Ch. 4
Resolution Pt. 1…
Tara sipped her large coffee slowly as she entered the Hoover Buildingand through security. She'd managed a few winks before her alarm blared to life at 6 AM. For the first time since middle school she seriously thought about playing hookie.
You are a badass FBI agent, you can do this, she told herself on the elevators she took a cleansing breath.
Even before Tara reached the bullpen she heard Myles grandiose voice refuting something or other. Tara shook her head. He set himself up as an easy target for the others.
I guess he enjoys the attention, even if it is negative, she thought
Butterflies the size of California condors circled behind Tara's belly button as she stepped through the door. Thankfully, Myles hadn't yet let off enough steam. Tara slipped into her desk chair and powered up her computer.
"Enough, Myles. Sheesh." Jack interrupted, shaking his head.
"I will cease - for now. But rest assured I will not forget." He gave each and every one of them his haught stink eye for effect.
Lucy and Sue both hid amused smirks behind their coffee mugs. Tara caught Sue looking at Jack from beneath her lashes for a split second. He, in turn, looked away.
"I have S.O.G.'s report on Basim from last night," Dimitrius announced, bringing everyone's attention to the here and now. After a discussion on what to do next about Basim's entourage everyone dispersed to their assigned tasks. Tara dug into property records for warehouses in the less wholesome areas around D.C. while Bobby and Dimitrius hit the street.
Where the others went Tara couldn't recall afterward. She felt a wave of relief, not seeing Bobby across the bullpen. She just knew someone would take one look at them and KNOW they'd been up to something.
Tara made it all the way to lunch distracted by her work. Shell companies and Swiss bank accounts made the hours fly.
"So, who's up for Mexican food, made by professional Mexicans?"
Bobby's voice brought Tara out of her digital world. Her eyes almost met his. She frowned as they slid past.
"Professional Mexicans? What does that even mean?" Luch questioned. For once, Myles and the office rotor were on the same side. They harassed Bobby all the way out the door. Jack and Sue trailed behind, laughing and signing as they went.
"Hey Tara, are you alright, you seem quieter than usual." Dimitrius asked, perched casually on the corner of her desk.
"Well, I guess I was going to have to talk to you about it eventually." Tara turned her full attention to her fellow agent. "There may be something besides friendship between me and one of my co-workers." She gave him a beat to process the information.
"Is it, is it consensual?" Dimitrius looked around the bullpen to make sure they were having a private conversation.
"Yes, it's consensual." Tara patted her service handgun, which made D's mouth turn up at the corners.
That a girl, he thought.
"So what's the problem?" Dimitrius went back to supervisor mode.
"The F.B.I.'s no-fraternization policy. That and I'm not sure it's not a fluke." Tara gestured helplessly.
"A fluke?" D questioned.
"We've kissed - twice. But both times were under pressure, of sorts." Would Darcy's leaving be considered pressure, Tara wondered.
"Have you and he, er, she, talked about it?"
Tara shook her head, biting her lip. Just the thought of talking to Bobby, of possibly hearing another rejection caused her stomach to clench.
"May I make a suggestion?" Dimitrius's tone turned paternal, kindness in his eyes.
"Sure," Tara shrugged, eager for any help.
"Talk to them and when, or if, the time comes, go to H.R. and fill out the necessary paperwork. No one ever reads the fineprint of the no-fraternization policy." He smiled at the way a smile brightened Tara's face. There WAS light at the end of the tunnel.
"Dimitrius, you're brilliant!" Tara gave him a lightning-fast hug before grabbing her coat and beating feet out the door.