"On to the game!" NCIS Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo declared loudly, standing up from the picnic table.
Declan Doyle rolled his eyes. Why had he let Emily drag him here, to this picnic slash paintball war thing between the BAU and NCIS teams? He wanted to be alone – at home – begrudging the impending loss of Emily to the London Interpol.
Around him, agents from both teams began standing and getting gear and paintball guns ready. Declan stayed to the sidelines as much as possible, watching the proceedings and hoping that everyone would forget he was there.
After deciding to team up themselves, Hotch and Gibbs tallied who was actually going to play before they went aside and began to discuss which people to pair off into teams. After a few minutes of conversation they came back over to the others.
"Okay, as you know, it'll be Agent Hotchner and me on one team…" Agent Gibbs' proclamation was met with shouts at the perceived unfairness.
Hotch continued, "Agents DiNozzo and Morgan will be a team."
The two men high-fived with wide smiles and then went to claim their artillery amidst a few more groans.
Agent Gibbs decreed, "Agent Prentiss and Abby are going to work together."
Declan saw Abby raise her eyebrows as she took in Emily's "normal person" apparel. Oh, if only she knew. Emily smiled as though she were thinking the same thing.
Hotch added, "Agents McGee and Reid are a team."
The two friends headed to choose their gear as Morgan and Agent DiNozzo tried to hide their laughter at their 'competition".
Gibbs continued, "Agent Jareau will be working with Palmer, since no one else wanted to play."
The Israeli, Agent David, called out, "What about me, Gibbs?"
"You're with Declan." Hotch answered.
Declan froze and looked at the female agent before turning to Hotch. "I said I didn't want to play."
"Prentiss said you did." Hotch answered him. "Now go on and get ready."
"But I don't want to play." The fourteen year old was adamant.
"Sorry, you don't have a choice now. Go."
Declan huffed as Hotch walked away. He looked back over at Agent David. She looked to be having a like-minded conversation with her own boss. Maybe there was hope yet.
Ziva stood in front of Gibbs with her arms crossed over her chest. "He's just a kid, Gibbs! I am not good with kids!"
"Aren't you the one who's mentioned seeing twelve year old soldiers with your own eyes?" Gibbs asked, looking infuriatingly amused.
Ziva felt like stamping her foot. "That is not the same thing!"
"You're right, it's not. This is a friendly game of paintball, nothing more."
"But that doesn't mean I don't want to crush Tony! How do you expect me to do that if he has Agent Morgan and I have to babysit?"
"Look, Ziva, if the kid can shoot; great. If he can't; then just make sure he stays down and doesn't get shot. It's not like you can't cover for yourself and him if it's necessary."
Ziva huffed and looked at the blond boy who was to be her partner. He glared straight back. This was going to be fun.
This should be no more than four , maybe five, chapters long. Please review! Thanks!:)