Beyond all limits (closed for Angelus)

[DeliciousMaiden]

Stats:

Name: Samantha Rimmington
Age: 21
Hgt: 5'6
Hair: Long blonde
Eyes: Blue
Build: Slim waist, but rounded bottom, pert breasts.

Nationality: British

Background:
Rich, near aristocratic background.
Born into wealth, Sam assumes that daddy works only for “pin money”

Residence:
Now in the USA.
Father’s work in advertising/PR gave the opportunity to relocate for an undetermined time.
Despite the obvious wealth and status, Mr Rimmington is a down-to-earth, hard working and successful businessman.

Character:
Samantha is selfish and spoiled.
She enjoys a pseudo-celebrity status playing up her “aristocratic” roots.
She has a celebrated “English Upper Class accent” and knows it.
She is superior and believes in getting just what she wants.
She is popular, but not liked.

Job: What’s that?

Samantha: http://store3.yimg.com/I/spicylingeriestore_1776_14715103


IC:

Ok… I know I’d pushed him round a bit, but he was so damn confident.
Daddy said he was the best and didn’t he just know it!
… still, I should have known I couldn’t play games with him like the others.

I know people think I’m spoiled, but, hell, people get paid well for giving me what I want.
Why shouldn’t I have fun? I just insist that I’m treated right.
All I’d have to do is complain to daddy and they’d be history – and they know it!

I couldn’t believe that he’d actually called me a "pampered brat!"
Then just walked out.
Without a thought for my safety!
Well… I could do without him… or so I thought.
No protection is better than bad protection ... right?

The others just stood around smirking. Well what is a girl to do?
I couldn’t continue with such a lack of..respect.
So I told them all to get the hell out and count themselves lucky they still had a job on Monday.

Besides… daddy wasn’t here now… called to some meeting.
He’d flown out for the weekend, knowing "Josh" would take care of me.

So…Friday night finds me alone in our mansion: Alone probably for the first time in my life.
Only now do I realise IF there were a threat, that I’m now a prime target...

I'm sure it's all nonsense, anyway.
I’ve never seen anyone lurking about!
It was daddy who had gotten the letters, the threats… but he never even let me see them.
Hell it was my life…wasn’t it?
And chances were I'd probably fare much better without some arrogant bodyguard and subordinate staff around.
Yes ... this weekend was going to be ... fun ...

 

[Angelus]

Josh Reilly
30
6' 4"
220lbs
Shoulder length black hair
Hazel eyes
goatee
Athletic build

American (and proud of it)

Bio: Josh is considered young for a bodyguard, especially the bodyguard of such a wealthy family but he has wisdom beyond his years. He has been the family's bodyguard for five years now and has enjoyed it for the most part, apart from one great exception.

Character:
Down to earth
Great sense of humour
Loyal
Very stubborn
Hates to be pushed around.


IC:
Josh sat in his home and looked at the wall. He couldn't believe that little brat and he was glad of what he had said, even though he had probably lost his job because of it. He took a deep breath and picked up the remote to his stereo then turned it on. In an instant the place was filled with classical music and he turned it up then closed his eyes, trying to forget that brat.

But try as he might he couldn't. After she had treated him like nothing more than a servant he felt justified in saying the things that he had. He even walked off, knowing that she was still mad over everything and that brought a smile to his face. She deserved anything and everything that she got this weekend because she didn't want him.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Rimmington

Perhaps it had been rash, letting Josh walk out like that, but I wasn’t going to ring him to apologise, to ask him back.
Besides I was now free:
Free from being tracked round all day.
Free from his disdainful look as he watched and judged.
I think it was just that; his superiority that riled me.
We hadn’t gotten on from the first day that daddy introduced him.
I really didn’t want to hear how skilled, experienced, adept Josh was, nor how lucky we were that he had agreed to work for us!
I didn’t want him around and I’d made it clear from day one that I wasn’t going to play ball.

OK perhaps daddy wouldn’t be totally pleased with what I’d done … but daddy never got angry with me … no matter what …
Hell, he was rarely home enough to get involved in anything to do with me.
He always made sure I had the best, of course and I know how much he loved having me around the place. Even if I’d wanted to leave home and strike out on my own, I know he wouldn’t have wanted me to.
But perhaps if he was home more, I wouldn’t have needed Josh.

The clock striking midnight interrupted Samantha’s thoughts.
She was annoyed that she’d wasted so much time going over the day’s events.
Closing her journal she leaned over to put it in her bedside drawer.
Looking nervously around her bedroom she listened to the heavy silence: The house felt so strange now it was empty, empty save for Samantha.
Usually there were at least a couple more people home, daddy or Josh and at least one member of staff.
But Samantha would NOT let herself think like that!
She would not think about the fact the house is empty.
She would not start getting silly and start straining to hear noises:
Noises that would only be in her imagination.
”There’s no one out there”
She insisted to herself.

Determinedly Samantha took off my robe and laid it at the end of her bed.
Snuggling into the bedding she closed her eyes willing sleep to come.
Lulled by the dim glow of the nightlight, Sam indulged in vague plans for her weekend of freedom … places to go … who to see …
Her mind numbing pleasantly, she drifted into a light sleep.

 

[Angelus]

Josh suddenly got sick of listening to classical music and put it onto his favourite radio station. As soon as the hard rock music came out of the speakers he walked to the kitchen and made himself a sandwich then walked to the french doors which looked straight onto the house. He stood there for a second, watching the house for anything out of the ordinary and wondered what her royal pain in the ass was doing. She was probably doing what he should be doing and getting some sleep unless she was on the computer or talking to her friends.

But who would want to be friends with her? he asked himself. She was nothing more than a stuck up spoilt little brat and her main joy in life seemed to be annoying him. He knew that he shouldn't get so worked up by what she had said and done over her life, she didn't hire him. He shrugged his shoulders and walked away from the doors and turned off the light to the room as well as the stereo.

He headed towards his bedroom and took off his clothes and cleaned his teeth before he turned off the light and lay down on his bed, instantly feeling relaxed. As he closed his eyes and started to slowly drift off to sleep he had one thought foremost in his mind. Please don't let that pain in the ass call me.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Rimmington

She was unsure about what caused her to stir.
Her sleep had been light, but it was something beyond that sleep that slowly drew her attention causing her to move restlessly in her bed.
No matter how often Samantha turned over and buried down once more, she was unable to retain that deliciously sleepy feeling.
Again and again … something … kept pulling at the edge of her consciousness.
Slowly Samantha opened her eyes, blinking she looked around the empty room, unable to place what was happening.
The clock by her bed showed 01:14
She had barely been asleep an hour!

Puzzled and disorientated, Samantha sat up and listened.
It was unmistakeable.
There was someone out there… !
Before she thought straight she was out of bed running to summon help. Only half way to the door reality came crashing in.
She was alone … no staff … no Josh … no daddy!
She stood straining to hear.
Someone must be trying to break it?
But with all the security systems… surely ….
Shivering, more from fear than cold, Samantha forced herself to walk slowly towards the wall length windows that opened out onto a balcony beyond.

And then the noises stopped.
Samantha stood as if poised for flight.
She held her breath.
The silence was even worse somehow!
What part of the house had the noises been coming from?
Did that mean that the intruder was now inside!

With sudden panic Samantha ran and threw herself onto her bed, clutching her pillows her eyes stared at the door waiting for it to burst open.
She was a sitting target, but she couldn’t just wait for them to ..
Samantha reached into her drawer and pulled out her address book.
Kicking her legs over the side of the bed, she flicked it open and began to thumb desperately through the entries.
But at this time in the morning … who could she call…?
Samantha just didn’t have that “type” of friend …!


The crash of shattering glass and the sight of the stone rocketing into the bedroom, to land with a dull thud on the plush carpet banish all rational thought.

Samantha’s scream is instinctive.
The pent up tension and fear is released before she can hold it back.

The room is littered with glass shards, Samantha’s legs, exposed without protection of the short nightgown are covered in superficial scratches…

Her eyes now move to fix on the fractured window as realisation dawns.
Someone was out there … at any moment they might …


Somehow Samantha made herself reach for the phone. Willing her hands to stop shaking, she keyed in the number, listening to the ringing tone as it went on and one until finally a groggy voice answered:

“Hello….”

She almost wept with relief her mind racing making her speech incoherent.

”It… it’s Sam…. Samantha …”

There was a pause …. Samantha clutched the receiver willing him not to hang up on her.

”Samantha…?”

She fought for control.
She had to get him to help her, to understand … somehow

“Please… Josh … help me…..”

Her voice broke as the tears began.

”…. Someone’s here … my bedroom … please… “

She pleaded brokenly.
At the other end of the line, she could hear his voice, questioning, but all she could do was sob.

 

[Angelus]

Josh clutched the receiver in his hand and thought This had better not be one of her little jokes again. He slowly sat up on the bed and looked at the clock, groaning when he saw what time it was.

"Just tell me what the hell is going on and if this is some sort of joke then I am going to hang up and go back to bed, you got me princess."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Rimmington

His voice was still coming through the telephone, but it was angry, impatient.
Samantha sobbed harder realising that he wasn’t going to come and help her.
She just couldn’t make him understand.
The receiver dropped from her hands as the remainders of the window crumbled snowing an avalanche of fine splinters into the room.
She shivered, as much from fear as from the cool breeze now blowing in through the shattered hole.

Her mind raced, fumbling for a coherent thought.
If someone was still out there, if someone had gotten into the house she couldn't just sit there. She had to do something.

…phone the police…!

Her mind seized the lucid thought.

Grabbing up the receiver, Samantha hit the key pad.

”Ohh…God… no … work dammit…”

Her previous call forgotten, the line seemed dead to her.
Samantha could feel panic overtaking her.
Gasping between sobs, she was finding it harder and harder to stay calm.

Her only instinct was to run … to hide … to get herself away somewhere… somehow …
They could take what they wanted … if only they’d leave her safe.
Unthinkingly, Samantha slid her feet to the floor and cried out in pain as the glass cut into her bare feet!
As if for the first time, she looked down and saw her legs peppered with cuts made by the shattering glass.
But it was the bottom of each foot that stung like crazy.

”Have to move … have to get out of here …”

Willing herself to ignore the pain, Samantha stood unsteadily and took a tentative step forwards, only to feel her knees buckling beneath her.
With a cry she put forward her right hand to break her fall and felt the shards dig deep once more.

Marooned in a sea of glass, Samantha was helpless.
Cut to ribbons, she was trapped.
Curling up into a tight ball, she began to rock and sob softly, having no choice now but to await her fate.

 

[Angelus]

As soon as Josh heard the sounds of glass breaking, footsteps and Samantha's crying only two words came to his lips, "Oh shit!"

He quickly jumped out of bed and got dressed and grabbed his gun then ran out of his place. He ran up the hillside towards the main house and hoped that he wasn't too late. He knew that she deserved most things but she didn't deserve this and he was the one to blame. He wasn't there for her like he was supposed to be and whoever it was that was after her had gotten past the security to her. As soon as he reached the main building he moved around it to under her bedroom window to see a figure climb through the window.

He stood there for a second, wondering exactly how he was going to get up there until he saw the trellis and remembered when he had caught the brat climbing down it to sneak a date with her boyfriend. He berated himself for not ordering it cut down but he knew that it was too late now. He slid his gun into the waist band of his pants and began to climb the trellis towards her balcony. When he made it up there he looked to see if there was anyone around but he knew that there wouldn't be and jumped onto the balcony.

As soon as he landed he saw one of the intruders at exactly the same time that the intruder saw him. He knew that he didn't have enough time to pull his gun out and shoot and the others would hear it if there were others. Just then the intruder ran at him and Josh moved towards him. They met in the center of the room but Josh knew that this wasn't a fair fight by the way that the intruder moved and after less than a minute the person was down on the ground after Josh delivered a round house kick to the side of his head.

He then realized what he had come up here for and shouted out, "Samantha, I'm here to help. Come out!"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Rimmington

Samantha was a sitting target, she was past running … or so she thought … until she heard HIM moving on her balcony.
Snapping her head around Samantha clearly saw the outline of a man and heard him curse as he brushed at the jagged edge of the window, no doubt preparing to make his way inside.

Sheer terror gave her the strength to haul herself halfway upwards and to scramble clear of the glass, limping as quickly as she could to her ensuite and throwing herself gratefully inside.
Thankful of the latch, Samantha shot it home knowing it was weak and would not hold out for long.
Looking around desperately, she pulled a laundry basket in front of the door, but found nothing else to act as a barricade.
Sat on the floor, pressing her back up against the basket and in turn the door, Samantha tried to hold back her sobs, holding her breath trying to decipher where the intruder might be headed.

She heard the crunch of boots on glass, she heard the steps moving closer to the bathroom door and then continue past, past to her dressing room.
Her mind raced.
Her valuables were locked in the dressing table, but he seemed to have by-passed that.
She was sure she heard him pulling out drawers, opening her wardrobes.
Why was he in there?
Surely he wasn’t trashing her clothes?
She shivered amazed that someone could be so … vindictive …
And then she heard it … a second pair of feet …
The noises next door had stopped.
Both men were now in her bedroom … but …

She flinched listening to strange sounds … were they ransacking her room or …

Burrowing her head, she pressed back against the door.
What if they both came here for her?
Surely they must realise …

"Samantha..."

Samantha looked upwards.
Someone was calling her name … someone … familiar …

” I'm here to help. Come out!"

Samantha shook her head incredulously.

… Josh…?...

She stood unsteadily and pulled the basket aside.
It was impossible, but the voice was unmistakeable.
She wrenched the bathroom open and clung to the door frame, her eyes meeting his incredulously.

”Josh…. I …”

The tears brimmed as she realised he was the only one who could help her right now: a man who hated her.

”Ohh.. God… Josh … I thought you wouldn’t come … I … “

Samantha began to shake uncontrollably as she willed herself to stay upright despite the stinging of her legs and the burning of the glass lodged in the soles of her feet.

” …. so … scared … “

She hiccupped, uncaring of her dishevelled and distraught state.

 

[Angelus]

Josh took one look at her and shook his head, he had to get her out of here no matter what. He knew that there was only one way out of here- the trellis that he had just come up. He moved towards her and opened his mouth to ask if she could climb down while he covered her but when he saw the cuts on her legs he cursed. He looked towards the door of her room and wondered how many more there were out there and how the hell he was going to get out of here with her if there were more.

He walked to the door and drew his gun before he scanned the hallway, seeing if there was anyone else about. When he was sure that it was clear he turned to Samantha.
"Can you walk? Ah fuck it."

Without a word of warning he picked her up and threw her over his should as he knew this was the only way that he could carry her. It was the only way that would let him keep his other hand free. He slowly moved to the main door and hoped to god that he would get out of this alive- he hoped that they would both get out of this alive.

"Sorry about this princess but your dignity will have to wait. I have to get you out of here."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Rimmington

Not able to maintain eye contact, Samantha focused on the floor just in front of her feet. She felt Josh’s eyes moving assessingly over her as she stood unable to stop the shivers that ran ceaselessly through her slender frame.

"Can you walk? “

She raised her head, cheeks tear stained and tried to remember what the question was.

”Ah fuck it."

He was angry again, but she didn’t know why.
She hadn’t refused to walk … hadn’t said anything.
She gave a soft cry as she felt herself hurled over his shoulder.
Her body was perfectly balanced and felt surprisingly secure as he began to move towards the doorway of her bedroom.

Under normal circumstances, she’d have asked for him to carry out her valuables, hand her some clothes, but as it was, she was totally unaware of her meagre clothing. The fine fabric of her nightdress was torn at the edges and dotted here and there with blood stains.

"Sorry about this princess but your dignity will have to wait.”

She heard the ironic apology noticing the use of the mocking nickname he had long since accorded her, but rarely used to her directly.

”I have to get you out of here."

Sam nodded imperceptibly, realising that despite his antagonism, he was indeed acting in her best interests.
He wanted to get her to safety and she couldn’t walk so …
Compliantly, she hung unmoving across his shoulder, willing the tremors in her body to cease.

It never crossed her mind that there might be anyone elsewhere in the house.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Rimmington

Not able to maintain eye contact, Samantha focused on the floor just in front of her feet. She felt Josh’s eyes moving assessingly over her as she stood unable to stop the shivers that ran ceaselessly through her slender frame.

"Can you walk? “

She raised her head, cheeks tear stained and tried to remember what the question was.

”Ah fuck it."

He was angry again, but she didn’t know why.
She hadn’t refused to walk … hadn’t said anything.
She gave a soft cry as she felt herself hurled over his shoulder.
Her body was perfectly balanced and felt surprisingly secure as he began to move towards the doorway of her bedroom.

Under normal circumstances, she’d have asked for him to carry out her valuables, hand her some clothes, but as it was, she was totally unaware of her meagre clothing. The fine fabric of her nightdress was torn at the edges and dotted here and there with blood stains, but the cold and the fear superceded everything else.

"Sorry about this princess but your dignity will have to wait.”

She heard the ironic apology without commenting on the mocking nickname he had long accorded her - though he rarely used to her directly.

”I have to get you out of here."

Sam nodded imperceptibly, realising that, despite Josh's antagonism, he was indeed acting in her best interests.
He wanted to get her to safety and she couldn’t walk so …
Compliantly, she hung unmoving across his shoulder, willing the tremors in her body to cease.

It never crossed her mind that there might be anyone elsewhere in the house.

 

[Angelus]

Josh moved into the hallway, scanning left and right as he did. He wanted to get out of here as quickly as he could and get the princess to safety. He moved towards the stairs to the first floor, trying not to make any noise. As he moved he watched everywhere, trying to find any place that any intruder could come from. Just then a figure came out of nowhere and ran at Josh who brought his gun up.

His bullet caught the intruder in the leg, causing him to fall to the floor with a scream. As soon as the intruder fell to the floor Josh knew that if there were anymore in the building they would have heard that. He started running, not really worrying if Samantha was in discomfort. He just wanted to get out of here quickly and get to the only place he hoped he would be safe- his home.

As soon as Josh made it the stairs however he saw two intruders, one at the top of the stairs and one down the bottom.
"This is going to be bad princess. Just hold onto me and hopefully I can get you out of this," he said before he ran straight at the intruder on the top.

The intruder brought up his pistol and fired off a shot which Josh felt sting his hip. He winched as soon as he felt it, brought his pistol up and fired off a shot which caught the intruder in the shoulder, spinning him around. The intruder fell onto the steps as he lost his footing and fell down the steps, knocking the second one down with him.

Josh moved to the top of the steps and saw both of the intruders laying on the floor and he hoped that they were unconscious as he wanted to talk to them later. But he realized now was not the time for such a thought and he moved down the steps. As soon as he started moving though he felt the pain from his hip and he let out a groan but he knew that he had to get out and get her to safety.

He slowly made it to the door, watching everywhere as he did and opened it then went out into the open. As soon as he went out into the night air he realized how dangerous a position he was but he had to get out there, he had to get to his place.

He moved as quickly as he could and after what seemed like an eternity made it to his place. As soon as he was inside he went to the couch and placed Samantha down on it. He looked at her, "Are you okay princess?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Rimmington

Samantha was gave one strangled squeal as the bullet rang out in the dark hallway. She clung to Josh and pressed her eyes tightly shut waiting for the inevitable bullet that would end both of them … but it never came.

The intruder’s scream was reassuring, but she had no time to check the man’s condition, Josh was running with her along the landing, round to the staircase. Samantha clung to him, careless of being jolted. All she wanted was to get out of here. Josh’s appearance had come none too soon.

At the top of the stairs, Josh seemed to halt. His grip on her tightened. She did not dare swivel around, but sensed the danger.

"This is going to be bad princess. Just hold onto me and hopefully I can get you out of this,"

With a breathless sob, she obeyed him.
She tried her best not to hamper him, knowing he was armed, but again she pressed her eyes shut.
The bullet cutting through the air towards them made her bury her head in his neck, but mercifully it seemed to miss both of them.
She flinched as Josh returned the fire and heard the sound of a man falling down the stairs and the groans of a second.
God … how many of them were there???
Josh was moving downstairs now and for the first time she caught sight of the two black-clad characters who lay in a pile at the foot of the stairs.
Both were big men.
If they had come from her, there was no telling what they might have done!

Josh seemed to be moving more slowly now, but perhaps it was merely that she was more wary. Her eyes darted about, almost expecting another man to jump out at them.

Finally they reached the door and then moved out into the cold early morning air.
It was cold … so cold … and dark.
Samantha tried not to shiver as Josh carefully picked his way across the lawns, moving steadily away from the main building towards the lodge house where he had lived since her father had employed him.

Samantha had never been more thankful than when Josh shut and bolted the door to the Lodge before letting her gently down onto the sofa. She closed her eyes and let the tremors take over her body.
As if from far away, she heard his words.

"Are you okay princess?"

The nickname didn’t seem so aggressive now.
She tried to smile, but instead the tears slipped from her eyes and she numbly shook her head.

”Thank you Josh …”

She whispered, opening her eyes to meet his as he looked down at her with … concern?

”If you hadn’t come I don’t…”

She broke off with a cry.

”Ohhh my God! You’re hurt.”

Unthinkingly she reached out and lightly touched the fabric that was now reddened with the blood that seemed to be seeping through his jeans.

”Ohhh Josh… I’m … soo sorry…”

She managed as she turned shocked eyes towards his, her own injuries temporarily forgotten.

 

[Angelus]

Josh looked at her when he heard the concern that was in her voice. It was something that he had never heard before, especially when she talked to him and it shocked him so much that he was at a loss for words. Finally his brain started to function and he remembered just what she had said and let his hand fall down to his hip, feeling the blood there.

He knew that he was wounded but there was something that was more important- his charge was wounded. He had to help her first and that was the most important thing in his life- that was his job.

"My wound is nothing princess. You need cleaning up yourself and that's what I have to do before I can think of myself. It is what your father pays me for, to watch you and help you whenever you need it. Now shut up and let me take care of you."

Before she could say another word Josh walked into the kitchen and grabbed his first aid kit as well as a bowl of warm water. As soon as he had both Josh walked towards where she lay, his hip giving him a little trouble walking. As soon as he made it to the couch he knelt down, giving a grimace as he did and looked at her. He opened the first aid kit and looked at Samantha.

"This is going to hurt a little princess but I have to clean you up- I have to get that glass out of your legs."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Rimmington

Samantha ran her fingers tentatively over the denim. The action was pointless. She knew nothing that would tell her just how seriously Josh was wounded … but a bullet … that was serious wasn’t it? She looked back up at him, her fingers leaving his leg shaking her head in concern.

"My wound is nothing princess. You need cleaning up yourself and that's what I have to do before I can think of myself.”

Samantha blinked and then looked down at herself.
Her legs were full of cuts, but it was the throbbing in each foot that concerned her most. Even so …

”It is what your father pays me for, to watch you and help you whenever you need it.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but he did not let her.

”Now shut up and let me take care of you."

Unexpectedly, her face broke into an impish grin at his brusque command and she dutifully kept quiet.
This wasn’t even faintly amusing … it must be the shock … she told herself as she awaited him, listening to him moving around the room just beyond the lounge.
Glancing towards the hall way, she was certain that nothing could be heard beyond the locked door.
If they were in further danger, she knew that Josh would never take any chances.
She let out a tense breath and turned towards him as Josh made his way towards her, bowl and first aid kit in hand.
She noted with concern how kneeling hurt him, but made no comment.

"This is going to hurt a little princess but I have to clean you up- I have to get that glass out of your legs."

Samantha nodded and eased back on the sofa stretching her legs carefully in front of her so that Josh could get at the tiny wounds.

”I think the worst is the soles of my feet,”

She told him softly, turning a foot to show him.

”The legs sting, but it's there it really hurts..”

She gave a sharp intake of breath as he handled each foot examining the damage.

”I tried to get across the room … I panicked and forgot about the glass, I guess … “

She told him sheepishly.
Reaching out to draw a nearby cushion against her, Samantha held it to her and watched as Josh got out the cotton wool and dipped it into the water, before beginning to dab at her legs and feet, dislodging the surface glass that needed little encouragement to become dislodged.
His gentleness was a revelation to her, but even though he was careful, her hold on the fabric tightened as she tried not to wince or gasp as he worked systematically over her damaged skin.

Letting out a sigh as he sat back, Samantha looked up at him as he rummaged through the first aid kit and readied antiseptic and tweezers.

”There’s some stuck in there huh?”

She asked, trying to see how much was still lodged in each foot and knowing that the pieces needed to be removed as soon as possible.

”Josh … why don’t we just ring for an ambulance … … you’ll need medical attention too …?”

Turning to glance nervously towards the hall, she continued.

”Do you think they’re still out there?
I know daddy never made the threats public, but …
don’t you think we should ring the police too … those men … they might come back …
they might head over here … they … “

She turned back her eyes wide and frightened.
Josh would know the best thing to do … but surely it was time to call other people in now the … situation … had gotten so totally out of hand?

 

[Angelus]

Josh looked at her and thought about what she had just said about the police and ambulance. He grabbed the phone and handed it to her.
"Here princess, you can call them. It would be best if they heard about this from the owner of the house. There is something else more important at the moment."

Josh looked at the soles of her feet and saw the glass that was still there, knowing that he had to get it out before he could think of anything else. If they had to move quickly he knew that he couldn't carry her as his hip was starting to ache now. He knew that, no he hoped that it was nothing more than a flesh wound but he didn't really care at the moment. His charge was all that mattered and that was all to him at the moment.

He looked Samantha in the eyes.
"Princess, this is going to hurt but if you do not move then I can take the glass out of your feet."

Slowly he took the tweezers and began to take the glass out of the soles of her feet, watching the winces of pain as he did. He threw the glass into the bowl of water and was amazed that she actually did not complain as he did so. As soon as he had taken all the glass out he washed the soles of her feet of all the blood and checked again to see if there was any more glass.

As soon as he was sure that there wasn't he washed her legs and put some antiseptic on the cuts. He wrapped some bandages around her feet and legs, hoping that she would be okay. As soon as he finished he slowly got to his feet and limped to his room, grabbed some clothing and came back.

He handed the clothing to Samantha then looked into her eyes.
"Sorry if these aren't the right size princess but they will just have to do right now."

As soon as he did so he knew that it was time to check on himself and said, "Sorry to do this princess but...."

He stood up and undid his belt then slowly began to pull down his jeans, looking at his hip as he did so.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Rimmington

”Here princess, you can call them.
It would be best if they heard about this from the owner of the house.
There is something else more important at the moment."

Taking the telephone he handed her, Samantha dialled quickly.

”Hello yes .. police … “

She gave details of intruders, multiple break in, failiure of alarms… and answered as many details as she could.

”No … I’m at The Lodge … I don’t know if anyone’s still out there .. no … no officer, I’m quite safe … my body guard.. yes.. yes Mr Reilly … no fatalities but … yes… but please… hurry!”

She hung up.

”They’ll be here as quickly as they can,”

She looked at him dazed, feeling as if she were trapped in some bizarre nightmare.
Josh merely nodded, his attention focused now on her legs.

"Princess, this is going to hurt but if you do not move then I can take the glass out of your feet."

The sting of the glass being eased out of her flesh made her gasp and she clamped her mind shut, for once trusting his judgement.
Each nip, squeeze and stroke of the tweezers drew a new pain, but she was determined not to protest. Her fingers dug into the cushion as she clutched it to her chest, in much the same manner as a child would a favourite teddy bear.

She forced a smile as Josh looked up at her in concern and watched as he gently bathed her feet, the skin now feeling mercifully free of those glass shards. She relaxed slightly exhaling to release the tension as Josh’s hands moved efficiently up her legs, washing soothing. She smiled her thanks, as he finally put the bowl aside.
Picking up the antiseptic, he gave her a look and she nodded, knowing that this would sting. She suffered silently until he came to her feet, where his cleansing drew the merest murmur of a response, but she did not pull away. Wriggling her toes experimentally, she watched as he eased upright and moved to another nearby room.

Looking down at her legs, she thought fleetingly how ghastly she’d look in stockings for weeks … possibly months … but that fact was of little importance to her now. She ran a hand through her loose hair realising belatedly that she must look a mess and totally forgetting about the smudge of tear stains on her face.

She looked up bemused as a pile of clothing was deposited on her lap.

"Sorry if these aren't the right size princess but they will just have to do right now."

She glanced at her tattered night dress, a garment that had ridden upwards to mid-thigh during Josh’s ministrations.
She would be much warmer and more … proper … in the clothes he offered … but far from a “fashion plate”.
She opened her mouth to thank him once more, but the words froze on her lips as she saw him unbuckle his jeans.

"Sorry to do this princess but...."

Concern flooded back.
She put the clothes to the far end of the sofa and eased forward, looking intently.

”Josh … can … will you let me help you … ?
If you don’t think we should call an ambulance … just tell me what to do … it’s only fair … please…?”

 

[Angelus]

Josh looked at Samantha as she moved forward on the couch, the look of concern clear on her face. He realized that she wanted to help him but that was the last thing he needed.
"You had better get dressed princess before the police arrive or daddy dearest will here of it and I will lose my job for having you in my home dressed like that. I know that is none of your concern after what you said to me this morning but I do like my job even if there are a few little problems with it."

Before she could say a word Josh pulled his jeans back up, grabbed the stuff from his first aid that he knew he would need and walked straight into the bathroom. As soon as he walked into the bathroom he knew that if there had been any sort of friendship that had been brewing between them that was now dead. A smile came to his lips when he thought of that as it mean that he could now focus on his job.

He shook that thought away as he knew it would not help at all and pulled his jeans down again. When he looked at the wound and began to clean the blood off he knew that it looked worse than it actually was.

As soon as he cleaned the blood off he saw that it was only a flesh wound and thanked god that they hadn't been better shots. He put a small bandage on top of it and taped it down, hoping that it would stop the bleeding. As soon as he finished he pulled up his jeans and went straight to his bedroom.

Josh grabbed and put on some more suitable clothing as he knew that there was no way he would get any sleep this night. As soon as he was dressed he picked up his pistol, extra ammunition and walked back into the main room where he saw Samantha sitting on the couch and glaring at him.

She opened her mouth as if to say something but before she could Josh heard an all too familiar sound and ran straight towards the couch. He slammed straight into Samantha, knocking the couch and her to the ground.

As soon as they both hit the ground bullets began to fly through the glass and frame of the large french doors, obliterating them. Josh held Samantha down as the bullets began to slam into the walls over them. He knew if they both stayed on the ground it was the only way either of them would get of this alive.

Just then the shooting stopped and Josh knew what that meant, they were reloading. He quickly got to his feet and pulled Samatha to hers.
"They seem determined to kill either of us princess but they won't get the chance. We have to get to the basement- we will be safer there, at least until the cops arrive."

Without another word he began to move towards the basement door with Samantha behind him and he hoped that they would make it there in time.

Time seemed to slow down as he moved towards the door and just as he reached out to touch it he heard the click click of the sliders. He hit the ground quickly but pushed the door opened as more bullets flew into his home. He pushed Samantha before him as he went through the open door and into the basement.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Rimmington

Samantha looked up in shock, Josh’s words more effective than a slap in the face.

"You had better get dressed princess before the police arrive or daddy dearest will here of it and I will lose my job for having you in my home dressed like that.

He had rejected her offer of help!
She had been genuine … concerned …
Well damn him! If he wanted to bleed to death so be it.
The cops would be here soon … they could sort this whole mess out!

”I know that is none of your concern after what you said to me this morning, but I do like my job even if there are a few little problems with it."

Samantha’s eyes blazed.
After what she had said!?!
Before she could retort, Josh had hauled his jeans back into place and turned away from her to tend to his own wound.

” …bastard …”

She whispered after him, unable to believe how he had changed suddenly.
She pulled at her nightgown and yanked it over her head.
She would show him!
She didn’t need some two-bit body guard who got her whole house shot to pieces … and got himself wounded in the process!
She slid the t-shirt over herself then reached and pulled the khaki pants on over her own panties.
He might have saved her, but he didn’t deserve his damned job!
If he’d been there in the first place, then NONE of this would have happened!
She pulled on the over-shirt and looked at how ill-fitting the clothes were on her diminutive form.
With an exasperated sigh, she tucked in the t-shirt, secured a belt around the pants and tied the ends of the shirt in a knot at the waist, securing the warm jumper in a knot on top of that.
It felt bulky, but at least it was warm!
Sitting on the sofa she pulled on a pair of socks and eyed an old pair of tennis shoes with distaste. The light canvas was hardly practical, but her need was great, so she slipped them on, tying the laces as securely as possible to stop them slipping free of her feet.
She was dressed and decent!
Just wait until she told daddy what had happened that night!

She sat back on the sofa and seethed silently.

Looking up as Josh returned, she noted that he too had changed his clothes. In some remote part of her brain, she realised he wasn’t limping too badly, but she’d be damned if she’d as if the wound was alright now! Instead, she was losing the battle of holding back an angry tirade to hurl at him but she never got the chance …

Samantha exclaimed in pain as Josh’s hard body knocked her to the ground. Decidedly bruised, she struggled, but he pinned her down beneath the now tumbled couch.

”Wh…”

Her enquiry turned to a scream as bullets sped through the French doors, and began to ricochet around the room.
Despite her antagonism, Samantha no longer protested to his weight now practically on top of her, shielding her.
She closed her eyes and pressed her head into the floor, knowing there was nothing else they could do.

The sudden silence was unexpected.
Samantha looked up as Josh scrambled to his feet, but remained prone on the relative safety of the floor.

”They seem determined to kill either of us princess but they won't get the chance.”

Samantha cried out in pain as he yanked her roughly to her feet.

" We have to get to the basement- we will be safer there, at least until the cops arrive."

Samantha had no choice.
His grip was firm on her wrist as he half dragged her after him.
She struggled to keep up: Her feet were still tender and the ill-fitting shoes did not help.
But she did her best; after all, if the bullets started flying again, they were now open targets.
Silently cursing him, Samantha all but fell through the door as the bullets began to fly once more.
Josh was on the ground.
He scrambled towards the door and locked it, bolting it securely.
Samantha moved into the dark room and looked around.
Locked in a basement, with Josh … and God knew how many men outside trying to shoot her to pieces.
How much worse could it get?

 

[Angelus]

Josh took a deep breath and couldn't believe just how bad this day had been. He had been shouted at, threatened, woken up in the middle of the night, wounded, had his home shot up and now he was here, in this basement with the one person he did not like. He turned and looked at her.
"I know that you don't want to be here with me princess just as much as I want to be here but we both know that if we were out there then we would be dead. This is the safest place in my home for now so please let us make the best of it."

He let out a sigh and walked towards the light switch, turning it on. As soon as he turned on the light switch the monitors on his wall came to life and he walked straight up to them. He watched as the intruders moved slowly towards his home and knew by the way they moved and covered each other that they were professionals. He knew that he needed answers and the only one that he could get them from was the one person he did not want to talk to but had to.
"I know that you don't want to talk to me at the moment and that is fine with me but I need answers out of you. Do you know if your father has any enemies and if so who they are because I need to know just who would hire these people to kill you."

He then turned back to the monitors and saw that they had made it into his home and they would searching every part of it. They would soon find the only locked door in the place and then the fireworks would begin.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Rimmington

"I know that you don't want to be here with me princess just as much as I want to be here but we both know that if we were out there then we would be dead.
This is the safest place in my home for now so please let us make the best of it."

Samantha struggled to bite her tongue.
His home!
The Lodge house of her father’s estate!
It was his for as long as Josh worked for them.
Well… he could kiss his home and job goodbye now, she thought maliciously!

Samantha watched as the light was switched on and all the monitors sprang into life.
Drawing near she watched the screens unable to make out how many men were out there …

"I know that you don't want to talk to me at the moment and that is fine with me but I need answers out of you.
Do you know if your father has any enemies and if so who they are because I need to know just who would hire these people to kill you."

Samantha turned her head and actually laughed.

”You’re asking ME, Josh?”

She was sure hysteria was setting in.

”How the hell should I know what’s happening with daddy.
He’s never home long enough to talk to me, let alone share any of his problems with me …”

She perched on a table and glared.

”Or have you forgotten, that when the letters, the threats started coming in, you and daddy supposedly “took care of it”.
I never even saw any of them!
None of my business … after all I was just the “little girl” that needed protecting.
Hell! No wonder I didn’t co-operate!

Her eyes widened as she clearly saw that the men were now in the Lodge House. She took a step closer to Josh and looked up at him.

”Josh … do something … they’re right outside … God … they could be in here any minute!“

 

[Angelus]

Josh turned quickly and looked at her.
"Will you please shut up and let me concentrate. I know that they are in the house but I hope that the cops will come before they find us although I very much doubt it."

He walked towards the far end of his wall and punched the code number on the key pad. The small door opened with a click and Josh looked at the guns that were placed on the wall. He grabbed a shotgun and a box of shells then turned back to the door.
"If they want to get you then they have to come through me and although you may hate the idea princess I am the only person between them and you."

Just then he heard something slamming into the door and pointed his shotgun up in that direction. The door flew open and Josh saw a figure standing there. He squeezed the trigger on his shotgun, the blast echoing throughout the basement and catching the figure in the chest, throwing him backwards. He knew that this would not be the end of it and turned to Samantha.
"Stay here for gods sake as you would be a distraction up there."

Without another word he ran up the stairs then jumped through the air to land on the floor. As he landed he squeezed the trigger and blasted one of the intruders in the shoulder, spinning him around. As soon as the intruder fell to the ground another one took his place and Josh fired another shot.

He then felt something press up against the back of his head and a voice say, "Drop the gun and call the woman up here. We don't want you- we want her."
"Go to hell. Go and get her yourself."

Just then sirens ripped through the air and Josh felt the barrel of the gun move away from the back of his head.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Rimmington

"Will you please shut up and let me concentrate. I know that they are in the house but I hope that the cops will come before they find us although I very much doubt it."

Samantha glared and turned away from him.
He was damned unpleasant.
Why didn’t he just do something dammit!?
She watched silently as he punched a number into a keypad, her eyes widening incredulously as she saw his stash of weaponry.
As if responding to her amazement, she replied curtly.

"If they want to get you then they have to come through me and although you may hate the idea princess I am the only person between them and you."

She knew he spoke the truth.
She didn’t have to like him as long as …

Samantha let out a piercing scream as the door flew open and Josh blasted the intruder with his shotgun.

"Stay here for gods sake as you would be a distraction up there."

She stood incredulous as Josh ran up the stairs and out into the room beyond.
She wanted to call him back.
She did not want to be left alone!

Struggling to remain calm, coherent, Samantha eased back as far as she could get into the cellar.
He had told her to stay there.
What else could she do?
But he was out numbered!
Surely it would only be a matter of time until they returned for her?
Quickly she looked around and seeing no place to hide, she upturned a packing case and pulled it along the ground towards the corner.
Making herself as small as she could, she tucked herself in behind it and burrowed down, her hands over her head waiting for the inevitable.
She tried not to think of what was happening up there.
Josh was sure to be killed … or at least badly wounded.
She tried to convince himself it served him right, but although she hated the man she could not quite bring herself to believe that.

 

[Angelus]

Josh breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the sirens. The cops had finally arrived and with that he hoped that this thing was now over. He picked up his shotgun and slowly got to his feet then looked around. His home was a complete mess and he knew that it would take a shit load of time and money to fix it. He shook his head and slowly walked to the large french doors.

As soon as he made it to the door however a light shone straight in his eyes and he heard a voice shout out, "Get to the ground asshole. If you don't then I will drop you. Now drop the fucken gun and get to the ground."
"You don't understand. I am the bodyguard of this family- these men were after Samantha. I was guarding her."
"I will not tell you a second time. Get to the fucking ground or I will drop you!"

Josh reluctantly got to the ground and heard the footsteps as they got closer. He felt the handcuffs as they were placed around his wrists before he was hauled to his feet. The first face he saw was of an older cop who looked at him with disgust.
"So if you are the bodyguard where the fuck is the person you are meant to be protecting?"
"She is down in the basement. We were hiding down there waiting for you. She should still be down there."
With a nod of his head the cop sent someone into the house. Another police officer walked past and went straight into Josh's home.

A few seconds later the cop reappeared and looked at the elder cop.
"There is no one in there sarge. This man is lying."

Josh felt part of him fall to the ground and he barely heard the sergeant say, "Okay, get this piece of shit out of here."