**AUTHOR NOTE**
Yeah, a singular author.  This is The Rose Society and since Kayla has
retired from fanfiction, according to my understanding, she will no
longer be working on this story.  We had previously written almost 14
chapters and a prologue, so I have decided that I will go ahead and
post everything as-is and will finish out the series either myself or
with another writer.  I have tried to contact her but received no
reply.  Kayla, email me if you get a chance.

~The Rose Society

*Disclaimer: Don't own the characters.  Characters belong to Naoko
Takeuchi.

WARNING!  THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SCENES OF VIOLENCE (SEXUAL AND
PHYSICAL) AND NUDITY.  PLEASE HEED THE WARNING!

Alpha's Omega
Chapter Four
By: Kayla Chavi and The Rose Society
Rating: R
Email: kaylachavi@hotmail.com
	EtrlSlrMn@aol.com
http://kayla.wishing-blue.net
http://kii.wishing-blue.net

*Omega Cell Headquarters, Alpha One Enclave*

	The moment Minako stepped into Rei's quarters she knew that
something had gone terribly wrong. However, it wasn't the overturned
desk or the broken glass that set her off. And it wasn't the screaming
or the sound of ripping fabric either. No, it was the holographic
emitter that had once stood in a private niche along the far wall of
the living room. Normally the hologram wasn't turned on for strangers,
but when Rei’s friends were alone for a quiet night of reminiscence it
showed a picturesque scene of the two former lovers.

	Currently, it was completely destroyed and an extremely upset
Rei was sitting in the middle of her bed. It was quite the sight to
behold: her raven-wing hair in tangles and no longer carrying a
healthy shine; her beautiful violet eyes were red and tear streaks
stained her face. On her bare skin there were traces of blood from
where she had cut herself when breaking the glass.

	She just sat there in a daze as Minako carefully stepped
through the broken glass and other debris to come sit beside her.
Gently the blonde drew her into her arms and held her close.

	"I could ask what happened, but it doesn't take a genius to
guess."

	Rei made a sound between a snort and a bitter laugh. She was
shaking as she began to cry again. Minako just held her and gently ran
her hand soothingly up and down her back.

	"I'm a fool for believing that there was some part of us that
could be together again," she whimpered as her sobs grew less and
less. "Until last night I really believed that a part of us could make
it work."

	"You're not a fool," Minako gently chided. "Just a little
delusional."

	Rei's laugh was cut off by another sob. "God, when I saw him
standing there, all dressed up in a tuxedo, it was like I fell in love
all over again. Like I was that eighteen year old teenager again, just
discovering life." She grimaced. "But now he's screwing another woman
and yet I still want him back." Tears fell again. "He's working for
Metallia, the Bitch of Evil, and I still believe, deep down, that we
can have a home."

	Minako gently stroked her hair and Rei buried her face in her
friend's neck as she broke down into tears again. "I know I'm an idiot
for thinking this," she finally whispered. Minako shook her head but
didn't elaborate on her thoughts right away.

	"All of us wish that someday it would work," she finally said.

	"But none of you really believe it," Rei pointed out after
sniffling. She tried to wipe her eyes and get rid of the tears. "All
of you know that there is no hope in that wish. I'm the only one that
keeps things to remind me of him."

	Minako raised an eyebrow but didn't argue with her. "I'm proud
of you, though," she said instead.

	"For what?"

	"For not killing Rose." At Rei's stunned expression, the
blonde cell leader smiled. "Serenity told me that you almost hit her.
I don't think she realized that you would have taken Haruka's sword
and actually killed her." Minako laughed under her breath. “Serenity
doesn’t know you like I do.”

	Rei blushed slightly and looked away. "I wanted to kill her,"
she agreed softly.

	"But you didn't."

	"But I wanted to," she looked at her hands that hung limply in
her lap. "Rose was in his classes, the higher classes. Mentally, she
was his equal more then I ever was. She's beautiful and smart. I was
just beautiful."

	"It hurts."

	"Yeah, like hell."

	Minako laughed then shook her head. "If we did everything that
we wanted to, Alpha would have already wiped us off the face of the
planet by now. You kept from killing one of their prized scientists
and very well might have saved all our lives. Not only that, but you
got the Crimson Flame. We're one step closer to bringing about Omega."
She tightened her grip on Rei's shoulders, causing the dark-haired
woman to look up at her. "Remember, Rei, being a resistance fighter is
never losing hope for a better future, no matter what is reality. It's
the only way we can keep going against such insurmountable odds."

	Minako slid off the bed and held a hand out to Rei. "Come
girl, let's get you cleaned up. We're going to have a celebration for
our first major victory."

	Smiling, albeit tearfully, Rei took Minako's hand and tried
to muster some spirit. "It's time to party.”

*Alpha Headquarters, Alpha Prime*

	"We look like we're headed to a funeral," Kalkia quipped.

	Kunzite didn't look at her. "Not far off the mark."

	Rose unconsciously squeezed Endymion's hand. She hated
Metallia in a way that was completely indescribable. The woman--no,
the creature was pure evil. She sucked the life out of everything in
her presence. It was frightening to say the least.

	To make matters worse, she was annoyed. Metallia on a good day
was terrifying...on a bad day...well, it was best left unsaid. All
four of the Inner Circle were in attendance, as well as Kalkia, Rose
and Endymion. Jedeite had to have help going to the main chambers and
so was being supported by Nephlite and Zoicite. His wounds hadn't
quite healed completely and he was exhausted. But Metallia still
demanded his presence.

	'Jed?' His head snapped up at Rose's soft mental inquiry.

	'Don't worry about me, Rosebud.' He smiled and warmth traveled
though the link. 'I'll be fine. Don't tire yourself out with any
useless mental communications. You'll need your strength for later.'
He closed the link, giving Rose a real life smile.

	Returning the smile, Rose squeezed Endymion's hand again. She
looked at Kalkia. The redhead looked completely devoid of emotion. She
tried to fathom how she achieved something that not even the four
members of the Inner Circle could fake. When no answer came, she
ceased to wonder. Now was not time. They had entered the main chambers
and were now in the presence of Metallia.

	The room was enshrouded in darkness. By automatic sensor, the
massive doors behind them closed with a loud boom that echoed
throughout the mostly empty room. It was a rough rectangle shape, the
door on one end and the throne on the other end, as far away as
possible. It was theatrically impersonal. The floor was black granite
and ate at any and all light that might have entered. There was only a
faint light highlighting any entrants and a back light for the throne.
Instantly, Endymion could sense the fear level rise in all of his
companions, save one.

	Kalkia caught Endymion looking at her and she gave him a
faintly smug smile. 'When you don't care about anything, it makes it
difficult to hurt you.' She looked back at the impressive throne and
continued to be impassive.

	Sitting on the throne was the figure of a woman shrouded in
shadows. The only two things that one could distinguish were her
incredible height and her well-endowed bosom. Her hair flowed over the
throne and went several feet past on the floor, its color masked. Her
arms rested on the shoulders of the chair and her body looked
incredibly calm.

	In the darkness, only her eyes were particularly clear. Her
eyes were completely white and had a tendency to flash painful bursts
of light when she was angry.

	"I am not satisfied," was all she said. Endymion could hear
the background noise of Kalkia’s sarcastic remark to Rose and the
immediate chide of the latter doctor. Then Metallia’s flinty voice
whipped through the room, demanding the complete attention of all. It
even chilled Kunzite to the core. "Report, General."

	Kunzite took a step forward to separate himself from the
crowd. Placing his right fist over his heart, he bowed his head
slightly, the traditional greeting for an Alpha superior. "Last night
did go as well as expected. Given the circumstan-"

	"Silence," Metallia hissed. A blaze of power struck all
occupants, drawing a thin line of blood on their cheeks. Jedeite
staggered, but Zoicite and Nephlite held him up. "Weak excuses, is
that all that you can offer me?"

	Kunzite's gaze hardened. "You must understand, Metallia, that
Alpha was completed a lot faster than our best expectations but was
not fully functional when we encountered Omega."

	"I must understand?" Another whip of power and, with it,
another gash on the cheek. It was barely above a whisper, but caused a
ripple of fear running down the spines of all the room’s other
inhabitants.

	Rose took a step forward, all her previous nervousness gone.
She had taken all of her best qualities, those that made her human,
and locked them away just so she could survive this briefing. "May I
speak, Metallia?"

	The white eyes regarded her with skepticism. "Speak, doctor,
before I rip your tongue out for your audacity."

	Bowing her head slightly, Rose left out the heart salute of
loyalty, as was her custom. Metallia didn't like it, but Rose sure as
hell wasn't going to pledge her loyalty to this monstrosity. Of
course, it would make the ruler even angrier. Rose could be awfully
stubborn sometimes. "Project Alpha was only online for a week. His
first mission was to identify and locate Omega. He has completed this
task perfectly. The loss of the Crimson Flame is regrettable, but
under the circumstances, Project Alpha exceeded expectations." It was
stoicism at its best.

	"Failure is still failure," Metallia said tonelessly.
"Glittering it up won't make any difference. The Crimson Flame was
lost to us. Omega has only six steps left."

	"But we know who Omega is," Nephlite said firmly. He hadn't
even bothered to wipe the blood off of his face. He continued to
support Jedeite. This meant that he had left out the heart salute.
Odd, it seemed none of the generals were too eager to pledge their
loyalty, barring Kunzite. At least, not when they knew that they were
probably going to get a good bout of punishment.

	Kalkia stepped up next, her pale face expressionless. She
barely dipped her head. "Metallia, Alpha has demonstrated excellent
fighting skills. He was able to hold off Omega on his own, even with
only one week of training. He was also able to attract the interest of
Omega, making us that much closer to being able to destroy her. We
were damn lucky that we were able to design him so perfectly."

	Metallia laughed mirthlessly. "You have failed and you talk
about sex as if that can save you?"

	Kalkia clenched her jaw minutely before offering the cold
woman a smile. "It will, won't it?" She prepared for the blow and it
did come. Raw power lashed into her and hit her hard in her
mid-section. She fell to her knees and coughed blood out of her mouth
and onto the floor. She closed her eyes and no one moved to save her.

	"I fail to see the perfection in Alpha's design," the cold
voice continued. "What good is a man who gets hard the moment he looks
at a woman?"

	"Not just any woman," Zoicite quietly argued as they still
supported Jedeite. "Omega. Kalkia can teach him to control it and it
is only a matter of time until he kills her."

	"We don't have a lot of time, Zoicite." There was a faint hiss
to her words that lashed across his face.

	"If you keep damaging us and preventing us from training
Alpha, our time will only get shorter, dictator," Rose spat angrily as
she lifted Kalkia from her position on the ground. Her cold violet
eyes regarded the woman with no fear, no emotion whatever.

	Metallia didn't disappoint. She rose from her seat, her entire
aura crackling with anger. Electricity began to be emitted from the
woman’s large frame.  

	"DICTATOR! Insolent wretch!" She lashed at the doctor, causing
various gashes to appear, blood hitting Kunzite and Kalkia.

	"The title fits, and you know it," declared Kalkia in a clear
voice. "You hinder our efforts with this shitty excuse for a
debriefing. Just get on with the torture like we all know you plan and
let us get back to fighting your war."

	There was a painful lash directed at the auburn-haired doctor
and she crumpled to the floor. She was unconscious within seconds. An
inner voice in Rose winced and wanted to help Kalkia but Rose knew her
friend would be angry at her, so she kept her distance. Nephlite was
the only one to reach out to her. He gently let go of Jedeite and
picked her broken body up, cradling it delicately in his arms.

	"Get on with it, Metallia," he said quietly and looked at her.
Very slowly he brought his fist to his heart, despite the fact he held
Kalkia, but it was a mockery of the formal salute.

	"Esmeraude." Metallia said the name simply and the Enforcer
appeared. "You may pick two of my generals to play with for an hour."

	The green haired woman grinned with glee. Endymion shuddered
in disgust at the knowledge of how much the woman was enjoying this.
She ran an appreciative eye over the group of males, all who cringed.
Licking her lips, she pointed her finger. "I want Kunzite and," she
paused, "Jedeite."

	"NO!" cried Rose. "You'll kill him. You can't let that bitch
have Jedeite, Metallia."

	Snarling, Esmeraude made a move to attack, but Metallia
stopped her with a wave of her hand. "She won't kill him, doctor. Just
play with him for awhile."

	Rose looked at her friend, her mental garb of apathy falling
away. With Kalkia unconscious, it was hard to draw on her friend for
mental support in this. And as much as she hated what the four men had
become, she still thought of them as her friends. Kunzite could
withstand Esmeraude's torture, but Jedeite was always more mentally
softer than the silver-haired general. "She'll break him, mentally,"
she said softly.

	Metallia laughed, this time her laughter caused knives of pain
to lance through all of them. "Perhaps, doctor," she said as she sat
back down on her throne. "Unless..." white eyes regarding her
carefully, "you can propose a suitable exchange? Alpha perhaps? That
would please Esmeraude greatly." The green haired woman fairly drooled
as she nodded enthusiastically.

	Rose looked at Kalkia's unconscious form, at Nephlite tenderly
trying to fix her wounds, at Endymion, staring at the dark woman with
all the hate in the world in his eyes, at Zoicite, still supporting
the hurt Jedeite and at Kunzite, resolute acceptance in his green
eyes. Kalkia was going to kill her for this afterward, if she wasn't
already dead when it was over. "No, not Alpha." All conscious eyes
turned to her. Rose stood, her spine straight. "Myself."

	Endymion clenched his hands into fists and glared at Rose.
'You don't have to do this!' he insisted. ‘I’m strong enough to handle
whatever she does!’

	'Yes I do.  You’re too young, Endy. Besides, it is my fault.'

	Esmeraude clapped her hands like a young child at a 
elebration. She walked forward and laughed quietly, "Oh the fun games
we'll play with just the three of us."

	Kunzite didn't even look at Rose, he just stood there. A
moment later he placed a fist over his heart. "As my Queen wishes," he
said calmly. "Esmeraude may have her hour."

	Nephlite looked up at him and then back down at the broken
body in his arms. "If that is all, then we will take leave of our
Queen."

	Metallia smiled dangerously. "Oh no, my general. I haven't
forgotten the rest of you. Esmeraude might have the pleasure of an
hour with Kunzite and the doctor, but I believe that neither you nor
Zoicite have had that same pleasure. The doctor has traded Jedeite's
turn for herself so he'll be lucky enough to escape a second round.
Unfortunately, you two have no one to rescue you. Guards," she
summoned and instantly six dark clothed men went to surround Nephlite
and Zoicite. "Take the two generals to the torture chamber and allow
Esmeraude to play with them later, after she has finished with her
first guests."

	Nephlite didn't struggle. Calmly, he handed Kalkia to Endymion
and left with the men, not saying a word. Zoicite, on the hand, cursed
angrily and glared at Metallia and Esmeraude as the guards yanked him
away. Endymion gave one last look at Rose, and when she nodded, he
left the room, carrying Kalkia. 

	The door closed behind him with such finality, leaving Kunzite
and Rose in the darkness. Rose linked her hand with Kunzite's and she
squeezed it fearfully as Esmeraude made her way to them, an
anticipatory grin on her face.

*Alpha Medical Facility Seventeen, Alpha Headquarters, Alpha Prime*

	Endymion gently laid the mangled body of Kalkia on the medical
table. He brought the scanner to lie over her as he assessed the
damage. Metallia's power had been forced through her so violently that
it amazed him that she was still breathing. Her heart was beating
weakly and she had several gaping wounds.

	He fixed those first, getting her heart beat stronger and her
blood system working properly. She was still continuing to bleed over
the table, however, for there were many organs that had been almost
completely eradicated. Next he fixed her lungs before moving to the
rest.

	It was nearly an hour until he had all the internal damage
repaired. Next were her bones. Every major bone was broken and some
had pierced through the skin. He had to reset several, causing
additional pain and bleeding. Eventually he had everything aligned
correctly and all of her insides functioning. He turned to her mental
health and found that her brain functions had almost shut down.

	He swore and immediately linked their minds. He had to wade
through several painful and unclear memories before he found the
pathways he needed to reconnect. With this much damage it was obvious
that Metallia had not meant her to survive and be functional
afterwards. It was lucky that he had been able to save her. He was
lucky that Rose had taught him the proper way to heal mentally prior
to this. He sure was getting a big chance to try out his newest
skills.

	A hand clenched his wrist suddenly and he opened his eyes to
see her looking up at him. "Where is Rose?" she demanded.

	He gazed at her, his blue eyes soft. "She's traded herself for
Jedeite. She's with Esmeraude, I'd imagine, for the few minutes left
in their hour."

	Frowning, Kalkia sent out a probe with her mind, trying to
reach her friend. "I can't feel her, why is that?"

	Endymion finished his mental repairs and leaned back from the
medical table. "She's cut off all access to her mind. She wanted to be
sure that she didn't leak her pain to anyone." He seemed distressed
for a moment. "She's even locked me out from helping her, warned me
that she didn't want Metallia discovering her powers if she lost her
control. There are to be no connections with her until she's safely
contained any leakage of power." He hated this, being on the
sidelines.

	Trying to rise from the table, Kalkia found she could only
raise herself about an inch before her body collapsed back on the bed.
She hissed from the pain. "Damn it, help me up, Endymion. I have to
get to her."

	Shaking his head, he pressed on her shoulder and forced her
back onto the bed. It was ridiculously easy. "No, doctor, I'm afraid
you're in no condition to help her. Your injuries are too extensive
for you to be much use to her anyways."

	Growling, Kalkia shoved Endymion's hand from her shoulder.
"Damn it, Endymion, she's with Esmeraude. That bitch has been waiting
to get her hands on Rose for a long time. We have to save her now.
Don't just stand there, telling me how I can't do this. You're Project
Alpha, damn it. You're the most perfect weapon on the face of this
Earth. Do something!"

	Endymion slammed a fist into the nearby table, splintering the
metal as if it was paper. He did not heed the blood running from the
deep gashes on his hand. "I want to, doctor. But she begged me,
implored me that I do nothing!"

	 Kalkia twitched slightly from the force of his outburst and
closed her eyes, for an instant it looked like she might actually cry.
"Tell me what happened from the moment I was hurt until you left." She
didn't cry. She just laid there, dejected.

	"Nephlite picked you up and asked Metallia to let you leave."

	Kalkia laughed bitterly. "Don't lie to me Endymion. No one
picked up this broken body. None of them would care if I died on that
floor. Except maybe Rose."

	"He held you," Endymion insisted.

	"Liar. Continue."

	Endymion sighed heavily and did as she ordered. He recounted
the events, all the way up until Rose and Kunzite were left alone with
Esmeraude. Kalkia just laid there looking up at the ceiling blankly.

	"It'll be more sexual then torture," she finally said. "She'll
probably try to get the two of them to fuck in front of her, or make
them both fuck her. With Zoicite and Nephlite it will be pain. She'll
have used up her lust for mental anguish and physical pleasure and
she'll just want the pain. We should prepare for that."

	She tried to sit up but she really did hurt all over. "I need
Jonathon," she said after a moment. "He can help me get better--"

	"The last time he saw you, he hit you. How long does it
normally take him to cool down?" Endymion shook his head firmly. There
was no way he was going to take a chance with her. He had only been
aware for a week, but somehow, like Rose, he had seen past the
abrasive exterior and into the delicate core that she kept tightly
concealed.

	"At least twenty-four hours."

	"I'm not willing to risk it. Teach me how to do it," he
insisted. 

	Kalkia looked into his dark blue eyes and then slowly nodded.
"Take my hand and clear your mind completely. Then think only of me
and nothing else. You have to focus on the healing and my body
completely or it won't work. Jon's able to do it because of his
obsession with me, because we're lovers. Endymion, we're not even
friends."

	"I'll do it," he closed his eyes and did as she asked. Warmth
emanated from him and he moved it into her. It was a long time until
he was sure that whatever it was that they had done was completed. He
opened his eyes to see her body healed beyond his wildest
expectations.

	She smiled slightly at him and sat up. "We need to get ready
for Rose and Kunzite." She slid off the table and began to undress.
She went to a locker and changed into a clean set of clothes. Endymion
kept his back politely turned towards her to give her privacy, even
though she obviously didn't care.

***
(WARNING: THE FOLLOWING SCENE CONTAINS VERY DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS.
SCROLL THROUGH ALL SCENES WITH ESMERAUDE IF YOU WANT TO SKIP.)

	Esmeraude smiled as the doors locked shut, leaving the three
of them alone in the sterile torture chamber. "Let's see," she said
with idle glee. She went over to one of the walls and picked up a long
knife. It had a serrated edge and curved upwards at the end. "You two
have managed to stay out of my chambers for far too long. I don't want
to rush this." She breathed in deeply, her breasts straining against
the leather of her dress.

	Kunzite just looked at her blankly and didn't speak. He and
Rose were still holding hands, and the other girl's grip had gotten
incredibly tighter as the seconds passed. She looked up at Kunzite and
then back down at the floor. There was nothing that could happen here,
that he hadn't already done in his own bedroom. Esmeraude couldn't be
that creative....could she?

	The green-haired Enforcer slowly made her way to the couple
and stood behind Kunzite. She took the blade and cut along his
uniform. It separated into two pieces and fell away from his shoulders
and arms. Along his back was a thin line of blood where the tip had
pressed into him. Esmeraude slowly licked the wound before running her
hands over his muscular back. She laughed softly and turned to Rose.

	With a calm expression, she made a violent slash that
destroyed the top of her uniform. "I think," the Enforcer said
deliberately, "I want to see you on top of him; riding him until he
screams your name. Kunzy hates to be topped."

	Rose shuddered and Esmeraude laughed. Desperately, Rose tried
to draw on her impressive mental control to wash away her fear and
become empty of emotion, but her fear was too great. Her breathing
began to speed up. Sex in any circumstance was repulsive to her
because of what had happened to her since her soul mate’s death. Sex
in front of Esmeraude, the woman known throughout the world for her
more creative sexual feats was not any kind of progress.

	"Of course, if you don't want to, we can move to more painful
forms of pleasure," Esmeraude suggest coyly, as if she was giving them
a choice. Neither party said anything. "Then I suggest you get out of
those restricting clothes. Now." She hopped up to sit on nearby table.

	It took a moment, but Kunzite began to get rid of the rest of
his clothing. Rose was stunned for a moment and then with trembling
hands, began to pull away the top half of her uniform. Kunzite was
soon naked and just standing there. Esmeraude's eyes roved his body
hungrily since she was getting to see a sight that she had been
denied. Her gaze flicked to Rose.

	"I could always remove it for you, doctor."

	Rose swallowed her fear as best as she could and did as she
was told. She crossed her arms over her chest as she suddenly got very
cold.

	"Lay down on the floor, Kunzite."

	Rose looked over at the silver-haired man as he laid down. Her
one comfort at the moment was that he didn't have an erection. It was
a small comfort to know that he was not enjoying this in the least,
and normally men had no problem getting hard around naked women.

	Esmeraude tsked. "Rose, I'm disappointed in you. After all the
times he takes you to his bed and you can't even excite him now."

	"Hard to get excited when you're about to be topped," Kunzite
said idly as he looked at the ceiling. Esmeraude stalked over to him,
but instead of hurting him, she gripped him tightly in her hand. The
physical response was slow. Rose turned away when Esmeraude took him
in her mouth. It was much more effective and soon he was hard enough
for sex.

	"Now, Rosey, get on him and fuck. I want a good show or I'm
telling Metallia I want another hour."

	Tears threatened to spill. She did not want to do anything
that Esmeraude was telling her to do. But then, another hour with
Esmeraude and her shattered mind? Rose bit her lip so forcefully that
she drew blood. Her face was pale, her fists tightly clenched, forcing
all blood to leave them. She was going to be sick, the fear was so
overwhelming.

	Esmeraude stood and walked to stand behind her. "I'm waiting,
doctor." She was getting a thrill off of the fear and it showed in her
face and her entire body. She rudely pushed Rose towards the ground
and Kunzite. The man caught her and gently rearranged her over him.
Lightly he held her waist. Slowly he smiled, and it was the playful,
comforting smile of her friend from years ago. With his eyes, he told
her that they would get through this together, no matter what happened
when they left this chamber. For this hour they would help each other
survive.

	Even if survival meant fucking on a cold floor for a sadistic
bitch.

*Omega Cell Headquarters, Alpha One Enclave*

	The small underground room of the Omega cell headquarters was
decked out fully in an array of colors, light and music. The members
of Omega cell were all in comfortable clothes, enjoying the fruits of
their efforts with joy and renewed hope in their hearts.

	Demando placed a hand on Serenity's elbow. "Is something
bothering you, my child?" He handed her a drink, hoping it would help
eliminate the crease between her brows.

	She accepted, giving him a quick smile before frowning again.
“Mentor, what is lust?"

	Demando promptly sprayed out the wine he had been sipping when
she asked her question. Concerned, Serenity handed him a napkin. She
was completely unaware why her question had caused such a violent
reaction.

	"Lust?” He coughed and attempted to clear his throat. “Why do
you ask, Serenity?"

	She patted another napkin to his shirt, helping to remove the
wine. "Well, when I fought that dark-haired man back at Alpha Three, I
had the most curious physical and mental reactions. I've accessed my
knowledge banks and found that it falls under the description of lust.
But I only have a scientific definition. I wish to know more."

	Demando choked for a few more minutes which drew the attention
of Ryo and Ami. "Doctor, are you alright?" Ami asked gently as he
wiped himself clean.

	"I'm fine. Serenity just asked me a blunt question. That's
all," he convinced them and hopefully himself.

	Ami looked at Serenity curiously. "What did you ask him?"

	Before Demando could stop her, Serenity responded, "What is
lust?"

	Ami just blinked several times and looked at Ryo, whose jaw
had dropped. The blue-haired scientist cleared her throat, "Perhaps
you should ask Minako or Rei. They could give you a good explanation."

	Serenity tilted her head in confusion. "Is lust such a hard
concept to explain? I am sorely confused."

	Having regained equilibrium, Ryo replied, "It is just that
lust is a very different experience for each person and very hard to
convey in words." He fought the urge to kick himself for sounding like
an idiot.

	However, instead of laughing, Serenity smiled. "Ah, I see. So
lust is a mental and emotional incident, rather than a purely physical
experience."

	"I think most men would probably prove that theory wrong,"
said Haruka as she approached the group. She grinned at Demando and
Ryo's glares of mock-hurt.

	Ami had to laugh and she shook her head, causing the short
blue locks to swing back and forth. "There is a physical response,
Serenity. It's preparatory and imperative for sex."

	"But this man and I were not preparing for sex," Serenity
stated firmly. "We were fighting."

	"Another form of foreplay," Rei said dryly as she came up to
the group. She had overheard the conversation and thought that she
should make sure that Serenity's sexual education didn't come only
from men or men wanna-bes.

	"Foreplay?"  Serenity looked hopelessly confused. 

	"A word to describe the physical arousal needed for future
intromission," stated Ami.

	Rei shook her head. "God, Ami, you make it sound like a
chore!"

	"What sound like a chore?"

	Rei looked at Minako, who had just joined the group, and
greeted the newcomer happily. "Finally, someone who can help. We need
to teach Serenity about attraction, lust, you know, the basics."

	Minako raised an eyebrow. "And why would she need to know
about this?"

	Rei grinned at Serenity. "Because our girl has the hots for
the tall, dark and handsome we saw back at the ball."

	A large smile spread across Minako's face, making her seem
like a cat that had just swallowed a very, very large canary. She
pushed aside any doubts or strategic concerns and jumped on the
subject like a teenager. "Oooh, do we have a lot to teach you!"

	Coughing, Demando interrupted the little scene. "Um, if you'll
excuse me, I think I'll leave. I have no wish to be here while you two
corrupt my heart-daughter's mind." He motioned to Ami and Ryo. "Come
on, let's go elsewhere and talk about less,” he searched for a more
delicate word, “inflammatory things."

	Both Minako and Rei laughed after him and before pulling
Serenity to sit down. "First, how did you know that you were attracted
that man?" Minako asked.

	Serenity looked down at her hands which she had placed in her
lap. "I felt my body undergo several different physical responses,"
she looked back up at them. "I looked it up and the computer said that
I was lusting."

	Rei nodded, "That makes sense," she said after a moment. "But
what kind of physical responses?"

	"My breathing was shallow and my skin was flushed. I was hot
all over and my lower abdomen tightened."

	Minako nodded, "That's arousal to a pin-point," she agreed.
"It's your body's way of physically preparing for sexual intercourse
with a man."

	"But he and I weren't preparing to have sex." Serenity felt
the need to point that out to the two women as well.

	Rei laughed quietly, "That's where the foreplay comes in."

	Serenity's puzzled look caused both women to snicker.

	Minako wiped a tear from her eye. Still giggling, she
continued the explanation. "Well, foreplay is the stage where there is
a heightening of pleasure for both participants. There is an
increasing accumulation of mental, physical and emotional pleasure."

	Tilting her head, Serenity asked, "With what symptoms?"

	Raising her hand, Rei began to tick off some points. "Heavy
breathing, sweat, increased heart rate, and if it's really good," she
grinned, "some screaming."

*Alpha Interrogation Room, Alpha Headquarters, Alpha Prime*

	Rose shrieked at the top of her lungs.

	Esmeraude looked at her and sighed with a bored look on her
face. Rivulets of blood ran down the naked body of her victim who was
chained to a grotesque piece of metal. There were lines of shallow
knife wounds along her back. "Does she always scream so easily for
you, Kunzite?"

	The man was chained to the wall, he too, naked. He just raised
an eyebrow, "I don't kiss and tell."

	"Bad boy...you shouldn't be stealing the Slut's lines now,
should you?"

	"Leave...Kalkia...out...of...this...bitch," Rose managed to
say between gasps of air. "She's a lot better person than you are.
Hell, at least she's human, which is more than I can say for you!"

	Esmeraude thinned her lips, her face darkening with anger. She
didn’t like to be reminded that Kalkia was one of the few people she
desired to actually never be in her playroom. "She still has spirit,
I'll give her that.“ With that, she picked up a spike of hot metal and
grinned, her face lit in an eerie red glow.

*Omega Cell Headquarters*

	"Screaming?" Serenity looked at her with wide eyes. "Why would
screaming be considered a good thing?"

	Rei chuckled and couldn't help but smile, "Screaming in the
sense that you're making verbal sounds that you're enjoying yourself.
A lot."

	Minako nodded, "There comes a point during sex that there is a
physical and mental release that gives your body a great deal of
pleasure. That's when the screaming comes in."

	Serenity analyzed the new knowledge. "As in climax, correct?"
Both of the women nodded. Accessing her memory, Serenity began to
prattle off her knowledge. "Climax also includes the release of bodily
fluids."

*Alpha Interrogation Room, Alpha Headquarters, Alpha Prime*

	Blood splattered on the floor but Nephlite just looked at the
Enforcer with a calm and controlled look to his eyes. The woman had
come close to chopping off his arm. His abdomen was sliced in several
different ways and he was losing vast quantities of blood.

	Zoicite had already passed out from the pain and there was
still twenty minutes left.

	'Damn you, Esmeraude, leave him alone!'

	The force of the mental sending caused the woman to pause, if
only momentarily. "And why would I do that, Rosey?"

	Rose glared from her position on the wall, through a film of
her own blood. The hour was up but Esmeraude had brought in Nephlite
and Zoicite without letting Rose and Kunzite go. She knew that
watching herself torture Nephlite and Zoicite would cause the doctor
more pain and since she couldn't damage her physically anymore, it
would be just as satisfying to hurt her mentally.

	Rose tried to speak but her throat was still too raw from her
earlier screams. Seeing her struggle, Esmeraude smirked. "You're going
to watch me bleed him, Rosey, and I'll enjoy feeding from the pain
it's going to cause you." She picked up an electric stun gun, only
this version was for torture. She laughed as she placed it on
Nephlite's body, bathing him in a blue blanket of electricity.
Nephlite didn't scream, he just gritted his teeth and held onto
consciousness as best he could. Esmeraude finally rolled her eyes,
wanting the brunette to scream or make some sound of pain. With a
sigh, she went back over to Zoicite and lifted his head. Slowly, she
brought up a rudimentary club. She rammed it into his stomach.

	He threw up all the contents of his stomach and retched on the
floor. He was close to death. Risking her sanity, Rose connected
herself with both Nephlite and Zoicite and prayed to see another day.

*Omega Cell Headquarters*

	Laughing, Minako gave Serenity a one armed hug. "You'll
understand all you need to know about sex one day, Serenity. By that
time, you won't need to ask us anything about it, you'll just know."

	Suddenly, Luna's gentle hand on Rei's shoulder got all three
women's attention. "May I have a word with you all," she said in her
quiet voice, slightly raised to be heard over the music.

	"What's wrong, Luna," asked Rei, her eyes instantly showing
her attentiveness.

	"It's about the man that Omega was attracted to, back at the
museum. We have reason to believe that that was Project Alpha."

*Alpha Interrogation Room, Alpha Headquarters, Alpha Prime*

	As soon as the chronometer indicated that time was up,
Endymion barreled into the room, Kalkia not far behind him. The site
that greeted their eyes was horrific. Both Rose and Zoicite were
slumped over, unconscious and bleeding profusely. Nephlite was glaring
at Esmeraude, from his position near Zoicite. His legs were broken.
Kunzite, for his part, was powering up his aura, despite his weak
state. Esmeraude was still holding a bloody blade, her expression
surprised.

	"Damn it, spoil all my fun," pouted Esmeraude. "I wanted to
get a few more licks in on Kunzite before you guys came," she said
with a smirk, just before Kunzite's build-up of power smashed into her
midsection and blasted her into the table.

	"You'll never get the chance to touch me again, whore," he
rasped, right before he collapsed from exhaustion.

	Kalkia initiated teleportation beacons on Zoicite and Nephlite
before going to pick up Rose. The two other Generals were transported
to the nearby medical facility. Endymion went to Kunzite and unchained
him. As they walked out, Kalkia shot an angry glare at Esmeraude.

	Raw Power slammed into the green-haired woman's body and
slammed her up against the wall. She had to shield herself when
several of her instruments came crashing down. "I hope you lose an
eye," Kalkia spat and then pulled her friend out of the torture
chamber.

	Within no time at all, Kalkia had Rose on the regeneration
table and Endymion was healing the wounds on Kunzite as best he can.
"They'll live but if we want a full recovery it's going to take a lot
of energy," he said after a moment. "The generals' bodies will be able
to heal the wounds, given time." He joined Kalkia at Rose's bedside.

	"Let's get Rose well and then she and I can take care of the
rest of them." Kalkia just touched her friend's face and a tear
dropped from her face to the raven haired doctor's. It was only one
tear, but the suddenness of it caused Rose to wake up.

	She made an attempt to speak but all that came out was a harsh
croak.  

	"Shh, Rose," Kalkia soothed and placed a hand on her friend's
cheek. "Don't talk."

	'You're all better.' Rose mental voice was soft, very quiet,
and both Endymion and Kalkia were able to hear it. They shot each
other a look. It was pretty bad if Rose's control was that weak.

	Kalkia squeezed Rose's hand gently, careful not to aggravate
her bruises. 'Yeah, I'm a tough girl. Metallia couldn't keep me down
for long.'

	Soft laughter filled their minds. 'I know, Kalkia, you always
were stronger than me.' Her eyes fluttered as Rose tried to combat the
darkness that was calling to her.

	Endymion grabbed her other hand. 'Doctor...Rose, you can't
fall asleep.' He grew alarmed when her mental shields began to
fluctuate. Instantly, he drew upon his own powers and began to erect
his own walls around her mind, keeping her powers hidden from
Metallia. 

	'She can't keep up her mental blocks. She's fading, fast.'

	Realization dawned. "You linked with the rest of them when
they were being tortured, didn't you?" Kalkia was so angry that she
didn't even bother to send it mentally.

	Rose looked away. 'She was going to break them. I couldn't let
that happen.'

	Horrified, Kalkia dropped Rose's hand. "Damn it, Rose, damn
it!" She slammed her hands on top of a nearby instrument stand.
"They're enhanced enough to handle that type of abuse. You're not. You
could have died!"

	'She would never leave someone to suffer when she can do
something about it, doctor.' Endymion kept his gaze upon Rose, his
blue eyes watering. Was this sorrow? Smiling, Rose tried to lift her
other hand to cup Endymion's cheek. Seeing her falter, Endymion guided
her other hand with his own free hand, not letting go of the hand he
already was clasping.

	'You cry, Endymion. You hurt. I'm sorry to have inflicted
those emotions on you, but I can't help feeling a sense of hope.
Perhaps you won't be that mindless killing machine Metallia wanted.'
She looked away. 'Where are the others?'

	Kalkia was briskly going through all the standard medical
procedures and moving at incredible physical speed. Already she was
using her ability to force Rose's body to stop destabilization.
"Kunzite's on the bed next to you and Zoi and Nephlite are in another
medical bay. Once you're well, we can take care of them." She looked
at her friend firmly, "And no arguing with me. I'm pissed, Rose. I'm
so pissed that if you weren't dying then I'd kill you myself."

	Endymion closed his eyes and did his best to hold the mental
shield around Rose's own. She had to make it through, she was his
closest friend. He needed her to make it through. 

	'Just hold my hand, Endy.' Convulsions began to rack her body
again. It was a race against time now, Kalkia trying to stabilize one
system after another, while Endymion sat by her side, rebuilding her
failing psyche.

	And after Rose there were four more men who needed more
medical attention than any single person alive could give them. It
was going to be a long night.