Stage another mugging (continued)

"Shhhh," you whisper, "It's alright, just breathe, you're so tired, just relax and breathe." She looks up at you but her eyes are so unfocused you're not sure she could recognize you even if you weren't wearing a mask. You watch as the tension melts off her face and feel her body relax under you.

You hear Carla clamber to her feet behind you. "Fuck, I think the bitch cracked a rib," she mumbles, and you twist your head around to give her a 'Shush' face. She rolls her eyes but nods her head and leans against the wall for support.

You turn your attention back to the heroine underneath you, whose breathing is getting slower and deeper. Her eyes are heavily-lidded and sleepy as the chloroform does its work. A minute passes, then two, before her eyes roll back and her head falls to one side, and what little tension was left in her body escapes in a heavy sigh.

Leaving the cloth in place, you make sure the lasso is tied firmly around her wrists, then roll off her. Carla gives you a thumbs up as you climb to your knees and take a deep breath, marveling at the beautiful woman sleeping in front of you and the fact that this absurd idea actually worked! Then you slide your arms underneath the sleeping heroine and pick her up as you regain your feet.

Carla picks up your discarded gun and walks past you towards the mouth of the alley. You take a moment to admire the sleeping angel in your arms, then follow Carla out of the alley to the van parked there. Carla opens the side door and you climb in, depositing the Amazon Princess inside. It only takes you a few moments to hogtie her, securing her to brackets on the van's floor, the chloroform cloth tied over to her face.

As you climb from the van, Carla holds out the keys, but as you reach for them she pulls her hand back. "Swear it," she says in a level, no-bullshit tone. You look at her standing there: tall but not Amazon-tall, pretty but not Wonder Woman hot, fit but not Amazon-jacked. Her blonde hair falls straight to her shoulders. Black leather jacket over a crop top and tight jeans, looking like she just came from clubbing. You can tell she's favoring her right side slightly, but she stands firm and confident.

You reach back inside the van to where the Lasso of Truth lies next to its sleeping owner. You uncoil the always-long-enough yellow rope until you have enough to loop around your chest, and turn back towards your friend.

"I swear Wonder Woman invited me to capture and tie her up because the lady has a bondage fetish. This is a kink thing, for both of us, not an actual kidnapping."

Carla looks you in the eye, trusting her judgement as much as the lasso, then gives a satisfied nod. But before you can remove the lasso see says, "Did you fuck Jackson's sister at Jules' party?"

"Yes I did goddammit Carla!" you yank the lasso off over your head.

She laughs easily, "I knew it, you fucking dog. Consider that repayment for my cracked rib, dick head," but her tone makes it a term of endearment as she tosses you the keys to the van. "So, we good?"

"Yeah, we're square," you chuckle. "Favor repaid in full, and then some."

You go in for the hug, but she takes a step back with a flinch. "Dude, my ribs are sore enough, thanks very much." She holds out her fist instead and you bump it. Then she turns and walks away.

"Seriously Carls, thanks," you say to her retreating back.

She flips you off over her shoulder without looking back or breaking her stride until she turns the corner out of sight. Turning back to the van, you make sure your passenger is still out, then fire up the engine and drive off into the night.