Big Cats M7 ATF AU
Evie Travis looked over the seven members of her husband's favorite ATF team. They were all dressed as their old west alter egos for one of her charity functions. And were quite impressive!
"You boys look so perfect as period peacekeepers! I should suggest this theme for more events. The ladies in attendance are going to give very generously just at the opportunity to see you like this! Chris, the ebony and silver gunbelt and spurs add a gorgeous bit of shine to your dangerous image. And Ezra… those colors suit you very well." Her eyes roved over the two handsome men in question, then over the rest of the impressive figures. "You all look great!"
The gambler's gold tooth gleamed in a big grin as one hand brushed the sleeve of his vibrant green coat.
"Most assuredly. I find I'm becoming enamored of these colorful accoutrements. Modern suits look quite plain beside them."
Evie nodded. "I'm fascinated by clothing history, and I've always thought it was a shame that men's fashion slowly gave up the colors and lovely fabrics and accents."
Her eyes cut to the dark-garbed Larabee. "Although, I can't picture Chris in an emerald or cardinal jacket no matter what the time period." A teasing grin curved her lips as she met the hazel gaze of the blond that flicked to her.
Ezra's lips twitched in amusement. "No, I think not. And even I must confess that our illustrious leader makes ebony look most elegant and appropriate. It fits him, whereas I would look like a bad imitation of Johnny Cash were I to wear that color exclusively."
Vin was grinning. "Yep. I'd look like a scraggly raven dressed all in black, but Chris' got that big, black cat thing goin' on that just drives the women wild."
The older woman let her gaze roam over the gunman from head to foot. It was a good thing Orin was on the other side of the room, though he did know that she often practically drooled over the Seven, even at her age!
"Mmm…yeah, I do admire black cats!" The laughing eyes then turned to the tracker and moved over his attractive figure.
"However, you remind me of a tawny cougar, and I like them, too. Colored to blend in, but handsome and dangerous when you see one." Her voice had a teasing purr when she spoke. The sniper's cheeks flushed just a bit at the compliment and look, much to Chris' amusement.
Ezra tried unsuccessfully to hide a grin.
"And do you see me as a feline, Ms. Travis?"
The bright gaze moved to the smaller but well-muscled man.
"Yes. I actually have thought all of you remind me of big cats. I see you as a sleek, eye-catching jaguar. The image of speed and elegance suits you. And quite dangerous when cornered."
The chestnut-haired man beamed at the likeness. "I appreciate your vision. I've always thought the car was a reflection of myself, and so by extension the graceful animal it was named after." Emerald-clad shoulders straightened as he preened just a bit.
Vin grinned again. "Course, Amazon parrot fits too…"
Chris and the rest chuckled at the comment while Ezra raised one eyebrow.
The other members of the team were now interested in the conversation as well.
Josiah looked intrigued. "And which big cats do you picture the rest of us being?"
Evie smiled as she looked them over again.
"Buck reminds me of a tiger. Big and attractive to the ladies, with that fur that makes him unique. Kinda lazy and good-natured…until you piss him off or mess with his pride. Then that big cat shows his true talent and goes huntin' and you don't want to be in his way when he does."
The ladies' man threw out his chest at the description, while the others nodded in agreement at the apt appraisal.
The lady's gaze moved to Josiah. "I see you as a lion, Josiah. Big and well-muscled, fairly good-tempered, but capable of great damage if he gets riled enough. Smooth and hard-to-miss and dangerous if he gets his prey in his grasp, but gentle with his own most of the time."
Nathan looked impressed while the others nodded again.
"That's Josiah, alright." The medic confirmed. "How about me?"
"You remind me of a clouded leopard. Sleek and well-built, able to stand out or blend in, whichever is necessary. Strong, but fairly calm unless one of your own is threatened. Then extremely dangerous."
Josiah smiled at his friend as Nathan squared his broad shoulders with pride. "That's you to a 'T' brother Nate."
JD looked excited. "That leaves me. What big cat am I?"
Buck swatted the bowler the kid wore. "Not sure you are a 'big' cat, Kid!"
Dark eyes gave his roommate a dirty look and then focused back on Evie.
"I see you as a cheetah, JD. A little smaller than the others in size, but fast and dangerous when it matters. Quick to defend his group, and sometimes liking speed just for the fun of it. Eye-catching, but a little more shy than some of the others."
The younger man looked a bit surprised, but pleased, by the accurate description. While the electronics tech could talk to almost anyone as if he'd known them for years, inside he was still a bit shy and nervous around strangers. And while not as muscular and deadly looking as the others, he made up for it in speed and agility in a fight. And he sometimes liked to ride his horse or his motorcycle fast just for the sheer exhilaration of the feeling.
Josiah gazed at the judge's wife thoughtfully. "Truly insightful. You have the makings of a profiler yourself. I'm curious, we know you see Chris as a black panther, but you haven't given the attributes that you think fit besides the obvious color correlation."
"Dark and sleek, extremely graceful and inherently dangerous-looking. That intelligent green gaze that is capable of freezing prey in its tracks. Able to hide in the shadows or prowl in the light with equal prowess. Gorgeous but intimidating… deadly, but capable of just lying on a branch or rock and fondly watching his pride… everything about him just says 'panther' to me.…." One brow bobbed teasingly.
Chris gave a grin, somewhat pleased by the older woman's comments.
Evie then turned to wink at the nature-loving tracker who had looked ready to say something earlier.
"And just for the record, yes… I know that a panther is actually the unspotted version of a black leopard. Just like I know the word 'gunslinger' is of modern origin, and lots of other things. I just think the name fits."
Tanner bobbed his brows in response, giving her a wink.
JD was still on the cat images she had painted.
"But Chris doesn't wear total black all the time. He wears all sorts of colors of shirt."
Evie nodded and addressed the younger agent.
"Yes. But it's kind of like seeing the panther in different colored collars. Gorgeous accents, but the main hue that strikes you is the ebony of his coat." A mischievous grin curved her lips as she looked at JD and then at the tall dark form in front of her.
Buck was laughing at the image. "Ol' Chris in a collar? I don't know… pretty domesticated…"
The smaller figure shook her head.
"Not really. Adding something that accents the beauty and grace doesn't make that cat tame or any less dangerous. And sometimes the collar comes off and the wild nature takes over… simply because the panther can behave in public doesn't necessarily make him domesticated. Just intriguing."
A smile of approval was her reward from the sleek figure under discussion. She turned to let her gaze wander over the rest of the men standing around her.
"That applies to any big cat or wild animal. Just because they can play nice doesn't mean they aren't dangerous." She gave a tiny, musical laugh. "And I for one am grateful for that. I feel incredibly protected when I walk in the middle of this pride of big cats."
Her gaze landed on the two youngest members of the team. "And it sure doesn't mean I'm brave enough or stupid enough to leave my fingers in the way when I feed some of 'em a big ol' steak, either!"
The rest of the group burst out laughing at the slightly chagrined expressions of the duo under discussion. Then even they chuckled.
Buck leaned around Ezra to pat the lady on the shoulder as Chris offered his left arm to her in old-fashioned courtesy.
"You got 'em there, Ms. Travis!"
"Indeed!. Well played!"
The gambler bowed a bit and held his right elbow out. With a beaming smile, Evie put one hand in the crook of each proffered arm as Vin snapped a quick picture. The rest gathered around the trio and headed into the crowded ball room of the convention center. Glancing over the impressive forms once more, Evie gave what could only be called a smirk as several of the nearest women looked at her in what was obviously envy.
Yep! She did indeed love this particular pride of big cats!
By DMA
