Now dinner was over and done, it left us in the mood to party. Kevin true to his promise was helping me relax and have fun. He was in a good mood, making us all laugh. When Kevin was relaxed and among friends he could be quite the comedian, and his lighthearted flirting was hitting the mark. But I dished back to him as good as he gave out. We were both determined to have a good time tonight after the stresses of the past weeks, and were aware of the amused speculative glances from the others but it didn't stop us both now openly flirting with each other. Kevin decided it was time to party and he pulled me to my feet, saying with his slow caressing drawl 'Come on Jax, it's time to dance the night away and kick up our heels.'
I laughed as I gathered the ragged wedding dress about me and moved with Kevin onto the dance floor, my veil had long been discarded and Nick was terrorising Brian, Sue and Lee with it.
'Come on Michelle, let's go dance.' Howie grabbed hold of her hand and they followed us, starting a mass exodus from the table.
The dance floor was a crowded mass of gyrating bodies, all swaying to the pounding beat of the good old eighties and seventies songs. A heated press of humanity, in various stages of inebriation, from being completely sober, to the zonked out drug induced haze which a few celebrities constantly lived in made up the crowd. I was surprised if one more person could fit on the dance floor, it was packed to the rafters. Glad I had at the last minute forsaken a pair of the most impractical shoes, wearing instead my comfortable trainers it made dancing a lot easier and more enjoyable. Kevin had me giggling, he had a unique style of dancing that was all his own, and he exaggerated his movements on purpose till it hurt too much from laughing to continue dancing. I clung against him throwing my arms about his neck making him stop. I yelled over the music into his ear 'Enough you clown, I've got to get a drink, and rest my aching stomach muscles. Plus look at Gideon and James watching us, they must think they have nuts for employers.' He laughed and taking a strong grip on my hand, he guided me back trough the press of bodies to our table. Brian, Sue, Nick and Lee were already there obviously all in need of a break. Kevin pulled out a chair for me, and I sank down gratefully.
'Thank god I wore these, my feet are killing me.' I waved a trainer clad foot about with a laugh.
'Not a good fashion choice Jac, but practical though.' Nick laughed.
Kevin leaned in over my shoulder reaching for his drink. 'Jax babe. Shall I send the fellas off to get something to eat and drink? Up until now they've refused, but they must want something surely.
'Yeah I tried earlier as well, make them Kev, I feel guilty having all this fun, and them having to stand around watching.' He was back in a minute sitting down close to me.
'They'll go but one at a time. Which is sensible.' Something caught his eye and he choked on his drink.
'What, what's wrong?' Everyone asked at once, but Kevin struggling to regain composure just pointed to the dance floor. There was Kerry and Aj on the dance floor. Our chin's dropped as we watched their antics. We burst out laughing.
'That is so like Bone.' Brain smiled.
'I thought he'd given up floor humping.' Nick grinned.
'But he does it so well.' Lee smiled appreciatively.
'God look at Kerry.' I giggled 'Talk about immersing yourself in a role'. I referred to their bondage outfits and she was matching AJ in dance moves stakes. 'She must have been taking tips from me.'
Kevin leaned across and said with a teasing look. 'What? Bondage tips Jax?'
I clapped a hand to my mouth, then slapped him on the arm. 'No! I meant acting tips, and you knew it.' I giggled blushing.
'Oh damn.' He feigned disappointment, but I made him laugh when I said. 'But I'm a quick study. Shall I ask them for lessons?'
'For god sake Jac don't you dare encourage Kerry.' Sue laughed.
'Or Bone.' Brian added with a grin.
Howie and Michelle appeared out of the crowd. 'I suppose you've seen Aj's floor show.' He grinned as he and Michelle sat down.
'I thought Kerry was really quiet.' Michelle giggled.
'Um that's a no. We were always in trouble for our wild stunts at school. She is every bit as capable in matching Aj, believe me. But she's a touch more subtle.' I told her.
'Arh look the show's ended.'
Aj and Kerry made their way towards us unashamedly proud of themselves. We all clapped and cheered.
'Is that our new dance routine Bone?' Nick asked thrusting his hips about suggestively.
He grinned. 'No, it my new bedroom routine right Kez?' He joked as Kerry sat down.
'Well it still needs some work.' She threw back at him refusing to be embarrassed by his openness. 'Your next lesson is later tonight.'
He laughed flinging an arm about her shoulder. 'Touche baby. That's why I love this girl, she keeps me on my toes.'
***************************
He circled the dance floor, always keeping to the dim shadows, always watching, waiting for his chance. The plan he had in mind was so simple, but simple was good. Simple often worked the best, and if luck held, tonight she'd finally be his.
*******************************
Howie yawned. 'Opps sorry guys, I'm tired. Do you want to go Michelle?' he asked stifling another yawn. It was about three in the morning.
'Yes if you're ready.' She told him.' I'm absolutely exhausted, but I haven't had a much fun for ages.'
'Yeah we're off as well.' Nick added pulling Lee to her feet and wrapping his arms about her waist.
I turned and looked at them all.'Thanks for making tonight a great night guys. I really appreciate it, actually Kev and I needed to relax and have some fun tonight, and you guys really helped make it a great evening.'
'You ready to go as well then Jax?' Kevin took my hand and pulled me to my feet.
'Yeah I feel like I could sleep for a week.' I yawned.
Kevin motioned to Gideon and James that we were leaving, as everyone got up to go home. 'Where's Bone? Kevin asked Kerry.
'He gone for a smoke, he'll be back in a minute, you'll probably catch him on the way out.'
'We'll wait with you till he gets back' Sue said.
'You don't have to, go on home.' Kerry told her.
'Nah it's ok.' Brian said. 'We have nothing on tomorrow so we can sleep in, we'll wait till he gets back.' We hugged and kissed everyone as we said our goodbyes.
We let Lee, Nick Howie and Michelle push through the crowd in front of us. Gideon was in front of Kevin and I. Kevin held my hand in a tight grip and we dodged and ducked through the dancers still intent on partying the rest of the night away. James brought up the rear behind me. With my head down trying not to follow Kevin, I didn't notice that James was somehow separated from our group, as a bunch of drunken girls surrounded him trying to get him to stay with them and dance.
***********************
James frantically struggled to break out of the circle, pushing a couple of the women over roughly onto the floor in his in his determination to break free from their clutching arms. He looked about in the dim light trying to find us in the crowd, he caught sight of Gideon's head, and he pushed through the crowd trying to catch us up. Ahead he saw a figure stealthily emerge from the press of bodies and yank Jac out of Kevin's grip. He saw Kevin panic and look about as the crowd swallowed up the place where Jac had been moments before. He watched, as Kevin grabbed hold of Gideon in an agitated frenzied manner and they both frantically searched the crowd for any sign of Jac. As he pushed his way towards them, he noticed the others in front stop, as they realised Kevin and Jac weren't following them any more. He pushed his way through to the group, in time to make out Kevin's panicked ' I had hold of her, Jesus I had hold of her hand. We've got to find her and quick. Jesus I had hold of her hand, she was just wrenched from my grasp.'
Gideon placed a huge hand on Kevin's shoulder.
'Easy lad, stay calm. James stop the music, get them to put the lights on. We've got to be able to see in here before we do anything.'
James shoved his way ungently through the masses of bodies, and in five minutes the lights were on, and the music silenced. He calmly explained to the crowd what had happened and asked they stay put. Brian Sue, Aj and Kerry made their way to a nervy, edgy. worried Kevin who impatiently was chaffing at the delay.
'I've got to go look for her, I'll never forgive myself for this, I should have had hold of her in front of me like we did before. I should have thought, should have realised something like this could happen.'
'Kevin stop it.' Gideon told him. 'We'll get her back, he won't have got far. The police are on their way here. Now James and I are going to search outside.'
'Can we help in any way, please?' pleaded Kevin. 'I just can't sit around waiting.'
'Ok in pairs though, You and Howie, Brian and Nick, and only in here, not outside, got it?'
Everyone murmured assent. 'And don't do anything stupid. When the police get here you girls explain where we are and what happened ok?.' James added before he and left a stunned bunch of friends standing grouped together, wondering how such a great night could take such a terrible turn.
****************************
Trying to follow Kevin through the crowd, I had a tight grip on his hand. But a suddenly my arm was wrenched out of it's socket as a hidden force grabbed hold of me tugging me out of Kevin's grasp. The pain was such that a red haze danced in front of my vision, momentarily blinding me. A hand quickly smothered my mouth silencing any noise I might have made. A strong arm trapped me close and I was pulled backwards through the crowd on the dance floor. My vision cleared and I gasped against the attacker's hand as the pain in my arm receded. My last glimpse of Kevin was of him looking around in a panic, frantically calling my name, and motioning for Gideon to stop. The dancing masses immediately swallowed up where I'd been making my way through seconds before. My heart was thumping in fear, it felt like it was ready to burst out of my chest such was it's pounding.
'Make no sound and I won't hurt you.' A rasping voice said into my ear. I was too stunned to do anything but nod silently. The suddenness of this attack has my mind reeling in shock. With a quick movement he gagged me so I couldn't make a sound. From a quick panicked glance at a mirror on the wall, I realised with a sinking, fearful heart just who my kidnapper was. It was the clown. I struggled against him as he dragged me towards the clubs back entrance, but he tightened his hold none too gently. 'Stop struggling or I'll have to hurt you.' A harsh muffled voice within the hideous mask told me roughly. 'And don't think I won't do it.' he added.
I gave one last struggle and he cuffed me about the head stunning me senseless for a few seconds, which enabled him to open the door and drag me out into the back alleyway.
************************
Aj inhaled deeply from his cigarette and puffed out a plume of smoke. He watched it dissipate and disperse into the chill damp night air. Taking another drag, and looking at the glowing orange end burn it's way a bit further along the cigarette's length, he thought to himself. I've got to give this up. Breathing out another cloud of smoke he tossed the butt onto the floor grinding it out with his shoe. The back door opened and out of the corner of his eye a flash of white caught his attention. Slipping back into the shadows he watched inquisitively, curious as to who would wanting to use the alleyway at this time of night. Maybe it's another smoker he thought. But something seemed fishy, someone was struggling through the back door with a heavy burden. Again the flash of white caught his eye, and the light from inside the club provided enough illumination for Aj to realise, that the person in white was being held against their will. Whoever it was struggled against their captor. Then as he caught sight of a pair of trainers kicking away under the white dress, his heart froze in this chest as the realisation dawned on him who it was being dragged into the alley. Thanking his good luck in putting out the cigarette, he knew he was well hidden in the shadows. Risking another peak around the corner his heart sank.
'Fuck! It's that fucking horrible clown.' He thought. 'I knew that dude was trouble as soon as I laid eyes on him.' Thinking quickly he remembered his whip. He bent quietly down and picked it up, running his fingered other the heavily bound leather end. Weighing it in his hand like a club, he made his decision. Jac's constant struggling was distracting the clown. She wasn't making life easy for her attacker. Good girl Aj thought. If the clown's attention was focused on Jac he wouldn't be ready for Aj as he made move behind him. Jac squirmed and made grunting noises through her gag, suddenly she made herself a dead weight, going to ground, forcing her kidnapper to bend over her and drag her along. Aj pounced out of the shadows bring the end of the whip down onto the clowns head. Over and over he thudded it into his skull causing the attacker to loose his hold of Jac's body and fall into a crumpled heap to the floor, allowing Aj to drag Jac out of his reach and into the safety of his arms. She struggled against him, against this new threat, not realising yet who had hold of her, he could feel her heart pounding in fright against his chest as he held her tight against him.
**************************
'Jac, Jac Jac, shush baby it's me Bone.' He caressed my hair gently and untied my gag with fumbling fingers. 'I've got you baby. I've got you sweetheart.' He rocked me back and forth in his gentle arms, his soft raspy voice reassuring and comforting me. 'I've got you safe Jac. Let's get you back inside sweetheart.' Never in my life was I so glad to hear a familiar voice.
'Aj? Is it really you?' I asked in stunned shock. A sound of scuffling in the shadows brought our heads around. Aj leapt up dropping me to the floor, another bruise to add to my collection. 'Fuck I didn't hit him hard enough, he's getting away, stay there Jac. Don't move ok?' He took off at a run down the alleyway.'
I scrambled up to my feet, frightened at being left alone, but worried about Aj. 'Shit AJ stop. Aj he's dangerous, Bone come back. Bone please.' My pleading shout echoed through the alleyway, He reappeared almost immediately breathing hard. 'the bastard got away.' I was trembling as the realisation of my close call hit home and I could feel my legs buckle as the adrenalin receded leaving me feeling battered and bruised. Aj flung an arm around me. 'Let's get you inside Jac, you need a stiff drink baby,' He half carried my trembling aching body back into the club. The dance floor was well lit, and people sat about talking in hushed groups. Leaning heavily on AJ's for support, Kerry saw us first. She nudged Kevin in the side. He was talking in an agitated manner to Steve, and as he turned he saw Aj and I shakily making our way towards them. Aj hurriedly explained how he came to be my rescuer, his words tripping over each other as they tumbled from his lips, but everyone got the gist of what he was trying to say. Kevin thankfully clasped Aj to him in a bear hug, before turning to face me.
Over the last few minutes my emotional pendulum had swung far and wide. From sheer terror to anger, to relief that I was for the moment safe, and the realisation was as intoxicating as if I had drunk a bottle of champagne in one gulp. And the pendulum had yet to right itself, find its centre. Oblivious of everyone in the room except Kevin I only had eyes for him. Heartfelt relief washed over his face and a flash of such intense naked emotion blazed forth from his eyes, that I stopped moving towards him dazed by its intensity. For what seemed like hours, but was in fact seconds we drank in the sight of each other, disbelieving, that for some reason luck had held and I was safe. In three quick strides he was in front of me and I was enfolded roughly into his arms. Here in his arms was my reality, here in his arms I was safe, here in his arms I was home where I belonged.
****************************
Kevin touched her face with his fingers, as if seeking to reassure himself that she was safe here in his arms, and unharmed. He needed such reassurance, these recent frantic minutes had seemed like eternity and he felt like he had lived every nightmare possible. Studying her face in the light, he could see the shock induced pallor of her face, the red discolourations on her skin, where tomorrow bruises would form as proof of her struggles. She suddenly seemed so vulnerable and his heart ached. It was during those panicked, frantic moments when he thought he might have lost her, a bolt of lightening hit him illuminating his heart. He realised that he loved her. Loved her so overwhelmingly that without her, his life would never be the same.
****************************
'God Jax.' He rested his forehead against mine in relief. 'Did he hurt you?'
'No, I'll only have a few bruises maybe.' I looked up into his eyes, and they were tear filled, and his hands were trembling with emotion as they again moved over my face softly. It was like he couldn't believe I was standing here in front of him.
'Baby I was so scared, I should have held on to tighter, should have been able to stop him. I promised you I'd protect you and I failed.'
'Oh Kevin No. Kevin please don't punish yourself thinking that. Please hold me, just hold me and never let me go.' I whispered huskily.
**********************************
He was more than willing to do that. Lowering his lips he kissed her gently, but her mouth clung to his, as she sought a deeper kiss. He lost himself in her arms. He tightened his hold on her as the room spun dizzily. She moaned as he unintentionally touched a sore spot on her bruised body. Pulling away he gasped. 'Oh Jax baby, sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you, I…' She placed a finger on his lips silencing him. Her lashes lifted, giving him a glimpse of luminous pale green eyes, softened with love. He felt like he could drown in eyes such as hers and if what he saw in her eyes right, she loved him also and he felt his heart swell. But now wasn't the time for declarations, that would come later. She smiled shyly at him, and he cradled her face placing soft kisses on her eyes, nose and mouth savouring that she was safe.
A soft cough broke the spell, and he reluctantly pulled away from her, but keeping her within the safe circle of his arms, he turned towards the sound.
Steve grimaced. 'Sorry to break this reunion up guys but I really need to talk to Jac while things are fresh in her mind.
'Now? Kevin asked protectively 'Can't I take her home? She's been through enough tonight.' He felt a soft touch on his arm, and he looked down at Jac with concern filling his eyes, she gave him a tired wan smile.'
'Kevin, I think maybe Steve is right, I don't particularly feel like having to do this, but I know I must.'
'Ok baby, but not all night Steve ok? I mean that, I'm taking her home as soon as possible.'
'Kev, I'll get her a stiff drink.' Kerry said.
'Thanks Kez, come on Jax, sit down over here.' He placed me in a chair and sat beside me not letting go of my hand for a minute.
'Can you guys hang around as well please. I'll need to question everyone. I won't be too long Jac, then Kevin can take you home. But it's important I get as many detail as possible from you.'
'It's ok Steve, I understand.' I sighed. Kevin was watching me like a hawk for any signs of collapse I touched his cheek with my free hand. 'I'll manage Kev, honestly. Steve won't be long.' He studied me for a moment, then knew I'd be strong enough to cope with Steve's questioning. Then I prepared to relive those nightmare moments all over again.