Bodyguard free porn video

Bodyguard Copyright 2021 reserved by author. A bodyguard is in disgrace - Unfairly found guilty of interfering with a minor. Facing prison, he is offered a chance to redeem himself by taking on a job that nobody else wants. 1. The Shame "James Robertson McKenzie, you have been found guilty of insidiously exploiting and interfering with Maria Helen Carruthers - A minor in your care. This offence is against a girl of only thirteen years old, who relied on you for her care and protection, is the most heinous betrayal of trust that has ever been brought before me, and I intend to make an example of you during sentencing. Do you have any final statement before I formally pronounce sentence?" "Yes, your honour, I am completely innocent - The girl is a fantasist, and a Prima Donna... The evidence of sexual interference is due to her little brother - I tried to keep them apart..." "Enough. McKenzie!... I have no wish to hear your case all over again! It is time to pronounce sentence..." "Your Honour, I request an immediate recess!" shouted the prosecuting council. "What the devil, Mr Fallows?" the judge demanded angrily, "I was just about to pronounce sentence!" "My lord, this representative of the lord chancellor is very desirous to speak with you in chambers before sentence is pronounced." The judge surveyed the mousy little man standing close to the prosecutor, and sighed, and despite wishing him all the way to hell - for spoiling the build up to his dramatic moment - He adopted a polite tone in his reply. "Very well, Mr Fallows... Bring him into my chambers!" - - - - - "You want me to delay sentencing while you work out some sort of deal with the perpetrator of one of the most heinous crimes that I have ever heard - And presumably... If you reach an agreement... You will want me to commute or otherwise diminish my sentence against this monster? I do tell you now, sir... That as a judge, I stand for justice as well as the law of the land, and that... ... Whatever this evil man offers to do for you shall never be enough for the slightest diminution of the sentence that I intend to pronounce!" "Of course, my lord, it is meet and proper that you should feel the way that you do about this scoundrel... And it does my heart good that you should make a strong stand for justice under the law, but, my lord judge, the Lord Chancellor himself is receiving pressure from many sides to obtain McKenzie's services... And that means that the Lord Chancellor must in turn apply pressure onto one of his judges." "I will NOT submit to political pressure - The law is the law, and justice must be seen to be done, and so it must prevail!" "Does your honour realise that Judge Deacon is now being considered for the High Court?" "... But there's only one vacancy, and I am the only candidate?" "Not true, Your Honour... There are two possible candidates!" "This is blackmail!" "Your Honour must be very careful with wild accusations!" - - - - - 2. The Deal "You're looking at a most severe sentence, if you don't cooperate fully, Mr McKenzie! The judge would hang you, if he could... But he is determined to make your entire life a misery. He has separated out every incident identified in the indictment for individual punishment, and he is determined to award the maximum- allowed sentence for each offence... All sentences to be served consecutively... You can expect to die in prison - from old age!" "So How can you help?" James asked with his head buried in his hands to hide his anguish. "The judge might be persuaded to make it a suspended sentence." James stared in complete disbelief at the poker-faced official. "A suspended sentence for all that prison time? This sounds really fishy!... What do you want from me?" "We want you... Mr McKenzie... to accept an appointment as a contractor to the government... You will be paid generously for your efforts, and if successful, your sentences will be quashed, and you will be offered a new identity if you so desire." "What sort of work?" "Bodyguard... Bodyguard to a member of the family of an important diplomat on foreign service." James grinned happily. "That's what I was born for!... Please, tell me it's not another bloody child!" James searched the official's face worriedly. "No... She isn't a child... She's a woman of twenty-two years - and quite pretty." "You realise that I have just been found guilty of a string of sex offences?" James was incredulous. "But, Mr McKenzie... You were totally innocent!" James's eyebrows shot up high on his forehead. "That's what I claimed, but judge and jury were not convinced!" "That's because the prosecuting counsel was good at his job - Guilty or innocent, he needs a conviction every time... It was obvious to the meanest intelligence that you were innocent!" James released his breath, and stared at the civil servant. "You acknowledge miscarriages of justice without comment?" "They happen all the time... Even if the result seems arbitrary, we must have a system which appears to be adequate for dealing with crimes." James lifted his handcuffed wrists to wipe his brow with his shirt sleeves. The revelation of a faulty system of justice was offset by a stranger's belief in his innocence. "I don't want another entanglement! - I'm a professional!" "She won't be interested in you - she's a lesbian." "Thank god for lesbians!... This sounds like a perfect job for me!" "I haven't told you everything yet." - - - - - "Mr McKenzie... I have to tell you that we only turn to you in desperation. We have interviewed about one hundred other bodyguards who we consider to be better qualified than you, and they have all turned down our offer contemptuously. ... You see, Mr McKenzie,... There are special condition attached to the required service, and meeting these condition has excluded and alienated all previous possibilities." James was suspicious. "What conditions?" "Well, you meet the first condition... I can see that you are smaller than average, and you have petite features disguised by your facial hair." James bridled. "No need to be insulting!" "Oh, but there is a need for an androgynous looking bodyguard! ... You need to be passable as a young woman." "Why must a bodyguard appear to be a woman?" James was incredulous. "Simple politics... I'm afraid, Mr McKenzie... The host nation are fiercely proud that whatever their differences in politics... That nobody in the entire country would seek to harm a woman... And so... An obvious bodyguard would offend our hosts... However, an old school friend would be diplomatically invisible!" "So there's no need at all for any bodyguard for this woman?" "Oh, no, Mr McKenzie... You see... Not everyone within the host nation has the same high standards as their diplomats!" "You must be bloody mad! ... If you need someone to look like a woman - just get a bloody woman bodyguard!" "Ah... There's the rub, Mr McKenzie... You see... We predict that the bodyguard may need to be tough and strong as well as appearing as a dainty lady... Female bodyguards that are tough tend to look like dyke- bikers - And female bodyguards that are presentable seem to lack toughness and resilience." "I can recommend a few female friends, who might fit your bill!" "No, Mr McKenzie you cannot - Our enquiries have already been exhaustive, and anyway... we don't want the subject to infatuate herself with her bodyguard." "So the only downside is that I have to work in drag?" "Not quite, Mr McKenzie... You have to live in drag... The work is abroad... Under the eyes of foreign spies... You must not permit any secret surveillance to detect that you are not a young female friend of the target woman." "Wow, I have to cross-dress for the entire duration of the contract... Phew!" "Yes, the young lady will know all about you... Of course... And she is willing to cooperate fully by pretending to accept you as an old school friend." "Wouldn't it be simpler to keep her at home... You Know... Not allow her to go abroad?" "Are you trying to talk yourself into prison, Mr McKenzie... This job is your only possibility of any sort of reprieve?" "Just trying to be logical... You Civil Service types always look for convoluted solutions." "The woman has no siblings, and her mother is recently deceased... Her father refuses to accept any assignment without her, and the government desperately needs him as chief negotiator in Armanistan... The Arabs see him as a sort of modern-day Lawrence of Arabia." "So, it's cross-dressing or prison for me?" "Quite correct, Mr McKenzie. Just one extra detail... Her father strongly suggested it, and the target giggled when she heard it... ... I'm afraid you will have to wear a chastity device throughout." James was gobsmacked and speechless for several seconds. "I suppose her father will have a team of bodyguards for himself?" "Certainly - As well as a guard of honour provided by the hosts!" "Who else will be in my team for the woman?... Do I get to choose? " "Nobody else, Mr McKenzie... More than one old school friend might raise suspicions." "How on Earth can I bodyguard her - All by myself?" "You must never leave her side, Mr McKenzie!" James tried to shake the confusion out of his head. "What about her going to the toilet, and bathing, and...?" "By her side at all times, Mr McKenzie!" "What will she say about that?" James challenged. "She's already said it, Mr McKenzie.. She simply giggled uncontrollably." "I can see why she wants me in chastity!" "Not her, Mr McKenzie... That was her father's idea." - - - - - 3. The Special Equipment "So... James... Isn't it... How familiar are you with cross dressing?" James blushed to his roots. "Not at all!" "Oh dear, I think we had better go for perennial make up to save you needing to practice... My records show that you need to be ready in two days?" "I haven't seen any schedule... I'm being treated like a parcel!" "Let's assume two days then!" James nodded - still very confused. "Drink this - All of it... It's nourishing, and I don't know when you'll get another chance to eat!" James drank the hot soup gratefully, and stared around the government beauty parlour. His eyelids began to close - He had had a very busy and very full day. - - - - - "Hi!... Are you awake now?" The beauty technician was shaking him gently. "I'm sorry!... I must have dozed off!" "No you didn't... I anaesthetized you before I made up your face." "Why would you do that?" "The tattoo needle really hurts especially on the lips and around the eyes." "You're NOT going to tattoo me at all!" James tried to spring out of the chair, but he had been restrained while asleep. "Let me go! I refuse to be tattooed! My god... I'm naked!" "Of course... How else can I get to all your nasty body hair?" "You've shaved my body hair without my consent?" "No, relax... I didn't!... I have simply depilated your entire body." James groaned aloud. "It was necessary, James... You'll need to pass as female for weeks - perhaps months, and you've admitted to zero experience in female maintenance! Let me show you what I have managed to do with your hair!" James groaned again as the mirror showed him a pretty girlish face with a short feminine hairstyle. "You can't have a wig, James... because a wig will get noticed, and women your age don't wear wigs!... While it's short you can simply brush it - but if you let it get longer later, you'll have to work on it to keep it smart!" "How long will I look like this?" James asked balefully. "This look should last you through the entire contract - You might need to add makeup to enhance the look, but your girlfriend can help with that." "I don't have a girlfriend - I'm going abroad to work!" "I mean your target... She's supposed to be an old school friend?" "I suppose all this will come off easily at the end of the contract?" "You suppose wrong, James!... It will fade slightly year-by-year - that's all!" James groaned and made an anguished face. "All is not lost, James... You can apply neutral makeup and neutral lipstick colours to hide the feminine face!" "You mean... I'll have to wear makeup to look like a man again?" "Well... Yes." James groaned again. "Of course... Your moustache is gone forever - unless you wear a false moustache." James groaned again. - - - - - "I understand that I have to wear female lingerie, but since it will be hidden by outer clothes... can't I have fuller more comfortable panties?" "Certainly not, James... We expect the competition to be able to spy on you everywhere, so you must look the part! Hold still for the waist cincher!... You have a slim waist, so this is merely to reinforce the image of femininity!" "What are those?... Oh. I know... If we are observed all the time over there, how will I be able to get respite from them?" "James, these false boobies have been specifically designed to remain in contact with the skin for weeks and months without detriment to the skin underneath. They will warm up to your chest temperature and they are virtually undetectable as false. You should wash and bathe them as if they are real boobies!" "I have no idea how to wash and bathe real boobies!" "The fashion bra will support them normally, but you will need to wear a sports bra for any exercise you do!" - - - - - "Can't I have more modest outerwear?" "No, James... You are a sexy young lady - Not an old frump!" "Aren't short skirts frowned upon in Armanistan?" "As the friend of the daughter of an honoured guest, you may wear slightly risque attire... And you must comply with the style chosen by your target." "Thank goodness for tennis shoes!" "Your target prefers them - except in the bedroom." "What she wears in the bedroom doesn't concern me - I expect I won't see what she wears in the bedroom." "But you will, James... You will always be by her side, and she always insists that her friends share her bed." James was aghast. "Share her bed!... No wonder they insist on a chastity device!" - - - - - "This is the demonstrator for the false boobies you are wearing..." The technician began his lecture. "If you feel for this area on the boobie, you will find a softer spot, which when pressed will release a thin flap over the cargo area." The technician waited while James found the corresponding spot on his own boobie. "Don't press it!... I'll demonstrate with this one here... Under the flap you will find draw strings for several different items... The longest string is attached to a six foot length of explosive cord - Don't be alarmed it cannot explode unless it is detonated ... The detonator is stored away from the cord but is linked to the cord by another draw string." "Why have I got a frame charge hidden in my boobie?" "The detonator is activated after thirty seconds by lighting the end of the slow-match cord..." James was dumfounded in amazement. "The other draw tapes are for pairs of lockpicks... varying in size for different locks... I presume you know how to use lockpicks?" "Well, yes... But I'm supposed to be a simple bodyguard!" "No such thing as a simple bodyguard!... The other boobie is a mirror image of this one - except the lockpicks are intermediate sizes. X-ray images of your boobies will show what appears to be a confusion of blood vessels inside... The lockpicks aren't metal - They are hard plastic with ceramic coating and good for single use only." "Why hide the tools from X-ray machines?... Surely our entire party will bypass customs examination in a diplomatic entry?" "Not so, James... Every nation is clued up on spying on diplomats... There are secret X-ray fluoroscopy machines covering all diplomatic channels at just about every airport in the world." - - - - - "There is no way that thing can be disguised against X-ray identification!" James was indignant as he stared at the device which the new technician was carefully showing him. "Of course not, James... But this device has more than one purpose." "Really?... To me... It only seems to have one purpose!" "That is its overt purpose, James... When the opposition spot it, they will grin smugly - perhaps titter a bit, and then dismiss it as a discovered secret. You see James... A concerted force simultaneously applied here and here releases part of the cage, and provides you with a knuckle-stiletto- knife - See like this!" "Wow... This chastity cage is dangerous... And even with the knife detached, the cage still effectively functions as a chastity device." "Designed in redundant decoration!... And its blunt edge is a diamond coated file." "Hold on!... What are you doing now?" "I'm fitting you with the cage, James." "Oh, no, you're not!... Give it me - I'll do it... It looks quite simple...?" "I have to glue the lock now, James..." "Why?" "You've just been provided with a set of lockpicks, James!" - - - - - 4. The Briefing "Well, James... You cannot stay as 'James'... I have chosen your new name... It's 'Jane Farley-Kenzie'... You'll get your new fake passport in a few hours..." "Why a 'fake' passport, sir?" "Ah, yes... We haven't explained the narrative to you yet -Have we?... Well, Jane... You are supposed to be pretending to be an old school friend of the diplomat's daughter... Who used a cross-dressing ruse to get into her dormitory to .. Ahem... Ah... meet with her in her dormitory. Your expensive fake ID as Jane Farley-Kenzie will be good enough to fool immigration at both ends, but it must reveal itself as fake under investigation." "Why?" "Um, er... Our opponents will be watching all the diplomatic party very carefully, and they will quickly spot you as a crossdresser, and research your documentation." "They'll find out during fluoroscopy at arrivals?" "Harumph!... Somebody told you about that?... Hmm, anyway they'll be pleased with themselves for spotting you, and laugh at us for missing your real credentials. We'll know that they know, but they mustn't know that we know they know... See?" "I have an engineering degree - Not a degree in logic, sir... Can we just move on?" "Anyway, Jane... This ploy is designed to make them lower their guard generally, and give you unfettered movement around and about the Embassy... And hopefully they will write you off as a 'pecadillo' - Not really worth observing!" "A sort of kinky gigolo with diplomatic immunity?" "That's right!" - - - - - "You haven't met Zo? yet, Jane?" "No, sir, I haven't... Do I address you as 'sir' or 'ambassador' or some other honorific title?" "Normally my daughter's friends call me 'Striker' - a nickname, but in your case, Jane, I prefer 'sir'." "Yes, sir." "My Zoe is a strong-headed girl that takes after her mother... dearly departed. Being blunt... Zoe is pig-headed... She insisted on coming with me on my mission, and insisted that she needed no security team to protect her from mischances, unless they were all women - She has a deep-seated dislike for men - Except her daddy. Our hosts cannot accept the idea of armed women bodyguards, and wanted to substitute a local police team to do the duty - All men of course! Your offer to secretly bodyguard her dressed as a woman satisfied any insult to our hosts - If they should ever find out - And seemed to satisfy Zoe as well. - In fact she seemed pleased with the arrangement!" "I didn't exactly volunteer, sir - I have to be honest... " "I know... You were Shanghaied - But you are a professional, and you will do your job?" "To the best of my ability, sir!" "That's all I need to know." - - - - - "Well, Jane... It falls to me to give you your operational briefing... Once abroad you will not permit your target to separate from you by more than one arm's-length at any time... Your target knows and accepts this strict requirement." "Is Zoe content with this stipulation - I need to know - In case she decides to escape my company?" "Surprisingly, your target seems to be quite happy with you fulfilling this requirement." The department chief consulted his notes. "There are multiple threat levels that might be made against your target... I have what I hope is a comprehensive list here. In all cases, you are to protect your target and select an appropriate course of action that offers the optimum outcome for your target!" "That is standard practice, sir!" "There is no harm in reinforcing the point - Cowboy heroics that lead to harming your target are not acceptable. You are not there to defeat our opponents, but to defeat any efforts aimed against your target! - The only codicil s that you must not place our plenipotential ambassador in extra danger of life or harm or abduction! You are not permitted to consult nor socialize with the ambassador's security team - Such associations will become plain to our opponents - Your target is a relative of a diplomat, and has no intrinsic diplomatic value of her own!" - - - - - 5. The Target "Hello, Jane..." "Hello, Zoe... I am told to call you Zoe, because we're old friends." Zoe opened her arms wide. "Since we're old friends, we hug and kiss when we meet after such a long time." Jane was crushed into Zoe by her bear hug, and felt her lips on his cheek. "You're taking this very well, Zoe?" "What do you mean, Jane?" "Well.. I expected you to be diffident - Even awkward or difficult?" "Not me, Jane... I value old friends very highly!" "You're absorbed by the part... Character acting?" "I believe acting is a legalised form of lying, Jane... False people - Actors!" "... But, Zoe... You don't know me - We have never met!" "I feel like I have known you all the way through school, Jane!" "Zoe, has somebody hypnotised you?" "No, Jane," Zoe laughed a joyful laugh, "I'm not hypnotised except by relief." "What does that mean?" "I never expected you to look this good, Jane... I thought you might be a dowdy, crabby mockery-of-a man-girl, but I am impressed instead." "I deserve no praise in that quarter, Zoe... This face and figure are the creation of the Special-effects department, and I take no credit for the quality of the raw material which I provided to them" "You're modest as well, Jane... Another endearing trait." "Zoe, we must settle down and get our stories straight... When did we first meet?" - - - - - 6. The Departure "You didn't, Zoe!" "Oh, yes, I did, Jane!" "But that poor girl... I thought you were a nice girl, Zoe?" "I am, Jane - Well usually... But when I get thwarted, I have a Jekyll- and-Hyde moment." "You left her naked and handcuffed to the headmistress's door handle?" "Yes, I did... And she deserved it!.. We made friends again after I finished my detention, and took six-of-the-best from the headmistress." "Well you won't be able to handcuff me, Zoe... We only have changes of clothing in our suitcases." Zoe stared at Jane with an evil grin. "Have you heard of the diplomatic pouch, Jane?" "Yes, it's used to send secret documents and apparatus to and from embassies... It's supposed to be sacrosanct!" "Be that as it may... It can be used to transport anything... The Israelis boxed up a kidnapped, Nazi war criminal, and sent him to Israel in the diplomatic pouch, and the Libyans sent an arsenal to their London embassy in the diplomatic pouch!" "... And this is relevant because...?" "Because I put a whole dungeon's worth of bondage gear into our diplomatic pouch!" "Zoe... You wouldn't... You wouldn't even consider it?" "Sorry, Jane... I not only considered it, but I did it." "I thought we were friends, Zoe?" "We are friends, Jane!" Zoe kissed Jane's cheek affectionately. "I reserve my domination for my friends... The naked girl in handcuffs was my very best friend at school!" "Do I have to let you have your way with me?" "Yes, Jane, that's the best way, and any secret observers will be expecting it like that." - - - - - "Come on, Jane, I brought these handcuffs specially!" I don't believe you brought a set of police handcuffs to a busy airport terminal in your handbag!" "Come on, Jane, the narrative says I have already begun to dominate you... If you hold your handbag like this, you can hide the handcuffs." "Somebody is bound to stop me!" "I love it, Jane... Bound to stop you... delicious!... But we're travelling as diplomats, Jane, and nobody will stop us." "You aren't going any further?" Jane asked nervously. "not at this time, Jane," Zoe giggled, "But I'll see what I've got in my handbag, when we're seated on the plane." "I was hoping for a beautiful friendship, Zoe!" said Jane wistfully. "And your wish was granted, Jane!" Zoe kissed Jane full on the lips with great enthusiasm, and then repaired her lipstick - While watching Jane's face with a puzzled expression. "Jane, my lipstick was a mess, but yours is perfect?" "Apparently... The pigment is tattooed onto my lips, Zoe... It's a low- maintenance solution to cosmetics... I simply have to wipe away your lipstick." "Wow, Jane, you're a really-progressive girl!" - - - - - 7. The Arrival "This is so demeaning, Zoe!" "No, Jane it's just tokenism... If you walk very close behind me, nobody except nosey parkers will see your dog collar and lead!" "What if the reception party want to shake my hand?" "They'll have to shake both hands together then!" Zoe giggled, "No, really, Jane... This is an Arab country... Nobody except family will greet women travellers." - - - - - The VIP lounge had been reserved for their arrival, and a large host of their hosts waited to greet the diplomatic expedition. Zoe and Jane mingled anonymously as all the members of the delegation assumed joy at the political event. "You are Zoe, the daughter of our illustrious visitor?" Zoe was unexpectedly challenged by an unimpressive Arab gentleman, who spoke in an Eton accent. "... And this I see... must be your slave, Jane?" Zoe and Jane were stunned speechless, and gaped like goldfish... They had been sure that they could avoid any contact with the greeting committee. "Do not worry, miss... Slavery is legal in Armanistan, even though in England - It is not!... I am the deputy director of the national police in our country, and I am in charge of our Secret Police... My name is Achmed. You may rest assured that wherever you travel within our country, the secret police will be watching and protecting you!" Jane managed to find her voice to whisper her comment. "... But, sir... We have been assured that no woman should need protection inside your country!" Achmed laughed lightly. "That, young lady, is purely propaganda sponsored by our politicians and by our Foreign and Diplomatic Service - We in the police are much more pragmatic and realistic!" Achmed nodded his dismissal, and abandoned them. - - - - - "What do think about that, Zoe?" asked Jane, "We are threatened with secret police surveillance before we even leave the airport!" "Never mid that, Jane... You are now officially recognised as my slave - I can do anything I like to you!" Jane was stunned for a second time. "Zoe.... Remember we are old friends!" "You'll have to be very, very obedient to remain my best friend, Jane!" Zoe cackled like a happy witch, and then giggled. Jane gently punched Zoe with her handcuffed fists. "Be good to me, mistress, or I shall insist that you sell me!" "Now there's a thought, Jane... I bet I could get at least ten camels for you - Or fifteen goats!" "... And what would you do with ten camels or fifteen goats?" "The mind boggles. Jane... Now you've got me thinking." "Please don't sell me, mistress!" Zoe burst out laughing, but quickly quietened as everyone turned to stare at her. Jane joined Zoe in mutually supported quiet giggling for a full minute. "Jane you are the best slave that I ever had!" Zoe wiped the tears from her eyes. "... I bet you say that to all your slaves!" Jane collapsed laughing, and Zoe fell onto her tickling her, and giggling outrageously. "Please, forgive my daughter and her friend!" The diplomat addressed the silently staring assembly, "I really don't know what's come over her!" "Jane has come over me, daddy... I'm so very happy!" - - - - - 8. The Embassy "There's a note for you from your father, miss Zoe." The official passed across the small sheet. 'Do NOT read this aloud! It seems that the entire embassy has been thoroughly penetrated by audio and video surveillance devices. Do NOT say or do anything out of character! A token number of easy-to-find bugs have been removed, and complaints have been made to Armanistan authorities, who deny all knowledge. Your own suite of rooms is permeated by bugs - enough for a fly-on- the-wall TV program. Love you Daddy' Zoe showed the note to Jane. "Oh, I was hoping we could look around the city tonight..." Jane scribbled on the back of the note. 'Assume the car and the street, and everywhere is bugged!' "No, Jane... Daddy would never agree to that!" Zoe said inconsequentially. They grinned at each other as they slipped into spy-mode. The official came back with another note, smiled and left. 'Excellent performance at the airport, girls. By far the best acting is spontaneous acting for real! Keep it up! HoS' Zoe grabbed the note after Jane had read it and wrote on the back. 'That means you really, really have to be my slave now, Jane! You lucky, lucky girl!' "There's an error in your calculations, mistress!" "No, there is not, Jane!" Zoe flushed both notes down the toilet, while Jane stared at her stupid high-heel shoes. "Oh, well... It could be worse!" Jane tried to brighten up until she saw Zoe preparing the bed for bondage. "We sleep side-by-side, slave-of-mine." Zoe crowed. "I suppose the price of sleeping with you is a night of bondage?" "Bondage and teasing, Jane... Don't forget the teasing... And don't forget to use the bathroom before bedtime!" "Yes, mistress... Er, can I be freed before I use the bathroom?" Jane showed her her still-handcuffed wrists. "You're still the best slave I ever had, Jane!" "Thank you, mistress..." They both grinned and Zoe grabbed Jane into a bear hug and kissed her on the lips, and held her until they broke apart breathless. "There are compensations in being your slave, mistress..." Jane whispered. Zoe grinned at her slave. - - - - - 9. The Picnic "Slow down, Zoe... You've given me the haversack to carry, and you're running away from me!" "Hurry up, Jane... I want to see the mountains!... Why did you tell the concierge to cancel the taxi he ordered for us?" "Because we want the fattest available taxi driver picked at random from a public taxi rank!" "Why?" "Because when we get out and scramble up the mountainside, we'll leave him far, far, far behind!" "But the taxi driver isn't invited to our picnic...!" "He'll wait for us all day, and he'll be curious and nosey - We want our picnic to be private!" "If you say it's important... Anyway hurry up there's a taxi rank over there!" - - - - - "Thank goodness for the translation app - The cancelled taxi had an English-speaking driver!" Zoe made a disapproving face at Jane. "Race you to the top of the ridge, Zoe!" "Hey, I wasn't ready!" "I'm carrying the rucksack, so I deserve a head start!" - - - - - "Listen carefully, Zoe... I shall say this only once!" They both giggled as they fought for even breathing. "The breeze in the brush is ideal for masking our conversation, and we are certainly out of line of sight of any possible observers here. Zoe, I had a note earlier from HoS at the embassy... Our safety has been downgraded to orange... The bad guys are showing more interest in we two than was expected... HoS wants us to drop everything and get to the airport and away!" "What about daddy?... Is he going to run away?" "I don't think so, Zoe... He has a job to do, and I think he will stick as long as it takes." "Then I'm not going either, Jane... You can go, if you like... I'll release you of any obligation." Jane could see that Zoe was about to burst into tears, and grabbed her in a tight hug. "Don't be silly, Zoe.... I'll not leave you on your own... And anyway... It's not within your power to release me." - - - - - "Did you enjoy the food, Jane?" "I certainly did, Zoe... And being deputised to prepare the picnic, I ensured that everything would be to my own satisfaction." Zoe stuck her tongue out at Jane. "That's one of the advantages of having a personal slave, Jane! ... Er now we've eaten, I want to try some outdoor bondage." "You want me to tie you to a tree, Zoe?" "No, silly, I want to tie you to a tree, of course!" - - - - - Jane looked around very carefully before speaking. "Have you seen anybody, who might have been following us? ... I think Achmed's men are either very, very good, or very, very bad at their job." "Race you to the taxi, Jane!" "Hey, I'm carrying the rucksack again!" - - - - - 10. The Review The note was shocking... Zoe passed it across to Jane without a word. HoS eyed them both critically, and then turned wordlessly away to his other duties within the embassy. 'You were monitored and observed! Somebody in the street planted a tracker and a microphone in your backpack. A drone was redirected to15000 feet to watch your mountain. Unfortunately your picnic location was the same mountain that contains a sensitive ore deposit Your safety colour is raised to ultra-violet. Do not leave the embassy until negotiations are complete.' "Well, Zoe, your daddy forbids you to go out without him." Jane rationalized the note for the benefit of the eaves-droppers. "Daddy can be such a square, sometimes!" Zoe stamped her foot - Catching on quickly, and then grinned suddenly "I guess we'll have to do more bondage and domination to pass the time?" "We could read some good books and improve our minds, Zoe?" Zoe tapped her foot, and adopted a stern expression. "Which option do you think I prefer, slave?" she demanded menacingly. "I suppose you'd prefer to torture me, mistress?" "Too right!... You, delicious bundle of joy - Get ready for a long session - Jump to it!" Jane scuttled away obediently. - - - - - "Why do you hate me so much, mistress?... Is it because I'm not a woman?" Zoe stopped stroking and soothing the hurts on Jane's thighs to ponder her reply. "Jane, I've almost forgotten that you aren't really a girl - despite that caged thing hanging in your groin... By the way - I'll gladly fund its removal - Just give me the word!" "No, mistress, I would die, if you castrated me!" "A full penectomy, Jane... You would have a smooth groin." "No, mistress... I couldn't be your friend if you did that!" "Pity!... No, Jane... I'm a bit of a sadist - A softie-sadist... I like my victims to be my friends, and enjoy my efforts at reconciliation afterwards... You like my stroking - Don't you, Jane?" "Yes, mistress... Argh... I hope you realise that you are turning me on... And tied like this - I can't even reciprocate!" Zoe grinned and briefly kissed Jane's cheek. "I'm truly evil... Giving uncontrollable pleasure and stimulation." "But evil in a very nice way, mistress... Argh!" "Promise you'll be my slave for ever, or I'll stop right now!" "Yes, mistress... Anything you want, but don't stop!" "I'm serious, Jane... I do mean forever!" "I'll always be your friend, mistress... as long as you want me." "That's not what I meant, Jane... I want Jane to always be my slave - I have no interest in Jamie." "Argh arr... Yes, mistress... I'll always arrange for Jane to meet you - never Jamie!" "Oh, I suppose that will do for now... Are you ready to pop?" "Yes, mistress... Oh, yes, mistress... Ah, thank you. mistress!" Sigh. - - - - - "You are the best slave that I ever had, Jane." "Analysis shows that the current incumbent always has a bias advantage over all other competition to the extent that..." "Silence, slave! Do you require more punishment?" "Yes, please, mistress.... But let me rest and recover first, and then we can both enjoy it more!" "Are you daring to give me instructions, slave... I do believe that I have not been quite severe enough with you!" Jane grinned and puckered for a kiss. "You're a devil temptress, Jane!" Zoe leant across her bound slave and kissed briefly on her waiting lips. Then weakening further - Zoe started a breath-taking, tongue-wrestling kiss. - - - - - "Never leave me, Jane!" "Ugh, Ah... What?" It was dark and they had both been asleep for several hours. Zoe had wakened Jane with a mournful pleading tone - Instead of the usual teasing, pinching and tickling. "Of course not, Zoe... I have to stay within arm's reach of you all the time! I'm not just here to look after you, but I am your companion and confidante, and ... I hope... Your friend! Reach out, and you'll find me here... Isn't that a song or something? Now you're awake, Zoe... you can you scratch the side of my nose, please... Some mean person has tied me up - So I can't do it myself, and I seem to have this very annoying itch!" "You're funny, Jane." Zoe delicately scratched the itch. "Who says mistresses are totally useless?... That is heavenly." Jane purred. "Go to sleep, slave!" "Yes, mistress..." - - - - - 11. The Abduction "Mistress, would you mind moving a little, please!... My arm went to sleep and it's torturing me with pins-and-needles now!" "Sorry, Jane... I cuddled up to you in my sleep, and I really didn't men to sleep on your arm!... Shall I release you so you can massage it?" "I think it needs the skilful attention of a mistress, mistress, and best to leave it restrained for now." "You must be aware that giving me orders earns punishments, slave?" "I certainly hope so, mistress - I really enjoyed the aftermath of that last delicious punishment!" "Why do I feel manipulated, Jane?" "That answer escapes me, Zoe!" - - - - - Zoe's father spoke to them at breakfast. His eyes lingered for a while on the shiny, stainless-steel collar sported by Jane. "Jane that collar looks uncomfortable... Is that a new fashion?" "Yes, sir... Or so your daughter insists." Zoe smirked - Hooding her eyes at Jane. "I'll buy one for Zoe for her birthday!" he intoned. Jane smirked, but Zoe spluttered a mouthful of tea across the table. "Daddy, it's a slave collar... I thought you knew that Jane was my slave?" "I'm sorry, Zoe... I can't keep up with all your games... Now I have something important to say to both of you... Today is an important day for the conference, and I shall need maximum effort from all the permanent embassy staff to support me at the table... That means that apart from you two, the embassy will be pretty well empty except for local contractors... There's no need to worry... They have orders to keep all gates and doors locked, and to admit nobody - nobody at all!... Hopefully the agreement will be signed today, and then we can all go home!" - - - - - "You heard the man, slave... Today will be a long bondage and punishment session for you!" "He didn't say that at all, Zoe!" "Get in to the bedroom! I want you in the sexy French maid uniform, and kneeling at the foot of the bed in five minutes... or else!" "Zoe, I'm not sure this is a good idea right now!" Don't be silly!... You said yourself that the embassy is securely guarded belt-and-braces style!... Now git!" "Yes, mistress!" Jane rushed to do Zoe's bidding, and Zoe smiled with satisfaction... Jane was really the perfect slave. - - - - - "But, mistress... you ought not to handcuff me - It makes me so helpless!" "That, slave is the big idea, and I have some more handcuffs for your ankles as well!" "Mistress, no... please, no... I have enough trouble standing in these ballet boots when my feet are free!" "If you fall over as you shuffle around it will be your own fault slave!" "Yes, mistress..." Jane sighed. "GET OUT!" Zoe screamed at the hidden person opening the bedroom door. "GET OUT! Everybody has been told to treat this room as private! Shut the door and clear off!" But the door swung wide open, and four men completely dressed in black entered quickly and silently and efficiently searched the suite for hidden occupants, and just as quickly returned to point pistols at Zoe and Jane. Zoe was apoplectic with rage. "You arseholes, get out this instant! You can play your cops-and- robbers somewhere else!" Jane remained silent and worried. - - - - - The leader pointed to Zoe's opened toybox, and then to Zoe. "Make her same as her!" He pointed to Jane, who shuffled away as fast as her handcuffed ankles would allow, but overbalanced and rolled sideways onto the bed, and slid down onto the carpet. Zoe was quickly handcuffed at her wrists and ankles - just like Jane, and lowered to lay beside her on the floor. She was too surprised and shocked to speak at all. The leader explored the toybox and grinned happily when he found two gags. "That long one is a deep-throat gag, sir... That's for me... It will choke Zoe, if you put it on her." Jane attempted to persuade the leader. The leader glanced at Zoe and Jane and then applied the long gag into Jane's already opened mouth. He gave the ball-gag to one of his men, who struggled to gag a very uncooperative and now very vocal and rude Zoe. The leader had found a leather gimp hood, which he fitted over Jane's head, and then gave a 'Lone Ranger' mask blindfold to be used on Zoe. The leader glanced around the room, and nodded in satisfaction. "We go now!" he ordered, an with two men carrying each helpless female form they ran out of the embassy. - - - - - 12. The Hostages "What's happening, Jane?... Who are these people?... What do they want with us?" Jane was celebrating the removal of her hood and gag by drinking water from the shallow bowl provided on the floor. Jane looked around the gloomy room for possible eavesdrop devices, and then shrugged hopelessly. Her sliding hands had raised the back hem of her short maid's skirt. Automatically, Jane pulled the hem back down again, and then wriggled away from the water bowl to search Zoe's face with her eyes. Zoe needed comfort desperately - Not the comfort of false assurances, - but the comfort of confident analysis, "Zoe, we've been kidnapped to put pressure on your father... Depending on which faction has kidnapped us... They may want him to accede more, or simply walk away from the negotiations... There's Chinese faction that wants to direct the ores to China... And they'll want the negotiations to fail... There's a nationalist faction that wants more money... I'm not important to any of them- except as a calming influence on you... If you became hysterical they would have difficulty handling you." "Would it help, if I became hysterical?... Would they let us go?" "No, and no again, Zoe!... They would simply drug you - probably inexpertly - The drugs might kill you or make you insane. Even a dying - not quite dead - daughter would be sufficient to upset your father's negotiations. As to 'Who'... I don't know... And in the long run it might never matter." "What are we going to do, Jane?" "Zoe, I was very thirsty... and I think you might be, so slake your thirst." "How, Jane?... My ankles are cuffed, and my wrists are fastened behind my back!" "Wriggle on your belly... Like I did, Zoe... Mostly wriggling, but some caterpillar walking... You'll feel much better when you're not so dehydrated!" - - - - - "I do feel better, Jane... What are we going to do next?" "We're going to listen, Zoe... Listen for doors opening and closing... Listen for footsteps... Listen for people talking." "But we don't know the language, Jane?" "I know some Arabic words, Zoe, but we want to know if anybody is talking in a nearby room." "It all seems very quiet since they dumped us here and removed our gags, Jane." "Yes... And I don't know what to think about that, Zoe." Jane pondered a while, and then wiggled over to a wooden coffee table. Jane adjusted her position laying on her imprisoned arms, and with a might double-footed kick she sent the coffee table smashing into the wall... And it did smash into two pieces. "Zoe, listen very carefully for any reaction!" - - - - - "I heard nothing, Jane!" "Yes, they either didn't hear it, or there's nobody actually guarding us... Let's escape now, Zoe!" "Jane, I usually like your sense of humour, but that remark just leaves me cold!" "I need you to help me get us to escape, Zoe!" If Zoe could have stamped her foot with impatience, then that's what she would have done. "Jane, my darling... We are locked in police standard handcuffs, and we don't have the key... We really are helpless!... To think that I - Such a domme as I should become a 'damsel-in-distress'... Oh, Jane... The shame of it... You must never tell anyone... Ever!" "I'm pleased that you're perking up, Zoe." Jane grinned at her, "I want you to get a set of small lock-picks for me!" "Anything else, madam?... A gun, perhaps or the entire 7th cavalry?" Jane laughed briefly, and Zoe smiled despite her worries. "Zoe, I have the lock-pick that I need in my left boobie. " "Oh, now I see... You are actually Batgirl, and Jane is simply your secret identity... Whatever else do you have in your utility belt - sorry - Your utility boobie, Batgirl?" "Never mind what else there is! I want you to get the lock-pick set!" "You're actually serious?" "Yes, I am, and you're wasting time... Turn onto your side away from me with your hands about four inches from the floor and I'll wriggle across to you!" - - - - - "I hope I haven't torn your dress, Jane!" "Don't worry about the dress, Zoe... Tou have to squeeze really hard to operate the catch!" "I don't want to hurt you, Jane!" "Zoe, it's a false boobie! "I keep forgetting that you aren't a real woman." Zoe sighed. "Something happened!" Zoe squealed excitedly. "Shush!... Yes it's opened... Feel for the opening where the boobie meet my chest, and then feel gently for the small loop of ribbon nearest the floor!" "Yes, I've got it in my fingers now!" Zoe supressed her excitement. "If your sure that's the one I wanted, pull it steadily, and don't let go!" "It suddenly came loose, Jane!" "That's fine, Zoe... Now I'll roll over to take the ribbon from you." "Is that you tugging, Jane?" "Yes let go and don't move a muscle unless I tell you to!" "What are you going to do, Jane?" "I'm going to pick the lock on your handcuffs, silly!" - - - - - "I'm really sorry, Jane!" "It's not your fault, Zoe... It's a skill learned by constant practice!" Zoe was kneeling over the still form of her friend desperately trying to make the lock-pick unlock Jane's handcuffs. "We've wasted enough time on me, Zoe... Is the door locked?" "Yes, Jane! ... Are you sure you can't reach your ankle cuffs yourself?" Jane shook her head. "Help me get to the door, Zoe!" - - - - - "That's lucky... Somebody has taken the key out... I think number 5 pick will be wanted here... Zoe, pull out the fourth ribbon from... No... One is out already... Pull out the third ribbon from my boobie, and support me so my hands are level with the keyhole!" "Jane!... You've done it!... I heard the lock withdraw!... What now?" "Put the handcuff lock-pick set back into my false boobie, and close the cover hard until it clicks!" "I've done that now what?" "Now you have to use your wits, and escape, Zoe!" "But I can't carry you, Jane!" Zoe's tone was plaintive. "And you mustn't try either!" "Even if you 'bunny hop' with my assistance, we can't move very fast!" "That, Zoe... Is why you have to escape alone... I can't come with you... I need you to escape to bring the 7th cavalry to help me!" "Jane, you don't believe in the 7th cavalry!" Zoe challenged. "What will they do with you when they find me gone?" Zoe looked ready to cry. "Exactly the same as they planned to do with me anyway, Zoe... I have no intrinsic value as a hostage - Either to the kidnappers. or to our government... " "I'll MAKE our government rescue you, Jane!" "Thanks, Zoe... You're a true friend, but you have to escape all the way to make that happen... So... Go woman! - Go and don't look back! ... Else they'll catch you again!" - - - - - 13. The Mystery Jane waited a short time - Listening to Zoe escape onto the street outside, and she heaved a sigh of relief mixed with satisfaction. Zoe still wasn't safe, but she might just evade recapture now! Using the door handle for balance, Jane shuffled the room door closed again, and mentally cursed her unstable ballet boots. It was the work of one minute for Jane to lock herself in the room again. She froze as a car outside shone its headlights through the barred window, and illuminated the room as if spotlighted. There was a full-length mirror opposite the door. "No good muslims living here then." Jane muttered and suddenly focussed on the mirror. There was an erotic dream of a French maid, who was stood intently staring at him - She was somewhat dishevelled - As if post-coitus. Jane was so shocked that he loosed the door handle, and the treacherous ballet heels finally threw him over. Jane gasped as she fell sideways, and flicked her wrists to try to ease the fall. The lock picks were flung wide, and she hit the floor with a shoulder, and cracked her head soundly. She was instantly unconscious. - - - - - "You were on guard!... So what happened?" Jane heard somebody shouting as consciousness slowly returned. "I dunno... I'm sorry... I couldn't stay awake..." Jane slurred sleepily. "Not you - You faggot!" A boot connected with Jane's ribs to underscore the rejection, and Jane groaned. "I am sorry, boss... I just went out for a crap... The crapper was in a shit state so I went a bit further till I found one.... And I got a bit lost on the way back." "The punter will think we're all incompetents, you prat.... Let's get the story quickly before we tell him the pigeon has flown!" "We have still got one of them, boss!" "This one is worthless... They knew what they were doing when they took the other one!" "Hey, you!" The boot impacted on ribs again, and elicited another groan. "What happened here? ... Where did the other girl go?" "Other girl?... What other girl?" The boot impacted on ribs yet again, and produced yet another groan. "Dunno what you're talking about... Was only one girl here!" The boot began to beat a tattoo into the helpless ribs. "Boss, she's had a thump on the head... She's barely conscious!" The boot halted in mid-flight. "Yeah, you're right... They must've clouted her when they took the other one!" "... But why lock the door behind them afterwards, boss?" " 'Sobvious... To try to delay us discovering the hijack!... Stick a plaster or something on her forehead and clean up the blood... I'd better tell our punter what we know so far..." He sighed. "I think we can wave goodbye to our bonus this time..." - - - - - "Sir, I have no idea who might have taken her... Whoever did was very clever with the timing... Must have had us under observation to have been that precise!" There was discernable shouting at the other end of the scrambled radio connection. " No, sir, I don't accept that!... Except for one slight mis- calculation, we followed the plan exactly - And it was a good plan!" The shouting continued in reply. "Yes, as I said previously... The other girl was knocked unconscious and left behind - still handcuffed same as we had her - Our target girl had just disappeared out of a locked room.... No the door and lock were undamaged - They must have had a key - That means they knew our plans, and knew where we were going to stash the girls!... Yes, it does look as if the entire operation has been blown by an informer!... I don't know anything about 'other factions', sir - That's your department!.... Very well, sir... I'm sorry this didn't work out... What about the girl they left behind? ... I see... You'll send some local talent to deal with her, because you want us out of the country asap!" - - - - - 14. The Trip "Ugh!... Careful. please!" Jane was now enjoying a heightened consciousness, and had lost the anaesthetic effects of her concussion. The two evil-looking Arabs squawked at one another in Arabic as they suddenly looked at their unwilling burden. They dropped Jane back onto the floor as one of them seized a discarded gag. "No, the other one, please!" Jane pleaded as she saw the deep-throat gag approaching her mouth. The disreputable Arabs chortled to one another in Arabic, and grinned at Jane as they silenced her with the invasive gag. The darkness of the night cloaked their actions as they carried Jane outside to an ancient car, and popped the boot open. Jane decided to make her move, and suddenly double-kicked one of the Arabs so that he banged into the car and fell to the ground. The other Arab immediately dropped her on to her bottom, and she backward rolled right over to kick him as well - Except... The backward roll was aborted early by an item of clothing. "Damn this bloody corset!" Jane spat into her gag as the two Arabs approached her menacingly. After kicking and beating Jane for a full five minutes they lowered a now-unresisting, female form into the car boot. - - - - - "They must plan to poison me with carbon monoxide... " Jane mused as she found herself breathing too many exhaust fumes, but she was wrong... Or the abductors had spotted a flaw in that plan. The two Arabs stopped the car, and stopped the engine to flee to a boulder at the side of the road, where they spent five minutes coughing at each other. "Aha!" Jane thought... coughing gently past her awful gag to avoid choking. "If that was the plan, they must be revising it now!" The boot opened to allow one Arab to remove the car jack. With the car at an awkward angle, the hammering informed Jane that the leak in the exhaust was being repaired. "I bet they've just replaced the cracked mud in the hole..." Jane mused amused. And then the journey continued. - - - - - There seemed to be a lot of twisting and turning. "They're going to dump my body in the mountains." Jane concluded. "Good choice... There's a number of coyote or fox-like animals that will quickly spread my carcase far and wide... I wonder how they will decide to kill me?" - - - - - It was a puncture, and the ride was very, very uncomfortable in the boot. Eventually the car rattled so much - running on the completely flat tyre that the Arabs stopped the car to change the wheel. Jane was in the way of the spare tyre, so they lifted her out, and put her at the side of the road as they worked on the wheels. Jane could tell that the Arabs were getting impatient and irritable by their obvious grumblings at each other. - - - - - Suddenly there was a very loud klaxon sound, and the Arabs jumped up in alarm. It was an approaching 4x4 driving around the last bend, and demanding to be given room to pass on the very narrow roadway. Without thinking... The two Arabs simply rolled Jane over the edge of the road, and briefly watched her plunge into the bushes lower down. They jumped into their car and drove off at speed - ignoring the punctured wheel they had left behind. Jane had rolled to a stop crushing the undergrowth that clung to the steep sides of the chasm. "Death by coyote then!" she thought abstractedly, as she attempted to assess her new injuries. "Mostly bruises and minor cuts." she surmised. "I could live long enough to starve to death, if there's ever any precipitation up here." - - - - - 15. The Rescue Zoe was crying continually. Her father was hugging her tightly, and the pilot was cross with both of them. "Please, sir and miss... Sit up straight and tighten your lap belts!" his voice tried to insist in both sets of headphones. "If you don't follow my instructions, I shall land and banish you from my aircraft... Then you'll just have to hire a passing camel to get back to the embassy!" "Pilot, get on with your flying, and just get us there!". "Yes, sir." The pilot knew when to retreat. - - - - - The helicopter pilot was confident and skilful. The helicopter set down at a corner of the mountain road. One skid on the road and the other dangling in space. The main rotor was spinning wildly and missing the threatening cliff by mere inches. "Thank you, pilot... Away you go!" the diplomat shouted into the headset before tossing it onto the seat, and watching the machine shear away as the pilot followed the downward slope before zooming up to cruising height. - - - - - "Daddy... Now that I'm here, I'm afraid!" "Don't be afraid, my darling... The car will be here soon, and we'll be protected... It was you, who wanted to get here as quickly as possible." "I'm not afraid that way, daddy... I'm afraid to see, or find what might be here." "I'm here, Zoe, darling... I'll hug you and hold your hand." "Is it true that the bandits always cut their victims into little pieces...?" "Zoe, whoever told you that should be... I don't know what..." "But it is true, daddy... So the transponder might be buried in just a very small piece of Jane, and the rest of Jane scattered through the mountains as wolf steaks..." "Don't fret so, my dear... Hold my hand and let this magnificent place be Jane's memorial in our hearts!" "Oh, daddy, I just want to cry!" "But, Zoe... Jane was only your friend for a very short while..." "It feels like a lifetime, daddy... She was the best slave that I ever had!" "When we get back home, you can get another slave to replace her?" "Don't be silly, daddy and heartless too!" Zoe burst into tears, and hugged her father - Burying her wet face on his shirt. - - - - - "What is it, Branson?" "We have zeroed in and found the transponder, sir!... The body appears to be intact - Nothing obvious has been hacked off!" "Well get it into the body bag, and inside the van quickly - I don't think my daughter should see it until the undertaker has cleaned it up!" "We can't get to it yet, sir... It's hanging by a thread on the steepest part of the slope... We'll have to abseil down to it!" "Did you just say you've found her?" Zoe coldly assumed control. "I want to abseil down first!" she demanded. "Zoe, this is a bad idea - I know about grief, and this is the best way to cause long-term problems... You can see Jane after she's been tidied up!" "No, daddy... I think Jane saved my life, and out of respect, I need to kiss her where she lies!" "Sorry, miss... I don't advise it... The body is unstable where it is, and you might both end up falling to the bottom of the chasm!" "A fig for your advice!... I shall be the first to abseil to Jane!" - - - - - "Dear, Jane... Dearest Jane... They gagged you again... That has to go for me to kiss you!" Zoe spoke in spurts as she recovered from the exertion. Zoe locked her descendeur, and leant over Jane to unbuckle her gag, and toss it away into the chasm. "For god's sake, be careful, Zoe... I'm close to falling here!" the cadaver spoke to a bewildered Zoe. "Jane... You're still alive!" Zoe shouted the obvious joyously. "Well, yes, I think so... Unless this is heaven, and you're an angel?" "You bastard, Jane... I was grieving for you!" Zoe's joy had quickly turned to anger, and she thumped Jane hard in the midriff. "I was alive, Zoe... Your punch on my broken rib has loosened me from my perch, and I can feel myself beginning to slide... It was nice knowing you Zoe!" "No, no, you mustn't, Jane... I've just found you again!" Zoe grabbed hold of Jane's leather belt and held it with both hands. and Jane's sliding stopped. "Help! Help! Help! " Zoe shouted upwards desperately. Branson was at her side quickly on another rope. "Let go of the body, miss... Safety first... We can always find a way to recover the body later!" "As someone with a vested interest in this body, I resent your cavalier attitude young man!" Jane admonished the surprised Branson. Zoe laughed hysterically -genuinely hysterically, and Branson had to slap her face, after he had securely belayed onto Jane's belt. "I don't think we'll need the body bag after all then, miss?" "If it's warm, I'll have it!" Jane offered and Zoe laughed hysterically again, but calmed herself down. "Jane, I am very glad that you are alive!... Even if I have to take you home in a body bag!" Zoe laughed again but a normal laugh this time, and Jane tried to join her. "Don't make me laugh, Zoe... I think I have several cracked ribs, and they are no laughing matter!" Zoe broke out laughing again. "Zoe, what's happening down there? Are you OK?" "Just having a good laugh with a friend, daddy!" - - - - - 16. The Return The mountain rescue stretcher ascended the mountainside guided by multiple pairs of hands. A spider web of trailing abseil ropes allowed the helpers to follow the stretcher as it rose. Zoe insisted on joining the stretcher and the medic in the back of the van, and several rescuers had to be shifted to ride in the car with Zoe's father. Zoe chatted constantly with Jane and discovered all her adventures since they had parted at the hostage house. "Jane, I'm so happy that you're alive!" "Zoe, you should make a record that says exactly that, and just play it every so often to save your breath! ... Ah, ah, ah... Mustn't strike the patient with the sore ribs!" Jane tried to laugh, and Zoe laughed as she lowered her fist. "Serves you right for trying to laugh at me, slave!" "You really are a cruel mistress, mistress!" Zoe was really happy, and she leant over to kiss Jane's forehead - away from the bloody plaster. - - - - - "So... How was everything back at the embassy?" Jane snuggled into the first class seat as the airliner carried the diplomatic party back home. "Oh, I forgot you were still sedated in hospital, when the grand denouement took place!... Our friend, Achmed disappeared completely with the police hot on his trail... It seems he was in the pay of the Chinese, and he used his position as chief of the secret police to facilitate his surveillance and kidnap plans.... The Armanistan government were so embarrassed that they signed daddy's agreement straight away, and he is extremely happy with the result!" "So are you happy as well, Zoe?" Zoe left her seat to sit on Jane's knee. "Careful, Zoe, the ribs still feel delicate, and the exit wound for the transponder might split open!... Anyway... Sitting on a slave's knee to kiss is not appropriate for real mistress." "Mistresses are not slaves to convention, Jane ... Turn your head - I don't want to kiss a big black bruise!" "It's blue, mistress, I looked at it earlier!" "You'll be punished for arguing, slave!" "Alas, mistress... We are racing in a jet plane to the end of our business arrangement... You will have to forgo any further punishments." Zoe held off from her intended kiss. "Are you sad, Jane?" "Yes, mistress, I believe I am... But I hope we can still be friends when life returns to normal... Will I be able to contact you through the Foreign Office?" "I expect so, Jane..." Zoe seemed in a daze. "You don't have to see me... If you don't want to, Zoe... Being reminded of the danger might not be a good idea after all." Zoe forced herself to cheer up. "Of course, I will want to see you, Jane ... But it's really Jane I want to see again... Jane is my friend and Jamie will be a poor substitute." "Well, since I like you a lot... Maybe... I could arrange for Jane to see you instead of Jamie?" "I'm sure that I will like Jamie a lot, but Jane ... so... so much more!" Zoe had brightened. "If you are nice to me... Maybe slave Jane should report to you for punishment occasionally?" Jane suggested slyly. Zoe grinned at Jane as one conspirator to another. "I expect Jane will need someone to discipline her !" ".. And to comfort her afterwards!" "Do you really mean it, Jane?" "Yes, if that's what you would like.. Only thing is... " "What, Jane?" "Most of Jamie's work will be abroad - has to be - His picture was splashed across every newspaper and TV channel... And Potential employers don't forget faces - whatever new identity I take." "Why can't Jane work as a security consultant instead, Jane... Daddy will write a glowing recommendation, and if you get work at home, we can meet quite often?" "Why don't you two just get married instead?" Zoe's father interrupted bluntly. Zoe and Jane stared straight at him with gaping mouths. "Wouldn't work - Couldn't work. sir... Even if Zoe wanted to... We come from such different backgrounds... And as they say... 'Once the lust starts fading, the marriage is doomed'." Zoe stared hard at Jane. "I'd take the risk with Jane!" "You would?... No, Zoe... I couldn't impose myself on you... Anyway, I want to go back to being Jamie... I promised myself all along that I would go back to Jamie!" "Making up a male face every morning... Relearning how to walk in flat shoes... Unlearning hip-swinging walking... If you marry me, and I do want Jane... We can just carry on together like Armanistan, Jane?" "Zoe, what you suggest has only one attraction for me..." "What's that, Jane?" "You, Zoe!" "Jane, will you marry me?... Answer immediately in the affirmative, or be punished!" "Yes, Zoe... Was that quickly enough to avoid punishment?" "No, Jane... You will be getting punishments forever and forever!" They grinned at each other, and Zoe kissed Jane's un-bruised cheek. "When can I kiss your lips, Jane?" "Give them another week, Zoe!" "Are you giving me instructions, slave?" "Perish the thought, mistress!" They sat staring at each other and holding hands as the clouds flew past outside. - - - - - The End