Reclamation Project

Chase gloated to Kendra all the way to the hospital. He regaled her with what he would be doing to Valeria when he had time alone with her. He'd regress her to a toddler. He'd resurface Val and have her pants the staff. He have Valerie seduce her doctor. If he had enough time he could even convince Valeria that she was a man. Yeah. Val. Like Val Kilmer. He was giddy with the thought of what he could do. Kendra played along, giggling and acting as if each suggestion was brilliant. Internally, she couldn't wait for this to be over so that she could finally be with Diego.

Chase pulled into the hospital parking lot outside the psych wing. He got out of the car without waiting for Kendra and stalked to the building. Kendra followed him obediently. Once inside, she pointed out the elevator. Chase reached for second floor but Kendra grabbed his arm.

"It's the third floor, master"

"I knew that!" Chase said irritably, jabbing at the 3.

The elevator doors closed and the elevator started to rise. Chase gripped the book in his hand and bounced on his feet, filled with nervous energy and plans. The soft ding of the elevator announced their arrival on the third floor and the door opened to a darkened hallway. There was no hint of activity. No nurses. No doctors. Chase paused for a second, wondering where everyone was but then concluded that this was perfect. "This is perfect. No one around" He headed for room 302.

Room 302 was brightly lit, a beacon in the dark hallway. Chase spotted Valeria immediately. "Kendra, keep watch. Let me know if anyone is coming"

Valeria laid in bed, the covers held tight against her chin. Her eyes opened when she felt the mattress sag as he seated himself next to her.

Chase leaned over Valeria who stared at him blankly. "Hello, Dr. Rivera. I heard that your son had you sent here. I came as soon as I heard" He took her hand in his. "I'm here to save you, Valeria"

"Chase. You came" Valeria said worshipfully. "You have to help me..."

"Shh.... Shh... Just relax Valeria. Let me handle everything. I know how stressful this must be for you. Just be at peace. I won't let any harm come to you. You know that you trust me to do what's best. Just breathe in and out. In and out. Let the stress and anger flow from your body"

"Trust you..." Valeria said, watching him intently.

Chase frowned at her reaction. He'd expected her eyes to close. "Close your eyes, Valeria. Relax and listen to my voice. You know you want to."

Valeria's eyes closed. Chase smirked. That was better. "Now I want you to just let everything go. You feel like you're floating in a warm dark sea. The only thing you need to do is listen to my voice"

Valeria said nothing.

"Do you hear my voice, Valeria?" Chase wondered if she had been ****. It was more difficult than usual to provoke her responses.

"I hear you Chase. Only you"

"Are you in a warm dark sea?"

"Yes, Chase. So peaceful"

"Good, now I want you to let go of the false Valeria identity you've been wearing. You are Valerie again. You work for me. I saved you from a worthless life and gave you worth. I gave you a purpose. You will do what I say now because only I know what's best for you"

"If you say so" she responded.

"If I..." Chase frowned.

"Master Chase! Someone's coming" Kendra called from the hallway.

Chase jumped up to run to the door and almost collided with Diego whose eyes widened with shock. Kendra remained in the hall, watching.

"Chase Whitmore? What are you doing here? You don't belong here!"

Chase glowered at Diego. "Quiet down, kid. I'm here to visit your mother. Kendra told me you'd had her committed. What kind of son does that?"

Diego hung his head theatrically. "I had to. You did something to her. Dr. Vincent had her sent here"

"Dr. Vincent? Maybe I need to make a visit to that quack and set their mind straight. I don't like people messing with my property"

"Your prop... You bastard" Diego balled his fists for a punch but Chase just pushed him to the floor.

"Valerie, we're leaving. Give Diego a kiss good bye"

Diego's mother stepped around Chase. He noted that she wasn't dressed in a hospital robe and seemed to have tangled a pillow case around her hand. Nevertheless she followed his instructions, pulling Diego to his feet: "With pleasure" she declared, giving Diego a long passionate kiss on his lips. Diego's eyes widened and his arms flailed wildly as his mother's tongue explored his mouth.

Chase looked on gleefully, watching Diego's reaction then he tapped the woman on the shoulder. "That's enough Valerie. That's all he paid for"

She stepped back.

"Let's go" Chase said. "Drop the stupid pillow case"

"Yes, master" she replied as she wound up. Then she punched Chase in the jaw with all of her strength. The pillow case protected her hand but the **** of her punch nearly took Chase's jaw off.

Seeing Chase fall, Kendra was unable to control herself. She darted into the room and began to kick Chase's whimpering form. Diego's mother rained punches down on Chase's body, her hand protected by the pillow case as he curled into a ball. The air was filled with grunts and curses as the two women savaged him.

Diego let them have their fun. Then, as if rehearsed, both woman stopped, moving to Diego's side. Chase rose unsteadily to his feet, his eyes darting to the door. "You are dead Rivera. You are all dead. When I'm done with you you won't even remember how to breathe"

Diego cleared his throat and held up Chase's book. "I don't know exactly how this works but I'm guessing you'd probably need this to do that"

As Chase lunged for the book, he felt a sharp stab in his arm and hot fire lance up his arm. He stumbled, grabbing for his arm, just as the syringe was extracted.

"Wha?" was all that he managed to say before he fell to the ground.