Third Person Limited: Steve

"You take point Joe," Steve ordered as they laid out their plans, HE looked pointedly at Joe, almost daring him to argue.

"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. He dared, and Steve suppressed a growl of frustration.

"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring down the younger man. Joe could get whiny. Being the youngest on the team, Steve was sure he almost felt it was a duty to act like a child at times. But he knew that Joe was a good man, a great soldier, and an even better friend.

Joe still looked sullen. The other two were trying not to laugh. Steve wanted to head slap them, but he knew it wouldn't do any good. He turned to look at the twins.

"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." Steve made motions to the schematic that was stretched out on the table, pointing out spots of particular interest.

Steve could almost see the thoughts darting through their minds. He could definitely see the sparkle of merriment in their eyes.

"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, resigned to his position.

"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."

Steve sat back as the others darted off to accomplish their tasks. Good men. he mused to himself. He had never worked with better.

Steve thought back to his beginnings, the training, the long hours, the forced trust that springs up between men who watch your back.

Steve shook his head and stood up. He was so glad that he had a domestic mother, one that taught him many things. Grabbing the blank cake he set to decorating it as the others periodically checked in with him. He was just putting the candles on the cake after decorating it with a picture of the Camero when Brian and mark returned.
Steve looked up and saw them carrying a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.

"Excellent. You know what to do."

Steve only paid passing attention to what Brian and Mark were doing. He could hear them tousling in the background. Steve reached over and flicked off the light, throwing the room into darkness, and grinned in anticipation. They could hear Joe in the hallway; Steve could hear him faintly.

"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.

"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.

"Surprise!"

"Happy Birthday!"

Happy Birthday!"

Steve watched as David's eyes widened in surprise and saw the slight emotion in his otherwise still face. He could see what it meant to him.

"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." Steve said from beside his commander.

David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.

"Thank you Steve."

"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"

"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.

Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.