Antonio winced, struggling to stay still amidst his frantic trembling as the snake's demonic presence ribboned across his shoulder, the moon illuminating each passing scale with every slow twist.

Gabi: "Oh my God" doesn't even begin to cover it, Antonio!

Antonio: I hate snakes....I'm absolutely scared to death of snakes, Gabi....it figures I had to walk right into one...slick move, Indy!

Gabi: Don't you worry...you just hang on, alright? I'm gonna find a-a branch or something and get it off you. Trust me...you have nothing to worry about....Oh, God, I hope it isn't poisonous!! (smacks her forehead) Ugggh...didn't I just say there was nothing to worry about??

Antonio: Well, considering that it's me we're dealing with...the answer is most likely yes...knowing my perfect batting average with misfortune!

Gabi felt a snake of her own constricting her insides. The only misfortune here was the fact that she was ten times more petrified than Antonio was....holding his life like the fragile, quivering stick in her hands.

She slid it beneath the belly of the perilous beast...her frozen eyes reaching for his...trying to calm Antonio with a reassuring glance....she sensed him holding his breath for the duration of this torturous moment in time....

In a terrible instant, the stick snapped in two and the snake flubbered in the air for a heartbeat, wobbling down the dusky suede of Antonio's coat, a horrible spasm of its head and he grasped his shoulder...a yelp of pain followed by Gabi's shrill gasp, the snake slithering into the thorny brush and blackness.

Gabi: No!!!! Please tell me it didn't bite you, please!!

She threw her arms around him from behind, stripping the black jacket from him and tossing it carelessly to the ground as she tore up the sleeve of his T-shirt, her eyes shattering at the sight of the swollen prong-like marks at the crest of his muscular arm.

A horrified sound caught in her throat.

Gabi: No....this can't be happening....it's a nightmare....omigod, what do I do....??...Okay, okay......sit down, Antonio...just stay calm.....don't move around too much....we don't want the venom to....just sit tight, alright?

Antonio dropped against the base of the tree, grasping his shoulder and flinching.

Antonio: I don't believe this... what can we do.....we're obviously so lost....and even if we try to get back to the house to call for help, the gun-toting psycho might be waiting for us! Or the wolf. Or maybe both.

Gabi: We can't just sit here and do nothing!!.....Antonio.....take off your shirt.

Antonio: What??

Gabi: Just do it!

Her words like a starting pistol, he peeled off the flesh-colored shirt to reveal a much more eye-worthy flesh, glistening with a sheen of cold, fear- stricken sweat. The darkness...the sharp contrast of the light and shadow that crept across his broad chest...it was an instant replay for a fraction of a heartbeat...the sinewy spade that unearthed hidden snapshots of memory that she met with a doleful blink of her eyes...there was nowhere for them to run.

Gabi:....I...I'm gonna try to try to get the poison out, alright? I've seen this in enough movies. I-I hope!

Antonio: A-alright.....

Gabi: ....OK.....alright, then...!

Her hesitant lips melted to his shoulder as he shifted shyly...she pulled back...drew a heavy breath and started again....hoping he couldn't feel her heart crashing against the tense solidity of his skin. Nerves....if only it was just nerves and not the deep, piercing love in the pit of her soul for this man...if only she hadn't caused this bite, if only they hadn't run like mad into the woods...if only, if only...she wouldn't have to feel this way....

Antonio fought to look away from her...to see this for what it was....it was only to save his life...strictly clinical. A medical necessity, a--

//////////////Antonio: Gabi....I think it bit my lip too!!

/////////////She slides her mouth across his....they fall deeper into the kiss.....hands raking across their backs.....\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

He cringed. What am I doing?? What am I thinking?? Do you even remember why you came here, Antonio?? To get the cottage ready for Gabi and Ricardo. None of these extenuating circumstances matter!!! Not finding out Ricardo knows...the way he treated her...the shooter....the snake bite.....nothing!! Nothing's changed between us!!!

And maybe that was just the point. Nothing had changed....and they had both known that before the gunshots had rang out....their feelings, warm and ready to mesh.........

Interlude

The stern woman paced around the interrogation room in her usual stiff-upper-lipped fashion, eyeing the golden-haired man like a traitorous Judas. Well, make that a traitorous Jude, actually.

D.A. Steele:...Mr. Cavanaugh. Mr. Special Agent, Cavanaugh. One of America's finest. Yes, you've taken down rebel spies in Serbia, transported top-secret microfilms from Bombay to Burkittsville, prevented World War III by clearing up that little misunderstanding with Saddam........

Her lips pursed, her voice turning colder than usual.

D.A. Steele: ...And tonight....you have the audacity to come and tell me that a paralyzed, ah-huhh, yes, paralyzed model of outstanding service to this department is concocting some sort of insidious plot against his wife and brother?????

Jude: Oh, I'm not telling you, Patsy. I'm warning you. Ricardo Torres isn't who he appears to be. In fact, eh...he's quite the master of disguise...don't you think?

He dropped the pictures of a collar-clad Ricardo, captured from the airport security cam.

D.A. Steele: What....what in the name of heaven is THIS?

Jude: Well, well, well...if it isn't Walking Action-Ricko, the Holier- Than-Thou collector's edition!

D.A. Steele: Alright, Jude. You've got my attention.

Jude: Hey, I was only doing my job. You wanted dirt on your boys, I found enough on Ricardo Torres to choke a Hoover.

D.A. Steele: It's just that I never expected that.....

Jude: Ah...you just never expected, riiight. I'd say you just shined the light on Captain Duty's perfect cover. Well, would you ever, ever expect that in addition to his little foray to the airport for God knows what, he's been Riverdancing across town forging his wife's signature on some, shall we say...pretty hefty documents?

D.A. Steele: Come again??

Jude: (flipping through the pages) Yep-ehhh...life insurance policies....will revisions....they all smelled raunchy to me. Turns out Gabriella Torres never laid eyes on any of these. The handwriting didn't match. I guarantee you, this poor woman's being played for a major fool.

D.A. Steele: And Ricardo's beloved brother, *ahem* obligatory moniker, THE PRIEST? What part does he have in this oh-so-eeevil plan??

Jude: I don't know. But you can bet the damn farm these pictures are some sort of impersonation attempt.

D.A. Steele: Well what in the world do you suppose he put in that locker??

Jude: You won't like my theory. Ahhh, but I'll say it anyway. I'm gonna take a wild guess that it's quote, unquote, "evidence" against his hypothetical killers, for his impending hypothetical murder. Hypothetically speaking, I mean.

D.A. Steele: His own wife and brother??? But why??

Jude: How the hell should I know? All I do know is, I've got bogus documents that give Gabi Torres one hell of a motive, and a fake padre shoving some ominous crap in high security storage. Why don't you ask the Talented Mr. Rickley?? It's my job to protect the innocent, Patz. And right now, Beauty and the Priest are looking like the victims to me.

Suddenly, Spence and Ruiz burst in, escorting Michael and Vanessa.

D.A. Steele: (rolls her eyes) Well if it isn't Miss Columnist, Mr. Lifeguard and good old Ponch and Jon....

Michael: This is really urgent, Ms. Steele. We...we think...oh man...Ricardo....

Jude: What about him??

Vanessa: Well....he called us...how can I even put this....we think he's gone crazy! H-he must've went looking for Antonio and Gabi at his time share, and he was really irate about something...he yelled...something to the effect that he couldn't take them anymore, and then we heard gunshots!

D.A. Steele: Well, well....this is just spectacular! We go from Ricardo setting up Gabi and Antonio for his murder to Ricardo setting them up for their own??

Jude: Oh no....what if his whole plan caved in and he just went berserk??

Spence: Whoa, whoa, is anyone else still back at the "Ricardo can walk" page but me??

D.A. Steele: Step out of your happy haze and join us, won't you, Master Spencer??!!

Michael: Wait, wait, Ricardo setting them up for his murder?? Where the hell did that come from?!

D.A. Steele: Can anyone please fill me in on why Ricardo Torres would want to kill, maim, and/or send his bride and brother to the slammer??

Jude: Will you all just stuff a sock in it for a minute??! Now have any of you noticed anything strange about Ricardo Torres's behavior lately?? Anything at all that kinda looks suspicious in the context of our little get-together here???

Michael: Man....everyday! There's always something new he's confiding in me that I can't tell Gabi!

D.A. Steele: Would you care to tell us, Mr. Bourne??

Michael: Wills....life insurance stuff...

Jude: A-haaah!! Oh-ho-ho, I can't wait to let loose my flying fists of Judo on this guy......

Michael: An'...an' he told me before that he's jealous of Gabi's friendship with Antonio!!

Ruiz: Man...I saw'em dancing pretty close at the benefit that night....maybe word got back to Ric about it and he got the wrong idea!

D.A. Steele: Uh huh. So, like all of us would, he hid in the grassy knoll and assassinated them both??? Ughh....will someone get me a hot towel, please?

Jude: Michael and Vanessa heard the shots themselves. It's all the proof we need. We have to find Antonio and Gabi Torres now, if it's not already too late!

Suddenly, Annie burst in.

Annie: Hmh. So sorry, kids. I forgot to bring the napkins and paper plates for the party. (glares at Patricia Steele) Oh, what are you looking at??

Jude: *Ahem* (aside)...Annie....as much as I love it when you drop by in something short and sparkly...what're you doing here?

Annie: None of you have heard?? Well, supposedly, good old Ricardo not only can walk, but he orchestrated a skiing accident at Tahoe, and Gabi and Antonio were trapped in an avalanche!

D.A. Steele: I beg your pardon???

Emily and Brad materialized in the doorway.

Brad: Like, we came to help as soon as we heard the news!

Emily: Isn't anyone trying to rescue Gabi Torres from the mine shaft?

Brad: Yeah, and stop Ricardo from framing Father Antonio for his wife's murder!

D.A. Steele: (dagger eyes) Mr. Cavanaugh.....how exactly did word of this leak out and turn into a town-wide game of telephone????

Jude: Don't ask me...the only person I talked to today was my sensei...well...aaand a couple other people, I guess.....

A woman cloaked in purple velour bounded in!

Madame Carmen: Por favor...tell me it is not true...that my Antonio's being held hostage at K-Mart!

D.A. Steele: Oh, now I've heard it all!!! What's next?? Is someone going to burst through that door and announce that Ricardo's brother THE RABBI is planning to set up THE MAILMAN for a toaster theft, and Gabi is really a guy????!

A sudden silence you could drive a truck through, and a dozen wide eyes.

Jude: Er....no....I guess that's just your theory, Patz.

D.A. Steele: Grrrrrrh!!!! Enough! Spence, Ruiz, get your butts out of here and search that locker at the airport, all teenagers, fortune tellers and red-heads please wait in line to be filled in on the real story?? And Jude....make yourself useful and locate that time share from hell!

Her heart trembling, Gabi tried not to let on that her desperate efforts to draw the poison from Antonio's shoulder were falling short...her lips dry against the tender flesh...the evil elixir past her reach, already on its course through his body.

Antonio shivered....still smitten by her healing touch...his chest speckled demurely with a rosy hue.

Antonio:....so....how am I doing...?

His gentle voice was a harsh reminder of the gravity of the situation....not to mention the chemicals that were darting between them in this awkward encounter.

Gabi: Shh, shh....arm straight, arm straight, hold it like this, OK?

He didn't like the shaking of her voice, the way her eyelashes flit like moth's wings, as not to meet his glance.

Antonio: Gabi.....?

Gabi: Antonio....I'm so sorry...it's all my fault that this happened....

His wrist like Jello, he took her face in his hand and turned her head to his sadness.

Antonio: It's not, do your hear me, it's not. I can't...I won't just...hold this over your head like...--

Gabi: (looks down) Like him?.....

Antonio: Hey...he always told you not to blame yourself for everything. My brother said that to you. That's why I can't stand it...the way Ricardo doesn't see he's taking away that strength you worked so hard for.....

Gabi: I know....I know it's wrong, but.....

Antonio: Look at you....this isn't you, Gabi. You take control of your life, you don't let anyone break you down. We're gonna find a way out of this. You and me...we carry around more guilt than anyone else could bear. I'm not gonna let you take the blame for anything else as long as I live....even if it means never telling Ricardo what I know....if that's what you want....it's done.

Gabi: You....you'd do that for me....wouldn't you. Have to face him forever...knowing what you know and how much it kills you...

Antonio: For you, I would. I would do anything for you...

Feeling a tremor through his bare chest, he shyly reached for his shirt and pulled it over his head.

Antonio: ....maybe this isn't the right time to be talking about this.

Gabi: No. It's the only time, Antonio. We came up here together and all this happened for a reason. No more running. No more hiding. How can we....how can we hide behind anything at this point....how??! We were going to kiss at the house....we were about to show each other the truth and we can't bury that now!!

She took him by both shoulders....she wanted to shake him until she came into full focus in his guilty mind...that she was here...now...that the church and all its fallible institutions standing between them were nothing for just this moment.....that....she had just brutally handled his delicate sting.

Gabi: (gasps) I'm sorry, oh, I'm sorry! I can't believe I just grabbed your shoulder like that without even thinking, d-did I hurt you??

Antonio: You....you touched that shoulder?

Gabi: ...what.......you mean you didn't just feel that??

His eyes widening, he held out his arm, a bluish ghost....as if it was appended to someone else.

Antonio: No...my arm, it...almost the whole thing feels numb!!

Gabi: Oh no....Antonio, we have to move now, the venom must have spread....we've gotta get you help...here, hold your arm up like this...wait, wait put it around me...keep it up above your heart like this...

The words ripped her apart inside as she slung his arm across her shoulders, her eyes tearing as his weak hand tensed feebly around her. She glanced into the tangled horrors of the trees....the paths leading everywhere.....

Gabi: Omigod....I don't...I don't remember which way we came......Antonio, did Ricardo ever teach you how to navigate with the stars??

Antonio: (looking up) Yeah, yeah...OK...OK...you just....oh....Gabi I'm so freaked out right now I can't even find the Big Dipper.

Gabi: Yes you can, you can...I know we can do this...we'll find the way back to the time share, OK?.......

He looked at her with the saddest eyes she'd ever seen.

Antonio: Gabi....if I don't get out of here soon and get an antidote....I'm gonna die.

Her lungs quivering, tears searing the edges of her blackening eyes, she clasped her hand under his chin and stared at him intensely.

Gabi: Don't you say that, don't you even think it...I'm not gonna let you stop trying. I can't even imagine my life without you, Antonio....and you're not going anywhere without me, do you understand???

He swallowed heavily, nodding with moist eyes...a half-smile fighting at his face.

Antonio: Have I....have I told you how amazing you are in the last hour?

Gabi: (teary) I hope so...because you're stuck with me whether you like it or not, and everything's gonna be fine.

They made their way through the night into the unknown shadows of the San Karma Woods as Antonio pondered whether these words were just wildly optimistic or a flat out lie....his frightened psyche chose the latter. Within a few short hours...maybe less....he'd be consumed...the deadly liquor rendering his body cold....and there was nothing that all the gods or this radiant woman could do about it.

To Be Continued....

On to the next chapter....