"Tonya, wake up," Techno commanded.

 

 "Why?"

 

 "I need you to carry something."

 

 Her bleary eyes opened and he noted they were crossed for a second before focusing on him.  "Like what?"

 

 "There's a sale at Office Max in Wichita.  I need some things."

 

 She glared at him sleepily.  "Why can't Sally do it?" she whined.

 

 "She has class at 7:30."

 

 "What about Zarbon?" she grumbled sitting up to rub her eyes.

 

 "He's on monitor duty while I'm gone," Techno answered.  "Come on and get dressed.  It's 45 degrees outside at the moment."  He tugged lightly on the closest braid.  "You have fifteen minutes."

 

 He turned to leave, a small smile on his face as he heard her grumbling and grunting to herself as she started to get ready.  "What the hell?!" Tonya said quietly.  "Techno!  It's three forty in the freaking morning!" she growled at his retreating back as he slipped out the door.

 

 Ten minutes later, she emerged from her room, ready to go.  She glared at Techno again daring him to comment, and followed him silently out to the garage.  Getting in his car, she immediately laid the seat back, put on her sunglasses, and went to sleep.  He chuckled softly, glad he wouldn't be subjected to either her music or her mouth for the three hours drive.

 

- - - - --

 

Tonya sniffed in her sleep, detecting the distinct scent of fresh gourmet coffee. Opening her eyes, she realized the car was parked and that she had a kink in her tail.  Stretching, she sat up, putting the seat back, and looked at Techno.

 

"We're here," he said handing her a liter of Dr. Pepper.  "Granola bars are in the bag."

 

Tonya took a long drink, savoring the way it burned down her throat.  "How long till it opens?"

 

"Five minutes."

 

"Today's the 24, right?"

 

"Mmmhmm."

 

"My class is canceled then.  So we could hit Tandy's too."

 

Techno just looked at her with an eyebrow raised.

 

"It's a leather/craft shop."

 

"They're unlocking the doors."

 

The staff members opening the doors froze at the site of the couple crossing the parking lot.  For half a moment they wonder if they somehow stumbled into "The Matrix."  Dressed in black trench coats, sunglasses, boots, and walking like they were on a mission, Tonya and Techno looked like they could take down a renegade super computer or at least the blue screen of death.  The staff stepped back as the couple entered, unsure what would happen now.  Techno's black shirt declared "Byte Me," while Tonya's said "You're Just Jealous That The Voices In My Head Only Talk To Me."

 

"What do we need?" Tonya asked glancing at Techno.

 

He was eyeing the staff out of the corner of his eye.  "Guns...Lots of Guns."

 

Tonya blinked then looked at him with a smirk.  "Alright Neo, calm down.."

 

"Okay, Acid Burn."

 

"That's two different movies."

 

"So?" Techno asked then pulled a list from his pocket and handed it to her.

 

"Hn.  Looks like your Christmas wish list."

 

- -- - - - - - -

 

 "Eleven fifteen," Tonya said looking around the store.  "And the store is packed."

 

 "Yes," Techno agreed placing some DRAM chips in the cart.  "Snag that stack of CD's."

 

Tonya picked up the item in question and an older woman in a business suit tried to grab it out of her hands.  Tonya snarled at the woman, clutching it to her chest and her opponent quickly backed off.  Techno smirked at the look on Ms Suit's face as she stared at Tonya for a minute before hurrying off in the opposite direction.  Tonya turned and flashed Techno a triumphant smile.

 

"Are we ready to go yet?" Tonya asked placing her prize in the cart.  "These people are getting too grabby."

 

"I think so," Techno replied consulting his list.

 

They headed for the front of the store and the cash resisters.  Tonya suddenly stepped in front of Techno and pulled him over to look at stationary.  He pretended to look at the highlighter package she handed him, wondering what she had seen.

 

"Guy in the red jacket.  Got a gun tucked in the waistband of his jeans.  Looks really nervous.  What do you think?" she asked pointing at the highlighters.

 

"Can't do anything until he makes his move," Techno said eyeing the subject while pretending to look at Tonya.  "Didn't happen to bring your uniform did you?"

 

"Unfortunately no.  I...Shit."

 

"Give me all the money!"  The man shouted pulling his gun and pointing it at the cashiers.

 

Several people screamed or yelled in fright and dropped to the ground, hiding behind displays and carts.  The cashiers put up their hands, unsure of what to do, then opened their drawers and began to put the cash into plastic sacks.  The gunman kept pointing the gun at people and one of the cashiers hit the silent alarm.  Less then a minute later, sirens filled the air and the gunman froze.

 

Looking around wildly, he lunged at a small girl and her mom, dragging the child away.  "Nobody move or I'll shoot her!"

 

Tonya had been slipping closer ever since the gun had been drawn and now she was less then fifteen feet away.  "Let her go and take me instead."  The gunman pointed his weapon at her.  "I'd make a much better hostage."

 

"What?" the guy asked slowly, his bloodshot eyes narrowing.

 

"Think about it," Tonya said daring a step closer.  "What good is a hostage that young?  She can't drive, she's already crying, and kids are always hungry."  The guy frowned slightly.  "Did I mention my family's rich?  You could probably get an easy ten million ransom."

 

"Get over here," he said pointing the gun at the little girl again.  Tonya quickly walked forward and he released the girl who ran back to her mother.  The scent of alcohol was now extremely strong and Tonya fought the urge to sneeze.  Pointing the gun in her face, he reached for her arm.

 

Without hesitation, Tonya punched him just as the police pulled into the parking lot.  The gun skidded across the floor as the man dropped to the ground bonelessly.  Tonya dusted her hands and turned to rejoin Techno, but froze at the sound of someone cocking the gun.  Rolling her eyes, she turned back to this new threat, pulling her gun from its holster.

 

A young man, presumably the first man's partner, now held the gun.  He pointed the gun at her with both hands, but his eyes were glazed with the haze of alcohol just like his friend.  Tonya frowned, noting the cops watching the whole thing from just outside the door.  She had to end this before this drunken idiot got himself killed.

 

"You feel lucky punk?  Well, do you?" Tonya growled.  "How many of me do you see right now?  Do you think you can shoot the real me before I shoot you?  And what about the cops?  Do you think they'll miss?"  The young man frowned.  "Why don't you drop the gun; it would be the smartest thing to do."

 

He hesitated, then dropped the gun.  The cops ran in and handcuffed the younger man and picked up the older man up off the floor.  Tonya reholstered her gun and stood there quietly while the cops escorted the gunmen outside to the patrol cars.  When the sergeant walked up to her, she wordlessly handed him her driver's license and her gun permit.  He nodded and handed them back to her.

 

"I hope you have cash," Tonya said as Techno walked up behind her.

 

"Hey, this gun isn't even loaded," a rookie exclaimed as she placed the gun into an evidence bag.  "And the safety's on.  It couldn't possibly have fired."

 

Techno looked at Tonya who tried to look innocent.  He paid for the stuff and Tonya carried it out to the car.  They were on the way to Tandy's, when Tonya's stomach growled.

 

"Just in case anyone missed that subtle clue, I'm hungry."

 

"There's a McDonald's on the way at of town."

 

"I have a gun," Tonya retorted.  "Want to play hostage situation?"

 

"I was in a hostage situation once," Techno replied.  "Do you really want to know how I got out of it?"

 

Tonya frowned slightly, then smirked.  "Would you like to have snicker doodles anytime in the next two months?"

 

Techno opened his mouth, then shut it again.  "Damn it."