COME SAIL AWAY WITH ME

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Mac dropped Webb and Zoya off at CIA Headquarters where Wellington was waiting for them.  Wellington nodded at AJ, who nodded back.  Webb and Zoya were ushered into the building and went directly to the conference room.  Catherine Gale was seated in the room waiting for them.

CONFERENCE ROOM

"I have some questions regarding your flash report." Catherine said.

"You have got to be kidding me." Zoya replied. "It's one am, don't you have a life?"

"In your report you stated that David Connors admitted he was Mahmoud." Catherine said.

"Yes, he did." Zoya said.

"Can anyone else confirm this?" Catherine asked.

"He didn't exactly yell it out." Zoya said.

"So at this point, you are the only two who have knowledge of this fact." Catherine stated.

"It will be confirmed once the DNA analysis is complete." Webb said.

"Why are you here?" Zoya asked.

"Because as usual, you were involved in something and there was a problem." Catherine said.

"Which 'you', are you speaking of?" Zoya asked sarcastically.

"Both of you," Catherine replied.

"Jeremy, why is this woman here? She's a hemorrhoid, always a pain in the…" Zoya said.

"Don't finish," Wellington warned.

"Catherine, I am confused." Webb said.

"Maybe I can clear things up for you," The DCI said walking in. "Before we begin, I would like to say that I am glad you are both safe."

"Thank you sir," Webb and Zoya replied in unison.

"There is some concern as to why you were captured." The DCI said.

"It's simple," Webb replied. "Connors saw us."

"How is that possible?" Catherine asked.  "He wasn't even supposed to be in Zanzibar."

"He was a terrorist," Webb said. "He is on the top-ten list of terrorists. He was working in the CIA. How did that happen?"

"That is what we want to find out," The DCI said.

"I say we start with the person who approved his security clearance." Zoya smiled. "Oh Catherine, that was you wasn't it?"

"Can we stay on point here?" Catherine asked. "We are here to find out why you deviated from your assignment."

"The point is we had a terrorist working for the CIA! The reason we deviated was because someone was holding a gun on us." Zoya stated. "But you wouldn't know about things like that from your cozy office."

"Zoya…" Wellington warned again.

"No do not even try it this time. This needs to be said.  You sit in your office, reviewing reports and going over contracts.  Every assignment I have ever had, you find cause.  What is your problem?" Zoya snapped.

"While were on the topic, we also need to discuss why she is even here." Webb added. "Lawyers usually aren't part of debriefing."

"She is here at my request." The DCI replied. "I want her to familiarize herself with the situation."

"May I ask why?" Wellington questioned.

"It's my decision," The DCI replied. "Do you need another reason?"

"Apparently not," Wellington sighed.

The discussion continued for another five hours.  It was approaching 7 am when the meeting finally ended.  The results were simple.  Webb and Zoya were in the clear.  The next step would be to find Abdullah and who the other mole in the agency was.  They were also ordered to take a week off, after they reported for physicals.  They didn't want to take time off, but they had no choice.

Webb and Zoya walked out of the office.  Catherine left the office shortly after them.

"What do you think?" Wellington asked the DCI.

"I finally understand what it is about them." The DCI said. "They were searching for Davis weren't they?"

"I think so," Wellington said. "You'll never get them to admit it. What do you plan on doing?" Wellington asked.

"Nothing, put them back on finding Abdullah when they get back.  If I know them, it will be in a few days." The DCI said.

"What about their deviating from their assignment?" Wellington asked.

"According to their reports, they were following a lead on Abdullah.  There is nothing to indicate that they were looking for Davis." The DCI replied and left.

Wellington breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the DCI walked out.  He feared the worst, when the DCI said he wanted to be part of the meeting. 

CIA MEDICAL FACILITY

It was standard procedure for agents to have a medical evaluation when the returned from a mission, especially one that involved being held captive.  There would also be a psychological exam within the next day or two.  She hated going to the company shrink.  The doctor would ask her how she was feeling.  She would reply that she was fine.  They would ask if anything was bothering her and she would say no.  They would tell her she needed to discuss what happened and Zoya would say something, usually sarcastic, that would have them writing furiously on a pad.

"Ms. Nassar, Mr. Webb thank you for being prompt." Dr. Spaulding said.

"Where is Dr. Clemens?" Zoya asked.

"He retired months ago." Dr. Spaulding replied. "I'm Dr. Ashlyn Spaulding."

"Excuse me, do I know you?" Webb asked.

"I don't believe o," Dr. Spaulding replied.

"You look very familiar," Webb stated. "Have you ever dated a marine?"

"No I haven't." Dr. Spaulding replied.

"You just look so familiar," Webb said. "Are you sure we've never met?"

"Clay, get over it, she doesn't know you." Zoya laughed.

"So who wants to go first?" Dr. Spaulding asked.

"I guess I will," Zoya shrugged and followed the Doctor into the exam room.

EXAM ROOM

"So how are you?" Dr. Spaulding asked.

"Let's see, I was held hostage for several days.  My internal clock is all screwed up, I don't know if it's day or night and I really don't feel like being here right now." Zoya said. "Otherwise I'm fine."

"Dr. Clemens warned me about you," Dr. Spaulding laughed.

"I am tired," Zoya shrugged.

"Do you recall if you were injected with anything?"

"No I wasn't," Zoya said.

"I'm going to do a complete tox screen, it's procedure." Dr. Spaulding replied.

"Draw away," Zoya said sticking out her arm.

"Zoya were you sexually abused?" Dr. Spaulding asked.

"No, they never touched me." Zoya replied.

Twenty minutes later, Zoya left the exam room and Dr. Spaulding called in Webb.  She asked the same questions and took blood from him as well.  When he was done, he met Zoya in the parking lot.

CIA PARKING AREA

"So what are we going to do?" Zoya asked.

"I have to go see my mother, care to join me?" Webb asked.

"Sure, it's been about a month or so since we had brunch." Zoya shrugged.

"Why don't we drop your car off at your place and drive together?" Webb suggested.

"Sounds good to me," Zoya smiled and off they went.

PORTER'S RESIDENCE – GREAT FALLS, VA

Webb and Zoya arrived at Porter's home.  They entered and all was very quiet.  Webb left Zoya in the entryway and went to look in the great room and the study.  Porter was no where to be found and Webb rejoined Zoya.

"Mother, where are you?" Webb called out.

"Clayton must you bellow like that?" Porter said walking into the entryway.

"I didn't know where you were." Webb said.

"I was on the terrace," Porter said.

"It's a pleasure to see you again Mrs. Webb," Zoya said.

"How are you dear?" Porter said. "Please come in and sit."

They went to the terrace and chatted.  Porter was always pleasantly surprised that the lunatic who had answered Webb's phone and bid $5000 was actually a bright and intelligent woman.  Someone she had always hoped her son would show an interest in.  They had a light breakfast and then Webb and Zoya walked the grounds. Porter sat on the terrace and watched them.  She smiled when she saw the closeness.  The fact that they held hands did not escape her.  Webb and Zoya rejoined Porter on the terrace where she poured some coffee. 

"I won't ask where you have been, but is everything okay?" Porter asked.

"We're fine," Webb replied.

"When did you get back?" Porter asked.

"Last night," Zoya replied. "We haven't slept."

"No wonder you both look exhausted." Porter said. "I do hope they are giving you some time off."

"Yes ma'am they are," Zoya smiled.

"What do you plan on doing with this time off?" Porter asked.

"I hadn't really thought about it," Webb said.

"I have an idea," Porter smiled. "Did you ever have your auction date?"

"Actually we did," Zoya laughed. "Clay helped me paint my apartment."

"I see," Porter grinned. "That really isn't a date."

"That's what I said," Webb replied.

"Then I think you should have a date," Porter smiled.

"That really isn't necessary," Zoya said quickly.

"Nonsense, you have the time off and I have a wonderful idea." Porter said.

"What is it mother?" Webb sighed.

"Why not go out on the Portville?" Porter suggested.

"What's the Portville?" Zoya asked.           

"Her yacht," Webb replied. "Where is she?"

"At Belle Harbor," Porter said.

"Mother, it's fall," Webb said.

"Clayton, it's heated.  Why don't you and Zoya take her for the week?" Porter suggested.

"Mother, she may have other plans," Webb replied casually.

"Do you Zoya?" Porter asked.

Zoya looked at Webb and tried to gauge how he wanted her to answer.  Webb subtly smiled and shrugged.

"Other than sleeping, no ma'am I don't have any other plans." Zoya said.

"Then it's settled," Porter said.  "You can go home and pack, I'll make all the necessary arrangements."

Zoya excused herself to use the facility which gave Porter a chance to speak with her son.

"She's rather exquisite," Porter said.

"That she is," Webb replied.

"How long have you been in love with her?" Porter asked.

"Mother, she's my partner." Webb stated.

"I know that, and you didn't answer my question." Porter smiled.

"Mother, we are partners." Webb repeated emphatically.

"Fine," Porter said, "If you say so."

"This really is very kind of you," Zoya said returning.

"It's my pleasure, you both look like you can use a rest," Porter smiled. "You'd better get going."

"Thank you for having me," Zoya said, giving Porter a hug.

"You're always welcome here. I look forward to it." Porter said.

BELLE HARBORALEXANDRIA VA

After packing some clothes, Webb and Zoya went to the slip for a few days of cruising on the Portville.  They walked towards the Portville and Zoya was in shock.  As a child, she had been on yachts before, but even the Christina O was nothing compared to the Portville.  It was a bit smaller but had an elegance that was unmatched. The yacht was a 300 foot custom Christensen Silver Lining.  As they boarded and were greeted by the crew, Zoya took a few moments to survey her surroundings.

On the main deck there was a pool and hot tub.  There was outside seating for 50 on the main deck as well as seating for 50 in the enclosed main salon.  Where there wasn't glass, there was beautiful oak paneling.  Webb took her hand and gave her the grand tour, which included visits to the library, music room, and a full spa. The entire yacht had the same paneling through out.  The pilothouse was equally as beautiful and the captain greeted them with a warm smile.  They went to the dining room, which seated 75 and the galley.  From there he led her down a circular staircase that let into the master stateroom.  This stateroom was on the second level and had a huge window that gave an amazing view.  All in all the yacht had 25 staterooms, including the master, each with a private bath.

"Do you want to take a swim or get some sun?" Webb asked.

"I'd like to go to the pilothouse and watch while the captain departs," Zoya said. "It's been a long time since I've been on one of these."

"Let's go," Webb said.

They went to the pilothouse and watched as the captain skillfully pulled out of the slip.

"Cook is here if you'd like something," The captain said.

"Is the entire crew on board?" Webb asked.

"Yes Sir," The captain replied. "The steward wanted to know which staterooms you would like to use."

"Everything can be put in the master stateroom," Webb said and they went out to the deck.

They sat on the deck and enjoyed the rocking motion that was created by the movement of the yacht. Webb got Zoya a blanket and she sat wrapped up looking at the water. A steward came out and offered them beverages.  He returned with champagne and left them to serve themselves.

"Are you okay?" Webb asked the slightly green Zoya.

"Fine, I guess the champagne and motion of the ocean are getting to me." Zoya said.

"Let me get you some crackers," Webb said.

"That's not necessary. I'll be fine. I usually don't get sea sick." Zoya said getting up. "I think I am going to go lie down. I need sleep."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Webb asked.

"No," Zoya said taking a few steps and wobbled. "Clay, I think you better."

They went to the stateroom and curled up together on the bed.  When they woke it was night. 

"Are you feeling better?" Webb asked.

"Perfect," Zoya said. "I'm hungry."

"I think we can scrounge something up," Webb said. "Considering the time, I don't want to bother the cook."

"Clay how much of the crew is up?" Zoya asked.

"Just one or two, handling navigation," Webb replied.

"Let's go take that dip now," Zoya smiled.

By the look in Zoya's eyes, Webb knew exactly what she had in mind.  He grabbed two robes and followed her out to the deck.  He dropped the robes by the hot tub and went to the pilothouse.  He instructed the crewmen to drop the curtains that faced the deck and advised them that they wanted privacy.  The crewmen nodded with a smirk that did not escape Webb.  The glare they received back did not escape them.  Before he returned to Zoya he stopped by the galley and grabbed sandwiches that the cook had prepared before retiring. When he got to the hot tub, Zoya was already sitting in the tub and relaxing.

"I brought some water and sandwiches," Webb said.

"Sounds good, I think I am going to lay off the champagne for a while." Zoya said. "Do you plan on joining me?"

"Can you give me a minute?" Webb asked.  As Webb began to undress, Zoya started humming a striptease song.

"Stop it," Webb said.

"Dun dun dun," Zoya laughed.

Webb slipped into the hot tub next to Zoya and she immediately moved into his lap.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and began to kiss him.  They kissed, caressed and again entertained themselves.  When they were spent, they sat back and relaxed.  This was going to be a good few days.