Day Four: Trope: Damsel in distress / "I had it handled"

Jbarkerstargazer asked for Penny and a particular dress…

TOS-Verse.

Trope: A female character is put into immediate danger in order to put the cast in motion. The nature of the distress varies. The classic damsel has been kidnapped or captured and is locked away, awaiting rescue and afraid for her life and virtue. She may also be lost or stranded in a hostile area, trapped, or suffering any number of terrible fates where she needs help to survive.

The damsel out of distress will put up a fight, which can either help or make things worse. The defiant captive damsel will snarl and rage where her meeker sister would scream. Sometimes the character gets kidnapped for the sake of her good looks or royal blood, but in other works she's more likely doing something that is a threat to the party that kidnaps her (reporters are common), which allows her to look smart and independent before she needs to be saved.

Generally expected to give The Hero a Smooch of Victory when he rescues her.

Characters: Penny, Virgil

Warnings: Drugged drink, Gunshot, Kidnapping.

She was sitting at a small café table on a bar stool sipping a glass of champagne. Pink off-the-shoulder collared dress with two rows of gold buttons down the front. It was slightly longer than knee-length and lightly flared with a short semi-stiffened underskirt underneath, showing off her perfect legs clad in silk stockings. A pair of heeled Mary Janes in matching pink and a single string of pearls completed the look along with perfectly coiffured hair.

It was one of her favourite outfits. Smart enough for a casual day out yet comfortable to move in if the need arose. And in her line of work the need arose more often than one would like to think.

Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward sipped her champagne and covertly watched the clientele while she waited for her companion to join her.

He was late. It wasn't unusual for his line of work, but she did so detest tardiness.

Penny sighed. She glanced once more at the clock above the bar and down at her half-empty glass. If she was aware of a certain pair of eyes on her then she did a very good job of hiding it.

The waiter came up with another glass, which she accepted gratefully even if she hadn't ordered it. The man discretely pointed out another patron, and Penny inclined her head slightly and was acknowledged in like manner.

She watched the bubbles rise in the pale amber liquid for a moment before taking a sip and placing the glass down. Penny resisted the urge to look at the clock again, but she was sure her impatience was showing.

The man who had sent over the champagne slid from his seat. She watched him without watching him straighten his tie, put on a plain black jacket that screamed money and tidied his cuffs. He made his way over.

'Bonjour, madam. I hope that you did not mind the forwardness.'

He gestured to the drink. Penny picked it up and saluted him with it before taking another small sip. She played with the drink on her tongue while she considered how to answer him. No accent, despite addressing her in French. She swallowed and smiled at him.

'Not at all, monsieur. I thank you for your kindness.'

'I noticed you looking at the clock. Are you waiting for someone?'

'I am afraid that I have been stood up.'

'A lovely woman like you? No, I cannot believe anyone would be so, so gauche!'

He gestured to the stool beside her, Penny nodded consent and he sat beside her. He reached over and took one of her hands, staring into her eyes.

'I would never treat such a lovely flower so callously. You truly look like an English rose in such a lovely pink dress.'

Penny suppressed a shudder. This was her job, her life, and she knew how to control her responses to slimy men. But seriously, where did this man get his lines from?

Especially slimy men who were about to buy International Rescue stolen secrets.

The man gestured to the waiter and a second glass was brought over. Whisky, from the smell she thought. Slightly peated. A Bowmore, if she wasn't mistaken, although she'd only know for sure by the taste.

He watched her as she drunk, eyes trying hard not to betray what was going on but Penny was no fool. She was getting light-headed, and she knew that the drink had been drugged.

Penny swayed on the stool ever so slightly, but it was enough for the man's eyes to light up. He stood up and came around to her side and helped her up. The grin was positively obscene.

'Lady Penelope, I believe you and I have some business to attend to.'

And then it all went to hell.

He turned up.

Virgil had been running late, getting back from a rescue from the other side of the world. He and Penny had arranged to meet at a small, discrete café half an hour ago, and although he knew Penny would wait for him, he also knew she hated lateness.

He arrived just as a man was 'assisting' Penny across the road. He had firm hands on her upper arms, and Penny wasn't looking herself.

Before he could think about what he was doing, Virgil had yelled and hurled himself at the couple. Penny was shoved into the car and the man was just about to get in when Virgil tackled him to the ground.

Virgil used to be a quarterback. He was heavy and he knocked the wind out of the man beneath him. Immediately he reached into the car to help Penny out. She frowned at him before trying to shout out a warning.

She wasn't fast enough.

He'd just registered the change in Penny's face and turned to look behind him and was clubbed across the forehead, disorientating him. The man pushed Virgil fully into the car and jumped in, and they were off.

'Well, Lady Penelope, this is an unexpected surprise. I didn't think you would bring an amateur on the job.'

'My friend here was supposed to appear after you had taken me. You were late.'

'I was not late, my Lady. I was on time.'

'Well, we will just have to differ.'

She sniffed as Virgil stirred at her feet. The man pulled out a gun with a silencer on and they both stilled before carrying on a conversation as if the armed man wasn't there at all.

'You mean I was supposed to find you gone?'

'Yes, darling.'

'You gave me the wrong time on purpose?'

'I'm sorry darling but I did. It was necessary.'

'Oh.'

It was all Virgil could think to say, and Penny's hand on his shoulder tightened a little.

'I would have helped you with whatever you needed.'

'Darling, I had it handled.'

'I know, Penny, but…'

'I'm no damsel in distress, Virgil.'

'I know, Penny, but…'

'Enough!'

The two stopped talking and looked to their captor.

'So now I have leverage, Lady Penelope. Or should I call you Penny?'

'Lady Creighton-Ward would be my preference.'

He inclined his head.

'Lady Creighton-Ward. Give me the plans.'

'I have no idea what you mean.'

He was looking at her when there was a 'phut' sound and Virgil gasped, clasping his shoulder as his vision swam.

'Give me the plans or the next one will be somewhere more…vital.'