Chapter 26

"Ah, my little girl…" Abe strolled into Dimitri's office like he owned the place…which was technically kind of true.

"I'm not a little girl," I replied, sighing tiredly at his constant need to get under my skin…and yet it was still impossible to let him get away with it.

"You'll always be my little girl," was his reply and he strolled over to Dimitri with that confident air he had mastered since I could remember. Dimitri held Luka out, knowing what my father wanted, and let Abe take him into his arms.

"My little guy is getting bigger and bigger every time I see him," Abe commented, chuckling as Luka managed to get a light grip on his little beard with his still totally uncoordinated hands. "I suppose he'll be as tall as his father the next time I see him what with you guys leaving for New York."

"I suppose," I agreed. "But knowing you, you'll probably pop up at random much sooner than we expect; this is Abe Mazur we're talking about after all."

"Right you are, Rose, right you are," was all my father said and returned his attention to my son. "You're very much like your mother, little one," he told Luka, who gazed up at him with interest. "She was always the curious one too…and loved the attention. Of course, with her looks she's was never short of it!"

I scoffed and held my arms out to take him. "I can't stay too long – still got a lot of packing to do, and what kind of girlfriend, or fellow agent, would I be if I distracted Dimitri from his fine work for too long?" I was pretty sure I heard Dimitri scoff under his breath at my mention of 'packing' but chose to ignore it all the same.

"Actually my dear," Abe cut in, handing Luka over to Dimitri instead. "I was wondering if I might have a word? Privately." I cast him a suspicious look, not liking the whole 'private' scenario.

He rolled his eyes. "You know, a father-daughter chat before you move across the country, taking my only grandson with you."

"Jeesh, fine," I plonked the diaper bag on an extra chair in Dimitri's office. "No need to get all sentimental, I'll come with you. See you in a few, comrade."

Dimitri smiled and turned his attention to rocking Luka up and down in his arms. A look passed between us that I took as Dimitri wishing me luck being alone with my loving – but completely insane – father. I followed Abe out the door and down the corridor to his much more spacious office. Several people greeted me on my way, and I returned their niceties with a nod and a smile.

"So, what is it you want to talk to me about?" I asked him once we were over the threshold. "I hope there isn't a big soppy 'goodbye forever' conversation coming up."

My father started to chuckle and indicated that I should take a seat. He shut the door tightly behind him and walked over to his own expensive-looking brown leather chair behind the desk.

"I've been in close contact with some of the leaders over in the main New York branch," he started, he usual joking manner turning utterly serious. "They have a big case in their hands and want to know who out of the agents being transferred is most capable to lead this particular case." My ears pricked up.

I had loved my job since I first joined the squad when I was eighteen years old; cases were like my food. Big cases were my banquets.

"How big are we talking?" I questioned curiously, leaning closer automatically.

"Classified information for the moment I'm afraid – not even I'm sure exactly what it entails. But it's big, I can tell you that. Bigger than anything we've had here."

"Bigger than Victor and Robert Dashkov?" I asked incredulously, recalling the abductors very clearly.

"Bigger than Victor and Robert Dashkov," He confirmed, linking his fingers together and resting his elbows on the mahogany desk. "You are aware that you and Belikov are not the only agents being transferred, yes?" I nodded my head, having remembered Dimitri mentioning it some time back.

"Well, I considered Belikov for a long while; he would be the most obvious agent to choose…but then I remembered you."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. Your bravery. Your nerve. Your instinct to act on what you feel in your gut," he went on. "Not to mention the uncanny way you can solve mysteries as if they're nothing more than a ten year old's jigsaw puzzle."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I've chosen you to lead this case, Rose."

"Abe…I'm on leave. I won't be back to work for another two months," I reminded him, feeling my heart ache at the idea of having to leave Luka…but my stomach twisted and turned sickeningly at the idea of turning down this case. This case was the case that would make my career.

It was the chance of a lifetime.

"I can talk to New York," he told me. "I don't think it should be a problem. From the sounds of it, they're still gathering evidence; though they don't have an awful lot to go on. Two months should give them the perfect amount of time to get everything together and pass on all info to you. Although, a little word of advice; keep all of this on the down low. The last thing you want is to attract attention to yourself before even getting started."

"Are you sure I'm the best person for this?" I asked him incredulously. Did my father really have this much faith in me?

"Are you saying you don't want it?"

"No!" I pretty much yelled, making Abe smirk. "I can do it. I'm better than any of those idiots out there…" I paused thoughtfully. "Except for Dimitri, of course. And Mason. And Eddie…"

"And anybody else who hasn't pissed you off over the last few years?"

"Exactly."

"Alright then, Rose," Abe was all business-like once again. "I'll let the know that I have the perfect person for the job. Don't disappoint me, Rose."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

We shared a grin and parted ways, Abe returning to his work while I made my way back down the corridor to Dimitri's office.

As I neared it, the distinct sound of very high male voices became clear. My brows furrowed in confusion and curiosity as I gently pushed the door open, to reveal four of my favourite guys in the world.

Dimitri and Eddie were standing off to the side of the room, looking as though they were trying not to laugh, as Mason was cooing loudly in a baby voice to Luka. (Who looked pretty unimpressed, I might add.)

!I always knew you were a softie," I joked at him, making him jump and spin around in the direction of my voice. I leant against the door frame.

"Only when it comes to you," he winked at me and approached to give a hug. "How's my favourite hot mamma?"

"I'm good. How have you guys been?"

"I've been well," Eddie replied, casting Mason an amused look. "Mase, not so much."

"Why not?" I asked him, concerned. It wasn't often that Mason was having a bad day.

"He hasn't been chosen for the New York transfer…it's bruised his ego that we were picked and he wasn't."

I gaped at Eddie. "You're coming as well?" I exclaimed, a happy grin gracing my face. "That's awesome! Sorry, Mase," I added as an afterthought.

"It's alright," he grumbled, picking at his sleeve. "And I can answer for myself you know?" he directed at Eddie, who still had a shit eating grin on his face. He was about to answer when two things happened.

Luka started wailing and Dimitri held his hands out to take him from Mason, who had freaked out at the sound. I couldn't help but chuckle at the look of panic on his face. At the same time, my father strolled into the room and ordered them all back to work.

Both Mason and Eddie gave me a kiss on the cheek and a quick hug before hurrying out of the room to avoid my father's wrath. I took Luka from Dimitri and started getting ready to leave. Abe bid me goodbye and sent a not-so-sly wink my way before confidently strolling out of the office.

"What was that about?" Dimitri asked me as he walked me in the opposite direction towards the main entrance.

"Not much," I lied. "I'll talk to you about it later."

He nodded. "And I have something to talk to you about later as well."

I pushed him a little more, but it was clear after a moment that he wouldn't let anything slip just now. I was going to have to do the thing I hated most in the world – Wait.

Dimitri went around to the far side of the car to put the baby bag in the back seat while I strapped Luka in the other side.

"I'll see you in a couple of hours, ok?" he promised me and kissed my forehead. "You think you could handle packing some more?"

"I wouldn't count on it to be honest, comrade," I told him, making him laugh.

"I didn't think so," he chuckled. "See you later, Roza." I watched him as he walked back towards the main doors of the building, hands in his pockets. He turned when he reached the door and gave me the most beautiful smile I think I've ever seen. Eventually I had to pull the gooey-mush that was myself together and sit into the car. By the time I had started the ignition and began pulling away, Dimitri had returned inside to finish his work as quickly as possible.

I arrived home not half an hour later, and sighed upon the sight of our turned-upside-down apartment. There was no way in hell I'd ever get any productive work done here on my own; I need a motivator…preferably a hot, shirtless Russian one, but whatever. I'd take what I could get.

True to his word, Dimitri arrived home only a couple of hours later. With pizza.

"Do you have any idea how much I love you?" I swooned, reaching for the pizza.

"Are you talking to me or the pizza?" Dimitri laughed.

"The pizza, of course!"

Dimitri laughed again and left me to the love of my life – the pizza – while he lifted Luka into his arms and gave him a cuddle.

"So, what did he say?" he asked me after a few minutes of whispering in Russian to our baby.

"Hmm?" I looked up, my mouth full of pizza.

"Your father?"

"Oh," I swallowed. "He was telling me that they have a case for me in New York. A big one, supposedly."

Dimitri looked surprised; happily so, however.

"Really? That's great, Rose." He paused. "They do know that you won't be back at work for another few months?"

"Abe's taking care of it," I replied. That was all he needed to know to be sure that it was okay. No matter what, Abe would always have everything taken care of.

"What about you? What's your news?" I asked him, picking up another slice.

"Right," Dimitri gave me a look that informed me that this 'something' he had to tell me was important. "You should know that I got a call from our realtor this morning at work…"

My head shot up. "You did? What did she say?"

He was silent as he just looked at me.

Then, ever so slowly, his mouth turned up into a huge smile.

"We got the house."

Boom! That's more like it you guys! Got about twice as many reviews as normal just for threatening Ivan ;) I may have do that more often :P lol

Think we could make it to 500 reviews?! I think so! :P Review and get to move into a cute house with Dimitri xD