"Kate?" Roger knocked at the bathroom door, waiting for a response.
"I'll just be a moment." She replied, her voice still shaky. "Just a moment."
Roger stood awkwardly outside of the door for a second, unsure of what to do. If she were going to be longer than a moment then it would look like he was lurking. He decided to wait a little longer just as the door opened. Even without seeing her, he could tell that she had been crying. But her appearance confirmed it. Her eye makeup was now washed away, eyes a bit red. It was also clear that they were both going to pretend that she hadn't been upset… or that they had been seconds away from kissing again.
"I don't suppose you have something to eat around here?" Kate asked, turning off the bathroom light and joining him in the cramped hallway.
"I do as a matter of fact… just behind you is the kitchen."
"Hmm." She turned to inspect the swinging door. "I'll admit a curiosity as to whether or not you enjoy a bachelors diet or if you have secret culinary skills."
"You've given either notion thought? Clearly your government isn't keeping you busy enough."
"I have to occupy my mind somehow on those long flights."
"You think about eating with me?"
"Don't flatter yourself…"
"I don't need to, you're doing it for me."
"I think about a lot of things. Sometimes weird things come to mind." With that she turned away from him and made towards the kitchen. She stopped and craned her head back to look at him. Her smile was wide, "I think this is the most I've ever heard you speak that wasn't scolding me."
"We can change that if you'd like." He replied with an uncharacteristic smile of his own.
"I'm sure you'd scold me if I failed to mention that you're still not wearing a shirt." She called through the swinging kitchen door. Roger looked down and realized that she was right. He also took note of the developing bruises on his side. The upcoming weeks of desk duty would be welcome.
He followed her into the kitchen and observed as she poked about in the refrigerator, then the cabinets. While she was exploring he hurried to the basket of clean laundry he had left on the counter that morning. Pulling on the white, cotton undershirt was not done as quickly or easily.
"Have you reached a conclusion yet on my culinary skills?" Roger asked, trying to cover his groan of pain. She glanced over to watch him, but turned away as soon as he had finished pulling the shirt on.
"You have enough to get by, but nothing exceedingly complicated."
"Very astute. More than just a pretty face, Miss Cameron."
Kate chuckled.
"What?"
"Nothing, just… I'm not usually referred to as a pretty face."
"I find that difficult to believe."
"Not that difficult, I'm sure. You've met Laura."
"There are dozens of girls who look like Laura. Yours is a unique beauty."
Kate turned back to the refrigerator, hiding her blush.
"How about a grilled cheese?" She offered.
"And you were teasing me about my cooking ability?"
"Working with what's in front of me."
"Sounds good."
They moved quietly around the kitchen. Roger getting the pan out and lighting the range while Kate prepared the sandwiches. There was something oddly domestic about the whole thing. Never mind the fact that they were in this situation because a mission had gone wrong and someone had been shot.
"I like your house." Kate said, feeling a bit overwhelmed by their silence. "It's cozy… warm."
"You sound surprised."
"Well it is a little different from you usual air... Not that there's anything wrong with how you usually are. I realize that that's how you are at work…"
"Kate. It's okay. I understood what you meant." He eyed her closely as she set the table. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
"You just seem a bit… nervous."
"What's your plan? I'm assuming you have a plan."
"I do." Roger served them their sandwiches before sitting down across from her. "As far as everyone will be concerned I shot Bolger. You'll tell my handler everything that happened, except for the shooting. Tomorrow you'll return to the hotel, then to New York."
"So I'll tell him everything that happened, but instead I'll say that I saw you struggling for the gun and that you managed to get it at the last minute."
"That's it exactly. You'll probably have to answer a few questions for Richard when you return, but beyond that we shouldn't have a problem."
They lapsed back into silence, both becoming focused on eating. Kate suddenly realized that she had no idea what time it was. It must've been close to nine when they left the store…
"Thank you." She said suddenly.
"What for?"
"For everything… taking the blame, looking out for me. I know I haven't been the most cooperative lately."
"Kate, you were amazing tonight. You saved my life, and the lives of everyone on that list. I don't know any other courier who would've jumped into action like you did."
"Did you refer to me as 'blue bird' earlier?"
"Ah, yes. Your codename."
"I have a codename?"
"For the time being."
"What's yours?"
Roger sighed, rolling his eyes. Probably the same expression he made when she called him Spencer.
"No point in sharing that information with you now, as you're leaving after everything is cleared up."
"I suppose you're right."
Roger opened his mouth as if he were about to say something but decided against it.
"When should we expect your handler?"
"Shortly. There is something we can do in the meantime."
"The dishes?" She smiled, handing him her plate as he stood.
"Okay. Two things."
She took a moment to stare at him, trying to decide what exactly he was suggesting. There was something almost playful about his smile. He couldn't mean, certainly not—
"No! Not that. God, Kate, now I really am curious as to what you think about me."
"I didn't mean to offend you. This is a new situation for me."
"I'll finish up the dishes, you go wait in the sitting room." Kate just nodded and made her back to the front of the house, wondering just how much poking around she could accomplish while he finished the dishes.
x-X-x
More will be along soon. Thanks so much for all of the reviews! I honestly didn't expect to get much of a response. Wasn't sure how people would feel about Kate/Roger. Glad to see I'm not the only one. Another chapter soon, thanks for reading.
