Disclaimer: No copy right infringement intended. All Bones characters belong to Fox and Hart Hanson.
1956JohnDeere50: LOL I bet what you're hoping for with the tight pants isn't what it'll be teehee =D
Yenyen76: Those tickets seemed to have caught everyone's attention ;-) And tomorrow you will find out what they are for.
Doc206: He will, oh, he will show up at the college but not just yet. =D
Jenheir1: I guess I didn't explain Dwayne very well there huh. Oops sorry about that. He's Brittney's boyfriend and overly protective.
Angelbach: If they solve cases as fast as the show indicates and go to Founding Fathers for a celebratory drink then well they're probably there quite a bit. At least that's what I figured =D. Yeah, I don't do fiery food either. Spicy yes, hot no. /snicker He's happy until this chapter bwuahahaha /cough, choke Sorry about that. Later on you'll see my views on Star Wars come out lol. My aunt got me a fuzzy tribble that when you squeeze it, it makes noises like one. Freaks my dog out and creeps my husband out but hey I like it =D
Nertooold54: Yay! That means I wrote him right. I wanted him to be a sweetheart, all tough on the outside and a softie on the inside.
ArielBrennan: There is much more craziness to come. So much more /snicker
Guinnesshero: Just like a man not to look carefully =P
ArcherBlad3: Nothing like a bit of relaxing after school =D glad I could help. Guys will never admit it but they pout! And it is cute to see a huge, muscle bound, Army man pout lol.
Thank you EVERYONE for your reviews. It makes me all kinds of happy that you guys are enjoying this story.
Chapter 26 - Big Hunk of Man Meat
Legates grunted when his alarm clock went off and rolled out of his bed. He thought about making his bed but snorted and shook his head. If he lived in the barracks on base yeah he'd do it. Since he lived off base in private housing they could kiss his butt. He wasn't making his bed. For once the housing shortage on Fort Myers had worked in his favor, otherwise he'd be living in the barracks on base.
Grabbing a towel, he headed for the shower. Throwing his towel on the rack, he turned on the water. When it was warm, he stepped in and under the hot spray. Grabbing his shampoo from the shower caddy Techie had installed, he lathered his hair which had gotten longer on top the way he liked it. After rinsing his hair, he grabbed his soap and squirted some into his hands as he ran his hands over his chest, his mind wandered to his conversation with Michelle last night.
Immediately, he heard the sound of the water lapping around her again. He groaned as an image of her sitting in a tub surrounded by bubbles popped into his mind. He felt himself grow hard and sighed. At least this time he was somewhere he could take care of the situation. As he was taking care of business, he didn't hear the door that he forgot to lock, open. He was holding himself up with one hand on the wall and had just grunted Michelle's name when he heard the toilet flush.
Grimacing, he felt the cold water hit his back. His balls tried to crawl up into his body cavity as cold water trickled over them.
"Dude, I didn't need to hear that first thing in the morning. Lock the door next time, jackass," Romero said, yawning as he left the bathroom.
Legates hung his head and tried not to want to kill Romero. The guy was an asshat. Okay, he wasn't a bad guy but he had no manners what-so-ever. Sighing again, Legates rewashed, rinsed and stepped out into the bathroom. Grabbing his towel, he wrapped it around his waist then headed to his dresser.
Pulling out his clothes, he threw them on the bed and walked behind the bookcases that separated his section of the room from Techie's. Drying off quickly, he pulled on his clothes and sneakers. Grabbing his phone, wallet, and keys, he headed out for his appointment with the psychologist. The lovely requirement for being home for PTSD treatment.
These appointments were mandatory and up until now he had been stonewalling the doctor. But maybe he should start telling the doctor about the nightmares he'd been having since Maluku and Afghanistan. He handed his ID to the guard at the gate and headed towards Dr. Nabhan's office. If he started talking to this guy was he going to push like Sweets pushed Michelle? Or would the doctor give him the space and time he needed? Would he end up on meds? What would the ramifications of all this be?
Sighing, he opened the door to the doctor's office and signed in at the desk. He sat down and jiggled the keys in his hands. The secretary behind the desk looked over at him and then back at her computer screen. The door to the office opened and Dr. Nabhan called out his name. Standing up, Legates wiped his palms down his pant legs and stepped into the office. As it always was, the office was decorated comfortably and not in a stark military fashion.
"Have a seat, Corporal Legates," Dr. Nabhan said, gesturing to comfortable chair.
Dr. Nabhan looked at Legates and blinked. The Corporal had been stonewalling him for the month prior and he was expecting nothing more from this visit. Something was different though, Legates looked nervous and twitchy.
Dr. Nabhan wondered what had happened on this last mission. Legates was the first on the list to be called from his unit. Legates leg was bouncing and he kept wiping his palms down his thighs as the doctor looked at him.
"So, Corporal Legates, something has changed, yes?" Dr. Nabhan asked, watching Legates nervous actions.
"Yes, but before I get into that can you please call me Josh? If I'm going to be telling you this stuff I'd prefer to not feel like it's a military investigation or examination," Legates said. Dr. Nabhan nodded and looked at Legates.
"Okay, Josh. What has changed?"
"We were on a mission this last week," Legates started. Dr. Nabhan nodded and checked his notes.
"Ahh, yes, a security detail. Did something happen?" Dr. Nabhan asked, looking at Legates.
"Yes, no, sort of," Legates said, standing up.
Dr. Nabhan waited as Legates paced, letting Legates get comfortable. The doctor waited patiently as Legates paced for about ten minutes, putting his thoughts together. Dr. Nabhan didn't want to push and have Legates stop talking. He knew that Legates unit had been through a lot and felt that quite a few needed help.
"I know you know about Sarge being shot. You've asked about that. But is there anything in there about our trip to Maluku?" Legates asked, pausing to look at the doctor.
"There wasn't anything mentioned," Dr. Nabhan said, looking back at Legates' file.
Legates shook his head and sat down. Leave it to the military to think that nothing happened because it didn't happen in a battle, he thought.
"We were sent to work security for Dr. Brennan as she conducted an international investigation of a murder," Legates started. Dr. Nabhan's eyebrow rose in question.
"Near the end of the investigation, she and another young woman were abducted. They were held hostage for almost twenty four hours. Dr. Brennan was violently tortured and they forced Michelle to watch," Legates explained, sitting down her put his elbows on his knees and rubbed his hands down his face.
Dr. Nabhan's eyes got wide and then narrowed. He wondered why this had never been mentioned in the file.
"Michelle is the young lady that was abducted?" Dr. Nabhan said, scribbling on his notepad. Legates nodded and his leg began bouncing again.
"They were forced to listen as an Indonesian girl was raped to death with a table leg," Legates whispered, his mind's eye seeing that poor young girl strapped to the table. He shuddered as the picture pushed to the back of his mind.
"And how have you handled it?" Dr. Nabhan asked, seeing something more going on here.
"At first, it didn't really bother me. At least until I got back here to the States. I started having nightmares," Legates whispered.
"When was your last nightmare?" Dr. Nabhan asked, eyeing Legates' tired visage. Legates cleared his throat and thought about it.
"A week ago, maybe less," he answered the doctors question.
"And what do you believe stopped them over the last week?" The doctor asked, his pen hovering over his notepad.
"I'm not sure. It could have been that we were busy, it could have been the time I've spent with Michelle. I don't know," Legates said quietly.
Dr. Nabhan's pen stopped mid scratch and Legates knew he now had the doctors undivided attention.
"The same Michelle that was abducted?" Dr. Nabhan asked with interest. Legates nodded and leaned back in the chair.
"This security detail was for the scientists working the explosion here on base. They called Dr. Brennan in to identify remains and the FBI to work the investigation. Sarge is Dr. Brennan's partner in the FBI. They put us together with the CID and the team from the Jeffersonian. Due to Dr. Saroyan being Michelle's mother, she was brought in for security reasons," Legates said.
"Okay, so you had daily contact for seven days with the people who were abducted in Maluku," Dr. Nabhan stated his question.
"Yes and Michelle and I started seeing each other," Legates said. Dr. Nabhan started writing again with his lips pursed.
"Now before you answer my next question I need you to stop and honestly consider the question," Dr. Nabhan said. Legates looked at the man and nodded.
"Were you attracted to Michelle because you are actually attracted to her or was it some need to protect her?" Dr. Nabhan asked, his pen clutched in his hand as he looked at Legates.
Legates stopped and cocked his head as he thought about the question. Would he still be attracted to Michelle if he didn't know about what had happened in Maluku? He smirked as he thought about what she had looked like walking around her room in a robe, black fuck me heels, and stockings.
"Oh, I'd definitely be attracted to her. Who wouldn't be? She attractive, talented, smart, and well spunky," Legates said with a grin on his face. Dr. Nabhan nodded and wrote a note on his paper.
"So, what changed your mind about talking to me?" Dr. Nabhan asked, curious about the reason but also needing to know how he was expected to help.
"I want the nightmares to stop. I don't want to be with her and have a nightmare. For her to hear anything about it from me while I'm sleeping. She has enough to deal with without having to deal with my issues too. If it was just me, I'd ignore the nightmares like I've been doing," Legates muttered.
"Josh, you need to want this for yourself not for anyone else," Dr. Nabhan told him in a calm voice.
"Well, obviously it will help me too but for now I just want them to stop," Legates told the doctor.
The clock on the wall chimed the quarter of mark and Dr. Nabhan mentally groaned. He really wished the military gave him more time with these guys.
"Josh, our time is up for today. I want you to buy a notebook, journal, a binder with paper, I don't care. Keep a journal of your nightmares. Dates they happen, how many times a night and as much detail about them as you can. When you come back I'll want to see it and we can start talking about them," Dr. Nabhan said. Legates grunted but nodded. Standing up, he walked to the door and stopped.
"When do I come back?" Legates asked the doctor.
"I want to see you in a week," Dr. Nabhan said.
Nodding, Legates left the office and stopped at the receptionist's desk to make an appointment. He felt emotionally drained and it was barely lunch time. Grimacing, he pulled out his phone, looked at it then slipped it back into his pocket. He walked back to the dorm and entered the building. He went up the stairs to the second floor and to the room he shared with Techie. Opening the door, he pushed it open and walked in.
"Honey, I'm home," he called out.
"That's great, sweetie," Techie called back from the bathroom. Legates snorted and flopped down on the bed. Pulling his cell phone out, he stared at it.
"Just call her, you dumbass," Techie said, walking through the bathroom door and into their room.
Legates scowled at Techie and snorted. He looked at it for a minute then flicked through his contacts until her name popped up. Taking a deep breath, he hit dial then waited.
•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•
Michelle slid into her seat at the dining hall and looked down at her plate with a sigh. Finally a huge freaking cheeseburger that she could eat and not worry about who was watching. Just as she was reaching for her burger, her phone rang and Tanya slid in across from her. As she grabbed her phone and answered it open, Tanya grinned.
"Please tell me you fucked the hell out of the large hunk of man meat that walked you into the Jeffersonian Halloween ball," Tanya growled as she put her tray down. Michelle choked on the french fry in her mouth.
"Hello?" Michelle answered the phone and prayed whoever was on the other side hadn't heard Tanya.
Legates' eyes were watering as he bit back his laughter having clearly heard Tanya's comment.
"Hey, Michelle," he managed to say.
"Josh?" Michelle asked, having trouble understanding him. He cleared his throat and grinned.
"Yeah," he said.
"Oh, God, you heard her didn't you," she mumbled.
"Yep," he snickered. Michelle smacked Tanya's hand as she stole a French fry.
"Stop buying salads then eating my fries," Michelle told her with a glare.
"Excuse me?" Legates asked, knowing she was talking to someone else.
"Sorry, someone is stealing my fries," she said.
"Awww, poor baby," he crooned in a fake sympathetic tone. Michelle scowled at the phone.
"Don't scowl at me," he said with a laugh. She scowled harder at his comment.
"Did you call her yet, numbnuts?" Techie hollered from the other side of the bookcase. Michelle smirked when she heard Techie's comment.
"Hi Techie," she called, even though she knew he couldn't hear her.
"Michelle says hi, dickweed," Legates called over the bookcases.
Tanya swiped another fry and raised an eyebrow in question. Michelle shook her head and frowned at her friend, silently telling her to keep her mouth shut.
"So, anyway, I was wondering if you were busy tomorrow night? I know it's short notice but I thought I'd ask," Legates said, his voice rushed. Michelle smiled at the hint of nervousness in his tone.
"Uhhh," Michelle said, thinking, "no, I don't have anything planned tomorrow night." Tanya was waving her hands frantically. Michelle shook her head in a negative motion at her friend.
"So, you wouldn't mind going out with me then?" He asked with a smile in his voice.
"Not at all," Michelle said, ignoring her now pouting friend.
"Cool, fiveish okay?" He asked, looking at the tickets in his hands.
"Yeah, my last class is at two so five is fine. What am I wearing?" She asked casually.
"Clothes are usually good," he said. trying not to laugh as he teased her. Michelle burst into laughter at his answer.
"Yes, dear, clothes are usually good. But what kind of clothes. Jeans and a sweatshirt or little black dress?" She questioned, swirling her fry in her mustard.
"Little black dress," he told her with a grin.
"How little? Club little or theater little?" She asked, grilling him and trying to find out where they were going. Legates grimaced not wanting to give it away.
"We're going to out to eat so theater little," he said.
"Hmmm, okay," she said.
"Awww, come on, Michelle. Is that your big hunk of man meat?" Tanya asked, wiggling her eyebrows at Michelle.
Michelle propped her elbow on the table and dropped her forehead in her hand when she heard Legates laugh.
"You know you should tell her I prefer the title of Greek god to man meat," he told her, still laughing. Michelle groaned when she heard Techie's laughter in the background.
"Yeah, I'm going to have to cancel that date and never talk to you again," Michelle muttered, her face on fire.
"Hey, no need to do that. I promise not to make fun of you for this. We'll just discuss your tingling lady parts," he said, smirking.
Michelle moaned and dropped her head on the table to the left of her tray in embarrassment.
"EXCUSE ME?" She heard Techie bellow. Michelle smirked as Tanya jumped at Techie's bellow.
"Michelle?" Legates asked after several moments of silence.
"Hmmm?" She asked, trying to hide her face in her elbow.
"Are you okay?" He asked, fearing he'd taken the teasing too far and she felt picked on.
"Yeah, just waiting for the earth to swallow me up. I had to take a number," she mumbled. He chuckled at her statement then decided to cut her some slack.
"Okay, I'll let you go so you can get back to waiting. This is the number you can get a hold of me with if you need to, okay," he told her with a smile.
"Umm hmm," she mumbled.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow at five?" He asked, making sure of their plans.
"Yep, tomorrow at five," she replied.
"Bye," he said.
"Bye," she replied then hung up her phone. The other woman at the table turned inquiring eyes to her.
"I really hate you," Michelle grumbled.
"So, he's taking you out for your birthday?" Tanya said, wiggling her eyebrows.
"No, he's just taking me out. He doesn't know it's my birthday," Michelle told her.
"Oooohhh, you get to have your first legal drinks with a Greek god," she said with a dramatic sigh.
"He said he prefers the title Greek god to man meat," Michelle mumbled.
"He knows about the Greek god title?" Tanya squealed in delight.
"Yes, and it was an insufferable discussion," Michelle grumbled.
"Oh, Honey, I saw you in the society section with him and he deserves that title," Tanya sighed dreamily. Michelle saved the contact in her phone and set it back down on the table.
"So, you're seriously going to let him take you out and not tell him it's your birthday?" Tanya asked again, completely stunned at her earlier admission.
"Yep," Michelle said, taking a bite of her cheeseburger. Tanya rolled her eyes at Michelle relishing her burger.
•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•
Legates rolled off his bed and stood up. He walked around the room picking up wallet, sunglasses, and grunted when he couldn't find his keys.
"I hate Jefferson, dammit," he grumbled.
"Where you going, pretty boy?" Techie asked, putting his comic book down.
"Shopping. I have to buy a freaking suit and everything that goes with it," Legates grumbled.
"Oh, this I have to see. Come on, I'll go hit Perkins up for his car since Jefferson is TDY and still has your keys," Techie said. Legates rolled his eyes and followed Techie out of the room.
They walked down the hall and Techie stopped in front of Perkins' room. He knocked on the door and when Perkins called out, Techie and Legates entered the room. Perkins was on the floor doing sit ups. Sweat was running down his face, neck, and back.
"What's up?" He asked, not pausing in doing his sit ups.
"Hey man, can we borrow your wheels. Cinderella here has to shop for a dress for the prom," Techie said, jerking his thumb at Legates. Perkins paused and shot a smirk at Legates.
"Did you finally ask her out?"
"What do you mean finally? I asked her to go to the Jeffersonian Ball with me," Legates squawked.
"Yeah, but she had to go no matter what so that doesn't count," Perkins said, resuming his sit ups.
"Well, can you play fairy godmother by helping him get a dress and a carriage for tomorrow night?" Techie asked, making Legates scowl at his Disney references.
"Yeah, one condition," Perkins puffed.
"What's that?" Legates asked, rubbing the back of his head.
"Let me borrow your car one night," Perkins said, pausing to look at Legates with a grin. He then resumed his sit ups.
"Okay," Legates said, without pausing. Perkins froze and looked in stunned amazement at Legates.
"Dude, I've been trying to get you to let me use your car for two years. You didn't even hesitate," Perkins stuttered out.
"Just as long as you follow my rules about driving my car then it's worth it," Legates said.
"Keys are in the bowl on top of the microwave," Perkins said, resuming his sit ups. Techie walked to the microwave, picked up the keys, and waved Legates out.
"Are you going to need your car tomorrow or can we just keep the keys?" Legates asked, after pausing in the doorway.
"Keep them. I have to see the doc tomorrow and have absolutely no plans on going anywhere but the chow hall," Perkins grunted.
"Thanks," Legates called out, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
He and Techie moved down the hallway, Techie wearing a wide grin. Legates shook his head and followed Techie down to Perkins' car. Legates groaned as he looked at Perkins' dirty Chevy Cruze.
"I guess I'll wash it," Legates grumbled. He opened the door and sighed as garbage spilled out of the passenger's floor.
"And detail it," he grunted. Techie was chuckling at Legates.
"The things you do for love," Techie said, putting his hand over his heart.
"Hey, hey, who said anything about love? I don't love her, we've only gone out once," Legates sputtered.
"Say what you want man but you seem to care and she's a nice kid," Techie said, sliding into the driver's seat. Legates sat down in the passenger's seat and mashed the garbage down.
"I'm not saying that. I like her, she's sweet and hot but I'm not saying love...yet. Possibility is there just not yet," Legates said, glancing out the window as they made their way out into the early afternoon traffic.
"Where are we going?" Techie asked, looking over at Legates. Legates shot him the 'are you serious look'.
"Yeah, got it. Big and Tall," Techie muttered then chuckled.
Ten minutes later, they pulled up in front of a big and tall shop. A middle aged man came from the back with a smile.
"Hello. How can I help you today?" He asked Legates, almost ignoring Techie. Techie snorted, walked to the seats next to the fitting room and sat down.
"Well, I need a suit, shirt, tie, socks, and shoes," Legates said, looking around.
"Well, we'll start with measurements. Do you know yours?" The man asked, eyeing Legates frame. Techie chuckled from his seat, Legates shot him a glare.
"Sir, I've been in the military for the last eight years. And I haven't had the need for a suit so to be honest I wouldn't know," Legates told him.
"Okay, step over to the mirror and I'll get your measurements," the man said, ushering Legates to the mirror. Techie burst into laughter and shot Legates a look.
"Just think of it like this. You only have to do it once unless you gain weight," Techie said, grinning.
Legates rolled his eyes and put his arms out at the salesman's direction. The salesman measured Legates' chest under his arms then wrote down the measurement. He pushed Legates arms down humming as he measured from his shoulder to his wrist then wrote that down.
"When do you need this for?" He asked as he wrapped the tape around his waist. The man's eyes shot to Legates in the mirror at Legates answer of tomorrow night.
"I'll see if we have anything that will fit you," the salesman said, starting the measure Legates inseam. Legates jumped away from the man's hands with a yelp. Techie burst into laughter at Legates' reaction.
"Not interested in anything but your measurements," the salesman assured him. Legates warily eyed the man as he measured his inseam.
"Black, I think," the man said. He stood up and gestured for Legates to follow him. Legates followed the man and stopped next to a curtained changing room.
"In there and I will bring you jackets, shirts and pants," the salesman said, moving away from the changing room.
Techie could hear the salesman muttering about athletic cut. The salesman moved from rack to rack pulling out several black pants, jackets, and white shirts. He walked back to the changing room and hung the clothes on the curtain rod.
"Here you go try them on. I'd start with the pants, if they're too long we can hem them. As far as the shirts go I'd say start with the athletic and the jacket double breasted," the salesman called through the curtain.
Legates reached up and pulled the clothing into the changing room with him. He stared at them for a moment and wondered where to start. Techie stood up and walked to the changing room then leaned against the wall.
"Need help, muffin?" Techie called through the curtain.
"No, pookie, I'm good," Legates answered, grabbing a pair of pants.
He put them on and pulled them off. He changed in and out of two more pairs of pants before he found a pair that fit. He set those to the side and tried on the next two pairs. They fit as well and he set them to the side. Then he started with the shirts, glancing at the tags he saw some were marked as athletic. The first shirt he tried on seem to fit.
"Cross your arms in front of yourself, dimwit," Techie said, laughing.
"What the hell? Why don't you just come in and help me?" Legates growled at Techie through the curtain.
"Hey, if you'd like to be able to lift your arms you'd best listen to me," Techie said.
"He's right," the salesman sing songed as he hustled past the changing room.
Legates sighed and crossed his arms. The shirt pinched under his arms. Rolling his eyes, he picked up the next shirt and tried it on. So it went with the next few shirts, finding one that finally fit he set it to the side. Then he pulled on the first pair of pants he tried on, then the shirt and picked up a jacket. He slid it on and exited the dressing room. He walked to the mirror and straightened the front eyeing it critically. Techie straightened the shoulders and pulled at the sleeve.
"Dude, your such a girl," Legates laughed.
"My dad was a tailor," Techie muttered in a very low tone. Legates eyebrow rose and he smirked at Techie.
"Be nice or I'll let the little salesman help you," Techie threatened. He tugged on the jacket again and shook his head.
"Too small," he told Legates. Legates walked back to the changing room and pulled on the next one.
"Next," Techie said, frowning. The third one Legates put on had Techie tugging and straightening.
"Okay, set this one to the side and try on the next one," Techie muttered.
Legates took it off and hung it back up. Setting it to the side, he tried on the next three. He tried on the two they found three times before settling on a double breasted jacket.
"Did you sit in those," Techie asked, pointing at the pants. Legates sat down and the pinched look on his face told Techie he hadn't.
"Yeah, thought so. They looked like they might be tight," Techie smirked.
"You eyeing my seat, man?" Legates asked, laughing as Techie's face turned red.
"Just try on another pair, douchenozzle," Techie said, sliding the curtain shut. Legates put on the second pair and sat down.
"So now what?" He asked Techie with a smirk.
"Put it all on and I'll get the salesman," Techie laughed.
Legates put it all back on and stepped out. The salesman ushered him to the mirror. He walked around Legates and started pining.
"We can have these hems done by this evening, maybe tomorrow morning and for a small fee we can have it dry cleaned," he told Legates.
Legates nodded and walked back to the changing room. He pulled off the suit and put the pants, jacket and shirt back on their hangers. After dressing, he walked out to the counter and set the suit pieces on the counter. The salesman had him fill out a ticket and rang him up. Legates blew out a breath and pulled out his debit card. He paid and then he and Techie left the store.
"I still have to get a tie and shoes," Legates grumped.
"Food first," Techie negotiated.
"Okay," Legates muttered.
After lunch, Legates chose a pair of shoes, socks, and a maroon and black striped tie. They were headed back to their dorm when Techie pulled the car into a car wash. He reached out his hand and Legates smacked the money in Techie's palm. Techie drove through the car wash, smirking as they rolled through.
When it was finished, he drove around to the vacuums and got out. Legates groaned and got out of the car and walked inside. He bought a roll of quarters and returned to the car. He started pulling garbage out and throwing it in the trash can.
"Legates, I think there's something growing back here," Techie called, gagging as he pulled out a Styrofoam container.
"How can one person, oh, my God, this is from before we deployed to Afghanistan," Legates said in disgust, throwing out a bag with a receipt taped to it.
It took them the better part of an hour to clean all the trash out and vacuum the car. Walking back into the shop, Legates perused the air fresheners. Smirking, he bought a Dakota Odor Bomb in vanilla scent. He'd use it tonight and leave the windows cracked. He walked back to the car and put the bag in the backseat.
"What did you buy?" Techie asked suspiciously.
"An odor bomb," Legates smirked.
"Why the smirk?" Techie asked, getting in, turning the car on and pulling out into the traffic.
"It's vanilla scented," Legates laughed.
"So," he said.
"Perkins has a sweet tooth. He's going to be craving cookies and sweets every time he gets in the car," Legates laughed.
"God, you are evil," Techie muttered as he parked the car in the lot next to the dorms.
They walked into the building and climbed the stairs. When they opened the hallway door a chorus of whistles followed them down the hall.
"I think Perkins let the cat out of the bag," Legates said.
"That cat has been out of the bag since Halloween. Or should I say after Kansas?" Techie said, playfully glaring at Legates.
"What is it with that. Nothing happened. We were talking and fell asleep," Legates grumbled. Techie snorted his doubt.
"Goodman, I'm going to kick your ass," Legates bellowed down the hallway.
Doors flew open and Legates grabbed Goodman by the top of the head when it poked out of a doorway. He pushed down making Goodman start to sink the floor.
"Hey, hey, what the hell?" Goodman said, pushing back up with his legs.
"I swear to God if you don't stop telling people shit," Legates growled. Goodman's eyes widened until he realized Legates was yanking his chain.
"I didn't say shit about you and Michelle," Goodman said.
"I never said anything about that twerp. I just said you need to stop telling people shit," Legates growled.
"We all know you slept with her," Addison mumbled, turning back into the room. Romero stuck his head out into the hall and looked at Legates in astonishment.
"You slept with a girl...on your last mission?" He asked completely stunned. Legates swiveled his head to glare at Romero.
"I've slept with more than one girl and yes I slept with someone else during my last mission. Slept being the key word. Goodman, stop running your mouth. I don't want you smearing her reputation," Legates said in a low menacing tone, playfulness suddenly gone.
"I told the guys that I found you sleeping on the floor. You know the guys wouldn't think about her like that," Goodman said quietly.
Legates gave an abrupt nod and released Goodman. He walked down the hallway and glared at Romero as he passed his suite mate on the way to his own room. He walked into the room and dumped his purchases on the bed.
"Keys are on the counter," Techie called out from the bathroom.
"Thanks," Legates answered. Turning around, Legates left the room and headed for the lounge to wait for the store to call.
•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•
Michelle flipped through her closet and glowered at her choices. Most of her dresses were club dresses. Groaning, she flicked the hangers again. Tanya bounced into the room and flopped on her bed.
"Found anything yet?" She asked, taking a bite of the Poptart she'd filched from the kitchen.
"No, looks like I'm going to go buy a little black dress," Michelle sighed.
"So, let's go," Tanya said, getting up.
Michelle grabbed her purse and they left the dorms headed for the mall. Thirty minutes later, they were standing in Nordstrom looking through the racks of dresses. Michelle scrunched her face as she looked at the dresses.
"What about this one?" Tanya asked, holding up a lacy, sleeveless dress that would be perfect for a club.
"No, less club, more elegance," Michelle said.
She saw a few dresses and picked them up. The last one, she spotted on the way to the dressing room. Sweeping it up in her hands impulsively, she took it with her. The first dress she put on made her want to cry, it fit at the waist but squashed her breasts to the point she couldn't breathe. Pulling it off over her head, she picked up the second one.
After putting it on, she shook her head. She went through all the dresses and was left with the one. Sighing and expecting another designer horror, she swept it over her head. As the dress settled on her frame her eyes started to glow. Oh yes, this was the one. Opening the door, she stepped out and Tanya's mouth fell open.
"Oh, I don't care if you wear it tomorrow night or not you are buying that dress," Tanya said vehemently.
"I am wearing this tomorrow," Michelle assured her before stepping back into the dressing room.
After getting lunch they headed to the salon for Michelle to get a wax then back to Michelle's dorm. The next twenty-four hours passed quickly for Michelle. Her earlier classes passed at their usual pace but as the afternoon dwindled time began to fly. Rushing to the dorm after her last class, Michelle took a shower and stepped out wrapped in a towel.
"Michelle, what are you doing home?" Brittney asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Getting ready to go out," Michelle said.
"Happy Birthday," Brittney said with a smile.
"Thanks," Michelle said, gently closing the door in Brittney's face.
"Who are you going out with?" Brittney asked, frowning at the door.
"Josh," Michelle answered. She walked around the room gathering her clothing.
A/N: Tomorrow you get... a shower (to start with), Elvis, Windsor knot, forgotten items, lace panties, Tresor, chiffon covered butts, cupcakes, McDonalds, birthday wishes, guessing games, National Theater, Phantom of the Opera, knots, running away, monuments, Ebenezer's, chocolate covered strawberry cheesecake, bacon dark chocolate truffle, goats, foot fetish, tingly lady parts, independent women, and going home.
A/N2: PTSD is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (just in case you didn't know) and from what I've seen/read/heard the soldiers coming back from long term duty in Afghanistan are required to undergo a three month treatment/evaluation for it due to high suicide rates. I'm not sure that's just hearsay but hey it worked in my favor so tada.