Nothing Matters When We're Dancing Part 6 “They look beautiful together, don’t they?” Jennifer whispered to Sebastian as they twirled around the dance floor. Sebastian glanced over at the two men who appeared to effortlessly glide in and out and between the other couples, waltzing through dance after dance, never missing a step, yet never taking their eyes off one another. The smile on both their faces so full of love for one another that even the most jaded of Parisian Socialite had to smile with them as they passed by. “Sunshine, I’m about all waltzed out, let’s to back to the Castle” whispered Brian, his cock beginning that familiar lurch as if anticipating the time alone with his Baby. “We’re staying in Paris tonight Bri.” Justin smiled at him “I want you to see my apartment. Sebastian had Alex and Mattieu get it ready. We can go in early to pick up Gus, Molly and the twins for Disney.” “I’m not sure my back is ready for an artist’s garret” Brian teased. “Just as long as other parts of you can handle it Bri,” answered Justin, he let his hand brush the front of Brian’s pants, rewarded with a sudden stiffening of both Brian’s body and his cock. “Fine Sonny Boy, to the garret it is” Brian, his arm over Justin’s shoulders began to lead Justin toward the double doors of the gallery. He was surprised when Justin pulled him to an unobtrusive door set out of sight behind a large column of marble and pushed a discretely mounted touch pad with a familiar code. “That’s my alarm code” “Didn’t want you to have to tax your brain if you should ever find your way here Brian,” smiled Justin as he pulled Brian into the small elevator, the doors closing behind them. “Justin, I thought we were going to your apartment” “We are Bri, don’t be so impatient.” Brian allowed himself a few moments of luxury, and stood back and admired his beautiful young lover as the elevator rose. “Baby you are beautiful tonight” he whispered into the ear of Justin when he lost his willpower and pulled Justin close. Suddenly the elevator door opened into a large foyer, two doors on either side of the expanse of marble floor. Brian and Justin stepped out of the elevator and Justin confidently strode over to the door on the left. “Come on Bri, I thought you were in a hurry to see my garret.” Justin touched his fingers to the key pad lock and the door clicked. With a flourish Justin opened the door, stepped back and “Ta da” he announced “Welcome to the humble home of Justin Taylor, artist in residence for the next eight months” he bowed deeply ushering Brian in with a sweep of his imaginary hat. Brian walked slowly into the apartment, gazing at each of the walls where an important piece of art was highlighted by almost invisible track lights. His old leather back pack was tossed carelessly on the end of a long leather sofa, one of his old shirts hanging out. Justin’s sketch pads were on various tables and a computer was sitting on a Louis XVI table. A pair of Justin’s runners, had been toed off and careless left on a antique carpet. “Justin, I see your housekeeping habits haven’t improved any,” was all he said as he walked around the room looking at the antiques and art work scattered through out the room. “Brian, come on” Justin had taken off his tuxedo jacket and was proceeding to remove his shirt, anxious to have some time with Brian without children sleeping close by. “It’s just an apartment” “Jeeze Justin, your garret is probably five times bigger than the loft.” Brian was walking slowly toward Justin removing his tie and jacket, looking more slightly dazed. “Brian, you’ve gotta see this bed, it’s totally awesome. I could have three guys in here and you’d never find them.” Justin by now was impatiently tugging at his pant legs which were not cooperating in their removal. Brian looked over at his antics and shook his head “Justin, take your shoes off for gawd sake” By now he had entered the large bedroom. To his amazement the first thing he noticed was not the giant canopied bed, layered with pillows and velvet duvets, but the walls had sketch after sketch of himself and Justin. He began the tour of the walls, Justin by now completely tangled in a mess of pants and shoes and sitting on the floor attempting to untangle himself while watching Brian gaze at his sketches. Justin had sketched the two of them doing everyday tasks from shopping to movie watching. He had them in a large bath tub, and working in a garden. They were walking hand in hand down a busy city street. They were laughing together in a sidewalk café. The two of them over and over again. “Justin, obsess much?” he smirked. Justin, who was finally undressed walked over and wrapped his arms around Brian’s waist. He put his head against Brian’s chest and listened for a moment to the beating of his strong heart. When he spoke, Brian had to lean down to hear him. “I wanted you so badly,” he paused “I guess I did kind of obsess about you and I.” He looked up at Brian, his blue eyes wide and full of hope “Mattieu said that when he wants something, has a goal in mind he puts up reminders of that goal in all the places he goes. Most importantly the bedroom so it’s the last thing he sees before he falls asleep and the first thing he sees when he wakes in the morning. Except for Alex, I guess.” He blinked back his emotion. “When things were so bad for us Brian, I didn’t know what to do. I was afraid to do the wrong thing, but I needed to see you. So I did see you, when I woke up in the morning and when I went to bed at night. That’s why I put the screen savers on your computer; I wanted you to see us when we were happy. I was hoping you would remember those times” He looked down. “I wanted you to love me the way I love you” “It worked Baby” Brian pulled him in tighter, “I finally smartened up and here I am” He reached down and tilted Justin’s chin up, his lips descended crushing the soft pink lips he’d craved all evening. “Bri, Bri,” “Justin, we’re busy here Baby.” “The phone Brian, it’s ringing” “I thought the bells were for us” he teased his blonde lover. “Hello, bon soir?” Justin answered the phone while fending off the advances of a very horny Brian. “Quoi?” Justin looked around franticly for Brian, his eyes wild as he listened to a voice that was sounding louder and more hysterical as it radiated from the telephone. Brian grabbed the phone from Justin, who had sunk to the floor. “What the fuck is this all about?” he shouted into the phone. Justin watched Brian slowly turn pale as he listened to the voice. “I’m coming there right now” he looked at Justin who nodded his head yes to the unspoken question. “Justin will be with me. Call the police. I don’t give a fuck what they said. That’s my son there, call the god damn police.” With that said he slammed the phone back in its cradle hard enough to crack the receiver. “Get dressed” was all he said, his face a mask but his eyes blazing in fury as he picked up Justin’s clothes and began to help him dress. “What the fuck is wrong with these people?” “Brian, I’m sorry, we had guards, and I never thought they’d take Gus and Molly as well as the twins. I thought this nightmare was over when you got those two guys the other night.” “Well it isn’t the fuck over and this time they killed one of the guards.” Brian spoke with a voice that Justin knew was on the edge of fury. “They shot the poor bastard in front of MY son, Molly and the twins.” The door of the apartment was alive with someone hammering on it, the booms resounding down the hall. Brian strode over flinging the door open to a distraught Sebastian and Jennifer, followed closely behind by Alex and Mattieu. Jennifer rushed over to Justin and hugged him, silent tears threading down her cheeks while Sebastian, his face white but his cheeks flushed with fury conferred with Brian, Alex and Mattieu. “Justin, Jennifer, you’ll want to hear this” Brian walked over and pulled them both to him. He was still so upset he barely registered the two of them leaning in as if he would provide all the strength they would need to stand. Brian led them over to the sofa, Sebastian helped Jennifer sit down and Brian sat pulling Justin in close, not wanting to break the connection. He was sure Justin was the only thing that was keeping him sane right now. He knew it was Justin’s hand in his that was stopping him from completely flying apart. Sebastian started his voice wooden as he repeated what he had been told. “The children and the two guards left the gallery in the limousine as planned. I believe the two of you saw them off.” He paused to pull himself under control.“They were out of the city and had an uneventful drive to the Castle. As the limousine signaled to turn in the gates, two of the tires blew. We know now that they had been shot out. “Marcel of course didn’t know what happened and he got out of the vehicle to check, leaving Pierre in with the children.” He blinked rapidly pausing to clear his eyes, tears threatening to spill over. “Marcel, my good friend of more than twenty years was shot. A van had pulled up behind the car and three men pulled open the door of the limousine and grabbed all of the children. They shot Pierre then, there was blood everywhere, I can only assume the children saw this.” Silence was heavy in the air while Sebastian, shaking regained control. Jennifer her hands clasping his shaking ones held him steady. “Pierre tried to get to Marcel, who was lying in the roadway, but died before he could reach him. Marcel lay in the roadway for more than an hour before this tragedy was discovered. He’s in surgery right now, but he managed to hold on long enough to tell us this much.” He looked around at each of them. “He’s my friend, and they shot him like a dog and took our children. Why? Money? I don’t give a fuck about the money. The bastard’s can have every dollar I have. Why do they want my children? And now Molly and sweet little Gus” he looked at Jennifer and Brian stricken “I’m so sorry to have this horror touch your lives.” “Sebastian, I have to ask, why is this happening? What do these people want?” Brian spoke softly, but the hand trembling in Justin’s betrayed his anger. “It’s business Brian. Oh they want money, but it’s about of all things a new formula one of my companies has developed that will, once marketed, be worth billions. A competitor, someone I’ve known since I was a child wants this formula. He feels it’s his birthright because the key ingredient was discovered on property that had been in his family for generations. My father bought the property from his parents after the war. He paid a fair price for the land, though he didn’t have to. But he said he wouldn’t profit from a friends misfortune and paid full value. We went our separate ways and when the discovery was made, the results were published as usual and then the trouble began. He’s crazy; he began a campaign for the formula, claiming all rights. The courts threw it out not once but three times, and now this.” “Give him the damn formula Sebastian” Brian stated the obvious with a quiet intensity. “I can’t, that’s the problem.” Sebastian looked devastated as he began “The formula, used by my company will save lives, the product developed will be distributed at cost or less than cost to anyone who needs it.” He looked at Brian, “In the wrong hands not only will it cause the death of countless innocents, it will be lost to all but a few with the money to buy it. Brian we aren’t talking paying one hundred dollars for something, but paying tens of thousands of dollars. Besides, it’s out of my hands now, we’ve gone into production, I told him that. I told him to give up this stupidity, if it was money he can have any money I have. He doesn’t want the money; he wants the glory of saying it was him that developed this wonderful thing. And” he looked at Jennifer, love in his eyes, “My beautiful wife, my first love, she was his sister. When she died, he blamed me and the children. I never realized this for a long time, because I also blamed myself and my children for taking her away.” He held Jennifer’s hand to his lips. “I was wrong, I know that. What we shared was amazing and I know now that she would want me to share this again with someone. We loved each other very much and she would want me to love again.” **************************************************************************** The van hurtled along the road, keeping just under the speed limit. It stopped for only a moment and the two men in the front jumped out, quickly applying magnetic signs on each side and the rear door, changing the nondescript blue van into a florist’s van. The children huddled on the floor, the three boys wrapped around Molly as she held them as best she could protectively in her arms. Her hate filled blue eyes never wavering from those of the man sitting on a box facing them. “Stop staring at me missy” hissed the dark haired man, his mask muffling the sound of his voice. “Fuck off asshole” Molly said her arms tightening around the boys.“Molly, said a bad word” whispered Jon to Guy, the two boys exchanged an amused look, not yet frightened but more intrigued with the adventure. “Daddy Bwian, Poppa Jus’n” sniffed Gus who didn’t like this state of affairs one bit. “It’s alright Gussy bear, Brian and Justin will come and get us soon.” Molly bent down and kissed Gus on the forehead. “Good luck to them, missy, but first he has to find us.” He spit something he’d been chewing onto the floor. Molly wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Fucking pig” she sneered. “You got a dirty mouth on you kid” “At least I’m not a dirty coward who steals little kids.” The man rose suddenly and hit Molly across the face with the back of his hand. Her lip began to bleed, but she never said a word. There was no way she was going to alarm the boys any more than they already were. “Shut up bitch” he hissed again. Gus, Jon and Guy looked at the man in horror and then at Molly. All three of them began to tear up. Their eyes were filling rapidly and bottom lips quivering. Molly looked at him with contempt “Tough man, hitting little girls.” She sneered The man was about to get up again when one of the others from the front turned around and noticed the commotion. “What’s the problem here?” he asked, though his eyes quickly took in the situation. “None of your damn business turn around and look after what you are supposed to look after. I’ll deal with these brats back here.” “Len, keep your hands off the kids.” The man turned kind eyes on Molly and the boys, when he looked at Len he said with deadly intensity. “Your job is to make sure they stay back there. It is not to touch any of them, not to touch them, not to hit them, not to talk to them. Sit there and make sure that the children remain in the back. Keep your hands and your smart mouth to yourself.” He looked at Molly “You OK kid?” “He hits like a girl” she said and smiled back at the kind man in the front seat. “How come you guys stealed us?” “We didn’t steal you honey, we just borrowed you for a little while.” “Why?” “It’s a long story. But you keep the boys quiet and you won’t have anything to worry about.” “Gussy has to pee” “Tough” the Len spat out The man in the front seat glared at Len. “Look little girl, Gus has to wait” “He can’t wait Mister, he’s just a little kid and he’s kind of new to this peeing in a toilet thing.” “Can he wait five more minutes, we’ll be at a place with a toilet by then” He looked at Gus who shook his head side to side, his eyes big and solemn. “He doesn’t want to wreck his new suit; it’s like his Poppa Justin’s” “Pull over Mac” instructed the kind man in the front. “The kid has to pee” “Fuck that, I’m not pulling over so the kid can pee, he can wait” “Pull over Mac; I’m not going to say it again.” The kind man’s voice had turned deadly quiet. The van lurched as it was pulled to the side of the country road and the man got out walking to the back of the van and opening the doors. He looked in, Rene lifted Gus out of Molly’s arms, and his eyes told the rest to not move. He carried Gus over to a bush “Ok kid, it’s all yours” Gus looked up at the tall man then with the self assurance of Brian Kinney’s kid, unzipped and quickly relieved himself. Rene felt a small hand in his, and Gus led him back to the van. He lifted Gus up handing him once again to Molly. He hid his smile well when he closed the van door and heard a small voice say “Thank you mister” They continued down the country road, finally pulling up to a boat jetty. The water of the Atlantic dark and forbidding with the night sky adding to the gloom tossed restlessly in the moonlight. The children were pulled into the cold, damp darkness, ill dressed for a seaside visit. Len shoved them along roughly down the jetty to a small cabin cruiser tied there; he jumped in and began hauling them onto the boat one by one, Rene helping from his side, only the headlights from the van illuminating them. When Rene jumped on board, the van reversed and drove away leaving them all in the dark, the boat rocking on the waves as the tide came in. “We’re cold mister,” Molly said to Rene, she and the boys were trying to stay close for warmth, but it was obvious that they were quickly becoming too cold. “Get in the cabin, there’s some blankets and warm clothes there, I want you all to change and give me your old stuff, even your shoes.” “We can’t see” Molly could barely make out the three boys in the darkness let alone the way into the cabin. “There’s a flashlight on the table when you get in. You’re a smart girl, feel around” snarled Len. “Asshole” replied Molly her head up defiant. Len opened the door to the cabin but aware that Rene was watching, contained himself from being too rough as he guided the children into the dark recesses of the boat. “Hold hands boys, and stand still, I’m going to find the flash light.” Molly heard the rustle of the boys as they groped for their hands. She slowly, crept forward feeling with her hands for the table, then the flashlight when she found the table. She turned it on, the small light partially illuminating the cabin. She looked at a bunk against a wall and found a pile of clothing. “Ok boys, I guess we have to change into our play clothes now.” She sorted through and handed each boy some sweats. “They aren’t very fashionable, but they look warm” Molly quickly pulled on the pants and then took her dress off and put the top on. Guy and Jon along with Gus stood rooted to the spot. “Look boys, get the cute stuff off, these guys want us to wear this crap, so let’s not piss them off any more than we have to.” She bent down and began to help Gus off with his suit, Jon and Guy looked at each other and then slowly began to change as well. With a lurch the boat started up and the children could feel the boat pull away from the dock and move out into the dark waters. Molly looked around the cabin until she spotted a small window over the toilet in the miniscule bath room. “You boys get up on the bunk and wrap up in the blanket.” She gave Gus a boost up while the others scrambled into the bunk. Jon reached down and pulled the blanket around the three of them as they watched silently as Molly, one by one tossed their good clothes out the window. “There, now if the tide helps some of this stuff should stay on the beach. At least then Justin will know that we were here.” Molly said satisfied with herself. She shut the window and climbed up on the bunk with the boys. “Molly, we’re scared” said Jon. “Brian and Justin will help your daddy find us.” “But what if they can’t find us? Jon sniffed quickly followed by a sniff from Guy. “Dadda Bwian find Sonny Boy” Gus said with confidence and settled his head in Molly’s lap. He was tired and it had been a long day. Molly stroked his hair, so much like his father’s, “you boys are very brave. I’m glad you’re here with me to save me.” “We’re saving you Molly?” asked Guy, “Yeah, we’re saving Molly” stated Jon. “Gus is going to help too” satisfied as to the hierarchy of things the two boys settled back and allowed themselves to relax enough to fall asleep. Molly continued to sit, her eyes wide, her hands stroking the boys, taking comfort from their warm bodies as they gradually moved closer to her in their sleep until they looked like puppies piled on their mother. She watched the stars drift across the small window until the dawn light began to wash away the black sky, and only then did she allow herself to fall asleep. *************************************************************************** The mansion in the city was ablaze with lights. Mel and Lindsey had arrived closely followed by Debbie and Vic. Debbie, more subdued than usual began to prepare coffee and sandwiches in the kitchen. Vic took over serving as the family gathered together. So far the police hadn’t been called and that was the main point of this meeting. Brian paced back and forth, his face a study in fury. “I don’t see why we can’t call in the police.” He glared at the group assembled in the room. “They shot and killed Pierre, Emmett’s a basket case in the hospital with Marcel, and our children are with these madmen.” “Brian, I’ve explained why not. Rene is not completely stable, I don’t think he would hurt the children, but we can’t take the chance.” Brian turned to Justin who had been on the phone non stop for the past hour. “And you, all you do is talk on the phone. Gus is missing, your sister is missing, Guy and Jon, and all you want to do is talk to your friends.” He shook his head in disappointment “Christ, Justin, don’t you understand what’s going on?” “Thanks I owe you guys big time.” Justin said into the phone. He turned and looked at Brian his face stiff with hurt from Brian’s words. “Brian, you are such an asshole sometimes.” He said quietly. “Sebastian, I did what we arranged, the boys found where they were. It took them longer than usual, because for some reason, the van went to the coast. We’d always thought maybe to the south.” The silence in the room was deafening. Justin walked over to the map that had been spread on the low table by the fireplace. He looked down at it and drew a circle. “They left France from this location. Tom said it looked like the van had parked there and you could see from the marks on the ground that the children and two adults walked to the end of the jetty.” He looked at Brian again. “Brian, Gus means as much to me as he does to you. Molly is my sister; Guy and Jon are like sons to me as well. Sebastian and I knew that something like this might happen again. We didn’t think it would involve Gus or Molly.” Sebastian walked over to Brian and put his arm on Brian’s shoulder. “We didn’t want to worry you and the rest. We thought we had it covered until everyone went home. But just in case a tracking signal devise was hidden in Guy’s shoe. Justin has some of his friends monitoring the signal twenty four, seven.” He walked back to Jennifer, once more clasping her hand in his. “They were too fast for us and the boys had more watchers to the south. These little devises have a short range. They got away from us.” He buried his face in his hands as he sat beside Jennifer. “I’m so sorry Jenny, for letting Molly get involved in all this.” Lindsey, got up from where she’d been comforting Mel. “Justin, Sebastian, where do we go from here?” she asked. She had a hard look in her eyes, a dangerous look, that only a mother defending her child could achieve. “Linds, I’m going to the spot where they seem to have disappeared. I should be there by first light. I’ll radio to Sebastian what I find out. Mattieu and Alex are leaving now to cross into England using the Chunnel. We’ll all be in contact at all times. Sebastian will pick me up at the crossing point and we’ll fly in his helicopter to England, Mom, Debbie and Vic will stay here in case the kidnappers try and contact us here and Emmett will be at the Castle when he’s not with Marcel.” He looked at Mel. “Mel should stay with Emmett, she doesn’t look too good.” Their eyes all turned to Mel, who had collapsed on the love seat, staring blankly into nothing. Completely out of it “Mel honey,” Lindsey said, concern in her voice “Come on honey, you need to go back to wait for Gussy. I’m going with Justin and Sebastian to bring him back.” Lindsey helped Mel to her feet. “We’ll take her Lindsey” said Mattieu “We’d be driving close to there anyway” Mattieu and Alex their arms around Lindsey led her to the door. “We’ll be in touch Justin, Sebastian.” Brian had been standing leaning against the fireplace mantel silent as he listened to Justin’s assured voice as he laid out the plan and then gave them all their orders. “You seem to have forgotten one thing Sunshine” he drawled. Lindsey turned to Brian, her eyes blazing “You shut the fuck up Brian, maybe, and I mean maybe, if you keep quiet, you can come with us.” She looked at Justin and then at Brian. “For someone who is supposed to be in love with Justin, you certainly are quick to forget a few of the basics of being a partner. The first rule is you trust that other person, unconditionally. Every one of us here in this room knows how Justin feels about Gus, I surprised that you don’t.” “It’s alright, Linds,” said Justin. “Brian didn’t mean it; he’s scared like the rest of us are.” Justin walked over to Brian; he could read this man like a familiar book. He knew when Brian was scared or upset. He wrapped his arm around Brian, fitting himself under Brian’s arm; he could feel the stiff body slowly relax against him. Melting into him the way Brian did unconsciously, allowing Justin to shield him from the world. For all his hard built defensive walls were tissue paper thin where Gus or Justin was concerned. Justin knew this, and he allowed Brian to retain his cold hearted image. But he knew that Brian was broken inside while Gus was missing. “Bri, you are coming with us.” Justin gave Brian a surreptitious squeeze. Justin reached his other hand up and wiped a stray tear from Brian’s frozen cheek “I love you Bri, come on lets go get our family back” he whispered when his lips brushed Brian’s. ******************************************************************************* The first thing Molly noticed as she opened her eyes was the silence. The motor from the boat had stopped. She eased herself out from under the sleeping boys and crept over to the cabin door, and slowly turned the handle. The handle turned but the door stayed shut. They were locked in. She went over to the small window over the toilet and looked out. They were stopped close to some trees, but still a distance from any kind of land. It was too far to swim, with three little boys. She leaned her head and tried to see as much as she could, but the little window was just too small. She didn’t know if it was only water between the boat and the beach or if they were tied up on the other side to some kind of jetty. The boys were still asleep, so Molly took advantage of that and used the toilet, and then began to explore the cabin. She found cereal and bread and peanut butter in one of the cupboards, but only spoons in the cutlery drawer. There were bottles of water and juice. She walked around the small island table top and stumbled over something on the floor. She reached down and found one of the boys dress shoes. She picked it up and was heading to the bathroom when “Don’t Molly,” whispered Guy “Poppa said that if anyone ever takes us away, to never ever lose that shoe.” He looked around as if he was sure the bad guys might be listening. “It’s got a spy thing in it” “Really?” said Molly turning the shoe this way and that. “Yeah – he said it would help the good guys find me and Jon.” His eyes became filled with sadness “and now you and Gussy.” “We better hide it then” she said and began to search for the perfect hiding spot. “Molly, when Jon and me want to hide something we hide it by not hiding it.” “What do you mean?” “See, it’s a shoe, so you just stick it with a bunch of other shoes. Like there in that closet thing” he pointed to a rack on the far side of the cabin, it was enclosed on three sides and in the bottom were an assortment of boots and shoes. “Put it sort of in the bottom of the pile – see, it’s there, but it’s not there.” “Pretty slick Guy” Molly placed the shoe, impressed with the logic of the small boy. She was going to definitely use this when she got home. “Molly, where Dada Bwian? Where Poppa Jus’n?” Gus demanded. “Gus go pee” he scrambled down from the tall bunk. “Guy, take Gus to the bathroom, Gus wash your face and hands when you’re done and you and Guy can have some cereal.” “Me too” chimed in Jon, who had awakened. The next half an hour was spent getting the boys washed and fed. A sudden crack of thunder echoed somewhere over head. Molly looked out the small window only to see the blue sky turn grey, as dark clouds rolled across the sky, broken by the golden flash of lightning. The small boat began to rock, like a cheap carnival ride. Molly was terrified of thunder and lightning but one look at the horror filled eyes of the boys strengthened her resolve. “Hey guys, this is awesome.” She jumped up on the bunk and patted the mattress. “Get up here with me, it’s like the rides at Disney.” The boys were only too happy to scramble up beside Molly. “You know Brian and Justin would have to pay big money for a ride this long” she smiled down at the boys, hoping they couldn’t see her fear. “They are going to be so pissed they missed it.” The boat gave a lurch as a larger wave almost rolled it over. “Wheeeeeee” she squealed, the boys at first nervous quickly got into the act and began to laugh and squeal each time the boat rolled and lurched. As if Mother Nature was providing this just to entertain the four of them. ***************************************************************************** Dawns light was breaking over the tree tops as the helicopter let down in the small clearing by the jetty. Brian leaped out of the helicopter before it came to a full stop quickly followed by Justin and Lindsey. They raced to the edge of the jetty that was standing in the mud, the tide having receded. Suddenly Brian threw himself over the side, landing fifteen feet below in the wet sand. He scooped up a piece of soggy blue clothing. Gus’s suit coat, he tossed it up on the wooden jetty and looked around, dotting the wet sand and wrapped around the long support pillars were various pieces of the children’s clothing. He didn’t know what it meant, and he thought only the worst as he trudged up to the edge of the beach. Justin ran over to him and held him close. “It’s OK Brian, I think Molly did it to let us know that they were here.” He felt a shudder pass through Brian’s body. “The kids are still alright.” “You don’t know that” whispered Brian, his voice hoarse with grief. “Yes he does” Lindsey walking quickly, passed them “My son is still alive, now move your ass Brian. We need to find them. NOW.” That said she climbed back into the helicopter and relayed what they had found to Sebastian, who agreed with her assessment. In no time at all they were in the air. Sebastian radioed to Mattieu and Alex letting them know what they found. Mattieu and Alex agreed to charter a plane and travel the coast of England to see if the transponder signal showed up. Sebastian decided to do the same on the French coast. “The radio signal is breaking up” shouted Sebastian into the microphone. There’s a storm approaching.” He looked at his passengers. “We may have to stay grounded until the storm passes.” “If there’s a storm here than the children could be out in it. Do you really want to wait?” Lindsey’s tone told everyone where she stood in this decision. Brian and Justin looked at each other trading their ideas in the silent way they had. “Sebastian, we really would like to continue, at least until it becomes too unsafe.” Justin looked at Brian and Lindsey and then Sebastian, he hoped Sebastian would agree, he didn’t know what Brian and Lindsey would do if he said no. Sebastian listened once again to the weather report on his radio and glanced at the darkening sky. He could see rain falling in the distance and the lightning forking across the clouds. But he could also see that the water was becoming more and more agitated. Gentle waves were becoming high crashing waves. He knew what could happen to a small boat in water like this. He didn’t want to take the chance on something worse happening to the children while he sat out the storm. “Right or Left” was all he said. Justin, his eyes shut, listening to his heart for the direction his sister and his children were said “Left, Gussy went left” Sebastian never question Justin’s decision, he had thought left as well, he only wanted to hear this from someone else. Lindsey and Brian exchanged looks as the helicopter rose in the air making a sharp left turn. “Watch the screen in front. We’re looking for a small red dot to show and the resulting blips – as soon as the dot appears, that’s the children, we hope” He indicated a yellow flash on the screen, “what we want to do is have the yellow flash find the red dot – like an old fashioned computer game. When they match up, we’ll have found them.” He continued to fly following the coast line, so low they were almost touching the waves below them. “Unfortunately we didn’t plan for this. We thought it would be like before and they would drive to where ever the waiting point would be. The transponder was geared to that, not long distance flying and remote water access.” Brian and Lindsey soon understood what he meant as the helicopter began to make forays down river access routes. “He could have them up any of the rivers here. All of them are deep enough for boat access. The good part about that is that the boat would be somewhat sheltered from the storm.” The helicopter was being tossed about by wind, the white knuckles on Sebastian’s hands as he griped the controls told them their flight would have to be stopped soon. When suddenly a red dot appeared on the screen, the squeal of delight from Lindsey and Justin at the same time penetrated the protective headsets of both Sebastian and Brian. The storm was worsening and the helicopter was losing ground, but Sebastian held it on the course toward the red dot. A clearing appeared through the wind swept trees at the same time as Justin noticed a small boat tied to a buoy in the river. The boat was being tossed about by the waves like a toy in a bathtub. The helicopter set down in the clearing with a sudden bang, snapping a strut and immediately causing it to tilt, the large rotor blade coming to an abrupt halt buried in the soft earth. The silence inside the cab of the helicopter was eerie as the storm continued outside, the rain so heavy that little could be seen of the small boat. Unfortunately what could be seen was water pouring over the hull and down to the cabin door. Head lights appeared through the trees, a vehicle was approaching the wharf. It pulled up and two men leapt out running to the end of the wharf. They stood there arguing. Neither one had noticed the helicopter like a broken bird in the field behind them. Lindsey pushed open the door that was now above her head and pulled herself out with all the grace that several years of gymnastics classes while in school had instilled. Without waiting for the men she raced across the open space. It was fortunate for both the men that they heard her approach over the storm, because she was not prepared to be kind and gentle with the men that had taken her son. “Look lady, what’s your problem?” asked Len surprised to see an angry blonde Amazon confronting him. “Where’s Gus?” she demanded. “Who’s that lady?” Len looked at Rene “Dumb bitch” he said and turned his back on Lindsey. Lindsey grabbed his arm and pulled it up behind his back, an audible snap was heard over the scream of pain from Len. “You cunt, you broke my arm” Len sunk to his knees, his face white with pain. But Lindsey held on. “WHERE – IS – MY – SON?” she enunciated clearly. Brian and Justin arrived next. “Uh, Linds” Brian tried to get her to let go of Len’s damaged arm. “Linds, you broke the bad guy.” Rene suddenly dove in the turbulent water. They all looked in horror as the small boat appeared to be listing at a hard angle. The boat was sinking. Rene used powerful strokes heading for the boat. Brian and Justin watched for a moment realizing that with four children, there was no way, they could all make it back safely, some one was going to die. Sebastian, limping badly reached Lindsey and the rest. The pain of realization washing over his face as the boat sunk lower in the water. Brian, Justin and Lindsey looked at each other. “If they die, will you want to live?” asked Brian of the other two. “No” Lindsey and Justin said as one. “Sebastian, watch this son of a bitch. If he tries to get away, break his other arm.” Lindsey spoke with deadly calmness as she dove into the water and began to swim to the boat. She was followed immediately by both Brian and Justin. Brian had always been a strong swimmer in his high school years, but rarely had the opportunity to practice as he grew older. Justin and Lindsey, products of their environment had been swimming in country club pools and holiday beaches all their lives. None of them had ever swum in these conditions. The adrenaline that was pushing through their veins carried them forward. The children were in danger and that was all that mattered. Rene had reached the boat and managed just barely to hoist himself aboard. He slid down the deck to the cabin door and pulled open the bolt that had held it shut. The door crashed back and shattered with the force of the wind and the angle of the boat. Through the gloom he could see Molly, her face white with fear holding the boys as close as she could. “Hey, Princess, did you call up this storm?” he joked “Nnnoo” Molly spoke barely above a whisper. “Well, guys I think we should maybe go for a swim, how about that. This darn old boat is determined to dive down and visit with all the fishes. I told it so many times before that it wasn’t a good idea.” He looked at the children who gazed back in fascination “But you know boats, they’re like cats and cows, once they get an idea into their heads you can’t change it.” “Boats can’t think” said Gus looking at Rene with suspicion. “This is a magic boat. This was my sister’s boat. I think maybe it wants to go and take her for a ride once again.” “We want our Poppa” said Jon and Guy together. “You know boys; I think that’s a good idea. My sister does to. So I’ll tell you what, we have to take turns but I’ll help you swim back to the shore and then we’ll see your Poppa.” Rene picked up Gus “You first little one” he carried him out onto the deck. Lindsey was about to pull herself up when she saw Gus appear with Rene. “Take him” he shouted over the storm. He handed Gus to his mother. “hang on to your mommy little one, pretend she’s a funny blonde fish who’s going to swim you to the shore.” He watched as Lindsey balanced Gus on her back. “Gussy bear, you hang on to mommy’s neck, we’re going for a big long swim” with that said she pushed herself away from the boat and began to head for the shore. Brian and Justin reached the boat as Lindsey began to swim back. Brian felt relief that Gus had a chance of survival but realized there were still three children left. “Ok kids” said Rene, “who’s next?” Molly straightened her back. “Take Guy and Jon” she said, “They’re little but they can help kick, they know how to swim. Both Brian and Justin heard Molly’s reply. “Hey Mollusk, some pickle you got yourself in” teased Justin as he came in the door. “Hi Justin, you take one of the twins, Brian you take the other one.” She looked at Rene “this man will help me” The boat lurched again; the bow of the boat was now only inches from being under the water. There was no time to argue, Brian picked up one twin and Justin the other. “Come on boys,” Brian said, “show me how you country club kids kick” He slipped into the water as they heard Guy ask “What’s a country club kid?” Justin smiled as he and Jon joined Brian in heading for the shore. If anything the storm appeared to be wilder than ever. Molly and Rene were left. “Did your leg break when the table slid into it?” Molly asked conversationally. “Yeah, kid, how did you know?” “Well, your foots kind of pointing backward and your face is a funny green color” “Look kid, I’m sorry, but I’m not going to be much help here. You should have said something to your brother.” “Then my brother would have had to make a decision that was impossible to make.” “Kid, can you swim?” “Yep” “Well, hop to it then, try and make it to shore. It’s not that far.” “Can’t” “Why not?” “Who’s going to help you?” “I don’t need any help kid. Just get out of here.” Molly crept past him and went out the door. Rene bowed his head. This was it he knew it. He’d done some damn stupid things in the past year. It was his men that had killed the guards, he was responsible for everything. He leaned back against the wall; waiting when in front of him was Molly. She held two old life jackets. “I remembered my grandpa’s boat had life jackets under the seats. So I looked and found two.” She quickly slipped on one of them. It was too big, but she tied it as tight as she could. Then she knelt down beside Rene and began to help him struggle into the other jacket. “These life jackets more than suck” she said. “You know you can get some real hot colors these days” When he had the jacket on she sat down beside him. “Thanks kid for the jacket, but you have to get off the damn boat.” “Can you stand up?” Molly asked Rene tried, but couldn’t even come close, the angle of the boat combined with the tossing of the waves made sure of that. “Didn’t think so” she paused “This is what we’re going to do. The boat is about to sink so the best thing is to let it. It isn’t a big boat and won’t create too big of a pull on us when it does. When the water comes into the cabin we’ll float and I’ll help you get through the door. Once we’re out in the open and the boat is gone we’ll be on top of the water. Your leg will be OK in the water and I should be able to keep us sort of in the right direction to reach Brian and Justin.” She reached over and held on to one of his hands. “Don’t be scared Mister, Justin will save us” It seemed like a hundred years passed as Brian and Justin swam to the shore. Lindsey and Sebastian waded out in the surf and each grabbed a twin. Brian held onto Justin and they stumbled onto the sand. He could see Gus sitting inside the SUV the kidnappers had driven up in. The one with the broken arm lay on the wharf still, tied up with Sebastian’s tie and belt. He didn’t look too comfortable and Brian wasn’t too sympathetic. “Where’s Molly” shouted Lindsey over the roar of the waves. As one Brian and Justin turned and watched the small boat disappear below the waves. At the same time, the wind began to die down, the water becoming less frantic almost immediately. Justin started to wade back into the water, numb with grief over the loss of his sister. He stood there staring at the roiling water his eyes seeing his little sister first as a baby in his mother’s arms and then slowly maturing over the years. He couldn’t even cry only stand there frozen. “Brian no” he said shaking his head as Brian ran down the wharf and once again dove into the water his long arms rhythmically moving over and over toward the spot where the boat had been. The waves were still so high, Brian looked like he was appearing and disappearing in to the water. A shout of triumph could be heard by all those on shore and slowly, very slowly Brian reappeared, a small wet blonde head poking out of a dirty orange life jacket, trailed by another head in a life jacket. Justin and Lindsey both began to swim to them and together they all made it back to shore. ***************************************************************************** Eight hours later, Brian and Justin walked into Justin’s apartment. Getting everything straightened out, dealing with the police and the family had them both numb with exhaustion. Music was playing on the radio that someone had left on. With almost the last bit of strength Brian had, he pulled Justin into an embrace and began to waltz him across the foyer and down the hall, spinning and gliding like they had only a day ago. “You fool” Justin said as he smiled at his handsome lover. “I’m a fool when it comes to you Baby.” Brian leaned in a kissed Justin, never breaking step with the waltz. “What are you doing?” asked Justin “Dancing, Baby, nothing matters when we dance. So I’m never going to stop”