Author's notes: Sorry for the delay. Here it is. Hope it was worth the wait.

Numb3rs Numb3rs Numb3rs

True to Colby's word, Vegas was just gearing up for the evening. They caught a hotel shuttle at the airport and along with several other travelers, headed for the hotel. When they pulled up outside of the Luxor, David whistled low, "Damn, how much money are you guys blowing on my party."

Colby laughed, "Haven't you realized you travel with friends that are well connected?"

Don chimed in, "Believe it or not, this is my little brother's contribution to the weekend."

"Charlie," David admonished. "You are not paying for rooms here."

"I am, but before you get mad at me you should know that I did some consulting work for their casino. So, when I called about seeing if they could get me a good rate they made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

"Consultant work for casinos? Charlie, you never cease to amaze me." David shook his head in disbelief.

Exiting the van and grabbing their luggage, the men went into the lobby. "You know, it's not like I'm a hick from the country, but damn this is impressive." Colby intoned as they waited for the keys to their room.

The attractive young lady behind the desk smiled at the gentlemen. "Alright, here are your keys. If you would like we can have your bags sent up to the room."

"Why not. Hey guys, should we go grab a quick drink before we hit the town?" Colby ask expectantly.

"Sounds good." Don agreed. "Lets go to one of the bars here in the hotel."

Walking into Flight, one of the numerous bars in the hotel, the group was immediately rushed by five men.

"David!"

"Cuz!"

"What!" A shocked David looked at the faces surrounding him. He pulled one of the men into a tight embrace. "Matt. I can't believe you're here."

The bigger man pulled out of the hug and looked at David, "Do you think I would let my big brother celebrate his upcoming wedding without me here? Colby called me months ago and filled me in on the plans."

"I just can't believe it. Guys, let me introduce everyone. This hulk is my baby brother Matt. The thug with the goatee is my cousin Marcus. Next is my cousin Lucas, he is a stockbroker. Last but not least, LaVarn is another cousin." David then introduced his friends.

After everyone had shook hands and said hello, the men decided to head down the strip. Grabbing a drink at one of the small bars that dotted the landscape, they decided to board the trolley and head down to Fremont Street.

"It never ceases to amaze me that you can walk down the street with a beer in your hand in Las Vegas." David took a sip of his cold beer.

"Hey, check out that new casino going up." Don was looking out the window. "Isn't that where the Frontier was?"

"They demolished it in 2007. A lot of the older casinos are being replaced by the mega resorts." Charlie sounded a little sad. "It seems that the history of what Vegas was is disappearing quick."

"The Frontier had the best margaritas. A bunch of us came here on leave once." Colby smiled at the memory.

"The folks brought us here once when we were younger," Don added. "Charlie was probably four. I remember we stayed at Circus Circus and I got to ride a baby elephant. Good thing PETA wasn't around then.

"Things were different back then, that's for sure." David's cousin Lucas agreed.

"Hey, if you old guys are done reminiscing, let's go." Marcus motioned ahead to the next stop. "Freemont Street Experience and lots of alcohol await."

"Hell yes! Lets go." Both LaVarn and Lucas stood and did a fist bump. "Watch out ladies, cause the boys are in town!"

Walking down the street the men took in the sights and sounds of the old section of Vegas. The neon lights and the overhead light show were impressive and the number of tourists standing in the streets made for a slow journey. They had decided that they would spend several hours there and then go back to the hotel to party a littler closer to "home".

They went into one of the many small casinos that lined the street and the greeters at the door promptly gave each man a string of beads. Several of the men laughed and pulled up their shirts, exposing their abdomens.

Charlie looked perplexed as he fingered the shiny gold beads. Turning to Don, he spoke in a lowered voice. "What's the deal with these?"

"It's a Mardi Gras tradition. I guess it's caught on here in Vegas too." Don smiled at his brother, realizing that he didn't know about the more traditional method of getting beads. "Normally a guy will give a girl his beads if she flashes him a look at her breasts."

"You're kidding!" Charlie was incredulous. "They just show anyone?"

"Chuck, you can not be that naïve." Don shook his head. "Look around, everyone here is drinking and as they say, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." so if someone acts out of character no one will know back home in Des Moines." Don nodded at Colby, who was holding a bottle of beer out to him. "Thanks Colby."

"Charlie, beer?" Colby had a second beer in his hands.

"I'm good right now thanks." Charlie held up his hands. He had never been much for losing control with alcohol. Being so young in high school and in college, he was never invited to those types of parties.

"Loosen up Chuck." Don admonished his younger brother. "You don't have to get trashed and you don't need to worry about driving."

"All right." Charlie smiled. "After all, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas."

"That's the spirit." Colby handed off the beer and turned back to the bar to pick up his own beer. "Come on, let's catch up with the others."

Numb3rs Numb3rs Numb3rs

The next several hours passed quickly and the men waited for the trolley that would transport them back up the strip. The trip back to the Luxor was filled with stories and boasting by the men. The favorite target was the guest of honor. At the last establishment, David had to untangle himself from a young lady who was bound and determined to give him something to remember. After removing her roaming hands again from his zipper, the other men had rescued the hapless groom and had hustled him out to the street.

Turning in his seat, Matt smiled at his older brother. "David," Matt tried to look serious. "That was one fine woman, I can't believe you turned her down."

Charlie, who had now had several drinks and was feeling quiet buzzed, chimed in. "She was gorgeous. I can't get over how many beautiful women we have seen." He took another sip of his beer and responded jokingly, "Are they having a convention?"

"There are enough plastic and silicon in most of these women that if you took it out you could make a million Barbie dolls." David commented. "Besides Charlie, I'm pretty sure that the young lady was a working girl. She might have given a taste for free, but anything more would have come with a price tag attached."

The trolley stopped at the entrance to Luxor and the men piled out. "Lets hit LAX." Marcus suggested. "I want to see if David still has the moves."

Laughing, they headed towards the club. Waiting in the line, Charlie grew impatient. "Come on Don, let's go hit the tables."

"Are you sure Charlie? You've been drinking." Don waited for his brother's voice of reason to kick in.

"Are you saying that I wouldn't be able to hold my own?" Charlie felt a little miffed and it showed in the tone of his voice.

"No, I'm just trying to make sure that you realize that you might not be at the top of you game."

"I'll be fine."

"All right," Don turned to the others. "We are going to hit the tables so we'll catch up with you later."

"Careful Charlie." Colby teased. "Wouldn't want you to run afoul of any of the mafia types. You win too much money and the next thing you know they have you in the desert putting a bullet into your hands."

"Why do you think I'm taking Don with me, it helps to have your own personal FBI agent as a brother." Charlie broke out of the line and Don followed as they both headed towards the game tables.

The line moved quickly, it seemed that very few A-list celebrities were in attendance that evening; so mere mortals were being ushered in at a faster rate than normal. Once inside they grabbed drinks and started to scope out the dance floor.

Both Marcus and LaVarn quickly hooked up with several single ladies to dance with, making sure to tell the remaining women at the table that it was David's bachelor party. They all looked over at him and smiled. Several got up and came over and offered to take him out to dance. Taking no for an answer, they led the protesting David out to the floor and began dancing.

"You did a good job lining everything up." Matt spoke loudly so that Colby could hear him. "No lap dances or strippers though?" He sounded a little disappointed.

"I promised Claudia that there would be no monkey business." Colby took another drink; he was feeling pretty mellow. "Just be glad that men don't have to play those stupid games like the girls do at their parties."

"Amen to that." Matt lifted his bottle and clinked it with Colby's.

"I'm going to grab another beer, want one?" Colby inquired.

"I'm good." Matt acknowledged.

Threading his way past the crowds to get to the bar Colby found an empty spot at the rail and slid into it. Waiting for the bartender to get to him, Colby looked at the others positioned around the bar. At the corner stood a petite young woman, her long black hair and dark almond-shaped eyes flashed in Colby's direction. She lifted the martini glass to her red lips and gave him a quick smile before lowering her eyes demurely. She was wearing a red dress that was cut low and high in all of the right places.

"What can I get you?"

Turning back to the bartender, Colby pulled out his cash. "I'll go with a Bud and I'd also like to buy the lady at the end there a drink."

He watched as the bartender walked over to the Asian beauty and spoke with her. She looked up again and nodded at the bartender. Colby waited until he had his drink and then started over to her. She watched his approach and when he reached her, she turned and crossed her shapely legs.

"Thank you for the drink." She smiled.

"The least I could do for such a beautiful woman." Colby leaned against the bar near her. "I'm Colby."

"Michelle." She held out her hand, the nails painted the same red as her lips. "Come her often?"

"First time. I'm from LA. Friend's bachelor party."

"I didn't think you looked like a local."

"You?" Colby leaned closer so that they didn't need to talk as loud.

"I'm in my last year at UNLV." She took another sip of the neon colored martini and let her tongue play around the rim catching a stray drop.

Colby became suddenly aware of certain parts of his anatomy. She had shifted slightly on her chair and the feel of her leg against his hip was causing a variety of sensations.

"Let me buy you a drink." She caught his fingers playfully and caressed them with her own. "Rob," she called to the bartender. "A drink for my newest friend and another for me please."

Taking the drinks set on the bar top, she handed one of the shot glasses to Colby. "It's called Hot Sex. I think you'll like it." She picked up hers and smiled. "Here's to us."

Tossing back the drink, Colby noticed the burning sensation that often came with hard liqueur. It was hard to place the flavors and the slightly salty taste, but he didn't have much time to dwell on it.

"Would you like to dance?" She suddenly slid of the stool and grabbed at his hand, not necessarily waiting for a reply.

"Sure." Colby allowed himself to be led to the dance floor. The pulsing lights and pounding music seemed to drive Michelle's body as she stopped and began dancing. Never feeling totally comfortable on a dance floor unless it was a slow dance that didn't require much movement, Colby felt a little out of his league.

As if sensing his discomfort, Michelle turned and smiled at him and grabbed his hand. She wrapped herself up in his arms and guided his movements. The closeness of her small, firm body left his body feeling as if a hot fire had scorched it. Of greater concern however was his penis; it had started growing rock hard and was pressing firmly against his pants. Try as he might it seemed that he was not able to hid the fact that he was incredibly turned on by her. Several times she had ground herself into his leg while they were dancing and each time she smiled sweetly as if she hadn't noticed.

Several songs later Michelle pressed in close, "Lets sit one out. I'm thirsty."

Walking back towards the bar, Colby noticed that several of the guys were now sitting around the table that had previously held the group of women that had danced with David. The others were checking out Michelle, "probably wondering why they hadn't seen her first," thought Colby.

"Sit down, I'm going to hit the girls room and I'll pick up drinks on my way back. Rob doesn't charge me the full price." She ran her hand along his face, tracing his jaw line with a manicured nail. "Don't go away."

"I won't." Colby sat down, feeling somewhat light headed. "Damn," he told himself. "I must be drunker or hornier than I though." Looking at his companions, he smiled broadly. "Guys."

"Hell Granger. How did you get so lucky?" Matt whistled low. "She is fine."

"Puts to shame the woman I've been dancing with. A tourist from Nebraska; corn fed if you get my drift." Marcus joked.

"I guess I've just got the touch." Colby smirked as he felt his body relax slightly.

"Must be luck." David joked, "Because back home you wouldn't ever wind up with a girl like her. I tell you what, if it looks like you're going to get lucky I'll bunk down with Matt."

"I doubt that anything like that will happen." Colby shifted, trying to discreetly release some of the pressure on his lower extremity.

"If it does, I'll give you some privacy." David smiled. He knew that Colby had been unlucky in love lately and if the opportunity for a harmless hookup happened, he wasn't going to do anything to keep Colby from enjoying it. He noticed Michelle coming back. "Here comes the girl of your dreams."

Colby turned and watched as the young girl approached the table. He stood to give her his seat. She smiled and handed one of the drinks to Colby. Raising her eyebrow slightly she raised her drink. "Shall we toast?"

"To what?" Colby flirted.

"To tonight." She replied with a smile and downed her drink.

"Tonight." Colby followed suit, noticing that it was the same drink as before. He grimaced slightly. "Michelle, these are my friends."

Not waiting for individual introductions Michelle broke in. "Hi friends. Hope you don't mind, but I really need to get this guy back on the dance floor." She grabbed his hand and pulled him away.

Colby threw a look over his shoulder to the table; the others were giving him encouragement. "What the hell," he thought to himself. "It's not like I haven't hooked up before."

On the dance floor they resumed their dancing. It seemed to Colby that each touch and caress ignited a new flame of desire. If he was the flame, then Michelle was a moth. She would dart close to him and run her hands along his body and then spin away. Coming close again she pressed herself full against him, her breasts pushing into his chest, her thigh against his erection. Colby leaned over and captured her lips with his own. His arms wound around her, pressing her closer. The taste of her mouth was intoxicating, the scent of her filled his noise, and he needed more.

Breaking the kiss, she hungrily looked into his eyes. "I want you Colby."

Pulling her head to him, he again possessed her mouth. His right hand traveled down her back, cupping her firm backside. He moved his lips to her ear, his breath hot. "I want you too."

"Do you have a room?" She looked expectantly, her hands twined into his hair.

"Yes, come on."

They reluctantly pulled apart and made their way quickly off the dance floor and headed towards the exit.

"David looks like your boy is going to get lucky." Matt laughed. "Guess you're sleeping in our room."

"Lucky isn't the word for it." David slapped his brother on the back. "I'm hungry. You guys up for food?"

The others nodded and they left the nightclub to search for someplace to grab some food. Having been told by the front desk attendant that Perkins was just two blocks over, they decided to walk over and grab some eats.

Numb3rs Numb3rs Numb3rs

Meanwhile, the elevator ride to the 12th floor had lasted forever. The moment that they had stepped into the empty car, Michelle had been all over him. If it hadn't been for the people that got on at the 4th floor, Michelle would have had his pants down.

Now as they rode in silence with the others, Michelle pulled him down to her level and started whispering in his ear. The information and details that she was telling him about what she planned to do to him was enough to make a sailor blush. "Another floor and I'm was going to have to take her in front of everyone." Colby thought as he put his arm around her, his hand going to her breast and teasing at the nipple. He enjoyed the feel of it hardening between his fingers and the light moan that it elicited from her lips.

Finally the doors opened on twelve and they hurried from the car. Colby pulled the key card from his pocket and within seconds they were inside the room and pushing the door shut behind them.

Numb3rs Numb3rs Numb3rs

Downstairs, a man who had been setting at the bar for the last three hours checked his watch. Smiling, he indicated to the bartender to bring him another beer. It was going to be a good night.