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Wonderland Toy Shop...
As the idea of a scavenger hunt comes together in Frodi's mind, she begins to feel excited by it. She smiles to herself, thinking of all the places she could send Nick to... all the clues she could leave for him. She leaves the shop, and locks up, with so many ideas buzzing around her head.
MALE VOICE: Hi there.
Frodi jumps. She was so lost in thought, she hadn't noticed anyone else. She looks up at the person who spoke to her.
FRODI: Luca... hi.
LUCA: Haven't seen you around for a few days. Everything okay?
FRODI: Yeah, I've just been busy.
LUCA: *looks at the burnt-out toy shop* What happened here?
FRODI: *doesn't know about the spy cameras* Someone set fire to our shop.
LUCA: How horrible. Who would do such a thing?
FRODI: I dunno.
Frodi starts walking down the path, wishing Luca would leave her alone, so she can get on with planning Nick's scavenger hut. But Luca walks alongside her. She looks at him out of the corner of her eye.
FRODI: How's Trina?
LUCA: She's fine. She's at home resting. *long pause* Hey, I've idea. Want to go for a refreshing drink somewhere?
FRODI: Sorry Luca, I can't. I have a ton of things to do... *thinks quickly* then I'm meeting Nick for lunch.
LUCA: *stops in his tracks* You're meeting... Nick? Um... okay. I should be going anyway. There's something I'm working on in my workshop. See you later then.
Did Frodi see a flash of anger in Luca's eyes? She's not sure. Something has changed in Luca - he's not the quiet, shy man she was friends with before. Something about him makes her feel tense. And the way he looks at her sometimes... as though he's staring right into her soul. Frodi shudders. At least he's gone for now. Frodi's thoughts turn back to the scavenger hunt. First thing's first - she'll need someone to look after the kids.
Bing & Alessea's House...
All is quiet in Bing & Alessea's house. Aurelius and Cassima are upstairs doing their homework, Alosrin is happily playing with his toys, and the adults are talking in the living room.
DING DONG... DING DONG
ALOSRIN: Muuuummm, someone's at the door.
ALESSEA: I'll get it.
Alessea goes to answer the door, and sees Frodi standing there. She invites Frodi into the living room.
FRODI: I'm sorry to bother you all. I wondered if you and Bing were available to babysit tomorrow? It's just... with everything that's happened recently, I wanted to do something nice for Nick. He's been through so much recently. And I had the idea of a scavenger hunt, followed by some time alone with him.
BING: Of course, Frodi. We can look after the kids for you.
GONDIEN: It is always a pleasure to see those adorable children you have, Frodi.
Frodi smiles gratefully at them. With the babysitting taken care of, she can now set to work on planning the scavenger hunt.
Sein Dor Hotel...
That evening, Nick & Frodi decide to get Room Service for their tea - meals are brought up to their suite.
FRODI: Hey kids... how do you fancy spending the day with Uncle Bing & Aunty Alessea tomorrow? It'll be like a wee holiday. You'll also get to see uncle Gondien and uncle Aurelius.
Nick looks at Frodi with surprise.
Lilla and Michael look at each other, and roll their eyes. Their old enough to realise, this means 'Mum wants some alone time with dad'.
Rosie, Vincent, and Eurus squeel with delight.
The next day...
The next day, Gondien arrives to collect the children. He winks at Frodi, hoping her plan works out. After everyone has left, Nick pulls Frodi onto his knee.
NICK: Okay Frodi Zarano... what are you up to? You've been acting all weird since yesterday.
FRODI: *innocently* I don't know what you mean.
NICK: Come on... out with it. *pretends to scold her* Or I'll revoke your ice cream & coffee powder privilages.
FRODI: *giggles* Oh! I seem to have left something in the bedroom... on the bed. Could you get it for me?
Nick gives her a funny look, then goes through to the bedroom. He sees an envelope lying on the bed, with his name on it. He opens it.
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Solve all the clues, and you shall meet a great reward.
1. The BEST pudding ever created... EVER!!!
Nick grins. Coming from Frodi, this can only be one thing - coffee powder and ice cream. He walks back through to where Frodi is sitting, and sticks his tongue out at her. Then he walks over to the coffe cups and drinks (there's no freezer in the hotel suite, so it can't be the ice cream part), and picks up the jar off coffee powder. Sure enough, there's another envelope with his name on it. Again, he opens it.
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2. Where is the Boogie Man?
Nick chuckles. He goes back through to the bedroom, and looks under the bed. Sure enough... another envelope.
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3. A hobbit guards this.
Nick is chuckling to himself. This is crazy! He walks back through to Frodi, who is sitting in a chair.
NICK: *grins* Are you enjoying this?
FRODI: Oh yes! *giggles*
NICK: Good. Now get up.
FRODI: *trying not to laugh* Why?
Nick leans down and kisses her, then lifts her up. His suspicians were correct - Frodi was sitting on the next envelope. He opens it.
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4. I never promised you a rose garden.
Nick thinks. Could that mean the rose bush in the hotel grounds? He looks at Frodi.
NICK: I'm married to an insane hobbit. It's the only explanation. *grins*
FRODI: But you love me anyway?
NICK: *pulls her into his arms, and kisses her* Definately! *smiles*
Nick pats her bum, winks at her, and grabs his jacket.
NICK: I'll be back.
Frodi waits 10 minutes. He should be far enough away from the hotel by now, and he'll be gone for several hours. She heads out to buy some last-minute items. Meanwhile, Nick is travelling all over town, looking for the clues.
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16. This scavenger hunt is pretty long. Why don't you sit down, and have a rest? You can feed the ducks, while you're at it.
That could only be the park bench!
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24. Nice view of the beach.
Must be their beach house.
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29. As in any circle, you end up where you began.
NICK: *laughs* I guess that means, go back to the hotel.
Nick heads back to the hotel room. Stuck to the door is an envelope.
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30. Put this on, and come inside.
Nick opens the envelope... and finds a blindfold. He does as he is told, he puts on the blindfold, and feels his way into the room.
NICK: Frodi? Are you there?
FRODI: Welcome back Nick. Did you have fun?
Frodi is naked, but Nick can't see that, cos of the blindfold.
NICK: Hehehe. THAT is the most INSANE thing you've ever done! I loved it!
FRODI: I'm glad. But there's more to come. No peeking now!
Frodi pulls faces at Nick, to make sure he can't see. When she's satisfied, she slowly unzips his jacket, and throws it to the floor. Then she unbuttons his shirt, and kisses his chest.
NICK: HEY! That tickles! And... are you trying to seduce me?
FRODI: Maybe. *licks his chest*
Frodi unbuckles his trousers, and pulls them down.
FRODI: *takes both his hands* Now step forward.
Nick steps forward, away from his trousers. He's now only wearing a pair of boxers. Frodi takes Nick's hands, and leads him to a chair. She sits him down, and ties his hands behind the chair.
NICK: *grinning* What's going on?
FRODI: Oh... nothing.
Frodi sits on his lap... her bare skin against his bare skin. A huge grin appears on Nick's face.
NICK: Are you naked?
FRODI: That's for you to decide. *kisses him*
Since Nick has the blindfold on, he can't see the tray of food lying next to them. Frodi picks up a can of squirty cream.
FRODI: Open wide.
Nick opens his mouth, and Frodi puts a strawberry to his mouth. He bites into it, and the juice runs down his chin, making them both laugh. She feeds him a few more strawberries, with him biting half, and her taking the other half.
FRODI: You like that?
NICK: *nods* Mmmm, tastes good.
FRODI: Of course, you can't have strawberries without...
Frodi picks up a can of squirty cream, and squirts some into his mouth.
NICK: Why don't you squirt some of that on yourself, and I can lick it off? *grins*
FRODI: *giggles, and kisses him* Maybe later.
Frodi squirts cream onto his chest, then licks some of it off.
NICK: *laughing* Yeah, attack me when I'm tied up and defenceless... you little cheater. Just wait till I'm free.
While his mouth is open, Frodi pops another strawberry in. He bites it, and more strawberry juice runs down his chin, mixing with the squirty cream.
NICK: You know what I'd really like next? A kiss from my crazy wife.
Frodi touches his face, and kisses him passionately - a long, loving kiss.
NICK: Now THAT was the best thing on the menu!
FRODI: I've got something special for you now. Chocolate chip cookie.
Frodi breaks off part of the cookie, and pops it in Nick's mouth. Nick closes his mouth on the cookie, sucking Frodi's fingers at the same time. Frodi laughs, manages to free her fingers, and strokes his cheek as he munches the cookie.
FRODI: Do you remember, many years ago, we were in a hotel room. You had a cookie, and the crumbs got stuck in your beard?
NICK: *swallows the cookie* I remember. Then I sprinkled some crumbs in your hair.
FRODI: Heehee. Now it's time for my revenge. *sprinkles some cookie crumbs in his hair*
NICK: Well, that's my supper sorted out then. *grins*
FRODI: *puts her arm around him* Back then... I never dared hope you could have feelings for me.
NICK: And look at us now! *smiles, and tries to kiss her*
FRODI: I'm so much in love with you Nick. *leans in for another kiss*
NICK: Me too. Love you with everything I have. *kisses her* Even though you do tie me up, and blindfold me.
FRODI: *licks his chin* Speaking of which, you're covered in food.
NICK: And who's fault is that? *sticks his tongue out*
FRODI: Come on.
Frodi unties Nick, making him promise to keep the blindfold on. She leads him through to the bathroom, where a nice bubblebath is waiting for him, then she climbs in after hiim. She gently washes him all over, and he washes her bump.
After the bath, she helps him out, and dries him off. Still with the blindfold on, she guides him through to the bedroom, and sits him down on the bed.
FRODI: Now this is the best part. *smiles* I'm your sex slave. You have to tell me what to do, and I'll do it. *takes his hand*
Frodi's excited. She's never done this before. She's already wet, from them washing each other in the bath, and she's full of anticipation how this 'sex slave' thing will work out. She kisses Nick's hand, waiting for him to say what he wants her to do.
