Repata: A Love Story
Chapter 7: Revelations
Tasha was the first to awaken the next morning. She felt something that was so different she couldn't put a finger on it. It wasn't fear. She knew the Croatia trip should be quick and basically routine because the team worked well together. So…why was she so anxious? Was it the deep cover op? No. She was actually looking forward to doing everything she could to take down HCI Global. And now that Reade was going to support her, well…this could be fun, in a dangerous sort way of course. Tasha continued to question her feelings. What is going on? She's not just anxious, she is also sad, which is unusual for her. Then…she looked over at Reade, sleeping soundly and lightly snoring. She could get used to this scene. It was at that very moment the revelation hit her. She's never had in her life anyone this important to her, not even her small family. She realized that she's going to miss him terribly, and it's only a short trip! She didn't feel this way when she left for the CIA. Yes she wanted Reade to ask her to stay, and it hurt when he didn't…but…she wasn't overly emotional about it. Is this what happens...what you feel, when you really love someone? How was she going to go undercover and not be with him or see him every day?! Tasha's anxiety level climbed higher and she felt like she couldn't breathe. She closed her eyes when she realize she was leaving in four hours. She quietly jumped out of bed and headed to the kitchen to start breakfast. She was afraid she would pass out if she didn't center her thoughts on something else, like food.
At breakfast Reade noticed that Tasha was quiet and preoccupied with something. "Tash, are you ok? You seem a million miles away." Tasha looked at him, trying to commit every detail about him to memory. Her heart started to beat faster. "Edger Reade, what have you done to me these last three days?" He raised his eyebrows and looked confused. Tasha continued, "I woke up this morning and had a mild panic attack." "What? Why?' was Reade's response. "I can't believe I'm saying this…but I don't want to leave you. Not today for Croatia or later for the deep cover op. I freak out when I think about not being near you. Is this what love feels like and does to you?'' Tasha was crying now. Reade reached over, wiped away her tears and moved a lock of hair from her face. He looked in her eyes, smiled and said, "Tasha, you've turned my world upside down too." That night when you told me you were in love with me I wanted to get angry and walk out of that bar. Why? Because I didn't want to admit I still had feelings for you. But I couldn't walk away. My feelings were too strong to ignore. You are starting to feel what it means to love and to be loved. This is a good thing babe. It's great and scary at the same time." Reade kissed Tasha tenderly, wiped more tears from her face and said, "I love you forever and you can be sure that I will miss you. But you need to get dressed. You and the team leave in a few hours." She rolled her eyes and said in her best child's voice, "Do I have to?" Reade laughed and said, "I'm your boyfriend, not your father. As Weller would say, let's move!" Tasha threw a pillow at him as she went to shower. Reade grabbed her by the waist and said, "I'm coming with you to give you a proper goodbye since I can't do that at the office."
Tasha and Reade kept their composure as the team was leaving the office for the private FBI airfield. They will have to tell the team they are in a relationship at some point. There was a quick briefing before they gathered their things from their lockers. Paterson and Rich discovered that Hank Crawford was trying to buy land from the terrorist but they didn't know why. They believed the deal would be struck while they were in Croatia. They had to find a way to get more intel on sale because it was key to Crawford's plans.
Reade and Patterson wished them a safe and productive journey. Patterson, as is her custom hugged them all, including Tasha, which caught everyone by surprise. Maybe she was starting to get over the "Tasha knew Borden was alive" thing. Reade looked at Tasha and said all he possibly could with his eyes and hoped no one noticed. Once the team left SIOC Reade went to his office to call Keaton about lunch. Before he could pick up the phone Patterson walked in. "Do you have time to talk?", she asked. "Yeah, I just need to make a quick phone call." Patterson's strong suit is not patience. She blurted, "Is there something going on between you and Zapata?"
Reade looked up at Patterson with no expression on his face. "Something, like what?" He knew he wouldn't be able to fool his friend for long, but now was not the time for this. He had to be kind and professional. There was no reason to upset her just to go back and apologize. "I don't know…," she said. "Maybe the way you looked at each other when she left?" Ok, she did see that, Reade thought. "Listen, Zapata and I are still friends. There is obviously something bothering you so let's talk when I'm done with this call." Patterson looked at him for more than a few seconds. She said "Ok" and got up and left his office in a huff. Reade said to no one in particular, "One crisis at a time." He called Keaton who picked up on the first ring. "Reade! How are you? I got your message. We should talk about Crawford and the terrorist. Can you do lunch later today?" "Yeah, that's perfect Jake. How about 1:00 pm at Claire's Diner?" Reade's plan was in motion. He had about 45 minutes before lunch. Now he needed to talk to Patterson.
Sitting across the desk from Reade, Patterson looked determined. He decided to go on the offensive with her. "So, when are you going to stop freezing Zapata out of our briefings?" "When you tell me what's going on between you two", she said with a stern face. "This is not a competition Patterson. I'm still your boss." "And I'm still your friend Reade. You haven't said a word about your wedding or Meg in days, and you and Zapata have become very cozy the lately. I swear I saw you kiss and hug her with your eyes before she left. And Tasha looked like she wanted to cry. Was she upset about something? Maybe about being away from you?" Reade threw his head back and laughed from deep in his soul. "WOW Patterson! You are great at figuring things out!" It made no sense to lie to her, particularly after she nailed the situation. "Well, you've got me. You're right about Zapata and me." "She finally told you she was in love with you, didn't she?" "You knew how she felt about me?" Reade just shook his head. "What happened with Meg?", Patterson asked with concern in her voice. "I couldn't ignore my feelings for Tasha and I had to tell Megan. She told me I was the only person in New York who didn't know Tasha was in love with me. Then she packed her things and left." Patterson rolled her eyes and smiled. She then said, " I think Meg was right Reade." He laughed again. "Well I think I finally got it right." "When are you going to tell the team?", she asked. "Tasha and I need to discuss that when she gets back. Please don't say anything until we do." "Not a word Reade." He thanked her and left for his lunch meeting with Keaton.
Reade arrived at Claire's Diner just before Keaton. He got a table and sent a text to let Jake know he had a table. About 5 minutes later Keaton walked into the diner and saw his colleague. He was all smiles and more friendly than usual. Reade figured this might be because Keaton knew that Tasha was going undercover which meant she would again be apart from him. It took all the strength Reade had to be equally as friendly. He despised Jake Keaton more than anyone, and Reade was not one to hold grudges. But this guy took pleasure in coming between him and Zapata. Reade was going to enjoy bringing a shock to Keaton.
The conversation went smoothly as they discussed how to handle the terrorist and hopefully get Crawford. They would bring the US Attorney in to file charges and seize HCI Global assets. Then Reade started his "assault". He knew this could be a dangerous line of questioning but he had to take the risk. "Keaton, it looks like we could wrap up this Crawford issue within the next couple of months. Will Zapata continue with the joint taskforce as we tie up loose ends?" Jake gave Reade an evil grin. "I knew it Reade. You fought to put Tasha on the team just so you could have your old partner back. Well, Assistant FBI Director, that is never going to happen. She's staying with me, ah…the CIA." Reade then said with a hint of satisfied anger in his voice, "You know Jake, Tasha admires you as her leader and friend. I've always suspected that you had an ulterior motive for recruiting her, and keeping her in your grasp. And now I can see your long game." "What are you whining about Reade? You're just upset that she chose a new team. You made a mistake two years ago and can't undo it. Deal with it buddy."
Reade smiled and slid a file folder over to Keaton. "What's this?", he asked. "Open it and see for yourself", Reade said, with a larger smile on his face. When Jake opened the folder his eyes were wide and fear gripped him. It was pictures of him and Brianna, the FBI administrative agent, in several compromising and totally unprofessional "positions". "How…w-where did you get these?" Yeah, this is what Reade expected see and hear. "Jake Keaton, family man. That's how everyone sees you. I wonder how many other women you've preyed on? Reade wondered if he ever tried that with Tasha. He really hoped that wasn't true because he could kill Keaton in this restaurant if it were. "I'm sure your wife and daughter don't know about this side of you Keaton. And I know your career and reputation would be destroyed if this got out. Tasha would hate you Jake."
"What do you want Reade? You didn't show me this just because you still have feelings for Tasha." He, not totally stupid, Reade thought. "My feelings for Zapata are my business, as well as her safety. So let me be perfectly clear. Everything you've done to recruit her and keep her was personal against me. We both know that." Keaton just looked at him, afraid of what would come next. "Yeah, I care about Tasha and she cares about me. And I know she's about to go on a deep cover op." Keaton almost choked on his own breath. "Reade how…" "Let me finish Jake. I know about the op and you're going to keep me fully informed everyday about her, the stuff she would never me tell so I don't worry. If you make one slip up, one tiny mistake, these pictures are going to your family, the CIA and the press. Be clear about another thing. I will make sure Brianna is not hurt by any of this. Do we have a deal, "buddy"? Keaton just sat there and nodded. "Then he asked, "She told you, and you're not going to stop Tasha from going on the op?" "No I'm not. This is her career and it's her decision, and I will help her. That's what you do when you love someone." Reade got up to leave the table and paused. "You can keep those duplicate pictures. I have the originals and you need motivation to follow through on our deal. I'll be in touch Jake. Have a nice day."
The plan in Croatia was simple. Avery would find a way to get the team in the gala. Weller would monitor the video feeds while the ladies would bug the room where Crawford is meeting with the terrorist. If they can capture Crawford on video making the land deal with the terrorist, they can arrest him. Like all teenagers, Avery is both rebellious and brilliant. She helps them but then gets in trouble such that Jane has to put her cover in jeopardy to rescue her. Then Roman shows up. He offers to help the team get Crawford but changes his mind because of his feeling for Blake. Hank Crawford and his crew escaped and the terrorist was killed. On the surface it looks like the team was only partially successful. However, Tasha was able to secretly connect with Blake, making her believe Tasha has gone rogue and is there to help her. Tasha tells Blake that Roman and Crawford are in danger and gives her a secure number where she can be reached. Because of what happened with the FBI team coming after her father, Blake believes Zapata is on her side. Mission accomplished. She now needed to contact both Reade and Keaton to let them know.
The call with Keaton was strangely abrupt. He seemed preoccupied and uninterested in knowing that Tasha had successfully approached Blake Crawford. She asked when he thought she would begin deep cover. He was vague and said he had another meeting to attend. The call was over in less than two minutes. Tasha then called Reade on one of the burner phones he gave her. She was very animated on the call because she missed him. She gave him all the details of the mission and was happy that she could speak with Blake. She also told him about the odd call with Keaton. "It's like he was a different person Reade. I wonder what's going on with him?" "Who knows what goes on in the mind Jake Keaton, leader of super spies", Reade replied. He knew he'd have to have another chat with the CIA Deputy Director.
Tasha told Reade about the sexy outfit they gave her in Croatia. "I bet you look hot as a redhead babe." "Keep that image in your mind until I see you" she said in her most seductive voice. "I love you Reade." "I love you more Tash. Please be safe." They ended the call and Reade thought about his next moves.