It’s
How You Ask
November 12,
2012
Answer
to “You can quote me on that” challenge on Vin F&D list
"I told you this might happen."
"Let's not and say that we did."
"There is no time like the present."
Now you need to write a story that includes
all three quotes<g>. They don't have to appear in the order given but
they can't all appear in the same paragraph!
# Any AU
# No shorter than 100 words and no more than
1500 words
Universe: ATF
Summary
- You Can Quote Me on That challenge -
The Judge asks the boys a favor
Length:
1484 words
*******
“I can’t do that,” Judge Orin Travis said.
Chris Larabee shrugged. “Then all that’s left is to
ask them.”
Travis nodded solemnly and peeked through the
blinds covering the window between Chris’ office and the bullpen. He saw the
six other men pretending to be busy, but each of them covertly cast at least one glance toward the office while he watched.
Except Tanner, who grinned and gave a little salute. Travis quickly released
the slat and faced Chris.
“Guess there is no time like the present.”
Larabee
exited his office with Judge Travis just a step behind. Six sets of eyes met
his, a mix of curiosity, anticipation and worry showing in all. “Boys, Judge
Travis has something to talk to you about.”
He
nodded to the older man and took up a lean against the edge of Nathan’s desk.
Travis
looked around the room, still uncertain how to phrase his request. Larabee had
been no help, offering only that he should ‘make it an order’ to ensure their
compliance. But he couldn’t do that, not for this… could he?
Realizing
that Team Seven was waiting for a response, Travis cleared his throat and
began, “Well, I’m looking for some help, a few volunteers, that is…” he stopped
as Buck popped up out of his chair.
“Sorry, Judge,” Buck said, sidling toward the door as he spoke, “I’ve got a hot
date, would love to help, but…” and with a shrug, he was out the door.
Travis
blinked and almost missed Tanner’s quick “Dentist” as he followed right behind
Wilmington. Knowing how difficult it was to get the sharpshooter anywhere near
a dentist’s office, Orin was pretty sure Vin’s excuse
was a lie… besides, they didn’t even know the date yet.
He
hesitated a moment too long though, allowing JD to mumble, “I’ve got a… well,
you know, that thing, sorry,” as he slipped out the door.
And
Nathan Jackson was right behind him, having pushed past Chris. “Sorry, Judge,
Rain and I made plans ages ago.” And he was gone.
That
left only Standish and Sanchez. Their desks were furthest from the door, though
both had made it to the door just after Jackson, and bounced off each other in
their haste to leave.
They
looked at each other, then back at Travis and said at the same time –
“I
promised the church I’d help rebuild some pews…”
“I’m
pretty sure I’ll be sick that day…”
Orin
opened his mouth as Standish’s words sunk in, but the two men had managed to
share the doorway, quiet effectively, almost waltzing out chest to chest.
Larabee chuckled. “I told you this might
happen.”
“Do you have any other suggestions?”
Chris grinned. “Let me handle it.”
*******
The next day being Saturday, the boys were all
out at Chris’ ranch to enjoy a quiet weekend riding their horse. Chris
carefully did not mention the Judge until they were well away from the ranch
and settling in to eat the lunch they’d packed for the ride.
“We need to talk about yesterday,” Chris said,
determined to be heard. Quizzical eyes met his. “The Judge…” he prompted.
“Let’s not and say that we did,” Buck quickly
replied.
“Yeah, cowboy,” Vin
agreed. “Last time we ‘helped’ the Judge we ended up at a bachelor’s auction
for one of Ms. Evie’s charities.” He shuddered at the
memory.
“Indeed,” Ezra supplied, “I have no wish to find
myself purchased by some elderly matron with roving appendages.” His shudder
mimicked Vin’s.
Chris nodded and held up his hands to stave off
the other comments he was sure were coming. “I would agree with you
completely…” he paused for effect, “If this was the same sort of situation, but
it’s not. You didn’t even give the man a chance to explain.”
Josiah rubbed his chin. “I wondered why he
didn’t just ‘tell’ us what we were volunteering for.”
Nathan nodded. “Yeah, it’s not like we had a
choice before, even though he had Ms. Evie ask us
real nice.”
“Well,” Chris said, “that’s because this isn’t
something he can really order us to do. It’s not something he should have to
order us to do,” he added catching each of them with his eyes for a moment
before continuing.
“I believe an explanation is in order,” Ezra said.
Chris smirked. “You all were so quick to make your escape that the
Judge didn’t even have time to get to that part. See it’s the anniversary of
Steven Travis’ death in a few days, and with the holidays so close, it’s been
hard on Mrs. Travis the last few years. The Judge thought she might like it if
we joined them for their Thanksgiving celebration, might make her feel better.”
“Why us?” JD asked, “Aren’t they going to have their family over?”
Larabee shook his head. “Just Mary and Billy.
They don’t have any other children and their other relatives have plans at
home, on the East coast.”
“So, why us?” Vin repeated,
confused. He liked Mrs. Travis, and even the Judge when he wasn’t being the
‘boss,’ but being invited to share a family holiday?
Chris shrugged. “It’s the Judge’s idea. He didn’t explain his
reasons.”
Josiah nodded slowly to himself.
Nathan nudged him with an elbow. “Spill it, preacher. You
obviously have some idea.”
Josiah smiled. “Well, I think Mrs. Travis, and to some extent the
Judge, too, have come to think of us as family. We’ve been through quite a bit
together in the last few years. I even got a birthday card from them this
year.”
“Me, too!” JD exclaimed, excited to finally understand the gesture.
The others nodded, adding up the little clues. Birthday
cards, care packages when they’d been injured, plates of cookies and other
goodies showing up in the break room. Even homemade
sandwiches and easy to reheat meals being delivered when they’d been working
long hours.
They had all been grateful for the kindnesses, but at the end of
the day, they’d been forgotten in the rush of adrenaline and the crash after
the bust was completed.
Ezra cleared his throat. “I believe I am free for the festivities.
Mother has plans to be in Europe over the holidays.”
“Rain’s going to visit her family out of town,” Nathan added. “I
can make it.”
“Wonder if they want us to bring anything?” Buck said.
“Forget it, Buck!” JD answered with a grimace. “Mrs. Travis is a
great cook, only thing you can make is burnt toast.”
“Hey!” Buck protested, “You sure do eat enough of my cooking, boy.
And I only burnt the toast ‘cause you changed the
setting on the toaster.”
Chris looked at Josiah who nodded his agreement and then to Vin who seemed surprised. Chris tilted his head
questioningly.
Vin just shrugged. He didn’t want to say it out loud. He’d found one
family already with his six team mates… brothers. How could he explain what it
meant to find out that Mrs. Travis and the Judge thought of them as family,
too? Add in Nettie and Casey, Mary and Billy and even Inez and he had more
family than he’d ever hoped for.
Vin smiled at Chris who had a worried look on his face. “Hope the Judge
knows what he’s doing, adoptin’ us like this.”
The others stopped teasing Buck when they heard his words. They
exchanged glances and looked to Chris.
“Perhaps we should inform the Judge of our availability,” Ezra
said tentatively, “and confirm the invitation.” The trepidation in his voice
that the invitation might be revoked was clear to all of them.
Chris nodded. “We can call them when we get back to the house.” He
jerked back, away from the six cell phones that had been thrust in his
direction.
Vin chuckled. “There’s no time like the present, Cowboy.”
Chris gave a mock growl, but nodded and grabbed the phone from Vin’s hand and punched in the Judge’s cell number. “Hi,
Judge… no, it’s Chris, I’m just borrowing Vin’s phone…
We’re all fine, just got through discussing your proposition. We were hoping
the invitation is still open…” Chris smiled broadly, looking at the worried
faces surrounding him. “Great, I’ll let them know. Did you need us to bring
anything?”
A few moments later, Chris hung up and handed Vin
his phone. They all waited impatiently for Chris to confirm what they had
heard. He let the silence stretch until Vin smacked
him on the shoulder.
He chuckled. “It’s confirmed, we’re all invited to spend
Thanksgiving Day at the Judge’s house. He said he’d ask Evie
if she wanted us to bring anything.”
Broad grins lit up seven faces and they started to discuss what
they could do to make the day perfect for their hosts. Privately, each man was
contemplating their good fortune and eagerly looking forward to spending the holiday
with their newly discovered family.
The
end
Did
you like it? I’d appreciate it if you let me know. JudyL