TITLE:  ATF/AU:  "Touch Down"
AUTHOR:  Lisa
RATING:  PG
Written:  November 2004

DISCLAIMER: Trilogy, MGM, and the Mirish Corporation own The Magnificent Seven characters. They are not mine. The only purpose of this story is for entertainment.  No money is being made. 

AUTHOR'S NOTES:  A huge THANK YOU to Sarah for betaing.  You're awesome!! 

______________________________

"Touch Down"

Fall was in the air and with it came the much loved Football season.  Denver's ATF Team Seven were members of a football team that was part of a city league.  Every Saturday they got together at the local park to play a game of two-hand touch football and this Saturday was no different.  The members of Team Seven arrived at the park pumped and ready for an afternoon of fun and high hopes of continuing their winning streak against Denver's Police Department. 

"Well, look at that pretty young thing," commented Buck to the others as they were warming up for the game.  "I think I'm in love." 

"You're full of shit," replied Chris jokingly, the other men chuckling as he stole a glance at the woman who caught Buck's attention.  Well, one thing about his old-time friend, he definitely had good taste, thought the ATF leader.  The woman was about 5'5" tall, probably 120 pounds soaking wet, and had soft chocolate brown hair that was now pulled back into a loose ponytail.  And it looked like she was playing on the other team.  Well, this should be interesting, thought Chris, as the two teams were called to the field to begin the game. 

The game was intense, neither team wanting to lose and through it all Buck Wilmington didn't miss a chance at flirting at the mysterious beautiful brunette named Stacey.  And, much to Chris' delight, she turned him down each and every time. 

It was during one of other team's attempts to score that it happened.  Stacey had gone out long for a pass and Chris Larabee had followed.  What took place next is hard to say unless of course there was slow motion playback available.  In one moment the football was lobbed into the air and in the next both Chris Larabee and Stacey were a tangle of limbs on the ground.  Chris gazed down Stacey. 

"You ok?" asked Chris as he found himself entranced by her brilliant blue eyes that were looking up at him. 

"I think so," replied Stacey softly who was trying to catch her breath as well as ignore the overwhelming rush of attraction she felt for the ATF agent. 

It was at this time Chris realized he was still lying on top of her in the middle of a football field.  He quickly moved off of her and stood, offering a hand to assist her.  "Are you sure you're ok?" he asked his voice filled with concern.  "You took quite a hit." 

"I'm fine," she replied reassuringly as she brushed the grass from her sweat pants.  "I grew up with three older brothers . . . this was nothing." 

Chris nodded as he picked up the football.  He felt like he should say something else but wasn't sure what so he remained quiet as they returned to the others.  For the remainder of the game Chris found he couldn't take his eyes off of Stacey and when the game finally ended with Team Seven winning, Chris quickly retrieved his duffle bag and bottle of water and headed over to Stacey who was depositing her items in her car's trunk. 

"Listen Stacey, I wanted to apologize again for that tackle," started Chris.  "I didn't mean to get so rough. . ." 

Stacey shut the trunk to her car as she turned.  "Don't worry about it . . . it happens when you play football . . . things get intense . . . although I must admit, the guy usually buys me dinner before he tackles me." 

Chris grinned as he replied, "Well, I always did things in reverse order . . . so, do you want to have dinner sometime?" 

She returned his smile as she replied, "I'd like that."  She took a step forward towards the ATF agent as she said softly, "You have some grass in your hair. . ."  She reached up to pluck the blade of grass from his light brown hair and as she did, her gaze caught his and she froze. 

His gaze darted from her eyes, down to her full pink lips, and back up to her eyes.  Then before he realized it, he was leaning down, his lips settling on hers for a slow, intoxicating kiss that left no doubt that there was an attraction between the two. 

She dropped the blade of grass she was holding as her fingers slipped into his hair, pulling him closer as the kiss of exploration continued.  The scents of masculine sweat and the outdoors teased her nostrils leaving her lightheaded and intensifying the ache that was growing within her. 

The sound of car horn interrupted the moment as the kiss drew to a close.  "You can tackle me anytime if you're gonna kiss me like that," she murmured.  They both began laughing as they parted from their embrace.  After exchanging phone numbers and deciding on when they would meet for dinner that evening, Chris headed to his SUV with a smile on his lips while thinking he definitely enjoyed a game of football.