Don Pianta chuckled at Mario, "Dis is why I respected ya, kid. Ya have gumption." That's when he turned to Vinny and Rusty as he added, "And besides, it's 'cause you lugs can't find her dat I gotta swallow my pride an' ask 'em. I hope you dopes ain't makin' complaints 'bout my decision. You makin' complaints?"

Vinny said, "No, Boss. Whatever you say goes, Boss."

Rusty commented, "I dunno what I was thinkin', Boss. It won't happen again, Boss. You're da boss, Boss!"

Don Pianta stated, "Good. I'm glad we're all full of understandin' for one another. So, it's settled, yeah? Find my daughter an' her...friend. Den come see me." He brought out pictures, "Francesca and Frankie look like dis."

Flurrie confirmed, "We got it."

Don Pianta replied, "An' just so we're clear here... If you don't find my daughter, your luck may turn terrible."

Violet was about to snap at the mafia man but then she decided not to when she felt Luigi dragging her out of the door.

...

Once they were out of earshot, Violet went off.

She ranted, "Can you believe that guy? Speaking to us that way?"

Mario reassured, "Eh, he's probably all talk and no bite. As long as we can get the tickets from him, it won't hurt to be P.I.'s for a bit."

Goombella said, "I guess you're right."

Koops added, "Besides if things go south, we can always do things the old fashion way! By kicking his butt."

Flurrie stated, "Koops is right. Let's try and keep moving for now. Hopefully we won't have to worry about it."

Luigi replied, "I hope so... I hate mafias though."

Violet questioned, "Have you two ever dealt with a mafia or anything like that like you were still in Brooklyn? He did speak in a Brooklyn accent."

Luigi shook his head, "No honestly."

Flurrie stated, "I'm glad that you two don't have a heavy accent like that guy. He's hard to understand."

Mario admitted, "Well, our parents were adamant about us speaking in English and Italian. They even had us to visit our family in Italy whenever we could."

Goombella was impressed, "Wow, that's amazing."

Koops raised a brow, "Wait do they know that you are here?"

Before either Mario or Luigi could answer, the group had found Francesca and Franky. They were at the port.

Francesca saw them and said, "Hey, back off, you creeps! You want something, or you just like sliding up to people?"

Flurrie asked, "Francesa, we presume?"

Francesca confirmed, "Yes, what is it to you?"

Violet told her, "Your father sent us to find and take you to him."

Francesca did a double take, "What?! Daddy asked you to find us?! And take us to him?!"

Koops confirmed, "That's the jist of it."

Francesca turned to Frankie, "Frankie, what should we do? If daddy finds us now... Oh, I don't know...and the boat's coming any minute..."

Frankie offered, "Dollface, maybe we oughta head back and try to talk to da boss one more time."

Luigi replied, "He did seem a bit worried about you two."

Francesca frowned, "I don't think he would be too happy about this though. If we do head back, he might do something awful to Frankie!"

Frankie reassured, "Francesca... Dollface... If we can just talk calm-like wit' da boss, he'll understand."

Goombella added, "And if he doesn't, we will be more than happy to help."

Francesca sniffled, "I can't help but worry. Don't you love me, Frankie?"

Frankie stated, "Of course I love you, sugar cookie. More dan anybody in da whole world!"

Francesca said, "Then let's go, Frankie! Let's run! To the ends of the earth if we have to!"

Frankie pointed out, "But, butter biscuit. Dey already found us out. We can't keep runnin' forever."

Mario replied, "It's never a good idea to run away from your problems. It just causes more grief down the line. It would be wiser to face your dad now then never to hear from him again. I'm sure you don't want that, as seeing how much he loves you. Plus like Goombella said, we are more than willing to help you."

Francesca looked down for a minute just as the boat arrived.

The PA roared to life as the captain shouted, "All aboard for a trip to Acorn Plains! Leaving in seven minutes!"

Francesca sniffled as she looked at Frankie, then the heroes, then to Frankie again. She had finally nodded in agreement.

She told them, "Alright, we will go and speak to my father. But don't expect anything major to happen!"

Frankie chuckled, "Come on, dollface. Let's get it over with. Together."

He offered his hand to her as she took it.

She said, "Together."

...

Once they got back to the office, or at least outside of it, Francesca took a breath before they headed inside.

Don Pianta started to say, "Well, ya gonna to brighten my..." That's when he saw his daughter and Frankie standing before him. He added, "Day... Ya found 'em."

Flurrie raised a brow, "Of course we did."

Vinny and Rusty were about to say something negative but Francesca walked over to her father's desk first.

She stammered, "H - hello father."

Don Pianta demanded, "Ya wanna tell me whatcha think you both were doin', huh? Ya gonna make your father lose his game fast!"

She was about to answer when Frankie stood in front of her. Don Pianta was surprised.

Frankie stood up to him, "I'm sorry, Boss. This was all my fault..."

Francesca started to say, "B - but I was the one that wanted to run away..."

Violet went over to her, "Easy, it will be okay."

Francesca sniffled, wanting to make sure that whatever punishment came - it was only for her.

Frankie added, "Boss. Listen, I don't care what you do to me! I deserve it all for bein' disloyal! But you gotta forgive her. Forgive your daughter, Boss! Dat's all I ask."

Koops whispered to Francesca, "You are really lucky to have a great guy in Frankie. This is what I would do for Koopie Koo."

Luigi added, "And me for Violet. Of course Mario for Princess Peach."

To that, Mario just nodded.

"Silence!" Don Pianta shouted, gaining everyone's attention. He said, "That's enough!" He turned to Francesca first, "Francesca! My headstrong daughter... You used up your last favor long ago!" He turned to Frankie next, "An' Frankie. You were like a son to me! Dis is how you repay your debt to Don Pianta? I feel such disappointment in you two, it's like a Poison Shroom in my gut."

Goombella whispered to Mario, "Should we get kick his can now?"

Mario whispered back, "Not unless we need to. Let's wait it out for now and see what happens."

...

Wishmaker1028: Thought that would be a good place to end it on a cliffhanger! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!