Bobby approached Tara with two Styrofoam cups in hand and set one on her desk. "What's this?" Tara asked skeptically.
"Me saying sorry."
"Funny how men apologize without actually saying sorry," Tara pondered.
"Look, I'm trying, Tara." Bobby insisted.
Tara smiled, "Thanks."
Lucy called Bobby over, "Hey Bobby! I need to ask you a question, it'll only take a second."
"Yep," he answered, leaving his cup on Tara's desk, too.
Tara casually looked around, Sue nodded 'yes'. She made sure that Bobby wasn't looking. Tara grinned and discretely switched the two cups of coffee, giving Bobby the one that was meant for her. You may be smart, Bobby, but you're not smart enough. Tara quickly went back to work on her computer as Bobby returned from Lucy.
"What was that about?" Tara asked casually.
"Who knows," Bobby took the coffee cup and returned to his desk. Tara, Sue and Lucy tried to disguise their grins. Bobby relaxed in his chair and raised the coffee cup to his mouth. The anticipation grew every millisecond that went by. Bobby opened his mouth, put the Styrofoam to his lips and he took a large gulp. Not a second had passed before he leaned forward and the sabotaged beverage flew in all directions around him, wetting his shoes, pants, shirt…Myles who was walking past.
"Great Manning, just peachy. Now I have to get these dry cleaned again." Myles dropped into his chair, inspecting the damage.
Bobby stood up and swiped the back of his hand across his mouth and looked at Tara who was desperately trying to control her laughter, as well as Lucy and Sue. Even Jack and D were failing to conceal their amusement.
"Now you know not to call a girl at 4 a.m." Tara smirked.
"You will pay, Tara, I'm the master at pranks."
"Well Manning," Tara stood up and bravely walked up to Bobby. "You have met your match." She turned on her heal, walking towards the door with her chin high in the air. Sue and Lucy stood up – Levi too – and followed Tara in the same fashion.
Jack shook his head, "They're like 'Charlie's Angels'."
"Did I hear someone say my name?" Charlie, an old friend of Sue's came in.
"Hey, Charlie!" Bobby exclaimed.
"How's it going?" Jack shook the elder's hand.
"You tell me," Charlie frowned.
"Oh, those three? They just crushed Bobby's ego, and I'm guessing they're feeling rather proud about it."
Charlie looked at Bobby. "I cans see that."
"Yeah," Bobby grumbled. A moment later a light went inside his head as his posture straightened. "Hey Charlie, you're a mechanic…how would you like to help win the war against the ego destroying villains?"
Charlie held up his hands, "I don't want to get too involved but…if I can offer my expertise, I'll be glad to give you a few pointers." He offered.
Myles groaned, "Am I the only one that realizes your efforts are futile against those three?" He jerked his head towards the exit.
"Hey! Whose side are you on, mate?" Bobby condemned.
Myles rolled his eyes, "I don't choose sides. I merely enjoy watching everyone else suffer and eat sabotaged food then throw up."
Bobby, Jack and Charlie just stared at him for a while. Jack blinked and shook his head. "Anyways," he said slowly, he turned to Bobby, "you got a plan?"
Bobby grinned mischievously. "There is no way this will backfire, but, Charlie, I may need that expertise of yours for this one.
"You better hope that Tara really meant it when she said that she would be home late," Jack said.
Bobby bit his bottom lip as he moved the lock pick around. There was a click, "Got it." He opened the door, slipping the tool in his pocket, not noticing the paper that fell out of his pocket.
"Let's just make this quick."
"Five minutes. Tops. The cars already finished. You put the sour milk in the carton," Bobby handed Jack a large bottle. "I'll put the spider in the tub and turn the time on her clocks ahead."
"Tara'll kill you if she finds out it was you."
"Probably, but the look on her face when she walks into work tomorrow morning will be worth it and then some."
Jack smiled mischievously, "I'll turn the volume on the stereo up before we leave."
A/N: Thanks for the great reviews!
Bobby clapped his hands together, "Let's do it."