Making a Mess

David looked around the kitchen, surveying the disaster from the door. Every surface was covered in a fine white powder, egg dripped from one counter and there were pots and pans everywhere. Standing in the middle of a pile of flour, David saw Mark and Bryan holding spatulas. Joe was hiding off to one side covered in flour, and Steve stood looking guiltier than the other three put together, smears of chocolate stained his otherwise spotless white t-shirt.

"What's going on in here?" David asked.

All three of the younger agents started to talk at once, trying to explain, trying to diffuse their commanders ire. Steve motioned them to silence, and like the good soldiers that they were, fell silent at the command.

"We got the munchies sir," Steve said, "and then we got a little silly," he finished, looking down.

David stepped into the room, looking around. He ran one hand over a counter, his palm coming away coated in flour. "And what did you make?" David asked.

"Brownies!" Joe piped up. Realizing he had drawn attention to himself as David glanced his way, he clamped one hand over his mouth and backed up a step.

"David stepped over to the oven and opened the door. The scent of warm chocolate drifted out of the opening. David grabbed an oven mitt and pulled out the tray of brownies that were just done.

Holding it, he turned to his men, "clean this place up. I want it spotless in thirty minutes. Report when you are finished."

"Yes Sir!" his men snapped off a smart salute and began to clean.

David turned and carried the brownies away.

Joe and the twins whimpered as they watched it go. Steve called them back to work as he started to wipe down the counters.

Within 25 minutes they were finished and cleaned up, and they presented themselves outside of their commanders office. Steve raised his hand and knocked.

"Enter," David called.

Steve opened the door and stepped inside, followed by the younger men. "Finished Sir," Steve reported, saluting.

"Good. Now, come and eat this," David said, gesturing at the pan of brownies and a container of vanilla ice cream.

Joe and the Twins cheered and hurried over, Steve following them. They all sat at the table as David dished up the treat. They all dug in, grinning at the wonderful sensation of the icy treat and the warm chocolate.

"Just remember men," David said, "Next time, let's not make a mess."

"Yes Sir!" they chorused.