Author's note: Again, thank you for all the reviews. I love reading them and seeing some of the theories you guys come up with. It really does make my day.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Plum universe...but I really wish I did.

O~O

Chapter Three:

Stephanie felt herself slowly coming into consciousness and almost instantly she knew she wasn't in Kansas anymore. Her body felt tight and cramped, and she could only assume it was because of the tiny space she was currently occupying. For a moment she allowed herself to feel fear, but only for a moment, she knew that if she wanted to get out of whatever situation she was in she needed a clearish mind. She took a deep steadying breath and tried to take in her surroundings, listening to the sound of what could only be the engine of a car. So she was in the trunk of a car, well that would explain the small space and the darkness. Using her hands, she began to feel around to see if she could find the tail light and knock it out -having remembered hearing somewhere that that was a good way to alert other motorists that something was wrong- and failing because of the position she was in.

Realizing that she was stuck for the moment, she racked her brain as to what had happened. She remembered someone attacking her in her bed and that was it. It had been so dark that she hadn't been able to see their face, not to mention she was half asleep. With a huff, Stephanie silently cursed herself for not taking Ranger up on those self defense lessons he had offered her. Oh well, it was too late now, she'd just have to improvise her way out as soon as she had the oppurtunity.

As Stephanie thought about how to get out of the trunk of the car, she felt the vehicle come to an abrupt stop. She listened as the sound of a car door opened and slammed shut, quickly followed by the sound of voices shouting. She noticed that the voices didn't sound angry, they actually sounded like they were excited to see whomever had been driving, which brought Stephanie to the conclusion that they were expecting the car.

Clumsily, Stephanie rolled onto her back, figuring that when someone opened the trunk she could kick out and hopefully land a blow that would give her enough time to escape. Or so she hoped. Quietly, she laid still and listened to the voices outside.

"Hey, Vincy!" She heard a loud, and what sounded italian voice shout. "I hope you have the package?" Stephanie felt herself balk slightly at the thought of being a 'package'.

"Damn skippy I do, and in mint condition too." The man she could only assume was Vincy replied. "She didn't put up much of fight niether." His voice was getting closer and Steph could only assume that he was walking towards the back of the car to open the door and pull her out. "I knocked her out so she wouldn't cause a scene for you guys."

Bracing herself and tightening the muscles in her legs in prepration, Stephanie waited for the door to pop open when she heard someone inserting the key to unlock it. The moment the door sprang open, she aimed a swift kick in the direction of the nearest face and felt something crunch under her feet, followed by a muffled curse and a shout. Quickly, she climbed out of the trunk and grabbed the keys out of the door before running towards the driver's side door. She had just grabbed the handle to open the door when a hand reached out and grabbed her hair, yanking her backwards into a solid mass.

"Let go of me, you bastard!" She shouted, trying to dislodge herself from the grip of her captor, but stilled instantly when she felt the cold steel of a knife blade against her throat.

"Stop and I won't open your throat for the whole block to see." The man behind her whispered in a british accent as he pressed the blade against her skin in an effort to make her comply. After a moment, he lessons the pressure against her throat, but keeps the knife in place. "There's a good girl. Now, I'm going to turn you around, and if you try to make a fuss I'm going to gut you like a stock pig, do you understand?"

Stephanie nodded carefully, wanting to avoid cutting herself on the knife and was swiftly turned around to face the man. He looked like he was in his mid-thirties, with blonde hair that was cut short, and green eyes. He stood almost a head taller than her and was built like a swimmer, more slender than muscular, and his expression was cold and calculating behind the smile that graced his lips.

"Well, now, aren't you a pretty little thing." He stated, tightening the grip he had in her hair. "I look forward to our time together, Miss Plum." Stephanie's eyes widened at the sound of her name, and she opened her mouth to speak, but was quickly cut off. "Yes, I know exactly who you are, Miss Plum, and as much as I would love to tell you how, I'm afraid we don't have much time." He turned his head away from her and as much as she wanted to kick him and run, Steph knew that she wouldn't get very far before that knife found it's way into her body. "Charles, take our...guest to the car and prepare to leave while I take care of some last minute details."

Stephanie felt herself being pulled away from the man holding her and looked down when she felt a pair of handcuffs encircle her wrists. Once the cuffs were in place, a chain was clipped to their center and she was pulled away. She looked around her and saw that they were near the airport, which made her blood run cold.

"Oh no, I am not going anywhere." She told the man pulling on her make shift leash. "Do you have any idea who you are messing with?"

Charles turned and looked at her with an almost bored expression.

"I don't really care, so if you would be so kind as to make my job easier that would be great." He replied.

"No I will not!" She shouted and started pulling away from him. Like hell she was going to be taken easily, she was Stephanie Plum, Bombshell Bounty Hunter, for crying out loud. She was going to make a scene. "Help!" She started screaming over and over again, not hearing the footsteps coming up behind her. "Help me! Help..." Her shouts were interrupted by a sudden burning sensation followed by a dull throb in her lower back, followed by a warming liquad moving down her body. Moments later, she slumped against the person behind her, unconscious.

"I hate it when they don't listen." He stated simply, wiping the blade on the sleeve of his button up shirt. "Charles, load her into the car and tend to that wound. We can't have her dying on us so quickly."

"Yes, Sir." Charles agree, bending down to pick up the injured woman and making his way to the car waiting for them.

O~O

Alrighty y'all, that's the end of this chapter, and I know it's a bit short. I wanted to show what was going on with Stephanie and I hope it has met some of your expectations. I know I wrote her a little tame, but we're going to say that it's shock. Be sure to leave a review for me. My fingers move a lot faster when I get them.