"How long does he think he has been here, Missstresss?"

"Three weeks, Argus… give or take. He has lost track of time since he had been drugged at first. He will ask and three weeks is what he will be told. He will awaken soon and, thanks to this vial of venom, will be out of commission and totally dependent on my generosity for another week. That will convince him that no one is looking for him even if he didn’t believe my little video production of before."

"Do you think he did not believe his ship was destroyed?"

Angel looked at Argus. "He is very strong-willed Argus. He does not wish to believe that there is no hope of rescue. Being here a month will convince him otherwise. He will serve me well."

"Yes Missstresss."

Angel looked up at her companion. "Argus. Don’t worry so. We aren’t even in the same planetary system where we found him. No one is going to find this one. He will be with us for a very long time."

"When will you awaken him, Missstresss?"

"He will be ready in a few hours."

"You can build the memories of a month in less than one day?"

"Yes Argus… all that and more. This slave will have lived through all the horrors of becoming a true slave and losing his identity all in less than a day. The memory of this time will seem more real to him than the rest of his miserable life. I am building his memories, complete with sight, sound and feelings."

Angel stood and began pacing. She stopped and looked at Argus. "I can even erase his past completely, Argus."

Argus was stunned. "What do you mean Missstresss?"

"I can build him a new life, Argus. I have finally figured it out. I can make him forget everything but serving me."

"Is this what you are going to do to this hu-man?"

Angel looked at her prisoner lying immobilized on the table in front of her. She reached out and ran her hand across his chest. "I was going to erase his memories. When this began I thought it would be for the best but now I’m not so sure." Angel looked back toward Argus. "I want him to know he had a life before this place. I want him to live with the knowledge that I bested him."

"Yes Missstresss."

"You don’t approve of my plans, Argus?"

Argus backed away slightly. "It is not my place to disapprove of your plans, Missstresss. Your decisions are final here."

"Just be sure you remember your place here Argus."

"Yes Missstresss… alwaysss."

"He is finally mine, Argus. Now leave us. He will awaken soon and I want him to see only me. He will know that he is wholly dependent on me while he is still incapacitated from the poisons."

"Yes Missstresss." Argus backed out of the room and closed the door quietly.

Angel reached behind her and pulled out a hypo spray. She administered it to Dylan and waited. It didn’t take long for the drugs to work and Dylan to begin to awaken. He stirred in her arms and his eyelids fluttered. She crooned to him as she wiped his fevered brow. He groaned and his eyes opened.

Dylan tensed as if to rise and Angel bent over his prone form. "Don’t try to move, Slave. La petite morte did quite a job on you. The paralysis is only temporary but the more you try to move around the more pain you will experience."

Dylan merely looked at her. He couldn’t speak and his panic showed in his blue eyes.

"It’s okay Slave. The venom of the scorpions has also paralyzed your vocal chords. It too will wear off in time. Just get some rest." She sponged his forehead once again and it was then that Dylan realized how hot he felt. His body shivered involuntarily and Angel smiled down at him. "You are quite feverish from the poison of the scorpions. This too shall pass."

Dylan wanted nothing more than to get up and leave Angel’s presence. She sickened him. The hatred shined in his eyes as Angel gazed at him. She smiled sadly down at him. "You hate me, don’t you? You will learn that I only have your best interests at heart. You now belong to me and you know what awaits you outside this place. You will learn to respect me, Slave… and who knows… you may even learn to enjoy my company."

Dylan closed his eyes in response. Angel chuckled softly. "We’ll see, my pet. We’ll see."

It was another whole day before Dylan began to get his voice back. It was just a whisper at first, a barely-there ghost of a sound that cost him dearly in precious energy to try to use. He was weak, he slept a lot… and when he was awake Angel was by his side, tending to him. Sure, Argus brought her supplies but it was Angel who nursed Dylan’s ravaged body back to health. He wondered about it until Angel noticed his confusion and explained everything to him.

"I want you to know just how completely you belong to me, Slave. I alone am allowed to touch you… in any and every way I choose. I decide if you eat, if you sleep. You are my possession. I am merely taking care of my investment. I have put a lot of time and effort into your training, Slave. I want to be sure you recover from this and are fully able to serve in my compound."

Dylan looked at her with distrust in his eyes. He struggled to put his thoughts into words. It was still so draining for him to speak. "How…?" He could barely squeak out a strained whisper. "How long?"

"How long?" Angel repeated his question as if she didn’t understand what he was trying to ask when in fact she had been anticipating this very question. "How long, Slave? You mean how long have you been here… with us?"

Dylan nodded weakly.

"Let’s see." Angel pretended to think about her answer. "Three weeks… almost four. In another two days it will have been four weeks since I brought you here… a month. But it really doesn’t matter, does it? Your ship was destroyed. There is no one to come here for you. You will spend the rest of your days here with me."

Dylan closed his eyes to shut her out. He still was unable to move and this was his only escape. He kept his eyes closed until he heard the door to the chamber open and then close quietly. He opened his eye, blinking at the sudden moisture accumulated there. Presently he slept.

***

"Dylan?"

"Rommie?"

"Dylan! Where are you?"

"Rommie?" The voice was beginning to fade away. "Don’t leave me here Rommie!"

As Rommie’s voice faded away Dylan was left with the sound of Angel laughing.

***

Dylan slept and woke and always Angel was there. She meted out the scorpion venom and kept Dylan drugged… enough to lose track of the days.

"How long have I been here?"

"A month… almost five weeks. I told you that when you first woke after…"

Dylan grimaced as he tried to shift his position in the bed. "You said almost four weeks."

Angel looked at him and bent to lay her hand on his brow. She shook her head. "Slave, that was a week ago."

Dylan shook his head, wincing from the pain the slight movement caused. "No." His voice was a whisper. "It was just yesterday…"

Angel straightened up and stood looking down at Dylan with her hands on her hips. "Slave, you have been recuperating here in this bed for nearly a week. Believe me… I Should know just how long I have been tending to your… every need." She let her gaze wander up and down his body, which was covered by a thin coverlet and nothing else.

"I don’t believe you."

"Believe what you will, Slave. It really doesn’t matter. You are beginning to get some feeling and movement back. That takes at least a week of recovery time. I can get you the research to look at if it would ease your mind. Then again, you are my slave and my word is law. That should be enough for you."

Dylan looked at the ceiling. "A week… another week of my life… gone."

Angel laughed. "What’s another week, Slave? You belong to me. A week… a month… time holds no meaning for you now." Angel turned to leave. "Sleep, Slave. I want you up and about quickly. My patience is wearing thin."

As the door closed behind her Dylan whispered. "The name is Dylan."

Angel got Dylan out of bed the next day and sat him in a chair. He felt weak, worn out. He was still experiencing some numbness in his arms and legs but Angel assured him he was making remarkable progress. Dylan was unclothed under his blanket. Angel had said it made her job easier when she was tending to him. Now he asked for clothing and Angel was refusing his request.

"A Slave does not presume to be modest in front of his Mistress. You are clothed or not as I see fit. Your wishes on this matter are irrelevant."

// At least she let me keep my blanket…for today. But what about tomorrow? Rommie! Tell me it’s a lie. Tell me you are out there somewhere looking for me… //

"Rommie?" Trance waved her hands in front of the android’s face.

"Huh?" Rommie blinked and looked around. "What is it, Trance?"

"You’ve been very… distracted lately, Rommie."

"I don’t know what you mean, Trance." Rommie pretended to be studying the monitor in front of her.

"It’s only been three days, Rommie. You said you were sure he was all right. So I’m asking you, woman to woman… What’s wrong?"

Rommie turned to look at Trance. "How do you know I’m thinking about Dylan?"

"I just know."

Rommie looked skeptical then shrugged, a decidedly human gesture and Trance smiled. "Well, I’m not thinking of Dylan," Rommie lied unconvincingly. "I’m just working on the slip stream drive to see if I can get better efficiency from it."

"Oh." Trance turned to leave then looked back at Rommie. "Would you like Harper to help you with that? I hear he and Dylan were working on an upgrade for the slipstream before Dylan took his little vacation."

Rommie looked up from the monitor guiltily. "How do you do it, Trance?"

"Do what Rommie?"

"Don’t give me that innocent routine, Trance. I’m not buying it."

Trance just smiled … and waited.

Rommie glared at Trance. "You are so exasperating! Yes, I’m thinking about Dylan and about my promise to wait the seven days before we go and look for him." Rommie sighed. "Do you think he is okay Trance?"

Trance was a little worried about Dylan but there was nothing she could really put her finger on. Was he in any immediate danger? Not that was life threatening. Other than that Trance couldn’t say. Dylan was … fuzzy (for lack of a better word). "I think Dylan is on vacation. You said yourself that he needed a rest. All I know is that I get a sense of him being okay… you know, not in any great mortal danger… not sick. Where he is I just don’t know. My ‘gifts’ don’t work that way… It’s more of a hunch that I get."

"What does your hunch tell you, Trance?" Rommie knew that Trance had revealed more to her in the last couple of minutes than she had ever revealed before and she didn’t think Trance was telling her the whole truth.

"Like I said. He’s not in any danger right now." Trance suddenly brightened. "You know, I bet he’ll be back right on time. It would just be so like Dylan, wouldn’t it?" Without waiting for a reply Trance turned and left the command deck. She leaned against the bulkhead outside the command deck and closed her eyes. She had lied to Rommie. // Please be okay, Dylan. // Trance just wasn’t sure about Dylan being okay. Something was wrong… she just wasn’t sure if it was wrong enough to worry everyone on the Andromeda over.

On the command deck Rommie stared at the closed door. // What isn’t Trance telling me? And why do I have this feeling that Dylan is definitely not all right. //

When Dylan awoke next he was surprised to see Argus waiting for him.

"Good morning, Ssslave. Angel wantsss me to get you up and dressssed today. We are to meet her in the main hall."

With Argus’ help Dylan sat on the edge of the bed. He kept the blanket across his lap and looked up at Argus. "You said I could get dressed. Where are my clothes?"

Argus held up a loincloth just like the one he was wearing.

"Oh no. I want my clothes. I will not wear that thing."

Argus bent down so he was at eye level with Dylan. "Let me tell you sssomething, Ssslave. Angel is the Missstresss here. Ssshe will tell you what to wear. Ssshe will tell you if you are allowed to be clothed. If you refuse to wear thisss today, ssshe will have me deliver you to her unclothed." He dropped the loincloth on the bed next to Dylan. "Do you need help getting dressssed?"

"No, I think I can manage."

"Good." Argus stood at the door with his arms crossed over his chest.

Dylan looked at him, hopeful that he would leave him alone for a few minutes. It didn’t look promising. "Um… can I have a little privacy here?"

"No."

"Why not?" Dylan stood by the bed clutching the blanket to his naked form.

"I will not be embarrasssed by you again, Slave."

Dylan nodded. "Sorry about that Argus but I had to try."

Argus merely stood by the door. Dylan turned around and began dressing. He fumbled with the material for a minute and finally Argus said. "It is built to wrap around your form. Put the front on firssst and tie it in back. Next pull the back up and tie the ssstrapsss in front of you. The flapsss hang down in front and back."

Dylan muttered a "thanks" and began dressing. // A loincloth for God’s sake! How barbaric… // He had no trouble telling the back from the front of the garment because of the design. It was designed to cover as little as possible. The covering was basically a thong in design, covering his loins and then tapering to a mere string, leaving his buttocks exposed to be covered only by the flap of the loin cloth. When Dylan had finished dressing he turned to Argus and noted that he was pointedly looking away from where Dylan was standing. He was surprisingly relieved to notice that fact.

"All set, Argus… I think."

Argus looked at Dylan. "Come. The Missstresss awaitsss usss."

Dylan went to where Argus was standing by the door. He stopped a couple of feet away from him. "Why do you do it, Argus?"

"Do what, hu-man?"

"Why do you serve Angel?"

"I am a ssslave. I ssserve."

Dylan sighed. "That’s not what I mean, Argus." Dylan searched for the right words to convey his meaning. "How did you come to be here, Argus? Were you ambushed as I was?"

"No."

"Then what?"

"Come." Argus motioned him forward and Dylan only hesitated a second before complying. // There are other battles to fight. I don’t want to have Argus as an enemy here. Be patient and the right time will present itself… //

Dylan stood before Argus. The lizard looked him over, nodded once then opened the door to the hallway. As Dylan made a move to leave the room Argus laid his hand on Dylan’s chest, stopping him. He reached around the corner and pulled something into the room, closing the door again.

"Argus, please don’t. It isn’t necessary. I promise not to run again."

"Missstresss Angel’s orders. Turn around, Slave."

Dylan seethed with barely concealed anger. He clenched his fists and stared at Argus for a minute before turning his back to him. He closed his eyes as the collar was fitted around his neck. // Breathe, Dylan. You can do this. //

"Don’t move, hu-man. I am going to put your shackles on now."

"Argus…"

"No arguing, Slave. Thisss will be done or you will carried to the main hall… unconssscious. I can tell you that Missstresss Angel would not be at all pleasssed and would probably order me to mete out your punissshment on the crosss."

Dylan did not fight Argus as he fastened the shackles around his left wrist then the right, although having his arms shackled behind him instead of in front made him more nervous for some reason. Argus then fastened a short chain from the shackles to Dylan’s collar, pulling his arms up high behind his back. This arrangement forced his shoulders back and his chest out.

Argus walked around in front of Dylan. "Yesss, Missstresss Angel will be pleasssed. Keep your armsss high, Ssslave or you will choke yourssself."

// I think I could figure that one out on my own! // Dylan merely grunted and said nothing. Argus attached a leash to Dylan’s collar, adding another layer of shame, and led him out of the room and down a series of corridors.

Dylan tried to keep track of where he was going but the corridors all looked the same to him. "How do you find your way around here, Argus?"

"I have been here a long time, Ssslave. You ssshould not worry about sssuch thingsss. You will have limited accesss for sssome time."

// Limited access… sounds fun. //

Argus led Dylan into a large room. There was no one else present. He led him to the center of the room to where a metal circle was inlaid into the granite floor. The circle was smoothly polished and had a small hole in the center.

"Ssstand on the cccircle, Slave."

Dylan moved forward to stand on the metal.

"Do not move."

Argus left Dylan standing where he was and went to a large table and picked up something. He turned back to Dylan and his stomach dropped.

"Argus…"

"Quiet Ssslave. You have no choicce."

Dylan closed his eyes and took some deep breaths to calm himself. He heard Argus kneel at his feet but refused to open his eyes. Argus screwed a bolt into the hole in the floor, then attached the object he had picked up from the table. It was an iron bar with shackles attached. He then positioned Dylan so he stood with his legs about eighteen inches apart. Dylan felt Argus’ hands on his ankles as he shackled first his right leg then his left to the iron bar.

"You will wait here for Missstresss Angel."

// As if I had a choice. //

Angel made Dylan wait. It was deliberate. Just how "broken" was this human? She watched him on a video monitor and wondered. "He’s stoic. I’ll give him that much." She worried a nail and waited, looking for a sign that he was still his own man… "Have I really broken him? … Of course I have!" Angel paced. "My program is infallible. He’s mine." She watched the monitor again.

Dylan stood where Argus had left him. He never moved. He never flinched. // Breathe. You can do this. It’s a test, nothing more. // He concentrated on his breathing, keeping it slow and even, meditating as he stood in the center of the great hall. After a while his shoulders began to ache from the position they were being forced into. Presently he felt his arms begin to go numb. If he relaxed even a fraction, he could feel the pressure on this throat, cutting off his air. // She wants you to panic. You are "Slave" now… remember this and you will get through it. //

Eventually Angel entered the hall. Dylan heard the door open behind him. As much as he wanted to he did not turn to see who had entered. He was "Slave" and he was told to stand on the circle. That was what he was doing. It was not his place to turn toward the new sound. He waited.

Angel walked up behind Dylan. She could see the strain in his muscles. She approached slowly, watching the slight tremors play across his back and shoulders. He was covered with a fine sheen of sweat. // He’s beautiful… and he’s all mine. // Angel walked around in front of Dylan. He stared straight ahead. It was as if he didn’t even see her. She laid her hand on his chest. His muscles flinched under her touch. //So, he does see me. // Angel smiled to herself and let her hand wander over the muscles of his chest and down across his abs. She walked back around behind him and trailed her hand around his waist and to his back. She couldn’t resist and let her hand wander to his barely covered buttocks. She chuckled when she felt him tense under her hand.

"Mmmm… nice. But then I knew it would be. After all… you don’t have anything that I haven’t seen in the past few weeks, Slave."

Dylan could feel the flush work it’s way up his chest to his face. He kept his breath even and stared straight ahead. He didn’t make a sound as Angel finished assessing her property.

"Hold still, Slave." Angel was still behind him. He tensed, wondering what was to come. Angel reached up and unhooked the chain from his collar. Dylan was unable to hold back a groan when his arms were moved. Angel left his arms shackled behind him but he was able to flex the muscles of his shoulders to relieve some of the built up tension. He resisted the urge to rotate his neck to work out the kinks there. Dylan tensed once again when he felt Angel’s hands on his neck. She kneaded the sore muscles of his neck, shoulders and back and Dylan had to fight not to melt into her gentle touch.

Angel smiled at Dylan’s back as she felt him relax. She massaged his tension away then left him standing where he was and sat at the table. She rang a bell and Argus came in with a steaming tray. He set it on the table in front of Angel and withdrew from the hall once again. Angel watched her slaves for signs of blossoming friendship but saw none for which she was grateful. She did not want her slaves to develop feelings of friendship. They were property only and needed to know their place. She made a mental note to keep the two separated as much as possible.

Angel ate a leisurely lunch while Dylan was made to stand and watch. He was offered nothing. This too was a lesson designed to reinforce his new station as "Slave" in this place.

Angel barely glanced his way for which Dylan was grateful. He studiously kept his face free from emotion and stared into nothingness, internally meditating. He was determined to learn his place in this life he was being forced to live.

Just because Dylan did not see Angel look at him does not mean that she wasn’t aware of him. In fact, she was painfully aware of his every breath. He affected her like no other slave had ever done. // Maybe I should just sell this one. His very presence here makes me weak. // She mentally berated herself for the feelings she had for this human. Suddenly she smiled. It was a secret little smile. Dylan saw it and a shiver of apprehension ran down his spine.

// He’s nothing but property… my property. I can do with this one what I wish… // She chuckled and Dylan’s stomach dropped, leaving him weak kneed. He wondered what was in store for him today.

"Slave." Angel’s voice pulled Dylan from his reverie.

"Yes Mistress." He kept his voice neutral.

"What are you thinking?"

Dylan hesitated. "I’m not sure what you mean, Mistress."

Angel ran her hands over his body possessively. "It’s a very simple question, Slave. What are your thoughts?"

"I’m not really thinking about anything, Mistress. I was merely meditating."

Angel looked into Dylan’s eyes. "Meditating…"

"Yes Mistress."

She slapped his face, rocking his head back from the force. Dylan dropped his gaze and she lifted his chin, forcing him to look at her once again. "You are wondering what that was for. Consider it a warning. I want the truth from you always. You will no longer practice this meditation in my presence. You will immerse yourself in the present… in your situation here. You are Slave and you will be Slave here until I get sick of having you around. I would warn you, though. There are worse things than serving me, human."

Dylan’s mind replayed all that had happened to him over the past five weeks. Yes, there were much worse things…

Rommie approached Beka on the Command Deck. "Captain Valentine."

Beka looked up in surprise. "Andromeda?"

Rommie assumed a "parade rest" stance in front of Beka. "I need to talk to you, Captain."

"Okay…" Beka looked at Tyr who was standing next to her and running his hand idly up her back. She slapped him playfully. "Stop that!"

He grinned at her and leaned on his elbow. Beka looked back at Andromeda. "What can I do for you, Rommie?"

"Beka… I… I want to go after Dylan."

"Now?" She looked at Tyr, then back at Rommie. "I thought you said we had to wait the full seven days like he asked us to."

"I know what I said. I … changed my mind. I think we should start looking now."

"Why the change of heart, Rommie?"

Rommie straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin defensively. "I believe Dylan may be in some sort of trouble."

"Why do you think that, Rommie?"

"I don’t know. If I say that I feel it you would think me crazy. Maybe it’s because Trance can’t convince me that he isn’t. You yourself wanted to go after him on the first day." Rommie rambled on.

Beka held up a hand. "Whoa, Rommie. I admit I have my reservations about Dylan being out there somewhere… with my ship. Okay, say we go looking for him. What happens when he comes back here? It has been three days now. What if he comes back here after we’ve gone? What then? How do we explain our actions? He’ll think we don’t trust him."

Rommie stood firm. "Beka, I understand your position here. You don’t want to look bad to Dylan. But what if he really needs us?"

Beka pondered for a minute. "I’ll tell you what, Rommie. If Dylan isn’t back here tomorrow I’ll send Trance and Harper in a slip fighter to track him down. That way we will be here if he comes back."

"Thanks Beka."

"Rommie. Don’t worry, we’ll find him."

Rommie smiled. "Beka… thanks."

Rommie turned and left the command deck. Beka stared after her for a minute then turned to Tyr. "Boy, has she got it bad."

"Whatever do you mean, Beka?" Tyr bent to nuzzle her neck.

"Rommie… she has the hots for our Captain Hunt."

"Really?" Tyr seemed genuinely perplexed. "Why?"

"I imagine she finds him attractive, Tyr."

"But… they can’t reproduce… it is a futile gesture at best."

Beka glared at the Nietzchean. "And what about us Tyr?"

"Us?"

"Yes, Tyr… us."

"I believe we’ve covered that point in the past few days, Beka. You don’t want children with the universe as screwed up as it is… and me? I’m happy the way things are right now."

"Yes, Tyr. I bet you are." Beka bent forward and gave Tyr a kiss that sent his pulse racing.

"Are you off duty, Captain Valentine?"

"Why, Mr. Anasazi… I believe I am."

"Then let’s get the hell out of here, shall we?"

The two departed the command deck hand in hand, passing a bemused Trance on her way in to relieve them.

Angel sat at the table in the great hall and worked on her books. She had a very large fasthold to run and she spent a few hours each day doing mundane bookkeeping chores and checking stock and supplies. Dylan remained standing in the middle of the hall, tethered to the circle. She was very much aware of him but paid him no attention. This too was a lesson in being "Slave" in Angel’s fasthold. Dylan had many such lessons to learn.

Angel was aware of Dylan’s every breath, every movement. He was getting very tired. He had been through a lot in the past few days and he needed to rest. // I’ll give him a few more minutes. He’s holding up well, considering. //

Angel continued to work leaving Dylan in the middle of the large room. When he began to sway slightly on his feet she reached over and rang the bell on the table. Argus appeared almost immediately.

"Argus. Take the slave to my chambers."

Dylan was unable to hide his gasp of surprise. Angel never lifted her head from her books to look at Argus or Dylan.

"Yesss Missstresss."

Argus approached Dylan and attached his leash to his collar once again. He unhooked his ankle shackles and turned to take Dylan out of the hall.

"Slave. Get some rest. You’ll need it." Dylan tensed at the sound of her voice and Angel chuckled.

Dylan stumbled after Argus not knowing or caring where they were heading. He was physically and mentally exhausted. Angel’s training methods were working as planned. They walked down a myriad of corridors, each much the same as the first. Even if Dylan had the mental faculties needed to memorize his way there was almost no way to tell one from the next.

Presently they approached a closed door at the end of one of the corridors. Argus stopped in front of the door and Dylan stopped behind him. He turned to Dylan and seemed about to say something but he didn’t. He turned back to the door and opened it. He entered the chamber and pulled Dylan along behind him.

The chamber was plushly decorated. Argus led Dylan into the room. He stopped in the center of the room and turned to Dylan. "Turn around, Ssslave."

Dylan did as he was told. Truth was… he was too damn tired to put up a fight right now. Argus undid the shackles around his wrists. Dylan rolled his shoulders and groaned with pleasure at the freedom of movement and the relief of tension.

"What now, Argus?" He stretched and yawned.

"You need to eat, Ssslave."

"Nah, I’m not really hungry…"

"It isss not a requessst, Ssslave. Missstresss Angel wantsss you healthy. To become healthy again, you mussst eat. Do not make me forccce the food on you. Sssit. Eat."

Dylan thought about it for a minute then sat at the small table and picked up a piece of fruit. "Care to join me, Argus?"

"Eat, Ssslave. Thisss food isss for you. I will eat later." Argus stood by the table with his arms crossed. Dylan began to eat.

When he was finished he stood. "Happy?"

Argus looked confused and Dylan smiled. "Never mind, Argus."

"Now it is time for you to ressst, Ssslave."

"But…"

"No argumentsss. Missstresss Angel sssaid you are to ressst now."

"There?" Dylan pointed to the large bed.

"Yesss."

Dylan hesitated. He definitely did not want to sleep in Angel’s bed. "I’m to sleep here… and not in my cell?"

"This is where I wasss told to bring you. You will sssleep here."

Dylan walked over to the bed and looked down at it. "Well… it looks comfortable, at least." He was still uncomfortable with the whole idea but he was feeling sleepier by the minute. He looked at Argus. "Argus. Did you … drug… my … food?" He sat heavily on the edge of the bed, no longer able to stay standing.

Argus continued to watch him. Dylan shook his head, trying to clear it. He had definitely been drugged. He tried to ask Argus why he had been drugged but he couldn’t form the thought coherently so he gave up. When Argus was convinced he was beyond fighting him he approached Dylan, pulled the covers back and helped him to lie back on the bed. He lifted Dylan’s legs and slid them under the covers. Dylan was fading fast but was aware of Argus first chaining his ankle to the bedpost and removing his loincloth before covering him up. Argus left the room, turning off the lights as Dylan’s eyes closed and he succumbed to darkness.

Angel watched Dylan sleep. He disturbed her. // Am I getting soft because of this human? // She sighed and lay down beside him. //I have to get a little sleep. Convincing this slave that he has slept another day away will confuse him even more… but these weird hours are wearing me out. It will be nice to be able to live a normal day again. // Her eyes closed and she slept.

Sometime later she found herself snuggled against the warmth of the slave sleeping next to her. She awoke and smiled. It was nice to wake up cuddled against his warmth. This could become a very pleasant habit.

// Mmm … that felt great. A couple of hours of shut-eye was just what I needed. Now, to convince this slave that he has slept for longer than a day. // Angel sighed and sat up in bed. She watched the even rise and fall of Dylan’s chest for a couple of minutes then got out of bed and dressed. She left the bed rumpled where she had slept so Dylan would be very much aware that she had shared his sleep.

When she was finished dressing she left the room and went to the main hall once again. Argus joined her almost immediately. He had been waiting for her arrival.

"Argus, give me five minutes and then go wake the Slave. Bring him to me."

"Yesss Missstresss." Argus bowed and left the hall.

Exactly five minutes later Argus entered Angel’s chambers. He used a hypo-spray to wake Dylan. As Dylan was coming around Argus hid the hypo-spray under the bed and stood back. Dylan’s eyes fluttered open.

// Where the hell …? Gods! Angel’s chambers. // He turned his head and saw the rumpled bed next to him. He groaned. // So … Angel slept here … damn. At least she didn’t wake me and … want anything I’m not prepared to give her. // Dylan ran his hands over his face. // Damn! I feel like I just fell asleep… So tired. // He sighed audibly. It was then he noticed Argus standing by the bed and he jumped a little. As their eyes met Argus held out Dylan’s loincloth. Dylan lifted the covers and peeked under. // Naked!? Who…? Guess it doesn’t matter who. // He reached out and took the garment from Argus and slipped it under the covers. It took a couple of minutes but he managed to get it on without getting out of bed to do it. Argus seemed amused but said nothing.

When he had finished getting dressed Dylan peeled back the covers and sat up. Argus stepped forward and undid the chain around Dylan’s ankle. He stepped back to allow Dylan to stand. He then told Dylan to turn around and fastened shackles to his wrists again. Fastening the hated leash to his collar he led Dylan out of the chamber and along the corridor.

Dylan had no idea where they were going until they reached the main hall once again. Angel sat at the large table eating breakfast. Dylan could smell the coffee steaming in her cup and his mouth watered.

Argus pulled Dylan along behind him. He took Dylan over to the table and handed the leash to Angel. She took it with a little smile then wrapped the end around a hook set into the table and continued to eat. She never looked at Dylan. It was as if he didn’t matter… and it bothered him. He stood by the table and looked straight ahead, seeing nothing.

Not a word had been spoken since Dylan awoke. He knew what was expected of him and it seemed to come as second nature to just do what was expected. Was he really nothing more than "slave" now? The thought troubled his mind.

Angel saw Dylan’s frown and knew he was thinking of his situation, debating his fate. She made a decision. She motioned to Argus who promptly left the room. He came back in a couple of minutes and handed her a small ornate box. She took it from him and dismissed him.

Dylan was startled out of his reverie by Angel’s voice and s sharp tug on his leash. "Kneel, Slave."

Dylan hesitated just slightly then dropped silently to his knees beside Angel. She opened the box in front of her and lifted out several objects which she then set on the table in front of her. She closed the box and set it aside.

"You are getting more used to your place here, Slave." It was a statement, not a question and Dylan did not respond. Angel smiled. "I have some things for you. They will serve as reminders of your place in my house."

Dylan remained kneeling even though every fiber of his being was screaming at him to run. // Breathe, Slave. You can do this. What more can this Mistress do that would make you cringe like this? Show no fear. // Dylan took a deep, calming breath. He looked up at Angel. She held something in her hands.

It was a golden torque about two inches wide. She fitted it around his neck and it shut with an audible click. She removed his other collar and he rolled his head. This collar lay against his skin just above his collar bones. It was snug but not tight.

Angel fingered Dylan’s new collar. His skin quivered under her caress. Angel stood and moved around behind Dylan. He longed to look around to see what she was doing but willed himself to keep still. He knew it was what was expected of "Slave".

"Stand, Slave." The voice came from directly behind him.

In one fluid motion Dylan stood, his back still to Angel, arms shackled behind him. He felt Angel’s hands on his ankles and resisted the urge to look down. He felt more than heard the click of new shackles being fitted around his ankles. Next he felt hands on his wrists. His shackles were removed. His hands fell to his sides as they were freed. Angel next affixed new shackles to his wrists.

"You may look at your gifts, Slave."

Dylan lifted his hands. He now wore smooth, golden bands about three inches wide around each wrist. He looked further and saw identical bands around each ankle. They seemed almost Egyptian in nature. He looked up at Angel. He longed to attack, to run from this place… but he was Slave now. He stayed where he was and said nothing.

Angel watched Dylan. She was aware of the emotions that played across his face. She saw his desire to flee… and saw the resignation of his place in her world replace the longing to go. He was hers… body and mind.

She held up a small bracelet. As Dylan watched she placed it around her own wrist. "Now we are truly united, Slave." She saw the confusion on Dylan’s face and smiled. "Those bands around your wrists and ankles are inertial restraints. You move only at my discretion. The torque around your beautiful neck contains an effector that will can give an electric shock sufficient to render you unconscious. It also contains an explosive device that will detonate should you decide you would like to try to remove it. This band I just put on contains the control for your bands. The explosive device is triggered by any attempts to tamper with it."

Dylan dropped his gaze but said nothing. He did not move.

"Do you understand everything I have told you?"

"Yes Mistress."

He kept his voice level and respectful. Angel was impressed by his control. // I have just given this human quite a bit to think about. He has good control. He will make a fine addition to my household. Control is essential for a good slave. //

"Look at me, Slave."

Dylan looked at Angel. She held his gaze until he grew uncomfortable. He wanted nothing more than to look away but he knew that to do so would bring repercussions … repercussions he did not want to face.

The day passed. It was uneventful. Dylan followed Angel around the compound as she tended to the day’s business. He never saw the light of day but thought nothing of it until they entered an enclosed atrium. It was lit entirely with artificial light.

"Mistress?" Dylan kept his voice low and respectful.

"Yes, Slave?"

"What is this place?"

"I call it sanctuary."

"Sanctuary?"

"Yes, Slave. Sanctuary. It is peaceful here, lush … beautiful … safe. In case you didn’t notice the climate here is … harsh."

Dylan flinched, remembering just how "harsh" the climate was. Angel saw his reaction and approved. // Good, Slave. Never forget. That awaits you should you ever get outside these walls. //

"In here I can forget just what my planet is like. I have made this place like a lush forest… so unlike what is really here."

"May I ask something, Mistress?"

"Go ahead."

"Why do you stay if you find this place so unappealing?"

"This planet is totally uninhabited … except for my stronghold. I own the entire thing. It is remote and I can live as I wish. My law is the only law here."

Angel watched the emotions parade across Dylan’s face before he got them under control once again. She was pleased at his reaction to her announcement. He now knew just how futile it was to think of ever getting away from this place. She was quite pleased with how the day had turned out.

Angel stayed quite awhile in the atrium. She walked among the lush flowers and plants. Dylan was told to walk behind her. He followed her around the atrium drinking in the sights and smells of the place. It was so peaceful there.

Eventually Angel took a seat on a bench by a pond. Dylan could hear the water run over the rocks as it was recycled over and over again to preserve its freshness. The sound was mesmerizing, soothing. He was lulled into a semi-meditative state.

Angel watched Dylan out of the corner of her eye. She could see him relaxing into his stance. She waited until he was fully comfortable then she looked up at him. He was oblivious to her and continued to stare into the distance. She cleared her throat … twice. He looked down at her, his guilt written on his face.

"Yes Mistress?"

"Slave. You were not living in the moment, were you?"

Dylan looked confused.

"You were meditating again, weren’t you Slave?"

"Yes Mistress."

// Well, at least he has the sense to look guilty about it. He must be taught a lesson, though. He must learn to live only in the moment … to savor the pain and the pleasure.// Angel stood before him. She looked him over slowly and deliberately. Dylan blushed. Angel smiled then drew back her hand and slapped him across the face before he could even flinch. Surprise registered in his eyes.

"You must savor the moment, Slave. Live in the here and now or you will never learn to be content." Angel walked around Dylan. "Put your hands behind your neck, Slave. Lace your fingers together." Dylan did as instructed with only the slightest of hesitation. Angel noticed the delay, though and was not pleased. // He must be taught to respond immediately to every order. He still retains a small measure of self-governance. This must be eradicated. // "Very good. However, you did not follow my order immediately, Slave and for that you must be punished." Angel activated the inflictor in Dylan’s collar. It gave him a brief but very potent jolt of pain. She could see him clench his jaw against the pain and a small groan escaped his lips. "That was a small sampling of what the collar is capable of, Slave. The next time I use this I will not be so gentle with you. Remember this moment, Slave for it will serve as a basis for the rest of your time here."

Dylan remained stoic in the face of Angel’s anger. He stared straight ahead, unmoving. If this was to be a basis for what was to come then he had better get used to it.

Angel walked around Dylan, running her hands lightly over the bare flesh of his torso. She could feel the tremors ripple through his tense muscles. She smiled slightly and continued her exploration. She could tell he was not at all comfortable with her hands on his body but he was hers now. He would grow accustomed to this in time. "You belong to me now, Slave. I own this flesh that I am touching. You are here because I wish it. You serve here to please me." Angel took a small step back. "Come." She turned to leave the atrium and Dylan dropped his hands to his sides and fell into step behind her.

Angel looked back at him. "Leave your hands behind your neck, Slave. It pleases me."

Dylan put his hands behind his neck once again and Angel turned away from him and led the way out of the atrium. Dylan allowed himself a tiny grimace before dropping his emotionless face into place once again.

Angel walked just ahead of Dylan, trusting him to follow. He stayed a mere step or two behind her at all times. Her trust was paying off. Dylan was becoming a proper slave.

Angel took Dylan back to the main hall. She rang the bell on the table and Argus appeared. "Take this slave to the baths Argus. I want him made presentable and then brought to my chambers once again."

"Yes Missstresss." Argus bowed to Angel. "Come, Slave. Follow me."

Dylan hesitated until he noticed Angel reach for the bracelet she wore. He followed Argus simply to avoid any more "lessons". He definitely didn’t want to feel the inflictor again.

The baths were a series of opulent bathing chambers with sunken tubs and stimulating showers. Dylan knew there was something about this that didn’t feel right but he was still being drugged and couldn’t put his finger on what exactly the problem was.

"Strip, Slave."

Dylan hesitated. Argus stepped forward and attached a leash to Dylan’s collar and chains to his wristbands. He protested but Argus ignored him completely. Argus led him into one of the shower rooms and attached his leash to a hook set high on the wall. He attached the chains to his wristbands to separate rings set into opposite walls of the chamber. Dylan was tethered, unable to move. He cursed … then pleaded with Argus but to no avail. Argus stripped off his own loincloth then approached and stripped Dylan of his. Dylan closed his eyes, refusing to acknowledge this latest indignity. Argus turned on pulsing jets of water and then proceeded to wash Dylan down as if he were merely one of the horses in the stables. When he finished he turned off the water and picked up some towels. One he wrapped around his own waist. Then he turned to Dylan.

"Think you can dry yourself off, Slave?"

Dylan growled out his frustration. "Just unhook me, Argus. I think I can manage."

Argus smiled and undid the chains holding Dylan immobile. Then he handed him a towel. "Don’t test me again, Slave. You will learn your place here."

Argus finished dressing as Dylan dried off. He then handed Dylan a clean loincloth and waited while Dylan clothed himself. "Follow me, Slave."

Dylan still hadn’t learned his way around the compound. He was becoming more and more sure that this was deliberate. Angel wanted him to be dependent on her and Argus. As long as he was, he would be less trouble to them. He was also sure they were still drugging him. As soon as he could figure out how they were doing it he would eliminate that factor also.

Argus led Dylan to Angel’s chambers once again. He stayed in the room while Dylan ate a light meal and until Angel returned. They had a conversation at the door and then Argus left them alone.

As the door closed behind Argus Angel turned to Dylan. "I am quite disappointed in you, Slave." Dylan’s stomach fell at her words. "Argus tells me you were less than cooperative with him in the baths. You will learn to obey Argus at all times or your stay here will be quite painful, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Mistress."

"Come Slave. And put your hands behind your neck. I like knowing they are restrained."

Dylan did as Angel asked and could feel her activate the inertial restraints on his wrist shackles. He could not move his arms to lower them. He followed Angel out of the room and down the hall. // Where is she taking me now? // Dylan obviously had not expected to leave Angel’s chamber again before daybreak.

Angel turned into a room with Dylan at her heels. He stopped and stared around in surprise and growing dread. He was in the "training room" and Argus was waiting by the cross.

"Mistress…" His voice was a mere whisper.

Angel interrupted him. "Slave, you have defied me again. Argus follows my orders. When he asks you to do something it is as if I am speaking to you. I will not tolerate my slaves disobeying me. You must learn this if you are to survive here." Angel turned away from him. "Argus, put this slave on the cross."

"No!" Dylan began to back away until he felt Angel activate the inertial restraints. He no longer had control over his limbs. "Damn it! You can’t do this!"

"I own you, Slave. I alone control your every move. Argus, do it… and gag him."

Dylan watched helplessly as Argus approached. All he had left was his voice … until Argus silenced that. Argus then propelled Dylan to the cross where he removed his shackles. He handed them to Angel. He then put heavy iron shackles on Dylan’s wrists and ankles, fitted him with a leather collar and attached him to the cross. Dylan struggled but Argus was far bigger and stronger than the human and his struggles got Dylan no where.

Once Dylan was tethered Argus stepped back to stand beside Angel. They conversed for a moment, low enough so Dylan could not make out their words. He struggled against the chains binding him and screamed out his frustrations into the gag. Neither effort was paid any attention to either Angel or Argus. When they finished speaking Angel stepped around in front of Dylan. She looked him in the eyes and smiled. She then raised her eyes to Argus and nodded once.

Nothing could prepare Dylan for the agony of the nerve inducer. When the lash fell he felt the sting first and then the pain blossomed. It was like no other pain Dylan had experienced up to now. The pain ran like fire along his nerve endings sending Dylan’s fragile psyche ever closer to the great abyss. Every muscle in his body contracted as one. He drew in a ragged breath and the lash fell again. He screamed his pain into the gag. Angel stared into his eyes, waiting for the moment when he would truly be hers forever.

The lash fell again and again. The pain never lessened, it just grew with each stroke of the whip. Angel waited for that fateful moment when Dylan would be utterly crushed. She watched his eyes for the signs of defeat she was sure would come.

Dylan held on … much longer than Angel ever thought possible. She had never known anyone to survive such a beating with the nerve inducer lash before. It was a wonder this man wasn’t already dead. When he finally succumbed to darkness Angel still was not sure he had been broken. Only the light of day would tell. He would be unconscious at least until then.

Angel tilted Dylan’s face up so she could get a good look at him. His unconscious face gave her no clues as to his true condition. "Argus, take him to the cell. He will sleep as a true prisoner tonight."

"Yesss Missstresss." He took Dylan down from the cross, slung him over his shoulders and took him to the dungeon. Once there he placed him on a pallet, checked his shackles and left him. He closed the cell door behind him, locking it securely. As he walked away he took one last look at the prisoner and shook his head sadly. This one would not last long…

Trance and Harper arrived at Shaharazad in the mid-afternoon. Their plan was to ask about provisions and a nice, quiet beach to relax on. They were looking for something remote and private. They knew Dylan had been craving solitude and the ocean was one of his favorite stops on any planet they visited. Shaharazad seemed like a good place to start. It was relatively close to their position, being just a short slip away, and it was a favorite restocking place for the crew of the Andromeda. They were taking a chance that Dylan had stopped there first, on his way to wherever he decided to go relax.

Trance and Harper walked around Shaharazad, looking in all the shops. They purchased a few small trinkets. Harper and Trance were posing as honeymooners. In the last shop they picked up some general provisions and asked for some suggestions for romantic secluded beaches. The man behind the counter looked them over and told them he had a couple of favorite places.

"It’s amazing. Nobody asks me nothing and all of a sudden I am supposed to be a tour guide." He shook his head. "I should start charging for all this prime information."

Trance and Harper looked confused. "What do you mean?" Trance asked innocently.

"That’s okay, my love. It sounds like maybe we’re bothering this gentleman." Harper put his arm around Trance’s waist. "Sorry, mister. We didn’t mean to put you out any."

"Nah! That ain’t it, boy. It’s just that nobody seemed to care about my advice before and all of a sudden I been asked twice in the space of a week. Seems odd to me, it does."

"Well, I figure that you might know your way around. You know, you sell all this fancy outdoorsy stuff and I thought maybe you used it too." Harper smile at the man. "Maybe the other person you talked to figured the same thing."

"Maybe he did. Looked like he needed a vacation, too. Only thing different was he was going to be alone."

"Oh really? And where did you send him? If he was going alone then there is no chance we would want to bother him."

The man looked suspiciously at them. "Why do you want to know where I sent him?"

"Look. We are on our honeymoon here. We don’t want company, if you know what I mean. If this is too much trouble maybe we should go and ask someone else. C’mon Trance."

"Wait!" The man rubbed the stubble on his chin. "I have a couple of favorite spots. My absolute favorite is …" The man talked about three different places that he said were great secluded and romantic spots.

"So where did you send this other guy?" Harper tried to sound nonchalant. "You know, we wouldn’t want to spoil his solitude."

"Don’t worry about that. All the places I told you about are big enough that you would never run into another person… unless you were looking for them." He smiled like he knew what they were up to… and didn’t care to be involved in it.

Trance and Harper thanked him for his information and left the shop. They didn’t notice the man that followed them out. Once back at the slip fighter Trance and Harper stowed their purchases and prepared to take off.

"It’s a good thing we modified this slip fighter, Trance. Otherwise it would be an even tighter fit than it is in here!"

Trance laughed. "Yeah, and it’s a good thing we didn’t buy any more camping gear or we would never have fit it in here."

"So what do we do now, Trance? Do we go back or go looking for Dylan?"

Trance pondered the question for a minute. "It’s nothing I can put my finger on Harper … but I think we need to look for Dylan. I think he could use some help."

"Do you think he’s hurt?"

"I can’t put my finger on the exact problem. I can’t get a good feel for where he is … or if he’s okay and that worries me more than anything else."

"Then let’s start looking. So where do you want to begin, oh all knowing Trance?"

"Don’t do that Harper. I’m not all knowing." Trance looked upset.

"Sorry Trance. I thought a little levity was in order here."

"It’s okay Harper. Let’s just get to work." Trance pulled up an astrogational chart and pointed out the planets the store clerk had recommended to them. She then selected one. "Let’s begin here."

"Is that where Dylan is?"

Trance looked at Harper and smiled. "Well, we won’t know until we get there will we?"

He stuck his tongue out at her and she laughed. "Let’s get moving."

Dylan awoke to semi-darkness. It was difficult to tell if it was day or night. There was no light other than a feeble glow from the corridor. He was stiff and sore from the effects of the nerve inducer and from the beating itself. He couldn’t be sure but it didn’t feel like he had any open welts this time. He stretched as best as he could then sat on the pallet once again. He had no idea how long he had been there… or how long it would be before someone came to get his out.

Dylan paced … then sat … then paced. He had far too much time to think and he was getting desperate. // What if Angel’s vid-screen display was real? Is the Andromeda really gone? Am I really alone again? // Dylan’s mind kept replaying the explosion of the Andromeda … over and over again until he thought he would go crazy. He paced until he could move no more and collapsed in sheer exhaustion.

***

"Rommie!"

"Dylan!" Rommie ran to him across the sands. "I thought we would never see you again." She caught his hands in hers and looked up at him. "I thought I would never see you again. I am so glad I was wrong."

"Me too, Rommie … me too."

Dylan gathered Rommie into his arms and held her as if she was his lifeline to sanity. He bent his head and kissed her willing lips. She melted into him and returned his kiss with passion. He cradled her close and inhaled the scent of her, rubbing the stubble on his chin against her silky hair.

"Rommie. Don’t ever leave me."

He was met with silence. He pulled back and looked down to see Angel smile up at him. She held his leash in her hand. "Don’t worry, Slave. You’re going nowhere." She turned and pulled Dylan behind her, stumbling in his shackles.

***

"No!" Dylan awoke, trembling with the force of his dream. He huddled on his pallet, cold and alone. // Rommie. You have to be out there. Are you still looking for me after all this time? //

Angel watched Dylan on a monitor and wondered just what his dream was about. // What are you thinking, my pet? What specters haunt your dreams? // She did not like the not knowing. Angel pondered her options. // Do I put him back on the synaptic enhancer? … Erase his memories? Or do I just enforce his training here? He must belong to me, body and soul. I will accept no less. //

Dylan drifted back to sleep and Angel continued to watch, searching for the answers to her dilemma. As for Dylan, he dreamed of the lives he had lost.

Dylan spent the next day in what he referred to as "solitary confinement". His food was drugged and it might have been a week for all he knew. Angel told him it was a mere three days when she finally had him brought before her. In actuality it was one full day and two nights.

Angel had Argus bring Dylan before her in the main hall. He was shackled to the center circle as he was the first time he saw this hall. The only difference was that his hands were shackled in front of him at his waist. Argus spread his legs and attached them once again to the iron bar. He approached Angel and said something to her and was then dismissed. He left the main hall, leaving Dylan and Angel alone.

Angel watched Dylan out of the corner of her eye as she worked on some paperwork at the table. Dylan swayed slightly from the effects of the drugs he was being fed. Angel did not acknowledge his presence for a full hour after he was brought into the hall. Dylan stood as still as he was able, contemplating what might happen to him next. His thoughts were not quite coherent because of the drugs in his system.

Suddenly Angel put aside her paperwork and stood. She approached Dylan slowly, letting her eyes roam over his figure. He watched her approach with something akin to fear. He knew he was not at all able to fend off a verbal or physical attack and the thought of him being vulnerable made him afraid. He steeled himself for a blow that never came.

Angel stood in front of Dylan and held his chin in her hand. "Three days, Slave."

// Three days!? // Dylan’s mind reeled.

Angel continued. "Three days you have lain in the squalor in that cell. Are you ready to become a part of my household, Slave? I can’t in all conscience waste any more of my precious time on you. Are you a part of this household or are you a liability to be dealt with in another manner? Think carefully, Slave. This is what awaits you outside these walls." Angel turned and went back to the table. She pressed a button there and the wall behind the table opened up, revealing a large window. In the courtyard beyond hung the remnants of a man. La petite morte crawled over what was left of his body, picking the bones clean. Dylan gagged and closed his eyes. A hard slap to his face made him open his eyes once again. He stared into Angel’s eyes. "Look, Slave. That is what awaits you should you prove to be unable to adjust to your life here. That was your companion when you first arrived. He turned out to be more than a little disruptive to our way of life and was unable to fit in. I want to think you can do better. Am I right?"

Dylan swallowed hard. "Yes Mistress."

Angel smiled and closed the shutters over the windows once again. "Good." She turned as Argus came into the room. "Argus, take this slave to the baths and get him cleaned up. He will join me in the Sanctuary when he is presentable."

Argus bowed to Angel. "Yesss Missstresss."

The pair left the room, Dylan stumbling along behind Argus on his leash.

Argus led Dylan to a different bathing chamber this time. In the center of the room was a huge sunken tub. Argus left Dylan standing inside the door and attached his leash to a hook on the wall. Dylan suffered this indignity silently. He stood with his head down waiting for Argus to finish his preparations.

Argus went to the tub and turned on the water. As the tub was filling he got out some towels and soaps and put them by the tub. When the tub was full enough he turned the water off and turned to Dylan. Not a word had passed between the two slaves. Argus approached Dylan and unhooked his leash from the wall. He led Dylan over to the tub and removed his leg shackles. He then unhooked the belt at his waist to which his wrist shackles were attached.

"Ssslave, are you going to behave yourssself here today or do I need to keep your ssshackles on?"

"I will behave myself, Argus."

Argus removed Dylan’s shackles. "Remove your loincloth, Sssslave and get in the tub. You are to wasssh yoursssself now."

Dylan looked at Argus. "Am I to be allowed any privacy?"

"No. Do as I sssay or I will wasssh you again."

Dylan let his loincloth fall to the floor and stepped into the tub. He couldn’t hold back the sigh of pleasure that escaped his lips as he sat in the warm water. "Argus?"

"Yesss, Ssslave?"

"You forgot to take off this collar."

"I forgot nothing, Ssslave. Missstresss Angel sssaysss it isss not to be removed." He bent and fastened Dylan’s leash to a ring set into the floor by the tub just behind where Dylan sat. It was loose enough to allow Dylan to relax in the tub but there was not enough slack in the leash to allow him to get out of the tub.

Dylan sighed and began to wash himself. He didn’t ask Argus for privacy. He knew he wouldn’t get any even if he asked. He relaxed against the side of the tub when he was finished washing. He lay his head back and let his eyes close for a minute.

***

"Dylan?"

"Rommie? Are you there?"

"Dylan!? Where are you? I can’t find you… Dylan!" Rommie’s voice faded away to nothing.

"Rommie! Don’t go!"

***

Dylan came awake with a jerk. Argus was still standing beside the tub. // I must have just dozed off. Argus would have woken me up if I had been sleeping long. I hope I didn’t say anything… // Dylan cleared his throat.

"Finissshed, Ssslave?"

"I guess so."

Argus looked at him sharply. "Then come. It is time to meet Angel." He unhooked Dylan’s leash from the side of the tub, allowing him to get up and climb from the tub.

Dylan picked up a towel and Argus led him over near the doorway once again and hooked his leash to the ring set in the wall. Dylan dried himself off and Argus handed him a clean loincloth. He put it on. Argus then picked up the shackles and approached Dylan. Dylan held up his hands.

"Argus. You don’t need those. I’ll be a good boy."

"Missstresss Angel wantsss you ssshackled, Ssslave. Don’t make thisss harder than it hasss to be."

Dylan stood still while Argus put his shackles on once again. He shackled his arms behind him this time and affixed the short chain to his collar, pulling his arms up high behind him. Dylan grunted at the uncomfortable position. Argus unhooked the leash from the wall and pulled Dylan behind him along the corridor.

Part 3
 
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