The Lamb

by Jami Wilsen and Frankie

Rated: A

Pairing: Victor Mansfield/Maximillian Once a Thief/Earth Angels

Spoilers: Yes, for both the Once a Thief series right up to the end, and the pilot of Earth Angels

Disclaimer: These characters belong to Alliance and to The Almighty Anne Rice

Summary: Vic is offered a choice...

Beta: Sue

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Vic's eyes flew open and he sat up with a start. His head felt like it should hurt but he didn't feel anything. Actually, he felt strange. He was sitting on a low sofa in a very beautiful room. Everything seemed rich and ornate, just this side of pompous.

He got to his feet, wondering if he'd fallen down Alice's rabbit hole. One moment he'd been running out of the warehouse with Mac and Li Ann, a few split seconds ahead of an explosion, then in the next he found himself here. In this... place.

Vic looked around him, trying to ascertain why he wasn't in the hospital or back at the Agency Headquarters. Maybe he'd blacked out; maybe he'd been concussed and then captured by-

But none of these made sense. The room was comfortably warm, and he peeled off the jacket and thick sweater he was wearing, starting to sweat beneath them already.

"Hello?" he called, his voice echoing in the large room. He came to stand beside a large table that was sumptuously laden, as though the person whose apartment this was, was expecting many guests. Peering closer, he realized there were some extremely fancy dishes there.

He couldn't shake the feeling of strangeness that had settled on him as he began to scope the layout of the room. There appeared to be no apparent way in or out, apart from the door at the back, behind the long table.

Max smiled as he watched Vic. He was so unsure and out of his element, it sent a delighted tingle down Max's spine. This was going to be absolutely lovely.

"Hello, Victor," Max said softly, stepping out of the shadows and strolling casually to the table. "I hope you're finding everything to your liking." His eyes roamed over Vic's naked torso, a knowing smile on his face. "I know I am."

Vic was taken aback. This guy looked too familiar in a distinctly odd way. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but it was eerie. The way that he was looking at Vic made him feel abruptly naked. He hadn't given it much thought; he'd been roasting under the sweater and the jacket. Now here he was, greeting his host half-clad and tongue-tied. He licked his lips and considered putting the sweater back on.

"Who the hell are you? And what am I doing here?" He hadn't meant to sound so defensive, but hell, he was at a disadvantage, and he had no idea why he *was* there.

"My name is Maximillian, but, please, call me Max." He poured a glass of wine and offered it to Vic. "And I'm here to make sure all your needs are met." He smiled warmly. "I'm afraid that you've been sent here because you need to make a very important decision. I'd like to assist you, but I can't. Not really."

Vic took the glass from him but didn't drink from it. He still felt uncomfortable and shifted uneasily with the jacket and sweater draped over his arm. He couldn't help but notice that his gun was gone. Finally, he put the glass down on the table and the jacket over the back of the one of the chairs. Pulling the sweater back over his head, he said, "Sent here? What, did the Director send me here for-" he stopped. "Wait a minute. Are you another director? And what decision?"

"I'm not a director, no," Max smiled and pulled out a chair, gesturing for Vic to sit down. "What's the last thing you remember before coming here, Victor?"

Vic considered him, wondering. He sat down in the chair offered and picked up his glass. Swirling the contents thoughtfully, he said, "We were there to protect - someone, from an assassin, Pucci. We got him, but it was a trap. Michael Tang betrayed Mac and Li Ann... again." He snorted. "Some surprise. The last thing I remember though," he stopped, looking down at the glass. "We were running to get out of the warehouse before we were toasted." He looked over at Max, suspiciously. "So how did I end up here? Are they okay?"

"Oh, they're fine," Max said as he sat down next to Vic. "At this very moment, you're all fine." He reached for the bottle of wine and poured some for himself. "I must say that you're lucky, though." Glancing at Vic, he smirked and took a sip. "If it weren't for me you'd definitely be dead."

Vic set down the glass and growled, "Look, pal, I'm really glad I had the good fortune to survive that, but I still don't see why I was brought here. Who are you and what do you want? And what's this about a decision?" Vic was feeling defensive now and he didn't like it. The more he looked at this Maximillian fellow, the stronger that peculiar sensation grew: he knew him from somewhere. He did. It was creeping him out. He picked up his glass and sipped, trying to regain his poise.

Max took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I want to help you, Victor. I suppose if I think about it, I am a little like a director in the sense that I can take control of your life." He put his glass down and moved a little closer to Vic. "You are a very intelligent man, and there's really no need for me not to be completely straight with you." His arm slipped casually around Vic's shoulders. "I would like you to work for me."

Vic hesitated. "Thanks, but I already have a job. Why don't you level with me here and tell me what this is all about? " Max's arm around him was disturbing in a faintly subtle way. It belied the nearly threatening tone of Max's words... 'take control of his life?' But he couldn't find fault without seeming churlish. Max seemed to be enjoying playing the host. Vic wondered if this had anything to do with the Tangs, or maybe one of the mob bosses that had attended the meeting called by the Tang father before his demise. Vic couldn't remember where he had seen Max before; it certainly wasn't at that meeting... And then it hit him.

Shit. He licked his lips. "Why - " he stopped, not really sure how to ask. His mind was whirling with possibilities. A lost brother? A coincidence? But it was true. The resemblance to what he saw in the mirror every morning was uncanny now that he realized. It was freaky. Vic swallowed with a dry throat and sipped some more wine. He was starting to feel caged, and he didn't like it.

"It's okay," Max murmured, bringing his hand up to stroke the side of Vic's face, gently. "I knew the resemblance would probably disturb you. Why don't we call it a happy coincidence, hmm?" His fingers trailed down Vic's cheek to his jaw. "And since you've been relieved of your other duties, that leaves you free to join me." He leaned in. "I would love to have someone as dynamic and...brilliant...as you on my team. What do you say?"

Vic pulled away from the caress a little too late. It had been too long since anyone had touched Vic for the casual lingering contact not to affect him. Indeed, it hit him with all the nonchalance of a sledgehammer; the light touch of those fingers, of that warm hand. It was seductive and teasing and made him want it again. He held himself still, trying to remember if he'd leaned into Max's touch or not. He hoped he hadn't.

He wanted to believe that he didn't respond to flattery, but it had been too long since anyone had actually wanted him. However, he took refuge in the weary knowledge that every time he allowed himself to believe someone meant their seeming interest in him, they invariably screwed him over afterwards. Every damn time. This could be no exception, particularly as his situation appeared to be so screwed anyway. How could this guy possibly expect him to believe that Vic would trust him? It was almost enough to make him laugh.

He raised his eyebrows at Max. "Excuse me? Relieved? By whom? And what you do mean *your* team?"

"The moment that warehouse exploded, you were no longer needed at the agency. You were sent down here to offer me your services." Max breathed in deeply and placed his mouth to Vic's ear. With a slow, lazy exhalation, he smiled. "If you choose to work with me, you'll never again have to worry about being hurt by those...people...you were partnered with. I know how much they hurt you," he whispered. "I can tell you all the things they did behind your back even when you and Li Ann were still engaged. I won't, though. I want you to make your decision based on nothing more than what I can offer you."

Vic bit his lower lip thoughtfully. He had tried to ignore the warmth of Max's breath on his skin, but the unexpected offer of sympathy and understanding took him by surprise. Slowly, cautiously, he asked, "In what - capacity do you need me? And what *can* you offer me?"

Max chuckled and dragged a single finger down Vic's face until it caught on his bottom lip. "I can offer you the world," he whispered. "Stay with me and I'll make sure the people who hurt you will never do it again. In return you'll serve at my side, overseeing the other souls who work beneath me." Unable to help himself, he thrust his tongue into Vic's ear. 'I want you, Vic. You'll be so perfect for me. You'll definitely be the most..." he giggled and bit Vic's ear. "No one as good as you has ever chosen to serve alongside me. It'll be the kind of victory you wouldn't believe." He bent his head to gently suck on Vic's neck. "And we'll celebrate with the best sex you've ever had."

"Whoa! That- that's a bit - unorthodox," Vic said, his voice catching. His mind was whirling, trying to process whatever Max was saying. Hard to do with the sudden arrival of that tongue... Nice as it had been. But the necking was getting to him, and the bite was the final straw. If he didn't get this back under control, and quickly, he wasn't going to be able to leave here without a severe case of blue balls. He had no intention of laying this guy...did he? No - NO.

Vic pulled away and got to his feet, quickly, awkwardly, facing Max. It didn't help to find himself suddenly looking straight at him, either. Max was... All right, Victor told himself, admit it, despite the resemblance to yourself he's fucking gorgeous... He shook his head slightly. "And so is your recruitment technique. I don't work for sexual favors. And I don't know what you think I am, but I'm not ready to trade one cage for another."

"I'm..." Max cleared his throat and sat up in his chair. "You'll have to forgive my behavior, Victor. I'm not usually that...forward." He looked down, projecting just the right mixture of chagrin and regret. "It's just that you...you're so..." A little shake of his head and he met Vic's eyes again. "If you would like to discuss this in a more professional manner, I'd be happy to. I know how important being professional is to you."

Vic exhaled slowly, letting out a breath. He didn't want Max to see how this was affecting him but it was getting harder. This guy was too much. Max was too fascinating and it was affecting his ability to think about what was actually going on. Work for him? Vic began to wonder why he *wouldn't* rather be working for someone like Max... He shook his head, a little wonderingly. He ran a hand through his short hair, agitatedly.

Licking his lips, Vic replied, "I'd appreciate it if you leveled with me. What's the job description?"

"Well," Max began, "if you chose to join me, you'd be put in charge of recruiting. Someone as upstanding and capable of demanding respect as you would be a natural at it. It's very important that the individuals I want to bring into the fold have their initial contact with someone like you." His tongue slid over his lips as he studied Vic and the faintest whimper escaped his throat. "And looking as...charming...as you do shouldn't hurt either."

The double hit of Max's tongue and the whimper made Vic clench his teeth. He tried to concentrate. Recruiting, eh? It certainly appealed to him far more than the idea of continuing as the Director's dispensable, disposable agent. Finally to have the respect such a position would afford him. However, he remained standing, unwilling to place himself within easy reach of Max's sensual assault.

Looking down, Vic considered, then folding his arms, he looked back up at him and said, "I'd want to oversee your operation first. I can't just agree to this without having some idea of what I'd be getting into. I mean, trading off one shadowy government agency for another - how do I know I wouldn't be jumping from the frying pan into the fire? What about a trial period?"

"I think a trial period would be a wonderful idea." Max stood and crossed over to Vic, practically able to taste how much Vic wanted him. He reached out a hand to smooth the front of Vic's sweater gently. "If you agree to work with me, you would have a lot of responsibility, you know. I guess you could say the whole operation hinges on how many people we can get on our side."

Vic lifted his chin, meeting Max's gaze evenly. That hand on his chest was enough to make him suck in a breath. Absently he gave thanks that he'd put the sweater back on; the thought of having Max's hands all over his bare skin was enough to make him stiffen all over, and not just in his jeans. He swallowed. "I get it. Is this like some kind of competitive move? You say you aren't a director. Are you the owner? What, like the chairman or something?"

"I'm in an entirely different business, Victor," Max sighed and moved his hand to Vic's shoulder as he started to walk behind him. "I feel like I should level with you. Would you like to know exactly what's at stake here?"

Vic felt himself relax inside at this. The hand on his shoulder seemed comradely, not an invasion of his space, and Vic wondered what exactly a trial period might entail. "As I said, I'd appreciate it." He reached out to hold the back of the chair.

"Go ahead and have a seat," Max whispered into Vic's ear before sitting down. "And grab something to drink. You might need it."

Vic tried to stop the slight shiver that ran over him as Max whispered into his ear. He failed miserably. Vic took a deep breath and sat back down in the chair, picking up the glass once more. Wryly, he lifted it and commented, "Right. Illuminate me."

Taking a deep breath, Max turned his chair so he could face Vic. "You're dead, Vic. Well, almost dead." He rested a hand on Vic's knee and looked at him earnestly. "But you have a chance to live. If you work with me, you won't die. I'll make sure that you live so you can help me and the one I serve." He sighed. "If you choose not to serve with me, I can't guarantee your protection."

Vic stared at him, uncomprehending. "What do you mean, 'dead'?" He stopped. "You mean, *dead* dead? Not -" He tried to wrap his brain around what Max was saying. He knew Max hadn't meant it as a threat.

Max seemed almost sympathetic about it. He frowned, looking around the room, then down at the glass he held. No wonder. No wonder he felt so - strange. Like he was in limbo. "The warehouse," he said, slowly.

He looked up at Max. "Who are you?" It was a dangerous question; he felt it instinctively. And then he had to wonder again why they resembled each other. He took a sip of wine. A gulp, actually. He found his hand was shaking.

"I'm your friend, Vic," Max whispered, taking Vic's hand to hold it between his. "I'd like to be, anyway. Work with me. You've seen the battle between good and evil your whole life, haven't you? Now's your chance to make an actual difference."

Vic was frozen. He was still trying to comprehend the fact. Dead. The word ran through his head silently like a demented whisper, over and over. It suddenly clicked, the whole set-up. It was like a nightmare. He looked back up into Max's earnest, sober face. His eyes narrowed. He pulled his hand away. "Yeah? And which side would that be for?" He wanted to say it, the side of the angels, or - But he couldn't. Shit. He was really shaking now. He shook his head. "This is a dream. A fucking dream. Tell me I'm still in the hospital, or something."

"You're not in the hospital," Max whispered, "and it's not a dream." His hand moved down to Vic's lap and he started massaging him through the rough denim. "This doesn't feel like a dream, does it?" Laughing softly, he pressed his lips to Vic's ear. "Or maybe it does. You can believe it is, if you like. Just know that you won't wake up from it if you choose to join me."

Vic pulled away. Somehow, Max didn't seem so reassuring to him anymore. Getting up to pace the floor, he growled, "I can't believe this. It's a joke - it- it's a clich! Let me guess, my 'soul' hangs in the balance, right? Well, buddy, you're going to have to tell me which side you're on, because right now, I'm about ready to throw it all in and say go to hell." He stopped, and laughed slightly. "Maybe that's the idea, right? What, is this some kind of test? And how do I know that this isn't some kind of fucked-up mind experiment? I wouldn't put it past the Director or anyone else to pull a stunt like that."

Max felt his hackles rise and for the first time he began to get irritated with Vic, although the longer he watched Vic struggle with what was happening, the more amused he began to feel. He stood up and leaned against the table, his arms crossed in front of him. "Is there something I can do to make you feel better?" He chuckled. "Not to be clichd or anything. I find most displays of power to be rather vulgar, but if I can make things clear to you in as easy a fashion as possible, I'm all for it."

Vic straightened. Something in Max's voice told him that this guy wasn't messing around, that Max had no need to. He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. Shit. This was whacked out. Completely. Wa-aaay out there. Still, he didn't know quite what the deal was. "Look, you say you want me to work for you, recruiting. Recruiting *who*? To work for you. And you want me to work for you too." Vic felt a sudden chill go down his spine. He swallowed, feeling sick. He said, quietly, "You're on the other side, aren't you?" It wasn't a question.

Max's smile was dazzling and he pointed a finger at Vic. "I knew you were an intelligent man. Now, are you ready to help me? Give me the word, and you walk out of that warehouse without a scratch on you. Of course, I'll send someone over to make sure I get you back, but I really think we could have a good time together." He laughed and licked his lips as his eyes raked over Vic's body. "And you've already made it obvious you don't mind the idea of fucking me."

Vic blinked. And then burst out laughing. He couldn't help it; it was partly due to the tension he was feeling. "That was before I found out you were the Devil Himself. No, I'm afraid I'll have to stick to my original answer and say, go to hell. Unless I'm already there, in which case you can do what you like. No sale." And he stood, defiant, not caring what Max might throw at him.

"Vic, I am really flattered that you think I'm *the* Devil, but actually, I'm just one of his many fallen angels. There are quite a few of us, you know." Max smirked and closed the distance between them. "And I can respect your decision not to work with me. That *is* what you're saying, isn't it? I want to be very clear before I make the decision to go ahead and let you die. Oh, and your two little friends along with you."

"What?" That brought him up short, as it was probably intended to, he thought ruefully. Fuck. Mac? And Li Ann? "That's not fair," he said. "To use them."

He went back to pacing. To hold Mac and Li Ann's lives in the balance along with his, it definitely made a difference. Chewing his lip, he asked, cautiously, "You haven't made the same offer to them, have you? I mean, what I decide here, it's final. Right?"

"Yes, it is," Max nodded. "And, no, they weren't made an offer. You were chosen because you're the most appealing to me. How great would it be to turn the Boy Scout to the dark side, hmm? The other two are already on a slow slide to Hell anyway, so where's the fun in tempting them?" He sighed deeply and looked at his nails. "So, what is it to be? Let them die according to..." he rolled his eyes, "you-know-who's plan? Or give up yourself so they can live?"

Vic considered him, gravely. "You're a real piece of work, aren't you?" He looked away. "I can't let them die. And you know that."

"I am a piece of work, and a really good one if I do say so myself." Max walked up to Vic and put his arms around him. "Don't fight me," he said firmly when he felt Vic start to push him off. "It'll be so much easier for you if you don't fight me."

Vic's heart was pounding. At least, it felt as though it was. Wasn't he supposed to be dead? The semantics of this could tie one into knots. He stood paralyzed for a brief moment, then violently shoved Max back. He stood a step backwards, hissing, "Don't give me a reason to. You're holding the souls of my friends in the balance!"

I don't *have* a choice, here, he realized. Breathing hard, Vic added, "I'll go along with your... deal. But-"

"But you'll also go along with anything else I want," Max said, his voice hard. "It's not too late for me to kill them. Even better, I can make sure you walk out of there and they don't." His lips spread in a cold smile. "And you'd *still* belong to me."

With a nonchalance he didn't feel, Vic shrugged. "Whatever." He sighed. "All right. You win." He met Max's gaze squarely. "I agree. Just as long as they live."

"Excellent," Max sighed and immediately started peeling off Vic's sweater. "We just need to seal this little agreement and we're set." He glanced to the side and the two of them were suddenly in a stark bedroom, a bed the only piece of furniture present.

Vic winced, but he let Max take the sweater off of him. Jesus, he thought, and then caught himself, wondering where the Big Man was, to let this kind of shit go on. Why had Max got to him first? He wondered, trying to ignore the twin surge of revulsion and desire that shot through him as Max's hands seemed suddenly to be everywhere. Max was pretty. Very, very nice... and had been right. He didn't have a problem fucking Max at all. Until he knew the truth. This was worse than being a whore, it was... It was a literal sin.

A fallen angel. Vic glanced nervously at the bed. Consummation of the deal this way seemed to be a double-edged sword.

"I know you want me," Max laughed deep in his throat, "just like all the rest. You are all so predictable." His mouth latched onto the side of Vic's neck, and he sucked and bit the hot skin as his fingers skittered down Vic's stomach to the waistband of his jeans. He tugged on them, roughly pulling Vic closer before sliding his zipper down. "I'm gonna be the best fuck you've ever had," he growled as he slipped his eager hand inside the open fly.

Vic felt like he was being devoured. In a way, he was; Max got to have his soul - and eat it too. He had the sensation that any kind of belief in what was good or right in the world was sliding away from him, even as pure, wicked delight lanced through his cock at the touch of Max's hand. He found himself gasping open-mouthed for air and holding onto Max's upper arms, his knees going weak. "It's your party," he muttered, roughly and seized Max's mouth with his own, claiming those lips at last.

"Aww, I think you need to get what you want out of it, too," Max murmured, nipping at Vic's lips before returning the bruising kiss. "In fact," he whispered, a little breathless as he backed away from Vic, "I think you need to show me just how much you want this to happen." He bit his lip and walked backwards toward the bed. "Take me, Vic," he giggled, his arms wide open. "Convince me you want this and you're home free."

Vic hesitated, wondering what he meant. But at this point, he was in for the penny, in for the pound. And Max would get his pound of flesh. Vic's eyes narrowed and he advanced on Max. If he wanted to play it this way, that was fine with Vic. And besides, he felt a little better having Max give him the lead now.

Going up to him, he jerked Max's shirt open, buttons flying, and pushed it back over his shoulders, stripping it off of him down to his elbows and restraining his arms somewhat. Vic took advantage of this to push him backwards onto the bed and then followed him down, seizing Max's mouth once more. Max's lips opened easily beneath his, and Vic slid his tongue between them. Oh god, too fucking good.

Max laughed as he felt how eager and greedy Vic was and thrust his hips against him. It was always so much better when the most resistant ones finally gave in and took what they wanted. "Yes, Vic," he murmured, scraping his fingers over Vic's back, "it is good, isn't it?" He bit Vic's lip hard enough to draw blood then hungrily lapped at the dark red trickle. "Fuck me, Vic. Fuck me hard." Laughing again, he began writhing beneath Vic's weight. "Try to hurt me...you can't, but it always makes it so much better...."

"Bastard," Vic whispered harshly at the bite and licked gingerly at his lip, tasting his own blood. "Bastard," he said again, into Max's mouth, catching Max's lower lip between his teeth, firmly. Max's breath was hot and Vic was dizzy, desperately rubbing his groin against him now. Finally, he pulled away. Staring down into Max's dilated eyes, he said, "You want it hard? You've got it."

He was struggling out of his jeans and simultaneously trying to push Max's pants off when Max's clothes were simply - no more. They vanished, and abruptly Vic found himself quite naked atop an equally naked... fallen angel. "Why did you have to be so beautiful?" he asked. "It makes it a lot harder." To hate you. But he didn't say it. His heart sank, and he looked down, closing his eyes, breathing hard. Fuck this. Fuck *him*. Yeah.

With a growl deep in his throat, he seized Max's legs and shoved the lean, lovely thighs apart, Max's delighted laugh echoing in his ears and maddening him. He was hard, achingly hard and guided his erection to Max's crack with a shaking hand. Oh fucking *god*...

Max cried out triumphantly when Vic roughly thrust inside him. It was official now. There was no backing out, and if Vic tried anything, there'd be hell to pay. He laughed loudly and wrapped his legs around Vic's waist, forcing him to fuck him harder.

"You love this, don't you?" he growled, soft, animal-like grunts and whimpers coming from his throat. "You love fucking something you think of as an abomination." Another throaty laugh and he felt himself losing control as Vic continued pumping his cock in and out of him.

Vic groaned, driving into the creature beneath him, knowing that the price was worth the deal he'd made. But still, he couldn't help letting out his anger, punishing Max with each thrust, not caring now what Max said or did. Besides, it had been too long since he'd found release like this, with male or female lover. He was angry. How dare Max hold the lives of Mac and Li Ann over his head like this? He forced his cock into Max's ass, harder, gritting out, "You want - it hard - do you?" Vic gripped Max's hips tighter to get a better hold. "Oh, god, yeah, take it, you son of a *bitch*." And all the while the anguish sang in the back of his mind.

Max's back arched, his neck straining as his body was brutalized by this beautiful man. The sounds coming from him were getting louder now, and he felt himself changing, revealing what he really was to Vic. "Come on," he grunted, "you can do better than that, can't you?"

Spurred on by Max's infuriating, sensual voice Vic let go, ramming into that tight, hot, silken ass and gasping as he began to feel the rising heat flood and trickle through him like an electric current. The pleasure and the knowledge of how costly it was crashed over him like the tide. Alarmingly, Max seemed to change before his eyes.

Panting heavily and clutching at Vic's skin, Max caught Vic's eye and stared at him. He knew Vic was going to come soon, and the moment he did, he'd finally realize just what he'd done by agreeing to serve with him. "You belong to me now, Victor," he rasped, his tongue, dark and red flicking over Vic's mouth. "You made the right choice."

Shocked, Vic was poised on the edge of orgasm, and as he started to come the finality of the whole thing sank in. He cried out, the despair and anger giving way to bewilderment. He jerked, Max was pinioned under him, yet seemingly it was the other way around. He felt like a fly in a trap. And the rush of his climax faded all too quickly, leaving him holding this distressing creature. Panting, he murmured, "It was no choice."

As quickly as he'd changed, Max returned to his more appealing self, lowering his legs slowly and turning the both of them so they were lying on their sides. Tentatively, he touched Vic's arm, stroking it gently. "I'm...I'm sorry you had to see that. I don't want you to regret your choice, you know." He licked his lips and carefully kissed Vic's mouth. "I'll make this good for you, Vic, I promise. And you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you saved your friends' lives. Isn't that a good thing?"

Vic tensed. He was torn between wanting to clamber off the bed away from Max as quickly as possible...or just to lie there and let him finish the job. Consume the rest of him. Whatever was left. He closed his eyes. "Good? That word sounds a little odd, coming from you."

"It's okay for you to say that right now, okay? I'll let you disrespect me for a little while, but only because I understand that you people need time to accept your fates." Max moved closer, seeming to snuggle up to Vic as he slid a hand around Vic's waist. "It'll be all right," he whispered, peppering Vic's face with tender kisses. "You'll see. In a little while you'll be walking out of that warehouse alive and well and then you'll feel better about working for me. I'll make you like it."

Doubt ran through Vic, although he couldn't deny that he'd made the agreement. For the lives of Li Ann and Mac. He sighed, wondering if it wouldn't have been wiser to die and let them go. He was stuck with it, for better or for worse. In a way, he was no better off than he had been before, trapped in the employ of other shadowy figures who demanded his services.

Vic turned his head to look into Max's eyes, eyes that were lovely once more. "Don't worry. I'm still honorable. You'll get your money's worth out of me." He let out a curt sigh at this. "Or soul's worth."

Max frowned and touched a thumb to Vic's lip. "I know you're an honorable man, Vic, that's why I wanted you. You have no idea how desirable you are, do you?" He kissed Vic again. "If you stop thinking of yourself as being under my control, you'll actually have an easier time."

"As if I could forget," Vic murmured. But he was finding it easier, with the certainty that he *had* made the right choice. His soul, in exchange for two others... Seen in that light, it didn't seem so bad.

Except, his new job was now to round up other souls? Doubt rippled through him again.

"If you'd rather not do that," Max said softly, nuzzling Vic's neck, "I can find another job for you. Something to keep you close to me, to keep you safe."

Vic stiffened. Max had followed his train of thought perfectly. It was frightening. And yet... Closer? He chuckled at the idea of it being safer to be close to Max. Still, one couldn't get much closer than he already was. He brought up his hand wonderingly and touched Max's cheek, resting his fingers against the fine skin. How could this being be so...irresistible, and still be what he was? "Did you have something in mind?"

"Perhaps you could be head of my in house security," Max said after a few moments. "Would you like that? It would be your job to make sure we are all kept safe, and you'd be my right hand man." His hand moved down to grasp Vic's cock. "And there are certain fringe benefits to working that close to me."

Vic drew in a breath at this. "That does have - a better ring to it," he managed.

"Good," Max smiled, his eyes darkening at the knowledge that he would have complete control over Vic. He hated having to force obedience. Besides, he mused, and laughed softly to himself, it was always so much better when someone actually *wanted* to do his bidding. His fingers tightened around Vic's cock and he chuckled, giving Vic another kiss. "It's time for you to go now, though. Remember, after you walk out of that building, you will be brought directly to me."

Vic licked his lips. This was bound to get interesting. He wanted the satisfaction of getting out of the warehouse alive...with Li Ann and Mac beside him, safe and whole. "I guess I'll be seeing you later then."

"Of course," Max smiled and kissed the tip of Vic's nose. "Go. You'll be back before you can even think about it."

Vic cleared his throat. "Could I have my clothes back, do you think?"

Max laughed and waved his hand in Vic's direction. "There you are," he smirked as Vic stood before him, fully clothed. "Now, go. I'll meet you up there."

With an equally casual gesture of Max's hand, Vic found the room dissolving away to become the warehouse. He stood still, wondering, before it hit him - the bomb! These were the final few seconds before it blew.

Mac and Li Ann ran past him. They were both already taking off at a run. He felt like he was moving in slow motion but the sudden adrenaline surge was pounding in his veins. They had nearly cleared the entrance when the heat blast struck all three of them from behind, pushing them forward.

Exchanging a glance with them at how close it was, Vic picked himself up off the ground. They began to walk outside, the billowing smoke and sound of falling rubble framing them as they came out to see the Director standing, anxiously looking for the sight of them. Vic wondered if this might be the last time he would ever stand beside his partners.

The certainty that he had made the right decision was almost enough to dispel the keen sense of loss that swelled within him. With a renewed determination, he walked with them towards the Director, enjoying the knowledge that he'd saved their lives.

Max watched the entire scene play out and didn't bother to bite back the delighted giggle at knowing he'd managed to get one more of *them* on his side. Humans were so helpless, he knew. Fine, maybe Vic hadn't joined his ranks out of a selfish need for pleasure or greed, but the bottom line was he *had* chosen willingly to side with everything dark and unholy. The altruistic nature of his decision would soon be erased when Vic began actually wanting to partake in all the pleasures offered to him. Max was sure that would happen.

Finis

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Feedback to Frankie

| Alex Annex | Characters | Stories/Alpha | Stories/Author | Home |