Jack climbed back into the van and Kate closed the cage.  She looked upset about the news that Declan might take her academy away.  Mark closed the van door and Jack sat on the cushion in the cage.  He was really worried about how this was going to effect his relationship with Mark.  How many Masters would agree with a man like Declan?  Kate and Mark climbed into the front and Jack was surprised to hear her start snapping at Mark.  "Well, if today has taught me anything. It's that you are babying him".  Mark groaned loudly in frustration, before sternly saying.  "That is not true! I punished him".  Kate made a show of rolling her eyes, answering dryly.  "I sure as hell didn't let you off that easy when I trained you".  Mark simply shrugged, mumbling back.  "Well, you're not me. I'm being cautious". 

Kate smacked the steering wheel in her own frustration, sourly stating.  "Jesus, Mark. No Master in there had their pet on their lap"!  Mark opened his mouth to say something, but Kate pointed a stern finger at him and quickly added in.  "NONE! Jack showed you defiance and you rewarded him"!  Mark smacked her hand away, snapping back.  "I did punish him"!  Kate gave Mark a sarcastic look, stating out in a low dry voice.  "That is not punishment. If Jack is as stubborn as you claim and I clearly saw him sit on your lap that whole show... You need a new punishment plan. He can't learn if you are afraid to discipline him".  Mark turned to look out the window, mumbling out.  "I'm not afraid too. He's still just a pup".  Kate shifted in her seat to say loudly.  "EXACTLY!  And you're keeping him that way. He trusts you, but you aren't laying down rules". 

Mark refused to look at her or answer.  So, she placed a hand on his shoulder, before telling him softer.  "Mark... I'm trying to help you. You've never had a pet before and it's showing. I can't take him to the academy to learn... If you're only going to let him ignore the rules anyway when he comes home. Now do you want my help? Or should I just take you both home"?  Mark still didn't look at her or even answer.  Jack moved closer to them, placing his hand through the cage to touch Mark's arm.  Mark finally turned to look back at him and Jack gently told him.  "Mark? Please? I want to do this for you. For us".  Mark gently took ahold of Jack's hand and smiled.  Jack rested his head against the cage with a smile of his own.  Jack wanted to try this life style... No matter what that meant.  Just to make Mark happy. 

Mark looked up at Kate then to tell her softly.  "Alright. I'm listening".  Kate gave him a sweet smile and answered.  "Good. You can start by punishing him now".  Jack pulled his arm back into the cage a little surprised.  Mark just stared blankly at Kate, asking softly.  "Why"?  Kate opened up her driver door, telling Mark simply.  "He misbehaved during the show. He refused to sit at your side. He made you look like a weak Master. So, I'm going to show you how to punish him for it. Right here and now. Or were you not serious just now about wanting my help"?  Mark straightened up and climbed back out of the van.  Jack stayed were he was.  The farthest from the doors.  Kate had showed him how she punished pups... but it still didn't stop him from being uneasy about it.  Which he guessed was probably the point. 

Kate opened the van door, telling Mark casually.  "You've been using sex as a punishment. Which is a bad thing. You don't want him to feel good about being bad. You want him to feel good when he obeys you".  Kate opened the cage back up and gestured toward Jack as she told Mark sweetly.  "I won't touch him. You are his Master. You call him out".  Mark approached the door, telling Jack calmly.  "Come here, Jack".  Jack started to move, but Kate raised her hand toward Jack.  Jack hesitated.  Who was he suppose to be listening to?  Mark was his Master... but Kate was Mark's old Master.  He felt so confused.  Kate took the moment to tell Mark firmly.  "Mark... You are not his friend right now. You are his Master. He needs to hear the disappointment in your voice. This tells him that he has done something wrong and you are not happy with him". 

Mark closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.  When he opened them, Jack felt the change.  The fans called it 'Darkiplier', but to Jack it meant that Mark was being serious.  He hadn't seen this side of Mark since the first time that Mark showed him his 'dungeon'.  Mark pointed to the spot right in front of him and in a calm but very serious deep voice, he told him.  "Jack. Come here".  Jack felt a chill run down his back and slowly crawled over to the spot Mark was pointing to at the edge of the van.  Mark's stern hand unfolded to reveal his palm and Jack closed his eyes.  It seemed like Mark was going to hit him... but Mark simply placed his palm tenderly against his cheek and asked him seriously.  "I have to punish you for disobeying. Do you know why"?  Jack kept his eyes closed, giving a simple nod as his answer. 

Mark stayed very still as he told him.  "Tell me why I must do this".  Jack finally opened his eyes, but couldn't look Mark in the eyes.  He was guilty of this. Staring at the ground, he answered lightly.  "I refused to sit at your side".  There was silence for a second before Mark whispered very softly.  "...Master"?  Jack's eyes widened.  He had forgotten that part.  So, he quickly added in.  "Master".  Kate snorted, but told Mark happily.  "Much better. Now follow me".  Mark took a moment to prompt Jack to remove the vibrating egg and Jack didn't hesitate.  Mark then tossed the remote to it into the van, before picking up Jack's leash and helping Jack out.  Jack had to keep reminding himself to stay a step or two behind Mark, but still at his side.  Kate lead them out into an open field just off from the parking lot.  In the center, Kate turned to face Mark, telling him bluntly.  "You remember my style of punishments. He refused to sit. So, use your imagination. You've got enough room here. Punish him". 

Mark glanced over his shoulder to tell him firmly.  "Take your waiting position, Jack".  Jack slowly kneeled and put his hands flat against the ground before him.  Keeping his eyes on the grass between his hands, he saw Mark's shoes move into the top of his vision.  Mark's hand returned to his face, when he told Jack seriously.  "You refused to sit at my side. A position of honor. For that... I should spank your ass until you can't sit".  Jack closed his eyes.  Mark had spanked him before... but in private.  They were out In the open.  Would Mark really spank him in public?  Mark pulled on Jack's leash slowly until he was forced to rise to his feet, while Mark told him in a deep smug whisper.  "However, I think I'll enjoy watching you crash and burn".  Jack stared into Mark's mysterious brown eyes.  He couldn't tell what Mark had meant by that. 

Mark unhooked Jack's collar and took a step back to point at the water fountain and then the tree line as he told him.  "I want you to run from the fountain to that tree, until I say stop".  Jack tried to suppress a smirk.  He could run.  That was easy enough.  Jack waited for Mark to gesture him to go and he began to run back and forth.  Mark stayed in the center forcing Jack to run around him as he continued on his path.  This seemed easy enough.  Then as Jack was running past Mark, Mark playfully struck his ass and stated aloud.  "You're slowing down. Pick up your pace, or I'll swat you again".  Jack rubbed his ass, but did as he was told.  It hadn't hurt him, but it did surprise him.  Jack didn't know how many laps he had done, because he was now focused on keeping up his pace. 

Every time he passed Mark he sped up a bit more just to quickly get past him.  Mark's wicked smirk wasn't helping.  Jack was beginning to weaken and pant hard as he tried to stay up to pace.  Soon Mark stuck out his arm to stop Jack with a gentle hand to his chest.  Jack stood still, but panted heavily.  Mark moved in closer to ask still just as serious.  "Have you learned your lesson? Or should I make you to keep running".  Jack hiccupped and covered his mouth quickly.  The slop from earlier was threatening to come back.  Mark rubbed his chest soothingly as he waited for an answer.  When Jack was sure that the slop wasn't coming back, he panted out.  "I've learned my lesson, Master".  Mark removed his hand from Jack's chest to ruffle his green bangs as he told him with a smile.  "Good boy. Have a seat, Jack". 

Jack practically collapsed across the grass.  Having a seat never felt so damn good.  His legs and chest were burning.  Kate clapped with a smile, before telling Mark happily.  "See? I knew you had it in you, Mark. Good job".  Mark smiled and Jack found himself smiling.  He loved seeing Mark smile.  Jack slowly sat up to cross his legs, when he noticed a small group of three people watching from the lot.  Declan and his two dogs.  Declan took a sip from his red wine glass and leaned closer to Trevor to tell him something.  They were too far away to overhear... but Jack guessed it was about him.  Greg slipped away to climb into the backseat of Declan's silver Mercedes.  While Trevor stayed by Declan's side for a moment longer.  The moment Declan turned his eyes back on Jack, Trevor reluctantly retreated into the backseat with Greg. 

Jack didn't like the look in Declan's dark eyes.  Declan appeared to be a snobbish rich man on the surface... but beneath it.  Jack feared his intentions.  To Be Continued...