TCOT Garrulous Gambler Chapter 1

Again, a huge thanks to Rachel for her ideas and suggestions and for being my second pair of eyes.

I do not own these wonderful characters or receive any profit from them. I am only borrowing them for a little while and I promise to return them the way I found them.

Story Synopsis: Perry defends Larry Benton, a young man who's in trouble….which seems to follow him wherever he goes and it appears that trouble is his middle name. When he knocks out a man during a poker game, his "so called friends" convince him that the man is dead and they want $5,000.00 to cover it up. Larry forges one of his brother's checks. When his brother finds out, he tries to cover it up and winds up charged with murder himself. He hires Perry to defend him. Perry, Della and Paul work the case and of course discover the real culprit.

The following conversation is from the last scene of the episode. It is very late and the three friends are sitting in Perry's office discussing the case.

Paul: "You know, there's one thing I don't understand"

Perry: "Go on Paul"

"Paul: "What made you think of Granger in the first place?"

Perry: "When I became convinced Granger was dead."

Paul: "What convinced you of that?"

Perry: "Well I don't believe in honor among thieves. When that $20,000.00 showed up, none of it having been distributed, I wandered what had happened to Mr. Granger."

Paul: "Yeah, now that you mention it, it doesn't exactly seem logical that he would take off without his cut."

Perry: "Not in a thousand years. Notice how much Mr. Wallace was on the scene? The big problem was to bedevil Wallace into leading us to Granger's body."

Paul: "You got to admit you were pretty lucky. Suppose Mr. Granger didn't believe in keeping his dry cleaner so busy."

Perry: "Oh I think the results would have been the same. The autopsy will show that Mr. Granger died after August 15th."

At this point the clock in the tower across the street begins to chime.

Perry: "Any more questions?"

Paul: "Nope"

Della: "Well I have one."

Perry: "Oh?"

Della: "Just once, do you suppose we could get out of here before midnight?"

Perry looks at his watch, then turns his head and looks in the direction of the clock tower, turns back to Della, smiles at her, stands up and takes her by the arm.

"Let's go Cinderella, we'd better hurry."

As the clock ticks down the trio leave the office laughing. A minute later, Della comes hurrying back in, checks the slider, locks it and runs back out. A second later, the door opens, Perry steps in, turns out the light then closes the door.

My story picks up from here.

Perry Mason put his arm around Della Street and tugged her to him as Paul, he and Della made their way down the corridor to the elevators. Paul pressed the button while Della just leaned into Perry, her head on his chest. She stifled a yawn which was not lost on the men. Perry gently brushed a wisp of hair away from her face and left a soft kiss in her hair. No words were spoken between them, none were needed. The mere touch of Perry's hand and the feel of his lips were enough for Della. Leaning against him, she felt as she always did when he would hold her…..warm, safe and loved. For his part, Perry was always happy to have Della in his embrace. Just holding her and breathing in her scent made him feel as though that all was right with the world.

Paul looked at the stunning brunette whom he loved and cared about deeply. From the moment Perry introduced them, Paul knew the love he had for Della would only be one of a treasured and genuine friendship…nothing more. His best friend, the man he loved like a brother was in love with this beautiful woman and Paul knew that someday, somehow this love would be returned and that she and Perry would be together always. Paul had been right. The spark between Perry and Della had ignited right at the beginning….from the first day Della had come to work for Perry and it wasn't long after that….only about eight months that the well known handsome attorney and his beautiful secretary became an official couple.

"Mmmm….."Paul was brought back to reality by the soft sigh being emitted from Della's lips.

"You OK beautiful?" Paul's voice held concern. "It's been a long day. It won't be too much longer. Once this elevator comes, it will only take a minute till we get down to the garage then Perry will have you home in no time."

Della flashed Paul one of her heart stopping smiles. "I'm Ok Mr. Drake, but thanks for asking. I'm just glad it's Friday and we won't have to get up early. I intend to sleep in. How about you…anything exciting on tap for your weekend?"

"Yeah, I have a few things planned. A dinner date tomorrow night with a lovely lady, then maybe a day of fishing on Sunday." Then looking directly at Perry he said "of course, it won't be anything as thrilling as what the two of you have planned."

At that moment, the elevator arrived, the three stepped inside and let the metal cage take them down to the parking garage. Given the lateness of the hour, the ride took less than a minute, stopping at the garage level. The doors opened, depositing them close to where their cars were parked. After bidding each other a final goodnight, Paul got into his white sports car, pushed a button and waited for the top to open. When it finally lay flat against the trunk, he gave one more wave and drove away,

Perry and Della walked a few feet further down the row to his reserved spot. Mason unlocked the door, holding his opened for his secretary. As she effortlessly slid in against the cool leather seat, the attorney sucked in a deep breath. He'd caught a glimpse of her gorgeous long legs and tired or not, his heart beat a little faster and his pulse quickened at the sight of her….all of her. His head began to swim as he thought of their intended weekend and the plans he'd already made. Managing to keep himself together, he got behind the wheel, put his arm around Della and pulled her to him. She offered no resistance, but snuggled even closer to him. Perry bent down and pressed warm lips to hers. Realizing she was already asleep, he smiled to himself, started the car and drove off into the night towards home.

PDPDPDPPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD

"How are your eggs sweetheart?" Perry Mason looked across the table at Della Street. She was wearing a teal negligee and matching robe and was fresh from the shower. Perry could not take his eyes away from her. Her thick chestnut hair was damp, the curls hanging free, having not yet been tamed and even though she was without any make-up, Perry still thought she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. At that moment though, Della had a faraway look on her face and she seemed not to have heard the lawyer. Perry waited a moment then repeated his question.

"Della, your eggs… are they alright?" Perry reached over and gently took Della's hand in his. This small gesture seemed to bring her out of her daydream and her eyes met Perry with an apologetic stare.

"Oh Perry, I'm sorry. I guess I wasn't paying attention. You made this delicious breakfast, everything is wonderful and here I am, not giving you my undivided attention." Della let a soft sigh escape her lips, then flashed Perry one of her spectacular smiles. "Now, what were you asking me?"

The big man chuckled a bit, then brought the hand he'd been holding up to his lips. Placing a small tender kiss on the inside of her palm, he said, "It's not important sweetheart. However, Miss Street, now that I do have your attention, there is something I want to talk to you about."

"Is that so"? Della couldn't help but notice the mischievous gleam in Perry's eyes.

"Yes, my dear, and it happens to be of the upmost importance."

With that, the Perry stood up and walked around to Della. Taking her by the arm, he helped her up and brought her into his embrace. Pulling her to him, he placed his face next to hers and nuzzled her on her neck. Della, moving even closer, wrapped her arms around his waist and just held on. They stayed like that for another moment or two, then, Perry pulled away. Gazing lovingly into Della's breathtaking hazel eyes, he began to speak in a soft, gentle tone. This was in sharp contrast to the way he sounded in the courtroom. His strong, intimidating voice was known to ring out in court, putting fear into the hearts of witnesses and at times, even fracturing the nerves of the judges and opposing counsel. But that was in court. Now he was alone with the women he loved….the woman who always brought out the very best in him. In nearly a whisper he said, "You, Miss Street, are the most beautiful, amazing, intriguing woman I have ever known and I love you more than you can imagine. In fact, I love you more with each passing day.

Della's voice was just as soft, heightened by a sultry tone. It was the voice that Perry loved most, the one that made him senseless. The one that would make him want to stop whatever he was doing and take Della into his arms and just have his way with her.

"I love you too Counselor and I will love you forever. You're stuck with me Mr. Mason and don't you ever forget it."

"Not a chance darling, not a chance. Now come over here and sit down with me." Perry led Della over to the couch. Sitting himself, he gently pulled her down into his lap, wrapping his arms around her. Smiling and lightly brushing her cheek with the back of his hand, he asked, "Della, do you remember what you said last night right before we left the office?"

"Yessss….." I made that comment about getting out of the office before midnight."

"Do you remember my answer?"

"Yesss…." You said and I quote "Come on Cinderella, we'd better hurry."

"So you do remember."

"Of course I remember. Why do you think I wouldn't?"

"Because my girl, you were so tired, you were almost asleep on your feet. In fact, you fell asleep in the car even before I drove away. I was going to ask you if you wanted to go your place or mine but I never got the chance so here we are. I tried to wake you when we got home, but you didn't budge. I had to carry you from the car, into the elevator and into the apartment. I put you to bed and you looked so peaceful and so beautiful, I didn't have the heart to wake you. So I just took off your shoes and your dress and left you in your slip. Then I took a shower, got ready for bed, climbed in and pulled you to me."

"My hero" Della leaned over and kissed Perry softly on the lips. "No wonder I slept so well. You know I always sleep better in your arms. Thank you sweetheart, you always take such good care of me."

"My pleasure baby. You know, you're like Cinderella to me."

Della pulled back and gave Perry a skeptic look. Her voice took on a slightly indignant tone.

"I'm like Cinderella? What kind of comment is that? I keep your office organized…I schedule your appointments…I take dictation and file and type. I run all around with you when we're on a case. The next thing I know, you'll want me…"

Perry laughed as he tenderly placed his fingers on Della's lips. "Della, stop. You know that's not what I meant. What I meant to say was that you're my princess and…..because you're my princess, you, like every princess deserves a castle. That's what I wanted to tell you."

"What are you talking about?"

"Ben called me last week. He invited us to San Diego for a few days. He just finished having the hotel completely renovated. He and Julia really want us to come. Suzanna just graduated and is home to stay. It also appears that she has a young man with her. In fact Ben said he was her fiancé. You could finally meet her. She's a wonderful young woman. Oh, Ben said he would give us the "Royal Suite." I told him that would be perfect for my princess. So Cinderella, what do you think? Are you up for a little jaunt to San Diego….say for a very long weekend? Since there is nothing pressing at the moment, it might even turn into a week. You know, it's only two hours away. We could be checking in by this afternoon. We could stop by your apartment and…."

Perry stopped in mid sentence. He had no choice. Della had thrown her arms around his neck and was kissing him ravenously on the mouth. He had his answer