Previously, Alain has gone to the offices of Dewey, Cheatham & Howe dressed to the nines, but today he wants to give an air of arrogance, of nonchalance.

He did not change after seeing to the vehicles at the Division earlier today. He's still in his black t-shirt, tan leather shoulder holster and olive cargo pants (likely old military fatigues), cigarette hanging from his lip, hands in his pockets. He hasn't shaved in a few days, either - and he smells like another woman's perfume. He knocks twice, carelessly, on Mister Howe's doorway.

A first, the door leading into the typical room where Howe tends to prefer doing his business, is closed. The warehouse is oddly silent, save the sound of Howe's voice raised in anger from behind that door.

"You refuse to do as you are told! You blatantly disobey me and you make public proclamations" of how you desire to see us dead! Now, tell me little mouse, how does it feel to be eaten up whole by the cat?"

From inside the room comes a resounding thud. It's a harsh sound, but to the Detective's trained ear it is also familiar. A body has just hit the wall, and hard.

"You" you can't kill me!" the voice is weak but Alain knows it's Lisa. "It's against the contract, Mister Howe!"

"Against the contract, you fucking little piece of dog shit"! You broke the contract when you refused to follow your side of the agreement. And I am not going to kill you, little mouse, I am merely going to hurt you so badly that the inevitable conclusion will be death." Alain can hear the sneer in that voice, so full of venom. "You stupid cow! You think I don't have ways of keeping my eyes on you?! I've been soul riding you for years, ever since you sold your soul to save that self-destructive husband of yours. What a stupid, silly fool you are, throwing away something so precious for something of no worth. He was a skin suit, Lisa, a skin suit looking for the right time to lie down and die!"

"No!"

The shrill screams that echo from behind the door are piercing, as if the person is being flayed alive.

Composure. Careful composure. Alain knows better than to reveal his anguish at Lisa's torment in the halls of DCH, though within he is panicking. He wants to protect her - he promised to, to set her free! - what will happen if she is killed while her soul belongs to Mister Howe"

"Oi!" He knocks again. "Finish her off, tag me in or send her out! We've got more important things to talk about. Killing Belial" That ring a bell for you?"

"Enter." Howe yelled at the door, but the screaming inside the room didn't stop.

As Alain steps inside the sight that greets him is enough to freeze a normal man's soul. Lisa is pinned to the wall, except there are no visible bonds; it is as if she were super-glued there. Skin hangs in shreds off her arms, legs and torso. Mercifully, or intentionally perhaps, her face has been left unmarked. Her blue eyes are wide and bulging from pain or fear or both. She's naked and seems covered in her own blood. Her clothing lay in tatters on the floor a few feet away. It is obvious that she has been brutalized, the question is to what extent"

Howe snarls and pins those beady red eyes on Alain. "About time you got here, boy!" He gestures at the girl pinned like a bug to the wall. "You are something, selling the damned hope like you did. I had thought I would have to work harder to claim your soul, who could have known you'd hand it over to Morningstar all on your own" They are already talking about you down there, son. You make me proud!"

Howe is smiling as he holds out his hand to Alain. He sincerely looks like a proud father should.

"A few things came to mind," Alain says, with a grin and an obscene wink over at Lisa that kills another part of him - he can feel a piece of his full, beating, heavy heart twist until it wrenches off, and burn away into ash....Is he playing into their hands more than they are playing into his" He takes Howe's hand firmly, and rests his other over it as he continues. "How could I be so low....how could I lead this vapid blond on so....but then I said to myself....what the hell" Why not!"

He laughs, shakes his hand at last and let's go. The sudden resemblance Mister Howe has for his own father sickens him, and his wounded heart twists again. "You're not pulling my leg?" He turns from him to observe Lisa's wounded form like a work of art. "They're talking about me down there" ...Any talk about..." His lips thin thoughtfully, and twist into a smile again. "...a legion' I like to think I'm a man of ambition, after all."

Howe laughs, fully amused. He claps his heads together and rubs at them gleefully. "You keep up at the pace your going, son' You'll be ruling in Hell in no time!" Beady eyes fall on Lisa and he gestures casually. The girl falls limply from the wall as if suddenly released by the unseen bonds. Alain can tell that she's unconscious, perhaps from blood loss, or going into shock. "Got some chores for you, son. I'm certain you'll enjoy them. First I need you to take out the trash." Howe nods towards Lisa. "Feel free to drop her off in the middle of town; leave her for the street cleaners to pick up. Or take her home and use her to your heart's content, she is a rather tasty ride, even when she's screaming." He gives Alain a lecherous snaky smile. "If she lives, she'll do her job or else. If she dies," Howe laughs, "it's just one more soul to feed the battery, right?" Jokingly nudges his elbow to Alain's arm. "I won't mind at all if you kill her yourself, son."

Howe steps off towards the desk and picks up a newspaper. He holds it up, waving it back and forth at Alain. The paper is dated three weeks ago and comes from someplace called Los Angeles. "This. This is another matter entirely. Have you seen the new sign hanging from our office building in the Marketplace"!" Howe says with a growl in his voice. "That bitch went out and seized our assets. This will not be tolerated. I want you to bring me Miss Lilah Morgan, understand" I want her brought to be alive so I can slaughter her like the pig she is."

Alain looks down at Lisa, as if pondering coolly whether she's worth ravaging and/or murdering, or if he ought to just leave her to die someplace. Then he sees the newspaper and gestures politely for it, then takes it to inspect for himself.

"Obviously she won't come to you when called....but I'm sure I can make her an irresistible offer." He hands the newspaper back and steps over Lisa to put out his cigarette in an ashtray. "She comes to my office; I feed her a few drinks..." An evil smile curls his lips as he itches at the ring on his left hand, then looks over his shoulder at Mister Howe. "Then we'll see where things go from there. You got any intell for me" Pictures, known associates....I can make do without, but it'll make things easier."

"I got plenty of intel for you son. She's staying at the Red Dragon Inn, on my fucking dime. Room 17. Here you go," Howe tosses the key to Alain, expecting him to catch it. "The key, we got a duplicate made." He snorts with amusement. "Had a doppelganger go into the inn two nights back, looked like one of the regular tenders". It walked behind the bar, picked up the key and walked right back out. Not a soul even attempted to stop them." Howe says with pride. "As for Lilah, the bitch; she never goes anywhere except for the office and the inn. She takes the freakin" company coach everywhere; the lazy assed wench! Can't walk three blocks in those damn shoes, don't know why she bothers to buy them or put them on! She'll be in town until Sunday night, then she'll be running back to L.A. like the little stealing coward she is. I want her in our hands before she can escape."

Howe moves to his overstuffed chair and sits. Picking out a cigar, he goes through the motions of preparing it to smoke, those beady eyes on Alain. "Don't underestimate the woman, Alain. She's one hell of a vile demon in her own regard. And don't you dare give her that soul of yours, son! If it isn't given to Lucifer himself, you'd best be offering it my way first! I will flay your skin off your bones and feed you to the vultures if you betray me, understand"!" Howe is once again snarling.

Something has him in a very touchy mood.

Alain catches the key effortlessly, and makes a note to himself to intensify the wards at his own room at the inn. "Doubt I'll need this, but it's a good fallback." He pockets it and leans against the edge of the desk, blatantly ignoring Lisa. "She's not human?"

"Lilah never was human, contrary to popular belief. Some demons were born mortal but they were quick in finding their proper paths." Howe chortled gleefully, "Like you son, you were born human, but let's be honest, yes" You are everything but, aren't you now" You do reveal in your sins. What's that' Two' Yes" Two women I smell on you?" Howe pins Alain with that beady eyed gaze, the red glimmer shimmers through the natural eye color. "Cinnamon' and spice" I would suggest you've been hanging around a certain special someone, but we both know otherwise. Belial would eat you alive rather than talk to you. We've made sure the rumors are out, that everyone knows you work for us. So who is that lovely smell you're wearing?" Howe smells Belial and Tsu'ula, but he doesn't yet realize it. How long before he figures it out"

"You sure do get around, son. Those loins of yours will be the death of you yet!" Howe smirks merrily.

Alain chuckles, rubbing at the back of his neck as if embarrassed at the good-humored ribbing of a friend. "An assassin, one of them." He winks. "I like my women dangerous."

He pats his pocket and fishes out another cigarette. He lights it, and mutters around it, "Speaking of Belial....I've got a tail on her. What I had been hoping was that, since she's being tailed in what?s generally known as my turf, she'd come see me to sort it out through a contract, but if she knows I'm working for you now?" He waves it off. "No matter. Jack Silence is a fucking natural, uncanny at following marks, even one such as Belial. Give it time, and I can figure out where she'll be and when for you, and you can," quick pantomime of breaking a neck as he clicks his tongue, "take her out."

Howe stares at Alain with an impassive expression on his face. Slowly the grin spreads over thin lips. "You really think you can reel in that fish' You know, when I first set you on her, I thought she'd chew you up and spit you out. But now, I am growing rather fond of you. Maybe you should leave the bigger fish for me to fry, son. I wouldn't want you to end up dead before we have the chance to negotiate for that rotten soul of yours." Howe chuckles.

"Oh' You had such a touching scene with that piece of shit on the floor over there in the Marketplace, not twenty feet from our office building. Problem is, if I hadn't been soul riding that bitch I would have missed her confession to you. I want the Marketplace bugged. See to that and any other venue people seem to be drawn to. Information from the inn is getting too scarce. Almost as if they know we're watching them."

He doesn't address the rumor comment or the 'dangerous women" one. Instead he lights up his cigar and leans back into his chair. Fingers tap against the overstuffed armrest as that snake-like beady gaze roams from Lisa to Alain. "You better get that trash outta here, it's starting to stink the place up, son."

"I'll see to it," Alain says simply, referring both to the bugging and to taking out the 'trash.' "Good thing I didn't wear my good suit today," he adds in a mutter that Howe can still hear, and fairly easily hoists Lisa's frame over his shoulder. She's a horrible mess, and he thinks he can feel her loose skin smearing against his cheek. He gives a single parting wave to Howe as he exits, using the ability given to him to assume the form of a Watch officer - a man no one would likely stop, the one most likely to get away with carrying a bleeding naked woman - as he goes.

((Authors Note: This happens after DCH - Conspiracies Part 2. Thanks!))

Belial looks askance at Alain, a delicate brow lifting as she digests his words and his current state. A look is given to the three Bloods hanging out watching everything, and then she gives them a dismissive wave. "None of you saw anything, understand" This is a covert operation, and if I hear a thing about this, here or anywhere else, I will have all three of your heads on a silver platter. Now, leave us."

The two more verbal Bloods grumble as they meander off towards the rear of the building. The third one however remains in his lean against the doorway. He chuckles as he folds his arms. "Can't get rid of me that fast Belial; I've been assigned your bodyguard. I don't know this guy and he's covered in blood; I'm staying right here." Wulf isn't giving Wyld or Jona any reason to dress him down.

Belial shrugs scowling at the Blood. "If you insist, Wulf, fine! I'm taking him to my office; you can stand outside the door."

Belial does touch Alain, taking him by his arm and gently leading him down the hallway to her office near the end. The doors they pass have name plates. Some were written in common, some in High Elven and some in various other forms of the Elven languages. He may suspect they are names as Belial's door has her name upon it. She pulls him inside and quietly shuts the door behind them. After releasing him near the sofa, Bel pours him a shot of their finest whisky, hoping it will ease some of the manic tension he's exuding.

"Now that we are alone" shall we start again?" Belial asks as she hands him the rock glass half-full of the amber colored liquor. "Who is this woman' He's soul-riding" That's not good news for our side" Hmph, a trick many Below have, I should have suspected he'd use it. Now" How do you suggest we help her?"

Belial has the ability to mask her scent' but she's not the most proficient of healers. She doesn't bother to mention this to Alain right at this moment, but mentally she contacts Indi, and asks the lady to come to her.

Alain almost tosses the glass away, so strong is his anger and frustration at this point. Instead he pounds it back and paces away, finding at this moment he is calmer when he is not facing her.

"Howe has been soul-riding her for some time, including when she felt led to confess to me she wishes to defy and be free of her contract to him." He does not clarify how he did this leading, nor that he did not do it intentionally - no need to gain her ire any further when he needs a favor from her. "He tortured her for her defiance and left me to dispose of her....If we heal her and Mister Howe soul-rides her again, he could find out a great deal....possibly enough to destroy the entire operation."

The logical conclusion, killing her, comes to him with a pang, but he pre-empts it. "If she is allowed to die, her soul just becomes another battery for the lawyers. If we could somehow....dupe Howe for each time he soul-rides, then she could survive without any danger to us, and we would deny the lawyers the use of her soul."

It's quick thinking, but it's not clear how quick it is....as he's hiding a few very important points from his employer.

Belial moves behind the desk and slides gracefully into the chair. She kicks her feet up atop the papers scattered there, watching Alain as he avoids looking at her. Elbows rest on the arms of the chair and she folds her hands in her lap. A slight frown pulls at those full, red lips, but otherwise she seems calm and confident.

"We can stop him from soul-riding her. But if she's alive he will know she's being blocked, Alain. Can you keep her out of sight' Or maybe convince her to go along with what the demonic trio wants out of her" If she does as she has been bidden, they will be more than happy to use her and not want her destroyed. Otherwise" I fear Howe will kill her." Belial pauses wondering how much Alain really needs to know. The worry over such things is long past and she shrugs, abandoning the hope of keeping him out of the thick of things. "Facts are, Alain" if she doesn't do as they want, then her soul is the only thing of profit she has left. You want us to save her" But if she can't do as they demand, perhaps the only kindness we can grant her is to let her die. I'm sorry to be so blunt. I see that she has come to mean something to you." The frown takes prominence now as Belial wonders what is really going on with Alain. She keeps those thoughts to herself however.

"We could use her, Alain" She might be a useful tool for our side, if she's willing. Do you think for the price of her soul she would be willing?"

Is Bel offering to ensure Lisa's freedom?

The young lieutenant is sitting on the floor with Lisa's head cradled against his lap. He starts at their appearance, and scolds Alain - "Jesus Christ, Al, what took you so long?" Alain looks over at Belial and then kneels next to the Watchman, looking at Lisa. "She's not doing so well....she feels cold..." Then O'Brien's steady gaze rises to Belial. There is a flicker of recognition that is to be expected from one so familiar with the West End, but all he says is, "Can you take care of her?"

Belial nods to the Watchman. "Yes, we can take care of her sir. Thank you. If ever we can return this favor, you have only to ask." Belial doesn't bother offering him her hand, but she passes him her card as she kneels on the opposite side of the girl. Green eyes move over the lady and she shakes her head. "He meant her to linger then die?" The words are low and spoken mostly to her self. There is venom in the downward curl of her lips. "Howe?"

If ever there was a doubt as to how much Belial hates Howe, it would be erased by the cold gleam in those green eyes.

O'Brien looks at the card and, were the situation more appropriate, he would give in his desire to laugh incredulously. A West End Watchman, owed a favor by House Onyx that does not involve blackmail. He claps Alain's shoulder and makes his way out without another word.

"I need Indi?" Bel says as she stands and moves a few feet away. Not a word is spoken or movement made, not even a flicker of those eyes.

In less than three seconds a tall, silver-haired Elven woman appears. Her hair lifts in unseen currents as if caressed by the winds, yet the room is rather airless. Her smile is serene as she looks from Bel to the girl to Alain. Stepping over to Lisa, Indi rests a hand to Alain's shoulder. It radiates comfort and contentment. "She's going to be ok" Would you please step back" It is wisest to avoid contamination."

Bel moves off to the other side of the room, giving Indi her privacy to focus on the task of saving the girl's life. She crosses her arms and nips at her lower lip thoughtfully; an internal struggle of protocol and compassion. Bel knows what she *should* do, but that's not what she *wants* to do.

Alain looks at Indigo's hand on his shoulder, then up at her. Her positive energies numb him, and he nods obediently, stepping back to speak quietly with Belial while the healer works.

"She wound up in Howe's debt in a failed effort to save her husband....Now they want her to offer her body to me so she can spy on me for them....She's drawn to me like a moth to flame - I wouldn't doubt Howe's magic has a hand in it."

Bel looks at Alain and smirks at that last comment. "Maybe? maybe not' Maybe she just fell for you? Howe doesn't have the ability to *make* someone fall in love, Alain." Bel says this with confidence, like someone who would know. "What are you doing here Alain" How important is she to you and do you really think they will just "let her go??"

Bel turns to face him, a hand falling to the full curve of her hip, those green eyes intense on his blues.

His eyes narrow....For lack of anything better to say for the moment, he fishes a cigarette out of his pocket, bloody fingers staining the white paper of it. He lights it and breathes a smoky sigh.

"...I was brought into her life as another sleazebag P.I. working for the morally bankrupt, hardly a charming persona. I find it difficult to believe she fell for me of her own volition." Lips thin as he pulls the cigarette away, moving to tap it....and he pauses. He pauses so long that the ash lengthens and crumbles away on its own. That light in his eyes says one thing - an idea!

Belial watches Alain noting the flicker of minuscule ticks that give hints to his thoughts. She can't believe it but it seems true; he's blind and oblivious about the effect he seems to have on the females around him. Interesting twist to the equation' But this isn't the time to be analyzing such data; there are more important issues at hand.

"Yes, I am sure you came across like an utter pig, Detective." her tone dry as she rolls her eyes off towards the middle distance, away from him.

Wind whips around them and in the distance the rumbling growl of thunder could be heard. A sudden shift in the weather; is it natural or otherwise"

Belial sighs and runs a hand through short ebon locks. "Well, we can't just leave her wander, Alain. She's too dangerous a weapon. Either she's in with us" or we?" Bel stops turning away from Alain to take up a short, tight pacing. If the magically enhanced fa"ade she is wearing dropped away, her tail would be seen whipping to and fro with agitation. "What are we doing here Alain" I need you to talk to me" I can't walk out of here without knowing she's not going to become a liability.?

Bel wants to remind him how hard they have all worked to get to this point. She wants to point out the sacrifices every one of them is making. But she can feel his guilt like a smothering blanket around him, so she doesn't say a word. No need to add to his burden.

Yes" anger soothes away the worry over having to have to explain what she did when she took Daug's relic and gave it to the Dreamwitch. Focusing on him rather than on her own dirty deed, lessons some of the guilt she had begun to experience over the fate of the girl Indi is currently tending to.

"What is this about Alain" Why are you so insistent on "protecting" this girl" Who is she to you anyway?" Bel asks as she pins that green gaze on him. "And don't even try to say this is about love" I already know it isn't."

He cools off slowly as Belial responds, sucking the patience out of the cigarette hanging from his lips, it seems.

It's a good question, though. What exactly is it about Lisa that has him so intent on protecting her" It's not love - otherwise sleeping with her wouldn't be "leading her on," maybe wouldn't be so bad....She's only been in his life a very short time....And it's not the fact that she's a woman, either. Not quite.

"...I told this woman she could hold onto hope, that I would save her, that I would protect her. Three women before I've sworn myself to protect, and I've gotten to see each one of them put into the ground because I wasn't good enough, in less than two years. I'm not letting her become the fourth."

Belial nods slowly to Alain's confession, but she doesn't truly understand. Maybe that's because she's not human and not driven by the same needs and desires. She turns to glance at Indi and the girl then back to Alain.

"Look; I wish I could say I *know* what would happen to her, Alain. I don't. Things?" Belial pauses lifting her shoulders in a half shrug. "So much has happened in such a short time and we don't yet have the answers. But for you, I shall consider the girl under our protection. Now" I can speak to the Dreamwitch; see about "planting" fake memories through dream visions" I can speak to the mages; perhaps find a way to imbed fake memories. But I am not yet sure how convincing any of this will be for DCH. The girl?" Belial doesn't want to offend Alain anew, but some things need saying. "They will likely kill her when they realize she's being used by us to "influence" them. We may not be able to stop them. And truthfully speaking Alain" She's a liability; to you, to me, to our "project' together. We need to know what she's been "assigned" to do."

Belial seriously doubts it's all about seducing Alain. The girl most likely has other purposes and Bel feels they should know what they are.

The question now is why is Belial giving in to Alain's sentimentality in this" She knows how easily this could backfire on them. She knows how easily this could turn around on them. Yet' here she is caving. Bel frowns, turning away from Alain, Indi and the unconscious girl, hiding her expression, keeping it private and to herself. She needs to figure this out, before she makes a misstep.

Spinning on her heels she forces a smile to full, red lips. "I'm sure we can come up with something" maybe a magical facade cast upon another to look like you?" Bel hopes he'll agree.

He recognizes a forced smile when he sees one. He crushes his cigarette and almost at once lights another. "Passing her from one wolf to another....its little better....but maybe a little bit better." He taps the cigarette and looks at her. "But that's just it, isn't it. We don't have many options. ...And, when this whole thing begins to resolve, she'll probably be collateral....but until then, if we can give her better in any way, she deserves it."

He silently resolves at that moment, that even in his death he will provide her protection. She can enter into his 'network' and be safe there until everything else blows over. A few arrangements have already been made....and he can make more.

"Alain" what do you want me to do"! I didn't sign her to a contract!" Belial fairly growls. Frustrated, Bel can't help herself. She doesn't know what other options to offer up and he's not helping much.

"If you have such intense feelings for the girl, then it should be you sleeping with her!?

He presses the heel of his thumb to his forehead, the cigarette trailing smoke as he turns. He takes a deep breath, one thought going through his mind over and over....Izira is going to kill me.

"Fine. If sleeping with her myself is the safest thing I can do....I'll do it. I'll trick her, just like everyone else." He sets the smoke back between his lips, and half-mutters around it, "You guys did warn me, that none of this was going to be easy..." Then the bright blue eyes flash to hers.

"But I would appreciate you not implying I'm the fucking rat Howe believes me to be. Its one thing to fake it, and it's quite another for the woman you do it for to wonder if it's an act at all. I mean, Christ, Bel..." He shakes his head, turning away from her.

Belial stares at Alain not at all sure what is going on inside that head of his. Belial knows nothing of Izira. What she does know is he's unwilling to allow another to be assigned the job he obviously doesn't want to do. She's at a loss.

Bel doesn't have an answer for that one. She shrugs and shakes her head. Her hand still tingles from the contact with his but she doesn't let herself ponder upon that. The attraction to Alain she feels isn't something that she finds comfortable. In fact, she spoke true when offering him her friendship. Romance is a terrible beast, it rips and devours. Friendships last forever and shine like treasures inside one's heart. She would prefer to retain their relationship therefore lust, desire are pushed hard aside. And whatever essence lurks inside him she will need to overcome the magnetism felt for the greater good of Alain and his soul, for the greater good of their continuing relationship.

"I don't know the girl Alain" but I trust you. What do you think about her" Tell me what is she like" Do you think she is a good soul or a bad one?"

The importance of the question lies in which path the girl has taken. Purity is a rare thing found in Hell, but it is also the most prized in those who collect. Belial knows because she once did the collecting. And the purer the soul the more power is perceptively granted. If Lisa is a pure soul then luck is on their side in so many more ways. And she's likely to want to work with them for her freedom.

"You just need to talk to her" find out what she really wants. Find out if she is pure or already tainted, Alain."

Belial doesn't make comment to his suggestion they have coffee and pie sometime without the devise plots" She rather liked spending time with Alain at Tori's; devious plots and all. But she understands his meaning and hopes that one day it will come to pass. No, she must believe that it will, for to do otherwise would be admitting they might fail. And for Bel, failure is not an option, not this time. DCH will pay for handing her over to Gabriel" they will pay for everything they have done to those she loves! His lips tighten just a touch as he looks at her, pondering. He knows what kind of soul she is: "Innocent. It's all so wrong, that she ever fell in with demons....I think she only did it because she loved her husband."

He turns his head to look back at her again. "I'm not sure you should be here when she awakens....or your friend, even," nodding to the healer. "But could you do me a favor and bring us some clothes - a pair of long coats, maybe, that aren't tattered or covered in blood?" the last part added to allude to how problematic their current appearance is.

Bel nods and without word or gesture a pile of clothing appears on a nearby empty table. Bel points to it with a flowing movement of her hand. "Clothing for both of you that isn't from the Bloods closest." She chuckles and it is a sound that is felt as much as heard. "Innocent' I see. They collected her for that very reason Alain" and now they attempt to corrupt her. We shall see that doesn't happen."

Belial looks over to Indi and the girl. "Indi?"

"Yes?"

"How much longer might you be?"

"Oh, I was done a while ago, but she's yet to regain consciousness. Her breathing is even and everything that was broken has been fixed. I am not sure how she will mentally handle the attack, however."

Belial nods and looks back to Alain. "She's all yours, sweets" be careful with her as she has just become one of the more important pieces to our project. We will see her free" one way or another."

Belial glides gracefully over to Indi, smiling to the lady as she stands and moves to Bel's side.

"Nice meeting you, Alain." Indi says to the Detective with a warm, sincere smile. "Take care of her, please" And if you have need of anything, anything at all, please contact me through Bel. I will come immediately."

Indi does not feel any urge to regale either Bel or the Detective with what she's done. But she's never favored soul-riders and she wasn't about to leave the girl unprotected. Certainly the demonic trio will merely assume it is a natural progression, the sudden innate ability to block them, the touch of empathy to warn her. Indi has been very careful and she doubts her physical manipulations will ever be noticed by any. Well, except the girl who may find she's not at all comfortable with the company she's chosen to keep.

"I will," he nods to Indi, and crouches by Lisa to check her over. He touches her forehead to see how cool she is, and then looks back at Belial. ...It's been such a strange meeting, filled with so many ups and downs.

"Thank you, both of you, for all your help. Belial....I'll see you soon." And then his eyes leave them again, as he's grabbing one of the long coats to keep Lisa covered and to keep her body off the cold concrete floor.

Belial knows Alain claimed he doesn't care for the girl in a romantic sense. Yet looking at the pair of them, watching how tenderly he treats her, Bel can't help but wonder" Maybe he isn't even aware of it' A soft sigh falls and she nods to his words but doesn't respond. In a flicker of bluish white light she and Indi teleport away; leaving him alone to care for the poor girl.

"That's not true," he says quietly but firmly, and turns his head to look down at her, placing his hand upon her again. "You are still beautiful and strong....you still have fight and passion in you."

For a moment her eyes meet his and he sees a glimmer, the tiniest spark of hope, but just as quickly it is extinguished. She forcefully refrains from pulling away from him again. This time she allows his hand to remain on her back. He can feel her body trembling with the force of her emotions and fear seems to be paramount, although externally she shows none of it. He might find it odd, that sudden, unexpected connection to her emotions. She seems oblivious to the situation however.

"I need to go home, Detective. I have an apartment that I need to take care of before?" she bites off her words as fresh tears spring to blue eyes. Quickly she averts her head. "You must think me such a child! I am not usually so emotional. Please forgive my failing manners?"

Had the situation with Howe not occurred, Lisa would have found her current situation more than a little intriguing. Her feelings for the Detective are far from platonic and here in his room, in his very bed, under other circumstances, would have been a dream coming true. She is a modern girl after all. However all such hope has been destroyed for certainly he could not desire the woman Howe has made her" She herself feels unworthy and therefore she closes that door with sad regret. Blue eyes lift to his blues and she denies the urge to reach out and touch him. To seek comfort from him would be cruel to them both. Instead she gives him a weak yet brave smile.

"Will you help me" Please" I want to go home" I want to say goodbye to those I loved before?" A hint of a shrug of such fragile looking shoulders, "before Mister Howe truly kills me."

"...I can't send you home yet, Lisa," he answers her, and silences the pain swelling rapidly in his heart. His fingers lightly touch her hair, though right now it's merely a conciliatory gesture. "You wouldn't be safe there, and then your loved ones would be in danger, too....But I do have a plan to get you back there, eventually....if you will hear it." Bright blue eyes alight pleadingly upon hers.

A hoarse bitter laugh, Lisa shakes her head. "My loved ones are already dead, Detective. They took them all because of my?" She stops and turns her head away from him, her voice falling to barely a whisper. "They took them all away from me because I thought myself so witty and smart. I wasn't' I forgot the most important things! The people that I loved" It's all my fault! And now look at where I am"! I have nothing and *he* has made sure to make me nothing!"

Lisa stares off into the middle-distance her expression heartbreakingly sad. Surprisingly Alain can feel her sadness sharply, nearly as poignantly as he would his own. There is no denying it' something has happened that has changed Lisa. Yet when or what remains a mystery.

Lisa sighs softly then reaches out to pat his hand. "You want to save me, Detective, but you can't. No one can. I am doomed and being the stupid, silly girl that I am, I did it all to myself. But me being doomed doesn't mean you have to follow in my footsteps! You must get away from them before they do this to you, Detective! You should run away now before you make the same mistakes I have!"

"I'm not leaving RhyDin for that son of a bitch, and even if I wanted to, I'm in too deep now anyway." She pats his hand, and he turns his over to take a hold of hers. "With or without you, I'm in this until it's over....but you can help me, and then I can help you in turn, and I have a plan where we can both see it done....Please, Lisa."

Lisa's warm fingers fold over his and squeeze his hand lightly. He can sense that she takes comfort from the contact. Blue eyes linger on his questioningly; she's unsure how she can help him. DCH is so strong and they are merely human after all. A frown knits her brow as the thought progresses to wondering if Alain really is human like her. After all she's seen in this odd town, perhaps he's not"

"I will do what I can?" But he reads the doubt that clouds her expression. She doesn't think she'll be of much help. "Of course, Detective," using his job title allows her to keep a distance between them, forcing her thoughts away from the desire she feels for him. Yes, it is good to keep the detachment intact, for to even imagine he might share her feelings is too much for her to hope for. "What plan is it that you have?"

"First, Lisa..." He doesn't release her hand, and seems to sit rather close to her. He does not seem to have anything in mind at this moment, but the posture is a little more intimate, his knee resting lightly against her leg. "I need to know....what it is that Mister Howe wants you to do. Regarding me, and also in general. I have my suspicions....but I need to know for sure."

Oh, this is not the direction she expected and yet again, that odd empathy hits Alain as Lisa's blushes and turns away. He can feel how much she detests Howe and what he's asked her to do. A slight shake of her head and tears form in those crystal clear blue eyes as she ducks her head with shame so deep it cuts through him as it does her. A small indrawn breath and she's trembling, he feels it through the contact of his hand in hers, even in the lightest touch of his knee to her leg.

"You" you don't want to know, Detective. It is very unsavory, I fear."

"And I for you, Lisa....but my hope is that we both survive this," he says in a hushed voice. She adores him, and he knows he's going to have to capitalize on it sooner or later. His heart wrenches, but the heartache itself may be easy to misconstrue - it may simply be to her the pangs of desire.

"I cannot perform any magic myself....I'm an ordinary human being....but I have friends who can do it. They've made this area..." He thinks of Earth terms she might better understand. "Well, let's say your mind is a radio frequency' A friend of mine brought the metaphorical ionosphere right into the middle of this place, so Howe won't be able to tune in."

"He's human!" She can't help but repeat to herself. Relief floods through her. Lisa doesn't understand what an ionosphere is. It sounds like something out of an episode of the "Outer Limits", a television program she's only seen once. She nods and gives him a weak smile. "So' We're safe here" He can't, ah, um' Do whatever it is he did before?" She asks just to make sure that's what Alain is saying. "How do I keep him from doing it again?"

She does indeed feel him, but feelings don't come with explanations or justifications. She assumes the heartache is over her silly, girlish reactions and in that moment she determines she will be stronger for him. "What can I do Alain" To keep you safe?"

"The only way we're going to keep you truly safe from that....is you being here," he says and turns to settle her back against his chest, to make the posture more comforting, more protective of her....and also more intimate. His arms fold over her middle.

"What we're going to have to do eventually is leave here, and I think he'll only really try to 'ride' you when he senses we might be saying things to each other....but when we're not here, we'll make sure we say all the right things. Arrogant men like Mister Howe are surprisingly simple to fool, once you know what they're working with. And to keep me safe, and to keep both of us safe....all I need is for you to follow this plan, and if you're worrying what Mister Howe's listening to....bury it. Bury your worries, focus on sticking to our plans together, and we can trick him and bring him crashing down."

"Okay?" he says, looking over her shoulder at her.

For the briefest of moments as he pulls her back he feels her resistance, but then she forces herself to relax. She refuses to allow what Howe has done to her to impact negatively on Alain and yet' The violation stings brutally. All that she had cherished before coming to Rhy"Din, all that she had left to that is, has been torn from her, and she feels the vicious twist of Howe's intentions; he meant to ruin her and damned as she is, she isn't going to let him win!

She nods mutely resting her head against his chest, but her thoughts are far darker than she confesses aloud. She would kill Howe before he can harm Alain. And whatever it is Howe thinks he's going to use her for, he's got another thing coming. Yet none of this comes out of her mouth, she dare not say a word to Alain for certainly he would do everything to stop her. No, Lisa has been used and abused enough. She's not going to let Howe take the last precious person from her life; she'll take his life instead.

"Okay. I will do as you ask, Alain. But can't the people who brought you the ionosphere also give me something that I might use to keep Mister Howe" out of my head" And?" She swallows thickly, keeping her eyes forward, but he feels the sudden tension in the fragile seeming frame. "I need to tell you what he wanted of me" before he tells you instead?" Her voice is suddenly whisper soft and so low he has to strain to hear her.

"He wanted me to seduce a list of men, Alain" not just you."

"I don't know how we can safely accomplish it....but it's something I'll be looking into as I'm able." His hands fold over her stomach, and he listens to her quietly as she speaks. As she admits to her purpose, the one Howe intended to use her for.

"...Perhaps, if he feels you are getting good results from me, he will feel less inclined to....expand your purpose, as it were, and tell you to focus on gaining information from me."

Lisa doubts that but refrains from saying anything. She doesn't want to destroy Alain's hope. No, she wants to hold on to it with him. She nods just once, a simple gesture of acquiescence. For the first time in a long time she feels a sense of belonging with his arms wrapped around her and his body warm behind her. If only she could freeze the moment and make it last forever" but she knows better; nothing last forever.

"Perhaps?" she says softly as she closes her eyes, letting the warmth of him fill her.

She is somewhat surprised that he hasn't asked her who the other names are. But she doesn't really want to talk about that and she has no intention of doing any of it. She clings to her resolution; to see Howe dead hopefully before he calls in her contract. She has broken their deal after all and she's fairly certain he won't just let her walk away. She wants to ask if he plans to kill Howe and wonders if that would really free her. But that might ruin this moment and Lisa couldn't bear that so she remains quietly leaning up against him. She no longer fights the love she feels for Alain, but she can't help worry that no matter what she is doomed.

All in due time....the list of the other men, as well as what Howe intends to do to Alain. He dips his head to her shoulder....and partly just wanting to test the water, partly seeing just how much initiative she'll take when prodded, he dips his head and presses one soft kiss to her shoulder....not brief, as he holds it for a few seconds, and then turns his head to her.

Blue eyes flicker to the tray and back. "Hungry?" he asks.

The kiss is thrilling, shimmering over her flesh, lighting in the pit of her belly; a promise of everything she could want with whispers promising so much more. She likes to pride herself on being a modern woman; she'd even had sex with her husband before they were married. Yet after all that Howe had done to her, she can't help but feel soiled, unworthy; simply not good enough for Alain. So why does the passion stir like it does" Is she corrupt as Howe had insinuated" A soft sad sigh falls but Alain feels the desire radiating off of her like a hot cup of coco on a cold winter night. She wants him there is no denying that.

Lisa glances over to the food and smiles, her first real smile since waking up in his bed. "You brought us food?" Her voice pleased and yet there is about it a childlike innocence that has somehow managed not be tainted by all that she has been through. Lisa is resilient if nothing else. She isn't really hungry, but she would never deny him sustenance and out of politeness she nods. "Yes" we should eat.?

Yet' she doesn't want to move, she doesn't want to spoil this moment or lose the comfort his nearness brings. A dichotomy of emotions assails and should he care to he could feel every one of them. Lisa leans forward, away from him, allowing him his freedom although she would have preferred otherwise.

Four thirty, the face of the clock on the dresser says to Alain, and the detective huffs a sigh through his nostrils - with the breath, his chest falls, and the golden hair atop Lisa Jefferies' head tickles his chin.

He can still taste their kisses, and yet the last several hours with her have been chaste. She is curled against his chest on the sofa in her apartment, and his arms are draped lazily around her. His holster is on the floor, when she had suggested he remove it in an intimate moment.

They did not gone through with the act, stopping short of the goal of their impulses, and yet it was one of the most intimate nights of Alain's life. They talked for hours, about the lighter side of life, about childhood and brandy and the loyalty of dogs, until her words descended into sleepy nonsense.

She looks peaceful with her head between his chest and the back of the sofa. No guilt in her hidden eyes, no sadness on her face - he could swear her lips suggest a smile, a pleasant dream, and he prays it isn't about him. With great care, he slips away from her to prepare to leave.

She told him she loved him tonight. At least, that she had fallen in love with him. He told her he'd fallen for her, and in a sense, it was true.

God, how I miss honesty.

In an honest gesture, in an honest moment, Alain squirms back out of his jacket and drapes it over her sleeping form. She murmurs when he tucks it in around her, and he kisses her on her head.

If nothing else, maybe she'll remember him by it. With his hands in his pockets and a freshly rolled cigarette between his lips, he leaves Lisa alone in her apartment.