Low bushes and tangled brush threatened her footing, but she couldn't slow down.  The sharp pain radiating from her right ankle had become a dull ache that throbbed with each footfall.  Turning onto the more open deer trail, Tygeress picked up her speed, trying to make up for lost time. 

 

 I will beat it, she thought pushing herself harder.  I'll show him who's slow.

 

 She heard the click and felt the ground give, but she was going too fast to dodge.  Pain seared through her calf, then became impossibly worst as she hit the end of the chain and felt the steel jaws scrap down her leg.  Jerked off her feet, she fell to the hard earth heavily, knocking the breath from her lungs. 

 

 The air returned slowly and she tasted blood from her split lip.  Everything ached, but she had escaped some nasty scratches thanks to her costume.  Moving to get up, she choked back a scream of pain as she moved her right leg.  Clenching her teeth, she managed to get into a sitting position so she could examine the extent of the damage. 

 

 A mid sized bear trap had been planted in the path, probably by a stupid hunter looking for an easy shot.  It looked well oiled, ruling out a forgotten trap, but the scent was gone so it had been here a while.  It had caught her just below the knee, but now had its teeth wrapped around her ankle.
 
Just had to be that leg didn't it, she thought angrily blinking back tears.  Forcing her leg to bend, she grasping the jaws of the bear trap firmly, and began to pull them apart.  "If I find out Techno is responsible for this.." she grumbled under her breath as she struggled. 

 

Fresh beads of sweat broke out along her brow as the jaws finally began to give.  With a curse, she opened them just far enough to free herself, then let it snap close.  She studied her injured leg, gently probed the muscles with her fingers.  It didn't appear to be bleeding; the material of the costume had stopped the teeth from penetrating her skin.  But even without moving her ankle, she could tell that she'd sprained it pretty good.

 

 Glaring at her throbbing limb, the brief thought of calling for help crossed her mind, but she quickly squashed it.  Grabbing the chain, she gave it a strong jerk, ripping its anchor from the ground.  Still holding the chain, she took a deep breath, and struggled to her feet.  Breathing hard from the effort, she gritted her teeth and began to limp back to the cave.

 

- - - - - - - -

 "Two hours and fifteen minutes," Sebastian called out to her as she limped towards the table by the super computer.  All the guys sat there playing cards, not really watching what she was doing, mainly because Sebastian was the only one winning this hand.  "What's a matter?  Did you get lost?" he asked smirking.

 

 Tygeress snarled and threw the trap at him, but she was exhausted from the walk back so it didn't go very far.  It hit the floor with a loud clang and the other guys turned to look at her in surprise.

 

 "What the hell?" Alec asked looking at the trap then at her.

 

 "That was in my path," she growled trying to keep the weight off her injury.
 
 "So you had to pull it up, huh?" Sebastian said.  "That's what took so long."

 

 Tonya ripped off her mask and glared at the man, willing his underwear to burst into scorching flame.  Zarbon and Techno laid down their cards and came over to inspect her leg.  Alec picked up the trap with some effort and sat it on the table, scattering poker chips.

 

 "Hey!" Sebastian said.  "We're playing a game here!  You can't just leave!"

 

 "She's injured, idiot," Alec retorted.

 

 "You guys only care because you were losing," Sebastian said angrily.

 

 No one replied to that statement.  Without a word, Zarbon carefully scooped her up in his arms and followed Techno to the X-ray machine.  Positioning her leg, Techno snapped a couple shots, then waited as they loaded onto the monitor near the machine.

 

 "Dislocated," Techno said touching the screen over the area in question.

 

 "And I torn that tendon, too," Tonya said pointing.  "Damn it."

 

 "Look at all the scar tissue," Zarbon added.  "Looks like someone took a chainsaw to your ankle, then sewed it back together."  He turned to look at her.  "When did that happen?"

 

 "Ouch," Alec said looking at the X-ray.  "What happened is a better question."

 

 "Can we talk about that later?  I'd like to get this taken care of now," Tonya snapped.

 

 Zarbon studied the screen a minute more, then deftly took a hold of her ankle.  With a steady pressure he realigned the bones into their proper positions.  Tonya quickly wiped away the tear that had escaped and moved to get off the table.

 

 "You shouldn't walk on that," Techno said.

 

 "I know," Tonya said as she tried to balance on one foot.  Zarbon caught her as she tipped over.  "Thanks.  Could you just help me over there?"

 

 Both Alec and Sebastian had left for work by the time she had finally hobbled out of the locker room on crutches.  Zarbon was in his lab working on the next stage of some big project and probably wouldn't come out for a very long time.  Techno was waiting for her, leaning back against the wall next to the door with his arms crossed.

 

 She met his gaze for a moment then looked away.  "Guess I screwed up again, huh?"

 

 "It was the worst time you have gotten on the training course."

 

 She looked at him again trying to gauge his mood.  Despite his tone, he didn't look thoroughly annoyed with her.  "Don't suppose you know how to wrap an ankle do you?"  Techno's expression didn't change, but he held up his hand, revealing a role of ace bandage.

 

 - -- - - - - - -

 Due to her injury, Tonya had gone to bed early and was disoriented when the phone rang.  It took one ring to wake her and two more just for her to figure out what the noise was before she even moved.  Fumbling for the phone, she cursed as she bumped her bad leg.  Finally, about the sixth or seventh ring before she found the phone.

 

 ""Lo?" she yawned.

 

 "Tonya?  This is Charlene."

 

 "Yeah?" she answered trying to wake up.

 

 "We have a problem out here and need your help.  How quick can you get here?"

 

"What's wrong?" Tonya asked setting up and rubbing her eyes.

 

"I don't have time to explain just get out here ASAP."  Then Charlene hung up.

 

Tonya blinked in surprise, then hung up the phone.  Picking it up again, she dialed the cave's extension.  "Techno, this is Tonya.  Charlene just called and said that there's a problem at the refuge.  I'm going to head out there in a few."

 

"Okay," he replied.  "Keep in touch if you need help."

 

"Right."

 

Thirty minutes later, Tonya was driving through the gates of the refuge.  Frowning, she got out of her truck and looked around before shutting the door.  The park was almost completely dark except for the few lights that stayed on at night.  No vehicles were in the employee's lot but hers, and she couldn't see any signs that any one had been there recently.

 

Carefully picking her way through the darkness, Tonya limped towards the main office hoping to find Charlene.  The door was locked and she frowned again beginning to wonder what kind of trick her friend could be pulling now.  One of the tigers roared, then another and she hurried in that direction to find out the cause.  Nothing moved as she approached the enclosures and the light breeze that been blowing had disappeared.

 

Pulling out her cell phone, Tonya unlocked the keypad fully intending to call Charlene and find out what was going on.  She paused flipping through the list of numbers as a small click caught her attention.  Diving to the side, she just missed being struck by the gunshot.  The report echoed as she scrambled to her feet, dodging around round.

 

Hitting the speed dial for the cave, Tonya dove into a patch of shadow and held her breath.

 

"Hello?"

 

"Techno," she whispered.  "Someone's shooting at me!"

 

"What?" he asked turning up the volume.  "What do you mean?  Where are you?"

 

"I'm at the refuge.  I didn't see anyone else, but heard the tigers roaring, so went to check it out.  Then someone started shooting at me."  She peeked around the corner.  "I don't know how many there are or what they're shoot, but*Bang*"

 

"Tonya!"

 

"It's alright, they just missed me.  They must have night vision goggles.  I need help, Techno."

 

"Hold on, I've already notified Azure and I'm sending Abra out now.  Just hang on."  He could hear more gunfire in the background.  It almost sounding like a gunfight.

 

"I'll try.  IAHHH!"

 

"What happened?!"

 

"Trank darts.  They're shooting trank darts, Techno.  Guy got in front of me.  Didn't see him.  Damn I"  She grunted in pain as a second dart caught her in the hip.  Tonya stumbled, but kept trying to escape.  Her vision was blurring and didn't see the stairs ahead.  She fell, dropping the phone, and watched helplessly as it slid off into the dark.  Tonya tried to rise, but didn't make it.  Three shadowy figures loomed over her, one firing another dart into her shoulder, and she passed out cold.

 

"Tonya!  Can you hear me?  Tonya answer me!  Damn it!" Techno cursed closing that connection and opening another.  "Better hurry, Azure.  Something happened and I lost contact."

 

 "I'm trying, Techno.  But the firefighters and I just got this inferno under control.  I contact you when I get out there," Azure replied worry filling his voice.

 

Azure flew as fast to the refuge as he could and landed next to Abra.  "Any sign of Tonya?"

 

"Nothing yet.  If this turns out to be one of her jokes" Abra growled.

 

"If this is a joke," he replied, "you'll have to wait your turn."  He looked towards the parking lot.  "There's her truck.  Techno said she was over by the tigers."

 

"That's were I was heading," Abra replied as they hurried that direction.

 

"I don't smell any gun powder," he said sniffing the air.

 

"Tranquilizer guns are usually air powered, at least that's what Tonya said," she answered shining her light around.  "There.  Cartridges."

 

"There's her phone," Azure said and sniffed the air again.  "It's no use.  They must have used something to cover their scent.  I can't pick up the freshest trail and Tonya's been all over this place."

 

"Techno, what ever happened here is over now and there's no sign of Tonya," Abra said.

 

"Alright, then get out of there," Techno said sighing heavily.  "As useless as it is, I'm going to call the cops."

 

"Okay."

- - - -   - --   -

 

The sun was well above the horizon by the time the police had answered Techno's call.  He stood there frowning darkly, glaring through his sunglasses as they began to section off the park with crime scene tape.  After unsuccessfully calling the police, Techno had called Charlene, who had immediately gone out to the refuge.  Going in to check the security cameras, she had found a ransom note and called the police.  The boys in blue had still taken their sweet time getting out there and both Techno's and Charlene's patience was wearing thin.  She walked up and said something to one of the officers, then yelled at him, sending the poor rookie scrambling off to do whatever she had requested.

 

Turning she spotted Techno and walked over to stand beside him, glaring at the police who were milling around aimlessly.  "Do you have any idea who might have done this?" she asked softly.

 

"I already told the police everything I know," Techno replied solemnly.

 

Charlene turned to fix him with a glare that made him flinch.  "Both of us know they'll never find her without a handful of miracles.  I want to know what you're going to do about finding her."

 

Techno raised his sunglasses to look at her.  "What can I do?  This is a job for the police."

 

"Cut the act T, or whatever your real name is.  I'm not brainless like the police chief.  I know what Tonya does in her spare time."

 

"Needlepoint," Techno quipped then flinched again at the look she gave him.

 

"Let's make this a little clearer, shall we?" Charlene growled.  "I was one of the few people who changed her diapers.  When she was two, I saw her carry a ninety-pound bag of concert without effort.  Understand yet?"

 

Techno nodded, looking grim.  "I don't know anything yet.  I've got the others scouring the city, but they haven't found anything so far."

 

"I told the boys in blue, but I don't think they understood.  Who ever kidnapped her, stole animal tranquilizers and a couple rifles from the park's supply.  Enough to keep her out for several days to weeks, or to kill her if they mess up," Charlene said.

 

Techno frowned.  "And nothing was broken into, everything was unlocked with a key?"  Charlene nodded.  "Sounds like an inside job."

 

She sighed.  "I know, but I'm not sure who would have done it.  Everyone likes her."

 

"Apparently not everyone."

 

- - - - - - - - - - -

I think I'm going to throw up.  Groan *sniff sniff* I'd better not.  It smells horrible here as it is.  It was dark, damp, and smelled like mildew, rot, and rat poop.  Whatever she was laying on was hard and cold. Tonya slowly opened her eyes and tried to focus on her surrounding.  The floor on her left, against her cheek, and underneath her appeared to be concert.  She tried to raise her head, but that brought a wave of nausea so strong she gave up.  Her arms were bound behind her at the wrists and her legs hard been tied at the ankles.  A movement caught her eye and she frowned as she realized it was a rat.

 

Somewhere above her she could hear people walking around and a door opening.  Suddenly, a light blazed on, blinding her, but she heard several people coming down stairs.  She tried to open her eyes, but the light was too bright for her drug-hazed eyes to stay open or focus.

 

"She needs more drugs," a man said.

 

"Yeah, she's moving a lot more then she was earlier," another man.

 

"I can keep her quiet," a third man retorted and she heard a zipper being undone.

 

"You'll do no such thing," a fourth man replied.  "Not if you want a cut of the four million."  The zipper was rezipped and Tonya was glad she missed that little scene.  "After we get our money, you can do want ever you want with her.  But for now, just keep her sedated and alive."  Tonya felt the prick of a needle and the sleep that had been threatening now overwhelmed her.  "Now let's go call our dear girl's worried friends."

 

- - - - - - --

 

The phone rang and Charlene waited for the policeman's signal to answer it.  Both the police and Techno were tracing the call and the two different groups were ready to move when a position was established.

 

"Hello?" she said.

 

"Hello," a mechanically altered voice replied.  "Bring eight million dollars to the drop site at ten pm on April tenth.  I'll call back with the location in twenty-four hours.  If I see a single cop at the drop zone the girl will die."

 

The line went dead and the cop tracing the call cursed.  "Almost, ten seconds and I would have had it."

 

"A phone booth in the warehouse district, between block 1400 and 1600," Techno said in the com link.

 

"Thanks," Azure replied rushing to check it out.  "I don't see anyone," he replied a few moments later.  "A cop car is making its round, but I think he might try to arrest me if I asked him."

 

"Come back and well try to figure something else out."

 

 - - - - - - - - - - -

Tonya awoke again, this time lying on her side, her left arm numb from the position.  Her head was clearer than it had been for the past several hours and she tried to loosen her bonds.  She closed her eyes as she felt the rope beginning to slacken, when she realized she should try to contact Poopsie.

 

Poopsie, she thought concentrating hard as her head began to swim again.  Poopsie, can you hear me?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downstairs I think. 

 

 

The room spun as Tonya tried to look around the poorly lit room.  Fra-ge-lee.  I think its French.  I'm in France!

 

Let me see, Poopsie said already guessing the word was fragile, possibly stamped on a crate.

 

Wait, now I got it.  Fraggle!  It says fraggle!   Just then the basement door opened and one of Tonya's captors came downstairs.  It's the Gorg! Tonya said as a hallucination clouded her mind, making it impossible for Poopsie to see anything but her daydream. 

 

The man tossed down a plate of food on the floor for the girl, not caring that she couldn't eat with her hands tied.  He leered at her then hurried back up the stairs before one of partners thought he was up to something. 

 

Poopsie!  The Doozers are eating my Doozer sticks! Tonya whined mentally then passed out cold.

 

Rubbing her forehead, she looked up at Techno as he came into the kitchen for lunch.  "I can confirm they have her on tranquillizers."

 

 - - - - - - - - - - - -

Zarbon bolted upright in bed, staring into the blackness in terror.  A thin sheen of sweat covered his body and he clutched the sheet covering his lower body with one hand, trying to ground himself.  His heart raced and his breathing was faster than normal.  His other hand reached for the girl who should be sleeping at his side but just encountered cool, ruffled sheets.  Closing his eyes, he wiped the hand over his eyes, still grasping the sheet with the other hand.  Another flash of lightening followed instantly by a clap of thunder, made him jump and he stared at the window, eyes wide with fear.  The dream was still fresh in his mind, compounded by the spring storm outside.

 

It wasn't the storms that scared him, but the memories they evoked.  Most of the planets he had lived on had long ago learned to control the weather so destructive storms no longer raged over their surfaces.  But on one of his first missions as mercenary, his team had followed their quarry to a remote, underdeveloped planet.  It was roughly the size of Mars, and the civilizations were about as advanced as the Mayas or Aztecs.

 

 His team was comprised of his trainer, Kaytra; Jeice, a friend and fellow rookie; Jeice's trainer, Luna; and himself.  Though the 5-foot, orange skinned alien looked like a Chibi, Jeice was a few years older and had more experience with tracking and capture techniques.  From the moment they landed on the surface, things began to go wrong.

 

 First, a huge thunderstorm blanketed the entire planet, complete with torrential rains, tornadoes, and lightening.  Second, their quarry had apparently befriended the natives, or seriously ticked them off, because his group was attacked within five minutes of exiting their space pods.  In the darkness and confusion, Zarbon and Jeice were separated from their trainers.  Running through the thick jungle, thoroughly drenched and lost, it wasn't long before even they were separated.

 

 The natives were falling behind in the chase so Jeice stopped to look for his friend with the lightening as his torch.  The search was short; Jeice found Zarbon only a few meters back down the trail, lying in the bottom of a pit.  It was actually a shallow cavern who roof had collapsed just as Zarbon passed over it.  But why hadn't Zarbon simply flown out of the hole?

 

 The next flash revealed the answer and Jeice blanched.  Hundreds of bodies filled the room, in various states of decomposition and arrangement, and the poor rookie was tangled up in the middle of it.  Their skeletal fingers were caught in his hair, several were lying on him or across him, and the smell had to be overwhelming.  Sensing a power level behind him, Jeice barely had time to dodge the ki blast.

 

 The gang they had been chasing had found them and the air was soon thick with energy blasts.  Lucky, Luna and Kaytra heard the commotion and came to the rescue within minutes.  The whole affair was wrapped up in less than an hour and the prisoners were safely stowed in the holding units.  It took a bit of effort to free Zarbon from the lair of the dead, and to this day an innocent spring storm could still conjure images of gaping skulls and rotting flesh trapping him in the bowels of the earth.  The nightmares of the clinging bodies and horrid stench always made him awake in terror, sweating and staring into the darkness in fear.

 

 Tonya had discovered his guilty secret early in their relationship and tried to help the best she could.  Surprisingly, she hadn't laughed at him when he asked if he could sleep on the couch in her room his first April in the mansion.  Instead, they'd spent the night wrapped in a blanket, watching Disney movies, and sitting on her couch.  Without her here to comfort him, Zarbon found sleeping difficult as the lightening and thunder rattled the windows.  As the lightening faded, he could feel them crawling closer, just waiting for him to fall asleep.

 

 "Tonya, where are you?" he whispered clutching her pillow to his chest.

 

- - - - - - -

"Are you sure about this?" Jessica asked glancing at Sally then at Zarbon.

 

 "Do you have a better idea than questioning the only witnesses?" Sally retorted. 

 

"Zarbon, we're here," Alec said tapping the dozing man on the shoulder.  The police weren't having much luck in finding the girl and Alec felt guilty for not being able to answer the call.  He had been involved in the high-speed chase that had stopped the arsonist's escape, and had been good hour away when the call came.

 

 The foursome got out of the car and started walking towards the employee entrance where Charlene was supposed to meet them.  "But what if someone sees us doing this?" Jessica hissed.  "We might make them suspicious."

 

 Zarbon rolled his eyes.  "The refuge was closed by the police until Tonya is found.  Charlene is trustworthy and loyal.  She is supposed to be the only one here, but Frank may have stayed.  And I'm pretty sure he already knows."

 

 Charlene let them in and led them through the maze of yellow tape to where the kidnapping probably occurred.  "I don't know how you want to do this exactly, but the best guess is that it happened around in this area.  We refer to this place as Cat Alley."

 

 Jessica looked around at all the big cats that were watching the people curiously.  A large white wolf stared at her from the far end while his pups wrestled on the ground in from of him.  She turned to the large white Bengal tiger and studied the nameplate for a moment.

 

 "Hello Snow," she said.  "Did you see anything strange happen here a couple of nights ago?"

 

 "I assume you speak of the abduction," he said fixing her with an ice blue glare. "Why do you ask?" 

 

 "The girl is a friend of mine and I would like to know what you saw," Jessica answered.

 

 "You're a friend of the trick teacher?" a large Siberian tiger asked.  "Have the badge wearers found her yet?"

 

 "No, umm, Rajah, they haven't that why I'm here," she replied.

 

 "There were three males," Snow said.  "One large and tall.  About this height." he stood up on his back legs to demonstrate a height of about six feet.  "The other two were smaller, but not thin." Snow dropped slightly, giving the men heights of about 5'9". 

 

 "We tried to warn her," the female Leopard, Shadow, said sadly.  "But they had the sleep guns."

 

 "She would have kicked their tails if she wasn't injured," a yearling white tiger growled.  "The toy bringer is very strong."

 

 All the growls and other noises the cats were making made no sense to Alec, though he hoped Jessica could understand them.  He wandered down to the wolves' enclosure and watched the pups now chasing one another around the rocks by their den.  The wolf ignored him, inspecting a snowy paw instead. 

 

 Nikon, Alec thought looking at the beautiful animal, He almost looks like Tony. 

 

The wolf finally looked at him, obviously bothered by the dark headed man's scrutiny.  What do you want, shifter? he asked giving Alec a golden-eyed glare.

 

Alec blinked, startled.  The wolf's mind voice was so clear...perhaps living with Poopsie had boosted his telepathic abilities.  Did you see anything when Tonya was kidnapped?

 

 The treat giver?  Green eyes and a long, brown braid?

 

 

 No, I'm afraid I did not.  Not really. The men didn't come down this far.  They were shooting so wildly that I was afraid for my pups.  Kita, the pups, and I hid in the den until the firing was over, the wolf answered.

 

Thank you, Alec replied and turned to go.

 

But Houdini the leopard may have some information, Nikon called after him.  He was trying quite desperately to get out of his cage and I think he succeeded.  He has been quite upset about the incident and blames himself for not stopping the attack.

 

The leopard can get out? Alec asked surprised.

 

Yes, he knows how to work the panel.  It has become a game for him and the treat bringer.  She changes the code every week, unless he hasn't broken it and that hasn't happened yet.  Nikon paused.  She always changes it Saturday night.  He didn't have time to work out the proper sequence yet.

 

Alec looked at the leopard laying on a log in his enclosure.  Instead on the normal lounging attitude most big cats displayed, this leopard looked like Bowie did when someone scolded him for something when he was a pup.  The cat sighed heavily; staring at something only he could see.

 

Thanks for the lead, Alec said then turned to catch up with the group who was now leaving.

 

"The cats didn't see much, they were too busy ducking the stray shots," Sally reported as he joined the group.

 

"You didn't ask the wolf or other leopard," Alec pointed out.  "Maybe they know something."

 

"The other animals said the men didn't go that far and that they took her off the other direction," Jessica replied.  "Why waste the time?"

 

"Wait a minute," Charlene said.  "Houdini's been acting funny since the kidnapping.  Maybe he did see something."

 

"Okay, I'll give it a shot," Jessica said with a shrug.  They walked down to the depressed leopard was moping.  "Hello, Houdini."

 

The leopard raised his head and looked at her curiously.  "What do you want?" he asked glumly.

 

"Did you see anything dealing with Tonya's kidnapping?" Jessica asked.

 

The leopard blinked then stood up quickly.  "The code master?  Yes, yes I did.  Three males took her."  He looked around his enclosure angrily.  "I tried to get out, but she's made it impossible but for the door.  I can work the panel," he admitted with pride.  His grin faltered.  "But I couldn't figure out the new code.  She had changed the code only the night before and I hadn't worked on it much knowing I had all week."  He hung his head.  "It's my fault," he declared sadly.  "I couldn't stop them even when I broke the code.  All I got was the one man's mask."

 

"You got his mask!" Jessica exclaimed.

 

"Yes," Houdini grumbled.  "Hooray for me.  I didn't even scratch him when I took it."

 

"Where is the mask?" Jessica asked.

 

"Huh?" Houdini looked at her confused.  "Over there," he said gesturing with a paw.  "I brought it back to my home after the gate shut in my face."

 

"May I have it?"

 

"Sure, I don't see why, but if you want it you may have it."  He jumped off the branch and picked up the ski mask.  With a flick of his head, he tossed it to her.

 

"Thank you," Jessica called and put the mask in the plastic bag Sally held open for her.

 

"Lets get this back to Techno," Zarbon said.  "Maybe we finally have a lead."

- - - - -  - - -

"Well?"

 

"Zarbon, asking me if it's done every five minutes won't speed up the process," Techno said glaring at his friend.  "I know you miss, Tonya, but driving me insane won't help her."

 

"Sorry," Zarbon said sighing.

 

"Don't you have a project or something due soon?" Techno asked.

 

"Yeah," Zarbon admitted.  "But I can't concentrate.  And besides, I need Tonya help me figure out how to write up my report in simple terms the congressmen can understand."

 

The computer beeped and both men looked at the screen expectantly.  "I don't believe this.  No hits," Techno said.  "This guy doesn't have a record anywhere."

 

"You checked everything," Zarbon asked.

 

"Everything.  I even had Spook hack into confidential government files.  We've hit another dead end."

 

- - - -- -  - - - - - - -
"Eight million dollars, Thursday night at the fairgrounds, no cops, ten pm," Charlene said rereading the list she'd made when the man he called back.  The group was gathered in the kitchen of the mansion discussing their next move.  "The money's no problem, but keeping the cops away could be."

 

"Are we sure they'll actually return Tonya would they get their money?" Poopsie asked.

 

"No, and I didn't get the chance to ask.  He seemed to know just how much time he had before the police could get a solid trace," Charlene replied.  "I have Dr. Electra Mendoza on stand by for when we do find her."

 

"So we have until tomorrow to think of a plan," Sally stated.

 

"But we never have a plan," Dee replied.  "Well, not one that works."

 

"I have a question," Sebastian said, leaning against the wall.  "What if they have no intention of letting her go or she's already dead?"

 

- - - - - - - -
Tonya awoke again, not fully sure she was awake.  The hallucinations made it difficult to distinguish between dream and reality.  Right now the floor, which was littered with newspaper and rodent dropping, appeared to be covered with leaves and vines.  The ropes around her wrists finally gave way to her attempts to dislodge them just before the door at the head of the stairs swung open.

 

She instinctually pretended to be asleep as he clambered down the stairs and made his way across the floor.  He dropped the pie tin of food on the floor, but didn't leave turn to leave like he usually did.  Her muscles tensed as he crouched beside her.

 

"Less then twenty four hours, my sweet," he purred.  "Then you'll be mine."  He reached for her breast for a small sample of her wares, but his hand never connected.

 

Tonya's, on the other hand, did.  The blow hit him squarely in the side, and he flew a few feet before landing hard on the floor.  He lay unmoving and the hallucinations made him into a tree stump.  She struggled to sit up, then dealt with the ropes about her ankles.  Crawling across the floor because her equilibrium was practically gone, she eyed her escape route with distrust.

 

The rickety wooden stair appeared to be a slimy, moss shrouded boulders leading up to a stone doorway.  Hesitating only a moment, she began to creep up the stair, freezing at every creak that seemed like gunshot to her overly sensitized ears.  Luckily, she made it all the way up with incident, but knew she couldn't simply crawl out the door to freedom; she had to call in the Calvary.

Forcing her tired muscles to keep moving, she slipped along the floor desperately trying to find the phone.  The hallucinations dissipated for a moment, allowing her to spot the phone on a small table.  Hurrying over to it, she eagerly reached for it when her vision was clouded and it became a huge, hairy, hissing spider.  Her eyes widened and she started to pull back, then steeled her nerves and grabbed the beast around the middle.  Shaking fingers dialed 911 and she waited with baited breath for the operator to pick up.

 

"Tequila Heights Emergency Department.  This is Sara.  What seems to be the problem?" a woman answered.  The line was silent and she immediately checked the location of the call.  "Hello?  Can I help you?"

 

Tonya's mind raced for something to say.  "This is Tonya D___," she said quietly, sure the police had been notified of her disappearance.  "I don't know where I am.  Please send someone to get me," her voice started to crack as she said this last line, her pride warring with her fear.

 

"Ok, Miss D___, I'm sending a squad car to your location right now.  Are you hurt or in danger?"

 

"I...I don't know.  I think they have me on something.  Everything fuzzy.  I..."  Tonya shrank against the wall as she heard someone coming down the stairs from the second floor.

 

"Damn Fred," the man said.  "He better not be screwing her, or he's going to be screwed.  Shoulda never put him in change of feeding her," he continued to himself.  "We all know his reputa...Why is the phone missing?"

 

The man hurried around the corner where Tonya hid slumped against the wall.  "Little Bitch!" the man said ripping the phone from her grasp.  He backhanded her slamming her head against the wall, making her see stars. 

 

Suddenly the front door flew open and Alec entered the house, hand poised to draw his dagger.  Though he wasn't in the closest squad car, he had made sure his was the first on the scene.  He immediately spotted the man who now had Tonya by the hair as Seth cautiously came in the door, gun at the ready.

 

"Let her go," Alec growled.

 

"Yeah right," the man replied revealing the gun he had pressed to Tonya's temple.  "Why don't you just leave, pigs?  Before the girl gets a new air hole."

 

Alec frowned and Seth glanced at him for instruction.  Suddenly Tonya punched the guy in the knee and he howled in pain, loosening his grip enough for her to pull away.  Without hesitation, Alec lunged forward and punched the guy, knocking him unconscious.  Seth shouted a warning and Alec saw the third man leaning over the rail with a trank rifle.  Tonya moved just as both guns fired, knocking Alec down, and taking the dart in the shoulder.  The man dropped the rifle, clutching his shoulder where Seth's bullet now rested.

 

Another pair of officers came through the door, guns drawn and ready.  One radioed for an ambulance while the other handcuffed the unconscious man.  Alec carefully pushed Tonya off of him and pulled the dart from her shoulder.  Cradling her gently, he checked her pulse, frowning as he noticed her eyes were open and glazed. 

 

"Tonya," he said patting her cheek.  "Can you hear me?"

 

Her eyes flicked towards his face and she blinked slowly.  The emerald orbs cleared slightly and she frowned.  "Alec?" she asked softly.  She was confused and disorientated, and looked around wildly.  Tonya struggled to stand and he helped her up.  "We have to go," she said trying to pull him towards the door.  "They'll be back."  Her eyes glazed again and her knees buckled.

 

"Let's go, Seth," Alec called over his shoulder as he picked her up.  He started to carry her to the patrol car even as several more arrived on the scene.  The almost full moon cast a silvery glow across the patrol cars, making the situation seem less serious than it was.

 

"One in the basement."

 

He paused and looked down at the girl who was clutching his shirt like a drowning person.  "What?" he asked.

 

The drug was starting to drag her under again and she held tighter, trying to fight it.  "A man.  In the basement."  She struggled to get the words out, her tongue felt heavy and her mind was slow.  "Hurt."

 

He nodded and she relaxed her grip.  "Bill!" he called to one of the passing officers.  "Check the basement."  Alec opened the back door of his car and tossed the startled rookie a look. "Drive." was the only command he gave before getting in the back.

 

Seth ran around, started the car, and took off.  He glanced in the rearview mirror only once before flipping on the lights and sirens. 

 

"Hang on, Tonya," Alec said softly as he watched her trying to fight the drug coursing through her veins.  He hoped Techno had already heard the call over the scanner and informed Charlene to meet them at the police station. 

 

Her eyes closed suddenly and she went limp.  He fingers searched her throat for a pulse and she opened her eyes again.  "Nikon?" she asked softly.  A frown ceased her forehead as she looked at Alec.  "You're not Nikon."  Looking down at her, he saw the dawning comprehension in her eyes, but the drug took hold again and it was gone.

 

Her eyes were unfocused and he knew she was loosing the fight.  Taking a deep breath, he did something he wouldn't have done under any other circumstances; he slipped his fingers around her brown belt and squeezed.  Immediately, her eyes focused and her grip on his shirt tightened.  He locked his gaze with hers, squeezing her tail only when her eyes started to glaze again.  A small smile crossed her lips as he applied more pressure.  Tonya knew just as well as he did that the pain would help her fight the drug and so far it was working.

 

Seth whipped the car into its place, turned it off, and jumped out to open the door for Alec.  He took Tonya's hands and putted her from the car, catching her as her knees started to buckle.  Alec got out, scooped her up again, and hurried inside with Seth just a step behind.  A look of surprise crossed Alec's features as he realized the entire group, including Techno stood their waiting.

 

 Charlene, Techno, and Dr. Mendoza were having a heated argument with the police chief.  Zarbon looked mad enough to kill, but his expression immediately changed to worry as he spotted Tonya in Alec's arms.  He stepped forward to take her from his friend when Humphrey spotted Alec.

 

 "Black," Humphrey barked.  "Bring her over here.  We need to get a statement."

 

 "But, sir, she's needs medical attention," Alec stated.

 

 "Nonsense.  We can get her statement then she can go home.  A little sedative never hurt anyone," Humphrey retorted.  "Now Black, or would you like to be on the switchboard for a week."

 

 Alec joined the others in glaring at the pompous fool, but Humphrey was unfazed.  Sitting her carefully in the indicated chair, Alec stood close by in case she decided to pass out or anything else weird.  Humphrey waved over the officer who would be writing down the statement while Tonya just looked around slightly cross-eyed.

 

 "Miss D___, we need to get a statement for you," Humphrey said trying to get the drugged girl's attention.

 

 Tonya looked at the chief blankly.  "The sky is blue," she answered matter-of-factly.

 

 "This is a very serious matter, Miss D___," Humphrey replied.  "I know it will be difficult, but please try to be cooperative."

 

  "I'm naked under these clothes," she replied.

 

 Humphrey's face turned an interesting shade of reddish-purple and he slammed his hands down on the table.  "D___!"

 

 Tonya jumped to her feet and startled look on her face and Alec moved to catch her if she bolted.  She stared at Humphrey wide eyed and her voice was higher than normal when she spoke.  "Mr. Edwards!" she squeaked and the other girls exchanged glances.  "I swear I did my homework," she whimpered.  She looked around wildly.  "But someone's stolen my backpack.  I."  Without warning, Tonya passed out cold and crumpled bonelessly towards the floor.

 

 Alec caught her and simply picked her up again as Zarbon stepped forward to take her.  Humphrey started to protest, but was cut off by the death glare Zarbon shot him.  They locked gazes for a moment, then without a word, Zarbon turned on his heel and headed for the door.  The chief was pale and clutched the desk for support, feeling like Death had just barely passed him by.  All but Alec and Seth hurried after Zarbon, eager to leave.  Zarbon got in the car with the doctor and Charlene, a worried expression now fixed on his face.

 

 They made it by to the mansion in record time and Zarbon carried Tonya up to her room.  He laid her on the bed gently, and brushed a few wayward strands of hair out of her face.  Dr. Mendoza exchanged a glance with Charlene, and then cleared her throat.  Zarbon looked at them expectantly, waiting for the doctor to start what ever she had to do.

 

 "Do you know where her night clothes are?" the doctor asked.

 

 "Oh, yes of course.  Sorry, I wasn't thinking," Zarbon apologized and quickly produced a shirt and pants from the dresser.  "This is what she usually wears," he said offering them to Charlene.

 

 "Thank you," Dr. Mendoza said.  "Now if you would kindly leave, we can get started."  She sat her medical bag on the bed and bag to lay various instruments on the comforter. 

 

Zarbon's eyes widened as he watched her hesitant to leave his lover when he had just gotten her back.  And some of those implements... "Umm...what's that one for?" he asked, unsure if he really wanted to know.

 

 "I have to determine if she was sexually assaulted," she replied without looking at him.
 
 Charlene put a hand on his shoulder and tried to steer him toward the door.  "Sexually assaulted?" he echoed weakly.

 

 "It's a possibly we can't rule out.  She's a very attractive girl and has been under a heavy tranquillizer.  Oh, before you leave...Do you know if she is a virgin?" the doctor asked turning to look at him.

 

 Zarbon was still trying to comprehend what she meant by sexually assaulted.  They couldn't have, could they?  Finally the doctor's question registered.  "Yes," he said hoping with all his heart it was still true.  He stepped out into the hall and was immediately surround by the others.

 

 "How is she?" Poopsie asked.

 

 Zarbon shook his head, sagged against the wall, staring at the floor.  "How are you?" Sally asked.

 

 "The doctor thinks the men may have..." he trailed off unable to finished.  He looked up at them, eyes hopeful.  "They wouldn't, would they?  I mean...it's just not right...they couldn't have..."

 

 "What's so hard to believe?" Sebastian said.  "Doesn't it happen on your planet?"

 

 "No," Zarbon shook his head vigorously.  "No one would dare.  The penalty is death, regardless of your gender."

 

 They fell silent, not knowing what to say.  Ten minutes, then twenty passed and the door remained closed.  Finally after about thirty-five minutes, the women emerged from Tonya's room.  Dr. Mendoza looked a bit shocked, but Charlene smiled warmly.

 

 She patted Zarbon on the shoulder comfortably.  "The doctor has to send the kit to the lab, but there wasn't any physical evidence anything happen," she said, then turned to the woman standing mutely behind her.  "Isn't that right, Electra?"

 

 "Huh?  What?  Oh yes, yes," she answered distractedly.  "Sorry I was just trying to figure something out."

 

 "Patient confidentiality, my dear doctor," Charlene said with a smirk.  "You can ask her when she wakes up.  Come on now, we need to get back to the zoo."

 

 "Wait," Jessica said.  "Aren't you going to give her an antidote or something?  Or did you already?"

 

 "I could give her the reversal drug," Electra started.  "But I wouldn't know the exact dosage to give her.  The other times she's been accidentally hit, we've just let her sleep it off.  Besides, if I gave it to her now, the shock to her system would probably kill her."  She gestured to the door.  "I've started a saline drip and attached a pulse monitor to her hand.  I'll be back tomorrow morning.  I'm sure she'll be find for tonight."  Turning to follow Charlene, she paused.  "Oh, and don't move or touch her unless its an emergency.  She's probably experiencing some very odd dreams and hallucinations, and unnecessary contact could just make it worse."  She looked straight at Zarbon while saying this, then left.

 

"So," Sebastian said rubbing his hands together.  "Whose up for a game of poker?"