"Good news, ladies," Tim bounded into the bedroom to make his announcement. "I talked to Wolf Gannett himself and he's gonna get the money. This whole thing's gonna be over before you know it and you'll," he beamed down at Savannah, "be...or you'll be..." he turned to Nicki, "...well, one of you will be married to the guy."

"Tim," Nicki tried her hand at pulling out some information, "I'm curious about something. How did you know about the wedding?" Wherever the leak was, the efficient Ms. Harrison planned to plug it with a Buick upon her return.

"Oh, we really just fell into that one, ma'am." Tim glanced quickly between the women, and shook his head once again. "Ya see, we was planning to grab Mr. Gannett so I made a trip out to Hollywood to get some info on the guy." Tim plopped down onto the bed as if describing his Summer vacation.

"Man, that drive was awful! Anyway, I found a fax in the garbage behind the office building about getting a marriage license in Sloanville. Thought it would be smarter to grab the fiancée so the actor would be able to get to the money."

Savannah groaned and rolled her eyes. "Unbelievable."

"Oh, the next part was real fun. We found out from the fan club stuff where Mr. Gannett stays in Sloanville and after a couple of phone calls, we just got the flight plan for the Wolflicks jet so WHAM!" Tim hit the bed for emphasis, "we knew when ya'll were comin' into town."

Nicki was compiling a list of people to be fired as Tim went down the list of security breaches he had bumbled through.

"But the lucky part was finding you two at the store."

"Lucky for who, Jethro?" Nicki was annoyed at the kidnapper's pride. *He expects a medal!* she raged silently.

"Well, not for you ladies," the sheepish look was quite nearly pathetic, "but it beat what we were gonna do. Carrie and I were gonna hang around the hotel and wait to see one of ya'll with the guy then nab you."

"But you just happened to see us at the shop?" Savannah could just hear the teasing to come from Kermit now that her shopping had become dangerous.

"Yep! Now here we are." Checking his watch, he got up. "If you ladies are all right, I gotta do some stuff for my honey."

Nicki leaned back against the chair and closed her eyes. "And you wonder why I don't want to go shopping..."

"You just had to say it, didn't you."

"Yes, I did."

*****

Dinner was a quiet affair. Kermit ran through strategies and possibilities to avoid the thought that Savannah might already be dead. Somehow, deep down in his soul, he believed that she was still alive. He had to believe it if he were to be any good to her. If she was alive, she needed him at his best. The fact that the kidnappers didn't know which was Wolf's fiancée was a lucky break. One that he never expected.

Wolf nervously twisted his fork in limp pasta. He didn't know what to do. The past year he had found himself in the capable hands of Nicole Harrison. Now, the tables were turned and she was the one in need of his help. Help he didn't have the foggiest notion how to give. Suddenly, his area of expertise seemed useless. Frivolous. He could put on the face of a mercenary and copy someone else's moves with chameleon-style grace but Wolf was still just a guy dressing up like someone else for money. *Pretty damn useless,* he thought to himself.

The dark thoughts were dripping from the actor and flooding the room with a thick haze of emotion. Kermit was having enough trouble controlling his own worry without Gannett's little dark cloud. *Yours is not to reason why, Griffin. Yours is just to distract the civilian.* Internal mutterings complete, Kermit broke the silence.

"So, once we get our women back, to what brand of performance can we look forward to at the Gannett nuptials?" Kermit left the table and grabbed a couple of beers from the bar in the corner.

Wolf snorted a short laugh. "I have no idea, actually. Told Nicks to do whatever she wanted. She's not so much on making a big fuss over herself." Taking the beer Kermit offered, he smiled for the first time in hours. "Thought I'd plan a big fuss for the honeymoon."

Honeymoon. Kermit had just finalized the details for the belated honeymoon he and Savannah had been planning for weeks. "I've been working on something to replace the honeymoon we missed. Paris in the Spring should be an adequate replacement."

"Wow," Wolf looked slightly puzzled, "never would have figured you for the romantic. Hey! Why don't you let me fly you two in the Wolflicks jet? Whole plane all to yourselves. Long trip. Get my drift?" He winked and nudged the ex-mercenary's bottle with his own.

"I get your drift, you cretin," Kermit jerked his bottle back in annoyance. "But I will take you up on the offer." Images of the initiating his adventurous wife into the 'mile high club' quirked the corner of his mouth slightly upward. *If she'll just get back in one piece.*

"Peter says he has the bachelor party under control," Wolf said, gulping from his bottle. "I'm not sure if I should be worried about that or not."

"Well, our Detective Caine has all the baser tastes needed to construct a memorable night of depravity for you, Wolf." Propping his feet in a chair, Kermit leaned his head back against the chair and rubbed his eyes beneath the dark lenses. "Sure arranged a night of juvenile pleasure for me...."

*****

"GENTLEMEN!! Please welcome the Pride of the Pleasure Palace! Miss Candy PANTS!!!"

The music cranked up to the thumping bass vibrating rhythm that seemed to be the anthem for these establishments. The headlining entertainment for the evening bumped and ground her garish way down the runway and right into the midst of nearly every male officer of the 101st precinct.

"What do you think, Kermit!" Peter shouted over the din of the whooping crowd. "Can I pick a great place for a party or what?!" Settling back in his chair and being grateful for his twenty-twenty vision, the pleased best man waited for his praise from the stoic detective across the table.

"To say you are childish is an insult to children everywhere," quipped the man in black as he nursed his third scotch of the evening. He didn't want to be there but Savannah and every other female in his life had been suddenly overcome with superstition and insisted that he not see his bride-to-be until the ceremony the next day.

Candy had now divested herself of her denim jacket adorned with candy canes and was delighting T.J. with a taste as he gleefully parted with two dollar bills. *Why did they have to sit next to the stage?* he grumbled to himself as the others reverted to college-aged behavior in the presence of Candy sans her bra.

"Aw, come on!" Peter gulped his beer and gave Kermit a dangerous punch in the arm. "Better take your last look!!! One woman, Kermit. Forever!"

"No, thanks, sonny boy. Seen it more times than you." He planted his focus on the drink in his hand. *Wonder what she's doing right now?* His thoughts were miles away from the loud music and smoke in the club.

Blake gave up his endless dive into the peanuts and in a beer-slurred inquiry, said, "Kermit...you foooorrrrrget. *I* know you from before." Jestering as Candy spread her wares for the roar of the crowd, he teased, "You can't honestly say you don't think that that woman is...what's the word...HOT!"

Another swallow of scotch. "Anyone can be naked. It takes effort to be interesting."

Blake shook his head and held up his token for the dancer. Frank Strenlich had just returned to the table and also risked his appendage by slapping Kermit on the back and taunting, "And your *interesting* bride-to-be would grab that Desert Eagle and make this your last kid if she knew. Right?" Pulling up a chair beside the beleagered detective, Frank soon lost interest in bothering the prospective groom.

As they all watched T.J. part with more dollar bills in exchange for a long stroke over his cheek from the dancer, Peter began to laugh out loud. "Whoa, boys! Just what do you think the ladies are doin' tonight?"

Rolling his eyes in disgust beneath his green shades, Kermit retorted, "If you're insinuating that the flower of Southern womanhood is whooping it up with the ladies of the 101st before some half naked college boy...then you DON'T know Savannah. I'm sure they're watching some chick movie and swapping hankies."

"You think?"

"I know."

"Well, then, buddy," Peter kept his eyes glued to Candy's attributes, "since the lady in your life is safe and sound with her attendants, YOU can at least appreciate this last night out with the guys."

With a quick wave, Peter Caine drew the stripper to the object of the celebration. Dropping down on both knees, Candy positioned her hips at Kermit Griffin's face level. Intent on turning his frown upside down.

After a couple of minutes, it became perfectly clear that she wasn't going anywhere. He flinched when the woman brazenly ran her fingers through his hair and continued to bump into his cheek. Finally, he looked up in self defense. *Savannah would have a fit,* he thought getting a full view of Candy's two most prominent features. *Well,* he pondered into her transparent panties made of what appeared to be fruit roll-ups, *I can't hurt the poor woman's feelings,* then he quickly slipped a five into the side of her pointless garment and refocused on his drink.

"ALL RIGHT!!" crowed T.J., as he gave Candy his last five for another close encounter.

"One more, please," Kermit instructed the waitress as he began to let his building amusement overshadow his nerves.

*****

"What did Savannah say when she found out?" Wolf had visions of a hysterical Southern-style fit. When he received no answer, he pressed, "She DID find out, didn't she?"

"Hell, no," Kermit replied flatly, "and she better not." Satisfied that he'd provided the needed distraction, he stood up and patted the actor on the shoulder. "Let's get some sleep. We need to be sharp tomorrow."

Wolf nodded and went to the other suite. To lie awake and wait.

*****

"Excuse me, ladies," Tim eased a tentative foot through the bedroom door. The uneasy kidnapper held a tray with two plates and wore such a woeful expression that both women couldn't help but feel sorry for him. "Brought you some dinner."

"None for me, thanks," Savannah responded quickly.

Tim's already drooping expression took a further turn southward. "Please eat something. I'm really sorry 'bout before. And it would really hurt Carrie's feelings if you didn't eat."

"Well," Nicki returned irritably, "we certainly shouldn't hurt the gun moll's feelings!"

Covering the barb with sugar, Savannah smiled as Tim plopped down on the bed across from them. "Of course, we don't want that." Inclining her head toward her fellow inmate, Savannah said, "She gets cranky when she's hungry."

Glaring at Savannah in disbelief at her accommodating behavior, Nicki wriggled her wrists beneath the restraints and said, "Unless I can suck that through a straw, you'll just have to untie my hands."

Tim puzzled silently for a moment, then beamed with a solution. "I'll just have to feed you then!" He moved over to sit before a rapidly angering Nicole Harrison.

"No, damm--" Nicki's razor-sharp protest was cut short by a pleading look from the other woman. *What?!* she thought at Savannah. Of course, Savannah could not tell her but she had no wish to be fed like a helpless baby. Still, Savannah was nodding her head encouragingly and Nicki sighed.

"Open up," Tim cheerfully ordered in a tone befitting a two-year-old being coaxed into cleaning her plate. Nicki obeyed and accepted a mouthful of mashed potatoes.

Now, Savannah had her opening. "Tim, please tell us what happened. I don't think you just selected Wolf at random for extortion. From what Carrie says, you have some sort of disagreement with him. Please tell us what it is."

Tim looked somewhat shameful as he stared down at the plate. "We're just trying to get what he owes us, ma'am. It's not like we're stealing or anything."

"You don't seem like the type for stealing or kidnapping, Tim." Savannah continued her gentle inquiry as Tim occupied his unwilling dinner guest with string beans. "What does he owe you for, anyway?"

Smiling, Tim's thoughts seemed to wander into unrelated territory. "I never woulda thought my stories were worth anything until Carrie read 'em. Seems like I've always written down my ideas for t.v. shows and movies and stuff. Just for fun, ya know? Anyway, one day, Carrie started readin' some of my ideas and just went nuts. Said they were better than most of the stuff we paid to see at the movies and I should do more."

"So, you write, Tim? That's great! What kind of stories?" Savannah knew they were close to the answer. If she could just keep him talking....

"Tim! Stop talking to them!" Carrie snapped through the door. Softening slightly as she peeked inside, she said, "We agreed not to get too involved, remember?" The door clicked shut again.

"Finished?" Tim asked his prisoner and she nodded in reply. Turning to Savannah, he said, "Your turn."

"Oh no. Really," Savannah grinned as she took a chance at a friendly dig, "gotta fit into my wedding gown, don't I?"

"MY wedding gown!" Nicki shot back in reply.

Tim simply shook his head in confusion and left them to their arguing. "I'm sure there was a point to that little conversation. Mind sharing?" Nicki batted her eyes in mock attention. "And, Savannah, you really should eat something!"

"If we can find out what happened, maybe we can resolve it and get out of here before somebody gets hurt. Us or them." Savannah was concerned about them all. This situation could easily get out of control.

"They just don't seem dangerous to me, Savannah. Just greedy and stupid. Not necessarily in that order. Wolf has to deal with people trying to scam him for money all the time. That's why I have his money protected by such a maze of access decoys." Nicki couldn't help but feel a stab of guilt at the panic Wolf must be in as he struggled to get his hands on the ransom money. She didn't know what they were going to do to get the money.

"Nicki, they don't seem to be the type of people who would go through this risk if they didn't genuinely feel they had something coming to them. Don't you want to know what it is?"

The wariness Nicki had cultivated since she began her experience in Hollywood began to fade a bit. She had to admit that her gut feelings were telling her that there was a story here. A reason beyond cash. "Yes, I want to know as badly as you do but looks like we'll have to wait."

After a few moments of silence, Nicki began to notice Savannah fidgeting in her chair. She didn't overtly struggle against the ropes but the usually soft body language she exuded was beginning to stiffen. As it had hours ago before her outburst at being tied up the first time. Whatever memories this brought to mind, they were obviously torturous and her friend needed a distraction.

But what? Staring over at her increasingly-tense companion's twisting hand, Nicki remembered something she'd been curious about. "What happened to your hand?"

Staring down at the now-healing stitches over her palm, Savannah replied shakily, "Matchmaking injury."

"What? Somebody fought back?" Nicki laughed, trying to garner one in return.

"Yes." A small grin. "Peter and Jody aren't nearly as easy as you and Wolf."

Silence, then more twisting.

Nicki bit her lip slightly, worried that if she kept that up, her wound might pay the price. *Come on, Nicki,* she thought, *Come up with something requiring a list. She likes lists.* The lightbulb came on and she changed the topic. "So, Savannah," Nicki began lightly, "since we have all this time on our hands, do you want to talk about the plans?"

"Sure," came the shaky reply as Savannah wriggled her knee nervously and assembled the effort to refocus her attention. After a few minutes of covering the mental checklists of items needed for the small ceremony and reception, she began to visibly relax.

"That should just about cover this production, don't you think?" Nicki was relieved that she'd been able to offer a diversion, even though details of the wedding had tended to increase her own uncertainty.

"You forgot the most important thing," Savannah corrected, eyes twinkling and dimples shining.

"What?"

"Bachelorette party!" she shouted in response.

This ritual of matrimony was one Nicole Harrison thought she would escape since all parties involved were well past college age shenanigans. "You've got to be kidding," she replied in disgust, rolling her eyes at her grinning companion.

"Oh, Nicki..." Savannah groaned at the futile protest, "I felt the same way but it was fun. At least you're not six months pregnant! You'll have a great time." She winked knowingly and added, "Trust me."

"Famous last words," Nicki mocked and grinned back at her. "I suppose you *trusted* your friends and had a good time?"

Giggling quietly, Savannah answered, "Oh yeah...."

*****

"And this one is a special gift from the only other woman on the planet who can deal with your intended," Jody handed Savannah one more gift to open. The floor was littered with paper and presents from all of the ladies in attendance.

Marilyn sat on the sofa behind her soon-to-be sister-in-law and tenderly patted her shoulder. "You have no idea how I had to scramble to get this in one week, Savannah. At least you and Kermit have allowed me three months to plan for my new niece or nephew."

"And there's no way we could have put all this together without you, sugar," Savannah answered, and ripped through the floral paper surrounding her gift. Stifling a gasp, she lovingly pulled out a white satin nightgown. Obviously handmade, the gown was designed with thin spaghetti straps, a plunging neckline, and a generous cut to accommodate a swollen tummy. "Oh, Marilyn....it's beautiful..." Her gratitude was cut short by threatening tears.

Giving her an affectionate squeeze, Marilyn laughed, "Oh no! None of that, now. You're going to be a beautiful bride and you deserve something glorious for your wedding night."

Mary Margaret crouched down before her friend. She'd hosted this party at her home to keep an eye on Savannah and keep her away from Kermit the night before their wedding. Most other conventions had been through out the window for this couple but this was one tradition the women of the 101st wouldn't let them ignore.

Resting a protective hand on Savannah's round belly, Mary Margaret exhibited an almost maternal concern. "Hey, no tears, okay? In fact, I'm a little worried about you. With all this excitement in your condition."

Wiping away the unshed tears, Savannah scoffed at the look on her friends face. "Good grief, Mary! Just because I'm one big tearful raging hormone doesn't mean I'm about to pop. Relax."

The hostess shook her head. "No, I am worried about you. Kermit would never forgive me if anything happened to you here in my home so I asked a friend of mine to stop by and check you out."

Jody immediately got up and went to the front door.

"That's not necessary," Savannah protested. "I'm fine." *Nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof, but fine,* she thought, privately.

As Jody opened the door, Mary Margaret continued, undaunted. "No, Dr. Jake is thoroughly trained and I won't feel comfortable until he gives you the once-over."

A tall, blonde haired man walked confidently through the entrance. Dressed in a white lab coat over blue scrubs, he exuded professionalism and caring. "Is this our expectant mommy here?" He knelt down on one knee in front of his reluctant patient and immediately began to review her vital signs.

"Doctor, this isn't necessary. These nervous Nellies just dragged you over here for nothin'." Savannah couldn't help but notice that the young doctor was quite handsome. Maybe she could fix him up with one of her single friends.

"Oh, you just let me be the judge of that, ma'am." He continued to check her pulse, gaze deeply into her eyes, then lightly press a stethoscope to her chest. "Breathe please. Deeply. Thank you." The doctor leaned back and affectionately patted her knee.

"Well? How is she, doctor?" Jody asked, with such a deadpan expression as to be suspicious. "She doesn't seem to be breathing heavy enough."

"I'm fine!" Savannah was beginning to feel smothered by all of their fussing over her when she was perfectly healthy.

"That you are," replied Dr. Jake with a gleeful leer. "In fact," he began to slide out of his white coat, "you're the hottest babe in here!"

On cue, Mary Margaret thumped on the power to the jam box in the corner. Much to the shocked expression of their guest of honor, Dr. Jake leapt onto the coffee table and quickly divested himself of his scrubs to reveal abbreviated underpants and the buff physique of an exotic dancer.

"OH MY GOD!! MARY!!" Savannah clamped her hands to her cheeks to hide the violent blush Dr. Jake's ample attributes evoked.

Dr. Jake girated and bumped his way around the room to the pounding rhythm of "It's Raining Men" as the women in attendance hooted and roared in response.

Nearly breathless with laughter, Jody and Marilyn leaned over Savannah's shoulders as she giggled and blushed harder. "Hey, he could manage my care anytime!" Jody whispered into her ear and moaned in approval as Dr. Jake accepted several dollar bills into his costume.

"You're AWFUL! I can't believe you did this!" Savannah shook her head, never taking her eyes off the muscular entertainment. "Kermit would have a cow if he found out about this!"

"Oh, puhleeeeez, Savannah!" Mary Margaret howled as she gifted Dr. Jake with a bill and received a warm squeeze in return. "What do you think those guys are out doing tonight? Bonding and sharing at some coffee house?"

"Oh, Mary," Savannah rolled her eyes then smiled warmly as Dr. Jake winked at her with his bright blue eyes, "if you're insinuating that Kermit Griffin is out at some strip club, crammin' dollars in some strange woman's panties, then you just don't know him." Biting her lip as Dr. Jake did a quick turn before the crowd, she concluded with adamant conviction, "He is much too refined to be involved in something so common."

"Unlike us, right?" commented Jody, offering her gift to Dr. Jake.

"That's right," Savannah giggled and finally paid her dollar's worth of tribute to Dr. Jake and dissolved into hysterical laughter with the rest of the audience.

*****

Nicole was also laughing hysterically by the end of the story. "YOU??! With a male stripper??!!"

"Exotic dancer," Savannah corrected primly.

"What did Kermit say when he found out?" To Savannah's silence, she added, "He did find out, didn't he?"

"Goodness, no! And you'd better not tell or there's no tellin' what I'll arrange for your entertainment." Savannah winked and smiled, grateful for the momentary distraction.

"My lips are sealed, my friend."

Shaking her head, Savannah replied, "He wouldn't believe you, anyway."

"Still, I don't want you to go to too much fuss for me," Nicki mentioned again, her voice trailing off thoughtfully.

Savannah glanced at her sharply. There was just something in her tone. "Nicki, what's the matter?"

"Nothing," Nicki smiled her reassurance.

"Sugar," Savannah retorted, "you may be able to wind Wolf around your little finger with your tact and misdirections but that won't wash with me! Please tell me...."

Nicki sighed. "I just don't know if...I'm not sure that...."

"You don't want to marry Wolf?"

"NO!" Nicki protested. "I do want to marry him! It's just that...well, Savannah, Wolf is very different away from the spotlight. It's like he has two different sides to his personality. I adore his private side; he's warm, affectionate, loving, caring. But his public side...there's enough of him in there to make me love him there too, but I'm not a public person." She shook her head at her jumbled explanation. "I just have cold feet. I guess I shouldn't have fallen in love with an actor."

Savannah, watching her friend worriedly, wondered if that was all it was.

Part 1   Part 2   Part 3   Part 4   Part 5

Back to serie's index      Back to Story index