Part of the Just When You Thought... collection.
ATF/AU: "It's All in the Wrist (Part Deux)"
January 2003
Disclaimer: Trilogy, MGM, and the Mirish Corporation own The Magnificent Seven characters. They are not mine. The only purpose of this story is for entertainment. No money is being made.
Feedback is welcome and greatly appreciated, but no flames please.
Many thanks to Sarah for betaing.
It was late in the evening and the ATF Denver building was quiet except for the few dedicated employees who were working late. Ezra stepped off the elevator carrying takeout from, in his opinion, the best Chinese restaurant in Denver. Since he, Vin, and Nathan drew the short straws which resulted in them staying back to finish all the paperwork on their last case, the undercover agent figured they would dine on something a little more edible than cardboard pizza.
Ezra made his way down the quiet hallway, silently wondering if the report from the medical examiner's office had finally arrived via fax. It was the one document the three men were waiting on in order to finish the necessary paperwork, which would mean they would finally be able to go home.
The undercover agent balanced the various bags in one arm as he opened the office door and slipped inside. The sound of his coworkers' voices coming from the back of the office caught his attention.
"You need to put your wrist into it," suggested Vin.
"Like this?" asked Nathan.
"Yeah but you gotta be patient . . . don't force it . . ." countered the sharpshooter. "That's good . . . lean back a little . . . take your time. . . "
The undercover agent paused in his walking as his brow furrowed while he continued to listen to his colleagues' conversation.
Uumpf!! "Damn . . . that hurt," said Nathan.
"Well, it helps if the tip is pointy. . ." commented Vin.
Nathan swore softly as he muttered "So close . . . It didn't go in far enough."
"You've got the angle all wrong," commented Vin. "It'll never go in that way."
'Oh please don't let this be what it sounds like it is,' prayed Ezra silently as he warily approached the two men who were caught up in God knows what.
". . .almost. . .wait for it. . ." reassured Vin.
"Bulls-eye!" yelled the two men who were both clearly happy.
"Doesn't it feel good when you do it right?" asked Vin and Nathan replied "Yeah. It does."
At the same time, Ezra stopped in the doorway, his gaze taking in the scene. There sat Vin and Nathan and above them were a variety of pencils stuck in the office ceiling tiles. In addition, a clutter of writing instruments were scattered along the floor – the rejects that didn't make it in their game of the pencil toss.
"Is that dinner?" asked Vin as he quickly made his way to Ezra's side, grabbing one of the bags. "I'm starvin'."
"Me too," replied Nathan as he grabbed the other bag of food. The two men headed off to the break room, anxious to eat, neither realizing Ezra was still standing there, looking at all the pencils and shaking his head at his overactive imagination.
THE END