She heard it, but she didn't believe it. Daisy doesn't know what she's talking about, Bess thought to herself, or does she? Who is this very close source? I Need to know who told her this atrocity. Henry would never have an affair, would he? They had been married for almost 25 years, and not once did this thought ever cross her mind, until now. Was it my fault? Did my taking this job push him away from me because I have to travel and work almost non stop lately? No, it cant be possible…Could it?! Elizabeth was so distraught, her mind running places she never thought possible. She was trying to relax, take a little brake from the India issues at hand, all she wanted was a little cat nap, and now thanks to Daisy that wasn't going to happen. Walking over to her desk to pick up her phone, she dialed the number of her Beloved Henry, he always answers his phone when he sees its me calling, she consoled herself as the phone rang. No answer, straight to voice mail, maybe he's at the bathroom she thought knowing he had no classes at this time of the day. When she heard his voice mail pick up her heart dropped into her stomach, maybe the rumor was true, he would never…..could he?! Now Elizabeth was anxious she had to see him, talk to him, find out what was going on. Thinking back to the ride to the airport in India when they had learned about the spill, she had noticed a hint of concern and worry in Henrys voice as he had called to tell her something rather important, she had to hang up on him and focus on the new disaster that was now going to take over her life for a few days. Was he calling to tell me something about this affair nonsense? Trying to give me a heads up over the phone!? I'll hurt him if he was going to break this kind of news to me over the phone. Her mind was racing now, she had to go home, find out for herself if this was really happening to her, to THEM.
"Blake!" she yelled, "Please have my car brought around, I need to go home for a little bit, everyone else can take a long lunch, but when I get back we are fixing this mess"
"Yes Ma'am" Blake replied, dialing her detail as he spoke.
The car ride home was torture, how was she ever going to look at Henry the same if he really had committed the act of ultimate betrayal to her and her family. Not only did she have herself to think about, but the kids also, what would they do? How would they handle the news of their parents perfect marriage crumbling right before their eyes? This was going to be a long afternoon, she didn't know how it was going to go, but she had to brace herself for the terrible news.
Opening the door to their perfect world, she wondered what she would find on the other side, how could she look at him to talk to him without breaking down and crying? Taking a deep breath she continued to face the door as she closed it, preparing herself to face Henry.
"There you are!" he exclaimed running towards her embracing her in a hug.
"Hi" she replied, honestly that is all she could muster the strength to say, not making eye contact with him. Oh Henry, your hug feels so wonderful, but I can't do this right now, not until I know the truth.
Noticing she was acting strange he let her go, she was not looking at him, nor was she returning his embrace, which was odd considering the fact she had been away from him out of the country for a few days. She ALWAYS returned home to him with such passionate kisses and hugs. He considered her for a minute, then as he turned to walk away, she let it out…
"Are you having an affair? I heard it, I don't believe it, but I NEED to hear it from you" There she had said it, and while she waited for him to respond, which in her opinion was taking much longer than it should have, her mind started again. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed, feeling the wind taken out of her lungs and her knees started to buckle. Holy crap he's not denying this, how could i have missed something as big as this?! I'm a CIA analyst for God sakes! HOW did I miss this!?
"NO" Henry said sternly What the hell is wrong with her?! How could she possibly think this of me? I know I have been lying to her as to why I couldn't go to India with her, but how could she possibly come to this conclusion?
"Well you better start explaining IMMEDIATELY" Damn it Henry, how could you do this to me, to us, to the kids?!
"Have you completely lost your mind?!" I hate lying to her, but I cant tell her, babe I would NEVER cheat on you, ever, you have to believe that. Please! for me, for us.
"Okay, that's better, but Henry, whats going on?! You haven't given me pages, you're not at the archives"
"How can i give you pages?! I can't even get you on the phone!?"
"You're acting weird, Wait! I know this. You're working for the CIA again aren't you?" "Thats why you're not at the archives, Being seen around town with a cute young woman" Oh thank God! she thought to herself, this is such a relief, now I can breath, actually look at him in the eye.
"She's my handler" he exclaimed as she snorted about the cute young woman part….as brilliantly gorgeous as she was, she always was a little insecure that he could possibly be led astray by someone younger and cuter than her. He actually loved seeing her jealous, but this, this was to much for him to take. Her actually thinking he could cheat on her, throwing the last 24 years down the drain, was tearing him apart they needed to reconnect, and soon.
They discussed what they could, he told her he wouldn't lie to her, and she was believing him, knowing that the work was hard, and there were things that just couldn't be shared.
Not caring about the time, and the fact that she had to get back to the office, they stood there in the middle of the office embracing each other with such strength that nothing could have pried them apart. Kissing each other she felt relief, that her worst fear was in fact not true. How she wanted to just stay there in his arms, but duty called and she had to get back to the office to fix this mess in India.
"Hey you!" she flirted as she was finally able to come home for the evening. Early enough to join her family for dinner, which in itself was a rarity lately.
"Hey yourself" he flirted back okay this is good he thought, I know I need to make this up to her tonight, but she needs to flirt and I'm sure gonna let her.
Lying in their bed later that night, they once again embraced each other, as they had in their office down stairs this afternoon. Doing nothing other than calming her fears of him cheating on her with some younger woman. They needed this time to reconnect, and there was no better way than having their bodies entwined together, skin touching skin, drinking in each others scents. It was the most relaxing feeling in the world and they needed it so much lately.
"Please promise me that you won't let our jobs stick a wedge between us" she pleaded with him. "I have already told you I would quit my job in a heartbeat if it threatened what we have, I want you to do the same."
"Babe, I promise you, nothing is going to change us. We are to strong to let it." He had reassured her that night.
Now thinking of where they were, she knew this promise had been broken, and they needed it rectify it before they headed down the path she feared the most: Separation and then divorce.
