Disclaimer: When I was packing I didn't find any paperwork that says I own Bones. So I'm guessing that I don't own it. I'm positive I'm not making any money off of it.
ArielBrennan:Oye vey okay I guess I fouled that one up errgghh umm I left out the anatomy studying but I did get into what she had been up to. Ummm...
Yenyen76: Yeah, Maggs goes all brotherly big time in the next story. So you'll see more of that.
Nertooold54: LOL Actually I think she gets peed on more than him.
Nichellemarie: Yeah, some of us get just a wee bit more cranky than other women /snicker
Angelbach: I wish I had remembered that kind of packing over the last week or so LOL would have made my job easier. Well, it would be surprising to see a Greek god standing in your kitchen ;-)
Thank you my pretties for all of your lovely reviews! I do so love them. I'm almost finished moving all that's left is the sweeping and mopping in our old place. After that it's unpacking and that will be done slowly so I don't kill myself. So working on the sequel will be balanced with my unpacking! YAY!
Chapter 52 - Cookies 'n Cream Marshmallow Dream
Chuckling then sighing, Legates leaned his head back.
"She burrowed her feet between my legs to check my attachments and scared the snot out of me," he said, chuckling.
"She more than scared your nuts if she put those icicles down anywhere near them," Dwayne said, taking bite of his burger.
"You have no idea," Legates muttered.
"Tarnation, you don't have to be so mean about my feet," Michelle snickered.
"Michelle," Legates said in a teasing growl. She looked up at him and fluttered her eyelashes at him.
"Yes, Honey," she asked sweetly.
"Behave," he told her with a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Okay, but you won't like me when I behave," she said, grinning at him.
Tanya rolled her eyes and snickered at the pair. Legates spent the evening flipping through Michelle's books and snickering at certain facts while Michelle started outlining her plan for studying for finals. As he flipped through the anatomy book, his eyes fell on the female reproductive system and he shuddered. He flipped quickly past it. His eyes stopped on the multiple birth section of the page he'd flipped to.
As he began to read, he realized that this was actually interesting. Pausing, he considered the twins that had gone to his high school. Jessica and Jennifer, ahhh, he thought. Michelle saw an amused expression cross Dwayne's face and turned to look at Legates. She saw the glazed look of a happy place on his face.
She stretched up and peeked over the book to see what he was reading. She the page on birthing, multiple births and birth defects. She was pretty sure he was in a happy place which wouldn't involve the actual birthing process or birth defects. So, he was thinking about multiple births, more than likely twins.
"Hope they were pretty," she said with a slight edge in her voice.
"Huh? What?" Legates said, his mind clearing of the fog from the past.
"Busted," Dwayne said, snickering. Legates looked down at Michelle who stared up at him with narrowed eyes.
"I said, I hope they were pretty," she repeated.
"Yeah, they were until they got all sick and nasty looking. They were anorexic," Legates said, flipping the page. Michelle grunted and turned back to her pages.
"What are you doing tomorrow?" She asked, flipping through the pages of a binder with a highlighter in her hand.
"Accountability, appointment with Dr. Nabhan, gym, maybe go for a run," he grunted. Dwayne was walking back from the kitchen and paused next to the front window.
"I don't know about that, dude. It's snowing it's ass off," Dwayne said, nodding his head towards the window.
"I still have accountability and the doctor's appointment. As long as there's someone at the gym I'll be there," Legates shrugged.
"And how do you plan on getting there?" Brittney asked with a grin on her face.
"Drive," he said, wearing a grin of his own. Michelle snickered and highlighted something.
"I hope you're not driving your car in this weather," Tanya said, laughing at him.
"No, he is driving his honking huge truck," Michelle said, her highlighter moving across the paper. Tanya flipped on the TV and clicked through the channels.
"So, everything about him is big?" Brittney asked with a wide leer.
"Yep," Michelle said, without looking up. Legates chuckled at her and squeezed her hips between his feet.
"Bad girl," he admonished in a teasing tone.
"You know it," she muttered.
"Oh, Jeez. On that note I'm heading home. It's snowing and as much as I like you people I'm not getting stuck here," Tanya said, standing up.
"See you later," Michelle said, waving still not looking up from her papers. Legates put Michelle's anatomy binder down and picked up her Spanish binder and book.
"Unggh this is set up stupid," he muttered, flipping through the chapters in her book.
"How so?" Brittney asked, scrunching her face at the book in Legates' hands.
"Our books have tables in the back. All the verbs are listed with definitions and conjugations in the back," he muttered.
"Yellow tab in my binder," Michelle told him. He picked up the binder and flipped past the yellow tab. He found a table very much like the ones in his book.
"Much better," he grunted.
Dwayne laughed as he watched Legates start to study Michelle's Spanish. Dwayne and Brittney finished their burgers and headed to Brittney's room. Another hour passed before Michelle started shifting in discomfort on the floor. Legates glanced at his watch and winced.
"Come on. Bed time," he said.
Michelle looked up at him with narrowed eyes. He smiled at her and stood up over her, Michelle looked up and eyed his inner thighs.
"You should stop tempting me," she muttered.
He chuckled, finished stepping around her and turned to face her. Holding out his hand, he waited while she thought about her next move. With a grunt, she closed her binders and stood up.
"You go ahead. I need to lock up," she said, waving him towards the bedroom.
He turned and headed to the bedroom while she walked to the door and locked it. Michelle moved quietly through the rooms turning off lights and making sure everything was ready for the morning. Grabbing her Chemistry binder and book, she headed to the bedroom through the apartment dimly lit by nightlights. She walked in and snorted out a laugh. Legates was laying on his stomach spread eagle across the entire bed. He had all the pillows bunched under his head and the covers on one side of him.
"Cute," she said, putting her books in her backpack. He shot her an innocent smile and fluttered his eyelashes.
"Paybacks?" He said in a questioning tone.
She laughed as she got her pajamas and headed to the bathroom. She came back moments later, turned on the lamp next to the bed then turned off the overhead light, and headed to the side of the bed she normally slept on.
"Scooch over, I have to set the alarm," she muttered, gesturing for him to move.
He rolled over to the other side of the bed onto his back. She sat down on the edge of the bed and picked up her alarm.
"What time do you want to get up?" She asked and waited for an answer.
"Five," he grumbled. She set the alarm and mentally whined. He reached out and squeezed the side of her thigh.
"You don't have to get up with me," he told her.
"I know but if I don't I'll have to drink hours old coffee. Besides it will give me time to start studying," she mumbled as she laid down and rolled on her side to put her head on his shoulder.
"See, I have my own pillow," she teased. He laughed and wrapped his arm around her. They laid in silence until sleep overtook them.
Michelle jumped when the alarm went off and Legates chuckled sleepily at her reaction.
"That is an obnoxious alarm clock," he told her.
"So says the guy with the bugle alarm," Michelle muttered.
She rolled from the bedroom and headed to the kitchen. She turned on the coffee maker and opened the refrigerator. She laughed and shook her head. Since she had been spending so much time over at Legates' dorm, Brittney appeared to have done little to no shopping. She scowled and glared into the fridge. Closing the door, she headed to her room. She paused at the window and rolled her eyes.
There was a good two feet of snow on the ground. That meant that classes were going to be canceled. Walking into her room, she opened her backpack and pulled out her computer. As it booted up, she walked to her dresser and pulled out clothes. She yanked on her clothes then walked back to her computer.
Grumbling, she checked her email and as she had presumed her Chemistry class had been canceled but there were instructions in the email on which chapters to read. She quickly went to a few websites to make sure that the tours were still being done and grunted when she saw the Monument by Moonlight Tour would be canceled due to snow. Legates came out of the bathroom wearing a towel and a grin.
"Let Techie know that we'll be there at five instead of three. One of the tours got canceled because of the snow," Michelle said, frowning.
"That sucks," he said, digging in his bag.
"Shit happens," she said, watching him get dressed.
When he was finished except for his jacket which he carried in his hand, he headed out to the living room. He laid his jacket over the back of the couch and followed Michelle into the kitchen. He chuckled as he watched her stand on her tiptoes to reach the very top shelf in the cabinet. He walked up behind her and looked at the shelf.
"What are you looking for?" He asked, not seeing anything that was needed.
"Coffee mug. We keep our own down here but the extras are kept up there," she said, pointing at the top shelf.
He was moving things around looking for the coffee mugs when Brittney came out of her room. Blinking, she stepped around Legates and headed to the couch.
"Brittney, check your email. My Chemistry class was canceled," Michelle called out.
"Unggh," she grunted at Michelle.
Legates snickered and pulled down a coffee mug. He glanced into it and carried it to the sink and rinsed it out. Michelle poured herself some coffee and fixed her cup the way she liked it and moved out of his way. She walked to the living room and sat down. Legates followed her after fixing his own cup. Sitting down in the chair next to the couch, he took a sip of the coffee and grimaced.
"Baby, this swill is almost as bad as our coffee," he rumbled.
"It was on sale," Brittney said defensively.
"Sorry, but it really has to taste like shit if it's as bad as military coffee," Legates said, shaking his head.
"Honey, she does the shopping and I do the cleaning," Michelle explained.
"Sorry to offend then but it's still nasty," he said, taking another drink.
"Yet you're still drinking it," Brittney pointed out. He shrugged and took another swig.
"You wouldn't believe the stuff I've eaten and drunk to survive. And yes I need caffeine to survive accountability," Legates said. He finished his cup of coffee, took the cup to the kitchen then disappeared to the bathroom again.
"Does he have a tattoo on his arm?" Brittney asked unsure if she'd seen what she thought she saw.
"Yes and one on his chest as well," Michelle said, sipping her coffee. He came back out and picked up his jacket. Dropping a kiss on her lips, he headed to the door.
"I'll be back later," he told her.
"Call me when you get back. Tell Techie to dress in layers," Michelle called.
"Got it," he said before leaving the dorm room. Michelle stood up with a sigh, picked up her books and binders then went into her room.
"I'll be studying if you need me," she called out.
"Okay," Brittney called back.
After accountability, Legates headed to Dr. Nabhan's office. He discussed his reaction to the last visit as well as Michelle's reaction.
"It sounds to me like you have a surrogate family that understands this sort of thing," Dr. Nabhan said approvingly.
"That's all fine and good but when will the nightmares stop. I haven't had one in a while but I still have them," Legates grumbled, crossing his arms and his knee bouncing.
"Josh, they may never go away. They may lessen to the point where you only have them when you're stressed. There are some men from Vietnam that are now receiving treatment for PTSD and have gotten them down to twice a year and some who haven't had them since they started treatment at all," Dr. Nabhan told him. Legates let out a frustrated sigh and uncrossed his arms but his leg continued bouncing as he chewed on his lip.
"I just don't understand why I am having them about Maluku. I mean it happened to them not to me," he said, putting his hands on his knees.
"Here's the deal, no you didn't have anything physical or psychological to traumatize you but emotionally that's another story. I mean think about it, if someone on the street or a friend told you a story where they saw what you saw wouldn't you feel sympathy for them? I'm not saying that I feel sorry for you but I'm saying it's an emotional trauma of sorts," Dr. Nabhan told Legates.
They spent the remainder of the time discussing what happened in Afghanistan with Booth. When he was finished, Legates made an appointment for after the first of the year and headed to the gym. He found the guys already there and goofing off as they worked out.
"Where's your boy?" Ferguson asked with a laugh from his position on the bench.
"If he's smart at the dorms naked getting some tail," Legates said, heading to the men's locker room.
He returned a few moments later and walked to a pull up bar. As he began his pulls ups, Goodman looked over at him.
"You staying with Michelle?" Goodman asked with a snicker.
"Yeah, why? You don't seriously think that I'd interrupt them do you? I, unlike ya'll, have manners," Legates said with a smirk.
"Techie said something about you guys going out to dinner. Where are you going?" Wilson asked with a gleam in his eye.
"No idea. This is Michelle's thing, I'm just along for the ride," Legates said, pulling himself up.
"Well go ask her. If it's not too bad we'll go too," Addison said.
Ferguson started laughing at Addison inviting himself out with two couples. Legates grunted, dropped to the floor and strolled back to the locker room. He returned a few moments later with a smirk on his face.
"The Melting Pot and Michelle says if you want to she needs to know like now so she can up the reservations," Legates said, putting his hands on his hips.
He took count and glared at Ferguson when he raised his hand with a grin. Turning around, Legates went back to the locker room to make the call. Michelle sighed on the other end of the line and nodded. Hanging up, she called the Melting Pot and changed the reservations from four to twelve. Legates went back to the weight room and went back to his pull ups.
"Be ready by five," he grunted as he pulled himself up.
"Me too?" Ferguson asked with a grin.
"No, my creepy eyed girlfriend might beat the crap out of you," Legates said, exhaling as he dropped down. Ferguson snorted and lifted the bar over his chest. Wilson leaned over him and smirked at him.
"She will you know," he told Ferguson.
Techie walked in with Andrea following behind him. Legates laughed and shot a wink at him. Techie went to the locker room to change and Andrea leaned against the wall. Legates pulled up and watched Andrea's pupils dilate. He started laughing and had to drop to the floor. Finally getting control, he pulled himself back up. When he finished his reps, he walked to the Roman extension bench and sat down. Techie walked in and went over to the bench press.
"You going to spot me, muffin?" Techie asked as he added extra weights to the bar.
"I would but I don't think I could help if you can't get it off your chest," Andrea said.
Legates threw back his head and burst into laughter. Getting off the bench, Legates walked over to where Techie was laying.
"Schnookums, your fiance doesn't know about us," he said with a grin. Techie chuckled and lifted the bar.
"Where are we going tonight?" Techie asked before lowering the bar down to his chest.
"The Melting Pot and we went from a party of four to a party of twelve. The guys are coming too," Legates said, casually watching Techie lift the bar up.
"Oh lord," Techie grunted.
Legates looked over at Andrea and saw her watching Techie lift. Smirking, Legates leaned over Techie much like Techie had done to him while Michelle was at the gym.
"Ever had sex on a weight bench?" Legates asked, his voice full of choked off laughter. Techie's eyes flickered and Legates chuckled.
"Bad boy," Legates said tutting. Andrea moved closer to see what was going on.
"What are you two up to?" She asked her voice laced with suspicion.
"Nothing, just making fun of sweet pea here," Legates said, straightening up.
Andrea pursed her lips, narrowed her eyes and made a disbelieving sound in her throat. Techie pushed the bar up and lowered it down again. Legates laughed as Andrea stood next to him watching her fiance lift the weights.
"Ya'll have to be ready by five so make sure he gets out of here in time to take care of whatever you need taken care of," Legates said, wiping his hand down his mouth to hide his grin.
"Oh, I intend to," she purred.
Techie looked up at Andrea and shot her a wink. Legates finished up his normal workout routine and called out his goodbyes. Thirty minutes later, he was pulling into the parking lot across the street from Michelle's dorms. He pulled out his phone and called to let her know he was there. Walking to the door of her dorm, he waited until she came downstairs. She let him and scrunched her nose then grinned.
"Stinky, tall, Army man," she said as she let him in the door.
"You love it," he said with a grin.
She sniffed and lifted her nose as she walked away. He laughed, swung his arm back and let his hand land on her butt with a swack. She jumped and squealed while laughing at him. The two guys coming down the hall looked at Michelle with interest. She pushed the button for the elevator and rubbed her butt cheek.
"You don't have to take that you know," one of the young men said.
"I like it so keep moving," she said haughtily.
Legates leaned against the wall and grinned at her. Leaning over, he captured her mouth in a kiss as the two young men watched. They muttered and walked out the door.
"So that's what it's like to be peed on huh?" She asked with a giggle.
"Yeah, but I only trickled on you. The other night at Applebees you hosed me," he said, laughing.
She stepped into the elevator after the door opened. He followed her in and they rode in silence to her floor. When they entered the dorm, Brittney was bouncing around and singing. Legates grimaced and walked quickly to Michelle's bedroom. He closed the door and stripped as he walked towards the bathroom, tossing his clothes in the hamper in the corner.
His shirt and one of Michelle's bras were hanging over the edge of the hamper. He liked the sight of that and paused for a moment to look at it. After finishing undressing, he went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Michelle walked into her room and started digging through her clothes looking for something to wear.
When Legates came out of the bathroom, she headed past him into the bathroom. He grabbed her waist and spun her into his chest. Leaning down, he planted a kiss on her lips. She smiled, returned the kiss then pulled away. When he heard the shower running, he turned back to getting dressed. When she came out, she laughed at him wearing a tee shirt and a pair of jeans.
"You're going to want to bring a sweatshirt and a jacket or something heavier," she told him as she moved towards the bed. She started pulling on clothing and he groaned then dug through his bag.
"I'll have to get something when we go to the dorms to pick up Techie. I didn't bring anything other than tee shirts," he muttered.
"Okay," she said, yanking on her jeans and pulling on a turtle neck then a sweatshirt.
She walked to the bathroom, pulled her hair back in a stretchy headband then applied some makeup. Legates grabbed his phone and waited for her to come out of the bathroom. She came out, grabbed her wallet, phone and lipstick.
"Come on, let's go," she said, grabbing her jacket. They headed out into the living room and Michelle picked up her keys off the coffee table.
"Brittney, we're going out. Not sure when we'll be back. I have my phone, call if you need anything," she called as they headed towards the door. As they walked Michelle shoved the items in her hands into her jacket pockets.
Legates followed her down the hall, into the elevator, out the door. He led her across the street and to his truck in the visitors' parking lot. He helped her climb in then walked around to the driver's side. They drove to the dorms and Michelle jumped out of the truck. As her feet hit the asphalt they slid out from under her. She hit the ground with a thump and a shriek. Legates came around the truck and walked carefully over to her.
"Are you okay?" He asked her, reaching down to help her up.
"Yes," she grumbled as she tried to get up.
He reached down, chuckling, to help her up. Scowling, she stayed planted on the ground and tugged. His feet slid out from under him and he hit the pavement with an omph. She smirked at him as he tried to get into an upright position.
"That was mean," he rumbled.
"Are you guys rolling in the parking lot?" Martinez called from the door of the building.
"No, she pulled me down onto the ground," Legates called back.
Martinez burst into laughter then they heard the door slam closed. Legates got to his feet and walked away towards the door. Michelle started giggling as he walked away. He stopped, put his hands on his hips and turned to face her.
"Well, come on," he said, glaring playfully at her.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming," she said, rolling to her knees then carefully to her feet.
She walked towards him still giggling. He smacked her butt in retribution which just made her laugh harder. They made their way inside and up the stairs. Legates knocked and waited for someone to open the door to his room. Techie opened the door then swung it wide. Legates walked into the room, over to his closet and opened the door. Michelle watched him dig around and pull out a sweat shirt and a jacket. He pulled the sweatshirt on and hung the jacket over his arm. He looked over his shoulder at Techie.
"You guys ready?" He asked with a grin.
"Yeah, you get to go round up the others though," Techie said with a wink.
"Keep your clothes on huh," Michelle said, walking out the door laughing.
Andrea's laughter followed Michelle out into the hallway. Michelle walked down the hall knocking on doors. When they swung open, she smiled and crooked her finger in a come on gesture. The men followed her out into the hallway and stood waiting for Techie and Andrea. Legates was leaning on the wall next to the door laughing.
"Whipped, whipped, whipped," he said, laughing and pointing to each of the guys in his unit.
"Hey I'm not whipped," Perkins exclaimed.
"No, actually whipped people get sex. So I'm not sure what you are," Legates said, laughing even harder. The door behind him opened and Techie and Andrea stepped out. Michelle started down the hallway.
"Let's go guys," she called about half way down the hall.
The men turned and followed her down the hallway.
"She's got your entire unit whipped, Justin," Andrea told Techie with a snicker.
"Yeah, and I'm the only one who gets sex out of it," Legates said, laughing.
"Hey, I get sex," Perkins bellowed down the hallway.
"But not from me," Michelle yelled back as she opened the door to the stairwell.
She went down the steps as the men behind her laughed. Skipping down the steps, Michelle laughed the whole way. When Legates reached his truck, Michelle was leaning against the passenger's door, grinning.
"You going to help me into the truck, Honey?" She called with a large grin on her face.
"You promise me you won't drag me down onto the ground?" He asked with a playful growl. She snickered then sighed dramatically.
"Okay, I promise," she said with a dramatic flair.
He hit the fob and the truck beeped then unlocked. She opened the door and Andrea snickered when she saw how high the seats were.
"I don't know what you're laughing at. Techie's going to have to lift you in too," Michelle said, shooting Andrea a grin.
Legates lifted Michelle into the seat and closed the door. Andrea opened the back door and glared up at the seat. Techie laughed and boosted her up into the seat. He closed the door and walked around to the other side. Legates started the truck and Michelle gave him directions to the restaurant. They pulled into the garage down the street and everyone climbed out. They stood waiting as the rest of the group arrived.
When everyone was there they walked to the restaurant. The Hostess looked at the group and smiled.
"Let me guess, Legates Party?" She asked with a knowing grin on her face.
"Yeah," Legates answered, shooting Michelle an incredulous look.
She grinned and wiggled her eyebrows at him. He chuckled and followed the waitress up a set of steps and around a small bend. In the corner were three large booths that had been connected. Three tables had been pushed together into one long booth with the outside open to restaurant. The hostess gestured for the group to get into the booth. Legates pointed, Techie pointed and the men slid in leaving four open spots on the end of the table. Legates nodded and Techie grunted then gestured for Andrea to get in.
Michelle slid in next then Legates last. The waitress walked over and explained how the fondue worked and how four people would share one pot or two to a pot depending on what was ordered. The group looked at the menus and Techie and Legates were arguing. Michelle looked at Andrea and rolled her eyes about the pair.
Laughing Andrea mouthed 'Cheddar Cheese', Michelle nodded. The waitress came back and Michelle told her they wanted the Cheddar cheese and the waitress moved on to take the rest of their orders. The waitress had come and gone, Michelle sat watching the two men arguing when they suddenly stopped.
"Where's the waitress?" Techie asked, looking around at the snickering men. Legates looked over at Michelle who wore a wide grin on her face.
"What has that look plastered on your face?" He asked, looking around suspiciously.
"Nothing," she said innocently. Andrea covered her mouth and giggled behind her hand. The men burst into rolling laughter. Techie looked at Legates then at Andrea.
"They ordered without us," he said with finality. Michelle nodded her head still propped on her hand.
"Sheesh," Legates grumbled at her with a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. She grinned and shrugged at him.
"We got sick of listening to you argue in circles. So we ordered then made fun of you while you argued," Andrea said, laughing.
"We just laughed," Johnson said, still chuckling.
Everyone chose their dinners while waiting for the appetizers. When the waitress came back with their cheese pot and vegetables they placed their entree orders. Michelle had picked Fillet Mignon, Legates picked the Pacific Rim. Techie read the menu and followed Michelle's lead and ordered the Fillet Mignon. Andrea surprised everyone and ordered a vegetarian plate.
They discussed and debated on the oils and finally settled on a Coq au Vin which was described as a Burgundy wine with herbs, spices and mushrooms. Between both couples they were able to order all of the dipping sauces. Michelle stabbed a granny smith apple from the plate between her and Legates. She stuck it in the cheese, pulled it back out and placed it on her plate. Legates grimaced at the apple covered in cheese.
"Don't knock it until you try it," she said, picking it up and popping it in her mouth. He shrugged and dipped another slice of apple and put it on his own plate. He laughed when Techie dropped his artisan bread in the fondue.
"Fondue foul," Michelle yelled. The waitress appeared and smiled. She held her pen aloft and waited.
"What is a fondue foul?" Techie said, looking at the waitress in question.
"If a male drops his piece of food in the cheese, oil or chocolate then he buys the next round of drinks. In a large group such as this it's by the pot. If a female drops her piece of food in the pot she must kiss the person on her left and right," the waitress said with a huge grin on her face. Techie groaned and nodded his acceptance to the rule. Andrea kissed Techie on the cheek and smiled.
"It's okay, darlin'" she said, drawing her vowels out in a heavy southern accent.
Michelle snickered and dipped a piece of bread then groaned when her bread fell off the fork. Sighing, she turned and planted a kiss on Techie's cheek then turned and shook her head at Legates.
"I don't even think so, big boy," she said, turning his chin so he was facing her and planted one on his lips.
The guys hooted in glee and laughed at her comment. They went back to their eating, laughing as the guys down the table fought with their forks. Finally, the appetizers were eaten and the pots were cleared away. Michelle heard Wilson burp down the line and groaned.
"No soy for him. I mean it," Michelle said, waving her finger at Addison, Johnson and Brown.
"Anybody want a peanut," Oaks said in a deep voice. Michelle paused then started laughing. Andrea burst into laughter and held her sides as she laughed.
"So what else do you have up your sleeve for tonight, Legates?" Perkins asked, making a face at Legates. Legates looked down at Michelle and raised a questioning brow.
"Weeellll, I thought we'd head over to the Gaylord National Resort's ICE," she said, smiling.
"Which is?" Johnson asked, looking at Michelle.
"Two million pounds of hand carved ice," she replied.
She sat back when the waitress arrived with their pot of Coq au Vin and plates of meats and vegetables. Stabbing a piece of meat on her fork, Michelle dropped it in the pot. Following her lead, Legates stabbed a shrimp and dropped it in the pot.
"So, let me get this straight, we're paying them to let us cook our own food?" Techie asked, peering into the bubbling pot of burgundy wine.
"It would appear so," Davis said, dunking his shrimp in his own pot of spiced oil.
"You can quit your bitching since you invited yourself. And you," Michelle said, poking Techie, "can politely ask your fiancée to cook your meat if it bothers you that much. I wouldn't expect any action afterward but you can do it."
"Sweetheart, can you cook my meat?" Legates asked with a silly grin on his face.
Michelle rolled her eyes and pulled his shrimp out from the pot. After pushing his shrimp off the fork onto his plate, she stabbed several shrimp onto the fork and dropped them into the pot. After pulling her fork out, she set her piece of beef on a plate then stabbed several pieces of meat. She dipped her piece of filet mignon in the gorgonzola port sauce and held it up for him to try. He took a bite and looked down at the sauce.
"It tastes best on beef or chicken," Michelle said with a sweet smile. He shook his head and the guys down the table laughed.
"Spoiled rotten. She is so spoiling you rotten," Andrea said, glaring at Techie daring him to ask.
"Don't I know it," Legates murmured.
Michelle snorted and lifted her pieces of meat to check on them. Next she lifted the fork with his shrimp and saw they were finished. Pushing them off onto his plate, she pushed the dipping sauce toward him.
"Try this one," she pointed to a dark looking sauce, "and this one," she finished, pointing to a pale green one. Legates eyed the green one suspiciously but dipped his shrimp into it anyway.
"Good boy," Techie said, grinning at Legates.
Techie suddenly found his mouth full of shrimp covered in the Green Goddess sauce that Andrea had shoved in his mouth. Johnson hooted in glee until Brown shoved a piece of fish with teriyaki sauce on it into Johnson's mouth. Michelle giggled around her piece of meat and shot Andrea a 'look what you started' glance.
Andrea grinned then shrugged her innocence at Michelle. More than an hour of eating and playing had passed before they made it to dessert. Michelle rubbed her hands together as they decided on the choices.
"Nuh uh, you ladies picked the cheese without telling us. We get to pick this one," Techie said, waving his finger in a no no gesture towards Michelle.
Her face wilted and Andrea pouted as the men sat down to discuss their options. When the waitress arrived, Legates ordered the Cookies 'n Cream Marshmallow Dream dessert. Michelle's ears listened as the others ordered. She chewed her lip and glanced down at Goodman's group. He wiggled his eyebrows and stuck his tongue out at her.
Michelle pouted and let out a sigh. Just as Andrea was just about to ask what was wrong, the waitress reappeared and set the pot down. There was marshmallow smoothed across the top. Michelle shifted back with a smirk on her face as she saw the waitress spritz the top.
"What's she doing," Legates said out of the corner of his mouth.
Michelle snickered and gestured for him to pay attention. The waitress lit the top of the marshmallow on fire with a practiced flourish and it flamed up then settled into a slow burn that crusted the top of the marshmallow over.
"Enjoy," the waitress said, moving on to the next pot.
Michelle thought of going down to where Goodman had ordered the dark chocolate with Grand Marnier but decided to stay where she was. She stabbed a brownie and dipped. Techie pushed her fork to the side in an aggressive manner trying to dip his rice crispy treat into the pot. Michelle giggled and pushed his fork back. Andrea bumped Techie's elbow giving Michelle the advantage.
"They're ganging up on me," Techie whined as Legates laughed at him. Michelle took her time, feeding bits to Legates, as she ate and eating bits he fed her.
"You guys are so disgusting," Perkins grumbled at the two couples who were feeding each other.
Michelle giggled and fed a strawberry dipped in the pot to Legates. After dessert was finished, they paid the bill then left the restaurant.
A/N: Where are they going? Uh oh let's see...Harbor, peaches, lights, electric guitar, nine degrees, flowers, Harbin China, a cat, glue, mistletoe, teddy bears, spit, bacon, goat, scorpion, pillows, blessings, documentary, eggs and Wicked Waffle.
A/N2: More fun tomorrow with the group! And there's still more to come...