5 – Big John

A/N: This was from a drabble challenge on the POI Discussion Forum many years ago. This particular challenge was posted by carolinagirl919: Write a 100 word drabble where Reese is in a perilous situation and comes out unscathed. This one wound up being over 400 words.

"You're kidding me, Finch."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Reese, but it's the only way to get you into the festivities. Detective Carter or Ms. Shaw will be inside to make sure the revelers don't get out of hand."

Fusco snorted. "Triplets' bridal shower? Good luck."

Reese sighed. "What's my stage name?"

"What else?" Lionel winked. "Big John."

XXX

"You okay, John?" Joss asked softly.

"I was until one bridesmaid tried to stuff Susan B. Anthony dollars* down my G-string," Reese shifted uncomfortably.

"Ouch. But it is nice to see them back in…" her eyes flickered towards his crotch, "circulation," Joss smirked.

They watched Fusco put the identical triplet brides-not-to-be into the cruiser.

"Carter, I've been stabbed, shot, tortured, electrocuted and water boarded, but that was…terrifying."

"Being almost naked in front of a bunch of screaming, drunken, sex-crazed women, John?"

"No – dancing. I'm not very good at it." Reese tilted his head at her. "So…how did you wind up watching the show?"

"Shaw and I drew straws and…." Her eyes flickered downwards again.

"You got the short one. Funny, Detective."

A bridesmaid staggered up to them. "He's grrrrreaaaat," she slurred. "I love those 'mature' dancers. They hafta try harder – ya know?" She whispered loudly in Joss' ear. "He do private performances?"

"Oh, no, he's –"

"Booked solid for the foreseeable future," Reese cut in. "Sorry."

They watched the disappointed woman wander off.

Joss raised her eyebrows at him. "Really? Where, John?"

Reese's fingers grazed hers as he handed Joss a huge roll of singles. "There's a place in town that I'd like to perform in, Joss. Exclusively."

Their eyes met and held, and then Joss nodded slowly. "That's big time, John. Not easy to get in. You think you're ready?"

"Have been for a while…do you think…" his voice softened as he gazed at her, "they're…ready to take me on?"

Joss smiled softly in return. "Yeah. It took a while, but they're ready. That exclusive engagement can begin…" she slipped the roll in her jacket pocket, "tonight, John."

Reese took her hand and their fingers slowly intertwined. "Let's get started."

As they headed towards Reese's Porsche, Joss murmured, "By the way…" her eyes flickered towards his crotch again, "I actually got the long straw, John."

"You have no idea, Joss," Reese grinned. "You have no idea."

*From Wikipedia: The Susan B. Anthony dollar is a US coin minted from 1979 to 1981, and again in 1999, depicting the women's suffrage leader. It was the first circulating U.S. coin with the portrait of an actual woman rather than an allegorical female figure such as 'Liberty'.

The next drabble, Late, will be posted on February 6th.