Author's Note: Chapter 7 has arrived! And so has the contest! Hooray!

So, the rules are simple. We have a certain smiley that we will hide in our scene breaks. The scene breaks will be longer than normal to make it more difficult. The scene breaks will also be numbered.

When you think you have found the smiley, you must PRIVATE MESSAGE us with the number of the scene break you think it's located in.

The first person to message us AND tell us the correct location will win a gift one shot!

So, here is your prey: O/o

Good fortune, smiley hunters!

Disclaimer: We own nothing, except our own awesomeness.

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Chapter 7: What We're Basically Saying is We like to get...Paid!

The van sped along easily, but the atmosphere within the vehicle was less than relaxed. Marie was pouting, slouched over the wheel, while Evie attempted to reconcile with her partner. "Marie, we couldn't bring them with us!"

Snuffling, Marie kept looking ahead. "Yeah HUH! We coulda put them in the back! We shouldn't ditch our friends, Evie. It's bad form."

Evie sighed. "For the last time, they are NOT our friends. They may not necessarily be enemies, but they are DEFINITELY not friends. They killed Small Time! AND tried to kill US!"

"I'm sure they didn't mean it. It was an accident."

"How do you accidentally shoot a laser beam through someone's torso?"

Marie shrugged. "Bad aim?"

Evie barked out a laugh. "They are KILLING MACHINES. I highly doubt they have BAD AIM."

Marie simply continued pouting and Evie rubbed her forehead in exasperation. The van came to a fork and Marie slowed, clearly contemplating her choice. Evie looked longingly down the path to the right. "Come on, Marie! We caught two of the caravans. Don't we have enough crap? I doubt we'd be able to fit anything more in back, anyway."

The two turned, looking in the rear. It was piled high with weapons, ammunition, food, blankets, clothing, shoes, medicines, and many other things. The back was so cramped that the tires they had confiscated were lashed to the top of the vehicle. Marie shrugged. "But, we can always use more! Come on, we're products of a consumerist culture!"

"Yeah, a consumerist culture that's DEAD. Now we just get the stuff we NEED. If we're LUCKY."

Sulking, Marie turned back around. "I thought this stuff was GREAT. I mean, come on. Medicine! Even some rare stuff, like this anesthesia!"

Evie just scowled. "We don't even know how to use that stuff!"

"Yeah, but I'm sure SOMEONE knows. And they'll want to trade for it. We can make them pay through the nose!"

Evie shook her head in dismay. "When did you become such a cut throat?"

Marie matched, and beat, Evie's dark look with one of her own. "I became one after these bastards ditched us and let Chatter and Bossman die for them. They deserve a lot worse than to have to pay us what they would have anyway. Would you rather I just massacre all of them? I can do that, too, and then take whatever I want."

Evie held up her hands in a placating gesture. "No, no, it's fine. They do owe us, you're right. It's just that Marv is getting LONELY. And maybe even worried! And what if the snows hit before we can get to that last caravan and back to Marv's? And poor Goners is in bad shape."

Slouching, Marie gave up and turned the wheel away from the left, and the caravan tracks, headed them towards Marv's hide out.

Evie breathed out a sigh, thankful Marie was so attached to Marv and his way with mechanical things. Marie hit the gas and they shot off, passing by the trees and hills that surrounded them quickly.

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Evie kept silent, watching her friend carefully. Marie was still sulking. Evie swore she could see Marie's pig tails drooping sadly. How pig tails could look sad, she didn't know. But, for some reason, they did at this point.

They hit the plains and Evie knew they were almost to Marv's. She would feel much more comfortable once they were safe inside the thick walls that he provided. Evie turned to look out the window, uncertain what to say to make Marie perk up again.

Suddenly, Evie spotted the perfect opportunity. She turned to Marie, smiling. "Hey! I know you're mad about not being able to go after that last caravan, but how about this? There's that farm house over there that we keep forgetting to go ransack. How about we take a little detour, huh? You like looting!"

Marie just sulked, acting like a spoiled five year old. "I thought you said we didn't have TIME to do any of that stuff. We gotta get back to MARV'S."

Evie leaned over, looping an arm around Marie's shoulders. "Aw, come on. Don't be that way! You know what? I dare you. Don't. Smile."

The corner of Marie's mouth twitched. Evie grinned. "Dooon't SMILE! Don't do it!"

Marie suppressed a giggle, desperately trying to keep her lips from curving. Evie pressed her advantage. "Oh? What's that? I think I see a smile! Your face is cracking! Is gonna break! Don't smile! Don't do it!"

Marie couldn't take anymore and began laughing. Evie knew she had won this time and joined in the laughter. Finally, the two calmed down and Marie still had a pleased smile on her face. "All right, let's go, then. It'll only take us an hour or two max to get through."

Marie turned the wheel and they shot towards the white house and Evie sat back, satisfied that she had managed to defuse a potentially dangerous situation. Marie was happier, yes. But still totally nuts.

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Marie squealed happily, cuddling the small, white stuffed cat. Evie shook her head, smiling. Marie stopped, staring at Goners in horror, before turning around and fixing Evie with a deeply intense look. "Evie. WHERE are we going to put Kitty-chan?"

Evie quirked her head, confused. "On the floor? On my lap? On top of one of the many piles of crap?"

Marie frowned, squishing the stuffed Hello Kitty doll closer. "Absolutely not! That isn't SAFE! What if we're in an accident? She could get whip lash!"

Evie immediately knew that, by giving Marie the doll, she had doomed herself to further frustration and headaches. "I'm sure you'll be a careful driver. Kitty-chan will be just fine. She IS filled with nothing but squishiness. All will be well."

Marie just shook her head furiously. "No! Nonono! She must have a seat! With a seat belt!"

Evie sighed, mildly infuriated. "But NOW I have to reorganize EVERYTHING! I had things just where I wanted them!"

Marie shrugged, nonplussed. "Then forget the organization. We'll sort things when we get to Marv's."

"NO! It doesn't work like that! Just stay over there with that cat and let me work!"

Marie shrugged and sat down on the ground, happily playing with the cat. Evie began taking things out of the van, popped up a seat, then attempted to put all that she had taken out back in.

Occasionally Marie would yell out 'helpful' advice, such as "Don't put that there! It will fall on Kitty-chan!". Or, "No, she can't have anything on the seat with her!".

Needless to say, Evie was getting extremely irritated. Finally, she stepped back, admiring her work. Everything was shoved in or on top of the car and one seat open for the stuffed cat. Then, an ominous noise came from within the vehicle.

With little warning, one pile of things tipped over, falling out of the open door in a thunderous avalanche. When the torrent stopped, Evie stood ankle deep in the items they had gathered during the traveling season.

Marie came over and peered in the car. "Well, like I said, we could always forget about organization. Kitty-chan is impatient to leave."

Evie's right eye twitched, then she shrieked, hurling all the fallen items into the car. One thing fell back out and she knelt down, scooped up the offending object, and hurled it as hard as she could, before turning and stomping to her seat.

Marie looked after the object before securing Kitty-chan in her newly appointed spot. Walking to the driver's seat, Marie got in, buckled her seatbelt, then fixed Evie with a stern look. "Evie. That was terribly wasteful. Grenades are hard to come by nowadays."

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Dho'mago'te and Tvrtko looked on, amused by the strange dance that the taller female was performing. Dho'mago'te watched intensely, recording the odd behavior. He mumbled to himself, recording his notes as well. "Perhaps it is a dance to display her territory? That those belong to her and no challengers will be allowed?"

As Dho'mago'te studied his observational subjects, Tvrtko was idly attempting to skewer a small, furry creature that was cantering above them in the trees. The thing was fast, with a large tail. He'd only snagged one or two so far.

Suddenly, an object flew through the air and hit him in the head. He jerked up quickly, confused, then looked down and picked up a small, black device. He looked at it curiously, before it was snagged from his hands by Dho'mago'te.

The larger Yautja peered at the item intensely, before reaching up and removing a small, thin piece of metal from the object. Nothing happened.

Dho'mago'te shrugged, then tossed it over his shoulder. Tvrtko looked at Dho'mago'te askance. "What did you do that for?"

"I thought it would do something interesting. It didn't."

At this point in time, an explosion erupted from behind them, which managed to make Dho'mago'te stumble a bit and alarmed Tvrtko.

The two blinked, gazing at the area behind them that now was singed and smoking. Tvrtko glared up at Dho'mago'te. The big one shrugged. "Apparently it DOES do something interesting. I was simply too impatient."

Tvrtko smacked him. "What have I told you about playing with strange objects? ESPECIALLY Ooman ones? They're crazy! Impatient indeed. If you had been holding it, not even the med kit would have helped the remnants of your hand, much less your body."

Dho'mago'te shrugged once more. "But I haven't lost my hand, have I? All is well! Now, we must go. Dai'za'te and her companion are getting away."

Tvrtko frowned, quirking his head. "Who?"

Dho'mago'te waved his hand casually after the retreating machine. "Dai'za'te. The shorter female."

"Don't NAME it! We're not here to gather PETS!"

Frowning, Dho'mago'te set off. "It's a HER. Not an IT. Surely you knew that."

Tvrtko threw up his arms. "That's not the point! Calling them the female or the Ooman works just fine!"

"No, it doesn't! There are TWO of them! I must name them. It helps my documentation make more sense."

Tvrtko made a disgusted noise. "Isn't it enough that the short one has a lot of knives and the taller one always shoots me? That differentiates them enough for ME."

Dho'mago'te pointed at Tvrtko, chittering gleefully. "Ha! You agree she has many knives! Her name fits! Thus, it shall remain!"

Tvrtko sighed, deeply annoyed. Dho'mago'te patted his shoulder sympathetically. "If you really feel so strongly about it, you may name the other one."

Tvrtko simply glared at his partner before slamming his fist into the larger Yautja's gut. Tvrtko then strode off after the vanished transporter, feeling slightly better.

5)!_][/.'.0/^!(*#

The two warriors looked on as the two females packed up their camp. The tall one was acting strangely and Dai'za'te was clearly trying to avoid her. Dho'mago'te frowned. This abnormal behavior MUST have a reason. Then, it hit him. He turned to Tvrtko and hit his shoulder.

Tvrtko started. "What was that for?"

Dho'mago'te frowned behind his mask. "YOU must have done something to anger Dai'za'te's companion!"

"Why me? It could have been you!"

Dho'mago'te sniffed. "I was with Dai'za'te. Besides, I KNOW, for a FACT, that you offended her!"

Tvrtko was getting exasperated. "WHAT did I do?"

Dho'mago'te crossed his arms, glaring down. "She cared for you when you were weak. She could have slain you. You owe her a life debt. But you left her! You rejected her AND her healing. Clearly, she must be offended that you brush off your debts so lightly."

"I took her back to her transporter!"

Dho'mago'te was unmoved. "I asked you to do that anyway. Doesn't count."

Tvrtko growled. "I saved her from a large grouping of Kainde Amedha!"

"She deals with those all the time. I'm sure she would have been fine. You must placate her and restore your honor!"

Tvrtko turned away, staring down at the tall female. If it was true, then he had to begin to pay the life debt. But she shot at him almost every time he got close. How could he possibly get near enough to begin repayment?

Sighing, Tvrtko turned to his friend. "Fine. I will do as you say. But how will I get near? She shoots me."

Dho'mago'te sat down and thought for a little while, before straightening up. "You should present her a peace offering!"

Tvrtko quirked his head. "Would that work?"

Nodding furiously, hair swinging, Dho'mago'te replied. "Of course! Did you not see yesterday how the tall one presented Dai'za'te with a gift when Dai'za'te was angry? It was a peace offering, and Dai'za'te was placated! You should do the same."

Tvrtko nodded. This made sense. He thought upon what he could present the angered Ooman. Suddenly, it came to him. She had lost her own version of a trophy the other day, a small, shiny bauble. He would give her a better trophy.

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Tvrtko lurked in the brushline surrounding the Oomans that he and his companion had been tracking all warm season. The females had made camp once more. Tvrtko steeled himself, then marched into the circle of light, decloaking as he went. Dho'mago'te followed close behind. The tall female started, reaching for her burner, but he held up his hands, hoping to show his lack of weaponry.

She seemed to calm a bit, as she lowered her weapon. Dai'za'te charged over and latched onto Dho'mago'te's arm. Dho'mago'te lifted his arm and Dai'za'te hung from the limb, swinging back and forth, making happy noises.

The other female seemed to be scolding Dai'za'te, standing in the process. Tvrtko seized his chance. Going over, he stood in front of her, gazing down. Her ugly face furrowed and she stepped back, beginning to raise her weapon up to point at him once more. He held up one hand, trying to prevent any further shooting.

She stopped and waited, but did no lower her burner. He pulled his peace offering out of his belt and held it towards her. It was a necklace, with one of his hair bands and several small skulls. He had been busy hunting the small, furry rodents that continually mocked his mother from the perceived safety of the treetops. He was rather pleased that the trophies he had been taking from them were able to be of use.

It had been hard to give up one of his bands, a sign of the hard-worn honor that he was granted for his prowess, but he hoped it would prove that he had meant no disrespect when he had left. It also showed that, as long as she had the band, he owed her a debt. He would try and get that meaning across on some other day.

She looked at it askance and he worried that she would refuse it. He pushed it forward once more and she took it from him, holding it in her much smaller, squishier hands. He chittered happily as she willingly put it over her head and around her neck, saying something to him that he could not understand. He was fairly certain she was pleased, however.

Tvrtko gave a small bow, then turned away and strode over to Dho'mago'te, who was occupied with keeping Dai'za'te entertained. She was busily clambering all over the large Yautja, making strange squealing noises when Dho'mago'te lifted her up to set her back down on the ground.

Dho'mago'te looked up at the pleased Tvrtko and smiled. "I take it all went well?"

Tvrtko nodded, then headed toward the edge of the clearing. "Come, Dho'mago'te. Now that we have restored peace, we should leave. We've stayed too long in the cold zone as it is."

Dho'mago'te frowned, looking at the small female he had held in his hands. She was kicking her legs and seemed happy. She looked up at him and bared her teeth, which he took as a good sign, at least among Oomans.

Sighing, he set her down slowly and gently. She gazed up at him, confusion written all over her strange little face. He patted her on the head. "Don't worry, Dai'za'te. We shall return once the cold has gone."

He turned to leave, but was stopped in his tracks by a small wail that rose up behind him before Dai'za'te wrapped herself around his left leg. It made walking mildly difficult. Reaching down, he carefully pried her arms apart, lifting her from him.

He set her down, and looked at her. She was clearly distraught. She hadn't understood him. Thinking, he finally recalled one recording he had that could work. A deep voice came from his recorder as he hit the button. "I'll be back".

She bared her teeth once more and he nodded, turning to follow Tvrtko. As the two left, cloaking and sprinting for their ship, Tvrtko looked over at the depressed behemoth. "Dai'za'te will be fine. As will Faru'qi. Don't worry. Your observational subjects can go without us for awhile."

Dho'mago'te looked over at Tvrtko, then laughed. Tvrtko frowned, confused. "WHAT is so funny, Dho'mago'te?"

"You named her! FINALLY! I was getting impatient."

Tvrtko just clacked his mandibles and sped on, leaving Dho'mago'te in the dust.

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Author's End Note: We would like to make an apology for the lateness of this chapter. Family reunions, plus getting ready for school, plus massive amounts of flooding has made getting this chapter done difficult. We hope that it was worth the wait! We love you all.

Also, if this chapter seems a little choppy, it's because we skipped over events that happened in the Minivan Escapades. We've vowed to never repeat the same content if we can help it. Hope you enjoyed!

And for those of you, like MissCaty, who wanted the Shakespeare insults, here it is again. Hopefully you all will be able to go to it this time. We took the http:/www. off the front. Hope that works!