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"Well its about time!" Nutmeg said firmly.
Her friend had the grace to look abashed. (Hee hee professor Standish is a good tutor)
"Sorry pard, but I just couldn't figure out what to do to him."
"And you know now?"
"You're here arentcha?" Marianne said with a shrug.
Nutmeg nodded. "So what do we do now?"
Marianne grinned. "Ok, here's what you do..."
A hard days ride, unwilling prisoners and a few hours in the saloon had taken their toll on Chris Larabee.
By the time he reached his room he was dead tired. He barely could keep his eyes open long enough to strip his clothes off. (Deep breaths ladies he's still in his skivvies)
With an exhaused sigh, Chris Larabee fell into bed and was instantly asleep.
So deep asleep that he didn't hear the sound of the lock being picked.
With a small scrape the door swung open and a small figure crept in.
Cautiously the figure advanced toward the bed, checking to be sure the person in it was still asleep.
Satisfied, the figure tiptoed over to the chair where Chris had thrown his pants and shirt.
With a whispered laugh the figure removed a small packet from her overcoat and then picked up Chris' shirt and sprinkled a powder over the inside.
She then sprinkled some over the inside of his pants.
Satisfied that the task was completed the figure placed the clothes back on the chair and crept towards the door.
As an afterthought the figure lifted Chris' had from its perch on the door and sprinkled a little powder into the hat.
Chris moaned in his sleep and rolled over.
Instantly the figure stiffened and replaced the hat on its peg and ducked out the door.
Stepping out on the street Nutmeg removed her hat and nodded at Marianne who was leaning against a post across the street. (Whad'ya expect me to do I am a Vixen
Casually the young woman stepped off the boardwalk and crossed the dryt street to match Nutmeg's pace.
"Get it done?" Marianne inquired, keeping her gaze forward.
"Uh huh," Nutmeg affirmed with a nod.
"Good. See you first thing then?"
"At the saloon?"
Marianne nodded. "Wouldn't want to miss the fun."
The two young women chuckled softly then headed for their respective rooms.
Sunlight was filtering through the curtains when Chris Larabee woke.
With a groan he realized he had slept far longer than he had intended to.
Yawning, he rose, shaved and then grabbed his clothes off the chair and threw them on.
The saloon was in full swing when he walked in.
A quick glance over at the poker table confirmed Ezra was up and attending to the business of fleecing the not-so-good citizens of Four Corners out of their money.
Chris frowned. He'd even slept later than Ezra. Not good.
"Mornin' Chris!" Marianne's voice called cheerfully.
Chris turned and spotted the young woman at a nearby table, sitting next to Vin (where else? :-}) with a steaming cup of coffee in hand.
"Mornin' Marianne. I see you're back on Vin's good side." Chris commented as he took a seat at the table between Josiah and Nathan.
"Ah, Chris," Nutmeg said sitting down. "She never left it. Vin knows the value of a good prank. Doncha Vin?"
Vin nodded calmly. "Wasn't like she meant anything personal by it. It was just a prank."
Marianne grinned wickedly. "See Chris? I'm a Vixen. Nothing I could do would get me on Vin's bad side permanently. At least nothing I'd want to do."
"So when are you two going after Chris?" Josiah inquired.
Marianne and Nutmeg shared a conspiratorial glance.
"Soon enough," Nutmeg said mysteriously.
"Should I be worried?" Chris asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
Marianne shrugged casually. "Depends on your idea of what constitues worry."
Chris sipped cautiously at the hot coffee. "where's Buck?"
"With one of his beauties." Nutmeg responded. "Where else?"
With that the conversation shifted to other subjects, leaving Chris to enjoy his coffee in peace.
But it wasn't very long before his peace was interrupted.
Chris was mid-sip when a strange burning sensation began working its way
across his chest and back. Not to mention other areas. (no not there. Ladies
please! I told you MY gutter!
Chris frowned and scratched at his chest.
"Somethin' wrong Chris?" Nutmeg asked sweetly.
Chris shot her a suspicious look but Nutmeg's face was the picture of innocence and Marianne wasn't even paying attention. She was chatting quietly with Vin.
"No, nothing." Chris said returning his attention to his coffee.
He tried to ignore it. He really did.
But eventually the itch became to much. He started squirming. Then shifted slightly in his chair.
He stood suddenly and rushed out the door.
Marianne and Nutmeg watched in amusement.
"Looks like it finally kicked in." Marianne said casually looking over at Nutmeg.
"What'd you two do this time?" JD asked sitting down.
Marianne grinned evilly. "Itching powder. Such a lovely thing."
Grins spread across the faces of the men present.
Almost as one they all rose and filed out onto the boardwalk and immediately tried to contain laughter.
There sitting in the water trough, with an absolute expression of bliss on his face was Chris Larabee. (Hee hee. I got him wet for you how's that ladies?)
Marianne crouched down next to the trough. "Feel better."
Chris opened one eye and glanced at her. "What'd you do?"
"Me personally? Nothing special. Just planned it and procured the itching powder." Marianne glanced up at her partner in crime. "Nutmeg slipped into your room last night and planted the powder on your clothes and," She held up his hat. "your hat."
Chris half-smiled. "Of course you realize I must retaliate."
Marianne spotted the look in his eyes and tried to run. But Chris was to fast. He caught hold of one of her arms and pulled.
Marianne tumbeled backwards with a shriek as she landed in the trough
with Chris. (jealous?
Meanwhile there was a matching shriek from Nutmeg.
Looking over, Marianne spotted her sitting in another water trough with Josiah and Vin standing over her.
"How's that?" Chris asked archly.
Marianne shook her wet hair. "Not bad for a rookie." She grinned over at Nutmeg. "But we can do better. Right pard?"
Nutmeg nodded firmly. "Right."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FINALLY FINISHED! Well...with the guys at least...until inspiration strikes again. Sorry it took so long. Chris is VERY hard to prank.Page links
