Masquerade M7 ATF AU
The members of the ATF's Team Seven pulled into the parking lot of the city convention center where the masquerade charity event they were attending was being held. They'd all protested originally, but had eventually been sucked into Assistant Director Travis' 'do me a favor' whirlpool and succumbed to the undertow. JD Dunne and Buck Wilmington had ridden together and the younger agent was grumbling as the duo joined the other five where they waited near their own vehicles. The Judge had stepped outside the building to get a little air before the event started, so he ambled over as well.
"I hate these things! I have no idea what to talk about with the rich and famous." mumbled Dunne with a grimace.
"Infamous, more like." Josiah muttered, but when the Judge sent him a reproving look, the big profiler just gave a toothy smile. However it managed to look more predatory than polite. Travis just sighed.
"I know you boys don't like these affairs, but will you please try to pretend you're enjoying yourselves and make an effort not to offend anyone just to get them to leave you alone?"
All the men dropped their eyes. Even Ezra had been known to deliberately, albeit politely, alienate someone just to get away from their unwelcome company.
When there were no answers forthcoming, the judge speared each man with a direct look. Several subdued "yes, sir" replies followed. Travis ignored the fact that Chris' sounded a bit like 'screw you', deciding to take what he could get.
The men wouldn't go back on their word if they gave it to him, so he was satisfied that they would at least put on a good show. And even surly or distant, the seven usually were a draw at social functions. The fact that the men were all extraordinarily good-looking and well-built made up for their oftentimes imposing demeanors. And the dangerous air that surrounded particularly Chris and Vin was actually an attractant to some.
Having that thought, the older form looked the team over objectively.
The tall ladies' man wore his black tux with a snowy shirt and a dark blue cummerbund and tie that made his cobalt eyes glow and emphasized the wide shoulders and trim waist. The mustache and dark hair were elegantly groomed and the black half mask and gloves he sported gave him a mysterious air that was deeply appealing.
JD was twitching uncomfortably in his new black tux and white shirt. He'd picked a light green cummerbund and tie, and was tugging at his neck. Buck reached over and swatted the kid's hand away. Hazel eyes glared up at him from under the dark bangs that the young agent had yet to slick back. Even though the part of his face that could be seen under a dark green domino looked somewhat doomed, he was sure to attract the interest of some of the younger women at the masquerade.
Nathan and Josiah were standing together as Travis swung his gaze to them. The big profiler looked sharp in his dark tux and white shirt with navy cummerbund and tie. His graying hair was combed neatly back, forming small waves, and his eyes were bright in the holes of the deep blue half mask he wore.
The medic was attractive in his ebony tux and snowy shirt, the garments showcasing the tall, muscular build. The dark green waistcoat and tie he'd chosen looked good with his dark skin and his brown gaze sparkled from inside the soft mask he wore.
Vin was looking almost as uncomfortable as the electronics expert, but he was refraining from tugging at his tie since he didn't want Ezra to swat him like Buck had JD. The longish sandy hair was pulled back neatly and tied with a discreet leather thong. The black jacket emphasized broad shoulders that weren't always noticeable on the slim figure and the dark red cummerbund and tie he wore looked elegant with his dark tan. His blue eyes sparkled attractively from inside the dark mask that covered his upper face. It was easy to see why the men attracted the ladies at these formal functions. They were extremely appealing, even with the hint of danger that clung to them.
Ezra was adjusting his sleeves with fastidious care. The emerald brocade vest and tie brought out the green of his eyes and his chestnut hair was neatly coifed. Expensive Italian leather shoes graced his feet and matching driving gloves covered the talented hands. The black mask emphasized the bone structure of his lower face, and the tailored jacket showcased the muscles that weren't always visible at first glance.
Chris' handsome figure oozed the grace of a big cat as the director made it to the leader with his gaze. The lean form looked drop-dead gorgeous in his ebony tux and frosty white shirt. The black vest brocaded with navy and the navy tie made his changeable eye hue look an icy blue. The twin orbs glittered like an iceberg inside the dark mask he wore. His lower face was clean shaven and the white collar drew attention to his dark tan. The long legs were extremely attractive in the ebony dress pants, and the black leather shoes continued the image. The tux jacket strained across broad shoulders and dark gloves caressed the powerful hands like a second skin. His gold hair was combed back neatly, and the total effect was devastating. The air of danger and feline grace simply added to the attraction. Orin could imagine how the elegant figure would affect all the ladies in the room.
Nodding in approval of the group, the still attractive former judge turned to lead the way into the building, his own ebony tux and pale shirt accented with a silver brocade vest and tie. Seven reluctant sighs moved the air behind him, then with stoic expressions, the agents followed.
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The team members quietly discussed what might be involved at the event as they were entering the foyer, not sure what the eating arrangements were particularly. The judge said there would be food and dancing, but they didn't know if that meant a sit down meal or finger foods.
Nathan commented with a sigh. "Probably means standin' around tryin' to balance nibbly bits on a plate with a glass of somethin' to drink, and napkins in one or the other hand where they're totally useless."
"Let us not forget all while tryin' to avoid some lecherous rich old lady intent on pinchin' our posteriors." Ezra added his opinion in a near whisper, since they were trying not to let the Judge or anyone nearby hear.
"That or dodgin' one of 'em tryin' to cop a feel on the front half." Vin added with a grimace of displeasure.
Chris shook his head. "Some of these rich old women are like piranhas, not just 'cougars'. I'm not afraid of much, but I am scared of runnin' into a couple of those old ladies! We'll have to take turns protecting each other from some of the more persistent ones."
Sanchez nodded agreement as he muttered softly. "You'd think your 'don't screw with me' glare would keep you safe, but some of those ladies just seem to be turned on by it. Vin's shy act does the same. Ezra tries bamboozling them with his long words or slyly insulting them, but it doesn't always work. Buck just flirts and charms them, so he'll be the one who doesn't need much help."
The ladies' man spoke up. "Except for that one old blue-haired lady. I had bruises on my ass for a week from her."
Josiah grimaced in sympathy at the memory of that particular woman. "Brother Nate and I usually manage to escape if it gets too bad, but that lady Buck's talking about got all of us, I think. My butt was numb for hours from her pinching me every time I twitched."
Nathan absently reached to rub his own behind gently. "Mine, too. I think she got me at least 9-10 times that night."
Ezra fidgeted discreetly. "My posterior was so sore I could barely sit to drive home after that unpleasant event."
Chris glared at the others. "At least it was your ass she was after. Woman kept brushing up against my front every time she moved."
Buck chortled. "At least you didn't react, stud."
The blond gave a shudder. "Are you kidding? I think it shrunk every time she rubbed against me. Could hardly go when I finally made it to the bathroom to get away from her."
Low snickers met that comment, causing the blond to rake his team members with another low-level look. Travis turned around just then, so they all quickly wiped the amusement off their faces and stood with bland smiles as they glanced in to see how the convention space was arranged.
It turned out that the food offerings were a combination of the possibilities discussed by the group. There were appetizers that were to be eaten on small plates as the attendees mingled in the anteroom. Then at 8 a sit-down meal would be served in a second room. There were items that could be bid on to raise money for the charity and door prizes would be given away after the meal. Everyone got a small ticket with a picture instead of a name tag, and the various symbols would be drawn to determine the winners of the assorted door prizes. Bids for the silent auction items were placed on slips of paper adorned with the symbol matching the wearer's tag and placed in a jar next to each item. The papers would be tallied after dinner and the winning bids announced after the door prizes. There were several attractive items available, and since the money was for a good cause, the team members wrote bids on a few of them and slipped the papers into the respective containers.
The icons the group got seemed to match them uncannily well. Chris was given a stylized black panther which totally suited the dark-garbed figure. Vin got a tan cougar, Buck's symbol was a red heart with an arrow through it, Ezra's was a small ace of spades card and Nathan's turned out to be a stethoscope. Josiah was given a black cross shape, and JD was handed an escape key symbol.
Mrs. Travis met the group near the doors and ushered them further inside. She explained the eating arrangements, about the bid items and door prizes, and that the dancing would start at 9, after the meal was completed. When Travis looked at the men with one eyebrow raised, Chris reassured the director that the team would stay until 10:00 or so at least. The judge nodded in approval, while his wife pointed out a few people the group should know about. She also inconspicuously drew their attention to several women that the handsome agents would probably want to watch out for.
Nodding their thanks, the men moved off as a group, leaving a bit of room since at least some of them were discreetly armed.
The impressive agents moved fluidly and elegantly through the modest crowd of people who had arrived so far. The attractive men drew attention both for their remarkable good looks and also for the aura of power and hint of danger that seemed to emanate from them, both individually and collectively. Chris in particular had an air of authority and the lean ebony-dressed figure gave the appearance of a jungle cat prowling on silent feet as he moved effortlessly with the others.
Making it to the refreshment area, they tried to pick appetizers that were easy to handle since they didn't want to drop something on themselves. Each got a small white plate and added meat and cheese balls skewered with toothpicks; crab stuffed mushrooms that had picks stuck through the side to hold them by as you ate; and a selection of crackers and crudités that held smoked salmon, herbed cream cheese, prosciutto and olives, and other 'nibbly bits' as Nathan described them.
When they moved to the drinks station, there was a surprising selection to choose from. While not a full bar, it had several appealing choices available and the beverages were included with the food.
Ezra carefully chose a wine that he thought would go best with his appetizers, while JD, Buck, and Vin all picked an upmarket beer served in a tall pilsner glass.
Nathan and Josiah were a bit more adventurous, the medic asking for a Cuba Libre and the profiler choosing a Screwdriver.
Chris simply took a whiskey neat and downed half of it in one swallow.
Sipping on their chosen beverages, the group spread out a little and made their respective ways to small two-person tables set along one wall or moved to stand at the side bar nearby.
The figures drug out the appetizers portion of the evening as much as possible by eating slowly and getting a second round of drinks. Even then it only took thirty minutes.
When they had procrastinated as much as possible, Chris rose rather reluctantly.
"Alright. We've taken as long as we can. Time to head out on the floor. We've got over an hour until the meal."
With muted groans of unhappiness from most of the team, the seven men put away their dishes and strolled out into the crowd.
Quite a few more people had arrived during the time the men had been eating. The floor was now fairly crowded with ladies in long gowns and men in dark tuxes. The masks made everyone appear rather intriguing and the seven were particularly mysterious and exotic looking as they wove their way through the chatting throng.
Vin and Chris strolled over to examine the items up for bid a little more thoroughly. There were several items of interest at the table. Vin pointed to a Hawaiian trip that was offered.
"Now that would definitely be a great vacation!" he commented with a grin. Blue eyes looked at his companion. "Have you ever been?"
"Buck and I were in Honolulu a few of times as a jumping off spot for missions when we were SEALs, but just for vacation? No, not really. We usually got a couple of days R&R before or after the assignments, but we never actually got to just be tourists. And to be honest, we spent most of our down time either in bars or bein' thrown out of bars." White teeth gleamed in a wry grin.
"Ahh" was all the sniper said, accompanying it with an understanding smile of his own.
Chris gave a considering look, and then took the piece of paper with his symbol on it and wrote down a bid and placed it in the Hawaii trip jar. The package was for up to eight, so if he won, the whole team could go.
The pair were soon joined by JD. The youngest member of the team had managed to avoid the interested females around them, but Josiah and Nathan had been cornered, and Buck and Ezra had willingly stopped to mingle. JD eyed a weekend ski package offered for auction, wondering idly if his girlfriend Casey might enjoy it. Vin appeared interested in a set of tan hand-worked leather saddlebags for a motorcycle. The judge strolled up just then to make sure the men were doing okay.
The four of them were still standing perusing the bid items when Chris' phone buzzed quietly. The tall leader took it out and glanced at the text, then gave a hint of a grin.
"Guess Ezra must have picked the wrong woman to stop and talk to. I just got a SOA from him."
One of Travis' eyebrows rose under his mask. "SOA?"
"Yeah. It's like SOS, only in situations like this, it literally means 'save our ass'."
The older figure let out a chuckle and all four of them turned to eye the undercover agent. The chestnut haired man caught their glances and sent them a 'hurry up' gesture behind his back. The elderly lady who was with him was reaching around him for a feel of his rear even as they watched.
Vin grinned. "I'm on it. I'll be his assistant for tonight." The azure gaze raked Larabee and Dunne. "Just remember t' do your part when it's me that signals!"
With a matching curve of his lips, Chris nodded. Orin and JD just winced in sympathy for their compatriot as the woman's fire-engine-red tipped fingers groped for Ezra's butt.
Tanner strolled casually up to the cornered agent and and tapped his left arm.
He turned innocently to the platinum haired woman. "Sorry to interrupt. I've been looking for him."
The lady gave the handsome form a suspicious look. "Who're you?"
Vin bit his lip to keep from laughing out loud at the woman's annoyed expression. "I'm his assistant."
He turned back to the elegant figure next to her. "I wanted to show you something at the bid table I thought you might be interested in. But if you're busy…"
"That's quite alright." offered Standish with a polite smile. He turned to his older companion.
"I've been looking for a gift for a close friend whose birthday is imminent, so I really should go see what he's found. If you'll excuse me?"
The woman looked like she wanted to protest, but Ezra and Vin hurried away before the elder lady could say anything.
The undercover agent gave his 'assistant' a grateful little salute as they walked quickly away from the green-gowned senior.
"Thank you, Mr. Tanner! I am extremely grateful for your timely intervention. My posterior was already clenchin' in anticipation of those talons pinchin' it." The broad shoulders gave a subdued shudder.
"You're welcome, Ez. Part of the arrangement t' support the team, 'member?"
"I am still grateful for your quick response to my SOA."
The sandy-haired form gave the undercover agent a genuine smile. "No problem."
Soon however Vin was the one sending the distress signal. This time JD strolled to the rescue, telling the attractive agent that Chris wanted to see him about something. The woman he was trapped by was younger than Ezra's 'piranha' as he called her, but was still much older than the sharpshooter. She was wearing an orange velvet gown that was in contrast to the more subdued colors of most of the rest of the crowd, and her dyed hair and nails almost matched. Dunne had to bite his lip to keep from making a dismayed face at the sight.
When he politely interrupted, the orange woman was just leaning to brush her ample breasts against the sniper's chest. 'Orangie' as JD silently dubbed her didn't look at all pleased at the disruption, but Vin happily took the opening and excused himself quickly.
"Thank you!" he murmured, his raspy drawl even deeper than usual.
"You're welcome, Vin. That was kinda scary!"
"No joke. And it wasn't your chest she was about to rub up against like an orange tigress."
Dunne tried to keep from it, but burst out in a laugh as they wove their way through the throng to where Chris stood with his most imposing look in place. An elegantly dressed brunette with what appeared to be diamonds dripping from her was attempting to make conversation with the handsome blond, but it was obvious she was hitting a dark-garbed wall.
When the electronics tech walked up with the sniper, the dark-haired lady gave them an exasperated glare, but it was no competition for the one the tall leader was leveling at the woman.
Vin immediately leaned in to whisper to Chris, while JD bestowed a fake smile on the annoyed lady.
Chris nodded at Vin, acknowledging his comment. Then his soft but authoritative voice excused himself to the brunette.
The trio walked off together.
"Well, that's three rich ladies we've offended so far." Tanner commented with a wry grin.
"Better that than slapping them or arresting them for attacking a federal agent." Chris muttered.
"Amen!" the sniper added.
The three of them worked their way through the crowd to join Josiah and Nathan, who were doing little discreet dance steps to avoid the groping hands of their companions.
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Fortunately for everyone concerned, dinner was soon announced.
A buffet table had been set up along one wall of the larger second room. There were servers at the different stations, and waiters to deliver the drinks when the diners had reached their seats.
Ezra chose filet minion, green bean bundles, and stuffed mushrooms. Rolls and salad came with the meal and wine was served at the table. Chris had picked prime rib, au gratin potatoes, and some of the mushrooms, and the others chose similar items.
When they reached the first table, they lined up on each side. Judge Travis and his wife chose the seats across from Chris and Vin, and Buck sat next to the judge, across from Nathan and JD parked next to Mrs. Travis, across from Josiah, with Ezra on the profiler's left. A couple of eager women took the spots down from Standish and Sanchez.
The team members were soon chatting lightly with the Travis' while they ate, each trying to do so gracefully and not spill anything. The women at the end were flirting with Ezra and Josiah and both men were taking it well. At least the ladies weren't trying to play 'footsie' with them under the table or anything.
Once dessert was served, the waiters took the dishes away.
A representative of the charity took the podium a few minutes later to announce the recipients of the door prizes and the winning bids for the items in the silent auction. Nathan got a pair of real gold nugget dangle earrings that he'd bid on for Rain. Ezra won a bottle of expensive wine that seemed to please him, and Josiah was presented with a bottle of aged Scotch which made him give a big, toothy grin.
When Chris was handed a lovely set of matched pearls, he leaned over and gave it to JD, telling the kid they were for Casey. The usual tomboy had been wearing a few skirts and more lady-like items lately and had coaxed Dunne into escorting her to her high school reunion in a few weeks, commenting in Larabee's hearing that she guessed she'd borrow her Aunt's pearls to go with the pretty white silk gown she'd chosen.
When JD looked at the blond in surprise, Chris just grinned.
"Who did you think I was bidding on it for? Ez?"
The undercover agent leaned forward and squawked a bit in protest.
"I beg your pardon! Just because I had to don a dress that one time undercover is no reason to use me as a reference every time you refer to something feminine."
"We know you're all male, Ezra." Chris said soothingly, although the smirk he wore was teasing.
"Ya did look mighty nice in that gown, though, Ez. And sung like a nightingale." Vin added.
Buck's mustache twitched as he added "Purple is your color, pard."
"Oh, shut up!" the undercover agent mumbled, displaying his chagrin by not using his usual impressive vocabulary.
The Judge and Evie, and JD all choked, trying to cover it with coughing. Buck chortled softly and Josiah and Nathan both grinned in amusement, while Vin just echoed Larabee's smirk, earning him a scowl from Standish that only made the sniper's chiseled lips spread wider.
Ezra had won the bid on an impressive alligator briefcase and Vin got the leather saddlebags he had admired before. Josiah and Nathan, as well as the judge, each won an item or two also, one of the profiler's being the weekend ski trip JD had looked at. The big man passed the vouchers over to be handed to the electronics expert.
JD blinked again in surprise and looked down the table at Josiah.
"For you and your paramour Casey. I saw you looking at it earlier and noticed that you didn't bid, so I thought I'd do it for you."
"Thanks, Josiah! That's really cool of you. I didn't know what to put, so I decided to skip it. This is great!"
The bigger man nodded at the expression of gratitude.
The final items announced were the several trips that had been offered. Again Chris won his bid, this time on the trip for up to 8 to Waikiki Beach for four days. Orin glanced at the lean form with a raised brow under his mask.
"So this means you boys will be taking a little of that extra leave you've built up? Human resources has been after me for months to get you to use some of it!"
Larabee glanced at the rest of the team. "If everybody wants to go, yeah guess so."
Several hoots and whistles and a boisterous "Hell, yeah!" from Buck caused a few other people to look their way. At the indications of approval, Chris smirked at the AD.
"I think that's a yes!"
Travis gave a pleased nod. "Good. All your cases are in the investigation stage, so let me know when you want to go. The sooner the better as far as HR is concerned!"
The leader gave a bit of a shrug, but dipped his head in agreement that they'd choose sometime soon.
When the winners of the bids had all been announced, the attendees were told that the dancing would start as soon as the tables were removed and the floor cleared. Everyone rose and moved away from their spots so the staff could fold up the furniture. Ezra kindly offered to take Chris' items, Josiah's whisky, and anything else the group had and store them in the Jag until time to leave.
"We can divvy them up when we exit the soiree and until then they should be safe and out of danger."
Each handed over their stuff and the elegant figure wove his way through the crowd with the load and exited.
When JD asked how much longer they had to be there, Chris looked at his watch.
"About 40 minutes."
The kid sighed, and then nodded in resignation.
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In just a short time, the floor was clean and the musicians started a waltz. With a gallant bow, the handsome lead agent asked Evie if she'd honor him with a dance. A pleased grin curved the older lady's lips and with a tiny curtsey, she accepted. Several of the others asked nearby women out as well. Vin stood and chatted with the director as they watched.
Orin gave an indulgent laugh as he kept his eye on his wife and the tall, imposing form of his favorite team leader.
"Evie will be walking on air for hours now. She loves all you boys and thinks you're all really attractive, but she has a soft spot for Chris especially. She occasionally comments that if she were younger and single, she'd be after him like a bee to a flower. She thinks he's… and I quote…'devastatingly gorgeous'."
Vin gave a bob of his brows that made his mask move up and down.
"So you're not jealous that your wife thinks Chris is gorgeous?" he asked with a teasing tone. They all knew that the couple were still deeply in love and totally devoted to each other just by the way they acted together.
"No. Not much anyway." answered the judge with a chuckle. "Besides, I can't argue with the truth! Plus, it puts her in a good mood every time one of you seven compliment or flirt with her, so anything that makes her happy makes me happy." He thought a minute. "Within limits, of course!"
Tanner gave a deep chuckle as they watched the waltz come to an end. Larabee escorted a beaming Mrs. Travis back to where the two waited, Vin then bowing gallantly and escorting her out for a two-step. Since it was Colorado, even the fancy events worked in a few country songs.
The group stayed about thirty minutes longer. Evie even fast danced once with JD since he had seen one of the 'touchy-feely' ladies heading for him and desperately asked the director's wife to go with him onto the dance floor to avoid the other woman.
Buck also took her out once, and Ezra came and claimed her for an elegant Viennese waltz. The older woman appeared to be thoroughly enjoying herself as the handsome members of Team Seven squired her around the surface, her husband smiling to see her so happy. He and the agents also danced with a few others, though they were all careful about who they chose to partner, not wanting to end up with any more bruises on certain parts of their anatomy.
When their promised time was up, they said their goodbyes to the Judge and Mrs. Travis and made their excuses to the other women who were lined up to try and wheedle the attractive men out of a dance. The music would go on for a while longer, but they definitely wanted to avoid the unmasking that would mark the end of the event. Everyone had been generous in their donations and Evie was happy, so they headed for the parking lot. Since Ezra had taken all their prizes to his car, they had nothing else to carry and were ready to go. Buck and Josiah held the exit doors for the group and Vin took point and went out first, checking the area almost unconsciously as he stepped outside.
Unfortunately several of the women they'd just excused themselves to apparently had a sudden urge for some air, and the handsome agents were forced to literally run a gauntlet of groping hands and swaying breasts as they made their way to the parking lot.
By the time they arrived at their vehicles, all of them had pinch marks on their backsides and Chris, Vin, and Ezra were wondering if they needed tetanus shots from the lady in orange who had managed to brush up against all three and fondle certain parts with her nails as they were trying to escape.
All seven squirmed a bit uncomfortably as they prepared to get in their autos.
"Shit! We don't need tuxes for these things, we need chain mail!" muttered Chris. The broad shoulders shivered as the blond checked to make sure the orange woman hadn't actually torn his pants.
Vin nodded emphatically. "Ya said it, Cowboy! I want somethin' sides cloth between me and those fingers!"
Ezra shuddered as well, one hand carefully feeling of his posterior as he tried to determine the best way to get in the Jag.
"Indeed. Even I will happily don a suit of armor if we have to do this again."
Nathan twitched as if still feeling the pinches to his butt.
"I'm with y'all. If the judge asks us for a favor again, it better be for a costume party where we can come as knights, instead of a formal masquerade!"
By DMA