Baltimore, Maryland - Thursday Lunchtime

[itsananomaly]

Since Becker’s birthday was at the end of June, Connor and Cutter had decided to arrange a special birthday lunch for him and take him to one of the local museums on the mainland and show him their neck of the woods. Plus it was a nice way for both of them to spend time with Becker, since they hadn’t really done that lately with everything going on and since Cutter had gone on his camping trip with Becker the other week.

They were meeting for lunch first, Cutter had been able to print the photo of Becker licking the rock while fossil hunting on their trip and he’d made sure his shirt from shenanigans had been thoroughly cleaned and dried so that he could give it to Becker as well.

“So how are you liking Baltimore so far?” Cutter smiled as they sat at their table.

[for Connor and their guest. Up early for timezones. NFB for distance!]

Comments

[thearcfamily]

"Oh well if it's not just me being embarrassed and humiliated then that sounds good" Becker said with a laugh as he folded up the shirts and put them on the end of the table. "Alright, which gift next? he asked looking at the remaining gifts.

"This one for sure!" Connor said with a smug grin as he looked at Cutter and handed Becker the smaller square-shaped package.

"Alright, this one it is then!" Becker said as he took the gift and examined it for a moment trying to see if there were any clues to hint at what it might be.

[itsananomaly]

“Well it’s not another shirt,” Cutter said with a grin as he watched Becker with the present, “if that’s what you were worried about,”

That wasn’t really that reassuring Cutter.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor looked at Cutter with a knowing grin and then watched as Becker started opening the gift. He had to put a hand to his face to hide the smirk as he watched Becker's expression.

Becker gave a curious look as he opened the gift to find he was looking at the back of a picture frame. Casting a glance at Cutter and Connor he slowly turned it over to look at the picture there.

The expression on his face went from surprise to laughter as he realized it was a picture... the picture... of him licking that damned rock from the camping trip with Cutter.

"You know... yu are one sly little devil Nick," he said, trying to sound annoyed but the grin on his face spreading despite his efforts.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter couldn’t help it he started laughing, “well we needed to have proof that you went on a fossil hunt and that you used a very sound and reliable scientific method of testing for fossils,” his grin widened at that.

[thearcfamily]

"Great.... wonderful," Becker said with a slight eye roll as he laughed. "Guess I will have to find a place of honor for it in my office" Becker said, knowing that at least for a time he wouldn't get away with hiding it somewhere out of sight. And who knew... maybe none of his men would notice it. If he was lucky.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter grinned at that, "we'll hold you to that," he promised, "I'm sure we'll have many reasons to stop by your office after all, we can see where you decide to place it,"

[thearcfamily]

"Oh I am sure it will be the talk of the office!" Connor said with a smirk, really enjoying this more than he should. But it was so rare to see becker rattled and off his game so it was worth enjoying while he could.

Beker gave them both a look and then shook his head as he reached for the next gift. There were two left,and he wasn't sure whether he should be glad that was all or worried about what these two gifts might be.

"I am not entirely sure I want to open this one" he said with a playful laugh as he did in fact start to open it. The tag on it said from Cutter so he was watching him closely as he opened it.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter kept his expression as neutral as he could make it but now that they were getting to the actual proper gifts, he was feeling a little more anxious now and he was hoping that Becker did like his gift.

“I think you’ll find it’s quite useful,” he promised.

[thearcfamily]

Becker nodded and finished opening the gift. As he looked at it a grin spread over his face. An honest genuine grin as he looked over at Cutter.

"This is really cool!" he said as he examing the multi-tool in his hand. "Will be perfect for camping and even around here at the ARC. "Thank you. This is really really nice Nick!"

[itsananomaly]

Cutter was relieved that Becker really liked his gift, "I'm really glad you like it," he smiled, pleased to see Becker's reaction, "I thought you would be able to find several uses for it,"

[thearcfamily]

"Was a great idea Nick. Thank you" Becker said again and then he reached for the final gift, obviously from Connor. He started opening it and as he did and realized what was under the wrapping paper he started to chuckle.

"You guys know me too well it seems" he said as he held up the box containing a high-end shoe polishing kit. "And they old things were due for a nice spit and polish soon too!"

"Aye after everything we have been through, something would be wrong if we didn't know ya just a bit... Hillary," Connor said with a smirk, lowering his voice to just a whisper at the end there.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter grinned as he looked over at Connor before turning his attention back to Becker, "yes, we have learned quite a few things about you in this time, quite a lot of useful things," he tried to keep a straight face but he started giggling at that, "but I'm glad you like your gifts, happy birthday Becker," he said again.

[thearcfamily]

"They are amazing. All of this has been amazing. Thank you, both of you" Becker said with a hand on each of there shoulders. "Haven't have a birthday celebration in quite a while. This has been really nice."

[itsananomaly]

"It's the least we could do after everything you've done for us Becker," Cutter smiled warmly, "we were happy to arrange this to celebrate your birthday and we still have plenty of more fun activities lined up for the day,"

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Speaking of fun activtiies...." Connor said, glancing at the time on his phone. "We have an hour till our scheduled tour time at our next stop. Shall we?" he said as he started to stand, giving Cutter a knowing wink. He really hoped Becker enjoyed the military museum!