From the May 18, 2023 writer's prompt on the JE FF Facebook page. Write a one-shot using the words "asking for a friend". No longer a one-shot. Not by a long shot.

All familiar characters belong to Janet Evanovich. I am not making any money from this. Mistakes are mine.

Asking for a Friend - Bobby 2.0

Bobby's POV

Three decorated soldiers/security experts holed up in the sub-basement - it's mind-boggling. The fact that our cells are side by side is our excuse for not making eye contact with each other.

Since our leader is a brilliant military strategist, the conversation turns to how long we think we can stay down here. Knowing the players involved, we figure 60 minutes - 90 minutes, tops. Steph and Santos are not known for their long attention spans.

All three of us have accomplished what we ostensibly came here to do, i.e., reading. The next topic was whether the crew in the gym would need chairs to play Fruit Basket Upset or if it could be played from a sitting position on the gym mats. In a unanimous vote it was decided that it would be a good test of flexibility, coordination, and reflexes to play from a sitting position.

Next on the agenda, that we are making up as we go along, is whether we need an alarm code when Steph and Santos put their minds together. Should it be a color or initials? We already have a Code Plum that doesn't involve Santos. Ranger suggests BS for "Babe-Santos". Tank and I just look at him - seriously, Code BS? Tank suggests "Ellis" - a takeoff on Lester-Stephanie aka LS.

We still haven't decided on a code name when a distinct pop is heard in the quiet of the sub-basement. The fourth holding cell is now occupied by the one and only (please, let it be so) Diesel. He jumps into the conversation as if he's been here all along. With his Swiss heritage, he speaks fluent German and suggests code "Eine Zelle" aka one cell, which is the number of brain cells that are firing when Steph and Santos put their heads together. Motion unanimously passed.

Having no further agenda items we adjourn the meeting as Diesel pulls a deck of cards out of his jacket pocket. We move to the table where a stationed guard would sit if there were actual detainees being held. Water is the only drink available to us - no problem as Ranger and I are on duty and Diesel is always on-call. Cigars would be nice but they would set off the smoke detectors.

After enjoying several hands of Texas Hold 'em, Diesel tilts his head to the side. That usually means his handlers are summoning him for a job. If that's the case, I hope he leaves the deck of cards with us. Unfortunately, that's not the case at all. His next words have the three of us on high alert - "Ranger - your parents, Abuela, and Lester's mom just left Newark on their way here." Damn, our seclusion is about to end.

Is it even possible that I heard these words from the Mighty Manoso's lips - "Why me?" Asking for a friend.

A/N

Thanks to much-appreciated reviewers trhodes9 and Redickave, who wanted to know what it would take to get them to leave the basement and who would end up in the fourth cell. Inquiring minds want to know.