So, It's been stewing in my brain for a while that it's clear the kids are aware that Henry's got some sort of government work going on, and I wanted to play with the idea that Stevie isn't quite as chill about this as she's been so far in canon. This first little missing scene has been sitting on my computer for ages now and follows 2.22 Render Safe.

"Mom?"

Elizabeth started out of the half doze that had taken over her body, head jerking up and off the back of the couch to squint at the outline of her oldest daughter watching her from the living room doorway.

"Hey baby, what are you doing up?"

Stevie rolled her eyes and crossed the room to join Elizabeth on the couch. "I could ask you the same thing."

Elizabeth chuckled and tipped her head back again on the couch. "Touché. And yet here we are."

Stevie shot her mother a worried look before tucking her knees to her chest and resting her chin on them. For a good ten minutes the only sound in the house was a clock ticking softly on a shelf across the room.

"Dad's not in San Francisco," Stevie said quietly. It wasn't a question. "You guys can't just say that and expect us, expect me to go along with it. I mean, yeah, I'll pretend for Jase and Alli's sake, but mom, c'mon."

Elizabeth sighed and seemed to deflate, scrubbing a hand over her face before opening her mouth to reply, but Stevie cut her off before she could.

"And I know you can't tell me where he is or what he's doing, but could you please just cut the tradecraft for one second and at least acknowledge the fact that I know dad's not at a religion conference? Please?"

Elizabeth could feel a headache forming behind her eyes and her heart twisted as she watched a stray tear roll down her daughter's cheek before it was hastily swept away.

"You're right. We need a better system. I don't know what that system would be or how to figure it out, but you're right. I know you know. I know you all know to some degree – and here's where I'm gonna be 100% honest with you, kid – sometimes it's easier to believe that you guys don't know, that you're still small enough that dad and I can protect you completely while you have a normal life."

Stevie snorted. "Yeah, well, I think that ship has pretty much sailed, at least by most people's standards of normal," she pointed out as she scooted down the couch to rest her head on Elizabeth's shoulder.

Shifting to wrap her arms around Stevie, Elizabeth sighed and planted a gentle kiss in her daughter's hair. "Trying to save you the worry has been making it worse, huh?"

"Basically. You've barely been home all week, but I know you've been a mess ever since dad left."

"Oh, thanks," Elizabeth replied dryly.

"No, I mean, you're always so poised and smooth and in control of the Secretary McCord side of things, and I really admire that, and don't think I could ever in a million years do half of what you do, but…"

"I've been worried about your dad. Who's not in San Francisco."

"Yeah," Stevie replied quietly.

Elizabeth sighed. "I don't know what to say right now other than he's on his way home – should be here in the next hour or two, actually – and somehow we'll all figure this out and be okay."

"Is he okay? I mean, like, he's not hurt or anything, right?" Stevie asked, lifting her head slightly to meet her mother's eyes.

"No, no, he's alright. Don't worry, your dad's coming home to us in one piece."

"Oh, thank god."

Elizabeth smiled wryly at that. "Yeah, I think that would probably be appropriate."

"Can I wait up with you? I mean, I assume that's what you're doing..."

"I'd love the company. And Stevie?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry. I don't like this any more than you do, I swear. And your dad and I are trying our best to make things work as smoothly as possible for you kids. For all of us, really." Elizabeth let out a heavy sigh. "We're trying."

"I know."

Elizabeth wasn't sure how much time had passed, but both women were nearly asleep when Stevie broke the silence with a quiet "Mom?"

"Yeah, baby?" Elizabeth murmured, running a hand up and down her daughter's arm.

"Love you."

"Love you, too, kiddo."