Sean sat up, his heart sinking through the floor. His brain couldn't believe what he had heard. All that he could manage was a heartbroken whisper as he gawked out to Mark. "How could you...?" Mark took a knee in front of him, lifting his chin with his fingertips. Staring deep into his eyes, Mark replied in a cool tone of voice. "You asked me to punish you. And I have." Sean swatted Mark's hand away, snapping out in a broken voice. "I TOLD YOU TO PUNISH ME! NOT HIM!" Mark laid his wrist on his raised knee, his eyes never blinking as he coldly retorted. "I did. I didn't lay a hand on him... and I never intended to. Not all punishments are physical. Sometimes it's the lack of one that hurts more." Rising to his feet, Mark tapped his shoulder and ordered him firmly. "Come. I'll help you wash up." Something in Sean snapped and he rose to his feet quickly. Storming up to Mark, he reached him just as Mark was turning to look at him. Without thinking it through, Sean smacked Mark across the face. For a split second after, Sean couldn't remember how to breathe.

Mark didn't move for a few minutes, before his eyes finally moved to look at him out from the corner of his eyes. Sean took a step back from him. As he took another step back, Sean sank to his knees weakly. Looking down at his hands, he watched them shake uncontrollably before laying them on his lap. His emotions were so wild that all he really felt was guilt and fear. Mark walked up to him and Sean raised his hands to protect his face. Mark took his wrists, pulling them down as he kneeled to look at him. Sean closed his eyes, feeling tears run down his cheeks. Bowing his head, he tried to strain out the words for an apology but they died on his lips. "I... I..." Mark's warm hands gently touched the sides of his face, causing Sean to flinch. Desperately holding Mark's wrists, Sean shook his head in fear. He didn't want Mark to hurt him. Mark pulled him closer against his chest, wrapping his arms around him as he told him softly. "I'm sorry, Sean." Sean opened his eyes and held his breath. Why was Mark apologizing?

Mark's hands rubbed his back, stating out in a low voice. "After the day you've had... I should have been more... I let my emotions get the better of me. It won't happen again." Sean barely heard his words. He was too busy listening to Mark's steady heartbeat and couldn't help noticing that he wasn't shaking in Mark's warm embrace. Mark's gentle touches always caught him off guard. It was so strange the way Mark melted his defenses and touched the most vulnerable parts within him. Mark suddenly moved away from him, making Sean shiver from the rush of cold air on his warmed skin. Mark gestured him toward the shower stall, asking nicely. "Go on. Clean yourself off." Sean staggered to his feet, reaching out for Mark's hand. He wanted to apologize too, but Mark moved away from him. Sean's fingers grazed off Mark's arm, sending a cold chill up Sean's back. Turning, he watched Mark go to the mirror to slide a panel back on the wall. Pressing his fingers to a scanner, the mirror popped open.

Inside, Nate was huddled up in the center of the dark narrow closet. His arms were still restrained in a straight jacket, but he was wearing loose white pants now. He was wearing a thick collar with rings that were attached to chains hooked to the walls to keep him in the center. While around Nate's mouth was a leather muzzle, but otherwise he looked ok. Sean started to rush toward him, saying in a pained voice. "Nate! I'm sorry! I didn't mean for you to see that." Mark raised a hand and Sean stumbled to a stop. Mark lowered his hand, giving Sean a warning look. Then he looked at Nate. Nate sat very still, his eyes going to the floor. Nate couldn't seem to look at either of them and that hurt Sean deeply. Kneeling before Nate, Mark told Sean firmly as he looked over Nate's pierced ears. "Take that shower, Sean. You're dripping all over my red carpet." Sean glanced down at his leg, blushing a bright red. Mark's cum was still leaking down his leg. Rushing back to the shower, Sean bathed but never took his eyes off them. After checking Nate's pierced ears, Mark dryly informed Nate. "I want to apologize... but I can't bring myself to for your sake. He's not yours. You should know that you will be punished for the raid. I can't stop that. So, you better pray that my brother feels merciful on that day."

Looking over the bruises on Nate's face, Mark told him more gently. "The only question that remains... What do I do with you?" Sean blurted out an answer. He just couldn't control himself. "Can he stay?" Mark glanced over his shoulder, answering seriously. "He can't. My building only allows one Pet. And I can barely keep you in line. No. Slum Dogs need to be watched closely..." Sean turned off the water after finishing, anxiously uttering out. "Oh god... You're not going to sell him at the auction, are you?" Mark didn't answer, his eyes simply went back to Nate. Sean rushed forward, dropping to his knees by Mark as he bent over into a bow and he pleaded out. "Don't... Take away everything from me if you have too... but please don't do that." Sean's hand blindly reached out to touch Mark's arm, his fingers caressing his skin timidly. Mark was a little impressed that Sean had read at least one page of the training guide he had left him. Exhaling as he thought it over, he took ahold of Sean's wrist. Standing up, Mark gathered up Sean's clothes and pulled Sean to his feet.

Escorting him out of the playroom, Mark honestly informed him. "Go. I need to think, and he needs to be fed. Which if you recall... Is going to make him sick." Sean turned around, asking hopefully. "Mark, let me help." Mark shook his head, saying softly. "No." Mark gave him his clothes, then closed the playroom door on him. Sean reluctantly dressed himself and wandered around the house. He watched Amy go in and out of the playroom with food and medicine. However, no matter how many times he asked her what Mark was doing... She just told him that Nate was fine. After a few hours, Sean found himself eating cereal as he leaned on the coffee table and watched TV. It was really too late for cereal, but he was craving something sweet. He got so wrapped up in the show on TV that he barely noticed Mark slipping out of the playroom. Mark had a blinking earpiece in and was talking aloud to someone in a casual tone. "I know it's not fair... but he's your elder. I can try to talk to Mother about it, but you know she will probably agree. He technically bought her... I don't like it any more than you, Mat."

Mark took a seat in a chair at the dining table, messing with his watch as he added more hopefully. "Actually... This could be a blessing. No. Just listen, Mat. I'm gonna send you some info on a Slum Dog that I've got. Don't ask how I got him... Are you interest or not?" Sean dropped his spoon in the steel dog bowl loudly, but Mark didn't notice. After sending something, Mark chuckled out. "No, I'm not hoarding them... It's just my Pet is... very fond of him. I can't claim him... but you can now. Hell, he could help you understand Slum Dogs better. Think of it like a live-in science project." Mark pinched the bridge of his nose, adding grimly. "Yes... I know he's wild... I'm not asking you to do this lightly. I've gotten some experience, I'll help you. If you're scared just keep him locked up for a few days." Sean crossed his legs, watching Mark anxiously. Finally, Mark said before hanging up. "Sure. Stop by and take a look at him. Bye Bye." Mark pulled out his earpiece, causing Sean to ask a little hesitantly. "What's going on?"

Mark ran a hand through his hair, then answered casually. "Apparently, Matthias's male Snow Elf just died from the injuries it got during the raid... So, because he paid for the set. He took the female from Matthew. Matthew is distraught... but I think I found a way to cheer him up." Sean got to his feet but forced his mouth to stay shut. Without having to say a word, Mark stated out as he messed with his watch some more. "You don't have to worry. Matthew doesn't have an evil bone in his whole body. He'll be good to him." Sean moved closer, placing a hand on the table as he uttered out under his breath. "Thank you." Mark didn't look up from his watch as he said nicely. "You're welcome." Sean drifted his hand across the table to touch Mark's hand, saying nervously. "About earlier... I shouldn't have-" Mark cut him off by climbing out of the chair and replying simply. "That wasn't your fault. I let my jealous get the better of me. In your condition, I shouldn't have pushed you."

Sean raised an eyebrow, asking a little concerned. "My condition?" Mark put a hand on the back of his chair, finally looking at him to answer gently. "You were raped and beaten. I should have been gentler in handling you... but... I wasn't." Sean lowered his eyes to the carpet, shuffling his feet as he wispily muttered out. "I'm fine. It wasn't about me. It was what you did to Nate..." Mark moved quickly to touch Sean's wrist, which caused him to jerk back from him. Holding Sean's wrist, Mark raised it to their eye level, stating out gently. "See that? I first noticed it last night. You can't stop shaking." Sean jerked his shaking hand back, snapping out. "I'm fine!" Mark began walking away, spurring Sean to blurt out a bit emotionally. "Mark..." Mark stopped halfway up the steps to his room, asking a little caught off guard by Sean's sudden change in tone. "Yes?" Sean felt almost detached from himself. He didn't even really notice that he was walking toward Mark, until he grabbed the stair railing. By that point, he was lost in a rush of feelings. Jogging up the steps, Sean put his hands on Mark's chest and started to bring his lips to Mark's... only to stop himself short.

Panting a little, his fingers clawed at Mark's smooth chest as he whispered out a little scared of himself. "Don't go. I don't wanna be alone..." Mark shook his head subtly, telling him in a deep voice. "You need to rest." Sean shook his head in response trying to cup Mark's jaw. Mark took his wrists though, pulling him back down the steps toward his room. Walking him in, Mark coaxed him into sitting down on the bed. Telling him to stay, Mark left briefly to rummage around in the kitchen. Sean moved to the open door to watch him, then rushed back to the bed as Mark came back with a glass of hot tea. Handing him the glass, Sean's hands brushed over Mark's. Sean sipped the tea, letting Mark run a hand through his hair. Sean was sure the tea was laced with something, but he was just so tired of fighting for the day. The more of the tea he drank, the more Mark's hand held the bottom of the cup for him. It was only when Sean couldn't keep his eyes open, that Mark set the drink aside and tucked him into bed. Snuggling under the warm blankets, Sean touched Mark's arm sleepily, groggily asking him. "Mark... Don't sell me..."

Mark held Sean's hand, a small huff leaving him. Sean went limp against the pillow as the sleeping drug kicked in. Mark laid Sean's hand down, running his hand through his hair one last time, whispering to him lovingly. "Never even crossed my mind." Leaning over him, Mark kissed Sean's temple and then ordered the windows closed to darken the room more. Taking the tea glass, he walked to the door and sighed. It made sense now. Sean had hacked the panel to get out of his room. He was clever. None of his other Pets had tried doing that before. Inspecting it for a bit, he eventually came back with tools of his own to fix it. Sean had fried the data card, but he had replacements. Finally closing the door, Mark hesitated to lock it. He always locked his Pets in, but this time he didn't. Moving to the kitchen to fix the dent he had put in the sink, Amy appeared next to him to tease out. "Oh, sweet mother... You love him." Mark huffed sarcastically, grumbling out a bit distracted. "He's a Pet. I care about him... As I was made too." Amy's hand faded through his as she touched him, sweetly telling him. "Liar. You've never slept with a Pet before... You know it's illegal."

The doorbell rang and Mark growled out to her. "Which is why you'll keep it to yourself." After welcoming Matthew in, he took him into the playroom to see Nate. Matthew's excitement was plain as day as he happily said. "He's pretty. I can see why your Pet likes him." Mark leaned on the wall, watching Nate jerk away from Matthew's hand. Mark watched Nate closely, hoping that he didn't kick Matthew. Matthew was as nonthreatening as a person could get. He was probably even a little too trusting. Matthew brushed Nate's long bangs from his eyes, purring out in a friendly tone. "Hey, it's ok. You don't have to be afraid." Mark tapped Matthew with his foot, cautiously telling him. "Careful. They can be quite violent. Keep your shield up." Matthew waved a dismissive hand at Mark, standing up as he told him with a grin. "How much you want for him?" Mark crossed his arms with a heavy sigh, saying a bit unrelentingly. "You can have him for the price of his breeding contract." Matthew gawked at him at first, then chuckled out. "Is your Pet worried about what I'd breed him with?"

Mark puffed up his chest, seriously stating out. "You could say that. No altering him either. I want all breeding rights to him." Matthew shrugged, extending his hand out as he said with a chuckle. "Fine. Sure. I don't know anyone else that would want to breed with him anyway." Matthew soon left after that to get the contracts written up. It would take a few days to get all the paperwork done through. Until then, Nate was stuck here. Leaving the playroom, his phone began to ring. Jogging to the table, he slipped the earpiece in and answered it. Instantly, he regretted it. Over the earpiece, Mother's soft voice told him in a sweet tone. "Mark, I'm ready. Come to me. Let's fix your implants." Mark's heart twisted, but he replied respectfully. "As you wish, Mother. I'm on my way." Amy hugged herself with a worried look. Mark set the earpiece down, walking toward the door. If he didn't go right away she'd know something far worse was wrong with him. Grabbing his car keys, he quickly told Amy. "I should be back before Sean gets up. Just keep an eye on him." Amy nodded and he left.

Walking through the teleporter at the tower, he stepped out into a room that Mother had set up for him. There were computer arms and equipment everywhere. Mother's holographic body gestured to a lab chair with bolted restraints. As he approached, he tried to keep his heartrate calm as he stripped down. Mother moved around the chair and the metal restraints popped open. Moving to the chair, Mark sat down and let the restraints clamp shut over his body until he couldn't move. Mother stroked his cheek, whispering to him lovingly. "Don't be afraid. I'll be quick." Mark watched the saw arm lower over his abs, causing him to clench his jaw. A mask flipped up over his mouth and nose, gasing him heavily. As his eyes grew heavy, he watched more robotic arms descend over him. Even as the gas kicked in, Mark felt the blade run down his scar and belted out a scream before passing out from the pain. It was a curse to be made as resilient as he was.

Under the gas, Mark found himself in a black room with a shiny mirror. As he approached it, he saw a younger version of himself. He knew this memory. It was the memory that haunted him. He was on a diplomatic alien ship. The goal was to avoid war. Years before his brothers were created. His younger self turned to see his last Pet, taking her hand. He watched them venture to the ball room and started to hyperventilate. His younger self jerked his head up to see a rogue ship attack their ship. While his shields protected himself, the ballroom glass shattered exposing the electrified globe fence over the ballroom that protected the ship from debris in space. Something hit the ship, causing everyone to fall through the air toward the electrified globe fence as the floor fell out from beneath them. Hundreds of diplomats and guests were fired to ash as they fell through the oxygen barrier and into the globes fence. Mark busted a hand through the tilting floor to stop himself.  He tried to grab his Pets hand before she fell, but his protective shield repelled her hand and she was sent down to the fence. She screamed his name as she fell, her hands desperately extended toward him. He screamed for the first time in his life and released the floor to fall in the hopes of grabbing her.

Just before he reached her, her body hit the fence and turned to ash. Unable to stop his fall, he hit the fence, but his body didn't turn to ash. Instead, his shield hit the fence causing his implants to spark and burn within his body. When his shield failed, it sent out a blast that destroyed the fence and sent him out into space. He should have died, but he was rescued and revived under Mothers orders... but he was never the same. As the images faded to black, Mark heard Mother's voice from the past tell him in a gentle tone. "I can't bring her back. I know how much she meant to you. I can give you a version of her that I have logged... Amy will not remember you though... Or the incident... Or what she was. She'll just be a shell of her former self." The voices of past doctors entered the darkness, telling Mother seriously. "We have tried everything. His shield just isn't strong enough for space travel anymore. You must keep him on earth. His shield is barely running as it is. You need to replace him."

Another doctor from the past, added into the passing darkness. "I know he is your favorite Elite... but can you not see that something is wrong with him? Upgrading his implants will do nothing if the source of the hardware is damaged!" Mark felt himself falling faster through the darkness, until he inhaled deeply back in the lab chair and opened his eyes. To Be Continued...