Miguel - The Revenge of Miguel Bain: Chapter 10, by Chris, KC, Susan J. & Deena

Note: We owe a big Thank You to Steph, who generously allowed us (as you will see in this final chapter) to tie into her recent story, "The Making of Miguel Bain."

"More damn blood, traumatized cat, shot out windows, and you ruined my phone, you shit! - I'll tell you once more, Miguel, I am regretting the day I ever met you!" CC muttered as she tended to his wound. Pearl and Cyber lay at her feet, paws entwined, Pearl obviously telling the dog of her adventure. Once again, Miguel lay on her bed, wincing as she tried to clean and bandage the new hole in his body.

"Were you worried about me, querida?" Miguel murmured, then yelped as she dug into him. "Careful! I need that shoulder..."

"YES damn it, I was worried! I was scared shitless! It seemed like I was sitting here for hours, waiting. Where is he?"

"Don't worry, no one will ever find him," Miguel grinned up at her. "He's deeep into his - how do you say it? Final resting place! And I am Number One!"

Fine, but where is it? I don't want to go stumbling across some freakin' shallow grave when I'm out with the dog! Where's his car? And what the hell does 'Number One' mean?" she glared down at him and deliberately dug a little deeper. "Oh, shut up," she taunted softly, as he moaned in pain. "I would think that you would be immune to anything right now - you're so happy you could float away."

"Uh, CC, what is going on here? Do you have a problem with this?" Miguel looked at her, wondering why she was in such a bad mood. "You will have to look pretty hard to find Rath, believe me, I would not do that to you. He's about 2 miles west of here, at the edge of the canyon - where that grove of trees is. And the car is...destroyed. I found registration papers in it, he thought he was being smart and bought it, didn't lease it...which is good for me, because no one can use it to trace him. He also had a shovel in the trunk, thoughtful of him, don't you agree?" Miguel laughed, and then sighed deeply as she finished cleaning the shoulder and began, once again, to bandage him.

"Goody, I'm glad you care so much, sweetie, and that's an arroyo!" she snapped, and then relented a little as she saw his obvious confusion. "It's just that, well...oh Jesus, Miguel, you could have been killed! And you still haven't answered my question..."

"No, no, I would not have been," he answered serenely. "You should not have been worried at all, and I am sorry that you were. I knew exactly what I was doing. And to answer your question, well, I am now the best at what I do."

"And what exactly do you do? I think we know each other well enough now - and you owe me an explanation. So, tell me, Miguel - and I want the truth."

Miguel looked up at her, eyes narrowed. "This is not the time to discuss this, CC. Please finish what you are doing."

She glared at him. "Finish, hell! I am tired of wondering, Bain - I want an answer. You owe me that much after the shit you've put me through."

Silence from the man on the bed. "Well? I'm waiting," she snapped. "There's trust, and then there's trust - and you've just about used up all yours with me, sweetie."

Miguel hesitated. What now? he thought. She will freak out..."Well, OK, but you have to understand something, CC. You cannot change me, so don't even try. No matter what you think, you cannot do this, am I being clear?"

"Perfectly. Tell me. Nothing surprises me anymore." Well, it won't surprise me, and it probably won't shock me, she thought...but what will it do to me??

"Get rid of? You mean kill? Just say it, Miguel, don't be squeamish," she taunted.

"YES!" he roared, sitting up and then grabbing his wounded shoulder. "THAT'S what I do! And I am the BEST at what I do."

"Fine, thank you for telling me," she said calmly. "And lie down, before you tear yourself up again."

"What do you want me to say?" Don't react - don't show a scrap of fear, or any emotion. Let this little scene play out...

CC looked down at her hands briefly - well, now you know, she said to herself, now you know for sure - and sighed. She met his gaze again and pushed him back against the pillows. "Look, Miguel, when you hired me, I told you that I had seen it all and done most of it." She looked down at him, smiling slightly. "I also told you that I didn't care what YOU had done, just about your money. Well, I care about a little more than your money now, but it was important to me to know - and I thank you for telling me."

"You are being much too calm about this, querida. This does not bother you at all?" he questioned.

"It bothers me, all right, but I have no control over it, do I? I just hope that your marks deserved their fates...so Rath was your rival? And you took care of him. And now what happens?"

"What happens? I go on," Miguel answered. "CC, you must trust me. I told you, I know what I am doing - I am the best. I appreciate your not being girlie and having hysterics all over me, but I repeat, you cannot change anything."

"I hear you, Miguel...and don't look at me like that. I can read your mind, and yes, I trust you," CC smiled, and leaned down to kiss him. He responded by grabbing her shoulders and trying to drag her down to the bed. "Uh-uh, Bain, hands off, you're shot up again, remember? You need to rest, hell I need to rest, I feel like I've been hit by a truck."

"You are right, I promise to behave, but I need you beside me tonight, mi amor. You are wonderful to sleep with and wonderful to wake up to," he whispered.

"Yeah, yeah, right, " she whispered back, returning the kiss. "And I'm wonderful to clean up after you...close your eyes, Number One - I'll be back as soon as I put all this stuff away." Glancing at him occasionally as she stored her medical supplies once again, CC watched Miguel drift off to sleep. She quietly opened the door and sat down on the porch, dog and cat wandering out to join her.

I told him that I trusted him, but do I? she thought. What if I do something that makes him angry...what if he turns on me? He has changed, a little, even if he doesn't realize it, but he's a wild man, he truly has no conscience. I've changed, too...this would not have bothered me a bit six months ago, and now all I can think is that I am...oh shit...in love with a killer.

"What do you think, guys?" she murmured to her companions. "Am I nuts? Should I even dare to think that we can have some kind of relationship? And, if we do, how can I live with this?" The animals looked at her as if they understood; Pearl bumping her head against CC's chin, and Cyber laying his head on her leg. "Well, at least I've got the two of you, and Papa, no matter what happens..." Locking the cabin door, she undressed and tried to settle in to sleep. Miguel didn't stir throughout the night; CC spent long hours staring at the ceiling, thinking.

"Miguel," CC called from the porch the next morning. "I've got to get my truck! The damn Sheriff is really nosy, he's probably been watching it, and the gun you gave me is in the glove compartment - I don't want anyone to find it. I'm going to go down the road and see if I can hitch a ride into town, OK?"

"OK, go ahead," he replied. "Just take it easy, OK? You are not exactly in prime condition, either, querida!"

"Wow, glad you noticed, Miguel, " she muttered and called for Cyber to accompany her. "See you in a while."

As soon as he thought CC was on her way, Miguel lifted the laptop to the kitchen table and plugged in to the wall outlet. Typing in the email address he had memorized so long ago, he composed a short message.

"Rath is dead; I killed him. I am willing to forgive your unpardonable sin of erasing my identity, but it will cost you - dearly. Since I am now the best operative you'll ever find, I am pleased to offer the chance for you to resume our relationship. Reply and we can discuss terms of employment. Bain." As he clicked on the 'Send' icon, he grinned. The day he had waited for - hoped for - was finally here. And now he would wait a little longer, to see what answer his proposition would bring.

Arriving in town, CC found the Sheriff ready to impound her truck. "Look, Ms. Tonali, it's been sitting here, abandoned, no one has seen you around for a couple of days - what was I supposed to do?" he complained mildly. Yeah, you nosy bastard, CC thought, you have to have a hand in everything around here..."And, I've been having to think about this stranger that some folks saw - he was just wandering around the other day, didn't bother anyone, but you never know. I'm just doing my job, you know, I was about to start looking for you!"

CC managed to hide her panic. "Well, Sheriff, that was my friend...Mike. He was here for a few days, and he was too shy to ask anyone where I lived!" She grinned up at him, thinking - stay cool, girl, think it through. "I was lucky to run into him at the store, or he would have probably just left without a word...he's kinda weird, you know? Anyway, he had rented a car in Albuquerque, and so we took it back to my place. We were having such a good time - you know how it is! - that I forgot all about the truck. I'm truly sorry to put you to all that trouble. And you know you never need to worry about me!"

"So, this friend of yours is gone now? Must have left pretty early in the morning," the Sheriff said, peering down at her.

"Actually, he left at around midnight last night, had to get back to the city for a meeting this morning - he's a suit, and a workaholic. I had to do some fast talking to persuade him just to show up for a little visit," she replied. When he appeared to lose interest in the mystery visitor, she silently sighed in relief, and paid the small fine to recover her vehicle.

At the general store, CC made arrangements to replace her shattered phone and wandered through the aisles for supplies. Thankfully, no one remarked on her presence there earlier in the week, or on the cart full of food she had abandoned. Returning to the truck, she grinned as she saw the gun was still safely hidden and headed out of town. Two hours! What a waste of time. Driving towards the cabin, she passed the spot at the arroyo that Miguel had described, and stopped.

"Well, Cyber, here we are - at the scene of the crime. Shall we take a look?" He woofed softly and jumped down as she opened the door. CC walked slowly towards the stand of pines, looking for signs of a disturbance. She noticed several patches of dried blood and winced, but didn't notice anything else extraordinary. Then, as she turned to walk back to the road, Cyber began to paw at a piece of dark earth, obviously recently disturbed.

"Cyber! NO!" she yelled, knowing that he had found Rath's grave. The dog looked at her, then at the ground. "I said no! Come on, we're outta here, and we won't be coming back!" She caught the dog's collar and stilled him, staring down at the patch, frowning. What the hell did this all happen for, she wondered. And what is going to happen now? I am in love with a killer. My life hasn't been exactly saintly, but I've never killed anyone...and it seems that he does it easily, and frequently. Can I live with that? Heaving another sigh, she turned back to the path leading to the road.

Miguel was cheerful when CC returned to the cabin, moving to help her store the food and taking possession of the gun. "Any trouble, sweetie?" he asked as he returned to the bed.

"No, but it was a close call. I didn't have to pay much to get the truck...I lucked out, thank God," she said.

"YOU shall rest. I'm tired of bandaging you up, this one has to last for a while. I am going out to check the plane - I heard some noises the other day that I'm not happy with."

"Do you want me to help you?" he laughed. "As if you'd have a clue as to what to do," she laughed back, and left the cabin again. She didn't notice the open laptop on the table this time...

Miguel was restless, waiting, moving to the table to check the laptop screen, moving back to the bed. Finally, his impatience was rewarded.

"Congratulations, Miguel. If you are agreeable to an increase of 25%, we may have an assignment for you. Respond to MCH2257.net if you accept these terms, and we will resume coded communications."

"Ay yi yi yiiiiii!" Miguel whooped, and fired off an answer. "Now I am back in business, si, and there is nothing, no one to stand in my way!"

He hurriedly logged off and stowed the laptop as he heard CC and Cyber move onto the porch.

"Ah, CC, are you hungry, we need to have a celebration!...querida, what is the matter?"

CC stood in the doorway of the cabin, visibly upset, pale, with smudges of oil and grease on her face. "Oh, Miguel...I...damn! I cannot believe this has happened. I've got a disaster in the making out there. Oh, God, why is this happening to me..."

"Watch it! I'm filthy, you don't want to get this gunk all over you. It's the engine of the plane - it's leaking oil like a sieve and I can't find the problem. Everything is getting fouled, it'll take me forever to clean it, if I can even find the friggin' leak...and somehow, I never noticed that parts of it are just about worn down! This is a nightmare...ooooh, I just cannot bel..."

"What is the solution? It sounds like you need a new engine, si? I can help with that, certainly, CC - it's the least I can do," he murmured, ignoring the dirt and grease and pulling her close to him. "You must let me do this for you, please."

"I don't know, Miguel, a new engine would be awfully expensive," she began, doubtfully. "I can't let you pay...and, it would take a while to get everything together and make the repairs!"

"Do not worry about the expense...and as for the time, we can talk about that later." he said. "I want to do this for you, say yes."

"Miguel, I don't think so," she replied slowly. "I wouldn't feel right about this..."

"What is not right about it? You saved my life, you gave me a place to recover, you have virtually given up you assignments for me - I can never repay you!"

CC looked at him without speaking for several moments. Her thoughts were jumbled. "Miguel, truly, I appreciate the offer. And you do not have to repay me for anything! I have to think about this. Will you give me a little time?"

He managed to look almost hurt as he tilted his head down at her. "Of course, take as much time as you need, but it is important for me to do this for you..."

"Well, I've got to get everything repaired and get the plane out of here as fast as possible, I can't be snowed in. And, let me guess what your remark about time means. You have to leave soon," she said flatly, ducking out of his arms and moving away. "I will give you my decision tomorrow, I promise."

"OK, and yes, I am waiting to hear from someone. It may take a while, you should have enough time to finish all your repairs."

CC spent the remainder of the day at the table with paper, pencil and calculator. Miguel left her alone, taking the dog for a long walk and remaining outside the cabin.

As if I didn't have enough to worry about, she grumbled to herself, punching in numbers...he's gonna leave...stop thinking about it...can't stop...damn you Miguel Bain! I can't let him pay for this - if I persuade the bank to loan me $20,000, I can get used parts and get everything working fine - the main loan will be paid off next April, maybe they could just tack this onto it; but it's so tempting to just take his money. Are there strings attached? I should have asked...no, he wouldn't do that. But, I would feel obligated, no matter what he says...you can make enough money this winter to get this all paid off, it's never been a problem before...it's gotta be the bank. You can't take a $20,000 gift...

In the morning, CC headed for town again, telling Miguel that she had to make phone calls to get part prices. She went instead to the local bank and, after two hours of hard negotiation, received the promise of the money she needed for repairs. She spent another hour on the telephone at a gas station ordering everything needed to fix the plane. As she left for the cabin, she laughed at the irony of the phone company repair van in front of her, obviously on the way to replace her phone...

Bain, thankfully, and Cyber were nowhere in sight when the two vehicles pulled up to the cabin. The repairman installed the new phone, shaking his head wordlessly at the hold in the wall where the jack had been, but asked no questions. CC sat calmly after he left, waiting for Miguel to return.

"Well? Did you get everything you needed?" he asked as he opened the door. Cyber bounded in and skidded to a stop in front of CC's chair, hoping for a treat.

"Miguel, wait. I have thought this over very carefully, and I cannot take your money. I got an extension on my loan this morning; it's more than enough to cover all the costs. I really appreciate your offer, but I feel more comfortable doing it this way."

He regarded her silently - and she returned his stare without moving. Finally, he glanced away. "You are sure?"

CC looked at him without speaking for several moments. Her thoughts were chaotic. If she accepted the money from Miguel she would be obligated to him. She would be in his debt. No matter what he said, that's how she would feel. On the other hand, how much more in his debt could she be? He had saved her life. Granted her life wouldn't have been in danger in the first place if she had never gotten tangled up with him, but if she had never gotten involved with Miguel Bain, her life would have been infinitely less exciting, less exhilarating, less… passionate. Well, she would never be out of debt if the damn thing wasn't running!

"I can't accept your money, Miguel. I just can't. It wouldn't be right. I wouldn't feel right taking it. I'd feel like you bought me…." Her voice trailed away as she held out her hand in supplication.

With an oath, he smacked her hand away. "What have I done to make you insult me? I would not have offered this to you if I expected any compensation! Do you think I consider you a puta, to be bought for a few dollars? No! This is a gift, freely given to one who has…." He stopped abruptly. Wearily, he ran a hand across his brow. "CC, por favor, it is a gift. Don't make me beg you to accept it."

CC looked at a sight she had never expected to see – Miguel Bain, needy and almost down on his knees. She couldn't stand the thought, but she had to hold on to some of her own pride. "Miguel, I'm sorry. No."

Smashing his hand against the cabin wall, he turned away from her with a muttered oath. "Mierde!" He would have to think on it. Later…..

CC rubbed a weary hand across her forehead leaving a smear of engine oil behind. It had been a week since she had turned down Miguel's offer to pay for the parts necessary to fix the plane. The parts had arrived three days ago and she had spent these past few days up to her armpits in oil, grease, nuts and bolts. Miguel had been incredibly understanding, never saying a word when she dragged herself in finally after hours under, over or in the small jet plane. Of course, he had been in pretty bad shape, so perhaps he had needed that time to heal.

She looked over towards the cabin, as she rested a minute before getting back to work. Miguel and Cyber were heading out the door, off on their daily walk together. She watched with never ending delight as Miguel threw a stick a little bit away from the cleared area, waiting patiently for the amiable hound to bring it back to him. She knew that he wanted to give the impression of being tough as nails. His relationship with Cyber disproved it. She gave herself 15 minutes to relax, then she'd get back to getting the plane in working order. She was about ready to get down and dirty once more in the plane when she noticed that Miguel and Cyber had cut their hike in the woods short. Could he be anxious to be there waiting for her? A sudden itch to spend at least an hour under the shower with Miguel seemed awfully appealing. Hurrying back to the cabin, she thought of his surprise when he realized that she had cut her repairs short today.

"All right, Papa. One more time. 'Cut the chit chat!'" Patiently, he went over the words with the brightly plumed bird. He thought it was hysterical that the bird had almost learned the four short words. It would be the only sentence in the feathered creature's vocabulary that was not a curse. He fed it a piece of lettuce as a reward when it managed to say, 'cut the chat'. "No, No, Papito, 'chit chat'. All right, enough for today. Venga, Cyber! Let's go for a little walk. I am going loco, sitting here." Hearing his name, the big furry dog lumbered over to Miguel's side. In the last few days Cyber had become more and more attached to him. During the day, while CC was working on the plane, the dog hardly left his side. He left the cabin, pausing outside for a moment to throw a small branch for the dog to retrieve. Usually their little excursions lasted a half an hour. Today he was going to check the lap top again. He was starting to feel restless. After about a quarter of an hour, he returned, a disappointed dog by his side.

Miguel stared at the blank screen of the laptop. The last few days he had spent almost entirely on his own as he impatiently went through the physical act of healing. And CC had been so busy working on her plane she would come back to the cabin merely to shove food in her mouth and then collapse into bed. He had time on his hands. Time to think about how his life had changed once more. And whether or not he was ready for the next chapter. Time to remember….Elenora.

It surprised him. He had not thought of his lost love in so many years. Now, this ..woman….this vibrant, contrary, strong, independent, brave, beautiful, foolhardy, passionate creature, CC, had given life back to an organ he had thought beyond reviving. She was nothing like his sweet and gentle spouse, except for one thing. She seemed to love him. He could not bear it. He could not let her get close to him. That way led to danger. He had to get back to his chosen career – doling out death. He could not chance his heart once more. So he watched an empty screen, mesmerized by memories he had sooner forgotten.

"Yes!!! At last!! A new assignment! Took the bastard long enough. Hmm. Looks like this cabron deserves to be killed." Miguel stared intently at the laptop screen. The information that went scrolling across its surface described his new mark. An international arms dealer, he had been selling guns to both sides in a feud in a small Middle-Eastern country. Finally one side had decided to get a new source and eliminate the double crossing salesman. Miguel had been given the assignment to rub out the two-faced distributor. Concentrating so deeply he didn't hear CC's footsteps as she stepped into the cabin, Miguel was startled when her words hit him.

"So. You've finally got your wish. You've got your next hit. When are you leaving?" Her voice was flat, devoid of all emotion, leeched of all feeling. Miguel automatically punched the save button and turned around.

CC stood there, her face smudged with the mute evidence of her day's work. Her hair was pulled back into two untidy long braids. She was wearing a halter top that was streaked with sweat and torn, cut off shorts that revealed a long, sweet length of leg. She had never looked more appealing to Miguel. And never so far out of reach.

"CC, I.. I didn't hear you come in…." His voice trickled uncertainly off into silence. "I…Mierde!! You knew I would be leaving! You knew that I would have to go!" He glared at her, unwilling to admit to a gnawing fear that he was losing her.

"Yes, I guess I did know it, Miguel. But, damn it, you couldn't even wait a few days before you claimed the throne! You couldn't wait to get back into action! You couldn't wait to..leave me." Her voice cracked reluctantly and she swore as she heard how needy she sounded. "Shit! Just leave…leave now! Take your damned lap top and get.. get out of here!" She tried to rush past him to the bathroom, but a lean strong arm slashed out, grabbing her, imprisoning her in tight chains made of muscle and skin.

"Mujer! You don't walk out on me! You don't turn your back on me! You don't leave me aching for you like this!" Roughly, he grabbed her and dragged her onto his lap. Tugging on her braids, he brought her face to his, his lips punishing hers as he demanded her response to his kisses. Never breaking the assault, he untied her halter top, exposing her silky smooth breasts to his avid gaze. Her nipples were already hard and pouting, begging to be caressed. His fingers were generous, answering their mute plea with a kneading and pulling that was almost pain. Unwillingly, CC responded to his fierce lovemaking. A moan escaped her lips as she felt the ridge of his arousal pressing against her. His penis felt like an iron shaft. As she rubbed her buttocks against him, he tore his lips away, uttering a savage curse as the aching he felt grew to monumental proportions. He pulled off her panties and shorts in one motion, leaving her open to his invasion. He thrust two fingers into her warm, wet core and brought her to her first hard, swift climax. She sagged back against him, trembling from the aftershocks, gasping for air to swell her lungs and bring her back from the dead. He had taken her breath away.

"You're not through, si? You want more, you need more, you're dying for more." His voice was harsh, taunting her almost. "Tell me. Beg me."

CC drew in a shuddering breath. She wanted to deny it. To spit in his face. But she couldn't. Damn it, she couldn't! His face was all harsh planes and angles, his eyes deepened to the color of rich, sweet chocolate. His nostrils flared as they took in the smell of sex that filled the cabin. His lips were swollen from the battering of their mating. His curly hair fell across his face, shielding his eyes from hers. Grasping her chin, his hand held it steady as he bruised her lips once more. "Tell me, CC. Tell me." His voice commanded, demanded her surrender.

"Yes, damn you, yes!" Her hands grabbed his shirt and ripped it off him. She arched her breasts against his furred chest and rubbed them like a cat rubbing up against a scratching post.

"Yes, what? What do you want? Do you want this?" He brought her hand to his penis and rubbed himself with her slim fingers. "Do you want me to screw you?" He wanted to make her angry – angry and passionate. No soft feelings. No love. No Elenora to die on him, to make him weep. "Say it! Say 'please'! Say the words!"

"Screw me, damn you, damn you!" CC almost sobbed her capitulation. But she would not, could not, say 'please'.

"You did not say 'please', mi dulce," he purred mockingly. "But I am in a generous mood. Since you asked so nicely, I will be happy to oblige."

Lifting her up as if she weighed nothing he carried her to the bed. He dropped her onto the messed up sheets, taking in the anger and desire that warred in her eyes. He had never wanted her more.. never needed her more…never lov….no, not that.

"Well, now you make me wait?" CC exclaimed. She leaned back against the headboard, her legs slightly bent and open. She undulated her hips, blatantly inviting him to take her.

Never taking his eyes from her, he unzipped his jeans and let them fall. His penis jutted out slick and hard, aching to be sheathed in her honeyed warmth.

"I'm gonna make you scream with pleasure, mi dulce. You will be begging me not to stop." He bragged.

There was no more time to be bandied about. Miguel fell on her as if she were virgin land about to be conquered. His hands were all over her. Shaping, molding, caressing,….memorizing her every inch. His lips followed where his hands led. He kissed her mouth over and over again, trying to commit to memory her taste, her softness, her warmth. Dios, how he lov..craved her kisses. His lips journeyed lower and drew a diamond sharp nipple into his mouth. He suckled greedily on the rosy tip, pulling it and biting down almost too hard. Her little moans of pleasure were driving him wild.

"That's it, mi dulce, sing for me. Ah, you sound so good when you moan like that. Muevete, mi dulce. Mi cuerpo se quema para ti.! I burn for you, CC." His voice was harsh in her ears, his breath hot against her skin. She could feel his cock nudging at her thigh. All she had to do was turn a bit….ah, there he was at the gate, begging to get in She spread her legs wider, granting him admittance. With one powerful surge, he was there. He began to move, slowly at first then harder and faster, slipping in and out, branding her forever.

"As you wish, mi dulce. As you wish." His thrusts became more violent, more wild. She matched him thrust for thrust. Her fingers bit into his shoulders leaving marks, little cat scratches that later he would look at in the mirror and touch with trembling hands. As she tossed her head back and forth against the pillow, her braids began to unravel. Taking one hand away from the slender hips he was caressing, he threaded his fingers through the silky ebony strands and spread her hair like a midnight sky against the sheets. He looked at her, imprisoning every line of her face, every eyelash that fanned her cheeks, every breath that seeped through her rosy love-swollen lips. I will never see her like this again, he thought unless……

THE REVENGE OF MIGUEL BAIN

by KC, Deena, Susan J. and Chris H.