Nope, Nothing Good Happens

Aaron couldn't keep from going over things in his mind on the way home. What happened to him at The Hospital was too intense to be merely a dream but too surreal to have actually happened.

"Just What Is Going On?," Aaron thought to himself as he and Cyndi pulled into the front driveway outside of The Masters Estate.

Glancing down at his watch as he got out of his Mother's Mercedes, Aaron thought to himself., "I Don't Have Time To Discuss Things With Gog and I Don't Want To Talk About It Over Our Link So I Guess It'll Have To Wait 'til Tonight."

Aaron opened the door for his Mother and gave a small bow., "After You Milady."

"Oh My.," Cyndi sighed as she fanned herself with her hand, a deep red blush obvious on her cheeks, neck and chest.

"I don't have much time so I'll head upstairs, clean up, and put on another suit and be right down."

Aaron and his Mother shared a hug and a peck on the cheek before Aaron turned and raced upstairs and Cyndi went to change as well but he didn't even make it halfway when he heard a voice call out to him from the bottom of the stairs., "Young Master!," And this time it wasn't some phantom he'd never met before but the voice of one of his step-father's maids. The moment he saw her he recognized her.

"What is it Lydia?," Aaron asked in a somewhat concerned tone as he made his way back down the stairs. She appeared frantic and out of breath then he frowned, seeing the fresh bruise on her right cheek. Without thinking he reached out to touch her cheek but she winced and pulled away.

"Did Garrent do that to you?," Aaron asked in a voice as hard as stone. Lydia couldn't look him in the eyes, telling him everything he needed to know... It was his fault.

"Mr. Masters would like to see you in his Study Young Master. Please Follow Me."

Aaron placed a hand on her shoulder and when she turned to face him he shook his head., "I think I know the way by now Ms. LeChief so I'll take it from here...," Aaron took her hand and gave it a gentle kiss., "... You go and get that bruise looked at. If Garrent says anything I'll say I dismissed you." Aaron turned to walk away, clenching his fists..

"But you'll get into trouble.," Lydia called out after Aaron but Aaron didn't bother to turn around to give his reply., "I'm already in trouble."

Lydia cringed at Aaron's words as she stared helplessly at his departing back., "Oh Young Master."

It only took Aaron a couple of minutes to arrive in front of the door to his step-father's study where he knocked.

"Just A MINUTE!," Aaron heard his step-father yell from the other side. Aaron's scowl only deepened upon hearing grunting from within his step-father's study. Knowing why he has been summoned and having little time to waste on his step-father's pathetic attempts to assert his dominance as head of the household, Aaron knocked again, barely restraining his laughter at hearing Garrent's angry voice.

"Aaah, I SAID JUST A MINUTE!"

Thirty seconds later, Aaron straightened and assumed a neutral expression as the door opened and Lisette Delacroix, Another of Gerrant's Maids stepped into the hall.

"It's the Young Master, Sir.," Lisette said meekly.

"I'll deal with you later..."

Aaron took note of Lisette's behavior as she flinched.

"... Send him in Now."

"The Master will see You.," Lisette stated with a sniffle, her head hung low and her make-up running.

Aaron struggled to hide his disgust as he entered the study, Lisette closing the door behind him and hesitantly walking away, the faint sound of sobbing marking her departure. Garrent sat behind his gaudy desk like a fat peacock.

"Have a seat Young Man...," Aaron couldn't stop himself from scoffing. The words "Young Man" just Oozed with malice.

"What was that I didn't quite catch it.," Garrent said as he locked eyes with his Step-Son.

"Nothing Sir...," The word just grated on Aaron's nerves even before he said it, causing him to grit his teeth., "I didn't say anything."

Garrent looked at him disdainfully, his elbows resting on top of his desk, his fingers interlaced like some creepy Bond Villain about to reveal his evil plan to the Hero., "Yes, Well we have something to discuss don't we?"

Aaron took a seat and watched with disguised amusement as Garrrent frowned., "I didn't say you could sit now did I?"

"No, No you didn't but then again I didn't ask you."

"Watch your tone Young Man. You're lucky I even bother to put up with your ungrateful ass in the first place."

Aaron was going to play things cool but after what he suspected Garrent had done to Lisette and Lydia, and the reasons he suspected he did them he was on the verge of reaching across the desk in front of him and ringing Garrent's fat neck., "Yes, I'm well aware that if not for the fact that you're banging my Mother you probably would have already kicked me out or arranged a very nasty accident to befall me."

Garrent smiled viciously, his crooked teeth glinting like knives in the light from the window to Aaron's right., "I'm so glad we understand each other. Now before we discuss the matter at hand why don't you get rid of the contacts and make-up. I won't have my step-son...," Just hearing the words nearly made Aaron sick., "... Looking like some Goth hoodlum. I mean what's next, Dancing around the halls in a dress and high heels?" Garrent let out an amused chuckle but Aaron showed no signs that he even registered his step-father's insult which caused Garrent's left eye to twitch.

"How many years has it been?... And you still can't remember the side-effects of my condition. You had better watch out or your board of directors will have you declared mentally incompetent and replaced with someone who will probably run the company better than you ever could."

"SILENCE!," Garrent's temper flared, slamming his fist down on his desk., "How Dare You Talk To Me Like That You Arrogant Little PUP! It's only by my good graces that you're not out whoring yourself out on the streets just so you can eat. Everything you have you have because of my good will..."

Garrent stopped and and took a deep breath, calming down somewhat before smiling toothily., "... And besides let us not forget about your oh so lovely Mother...," Aaron's eyes darkened for a moment, seemingly drawing all of the light from the room but only for a moment. "... To say nothing of those precious Sisters of yours."

This was it, He was going to do it, Aaron was about to lunge across the desk and snap Garrent's neck like a wish bone but he stopped himself at the last moment.

"That's Just What He Want's You To Do Aaron. Even If You Kill Him, His Contingencies Still Pose A Threat To The Safety of You and Your Family. You've Fought Too Long and Too Hard To Give It All Up For A Single Satisfying Moment of Petty ****. Years of Planning and Preparation Will Be For Nothing If You Don't Get A Grip On Yourself. His Time Will Come and Then They'll Be Nothing He or Anyone Else Can Do To Save His Fat, Wrinkly Ass... You Just Have To Hold Out A Little Longer.," Aaron thought, taking a deep breath and giving his step-father an unsettling smile of his own. Garrent instinctively leaned back, Suddenly a feeling of dread washed over him and he wanted to stand up and run from the room but his Ego wouldn't allow some snot-nosed brat to intimidate him.

After a few seconds of watching Garrent sweat, Aaron spoke., "I don't think we need to bring the rest of My Family into this. I'm sure we can work this out between ourselves.," Aaron's voice was so cold that Garrent could practically see his Step-Son's breath and of course there was no way he could miss the subtly veiled threat implied by Aaron's words.

"I'm sure we can at that...," Garrent began, feeling a chill creep up his misshapen spine., "... But that is a conversation for another time. Your obvious disrespect aside... I've been informed that you've been starting fights in school again."

Aaron didn't say anything, It wouldn't do any good. He'd been here before and no argument or proof he offered would change what was about to happen so he decided not to waste his breath.

"Hmm, Nothing to say in your defense...," Garrent paused, giving Aaron a chance to plead his case and make his punishment worse by offering excuses., "... That's good. You're an Intelligent Young Man and I can't understand for the life of me this rebellious streak you have. I realize that we've never really gotten along but that's no excuse for being a bully and what in the world would possess you to attack members of the football team? You know they're not allowed to fight. Were you hoping to take your frustrations out on someone who couldn't fight back, is that it?"

Aaron gritted his teeth as he thought., "Keep It Up You Fat Pig! I Can't Wait Until The Day When I Can Finally Shut You Up. I'm Going To Enjoy Shoving That Apple In Your Big Mouth."

"Whatever the reason I've made it clear that I'm sending you to Bayside to learn... Not to fight and I believe I've also made it abundantly clear that when you break the rules like starting fights in school for no good reason, for example, that their will be punishment so stand up and take your shirt and jacket off and step up to my desk and place your hands on it."

Aaron didn't have to be told what to do, He'd gone through this charade enough over the years but Garrent liked to be dramatic so he just let it play out.

Standing up, Aaron calmly removed his tie, followed by his jacket and shirt, folded them neatly and placed them in his chair and stepped up to his step-father's desk and put his hands flat on its surface.

"I really don't like doing this...," Garrent began as he stood up from behind his desk and waddled around the side.

"I Love It!," Garrent thought.

"... But when you do these things you **** me to do this. As your Father..."

"STEP-Father!," Aaron quickly corrected.

"Silence Brat!.," Garrent growled, grabbing a three-foot cane rod from a rack on the wall and delivered a quick and brutal three hit **** across Aaron's back and shoulders. After just three hits, Aaron's skin was torn and bleeding but Garrent was the one that seemed to be in the worst shape, gasping for breath as sweat dripped from his forehead. Aaron seemed unfazed by what looked like several deep and extremely painful cuts.

Catching his breath, Garrent continued what he was saying., "As I was saying, As your Step-Father...," Aaron smirked at Garrent's amendment to the words he had spoke just a minute ago., "... It falls to me when you misbehave to punish you and set you back on the right path... I think ten lashes will be enough not counting the three I was **** to give you thanks to your own disobedient tongue."

"So Smooth.," Garrent whispered, running his gnarled hand across the rippling muscles of his Step-Son's back.

Licking a drop of Aaron's blood from the tip of his finger he couldn't help but remark on the taste., "Mmmm So Sweet."

"Now COUNT!," Garrent yelled as he drew back the cane as far as he could.

[WHAP]

"One.," Aaron's expression was unchanged, not that Garrent could see his face at the moment.

[WHAP]

"Two."

[WHAP]

"Three."

Garrent was starting to breathe hard again, The exercise in discipline taking an obvious toll on his stunted physique.

[WHAP]

"Four."

"Uuh.," Garrent grunted.

[WHAP]

"Five."

[WHAP]

"Six."

"Uh Huh... Uh!," Garrent grunted again as he surveyed the damage to his Step-Son's back.

[WHAP]

"Seven."

"Yes! Oh Yes! Oooooh!," Aaron heard his step-father grunt. Aaron's face twisted momentarily as he listened to the sound of sliding flesh got louder with every hit Aaron suffered at his step-father's hand. I'd say hands but apparently the other one is quite busy.

[WHAP]

"Eight.," Aaron still showed no signs of pain or discomfort.

"Ugh That Disgusting Bastard!.," Aaron thought as the sound intensified.

[WHAP]

"Nine."

"Close. So CloOOOse! Just Need A Scream! Come On Scream!," Aaron heard his step-father say in a hoarse whisper.

[WHAP]

"Ten."

"ARRRRGH!," Garrent whimpered., "[HUFFS]... So... [Huffs]... Close."

Aaron turned slowly to look down at his step-father and he saw Garrent hurriedly pull his hand from his pants.,"Are You Finished?," Aaron's meaning was clear.

"Not even close but that's ten lashes so get the hell out of here you sniveling brat before I decide to give you ten more just for fun."

"Yeah, I'm Sure You Didn't Enjoy Those Thirteen Lashes At All." Aaron thought as he walked past his heaving step-father to pick up his clothes and leave. Aaron didn't want his Mother to see what Garrent had done. He'd worked hard over the years to hide the results of their encounters so he took a path normally used by the servants to minimize the risk of accidentally bumping into his Mother on the way to his room.

Aaron used his watch to bring up security footage of his room and as the watch face transformed into a screen then came alive with activity he saw that there was no one in or currently near his room at the moment so he made a beeline for his door and after entering, he closed and locked the door behind him while he treated his wounds.

Aaron wished he had more time so he could take a shower because after his shower at The Hospital and his encounter with his step-father he felt more dirty than clean but he was already running late so he used the nanotech in his suit to breakdown any traces of blood before putting it in the laundry, gave himself a quick once over with an aerosolized enzyme he designed to breakdown dirt and grime, then he selected himself another suit and got dressed before racing back downstairs where his Mother was waiting to take him to work.

"Hey Sweetie, Ready to Go.," Cyndi asked excitedly, happy to be able to spend time with her Son even if it was just picking him up at school, and taking him to The Hospital or to Work.

"Yep all set.," Aaron hugged his Mother.

"What did Garrent want?," Cyndi asked so nonchalantly that it almost caught Aaron by surprise.

Aaron looked at his Mother quizzically.

"One of The Maids mentioned it when I ran into them.," Cyndi stated in a hushed voice.

"Oh you know the same old, same old. He wanted to know about school."

"I figured as much... Well let's go before it gets any later."

"Right behind you.," Aaron replied as he followed his Mother out to the car.