The Children's Corner

Chapter 22

The twins are settled," Rick reports, dropping into his seat at the table. "Cindy fed herself and Lily early, and they're reading a story together to a furry audience. Now we can enjoy our dinner."

Lanie takes a healthy sip of her wine and leans back in her chair. "I think this is the first time I've taken a deep breath in weeks."

"The drug deaths?" Kate asks.

"That was part of it," Lanie replies, "but my parents came to town for a conference and decided to take a month of vacation. Their plane took off for New Orleans before we came tonight."

"What was the problem having them in New York?" Kate asks. "I thought you love having your parents visit."

"Before Lorne and I got married, I did," Lanie agrees. "But this time, my father kept dropping not-so-subtle hints about ticking biological clocks. And my mother couldn't stop talking about how sweet her friends' grandchildren are. Kate, I love being a godmother and fussing over other people's babies. But I can't see having one of my own right now. I can get called out to a body 24/7. And Lorne makes trips every couple of months to consult on complex cases. In two more years, I can move up to Perlmutter's level and have more control over my working hours. And Lorne and I will have enough put away for a place where the best feature isn't the closet. But this isn't the time. So I wish Mom and Dad would back off."

Alexis coughs and exchanges looks with Dana. "Something on your mind, girl?" Lanie inquires.

"Um, for Lorne, um, about working," Dana jumps in. "I was wondering if there's an opening for a forensic scientist at your place. Alexis and I are thinking about moving off-campus after she graduates, and I could use a job that pays better."

Relieved at the change in subject, Lorne lights up. "For a recipient of the Lee award? I don't see how there couldn't be. Our clients hire us based on our reputation, and your curriculum vitae would look great on our website. And I think you'd enjoy it. Our C.E.O. makes sure we have the most up-to-date equipment. It's a practical investment that keeps attorneys from discrediting our testimony in court with claims of out-moded technology."

Lanie sighs. "I wish the city understood that when allocating the budget for the M.E.'s office. Some cases would have gotten away from me – and Kate – if Lorne hadn't helped out. Alexis, maybe when you start working for C.S.U., Dana will be able to back you up too.

Alexis clears her throat. "I'm already looking forward to Dana backing me up in a lot of ways."

"I'll look into available positions first thing in the morning," Lorne promises.

Azra presses a hand to her belly, almost doubling over laughing. "So you've got everyone chasing Yuri Gregorovitch again?"

"Not everyone,' Jack responds, "mainly the N.Y.P.D. Most of the federal alphabet agencies don't care if one Russian agent shoots another Russian agent. The company knows the truth, and obviously so does your agency."

"How long have you been getting away with putting your work on that shadow, anyway?" Azra asks. "I think you dumped something on him right around the time we met. That was the first time I remember hearing the name."

"I was using him for about a year before that. But the company didn't have the tech to construct false prints yet. So his identity wasn't complete until then. And the new software has done a better job creating a face, suitably aged. I took the Orsis T-5000 and the ammunition off one of my mission targets two years ago. I had a feeling it would come in handy."

"So, you got those children safely away, cut the head off the Russian drug operation, and put another notch on Yuri Gregorovitch's imaginary belt. All in all, nice work, Jack."

"The head may be off the operation, but we both know the tentacles will survive for a while. And the other active measures are going strong. The Kremlin's already rebuilding their cyber warfare."

"I know," Azra acknowledges. "But our people are a lot further ahead of them than they know. We've allowed some operations to go through so we could trace them and poison the roots. And more of our allies are on board than the Kremlin is aware. You're kicking ass out there, but some deadly warriors wage battles from their cubbies."

Jack pops the corner from a block of halvah into her mouth. "Good to know."

Rick bids a hearty goodnight to Lanie and Lorne before closing the door behind them. Then, spinning on his heel, he turns back to Alexis and Dana. "Before Lanie started her rant about parental urging, you two looked like you were about to bring up more than Dana wanting a more lucrative job. What's going on? Alexis, are you pregnant?"

Alexis smacks her hand to her face. "Oh God, no, Dad. Nothing like that. But we are thinking about starting a family – in a way."

"In what way?" Rick asks. "Nevermind. Let's all settle in someplace more comfortable than the table, and you can explain to Kate and me from the beginning. And with Lanie out the door, I'll break out the triple chocolate brownies."

"I don't think so. I finished them," Kate admits.

"Reese and Jake,' Rick declares, "the world's most effective weight loss aids. I believe that Kate needs at least an extra thousand calories a day just to keep from fading into nothingness. But never fear. I made an extra pan."

"So, let me see if I've got this right," Rick recaps. "You two want to set yourselves up to adopt an older child."

"Right," Alexis confirms.

"Have you considered fostering first to see how it works out?" Kate wonders.

"I suggested that," Dana confides. "But Alexis can't see how she could do anything but go all in."

"And I can't imagine having a child in our lives, only to say goodbye," Alexis adds.

The memory of the wrench in his gut the first time Alexis was off at camp burns through Rick's mind. "I get that. Well, you know I'll help you any way you want me to."

Kate reaches out to squeeze Alexis's hand. "So will I."

"Then I guess that's that," Rick declares. "Who's for another round of brownies?"

As Rick climbs in beside her in bed, Kate runs her fingertip along a smile line flanking his mouth. "You're grinning."

"I'm proud of my daughter. What she's done with tracing toxic products and all her academic honors are amazing. But what she wants to do now is straight from the heart."

Kate strokes his roughening cheek. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Look at what you're doing with "The Children's Corner. You'll be helping a lot of kids you'll never even meet. And you'd walk through fire for Alexis, or Lily or the twins. It's one of the things I love most about you."

"Oh? What are the other things?"

"Well, I could give you a list. But I'd rather show you."

"That sounds intriguing. Where do you want to start?"

Kate thrusts her fingers into his hair before kissing the tip of his nose. "I thought I'd start from the top and work down."

Rick presses his lips to hers. "Always nice to have a plan."

"Damn rats!" the warehouse security guard exclaims, hearing rustling behind a pile of boxes. "The f***ing management can't even spring for an exterminator." As he shines his flashlight in the direction of the noise, it drops from his hand, denting against the cement floor. But he'll never need it again.