Henry Wilcox was finally saying goodbye to the CIA and packing for Florida. Jaina, his daughter had found a nice condo in Ft. Myers about two miles from her and the grandkids. Most of his furniture had been sold with just a few pieces being loaded on the moving van and he was off to sign all the closing paperwork on is Fairfax home. This was the ultimate end of his time in Washington; all the ups and downs even with the death of his son Jai, Henry had no regards. There had been happy times and sad times; he was glad to place those memories on a shelf for good and become a retired transplant and doting grandfather. There was a retirement dinner for him that Friday evening, his last day at the CIA and an early Saturday morning flight to Florida and a new life.
Annie at her Georgetown home was just finishing typing her e-mail to Eyal, telling about her trip to Budapest, visiting the Holocaust memorial, Shoes by the Danube and how touching the whole experience was. Also about finding Zarya and how delighted she was to receive the gold locket. What Annie failed to tell him were the three men that had come after her, no need for him to know that she was still being hunted. After all, she's a CIA agent and that meant danger each time she went into the field and she couldn't be wearing it as a badge of courage for accolades.
She starts taping together boxes for packing, the Georgetown home had been sold and she was to be out of the guest house by the 15th of July. There were memories, the guest house had been her home for four years - the longest she had live any place. Without Danielle and the girls living just on the other side of the fence, it was no longer home but just a place to sleep. The furniture belongs to Danielle and she was having it shipped out to California, she had a carpenter to come and board up the window seat where her safe had set. The safe now at Eyal's apartment - tucked behind a false wall in the hall closet along with Eyal's arsenal of weapons. Eyal's had made room on the bookshelves for her collection of classic movies and purchased a traditional style wardrobe to accommodate his clothes so the decent size closet would be hers. That big Israeli was doing his part to make her welcome in his apartment. She packed her car, the first of several trips and headed to her new home.
Carrying a couple boxes of stuff, she opened the door of the apartment dropped the boxes and went back for more. After three trips, four boxes and several bags of more stuff, she took a sigh of relief. Wine and unpacking was the next order of business - as she went to pour herself a glass of wine, she found a card - 'Welcome Home Neshema'. Yeah, that was Eyal, the little considerate things that made her smile.
Pushing the box of classic movies DVD to the bookshelf, she noticed the addition of two framed pictures; the one of Eyal and Avi taken at the football game, the other was of Avi holding a baby girl in a yellow dress with pink flowers and a bumble bee on the skirt. She smiled remembering Eyal telling her that his son had a new baby sister. What a pretty little baby, big brown eyes and chubby cheeks. She also found a note, 'Plenty of room for your family here. E'. She found in another box, three pictures, one of Danielle as a bride and her as maid of honor taken at Danielle's wedding the second and third were school pictures of her two nieces. Standing back looking at the group of pictures, what's missing - a picture of her and Eyal together.
A couple hours later, she was back at the guest house and getting dress for Henry's retirement dinner. The dinner was being held at an upscale restaurant in Washington with all the trimmings. No doubt some VIPs would be there with speeches and some type of presentation. It had been close to two months since she last saw anyone from Langley and she was a little apprehensive about going. She took one last look in the full length mirror, wearing the London Times lime green printed silk halter dress she had gotten in Florida, topped with a slightly darker shade, waist length, 3/4 sleeve silk cardigan and finished off with nude tone stilettos. Okay Annie Walker, suck it in and be off to have a good time.
Walking down the sidewalk to the restaurant, "Hey Annie, wait up." It was Eric Barber.
She recognized his voice and stoped, looking back, "Hey Eric, Oh! Hi Auggie, good to see you both."
"Good to see you too Walker or so to speak. So you decided to come in from the cold." Auggie was walking beside Eric holding onto his elbow.
"Yeah, so to speak. Didn't want to miss a free meal."
"You with anyone." Eric ask as they reached Annie.
"No, soloing tonight."
"Not anymore, can't turn down two handsome guys like us - we need to add a little brightness to our dull existence." Auggie with one of his quips.
"Sure, good to have friendly faces around." She stepping between Eric and Auggie, slipping her arm into theirs and the threesome headed into the restaurant. All the hard feelings she had toward Auggie were now gone and she could start rebuilding their friendship, this was step one.
Austin Keese and Henry Wilcox were at the door greeting people as they entered the restaurant.
"Annie, delight to see you here after the ordeal you have been through." It was Henry with a hand shake.
"Thank you Mr. Wilcox. It's good to be back. Sincerely hope you enjoy your retirement." Annie smiled and the three move on to find a table.
"Hello Annie, Eric and Auggie." It was Christine and she looked charming in a salmon pink subdued print dress that complimented her auburn hair and dancing blue eyes.
"Retirement must suit you, looking lovely this evening." Annie returned the greeting.
"Retirement isn't all that it's crack up to be - really boring as hell. So we are now closing the chapter on Henry Wilcox's legacy tonight as he rides off into the sunset. Hope he tolerates retirement and the shear boredom." She was playing her game cover well.
"I hear he has grandchildren in Florida to spend time with." It was Auggie trying to hold up the conversation, all the while knowing there is nothing boring with Christine, she has founded something to keep her busy, maybe a man.
The rest of the evening was pleasant, and Henry was given a gold watch. What's with receiving a time piece for retirement went the last thing they should be watching is time. Returning home, Annie received a text from Eyal - 'In DC on Sunday night - will call.'
"Here we are - the good old US of A. If you look to your right you may be able to see Washington." Eyal was leaning over Avi's shoulder as the two looked out the plane's window.
"Sure is populated, I was thinking there would be open spaces."
"This area is very populated; need to take a drive to the rural sections if we have time. Rolling hills and farm land to the west of here."
Their plane touched down and for the first time Avi set foot on American cement - a sidewalk. "We have to go to a park to touch American soil." Laughed Eyal. They were standing outside the terminal while Eyal answered his phone.
"Hello Christine, how did it go in Hungry?"
Christine had a feeling that Annie would not tell Eyal about their run it at Zarya's flat with three men trying to collect on the hit contract that Black Dolphin had issued for Annie. Christine wanted to make sure Eyal know the danger Annie would be in as long as Black Dolphin was operating. Another thing that disturbed Christine was Annie not confiding in the one person that would be there to protect her. By Annie keeping things from Eyal, she was afraid one day it could come back to bit her and bring an end to their relationship. Christine filled Eyal in about the three men and their need to find Black Dolphin and eradicate them.
"Thanks for the information and I appreciate the help. I still owe you that dinner. Shalom." Eyal took a moment to determine if he was going to say something to Annie, there had been no mention of the attack in Annie's e-mail but then he decided to wait for her to tell him.
"Everything okay Papa?"
"Yeah son, just some business matters that needs to be cleaned up. Let's go get my car and head to the apartment." Eyal put his hand on Avi shoulder, the boy was very observant and Eyal would have to remember that in the future.
They draged their luggage into the elevator, Eyal pushed the third floor button and Avi finally mustered up the courage to ask, "Can we only speak English while I'm here?"
The elevator stoped on the third. "Fine with me, okay son all out for our men's den." Walking down the hall to his apartment, "So you call me Papa back at the airport, what happen to Abba?"
"I'm in America, sounds more American. Is that okay with you?" Avi wanted Eyal approval.
"Yeah, I like Papa but in America most children call their fathers Daddy. Papa is more European."
"Yes I know, but Daddy sounds sissy, Papa sounds more macho." Avi was smiling at his father as Eyal open the door to his apartment.
"So you think I'm macho." Eyal was holding the door open for his son.
"Yeah I do." Avi answered with a huge grin.
Once inside, Avi went about exploring the apartment checking out the book shelves, "Hey, look at all these DVD's of old movies." pulling a couple movies and reading the cover jackets, "You like old movies?"
"I'm starting to, the collection belongs to a friend."
"She living here?"
"What!" Eyal said with a tone of shock.
"Your friend, is she living here? Can't picture you living with a man." Avi now holding the picture of Danielle and Annie. "When do I get to meet her?"
Eyal with a sigh, "Her name is Annie... Annie Walker." walking to stand next to Avi, also looking at the picture for the first time, pointed to her in a bright coral colored floor length dress, "The bride is her sister, Danielle." He figured the picture was taken about ten years ago, Annie in her early twenties. "She not living here yet."
"Yet Papa! You're a little slow."
"Avi, this is adult stuff not be discussed with my son." Eyal was thinking back to when he was 12 years old reaching 13 and his hormones changing. His little boy is starting on the teenage journey of becoming a man, that period in his life of a new discovery - girls.
"Okay Papa but when do I get to meet her?" Avi knowing not to take that line of conversation any further.
"I'll give her a call, maybe dinner and a movie tomorrow night. Check Fandango to see what movies are playing." Eyal was speed dialing Annie.
"Okay and something American for dinner." Avi was opening his father's laptop.
Monday morning and this was the day. Annie stepped off the elevator, ready to face the debriefing and polygraphs that awaited her.
"Morning Walker, welcome back." It was Auggie waiting for her by the elevator.
"Hey, surprise to see you here."
"My job today is to bring you up to speed, get your debriefing and truth detective behind you. Lead me down to the lunch room and we will start." Auggie holding out his hand of Annie elbow.
"Debriefing taking place in the lunch room now?"
"No, coffee, Danish and gossip." Auggie had requested and was granted this assignment. He was also wanted to rebuild the lost friendship between him and Annie - this was a good start. Annie getting two coffees and a couple cream filled Danish, set down at a table in the corner with Auggie. The lunch room was empty but for the people working the counter.
"What's the gossip?"
"Changes are being made around here, your old boss, Fred Jacobson of IOO is taking Henry Wilcox' s job as Director of the National Clandestine Service. Eric Barber has moved into my old office and job as Intelligence Special Ops Officer."
"What are you doing?''
"Been promoted back to head my own department - Office of Special Projects."
"Congratulation Auggie, Arthur should have never taken that job away from you." Annie patting him on his hand. "You deserve it... Who taking over International Overseas Operations with Fred moving up?"
"Don't know yet, expect an announcement later this afternoon. This has been a total hush, hush move." Checking his watch, "Finish up, time for your debrief session, I'll walk you down." Auggie was going to hang with Annie thru the morning as she jump the hurdles of returning to Langley.
The debrief questions were on point not like the grueling interrogations type she had been thru before and the polygraph went smoothly. All in all, her reintroduction into Langley was so far without instance. Afternoon came when all the departments under Clandestine Service were called together for a briefing, Annie entered the conference room just behind Auggie, all the chairs were already filled with people and it was standing room only. Eric joined Annie and Auggie toward the back of the room and waited.
"Bet Christine Kaufman is coming out of retirement." Auggie leaned over to Annie and whispered.
A hush came over the room as Austin Keese entered with Joan Campbell and Fred Jacobson. One could hear a needle drop as the three moved to the front of the room.
"Needless to say this is what 'Shock and Awe' may be like within these walls. I would like to thank everyone for being here although I know is was mandatory. Ladies and gentleman, there have been changes made and there will be more, this is the beginning of restructuring within this division. As I'm sure the rumor mill has been fast at work and most of you already know Fred Jacobson has been promoted to Director of the National Clandestine Service. It is my pleasure to announce the return of one of the most noted field agents and managers, Joan Campbell as manager of International Overseas Operations."
There was a warm applause to break out in the room. So Annie was back working for Joan again and she was well pleased. The meeting lasted another thirty minutes with a question and answer period. Monday back at Langley end on a high for Annie.
"Avi, you ready for our date with Annie?" It was Monday evening and Eyal had just finished dressing.
"What is she like?"
"She's cool and little crazy at times, I think you'll like her. Come on let's go and have some fun." The two Lavin guys closed the apartment door, headed to the elevator and down to Eyal's car. They drove to pickup Annie in Georgetown.
Annie was standing again in front of her full length mirror, this time a little jittery about meeting Avi. He is almost a teenager and what does a young teen like. Soccer is a safe subject but he would call it football. Did she look alright, was she dress appropriately, jeans and yellow summer pullover and sandals. It was like her first date, wanting to make a good impression. Come on Annie, Avi is Eyal's son everything was going to be fine. She heard the knock at her French door. Here we go.
Eyal and Avi were standing at the door when she opened it. "Hi." She said cheerfully.
"Hello, I'm Avi Lavin and this is my father Eyal and we are here to invite you to dinner and a movie."
Jolted by the opening and amazed at the charm of this tall boy, Annie couldn't help but giggle like a school girl, "Hi, I'm Annie Walker would love to go with two good looking men to dinner." She was stepping out the door.
"Chip off the old block - don't you think?" Eyal was reaching in to close the door.
"Every bit of it and tall like you." Annie was smiling, this evening was going to be fun.
"I'm 5'8" and still growing." Avi was holding his arm out for Annie to take.
"What can I say, tall genes run on my father's side of the family." Eyal following Avi and Annie.
Annie looking over her shoulder, "And also the charisma."
Cheeseburgers fully dressed, curly fries and soft drinks at The Pony Patch. Avi was fascinated with shelling and eating peanuts. There was a juke box with country music playing and for dessert, apple pie. Annie and Avi exchange e-mail address, he would get credit in his English class if he had an English speaking pen-pal. His father didn't qualify and Annie was more than happy to be asked. After dinner, they went to movies, an action flick, 'Star Trek Into Darkness'. The evening was perfect.
After dropping Annie at her home, Avi ask, "I like her. When is she going to be my step-mom?"
"Working on it son, it takes time, can't rush into marriage." was Eyal's answer.