The Gannett party arrived amid a frenzied crowd of reporters and screaming teenage girls. Wolf took a deep breath and prepared for his moment in the sun. He may need consultants and helpers, but, in this venue, he was an expert. Jolie exited first, followed by the star, beaming and waving to the excited fans.

As Peter to depart after Savannah, he caught a glimpse of Kermit slipping out the opposite side of the limo. "Hey! Where does he think he's going?!"

Savannah touched his arm to quiet him. "Let him go, Peter. Cameras, get it? He'll join us inside."

Peter knew what a fuss Kermit had made to ensure that Wolf didn't print his name in the credits of the movie. Keeping as low a profile as possible was always a priority for him. "Well, then, ma'am, I'll be glad to fill in for my inconspicuous partner." They exited the vehicle and Savannah let him escort her down the ramp to the theater.

The reporters lapped up photo ops of the two lookalikes as Wolf introduced Peter Caine as his stunt-double. Counting all the times that he'd been beaten up in Wolf's presence, Peter surmised that this was a very appropriate description. Savannah deftly sidestepped the reporters and their questions as they all proceeded to their seats.

Kermit blended in with the bodyguards assigned to their group and met them at their seats. He dropped down beside his wife and took her hand. "Handled yourself like a pro out there. Bet we'll see you and Peter in 'People'!" he teased.

"Ooh! Wasn't it just awful? Wish I'd snuck out with you."

"Now, how could I fade into the woodwork with someone like you on my arm?" Flashing a wide grin, he added, "Forgot to tell you how terrific you look."

"Better than your new 'girlfriend'?"

"Oh, yeah!" Kermit drawled with a flourish as he put an arm around her to enjoy the movie.

The lights in the theater dimmed and the movie began to roll across the screen. After the introduction, which consisted of various camera pans down long, dark alleys, Wolf's character, Jazz Harper, made his first appearance on screen.

"Oh, my God," gasped Peter, clamping his hand over his mouth to hold in the laughter that threatened to ensue.

Savannah was speechless but not giggle-less. The ten-foot-high image looming over them was Wolf Gannett, dressed in a dark Armani suit accessorized with dark glasses and a gun the size of a Volkswagon.

Usually I kill people came blaring out in stereo.

Cautiously, Savannah turned to read Kermit's feelings at this imitation of himself.

Anyone else would have read no reaction across the ex-mercenary's features. His wife, however, could see the seething in his jawline. Murder in mind, he leaned forward to make a grab for Wolf, who was seated directly in front on him.

Temporarily averting disaster, Savannah grabbed his hand and pulled it into her lap. "Sugar...don't be so upset. It's only a movie. And you...I mean he...well, you look really great up there."

Still without words to express his fury, Kermit leaned back in his chair. *Ant hill...honey...Wolf,* he thought in an attempt to comfort himself.

Rapidly, the story unfolds. Deja vu. An ex-mercenary, a former Vietnam veteran, is being forced to assassinate a Vietnamese businessman. There was no mind control involved but the villain threatens the hero's family. Truth becoming fiction a la Gannett and enhanced with explosives, car chases, blood, and a zillion bullets.

The introduction of Jazz Harper's wife was memorable, to say the least.

Don't touch her, don't look at her, don't get near her, do you understand!?" Jazz Harper rasped from the screen.

Kermit began to feel the heat coursing from Savannah's hand into his own. Her face went pale and her mouth dropped into her lap. Her on-screen personification was true-blue Gannett-inspired. Lots of hair. Short leather dress. Surgically-enhanced figure. And, worst of all, a Southern accent cultivated by someone who'd evidently never been further South than New York City.

Peter Caine, whose equivalent character was palatable to him, sank down in his chair. Shaking with laughter.

"Shut up, Peter!" Savannah whispered intently. Leaning past Kermit's outstretched arm, she hissed, "You're dead, Gannett!"

Wolf casually tossed back, "Oh, dollface, lighten up. It's Hollywood. Things have to be larger than life in the movies."

"Oh, they're larger than life, all right! Bet they even have that 'new car smell'!"

Kermit's personal discomfort was dispelled by the snit his wife was working herself into. With as much composure as he could muster, he volunteered, "Now, sugar. It's only a movie. And you...I mean she...you look very...uh...noticable up there."

"You laugh again and you're dead, too." Savannah slumped back into her seat only to shoot back up again as her 'double' lost her temper.

"YOU JERK! This isn't some movie script you can rewrite if you don't like the dialogue. This is his life! The things he's been through have left scars on him you can't run to the plastic surgeon to have removed."

Savannah blushed crimson, hiding her face in her hands, as Kermit looked at her askance.

"Scarlett," he asked softly, touching her arm with one finger, "did you say that to him?"

"It just...came out," she managed through her hands.

Kermit smiled, loving her even more. "Well, in mentioning the clouds, you forgot to mention my silver lining," he whispered. He pulled her gently back toward him and stroked her cheek with his arm around her. "I love you," he whispered.

Savannah, choked up with emotions, could barely return the sentiment as she kissed him right there in the theatre in front of everyone.

"Hey-" Wolf began to protest but Peter nudged his arm and shook his head at the actor. "But they're supposed ta be watchin'!"

"They're doing what you're supposed to do at a movie - making out!" Peter whispered with a grin. "Besides, the more they do that, the less likely they are to kill you."

"Oh, yeah," Wolf mused, turning his attention back to the movie.

********

Wolf stood at the bar at the Il Cocchio Oro, shooting tequila and worrying. It was an incredible relief to have the movie actually *out there* but now came the nail-biting wait for the reviews. Taking control of his career had been a big step. Calling his own shots. Now, making his own movies. If this bombed, he might be down for the count. No writers to blame, no director, no producer. It was all him.

He'd hesitated before changing the story. These people were his friends. Even Kermit, in spite of his barbs, seemed to be a bit less caustic. At least, he hadn't threatened to kill him in the past few hours. Their story inspired him. What they went through and still remained whole. Together. Wolf had hoped it might inspire someone else if he had given it justice. Of course, that was sentimental crap that he wouldn't dare say to anyone out loud. With the exception of Nicki, of course.

"Scotch, straight up." Kermit stepped up to the bar beside the actor. He hadn't been able to stomach Jolie's grating voice another second. Every time she would utter another brainless sentence, Savannah would elbow him under the table to forestall bursting into laughter. Kermit had left Peter at their mercy and retreated to the bar.

"Hey, man," Wolf offered tentatively, startling him out of his thoughts. "You...uh...you haven't said what you thought of the flick?"

"Oh, that. You mean, what do I think about you stealing my life and making a movie out of it?"

Wolf gulped and nodded.

Kermit and Savannah HAD discussed the film briefly in private when they had dodged the cameras and hidden in the limo afterwards. In spite of the liberties Wolf had taken, he had been sensitive to their privacy. Never mentioned or printed their names. Avoided any obvious similarities. Showed their struggle and their victory.

Kermit grinned, still unable to resist the temptation to worry wolf a little. But it was time to let him off the hook. "Not bad."

Accepting what amounted to glowing praise from the ex-mercenary, Wolf beamed like a kid. "Couldn't have done it without your help." Unusually serious, he offered, "You guys, dollface included, mean a lot to me. Maybe the only friends I got."

Having a *moment* with Wolf Gannett was something Kermit Griffin would have preferred to avoid. But in this particular case...."I suppose it was the least I could do. After all, I DID shoot you!" Pausing he remembered that something important was still unsaid. He considered his next words carefully. "And...I appreciate you looking out for my wife when I was...in the twilight zone."

Wolf barely had time to express his shock when Savannah waltzed up, almost literally. "Bondin' and sharin'....I can't believe it!" She draped one arm around each man's shoulder. This had the unfortunate byproduct of drawing the two men closer together.

"Looks can be deceiving," Kermit snapped, freeing himself from her grasp. Bonding and Wolf were two words he would never use in reference to himself.

Wolf pushed a shot glass over to Kermit. "Here ya go, man. Take a hit." Turning to Savannah with a teasing expression, he asked, "Ever shoot tequila, dollface?"

Kermit knew that she'd already exceeded her alcoholic intake limit at dinner. She hadn't eaten much of her dinner. An empty stomach and booze - especially when that stomach wasn't accustomed to a great deal of drinking - usually meant trouble. She was giggling at every comment and was looking way too happy to have spent the past forty-five minutes listening to that bimbo at the table.

"Wolf...ladies only drink tequila if it's disguised as a margarita!"

"You heard the lady," he shouted to the bartender. In seconds, the drink was delivered.

"Scarlett," her husband warned her, "you might want to slow down a bit."

Giving him a disgusted look and patting his cheek, she replied, "Aren't you sweet? Don't worry. I'm a big girl and I've been over 21 now for quite a while."

*Too late,* Kermit thought as he watched his wife rattle on to Wolf, in between sips, about how wonderful she thought Nicki was and wasn't it a shame she wasn't here and how smart she was....

Before Wolf could reply, Savannah offered, "ANDDD...since we're ON the subject of Nicki-"

"Let's go dance," Kermit said quickly, plucking the glass out of her hand and circling his arm around her waist. He led her to the dance floor, hoping the exercise might help sober her a little and also allowing Wolf some time to get away.

*****

At 2:00 a.m., they piled into the limo for the ride back to Malibu. Kermit deposited his extremely happy wife onto the seat beside him as Wolf, Jolie, and Peter took their seats. As the chauffer shut the door, Kermit felt a blonde head land on his shoulder. Out cold.

Wolf started to hoot. "As spunky as that chick is, I woulda thought she could party all night!"

Kermit put an arm around her and reached up to push her hair out of her face so she could snooze in comfort. "Spunky chick. Lousy drinker."

When the limo stopped to deposit Jolie at her apartment, Savannah suddenly jolted awake from her brief margarita-induced slumber and babbled in his ear the remaining twenty miles home. Once they arrived at the beach house, the entertainment continued.

"I can walk," Savannah declared strongly, her head held high.

*Suuuure you can,* Kermit thought, walking close by so he could catch her when she stumbled.

Wolf and Peter hung back to enjoy the show as Savannah carefully navigated her way up the path. "You know, Wolf," she called over her shoulder, "you really should straighten out this path so a person can walk it! I mean, there could be a lawthup...lawsup...you could get sued!"

Wolf, grinning, called out, "I'll have Nicki take care of that."

"OH!" Savannah remembered. "Nicki! You know, Wolf, you could do a LOT worse....What am I saying? You ALREADY did a lot worse with that Jolie person! Lordie mercy, boy...what were you thinkin'?" Kermit sighed and tried to take her arm but she pulled it away. "I'm doing just fine!" she snapped, turning to look at him and ran right into the door.

Peter and Wolf rushed up. "You okay, dollface?" Wolf asked worriedly.

Kermit, already examining the damage, nodded. "She's fine."

Probing her nose carefully, she glared at her husband. "You don't have to talk for me! I'm fine! Why won't this door OPEN?!?"

"Ya gotta pull the handle, babe, not push it."

"I knew that!" Irritably, she pulled the door open and Kermit's hand was miraculously there just in time to prevent her from bopping herself in the nose again. Storming through, she ran right into Mary Margaret.

Mary Margaret took one look at Savannah and raised both eyebrows. "Savannah...?"

"That's my name!" Savannah chortled gleefully. She waggled her finger at her friend. "And you should pick one name! Two names are too darn long! Get a nice nickname like me! Caine! You ole darlin'!" she greeted happily.

To his credit, Caine was the only one not fighting absolute hysterics at Savannah's behavior. "Savannah...you will not feel well in the morning. I can make some tea-"

"Oh, God, not more tea!" Savannah begged. "And speaking of feeling, what have you two been up to all evening alone by yourself in this big ole room in this big ole house-"

Kermit interrupted. "I think it's WAY past your bedtime, Scarlett. C'mon, I'll help you up."

The giggles resumed. "I bet they've been verrrrrrry naughty! YOU know how babysitters can be when they have their boyfriends over. Just look at 'em!"

Mary Margaret leaned closer to offer a steadying hand, only to be grabbed in a big, comradely hug.

"So what DID you two do? Really!" Savannah whispered, very loudly.

Peter, noticing something odd, suddenly frowned. "Yeah, what DID you do, Pop? Your hair is wet."

Caine sighed. "We went...swimming in the ocean. It was...quite refreshing."

At that, Mary Margaret looked at him and smiled.

"But Mary Margaret's hair isn't wet...?"

"Two words, Peter...'blow dryer'...very common household item," Mary Margaret said. "Now, YOU try saying it!"

"Oh, good," Wolf said, "So you guys found the suits in the dresser drawers, huh?"

In unison, Caine and Mary Margaret looked at Wolf blankly, looked at each other and finally shrugged.

Peter's mouth dropped open. "Pop...?"

"YES!!!" They all looked as their favorite Memphis belle grabbed Mary Margaret again in a bear hug. Caine was within arm's reach so Savannah grabbed his shirt front and pulled him close so that she could hug both of them. "I just love you guys SOOOO much!!! I just want you to be sooooo happy!"

"Okay, okay," Kermit said, stepping forward and disengaging his wife. Even stone drunk, she was still matchmaking.

Wolf was now attempting to remain standing as he laughed and laughed, leaning against the wall for support. Peter, still not quite sure how to take this, wandered over to Wolf's bar and began popping beernuts in his mouth.

Kermit guided Savannah to the stairs, where she managed to climb four steps and suddenly pitched forward. Kermit was there right beside her and decided to save time by just bending down and picking his wife up. "Oh, I just looooove it when you DO that!" Savannah cooed in his ear. "Isn't he romantic???" she called down the stairs.

Mary Margaret nodded in agreement. "Oh, yeah, VERY romantic," she contributed, grinning.

"Just like the movie," Savannah mused, snuggling in Kermit's shoulder as he carried her upstairs. Clearing her throat, she burst into song. "Somewherrrre overrr the Rainbowwwwww, Way up Highhhhhh...." She stopped, frowning at Kermit. "Is that the right movie?"

"Sweetheart, you're going to wake Kat up."

Savannah made a silent "Oh" with her lips. She cuddled in closer and sang softly, right in Kermit's ear. "Somewherrrre over the Rainbowwwww...."

She was still singing when Kermit deposited her on their bed.

*You gotta love a happy drunk,* thought Kermit. Leaning down into her ear, he whispered, "Scarlett, you stay here. I'm going to check on the baby and I'll be right back."

"Yes, sir, officer Rhett. Anything you say...!" Savannah dissolved into an attack of the giggles once more.

Rolling his eyes, Kermit took a quick peek at the baby. Evidently, she'd had quite an exciting evening with all three of her babysitters and was deep in her dreams.

Reassured, the now-relaxed father returned to find his wife, sans evening gown, beckoning him to join her under the covers. "Oh, offfffficerrrrr Rrrrrrhhhhettt! I'm lonely and my clothes seem to be missin'!"

Not being one to let his wife stay lonely or cold, he sank down beside her, only to be snared by two very eager arms. Planting herself on his lips, she entangled him in a long, wet kiss. Drawing him down beside her, Savannah rapidly set the mood for the evening.

Caught up in her sweet scent and soft skin, Kermit began to forget the houseful of people just outside their door. He couldn't help but remember the loving senitments of his wife that had been conveyed across the big screen. How she'd jumped to his defense. Defense of his body and mind. A thank you just wouldn't suffice. He'd have to show her.

Kermit began to run his hands down her side and felt her moan inside his mouth. Slowly, he kissed his way down her neck, to her shoulders, and to her....

All at once, both of her arms dropped to her side and her head hit the pillow. "Scarlett...Scarlett?" Down for the count this time. Shaking his head as he turned off the light, he whispered, "Baby, you're a heavyweight lover but you're *definitely* a lightweight drinker!"

Giving his unconscious wife a kiss on the cheek, he covered her up and snuggled up to sleep beside her.

*****

Kat's early morning wake-up call pulled Kermit from a sound sleep. "Hmmm...." he mumbled sleepily to himself and looking at his watch, "sleeping late, Kitty Kat. Seven o'clock."

Quickly and silently, he rolled out of bed and grabbed his clothes and his shades. Savannah was still sleeping. He couldn't help but laugh thinking about how she was going to feel when she woke up and started to remember the night before. She hadn't danced on any tables or anything as humiliating as that, but all that giggling and "I just love you guys" business would embarrass her almost as much...that is, if she DID remember it. Kermit planned to tease her just a little bit so that maybe she'd listen to him the next time he told her to slow down.

He retrieved his impatient daughter and headed for the kitchen. "Well, sweet thing, let's get you some breakfast. Momma is a little busy right now. She had a good time last night but she's going to pay for it this morning-Oh. Hello."

To his surprise, the kitchen wasn't deserted. Nicki was keeping the cook company while scribbing on a legal-sized organizer, calendar at the ready.

"Good morning, Mr. Griffin," Nicki greeted as he grabbed a bottle and popped it into the microwave.

"Good morning, and call me Kermit. I thought only my daughter arose with the morning sun."

Nicki smiled. "Busy day today, although I'm not the only one up. Mister Caine is practicing his Kung Fu down in the exercise room. I trust, though, that everything went well last night?"

Kermit smiled as he took the heated bottle and sat down with Kat so she could begin her meal. "Oh, yeah." The cook was leaning toward him, obviously wondering what he wanted. "Oh...uh...whatever. I'm not particular. What's the specialty of the house?"

Nicki glanced mischievously at the cook and nodded, who promptly turned and began to cook, grabbing large handfuls of ingredients. "Well, there's the whole day to explore before the party, so do you have any thoughts on what you and your friends would like to do? A babysitter can be arranged again so you don't have to worry-"

"Thank you," Kermit said, "but as long as Wolf doesn't drag us to an amusement park or something, I think we'd like to take her along."

"Of course," Nicki said easily. "You'll find a stroller-"

"-in the closet in the nursery," Kermit finished. "I checked. You know, we could use someone like you at the precinct-"

He was interrupted by a loud thump as a dinner plate the size of Texas was placed before him. Looking down, he saw that the 'specialty' was some kind of mix between a Spanish omelet and a breakfast burrito and smelled wonderful.

"Would you like me to take over for you?" Nicki requested thoughtfully, holding her arms out for Kat.

"Well...."

"It's all right," she assured him and pointed to herself. "Oldest of seven kids. I know where all the parts are."

Kermit handed her over and Kat didn't miss a beat as she continued to enjoy her breakfast. Kermit dug into the omelet, only to be interrupted once again by the appearance of his strangely silent wife.

"Hey, sweetheart," Kermit said, "you can sleep a little longer, you know."

Savannah was dressed, hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was also wearing her husband's spare sunglasses. "Good morning," she greeted, sheepishly avoiding Kermit's amused expression.

"Good morning, Mrs. Griffin."

Savannah leaned down and gave Kat's tiny head a kiss and offered to take her.

"Oh, no, no. We're doing just fine. I was the oldest of seven kids," Nicki repeated for Savannah's benefit.

Savannah was maintaining her stance quite well until she bumped into a chair and nearly fell over. Kermit got up and gallantly pulled the chair out and guided her into it.

"Thanks," she said, still looking away from him. She felt awful. And sick. And embarrassed. The events at the post premiere party were a blur. The pounding in her head was the only thing that was clear as a bell.

He patted her on the back and whispered, "You all right, Scarlett?"

She merely nodded in the affirmative and looked away. Blushing bright pink.

Kermit tried to suppress a grin as he turned to the cook. "One more specialty, please."

"Noooo," Savannah moaned. "'m not hungry...It looks great but...I just don't feel very well."

"I know, but eating will make you feel better," Kermit soothed. "Trust me, I know."

Nicki was looking concerned and began to ask a question but Kermit just shook his head out of his wife's field of vision and pantomimed drinking from a wine glass. Nicki 'ohhhed' her understanding and quietly whispered to the cook to please get some aspirin, since her hands were still full with a hungry baby just as Wolf and Peter burst into the kitchen. Loudly. Savannah tried not to groan out loud as she tried to discreetly massage her temples.

Spotting his pale guest, Wolf decided to have a little fun with her. "Weeellllll, party girl! Mornin'!" He pulled out a chair and plopped down beside her.

Savannah winced at his volume and managed a brief "Morning" in his direction. Peter winked at Kermit and decided to join in. "Boy, you sure had a good time last night! Bet those people at 'Hard Copy' with fill up at least half of their show with your premiere performance."

The object of their conversation dropped her fork and her mouth. "W-w-what performance?"

"Oh, that 'Don Johnson' incident was priceless! He won't be forgetting you too soon!"

"Don Johnson?? What...?"

Wolf jumped back in. "Oh, yeah, babe! You make friends in a hurry! And when you did that Macarina on the table...whoa! Hope I don't hafta pay for the damages, though...."

Blushing neon-bright, she looked pitifully at Kermit. "Kermit? Did I...I mean you wouldn't....Oh, my God...."

Kermit, who felt she needed to suffer just a moment longer to teach her a lesson, kept a deadpan expression. Then, slowly, let a crooked grin spread across his face.

"I KNEW IT! I didn't do ANY of that stuff! Kermit wouldn't let me do anything like that!" Turning to Wolf, she punched him in the arm. "You jerk!" Then she turned to Peter, but he was too quick, backing away just in time to avoid his punishment. "You, too! You just wait. I've got plans for both of you!"

Fuming, she got up and retrieved her daughter from a surprisingly composed Nicki. "Come on, Kat. Let's go somewhere where your Mama's not the only source of entertainment." She left the room in a flurry, muttering something about "after all I've done for them and they pull that crap."

With Peter and Wolf still laughing at the rise they'd gotten from the unflappable Mrs. Griffin, Kermit offered, "You boys don't know what you've gotten yourselves into, do you?"

He just smiled at their puzzled expressions and finished his breakfast.

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