Emily's Short Sims Stories

Notice

2009-07-15T11:39:00.000-07:00

At this time, this blog will no longer be updated, to read my short stories, click --> here. Or use the link on the right.

Thanks to everyone who has read and/or commented!

Kingdom of Varuna Bonus

2009-07-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Fenia: Well, what are we going to do with him now? Just letting him sit there and flap his lips is not good enough for me!

*Everyone nods in agreement*
Vulterian: Gone, gone, it's all gone! Waaaaahhhh! *flap, flap, dribble, dribble*

Seth: Hey, I have an idea...

Others together: What?!
Seth: *whistles* Hey guys, wanna have some fun?
*A little rope and some patience later*

Seth: Now hold still...this will only hurt a little. Well, maybe not! Ha ha!
Vulterian: I'll get you for this human! Somehow! *sob*

Seth: Uh huh, well until you do...hiyah!

*Horses take off*
Vulterian: Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!

*Ooooohhh, that's gotta hurt!*

Clue~Part 4

2009-07-13T08:05:00.000-07:00

~Clue and all names or characters are a registered trademark of Hasbro, storyline follows the 1985 movie Clue, however, this is a work of fiction and as such may have variations in storyline or characters.~

Mrs. White continued to scream in the dark master bedroom, still unable to find her assigned partner Wadsworth. "Ah, help me! Wadsworth, where are you?!"Wadsworth was having quite a time trying to locate the door to the room he had gotten inside somehow. He had opened one door already, thinking it was the exit. "What's this, another door?" he said, reaching for what felt like a doorknob.

He turned the knob and instantly felt something cold hit his chest.

*squish, squish, squish*

Back outside, Mrs. Peacock was still trying to locate Professor Plum after noticing she couldn't hear his incessant singing anymore. It had begun to rain again and being outside in the dark, cool night was beginning to frighten her.

"Oh Professor, where have you gone?" she whispered to herself, wringing her hands nervously. At least she had some company before, even if she had to listen to the horrible attempt at a melody. Being alone however, was nearly unbearable.
Professor Plum surprised her from around one of the dimly lit corners of the large house.

"Goodness, you startled me! Where did you disappear to, the lights were out inside!" she exclaimed, drawing her hands back instinctively.

"Yes, I noticed that, we had better get in there to see if something happened. And I was just checking out the rest of the gardens, making sure we were the only two out here." he replied uneasily. He was acting decidedly different from the sniveling coward she was partnered with earlier.

Mrs. Peacock noted the change in character and followed him inside, making sure she kept her distance behind him.
They came upon the rest of the guests in the hall, each and every one looking nervously about at the other.

"Is everyone all right? We saw the electricity go out..." Peacock asked, searching the faces for a reaction. Each guest was fairly well experienced in the art of deception, consequently she found no hint as to what happened.

"Yes we're all fine, everyone accounted for. Although I wonder who switched off the electricity. The murderer perhaps?" Wadsworth speculated. He knew it wasn't him, he had been stuck inside the shower, fumbling for an escape.

"Perhaps, I believe we all got separated from our partners though, so how could we be sure it wasn't one of us?" Green proposed, gaining nods from some of the guests. Others remained silent and kept to themselves.

A wave of panic swept through the hall as they all heard the doorbell ring. Looks of fear, shock and horror crossed a number of faces, yet Mr. Green smirked. "I'm going to open it," he said, heading for the door.

"Why?" Miss Scarlet exclaimed frantically, holding her hands to the sides of her head. She had deduced that he was borderline insane but now, she was certain of it.

"I have nothing to hide, I didn't do it!" he replied, as he approached the door, and opened it.
They all nearly held their breath as the stranger stepped into the hall, the corpse of Mr. Boddy still fresh in their minds, hidden only behind a single door into the lounge.

"Good evening sir, I'm Inspector Brown."

"Pleased to meet you." Mr. Green said, shaking the man's hand warmly. The other guests looked at the stranger even more nervously, Inspector? Surely they were doomed now!

He smiled back at Green's greeting and surveyed the room with interest. Eying Miss Scarlet, he walked up to her slowly, looking her up and down suspiciously.
Her stomach in knots, Scarlet tried to be as polite and normal as she could, the knowledge of the proximity of Mr. Boddy fresh in her mind as the Inspector asked her all sorts of questions. The last one snapped her back into their conversation quickly. "I'm looking for a man called Professor Plum, have you seen him, he was supposed to be here tonight."

Scarlet looked anxiously over at Plum who was standing beside Yvette and the look on his face gave it all away, he knew he was caught. Removing his glasses and placing them in his suit coat pocket, everyone gasped when he revealed the gun Mr. Boddy had given him earlier that evening. He turned to Yvette and pointed it directly at her.
"Wh-what are you doing?" she asked, her hands placed defensively up to her chest. "I thought we were going to go away together!"

"Well not anymore obviously! You turned me in, I know it! Why else would a cop show up here asking for my alias, no one else knew what it was Yvette!"

"That's not true! Wadsworth knew it!" she retorted as the guests all watched the scene in horror, Wadsworth covered his eyes as he thought the gun would turn on him next.
"I know it was you, that fool Boddy thought I didn't know about you two, that's why I had to get rid of him! He was stealing you away from me! I missed the first time in the lounge, but in the end that candlestick did the trick!" Plum continued raving, waving the gun around in her face.

"I-I'm so sorry, I couldn't think of a way to tell you it was over! But you didn't have to kill him! We were in love and going to be rich beyond our wildest dreams from all that blackmail money!" Yvette sobbed, as the room's atmosphere became tense. Now they knew Yvette was involved as well.
As Plum and Yvette's argument escalated, Mr. Green stood with his arms crossed, waiting for someone to make a move. Wadsworth watched cringing, as guns had always made him incredibly nervous.
"Oh, can't you forgive me? I still have some of the money, we can split it!" Yvette schmoozed, playing every last, desperate card she had.

"No! You two played me for all it was worth, I will never forgive you!" Plum yelled, aiming the gun at her chest.
Inspector Brown crouched into a shooting position and whipped out his revolver, as well did Mr. Green. The two of them aimed at Professor Plum with precision, serious looks upon their faces.

"You don't want to do that, Plum. Put down your weapon." Brown said, his finger on the trigger of his gun.
Plum looked from one man to the other, weighing his options. He sighed heavily and knew he could not win, one way or the other, someone has to lose. He dropped the gun to his side and Inspector Brown was up in a flash, taking it from him.
Mr. Green helped Brown arrest the pair. "I suppose you are still a Detective then?" Plum spat, his arms being pulled behind his back.

"You got it, Detective Green, sworn to do my duty no matter what." he replied, cuffing Yvette, who was unusually silent. She had given herself away and no mistake.

Green helped Inspector Brown take them away, hefty charges awaiting them both. He went back inside to the hall where they all waited anxiously.
"So what happens to the rest of us, we didn't commit murder but we've all done some horrid things." Mrs. White said, the others nodding their heads in agreement. Since Green was a cop and had heard all their dirty little secrets, he could run them all in right then and there.
"I'll see to it that if you all agree to cease any illegal activity, no one will pursue an arrest." he looked over at Miss Scarlet, eager to spend more time with her if she would have it.
"I told you I didn't do it." he said, wagging his eyebrows playfully.

She smiled back at him warmly.

~The End~
*Bonus cut below, see comment for explanation*
Wadsworth: Not so fast Miss Scarlet, I do have a secret or two.

Scarlet: Oh yeah, such as?

Wadsworth: The game's up Scarlet, there are no more bullets left in that gun.

Scarlet: Oh come on, you don't think I'm gonna fall for that old trick.

Wadsworth: It's not a trick, there was one shot at Mr. Boddy in the study, two for the chandelier, two at the lounge door and one for the singing telegram.

Scarlet: That's not six.

Wadsworth: One plus two, plus two, plus one.

Scarlet: Huh uh, it was only one shot that got the chandelier, that's one plus two, plus one, plus one.

Wadsworth: Even if you are right, that would be one plus one, plus two, plus one, not one plus two, plus one, plus one.

Scarlet: Okay fine, one plus two, plus one...

Scarlet: ...SHUT UP! Point is, there is one bullet left in this gun and guess who's gonna get it?!

"Cut! That was great Scarlet, one more time and we wrap for the day, take five everyone!"
"It's about time, I'm starving!" Brown said, gazing up at the ceiling like it would understand.

Words of agreement could be heard around the room, and something about an irritating director that takes way too long to get things done...

Clue~Part 3

2009-05-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

~Clue and all names or characters are a registered trademark of Hasbro, storyline follows the 1985 movie Clue, however, this is a work of fiction and as such may have variations in storyline or characters.~

"Do you really think that now is the best time to be drinking?" Scarlet asked, tapping her foot impatiently.

"Of course, my dear Miss Scarlet, we could all be dead after tonight. Why not have a little fun in the process?" Mr. Green replied, fumbling around the glasses stacked in the bar.

She eyed him suspiciously as he poured himself a glass of who knows what and making his way across the room, he began to drink.

"Sure you don't want one?" he asked, flashing a devastating smile.

"Either you're crazy or you're the killer. You aren't afraid of dying?"

Green looked around for a moment, contemplating an answer. "Maybe I'm both." he said finally, wagging his eyebrows playfully. "And no, I'm not afraid, I pity anyone who even tries to go after me."

"You're strange, I'll give you that."

Green nodded in agreement and grinning, tipped the glass, finishing off the mystery liquor.

"I have to say, I'm a little nervous looking around out here. It stands to reason that outside the house is the best place to stay hidden. If they are even still here. For all we know, they may have escaped completely by now." Professor Plum said with a nervous twitch of his nose. He compulsively took off his glasses and rubbed the lenses with the edge of his suit coat.

Mrs. Peacock regarded him thoughtfully, amused and a bit nervous at the fact that he was so nervous. After all, he was the man of the pair, shouldn't she be the one that was more afraid of searching the dark, ominous gardens?

"Yes, well, let's just hope that is our luck and they are not out here. Shall we?" she proposed, pointing to the side of the large house that lead to the rear gardens.

Professor Plum took in a deep breath and led the way around the corner.

"W-well, th-this isn't s-so bad. It's actually very n-nice out h-here." he stuttered, admiring the small waterfall pouring into the pool.

Mrs. Peacock rolled her eyes and wished for another partner. Perhaps that Mr. Green fellow, he seemed like a strong, non-wimpering kind of man.

Just my luck, stuck outside with Barney Fife. Hope no one hands him a gun. She thought to herself, bored by the waterfall.

"I hope you don't mind, but when I'm frightened, I sing. Is that okay with you?" Plum asked, wringing his hands frantically.

"Of course, sing all you want. I'll just, uh, check out those bushes over there." Peacock replied, jumping at the chance to get away from the sniveling Professor.

With her permission, he busted out in song. "Is it any wonder I'm not a criminal? Is it any wonder I'm not in jail! Is it any wonder I've got-too much time on my hands..."

Mrs. Peacock groaned with agony at his tone deaf melody and headed for the other end of the garden, poste haste.

"It's ticking away with my sanity, I've got too much time on my hands, it's hard to believe such a calamity! I've got too much time on my hands and it's ticking away, ticking awaaaaay from me!"

"Mon Dieur, it is so dark up here, I am frightened!" Yvette exclaimed.

"Don't worry my dear, I'll protect you." Colonel Mustard said, surveying the dusty attic.

She looked back at him with suspicion and began to walk around, wringing her hands nervously, looking at all the unwanted furniture and discarded boxes.

As Colonel Mustard opened up an old armoire, expecting to find the murderer hiding amongst the old coats and sweaters, Yvette startled him with a high pitched shreik.

"What, what is it?!" he exclaimed, turning away from the cabinet.

She held a hand over her chest dramatically and started breathing normally again. "Sorry, it was just a mouse."

Mustard sighed with annoyance and closed back the armoire.

Meanwhile in the master bedroom, Mrs. White was clinging to Wadsworth's arm tightly.

"Oh, I'm so scared, I'm glad you are here to protect me!" she said, shaking with fear.

"Please madam, control yourself. I am not here to protect you, we are trying to find this murderer. Now, if you'll excuse me." he replied, sliding out from her grasp. He fumbled around and finally found the light switch.

"No one's here." Wadsworth declared, entirely disappointed. He desperately wanted to find this person and turn them over to the police before they killed again.

"No one but us." Mrs. White said, admiring the glint of silver in Wadsworth's hair that caught the light.

Observing the conservatory, Miss Scarlet and Mr. Green found it to be empty. Only the sound of the small fountain echoed through the room. Miss Scarlet looked around the large room and a bookcase caught her eye.

"This is an odd place for a book shelf, Mr. Boddy must have been quite an avid reader." she said, admiring the many notable authors named on the spines of the books.

"Like take this one for instance, he has only written about physics and other highly intelligent topics..." Scarlet said, pulling the book halfway off the shelf. When she tried to remove the book completely, the bookcase opened up into the room, revealing a dark passageway beyond.

"Look, a secret passage!" she exclaimed as Mr. Green came up behind her.

"Let's see where it leads." he replied anxiously, going through the small doorway first. Miss Scarlet followed behind him nervously.

The bookcase closed behind them and Mr. Green peered into the dimly lit passage. "There's a corner up ahead, I guess we have no choice but to go forward now."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Miss Scarlet asked, instantly getting a chill.

"No, but someone had to point out the cliché. I'll go first, I've had a good life."

The passage led them to the other side of the fireplace in the lounge. It opened up into the room, same as the bookcase, and they ducked through the small opening.

"This is incredible, it still functions as a real fireplace somehow." Green said, examining the fireplace.

"This must be how someone was able to get around without being seen. I wonder how many other passages there are in this house." Scarlet thought aloud, as she looked down at Mr. Green, secretly wondering if he had been that particular someone.

They both stood up and surveyed the lounge, both impressed by the diverse collection of rare trinkets on display. Most intruiging was a Nefertiti bust.

"This is beautiful!" Scarlet exclaimed, admiring the intricate details.

Mr. Green smiled at her with interest. He found her to be quite charming, in an earnest sort of way, despite the flashy attire she was wearing and confidant attitude she was trying very hard to display.

They exited the lounge upon finding no one and returned to the hall. Miss Scarlet headed into the dining room and suddenly, the lights went out all over the house.

"Aaahhh! Wadsworth?! Wh-where are y-you?!"

"Mr. Green?! Are you in here?! Where are you?!"

Yvette gasped as she felt a hand around her waist and another around her neck. She could feel the strong presence of a man behind her, her heart pounding in her chest.

"What took you so long?"

"I had to wait for the right moment, I couldn't risk being seen! We had better get out of here before someone catches us!"

"Don't worry mon amour, they aren't going to get the chance to turn us in."

"Oh Professor Plum, the lights have gone out inside! Pro-Professor Plum?"

Clue~Part 2

2009-03-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

~Clue and all names or characters are a registered trademark of Hasbro, storyline follows the 1985 movie Clue, however, this is a work of fiction and as such may have variations in storyline or characters.~

The room fell quiet as everyone looked to see Mr. Boddy laying dead on the floor. Professor Plum and Mrs. Peacock looked down in horror at his still form and the others around the room began to panic.

"He's dead? Who had the gun anyway? It was you, Professor Plum!" Mr. Green accused.

"I didn't shoot him!" he shrieked defensively.

"Well if you didn't shoot him, who did?" Mrs. White spat from across the room, pointing a finger in his direction.

"I don't know! Someone tried to grab the gun from me and it went off, I swear!"

Mrs. Peacock studied Mr. Boddy's form closer and noticed something strange.

"He wasn't shot, there's no gunshot wound!" she exclaimed.

"Oh this is terrible!" cried Miss Scarlet, holding her hands over her face.

"Well how did he die then?" Colonel Mustard asked.

Wadsworth began to panic as he realized what this new turn of events meant. "I don't know how he died but we need to figure it out! I alerted the police and was going to turn Mr. Boddy over to them and they should be here in about forty five minutes!" he said, causing the room to explode into an uproar.

"We can't have them come here now!" Mrs. Peacock said, holding a hand to her chest.

Mr. Green crossed the room to examine Mr. Boddy closely. "How can we possibly figure out which of you did it?"

"What do you mean which of you did it?" Professor Plum asked hotly.

"Well, I didn't do it!" Mr. Green exclaimed as the they all heard someone scream outside the room.

They all ran out to the billiard room where Yvette was alone, looking quite terrified.

"What? What is it?!" Miss Scarlet asked.

"I saw someone run down the hallway!" Yvette cried as she leaned against the pool table.

Miss Scarlet regarded her with a look of compassion as she said, "Come back to the study with us."

Yvette began to breathe easier and followed them back into the hall.

Wadsworth and Scarlet stopped in the doorway to the study, staring at an empty floor where Mr. Boddy was.

"What are you all staring at?" Mrs. Peacock asked from the hall.

"Nothing." Wadsworth said.

"Well, who's there?" she asked again.

"Nobody." Wadsworth replied.

"What do you mean?!" Mrs. Peacock said impatiently.

"No body, Mr. Boddy's body, it's gone!" Wadsworth exclaimed as the rest of the guests filtered into the room.

They all stared in disbelief at the empty floor.

"Well, he couldn't have been dead." Miss Scarlet said, shaking her head. "If you'll excuse me, I'm just going to use the rest room." she said, going out into the hall as the others looked around the study for the mysterious Mr. Boddy.

A few moments later as Miss Scarlet was opening the door to the hall bathroom, Mr. Boddy fell from the doorway and nearly knocked her over. She screamed in horror and the others came running from the study.

"What happened?" Mr. Green asked as Scarlet tried to calm herself.

"He fell out of the bathroom doorway, someone must have dragged him here." she said, eyeing the suspicious guests.

"Well he's certainly dead now." Wadsworth said, putting a hand to his mouth. The evening had taken a completely different turn from what he had originally expected.

"Let's take him back to the study and try to figure out this mess." Mr. Green suggested as he and Wadsworth took one end of Mr. Boddy's body."

They put Mr. Boddy on the sofa in the study and looked around at each other, wondering what to do next.

"We have to find out who did this before the police arrive or we'll all be in trouble, everyone had a motive to kill him." Wadsworth broke the silence.

"Great, we'll all go to the chair!" Miss Scarlet said sarcastically.

"Maybe it wasn't one of us?" Mr. Green suggested.

"Of course it wasn't one of us! It had to be that person that Yvette saw in the hallway, we should split up and find them." Colonel Mustard proposed. "What did they look like, Yvette?" he asked.

"I am not really sure, monsieur. They were running very fast and I was frightened but I believe it was a man." she said, a worried expression coming to her face.

"Well, we need to find them before the police get here. We don't have much time so we should split up into pairs." Mustard said, making everyone extremely nervous.

"Pairs? Suppose one of us is the killer and one of us gets killed?" Professor Plum said excitedly.

"Then we would have discovered who the murderer is!" Mustard exclaimed. "What other choice do we have?"

"None." Miss Scarlet said flatly as they all agreed that Colonel Mustard was right.

They all divided themselves up into pairs and Wadworth suggested where in the house they all begin searching.

"Miss Scarlet and Mr. Green, you search the ground floor and please do be careful." Wadsworth said as Mrs. White, his partner, followed closely behind him.

Scarlet and Green regarded each other suspiciously as the others followed Wadsworth's lead.

"Mrs. White and I will search the upstairs bedrooms and Yvette, you and Colonel Mustard will take the attic. I assume no one is stupid enough to try and leave or they would be announcing themselves as the killer, so Professor Plum and Mrs. Peacock, if you would search the gardens." Wadsworth instructed as Mrs. White headed upstairs.

Clue~Part 1

2009-03-04T14:17:00.001-08:00

"Was there anything else I need to do before setting up drinks in the library, monsieur?"

"Yes, please make sure all the windows are closed, it looks like there will be a downpour in a few minutes. Thank you, Yvette."

She nodded and sauntered away towards the ballroom, where a slight breeze was flirting with the curtains that lined the large windows.

"Good evening Colonel Mustard, I am Wadsworth, welcome to Tudor Manor."

"How do you know who I am and why the odd reference to a board game?"

"My employer is quite eccentric, he thought it would be fitting for this evening but that's all I was told. He also left me photographs of all the guests as to be able to greet them properly. Well, if you'll just follow me, sir."

"Yvette, this is Colonel Mustard. Please make ready the champagne." Wadsworth said, returning to the hall.

"Oui, monsieur."

"Ah, Miss Scarlet. Welcome, I am Wadsworth and I welcome you to Tudor Manor."

"Thank you but I really don't understand what this is all about. Perhaps you could explain further, the letter I received was somewhat vague."

Wadsworth cleared his throat and glanced around the room nervously. "Yes well, I believe my employer will explain everything once he arrives. In the meantime, please follow me to the library for some refreshment."

"Good evening, I don't know if I'm in the right place..."

Wadsworth extended his hand warmly, "Of course, Mr. Green I presume. Welcome sir, if you'll just follow me."

Mr. Green followed him to the library where he took in the scene with interest. A man with a hardset jaw and crew cut was studying the bookshelves, a rather attractive woman in a red dress sat gracefully on a velvet sofa and a maid in a skimpy outfit stood waiting to offer him a drink. Interesting. He thought to himself.

The library door opened again and Wadsworth entered with yet another guest. "May I present Mrs. Peacock." He said, once again returning to his post in the hall.

Mrs. Peacock stood arrogantly among the guests, one hand on her hip. "A pleasure." She said with bravado, eyes shifting to each different face.

"Mrs. White, how good of you to come. Welcome, if you'll just follow me, please." Wadsworth said, clearly getting tired of spouting the same old greetings.

Mrs. White leaned in closer to him, raising her eyebrows with interest.

"Well, I couldn't resist now could I? Is this Mr. Boddy character as handsome as you are?"

Wadsworth fanned his face as he felt the temperature in the room raise considerably. "I um...uh, if you'll follow me please." He said, turning on his heel, leaving her quite disappointed.

"This is Mrs. White." Wadsworth said quickly as he heard the doorbell ring again, glad to have an excuse to exit the room as Mrs. White gave him another seductive look.

The other guests regarded her quietly, wondering who she was and why she was here. The same questions were going through all their minds about everyone else.

"Hello, I'm supposed to meet a Mr. Boddy?" Professor Plum said nervously as he extended his hand.

"Yes sir, you are expected. If you'll follow me." Wadsworth sighed, glad to say that for the last time.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Professor Plum."

The professor looked around at the other guests suspiciously as he took off his glasses and absently rubbed one of the lenses.

Miss Scarlet approached Wadsworth with an aggravated look. "Where is our host and how long do you expect us to sit in here? What is this whole party all about anyway?" She said irritably as Mrs. White looked on in amusement.

"If you please madam, the last guest has arrived and it is time for dinner. Would you all be so kind to follow me to the dining room, your host will be along shortly." Wadsworth beamed, avoiding most of her questions.

Miss Scarlet huffed in response and she followed him into the hall along with the other guests.

They all took a seat at the large dining table and Wadsworth made his way into the kitchen, leaving the guests in an uneasy silence.

"Am I the only one who finds this a little odd? Why won't anyone really explain why we were invited here?" Miss Scarlet spoke up, breaking the silence.

Everyone looked around at each other but no one seemed anxious to answer.

Mr. Green finally turned in his seat to face her, "Sure I think it's odd but I'm going to make the most of it and enjoy myself. I mean, I know what I'm doing here but as for the rest of you, who knows. I find this kind of situation very mysterious and interesting, don't you Miss Scarlet?"

Scarlet turned back away and avoided the question.

"How soon until dinner's ready, I'm afraid the polite conversation will not last. They are getting anxious and not that I can really blame them, I still think this little so called party was a bad idea." Wadsworth said as Yvette busily cooked some steaks.

"A few more minutes and it will be ready, monsieur." She replied, adding some more seasoning to the pan.

Satisfied, Wadsworth returned to the dining room with a bottle of champagne.

"I think the real question is who is this Mr. Boddy character anyway? I have certainly never met him or even heard of him yet he invites me to a dinner party and then he isn't even here." Mrs. White said as Yvette entered the room with the hot dinner plates.

"I agree that's odd, where is Mr. Boddy? Do you know Yvette?" Mr. Green asked as she set down a plate.

"No monsieur, I was not told when he would arrive, only to serve dinner."

"Well, let's start while it's still hot." Professor Plum exclaimed as Yvette finished handing out the plates.

The other guests stared back at him in disbelief as no one else had much of an appetite.

"I see I've missed dinner. No harm done, Wadsworth will you be kind enough to escort everyone to the study, I believe they will be anxious to know why they have been invited here." A cool voice said from the doorway.

Everyone turned to look at him, assuming they had just met Mr. Boddy.

"Certainly sir, as you wish. This way ladies and gentlemen."

The satisfaction of finally meeting their host didn't last for long, the barrage of questions all started at once.

"Please calm down everyone, Wadsworth here will explain everything. If you would open the book on the desk here and read it aloud." Mr. Boddy said, retiring to a chair in the back of the room.

Wadsworth complied and found a book inside the box on a table by the window, along with everyone's photographs. He took a seat next to Professor Plum and opened the book.

He read a few lines to himself and drew in a breath, getting a sinking feeling of dread as he started to read aloud.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you all have one thing in common, you are all being blackmailed. You have been invited here to resolve the financial agreement that you have been involved in and I am instructed to reveal the intimate details of each arrangement." Wadsworth stated, gaining complete silence from the small group of guests.

"Please, I've never heard anything more ridiculous! No one could blackmail me, my life is an open book, I've never done anything wrong." Mrs. Peacock said, throwing her hands in the air.

"True as that may be, you've been paying someone to keep the press from claiming that your husband is a corrupt politician, whether it's factual or not." Wadsworth read, gaining silence from Mrs. Peacock.

"Well I am willing to believe you, I'm being blackmailed for something I didn't do." Mrs. White said irritably.

Reading ahead, Wadsworth said, "Ah yes, you're paying to keep your husband's "mysterious" death out of the papers."

"I didn't kill him," She said defensively, "But I don't want a scandal, our relationship was scrutinized by the public and they would jump at any indication that I had something to do with his death."

Mr. Green cleared his throat to interrupt. "Wadsworth, if that book has all of our secrets in it, then it must reveal who the blackmailer is. I myself would like to find that little jewel out, I too am paying for something I didn't do."

"Yes, it does say but my instructions were to finish revealing everyone's situation first. I'll continue with you if that's all right." Wadsworth replied as Green sat quietly.

"It says here that you were a detective and implicated in a multiple homicide case but it was covered up because of your accomplishments on the force and you were allowed to leave quietly with no recourse. Is that right?" Wadsworth asked, a little shocked at such an accusation.

Mr. Green nodded and tightened his jaw as Wadsworth continued.

"Professor Plum, according to this, you had an affair with one of your students but have managed to keep it a secret through a financial arrangement. Do you deny this?" Wadsworth asked quietly.

Professor Plum shook his head and sat silently in embarrassment.

Wadsworth continued around the room to the final two guests.

"Miss Scarlet, I must say I'm shocked to read your situation. I wouldn't expect a lady of your class to be involved in the largest brothel in the city."

Miss Scarlet narrowed her eyes as she said, "Yes well, we can't all be perfect. It makes a great deal of money even though it is illegal. I can't say I'm proud of it but I got involved and cannot afford to get out."

"I see." Wadsworth replied, turning to Colonel Mustard.

"Colonel, you are perhaps the most dependant on secrecy, it says here that you are the head of the biggest gang on the streets. If the police should find out about that..."

"Are you threatening me, Wadsworth?"

"No sir, merely thinking aloud. I'm afraid that's all there is." Wadsworth replied, closing the book and returning it to the desk. Mr. Boddy walked back over to stand beside Wadsworth and faced the small crowd.

"Well ladies and gentlemen, now you know why you are all here and what you have in common. If you hadn't already guessed, I am the one you have been paying to avoid exposure." Mr. Boddy said, gaining a few gasps from the guests.

"However," He continued, "I am willing to maintain your secrets under one condition. One of you must kill old Wadsworth here, he thinks I don't know that he planned on turning me over to the police tonight but I find out everything somehow."

"You must be joking!" Mrs. White exclaimed as she watched Mr. Boddy take a few packages out of a cabinet.

"I'm afraid not my dear, I never joke. The only way to avoid finding yourselves on the front pages is for one of you to kill Wadsworth." He said as he walked around the room, handing everyone a package.

Upon opening the packages, they each found a lethal weapon inside; a revolver, a wrench, a lead pipe, a rope, a dagger and a candlestick.

Mr. Boddy walked over to the door to the study and switched off the lights.

Mrs. Peacock switched the lights back on and Mr. Boddy lay on the floor. Professor Plum knelt down and placed a hand on his wrist. "He's dead!"

Part 4~The End and The Beginning

2009-01-27T06:16:00.000-08:00

Westside Slums - Gates Factory
9:45 a.m.

The next morning, T.C. quietly left his apartment and left Candy safely asleep in his bed. He arrived at the old, abandoned Gates Factory fifteen minutes early, his mind in a dreary fog of confused emotions. He slowly walked up the rusted steps and lifted up the garage style door to the factory, expecting an ambush inside.The room inside was quiet, a slight hiss from a busted pipe the only noise he could hear. He leaned up against a cold, brick column and folded his arms impatiently. He surveyed the room as he waited for Vince, or someone else for that matter. A rat scurried across the decaying floor as he tapped his foot on the brick nervously. He glanced down at his watch, 10:15. Had it really been half an hour already? Impatient and ready to move on with his life, T.C. was about to leave when he heard a side door creak open. His heart pounding in his chest, he stood up from the wall and walked around the corner to see who it was.Who he saw was both shocking and confusing all at the same time. She looked remarkably like Candy but it couldn't be...

As she slowly walked closer to him, her face became clear. It was her but what had she done to her hair and what on Earth was she wearing? "Candy?" He asked in confusion, trying to take in the message his brain was sending him as he looked her over. He desperately wanted to send the realization back to wherever it came from."W-what are you doing here? And what did you do to your hair, why are you dressed like some school marm? What is going on?" T.C. asked, the questions flooding his mind all at once. He didn't want to believe it, couldn't believe it.

She stood there and looked back at him with a level stare, her eyes not giving away any answers. He saw her heave in a breath as she spoke. "It was a wig and my name is Candice, Candice Brannigan. I'm dressed like this because I am not a dancer, I'm a, I'm..." Her voice trailed off as she looked down at the floor.

"You're what?" T.C. asked, his voice becoming on edge as he already knew the answer. "Please tell me it's not true, you didn't write me that note. Tell me it's not true!" He said, his eyes glazing over with tears as she slowly brought her eyes up to meet his."I'm afraid it is." She said, her hand shaking as he watched her pull a handgun from behind her back. "I'm a police officer David and my mission was to take you in, any way necessary." She said, her voice cracked with emotion.

The illusion of it all being a dream left his mind as he stared down at the gun in her hand. All this time, everything she had done for him, his soul, she had purified him, made love to him...was it all a lie?His brows furrowed in anger as he spat the accusations at her. "I can't believe you did this to me! I loved you, you made me want to give up this life for you! And all this time it was a lie, from that first time you walked up to me in the club you knew...it was all a sick plan to catch me. The Catch, my God, is that all I am to you?! Did you enjoy fucking me while I was pouring out my heart and soul to you in that bed?!"

His breath coming in gulps, he saw her fold her arms across her chest and watched the tears stream down her face."That isn't fair, David!" She sobbed uncontrollably, her body was quivering slightly as he looked back at her with contempt. "Don't fucking call me that, all I am is a trophy for you, so T.C. will do just fine." He growled as a pained look crossed her face. Her arms dropped to her sides as she just stared back at him with hurt."That isn't true." She whispered as he crossed his arms over his chest defensively. "Yeah right, so what happens now, you arrest me and get some big ass promotion while I rot in a cell and pine away for you the rest of my life?"

She inhaled deeply as she spoke the hardest words of her life. "No, I wasn't even supposed to be here but I couldn't do it after all. You have about five minutes before an army of police show up outside this factory, I came here to warn you. I meant what I said to you, I love you." She sighed, the tears still streaming down her cheeks. "Please go before they get here."

He looked back at her, stunned. Was she telling the truth, did it even matter to him now after what she had done to him? Against his better judgement, he let his heart decide and leaned in to kiss her as he heard the faint wail of sirens in the distance.

She put her finger to his lips as she said to him, "Go."T.C. put on his orange tinted shades and ran from the factory to his Shelby waiting faithfully for him outside. The tears trickled down his cheeks as he got in and gunned the engine. The tires squealed around the corner and he muttered something under his breath as he quickly shut off the radio that was crooning, Alone Again, Naturally.Candice wrapped her arms around herself tightly as she wiped her face that was streaked with tears. She felt empty inside, no life, no more love, just emptiness. She gasped for air as she heard the sirens get closer and finally stop outside the building where she could see the flashing blue and red lights. She took a deep breath and headed outside to face her fate.With her head held high, she walked outside as the police lights blinded her. She could make out a couple of officers crouched behind their cruisers in a shooting position and her captain standing among them. She walked up to him and noticed the confusion on his face."What's going on here Brannigan? Why are you here and where is my catch?" The captain said angrily.

"He...he got away sir. I thought it would be easier if I took him in myself since he trusted me but when I tried to arrest him, he shot at me a few times and ran outside." She said, as convincingly as possible."What?! Why did you do a stupid thing like that? I'll make sure you pay for this Brannigan, you'll be lucky if I don't find someone else who is competent to fill your position. Is that really all that happened or was there more?" He asked, a look of suspicion crossing his face."Yes, that was it. I'm going back to file my report." She said, her eyebrows crossed with worry.

Her captain watched her body language as she walked away. She was lying.

Downtown - Lovett Administration Offices
4 years later...
Candice was sitting at her desk in her small cubicle, staring out the window blankly. She had been fired from the police force after her captain learned about her real relationship with T.C. from some anonymous source and she was barely making ends meet as a secretary for a small law firm.

The ringing of the phone on her desk brought her back to reality. "Lovett administration offices, this is Candice, how may I help you?""Hello? Is someone there?" She asked impatiently as she got up to stretch. The voice on the other end increased her heart rate immensely.

"Meet me at your house in an hour, I know you have a lunch break coming up."She stared down into the phone as it beeped rhythmically after the caller had hung up. What the hell? She thought to herself as her hands started to sweat and she went to grab her purse.

Ocean View Drive - Candice's House
11:45 a.m.
Candice entered her front door warily, looking for her expected guest and found the house to be quiet. Making her way to the back of the house that overlooked the ocean, she found someone else she had been looking for.

"I thought you might be out here." She said, her heels sinking into the sand as she looked down at the man who was attempting to build a sandcastle.

"You know it's her favorite place to be and she always gets what she wants." He replied, patting down the sand.

"Still, you shouldn't let her eat this stuff, what if she got a shell or something?" She said, picking up the toddler who was shoveling sand in her mouth.Glancing back up at her house, her heart skipped a beat as she gasped aloud, immediately recognizing the form that was looking down at her.

"What's the matter?" The man asked, getting up from the sand.He noticed the stranger watching them from the house and turned to look at her. "You need me to stay?"

"No, I can handle this. I'm taking the rest of the day off anyway, so you can go on home." She said as he shrugged and walked back to the front of the house. She slowly followed behind him and make the journey up the steps to the front door.She came into her living room and the memory of the last time she saw him standing there flooded her mind. She blinked her eyes from the pain as the child on her hip clung to her tightly.

"Who was that?" He asked simply, looking back at her through those orange tinted frames.

"My brother Charles, he helps out a few times a week so I don't have to pay for day care every day."

The tiny girl yawned and looked toward the stranger's voice in her house with interest, wrapping her arms back around her mother as his mouth dropped open when he looked into her cool, blue eyes.

Candice placed her on the floor and she immediately began to play with some blocks at her small activity table.

"Her eyes...When did you think you were going to tell me?" He said softly, moving closer behind Candice. He was so close now, she could feel his warm breath on the skin of her neck. It made her knees feel weak. After all this time, he still affected her like no one else.She lifted her chin up defensively but didn't turn around to face him. "I wasn't so sure you wanted to hear from me again after what happened. I know I wouldn't have if I was you. Anyway, you disappeared, it wasn't like I could just pick up the phone."

She heard him fold up his glasses and put them in a pocket. God if she had to look him in the eye...She felt his hand on her arm tenderly turn her to face him. It was too much contact for either of them to bear.

"I'm sorry Candy...Candice. I didn't know whether you were being honest when you said you loved me after what happened. And I wasn't sure I could forgive you either. I had to get away and think things over but I have decided that I can't live without you, and now this..." He said, looking down at the girl playing contently. "What is her name?""I named her Veronica after my mother, she doesn't really know it yet so we could change it if you don't like it, she is yours after all."

"No, Veronica is beautiful."

They stood there in an awkward moment of silence, just staring back at one another, their last meeting of so long ago still fresh in each other's mind.

"Look T.C., I don't really know what to say..." Candice said as he reached up for her chin, the slightest touch sending a wave of heat through her."You could start by calling me David." He whispered as he softly kissed her lips, something he had missed tremendously these past few years.

"But you said not to call..." He cut her off and kissed her again with passion, the hurt and anger of long ago melting away slowly.

"You shouldn't listen to me, I don't know what I say half the time." He said with a smile, walking over to little Veronica who was still on the floor.He picked her up off the floor and looked into her eyes with love, they were indeed his own steely, blue eyes. She giggled as he placed his hand behind her head, holding her gently as he felt his heart melt for the second time in his life.

"She likes you." Candice smiled, looking at her daughter's joy from just being held in his arms.

"Well that good, because I love her. And I love you too, Candy." He said, putting Veronica down for a moment. "I can't make any promises, I know we have to work through what happened and I have to pay for the crimes I've done...but I can't live without you, I do know that." He said, caressing her cheek gently.

She placed her hand softly on his cheek and said, "Don't worry David, we'll figure it out somehow...together."

~*~The End~*~

Part 3~Changes

2009-01-16T06:37:00.000-08:00

West Metro - Midtown Apartments
9 p.m.

T.C. slowly ascended the spiral staircase to his floor, a sulk in his stride that he could never remember ever being there before. His head was a pounding mess, full of a thousand different emotions, most of which were new to him. He turned the key in the lock and spotted one of the reasons for the emotional turmoil in his stomach. Candy.
She was curled up on his sofa, still in his shirt that swallowed her up. The green lamp on the end table casting a soft, almost eerie glow on the room as T.C. quietly made his way over to the couch and stroked a hand softly through her hair. What was it about her that made him turn to mush inside? No other woman had affected him this way and it scared him to death yet excited him all at the same time.

Her eyes slowly opened at his soft touch, a smile forming on her lips at the sight of his face amidst the soft glow of the lamp."I didn't mean to wake you but you looked so beautiful I couldn't resist a touch." He said softly as she rubbed her eyes and stood up, pulling him into an embrace.

"Hey, you can wake me up anytime baby, I really missed you."

"I missed you too." He replied, holding her tight. He felt knots in his stomach as he heard the desperation in his own voice as he told the truth. He couldn't stand being away from her, she was in his soul now and part of him. A part that he could never bear to lose.

"T.C., you're so tense! Come into the bedroom and let me help you relax." She said seductively, unbuttoning the oversized shirt to reveal a set of silky, purple undergarments.

Instant desire forming in the pit of his stomach, he followed her into the bedroom.

"Is that better?" She asked, while rubbing his shoulders vigorously. "What happened, you're so uptight. Did everything go okay?"

Letting out a sigh and too relaxed by the massage, T.C. decided to change the subject. "Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry." He said, none too convincingly. After a long pause, he continued. "Can I ask a favor of you?"

"Sure, anything."

He turned to face her, his eyes heavy with emotion as he spoke. "Can we just go to sleep, I would love to make love to you again but I'm a little tired and all I want to do is fall asleep, holding you next to me."

She smiled at the sentiment and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "Of course, we'll have plenty of time for you to make it up to me."

He pulled himself around her and reveled in the feeling of her safely against him. He decided at that moment that tomorrow would be a day for changes. Drastic changes.

Next day - 5:45 a.m.

Not being able to sleep, T.C. woke up early and sat on the edge of the bed, watching Candy dreaming peacefully. The song, 'If You Leave Me Now' playing over and over in his head, the lyrics touching his very soul. He couldn't lose her now, he would never be the same again. He smiled as she blinked her eyes open and absently patted the empty space next to her. Scooting back up to his pillow, she looked up at him groggily. "I thought you had left me."

"Never baby, never." He said as she curled up next to him on top of the covers.

"So, you want to tell me why you're up so early?" She yawned, as he placed her hand in his.

He leaned his face against hers and spoke barely above a whisper. "Well, I want you to know something. A few things. Well hell, I want you to know everything."

She waited for him to continue, not sure what she was about to hear but thrilled that he wanted to confide in her.

He leaned her back in his arms and looked directly into her eyes. She noticed that his eyes had a glossy sheen over them. "I've never told anyone else this but I want you to know. My name is David, so don't call me T.C. anymore, I want you to know the real me, not what's broadcasted on the news."

She looked back at him lovingly, touched that he would reveal such a personal fact about himself to her that no one else knew about. "All right, David. I'm glad you told me, is there anything else you wanted me to know?"

He sighed deeply as he looked back at her, he felt the heat rising deep within him. "Well yes, but after hearing my name from your lips, it will have to wait."

She laughed as he layed her down on the bed and began to reach for the strap of her bra. "I thought it was important?" She asked, unable to control her amusement.

"Oh, it is but right now it's more important that I start making up for last night."

8:30 a.m.

A few hours later, Candy had made some bacon and eggs and they were sitting at the table, enjoying each others company.

"I meant what I said this morning, I wasn't lost in some kind of post-sex haze. I love you Candy." T.C. said between bites. He had mulled it over in his head but had eventually decided that he would just tell her, she would have to know how he felt anyway.

"I know you did, I love you too. It's just that we haven't know each other very long, that's all."

"Besides," she continued after a bite of egg, "You act like it's the end of the world. We have plenty of time, we don't have to rush this. Shouldn't we wait and see what happens with the police first?"

He finished what was left on his plate and thought quietly for a moment. "I don't think you understand, Candy."

She cleaned up their plates and T.C. sat down on the sofa, head in his hands. "What don't I understand?" She asked sadly, sitting down in the chair opposite him.

"I have done things...things that can't be undone. You don't know what I've gotten you mixed up in and I can't take the chance of something happening to you. I know what I have to do, there's only one thing I can do at this point. I have to get out and relocate somewhere." He said mysteriously, still holding his face in his hands.

She watched him carefully as he finally sat up on the sofa. "Look David, I know that you've done some bad things, just look at how we met. But I also know that deep down, you are a good person and I believe in you. Whatever you want to do, I'll back you up one hundred percent."

His heart soared at her words, he had been terrified that she would run out on him if he even mentioned leaving the city. "You'll come with me then?"

She looked back at him and he could see the doubt written on her face. Or was it something else?
Finally she shook her head 'yes' and he couldn't restrain himself from getting up to kiss her.

"There's just one thing left I have to do and then we can talk about where to go, will you come with me?" He asked, feeling like he was on cloud nine.

"Sure, I just want to freshen up, I'll meet you downstairs." She said, kissing him on the cheek gently.

T.C. bounded down the spiral stairs and couldn't wait to tell that fat fucker Vince, to go to hell.

Palm Boulevard - Nelson Residence - 9:30 a.m.

They arrived at the massive beach house for what T.C. knew would be the last time. He spotted more hot groupies sunbathing on the private beach as they walked out on one of the many decks. "Excuse me, anyone know where Vince is?" He yelled down to them.

"I think he's still on the top deck, watching the waves." One of them yelled back after slowly turning back over on her beach towel.

"Stay here." He said sternly to Candy as he went around the corner and climbed up the couple of flights of stairs to the roof deck.

Lost in thought, Vince didn't even turn around at the sound of footsteps behind him on the deck.

"Hello Vincent." T.C. said, breaking the silence.

Vince looked out at the calm waves, crashing against the shoreline as he smiled slightly to himself. "Didn't think you'd be by so soon." He said without emotion as he turned around to face T.C.

"Yeah well, I've got something to say to you."

Vince narrowed his eyes at T.C. and lost his cool temper. "You've got some fucking nerve coming here with an attitude like that after what happened. You think I don't know what you did? I can't prove it but I know it was you. Lionel was a fuck up and an asshole but he worked for me and now I have to find somebody to replace him because of you!" He yelled, pointing a finger at T.C.'s chest.

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about." T.C. growled, stepping closer to Vince, increasing the tension.

"So if you didn't come here to confess, what the hell do you want, I'm busy." Vince said, walking slow circles around T.C.

"I'm letting you know that I'm leaving this city and you can kiss my ass, you fat, disgusting son of a bitch."

"Don't threaten me T.C., I like you but you don't run this town, I do. You think I'm going to just LET you leave?" Vince said with an icy tone as T.C. met his stare evenly.

"I don't give a shit about it being 'easy'. You don't own me and you can go to hell." He said, turning on his heel and heading back down the stairs.

As T.C. came back around the corner on the lower deck, Candy noted the worried expression on his face. "Everything all right?" She asked as he walked past her.

"Peachy. Let's go." He replied curtly as she hurriedly followed after him.

West Metro - Midtown Apartments - 7:00 p.m.

After returning to Chico's garage and finishing the job from the night before and saying his goodbye's to Chico, T.C. and Candy went back to the apartment. He opened the door and noticed that a piece of paper had found it's way under his door. He bent down and picked it up, skimming over the writing. It wasn't signed.

He slumped into the couch as he read the note over and over in his head, a worried expression crossing his face.

"David? What does it say?" Candy asked with concern. She shrugged and went to make dinner after a moment of no reply.

He looked down at the words again as he read them in his head and got a sinking feeling in his stomach.

Come to the old Gates factory tomorrow morning at 10, I have something for you and if you are wise you will come. If you don't show, you and that little tramp will be sleeping with the fishes...

Damn you Vince. T.C. thought to himself as he folded up the note and shoved it in his pocket.

~*~*~*~*~

Part 2~Fooled Around and Fell In Love

2008-12-21T12:36:00.000-08:00

West Metro - Midtown Apartments
2 p.m.

Weeks had passed and Candy's face was still on the news. She had been staying at T.C.'s apartment and was beginning to make him feel like he was fooling around, falling in love, just like that song.

"How much longer do you think it will be until this blows over?" She asked exasperated, watching the newscast with worry.

"I don't know but you can stay here as long as it takes. No one has ever been able to tail me home, so you're safe here." He replied, boasting somewhat as he clicked off the television.

"Safe from the cops, yes. Safe from you, now that's another story." She laughed, looking over at him. She admired those steely grey eyes of his. For someone so tough, he had such romantic, sentimental looking eyes and right now they were fixated on her.

"What? Have I got something on my face?"

"No, I've just been wanting to tell you something for a while now. Actually, since that first night we met." He said, motioning her to sit closer to him.

She scooted closer and was surprised to find him placing his arm gently around her. Her thoughts drifted back to that first night and the stark contrast of him was astounding, he seemed like such a rough, callous man at first and now he was as gentle as a kitten.

She placed her hand on top of his and felt his arm tighten around her in response. He was definitely not the same T.C. she had met several weeks ago, this man was full of charm and romance. She began to breathe heavier as he whispered in her ear, that strange tingling of excitement twitching in the pit of her stomach.

"I keep thinking about you dancing up on that stage. I have to admit, I wanted you from the first second I laid eyes on you Candy. I know we had a rough start but I want you to know that I would never hurt you. I don't usually treat women like that, that jerk Lionel had me so pissed off and then the cops started chasing us, I just was angry, that's all. I'm sorry and I promise it won't happen again." He said softly, turning her chin towards him gently.

"Can you ever forgive me?"

"Oh T.C., you've been wonderful to me here. I know you were just angry and I can't blame you for acting the way you did. Everyone deals with anger in their own way, I know you didn't mean to talk to me that way. I have to admit, I've been thinking about you too." She said, placing her arms around his neck.

A smile lit up his face and those tender gray eyes looked back at her with happiness and something that resembled love. He pulled her closer onto his lap and she felt his hands around her back, caressing the bare skin of her shoulders.

He leaned forward and held his arm around her back, gently pushing her down as his lips found their way to hers. She let out a low moan as she felt the hardness of him pressing against her hips. He deepened the kiss, his tongue caressing hers as he placed his other hand around her waist, lifting her closer against his arousal.

He slowly parted his lips from hers and looked into her eyes, sensing the want and need behind them. He stood up and easily gathered her in his arms, carrying her into his bedroom.

As she tightened her arms around his neck, she whispered into his ear seductively. "Oh T.C., I want you, please don't make me wait."

He laughed and gently placed her on the edge of the bed. He brushed a piece of hair from her face lovingly and tucked it behind her ear.

He looked down at her smiling and traced his finger along her shoulder, sending a chill down her spine.

"Are you sure about this? I mean, things could get complicated afterwards, you know what I do. I can't promise you anything."

She nodded her head, the burning desire deep within her outweighing any sense of reason. "I know, it doesn't matter. I want you to."

His own body telling him to stop arguing, he picked her up at the waist and moved her to the top of the bed, placing her head on a pillow.

"Well, there's one thing you need to know baby." He said smiling as he looked down at her.

"Oh yeah, what's that?" She replied coyly, placing one arm around his shoulder and the other on his bicep. She felt the muscle tense beneath his shirt and another surge of heat rushed through her entire body.

"When I make love, I make love. Are you sure you're ready, 'cause I'm gonna tease you until you can't take it anymore." He said, leaning down to gently kiss her navel. The moist sensation so close to the place where she was throbbing with excitement was unbearable.

She let out a moan as he kissed the small peak of cleavage beneath her blouse and made his way upwards towards her neck. Her heart pounding as he showered her neck with warm, moist kisses, she squeezed her arms around him, holding him to her closely. He picked his head up slowly and gazed into her eyes again, nearly making her heart melt. She let out a gasp as his lips slowly came closer to her own, the soft, tender feeling too much to bear as he kissed her with fiery passion.

Lost in his kiss, she barely felt his hand slide the strap of her blouse down around her arm. She moaned aloud again when he dropped the other strap and exposed her breasts, his tongue lightly caressing the hardness of her nipple as his mouth covered the fullness of her breast. He continued downward, leaving a hot trail of kisses along her stomach as he unbuttoned her pants.

She threw her head back into the pillow as his hands softly traced their way along the insides of her thighs and upward to the moist area that longed for him. She groaned with ecstasy as she felt the wetness of his tongue, teasing her. He indeed was taunting her until she couldn't take any more.

He finished with a soft kiss on her tender spot as he leaned back on the bed. She sat up and laid alongside him, pulse pounding in her ears.

"That was cruel T.C. but now it's my turn to tease you." She smiled seductively, slowly unbuttoning his shirt and getting immense pleasure knowing it was her turn to make him slowly suffer. She noticed a tattoo on his chest as she unzipped his pants, it looked like a scorpion.

"What's that mean?" She asked, placing a hand on his inner thigh.

"It means if you're not careful, I'll sting you and infect you with my poison." He said grinning as he felt her soft hands pulling down his underwear.

He leaned back on his arms as she crouched above him, his manhood aching with desire for her.

"Maybe I want your poison." She said, admiring the enormous size of him.

He nearly shouted aloud as the fantasy he had that first night came to life as he felt her lips on the tip of his skin. It was more than he could have ever imagined, he felt such desire for her but he knew it was more than that. He reached up to her beautiful breasts and caressed them gently as she slowly finished tantalizing him with her mouth.

He let out another sigh of pure pleasure as she leaned back and lowered herself onto him. The first contact made them both gasp in disbelief, the sensation overwhelming. He looked up at her face above his, studying every angle, every structured feature. He smiled as he stroked her hair that was tickling his shoulders as he felt the slow, rhythm of her moving up and down.

As he watched her face, he desperately wanted to feel her under him, hold her body close to his own. He slowly turned her over and caressed her cheek with his hand as he thrust tenderly inside her again. She pulled her head up and kissed him vigorously as her arms tightened around his hard back muscles. He deepened his thrusts as he felt her legs beneath him widen, their bodies moving as one as they both let out moans of pleasure.

His breathing increased rapidly as he felt the moment of release approaching. He slowly went to pull himself away but she placed her hands around his buttocks, thrusting him back inside her. The feeling of her hands around him, holding him inside her, sent him over the edge. He let out a loud sigh of release as the aching throbbing inside him subsided.

His breathing returning to normal, he returned to the top of the bed, leaning against the pillows. He wrapped an arm around her as she came up to join him, placing her head on his shoulder. He took her hand in his, their fingers entwined and his heart pounded with the thought that they had become one. He had a sense that she felt it too as she snuggled next to his chest, her soft breast moving against him as she breathed in and out.

Rubbing his lips against her forehead, he kissed it gently and whispered in her ear. "Want to take a shower with me?"

She licked her lips seductively as she lowered her eyelids, looking back at him. "You bet I do."

7:30 p.m.

After spending the rest of the afternoon in bed and making incredible love, Candy had put on one of T.C.'s shirts and was lounging on the couch. Noticing he was dressed as he came out of the bathroom, she pulled on the bottom of his shirt playfully.

"Where are you going, can't wait to get away from me that bad?" She teased, giving him her best pout.

"Baby I'd love to stay with you but I have a job to do tonight. I'll be back before you know it." He said leaning down, wrapping his arms around her as he kissed her shoulder lightly.

"Oh, can't I come with you? I'll be so bored here by myself."

T.C. sighed as he stood up and a serious look crossed over his face. "No darlin', you will be safer here and I don't want you getting in any more trouble because of me." He kissed her on the cheek and she watched him close the door behind him.

She rubbed her cheek softly, her heart fluttering at the endearing term he had used. Usually he just called her baby.

She went out onto the balcony, the muggy summer air hitting her like a brick. She looked down to the street and saw T.C. come out on the ground floor. He walked to the parking garage with that cocky swagger he had and her stomach twisted into knots as she heard the tires squealing around the corner.

Please be careful T.C. She thought to herself as the nagging in her stomach intensified.

Westside Slums - Chico's Garage
8 p.m.

T.C. pulled into the back of Chico's garage and got out of his Shelby. He knocked on the back door and waited impatiently as he heard Chico coming down the stairs.

"Right on time as always. Take the Torino, I just gave her a fresh coat of paint so the cops shouldn't be on your tail. Deliver the money to this address and pick up what he has waiting for me then bring it back here." Chico instructed, handing him a small scrap of paper.

T.C. shook his head in acknowledgement as Chico turned to go back inside.

He no sooner stepped back inside the building when T.C. noticed the large afro coming towards him around the corner. Lionel.

He crossed his arms defensively and his eyes travelled down to the shiny metal he was carrying. A gun, shit.

Lionel pointed the pistol at T.C., an angry look on his face. "Vince says he needs you but I can't stand your ass. I'm sure he can find some other piece of shit to do your job once he learns about your death in a shootout."

"Trust me Lionel, you don't want to do that. Put it away." T.C. said cooly, his arms still folded across his chest.

"No man, I think I do." Lionel said as his finger went to the trigger.

In one swift movement, T.C. reached behind his back and pulled his handgun out of his jeans and fired it at Lionel. "No, I don't think you do, asshole."

T.C. watched him lying on the cold pavement, the blood beginning to puddle around him and he heard Chico's footsteps running down the inside stairs.

"What the hell happened? What is he doing here?"

T.C. sighed and debated on what to say. "He followed me and pulled a gun on me. Guess he just wanted me dead, he never has liked me much. It was self defense but you know what kind of heat I'm already in, I can't let the cops find out about this Chico."

Chico exhaled and instantly turned into a robot mode. "Get out of here T.C., I'll take care of it. You can come back tomorrow to do the job."

"Thanks Chico." T.C. sighed as he hurried back to his Mustang. He gunned the engine and headed back to his apartment.

West Metro - Midtown Apartments
9 p.m.

T.C. parked his car and sulked back to his apartment, hearing the wail of sirens in the distance. He hoped Chico had time to clean that up or he could end up taking the heat for him. He slowly walked back up to his floor, rubbing the shooting pain in his neck.

Guess I've done murder. He thought to himself as he turned the doorknob and slowly closed the door behind him.

~*~*~*~*~

Part One~Livin' On The Edge

2008-12-10T07:36:00.000-08:00

1976
Santo Poco Beach - Downtown - Club LuLu
2 a.m.

He parked the Shelby GT 500 in front of the club, his cocky swagger a dead giveaway to anyone passing by that the machine was his pride and joy and he dared them to ask him to move it. He wasn't here for pleasure anyway, this would be a quick visit. He looked up at the bright lights shining down from the huge letters on the top of the building that spelled out "LuLu". He had always thought it was a stupid name for a club but he didn't pick the rendezvous points he was given. The place was a decent hangout though, he could already hear the pulsating music escaping the walls. Donna Summer's sexy voice singing, Love To Love You Baby.
He stepped inside, eyes drawn directly to the stage. Beneath the multi colored strobe lights was the backside of the most luscious form of a woman he had ever laid eyes on. She was dancing slowly to the intoxicating beat, swaying her hips from side to side. He watched her with interest as he moved closer to the stage, even though it was on the other side of the room from where he was supposed to be heading. A little distraction never hurt anybody.
He couldn't stop the smile from coming to his face as he watched her dance through his orange tinted shades, he had never seen her here before. He definitely would have remembered those legs. He folded his arms and enjoyed the view, feeling his body react instantly to the combination of the sultry music along with her divine feminine shape, teasing him only inches away.
She turned around to face him as the song reached it's peak, giving him a smile that sent him over the edge. He gave her a cool smirk of recognition and then headed over to the bar to get on with the business he had to do. He would love to have some fun with her but he needed to get down to business first.
The bartender was pouring some drinks as he sat down.

"Livin' on the edge." He said as he took a seat at the bar. The bartender looked back at him, gave him a once over and then shrugged to a door behind the bar. "Follow the stairs behind the door and wait in the corridor, he should be along any minute."
He got up from the bar and opened the blue and green door, giving the girl on the stage one more look before he continued.

Too bad this a'int a strip club. He thought to himself, yearning to see what was underneath that tight little black outfit.
He waited patiently in the dark corridor, outside a room that housed a chair and some floor pillows. The club was unusually slow tonight, there was always somebody in those upstairs rooms having a good time. He folded his arms and placed one foot up on the wall, his body aching with desire. He imagined himself in that room, sitting in that chair having a good time of his own with the goddess from the stage.
He imagined her glorious, naked form on the floor in front of him. Perfect, large breasts moving slowly up and down to the rhythm of her breathing. Those long, delicate fingers firmly gripped around the girth of him, making him pulsate with every subtle movement. He looked down at her, she was smiling back at him, that angelic smile, as she lowered her lips to the tip of his throbbing manhood. He leaned his head back as he waited for it, the moment of ecstasy when he would feel the warm, wet sensation of her mouth on his skin...
He nearly moaned aloud at the thought of her, his mouth dry and pulse pounding, he noticed someone coming down the hallway.

Fuck. He thought to himself as he saw it was her, sauntering down the hall, hips threatening to break something with each sway. She slowly walked up to him, a slight smirk on her face as she came within inches of him.
His heart pounding, he gulped down a breath as her smell intoxicated his senses. She was too damn close. He put a hand up on the wall, trying to keep his cool and managed to speak.

"You lost baby? I'm waiting on someone." He said shakily as she leaned in even closer to him.

"Well as long as it's not a "she" that you're waiting for, I'd love to keep you company. I'm new here, the name's Candy. What's yours sugar?"
He turned to look at her, her voice was as sexy as the rest of her. Dammit what was wrong with him? She was too damned close and he was too damned horny, this girl was making him sweat, not an easy thing to achieve.

"They call me T.C. and you need to beat it kid, the guy I'm waiting for isn't going to like it if you're here when he shows up." He said, managing to sound serious at the thought of Lionel catching him here with this chick.

She looked back at him, amused but not backing down. "So you're waiting for a guy, I still have a chance then."

"Maybe you don't hear too good, I said buzz off baby." He said, his body still aching with desire for her.
"You talk a good game but your body doesn't lie, stranger." She said looking down to the slight telltale sign of longing that was pressing against his pants.

He smiled back, amused by her blatant observation. Lord if he had more time...

He was so caught up in toying with her that he barely noticed the figure coming down the hallway.
"What the fuck is this T.C.? You're supposed to be alone man, not bring your bitch along, that a'int part of the deal." Lionel growled, setting down the large brown bag he was carrying.

Candy took a step back and watched the two men with interest. T.C. rubbed the back of his neck absently, he had always hated when Vince chose Lionel to do a job for him. The man was paranoid and had a temper the size of a volcano.

"Look man, she's not my "bitch" as you so gracefully put it, I just met her tonight. And don't get so fuckin' pissy with me. Give me the money and I'll be on my way."
"Yeah right, you expect me to believe that shit? I saw the way you were looking at her, I don't trust you T.C., never have, never will." Lionel said, taking off his glasses and putting them in his shirt pocket. He pulled a gun out of his pants and pointed it at T.C., a look of pure anger on his face.

"Are you crazy, put that thing away! I've had it with you Lionel, you got a problem with me you take it up with Vince." T.C. yelled, taking a cautious step back from him.

"Like hell I will, I'm ending this tonight, asshole!" Lionel exclaimed as he cocked the trigger and pointed it at T.C. again.
He dodged the bullet and told Candy to run as he headed for the stairway. She hurriedly followed, an enraged Lionel behind them, shooting bullets in their direction.
The small crowd downstairs screamed as they ran through the dance floor, Lionel still shooting off his gun as they ran outside and into the Shelby.

Candy began to cry as he started the car, burning rubber as they pulled away from the entrance, Lionel cussing and throwing his arms around as he came outside one moment too late.
"Will you shut up, this is your fault, I told you to leave me alone!" T.C. yelled, angrier with Lionel than her but still needing to take it out on someone. His attention turned to the sidewalk as they left the front of the club and noticed a cop running to his police cruiser. "Shit, hang on baby." He said, gunning the engine. Within seconds, the familiar red and blue lights flashed through the dark streets behind them as he kept driving.
"What the hell are you doing? Aren't you going to stop?!" Candy cried, holding onto the door frame as they skidded around a corner.

"I told you to shut up! Why the fuck would I stop, so he can take me to jail?" He yelled back, darting down an alley, blood pounding in his ears.

"Oh my God, you're crazy. Why couldn't I just have left you alone?" She said, screaming as the side of the car scraped against a dumpster, sparks flying as metal collided with metal.
Ocean View Drive
4 a.m.

After an hour of outrunning the cop, T.C. headed to where Candy said her house was, on Ocean Beach. He pulled into the driveway and turned the motor off, following her up the front stairs.
She unlocked the door and went inside, turning around to say goodbye as he walked past her into the foyer.

"Look, thanks for driving me home but I really would like you to leave now. You aren't exactly the kind of man I want to party with now that I know a little more about you. I don't know what you're into but I don't want any part of it." She said irritably, watching him invite himself in.

"Sorry baby, I didn't drive you home to stay and I'm too tired to party. You better turn on the news if you think you're staying here tonight."
She did as he suggested and turned on the news. Her face was on it, plastered right next to his.

"Authorities are looking for these two in connection with a shootout that took place earlier this morning at Club LuLu. Police say the man resisted arrest and fled the scene. You may recognize him as he has been dubbed "T.C." or The Catch and has been on the most wanted list for years. He's to be considered dangerous and the woman with him suggests that he has taken a partner in crime, she was also seen fleeing the club. In other news..."

Candy turned it off and faced him with anger. "Well that's just great! Now what the hell am I going to do? They think I'm your partner, I should tell them that you practically kidnapped me!"

"Calm down and go pack a bag. You can stay with me until this blows over, you'll be safer that way than staying alone." He said, more gently this time, feeling a little guilty that he had been so rough on her before. He watched her storm down the hallway to her bedroom and he went out on her back deck to take in some fresh air.
Looking out at the peaceful waves, he almost wished he had a place like this. Calm, no noise, on the outskirts of the city instead of the noisy flat he rented that was by the elevated train tracks. He heard her slam a door and watched her stomp into the kitchen, a less revealing outfit on but still sexy nonetheless.
He quietly watched her for a moment, washing a glass, hips slightly jutting out as she bent over the sink. It was all he could do not to walk up behind her and wrap his arms around that bare midsection.

"We need to get going." He said softly, watching her demeanor toward him change slightly at his gentler tone.

"Okay, I'm nearly finished."

Midtown Apartments - West Metro
4:30 a.m.

T.C. parked the Shelby in the parking deck across the street from his building and Candy reluctantly followed him inside.
They walked up to the second floor and she watched him pick up a paper on the floor, outside the apartment.

"Here we are, home sweet home." He said, unlocking the door.

Candy waited for a moment and followed him in, unsure of what the rest of her night had in store.
She stood in the doorway and observed the place as he put down the paper on the coffee table and took off his glasses. She nervously watched him sit down as he stared back at her with those steely gray eyes that she hadn't seen yet.

"What's the matter, I won't bite you. The bathroom's over there, you can change for bed. I'll sleep out here since you don't want to party with me anymore." He said mockingly, stretching his arms over his head.

She acknowledged with a nod and took her bag into the bathroom.
He sat in the quiet living room, silently praying she had by some chance brought along a very long, covering nightgown to sleep in. Somehow, he doubted a dancer would own anything like that. He leaned back in the chair, thinking of what a screw up tonight had been. First thing in the morning, he was going to give Vince a piece of his mind.
A few minutes later, Candy emerged from the bathroom in a short, pink nighty. If it was any shorter, he would have been getting a view from Heaven. He blew out a breath and got up, showing her into the bedroom.

"There's the bed, it's not the softest in the world but it's a bed."

"Thank you, it's fine."

"Well, goodnight." He said gruffly, going back out into the living room and settling into the hard sofa, dreading the night of frustration he had ahead of him.
T.C. woke up late the next morning, letting the hot stream of water rush down his aching body. He had never slept on the sofa, the damn thing was like a brick. He took a longer than average shower and got dressed, heading for the bedroom to check on Candy when he noticed her in the kitchen.
Damn urge is no better today, what the hell is she thinking wearing those panties? He thought to himself, admiring the small glimpse of skin he could see that was teasing him yet again, as she bent over the stove.
"That smells great but I don't usually eat breakfast." He said, startling her.

"Oh, I didn't know. I figured we could make up after last night, we kind of got off on the wrong foot." She said sweetly.

"Yeah, I wanted to apologize for the way I acted. I guess we have time."
Palm Boulevard - Nelson Residence
1 p.m.

"Now there's a couple of things you should know about Vince Nelson. He's the fattest, ugliest, nastiest son of a bitch in the city but he's also the richest. He owns half this city and has a soft spot for women, so starting today you are my new girlfriend. If he finds out you're dancing for a living and single, he'll be all over you, convince you that he's your way out and you'll end up being his skank slave like the other girls you'll see in there. Understand?"

Candy nodded, somewhat amused. He had really changed a lot toward her since last night, no more yelling and swearing. She would almost say that he was a gentleman towards her.
The guard let them in and showed them to the backyard patio where Vince was in a hot tub, arms around some blond woman. Candy observed that he was indeed, fat and ugly but obviously had a charm over the ladies. Probably a five letter word, namely money.
T.C. walked around the deck to the hot tub and Candy followed behind. Vince noticed her immediately and turned his attention away from the blond.

"T.C., brought me a gift have you?" He said, licking his lips.

"Not a chance Vince, this one's mine. Met her last night and she's my new woman. Haven't you seen us on the news?"
"I don't watch the news and fuck off if you're not here to bring me a new girl. Lionel tells me you fucked up last night, thought you might have wanted to redeem yourself. Guess I was wrong." Vince said, stroking the blond's hand.

"Lionel's a piece of shit and he's always hated me. He wouldn't give me the money so I came by to collect it straight from you."

Vince looked up from the blond and narrowed his eyes. "That's strictly against the rules T.C., it just isn't how it's done."

"To hell with the rules, I don't have time to waste and neither do you." T.C. said, watching Vince get up from the hot tub.
He looked Candy over again and sighed. "Too bad you didn't want to make it up to me. Rules are rules, T.C. without them, an organization like mine would crumble. I can't leave a paper trail like that from my own fucking house." Vince said, taking a bottle from the bar.

"Trust me, there won't be one. Have I ever let you down? Lionel is a damned liar, he's the one who got crazy last night and started shooting at me. Give me the money Vince."

He watched Vince walk over to a button and press it, talking into a speaker.
He noticed Lionel coming out of the house a few moments later, carrying the brown bag from last night.

"Smart choice, Vince."

"Look T.C., you're good but don't forget your place. I run this fucking show and don't you forget it. Next time, bring me something besides your ego when you fuck up. And Lionel's not going anywhere, he's an asshole but he's irreplacable.
Vince walked away and got back into the hot tub as Lionel came onto the deck, handing the bag to T.C.

"Look man, I hate your ass but the boss man makes the calls. Don't piss me off again or you'll be sorry."

"You're right, the boss man does make the calls. Don't forget, that's not you Lionel. And don't fucking threaten me."
Chico's Garage - Westside Slums
2 p.m.

They pulled up outside the garage and Chico stepped onto the small landing. Candy stood by the car as she began to understand the vocation of the man she had met by chance last night, watching him hand the bag over to Chico who looked like a shady business man in his bad suit and Havana style hat.
"What happened to you last night, I wait for an hour." Chico asked, throwing his hands in the air.
"Not my fault, Vince's handyman got a little nuts and refused to give me the package. Had to shake a few cops last night because of that asshole."

"I see, and who is she?" Chico asked, nodding his head in Candy's direction.

"My new girl, quite a looker isn't she? Take it easy Chico, I gotta get going."
T.C. walked back to the car as Chico went back inside the garage. He opened the door and noticed that Candy was watching him from the other side, seeming a little leary to get in.

"What's up?"

"Is this what you do for a living?" She asked, reaching for the door handle.

"They don't call me a wheelman for nothing, welcome to my world, baby."

Story Index:

2008-12-09T00:10:00.000-08:00

Kingdom of Varuna
Bonus

Clue

Wheelman

~Contains adult content: language/explicit sexual content/violence~
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4