Chapter 22 Frightful News Delightful Dues

Barney's Next morning

Ava opened her eyes to find herself on the couch cuddled in Lee's arms and a light blanket around them. She had passed out only to fall asleep exhausted. She burrowed her head into his chest and sighed heavily. Her thoughts dashed from topic to topic as her cousin's death and everything in between was analyzed. She hadn't seen that coming. Her best friend of a cousin had been killed simply so Mike could have her.

She wiggled to a sitting position with one of Lee's arms around her waist. She looked down at him and smiled. Always there for her. She heard a throat clear quietly and turned to see her Aunt Sarah sitting in the chair across from them. Her eyes were red and her lips trembled as she looked at Ava.

"Oh Auntie," Ava said as she took in the slouched shoulders and tightly clasped hands.

"Shh," Sarah said, "Not your fault this guy is a lunatic. It's easy for some brands of psycho to hide their darker side."

"But shouldn't I have noticed SOMETHING?"

"Some have perfected their act," Sarah said solemnly, "Barney says there is more."

"More?"

"Galgo brought me over so we can hear what else there is," she said blushing.

"I take it someone had a GOOD night?" Ava teased her aunt.

"Well, yes, since you asked," Sarah said smiling widely, "Been awhile for me so I'm quite sore this morning."

Ava covered her eyes and groaned, "I do NOT need the details."

"How about you and Lee?" Sarah asked grinning like a cheshire cat.

It was Ava's turn to blush, "We haven't done that yet, not that I'm not open to it. Hoping all this drama settles down soon."

"If you wait for a non drama time honey," Sarah said smirking, "You may never get a chance. Seize the moment."

Ava smiled as she looked at the floor, "I might just do that."

"You might just do what?" Lee asked sleepily.

"You," Sarah said point blank.

Lee woke quickly at that, "You gals are talking about our sex life?"

"Sarah and Galgo had a tiring night," Ava said smirking.

Lee covered his eyes as he sat up next to Ava, "That is an image I did NOT need to imagine."

"Why?" Sarah said blushing, "Galgo looks great naked for his age."

"Sarah!" Ava groaned loudly.

Sarah chuckled while the sounds of motorcycles and trucks were heard pulling up outside.

Barney and Galgo came out of the kitchen. Galgo smiled widely down at Sarah while he handed her a cup of coffee. He was quiet for once. Barney handed Lee his and Ava a tea with honey.

"Thanks dad," she said holding the cup in both hands.

"No problem princess," Barney said before heading back to the kitchen to refill his own cup.

The team all grabbed various drinks from the kitchen. A couple even snuck some of the snacks from the cupboards and munched quietly. Barney set his empty cup down on the coffee table and looked around as he crossed him arms over his chest.

"I'm not good at candy coating anything, so here goes. Mike and his father have taken over the main drug cartel in their region. They've hired a lot of thugs and have the convenience of private planes," he paused as Lee wrapped an arm around Ava's waist, "Unfortunately, drugs isn't all the Spears are into anymore. They've added human trafficking. Their focus being on women and teenage children."

Ava sucked in a sharp breath and Barney's eyes softened.

"We haven't been hired for a job, but we take care of our own. Bonaparte is joining us later today while we make a plan."

"Like those ever actually work?!" Gunnar said sarcastically.

Barney nodded in agreement, "Normally no, but America is home turf. We have better connections and Church owes US a favor for once. He's digging up all he can on his end. Turns out their operation is on CIA's hit list. So believe it or not, Church is excited we're doing this for free. We learn our mark like always. Then hit him where it hurts the most."

"And we're NOT using anyone as bait," Lee said with furrowed brows.

Barney nodded in agreement, "We're not going there. Things always go wrong and I am not putting my daughter at risk."

Ava sat quietly and leaned against Lee with her head on his shoulder deep in thought.

"What do we know so far?" Galgo asked as he wrapped a comforting arm around Sarah.

"Drugs and human trafficking, violent womanizer, wants Ava tho doesn't want to have ONLY her," Caesar stated as he counted off on his fingers, "Connections."

"Daddy issues," Ava whispered.

"What was that sweetheart?" Barney asked.

She straightened and frowned, "He wants his father to be proud of him. Every time a 'business deal' went south he complained about how his father didn't seem to appreciate what he went through. At the same time he always wondered how he could make the deals better for his father. He once told me his father would love me and he couldn't wait for me to meet him. We were actually supposed to have dinner with him two nights after I found him with those women. Obviously I didn't attend."

"Might be able to use that against him at some point, but I'm failing to see how that helps us now," Thorn said.

"He's hiding things from daddy that he doesn't want him to see. Any mistakes he'd try to cover up for daddy's approval," Lee said thoughtfully.

Barney frowned in thought as well before nodding, "I think you have a point there. Thorn can you do some digging?"

"It would be my genuine pleasure Boss," Thorn smirked before heading off to Ava's work room and commandeering a computer she'd set aside for him after fully equipping it.

"I'll make a few calls to some buddies upstate and try to find some more dirt," Luna said.

"I'll do the same," Doc said.

The group dispersed slowly to lend their own style of help in the quest for information. Now that they knew the Spears occupations, it would be easier to locate the right kind of informant.

"I think you and I should go on a date," Lee said turning to face Ava, "Get your mind off of this for a bit."

Ava bit her lip before looking up at Sarah who had overheard. Sarah smirked and rolled her eyes before giving her a look that said 'well what are you waiting for?' before cuddling into Galgo.

"Sounds like a plan," she said smiling gently.

Lee gave her a large grin, "Then how about we plan on dinner and some dancing? I know a nice fancy spot."

"That sounds wonderful," Ava said tilting her head, "I even have a dress for that."

"If it's anything like the one I saw you in when you faced off with Lacy than I think I'm in for a great view all night."

She blushed and half heartedly swatted at his shoulder. He chuckled deeply and she laughed a bit. She stood and offered him her hand up before they went into the kitchen and had some lunch.

Evening

Ava smoothed her dress against her skin in nervousness. She blushed just looking in the mirror at the tight fitting, dark green dress she had picked. Her breasts pushed up a bit and made a perfect tease of cleavage and the hem came up a couple inches higher than her other dress, but looked like it floated down from her hips. It was by far her most daring dress, but Sarah's words kept dancing in her head. She was going to seize the time she had and make the most out of it. After all, life is one big drama.

She came to the top of the stairs and let out a heavy breath before slowly descending the stairs. The gentle click of her short heels sounded on the hardwood steps echoing in the lower room. Lee was talking quietly with Sarah and Barney, but turned at the sound of her steps. He sucked in a breath and his eyes widened. Sarah smirked and crossed her arms cockily. Barney frowned and crossed his arms across his chest. Sarah smacked him in the shoulder causing him to frown at her.

"She's beautiful, stop frowning."

"She's going out dressed in little to nothing."

"Welcome to fatherhood," Sarah said raising a brow at him.

Lee took a step towards Ava as she stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

"You are absolutely stunning," he whispered loudly.

Ava smiled widely at him while a light blush flushed across her face and down her neck.

"Thank you," she straightened his collared dress shirt, "Don't look too bad yourself Mr. British."

He chuckled lowly. Barney stepped forward and cleared his throat. Lee took a step back to let him hug his daughter.

"You are always beautiful sweetheart," Barney said as a few strands loosening from her updo of organized chaos.

"Well I'm a Ross," she said smirking at him with watery eyes, "I've got good genes."

Barney barked out a laugh and stepped back before offering his hand to Lee. Lee grabbed it and Barney tightened his hold.

"You may be my best friend, but if you hurt her they won't find the body," Barney threatened lightly.

"If I hurt her you won't be the first in line," Lee said tilting his head at Sarah.

Barney smirked a bit before shaking Lee's hand and letting go. Lee offered his arm to Ava making her laugh. She took it and they made a quick exit before anyone could make another comment.

He helped her onto the back of his motorcycle and she tucked in parts of her dress so it wouldn't reveal herself to the world as they drove by. She wrapped her arms around him and they sped off.