Let's Celebrate

The two inspectors had just finished dinner and were about to leave. They enjoyed their quiet little dinner and also got to know a little bit more about each other. Marco admired his boss more than what he had before. Carine felt the same way, she had more respect for him now too. The two of them were now in the SUV on their way to the bar to meet the others. They sat there in silence, but it was not awkward or uncomfortable.

"Are you ready to go in?" He asked as he pulled into the parking spot.

"I'm ready whenever you are." She unbuckled the seat belt and got out. Marco locked the vehicle as they made their way to the door.

"Ladies first." She nodded at his polite gesture and walked in before him.

The rest of the team was gathered in their usual corner of the bar. Marco sat where he could see what everyone was up to and Carine sat next to him.

Constante, I see you finally made it, " Dorn said as he walked over to greet them. "and Carine too!" he added as he pat her on the shoulder. He talked with them for a little bit before ordering another drink. After he received his drink, he went back over to where Sophie was.

Carine was watching the rest of the team. Sebastian and Ellie were watching Luke and Arabella play table football. Watching everyone on the team enjoying themselves outside of work made her happy. Maybe going out with the team after work more often wasn't such a bad idea.

"Get whatever you want, Boss! It's on me." Marco offered. She took him up on his offer and ordered a martini.

"You know, this isn't so bad." Marco was now confused.

"The drink?" She shook her head.

"No, the drink is great. I was talking about this." She motioned towards the rest of the team.

"Doing stuff with the team at the end of the week isn't a bad idea." He agreed.

"I think we should do stuff like this more often." She took another sip of her drink. Ellie had just lost the game again Luke.

"Who's next?" Luke asked loud enough for everyone to hear. Marco was shocked when Carine got up from her seat.

"Me!" Carine said as she walked put her drink down on another table closer to the game.

"Ready to lose, boss?" Luke asked.

"I'm not going to be the one losing this round, Luke you are." Carine assured Luke that he would be the one losing this game. Everyone laughed at hearing this.

"Luke, I have a feeling you are about to go down." Arabella laughed. Everyone was now focused on the game that was about to take place.

"Carine, can you do me a favor and take him down?" Ellie asked.

"Maybe we should devide up into teams next time." Sebastian suggested.

"I like that idea." Marco added.

"You know, I think we should do this more often." Dorn said to Marco. He laughed because Carine said the same thing a few minutes earlier.

"Carine seems to think so too." Marco added. Dorn was shocked that she actually showed up.

"Constante, whatever you did to convince her to come tonight, please continue doing that." The older man asked.

"Sir, I didn't do anything." Michel took a sip of his drink and nodded. Marco in fact did do something, he broke down that protective wall that she kept up. Carine was starting to open up to him, and Dorn noticed it too.

"I have a feeling this team will be unstoppable." Constante nodded as he took another sip of his drink. It seems as if most of the issues that the team had are now gone. Luke and Arabella worked out their issue, Ellie knows that she's valuable to the team, Sebastian knows that he can overcome obstacles with the help from the team, Marco now has family, and Carine knows that she isn't alone.

"This is one of the best holidays I have had in a long time." Marco admitted. It had been awhile since Marco enjoyed any holiday. The members of the team were starting to become family to him. He made his way over to where the rest of the team was.

"You just missed it, Luke lost to Carine!" Sebastian laughed. Marco walked up to take his spot.

"How bad was it?" Marco asked causing Carine to laugh.

"Bad." Luke mumbled causing everyone to laugh.

"I'll play a round." Marco announced as he walked up to the other side of the table.

"Prepare to lose, Constante." Luke told Marco as he went take a seat.

"Oh hush, Luke." Arabella laughed. "Carine is pretty good though." She added warning Marco.

"I'll take my chances." Marco replied as they started another game.

"Arabella, you haven't played yet. How about you go next." Ellie asked.

"Oh, why not." Arabella replied agreeing to play the winner of the next game. Michel Dorn was watching his team from where he and Sophie were sitting. He was proud of all that they have accomplished in a year. The cross border unit was back, and this time it was here to stay.