Chapter 22: "Watch out!": Isobel and Jubal feat The Analysts

"I really thought we had more time," Jubal said, lightly kicking the snow on the ground. "They were looking forward to it."

Isobel tried to comfort him. "Well, what can you do? We were busy with the cases and you can't control the weather."

They went to the paintball place that the agents frequented. This time, taking the analysts. However, when they finally had time to go, snow has fallen and paintball is closed for the season. Now, they were walking through a clearing, returning to where they parked their vehicle.

The ASAC was talking mid-sentence when he heard Kelly shout "Watch out!" Immediately followed by a snowball hitting him just below the chin. Isobel gaped. When they both turned to Kelly, he's apologetic. "I was aiming for Ian but then he dodged."

Isobel then crouched down and formed a snowball herself then launched it to Kelly. He avoided it last minute and instead hit Trevor who's behind him. Both analysts ran when they saw the SAC forming another snowball.

"Wow, nice aim," Jubal complimented.

Isobel grinned. "I had to avenge you, like the Justice League," she said then took off to find her targets.

Jubal tilted his head. "I'm pretty sure those are different franchises." Following her, he added, "You really need to work on your movie references."

When he reached her, she was ducking behind a tree. "I think they're hiding behind that barrel and that tree," Isobel pointed.

"Are you sure?" Jubal asked. She nodded.

After forming two snowballs, he threw one to the direction above the barrel. Isobel protested, "But they're still in hiding." It hit the tree behind the container and predictably got smashed. But when it fell on the space gap in between, a yelp from Elise was heard. She was forced to run to the nearby tree where protests from Kelly came from.

Isobel turned to her ASAC. "I'm impressed."

"I have two kids, you learn how to do these things," he winked.

The teams naturally formed - Kelly and Elise, Trevor and Ian, and Isobel and Jubal. Despite being reluctant partners at first, Kelly benefitted from having Elise's snowball experience with daughter Grace. She landed a hit on Trevor and saved Kelly from Ian's retaliation. Kelly was able to hit Ian's leg while he's hiding behind a bush.

The analysts were initially unwilling to hit their bosses but after Isobel took her revenge shot at Kelly, Elise had to strike back. She barely got out of the snowball's trajectory when she slipped. But Jubal caught her in time, his arms prevented her from falling into the snow. Ian, taking advantage of their distraction, managed a successful hit on Jubal.

After an hour and a half of friendly competition, the bosses decided it was time to go home. With the promise of hot cocoa and warm lunch, the analysts excitedly went ahead.

"I just wanted them to have a little fun, you know. They work so hard and they barely get any physical exercise," Jubal whispered as they walked.

"I know but look at them, Jubal." He glanced at them. Seeing their tired and messy but happy faces made him smile. She continued, "They're happy, Jubal. You made them happy today."

He reached for her hand. "We did."


Notes:

Reviews are appreciated! Thanks for reading!