ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

The Darker Side Of Light

by Gabite

Disclaimer: 

Xenaerotica,
Lesbian fan-fiction.

Sex violence a little S&Mish

Another time, another place
Same beautiful face.

Xena and Gabrielle are borrowed,
Sometimes blue,
Sometimes naughty,

So if lesbian isn’t your liking
This is not for you.  

Cover by ForevaXena

(Click photo for larger image)

Part 1

~^..^~ The Warrior ~^..^~

A lava lamp stood on the bedside table, its faint green light reflecting on pale skin.  The novel ‘Chicks, Kicks, Amore’ lay open at page 206. Long dark hair rested on purple sheets. Pillows lay on the floor. 

Beads of perspiration glistened on Madison’s naked body. She tossed and turned as her dreams returned her to ancient Greece. She was again the ultimate warrior. She swung her sword with skill.  Men fell at her feet, blood running from their wounds.

“Xena!”   A voice called out from the thick of battle. The warrior smiled at the woman who had called her name. Xena’s eyes gleamed and with a backward thrust of her sword she felled the attacker who was approaching behind her.

Madison sat upright in bed, a shrill battle cry reverberating in her throat.

A few moments later Julie burst through the bedroom door. “Maddi, are you alright?”

“Xena! My name is Xena!” Madison blurted.

“Your name?” Julie asked, confusion evident in her voice.

Madison corrected herself, “I mean the warrior in my dreams.”

As Julie began to wake fully she remembered the tall, formidable warrior Madison had told her about over yesterday’s lunch.

 “ Xena hmm?” Julie muttered as she sat down on the bed next to Madison. “She sounds exotic.”

“She’s haunting,” replied Madison. “Every night for the past two months she’s been in my dreams. Her memory stays with me for hours afterwards.”

Julie brushed hair from Madison’s sweaty cheek.  “You look like shit,” she said affectionately.

By Madison’s invitation, Julie had arrived two days earlier. Julie was a tall, slender but muscular woman. Strikingly beautiful. She had a thin scar across her left cheek from her father’s rage and deeper scars within. Her sky blue eyes softened the sharp lines of her face and her sometimes cool persona. Madison and Julie had first met in college, It was love at first sight. What followed was two years of passionate love, laughter and all out war.  Now they were friends, older, wiser, but still able to push each other’s buttons.

Madison gave Julie an anguished smile. “I haven’t had a good nights sleep since I first started to dream about her,” she said, running her fingers through her raven black hair.

Julie thoughtfully stroked her chin for a moment. She looked warmly into Madison’s eyes and then she spoke. “ I could hypnotise you and try to bring the subject of your dreams closer to your consciousness. It might help you to get a more restful sleep.”

Madison looked at Julie through tired smoky blue eyes. “That would be great. I have a conference at the end of the month and we both know that I present like shit when I’m tired.”

Brushing her short blond hair from her face, Julie gave a small chuckle. “And we can’t have that from the queen of presentations can we!”

Knowing she wouldn’t be able to get back to sleep, Madison got up. She pulled her track pants up over her long muscular thighs, slipped a grey singlet over her shoulders and pulled her hair back in a ponytail. She reached for the basketball that was sitting on top of her clothesbasket and skilfully threw it at Julie.

“How about a little one on one? I bet you haven’t done it since college.”

Julie caught the basketball and shook her head, “Madison, it’s 5.30 am.” She threw the ball back at Madison.

A smile captured Madison’s lips as she spun the ball on her index finger. “You know Jules, your gorgeous looks and cellulite free arse won’t stay forever. A woman’s body starts on that downward spiral at thirty.”

Julie rolled her eyes then stood directly in front of Madison.  She shook her head at the tall athletic woman.  “You’ve been reading too many magazines, as my 35 year old body should prove to you. Come on, let’s have some breakfast first. And…” she said, turning back to look at Madison as she opened the bedroom door,  “I bet I can still steal a basket.”

Madison caught herself admiring Julie’s butt as she left the room. She laughed at herself and tucked the basketball under her arm.

~^..^~

The moon was rising over tall trees. Xena and Gabrielle lay on their bedroll. Fur hugged their bodies while a gentle breeze kissed their skin. Gabrielle rolled to her side and shifted her weight onto her elbow. Admiring the woman she’d loved for so long, she whispered, “You get more beautiful everyday.” Her hand gently brushed against the side of Xena’s face.

Xena turned and looked affectionately into Gabrielle’s eyes “So do you. I could look at you for eternity.” The warrior leaned towards Gabrielle and kissed her. “I would die without you. You are my life. My heart. My reason.”

Gabrielle filled with emotion. A tear gathered in the corner of her eye. Xena wiped the tear with her thumb and, cradling Gabrielle’s head in her hands, she drew their lips together.

~^..^~

Madison’s hand gripped the throttle on her sports bike. The needle went to 115 km/h. She savoured the thrill as she sped the streets.

A siren intruded into her thoughts. She glanced in the rear vision mirror. “Oh fuck!” She throttled off as the police motioned her to pull over.

Madison removed her helmet and placed it over the rear vision mirror as the young policewoman approached.

“In a hurry are we?” the officer said as she looked Madison up and down. She couldn’t help noticing how Madison’s leathers hugged her tall athletic body. She looked Madison in the eye and held her gaze. ”You know, if I let you off this time my partner is going to think I have a soft spot for you.”

 “Well then!” Madison smiled as she held out her wrists. “You’d better cuff me.” 

 “I wish,” the policewoman quipped.

Madison smiled suavely then waved to Diana, the other policewoman who was getting out of the car.

 “Detective Chase”, Diana called. “One day it’s going to be one of the boys that catches you,” Diana’s voice softened as she neared the bike. “And they may not let you off so easy.”

Smiling, Madison tapped the tank of her bike. “One has to let off the tension of life some how.”

Diana grinned and rang her fingers along the seat of the purple bike. “So when are you going to take me for a ride, hmmm?”

Madison grabbed her helmet and tossed it at Diana. “How about now?”

Diana caught the helmet, raised her eyebrows at Madison then looked at the younger policewoman who had been her duty partner for the last two months. “See you at the station Mel,” she grinned.

Diana, pulled her hair back and put Madisons helmet on.

Looking at them, Mel shook her head.

As the bike pulled away Mel gave a small sigh. Madison was one of her favourite people; so in your face and self-assured. She had a wild streak the young constable would love to tame. Mel knew she’d never have that chance. 

As they speed down the road, Diana’s smile said it all. She loved spending time with Madison and she loved the speed. Diana hadn’t been on a bike for months and thought it was time for her to get a new one.

The ride was over too quickly. Diana thanked Madison and asked if she would go bike shopping with her after work. Madison agreed and told her to keep the helmet until then. She had a spare in the office. 

~^..^~

Detective Sergeant Madison Chase was sitting at her office going through files when she got the call.

“There’s been another murder.”

Her eyes closed as words echoed through her head.

“Five foot four, female, hands and feet bound.”

Her heart sank. That was the third. They did have a serial killer. 

Madison grabbed the squad car keys, closed her office door and chucked the car keys at Detective Harvey Heath. “Let’s go,” she said. There was sadness in her voice. “We’ve got another body.”

~^..^~

Harvey braked a little harder than he had intended, stopping with a screech of rubber. Detective Veronica Toomie looked out from the basement window of the abandoned building. She was relieved to see Madison step from the car.

“What kept you?” she shouted, her voice still betraying her English roots.  “We’ve been here for over an hour.”

“What!” exclaimed Madison as she stepped quickly out of the car. She could barely contain her annoyance as she slammed the door. She looked down into the window where Toomie’s voice had come from. “An hour! Jesus! We only just got the call.”

She walked down the stairs and through the open door. Foul air stuck in her lungs.  Madison looked at the scene quickly being over-run by at least half a dozen officers who seemed to be doing more gawking than evidence collecting.

She raised her voice, “Every body out!”  Turning to Veronica she added, “Who’s responsible for the stuff up?  I left instructions to be informed before forensics.”

“I called it in,” Veronica replied, “as soon as I saw the branding”

“Let me guess,” Madison growled. “Detective Pigram took the call.”

“Yep,” Veronica nodded. “He’s a jerk, and I guess he’s still holding that grudge.”

Madison snapped the latex on her wrist as she put on her gloves.  “He’ll get over it,” she said quietly, a small smile creeping over her lips.

Her mind swiftly switched back to the girl. She again ordered everybody to get out of the room except Veronica and Harvey. Then she turned to detective Veronica Toomie. “Has she been identified yet?”

Veronica shook her head and softly put her hand on Madison’s arm. “It’s not pretty, she’s been dead for about a week. No identification. The cats and vermin have had a go at her.”

Madison’s eyes closed briefly. She prepared herself for what she was about to see. As she neared the body the pungent odour of rotting flesh filled her nostrils. She held her breath as she applied smelling cream to her upper lip.

Kneeling down on the floor she softly brushed hair from the side of the girl’s face. The girl’s eyes were like the last victim’s - wide open with some of the blood vessels broken. She observed the leather binds and the way the body had been placed: kneeling, face down, her hands tied above her head.

 “Its him,” Madison mumbled.

As her eyes travelled the girl’s body she could just make out the branding on the buttocks - crossed swords.

Harvey, who stood behind Madison as she inspected the corpse, whispered, “What about the breast and arm?” 

Madison turned the body slightly. She looked at the girl’s breast. “Shit,” she said, her voice lowered. “It’s messy. There’s too much decay and with the animal factor we’ll have to see what forensics can tell us.” She paused, looking grimly at the torn flesh, “But my guess, we’ll have traces of human saliva.”  Looking down the arm she could see puncture marks at the wrist.

This had been the third body they had found. The first victim was a woman in her late twenties. Her housemate last saw her two days before. Her body was found near the docks. She had been branded on the buttocks. Her left breast was mutilated and her forearms had deep lacerations. Chains were wrapped around her wrists and feet. The cause of death was put down to blood loss. There was little blood at the scene, leaving detectives to believe that the murder had been committed elsewhere and her body displayed at the docks for unknown reasons.

The other victim was a woman in her thirties, reported missing by her husband three days before her body was discovered. She was found in a hotel room not far from here. She had been dead about twenty-four hours, her body savaged and laid out in the same position as the previous victim. Only this time the chains were replaced with leather binds.  The cause of death was the same and, like the other victim, there was very little blood at the scene.

~^..^~

De Ja Who?

“No!” Madison woke with a frightful scream raging in her throat.

Julie, woken by Madison’s scream, opened Madison’s bedroom door. She looked at Madison who had tears running down her face.

“Another dream?” Julie asked as she went to her friend’s side.

Madison nodded. 

Julie sat down beside Madison and brushed the hair from her face. “It sounded more like a nightmare. Talk it through with me babes?”

Madison’s shaking subsided as she shared her dream. She was the warrior again. Only this time she was frightened. It was dark, cold. She had been running through the woods, franticly looking for someone. She tripped over the body of a young woman. The woman’s hands and feet had been bound. She had been beaten, branded and her breast savaged.

Julie hugged Madison tightly. “Sounds like your work is materialising in your dreams.” 

Madison grabbed Julie by the arm and met her gaze, her eyes communicating the intensity of her emotions. “No,” she said.
“It’s my dreams that are materialising in my work.”

“I don’t quite understand what you mean,” Julie prompted.

Madison gazed at the lava lamp near her bed then looked back at Julie. “In the first dream, the warrior had a companion with her. They found a woman.  She was bound with chains, her breasts punctured and bleeding. The day after the dream, we found the first body. A woman at the docks. She was tied with chains. Her breast had been mutilated, her buttocks branded with the symbol of two swords crossed.”

Madison looked directly into Julies eyes. “The same thing happened with the second body. I dreamt it, before we found her.” 

 Julie expelled a whistle like sound from her mouth. “Shit Madison, no wonder your losing sleep!”

A deep sigh escaped Madison’s throat. There was a long silence. 

Madison looked back at Julie. She spoke with tiredness in her voice, “Thanks for coming Julie I know it was short notice.”

Madison had called Julie in for the case. Julie had been, until recently, the department’s senior psychological profiler. She left to start her own practice in trauma counselling and hypnotic regression therapy. She had decided she wanted to help people before they turned to dysfunctional behavioural patterns like violent crime and murder.  Madison was one of Julie’s biggest fans. 

“Three bodies,” Madison said softly. “Only this time, we found the body before the dream.”

Julie gripped Madison’s hand. “I knew it was more than a warrior princess keeping you up at night.  When do you want to do the hypnosis?” 

Madison took a deep breath, “How about now?”

~^..^~

The Hunger

Julie opened a window to let some fresh air in, then sat down in a comfy chair in front of Madison. She took her friend down that long road, into the deepest part of her subconscious.

A gentle breeze blew in through the window and danced slowly in the curtains.

Madison was once again the warrior princess. She was sitting by a campfire sharpening her sword with a whetstone. She could feel the blade resonate through her fingertips as it honed to a razor sharp edge.

Strong arms embraced Madison from behind, gentle fingers unclasping her armour. She put down her sword and closed her eyes. The scent of exotic oil filled her senses. A voice she loved whispered a warm seductive breath into her ear.

“I’ve missed you.”

Wanting hands caressed her. Warm lips kissed the back of her shoulders. Her breath deepened. Her skin tingled with desire.

As she stood up, her leathers fell to the ground and a naked body pressed against her back. Hands romanced her as lips tenderly seduced her.

She could feel erect nipples push into the muscle around her spine. Tender licks teased the softness of her neck.

Sounds of pleasure escaped Madisons lips, she grabbed the arms of the chair and dug her fingers in.

Julie smiled,   “Madison, you are safe, in your lounge room. On the count of three you will wake. One, two, three.” Her voice intruded into Madison’s subconscious.

Madison opened her eyes. Her body was tingling with sexual desire. Suddenly aware of Julie’s watchful eyes she quickly sat upright and, crossing her legs, she cleared her throat in an effort to regain her composure.

The breeze stopped. The curtains became still.

After talking the session through, Julie assured Madison that the session wasn’t a negative one and that they should try again later in the week. It was, she believed, highly probable that Madison’s subconscious was still focused on the eroticism of the warrior woman in the book that she had been reading, Chicks, Kicks, Amore.

Outside Madison’s apartment a woman turned and slowly walked away.

~^..^~

Stop! Police!

Faint hip-hop music drifted through Madison’s mind. She rolled over and pulled a pillow over her head. The music grew louder. Madison pulled the pillow firmer over her ears. “Shit,” she grumbled. “It can’t be six already.”

Julie, who was now leaning in the doorway, looked at her friend. “Come on sunshine,” she said playfully. “Breakfast is served.”

Madison peeked out from under her pillow with a pleading expression on her face.  “Tell me it’s Saturday?”

Julie gave a muted laugh. “No honey, its definitely a Friday. I made us breakfast!”

Madison climbed from the sheets and stepped into her ugh boots. They were worn but comfortable. She walked into the kitchen, her long dark hair messily falling about her shoulders. Julie looked Madison up and down. “Are you going to dress today.” she asked, her amusement evident in her voice. Madison looked down at her naked body and gave Julie a sheepish grin. “It not like you haven’t seen it all before,” she said walking back into her room and coming out moments later in a pyjama shirt.

Julie smiled warmly at Madison and handed her a fresh orange juice. “You are as beautiful as you were in college.”

Madison smiled back at her friend, “So are you. It’s a bitch we fight.”

The phone rang. Madison decided not to pick it up but rather let the answering machine take it. She recognised the voice. It was Veronica Toomie. “Maddi, if you’re there, pick up. We have another body.”

Madison picked up the phone and took the details from Veronica. She’d meet them at the scene in 15 minutes.

“Come on Jule’s.” Madison said sculling an orange juice. “We gotta go.”

 They arrived five minutes later than expected.  Even Madison couldn’t control the traffic conditions.  Sergeant Toomie was waiting for them. Harvey was on his way.

This time the body was in an alley.

“Who found her?” Madison asked, snapping on her gloves and walking over to the victim.

“The garbage men,” Veronica answered somewhat sadly.

Madison looked at the coat that covered the body. “What about the coat?” Madison asked.  “Was she found with the coat over her?”

“Yep,” Veronica nodded. “She’s just as they found her.”

Veronica stood over the body and spoke into her dictaphone. “The victim looks like she is about thirty. She has long blonde hair, a slim build and is medium height.  She was found naked, except for a leather coat that covers her body. From the position of the body it appears that she was standing with her back to the wall then slid down the wall and slumped onto her side.” Veronica stopped recording, paused for a moment and spoke to Madison. “She wasn’t in the kneeling position like the other victims but she does have the branding. That’s why we were called.”   

Madison gently lifted the coat off the woman’s body. She could see the  branding on her buttocks. Then Madison turned the woman slightly to look at her breasts. Blood was smeared over the left breast but there was no obvious trauma to the chest. As she looked closer she saw four puncture marks close to and surrounding the left nipple.  One of the woman’s wrists also had two puncture marks near the artery.

Madison gently put the victim back as she had found her. She stood up and looked around. There was a lot of blood. All the previous victims had the cause of death put down to blood loss. But none of the other scenes had much blood at them apart from what was found on the victim’s body. Here there was a pool of blood close to the victim and lots on the walls of the alley.

It was most likely the victim’s blood but Madison would have to wait for forensics to be sure.  She picked up a button that lay by the wall in a pool of congealed blood and placed it in an evidence bag.

As the forensic van pulled up she asked Veronica to stay until they had finished to make sure that the alley was searched with a fine toothcomb. She didn’t want anything missed. She also wanted lots of pictures and the surrounding buildings searched thoroughly.

As Madison stared at the woman’s lifeless body, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She sensed someone watching her. She slowly turned around to see a figure dressed in a long coat and hat down the other end of the alley.

“Hey you!” she shouted. “Stop! Police!”

The person turned and swiftly disappeared around the corner.

“I’d just like to ask you a few questions,” Madison shouted, running down the alley after the cloaked figure.  Madison rounded the corner and pulled up. There was no sign of the suspect and at least a dozen buildings and doors that they could have disappeared into.

“Fuck it!” she said, short of breath and angry with herself. She peered down the road. It looked deserted. Most of the buildings around this area only came to life between 11pm and 5am. She noticed a closed drycleaners, a closed restaurant and then she saw a hat.

It was lying on the road near the side door to the infamous nightclub, “The LemonTwist”. She picked up the brimmed hat and looked inside it. Blonde bits of hair were resting on the lining.  Madison walked to the club door and turned the metal handle. It was locked.

The LemonTwist was one of the more interesting S&M clubs of the city. You could say it was the trendy side of the S&M scene.  A popular place for the gay and famous to play. 

The hairs on Madison’s neck again stood on end as a hand brushed against her shoulder. She spun around, all her senses ready to pounce. She was relieved but annoyed to see Harvey.

“Shit Harvey, next time let me know you’re there or you’ll end up on your arse.”

Harvey knew this to be true. The first week they were teamed together, he and Madison were on surveillance. They had their eyes focused through zoom lenses and their ears stuck in headphones trying to pick up on a conversation in the next building when detective Vincent Pigram snuck up behind them and expelled a breath onto the back of Madison’s neck. Vincent had landed on his arse the moment he touched her. Madison broke his nose and bruised more than his pride.

“Sorry Maddi,” Harvey said as he stepped backward, raising his hands in a defensive motion. “I didn’t realise I was being so quiet.”

Madison’s eyes engaged Harvey’s. She patted him on the shoulder and shook her head, “Thought you’d know me by now Harvey.” She motioned for Harvey to follow her. They backtracked up the alley to where they  had left Veronica, Julie and the dead woman. 

Madison asked Julie what her ideas where on how the woman ended up dead in the alley. Julie surmised that, given the proximity of the S&M club, the woman might have been engaging in S&M activities there. She may have met the murderer inside and come into the alley of her own free will.  Then again, the proximity of the club may just have been a coincidence. There were other clubs in the area.

Madison agreed. Either the murderer changed his MO or he had been disturbed. All of the other victims were left naked to the elements, yet this body was covered with a coat. Did the killer cover her?  Or did someone else place the coat over her?  Had she, like the other victims been missing for days?

The previous victims were left with only one breast, the other viciously mutilated. This woman’s breasts were left mostly intact.

Then there was the blood splatter pattern about the walls. Very little blood had been found at the other scenes.

The branding was fresh on the buttocks; a common factor in all the killings.

The pearl shell button and the blood were their first break. To date there had only been the bodies, the chains, and the leather binds left at the crime scene.

Madison rubbed her forehead. There were so many questions that needed answers. She needed a strong coffee, a snack and a quiet place to think. Before the day was finished Madison would go over the scene a hundred times in her head.

~^..^~

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Madison’s day turned to night as she dressed for the LemonTwist club. Tight leather pants that rested low on her hips, a small chain mail top, gauntlets and a slave collar were Madison’s choice for the evening. As she dressed, she wondered how many men she’d have to discourage. Smiling, she thought about how many women she’d have to discourage.

Julie, who was braiding Madison’s ponytail, was amused at Madison’s choice of dress for the evening. She did look good in leather.

Madison had asked Julie to accompany her to the club. Arriving at the police station they received stares and wolf whistles from the boys in blue. Madison made a mental note for next time to dress after she had checked in at the station.

Madison signed the paper work for the concealable 9mm Glock-19 pistols she had requested.  With a few moments to spare before Julie joined her in her office, she picked up the local newspaper and sat down at her desk to peruse the headlines. “Murder with a LemonTwist”, “S&M killer stalks the city.”

Wolf whistle’s and growling noises intruded on Madison’s thoughts. She looked up from her desk just in time to see Julie, dressed in a tight red latex dress, taking refuge in her office. Smiling, Madison wondered how Julie could walk in such high heels.

~^..^~

Madison’s thumbs tapped the steering wheel of their unmarked car. Gentle rain dotted the windscreen. Looking at her watch, Madison turned the wipers off and stopped the engine. It was 1.20 am. She stepped out of the car into the damp alleyway.

“Are you ready to do this?” Madison asked as she flicked her umbrella up over them both.

Smiling, Julie replied, “All dressed up and somewhere to go! What other job puts you in latex? On second thoughts,” she paused comically. “I already know.”

The alley was lit by the moon and the dull reflection of street lamps. Steam rose as the soft drizzle reacted with the heat from the bitumen. Their footsteps echoed around the walls, their shadows casting surreal images about them.  A shiver went through Madison’s spine.  She could almost feel the presence of the murdered woman.

They walked down the alley until they reached the side entrance of the LemonTwist club.

Madison closed her umbrella and gave her name to the bouncer who stood next to the door. He looked her up and down, smiled, and then drew back on his cigarette.

“Ladies,” he gestured for them to proceed, as he opened the large wooden door.

Smoke and dim floor lights filled the hallway.  It took only a short while for Madison and Julie’s eyes to adjust to the lighting. Masks and naked metal sculptures adorned the walls. Madison looked at the umbrellas that leaned against the right wall and added hers to the line. They continued down the hallway to another door and entered the LemonTwist.

It was quite a large venue. Artwork adorned the walls. Madison eyes were drawn to images of women in more sexual positions than she had thought humanly possible. Dance music pumped through hidden speakers. In the middle of the room was a circular bar. It had iron rods shoulder width apart going up to the ceiling. The stage area was to the right. The rest of the room consisted of dance floor and seating. Gogo cages hung from the ceiling and there were round platforms on which S & M stations sat.

“Chains and whips, dance and dominatrix. Welcome to the LemonTwist!” A tall slender woman dressed in a full length, white leather coat held out her hand. Madison greeted the woman with a gentle handshake. The woman drew the back of Madison’s hand up to her mouth and gently kissed it. “Good evening detective Chase. I’m pleased you could come.”  

Madison’s lips formed a small smile, her eyebrow raised. “Your invitation was hard to turn down Simone.” Madison’s eyes shifted to Julie. “Julie, this is Simone Devereaux, our hostess and proprietor of the LemonTwist Club. We are here at her invitation.” Julie smiled and engaged Simone’s exotic eyes.

Simone was a tall French-African. Her accent complemented the sensual tones of her voice. She wore her hair in long thin braids. Her coffee coloured skin was smooth and warm. Her chocolate eyes drew you to her. Her smile was intoxicating.

Simone led Madison and Julie to a quieter corner of the room. They sat at a small table. The metal chairs were finished with silver coloured cushioning. A woman wearing nothing but leather chaps and nipple armour approached them.

“This is Pursha,” Simone purred. “She will be your waitress for the evening. Pursha darling, I’ll have a slippery nipple, and our guests will have?” Simone raised her eyebrow at Madison and Veronica in a questioning manner.

“Ice water I presume?” Pursha cut in looking at the detective.

Madison held Purrsha’s blue eyed gaze. She moistened her lips and in a sensual voice replied, “You watch too many movies. I’ll have a wet dream.”  Julie let out a small laugh. She couldn’t resist putting voice to her thoughts,  “And I’ll have what she’s having.”

Simone laughed loudly. “I like your sense of humour Detectives. Make yourselves at home. Our private rooms are through the green door. Pursha will look after your every need. Drinks are on the house. And Alex,” she pointed to the well muscled bouncer standing quite close, ”will see to your safety.”

Simone also pointed out some of the customers she thought more likely to be into sexual violence. She didn’t have a liking for it and didn’t particularly want their clientele.

Simone also lamented how the papers had linked the club to the murders and had given the club an unwanted notoriety. Some of her patrons were nervous about the publicity. She grumbled that the club received enough grief from the Christians and so called pro-family politicians without the help of dead bodies turning up. And that bastard reporter from City Times, he was partying here just last month. They all have double standards. 

Regaining her dominatrix composure, Simone reminded the detectives to be as gentle as possible with the rest of her clientele. Both Madison and Julie assured her that they would be discrete, as being anything else would break their cover.

Madison’s eyes consumed the atmosphere of the club. It wasn’t as busy as she had expected but given everything that had happened recently, only the most dedicated or risk-loving players would be out. 

People dressed in leather, latex, rubber and almost nothing danced on the dance floor. Arses peeked out from chaps and chicks. Sweaty bodies moved erotically to music. Madison sipped her drink and drank the atmosphere.

Two and a half-hours had passed since Madison had arrived at the club. She had danced with women and with men and cruised around the club picking up bits of information.

Twirling her glass on the table. Madison smiled at Julie and said, “Lets dance.” Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “We can be the floor show.”

Madison held her hand out to Julie then led her to the dance floor.  They danced seductively, their bodies almost touching. Eyes watched them from the distance. The music became hypnotic.

Julie felt a hand gently take hers. Her eyes quickly conveyed the situation to Madison. Madison watched as Alex, the very buff female bouncer ushered Julie from the dance floor to a woman who was sitting at the bar.

As Madison was about to leave the dance floor she became aware of someone behind her. Her body felt strangely excited. She turned around to find a woman in a feathered mask. Madison looked the woman up and down. Green eyes looked out from behind the mask of an owl. Full lips smiled with quiet confidence and pleasure. She was wearing leather pants, boots and a green close fitting dancers top that revealed well-sculpted abdominal muscles and strong athletic arms. She moved seductively to Madison’s rhythm. 

Madison lost herself in the smoky green eyes that were behind the mask. She was captivated, entranced. The woman seemed familiar.

“Do I know you?” Madison breathed.  

The woman smiled. “You should. Dance with me awhile.”

Madison felt oddly drawn to the woman. She was intoxicated by her. As they continued to dance their bodies brushed softly against each other, moving to each other’s rhythm. Sexual energy filled the space around them. Madison became aware of the aroma of perfumed oil mixed with familiar sweat. She knew the smell. Her body reacted to it with warm sensations.

Her eyes closed as she danced the seduction.

The woman in the mask moved her body with Madison’s. She brushed her lips across Madison’s neck. “I’ve missed you.” she whispered.

Remembering the words from her session with Julie, Madison opened her eyes. The woman gently brushed her fingertips across Madison’s lips and disappeared into the crowd.

Julie had made her way back to the dance floor. “What is it Maddi?” she asked. “You look a little ruffled?”

“Did you see where she went?” Madison demanded.

“Which way who went?” Julie shouted over the music, a little taken back by Madison’s urgency.

“The woman I was dancing with.”

“No I didn’t see.”

Madison quickly asked others on the dance floor if they saw which way her dance partner had gone, but nobody could say. They were too into the music, the drugs and having a good time.

Julie wasn’t quite sure why Madison was so intent on finding the woman but thought it must have a connection to the case. She grabbed Madison’s hand and led her from the dance floor.

“Is she a witness or something?” Julie questioned raising her voice above the music.

Madison regained some composure. “No, I, I’m seeing ghosts.”

There was a long pause before Madison spoke again. “I’m not sure exactly what she is.”

A voice echoed in Madison’s head,  “Be careful of eyes filled with vengeance. Search for a woman in the dark.” She turned around to see who had spoken to her but nobody stood out.

“Did you see who said that?” she asked Julie.

“Said what?” Julie questioned.

“You didn’t hear someone saying ‘search for a woman in the dark’?”

“No,” Julie replied. “I didn’t hear anything over this music.” 

They made their way back to their table. The music seemed to drop a few decimals. Alex came over and asked if everything was OK. Madison said they were fine but asked for a few moments of Simone’s time. Alex returned a short time after with Simone by her side.

Madison thanked Simone for coming and gestured for her to sit down.  Pursha refreshed Simone’s drink and Madison lit the cigarette that Simone held softly in her long ivory smoke holder.

“I need some information on the woman I was dancing with, Simone. Do you know her? Does she come here regularly?”

 “She’s a sexy one no?” Simone said looking carefully at the change in Madison’s expression. “I’ve seen her a couple of times here in the club,” she continued. “I never seen her face. She says she likes the anonymity the mask gives her.” 

Simone drew a long breath through her cigarette holder. “She prefers the girls. I never see her with the men.” Simone turned directly to Madison and softly blew smoke in Madison’s direction.

“She seemed to like you Detective Chase.”

Madison stared deeply into Simone’s eyes. “Her name, Simone. What’s her name?”

“I don’t know her name. She’s very much a mysterious one.” Simone turned and looked over the crowd. She paused and, still looking away, she added, “I call her Papillon, which is French for butterfly.” 

“What about Thursday night?” Madison pressed. “Was she here then?”

Simone thought about the question and turning back to Madison answered. “ Yes, she was here but she left alone. Mostly she leaves alone.”

Simone placed her cigarette on the ashtray and looked piercingly into Madison’s eyes. “Is your interest in this woman professional or personal detective Chase?”

Madison stubbed out Simone’s cigarette. She looked at her watch. “I’m on duty so I guess it must be professional. Is there anything else you can tell me? Do you know where she might have gone?” 

Simone shook her head. “I didn’t see where she went. Maybe one of the green rooms. I’ll ask Monika. She’s the dominatrix who oversees these rooms.”

Simone snapped her fingers and Alex came to her side. “Bring Monika to us,” Simone commanded, running her finger over Alex’s bicep and smiling seductively.

Monika arrived at the table. Madison acknowledged the dominatrix with a smooth and courteous smile. She was not a woman Madison would easily forget. They had had an encounter at a party years before.

“Monika,” Simone questioned, “Detective Chase wants to know if the Butterfly went into any of the green rooms tonight.”

Monika shook her head “No. Butterfly had been into the green rooms only the once.” Simone thanked Monika and dismissed her. Monika nodded, she smiled at detective Chase and went back to work.

“Is there anything else Detective?” Simone asked. She was growing bored with the conversation. “I have someone waiting for me.”

Madison smiled and rested her chin in her hand. “No Simone. I’m done, but if you see the Butterfly tell her I want to talk to her.”  Simone nodded and left the table.

Madison and Julie mingled with the crowd for the next few hours. They looked into the green rooms via Simone’s security system. Madison felt like a peeping tom.

Sorting the gossip from facts wasn’t easy. The only real information they had was from Crystal, the woman Alex had introduced to Julie. She had been with the last victim, Tammi, the night of her murder. She had sex with her in one of the green rooms at about 2am and left the club about 3am.  The video footage confirmed Crystal’s story. Madison had arranged for her to go into the station later that day and sign a statement. Nobody seemed to know anything about the brandings and Butterfly was a mystery.

Madison and Julie left the club via the side door.  They had collected more information than they had thought they would. S&M management didn’t usually cooperate with the police. Simone had done everything possible to ensure that they fitted in and she even located their only witness. Not that Crystal saw anything. They hoped Crystal would remember something after having more time to think about it.

Madison knew she would return to the club. She had to find the woman they called the Butterfly.  If nothing else she was a link, a piece of the puzzle, but Madison had the feeling she was much more. 

~^..^~

From a room above the club Simone watched Detective Chase and Julie walk down the alleyway. She looked to Butterfly, touched her gently with her hand and said, “I’m jealous. You look at the detective like you know her.”

Butterfly turned from the window and diverted her eyes to the ground, sadness stirring in her heart. She twirled the ring on her finger. “It’s a long story Simone. Life-times ago.”

Simone reached out and lifted Butterfly’s chin with her fingertips. Butterfly’s eyes were starting to fill with emotion.

“Like you little one”, Simone said softly as she brushed her fingertips across Butterfly’s cheek, “I have all the time in the world. Share her with me.”

Butterfly warmed with the memories that flooded her. She looked at Simone and smiled. “She was my partner, my lover, my reason to exist.” Her eyes closed in sadness, “But how could she look at me with love? I am a monster.” A tear fell from Butterfly’s eye. “I’ve killed so I can survive. I’ve fed on the souls of the weak.” Butterfly wiped the tear with her fingers.  “What she loved is long gone. My darkness eats away at me.”

Simone licked wine from her lips.  “She is your warrior princess, Xena?”

“Right down to her piercing blue eyes,” Butterfly replied.

Simone smiled affectionately at her friend. “What Xena loved is not gone,” she said, her voice sincere.  “How long ago was it?”

Pouring herself another glass of white wine, Butterfly sighed, “It was so long ago that I had almost forgotten what she looked like. I had forgotten what I looked like. Then I came to this city and there she was, as beautiful as the day she died.”

Butterfly’s eyes began to sparkle. “Xena.” She whispered.

Sunrise peeked its way through the curtains causing Butterfly to squint. She closed the curtains and finished her drink. “You know Simone, what I miss the most after her, is being able to lie in the sun. It’s been so long since I’ve had the sun on my arse.”

Simone laughed, “Yes. Even with the sunscreens I burn so quickly. Come little one, you should get some sleep.” Simone gently took Butterfly’s hand and walked her to the elevator that went to the underground chambers.

~^..^~

All you can eat

It was 12 noon before Madison climbed out of bed. She put her feet on the cool wooden floor. Her body was covered in sweat. The warrior princess had been a busy girl.

Julie had coffee on. Its aroma filled the apartment. She had her face buried in Madison’s book “Chicks, Kicks, Amore”.  She thought it might throw some light on Madison’s dreams. 

The phone rang and the answering machine picked up the call. It was Harvey. He was on his way over to pick her up.

Crystal, the woman that they had interviewed last night at the club, hadn’t turned up at the station for the interview or for work. Her husband said she hadn’t returned home from the LemonTwist. He thought she might have gone home with one of the women but after her work rang up looking for her he had become worried. She never missed work. He informed the police when they came knocking.

“Shit!” Madison exclaimed as she fumbled to pick up the phone. “Have you reached Veronica yet?”

Harvey moved a minty from one side of his mouth to the other and pulled up outside Madisons apartment. “Got a uniform picking her up now. I’m out side your place. And Madison,” Harvey’s voice softened. “You should know that Vincent is having a field day with this.”

Madison put the phone down and grabbed her keys. “meet you at the station,” she said to Julie.

“We could have at least two days,” Madison said. Opening the door to Harvey’s car.  Except for Tammi, the other victims had been missing for days before they were murdered. Madison assumed this would be the case again.  

~^.^.~

Sirens echoed on the alley walls that lead to the LemonTwist club. Madison pounded on the door. After a few minutes a short blonde woman dressed in gym shorts and a sleeveless sweatshirt opened the door and greeted Madison. “Can I help you?” she asked, her green eyes sparkling.

Madison was instantly captivated by her eyes. She stared into them. This was the woman she had danced with last night. As she broke eye contact Madison stuttered slightly.  “I, I’m looking for Simone. Is she in?” 

 “No. You just missed her. She went out about half an hour ago. Said she’d be out for an hour.” The woman smiled warmly. “You can leave a message for her if you like. I’ll make sure she gets it. Who should I say called?”

Madison flashed her badge and reached out her hand. “Detective Chase,” she said, clasping the woman’s hand firmly and looking intensely into emerald green eyes. “We met last night didn’t we?” 

The woman’s smile became warm and sensual. She held Madisons gaze. “Did we?”

Madison briefly paused then smiled, “Yes we did. You move well Butterfly.”

Butterfly’s eyes sparkled as she looked Madison up and down, “So do you Detective Chase.” She motioned for Madison to come in. She asked that Madison excuse her sweatiness. She had been training in the gym area below.

Madison turned to Harvey and asked him to wait outside.

The door clicked as it closed. Music echoed from down the hall. Madison followed Butterfly through a room and down stairs to the gym.

As she reached for the CD remote and turned off the sound, Butterfly looked directly into Madison’s eyes. “So Detective Chase, what can I do for you?” 

Madison slipped her badge back into her pocket, thinking to herself “What can’t you do for me?” She cleared her throat.

“Well you could start by telling me your name.”

Sitting down on the weight bench Butterfly looked up at Madison, “You can call me Butterfly if you like.”

“No,” Madison interrupted, “I want to know your real name.”  

Butterfly looked down at the ground then back to Madison. “My name is Gabrielle Amphipolis.”

“Amphipolis. That’s Greek isn’t it?” 

“Yes,” Butterfly replied. “It is Greek.”

“Gabrielle.” The name rolled from Madison’s tongue like a sweet song she had sung. “That’s a nice name.”

Sadness crept into Butterfly’s voice. “It’s a name I’m trying to forget, so please call me Butterfly.” Her green eyes looked deeper into Madison’s. “We can’t change the things that happen to us in our lives, but names - we have control over them.”

The sadness in Butterfly’s voice touched Madison.  “OK,” she said giving a small smile, “Butterfly you shall be.”

Madison’s voice took on a professional tone as she continued the questioning. “A woman went missing last night. She was last seen here at the club. Her name is Crystal. Alex introduced her to us at Simone’s request. She is a witness in a murder investigation.” Madison looked closely for nervous and usual reactions but Butterfly was calm and unfazed.

“So you were here undercover last night?” Butterfly wet her bottom lip with her tongue. “You dance well for an undercover cop. I’d always assumed cops had no rhythm.”

“What do you do, Butterfly?” Madison asked, her voice once again losing its authoritarian tone.

“Among many other things, I’m a dancer, a writer, a philosopher, a poet. I can be anything you want. What would you like me to be Detective Chase?”

A small chuckle escaped Madison’s lips. “You could be a woman in a black leather coat.”

Again Madison looked closely for body language. This time Butterfly’s eyes told her she was the person in the alleyway.  

“So are you going to tell me what you were doing there?”

Butterfly shifted her weight and held Madison’s gaze. “I was on my morning walk. I walk that way every morning. I stopped to look, to see what all the sirens were about.”

Madison stared into Butterfly’s green eyes, “Why did you run?”

This time it was Butterfly turn to chuckle. “Well that’s easy. You scared me.  Take a look around detective, it’s not the kind of place where it’s safe to stop for strangers and you weren’t in uniform. I panicked and ran.”

Madison looked a little sceptical. “You take your morning walks in a long coat and a hat?”

“My skin is sensitive to sunlight,” Butterfly replied, rubbing the pale skin on her arm. “I keep well covered when I’m out in the sun.”

Moving her eyes across Butterfly’s body Madison noted that her complexion was quite pale. Oddly she was satisfied with the explanation.

Madison’s eyes travelled over Butterfly again. She admired muscles that moved freely under lean skin, sculptured arms, and hands that were soft but strong. As she looked into Butterfly’s eyes she was caught in a moment of time. Emotions and memories stirred that she felt were hers, but they weren’t.  Feeling naked she diverted her eyes to the weights that lay on the floor.

“You seem familiar,” Madison said. ” Have we met before the LemonTwist?”

 “I think I’d remember you if we had met before, Detective Chase,” Butterfly said, a quite smile appearing on her face. “Maybe I just remind you of someone you knew.”

Madison’s eyebrows came together in a thoughtful frown. “Maybe that’s it.”

Madison got up and took out her badge, removing a card from the pocket inside its cover.  She handed the card to Butterfly. “If you remember anything else that might help us with our investigations please call me. My number’s on the card.”

Butterfly smiled warmly and gently rubbed the surface of the card with her thumb. ” If you’re in need of a dance Detective Chase, you know where to find me.”  

Butterfly listened as Madison walked back up the stairs through the LemonTwist club and out the door. She picked up a dumbbell that lay near her feet. She tested its weight and then threw it at the wall shattering the mirrors that lined the gym and breaking a big chunk off the wall.  Tears fell from her emerald green eyes.

From the doorway Simone watched. Sadness seeped into her heart as she saw Butterfly struggle with the creature that resided inside her.   

“It must be time for meditation,” Simone interrupted.

Butterfly turned to the voice, her hunger and anger bubbling to the surface, her eyes glowing red and amber. Seeing Simone, she closed her eyes and calmed her mind. Still water ran through her thoughts. The pain subsided. Her vision became normal.

“Gods, you’d think by now we could control it,” she laughed bitterly.

Simone walked to Butterfly and put her arm around Butterfly’s shoulders. “Maybe it’s not wise to open old wounds. Calmness of the mind helps us stay a part of humanity. Evil and anger too closely stalk us. I worry about your soul. If you let her get too close you could lose.”

“You worry too much Simone. The love I shared with Xena could never hurt my soul. She warms here.” Butterfly pointed to her heart. “Without her I would have lost the battle long ago.”

Simone smiled with tenderness. “Yes we all long for a love like that.”  She paused. “I’d better slip out the back and walk around the front. Detective Chase is expecting me to return soon. We can’t keep your warrior princess waiting all day.

Butterfly laughed softly. “If she’s anything like Xena, the longer you keep her waiting the meaner she’ll get.”   

~^..^~

Private Lives

Madison and Harvey stood by the unmarked car that was parked next to the LemonTwist, waiting for Simone to return. Madison hoped Butterfly was correct with her hour time frame. Twenty minutes had past. She looked up the street and spotted Simone, her long white coat flowing with her stride, her arm wrapped through Alex’s.

As Simone neared the LemonTwist she could see Madison leaning on the car. She walked up to her.

“Detective Chase, what brings you here? Do you have news on Tammi’s murder?”

“No Simone. It’s Crystal. She’s missing. She never returned home from the LemonTwist. What time exactly did she leave?”

Simone looked at Alex who answered the detective’s question. “She left around 4am. I personally walked her to a cab. Do you want the Cab Company?”

“Yes,” Madison replied pulling a notebook out. “What cab was it?” 

“Black and White,” Alex remembered. “Female driver.”

“Anything else?” Madison enquired. “You didn’t see her with anybody?”

“You were there, Detective Chase. She danced a bit, but that’s it. I didn’t see her with anyone strange or unknown to me.”  

Madison looked up from her notebook. “Thanks, hopefully we will find her quickly.”

Simone looked at the detective. “Can you keep the LemonTwist out of the headlines?”

Madison shook her head. She knew she couldn’t. “I’ll do the best that I can but you know the press. They’re like vultures.”

Madison handed her notebook to Harvey and asked him to call it in and get Toomie to check the cab driver out.  She then returned her attention to Simone. “So Simone…” Madison’s voice became stern. “The Butterfly - you lied to me?”

Madison walked Simone away from both Harvey and Alex. “What’s her story Simone? You can tell me here or down at the station. Your choice.”

Simone conceded she’d lied and suggested they have coffee early in the evening. She would tell Madison what she knew of the Butterfly.  Madison didn’t really have the time to follow it up now, so later over coffee suited her fine. She warned Simone not to muck her around again.

~^..^~

By the time they got to the station Veronica had the cabbie in the interview room. According to the cabbies statement she had picked up Crystal outside the LemonTwist like Alex had said. She had stopped the cab two blocks into the fare for a person hailing her down. Crystal seemed to know the person and offered to share her cab. The cabbie couldn’t say if it was a man or woman. The cabbie then dropped them both off at a warehouse on the outskirts of the inner city. When pressed, the cabbie couldn’t give any sort of description of the person, other than medium height, sunnies and a long black coat. She stressed that even though it was the wee hours of the morning. Sunglasses donned for fares home from the LemonTwist weren’t a rare thing. She couldn’t remember seeing the person’s face and didn’t catch the hair colour either. The cabbie was tired and at the end of her shift. Conversation consisted of the address to the warehouse and a “Thank you” at the end of the ride.

~^..^~

Arriving at the warehouse Madison took in the surroundings.  She knew the street. It wasn’t that far from her own apartment. Five blocks to be exact.  

Knocking on the door to the warehouse bought nothing. Madison had already organised a search warrant so they forced the door and entered the warehouse.

An alarm screamed throughout the warehouse.

“Shit!” Madison exclaimed as the siren pieced her ears.  “Get someone to turn that off or I’ll shoot it.”

Harvey pulled a set of pliers from his jacket and cut the wires near the door. The alarm went silent. He smiled at himself and turned to Madison, “Must be my training in bomb disposal.”

Madisons raised her eyebrow at him and quipped, “Works for me.”

Veronica shook her head at the two of them.

The place was clean, no sign of violence. The warehouse had been converted into an apartment. It was spacious and somewhat clinical in design.   Vertical blinds hung from the windows. Oversized black and white prints of women engaged in sensual S&M adorned the walls. The kitchen had stainless steel decor. Madison hated stainless steel fridges. The last stainless steel fridge she had opened had a severed head in it. Usually stainless steel collected a lot of smudges and fingerprints, but here the fridge, the dishwasher and the stove had none.

Stairs that hung from thick tensioned chains lead to the bedroom. The bedroom was a contrast to the rest of the place. A big oversized bed sat in the middle of three walls, its wooden frame dominating the view. Madison was impressed. The bed had a personality that commanded submission. Chains hung from its four posts. Leather sheets lay over the mattress. What looked like a bear fur lay scrunched up on the end of the bed. Madison had never seen leather bed coverings before.

To the left of the bed a leather collar on a chain hung from the wall. Next to it were silver wrist cuffs.

Madison sat on the bed and brushed her fingers across the leather sheets. They were soft, more delicate than she’d imagined. The wall on the right was polished wood. Naked women were sculptured into it. Madison admired the sensualness of the women. She got up and ran her fingers across the wood. To her surprise the wood glided sideways to reveal a closet.

The aroma from closet was intoxicating. Madison loved the smell of leather. She breathed it in deeply. “Toomie!” Madison shouted. “This you gotta see.”

As they entered the bedroom, Toomie and Harvey looked on in amazement. Leather and whips hung from chain rods, along with assorted harnesses and wrist and ankle restraints. Black leather masks lay next to leather caps and hoods. Harvey would have liked to take it all home. He didn’t mind being locked up and tired down.

Madison opened a decorative wooden draw. “D.vice,” she said quietly, recognising the distinctive tribe of marbled dildos lined up in the draw, along with nipple clamps and lubricants. 

Madison smiled, just last week she had made an Internet order with d.vice for nipple shields.

The craftsmanship in the wooden doors was so strikingly beautiful that Veronica just had to touch them. Then, looking into the draw that Madison had opened, her eyes were drawn to the swirling colours of the dildos. “They glow in the dark,” Madison whispered into her ear.

Veronica turned and looked directly into Madison’s eyes, “Really?”

Madison nodded and raised her eyebrow in a playful manner.

Veronica smiled back at Madison and took a quick look around the room. Her eyes were drawn to a steel bar that rested against the wall. “So what’s that for, Miss S&M?” she asked.

“It’s a spreader,” Madison replied, looking Veronica up and down and smiling cheekily. “That one’s adjustable.  It keeps your legs apart, or your arms.” Madison raised her eyebrow and put a sly tone in her voice, “You know, so someone can keep you where they want you and do to you what they please.”  She then closed the draw and slid the wooden doors shut.

 “We’re still no closer to finding Crystal. Do we know who owns this place yet?”

Veronica chuckled at the vision that was in her head. “No,  all we could come up with was a company name: Black and Blue.”

Madison took a mental note of the company name. She would run it past d.vice and see if they had delivered to them.

“There was nothing down stairs that gave us the identity of the owner,” Veronica continued. “There’s no phone connected and no mail that we can find. It’s a bit odd don’t you think?”

Madison shrugged her shoulders. “I’ve come across odder.”

After they had finished looking around Madison placed her detective’s card on the kitchen bench. She wrote on the back of the card ’URGENT. PLEASE CALL.’ She left a uniformed cop outside and hoped the owner could be located soon.

Back at the station Vincent was getting mileage from the fact that Madison had spoken to Crystal the night before and had not bought her in for an interview straight away.

Julie was waiting for Madison when Madison arrived at the station. She had written down everything she could recall about her conversation with Crystal. Madison went through Crystal’s conversation with Julie, Veronica and Harvey, noting that nothing was said that shed any light on Tammi or Crystal’s plight. They all agreed that the LemonTwist was the link between the last two victims but the others had no link to the club.

Time past slowly. Madison was beating herself up. Maybe if she’d brought her in, Crystal would have been safe.

 “Fuck it!” Madison exclaimed as she got up and ran her hands through her long raven black hair. “There must be something were not connecting.” She looked at her watch. It was time to meet Simone.

~^..^~

Simone sat watching the city lights flicker on. She wondered if Madison would be on time. She ordered a Kahlua coffee and chocolate croissant.

Madison rounded the corner then stood watching from the distance. Simone felt her presence and smiled to herself. This bond that Xena and Butterfly had; it was strong enough for Madison to crave it and after all those life times she’s still the one Butterfly wants.

She bit into her croissant and hoped this bond wouldn’t destroy them all. She had grown fond of Butterfly. Simone hoped that Madison would remember who she once was. She hoped she would remember what it was to be Xena, Butterfly’s warrior princess.

As Madison walked into view, Simone smiled at the detective and sipped her coffee. Madison pulled out a chair and sat down.

The waitress returned to the table and took Madison’s order of a short black.

“Long day?” Simone asked sipping her coffee.

~^..^~

Born To Be Bad

Crystal’s mind floated back to Tammi. She wondered if Tammi had felt the pain that she had. Chained to the floor of the cold stone room, tears fell from her cheeks. Crystal’s body was weak from blood loss. She was tired, scared, and knew she would never make it out of the room.

Footsteps echoed from the hallway outside. Fear welled up inside her. She struggled with the chain but it was useless, she couldn’t break it. She crouched her naked and used body into the corner of the room and prayed the footsteps would not stop at the door.

The footsteps grew louder. Voices echoed behind the door.

Her shaking became uncontrollable. As the door opened she looked through her tears.

Her captor stood looking at her with contempt and sneered, “Tears. They are such a human condition. You disgust me.” 

The woman neared her prey, her eyes glowing amber. Sharp fangs pushed themselves from her mouth, saliva dripping down the inside of her throat. She swallowed then smiled wickedly as she looked at Crystal’s bitten breast. “But you do taste good.”

The woman raised her hands. Crystal’s chain obeyed, unclasping its self from Crystal’s wrists.

 “Come.” The woman stared into Crystal’s eyes and motioned her hand towards her. “Come to me.” 

Crystal got up. She wanted to run, she wanted to fight, but she couldn’t. She was drawn to her captor.

The woman’s lips brushed across Crystal’s neck and down to Crystal’s breast, her hunger growing as she breathed the scent of fear.  The woman looked into Crystal’s frightened eyes with a cold, cruel stare. She wrapped her hand around Crystal’s punctured and bruised wrist.  Bringing the wrist to her mouth the woman sunk her sharp teeth deep into Crystal’s veins.

Pain shot up Crystal’s arm. It wrapped around her heart as blood raced from her body. Her knees started to buckle. The woman held Crystal up and sucked harder, hungering Crystal’s blood as it streamed into her throat. The woman put her other hand on Crystal’s buttocks and squeezed. Her eyes glowed and heat pulsated from the palm of her hand.

Intense pain burned through the flesh of Crystal’s buttocks. Her heart spasmed and then stopped. One last suck and Crystal’s vein ran dry.

The woman let Crystal fall to the floor.

Licking a drop of blood from her lip, the woman looked at her follower who stood watching at the door.

“Clean it up Hayden, and leave it on Detective Chase’s door step. Don’t forget to sign the breast.” She smiled as she stepped over Crystal’s lifeless body. 

~^..^~

Julie had prepared dinner. She had expected Madison to be somewhat down and preoccupied with the case but when Madison arrived home she was in a good mood and overly chatty.

Over dinner, Madison decided to tell Julie about Butterfly, the blonde Greek with the lovely smile and captivating eyes.

“The woman I danced with last night,” Madison said after she sucked the humus off the carrot she was eating. “Her name is Butterfly. I met her today while I was looking for Simone.”

Julie smiled at the look Madison had in her eyes. “She certainly captured your imagination,” Julie said, giving Madison a knowing glance. “What does she do?”

“According to Simone,” Madison continued, “she is a writer recently moved from Spain. Apparently still morning a love she lost years ago.”

“Simone gave me one of Butterfly’s books to read,” Madison said, her smile lighting her face.  “It’s called Lay with me: A book of poetry and pain.”

Julie smiled affectionately at Madison. “You like her,” she said leaning her elbows on the table.

“I do,” Madison replied, her eyes conveying the intensity of her attraction.

Julie sipped her glass of red wine. “Of course I’ll have to meet her before I can say whether she’ll be able to keep up with you.”

Madison gave Julie a friendly scowl. “What is that supposed to mean?” she asked.

Julie moved uncomfortably in her chair. “It means you go through women like you do underwear,” Julie said playfully, trying unsuccessfully to deflect some of the harshness of her statement.  “You’re a player Madison. Never satisfied.”

“Do you have a problem with that?” Madison asked, raising her eyebrow. 

 “No, I would just like to see you with someone that doesn’t leave you wanting.”

Madison stared challengingly into her friend’s eyes. “Maybe this one’s the one,” she said smiling wickedly and getting up. “I’m off to bed.” 

Madison fell asleep reading the book Simone had given her. As she slept, words floated through her mind.

Taste my flesh
Breathe my pain
Wash my soul
With your sweet rain

Kiss my lips
Touch my heart
Though we’re no longer together
We’ll never part.

Time walks slowly, in the darkness of my heart. 

G.

~^..^~

Someone’s at the Door

“Xena,” a voice whispered in her ear. “I can’t sleep.”

Madison rolled over and kissed her lover. “I can fix that,” she purred. Her lips kissed. Her body aroused. Her lover moaned with pleasure. Her hands caressed soft breasts. Nipples tingled.

“Maddi,” a voice intruded. “Wake up. There’s someone at the door.”

Madison looked at the clock that sat on the bedside table. It was 4.12 am. Who would be at the door this hour? Maybe she was dreaming.

A scream echoed into her bedroom. Madison jumped out of bed and ran down the stairs.

Julie was at the point of hysteria. She was pointing and gibbering something about the front door.

Madison slipped on a coat from the coat rack. She opened the door. Looking down she saw Crystal laid out in the same position as the other victims.

For a moment Madison thought she was dreaming. Sadly she was not.   Crystal was dead. Her hands were tied above her head. She had the branding on her buttocks. Her head was tilted to the side. She had a red rose stuck between her teeth. Her eyes, wide opened, captured the pain she had experienced like a photograph. 

Madison stared at Crystal for a few seconds. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Oh man,” she thought. ‘‘This wasn’t happening.”

Madison slipped into detective mode. She put her arms around Julie and calmed her a little. “Lock the door, stay here. I need to check the rest of the apartment.”

Madison checked every room. All seemed OK. She picked up the phone and dialled the number for the station. Before long sirens were echoing through her brain. She buttoned her shirt and sipped on her coffee. 

Veronica arrived with the girls in blue. As she walked up to the front stairs she saw Crystal.  She looked at the rose that was placed between Crystal’s teeth. It was just starting to open. Veronica moved her eyes to Madison who was leaning against the doorway. 

Madison shook her head and went inside. Veronica followed her and sat beside her at the kitchen table. She put her arm around her. “Christ Maddi, he has made it personal. I guess you didn’t see or hear anything?”

“No, nothing,” Madison said tracing her jaw-line with her hand. “Fuck it!” she exclaimed, letting off some tension.

Within five minutes Madison’s place was packed with cops and forensics.

Veronica stayed close to Julie while Madison went for a walk.

~^..^~

Madison arrived at the station at 9am.

“The boss wants to see you,” Vincent called, his voice failing to disguise how much he was gloating on Madison’s predicament.

Madison gave him a sideways glance, “Yeah!  It’s something you’d lap up.”

Madison knocked on her boss’s door. “ Come in Madison,” Peter Limpit said.

She turned the door nob, took a breath and opened the door.

Superintendent Limpit looked up from his desk. Limpit was in his late fifty’s. He was a fair man and a good boss. He had known Madison since she had first made detective. She had partnered him on the dismembered judge case. On that case she had won his respect and his affection. He considered her as one of his pupils; a bit of station trivia that Vincent hadn’t picked up on. To Madison he was somewhat of a father figure. They shared a mutual respect.

Limpit’s face was strained with tension. “What’s going on with you and Vincent?” he said once Madison had closed the door. “I’ve had him in here twice telling me of your mishandling of the case.” Superintendent Limpit glanced down through his bifocals at a folder on his desk and then closed it. “I’ve read the file. You’ve handled it fine, although this latest play of events will change the way we handle it.” He looked at her over the rim of his glasses. “I know he thinks he’s a ladies’ man. What did you do? Turn him down or something?”

Madison tried not to smirk. “No, I, er, laid him out. He touched my arse while we were on stake out.”  She lost control of her smirk and it widened to a smile.  “So I hit him.”

Limpit chuckled. “ You should of hit him harder. Do you want me to talk to him?”

“No Peter,” Madison replied. “ I can handle him.”

Peter smiled and then returned to his serious demeanour, “OK but if he does anything else, report it. Now this case, do you have any suspects?”

Madison pulled out a chair and sat down. She stroked her chin in silence and then answered. “I have a few suspicions but nothing solid.

Madison glanced down at the photographs of the victims that Peter had lying on his desk then looked back up at him. “Veronica is putting together a list of suspects from cases I’ve worked, looking for anybody that may be on the loose with a grudge. I’ll go through my files and look for anything that fits the pattern.  Julie is working on the profiling.

“Good to have her back,” Peter answered.

Madison nodded, “I’d like Veronica to be assigned to the case full time. And seeing the LemonTwist is our only connection, I’d like to put a stake out on the club.”

Peter agreed. He’d get the blues on it today. He also suggested a police presence at Madison’s house. Madison was about to refuse the protection when she thought of Julie.

“OK, that would be good. Is there anything else?”

Peter looked warmly at her. “Just be careful Madison. The killer wants to get personal with you. You know that makes him twice as dangerous.”

Madison got up and ran her hand through her hair. She returned Peter’s gaze and shrugged. “That makes him more likely to make a mistake. When he makes that mistake, I’ll be there.”

Madison closed the door behind her and walked towards Veronica who had just arrived. Vincent was leaning next to the water cooler. He smiled smugly at Madison. Madison looked him up and down and said, “Your fly’s undone.” 

Veronica snickered at Vincent as he checked his fly.

As they rounded the hallway Veronica put her arm around Madison and said, “You shouldn’t let him get to you. He’s just a homophobic arsehole.” Madison gave her an appreciative smile. “I know, he just gets under my skin.”

“How’s Julie?” Madison asked, changing the subject.

Veronica’s voice became more serious. “She’s a bit shaken. I put her in the interview room. I left Diana and Harvey with her. I didn’t want her to be alone.”

 “Thanks,” Madison said. “I appreciate it.”

Madison walked to the interview room carrying three coffees in hand. She met Diana just outside the door.  

“How are you?” Madison asked.

“Better than you, I expect,” replied Diana, her concern for Madison evident in her voice. “Just got a sexy new bike.”

“The bike!” Madison blurted.

“Its OK,” Diana smiled taking one of the coffees from Madison. “I thought it would have slipped your mind with all this going on. But lets go riding after we catch this bastard.”

“It’s a date,” Madison said, a warm smile appearing on her face.

Madison entered the interview room and handed the coffees to Harvey and Julie. She gave Julie’s shoulder a squeeze. “Are you OK?”

Julie forced a smile to her lips. “I’m fine.”

“I have to ask. Did you see who knocked on the door?”

Julie took a deep breath. “No, like I said, I just heard the door knock. When I opened the door, there she was. I screamed, slammed the door then you came down the stairs. I didn’t see anyone else. I didn’t hear anyone else.”

“OK,” Madison said warmly. “We just have to get you to put it to paper.”

Madison asked Harvey if he would take Julie home and stay for awhile. “Sure,” he answered. “The captain was arranging a blue to stay over night.”

Madison hugged Julie again and told her she’d be home early.

~^..^~

Silence of the Damned

Back at her desk Madison looked at the background check that sat unopened on her desk. She hesitated before opening the file. Gabrielle Amphipolis. Gabrielle had a clean record. She had no prior convictions and had never been arrested on suspicion of anything. Madison smiled and turned to the report on Simone. It read the same: no convictions.

Madison’s attention returned to the evidence available. There had to be something. Madison layed the photographs of all the victims out. She pondered on them for awhile, observing their lifeless faces and the terror that remained in their eyes. There had to be something that linked them all.  

She went over the statements, returning to the statement from the first victim’s housemate. She had picked them as a lesbian couple but Tula the house mate was adamant they were not. Madison looked at her notes. Tula was a woman in her early forties. She was the director of a fashion house. At the time of her housemate’s death she was away on business. She had stated to police that she and Frieda were friends and that they had known each other for three years.

Madison reached for the phone and rang Tula Phibbs.

 “Hello Miss Phibbs, its Detective Chase. I need to ask you a few questions.”

Tula Phibbs agreed to see her. Madison hung up the phone. She put the photographs in an envelope and grabbed her keys.

Tula opened the door to Madison’s knock. Madison noted Tula looked older than she had before, maybe even a grey hair or two. Madison hated this part of detective work.

“Come in detective,” Tula motioned.

Madison greeted Tula as she walked in. Taking a seat in the carefully coordinated lounge room, Madison noticed the single photo that was now displayed over the fireplace.  It was of Frieda, smiling broadly, her arms wrapped affectionately around Tula. Madison’s heart sank.

When Tula had taken a seat opposite her, Madison began, “I guess you’ve read the papers and your probably aware that two more women have been killed.”

Tula nodded. Her hands shook a little as she lit a cigarette and sat uncomfortably in her chair.

“I’m here because I need some more information,” Madison continued. “I’m looking for things that might connect these women to the perpetrator, things that they might have in common.”

“Tula,” she said in a comforting voice. “I know you have said before that you weren’t, but I’m guessing that you and Frieda were a couple.”

Madison looked earnestly at Tula.  “It’s really important that I know.”

Tula’s lips quivered. Tears welled up in her eyes.

For Madison the question had been answered. “The LemonTwist,” Madison asked. “Did you and Frieda frequent the club or know of it?”

Tula’s tears fell silently down her cheeks. She controlled her grief as she always did, giving no voice to the sobs that yearned for release.

“No,” Tula said, quickly wiping a tear away as it ran down her face and nervously trying to avoid Madison’s knowing stare. 

Madison had met many Tula’s in her work. Women who were so closeted that even the mention of the word “lesbian” shut them up like a closed book. Madison wasn’t sure how Tula would react to being pressured. She wasn’t sure which way Tula would go - defensive retreat or on the attack. Madison pushed her anyway.

Madison looked directly into Frieda’s eyes. “I’m sure you don’t want me prodding around your and Frieda’s personal life.” Madison put an authoritative tone in her voice. “But I will if I have to. To your knowledge have you or Frieda been to the LemonTwist?”

After a pause in which Tula sat silently studying her burning cigarette, Madison softened her voice. “It is not a crime to be lesbian. It is to withhold information.” Madison looked earnestly at Tula, waiting for her to reply.

“OK, Frieda had been there a couple of times,” Tula said at last.  “It is possible Frieda could have been there the night she disappeared. A pair of leather pants and a silk shirt were missing from her wardrobe.”  

Madison looked sympathetically at Tula and thanked her. “I’m sorry,” she said. “ I know it’s hard, but I had to know.”

“Can you keep this bit of information from Frieda’s parents?” Tula asked. “They didn’t accept their daughter being… that way… and knowing that Frieda patronised the LemonTwist Club wouldn’t go down well.”

“I can’t promise anything,” said Madison. “But I’ll try. I also have to get you to come into the station and make another statement,” Madison said apologetically.

Madison left Tula’s house and drove to the LemonTwist club. Thumping on the door she waited for it to open. Alex looked through the peephole and unlatched the door. She opened it enough to make eye contact with Madison.

“Where’s Simone?” Madison asked, her voice revealing the strain of the last couple of days. 

Alex looked at the detective.  “She’s still asleep. Wait at the bar and I’ll get her.”

Alex led detective Chase to a table and returned minutes later with Simone.

Simone sat opposite Madison and stared into her eyes. She could see the anger that was just beneath Madison’s formal exterior. “Detective Chase. What can I do for you?”

Madison undid the string that held closed the envelope she had bought with her. She took a photograph out and laid it on the table. “Take a good look Simone. This is what he does to women.”

Simone looked at the photograph and closed her eyes then returned her gaze to Madison. “I can’t help you.” 

Madison laid another photograph on the table. “Have another look Simone.”

Simone looked and shook her head.

Madison pointed to the second photograph. “Have you seen her before? Has she been in the club?”

Madison placed another photograph on the table. “And what about this one? Look at her Simone.”

Simone stared at the pain that was in the woman’s eyes. She swallowed and put her hands over her face. “OK. They have been here at some time.”

Madison stood up, her chair fell behind her. “Shit Simone. Why didn’t you tell us? We’ve been running around like stray cats searching for scraps and you sat on this? I showed you photos of the women. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Madison threw the rest of the photographs on the table and glared at her. “Fuck it Simone! I should bust your arse!” 

Madison turned her back on Simone kicked the chair and began to pace about the room. “I want to know who owns the warehouse that Tammi was dropped off at.” 

Simone’s silence brought Madison back to stand over her. Simone looked at the ground. “I don’t know. If I knew anything, I’d take care of it myself.”

Madison dropped her hands from her hips. “You don’t know. I’m supposed to take your word on that am I?”

“And what about Butterfly? How does she fit into this?”

Simone stared wildly into Madison’s eyes. “No, Butterfly is not involved. She’s a light in all this darkness.”

Madison abruptly gathered the photographs up and put them in the envelope. “You’re a piece of work Simone,” she said, her face cold with anger.  “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t shut this place down today.”

Simone met Madison’s eyes and replied coolly, “I’m sorry detective, but whether you want to believe me or not, I cannot help you.”

Madison glared at Simone for another moment and then, in frustration accepted that she would get no straight answers. “I can see myself out.”

Just at that moment Butterfly walked in. Still angry, Madison glared at her and quipped, “Nice people you hang with!” 

Butterfly grabbed Madison by the arm and looked into her eyes. Staring back was Xena’s fire. Seeing it, Butterfly’s face lit up. In that moment, Madison’s train of thought was lost. Her anger derailed and suddenly feeling exposed, she turned and walked away.

Simone raised her eyebrows at Butterfly. “I felt that. The detective is putty in your hands.”

Butterfly sighed.  “Yep, a river that flows for a thousand years can’t be stopped by an angry beaver.”

“Did you just make that up?” Simone asked with a quizzical smile.

Butterfly touched the X that was tattooed on the back of her neck. “Actually it was something Xena once said. She had this odd fascination with beavers.”

As the smile disappeared from Butterfly’s face, Simone gestured, “Come. Its time for meditation.”

~^..^~

Madison arrived home later than she had intended. She wondered if Julie would be upset with her. She was about to turn the door nob when Diana opened the door. “Hi Maddi! I’m the protection for the evening.”

Madison shook her head and gave her a half smile. “I’m glad you’re here. How is Julie?”

Diana closed the door. “Julie’s still a bit shaken up but my charms have worked and she’s cooking up snacks.”

“Charms, hey,” Madison said wryly. She wouldn’t tell her that that’s what Julie does when she is upset - she cooks. 

~^..^~

Forget Me Not

Madison woke in a pool of sweat. She got up and pulled on her white bathrobe. It was 2:05 am.

She walked to the kitchen, poured a glass of water and drank it down. She went to the bathroom and turned the shower on. Her robe fell to the floor and she stepped into the shower recess. The water was cool on her face. As it ran over her she ran her fingers through her long black hair.

Her thoughts returned to Butterfly. Her eyes. There was something about her eyes. Her smile; Gods, she loved her smile. Her sensualness; she wanted to hold her, to touch her, to kiss her.

Madison closed her eyes and lost herself in the images that came to her. She became more aroused, more in need. She soaped the sponge and slowly moved it over her body. When she reached her breasts. Her nipples hardened. Her breath deepened. She moved the sponge down to her stomach, then dropped it. Her hands reached her curls. She touched herself. She was wet, wetter than she wanted to be.

Madison brought her hands up and brushed water from her face. A  small sigh of frustration escaped her lips. She opened her eyes. She had to see Butterfly.  

Madison dried herself and slipped into her leathers. She grabbed her helmet and walked to her bike. She zipped up her jacket, straddled the 1300 and pressed the start button. The bike purred under Madison’s control and in the next moment she was gone.

Madison stopped the bike at the side door of the LemonTwist. She handed her helmet and keys to the bouncer and, with a smile, told him to look after the bike.

Madison’s need for Butterfly was strong. Strong enough to be seen walking into the club off duty. Madison walked down the corridor and entered the bar. She scouted the room for Butterfly. 

Madison removed her jacket and gave it to the woman behind the bar. She ordered dark rum with ice. As she sipped from her glass, her eyes found Butterfly dancing seductively. She watched her for awhile. Butterfly felt Madison’s presence. She danced for her. Madison put her drink down and walked towards her. Butterfly turned and their eyes met. Time seemed to slow as Butterfly walked from the dance floor.

“It’s nice to see you,” Butterfly’s voice was erotic, intoxicating.

Madison, unable to take her eyes off Butterfly, replied, “I needed to dance.”

Butterfly’s face filled with sensual pleasure. She held out her hand, “Then dance with me Detective Chase”.

Madison smiled mischievously and wrapped her fingers through Butterfly’s. She pulled her close and whispered, “Not that kind of dance. I need to be alone with you.”

Butterfly stared into Madison’s lust filled eyes. Her stomach tightened with passions. Her heart flooded with desire.

Madison gently cupped Butterfly’s face in her hands. She brought her lips to hers and kissed her softly.

“Come with me,” Butterfly said as her lips left Madison’s. She took Madison’s hand and led her through the green rooms to a purple door. With a key she had in her pocket, Butterfly unlocked the door and then locked it behind them. 

They were in a softly lit bedroom. Madison scouted for the video camera. There were none to be seen. 

With the rhythmic sounds of dance music now muted to a dull throb Butterfly gazed seductively into Madison’s eyes.  “Do you like to dance barefoot detective?

Madison pulled Butterfly closer to her. She kissed her lips, her mouth tender but hungry. As she withdrew from the kiss she gently bit Butterfly’s bottom lip. “I’d like to dance barefoot with you.”

Butterfly stared deeper into Madison’s eyes. Madison’s voice sounded so much like Xena that it made her heart jump. Gods she wanted this woman. She needed this woman. Her body surged with desires. Tonight she would taste this woman.  Butterfly closed her eyes. When she opened them a flash of amber swirled around her pupils.

Madison kissed the softness of Butterfly’s neck. Her hands moved to Butterfly’s leather pants. She undid the buttons and slid the leather down Butterfly’s hips, then gently sat her on the bed.

Madison caught and held Butterfly’s gaze as she stepped back. She seductively undid the buttons of her own shirt and removed it. She unclasped her black lace bra and dropped it to the floor. Butterfly looked at Madison, devouring every inch of her. She was magnificent. Madison placed her leg on Butterfly’s thigh and asked Butterfly to undo her boots, then she stepped out of them. She undid her pants and slowly slid them over her hips and down her legs.

 “Gods you’re beautiful,” Butterfly whispered unable to take her eyes off Madison.

Madison slipped from her black underwear. Naked, she gently pushed Butterfly back on the bed. She skilfully removed the rest of Butterfly’s clothes. She ran her tongue up Butterfly’s sculpted stomach, biting and kissing.

Madison’s breathing became deep.  “Dance with me,” she whispered. Her breath was warm on Butterfly’s mouth. “Make love to me.”

Simone watched through the two-way glass. She was aroused, excited. More so than she had been in a long time. Alex stood behind Simone and nipped at her neck. She whispered in her ear. “She’ll hit the panic button if she needs help. Come. Play with me.”

Simone turned and looked lustfully into Alex’s eyes. “It’s sexy, don’t you think? Watching them, the history that has been. It’s quite a love story.”

“You have a romantic soul Simone.” Alex said, as she kissed Simone’s neck and undid her cape. The cape fell to the floor.

Alex pressed her lips to Simone’s and whispered on Simone’s lips. “Do you think we remember our past lives?”

Simone smiled, “Do you think vampires are real?”

“Remind me,” Alex purred.

Simone’s teeth extended. Her lips brushed across Alex’s neck. Alex’s breath deepened. She became more excited. She wanted to be bitten. Her nipples hardened.  “Do it.”

Simone seductively bit into wanting flesh. The pleasure that went through Alex was intensely sexual, erotic. She went weak at the knees and her groin throbbed.  Simone sucked. Blood seeped into her mouth. She stopped the bite, kissed her lover and whispered, “Make love to me. Set me free.”  

Butterfly pulled the full length of Madison’s body to hers. She moved her hips with Madison’s, sensually, skin on skin. Her hands gripped Madison’s firm buttocks then slid up her back.  Then she moved from under Madison, placing herself on top. She kissed the detective, tasting her mouth, her lips, her passion.

Butterfly licked Madison’s erect nipple, encircling it with her tongue. She placed her mouth around it and sucked while her hands roamed the length of Madison’s body, enjoying silky skin, curves and muscles.  

Butterfly’s fingers tingled with pleasure and anticipation. She wanted to be inside Madison. She wanted to feel her, taste her.

Brushing over curls of silken black, she caressed the soft skin of Madison’s inner thigh. She cupped her hand over Madison’s groin and pressed firmly. Heat radiated from her palm causing Madison’s clitoris to throb. Sounds of pleasure escaped Madison. She tenderly licked Madison’s breasts. She kissed her down to her stomach, then ran her tongue over wanting skin.

As Butterfly’s mouth seduced her, Madison reached for the fur cuffs that hung from the bed. She slipped her hands through the cuffs and grabbed hold of the chains. Butterfly pleasured Madison, moving her tongue over exotic flesh, and then she slid into wetness.

Madison arched and pulled on the chains as Butterfly pressed her fingers inside her. Butterfly’s mouth and hand moved slowly, giving pleasure, taking pleasure. She made love to Madison intensely and tenderly.  

Madison’s body began to tighten. Feeling Madison’s excitement grow, Butterfly loved her harder. She moved her tongue faster, thrust her fingers deeper. She sensed Madison was ready. She squeezed Madison’s nipple firmly between her fingers. Madison started to come. Rising with orgasm, her muscles strained as she pulled on the chains. Her back arched and, with a cry of passion, her pleasure was released.

Madison relaxed and allowed the orgasm to caress her. She savoured the waves as they soaked through her. Butterfly smiled and kissed Madison’s wet curls then she straddled Madison’s hips. She looked into eyes she had loved before and whispered, “Gods you’re beautiful.”

Madison grinned and lost herself in Butterfly’s loving eyes.  “I need to love you. Come here.” Madison slipped her hands from the fur cuffs, cupped Butterfly’s butt and slid her to her mouth. She breathed Butterfly’s erotic flavours deeply, then kissed the moist skin between her legs. She tasted Butterfly and sighed with pleasure.

Butterfly trembled with passion. She’d wanted for so long. Madison’s mouth was heaven. She became wetter. Her need deepened. She pressed herself closer to Madison’s mouth. She needed more. She wanted more.

Madison slid her tongue over Butterfly’s clitoris. Tasting her, enjoying her, she pushed her tongue deep inside her. Her hands caressed the curves of Butterfly’s butt. She licked and sucked Butterfly’s wetness. Butterfly’s climax began.  Madison moved her tongue sensually.

Butterfly placed her hands firmly on the bed head. Her head went back in ecstasy. Her breathing stopped. Pleasure filled her.

As she orgasmed she released control of her emotions. Her eyes glowed with amber. A throaty scream of pleasure escaped her lips. She was as one with her demon, as one with Madison, as one with Xena.

“Oh god, that was good,” Simone said lustfully to Alex. “Take me again.”

Her eyes returning to their soft emerald green, Butterfly slid down and embraced Madison tightly. She closed her eyes and fought back her tears. She had waited lifetimes to hold Xena again. Would Xena still love her when she discovered the monster inside? Would she remember?  

Madison fell asleep with Butterfly in her arms. The warmth she felt soothed her soul. The emotions she held back scared her.

~^..^~

Madison sat on a chair at the end of the bed. She was admiring Butterfly’s cute arse and the way the sheet was only over half of it. She wondered how she’d explain to Superintendent Limpit why she was sneaking out of the LemonTwist at 6 am. She got up and dressed then sat back down on the bed. She softly stroked Butterfly’s hair and kissed her on the lips. Butterfly opened her eyes. “Xe… Are you leaving? Will I see you again?”

Madison softly brushed hair from Butterfly’s cheek. “You bet.”  She leaned down and kissed Butterfly again. “I’ll come by tonight.” Madison paused, “How do I get out of this place?”

Butterfly stretched her body and pointed to the door. “That way.”

Madison opened the door. She noticed it wasn’t locked.

After making two wrong turns, Madison was in the bar. Her jacket was sitting on a table. Simone was waiting near the side door. She looked Madison up and down. “I see the interest was mutual,” she said as she handed Madison her helmet and bike key. A smile softened Simone’s face “Your bike is around the back detective, I’ll show you the way out.” 

Simone took Madison to an elevator. They went down two floors, through a long walkway to another elevator, then up two floors, coming out the next street over. Madison was impressed but it left her with more questions and more doubts.

What was she thinking sleeping with Butterfly?  It wasn’t like this case wasn’t complicated enough. She took the long route home. Riding helped to quiet her mind.

~^..^~

Part 2

Back to FanFic Index