Taking Care of Business Pt 2

"You've got bear hands, big guy? Heyo!"

Everybody looked at the Yang character sitting in the vehicle that that had just pulled up to the gate. The driver looked embarrassed. "Eh? Eh? Nothing?" Asked the Yang while Walter took the mans information and started checking them in. "Sorry about that." Apologized the driver.

Walt just shook his head and sighed. "Don't be. It's been one of those days. Good one, Yang."

"It wasn't that bad," said Penny followed with a "Hiccup!"

"Aw, thanks! I knew it!" Yang said while the driver said,"Please... don't encourage her. It's been one of those day's for me as well."

Walt buzzed them through. "You too, huh? Hang in there. Yall are all set. Have a nice day!"

Walter turned back to Clover. "I'll call, Charles. I got a suspicion why he avoided calling me." He sighed."The fool. He knows He should have called me first but he's trying to keep me out of little Jimbos shitstorm bad luck cause he thinks I got different but similar version of the same luck. He'll take the help and I'll have 3S teams dispatched immediately as soon as he does."

Walt reached over and took Clovers hand. "And nobody needs to know it came from you, Clover Honey. Don't forget I know a thing or two about being a spook. I can keep a secret." He winked and looked at Penny who nodded her head and also took their hands. "I shall also be the keeper of secrets for you if you like, friend Clover Honey like the sweet food!"

That makes Clover laugh as Penny got the ridiculous joke nickname and nod,"I'd like that and thank you... thank you both for being good friends!" She pulls them in for a hug. "You guys are the best! Ok. I'm feeling better now!"

"You sure?" Asked Walt. "Because I think I got this... I could retire, have a part-time security gig... The hat's not so bad..."

They giggle at him but Clover walks over with the cowboy hat. She switches their hats. "Afraid not cowboy. You can't stop riding to the rescue just yet."

"Well shucks. Guess, it's back to the day job then."

"Genius Billionaire, playboy, philanthropist?", asked Penny.

"Cowboy super soldier/spy?" Asked Clover.

"Alright that's enough," Said Walt. But the girls were on a roll.

"Renowned explorer and famous adventurer?" Asked Clover.

"Rescuer of maidens and damsels in distress?" Added Penny.

"Stop it." Said Walt.

(("Actually ladies if I could get you to sing along to this...")) said Friday as she begins playing a lively and dramatic western theme score through the speakers as words start to play accross the screen. Walt's face fell as the girls eyes lit up and started to sing!

"Riding across the plains, day or night?

When trouble comes a calling he's ready for the fight

When you find yourself in trouble you know what to do

Call out for the hero that always rides to the rescue

Call on Walter! Walter Sta-ah-ark!

The hero who always comes through!

Call on Walter! Walter Sta-ah-ark!

He's the hero for me and yooooou!!!"

Halfway through Walter just stood, grabbed what little remained of his dignity and tipping is hat down over his eyes and bright red face, our hero left the security stand in a valiant full retreat.

• later, inside Rein Corp -

"...And with that the contract and negotiations are complete! We thank you for coming down to do this and Stark Strategic Solutions support of Reintegration Corporation as well as your continued personal support as an investor and member."

"The pleasure was all mine. Stark Strategic Solutions values your continued patronage. You're valued clients and partners in the feild. Personally as an investor and member I recognize the value and benefit of Reintegration Corporation and believe in its mission. The deal is mutually beneficial for both parties and we look forward to your continued business for many years to come. I hope you like the new amendments and training programs that we have designed for you. I think they'll greatly increase your efficiency and safety numbers."

There's much hand shaking that goes on and they even shake Penny's hand. She stays by Walts side as the Rein Corp and 3S people mingle and congratulate each other. She notices that after the initial hand shaking and other things are done Walt makes several subtle glances at the door. She giggles quietly.

(("He really does hate this sort of thing," says Friday in Penny's ears."One would think he'd eventually get used to this sort of thing but he hasn't. It's just not his nature even though he is good at it."))

"It's just a part of what makes him who he is," Pwnny whispered quietly. "I'm glad I can see this side of him too."

(("I'm glad he left the hat on the truck."))

"But it looked so good...maybe not with that suit though. Is that how he usually dresses Friday?" She asked quietly.

(("Walter always dresses for the occasion. Honestly he might have worn a western business auit to this meeting but thanks to the party he's a little overdressed for this meeting. "Wear the right uniform and gear for the operation" he'll say. But yes Penny if he didn't feel he had too he'd wear nothing but jeans, boots and work shirts, that hat and either a vest or jacket depending on the weather. And not the terribly expensive kinds. Work clothes. Rough and ready, simple and honest. I think that's exactly who he is deep down."))

Penny could see that. She closed her eyes and pictured Walter wearing simple outdoors work clothes in her mind and he looked really good. Walter dressed up as a Cowboy. Working around home. Tending animals or cleaning his weapon. Working outside maybe doing mechanical maintenance or moving hay bales or splitting wood, taking his shirt off and wiping the sweat from his body, working a pump and filling a bucket to dump over himself to cool off. His wet clothes clining to his fit and-

"Penny? Penny are you alright?"

She opened her eyes startled to see him looking at her with concern hid handsome face so close. He reached out a hand and gently, felt her brow with those big, strong-

"I'm perfectly fine, Master! I was just lost in thoughts." She said.

Walt looked at her with concern but seeing as she was alright he said, "As long as you're alright." Walt pulled her close and kissed the top of her head."We can leave anytime you want but if you're alright they're offering us the tour" he whispered. "We can escape this damn board room and go where the really interesting stuff happens."

She smiled he was mildly excited to escape, like a child his inner adventurous spirit wanted to see the real facilities and explore and share it with her. Friday was right that's who Walter really was. A man if action.

"Let's take the tour," she said and when he offered her his arm again she took it.

• a bit later -

"... and over here you'll see some of our staff as they begin the process of returning some characters to normal. This particular example is quite interesting," said Lawrence the manager showing them around. "This one was recovered from a trash world during a sweep and was quite the surprise!"

They look through the observation window down into a massively deep room and it's equally large occupant.

"Well," said Walt with a smile. "You sure don't see that every day!"

Penny preered into the glass as the occupant raised itself up, one of it's giant eyes looking back at them blinking. "That's a very, big chicken!"

The man leading them chuckled. "They found a bunch of improperly disposed of Hei Heis and this one radioactive, kaiju sized one. We've already removed the radioactivity, of course but it's taken a bit longer than expected to get an emitter of the appropriate size to return it to normal. We could have used other means, Pym particles for instance which is how we got it in there in the first place, but we decided on a more permanent solution was best. Plus some folks were really excited about getting their hands on a really big emitter. You're lucky to have arrived at exactly the right time."

"BAAAAAWWWEEERRRKKK?!"

"Engage secondary power!" "Secondary Engaged!" "Switch to Secondly from primary!" "Switching Complete!" "Stand by to fire emitter!"

"Friday engage tint sheilding to protect Penny's Eyes," Walt said as he accepted the saftey glasses that were offered to him.

(("Already engaged, Boss."))

"Standing by! Power is at maximum!"

The massive Hei Hei tilted it's head.

"BAAAGGGAAARRRWWWPPP?"

Walt gave it a thumbs-up. "See you on the other side bug guy!"

"Fire the emitter!" "Emitter firing!"

A blinding flash of light fills the space. There's a brief moment where nothing immediately visible happens and then the startled giant chicken starts shrinking. Slowly at first but quickly gaining speed as people are calling out percentages and numbers until the process is completed, the machinery shuts, down and only a normal size chicken is left in the cavernous room. It clucks and flaps shaking itself slightly but it's so far away no one can hear it.

"That's nice work, folks." Says Walt "You should be proud if that one."

"Thank you, Sir."That's nice to hear. "It definitely wasn't easy but it's all in a days work. I'll pass your compliments on to the whole staff."

"And who ever found it."

"I-yes... of course, I will pass that on."

Walt's suspicions were already acting before but the mans response confirmed it. "It was Jimbo, wasn't it?"

"W-we don't have any..."

"James Gardner?" Said Walt raising an eyebrow.

"Uhmm... oh, yes sir it was James."

"Is he around?"

"Who-"

"James. "Jimbo". Gardner. I'd like to see him. Maybe bounce him on his old "uncle" Hoss's knee. And don't go trying to give me Jaimie. I can tell Jimbo from Lil' Jay."

The man sighed. "How much do you know?"

Walt used the oldest trick in the book of spycraft. "You know who I am? How much do you think I know?"

He told Walt everything.

Walt went to work.

Penny smiled and chewed on her pizza watching Walter, his fingers, hands, voice and mind hard at work. She went over to the table and got him a slice from the box with the odd turtle person on it and some water. She set it in front of him and smiled and he smiled back and reached out squeeze her hand for a moment. This was another side of him.

"...That's right. Hold on. Thank you, Penny my dear. Yes, Friday. Thank Leo, Donnie, Ray and Mikey. It was a huge order and they filled it in no time. Huge Tip. Outstanding! No, I commandeered the main break/mess hall so it's the least we could do was buy lunch. If anyone needs to find me I'll be here."

Walt waves to some people he knows.

"No, tell them we don't need to break out any of the "special toys". This is a search, rescue and retrieval of target not the end of times... yet. The standard overkill allotment will be just fine. They need to be on their game though and expect the unexpected. Target is a trouble magnet! The priorty is the extraction of him and all those with him too but if they find him balls deep, they pull him out. And they need to know I mean that literally. Coitus Interruptus. I love the little shit but he's got an M.O. and is probably dipping his wick as we speak."

Walt accepts a file looks it over and hands it back. Shaking his head.

"No only the main teams tagged for this type of operation that aren't presently engaged. Secondary, tertiary and down are to standby until further ordered. No, units and operatives on current assignments are to continue mission, including the ones I issued earlier. That's right. I don't think they're related but assume that they are."

Walt accepts fist bumps passing Spartans.

"They already have PWBI working on that end so no but have ours look into quietly while they're already investigating our little trouble makers. But stay out of PWBIs way and stay off of their radars. Apparently they assigned a Batman so they're at least taking it seriously. They handle their shit, we'll handle ours."

He's about to take a bite of pizza and pauses.

"Really? Put him through but tell him I'm eating. Mmmhmmm. Hey Chuck! Sorry I'm hungry. Yeah. Finally got your attention? It's not overkill, that's their job. Now that they know yall are safe they're going to let your own security handle it and they'll create a perimeter extending your usual. Mmhmm I told you it's not excessive! Excessive would be grabbing you all up and taking you to the ranch. It is not a "super fortress"... ok, you got a point. But it is secure and safe from-what?... no,we had a minor incident earlier. No just some trouble on the road. We are all fine... mmhhmm no, I meant Penny too. Oh. Yeah... Uh."

He smiled at Penny and held her hand she smiled too but gigled as the call got amusing.

" Well let's just say I met someone wonderful and you'll meet her ok and leave it at that... don't make a big deal... No! I'm not done with you Chuck. No, do not put her- Hello, dear... yes... yes, you're right... I told them to watch where they step. They have explicit instructions not to harm any of the flowers. Actually they have trained for exactly that... yes... mmhmmm... well isn't that nice... You're absolutely correct he should have called me first... that's because you're obviously the brains and beauty of the outfit over there... yes... make sure he knows that, dear... no, I-yes. Yes... we will all visit sometime... I'm not just saying that-hold on dear. Someone has to push the big red button. No, not that one. Just taking care of business. Hold on- tell them that's a "go" Friday. Affirmative. Launch now and begin mission. Thank you. Still there? Yes... won't that be nice?... of course. Thank you, dear. See you sometime soon. Chuck? Take this seriously, would you? Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean that someone isn't out to get you. Good. And the others are safe. My operatives are the best. They won't be seen or get in the way but they will be watching and available at a moments notice. Good let them know Uncle Hoss is here for them if they need him. Sasquatch on the mountain... arms held out wide. Right, I'll talk to yall later. Watch your six."

Walt sighs. Takes a moment to finish his slice of pizza. "Mmmhhh... best pizza in town!"

Penny giggles at the blissful look on his face. "You desrve it, Master. You're working hard."

Walt chews thoughtfully and swallows. Looking all around at all the other employees. "They are too so I feel I have too. If I can help and I have the ability to do so, then I should. Plus I couldn't do half as much, without Friday. And I could do little at all without everyone else doing their jobs."

(("That's true, Boss. But you're the one who's hard work makes thise things possible.")) Friday says over the comms but also the speakers and starts to play a little tune. People looking around then stopping to hum along.

"Not once but twice, Friday?! You're really pushing it today!." People start sing along.

All together

"Nobody does it better

Makes me feel sad for the rest

Nobody does it half as good as you

Baby, you're the best"

"I wasn't looking but somehow you found me"- sings out a Luigi.

"I tried to hide from your love light"- sings Derrick

"But like Heaven above me"- Sings a Kermit the Frog

"The spy who loved me"-Sings Penny

"Is keeping all my secrets safe tonight" - sings an C-3PO

Walter is bright red. If Friday wasn't monitoring his conditions a medical team would be dispatched. As everyone sings.

"And nobody does it better

Though sometimes I wish someone could

Nobody does it quite the way you do

Why'd you have to be so good?"

"The way that you hold me"- sings the Halo Spartans

"Whenever you hold me"- Sings Clover

"There's some kind of magic inside you"- Sings Dr. Bashir

"That keeps me from running"- sings Sonic the Hedgehog

"But just keep it coming"-sings a Grimjaw Transformer

"How'd you learn to do the things you do?" - sings some Stormtroopers

Walt runs a hand down over his face but can't keep it in laughing. If you can't beat them, join them. And wrapping one arm around Penny's waist he does as they all sing to each other..

"And nobody does it better

Makes me feel sad for the rest

Nobody does it half as good as you

Baby, baby, darlin', you're the best

Baby, you're the best

Darlin', you're the best

Baby, you're the best

Baby, you're the best

Baby, you're the best

Baby, you're the best."

Everyone laughing, as a tense moment is dispelled at least for awhile, enjoying each others company. Walt smiles looking at everyone else enjoying themselves. "Friday?"

(("Yes, Boss?"))

"Thank you."

(("You're welcome, Walt,"))

• later still-

Continuing the tour the previously tense atmosphere is gone. They get a lot of hand shakes, high-fives and fistbumps as they go. Morale is definitely better.

Penny grins. "Is it always like this when you go places?"

Walt shakes his head also grinning. "Not always..."

"And as you'll see here is the unloading and collections area."

Walter starts going through the logs as trucks are being unloaded into the drop off area. He's kooking for any particular characters that'd be a good dit for 3S positions. Usually he scans the list with glasses on but Penny said she wanted to do that for some reason. He shrugged it was fine. Driday could still point out valuable specimens on off chance Walter misses one. She's better with Penny ao she can tell her who and what she's looking at.

"What the heck... lot 43a from yesterday? Someone had these guys and got rid of them?"

Larry checks. "Yes. She did. It was a unusual to see that many top teir talents in one place. I thought that might have caught your eye. They weren't too worse for wear for wear. She had them sexslaved though and submissive. Apparently she's no longer into "dangerous" types and replacing them with "twinks". To each their own."

Walt shook his head. "Well if you can get Snake, Sam, Agent 47 and Craig-Bond back into shape and they aren't already spoken for and they want to go back to work 3S will take them. Same for the ninjas from lot 121p from 3 days ago and I'm seeing here and this Geordi LaForge, Data, Dianna Troy and Dr Crusher from lot 13b. From Thursday."

"Hmmm it looks like someone's already marked all the Naruto ninjas as claimed or reserved but I'm surprised none of the others are. Someone tagged the Dianna when she first came in as interested but nothing furter. Let me see if they're still interested."

"That's fine." Walt said watching someone unload a truck. The two were havig a conversation.

"What do we got here?"

"Oh brother, it's quite a mixed load. First we got several a of the MLP Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack."

"Anthropomorphic?"

"Nope and they've been modified too. The Kiddos would play with them during the day and the parents at night and they all played rough."

"Say no more."

Walt watched as the Mane six were unloaded into the pen. They did look rough. Their coats were awful. Bit, scratched and tore up. They weren't a good weight probably from malnutrion but also stress. He had no particular fondness for the characters but as a horseman himself he was sad to see them like that. The girls were scared. He reached into his pocket walking over. "May I?"

"Oh hello sir! I remember you from the training seminar. I didn't recognize you with out the hat. Please if you think you can."

"Penny could you-

"I'll go get your hat!"

"Thank you Penny. My lariat too but I don't think that'll necessary. Easy girls." He got down to their level. "Whoa. It's alright I won't hurt you. Can you talk?" Walt vaguely remembered they usually could.

"They put voice inhibitors on them after they got tired of hearing them cry."

Walt nodded he just looked at them slowly drawing his hand out of his pocket. "I'd rather give you girls something better but this is all I got for now." He unwrapped the sugarcube held it flat in the palm of his hand. "When they're scared like this but you have your capture in a safe environment you do what?' Walt Asked.

The handler realized he was being pop quizzed. "Go slowly there's no need to spook a capture that's already afraid and in a secure location. Getting them in safely and securely is the job. If it takes extra time that's fine."

Walt nodded handing them two sugar cubes. "Good man. Gold star for you. Eat that for me so they can see it ain't poisonous. They didn't mod their minds?"

"Correct sir" the three of them each ate a cube while Walt waited to see who'd be first. It was Pinky. She slowly made her way forward reaching for the treat before accepting it. She happily chewed the cube as Walt touched her gently. Pinkie was crying but she accepted. "Nobody here wants to hurt you. We can help. We're going to try to make it better."

Penny returned with the hat and lariat. She handed Walt the hat.

"Penny I don't think I'll need the lariat so you just hold onto it for now." She nodded.

Seeing the hat and the way he treated Pinkie, A. J. went next and same thing Walt gently touched her talked to her soothingly as she ate the sugar cube. Then she looked back at her friends as if telling them it was safe and slowly bit by bit they all came forwards.

Walt almost wanted to buy them for home just so he could care for them in the big barn. "I can't promise you girls anything. You could have great new owners or just as bad if not worse. But these folks here they'll make you well, get your voices back to you and try to either find you a home or even send you home. Yall are popular characters so I'm sure they'll find you someone. But I can't promise what that'd be. But rough or not you're coming in. But I think you ladies have seen enough rough treatment. What do you say about coming along peaceable like?"

They're all calm now. AJ nuzzled Walts hand. "I'd like to little one. I got a big ole spread I think you'd enjoy but I ain't sure it's a good fit. Oh, you'd be well taken care of but it's got so empty it'd break a heart. There'd be no children to play with yall and take you for long rides, a feeding and loving on you like ya deserve. Like I want for you to have. You understand?"

They all nodded. "Alright why don't you go on and be brave follow this nice person here and they'll take you to get fixed up and get your voices back" He hugged them. "Go on now and good luck to you, little ladies."

The girls are docile and followed the other assistant to go see the doctor. They kept looking back though.

"Friday. What are their odds?"

(("Not the best, Sir. They are popular for many reasons."))

"Damn."

He heard weeping and saw Penny crying. "I'm sorry Penny. I tried to warn you. Here take my-"

Penny shakes her head. Walt realizes most everybody's crying. "What's the matter gang you see that kind of stuff and worse all the time."

"Oh, Master!"

Walt didn't get it.

(("You're standing there looking ridiculous with that hat and suit and crying, Walter. That's why they're crying."))

Walt touched his face. "Oh... i hadn't noticed..."

He watched where the ponies went. "Buy them and have 3S find them a place. See if there's one of the parks got stables or something, riding program for kids maybe. If not make one. But keep them together even if that means I gotta take them in and if we get that Dianna-" he looked over to see Larry nodding."Tell councilor Troy I got her first group session."

(("Yes Sir. Shall I mark you down as well?"))

"Maybe someday but for now my demons and I got work to do."

Penny ran over and hugged Walt and the two employees shook his hand. "Thank you for the assist."

"No thank you. It was a pleasure."

Penny smiled. "How you did that was really something special!"

Walt nodded. "I've always had the 'gift' as my grandfather used to like to call it. He had it too. Talk with animals. Understand their thinking and their ways. Hear their words. That was easy, they were robbed of their speech not their minds. They knew what I was saying I just needed them to believe it. Larry, i know it's not the standard-"

"Ive already marked them. They're 3Ss. "

"You're a good man. Larry." Well lets see what else you got in here. There was a crate of Himbo smurfs and one very tired bimbofied smurfette for an owner that liked to like to watch gangbangs. He'd come into some money and could now afford a bigger place and characters, somebody bought a 21 and 24 of the Mighy Monarchs Henchmen and decided to return them (too chatty).

"And then there was a double pick-up from "that guy"."

"Oh, geez not him again."

"Problem customer?" Walt asked.

"Just this joker who orders and returns characters almost immediately claiming they "aren't what he wanted". Guy's giving RealDreams and by extension us problems."The guy shakes his head."I think last time it was "cow girls" and he claims he wanted "cowgirls" but then he gets those and they aren't what he wanted either."

"That does sound like a pain," Walt agreed. "They should nip that in the bud. He's trying to work the system somehow if he's doing repearedly. What was it this time?"

"He wanted "Cat girls" and ordered some faunus from RWBY and then mods for some others but when he got them he claimed they weren't "cat-like" enough." Walt had that sinking feeling in his gut that the universe was out to make trouble again as they unloaded five RWBY characters. A Blake Belladonna, Kali Belladonna, Sienna Khan and a Pyrrha Nikos and Neopolitan both who had been given "cat ears". All had been fitted with kinky kitty costumes and cats paw boots and gloves attached to their hands and feet with locks as well as tails that looked remarkably like one he'd seen the night before on Blake at the SHH. Walt felt his gut give him that warning but there was no way.

"Guy paid extra top dollar for the same instance too..."

Walt looked at theckadies who were starting around but eventualy their eyes were drawn to one point. Walt knew without looking. "P-penny?" Said the Pyrrha. "You look so different but that is you?!" The Neo glared at Penny but Blakes reaction confirmed it as standing there in the kinky lingere with a plug up her ass she had a tear roll down her eye seeing her thought to be dead friend.

Penny was shocked to see so many of them together. Even the former leader of the White Fang who she'd seen bit never met... they were definitely from 'her' world. She gripped tightly to Walter's sleeve "Walt?..." He knew as soon as he heard the tremor in her voice.

"Larry" said Walt. "Make another list and add them to it. They're coming home with us."

"You're personally taking them?! Walter you never do that."

Penny looked up at Walt smiling with tears in her eyes smiling. "I want to confirm ther idents and instances first but yes. If they're who we think they are and that's what she wants we're taking them."

"Thank you, Walter!!!"

"Oh my!" Said Kali, while Sienna snarled, "Who gives you the right, Human, to make so bold a claim?"

Blake and Pyrrha both step forward(while Neo sticks her tongue out at them causing Walt to chuckle a bit and they both smirk at each other)"and who are you and what have you done to Penny?"

Well in for a Penny in for a pound, they say. Might as well go all the way! Walt draws him self up standing tall his right hand at his hip, Penny latched on his elbow beaming. "My names Walter Stark!" Still smirking cockily he points his left index finger up to tilt his hat rakishly, drawing a silent, appreciative whistle from Neo. He lowers his finger to point at them "and as of now I'm you're owner!"

Penny laughs happily, "And he's my beloved Master!" And she get up on her toes to just barely kiss his jaw.

(("I'm glad we've got a big porch. That's a lot of catgirls, Boss"))

Walt is too. He hadn't thought of that.

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y. Blake Belladonna Pyrrha Nikos Neopolitan Kali Belladonna and Sienna Khan

will return in

In For A Penny In For A Pound

Coming soon]