[jQuery] serialize string

[jQuery] serialize string

Hey guys and gals,
I need to convert:
fname=Benjamin&lname=Sterling
To an object and I thought $.serialize was the answer, but no luck, also checked out $.param and that did not work the way I thought either.  Can someone point me in the right direction?
Thanks.<br clear="all">
--
Benjamin Sterling
<a href="http://www.KenzoMedia.com">http://www.KenzoMedia.com</a>
<a href="http://www.KenzoHosting.com">http://www.KenzoHosting.com</a>