I started this fic for last year's Valentine Challenge...I guess it's about time I finish it.

Prologue

"Daddy!!" a young woman's voice shrieked.

A disguised sinister voice chuckled slowly. "That's right Mr. Black. We've got your daughter. And it's going to cost you $5 million dollars....or you'll never see your precious Izzy B alive again. We'll be in touch."

"And that's all of it." John Black pressed the stop button on his mini-recorder as he resumed pacing the small office.

"You did the right thing bringing this to us, John." Shane Donovan rapidly typed on his laptop computer. "We'll put our top agents on this one. You have nothing to worry about. We WILL find Belle. I've got the perfect agent to head this one up. " Shane reached for his phone and dialed. "Agent Brady. Can you get up here immediately? We've got a live one."

Moments later there was a knock at the door. "Come on in," Shane called. The door swung open and in walked one of the ISA's finest. With nearly 5 years with the agency under his belt, coupled with 3 years in the Salem PD, Shawn Douglas Brady, although young, was one of the best in his field. He had yet to leave a case unsolved...a remarkable feat in itself....and his quick wit, a certain undeniable charm, and an outright sense of fairness had rapidly earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues.

"Brady, eh? Yeah, I've heard of you." John raised an eyebrow and gave Shawn the once over from head-to toe as he firmly shook his hand. "John Black."

"Ah...the legendary Agent Black...am I correct?" Shawn smiled at the older man.

"That's a fact." John leaned against Shane's desk and crossed his arms. "I do come out of my self-imposed retirement from the ISA every now and again when the opportunity strikes."

Shane sighed. "John, you're not saying...."

"I am saying!" John cut off his friend. "I am going to be right in the thick of things on this case and there's nothing anyone can do to stop me. My daughter has been kidnapped and I'd rather be damned than sit idly by hoping and waiting for something to happen! To hell with any conflict of interest!!"

"Your daughter? Mr. Black...I'm so sorry." Shawn sprung into action. "All right. Has a ransom demand been made? Let's get a trace put on your phone lines ASAP. When was the last time you saw your daughter? Do you know anyone who may have done this? Any enemies?"

"First off, call me John. And yes a demand has been made. Let's sit down and sort through the rest....you know how these people work, Shawn....the longer we take...the lesser the chance of...." John's shoulders slumped. Shane reached out to his long-time friend. "We'll find her, John. Safe and sound. We'll find her."

Three hundred and forty-seven minutes later...

"OK, Shane. What have you got for us?" John practically sprung from his chair as Shane entered the office with two file folders.

"We've traced the call, gentlemen. It actually originated from a back-office phone at a casino in Vegas." Shane handed the folders to John and Shawn. "As you can see, the Casino Royale is owned by Victor Kiriakis. We are going to send you in undercover to do the necessary reconnaissance. Kiriakis is a well known 'illegitimate' businessman in the area...so use every available precaution at your disposal. One life on the line is more than enough as it is."

"Gotcha....wow that was easy." Shawn flipped though the material in his folder and furrowed his brow. "I guess we shouldn't be counting our goldfish before they hatch but what could Kiriakis possibly have against the Black family?"

"The bastard!" John growled. "Well...way back when....there was some...uh...unpleasantness...involving marshmallows and a wetsuit at our one and only joint Basic Black - Titan Industries charity fashion show....but I just can't see how it could escalate into this."

"One of the mysteries of the criminal genius mind....I guess." Shawn sighed. "So when do we leave?"

"I can have the Basic Black jet fuelled up and ready to go in fifty-eight minutes." John pulled out his cell phone and began to bark orders.

"Are you sure we should have Agent Black in on this one, Shane?" Shawn whispered to his superior.

"There's no stopping him when he gets like this. Good luck, son."

"Las Vegas here we come!" Shawn smirked.



Chapter 1 – It’s Not Unusual

February 1, 2007. 10:18 A.M. Las Vegas, Nevada, outside the infamous Casino Royale, inside an ISA (Ice Sculptures America) undercover van

"There is no way in hell this is going to work." Shawn grunted as he struggled into the disguise that had been carefully selected for him.

Shane Donovan's voice came over the speakerphone. "I realize this is a stretch, Shawn but it was the best way to get you two inside the hotel. Actually, it was the only way. There are no other temp jobs available in the entire casino and we need you on the inside. Besides, we can't risk John being recognized....since he insisted on taking part in this operation. The place is crawling with Victor Kiriakis' goons."

"And I for one can't wait to get my hands on those little..." John smacked his fist into his palm for emphasis. He cocked his head as he looked into the small mirror fastened to the side wall of the van. "I think it needs a little something above the right eye, Clarissa....ah yes...perfect!" The special effects makeup artist turned to Shawn with brush in hand. "You've got to be kidding me." Shawn backed into the furthest corner.

"Suck it up, Shawn!" John barked. “First of all, my daughter's life is on the line here. And second of all, Clarissa needs to at least give you a prosthetic chin and maybe do a little eyebrow plucking or this whole operation is going to go down the tubes faster than you can say 'what's new pussycat!'”

~*~*~*~*~

Inside the casino

"Well, that was pretty awful." Mimi Lockhart discretely rolled her eyes and crossed another name off her list as Pat the 'Hip-hop Granny!' Elvis impersonator exited stage left. "There's got to be better talent in this city...although I guess if Mr. Kiriakis was a little more generous with his salaries we'd probably get a higher caliber of talent in here auditioning. "All right...next?!"

John and Shawn walked out on the stage. Shawn nervously seated himself at the grand piano as John took the microphone from the stagehand.

"I'm sorry, all I have here is piano-vocal duet. You are...?" Mimi queried.

Shawn looked at John in panic. "Uh...."

"Well honey," John twirled the end of his feather boa as he batted his false eyelashes. "You can call me Lavender Rose."

"And uh...I guess that makes me Hot Chocolate." Shawn turned seven shades of red (thankfully hidden by his flowing brunette wig), adjusted his orange halter top and began to tap away at the piano keys.

Thank God I’m a soprano. John sashayed to centre stage, cleared his throat and began to sing.


Bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung
Bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung

Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
Make him the cutest that I’ve ever seen
Give him two lips like roses and clover
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over.
Sandman, I’m so alone
Don’t have nobody to call my own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream.


John gracefully worked the stage as Shawn took over the next verse.


Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
Make him the cutest that I’ve ever seen
Give him the word that I’m not a rover
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over.
Sandman, I’m so alone
Don’t have nobody to call my own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream.


Shawn began to relax as John commenced his solo tap-dance interlude. He stole a glance at the casino talent manager, who seemed to be enjoying the performance. “Maybe this won’t be so bad after all,” he thought to himself. He flashed a grin at the young woman as John completed several running leaps back to centre stage for his grand finale.


Mr. Sandman bring us a dream
Give him a pair of eyes with a "come-hither" gleam
Give him a lonely heart like Pagliacci
And lots of wavy hair like Liberace
Mr. Sandman, someone to hold (someone to hold)
Would be so peachy before we’re too old
So please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Sandman, bring us, please, please, please
Mr. Sandman, bring us a dream!


“Well ladies, I have just one thing to say.” Mimi smiled as Shawn joined John for a bow at centre stage. “You’re hired!”

“Damn it! I think I broke a heel,” John muttered.



Chapter 2 – Like a Rhinestone Cowboy

Opening night at the Casino Royale

“It’s for the good of the mission, Shawn. Remember….it’s all for the good of the mission.” Shawn grimaced as he sat at the makeup mirror in the showgirl’s dressing room waiting for his curtain call.

“Come on now, we’re here…let’s make the best of this situation. We’re inside…and after tonight’s show we should be able to get a little reconnaissance done.” John finally located the neck hole on his rhinestone halter top and bent to zip his thigh-high black cowboy boots. “These heels sure are killing me though,” he said as he rubbed his right calf.

“And the view is killing me, sweetheart.” A pair of steely blue eyes brashly took in the site before him.

“Excuse me?” John aka Lavender Rose turned to give the uninvited guest a piece of his...er…her mind.

“You can call me Philip, darling.” The well-dressed young man walked towards Shawn and John with a glass of champagne in each hand. “You must be our new fresh meat…er…new act.”

“I can think of a few things I’d like to call you, darling, and Philip isn’t one of them.” John snarled.

“Two minutes!!” Mimi knocked on the dressing room door. Shawn took the chance to intervene and grabbed John by the elbow. “Come on now, we’d better get out there.”

“Wait! I didn’t catch your names, you lovely ladies, you?” Philip smirked.

“Lavender Rose and Hot Chocolate,” the duo curtly tossed over their shoulders as they escaped to the stage.

Philip whistled and then drained each glass of champagne. “Man, the brunette is hot but that tall blue-eyed blonde will be the death of me.”

~*~*~*~

“OK girls, are you all set?” Mimi buzzed around back stage tying up loose ends before the curtain went up.

“That’s a fact,” John quipped. “I had my entire upper body waxed for this.”

“What?” Mimi shuddered. “Never mind, I don’t think I want to know.”

“And I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” Shawn paced nervously.

“Oh now, don’t you worry,” Mimi laid a comforting hand on Shawn’s shoulder. “After your audition I have 100% confidence that you ladies will hit this one right out of the ballpark!” Mimi gave Shawn a quick smile and a wink. Wow what beautiful chocolate brown eyes underneath all that disco blue glitter eye shadow.

Wow! Shawn thought as he found himself slightly more relaxed. She has the most beautiful green eyes.

John completed his vocal warm up exercises, adjusted his pink fur cowboy hat and took to the stage. Shawn followed and took his place at the piano. The curtains parted and a single spotlight streamed down on John seated at centre stage as Shawn played the opening notes of the song. John took his microphone in hand and began the song with his back to the audience.

The whispers in the morning
Of lovers sleeping tight
Are rolling like thunder now
As I look in your eyes

I hold on to your body
And feel each move you make
Your voice is warm and tender
A love that I could not forsake

John rose from his chair and gracefully turned to face the crowd.

Cause I am your lady
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I’ll do all that I can

Philip stood at the back of the auditorium mesmerized at the site before him. The blonde goddess’s hair glistened under the stage lights as the voice of an angle reverberated throughout the room. He wasn’t sure if it was butterflies in his stomach or the taco he had eaten for dinner but he was pretty sure he had never felt this way before.

Lost is how I’m feeling lying in your arms
When the world outsides too
Much to take
That all ends when I'm with you

Even though there may be times
It seems I’m far away
Never wonder where I am
Cause I am always by your side

Shawn glanced backstage and saw Mimi clapping along to the song, cheering them on. They locked eyes and exchanged grins.

We’re heading for something
Somewhere I’ve never been
Sometimes I am frightened
But I’m ready to learn
Of the power of love

The sound of your heart beating
Made it clear
Suddenly the feeling that I can’t go on
Is light years away

John kicked his chair across the stage as he launched into the last verse.

Cause I am your lady
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I’ll do all that I can

Were heading for something
Somewhere I’ve never been
Sometimes I am frightened
But I'm ready to learn
Of the power of love!!!!

Shawn raised his right eyebrow in John’s direction as he passionately fell to his knees with his right fist in the air and then collapsed to the stage. Mimi laughed and gave Shawn a double thumbs-up as the audience went wild.

Shawn & John took their final bows and exited the stage. “Ohmygod! Ohmygod!! I’ve never seen the crowd react like that here before!” Mimi bounced up to the duo excitedly.

Song credit: The Power of Love Artist: Celine Dion

Chapter 3 – Secret Agent Man

“We did it!!” A flushed Hot Chocolate aka Shawn Brady pumped his fist as he and Lavender Rose entered the dressing room backstage.

“Hold your horses there son; we’ve still got one big bridge to cross.” John said as he picked up a towel from the makeup table and began to wipe down.

“Did you just say son?” Mimi asked, following them into the room.

John gulped and raised his voice an octave. “No, no...I said hon. It must be all the noise back here, dear. I can barely hear myself think sometimes.” He turned to the mirror. “And my pores are as big as the Grand Canyon! Could today get any worse?” John continued his tearful tirade in an attempt to get Mimi to exit the dressing room so he and Shawn could continue their strategizing. He threw his cowboy hat across the room. “And I really don’t think pink is my color. I’m more of an autumn!!”

The corners of Shawn’s mouth twitched as he could barely contain his laughter. “Could you give us a minute, Mimi?” he whispered discretely. “I just need a few moments with Lavender here...she gets like this sometimes.”

“Uh, sure.” Mimi wasn’t sure what to think. She’d dealt with temperamental talent before but this one sure took the cake. “I’ll catch up with you later…I’ve got Kate Roberts’ Elvis/Elvira act going on in ten.” She smiled at Shawn and closed the door behind her.

“OK Shawn,” John spoke with a low voice as he changed into Lavender Rose’s black reconnaissance full-body leotard. “I’m going to pay a little visit to Kiriakis’ office, and you’ll be running interference. If anyone asks, you’re waiting to give Kiriakis a ‘private’ show, got it??”

“Got it.” Shawn sighed. He pulled a long coat over his shorts and T-shirt. “I guess I’d better put these heels back on then...”

“Think of it this way Shawn,” John smirked. “You’re doing wonders for your posture.”

~*~*~*~*~

Shawn tried to look casual as he glanced at his watch outside Victor Kiriakis’ office on the top floor of the Casino Royale. Thankfully no one had passed by so far, but he knew it was only a matter of time. By all reports Kiriakis liked to play a very active role in all aspects of his businesses - although somehow he did manage to keep his name from being formally attached to any of the ‘illegitimate’ business pursuits the authorities had exposed to date.

“Hurry up, John...” Shawn groaned as he heard the elevator ding and its doors glide open. Footsteps came nearer down the hall and Shawn released the breath he was holding in as their source came into view.

“Mimi.” She had changed out her work clothes and was wearing a little black skirt and a silky red sleeveless top. Woah.

“Hot Chocolate? What are you doing up here?” Mimi looked at Shawn suspiciously.

“Um...well...I...uh...” Shawn decided to come clean – kind of. “I was asked up here to uh...perform for Mr. Kiriakis.”

“Oh really?”

“Yup. I’m just waiting to get called in, actually.” Shawn gestured towards the door.

“Well, I think you’ll be waiting for a while. Victor Kiriakis is overseas on business,” Mimi explained as her brow furrowed.

“Hmm...I guess there must be some mistake then,” Shawn covered. “I must have the date wrong...”

“Victor Kiriakis doesn’t make mistakes...and frankly he’s been very happily married to Kate Roberts for the past year. This does not make sense at all. How were you invited up here?” Mimi pressed further.

What a firecracker. Shawn grinned inwardly as he quickly came up with a story. “I got a phone call in the dressing room after you left. He told me to come up here and wait.”

“How strange,” Mimi thought further. “Unless it was Philip?”

“Philip?”

“Yes,” Mimi explained. “Philip is Victor Kiriakis’ son. He’s been managing things here at the casino while his father is overseas. But...I just saw him heading out of the building while I was waiting for the elevator to come up here.”

Shawn put two and two together and came up with four. “Philip, eh? It makes sense. He actually approached Lavender Rose and I in the dressing room earlier tonight. Although it was without a doubt an encounter I would have preferred to avoid.”


“Well, he definitely marches to the beat of a different drummer.” Mimi laughed. “Anyway, you should probably forget about waiting. Philip can be a tad forgetful. And listen, if you’re not busy, do you want to join me for a drink in the casino lounge? My girlfriends had to cancel at the last minute so I just came up here to pick up my paycheque.” Mimi reached to open the door to Victor’s office. The door abruptly shook and Mimi struggled with the doorknob. “How weird. His secretary always leaves this unlocked on payday.”

Nice one, John, Shawn thought inwardly. “Maybe you can pick up your cheque tomorrow, Mimi? Why don’t we go down to the Lounge? My treat…a thank you for hiring Lavender Rose and I.” Shawn smiled.

“OK...sounds good,” Mimi agreed. “Where is Lavender Rose, by the way? She’s welcome to come with us.”

“Oh she went home,” Shawn covered. “She had to feed her labrador retriever Shane.”

“How sweet. Well, let’s get going then. I’ve been craving a Fuzzy Navel all evening.”

Shawn’s thoughts went into the gutter with that one. He pressed the button to call the elevator, and saw John quietly slip through the door to the stairwell. “I must say you look gorgeous tonight, Mimi.”

“Why thank you Hot Chocolate, so do you...so do you,” she smiled.