WHEELING AND DEALING
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CIA HEADQUARTERS – A WEEK LATER
"Thank you for meeting with me." Zoya said.
"You requested this meeting, what can I do for you?" The DCI asked.
"I want to know what it will take to get my partner back." Zoya stated.
"You don't have a partner," The DCI replied.
"Fine, what will it take to bring Webb back?" Zoya said.
"Zoya, sit down." The DCI said. "Let me explain something to you. I like you, I like Webb. When I accepted this position my predecessor warned me about you both. He didn't like Webb. He sent Webb to Suriname, and from what I understand Webb made a fool of the former DCI."
"Thanks for the recap," Zoya interrupted.
"I was also warned about that," The DCI said. "You're stubborn and always interrupting, not to mention bending the rules beyond recognition."
"I try," Zoya shrugged with a smile.
"Nassar, what do you want?" The DCI asked.
"I want Webb back," Zoya said.
"You should have thought of that before you got involved." The DCI said.
"Look, if anyone should have been transferred out of here, it should have been me." Zoya stated. "I seduced him, he tried to stop it, but I persisted."
"He couldn't say no?" The DCI asked.
"People find it very hard to refuse me," Zoya smiled.
"I assume you're banking on that right now?" The DCI asked.
"According to regulations, a married couple cannot work together. Webb and I aren't married." Zoya said.
"If you read further you would have seen where it says, it is against regulations for co-workers to become romantically involved." The DCI said.
"I read that too," Zoya stated. "Basically, only one of us can be here."
"That's why Webb is no longer stationed out of this office." The DCI said. "I've looked the other way too many times where the two of you are concerned. This time I could not. Too many people are aware of the situation."
"What would happen if I wasn't here? Would Webb be able to come back?" Zoya asked.
"In a perfect world, yes he would." The DCI stated.
"That's what I thought," Zoya replied. "Therefore, I would like to tender my resignation effective immediately."
"You aren't serious?" The DCI asked. "You are willing to sacrifice your career for Webb?"
"I am willing to do what's best for the company. Webb is the best agent you have and you are wasting his talents by keeping him in Haiti." Zoya stated.
"You've already thought about this," The DCI said.
"A simple signature and I become the problem of Rumsfeld. There is a position available for me with the Anti-terrorism task force at the Department of Defense." Zoya announced.
"My way I get to keep you both," The DCI said.
"My way I get Webb back here," Zoya said. "Is it a deal?"
"I don't like your tactics," The DCI said. "However, I'll do it."
"Thank you and it's been a pleasure working for you. I am sure our paths will cross again." Zoya said.
"I don't doubt that," The DCI said and signed the transfer.
ZOYA'S APARTMENT – THE NEXT DAY
Zoya sat in her apartment trying to organize things. She missed Webb and was miserable. She knew she made the right decision. She got up and went to get something to eat. Finding nothing, she went back to her desk and tried to occupy her mind. It wasn't working. She thought about the past eight months since Webb showed up in her compartment on the train. So many things had happened since then. So many things had changed. She couldn't wait until Webb got back.
"Hello," Zoya said answering the phone.
"Zoya, are you busy?" Harriet asked.
"Not really," Zoya sighed. "What's up?"
"I thought I would stop by," Harriet said.
"That would be great," Zoya said.
"I'm glad you think so, I'm already on my way," Harriet laughed and hung up.
Five minutes later, Harriet was knocking on Zoya's door.
"Come on in," Zoya smiled.
"How are you?" Harriet asked.
"I'm fine," Zoya replied.
"No you aren't," Harriet said. "I can see it in your face."
"I swear, I'm fine," Zoya said.
"Have you told him?" Harriet asked.
"No," Zoya replied. "I am going to wait until he returns."
"You think that is a good idea?" Harriet said.
"I want to see the look on his face when I tell him." Zoya laughed. "It should be priceless. God, I miss him."
"I know you do, I was so surprised when you came over that morning. I never even put it together until you told me." Harriet smiled sympathetically. "When is he coming back?"
"Hopefully within the next few weeks, that was part of the deal. I leave and Webb returns." Zoya said.
"I can't believe you quit your job," Harriet said.
"I didn't really quit, I was transferred." Zoya smiled.
They had lunch and chatted some more. After Harriet left, Zoya went back to cleaning. The ringing of her phone gave her a much needed break.
"Nassar," Zoya said picking up the phone.
"Hello Countess," Webb said.
"Hi, how are you?" Zoya asked.
"I'm good. What's going on with you?" Webb replied.
"Nothing much, just cleaning." Zoya replied.
"Zoya what's going on?" Webb asked. "You no longer have an office at the company and no one seems to want to talk about you."
"Jeremy didn't tell you?" Zoya asked.
"No he didn't tell me, is there something I need to know?" Webb questioned.
"I quit, I'm with the Department of Defense, on the Anti-Terrorism task force." Zoya announced.
"Don't you think this is something we should have discussed?" Webb asked.
"There are a lot of things I would like to discuss with you, but you aren't here." Zoya said.
"What else do we have to discuss?" Webb asked.
"It can wait," Zoya sighed.
"Zoy, talk to me," Webb said.
"There is nothing to talk about," Zoya stated. "I just decided that this was for the best."
"How is this for the best?" Webb asked.
"Clay, I need you here and the only way that was going to happen is if one of us was no longer working there." Zoya explained.
"I see how well that plan worked, I'm still in Haiti." Webb said.
"I spoke with the DCI. I tendered my resignation on the condition that you would be brought back." Zoya stated. "You will be home soon."
"I can't believe you. We should have talked about this. You love your job as much as I love mine." Webb said.
"Clay, I love you more." Zoya said quietly.
"I think we should have discussed this." Webb said.
"You don't feel the same do you?" Zoya asked.
"I didn't say that," Webb replied. "I just said it is something we should discuss."
"Clay, that's my other line ringing. I have to go." Zoya interrupted. "Duty calls."
"Zoy, we need to talk." Webb said.
"Yeah, okay, whatever," Zoya replied and hung up. She couldn't believe how stupid she was. She knew Webb wasn't in love with her, why did I admit that to him? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Zoya stopped her self pitying and picked up the phone.
"Michael, this is Zoya." She stated. "I'll go."
"I can have you on the 6pm flight," Michael replied. "I'll meet you at Dulles with your paper work."
Zoya hung up the phone and went to pack. Originally she turned down the assignment. She wanted to stay in DC to be with Webb. Now she realized that she didn't want to discuss anything with him. She had spent a lifetime doing everything on her own. She was going to have this baby and raise it on her own as well. Webb never had to know. After she packed, she called Harriet to say good bye. She told Harriet she was going to tell AJ she was on assignment and nothing more and asked that Harriet keep her secret. She told Harriet about her conversation with Webb. Harriet tried to convince her that she interpreted it wrong, but Zoya was firm in her understanding of the conversation.
ROBERTS HOME – A MONTH LATER
The group had assembled at the Roberts' for a relaxing evening. They were in the living room chatting and having coffee.
"She just left?" Sturgis asked. "Was it work related?"
"Yes," Harriet replied.
"I heard she left the agency," Harm said.
"I don't know what to tell you," Harriet said.
"What made her leave the agency?" Mac asked.
"Why would I know anything?" Harriet asked.
"You and Zoya always talk," Mac said.
"We didn't talk this time," Harriet said. "All she told me was she had an assignment."
"Well what was the assignment?" Harm asked. "Why is Webb gone again?"
"They aren't working together anymore. He got transferred and so did Zoya." Harriet said.
"Honey, you never did tell me what she said to you that day she called." Bud stated.
"She called to say bye," Harriet said.
"She didn't tell you why Webb was transferred?" Mac asked.
"Zoya took care of that, he should already be back," Harriet slipped.
"Sounds to me like you know something," Sturgis stated.
"How did she take care of it?" Bud asked.
"Someone's at the door," Harriet said and got up. Harriet left the room to answer the door, while the rest tried to figure out what was going on.
"Clay," Harriet said opening the door.
"Harriet, I am sorry to bother you at home." Webb said.
"How are you?" Harriet asked coolly. "When did you get back?"
"This morning," Webb said. "I had to wait for my replacement."
"Well, welcome home." Harriet said trying to be congenial.
"Is Zoya here by any chance?" Webb asked.
"No Clay, she's not here." Harriet said with little emotion.
"Harriet, I've left her several messages." Webb said. "I'm worried about her."
"There is nothing to be worried about." Harriet assured.
"Michael Peterson at the Department of Defense is being very evasive." Webb said.
"Clay, she's fine. That's all I know." Harriet said.
"Do you know where she is?" Webb asked. "I need to speak with her."
"Clay, I'm sure she will contact you, when she can." Harriet replied.
"She told you about our conversation, didn't she?" Webb asked.
"I really don't think I should get in the middle of this," Harriet said flatly.
"Harriet, if you talk to her please tell her that what we needed to talk about was her decision to leave the company, not the reason." Webb said.
"Did you tell her that?" Harriet asked softening.
"She hasn't called me back." Webb said.
"Would you like to come in?" Harriet offered.
"No thanks, you have guests." Webb replied.
"It's just Harm, Mac and Sturgis," Harriet smiled. "Why don't you come in?"
"No thank you, really." Webb said. "Do you know where she is?"
"I'm sorry," Harriet said shaking her head.
"Harriet, I need to find her," Webb said.
"Clay, all I can say is she went home." Harriet smiled.
"Thank you Harriet," Webb smiled back left.
"What was that all about?" Bud asked as Harriet returned to the group.
"That was Clayton Webb," Harriet smiled.
"He's back?" Harm asked.
"What did Webb want?" Sturgis inquired.
"He was looking for Zoya," Harriet said.
"What did you tell him?" Mac asked.
"The same thing I told you," Harriet replied. "I don't know anything."
