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	A Subject of Torture

by pfps

The pale light of dawn disappeared when they entered the woods. Trees thick with branches and the heavy growth of weeds and briers underfoot blocked out the sunlight, impeding their progress but shrouding them in safe darkness. Buck stumbled over a half-hidden root and went down on one knee. JD followed him down helplessly, grunting loudly when his body jarred against the ground. They knelt panting in dry heaving breaths, their arms heavy across each other's backs.

"Gotta... find... shelter..." Buck panted out the words and swallowed down the cloying nausea churning up from his gut. He saw JD nod from the corner of his eye. The young man remained silent but Buck lacked the strength to check on him. Shelter first, tending to injuries would have to wait.

Hooking his arm beneath JD's elbow, he prepared to stand. His body protested the movements. His joints ached, felt tight and swollen. The abraded skin around his wrists and ankles felt raw and exposed and the gentle breeze of wind that blew across them hurt. But the deep throb of stabbing agony spearing through his navel was his greatest concern. Every move he made, whether bending double or straightening in order to walk, pulled his abdominal muscles tight. The knot of pulsing pain punctured through his navel. He half expected to see the rod protruding from his stomach when he looked down.

Consciously pushing the memory of penetration aside, he gathered his waning strength and somehow managed to pull himself and JD to their feet. JD moaned. Buck glanced at the kid and noticed the wet trail of blood oozing down the youth's abdomen. He knew his own wound was still bleeding; his waistband was warm with blood. Pressing his hand carefully against his belly, he hoped to staunch the flow.

They stumbled forward, feet clumsy with weariness. Buck shivered in the early morning's coolness and reached up to wipe sweat from his brow, leaving a thick swath of blood across his forehead. The incongruity of chills and fever didn't register and he pushed on, answering the frantic instinct to escape that pounded through his brain.

+ + + + + + +

JD pulled his arm from Buck's grasp and instead wrapped the limb around the older man. He needed the extra support as well as helping Buck as they both tripped over low bushes and fallen branches.

Buck's rib cage billowed in and out against JD's forearm that he had pressed around the taller man's body. He lifted his head. Shadows hid the ground and shrouded the trees. He hoped it would be enough of a hindrance once Set and Loki realized they had escaped and came looking for them. He ignored the wailing voice that told him they didn't have a chance. Two wounded men stumbling through the forest with holes in their bellies, bleeding and weary from torture against two well-rested dangerous men. If he'd had the strength, JD would have laughed at the helpless situation.

They needed help or a miracle. They needed their friends. Come on, Chris, or Ezra. Where's that perfect timing you're always bragging about? His silent entreaty did not conjure either of his friends but JD felt heartened by the memory.

+ + + + + + +

Walking was torture. Their bodies begged for respite but JD and Buck pushed on, desperate to gain distance between themselves and their captors. JD collapsed to his knees and Buck had no choice but to follow. They disentangled from each other and knelt with hands pressed to the ground, sucking in huge gulping breaths of air.

After a moment JD slumped to sit on the ground. Most of his weight was balanced on one arm. He lifted his free hand to hold against his stomach. "How much... ground you think we... covered?"

Buck shook his head and laughed weakly. It sounded more like a gasp as he moved to sit next to JD. "Not enough, kid." The older man lifted his head. He caught the unguarded expression of despair on JD's pale and drawn face. "How you holdin' up?"

JD grimaced. His pain was obvious but he shrugged with one shoulder and kept his discomfort to himself. "I've been better." He gestured with his chin toward Buck. "How 'bout you?"

Buck nodded. "I'll live." He lifted a hand to brush across his face and noticed the fresh blood on his fingers. Grunting in surprise, he looked down at his belly. He was still bleeding.

"Guess we oughta do something about this." Buck looked up to find JD studying his own wound. The kid's navel was swollen and puckered, the skin around it discolored with bruises.

"Yeah. But we need to find shelter first. Come on." Leaning over, he reached to grasp JD's arm and ended up folding double around the balloon of pain that swelled in his abdomen. Liquid black flowed into his head, clogging his eyes and ears, cutting off his surroundings. A huge fist of agony thrust into his stomach through his navel, puncturing pain deep inside his body. The fingers opened and clawed through his intestines. He grasped his belly and pressed against the discomfort, holding the pain at bay and hanging onto his sanity by his fingertips.

Eternity shrunk down to a pinpoint and he opened his eyes to a close up view of the forest floor. Rough leaves and undergrowth registered against his cheek.

"Buck! Dammit, answer me!"

JD's frantic voice cleared away the remaining fog. Buck was curled around his stomach, both arms clamped tight around his body. A hand felt warm against his shock-cooled face. JD knelt over him, bending forward and nearly toppling on top of him. The young man's face was bleach white. Dark strands of hair clung to sweat slick skin around his neck and two blotches of color stained the skin high on his cheekbones.

Buck swallowed. He closed his eyes and gathered his strength. His reserves were depleted and the weakness that turned his arms and legs to jelly scared him. Pushing air through his lungs was an effort. He opened his mouth. "I'm all right, JD. Help me up."

Opening his eyes to see the look of disbelief on the younger man's face, Buck almost smiled. Keeping one hand held to his bleeding navel, he offered his other hand to JD. The kid took it and pulled gently. Between the two of them, Buck managed to get himself to a sitting position again. Pain rolled over him in hot waves, stealing his breath and what little strength he'd been able to find. Shoulders slumped with weariness, he shook his head.

"You're gonna hafta go on without me."

"No, dammit."

The vehemence in JD's voice surprised him and he lifted his head. The kid's face was tight with determination. "We both go or we both stay here. I'm not leaving without you."

"JD, listen to me. I can't keep goin'. You have a chance to get help and come back for-"

"NO!"

The shout echoed through the trees, scattering birds from their perches. Buck lifted his head and looked above them. The dappling of sky that shown through the branches was robin egg blue. The sun had risen and it was only a matter of time before Set and Loki discovered they were gone. Hell, they may already have.

He shivered when a warm breeze whispered over his skin. Fever. He felt flushed and the base of his skull pounded with a dull ache. A deep down soreness throbbed in his belly and his navel thrummed with his heartbeat. He didn't have time to argue with JD but the kid could be stubborn. Pressing his lips together he pulled in a deep breath and faced the young man for one more try.

"You're gonna get yourself killed if you stay here. We can't be far from town; if you leave now and get Chris and the others you can--"

"Get back here in time to find your body?" JD shook his head, splattering fine drops of sweat from the tips of his hair with the abrupt movement. "No. Don't ask me to leave, because I'm not gonna do it. I'd rather die here with you than go after help and let you die alone."

Buck snorted with chagrined relief. Undaunted compassion swelled in his heart and supplied strength to his failing spirit. "You got guts, kid, I'll give you that." The answering smile on JD's face was worth the loss in argument. "But we're not gonna die. Can you get up?"

JD nodded. "Yeah."

"Okay, help me up then, and we'll get out of here."

Trembling like palsied old men, the two friends slowly made their way up from the ground. They stood panting with exertion for a moment, bent over with one arm around the other for support and help. Their fingers quivered against bleeding bellies.

With stumbling steps, they started off. Their bare feet caught on vines and tangled undergrowth, slowing down their progress. Buck kept his head down, trusting JD to lead their way. A brief flare of anger surged through him at his helplessness. He should be the one getting them to safety; he was the more experienced of the two. JD was hurt just as badly but the kid was pushing on.

Impatient with his weakness, Buck gently pulled his arm from JD's grasp. He heard a breath of question from the young man. Without answering, he wrapped his arm around JD. Clamping trembling fingers around the kid's waist, he struggled to continue with the added weight sagging against him. As soon as he'd switched roles with JD, the kid had carefully leaned into him. Realizing JD had been about to collapse himself, Buck ground his teeth together harder, more determined than ever to get the young man safely home.

The crumpled leaves at their feet swelled into a flat brown mass. Buck shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut before opening them again. He felt JD sway against him. Buck stopped and carefully propped one hand against a tree to keep them from sagging to the ground. He glanced at the dark head resting against his shoulder. Heavy black strands covered JD's face, hiding his expression from view.

"You all right, kid?"

The head nodded. Buck craned his neck to look down at the kid's body. JD had his free hand pressed against his wound. His fingers were covered in dried blood and his waistband was soiled with a burgundy stain. Smears of blood had dried across his abdomen and dabs and splatters on his pale chest looked grotesquely black in the surreal lighting under the trees.

Buck curled the hand he had pressed to the trunk into a tight fist. He'd pushed that rod deeper into JD, piercing his body. The thought that he may have caused more damage when he freed the kid sent a wave of chills across his skin. He shivered. His movements drew JD's attention and the kid looked at him.

"You okay, Buck?"

Buck nodded and wished he had the strength to smile. "Yeah, I'm okay." Tearing his eyes away from the trusting gaze, Buck searched through the forest. His breathing still pumped hard through his chest. Each pull of tight muscle reminded him of the wound in his navel. He remembered a plant that Vin had told him about whose leaves would clot blood. If he could find shelter, he could go look for the plant and maybe keep he and JD from bleeding to death before they could find help.

Just before he was about to pull away from the tree, his visual sweep stopped him. Something about the ground in the distance looked different. Gesturing with his chin toward the incongruity, Buck pushed away from the tree. "I think I see something."

JD didn't question -- he just clung to Buck and followed. Breathing hurt and every step felt like it would be his last. The urge to give up and fall to the ground and melt away into death was strong. He'd never wanted to die before in his life and the despairing need for respite from pain scared him.

His gut hurt. Pain clawed through him, shredding his insides. The memory of the rod piercing through his body, digging into his abdomen hovered on the peripheral of his sanity. He knew if he allowed himself to delve back into that memory, he'd be lost to the agony all over again. The helpless movements of his body as he'd bucked into the rod, inadvertently stabbing the metal deeper, set his teeth on edge. Why hadn't he been able to fight it?

Buck stopped and JD lifted his head. They stood on the edge of an old creek bank. The water's meandering path had cut deeply into the forest floor. It wound near the base of a hill, slicing away part of the earth and creating an overhanging bank. Trees had gradually leaned over through the years as the land slowly moved beneath them, washing away into the creek. Knurled roots jutted out from the ground and dipped down into the shadowed cave formed beneath the lip of earth. The creek was dry with only a thin stream of water trickling down the middle of the rock-strewn bed.

"Here's where we can rest."

JD nodded. "How far do you think we are from the house?"

He felt Buck breathe out a short, quick breath. "Close enough to hear them coming. Come on, let's get down there."

They circled around the hill's curve and found a shallow place that lead them down to the old creek bed. Buck's fingers dug into JD's arm and hip. He felt muscles tense beneath his hold. His usual coordination failed him and his feet slid down the embankment. Dry leaves slicked the path and their loud rustling crunched through the quiet forest.

With a high pitched cry of fear, JD crashed to his knees. Unable to keep himself from falling, Buck twisted and barely missed the young man. He collapsed next to JD and rolled with him down the shallow hill. Bits of sticks and rough stone peppered the ground and seemed to reach out eagerly for his tender flesh. Agony spiked all over his body. Buck clutched blindly for the ground, hoping to stop his decent. Dizzy and disoriented, he slammed to a halt against something hard. His breath gushed from his lungs in surprise and pain.

Overhead branches swam in a whirlpool and Buck squeezed his eyes shut against the nauseating vertigo. His ribs hurt so badly he could barely breathe. One arm was pinned beneath him at an awkward angle and his shoulder ached. The other arm was out flung. He pulled it to himself gingerly and flopped it over to rest against his belly. The rough contact with his navel made him arch from the ground. His backbone creaked with strain. His face felt tight and a ragged groan scratched out of his throat.

Forcing his muscles to relax, he melted against the ground. His breathing rattled loudly and he concentrated on calming down, slowing down the panting breaths pumping through his body. Bird song and wind rustling through leaves whispered to him. The peace of oblivion reached for him but he shoved it away.

JD. Turning his head, Buck saw the young man. He lay sprawled several yards away on his stomach. His moving rib cage assured the weary man JD was alive and he felt some of the tension drain away. Rolling to his side, Buck slowly rose to his hands and knees. Pain had become such a constant part of his life it was instinctual to clamp down and ignore the discomfort.

He reached JD and placed his hand on the young man's back. "JD?" The kid didn't answer.

JD's skin was cool but sweat slicked his skin, giving him a clammy feel. Infection had already set in and fever was taking hold. The weight of heavy responsibility filled him with despair and Buck let his head drop. His emotions had pushed past his usual barriers to float vulnerable on the surface.

Blinking back unaccustomed tears, he carefully pulled JD to his back. The young man remained unconscious.

Leaves stuck to the blood on the kid's belly. With delicate care, Buck pulled them off and brushed the other debris away. He rested his palm on JD's stomach. Red streaks of infection were beginning to flare from the kid's navel, starbursting out across his abdomen. Buck touched his own wound and felt the heat of infection there. His navel was swollen, puckering into a bulge of tissue out from his belly. Pushing his own needs aside, he moved around JD to his head.

Hooking both hands under JD's armpits, Buck pulled. His back hunched with effort and his muscles quivered with weakness. His arms and legs felt feeble, unequal to the task. With a deep grunt of pain, Buck pulled again and felt the give as JD's body slid toward him. He glanced over his shoulder, measuring the distance to the cave of overhanging earth then centered his attention back on his task. He pulled. His body rippled with strain. His limbs exploded with pain, then each agony streaked to one center point in his navel.

Throwing back his head and shutting his eyes, Buck grabbed the pain and forced it into submission. He twisted it, turned it into a fountain of strength and used it to pull JD again. The heat of pain leaped higher, charring through his bones and melting his flesh. He stoked it, feed it and fanned it into a brighter flame, drawing from it to garner power to his failing arms and legs.

Darkness moved over them in a slow shadow and Buck realized they were entering the shelter he'd found. He pulled again and cried out when a band of pain roped tight around his waist. With one final tug, he had JD and himself inside the overhanging of earth. He reached over and drew JD's legs inside the shadow then collapsed to his back. His chest heaved with his labored breathing.

A nova erupted in his belly. Crying out weakly, Buck curled onto his side and cupped both hands protectively around his navel. His belly moved under his touch, expanding and contracting with his breathing, driving the pain deeper through his gut. The darkness of the shallow cave swirled around him. With a soft sob of grief, Buck dove into oblivion. Unconsciousness pulled him down and the throb of agony receded to the background.

Part 8

Heavy blackness surrounded him, cutting him off from sight and sounds. JD struggled to break through the opaque curtain of unconsciousness. His fingers slipped and were unable to grasp awareness. Something nagged at his mind. A sixth sense warned him of danger and pain and pushed him to wakefulness. Someone close, someone he loved needed his help. The tight knot of worry squeezed his heart. He gasped and opened his eyes.

A blurred face, features hidden in an unfocused veil, pressed close. Instinctively, JD drew back. His movements disturbed the leaves he lay nestled in, their crunching and wispy rustling loud in the quiet surroundings.

"This one's alive."

Disbelief abruptly shocked through JD's system with Set's voice. At the same time a bruising grip encircled his upper arm and he was jerked from the ground. Muscles twisted through his torso when he unfolded. He bent double again, wrapping his free arm around his body. Momentum nearly sent him crashing back to the ground but someone caught him.

"Subject Number Two seems the worse for wear. I would've never believed they could make it this far from the house."

Loki's voice sent sickness through JD. Failure melted his will and his muscles relaxed with defeat.

"Subject Number One hasn't regained consciousness yet."

Buck. Set's unemotional observation brought JD's head up. He saw his friend lying curled on the ground, both arms held protectively close to his abdomen. Blood crusted fingers cupped the elbow he could see. Buck's face was half hidden with leaves, his dark hair tousled and grimy with dried sweat and dirt.

Set knelt beside the still man and dispassionately pushed against Buck's shoulder, rolling him to his back. He pulled Buck's arms away, revealing the bruised and punctured belly. Leaning close, he touched Buck, pressing carefully around the wound. "There's quite a bit of swelling here." His fingertips probed deeper. Buck moaned with the added pressure and his head shifted restlessly on the ground.

"Stop it." The whispered words held no real threat. JD raised his head and noticed that Loki hadn't heard him. A stirring of anger warmed his gut. The need to control the situation, to stop the evil and hurt and pain, pierced through him, effusing his bones with a tiny measure of strength.

He jerked his arm from Loki's grip, then shoved the man away. "I said Stop it, dammit! Get the hell away from him!" Adrenaline surged through his blood and he moved toward Set. The other man stared up at him, his hand hovering above Buck's body.

"You touch him again, and I'll rip your heart out, you sick bastard." This time his whisper seared the air. JD stood defiant, his chest heaving with the exertion of standing straight on his own. He felt his energy waning but refused to think beyond the moment. Protecting Buck, keeping Set from touching him again, were his immediate concerns. He could think of escape later.

Loki rushed at him from the side, slamming into him so hard he couldn't breath. He was forced back faster than his weak legs could handle but just before he fell, he was brought up against a tree. Air whooshed out of his lungs with the brutal impact. Swirling black tunneled his vision and he sagged helplessly, unable to catch his breath. Loki's pressure against his shoulders kept him from falling. Rough bark pinched and jabbed his back but he felt disconnected from the pain.

His head lolled back and he found himself staring through overhead branches. The sun had risen, warming the early morning, and its rays easily pierced through the leafy growth. He began to feel lightheaded from lack of air.

Breathing returned with a rush and he gulped greedily, but immediate pain sucked away air again. He gagged with the agony penetrating through his gut and looked down at himself. Loki's knuckles were buried in his belly, stabbing hard into his wounded navel. JD lifted a shaky hand and curled his fingers around the man's wrist. Sinewy muscles felt hard as rock beneath his grip and he pulled without success. He groped blindly behind himself with his other hand, then pressed his palm against the tree, seeking purchase, something to hold onto to ride out the pain.

"You will not defy me again." Loki drew closer and spoke low. His tone was menacing and his breath warm against JD's face.

JD shifted his gaze to stare into his tormentor's eyes. He sucked in a quick breath, then bit his lip and moaned with the additional pressure in his stomach. His face worked with his efforts as he concentrated on controlling his pain. Licking his lips, he lifted his head away from the tree, his nostrils flaring with his breathing.

"Go to hell."

Loki's eyes widened. He let go abruptly and JD fell to his knees. He turned to his assistant. "Where's that rope you brought?"

"With the other stuff. Go ahead, I'll watch him."

Loki grinned lewdly down at JD. "He's not going anywhere." Leaving JD where he was, Loki walked over to a pile of filled sacks.

JD watched as the man rifled through the sacks, then triumphantly pulled a thickly braided rope from the supplies. He knew he needed to get up and do something, try and overcome their captors and get he and Buck to safety. But instead he sagged, his body spent and weary, pulling in air when it felt like he couldn't get enough. His pulse hammered in his head, keeping time with the throbbing in his belly.

A groan from his right drew JD's attention there. He pressed his hand to the ground, intent on standing.

"Hey!" Loki called from where he stood and JD's head whipped to look at him. "Stay where you are, Subject Two."

JD complied, but only because he knew he didn't have the strength to stand on his own. He didn't want to fall again and endure Loki's touch in helping him up.

Buck moaned again. JD watched helplessly as Set carefully patted Buck's cheek, encouraging him to wake up. With a suddenness that took JD by surprise, Buck's eyes opened and he surged from the ground. He gripped Set's upper arms, shoving the man onto his back. Set made a noise, something between a grunt and a shriek, and Loki was there, his arm hooked around Buck's neck from behind.

Buck let go of Set and gripped the choking arm around his throat. He arched back, his face set with determination, and struggled to his feet, forcing Loki to stand with him.

Set scrambled up. Leaves clung to his dirty white duster and the back of his hair. He held one hand against Buck's chest to steady himself, then whipped his other fist forward, punching hard into Buck's ribs. The man buckled forward, letting go of Loki and latching onto Set instead.

JD had managed to pull himself to his feet, but by the time he was up, Set had already plunged his fist again into Buck's body. Sluggish limbs refused to cooperate and he stumbled forward, awkward with exhaustion.

Buck collapsed to his knees, Loki's arm still around his neck. Set whirled around, somehow sensing JD's attempt to break into the fray, and swung his knuckles against the kid's face. The backhanded blow sent JD stumbling back into a tree. He pressed his shoulder into the solid form, straining to regain his breath, and locked his knees against a faint.

Without warning rough hemp scratched down JD's face and cinched uncomfortably tight around his throat. His hands automatically reached for the choking rope. Set grabbed his shoulders and forced him around, shoving him chest-first into the tree. Dazed, JD could only work his fingers between his flesh and the cord.

His right wrist was grasped and his arm pulled behind him. Awareness of the very dangerous situation finally penetrated his brain and he twisted, trying to break free from Set's hold.

Something struck the back of his knees. He reacted accordingly, his body weakening with the added assault, and began to sink to the ground. Set shoved into him from behind, anchoring him by pressing his captured wrist into the small of his back. JD's other wrist was gripped and pulled behind him, and his hands were bound together at his back. Fear rushed through him with his helpless position.

Fingers seized his hair and his head was jerked back, then Set pulled him around. The man's grip was unmercifully tight. JD couldn't struggle, could only go where he was led.

Set grunted as he threw the rope above them. The cord sailed lazily over a thick branch just overhead. From his peripheral view he saw Set's arm reach out and grab the free end of the rope, then he was released. His knees sagged and the hemp tightened around his throat. JD immediately straightened his tired body, painfully aware of his panic quickened breathing. Having his belly vulnerable and open to attack set his teeth on edge. He pulled uselessly against the bindings around his wrists.

Buck was hauled to his feet. Loki still had his arm hooked around Buck's throat, pulling back so violently that Buck bowed backwards. The man's other arm wrapped firmly around Buck's chest. Buck's face began to redden as he slowly strangled in his captor's clutches.

Set moved quickly to their supplies. He bent to gather something close, then turned to walk back to the men. JD's eyes widened when he saw what the man held cradled against his chest. It was a small anvil, its surface dented and scarred from heavy use. He placed the object carefully on the ground near Buck's feet, then casually smashed his fist across Buck's jaw. Buck's head snapped back with the blow. His knees buckled and he sagged in Loki's arms.

The two men worked quickly. Loki supported Buck while Set lifted the semi-conscious man's arms above his head. Using the end of the rope that dangled from the high branch, Set expertly tied Buck's hands together. He left little slack in the cord and JD stood straighter, realizing that when Buck's hands were lowered, the rope would tighten and hang him.

Blood seemed to rush from his head and pool in his feet and he floated in a state of oblivion. He closed his eyes. Vertigo rushed into the darkness behind his eyelids and he swayed, then quickly opened his eyes. He watched in disbelief as the anvil was tied to Buck's hands. The rope looped around his wrists, securing the base of the object. Buck would not be able to let go of the anvil without the rope being cut or untied first.

Finality settled in JD's heart. He knew the shape he was in, how every little movement pulled hurt across his belly. The strain of having his arms tied behind his back created a constant ache in his gut, even breathing used tender and abused muscles. He'd never be able to hold the weight of the anvil above his head in his current condition. Hell, even in top shape he'd be hard pressed to hold that much weight for long. True, the anvil was small, probably used by a smith traveling from farm to farm. But it was enough to tire Buck's arms quickly. And JD knew that when Buck's strength finally gave out, it would kill him.

Despite the pinch of rough hemp at his neck, he bowed his head. Undeniable terror made his insides quiver and he squeezed his eyes shut tight, holding in the searing heat of tears.

The slap of flesh against flesh brought his head back up. Set slapped Buck again and the injured man flinched, his eyes fluttering as he came to. Loki's hands were around Buck's wrists, holding the man's arms up, supporting the weight of the anvil. When he sensed Buck tensing under his hold, he let go.

Immediately, Buck's arms dropped. JD sucked in air before his throat closed off completely and he was jerked off his feet. A band of pain around his neck tightened and slipped up to burn just under his jaw. His body arched as his lungs struggled to pull in oxygen and his stiffened frame swung awkwardly in the air. Black spots burst across his vision, then converged and pulled him under.

+ + + + + + +

Buck gasped as his arms dropped, utterly confused with the weight pulling at his shoulders. He looked down at the anvil in his hands and stared dumbly, unable to comprehend or connect with what was happening to him. Lifting his eyes he saw JD's hanging form barely more than an arm's length away. Like an instant lightening flash, Buck understood what was wrong. He lifted his arms high above his head and saw JD's feet touch the ground. The kid sagged, his chin bowed to touch his chest.

"Breathe, kid, breathe!" Tears filled his vision and JD's image swam. Turning in desperation to his tormentors, Buck begged, "Help him, please!"

With an insanely happy smile, Loki moved to JD and pounded the kid on the back. When nothing happened he did it again, his palm smacking loudly against JD's flesh.

"Come on, JD, please! Breathe, dammit!" Buck's voice shook. Tears ran unheeded down his face and the weight on his arms disappeared.

Loki hit JD again. The kid's mouth opened and he gasped loudly then coughed. After catching his breath, he raised his head, meeting Buck's trouble gaze.

Buck's chin quivered, his heart thudding like thunder in his chest. "I'm sorry -- I'm so sorry." Relief and madness warred in his soul and he struggled to clamp down on his emotions, knowing how important it was to stay in control right now.

He watched as JD shook his head. "'S 'kay, Buck. It's all right, I'm all right." He looked up at the anvil supported above Buck's head. Buck followed his gaze and noticed how his arms shook.

He looked back at JD. "I won't let you down, kid."

JD grinned weakly; his eyes drifted closed and opened slowly. "It's the up I'm more worried about." He laughed, more a gentle huff of sound. "This is what I get for hangin' around with you."

Hysterical giddiness tickled inside Buck's belly. He laughed, mindless of the incongruous tears streaming down his face. "Your jokes haven't improved any, kid."

"I fail to understand your sense of humor." Loki's voice broke through the bond forming between the two friends. "We'll see how long your strength holds out."

Buck pulled his gaze from JD to glare at the man, his stare dark with unrestrained anger. Heavy brows pulled together over his eyes and his lips curled back to reveal gritted teeth. "We're gonna live through this. And then I'm gonna come after you -- and when I'm finished, there won't be anything left to bury."

Loki humphed in obvious disbelief, "We shall see who will bury whom."

He and Set moved away from Buck and JD, their heads close together as they mumbled to themselves.

Buck watched JD carefully, noticing the effort it took the kid to breathe. "Did you hear me, JD? We will live through this. I promise you."

JD nodded. "I heard you, Buck. I just hope you're right."

Buck pressed his lips together, his despair rising with the sound of JD's weak voice. Me too, kid. Me too.

Part 9-11

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