Chapter Six:


"Shall I carry you over the threshold?" A sly grin on his face as he gazed over from Theresa to the door of their hotel suite.


Maile shook her head, chuckling with no surprise at Fox's flirtatious attempt. She smiled at little Ethan, peacefully asleep in his mother's arms. "Theresa, if you're still tired, I can hold him for you..."


Theresa grinned gratefully at Maile, "That's okay, Maile. Thank you for the offer, though." And to Fox, "Maybe some other time, Nicholas."


As Maile reached over to open the door, Fox winked at Theresa while placing his hand on the small of her back to guide her inside. "Okay, I'm holding your word for that."


Upon stepping in the two bedroom suite, they found their bags placed inside and ready for them. Theresa scanned the room itself, not only impressed by the size, but also by the beautiful ocean view. Though it was still night, the crashing of waves nearby promised a gorgeous sight to behold in the morning. When her eyes settled towards the bed, she turned towards Fox with a small, yet knowing, grin. She raised her eyebrow in accusation, "You asked for the honeymoon suite?"


Sheepishly, he replied, "Technically, it's not a honeymoon suite because there's a connecting bathroom that leads to another room." Wanting to prove his innocence, "And that room has two beds!"


Maile's eyes lit up, "Oh! So does that mean I get this room?"


Fox glared at her, "No... I was thinking that Theresa and the little one will have this room, while the two of us share the other."


With a teasing glint in her eye, Maile snickered, "Is this your lousy attempt at getting the next best thing to sleeping with me? Sharing the same room?"


He snapped his fingers, "Damnit, you got me there, Maile."


Theresa's eyes remained on the big queen sized bed, deep in thought. Suddenly, surprising not only herself but those in the room, "Fox, would you mind sleeping on the bed with me and little Ethan?"


Maile's eyes slightly widened in surprise, but in no way did it mirror the sincere shock on Fox's face at that request. Maile slowly began to cast a "Told you so" look at Fox, who struggled to retain his calm demeanor.


Theresa's voice was somewhat shaky as she quickly explained, "Because, I know we have a crib already set up, but we're in a new environment, you know? However, little Ethan doesn't know that and if we put him in a new, yet unfamiliar, crib, he might become scared and confused."


"And," Maile interrupted, understanding Theresa's logic. "You're saying that it would be best, for little Ethan's sake, that if he slept and woke up to see two very familiar faces. So even though you're still in a strange environment, just having you two near him will bring comfort and security. Is that what you're getting at, Theresa?"


Grateful for Maile's explanation, Theresa managed to stand tall with her request. "Yes! That's exactly what I'm trying to say." To Fox, "Is that okay with you, Fox? Would you mind sharing a bed with us?" As an afterthought, "For my son's sake, of course."


Fox finally turned from Maile to Theresa, doubt shining in his eyes. "I don't mind, Theresa... but are you sure?"


"Yes she's sure!" Maile replied for her, though earning yet another glare from Fox.


"Is your name Theresa?"


Maile cast a helpless shrug at Theresa. "Um, why don't I take little Ethan from you, get him ready for bed, while you two talk it out..." As she removed the baby from his mother's arms, Theresa mouthed a small "Thank you" to the young woman.


Once Maile and little Ethan were out of the room, Fox reached over for Theresa's hand. "Theresa, I don't mind doing this for your son..." Looking deeply into her eyes, "But I have a feeling that I'm doing this more than just for the little one and I need to know if that's true."


Knowing she can't hide behind her own son, "I need this too, Fox. We... I need you. I don't know if it's just being in a new place far away from everything, but I really feel like I can move on and start anew. And what better way to start a new day, in a new place, than waking up and seeing my son and..." She smiled shyly, "And my best friend."


Fox didn't know whether to just grab her in a tight embrace, to kiss her, or just stare at her with utter joy. Instead, still holding on to his coolness, Fox nodded and smiled. "Okay, Theresa. Why don't you go get ready for bed and while you're doing that, I'll check up on your son."


As Fox watched Theresa, with a smile on her face, unpack her suitcase and prepare for bed, he whispered to no one in particular, "I feel the exact same way, Theresa. You have no idea..."


~~~~~~~~~~


"Are they awake yet, Maile?"


"No, sir. They're both still sound asleep together." Maile spoke softly, her eyes held fast on the three sleeping forms before her. Fox, with a respected white wife-beater tank and black shorts on, and Theresa, wearing one of her pink nightgowns, were sleeping peacefully with little Ethan sandwiched happily in the middle. The two adults were facing each other, their hands unconsciously holding onto the other.


"Like one big happy family?"


She chuckled, "It is quite a sight, sir." Maile raised her hand up to her left ear, adjusting her hidden ear pierce. To an outsider, one would believe she was talking to herself... that is, until their eyes captured the cell phone hanging from her belt.


"Good. Very good. What's on the agenda for today?"


Maile moved towards the other room, not wanting to risk the chance of being heard. Especially by Fox... "Basically, sir, Fox and Theresa are meeting Mr. Omiat for a business lunch at BJ's Pizza on Front Street. I'm baby-sitting baby Crane, strolling him around Front Street until they're finished with the meeting. After that, which shouldn't last over three hours, the three of them will head on back to the hotel to get ready for the luau tonight."


"Excellent. And have you polished up the papers like I asked?"


Maile grinned quite proudly at the document laying next to her laptop. "Finished up some last minute changes and had a friend of mine in hotel reservations print it out for me. The final copy, full proof, is all set to be signed and finalized. Once he signs, there's no going back."


"No loop holes to be found?"


"None, sir. The only possible loop holes to be found would mainly be in your favor."


"Wonderful! You're doing an excellent job so far, Maile... Does Nicholas suspect anything?"


Maile felt a tinge of guilt, well aware of her hidden betrayal. "Unfortunately, he does, sir. You might be well aware that last night he confronted me with it."


"As unfortunate as it is, you could say that I would have been more disappointed in him if he hadn't suspected you."


She smiled softly at the irony of her next words, "You've raised him well, sir. Or lack thereof..."


"But the main thing is, Nicholas trusts you."


"He's never going to forgive me for what I've done, sir. What we've done to him."


"Nicholas is better off for it, Maile. Everything that happens to my grandson will make him a better man, a better Crane, for it."


Relenting, "Yes sir. You're right."


"Good. Oh, and another thing, Maile, did you open the special package I left for you in the top dresser drawer?"


Her eyes nervously fell upon the open box, its content caused a chill to fall through her. "I have, sir, but do you think it's really necessary?"


"I've seen you handle one of those before, Maile. I trust you. Besides, you might need it."


"It's because of one of those that brought me to you in the first place. I don't mean to sound ungrateful for everything you've ever done for me, sir. I appreciate it all, but..."


"Maile, they're going to be waking up soon. I suggest you fully prepare for today's job. One of your fellow informants will be making contact with you today. He'll explain the reason behind my little gift."


"Yes, sir." Maile numbly replied, finding no reason to argue with him.


"I'll be in touch."


"I'll be waiting for your call... Mr. Crane." As soon as Maile hung up, she slowly walked over towards the opened package. Gently, even fearful, she reached in and shuddered at the cold steel. Though her hands were in complete control as she began cocking the small gun, Maile's heart pounded wildly at the thought of having to use the weapon.