The Longest Time
By Brate
Dedicated to Cin and anyone else who -- like me -- gave up chocolate for Lent.
ATF Universe
"Get that away from me!" shouted the normally quiet sharpshooter.
Larabee heard the yelling again. Normally he would ignore his men's outbursts, tension had been high since the last mission, but this was the third one in twenty minutes. He opened the door to his office, leaned against the frame, and bellowed at Tanner, "What's your problem?"
Vin started at the shout and looked over at his boss. "Nothin'." His blue gaze returned to his computer screen and frowned at what he saw.
Chris walked over and sat on his friend's desk. He glanced around and saw the other men going out of their way to avoid Tanner's presence. There was something going on and he aimed to find out why his easy-going, laconic friend was acting like a bear with a toothache. Maybe that was it -- Tanner had another toothache, and with his dread of dentists it could've been bad for a while, sending him over the edge.
"Do I need Josiah to make a call?"
The sharpshooter's eyes remained fixed on the screen before him. "I don't know, do ya?"
"I mean should he call the dentist?"
"How the hell should I know? Do ya need ta go?"
The blond swallowed his frustration. "Not for me... for you."
"Me?" Vin's confused gaze up rose from the computer. "Why?"
"I thought your teeth were hurting."
Tanner shook his head. "No."
"Then what have you been yelling about all day?"
Sighing, Vin said, "I gave up chocolate for Lent."
That was the last thing Larabee expected to hear. "Why? You never do that sort of thing."
"Ezra and me were talkin'."
"And?"
"He bet me I couldn't."
"That would do it." That would also explain Vin's demeanor. The sharpshooter had a sweet tooth, and if it wasn't satisfied, there would be hell to pay.
Before Chris could ask again, the youngest team member passed by, eating a Hershey's bar and making "yummy" noises.
"Is JD in on the bet?"
"No, he's jest enjoying my torment." He scowled at the departing agent. "Been pulling that shit all day."
"That's what you've been shouting about?"
"He keeps flaunting 'em. So far he's eaten a Cadbury crème egg, a bag of M & M's, and now that chocolate bar."
Chris tried to keep from laughing and failed.
"It ain't funny."
"Sure it is. You and Buck are always giving the kid a hard time, he's just playing catch-up." He watched Tanner's head swing back around to his PC. "So... how's it going?"
"It sucks," Vin admitted. He turned his computer screen around so Larabee could see it.
"Chocoholics Anonymous?"
"I can't do it, Chris. All I ever think about anymore is chocolate." He opened the drawer of his desk, displaying its stockpile of treats: Twinkies, lollipops, candy hearts, Payday bars, gum, and numerous other non-chocolate treats.
"Holy shit, Vin. You are going to need to see the dentist if you keep this up."
"I been tryin' everthin', but it's not the same. I ain't satisfied with any o' these... I need chocolate."
"You need professional help," Chris shot back. "Lent only started four days ago, Vin."
"Are ya sure?" Vin checked his calendar to find his boss was correct. "I can't lose this bet, Cowboy."
"What did you bet?"
"I ain't sayin'."
"It can't be that bad."
"I ain't sayin'," the sharpshooter repeated.
JD strolled by eating a piece of chocolate cake.
"I'm gonna have ta kill JD." Vin stood up.
Chris patted his friend's arm. "Just don't get caught."
The End
