Chapter 4
As they sat and talked while waiting for their food to arrive, Michael studied Sam and Yvette. At first glance, no one would never know that anything had changed about his friend. But there was a spark in his eyes that was missing for a long time, and not only was it back, every time Sam turned to look at Yvette, it seemed to burn brighter. The two held hands constantly, to the point that it made him uncomfortable. He saw that Fiona noticed it as well, because when she looked at him, her eyes asked why they never did that. Sam was happy, and he was glad, but Michael still couldn't convince himself that walking down an aisle and pledging to live together for better or worse was going to change anything for him. He and Fiona were polar opposites. It would never work.
His mom loved seeing Sam all gooey eyed for Yvette. She wasn't nearly this happy when Nate married Ruth. They were talking about their plans now that the honeymoon was over, and when she asked about kids, Michael noted the first sign of panic in Sam's eyes.
"We haven't discussed that yet," Yvette replied as she turned her eyes briefly toward Sam. "I think that's something we'd have to think long and hard about. I'm not sure our...lifestyle...would be ideal for a child."
Michael noted that Sam's shoulders slumped oh so slightly, thankful he dodged that bullet, and he had to applaud Yvette for her tact. His mom was a sucker for kids, and after Nate's son was born, she wanted more. She knew Michael was a lost cause as a source, but maybe Sam and Yvette could provide a surrogate. He didn't want to wish that for his friend, but if it got the heat off him, only a little, he couldn't help but silently hope. However, by the look on Sam's face, the likelihood of that happening was about as good as Brennan coming back from the dead and tormenting them again.
His phone rang, and he picked it up. "I've got to take this. I'll be right back." Michael excused himself and walked away a good distance before answering the call. "Pearce. What do you want?"
"We've got a job for you, Michael. And if Sam is back from his honeymoon...we need him too."
Michael glanced toward the table. For one second, he considered lying. It wasn't fair that Sam and Yvette just arrived home and he would immediately be pulled off to God knew where on a mission. But he went against his baser instincts and replied, "He just got back today. Can this wait a little bit? At least let him settle in."
"I'm afraid not. This requires his and your knowledge of certain illegal operations in South America. We've got a rogue agent stirring up trouble, and we need you two to find him and take him out if necessary. Or bring him back alive so we can find out why he turned."
Michael grimaced. "When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning, earlier if you can pry Sam away from his wife."
"That's gonna be difficult."
"I know you can do it, Michael. You've dealt with the baddest of the bad. Sam Axe is a puppy dog compared to them. Get to work." Pearce broke off the call and Michael stood near the entrance of Carlito's staring at his phone. He heard laughter and saw Sam, Yvette, Fiona and Maddie sharing in the levity. He hated feeling like a wet blanket, but the agency called, and he was under obligation to answer. Sam, however, had no such ties. Maybe the mission could go on without him. Pearce had no right to demand he accompany him on this op, and it angered him that she even tried. He decided that he would run it by Sam and give him the option to back out.
As they left Carlito's, Sam took Michael aside. "What was the phone call about, Mike?" He noted the hesitation, and pressed him. "Come on, you can tell me. Pearce has got you on a mission again, doesn't she? What is it this time?" Sam's brow rose. "Did she ask for me to go with you?"
"More like demanded." Michael nodded. "I'm sorry, Sam. I tried to talk her out of it, because you're not her little errand boy, I am. I have no choice. You do."
"And what if I say I'll go?"
"You can't!"
"Why not?"
"Because...you've got Yvette now..."
"Just because I'm married? Come on, Mikey, nothing's changed." Sam interrupted him. "Yvette knows the stakes, and she would smack me upside the head if I neglected my call."
"But this isn't your responsibility."
"Keeping you out of trouble sure is my responsibility, and if that means you go to the other side of the world, we go together. And Yvette will be okay." The corner of his mouth tipped up. "Sure, she'll worry, but that's normal. I watch your back, and you watch mine, and we both come home in one piece. Deal?" He stuck out his hand.
"Deal," Michael reached out and shook it, resigned to his friend's stubbornness.
"Alright, we better hurry and catch up to the girls. Fiona's looking at shoes!"
Sam didn't tell Yvette what he and Michael talked about, and she didn't ask, because she knew he would save it for when they were alone. Just from the looks that passed between the two men all afternoon, she had the sneaking suspicion that whatever it was would cause Sam to leave for awhile. She knew going into their marriage that this would be a possibility. It didn't mean she had to like it, and so soon after they arrived home made it all the more bitter. When he was especially tender with her that night, she knew something was coming that she wouldn't like. He was too transparent. As they lay snuggled close together beneath the covers, his arm under her neck as he pulled her into his side, she rested her hand on his chest. She loved the sensation of his heart thrumming beneath the fine hairs. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Yvette...I have to go on a mission with Mike. I can't tell you how long I'll be gone, just that we hope we'll be home very soon." He kissed her temple. "I have the option to bow out..."
"But you don't want to, do you?"
He hesitated as his arm squeezed her gently. "I didn't want to have to choose the mission over spending time with you."
Yvette raised her head and met his eyes in the dimness. "Is this something that could affect the safety and security of this country?"
"Yes."
"Then you have to go, Sam." She pursed her lips, showing her determination. "I love you, and I love this country. If what you're about to do keeps us safe, then by all means, go." She caressed his cheek. "I'll still be here when you get back. And I'll be waiting with open arms, open lips..." She kissed him deeply and worked her magic on him. "And..." She never finished, because he captured her lips with his and didn't let go until they were both exhausted and dropped onto the wrinkled sheets to fall asleep in each other's arms.
The next morning, Michael arrived shortly after sunup. Yvette insisted on making them both a healthy breakfast before they left, and she sent them out the door with promises to pray for their safe return. One last kiss, and the man she loved backed out the door with eyes that ached for this to all be over as quickly as possible. She stayed at the window, waved and blew him a kiss, and watched as the Charger pulled out of the driveway onto the quiet street. Her eyes never wavered until the taillights disappeared around a curve.
Only when he was gone did she collapse in a kitchen chair and weep.
