Chapter 2

A/N:
I use a mix of fact and fiction. Use this rule of thumb, if it's in relation to a fictional character, then it's more than likely fiction (i.e. being assigned quarters, getting to use a car, that sort of thing). Otherwise, it's fact, especially when I include dates and place/street names. Oh, any observations that they make, opinions they have, well, they're mine, and probably biased. :-P

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With Colby doing most of the heavy lifting, it didn't take them long to unpack their bags and boxes. Colby smiled tenderly as Hannah slid between the sheets with a sigh of pleasure. She looked exhausted. "I'm going to walk around a bit, check out the neighborhood and find a route that I can use for a run," he murmured softly into her ear, gently caressing her cheek.

"Mmm, okay," Hannah was already half asleep.

Colby was sleepy too, but he needed to stretch out after all those hours in the plane and he was itching for a run. He left to find out if Don wanted to join him.

The two men strolled outside, pleased to see that the sun was still shining. It was mid-morning on Saturday and the streets were teeming with people. Stores lined the main road, and after a few minutes walk they found themselves in front of Harrod's on Brompton Road. Colby grinned, Hannah was going to enjoy that.

"People are different and yet the same," Don observed.

Colby nodded, "The accents are different, the lingo is different. But you still have teenagers hanging out, scoping out other teenagers."

They weren't just scoping out other teenagers, Don thought with a grin. There had been several admiring glances their way. Some for the younger agent, but he'd received a few winks when bold eyes met his.

Picking up the pace, they reached Hyde Park. They broke into a run along the first footpath they reached, staying around the edge of the park, so that they could head towards Marble Arch. When they'd checked out the map, they'd noticed that the embassy was only a mile and a half away. While they might not run to work, it was possible that they might run home at the end of the work day.

They enjoyed the companionable run in silence, until they dropped to a walk just before they got Marble Arch to turn towards Grosvenor Square.

"It isn't laid out to be easy to find," Don huffed.

Colby smirked at Don, because he wasn't even breathing hard.

Don cut him an annoyed look, and changed the subject as they walked around Grosvenor Square before heading back in the direction of their quarters. "Hannah seems to be in good spirits. And she's walking well."

"Yeah, she's been really excited about coming here. They've been making all kinds of plans via email. I think she's going to take the train out to Weybridge most days. Eleanor's going to be taking her all over the place. She'll probably see more of England than we will." Colby was quiet for a few minutes. "She was so excited about coming here that she actually stuck to the physical therapy program. It's only when she's tired that the limp is noticeable."

"I saw that," Don said quietly. "It isn't your fault, Colby. And she might not have made it this far if you hadn't been there for her."

"She wouldn't have been shot in the first place."

Don tried to ease the grim expression on the younger man's face, "You don't know that. It was an entirely random thing, Colby."

Colby shrugged, "Well, it's over now. Things are finally looking up again, and I couldn't be happier about it. How are things with you and Robin?"

It was Don's turn to be grim, "We haven't talked since I mentioned coming to London."

Startled, Colby turned to Don, "I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do? Since I'm the one who started it?"

"No, it's more than that, Colby, but thanks. Robin and I both work long hours, it's hard to get our schedules to coincide. Plus, she's not sure she wants to make it an exclusive relationship. And I'm not exactly an expert when it comes to relationships. So, it's been a little rocky."

"What are you going to to?" Colby asked sympathetically. He was happy with Hannah, and he hated that Don wasn't finding the same happiness with Robin.

Don shrugged, "Keep trying until there's a reason not to try. I'll call her later and see how she reacts."

They stopped when they found a Marks and Spencer Simply Food to pick up some staples and headed back to the flats.

"What's your plan for the weekend, Don? Hannah thought we might go up to Weybridge for the rest of the weekend after she's taken her nap. It'll only take about 30 minutes by train. We might as well. Eleanor said you were more than welcome."

"That sounds good to me, Colby. Just give me a call when you guys are ready to go."

After putting the groceries away, and taking a shower, Colby decided to wake Hannah despite the possible repercussions.

He sat on the edge of the bed and for a few moments just simply drank in the sight of her. Gently, he brushed her hair away from her forehead, and caressed her cheek with his thumb. He traced the curve of her lips, and pressed a kiss on those lovely, full lips. Moving lower, he placed a kiss on her shoulder, enjoying the feel of her soft, fragrant skin, as he slid the sheet off her. He realized that was starting to recognize her favorite Gardenia Lily. Then, as always, he sighed softly when his eyes were drawn down her side to the scars that the bullets left behind.

"Hannah," he murmured in her ear, grinning when she didn't even stir. He ran his hand over the curve her hip in a gentle caress. "Hannah, we should try to get going. Get in synch with the time zone as soon as we can."

She moaned softly, "Just a few more minutes, Colby, please."

He laughed, "The coffee's ready. Wake up for me, honey, please."

"Mmmm, okay." She opened sleepy eyes to him.

Reaching over to kiss her forehead, he slid his arms under her and picked her up, making her giggle.

"Alright, I'm awake," she was laughing now. "Are we going to Weybridge then?"

"Yeah, Don's pretty much ready too. We might as well."

"I'll call her, and tell her to expect us at the train station."

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"Long time no see," Hannah said, laughing, when she saw Eleanor waiting for them at the Weybridge train station.

Eleanor grinned in response. She was happy to see that the nap had refreshed Hannah back to the bright-eyed cheery woman she knew and loved. Then Eleanor laughed delightedly when Colby leaped off the train and swung Hannah into his arms. It amused her that he seemed unable to keep his hands off Hannah. She caught her breath sharply, when Don swung down from the train, smiling widely at Colby's antics. She was surprised that his attractive smile had escaped her notice when they'd met earlier that day. Had she been quite so preoccupied?

"Good to see you again, Eleanor," he turned his smile on her.

For a moment, she was at a loss for words. Then, aware of Hannah's surprised and speculative glance, she greeted them hastily, and showed them the way to her car.

"Weybridge has two claims to fame. It's the home of Runnymede, where King John purportedly signed the Magna Carta in 1215. And later, it was the home of Oatlands Palace, built by Henry the Eighth in 1537. The Magna Carta Memorial at Runnymede might be an interesting place for you to visit. It was presented to us by the American Bar Association, because the American Constitution was inspired by the Magna Carta. We have an excellent golf course here, and if you're lucky, you might even get to play golf with Nick Faldo, who lives here in Weybridge."

Colby looked up in excitement. He was an avid golfer, he just hadn't had much time to golf lately. Don laughed at his enthusiasm.

Hannah was amused to see the normally unflappable Eleanor stare open-mouthed at the sight of Don laughing. She'd never seen her quite so attracted to anyone. She nudged Eleanor, grinning.

"Er, I live just up this way, on St. George's Hill."

And as the car pulled into the gate, their jaws dropped in amazement at the sight of the house at the end of the driveway.