Karl Lewis was not one to take lightly, and neither was his partner Darren Hayes. Substantial men by the trade, their names were not often mentioned around outer circles unless one was looking for trouble, or something a hint more serious. Lewis and Hayes were not businessmen in thought; they were tradesmen, in an eagerly increasing field that had been outlawed decades before. Lewis and Hayes were slave traders.

It wasn't that they necessarily wanted to do it per say, but it kept them from becoming what they dealt with. Hayes himself would have been snatched up in an instant if his name weren't so widely known in the underground, the dark beauty with an even darker intent. His eyes were deceiving, so frighteningly blue that people were instantly drawn to his presence, begging for attention in one way or another, usually finding that they had found themselves in a bad situation with no way back out.

Lewis was more the club brute of the two, muscles clearly defined through his usual choice of tight shirts. His eyes were always clouded and shadowed, as were the corners he so oftenly chose to hide himself in. While Darren could lure his victims in on a silver thread, the once drummer was more hard pressed to find easy ways. His sly smile would have people granting him the chance to offer a drink, and then perhaps a walk home, but they would never make it there.

Of course, their relationship was much more than that of business alone, that much was obvious in the way they regarded each other. Darren was the continuous flirt, and Karl was the quiet watcher, both making sure they knew what was going on around them at all times. Sitting in the back of a bar, Darren would hug close to Karl's chest, grinding slightly into him as he would drink slowly from his chosen drug of the night. Eyebrows would be raised, glances of longing would be made, but no one would approach the two that were too closed to their own company.

**

Karl leaned forward from the headboard of his bed, cracking his shoulders as he flexed his arms above his head, the joints pulling as his muscles bunched and strained. He groaned quietly as he let out a breath, lowering his arms back to his sides as he pushed himself up from the bed. The figure occupying the other half of the space mumbled something as he yawned, pulling the covers tighter around him as he rolled over, a mess of coal spikes poking from one end.

"Come on then...You don't expect work to get done with you in bed, now do you?"

The form mumbled again, burying his face into the pillows. Karl sighed, leaning over the bed as he prodded gently.

"What was that? Couldn't here you. Perhaps you should untangle yourself from the bed?"

"Fuck off, it's Sunday!"

That answer was clearly heard as he leaned back to stroke at his goatee absently. Sunday, God's day, day of forgiveness and thanks, just another day. Grabbing the blankets from the bottom of the bed, Karl pulled back quickly, uncovering Darren's agitated form. He chuckled for a moment, watching as his companion struggled to find the evading material. After patting all of the area within reach, he opened one eye, glaring towards Karl as a low growl passed his throat.

"I told you that it is Sunday! I don't work Sunday mornings!"

"Aww, poor baby. I was up until three pulling in the Bentley kid. You don't hear me complaining, do you?"

"No, but you slept all day yesterday. You only get up in time to do the club runs!"

"I don't seem to remember you complaining either while you were occupying lap space. Do I feel a hint of double standards coming on?"

Darren poked out his tongue, a splash of pink against almost rouged lips. The glare never faltered as Karl paced in front of the bed, again stroking at his chin as he seemingly contemplated the situation, eyes fixed on the floor.

"Karl, no games, I'm not up for it right now."

Darren rolled back over, pulling his pillow up and over his head, blocking it from view.

"Fine, that's it."

He took a deep breath as he launched himself at the bed, Darren letting loose a squeal as he was bounced from the bed, landing hard on the floor with a groan.

"Lewis, you bastard!"

The line of obscenities went on for a long while, getting louder as he picked himself up, crawling back up on the mattress to address his lackey at better distance. Karl watched in amusement as Darren pushed his shoulders back, snarling as he picked up his pillow.

"It...Is...Sunday...Morning...Damn...You...Lewis! I...Do...Not...Work...On...SUNDAYS!"

Each word was punctuated with a blow to Karl's head with the pillow. He tried to squirm out of the way as the tantrum continued, but Darren was seated stiffly on his legs.

"Get off of me, Monkey Boy!"

Trying to grab the pillow, he managed to knock Darren off balance, laughing as he toppled over backwards and out of site once again. The full fledged pout that met him as he poked his head over the edge told him that the game was over, though he was sure Darren would make up for it at some normally inconvenient time.

"That wasn't fair..."

"Neither is the fact that I have to put up with this nearly every morning, Darren! Novak is going to be over for the next group of trainees in two hours, and I would prefer you to be awake and beside me."

"Why today? You know that guy gives me the creeps. Him and his big brown eyes and not-so-innocent smile. He makes my skin crawl whenever he's around here. Besides, he is a bass player too for that bar band, and you know they are shifty..."

"Darren, we're all former musicians, and he's as bad as we are. However, you know he gets us the best prices, and unless you want to be back out on the street instead of this great estate, I'd suggest trying at least a little effort."

"I am showing effort! Thirteen in the passed couple weeks, and I don't think you're track record has ever been that good."

"I don't think I've ever offered myself off that much either..."

The tongue appeared again as he rolled to his feet, stretching his legs as he tugged the bottoms of his boxers down from their upward riding path. Karl snickered as he buttoned his shirt again from where it had come apart during their wrestling match on the bed.

Slipping into his pants and a well-worn sleeveless shirt, Darren bolted down stairs, sliding down the banister in typical Darren style. Karl hung back slightly, fastening his belt as he yawned again. Making a stop in the bathroom, he brushed out his hair, spiking it slightly with a bit of gel before he went to join Darren in the kitchen.

"You haven't seen the toaster, have you?"

"No, did you happen do grab the paper?"

"Ahh, no. I'm not quite ready for a public appearance yet. Hair isn't done, and I've yet to take a shower."

Karl grumbled under his breath, padding out to the front door to fetch his morning paper. As he opened the door, he came face to face with one of Novak's men, hand raised to knock. He slowly let it drop, inserting his hand into the pocket of his jeans.

"Raine? No one's supposed to be here for another two hours."

"I know that, but Lee'll have my head if I don't do what I'm told. He wants me to make sure you have the numbers before he comes out. You know how much he hates to waste time."

Raine wrinkled his nose as he nodded, disgusted with the job he'd gotten himself into. Karl blinked a few times, clearing his head.

"Right, how do you get stuck with these jobs?"

"I guess it just comes from loving the guy. Get a boyfriend, and all of a sudden you're a part of the largest underground slave ring on the planet. He's a pain in the arse though, don't let him fool you."

"No, I think that comes with the territory. At least we like dealing with you. Lee just gives us a bad feeling."

"He has a habit of rubbing people the wrong way. He says it makes people pay attention, though to what exactly I'm not too sure. Hey, I could just call him from here and stick around if you don't mind, might make it go a little bit easier when he does show up. You did make quota, didn't you?"

Karl bowed back out of the way, letting Raine enter the front visitors lounge as he shrugged off his jacket.

"Of course we made quota, don't we always? I brought the last one in personally this morning. Quite the spirit to him, I'm sure that Lee will enjoy training him."

A small smile crept along Raine's face.

"Alright, I didn't tell you this, but Lee says another shot like this, and you'll be getting a big reward. I don't know what because he won't go into that, but he is pleased with the shipments he's been making outbound. These slaves are demanding top price from the auctions, and you know that will keep business up for us."

"And payments up for him. I'm going to start wondering if we don't start getting more per head. If we get caught with a full housing, the entire ring collapses, and there won't be a thing we can to about it."

"But you've got them quiet, don't you?"

"Yes, but you know how they watch. I'm just on edge right now with the pens full."

Karl wasn't usually one to show fear, but his voice had almost dropped to a low hiss, trying to get his point across easily. Raine nodded for a moment, glancing over Karl's shoulder.

"Hello Darren."

Darren busily munched on a piece of toast while he carried his mug of coffee in his other hand. He gave a short upnod before settling himself down on the couch for his morning news session with the television.

"Dazza, I'm taking Raine out to let him look at the collection before Lee gets here."

Darren mumbled something through his mouthful of bread and jam as Karl pulled Raine through the main level of the house, then out back to a small shed that was covering a larger secret. Just inside was a covered staircase that led them down into a room beneath the yard, fully lighted with cells lining down each way. There were ten down each wall, lined in soft materials and padding in case any of the occupants got violent.

As they passed each cell, Raine stared in almost amazement at the way each prisoner had been bound. Most were blindfolded, their feet shackled and wrists cuffed behind their backs, thick leather collars around their necks. Raine rubbed his neck absently, wondering in the back of his mind what the heavy strap would feel like bound across his own flesh.

"'Ey mate, just hope you stay on Lee's good side. Though, I might have to save you if you ever find yourself down here. None of us liked the last one he brought back, and from what I hear, neither did his new master in Sydney. I'm sure you like it here in San Fran, don't you Raine?"

Raine nodded again, swallowing uneasily as he glanced into another cell. The boy could have only been barely eighteen; the tracks of tears flowing down his face wear they could no longer be soaked into the blindfold over his eyes.

"Hey, isn't he a bit young?"

Karl glanced back, a leash hanging from his grip as he came to stand by Raine, looking in on the boy. He sighed heavily.

"I guess Darren brought him in. We can't let him go now, he'd tell everyone..."

Raine stepped towards the steel bars, wrapping his fingers around them as he leaned his forehead against the bolted door. Karl moved to the back of the room, rifling through a box filled with numerous wallets and random things they had pulled off of their victims as they had been brought in.

"Here, his name is Scott, and he's one of Darren's."

"Can you let him out? I just want to see him...Lee wanted to give me a present, and he said I could choose, but I told him I didn't know what I wanted right then..."

"Yeah, sure, but you know you'll really have to love Novak up to get something like this."

"Yes, but at least I'll know in my own heart that this one won't die because of the training and treatment. And you tell Darren to stop going so young. This one's mother is probably crying herself to sleep right now."

"Raine, this business was never meant to be cute and cuddly. You know better than anyone that this is the last remaining country that hasn't rewritten the laws about slavery. How long do you think it will be before this President does the same? You know they are weak under world pressures."

"You're just wishing for your occupation to be legalized here so you can stop hiding. I'm surprised the clubs haven't started denying you yet, their client's are disappearing."

"Be glad that you haven't..."

Karl slipped the bolt loose, letting the door swing open far enough to let Raine inside. Scott tried to squirm away when he kneeled next to him, drawing a slow hand through the soft brown hair.

"Oh, you are a pretty one...Pretty but a fool. Scott, do you know why you are here?"

Scott nodded, pulling slightly on his cuffs, the chains rattling as he tried to move.

"You need to listen to me. You are too young to be sold on the markets, and the one that brought you here should have known better. They won't let you go home because they are scared of the people you might tell, the things that might happen. If you fight against them, you'll be sent to a Sydney holding center until you are old enough, do you understand?"

Another nervous head shake as Raine leaned in closer to him.

"I am going to try to get permission for you to come with me, but you will have to do what you are told. The man who is about to buy you is not afraid of killing anyone, because you won't be missed if you end up in his hands. Please, just do as you are told when they come for you, you'll see me again..."

Raine stroked his hair one last time before he left the cell, watching in silence as Karl relocked the door. Karl held out Scott's wallet, pushing it into Raine's hands.

"I'll talk to Lee, let him know what happened, and then you can put on your charm. I hope this makes us even for that last little episode in Sydney?"

"Yeah, yeah it does. Let's just hope it never happens again. I don't think I can pull off being Lee again."

"Well, as long as they don't know what he looks like, we're in the clear."

"Whatever Karl. Someone's bound to know one of these times."

**

Lee Novak had a strange smirk on his face when he stepped from his limo onto the front walk of the Lewis/Hayes residence. Raine was standing at the door, hands behind his back as he stood in a standard military fashion. He held his expression blank as Lee stepped up beside him to lean a hand on his shoulder.

"You know that Karl called me after you saw the selection. Is it true that Darren picked up someone under age?"

"Only one who notices easily would see it, but I know he came from no club. Probably a street wanderer."

"How was his manner?"

"Well kept, didn't raise and didn't try to get away."

Lee seemed to consider this for a few moments, his eyes focused on the door rather than on Raine.

"Our buyers in Sydney will see the difference. Have Karl bring him up, he's coming back with us. The rest will wait until tonight when we can transport them without prying eyes. The one will be yours until he crosses me. Hope you train him well enough that that day will never come."

Raine bowed his head stiffly, turning to open the door. Lee seemed perfectly comfortable in the near silence that permeated the room as he entered. Darren sat back in a recliner, his legs and arms crossed in a very demanding fashion as Karl leaned against the armrest, hands hanging in his pockets. Lee eyed them wearily, not getting any closer than needed to the pair of devilish grins that stared back at him. It was a space in time when even the employees could be more dangerous than the boss.

Karl cocked his head slightly as Raine walked casually up to him, asking softly for the keys so he could deal with Scott on his own. He had made a promise, and he wasn't about to break it, much less distract Karl from business he knew must be handled while Lee was still in good temperament. Raine left the house as quietly as he had entered, leaving the powers that be to settle.

"So, Darren, are we picking up children now?"

"He followed me home, Lee. Sound familiar?"

Darren's grin grew slightly as Lee's scowl deepened. It was easy to realize that slave trading wasn't their born talent, nor their given background when they were younger, and any way to jab at a sensitive area was used to the full extent. Raine wasn't Lee's first love, and he'd be lucky if he was his last.

"We're taking him, more rather Raine is taking him. From what I hear, I think he'll make a great addition to our household. What about the rest?"

"Eighteen, as promised. Most got a trial run and didn't do too badly. Of course, that was before they knew what was really going on..."

"What? Karl not putting out?"

Karl leaned forward from the chair, a chain hanging from his belt rattling as he moved to stand up straight. Darren lifted a hand, placing it on his partner's hip as he looked up to meet his eyes. Karl stopped, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Lee.

"No, Karl is doing just fine. However, from what I'm hearing, our deals are not sitting on level. Are you cheating us out of our share, Lee?"

"Oh yes, I knew this conversation what coming. How high are your tempting rates now? I'm sure it's no longer the deal we started with."

"We want $15,000 a head for the untrained, $150,000 for each escapee that we get back. That's all-inclusive, and you won't even have to pay for they guy we send for the jumpers, not that you would want to meet him either. I think it's a fair price for how often we risk our necks on getting found out. Besides, we haven't let you down yet, have we?"

Lee thought about this for a moment, glancing nervously at Karl who continually played with the length of chain, swinging it back and forth, tapping his leg on the downswing. Generally, these meetings were only between Darren and Lee, an arrangement that meant that Lee had the upper hand and could intimidate Darren, but the newly gained muscle who stood beside him was not a welcome addition. Karl had been in the picture for quite a while, just never got involved in the dirty work.

"Sounds like a reasonable price. Tell me, any plans of going back to Brisbane?"

Darren glanced quickly up to Karl who only shrugged.

"Perhaps for a visit and to shake the dust from the sheets at the compound. Why do you ask?"

"Because there is something waiting for you at the training base. Didn't know if you wanted to get him yourself, or if I should call and have him brought here. The only problem with here is that it's still illegal to own."

"That island is nothing but a trap anymore. The place is so thick in slaves you'd choke. We'll go to get him, but we are secluded enough to hide people from view. God knows how we've managed to get you so many lives without being strung up."

"Good."

Lee pulled a folder from his jacket, passing it over to Darren before fishing in his pockets for his gloves.

"There's all of the information on him. Consider it a gift for a job well done, and a fifth year gift. The transport to the docks will be here after dark for them, just so you know. Oh, and send Raine out front when he comes back in, I'll be waiting for him."

Without another word, he turned on his heals, letting himself out the front door as Darren thumbed through the folder. A picture stared up at them, emerald eyes blazing.

"Jones, Daniel. They caught him in Essex, and has been in training for ten months. Says he's the top of his class. What do you think, Karl?"

"I think Lee is one messed up fuck..."

**

"Oh, you're a good little fuck, aren't you?"

The whip landed hard across his back again, the figure tensing against the lashing, only mumbles getting around the gag that had been strapped around his head. He bit deeply into the leather strap, which had long since been soaked with his tears and saliva. They kept him in the dark except for these moments, moments he wished wouldn't come as soon, even if it let him have a few sacred moments away from his cell, and away from the cries of the new trainees.

The first six months had been more intensive, more extreme, more determined to break his soul then he ever thought possible. Then suddenly, he had been locked away into darkness with only a few moments at the end of the day where he was pulled out, chained, and beaten.

The ones he heard crying, he knew that none of them had been there very long. He was the only one they seemed to keep around, tormenting him for whatever reason. He hoped that it meant something better was coming than a lifetime of lying on floors with his back bleeding and hands tied.

"Oh yes, they'll love you dearly I think. Novak paid top price for you, but I know you won't be going to him. Be glad for that..."