She stood to the side while Derek and Forest tamped down the snow, cutting a path to the base of the tree. She did what she could to soothe Tank from the rim of the funnel. It seemed to take forever, but finally Derek broke through. Tank laid on his side and barely raised his head. When Derek approached, Tank let out a warning growl.
“Whoa,” Derek said. “Maybe you should get in here, but Sally, for the love of God, be careful.”
“Yes, Sir,” she said.
It was hard going, but she made it to the base of the tree. Tank’s tail thumped against the ground, and he tried to lick her hand but fell back with mournful exhaustion. She examined his paws. They were ripped to shreds, and he’d lost a couple of nails. Poor thing had to have been frantic digging George out. Cautiously, she felt his legs, and then explored his ribs and stomach, looking for any other injuries. He’d dug and dragged George out of the snow, but he’d also escaped that avalanche. He could have sustained significant injury.
“I don’t think anything’s broken.” She turned to Derek. “What’s your plan? His feet are bleeding and raw.”
“God, he’s huge.” Derek tried picking Tank up and setting him on his feet. Tank had gone limp and refused to stand. “Forest, I’m going to need your help getting him out of here.”
“Hmm,” Forest said. “Might be best if I do the carrying. You’re going to need to steady me as I walk.”
Derek didn’t have to be convinced. He stooped down and held out his hand to Tank, trying to reassure him. “Hey buddy, I’m a friend.”
Forest did the same. After Tank had licked his knuckles, he smiled. “I’m guessing wrap him around my shoulders?”
“Sounds about right,” Derek agreed.
Derek grunted, lifting Tank to Forest’s back. Forest grabbed Tanks fore- and hind-legs and wrapped them around his neck. Straining, and with Derek providing support from behind, Forest struggled to his feet.
“This dog is a beast,” Forest complained.
“He’s a hero.” Sally comforted Tank, more worried by his lack of resistance as the men manhandled him.
She supported Tank’s head. He didn’t even try to resist. Perhaps Tank knew they were there to help. He whined, and his tail thumped, but he otherwise didn’t move. Not once had she seen such resignation in his eyes. The powerful Newfoundland might be massive, but he was still a growing puppy with boundless energy and a tender soul. To see him in this state ripped open her heart.
The hike back to the helicopter seemed to take ten times as long, but they made it back. She led the way, tromping through the path they’d previously cut. Forest grunted with his exertions, while Derek brought up the rear. He traded places with Forest half way, the men doing an elaborate dance, shifting Tank from one set of shoulders to the other. Exhaustion pulled on Forest’s face, but Derek’s was set with grim determination. When they made it back to the helicopter, Mike and his team had yet to return.
Her stomach lurched, and her heart leaped to her throat. “Where are they?”
The pilot turned around. “They have him, Miss. Just radioed in. He’s unconscious but breathing. They’re loading him in the stretcher and will be working their way back.”
“He’s alive?” Hope surged in her chest.
“Yes, he’s alive,” the pilot confirmed.
She threw her hands around Derek. “Thank you! Oh, thank you.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks because, without him, there would’ve been no possible way to get to George in time. Derek had moved mountains. He’d saved her best friend, the only family she had left. Derek had done this for her, and she understood why. As her Dom, this was his place. He would do whatever it took to take care of her, even rescue her friend.
It was a profound moment, and she let it sink in. If Derek would do that for her, then what would she be willing to do for him?
Derek and Forest left her with the pilot, eager to help the men bring George in. She lay across Tank, giving the pup a huge hug. He was an even bigger hero, and she would never complain about his slobber again.
A few minutes later, the men returned, carrying a stretcher between them. She resisted the urge to run out and meet them, realizing the depth of the snow pack made that treacherous. Instead, she shifted Tank’s massive bulk to the far side of the helicopter to make room for the stretcher.
When they loaded George on board, she felt for a pulse, then assessed his breathing. She leaned over him, looking for other injuries, and then hugged him tight. “Don’t you ever do that again,” she said, chastising him.
The helicopter lifted off the snow and headed to Tahoe.
“I want to take him to UC Davis,” she said. “It’s less than an hour, and his vitals are stable.” He was cold as hell, and she worried about his core body temperature dropping. “I need to warm him up.”
Tank lumbered to his feet, swaying inside the cabin of the helicopter. He whined and nuzzled George, then plopped on top of him, laying his head over George’s face. She had thought to strip George and use her body heat to rewarm him, but Tank weighed twice as much and was covered in dense black hair.
She scratched his neck. “I love you, dog.” Glancing up at Derek, she smiled and mouthed, Thank you. Then she proceeded to remove the clumps of snow and ice weighing down Tank’s long black hair.
Stop Over
Sally had wanted to take George to UC Davis Medical Center, but Mike Cavendish insisted they headed to Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe. Derek supported this idea, emphasizing their trauma designation for the area. She hated putting George in a hospital so far from home, but couldn’t argue the benefit of an extra forty-minutes to Sacramento, especially since George remained unconscious.
They cut through the air, skimming over the trees, and landed at the helipad at Barton Memorial. The pilot had called ahead, and a trauma team met them outside. Things happened quickly after that. As his next of kin, she filled out the appropriate paperwork and signed emergency consents. They wheeled George into a trauma bay, while she went to find Derek.
He stood beside the helicopter, which had been powered down. When he saw her, he waved her over. “I’ve found a local vet, and I’m arranging transportation for Tank.”
“Thank you, Derek.” He really couldn’t be a more wonderful man. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to take Tank home. I’ve got a great vet who knows him, and she specializes in trauma. I’m thinking logistics, and while I can get George transferred once he’s stabilized, it’s more problematic with a dog.”
“If that’s what you want.”
She checked in on Tank. His tail thumped at her approach, and he attempted to get up. With a soothing voice and gentle touch, she placed a firm hand on his shoulder, encouraging him to stay put and rest. Testifying to his exhaustion, Tank lay down, a low whimper escaping him. She hugged him tight, and kissed the bridge of his nose, once again praising him for saving George’s life.
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. “George is coming around,” she said. “I’m going to head back in.”
“Go ahead,” he said. “We’ll have to move the helicopter soon, but we have time. They’ll let us know if a trauma is coming, but we won’t be able to stay much longer.”
“Okay.”
“Are you going to be okay leaving?”
No, she didn’t want to leave George alone in the hospital, but she knew what he was going to say. His first thoughts would be for Tank, and he’d ask her to get him to a vet.
George wasn’t awake, but his doctor had initial results. George had broken both his legs, his left arm, and several ribs. His helmet had protected his head, and the initial scans didn’t reveal any bleeding or swelling in his head. He had contusions all over, and they would be moving him to intensive care for further monitoring. Satisfied George was in good hands, she collected all the contact numbers she would need, and gave them hers as well.
When she returned to the helicopter, there was no sign of Mike and his men. Derek sat on t
he floor of the helicopter petting Tank. Forest, Karl, and Warren were in their seats.
She climbed aboard, and Derek once again buckled her in. Little less than an hour later, they were landing in the parking lot of her office.
“Is this legal?” she asked. “Aren’t there regulations about landing?”
Forest snorted. Karl chuckled. Warren gave her a look.
Derek answered. “FAA regulations for helicopter flight and landing is much more relaxed than for fixed wing aircraft. As long as we don’t endanger people or property, we only have to deal with a few local rules, city ordinances, etc. But, the parking lot is empty, it’s city land, and you can land anywhere in an emergency.” He pointed to Tank. “We aren’t required to call in to the towers, but did for him. Speaking of, your vet should be waiting.”
“How did you?”
He pulled her into a hug. “It’s a Dom’s job to know everything about his sub.”
She stilled in his embrace. With the avalanche, finding George alive, and comforting Tank in the helicopter, she’d pushed thoughts of Dom and sub far to the background. Instead, she’d simply been amazed and grateful for Derek’s help.
Doctor Andreti, Tank’s vet, was indeed waiting at the parking lot outside Sally’s office. She’d brought her SUV and had the back opened. Sally jumped out and went to greet her. While she explained what had happened, the injuries to his paws and toe nails, Derek carried Tank to the car.
“This puppy,” he said, “is something else.”
Doctor Andreti smiled. “Just wait until he’s full grown.”
“That’s what Sally keeps saying.” He laid Tank in the back of the SUV, then thrust his hand out to the vet. “Thank you for coming out on such short notice.”
“It’s my pleasure. My night was kind of boring, and George is a good friend.” She shook with Derek, then turned her attention to Tank, doing a quick exam. “I agree, Sally. Other than his feet, it doesn’t appear anything else is wrong. I’ll take him to the hospital and get a full set of X-rays. I want to make sure he didn’t break any ribs.”
“You’re incredible,” Sally said. “Thank you.”
“How is George? Mr. LeMark said he’d been admitted to intensive care? I hope it’s not as bad as that sounds.”
While her words were for Sally, Tank’s vet couldn’t seem to keep her eyes off Derek. Sally understood that pull. The man was magnetic, but he belonged to her. She reached for Derek’s hand and laced her fingers with his.
“He broke both his legs, an arm, most of his ribs,” she said. “They’re observing him for pulmonary contusions and a concussion. Of course, they’re going to have to set the breaks. I’m not looking forward to George’s aftercare.”
“You didn’t say he was hooked up to a ventilator. I’m guessing that’s a good thing.”
“No, sorry. He’s stable and breathing room air. I think they’re concerned about crush injuries and want to make sure his kidneys don’t crap out.”
“Well, I’ve got Tank, and I’ll keep him as long as you need me to. You don’t need to worry about him. Tell George the same. He needs to heal before he tries to take care of his dog.”
“You know that’s not happening,” she said.
“I know, but tell him anyway.” With one last look at Derek, she climbed into the SUV. The engine turned over, and Sally waved as she drove off.
Derek pulled her close and kissed the crown of her head. “I’ve got two options for you, my love.”
“Yes?”
“Well, we still have the entire weekend. Your friend is being taken care of. His dog, too. I can take you home, or we can return to The Cellar.”
“Oh,” she said, “I…”
“We’re not going to scene tonight. I think we’ve had enough excitement for the day, but I’d like to revisit our room in the morning.”
There was no confusion about what room he meant. Thinking about experiencing her first real scene with him brought a flush to her cheeks. She felt guilty spending the weekend enjoying herself with Derek while George lay in a hospital bed. However, she knew George. He wouldn’t want her hovering, and he’d be pissed if she told him what she’d given up.
“I don’t want to go home,” she admitted.
“I hear you,” he said, “but I’d rather hear you say you want to return to The Cellar. We’ll spend what’s left of our evening as voyeurs. I think it might help you to see how others scene before I take you back to that room. I’d also like for you to speak with Ellen. I think you’ll find her story an interesting one.”
“Her story?”
“Mm. Ask her how she became Warren’s slave. You’ve shown an interest, but going from submissive to slave isn’t a choice made in haste.”
She curled against his chest, breathing in his warm, comforting scent. “Derek?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you…thank you for everything you did today. There’s no way I could have made any of that happen on my own. At least not in time to save George. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
“Well, several thoughts pop to my mind.”
“I’m sure they do.”
He guided her back to the helicopter, but she stopped him.
“Do you mind if I run inside? I want to send the pictures I took of John Doe’s tattoos to Mac so he can get his team working. I’m really hopeful Karl’s list of 3D tattoo artists helps us find out who that man was.”
“Of course.” He leaned into the cabin and spoke to the men waiting patiently inside. “Hey, Sally needs a quick minute to send some files to her detective friend.”
“No problem.” Karl leaned back and stretched in the luxury seats. “Warren and I were talking shop anyway.”
Forest lifted up his tablet. “I’m good, just working on some code.”
Derek guided her to the building. She unlocked the outer doors and wandered inside with Derek trailing behind. “I have to say it feels a bit creepy walking into a morgue at night.”
“Technically, it’s not night. The sun’s only just begun to set. And this isn’t a morgue.”
“But you keep dead bodies on ice.”
“I keep dead bodies in cold storage.”
“You’re right,” he said, “technicalities.” He grabbed her by the arm and spun her around. “Subs shouldn’t argue with their Doms.”
“That was me clarifying, not arguing.”
“Hmm, I still think it needs to be punished.”
His words sent a current of electricity straight to her clit, making her pulse with need for his touch. “Hmm, what kind of punishment? I’m finding your spankings are more pleasure than punishment.”
He laughed. “Then I’m definitely spoiling you.” Cupping her face, he pulled her close until their lips were kissably close. “What I want is a complicated life with you. Pleasure merging with pain. Love melded with the steel of discipline. It’s not enough for me to have you. I need to rule you. What we’ve done has been play. Don’t confuse discipline with pleasure.”
“Oh God,” she squeaked. “Why does that turn me on?”
“Because you crave the same, I think. A slap and a tickle in bed is one thing, but knowing you’ll be held accountable is something else entirely. A man can fuck a woman’s body and still leave her feeling empty.”
“And you? What will you do?”
“I intend to seduce your mind, and own your soul.”
“And my body?”
“Will be very well fucked, both in pleasure and in pain.”
“Wow. I—”
Whatever she was about to say was cut off by the press of his lips against hers. There was no rushing, no violence of intent. Instead, Derek took his time, exploring every curve of her lips, and probing into the heat of her mouth. His tongue swept against hers, a loving caress, while his hands reached down and cupped her ass.
“When I’m with you,” he said, “I’m constantly hard. I can’t think of anything but wanting to sink deep inside of you.”
&n
bsp; She gripped his waist and held tight while he backed her up against the receptionist’s desk. Lifting her to sit on the edge, he wedged himself between her thighs.
“Derek, we can’t.”
“Can’t my ass. I can have you stripped in ten seconds flat.”
She pointed to the security camera in the corner. “We’re being recorded, and I don’t want to give security anything to snicker about.”
He turned up and located the camera. “Damn! Are there cameras everywhere?” He arched a brow.
“Only at the entrance. None in the exam room, but you’re not fucking me there either.” She lowered her voice. “That’s where the dead people sleep.”
“You know,” he said, stepping back, “that’s one way to kill the mood.”
“I’m certain your libido will recover, but yeah. Having sex in there? Kind of icky.”
He glanced around. “Well, now that I know the dead are watching, it kind of puts the kibosh on any sex where you work.”
“That’s probably a good thing, especially since I kind of enjoy keeping my job.”
“Yeah, I’m taking your word on that.”
She was used to that response. Most people didn’t understand what she did and were even more confused by her passion. What she did brought closure to people’s lives. Death was merely one point of the continuum of life, and she helped people close that final loop.
“Come,” she teased, “you can fuck me all you want when we get back to The Cellar.”
Leading him around the front desk, she bypassed the locker room and headed for the double swinging doors leading into what amounted to her office. It was where the dead people slept.
“I just have to grab the files from the computer…”
The scent of copper hit her nose first. On the table, lay a body she knew all too well, and what looked like a river of blood. Her shriek split the air, and she collapsed. Derek caught her before her knees struck the hard linoleum.
“Bruce!”
Part IV
Complications
Becoming His, Learning to Breathe: Part Two - The Collective - Season 1, Episode 8 Page 16
