« In the winter, when soldiers go off to war, Randall sent Hawkins out and the whole company… »
Here is my Outlander fanfiction. Tonight’s pairing is Black Jack Randall/OC. The following story may be TRIGGERING to some because of mentions of rape, incest, graphic sex and drug abuse. Viewer discretion is advised.
Chapter 30 – David and Bathsheba
In the winter, when soldiers go off to war, Randall sent Hawkins out and the whole company.
Instead of keeping the peace, which is what his duties entailed, Randall stood on his balcony. He stared down at the pimpled woman who was laughing and joking – no doubt with her youthful lover, unless his eyes were deceiving him, which they rarely did.
He did not clench the stone rail in frustration, nor did he let his seething hatred for the two of them show. Why waste his time on a situation which could be easily solved with a little biblical wisdom, since that was the single source of wisdom which appealed to the whore in question. He did not shout at the boy below, no, he would proceed with the utmost care and decency. Randall exited his office, calmly marched down several flights of stairs, walked over to the obscene pair -did the woman have no shame?- and ordered Kendall to prepare his horse.
If one is to win a party over, they must be careful with their words and with their actions – is that not what the good Father had counseled? Advice which, if he did say so himself, had been worth its weight in the Crown Jewels.
Andrea and he exchanged pleasantries. He observed her face and eyes, attempting to deduce the slightest hint of carnal interest for Kendall. He conversed with her, waiting for the boy to bring him his mount.
Nervous steps grated against the stone floor of the chapel, making him wince. Assuredly, the Scots had been placed on this earth to torment him. What other purpose did they serve? It was not as if he had not tried to find some redeeming aspect to their character. If only they were aware of the innumerable hours he had spent pouring over their literature and reading their supposed history.
Father Anselm stepped into the chapel, “Ah Captain, how goes the war?”
He resisted the urge to strangle the man to death and smiled, graciously, “The war, Father?”
“With Madam And-rah-yah,” the Father chortled, “Forgive me, Captain, but considering our last meeting, I’d be surprised if you came to see me for any other reason?”
Randall put on an expression of feigned sorrow. “Do you think so little of me, Father?”
The older man smirked, “I have very few things with which to teach you, or anyone for that matter, Sir. And, if you don’t mind my saying so, I don’t suppose you want my advice on gardening or herbal remedies. And again, if you don’t mind my saying so, you are not a man who regularly seeks out spiritual counsel.”
“Why Father, does this mean you will no longer plead my cause before the Lord?”
“Oh, I gave up on you months ago,” Anselm chortled, then, remembering to whom he was speaking, added, “That was said in-”
Randall smiled, too kindly, “I will remember that.”
“Father,” he started slowly, deliberately choosing the words which he knew would grant him the most favorable response, “I am in an awful predicament.”
“You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself,” Anselm breathed.
The good Captain became annoyed at the remark.
“You need to think on the good gifts God has given you.”
“What gifts prey tell are those?”
“Most men in your position would feel very satisfied to have such a welcome distraction.”
“A distraction? You mean…”
“Precisely, Captain, Madam Jackson.”
Captain Randall paused to think a while. Had he been ungrateful?
In his mind, he thought that he had been the one who was being generous with God. It never had occurred to him that in fact, God had been generous with him.
Madam Jackson. A distraction she was. But unwelcome? No, not entirely. Fear gripped him, plunging him into desperateness. Suddenly, his heart began to change from his brother and crept towards Madam Jackson.
The companion he had asked for.
Leaning back against the wall of the dimly lit chapel, Randall’s world began to crumble at the seams. He had seen Madam Jackson as a punishment, a reminder of his failings. But was she more than that?
They were growing closer and he was growing fonder of her, of that there could be no denying. He did not feel as though they could be considered lovers, but almost close friends, one could say.
It seemed as though his Maker was leading him away from darkness and into light. And that light might be found in the arms of Madam Jackson.
In his head, Randall immediately set to work preparing a plan. The plan to win Madam Jackson.
***
Ever have one of those days when your roommate ditches you when it comes time to muck the stables?
Being confined to barracks was bad enough, but the list of chores Randall had left behind were meant to break both of us.
Apparently, before riding off, Randall had slipped Kendall a note which told Kendall what he was supposed to do before the Captain’s return. However, and as I told Kendall, my name was nowhere on that list.
That statement earned me a lecture on sloth.
Friggin’ roommate, using my own Catholic guilt against me.
That’s how I got roped into making the Captain’s bed, organizing the Captain’s paperwork, polishing the Captain’s other pair of boots, washing and drying the Captain’s shirt…
My roommate was supposed to go and get another shovel to help me muck out the stables. Note the words “supposed to”. He’d been gone for at least an hour.
I left the stables and looked out at the fort. Only a small detail had been left behind. Hawkins and the others wouldn’t be back for at least another forty-eight hours.
Randall had said that my presence was needed to guard the fort. My foot! I was needed to stay at home and babysit Kendall and the others!
Where was our fearless leader anyways?
Great. Now Randall was off riding in the Scottish Highlands. My Mackenzie senses are tingling…
Relax. Breathe deeply. If he wants to make himself an easy target, that’s his problem, not yours. You can’t be held responsible for the clans dividing his corpse among themselves and mounting his head on a pike.
“AJAAAAAAAAAY!”
Kendall ran towards me, panting.
My arms folded, “Well, hello, there, Kendall. How are you?”
He stopped barely a few inches from my face. He then fell over and crumpled up on the ground.
Two soldiers by the gate started laughing.
“Hey, shut up!” I yelled.
The laughing stopped.
“As I was saying, where were you? I’ve been mucking the stables for over an hour, by myself.”
He tried to pull himself up, “I am so…I am so…I am so…” He was gasping for air.
I gave him my hand and pulled him to his feet. He thanked me by falling into my chest and awkwardly hugging me for support.
“You know,” I teased, “People will talk.”
I could feel the smile next to my shoulder. “I am sor-ry,” he wheezed, “I tried to return to the stables as fast as I could.”
“What happened?”
“Randall-”
I could just imagine what had kept him.
“He did not-”
I huffed, “There’s no shame in admitting he hurt you.”
“He did not harm me,” Kendall stated. I couldn’t hear any hurt or pain, so I believed him.
Kendall slowly moved away from my body. “He asked me to complete a few small tasks. That is why I did not immediately return.”
That would explain the hold up.
I smiled, “Apology accepted.” I held out my hand and we shook on it. Then, a small frown sprouted on my roommate’s face.
“There’s something else, isn’t there?”
Kendall looked like he was about to say something, but then he stopped himself and turned away from my face.
“What is it now? What did Randall do?”
Kendall shook his head, “It does not concern us. We should-”
“Did you see him with Sadie?” I was already picturing a thousand twisted scenarios in my head, each one of them featuring Randall doing some unspeakable thing to the people I’d met during my time here.
“One of the soldiers?”
Kendall started to walk away from me.
“Agnes?”
He started walking faster.
I followed. “A prisoner?”
He broke out into a run.
I caught him, “Answer me!” “You’re scared of him. I get that. But you don’t have to-”
“Yes, I have good reason to be frightened of him!” His eyes were burning with rage, “Despite your best efforts, AJ, I am still weak. For you, there are no repercussions for your actions, you are your own master-”
“That’s not true and you know it.”
“Perhaps.”
“Look, Kendall I-”
“AJ! AJ! AJ!”
That was the sound of a very worried Sadie.
Kendall brushed past me, probably returning to the stables. Sadie huffed and puffed up to me. Then she stopped and turned around, saying, in the what had to be the loudest and whiniest voice possible. “Oh m’am, ya help is needed in de kitchen. Dat fool Agnes don’ know what to do. I sure could use ya guidance on dis one.”
I cringed inwardly.
Sadie led me by the hand into the fort, then she went straight up to my room.
’E back and ‘e up to no good, darling.”
“So I heard.”
“’eard?”
“Kendall told me.”
“That boy should keep ‘is mouth shut, if ‘e knows what good for ‘im.”
“Yeah, I know. What’s wrong?”
“Darling, I don’t know what’s going on, but the Captain, ‘es up to something. ‘e told me to come ‘elp you, and I was coming-”
“Don’t worry about it, Sadie, you’ve got other things to do.”
Sadie sighed, “Two of the men tried to play with me. Don’t worry, three strikes with a broom and a flash of a knife, they changed their minds. They didn’t touch me.”
“Which two?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll show you their bunk later. As I was saying, the Captain-”
I was getting pretty tired of all the mystery, “Yeah, what?”
“I don’t know what ‘e up to.”
I couldn’t get mad at Sadie, it wasn’t her fault. If she stuck around too long and poked her nose into Randall’s business, he’d whip her for sure. She was risking her life even mentioning it to me.
“Now,” Sadie continued, “I’m not going to tell you where ‘e was and I’m not going to tell you who ‘e was with. All I’m going to say is that-”
“Be on the lookout and we never had this conversation?”
“Say what?”
“Right. Thanks.”
Sadie gave me a half-smile, “If you need anything…”
I turned away, pretending to look for something on the floor, “Yeah, I know.” My gaze didn’t leave the floorboards until I heard the door shut.
I couldn’t give her what she wanted. Sure, she was a woman and I was a woman, the attraction should have been mutual.
It wasn’t so much that God wouldn’t let me have this, so much as…Well, I wasn’t attracted to her.
Now, Laoghaire, on the other hand-
I slapped myself. Bad thoughts, bad thoughts, bad thoughts, go away in Jesus’ name!
Looking out the window, my thoughts traveled back to Sadie. She loved me, or, at least she said she did. Maybe I didn’t feel anything for her because she was a slave, and by the Grace of God I knew better than to take advantage of somebody in that situation.
Maybe Sadie didn’t even really love me, maybe she was just used to taking whatever she could get. I smiled; now that was a feeling I could relate to. I’d been down that road with Yuri, except I knew when to cut my losses and move on.
As my mind traveled back through the past, it hit me…Was it because of Nyala?
My heart squeezed. Now there was someone I didn’t want to waste time thinking about. Besides, I’d like to think that my non-attraction was a gift from God, what with Sadie living next to me. I stopped myself from going down that road completely. Sadie wasn’t Nyala.
I put myself on time out.
Not all black non-straight women are the same. Stop being such a racist. Do you even hear yourself? How could you even think that? What is wrong with you?
I tried to distract myself. Think about chores, think about keeping your sanity and keeping the cabin fever out. Stay busy. Stay focused. Go back to helping Kendall finish his chores or Black Jack will flay the living daylights out of him.
“AJ, a word?” The door opened and Agnes came into the room.
What was it now…
“AJ, ooh, AJ, it must’ve slipped my mind entirely.”
“Just tell me, Agnes.”
“Lord Thomas-”
That got my attention. Lord Thomas was here? That would explain why I hadn’t seen Randall at all since he came back.
“It’s a little funny, actually. Lord Thomas asked me to help him bathe. But…”
Agnes looked down and to the side.
I nodded. Lord Thomas wasn’t the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, but he was still a man of his time period. He might not be above trying to get a little action. And knowing Agnes, she wouldn’t exactly be able to talk herself out of that situation. And if he tried to force her -which, don’t get me wrong, I couldn’t actually picture him doing that- it seemed unlikely that she would be able to fight him off.
“Look,” I said, “You stick with Sadie in the kitchen. I’ll worry about Lord Thomas.”
He’d think twice before propositioning me. Besides, naked men had no effect on me. No temptation there.
Agnes raised her head, joy shining in her eyes.
“You’ll need to be at the inn by nine,” she added, nervously.
I blinked.
“The General is staying in Randall’s quarters.”
Well, I guess being Randall’s commanding officer had its perks.
“One question,” I said. Agnes’ stiffened.
“Where do we keep the tub?”
Agnes left me to drag the wooden bathtub up to Randall’s rooms. The tub itself looked like it had never been touched. The wood was smooth, polished and soft. It was almost as tall as Randall, but its middle was small enough that I could wrap my arms around it, which helped, when it came time to carry it up the staircase.
I took a deep breath, trying to pace myself up the stairs -I hadn’t even gotten to the buckets of water yet.
After an hour of climbing and heaving, the bathtub finally made it to Randall’s rooms. The General wasn’t in sight, so, I knocked on Randall’s bedroom door.
To my surprise, Randall opened it.
I straightened my back, “I’m sorry to disturb you, Captain.”
“Madam Jackson.”
I smiled, “I’m here to deliver a tub.”
He smiled back, a little too nicely, “Yes. Would you be so kind as to place it in the room next to mine?”
“Sure.”
He then shut the door in my face.
My guess was that the General was staying in the rooms next to his bedroom. I opened the door to the second room and slid the tub through its wide opening.
The room itself was large and mostly bare. There was a small table on the back wall that carried a white pitcher and a white basin. Beside it, there was another small table filled with seven thick towels. I opened the drawer of the second table and found two small washcloths tucked inside. To my right, was a large fireplace (almost as big as the one in the kitchen) and a small cauldron hanging from a long, sturdy stand. On the left side of the room, on the wall, were five metal candle holders, with five pillar candles. The holders weren’t placed high on the wall, like in other rooms I’d seen in the fort, but closer to the floor.
Weird.
At the back, behind the two tables, were two small windows. At the base of each window, was another candle holder, with another pillar candle, making for a total of seven candles in all.
I pulled the bathtub into the middle of the room. Then, I looked at the size of the bathtub and looked at the cauldron; I was going to need to fill at least eight buckets with water. I’d also need to borrow another small Cauldron from the kitchen -there was at least room for two of them on the stand- to double my water-heating efforts.
I felt a wave of nausea come over me. I’d need to lie down for an hour before I could do anymore work. Otherwise, my heart would start acting up again.
I slowly moved towards the door, down the hall and to the top of the stairs. When I got to the next floor down, I asked two soldiers in the hallway for the time.
Half-past five. Three and a half hours to go.
It would be another thirty minutes walk before I could lay down. I winced. Forget the nap, I still had to get changed. (There way no way in hay the General would be able to tolerate being bathed by such a “dirty” person.)
I walked back to the fort and I pulled out my dress. To wear the corset or ditch it, that is the question.
I crossed my arms. The General did say I “could dress as I please.”
Throwing off the slacks and shirt, but leaving the breasts wrapped, I pulled on my shift and Agnes’ dress. Agnes’ apron was soon pinned to my chest.
I slipped off my boots and shoved on my sandals.
Well, back to work.
Down in the kitchen, I nabbed a small cauldron and a bucket and filled them both with water from the well in the middle of the yard. Both went up to the bath room.
And repeat. Friggin’ heart, don’t fail me now!
The other cauldron was now filled and hanging on the stand. The two buckets were now crammed into the corner beside the fireplace. I got a fire started under the cauldrons, my back facing the door. The fire roared. It would take at least another two hours before the water got going.
I was about to grab some more buckets, when I saw Sadie trudging a yoke holding two filled buckets up the stairs. In her hands were two more buckets of water.
She said nothing as she handed the water over. Instead, she left me the yoke and went back down the stairs.
I sighed; only two more buckets to go.
Mentally, I prepared myself for my last long journey to the well. I repeated Psalm 23 and muttered a Hail Mary under my breath for strength.
After the storeroom, after the well, the buckets were filled. Overjoyed, I mentally recited the Lord’s Prayer four times as I returned to the bath room. Once inside, the two buckets joined the others in the corner beside the fireplace.
I got down on my knees to check the heat of the two cauldrons. The apron’s pocket contents poked at my waist.
While I was in the kitchen, I’d picked up Sadie’s present. It wouldn’t be good for any of my aches and pains, but if the General had any, I could splash some of the mixture on a towel and hand it to him.
I tapped my finger to the bottom of the first cauldron. Lukewarm. At this rate, and considering I was going to have to heat the water in the eight buckets as well, the General’s bath would probably start a little later than expected.
Standing up, I grabbed one of the candles from the left side and brought it over to the fire, lighting it. It shared its light with the six other candles in the room.
Returning to the fireplace, I closed my eyes, breathing in the warm smell of the burning wood. The heat of the afternoon was gone; the night was bitterly cold. The nearby flames felt wonderful, like a source of encouragement and reassurance. No one had come to the room and I was grateful for this small chance to stop, reflect and pray for help.
The heat from the flames tickled my stomach.
The floor started to thaw under my feet.
I hugged my myself. Peace and comfort surrounded me.
The door swung open behind me and I immediately got up to greet the General.
I saw the man standing in the doorway.
I could’ve killed Agnes.
The General was nowhere in sight, but a certain Captain in an open poet’s shirt was. He still had his pants and boots on, thank God.
His eyes locked onto mine. The smile from earlier was nowhere to be found. He did manage a small, “Konban wa.”
I repeated his greeting, trying to show as little emotion as possible.
Like the first few months at the Fort, like that first meal, like the time I forced him to learn those first few words of Japanese, I shut down and shut him out. I would be as uninteresting and uninterested as possible. Not worth the time or effort. He might not rape me, but he was still the perfect picture of misogyny.
Forget the tub and the buckets, I should’ve had that nap; being tired out put me in a tight spot. My heart could act up and if it did…
My stomach threatened to empty itself onto the floor.
Right, no time to waste. Water, heat thyself.
Then, I changed the language. You don’t mix happy memories of Yuri and Japan with a soon-to-be naked Randall. “Well,” I pretended to look him over, “Take off your clothes.”
Randall didn’t blink.
“You first,” he shot back. He hated being told what to do.
He tried to look as innocent and concerned as possible, “Your clothes. You will need to take them off, otherwise, you may get wet and catch cold-”
I turned to check on the water, “Just get in the tub Captain, you’ve got nothing I haven’t seen before.”
Kneeling down, I breathed on the flames. “You’ll have to wait. The water won’t be ready for another…” I stopped myself; remember where you are, “..half-hour at least.”
I wasn’t putting up with him tonight. He’d get a bath all right, but it would be the chilliest bath he’d ever taken. So arctic, that he’d never ask for another one ever again.
I tapped the bottom of the first cauldron. At least I didn’t have to worry about him trying anything.
“Is it any warmer?” he asked.
I refused to turn around, choosing to dip my finger into the top of the cauldron. “It’s slowly getting there.” It was warm, but not as hot as I would’ve liked.
“Could you lend me some aid?”
I bent down and breathed on the fire, “You’re a grown man, aren’t you? Do it yourself!”
“No.”
My stomach flipped.
“No,” he repeated, this time a little more firmly, “I am quite capable of getting undressed myself. Forgive me.”
He looked down at the floor, “No trousers?”
I blinked, “What?”
“Your trousers,” he remarked, “You wear them under your shift. You do not keep your legs bare.”
I looked down, then I looked back up and shrugged my shoulders, “I guess I just felt like a change.”
He put his hands behind his back, “A change?”
I shrugged again, “Yeah.”
He seemed disturbed, “Turn around.” He paused, as if he felt he needed to explain, “I do not wish to subject you to the sight of my body, which would no doubt make you uncomfortable.”
Normally, I would’ve snorted and said something smart. It wasn’t worth it, though. There was no point in getting him riled up over nothing. As I went back to fire, hearing the rustle of fabric behind me, I inwardly cringed. I hated this. I sounded like a battered woman.
I hated having to live this way, constantly afraid of everybody around me. Worried, that if I was ever in a bad situation; where I was in pain, and my friends were nowhere in sight, I’d be raped and tortured.
Still, Randall had mellowed out. Not much, but a little. Our arguments weren’t as violent as they used to be.
Footsteps approached the fire. I turned around. Looking up, I made sure to keep my eyes on his face.
He smirked, “Is the water any warmer?”
I refused to give him any kind of satisfaction. “Good question.”
Don’t blink, girl, don’t let him see that you’d rather be anywhere but here.
I smiled, warmly, “I’ll check.”
My finger hit the top of the water in the first cauldron and I pulled it away immediately. “Yeah,” I blurted out, wincing from the temperature, “It’s ready.”
I could still feel him behind me.
Then, merciful God, he moved, and I heard the tub creak.
The bottle left my apron. Unfortunately, he couldn’t let that go either.
“What is that?”
I told him the truth, “A present from Sadie.”
“Look at me,” he ordered.
I complied.
“The truth,” he breathed, “What is it, really?”
Well, I could have a little fun at his expense, couldn’t I?
“None of your effin’ business.”
I immediately went back to the water. I took Agnes’ apron off and bunched it up. It was a lousy potholder, but I was pretty sure Randall would throw a fit if I used one of the good towels.
I took both cauldrons off the fireplace. Then, I sat down on the floor.
“What are you doing?”
Randall was sitting in the tub, staring at the candles on the left wall. He looked smaller than usual; I guess the heels of his boots helped a little. It was interesting to see just how much of Randall was made up of coat, hat and saber.
Underneath, he wasn’t much at all. And, I’d be willing to bet, he hated me seeing him like this ; small, bare, human.
“Waiting for the water to cool, you don’t want me to scald you, do you?”
He looked surprised which surprised me.
It was such an easy concept. How could he have missed that?
“Come here,” he stretched out his hand, looking back at the wall.
At least that’s what I think he said. He whispered it so softly, I had to look at his lips to figure out the words he was using to communicate.
“Be patient,” I said, “I’ll come over, once the water’s cooled down.”
He smirked and said nothing.
I tried to keep him busy. “So…”
He turned his head, slightly.
I tried to think of something interesting.
“…how was your day?”
He burst out laughing, “You are inquiring after my daily activities?”
“Look, I’m sorry, I was-”
“Trying your hand at small talk and failing miserably. That is what you were doing. Really, Andrea-”
I didn’t even bother correcting the way he said my name. It’s An-dray-yah , not An-dree-yah. I kept praying it’d all be over soon.
“-I have come to expect better from our rendezvous.”
Tune him out, shake off your shoes.
“Did you never converse with your clients? If what I saw earlier was any indication of your former business, I am bewildered that you even managed to survive for so long.”
“It’s what I usually ask Kendall at the end of the day.”
Now that got his attention.
“Kendall?”
I rolled up my sleeve and dipped my elbow into one of the cauldrons. “Ready.”
I grabbed the first one and walked quickly towards the tub. He gripped the wooden sides, glaring at me, daring me to make a wrong move.
“Relax,” I chuckled, “Over your head or straight into the tub?”
He winced, he tried to say the word, “T-t-.” He couldn’t even bring himself to repeat what I’d said. “The…proper word you are searching for is…bath-tub.”
He paused again, struggling, “Not-”
“I know, I know: ‘No, Andrea, I do not think so.’ So, over your head-”
“Why are you inquiring after my preferences?”
Why is it that all of my conversations with him always turned so weird?
I tried to stay calm, “Well, some people-”
“Do you bathe men often?”
“N-no,” I stammered, “I just-”
“You just what? Tell me, this intrigues me.”
I stood there, hot cauldron in hand, getting flustered. I didn’t care if he knew it, “It’s called not being a douchebag, okay. It’s called being nice.”
I was expecting a grin, a smirk or a sneer. I was not expecting his confusion.
“Nice,” he muttered, turning back to face the wall.
“Yeah, you ask people what they like…and you listen,” the cauldron was starting to weigh me down and I was trying hard not to get burned.
“What they like?” he sneered, “You care what I like?”
In that moment, I felt the presence of the Evil One, tempting me to shove the hot cauldron onto Randall’s head.
I resisted that temptation.
Randall’s gaze changed. He studied me, his hands resting on his chest.
“Normally,” he started again, moving his head to the side, “A good soldier waits for his orders.”
He turned to the side in the tub, sneer flickering, “Next time, you will wait, and you will do as you are told.”
Inside, I was cursing.
“Do I make myself clear?”
But all I could do was nod.
I was lucky he took that and didn’t ask for anything else.
He hesitated, as if trying to see what else he could make me do. “Give me your-”
I staggered.
He looked confused, then looked at the cauldron, “Ah yes, the water. Into the bathtub, over my legs.”
I bent down.
“Slowly,” he added.
Hot water flowed gently over his legs. His body never moved an inch. I looked his chest and legs over. He had quite a bit of hair-
I immediately went to the other side of the room, filling the cauldron with four bucket’s worth of water. I placed it on the stand. Then, I paused. Why did I do that?
I’d seen him naked before, standing in front of me. I’d seen everything. Why did I care about modesty now?
My brain kicked me. Grudgingly, I acknowledged the kick.
Just because you’re gay doesn’t mean you get a free pass at observing male nudity. And, just because it’s Randall, doesn’t mean you get to start acting like him.
“You find my body desirable?”
This time I giggled. I couldn’t help it.
I brought the other steaming cauldron over, “Don’t flatter yourself. Besides, you’ve seen one naked man, you’ve seen them all.”
Randall’s expression went blank. He considered my words, “You find nakedness… common?”
“Don’t feel too bad, Captain,” I reassured, “You’re just talking to the wrong woman.”
Good, make it seem like you’re the problem, not him. Good night! If only Nyala could see me now, kowtowing to a man.
“Wrong?” he repeated, “Yes you are wrong, in so many ways, yes.”
I waited patiently for him to let me drop the water over him.
Instead, he smiled at me, watching me struggle with the cauldron.
He tilted his head back and groaned sharply. Bringing his arm up to touch his shoulder.
I placed the cauldron on the floor and crossed over to the towel table. I pulled open the drawer and removed a washcloth.
“What are you doing?” Randall snapped.
“Helping you,” I stated, calmly, rushing over to the fireplace and pulling the stopper on Sadie’s bottle.
That shut him up but good. Returning to the tub, I held out the cloth to him, now covered in the ointment.
“Rub this on wherever it hurts. It won’t make the pain go away, but it’ll help.”
I pointed to the cauldron, “May I?”
He stared at me, livid. He huffed. He sneered. But, he did take the cloth; carefully, as if it was going to come to life any minute and viciously attack him.
He gently touched the cloth to his shoulder. Noticing me watching him, he snapped, “You may pour the water over my legs and then, you may return to guard your hearth.”
A dizzy spell hit me. Once the water was poured, I slowly made my way back over to the warmth with the now-empty pot. Dropping it on the floor, I sat down on my butt and huddled my knees against my chin.
Water splashed in the tub, followed by the wet smacks of the cloth and ointment meeting Randall’s body.
Now, I could rest my eyes, if only for a few moments.
Then, I remembered the other four buckets and the empty cauldron.
Can’t catch a break.
I turned to grab the two buckets when my neck cracked, loudly.
“Are you well?” he asked, in a voice that was sweet as candy.
“I’m fine,” I answered, quickly. I went to grab the buckets-
Water splashed.
“You don’t have to get up, my neck cracked,” I groaned. “It happens. I’ll be fine.”
My neck ached.
“Come here,” Randall ordered. Then he added, quietly, “The water can wait.”
Turning around, I looked at Randall. His face was blank, quieter than it’d been a few minutes ago.
What was he up to now?
I started to walk towards the tub. “Stop,” he ordered, “You will sit down with your back towards me. Understood?”
Nodding, I neared the tub and turned around, kneeling on the floor.
There was silence.
Then, “No. I will not have you on your knees. Sit, as you did by the hearth. Sit.”
My knees sneaked out from under the weight of my body. Once huddled, Randall continued, “Now, lay your back against the wood.”
Nervous, I slowly inched my spine towards the side of the tub.
I felt something touch my spine. I jumped. I tried to get up.
A hand took me by the shoulder, stopping me. Then, it guided me back to the edge of the tub. The hand pulled down the back of my dress, as far as it could, exposing the start of my spine and the tops of my shoulders.
Then nothing.
Sick freak. Probably trying to figure out how he’s going to hurt me next-
I felt the cloth glide across the back of my neck. I twitched; the ointment was cold.
“There,” he breathed, “How does that feel?”
I could feel him behind me, but not as close as before, when he loomed over me at the fireplace.
“A little cold,” I admitted.
“It will take a few minutes to produce its intended effect,” Randall continued, spreading the ointment down to my spine.
I tried to distract myself. “Feeling better?” I asked.
The cloth stopped.
“Your shoulder?” I pushed, “Does it still hurt?”
A hand tipped my chin upwards. Randall’s face now loomed over mine. “My,” the emphasis he put on that last word was incredible, “So many questions today…” He smirked, “One would think you were truly concerned with my well-being.”
“I am,” I said. “Well, yes and no. I mean-”
“Andrea?”
“Yes?”
“Shut up.”
My face was lowered, and Randall rubbed the ointment against my shoulders.
I tried to keep my emotions in check. The more boring I was, the more he’d probably lose interest.
Suddenly, he hissed behind me.
“Shoulder still bothering you?”
What? It was a fair question…
“It is nothing,” he wheezed, “Do not trouble yourself.”
I rolled my eyes, “Hang on. Give me a second.”
“No.”
“I’m getting up.”
“No, stay there.”
“I’m turning around.”
I looked down to find one ticked off naked Randall hunched over the side of the tub. He was clutching his right shoulder, the one that had been bothering him before.
“S-sit down.”
I crossed my arms, “Lie back against the tub.”
He blinked up at me, “I beg your pardon.”
“Relax, this’ll help.”
I went to the front of the tub and reached out with both hands, “Here. Lie here.”
Randall clutched his shoulder like his virtue was at stake.
“No. Madam. I will do no such thing.”
That’s when my mouth took over, “Stop being such a baby and come here.”
Now, he was angry, “A baby, Madam?”
I’d already started this fight, might as well finish it.
“Yes, an infant.” I smirked, “Honestly, you know Captain, sometimes I can’t tell the difference between you and a whiny child.”
“Be silent.”
I threw up my hands, mid-body, “Whatever.” I crossed my arms and turned to the side, making sure to look as unimpressed as possible.
Randall didn’t say a word. I heard the water splash violently and I heard something collide with the front of the tub.
“Well?” Randall barked.
I moved in behind him, “I’m going to put some more ointment on your shoulders,” I told him, “Is that all right?”
He whipped his head to the side, wincing slightly, “Is that…all right?”
I tried to think of how to explain it to him. “I want to make sure that you’re comfortable with whatever I’m doing.”
He stared at me.
“I don’t want to upset you,” I added.
Randall looked like he’d been shot in the face. He leaned against the side of the tub, staring at the water, mumbling something I couldn’t hear.
Eventually, he turned his head to look at me. He studied me, his eyes were on fire, “It is your wish for me to experience pleasure?”
I guess you could call it that. At least he was gay, so I didn’t have to worry about him taking it another way.
“Sure,” I answered, awkwardly, “Think of it like that.”
For a moment, he looked like he was going to be sick. Then, he slumped against the back of the tub.
“You may touch me,” he huffed, “If you wish.”
I grabbed a new cloth and went back to the fireplace for more ointment Then, I went back to the bathtub and rubbed the cloth gently, up and down the shoulder.
Randall let out a deep breath.
The ointment was starting to tingle my skin. “It’s warmer, now.”
“Hmm?” he looked up, eyes half-closed.
“The ointment,” I explained.
“Against your skin?” he asked, watching the wall in front of him.
“Y-”
Wisdom kicked into overdrive, stopping me. But why? It was skin, for crying out loud.
“It is a most delicious sensation, is it not?”
His voice was incredibly creepy. Okay, change of subject.
“I was-”
“Shh…” He was having none of it. He raised his left hand, bringing up the other cloth that had fallen into the tub.
His other hand stopped my movement, “That will suffice, for the present time.” He grasped it in his, “Thank you.”
I shied away from his touch, “You’re, uh, welcome.”
“You must be tired,” he stated, turning around to face me. I could swear I saw hope in his eyes. But, for what?
“I should go check on the water.”
Disappointment flashed, followed by hatred. “Of course,” he whispered, releasing my hand.
The other cauldron was soon filled and put on the fire. Then, I removed its now-heated twin. “You should let your hair down, Captain.”
He frowned, “Now why exactly would I do that?”
I gave him a knowing look, “How else are you going to wash your hair?”
A smile crept onto his face, spreading into a wide grin. “You like my hair, do you not?”
In response, I dumped the water onto his legs, “You know what, forget the hair. Just forget I said anything.”
He chuckled. It made a terrible sound.
“Sit by me,” he patted the edge of the tub, “Sit.”
Inside, I groaned, but I still did as I was asked. The smile never left his face. He welcomed me with open arms back to the edge I’d been resting against before.
I wasn’t ready for the two hands that caressed my neck.
I squeaked.
“Calm yourself,” Randall whispered, “I wish to repay you for your earlier kindness.”
His hands moved in circular motions around the tense muscles that lined my neck. The movement, combined with the ointment’s earlier effects, began to make me drowsy. I tried to pick myself up off the floor, but I was so tired-
“I-”
“Shh,” he cooed, “Close your eyes. Rest. Let me attend to the aches and pains that trouble you so.”
The hands felt wonderful against my skin. Their movements had a gentle, calming effect on me. Willingly, I drifted off into darkness. I could feel my head being arranged to rest against a warm body. Randall’s hands continued their work, tracing every inch of my neck and shoulders. Round and round, up and down, back and forth.
I let out a soft moan.
The hands stopped. “You find this enjoyable, I think?”
“Absolutely,” I groaned, “Keep going.”
“I would do as the lady wishes,” he teased, “But first, I must admit, I do not wish to rub such a filthy body.”
My eyes opened and narrowed, “Filthy?”
I tried to get up, he pulled me back.
I twisted my head around. He was pretending to look innocent again.
“My dear, exactly when was the last time you bathed?”
“Why you-”
Then, I stopped and thought about it, “It’s…been awhile.” Then, I glared at him, “Nice try, Captain.” What a cheap and dirty trick, just so he could get me to take off my clothes.
Creep. Knowing him, he’d probably go out and brag to everyone at the fort about how he knew what I looked like naked. Just so he could prove how manly and straight he was.
Randall played dumb, “Madam Jackson, I assure you I had no intention of attempting to view your body. Though, it is slightly hypocritical on your part, given that I have so willingly shared every inch of my own. I simply wished to instill in you a good sense of hygiene.”
How stupid did he think I was? “A good sense of hygiene?”
“Of course,” he said, nodding, “Whatever other reason could I have for wanting you to wash your face, neck and hands.”
My face, neck and hands. Well, he couldn’t brag about that. And, if it would get him to shut up…Still, I got the feeling I was missing something.
“Randall, I wasn’t born yesterday. If you want, I’ll wash all three for you, right now, but if you try anything…” I left the last part open to interpretation.
He sneered, “Of course. I must remember you are not a woman to be trifled with.”
I motioned to move away from the tub once more, but Randall’s hands refused to release me.
“Stay here,” he said, “I will get the water.”
Wait, what?
“You seem tired. Simply turn yourself around, towards the bathtub.”
My body turned until I was kneeling in front of the tub, “Like this?”
“Yes, yes.” I could hear footsteps and some clanging behind me.
“Is the water warm enough?”
“Oh, most certainly, yes.” Pause. “My dear, I wonder, would you be so kind as to raise yourself up and over the edge. That way the water will not spill over onto the floor.”
I moved over the edge until I was almost in the middle of the tub.
“Good?” I groaned.
“Just a little more in the center,” he said.
I moved a little to the left, confused, “Like this?”
“Yes, yes,” he sounded happy, “Wonderful.”
“Great, so wh-”
Very hot water whipped my head and shoulders. I looked down, the front of my dress was soaking wet, along with my back.
Laughter rang out.
Randall.
I tried to get up, “You-” My knees slipped on the floor. “Why you-” I managed to make a half-turn, gripping the wooden edge of the tub for support.
I hissed, “You’re in so much trouble-”
Randall’s howling continued as another wave of steaming water hit me straight in the face. I gave him the best death glare I could muster.
He stopped. “Surely,” he stated, the laughter leaving his face. His mouth made a small thin line on his face and his eyes went dead, “Surely, you wish for vengeance, now?”
“What?” I coughed.
“Vengeance,” he stated. The bucket in his hands was placed on the floor. “Come,” he called, opening his arms wide, “Come and regain the honour lost.”
So, Randall wanted to play.
All right.
I turned away from him and back towards the tub, placing my hands over the side, “Do as you must,” I cried, “I will not struggle.”
I could hear his footsteps behind me. A faint shadow darkened the tub.
“And are you mine?” he breathed, “Will you surrender yourself to me?”
I raised my hands up. He covered them with his.
Then, I flipped him over my shoulders and into the water. “Tag, you’re it!” I shouted, running towards the fireplace and grabbing an empty bucket and filling it with water from the now cooling cauldron.
Randall pulled himself together quickly and chased after me. I turned and slapped the water right in his face. Then, I dropped the bucket and ran past him, cackling.
I stopped and turned around. Randall kept his back to me. He brought his hands up to his face. His hair was dripping.
I giggled.
He spun around. “Harpy!” he cried, “So, you think this amusing? You seek to use me for your own entertainment? Hmm?”
He took a step forward, “You will apologize.”
That’s when my mouth got the better of me. “Make me,” I sneered.
He dashed, I fled.
I hadn’t had this much fun in a long time. For a few minutes, he chased me around the tub. I was cackling like a witch.
Then, I ran to the fireplace, but, he moved in, cutting me off. I motioned to the left, Randall followed. I motioned to the right, Randall blocked me again.
“You have nowhere to run,” he hissed. “Oh, the trouble you have caused me tonight.”
I smirked. He looked puzzled.
Before he could react, I slipped myself onto the floor and through his legs, catching one of the buckets on the other side of him.
I tried to get and up, but I felt two strong hands cross my arms against my chest. Randall dragged me across the room.
“No, no, no!” I giggled, “Let me go! Let me go!” I was laughing like a lunatic, but Randall refused to release me. He brought me to stand at the bottom of the tub, locking my body with his arms.
“I have been patient with you,” he hissed.
I pretended to struggle, “Help! Help! Sadie! Kend-”
A soft hand clapped over my mouth, Randall chuckled. “Scream!” He jeered, “Scream little girl, no one will hear you!”
He released my mouth and I continued to play along, “Oh no! Quick! Someone, anyone! Save me! The Captain has me confused with his aide!”
He laughed again, pressing me up against his chest, “You are completely at my mercy.”
I started to giggle again. He smiled, gazing into my eyes deeply.
“For your crimes,” he whispered, “Against King and Country…”
“No,” I pretended to struggle some more, “All lies!”
He clicked his tongue, “How dare you make such slander against my person!”
“You knave!” I whined in a high-pitch voice, “You’d lie about my moral character-”
He blinked, “Your moral character?”
“Yes!” I sniffled, “Which you know to be immaculate.”
Randall nearly fell over laughing.
I continued, “Simply because I won’t give in to your vile and twisted desires!”
His eyes flashed, “Madam. Pray tell, what desires are those?”
I shook my head, staring dramatically at the towel table. “No.”
He grabbed my hands, harder, “No?”
I shook my head, “No, I shall not speak of such things!”
“Really?”
I heard him lick his lips. “You will talk.”
“Never!”
“Oh yes,” he hissed, “You will.”
He twisted my chin to his face, eyes hungry, “I will see to that.”
He hoisted my body into his arms, “Into the bathtub you go-”
I laughed, “Oh no, oh no, oh no, no, no, no-”
“Oh yes,” he sneered.
“Okay, Randall, time out.”
“No, Madam,” he pretended to drop me. I clutched his arms. “Stop!” I cried.
“Beg!” he barked, “Beg for your life! Beg for mercy!”
I rolled my eyes, and said, in the most bored and annoyed voice possible:
“Oh Black Jack, have mercy. Oh Randall, please, please, please, don’t!”
He glared at me.
“What?” I snapped, “I never beg.”
“On your knees.”
“Oh the hey-”
“Or else I will drop you into the water-”
So, it was his way or the highway, huh?
We’ll see about that.
I pretended to sniffle, “Very well. Set me down, so I can beg.”
He grinned and moved his head to the side, “As the lady wishes.”
I got down on my knees, sobbing and wailing as loudly as I could. I even threw my head back with my hand touching the front. “Please, Sir,” I cried, “Spare this poor lass!”
I looked up to see him, smirking, arms folded. He looked so pleased with himself.
“More,” he ordered, “Make it more…convincing.”
I rolled my eyes and continued, “Oh, listen you maidens of Scotland. Learn from my story and beware…” I took a deep breath and paused, “…Captain Jonathan Wolverton Randall Esquire because he will-”
I put both hands over my face and pretended to fall over in distress.
“I’ll do what?” he asked, interested.
“He’ll drown you in his bathtub!” I wailed, throwing myself down at his feet, “Have mercy, Sir!”
I peeked up, he was having the time of his life. Just you effin’ wait, Randall, just you effin’ wait.
“And why should I do that?”
“I have no family, Sir.”
He grabbed me by the back of my dress and hoisted me up, a little too roughly, “Enough talk,” he growled, “Now, you will choose. The water or…”
He paused for dramatic effect, “You will give in to my desires.”
“No,” I screamed.
He laughed, darkly. Then, his face turned serious, “Choose.”
“Very well,” I sniffled. While I had him distracted, I slowly moved my legs from a kneel to a crouch. “I will-” I stopped, turning my head to the side, pretending to cry.
“You will?”
“I will!”
“Will what?”
“I will learn how to cook,” I sobbed, violently, twisting in his grip.
He released my makeshift dress and I fell over the edge of the tub, weeping like a paid mourner at a funeral.
“Surrender,” he ordered.
I nodded slowly, waiting for him to come closer.
I felt his hands on my shoulders.
That’s when I tackled him to the ground, stunning him. I jumped up, launching my arms into the air, “Huzzah! Never surrender! Never retreat!”
I shoved my sandal onto his chest, “I have you now, Randall!”
He blinked.
“Madam. I do not-”
“Surrender!” I screamed, diving on top of him, tickling his stomach.
“MADAM!” he yelled, shoving me off and onto the floor.
He rolled over and turned his back to me. I could see his chest heaving. “What have you done?” he muttered, “What have you done?”
“Oh come on,” I groaned, “You can’t get upset over-.”
He stretched his arm, palm up, “Stay back!”
“Randall, what is it?”
“Stay back!”
“What’s wrong?”
He made a small hissing sound. Then, he sneered, “Return to your hearth, now.”
I rushed over to the fireplace and sat down, watching him.
He knelt against the left wall, placing his head beside the second of the five candles. The muttering started again.
Shaking my head. I gathered Sadie’s present and my apron. Bath time was over.
That’s when I felt myself being shoved to the ground. Hands seized my feet, dragging me across the floor.
I was flipped onto my back and felt my sandals being removed from my feet. I tried to sit up, only to have my legs pulled up and over something. A hand grabbed one of mine, raising me up. There, sitting in the tub, holding onto my knees, was a much calmer Randall. The grin from before had returned to his face. “I had forgot to wash your feet,” he explained.
Before I could say anything, he took a washcloth in hand and began to glide it across my feet. My back slumped on the ground in defeat.
Why not? Let him have his fun. At least he wasn’t hurting anybody.
Randall’s cloth circled my ankles, under the dress’s skirt. After brushing them with the washcloth, he rubbed them down with his hands.
“How very Christian of you, Captain,” I said.
“A compliment?” I could almost picture the grin getting wider, “Are you attempting to curry favor with me?”
I huffed, “It figures. I try to give you a compliment and naturally, you get suspicious.”
The cloth traveled to the base of my feet, causing me to giggle again.
“Of course,” he answered, “For the simple reason that I do not trust you.”
“Likewise,” I breathed.
The cloth traveled to the tops of my feet, his hands working the souls. I closed my eyes again in bliss. He might be a lousy person, but he gives wonderful foot rubs.
The skin on my feet started to warm and tingle; I guess Sadie’s ointment still worked, even after being doused in water.
I felt the skirt being lifted to my knees. The cloth made its way to my left calf. I smiled. Even though every brain cell in my head was screaming at me to run to the door, I stayed. I was enjoying his touch. His fingers traced soft circles, brushing against the hair on my leg.
I felt my body twitch.
The room, so warm.
The cloth visited my right calf. I inhaled deeply, filling my belly with air.
“Breathe,” the Captain whispered above, “Breathe.”
Water splashed over the parts he’d cleaned. The water was cooler now. It felt wonderful, especially since the room’s temperature was getting warmer by the second.
The Captain began to knead the knots in my calf.
I moaned, loudly.
The cloth brushed the knee. I gasped as cool water met hot skin. I arched my back.
“Captain?” I squeaked.
“Shh,” he whispered, “Breathe.”
His hands traveled up to the knee, fingers tracing the knobs.
I began to pant, hard; the room was sweltering now. I felt the room spin.
His hands shifted my skirt up further. He placed his hands on my thighs, spreading them gently, pressing them down.
I was going to be sick. I panted harder, “R-Randall.”
He placed a hand on my hip.
It took everything I had to pull my knees out of the tub. I rolled to the side, hand to my mouth.
Spinning, the room kept spinning.
I heard water splash. “What ever is the matter, now?” Randall hissed. He bent down next to my face, studying me.
His face was blank. He put his hand to my forehead, then moved it down to touch both of my cheeks. My hips thrust forward. I whined.
What the-
Randall hoisted me to my feet and put my arm over his shoulder. “Lean against me,” he ordered, “Take small steps. Slowly. We shall go together.”
I nodded. I felt another wave of nausea hit. “I think-”
“Shh,” he whispered, “The water will help.”
Cool water. Yes. That would help.
Randall led me to the tub. I stepped over the edge, using Randall’s body as a support. Once inside, I breathed a sigh of relief; the cool water felt wonderful against my feet. Standing behind me, arms wrapped around my chest, head resting on my neck, Randall pressed his body into my back. I wined again, throwing my head back.
“Feeling better?” he asked, chuckling.
I pressed my body closer to his. A sharp pain between my thighs made me cry out, loudly.
God?
“Tell me your secrets,” Randall whispered into my ear.
What the hell is going on?
The pain grew. My breasts ached.
I began to pant louder. His arms squeezed me, “Tell me your desires. Share them with me. I will not reproach you.”
Fluid leaked between my thighs.
He pressed his chest into my back, harder, “Stay here tonight. Kendall has no need for you.”
No.
My heart raced. I needed to go. I needed to get out of here.
I felt a hand tug at my skirt.
No.
I ripped myself out of Randall’s arms. I slammed him face-first into the ground.
I didn’t check to see if he was still breathing. I needed to leave that room. That awful, evil, suffocating room.
I opened the door and ran down the hall. I bolted down a flight of stairs, then another, then another.
My heart was pounding, my mouth was as dry. Tears streamed down my face.
When I got to the ground floor, pain stabbed my groin, forcing me down.
Three sentries saw me and helped me to my feet.
“Madam Jackson, are you all right?”
Another wave of nausea hit. “Please,” I gasped, “Leave me alone.”
I pushed away from them and staggered down the hallway. The kitchen, I needed to get to the kitchen.
I huffed and puffed. The stinging now clawed at my insides. My fever burned higher. My lungs wheezed.
The door to the kitchen was at the end of the hall.
I gripped one of the walls and hung on for dear life, making my way slowly to the kitchen entrance.
My head spun. I dropped to the ground, clutching at the stones in the wall. The pain forced a yelp from my throat. All of the contents of my stomach covered the front of my robe.
Shaking, I was shaking all over, violently.
I was now crawling on the ground towards the kitchen, moving as fast as a snail. I had to. If I moved too fast, I’d retch for sure.
The itch down below wasn’t going away either. No, it pressed into my core, making my back arch.
After what seemed like hours on my hands and knees, I reached that block of wood. I clutched the handle. It took all of my strength to wedge it open. My hands clutched the edge of the door, moving it towards me.
I crawled to the top of the stairs.
“Help,” I whimpered, “Help.”
Sadie was usually in the kitchen. Where was she?
I moved my body sideways. Leaning on the wall in front, I shuffled my body down, hoping that none of the shaking boards would crack underneath me.
When I reached the bottom, my arms gave out. I fell face-first into the floor. The fire inside me raged, the pain threating to tear me in two; starting from the bottom and working its way to the top.
My eyes were red and sore, but that didn’t stop them from flowing.
“Help,” I screamed, mouthful of dirt. Coughing, I wrapped my arms around my sore waist.
My eyes started to close…
Sadie.
Agnes.
Kendall.
God.
Our Lady.
Somebody help me.
Fanfiction for Christ 