We've Got Big Balls

It was the afternoon of the Met Gala Ball. Summer was zipping herself into a dark green gown, her eyes looking at herself in the floor-length mirror, smiling as she watched Kaine fastening his cufflinks behind her.

Winter and Stacy were downstairs, Stacy was curling her hair and Winter was applying her makeup while Ethan and Troy got ready as well. Once they'd finished with that, the women began to zip themselves into their dresses, Stacy in a dark purple that set off her figure, and Winter in a dark red color that flattered her curves as well.

Over in a hotel room, the Booths began to gear up, making sure they had absolutely everything they needed. Ella's face was grim. They had backup units in position, on standby, but Ella was still worried about potential moles in the NYPD.

And at the Met…Flannery was giving orders. “If you can nab the redhead, do it. Otherwise, grab the blonde. Caldwell will come running if I have her. If anyone interferes…kill them.” An NYPD officer stepped forward. “You know they've got the Feds all over the place. The Booths are in town.” Flannery whirled. “If anyone interferes….kill them.” He hissed.

The limo pulled up downstairs.

Kaine picked up the full bowtie and wrapped it around his neck, tying it in place. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. No pre-tied guff for him. He moved closer to the mirror to see over her shoulder to make sure it was correct, or as near as made no difference, then pulled on the black jacket to finish the look. “How do I look?”

Ethan finished buttoning his burgundy waistcoat, Troy his white one. Both of them had pre-tied bowties they fastened around their necks and turned into place before pulling their jackets on. Ethan with a matching burgundy, Troy with a black jacket in contrast to his white tie and waistcoat. Both were happy to be seen with their beautiful partners.

Armor hidden behind a well-tailored suit, it would barely be enough if anyone came armed. It would help against a pistol, and it wouldn't be obvious, but he felt naked. Too many variables, too many problems.

There were agents in positions as staff, all armed, all lightly armored. All prepared for any eventuality. SWAT was on call but it would take them minutes to get there. Less to spook the mark. Two snipers, picked personally by Seeley, on the roof opposite and to one side, different lines of sight, prepared. “Ready? Ready.”

Everything was coming together like a massive jigsaw puzzle. So many pieces. So many possibilities. So many problems. So many lives on the line.

BUZZ Time to go.

Summer met his eyes in the mirror and she smiled. “Absolutely every inch my handsome Alpha male.” She said softly. “Do I look alright? I'm looking forward to tonight, it will be nice to have an evening free from worry.”

If only she knew.

Winter and Stacy smiled at their men, each doing the mandatory straightening of the bowties. They heard the buzz and each threaded their arms through Ethan and Troy's arms. They waited at the lift for Summer and Kaine and then made their way down to the waiting limo.

Ella adjusted her dress over her armor, light, not full. It blended well with her figure and she took one last look in the mirror, then turned to Seeley. “You look so handsome, Mister Booth.” She murmured lovingly.

It was time. Flannery moved into position. “Alright, they're gonna arrive at the same time but Hayden and the ginger bitch are going to enter first. Either grab her or the blonde when they enter. Let no one interfere.”

“As always, you look gorgeous, my Rose.” His eyes roved up and down in the mirror. “I've been looking forward to this.”

If only they knew.

Ethan and Troy led their dates through to the lift, waiting. Ethan spoke up first. “Wow. Just… Wow.” Almost speechless. They matched. Troy just grinned like a kid in a candy store, unused to being dressed to the nines. Nor was he used to being attached to such a beautiful partner on an event such as this. His head was whirling.

“As you look beautiful.” He breathed deep, knowing what might happen. “I feel like I'm going in naked.” Pistol. Check Not his usual 1911, he'd gone with a Glock 26 for the concealment and capacity. Standard issue. He felt underpowered. Spare magazines. Check 36 rounds should be enough. Armour. Check Jacket over the top.

Three agents on the floor, similar weapon loadout to Seeley but no armor. All waiting in the background as wait staff. None of them looking out of place with the carefully tailored white jackets over their quick draw holsters. All the staff were wearing matching earpieces so the Feds wouldn't stand out.

Time. Tick followed tock followed tick followed tock…

The limo pulled up and Stacy looked out the one-way window. She had a nagging feeling in her gut but couldn't place it. Winter and Summer seemed relaxed and happy, so she followed their lead. The limo door was opened. “Mister Kaine Hayden and Miss Summer Caldwell.” They were announced first, and Summer looked to Kaine. “Here we go.”

Ella moved into position, seemingly just another mingling reporter, her eyes alert, nonchalantly watching as Kaine and Summer made their exit. “So far so good…” She muttered under her breath. “Here we go. All units on alert and standby.” She said, walking up to an attendee and holding out her microphone, feigning interest in the woman's attire.

Ethan looked over at Stacy. “Nerves? It'll be fine.” He was always nervous at events like this, but he got over them after the initial butterflies. Troy didn't even know what to expect, so he was just following along, trying not to make anyone look bad. He was doing okay, so far.

“Time to wow the adoring masses.” For the first time, Kaine had a smile on his face at an event with photographers. They were having a field day snapping the power couple. The first time the Lone Wolf had smiled at a public event. Tomorrow's gossip columns were writing themselves.

How little they knew.

Seeley had slipped inside, observing the room. He always double checked. He couldn't see anything out of place, the wait staff doing their duty. His men among them. Nothing obvious. He picked up one of the non-alcoholic beverages and took a sip, trying to look like he was meant to be there. “The wolves are in the coop.” Whose smart idea was it to use that code? Oh, yeah. His.

“Misses Winter Caldwell and Stacy Jenson, and their dates Misters Troy Evans and Ethan Harrison.” Winter and Stacy exited behind Troy and Ethan, taking their arms as Summer had taken Kaine's.

Summer was smiling for the cameras when something made her turn to look over her shoulder, the smile slowly fleeing. Winter.

She'd turned back to the limo to grab her clutch. A small mass of staff cut off her sight. Stacy, halfway up the stairs…turned. Somehow, Troy was cut off from Winter, the group hurried along by staff handlers. Nothing out of the ordinary…normally. “Winter.” Summer breathed.

Ella was swearing under her breath in the radio, moving to give chase. Summer was pulling from Kaine. Chaos broke as a gun was fired and Summer disappeared into the mob.

“Talk to me Booth.” Seeley could hear the swearing from his wife. He switched channels to talk to the snipers. “What's going on?” Even switching channels he could hear everything going on. He ran for the outside. “Make a hole!”

Neither of them could see anything in the throng. No obvious targets, too many bodies, nothing clear. Too much risk. Spotters had nothing.

Kaine tried to follow as Summer pulled from him, but the gap swallowed her up. Frustration welled up in him. “Move!”

Troy heard the shot, trying to figure where it came from. He'd lost Winter as she turned but hadn't thought anything of it until that crack.

Shit. Someone's not getting out of this without injury. Seeley forced his way through the crowd as best he could. “All officers are under arrest. Nobody gets away with this!”

Fuck it. Ella thought. “Caldwells are gone, don't know who fired. Black Cadillac five hundred short limo, New York plate Alpha Tango Charlie Nine five…Goddamnit! Lost sight, left on Broadway. In pursuit.” The sound of a Tahoe engine gunning could be heard, lights flashing.

Summer looked at Winter, then the man driving, armed men on either side of them. “She has nothing to do with this, let her go!” Summer pleaded. Ugh. Why was she in so much pain?

Winter paled as the car slowed to turn a corner and one man opened the door and pushed her out. She rolled, then stood as a black Tahoe rushed by.

“Younger Caldwell ejected, corner of Broadway and 42nd, please pick up!” Ella said into her radio.

Seeley finally made it outside. “You, you, you, inside.” He pointed at the two men and the couple still outside. He punched up the radio for the agents inside “Three males, one female coming inside. Take them to a room and don't let them out of your sight, got it?”

After bundling the four remaining inside, listening to the radio, he called in. “Booth, twenty-two seven oh five. Set up a five block and ten block cordon centered on… Hold.” He heard Ella's call for support to pick up Winter. “Broadway and 42nd. Now damnit! No, don't call NYPD for support, they're involved.” Beat. “Yes, I'm sure. When have I ever been wrong? Y'know what, get the fire department involved, I don't care, they're not going to drive through a truck.” He had to try, even though he knew it would take too long.

Kaine seethed, pacing the room like a caged animal as one agent stood inside to watch, the other two posted outside. “If she's… I'll… I wish I'd… Grah!” A month ago he wouldn't have even blinked, but now? “Flannery is so dead.”

Stacy paced, slightly bruised from being caught in the press of bodies. She had a cut on her lip but didn't seem to be aware of it. She looked between Kaine, Ethan, and Troy. She didn't know what to say…so she just stood there, her fingers fidgeting with each other.

A black Tahoe came up, stopped, and an agent leaped out. “Winter Caldwell? Come with me…let's get you checked out.” Winter was frantically shaking her head. “No no you have to go save my sister, she's been shot!” She cried as the agent led her to the car.

“Wilson reporting. Winter is safe, have a medic on standby to check her out. Agent Booth…Daniela…be careful, Caldwell reports her sister's been shot.”

Ella could be heard swearing again. “Copy that. Swat team to Flannery Warehouses waterfront. Coordinate with SAC Booth for sniper stations, dispatch medic onsite.” There was a pause. “Booth to Booth…One four three. I'm going in.”

Next: Fools Rush In