Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights to Trixie Belden or the Bob-Whites. Not profit is being made from their use.

This is a continuation of my previous story The Spy Who Loved Me.

The Reluctant Spy

Trixie grasped Jim's hands as she gazed out the window of the 747. Just below was home. Home, she sighed. Their one month on the island had stretched to six weeks and then stretched again to two months. Trixie turned her gaze toward her new husband. Married, Trixie thought, actually married. She couldn't wait to tell everyone.

"Jim," Trixie whispered softly in his ear. "Jim, we're almost home. Time to wake up, sweetie."

Opening one eye, Jim gave her a small crooked grin. "Mrs. Frayne, you know how I love for you to wake me up. I have some very good memories."

Blushing, Trixie kissed Jim on the cheek. "That will have to wait until we're alone. I called Honey. She's going to meet us at the apartment, remember?"

"Wasn't she just a little surprised that all the bills were paid and on time?" Jim asked a little curiously. "I mean, you girls always split everything."

"She just assumed it was because I was on assignment," Trixie shrugged. "If only she knew just how right she was."

Trixie and Jim exchanged an amused glance as they prepared for the landing. Honey was going to be completely shocked by their news. In fact, everyone would be.

*****************

Honey looked impatiently out the apartment window. She could still feel the way the misty air held a chill. Pacing back and forth she jumped when she heard the door open.

"Trixie," she ran to hug her best friend. "I have been so worried." She stopped dead in her tracks. "Jim! Oh, my god, Jim!" Crying, Honey grabbed her brother's neck and held on for dear life.

Jim hugged her back and felt her sob against his chest. "Honey," he said soothingly. "I'm back for good. I'm so sorry, sis."

Pulling back, Honey glanced at Jim and Trixie. "Were you two together this entire time? Just what's been going on?"

Jim took Trixie's hand in his. "It's a long story, sis. You might want to sit down."

Honey grabbed Jim's other hand as they walked to the couch. Startled, she pulled it up to her face. "What's this?" she asked pointedly, looking at his ring. "Tell me you didn't really marry her."

Jim looked confused for a moment before reaching for Trixie. "Of course, I did. I thought you'd be happy for us."

Trixie turned a hurt look at her best friend. "Did something happen while I was gone?"

"Quinn," Honey reminded her, "I'm talking about Quinn."

Sighing in relief, Trixie and Jim smiled happily at each other.

"Okay," Honey demanded, "just what am I missing? You two look like the cat that swallowed the canary."

Taking a deep breath and then glancing at Jim, Trixie hugged her friend. "Jim and I got married two months ago." She flashed the rings in front of Honey's face.

Honey sank back on the couch stunned. "What?" she asked weakly, "I don't understand. I thought you were on assignment."

Trixie and Jim shared a secretive look. "Well," answered Trixie, "Jim was part of the assignment."

Honey just stared at them open-mouthed. Finally, she spoke, "Is the reason Jim left part of this, too?"

Jim took his sister's hand. Calmly, he told her, "Honey, we have a long story to tell. Can you wait until we get everyone together? I think Trixie needs to see her parents as soon as possible."

"They still don't know where I've been," Trixie reminded Honey, "just that I've been on assignment. I don't think even Dan knew exactly where I was."

"No, he didn't," Honey confirmed. "He was really upset that you were gone through the holidays."

"The holidays," Trixie recalled a little wistfully, "I had almost forgotten about them."

"All the more reason to go see your mom," Jim stood, pulling the girls with him. "Where's Brian, Honey? Do you think he could come with us?"

"Sorry, Jim," Honey apologized. "Brian acts like they are standing over him with a whip. He wants to do so well that he's taking lots of extra call."

"Well, one Bob-White not able to make it to the party will just have to do," Trixie told her. "I really need to see Moms. And besides, Brian may still be a tad upset with Jim."

"I know," Honey decided, "we can call him and hope he can talk when everyone else is there. Maybe we can put him on speaker phone."

"Wait, Jim," Trixie halted. "Can I change clothes first? These island clothes are not meant for New York winters."

"Island clothes?" Honey mouthed to Jim as Trixie rushed off into her room. Staring closely at him, she added, "You do have a tan and just a little bit of a burn. Just where have you two been?"

"Honey," Jim assured her, "I promise we'll tell all, and I dare say you'll even be surprised."

Honey looked wide-eyed at Jim. Trying to calm her curiosity, she changed the subject. "Well, big brother, just how was the honeymoon?"

Jim gave her a boyish grin and turned red. "Let's just say that big brother is very happy with his new bride." Jim looked toward Trixie's room as she came out, his eyes brightening. Softly, he added, "Big brother is very happy, sis, very happy."

*****************

When Honey pulled her car into the driveway of Crabapple Farm, she turned to glance at Jim and Trixie. "You two go on ahead," she told them. "I'll call the other Bob-Whites on my cell. Moms might want to see you alone first."

"Thanks, Honey," Trixie gave her a heartfelt smile. Grabbing Jim's hand, she pulled him out of the car. "Are you nervous, Jim?"

"A little," he admitted. "It's not every day someone disappears for months and then comes back married to your daughter."

"At least we are married," Trixie giggled. "How would it be if we were just living together?"

"Mrs. Frayne," Jim admonished her teasingly, "you are asking for trouble."

"Always from you, Mr. Frayne," she smiled back arching her eyebrows.

"Devil," he laughed and opened the kitchen door for her.

"Wow, someone is painting the kitchen," Trixie noticed. "Moms," she called, "it's me, Trixie."

"Trixie," Mrs. Belden came rushing into the kitchen. "Trixie, dear, I would love to hug you but I've been painting the kitchen and it's all over me."

"I can see," Trixie grinned at her mom. "It's such a pretty color blue. It matches your eyes." She pointed to Mrs. Belden's nose. "Has Bobby been helping?"

Trixie had been clutching Jim's hand with her right hand and when she raised her left hand Mrs. Belden immediately saw the wedding ring on her daughter's finger.

"What's this? Jim, you've been gone so long," she said as she grabbed Trixie's hand. Mrs. Belden looked at Jim and Trixie both. She reached to take Jim's hand as well. "I see there's something you need to tell me?"

Happily, Trixie nodded and looked at Jim. Jim bowed his head as he received Trixie's encouragement before turning to Mrs. Belden. "We have something to tell you. Is Mr. Belden home? We'd like to tell you together."

"He's in the basement," Mrs. Belden told him. "I'll get him." Quickly, she left in search of her husband.

"Here goes nothing," Trixie declared. "They can't be too upset. I mean, look at what happened before the first wedding we planned."

"Come on, Shamus," Jim put his arm around her shoulders. "It's going to okay. In fact, it's going to more than okay."

Trixie didn't reply as she watched her parents enter the kitchen. "Let's sit down," Trixie suggested. "It's kind of a long story."

Mr. and Mrs. Belden exchanged a worried look and sat down across from Trixie and Jim.

Pulling Jim into a chair beside her, Trixie looked at her parents. "First of all, I was on assignment while I was gone," she explained. "It just so happened that Jim was the reason I was on assignment. We've been together for the last two months."

Wiping her hands on a dish towel, Mrs. Belden looked squarely at the ring on Trixie's finger. "First of all, I want to know about that."

Swallowing, Trixie answered honestly, "Jim and I are married. We've been married for almost two months."

"What?" Both of Trixie's parents exclaimed in stunned fashion.

"Mr. Belden. Mrs. Belden." Jim acknowledged his in-laws. "I'm really sorry for leaving Trixie like I did. There is a very difficult and long explanation. We plan on telling everyone together tonight, if that's alright with you."

Stunned, the Beldens nodded as one. "Trixie," her mother added, "have you eaten? Jim?"

Always gracious, Mrs. Belden included Jim in the invitation. As she busied herself in the kitchen, she wondered, not for the first time, just what had happened to Jim last spring. Glancing at her daughter and new son-in-law, she could see the happiness glowing in their eyes. Worriedly, she could see the discontent in Peter Belden's eyes as well.

"Sorry it's only potato soup and sandwiches," she apologized. "As you can see the kitchen is in quite a mess right now."

"This is great, Moms," Trixie assured her. "I'll get our drinks."

Jim remained quiet, squirming under the intent glare he was receiving from Mr. Belden. Gratefully, he took the soup from Mrs. Belden, glad to have something to do.

Honey poked her head through the kitchen door. Grinning, she called, "Anyone home?"

"Come on in, Honey," Mrs. Belden invited her in. "Would you like a snack?"

"Is Brian with you?" Mr. Belden asked as he rose to give Honey his seat.

"Thank you," Honey smiled at him as she sat down. "Unfortunately, Brian is on duty tonight. I'm going to call him later when all the Bob-Whites arrive. We're dying to hear the tale these two have."

"Jim, have you called your parents?" Mrs. Belden asked. "They've been very worried."

"Not yet," he admitted ashamedly. "Trix, we do need to talk to them. It will be awhile before the rest of the gang is here." Turning to Honey, he inquired, "Are Mother and Dad home?"

"No," she answered, "but you do need to call them, Jim. They have been worried just like all of us. When you never called and we saw all those newspaper articles about you…well."

"You thought I had lost my mind," Jim continued for her. "I know it looks bad, sis." He turned to look at Trixie. "I do need to call them."

"Go ahead, Jim," Trixie urged him. "I'll wait here with Moms and Dad."

Trixie watched as Jim left the room before looking back at her parents. "Please don't ask any questions right now. Jim and I want to tell everyone together. It's been a horrible experience for Jim as well as me."

"Tonight," Mr. Belden stated firmly. "I'll give him that, and it had better be good."

******************

The Bob-Whites gathered in the Belden's living room waiting impatiently for Jim and Trixie's explanation. Mart and Dan were openly scowling at Jim trying hard not to take a punch at him. Diana and Mrs. Belden gave them warning looks to keep their anger under wraps. This had better be good, thought Mrs. Belden. Mart might not be in control much longer.

Jim and Trixie nervously stood in front of the group. Putting his arms around Trixie waist, Jim spoke first. "Trixie and I want to first tell you that we are married."

At the groups murmurs, Trixie added, "We've been married almost two months. We didn't think you needed another wedding to plan and frankly, we didn't want to wait."

"What about all that running around you did last summer?" Mart demanded angrily. "What was that all about?"

"That was part of my cover story," Jim explained quietly, trying to refrain from getting defensive. "I've been working for the ISA, International Security Agency."

"You mean it exists?" Dan asked in disbelief.

"What do you mean cover story?" Honey asked curiously. "A cover for what?"

"For me," Trixie told her. "For you. For all of us. It was to keep us from tracking Jim down." Trixie smiled regretfully at Jim before continuing, "Except in my case it didn't work. Therefore, they came up with the girlfriend/wife story to stop me from looking or at least to keep me looking in the wrong direction."

"So just where was Jim during all this?" Mr. Belden spoke up. "This story is getting a little bit on the incredulous side."

Reluctantly, Jim began his tale. "I was in upstate New York tracking down a terrorist operation, all because of an old friend of mine."

As Jim, with Trixie's help, told the harrowing story the eyes of everyone in the room grew wide. Jaws dropped as they recalled the events that occurred during the holidays.

"Jim," Mart stood and shook his hand. "I owe you an apology. I wish I had more faith in you. I should have listened to Trixie. I'm sorry."

The Bob-Whites gathered around Jim and Trixie sharing hugs and tears for the last horrible few months.

"Welcome to the family, Jim," Mr. Belden welcomed him. "I'm glad our first opinion of you was the right one."

"I hated to do that to Trixie," Jim said sadly. "I never wanted anyone to be hurt but there just wasn't any other way."

"Jim," Trixie scolded him and hugged him tightly. "We've been over that. What's done is done. I just want to move on, please."

"Here! Here!" an agreement rang out among the group.