It had turned out to be a beautiful day. The sun shone brilliantly and the weather had unexpectedly turned warm, well, warm considering the area. None of this helped to lift the spirits when you are alone. Especially when the state of oneness was not by choice or design, but by the twisted hand of fate. Why is it in life some people get all the cherries, other just get pits?

"Hey, Gideon."

Young Kuschel spun in the direction of his name and quickly found himself surrounded by three burly hoodlum-types. Behind them, a fourth man, just a little older, slimmer, slicker with a cruel face, approached.

"Nick," the frightened young man stammered. "Long time, no see."

"You've been avoiding me, Gideon," Nick said as two of his associates took Gideon by the arms and slammed his back against the wall.

"No! No, Nick, I really haven't."

"You've made yourself scarce. I haven't seen you at my establishment. You haven't called to see how I was, haven't called place a bet--"

The frightened man swallowed convulsively, "I'm sorry, Nick. I've been busy."

"Doing what, Gideon?"

"I. . .I. . .um," Kuschel sputtered to a terrified halt as a switchblade 'snicked' out of its handle and its owner held it to his face.

"I'm crushed. Do you know your neglect is costing me a lot of money, Gideon," Nick said sadly.

"I can't afford you, Nick!"

Nick patted Gideon's cheek sharply. "Don't tell me that, Kuschel. I don't want to hear that."

"But I just paid you a lot of money! I can't afford to keep dropping sums like that! I have to eat."

Nick snorted. "So you did. I never was too good in the sympathy department. Tell you what, Gideon, let's not talk about money. I need a favor."

"I. . .I. . .I don't have any more money, Nick."

Nick squeezed Gideon's jaw painfully. "I told you, it's not about money. It's about a car."

"I don't own a car--"

He tapped Gideon's face hard. "Stop interrupting. I don't need just any car, I need a 1998 Jaguar XK8 convertible."

"A. . .J. . .Ja. . .Jaguar?"

Nick's face twisted into a mock smile. "Yeah. Preferably red. Cherry-red. The client thinks it's sexy."

Gideon knew of only one person in his circle that had a car like that. "Where am I gonna get my hands on--" The sentence ended in a scream as the knife pressed painfully against his cheek.

"I need the car by tomorrow."

"Nick, I can't. . ."

"Boys, take Mr. Kuschel around the corner and convince him. Not too rough, though. Nothing that will show."

~~~

Justin rounded the corner of the doorway to his father's office and tried to keep his heart from leaping through his chest.

There, leaning over the Councilor's desk, were his lover's asscheeks imprisoned in a pair of charcoal-grey serge pants that looked so tight you could almost see muscle definition. Shutting the door behind him, the younger man twisted the lock.

'Breathe,' he told himself sternly as his saliva glands began to work overtime. Mesmerized by the sight, he eased himself into the room until he stood close enough to feel his lover's body heat.

"I don't have to warn you, little boy," Choate said, as he remained in his position over the desk, "if you plan to goose me, what my retaliation will be."

He reached out and lovingly cupped the slight curve of ass stretched out in front of him. "Oh, Paddy. You've got a great ass," he breathed almost reverently.

Choate hissed as a flash of sensation from those small, hot hands shot through him directly to his groin. "Justin--"

Reaching around front, Evers quickly unhooked the slacks and slid the zipper down.

"Justin!" The Chief Aide rose. "What are you doing?"

Justin pushed the big man back down on the desk top as he eased the pants off the narrow hips. "Making you naked."

"Justin! ¿Estas loco? ¡La puerta! We're in your father's office--"

"I locked the door," he said, slipping off the aide's shoes and socks.

Pulling the shirt free from the pant's waistband, he tucked it up the broad back as far as he could. "You've got to help a little," Justin scolded softly as he tickled the backs of Paddy's leg. As the larger man shifted his leg, young Evers lifted his lover's foot and pulled the pants free.

Choate moved slightly, then reached back and drew both the shirt and the loosened tie over his head dropping them to the floor.

"Thank you," Evers said before tucking the pants between his lover's groin and the sharp edge of the desk, Justin went back to admiring the pale ivory ass. "Well, hello," he crooned, massaging the twin globes with both hands. "I don't get to see you guys like this often."

The big Marine moaned and shifted backwards, silently admitting to himself the feeling was sensational.

Justin sank to his knees and edged the well-muscled thighs before him apart. "Let's see. . .if I remember correctly--" he parted the cheeks with his hands. "Ah hah! There it is. Hi, precious," the young man crooned as he leaned forward and placed a kiss on the dark rosebud.

"Ssst," the Marine moaned, jumping forward.

"Like that, Paddy?" Justin asked wickedly. "Then you'll love this," he said the moment before he plunged his tongue into the dark eye.

"¡Chingado!" Choate hissed as he jumped again, this time striking his knees against the desk.

Justin began to hum happily as he worked his lover until the Marine went limp, panting impassionedly, his knuckles white from clutching at the desk edge.

Choate drew a sharp breath, then whispered, "Ahhh, dulce!!" His hips moving in small half circles, grinding his groin almost frantically against the desk. "Sí, así. . . más . . . "

Justin rose to his feet, pressing the hard ridge of his erection into his lover's crack. Reaching around to the front of his lover, Justin gripped his cock. "Do you trust me?" he whispered as he leaned over the strong back.

"Sí, dulce, ahhhh. . ." Choate groaned as the heated hands stroked him. "Con
mi corazón."

"Then, turn around."

Slowly, the Marine obeyed.

"Up on the desk on your back, Paddy, and spread your legs."

Smiling, he obeyed this command, also.

Justin took the tree trunk-sized thighs in his hands, struggling to lift them over his back.

The Marine smiled indulgently at his little love's efforts before helping him achieve his goal.

Justin staggered a bit before righting himself. "Mine," he whispered as his mouth descended on the hard cock.

"Si querido, todo tuyo y para siempre--"

Justin worked the hard shaft. Sliding easily up and down its length.

"Ah, amor," Paddy moaned softly.

"You're always so quiet when we make love." Justin released his prize for just a moment. "Talk to me, Paddy." He smiled, then descended once again.

"Your mouth is magic!" he said as his hips began gentle movements as counters to Justin's sucking. "Es tan suave y tan ardiente a la vez. . . Ah, there! Right there! Like that! Yes, please! Like that! Don't stop! Más rapido. . .así. . . More, paquito. Harder. Yes. Yes. A little more. Like that. Ah. Uh. Dios! Más!"

The big man's hips lifted from the table top to press his hardness into the welcoming warmth. The moment Justin had been waiting for, he slid his longest finger into the chief aide's opening as he increased the suction of his mouth.

Paddy came with a blinding flash of starlight behind closed eyes.

"¡Joder!. . . SSSÍÍÍÍ!!" he cried, his back arching into a bow. Then he fell back, limp, onto the desktop.

Justin smiled as he swallowed. "Mmmm, Paddy," he said, licking his lips.

The older man drew a shaky breath as he regarded his imp through heavily-lidded eyes. "When I recover, brat, I'm wiping that smug smile from your face."

Justin gently lowered the heavy legs. "Promises, promises," he teased, leaning in for a kiss.

"Paddy?"

The Councilor's voice sounded at the door. A moment later, the doorknob rattled.

"Paddy? Are you in there?"

Justin froze.

"Yes, Councilor," Paddy called out.

"Paddy, why is this door locked?"

Gently, the Chief Aide put his lover aside and started gathering his clothes. "Is it locked, Councilor?" he said, pulling his underwear and pants on quickly.

The doorknob rattled again. "Paddy? Is something wrong?"

Just as rapidly, he pulled on his socks and shoes. "No, Councilor. I was making a very important call and didn't want to be disturbed." He cast about for his shirt and tie.

"I'm sorry, Paddy, but I have to get in there. You have my notes."

The Chief Aide looked up to see Justin standing by the terrace doors holding the missing articles of clothing. "Little boy--"

Justin smiled.

"Paddy?" The Councilor rattled the door again.

"This isn't the time for this," the Marine warned in a strained whisper, the 'level two' voice in place.

Justin's smile widened as he opened the doors and slipped outside.

"Justin Evers!" the big man hissed as he raced after him. As the big man threw open the doors, his shirt and tie hit him in the face.

Dragging the clothing from before his eyes, Choate looked up in time to see his young lover giggling madly as he raced across the lawn.

"Paddy?" the Councilor said, rattling the doorknob again.

~~~

Gideon, weary from wrestling with his conscience, answered his front door and was surprised to find Justin standing there. "J.C."

"Hi, Giddy," Justin said with a bright smile as he slipped past his friend. "Wanna go for a ride?"

Kuschel shut the door. "On that monster bike?" he asked as he turned around to face his friend. "No thanks."

"I've got the Jag. Are you coming?"

"The Jag?"

"Yeah," Justin said, shifting from one foot to the other with nervous energy.

"I thought your caveman didn't like you driving the Jag?"

"Paddy doesn't like me to drive it fast. As long as I keep it to the speed limit, I'm okay." He picked up his friend's jacket and held it out to him.

"Why the hurry?" Gideon looked at him suspiciously. "We can chill here."

"I'll explain in the car," Justin said, tossing him the jacket.

Gideon caught it. "Why are you acting like you're on the run? What did you do?"

The imp showed through in Justin's smile. "Nothing. Come on, Kuschel. Let's go."

"Where's the fire, Evers?"

"No fire."

"'Fess up! What did you do?"

Justin laughed. "I'm hungry. Want to stop and get something to eat? I'm buying."

"J.C.--"

"What about that new place downtown?"

"You go on. I'll catch up to you at the car, I need to do something first."

~~

They had just driven into the parking lot when a car pulled up alongside and three figures jumped out.

"Nice wheels, man," the largest said.

"Thanks," Justin replied.

"Love the color. '98?"

Justin shook his head. "'97."

"Close enough," he growled. "Get out of the car."

"What?"

Gideon gripped his friend's arm. "J.C., do as he says."

"I said, get out of the car!" The lead man grabbed Justin by the back of his neck and dragged him from the car, tossing him aside like a rag doll. "You, too, Kuschel."

Gideon scampered to exit the vehicle.

Two of the thugs jumped into the Jag, while the third climbed back into the original car.

"Nick sends his love." The driver blew Gideon a wet kiss before speeding off.

The second car followed.

Gideon watched them a moment, before realizing Justin had not moved from where he'd landed. Kuschel raced to his friend's side.

"J.C.!" Gathering the young man's head into his lap, Gideon brushed away the dark hair from his forehead and found his fingers sticky with blood. "Shit!!" he hissed. "Oh, fuck! HELP!" he screamed, looking around desperately, but found the lot completely empty. "What am I gonna do? I'm sorry, J.C. He made me do it. He just wanted the car. You weren't supposed to get hurt. What am I gonna do?"

As if in answer, Justin's cell phone chirped loudly, startling Kuschel. For a moment, he thought about not answering it. With shaky fingers, he pulled it from Justin's pocket and flipped it open. Trembling like a leaf, he put it to his ear.

"Little boy, come home and face the music," said the voice on the other end.

"H-Hello?"

There was a pause. "Who is this?" the voice demanded. There was another short pause. "Kuschel? Why are you answering Justin's phone?"

"Help us, Mr. Choate. We've been carjacked. Justin's hurt."

As soon as he hung up after telling the Chief Aide where they were, Justin came to.

"What happened?" he asked, sitting up with the help of Gideon's arms around him.

"We were carjacked. One of them threw you and you hit your head on a car bumper."

Ten minutes later, a midnight blue Jeep screeched to a halt inches from them and a stern-faced Patrick Choate emerged. "Justin!"

"I'm all right, Paddy. It's just a bump on the head."

The big Marine scooped up his young lover and put him in the car, barely sparing a glance at Gideon, he barked, "Get in," before striding around and sliding into the driver's seat.

"Where are we going?" Justin asked.

"To the hospital."

"But, I'm fine."

His lover ignored Justin's protests as they sped off the lot.

~~

In the Waiting Room of the hospital's Emergency Room, while the doctor's examined Justin, Choate rounded on Gideon.

"Tell me exactly what happened?"

Kuschel fumbled with the buttons of his jacket, stalling for time. "Justin came to my house and asked if I wanted to go for a ride. We were going to dinner and they jumped us."

"Who jumped you?"

He shrugged. "Two guys. They drove up in a car."

"What kind of car?"

Spreading his arms wide, he shrugged again. "I don't know. It happened so fast. They jumped out of the car and one of them pulled Justin out and threw him aside. He must've hit his head."

Choate crossed his arms over his chest. "Then what happened?"

Gideon gestured wildly. "They jumped in the car and drove away."

"Both of them?"

"Yeah," he said as he began pacing away in agitation.

"So what happened to the car?"

Kuschel glanced back. "I told you, they drove away in it."

"I'm talking about the one they drove up in."

"What?"

"If they drove away in Justin's car, what happened to the one they drove up in?"

Pushing his hair from his eyes, he said in helpless confusion, "The third one drove off in it."

"But first you said there were two."

Gideon was sweating now. "Did I?" he stammered. "I meant three. There were three. It happened so fast, man."

The Chief Aide's eyes seemed to darken. "Why do I get the feeling there's something you're not telling me, Kuschel?"

"I--I--I don't' know, man! I would never do anything to hurt Justin. He's my friend."

Choate unfolded his arms and stepped closer. "I never said you would."

"It was just a car. A stupid, fucking car! He can get a new one! You didn't like him driving it anyway." Gideon looked away from the internal struggle. "He shouldn't have gotten hurt."

"Kuschel. Kuschel," Choate repeated to get the young man's attention. "Talk to me, now. And tell me the truth, or so help me," he said, leaning into the young man's face, "I'm going to hurt you badly."

"But. . .but. . ." Gideon leaned backwards, away from the heat of the Marine's anger.

Choate whispered in Gideon's ear. "I will break every bone in your body, Kuschel, starting with your fingers. Talk."

Mesmerized by the intensity of the Marine's gaze, the young man felt a small, warm trickle start flowing down his leg.

~~~

Five men and one woman stood in the semi-darkness of the abandoned warehouse.

The woman ran her fingers over the smooth surface of the cherry-red, high performance luxury sports car, while another ran his fingers over the small stack of money in the attache cash he'd just received.

"A pleasure doing business with you, Nick," the car-stroker said.

"As always, Ms. Breck. I hope you enjoy your car."

A voice came from behind them. "As much as you'll enjoy the money."

Both turned, but it was Nick who demanded, "Who said that?"

Out of the darkness, four figures emerged. Two built like mountains, one larger that the other, the remaining two smaller, but with muscles still well-defined.

The four bodyguards belonging to Nick and Ms. Beck drew their guns.

Before they could clear their weapons, three crumbled like stick figures as bullet holes appeared in their knees and thighs. The fourth one, faster on the draw, got his gun out and fired one shot that went wild. He fell, a bullet to the forehead.

"Hey! You're supposed to announce, 'Police'!"

The man laughed humorlessly. "But we're not."

"Who are you?"

"You picked the wrong car, Stevens." Choate stepped from the shadows.

Nick turned to face him. "Do I know you?"

The Marine shook his head. "But I know you. Mediocre car thief with lofty ambitions. Small-time criminal with delusions of grandeur. Self-appointed leader of the Turds. A legend in his own mind."

"Turks, asshole! That's Turks!" Nick flared.

"You put out the word you specialize in carjacking expensive automobiles. In your climb to greatness, you've landed quite a few people in the hospital. Luckily, no one has died, yet."

"Don't forget that elderly couple, boss," the mountain man said.

"Right, you put her in a coma. It doesn't look like she'll recover." The 'boss' paused. "The last time they indicted you it took two full days to just get through the preliminary hearings."

"And they still couldn't prove a thing, man," Nick sneered.

"That's because you sent your gang to terrorize the surviving witnesses so they wouldn't testify."

The gangbanger laughed. "And your point?"

"I haven't made my point yet, Mr. Stevens. Get them out of here," he said gesturing sharply to his group.

When the men left alive had been cleared away, the remaining member of the rescue team turned to the woman.

"Wait!" she stammered, holding her hands up in front of her while she backed away. "Wait a minute. I'm just--"

"Bag man? I know."

She shrugged nonchalantly. "The old rule of supply and demand."

"Right." He reached down and picked up the case. "I'm taking this."

She hesitated a moment, a calculating look coming to her eyes, then she glanced at the gun, the man held. "Sure, sure. Whatever you want."

"I want to kill you," he told her calmly.

"What??!!"

"But I'll settle for ruining you financially. You and the man you were supplying this car for." He began to walk away.

"Ruin? Ruin, how?"

"Your business, bank accounts, credit cards, property. All your assets. . ." he snapped his fingers, "gone."

"Gone? What do you mean, gone?"

"Welcome to poverty, Ms. Beck. I guess you could still work with the old rule of supply and demand." He looked her up and down. "That is, if you can find a demand," the man said nastily, as he stepped through the door. "Today is the first day of the rest of your life."

~~~

Nick Stevens bounced around within the confines of the metal room. He knew he was on a truck, since it was moving, but he didn't know where there were going. It seemed as if they'd been travelling for hours.

Finally, the vehicle pulled to a stop. Stevens rolled from his side on the floor to his knees, just as the cargo door slid open.

"All right. Out."

The blindfold covering his eyes made it impossible to see, but he recognized the voice as that of 'boss' from the warehouse.

"Where are we?" he demanded.

"Your stop."

Rough hands snatched him down to the ground. He immediately began to kick and struggle until the hands that held him tossed him brutally to the ground.

"You son-of-a-bitch!" Nick spat into the darkness. "You're pretty tough, me trussed up like a turkey! Free my hands and I'll give you a run for your money!"

"I like them soft, young and pliable, my friend. This one is young, not young enough, and will require much training."

"I won't bring you children, Adnon. This is as young as you'll get from me. And as far as training, you know you love a good--" he paused. "challeng. And this one will try your limits."

Adnon remained quiet several moments. "He is a criminal?"

"Yes. But not a very good one. He also likes to hurt innocent people."

"Ah." He said that one word as if it revealed everything.

"Don't talk about me like I'm not in the room!" Nick screamed when he'd heard enough.

"Yes. Much training," he said thoughtfully.

"Do you want him, Adnon?" the unnamed man asked quietly.

"I cannot use him, but I know of someone who can. He will not be as. . .gentle with him as I."

The 'boss' snorted. "I just don't ever want to see his face again."

The second man laughed. "Ulf will be very pleased. He loves a challenge. Perhaps the cold of the Russian mountains will do our young friend good."

"What?" Nick screamed. "Russia? You aren't serious about sending me to Russia."

"Yes. Ulf will love this one for his games! And such a gift will make him in my our debt." He laughed again. "Thank you, my friend."

"A pleasure dealing with you, Adnon."

"Say! Wait a minute! You can't just leave me here!" Nick cried out as he heard footsteps heading away. "Hey. Hey!"

~~~

Gideon sat in a chair facing the corner of the room. He felt like a little kid in timeout, except that he was naked. If the men who'd stripped him hadn't let him go to the bathroom, Kuschel would have pissed himself again by now.

The big guy, bigger than Justin's Paddy, had told him not to move. And, for once, Gideon did as he was told.

A door opened behind him.

"Kuschel?"

Gideon turned. Choate stood behind him.

"Is Justin all right?" he asked anxiously.

"No thanks to you."

The young man turned back to face the corner. "Yeah."

"Why?"

"Why, what?"

"Why'd you do it?"

"They wanted a favor."

"So you sold out your best friend?"

Gideon hung his head. "Yeah."

"Justin could've gotten seriously hurt."

He turned back to face the Marine. "That wasn't supposed to happen!"

"Why not? These men didn't care whether they hurt Justin or not. If you needed money, Kuschel, Justin would've given it to you."

He shook his head. "They wanted the car."

"Then you should've told them no."

"They would've killed me."

"Then you should've asked for help."

"From who? The police? They couldn't have helped me."

"No. From me."

Gideon looked up into the angry eyes. "I didn't think you would."

"You didn't try."

"I didn't think you liked me."

"Like I like you now? You were Justin's friend. I would have done it because of that."

Gideon sighed heavily. "What happens now?"

"Justin wouldn't file charges against you. And he got his car back."

"What about Nick?"

"Nick's gone."

"Gone? Gone where?"

"Gone, like he won't bother you ever again."

"He's dead?!" Gideon whispered, horrified.

Choate shook his head, remaining silent.

"But what did you do to him?"

"I'd worry about what I'm going to do to you."

"Me?"

"I told you once that you were a bad boy, Kuschel."

Gideon began fidgeting in his chair. "I'm sorry, Mr. Choate! It just got out of--"

The Marine interrupted. "And I asked you did you want me to show you what I did with bad boys."

"It won't happen again! Never! Never!"

"You remember Andreas, don't you?"

Kuschel went still. "Yeah, we used to run together."

"Did he finish school?"

"Almost. He. . .how'd you know about Andreas?"

"After the accident, he and I had a talk."

"A talk?"

"Actually, Sadie and I talked to him first. Then a few of my team got a turn. Our 'talks' went on for two or three days. We made quite an impression on him."

"Sadie?"

Choate raised the polished paddle so Gideon could see. "This is Sadie. Say hello. You two are going to become very well acquainted."

Gideon forgot what Hoss had told him about staying in the chair. He jumped to his feet, tripped and fell against the wall.

He also pissed himself, again.


~~~

Justin didn't turn from his seat on the window box as his Marine entered the room.

"Get dressed. I'm taking you out to dinner."

"I'm not hungry, Paddy."

Choate walked close and placed his hand on Justin's forehead. "Hmm, no fever."

Justin smiled. "I just don't feel like going out."

Choate went down on his knees and took Justin's hand. "You haven't been outside in three days, querido."

"Tomorrow," the smaller man promised.

"That's what you said yesterday."

Justin turned to look at him. "I'm worried about Gideon."

"Don't," Choate said coldly.

"Paddy."

"He isn't the kind of friend you need."

"He made a mistake."

"You should be pissed at him."

"I am. I was. Gideon and I go way back, Paddy. This isn't the first time we've done something. . ." Justin hesitated. "cruel to one another."

"This wasn't just cruel. He could've gotten you killed."

"I'm sure that wasn't his intention, Paddy." Justin sighed. "I'm worried about him. He isn't answering his phone. Can we go see if he's all right?"

Choate shook his head. "He's not home, dulce."

"How do you know?" Justin's eyes grew large. "Paddy! What did you do?"

The aide frowned. "He--"

Justin took the granite-like face in his hands and looked deeply into his lover's eyes. "Patrick Choate. Where's Gideon?"

"Clutch has him."

"Clutch has him where?"

"At his place. Hoss and Stealth had assignments."

"Doesn't Clutch live in the dessert somewhere?"

"It's the mountains not far from the Estate. They're on retreat."

"Gideon doesn't do retreats, especially not to the desert. Why is he there? What are you all doing to him? Paddy?"

"He's fine."

"Paddy, I know how you are--"

Choate took the hands from his face and kissed each palm. "He's fine," he repeated.

"When will he be back?"

"In a week or so."

"You'll still let us be friends?"

"I won't try to pick your friends for you, Justin. I don't like him, but if you can forgive him, I guess I can tolerate him. But if he ever pulls something like this again--"

Justin looked at him suspiciously. "Clutch isn't hurting him, is he?"

The Chief Aide raised an eyebrow. "Define 'hurt'."

"Paddy!" young Evers exclaimed in exasperation.

The Marine took the younger man in his arms and kissed him breathless. "He's fine, dulce." Choate kissed him again. "Worry about you."

"Me? What'd I do?"

"Your father's office. Pretending to take my clothes--"

"I gave them back," Justin said, struggling in his lover's arms.

"I owe you for that." He stood, still holding Justin against his chest.

"You're going to spank me for teasing?" Justin whimpered, looking horrified.

Choate smiled crookedly at him. "Never tease a tiger, brat," he said, turning towards the bed.

Justin protested, "You're a viper."

"Worse." He stood Justin on the mattress and began to peel away his clothes.

"How about if I say I'm sorry?"

"Are you?"

"If you're going to spank me, yes."

Choate laughed. "Let's see. If I remember correctly, I was about to wipe that smug look off your face." He tossed the shirt Justin wore away.

"So, you're not going to spank--"

Choate kissed him again, slipping his fingers beneath the waistband of the tight pants. "First," he said when they came up for air, "I'm going to get you naked. Then I'm going to have my way with you until you can't move."

Justin threw his arms around his Marine's neck and put their foreheads together. "I am liking this."

Choate smiled. "Then we'll nap, take a shower and go to dinner."

"Can I have a steak?"

"You can have the whole cow if you want," Choate growled.

A wicked smile crossed Justin's face as he reached down and gave his lover's erection a gentle squeeze. "On second thought, I have about all the prime cut of beef I can handle right here."

Paddy's eyes grew wide a moment, then he threw Justin down on the bed, pouncing on top of him. "Diablillo! I might just change my mind about that spanking!"

And Justin squealed as his lover tickled him nearly breathless, and finished the job with a kiss.