Curtis drove distractedly as he hurried home. The man asking the questions at the bank absolutely fit the description Sandra had given as her abuser. How had he tracked her here? Where was he now? He watched mirror but couldn't make out any particular car following him and when he pulled into the apartment garage he stopped and got out, to see if anyone slowed or stopped, before driving to his space and running to the elevator.

Sandra listened with a growing fear as he described the events at the bank. If Gabe were at all suspicious of Curtis, he would track him down somehow. She made him swear that he'd replaced the money and that it couldn't be traced to either of them and then she began to examine her options.

"I think you're safe here," Curtis stated, wringing his hands.

"Don't be too sure. Gabe is quite capable of finding me if he really puts everything into it." Curtis was looking considerably less like her freedom ticket now. She went to the window and peered down at the street. Behind her she could hear him rummaging through his closet and when she turned she let out a small gasp. "Where did you get that?"

"I've had it for a long time... for protection." He waved the gun carelessly and Sandra stepped forward, taking it from his hand. "Good God, Curtis, this is loaded and the safety's off!"

He stared at her. "How do you know that?"

"I know guns, just trust me. This is not how to store a weapon, protection or not." She ejected the shells and slipped the safety on and pointed to it as she handed it back. "What are you planning to do with it?"

"It's for you, to keep him away." He held it out to her.

"Curtis this is a bad idea. Gabe has a gun as well and there could be too much chance of everybody getting hurt." She set the shells on the table.

"But he hurt you already!" He was marching around in little circles, his face getting red and his voice climbing.

"Hurt but not dead, Curtis."

"Well that will never happen as long as you're here with me." He puffed up and aimed the gun at the door.

"Maybe you should give that to me after all."

"No! I'll keep it. I'm going to protect you, Sandra. You just don't have to worry about Gabe any longer." She shivered involuntarily. You have a point there, Curtis; now I have to worry about you too. She held up her hands and moved toward him, one forced option needing to be acted on right away.

"Curtis you are so brave and maybe a little reckless but I feel safer already." Her hands gripped his arms and she pressed herself against him, speaking softly in his ear. She felt him relax and she let her hand slip down to his and slide the gun from his fingers. "We won't need this just now."

Her lips covered his and she could feel his entire body tremble as she slowly guided him across the room to the bedroom, her hands expertly unfastening his buttons and belt. Curtis groaned and allowed her to take over his being—which she did—and when it was over he could only react with a sob and tears.

******

Gabe sat in his car looking at the building where Curtis had entered. He'd laughed at the little jerk, running around and peeking out of the garage to check traffic. Sandra was one clever broad, latching onto a wimp like this guy, he conceded. The lobby had security cameras and the names of the tenants weren't listed, instead there was a code number, which obviously had to be specifically acquired from the occupant.

He knew he could probably get inside without much trouble but finding the right apartment was out of the question; he would need to confront Curtis Martin somewhere other than his home turf. He started the car and cruised down the street to a parking lot in front of a four store mini mall and parked. At the corner of the mall was a public telephone and Gabe climbed out of the car and headed straight for it.

Only one Martin, C. was listed and it was the right address. He dialed the number waiting smugly.

"Hello?"

"Is this Curtis Martin?"

"Who's calling please?"

"Mr. Martin we're conducting an environmental poll regarding the use of the green space surrounding the suburbs of Hammond and I wonder if you could give me five minutes of your time to answer a few questions?"

"I'm not really interest—"

"Not interested in the environment, Mr. martin? That's shocking in this day and age."

"I didn't mean that. I meant I'm not interested in your poll."

"It's only five minutes, sir"

Sandra came to the phone and put her ear next to Curtis's and listened to the voice she knew so well. Curtis muttered, "It's a man doing a poll."

She reached down and cut off the call. "That was him."

"Him? Gabe?"

"Yes. I told you he could track me down somehow."

"But how?"

"It doesn't matter how, Curtis. What matters is he has and you just confirmed it." She was still in just her panties and no bra and Curtis was looking at her strangely. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing at all." He reached out and caressed a bare breast.

"Hey! For Christ's sake, Curtis." She backed away and went to retrieve her blouse and pants. He followed.

"You were wonderful, Sandra."

"Yeah, well so were you, Curtis. Just friggin' wonderful but we have a situation to resolve right now and it isn't about mutual feelings." She pulled on her pants and tucked in the blouse then sat on the bed and put on her shoes. "You might consider covering up a little yourself." She went back to the living room and picked up the phone book.

Curtis put on his clothes and then fell disconsolately into a chair. "What are you doing?"

"Looking up car rentals."

"I have a car."

"I know that, and you can bet Gabe knows that too... and exactly which one it is."

"Why do you want another car?"

"Curtis I have to get away from here. Gabe is no fool; he knows I'm here."

"But how?"

"Jesus Christ, Curtis will you stop asking how! He knows, okay!"

"But you don't have any money... for a car I mean."

She closed the book and looked at him. "I don't have any money for anything, Curtis. I was hoping you might help out in that regard."

"I already put it back, you know that."

She sighed and tossed the book on the floor. "Curtis, did you not come to me with your offer of help?" He nodded. "Did you not actually steal money from your bank to help me?"

"But I put it back..."

"Did you not wield a gun around just a short time ago and promise to protect me?" He blushed and nodded again. "And did I not show my appreciation by giving you the wildest sex you ever dreamed of having?" His head was bobbing like an oil pump. "And now when I really do need your help and protection, don't you think it might be nice if you offered more than words?"

"How much?" His voice was so low she had to sit forward.

"Pardon?"

"How much do you need?"

"Oh, Curtis. You are a prince." She got down and walked on her knees toward him, placing a hand on each of his thighs. "Just enough to rent a car for say a week. That should be plenty to lose Gabe again. And a drop-off arrangement would be perfect." She didn't care if the car went over a cliff after she got away but the extra money could certainly help.

"You're going away?"

"Well yes, Curtis. That's why I need money for a car. I can't stay here any longer, it isn't safe for either of us."

"What about me?"

"You need to let me go, Curtis. My being here will only make it dangerous for you."

"Then let me come to." He sat up and took her by the shoulders. "We can go together. I'll close out my account and we'll get another car and we'll just go." He was getting excited and his voice was climbing again and Sandra choked up inside thinking of what it would be like traveling with Curtis Martin... and she gagged mentally.

"Curtis that is a bad idea. You have a job, a life. You can't just throw that all away." She could feel him tensing and she knew words would be totally useless so with a heavy, silent sigh, Sandra began doing what she knew never failed.

************************