2030 EST

The dark haired woman slowly approached her, her eyes wide and her face streaked with fresh tears. The woman knelt down and put her arms around her, pulling her up on her feet. Letting her use her for support, the woman led her out of the dark room back into the lobby. The little one spotted her across the room and fear filled her eyes, aware that something was terribly wrong. She held her arms out and the little one ran to her. She picked her up, held her tightly, and allowed the dark haired woman to lead them both out of the building.
The woman took them over to her car and opened the door for them to enter. She accepted the invitation and carefully sank into the passenger seat, readjusting the little one in her lap.. The woman slammed the door shut and slowly entered the driver’s side of the two- seater car.
They sat in silence until she finally found the courage to speak. “Why are you helping us?” she asked, her voice quivering slightly.
The dark haired woman took a deep breath before turning to look at her. “I... knew Clay.” Her eyes drifted to the rain beating down on the windshield. “Well... in fact.”
Panic filled her eyes. “You’re one of them?” she asked.
“No,” the woman replied, sternly. “My name is Sarah MacKenzie. I worked with Clay a few times, but I’m not a part of the CIA,” she paused to let her words sink in. “I’m in the Marine Corps. Stationed at JAG headquarters.”
“The Marines?” she asked, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
Sarah nodded.
“I have to admit that does make me trust you a little more.”
“I was hoping it would,” Sarah replied, offering a reassuring smile.
“I don’t like this place,” the little one said, looking out the car window towards the dark building from which they had just come.
“Me neither,” Sarah replied, smiling at the little face and tentatively running a hand through the little girl’s hair.
“Can we go now?” the little one asked Sarah.
Sarah nodded. “Do you have someone to go home to?” she asked her.
She shook her head. “My aunt is still at work.”
Sarah gave her a quizzical expression.
“She works weird hours,” she explained, rolling her eyes.
Sarah nodded, started the engine, and put the car in gear. “Can I take you for a cup of coffee then?”
She nodded once. “Okay.”
“Alright,” Sarah said, pulling out of the parking lot and onto the wet street. “Where do you two live? I’ll try to stop somewhere close to your home.”
She was silent for a moment, unsure of whether or not to trust this woman with that information. She took a deep breath and decided to go with her gut feeling. “Blackwell. My aunt has a farm there.”
“Blackwell,” Sarah repeated and put on her turn signal to move to the left lane.
“Are you really a marine?” the little one asked Sarah as they neared an intersection.
“Uh, huh,” Sarah replied.
“Cool,” the little one said, her eyes widening. “I’ve never met a lady soldier before.”
Sarah laughed. “Well, you have now.”
She brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. Something about this woman made her feel comfortable and safe. She suddenly felt compelled to confide in her. “My name is Julie Webb,” she offered, trying to open a window.
Sarah glanced over towards her.
“As you probably gathered already, Clayton Webb is...” a lump caught in her throat, but she managed to swallow it down. “Was my father.”
“Daddy?” the little one asked suddenly. “What about Daddy?” Tears filled her eyes. “Is he not going to come visit us anymore?”
Julie shook her head. “No. Not anymore.”
The little one began to cry softly. Sarah slowed the car and pulled to a stop in front of a gas station. Hot tears were suddenly blurring her vision.
“Please don’t cry, Sarah,” Julie said as tears rolled down her cheeks.
For a few moments, all three of them sat in front of the gas station, crying. Crying for themselves, crying for each other, crying for him.
“I’m sorry,” Sarah finally said, her tears now beginning to cease. “I’ve held it together pretty well so far. At least in front of other people,” she added, playing with the kleenex she held in her hand.
“It’s okay,” Julie said. “Crying never hurt anyone. That’s what my aunt always says anyway.”
“Just don’t let my friends at JAG know I’m soft,” Sarah responded, letting a smile spread across her lips.
Julie laughed and she bent down to the little one and cupped her face in her hands. “No more tears, Leigha.”
The little one nodded and leaned her forehead against Julie’s shoulder.
Sarah rubbed her hand back and forth on the little girl’s back.
Julie watched. “You must have really loved my dad.”
Sarah stopped rubbing the little back. “Why?”
“Because you immediately showed such love towards us.”
Sarah smiled a sad and painful smile. “Yeah,” she stated, softly.