Alicia Tarot can type 100 WPM (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} oftheblackrose) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} valarlogs,@ 2013-04-19 13:46:00 |
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What: Tarot was kidnapped, the others go get her
When: 4/14
Where: A Cerebus auction house
Rating: R. Trigger warnings for human trafficking and mentions of molestation and torture
Status: complete
Kitty had met Neena and Nate at a prearranged location. She had her serious face on, her mask firmly in place, and it seemed her katana had become a permanent part of her outfit. She had to keep cool, had to keep calm. She wasn’t going to lose anyone else ever again to these bastards. She sat in the back seat, sword across her lap, and tried every trick she’d ever learned from Logan and Obi-wan to center herself.
She mostly succeeded.
Neena showed up in her uniform wearing the mask Kitty had given her. She’d given Nate the information she had, and he was as ready as he could be made. She had a full complement of weapons now, knives, a pair of tonfas, and of course enough guns to make an action hero jealous. She was serious as she got out of the truck, checking her equipment again.
Nate wore an outfit of black, all black, even his hands invisible behind gloves that left only fingertips, but not pads, free. nunchucks were strapped to one arm, throwing knives to the other, and his psimitar across his back. Along with a handful of other gimmicks, he had a pistol strapped to one hip and the energy blaster strapped to the other. He hugged Neena, and then Kitty, and then nodded.
“Let’s go kick some ass.” He handed two sound-diminishing earbud to the other two, an expensive buy that was apparently available these days on the internet. Weird shit, man. Then he handed over homemade screamers to each. “For some shock and awe.” These were followed by a handful of smoke pellets he had bought from the joke shop.
Kitty wasn’t going to argue about Nate’s help. Part of her didn’t like putting a kid at risk, but he was a lot more than a kid, and Neena seemed okay with it, so she wasn’t going to argue. She looked at the building, counting the entrances. “Two entrances. Who wants to take the back?”
Neena snorted, but composed herself after a second. “I’ll go around the back. You and Nate go through the front. I’ll herd them toward you, you guys take ‘em out.” She checked her rifle again, and had to concentrate to avoiding checking everything over one last time.
“Sounds good to me. Kitty goes in front, and I’ll be behind her, since my height means I can throw things though her legs and around her without being in danger of hitting her arms.” He nodded, then turned to Kitty. “Let’s dance, Shadowcat.”
Kitty darted towards the door, drawing her sword with her right, and popping the bone claw with her left. She kicked open the door, intending to use an intimidation tactic.
Inside, about a dozen men were gathered. Alicia was strussed up, gagged and naked. There were bruises on her body, and her skin was sticky.
The bidding appeared to be in the 5 digits.
Kitty's knuckles were white around her sword as her calm evaporated.
Neena found a different scene when she went in the back. Alicia wasn’t the only girl up for grabs tonight. She took out the guards and released the girls (Who were happy to contribute their bonds to keep the guards tied up). She hoped these were the only ones in the building, but she didn’t take the time to check. She got behind the crowd of people outside the bidding hall and fired her rifle into the air. For supporters of terrorists they reacted pretty quickly to avoid violence.
The guards that raced toward her got a smirk before the fight began.
Alicia was beyond tears at this point. She felt sluggish and dull, probably thanks to the drugs in her system. She tried to pull out of her restraints, but there was no real hope in the motion. She was certain she would die, or worse.
Slashing at the backs of kneecaps and hamstrings as he went, Nate darted past the guards toward Alicia, and clapped headphones over her ears before tossing out two screamers, sending high pitched and loud noise shooting through the room to disorient the enemy.
Then a knife was out and he was cutting at her bonds. He Looked Alicia in the eyes as he did so, offering her a warm smile.
Kitty’s foot connected with the nearest man’s balls as she slammed into him. She twisted on him by her heel, her other foot finding the nearest throat. She moved through and around people, keeping her attacks as non-lethal as possible as she tried to subdue as many as she could. She wouldn’t give into her anger. She wouldn’t, not again.
She caught up to what seemed like the mastermind of this whole thing, and leveled her sword at his balls. “I have some questions, and if you don’t want to be a eunuch you’ll answer them. Who do you work for?”
“Like that ever worked.” The man, one Artiro De Deniablio, spat at her and snapped his hands, and twin blades slid out and crossed in front of her blade as he twisted aside. “Seriously, sister? Have you no pride? Those colors and that attitude? Ew.” He sneered. “You get nothing. Not until you learn some fashion sense.”
Nate blinked and glanced back at them as he cut Alicia loose, wondering what the hell he had walked into.
Alicia held on to Nate, extremely embarrassed to be saved by a kid a third her age while completely naked and dirty. She wobbled as she tried to walk, unsteady on her feet.
Neena had a nice little group of guards around her, and she was having fun keeping them on their toes. Now and then she’d shoot at a straggler to keep him in line. “Hope you’re wrapping up, soon.” Running from so many people without losing any of them was harder than it looked.
“What, you don’t like black?” Kitty jabbed with her left claw, spinning around and bringing her sword in for a fake left slash. She was losing patience already, which meant she could make a mistake if she didn’t reel herself in. “Who the hell is Jason? What does that stand for? I want the man who shot down Japan Air 977!” And as a bonus, the man who took Alicia, who she assumed was this guy.
Artiro smirked and danced, slapping her claw and her sword aside, or trying to. He thought himself very good at swords, but he was just a minion. “Jason? Who called themselves Jason anymore? Sounds like some brute of a man who has no style either, like you.”
He pivoted back to try to kick her sword hand.
Kitty let his foot pass right through her hand as she darted forward. She passed straight through him, turning and whirling her foot around in a roundhouse kick to the head.
He dodged, barely, and felt himself go over backward as her foot connected to his shoulder, sending him reeling. he slashed out toward her belt area with his blade as he grabbed at her foot and tried to push her away.
She phased quickly enough to avoid her foot being grabbed but not fast enough to avoid the sting across her stomach as he opened up a gash. She fell back, rolling to her feet and flinging stars at the man.
Off-balance, he fell back, getting hit by the stars, but padding keeping all but one from cutting deep. He swore, voice going high as he hurled a knife at Kitty. “Who the hell are you?”
Nate was fighting to support Alicia’s weight as he moved her toward the door, and smiling a little. “Don’t worry, ma’am, I’ll get you a robe when we get to the car. Should be some spare clothes in the back.”
“Shadowcat,” Kitty said, rolling forward to punch him in the gut. She darted to the side, her eyes narrowing. “Did you touch her.”
Neena eyed the fight at the other end of the hall, while taking out the leader of the pack of men following her. He didn’t need two kneecaps. Nate, tell Kitty to stop playing around. She just wanted this nonsense to be done with, they had the girl, they needed to either kill or capture this guy and leave.
Artiro cackled. “Touch her? Why dear, who do yo think stripped her?” He laughed, then a high shrill sound as he swung his sword up to back her, and snarled. He tried to lunge at her as she darted sideways.
Nate swung around at the door, supporting Alicia. “Let’s scram!” Then he kicked the door open to get out with her.
Kitty actually snarled, spinning around as she dodged, her sword nicking between the man’s legs, slashing into his thigh, then coming around and smacking him in the back of the head with the flat of the blade. She started to run towards the door.
When Kitty and Nate got out the door, they were met with an interesting sight. Hundreds of guards were outside, obviously set up to ambush the door. Instead, they were fighting a massive force comprised of men in black shouting at each other in Japanese. The loudest voice would be quite familiar to Kitty. It was pure luck that Iroh chose that night to strike out at this place. It was bought with Ozai’s money, and would be destroyed, like all of Ozai’s works.
Neena rushed out the other door, watching the fight from a different angle. She pressed her communicator. “Is this a ninja versus terrorist fight?”
Alicia held on to Nate, still pretty out of it. “What’s going on?”
"Nothing important to us. Come on. The car's this way. " He hurled a knife into the knee if an outlier, moving Alicia toward the car and gently depositing her there.
Once she was secured, he pulled his energy weapon and started laying down cover fire.
“The other girls will be taken care of,” Kitty said. “Lets get Alicia to safety, they can have their new choir boy.” She slipped into the driver’s seat. “Cable! Neena! Get in here!”
Neena raced for her truck. Go with Kitty, I’ll hang back and make sure nobody’s following you. And remind her not to use my goddamn name next time, please.
Alicia buckled herself into the back seat. Well, she tried, anyway. Her hands didn’t want to work right, she didn’t know if it was the drugs or shock.
Nate slipped back in and nodded to Kitty, thinking at her. I’m in. And don’t use Neena’s name. She’s Domino in the field, remember? Move out. She’s bringing up the rear. And he gently buckled Alicia in as he settled next to her.
“It’ll be okay, I promise.” And he thought to Neena. Be careful. And if you need help, call me. I’ll send help.
“Damn it.” Kitty winced. She’d forgotten, and that was just bad. She stepped on the gas, and tore down the road. Let the criminals fuck each other over. “How is she?” She looked in the mirror at Alicia.
“She’s fine.” Alicia noted, her tone a little dry. “I was promised blankets.” She was really, really cold.
Neena kept her eyes open for anyone following Kitty, and herself, of course. After a few minutes she became satisfied nobody was following either of them, and turned off to get waffles. She’d check on the rest of the team later.
Nate sighed and dug into the back seat's items and found two blankets, helping Alicia to put them around her, giving her at least that much cover and warmth. We’re clear. Neena’s off to get waffles. You can drop me at mom’s if you want some time to snuggle and be close to Alicia. He smiled to Alicia.
“Thanks so much..I mean that,” Kitty said, keeping her eyes on the road now. Her knuckles were white on the wheel, and her stomach hurt like a bitch. She hadn’t even stopped to check how bad it was. She glanced down, and breathed a sigh of relief. Was about as deep as a paper cut and just as painful.
Alicia’s shivering slowed, and she relaxed a little. “Are you two hurt?”
Nate tensed, feeling that moment of worry, and then relief, and nodded. “I’m okay. Never even got hurt. Do you have any cuts or abrasions other than what I could see while ah, trying not to look?” His cheeks reddened a little.
Kitty did, and didn’t, want to ask what had happened, what they’d done to her, so she was glad that Nate was opening that line of inquiry. “Just a gash, nothing serious.” She touched her stomach. There was blood, but she could worry about it later. “Shallow.”
Alicia nodded, but didn’t remove the blanket. “After we get home and cleaned up.” She didn’t want to be examined like this. She felt extremely dirty.
“Of course. I’m sure Kitty has a medkit.” He glanced at both of them, and nodded. “And Faiza on speed dial.”
“Yes to both,” Kitty said, as she turned onto her street. Her hands were shaking now, and she was going over things in her head to figure out what had led to this, and how much of it was her fault.
“Okay. Who’s Faiza?” It sounded like a name, and Alicia didn’t want a lot of people poking at her.
“She’s a doctor,” Kitty explained. “A mutant, like me and Nate. She can heal just about any injury.”
Nate nodded. “She’s kind, and discrete, and she doesn’t make you feel like a piece of meat.” He shivered. “If someone needs to check on you, she is the one to go to.” He glanced around, then nodded. “I’ll help get you inside.”
Alicia nodded, wrapping up in the blanket. “The drugs are making it harder to think.” She worried they’d used something really bad, but there was nothing she could do about it at this point. She was pretty sure she wouldn’t have an addiction to anything from one dose.
Kitty parked close to the door, and got out. She ran to unlock it, glad the twins were at a sleepover. She didn’t need to do any more explaining about something like this than she thought was necessary. She owed Nate so much...she didn’t really have the words to express them.
“Understandable. Just lean on me.” Nate unbuckled Alicia and then helped her, blankets and all, stagger to and into the house. He was strong for his size, having had to learn these things. And he got her to the couch to start, doing his best to settle her to it. “Not sure where you want to be later, but this should be good for now. Would you like some water?”
“Yeah, water would be nice.” Alicia curled up on the couch for a minute, still trying to get her bearings.
Kitty hovered near the couch with a medkit, staring at Alicia, trying to keep her expression neutral. “Let...Let me take a look, okay?” I’m so so so sorry, Alicia... “They ...did they...”
Alicia shook her head, just once. “No. They were running late. I was running late. I went out to get dinner for mom and I, but it was way after I normally go out. I got pulled into a van, and they talked about it, the things they would do to me if they had the time.” She shuddered.
Nate had gone for the water, and ended up getting water for both of them, coming back with the two glasses. He set the one for Kitty down and then brought the second to Alicia. “Do you want me to help you, or can you drink on your own?” He knew shock could make hands very shaky.
Nate pinned Kitty with a glance. “Drink your water.” You can let it out here, you know. You’re among friends.
Kitty exhaled unsteadily and took a seat next to Alicia. “Let me get a look at you...I’ve got a kit.” She knew she sounded lame, but she didn’t really care, she wanted to tend her lover. She’d nearly lost Alicia and she realized it would have devestated her all over again. She didn’t think she could have taken another blow like that.
Alicia nodded, loosening the blankets so Kitty could look her over. “I’m more shakey than anything else.”Her wrists and ankles hurt from the bonds, and her mouth as well. She had a lot of scrapes and what would soon be bruises, especially on her breasts and ass.
Gritting her teeth, Kitty treated the worst of the scrapes. There wasn’t much she could do about the bruises, but she wished she’d been more lethal now. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Nate had stepped away to the kitchen, intercepting a curious Illyana and whispering to her, then sending her back into her room. He sighed as he washed his hands and his face. Time for him to go.
Neena honked her horn, so they wouldn’t freak out when she hopped out and knocked on the door. You like waffles still, right? She asked Nate, as she went to the door.
Alicia kissed Kitty’s cheek. “Shhh, it’ll be okay.” She hugged Kitty tightly. “You came and rescued me.”
Kitty wrapped her arms around Alicia and hugged her tight. “I should be the one comforting you!” She laughed softly. “I was ready to commit murder.”
Nate smiled. Yeah. Coming.
He glanced back at the two and smiled, scrawling a note quickly to them, and then heading out, quietly,
He slipped out and met Neena. “Come on, let’s go.”
Neena smiled at him, ruffling his hair. “I got you dinner, since you helped us out. I’ll take you home.”
Alicia snuggled against Kitty, holding her tight. “I’m glad you didn’t. I know it would eat you up.” She kissed Kitty softly. “I want to call my mom and take a shower, do you mind if I borrow your phone?”
..thanks Nate. Really. Kitty sent after Nate. “Yeah, anytime.” she pulled away to get her phone, her hand stroking down Alicia’s cheek.
Alicia got up, mostly stable on her feet, now. She kept the blanket firmly wrapped around her body, following Kitty like a lost lamb after her shepherd. She hoped her mom was okay.
Kitty walked into the kitchen, turning her cell phone on and handing it over. She came over and wrapped her arms around Alicia while the woman made her call.
Alicia snuggled into Kitty as she called her mom, sighing in relief when Rowan answered. They had a brief phone conversation, during which Alicia lied to her mother and said she’d run into Kitty during the shopping trip and forgotten about dinner. After a couple minutes of apologizing, Alicia hung up and called a pizza place to deliver to her mom’s house. “She’s pretty mad, but it’s better than the alternative.” Alicia looked a little sheepish. “I’ll go clean up. I should keep some spare clothes here.”
She nodded. “Yeah, that’s a good idea.” She needed to figure out how to introduce the woman to everyone. Really introduce her. She was still terrified the twins would hate her. Chewing her lip, Kitty let Alicia back to her room. “Don’t have much that’ll fit you, but I think there’s an old stretched out t-shirt...”
“It’ll do for now.” Alicia followed, going slowly. “Even a slightly bigger blanket would work, I guess. I’ll have Mr. Dresden pick me up if you don’t have a car.”
“I can take you home in my truck.” Kitty wanted to hold onto her forever. She located the shirt, an old one with the classic TMNT logo on it. She also found stretchy pants.
Alicia took the clothes gratefully and went to shower, equally grateful for that. She hated the fact that she’d been used against Kitty, that she’d been captured. She spent a long time in the shower, letting herself feel shitty about the evening.
Kitty curled up on her bed, allowing herself a good cry, and some angry, angry nashing. No matter what Alicia said, she was going to blame herself.
Alicia finished cleaning up and went into the bedroom, gasping when she saw Kitty crying. “Oh, Kitty.” She sat on the bed next to Kitty, pulling her into a hug.
"Damn...damn..." Kitty wiped at her eyes. She'd meant to be done before Alicia got finished showering. "I didn't mean to...I just....I...I was so worried."
Alicia stroked her shoulders, holding her tight. “I’m sorry I got caught. I was stupid, I should have gone when it was light. I would have seen them, I could have fought.” She felt terrible about it all.
“I should know better. People are care about get in danger when I do things, but I can’t...stop myself. I don’t know how.”
“I knew that, I should have been more careful. I don’t want to be another reason you feel like crap about life.” Alicia kissed her forehead softly.
“It shouldn’t be something you’d have to worry about.” Kitty looked into Alicia’s eyes. “I like you a lot, Alicia. Too much. Way too much. This just makes me realize that.”
Alicia frowned. “So what are you going to do?” This wasn’t going good places, but she wouldn’t push it. Kitty had to deal with her issues in her own way.
“I don’t know. Try to be less stupid. I’m selfish that way.” she smiled ruefully. “I don’t want to let you go.”
“Good.” Alicia kissed her, softly. “On both counts. Thank you for being my hero.”
“I..I....” Kitty clammed up, kissing her back instead of saying what she was going to say.
Alicia kissed her neck softly. “Can I spend the night here? I don’t want to sleep alone.” It wasn’t a come on, she was pretty shaken, and still in shock.
“Yes. Of course.” Kitty was relieved she wasn’t pressed. “Kids are at a friend’s house anyway, so there won’t be any awkward ...moments.”
“Okay. Thank you. I owe you so much, Kitty.” Alicia held on to her, resting her head on Kitty’s shoulder. “I was so afraid. I was being auctioned off, buyers groped me for an hour beforehand, they put their hands everywhere.” She shuddered, closing her eyes tight. “I’ve never been so humiliated.”
Kitty gritted her teeth and struggled to control her anger. She hugged Alicia against her. “I should have cut off all their hands.”
“It wouldn’t make them less evil.” Alicia noted, taking a deep breath. “They weren’t looking for private companions, they were there to buy women like cattle. I watched at least twenty other women endure the same thing.”
She grimaced. “I’ll have to end a message to someone to see if the other woman were freed....” Just because she’d gone after Alicia didn’t mean she hadn’t wanted to free the other women. “I experienced something a bit like that once. Last year. May or June I think. A friend and I got grabbed, and wound up in a shipping container full of women.”
“What happened?” Alicia asked, hoping Kitty hadn’t been abused, but nearly certain she had.
“I could have phased out of the situation at any time, but not without risking my friend,” she explained. “They wanted her as her father owed some debts, or something. First chance I took, I phased us into the ship, and we hid out for a couple of days until some friends of mine came to the rescue.”
“I’m glad your friends came to help you out.” Alicia let go of Kitty, pushing her hair back over her shoulders. She took her towel off and wrapped her hair in it, before laying down. Her body ached too much to stay sitting.
Kitty laided down next to her. “Get some rest. You’re gonna be sore in the morning, but I have some icey hot that’ll help with that.”
Alicia nodded, sliding under the blankets. “Thank you. I’m lucky to have you in my life, Kitty.” She stroked Kitty’s hair softly. More snuggling would be nice, but she didn’t want to seem too clingy.
Wrapping Alicia up in her arms, Kitty solved that dilemma for her. “I’ll only let go when you want me to, honey.” She pulled the woman against her. She could cry if she needed.
It took a few minutes for Alicia to truly relax. Kitty’s warmth helped, in her arms Alicia felt safe. She sniffled at first, then progressed to actual crying. She couldn’t stop feeling their hands on her, she heard their delight as she cried out in pain when they scratched and hit her. Apparently she made the kind of noises sadists liked to hear, and she got a lot of comments on how much she jiggled. It was humiliating, she still felt dirty after that long shower.
Kitty rubbed at Alicia’s back, and kissed the side of her face. She was angry, and upset, and had no one to take it out on. Some of it was selfish, but most of it wasn’t. She wanted Alicia to stop hurting, and to stop feeling dirty. She was a woman that had been so comfortable with her sexuality that it felt wrong.
Eventually Alicia exhausted herself, and just snuggled as close to Kitty as she could. She didn’t have anything to say, she just wanted to stay and be held.
Kitty held her until they were both fast asleep.