Some Guys Have all the Luck

Friends in High Places

Disclaimer: The two authors of this story, smithsbabe65 and myself, don’t own anything associated with the Matrix trilogy.

lllll

“Why did you insist I come along for this business meeting?” Persephone snapped at her husband as they walked through the deserted nightclub garage to their car.

“Because this man, although human, has heard of your beauty and brains and he wanted to meet you. Besides, he compensated you generously for the inconvenience, did he not?” The Merovingian said, lightly fingering the diamond and platinum choker his wife now wore.

“That he did,” Persephone said, her anger dissipating in a moment. Receiving jewellery always brightened her mood and the Merovingian knew it.

“However, I don’t know why you felt you had to buy yet another casino. How many do we have, anyway?”

“This one makes five. We have one in Atlantic City, Hong Kong, New Orleans and Monaco. I thought it might be a good idea if we included Las Vegas to our collection.”

Persephone sighed. If there was one thing other than money her husband was always on the lookout for, it was the chance to make even more money. She had to admit that the revenue from the casinos she and the Merovingian owned had far exceeded her expectations.

She smiled fondly, turning her mind to the other noteworthy event that had caught her attention while her husband and his business associate had been finalizing the sale.

“Did you see who else was at the restaurant?”

“Of course I did. It was hard to miss them, the way they were carrying on…” Being completely French through and through, the Merovingian always enjoyed noticing and commenting on the amorous actions of others and speculating on when a passionate tryst would take place between lovers.

“I think it is wonderful that Agent Jones finally found someone. He looked very happy.”

“Happy?” her husband said incredulously. “How on earth could one tell? He never smiles; I don’t think zee man even knows how!”

“Any woman could tell that he is in love simply by looking at his eyes. We have never seen him smile because up until now, he has never had a reason.”

“When did they leave the restaurant, anyway?”

“Shortly before us, I believe,” Persephone said, “for we were the last ones to go. How long have they been dating?”

“Just over a month. Six weeks perhaps.”

“And what about their friends?” Persephone asked.

“Agent Brown and Celia Alvarez had their first date this evening, as a matter of fact. He procured good seats to Phantom of the Opera. However, I’ll bet anything that they will be the first to consummate their relationship.”

The Merovingian smiled as he and Persephone passed the car that Agent Jones had driven. Peering inside, he had a note of amusement in his voice as he purveyed the empty vehicle. “No sign of a passionate coupling in here; he and Ms. Rodgers must still be in the elevator, no doubt continuing to paw at one another since they obviously could not do it in the club. I suppose it is fitting; after all, inside an elevator was where they first began their relationship.”

“You and I used to be like that,” Persephone said, fondly reminiscent of times long past when she and her husband had energetically copulated in elevators, on the hoods of some of their cars, and, if space permitted, the backseat as well.

“I remember,” the Merovingian said with a small smile, tenderly stroking Persephone’s cheek. “In those days, we too were in love.”

“And now?” Persephone asked, her warm brown eyes intent on her husband’s face. During these last few months, he had not paid her much attention and the space beside her in their bed had gone cold and empty since his abandonment of it.

She kissed her husband impulsively and felt him respond to her advances by drawing her more closely into his embrace as he returned her kiss. Persephone moaned when his lips nuzzled her neck; the slight stubble of his cheek against her sensitive skin made a fiery jolt of lust harden her nipples immediately. The Merovingian chuckled when he felt her reaction. Persephone responded by sharply nipping his earlobe with her teeth and he groaned in turn. She had learned long ago that the lobes of his large bat-like ears were one of his erogenous zones and she felt his penis begin to harden.

“Two can play at that game, my love,” he admonished gently, caressing her breasts, trailing scorching hot kisses towards her generous bosom. Persephone threw her head back and moaned with abandon, running her fingers through his hair, pulling his head down further.

“What would you like me to do now?” he said silkily, his voice hoarse with passion. He knew very well what she wanted; it had always been a game with him to hear the voice of his wife beg him to continue whatever pleasurable erotic activity he was performing on her.

“Suckle me, please!” she pleaded.

“As you wish, Madame,” the Frenchman said somewhat smugly. With Persephone in his arms, he backed her onto the hood of their car and leaned in to continue his lovemaking. He pushed down the bodice of her evening dress and took one of Persephone’s rock hard nipples into his mouth, all the while hitching up her dress above her long, svelte thighs so that he could eventually penetrate her.

Persephone thought she heard voices coming closer but did not pay them much heed. Let everyone see what we are doing I don’t care, she thought rebelliously, thoroughly aroused at the idea of having sex while being watched.

Abruptly, the Merovingian was yanked off his wife. “What in zee hell?” he spat angrily. Before he could unleash a florid stream of French curses at the person or persons who were interrupting his tryst and spoiling his fun, he was whirled around and dealt a very hard blow to the side of his head, rendering him unconscious immediately.

Persephone was pulled off the hood of her car, nearly yanking her arm out of its socket. She resisted as forcefully as she could, raising her razor-sharp nails to claw and disfigure as much of her attacker as possible, but her resistance only angered the man further. Drawing his hand back, he slapped her across the face as hard as he could and continued to strike her until she fell to the ground, eliciting a moan of pain.

lllll

The elevator door opened and as soon as Lara crossed the threshold, she stopped short. A sound, a terrible sound of anguish and despair came to her ears. What was making that awful noise, she thought, suppressing the urge to cover her ears to stop from hearing it. A long time ago, Lara had made the same sound herself—in pain and despair and far from aid or assistance.

Jones had heard it too and looked around. Unfortunately, the sound could have come from anywhere inside the garage; it was vast and any noise echoed from one end to the other. The sound that accompanied it was one of anger and both Jones and Lara knew it for what it was: a woman was in danger somewhere in the enormous expanse of concrete and was crying out for assistance after being struck in some manner.

“Stay behind me,” Jones ordered drawing his weapon. “We don’t know what’s going on and it may be dangerous.” He proceeded forward slowly, all of his agent instincts on full alert.

The sound was repeated and Lara saw movement far ahead to her left. Whatever it cost her, Lara would not allow the unknown female in distress come to further harm if she could possibly help it. There was no time to obey Jones’ request and go slowly—help was needed now. She was all too aware what can happen to a woman in the course of a few minutes at the hands of a man whose lust and anger overrode all other priorities. Lara ran forward, ignoring Jones’ whispered request for her to come back and she dimly heard the pounding of his heavy footsteps as he hastened to catch up with her.

Even from this distance, she did not need to be told what was going on, she saw it clearly for herself. The Merovingian lay unmoving and unconscious on the ground and Persephone had fallen to her knees beside her husband. The second man was rummaging through the pockets of the Frenchman and Lara heard him exclaim at the amount of money that had been discovered.

“Don’t count it now, let’s just get the hell out of here!” said his companion, who was holding a gun at Persephone.

“Relax, man. No one is here; we have all the time we need. Christ, this guy is fucking loaded,” he exclaimed, thumbing through the large billfold. He turned his head and raked an evil glance over Persephone, his gaze lingering on the necklace and the five-carat diamond bracelet she wore on her right wrist. Neither man noticed that Persephone had turned the stone of her diamond engagement ring inward so as not to be seen by her two assailants. The Merovingian had given the ring to her when they married and though their union was now one of convenience, she still treasured it and the memories of happier times.

“This chick’s got some serious bling on her: check out that necklace and bracelet she’s got. They should fence even more than the cash we lifted from the loser she’s with,” he said with a disdainful sneer, prodding the prone form of the Merovingian with his leather boot. He kicked Persephone’s purse over to Greg. “Go through that and see what she’s got.”

Greg rifled through the small Versace purse. “A cell phone, a Blackberry and some cash and credit cards in her wallet. I think we should leave while we still can, Spike. We scored a lot tonight. Let’s just leave and call it quits.”

A harsh bark of laughter emanated from his associate in crime. “Hello? Are you blind? Do you see anyone else in this place ‘cept us and these two?”

Persephone shifted her position slightly while the thieves’ attention was on each other. She was going to wait until she could try to make her escape by whatever means she could. She rose to a crouch and started to run, but was caught when the older and larger of the two men grabbed a fistful of her hair and forced her to her knees, twisting her arm behind her back.

“And where do you think you’re going, pretty lady?” Spike hissed. “Wait a minute—what do we have here?” he said, wrenching the ring off Persephone’s finger. “You were hiding this from us, weren’t you?” He slapped her hard across the face and she fell to the ground.

“So what if I was?” Persephone snapped, speaking for the first time. “The jewellery is my property, not yours. Mark my words, my husband and I have powerful friends who will make sure that you pay for what you have done here,” she said boldly.

“Oooh, did you hear that?” Spike said mockingly. “She’s threatening us, I am so afraid. But you are one damn fine looking woman, I do have to say. I’ve changed my mind, Greg,” he said, turning his attention to his compatriot. “Instead of just robbing these two and letting it go at that, I’ll think I’ll indulge myself a bit; I’ve certainly earned it. Hold her,” he ordered.

Greg held her as requested, although he held Persephone as if she might break in his hands. Spike reached out and pushed the front of her dress down so that her breasts were exposed.

“Huh, I never would have guessed these are real,” Spike said, as he roughly fondled Persephone’s breasts. “Oh, yeah, I think I’ve earned myself a little diversion with you, honey,” he said gruffly, as he ran his hands over her body and with a thrill of fear, Persephone knew exactly what he had in mind. Greg’s hold on her was easing as he turned his attention to staring at her chest. It had been a long time since he had been with a woman and the sight of Persephone’s more than ample bosom was an awe-inspiring sight.

Understandably not desiring to be raped by two men in a lonely and deserted parking garage, Persephone looked around for anything or anyone who could help her when her eyes met those of Lara. Persephone suppressed a gasp of relief when she saw the burly form of Jones behind her. Jones put a finger on his lip to bid her to be silent and she understood him.

Persephone jerked her head away so that neither Greg nor his associate would have reason to look in her potential rescuers’ direction.

“You don’t have the balls to try and hurt me,” she said, deliberately raising her voice so that Jones’ approach could not be heard.

In less than a heartbeat later, Greg was on the ground, unconscious from the butt of Jones’ revolver delivered to the back of his neck. Eyeing the bulky form of his attacker as well as the formidable weapon he carried, Spike turned tail and ran for the exit.

“Jones, give me your jacket,” Lara ordered and Jones obliged, discreetly turning his gaze away from Persephone until her exposed upper body was covered.

“Don’t kill him,” Persephone ordered, her voice shaky. Jones frowned in confusion at her request. “My husband has people who will take good care of him in due time.”

Jones nodded his understanding and proceeded to pursue his target, leaving the two women alone.

“Your husband, is he all right?” Lara asked anxiously, coaxing the jacket onto Persephone’s shaking shoulders.

“He was just knocked unconscious,” she said. Now that her ordeal was over, her body trembled violently. Lara put her arm around her, trying to ward off the chill that comes after shock. Persephone began to cry and Lara embraced her, comforting her as best she could. Under normal circumstances, the Frenchman’s wife was a confident and formidable woman, but the events of this evening had shaken her badly. She knew as well as Lara did what would have transpired if Spike had had more time.

“If you hadn’t arrived when you did, he would have--he would have…” Persephone broke off, unable to continue because of the tears streaming down her face.

“I know, Persephone, I know.” The tone of Lara’s voice caused the older program to look intently into her eyes.

“You’ve been through it too, haven’t you?”

“Yes, I have and you know who did it, don’t you?” Lara responded, a lump rising in her throat.

“I am so sorry,” Persephone said hoarsely. The two women continued to embrace, each giving the other strength by her presence and understanding.

“Forgive me for asking, but does Agent Jones know?”

“No and I won’t tell him either.”

“You should, you know--the truth will come out sooner or later.”

“I know that. I will not tell him because once he finds out…” Lara cleared her throat. “I can’t lose him, Persephone, I just can’t.”

Persephone put her hand on Lara’s. “Agent Jones has a big heart and a lot of love to give. I don’t think you are giving him enough credit. He will stand by you, trust me.”

Lara wanted desperately to believe that Persephone was right. “I know you mean well, but I can’t take that chance. What if you are wrong?”

Persephone was about to open her mouth to reply but the approach of footsteps caused both women to cease their conversation and look up sharply.

“It’s only me,” Jones said, dragging beside him the prone form of Spike by the scruff of his neck. “I did as you requested, Madame,” he said, directly addressing Persephone. “He is unconscious, but alive.” He released Spike from his grasp and he fell face-first onto the concrete.

“Good,” Persephone responded. Anger and resolve straightened her spine and she looked directly at Jones and Lara.

“I would appreciate if you wouldn’t mention this to anyone.” When both of them agreed, she continued. “Both of you have gained powerful friends by your timely actions tonight. If either of you ever need something, do not hesitate to contact me. I speak for my husband as well. When he awakens, the only thing we will tell him is that he was robbed, but the thieves were caught. He must think that it was the only thing that happened tonight, do you understand?”

“Yes,” said Lara, looking at Jones until he nodded his agreement.

“Will you be kind enough to pass me my cell phone?” Persephone asked. Lara looked away, pretending not to see how badly her hand was trembling as she dialled.

“It is me. Bring the Twins to the parking garage near Main and Stanfield. They are my husband’s newest acquisitions,” Persephone explained with a slight smile. “These men will learn the penalty of offering harm to either my husband or myself. The Twins are extremely vicious but eternally loyal. It is because of our intervention that they are even alive today. They will ensure that these two never hurt anyone again, you can be sure of that.”

The squealing of tires heralded the arrival of the Twins.

“You should leave now; we are in good hands,” Persephone said. Lara nodded and smiled as the Frenchman’s wife kissed Jones once on both cheeks before doing the same to her.

“Thank you for everything and don’t forget what I said,” Persephone whispered.

lllll

“You’re very quiet,” Jones observed as he and Lara headed back to his car. “Would you like to talk about it?”

Without answering, Lara hugged Jones and tried to stifle the urge to cry.

“Lara, what’s wrong? Are you upset about what happened back there? It’s all over, you don’t have to be afraid anymore.” He wrapped his long arms around her when he felt her trembling against him.

“I know,” she mumbled into his shirtfront. “It’s just that something similar happened to me once, a long time ago. It just brought back some bad memories, that’s all.”

“Someone attacked you? When? And why didn’t you told me before?” Jones demanded.

“I was afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

“Your reaction. I was afraid that you’d think I was deserved it for blindly trusting someone I had known on such short acquaintance.”

“Deserved it?” Jones said. “Is that what you thought I would think? What happened? Were you….assaulted in some way, like Persephone was tonight?”

“Yes,” Lara said, her voice a hoarse whisper. “Only it went farther than just taking my purse. Much further. Please, Jones, I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Can we just drop it?”

Despite his anger and burning desire to learn what had happened in Lara’s past, Jones grudgingly acquiesced to her request. He raised Lara’s chin up so he could look into her face. “It doesn’t matter to me what happened in the past, Lara, and I will never judge you. But will you tell me someday, when you are ready?”

Lara nodded and her arms wrapped around his waist as she kissed him. When they parted at her door, Lara did not ask Jones to come in. Her mind was too full with what had happened to Persephone to be good company to anyone, especially Jones. Lara was not sure how much of her and Persephone’s conversation he had heard and she was afraid that he would bring it up and begin to ask questions that Lara would never answer willingly.

However, as soon as Jones had left, Lara wished him back again. The stillness of her apartment played on her already-shattered nerves and once the silence enveloped her, Lara realized that she had made a mistake in letting him go.

To pass the time until she could fall asleep, she wondered what retribution the albino twins of Persephone’s acquaintance would perpetrate on her two assailants. Whatever it is, thought Lara savagely as she punched her pillow into a more comfortable shape, I hope it’s painful.

lllll

Lara sat bolt upright in bed and hugged her knees to her chest. The nightmare had come out of nowhere, contaminating her mind and system once again until her scream had woken her up and enabled her to move. Her body enveloped in a cold sweat, Lara knew she could not stay in her apartment any longer. She threw on her coat, called a cab, and raced out into the night.

lllll

Lara stood at Celia’s door and heard the sound of her friend’s laughter. The deep sounds of a masculine voice replying froze Lara’s hand as she was about to knock.

I can’t disturb Celia and Brown, she realized as she let her hand fall to her side. I had completely forgotten that they had had a date tonight. They deserve to have some fun without my interference because I had a bad dream. Lara turned away, going toward the only sanctuary she had left.

lllll

Just after two in the morning, Jones’ doorbell rang. He had been always something of a night owl, so being awake and answering the door at that hour was nothing out of the ordinary.

“Come on in,” he said, suppressing his confusion as to why Lara would come to in at this hour dressed in her pyjamas. Lara stepped into his apartment and he closed the door behind her.

“Did I wake you?” she asked, “I’m sorry if I did, but I had no other place to go. I just couldn’t stay in my apartment alone any more. Celia and Brown were at her place and I didn’t want to bother them.” The desperation in her voice tugged at his heart. He took her small hands in his and looked into her eyes.

“No, I was already awake; you didn’t disturb me at all.” He was naturally curious about her presence in his apartment but did not question her. She will tell me when she sees fit, he reasoned with himself.

He bade Lara to seat herself and returned shortly afterward with a halfway filled glass of brandy in one hand and a blanket in the other. Lara reached for the drink gladly while Jones wrapped the blanket around her snugly.

Lara whispered her thanks and took a deep swallow of the amber liquid. It burned as it went down her throat and she took another then another until the glass was drained. She clutched the covering more tightly around her in an attempt to get warm. Jones sat beside her and put his arm around her shoulders, drawing her body close to his.

Lara shivered. Jones realized that she was suffering from delayed shock from the aftermath of that evening’s events. He took the empty glass from her hand and embraced her, his hands gently but firmly rubbing her back in an effort to get some warmth into her chilled body. When Lara asked for more brandy, Jones did not object, even though he knew that Lara was a very light drinker of alcohol at best. He watched silently as Lara proceeded to empty the second and third glass as quickly as the first.

“What happened to Persephone tonight really hit you hard, didn’t it?” he asked softly as he held her trembling body in his arms, his cheek next to hers. He felt her nod her head and hug him tighter.

“It’s OK, Lara. Let it all out; I’m not going anywhere.” The shaking of her body lessened as the alcohol spread through her system. The combination of its effects with the warmth of Jones’ body and the blanket quelled her fears of dark memories that come with dreams as the sleeper is helpless to either control or guide herself to deal with them.

“Thank you, Jones. Thank you for everything,” Lara whispered, kissing him on the cheek. The alcohol she had consumed soothed and calmed her overwrought nerves and she sighed deeply as her body relaxed. Lara had never felt so safe and secure in her entire existence as she did at that moment.

“That’s much better,” Jones said, his voice gruff from suppressed affection. “Are you feeling better?”

“Uh-huh,” Lara said sleepily. “I feel so safe here with you. While I’m in your arms, I think that nothing can ever hurt me.”

“You are safe, Lara, because anyone or anything that tries to hurt you in any way will have to get past me and that is not going to happen.”

Lara did not answer him. The slackness in her body indicated that she had fallen asleep or was very close to it. Jones picked her up in his arms and carried her to his bedroom, placing her reverently and gently under the blankets. When he was satisfied she was comfortable, he slowly drew the covers over her.

“No, don’t leave me,” Lara mumbled. “Stay here, I’m afraid,” she begged. The look of utter despair on her face and in her eyes wrenched all of Jones’ emotional processors and he knew he couldn’t leave her while she felt so vulnerable.

“I won't leave you,” Jones murmured, removing his jacket, shoes and tie while loosening his shirt and got into bed with her, drawing the blanket over them both. Snuggling against him, Lara fell asleep again, sighing deep in contentment as his arms encircled her, holding her small body protectively against his.

lllll

A little while later, Lara awoke out of her slumber because of Jones’ steady snoring in her ear to find herself being held spoon-fashion; her backside was against his groin and his hand was gently cupping her breast.

Lara smiled slightly in the darkness when she could feel his penis stir then subside against her buttocks and openly wondered for the first time how long it had been since Jones had had his last sexual encounter. Even if it has been years, his body certainly has not forgotten how to hold a woman, she thought tenderly.

We’ve been dating for over a month and already we’ve ended up in bed together, she thought wryly. But what would it be like to go all the way, I wonder? To be made love to by the man who is holding me now?

It has only been such a short time since we have gotten to know one another, but becoming intimate with Jones has been something that I have been curious about. Our relationship will progress into intimacy soon and that is an idea that I have to give some thought to.

I will have to tell him about what happened to me all those years ago eventually, but only if he asks; I will not volunteer the information willingly, she thought. After that awful night, my brain effectively froze my body from feeling desire and that is why it has been so long since I was intimate with a man. Jones was the one who opened the door and awakened my long-slumbering sexuality. He has made me feel alive, beautiful and desirable. Because of him, I am ready to live again, to not feel afraid and freely open my heart to give love and have that love returned.

Lara sighed quietly. I hope Celia and Brown had a good time tonight; both of them deserve to be happy and they are perfect for each other. Celia will bring Brown out of his shell and under his influence, perhaps she will settle down a bit—she has such a joi de vivre and enjoys herself thoroughly but if she has a fault, it is that she does not always think things through.

Jones mumbled in his sleep and his arm reached out to clasp her more closely. Lara snuggled against him and promptly fell asleep.