Okay.. another little insight into my psyche. I love love love the real life guy that I made Jesse's new partner. He's amazingly smart and I sometimes actually wonder if he's more than meets the eye. I mean the man speaks fluid arabic.. Alright back to the story..

...

"Look. The sun's coming up." Westen whispered, pointing with his free hand.

"Where are we going?" Fiona asked, with a little bit of a whine as Michael moved her through the residential neighborhood.

"I told you I want to show you something. I need your opinion." He said evenly.

"Is this about a job?"

"No." He stopped, turning her towards one of the houses. "It's about us."

"It's a house." She said flatly.

"Yes." He sighed, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back against his chest. "A house. We'll probably be needing one of those eventually don't you think." She straightened against him. "Unless you want to move in with my mom?"

"You want to buy this house?" Fiona whispered, he nodded against her shoulder.

"I've been working on your list." He told her softly. "This one has.. a nice yard you know.. for cousins.. maybe." She turned her head and blinked at him. "Been empty for about a year so it needs some TLC, but it's nice. It's got hurricane shutters, Tuscan tiles, a sun room that will make my mom incredibly jealous."

She settled her hands over his and laced her fingers with his.

"Oh!" His voice was light and airy. "Best part? The kid was in band. The little pool house is completely soundproof."

"That is a big perk." She hummed.

"It's got a big master bedroom with a great bathroom and a walk in closet that you're going to love. Three more bedrooms on the east side."

"Three!" Fiona laughed. "Michael I'm over thirty five, you know."

"We don't have to fill them all with-." He stopped. "I mean at least one of them we should probably save for Sam."

"And what about when you realize you're not done and run off on some mission somewhere and leave me with two.. bedrooms?"

Micheal looked down at her tilting his head to the side before opening his mouth.

"Well.." He began. She smiled.

"And Sam." They said together.

"I don't plan on going anywhere Fi." He told her kissing her temple before pressing his face into her hair.

"I wanna see inside." She whispered excitedly.

"We can call the agent-."

"Oh please. I'm sure we can pick that lock with our eyes closed, Michael." She pulled away from him and hurried towards the house.

…...

Fiona Westen stared at the sky light above where she and Michael lay on the floor of the master bedroom.

"It's perfect Michael." She told him softly. "I want it."

"You ready for this?" He asked her seriously. She smiled at him.

"I've been ready for this since Belfast." She reminded him. "I've just been waiting for you to catch up." Westen smiled at her bringing their clasped hands to his lips and kissing her fingers. She sighed happily before "We need furniture. You need to make a career decision."

"I haven't answered Dan yet, about Jesse." Fiona both loved and hated the tone of voice he was using. It was unsure and purely Michael, or at least the vulnerable side of him. She considered herself privileged to be among the small number of people who ever got to hear it.

"What are you thinking?" She asked softly.

"I'm thinking he needs me." Michael admitted. "I'm also thinking I'd like to try out the soundproof room on him."

"What would you have done Michael? If you were him?" She raised her eyebrows and he shook his head.

"I wouldn't go after someone's family."

"He was going after someones accomplice." She started to shake his head but he slid his hand against her cheek and shook his own.

"He knew exactly what he was doing." Michael told her. "It was a message."

"He didn't hurt me." She soothed.

"He didn't have to." He countered. "He's reckless. He lets his emotions get the best of him. He can't keep his eyes focused on the mission. How many times has he shown us that?"

"A few." She smiled, Michael narrowed his eyes and smirked at her.

"That's why you're attracted to him." He accused playfully.

"I'm not-."

"Oh, yes. You are." He laughed. "And that's why."

"I'm married!" She squawked.

"Married. Not dead." He pulled her closer.

"Are you taking the job or not?" She whined, swatting his shoulder.

"Are you okay with it?" He asked softly. "Me being his handler?"

She arched her eyebrow at him.

"Aren't you afraid I'll run off with him and leave you with the bedrooms?"

"No." He shook his head and gave her an endearing smile before switching to a serious tone. "I'm not doing this if it's not what you want."

"If it's what you want? It's what I want."

…...

"How's Fi?" Jesse asked as he slid into the passenger side of the Charger.

"She's fine. She Sam and my mom are shopping for furniture. Someone blew her's up." He reported curtly.

"How much furniture can you actually fit in the loft anyway?" Jesse shrugged.

"We bought a house yesterday." Westen sighed, Porter gaped at him.

"You're kidding."

"My bank account begs to differ."

"Yesterday?" Michael nodded. "You guys just bought a house."

"You'd be surprised how much interest your money can accrue when it sits untouched for four years." He pursed his lips.

"You paid cash?" Jesse almost shouted, the other man nodded again. "You paid cash for a house?"

"Yeah." He sighed. "Look. We should talk about what's about to happen."

"Finally get to meet big bird huh?" Jesse teased.

"This is a big deal." Westen stopped at the light and turned to face Porter, pulling his sunglasses off. "If this man's cover is blown you and I are both back on the shit list and their won't be any getting off." Jesse looked back out the windshield. "Not to mention he'll be killed pretty much on site. So I'm going to introduce you to his cover. We'll talk about things that have no significance to anything and then once we're secure you can ask questions. Understood?"

"I don't thin-."

"Do you understand?" Michael interrupted.

"Got it. Understand. Chrystal clear."

"Good."

"Fi's really okay?" Michael took a deep breath, his body stiffening despite his attempts to loosen it. He pulled into a parking lot his fingers still gripping the steering wheel. He didn't turn towards Porter this time.

"New rule." Michael told him calmly. "Don't talk about my wife."

"Are you gonna be able to get past this?"

"You got past what I did to you." Westen nodded his head once. "I'll get past this."

"Will Fi?"

"You're breaking the new rule." Mike swallowed, He kept looking out the windshield until Jesse sighed and looked away.

"We should get to the meeting place."

"This is the meeting place." Mike sighed.

"This is WTVJ."

"NBC Miami." Mike nodded. "Remember what I said." He opened the car door. "Follow my lead."

Jesse screwed up his face and followed Michael into the building and up to the information desk.

"Hello we're here to meet with-."

"Michael Westen?" He lifted his eyes to his friend and pretended like they'd never met.

"Yes."

"Richard Engel. Nice to meet you." He shook his hand, squeezing it firmly before looking back at Jesse. "You must be Jesse Porter. I'm Richard Engel. Foreign Correspondent for NBC news. I'm so glad you both agreed to an interview. We have a room right this way." He gestured towards the hallway. Porter shut his open mouth and followed his new handler and partner down the hall.