Author's Note: Thank you all for the reviews and apparent love for this story already! Since this is the first multi-chapter CA fic I've written, I figure I should give you the good news! I update consistently once a day, so be prepared.

Chapter Two – Counter Surveillance

"Apparently we've been outed," Joan told Arthur as she perched herself on the armrest near him.

"Outed?" he asked without looking up.

"As spies."

That caught his attention, and his eyes snapped up to meet hers. His expression didn't hold full blown panic, but there was a very visible and deep concern present.

"How the hell did that happen?"

Joan smiled softly at him. She didn't seem to be the least bit apprehensive which made no sense to Arthur. Neither of them were actively in the field anymore, but that didn't mean it was a good idea to reveal their ties to the agency.

"It's only a suspicion at this point, I think, but it started with hearing your name on TV."

"I knew that would come back and hurt me. Liza Hearn is a pain in my side that simply won't go away," Arthur complained. "Who are we talking about?"

"Our neighbors."

"Which ones?"

"The Hamlins."

"Alright. So what are our options?" Arthur mused as he pushed himself off the couch and started pacing in front of it. "Either we let it go and see how it plays or try to talk them out of the idea. We would have to figure out how to go about that though. My cover is probably blown, but at least we can solidify yours."

"Arthur…"

"We could invite them out to dinner. It wouldn't be hard to work careers into the conversation. Unless you think it would be better to…"

"Arthur," Joan interrupted again, this time a little bit louder and more forceful so she was sure to catch his attention. "Relax. I'm talking about our neighbors under the age of ten."

He turned to face her, a perplexed look on his face.

"The kids know we're spies? How did you figure that out?" He paused a moment before adding, "How did they figure that out?"

"I overheard them talking outside. Apparently they heard their parents talking," she began. A small nod of her head drew Arthur back to the couch, and he sat down next to her. She rested her hand on his thigh and smoothed her palm down to his knee and back up again. "They're going to spy on us after school to see if we really are spies."

"Spying on the spies, huh? Sounds dangerous."

"That's what they thought."

Arthur nodded and then looked up at her. Joan knew that look on his face and she didn't like it. Something was spinning around in his head, and he was about to ask a question that would give him whatever information he needed to finish formulating that idea. She knew it, and she wasn't disappointed.

"What are they looking for?"

"Guns and black clothes," Joan said in amusement.

The expression on Arthur's face when he heard that nearly made Joan laugh.

"What do they think we are, burglars?"

She actually did laugh then. While she had thought their criteria for a spy was a bit comical, she hadn't seen the similarities to burglary like Arthur had. The connection was clear now that he'd brought it up. Joan leaned down and gently kissed the side of his face.

"We do share a few characteristics with them," she admitted.

"You really want to be compared to a burglar?" Arthur asked incredulously.

"No, but I do have a few outfits in my closet that are very burglar-esque."

"Then you should wear them."

Joan lifted an eyebrow questioningly. Where had that come from? She knew full well that he liked seeing her in dresses, both the ones she wore to work and the fancier options she had for parties and dinners out. Black clothes though? Tight fitting or not they were still pants, sweatshirts, and gloves. That would definitely not be something she would normally consider wearing to seduce him. Arthur picked up on her confusion and filled her in.

"So they have something to find. Clues," he added in response.

That caught Joan even more off guard than his first request. He wanted them to find something? Earlier he'd been so worried that someone knew they worked for the agency. It was almost a complete 180 and made absolutely no sense. They had spent their entire lives hiding who they were and what they did. Secrets and hidden lives were completely ingrained in them, and now Arthur wanted to openly reveal that they were spies? She wasn't worried if the kids knew, but that didn't mean she thought it was a good idea to give them the proof they were looking for.

"You're really going to humor them?"

"Sure, why not? It'll be fun."

"Arthur…"

"Like you said, they're kids. What harm could it do?"

Joan sighed and shook her head at him. Nobody was likely to take the kids seriously, especially with the clues they were looking to find. What was more, if their parents did take it seriously Joan could simply tell them the truth (for once). They'd pretended to be spies and had made up clues to entertain the kids. Even if this game Arthur wanted to play didn't compromise their identities, she didn't see why he would want to do it.

"Do I need to remind you that the whole point of working for the CIA is that people don't know you're working for the CIA?"

"My name is all over now so people already know. Since we go to work together all the time they probably suspect for you too."

She had come to accept as much on the morning Arthur had been watching the broadcast. Suspicions were always going to be there. That was simply the way things were. It didn't mean they should confirm them though.

"We do enough planning and plotting at the office. Nearly breathe it. Why would you want to do more at home?"

"Because this could be fun," he insisted. "We can plan and plot and if we fail it won't have any life changing consequences for the entire country."

"For once."

"Exactly. For once it's just about the thrill."

As stupid as it was, Joan felt herself actually coming around to the idea. The rational part of her was screaming walk away now. This ploy was just another thing to add to her already full plate. Arthur could see her wavering though and he wasn't about to give up. It should only take another gentle push to convince her.

"A little hand to hand practice wouldn't hurt you know."

"Arthur…"

He turned and gripped her upper arm while cupping her opposite cheek with his other hand.

"Come on, Joan. For fun."

She sighed heavily but a small smile flickered across her face. Immediately Arthur knew he had persuaded her.

"As long as I get to win."

Arthur's eyes widened in surprise at her reply and he pulled away.

"Now that wouldn't seem very realistic, would it?"

Joan arched a delicate eyebrow at him in warning.

"Do you really want to go there?"