The ATF Olympics Chapter 2
A/N Thanks so much for all the positive feedback. I'm loving the Olympics and it's wonderful to see not only our own athletes doing so well but everyone else as well.
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The forms had been filled out, liability waivers signed and Evie had spent two days going around the building thanking everybody personally for their participation though in private she had voiced her concerns about the high diving which had attracted a surprising five applicants. It would have been six but Harrison from team two had pulled out when somebody had corrected his error – ten metres were not the same as ten feet. She had made Orrin promise to keep a special eye on Ezra. Orrin had readily agreed; he knew better than to question the motherly feelings she seemed to have developed for the southern pain in the ass. He'd only done it once and had found out just how uncomfortable his sofa was.
Chris looked at the required equipment list and frowned. All specialist tools of the chosen sports were to be provided but the small things, clothes and such were left to the personal preference of the competitors. He already had his boxing gear and what wasn't up to code would be provided but he'd need to get fitter so he'd need running shoes and sweats. And… hell, he wasn't going alone to shop for THEM, there was bound to be a young slip of a girl serving. Of course it would be even worse to send Buck… the girl could be traumatised for life. And as for THAT!... he figured he now knew what Vin and Ez were laughing about. Well he wasn't going to suffer alone. He made the required appointment and then went to gather his fellow victims. They were the Magnificent Seven. They could do this.
He was doomed.
Ezra, meanwhile, found that people were still giving him strange looks. Josiah kept randomly patting him on the shoulder and he was pretty sure that Nathan would need therapy by the time this was over. At the moment he was hunting down Vin armed with nothing but a diet sheet and a determination that would put a real Olympian to shame. Ezra wondered if he should tell the medic that the vegetable hating Texan had left the building to meet the Taekwondo trainer… Nope. Whatever it took to keep his own person safe from yet another safety lecture.
Nathan was frustrated. Those who needed little advice were more than willing to listen while those who really needed help were avoiding him like the plague. It was at times like this that he was glad he wasn't an actual doctor. An old physician had once told him that 'It would be a great job if it wasn't for the patients' Nathan hadn't understood at the time… he did now.
"Hey Jackson! Can you come upstairs and give Team 4 a hand… MacDonald's taking archery and he's been drinking carrot juice to improve his eyesight… I think he's turning orange, is that normal?"
Nathan sighed. It had been like this all day. From sprains and strains to chlorine turning hair green and now carotene poisoning. "I'll be right there Sorbo" he called as Agent Sorbo waved and dashed back to his own team… they'd set up a wrestling mat in the bullpen. It would be fine as long as they remembered to avoid that central concrete post.
Nathan hoped that Vin didn't see MacDonald too soon. He'd never get any vegetables down his ornery throat if the Texan saw what they could do to a man.
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Mr Larabee, I really don't see why we should be performing this particular act together. It is hardly a dangerous operation." Of course Ezra knew exactly why their supposedly fearless leader did not wish to enter the lions den alone. They all did. In fact going by the hangdog expression on their sharpshooters face he was of the same frame of mind.
"Hello Darlin' We're here to get geared up for some competitive swimming and diving and you look like someone who could help us find what we need."
The store assistant who couldn't have been a day under fifty under all her botox and false additions immediately responded to the Wilmington charm with a flutter of eyelashes and a hungry gleam in her eye. Chris suspected that a young salesgirl might have been the lesser of the two evils after all and even Buck was slightly taken aback. Chris glared at his three youngest as they began to back away nervously towards the door and freedom.
"Stay!" he growled in a whisper.
"Woof!" replied Vin to sniggers from Ezra and JD.
"It's okay Darlene I'll take care of these gentlemen."
A flash of disappointment shone in the cougar's eyes but she knew better than to argue with her manager… especially after that unfortunate incident with the delivery man last month.
"Sorry about that guys. Darlene is a great asset to the store but she can be a little, shall we say, enthusiastic."
"Enthusiastic like a school of piranha" Vin whispered to Ezra as they backed up their leader… from about two steps behind him.
"My name is Lucy Cavendish, I manage Denver Multisport. How can I help you? You wouldn't be part of the ATF fundraiser by any chance?"
"Yes ma'am" Now that the danger was over Chris had handed proceedings back to their most social animal and Buck stepped forward eagerly. Lucy was much more his type.
Unlike her employee Lucy was no man eater. She had to admit to herself that the overly eager cowboy had a certain something but she knew better than to give him any hope. Not while she was working anyway.
Lucy soon had them following her like little lambs as she explained and displayed the appropriate gear for the right sport. Everything went smoothly with track gear, protective equipment and other accessories going in their baskets with no hassle. Lucy reminded herself to make a donation after this was over. This was the best business she had done in months and this wasn't the first batch of agents she'd had in over the past couple of days. She had learned not to laugh out loud at the looks of horror and embarrassment at the skimpiness of some of the items. But it was adorable and inevitable once they hit the swimwear section. If the sweet, long haired Texan went any redder he would clash with the garment he was holding. The man dressed all in black was holding a similar pair by finger and thumb… at least they were what seemed to be his favourite color.
"What about this?" She turned to see the youngest holding a far more substantial suit. "I've seen Olympic swimmers wearing these" he added hopefully. He couldn't wear those teeny weeny things that Ezra was examining with a complete lack of embarrassment.
"They are the most modern, specially designed for speed but I wouldn't think that you would want to make such an investment for a single event." Lucy winced as the young man paled on checking the price.
Chris held up a pair of what looked like acceptable thigh length shorts in some kind of lycra. Not as baggy as he'd like but not, what had Buck called them? Oh yeah, not budgie smugglers either. Sometimes he wondered just where his friend got his vocabulary from.
"We'll take these, in black. We're a team, we need a team color" he instructed as mouths opened to protest. Only Ezra failed to stop.
"Ah don't remember it being in mah contract that you get to choose mah personal clothing Mr larabee."
"You rather Buck do it?"
Ezra looked over to where Chris was pointing. The pair of speedos in lime green with a dolphin in a quite strategic place was truly a ghastly sight.
"Point taken Mr Larabee. Black is a very sophisticated color."
"So can we go back to the office now" JD pleaded. How was he ever going to let Casey see him in those… Oh God, Nettie would see him!
"Not yet JD, we have one more stop to make." Chris led them back to their cars after practically dragging Buck out of the shop but not before the lothario had slipped his card into Lucy's pocket… or before Darlene had slipped her phone number into his.
"So where are we going?" JD's enthusiasm had quickly returned. The clothing had been secured in the trunk of the Jag and as far as he was concerned it was out of sight out of mind.
His enthusiasm didn't last long.
"No! No way… Everywhere? Aw come on guys, it's just a bit of fun, it's not as though we're booked into the Olympic village. This body is a work of art, the ladies love my masculine physique…"
"Suck it up Buck, it's hardly our fault that you're hairier than a grizzly." Chris had to admit that he wasn't looking forward to the 'deluxe men's active wax' either but anything that gave them an edge in competition would be done no matter how humiliating. It didn't stop him glaring at Vin and Ezra, neither of whom were particularly hirsute… in fact the warm welcome their undercover agent had received from the receptionist had told him more than he needed to know about the southerners off duty activities. Still, the familiarity with the staff and system had helped them steer their way through the services on offer. While Buck was familiar with places that offered massages it was hardly the same thing… thank God.
For once JD supported his roomie totally. He may be the youngest but he was hardly the smoothest. He had to admit that he'd often wondered how he'd look all smooth and stuff… Casey seemed to like hairless pop stars and actors. But it hurt. Oh well, anything for the team and for Casey.
"Aaarggghhhh"
The cries had been going on for some time. Vin and Ezra, having gone first being that they needed least attention, sat in the comfortable spa area drinking the iced tea and snacking on the nibbles provided – Ezra neglected to inform his vegetable phobic partner that the 'exotic chips' he was enjoying were made of parsnip and beetroot - and enjoyed the sounds of suffering around them. Ezra suddenly held up a hand to still their conversation. He listened for a moment and then smiled.
"Ah think JD just managed to hit a perfect high 'c'." They grinned at each other and then continued their discussion of the rules of archery. This was compensation for all the suffering they knew the rest of the team was going to put them through.
"That's gonna be covered pretty lady, you don't need to…."
"Now ma'am, I don't think my girlfriend would like…eep!"
"I have a gun!"
Ezra nearly choked on his carrot stick as he and Vin collapsed in gales of laughter. This was truly worth it.
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Next day dawned with ATF agents heading out all over the city and beyond to take advantage of the free tuition offered by the willing volunteer sports coaches, their senior charges and teachers. Most of the teachers would never again berate their pupils difficult behaviour …ever, not after dealing with overly confident, under confident and mostly just plain terrified federal agents.
For some reason hurdles proved particularly troublesome which was strange for men who were used to leaping over all manner of obstacles in pursuit of various felons. The hurdles were only three foot high and the 200m distance was only half the normal 400m Olympic distance. JD had, however, surprised himself with what his coach had deemed a natural knack. No, JD's problems didn't lie on the track they were in the shape of the coach… the very nice shape of his coach. Which was accompanied by an equally nice face. Having Casey along for support didn't seem like quite such a good idea now. Personally he didn't see the problem. He loved Casey and even if he had been tempted, which he wasn't, Lisa was very happily married with two cute kids. He really didn't get just why his girlfriend was so jealous. Heck he didn't get women at all.
"Now just hold still or do you want me to poke your eye out?" Nathan gripped Vin's chin harder as the restless Texan fidgeted in his seat.
"It's nothing Nate, jest a scratch."
"And if I treat it now it'll stay nothing. I knew this whole thing was a bad idea from the start… damn competition hasn't even begun yet."
Vin sighed. There was no stopping Nathan in mother hen mode.
"And I might have known that you would be one of the most troublesome."
"Hey!" He couldn't let that go, even if it probably was true. "Taekwondo is a precise art, can't help it if'n my sparring partner has lousy judgement."
Nathan stopped in mid cleaning of the small cut above the agent's eye. "I thought you were sparring with the official coach?"
Vin grinned. "I was. Figure the gold's mine already! Can ya hurry up, only I'm due to meet Ez for archery practice soon"
Nathan sighed again and continued his work. He was thinking of asking to be paid per sigh, he'd be able to retire before this was over.
Buck looked over at JD trying to placate his girlfriend as he practiced his own track events. He knew better than to interfere in a man's romantic troubles, especially when she had back up in the shape of Nettie Wells. No, definitely not. He returned his attention to his discus. He had the distance, now if only he could get the damn thing to go in the right direction.
"Sorry!"
Finch from Team 1 glared at him. Team 7 were lethal enough in the office how could anyone let them loose with blunt instruments? He gulped as he spied the stand of javelins. Shoot! None of them would get out of this alive.
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The next day saw a lot less rushing and dashing about and a lot more careful movement accompanied by a rather all pervasive odor of muscle rub. Even Josiah kept stretching and popping his shoulder joints. Chris, meanwhile was far from his normal cool headed self.
"Well where the hell are they? Because I'm not going through all that again!"
"Last I saw they were in Ez's Jag" offered Vin helpfully.
"I knew it! That weasel would do anything to get out of this. I should have known he caved in too easily. Where is he?"
Vin scowled at the accusation. Chris and him might be like brothers but so was Ez and on top of that Ez was his partner. You didn't talk like that about a man's partner.
"He's probably resting after all that arrow shooting. Must be hard work" Buck mimed pulling on an arrow string and made a swooshing sound. He closed his good eye in mock aim at the sharpshooter. He'd told them that the other eye had been blackened in a wrestling move. No need to know that Finch had thwacked him. Didn't see what all the fuss had been about, the javelin had missed hadn't it?! Wasn't looking forward to telling Chris that he'd been banned from the field and would have to rely on his other events. Chris had spent hours making charts and had the whole thing predicted… he could be a tad anal about sports. Best to redirect his obsession and Ez always made a good target, bless his contrary southern heart!
"Ain't that easy Buck" Vin defended his friend. He'd been pretty impressed with Ezra's skills. Probably not a gold contender but it had been good to have support. "Ez said he had an errand to run. He'll be here soon and you can aske him."
"Ask him what?"
"Speak of the devil" Chris growled in a voice like ice which seemed to do nothing to intimidate the southerner.
His team backed away slowly. They may be reckless but they weren't stupid.
Ezra sauntered into the bullpen carrying a Starbucks in one hand and a plain plastic bag in the other.
"Why I don't believe I've even mentioned your name this morning Mr Larabee." Ezra threw the insult straight back but in a much more pleasant tone of voice.
"The swimwear Ezra. It's missing and we're due at the pool now!"
"Hardly now I think. We have at least an hour. And here" he passed over the bag "You're welcome."
Chris's expression changed from angry to puzzled as he automatically took the bag from the elegantly manicured hand. The others crowded round now that they were pretty sure that violence had been averted. Perhaps their leader had worked out most of his frustrations in the boxing ring earlier in the morning.
"Aw Ez, I'm sor…"
Ezra waved him off. "No need Mr Larabee. I should have explained my intentions. I just thought it might add a nice touch." The last was added almost shyly.
Chris nodded as he pulled several garments out of the bag. Each of the plain black items had been professionally embroidered with a design obviously created by Ezra himself. The stylized shield in gold surrounding the number 7 in blue was simple yet said it all. They were a team. "Very nice Ez. Now they'll all know who whooped their asses."
Ezra blushed at the praise and smiled the genuine smile that they had nicknamed his little boy smile, the one that was so rare.
As the others patted his shoulder and offered their own praise Vin whispered in his ear. He raised an eyebrow and looked over at Buck in contemplation. So the cowboy had tried to use him as a distraction had he? As unofficial arranger of bets and pools within the agency it was part of his job to know everything that was going on… everything.
"Ah am ready to adjourn to the pool if you gentlemen are" Ezra brought the praise to an end and Chris understood that such things embarrassed the reticent man. He gathered the swimwear back into the bag and made a heading out gesture. Just before they left the office the southern tones once more broke into the chatter.
"Oh Buck, so sad to hear of your disqualification from the field events. Quite an achievement to be kicked out before the competition even begins I must say."
"BUCK!"
"Aw hell" Buck knew he shouldn't have tried to use Ezra as a shield.
Perhaps the boxing hadn't done so much good after all.
TBC
A/N Hope you enjoyed. Next chapter sees our guys in the pool and Ez has a few surprises in store.