Hey guys, welcome to fic one of the coup d'IaHB. I'm afraid no one can be told what the coup is…you have to see it with your own eyes…so…look for an explosion of writing…and remember to review!! :)
Jamie Waite held the trash at arm's length. It took all of his willpower not to let his gag reflex overcome him. He coughed to get everything under control.
His sister Lea, also elbow deep in trash, hid a smile. "The EMT squad is going to wonder what crawled up you and died."
Jamie made a face. "I'm only dumpster diving for you out of the goodness of my heart," he warned.
Lea grinned wider. "You stink."
Jamie grabbed a half-eaten roll covered in who knows what. She shrieked and ducked, but he still managed to land a hit on her shoulder. The manager of the restaurant stuck his head out the window, and the pair put on innocent faces. Lea had accidentally thrown her retainer away, and the manager was nice enough to let them look for it. And, Jamie thought bitterly, he was nice enough to help Lea look for it.
But Jamie really didn't mind. Though Jamie couldn't stand his perfect older brother, Lea was good company. Jamie shot a look at his watch. "Damn," he said. "I'm late for work."
Lea made a pitiful face. "But if we go now, then we won't find my retainer and I'll have to play $200. We wouldn't want that."
Jamie sighed. "Fine. I'll help you look, and miss the squad. Then I'll go back to juvie, but hey, as long as you don't have to pay."
Lea hugged him. "Thanks Jam." However, as her hands were covered in food goo, her hug didn't have the desired effect.
Just then, another worker stuck his head out the door. "Hey, kids, we found the retainer on a table."
***
Jamie stumbled into the station.
"What reeks?" Hank asked.
"I was helping my sister look for her retainer in a dumpster. That's why I'm late."
Alex looked at Jamie. "Let's make a deal. You don't have to come back for another 30 minutes, so long as you use that time to take a shower."
Jamie grinned. "Agreed."