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From: bitbard@newsguy.com (BitBard)
Subject: {BITBARD} SW4: Blindside -- Revised (M/F) (M/f nc)
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Content Warning: This work of fiction contains mature subject matter
and graphic sexual language including descriptions of consensual sex
between a man and a woman.  Additionally there is a description of a
disturbing non-consensual scene between a man and a fifteen-year-old
girl.  This story carries my strongest possible content warning.  If
you think you can't deal with this story, or if it's illegal to
possess such material in your locality, please hit the delete button
now.  If you're a minor then you MUST stop now and go no further.  As
a work of fiction any similarities to any person(s) dead, alive, or
fictional is merely a really weird coincidence.  

Subject: Has Steve finally met his match when a cat burglar targets
the gem Steve's been hired to protect?

Subject Matter: (M/F) (M/f, rape)
Rating: (XXX) Not suitable for minors.  May be illegal in some areas.

Copyright (c) 1998 by bitbard@newsguy.com

Distribution Rights: May be distributed freely WITHOUT MODIFICATION on
USENET, USENET II, not-for-profit web sites, not-for-profit ftp sites,
and news archival services which offer free public access to archived
articles.  All other rights are specifically reserved by the author.
All distribution rights granted herin expire at midnight December 31,
1999.

Creation Date: 4/25/98
Distribution Date: 4/18/98
Distribution Date: 4/19/98 (Revised -- professionally edited}

Author's Note: As always do not be concerned with the number in this
issue.  Each story in this series stands on it's own.  Due to lack of
reader feedback I had pretty much resolved to retire ol' Steve. But
Steve's world is vividly real to me.  When I struggle for plots, when
the words won't come I can always pay a visit here and a million plots
spring to mind and words are liquid in their flow.  So with this story
I return to the basics.  This one's for me.   But you're welcome to
tag along for the ride.

Second Note: There exists within this story a description of
non-consensual sex and worse since it is between a minor (15) girl and
an adult male.  Personally I deplore both the rape and the quasi-pedo
elements,  but the rape was important to the character's personality
and the eventual conclusion of this story.  I did not set out to write
the story this way.  Sometimes the characters in my stories take on a
life of their own and I merely transcribe their experiences.  Such was
the case here. 

Credits: Proofed and very tastefully edited by Mike Ink, a reclusive
word-smith.

Dedication: To Linda who stole my heart and my imagination (but
fortunately she lends them back to me when she's in the mood for a
story).

Signature note: I've published this under my new handle BitBard.  I've
published many other stories under the handle Sandman@bitmsart.com.  

Archive:  This and other stories in the Whiley series can be retrieved
at http://www.newsguy.com/~bitbard 

========================
Steve Whiley - Issue #4
"Blindside"     
-- By Bitbard
========================

"They don't give a damn
about any trumpet playing band
it ain't what they call
rock and roll.
And sultans
Yea the sultans play Creole.  Creole."
	-- Dire Straits, "Sultans of Swing"

****

The woman at the bar scanned the crowded room with a disinterest that
bordered on contempt.  Her long fingernails tapped idly on her wine
glass as she considered the people around her.  

"Sheep," she thought contemptuously.  "Every last one of them." 

To her eye every person moved as though carrying a great weight; their
shoulders slumped, their eyes drooped, their smiles and laughs forced,
as if each of them were being ground under the great wheel of life.   

"Sheep," she thought again.  "Bored, unimaginative sheep."

"Excuse me, but can I buy you a drink?" A man, no, a boy, asked her.  

For a moment, the woman considered her suitor.  He was tall with
short, straight blonde hair, that together with his tanned skin
shouted for all to see, "California sun worshiper."  He really was
quite cute in a boyish way, and he was just young enough to avoid the
sheep pen.  His eyes at least, panicked though they were awaiting her
answer, held the glimmer of life.  

For another moment, she considered.  "I already have one, thanks." she
said, dismissing him with a tone that brooked no argument.

"A dance then?" the boy asked. 

The woman sighed.  Just like the young to miss such an obvious signal.
She didn't have either the time or inclination to teach this boy the
rules of the game.  

"No."

Dejected, the boy drifted away into the milling crowd and was soon as
out of sight as out of mind.  The woman turned her attention back to
the crowds.   There had to be someone here who could liven up the
night.  Then, in a booth across the bar, she spied someone who caught
her eye.

His shoulders were not slumped.  He leaned forward at the table,
scanning the crowds just as she was doing.  Though he was a bit older
than she normally preferred, there was nothing sheepish about him.
His eyes probed the crowds like a hawk looking for prey; she could
almost imagine the multitude of details he observed and then
discarded.  Finally, a wolf in the fold.  

She turned to the bartender and said a few words.

A few minutes later, the man, carrying a fresh drink, walked over and
took the seat next to her.

"It's not often a beautiful woman buys me a drink."  He inclined his
head slightly and raised his glass in salute.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome." The woman answered, a small smile gracing her
features.

"I'm Steve Whiley."

"Katie Bairn.  But you can call me Kate."

"Nice to meet you, Kate.  Do you always buy strange men drinks?"

"Only the ones that look like fun," Kate smiled.

"I'm a terrible dancer."

"Are you a good lover?"

Steve paused a moment and considered the forward remark before
smiling, "Have you ever met a man who didn't think he was God's gift
to women?"

Kate laughed,  "A few, but they were gay and were thus God's gift to
men."

Steve joined her in laughter before taking a sip of the gin.

"You didn't answer my question." Kate prodded.

"Given my obvious bias, I guess that's something you'll just have to
find out for yourself."

Kate smirked.  She had picked very well.  Some men found an aggressive
woman intimidating; some, like Steve, not only played the game but
pushed back.  

"Your place or mine?"

"I've got a bachelor pad around the block."

"Bachelor pad, eh?" Kate pondered, rubbing her lip.  "I'm tempted to
say mine."

"But?"

"But my place is a half hour away, and since I'm dying to find the
answer to my question, I guess your place is the lesser of two evils.
You do have a 'droid, don't you?"

Steve nodded.  "Keeps the place livable anyway."

"You'd better stop before you charm my panties right off me," said
Kate, acting the part of a dreamy eyed lover with a tone that dripped
sarcasm.

Steve laughed and finished his drink in one huge gulp.  "Your rules,
Kate.  I feel like I've just grabbed hold of a tiger's tail."

"Does that disturb you?" Kate asked seriously.

Steve leaned forward and winked.  "When I've got a tiger by the tail,
I bypass disturbed and go right to excited, especially considering the
shape of the tail."

Kate leaned forward and patted Steve on the cheek,  "Good answer."

"Good tail." Steve answered appreciatively as they stood and prepared
to leave.
 
****

"Where's the moose head?" Kate asked as she surveyed the tiny
apartment.

"No room." Steve grinned as he poured them drinks.

Kate maneuvered through the crowded room cautiously, pausing
occasionally to study an interesting knick-knack, or to run her gloved
finger over a particularly dusty shelf.  She was scanning the titles
in the bookshelf as Steve handed her a glass.

"You like mysteries." Kate noted.

"You could say that.  I'm a P.I. by trade."

Kate turned and considered Steve carefully, her eyebrow arched in
surprise as she studied him.  "A private dick?"

Steve grinned.  "Tonight, anyway.  Tomorrow I belong to the public
again."

Kate took a step closer to him and ran her finger playfully along his
chest.  "You must be very big in your field."

"The biggest dick I know." Steve answered playfully.

Kate grinned coyly.  "No doubt."  Her hand went lower until her palm
pressed against a growing bulge in Steve's pants.

"Impressive.  Do you have a bed in this shoe box or shall we just do
it standing up?"

"Oh, I have a bedroom," Steve said motioning toward a door across the
room, "but I think I should ask if you'd like the sex to be as fast as
the seduction."

"Oh no.  With sex, one should always take one's time.  How kind of you
to ask."

"I've got an eye for details," Steve answered.

"A good quality for my Dick to possess."  Kate grinned as she took his
hand and pulled him into the bedroom.

***

Steve's clothes were discarded as quickly as Kate had picked him up,
and he slid onto the bed, waiting for Kate to join him.  Kate though,
took this opportunity to slow the pace down, and stripped slowly, as
Steve watched appreciatively from the bed.

The tasteful, even elegant dress and gloves were slowly removed to
reveal an exciting and thought provoking (among other things) garter,
and exquisitely cut lingerie.  Kate's eyes darted up playfully,
ensuring that her performance was appreciated.  Her eyebrow arched and
she smiled smugly as she noted Steve's ready and willing cock standing
in salute.  

Standing at the foot of the bed, she sensuously raised one leg and
rested it on the bed, giving Steve an impossibly good view of the
flesh peeking out from under the delicate lacework of her lingerie.  

Snap, snap. 

Kate unhooked the stocking leisurely, and with deliberate sensuality
began rolling it down her long, perfectly shaped leg.  Steve's eyes
followed her hands with anticipatory expectation.  Kate uncrooked her
finger, and the stocking fell to the floor.  The remaining stocking
was removed with equal care.  

With her legs spread, Kate pushed her not-inconsiderable breasts
together before unhooking her clasp.  She removed the bra, revealing
two exquisitely shaped breasts.

Steve whooshed in excitement.  "Nice," he said appreciatively.

Kate smiled.  "I'm so glad you approve." 

With everything but her panties removed, Kate ditched the erotic strip
show and dove onto the bed with an acrobatic twisting leap that had
her landing on her back next to Steve.  He started to take her in his
strong arms but she lightly diverted him as she raised her hips and
with one smooth effortless motion removed her panties and cast them
across the room.

"Are you ready now?" Steve asked, attempting to sound amused, his
gasping breath shattering the illusion.

Rolling Steve onto his back, Kate towered over him as her legs parted
around his waist.  "The question is," Kate mocked, "are you ready?"  

Her hands dove down and wrapped themselves around Steve's throbbing
cock.  She tugged lightly at the foreskin, sending an electric thrill
of pleasure through her waiting lover.   

"Hmm.  Looks like my private Dick is ready for a case." 

"Ughhha" Steve grunted incoherently as she squeezed him playfully.

"The case of the purloined pussy" Kate bubbled.  

"Our intrepid hero runs along the desert plains," Kate said as she
rubbed Steve's glans against her belly.

"Braving the plains, unshrinking from the task at hand, the private
dick enters the bushlands," Kate teased as she lifted up, allowing
Steve's straining tip to be brushed by her soft, downy tufts of pubic
hair.

"Emerging from the bushlands, our private dick stands before a valley,
and he quivers with anticipation, knowing his quarry is near," Kate
flirted as she ran his shaft through her outer lips.  Despite herself,
she let out a small gasp as Steve's glans ran over her swollen clit.

"Well what d'ya know.  Dick found pussy," Kate smiled as she lowered
herself onto Steve.

"I like this case!" Steve gasped.  

"Hmmm.  I thought you might," Kate answered mischievously.

With seductive allure, Kate lifted her arms high, emphasizing for the
moment her wonderful breasts, before letting her fingers run through
her long luxurious hair.  Her hips began to roll in a circular motion,
the motion moving Steve in and out of her, not by large amounts but
very, very quickly.  

Kate's fingers let a strand of hair fall, then slowly traced a path to
her breasts.  As she fingered her erect, sensitive nipples, she began
to raise and lower herself, still with that same circular motion.  Her
head arched back, and a long moan escaped her as she followed the
threads of pleasure she was weaving.

Steve's hands grasped her athletic waist, just for the pleasure of the
contact.  The sight of this gorgeous woman moving over him, playing
with her breasts, was almost as stimulating as her warm, moist pussy
pulsating around his shaft.  

"Oh yes!" Kate groaned.  "Yes!" she cried as she leaned forward,
straining to follow the building pleasure.  

As Kate writhed over him in orgasmic ecstasy, Steve's senses exploded.

***

The darkness was complete and total.  In the dead of night, under
cloudy, moonless skies, a figure moved.  In the still night air, soft
muffled puffs and clops from the suction cups bound to palms and knees
mingled with the other noises of the city, as the burglar slowly
crawled up the ten-story building.  It was an old technology, but
sometimes it was best to go with the tried and true, especially when
most security systems could detect an antigrav field.  At the top, the
burglar secured a rope and threw one end over the edge.

The door on the roof of the building looked simple enough, but the
burglar studied it carefully for almost a minute before pulling out a
long thin wire with two clips.  The burglar pushed one end of the wire
through an almost nonexistent crack between the frame and the door.
The glue at the end bonded instantly with a metal contact.  Near the
bottom of the door, the burglar pushed the wire through another crack.
Only after the circuit had been bypassed did the burglar pull out a
set of intricate tools and began to pick the lock.

The door opened silently, and the burglar peered in cautiously.  Only
the pinnacle of professionalism restrained a sigh of relief: there was
no security camera -- the stairwell wasn't monitored.  A black, booted
foot moved forward, and then stopped, just an inch above the floor.
The boot pulled back and the burglar knelt down to study the floor
just inside the doorway.  A pressure pad, a very well disguised one.
Under the black mask, the burglar smiled.

There were easier ways to steal the diamond, but this was the most
challenging.  The designers of the security system had laid their trap
like a chess master lays out his pieces, waiting for the trap to
spring.  But a queen was nimble.  Carefully stepping around the pad,
breathing fast with anticipation and feeling the adrenaline rush of
excitement, the burglar entered the building: the game was afoot.

At the heart of the building, near the center of the fifth floor, the
burglar hugged the wall and waited.  Two very alert guards were
guarding the door, but before anything could be done, one left for the
restroom.  There was nothing to do now but wait until he returned.  

After an eternity, he did return.  From the sound of it, he had
brought coffee for his partner.  As they were distributing the cups,
the burglar stepped out from around the corner.  Before either could
possibly see what was happening, the burglar blew into a small tube.
One of the guards swatted his neck as if stung.  The other guard's
expression turned from puzzled to concerned when his partner sank
slowly to the floor.  Before he could react, a second small dart
thudded into his neck and the world went black.  It had taken less
than a second.

The traps at the door were elaborate and complicated, but not
infallible, and the security system remained blissfully unaware as the
door opened into a small, simple room.  On a pedestal in the center of
the room stood the diamond; flawless, beautiful, and under the
carefully trained spotlights; throwing rainbows across the room.  To
the casual observer, the spotlights were set to enhance the beauty of
the stone.  To the cold, calculating eyes of the burglar, those
rainbows were being observed by sensitive optics, waiting to sound the
alarm if for any reason the dazzling spectrum of light changed in even
the smallest detail.

Overhead, a security camera slowly panned the room.  In the basement,
the image of the burglar filled the monitors as a guard sat slumped
over in his chair, the flashing "Security Disabled" light reflecting
off his cheek.

Security though, was never a device, always a system, and a system has
many parts.  The burglar had taken care of building security, all that
remained was the room security.  

It was almost trivial.

Almost.

Ten minutes later, a black clad figure slid down the rope, and on
reaching the ground, disappeared into the darkness.

***

 "Revisiting our top story: Early this morning the Vandleberg diamond
was stolen from Danzil's Auction House.  Police investigators say they
currently have no solid leads, but believe this was the work of the
pygmy bandit, so called because of the blowgun-style tranquilizer
darts used to subdue the guards.  The Vandleberg diamond was to be
auctioned this morning, and the diamond was estimated to have fetched
over one million new dollars.  This is the twelfth time the pygmy
bandit has struck.  Police estimate the dollar value of the combined
thefts at over fifty million new dollars worldwide."  The radio
blared, rousing Steve from blissful slumber.

He listened to the report groggily,  leisurely making the transition
from sleep to alertness.  Leisurely, until he remembered his guest,
and last night.  Blindly, he felt around his bed.  He was alone.  

What a strange woman.  Usually it was the man who left.

Sighing, Steve opened his eyes and sat up.   He paused at the doorway
when he saw Kate sitting in gloriously nude splendor at the small
table, reading the morning paper as she sipped coffee.

"Good morning," she said as she noticed him.  "You slept well."

"I had good reason." Steve smiled.

"I've got to leave in a bit, but I wanted to ask you before I left, if
you'd like to get together tonight."

"You mean, this isn't a one night stand?" Steve asked.

Kate considered him a moment.  "It can be if you want.  But I think
you're," she cast about for a word, "convenient."

"When you flatter me so outrageously, how can I refuse?" Steve asked.

Kate smiled and patted his hand patronizingly as Steve joined her at
the table.

"Tonight though, I think we'll use my place."

"Oh?" Steve asked.

"Let's just say, it's hard for a woman to get comfortable here."

Steve slapped his head in mock chastisement, "So it's not me!  It's my
decorating skills!"

"Exactly." Kate smiled.

They shared breakfast before Kate excused herself.  As she headed down
the hall to the elevator, she opened her purse and checked to be sure
the diamond was still there.  It never hurt to be cautious.  One
wouldn't want to lose a million-dollar diamond.

***

"Mr. Whiley?" the man asked as he stepped into the office.

Steve rose and smiled as he offered his hand  and said, "The same.
What can I do for you?"

"Sam Greene.  I represent Vincent, Foster, and Thanes."

"The insurance company." Steve said.

"Yes.  You've heard of the Vandleberg burglary?" 

"It's kind of hard to miss, considering it's the talk of the town
right now.  Your firm didn't perchance insure the diamond." 

Sam shook his head.  "No.  Fortunately that burden belongs to another
firm.  We do however insure the Starburst Ruby, and it will arrive in
LA in three days.  Considering the skills of the person who stole the
Vandleberg diamond, you can understand perhaps why we are a bit
nervous."

"Of course." Steve said.

"We'd like to hire you to work with our security experts."

"Security isn't really my field."

"But you do have experience in the area, and you have a certain
reputation.  My employers feel that you would be a considerable asset
in protecting our charge."

"And if I accept, what kind of role did you have in mind?"

"You'd be a consultant.  Able to come and go as you please, and pass
along recommendations to our chief of security.  We think your biggest
asset is your ability to profile criminals."

Steve nodded.  His ability to profile criminals had developed over
many years of tracking down serial killers and terrorists.  The skills
he lacked in security would be balanced by his feel for the criminal
mind, understanding what drove him, how he worked.  The insurance
company had done their homework.

"A thousand a day, plus expenses.  How long do you need me?"

"Thirty days.  That's how long the diamond will be in town."

Steve let out a long, low whistle.  "You're not expecting a volume
discount, are you?"

Sam smiled broadly.  "The Starburst Ruby is priceless.  The current
owner purchased it for almost half a billion new dollars.  The
insurance premiums on the stone are generous.  Your fee is more than
acceptable."

"Maybe I should make it two thousand a day, then." Steve laughed.

""Maybe, but I don't think you should look a gift horse in the mouth."

"Good advice.  When do you want me to start?"

"This afternoon."

Steve frowned.  "Let's make it tomorrow morning.  Best to get a fresh
start, and I have a date tonight."

"An expensive date, to lose a thousand dollars for."

"She's worth it." Steve said firmly.

Sam shrugged and began pulling forms out of his briefcase for Steve to
fill out.

***

"You look distracted," Kate said over dinner.

Steve looked up sheepishly.  "Sorry."

"Thinking about tonight?" Kate said coyly, running her fork in figure
eight's through her pasta.

"That too." Steve smiled.

Kate's eyebrow arched dangerously.  "Too?  You mean there's someone
else?"

"Something else.  I got a new case today."

Kate leaned forward eagerly.  "Wanna tell me about it?"

"Can't.  Sorry."

Kate pouted.  "You don't trust me."

"Would you trust me if I told you all about it, knowing that my
clients expect me to keep my trap shut?"

Kate smiled warmly,  "Kinda like, how can I trust you if they can't?"

"Exactly."

"I can live with that." 

The conversation lagged a little before Kate looked up and said, "You
never told me you were famous."

Steve laughed.  "If I were really famous, you'd know I was famous."

Kate laughed.  "Well, I don't follow Hollywood that closely.  I did
watch Zero G this afternoon, though.  I wondered why your name seemed
familiar."

Steve shrugged.  "That film's been nothing but trouble.  People are
terribly disappointed when they see the real thing."

 Kate leaned over and said conspiratorially, "Then those people never
had you flat on your back."

"Most people wouldn't want to have me on my back."

"I like a discriminating man."

"How fortunate for me." 

"Are you done yet?"

Steve looked down at his half finished plate, then at the beautiful
woman staring at him, her lush, red lips parting slightly with desire.

"Yes." Steve said.

***

Kate collapsed onto Steve, her skin wet with perspiration, panting in
deep long breaths as she came down from her orgasm.  As she rolled off
him, Steve kissed her lightly on the lips, then lowered his head to
suckle her still erect teat.  

"Hmmm." Kate hummed as she ran her fingers through his hair.

Inspired by the exhilarating sex, Steve began to work his way down,
fully intending to give her at least two or three more orgasms to pass
the time.

Kate's hands stiffened around his head, pulling him to a stop.  "No.
Please."

Steve looked up puzzled.  

"I appreciate it.  But really, I'm done."

Steve sighed and snuggled up next to her.  "It's the control, isn't
it?"

"Are you investigating me?" Kate asked.  She smiled but she sounded
annoyed.

"No." Steve said quickly.  "Just an observation."

Kate frowned.  "I don't think there's anything wrong with being on top
of things."

Steve laughed at the pun.  "Do you hear me complaining?"

"Not exactly."

"None at all.  I'm just trying to find out how to please you as much
as you please me."

Kate smiled and traced a finger down Steve's side.  "You please me
just fine, Steve.  I don't sleep with just anyone twice, you know."

"I'm trying for a third."

"Then stop observing."

"I'm a detective.  I'm naturally curious.  And, other than the fact
that you're the best woman I've ever slept with, I know nothing at all
about you." 

Kate sighed.  "Fine.  I need to be in control because when I was young
I wasn't.  I was raped when I was fifteen.  I swore I'd never be that
helpless again.  It's a promise I've kept."

"I'm sorry," Steve said quickly.

"No you're not," Kate chided.  "You're naturally curious."

"You're right," Steve sighed.  "But you know, letting someone please
you isn't really losing control.  Look how easily you stopped me, with
just two words."

"I am _not_ going to get into a sexual psychology discussion with you.
I like who I am just fine."

"I like you just fine too." Steve smiled.  "I just thought talking
about something would be better than staring at the ceiling for the
next half hour."

"Just my luck, to find the only guy in the whole city who doesn't roll
over and fall asleep after sex."

"You inspire me."

Kate studied Steve for a moment, wanting to open up to him, wanting,
even needing to share herself with him.  For a moment.  Then the
moment passed.  

***

Steve studied the case files before him, as a mental image of the
burglar slowly began to take shape.  Physically, he'd be between five
feet and five foot five.  Shorter than average.  He'd be thin, in
excellent shape, and acrobatic.  The basic physical profile was easy,
extrapolated from the size of passages used, and the physical demands
necessary to elude the other traps.  Other than general build, the
profile offered few clues that would let Steve pick him out of a
crowd.

The psychological profile however, was a wealth of information.  This
thief thrived on danger.  Time and time again the easier paths were
discarded in favor of more challenging routes.  But the burglar wasn't
stupid.  He took risks, but always avoided the foolproof traps.
Without doubt, the thefts were always meticulously planned.
Planning required information.  Before the thief could steal the
jewel, the thief would first have to steal information.

Steve punched a few numbers into his terminal and an attractive blond
appeared on the screen.  

"Good morning, Steve." she said.

"Morning, Candice.  How's the love life?" Steve asked.

"Other than Jimmy the super-geek, pretty boring." Candice sighed.

"I thought you liked nerds."

Candice grinned evilly.  "Oh they're cute enough, but they just don't
get the juices flowing like you do."

Steve smiled at the obvious bait.  "I'll send Jimmy a pair of
handcuffs, blindfold, and a supergizmo dildo 9000 with instructions." 

Candice sighed.  "I take it you don't have time to pay a visit?"

"Sorry, lover.  Got a new case."

"Business before pleasure.  What do you need?"

"You." Steve grinned, "But that will have to wait.  I need you to
break into Vincent, Foster, and Thanes's security systems.  What I
need are a few traps to alert me if someone follows you."

Candice thought for a moment.  "That's not going to be easy.  There
are a million ways to break into a computer."

"I have faith in you Candice." Steve said.

Candice sighed.  "Credit my account the usual fee.  I'll have it all
set up for you by this evening."

"Have it alert you too." Steve said.  "I'll need someone to trace the
hack, and you know me and computers."

"Yea, so does the DOD." Candice laughed.  "Later lover."

The screen went blank and Steve transferred one thousand dollars to
Candice's account - double her usual fee.  His clients would of course
pick up the tab.

***

Steve woke to the soft chirping of his phone. 

"Yea?" Steve grunted.

"We've got a hit," Candice said, "turn on your portable."

Steve staggered out of bed, and rooted around his things until he
found his briefcase and pulled out his portable.  The screen flashed
to life with a brilliance that momentarily dazzled him. 

"Ohh, he's good." Candice was saying.  

A red dot flashed on the map on the screen, the location of the
insurers.  

"I'm tracing him now.  It's not going to be easy, it looks like he's
using blind relays to mask his location," Candice mumbled as the city
map dissolved into a national map and a line drawn from LA to New
York.

The map dissolved again to be replaced by a world map and lines began
bouncing back and forth over the globe.  What their prey was doing was
similar to taping two public telephone handsets together.  You could
trace the call to the public telephone, but then you'd have to trace
where the second telephone was going.  More and more lines began to
appear until the map was literally covered in red.

"There's too many!" Candice howled in frustration.  "By the time we
get through all the relays, he'll have what he wants and be long gone!
We should cut him off now."

Steve pondered groggily for a moment.  "No.  Let him have the
information."

Candice frowned.  "Steve, I can't tell you anything about this guy.
When he's through, he'll know everything about their security system."

"No, there's two very important things I've learned about him.  He
knows as much about the security system as I do."

"And?" Candice prompted when Steve drifted in thought.

"And he's going after the Starburst Ruby."

"I don't see how that helps you." Candice said, glancing at the ever
growing red lines of the trace.

"Forewarned is forearmed."

"He's gone." Candice said. 

 "Thanks, Candice.  I'll talk with you later."

"Be careful with this one, Steve.  This guy's so smooth, your bullets
may just slide off him." 

The screen went blank as she cut the connection.

Steve glanced around Kate's bedroom and discovered he was alone.  The
clock said the time was three-fifteen in the morning.  Wondering where
Kate was, he got up and searched the spacious apartment until he found
her in the study.

"Steve," Kate said as he entered the room.  "You're up early."

"I missed you." Steve said as he slid up behind her and wrapped his
arms around her.

She clasped his hands in hers.  "I couldn't sleep, musta been all that
excitement earlier.  So I decided to get rid of some old e-mail."

"Sounds terribly boring.  Lets go back to bed, and you can fuck me
unconscious again."

Kate smiled.  "Would you settle for a blowjob?"

Steve sighed in mock resignation.  "I'll suffer, but only for you."

Kate smiled and grabbed his butt as they walked back to the bedroom.

***

Three weeks passed, and slowly the case files yielded the burglar's
profile.  The profile was mostly probabilities and likelihood's, but
one thing was certain.  If the thief struck, it would be in two weeks,
during the next new moon. 

Steve went over the security blueprints with a critical eye, the eye
he thought his prey would use.  Over the weeks, two clear paths had
emerged, both converging on a single point.  

Steve left the paths clear.  He didn't want to spook his quarry.  He
knew the day and he knew the place.  And there was something missing
in the security files the thief had stolen.  The files made no mention
of Steve Whiley.  

***

"I like you Steve." Kate said as she ran her palm over Steve's chest,
her fingers lightly ruffling his chest-hair.  

Steve smiled.  "I like you too, Kate.  Really, a stronger word comes
to mind."

Kate frowned.  "No.  You don't understand. It's… It's not easy for me
to say that.  I thought you'd be just another one-night fling.  Then I
thought it was just for the good sex.  But I like you, Steve.  I
haven't said that to anybody in a long, long time."

Steve considered her a moment, noting a look of what might be fear
mixed with vulnerability on her face.  Tenderly, he brushed her cheek
with the back of his hand. 

"Thank you.  I like you too.  You're a good friend, a very good
friend."

She took his hand in hers and held it next to her.  "We talked once
about control."

"We did." Steve said cautiously.  "It wasn't your favorite subject."

"I think maybe friends shouldn't have to worry about such things,"
Kate said, her voice quivering as she fumbled for the words.

"Really, it's OK." Steve said soothingly.

"No," Kate sighed.  "No, it's not.  I want you to fuck me, Steve."

Steve's eyes probed her as he felt out the dangerous new turn in their
relationship.  In many ways, Kate remained a puzzle wrapped in an
enigma shrouded in mystery.  But he did know that what Kate offering
was almost akin to a virgin offering herself to a man.  _Change me_  

"Are you sure?  Really, Kate, you don't need to prove anything."

Kate smiled weakly.  "I know.  I want this."

Kate rolled over and pulled Steve on top of her.  Given the charged
atmosphere, Steve was almost not up to the task.  Almost.

She spread her legs for him, wrapping her thighs around him as his
excitement at the beautiful woman below him manifested itself.

Feeling him grow large against her belly Kate whispered.  "He didn't
look a thing like you."

"Kate…" Steve paused,  "Have you ever talked about this with anyone?"

Kate shook her head, no.  "Will you listen?"

"I don't think now is the best time…"

"Please?"  It was a plea.

Steve sighed and pushed against her entrance.  She was moist, but not
terribly so.  Steve suspected it was mostly from their earlier play.
He also suspected that even if she were bone dry, she would have
insisted.  For some reason, tonight she wanted to relive that time.
Slowly, gently, he began to move in a soft rocking motion.  As she
began to talk, Steve moved within her, not for the sake of sex, not to
meet the demands of lust, but to keep alive the warm, comfortable
sensations.  As the tale grew darker, more horrifying, Steve's
movements became an attempt to stay erect because for some reason she
needed him inside her.

"I was fifteen.  Fifteen and a half.  I was such a virgin.  My parents
and school were so draconian, I hadn't even learned how to masturbate.
It was a private school - very exclusive.  It was late afternoon.  It
had just rained, and the air was clammy.  The kind of air that would
soak your shirt just by standing outside.  It was hot too.  Really
hot.  I shouldn't have been out jogging, but I was on the track team
at school.  I wanted the practice."

"The hiking trails wound through the woods.  I always used to like
them, they were so pretty.  Especially in spring.  There were even
deer and squirrels that would come up to you if you had food for them.
That day, there was a man on the path in front of me.  He wore a long,
dirty overcoat.  His hair was greasy looking, and he had an unkempt
beard.  I was scared of him the moment I saw him, but I was moving
fast, and I figured I'd be by him in a flash."

"When I was close enough to smell the stale smoke and alcohol that
surrounded him, he pulled a gun on me.  I should have turned around
when I first saw him, I never suspected a gun.  I even kept running
for a second because I really didn't know what was happening.  But he
told me to stop and then I did know.  The path there almost touched
the road and he led me out to his van.  The kind with no windows in
the back.  He made me get in."

Kate's voice had an almost detached quality and her eyes stared at an
unseen point in space though her hands continued to stroke Steve's
chest as he gently rocked above her.  

To tell of that day was to relive it all over again, but Steve's
comfortable presence, the feel of his clean, soft skin against her
palms, the feel of his slow gentle movements within her, gave her
strength.  

She was a proud woman, strong and independent.  As horrified as she
was to be reliving this terrible moment, she was even more shocked to
discover how vulnerable she really was, how much she really needed
Steve here, now.

"He drove me someplace, I don't know where.  I don't know how long he
drove.  I was in the back curled into a ball, trying to pretend this
wasn't happening to me.  I was so scared.  I didn't think it was
possible to get more scared, but then he stopped, and I knew there was
something worse than being scared.  He told me to get undressed.  I
just sat there, crying on the floor.  When I didn't do what he wanted,
he slapped me,"  A trembling hand went up to touch her cheek, feeling
the decade-old sting anew.  

"I stood up and got undressed.  His eyes on me felt as dirty and oily
as his hair.  God, he was an ugly man.  When he reached out to me I
cringed, and he hit me again.  He felt my breasts, they weren't very
big, but that didn't stop him.  Then he felt my pussy, and I pulled
away from him.  This time he didn't slap me, he hit me, hard enough
that I fell to the floor."

"He dropped his pants.  I'd never seen a penis.  It was a small thing
really, three, maybe four inches.  But it was the first penis I ever
saw, it was erect, and it looked huge and monstrously terrifying.  He
knelt over me.  I didn't understand what was happening.  I kept
thinking 'My God, what's he going to do?'  Even when he aimed his
penis at my pussy, I didn't understand.  Then he pushed."

Kate trembled and her voice broke.  Steve paused in his movements
until Kate opened her eyes, and with a light, trembling touch urged
him to continue.

"It hurt.  But it wasn't a monstrous hurt.  It was a sharp sting, the
feel of dry flesh on dry flesh.  I think I was too terrified to really
feel pain.  He tore away my virginity and my innocence.  Then he
started moving, and it stung when he did, like rubbing an open wound
with dirty hands.  It seemed like an eternity, but really, I don't
think it took all that long.  Then he finished."

"If he had stopped there I think it would have been easier for me
later on.  But he didn't stop.  He had felt my virginity, and for some
reason, for some sick, unknown, perverted reason, he began to finger
me, using my own blood as lubricant.  At first, that's all he did.
But then, I started getting excited."  Kate turned her head as a tear
fell down her cheek onto the pillow.

"The bastard made me cum.  He fingered me to orgasm."  Kate's voice
was so pained Steve winced to hear it.  "He made me fucking enjoy it.
ARRRGH!" Kate howled in frustration.  "It wasn't enough that he
controlled what I did, controlled my body, but he took the last bit of
control I had left.  That was the real rape."

Slowly Kate opened her eyes and turned to stare up at Steve.  Her
glare was ice cold and harder than diamonds.  But the look of
compassion, of shared outrage on Steve's face stopped her.  And slowly
she let go of the death grip on her emotions and began to cry.  Steve
pulled her up to him and hugged her hard as he felt her tears run down
his shoulders. 

"It's OK." Steve said softly as he held her.  "It's not your fault.
When I worked for the cops, I learned lots of rape victims get
sexually aroused.  It doesn't make it right."

"I know." Kate whimpered as she pounded her fist against his chest.
"I know."

"Did they ever catch the guy?"

"I don't know.  For years I tried to forget about him, or at least
ignore him."

"So you kept it all bottled up."

"I was too ashamed to tell anyone.  But I thought a friend, a real
friend, would understand."

Steve stroked her hair lovingly and looked her in the eye as he
replied, "A real friend does.  It's not your fault.  You're the same
Katie I knew before you told me, and I love you just as much."

Kate's breath caught.  "Love?"

Steve frowned briefly at the slip.  It was true though.  Katie was
everything he admired in a woman - beautiful, articulate, intelligent,
and endlessly exciting.  It wasn't love at first sight, but it was a
love that had grown as bit by bit she revealed herself to him.

"Too heavy?"

Kate laughed and whipped away a tear.  "I just told you the most
depressing story, and you're worried proclaiming your love for me is
too heavy?"

"So I'm a considerate bastard.  Sue me."

"Are you going to lay me back down and finish what you started, or are
you going to get all mushy on me?"

"Can't I do both?" Steve grinned.

Kate sighed, as she at first submitted to Steve's movements, then
slowly she began participating.  With Steve above her, she yielded
much of the control, but gained instead a trust.  A trust that was
well rewarded, as for the first time, they made love.

***

"I've got to be away for the next three nights, Kate.  I'm sorry."

"Your case?" Kate asked idly, somewhat relieved since she was not sure
how to tell Steve she needed some time to herself.

Steve nodded.  "It's gonna get hot and heavy over the next few days.
I really won't have time for anything else."

"Nothing dangerous." 

Steve smiled and shook his head.  "No.  Nothing dangerous.  Just time
consuming."

"Well, be careful."

"Your wish is my command."

***

Kate stared at the computer screen, going over for the thousandth time
the details of her plan.  This would be the last heist.  She had more
money than she'd ever need.  But it was never about the money.  It was
never about pretty baubles, though both were nice fringe benefits.  It
was always the thrill of the hunt.  Always the sense of danger and
fear.  Tokens of the danger and fear she had felt so long ago, but on
a job _she_ was in control.  

The last week with Steve, though, had changed many things she once
took for granted.  She didn't always need to be in control, for one.
It was even fun.  As the days passed by, and her bond with Steve grew
deeper, the need for this job grew less and less within her.  

For a moment, she paused to remember the first time she had let Steve
suck her.  It was almost the ultimate loss of control.  The total
yielding to her partner's timings, her partner's whims of direction
and speed.  The first few moments recalled those terrifying moments as
the rapist's fingers circled her clit.  But this time it was
different.  This time she was loved.  This time she wanted it.    It
had been wonderful.

If Steve's job hadn't called him away, she might have skipped it
entirely.  But it was all planned out.  As always, she had been
meticulous in her details.  And so in the end, it was only momentum
that carried her forward.

***

Steve paced the room nervously, glancing now and again at the ruby
that dominated the room.  It was a flawed ruby, but the flaw made it
priceless.  Somehow the flaw, deep within the fist-sized gem, created
an explosion of light and color inside, giving the gem its name.  The
simple farmer who unearthed it now owned an island in the Bahamas.
People of wealth lusted after it as a token of their power and
prestige.  

The sense of anticipation was thick.  The profile said the thief would
strike when the moon was new, a window of three nights.  But without
knowing how he knew, Steve felt it would be this night.  A signal from
the guards alerted him that the night watch was beginning.  

He acknowledged the call, then slipped silently into a recess in the
wall, and waited.

***

The air duct was cramped, almost suffocating, and the thin metal foil
creaked and groaned as she wiggled through, sending pangs of fear
shooting through her.  Noise was her enemy.  Fear was her enemy as
well.  She paused a moment to calm herself, letting the tension drain
from her with a simple meditation.  When she began moving again, not
even the mice noted her passing.

With the greatest of care, Kate removed the grate.  If anything even
as small as a bead of sweat should fall, the pressure sensitive floor
would sound the alarm.  If there were a noise louder than a whisper,
or even as soft as a whisper, the alarm would sound.  

The grate removed, she peeked in, surveying the room and looking for
guards.  The files didn't call for any, but humans, unlike security
systems, were unpredictable - that's what made them so dangerous.
Finding no one with her cursory glance, she strapped on the suction
cups and began crawling across the ceiling.  

Directly over the gem, she paused to admire its beauty from this
unique vantage point.  In minutes, it would be hers.  Maybe this one
she would not sell.

***

>From the darkened vantage of the recess, Steve's eyes followed the
figure as it moved across the ceiling.  For a moment, he allowed
himself to be impressed at the cat-like skill and co-ordination the
thief exhibited.  The thief carried only the barest essentials,
nothing surprising there.  What was surprising was that the thief was
a woman.  The profile didn't rule it out, but it didn't exactly scream
feminine characteristics either.

Steve stepped out from his hiding place, his gun leveled at the
figure.  

"That's far enough." Steve said.

The thief turned sharply at the voice then _froze_.  Steve had
anticipated a break to the alternate route.  In fact his aim was
shifting in that direction, and for a moment he was as surprised at
his prey's lack of reaction as the prey was to discover someone else
in the room.

***

"Oh God!  No!  Not Steve!"  Kate's mind raced at the unceasing
thought.    The fear of discovery and the terrible consequences
finally solidified in her mind.  She had to get away.

***

Steve pressed a button on the remote and the two air ducts were
suddenly sealed by heavy metal plating.

"A new addition." Steve said.  "Installed after you downloaded the
security files.  The only way out is through those doors, and you know
the security out there is so heavy you'd never break through.  You
like risks, but you're not stupid - that's why you choose the air
ducts."

The thief's shoulders slumped in defeat.  

"Lower yourself carefully to the floor.  No sudden movements.  I don't
see a weapon on you, but I'm not going to take any chances either."

The thief lowered herself to the floor slowly but the stance when she
reached the ground was wrong.  She was still looking for a way out.

"Don't think grabbing the remote will do you any good.  The vents will
stay shut for the next five hours.  The guards will enter the room in
exactly nine minutes.  More than enough time for me to get to know you
a little bit.  You see, I'm a professional too.  It's a rare day when
I get to corner my prey personally.  Security was kind enough to
indulge me with a little time, once I managed to convince them there
was no escape, of course."

The thief's stance changed, again the posture of defeat.  Checkmate.

"Remove your mask, please."

***

Kate was panting in short, strained gasps as she raised her hand to
the mask.  Powerless.  This was what she had skirted all these years.
Always, she knew that this could happen.   Maybe she even wanted it to
happen, maybe this time it would be different.

Steve waved the gun impatiently.

Her hands had stopped, her fingers just under the fabric.  She
couldn't go on, but Steve wouldn't take no for an answer.  How many
minutes until security burst in and made it all irrelevant?  

Her head bowed in defeat and shame she pulled the mask free.

***

"No!" Steve cried, aghast.

"I'm sorry, Steve.  I didn't know this was your case.  I never… I
never would have…"  Words failed her as tears streamed down her
cheeks.

Then Steve did the unthinkable, and turned his back on her as his mind
whirled.

***

Ethics.  Steve lived and breathed ethics, he had seen what not having
them did to people.  Ethics was returning someone's wallet with the
money intact even if you hadn't eaten in a week.  Ethics was spending
time with a friend because it had been promised, even if that time
interfered with work or other activities.  It was knowing the right
thing and doing it even if it hurt.

Ethics demanded Kate be turned over to the cops.  Some would say that
she was only ripping off the insurance companies.  Ethics said that
the insurance companies always got their due -- the cost of the stolen
items would come out of the pockets of thousands of people, people
like Steve, people like his friends, his buddies on the force.  

His eyes were closed but he could still see Kate standing behind him.
If this was bad for him, how much worse for her?  How much control
would she have in prison?  She trusted him, something she had never
done since that terrible rape.  She trusted him not to hurt her.

She loved him.

He loved her.

Love was stronger than ethics.

***

Steve raised the remote and said, "Jack, what's your readiness?"

"Five men at the door.  Five men at each of the airduct exits."  The
radio crackled.

"Alarm status?"

"Only your signal."

"Ok.  Reset the system - that was just a test."

"A test?" the voice demanded, becoming more irate.  "Hold on.  I'm
coming in."

The door burst open and a large, heavyset man strode in.  He stopped
dead in his tracks when he saw Kate, and started fumbling for his
weapon.

"Hold your horses, Jack.  I'd like you to meet one of my employees.
This is Katie Bairn.  She's an expert at getting into impossible
places."

"Your file didn't say nothing about no employee."

"My files don't say a lot of things." Steve said, his tone low, level
and dangerous.

Unconvinced, Jack pressed.  "Why now?  This thing's only here five
more days.  If you wanted a test, ya should'a done it weeks ago.  And
you should'a told me first."

Steve, transferring his anger to Jack, stomped over until the two men
were face to face.  Jabbing his finger into Jack's chest, Steve said
with barely restrained fury, "Now, because my profile says if the
pygmy bandit strikes, it will either be tomorrow night or the night
after.  I want your men alert, I want you alert.  I don't work for
you, or with you, Jack, my job is a consultant.  If I hadn't warned
you about the ducts, and Katie had been our bandit, the ruby would be
gone by now.  So, the end result, Jack, is that you're pissed off but
the system works _damn it_.  If we can snag Katie, then by God we can
snag anybody."

"All right man.  Don't have a cow.  Geez, sorry.  Just got me all
worked up and it takes a while to calm down."

Steve smiled.  "Yea, I'm sorry too.  I'm angry because Katie almost
got by me anyway.  We need to get those locks on automatic - I'll go
over the details with you later."

"Sure thing, Steve." Jack said.  Then he glanced over at Katie, who
was watching them with a completely unreadable expression.  "She
really that good?"

"Before this tour is over Jack, remind me to tell you about the time
she tested Whitehouse security."

Jack smiled.  "I'll do that."  He turned and bowed slightly to Katie
and said, "Pleasure to meet you, Ma'am."

Katie smiled weakly, before Jack turned and left the room.

"Why?" Katie asked.  "You know me well enough to maybe understand what
I do.  I thought I knew you too.  The Steve I know would have turned
me in.  It would have eaten him alive, but he'd do it."

Steve swallowed hard.  "People change."  He paused a moment and then
said, "People _can_ change."

"I know." Katie said softly.  "What now?"

"I don't know." Steve said.  "I really don't."

***

"Moving up in the world I see." Candice said, as she grinned slyly at
Steve.

"Huh?" Steve asked, trying to remember what he'd missed.

"Your new receptionist.  Bright, pretty, and boobs to die for.  Bet
you two have loads of fun."

"She's not my receptionist.  She's my partner."

"Ohh, really?" Candice asked, genuinely surprised.

"She has some rather unique skills, and since business has been
picking up lately…"  Steve let the thought drift.

Candice sighed.  Trying to get juicy details out of a man was like
trying to squeeze blood from a stone.  She'd call back and have a chat
with Kate later.  

"You must be busy.  I was just calling to see if you nabbed your
crook, and to thank you for the double-time."

"No problem, you earned it.  And no.  The pygmy bandit never paid a
call.  The only thing even remotely exciting was a false alarm."

"Typical stakeout." Candice sighed.  "And I was all ready for the
headlines proclaiming your godhood."

"Save me from that!" Steve chuckled.  

"Oops.  Got another call.  Chat with you later, Stevers."  The screen
went dark.

"She's pretty nice for a CIA agent." Katie said as she came over and
snuggled in Steve's lap.

"There's an exception to every rule." Steve smiled.  "You're pretty
nice for a thief."

"Ex-thief" Katie said, "I'm retired now.  You're not going to hold
that over me forever, are you?"

"Why?  Don't you like the punishment?"

Katie shivered with excitement.  "Well now that you mention it.  Yes.
But I think a life sentence with you probably qualifies as cruel and
unusual."

"The 'droid broke down again - don't forget hard labor." Steve
snickered.

"No dear, the hard labor will be in eight months."

Steve looked at her, puzzled for a moment, before she placed his hand
on her tummy.  "I just found out this morning.  Whatever you're
shooting, it sure ain't blanks."

Steve's look of awe and wonder took Katie's breath away.  He hugged
her tightly, then loosely, suddenly afraid she might break, as his
lovely thief stole his heart all over again.

-- Sandman


Other Whiley Stories: 
=================

#1 - Double Blind (M/2xhermaphrodite)
Lady Cyrrh: A  (Annex Reviews)
Billy G: 10, 10, 10 (Celestial Review)
Celeste #20 (April 98 top 20)

#2 - Starlight (M/F Voy)(F/F) 
Celeste: 10, 10, 10 (Celestial Review)
Celeste: #10 (January 98 top 20)

#3 - Zero G (M/F) 
Celeste: 9, 10, 10

#4 - Blindside (M/F)(M/f nc)


These stories are archived at http://www.bitsmart.com/sandman

Copyright  (c) 1998 by bitbard@newsguy.com  All rights reserved.




====================================================
The artist  formerly known as Sandman
http://www.newsguy.com/~bitbard  


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