Free At Last
By Brate
ATF UNIVERSE
Chocolate.
Sweet chocolate.
Luscious, dark, rich chocolate.
Some people say they don't like chocolate. I don't get that. Until I gave it up for Lent I never realized how many things had chocolate in them: shakes, sundaes, cookies, candy bars, ice cream, donuts, cake... and the obvious -- chocolate milk and hot cocoa.
But I have it back -- and I ain't ever lettin' it go again!
~~~***~~~***~~~
"Where's Vin?" Buck looked over at the desk where the sharpshooter should be stationed. "I mean, Ez is here for God's sake."
Standish ignored the obvious gibe at his frequently late arrivals. "I believe Mr. Tanner called in today."
"He sick?" JD lifted his head in question.
"Possibly." Ezra chuckled for some reason.
Nathan joined the conversation. "You don't know?"
"Apparently he called Mr. Larabee at his ranch on Saturday and requested today off."
"What for?"
"I'm assuming it has something to do with yesterday."
"Easter?"
"Yes."
"Oh, shit! Easter!" JD slapped his head in comprehension.
"Exactly." Ezra smiled.
"Care to share the revelation?" Josiah asked.
"Vin gets to eat chocolate again."
"Oh," three voices chorused.
"That explains it. He probably took today off just in case he got sick from eating too much yesterday."
"Should we call him and see how he is?" The agents grinned at Buck's suggestion.
"Leave 'im be." The five men jumped at the growled command. No one had heard Chris come into the bullpen. "I'm sure he's trying to recover after his binge."
"I can just imagine the scene," Josiah ruminated. "I wonder if our brother even got off the bed or just spread his treats around him?"
"I'm surprised he hasn't called us over to bring him some more candy." Buck smiled.
"Maybe he's in a diabetic coma," added Nathan.
"Gentlemen, we have work that is not getting done. You can make fun of Vin tomorrow when he gets back." The leader spoke with authority and then returned to his office. The rest of the team split up and went back to their desks -- all the agents except one.
"So," JD said as he strolled over to sit on the edge of Ezra's desk, "Vin won the bet?"
"He did indeed."
"When do you drop it off?"
"I will be driving there tonight after work where will perform the switch."
"You're really gonna do it?"
"I have no choice, Mr. Dunne. I made a wager."
~~~***~~~***~~~
Standish pulled up in front of Vin's apartment building and shut off his engine. Getting out of his Jaguar, he locked the doors, and gently ran his hand along her hood in appreciation. Sighing, he walked up the stairs to Vin's apartment and knocked on the door. At the shouted, "Come in," he opened the door and scowled at the mess. Wading through the living room toward the kitchen where he heard his friend, Ezra tried to keep from stepping on the wrappers of various chocolate treats that were strewn all over the floor. "Mr. Tanner, can't you at least attempt to clean up your dwelling?"
Vin was sitting at the table, polishing off the last piece of an enormous chocolate cake with inch-high frosting. "Too much trouble. It'd take 'way from m'eating."
Ezra merely shook his head.
"Why so glum, chum?" Vin asked, around a mouthful of cake.
"I can't believe I lost," admitted Ezra. "I didn't think you had it in you."
Tanner swallowed, and took a large gulp of chocolate milk to wash the confection down. "I don't. The only thing that kept me going was the image of my Jeep in the car crusher if ya won."
"I still think you should consider it, that car is an eyesore."
"Well, for the next forty days, it's your eyesore." Vin smirked as he tossed Standish his car keys.
"I thought we said a month," Ezra wheedled.
"Nope. One day for every day I had no chocolate." He put his hand out and wiggled it around. "Come on. Where's the keys to m'new car?"
"It is merely a loan and I expect it back in perfect condition at the end of this ridiculous affair."
"Yep, uh-huh. Hand 'em over." Blue eyes crinkled in mirth as a reluctant Ezra carefully placed his car keys in Tanner's outstretched hand. "I can't wait ta take this baby for a spin." His grin became wider at the undercover agent's wince. Becoming serious, he spoke softly, "Ez, ya shoulda never threatened m'ride."
"I shall remember that for the future, Mr. Tanner." He glanced at the Jeep keys in his hand. "Believe me, I will not forget this."
The End
