Shout Outs!

Fwoggeh – never loose faith in the insane, we'll prove you wrong.

Tonyboy – glad you enjoyed, what happened to your story?

Setsuna's cas- cliffy! MWAHAHAHA!! How do you think this will end??

Lifetime's lost – will update soon.

Tony Wyzek ran through the dark alley. He had sent Gee Tar to find Ice, but he wasn't sure if Ice could help other than to keep Action at bay while Riff was AWOL. It felt surreal, thinking that Riff could be dead somewhere, it didn't seem right that the night should be so warm. Maybe Maria can help me. He thought as he crossed into Sharks territory. He found himself wondering what would happen if Riff died. The Jets would fall apart with Action fighting Ice for leadership unless he stepped in. How could he ever face Maria again if Bernardo… no, I can't think of that…Riff's fine. He's gotta be.

"…So that's what has happened Anita. You must help me convince Bernardo to release Riff before Margarita finds where they have taken him."

"Why? Chino, would it not be better for Margarita to be here with us again? Why should we save that beastly American?"

"Because she… I think she loves him." Anita paled visibly and shook her head.

"I will try… but Chino, I can promise nothing."

"That is all I can ask. Let's go."

Rita raced to the apartment building and darted to the back door. She drew a shaky breath and crept inside to the basement and was met with… nothing. No Riff. No Bernardo. No one.

"Dios Mio… Riff… Where are you?" She felt dizzy, sickened and she sunk against the wall fighting back tears. She drew in another breath and tried to clear her head.

"Ice? What ya thinking about Daddy-O?" Velma purred sweetly.

"Huh? Oh, nothin babe. So, what did you wanna tell me about?" Vel smiled and moved closer to him. She draped an arm about his neck and ran a finger down his chest, then moved to her desk and opened the drawer.

"Well, I… " she pulled an envelope from the drawer fiddled with it. Several years before, Grazz had warned her that playing dumb was always best.

"I wanna be a nurse." A younger Velma said one night while waiting for the boys to show up.

"Ewww… and wear those nasty clothes and icky poo shoes Vel? Are you crazy."

"I wanna help people Grazz. Keep the boys outta trouble. Fix 'em up, ya dig?"

"Listen Velma, guys don't like smart broads, got it? It intimi…initeimie… scares 'em An you want Ice to like you, don't you??"

"Yeah…"

"Then play dumb."

She looked again at the letter and drew a steady breath. "I got accepted to Cornell to get my nursing licence." Ice blinked slowly and picked up his head.

"Wha? What's Cornell?"

"An Ivy legue med school Daddy-O. College."

"Really Vel? That's… wonderful!" he swept her into his arms and kissed her. She tried not to cry with relief. He wasn't upset, he was happy for her!

"Oh Ice I love you."

"You too Velma."

"Ice! Hey Ice!" a voice shouted from outside. Ice sighed.

"Hold that thought… What Gee Tar?"

"Come 'ere! We got trouble!"

Baby John paced his apartment, wondering where Rita and Chino were, and if they'd found Riff yet. He remembered the Christmas Eve that Markus hadn't come home and shuddered. He didn't want anyone else to get hurt. So he sat down and, in front of Anybodys and A Rab, began to recite all the prayers in Swedish he knew.

"So Tony said you need ta come help find Riff and hold back Action from getting any bright ideas." Gee Tar finished.

"Action has bright ideas?" Ice asked. Velma stood silently trembling and Ice went to her. "You ok Vel?"

"Grazz payed them."

"WHAT!" yelled Ice and Gee Tar in unison.

"Grazz said she'd pay Bernardo to kill Rita and hurt Riff for leavin her. I never thought…" Velma faultered.

"Don't panic babe, we got it, you just stay here. Come on man."

"Be careful!" Vel called It's all my fault…

"Ready to pay Jet–boy?"

Again

Review plx!

Flare