The Intervention

AUTHOR'S NOTES: This story is done in response to a challenge on the MoM list. A HUGE thank you to Rhonda for helping me work out the ending and beating. And a special thanks to Sarah for creating this wonderful AU for us to play in.

DISCLAIMER: Mag7/Las Vegas alternate universe was created by Sarah (aka Midnight Profit) and is based on the "Las Vegas" TV series. This AU is not related to the Mag7/Las Vegas RPG created by Lisa O. and Ruby. Trilogy, MGM, and the Mirish Corporation own "The Magnificent Seven" characters. NBC Studios, NBC Universal Television, DreamWorks Television, and Gary Scott Thompson Productions own "Las Vegas." They are not mine. The only purpose of this story is for entertainment. No money is being made.

It was a typical day at the Montecito Resort and Casino with a stamp collecting convention in full swing. Who knew that stamp collectors were such a wild bunch, thought Vin Tanner as he watched the monitors from the Security Control Room while munching on his Girl Scout thin mint cookie.

A half hour and whole sleeve of mint cookies later the Security Officer decided he needed to stretch his legs. "I think I'll head down and do a sweep of the main floor," said Vin Tanner. The security officers took turns doing periodic security sweeps of the lobby and casino.

"Ok," said JD Dunne as he looked up from his computer. "Have fun. Oh, while you're out can you buy me some stamps?"

"Very funny," said a smiling Vin as JD began to laugh. They had been joking back and forth about the stamp collecting convention going on.

The moment Vin stepped out of the office, JD jumped out of his chair and headed to Chris Larabee's office.

Knocking lightly on the door, the Security Chief said, "Come in."

"Vin's gone," replied JD. "Are we all set for tomorrow?"

"Yep," replied Chris. "The other guys are gonna meet us here at the start of the shift and we'll all talk to Vin then."

"He's not gonna like it," replied JD.

"I know," replied Chris as he rubbed his brow. "But it has to be done. This has gotten way out of hand."

JD nodded as he replied, "Ok, well I should get back to my computer."

Chris nodded as he watched the youngest member of his team leave his office. Tomorrow was definitely not going to be fun, he thought, but there was no other course of action.

_________________

The next day Vin Tanner was whistling softly as he walked into the office. It was the start of a new day. Sure, technically the day was half over since his shift started at 4:00 p.m. but he was looking forward to it anyway. One thing about this job you never know what to expect between the convention goers, gamblers, and tourists. They definitely reinforced the saying ‘What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas.'

Placing his lunch (aka leftover pizza) in the refrigerator, Vin then headed to his desk but was stopped when Chris came out of his office and said, "Vin, I need to see you in the conference room."

"Sure," replied Vin as he altered his path and followed his boss into the conference room, pausing for a moment when he noticed his six friends were already in the room. Did he miss a memo about an important meeting, he thought. It wasn't anyone's birthday so that couldn't be the reason why they were all gathered.

"Vin, take a seat," instructed Chris as he closed the door behind him.

"You're probably wondering why you are here," started Chris as he took a seat at the head of the table. "Well, there is no way to say this but to just say it … your recent behavior has us worried."

"Recent behavior? Worried?" repeated Vin as he brow furrowed in confusion.

Chris nodded as he continued, "So, we thought an intervention was necessary."

"Intervention?" said Vin as he looked at Chris and his other friends like they had grown two heads each. "Ok, what the heck are you talking about? Have you all been sniffing cleaning fumes?"

Nathan Jackson, the Montecito's physician on call, leaned forward as he said, "Vin, denial is very common in these cases but we want you to know we're here and we care about you and we will help you through this."

"That's right," chimed Josiah Sanchez, Head Valet. "Las Vegas is home to many types of addictions. It's nothing to be ashamed about."

"Addictions? I think you have me mistaken for someone else 'cause I have no idea what you're talking about," replied Vin in a raised voice.

"Vin, no need to get upset," replied Buck in a calm voice. "We're just trying to help. And the first step is you've got to admit you have an addiction."

"Ok, guys, this ain't funny anymore," said Vin who was clearly getting agitated. "I must be on ‘Candid Camera' or maybe I'm being punked? Either way, the joke is over."

"Mr. Tanner, I can assure you, this is not a ‘joke' and you are not being ‘punked'," replied Pit Boss Ezra Standish. "We are very serious."

"Ok, then," said Vin as he crossed his arms over his chest and sat back in his chair. "What's my addiction?"

"These," said JD as he placed the green box that he had taken from Vin's desk on the conference room table.

The room was quiet for a moment and then Vin burst out laughing. "Girl Scout thin mint cookies? You think I'm addicted to THEM?" he said in between the laughter.

The six other men nodded.

"You can't be serious?" said Vin.

"We are very serious," replied Chris.

"Can you tell us how many boxes you've bought this week?" asked Buck.

"Two or three," replied Vin.

"Only two or three?" countered Chris with a raised eyebrow, his voice filled with skepticism.

"Ok, ok, two or three . . . cases," replied Vin.

"There's like 12 boxes in a case so you bought 36 boxes of cookies?" asked Josiah. "And you don't think that's a little over the top?"

"Well, no, they're for a good cause and they do freeze well. In fact I was thinkin' I should buy two more cases," remarked Vin.

"It's worse than we thought," remarked Buck under his breath as he shook his head in disbelief.

"Have you all ever tried one?" asked Vin to his friends. Each shook their head ‘no'. "I can't believe it . . . none of you have tried ‘em. Here, JD, give me that box."

The young computer specialist passed the box of thin mints to his coworker who promptly opened one end and removed one sleeve of cookies from the box. "Try one," he instructed to his friends as he passed the cookies around.

Each man sampled a cookie as Vin directed.

"See, they're good, aren't they?" asked Vin.

"Not bad," commented Chris.

"Chocolate and mint . . . it just melts in your mouth," countered Buck as he savored the sweet treat.

"Pretty tasty," said Josiah.

"I'd have to agree with you there, Josiah," said Nathan as he grabbed another cookie.

"These would be good dipped in coffee or tea," remarked JD. "Or crumbled up on top of ice cream…"

"I bet those young entrepreneurs make quite a bit of money of selling these delectable concoctions," said Ezra as he began to figure out the profit margin.

"Now you know why I bought three cases," said Vin. "Plus they only sell them once a year."

The six men stopped eating their thin mints as if they misunderstood Vin.

"Excuse me?" said JD, his voice muffled since his had a mouth full of cookie.

"The girl scouts only sell their cookies once a year," repeated Vin.

"Well, that's just not right," replied Buck quickly. "They should sell these delicious treats year round . . . just think of the money they could make."

"Nope, only once a year and then they're gone," replied Vin.

"Gone," repeated JD in a whisper, sadness in his voice.

"Gentlemen, I do believe we need to make haste and procure some more of these fine delectables before it is too late," suggested Ezra.

"Amen, Brother," said Josiah.

"Oh, and they have other types of cookies too," said Vin. "Do-Si-Dos, Trefoils, Tagalongs, Samoas, All Abouts, Thanks-A-Lot, Café Cookies, Little Brownies, Cartwheels, and Lemonades. They're all good but Thin Mints are my favorite."

"How do you know so much about Girl Scout cookies?" asked Chris.

"Well, I'm sort of dating a Girl Scout leader," replied Vin as a deep blush covered his cheeks.

"You're datin' a Girl Scout?" asked Buck. "Aren't they a little young for you? There are laws against that."

"No, Buck," said Vin. "I'm dating a Girl Scout LEADER . . . her name is Mindy and she's a single Mom and her daughter's in the troop."

"You think she could get us some of these cookies?" whispered Nathan as he moved the subject back to the cookies.

"Sure, I'm sure she probably could. She's got cases of them in her house," replied Vin.

"Cases? In her house?" repeated Buck. "Maybe you should call her." The other men nodded in agreement.

"Sure, be happy to," said Vin. "I'll call her later."

"No, how about now?" suggested Chris.

"Ok," said Vin slowly. "Um . . . what type and how many cookies do you want?"

"A case of each should do it, don't you think fellas?" said Josiah and the other men nodded in agreement.

"Ok," said Vin as he slowly stood, realizing his friends might have lost it completely. "I'll try calling her now and see what she says. I'll be right back."

After the quiet security officer left the room. The six men continued to eat the rest of Vin's thin mints.

"Can't believe we thought he had an addiction to these," remarked Nathan.

The others nodded in agreement as JD said, "You know maybe we should change our order to two cases each? They do only sell them once a year and we want to make sure we have enough. Plus it's for a good cause."

"I think you might be right," said Josiah.

"I'll go catch Vin and increase our order," said Buck as he jumped from his chair and hurried out of the room in search of his coworker.

"I can't believe Vin was hiding these cookies from us all along," stated Nathan.

"It's always the quiet ones," replied Josiah. "You've got to watch them like a hawk."

"Indeed," said Ezra before taking a bite out of his thin mint.

A few moments later, Nathan held an empty cookie box and said, "The cookies are gone."

"Why are the cookies gone?" replied Josiah in horror, not believing that they could have eaten a whole box in a matter of minutes.

"I bet Vin has more at his desk," stated Chris.

"I'm there!" replied JD as he quickly stood and sprinted out of the conference room with the other five men hot on his heels.

END

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The Las Vegas Chronicles