The K & M Legends Return Home

By Mr. David R. Dorrycott

Wearing non-discript clothing two middle aged men stood in the center of an apartment, an apartment obviously not long used. The taller closed his cell phone. "They land in seventeen minutes Andrews. We gotta be ready, everything's set?"

"All set. I still think we should have set up some booby traps. Just watching them. What for?"

"We learned their weakness" Agent Edwards snapped. He was getting edgy. "We'll get first shot. Hell we might be lucky, their coming home after a vacation. They'll have their guard at its lowest" he explained in a tired 'I'm sick of explaining this' voice. "Besides, you know field reports aren't everything and I'm kinda leery about this. Hadn't you noticed we're about the last two left that were involved in this mess from the start? From the very beginning I mean, when we first located that blood-sucker and her sister. And don't forget these two are professionals, no matter what we did to that half-breed she's still ex-OSI. Those guys aren't amateurs any more than we are."

"Yeah I noticed" his companion admitted. "It bugged me too, a lot. But I did some checking. It all works out, nothing that links everyone and believe me. Damn you know Franklin loved racing cars, just dumb luck his tank split. What, five people went inna hospital too? And Susan. You know she was depressed about it, bein another woman. Animal or not. Suicide ain't an abnormal way tah retire from this profession. Its my ass, I checked. Toss me tha car keys, I wanna get our gear." He grabbed a small rings of keys from the air and turned for the door.

Merry had sat silently through the entire flight. She'd shoved her body tightly against the plastic wall as far from Kristi as she could get, staring out as clouds passed slowly beside them. Her crippled hand held flat against the crafts tiny window, reminding her of what she was now. Their small commercial aircraft was flying at a comfortable six thousand feet. Merry liked heights, the higher the better. Even now, knowing there was nothing between her and a six thousand foot fall to Earth she was comfortable.

Kristi had stopped trying to make conversation before their taxi had reached the islands small airport. She'd finally realized Merry was on a soul trek, and those things had to be done alone. Still... Merry hadn't talked since their little boat had returned to shore. 'Was it a mistake?' Kirsti asked herself, watching her half-breed friend stare blankly out the port. 'Mama always said, if it felt right, it wasn't wrong. But...' She settled back, returning to her magazine. Nothing she did or said would change the outcome of this voyage. Merry had to make the trip alone, no matter how badly her companion wanted to help.

Deep in the apartment buildings garage a battered black car sat, its engine quiet. Two people sat, watching. One was a male puma, as black as the shadows he hid in. The other a human female. Too all intents they looked like tourists taking a break, lovers. "Patterson just picked up his case" the woman whispered, looking over the pumas shoulder. They were in a 'lovers clench'. Had been for half an hour. She was finding it hard to remember this was a cleanup case, not a hot date.

"Good" the puma growled. "You switched one of those capsules?"

"Yes sir Mr. Fairchild sir. One's real, the others saline. I still think we should have changed both bottles." She pushed back, only then noticing her blouse was wide open, her front clasp bra wide open. "Damn" she laughed, her voice still soft. "Your better than my last date sir, I never felt a thing."

"All in the wrist agent, all in the wrist." He may be old, but the puma wasn't anywhere near dead. "Be a mistake, besides Kristi should be able to handle two out of shape agents alone."

"What if they hit her with the real thing?"

"Then our backup team cleans up. It'll be a waste, losing two good people like that but Merry's already broken. Chances are she'll never recover. Nothing we can do to change that. Its a chance we have to take." He failed to mention that if anything would bring the ex-OSI agents battered physic out of its shell, it'd be something like this.

"Yes sir" the woman agreed, none too happy with her choices. "I read that report too. Horrible what those men did. Why couldn't they just shoot her? They'd have shot a dog."

"Some people are just born mean" Fairchild answered, leaning away from his companion. "They die that way too." He shrugged, reaching for the cars ignition. "Anything else before we head back to the field office?"

"Only one thing boss", she answered, shrugging her shoulders. Her blouse and opened bra fell away. "Now, where were we?"

Merry set her small AWOL bag by the sofa, it'd been her bed these last months and now... Slowly, like an old woman she settled down, staring at nothing. "Your going to have to talk sometime" Kristi prodded. "At least a good night. Anything."

Merry looked up, a wan smile tried to build on her face. "Good night?" Her voice was softer than normal, hesitant again. As if she were frightened of bringing attention to herself.

Like those first weeks Kristi remembered. Scared of every sound. Every movement. "That's a start" the skunk sighed. "Look. Its late, I'm too tired to cook and honestly, your idea of a meal isn't exactly what I think of as high cuisine. How about we hit Taco Bell or Micky D's?"

"I'd rather Sirloin Stockade" Merry admitted, her voice strengthening a little. "But that's in San Antonio." She picked up her purse, digging inside. "I've still got that Forty dollars you loaned me. How about Dennys?"

"Dennys... That means 'Next to La Quinta' right? Sure, not the best food in the world but if it'll get you outta this mood I'd go to Disneyworld."

Merry blinked, ending her search in the tiny purse. Standing she waited, hands clasped protectively in front of her legs. "Don't like Disney" she answered in a small, nearly little girl voice. "People in Mice costumes scare me."

Kristi shook her head, "That's funny, you're finally making jokes again. That's good. I'll call us a taxi. I'm too tired to drive." She picked up their phone, dialing. Behind her Merry stood as quietly as before, frightened to make a sound lest Kristi turn on her, throw her out for what happened. All she could do was wait and hope the skunk would forget.

"Their taking a taxi to Dennys" Andrews said, dropping the wiretap earphone. "Nearest one is where?"

His partner walked over to one wall, studying the map they'd pinned to it. He flipped through a copy of the yellow pages in his hand. "Two miles it looks, lighted area but.. If we can get them behind it...."

Andrews picked up a small tape player, pressing its play button. "No... No please..." a young girls voice begged. Fear was heavy in the voice. It should be. X had recorded it during an actual rape-murder. Of course the fact he'd been part of that illegal act was unknown to anyone. Even his partner. "If this doesn't get that skunk back there she's no police officer. Wait until they've eaten. They'll be slower."

"Yeah, and after what we did to her friend I want every edge we can get." He grabbed a second set of keys and his black gun-case. "Van, cars too obvious. Lets go."

Kristi had to admit it'd been sorta good food, and Merry had actually smiled once, or twice. Both knew what the problem was and it all centered on the chipmunks shattered self. She couldn't believe anyone cared for her anymore, was afraid of being hurt, or worse... Kristi being hurt. They'd parked near the back, and old habit both had and were just opening the cars doors when they heard it.

"No... Please mister... I'll... I'll do..."

"Shit" Kristi cursed, grabbing her hideaway. "Stay here. This won't take long, probably a mugger. Pop and junior are due by in a couple of minutes. Flag 'em down willyah?" She headed for the building back. Merry, hesitant, stood silently, her hands again clasped in front of her. This time crumpling the cloth of her long dress. Kristi slipped to the buildings edge, the girls fear filled voice was still pleading, still begging. 'Gotta get a radio in my car' the Skunk decided. She spun around, weapon level. "All-RIGHT! Hands up." she yelled.

There wasn't anyone in sight, just a non-discript delivery van parked by the dumpster. Edging forward Kristi began to sweat. 'Where the hell..." she screamed slightly as the dart impacted her leg. Liquid fire filled her, her last thought was of Merry. Merry standing calmly like a little girl waiting for her.

And she was. Waiting, waiting for Kristi. Strong, competent Kristi who she suddenly realized she couldn't live without. There hadn't been any sound from the alley since Kristi's yell. That had been... a while ago. Merry shivered, what if something had happened? What if? She stepped forward towards the darkened area, flashes of her own private hell filled her mind. "K...Kristi?" she called, her voice near breaking.

There was no answer, only a low grunt from somewhere in the dark. Merry swallowed, wishing she had a weapon. A gun, a knife... anything. Another step forward, now she was in the ally. Nothing. No Kristi, no girl... No one. Just a... Her mouth opened in a silent scream when she saw the man walk around the van, a nightmare remembered baseball bat in his hand. Then something slammed into her chest, throwing her back. Her head hit the asphalt, stunning her as her tiny purse, a gift from Kristi, broke open spilling its meager contents across the asphalt.

"That's two" the older agent laughed. "Come on outta tha van, lets get her in but first... He swung the bat, hitting Merry a glancing blow across her head. "Die you stupid bitch" he cursed.

He was getting ready for a second swing when his partner grabbed him. "Come-on, her pelts worthless you get it all busted up. Lets get outta here and get 'em delivered."

Merry woke inside the van, it was bumping across some back dirt road. Her head ached, her eyes saw stars but she was alive. Kristi lay beside her, breathing slowly, steadily. Rubbing her eyes Merry moved slowly, they were in the back of a van, two men up front. They were talking, their voices unforgettable. Ice washed through Merry's veins as she listened. They were to be sold. Kristi to be de-scented and shipped to China, she to become a Winter coat for some English Lords young trophy wife. "Not Likely" she whispered to herself, hunting the bouncing vans back for a weapon. Her own life meant nothing to her anymore. But Kristi... She'd do anything to protect the skunk.

Anything.

First she came across the baseball bat, its touch nearly making her scream. Pushing the evil object aside she continued hunting. Finally she found Kristi's gun, tossed on a blanket and forgotten. Laying across her friends soft body she picked up the weapon, checking it for rounds as she lay across a body she knew so well, wanted again so much. It was empty. "Damn" she hissed, Stupid, but not idiots. What could she.... Kristi! Remembering what had happened during their vacation. Kristi hated such accidents, and it would hurt her physically, a lot. If she wasn't careful... It could ruin her too. Still, given the choices.... Merry slowly dragged Kristi's dress up around her waist, the skunk rarely wore underwear out of uniform, tonight had been no exception. Taking a deep breath Merry held the gun up in both hands, aimed carefully... And slammed its muzzle deep into Kristi's lower belly.

Andrews coughed, slammed on his brakes and both men unassed the contaminated vehicle. Coughing his lungs out Edwards never saw his attacker, Merry simply stood beside him, lifted the aluminum baseball bat, and crushed his skull. He died with his lungs still filled with Kristi's chemical attack. Andrews was little better prepared. He managed to drag his weapon out and fire a badly aimed slug before Merry reduced his face to pulp.

Merry stood slowly as bright headlights impaled her, the dead agents automatic in her left hand. Aiming it just above the left headlight she stood. "Out!" she screamed. "Right now." A blacker than night figure stepped out, hands held above his head. From the other side a human female followed suit.

"That's enough Ms. Vanderspoon" a rich, heavy voice called. "I do believe their both dead. My name is Fairchild. Now if you'd allow me to step forward I think we can clear this up. Tasha has an antidote for your... friend. And we need to talk."

"Tell you what" Merry growled. "You have Tasha give Krissy that antidote. Krissy doesn't die, you don't die Fairchild. Deal?"

"Deal" the dark form agreed. "Tasha, please give the good officer her vitamin shot will you?" Merry watched, giggling softly as the woman recoiled from the vans stench after she opened the back doors. "Gas mask in the trunk" the dark figured offered gently. Merry watched with some humor as the woman hurried to obtain the device. Unlike the rest Merry kinda liked the smell. Then she'd been living with Kristi a long time, there was always that scent in her apartment no matter how much Kristi cleaned. After enough exposure to something you either couldn't stand it, or you started liking it. And, currently covered in the chemical her sensitive sinus system had already surrendered. She couldn't have smelled anything else right now.

A few minutes later a still groggy skunk sat on the vans tail, heaving her guts of anything it contained. "Fine, you didn't lie" Merry snapped. "Lucky you Fairchild, you and your little sex kitten get to live. Now go away before I lose my temper again."

"Please Ms. Vanderspoon, we really do need to talk" Fairchild answered, nearly begging. "I'd offer you a ride but..." The puma touched his nose. "We'd never get the smell out."

Merry was getting tired, her head ached like fire. There was no telling how many people were out there in the dark and Kristi was in no shape for a fight. "Tell you what" Merry decided. "You lead, I'll follow with the van. Give us an hour.. No two, to clean up then knock on the door. One second sooner and I pop whomever's on the other side. Kapish?"

"Tasha, please turn the car around will you? Good girl." They all waited as the black car backed and filled, then Tasha slid over to the passengers seat. "Deal Ms. Vanderspoon. And please, I really think you'll like what I have to offer."

"Like those too?" Merry asked, indicating the two dead bodies with her crippled hand. "Forget it, I'd rather be a call girl than work for you."

"No" he admitted, "I guess not. And I really think you wouldn't look good as dog food, which is where those two are headed. How would you like to return to the Air Force?"

Merry nearly dropped her weapon, then recovered. "No thanks, even if I could... There would always be talk. And there's Kristi now, if you hadn't noticed, no way I could survive there without trouble."

"Then we'll talk. I do have other... Options for an ex OSI agent. One with... An Honorable Discharge. And a military created medical disability." He slipped into his car, ending further conversation by shutting its door. Kristi staggered over, one hand landing on Merry's shoulder while the other held a badly bruised part of her body.

"Come on love" Merry told her softly. "Lets go home, we both need a bath."

"Next time..." Kristi husked, pain in her voice.. "You... every hit me... like that again... I'll kill you."

"Ohhh..." Merry laughed as she helped her friend to the vans passenger side. "Gonna sit on my face until I smother?"

"Its a thought" Kristi admitted. "But I think you'd like it too much."

"Your right. Lets get outta here. We gotta clean up, visitors coming."

"Merry..."

The halfbreed looked down at her skunk friend, concern in her eyes.

"Thanks."