HOME SWEET HOME?

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Two weeks had passed since Zoya moved back to her place.  There were no attacks on her life and things seemed calm.  Since she moved back home, they hadn't spent any nights together. Neither was clear on why they hadn't but that is the way things go.

There had been a few warm days and by all rights Zoya should have turned on the AC unit, but she didn't.  The killer had to come after her, that was the only way they were going to catch this person.  Turning on the AC unit would let the killer know they were on to him.

They had finally convinced Wellington that they needed to get back to work, death threats or not. After almost two months of not working, today was their first official day back.

ZOYA'S APARTMENT- 6AM

Zoya got up and threw Webb's robe on over her t-shirt. I wonder if he realized I took his spare. Again she didn't have a good night's sleep.  She found that the best sleep she had was when she was next to Webb. Something she would never admit to him.  She lazily she opened the door and entered the hallway.  As soon as she stepped into the hall, sirens started to blast.

"Shut up!" Zoya yelled at the touch pad and entered the code.  Massaging her head with both hands she walked to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee.  She didn't know what time Webb would arrive, but she hoped it was soon.  While the coffee brewed she went to the front door to retrieve the paper.  She was sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper when Webb arrived and let himself in.

"Good morning Countess," Webb said. "Nice robe."

"Hi," Zoya said with a little frown.

"Are you okay?" Webb asked and Zoya shook her head. "Did something happen?" Zoya just shook her head. "Did you sleep okay?" Again she shook her head. "Do you plan on saying anything?"  Zoya didn't say a word.  She just got up, walked over to Webb and leaned up against him.

"I didn't sleep well either," Webb said and gave her a hug.

"Why not?" Zoya asked.

"I don't know," Webb stated.

"I'm going to get dressed. Help yourself to some coffee. You know where everything is." Zoya said.

Webb opened the cabinet to grab a mug and laughed.  He got a kick out of the fact that Zoya was just a particular as he. Every mug was perfectly lined up, and she says I am anal?

CIA HQ LANGLEY -7AM

Webb and Zoya arrived at Langley. The first order of business was a meeting with Wellington and other agents on their level.  They felt a little strange being back, even though they had been working on security clearances from their homes.

"Well look who's finally returned," O'Brien said.

"Shut up O'Brien," Zoya said.

"Cranky," O'Brien laughed.

"Don't make me hurt you." Zoya threatened with a smile and took a seat. Webb just looked at Connors and shrugged.

"Good morning people," Wellington said. "Nassar and Webb, good to have you back."

"Thank you Sir," They replied.

"Now, down to business," Wellington said. "Connors you will continue the investigation of the attack of Nassar. Peterson, you will be heading to London with your team. The President will be going to a conference there.  I want to ensure that security is perfect."

"Sir, at this point we've hit a dead end with the investigation," Connors stated.

"Then I suggest you make a u-turn.  There will be no agents killed on my watch." Wellington said.

"Jeremy, what about us?" Zoya asked. "I want to get back to Morocco. Between Webb and me, we can make Oshan Mubellah fold like a napkin."

"Sorry, that's not going to happen." Wellington replied. "You are state bound until this situation is resolved."

"Well at least let me send Webb," Zoya said. "This was my op before I got called back here."

"I've reassigned the investigation to Tarantino's team." Wellington said. "They left 2 weeks ago."

"Jeremy, he is an idiot. He doesn't know anything about the mid East." Zoya complained.

"Where are you assigning us?" Webb quickly interrupted.

"Nassar you're going to be working on that journal." Wellington said. "We need to find out who wrote it."

"So it's transcribing or possibly being murdered," Zoya muttered.

"It's either transcribing or desk duty." Wellington said.

"What's the difference?" Zoya asked.

"The rest of you are dismissed. Nassar and Webb stay." Wellington said.

The group left the meeting leaving Zoya and Webb sitting with Wellington.  For reasons he could not understand Wellington had a soft spot for both Webb and Zoya.  Countless times he had been called into the DCI's office to defend their actions.  Wellington had spent half his time defending them and the other half making sure their cases and paths didn't cross.  Zoya spent most of her time in Africa tracking down terrorists, while Webb did the same in the Middle East.  They were his rogues, as he affectionately referred to them in his head, but they always got the job done.  He was surprised when Zoya had requested a partner. He was even more surprised that she wanted Webb, they barely knew each other, but he did everything in his power to make it happen. He was also frightened. Neither had ever worked with a partner before and they were very different in how they went about things.  Wellington figured they would either kill each other or end up the best team the CIA ever had.

"What about me?" Webb asked before Wellington could respond to Zoya.

"You are being assigned to follow up any leads Connors comes up with," Wellington said.

"Excuse me, why him?" Zoya protested.

"You know procedure," Wellington advised. "You can't be objective."

"And he can? He's seen my underwear," Zoya said.

"Excuse me?" Wellington asked.

"It's not what you think," Webb said quickly. "We're talking laundry here."

"That's all it better be," Wellington warned. "I don't want to have to…"

"Oh please," Zoya interrupted. "Look at him and look at me. I can do so much better."

"Nassar, I'm glad to see that an attempt on your life has stopped you from interrupting." Wellington replied.

"You have no idea," Webb said shaking his head.

"As I was saying, for now you cannot work together." Wellington said. "This is how it has to be.  The DCI was not thrilled with the idea of you two working together, or bringing Webb back. However, I think it's a good match."

"Then let us work together and take care of this," Zoya said.

"For now, just do what I ask and stay out of trouble." Wellington said.

"Well there's one way to resolve this," Zoya smirked.

"What would that be?" Webb asked.

"Pull a bullet in my head," Zoya said. "It will be less painful then transcribing the journals."

"Nassar, just this once don't give me a hard time." Wellington stated.

"Let's go," Webb said standing up and the left.

Wellington sat and massaged his temples.  He hoped that they could get to the bottom of this soon.  Assigning them to desk duty was not the best use of their talents.

6PM

Webb drove Zoya home.  The entire ride he had to listen to her gripe about her current assignment.  He nodded and then told her how the investigation was going.  He didn't include such tidbits as there were no leads and that Connors couldn't find his way out of a paper bag.

On the way, Zoya invited Webb for dinner and then asked if he would mind making a few stops first, one included picking up food.

ZOYA'S APARTMENT

After dinner, Webb sat with Zoya while she looked at paint samples.  Since she was going to have to repaint three walls, she figured she might as well make some changes.  At 10, Zoya kicked Webb out.  She reminded him that there would be security outside at 11 and she would be fine.  Webb left, reminding her to lock up after him.

ZOYA'S APARTMENT – 2AM

Zoya had finally fallen asleep when she heard a loud siren.

"What the hell?" Zoya said sitting up and grabbing her Glock from its holster.  Zoya considered deactivating the alarm but opted not to as it would alert the intruder. She arranged the pillows on the bed throwing the blanket over them and hid in her closet.  Then suddenly the phone rang.

This is Security we have an alarm at this location.  If we do not hear from you in the next 5 minutes security will be dispatched.  We will be calling your emergency contact, please call us back at 800-555-1656.

Zoya spied as the door opened. Standing in the doorway was Eliza who fired at the lump in the bed.

"DON'T MOVE!" Zoya yelled as she lunged at Eliza.

"Dammit," Eliza cursed. "How many bullets is it going to take?"

They scuffled but Eliza got the upper hand and was standing above Zoya ready to shoot her when a shot rang out hitting her in the shoulder and pitching her forward. Webb immediately went to Zoya.

Before anything could be said, Connors and his team charged into the room.  Eliza was moving and Connors immediately fired off a shot.  Eliza was dead.  They would never know why she was trying to kill Zoya.

"Why did you kill her?" Zoya asked. "She was no longer a threat."

"She looked like she was going to shoot you," Connor said.

"She was already disarmed." Webb stated.

"One can never be too sure," Connors said.

Eliza was removed and they all went to Langley.  On Webb's orders, Magda was picked up and brought in for questioning.

CIA HQ LANGLEY

In an interrogation room, Magda sat very calmly while she was questioned by Connors.   Webb and Zoya watched through a one way mirror.

"He's getting no where," Zoya snapped. "I'm going in."

"Let him handle it," Webb said.

"No, I want to know what the hell is going on," Zoya said and walked into the room.

"Miss Zoya, what is happening? Why am I here?" Magda asked.

"Cut the innocent routine," Zoya snapped. "Who are you?"

"Magda Ferris," Magda replied.

"How did you know not to come to my apartment for the last few weeks?" Zoya asked.

"My daughter, she told me you called and said not to come." Magda replied. "Where is she?"

There was a knock at the door and another agent walked in and handed papers to Connors which Zoya took from him.

"Nassar, you need to step out," Connors advised.

"According to the finger prints, your daughter is actually Ezrana Habib." Zoya said throwing the papers on the table.

"She was with bad people.  She said we were moving here so we could make a new start." Magda said.

"Was your working for me part of the set up?" Zoya asked.

"She told me about the job," Magda cried. "I don't know anything. Where is she?"

The questioning continued.  They advised Magda that her daughter had been killed.  When they were finished, it was obvious that Magda had no idea what her daughter was doing and she was just a pawn.  After an investigation, Connors actions would be considered a clean shoot.

ZOYA'S APARTMENT

It was six a.m. when Webb drove a very tired Zoya back home.  He walked her to the door and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"I guess you're safe now," Webb said.

"That I am," Zoya asked and took a deep breath. "Clay, I don't to be alone tonight. Would you stay?"

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Webb asked.

"I want, I would like, ah hell." Zoya sighed. "I want you next to me. I haven't had a good nights sleep in two weeks."

"Why is that?" Webb asked. He was going to milk this.

"I feel safe," Zoya admitted as she crossed her arms in a defensive manner. "I've never leaned on anyone before. I've never let anyone take control. You give me a security I've never felt. Will you stay?"

"Anything for you Countess," Webb smiled and held her. "Besides I've missed you stealing the covers."

"I did not steal the covers. But, I did miss that deep breathing you do." Zoya smiled

They went to the bedroom and settled in.  They discussed everything that had happened.

"You realize you set me up with her," Webb teased.

"I didn't know." Zoya protested. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."

"Why did you set me up with her anyway?" Webb asked.

"As a joke," Zoya admitted. "Although I don't know how I would have reacted if you guys hit it off."

"Thank God we didn't." Webb laughed. "Honestly, I didn't even see her that night."

"What? She's gorgeous," Zoya said.

"When I got there and saw you in that dress, suddenly there was no one else in the bar." Webb admitted.

"I dressed for you," Zoya said. "Did I just say out loud?"

"Yes you did," Webb laughed.

"I can't believe I set you up with a murderer," Zoya groaned.

They settled into a comfortable silence and were about to fall to sleep when Webb spoke.

"Zoya there is something I need to ask you." Webb said as he played with her hair.

"What's that?" Zoya said.

"It's actually a little late in the game to be asking but I was wondering," Webb said and stopped.

"Out with it," Zoya said.

"It's just that, well," Webb started. "This is embarrassing."

"Clay, what is it?" Zoya asked sitting up.

"Ok," Webb said taking a deep breath. "You stayed at my place for well over a month and you never, well you know."

"I never what?" Zoya smiled, it was her turn to milk it.

"You know what I mean," Webb said.

"No, what are you talking about?" Zoya smirked.

"You never, you know," Webb sighed. "Then it hit me that we never used any kind of birth control."

"You're right, it is a little late in the game to be asking about that," Zoya laughed.

"Zoy, come on." Webb groaned.

"Clay, relax. I get a Depo shot for birth control.  It stops my period." Zoya said. "It's very inconvenient when you're on assignment and have to run to the bathroom."

"I should have known you had everything under control." Webb said.  Zoya didn't reply she just cuddled closer to him.

"Clay," Zoya said softly.

"Hmmm," Webb replied.

"Thank you," Zoya said. "You saved my life tonight."

"I had no choice. AJ threatened to kill me if anything happened to you." Webb teased.

"You're a jerk," Zoya laughed. "How did you get here so fast?"

"I never went home." Webb said. "I've spent the last two weeks in the security van."

"You did?" Zoya asked. "No wonder you look like hell."

"Hey," Webb said pulling her close, "I'd never let anything happen to you."

Zoya settled into Webb's arms and sighed.  She then turned to kiss him and with a grin whispered, "My bed my rules."

They took that day off.  However, the next day was business as usual.