"Great! The line-up for pizza is even longer that the one at the bank. No way are we getting back to work on time."

Ezra smiled inwardly at the impatience of youth, while favouring JD with a world-weary stare. "In the first place, as Chris was the instigator of this errand, given his craving for pizza - which in and of itself is unusual – is what inspired our excursion, he can scarcely justify deeming us responsible for an extended lunch period."

"And in the second place?"

"There is no need for both of us to linger at each location, when we can simply divide the tasks, taking one venue apiece, thereby reducing the overall delay period."

JD looked anxious at the suggestion. "I don't know about that. Chris sent us out on this together, and he said - well, that's not important. He sent us out together."

There was definitely more to this than met the eye. "He said what?"

"Not important Ezra. Just think we should wait together. Keep each other company."

"He said what, Mr. Dunne?"

The younger man fidgeted, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet. When was he going to learn to keep his mouth shut? If Ezra didn't kill him now, Chris certainly would later. "Well, he uh - he just kind of suggested that I stick with you is all. No big deal Ezra. Oh come on Ez. Don't do that."

His plea was ignored as Ezra had already speed-dialed the office. "Would I be accurate in my assumption, Mr. Larabee, that you have ascertained I am incapable of the preservation of my own best interests?"

No hello, and it was Mr. Larabee. Well, that went bad fast. Why did I think for a second the JD would be able to keep that simple bit of information from Ezra? The man read people far too well to not spot the deception at the first hint of a problem. And there was always a problem. Next time, Vin goes with him. "Now Ezra, it ain't like that."

"Really? Precisely what is it like?"

"Look, I will grant you that every one of us has a knack for falling into more kinds of trouble that is normal, but you elevate that to an art. I just figured if someone was with you, it might be a little less likely to happen is all."

"You continue to believe I cannot conduct myself in such a manner as to avoid encountering misfortune." It was a statement, not a question. The follow up was far more problematic. "Or would it be more accurate to declare assert that it is the banking funds you do not trust me with?"

"That's not fair Ezra. You know that's not the issue."

Ezra silently cursed himself out. He did know that kind of trust had nothing to do with any of this. Those issues were long since history on the team, and the fact that he even brought it up showed how frustrated he was by this turn. "I do not require the assistance of a minder Mr. Larabee. I have been effectively addressing the issue of my self-preservation for the better part of my life and in the course of that period have developed a vast array of skills to enable me to do so. I would, therefore, appreciate it if you could endeavour to accept that fact and show some modicum of respect for my expertise." He hung up abruptly, knowing he was going to have to deal with the consequences of his little rant later. He turned on his heel and headed to the bank without saying another word.

JD watched after him with a guilty look clouding his face. He bit as his lip nervously and reached for his phone. Before he could put his hands on it, he heard the theme from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly ring out. "Hey Chris. I'm sorry, it just kind of -"

"Never mind. Trying to keep anything from Ezra is a fool's errand. He still with you?"

"No, he stomped off to the bank. You want me to follow him?"

"That's only gonna make it worse. It's me he's pissed off at. No sense letting you take the anger. Go ahead and get the pizzas. We'll sort it out when you guys get back here."

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Ezra came embarrassingly close to storming well past the door to the bank, focused as he was on his internal rant. He took the few steps back he needed to and entered, calming his outward appearance as he headed to the reception desk. The idea that Chris would presume to decide it was impossible for him to perform the most basic of tasks without getting into some kind of trouble was beyond offensive. It was condescending. It was insulting. And, he reluctantly admitted, it was grounded in some small, miniscule, minute grain of truth. He did have a propensity for finding himself in situations that lent themselves to unfortunate outcomes. Still, that was no excuse. He was going to sit Larabee - no, better yet all of them – down and have a little chat about this kind of treatment.

He turned his charm on high as he smiled broadly at the young lady behind the desk. "Good day madam, I would like to speak to someone about setting up a trust account for a charity our workplace is involved in."

"Of course sir. If you will just give me a mom-" she paused with a look of terror on her face. An instant later he heard why.

"Nobody moves and nobody dies. Ladies and gentlemen - this is a stick-up!"

Damn, Ezra thought. I am never going to live this down.

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