Cold eyes raked up and down the street, giving no regard to anything and anyone they rested on, at least until they rested on a certain mouse couple. They took fire, burning with a quiet but deadly rage. A cruel smile tugged at the cloaked figures face as he watched the lovers from the shadows.

A grimace crossed the male's face as he stumbled slightly, followed by a gasp and evident concern from the female as she grabbed his arm. He slowly straightened, then took her hand in one of his and brushed the other over her cheek, smiling as he spoke softly. She giggled and touched her nose to his, eyes shining.

The unseen spy chuckled; any other heart would have been moved by seeing such a touching scene, but not his… he only took delight in the weaknesses he saw in the male mouse, his old enemy: his half healed injury, his weakened state, and above all, her.

The figure stepped backward, melting into the shadows. He had waited patiently for several days, just waiting until he knew they were beginning to feel safe. He couldn't resist another chuckle.

It was time to set his plan in motion. Soon he would have her, and that would bring his enemy to him. And this time, he wouldn't walk away.

Not alive, anyway.

….

Mickey unlocked his front door, then stepped aside and bowed playfully. "After you, miss," he said, making an exaggerated English accent.

Minnie giggled. "Why, thank you, sir," she said, stepping inside. As Mickey followed, Pluto barked happily and ran up to greet the couple.

"Good t' see you too, old pal!" Mickey laughed, kneeling and scratching his ears.

As he went about feeding the happy dog, Minnie couldn't help noticing the slight limp with which he walked. Feeling concerned, and a little sad for his pain, she walked up and laid her hand on his arm.

"How does your ankle feel?" she asked softly, and before he could reply she firmly added, "And don't try to hide anything, just tell me honestly."

Mickey debated mentally for a while, and then saw her concerned face and gave in.

"It's not as bad as it was, but it is kind a' sore from all that walkin'."

"But I'm okay," he added quickly, wishing she wouldn't look so guilty.

"I'm really sorry, sweetie," she said softly.

Mickey smiled and took her hands in his, stroking them soothingly. "Don't be… it's not your fault," he said gently.

"I know…" she smiled. "But I'm still sorry you're hurt. But I'm glad you're doing so well."

And it was true… It had been almost two weeks since he'd hurt his ankle, and his recovery was progressing very well. He had stopped using the crutches five days ago, and was able to go longer and longer without needing to rest.

Unable to resist, Minnie tickled one of Mickey's ears, making him chuckle.

"How do you always get better so fast?" she asked teasingly. He looked at her, dead serious, and gently touched his nose to hers.

"'Cause you want me to… and I don't like bein' away from y' long," he said, making her heart melt. Just when they were about to kiss, the clock chimed ten.

"Shut up!" both mice snapped at it, then laughed.

"Guess I should be heading home." Minnie said, smiling regretfully.

Mickey's own disappointment was replaced by concern as he glanced out the window.

"You sure? It's gettin' pretty dark." She smiled and stroked his hands comfortingly.

"Don't worry, Mickey… I'll be fine," she said sweetly. "You just sit and rest now and I'll call as soon as I get home, okay?"

Mickey sighed. He knew there'd be no point in arguing with her, and he hated doing it. So even though he still felt uneasy, he nodded and forced a smile.

"Okay, Min… but please be careful."

She smiled and pulled him to his chair. "I will, I promise."

Mickey hesitated. "Can I at least walk y' out?" Minnie smiled.

"No, I want to see you sit down before I leave." Mickey grinned playfully and crossed his arms.

"Well, maybe I won't sit, and then you can't leave." Minnie narrowed her eyes and started tapping her foot. After a moment, Mickey sighed.

"Okay, okay…" He sat and raised his ankle on the footrest, visibly relaxing.

Minnie immediately smiled. "That's better."

She moved closer and kissed his cheek. He chuckled and kissed hers back.

"Call me as soon as y' get home, okay?" Mickey asked, a little anxiously. Minnie giggled.

"Don't worry, I will. Night, baby. "

Mickey squeezed her hand. "Night, doll." He watched her head out the door, heard her car start, and kept his large round ears pricked as the sound of the engine got further away.

When it finally faded, he sighed and leaned back. Over the next few minutes, he found himself continually glancing at the phone. He couldn't explain it, but there was just this feeling of unease in him that he couldn't shake.

The uneasy feeling seemed to grow with every minute that passed, and pretty soon Mickey started to worry. Shouldn't she have gotten back by now? Did something happen?

His thoughts were interrupted by Pluto nudging his hand. The dog pointed his ear at the clock. It had only been about three minutes.

With an embarrassed laugh, Mickey shook his head, telling himself to lighten up.

I'm gettin' as paranoid as Donald, he thought halfheartedly. Relax… nothing's gonna happen.

….

Minnie smiled as she drove down the street, on her way home from Mickey's. She was glad he was getting over his injury so fast. When he felt better, so did she.

She knew he was also eager to recover fully… the police still hadn't caught Pete… but she had no doubt it would be soon. Minnie clenched the wheel tighter as she imagined what she would do if she got her hands on that lowlife. She'd have no qualms about punching his lights out a second time, that was for sure.

As she turned a corner, Minnie looked around and couldn't help feeling a little uneasy; it was rather late, and no one else was on the road. Now she understood why Mickey had been concerned.

But she took a deep breath and shrugged it off; it was natural to feel uneasy when you're alone in the dark. It didn't mean that anything would…

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a black cargo van screeched out of an alley right in front of her. With a frightened cry, Minnie twisted the wheel. She missed the van, but her car jolted up onto the curb and slammed into a lamppost.

The airbag deployed as Minnie jolted forward, but the fright was too much, and the last thing she saw before fainting was a bulking figure jumping out of the van, followed by a more slender one.

The slighter figure stepped up, pulled open the door, and smiled evilly at Minnie as she sat unconscious in the seat. The trap would soon be set. He snapped his fingers at the larger one. "Take her."

….

Mickey looked up at the clock and frowned. Minnie definitely should've gotten home by now, and she'd promised she would call. After a few more minutes, he decided to call her home, just in case she forgot, then her cell phone to see if she'd had car problems.

Lifting his slightly sore ankle off the footrest, Mickey stood and headed for the phone, dialing her number. To his dismay, the answering machine picked up. He tried to sound cheerful as he spoke.

"Hey, Minnie… it's me. I thought you'd a' gotten back by now and I'm gettin' a little worried. Please call me, okay?" He hung up and was about to try her cell number when the phone rang in his hand. His heart leaped, but fell again when the caller ID gave the police station.

"Hey, chief," he said, trying to hide his disappointment. "Y' got a lead on Pete?"

"Well, not… not exactly…" The chief's voice was sad and worried, and Mickey felt his stomach flip.

"What's goin' on?" he asked fearfully. The chief took a deep breath on the other line, and the mouse felt his heart start to pound against his ribs.

"Mickey… Minnie's been kidnapped." Mickey felt so sick at those words that he almost threw up. He managed to grab the corner of the wall, gulped hard twice, and managed to choke some words out.

"W… what? But… but how? When?" The chief tried to speak calmly.

"Her car was found crashed into a lamppost on 5th. Anonymous citizen reported it just a half hour ago. The caller said he saw a black van speeding away." Mickey stood completely shell-shocked for a while, and then said dully.

"Do y'… do y' have any idea who did it?" Then he felt a white hot rage bubbling up in his stomach and clutched the phone until his hand ached.

"Pete," the mouse snarled. "I'll beat the tub o' lard to a pulp!" O' Hara broke in.

"Mickey, we have Pete here. He admitted to helping with the abduction, but he won't say who he was takin' orders from. He's awful shaken. All he would say was that he has to give ye a message."

Mickey clenched his fists, his stiff ankle forgotten. "I'm comin' right down!"

Slamming the phone onto its holder, Mickey snatched his keys and ran outside, barely maintaining enough presence of mind to lock the door, then jumped in his car.

As he drove as fast as he could toward the station, he felt strangely cold and numb. His shaking hands gripped the wheel as one single thought ran through his head, over and over.

Minnie….