(Sorry about the backdating -- only belatedly realized this hadn't gone out
yet.  Hope it doesn't mess things up for anybody else's timing.)

He's Back!
by Cousin Tok
location:  CERK
time: in the wee hours of Monday morning, July 9th


Tok wandered through the lobby of CERK quite late, with a dish of chocolate
ice cream to comfort her.  (Chocolate has no calories when it's used for
medicinal purposes, right?)  It had been an incredibly long day, although
the Vachon torture had been fun.  Chocolate ice cream was just the thing
she needed to relax before going to bed.

The lobby was remarkably devoid of people.  All she could see at the
reception desk was an incredible arrangement of yellow Post-It notes.  "I
should go shopping at the nearest office supply store.  Yellow is such a
boring color," Tok said to herself.  "Lots of other choices -- but not
pink!"  Cheered by the thought of browsing through an office supply store,
Tok turned toward the stairs.

"Oh. My. God."

Lacroix had just come in the front door and was striding purposefully
toward the elevator to his penthouse.  Two thoughts occurred to her in
rapid succession:  That couldn't be Vachon-in-Lacroix -- he'd never
willingly return to CERK.  And that without Lacroix's hand to trigger the
palm reader, they'd been unable to return to the penthouse and remove the
Torture Props.  From the expression on the General's face, she didn't think
he'd appreciate their presence in his abode.  And while she didn't *think*
they'd go off again, why risk it?

With speed that would have done credit to a vampire, Tok sped toward the
elevator, meaning to intercept Lacroix.  The dish of chocolate ice cream,
however, had its own agenda.  With a brief thought of "Oh no, not again",
it leapt out of Tok's hand and crashed to the floor.  She slipped in the
mess and skidded across the floor, collapsing in an undignified heap at
Lacroix's feet.

Tok blinked, doing an inadvertent imitation of their recent
guest.  "Sir?  Is that really you?"

"Of course it's me.  I'm not in the mood just now for ice cream inspired
gymnastics Tok, so if you don't mind ..."  Lacroix reached for the elevator
call button.

"You're not Vachon anymore ... um ... I mean ..."  Tok struggled to her
feet, dripping chocolate.

"Is there a point you're trying to make?"

"I, um, need to tell you about what we did to Vachon while you were
switched."

Lacroix stared at her icily.  "It can wait until I've changed clothes, Tok."

"Itinvolvesyourpenthousewekindaboobytrappedit," Tok managed in a single
breath.

Lacroix laid his hand on her chin and forced her to look into his
eyes.  "What did you do?"

Tok gulped, then filled him in on the entertainment they'd provided
Vachon.  "We had to do something.  He insulted you.  And us.  He must have
taken off through a window after sundown, and we haven't been able to get
back up there to undo it.  I'll go get some tools and work on that
immediately."  Tok started toward the storeroom where they'd returned the
equipment bag.

"Tok."

She whirled back around.  "Sir?"

"Two things.  First, find someone to help you.  And second..."

"Yes?"

"Clean yourself up.  I do not want chocolate ice cream stains in the
penthouse."

"Yes sir, right away sir."  Tok sped away to comply, leaving a trail of
drips in her wake.

Lacroix smiled to himself at the thought of what Vachon had endured.  His
Cousins had done well.




Cousin Tok
and the Cousinly kitties
tokaara@mindspring.com / AIM Tokaara / ICQ 46441308