The Gates of Hell ----------------------------------- based on the world of Firefly by Joss Whedon Five years prior.....

Her body tensed as Falcon threw his next kick, the leather boot coming into contact with her face. Blood pooled in her mouth, but only for an instant, as she prepared for the onslaught again. It had become a ritual for the Compound. Watch as their mascot beat the shit out of the newcomer, who lay chained to the floor. They might be intent on breaking her, but that was not going to happen.

"Must be fun being their pet," she whispered so that only he could hear her. "I remember what it was like to wear that leash."

"I am in control of them. Let them think what they want of their pathetic power." He grabbed her hair pulling it back exposing her neck. His long fanged teeth brushed her jugular vein as she shuttered, her wrists rubbed raw from the metal links. "Did he ever make you tremble like I can?"

"No." She whispered as he let go and stared into her eyes. "He made me scream instead." Her head connected with his as it caused his knees to buckle. A laugh resonated through the padded room as she spoke again. "Tag, you're it."

Falcon roared as he lit from the floor, his fangs at the ready as he descended upon her. "You ungrateful little..."

She smiled as he struck her, blood pouring from not only his abuse, but also her arms and wrists.. "Anyone ever tell you not to talk to your elders that way."

"You are nothing more than a good fuck. They tell me I'm getting a better mate and that you are just a plaything to keep me happy for the next few years. I hope she's better at submitting than you are."

"I don't submit to that which I can easily kill." She spit blood on the floor, her fangs half exposed.

"One day, maybe we can find out who's better. Until then..." His hand grabbed her neck as he kissed her roughly. Biting him and feeling his blood mingle with hers, Cat growled, Falcon back pedaling from the pain in his mouth. “You bitch.”

She grinned and walked backwards, the chains making trails with her blood. Her bare feet met the large padded wall as her prey simply looked at her, knowing she really had no where to run, but running was not what she had in mind.

Driving her heel into the wall for added momentum, Cat waited until her chains were at their end before pouncing, her wrists wet with her blood slipping free of the restraints. With her full body, she struck driving him to the ground and drawing him to stare into her face, she hissed. “You may be their newest abomination, but that does not make you their finest. Get one thing straight, little birdie. You touch me again in a manner I don't like and I'll do more than clip your wings...” Cat's eye glowed in the darkened light, it sparkling off her fully exposed fangs. “I'll rip them the hell off.”

With that, she turned and ran her bloodied fingers across the white room, before letting them fall to the locked door. It opened to her touch and she growled harshly before disappearing down the hallway, leaving Falcon roaring his anger.

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She shuttered again as Cat replayed the thoughts running through her head. Even though she had stopped him that time, they had gotten smart later and drugged her. Those memories haunted her and it wasn't like her to get distracted, but being 'home' didn't help matters. A hand on her shoulder made her almost jump, but instead, she let the chill run through her before speaking. “You could warn me first before you touch.”

“Well, pardon the fuck out of me. I thought I was allowed to touch or because you're with him now, I can't.” 'Ski might not have wanted it to sound as harsh as it did, but hell, with him, everything seemed to sound that way.

“You know what I mean.” She hissed to him as Zoe and Mal appeared within the shadows. “Now play nice. There is enough in this place going against us.”

She ran her hand over the glowing map against the wall. It looked like it had been there since the place was built. “This place looks like a prison both inside and out. Don't wander, don't sight see. It was made to hold the Alliance and Academy's worst and deadliest creation. Please proceed with cause. Some of them are far worse than anything you have seen thus far.”

“What could be worse than you?” Jayne whispered to River and Cat's eyes glowed a second before she snapped back to him.

“Something without a soul, compassion, and emotion, where the only thing it craves is blood and the fresher the better. Remember I am the perfected model. This place holds their mistakes.”

“And one that isn't, but will be when I get my hands on him.” 'Ski whispered so only Cat could hear.

“If we get separated in any way, follow Batha out. She can get you to safety and River can understand her.”

“I'm not leaving you or anyone else in this hell hole.” Her captain spoke as she nodded. 'Ski, though, spoke for her.

“No offense, Reynolds, but when you walked in that door, we became prey. Between all of us, Babe is the only one capable of surviving this place alone. So if she says leave her, then damn it, I'd listen as much as I don't want to.”

Cat only nodded, though she hated to admit he was right. Playing for keeps here reminded her a lot of the war, though this time no one knew what to expect, in a way, not even her. “Aim for the head. Anything you see.”

“Roger that.” Jayne put a strangle hold on his gun.

“Like the war, Sir.” Zoe's eyes searched the area as she came to stand at her captain's side.

“Yup. And NO ONE get left behind.” He commented, though Cat pretended not to hear. She loved him and honored his stand to protect her, however, unwise it might be. She also trusted his captain side, which if it came to rescuing his crew and saving only her, he would chose them.

“So, good speech, 'Ski. Meant the last part, right?” She smiled as he shook his head.

“Hell no. When do I ever listen to you?”

“You really are an ass.” She smiled as he shouldered his big shotgun. “Be careful with my gun.”

“Your gun?”

“Remember I get it if we divorce.” She laughed as he cussed at her. They were still smiling when they entered the first big room and then everyone fell silent. Whoever muttered the next part spoke basically for the whole, but Cat thought it was the doctor's voice. “Oh my god...”

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