Cut and Run 1 - Cut and Run

look back at the front of the plane as the wheels squealed on the tarmac and the plane decelerated rapidly. “You're gonna have to dislodge that stick up your ass pretty damn quick if we're going to be working together,” he added as the plane taxied to their gate. He unbuckled before the seat-belt light went off and rolled his neck.
    "What's the matter? Afraid it's catching?” Zane asked. His patience was already wearing thin. He didn't have the time or the luxury to deal with Ty's antics.
    "No, I'm not afraid of turning into you,” Ty answered wryly, laughing softly as he shook his head. He leaned closer to Zane, almost close enough to touch his cheek with his nose. “You smell like Feeb,” he explained in a low, serious voice. He was probably one of the only FBI agents who would actually utter the derogatory term other agencies used when talking about them.
    When Zane turned his gaze on the other agent, his eyes glinted dangerously. His voice was frigid. “I bet you get off on it."
    Ty smiled slowly, his eyes glittering mischievously. “If I did, would you change?” he asked.
    Zane merely shook his head as if he felt sorry for the other man, deciding not to comment as he stood. The words on his tongue were certainly ungracious and unbecoming, and he couldn't afford it being reported. Not that his would rival Ty's behavior.
    Ty shrugged and stretched to retrieve his satchel from the overhead bin. He didn't say another word as he followed the short line to the front of the plane and the exit. The stewardess stood there, smiling and saying goodbye to each passenger, and when Ty came up to her he grinned widely and nodded at her cheekily.
    "You have a nice stay in New York, sir,” she said to him as she reached out and took his hand, discreetly pressing a piece of paper into his palm.
    "Oh, it's getting nicer already,” Ty responded brightly as he lingered there for a moment, looking her over rakishly, and then moved on to the exit.
    "And just how is your image supposed to represent the Bureau better than mine?” Zane asked under his breath as they walked toward the concourse.
    "It's not,” Ty answered over his shoulder. “That's the whole damn point, Shuffleboard."
    With his long legs, Zane easily caught up to walk alongside him. “So why the hell work for the Bureau at all if you don't give a damn?"
    "'Cause I ain't in it for the status,” Ty answered blithely.
    Zane stopped in his tracks, looking at Ty's back with real hatred. The implication that the glory was Zane's reason for working at the Bureau was way the hell over the line. He watched him walk away and seriously, seriously considered calling Burns and accepting whatever fucking demotion it would take to not have to deal with this bastard. His temper was already roiling, and that was not good. Not good at all. His hand clenched on his briefcase for a long moment as he stamped down on the anger, watching Ty walk toward the exit.
    Ty knew Zane had fallen away, but he didn't stop walking. If the dickhead wanted to sulk his way into being late for their meeting, that was his business. Ty was looking out for Number One. As always.
    He also had a slightly more personal interest in this particular case.
    Zane finally exited the main terminal and stepped out into the cool air as Ty was climbing into a black government Tahoe. Within a minute, he was seated inside as well, and the truck left the curb and pulled out into the airport traffic.
    Ty slumped in the backseat, trying to shake off the grogginess and think up new ways to annoy his new partner. He looked at the driver in the rearview mirror, seeing brown eyes and high cheekbones and short, curly hair. This guy was too pretty to be an agent. And he looked like he was about fifteen. The light-haired man in the passenger seat looked even younger. “What are you two, the Hardy Boys?” he asked them with a huff.
    Eyes flickering forward, Zane took in the two agents in front of them and frowned.
    "That's very clever of you, sir,” the driver responded dryly without taking his eyes off the road. “I could point out that we're too young to know who the Hardy Boys are and make you feel very old,” he added as his brown eyes glanced to the rearview mirror and looked back at Ty. “But I would never do that, sir."
    Zane's lips twitched, but he didn't comment. His eyes displayed his amusement as he glanced a little more carefully over the two young men. They were both very young, but Zane knew that