Day 3: I Love It When A Wedding (and a plan) Comes Together

[notjustaface]

There was no doubt about it, Mel/Mia was definitely in on the gig, between the gun and fake documents stored in her cabin and a key to what could only be a storage locker they had more than enough evidence to take her down hard.

Problem was, she didn't strike either of them as the leader of the operation - she was sweet, pretty, just the sort of con Face was the master of. Which usually meant there was a boss pulling the strings. With less than twenty-four hours before dock, it was hard to focus on getting ready for the wedding when he was going over every face on the boat they'd met in the last two days. Between the two of them, they'd practically been social butterflies - making best friends of most of the boat.

They're taking in some last minute time by the pool pretending to go over their vows only a couple hours before the altar, going over the plan if they can only nab half the pair.

"We'll flush her out," Face shakes his head, pushing up off his towel and stretching enough to make his small speedo even more scandalous. "Have Hannibal and BA grab Mia and then make a run for the hold - assuming the guns are in the hold."

Which is a big assumption.

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[notjustaface]

Swallowing back his emotions is hard, but he can't let Murdock see more than the slight wet shine in his eyes. He doesn't need to see it. He can hear it, hell... he can probably feel it.

"You may now share love's first kiss as devoted partners."

Leaning in is second nature, wrapping his arm around his partner's waist as the other buries itself in his hair - not wanting for one second to let go.

[notthatcrazy]

As nice as that thought as that is, it's not quite true... they've been devoted partners for a while, missteps and all.

"Love you so much," he whispers before losing himself in his arms.

[notjustaface]

The words make it easy to pull him even tighter, letting himself get lost in the cheering and occasional loud sob behind them until he can't breathe and gasps against his ear; "Always have."

Even back when he didn't know it, he knew it.

[notthatcrazy]

"And always will."

He presses another warm kiss to his lips before pulling back slightly.

"We did it."

And just for that moment, even with the noise of all the other couples around them, he feels like they're the only two people in the world.

[notjustaface]

For all he cares, they are. He presses his forehead to Murdock's, eye to eye when he whispers; "I love you so damn much."

Pulling away in that moment is one of the hardest things he's ever had to do, but the passengers are being herded toward the ballroom for their reception.

[notthatcrazy]

He's still entirely conscious of how hard it was for him to say those words for such a long time. It's been a long strange road, but he treasures the words - and the feelings behind them - all the more for that.

He keeps a tight hold on his hand as they enter the brightly decorated reception hall.

[notjustaface]

They're still not easy for him, but it's a little better each time. A little less forced, and a little more important.

Holding his hand tight, Face watches the champagne pop open just in time to catch Hannibal rolling out the largest and most elaborate of the cakes made for the occasion.

"Hey, check it out..."

[notthatcrazy]

"Would ya look at that."

He grins, wrapping an arm casually around Face's waist.

"Never figured the Colonel was the culinarily-inclined type."

[notjustaface]

"Are you kidding? He was baking the quiches earlier - I've got to try one of those..." And he doesn't even really like quiche.

Guiding to where the couples are gathering for a champagne toast, they move in careful concert - looking out over the crowd for sight of their suspect.

"Keep your eyes open."

[notthatcrazy]

"Remind me to compliment the chef later."

Right. Work.

[notjustaface]

"I'm sure he'll appreciate that." Face grins, taking a pair of champagne flutes. "You see BA yet? He's been doing a damn good job of keeping himself scarce."

[notthatcrazy]

"I've seen the uniforms the porters wear, I'm not surprised."

He's probably lurking somewhere. He might complain, but he's always got their backs.

He links arms with him as he takes his glass, moving into place for the toast.

[notjustaface]

"To happiness, good fortune," he grins, pressing his lips to Murdock's temple; "and love."

A simple, meaningful toast.

[notthatcrazy]

"I'll drink to that."

He clinks glasses with him and takes a long drink, resting his head on Face's shoulder.

"See anything worth keeping an eye on?"

[notjustaface]

Turning until they're chest to chest, one arm wrapped around his partner as he scans the crowd again.

"Nothing." He sips his champagne; "Mia's the key... I know it."

He offers a false smile to the couple that had clued them in, the gesture warming as he sees them just as close as he and Murdock are. But no sight of the girl.

[notthatcrazy]

The other couples are starting to spread out and mingle, and pretty soon there's music playing.

"Time to hit the dance floor, babe."

If nothing else, they'll have a good vantage point there.

[notjustaface]

"Sure," he murmurs, downing the remainder of his champagne and letting the bubbles tickle at his nose and throat.

As he laces his fingers in Murdock's and guides him out onto the reserved dancefloor, it's not Mia he sees, but the woman from the bar hanging off of one of Mia's friends.

"Well if it isn't the heartbreaker," she murmurs, coming in close with the man on her arm. "Lovely vows."

[notthatcrazy]

He gives Face a questioning look at that.

"Don't think I've had the pleasure of making your acquaintance."

[notjustaface]

Slowing their dance until all four stand awkwardly at the edge of the dancefloor, Face half-chuckles and makes introductions.

"Love of my life, lady from bar - sarcastic lady from bar, my husband."

The woman rolls her eyes; "Fiona," she offers, extending a willowy hand toward Murdock. "And I mean it, very lovely."

[notthatcrazy]

He shakes her hand coolly, unconsciously moving in between her and face.

"Well, we aim to please. Isn't that right, sweetheart?"

[notjustaface]

"I'm sure you do," she half-chuckles. "I missed your names at the wedding..."

"Chad," Face offers quickly, cutting her off with his hand pressed firmly into the small of Murdock's back. He doesn't like her, doesn't trust her. And he'd never admit that it's mostly because the first thing she did to him was call him on his shit.

"Ahh, I would have thought Ken - all the better to go with GI Joe here..."

[notthatcrazy]

He can feel the tenseness in his stance, and it's matched by his own.

"James."

He gives her a smile that doesn't reach his eyes.

[notjustaface]

The woman pauses, then quirks an eyebrow before saying softly; "You boys have pretty familiar faces, Mia says you're first timers... where are you from?"

Face hesitates only a second before answering; "Texas - just outside of Houston, but James travels so much for work I'm pretty sure he's a citizen of the world by now."

[notthatcrazy]

He keeps up the same polite facade.

"You fly a lot? I might have served you drinks at some point."

She doesn't entirely look like she's buying it.

[notjustaface]

It's not much of a facade, even at his nuttiest Murdock's pretty polite for Ranger.

Still, the woman is fairly nonplussed and Face can feel his heart rate rise as he flashes his best smile. "I get around a lot."

"I'm sure you do," she chuckles, pushing up on her toes to kiss her dance partner on the cheek. "Bet your hubby's missing you, you should go remind him you just got married."