Chapter Six
The last
emerald was in New York City. Ozzy went ahead and figured
out that Rouge had an emerald or two of her own so he was for sure that this
one was the last. The only problem was that it was in the hands of one of Isis' connections. So all Oz had
to do was wait for Rouge to show up then he could carry out the rest of his
plan.
Tino was
there with him. Another part of his "genius" plan as he called it. Tino had fun cracking on him for that one. "That's
great Ozzy! You a genius?!" he busted out laughing
again on the verge of tears.
Oz crossed
his arms dignifiedly " Its not that funny…" He said in
a pouty voice. It didn't help…it only made Tino laugh harder.
Once Tino gained control of his self he asked Oz about his plan
and how was he so sure that Rouge was going to show up. Oz described that this
one was a two-man job. He and Rouge would go under cover and not only
steel the jewel back but also dig up some stuff on Isis and the pin cushion with a mouth.
"For the last
time…She's a hedgehog! But what about Rouge, what if she never shows?" Tino asked while they sat in the restaurant of the hotel
they were staying in.
Oz smiled, " It's all a matter of pride…" He sipped at his drink.
Tino quirked an
eyebrow, "Pride?"
"Yeah you see
Rouge has a big pride issue going on. I happened to bruise her a little in that
area so she isn't about to let me off easy. So there fore she'll come to
me." He leaned back on the two hind legs of his chair and smiled haughtily.
"So you've
got me all figured out do you?"
"You bet I
do." The smile quickly turned into a worried frown. He lost his balance
and fell backwards. When he looked up he saw one very
mad Rouge looking down at him. He gave a little wave, " H-Hi Ro-Rouge. Long time no see huh?"
Rouge glowered
down on him. "You sick, sorry, excuse for a feline! I should have gotten
rid of you when I had the chance!"
Tino decided it was time for him to jump in. "Hi, I'm Tino. Just ignore the sack of fur on the floor and
have a drink." He extended his hand to Rouge.
Rouge looked
at him then she shook his hand. "Thanks, a good stiff drink sounds good right
about now." She took a seat beside Tino while Oz
struggled back up into his chair.
"I've read up
on you. Your record is quite impressive…"Tino
said and flagged down a waitress and ordered Rouge her drink.
Rouge smiled
and leaned forward on the table with her elbows. " Well
why wouldn't it be? I am the best after all…" She looked over at Oz who sat
there mocking her. "And unlike others I can take a job seriously…" she
ended.
Oz looked
outraged. "Just what is that suppose to mean?! I take my work very seriously
and professionally!" He crossed his arms and glared at her. "Plus… I don't
spend my time seducing men and flaunting my stuff."
Rouge looked
unaffected by the insult. " No, you spend most of your
time getting slapped by girls…" She took a sip from her drink that the waitress
handed her.
Tino suppressed a laugh. Oz and Rouge sat there
glaring at each other. Tino cleared his throat,
"Well, umm…why don't you fill Rouge in on your little
plan."
Rouge cocked
an eyebrow, "You have a plan? My word I think the world is going to end." She
said mockingly.
Ozzy ignored her, his face cold and stern. "I've decided to
take you up on that proposal."
Rouge was
surprised and impressed. Even though her proposition was a way to throw
him off he spoke forceful and seriously. He was completely on top of the
situation. She had to admire that, "Well…?"
Oz continued,
"The last jewel is in the hands of one of Isis' connections, which I'm sure you
already knew that. So I figure we take advantage of the situation." He
paused and looked at both Tino and Rouge. "We
not only steel the jewel but we get information on Isis and the whereabouts of the host.
We'll be killing two birds with one stone."
Rouge sat
quietly considering his plan. It was logical and it sure would save her
some time too. Then she thought of something, "You knew I would be
looking for you and that I'd get here didn't you?" The gray lynx nodded.
Yet again she was impressed, from only a short time he figured out what
made her tick, what made her keep going.
Tino interrupted her thoughts, "So what do you need me
for?"
"You're working
on a new type of genetic disguise aren't you?"
Tino looked at him, "Yes but it hasn't been properly
tested."
Ozzy nodded towards Rouge, "Well you have two test subjects
right here."
Rouge's eyes
grew wide, "What?! You aren't using me as some type of lab rat!"
Oz closed his
eyes trying to stay composed then he opened them, "We need proper disguises.
We can't go as we are. Most of Isis' goons know me anyways, so going as
we are would only put us in danger and any innocent civilians."
"I still
don't like this." Rouge said pouting.
"We have no
other choice." Oz said.
Tino sighed, "All right. I'll see you both tomorrow morning. Meet me at the lab here in the
university. It's the closest one I can think of that we can use."
Ozzy nodded and stood up, "We'll be there."
Rouge stood
up too, "Whoa! Hold the phone! What we? I haven't agreed to anything."
Oz looked at
her, she was getting to be very irritating, "You'll show up" He turned and
started to walk out with Tino.
Rouge caught
him by his shoulder and spun him around making him look at her, "I'm getting
tired of your arrogance." She glared at him.
He rolled his
eyes, "And I'm getting tired of your selfishness." He turned back around
and kept walking, "You can either come or you can do it on your own and get
killed…"
Rouge watched
him, her arms crossed over her chest. She spun on her heel and walked out
of the hotel. She wasn't about to stay in the same place as him, if you
could even call it a hotel. To her that place was as cheesy as all get out.
But of course everyone should know it takes a lot for Rouge to be
impressed.
Everyone was
at the university the next morning. Tye even showed
up, but unfortunately it wasn't a surprise visit. Rouge even
came…reluctantly.
Tye introduced her self to Rouge, "Hiya!
I'm Tye." She extended her hand to Rouge.
Rouge shook
her hand and smiled. "I'm Rouge." Despite the fact that the girl was in a wheel
chair, Rouge took no notice.
"Ozzy has told me a lot about you." Tye
said beaming up at the bat.
Rouge cocked
an eyebrow. "Oh really?" She looked over her shoulder
at Ozzy. He smiled sheepishly and waved at her.
Tye laughed, "Don't worry it wasn't anything bad…" Rouge
snorted and walked towards Tino with Tye wheeling her way by her side.
Tino looked a little unsure as to if this was going to
work. He opened up a brief case that was insulated with thick foam.
Lying there on the foam were two test tubes with a green thick liquid in them.
He gave one to Rouge and the other toOzzy.
"You take this orally."
Rouge looked
at the liquid, "It doesn't look to inviting…"
Ozzy shrugged. "Oh well bottoms up!"
"No wait!" Tino tried to stop them but it was too late both of them
had chugged it down. Tino covered his face with
his hands and spoke from behind them. "You might want to go into separate
rooms and take that…"
Oz looked at
him confused, "Why?" He caught a glimpse of his hand….A HAND! He was human!
A very naked human!
Rouge screamed
and jumped behind the lab table. Oz grabbed the brief case and covered his
front and put his backside to the wall. "YOUR SICK
TINO! SICK!"
Tino and Tye both busted out
laughing. Rouge yelled from behind the table. "I hate you Tino! You pervert!"
"I tried to
warn you."
"YOU DID
NOT!" Oz retorted.
Tye wheeled over to Rouge and tossed her a robe. Rouge took
it and put it on. Tino tossed one to Ozzy as well. Both stood there glaring at Tino thinking of all the ways that they could kill him.
"I brought
you some clothes. I hope they fit you." Tye
said and showed Rouge to a empty room.
"Yeah and
there are some clothes in that room for you Oz." Tino
said pointing to a different one.
Rouge and Oz
went into the separate rooms and got dressed. They both appeared at the
same time. Ozzy looked over at Rouge and took a
double take when he saw her. She had long slender legs, great curves, and
her skin was light but not pale, her eyes were the same crystal blue, and her
hair came down to her chin that flipped out naturally and was a white platinum
blonde. His eyes drifted up and down her body then back up.
Rouge wasn't
paying attention to him. She was to busy looking at her out fit.
"You got good taste Tye…" She complimented. Tye had given her a hot pink tank top, and a black mini
skirt and black knee high boots to match. "What do you think Oz?" She saw him
gawking at her. She herself couldn't help gawking at him. The
clothes that Tino gave Oz where were baggy pants that
sagged a little showing his boxers, some air forceones,
and a white t-shirt that hugged his perfectly toned, muscular torso. His
skin was a gorgeous golden tan; his eyes were still that of a lynx, and his
hair was short and untidy in a hot sexy manner and was a charcoal black with
natural silvery gray highlights.
They both
stood there looking at each other. Oz was the first one to speak after a few
seconds had past, "Wow…" he breathed.
Rouge shook
her head, "Whoa! Cool it boy."
Ozzy turned his head and cleared his throat trying to act
professional. "Ok…Thanks Tino…"
Tino smiled, "Don't mention it bro."
Oz turned to Tye, "Did you bring the stuff?"
Tye nodded, "The latest in stealth communication…" She took
the backpack that Tino handed her and pulled out a
small compact sized case. "These will be your communicators." She opened
it up and handed Rouge and Oz what looked like a small hearing aid. They
put them in, and the hearing aids looked completely invisible. "She handed Ozzy a gold Rolex, "That may look like an ordinary Rolex but
its actually a tape recorder and it contains a very strong sleeping gas…the top
button starts the recorder and the one on the left dispensed the gas." She dug
deeper into her bag and pulled out a platinum credit card.
Rouge rolled
her eyes, "Let me guess a bomb detonator right?"
Tye looked at her, "No. This is an actual credit
card."
Oz snatched
it from her, "Thank you Tye!" He bent down and gave
her a peck on the cheek.
Tye smiled, "I figured you could spruce up your disguise a
little…"
Rouge took
the card from Oz. "Great! Lets get started!"
"Hold it. You
don't even know what I have in mind…" Oz said following her out.
"You can tell
me on the way to the mall." Rouge said her eyes glittering with excitement.
Tye and Tino laughed as they
watched the two walk out. " Do you think they'll screw
up?" Tye asked Tino.
"Naw, I don't think so…" Tino said
placing his hand on Tye's shoulder.
Mean while Rouge
made her way to her car. When she got there Oz stopped dead in his
tracks. "That's your car?" He said pointing at the black Lamborghini Diablo.
Rouge shrugged,
"Yeah…now get in."
"I don't
think we need that credit card…not if you have money like this…" he stated as
they got in the car and Rouge started it up.
"Trust me
we'll need it…" She slammed on the gas and sped out of the parking lot.
Oz turned on the radio. He flipped back and forth between stations.
Rouge was
getting irritated, "Just pick one already!"
"Geeze, all right all right all ready…" He flipped the
station one more time. He started singing and rapping along with the
radio. "To the window, to the wall!"
Rouge glared
at him. "Must you sing!"
Oz started to
bounce his shoulders and bob his head. "Aw come one Rouge have some fun." He
kept singing and dancing in his seat. "Aw man the song ended…"
"Thank God…"
She spoke to soon; just then Beyonce's Crazy in love
came on.
"Come on
Rouge sing! Girl I know you can sing so don't get all
shy on me."
"What makes
you think I can sing?"
"Just sing!
Lighten up some."
"If I sing
will you leave me alone?"
"Yup!"
Rouge sighed
irritably and started to sing along to the song.
"Uh-oh! Home girl can sing! Look out J. Lo!"
Rouge smiled
and straightened up sitting arrogantly. She started to get into it and she
began to dance along with the music. Ozzy
joined her.
They were
both having a good time in the car then they came to the mall. Rouge
jumped out in a hurry so did Oz. Rouge looked at him. He was just as
excited as she was about going shopping. She eyed him suspiciously, "You aren't
a fag are you?"
"What?! The heck are you talking
about?"
"Well you
dress good…to good. And you like to shop."
"Hey jus
because a brothah likes to look good and knows how to
dress doesn't mean he's a queer. Plus you see me hittin
on girls not guys…"
Rouge shrugged,
"Good point. Just thought I'd check. Now lets go!"
They both
walked into the mall entrance and stood in awe at the floors and floors of stores.
Rouge grabbed Ozzy by the wrist and took him
into a store. Immediately she was grabbing clothes off the wracks and
handing them to Ozzy to hold.
"Whoa Rouge
wait a second! There's something I have to tell you…"
Rouge paused
and turned to him. "Huh?"
Oz stepped
closer to her and whispered in her ear. "Well you see the other part of my plan
was well, um…We'll be going to this club, and well they'll be expecting a pimp
and his girl to be showing up…"
Rouge looked
at him like she could have killed him on the spot. "What?"
Oz laughed
nervously, "Its only for this one night…"
"You mean to
tell me I have to be your-"
"Shhhh…geeze tell the whole world.
But like I said that's what they'll be expecting."
Rouge glared
at him, "…"
"Please Rouge!
I'll make it up to you. I swear I will!"
Rouge thought
about it then smiled, "Ok…but you owe me…"
Oz smiled, then he put his arm around her waist. "How bout we start
practicing for tonight?"
Rouge stood
on his foot, "How about not?"
Oz winced and
bit done on his lip, "Ok…ok…" Rouge smiled and continued pulling out clothes
and tossing them to Ozzy. She went into the
dressing room and tried on each outfit and gave Oz a little fashion show.
The first outfit she tried on was a white tank top with cut off sleeves
and rhinestone trimming around the collar and white cloth low rise bell
bottoms. Oz shook his head then she went back and tried on the rest. They
both decided on the rhinestone spaghetti strap baby blue dress with the diving
neckline. It was extremely short and was covered in glitter. She managed
to fine white stiletto heels to go with it. One strap went over her toes
and another going around her ankle.
"Girl you
better be glad I'm your pimp tonight or else you'd be
in some serious trouble…" Ozzy said as the made for
another store.
"Aww…is the wittle
kitty worried about po' wittle
ol' me?" She said mockingly.
Oz's face was
stern. "I'm serious Rouge…those guys are ruthless. They'll do anything to
get a girl."
Rouge was
shocked at his tone. "Ozzy I was just
joking…besides I'd like to see one of those jerks get within three feet of me…"
"Believe me…they'll
be a lot closer then that…"
Rouge put her
hand on his shoulder and stopped him making him look at her. "I'll be all right
Oz… I promise."
Oz relaxed
and smiled, "I know you will be." He put his arm around her waist. "You got me
to protect you." His hand moved a little to far and
she slapped him across the face.
"Dream on
hair ball…" She muttered and continued walking.
Oz followed
her rubbing his cheek, "Did you have to slap me so hard?"
She smiled,
"Come on…" She took him by the arm and drug him into
another store. "It your turn now. And don't pick
out anything stupid…"
"Me? Pick out
stupid stuff. HA! I think not…" He walked over and glanced at couple of suits.
"A suit?"
"Hey if your gonna play the part of a pimp then you
play it right…" He grabbed a couple and went into the changing room.
He stepped out
and turned around slowly so she could see. "What do you think?"
She looked at
the gray suit, she cocked her head to the side, "Mmm…Naw…Its not you…"
Oz shrugged
and went and put on another one. This time Rouge whistled. The suit
was black with light gray pin stripes and he wore a white collared shirt underneath.
The suit complemented his hair perfectly and showed off his broad
shoulders and chest perfectly. "It's a keeper!" She said smiling.
Oz smiled and
nodded then changed and went to pay for the suit. Rouge started to
complain about getting hungry so the went to the food
court and got something to eat. They sat down at a table and discussed
their plans while they ate.
"So do you
know what the host looks like?" Rouge asked him and took another bite of her
salad.
"You never
saw it? I would think that of all people, you would always be one step
ahead…" said Oz taking a sip of his coke.
Rouge just
shrugged. "I'd eventually find out…like right now…"
"Yeah I've
seen the host…" Oz took a big bite out of his hamburger.
"And…?"
He swallowed,
"She a hedgehog…" Rouge started to choke on her water. "What's up with
you?"
Rouge shook
her head, "Nothing…just went down the wrong pipe…"
Oz eyed her,
"Uh-huh…but anyways she's a hedgehog and Isis has gotten her so juiced up she's
like living Fort Knox…"
Rouge cocked
an eyebrow, "Really? I see Isis is all for the world domination thing…"
Oz shook his
head disagreeing, "No, I don't think so. Just really
pissed off at the world."
Rouge nodded
and they both finished up their meals. They couldn't leave until they made a
pit stop at the jewelry store. Rouge as well as Ozzy
were checking out all the merchandise.
Rouge smiled,
"Remember when you said that you'd make it up to me Oz?"
Oz's eyes got
wide catching on to what she was hitting at. "No."
Rouge got
closer to him, her body touching his and she ran a finger down his chest. "You
said you would make it up to me if I went through with tonight…" She spoke softly
and ran her fingers through his hair.
Oz sighed
giving in, "Fine whatever…"
Rouge smiled,
"Yay!" She started talking to the owner of the store
and was trying on some rings.
Oz went over
and was browsing through the earrings and found a big diamond stud earring that
he just had to have. He got the lady to take it out do he could look at
it then he ended up getting it. He turned around when he heard Rouge
yelling at the manager.
"What's this?
You call this a diamond?" She threw the ring back at him, "I've seen glass cut
better than that!" She grabbed Oz and stormed out. "Come on! If we're gonna shop for jewelry we're going somewhere where they
wont insult me with cheesy plastic!"
Oz had no
choice but to follower her. They got into her car and Rouge went speeding
out onto the highway. In just a few short minutes Oz was standing in
Tiffany's. He whistled as he looked around. Rouge took him by the
wrist and dragged him through the store. She was looking around and her
eyes caught a diamond tennis bracelet.
She walked
over to it, "That!" She pointed at the bracelet, "I want that Ozzy."
Oz rolled his
eyes and looked at the bracelet, "Pretty…"
Rouge go the
lady to get it out for her, "Mh-hm…" Rouge put on the
bracelet, "I'll be wearing this out." She told the lady.
Oz took out
the credit card and handed it to the lady. "Are you happy now?" He said
to Rouge getting the card back.
Rouge nodded
her head, "Yup! Thank you!" She gave him a peck on the cheek.
Oz turned a
light shade of pink, "Whatever…Come on. We'll go to my place and get ready."
They both
walked out of the store and headed to Oz's hotel. It was a presidential
suite so it had two rooms and never-ending room service. So Oz had some
food and drinks brought up while he and Rouge got dressed and ready for
tonight.
Oz was the
first one done and ready. He emerged from his room and waited for Rouge.
He took one last look in the mirror. His hair was still slightly untidy but he
had put gel in it to give a wet look. With his suit he wore black shoes
and he wore a black hat cocked to the side mimicking Michael Jackson's look.
He put on the gold Rolex and walked over to Rouge's room and knocked on
the door. "Rouge?"
"Yeah come
in." she called from inside.
Oz opened the
door and walked in. Rouge had just started to put on her makeup. "What
are you doing?"
"What's it look like I'm doing? I'm putting on makeup." She
said looking at him in the mirror.
Oz walked
over and grabbed the lipstick from her. "You don't need that." He grabbed a
light baby pink gloss from the dresser. "Wear this…it looks good on you. And
that's all YOU really need."
Rouge cocked
and eyebrow and took the gloss and put it on. "There? Better?"
Oz nodded,
"Yup…"
She looked at
him, "I wonder about you sometimes Oz…"
"HeyI like my women to look classy…besides you got that
whole natural beauty thing going on anyways…you don't need all that mess."
"I'm flattered
Oz…but what about the dress?" She spun around slowly and Oz looked her over.
The dress shimmered and sparkled in the light and it reflected in her eyes
making them seem more radiant then ever.
"Looks good…"
She looked at
his hat then she saw his earring and smiled. "You clean up pretty good yourself…"
Oz reached
into his jacket poked and took out a slender velvet case. "I got you
something…"
Rouge walked
closer as he opened it up. Inside was a crystal blue jewel that had the same
radiant sparkle as her eyes, and it hung on a white gold chain. Oz took
it from the box and put it on her. "Ozzy…it's
beautiful…" She said breathlessly.
"There's a
tracking device on the clasp…it'll let me know where you're at if something goes
wrong and we're separated…" He stood back and looked at her.
She should
have known, but nonetheless, "Thanks…"
"The jewel is
real though…so…" He said and started walking towards the door.
Rouge took
one last look at herself in the mirror, she cocked her to the side, "Don't you think this is more classy then slutty…?"
Oz turned to
look at her, "That's how I like my women." He grinned, "Classy." He laughed and
grabbed the keys to Rouges car, "Oh and um…by the way I'm driving."
Rouge looked
at him like he was nuts, "No your not."
"Look do you
want this to be believable or not?"
She sighed,
"Fine…"
"Great! Lets go!" He walked to the door and held it open for Rouge,
"Ladies first." Rouge smiled and they both headed out to what they hope would
be an easy mission.
