Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 The morning dawned brightly, unknowing of the storms that raged within the
hearts of many that day.  Emotions would attempt to assert their reign over
the day; but clear heads must rule, as she would learn later; it is through
clear thinking alone that the proper decision could be made.  But steps
that must be taken by her would not vary.  Silent as she rises from her
small corner, folding the coverlet, arranging it upon the pillow.  Moves
off to the bathroom, taking just the quickest of showers, and with a comb
run through, allows the heat of a blow dryer to bring a shine to long
tresses.  A touch of perfume behind her ears, alighted upon wrists.  She
reaches for the wrap behind the door, just a light silk, more for
decoration than true covering.  Peeking through the doorway to see that He
still sleeps soundly.  She admires the strong curve of His jaw, noting the
relaxed features of one deep in a dream.  Watching the slow rise and fall
of His chest before slinking off to the kitchen.  The coffee the first of
her tasks, grinding the beans to a perfect powder and adding water enough
for His one large cup, starts the machine.  Next she plans the meals of the
day, knowing with trepidation in her heart the extra preparations that must
be made.  Checking to ensure that all is in order, her thoughts turn to the
first meal; gathering eggs, bacon, bread...  the fixings for a delicious
omelet readied before the flame is lit.  A small song whispered as she
works, smiling contentedly as she lays the items to the tray.  Having
started the stereo low at first, moving back to the bedroom, she sets it
the tray His bedside, allowing Him time to wake, as she waits kneeling
quietly.  "Trust me, There's no need to fear Everyone's here, Waiting for
you to finally be one of us, Come down, You may be full of fear But you'll
be safe here, When you finally trust me, Finally believe in me." Offering
up sweet greetings of morning to Him as He rises, smiling warmly. 
Listening to the soft music as it plays in the background, the words
turning over and over in her mind as she watches Him enjoy the meal
prepared.  "Fingers trace your every outline, Paint a picture with my
hands, Back and forth we sway like branches in a storm, Change the weather
still together when it ends." Seeing His smile as a small morsel is offered
to her, His fingers caressing her lips as they close upon the piece of
toast.  Smiling up to Him warmly in thanks for allowing her part of the
breakfast.  The song continues on, a special selection of music chosen just
for His tastes, chosen to bring happiness and calm to His morning.  As
Master continues to partake, another morsel offered, a small reward for the
effort to create a meal worthy of Him.  Feeling her heart gladden that He
is pleased with the meal.  Rising to take the tray from Him, she carries it
into the kitchen, giving Him time to relax as she dances off to the melody.
Returning, she pads softly into the bathroom, preparing His bath.  "But I
cannot forget, Refuse to regret, So glad I met you, Take my breath away,
Make everyday, Worth all of the pain that I have, Gone through."

   The water just so, a selection of oils added, the musky aroma tickling
her senses, as the water is turned off.  The lights turned low, a candle
lit in each corner, before she kneels at the side of the tub, knowing He
will arrive momentarily, now that the water is turned off.  Her gaze held
low, even as her chin is held proudly high, silken red tresses curling
about her shoulders.  His hand caresses tenderly along silken tresses as He
steps into the steaming water.  She moves closer, reaching for the soft
cotton cloth, lathering it up generously.  Working in small circles,
massaging with her adoring touch, washing away tension, reveling in the
feel of Him.  Not missing a single inch, grinning with mischievousness as
performs her tasks, watching the reactions to her touch, even as she senses
the imperceptible aloofness to such attention.  The cloth rinsed and wrung
out, she reaches for the small cup to fill with water, watching as Master
leans back to allow the water to cascade down the stark blondness of His
hair.  A small portion of shampoo, emulsified against her palms before
fingertips work in the gentle lather.  Rinsing with care, she takes the
portion of conditioner, massaging deeply Master's scalp.  Her body still
swaying with the soft music from the bedroom, the steam of His bath
clinging the light silk to lush curves.  Turning on the water once more,
using the fresh warm water to rinse away conditioner and the soap that
remains, she kneels back as He steps from the bath, her hands offering up
the luxuriant towel to Him.  Smiling her own lil smile as she glances
surreptitiously up to Him, admiringly.  Taking the towel, she watches Him
walk from the room, before rising and placing it upon the hook to dry,
padding softly behind His retreating form.

   His clothes laid upon the dresser the night before by her, she rushes to
bring them to Him as He reclines upon the small bench.  Offering them up
for His approval, she rests lightly upon her heels, awaiting His every
need. She follows Him to the living room, lowering the volume just slightly
now that He is closer.  Refreshing His coffee, she offers Him the mug with
the daily paper, opened first to the comics, of course <g>, grinning.  As
He settles, He sends her off to the bedroom, to dress for the day, with
commands for her selection choices.  She removes the light wrap, donning a
simple g-string with matching bra, moving in almost bareness to the closet,
blue eyes ranging through options available.  Selecting a summery tank
dress, admiring the softness of the material, the intricacies of the only
just visible patterns in the jewel burgundy tones.  Teased by the whisper
of the dress slipping onto her, she brushes her hair once more before
returning to kneel before Him for His approval.  She sets the slipper like
sandals by the doorway along the way.

   Approval granted with that devilish smile of His, she rises to clean the
dishes, laying a soft kiss to His thigh.  Taking care to scrub everything
fully, she dries and puts it all back in the cupboard.  Once completed, she
moves to the bedroom, making the bed, tossing clothes to the hamper,
finding that one stray sock just under the bed.  Ordering the bathroom, she
smiles softly at the rooms, pleased with the appearance, before returning
to Master, a new song playing once more.  "Everything's so blurry, and
everyone's so fake, and everybody's empty, and everything is so messed up,
pre-occupied without you, I cannot live at all, my whole world surrounds
you, I stumble then I crawl." Finding Him finished with the paper and His
coffee, she puts them away, and takes knees before Master.

   Plans laid for days, He rises, indicating she should follow Him to the
door.  It seems that a trip is planned, anxiousness fills her, having no
knowledge of this beforehand.  She slips on shoes as she moves to the
passenger side and immediately begins the music, selecting a grouping of
songs to bring a pleasing mood to Master as they travel.  "Maybe you could
let me stay, Maybe just for one more day, You could help me stay the same,
Maybe things won't ever change, Maybe we could taste the rain, You could
push me out the way." Her gaze travels the streets as Master drives,
wondering where the journey will take them; as it does not seem a normal
jaunt.  Something in the set of Master's jaw, in the looks that He keeps
sending toward her.  Worry is forming within her.

   Master stops in front of a local hotel, she is sure that confusion is
writ upon her features, but, she asks no questions, it is not her place to
do so.  The song ending just as Master turns off the car...  "Don't even
turn around, Just look away at everything, I think of all the things I've
ever done, I've done to me, You know I did it to myself, So I'll stand up
and I'll agree ." She moves from the car, waiting by the door as Master
walks around; she steps to the spot just behind Him, following closely. 
Her attention so fixated upon Master as they enter the lobby, not noticing
the One that approaches.  Her breath caught as she hears His voice greeting
Master, handshakes are exchanged, manners seemingly at ease.

   She follows Master as He goes down the hallway, the key having already
been obtained before their arrival.  She is still trying to catch her
racing heart, almost knowing the purpose of this discussion, not ready to
admit it yet to herself.  She watches them take their seats around the
table, automatically moving to the sidebar, preparing drinks for each, she
offers them up with the warmest of smiles.  Moving to kneel just behind
Master's chair, awaiting any command, but, hiding as if in the shadows,
just another piece within the room; not part of the discussion that is to
be held at this time.  She keeps her thoughts to herself...  hearing them
begin to discuss her; as if she were not there...  she hears it all, of
course, how could she not?

   Trivalities begin the talk...  how was your drive?  How was your night?
She hears the soft music in the background once more, not distracting, just
something filling the empty spaces in the conversation.  "I'm not afraid of
anything, I just need to know that I can breathe, I don't need much of
anything, But suddenly, suddenly, I am small and the world is big, All
around me is fast moving, Surrounded by so many things." She hears small
pieces of the conversation, her wonder growing with each new thought that
she is allowed to hear...  about her most of it...  unseen kneeling,
whether the topic or not.  Her eyes keep straying to the table, watching to
see if they need anything from her...  but, then, knowing they will call
upon her without hesitation.

   Smiling as she hears Master talk of when He first saw the girl... 
watching her tentativeness in serves.  Watching her as she learned from her
sisters and brothers, ever wide-eyed, wanting only to be the best in the
eyes of the Free.  Always eager to serve, always willing to help her
siblings to learn, undaunted by most all commanded of her.  Master speaking
of darker time, of the times when girl was not so eager, when all that she
wanted to do was hide...  times like when she was left behind and deserted,
when He reached out to bring her back.  Times that happened of her own
causing, her eagerness to please bringing her to knees, her voice calling
up to beg for a collar.  Her voice left hoarse from the tears that
resulted...  crawling back for solace and understanding.  He tells Him of
the days when He counseled her, teaching her how to be a better slave.  The
endless essays, a glance to her, thinking of the depth that can be probed
within her unwavering blue orbs.  The poems on a whim that she would write,
just to express a momentary feeling before it escaped.  The dances that she
always laid at His feet just to ensure that they would be worthy to be
displayed, knowing the criticalness of His thoughts.  His always serene
presence bringing peace to the chaos that reigns in a slave's heart.  She
tries not to show reaction to the words she hears, knowing there is a
purpose to this, but, trying not to relive many of these memories.  "When
you look you see right through me, Cut the rope, fell to my knees, Fallen,
broken every single time, Always keep me under finger, That's the spot
where you run to me, Might see some type of pleasure in my mind." Telling
Him of the work that was required of the girl to make her worthy of His
collar.  The time that was required of girl, before she could make such a
momentous thought known...  the dedication that is required of her.  The
work she has done for His approval, for training and for enrichment.  He
knows what she has felt to be away from the only Family she had really ever
known...  the ones that formed much of who the girl is, many of her
impressions and skills all brought forth within those jungle walls.  He
tells Him of the time that has past since girl has been His.  The beauty
that she has attained in her service, the poetry with which her movements
speak thanks to the widening of girl's horizons.  He tells of the dances
that she performs for Him now, the heart that she shows so openly.  "Catch
me as I fall, Say you're here and it's all over now, Speaking to the
atmosphere, No one's here and I fall into myself, This truth drives me,
Into madness, I know I can stop the pain, If I will it all away." She does
not hide the warm smile that shines hearing Master's words.  He tells Him
of the importance that she is to Him.  Through all of this the Visitor has
been quiet, allowing it to wash over Him, to absorb the feelings that are
shared between the two.  Knowing in His own mind what the girl has meant to
Him.  The Visitor tells Master, throughout all of His time, until very
recently, the girl has been part of His Family, and always there to offer
Him what He may need, bringing a smile to His face as He recounts His
knowledge and feelings for the fiery girl.  Telling Master of how she was
there, a quiet little tornado of energy, always eager to serve in whatever
was required, including boot polishing, fish catching, and other onerous
things such as sock washing...  Trying not to react, she bites back the
shudder that rushes through her with thoughts of socks.  Telling Master of
the dances that have always been a work of art in His mind, offering thanks
for any help that Master may have offered girl during those days to make
her such a precious sight.  He tells Master of the nights where she was
ever vigilant, ensuring that the Home was never without a server, that no
Free went unrefreshed.  He tells Master of how He truly values the girl...
and wishes that she could be His.  He tells Master of those early days, the
wildness of the girl, her eyes ever flitting, not ready to yet be owned
truly...  He tells how He has always watched her, helped to guide her, to
ensure she has behaved nothing short of perfect.  He talks of the waiting
game, and how the waiting became losing, how the waiting made her lost to
Him.  It is why He asked Master to come and speak with Him today.  As the
Visitor finishes, He sits drinking the last of His scotch, as He weighs the
talk with her Master, glances down knowing the one word that is her,
`true.' Wondering what has He got to offer that Her Master now does not
already provide.  Only Himself, just the desire to own the girl and keep
her safe in His Family.  Yes she is a mere slave.  Yes, she is just
property, and yet she is honorable and true.  The final offer, what to
offer...  her safety, His care, and the right to serve and please Him; will
it be enough, He does not know.  The song concludes, and they are
surrounded in silence.  "Dreams last so long, even after you're gone, I
know you love me, and soon you will see, you were meant for me, and I was
meant for you." They watch each other, taking into account all that has
passed between them, all that they know of the girl.  The pause seems
endless, as the next move is calculated within their minds.  She wonders
what will happen next, as a new song begins...  "If I needed someone to
control me, If I needed someone to hold me down, I would change my
direction, And save myself before I, If I needed someone to control me, If
I needed someone to push me around, I would change my direction, And save
myself before I drown....drown"