A New Lease on Life –
When Colby Granger had first come to work in the LA field office, Don had been pretty sure that he wouldn't last long. The FBI, especially Don's team, needed flexible thinkers, not military minds. Also, Colby had been assigned as David's partner and the two of them got along like oil and vinegar, just with more complaining. On top of that, Colby had managed to offend Megan with comments she thought were sexist. Then he'd said some stupid things to Charlie about the value of math. Colby had seemed like nothing more than a meathead ex-jock who was owed favors by somebody important, so he'd gotten dumped on Don.
Now, months later, when Colby was a valued and permanent member of the team, Don was startled to find out that Colby had held a different view of his longevity. It turned out that Colby was already well into a long-term lease on his apartment.
"When did you sign it?"
"The week I got here," Colby admitted.
Don's eyebrows shot up. "You were that sure this job was for you?"
"Well," Colby said with a one-shouldered shrug. "I was pretty determined this was going to work out. There aren't a lot of other jobs for people with my background. Not legal ones, at least."
"True."
"Besides, I'd just come from … well, plenty of boring or ugly places. LA looked like heaven."
"Civilization, sunshine and beaches full of gorgeous women?"
"That and the ocean. If I couldn't make it in the FBI, I could just surf all day."
"I bet I know what it was," Don teased. "You'd already gotten a look at someone in this office that you wanted to ask out." Colby's lack of dates was a common joke around the office.
To Don's astonishment, Colby's cheeks flushed pink.