Surprises

The bus terminus was slowly clearing and Annie clutched at her shoulder bag containing her worldly possessions.

"Well hello!"

A tall blond man sauntered over to where she was standing. She levelled a glare at him. This did not deter his strut in her direction.

"Pretty lady, I can be your bodyguard for hire." He declared as he halted before her and puffed out his chest. She eyed him warily, he was far too tall and skinny for her liking and that red coat was the most tasteless thing she had ever seen. Did he not know that season's colours were grey and blue?

"I am sure such a beautiful lady as yourself would be in need of such a guard!"

In the time he had been talking he had managed to weave an arm around her shoulders.

She looked up at him, puzzled.

Here he was offering body guard services, but what she really needed was a body guard to keep him away. No, with that silly smile on his face he was definitely short a few brain cells.

"It just so happens I do." She smiled at him and slipped her arm around his waist.

He beamed at her.

"Where is the nearest hostel? I require a room."

"You can share mine!" He said delighted and walked her off down the street, chatting.

She excused herself to visit the powder room and leaned against the door in the stall. What man only carried twenty double dollars, a speed loader for some kind of old fashioned revolver and a crumpled cigarette in his pocket. She had thought she had had the best of him, yet somehow she had been cheated. But that coat of his, though tacky in colour was a good make, he had money, she just had to find it. And she had just the invitation. His room, indeed. This should be amusing.

He leaped up from the bench in the hall with puppy like enthusiasm and escorted her to his room. The room was furnished with a single bed and a closet, but what caught her eye was the large duffel bag lying in one corner. Aha.

"It'll be a little cozy." He gestured to the bed with a laugh.

"Will it?" She said coolly, and turned her back on him to get a better view of his bag. This turned out to be a mistake. He hugged her from behind.

"Not with a pretty lady like you!" He cooed happily.

She balled her hand into a fist and almost punched him on the chin, when she realized that there might be an easier solution.

She half turned in his embrace and kissed him on the cheek.

He blinked at her in complete shock, then the next think she knew she was supporting his entire body weight. The idiot had fainted on her. Fainted! What smarmy charmer like him fainted at a kiss? She dragged him over to the bed and dropped him on to it, ready to snatch her knife if he tried to pull her after him. But no. He sagged half onto the floor. She checked his eyes. Totally out of it. What luck was that?

She left him half sprawled on the bed, took up his pack and with a grunt at how heavy it was, slipped out of the room.

"Too-de-loo idiot!"

She sat in the loft of a tomas stables, and went through her haul. The only thing of value was what made the pack heavy, ammunition for the same old fashioned revolver. Other than that, there were two empty water canteens, empty food canisters and a worn pair of shoes. Amid the few changes of clothing she discovered patched underwear. She held up the offending pair. What man patched underwear? Neatly too, she had to admit. He was clearly dirt poor if he patched his underwear! That coat was deceptive, as was this well made bag. She scowled. He was probably a son of a wealthy family who had squandered his money and was now on the lam. She was disgusted at herself, how had she missed the signs?

She drew out the last thing in bag, when her fingers touched paper, she felt her heart leap. But it was not double dollar bills, oh no. It was a thicker paper. She unfolded it curiously and felt her heart skip a beat.

"Wanted: Vash the Stampede: $$ 60 billion"

Under the title was a sketch of the very man she had just stolen the bag from.

"Annie." She whispered to herself in horror. "What have you done?"

She was a thief, but he was an outlaw of such terrible repute. Who fainted at a kiss? She frowned at the poster.

"Vash the Stampede, you are a fraud!" She exclaimed in frustration and disappointment. He wasn't supposed to be such a pushover.

"Whaa? That's not very nice."

Her heart almost lept out of her mouth. He sat not more than a yarz from her on the feed keg. He had a slightly comical expression of hurt on his face. He then noticed his underwear on the floor.

"Oh man! There are some things young ladies should not see!"

He grabbed up his clothing and tried to bundle it all into his bag at a frantic rate. In his efforts he spilled more than he packed. She had to hand him the patched underwear three times. He tied his bag closed and hugged it.

"So we're going to sleep here tonight?" He looked around.

"No." She held up the poster. "You're going to the sheriff and I am going to sleep in the best hotel in town."

He stared at the poster for a long moment, then drew something out of a breast pocket in his coat. He unfolded it and after reading it, held it out to her.

"Wanted: Annie Witherson. SS 10 000. Sneak thief, pick pocket. Wanted in May City in connection with the blue diamond theft."

"I was framed!" She snapped. "That's a lie."

"Was it?" He opened his hand and she glanced down at her fingers. When had he got close enough to remove her ring?

She lunged forward and suddenly he wasn't there. He was standing a few yarz to one side.

"Give it back!" She hissed.

"You return what you took from me and we have a deal," he said and sat cross legged on the floor with his duffle beside him.

She handed over his wallet, speed loader and cigarette. He returned the ring.