EXPLOSIONS
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CIA – LANGLEY- two weeks later
Webb and Zoya became the model agents. There was nothing they did that would raise any one's suspicions. In meetings they usually sat next to each other, but that was the norm for partners. They arrived and left separately and in the evenings they stayed away from each other, each going to their respective apartments, spending the nights alone. They were no closer to finding Abdullah or the mole and it was aggravating. Between spending the nights alone and their cases not progressing, they were beginning to feel the strain of the situation.
ZOYA'S OFFICE
"Zoya, I think we need to trace Abdullah from Afghanistan to Zanzibar." Webb said.
"He hasn't been in Afghanistan for at least a year." Zoya replied.
"Well we need to develop a pattern of travel," Webb said.
"What do you think I have on the board?" Zoya stated.
"I think you have a bunch of nothing," Webb said with sarcasm.
"Like you could do better?" Zoya snapped. "I don't recall you even getting close to him when he was in your territory."
"I was busy tracking Kabir," Webb said.
"Yeah and I see you got him," Zoya smirked.
"He's no longer a threat is he?" Webb asked.
"That's because the Navy took care of him," Zoya said.
"I had him tracked down and just because I did not bring him…" Webb began.
"Clay, just because I'm looking at you while you're talking doesn't mean I'm actually listening to what you're saying." Zoya interrupted.
"That was harsh," Webb snapped. "I forgot I am in the presence of the all knowing, all powerful Oz."
"First of all, shut up! Second, I am the lead agent here. Third, I know more than you about everything, and fourth SHUT UP!" Zoya snapped.
"You know more than me?" Webb yelled. "Oh I forgot, you know everything, Miss I went to Harvard!"
"I also went to Brown and excuse me but you went to Harvard too!" Zoya shot back. "You just can't handle that a woman might know more than you! You… you… you chauvinist!"
"I'm a chauvinist? I'M A CHAUVANIST?" Webb hollered.
"I'm glad you agree," Zoya replied.
"I am not a chauvinist." Webb stated. "If you recall I let you take the lead in Zanzibar."
"You let me take the lead? It was my op!" Zoya snapped. "I was the lead!"
"Yes and you almost got us killed." Webb replied.
"If you thought I was making a mistake, why didn't you say something?" Zoya demanded.
"I'm leaving before I strangle you!" Webb snapped and walked out of the office.
"Bonnie, where are the stat reports?" Zoya yelled out.
"They should be on your desk," Bonnie replied walking in.
"They aren't here," Zoya said. "I need those reports!"
"Let me see if I can find them," Bonnie said walking to her desk.
"Where the hell is Clay?" Zoya snapped.
"I think he went to the bathroom," Bonnie said.
"I bet he has the reports!" Zoya said searching for her shoes. "Where are my shoes?"
"Zoya, Clay will be back in a second." Bonnie said. "You can ask him about the…"
"Lend me your shoes!" Zoya interrupted.
Bonnie slid off her shoes. Zoya put them on and went in search of Webb.
MEN'S ROOM
"Where are my reports?" Zoya called out as she walked into the men's room.
"Zoya, what are you doing in here?" Webb asked leaning up against the sink. "I figured this was the one place I could get away from you."
"Where are my reports?" Zoya replied.
"I don't have them in here," Webb said sarcastically.
"Then where are they?" Zoya snapped.
"I don't know," Webb replied.
"Oh excuse me," O'Brien said walking in.
"Shut up O'Brien," Zoya said walking out past him.
"What just happened?" O'Brien asked.
"Shut up O'Brien," Webb said and walked out.
CONFERENCE ROOM
"Where are Nassar and Webb?" Wellington asked as he got ready to start the meeting.
"They were in the men's room," O'Brien said.
"Excuse me?" Wellington asked.
"They were arguing in the men's room, but then they left." O'Brien shrugged.
"Lucille, find Nassar and Webb," Wellington said over the intercom. "Tell them to get here now."
Webb and Zoya arrived at the meeting and quietly sat several seats away from each other. When the meeting was over, everyone got up to leave.
"Nassar, I want to speak with you," Wellington said.
"What's up Jeremy?" Zoya asked. "If this is about the argument that Webb and I had, it was nothing."
"No, it's not about that, although we will discuss that later." Wellington replied.
"If it's about the Abdullah case, we're working on it." Zoya said.
"Dr. Spaulding contacted me." Wellington said. "She said she's left you several messages and you have not returned her call. I want you to…"
"I've been busy," Zoya interrupted.
"Would you stop doing that?" Wellington sighed. "I want you to see her before you do anything else."
"Yes Sir," Zoya said rolling her eyes. "She probably wants to stick me with more needles."
"I don't know what she wants, just go see her." Wellington said.
"Was there anything else?" Zoya asked.
"Why were you and Webb fighting in the men's room?" Wellington asked.
"Because the ladies room was occupied," Zoya said.
"Could you please give me a straight answer?" Wellington sighed.
"We're having a difference of opinion right now." Zoya replied.
"So I heard, so everyone heard." Wellington replied.
Zoya left the conference room and went to see Dr. Spaulding. Ten minutes later she was back in her office.
ZOYA'S OFFICE
Zoya paced for a bit and then went to Webb's office. Seeing he wasn't there, she went to Bonnie.
"Bonnie, where's Clay?" Zoya asked.
"He went out," Bonnie replied.
"Did he say where he went?" Zoya questioned.
"No, he said to tell you he would be back later," Bonnie stated.
"Great, just great," Zoya mumbled.
"Zoya, is everything okay?" Bonnie asked.
"It's just wonderful," Zoya said sarcastically.
"If you need anything, let me know." Bonnie said and left her office.
"Thanks. Just let me know when Clay gets back." Zoya said.
Twenty minutes later Webb returned. Before entering Zoya's office, he pulled out his white hanky and waved it in her door.
"Can we call a truce?" Webb asked as he walked in.
"Come on in," Zoya laughed.
"Here's a peace offering," Webb stated putting a pint of ice cream on her desk.
"We've never fought before," Zoya said grabbing a spoon.
"I'm not sure why we did this time," Webb replied.
"Because I am right and you are wrong and you can't handle that," Zoya said taking a spoonful of ice cream.
"I think that is a bit of an exaggeration," Webb replied.
"I don't," Zoya smiled.
"I've been thinking about this," Webb stated. "Do we need to find the mole to find Abdullah or do we find Abdullah and that leads us to the mole?"
"You believe it's connected?" Zoya asked.
"Don't you?" Webb replied.
"It's a distinct possibility," Zoya said. "I would like to concentrate on finding the mole. Someone had to tip off Connors that we were going to Zanzibar."
"Who knew we were going?" Webb mused.
"Outside of this building, I told Davis." Zoya said.
"It's not Davis," Webb said confidently.
"How can you be sure?" Zoya asked.
"His brother was in the World Trade Center, he is the last one who would sympathize with terrorists." Webb stated.
"I didn't know that," Zoya replied.
"You weren't here when it happened." Webb said.
"Yes I was. I was on my way to a meeting at the Pentagon. I saw the plane fly into the building." Zoya said. "I left the country the next day."
"I didn't realize you were here," Webb said.
"Why would you? We barely knew each other back then." Zoya offered.
"Countess, I've always known who you were." Webb smiled.
"I think I will take that as a compliment," Zoya laughed and picked up her phone, "Nassar."
"Zoya, I want you and Webb in my office immediately." Wellington said.
"We'll be right there," Zoya replied and hung up. "Jeremy wants to see us."
"What does he want now?" Webb asked.
"I wish I knew," Zoya said.
WELLINGTON'S OFFICE
"What's going on?" Zoya asked.
"Sit down," Wellington said.
"This doesn't sound good." Webb said.
"You told me there was nothing to worry about," Wellington said and handed them a folder. "Would either one of you care to explain this?"
Webb opened the folder and there were pictures of them kissing in the parking lot. He and Zoya just looked at each other.
"It looks like a picture of two people kissing," Zoya shrugged.
"Don't even speak," Wellington said. "How could you be so stupid? You knew that there were suspicions regarding your relationship. Instead of being subtle or staying away from each other, you go out there in public."
"Jeremy, it hasn't affected our jobs." Webb stated.
"It hasn't? You were captured and almost killed." Wellington yelled.
"We were set up, we found a mole." Zoya stated. "We are going to find Abdullah and the other mole."
"No you aren't," Wellington advised. "Effective immediately, you're off the case."
"You aren't serious?" Webb asked.
"I am very serious," Wellington said and handed them each a file. "Here are your new assignments."
"You have me on desk duty?" Zoya protested. "This is ridiculous."
"I'm being transferred to Haiti?" Webb said. "Why not just send me back to Suriname?"
"Don't think that wasn't an option," Wellington snapped.
"How high up is this coming from?" Webb asked.
"It's coming from the top," Wellington replied. "There is nothing I can do this time. I knew it was a mistake putting you together. Just tell me one thing, were you involved before you were partnered together?"
"No," Zoya said. "It happened after the attempt on my life."
"You two are my best, I'm sorry this is happening, but you've left me no choice."
Webb and Zoya left the office. This was the first time Wellington couldn't protect them. Wellington didn't like the idea of breaking this team up, or sending Webb out of the country, but he had no choice. This was a waste of their talents. He just hoped this would be short lived.
WEBB'S APARTMENT
"I'm going to fix this," Zoya said.
"Don't do anything stupid," Webb replied.
"What time is your flight?" Zoya asked.
"Seven," Webb replied.
"I'll take you to the airport," Zoya offered.
"Don't worry about it," Webb said. "It's already eleven, by the time you go home and fall asleep, you'll have to be back here."
"Who said I was going home?" Zoya smiled and got into bed. "If the cat's already out of the bag, we might as well enjoy it."
"Good point," Webb replied.
They cuddled up together and enjoyed a closeness they had not shared in some time.
"Zoy, you've gained weight," Webb said.
"Excuse me?" Zoya asked.
"You've filled out a bit," Webb said giving her a squeeze.
"What do you mean?" Zoya asked.
"You've filled out," Webb repeated emphasizing with his hands.
"I've gained about ten pounds," Zoya said.
"I wasn't complaining." Webb smiled.
"That's good to know, besides I think it looks good." Zoya said.
"So do I. I like where you've gained it." Webb said and kissed her.
They fell asleep and when they woke a few hours later, they shared a tender good bye, before Zoya took him to the airport.
"Be safe," Zoya whispered before Webb got out of the car.
"You too," Webb said.
"You have to come back," Zoya said.
"I'm just going to do paper work," Webb said.
"Well paper cuts can be painful," Zoya smiled. "Just be careful."
"Zoy," Webb started.
"Promise me you'll be careful," Zoya interrupted.
"I promise. You don't have to worry." Webb said.
He leaned over and kissed her good bye. From the airport, Zoya drove to Bud and Harriet's. She knew it was an ungodly hour but she needed to talk to someone and Harriet was the first person that came to mind.
