Billy March had just supplied his niece with her third piece of birthday cake when he noticed a beautiful blonde trying to make it through the backyard gate with a tremendous package. Sexy blue eyes and a body to match. *My favorite,* he thought, slapping Kermit on the arm. "Ok, bro, time to get into my good graces. Who is that and don't tell me she's a cop's wife."

Kermit followed his gaze to find Jody Powell. "That, my friend is Detective Jody Powell. Single and armed." Peering over his glasses at his young brother-in-law. "I'd be careful if I were you."

Running his hands through his hair and flashing the family dimples, he replied, "My kinda' woman. Watch the Southern Charm in action."

Kermit had fallen victim to that commodity and started grinning when Peter and Billy headed for the overloaded detective at the same time. Raising a finger to get Savannah's attention, he pointed to the impending collision. *Hmmm....this could be just what that slowpoke Peter Caine needs,* she mulled over in her mind. Appreciative of the entertainment about to be supplied she nodded and elbowed Mary Margaret so that she could watch also.

"Jody, let me...." Peter was about to offer a hand when Billy scooted in front of him and lifted the heavy box from her arms.

"Allow me, ma'am. Always at the disposal of a beautiful woman."

Taking a minute to appraise her benefactor, Jody said, "You must be Savannah's younger brother. I'm Jody Powell." She reached to shake his hand and was greeted with a bow as he raised her hand to his lips.

Peter was beginning to fume, though for the life of him, he couldn't figure out why. *No way she'd go for that crap.*

"Billy Blue March, at your service." Carrying the box in one arm and offering his other, he cooed, "Now, why on earth would a beautiful creature like yourself be without a gentleman escort?"

As a thoroughly impressed smile passed across her lips, Jody thought, *I could get used to this,* as they walked over to join Savannah and Mary Margaret. "Billy Blue....that's an interesting name."

Peter was following and wondering when he would throw up at this gobs of sugar being laid on before him.

As they reached the group, which now included Kermit, Billy offered his lyrical explanation, "Why, dear lady, I was aptly named for William the Conqueror and the Bonnie Blue Flag of the Confederacy."

"HA!" Savannah couldn't stand it another minute. Jody was eating this up much too easily. "THAT is such a lie! You, little brother, were named after Billy, Daddy's favorite Blue Tick hound dog."

With a grace that could not be flustered, Billy unloaded his burden and wrapped a condescending arm around his sister. "But, dahlin', doesn't my story create a more appropriate image for a gentleman of mah' sensitive nature?" Once again offering his arm to Jody, he suggested, "Now, let me see to the needs of this lovely creature." They walked off toward the refreshments, leaving Peter standing there with a disgusted expression.

"Savannah," he said shortly, "I know he's your brother but he's FULL of it."

"Why, yes, he is, my indecisive friend. But it seems to be working, huh?" Grinning at Kermit, she concluded, "Perhaps the view wouldn't bother you quite so much if you'd climb down 'off the fence', so to speak."

Peter knew enough to run for cover after that remark and went in search of Kat. The only female he seemed to be able to handle at the moment.

*****

By four in the afternoon, the birthday party of the century was winding down. The guest of honor was curled into a ball on a blanket, snoozing peacefully. Happiness streaked across her round little face in the form of pink icing. Mr and Mrs. March had returned to their hotel for the evening, leaving their son behind. Jody and Mary Margaret had offered to help with the clean up. Peter Caine felt he should remain after his father's departure and sat on the patio with Kermit.

Billy was fidgeting. His big plan had been set in motion on the very first night he'd arrived in town. A logistical master plan had enabled his success thus far. Now, the final step would involve big sister's help. As usual. When Savannah returned to pick up the last of the party remains, he screwed on his best puppy-dog eyes and plowed forward.

"Van...I have an idea," he crooned, quickly helping her with the load of plates from the table.

Kermit could hear the March finesse hanging in the air. After all, he'd been on the receiving end of it more times than he could count. Ears perked, he tuned into the conversation.

"Do ya' now, little brother. Pray tell, what is it?" Savannah's younger sibling generally used that introduction for a scheme. A scheme that had gotten her grounded more times than she could count.

"Why don't we - you, me, Kermit, and your friends - go out tonight? Mama and Daddy would be tickled pink to spend the evening babysitting." After a slight pause and pearly-white grin, he added, "There's this club, The Agrippa, close to the hotel. Got a hot blues band...."

*The Agrippa....* Savannah shot a question at Peter, "Isn't that the place you....?"

"Redecorated with a shotgun," Kermit offered, to fill in the blank. He punched his partner's arm in praise.

Billy shook his head and attempted to yank the conversation back to his purposes. "Yeah, well, anyway. Van," Billy took her armful of trash and pulled her to a chair. "I sort of, well.....I...uh...."

"You what?" Whatever was coming would not be good. She was certain.

"Auditioned for the band and got the job. Great, huh?" Never voice the negative. Proven strategy. Billy waited for her reaction.

Shock. That was the reaction. "ARE YOU CRAZY?!!! Do you know what they'll do to me? The kind of hissy fit she'll have if we get caught?" Nerve endings raw from days of friction, Savannah leaped from her chair and began pacing to match the rhythm of her fury. "As if things weren't hard enough already...."

The kid had nerve, mused Kermit Griffin. A trait he generally admired...except when it twisted his wife into a frenzy. He decided to wait and see how things progressed.

"No need to worry, Van. Got a lock on all the details." Billy moved to wrap his arm around his sister's petite frame but drew a razor-sharp glare. He withdrew. "Snuck my guitar into the rental car before we came over today and into your trunk a few minutes ago. They'll never know...come on, sis. Help me out here."

Kermit was unsure about the look displayed on his wife's beautiful face. Tension, anger, hysteria. He wasn't sure.

"Besides, Van....you're already at the top of the Shit List. Worse that could happen is I could *join* you there." Time to play the final card. "I'll owe you one. Big time."

*Well, smart boy,* thought Peter Caine. *Your big sis is about to eat you alive!* He couldn't wait. And Jody was standing nearby to get a full view as the "golden boy" was rendered impotent by that famous Southern temper. After all, pearly white teeth and charm got Peter annihilated by the belle. *Here goes....*

"You already owe me five hundred." Savannah shot back at her weedling brother. By the confusion on his face, she surmised a refresher was in order. "Five hundred dollars....bail money....my Visa.....you and your frat brothers naked and drunk as sailors on Beall Street."

"Oh, that." Worry possessed him then gave way to another strategy. Grinning softly, Billy countered, "I can use the gig money to start payin' you back, sugah."

"Look, kid." Kermit entered the fray. The last thing Savannah needed was more stress. "You are NOT going to make this harder for h-"

"No, no. It's all right Kermit." That nervous laugh again. Savannah threw up her hands and winked at her brother. A gesture that unnerved him to the core. It had been too easy.

*Maybe she's resorted to Valium already,* he thought. Billy ran a hand through his hair. Awaiting her next pronouncement without breathing.

"Well, guys. Looks like you get to see an honest-to-God delta bluesman in full throttle." She left the group and strolled back into the house to offer the distraction of their granddaughter to her parents. Mumbling, "Why not, why not" to herself as five pairs of concerned eyes followed her retreat.

*****

Kermit Griffin had developed a fondness for the smoky blues clubs his wife loved to frequent. It never failed to amuse him when she donned her "cool look." Unusually black and lean. Sometimes she couldn't resist tweaking him by wearing the dark glasses. Barbie does the Blues Brothers. The time he'd presented that analogy, the ex-mercenary got a pinch in return.

Things were working out nicely, so far. They were having a good time. First time in days. Billy March was actually good. A blues style blending of B.B. King and Eric Clapton. The house band at the club had lost their lead guitar and front man. Savannah's kid brother was a natural. Charmed the crowd - especially the ladies - and spellbound them with the music. That "charming" was causing another problem.

Peter Caine's "pissed meter" had hit the apex. It was a toss up as to what bothered him more. Billy March oozing all over Jody Powell. Or the fact that the flirting was getting under his skin. It shouldn't bother him one way or the other. So what.

Savannah read Peter Caine like a book. A good book. *Should have thought of this before.* Her little brother could charm the pants off any woman within grinning range. Maybe somebody showing Jody a little attention would light a fire under Detective Caine.

Even though she *knew* that her parents had no idea where they were, Savannah nervously kept her eye on the door. Billy was talented and beautiful. A gifted performer who only needed that one break. He was swimming head long into the same waters of disapproval she'd soaked in for the past two years. Once past a certain point, there was no turning back. She wasn't sure that Billy was ready to make that break just yet.

A gentle hand on her back snapped her from her thoughts. "Having a good time?" Kermit tilted a grin at his wife.

Relaxing, she leaned under his arm. "Well, yes I am. But...." she imitated his peering over her glasses, "it is sort of smoky in here. Want to go outside for a minute?"

"Thought you'd never ask." Dutifully, his wife followed him outside to the parking lot.

Leaning back on the hood of the car, she took a sip of his beer and sighed her relief. "We may actually live through this week after all."

"Might at that, Scarlett." He took back his drink and wrapped an arm around her waist. "As much as I've enjoyed being tortured by your family and mine....I'll be glad to have you all to myself again."

"Ooooo...feeling neglected, sugar?" she asked, slipping her hands inside his coat.

"Now that you mention it..." He was cut off by the sweet taste of her inside his mouth. She purposefully pressed her body into his. Achieving the desired result. "We can't leave all these people here without a ride home. Can we?"

"Who says we have to leave, Green Man?" Wantonly, she deactivated the car alarm and opened the back door. "Get in and let Mama drive."

The detective willingly complied, grateful to have chosen Savannah's Honda for this evening's outing. His wife draped over him like a blanket...a limber and eager blanket. "It's been a long time...since I've done this in the back seat." He gasped words in between frenzied kisses. Hands roaming freely over his wife's curves.

"First time for me...glad one of us knows what we're doing." Passion had flown past the point of caution in seconds. Getting caught no longer mattered. All the tension faded into the heat and insanity of the moment. Hot, lingering kisses and touches were in control.

"What about the street lamp?" Kermit didn't really give a damn about the lights but thought it would be polite to remind his determined wife that they were there.

"Shoot it!" came the reply as she gently stroked his body. Expressing her comparative lack of concern for the offending lights, she continued down the path to satisfaction. At break neck speed.

"Remind me....I'll get around to it." He ran his hands over those willing hips as they connected with his body. Gratefully accepting her undivided attention for the next few minutes.

*******

The couple strolled back into the club just in time for the last song of the last set.

"Where have you two been?" Jody asked as they rejoined the group.

Running a hand casually across her newly arranged hairdo, Savannah replied sweetly, "Had to go outside an' catch my breath."

Kermit grunted a laugh over her head as he left to get a tall, cold one from the bar.

In honor of his big sister's supreme covert skills, Billy belted out her favorite Bonnie Raitt song 'That's Just Love Sneakin' Up on You' for their final tune of the evening. Afterward, amid a hail of applause, the victorious bluesman joined his entourage.

Gifting his darling sister with a hug and a kiss, he poured out his thanks. "You are the best, Van!"

Equally thrilled with the outcome of the evening, she hugged him back. "So are you, sweetie. I think your old sister is ready to go on home. Ready?"

As Kermit strolled up behind him, Billy stuttered momentarily. "Wellll...I was thinkin' that maybe this gracious lady," he bent to take Jody's hand, "would like to stay up past HER bedtime with me."

Peter's temperature shot up once again. "We all rode together, *Junior.*"

Greatly appreciative of the attention this young man was offering, Jody ran over the pros and cons. Pros won. "We'll grab a cab." She rose to join her newly defined date.

Uneasiness crept into the conversation. "Swear you won't get into any trouble." Savannah was talking to Billy but looking at her friend. Jody smiled her assurance to calm her fears.

"What trouble could I get into? I got my own personal police force to protect me." Wrapping an arm around Jody's shoulders and shooting an evil grin at Peter Caine, Billy left to begin phase two of his perfect evening.

*****

The Griffins had picked up their child from her grandparents' hotel room and offered Billy's excuses. He was going out to dinner with Jody Powell and would be back to his room in a couple of hours.

Once home, all exhausted for different reasons, the Griffin home rested. Until the phone rang at 3:30 a.m.....

"Griffin!" Kermit was immediately awake. Phones never ring in the middle of the night for good reasons. Probably the damn precinct. Didn't they know he was off tomorrow?

Savannah stirred beside him. Trying to wake up enough to listen.

"No. He's not here. Don't worry, I'm sure he's fine. I'll find him and call you back." Hanging up the phone without explanation, he dialed Jody's number.

"Jody, it's Kermit. Is my wayward relative with you? No? When? No, no. I'll go look for him." He disconnected and grumbled as he reached for his pants.

Wide awake and panicked, Savannah was out of bed and firing questions. She'd gleaned the gist of the conversation. "Kermit...when did he leave Jody's place? Where did he go?"

"Okay, let's calm down, Scarlett." He touched her shoulders and sat her back down on the bed. "He left Jody's place an hour ago in a cab. Said he was going back to the club to get paid. I'll go check it out." Contemplating which of Billy March's limbs he'd crack first, he headed out the door.

*****

Kermit caught sight of the trio in the alley as he eased into the parking lot beside the club. Silently, he eased out of his car and stalked down the side of the wall. He could hear that familiar sickening sound of stomach punches and someone's air grunting from his lungs.

"Okay, country boy. Next time, I won't ask for your money so nice." A large, hairy guy in a leather jacket was taking great delight in pounding the young man's midsection as his two comrades held him against the wall. Billy's blonde head had drooped to his chest and Kermit wasn't sure if he was conscious.

He took another second or two to assess the situation then approached the group. Weapon drawn and safety off. "Now, you guys have two choices...back off or I paint the wall with your guts. Take your pick."

The three sized up their opponent and his firepower. Billy dropped unceremoniously to the pavement as they took his offer and let Billy go. "Hands on the wall," Kermit commanded. "NOW!" He fired, creating a bullethole in the top of one guy's hat, causing the others to stare agape for two seconds and dived for the wall. Kermit walked forward and helped the one man still standing recline against the wall as well. After a brief search, Kermit came up with four switchblades, two guns, a chain and Billy's pay.

Pocketing the cash, he walked over to the unlucky being carrying Billy's money. "This is what will happen the next time you mug someone," Kermit spat, snaking his hand behind the man's neck and, with no warning, slammed the man's forehead against the brick wall - hard. The others made a move toward Kermit, only to find his Desert Eagle staring them in the face. "You want me to instruct you, too?" Kermit asked.

They all shook their heads meekly.

"Then, leave. NOW!" Kermit would have loved to 'play' with them some more, but he still didn't know how injured Billy was. Besides, he'd pickpocketed the man's wallet just in case.

Kermit sent them on their way with a wave of the Desert Eagle. When the three rounded the corner, Kermit holstered the gun and propped his dazed relative up against the wall. "Kid! Hey, you better be all right or we're both screwed."

Billy was looking at him. Face battered and bloody, he tried to speak. Spitting blood out of his mouth, he muttered, "Caught me off guard, man. I coulda' handled 'em...."

Kermit grabbed his face and held up three fingers. "Sure...how many fingers?"

"Huh? I don't even like zingers."

Rolling his eyes, the detective scraped the young man up from the ground and carried him to the car. His breathing was normal and he just appeared disoriented from the beer on his breath and the licks he'd taken to his head. It didn't seem necessary to detour to the hospital, but he couldn't present him to his parents this way. Drunk and beat up. The Marches would explode...if they hadn't already.

*****

Billy dozed the twenty minutes to Kermit's house. By the time they arrived, he'd come around enough to explain the situation. He'd come into the bar to collect his money and stayed for a beer. While waiting for his cab, they jumped him.

"Thanks, man. Hate to admit it, but my ass would've been history."

As they walked through the back door to face Savannah, Kermit took in a long-suffering sigh. "Still might be."

"OH MY GOD, BILLY!!!" Savannah guided him to a chair and began to fuss and fret all over her little brother. "What happened? Are you hurt? Where?"

"Would you stop it, Van?! I've been beat up before. I'll live." He pushed her hands away and held his head. Her screeching was giving him an even bigger headache.

Savannah's concern faded into anger. "You little JERK! Stay out until 3:00 in the morning doing God knows what with one of my friends, get DRUNK, have a barroom brawl!! Don't you dare tell me to stop!"

"Scarlett...you might want to call your parents." Kermit grabbed a towel and filled it with ice for Billy's face.

Billy accepted the ice pack and laid his head gratefully on the kitchen table while Savannah, fuming, ducked out of the room momentarily to call her parents from the bedroom.

In a few minutes, she returned. Her mood was no better. "Well, *little* brother, I don't know what got into me but I just lied my head off for you. AGAIN!" Billy winced at her shouting but knew he'd better not say a word. "I told them you went to the club, fell asleep at the bar and that you're spending the night here. But listen to me, buddy-boy, you are telling them the WHOLE story tomorrow morning! YOU HEAR ME?!!"

"YES! Yes! Please...just...stop shouting!" Billy returned, groaning his misery.

Savannah, relenting, led her beat-up brother to the couch and let him collapse in comfort, throwing the afghan over him.

The aspirin was finally beginning to work for Billy in the morning when the back door burst open to reveal his parents, now frantic at the sight of him. Donald was washed with relief at the sight of his son in one piece...albeit damaged pieces but he seemed to be breathing in and out. Before he could launch into a stern lecture, Mother March descended on the battered blonde head.

"What happened!!! Where were you?! You should see a doctor right this very minute!" Betsy was stroking his bruised and puffy face.

Billy looked up into the face of his impending doom. "Hi, Mama. I'm all right. Kermit and I took care of a couple of muggers, that's all."

"Muggers!" Savannah exclaimed. "Billy, don't you lie to them!" Normally, she would have tried to cover for him but playing in bars was too dangerous, from her point of view.

"Okay," Billy snapped rebelliously. "I was playing in a bar. And you know what?" I'm going to keep on doing it no matter what anyone says!"

"Billy!" his mother gasped.

Kermit came quietly forward with a waterlogged washcloth and more aspirin. Billy took the aspirin and wiped his face, nodding gratefully. "Don't you think you could be a bit more tactful, kid?" Kermit asked. "Besides which, your place is with your folks-"

"YOU stay out of this!" Donald exploded, leaping for the chance to take his anger out on someone.

"Don't yell at him!" Billy yelled back, making his head throb. "He's the one that saved my butt! AND my pay!"

"You are NOT playing again and that is final!" Donald exploded.

"That is NOT final!" Billy yelled. "I think maybe I'll just stay here with Savannah and Kermit!"

"BILLY!" This time, both Savannah and Betsy March chided the young man.

Kermit just rolled his eyes heavenward. *Onto round three....*

Betsy March was too furious now to feel any form of relief at seeing her son. Her fury far out-shown her husband's. "How could you put me through this, Billy?! It's bad enough what your sister has put me through but...."

"What *I* put you through! As I recall, Mama, you didn't go through SHIT with me!"

Kermit tried to get in between Savannah and her mother to stop his wife from saying anything more, but it was too late.

"And I might have known that something like this would happen once Billy came under YOUR influence again. I brought him here a nice, innocent young man...."

"Oh, Mama, please!" Savannah was shaking her head and snapped her hands to her hips. "Innocent? Him? He's probably stolen the virtue of half the girls in Memphis."

"Hey, thanks for the compliment, Van," Billy piped from the corner.

"SHUT UP, BILLY!" his mother and sister yelled in unison. Comically assuming the same posture. Hands on hips. Eyes blazing.

Betsy narrowed her eyes and invoked all the authority remaining in her motherhood. "And don't you dare use that language with me, young lady. Just because you've turned out the be *that* kind of woman doesn't mean I have to accept it in both of my children!"

Savannah froze. Her mother hadn't said "the word" like she did when she'd found out about the pregnancy. She didn't have to. It hurt just the same. Turned something wonderful into something dirty.

Kermit let go of the restraint he'd held onto since this visit from Hell began. Stepping in front of his wife, he said, "Let me tell you what kind of woman she is." He didn't raise his voice but the anger was more than evident in his posture. "She's a kind, gentle woman who spends a lot of time worrying about people who don't deserve her. Me included."

Turning his gaze to Don March, he continued, "YOU abandoned her....your own child." He started to pace across the living room. "I look at Kat and I STILL can't believe you could do it. I'm amazed that she's the wonderful woman she is having you two for parents. Now, why don't you do us a favor and get the HELL out of MY house!?" Kermit stalked over to the door and jerked it open.

Don and Betsy walked swiftly to their car.

Savannah, in tears by now, pleaded with her brother, "Billy...go get them to come back. I shouldn't have said those things...."

"Scarlett!" Kermit jumped in, "are you kidding? Screw them."

"Kermit. They're my PARENTS! We need to work this out."

Now he was truly confused. "If you recall, these wonderful people wanted you to *kill* that baby in there. Remember?"

This time, her fury rained down on her husband. "Thanks! Yes, I do remember. I was there! And as I recall...YOU WEREN'T!" Casting a cold look at her brother, she shouted, "Now why don't the two of YOU get the HELL out of MY house?!"

Spinning around on her heel, she walked to the bedroom and slammed the door.

Billy could see the guilt spread across his brother-in-law's face. "She's never done that to you, has she? Well, bubba, my big sis has one hell of a temper. Just like our mama....but please God, don't tell her I said that. Maybe we should do what she says."

"Forget it, 'brother'," Kermit said, his jaw set. "She's right. I wasn't there when she needed me. I swore I'd never turn my back on her again." Clapping the young man on the shoulder, he said, "Grab yourself some lunch from the fridge and play some music...real loud."

He walked to the bedroom, opened it, went in and closed the door behind him.

Billy shook his head. "That guy has GOT to be the bravest man I've ever met."

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