Disclaimer: See Chapter One ;)
Summary: Fidget and Vinnie go to the beach.
by Barbara C.
Part Five: Leather
"Vincenzo, you stick close. These people think iguanas are only good for shoes or dinner." Blue eyes stared into brown ones as Fidget held her beloved pet aloft making sure he understood her warning. With a blink and a swipe of his tongue up and over his right eye, his owner sighed with disappointment. Then a quick lick across Fidget's nose caught her by surprise eliciting a giggle from the unsuspecting red-head. Staring at the iguana once again and seeing the intelligence and playfulness in his eyes, Fidget seemed satisfied enough to place him into a more comfortable position across her shoulders.
Now that something was perched on her shoulders, Fidget took the time to readjust the straps on her bikini. While she did this, she took the time to stare down at her chest, suitably covered in blue and white plaid.
She'd never be as buxom or voluptuous as Diana what's-her-face from InterCEPT or even, the red-head blanched, or even Asazi, and guys always went for that type. The hourglass figure, she and her sister had not been blessed with, and in their teen years they had tried to duplicate body type. Each time they had tried, typically by stuffing their bras with socks or the like, they ended up with truly horrendous results and in addition to being extremely embarrassed. Fortunately they had also learned some rather valuable lessons. Lesson number one had to do with diving and, well, Fidget did not want to remember that incident. The remaining lessons made them face the fact that they just didn't have the height and body type to carry off Pamela Anderson's breast size convincingly.
Eventually, they outgrew their pubescent fixations with their growing bodies and got on with real life and real issues like boys, but that was a completely different subject…mostly.
Huffing, Fidget dejectedly asked aloud, "Why am I even going to the beach?"
Vinnie chose that moment to nuzzle up against his owner's neck. When his long tongue darted out and licked along the side of Fidget's face, her mood melted away with a gurgle of laughter.
"Ah, Vinnie, you know exactly how to make a girl feel special." Patting the lizard's head, she remembered that she was going for the sun, sand, and surf. Not to catch the attentions of guys. She worked with plenty of guys; this would be her vacation for a day; that was why she was going out.
"Time for some fun," she cheered, reaching for a beach towel and bag containing all the necessary gear to survive a day at the beach. Sliding on her complimentary Action Man sunglasses, sans the logo, she peaked into her shoulder bag to double check her packing. Sunscreen, a cover up, a few bottles of water, and a worn copy of a sappy romance novel that would get her laughed off of Big Air if the others knew she read that type of book.
With a last glance around the suite the games had provided, she smiled. Complete relaxation with no paparazzi, no fans, no AM logos, and best of all no guys, she hoped. Not that it would be bad to run into Alex or the other two, she was pretty sure they had ventured out to one of the beaches, but a girl needed some peace and quiet once in a while.
Clad in her swimsuit, a never worn floral print sarong, a pair of flip-flops, and Vinnie the young woman headed off for the beach.
Twenty minutes later she had found a bare patch of sand to spread her towel onto. It was on a quieter section of the beach away from the volleyball players and families with small children. It was still crowded, only the crowd was more subdued here, sunbathers and older couples mostly.
As she lay her towel out Vinnie took the opportunity to climb down, but found the sand was rather hot, even for an iguana and leapt onto her mostly positioned towel. "Vinnie," Fidget had no choice but to scold her friend. She finally positioned the towel and divested herself of the sarong that would get in the way of an even tan. The iguana moved toward the head of the towel as she shed her flip-flops and lay down on the towel. Reaching over the scaly body in her way, Fidget removed the sunscreen and novel from the bag.
The next several hours were blissful as far as Fidget was concerned, minus several rude members of the male persuasion that just couldn't take no for an answer. She finally had to convince them that she had a thing for the scaly green variety after they disregarded her claims of having a significant other. Another person, a local by the looks of him, tried to buy Vinnie off of her. Knowing exactly what type of man he was, Vinnie gave a hiss and was praised by his petite owner, that is after she very bluntly told the man where he could put his offer.
Yes, it was a blissful day indeed, but also a hot one. She thought of taking a swim as she had done an hour or so earlier, but decided ice cream was what she was more in the mood for. "How about it, Vinnie? What flavor would you like?" she asked of the lizard.
Blink.
Laughing, Fidget patted his head. "Typical," she teased. "I'll see what they have then. You wait here and watch our stuff." Standing she wrapped the sarong back around her waist and slid into her flip-flops. Reaching into the bag of endless wonders she grabbed a small billfold for emergencies such as this.
"Later, gator!" she said with a wave.
Blink. Lick.
Several minutes later she was back with a cone of strawberry ice cream. As she approached the towel she saw a man bend over close to it. Curious and wary of the man's actions, the red-head picked up her pace. Then what she saw almost made her heart stop. He had picked up Vinnie and was walking away. It was at that moment that she realized it was the same man who had offered to purchase her beloved pet from her earlier.
She wasn't going to let that S.O.B. get away with her iguana! "THEIF!" she cried startling nearby sunbathers. The ice cream hit the burning sand as Fidget began her pursuit. "Come back here you rotten…!" The thief ducked around a corner missing the rest of her remarks regarding his parentage.
She cursed her short stature and prayed that she could keep up with the man. He had looked like a local, his dark hair and complexion most noticeable and he wasn't much taller than her, but his legs had definitely been longer. He had also favored a more native garb rather than the loud tourist wear. She could have been mistaken, though she was not about to give up pursuit just to make a police report.
Their chase led them away from the beach and through several alleys and side streets before entering the market square. Fidget cursed. She was losing him, he was just too fast. She couldn't give up though, Vinnie was counting on her.
Moments later she completely lost sight of the man in the crowd. The red-head continued to move forward, her eyes stabbing into every doorway and booth along her path. Then she saw it, half a dozen store fronts up, just past the square, a green tail disappeared through a doorway. Fidget hurried forward but realized she had nothing to threaten the culprit with. With only her size and strength, he was more likely to laugh at her than hand Vinnie over. That is, until she spied a shoe vendor along the way.
Panting, she hurried up to stand and grabbed a pair of the most lethal looking shoes she saw; strappy, black leather things with three inch stiletto heels. "How much?" she spat out eyeing the door Vinnie had disappeared through intently. The woman at the booth looked a little surprised at the unexpected shopper, but named a price and gladly accepted the money forced at her. She had already begun counting out change when she realized the young woman had disappeared. "American tourists," she muttered shaking her head. Oh well, more for her.
Entering the building Fidget realized that it wasn't a storefront, but a residence, one that, by the looks of it was vacant for some reason or another. Stepping in she found out why as her foot nearly broke through the rotted floor. Stopping for a moment she listened for movement. She could hear shuffling and a muffled curse come from the back room on the first floor. Slowly and carefully, though she would have rather rushed in, she made her way toward the back.
The man had his back to her and was trying to open a window with his free hand while the other arm was busy with Vinnie who was struggling.
"Drop the iguana!" she commanded. The man swung around still clutching Vinnie. Fidget noticed that one arm kept the claws and body pinned making it difficult for the lizard to fight back or struggle, while its hand clamped lizard's muzzle shut making it impossible for Vinnie to bite the creep. She also observed the man beginning to use his free arm to help control the reptile.
"Let go of my iguana!" Fidget shouted at the man holding Vinnie. No response, but he was eyeing the window which sent the red-head into a frenzy. Clutching one of the shoes in an offensive manner she ran at the man and struck at his thigh with all her might. The heel of the shoe caught and sank in. A scream of agony erupted from the man as he let go of the lizard to clutch his injured leg.
Still angry, Fidget pulled the heel out of the leg and began beating him repeatedly across his body and focusing lastly on his head… Fortunately, for both of them, the heel didn't pierce his flesh again.
"How dare you!" she shouted between blows. "Steal…my…Vinnie…to make soup with," she bopped him again. "Creep...You'll…regret…that."
Finally she gave up on the shoe and clenched her free hand into a fist. Pulling it back she then slammed it straight into the scoundrel's swarthy face with all her might.
Blood began to trickle from his nose and he slumped to the floor. Freed, Vinnie took the opportunity to bite his arm once before scurrying up to his owner and nuzzling her leg.
When the petite red-head came to her senses moments later she realized how the scene would have looked to any outsiders who might stumble across them. She stood over an unconscious man with a pair of bloody high heel shoes in hand and an iguana wrapped around her ankles… She should leave before anyone came and found her. Someone had to have heard the scuffle. Though nothing could really be seen from the front door, the noise would have definitely carried to the busy street out front. It would reflect badly on the team and the games if she were found, not to mention the possibility of prison time in a foreign country.
"Vincenzo," she whispered to the iguana as she picked him up, still carrying the shoes. "Don't lick me, I'm covered in sunscreen."
In the blink of an eye, the two were out the window, good thing she was so small. She thought of getting rid of the…evidence, but thought better of it. They'd be leaving the island tomorrow. Maybe she would keep the shoes after all; they were lucky to have around.
Whew! What a long chapter! It still probably needs some work, I think I've fixed most of the major flaws it had.