Chapter 14

At HQ that afternoon the team was waiting on Frank and Elaina to show up. Sab was telling them why Elaina had been acting as hard nose as she was.

"You mean she did all this to save our jobs?" Jake asked.

"Yeah, she was trying to save hers and Frank's too. She was about to be fired and McMurphy was going to replace her with Annie," Sab explained.

"Why her?" Alex wondered.

"She was up for the promotion too, but Elaina got it over her. I guess Elaina was the lesser of two evils," Sab joked.

"I heard that Agent Kells," Elaina said, walking up behind her.

"Oh boy! Hi Elaina," Sab turned and smiled.

"That's Agent Blakely, to you, actually all of you, remember that," Elaina said, sternly.

"I told them why you were acting bitchy with us," Sab informed her.

"Were? Try still am." Elaina stared at her.

"Why are you still being bitchy? You didn't get fired did you?" Cody asked.

"No but things have changed at the Bureau." Elaina sighed and sat down with them.

"How have they changed?" Alex asked.

"I'm afraid that my new boss may be just as bad as McMurphy was. He knows all about my involvement with this team and how my friendship could be clouding my judgment when it comes to you getting what you want or giving you the best cases to work on and so on."

"So you could still be in a lot of trouble, if we don't do our jobs as professionally as possible?" Monica asked.

"Got that right. If you guys make one mistake, I'll be going back for a refresher course or fired," Elaina told them.

"Can they do that to you? You're high up in seniority," Cody said.

"Didn't seem to matter with me," Frank stated.

"Hate to bust your bubble, Sweetie, but I have more seniority than you do." Elaina smiled.

"Yes. I know but not much and in some instances I have more than you," Frank stated.

"But we can't discuss that can we?" Elaina winked at him.

"So, who is this new boss of yours? Anyone you can beat up, if you have too?" Cody asked.

"I don't do that anymore," Elaina said. "Besides I was only kidding you about my new boss he's actually a very nice guy and you all know him."

"Oh God! It isn't Frank is it?" Sab asked.

"No it isn't me. Why would you have that kind of reaction, if it was?" Frank stared at Sab waiting for an answer.

"Its just that if you were her boss then that would mean we'd probably be getting a different boss. We'd have to break someone in to our way of thinking. Oh boy, I think I just put my foot in my mouth," Sab stopped talking and hid her face in her hands.

"I think you put both feet in and you might want Cody's help to pry them out," Elaina laughed. "Andrew is my new boss. I decided to call him by his full name out of respect and he ordered me to as a joke but I think he deserves the respect," Elaina said as Maria walked in.

"So who is your new assistant going to be or are you going to do it all yourself?" Monica asked.

"Hello, cousin. I swear you have perfect timing," Elaina said greeting Maria as she saw her come in the door. "This is my temporary assistant until I can find a suitable replacement for Andy," Elaina put her arm around Maria's shoulders.

"She's your assistant? You can't do that," Sab blurted out.

"Just why the hell can't I, Agent Kells?" Elaina asked, very angry.

"Your assistant takes over if Frank has to be gone, I'm still not sure, if I can work with her," Sab stated

"I won't be in direct contact with this team," Maria assured Sab. "I'll be helping with the day to day things at the Bureau. Not working with the teams in any way unless it's an emergency which I hope will never happen."

"So are there anymore objections that I won't be paying attention to?" Elaina asked, daring them to say anything.

"Congratulations, Maria." Jake said, giving her a hug.

"Thank you, Jake."

"Well, I think it's great you want to get back to work you're a good agent," Cody complimented her.

"I was once and I hope to be again," Maria said.

"We're not going to discuss the past. We're all going to be entering into new phases of our lives and careers. So let's just think about the present and future," Elaina said.

"I like that idea," Frank agreed. Elaina's cell phone rang, so she walked away to answer it.

"As of now you will get personal time off for emergencies only. Vacation days have to be on Elaina's desk at least 3 weeks prior to the date you want off. And don't ask me to get time off anymore it all goes through her now. No exceptions," Frank told them.

"What about our getting time off to get married? Is that going to happen or do we have to wait?" Sab asked worried.

"I can answer that but first there's good news about Travis. He's doing much better and they've moved him to his own room and we can visit this afternoon," Elaina told them.

"I know I went to see him this morning," Sab admitted.

"I told you to get rest and stay away from there." Elaina looked at her disappointedly.

"I did stay away until later. I'm feeling much better now, thanks for asking," Sab said, sarcastically.

"Glad to here it. So in answer to your earlier question.  Here's the paperwork you need to get the time off fill it out and give it to me," Elaina said, handing her the stack of papers.

"All of this just for two weeks off?" Cody asked looking at the stack.

"Let me see, this part is for you." She took part of the papers and handed them to Cody. "These are for your brides maids if they're agents," she said handing Sab a few of the papers. "These are for your best man and grooms men, if they're fellow agents." She handed more papers to Cody.

"I see what you are doing. You're trying to find out exactly who's in the wedding party and when it will be," Cody deducted.

"Well, I do have to have a date, if I'm to give you time off. You have settled on a date?" Elaina asked looking at them.

"Not exactly we really can't decide," Cody told her.

"I suggest you get busy on that date or you won't be able to get the time off.  Maria, let's go up and I'll tell you more about your duties as my assistant." Elaina and Maria walked upstairs.

"The rest of you get your paperwork done on the case, if you haven't already," Frank ordered.

*******

 "So why did you bring me up here? You've already told me my duties." Maria was curious.

"I wanted to show you my office," Elaina said sitting down.

"Nice, but why did you really ask me up here?" Maria insisted.

"Ok. I wanted to keep you away from Sab and Cody," Elaina confessed

"I could've left you know," Maria sighed.

"I couldn't have asked you about your love life, if you left."

"Ah ha! I knew it would come out eventually. None of your damn business, Lainie."

"I'm willing to tell you about mine," Elaina pouted.

"I don't need or want to know about your love life. Just seeing you and Frank together anyone knows how it is," Maria smiled and then giggled.

"True but come on, you and Jake have been keeping things quite. I can't stand not knowing how you're doing."

"I'm doing fine health wise, I'm getting stronger everyday. As for my love life, it really isn't your business. I love you but I'm not going to discuss it with you."

"Fine, if you two have problems, don't come crying to me," Elaina said, nonchalantly.

"Lainie, I'm happy, that's all you need to know for now."

"That tells me you'll talk to me sometime. I can live with that."

"You're so curious that it's eating you alive," Maria laughed.

"Yes it is but I'll get over it," Elaina laughed. "You can leave if you want."

"One question it's somewhat important," Maria said.

"Shoot," Elaina said.

"I'd like to know if I would ever have to work with Cody and Sab? I don't think it will ever work now or ever. She'll never trust me."

"I know she probably never will, but that's in her personal life. She'll have to deal with working with you professionally and some point."

"But I said it would never happen," Maria said.

"No you said you hoped it never happened. Sooner or later, if you stay an agent you'll have to work together. When the time comes we'll deal with it then just don't worry about her. Be pleasant to her even if she says something to upset you," Elaina told her.

"I'm just to lay down and take it. Be the better person," Maria said.

"I told her more or less the same thing. I plan on keeping a close watch on both of you when you're together," Elaina stressed.

"I promise to be good," Maria swore.

"I'll hold you to that." There was a knock on the door. Elaina looked up to see Sab. "Come on in."

"I was just leaving," Maria told her getting up.

"I'd rather you stayed. We need to talk about working together," Sab said.

"We just discussed that but if you have something to say go ahead," Elaina told her.

"Don't worry I plan to be cool about this," Sab informed her.

"Have a seat and start talking," Elaina said.

"Maria, I want you to know that as an agent, I respect your work and I'll do my best to work with you professionally. However there is no way in hell, I'll be able to be a friend to you at work or away."

"Thank you for the comment. I respect your work, too.  To be honest I think you're better than Cody at times."

"Don't let him hear you say that," Elaina smiled.

Maria continued. "I don't expect us to be friends. That bridge was incinerated long ago. I really wish it had never happened. I was such a bitch to you with what I did. I did want Cody. I'll admit that. I missed him and I really didn't know how much until I saw him again.  I told myself that he was in love with you now, but I just kept thinking maybe he was just using you to get over me. Next thing I knew I was pulling out all the stops to get him back. Killing any friendship we may have had."

"I have one question or two. Are you saying that you would've slept with Cody, if I hadn't come through that door? Or would he have stopped you?" Sab was a little angry.

"I know this will hurt you again but yes I would've slept with him. You have to ask Cody, if he would've stopped or not."

"I have asked him and he said he wasn't sure what would've happened," Sab said.

"You coming in stopped him from making that decision," Elaina said. "You'll never know for sure what Cody would've done. Only Cody knows the answer and he isn't saying."

"And his not answering the question is almost giving you the answer. He doesn't want to hurt you," Maria told her.

"She's doing it again, trying to drive a wedge between us." Sab became very defensive.

"Sabrina, no she isn't. Think about it. Cody never really answered that question when you asked him. He needs to answer it before you get married," Elaina insisted.

"Why are you doing this to me we've finally set a wedding date. Now both of you want me to have more doubts. Why?" Sab was angry and confused.

"If you don't get an answer you'll never trust him fully," Elaina told her. "I don't want to see you get hurt by it coming out after you're married. I want you to ask him one more time."

"I can't do it. I don't want to know the answer. I love Cody and I trust him." Sabrina walked out crying and Elaina followed.

"Sabrina wait. Please!" Elaina called to her.

"Leave me alone." Sab ran out of the room.

"What happened? Did Maria do or say something to her?" Cody was angry to see Sab crying.

"No Cody. I said something to her." Elaina looked at him. "Come with me! I want to talk to you alone." Elaina took him outside.

"What is this all about? What did you say to upset her?" Cody demanded.

"I told her she needed an answer to a question you've been dodging!" Elaina was angry and yelling at him.

"What question? What are you talking about?" Cody was confused.

"Would you have slept with Maria that day Sab walked in?" Elaina blurted out the question.

"I don't know," Cody said.

Cody, you do know. You're the only one that does know the answer. You need to tell that answer to Sabrina whether it hurts her or not, she needs to know."

"I can't answer the question. I don't know what I would've done," Cody replied.

"You're lying, Cody. I know the answer by the way you're acting, you would've slept with Maria, if you don't tell her I will."

"I wouldn't have done it! I love Sabrina. I would never have slept with Maria. It may have looked like I would have to Sab at the time but I couldn't do it to her. I was trying to stop myself and I know deep down I would've stopped," Cody admitted finally.

"Cody, is that true?" Sab came out the door. "I heard you and Elaina yelling. Actually Maria made sure I did, she opened the door then walked away, so I would." Sab walked up to Cody. "You would've stopped right?"

"Yes! You own my heart. I could never hurt you by sleeping with Maria. I would never have done it," Cody assured her. "I love you and only you."

"Cody, I love you, too." Sab embraced him and kissed him.

"I'm sorry. I never told you the truth before. I was just scared you wouldn't believe me. I was stupid for never telling you."

"Yes, you were." Sab giggled. "But I know now."

Elaina walked inside to give them privacy.  She walked up to Maria. "Thank you for getting her to listen."

"I was just lucky she came back near the door when she did," Maria stated.

"It's ok we would've had the security tapes to show her," Elaina said, coyly.

"You always have a backup plan?" Maria asked.

"I try to," Elaina smiled.

"What was happening in your office and then outside?" Frank asked coming over to them.

"Just some unfinished business," Elaina explained. "I'll tell you about it later," Elaina said as Cody and Sab came back in.

"Elaina, thank you for forcing the issue," Cody said, hugging her.

"I just want you two to be happy. I knew she had doubts yet but she'd never admit that to you," Elaina told him.

"If I didn't know better I'd say you planned this." Sab smirked.

"Not this time, it just happened," Elaina said.

"Thanks anyway." Sab turned to Maria. " Maria?"

"Yes, Sab."

"Thank you too, for being honest with me about that day."

"I owed you and I still do," Maria said, walking over by Jake.

"So when is the wedding? You said you had a date set?" Elaina asked.

"June 24th ."

"Perfect, that will give you plenty of time for the honeymoon and still make it to our 4th of July festivities," Frank told them.

"We're invited?" Sab was excited.

"Yep, everyone is invited," Elaina said.

"I love fireworks and I bet against the Montana skies they're spectacular," Cody said.

"They're beautiful," Elaina said.

"And the perfect way to end a honeymoon," Frank told them.

"Who said anything about ending the honeymoon?" Cody kissed Sab.

"Good point no since in stopping it. Right Mr. Donovan?"

"Right Mrs. Donovan." Frank kissed Elaina.

Thanks for the reviews. I really had you going about Elaina on this one. LOL. I can make her seem really mean at times but it never lasts long. I'm glad you all like the continuing saga. I'll have another one posted soon.