This particular entry deals with rape and its aftermath. If you are uncomfortable with those topics you may want to skip this one…..

loubug@zoomnet.net

Part 2

Sarah rolled onto her back and stretched her lean body as she slowly woke up from a deep sleep. She hadn't felt this rested in a long time. She arched her back and let out a deep sigh. Robin had long ago left their bed and joined the rest of the crew on the command deck.

Slowly Sarah crawled across the bed, smiling as she wondered what had possessed her lover to create a bed so large. Of course when images of their lovemaking drifted into her mind she realized how a bed of such a large size had its advantages.

Sarah lazily walked into their bathing room, yawning as her robe fell to the floor. She stepped into the steam chamber and felt her muscles relax as the warm vapor began to penetrate her skin. Water was a limited commodity on any star ship, but Robin had seen to it that extra had been loaded and that a separate supply for the command deck and its officers was made available. Sarah smiled as the steam slowly turned to warm water.

The young blonde's thoughts were running wild. She never dreamed she would be living as a free civilian, let alone fall in love with the very woman who rescued her; plus give birth to the chosen one. But here she stood, warm water caressing her skin living in a reality she never thought could be hers.

Her mind drifted back to a time before she knew Robin. A time before she gave birth to her daughter. A time she would rather have forgotten altogether, but she felt her thoughts spiraling out of control. Her heart broke as visions of her parents flooded her mind. The slavers weren't interested in old men and women. They had come for the young and innocent.

She remembered being led to the center of her city, bound with chains and an electrical neck brace. There was no chance at escaping. Still, Sarah felt responsible for not being able to save her family. She felt the heavy weight of her helplessness and guilt wash over her as her mind filled with the sights and sounds of her family and friends being massacred.

She could no longer hold back the emotions flooding her body. Her small frame fell against the wall of the steam chamber and slowly she sank to her knees. Hot tears streaked down her face as she tried to push the memories out of her mind. She willed the water to wash away the hideous visions in her mind's eye but they kept coming.

She remembered being dragged to the slave ship and thrown into a holding cell. Two guards came and stripped her of her clothes and her humanity. After they had satisfied their lust for the young blonde, they scrubbed her and presented her to their commander. Who, once again, took her against her will. It seemed to never end.

After months of being beaten and brutally raped, Sarah had finally come to realize she would be nothing more than a slave. Her entire life would be spent giving in to the will of her owner. She felt her spirit break, and so she believed she had nothing left to lose. That very belief set her on a path that would eventually lead her to her soul mate.

Sarah set out on a mission to gain the favor of the commander, and that's exactly what she did. Soon the young blonde was allowed to wander the halls of the slave ship. It was the opening she had waited for. Her walks became longer and she lingered in the halls as if amazed at the inter-workings of the ship, mentally she began mapping out her road to freedom. The night she planned to make her escape, a surprise visit by another slave ship derailed her plans.

Memories of that night were bittersweet. She recalled being presented as a gift to the visiting commander. Commander Silos. It was the very night Angel was conceived. She knew that now without a doubt. After being subjected to the Commanders sadistic treatment, the young woman had to be carried back to her quarters where she remained unattended for weeks. By the time the healers were allowed to check on the girl, her injuries had been healed and there was no doubt she was with child. The healers never spoke of the miraculous healing. They only hoped that the prophecy was coming true.

Sobs wracked Sarah's body as she recalled the brutal treatment she had undergone. For some reason the commander allowed her to stay aboard his ship until the child was born. However, Sarah was moved to a small holding cell below deck, with little food and water.

She knew now that Angel had saved her life even then. The chosen one growing inside of her. Nourishing her body. More tears fell as Sarah realized that such an act of cruelty and hatred had given her the most precious gift imaginable, her daughter.

The cruel memories began to fade as visions of her daughter's face danced in her mind. She had felt no pain during the birth, just a wonderful feeling of completeness. When Sarah took the small child in her arms, she knew her daughter would be special. She just didn't know how special. She named her newborn Angel, because to Sarah that's what she was, her guardian angel.

Mother and daughter remained on the ship for a couple of years. Sarah continued to serve the commander, hoping that her obedience would keep her daughter from harms way. And it did until the fateful day the commander ordered the child to be brought to him for inspection. Sarah knew being inspected meant you were on the market for being sold. She wouldn't allow that to happen to Angel.

Without thinking twice she lashed out at the commander, instantly feeling the sting in her knuckles as they connected with his jaw. She landed a couple solid blows, that for a split second stunned the commander. Soon, he overpowered the young woman. His fists landed solidly on her face, knocking Sarah to her feet. The commander kicked and stomped on her legs, breaking them in several pieces. He dragged the woman and child to beneath the landing deck, throwing them in without a second glance back. He would sell them both as soon as he had the chance. Little did he know, that chance would never come...

The commander felt the first hit to his ship on his way back up to the main deck. By the time the commander had returned, his ship had suffered fatal hits. His last vision was that of Commander Silos' ship, along with two smaller ships from the Altis. He knew Commander Silo's had bargained with Magna. He also knew he would not survive.

Being the man that he was, he refused to be taken alive. As the small fighter ships continued to attack, the Commander ran to his quarters. He looked around the room one last time, unable to accept the sound of explosions and screams of his crew; he pulled his laser gun and killed himself. Within minutes the ship was nothing but smoldering debris, everyone aboard the ship had been taken captive to be sold as slaves. Everyone but the four hid below deck that would soon be found by Commander Sword.

Sarah remained in the floor, curled up and trembling in the corner of the steam chamber, warm water beating down on her. With memories of the attack still ringing in her ear, she never heard the front door open, or the frantic voice of her lover calling out for her. She was consumed by the haunting visions of her past.

Robin ran through the door like a mad woman. She had been standing on the command deck, when a vision of Sarah's body bruised and battered flashed in her mind. She could hear her lover's sweet voice scream out in pain. She had to get to her.

When Robin spotted the small woman curled up in the floor, her heart sank. She knelt down and reached out her hand. Sarah quickly pulled away, screaming in response to Robin's hand.

"Sarah…..it's me Robin. It's okay sweetheart."

Sarah looked up as the sound of a familiar voice filled her ears and silenced the screams in her head. Robin's sweet face over shadowed those in her memories.

"Robin…"

The tall commander held her arms open and watched as her lover crawled on her hands and knees towards her. Sarah couldn't hold back the tears as Robin cradled her in her arms.

"It's okay Sarah….I've got you now. I'm here."

Robin didn't know what to do for the crying woman except hold on for dear life. She would be her strength. She would carry her through whatever hell she was walking in. She would protect this woman with every drop of blood in her body.

Robin rocked back and forth, whispering words of love and soothing her lover the best she knew how. Slowly stroking Sarah's skin with the tips of her fingers.

"Shhhh….I've got ya now. No one is going to hurt you. I promise."

Sarah clung to her tall lover, absorbing the love and strength she felt pouring out of Robin's body.

"Love you." Sarah choked out before crying herself to sleep.

Sarah's pain was so great Robin felt her own heart breaking. A single tear escaped her blue eyes as she tightened her hold on the woman in her arms. Wondering what had caused such a reaction from Sarah.

"Love you too." Robin whispered as she continued to rock back and forth, feeling the body in her arms beginning to relax. "Love you too."

Several hours later Sarah drifted awake. Memories of earlier flashed through her mind and she cringed. She could still see Commander Silos' scare covered face, laughing down at her, then in an instant the vision was gone.

"Robin…"

"I'm right here love."

The tall commander stepped closer to the bed and knelt down before her lover. She reached out and pushed a strand of blonde hair behind Sarah's ear. Her body torn between comforting Sarah and battling whatever had caused her lover so much pain. She wouldn't force Sarah to tell her what happened, she would just have to wait patiently.

Sarah looked up into deep blue eyes and instantly felt her wounded spirit start to heal.

"Do you…" Sarah took a deep breath, trying to find the courage to continue on. She felt embarrassed and afraid that Robin would no longer love or want her after she told Robin what had happened to her.

"Have you heard of Commander Silos?"

Robin instantly bristled at the mention of the commander's name. Silos had the reputation of being a cruel and evil man. He raped women, men and children. Usually mutilating them in the process. Robin swallowed hard, preparing for the worse.

"Yes."

Robin watched as Sarah closed her eyes. Tears slipping out beneath tightly shut eyelids. Sarah felt her body being taken over by uncontrollable emotions once again. Suddenly, Robin realized what had happened. She watched as Sarah's body convulsed as the small woman cried.

Sarah tried to speak, but couldn't get the words out. Robin nervously spoke up.

"He hurt you."

Sarah nodded her head. Robin closed her eyes as the hate for Silos entered her body, causing a dangerous calmness to take over Robin's system. It was all she could do, not to order a seek and destroy mission. She took a deep breath to keep herself under control. Revenge would have to wait; Sarah needed her right now more than anything. But Robin knew she would find him, and then she would kill him.

"He….Angel…."

Sarah couldn't speak for the flood of emotion running through her. Robin began shaking; suspecting that Silos had also raped Angel. Finally, the commander forced herself to speak.

"Did he hurt Angel too?"

Sarah shook her head no. Robin stared at her lover. Confusion written all over her face, still she waited for Sarah to continue.

"He's…..he's her father."

All expression drained from Robin's face. She felt her inside's rip in half, and her plans to kill him falter. Would Sarah want her to kill him…does Angel know who her father is?

"Are you sure?"

Sarah nodded her head in silence, fearing that Robin would be disgusted with her and probably send her away. The thought of hearing words of goodbye coming from Robin made it difficult for Sarah to breath, so she decided to say them first.

"Don't worry…..I'll gather my things and you can send Angel and me back to Thrace. Then you…"

Robin interrupted.

"What are you talking about?" Fear gripped Robin's heart at the thought of Sarah leaving her.

"I don't want to be a burden to you…"

"Sarah….let me tell you again. You, nor Angel, will ever be a burden to me. Do you understand that?

"I just thought you wouldn't want me anymore."

Robin gently pulled the crying woman into her arms.

"There is nothing you could ever do, to make me not want you."

Sarah dissolved in the strong arms holding her. Robin held her tighter, rubbing tiny circles on her lover's back.

"We'll get through this…I promise…."

The evening turned to night and the two women lay entwined together. A flicker of light outside the window went unnoticed by them both. Another flicker, then another.

Before long a dazzling display of light began to dance inside the commanders room. It seemed to take shape, and yet have no shape at all. It moved through the room and wrapped around the two sleeping women. Twinkling in the dark, as if it were happy to be in the presence of these two women…..in fact it was….

Tbc…..

Still with me….let me know

loubug@zoomnet.net

Thanks…..loubug