****
Original Sin
- Part Nine
Disclaimer: See Part 1
Rating: PG
--
Keni sighed and leaned against the wall down in the lobby. This phone call wasn't going well. On her way down the elevator after leaving Frank behind, her cell went off. On the other end was someone she'd kind of hoped never to speak to again.
"You're not giving me a chance!"
"You bungled it Keni."
"I did not. Look, the Feds are on this; I have to be careful here. I know the man in charge and he's asked me to play consultant. It's simple logic. While he's chasing around the countryside for a ghost, I'll finish the job."
"Yes, I know that you know Frank Donovan. He's the reason you're doing this job for me, isn't it Keni?" the voice chuckled.
Keni wanted to just beat her phone up against the wall until it was a pile of splinters and shards of plastic. Instead she just sucked in a breath and forced herself to remain calm. "Yes. And I expect the deal to be kept. I get this done, he is left alone - got it?"
"A deal is a deal Keni. You bring me the jewels and the crown and I'll forget you ever fucked Frank Donovan."
"Watch your fucking mouth!"
"Ohhh touchy touchy. Did I hit a nerve Keni? I'll have to remember that. How's the brat, by the way?"
"He's fine, out of your hands for certain. Leave Cisco out of this or there will be no place on earth you can hide from me. This is not an option." her voice took on an ice-cold edge to it. Threats against her life she could handle. Threats against her husband she could handle. You do not threaten her son and live.
"Are you sure that he's out of my reach little girl?" The voice got deadly silent on the other end. "If I wanted, I could have your boy and his grandparents brought back to the States and you know it. If I ever need some heavy ammunition against you, I think I know what to use."
"Touch one hair on his head and so help me God I'll-"
"You'll do what?" Again came a chuckle. "Just do the damned job and get me the jewels and all will be right with the world."
Her line clicked dead before she could get to answer. With another sigh, she shut off the connection on her cell. She sagged against the wall, fighting back the tears. For five years she'd lived a clean life. No thefts, no speeding tickets, nothing. For five years she went into hiding, gave birth to her son and then for his well being, shipped him off to live with his grandparents. Now, within the last week her world turned over and she was back in. For the life of her estranged husband and the safety of her son, she gave in and accepted the deal to lift the jewels from the museum while the exhibit was on the road. What the hell was she thinking?
"Kennedi?"
Keni looked up, the free tears coursing down her cheeks, to see Frank standing in front of her. All of a sudden the expression on his face changed to one of alarm and concern.
"What happened baby?" He put his arms around her and held her tight. Her arms wound around his shoulders and hugged him tight in return. He stroked her hair soothingly and shushed in her ear. "I never could stand to see you cry Keni. Tell me what's wrong."
Keni pulled back out of his arms and looked up at him. Concern was etched all over him plainly. Oh how she wanted to tell him... But she couldn't tell him anything. She had to keep him safe at all costs. Unbidden, her fingers closest to his chin stroked slowly over the thin goatee. "Frank.."
His mouth closing onto hers cut off her whisper. This wasn't the same kiss from the day before. This one was comforting, loving, and tender. Both of his hands brushed along her cheeks and pushed her hair from her face. Tenderly his lips pulled back from hers to press a soft kiss to her forehead.
Keni rested her head on his shoulder as he held her there. Somehow, by some miracle or cruel irony, she felt safer in his presence... and strengthened as well.
"Kennedi... tell me why." he whispered.
She paused and pulled back out of his arms. She looked him up and down cautiously, then turned and walked towards the door.
"Kennedi!"
She stopped and looked back.
"I never stopped loving you, even after you left me."
"Then you've wasted your time, Frank Donovan."
****
Original Sin
- Part Nine
Disclaimer: See Part 1
Rating: PG
--
Keni sighed and leaned against the wall down in the lobby. This phone call wasn't going well. On her way down the elevator after leaving Frank behind, her cell went off. On the other end was someone she'd kind of hoped never to speak to again.
"You're not giving me a chance!"
"You bungled it Keni."
"I did not. Look, the Feds are on this; I have to be careful here. I know the man in charge and he's asked me to play consultant. It's simple logic. While he's chasing around the countryside for a ghost, I'll finish the job."
"Yes, I know that you know Frank Donovan. He's the reason you're doing this job for me, isn't it Keni?" the voice chuckled.
Keni wanted to just beat her phone up against the wall until it was a pile of splinters and shards of plastic. Instead she just sucked in a breath and forced herself to remain calm. "Yes. And I expect the deal to be kept. I get this done, he is left alone - got it?"
"A deal is a deal Keni. You bring me the jewels and the crown and I'll forget you ever fucked Frank Donovan."
"Watch your fucking mouth!"
"Ohhh touchy touchy. Did I hit a nerve Keni? I'll have to remember that. How's the brat, by the way?"
"He's fine, out of your hands for certain. Leave Cisco out of this or there will be no place on earth you can hide from me. This is not an option." her voice took on an ice-cold edge to it. Threats against her life she could handle. Threats against her husband she could handle. You do not threaten her son and live.
"Are you sure that he's out of my reach little girl?" The voice got deadly silent on the other end. "If I wanted, I could have your boy and his grandparents brought back to the States and you know it. If I ever need some heavy ammunition against you, I think I know what to use."
"Touch one hair on his head and so help me God I'll-"
"You'll do what?" Again came a chuckle. "Just do the damned job and get me the jewels and all will be right with the world."
Her line clicked dead before she could get to answer. With another sigh, she shut off the connection on her cell. She sagged against the wall, fighting back the tears. For five years she'd lived a clean life. No thefts, no speeding tickets, nothing. For five years she went into hiding, gave birth to her son and then for his well being, shipped him off to live with his grandparents. Now, within the last week her world turned over and she was back in. For the life of her estranged husband and the safety of her son, she gave in and accepted the deal to lift the jewels from the museum while the exhibit was on the road. What the hell was she thinking?
"Kennedi?"
Keni looked up, the free tears coursing down her cheeks, to see Frank standing in front of her. All of a sudden the expression on his face changed to one of alarm and concern.
"What happened baby?" He put his arms around her and held her tight. Her arms wound around his shoulders and hugged him tight in return. He stroked her hair soothingly and shushed in her ear. "I never could stand to see you cry Keni. Tell me what's wrong."
Keni pulled back out of his arms and looked up at him. Concern was etched all over him plainly. Oh how she wanted to tell him... But she couldn't tell him anything. She had to keep him safe at all costs. Unbidden, her fingers closest to his chin stroked slowly over the thin goatee. "Frank.."
His mouth closing onto hers cut off her whisper. This wasn't the same kiss from the day before. This one was comforting, loving, and tender. Both of his hands brushed along her cheeks and pushed her hair from her face. Tenderly his lips pulled back from hers to press a soft kiss to her forehead.
Keni rested her head on his shoulder as he held her there. Somehow, by some miracle or cruel irony, she felt safer in his presence... and strengthened as well.
"Kennedi... tell me why." he whispered.
She paused and pulled back out of his arms. She looked him up and down cautiously, then turned and walked towards the door.
"Kennedi!"
She stopped and looked back.
"I never stopped loving you, even after you left me."
"Then you've wasted your time, Frank Donovan."
****