AN: I keep forgetting this for some reason, but just to let you know, there will be no AJ/ Seven pairings. If you have a problem with this, I will not be offended if you stop reading.

I have yet to see a story where the female OC is gay. Just so you know.

In any case, the gay issue will come up periodically, but not just in this story, either. There are others planned, but we'll see how far down the road we get.

In a (maybe) unrelated issue, does it count as a crossover if only a few characters - or one - appear?

"Um, Agent Larabee?"

Chris looked up to see AJ in the door. "Question?"

"I was wondering if I could get donuts next."

Chris hid a smile as green eyes took in the determined look.

JD had brought the breakfast today and he'd also gotten something for AJ. Chris, having been there when JD presented her with a blueberry muffin, could see the mounting tension in her small - five foot three - frame.

He knew it had to be a matter of time before she asked to be included in the rotation. Since she was also a member of the team - however temporarily she was with them -, Buck had also tossed the suggestion out earlier that morning. Chris had no problem with it, considering the fact that she kept asking Josiah to lunch over his earlier contribution and now JD had bought breakfast.

Idly wondering what she would do if he didn't let her do it, Chris shrugged. "Ask Vin. His turn and all."

"Yes, sir," she nodded, turning right back around. Chris followed as she stalked to Vin and Ezra's shared desk. "Agent Tanner?"

Vin glanced over at Chris, who tilted his head, before smiling up at AJ. "Somethin' I can do for you, Darlin'?"

Evidently, 'Darlin' had become the team's nickname for her.

"Agent Larabee told me to talk to you about your turn to bring in breakfast."

Vin also agreed with Buck that maybe she should have a turn, even if she wasn't long term. To Vin's way of thinking, if she was working with them, then she was a member of the team. If she was a member of the team, then she would be expected to act like one. Bringing in donuts for everyone was just something the team did. "What 'bout it?"

"Can I do it? I mean, if it's alright with you."

"I don't have a problem with it," Vin shook his head thoughtfully. "Chris? What about you?"

"Nope," the blond smiled slightly.

Vin nodded before turning to his desk-mate. "Ez? You alright with AJ buying donuts?"

"Whatever Ms. Johnson sees fit to bring in, I shall gladly partake."

"As long as you can see us eating it," Nathan piped up. "Sure. No problems here."

"I agree," Josiah nodded. "I was actually about to suggest it, seeing as it looks to be making you uncomfortable if someone else gives you anything."

"I just don't like owing someone," she ruefully ducked her head.

"That's understandable," Chris put in. "I don't much fancy it myself."

JD looked up. "I don't mind having AJ have a turn. I mean, she's technically part of the team, right?"

"That's also a good point," Nathan nodded thoughtfully.

"Buck," JD spotted him leaning against the wall next to the break room door. "What do you think?"

"If she don't mind," he smiled at her reassuringly. "I guess I got nothin' to complain about."

"Guess that settles it," Vin turned to her. "If ya can manage, a dozed oughta be about right."

"Okay," she nodded. "Thanks, Agent Tanner."

"Don't worry about it, Darlin'," he waved it away. "I can buy breakfast for the fellas just as well when you go back to your office down with the Feds."

As much as the team hated it, they tried to curb their dislike for Ezra's former agency around AJ. Since she'd be working with them, they tried to be - somewhat - respectful. And anyway, it wasn't AJ's fault she got dragged into their lives.

Well, this time, anyway.

She could have actually volunteered for a future Swap, eventually, but she'd more than likely only have limited contact with them as she would have been placed with the other secretaries.

And, anyway, it wasn't the secretaries Team Seven had issues with. It was the agents themselves, no matter how good at their jobs they were.

Speaking of secretaries…

"Johnson," Chris spoke up as she turned to leave. "You got the memo about the Auction?"

"Yes, sir," she nodded solemnly. "The Landon twins explained it to me when we were at lunch."

"Good," he nodded.

"That's right," Buck frowned, sipping his coffee. Or 'dishwater', as Vin affectionately called it. "You're gonna be in it, right?"

"Are you actually going to be bidding this time?" Chris raised an eyebrow at him. Usually, his oldest friend would just be looking through the temporary girls in preparation of trying his charms on them.

"Now, why would I do that?" he grinned. "I can still have them do what I want without having to bid for their time."

"But the proceeds are going toward the Y and Battered Women's Shelter," Josiah reminded him. Josiah would go to the Auction. He would sometimes make a bid for someone and occasionally win.

Seeing AJ's pensive look, JD tilted his head thoughtfully. "I guess I could maybe put in an appearance," he mused. "I mean, since AJ's going to be up there and all." He shrugged. "I mean, it's just that I feel like I should be there for support, you know?"

"That's a good point, JD," Nathan nodded. "Rain's working late all next week, so I don't have any other plans."

"Well, he-ck, boys," Buck covered his slip-up, glancing at the sole female. "Let's make it a team effort! We'll all pretty much be there anyway. Ez? Chris? Vin? What say you?"

"For a good cause," Vin smiled crookedly. "Why not."

"I have no outstanding engagements that cannot be rescheduled."

"I'll take that as a 'yes'," Buck shook his head, for the umpteenth time wondering why he couldn't talk like other people.

"Count me in," never let it be said that Chris Larabee didn't support his team.

"Great," Buck clapped his hands together and rubbed them briskly together. "Anybody know where it is this year?"

Ezra was already clicking through the memo in his email inbox. "The Downer Convention Center."

The DCC – as it was usually called – was one of several centers that were available to businesses and agencies headquartered in Denver.

"Sounds good," Nathan nodded. "You know where it is, AJ?"

She slowly shook her head, grey eyes darting from one to the other.

"We can drive you over," Nathan offered. "I can swing by your place after work, if you like."

"It'll be easier if we went straight from the office," Josiah pointed out. "We can bring a change of clothes or something and start getting ready here."

"What about AJ?" JD frowned. The brunette in question looked taken aback as seven pairs of eyes landed on her.

"What about her?" Buck frowned at him.

"Well, she's a girl, right? Shouldn't she want to do something with her hair or something?"

Chris frowned slightly, considering. "Johnson, you gonna need help or something?"

"No…," she bit her lip, glancing down at herself. "I got it."

"If you do," Buck told her, "the girls you been hangin' around with can help. Or one of the Bureau girls."

With that out of the way, Chris looked her over. "You have an outfit for this thing?" he mentally winced. AJ was a female; she had outfits for everything.

"Maybe," she mused. "I can get one if I don't."

"Well, that's taken care of," Buck grinned.

"You want to look your best, don't you?" JD turned to her. "So you can have someone bet on you."

"That's one of the rules, Brother," Josiah sat back in his chair. "All of those up for Auction must be won. To strengthen bonds between the personnel of our agencies."

"I wonder who's gonna get you," JD grinned in excitement. "All of us here are really good men and women. So, you don't have to worry about that."

"Josiah will put in a bid for you," Nathan assured. "Right, Josiah?"

"Certainly," he studied the brunette as she turned to him. "Maybe even win you, if that's alright."

"If no one else bids," she lifted a shoulder. Though, Chris could plainly see some of the tension leech from her at the prospect that someone she knows could potentially win her. Well, not someone she knew well, but someone she was slightly familiar with. Chris frowned, trying to recall if she'd had any other interactions with agents outside of the team.

"Well," Vin leaned back in his chair with an easy smile. "Can't let Preacher go without a fight."

"Are you proposing, Mr. Tanner," Ezra's eyes sparkled, "a war of bidding for Ms. Johnson?"

"You don't have to do that," she immediately shook her head.

"Ah, relax, Darlin'," Buck grinned. "Ez's just pullin' your leg. Right, Ez? And besides. Between him, Junior and Josiah, I'm sure one of them'll get you, no problem."

"Unless someone else gets you," JD pointed out.

AJ pulled one side of her mouth down. "I don't know why someone would. I'm really not that special."

"Everyone is in one way or another," Josiah sagely advised. "Once they get to know you, I'm sure they'll find redeeming qualities."

"Maybe," she didn't sound entirely convinced. As she wandered back outside, Nathan frowned.

"I know it's for a good cause and all, but I'm not sure I like the idea."

"Don't worry, Nate," Buck patted the air in his direction. "I know what you're thinkin', but it's not the same."

"She's still gonna have to do whatever someone wants her to do," JD had to point out.

"But there are limits," Ezra pursed his lips. "And, I believe, Judge Travis monitors the situation."

"Team leaders have to keep an eye on whoever their agents win," Chris told them. "To make sure everything's alright." He'd had to do the same when Josiah introduced him to his own 'purchase'. Though, Josiah could be trusted to keep everything under control.

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Buck frowned. "There ain't a whole lot of agents here that I'm worried about."