A/N: I swear this will be quick. So. It's been over a year. But, hey, I've got an update! The only promise I'll make is this...I won't take another year for an update.

I did want to thank those of you who reviewed (and also those of you who provided gentle nudges for an update)

Gemini1179: Thank you, and I couldn't agree more with what you said about the romances Hollywood tries (and fails) to get us to fall in love with. Contrived, cliched, and/or just plain boring seem to be what they serve up. Ah well.

Part 31

I look damned good in this top hat. Lucy turned to the side, getting another angle of herself in the mirror. She heard a squeaking noise behind her and turned to see Amy, arms up above her head, sheet falling down her body as she stretched. The brunette cocked an eyebrow as her gaze drifted down the body of the toned blonde. "Sleep well?" Amy couldn't help the huge smile and blush that crept across on her face. She began lifting her head as she spoke, "Well, you completely wore me ou-" She stopped, jaw dropping upon seeing Lucy in nothing but a top hat sitting at the foot of the bed. "I…You…You are so fucking hot." Surprise flitted across Lucy's face at Amy's comment, but she quickly smirked. "I know." The brunette looked over at the bedside clock. "You know, I think we have a little time before you need to go get ready for tonight." Amy lifted herself up a bit, leaning back on her elbows, affording Lucy a great view. If I were the artist…god, what a subject I would have. Amy bit her lip and beckoned for the brunette. Lucy reached up to remove her hat and Amy stopped her. "Leave it on." The brunette smirked and crawled up the bed.

Janet held her head gently, eyes scrunched shut. She groaned, and lifted a cup of hot tea to her lips. "Why did I drink last night? Why did you guys let me drink last night?" Max folded one corner of her newspaper down to glare at Janet. "Because when you drink, you are quiet. Seriously, Janet. It's the one time you don't like to talk." Max smirked. "I bought you a few rounds last night." "I would so hate you right now if I had the energy." The usually perky DEB lowered her head to the cool kitchen table and sighed. Max noted that Dominique must have also had a bit much to drink, as she was attempting to take a sip of her black coffee while an unlit cigarette dangled out of one corner of her mouth. "Um, Dom, you should probably not…" The normally unflappable agent had managed to dunk her smoke into her coffee and a brief look of disgust danced across her face. Max raised an eyebrow at Dom and went back to the newspaper. She flipped a few more pages, then folded up the paper and lay it down on the table. Max crossed her arms across her chest and pondered aloud, "Did Amy hook up last night?" Janet sat bolt upright, winced, but looked around the table. "I didn't even notice she wasn't here." The squad leader rolled her eyes at the younger agent. "She's not really the hookup type, but she definitely sent me an 'I'm hooking up' text. Dom raised one eyebrow in surprise as she fished bits of tobacco out of her coffee. Max sighed and mumbled, "I could certainly use a hook up." Dom smirked to herself without looking up. "I may be able to help you with zis. I know a few boys who…" Max cut the French agent off with a hand over her mouth. "No. No blind dates, ever again." Janet groaned and slapped her hands over her ears. "Too loud! Ugh, I'm going to lie down again."

As the normally bubbly Janet began dragging herself across the kitchen, Amy waltzed in the backdoor. She looked up, surprised to see everyone up already. "Oh, heeeey everyone." The perfect score blushed a perfect shade of pink. Max crossed her arms and playfully grinned at Amy. "Sooo…who's the lucky guy?" Amy smiled. "What guy?" Max grin slipped a bit, then came back full force. "Are you denying hooking up last night?" Amy threw a sly smirk at Max and headed for the stairs up to her room. "I'm not denying anything."

Scud stood in front of the mirror using a small brush and carefully putting the finishing touches on his fake moustache. He turned his head from one side to the other, squinting at himself. He added his monocle and slicked down his hair. He hooked his hands around his lapels and turned his body. Lucy strolled into the room and almost coughed up the chocolate milk she had just taken a big swig of. "Spats, Scud?" She coughed a bit and cleared her throat before snorting a quick laugh. Scud looked down at his feet. "Too much? I thought it added a nice touch." Lucy put her thumb to her lip and took a moment to study Scud. She opened her mouth and inhaled to speak, then stopped and pondered again. "Yes, I suppose it does add a nice touch. Now you look like a Colonel Mustard old timey gangster. It's perfect Scud. I really do wish you would have just grown your own moustache though." With that Lucy spun around and left the room. Scud squinted at himself in the mirror and twirled his moustache, frowning and applying a bit more spirit gum. I'd look good with a moustache.

He sat in his chair and spun around to his computer, opening up chat and shooting Janet a quick message. "Excited for tonight?"

From under her cocoon of covers, Janet heard the message tone of her laptop dinging, but couldn't find the strength of will to move. She had downed a few aspirin and about a gallon of water, and had been waiting for anything to take effect and lessen the horrible hangover she was living through. She cautiously lifted the quilt, freeing her pounding head from the warm darkness she had been hiding in. The first thing that caught her eyes as she cracked them open was her blue plaid D.E.B.S. issued alarm clock, telling her she didn't have too much time to get ready for Endgame. "Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod!" Janet threw off her remaining covers and ran about her room, attempting to find everything she needed to jump in a quick shower so she could dress. Dress! Where was her dress? Where did she leave it? Steamed it in the kitchen! She glanced at the teddy bear which had toppled to the floor when she kicked off her covers. Gun! Where is my gun! She opened the door to her room and rushed out, clad only in a towel, and slammed the bathroom door shut, still muttering to herself.

Amy stuck her head out into the hallway in time to see Max do the same, both staring at the bathroom door. Max with an annoyed glare, Amy with a knowing smirk. The squad leader turned on her heel to enter her bedroom again, hair pinned up and makeup already flawless. She paused when she saw Amy. "So you and Janet are sharing a limo with your dates?" Amy nodded, then furrowed her brow in thought. "Max, who are you going with? I don't even think you mentioned it." Max raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow, then grimaced and looked down at her feet. "Oh, uh…" She was interrupted by Dominique who rushed out of her room and began to bang on the bathroom door. "Jeannette! Move eet!" Amy and Max stared wide-eyed at Dom, then looked at each other. The blonde whispered, "Have you ever seen her so frazzled?" Max just shook her head. "Who is her date?" Amy shrugged, then turned and walked back into her room. Tonight is certainly going to be interesting.

So...next chapter we will definitely be arriving at Endgame!