Title: Drabbles--ATF
Author: Sue M.
Email: sue.morgan@btinternet.com
Category:
Universe: ATF
Rating/Warnings: Various
Summary: Sue's collection of ATF drabbles posted to DunnesDarlins
Team Seven could hardly contain their laughter.
"I think we have a wardrobe malfunction, this kit's a bit big for you, kid." Chris chuckled.
"Ya think?" JD mumbled from inside an oversized helmet. Buck peered in through the grill.
"Ya in there?" he mocked, tapping on the top.
"Very funny," came the young agent's muffled reply. He extended his arms, displaying a pair of humungous gloves. He tried to walk forward but fell over the huge bulky pads. Chuckling, Nathan and Ezra helped him up. JD's shoulders sank. Vin approached and put his arm around the youth.
"Well, to be fair, kid, Josiah WAS the goalie last year."
JD fell hard as the guy kneed him in the head. He felt strong fingers dig into his shoulder, painfully kneading the muscle until the young agent groaned.
Dizzy, he tried to stand but found he couldn't and prepared himself for the impending fist.
"I think not!" a southern drawl insisted, pushing the attacker back and bringing his knee up to the man's delicate area, watching him curl up, with satisfaction. A final chop to the neck ensured his immobilization.
Ezra bent down next to JD. "Am I right in thinking you need a hand Mister Dunne?"
JD grinned, "Thanks Ez."
"How long does it take to choose a surf board, Vin?" JD sighed.
"It has to be right," came the reply.
JD rolled his eyes, "If you take much longer, our vacation will be over."
Vin laughed and continued searching the shop.
Ezra joined them, "I believe Mister Larabee grows impatient."
Vin grinned, "He can grow a beard for all I care, this takes time." He finally settled on one.
JD nodded and grinned. "Oh yeah, cool. Good choice."
"Like I said, it has to be right, especially if I'm gonna whoop your ass!"
JD huffed, "Yeah right, over my dead…"
"Please do not finish that sentence, JD," Ezra warned, "We tend to find enough trouble on vacation as it is."
"Right," Vin added, "Wet suits."
Ezra sighed, "Oh good, Lord."
Buck tilted his head back from the sink in the kitchen.
"JD! Are you still in bed?"
JD huffed as he hunkered down. He only wanted to steal a few more minutes.
"Be right there!" he called, not moving.
"JD! Move it! Don't make me come in there!"
"ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT! I'm up!" he yelled, pouting and stretching at the same time.
"You'd better be, boy, you make us late again this week and you'll be feeling the business end of my size 13 steel toe-capped boots against your scrawny butt!"
"Luv ya too Buck!" JD thought to himself. "Ah well, another day, another dollar!"
The alley was dark, the warehouse deserted.
"I have a very bad feeling about this" JD whispered, clutching his gun. He looked towards Buck, who nodded his agreement.
"Anything on the headset yet?"
"Nothing" JD replied, "Dead as a doornail! We gonna do this?"
Buck nodded "on three. One, two, THREE!"
They kicked at the door and jumped inside, gun arms extended.
Pitch black.
JD heard Buck yelp to his left then gulped as arms gripped him tightly from behind, pinning him. A husky voice breathed in his ear.
"Can't have this going off, can we?" JD's gun was removed.
The lights came on full.
"SURPRISE!"
JD's body jerked back violently against his captor. He stared open- mouthed at the people in front of him festooned in balloons. Vin was holding Buck to his left, Chris behind himself, both with night vision goggles on their heads.
"Why didn't you tell me?!" Buck whined. Collectively came the reply
"'Coz you'd have told him!"
Buck chuckled, "Ok, fair point!" Grabbing JD from a smirking Chris. "Happy birthday, kid."
JD was speechless "Wow, thanks" He looked at his friends, God he loved these people.
The suspect and volunteers were lined up against the wall, awaiting the witness ID. Weary from the long wait, JD absent-mindedly started ‘drumming’ out a rhythm on the one-way window, whilst humming along to the tune.
"Mr. Dunne," Ezra commented, "Don't tap on the glass, they hate it when you do that!"
JD looked shocked,
"They can hear that?" He gasped, looking back through the glass then back at Ezra. As he did, the suspect threw himself at the glass, banging and howling, catching JD so off guard he flew backwards over three chairs and a table, landing in a heap on the floor.
"Holy crap! What the hell was that?" He grunted, pulling himself up.
Ezra chuckled. "Told you they wouldn't like it!"
"Water, water, everywhere..."
"..And not a drop to drink…Yeah, yeah, Ez, nice quote. Now pick up a mop and help me out here!"
"Mr. Dunne, Didn't I suggest you refrain from joke-telling."
"How 'bout this one, Hey Buck, heard the one about when Ezra jammed the toilet trying to flush your peach cobbler so's you'd think he'd eaten it!"
"Precisely. Can you imagine what it would have done to my insides HAD I eaten it?"
JD glared.
"Fine, but I do this under protest!"
"Hurry up, or we'll be doing it underwater!"
"Maaaarge! When are you gonna quit gambling and buy me more beer?"
"When the sanctified Saints rise from the dead, Homie."
"Guess that means no snuggling tonight, either? I'm losing my animal magnetism!" Homer sobbed. “Boy! Tell Mom to get me a beer!"
"Don't have a cow, man! I'm no messenger boy!"
Homer grabs Bart by the throat. "Why you little...."
"Lisa, Dad wants a beer!"
Bart, quit it! I'm trying to heal my dollies!"
"Aaah I'll track one down fer ya son!"
"Thanks Dad." He turns to Bart. "Glad someone cares!"
"Er you'll have a long wait Dad; he's looking in the dishwasher!"
"Doh!"
"JD! C'mon!"
"Right here, Buck!" Buck started running down a list.
"Keys?"
"Got 'em."
"Cases?"
"Got 'em."
"Tickets?"
"Got 'em."
"Power off?"
"Yup."
Buck smiled. "That's it, Kid. Let's go!"
Taking great care to double-lock the door, the two men scrambled outside to meet the rest of Team Seven. They were greeted by sniggers and grins.
"Er, JD" began Chris chuckling. "You forget something?"
JD rolled his eyes. "No, why?"
They all laughed. "Traveling light?" asked Vin.
"A little warm?" commented Nathan.
"Catching the breeze? Son." Quipped Josiah.
JD looked puzzled, and then looked down.
"Shoot, no trousers!"
Buck, JD and Josiah were running full pelt. They had been staking out the lumber yard for four days now without much success. Finally, in desperation, and to shut JD up, Josiah made the decision to "break in" and look around for the stolen cigarettes. Unfortunately the Doberman on guard took umbrage to their visit.
They were almost at the fence. JD took a flying leap that took him a third of the way up; He clung with one hand, grabbing Buck with the other. Josiah was almost with them when he felt the dogs teeth catch the seat of his pants and tear into soft flesh. Josiah howled, grabbing onto Buck's hand as they cleared the fence, dropping down onto the other side.
Breathing hard the three men looked back at the snarling, foaming dog.
"Boys," said Josiah, "How can you tell if a dog has rabies?"
The plans for a weekend of outdoor cooking and riding were a washout. The electrical storm had hit hard and long. Apart from the deluge of rain, the power was threatening to go off at any time.
Chris' ranch had been plunged into darkness by the storm. Six of the seven men were padding awkwardly around, looking for torches and matches. They ended up in the living room. Vin had managed to light one lantern, casting a dim light and showing six men in the living room with JD just joining them from the bathroom.
JD looked around at the six illuminated faces then at the hand on his shoulder.
"G...guys, if you're in front of me, who's that behind me?!"
JD snaked an arm from underneath his covers to reach his phone. He'd been sick in bed for two days with a `flu bug.
"Yeah? Oh hi Casey. What? I am too, sick, I am!" JD started to pull himself wearily up in the bed. Casey sounded mad and JD had no idea why.
"Casey…wi…will you just…I swear to you, I've been off work for two days. No I haven't been out dancing; I can hardly walk let alone dance!" JD was now shaking with the effort of reasoning with his girlfriend.
"You saw who? When? And just when did Tiffany say she saw me? No way, I was here……with Buck, you say?"
The light dawned.
"Let me get this straight, she didn't SEE us, Buck TOLD her we were out last night so he couldn't meet up with her? Yeah I know I cancelled on you. Casey, can I call you back?" He put down the phone, shaking his head.
"Well, that's another nice mess you've gotten me into pal. BUCK!!"
Two weeks after JD's flu bug he was preparing to pick up Casey for a romantic evening together. Buck was in the kitchen happily munching a grilled cheese sandwich.
"So you two are ok now?" the big man asked. JD nodded.
"Oh yeah, all sorted," he smiled. The doorbell chimed and JD answered it.
"Oh, hi Tiffany, come on in," smirking as he heard the kitchen chair topple and sputtering noises from the same direction. The pair joined Buck in the living room, Tiffany was beaming.
"Well, hello darlin'," Buck choked out, glaring at his room mate.
JD smiled. "Well I'm off; you two have a great time at that new French restaurant. I hear it's REALLY expensive!"
Buck smiled coyly at Tiffany and followed his roommate to the door.
"You did this JD? Well here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!"
JD chuckled leaning into Buck's face, "And the violinist you hired for the evening is expensive too!"
As five of Team Seven sat in their favorite spot in a bar called "The Saloon" they looked up as Buck and JD arrived. They each instantly pulled faces and noticed JD holding his extended jacket sleeve over his mouth and nose.
"Jeeze, Buck what are you wearing?" asked Chris
"It's called 'Animal Magnetism'" Buck offered gleefully.
"Reminds me of manure spreading out on the little holdings in Africa," Josiah said.
"Nah, the abattoir that was just down the road from my house," offered Vin.
"Makes me think of the holding area by the hospital furnaces where they dispose of limbs," Nathan suggested.
"It takes me back to a rather rancid river in Southern France," shuddered Ezra.
"Or my stables if I forget to muck out for a day," stated Chris.
"All I can think of is the elephant house in Boston Zoo," choked JD.
Silence.
Six men burst out laughing. Buck looked indignant.
"I can take a hint!" he sulked and walked off leaving six ATF agents laughing helplessly.
Can you see me now guys?
As a disgruntled Buck stepped outside "The Saloon" he bumped into a young lady.
"Pardon me Ma'am," he apologized, smiling.
The woman inhaled and smiled at him.
"Mmm, I don't know why, but I'm reminded of home," she said, returning his smile
"Really?" Buck asked, "Where's home?"
"My family owns a stud ranch in Kentucky," she looked at him seductively, "I was just going for a bite to eat, care to join me?"
Buck's grin widened and he winked back at his room mate who had just arrived at the door to check on him. He left with the woman draped on his arm.
JD returned to their table.
"Where's Buck?" Chris asked.
JD chuckled, "Oh he's fine, he's just off to evoke some memories of his own!"
JD looked drowsily across at his roommate. He had been sleeping on the sofa for hours, but it felt nice to be out of bed. He noticed Buck was doodling.
"What are you writing?" JD croaked.
Buck grinned widely, "Aw, nothin', how are you feelin'?"
JD snorted, "Like I got crushed by a truck."
Buck's face dropped, "You almost did," he whispered."
Feeling guilty JD asked again, "So what are you writing?"
Buck looked embarrassed, "Just numbers, nothing special."
JD narrowed his eyes, "Numbers? C'mon Buck, what do they mean?"
"You'll laugh,"
"I won't Buck, I swear." Buck leaned in close.
"1-8-4-7, One, for the hour it took for the emergency crews to get through the traffic, eight for the number of people it took ta get you outta there, four for the number of hours you were in surgery, and seven," Buck swallowed, "Seven because, well y'know, it's our Team, in number and personnel, kinda like it to stay that way."
JD swallowed back a sob, "Told you I wouldn't laugh."
As he watched his bruised roommate fighting sleep, the shrill ring of a phone sounded. Buck cursed as he saw JD's eyes pop open.
"Yeah," he huffed into the phone, seeing JD look toward him.
"Everything ok, Buck?"
"Hey, Junior. Yep, all ok. How's my number one oldest friend doin'?"
Vin uttered a breathy laugh and lowered his voice, "Well, he's had about eight naps and four cups o' coffee. He's tryin' to hide it, but he's worried about JD. Is JD able to travel? Figured you could stay here an' we could watch `em both."
Buck chuckled, "Chris's all banged up too, and he's worried about the kid huh. Just us Junior?"
"Naw, reckon there'll be seven."
Buck looked to JD and smiled, "Seven's good."
As Team Seven left the briefing room, JD flopped down in his chair, huffing.
"Something wrong, son?" Josiah asked.
"Ya think?" JD moaned.
"Must you be so cryptic at this hour of the morning, Mister Dunne?" Ezra complained.
"Spit it out, kid." Vin insisted.
JD looked at his friends, his shoulders dropped.
"It's just, well, we just finished one, and now we have Another Stakeout!"
Buck cuffed his head.
"It's what we do, kid. Can't always be guns a blazing."
"I know," JD sighed, "Sorry."
"Well I'm not, Nathan added, "Y'all get to stay in one piece for a while."
"Did I hear you complaining, JD?" Chris asked as he joined them.
"N…no, sir."
"I should hope not, and just to be sure, you're up first!"
JD groaned, "NUTS!"
Smoke billowed, people screamed. Desperate attempts to get off the ground were unsuccessful, so he just lay there.
Bodies everywhere, most still moving, trying to get up too. Why was he there? When did this all go wrong, why was he alone? A familiar figure in the distance, led there, bleeding, unmoving…"Buck!"
"Hey, kid, you ok? You were yelling."
JD looked sleepily up into dark blue eyes, pushing himself onto his elbows.
"Bad dream, sorry."
"No problem, can I help?"
Shaking and sweaty, JD looked at his roommate.
"Ok if we cancel our shopping trip later today?"
"Sure kid, no problem."
"Thanks.
The stakeout was boring. JD looked at Vin.
"I can see seven black cars, three green cars, two brown, four yellow shop canopies, six gray doors…"
Vin sighed, showing his fist. "Can you see five knuckles?"
"Oooh, touchy…five knuckles…"
"JD!"
"I'm bored!"
Tanner flashed blue eyes at him, wide hazel eyes stared back.
"Ok, ok." JD looked in the rear-view mirror.
"Err, Vin…start the engine."
"What? Why?"
"The guy we're watching is coming this way, with one VERY red face!"
They looked at each other.
"SHIT!"
One, two, three, four...the engine refused to turn over. JD glanced nervously between Vin and the advancing red-faced suspect.
"Vin!"
White knuckles gripped the wheel, as Vin cursed blue. The car door flew open and JD's black and silver jacket became a blur as rough hands pulled him out.
Purple flashes colored JD's vision as the 6' 7" goliath smashed the young agent's head against the car roof and as he slipped to the floor, expecting worse, was relieved to see a five-knuckled blow delivered to the attacker's head.
"No-one hits my family, you yellow-bellied turd!" Vin helped JD to his feet.
JD was sure glad Vin was on HIS side.
Chris used four fingers to gently raise the chin of his youngest agent as he sat where he'd dropped again, against their car. His palour was tinged with green and by the look in his eyes was likely seeing three of Chris. Red blood trickled gently down one side of JD's face and a purple bruise was forming on the scalp, barely visible through black hair.
Vin looked no better, nursing five broken fingers and white as a sheet, his brown hair damp with sweat, blue eyes glazed a little.
Larabee shook his head at his two agents. "6 '7"," he tutted, "What were you thinking?"
"That's easy," JD slurred, "What hurts more, that big guy or your gun."
Happy to oblige, Larabee drew his gun, "My turn," he smiled.
Vin was gaining on him.
"GO AWAY!" JD screamed, running faster. His lungs were on fire, as he gulped in air.
"JD stop! Let me help you!" Vin yelled, still gaining. Chasing a friend whose hands were tied and body encased in plastic explosives was not how he'd imagined this day to go.
They were almost at the fountain, JD slipped on loose earth from the flower beds around it. Vin took a flying leap taking them both into the water, coming up spluttering as Vin pulled the explosives away. He held the shaking boy tightly as he heard him whisper,
"Thank you."
Nathan had been engrossed in a book through his lunch hour, his sandwich untouched. JD was intrigued.
"Good book, Nate?"
The medic looked up, nodding "It's Nelson Mandela's autobiography, it's fascinating."
The youth bounced over, "Yeah, I bet it is, he was denied his freedom for longer than I've been on this earth."
Nathan smiled sadly, "Hard to imagine, isn't it? We should never take our rights, our freedom for granted. Too many people have sacrificed too much to be complacent."
JD nodded. "Nathan?"
"Yeah?"
"May I borrow your book when you're finished with it?"
Nathan grinned, "Absolutely."
His lungs ached as he raced through alleys and down side streets. JD prayed Chris had received the message he'd sent, as these ass-holes had his scent and he knew they wouldn't give up.
With hardly a cent in his pockets, he knew a phone booth was out, so he just kept running, and praying.
Rough hands pulled him into a doorway. Scared hazel eyes met sharp green eyes.
"Chris!"
"C'mon kid, this way." Chris winked and they entered the building, crouching low to avoid detection.
JD was exhausted, Chris pulled out his phone.
"Time to call in the cavalry!"
Each man marched to the Mayor and AD Travis at the sound of their names.
"Larabee, Christopher…Wilmington, Bucklin…Sanchez, Josiah…Tanner, Vincent Michael…Jackson, Nathan…Standish, Ezra P…Dunne, John Daniel… These men stand before their peers and the officials here gathered, as recognition and appreciation of their heroism, loyalty and devotion to duty and the good citizens of Denver, Colorado. Gentlemen, we offer our gratitude and applaud you."
As Seven slightly battered, proud Federal Agents stood in dress uniform on the stage of a function room at the Denver Hilton, the people gathered rose to a standing ovation.
Seven men watched in awe from the balcony of the CDC as fireworks lit up the sky and the night air resounded with pops, bangs and shrieks. The barbecue was dying, their beers were getting warm, but they couldn't have been happier.
They were still seven; they had beaten the odds yet again and had kept their promise of last year's 4th July celebrations to be together for this one.
Buck leaned on JD and clinked bottles. "Life is good, huh kid?"
JD stared around, resting on Ezra and his crutches, grateful he was safe. "Yeah, it's good."
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