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   Pledges

   by Stephanie Rose

   (The hottest black sorority recruits new members.)

   ~~~

   Chapter 8: The Pledges' Revenge

   The Pledges fight back.

   ~~~

   Wednesday

   ~~~

   "So, Candace...how long are we gonna stay in here?  I mean, you tryna
hide in here all day?"

   Wednesday afternoon, four days after Saturday's big blowup at the
Sorority House, Candace looked up from her history notes, which were
sprawled out on the table in front of her.  At the question, the skin on
her soft buttermilk-colored face turned beet red as an embarrassed heat
flushed through her.

   "I...I just don't feel comfortable in the House anymore, Brandi. 
There's way t-t-too much tension there," Candace stuttered.  Suddenly
flustered, she looked back down at the table.

   Nestled in a remote corner on the empty top floor of the campus library,
the two young women tried to use an impromptu study session as a reprieve
from the drama in the Sorority House.  Sitting across from each other, the
friends had worked for only an hour before Brandi became restless.

   Brandi closed her accounting textbook and slid it out of the way.  She
took a long look at the prim and proper, yet meek and timid woman in front
of her before continuing.  "Well, you can't run from it forever, Candace,"
she said.  "And besides, you're an officer.  You may think that you're only
just the Secretary, but you're still an officer.  Some of the younger
Sorors need you to show some leadership."

   Brandi set her elbows on the table.  "Take me, for example.  I'm the
Treasurer.  So I'm really not in this conflict at all.  But I at least try
to console the underclassmen...uh...women.  And I'm trying to talk to
Sierra and Lina to get them to stop their fighting." She sat back in her
chair and folded her arms.  "So listen, Candace," she said, her voice
rising, "the bottom line?  You've got to stop being such a scaredy cat!"

   Candace's head shot up.  "Excuse me?"

   Brandi tried a softer approach.  "I mean, like at the meetings for
example.  When you're reading the minutes, you keep your head down, you
always stutter, and you can't wait to be finished.  A true Rho Sigma Tau
isn't so easily spooked."

   "I...I just get nervous," Candace mumbled, looking back down at the
table and feeling her heart begin to pound.

   "I know," Brandi whispered as she leaned in closer.  "You just need to
relax."

   Candace snorted.  "Well, now's not the time.  I can't even sleep with
everything that's going on.  I mean, Sierra's on a warpath, she and Lina
haven't spoken in days, Tamryn's been holed up in her room and everyone
else's been walking on eggshells!"

   Brandi grabbed her hand.  "Even more reason for you to step up and be a
leader.  Now more than ever.  You've got to show everyone that you're not
some milquetoast little girl.  That you're a woman capable of leadership."

   Candace grew warm at Brandi's touch, but composed herself quickly.

   "Be a leader?" Candace asked.  "That sounds good, but how?  I mean, I
want to speak up.  I really do.  I think I have some great ideas, but..."

   "But what?"

   Candace lowered her soft hazel eyes again.  "But I just get so darn
nervous."

   "`Darn?' You're so cute," Brandi smiled, patting her hand.  "Anyway,
like I said, you just need to relax." She squeezed hard.  "And I can help
you do that.  Right now."

   Once more, Candace tried to ignore the heat rising in her, but at
Brandi's words she tilted her head.  "Excuse me?"

   Brandi traced small circles on Candace's now-trembling skin.  "I said
that you just need to relax.  And you need to do it now.  Right now."

   "Now?" Candace paused for a moment.  "Wait.  You don't mean...?" She
leaned forward and her body began to tingle.  "Right here?"

   Brandi winked and turned Candace's hand over.  She used her fingernails
to trace seductive designs on Candace's palm.  "There's no one else up
here, Candace.  We have the whole floor to ourselves."

   At Brandi's captivating words and titillating touch, Candace felt a
sweet, sticky liquid begin to flow from her core, dampening her pink
panties.  "You can't," she hissed.  "I mean, we can't!"

   "Oh, yes we can!  And we shall!"

   In an instant, Brandi slid out of her chair and onto her knees.  She
crawled underneath the table to the hot spot between Candace's legs and
placed her hands on the timid young woman's silky, creamy thighs.

   "You're so pretty," Brandi whispered as she stroked Candace's skin
gently.  "And I'm so glad you wore this short-ass skirt," she chuckled.

   "You're crazy," Candace moaned as her skin burned at Brandi's soft
touch. "But we've...we've never..."

   Brandi's passion suddenly spiked for her good friend.  Her silky, café
au lait skin began to glow and her emerald-green eyes sparkled as she
lifted Candace's tiny plaid miniskirt and nestled in even closer to her
moist panties.  "But I always wanted to, sweetheart.  Oh, how I always
wanted to.  But that damned Bree got to you first!  I love my alumni
Sorors, but I'm damn glad that heifer left town, so I could make a play for
you myself!"

   Candace blushed at the thought of their Soror, Bree Giles, now a
professional talent scout with her own business in Los Angeles.

   Bree had approached Candace right when she was a freshman that had just
crossed into the Sorority and introduced her to the joys of Sapphic love
and passion.  Bree had also successfully kept Candace locked down,
committed to her only, for Candace's entire sophomore year.  However, when
Bree left Virginia just before this new school year began, headed for Los
Angeles, Candace hadn't dated since.

   Looking up from Candace's thighs and seeing the distant look in her
eyes, Brandi softened her tone.  "I know Bree had you open.  Really bad. 
Plus, you were so damned nervous, that I decided to wait.  But you're a
junior now.  Time to get over her, and get over her for good."

   Candace blushed harder.  "I know.  I know `cause, yeah, that stuff with
Bree was kind of intense."

   Brandi stroked her thigh.  "Of course it was.  You were too young for
that kind of a commitment.  Plus -"

   All of a sudden, Candace's feminine juices, which began to flow more
copiously, wafted past Brandi's nose.  "Ohhh, baby," Brandi moaned,
forgetting what she was going to say.  "Oh hell!  Fuck it!  Spread your
legs for me, baby!"

   Candace tentatively opened her knees an inch wider.

   "More," Brandi giggled.  "I can't get in between there!"

   Candace obeyed, then squirmed as she felt Brandi's warm breath on her
thighs.  She closed her eyes, opened her legs as wide as she could, then
waited.  And waited.  And waited some more.  A frown suddenly crossed her
face.  "Bran?"

   Then she felt the first swipe of Brandi's tongue on her wet panties.

   "Oh God!" Candace exclaimed at the insanely erotic touch.  "Ohhhhh!"

   Brandi grabbed Candace's hips, settled in comfortably between her legs
and began to lick the silky material.  She took long laps, feeling the soft
hair just below the thin material.  "Mmmmm," Brandi moaned, tasting just
enough of the sweet liquid to pique her appetite for more.

   "Brandi, please!" Candace said breathlessly, wiggling her ass in the
chair.  "Don't tease me, please!"

   Brandi grinned as she hooked her thumbs into the thin elastic waistband.
"You really want this, baby?"

   "Yes!  Oh, please, yes!"

   Brandi yanked the panties down and off her legs.  She leaned in close,
pressing her face against Candace's mound.  Brandi moaned as she felt the
downy hairs on her face.  Then she closed her eyes and inhaled.  The wet,
musky scent went straight from her nostrils to her brain, and finally to
the pulsating mound between her own legs.

   "Do it, Brandi," Candace groaned impatiently.  "Do it now!"

   Loving Candace's newfound forcefulness, Brandi pressed her lips right to
the moist skin.  She placed several gentle kisses on Candace's tender
pussy.

   "Oooooh," Candace moaned.  She squirmed in her chair and her temperature
soared.  "Now, baby!  Now!"

   Brandi snaked her tongue out and took a long lick of Candace's pussy.

   "Ahhhh!" Candace cried, nearly lifting off the seat.  "Oh God!"

   Brandi pressed her face even closer and endlessly long licks at
Candace's wetness.  She swirled her tongue in the sweet, thick juice,
making deliciously wet circles on Candace's excited flesh.

   Candace leaned back, lost in the intense sensations.  "Oh Bran!  Oh
Bran, please!"

   Brandi ignored her own throbbing pussy and concentrated on bringing
Candace to the peak of ecstasy.  She darted her tongue in and out, lapping
and swallowing the thick, delicious nectar that flowed abundantly.

   "Don't stop!" Candace moaned as her hands instinctively went underneath
her blouse and bra.  Her fingers went straight to her breasts and she
massaged the soft globes between her fingers, causing her passion to surge.
When she tweaked her own nipples, a powerful vibration ran through her
entire body and she groaned deeply.  "Oh please, don't stop!"

   Brandi had no such plans as she languished for countless moments in
Candace's thick, sugary wetness.  But she soon sensed Candace's impending
orgasm as the young woman's body began to tremble violently.

   "Give it to me, baby," Brandi urged, lapping up all of the sticky
juices. "Give it to me!  Give it to me now!"

   "Oh, I'm about to cum," Candace moaned as her body tightened.  She
gripped her breasts harder.  "I'm about to cum!"

   "I can't hear you," Brandi teased.  She suddenly took two fingers and
began to pump them in and out of Candace's slick tightness.  "Louder, baby!
Louder!"

   Candace threw her head back as the explosive climax raced through her
thin frame.  "Oh my God!  Brandi, yessss!  I'm cumming!  Oh God, I'm
cumming!"

   Brandi held on tight, absolutely thrilled to bring the young woman to
such heights; in public no less.

   Candace's body began to convulse as her body went into overdrive.  Then
her body exploded and an incredible brightness surged through her body. 
She seemed to leave herself and soar beyond the limits of her own passion
and bliss.

   Brandi continued drinking the sugary juices as Candace shivered and
moaned her enjoyment.  Finally, Candace calmed down and slumped back in her
chair.

   "Brandi!  Oh my God!  That was...was..."

   Brandi looked up, her lips and cheeks glistening with the evidence of
Candace's enjoyment.  "You like, babe?"

   Impulsively, Candace leaned down, grabbed Brandi's face and planted a
long, deep kiss on her wet lips.  She shivered, feeling ever so naughty, as
she tasted herself.

   "Damn, Candace," Brandi teased as she pulled back.  "You're getting
friskier already!"

   Candace arched her back, stretched her arms and looked around.  She
blinked, noticing that the colors were suddenly brighter and more vivid. 
As she slid her chair back and stood, fear and tension began to drain from
her body.  Then, in an instant, her creative juices started flowing.  She
smiled.

   "Come on, Bran," she said as she quickly gathered her books together. 
"I think I've got a plan to get everything right again!"

   "That's what I'm talking about!" Brandi grinned.  "Get it, mama!"

   As they walked to the elevators, , brimming with a newly-found
confidence, Candace took Brandi's hand and squeezed it gently.  Then she
planted a kiss on Brandi's still-heated skin.

   "Oh God!" Candace sighed.  "This is the best day of my life!"

   ~~~

   "Oh God!  This is the worst day of my life!"

   Tamryn was in her bedroom, collapsed on the bed.  Her toffee-colored
skin was dull and sullen, and her waist-length dark hair lay in tangles
underneath her, due to neglect.  Unable to face her Sorors, she'd been
hiding in her room for the past two days, only sneaking out to go to class.

   Her eyes watered as she picked up the crumpled piece of paper lying next
to her.  She carefully smoothed it out yet again.

   "Memorandum to the Alumni Chapter," Tamryn read aloud.  "I, Sierra
Morgan, recommend that Tamryn DuMouchelle be relieved of her duties as Vice
President, and be formally dismissed from the Omega Chapter of Rho Sigma
Tau Sorority, Incorporated."

   Unable to finish, and her voice now breaking, she again crumpled up the
paper and tossed it on the floor.

   She lay back on her pillow and sighed deeply.  Now powerless to stop the
tears, they spilled over her cheeks in long, sad streams.  "Why?" she
moaned between painful, drawn-out sobs.  "Why is this happening to me?"

   She cried until she was weak, then just sat staring across the room,
alone and forlorn.  Then her gaze suddenly caught a pink metallic glint at
the top of her bookcase.  She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and
got up and went to the wood structure.  She reached high up, took down her
prized pink scrapbook and lay back down on the bed.

   Absently, she flipped to the first picture.  In it, she was just a tiny
little baby, all dressed in pink.  Her dark eyes danced with wonder at the
world around her.  Her chubby cheeks were reddened and she wore the most
innocent expression on her soft face.  She was cradled in her mother's
arms; a proud smile on her mother's face.

   "I was a cute little thang," Tamryn laughed.

   Then she flipped a few pages further.  She stopped when she saw yet
another miniature version of herself.  Only six years old, her dark hair
was already just past her shoulders and was styled in two long,
side-ponytails.  She wore a huge smile on her face, which was, of course,
missing the requisite amount of front teeth.

   But most importantly to her, her hands, arms and even her face, was
dotted in dark green finger-paint.

   Tamryn looked at her bright, impish smile and sighed.  "I was so happy
then.  So free."

   Then she flipped to the next picture.  She saw herself standing in a
soft-brown uniform, now a Brownie, and her mother, Judge DuMouchelle, was
standing behind her.  While her mother wore a proud smile, Tamryn wore a
frustrated frown.

   Tamryn's shoulders slumped.  "That's when she started it all, I guess.
Started running my life."

   As she quickly flipped through the rest of the pictures, she realized
that she was her mother's direct creation: First a Brownie, then a Girl
Scout, then a member of Richmond's chapter of Jack & Jill, then a
debutante, then the salutatorian at her high school graduation.

   And in every photo since her green finger-paint experiment, she wore a
sad frown.

   And then it all made sense: "I let her make all the decisions for me."

   Sadly, she shut the scrapbook and lay it next to her on the bed.  Then
she looked at the picture on her desk.  It was a picture of Tamryn, her
mother and Sierra a few months prior, just after the Sorority elections. 
Sierra and her mother were smiling brightly, but Tamryn saw that she wore
the same sad expression.

   "Funny thing is," she remembered, "I never even really wanted to be
President." Then she blinked.  "It was all my mother's idea."

   Her voice cracked as the memories of the past few months suddenly came
rushing back.  All of her lies, deceit, manipulations, anger and
resentment.

   "I'm sorry, y'all!" she cried.  "I'm so sorry!  I'm sorry for
everything!"

   She turned onto her stomach and sobbed into her pillow for what seemed
like the millionth time.  "I've ruined my sorority!" she cried.  "What am I
going to do now?"

   ~~~

   "Hey, Sierra!  Got any news yet?"

   Sierra, standing on the rooftop terrace, admiring the sunset view,
turned around at the light feminine voice.  "Hey Angela!"

   Angela joined Sierra at the railing, and for several minutes, they
watched the sun retreat into the Virginia woodlands.  Finally Angela spoke.
"Heard anything from Tamryn?"

   Sierra shook her head.  "Nope.  Nothing." Then she paused.  "But I left
a copy of my memorandum underneath her door two days ago and she hasn't
responded yet."

   Angela blanched.  "A dismissal memorandum?"

   Sierra nodded.

   "You've already done up a dismissal memo?  And you've already given it
to her?"

   Sierra was silent.

   Angela let out a sigh.  "I gotta admit, Sierra.  I understand why you
did it, but it kinda sucks that you didn't talk to any of us or get our
permission." She looked at Sierra closely.  "I thought we made these
decisions as a group?"

   Sierra looked away.  She was thankful that her milk-chocolate skin could
easily hide her embarrassment.

   Angela's voice was low and careful.  "Have you turned in the dismissal
memo to Jana or any of the other the Alumni?"

   Sierra sighed, reflecting on the terrible fight she had with Lina about
doing things on her own.  "No, I haven't.  I just couldn't do it yet.  I
mean, I thought about it, but I decided that I'd wait."

   Angela put her arm around Sierra and lay her head on Sierra's shoulder.
"For what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing."

   For the first time in days, Sierra relaxed in Angela's embrace. 
"Really?"

   "Yeah.  Tam jeopardized the entire Sorority.  And not just our Chapter,
but the entire organization.  Sleeping with a potential pledge always
spells trouble.  I mean, if a potential decided to raise a grievance, well,
anything could happen.  That's why we have that rule.  It was designed to
keep everything above board and make sure all the potentials have the same
chance at getting in."

   "I know," Sierra said.  "And I'm glad that you see where I'm coming
from. But what do I do about everyone else?"

   "I don't know.  But I do think that Tam needed a scare.  Her behavior
was out of line, for sure.  But do me one favor, though?"

   "Anything," Sierra said.

   "Just don't turn in that memo.  Not yet."

   ~~~

   "So what are we actually gonna do about this?"

   Mickie looked around at her three line sisters.  They were in Kara's
off-campus apartment, one of the only places they could meet where they
could speak privately with each other.  Thankfully, the Sorors had assigned
them to nightly study sessions with each other, which often took place
outside of the Sorority House.

   "I mean," Mickie added, "what are we really gonna do?"

   Roxie spoke up.  "Well, seeing as how this is the first time we've had
to really strategize since this morning, let's see exactly where we are."
She pulled out a black three-ring binder from her bookbag and set it on the
table.

   "You're really serious about this," Nadia joked, a mischievous smile on
her buttery, caramel face.  "Got the special Inspector Gadget binder and
everything!"

   Roxie's lips curled into a smile.  "Smartass!" Then she grew serious. 
"Okay.  Let's start with the very beginning: Jade and the rest of Mu Lambda
will be at their annual retreat this Friday night.  I read that they're
leaving campus at 8pm, when it's already dark.  It takes about thirty
minutes to get to their campsite, and they'll be there all weekend until
Sunday.  So I think we need to do this on Friday right after they leave. 
Just in case they decide to come back early or something.  We'll drive to
their house about 8:30pm to make sure they're gone, run in, get what we
need, and run back out.  It shouldn't take us over thirty minutes."

   "How do you know about their schedule?" Kara asked.

   "I checked their website," Roxie answered.  "They have a pdf file of
their entire weekend's itinerary right in the `Events' section.  I guess
it's for their out of town Sorors, or something.  Anyway, I can confirm all
of that if you want me to?"

   Kara nodded.  "Please do.  Just to be sure."

   Then Roxie set her hands on the table.  "All right.  Now earlier, in the
cafeteria, when Sierra had stepped away, I gave y'all a short list of
things to do.  Since we only have until Friday, it's critical that we move
quickly.  So how far has everyone gotten with their assignments?"

   Mickie grit her teeth and ran her hands nervously over her roughly-tied
ponytail.  The boyishly-cute woman became increasingly agitated.  "I don't
know why we're even bothering with this."

   "Excuse me?" Roxie asked.

   Mickie threw her hands up.  "You know that we can't possibly get all of
this done by Friday night!  I mean, it's already Wednesday!  Wednesday
night!"

   "Evening," Kara corrected.

   A confused look spread across Mickie's face.  "Huh?"

   "It's already Wednesday evening." Kara pointed to the clock on the wall.
"See, it's only seven o'clock.  It's not quite nighttime yet.  So we have
plenty of time."

   Mickie's jaw tightened.  "Now ain't the time, Kara.  I'm serious!"

   "Ladies, please!" Roxie exclaimed as she opened up the binder and
studied the first page.  Then she lowered her voice.  "Okay, Nadia, you're
first.  Your mom's a building inspector with the City of Richmond.  Did you
call her about getting the building plans to the Mu Lambda house?"

   Kara frowned.  "You can just do that?  Aren't those records
confidential?"

   Nadia shook her head.  "Here in Virginia, they're public records, so
it's okay.  Anyway, I called my mom a couple of hours ago and told her I
was doing a report on sexism in university building requirements."

   Mickie tilted her head.  "Huh?"

   "I said that I needed the Mu Lambda building plans so I could compare
the sorority buildings with the fraternity buildings.  I told her that it
seemed like the boys always got to construct bigger buildings than the
girls."

   Kara chuckled.  "Nice!"

   "Yeah," Nadia said.  "She's a former Black Panther, but she was also in
the National Organization of Women, so she gets off on stuff like that. 
She was so furious that she's gonna make me a copy of the plans by tomorrow
lunchtime!"

   "Great," Roxie said as she crossed that item off her list.  "But tell
her to make you two copies.  One for you keep so you can study it, and one
to give to me so that the rest of us can have one to look at."

   Nadia nodded.  "Got it."

   Roxie went back to her notes.  "Next up is me.  I'm in charge of
distracting the security guard that's posted outside the House."

   "How are you going to do that?" Kara asked.

   "I can't say for sure, but I'm thinking it'll involve a trip to
Frederick's of Hollywood in the mall.  Anybody wanna go?"

   Nadia giggled.  "I ain't gonna miss that one!  Count me in!"

   Roxie grinned as she checked her notes again.  "Okay, Kara?  You're
next. Like I said earlier, since your parents own a security company, you
have to get us either into the front door or into the safe in Jade's
bedroom.  Or in the safe that's in Mu Lambda's basement.  Or all three. 
Have you decided which one?"

   Kara nodded.  "I'll take the safes."

   Roxie jotted it down.  "Are you sure?"

   "Yeah.  I'm pretty rusty on door locks and alarm systems, but I can
handle a safe.  Any safe, really.  See, I've been messing around with safes
since I was a kid."

   "Really?" Roxie asked.

   "Yeah.  My folks have owned their company since before I was born.  In
fact, when I was little, I was in the company's warehouse and I once
crawled in a safe and almost locked my damn self in it!  So after that, my
dad taught me everything there is to know about them."

   "Damn!" Nadia said.  "That's something helpful to know!"

   "I know, right," Kara said, laughing.  "So safes are nothing new to me.
But just to be sure, I went to their office and picked up a bunch of their
company papers and governmental essays about safecracking.  I've been
brushing up on them, so I'm confident that I can get in." Then she paused.
"But there is one thing, though."

   Roxie looked up from her notes.  "What's that?"

   "I'd be really helpful if I knew in advance what kind of safes Jade and
them have," Kara said.  "So somehow, we need to get into the Mu Lambda
House and see what model number they are."

   Roxie thought for a minute.  "Okay.  Just leave it to me," she said.  "I
have the perfect plan."

   Then Roxie looked back at her notes.  "Anyway," she continued, "now on
to you, Mickie.  Since Kara took the safes, you have to get us inside the
House.  Now, we know that your dad's a locksmith.  But it'll be just our
luck that Mu Lambda has a complex security alarm system out there.  So are
you confident you can get us in?"

   "No."

   Roxie looked up.  "No, what?"

   Mickie crossed her arms.  "I can't do this."

   Roxie's eyes widened.  "What?"

   "I'm not doing it."

   All at once, Kara, Nadia and Roxie exploded:

   "You've got to be kidding!"

   "Why not?"

   "I will beat the hell out of you if you don't help us!"

   Mickie stood her ground.  "I'm not gonna be a part of this because I'm
not a thief."

   "We're not thieves!" Roxie cried.  "We're...we're treasure hunters. 
Bounty hunters, if you will!"

   Nadia shook her head.  "You are so lame!"

   Kara spoke up.  "Hey Roxie, what's up with your roommate?  She's had a
pissy attitude from the very beginning, and now she's too good to help us?"

   Nadia nodded.  "Yeah, Mickie.  You don't seem to be into the sorority at
all, now that I think about it.  In fact, you've been pretty sullen since
we started this whole thing."

   "Actually," Roxie admitted as she stared at Mickie, "you've been a
pretty sullen person in general.  Since you first moved into the dorms at
the beginning of the semester.  So what gives?"

   Mickie was silent.

   Roxie softened her voice.  "Come on, Mickie.  Something's been going on.
We're your sisters now, so just tell us what's up."

   Mickie shrugged.  "It's my dad."

   "And?" Roxie asked.

   She took a long pause.  "He's not a locksmith."

   "He's not?"

   "Well, maybe he is, I guess.  Actually, he's in jail."

   "Huh?"

   Mickie took a deep breath.  "My father's in jail for burglary.  My mom
ran off when I was a kid, so I don't know anything about her.  But yeah, my
dad's locked up.  Been so for a while."

   Kara snapped her fingers.  "So that's why you were so evasive about your
family."

   Mickie tilted her head.  "When?"

   "Weeks ago, at the expensive dinner the sorority had for us at the
Crystal Rose restaurant.  I remember when Sierra, Lina and Tamryn were
asking us about our families and backgrounds.  You told us that your dad
was a locksmith, but you didn't say anything else.  You were so quick to
give me my turn to speak, that I thought something was wrong.  I just never
really put it together."

   Mickie shrugged.  "Whatever.  Anyway, I can't help you."

   Nadia's voice was loud.  "You have to help us!  You have to help us
because this isn't about you.  Or us, even.  It's about helping a group of
girls that helped us.  They welcomed us.  Took us in.  And now they're
going to be screwed due to that crazy-ass Jade!"

   "I don't give a damn what you need!  I'm not going to end up like my
father," Mickie said as she jumped out of her seat and headed out the front
door.  "So you all can just forget it!"

   She slammed the door shut as the three remaining girls just stared at
each other.

   ~~~

   The moon was high over the Rho Sigma Tau rooftop terrace.  Sierra basked
in its rays as she now lay on one of the brand-new chaise lounges that Jana
had delivered just an hour ago.

   The sorority's weekend caterer and fellow Soror, Miss Mona was
particularly impressed with the new pledges and wasted no time in letting
Jana, the alumni president, know of her approval.  In response, Jana sent
over the new furniture as a gift.  Little did she know, however, how bad
things had gotten.

   Sierra had her sorority pledge notes on her lap, but she was unable to
concentrate from thinking about the incriminating videotape that Jade now
had in her possession.

   "I still can't get over what Tam did," Sierra said to herself, tossing
the stack of notes onto the table next to her.  "That bitch almost cost us
everything."

   Just then, Sierra heard a voice behind her.

   "I agree that one of us cost us everything.  But I'm not talking about
Tamryn.  I'm talking about you."

   Sierra looked up to see Lina walk over.  She held her breath, unable to
speak.

   Lina, however, didn't miss a beat.  "Rumor has it that you delivered a
dismissal memo to Tamryn.  And without talking to the rest of us?"

   Sierra took a deep breath as she stood and faced Lina.  "Yes, I went
ahead and wrote it," she said slowly.  "But I hadn't planned on giving it
to her or to Jana without running it by all of you first."

   Lina pursed her lips.  "That's not what I heard."

   Sierra looked away, sheepishly.

   Lina was adamant.  "So what's really going on, Sierra?"

   Sierra shrugged.  "All right.  I did the memo.  And I gave it to Tamryn
and I'd planned on turning it in to Jana, but Angela stopped me."

   "Okay.  So why did you draft the memo in the first place?  Were you that
pissed off?"

   "I got to thinking: If I don't do something, all of us could be in
jeopardy," Sierra said.

   Lina put her hands on her hips and was silent for a moment.  She spoke.
"I wish you'd just admit it."

   "Admit what?"

   "That ever since the elections earlier this year, you've had it in for
Tamryn.  You try to act all nice and shit, like you're above us.  Like
you're so all together.  But you're a fucking phony."

   Sierra was silent.  Lina didn't normally curse like that.

   "Mmm hmm.  I thought so." Lina continued.  "You know, even though you
beat Tamryn in the voting, I'd wondered if you were upset that she even
tried to challenge your run for the presidency.  But I said `No, Sierra's
not like that.  Sierra's better than that.' Guess I was wrong." She leveled
Sierra with a steely gaze.  "Maybe you were just waiting for an opportunity
to screw her and take her down."

   Sierra was taken aback.  "Lina, I'm not trying to screw her!  And I'm
not trying to get even.  But she jeopardized our entire organization.  What
was I supposed to do?"

   "It's not about what you were supposed to do.  It's about what you did.
You acted alone.  Again.  And as much as she gets on our nerves, she's
still a Sister.  And people make mistakes."

   "And she made a helluva one.  So if it's up to me, she's out," Sierra
said, her jaw tight.  "And it wasn't a hard decision to make."

   "And here we go again." Lina threw up her hands.  "Queen Sierra!" she
spat.  "Give me a fucking break!"

   Sierra's eyes grew wide.  "Lina-"

   "Save it," Lina said as she turned on her heel.  "I thought you were
different, but I guess I was wrong."

   Sierra collapsed on the chaise lounge and watched Lina storm off.

   ~~~

   Thursday

   ~~~

   Early that morning, Roxie left her doom room in Bradley Hall and took
sure, quick steps until she reached the Hanover townhouses on the other
side of campus.  Going to the end unit, Roxie rang the doorbell.

   A moment later, a sultry voice called out over the intercom.  "Yeah?"

   "It's me, Roxie.  Open up."

   When the door opened, standing in the doorway was a slender young woman
with a bright, pretty smile and a smooth, bronze complexion.  Soft, dark
curls grazed her shoulders and she wore cream-colored satin bathrobe tied
tightly around her lean waist.

   "Hey, babycakes," the woman said, her brown eyes sparkling.  "Come on
in."

   Roxie entered and immediately gave her a big hug.  "Thanks for meeting
me, Janelle.  I know I was a little vague earlier."

   Janelle Crawford gave a hearty laugh.  "Ya don't say," she said. 
"Actually, you were secretive as hell!" She motioned for Roxie to take a
seat in the living room.  "And you know that our Spanish class is hard
enough without you sending me text messages all during class."

   Roxie blushed.  "Sorry."

   Janelle settled on her sofa across from her.  "Don't sweat it.  I'm just
teasing.  Now what was so urgent that you had to disturb my morning with
Tyra Banks on the DVR?"

   Roxie smiled.  "You love America's Next Top Model reruns, don't you?"

   It was Janelle's turn to blush.  "Pretty girls with long legs and skimpy
clothes?  Mmmmm." She laughed again.

   "Well," Roxie began, "speaking of models, I have a job for you.  I need
you to get some information for me."

   Janelle crossed her legs, and her satin bathrobe opened and exposed the
rich, creamy bronze skin up to her thighs.  "Sure.  Whatcha need?"

   Roxie chose the direct approach.  "I need you to get information about a
security system on a building's front door.  And the make and model of an
upstairs bedroom combination safe.  And a safe in the basement."

   Janelle laughed.  "Tha fuck?"

   "No really."

   Janelle shook her head.  "Do I look like a spy to you?  Do I look like
Halle Berry?  That Jinx chick she played in that James Bond movie?"

   "Come on, Janelle, I'm serious." Then Roxie looked at her curiously. 
"But about that Halle Berry crack?  Actually, I do need someone that looks
like you.  You know, gorgeous.  And you know you can get anything you want,
out of anyone you want."

   Janelle puffed up her chest.  "Yeah, I can." Then she leaned in.  "All
right, fine.  Who's the target?"

   Roxie took a deep breath.  "Jade."

   "Who the hell is Jade?"

   "Jade Cross."

   "Who?"

   "You know Jade Cross!  Hardass Jade Cross!"

   "Oh my God!  The sorority bitch?  That bitch?" Janelle cracked up.  "Oh,
hell no!  No way!"

   Roxie began to panic, but tried to keep calm.  "Oh come on, Janelle.  I
really need your help."

   "And I'd love to help you.  But this is major, honey!" She was silent,
but her leg started tapping up and down.  "And the tripped-out part is that
Jade is cute as hell.  A real brown-skinned slim goodie.  So she's
definitely doable.  But she's got that bitch role on lock, and I just don't
need that aggravation." Janelle sat back in her chair and folded her arms.

   Roxie was pleading now.  "I wouldn't ask you if I really didn't need it.
And I just need you to get something simple.  And it'll be a piece of cake.
And I'll owe you big time.  Like...like Spanish tutoring for the rest of
the year."

   Janelle laughed.  "You're going to tutor me?  Hell, you're as bad as I
am!"

   "Okay," Roxie conceded.  "You got me.  Anyway, just name your price. 
But I really need you to do this for me.  Please?  Pretty please?  With
sugar on top?  And whipped cream?  And a cherry?"

   Finally, Janelle caved in.  "Fine.  When do you need this info?"

   Roxie shifted uncomfortably.  "I'm thinking...later on tonight."

   Janelle's eyes grew wide.  "Tha fuck?"

   "Well, I need it by tomorrow.  So I need you to do this today.  By
tonight."

   Janelle let several long, tense moments pass before she spoke.  "What I
need is for you to level with me," she said, her voice solemn.  "Tell me
what this is all about, Roxie.  Just tell me the truth."

   Roxie hesitated.  "Well...All right.  Here's the truth.  Jade's got a
videotape in her safe that can be used for blackmail.  And if I don't do
something about it, she could possibly use it to ruin some really great
people."

   "Damn." Janelle sighed.  "I can't stand that bitch, so I'll help you. 
But one thing: What's in it for me?"

   Roxie gave her a questioning look.

   Janelle uncrossed her legs and moved closer to Roxie's chair.  Barefoot,
she used her manicured toes to tickle Roxie's leg.  "Just a minute ago, you
were talking about sugar and whipped cream and cherries.  So what do I get
out of the deal?"

   Roxie's voice was low.  "You know I'm with Mickie."

   Janelle scoffed.  "You still into that tomboy?  You like that?"

   "Mickie's my heart.  And you know that.  You've known that since the
first day of Spanish."

   "Yeah.  I caught y'all holding hands while walking up to class, so
whatever." Janelle reluctantly pulled her leg away.  "All right.  So tell
me again what you need."

   "It's simple.  I need you to get information about the Mu Lambda
sorority house.  You need to get the make and model of the security system
right outside the front door.  And when you get to Jade's room, I need you
to find out the make and model of the safe in her bedroom.  And there's a
safe in the basement.  Find out about that one too.  And see if you can
confirm that they'll actually be gone on Friday."

   "Okay, the Friday part I can handle.  But how am I supposed to get her
to tell me about the safes?  And how do I get up to her room?  And into the
basement?"

   Roxie was prepared.  "I do have an idea, but I'm not sure it'll work. 
But in any event, just use your feminine charms.  And tell her anything you
have to.  Make up something, even.  But make sure you get the front door's
security system.  And make sure that you find out about those safes so we
can get that tape!"

   ~~~

   Later that morning, back in the Rho Sigma Tau sorority house, Candace
mulled on her conversation with Brandi.  She was now sure that everything
that Brandi had said about her was right.

   "I've got to get the girls back together," she said.  "And hopefully, I
know how to do it, and I can it that done soon."

   Her plan was simple: to talk to Sierra and Lina and get them on the same
page.  With the two top officers in agreement, everyone else in the
sorority, Tamryn included, would follow their lead.  She reviewed what she
was going to say for a few moments, when all of a sudden, the aroma of
buttermilk pancakes wafted into her room.

   Suddenly hungry, she went down to the kitchen and ran right smack into
Sierra.  Standing at the marble island in the middle of the kitchen, Sierra
was piling fresh fruit on her plate from the daily breakfast buffet Miss
Mona's caterers had set up there.

   Here's my chance, Candace thought.  She cleared her throat.  "Hey
Sierra, got a minute?"

   "Not now," Sierra said, brushing right past her to grab a glass of juice
from the side counter.  "Maybe tomorrow." Breakfast in hand, she strode out
of the room.

   Candace sighed.  "This is going to be harder than I thought."

   ~~~

   An hour later, Miko stood at the door to Tamryn's room.  She took a deep
breath and knocked softly.

   Tamryn opened the door slowly.  Before Miko could say anything,
apologies spilled out of Tamryn's mouth.  "I'm sorry!  I'm so, so sorry!"

   "Wow," Miko said.  "I've never seen you like this.  What's up, Tam?"

   "I've been holed up here for days, just trying to get my head together.
But I know now.  I know I've messed everything up.  And I'm sorry!  I'm so
very sorry!  I didn't mean to get you all in trouble!"

   Miko cracked a smile.  "I know.  You're a lot of things, but you're not
trying to jeopardize our sorority."

   "I'm not!  I'm really not!" Tamryn wiped her eyes.  "It's just
that...that...I'm so pissed at my mother!  She's run my life ever since I
can remember.

   "Judge DuMouchelle?  Really?"

   Tamryn nodded.  "I finally realized it.  Now I know that's not an
excuse, but that is the reason I'm so mean.  I'm just pissed at my shitty
childhood.  But I'll change.  I promise I will." Her voice raised an
octave. "Just don't kick me out!  Please don't kick me out of Rho Sigma
Tau!"

   Miko was taken aback.  She was so used to the bad-assed Tamryn that the
meek, apologetic woman in front of her was nearly unrecognizable.  Miko
softened.  "It's okay, Tam.  Especially now since you've apologized.  Now
just go and apologize to everyone else."

   "I will.  I promise!" Tamryn paused.  "You know, you're the first person
to even come up here to see how I was doing."

   "Really?"

   "Yeah," Tamryn said.  "Even Sierra just shoved the memo underneath the
door.  She didn't even knock."

   Miko leaned against the doorjamb.  "Well, a lot of folks are mad at you.
And for good reason." Then she sighed.  "But you're still our Sister.  And
we still have to be concerned about what happens to you.  So...so I'll talk
to everyone."

   Tamryn smiled.  "You will?"

   Miko smiled.  "I'll put in a good word for you.  And we'll just see what
happens."

   "Thanks.  I mean it.  Thanks!"

   Suddenly Miko leaned in close.  "By the way, I know you like Kara," she
whispered.  "But just keep your distance for now.  We can't have a repeat
of your...extracurricular activities."

   Tamryn winced.  Miko's words were harsh, but true.

   "Of course," Tamryn sighed.  "I'll keep my distance."

   "Good." She reached for Tamryn's hand.  "Now, let's try to get
everything back to normal, huh?"

   ~~~

   Just after noon, Janelle sat in Jade's bedroom, on the edge of her bed,
wondering what the hell she was doing there.  Getting the front door
information was easy enough since the security company's label was right on
the front of the display.  But getting into Jade's room proved to be a bit
harder.

   Urged on by Roxie, she'd called Jade and made up a story about having an
interest in pledging Mu Lambda, which she most certainly did not, and that
she'd do anything to get in, which she most certainly would not.

   Now Jade sat in a chair across from Janelle.  Janelle felt Jade's eyes
burn a hole in her and it creeped her out.  To seal the deal, Janelle wore
a cherry-red silk blouse, unbuttoned to her waist, and a tiny pair of
pleated shorts.  Her bronze skin was gleaming from the scented oil she'd
slathered on after a steaming hot shower.  She knew she looked delectable,
but she hoped that Jade thought so too.

   "So," Jade said, "tell me about yourself."

   Thanks to Roxie, Janelle had the lie all ready.  "My dad's a locksmith.
His company makes safes."

   "You're kidding."

   "Uh, no." Janelle was uncertain as to what to say next.

   "Funny you should say that.  I actually need some service.  I have a
safe.  Well, two safes, actually.  One's here and one's in the basement. 
But the one up here is the one that I'm having trouble with."

   "Jackpot," Janelle whispered.  Then she frowned.  How do I get to the
safe down in the basement?

   In a split second, she decided to go for it.  "What kind of safes are
they?" Janelle asked.  "I mean, both of them." Then she added, "so that my
dad can check them both at the same time, of course."

   She hoped she was convincing.

   Jade eyed Janelle's tight, trim body.  "Later."

   Janelle blinked.  "Excuse me?"

   "Let's talk about that later.  I have something else in mind right now."

   Janelle thought quickly.  "Well, if you give me all the details now, I
can have my dad come over, say, Friday evening after work?  About eight
that night?"

   Jade shook her head.  "That won't work.  We'll be out of town Friday
night and we're leaving at eight.  No one will be here then."

   Having confirmed the time, Janelle went to her backup lie.  "Well, then,
I need to call my dad today before he leaves work.  If I let him know
everything now, he can get someone over right away, maybe even tonight.  So
just tell me all about it now."

   Jade shook her head, went over to the bed and sat down.  Her skin
brushed up against Janelle's.  "I said later." Then she reached out and
touched the small, sensitive patch of skin just behind Janelle's ear.  She
traced her finger over Janelle's soft, silky skin.  "Tell me more about how
much you want to be a Mu Lambda."

   Janelle squirmed, trying to ignore the shiver that had run through her
body.  The thought of sex with Jade was intriguing, but she was here to get
a job done.  "I...I didn't think it was done like this."

   "Well, here it is done like this." Jade lay back on her bed.  "So show
me how much you want it."

   Janelle looked over at the attractive woman.  Jade's skin was a rich
brown, almost like a nutmeg color.  She had soft black hair, that draped
down over her shoulders.  She was tall, about 5'10", with a frame that was
thin and lanky, but very model-like.  Her body had less curves than her
own, and Janelle was a bit disappointed because she loved thick women, but
Jade's body was still desirable as it was long and lean.

   "I'm waiting," Jade said impatiently.

   In that moment, Janelle remembered the reason why she never liked this
woman: her attitude.  It was a shame though, Janelle thought.  Jade was
quite beautiful, but the way she carried herself was a downright shame.
Doing a mock striptease, Jade shimmied up her top until her stomach was
exposed.  She slowly lifted it higher and higher to just underneath her
tiny breasts.  Janelle was captivated as Jade leaned back against the
pillow.  Then she watched as Jade shed her top and wiggled out of her jeans

and panties.

   Now nude on the bed, Jade spread her legs.  "Please?"

   Janelle smiled inwardly.  This was as polite as Jade was ever going to
get.  Instantly, Janelle made a decision.

   Janelle leaned down and pressed her face against Jade's stomach.  She
took a deep whiff.  Surprisingly, Jade's natural scent was sweet and tangy.
Janelle's mouth started to water.  She rubbed her face on Jade's soft skin,
enjoying the feel of the heat rising to the surface.

   Rather than jumping right in, Janelle used her hands to gently stroke
Jade all over.  She slowly trailed her fingertips over Jade's face, her
neck, her arms, down to her chest, and over her thighs and legs. 
Lovemaking was an experience for Janelle and she intended use her skill to
tame this wild woman.

   Soft gasps escaped Jade's lips.  "Ohhhh," she moaned.  "Ohhh yes!"

   "Oh hell," Janelle groaned.  Without thinking further, went to the taste
she'd been craving.  She was immediately taken with the sight of Jade's
exotic flower.  Janelle watched as a set of satiny brown pussy lips opened
into deep pink ones.

   Unconsciously, Janelle licked her lips.  Needing to make contact with
the luscious sight, she reached out a fingertip and stroked the moistening
flesh.

   "Please," Jade begged as she squirmed on the bed.  "Please, now!"

   "Please what?"

   "Please eat me!  Please!"

   Janelle chuckled.  She really thinks she can order anyone around.  Well
I don't bend that easily.

   Janelle's lips inched closer to Jade's glistening slit.  She extended an
eager tongue and swiped the sensitive skin of Jade's inner thigh.  "You
want that, baby?" Janelle whispered.

   "Yessss," Jade hissed, pressing her body closer.  "Yes now!"

   Then Janelle's tongue made contact.  All at once, a honeyed nectar began
to flow over her tongue, lips and right to her mouth.  "Mmmmm," Janelle
moaned as she drank the exotic elixir.  "You taste wonderful!"

   "Oooooh," Jade cried as a firm, licking sensation rocked her to her
core. "That feels so damned good!"

   Janelle grabbed her hips and hung on tightly.  She used her oral
expertise to drive Jade into a heated passion.  She pointed her tongue and
took long, sure strokes against the wet surface.  Then, teasingly, she used
her tongue to trace the letters of the alphabet along Jade's turgid clit.

   "Ohhhhh," Jade moaned, her senses going into overdrive.  "Right there,
baby.  Right there!"

   Janelle curled her tongue and thrust it in and out of Jade's wetness. 
She felt the walls close in, her pussy tightening in her passion.

   "Damn," Jade groaned, writhing across the bed.  "Don't stop!  Don't
stop, baby!"

   "I won't," Janelle whispered into Jade's juicy depths.  Janelle doubled
her efforts and attacked Jade's clitoris.  She flicked her tongue back and
forth, over and over the pink gem.

   Jade's body tensed up in anticipation of an explosive climax.  "Ohhhhh!"

   Filled with lust, Janelle used her fingers to open Jade's lips wide. 
She tongued the clit, then brazenly buried her face in Jade's wetness.  She
followed Jade's movements, licking and sucking the sensitive pink jewel in
time with Jade's rhythm.

   Jade was outdone.  "I'm cumming!  I'm cumming!  Now, sugar!"

   "Yeah, baby," Janelle sighed, her mission nearly accomplished.  "Give it
to me!  Right in my mouth, baby!  Right in my mouth!"

   Jade's body convulsed as the erotic sensations tumbled her over the
precipice.  Her moans deepened and she fully rode the waves of her intense
passion and wanton desire.

   Finally, Jade grew still.  She lay there until her breathing became
steady, then she curled up into a ball at the head of the bed.

   Janelle raised up next to her and began to stroke her hair, tangling her
fingers in the tousled strands.  She was surprised that she enjoyed the
experience so much.  However, she still had a job to do.  So she lay next
to Jade, closed her eyes and patiently waited for the perfect opportunity.

   Unfortunately, Janelle never noticed the red light blinking from a tiny
hole set in the crown molding bordering Jade's ceiling.

   ~~~

   At that exact moment, Daniel Cross sat at his desk, deep in thought. 
"What am I going to do about Jade?  I barely see her anymore." He studied
the picture on his desk of him, Jade and her mother.  Their family hadn't
been perfect, but had given him the most happiness he'd ever had.  He
picked up the framed photo.

   "Alaina was so beautiful," he mused as he touched the image of his late
wife.  "So beautiful and so sweet." Then he looked at Jade.  "How do I get
you back?  How do I get you back to me?"

   Then his secretary Melinda appeared in the doorway.  She knocked softly.
"Mr.  Cross?  Professor Morgan, your two o'clock, is here.  Shall I send
him in?"

   Daniel sighed as he put the picture back on his desk.  "Sure.  Go
ahead."

   Melinda, catching his forlorn expression, paused.  Then she stepped
inside his office and closed the door behind her.  "Daniel?  Let me be
frank.  I know you're preoccupied because I know you haven't talked to Jade
in weeks.  And that's not like you.  So you have to do something." She
waited a beat.  "You're her father.  You have to do something."

   Daniel nodded.  "I know, Melinda, I know.  I just don't know what to
say. Ever since Alaina..." He could barely say the words.  "Ever since
Alaina passed, Jade's been out of control.  That accident really took its
toll on that poor girl."

   Melinda smiled.  "I'm sure you'll think of something.  But don't wait
too late.  Call it women's intuition, but I think she really needs
you...now more than ever."

   ~~~

   Burned from Sierra's rejection, Candace waited until later that
afternoon to go up to Lina's room.  Luckily, Lina was just coming out.

   "Hey, Lina.  Got a minute?"

   Lina sighed.  "Not now, hon.  I've got to get the pledges for tonight's
session.  Maybe later, huh?"

   Lina scurried off while Candace stood there dumbfounded.

   ~~~

   Late that night, Mickie sat in her dorm room trying to study, but not
getting very far.  Thankfully, Roxie had given her a bit of space since her
blowup the night before.  And even now, Roxie had stayed out of the dorm
room most of the day.  As it was now, she hadn't made it back from the mall
yet, but Mickie was anxious for the confrontation she knew they had to
have.

   "I just don't want to be that person," Mickie sighed as she closed her
textbook.  "A thief." But she couldn't deny that her girlfriend couldn't do
this without her and her expertise.  "Roxie's my heart," she said.  "And I
love her.  And she needs me."

   In the middle of her thoughts, there was a knock at the door.  She got
up and took the door handle.  "Yes?"

   An unfamiliar, yet feminine voice spoke.  "Is Roxie there?"

   Mickie opened the door to see a pretty, slim young woman.  Mickie looked
her up and down.  "Yes?"

   Janelle's eyes swept over her, and Mickie suddenly felt uncomfortable in
her dark flannel shirt, jeans and sneakers.

   "You must be Mickie." She held out her hand.  "I'm Janelle."

   Mickie shook her hand, raising an eyebrow, but decided to keep cool. 
"Yeah, sure.  Come on in."

   She watched the glamorous woman stride inside.  Now that she took a
closer look, Janelle's blouse was a bit rumpled and her skirt was a bit
crooked, but she looked every bit like a glamorous diva.

   Mickie shut the door and put her hands on her hips.  "Roxie's out, but
she should be back soon."

   Janelle squinted, seeming to be in deep thought.  "Yeah," she said
slowly.  "I tried to call her, but she wasn't answering her phone.  Well,
it's nice to meet you.  Now, did Roxie tell you anything about me?"

   Mickie shook her head.

   "Well," Janelle began, "we're in the same class.  Spanish.  And I just
have some information for her."

   Mickie decided to be polite.  "She should be back shortly.  Do you want
to wait, or do you want to leave it with me?" She hoped this woman would
choose the latter.

   Janelle smirked.  "No, thanks.  I'll just wait." She sat in one of the
desk chairs and crossed her legs.  She silently fluffed out her hair, then
decided to reach into her purse and grab a mirror for a more proper
primping.

   Mickie began to grow a bit uncomfortable.  How did Roxie know this
woman? And why was she being so secretive?  She decided to see what she
could find out.  She waited a few moments, a weird tension in the room,
then she couldn't take it anymore.

   "So, you're in Spanish with her."

   Janelle was now busy checking out her manicure.  "Mmm hmm."

   "Did you know her before?  I mean, before now?  Like in high school or
something?"

   "Nuh uh."

   Mickie grew impatient.  "I mean, I can give her a message?  Or you can
just call her back?"

   "Getting uncomfortable?"

   Mickie's eyes widened and her jaw tightened.  This girl was a piece of
work.  "No.  I'm just trying to make conversation."

   Just then, Roxie burst in carrying a plastic garment bag, a large
bookbag and a cardboard tube.  "Mickie!  We've got the building plans from
Nadia!  So we're officially on our way!  Now, she's going to call Kara and
they're going to meet us later."

   Then she spotted Janelle.  "Janelle?  You're back!" Roxie exclaimed. 
"How did it go?"

   Janelle grimaced.  "Well, the job was...umm...hard, but I got your
info."

   Mickie broke in.  "What's going on here?  Just how do you two really
know each other?  And what's this all about?"

   Roxie put her hand on Mickie's.  "It's about our mission.  That's all."

   Janelle turned to Roxie.  "I wasn't sure if she was in on it or not. 
I'd have told her, but I just wasn't sure."

   Roxie thought for a moment.  "Well, she's not quite in on it yet.  But
I'm hoping to change her mind."

   Janelle began to grow agitated.  "I thought this was about Jade and her
blackmail plot?" She turned to Mickie.  "You need to help out," Janelle
said.  "I've done my part.  So you need to do yours."

   "I'm not a thief," Mickie said weakly.  She had a sneaking suspicion
that she was about to get ganged up on.

   "You need to get your priorities straight," Janelle said, pointing a
finger in Mickie's face.  "A lot of people can be hurt by this so you need
to think about what's really important."

   "Not now, Janelle," Roxie said, trying to ease the tension.  "Just give
us what you've got."

   Janelle took a deep breath, and quickly ran down the specs about Mu
Lambda's security alarm system, Jade's closet safe and the safe in the
basement.  And she confirmed the Mu Lambda's travel plans for Friday.

   "Anything else?" Janelle asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.  "You
know I'm always willing to help you, Roxie." She shot a glance at Mickie.
"You know I've got your back...unlike some people I know."

   Seeing the anger flash in Mickie's eyes, Roxie quickly showed Janelle
out.  "Nope.  We're all set.  Thanks."

   Roxie closed the door, leaned against it and sighed a deep sigh.  "All
right.  We have the copy of the building plans, the security alarm info,
the safe info and I've got my outfit to distract the security guard." She
was quiet for a moment.  "Now, all we need is you.  We really need you,
hon. Since Kara's taking the safe, we need you to get us into the house. 
We need you to crack the security alarm code."

   Mickie sat there silent.

   "Come on, honey," Roxie pleaded.  "For me?"

   "And what about Janelle?"

   "What about Janelle?"

   Mickie chose her words carefully.  "Does she expect something in
return?"

   Roxie gulped.  "Ummm...no."

   Mickie just stared at her.

   "And if she did, she wouldn't get anywhere with me.  You know that. 
You're my heart."

   Mickie relaxed.  She couldn't help the smile that spread across her
face. "Really?"

   Roxie drew her close.  "Really!" She wrapped her body around Mickie's,
giving her girlfriend all of her warmth.

   Mickie returned her embrace.  "Okay, okay.  I believe you." She kissed
Roxie on the cheek.  Loving the contact, she moved to Roxie's full lips. 
She kissed them deeply, feeling a rush of heat all through her.  "Of course
I believe you."

   Roxie beamed.  "So you'll do it?"

   Mickie rolled her eyes.  "I'll do it.  Just for you.  Only you."

   Roxie squealed.  "Thank you," she said, squeezing Mickie even tighter,
almost putting the poor girl in a bear hug.

   Feeling her girlfriend's heated body, erotic feelings began to rise in
Mickie.  "Do we have time to make up?" she asked.

   Roxie chuckled, grinding her hips against Mickie's.  "Later.  I
promise."

   Mickie poked out her lip.  "You're such a tease!" she joked.

   Roxie grinned as she wriggled out of Mickie's embrace and plucked her
cell phone out of her purse.  "Okay.  I'm calling the girls.  I know we
have a pledging session, so I'll have Kara and Nadia meet here an hour
early.  We don't have much time until tomorrow night, so we're gonna hurry
up and get these plans together and we're going to get that tape!"

   ~~~

   Friday

   ~~~

   "Done!  All done!"

   Jade shut her suitcase, packed to the brim, and set it near her doorway.
Then she grabbed her notes from the bed and sat down on the soft comforter.

   "Clothes?  Check.  Shoes?  Check.  Sorority manual?  Check.  Projector?
Downstairs in the basement.  Files?" She jogged over to her desk and picked
up a stack of manila folders.  "Check."

   Just as she went to put them in her sorority duffel bag, Mya knocked on
the open door.  "Hey Jade, everyone's outside and in the vans.  We're all
packed and ready, and we have your car ready too.  Are you almost ready to
go?"

   Jade nodded.  "Yeah.  I just have to get my files.  Then I have to get
the projector from in the basement." Then she thought for a moment.  "Why
don't you go down and get it for me?  I'll be down in a minute."

   "Nuh uh," Mya said, shaking her head.  "I'm not going down there all by
myself.  It's creepy down there.  Especially since the lights have been
going on and off."

   Jade rolled her eyes.  "Fine.  I'll get it and I'll meet you down at the
door.  Just get my bag, okay?"

   "Sure."

   Jade ran past her and headed downstairs.  Mya cut off Jade's light,
grabbed her heavy suitcase and lugged it out the door.

   Unfortunately, Jade forgot her file folders sitting right on the desk.

   ~~~

   "Looks like we're all set."

   Camped out late that evening in Kara's off-campus apartment, Roxie
looked around at her pledge sisters.  Even after a long night of pledging,
for the past two hours, they'd been rehearsing every detail of their
mission.

   After Roxie explained just how she planned to distract the security
guard that made his rounds nightly, she patted the plastic garment bag next
to her.  "So you see, y'all, I've got my end covered, for sure!" she
giggled.

   Nadia's building plans were flawless, so they'd spent a considerable
amount of time going over every inch of the house.  They were unable to
determine which room was Jade's, but they at least assumed it'd be on the
top floor.

   Kara then spent thirty minutes going over the bedroom safe, and how she
planned to crack it.  Just in case, she also explained how she'd get into
the basement safe if needed.

   Then Roxie nudged Mickie.  "Now, finally, tell `em how you plan to get
into the security system." She looked at Kara and Nadia.  "I wanted to make
sure Mickie was comfortable with the rest of the plan before I had her
share her part of the mission."

   Mickie pulled out a small device, about the size and width of a pocket
calculator.  "This...is Daisy."

   "Daisy?" Nadia asked.  "What the hell is a Daisy?"

   "Daisy was my first dog," Mickie answered.  "She was a beagle.  Brown.
White spots.  She was such a cutie.  She ran away, though..."

   Nadia threw up her hands, exasperated.  "I mean, that thing there!  That
thing!"

   Mickie held up the device.  "This is Daisy."

   Nadia grit her teeth.  "Which is...?"

   Mickie shrugged.  "A counter."

   Nadia turned to Roxie.  "I'm gonna cut her if she doesn't stop fucking
with me!  Somebody get her!"

   Kara broke in.  "A counter is a device that works on security systems.
It crashes the security system with thousands of random combinations of
numbers until the right combination is reached."

   "How long will it take?" Nadia asked.

   "Only seconds," Kara responded.  "It works fast as lightening.  All you
have to do is hook its wires up to the wires of the security system, turn
it on, and let it go to work to crack the security code."

   "Does that explain it?" Mickie said to Nadia with a touch of attitude.

   Roxie tried to smooth things over.  "Y'all know that Mickie really
doesn't want to do this, but she's going to anyway.  So she's a
bit...salty."

   "We're all at risk," Nadia said.  "None of us want to do this, but you
don't see us getting smart aleck about it!"

   Mickie was silent.

   "Anyway, y'all," Roxie said, "now, we don't have to show up for our
pledge session tonight, so we'll head for the Mu Lambda house just around
8:30."

   "I still can't believe that Sierra bought that excuse," Kara said. 
"We've never gotten a night off of pledging before!"

   "I know, right?" Roxie said.  "Like I said before, I just told her that
there was so much confusion at the house, that maybe we'd just be a
distraction.  She agreed and said we can have the night off.  It was
perfect!"

   "It is perfect," Nadia said, smiling again, her tension with Mickie
having faded away.

   "Anyway, ladies," Roxie said, going back to her notes, "we really don't
have that much more longer." She checked her watch, "Actually, we have only
a few more minutes, so let's go over everything one more time."

   ~~~

   "All right, everyone.  Let's go over everything one more time!"

   Jade stood at her podium in front of the sorors of Mu Lambda.  They'd
traveled through the Virginia interstate until they reached at a small
campsite just west of Virginia Beach.  The cabin was large and warm, and
had a comfortable, cozy feel.

   After putting away their luggage, they immediately began their weekend
program.  First up, was the sorority song and sorority pledge.  Then they
went right in to step practice.  All twenty women were lined up in four
rows, with Jade at the front.  She'd just demonstrated the newest steps for
their upcoming party.

   "Now, I want us to really practice these new steps," she said as she
went to her duffel bad.  She reached in and pulled out a reel of film.  "In
fact, I had our national office make a reel of the Alpha Chapter's stepshow
up in NYC.  It's on a reel so we can put it on our projector."

   She called out to Mya.  "Mya, get the projector!"

   Mya shrugged.  "I don't have it."

   Jade frowned.  "Where's the projector?"

   The girls looked around.  One of them bravely spoke up.  "I remember you
saying earlier that you were going to get it."

   "Me?  I'm the president," Jade snapped.  "How can I remember everything
around here?"

   Then Jade sighed.  "Oh hell.  Just as I was going to the basement,
someone asked me a question and I got distracted." She put her hands on her
hips.  "I guess it's still in the basement.  Anyway, while I figure out
what to do, let me at least give you the copies of the new executive orders
from Nationals."

   She reached into her duffel bag again.  She searched around for her
manila file folders and came up empty.  "Damn!"

   "You left those too?" Brianna asked, a slight smirk on her face.

   "I guess they're on my desk." Jade looked at her watch.  "We can be at
the house in just about fifteen minutes.  Maybe twenty."

   Brianna frowned.  "We?"

   "Yeah," Jade said as she grabbed her keys.  "Mya's going to drive me
back."

   Mya looked surprised.  "Me?"

   "Yeah.  It's your fault that I forgot everything, so you're driving me
back.  Right now.  So come on!"

   ~~~

   "We're here."

   Roxie sat behind the wheel of Nadia's dark blue compact car.  They were
parked next to a wooded area that, luckily, was only about a hundred feet
from the Mu Lambda House.  The thick trees wrapped around to the back of
the house, and a line of bushes lead right up to the front door.

   Kara, Mickie and Nadia, all dressed in black, peeked up from the back
seat.

   "Roxie, look!" Kara pointed to a heavyset older man in an olive green
uniform.  "There's the security guard."

   "Damned Rent-a-Cop," Mickie grumbled.

   They watched the guard come from behind the far end of the House, walk
all the way past the front door, and continue his circle back toward the
rear of the House.

   "Okay, y'all," Roxie said when he was just out of sight.  "Go do your
thing.  When you get up close to the front, I'll get out and do my thing."

   She sat quietly as Kara, Nadia and Mickie jumped out and began to sneak
through the woods, all the way around to the bushes at the side of the
House.  They kept low, nearly crawling, as the thick shrubbery hid their
stealth frames.

   Once they were perched just near the front door, waiting, Roxie jumped
out, ran to the front of the car, and popped the hood.  She reached in,
pulled off a predetermined wire and stepped back.  At that moment, the
security guard came from the back of the House.  She waved to him wildly.
"Help!  Help!"

   The guard ambled over - passing dangerously close to the crouching
threesome - and went straight to Roxie.

   As he got close to her, his eyes began to bulge out of his head.

   Roxie wore a long, black cloak, but at the guard's approach,
dramatically undid the top button and flung it open.

   The guard adjusted his vision and gasped.

   Roxie was dressed in a sultry French maid costume.

   She had a tight, low-cut blouse that caused her cleavage to nearly spill
out.  Her skirt was obscenely short, and her legs were encased in tight,
fishnet stockings.  Four-inch heels gave her calves a delicious curve and
completed the lewd outfit.

   Roxie winked at the surprised guard.  "I'm on my way to a party.  A
costume party," she said, leaning against the hood in her best Marilyn
Monroe impression.  "Can you help me?"

   ~~~

   "All right, Mickie.  Do your thing with, Daisy, or whatever."

   Kara stepped back as Mickie went to the small control pad near the front
door.  She swiftly removed the screws, took off the display plate, then
attached the wires from Daisy to the wires on the alarm.  Once she had
everything in place, she held Daisy in her hand and pressed `Enter.'

   Nadia huddled next to Kara and watched for any signs of movement from
the street.  Mickie kept her eyes dead set on the display.  The tiny
machine cranked out thousands of numbers.

   "How long is this going to take, again?" Nadia whispered.

   "Not long." Mickie said tersely.

   Finally, the display lit up and the numbers 5, 10, 43, 20 and 8 popped
up.  Then the all display lights turned green.

   "Here goes," Mickie said as she grabbed the door handle.  One turn and
the door creaked open.

   "Yes!" Kara hissed.  "Let's go!"

   In an instant, they ran up to the top floor.  When they reached the top
of the landing, they paused.  There were ten separate doorways in front of
them.

   Kara acted first.  "Nadia, start at the end of the hallway.  Mickie? 
You go to the middle.  I'll start down here.  Holler when you've got Jade's
room."

   They crept silently for several long minutes, until Nadia called out. 
"Here, y'all!  It's in here."

   When Kara and Mickie ran in, Nadia already had Jade's closet door open
and was pointing to the floor.  "That's it."

   Kara took a deep breath.  "All right, y'all.  Here goes."

   Kara knelt down and pressed close to the safe door.  She took another
deep breath and placed her hands on the cool metal.  Then slowly, she
turned the dial and began her mission.

   Mickie and Nadia could only stand there, helpless, while Kara worked on
the combination.  Nervous energy threatened to consume them; each of them
tense, muscles taut, waiting for some sort of resolution.

   "Almost there," Kara whispered as the dial did her bidding.  She placed
her hear right against the safe door and felt the vibrations of the lock.
For several long minutes, she manipulated the dial back and forth.

   Mickie and Nadia held their breath, their nerves taut.

   Finally, there was a barely audible click.  Then Kara sat back on her
haunches and smiled.  "I think this is it, ladies."

   She gingerly placed her hand on the handle, closed her eyes and pulled.
The handle gave way and she yanked the door open.

   "Get it, girl!" Mickie cried.

   When Kara looked inside, a big grin spread across her face.  "Jackpot!"

   "Is there any money in there?" Nadia asked.

   "No!" Mickie said.  "We're not thieves.  Plus, if we take any money,
then we're going to jail for real.  So nothing but the tape.  I mean it!"

   Kara pulled out a small DVR tape and handed it to Nadia.  "Now let's get
out of here," Kara sighed as she rose to her feet and headed for the door.

   Nadia glanced at the tape before shoving it in her pocket.  Then she did
a double-take.  "What the hell?" She pulled the tape back out and looked at
the label.  "Wait!  Who the hell is Janelle?"

   Mickie, already at the door, snapped her head around.  "Why is Janelle's
name on the tape?"

   "Umm," Nadia interrupted.  "Who the hell is Janelle?"

   Mickie shook her head.  "We don't have time to worry about that.  Just
take it for now, and we'll sort it out later."

   Kara froze.  "Then where's the other tape?  The tape we came to get?"

   Mickie let out a long, deep sigh.  "The basement.  I guess we have to go
down there and check that one too."

   "Shit," Kara grumbled as they headed out of the room and back down the
stairs.

   ~~~

   Jade looked over at Mya.  The pretty twin was speeding down the
interstate, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

   "Do me a favor," Jade said as they neared their exit.  "Call George. 
Tell him we're on our way back."

   Mya glance over at her.  "Uhhh, I'm driving!  Hello?"

   Jade rolled her eyes yet again as she pulled out her cell phone.  She
cut a sharp glance at Mya, but went ahead and dialed quickly.  When the
deep voice answered, she broke right in.  "Hello, George?  We're on our way
back.  We should be there in about ten minutes."

   ~~~

   "Ten minutes," the security guard repeated.  He listened for a moment.
"Ok.  See you then."

   Roxie panicked.  "Um...you have to go?"

   "No," he smiled.  "It's just that a couple of the girls forgot some
things.  They're on their way back.  They'll be here in ten minutes.  But
that's the least of your concerns.  Let me take another look at this
alternator."

   "Ohhh," Roxie moaned as she doubled over, feigning sickness.  "Ohhh,
it's my stomach.  I'll be right back," she said as she raced to the woods.

   She dropped to her knees, out of George's sight, fished out her cell
phone and dialed Mickie's number.  As soon as Mickie picked up, she the
words raced out of Roxie's mouth.

   "Some of the girls are coming back.  They'll be here in ten minutes. 
You guys have to get out of there!"

   ~~~

   Mickie hung up the phone.  "Um...ladies?  We have a problem."

   The threesome now stood in the Mu Lambda basement huddled around a
larger, more ominous safe.  Though the dim and dank space was filled with
boxes and other dusty items, it only took them a few minutes to find the
safe, as it sat stoically in the far corner of the room.  But Kara, again
kneeling at the safe's door manipulating the dial, was having a hard time
trying to get it open.

   "What?" Nadia said.  "What problem?  What's going on?"

   "Umm...some of the girls are on their way back.  They'll be here in ten
minutes."

   Kara froze.  "What!"

   Nadia put her head in her hands.  "Oh God!"

   Mickie perked up and took charge.  "Just keep working, Kara.  Just keep
working!"

   ~~~

   Roxie watched in a panic as Jade pulled her jet-black SUV into the
driveway.  She watched as the Mu Lambda President hopped out, followed
closely by one of the twins, Mya.

   "I'll be right back, sweetheart," the security guard crooned.  "I just
have to see if the ladies of the house need anything." As an aside, he
looked toward Roxie's car.  "Don't go anywhere, precious," he chuckled as
he ambled toward the front door.

   She grit her teeth and rolled her eyes as soon as he turned his back. 
When he was a good distance away, she hunched down next to the car and
dialed quickly.

   Barely waiting until Mickie picked up, she barked into the phone. 
"They're here!  Hurry up and get out!  She's here!"

   ~~~

   Mickie clicked off her cell phone.  "She's here!  Jade's here!  We have
to go now!"

   "No way," Kara whispered as beads of sweat dotted her forehead.  She was
still pressed against the safe door, nearly motionless, her only movements
consisting of carefully turning the dial back and forth.  "I've almost got
it.  I just need a few more seconds."

   Nadia piped in.  "Well, since it looks like we can't get back upstairs,"
she said as she looked around, "Mickie?  You and I'll have to find us a way
out of here."

   As soon as the words left her lips, she spotted their escape.  She
pointed to a set of darkened windows to their left.  "Let's go check and
see if any of those windows are open!"

   ~~~

   After speaking to the security guard, whose sole report was a stranded
young lady just down the street, Jade and Mya entered the house.

   Unconcerned about the poor motorist, Jade instead began to give orders.
"Mya, I'm gonna go upstairs and get the files.  You go to the basement and
get the projector."

   "Nuh uh," Mya said.  "I'm not going down there alone.  I'll go upstairs
with you.  Then we'll both go down there together."

   Jade stared at her, incredulous.  Then she sighed.  "All right.  Fine."

   Jade led the way upstairs to her room.  It only took her a moment to go
to her desk and retrieve the file folders she needed.  She took a few more
moments to make sure there wasn't anything else she needed.

   Satisfied that she had everything, Jade turned to her companion.  "Okay,
Mya.  Are you ready to go down into the dark, scary basement now?" she
taunted.

   Mya rolled her eyes.  "You don't have to be a smartass about it."

   "Come on," Jade laughed as they jogged back down the hallway.

   ~~~

   "Do you hear that?" Nadia said.  "I hear footsteps!"

   Mickie said a silent prayer as she held on to the handle of the last
window on their left.  Then she pulled hard.  She nearly jumped for joy as
the window creaked open.  "Ha!  I found an open window!" Mickie cried out.
"This one here!"

   Nadia breathed a sigh of relief.  All of the other windows they'd tried
seemed to be sealed shut.

   "Come on, Kara.  I believe in you," Nadia said as she eased toward the
cracked window, "but you have to get moving,"

   "Almost there, guys," Kara said as she placed her ear to the safe door.
She turned the dial, then grinned as she heard a low audible "click."

   All of a sudden, they heard footsteps right above their heads.

   Then the lights went out and they were bathed in total darkness.

   ~~~

   With Mya in tow, Jade went to the basement door and flipped the light
switch at the top of the stairs.

   Nothing.

   She flipped it up and down.

   Still nothing.

   "Damn!" she swore.

   "See, I told you," Mya said.  "That light always goes on and off.  So I
am not going down there by myself!"

   Jade chuckled.  "Such a baby!  Anyway, let's go get some flashlights
from the kitchen."

   ~~~

   When the lights went out, all three of their hearts stopped in unison.

   "What now?" Nadia squeaked.

   Kara kept her hand on the safe's dial, her breathing coming in short
gasps.  "Come on, y'all!  I've almost got it, but I need some light!  So
think of something!"

   Just then, the lights flashed back on.

   "Thank goodness!" Mickie said, her hand holding onto the window's handle
for dear life.  She became giddy at the cool breeze that wafted in from the
inch or so opening.  "Just forget it, Kara!  Let's just go!"

   "No," Kara said in a hushed tone as she went back to her task.  "I've
almost got it!  I can do this!"

   She took a deep breath and turned the dial just a millimeter more. 
Suddenly, there was another, louder "Click!"

   "That's it!" Kara squealed as she yanked opened the door.  She reached
in and felt around.  After a moment, she pulled out a stack of small
envelopes.  She frowned.  "There must be twenty or thirty of these things!"

   "Grab them all," Nadia hissed.  "'Cause we have to go!"

   Kara handed half the stack to Nadia who stuck her envelopes in her
shirt. On a whim, Kara took a random envelope, opened it up and shook it
out.  A small videotape slid out of the envelope and into her palm.

   She looked at it and gasped.  "This one is marked "Luci!" she whispered.
"We've got it!"

   "Yes!" Nadia yelled as she snatched the tape and put it in her pocket.
Kara shut the safe, then tucked her half of the envelopes inside her shirt.
Nadia grabbed her hand and rushed them toward the window.  "Okay, let's go!
Now!"

   As the girls approached, Mickie grinned as she gripped the handle, and
yanked hard.

   The window didn't budge.

   She yanked again, even harder.

   Still nothing.

   The window, that Mickie had opened just enough to let a hamster through,
now refused to budge.

   "What the - !" Nadia cried as she turned to Kara.

   Mickie nearly passed out.  "It's stuck!  Oh my God, the window's stuck!"


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