The two female predators silently stalked their prey. They crept soundlessly in and out of shadows cast by the late afternoon sun through the tall Californian trees. Their prey stood unconcerned in the center of a clearing. Stupid. They should know better than to leave themselves so open to attack, so vulnerable. The light-haired predator looked to the dark-haired predator; the dark-haired predator nodded once and the two spread out slowly and carefully circling their unsuspecting victims. The two in the clearing appeared to be playing some sort of game with a ball. The ball flew back and forth as the two continued a running commentary of the other's mistakes and misses. The predators waited in silence for several more minutes, checking the readiness of their weapons as they waited. Then their eyes met briefly across the clearing and they attacked.
* * *
Darien had to admit, he hadn't expected to be attacked here. He had fooled himself into believing that he was safe. Bobby was always so paranoid that Darien had felt that if his partner was at ease, he could be too. That was his first mistake. His second mistake was not being more concerned when Claire and Alex hadn't returned from their trip to the restroom in a timely manner. He should have known that nothing good would keep them for that long.
Darien's only warning that something was amiss was a curious whistling sound from behind him. He whirled around just in time for the flying object to connect with his face.
SPLASH!!!!!!!
Darien looked up in shock, face and hair dripping, as Claire lobbed a second water balloon in his direction. The second projectile impacted on his chest and brought him back to the reality of the situation. "Hey!!" He attempted to run for cover but was hit twice more before he could get behind cover and out of range. He looked up as a second person dropped next to him behind the fallen tree that was protecting him. "Oh, they are so going to pay!" He looked at the source of this vehement exclamation and found it to be his partner, also sopping wet. "How did they get the drop on us?!!" "I don't know, kid, but I'd say it's time we got back out there and got a little revenge." "Yeah, before they come looking for us. I'll take care of my lovely Keeper. You get the wonder agent." Hobbes nodded and gave an evil grin. Both men took a deep breath and ran full tilt back to where the water balloons had been launched from, intent on repaying their attackers in kind.
