Day 1 Evening

The men gathered for diner at a local restaurant. The restaurant was full of other attendee's of the seminar. Conversation was exchanged among the tables as people compared their day and complained about the next day's agenda.

The others watched in amusement as Buck made a move on the waitress. Laughing at Buck the men paid for their meal and left. "She really cut you down to size," JD chortled.

"She's just playing hard ta get," Buck grinned at the skeptical men.

Reaching the street Vin stopped walking. Chris turned realizing Vin was no longer with them. Tanner was studying a figure on a red Harley Davidson across the street. Black leather covered the rider. A helmet with a full tinted face shield covered the head turned towards Vin. The bike made a quick U-turn and pulled over to the curb.

"Vin Tanner!" the husky voice exclaimed. Vin had a lop-sided grin on his face as the bike was parked and the figure clamored off. "Where ya been Soft Foot?" the Texas voice asked.

"'Round," Vin spoke huskily. The others watched in open mouthed amazement as Vin was pulled into a hug. Buck cocked an eyebrow as the stranger's hands moved to pinch Vin's butt. He grinned when the helmet was removed revealing the red hair tamed into a French braid. The woman settled back leaning against the bike. Vin was pulled into the her arms. Arms were wrapped around each other. For a long moment they rested their foreheads against each other. Some quick whispers were exchanged.

"Chris I'll see ya fer breakfast," Vin drawled. "I'll be here." Vin handed over a business card. Before it had really sank in Vin was wearing a helmet sitting behind the stranger disappearing into traffic.

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"Was Vin just propositioned?" JD asked softly.

"They seemed to know each other," Nathan spoke cautiously.

"Junior, has mighty fine taste," a grinning Buck remarked. "Junior sure wasn't acting shy just now was he?"

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Conference Day 2

Morning

Chris sat back to enjoy the show the next morning at breakfast. The two riders on the red Harley arrived in time to catch many of the ATF, FBI and Police Department seminar attendees on their way to or from breakfast at the hotel. The pair made their way to the table where the rest of the team stood at their approach.

"Charlie this is my team," Vin said then introduced each man. "Fellas this here is Lt. Charlene Chain," Vin softly spoke.

"Lieutenant?" Chris asked gently.

"US Army, Military Police," she answered quietly. Vin took Charlie's coat as Chris seated her. Buck blinked and JD was speechless as a sleeveless athletic shirt was revealed. No one could mistake that figure for a man's. Meals were ordered and soon the conversation was freely flowing.

"How long have you known Vin?" Chris asked.

"Fifteen years or so," she smiled over at the sharpshooter.

"We's with tha same foster family a spell," Vin growled making it plain the subject wasn't open for discussion.

"You kept in touch all that time?" Josiah soothed.

"Lost track of each other after a couple of moves. Met up again when Vin was put in my husband's unit," Charlie had a sad look in her eyes. "Vin stayed in touch after Sean was killed."

She smiled softly at the Texan. Charlie excused herself for a moment going to the restroom. Vin fished out a dollar and got change to feed the parking meter on the Harley. While he was gone Charlie made her way back to the table.

"Mr. Larabee," Charlie began.

"It's Chris," Larabee offered.

"Chris," she hesitated with a troubled look. "He's able to protect himself better than any man I've ever known. Has Vin talked to you about his past?" she asked quickly watching Vin through the window.

"Very little," Chris frowned not sure where the conversation was heading..

"You take care of him. He's special, but he's awful fragile in some ways," Charlie tried to convey her concern before Vin returned.

Chris relaxed and smiled. Nodding he answered firmly "He's not alone". Charlie gave a beautiful smile in return. The conspirators quickly changed the subject as the Texan returned.

After breakfast Charlie gave Vin a quick hug and kiss. "Next time sugar," she said. "Pleased ta met ya'll," she smiled at the rest of the men. Quickly she headed to the door.

"Charlie ...," Vin called then his voice trailed off.

"I know sugar. I love you too. Fly high Falcon," she flashed a beautiful smile.

"Be happy," Vin answered. Vin watched as the Harley started and she pulled away from the curb.

"Mighty fine woman," Buck spoke cautiously.

"One of tha finest," Vin acknowledged.

"You two making plans?" Chris asked directly.

"Nah, we's buddies it wouldn't work," Vin replied.

"Does Charlie feel the same?" Josiah frowned.

"Yeah, we talked about it a few times. I really hope she finds somebody," Vin replied honestly.

"I don't remember any of my Navy buddies looking like that," Buck grinned wickedly.

"Didn't have the right kinda friends," Vin smirked. After several more attempts to get a rise out of Vin, Buck sat glowering.

"Mr. Wilmington, Mr. Tanner is far to...mellow for you to disturb him this morning," Ezra commented.

"Mellow that's a good way to describe it," Josiah grinned at the flushed Texan.

"Buddies, huh?" Chris teased.

"Hell Chris when are you and Mary gonna git tagether and scratch some itches, so ya stop tormentin' other folks," Vin fired back. Chris glared at the grins exhibited around the table.

"I wonder if perchance Ms. Chain is otherwise engaged next Tuesday evening?" Ezra considered aloud.

"Ez ya leave Charlie alone. I like ya but ya ain't what she needs," Vin warned in a serious tone.

"Heavens no! Ms. Chain is a beautiful woman, but frankly I was considering the possibility of the two of you getting you two together again then," Ezra explained. Chris frowned and then chuckled soon Josiah caught on. Then it clicked with Nathan.

"What's sa damn funny?" Vin demanded.

"Ezra wants you mellow for the flight home," Josiah rumbled. Vin's lips twitched and finally settled into a grin.

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The team quickly discovered that the cold water in the showers was cut off when a toilet was flushed in either suite. At times the hot water would suddenly cease only to resume with no warning. JD's luggage was still was missing. The seminars were possibly getting even worse.

Chris slipped a chair under the door knob when he entered his room. The practical jokers were working overtime. Chris carefully checked for booby traps before he lay down on the bed. Larabee considered recent events with a wry grin.

The look on Nathan's face when he discovered all his underwear had been replace with silk thongs...Noticed he didn't throw 'em out when he bought new ones though.

JD damn near had his sneakers on and tied before he realized someone had vaselined the insides...

I never thought it would be Josiah dropping the water balloons off the balcony. Thought that would have been Buck. Maybe Vin claiming it was target practice...

I don't think Ezra's slept a wink since he woke up in the lobby. I wonder how they got the bed down there anyway?

Vin's taken to carrying his blankets out onto the balcony and sleeping out there. He's sleeping with a paint ball gun every since they salted his sheets.

How those jokers got Nathan involved I can't figure. How in hell they put me in that body cast without waking me...

When I figure out who saran wrapped the toilet bowl their dead meat...

Ezra's running a betting parlor out of his room...

Wonder which one of them it was that sewed the fly shut on all of Buck's pants. They even super glued the fly of the pair he had on at the time...

The New Orleans Police Department was awful understanding about them kidnaping Officer Nelson's horse. It leaves some interesting questions though. How'd the horse get drunk and why was he in an elevator in the city building. I mean how do you get a drunk horse past security?