A/N: Huge thanks again for Daitanro for your reviews and encouragement!


Chapter 31: Showdown: The Team

To promote camaraderie and teamwork, the Bureau decided that each team should do a musical performance for the Christmas party. The performance should, obviously, still adhere to the proper decorum maintained in the office premises but otherwise, everyone was encouraged to have fun with it.

The representatives from the different agencies in the JOC had the option to participate but the agents and analysts don't. So with much resistance and protests, they were divided into Team Agents and Team Analysts. Even the supervisory agents were not excused which meant Isobel had to join Team Agents while Jubal in Team Analysts.

Maggie was the latest to complain since she only knew about it after her medical hiatus. "Seriously, why didn't you tell me about this?"

"It honestly slipped my mind, Mags," OA said apologetically, turning away from his desk to face his partner.

Tiff agreed, "I think they said it a few months ago so we all forgot."

"We forgot because we were hoping we don't have to do it," Stuart grumbled into his paperwork.

"As much as I share your sentiment, Scola, we still have to do it," said Isobel who quietly joined the group. "So, my place this Saturday?"

Meanwhile, the analysts huddled in the break room. Elise tried to be reassuring, "Maybe it could be fun, at least it's worth a try."

"I don't know, Elise. I mean, just thinking about it brings up my stage fright," Kelly admitted. Ian and Hobbs nodded in agreement.

"Don't worry about it guys, we can do it," said Jubal, putting his arms around the shoulders of Kelly and Ian. They agreed on meeting at Kelly's place since according to Jubal, "My kids are staying with me this weekend so unless you want to go home covered with paint and glitter, my place is unavailable."


Saturday came and the agents showed up at Isobel's place. The only one who brought an instrument was Stuart with his guitar. "Sorry, we only have food," OA said.

"That's alright, come on in." After they entered, she said "Make yourselves at home. I'll just get the drinks."

When she went to the kitchen, Isobel pulled out her phone to text her ASAC.

"How's Team Analysts doing? :)"

"Never thought you'd be the one who'd text first haha. Everything okay?"

The concern evident in his message made her smile. "Everything's fine. Just checking in."

"Are you scouting the competition?" he texted, with an emoji wagging its eyebrows.

Isobel laughed at that. "Nope, I don't need to," she replied and added an emoji sticking its tongue out.

He sent a laugh-out-loud emoji. "Well, all of them are bickering about song choice. But one has a crazy grin on her face when looking at me. Care to guess who?"

"You said her. ;)"

"Damn it, I thought I was careful haha."
"There she is again, looking at me with a grin. Like she knows something I don't."

"Maybe we can find out later. I got to get back there. Text later."


In the end, the party was cancelled because of a bomb threat near 26Fed. The threat was eventually neutralized but everyone was exhausted. Wanting to somehow impart a festive spirit, Jubal suggested, "Why don't we just have a team dinner instead? My treat."

"There may not be a lot of places open this late though, boss," Kelly said.

"Then why not at my place?" Isobel offered, having just got back from a phone call with the director.

"Oh okay, then. We'll just get food on the way," Jubal said, nodding at Isobel.

The team occupied Isobel's entire living room. Sharing food and stories, everyone was having fun when the host requested their attention. "Since we weren't able to do our performance, we thought," she looked at Jubal beside her, "that maybe we could perform them here."

"I mean, since we already prepared for it and all," Jubal shrugged.

"Good thing I brought my guitar," said Stuart, showing his guitar case.

The agents apparently decided on an acoustic song. Isobel played her piano while Stuart strummed his guitar. Tiff's velvety voice filled the air. Since both can't play any musical instrument, Maggie and OA performed a sweet ballroom dance on the side. Maggie stunning in her red dress while OA is dashing in his black tux with red tie.

The analysts and Jubal all clapped and cheered when they finished the performance. When it was their time to perform, the analysts excused themselves. Only Jubal and Ian remained. Jubal moved the mic stand to the side of their makeshift stage while Ian asked Isobel if he could use her piano.

The analysts returned each carrying cases. Who would have thought that all the analysts were band members when they were in high school? Kelly played the trumpet, Elise proficient with the violin and Trevor skilled with the saxophone. With Ian on the piano, Jubal sang a jazz classic. The agents applauded and praised their teammates.

After congratulating each other for the amazing performances, the team greeted "Happy holidays, everyone!"


A/N: Hope you enjoyed the last chapter and this collection! Huge thanks to everyone who read, made reviews/favorite/follow this collection of stories. Really appreciate it! ;)