![]() CHAPTER EIGHTY NINE ![]() Gabriel grinned. "Just look at all this stuff. I didn't have anything even half this fun when I was little." Steelbeak looked at her like she'd gone insane. "Uh, yeah. Right." "Have I mentioned yet what a total Grinch you are?" "Um, I'm in F.O.W.L.. It's my job ta be dis way. An' it's yer job too, so we might as well get dis over wit' 'n' get oudda here!" He replied. Gabriel scoffed, rolling her eyes. "What's your problem with shopping?" "Dat's classified!" He snapped, thrilled to be able to throw that response back in her face. "Come on, we gotta find de electronics. One of everyt'in'." Gabriel shook her head with a grin. "Now that I know our company credit cards have no limits -- " Steelbeak glared at her. "Only fer missions! Though I don' know why I care so much ta keep ya outta trouble wit' finance . . ." He thought he should let her get in over her head. Perhaps she would get reassigned. If the faceless heads were feeling generous. "Nobody ever said fashion wasn't part of a mission!" She giggled. "Look good while doing bad!" "I t'ink dat new wardrobe is taintin' yer brain." Steelbeak paused a moment before rounding the corner of an aisle only to face rows of electronic talking toys and dolls. With an uncertain frown, he picked one of them up. "Huh." "Nauseatingly cute," Gabriel commented with a smile. "See what it does." Rolling his eyes, Steelbeak pulled out the plastic inhibitor tab on the back of the box and the doll immediately started jabbering away. "Hi! I'm Cutie Chrissy! Want to have a tea party?" Gabriel cringed. "Yuck! That thing's so scary, I think I might puke." Meanwhile, Chrissy was still jabbering: "Do you like my pretty pink dress? We'll be best friends!" Steelbeak looked at Gabriel and chucked to himself. "I t'ink it's talkin' to ya. Seein' as how ya both have de same fashion sense!" He ducked a vicious stare from his partner by directing his attention back to the doll. "And to t'ink, 'igh Command seriously wants dese t'ings." Steelbeak sneered, tossing the boxed doll to Gabriel. "Shut it up, willya?" Gabriel laughed. "I'd sure like to but I can't! There's no off switch." ![]() go back | return to table of contents |
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