----- The Eager Recruit

" No fair! It's my turn! "

" You were taking too long! "

The two other Chaotix were watching Mighty and Charmy fight over who gets to throw the next dart with distaste. At this point they were it wasn't really about the game, but who could pin who in a submission move first. One would think that it'd be easy pinning a little bee on the floor, but Charmy had a lot of experience in that area so could easily slip out.

" ARRRRGH! "

Ray shielded his eyes after Mighty screamed. Charmy managed to twist Mighty's arm around behind his head, and was now dangling the helpless shelled rodent a few feet off the ground in triumph.

" Say uncle! " The bee squeaked.

" NEVER! "

Crackle

" AH-AHHHHHHH! "

" What the hell!? Charmy! Charmy! Drop him! "

Charmy jumped at the sound of Vector's voice, instantly dropping Mighty. Mighty landed on his back rolling into a ball out after out of instinct. Charmy turned around and smiled innocently. " Sorry boss. " He grinned.

Vector put his foot on Mighty's curled up body, then scooped it up like a soccer ball so he could kick it lightly. " Stop playin' around, we got work to do. " Mighty landed on a bean bag chair in the corner, uncurling upside down. " Our client wants us to head to South Island, I'll fill you in on the rest when we get there. "

Espio snapped his head up. " South Island? "

" I didn't stutter, no offense Ray. "

Charmy hovered between them. " Our client? Who is she? She's really pretty! "

" Don't say that! " Espio snapped. " She's old enough to be your mother! "

" I do I really look that old? "

Espio was caught off guard by the feminine voice behind her, and turned invisible. It was better for Vanilla though since now the others could she what she was wearing. Her long dress and vest were folded neatly in her arms, and put on the couch. Now she was wearing something a bit more ... form fitting. A white sleeveless top with a red skirt that came an inch or two above the knees. Her white gloves were replaced with fingerless red ones that came to her elbows, and she wore red dressy shoes with a thicker heel so it wouldn't break.

Figured, her brown hair was held up with a pin in the back. Her brown hair actually stopped right above the shoulder.

For a moment the group just stared, then Mighty spoke up. " Where do you think you're going looking like that? "

"With you all, of course. " As calm as ever.

"Listen lady, you can't. " Vector walked up to her. " This Doctor Eggman guy isn't one to take pity on no woman, so you're gonna be in real danger if you go wit' us. "

Vanilla smile turned into a grin and she leaned forward. She was just a few inches taller than Vector, needless to say that he felt a little ... intimidated by the bigger mobian. " You didn't listen to a word I said earlier, did you? " She moved her finger across the top of his long jaw. " I'm willing to give up everything to find out what I want, even my life. "

He raised a brow. " That information won't mean much ta ya if yer dead. "

" Even worst, you won't be able to pay us if you did... " Charmy pouted while poking his index fingers together.

Espio appeared giving Vector a Vanilla a sly look. " Don't pay Vector any mind. He's just threatened by a female's presence "

" ... Pardon me? "

Espio chuckled a bit. " Vector doesn't like when people are bigger and look better than him. It makes him look like a monster in comparison " He snickered a bit, but Vector was not amused. He grabbed the chameleon by the back of the neck.

" You got some nerve... " He growled. Espio turned invisible, which did little good when Vector already grabbed him.

" Come on you two, stop it! " Vanilla managed to stop the impending beating without raising her voice. Vector just dropped the chameleon and huffed. " Please try and remember we have a job to do here. You can injure your friend all you want once we're done. " Espio reared back when he noticed Vector cracking his knuckles in warning.

Espio wasn't looking forward to the trip home...

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