Author's notes: Thank you to everyone for your lovely reviews of the last chapter. For those who weren't too sure, there is another baby on the way, it may be a while before it gets here. Hope you enjoy this one.
Patrick has the diaper bag on his shoulder, Olive in one arm, she's facing outwards, his arm wrapped around her belly as she kicks her dangling legs. Shoved down to his elbow on the other arm is the handle of the baby seat, he's gripping a bag of cookies with his teeth. Once he pockets the keys, while softly kicking the door closed, he slides the handle down towards his hand and puts it down on the floor. He swings Olive around on to his shoulder and grabs the cookie bag out of his mouth.
"Let's go see why your mummy is home early."
He walks down the hall, his footsteps getting slower, in reaction to the sounds coming from the living room, before coming to a stop by the door. He whispers to Olive:
"Oh oh, it sounds like your mummy's cleaning and she's cleaning in a tone. I hope you don't mind, but I'm sending you in first. You're chances of melting her heart are better than mine. Don't worry, I have your back."
He moves to open the door but stops and whispers to Olive once more:
"I shouldn't send you in there unprepared. Livvy, this doesn't happen very often, but when it does and not handled right, it can be scary. I've seen cops with batons and guns afraid to face her when she's in cleaning mode.
The big tell is if she's moving things into precise positions, but behind closes doors, like we are now, it's your ears that are useful. Are things being replaced heavy handedly? Is there some muttering accompanying the activity? It it's not singing then you can relax, but sometimes it's hard to tell the difference.
Why do you need to worry? You ask. Cleaning with a tone, signals that your delightful, loving Mother is angry, she's upset about something and the action of putting things in precise places mirrors what's going on in her head as she does the same to her thoughts and feelings. It's best to leave her alone when she first starts, but when the movements are less frantic, one can usually venture in and discover what the problem is."
Patrick lifts her so he's looking into her face.
"Are you ready Livvy? Shall we do this?"
Olive, who's chewing on her hands, smiles at him from underneath them.
He shakes his head.
"It almost seem cruel taking you in there, you have no idea do you? But we love her and we're a team, so here goes."
He places Olive on his left shoulder that will lead the way into the room, and opens the door, with an announcement of their presence.
"Hi Sweetheart."
Teresa spins around from whatever it is she's doing at the bookcase.
"Where have you been?"
Patrick jiggles Olive, to move Teresa's eyes to her.
"Livvy and I went for a picnic. If we'd known you were coming home early, we would have waited for you."
Teresa eyes soften as they land on Olive, she moves towards them and takes her off Patrick, kissing the top of her head. Patrick waits but there's no kiss for him as Teresa turns and moves back to the bookcase. He swallows and knowing that it can't be avoided, broaches, what he knows will be a tricky subject.
"It's a wonderful surprise that you're home?"
Teresa turns from moving an ornament an inch and then back to its original spot, her eyes flaming.
"Cho sent me home."
Patrick makes a mental note to get back at Cho for not calling him and giving him a warning. He sits on the couch and pats the place next to him in invitation.
"What happened?"
Teresa looks at the offered spot and walks to the other side of the room to move the photos on the mantle. Patrick sits with his legs and arms crossed watching her, waiting for her to respond. After moving a few photographs back and forth she replies.
"Cho felt I was a little aggressive in an interview."
Her voice indicating just what she thought of Cho's conclusion. Patrick raises a mental eyebrow, wondering how aggressive she was for Cho to send her home.
"I've never known you be anything but professional."
As Patrick watches her continue to jiggle Olive, he wonders if he needs to rescue her, as he can envision lunch ending up on the floor. Just then Teresa turns around and he relaxes as Olive has a big smile on her face, obviously enjoying the ride. He makes a second mental note that rollercoasters are definitely in their future.
"Exactly, how unprofessional can you be with a guy who smirks at you as he details what he did to a seven year old boy."
Patrick nods his head in understanding, reaches in to his pocket and takes out his phone.
"What are you doing?"
Patrick stops and looks at her.
"If my reading of the situation is correct. There's a miserable sub-human being in the jail cells, currently nursing a black eye, or busted nose.."
A smile twitches at the corner of Teresa's mouth.
"A busted nose."
"Ouch, I know what that feels like."
Teresa's smile widens as Patrick continues:
"And a certain beautiful FBI agent deserves to be taken out for dinner, by her most devoted fans, so bookings at the fanciest restaurant in town that takes children, for seven."
Teresa moves towards him.
"Did Livvy sleep on the way home?"
Patrick shakes his head.
"No she was wide awake the whole ride, chatting away, no idea what she was saying but she found it amusing."
Teresa has reached him and prods his knees with her calf, he opens them and she steps in between his legs. He notes success and in record time, he and Olive make a great team. She sits down on his lap and kisses him.
"So do we keep her awake so she goes down early tonight, or put her down for a nap now?"
She runs her tongue across his lips, leaving him in no doubt as to which scenario she prefers and he's willing to concur.
"Most definitely a nap for Livvy, she's looking very tired."
Which is true, as he sees her eyes drooping. He makes his third mental note – most definitely a great team.
