CHAPTER 1

Desiree Love had a hectic day, however this claim is probably a total understatement. First, she slept late, because her alarm clock decided to stop working all of the sudden. Due to this, she was caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the freeway, whereas it would usually move along smoothly, because she left early enough. Since there was a traffic jam, Desiree ended up almost being two and half-hours late, which her boss berated her for. Desiree, known for being a rather patient person most of the time, acted the complete opposite then.

"Well what did you expect me to do huh? Make like the Jetsons and fly over the stupid cars?" When there was bumper to bumper traffic on the freeway, Desiree could see why some people experienced road rage. Heck, she had been pretty close herself to letting it happen this morning.

The next thing Desiree knew it, she was packing her belongings in a cardboard box because her boss had thought his best option was to fire her. This was not a great loss, because she had only been a secretary, and it did not seem like she would be moving up any time soon, due to the fact that she would have been working there five years next month. Desiree had acquired the position when she turned eighteen, while concurrently attending UCLA with a major in creative writing and English. From the early age of seven, Desiree had wanted to be a fiction writer. She was on the verge of finishing her first novel. Then all she would have to do is locate a publisher, who would be willing to take a chance on her.

As Desiree pulled into her parking space when she arrived back at her apartment complex, she noticed that her live in boyfriends' car was there. "What is Alec doing home this early?" she wondered aloud. As Desiree waited in the elevator to be taken to the fourteenth floor, she thought of the reasons he could be home. "Maybe the poor thing is sick," she thoughtfully paused, "Or maybe the idiot had been fired from yet another job. Better not let it be the latter." When the elevator doors slid open, the first thing Desiree saw was two people in front of her kissing. The couple was kissing quite passionately as though their lives depended on their performance.

"Alec!" Desiree shouted in disbelief, as she hurried to get out of the elevator before the doors closed again. As she did so, the woman her boyfriend had previously been playing tongue hockey with, hurried into it with her face averted from Desiree's.

"Who was that?" asked Desiree, pointing at the now closed elevator doors.

"My girlfriend," Alec replied easily.

"Your girlfriend? I'm your girlfriend!" Desiree was bristling.

Alec shook his head. "Not anymore. You've been replaced," he stated calmly as though they were discussing something as trivial as the weather. In fact, he appeared very composed for a man who had just been caught cheating, which only infuriated girlfriend number one all the more. The very least he could do was to pretend like he felt bad for his infidelity! Was that so hard?

"Replaced? What am I to you Alec? Am I a freaking piece of furniture? We've been together for nearly four years and you're telling me that I have been replaced?" Desiree did not know how much longer she could refrain from physically assaulting him. The last thing she needed was to be put behind bars. She ran her hands through her strawberry-blonde hair, to keep them busy.

Alec reached out as to touch her, but Desiree deflected him, so he let his arm drop back to his side with a small sigh.

"Desi, I didn't want you to find out this way. What else can I say, but that I'm sorry. I was going to break the news to you tonight. I'm moving out today." Alec then gave her a remorseful smile, which Desiree had the urge to remove with a sharp stinging slap. Make that a sharp stinging backslap!

"That would be wise. Get your stuff and get out," Desiree said between clenched teeth. Alec nodded compliantly as he headed back to the apartment. Watching him go, Desiree's vision became blurry and she fought the urge to break down in tears. This day was turning into a nightmare. Lost my job, lost my boyfriend…this day royally sucks.
***

Later that night, Desiree sat on her couch, rubbing her beloved cat Tobias, while he purred in complete satisfaction at the attention he was receiving.

"Well at least one of us is happy, Tobias." As if he understood, the seven-year-old feline reached up and rubbed his cheek against her own, then again settled down in her lap, as his owner smiled fondly at him. Out of all the males that had been in Desiree's life, he was the only one that had never failed her.

"You're the first one today to put a smile on my face." She sighed. "What am I going to do now?" She thought about it for a few minutes as she absently twirled a lock of her straight hair around a finger. She then came to a decision.

"I'm going out for ice cream, Tobias." She put him down on the plush bright blue carpet, where he immediately began to meow in protest. He wanted more petting and he wanted it now! "Now don't cry sweetie. I'll bring you a pint of vanilla. I know it's your favorite."

If there were one cat in this world that was spoiled, that cat would be Tobias. Since Desiree did not have any children, she spoiled him endlessly. Tobias ate liver pate out of crystal goblets just like the cats on television and wore an expensive collar that cost more than all of Desiree's jewelry put together. He was to put it simply, her baby.
***

Desiree instantly felt guilty as she walked back to her Lilac '96 Honda Excel, with Tobias' promised ice cream in hand. She felt like a pig after eating two banana splits with extra fudge and peanuts on each. Though she didn't feel that well, they sure were tasty. Going to her favorite ice cream parlor Sweet Sensations always gave Desiree these feelings. She mused excitedly, "Maybe I can get a job here." She thought about that for a moment and changed her mind. "Nah. I can't be trusted with all that ice cream. I'd gain 20 pounds within a week."

After Desiree put the key in the ignition, the next thing she knew it something cold was pressed against her right temple and an arm was situated around her neck rather tightly. Desiree's heart started to beat expeditiously while her blue-green eyes wide with obvious fear, were frozen on the steering wheel.

"Do what I say and you won't be meeting your maker anytime soon. Got it?" asked a low voice.

Desiree nodded, finding it impossible to speak.

"I can't hear you." More pressure was put on her temple along with a tighter grip around her neck.

"Yes," Desiree shakily whispered, her voice filled with fear.

"Good. Now this is where you go…"

***

It was almost midnight as they continued to drive on the almost deserted highway in silence. Desiree was near tears, but so far, she had been able to control them. The person that had taken her hostage had not said anything, except for when she was giving directions. It was too quiet, so Desiree decided to take the initiative and say something to the person still sitting in the back seat. Desiree could tell by the voice, that the person was a female. That was the only evidence she had, because the woman had on a black ski mask, which covered her whole head except for her mouth and those electric blue eyes she had. The woman had taken away her arm and the gun, but Desiree somehow knew that she was on alert, although she was sitting back seeming to be in a relaxed state.

Desiree cleared her throat. "Do you think that's wise?" she asked quietly.

"What?" the woman snapped, her eyes boring into the back of her hostage's head. Desiree could feel them on her without looking in the rearview mirror.

"Wearing a ski mask, when somebody in another car could see you."

The woman leaned forward, her lips almost touching Desiree's ear as she spoke in that low voice, "Are you trying to tell me how to successfully kidnap you?"

Shivers that she couldn't explain ran down Desiree's spine as she replied, "N-no. I uh…I was just saying that you're apt to draw attention with a ski mask over your head." She shrugged. "That's all."

The kidnapper was quiet for a few moments, just staring at Desiree, in the process making her extremely uncomfortable. Desiree started to feel beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She thought, I should have just kept my big mouth shut.

"Pull over."

Desiree jumped causing the woman in the back seat to began chuckling. She frowned when she asked, "Something strike you as funny?"

"Yes, you do. Poor baby. Are you afraid of me little girl?" the woman asked mockingly, with amusement in her eyes.

Desiree frowned again, now beginning to become angry. "Don't call me a little girl. Do I look like a little girl to you?" She mentally chastised herself for getting an attitude with the kidnapper. I must have a death wish.

The woman made a show of examining Desiree from head to toe. Desiree did not know why exactly, but she started to blush. The woman once again leaned close to her ear. "Not at all. From this view, you look like all woman to me," she whispered.
If Desiree was not blushing before, she definitely was now. Just what is she up to? she wondered in her mind.

"Pull over," the kidnapper repeated her demand from moment's before.

Desiree complied. As soon as she had pulled over, the woman hurried to get out of the back door with the gun pointed at her captive to let her know that she should not try to do anything tricky like drive off. Desiree would not think of doing such a thing, because for some reason she knew that the woman would be able to stop her efforts. The kidnapper got in the front seat and scooted onto the floor still pointing the gun at Desiree.

"You can drive now," she said, but the tone of her voice clearly stated that Desiree did not have a choice.

Desiree did not move. "What are you doing?" she asked. The kidnapper's tall frame looked rather cramped in the small space, but evidently she was determined to make it work.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm sitting on the floor. Now drive the car."

Desiree then checked for any other vehicles. Not seeing any coming, she pulled out.

***

It was now two-thirty in the morning, and Desiree was so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open. She glanced down at her kidnapper to discover that she was staring up at her intently, as she had been for the past couple hours. The gun was still in her hand, but was not pointed at Desiree to the young woman's great relief. That deadly weapon had been making her eminently nervous.

"Why are you staring at me?" Desiree asked.

"As if I have a choice. Not much of a view from down here."

"Well nobody told you to sit down there," replied Desiree, immediately regretting what she had just said. As if her mouth had not gotten her into enough trouble today. It had cost her her job, and now it could cost Desiree her life.

The blue-eyed woman cocked her head to the side saying, "You know, you have a smart mouth for someone being held at gun point."

Desiree decided to change the subject. "I'm going to be missed by a lot of people."

"Didn't your mother ever tell you it's not right to lie." The woman grinned.

She was rewarded with a dirty look. It was at this moment Desiree knew that her life might not be in jeopardy. Sure someone was holding her against her will with a gun, but she now felt it deep down inside that this woman would not end her life. That grin and the teasing remark gave Desiree the security that she had been seeking. The kidnapper was not a cold-blooded killer that she was dealing with. Then who was she? And what did she do? Desiree thought, I just simply have to know.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you it's not right to take people against their will?" Desiree countered bravely, wondering if she had just lost her mind. This woman was still very dangerous.

The woman placed a hand on Desiree's blue-jean clad knee. "Oh baby, you'll know when you've been taken," she answered in an even lower tone of voice than the one she had been using. She took her hand away, but not without a squeeze to her captive's knee.

Her words and action caused the strawberry-blonde's cheeks to break out in another blush. Was she flirting with her? No, that could not be. Could it? Desiree shook her head to try to clear her thoughts. The woman was just playing with her mind.

All was quiet for the next twenty minutes with each woman lost in her own thoughts. Desiree tried to concentrate on what she would write in the next chapter of her novel. She tried to do this so she would not fall asleep at the wheel. The last thing she needed was to have a car accident now. Her plan was not working, so she settled on talking to her complex kidnapper again, which was exactly what the blue-eyed woman was. One minute she was teasing Desiree, and the next she was gruff, menacingly holding up her weapon.

"I have a child," Desiree stated out of the blue.

"Congratulations," the woman on the floor replied dryly.

"I have to go back, because he depends on me. I'm the only one he has." She was telling the truth. No one else would think to take care of Tobias in her abrupt absence.

The woman sarcastically replied, "You're breaking my heart."

Desiree sighed. "Please. He's only seven years old."

"You'll be going home soon enough." The woman raised a little to look out of the window. "A lake will be coming up in about ten or eleven miles. There will be a small road extending towards it, so turn on it. Got it?"

Desiree nodded. "Yes."

The woman nodded and sat back down on the floor. "Good."

Desiree took a deep breath. "He's all alone."

The kidnapper sighed. "Not this again. What is a seven-year-old doing home alone?"

"He's a latch-key kid."

"At seven?"

"We live in a safe neighborhood." Desiree thought quickly.

"Ah," the kidnapper gave a short pause. "Well it doesn't matter, 'cause I don't believe you anyway."

Desiree frowned. She actually thought the woman had been buying her story. "You don't believe me?"

The woman shrugged. "Call me crazy, but no I don't."

Okay. You're a gigantic psycho and I think you ought to be locked up in a mental institution! Desiree mentally said. It was on the tip of her tongue to say it aloud, but she changed her mind. "Well it's true. His name is Tobias and he's probably going out of his mind wondering where I am."

"Lady, save it for someone who'll believe it." She scratched her neck with the barrel adding, "He's probably just a cat or somethin'." She had to bite back a smile at her captive's shocked expression. "What?" she asked innocently.

"Nothing," the strawberry-blonde replied. After silently driving for about another mile, she got an idea. "I was bringing him ice cream home." She picked up the now melted pint of ice cream for the woman to see.

The kidnapped shrugged. "So? That could be your ice cream. Got a picture of him? I'll need some evidence."

"I got a new wallet yesterday, and I haven't gotten around to transporting the pictures from my old wallet to my new one." Desiree mentally congratulated herself. I never knew I could lie so well. Not that that was something to be proud of, but still…

The blue-eyed woman shook her head. "I've gotta hand it to ya. You're a good liar, although that's not something to be proud of." She leaned towards Desiree and whispered, "I think you need a spanking."

The young woman blushed again, and this time almost ran into a bush on the side of the road. She corrected the car and glanced down at her kidnapper to find that she was grinning broadly.

"What?" asked Desiree with a hint of irritation edging into her voice.

The woman replied innocently, "Nothing."
***

Fifteen minutes later, they were pulling up to a small cabin surrounded by trees and other plants belonging to mother nature. It seemed to be the only cabin around, and Desiree had to admit that from outside appearance it was a lovely little cabin. Four steps led up to a porch that sported a swinging bench and two rocking chairs. The scenery was beautiful with colorful flowers all around.

Desiree turned her head towards her kidnapper who was now sitting in the passenger seat instead of the floor. "Where are we?"

"In the woods."

Desiree mentally counted to ten. Aye! This woman could be aggravating! "Could you be a little more explicit?"

"Yes I could," the woman replied getting out of the car and coming around to the drivers' side. She opened the door and told Desiree to hand her the keys and get out of the car. The young woman complied on both without one word.

It was then that Desiree noticed that the other woman was much taller than she was. Desiree stood at 5'4" but this woman must have been pushing six feet. It also did not get past the strawberry-blonde that this woman had a killer figure. Although it was dark, and the woman was dressed in all black, Desiree could tell that she kept her body fit. The kidnapper noticed the shorter woman looking her over but chose not to comment on it. She might make her blush again, yet that might not be such a bad thing. The kidnapper thought that Desiree looked even prettier when she blushed or when she was ticked off.

The taller woman led Desiree into the cabin and deposited her in the kitchen in front of a black refrigerator. She took a pair of handcuffs out of her back pocket and cuffed her captive's right wrist to the handle on the refrigerator door.

"What are you doing?" asked Desiree in a surprised tone. Never in her young life had she been handcuffed. Sure, Alec had attempted to do it once, but she quickly set him straight that she wasn't into that sort of thing. She found the metal cold and slightly tight around her wrist.

"What does it look like? I'm handcuffing you to the refrigerator, 'cause I have to go do something." The woman chucked Desiree under the chin earning herself a glare in the process. She chuckled and said, "I'll be back" in an Arnold Schwarzenegger voice. She walked away briskly as Desiree looked after her, wondering after all did this woman have a screw loose.

When the kidnapper exited the front door, Desiree examined all that she could see from her position. She realized she could see everything. The kitchen was small, but seemed to have everything that it needed, from a black toaster oven to a white microwave. It had one of those modern electric stoves that were easier to clean. This was a black one, and Desiree longed to cook on it. She was an excellent cook, and she enjoyed doing it.

The countertop was white marble, and the floor was checkered with black and white squares. Desiree noticed that even the sink was painted black. The wooden cupboards and drawers were white and there was little window situated over the kitchen sink. Desiree could see the car from where she stood out of the window, and she could tell the woman was inside of it, but she could not tell what she was doing, due to it being so dark. She turned her attention to the refrigerator and opened the door to discover with much joy and surprise, that it was loaded with food. She then opened the freezer to discover the same thing. Old blue eyes must have been planning this.

Desiree then scanned the living room. There was one black leather couch that was in the shape of an L. In front of it was a cherry wood coffee table, which contained glass squares on top. Behind that was a fireplace situated against the wall, with wood already inside of it to burn. Desiree noticed that the carpet was stark white, and wondered anew if this woman was nuts. People who dared to have stark white carpeting must be begging carpet cleaners to come to their homes on a regular basis. Either that or they made it a rule to check the shoes and feet of everyone who entered. Desiree would be a nervous wreck with white carpet.

A few inches to the right of the fireplace was a huge black entertainment system. In it on the top shelf on the left were ten paperback books of equal height. Desiree could not make out the titles imprinted on the binders of them, because she was too far away. The top shelf on the right had software programs for computer usage. In the middle of the entertainment center was a black 35" television with a built-in VCR. To the right of the television were two shelves packed tightly with videotapes. Desiree could not make out the titles of those either. To the left of the television were two more shelves. The top one held a state-of-the-art compact disc player, and the one below it held a few stacks of CD's. Desiree briefly wondered what kind of music the woman listened to. There were three cabinets at the bottom of the entertainment system, but Desiree did not know what was inside, since the doors were closed.

Her eyes wandered over to a cherry wood desk located by the front door, with a big window in front of it, which was covered by white venetian blinds. The desk had what must have been about a 17" black computer on top of it. Desiree could not figure out the brand from the distance, but it looked like a commendable one. Next to the computer sat a printer and a scanner. A leather-padded computer desk chair sat behind the desk.

"This chick must be loaded," Desiree stated aloud. "Probably got all of this from robbing a bank or being a drug lord."

She then spied three separate doors in the living room, and guessed that two of them were most likely bedrooms, and the other one led to a bathroom, which was what Desiree realized she needed right at that moment. She started to jump up and down slightly, finally taking notice of her full bladder. She looked out the kitchen window again for the kidnapper, but no longer saw her. She squeezed her legs together in a vain attempt to hold herself in check. The last thing Desiree needed was that woman teasing her for wetting her pants.

"Oh! I need some release," Desiree whined, starting to do the "I've got to go to the bathroom dance."

"Maybe I can help you with that," said a voice suddenly.

Desiree's head snapped to the front door to find the blue-eyed woman standing there with her mask still on.

"What?" Desiree asked in an exasperated voice.

"I said," The woman began slowly walking towards her captive, "maybe I can help you with that." She tugged on the leather belt around her waist.

Desiree rolled her eyes but she still blushed. "Must you take everything I say out of context?" she asked.

"Why whatever do you mean?" the woman asked too sweetly.

The strawberry-blonde shook her head. "Nevermind. Could you just get me out of these things?"

"Your pants?" the woman asked, grinning lasciviously.

"The handcuffs!" Desiree had not meant to shout but this woman was getting on her last nerve.

"Oh," the kidnapper said as if she had not known that. "Yes I can." The tall woman did not make a move to do this however.

Desiree stared at her, waiting for the kidnapper to release her from the cuffs. Finally, she could not wait any longer. "Well?" Desiree inquired impatiently.

"What?"

Desiree took a deep calming breath. "Could you help me out of these handcuffs?" she tried to ask pleasantly.

"I have the ability to."

3-2-1, 1-2-3. Who the heck is bothering me? Desiree thought. "Will you please take these handcuffs off of me?" she asked aloud.

The other woman shrugged. "Sure. Just a moment though." Taking her precious time, she strolled over to a cupboard and took out a glass. Then she went over to the kitchen faucet and turned on the water, letting it run ever so slowly. The woman looked over her shoulder to see if her plan was having the desired effect. It was. Her captive was squirming even more now, what with the water running. The kidnapper had to bite her lip so that she would not bust out laughing. She asked Desiree if she wanted some water, but the young woman declined. The kidnapper slowly raised the glass to her lips, and took a sip of water.

You are pure evil! "Will you please get over here!?" pleaded Desiree.

The other woman stared at her for a second. "Patience is a virtue."

"Please do something nice, and get me out of these." She indicated the handcuffs.

The kidnapper placed the glass of water down in the sink soundlessly, and then walked towards Desiree. She stood close to the shorter woman and asked, "What do I get in return?"

"How about I stick my foot in your-"

"Whoa! What a naughty girl you are." The woman tsked, and leaned close to Desiree's left ear. "Now you really deserve a spanking," she whispered.

Desiree cocked her head away from the woman's mouth, but not before she discovered to her astonishment that she liked the feel of the woman's warm breath caressing her ear. She had not even touched her, and Desiree managed to shiver. Oh God, now I must be going crazy!

Desiree narrowed her eyes. "I was gonna say mouth."

"Yeah right." The blue-eyed woman gave her incredulous look. At least Desiree thought she did. She could not tell very well since the woman still had the ski mask on.

"Could you please unlock me?" Desiree attempted to ask this as sweetly as she could.

The other woman did not utter a word as she took out a small key from a pocket in her black jeans and unlocked the handcuffs. She then took Desiree by her left arm and led her to the door closest to the fireplace. She opened the door and ushered her captive inside, warning her that she better not try anything tricky. Desiree nodded as she hurried into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

A couple minutes later after Desiree washed her hands, she took in her surroundings. The bathroom held a shower and one of those round bathtubs, instead of the basic oval shape. The sink and the surrounding area were black with gold-colored faucets and two black knobs for hot and cold. Desiree would have loved to soak in the gorgeous looking bathtub for an hour or so. Desiree opened the medicine cabinet, and discovered the basics in it. There was aspirin, cough medicine, a bottle of Tums and other medicines for ones ailments. All of the sudden a knock came at the door as she closed the medicine cabinet.

"Yeah?" Desiree called loudly.

"What are you doing in there?" asked a muffled voice.

"What do you think I'm doing? It's a bathroom."

"I heard the toilet flush. You're done, so get out," the woman demanded.

Desiree opened the door and said, "You know, you should really follow your own advice."

"What do you mean?" the woman asked on the verge of impatience.

"Patience is a virtue." Desiree tried to mimic the other woman's voice.

"Well you were taking too long," she argued.

"What did you think I was doing?" Desiree placed her hands on her hips. "Making a weapon out of the soap and toilet paper?" Talk about your paranoid kidnappers!

Desiree suddenly found herself wrapped around the waist by strong arms. She let out a yelp and placed her hands on the taller woman's shoulders, as she was twirled around. The other woman let go of her as she rushed into the bathroom, slamming it after she got in.

Desiree laughed for the second time that day. She inquired to the closed door, "Well why didn't you just say you had to potty?"

Desiree wandered over to the entertainment system to get a good look at all that was inside. Some of the books there she recognized and had read from such authors as Jackie Collins, Rita Mae Brown, and John Grisham. The CD's were mostly oldies, soft rock and rhythm and blues. The videotapes seemed to be based mostly on drama, with a few comedies. Desiree even spotted a couple of her favorites, and some that she had wanted to see, but had not gotten around to yet. It then hit her that she could very well escape. Desiree looked towards the front door longingly.

"Don't even think about it."

Desiree jumped. "Must you sneak up on me!" She glared at the woman standing in front of the fireplace, seeming to appear out of nowhere.

The woman smiled, showing a nice set of white even teeth. "I like to keep you on your toes."

Desiree nodded. "Ah." She then studied the woman. "Why did you leave me alone?"

"Nature called." The other woman shrugged. "Plus you wouldn't have gotten very far. I would have caught up with you soon enough," she replied confidently.

The strawberry-blonde rolled her blue-green eyes. "My. Don't we have a big ego."

"No. I'm just sure of my abilities," the other woman said seriously. She then walked over to the couch, taking a seat. She indicated for Desiree to come sit down too, so she did, but Desiree made sure that there was plenty of space between them.

She then studied the woman's ski mask. "Why don't you take that off?" she pointed towards the mask.

"Oh so you can identify me to the police?"

Desiree shook her head. "I just thought you'd be more comfortable with it off is all."

The other woman started to say something that would most likely make her captive blush, but she changed her mind. "Since when did you care about my comfort?"

"I don't," Desiree argued. "It's just that you look silly wearing that when I don't see any immediate need for it."

The blue-eyed woman stared at Desiree so long after that that the young woman began to squirm. Finally, the woman raised a hand and grabbed the material of the mask around her chin and pulled if off. Desiree could not help herself. She gasped and openly gazed at the face behind the mask. This had to be one of the most beautiful women that she had ever laid eyes on. The woman had dark brown hair that fell a little ways passed her shoulders. It was mussed from having been stuffed into the ski mask. She had prominent cheekbones and lips that Desiree considered looked soft as cotton. Her sky blues seemed to stand out even more without the burden of the mask. Desiree surmised that the woman could not be much older than she herself was.

"Something you find interesting about my face?" inquired the other woman with mirth in her eyes.

"N-no," Desiree stuttered. "I was just looking," she tried to say nonchalantly.

The blue-eyed woman scooted closer to her and whispered, "Is that all you want to do is look?"

Desiree abruptly hurried off the couch to stand by the fireplace. "Why do you do that?" she asked, blushing furiously.

"Do what?" the other woman asked innocently.

"Tease me. Turn what I say into something lurid with your perverted mind," she replied between clenched teeth.

The other woman shrugged. "It gets my juices flowing."

Desiree rolled her eyes. "Can't you get your juices flowing some other way?"

The kidnapper ran her eyes slowly down Desiree's body. "Oh, I can think of one or two ways." She smirked.

Desiree chose to ignore the not so hidden meaning. "Well I don't appreciate it."

"Funny." She scratched her chin. "I don't recall giving any implication that I cared about what you appreciated."

Desiree yawned for an answer. She ran a hand over her eyes wearily.

"You tired?"

"What do you think?" Desiree snapped irritability. She was so tired that her eyes were stinging.

The kidnapper held up her hands. "I was just asking." Arising from the couch, she grabbed a hold of her captive's upper arm, leading her towards the door farthest from the bathroom. She opened it and ushered Desiree inside saying, "This will be your room while you are staying here."

Desiree's eyes roamed around the small but nicely decorated room. It was done in shades of blues and white. She turned her attention to the woman still standing behind her. "How long will I be staying here?"

The kidnapper shrugged. "As long as it takes," she simply answered.

Desiree's face scrunched up. "As long as what takes?"

The woman leaned towards her captive conspiratorially. "If I told you, I'd have to kill you." She laughed at the look of shock on the young woman's face. She chucked her under the chin saying, "I'm just kidding."

"I knew you were," Desiree announced defensively.

"Yeah right." The taller woman smirked. "Listen, everything that you find in there feel free to use. Clothes, toothbrush, towels, everything. Got it?"

Desiree nodded. "Thank you." She was not so sure that she should be thanking this woman since she was holding her hostage, but in spite of everything, the kidnapper was being cordial. How many kidnappers would give hostages their own bedroom, clothes, and bathroom needs? Desiree almost felt like she was on vacation, except for the part where she could not leave as she pleased.

"No need to thank me," the woman muttered. Really, no need to thank me, she thought.

Desiree fidgeted with the knob on the door. "Well goodnight." She began to close the door.

The other woman smiled slightly. "Goodnight, Love."

***

Desiree stormed out of the bedroom. "What did you mean by that?" she demanded of the other woman who was now sitting in front of the computer.

The woman hurriedly switched the screen to black with a push of a button and swiveled around in her chair. She nearly choked on the soda she was drinking at the sight before her. Desiree had chosen to wear a simple white T-shirt to sleep in, but she looked absolutely gorgeous to the kidnapper. Her legs may not have been that long, but they were finely shaped. The hem of the T-shirt reached Desiree mid-thigh.

"Stop looking at me like that!" Desiree realized that she should have put that robe on she found in the closet.

"Like what?" The kidnapper inquired, forcing her blue eyes to focus on the younger woman's face.

"Like I'm a piece of meat, and you're a carnivore that hasn't eaten in weeks."

The kidnapper rolled her eyes. "Oh please. Don't flatter yourself." She mentally chastised herself for being so obvious.

Desiree shrugged, deciding it best to let the issue drop. "Whatever. Why did you call me love?"

The woman stared at her for a moment before answering. "It's your name, isn't it?"

The strawberry-blonde narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Isn't your name Desiree Meredith Love?"

Desiree gaped at her. "How did you know that?" Then it hit her. "Did you go through my glove compartment while I was locked to the refrigerator?"

The other woman shook her head. "No, I didn't." She sighed. Might as well give her some clue as to why she's here, she thought.

"Then how did you know?"

The blue-eyed woman took a deep breath before beginning. "You're name is Desiree Meredith Love. You are twenty-three years old, and you were born and raised in San Francisco, California, until you moved at the age of eighteen to attend UCLA for the next four years. You used to work at an office supply company, but unfortunately, you got fired yesterday. You're currently writing a book, because becoming a well-known fiction novelist is your real passion in life." She thought for a moment. "You have one younger brother and one older sister, your parents still reside in San Francisco, and you have a cat named Tobias. You know, that latch key kid of yours." She finished smiling mischievously at the expression on her captive's face.

Desiree plopped down on the arm of the couch with her mouth hanging open. If there had been flies swarming around the cabin she would have been in big trouble. "How on earth did you know all that?" she asked astonished.

"I used to be a 'Psychic Friend'," she replied grinning.

"Don't play with me," Desiree retorted in a warning tone.

"Oooh." She pretended to shiver. "What are you gonna do to me Shorty?"

Her captive cocked her head to the side. "Shorty?" she repeated. If there was one thing she hated, it was for people to draw attention to her short stature. It was a sensitive topic for the vertically challenged strawberry-blonde.

The woman twined her fingers together in her lap. "That's what I said. Question is, what're you gonna do about it?"

Desiree balled up her hand into a fist and shook it menacingly. "How 'bout I knock you into next week?"

The kidnapper arched an eyebrow. "I'd like to see you try." She beckoned Desiree over with the fingers of each hand. "Bring it on."

Desiree marched over to her and then realized she had fell right into the Venus flytrap's plan. The sitting woman had Desiree's legs trapped between her own. She squeezed her own thighs against the shorter woman's legs, and placed her hands on Desiree's small waist. Desiree could not escape, but she was not so sure that she wanted to, as she felt the warmth radiating from the other woman's hands coming through the thin cotton material. It was far from being a cold early April morning, but they felt so good. The strawberry-blonde hesitantly placed her hands on the other woman's strong shoulders. She noticed that the woman had removed the black sweater she had been wearing along with her shoes and socks too. The woman was now only wearing her jeans and a black tank top, which showed off the muscles in her long bronzed arms. Desiree concluded that she definitely worked out.

The blue-eyed kidnapper peered up at her. "My, my, my. What a predicament you've gotten yourself into." She slid her hands down to the hem of Desiree's T-shirt. Any further down and she would be touching the young woman's bare skin. Desiree was shocked to find that she sort of anticipated that happening.

"What're you doing?" she whispered. Desiree then noticed that she was absently massaging the other woman's shoulders. She stopped her hands from doing so. She's not the only who is crazy. I've lost my mind too!

The woman's hands finally connected with the warm bare skin of Desiree's outer thighs. The strawberry-blonde gasped as the dark-haired woman started making circular movements with the padding of her thumbs on Desiree's skin. She then whispered, "Making you want me."

"What makes you think I want you?" Desiree had started to breathe heavily. What in the world is wrong with me? she wondered. I don't even know this woman's name.

"By the way you're reacting to my ministrations, I'd be willing to bet that you want me," the other woman explained, as she brushed a smooth jean clad thigh against her captive's leg.

"Sorry, but I don't play for that team."

A slow knowing grin made its way to the kidnapper's lips. "Oh, but I think that you could easily be drafted." The woman ran a hand behind one of Desiree's thighs and began to caress the well-defined flesh there. "You're about as straight as a labyrinth."

"I'll have you know that I have a boy-"

"Yes. I know." The other woman interrupted looking up at Desiree, and noticing the lovely flush on her ordinarily pale cheeks. "His name is Alec and you're using the wrong tense. That's had. Not have." The woman grinned in a cocky fashion.

"That reminds me of my earlier question. How do you know who I am?" Desiree attempted to step back, but the other woman would not relinquish her hold.

"I told you. I used to be a 'Psychic Friend'," said the kidnapper smiling.

Desiree took a deep breath. "I'm serious."

The blue-eyed woman changed the subject. "How much do you want me?" She asked, gazing at her captives beautiful blue-green eyes. Desiree noticed that the sitting woman's hands were now dangerously close to her derriere.

"You mean, how much do I want you to take a flying leap into an erupting volcano?" Desiree asked sweetly. She even managed to paste on a saccharinely sweet smile.

The other woman chuckled. "You're really cute when you're angry, Desi."

Desiree's eyes narrowed in outrage. "Don't call me that. Only my friends call me that."

"And what am I?"

The strawberry-blonde put her hands at her sides. "Believe me when I say that you don't want me to answer that."

That initiated another chuckle, which only proved to infuriate Desiree even more. "You make me laugh, Desi."

"What's your name?" she ignored the usage of the nickname this time, knowing that the woman would not listen to her anyway. It would be futile to argue.

"Piper." The expression on Desiree's face was one of shock. "What? You don't like my name?" asked the kidnapper.

"No-no, it's not that. I just didn't expect you to tell me that easily. You have to admit that you haven't been very forthcoming with information."

Piper shrugged. "I figured I know all about you, the least you could know is my name."

"How do you know all about me?" Desiree countered.

Piper, kneading the backs of her captive's upper thighs absently replied, "I don't wanna talk about that right now." She found herself wondering if her cute hostage would be a screamer in bed. Images of Desiree screaming out her name in ecstasy caused the kidnapper to inwardly groan.

"When?" Desiree closed her eyes, and let out a soft moan, which brought a slight smile to Piper's lips that she missed.

Seemingly, within the blink of an eye, Piper raised Desiree's T-shirt to just above her flat stomach and delivered a feather-light kiss to her belly button. "Later," she whispered, as she headed in for another kiss. However, before she could deliver it the phone started to ring.

Cursing under her breath at the unwelcome interruption, she reached behind her for a small cellular phone that was lying next to the computer. She opened the flap, pressed a button, and said, "This can only be one of two people. No matter which one you are, you're dead!"

"Well that's a comforting thought," the male voice on the other end of the line replied.

Piper frowned. "What do you want?"

"Your butt back here."

"Sorry, but my butt is very content to stay right where it is."

"Don't be stupid, Piper. You need to get back before the authorities find out you're missing," warned the man.

"What makes you thing I'm missing?"

"I went over to your apartment and you weren't there."

"Did it ever occur to you that maybe I went out for a walk or something?"

"You skipped town didn't you?" asked the man hesitantly.

There was a slight pause on Piper's end of the line as she raised a hand to her head and began rubbing her temples with her thumb and middle finger. "Yes," she admitted wearily.

A loud exhalation could be heard from the other end. "Running is not the answer, Piper."

Piper shook her head, as if he could see her. "Wrong. It's the only answer." She let go of her hold on Desiree, and the young woman took a step backward, looking at Piper with obvious concern. "If I come back there, I will go straight back to prison. I refuse to go back there, and this time we both know chances are I won't ever get out." Desiree's eyes widened, but she was not too surprised to hear that the kidnapper had been previously incarcerated.

"I'll fight to get you out of it," the man argued.

"Oh please Frank. You sound like Larry Parker. You gonna get me out of this, like you got me out the first time?" she asked angrily. "I don't even know why I keep you as my lawyer. Deep down I must wanna be kept behind bars."

Frank sighed. Much of the time this woman could be very aggravating. "Why don't you come back Piper? I promise I won't tell anyone that you left. This will be kept confidential."

"No! Eight years of my life have already been wasted, and I'm not about to give up the rest. Good-bye Frank." She started to press the end button on the phone but her lawyer stated that he had something important to say. "What is it?" she asked impatiently.

For a moment, the man said nothing. "Richard Love Jr. was shot yesterday afternoon."

Piper's blue eyes darted to Desiree and then cut away quickly. "Is he dead?" she asked nervously, hearing Desiree gasp.

"No, but he almost was. The doctor gave the report on the news that if the bullet would have been half an inch to the left that he would most likely be gone."

Piper let out a relieved breath. She did not need another death on her hands, although at this point it probably would not have mattered much. "Is he gonna be okay?" she asked, noticing that Desiree looked relieved too. Piper smiled inwardly. Desiree did not have a clue as to whom she was talking about, yet she still managed to have compassion for this person who could be a stranger. If only she knew he is her brother, Piper thought grimly.

"Well it's early, but his prognosis appears to be more on the positive side," Frank replied.

"Good." Piper paused. "Do they have a suspect?"

Her lawyer gave another brief pause. "They know for sure who did it."

They do? Piper thought. "Who?" she inquired aloud.

She heard Frank take a deep breath before he replied, "You."

Piper was silent for so long that Frank began to think she had hung up the phone until he heard a sound that he had not been suspecting. His client was laughing hysterically. She's finally gone off the deep end, Frank thought. He wasn't too surprised by that. It was bound to happen eventually.

"Of course I did it, Frank." She stopped laughing, which soothed Desiree's nerves. At the first sound of the laughing, she had jumped back wondering what the person on the other end could have said to initiate that kind of reaction. "Why there are only six freaking billion other people on this damn earth!" Piper furiously yelled, causing her captive to flinch.

"One, not everyone knows Richard Love Jr. Two, a lot of the people on this damn earth as you put it, have alibis. Three, not everyone is being questioned for three gruesome murders already, and four, not everyone has a motive," Frank stated in a rather calm voice.

Piper scowled, "One, I don't know Ri-" She bit her lower lip. She had been about to say the man's name in front of his sister, "him," she finished. "Never met the guy. Two, I wasn't even in San Francisco when it happened." I was in Los Angeles, planning on kidnapping Desiree Love, she silently added to herself. "Three…whatever, and four, what in the hell is my damn motive!?"

"Easy. Judge Richard Love sent you to prison for eight years and you decided to retaliate by trying to kill his son," replied Frank.

Piper did not say anything for a minute. "You say that as if you truly believe it."

Her lawyer gave no reply.

"Well, do you? Don't tell me your taking their side against me. I thought you were my friend, and not just my lawyer," Piper stated.

She heard her lawyer sigh. "Actually to tell you the truth Piper, I don't know what to think." He exhaled loudly. "Richard said that you shot him."

Piper was speechless for a moment. "What? I never laid a hand on him! He's either lying or crazy." She ran a hand through her dark brown hair restlessly. This was an absolute nightmare!

"Well that's what he said, and now there's a warrant out for your arrest. Now their beginning to look for you, and you're nowhere around."

"So how did you expect to hide it from everyone that I left?" Piper inquired impatiently.

Frank did not answer right away. "I…uh didn't."

"You didn't?"

"Piper I think that your best option is to turn yourself in."

"You think I did it," Piper uttered incredulously. "I have an idea, Frank. Why don't you just kiss my ass!" She noticed that Desiree flinched again, so Piper turned her chair around so that her back was to the woman. "If I wanted to kill the man's son, he would be dead! I don't leave unfinished work." Piper harshly pressed the end button, turned her chair around again, and threw the minuscule phone across the room, where it safely landed on the leather couch. She then put her elbows on her knees, and covered her face with her hands.

Desiree stood looking at Piper wearing a horrified expression. The words "I don't leave unfinished work" kept running through her mind. What does that mean? Desiree thought. I know what it means. She's obviously a hitwoman, and that's why she kidnapped me. My God, someone has put a hit out on me. Who would want me to be dead? I don't have any enemies. Sure I don't get along with everyone, but who would have the nerve to get someone to terminate my life? She briefly considered her ex-boyfriend Alec, but Desiree could not come up with a valid reason as to why he would want her dead. Alec was a jerk but he was not that cold-blooded. Why would she go through all this trouble to kill me? She could have just shot me in the parking lot of "Sweet Sensations" and have been done with it. Desiree shook her head to try to clear her troubling thoughts. She figured that she just watched way too much television. Surely, Piper was not intending to murder her. Indeed, the woman did have the capacity to look very dangerous, but Desiree still believed that Piper would not end her life. "I don't leave unfinished work." Well she must have killed someone, Desiree admitted.

"Is everything okay?" Desiree inquired quietly.

Piper glanced up at her as though she had forgotten that the young woman was there. She straightened up in the chair and said, "Go to bed."

Desiree took a hesitant step towards her. "If you need to talk I'm here to listen."

The blue-eyed woman glared at her. "No. You're here to do what I tell you to do. Now I said go to bed," she replied in a warning tone.

The strawberry-blonde refused to back down. Obviously, no matter what she did, Piper needed someone that she could talk to. Desiree knew that she should not care about what the kidnapper needed, but she could not help the urge she had to reach out to her. "No one has told me to go to bed since I was thirteen, so what makes you think that you can do it?"

Silently, Piper reached into the waistband of her jeans and pulled out the gun from earlier. "This makes me think I can do it." She held the gun up for Desiree to clearly see. "Now I said for you to get your stubborn little butt in that bed before I do something that you'll regret!" she yelled. "Do I make myself clear?" she asked between clenched teeth.

Desiree knew when to quit so she nodded. "Crystal clear," she replied in a small voice. She headed towards the bedroom and then turned around to face Piper who was still glaring at her. "Goodnight." Desiree waited a moment, but Piper would not say anything so she shut the door quietly behind her.
***
"Did you manage to get a hold of her?" he asked.

She shook her head.

"Where could she be? Did you try her at work?"

"She got fired."

Judge Richard Love looked at his wife in shock. "She got fired?" he repeated.

His wife nodded as she took her seat by her husband in the waiting room of the hospital. She took her husband's hand and squeezed it gently. "I'm sure she's fine Richard."

The man shook his head. "I get the feeling that something is wrong. It's not like Desiree to be gone without giving us any information on her whereabouts."

"She's a grown woman, darling. Probably just went out of town with some friends and that's why she didn't get our messages."

"Surely she has seen the news. Her brother was shot and we haven't heard from her yet. She should know by now, no matter where she is." Richard scratched his graying hair in thought. He was worried about his youngest daughter. His son's life had already been put in jeopardy and now his daughter was missing. She was not the only person missing. He had found out just a few hours ago that Piper Redding was now considered a fugitive. It was thought that after she had attempted to kill Richard Love Jr. that she had fled. She was considered armed and dangerous, and Judge Love was almost certain that Desiree's disappearance had something to do with her. He would never be able to forgive himself if something were to happen to his daughter. He did not want to worry his wife, so Richard was not going to say anything just yet. If Desiree did not show up or if they did not hear from her within the next couple of hours, then he was going to take some action. For now he would try to be patient.

Richard regarded his wife. "Thank God our son will be all right," he stated.

His wife nodded. "I don't know what I would have done if we had lost him." Her voice broke, and she began to cry. Richard put his robust arms around his wife and hugged her.

"If I ever get my hands on that Redding woman she will be sorry she was ever born," he stated vehemently.

"That goes double for me," said Larisa, Richard and Sandra's oldest child, as she walked into the waiting room. She looked nothing like her siblings Richie Jr. and Desiree. Both Desiree and Richie Jr. had reddish blonde hair and pale complexions. Larisa was 5'9', with shoulder-length dark brown hair, green eyes, and a tanned complexion.

Larisa took a seat on her mother's side and rubbed her eyes wearily. She had hurried to the airport to catch the next plane heading to San Francisco after she heard that her brother had been shot. "He's resting peacefully right now," she said to her parents.

"Good," both Richard and Sandra replied simultaneously, causing each to smile at the other warmly.

Suddenly the phone in Richard's jacket pocket rang. He excused himself and walked out into the hall of the hospital to answer it. The caller was Piper's lawyer Frank Webb.

"What on earth could you be calling me for?" asked the judge.

"I'm terribly sorry to bother you at this time sir, but I thought it was only fair to let you know that my client has skipped town. I talked to her a few hours ago, and I don't have a clue as to where she is, but she's no longer in San Francisco."

"I already know that she left. There's a warrant out for her arrest and she's nowhere to be found."

"I thought you might know, but really that's just speculation. For all the police know she very well could be in San Francisco, but I have proof that she's not, because she told me. Ms. Redding is scared and she feels like everyone is against her," Frank explained.

"Well she should be scared, because if I have my way she will get the death penalty for all that she's done," Judge Love angrily replied.

"You have every right to be upset sir, but maybe she really didn't do all those things."

"All the evidence points to her Mr. Webb. Of course, she's guilty. My own son saw her face when she tried to kill him, so don't defend your psychopathic client to me. As far as I'm concerned yesterday when she went after my own flesh and blood, she signed her death certificate." Judge Love ended the conversation and went back to his family.
***
Desiree awoke the next morning to a tongue licking her on her left cheek. "Oh, don't tell me this woman is licking my face?" she thought. Someone please get me a straight jacket! Desiree mused that Piper's tongue sure was rough and dry. She was happy to find that she felt not an ounce of arousal. Last night, or earlier this morning she had been worried that maybe she was attracted to Piper. She concluded that the feelings she was experiencing were due to lack of sleep and her emotional state. Whatever they were, they were gone now. Desiree opened her eyes to a very surprising sight. Lying on top of her was none other than Tobias. The light orange and white eighteen-pound tabby cat was busy licking her face, as if his young master was drenched in milk. Tobias stopped licking and started to purr when he noticed that his owner was now awake. Getting up on all four legs, he stretched and moved over to lie next to Desiree.

"Morning Sleepyhead," said a low voice coming from the direction of the window.

Desiree turned her head on the pillow to see Piper sitting in a dark blue recliner with her feet up. The light from the sun was shining on her face and sparkling blue eyes. Desiree had no choice but to admit to herself that this woman was absolutely breathtaking. Too bad she was nutty as a fruitcake.

"Morning," Desiree replied, as she sat up in the king-sized bed. She would hate to confess it aloud, but Desiree had slept wonderfully in this comfortable bed. In fact, she had not slept that well in months. She glanced at her cat, who was on his way to dreamland, still purring softly. Desiree smiled and turned her attention to Piper. "You went to go get him?" she asked the woman.

"No. I had my limo go pick him up," Piper replied grinning.

Desiree rolled her eyes. "You just can't answer a simple question. Can you?"
The blue-eyed woman shrugged. "Well it was a dumb question. Of course, I went to go pick him up. We just got back about a half hour ago."

Earlier that morning, when Piper had rudely dismissed her captive to her bedroom she had instantly began to feel like a jerk. After all, it was not Desiree's fault that she was upset. The young woman had even tried to give her comfort after hearing Piper's part of the conversation. She now knew that the kidnapper was a convict, yet she did not back off until the woman had threatened her with the gun and her words. Piper knew that she had quite a large temper, and unfortunately, the sweet young woman had to be the recipient of it. After mulling it over in her computer chair for a while, Piper came to a decision. She would go get this so-called child of Desiree's.

At three-thirty in the morning, Piper was on her way back to Los Angeles to get a cat. She shook her head, wondering if she had lost her mind. Here she was a fugitive, and she was risking her freedom to rescue a feline for her hostage. Piper broke the speed laws on her way to retrieve Tobias, but knew that would be the least of her problems if the police were to catch her. Somehow going over the speed limit by forty miles more per hour did not come close to being as important as the charges of murder, attempted murder and soon to be kidnapping once the police figured out the mysterious disappearance of Desiree Love.

Piper had reached Desiree's apartment with no trouble by 7:30am. After searching the apartment for a few minutes, she had found the scared cat hiding in Desiree's clothes closet behind a suitcase. By 7:45 Piper and Tobias were back on the road, and had reached the cabin by 12:30. The cat had cried most of the way, which was about to drive the blue-eyed woman insane. She turned on the radio in the hopes of drowning him out, but the louder the music got the louder he got. Piper momentarily thought about tossing the annoying feline out of the window, but then considered Desiree probably would not consent to that idea. Half way through the trip Piper remembered the ice cream Desiree had mentioned. She lifted the lid off of the melted lukewarm sweet stuff and held it with her right hand for Tobias to eat out of while she maneuvered the car with her left. Tobias licked it once, then turned around sticking his bushy tail up in the air as if to say, "You call that ice cream?"

"Picky little furball," Piper muttered. "I can tell she spoils you. Well you're not gonna get that from me." Then she thought to herself, Great. Now I'm talking to a cat.

Desiree stretched while Piper wished she were standing as she did it. She would have been able to see more skin then. "Why did you do it?" The strawberry-blonde inquired, peering at Piper through sleep filled eyes.

Piper shrugged. "Couldn't leave the kid home alone." She smiled slightly.

Desiree did not say anything for a minute, as she studied the carpet. "Thanks," she said, getting out of the bed and straightening her T-shirt.
"You're welcome. I took the liberty of getting some of his stuff from your place. He's already been fed. Half a can all right?"

Desiree shook her head. "He eats a full can."

"At one serving?"

The young woman nodded.

"How many times a day does he eat?" Piper asked.

"Twice."

Piper laughed. "No wonder he's so fat." She scooted down in her chair as Desiree marched over and slapped her lightly on the arm.

"Tobias is not fat. He's just big boned," she argued in defense of her beloved baby. She glanced at him, hoping that he was much too deep in sleep to hear the insulting words.

Piper shook her head still laughing. "Whatever you say." She arose from the recliner and made her way over to the door. Looking back at Desiree she said, "Get dressed. Lunch will be ready soon."
***
Opening the bathroom door, Desiree's senses were quickly assaulted by a delicious aroma coming from the kitchen. Instantly, her stomach growled letting her know that it was time to eat. Desiree then realized that she had not eaten anything since the two banana splits last night, and she had skipped dinner. She walked towards the kitchen and discovered a sight that shocked her. The kidnapper was in the kitchen wearing an apron that said, "Kiss the Cook." Desiree shook her head. So, the woman was a kidnapper and a cook. What wonders never cease.

Out of the corner of her eye, Piper caught sight of the strawberry-blonde approaching. She glanced towards her and stated, "Sit down. Lunch is almost ready."

Desiree took a seat at a round wooden table with four matching chairs next to the kitchen. She felt refreshed after the hot shower she had taken. Afterwards, Desiree rummaged around in the drawers in her temporary bedroom and found something to wear. She had on a pair of white shorts that reached to her knees, and a navy blue T-shirt. She marveled that they both were a perfect fit. She had not bothered to put on any shoes, so Desiree lounged in a pair of white cotton socks. Besides, it would probably be better for the carpet anyway.

Desiree looked at the television and knew that her favorite soap opera One Life to Live was on. She had missed almost thirty minutes of it already, but she could still catch the rest. She glanced over to Piper, and wondered if she would let her turn it on.

"Can I turn on the t.v.?" asked Desiree.

Piper stared at her for a moment. "Why? So you can watch the news? Wait till after you've eaten. I've got something to tell you first." Piper reached into the freezer and took out some ice cubes to put in a glass.

"What is it?"

"Patience Shorty." Piper smiled at her, trying to ease the young woman's growing tension.

Desiree did not reply as Piper walked over to her with a black plate and a glass of what appeared to be pink lemonade. Piper set the plate down and watched as Desiree's eyes widened in shock. Before her was a fancily done grilled chicken sandwich and spicy smelling potato wedges. Her mouth watered at the sight.

"You cooked all of this?" she asked, looking up at Piper who wore a proud expression.

Piper nodded.

"Where did you learn how to cook?" asked Desiree, placing the paper napkin on the table in her lap daintily.

Piper walked back into the kitchen and retrieved a bottle of ketchup from the cupboard. She came back to the table, placing the condiment by Desiree's plate. The young woman thanked her and Piper replied, "You haven't even tasted it yet. It may just look good." She knew that this was not the case though. If there was one thing that Piper knew how to do, it was cook. That was one thing her mother had started teaching her at an early age.

"Well there is only one sure way to find out." Desiree picked up the heavy sandwich and took a bite. She had to open her mouth wide because it was so big. As the sandwich hit her taste buds, Desiree knew that she was in heaven.

"This is delicious," Desiree uttered, covering her mouth with a hand as she talked and chewed at the same time.

Piper smiled. "Glad you approve, Desi."

Desiree once again did not say anything about the nickname. She decided that she didn't mind at all if the blue-eyed woman used it.

"Where is yours?" she asked, after she had swallowed.

"I ate when Tobias did," Piper replied, noticing a smudge of mayonnaise on the young woman's upper lip. She started to tell Desiree to wipe her upper lip, but then she smiled mischievously after coming up with a better idea. Piper quickly bent down and licked the dollop of mayonnaise from Desiree's lip, making the woman gasp in shock.

"Mmm. That tasted good."

Desiree shot up from the chair. "What the heck are you doing?" she demanded, hoping that she was not blushing. Well unlike Tobias' licking earlier, that sure did raise her state of arousal. So much for that theory about not being attracted to her, Desiree thought. I must be losing my mind. She's a woman and she kidnapped me!

"Just tasting my creation. I made that mayonnaise you know," she said, grinning. I am so bad, Piper thought.

"Did you now?"

A nod from the taller woman, as she gently nudged Desiree back into her chair. "Finish your lunch, and then we can talk and watch television."

Desiree resumed eating her lunch quietly, as Piper walked over to the refrigerator and poured herself a glass of lemonade.
***

About twenty-five minutes later the two women were on the couch. Piper was spread near the curve of the couch with her bare feet propped up on the cushions. She was dressed in a pair of blue jeans with a short tight gray T-shirt that stopped an inch above her navel, which Desiree found herself peeping at frequently. She then remembered earlier that morning when the blue-eyed woman had kissed her own navel. Desiree felt her cheek and knew that she was flushed. Desiree also could not contain herself from gazing at the two swells that were well defined due to the tightness of the cotton shirt. She's a woman, she's a woman, Desiree kept repeating to herself silently like it was her mantra. Her hormones and body on the other hand obviously did not care.

Piper cleared her throat to start. She was nervous about their conservation. How was she going to explain to this woman that she was wanted for the attempted murder of her brother and the murder of three other people? Oh, what was a kidnapper to do? Desiree seemed like the type that would keep an open mind and listen to what Piper had to say, though even her own lawyer who had become a trusted friend had turned on her.

"Well you know that I kidnapped you for a reason," Piper started.

Desiree nodded. "I figured you didn't do it just for kicks." Desiree crossed her legs under her on the couch as she faced Piper who was lying down.

"Right. I'm wanted by the police."

Desiree did not say anything as she waited patiently for the woman to continue.
"I'm wanted for murder and attempted murder."

The strawberry-blonde's eyes widened considerably, but she still did not utter a word.

Piper did not know exactly where to take this. "Have you heard anything on the news about three jurors being found dead?"

Desiree thought for a moment and then remembered something she had heard about three jurors in San Francisco. Apparently, all three had been found dead within a period of less than forty-eight hours. The thing that was strange about it was, they all had served on the same case about eight and a half years back. "Yes, I remember. What does that have to do with anything?" Desiree asked.

Piper swallowed hard before inquiring, "Did you hear that they had a suspect?"

Desiree shook her head.

"Well they do."

Desiree asked, "Who?" She already had a feeling what the dark-haired woman was about to say.

Piper shrugged. "Yours truly. They were three of the people who served during my trial eight years ago. The same trial that Judge Richard Love presided over."

Continued in Part 2.