Disclaimer: See Chapter One ;)
Summary: Something turns up in the guys' wash then "mysteriously" disappears.
by Barbara C.
Part Three: Silk
A fluorescent bulb flickered overhead, emphasizing dinginess of the pale blue wallpaper peeling from the walls. The whirring of industrial sized washers and driers was all that kept the silence at bay. The only visible inhabitants were three men standing before a large pile of clothing piled haphazardly on a table in the center of the room. Each pawed through the pile in search of his own clothing.
"And to whom do these belong to?" Grinder held up a small pair of panties.
Alex grabbed them out of his buddy's hand. "French cut, lace trim, black," he rubbed the material between his fingers. "Silk?"
Rikki paused in pawing through the large pile of clothes taking up considerable space in the center of the Laundromat. His eyes widened at the sight of what was being waved around and raised his hands defensively. "Not mine!"
Grinder grabbed the scrap of material back. "A gift from a fan perhaps, A-Man?" he teased.
"Maybe," Alex replied. "But that wouldn't explain why it's in with our laundry."
An anguished cry followed up Alex's comment, the two friends turned to see Rikki hold up a mottled pink button-down shirt. "Didn't know you favored that color, Rikki?"
"I don't! This was a brand new WHITE dress shirt!" He looked down at the pile. "Where is the culprit?" he began pawing through the pile of clothing.
"Prob'ly the red T me mum gave me for Christmas. Haven't worn it except when I ran out of shirts last week." Grinder paused as he peered into the pile of clothing. "Good thing I don't have many light clothes." A dubious look crossed his face as he pulled out a pair of mottled pink briefs. "Umm…"
Rikki looked up at Grinder's curious expression. Very slowly he asked, "Whose idea was it to throw everybody's laundry in together."
Alex began. "That would be…"
"Yours," Grinder finished with him.
"Something about saving time and money," Alex finished.
In a sullen tone, Rikki commented. "If I ever suggest this grand idea again, remind me of this moment."
"Sure, will do."
"Hey guys!" The remaining, female, member of Team Xtreme grabbed an empty laundry basket and strolled past. "Nice shorts," she snickered. Grinder took the opportunity to shove the mottled pink briefs at Rikki's chest.
Variations on "Hello, Fidget!" and "These aren't mine!" echoed throughout the Laundromat as all three turned to look at her. Alex and Grinder immediately began passing a certain small garment back and forth behind their backs. Pausing only long enough to raise an eyebrow in their direction, Fidget continued past her friends to a drier at the far end of the complex.
As soon as her attention was drawn away, Grinder took the opportunity to slingshot the underwear out of his hands. Arcing over the table on which they were sorting their clothes, the garment hit Rikki's chest.
The team manager's loud protest drew Fidget's attention; at which time, all three halted their actions and waved at her. Rolling her eyes, Fidge mumbled something incomprehensible from their positions and went back to unloading the drier. Taking the opportunity Rikki, snapped the panties back across the table. Not having aimed, he struck Alex in the chest.
Groaning in mock agony, Alex clutched the scrap of material in his fist and held it to his chest, like an arrow that had pierced his heart. He backed up until he reached the wall then slid down it, feigning death. This brought peals of laughter from his two accomplices and a 'harrumph' from the far end of the large room. With a quick glance in Fidget's direction to make sure she wasn't looking, and she wasn't during that particular moment, Alex took the opportunity to slingshot the panties back across the room toward Grinder.
When he failed to catch them, the intended target glanced around for the proof of their play. The sound of the drier slamming shut distracted Grinder from his search, however. As Alex stood, Fidget made her way back toward them her basket full of clean laundry. "What's so funny?" she asked curious about the hysterics going on.
While the three fumbled around for excuses and tossed guilty looks back and forth, Fidget leaned down to scratch her ankle. "Well," she said standing, "if you don't want to tell me, you don't have to. Sheesh!" With a toss of her head Fidget passed by the trio with only a look of consternation for each.
Pausing once more, Fidget took the time to compliment Rikki on his color choice of clothing, by indicating to the newly pink dress shirt. "I didn't know you liked that color Rikki. I'll have to remember next time I do any shopping for you." She chuckled and then leaned down to scratch her ankle again as Team Xtreme's manager sputtered.
Standing once more, she turned and headed for the door. "Later, guys!" she waved without looking back. With her back to them once again, it was time to search for their plaything, but after several moments of searching, they were still unable to find it.
"Must have slid under something," Alex pouted.
Rikki interrupted Alex's comment with an astounding realization of his own. "Hey, why did you get to wash your clothes separately?" he called to Fidget.
"Because, I'm too smart to listen to you." She chuckled and exited out of the building.
Looks like Fidget finally found what she had been looking for. She seemed to be a little more subtle about dealing with it than the guys were. ::"scratches" ankle:: Ahh well. ::chuckle::