DROP THE BONE

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LANGLEY- ZOYA'S OFFICE

Just as the DCI predicted, Webb and Zoya returned to work after 4 days. They were rested and relaxed but very anxious to get back to work.  Neither did the time off thing very well.  They went to their respective offices and began reviewing files and reports that had been piling up.  Zoya picked up the DNA report of Connors and it was confirmed that he was Mahmoud.  They may have deviated from their plan to find Abdullah, but they did rid the company of a mole.  Now they had to find the other mole.

Zoya reviewed her messages and noticed a few from Dr. Spaulding.  She ignored them and went back to work. 

WEBB'S OFFICE

"Clay, Mr. Wellington would like to see you." Bonnie, their secretary, said.

"Let him know I'm on my way," Webb replied. "Let Zoya know."

"Will do," Bonnie said. However, she was told by Wellington not to advise Zoya.

WELLINGTON'S OFFICE

"You wanted to see me?" Webb asked walking in.

"Clay, close the door and have a seat," Wellington said.

"What's wrong?" Webb asked as he sat.

"This arrived on my desk this morning," Wellington said handing Webb a file.

"Who is it from?" Webb asked before looking at the contents.

"I don't know," Wellington said. "How could you be so careless?"

Webb opened the file.  It wasn't a report but a time line complete with pictures.  There were dates and times with corresponding pictures outlining several tender moments starting from their double date and continuing right up to them boarding the Portville.  At least the shots were not overtly intimate.

"Jeremy, what I see here are two friends," Webb said.

"How stupid do you think I am?" Wellington asked.

"I don't think you're stupid at all," Webb said. "I just don't see what the concern is."

"You know it's against policy," Wellington said. "How could you both let this happen?"

"Jeremy, this one was taken the night she was almost killed." Webb explained. "She was shaking and I gave her a hug."

"What about the one of you together in the bar?" Wellington asked.

"We went on a double date," Webb replied. "She had a date and so did I."

"What about this statement about a food fight?" Wellington asked.

"Jeremy, you try living with Nassar, it was either throw food at her or throw a grenade." Webb said.

"I am not amused." Wellington said. "This doesn't look good.  You went yachting recently, I see."

"You ordered us to take time off," Webb defended.

"I didn't expect you to take the time off together," Wellington replied. "What's going on?"

"Do you want a blow by blow of our relationship?" Webb asked sarcastically.

"Interesting word to use," Wellington said.

"We're partners, it is a relationship." Webb snapped. "What did Nassar have to say about all this?"

"I haven't spoken to her yet," Wellington replied.

"Well when you do she will tell you the same thing," Webb said.

"Webb, this doesn't look good.  I will not be able to explain this away to the DCI." Wellington said.

"There is nothing to explain away." Webb said. "We became good friends as a result of working together.  There is nothing more to it."

"I hope not," Wellington said.

"There is nothing to worry about." Webb said.

"Clay, as your friend, I hope you know what you're doing." Wellington said. "You are my best agents.  I don't want to lose you over something so stupid."

"It will be fine," Webb said and left the office.  He went directly to Zoya to fill her in.

Webb arrived at Zoya's office to see her pacing shoeless.  She had papers in her hand and was mumbling back and forth mumbling something.  Webb stood in the door and watched her for a few moments before he spoke.

"Care to put on your shoes and get a cup of coffee?" Webb asked.

"Hi, where have you been?" Zoya asked slipping on her shoes.

"I just had a meeting with Wellington, didn't Bonnie tell you?" Webb replied. "He had some…"

"No she didn't. You had a meeting without me?" Zoya interrupted.

"Would you let me finish?" Webb asked rolling his eyes.

"Go ahead," Zoya said. "But first you mentioned something about coffee?"

"Come on," Webb said and they went to the cafeteria.

"So what did Jeremy want?" Zoya asked.

"Someone has been spying on us," Webb stated.

"Someone spying on the spies, isn't that rich." Zoya laughed.

"It's not funny," Webb said. "They have pictures of us together."

"Together how?" Zoya asked choking on her coffee.

"Nothing too bad," Webb said. "But bad enough.  I was able to explain hugs and embraces away."

"Who the hell would be spying on us?" Zoya asked. "How much trouble are we in?"

"Right now we aren't in any trouble." Webb said. "I told Jeremy it was nothing."

"How did we get caught?" Zoya whispered.

"We haven't been caught yet," Webb said.

"I guess this means we should lay low for a bit," Zoya replied.

"That would probably be a good idea." Webb agreed and they returned to their offices.  They spent the rest of the day reviewing reports and making a concerted effort to stay away from each other.  When they did have to speak, they made sure someone was near by and if that wasn't possible they left the office door open.  The end of the day finally came and they went to their respective homes.

ZOYA'S APARTMENT

It had been a long day and Zoya was tired and hungry when she arrived home.   She went right to the kitchen after kicking her shoes off and found that there was nothing to eat.  She went to her bedroom, quickly changed her clothes and left for the grocery store.  Shopping was something she had not done in a long time and she wasn't even sure where the best stores were.  She remembered there was one near Webb's apartment and figured she would pick up some things and then maybe stop by his place, even though they had agreed to lay low. 

GIANT SUPERMARKET

Zoya grabbed a cart and pushed it through the store.  She was entering the produce section when she spied Webb at the other end of the aisle also pushing a cart. I can't believe he shops. Zoya laughed. She quickly turned around and found the pet food aisle. She searched for and found huge dog bones.  Leaving her cart in the aisle, she went back in search of Webb.  He was inspecting tomatoes and didn't even notice her.  Carefully she dropped one of the dog bones into his cart and snuck away. 

Webb turned to put the tomatoes in his cart and noticed the dog bone. Where did this come from? Webb wondered and he removed the bone, leaving it in the produce section.  He then went onto the frozen food section.  He stood looking at the various entrees available and reached in to pick a few.  Zoya snuck up behind him and dropped another dog bone in his cart.  Dropping the entrees into his cart, Webb saw the dog bone.  I know I took this out. Webb thought and again took the bone out of his cart, casually leaving it on the floor.

Remembering that Zoya could eat her weight in ice cream, he decided to get a few pints for when she might be at his place. Webb moved down to the dessert section and looked for Ben & Jerry's Phish Food ice cream.  She preferred Bovinity Divinity, but the flavor had been retired.  Something she complained about every time she ate ice cream.  As he reached for the ice cream, Zoya dropped yet another dog bone in his cart and scampered away.  Webb saw the bone and was completely confused. This is too weird.  He removed the bone from his cart and threw it in the freezer.

From the frozen section he made his way to the check out, as he stood on line, he remembered he needed detergent.  He looked at the woman who had just got on the line behind him. 

"Do you mind if I just go get one item I forgot? Webb asked.

"It's fine, the longer I am here the less time I have to spend at home alone." The woman smiled.

"Thanks," Webb said, totally missing the ball that had just been pitched at him.  He quickly went to the laundry aisle and grabbed the soap.

Meanwhile, Zoya approached the check out line with a dog bone in hand and threw it in his cart.

"Please don't say anything to him," Zoya said to the woman. "He is a test case for my PHD in psych. We are seeing how people react to the unexpected."

"I see nothing," The woman smiled, "Except his eyes."

"They are nice and if you can, take a sniff.  He smells great." Zoya winked. "I better go before he gets back. Remember not a word." Zoya quickly left the store, not getting anything she needed for her place.

"Thanks," Webb said when he returned.

"My pleasure," The woman smiled. "What is that cologne you're wearing, it smells wonderful."

"DC pollution," Webb said with sarcasm.

"Oh, well it works for you," The woman said.

"My turn to pay," Webb said moving up.  He removed the items from his cart and sure enough there was the dog bone.  Confused and irritated he threw the dog bone onto the belt and paid for it. "Have a nice night."

"Maybe we'll see each other again. I shop every Thursday night at 9."  The woman called after him.

"Maybe," Webb said taking his bags and leaving the store.

As he approached his car he saw someone sitting on the hood.  As he got closer he saw it was Zoya.

"Get off my car," Webb said. "You'll scratch the paint."

"I'll wax it," Zoya smiled as Webb put the bags in his car.

"Are you going to move?" Webb asked walking back to Zoya.

"Make me," Zoya smiled as she tugged on his lapels, pulled him closer and kissed him.

"This isn't smart," Webb said but kissed her again.

"So did you buy anything good?" Zoya asked.

"You'll have to come over and see." Webb smiled.

"I'll meet you there," Zoya said.

WEBB'S APARTMENT

Once inside, Zoya sat on the counter eating her ice cream while Webb put away his groceries. 

"There are chairs," Webb said.

"This is more comfortable," Zoya smiled.

"What ever," Webb replied.

"What's that?" Zoya asked as Webb placed the dog bone on the counter.

"It was the strangest thing," Webb said. "It just kept appearing in my cart."

"That is strange," Zoya said looking into the container of ice cream.

"I figured it was easier to just buy it than trying to get rid of it again." Webb said.

"Sounds like a plan." Zoya said biting her lip.

"Zoy, how did you know I was at the store?" Webb asked.

"Coincidence, I needed to pick up some stuff. I like that store." Zoya said.

"Where are your bags?" Webb asked. "Do you have anything that needs to be put in the freezer?"

"Umm, they didn't have what I needed." Zoya said innocently.

"You drove ten miles out of your way and didn't get a thing?" Webb said moving towards her waving the dog bone. "What do you know about this bone?"

"It looks like a chew toy," Zoya said with a straight face.

"Would you like to explain how this bone got into my cart?" Webb asked as he stood close to her.

"Come one step closer and I'm gonna leave you to the fishes," Zoya laughed waving the container at him.

"Countess," Webb playfully scolded as Zoya flung some ice cream at him.

"That looks good," Zoya smiled as licked the ice cream off his face and wrapped her legs around his waist.

Webb kissed Zoya and carried her back to the bedroom.                                                                   

"Put me down," Zoya ordered.

"Why?" Webb asked and put her down.

"I want to get the bone," Zoya laughed.

"Get in here," Webb smiled and closed the door. 

They spent the night together, so much for laying low.