Returning to the UK
Disclaimer: Same as before.
After they'd finished their meal, the trio headed out to World Showcase. All the while, Mia's mind was racing at about the speed of light. 'Alright, there's a weird love triangle here. Zoe's engaged to Glen, but Tom has a thing for her. But then who's baby is it? Tom's? I mean he was saying that Daddies know these things earlier.'
Tom led them towards the dead letter box in the World Showcase, a park bench in the China pavilion. There was a soda left on the bench, the sign that there was a message from the MI6 station chief that was supposedly in charge of monitoring EPCOT. Tom checked inside the soda cup and removed a slip of paper containing a message.
The message read: El Rio Del Tiempo, 1500. DTM. Tom headed for the bathroom in the China pavilion and as soon as he entered a vacant stall, shredded the message and flushed it down the toilet. He walked out of the men's room after washing his hands and ran into Zoe. It meant meeting at the Mexico Pavillion, three o'clock, ten minutes from now.
"Where's Mia?" Tom asked.
"She's in the ladies room." Zoe responded, and slipping into the role of dear Auntie Zee, added, "And speak of the devil, here's our niece."
Mia headed up to Tom and Zoe, and as soon as they were together they headed off to the Mexico pavilion. Waiting for them next to the El Rio Del Tiempo boat ride was a non-descript looking, no nonsense man. Christopher Shaw, ostensibly a minor diplomatic functionary who worked at the British Embassy in EPCOT, but really he ran all the MI6 intelligence operations for this area. The quartet boarded the boat ride.
"Greetings Matthew," Christopher said, "How's the vacation?"
Tom recognized this as basically asking for a status report. "Enjoyable." Tom replied. His one word answer was known that all mission objectives were met.
"Oh, I've arranged your travel plans for this week." Christopher replied.
"Really, what have you got us, Cyril." Tom replied, knowing the MI6 officer's cover name was Cyril Stanley Fordham and carried the papers for a simple travel agent.
"I've got your flight." Christopher said, handing Tom an envelope, "How's Amy?"
The last question was directed to Mia's welfare. "It's fairly obvious. She's grown a foot since you last saw her."
That meant that Mia was healthy in all respects. "Right, so how's everything else?" Christopher asked.
Tom and Zoe recognized this as a question on everything else regarding the mission, "Oh, did you hear we're expecting?" Tom replied.
Tom's reply stated his intended plan in a general way. That meant that he and Zoe were staying in the park until closing time.
"Oh really, what do you think it'll be?" Christopher asked.
"Zee thinks it's a girl. Personally I think it's a boy. Daddies know these things." Tom replied, indicating that Zoe had planned to go to Future World and he planned to go to World Showcase for the time. The last line referred to the fact that Tom had won out and that they would be in the World Showcase area for most of the rest of the day to kill time.
"The lines are rather lengthy at Future World at this time of day. Good call." Christopher said, referring to the fact that the Espos were combing the Future World area.
"So I've noticed." Zoe remarked.
Christopher shot her a mildly disapproving glare for acting unprofessionally. But there was nothing that any potential bugs could pick out. Zoe looked slightly annoyed by the MI6 officer's disapproval but was a professional enough to appear unruffled.
"Right, I'll see you at the hotel Matthew." Christopher said as the boat tour finished and they departed. He slipped a piece of paper into Tom's hand as they shook hands to depart.
Very deftly Tom took the message, still concealed in his left hand and slid it down the back pocket of Zoe's jeans. Zoe let out a sharp exhalation and turned towards Tom to give him a slap in the face. He caught her hand and the look in Tom's eyes told her to keep sharp. There was an Espo glancing their way.
Tom drew Zoe close and kissed her, it was a slow, passionate kiss and as it went on, there was no one there except for them. Zoe's heart began to beat rapidly, closing her eyes, for the moment all the intrigue, all the cloak and dagger garbage, everything else was just forgotten. Tom was amazed, Zoe was a great kisser, there was a warmth, a sort of loyal affection that Zoe let few people see under her professional, witty façade.
Mia put her hand to her mouth. First the meeting with that weird Cyril guy, then Tom going on about Zoe's likely pregnancy. And now the fact that he was kissing her in public.
Tom and Zoe parted the kiss and Zoe reached into her back pocket, lightly fingering the message in her back pocket. Zoe, get a grip on yourself, come on. It's a bloody cover story, nothing more. That guard took a look at us and we had to hold the married couple image. But God that was a wonderful kiss. My foot almost popped. If only...Zoe thought.
Note to self, never look into Zoe's eyes if you're trying to keep a secret. She's got the loveliest hazel blue that I've yet seen. Tom thought, Get a hold of yourself, Tom, she's your bloody subordinate for God's sake. You're her bloody boss.
They headed out of the Mexico pavilion. Zoe headed into the women's bathroom to read the note. It read, Japan 2000. That meant meet in Japan at eight o'clock that night, two hours before closing time and the Illuminations light show. Zoe knew the Japan Dead Letter Box, Tom didn't know it because if either of them was captured, only one DLB could be compromised. She shredded the message and flushed it down the toilet, washed her hands, and walked out.
"Matthew, Cyril wants to meet us in Japan, supposedly there's a restaurant there that impressed him." Zoe said.
"Right, we'll be there." Tom replied.
Can this day get any stranger? Mia asked, mentally.
"Ah Matthew, so good of you to come." Christopher said, as Tom, Zoe and Mia took their seats at the Mitsukoshi Tempura Kiku, a Japanese type eating establishment.
They ordered their meals, and idly appeared to watch the Japanese chefs frying their food on the u-shaped bar. "So, I gather you're staying for the light show?" Christopher asked.
"Thinking of it. Amy seems a bit tired." Tom replied, referring to the fact that they might want to get Mia out of there ASAP.
"Are you sure? The show really is quite spectacular." Christopher replied, this was a subtle warning that security forces were searching people who were leaving the park earlier than closing time at random.
"I think we might stay for that." Zoe said.
"Right, and I'll meet you at your hotel room." Christopher said. They finished their meals and headed outside, Christopher shook their hands again and Zoe noticed a piece of paper slid between her fingers.
Two hours later they stood at the waterfront at the World Showcase lagoon, watching fireworks and laser lights to the rhythm of music. Mia watched as Zoe's hand gently brushed up alongside Tom's. Tom caught her hand, gripping it firmly but gently.
Tom you idiot! Tell Zoe how you feel. You can see she really cares for you. Mia thought. And I know you definitely are wild for her. I think you'll be the perfect daddy for the kid...
Tom put an arm around Zoe's waist, holding her close. Hmm, I could stay here forever. I wish that it wasn't part of our cover story, posing as husband and wife. But, I will have a family shortly, I mean Glen's probably going to set a date soon when we get back. If I'm engaged to Glen, then why am I feeling like I'm just settling for what I can get.
The crowd began filing out, much to Zoe's annoyance and the trio headed into the parking area where Christopher said to meet. Transportation in the form of a Land Rover awaited them. Christopher drove them back to their hotel room and said.
"Well, your flight's at 1015, nonstop, to Heathrow London Airport." Christopher said. "Enjoy your evening."
"There's been a bit of a rodent problem here lately." Christopher said, cryptically, "Sleep well."
Zoe, Tom and Mia dressed for bed and Tom helped Mia convert the couch into the fold out bed. To keep up the pretense Tom and Zoe slid into the queen sized bed in the hotel. The chair underneath the doorknob would serve as handy anti-intrusion.
"Good night." Tom said, as he shut off the lights. Zoe noticed Tom's sleeping attire was conservative but stylish, the way he usually dressed at work. His black sweat pants and faded gray Leicester Rugby t-shirt were typical. Tom saw Zoe's pajamas were fairly form fitting, a blue silk pair.
Glen's a lucky bugger. Tom thought as they lay beside each other. He could feel Zoe leaning against him, curled up at his side, looking for all the world like a peaceful child. Tom held her close to his side, heard a contented sigh and saw a small smile on Zoe's face. Tom watched her sleep for a while. Zoe seemed so at peace, so serene whenever she slept, he noticed that before he fell asleep.
"Mia, wake up." Zoe said, "We've got a flight soon."
"Mmh...five more minutes, please..." Mia said.
"You can sleep on the plane." Zoe said, yawning herself. Tom was already preparing coffee for them. Not for the first time Zoe wondered how, no matter how long he'd been up, how much he'd had to drink, or what he'd been through, Tom managed to stay so alert. As Mia went to shower and change, Zoe hid the CD in Mia's CD case.
The routine at the airport was routine. They got on the flight, with Tom sitting between the two women. Mia watched as Zoe fell asleep, reading a couple chapters from her book, leaning against Tom's side. About twenty minutes later, Mia fell asleep as well. Tom smiled, tiredly as he too fell asleep.
Thames House, MI5 HQ was a busy place, for Zoe and Tom's debriefing. Mia was told to wait in the lobby with Glen.
"I trust the mission was a success?" Harry Pearce said.
"It was." Tom said, "She's in the next room."
"And the MI6 database files you asked for." Zoe said.
"Thank you," Harry said, "You may go."
As they walked out, Jools Siviter, head of MI6, walked in with his nose in the air, the way he usually did. "Excellent job your officers did. Little problem arose though. The MI6 database on the Heartless gangs has just been penetrated. It coincided with the appearance of your agents. I don't suppose you had anything to do with it, Harry?"
"Sorry, I don't know anything about that." Harry said with a smirk, "I do think you should tighten security around those facilities, Jools."
As Jools stalked off, Harry smiled broadly, knowing he had a card against Jools Sivitir and the sister agency of MI6 that he didn't know about.
"Zoe!" Glen said, throwing his arms around her.
Mia watched the Italian American, whom she knew had to be Zoe's fiancé. She noticed Tom and Glen barely seemed to tolerate each other.
"I got us a dinner reservation tonight." Glen said.
"You're too kind Glen." Zoe said. Mia noticed a subtle glance on Zoe's part, a longing one, towards Tom.
Tom for his part didn't notice, and, as Harry had instructed him, took Mia off to his flat in his red Saab. Because Ellie and Maizie, his two dependents (girlfriend and daughter) had lived their until the rather nasty break up they had (an attempt on Tom's life involving all three of them having something to do with it), it was built with a lot of extra security measures, including reinforced windows and doors, electronic locks, and stronger walls than most flats.
"Tom, what about Zoe's child?" Mia asked.
"What child?" Tom asked.
"Tom, I'm sixteen, not six. Don't lie to me. I know you and Zoe had an affair or one time fling and that she's pregnant..." Mia said.
"Mia, don't be silly." Tom countered.
"Am I being silly." Mia replied, "After all you and Zoe were talking about having a kid..."
"Those were coded messages talking about our plans for that day. I'm not really having an affair with Zoe, never had one, and she isn't pregnant." Tom began.
"And this Cyril guy?" Mia began.
"Sorry, national security. Classified." Tom began.
This is going to be an interesting time. Spend time in the UK with a spy caught in a love triangle with two other spies. Poor Zoe, I know Tom cares about her, more than a boss cares for an employee or even a good friend to another. He's in love with her... Mia thought. Well I'll see what I can find out in the morning.
TBC