Reaching The Stars

DISCLAIMER: As usual, I don't own any song lyrics or brand names of liquor mentioned throughout the story.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Kudos to all who have been reading my story. Even more kudos to those who review (you know who you are). Anyway, twists abound in this installment, quite the few twists, I might add. I'd elaborate, but then there'd be no point in you reading. So, read on! Please remember to read and review!


Reaching The Stars
Chapter Five: Enter The Nebula


“So, Chrissy, how was your three-day weekend?”

Christina smiled sweetly. “It was fine. Why do you ask?”

“You’ve been humming a tune since you came in and you’ve never smiled like you are now.” Her customer looked at her slyly. “Is there a new guy in your life?”

She looked away, a playful smile on her face. “Well…”

“Neil, will you pay for your drink and leave her alone?”

Her customer tuned to Angela and a man their age at the other two registers. “And why would I want to do that?”

“Because Angie’s the only other person who knows what happened over the weekend, and she’s unusually tight-lipped about it.”

Neil frowned. “That’s odd. Normally even a guy as stuck-up as you would have to shut her up in a way that I might enjoy. No offense, Angie.”

Angela grinned. “I know what you’re thinking, Neil. And no offense taken.”

“Even a cross-dressing faggot like you would be able to shut her up the way you’re thinking.”

The two girls gasped, but Neil laughed. “Oh, relax, girls. He’s one of those gruff, doesn’t-want-to-openly-admit-he’s-gay-but-knows-he-is types, eh, Norman?”

Norman snorted with a hint of a grin. “I’ve never denied it, Neil.”

Their conversation was cut short as a limousine parked in front of the coffee shop. Neil turned and took a sip of his latté while looking at the limo with a hint of disgust.

“Hmph! I wonder which blueblood decided to plague our humble little oasis this afternoon?”

The driver stepped out of the vehicle and opened the rear door facing them. A look of surprise flashed over the faces of the two girls as Harland stepped out of the limo first and helped three women out of the vehicle.

Norman nearly did a double take. “It’s Linda Pembroke and her daughters! What the hell are they doing here?”

Angela and Christina briefly exchanged glances but said nothing. The four passengers walked into the coffee shop as the driver returned to his spot at the wheel.

“Is my hair okay?” Neil started to primp his blonde wig.

“It’s fine,” Angela hissed as Harland and the three women approached the counter. “Welcome to the Shaky Java. What would you like to order today?”

The ebon-skinned bodyguard nodded at the two of them. “Can the two of you be excused? We need to talk.”

Neil and Norman stared at the girls in disbelief.

“Albert,” Christina called to the back, keeping her eyes on the four visitors. “We need you up here for a moment.”

The manager emerged from the back. “What’s going on, girls? Is there a problem out here?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt your business,” the eldest of the women started before anyone could say anything, “but we need to speak with Angela and Christina. It is of utmost importance.”

Albert looked around and shrugged. “Only the regulars are here. I don’t see a problem, Miss Pembroke.” He pointed at a spiral staircase in the far corner. “There are some booths upstairs. I can close off the upper area for you, if you’d like.”

She smiled. “That was what my late husband would have done, but that’s not really necessary, thank you.”


* * * * *


“What is it the four of you wanted to talk about?”

Linda Pembroke spoke up first. “The two of you have never met us, but I’m sure Jack has told you about our family. I’m Jack’s aunt, Linda, and my daughters Julie…” The blonde nodded. “…And Tanya.” The Japanese young woman nodded.

“I wish we could have met under better circumstances,” Tanya said.

“What do you mean?”

“You know of Michael, yes?”

Angela nodded. “We’ve heard he’s been causing Jack no end of trouble.”

Julie nodded. “Everyone in our family, Jack included, knows that Michael is reckless and predictable. Unfortunately, Michael’s predictability goes only so far.”

Angela glanced at Christina with concern. “I know I’m not going to like this, but what does this have to do with us?”

Tanya took Christina’s hands in hers. “Michael knows of your relationship with Jack, and of how you and your friends have become part of his inner circle. We know that Michael will try something to put our cousin into a situation where he will have no choice but to give up the fortune.” She released Christina’s hands. “We just don’t know what he’ll do.”

“You support Jack, though, don’t you?” Christina regarded each of the Pembroke women. “He won’t do anything without your backing, will he?”

Linda shook her head slowly. “We do support Jack, but my son has ever been a lone wolf.”

“Jack threatened to strip him of his share of the money he gave us.”

Christina turned to Tanya and Harland. “What? Why?”

“He threatened you,” Tanya replied fearfully. “And Michael managed to provoke a reaction from Jack.”

Angela and Christina went ashen. “How badly?”

“He throttled him,” Harland spoke up. All eyes fell on him. “Michael would have been sent to a hospital if I hadn’t stopped him.”

Christina frowned in concern. “Is he…is he always that violent?”

Tanya shook her head. “Thankfully, no. Michael tends to bring that out in people, however.”

“Speaking of your cousin, where’s Jack now?”

The four visitors shared uneasy glances.

“Well?”

“He…had some personal business to attend to.”

This time Angela frowned. “Personal business?”

Linda took a folder out of her handbag along with a small lancet. “Give me your finger.”

Christina gave her a curious look but did as she was asked. Linda pricked her finger with the lancet.

“Place your finger on the holograph on the folder.”

Carefully, she did as she was ordered. A little beep sounded from the folder, and the lid slowly opened.

“What in…?”

“It was Father’s final invention before he died,” Julie replied. “Jack helped perfect it, and demand is growing for this technology.”

“It’s a DNA lock,” Tanya replied to Christina’s unspoken question. “It’s more secure than finger- or even voiceprint locks. Father first used it on two files: his own and Jack’s. Father and Jack were the only ones able to access Father’s file, and it seems that he had your fingerprint scanned so he could program your DNA into his lock.”

“Why would he do that?”

“To grant you access to his file,” Tanya replied. “Everything you want to know about Jack is in here.”

“You mean to tell me…”

Harland nodded. “What you have in front of you is Jack’s entire life.”

Christina looked and took three CD cases out of the folder. “Three DVD-ROMs?”

“I’m sure your roommate will let you…”

Christina’s gaze shot towards Julie, who covered her mouth with her fingertips. “How did you know I had a roommate?”

Julie blushed. “She worked for Pembroke Enterprises before Father died, and transferred to another branch of the company not very long after.” She glanced sidelong at her mother and sister and lowered her gaze. “We had a relationship before she met her current lover.”

“That’s not important right now,” Harland put in. “Jack gave us his file to give to you, and he had you set to be one of the few people who could access his file. I guess he wanted you to know more about him, since he seems to know a lot, if not everything, about you.”


* * * * *


“Thanks Mom, Dad,” he said.

“It’s no problem at all, Jack,” his father-in-law replied. “She’s your daughter.”

He sighed sadly. “I wish I could make that public.”

The middle-aged woman in the room nodded, letting go of the wriggling child on her lap. “For Elizabeth’s memory, I wish that as well.”

“Mother, it’s already hard enough for me to see you and my own daughter.” He scooped the little girl up in his arms. “Please don’t make it any more difficult for me.”

“Victoria, let the man breathe,” Jack’s father-in-law said with a wry chuckle. “He’s doing it for the safety of his family.”

“I know, Peter,” she said with a huff. “I know. It’s just…I keep thinking he’ll turn out to be like his cousin.”

Jack kissed his daughter on the cheek. “Karen, honey, why don’t you go play with Oliver in the backyard?”

His daughter smiled sweetly. “Owiva’s not here wight now, Daddy, but I did see Horse get up when you came in.”

“Maybe Horse was looking for you because he wanted to play,” Jack replied, returning her smile. “Go on and look for him.”

“Okay, Papa.” She kissed him on the cheek and ran off to find her grandparents’ Great Dane.

“She’s got a lot of imagination and energy,” Peter noted, staring at the doorway.

“Yeah. She got the former from me and the latter from her mother,” Jack agreed. He turned to his mother-in-law. “Mom, please try to understand that Michael is the only bad apple that fell from the Pembroke tree. You know how generous my uncle was. He financed Elizabeth’s career in fashion shows and beauty pageants because he cared for her like he would a niece. He knew she wanted to make a name for herself in that field and she managed to do so with his help. He did everything for her, for me, and for my family.”

She thought for a moment then nodded. “You’re right, Jack. I guess the pain that Michael left when he broke Elizabeth’s heart is still fresh even though it’s been years. You and Kenneth treated her like the special woman she was.”

He nodded solemnly. “I don’t think I can ever forgive Michael for the pain he caused Elizabeth.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe I didn’t realize earlier how much I loved her. I should have seen the signs.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, Jack,” Peter said, pouring him some coffee. “She gave you Karen before she died. She loved you, and that’s what matters.”


* * * * *


Christina closed the folder and put it in her bag. She had asked Kimberly for some privacy while on the computer as she leafed through the thoroughly documented events in Jack’s life. Written documents, videos and even journal entries were on the three discs. Despite that, however, she noted that some files were encrypted. She could access some, but they were nothing more than complete garbage. The rest she couldn’t even open. She could only wonder at what other secrets Jack could have hidden.

A soft knock snapped her out of her reverie.

“What is it?”

“Can I come in, Chris?”

“Sure.” The door opened and Kimberly sauntered in wearing an open pearl-colored terry robe and took a seat on the bed. “What’s up?”

“You’ve been really quiet since you got home.” Kimberly leaned closer to Christina. “What’s wrong, Chrissy, baby?”

“Just taking in a lot of information,” Christina said quietly. “I’m beginning to wonder about my relationship with Jack.” She shrugged. “I mean, he’s nice and caring, and he’s also a great lover. He makes me feel like I don’t have to care about what goes on around me. And I like it, I welcome it.”

“But…?”

Christina sighed. “He has so many secrets. From what I know, he’s had a rough life, and it’s been even rougher since he inherited Pembroke Enterprises, what with trying to run a company and keep his cousin from doing anything to hurt him or the family business. Sometimes I feel like I might get in the way, and I don’t want him to have to choose over his money or my life.”

Kimberly smiled comfortingly and cupped Christina’s cheek in her hand. “Chrissy, I’m going to tell you a couple of things. First off, you’re a beautiful woman. You’re kind and generous and you always put others before yourself. You also have a side of you that wants to be free, to…” She searched for some outrageous thought. “You and your cousin are the type to run down the street naked and fuck the first sexiest thing on two legs that you see and hope they enjoy it. Jack loves that in you, from what you’ve told me. I don’t think he’d ever give you up. It would crush him to lose someone like you, someone who loves him for who he is and not because of his money.

“The second thing is that Julie might have told you I work for Pembroke Enterprises, and that we had a thing for a while before her old man passed away. I met Jack briefly after he took the helm, and I found out that he and his cousin also have a wild side, a part of him that you can’t even begin to consider controlling.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll give it to you straight: Jack Pembroke is a freak, and I mean F-R-E-A-K. He runs two clubs. One is…”

“The Cosmos,” Christina interrupted, “I know.”

“The other is called The Nebula. Julie and I used to go to that place, and those two Pembrokes as you know them do not exist there.”

Christina frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m saying that Jack and Julie are totally different people there. Those two are into fantasy S&M, and they’re hardcore.”

Christina gave Kimberly a look of surprise. “There was nothing in his file that I could read about being into S&M.”

Kimberly’s jaw dropped. “You have access to his file?”

Christina nodded. “But some of the files and videos I don’t have access to.”

“Give me a few minutes, and maybe I’ll be able to help.”

“With…?”

“With finding out more about Jack,” she replied. “I’ll call Julie and see if I can get something from her.”


* * * * *


Adam Winthrop picked up the cordless phone after one ring.

“Pembroke Residence.”

“Good evening. My name is Kimberly Avine…”

“Ah, Miss Avine, your call was two minutes earlier than expected.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Master Pembroke left naught but a few minutes ago to meet with his cousin. He told me to tell you that to acquire what you and Miss Christina need, you will have to go to The Nebula. He’ll be waiting for you there.”

He heard Kimberly gulp over the phone. “He said…he said he’ll be waiting…for me at…at The Nebula?”

“That’s correct. He also mentioned that you should expect Miss Julie to be there as well.”

There was a brief silence on the other end. “Thank…thank you…”

“It’s no problem at all, Miss Avine. I’m glad to be of service.”

Winthrop ended the call and walked back to the fireplace, resuming his dusting and humming a little tune.


* * * * *


“Well?”

“That was Jack’s butler,” Kimberly said. “He said I have to go to The Nebula to get what we need.” She took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in her throat. “He also said that Jack was waiting for me and that Julie was on her way there.”

“It shouldn’t be a problem, should it?”

Kimberly shivered. “Remember how I said those two were hardcore? Just thinking about her even now gives me shivers. And Jack…” She hugged herself. “I’ve had straight sex once and I didn’t enjoy it very much, but seeing Jack in The Nebula got me hot and bothered, made me want a man like him, a man that he plays. He’s primal there. I’ve heard stories in what’s called the ‘Out Lounge’ of The Nebula, that he’ll strike fear into you, and not just the intense fear. He’ll make you feel with every inch of your being that you’re his slave, that what goes on in there with him is reality, and that your real life is just a daydream.”

Christina visibly shuddered out of curiosity and disgust. Her face curled up into a pout. “Why would he hide something this big from me? I mean, sure I’ve only known him for a few days, but for all I know, he may have had at least twenty other women since we last met.”

Kimberly shook her head. “Christina, before I left, he never took any women privately. I asked Julie when she was at the Out Lounge once, and she confided in me that her cousin only had one girl before, and that girl was Jack’s first, ever.” She laid a hand on Christina’s shoulder. “Until I found out you spent a couple of nights with him, that’s always been the story.”

The thought eased Christina significantly. She stood up and nodded. “Well, let’s go.”

“What?”

“I’m coming with you.”

Kimberly shot to her feet, shaking her head quickly. “No! No, Christina, you’re not coming with me.”

“Why? I’m twenty-three and I’m able to make my own choices.”

“Yeah, but sometimes you make the wrong choice.”

She put her hands on her hips. “And what was that supposed to mean?”

Kimberly sighed. “I don’t want you to come more for me than for you.” She looked away. “I just…Alanna doesn’t know I was into that stuff, and I still kind of am. She might think I’m weird, or that I have some sort of mental problem or something. I don’t want you thinking any less of me, either.”

Christina shook her head. “I don’t think any less of you. You told me about your experience there, and what you told me is natural, a part of you. It doesn’t make you some sort of freak.”

“But…”

Christina shook her head. “Get dressed. I’m going with you.”


* * * * *


“And so a prodigal returns to the fold.”

“As expected, Lord Andarius.”

“And she will bring with her a companion.”

“I trust you will initiate her?”

Andarius said nothing.

“Or will you break tradition by sparing her?”

Andarius shook his head. “You know very well that cowardice is unbecoming of me, Tessara.” Andarius stood, his red eyes flaring. “Prepare the Grand Audience Hall. You, Tessara, will welcome she who has gone astray, and I will welcome her companion into my arms.” He narrowed his eyes. “…And my arms alone.”


* * * * *


“This entire building is an S&M club?”

Kimberly nodded. “I’m worried, though.”

“Why?”

“Well, normally, there’s a doorman for The Nebula disguised as a squatter almost twenty-four-seven. The only time no one’s out here is when a ceremony is being held.”

“Ceremony?” Christina chortled. “It sounds like a cult to me.”

“Chrissy, if it were a cult, I never would have been able to leave.” She took a deep breath. “Well, we better go in.” As she reached for the doorknob, the door flew open. A curtain of shadow was all that could be seen.

“I don’t like this,” Christina said warily. “Maybe we should go back.”

“Jack and Julie are both here, and you wanted access to his secrets.” She looked at the doorway. “This is one of them. Neither of us have much of a choice.” She frowned. “I haven’t been here since I met Alanna, so I don’t know what they have planned for me.”

Christina hesitated. “Do you think…?”

“Jack spares no one,” Kimberly replied gravely. “I was his cousin’s lover and I was initiated like any regular newcomer. I doubt he’ll break this place’s tradition for you.”


* * * * *


“Be prepared to seize the Prodigal,” Tessara whispered. “We move at Lord Andarius' signal. Anyone who touches her companion will receive swift and brutal punishment.”

“I am here,” Andarius announced to her in a whisper quieter than her own. Tessara nearly jumped; she didn’t hear anything to announce his arrival. “Once they have passed the threshold, have your slaves seize the Prodigal. You and I alone will introduce ourselves to her companion.”


* * * * *


Kimberly and Christina stepped past the door, which abruptly closed off any retreat with a thunderous slam. In that instant the darkness came to life and swarmed over Kimberly, hands clasping over her mouth in a futile attempt to hide her screaming.

“Lord Andarius! Lady Tessara, please forgive me!” The shadows began to drag her away. “Lady Tessara, forgive me! Please, forgive me!”

Christina stood, frozen in horror, as a torch was lit by a woman her height. She was athletically built with skin pale as moonlight. Her lipstick was a vibrant red that matched the color of her eyes. She was dressed in a sleeveless, polished black leather bodysuit with matching long gloves that ran to her upper arms and knee-high polished black leather boots. The torchlight made her golden hair shine like something ethereal.

The woman lifted the torch higher and a man emerged from the shadows. He had long black hair that fell straight down to his lower back and shared the same red eyes as the female beside him, though his gaze pierced through her with wildness that she could barely comprehend.

She looked away from his intimidating stare, her gaze falling to the floor. He wore knee-high black leather boots with six clasps that ran up their length. His jeans were deep black, as if sewn from the very shadows around them and were held up by a four-chain belt worn tightly around his hips.

She noticed the fingers of his right hand curl into a fist. Light reflected off each and every one of the finger-length talon rings he wore. She quickly looked at his right hand to see a coiled whip in its grasp. Her skin crawled at the thought of his skill with his hands or the whip.

He wore no shirt but had a full-length black leather trenchcoat over his bared torso. As her eyes roamed upwards she took notice of a scar underneath his collarbone peeking out from beneath his coat.

Her gaze flew up and met his in an instant. Realization set in as familiar features overlapped themselves against the cold visage of the man before her. The resemblance was unmistakable.

“…Jack?”


=[ Owari ]=

A/N: Chapter Six is already almost done on paper (I write on breaks at work and whenever I'm awake on the bus home), and it's going to be a doozy! As always, please read and review, and I'll see you all when I update again!