Flashpoint: Wayward Sons

Chapter 2

                    Michelangelo "Spike" Scarlatti was usually chipper no matter the hour. It was his humor that often brought sorely needed equilibrium to the team, and he knew it. He kept positive (balancing out Sam's pessimism and kindly offered sarcastic quips) to keep things running smoothly. So when Ed spotted him with a large, ridiculous grin, it was nothing if not typical.

            "Hey Ed!" Spike called out. Sure, Spike was usually in a good mood, but this particular goofy grin was there for a reason, so as Ed entered the briefing room and acknowledged him, it was with a raised eyebrow and a knowing smirk.

            "Hey Spike, what's new?" It was his teasing tone that left all kinds of implications hanging in the air and Spike turned a little red.

            "Don't even ask! I'm not telling you anything," he said, crossing his arms.

            "Come on just tell me how the date went!" Ed begged, a smile playing on his lips.

            "I've been trying to get it out of him all morning, so far he's given me nothing," Sam Braddock chimed in as he entered the room. There was a look in his eyes that was calculating, and Ed could see him running through all the different tactics in his head. Sam didn't give up easily. It wasn't in his nature. He was observant and forward and relentless. He plopped down in the chair beside Spike, staring him down. Spike's smile never dropped, but his lips remained sealed.

            "Come on Spike don't be like that!" Sam said. "You never were good at keeping secrets. Sooner or later you'll spill the details."

            "He's right. You are terrible at keeping secrets," Ed confirmed, taking his own seat across from Spike.

            "I resent that!" Spike argued. Both Sam and Ed laughed out loud at that.

            "Don't worry Spike, you don't have to tell them anything." Jules Callaghan said as she strolled in, settling in the chair across from Sam. She was usually the voice of reason.

            "Thank you!" Spike huffed, offering Sam a smug look.

            "Winnie already told me everything!" Jules laughed at Spike's surprise. Sam's mild frustration melted to pure delight in an instant. Jules might be rational and calm, but of course she couldn't pass up an opportunity to tease a worthy victim given the chance. "So you took her to a nice dinner at a formal restaurant without telling her where you were going afterward. Oo a little risky for a first date, don't you think?" Spike was blushing madly, and while he tried to appear angry, he couldn't manage to wipe that smile off his face.

            Jules continued to recount the evening as Winnie had described it, and Sam and Ed playfully commented on every aspect of the date. Spike's embarrassment was almost palpable as they offered their critiques and compliments. He was a fool if he'd believed he would be able to escape the torment from his teammates.

            Winnie tried not to laugh as she listened to the interaction from her place at the front desk. She was used to listening in on their conversations from her little bubble, but she wasn't used to being the topic of their discussion. It served her right for breaking her strict rule against dating cops. Not only was she opening herself up to a world of hurt if something were to happen to him, she was leaving herself vulnerable to the meddling of the rest of the team. Of the two problems, she would certainly take the latter. But it didn't make her current predicament any better from where she sat, feeling the heat rushing to her face. She was just glad they were all too busy enjoying Spike's discomfort to notice hers.

            It was Greg rushing through the door that finally drew her away from the exchange. Winnie turned her attention to him and greeted him with a bright smile, hoping he wouldn't notice the color in her cheeks.

            "Hey Winnie," he mumbled. He was shuffling through his bag and he didn't look up at her as he spoke.

            "You seem a little stressed, boss," she remarked. Greg placed his bag on the counter down to the right of her work space and turned to face her, letting out a long breath as he did so.

            "I'm sorry. We've got so much to review today, and I just don't feel as prepared as I could be." He stared at his pile of things, resisting the urge to look through it all again to double check that he had everything. He knew he did.

            "I'm sure you'll do just fine, boss. You always do," Winnie reassured him.

            Greg smiled and nodded his thanks. Dean was right, he had to stop stressing himself out. Organizing his things and collecting the paperwork in his arms, he gave Winnie an appreciative look before making his way to the briefing room.

            He was greeted by Sam who was practically on the floor. Across from him, Jules was nearly in tears with laughter. Even Ed was fighting to keep a straight face. Spike was a deep shade of red that seemed unhealthy.

            "What did I miss?" Greg asked, taking in each member of his team individually. Sam attempted to explain, but was so breathless with laughter, he couldn't form proper words.

            "Don't worry about it boss," Ed said, shooting him a look that promised an explanation at a later date. Jules fought to catch her breath and compose herself, but Sam was still hysterical. Spike muttered a variety of insults under his breath which only made Sam laugh harder. Greg ignored them, laying out his things on the table calmly. Lifting his gaze with a neutral expression, he finally spoke.

            "Gee, Spike, did the date really go that badly?"

            "Boss!"