To Each His Own
By Brate
ATF Universe
Notes: Dedicated to Mel who came up with the idea.
"Aww, Ez, can't ya put that thing away?"
Without bothering to look up from his work, Ezra Standish calmly replied, "I believe it rests where I want it."
Buck Wilmington tried again. "I think it would look better at your house."
"I don't imagine it goes with my décor."
Vin Tanner added, "I think it looks good there."
"I didn't ask for your opinion, Vin," Buck snapped.
"Don't matter if'n ya asked fer it," Vin answered. "I gave it."
Ezra's latest garage sale excursion had resulted in a new trinket for his desk: a troll doll an orange-haired, scrunched face, five-inch troll, which he placed beside his in-box. Buck promptly proclaimed it to be an eyesore and started a campaign to get rid of it.
Ezra, of course, deciding it was a matter of principle his desk, his choice refused to move it.
Vin actually thought the toy was ugly as sin, but he loved messing with Buck. Plus, he figured the undercover agent must have some sort of sentimental attachment to the troll doll, otherwise it really would be creepy.
Wisely, the other members of Team Seven had remained silent, not wanting to get in the middle of the argument. Chris Larabee, their leader, had locked himself in his office and refused to come out.
"Come on, Ez," whined Buck. "It's hurtin' my eyes, it's so damn hideous."
"Then avert them, my friend, for I am not moving it one inch." Ezra glanced over at Wilmington's desk. An object caught his attention: Buck's gaudy seashell-covered picture frame. Their offices located hundreds of miles from the nearest seashore. Not only that, but the seashells glued to the base had been painted in neon pinks, greens, and blues and rhinestones laced the edges. The picture within was constantly changing due to Buck's revolving string of girlfriends, but the frame was ever-present. "Perhaps we can strike a deal."
Warily, Buck asked, "What kind of deal?"
"I will remove my treasured troll from my desk if you will agree to remove that abhorrent article from yours." Ezra pointed at the frame.
Buck was offended. "My mother gave me that."
"I don't know why we should be punished for your mother's lack of good taste."
Clutching the frame to his chest, Buck pouted, "I'm gonna tell her you said that."
Vin snickered.
"And I'm tellin' her you laughed," Buck added.
JD Dunne started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Buck glared at JD.
"Your mama adores those two." JD motioned to Vin and Ezra, preening at the comment.
"I'm afraid he's right, brother," chimed in Josiah Sanchez. "In her eyes they can do no wrong. In fact, she's more likely to get mad at you for starting this fight."
"I don't believe you."
"Buck, when was the last time you talked to her?" Nathan Jackson asked, finally giving in and entering the debate.
"I called her last week," Buck stated proudly.
Nathan called, "Ezra?"
"Yesterday."
"Vin?" Nathan raised a brow.
"Day before."
"My mother's been cheating on me with you guys?" Buck asked, aghast.
Ezra nodded. "Delightful woman."
"A saint," Vin agreed.
"I can't believe it my own mother."
"Don't fret, Bucklin," Vin said, "'least neither of us asked her to marry us."
"You'd better not," Buck humphed.
Ezra played with the hair on his troll doll. "Not after she said no to Mr. Larabee."
"What?!"
The End.
