Disclaimer: I'm making no profit from this story. The only character I own is Jamie, the rest all belong to Kudos and BBC
Summary: See chapter #1
Authors notes:
1. --: flashback
2. "" Dialogue, '' thoughts.
3. Italics is an email
4. C.O.S.: Change of Scenery
Reviews: Yes please
Fallen: Chapter #7:
Ellie folded the last of the linen napkins and placed them on the shelf so they would be ready for morning. She walked over to the table where she had left Maisie, colouring a picture. She walked up to her daughter with a sad smile on her face:
"Can I see what you're drawing?" She asked the little artist. Maisie took her hand away from the sheet of paper to reveal a labeled family picture, of herself, Ellie, and Tom. Above Tom's head she drew a halo.
"Can we take it to Tom when we go visit him next time?" She asked Ellie. Ellie's smile widened, as she managed to keep the tears from her face:
"Yes, we can. I think he'd like that. Now go get your coat, it's time to leave." Ellie said, as she kissed her daughter on the forehead, and went to get her own sweater.
She locked the door and took Masie's hand, and they began walking towards the flat they shared with Tom. Ellie didn't want move out of there despite the fire that happened. It was full of him, his smell, his books, his memories. It was the only place she ever felt truly safe. It was a blessing that the service allowed her to stay in it.
"Mommy, we can walk." Maisie tugged on Ellie's hand as she shook herself out of her reverie. Maisie walked happily along beside Ellie in silence. They stopped at the next lights, and Ellie let her gaze wander over the crowds on the opposite corner. "Tom," she muttered to herself, as she spotted a familiar pair of blue eyes, and then blinked unbelievingly. The light changed, and they crossed the street, when she looked again, he was gone.
Ellie put her hands into her pockets to feel for her pass card, and got it out, and pushed the front door open. Pushing Maisie behind her, she reached around and flicked on the lights. She hung hers and Maisie's coats in the closet, and shooed Maisie up to get ready for bed. She followed the child upstairs, and sat down on the edge of her bed. She'd moved into the third bedroom upstairs- it didn't feel right sleeping in the bed they had shared, now, it would feel more like sleeping next to a ghost. She finished getting ready for bed. Then she went into Maisie's bedroom, and kissed her goodnight. On her way back to her room, she noticed the light in the master bedroom on- it hadn't been on since before he died. She pushed the door open with nervousness. She stepped inside, and gazed around. It was all the same. The bed still made from that fateful morning, pajamas folded and neatly placed under the pillow, book on the table next to the bed. The bottles of cologne, and deodorant still stood on the dresser, next to a picture of the three of them. She turned around and turned the light off, and left the room, satisfied that all was as it should be.
C.O.S.: The Next Morning-
Ellie awoke, and first got herself ready for the day, then got Maisie ready. She walked Maisie to school, as usual. The rest of the day went as planned, she prepared to open, then gave the staff their directions for the day. The lunch crowd was on the light side as usual- it was always busiest at dinner. She walked up to the school to get Maisie on her afternoon break. She got there in good time, and stood waiting for her in the sunny London afternoon.
Maisie came running out exactly as scheduled, and gave her mother a huge hug in greeting. Ellie took her daughter's hand and together they walked back to the restaurant, with Maisie chatting happily about her day. Ellie opened the door to the restaurant and motioned Maisie inside. Ellie shivered; as she felt the hairs on the back on her neck stand up on end. She knew someone was watching her. She turned around and gazed back across the street, and saw a person in a black hooded sweatshirt. Instinctively she knew- "Tom" she called out, as she watched him blend into the shadows. She then went back inside, unable to shake the feeling that it was him.
The evening went by quickly for Ellie; her hands were on autopilot, as her mind wandered over who she had seen. Her thoughts conflicted with each other- She wanted him to be alive and well- to come walking through the door of the restaurant and pick Maisie up and play with her. She wanted to be passionately kissed by him. At the same time she also faced facts: The only time that a spy ever came back to life was in the movies. She came to the realization that she needed a sounding board, someone to talk her out of such a crazy idea. She decided to call Danny when she got home a few hours later. With that decision made, the rest of her evening past like clockwork, and she got home around 11 pm. She kissed Maisie good night then went to the den. Tom had written down key phone numbers on a cue card, in case he was ever out of touch or something happened to him. She found the one she was looking for and made her way back to her bedroom. She picked up the extension and dialed the number.
"Hunter." A male voice answered. Ellie was silent as she considered how to respond.
"Hello?" Who is this?" Danny asked, his voice getting more insistent.
"I-It's Ellie." Ellie stammered.
"How are you doing?" He asked her, his voice taking on a more gentle tone.
"Taking it one day at a time, that's really the only thing you can do. But it's hard. I try and remember the good times," Ellie replied.
"Do you and Maisie need anything- money or anything else? Tom wanted you two taken care of if this ever happened." Danny asked concernedly. There was silence on the line as Ellie considered her words carefully.
"You're going to think I'm crazy, and seeing things. Who knows, maybe I am. But I think I saw Tom yesterday. I was on my home from work, with Maisie. We were waiting to cross, and just for a moment I thought I saw a guy with eyes like his. I blinked, because I couldn't believe what I saw. Then he was gone. When we got home, I put her to bed as usual, and on my way back to my own bedroom, I noticed a light on the master bedroom. I haven't been in there since the last time he was at home. Nothing was touched that I could see, nothing was broken or taken. I turned it off, and left the room. Then today, just outside my restaurant on the other side of the street I saw a man with the same build, same height everything. I called out to him, he didn't answer, and I stood and watched as he blended back into the crowd." Ellie explained.
---
"Do you think Tom could still be alive?"
---
Danny thought back to that conversation with Zoe, and knew Ellie's unasked question. So he asked it:
"You want to know if I think he could be alive?" Danny asked
"It's absurd I know. But I have this feeling that just won't go away. And I know that that type of back from the dead stuff only happens in the movies. Spies are like everyone else, when they die, it's permanent." Ellie replied. Danny had this growing feeling too- even if he wouldn't admit it to Ellie.
"You were there Ellie, I was there. We saw him buried, you cried at his funeral. For goodness sakes I saw him die. He's dead." Danny told her bluntly.
"I know, at least my mind knows that. But I still…
"Have this feeling, I know." Danny finished off.
"I guess I'd better go. I have work tomorrow." Ellie said.
"Good night Ellie, I'll call you or come by the restaurant sometime to see you." Danny replied.
"That will be nice. Good night Danny." Ellie said. The pair hung up the phone.
Ellie walked back to the master bedroom, picked up the picture of the three of them and looked at it. She hugged it tight and walked to the window: "Are you really dead?" She whispered while her gaze wandered over the late-night landscape. Meanwhile from across the street, satisfied that Ellie was alright, Tom Quinn faded into the shadows.
And on that rather mysterious note, ends another chapter. Will Danny and Zoe figure out at last what Tessa is planning?
Will Jamie find enough evidence to acquit Tom?
To find out the answers to these and many more interesting questions please review. The more constructive reviews you give me, the better I can do.
Happy reading,
-A.B.
