Underneath (Tag M. Saint-Just)

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

Now at the beginning of madness for which she had yet to reach the full darkness that had yet to over take her. But it was enveloping her! Locked away and dealing with Danny like this only twisted her mind, spoiled her emotions, all to block any sensitivity to sympathy and empathy. Danny had pushed her to the brink that she prayed she'd never go to again.

She recoiled and reacted to Danny's repulsive fright as he cried out. This only made her more tense then snap! It shocked her to see a grown man behave like this, but in her state all she could feel or do was further evil rather than reaching out to comfort the disoriented man. No. That was farthest from her mind at this time. So what did she do? She raged in a tantrum where she took what was left of the prosthetic in her hand and threw it hard against a wall but ran back to it with a vicious idea in mind. And that was to go into the bathroom - which she did - and take a razor - which she did - and slice it up, chopping it up, cutting it up into a hundred little bits and pieces - which she did! Then threw it all over!

"YOU... are a COWARD, DANIEL!" she screamed in anguish and hatred. "cowering under furniture like a dog. What sort of MAN would do that?!?" she was vicious, to the point she was malevolent event as her fingers curled and what wicked thoughts that raced through her mind of inflicting such vile harm upon Danny that would only please her deeply before she would suffer an agonizing death down here. Oh, how vile yet befitting... that the two of them would die... down here... and no one would discover their bodies for a long, long time! It would become their tomb! What a mystery her death would be! An utter disappearance that would leave the world in absolute wonder! Hunts would begin in order to find her. But she doubted that any would succeed.
She flung herself around in such a fit of rage, rambling on and on of their deaths, this being their tomb, they would be anti-Lovers, and other disdain at their apparent end in Danny's 'Office'.

What of Armand?
She collapsed at the thought of never seeing her brother again. Oh, her adoring brother! She loved him so!
As Danny's whimpers mellowed, her cries and sobs grew. Laying in a partial splay, partial fetal position somewhat face down upon the cold floor. She had begun to lose hope of ever leaving this place. And had begun to hate Danny for putting her into this situation. Even began to hate herself for falling for his charms and agreeing to come here. She! A clever woman... well, that was not so clever of her, was it? Not at all! It was pathetic!
With all that's happened and still happening, she mumbled and muttered, bashing herself verbally and mentally. A few little verbal spats about Danny. She couldn't even pick herself up off the floor to crawl into the bedroom.
All she could do was lay front down, head tilted so she looked over at Danny and noticed a little blood. She was losing it! She no longer knew what to do, how to act, who to be, where to go, etc. She was.... just... there.

Finally, as those tears flowed from her eyes, she whimpered, "I'm sorry, Daniel," She didn't move nor reach out. Though a part of her wanted to shift a hand towards him. Somehow.. she did not do that. She honestly didn't know what to do next. But her mind was indeed churning of thoughts on how to escape from this... being.

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

Danny's anxiety had made him a mass of emotion, recalling some of his childhood days.Not that he had a logical thought or the semblance of one. No. He had no thoughts whatsoever, only emotion. He squeezed himself into a foetal position, as small as he could make himself, into a corner, under the couch. The screaming, raging woman was frightening him. It wasn't that Danny wasn't courageous when in a normal state, he was, but when his anxiety took over, and when it became quite bad, all he could do was hide from whatever frightened him.

As time went on and the screaming subsided, Danny's sanity returned a bit. Or at least his power to think and speak. Whether in a sane way, was anyone's guess. He crawled from under the couch, seriously wondering how he had got under there. It had happened before. He would find himself in some odd place, not remembering how he arrived there. But it was quiet now.

When he came out from under the couch, he saw Marguerite laying face down on the floor. He gasped. Was she ill? Hurt? Dead? Oh, he hoped not. He crawled over to her. "Marguerite," he said tentatively touching her. "Are you alive?" She was warm and he thought she moved a bit, so he felt better. But still, she might be ill. He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom gingerly. He laid her on the bed and knelt beside her. "Are you all right? Please say yes, please....please tell me you're all right. "

On the way to the bedroom, he had noted some pieces of something all over the floor. He went back for his broom, and swept up the tiny pieces. But he looked at them before throwing them away. What were they? Then he recognized it. His prosthetics! He touched his face and it was naked. His nose was gone too! He shrieked as if in pain and began to perspire and shake all over. But then he realized that Marguerite had seen him before without the false skin and he vaguely remembered perhaps a few hours ago? that she had done the same. So. He didn't care. She had seen his face and ripped off the skin. Perhaps she liked it! Now he was angry. He walked into the bedroom.

"What have you done?" he demanded in a quiet but dangerous voice, not caring if she could hear him or not. "That was what started all this...why would you do it again.? You are a cruel and nasty woman! What did I ever see in you?" Normally Danny was quite soft spoken and never acted in such a way, but he had had enough of this. He was tired of her. She would never love him and he was beginning not to care. But what could he do with her? Perhaps it would be better if he left her alone. But no, that would be cruel, even though she had not been kind to him. he was back to the old conundrum.

To give himself something to occupy his mind, he went to his laptop and began to work. He checked his email and looked to see if there were any orders for EDL. He did a variety of things and although he didn't forget that Marguerite was there, he put his emotions on hold for a bit and concentrated on someting else more pleasant. It was the only thing he could do considering he still could not make a decision on what to do about Marguerite.

He wondered if he should send another note to Marguerite's people at the theatre and make another excuse. It would give him more time to deal with the situation, even though he still had several days in that week that he had told them she had to be off. He wrote another email and said that Marguerite's brother Armand, whom she had spoken of to Danny, was in need of her for several weeks in France. So she was not completely sure when she would return. That would take care of her disappearance.

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

This had turned into an utter nightmare. Her own beauty and the beast story it would seem but as this story progressed it most likely would not turn out well. This possibility left poor Marguerite on the verge of hopelessness.

She almost didn't notice Danny crawling over to her when he touched her, she whimpered and jerked. God, now! Now he would force himself upon her and it frightened her! When she was beaten down he would enjoy her physically? How twisted an individual he was! Twisted and evil!
Yet... he didn't. Not yet. He asked a question, she moaned mournfully. Wanted so much to tell him not to touch her, to leave her be but she could only moan and whimper.
The feeling of being scooped up, picked up and carried nearly terrified her and yet... soothed her. The only protesting she did was rolling her head and whimpered, almost as if she were saying 'no... no... no..." but could not flail or batter him, she was almost limp in his arms.

Once she was laid upon the makeshift bed, she curled up and turned away from him, her back to him as she cuddled into herself. His voice did call her back and she shook her head, "let me go, Danny," her voice was soft, pain filled, as she huddled further into herself. She knew not what to do other than wanting to leave. But he will never do that, would he? If only had more of a heart, was more affectionate, more relenting and caring. Oh, but he was. And yet, she ignored his needs as well.
Slowly she rolled back over to face him, her mismatched eyes glassy with tears and her face nigh raw from the numerous tears that were shed and streamed down her face, that had picked up and caked on dirt to her face. She looked nothing like the beauty in her photo shoots. The make up all gone, she looked an absolute disaster.

Simply just laid there on the cot, all curled up into herself as he stepped away. She winced upon hearing him shriek and covered her ears.

She covered her ears, her eyes closed shut tight and she laid there wishing that all this could be over and soon. Then she opened her eyes, shifted to look at him and she recoiled in horror than she grew angry as she sat up. "It was an accident, Daniel!" Her face twisted with pain and disgust. "You simply over reacted!" The her face changed as her brows rose, "Why?!? Because... You hide from me, you lie to me... yes, now I did it because I'm angry with you! I hate you, Danny!" To say that to him made her cry, it hurt to say it. She didn't want to hate him. She wanted to love him. But more and more, she couldn't help but to hate him for what he was doing. The tears once again rolled down her face as she looked at him rather sad and forlorn, twisted around and buried her face into the cot and pillow and cried.
His words... her words... all vicious and hurt! Terribly hurt! Cut so deep within her soul. Despite it all, she still wanted to love him but why... why was this happening? Why was this driving them further apart?

She sat up and spat at him as he left into the other room, "Good riddance!" and continued to cry. Why did he hurt her so? Why were they so cruel to one another? She covered her face and cried, then looked about as her hands fell away from her face. She had to think of what to do. How can she convince him to let her go?
After a while, she got up and softly, almost silently, walked out into the hallway room and circled around him to sit upon the couch. There she brought up her feet to almost tuck under her. From time to time she sniffled but watched him. Her face restraining the many emotions that flooded her. She didn't know why she came into his presence. She didn't know why she felt compelled to say she was sorry. She wasn't the one who did wrong. There was nothing for her to do.. or say other than to beg him softly to let her go.

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

After putting her on the bed and then screaming at her when he found the prosthetic pieces, Danny had started to work at his computer, the only thing that he could do to get his mind off of this horrid situation. Then she started in on him again, screaming that she hated him. He could hardly listen to that. He put his hands to his ears and his head down on his knees. She was making him anxious again, but he vowed not to go into himself this time.

Perhaps he should listen to her and let her go. Then she would tell the police. Perhaps he could flee to England, and thence to another country where he could never be found. He could do some sort of disguise. Yes, that was it. Escape was the only way. He could get everything ready and then leaver her here with the key, but make her promise not to use it for an hour or so. He would have to abandon his apartment. He could leave the key to that with her too...oh, but wait. That was stupid. He had all of his papers and history and information about himself in his apartment and down here. This would take too long. He could take all of his papers from here and burn them somewhere. And his things from his condo. But there still might be a clue. The police were cagey and they would undoubtedly find all of his secrets and hunt him down. No that wouldn't work.

He could let her go and ask her never to tell a soul. That might have worked when it was just his horrible face that she would know about. Now she new many more of his secrets and he could hardly trust her.

Two other options occurred to him, he could off himself or let the police capture him and go on trial for his crimes. Neither of those appealed to him.

He looked over at her. She looked a mess, and yet she still looked beautiful. He couldn't torture her any longer. "Marguerite, I don't know what to do. I am at my wit's end. There are so many ways this could end, and none of them are to my liking. I'm sorry. I really don't know what to do. I know you are likely to go to the police if I let you go, and I know that you will protest that you won't do that. I don't blame you for lying to me. I didn't really lie to you, it was just that I couldn't tell you what I really look like and some ... other things. You would never love me then. And so, it ends. You hate me now. You hate me, hate me, hate me...." It became a litany where he kept repeating the words for some minutes as if trying to convince himself that he had ruined their relationship and quite possibly his own life. He felt no rage, only despair.

He wished his mother were here to comfort him. When he was a child she would say, when he came home crying because he had been mistreated by the other children, "Now Danny, don't cry, come here to Mum and everything will be all right. But you must learn to be brave and stand up to them. If you cry and run away, you will never grow up and be strong." She would hug him and comfort him and then the next day, send him back into that group of ruffians who would simply do it again. If only Mum would have let him stay home, away from those horrid children, perhaps he would have become strong...

He sobbed a bit more. "I know it's the end for me, Marguerite. But, here's the key. Go and do what you will. " He handed her the key that he had been wearing about his neck. Then he went in the bedroom and lay on the bed face down, not moving, waiting for the authorities to come down here and capture him. He wished he had another set of prosthetics with him, but he didn't. So what the hell. Let them capture him and see his face. It didn't matter any more. He had to face the fact that he was a monster in every way possible. It was the end... The music was over...

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

She didn't know why she huddled into herself upon the couch near Danny. Perhaps to keep an eye upon him. She was... just there. Her mind... had lost her wit and was losing her hope. Until he shed some light and stunned her.
Barely looking at him as her arms were wrapped around her legs but she listened to him. And slowly shifted her eyes to look at him as she saw... the key he offered. He said he was sorry. He sounded rational and realistic, honest even. Lying to him? She protest.... true. True. Yes, she would eventually go to the police to have Danny charged. Even if unwillingly, no doubt she might be pressured by her Agent or brother. Or maybe just do so on her own after she came out of it. She didn't blame him for seeing it that way. After all, it was a serious offense to kidnap someone. Especially a Celebrity.
But then... she felt pity. She not love him if he told her about his appearance? His behavior? Whatever else. True. In a way, she had to think about it. It was true. She most likely would estrange herself from him because having someone like him in her life, she in the public spotlight... would have devastating consequences... perhaps for both of them.
He repeated what she spat at him moments ago. And that just twisted her gut and heart. She didn't really mean it! Did she? She was upset and wanted him to think about the situation. What he was doing to her. Wanted to get him to see the big picture. Or something else. She didn't mean it... did she? She did at that moment. But now.... now... It pained her to see him so beaten down like this.

She slowly took the key he gave her. Looked at it, felt it's warmth as it lay against his body the whole time no doubt. She never even dared to attempt checking upon his person for the means to escape. Why? Did she really think he was a vile person? She was convincing herself that he was cruel and evil and vile and malicious, that he was after her for his wicked purposes. He would compromise her, use her, abuse her. And yet... he did none of that. In fact... he offered the makeshift bed for her while he slept lord knows where like a dog. He purchased clothes for her and the cost was no issue. He worried about her day and nice. He was frightened, yes. Very frightened. And from what she read upon him... the issue in his penthouse only set off some mental issues that had yet to be resolved.

The key in hand. It remained warm in her hands as she clung to it. Her freedom! She had only to get up, go to the door... and leave! But... how? Where? What direction was she supposed to go? She would easily be lost. Is that what he really wanted? For her to be lost down here under the city? She would disappear and he... really wouldn't be in trouble.

Stunned and gazed at the key in her hand. Then looked up to watch him disappear into the makeshift bedroom.
Her eyes moved to the computer to see what he had done. Then looked at the door. She thought hard as she shifted and got up, padded her way to the door and fumbled the key into place-
The door... unlocked!
Freedom was so close!
She turned the knob, opened the door.... as she peered outside, she felt sick to her stomach and almost doubled over. The desire to run away was hindered by the desire to stay.

She stepped back from the door, closed it.... and silently placed the key upon the table.
Panting fairly heavily as she was making herself a little dizzy. She walked into the makeshift bedroom silently, slowly. To see Danny lay there. She moved to the bedside and knelt down. Gazing at him in that state, she was lost and confused just as he was. It was like what ever he felt, she could feel, too. If she left... would her beast... die? Just like in the story? But she was the beast. She thought about killing him, maiming him. She shredded his prosthetic. She was vile and violent towards him. She nearly killed him. She would have killed him. If it meant freedom, she would have. Oh, what a hellish scandal that would have been. On top of the St Cyr scandal, then that would be reopened and they'd classify her as a murderer for sure.

It felt like she could hardly breathe! Panting heavily as she reached around to gather up the shards of glass and toss them away. Even slipped her hand under the pillow to remove that one and tossed it away. Then she returned to the bedside to gaze at him. She pitied him. She really didn't want to hate Danny. That wasn't her. And her face twisted with her internal conflict. Finally, with a trembling hand, she stroked his head, smoothed out his hair and felt horrible for him. Sympathy and pity.
She didn't want it to end. Not like this.

"Daniel?" She said softly, as if like a meek child's voice. "Could you- Would you... take me back? Would you take me back home? Please?" It was a leap of faith. She hurt. So bad.

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

Danny lay on the bed in a state of deep despair. What had he done? His life as he knew it would be over. He couldn't think, didn't want to think. He concentrated on simply breathing. There were no tears forming in his eyes now. His emotions were dead, gone. There was no more feeling left. He expected he would not move from the bed until he heard voices and footsteps, led by Marguerite, showing the place where he was, ready to take him away to prison.

He was laying on his stomach, his head turned so the deformed side of his face was toward the bed. His eyes were closed. He vaguely heard someone come near him and kneel at his side. He was afraid to open his eyes to look. Then a hand went under his pillow and he stiffened. Opening an eye, he saw it was Marguerite, wielding a piece of glass. H e inhaled and pulled back. Was she about to kill him? But instead, she left the bedside.

He closed his eyes again. When she returned, she stroked his hair. Stroked his hair? Was she not afraid of him? And why hadn't she gone? She should have run out the door the moment he gave her the key. Her touch sent shivers of pleasure down his spine. He opened his eyes when she spoke his name. She asked him to take her back home! She seemed ... not angry, not hateful or fearful, she seemed as if she were asking a friend a favour. He opened his eyes again and pushed up on one elbow. He held his hand over his deformed side and missing nose.

"You wish me to take you home? Why haven't you gone?" He sat up now on the bed, still covering his face. He looked puzzled at her mood change. "I suppose we could. Shall we remove to my apartment, you and I can both take showers then...I don't know about you, but I greatly need one. And you have clean clothes. You may keep all of the things I bought you. They are yours. Then once we feel more comfortable, you may call the police from my apartment and I will surrender when they arrive." He looked sad and beaten, but he knew it was the only thing to do now. Get it over with and hope for the best.

"What time is it? We can't use the service lift unless it is after the day shift. I can't risk anyone seeing me this way. And besides apartment residents are forbidden to use the service lift. It's only for the technicians who work on the building systems. I've been up to the service areas and adjusted the heat and air conditioning when they couldn't do it correctly. But don't tell anyone about it, will you?" Danny was beginning to ramble again. "Let me get your clothes. I'll take them up for you."

He rose off the bed and still keeping the deformed part of his face away from her, he went into the closet area and began to fold her clothes into bags. He came out, holding the bags in his left hand and his right still over half his face. "There is one thing I must ask though..... would you mind if I blindfolded you while we go up?"

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

She barely caught his reaction when she removed the makeshift weapons to destroy them. It made her realize how much she had misunderstood him and how he simply did not understand either. She utterly felt terrible now as her eyes glassed up with tears for not only his actions but hers as well. Neither of them made this any easier. He clung to her, she fought back hard and defied him. But all in all, she wasn't hurt... but he was! She was a monster! What sort of person was she to be like this? She read some of those files and learned his past. He was not dangerous she believed. The poor man. She did not understand him. And now... she felt like she wanted and needed to understand him. There was more to this man than what was let on. She took pity on him. And felt compassion at the same time.

Those mismatched glassy eyes gazed back at Daniel, a wide range of emotions rolling around in those eyes and her visage also betrayed her pity and compassion. Blinked a few times as he covered his face. The nose indeed was a shocker, and she wondered how... how could God let such a being be so deformed and not have mercy shown to him? After her raging hellish behavior perhaps now she will start to understand him and show him mercy as well.
His words and voice twisted her heart and gullet at first and she blinked, opened her mouth as though to speak as she was knelt at beside the cot.
But as he continued and offered solutions and suggestions, she nodded. He wasn't your typical kidnapper. Not the sort that was dangerous - he did not kill her, did not hit her, did not harm her other than knocking her unconscious and brought her here, locked her up and stayed here with her most of the time. He showered her with clothes, offered her food and possibilities, he coward before her...
He was not typical. And she was baffled to the point... she really wanted to know him. But... perhaps time was needed to recover from this incident. Perhaps... they should take it slowly?
Once again, her heart and gut twisted and sank. He was so meek, and humble. Or even humiliated. She truly took pity on him.

"Daniel," she softly spoke his name as if she were going to talk, but he continued on and on, so beat down as he gathered the clothes he purchased for her.
The whole time she watched him with a sad face as he covered part of his face. She could see that he was troubled and she fought so hard not to cry in his presence. It was so hard though as the tears welled in her eyes. A couple times she deeply inhaled a shuttering breath.

Slightly she stiffened though that his request to blindfold her. What now?!? Did he not trust her? Why-
She sighed and relented, hanging her head and nodded, "Of course," but was not happy about it.

Before he could place the blindfold upon her, she strode over to him, glanced at the bags but looked back up at his half covered face. Her hands took hold of his arm and wrist to gently pull away the hand. She was still in shock of his face but she was trying to get used to it. "I did not leave because I did not want to end it this way." She said with her emotions slightly restrained. She wanted to be level headed about this. She glanced down and away a moment before she spoke again, "We .. simply... did not understand one another." Then looked up at him, to gaze upon his face, and into his eyes with her mismatched eyes. "I am sorry. I was afraid. Afraid that you would harm me... kill me. That's what most do. But you..." she looked at him with a pained face and watery eyes, "You did not." she paused as she found it hard to speak, "Your action... kidnapping me... I did not understand. Perhaps I still don't. But, Daniel," she paused and felt the emotions rise and she tried to suppress them, "I want to understand you. I'm sorry for hurting you. Forgive me? Please?" A moment's pause. "I forgive you. I will not call the police about this incident. It shall remain... "and whispered, "our secret." but her voice was still pained. "I thank you... for your strange-" she snickered oddly at that word, "kindness. You desire to care for me. But... what ever you hoped to accomplish." She paused and remembered some of what he said before, shook her head slightly, "This is not the way to make me Love you, Daniel." she looked up at him and touched his face, his deformed half with a sad, forlorn look. "All that we have done so far is only drive one another apart. I want to know you, Daniel. To be your friend." And she wasn't sure if she really wanted to say Lover yet, but that was not out of the question. She saw a part of him that no doubt would have been overlooked but she saw he was a puzzle to be put together, a mystery to be figured out. She had to know him, to understand him. Then, and only then... would she Love him.

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

After putting the clothing into bags, he remembered that he had a half phantom mask here somewhere. It would do in a pinch to cover his deformity and should anyone see him, he could say he was practicing wearing a phantom costume or some such thing. It would be harder to explain being in the service lift, for none of the residents had the code. Well, one did, but not legitimately. And Marguerite would only have to wear a blindfold because he did not want her to be questioned about where his office was, if for some reason she would be asked by the police.

"The blindfold is for not only my protection but yours, Marguerite. If you don't know where you've been, you can hardly tell anyone, correct?

He was happy that Marguerite seemed not angry with him. Perhaps he would get through this unscathed. She said she would not go to the police. Could he believe her? She certainly was honest, but she might change her mind once she left here. Perhaps it might be a good time, after she had got safely home, for Danny to visit his parents in England. That is, if she didn't call the police on him immediately. He was willing to take his punishment if that were the only choice. But perhaps there were other choices.

She pulled his hand away from his face and said she was sorry. "What are you sorry for, Marguerite. You have done nothing but see my face. Your curiosity was your downfall, but it hardly matters now. You do not seem afraid. Do you think I'm a monster? I know I've acted like one and certainly I look like one..." He found the mask, put it on his face and turned back to her. "It's so anyone who might see me won't be upset by my face."

"Let me put the blindfold on then, Marguerite. I'm sorry it has to be this way, but I hope that you understand." He put a soft scarf about her eyes and tied it gently, but firmly enough so it would not fall from her face. "Come, we're going to my apartment. Then you can decide if you wish to call the police. If not, I will see you home then, safely." Somehow, it had sunk in earlier that she would call the police, but now she reassured him she would not. So he wasn't sure what to think.

And it was strange, he was not shaking in fear of being picked up by the police. Could it be that he did not think that a possibility? Perhaps when they came, he would fall to pieces.

He led her by the hand just outside the door, then he locked it from the outside, replacing the key about his neck and picking up the bags of her clothing. He hooked her hand into his arm and they walked the fairly long way to the service lift. When they arrived, he put in the code and called the lift, which came in a few seconds. Once safely on the lift with the doors closed, Danny pulled the blindfold from her eyes. He smiled, but just then, the lift came to an abrupt stop. Danny looked at the panel above their heads. It showed not the 25th floor, but only the 10th. Danny pulled her toward him and put his arm around her, then looked at the door in trepidation.

To his horror, the door opened and a mechanic carrying a tool box and a radio walked into the lift. He looked at Danny strangely, then once the doors had closed, he said, "Why are you two on the elevator? This is a service elevator and no one has the code except for those who work here. You two live here or something? Who are you?"

Danny's hands started shaking, but it was not too obvious, as he clutched Marguerite a bit closer. His throat became dry. "The door was open in the lobby. I thought it was all right to take any lift, isn't it?" The man looked confused. "It shouldn't do that unless a code is punched in. Maybe one of the other mechanics punched in the code and then left. They are not supposed to do that!" He seemed to accept Danny's explanation, so he said nothing more till they reached his destination, the 22nd floor. "You two have a nice evening...." at the door he turned and said, "What's with the mask, buddy?" Danny laughed nervously and said, "Halloween's coming up..." The man laughed. "Oh yeah, forgot... Good night folks."

Danny breathed a sigh of relief then and the exited on the 25th floor. He unlocked the door and offered the washroom to Marguerite to freshen up. He handed her the clothes. "I just have a few things to take care of on the computer while you're showering..." He smiled, and blew her a kiss without thinking that perhaps they weren't that friendly anymore.

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

She really did not like the idea of the blindfold, but did she have a choice? "I have your word of my safety?" as if that would really be upheld. She had to be sure that he would do nothing to lead her astray. And she should know better. Thus far he had not harmed her. Kidnapped, yes. Harmed, no.
"Very well," she relented and allowed him to cover her eyes and pitch her into darkness, to trust him. It was a mega leap of faith for her trust in him was unstable to the very core.
Alas, he had a point. Frankly, she saw it more as his protection, not her own.

Curiosity her downfall? Those perfectly sculpted brows rose as she looked at him in slight disbelief and wanted to fight with him about that issue but now was not the time. She wanted out of there.
Her? Afraid? Well, there was always fear but now she was exhausted to the point her fears hardly mattered it would see. But afraid of his face? No.
Barely a rise from her brows as she looked at him, watched him. "You did wrong in taking me and holding me here, Daniel. But," she paused, "I was far worse and cruel towards you than you were to me." She paused and sighed, "A face... does not classify a person as a monster, Danny." He had done wrong, but she could not classify him as a monster.
She understood his reason for the mask and nodded in understanding. She was exhausted from this whole ordeal. Just... wanted it all to be over.

Another sigh from her, "I won't contact the Police, Daniel. You have my solemn word." And nodded gratefully at his oath that she would go home safely. She will hold him to that.

So now... she put her shaky trust in him to take her up to his penthouse.

Odd though, that the blindfold was not over her eyes for long. She blinked a few times to get used to the light again and focus. By that time, they were no longer alone and all she did was stand there a little uneasy, but attempted to be charming. Lord, she hoped the person did not recognize her! What a crazy scandal that would be! What would happen? She did her best to be calm and to obscure her face from his line of sight.

Exiting from the elevator and followed Danny into his Penthouse, she began to wonder about her own sanity. Was this really a brilliant idea? Well, ok... so they had a misunderstanding. A kidnapping that failed, she was able to make it end, yadda, yadda, yadda... it was done and over now.

With a nod she took the clothes. Did a double take when he 'blew a kiss'. Raised a brow, turned away and hid a smirk and restrained herself from shaking her head.

Then she did go into the guestroom bathroom to shower and freshen up, dress into one of the outfits that Danny had bought. Well, there really was nothing else to wear so she really hadn't a choice.

After nigh an hour, she came out dressed in a lovely casual outfit. She looked around and definitely looked better now. But was it all really resolved?
With her arms crossed, she walked towards Danny.

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

"Yes, of course, you will be safe if I have anything to say about it," said Danny. "And certainly you are correct, that a face does not classify one as a monster in your estimation and mine. But I have been told that so many times, that I expect it is the prevailing opinion."

While she showered, he quickly erased as much as he could of the lift cameras from his various trips during the time he had gone up and down to the office. He realized he could not erase the encounter with the mechanic in the lift. He hoped his explanation would satisfy the man so he would not report it further. Danny could always say that he had figured out the code by watching someone and then he used the lift to explore the nether parts of the cellars.

Then he took a shower, put on clean clothing and a new set of prosthetics. She hadn't responded very well when he blew her a kiss. She must still be upset about being held in the office. He had thought it was all over. In any case, he would remain true to his promise to her. His red rented sports car was still in the apartment garage and he could take her home in that. It would be faster than walking and he did so love to drive it. He could have taken the plunge at any time and purchased it or a similar car, but he didn't really use it that much. Although he really fancied the thought...and the car.

He knew that Marguerite didn't like the car. Well, he would ask her first. He supposed they could take a cab or walk, but the car seemed faster and safer really.

He wondered what was taking Marguerite so long. It had taken him 20 minutes to shower, dry his hair, dress, put on new prosthetics and erase the material from the computer. What was taking her so long? He sat on the couch. He was in a way, anxious for her to be out of his apartment. She didn't feel comfortable here at the moment. Yet he had spent so much time with her in the office that he would miss her terribly once she were gone.

He sat on the couch waiting. His hair was already dry and he was a bit anxious about all of this. He hoped she would stick to her promise not to tell anyone.

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

All the while as she showered, she sort of broke down and had to let the warm water just wash away all the wild emotions of these past few days. Hellish, really. Practically no different than that St. Cyr scandal. But at least the media would NEVER know about this! No one should know. She wanted to leave her drama to whatever she performed in.
Several sighs, closed eyes and the warm water felt SO good in a decent shower. But ... she was still with Danny. Now... she had to decide what to do. He was a crazy little nutcase to say the least. Even with a hellish childhood, why could he not pull out of it? She got over the issues of her childhood, right? Well.... no. No one really got over things. Just continued to move on and try to keep a positive outlook. Of course, she had her beloved brother to work through this and her good friend Suzanne. From what little she read of Danny - the snoop that she was -, he really didn't have anyone to stand by him through it all. His parents were partially there for him but... who else?
At this point as she exited the shower and freshened up, donning an outfit that Danny had obtained for her, she thought more of him. If anything, he needed someone to stand by him and support him even if only as a friend.
As she was dressed and worked her hair and face, she sighed and thought more. Would she or could she just be a friend? Even though all that high stress in his 'office' somewhere below this place, she still had a twinge of affection for him. She began to think there was something wrong with her! How could she fancy a guy who had kidnapped her and locked her away, and treated her like some lifesize Barbie for himself? Her thoughts and emotions all conflicted one another. She loved him yet hated him, feared him but was drawn to him. And she really felt like she was seriously losing it! One way or another, Danny was changing her life.

Finally after a little over an hour of freshening up, she strode out and found Danny. Slowly she approached him, her arms crossed over her chest. She wore a casual outfit - a white blouse that had lots of lace and ruffles with three-quarter sleeves and long ruffles at the cuff, it was almost a lovely balanced mix of Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian with a modern flare, embroidery, smocking, quite fetching... that paired up perfectly with medium blue denims that had white floral embroidery down the outside of the leg seam, a classic cut with a hint of a boot cut. And wore a dark blue elegant Mary Janes that were heavily adorned with white mesh and a sculpted stamped design that made it match perfectly with the outfit. Her hair was loosely curled to add body to it and some slight flips and curls. Make up that wasn't too bold. In other words, she looked like she walked right off the page of a fashion magazine. She looked normal and right as rain!

But her face and eyes still did not show much of a hint of joy. She stared at Danny, took notice that he looked normal again. That only made her decision all the harder to make. She almost felt sick around him, a full-on hurricane within her raged, and she couldn't figure out what really to do!

She finally spoke after a while, closed her eyes and looked like she was giving up, or disgusted, or... something. "You have my word, Daniel. I will not... contact... the police." she paused and opened her eyes slowly. "I don't want another scandal that will haunt me for the rest of my life." Her arms still crossed as she stood there facing him. But her eyes did betray that battle within her of what she thought of Danny.

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

When Marguerite came out of the washroom with one of the outfits Danny had bought her, he stood up and smiled. "You look stunning. But it's hard to think of you as not stunning." His voice was soft and he didn't look as if he had just come from a terrible ordeal with her. The only betrayal of the days spent in emotional ups and downs was a little bit of shakiness in his hands when he extended them to her.

"Thank you for being so considerate. I should have known this would not work out the way I thought. But I was so sure! Not that I ever expected that you might pull off my prosthetics. I get a bit emotional when that happens and I often can't think straight. But I think I shall be better now." He gazed at her again. "You are so beautiful and as wonderful as you are beautiful. I am so sorry I frightened you. " He paused. "But tell me, Why will you not turn me over to the police?" Then she explained that she wanted to keep all bad publicity out of the media, because of her former scandal. He smiled again. "I understand."

"So then, you will let me escort you home? Did you wish to walk or would you like to ride in the Mazzarati? I still have it here in the garage." He grinned. He did love to drive that sports car. "All right then, shall we?" He walked her to the door and they entered the regular lift. As they were standing there in silence, he had a very depressing thought. He would undoubtedly never see her again. He looked at her again, this time sadly. Oh that damned wetness in his eye! How he hated that. It betrayed his sadness. On impulse he pulled her toward him and hugged her. He didn't think he dared to kiss her, although he surely wished to.

They reached the garage storey and he held the door for her, leading the way to the rented sports car. The car made him smile. She was a lovely lady too, Perhaps he should buy one. At least he'd have a great car then, even if he didn't have this wonderful woman. He held the door open for her to enter.

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

Was it wise that both of them were acting as though the nightmare was over and behind them? It seemed that whatever happen should never be spoken about ever again, kinda like 'whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"! But again, was it wise? Danny was already acting as though things were kosher between them. Well, sort of acting like it. She had no choice but to wear one of the outfits that he had bought for her. The thought darn near caused her to shiver. Nearly.
His praise was both sweet and disturbing. Honestly, she didn't know what to think of Danny any more really. By all means, she should be overly disgusted with him, to put as much distance between herself and him, but... simply put... she couldn't. Something in her drove her to the point of pity and a longing to understand him. Something demanded that she not turn away from this man. At this point, she was starting to feel disgusted with herself, too. Was she going into that Stockholm Syndrome? God, she hoped not! But she started to know Danny before all this, right? Well, not really get to know him, as she deduced in her mind, but she was starting to take a liking towards him, fancy him, heck, she was falling in love with him! That is... until everything crashed hard around them and he kidnapped her, forcing her to stay deep within the bowels of the city. It was then, she started to see not only his real self, but her real self as well. And what she saw rocked her to the very core!
Perhaps... she was more of a monster than she dared to believe! Danny coward more in her presence. Vicious and violent, pushed to her limits and boundaries, to the point she could have easily killed him!
He frightened her. Not because of his face or in general himself, but because he had forced out of her that very darkness that had never been seen nor revealed! Should she be thankful? Ever grateful that it had been purged from her? Of that she wasn't sure.

Her arms stilled wrapped around herself as those mismatched eyes glanced at his extended hands and saw them shaking. Was he alright? No. Neither was she.
Was he wanting to hold her? The very thought disturbed her on so many levels. It was too early to even think of anything possible with him. She had to push past this whole situation, purge herself further of all these demons to even feel comfortable to be around Danny. That is, IF it was possible to have any form of relationship - friendship or deeper - with him. By all means, she shouldn't since any relationship with him could get her into a world of drama hell! Not really the face - granted the paparazzi would have a fleeting field day with that - but of all the issues that led up to this point and no doubt they would find out that Danny had kidnapped her! This was a true battle now!

She nodded a couple times in response to 'being considerate', but she locked those mismatched eyes upon Danny in a sort of stunned look. Furrowed her brow briefly as though to silently ask the questions 'what did you think would happen? What is it that you wanted of me? So sure that things would be perfect?' and a whole flurry of other questions that flashed in her eyes.
"Daniel, that was an accident," she tried to reassure him that it indeed was simply that, the first time when the prosthetic had caught upon her fingertips when they were kissing in his gallery. That thought made her head spin.
Barely a smirk, "So I noticed," she softly, deeply muttered. Would he be better? It would be hard to tell. From what little she read of his files and papers, this was something he had been fighting and dealing with for many, many years! Nearly his whole life! Was this simply a conditioning? Or truly something he was born with? And she wasn't thinking about his face at all! Again, more questions arose than they were answered. Danny was turning into a hell of a mystery. There was more depth to this man than any other she knew! And it was the mystery that started to draw her into him.

Beautiful? Yes, she knew it. Despite her oddity. But .. wonderful? Her tears watered as he said that. How could he say that? She was hellish! There was nothing wonderful about her! Now she was highly disturbed and fought the tears, clung to herself even more as she looked away from him, definitely uneasy.
Taking a deep breath in, "It's alright, Danny," she said quickly as the fingers splayed out while her arms were still wrapped around herself,"It's alright." She paced around absent-mindedly, like a chicken with it's head cut off for a moment before she faced the great windows again to see the glorious view.
Why? Why. She didn't know why. But she explained no more want for scandal, the wrong sort of spotlight.

She preferred to walk, but perhaps that wasn't the best idea. A snicker as she looked up and seemed to be twistedly amused with the muscle car, "Of course," she said softly, not really in response to wanting to be taken home in that sorry-ass machine, but the fact a man would like it. What is it with guys thinking that a muscle machine is what would win a gal?
With a nod, she agreed to let him take her home. Was it wise? Hell, by this time, wisdom, caution, rationality, and everything else that went with it... was completely out the window!

Escorted by Danny to the elevator, she tried not to be disturbed and upset, she could feel herself starting to tremble and forced herself to breathe and relax. Or... tried to relax at least and use all her acting techniques to put her in a more acceptable place both internally and outwardly!
What drew her out of her dire need to relax was his arm around her and a... hug. A simple hug. Though she inhaled sharply since she didn't expect it in the slightest. But... it caused her eyes to water, too. If there was something to be said about hugs, is that they were the perfect healing therapy. But no doubt it wouldn't be able to stop all the turmoil within her, but it sure started to scatter all the terrible things and started a crack in that thick, dark ice in her troubled soul.
Took a moment as he hugged her for her hands to come up and rest lightly upon his shoulders from behind. Those trembling hands as she fought the emotions within. She couldn't crack. Not now! Not when she was in the public view again and blinked away those tears that no doubt would be shed later.

Digging into purse, after they pulled apart from the hug and collected herself as though it should not have happened, she slipped on her dark sunglasses to hide her eyes.
At this point, she no longer cared about the dislike towards muscle cars or anything else. But... being around Danny... had stirred something in her that she felt could never be suppressed ever again, her soul had been rocked like a massive earthquake to the very core!
She got into the car, and now as she sat in the passenger side, she realized her hands were trembling. Nothing she did could stop it. She had to work hard to force herself to relax. It was all over, wasn't it?
Wasn't it?

The whole drive to her place she was silent, and gazing away from Danny. Glad the windows were at least tinted. She continued to work on relaxation techniques but they partially worked. It troubled her. They always worked! She realized that Danny had indeed unlocked something dormant within her. He both unnerved her yet delighted her. Every emotion possible that she could feel he was the cause of it! And felt she was completely out of control!

Danny got to her!

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

Marguerite was a puzzle to Danny. On the one hand, she seemed to be disturbed by the time they had spent together, and perhaps revolted or disgusted, and yet she did not shrink from him as he would have thought she would, considering the strange relationship that had developed between them. Or perhaps it wasn't a relationship at all. Perhaps she was simply trying to be kind to him until it was all over and she was home. Was she really that cold? But perhaps she had to be. She had her own life and had to protect her interests and her livelihood.

So what could Danny do? He had tried his best to keep her; to have her see he was a fellow worthy of her love, but apparently he hadn't accomplished that. So he was resigned to it. He would have to be resigned to it.

She said that the pulling off of his prosthetics had been an accident. He shrugged. It probably had been. And undoubtedly he over reacted. He tended to over react when unexpected things like that happened. It was too late. It already happened and they couldn't go back and try a different reaction. Danny was more calm now. He was thinking straighter. It was strong emotion and lack of his meds that usually caused him to over react, although he was always a bit emotionally unstable, sometimes more, sometimes less. But it was hard for Danny to see himself from the outside, until it was over or until someone told him he had been acting strangely.

He had put his arm around her and she had seemed to relax. Then they had approached the red Maserati. He was sure now he would buy it. Perhaps he wouldn't drive it a lot, but maybe he would. Out on the highway, he could open it up and the car would be equal to anyting he wanted it to do. In a way, the car reminded him of Marguerite. A strange comparison, but... as he opened hte door for her and they started slowly out of the garage, he said, "Marguerite, you may think this a strange thing to say, and I hope it doesn't upset you, but the car reminds me of you. It is perfect, beautiful. It has style and lovely soft lines. It needs gentle handling. It purrs and is ladylike and yet it has a personality that can never be tamed. It wants adventure and yet it never loses its grace." Danny smiled while he was driving. "Of course I would rather have you..." Then he became embarrassed and he blushed a bit. He was being ridiculous. He would never see this woman again and he wanted to remember the fine things about her and here he was comparing her to a car, and one she apparently didn't like all too well.

He became quiet then. All too soon, they arrived in front of her home. He stopped the car in front and ran around to the side to open the door for her and help her out. "I hope you will let me escort you to your porch..." He remembered the last, which was also his first, time at her home and how it had turned into a disaster. She would probably be delighted to see him leave.. And until he was actually home, and alone, he would not feel the impact of her absence...

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

The drive back to her place left her just... stunned. As she tried to calm herself, using her acting techniques to shift from one mindset to another, and more. Danny then spoke up but didn't look at him, barely turned her head towards his direction, "What is it?" she whispered. When he explained his odd comparison... it floored her! Each sentence, each word continued to pull from her such a deep, emotional reaction. The car liken to her? Perfect? Beautiful? Style? Soft lines? Gentle handling? Purrs? Ladylike? Untamed personality? Adventurous yet graceful?
By the end of that comparison, she was utterly numbed, and her eyes... filled with tears. She was breathless and speechless and was desperately trying to hide her reactions.
But it was his next words that caused her to falter even more.

He would rather have her!
And she trembled with tears in her eyes, breathless but silent.
Desperately keeping her face away from his view, she simply could NOT let him see her like this! Oh, damn! Her makeup was most likely smudging now! Damnit! But she couldn't stop trembling.
Oh, damn him! Damn! Why? What turmoil she was feeling that roiled deep in the core of her soul! God, Yes, she would LOVE to reach over and kiss him for such words! Never had someone been so romantic towards her even if it was awkwardly compared to some sports car. But as they passed along, she saw heads turn a lot and... well... he was right! Just as this car turned heads, she turned heads as well! She made bold statements. Now HE had her thinking of how she was like this car! This was horrible! And yet...

Her fingers rubbed her face. She was uneasy, anxious, trembling, just... out of control! She was no longer herself. No longer that powerful woman who had everything under her thumbs. He humbled her to the point that she started to see things in a different way.
A couple times her eyes barely glanced sideways towards him but never did catch a glimpse of him. She... was too afraid to try and look at him for if she did... she would melt or snap or cave... and be a complete puddle of emotional mess. And to be SO close to the public like this... she couldn't afford or dare risk it! Simply... couldn't!

FINALLY!
Her place! Her haven! Her solitude! Her safespot! That little dwelling just for her that could melt everything away... right? Could it?
When the car stopped she was fumbling with trembling hands for the door but Danny got it first. It was SO hard to force her to mellow, to force some measure of restraint in his presence even to stop trembling which she was finding to be difficult! Yes, even she... a world class Actress!
Again she couldn't really look at him, she had wiped the tears away as he opened the door, all in an effort to not let him... or any one else... see how this man had impacted her.
"That's fine," stunned as the words just slipped out of her mouth without so much as a thought and she wondered where the hell that came from! Why did she say that? What was the purpose? Torture him... as well as her... a while longer? Had they not had enough of this?
The porch. So symbolic. Though her condo complex it was no more than an actual overhang and a doorman, his statement was indeed very symbolic it seemed. This just dug into her more. This was killing her! Why was he doing this?!? Did he not know? Can he not see? No. Most likely not. She was that good of an Actress perhaps. But... surely he can tell how he had severely shaken her!


Up to the doorway, she stood to face him but could not really look at him. Her eyes danced around - her hands and fingers, the surroundings, the ground, etc ... just not him. Her trembling continued but she dared not let it be seen but her voice was soft and started to crack, "Merci... for... bringing me home... Danny," she really was trying hard not to break or falter. Not in public like this. Almost finding it hard to speak. Actually she was pretty much having a hard time saying anything!
As she turned to go inside, she stopped in mid-twist. Closed her eyes, and said after a moment of speechlessness, "I need some time, Daniel." Just stood there, she seemed very shaken to the core. What he said on the way over here... just made it all the worse for her and she needed to figure out what to do!
With that, she shot herself inside. Afraid because if she stayed just one moment longer near Danny... she'd do something she'd utterly regret!

It was apparent to her as she swiftly got into the elevator to go up to the floor her condo was on, she started to crack! Pacing around in the elevator and realized for sure now that her life was so deeply intertwined with Danny now that no matter what... she will definitely NOT be the same woman ever again!
In the elevator, she trembled more violently, paced more then broke down, her hands came up to cup her face, as she sank down into a fetal position squat, her hands shifted up over her head and curled into fists, and let loose into an all out bawl!

Danny REALLY got to her!