Title: Changing the Rules
Author: Robinyj
Pairing/Characters: Paul/Topher
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Slash
Spoilers: For the finale, mildly
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters or the dollhouse and profit in no way from my fic.
Word Count: 604


"I refuse to believe this is an actual requirement to working here," Paul commented as he tested the weight of the weapon in his hand.

"Well then you should have read the fine print on your contract," Topher replied as he came out of the wipe room with a gun of his own.

"I did read it, twice, just to make sure I wasn't 'volunteering' for anything I didn't intend to," Ballard said.

Topher shrugged innocently then hefted his gun onto his shoulder and pulled down his goggles, "Well then you should have read the micro-fine print because there is no way you are qualified to protect our precious actives if you can't beat me in a game of laser tag."

"You do realize I'm a trained, FBI agent, right?" Paul mentioned, his tone indicating he thought he was going to kick Topher's ass at this game.

"You do realize I'm a super-genius, right?" Topher replied with a smirk. He hit a final key on his computer console and then reached for the light switch. "Guns activate in thirty seconds!"

Running gleefully he switched off the lights and bolted down the stairs to take cover quickly. He hid behind a pillar and squinted behind him in the dim light to see where Ballard was going to take cover.

Uh oh, thought Topher, he didn't see the FBI agent anywhere. Apparently he was more of a stealth fighter than a shoot-out kind of guy. Topher could deal with that. Dropping onto his stomach he crawled silently across the floor just as his gun and vest beeped to life indicating the game could officially begin. Seconds later he reached the relative safety that could be found kneeling behind the couch next to the fountain. With his back protected by the cushions he swung his gun around in front of him, ready to spot his quarry the second he tried to move across his line of sight. Long seconds passed and there was nothing until Topher heard a brief sound of movement from behind him. Spinning around he peeked his head over the top of the couch, gun ready to destroy his enemy but there was nothing there either.

Hmm, he's good, Topher admitted in his head as he stood a little higher to look around more. No sooner had he moved than a massive weight hit him from behind, flipping him to land sprawled on the couch cushions behind him.

"Tag," Ballard smirked as he stood above the genius triumphantly.

"Laser tag! Laser!" Topher reminded him petulantly holding up his gun as he coughed from the impact of his flight through the air. "No physical contact."

"Oh, so I can't do this?" Paul asked, leering as he jumped over the couch and spread himself over Topher's limp form, rough hands quickly sliding up the blond's shirt to explore the skin underneath.

Topher shuddered, closed his eyes and stuttered a reply, "Well … not technically but …"

He was cut off by Paul's lips crushing his mouth, pushing him deep into the cushions as Ballard's exploring hands started to move lower, out from his shirt and down into his waistband. Topher whimpered.

Paul came up for air and announced, "New rules. All physical contact. Just be lucky I tackled you at the couch and not when you were crawling on your knees."

"Well, I'm sure something can be arranged."