Junie had barely come to live with her new owners when ugly reality intruded on their idyllic world. Her search for a Master had caught the attention of a serial killer and she had barely escaped being his next victim. He was caught and facing trial; but now Junie had to testify. The whole idea of leaving her new home was more than she could bear to think about.
But she had to do it. Not only was there a subpoena, there was Monica. Her new friend, Monica, the only other woman to escape with her life, was a tiny fragile thing. Her body was barely healed from the horrific trauma of her assault and if Monica could be brave enough to face court and the man who had mutilated her, Junie knew she had to do it too, for Monica's sake.
Junie knew she was not going to have to do it alone. Her owners, Bob and Donna, were going to be there with her every step of the way. She knew she couldn't do it without them.
*
Junie was completely absorbed in planning the meal for the next day. She had written down a list of things she wanted to pick up at the health food store that Donna had found to shop at.
Over dinner Donna mentioned that she had called Leena and that they expected that the jury selection was going to be done by the end of tomorrow and that opening statements would start the following day.
Junie looked up from her musings about company tomorrow and asked distractedly, "Are you going to go to watch the jury selection?"
Donna looked thoughtful, "I was thinking about it. I am curious to get a look at the defense attorney and see how he handles himself. I am also wondering what kinds of things they are going to try for."
Junie looked up from the list beside her plate, "I was going to do some shopping tomorrow. Could I use the SUV? It's got more room inside than the Miata."
Bob nodded, "Sure, Junie, let's have Donna take your car and you and I can drive the SUV."
Junie smiled at her Master, "I would like that."
Bob looked at Junie's list, "What are you thinking about making?"
Junie looked at the list, "I was planning on some creative gourmet multi-course thing but, after thinking about it, I decided on fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. I was going to wait to decide on vegetables after I see what they have that looks good at the store, but nothing too exotic."
Bob nodded in approval, "Comfort food, that sounds delicious, will there be biscuits?"
Junie's eyes lit up, "Oh perfect. I was going to bake bread, but biscuits are so much better." Quickly writing on her list, she winked at him, "Now I have to remember to get honey. You can't have biscuits without honey."
In the morning Junie carefully dressed her Mistress; intricately French braided her hair, and added subdued shading to her eyes and cheek bones. As she stepped back and inspected her work Junie smiled softly, "I like doing this. Helping you dress up in your kick-ass lawyer clothes and sending you off to do battle. It is especially sweet when I get to stay home."
Donna gave her a sharp look and raised an eyebrow, "You certainly have been getting brave and more than just a little impudent, girl. She held out her arms, "Come give me hug and kiss for luck." As Junie melted into her arms, Donna gave her a soft kiss on the lips, and then whispered into her ear, "Be careful, little girl. I know it is important for you to be brave, but remember your place in our circle. I am not the only one that must remember balance."
Junie pulled back and looked seriously at her Mistress, "Yes, Ma'am, I know I have been kind of impulsive and more than a little silly. I think it is from being scared and then being able to do the things I did not think I could do. I feel somehow a little drunk with power, or maybe success. I don't know. But I will do my best to remember my duties." She kissed Donna back, "Thank you. I love you."
As Junie watched Donna back out of the garage, she slipped her arm around her Master's waist. "It looks like it is going to be just you and me a lot of the time. I am really glad you are going to be here with me." She leaned her head against his chest, "I know there is nothing here for you to do. If there is ever anything that I can do to help pass the time..." Her voice purred seductively.
Bob chuckled and wrapped his arm around her, and leaned down and whispered conspiratorially, "Don't tell your Mistress, but I have started watching television when you guys aren't home. There are some very interesting things on the science channel."
Well aware of her Masters' attitude regarding television, Junie turned to him with shocked eyes and a deliberately wide open mouth. "Demons? You are consorting with demons?" Then she giggled. "Do you think you could tear yourself away from that infernal machine so we could go shopping? I want to pick up some new shoes for my Mistress. It is the only thing her 'kick-ass' outfits need. Nothing says 'bring it on, bitch!' than some really classy shoes."
Bob shrugged, "I will bow to your expertise in this matter. I do know that your Mistress has been looking very stylish and seems to be enjoying dressing up in a way she never has before."
Junie basked in his praise and then arched her eyebrows, "We may need to be a little sneaky about this. Classy is expensive. I can afford it, but I suspect our Donna would protest at the idea of spending money just for name brand. Luckily she has no idea how much designer shoes actually cost, so we can probably avoid that discussion altogether. But I would like to have your permission to do this."
Bob tipped his head to one side. "Junie, we will go buy the shoes. You will give the shoes to your Mistress and you will tell her the truth if she asks. You must, and I repeat 'must' always, tell your Mistress the truth. Do you understand?"
Junie nodded reluctantly. "Yes, Sir."
"Little one, there are more important things than what your Mistress's feet look like. Do not use silly excuses to sidestep your responsibilities. You must be completely transparent to us. Your honesty should be automatic and instant. Never let yourself fall into the trap of justifying your actions to yourself. If you have to do that, you know you are going to end up having to do it to us. And I warn you that neither your Mistress nor I will weigh anything more heavily than your commitment to be truthful to us in all things." Bob gave her a gentle smile, "Little girl, your honest spirit is one of the things I love most about you."
Junie nodded and then gave him an impish look, "Would it be dishonest to keep your secret about the television?"
Bob laughed, "Oh you are in such trouble now!" He grabbed Junie and pushed her down to lean against the hood of the SUV and began to spank her playfully, the smacks echoing in the empty garage. "You know perfectly well that that is my secret. I was talking about your honesty not mine!"
Junie was yelping and giggling, "Yes, Master. Thank you, Master."
"Good, now let's go do that shopping."
Junie was busy in the kitchen finishing up the preparations for making dinner.
Three pairs of handmade Italian shoes, still in their boxes, sat in a neat row in the bottom of Donna's closet. Junie was very pleased with her purchases, classic lines, very good materials and workmanship and yet with the details that screamed money and European designer houses. They had low heels, but Junie knew they would give that nice sharp click in the hallways of the courthouse that would draw eyes to her Mistress.
They had been discounted, but still cost more than Junie had ever spent on shoes before. She would have only bought two pairs, but Bob had paid for the third pair she had been gushing over, winking at her, "I have a little extra money in an account all my own."
Junie had asked him, "Is this another one of my Master's secrets?" She gasped and blushed in furious embarrassment when he gave her another swat right in front of the cash register of the upscale department store.
Junie paused in the kitchen as she realized she had not even once stopped to worry about being afraid during their whole shopping trip. Shaking her head in amazement, she slipped the fresh peach pie into the oven, and began to peel the potatoes. She had decided on a big plate of sliced fresh tomatoes and cucumbers that they had brought from their own garden at home when nothing at the grocery store had caught her eye.
She grinned conspiratorially when she heard the television come on in the front room. It was droning in a monotone and Junie peeked out to see that Bob was watching a business channel that was talking about stock market trends. Junie blinked; she looked at her Master and was surprised to see him staring at the television apparently totally absorbed.
Shaking her head, she thought to herself that her Master would be just as mystified by her interest in sewing shows, but that they would both enjoy cooking programs. She went to her room and laid out her favorite steel gray slacks and a new rich blue blouse she had just finished before they moved down to Portland and then took a leisurely shower.
When she stepped out of the shower into the bathroom, she jumped to see her Master standing in the doorway looking at her, an interested, approving look on his face. Junie paused and met his eye, unconsciously standing straighter, pulling her shoulders back, arching her back and thrusting her breasts up and out. Her feet spread apart. She could almost feel his eyes touching her. A small shiver shook through her as the water trickling down her body sent tingles through her.
Slowly Bob grinned, his eyes warm, "You look good, Junie. Have you been keeping up with putting your rubber bands on?"
