When Jorge heard about the engagement of the woman he considered his, his reaction was predictable. He went into a rage and broke several things in his apartment, including the TV, several figurines, a vase, with long dead flowers and several dishes and cups. Jorge of course blamed Jazz and Dave for having to replace his TV, plates and cups, as well as several inexpensive figurines, even though they hadn't had a thing to do with it really.

Jazz was going to be his whether she liked it or not. He was just going to have to keep her prisoner until she agreed to be with him and as for David Rossi he'd either back off or he would kill him without remorse. His Jazz, couldn't possibly love that bastard, Jorge told himself. She loved him, even if she didn't realize it. He was just going to have to help her realize the truth, even if that meant kidnapping her. He'd take her somewhere that no one would ever find her until she agreed to break up with Dave and be his. If she didn't then she would die, Jorge thought with an insane light in his blue eyes.

It didn't even occur to Jorge that he was being very unreasonable, and that if he followed through with this plan he was going to be the dead or in prison. His suspension from the force now turned out to be a good thing in his mind as he had plenty of time to plot his next move.

That it never even occurred to Jorge that Jazz and Dave both could defend themselves would just tell everyone how clueless he was.

Also, Jorge had no clue that Dave was actually living with Jazz. There was no way that he was going to get to Jazz at her apartment above the bakery. He was sure that she checked the peephole before she opened the door to anybody and she wasn't about to let him inside he knew. She might even end up calling the police and pounding on her door would only draw attention. The bakery was also out as it was always too busy, from the time it opened to the time it closed. He would have to be sneaky Jorge decided. There weren't going to be many opportunities to get Jazz alone, so he could enact his plan, when she was either at the bakery or with that bastard Rossi.

Rossi had stolen what was rightfully his, something he could not allow. He might even have believed that Rossi had put a spell on Jazz if he had been around when he had started trying to get her attention if he believed in magic that is.

No, he decided Rossi had simply used his charm to turn Jazz's affection away from himself. That he had never had Jazzlyn Lincoln's affection didn't enter his thoughts at all, because to him, it didn't matter what the woman's he was in love with wanted, only his own desires counted. He had wanted Jazzlyn Lincoln for years, but she had always denied him, but that was going to end soon.

Jorge cackled evilly and even though he didn't realize it his mind had snapped. It had snapped the second he had heard about Jazz's engagement to David Rossi.

Jorge begin to plot and plan, writing it all down so he wouldn't get it mixed up. When you thought about it though, writing down all your intentions was really stupid, especially when you were planning something as illegal as kidnapping someone and possibly murdering her fiancé.

It never even occurred to Jorge that Jazzlyn wouldn't have him at all if he killed someone she loved. He didn't understand that she would never agree to be his and that she would rather die, as dying was better than being abused for the rest of her life. Jorge was too stupid to know that the woman he had been obsessed with for nearly 2 decades would rather stick a knife into her own heart then have anything to do with him.

Jorge didn't know that was coming because not only could his target defend herself she had something other than ordinary weapons to use. She had magic and had been taught how to protect yourself in certain circumstances. Such tactics weren't to be used though except in the most direst of circumstances.

~~~Dave and Jazzlyn~~~

"I never did tell you I'm sorry for what happened to your friend Shonda, who I still haven't met," Dave told Jazz. "We've been rather distracted lately."

"Yeah, we have been trying to figure out how we're going to deal with Jorge," Jazz agreed with a sigh cuddling into Dave. "I want to go ahead and deal with him so we can start planning our wedding."

"Oh, we can go ahead and plan we just can't get married until Jorge Mason is dealt with. He isn't going to stop until he's either in prison or dead," Dave suggested.

"We can't really start ordering flower arrangement or the food for the reception because when Jorge finds out he'll probably try to cancel it all," Jazz told Dave.

"You're probably right," Dave decided, thinking about what he knew about Jorge Mason. "If Jorge has proved anything lately it's that he is determined for us not to get married. I could see him being stupid enough to try such tactics. The one thing you're forgetting though, is that this is a small town and everybody knows everybody else's business. Most people would recognize Jorge's voice, and would likely call you to confirm cancellations. Everybody in this town knows of his obsession with you and the public scene in your own bakery a few weeks ago didn't help."

"Nor the way he publicly humiliated himself when he gave his opinion on puppy mills," Jazz giggled. "I'm actually sorry I wasn't there at the time as I would've been laughing myself sick I'm sure."

"It's not very nice to laugh at someone," Dave told her mock severely with a wink to show he was joking.

"I normally wouldn't laugh when somebody embarrasses themselves but Jorge has been such an annoyance that he deserves it. Besides, he'll never know it," Jazz said. "He's lucky I haven't laughed in his face. I have no doubt his reaction would've been explosive if I had done such a thing."

"I suppose we can excuse your behavior in this case," Dave said, then suggested, "You know we can always go somewhere else to get married. One that was a couple of hours away. We could invite your family and close friends."

"While I like that idea, Jorge would still likely hear about it sooner rather than later. We have to give people some warning so they can buy the appropriate outfits if they don't already own them if nothing else. Also, they need time to arrange taking off work and you know how people like to gossip. Even if we asked them not to say anything, somebody wouldn't be able keep their mouth's shut. I know Shonda at least would want to buy a new dress as my maid of honor and while she wouldn't say anything if I asked her not to others would. I feel we must deal with Jorge first before we can talk about getting married and starting a family."

"Now there is a thought that fills me with great joy," Dave said grinning happily. "I've always wanted children, but have been unable to have any as you know."

"I've been wondering why Godfrey Ambrosius arranged it that way," Jazz mused turning thoughtful.

"Maybe he had to," Dave suggested. "Maybe he could see the future. Or maybe he didn't want me to be tempted to have children with random women. It might of been a form of insurance to make sure I never had children except with my mate. Or it could be part of the spell, to limit the number of new immortals."

"All those reasons are good," Jazz said. "We'll likely never know for sure."

"So what does your friend Shonda do for a living? I mean I've met all your other close friends, yet I haven't met her," Dave asked Jazz.
"She took over the family antique store a few years ago," Jazz explained. "She's always had good head for business much like her mother and while it wasn't in the red when her father ran it also wasn't as prosperous as it is now."

"So is her father dead?" Dave asked.

"No, just mostly retired, though he does help out to give Shonda a chance to travel and look for a nice pieces at flea markets and things. You probably have no idea of the crap that people sell that is often valuable. Shonda has an excellent eye and keeps an eye on the market."

"So that's why I haven't met her she's probably been traveling a lot lately looking for bargains that she can sale at a much higher price," Dave said.

"Yeah, that's why. The two of you just haven't managed to cross paths. I'll invite her over tomorrow, as it's Sunday. I want to tell her that we got engaged anyway. I'd rather do that face-to-face then over the phone and not just because somebody might be listening in."

By someone Dave knew she meant Jorge or even someone that would repeat the information, because they didn't realize they needed to keep it to themselves, not necessarily because they were a fan of Jorge's.

"So I've been meaning to ask you did Melanie ever pick up Carly from the puppy mill?" Jazz asked.

While Jazz had been running her bakery at the time of that incident Dave had told her all about it, as he figured that his girlfriend knew Melanie, since they looked around the same age. He had been right and the two did know each other rather casually instead of being close friends, which didn't mean they didn't get along. Melanie was a few years younger then Jazz, so had been in a different grade.

"Yes, she did," Dave said his amusement clear in his tone. "She arrived within a couple of hours according to Mr. Garcia. I had warned him not to sell Curly unless she didn't show up within seven days since that's the new policy. Mr. Garcia got the impression that Melanie was afraid that Curly wouldn't be there when she arrived. From what I understand Curly was just as happy to see her as she was to see him. I was told Curly lept into her arms and licked her all over her face, as soon as the cage door was open."

Jazz giggled at that, as it sounded like another cute scene she had missed. "I'm sorry I missed it. It sounds like they both missed each other."

"Yeah, I would say so," Dave agreed smiling. "I'm kind of sorry I missed it to. Melanie and Curly got attached to each other really quickly. From the way I understand, it the two of them seemed very glad to be reunited."

"That's not a bad thing at all as Curly will brighten up Melanie's life and Melanie's the type that will adore him and spoil him rotten, as she's a nice person, even if we are not close friends," Jazz said. "At least now the two of them have found each other."

"Well, she was the first successful sale since I helped out Mr. Garcia," Dave said. "More and more people are hearing about the puppy mill and according to what Alejandre told me business has picked up. It's still mostly local people right now, but word will soon spread."

"That's a good thing," Jazz said. "You're good man David Rossi and I'll happily marry you."

"I can hardly wait," Dave said, kissing Jazz passionately. "The sooner Jorge Mason is dealt with the better as far as I'm concerned. I don't care whether he ends up leaving town, in prison or dead, just so long as he doesn't bother you in particular ever again."

"Yeah, he's been a major pain," Jazz agreed soberly. "Just so you know I've taken a few precautions, just in case he tries to get me when I'm alone."

"Oh? Like what?" Dave asked.

"Well, I have put magical protections around this apartment for one. Anybody with ill intent will set them off. If I don't happen to be here I'll still get the message. If it's Jorge or someone that was dumb enough to take his money, as unlikely as that scenario is, since basically everyone in town thinks he's a deranged idiot, well, they won't be able to get through the door before the police get there. The door will only respond to you, me, mom, dad and Shonda. Even if Jorge happens to have key it won't work and neither will picking the lock."

"That's really neat," Dave said impressed.

"Thank you it cost me a pretty penny from a spell creator. Unfortunately, spell creation is not one of my talents, so it was worth it. It can be set for the people you trust to be able to open the door. Of course, while this means a lock can't be picked or kicked open, it doesn't mean the door can't be chopped down with an axe or something."

"And the likelihood of Jorge bringing an axe with him are so high it's very unlikely," Dave said. "Something like that is way too obvious and I can't see at least one person calling the police if they see or hear him chopping down your door and probably more then one."

"Yes, also we are required not to give ourselves away as witches. If anybody discovers it and isn't trustworthy well their memory is taken and the witch will be in trouble with the coven unless there are extenuating circumstances," Jazz explained.

"And having a door made out of wood that can't be chopped would make people wonder," Dave said.

"They might never think of magic, but when the door doesn't even have a chip in it from the axe or some other bladed weapon, some people are going to be very suspicious, though most people will probably assume that the axe is blunt or something. We should arrive long before he manages to get into my apartment."

"And what if he doesn't come after you at your apartment?" Dave asked. "I mean that would be kind of stupid, even after you've closed the bakery for the day. I know most places close by 5 or so, but there're still plenty of people out on the street. Even if Jorge thinks there's no one around there could still be someone close by."

"I'll always be around people. I'll never go off alone," Jazz promised.

"What if someone calls you and tells you, your brother is in the hospital or your sister?" Dave asked with a worried expression. "I've known bad guys in the past that pull that kind of gimmick in order to get to their target. I've known very sensible people to panic when they hear this someone they care about is in the hospital, a member of their family or even just a close friend. When that happens they don't think it might be a trap, because they're panicking."

"That probably won't work here in Moonlight Gorge," Jazz said taking Dave's concerns seriously. "It's very unlikely to anyway. It would work somewhere like Denver or Chicago where there's a lot more people, where everybody doesn't know everybody else at least by sight.

"Alright," Dave finally conceded that that kind of gimmick wasn't likely to work in a small town.

"I understand that you're concerned and I don't blame you. I believe you when you say it's likely that Jorge's next move will be to commit physical violence, as you know more about that type behavior than I do, but there's only so much I can do to protect myself," Jazz said. "There's no way he can kidnap me from the bakery, not without a whole lot of people seeing him, as we're busy from the moment we are open till the moment we close taking orders, selling desserts and just generally running a business. Even if the bakery itself wasn't busy I'm never alone. There's always somebody back in the kitchen or up at the sales counter. I don't see Jorge being able to take me out silently enough that whoever was in the bakery besides me at the time is bound to hear it. Even if I don't have a chance to scream there's bound to be a scuffle, some kind of noise that anyone else in the area is bound to hear."

"Alright, if Jorge can't take you from the bakery, then what other ways is it possible to get at you?" Dave asked making Jazz think, which was his intention in the first place.

"Well, I do go out to eat, even if that's not every night. I did that even before you came into my life, as I just hung out with some of my girlfriends and their boyfriends."

"I would suggest you don't make plans with any of your friends until Jorge is put on ice," Dave suggested. "Not unless I come along to, as any public venue is not completely safe, as even I can get distracted at a critical moment."

"Well, if anything does happen I do have magic to defend myself," Jazz said. "I can make Jorge wish he had never been born and I'll make damn sure he doesn't remember the experience."

The fierceness in Jazz's expression told Dave how upset with Jorge Mason she really was, as usually she didn't lose her temper very often. Working at a bakery wasn't exactly frustration or stress free as people could be demanding, and Jazz often had to be diplomatic to handle people's different personalities. Jorge though was a whole different frustration.

The two of them talked options for awhile and finally Dave was mostly satisfied, but he also knew that things unexpected could happen no matter how much planning they did as there was always at least one element of the unknown in any situation. People acted in different ways as they had free will, so you couldn't predict everything. That element of the unknown was what scared him the most, because he feared he would've miss something critical and his mate would be dead before he could react. There was nothing he could do about it though, except be hypervigilant until there was no more danger. He only hoped that Jorge enacted whatever plan he had soon so they could relax. Jazz didn't need the stress of worrying about her safety, and neither did he for that matter. Hopefully, it wouldn't be long before Jorge struck and they could catch him in the act.

Dave had no idea he was going to get his silent wish.

~~~Dave and Jazzlyn~~~