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

[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."

[notthatcrazy]

"You don't know my husband," he replies calmly, not rising to the bait.

"Now I'd strongly suggest you back up out of our business."

[notjustaface]

The woman snorts, laughing as she holds up her hands. "I'm not going anywhere... at least until you let me go - untouched - in the morning."

That's not going to happen, not when they've got confirmation. And that settles Face enough to lean his head against Murdock's temple.

"That... isn't gonna happen." Face smirks, lifting his head to raise an eyebrow at Hannibal. "See, two heads are better than one."

[notthatcrazy]

He sees Hannibal tilt his head slightly to the left, indicating where BA's stepping out from behind a serving tray.

"Did I mention we had back-up?"

[notjustaface]

"See, four heads are even better than two." Face clicks his tongue as BA pushes past several people in his not-entirely-impressive porter uniform, opening his jacket to show a much larger forty-five tucked into a holster.

"You should come with me, Ma'm." BA says as softly as he can manage.

"I don't think so." Mia says close behind him with the familiar audible click of flicking off the safety.

[notthatcrazy]

He tenses, but only slightly, as Face still has his arm around him.

"Fancy meeting you here. Long time no see, Mia. Or should I call you Mel?"

[notjustaface]

"Either's fine. Or any number of other names." She giggles, licking her heavily glossed lips.

There's a moment when they're in a bubble, just the group of soldiers and cons guns threatened - one pointed. And then Hannibal's unmistakable voice rang out from behind the dessert line; "Everybody down, she's got a gun!"

[notthatcrazy]

Murdock might not be the best fighter on the team, but he can move like a cat when the need strikes. Before Mia can react to Hannibal's shout, he's grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her back, disarming her as BA grabs hold of her partner.

"I'd advise you not to struggle too much, but you're not gonna listen to me anyway, so..."

[notjustaface]

"That's my boy..." Face grins wildly, eyeing the girls before withdrawing a badge from the inner pocket of his tuxedo jacket. "No cause for alarm, folks - just so happens we're Federal Marshals, no cause for alarm... the situation is under control."

"Federal Marshals my ass..." Fiona growls, spitting at the badge.

"Careful there, kitten - don't want to add assaulting an officer to your impressive rap sheet." Face pockets the badge and raises an eyebrow toward Murdock. "Honey, why don't you help Officer Bosco here escort the ladies for holding until we hit dock? I'd like to get back to celebrating."

[notthatcrazy]

God bless Face and his scary over-preparedness.

"I'd love to, darlin'."

Still holding tightly onto Mia's arm, he walks her over next to her partner. Both women are glowering at them but he ignores it, turning back to his partner.

"You still owe me a first dance, y'know."

BA graciously refrains from rolling his eyes too obviously.

[notjustaface]

Never leave home without a good cover ID. Ever.

"Don't keep me waiting." He presses his lips together in a subtle kiss before turning toward Hannibal with an innocent smirk - giving him the out to keep his cover under wraps.

"I think we were celebrating a very important occasion here, carry on." His eyebrow quirks over the frame of his false glasses; "How 'bout we cut that cake?"

[notthatcrazy]

He grins as he and BA escort their unwanted guests to be handed over to the ship's security team.

"C'mon, I'm not missin' my own wedding reception because of your skinny gun-smuggling ass."

[notjustaface]

Face, on the other hand, is enjoying himself far too much - harassing Hannibal about the cake as he kicks back and watches the door. "Is that just a hint of lemon I taste?"

"Federal Marshal? How long have you been waiting to pull that out of your ass?"

"I'll have you know, of the many women I've picked up in bars for you... that works ever better than complimenting the way their smile lights up their eyes..."

"You're shameless."

"I'm good." He takes another large bite.

Hannibal's frown says loud and clear that he agrees - he's good. Too good. And too reckless. But, he gets the job done. "You're really serious about this wedding thing, aren't you?"

"I'm serious about this cake."

[notthatcrazy]

It doesn't take the two of them long to deliver their perps to the security team, explaining the situation as best they can while keeping their cover intact. BA gives him a long look as they head back to the reception.

"What?"

BA shook his head. "Man, I know y'all ain't playin' with this, so I gotta say congratulations. But if he ever steps out of line on you, you better kick his ass, you hear?"

"Thanks... I think."

BA cuffs him on the shoulder and pushes him back towards the buffet, where Face is still talking to Hannibal.

"Ooh, cake."

[notjustaface]

"Cake." Face grins, offering Murdock the remainder as his own.

"I'll save you some." Hannibal smiles slightly, offering Murdock a meaningful look. "I believe you two are the men of the hour."

And he's right, all eyes are on them - waiting to see what happens next.

Shifting easily out of his chair, Face offers his partner a hand; "I believe I own my blushing bride the first dance."

[notthatcrazy]

And that's as close to a blessing as they're going to get from Hannibal, he figures.

"Save us some of the quiche too," he grins as he moves into position just like they practiced.

[notjustaface]

He'll have them know his quiche is amazing.

But, more important things.

Like Face leading him toward the dance floor, taking his hand and wrapping one arm easily around his waist - pulling him closer as a soft, slow song pipes over the speakers.

"That... was amazing." He brushes a kiss against the bridge of his nose; "You're amazing."

[notthatcrazy]

"So are you."

He smiles, returning the kiss with gentle pecks to his cheek and forehead.

"You saved our asses with that Federal Marshall cover."