Favor M7 ATF AU
Assistant director Orin Travis paused before the door to Team Seven's bullpen. A sigh escaped him as he straightened his shoulders in preparation for what he was sure was about to happen. He had something personal to ask Larabee and the rest of the men and he didn't think they were going to be too happy about it. Stiffening his spine, he pushed open the door.
The SAC sighed himself when he saw the look the judge wore as he entered the leader's office. The blond laid his pen down carefully and placed both hands flat on his desk.
"I have a favor to ask you and the boys, Chris. It'll be a big help to…"
"What is it this time, Judge?"
The older man didn't even pretend that he didn't know what the other meant.
"Evie has this fund raiser next Friday…"
Chris let out a low groan.
"It's a formal masquerade to benefit a local charity, Chris. Each of the ladies on the board is supposed to try to get 20 people to attend. Evie has 13 so far, but she's having trouble filling her quota. It'd be a huge favor to her if you boys would come."
"If it's for charity, can't we just get out our wallets and skip the attendance part?"
The judge shook his head. "Now, Chris…"
Broad shoulders shrugged in resignation. "Alright, let's ask the others. I can't speak for them on something like this."
Travis barely suppressed another sigh. He knew how this would probably go.
Chris' lean form rose and moved gracefully to the door.
"Alright, boys! Listen up. The Judge has something he wants to ask."
The tall form turned and gestured to the older man as the figures in the bullpen got suspicious looks on their faces.
The judge told them the same thing he'd just told Larabee. He hadn't even finished when the excuses started coming.
"Sorry, Judge but there's this…" "I'd love to, but…" "What if something breaks on the case..?" "Wouldn't it be imprudent to reveal ourselves at such an affair..?"
Travis puffed out a breath in frustration. Getting these men to something formal was always like pulling teeth.
"You haven't been back from vacation long enough to have "other engagements", we're not expecting anything new on the case before next Friday, and the benefit is masked, so you won't be revealing anything! This will be a big favor to Evie, since she's having trouble getting enough people. She can't exactly go stand on a street corner and drag folks in."
The general grumbling quieted a little.
"Please, boys. Help me out. If the other women on the board get their 20 people and Evie doesn't get hers, she's going to be embarrassed, and I'll suffer for it."
The mumbling died down.
Buck was the first one to speak.
"I don't want Miz Travis to be embarrassed in front of her friends, so I'm in."
Ezra was next.
"I suppose one evening isn't too much to ask to benefit Mrs. Travis and a charitable cause. I'll go."
One by one the rest of the team caved.
"Great. Thanks, boys. Remember this is formal dress, so that means suits or tuxes. And elegant masks… no clown noses or Elvis sideburns. I'll go call Evie and tell her she's filled her quota. I owe you one."
Chris looked at the judge with a feral glint in his eye. "And I'm sure we'll find some way to collect, sir." The smile he gave looked like a panther toying with its prey. The judge gave another sigh.
Looked like he might be the one who ended up paying for this favor!
By DMA