A/N: New chapter is up for Whispers in the dark. More coming soon. :)
Rachel and Caitlin sat on the bench in the changing room quietly. Rachel slid her fingers over Caitlin's. "It's time to talk to
her," she said quietly. She looked at her pale and nervous fiancee.
Caitlin looked at Rachel's fingers wrapped around hers and slid her other hand on top. "We have to right?" She appreciated
Rachel being strong, especially considering Rachel would sooner be in a firefight than disappoint Nikita.
Rachel nodded with a smile. "Yeah we have to." She raised Caitlin's hand to her lips. "Let's do this." She smiled bravely for
her love.
They stood as one and made their way to Nikita's office. Caitlin hesitated before raising her hand to the door. She cleared her
throat. "Nikita?" she called quietly.
Nikita opened the door, her smile bright. "Come in already. Did we have a lunch date?" Her brow knit. "What's going on?" The
grim expressions of her two friends were making her concerned. She stepped back and waved them in. Nikita followed them.
Rachel's hand moved to the small of Caitlin's back, guiding her to the desk. "We... we wanted to talk to you about the wedding
plans." She took a deep breath. "We have to talk to you about them."
Nikita frowned. "You guys know?" She had mentioned the plan to a handful of people that Rachel and Caitlin would probably have
invited, but she warned them not to ruin the surprise. No wonder moles got on so well here.
Rachel laughed. "Spy central. The cafeteria lady told us. New Orleans?" She leaned back against the desk.
The older woman smiled. "My plans a problem?" She tried not to feel hurt. This was their wedding after all.
Caitlin shook her head and took a deep breath. "They... they just aren't quite big enough."
Nikita's head tilted. "Not big enough? How so?" She reached for her mug and took a sip. Her two friends were taking their sweet
time clueing her in.
Caitlin and Rachel shared a look. Rachel spread her hands. "We have another guest."
Nikita laughed. "Is that it? You two looked like you were coming to tell me my dog is dead."
They shared another silent look.
"I have a dog?" Nikita was getting freaked out.
Caitlin settled on the edge of the desk. "Family."
"What?"
"My guest is family."
Nikita's brow knitted again. "Division agents don't have family."
"I do... now." Caitlin stood nervously again. "I... we have a son." She smiled at Rachel who had taken her hand again.
Nikita sank into her favorite chair bonelessly. "How?"
Caitlin shook her head. "Long story."
"I was sending you on missions with the resident loose cannon." Nikita said angrily. "How could you not tell me you had a child?"
"Hey!" came from both of the fiancees.
Nikita got up and paced agitated. "What if..."
Rachel nodded and held up a hand. "The what if leads me to my next bit of news." She sounded sad and Caitlin laid a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm not sure I can take this," Nikita responded quietly her hand touching her forehead.
"Retirement. I, we want to retire. For Parker... His name is Parker."
Nikita nodded. "Yes, of course, of course." She was still processing. "You have a son... Parker." She was looking a little vacant at this point.
Caitlin looked at the puzzled super spy and then over at her lover. "I think we broke her."
"Michael's gonna kill us," Rachel responded from the corner of her mouth.
Nikita's smile slowly spread as she turned to look at them. "You damned well better have a load of pictures."
Caitlin held out her hand. "Get over here. I've got a phone full of them."
Alexandra slid into the alley. She checked behind her before leaping for the fire escape. It caught for a long moment before the metal
screamed. She pulled herself up slowly, her shoulder screaming. Alex moved to the nearest window and jammed her small pry bar
into the space between plywood and wall. She had found this abandoned building on a short 'errand' run and had been depositing gear and cash
as often as she could get away from notice.
Dropping back down lightly, she heard a noise. Fearing discovery, she tucked in behind a garbage dumpster. She frowned and looked
out. No sign of Grace swooping in knowing Alex was getting ready to hit back. She froze as she heard the sound again. Alex crept
forward. The sound came again.
Alexandra moved a piece of blown cardboard aside and found a dog, its sides all bone, She frowned. It had most likely died of starvation. This wasn't the source of the sound. Then she saw it. A small body moved in the shadow of its dead mother. Alex pulled the small puppy away. She backed up against the brick. Her trembling fingers moved slowly over the tiny and fragile pup. "You're alone too," she breathed out.
She didn't hear everything between Grace and Amanda, but she heard enough to know that she needed to question who was on her side. Here was one little guy who had even less to count on than she did. His tiny claws raked at the warm flesh of her palm as his mouth searched for sustenance. Her heart that had begun to feel frozen suddenly cracked. A tear rolled down her face. She dug in her pocket. There was a chunk of money inside. Maybe she could buy this frail little guy a chance.
"I can't take you little man," she whispered. "I'm bad people." The puppy's response was a weak mewling cry. Alex opened her coat and slid the puppy into her garment. "What is it with me and saving lives in alleyways?" she asked in a low frustrated voice. She went in search of the nearest veterinary clinic.
Grace stepped around the light pole. She frowned as she puzzled over the lump in Alexandra's jacket. It had taken forever for her to catch up with the woman. She pocketed the GPS and continued after the other woman while working over the mystery of why this alley and what was under the coat. When she saw Alex turn into a vet clinic she halted. Her eyes narrowed and she slid back into a nearby shop. She would solve the mystery as soon as Alex got clear. No need for her to know that she was lojacked.