As Annie drove she contemplated what Eyal would have chosen as a safe word. It would have to be something she could figure out, she decided. She knew Eyal had few friends but that she was definitely among them, if not them in their entirety.
"Okay Avi you're going to have to help me out a little here. I know your father very well but I'll be honest he didn't precisely tell me what the word was, so I'm just going to have to figure it out the old-fashioned way." Annie spoke glancing at Avi.
At Annie's words Avi's heart sank. This Annie knew Hebrew but he highly doubted that she would know the slang word his father had chosen. Now he had bigger problems, if he couldn't trust her and he didn't know where they we're going and how he was going to get away from her he had issues. His mind was spinning at the repercussions.
Annie glanced over at Avi to see his eyes glaze over and his mind lost in thought. Just like his father, Annie thought. But at this moment that was a problem because she could only guess at what was going on in his head and that wasn't good. She hadn't earned his trust yet, and noticing how like his father he was he could be unpredictable.
She needed to think quickly. What would Eyal have chosen? Damn him.
Avi was contemplating his options. Jumping from a moving car would suck but was a possibility. He could wait for her to stop, but she was quick and might catch him again. He just needed to decide what to do.
Then it dawned on Annie. If she was Eyal closest and only friend he would pick the one word that meant something to only her.
"Avi? Is this word in Hebrew?" Annie questioned shyly.
Avi rolled his eyes. "Of course, how else would I know what it means?"
"Is it a slang word?" Annie began to smile.
Avi's eyes widened. She was getting closer. She might actually know it. Wow, she might actually be a friend of my father's, thought Avi. He nodded.
When Avi's eyes widened Annie knew she was on to something. And she knew what word Eyal chose. "Avi" Annie took a deep breath "is the word Neshama?" Annie looked over at Avi expectantly.
Avi couldn't believe it. She was right! She knew what it was! And on her first guess. He smiled and vigorously nodded. He was without words. He knew he could trust Annie. And he knew she was a friend of his father's. And he knew…his mind was spinning and his heart beat faster at how happy all of this made him.
Annie breathed a sigh of relief and watched as Avi visibly relaxed. She was expecting the inquisition next. Since Avi now knew that she both knew Eyal and that she could be trusted she assumed he would have a lot of questions to ask.
Avi was just so excited. There was so much that he wanted to know about his father and he realized that Annie could give him many of those answers.
First things first, "Thank you Annie for saving me even when I accused you of just being another kidnapper. Thank you for risking your life when you don't even know me. And thank you for trusting me. I now trust you."
Annie was somewhat shocked by the thank you as it was something her and Eyal never did but she appreciated the gesture.
"You're welcome Avi. I hope you come to think of me as someone you can count on." Annie replied than looked at Avi knowingly, "Alright now what is it that you want to know about your father?"
Avi smiled and looked embarrassed at being caught but he realized he was nearly bouncing off the seat with excitement so it was really obvious. He was just so excited to get answers.
"Okay, so how did you meet?" Avi asked.
Annie laughed, "Actually, though work. And that first time he nearly killed me." Annie answered. "A lot has changed in our relationship since that point. He went from being someone that I occasionally saw in the field, to someone I could trust, to someone I now love." She realized it just kinda slipped out on the end.
Avi realized that there was more to their story but let it go. Clearly she cared about his father and that was good enough for him.
Avi continued with his questions for the remainder of the drive from favorite color, to habits and what he looked like. From what Annie said Avi realized he was very much like him.
Annie was surprised at the type of questions Avi asked, but she answered them all to the best of her ability. She was actually pleasantly surprised to realize how much she did know about the man that held her heart.
Just as they were pulling up to the police station Annie turned to Avi. "Okay Avi, I am going to go inside and get your father. But first I have to introduce you to a mutual friend of mine and your father's. He is going to wait with you. Okay?"
Avi nodded. He knew he could trust her. And if she trusted this person than he trusted them. He also realized he was only a few minutes away from meeting his father for the first time.
They stepped out of the vehicle in the parking lot of the police station only to slide into the back a nearby dark colored SVU. Once inside a man reached out and said, "You must be Avi, I'm Auggie. It's nice to meet you. My Hebrew is a little rusty, not at all like Annie's here, so you'll have to excuse any mistakes." He gave him a winning smile but didn't make eye contact.
"Alright Auggie, give me the good news." Annie spoke in English.
"Here's the plan. He has already disappeared from the federal system. He will be erased from this local police system after you have picked him up; all charges have been dropped. Here is your passport for a Mrs. AnnaMarie Yackos. Here is his real one for George, and here is the extra one for an Abraham Yackos. I believe you're all set. What you do inside is up to you. I will wait until you get Eyal and then we'll go from there."
"Thanks Auggie" Annie replied giving him a hug.
"Okay" Annie said turning to Avi "I'm going to go get your father while you wait with Auggie and then we'll talk about where we're going from there when we get back. Okay?"
Avi nodded. He was ready. Now if she could just hurry up and get his father they would be all set.