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.

Comments

[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."

[notthatcrazy]

A lot of it is his grandmother's influence. He can be a badass Army Ranger with piloting skills bordering on the supernatural, but God forbid he be unpleasant.

"Ah.."

He turns to Face, his pasted-on smile warming considerable.

"Business travel can be hard on relationships, but we make it work, don't we hon?"

[notjustaface]

Social graces are a good skill to have, particularly in their line of work.

"You bet we do..." Face murmurs, burying a kiss against Murdock's hair.

The woman chuckles under her breath and steps closer to whisper. "Well, I guess you've gotta be close... I mean... breaking into stranger's rooms, carrying a gun at your own wedding..."

He's pretty sure Murdock's not packing, but Face had been wise enough to tuck a compact on under his jacket that it would take a hell of a practiced professional to catch.

[notthatcrazy]

He's not carrying, but his fists clench as he assumes a defensive position.

"I have no idea what you mean," he deadpans.

[notjustaface]

"What exactly are you suggesting?" He smirks, shaking his head with the most innocent expression he can muster.

"Not suggesting..." she leans against Murdock, running her hand over the front of Face's jacket seductively. "I just know my game. Kudos to you on being comfortable enough in your masculinity to carry such a small piece."

[notthatcrazy]

He jerks away, his lips curling into a grin despite the situation.

"Trust me, he's got no need to compensate for anything in that area."

[notjustaface]

"Interesting..." the woman raises an eyebrow; "...and here I'd thought that you two were pulling a con."

"Look, I don't know who you think we are, Fiona..."

"Oh, I know who you are. You think I don't pay close attention to men with bounties on their heads? Military fugitives fetch quite a high price." She lets out a soft, high-pitched laugh, drawing a little attention to them.

[notthatcrazy]

His voice is steely, all pretense of friendliness gone.

"I think you'll find you're barkin' up the wrong tree if you're lookin' for an easy payoff."

He casts a quick glance around the room, spotting Hannibal still undercover at the buffet line.

"Shall we, darling?"

[notjustaface]

He leans in and whispers against Murdock's ear; "One sec... I wanna see what she knows."

"Aww, isn't that sweet... come on, boys. We both know what you're here for and that the little key you took isn't nearly enough to get what you're looking for."

"What key? I don't know what you're talking about."

[notthatcrazy]

He puts on his best innocent face. "We're here for the cake, obviously."

She sneers. "Please, your little act isn't going to get you anywhere."

[notjustaface]

"Oh, I beg to differ." Face chuckles under his breath. "See, I'm pretty sure that under that tight strapless number you don't exactly have anywhere to be packing a weapon."

"No... but considering we're at sea, I'm pretty sure actually shooting someone would make you the one who ends up in cuffs at the end of the line. You, and the rest of your little team."

[notthatcrazy]

"Pretty sure that's not gonna be happening."

He's still in his protective mode, moving the two of them closer to the dance floor.

[notjustaface]

"I've still got your key," He taunts, wrapping his arms around Murdock and squeezing him tight. "Oh, and your weapons. Impressive, by the way. Too bad you're going to have to tell a very angry man they were handed over to the feds."

"You're bluffing." Her brow furrows and her lips draw up in a tight line. "You've got no idea where the locker is."

It's a locker. Good to know, makes searching the hold that much easier. "If you know anything about us, Lady, you should know we don't bluff."

[notthatcrazy]

Possibly more than one, considering her earlier remarks.

"And you should know we've got absolutely no trouble backing each other up."

[notjustaface]

"I humbly request that you back up off us and let us enjoy our evening, huh?" Face flashes a mostly genuine smile; "It is our honeymoon."

The woman rolls her eyes; "Please, don't tell me you two are actually..." She grins; "You are aren't you?"

"That's none of your business."

Her gaze shifts to Murdock; "How many times has he cheated on you, sweetie? Don't tell me hasn't... I know his type."