, her body shuddering with the impending release. He bucked his hips, pumping his cock into her as far as he could, feeling the heat and her slick juice covering him. She slid on him, sweat between them, heat, lust....

Fucking.

He pushed deep into her, his hand between them, covered in her essence, his finger rubbing her clit and she moaned into his mouth, their tongues twined, searching.

He felt her contract and tighten over his cock, familiar signs and then her fingers dug into his shoulders.

He tightened his grip on her ass cheek and pushed deeper into her.

"Cum, Emma....cum..."

She whimpered into his mouth, a loud shrill release, almost a scream as her climax reached her. She tightened and he thought she would break in half as he slammed himself into her, thrusting deep as he shot a load of warm cum into her body. He thrust again sending a further shot deeper into her, taking her, marking the walls of her cunt as his.

"Fuck...."

It was all he could say as her warmth quivered over his cock, forcing further spurts of his cum into her.

Finally, they slowed and he felt her lay limp on him, spent, breathing heavily, their bodies slick with sweat from their passion. The thud of their heartbeats was almost audible, almost shaking th bed. Her head finally lay to rest on his shoulder, her hair damp.

"Fuck," he whispered. "I think we both needed that."

He lay his head back, letting her body rest on his as she recovered from their lovemaking. He ran his hand up from her butt, over her damp back and brought it the back of her head, stroking her hair.

"It'll be ok," he said. "Tomorrow is tomorrow. It'll be ok...."

I love you.

Shit.

Fuck.

Tomorrow is tomorrow.

****

She sighed softly, feeling blissfully sated as she lay against him and as their bodies cooled, she slowly slid off and pressed herself to his side. They lay sprawled near the edge of the bed, feet dangling off the edge and not caring. Tired, Emma felt herself falling asleep, thinking about his words.

It'll be okay...it had to be. It just had to be. And though he was putting up a front, she knew he was worried. Possibly even scared. She knew she was, but there was no time to fall apart.

With a yawn, she kissed his shoulder and sighed again. "Whoever wakes up first makes breakfast." She teased and nuzzled his skin and on impulse slipped a hand up to turn his face to hers, wanting to see his eyes. He hadn't said the words...he'd been the first to speak them, but not was holding back again.

"Hey...It will be okay..." She told him, "Sweet dreams Lliam..."

They could tackle their feelings later...when the world was safe and they weren't worried about death and destruction. Closing her eyes, she slipped onto her back and stretched, the rolled, turning her back to his and giving him a moment as she closed her eyes and let sleep take over.

****

Emma slept as Hansen lay beside her and looked at the ceiling. It was dark, but the illumination from the various instruments and appliances was enough for him to make out the ceiling. He had turned to lie on his back and his hands were behind his head, listening to her rhythmical breathing and feeling her body's small movements with each inhale and exhale. He hadn't felt this close to anyone new since....

Your wife.

Thank you for the reminder. I'd nearly forgotten her. Dickhead.

No need to be touchy. Though, you have been rather.... touchy tonight, hehe.

You interrupt me for that? You're slipping.

Liam, I'm here to stop you slipping.

I can see the logic in that. Talking to the voice in my head to stop me from going mad. Yeah, thanks.

So ungrateful....hehehe.

What do you want?

To help.

How?

Ideas. We can bounce off each other. I miss our adventurous life.

I'm not adventurous any more. In fact, give me some slippers, a pipe and glass of single malt and I'll be just fine thank you.

I'm sure the people at SPF Headquarters disagree.

They're such wowsers. Anyway, Voice-in-my-head, I should be sleeping, so what's your idea?

The only way to keep Blaxland distracted from looking for the nerds is to create a bigger distraction, one that will command his attention.

I talked about that already....weren't you there?

No need to be a smart ass.

Really? Fuck, I've been doing it for nearly forty years.

I've noticed.

Your idea....now....I need to sleep.

The Board.

What about them?

Blaxland answers only to them and they are the most important people. It's because of them that he's after nerd girl.

Her name's Emma.

That's what I said, nerd girl.

Fuck me.

You have plenty of other people offering that....hehe.

You keep doing this and I'm going to sleep.

Right. If something happens to a Board member, then Blaxland will certainly be directed to make that a priority.

Fuck, you're not just a pretty Voice.

I'm in your head, Hansen, how the fuck could I be pretty?

Hey....

What I was saying, was that maybe all the Board members should be your target, but you should lay off Paul Lindeman until you're ready for the final play. 

Hmmmm.....the Chairman....you mean like take them out....except him?

Yes....slowly....one at a time. Make the tension rise, make them question who will be next, but leave Lindeman, he's the big one, he's got the control.

Over Blaxland?

With Lindeman alive, Blaxland will be running around like a blue-assed fly at a shit buffet.

That's my line, mate.

Whatever. I didn't realize shit and buffet were patented words. Do you understand what I'm saying?

I do. And I'll enjoy that too. But I want Lindeman....in the end.

I know you'll enjoy that and you will get the cunt in the end. Now....it's probably best that you get some sleep.

Yes. I wish I'd thought of that.

Emma stirred beside him and Hansen slowly turned around to place his hand on her smooth hip. He felt a small stirring in his groin.

I mean it, Hansen. Sleep....

You're not a romantic?

Is that what you call it?

Hehehe....goodnight....

(I apologize for the delay in this post. Real life has a way of knocking us down sometimes. Still appreciate all the feedback!)