Vin Tanner looked up from his desk, startled by the outburst of laughter coming from JD's desk. They were the only ones in the room, the others having been needed to testify that morning in a two-year old case that was finally coming to trial. Neither Vin nor JD had been involved in that case, both out with injuries at the time. So they'd stayed in the office to do some research on their current case.
JD was chuckling at something while he clicked through several pages on his computer. Vin could hear him muttering.
"It's perfect. He'll love it."
"JD?"
Dunne looked up. "Vin! You gotta see this. I found the perfect gift for Buck's birthday!"
Tanner got up and walked over to JD's desk. He stood behind his and glanced at his computer screen. A moment later he started laughing. He patted JD on the shoulder.
"You're right, JD. It's fits him."
Dunne nodded and scrolled down the page, clicking on the order form button. When the form popped up on his screen he started filling it out, reaching for his wallet to get out his credit card.
Three weeks later, the team was gathered in the conference room during their lunch break for a small party. The cake and ice cream had been demolished by the team and a selected few other agents who had been invited. Plus, of course, several of the ladies in the building.
Buck was opening up gifts. He reached for a small box. Removing the card on top, he pulled it from the envelope. He smiled and looked up. "This one's from JD," he said, and eagerly ripped the paper from the box. He crushed the paper into a small ball and tossed it over his shoulder, hitting Chris in the forehead.
A growl caused him to turn around, only to get the paper tossed back at him. It bounced off his nose and landed on the floor.
"Sorry, pard," he laughed.
"Don't make me shoot you, Buck. Just open the damn box so we can get back to work"
"Take your time, Bucklin," Vin said, smiling at his boss. "I ain't done with my cake yet. Don't feel like working."
Wilmington turned the box over, examining it from every angle. "Well, let's see. It's not big enough to be a woman."
"It could be, if it's an inflatable woman," remarked Mike Nelson, Team 2's leader.
"At least we'd find a use for all that hot air Buck is full of," Tanner remarked, shoving another spoonful of cake into his mouth.
Amidst the resulting laughter Buck opened up the box and pushed the tissue away. His face went blank for just brief moment, then his smile got bigger. He leaned his head back and laughed.
"Oh, JD! This is great!" He reached inside and pulled out a piece of metal and rubbed his hand across the front, shaking his head and laughing again. He pinned the gift to the front of his shirt, rubbing it with his sleeve to remove the fingerprints.
"Chris, I'm gonna have to resign," Buck said.
"What!?" Larabee exclaimed.
"Yep," Buck nodded. "Got me a new job." He tapped the metal on his chest. Chris saw JD and Vin exchange grins as he walked over to Wilmington and looked at the gift. He smiled.
"You're right, Buck. It suits you perfectly. We'll be sorry to see you go."
The others gathered round to get a look at JD's gift.
Josiah laughed. "Perfect, Brother Buck."
Nathan shook his head. "Gee, Buck, what kind of training do you have to endure to get this job?" Buck just wiggled his eyebrows.
"No idea, but I sure can't wait to find out!" Buck replied.
"Mr. Wilmington, I daresay, although I would miss your unique personality, I do believe you to be highly qualified for this new occupation," Ezra noted. "However, I feel I must point out that in order to fulfill the requirements of the job you would have to move to Nevada, that being the only state where it's legal."
"Yeah," Buck smiled. "Sin City."
Ezra cleared his throat. "The desert. Death Valley. Do those places ring a bell?"
"I hate the desert," Buck remarked, losing his smile.
"Yes."
"Guess that means I gotta stay here," he said, his shoulders slumped in disappointment.
"Hmmm, yes. Maybe I spoke too soon," the dapper undercover agent said. "Have a nice flight. Maybe now I can get that desk near the exit door. Mr. Larabee, we need to talk."
"Forget it, Ezra. I ain't putting your desk next to the door so you can slither out of here when I'm trying to hunt you down," Chris said as he walked out of the room, followed closely by Standish.
"Ah, but it would also mean I'd be further away from your office."
Three seconds of silence were followed by a grunt of agreement. "I'll think about it."
Josiah, Nathan and Vin followed them out, offering their own suggestions about desk placement. Buck turned to JD.
"We best get out there, before Chris gives my desk away." He put his arm around JD's shoulder. "I love my gift, kid. Thanks." He chuckled. "I sure would have loved that job."
"Hell, Buck, the only thing you would have inspected would have been the employees."
"Yep. Great job, huh?" Buck remarked with a laugh, as he once again shined up the badge now residing on his chest.
It appeared old. It was round, with a star cut-out in the middle.
Engraved on the badge were the words "Brothel Inspector."
The End
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