Plot: Marcus Pike heads a highly efficient task force for many years now and his career is going up and up. She on the other hand is trying to organize her life from a trying ordeal when an unexpected event put her life on a spin again.
WARNING: TALK OF AND SCENES OF TORTURE & VIOLENCE
MUSIC: When your main character is being tested | Dark Academia Playlist You Tube
THE EXPAT
CHAPTER 18
Tessa's Hospital Room –
"Marcus…"
The call was just a whisper but he heard it. Her soft voice came to him. That's the voice he's been waiting to hear in the many days he kept vigil by her side.
It came through Joseph's nonstop curses on Mel: how he wants Mel to fuck himself and jump of a cliff and how dare Mel come back to Tessa's life when she was avoiding him, Mel shouldn't show his face ever because he was the reason why Tessa almost got killed….if he sees Mel again anywhere near his sister he'll pulverize him.
If Mel could exit through the window the guy would have done it but he's not gonna do that to his awesome ass so he stood there and listen to the abuse.
Marcus forgot about Joseph and Mel and their issue when Tessa weakly beckons him. All he's concerned about is her. He stopped himself from almost diving in the hospital bed with her in his eagerness. "Oh my God….you're awake…really awake?"
"Noisy…." Eyes closed, Tessa frowns, head moving weakly from side to side.
"Sorry my love, we're just happy. " Marcus warns the others to be quiet with a glare.
"So thirsty..." She coughs, the rasp in her throat sounds dry.
"Let me get you some water." Marcus looks up as a bottle of water is handed to him. "You're a lfesaver, buddy." The quick appreciative smile he gave his side kick Jun was returned with a toothy grin. Marcus operates the control to slowly lift the bed until Tessa was almost sitting up. He gave her just enough to quench a little of her thirst. "Not too much, Tessa." Her system would balk if she suddenly fills her stomach. Anyway, after a few tiny sips it made her a little tired. "Hey, baby. I've a surprise for you. Your family's here."
"Hm? Why?" Still feeling a little weak, Tessa turns slowly where Marcus points at. "Mom? Oh ….why are you crying?"
At this point the doctor and nurses as well as a security guard have been called and they have rushed to see what the commotion is all about. "What is the noise all about? Mr. Pike…." The doctor was alarmed as well as confused at the atmosphere in the room.
"Doc! Come in!" The huge smile on Marcus surprised the physician. "Look! Tessa's awake!" Excitedly, Marcus pulls the doctor inside for her to see her patient.
"Oh my! Step out please!" the woman points everyone to the door. "You are all putting my patient's health at risk!"
"Doc, wait. Tessa's mom should stay." Marcus politely points to the matronly woman beside her patient's bed.
"Of course. No problem. Now, I will see to my patient so most of you need to leave the room."
When Tessa heard it she held out her hand to him. "Marcus…don't go. Please…" Tessa looks confused at why there were many people in the room.
"Okay, Mr. Pike can stay too." The doctor sweeps a glare to Mel and Joseph which she had correctly assumed were the reason for the disturbance.
"Okay, I won't leave you." Marcus waves the doctor over. "Buddy, come back later when the doc's done, okay?" Marcus grasps the teen's thin shoulder.
"Okay. I'll try to calm dad, too." The teen chuckles, he leans over so his aunt could kiss him on both cheeks. "See you later aunt Ess."
"Jun visits you at least once a week."
"Aw…" Tessa smiles but her smile is still a little weak. "Did you also take care of Marcus?" Nodding, Jun proudly flexes his thin arm like a weightlifter that made his aunt and Marcus chuckle. She's glad that her family seems to have taken to Marcus.
"He's awesome. Jun brings me avocados." The two trades high fives.
"Yuck!" Tessa grimaces.
"She hates avocado." Jun giggles.
"Really? So it's all for me!" Marcus grins. "Babe, this is Dr. Lopez, she's your doctor."
"Hello Tessa. How do you feel?"
"Weak. Confused."
"Can I do a check up on you? Do not worry too much for now. What's important is that you're awake."
"Why am I here?" Tessa is still calm but a little confused as the doctor did her thing to make sure her patient is fine.
Tessa's doc glances at Marcus. Marcus subtly shakes his head to Tessa's doctor glad that she understood. "What do you remember?"
"I was with Marcus…"
"Do you remember an accident?"
Tessa frowns as she tries to dig from her memory but came up with nothing. "No. What accident?"
"Babe, do you remember the party?"
"Uh, yeah?"
"What do you remember?" Marcus couldn't stop kissing Tessa's hand in his happiness of seeing her awake and he's also worried at how she'd react at what she remembers.
"Going home." She gulps, her throat still dry. "It was late." she gave a good sigh at the small sip of water. Marcus was amused at her pout when he pulled the bottle away from her thirsty lips. He whispers 'later'.
"Okay, anything else?"
"I don't know but…"
"Hm? What is it?" Marcus whispers, he roams her face like a man who saw the fountain of life.
"I was so hungry."
"Hungry?"
"Yes, because we were at the…." Tessa suddenly rounds her lips.
The blush that bloomed on her cheeks made Marcus catch his breath. His smile opens up when Tessa tightens her hand in his like a signal. Marcus wanted to shout for joy; she remembers! "Oh…yes, uh…because there…were so many people at the bar and we couldn't get a table….yes." He has to stop nodding. He and Tessa joined each other in a soft chuckle.
"Yeah…." Tessa turns to Cora, still blushing. "Mom, Marcus and I are…."
"Oh of course I know! I wasn't born yesterday you two." Cora nods, smirking. "I had you and your brother!" Cora softly chuckles at how the two look so embarrassed.
"I'm sorry if I didn't say anything. I was just waiting for Tessa to wake up. I want her to tell you herself."
"That was nice of you but I already know when you talked about Tessa. He almost never left your side since you were here." She caresses her daughter's hand.
"How long was I here?"
Marcus clears his throat after Cora nods to him, "More than two weeks."
"What?"
"Babe…umm, you were in a coma."
"Coma?" Tessa's voice is becoming a little bit groggy and Marcus looks up at the doctor in worry but the nod made him less troubled.
"That you're talking and awake is a miracle to us." Cora tore up again.
"Did I really get hurt that bad?"
"Yeah, babe."
"I don't remember anything…."
"Oh shit!" When Tessa suddenly went wide-eyed, gulped and lurched forward, a hand cupped over her mouth. Marcus rushed to the bathroom and dashed out with an emesis basin.
"Doctor, what is this? Side effect of the coma?" Tessa gulped and vomited mostly the water she had. Cora tenderly rubs Tessa's back as she heaves in the curved basin.
"Uh no…it's the…" Dr. Lopez nods to Marcus.
Marcus pulls a handful of tissue and dabbed the side of her chin. "Oh my god…" Tessa finally leans back, breathing deep. She feels drained from the effort after she sipped more water.
"Tessa, I have something to tell you." Marcus's heart starts beating fast.
"What? What's wrong with me?"
"Nothing's wrong, babe. You're pregnant."
"Marcus don't joke. Don't do this to me."
As Marcus had predicted Tessa didn't believe him. "Why would I do that?"
Tessa cries in complete confusion and fear. "I told you I can't. I'm… I was told…."
"By who?"
"Derek."
"Your old boyfriend?" Marcus frowns at what Cora said. "Tessa, why would Marcus and the doctor lie?"
"We did a test because we couldn't and then he said the test came out and he showed me the result…"
Cora said. "Ignore what Derek said, he said it to hurt you."
"Tessa, look at me." As Marcus holds her he could feel the fragile bones on her back. He was wrong; she lost more weight than what he previously thought. "What are you afraid of?"
"James."
"James?" Tessa nods. "Shit."
"Who is James?" Cora asks as Tessa buries her head in Marcus's chest.
"He was the guy who assaulted Tessa." Marcus holds her a little tight as Tessa shakes. "Calm down, babe."
"Oh my God! Why?"
"He was angry that he didn't win the bid."
"The bid? The auction? For Tessa?" Cora was speechless for a moment. "Then what happens when someone wins?"
"You don't wanna know, mom. If Marcus hadn't been there…"
"You were there for the party?" Cora inquired, still not getting the flow of their story.
"I was working…" Marcus looks at Tessa after she secretly pressed his leg in warning.
"Mom, he works as an analyst…"
"No." Marcus rubs Tessa's arm. "It's okay Tessa."
"What? Marcus…?" Worried, she spares a glance at her mother who is looking confused.
"I brought my team here to guard you." Tessa follows his glance outside at the door. "They don't exactly look like tech geeks."
"But your job…..you started a new job. How are you doing?" Tessa could feel the desire flowing in her as Marcus tenderly kisses the inside of her palm. "You look tired." The man smiles at her worry.
"Don't worry about me, babe. My boss agreed I do my paperwork here." Marcus is so relieved that he could feel her touch again.
"Really?" she seems unsure.
"Marcus, I forgot to ask you that the last time we were here. What do you do?" Cora sits back in the chair.
"Marcus…" Tessa shakes her head.
Marcus assured the scared looking Tessa with a nod. "I work for the embassy."
That made Cora's brow lift, somewhat impressed. "As what?"
"I'm an inter-agency attache'."
"What does it mean?"
"It's complicated, mom." Tessa took a deep breath when her mother gave her the 'look'.
"I'm the liaison between the embassy here and my agency in the US."
"Which agency?"
"The FBI."
"The…what?"
"Mom, please don't tell anyone. Please?"
"So how long have you known?"
"He told me at the party."
"Two weeks ago? You kept it a secret." There's that 'look' again.
"It's not like that, mom. He left the house a few days after we met and he was gone for two weeks until we saw each other at the party."
"Tessa was the last person I expected to see there."
"But why were you there Tessa?"
"I had a job interview at the gallery. Mel introduced me to the director." Suddenly Tessa felt nervous. "I got the job but…"
"I don't want to see Mel near you again. By the way, I remember you said you bid on Tessa. Why did you have to bid on her too?"
"I know what happens to these auction parties. If someone wins her they could take her and do anything to her. Bidding for her is my only solution."
"What were you supposed to be doing there?"
"I cannot tell you. I'm sorry." Tessa's mom didn't like is answer but she didn't push anymore. Thank God. "Can we talk about this in another time, please? Tessa needs to rest." Marcus peeps at Tessa who rests on his chest. Her hands are restless around his back but it's awkward since it's turning him on. Damn it!
"I'm fine."
"No, you must rest. Your doctor will not forgive me if….there she is." Marcus was thankful when the physician breezed back in the room.
"Mr. Pike, my patient needs to rest. That's enough excitement for today."
"Doctor, when can I go home?"
"Yes, when can I take her home?"
"What?" Marcus and Tessa chorused.
"What do you mean 'take me home', ma?"
"You're coming home with us."
"No, I'm not. I'm coming home with Marcus."
"Tessa, his work is dangerous. You might be in danger…"
"No! I'm going to work for him when I get out of the hospital."
"You can't be serious!"
"Yes, I'm serious mom. I've decided."
"Tessa…"
"Please ma'am, it's not good for her to be upset. It might affect the baby." Dr. Lopez gave them a disapproving look.
"There! Think of your baby!"
"I am! My baby and I will be with Marcus. Period!" As if drained Tessa closes her eyes tight and settles back in her pillow.
"I think she's tired." Marcus sweeps the stray hair from Tessa's cheeks. He could feel Cora observing him. He doesn't blame her fear but the decision has been made by Tessa.
Dr. Lopez came over and gave Tessa a quick once over. "Mr. Pike I'd like to have a word later on. I'll be at my office." She gave him a pat on the shoulder before she steps out of the room.
"Yes doc. Thanks." He only stood up when Tessa fell asleep. Cora stands by the door, waiting. She looks unhappy. "Mom Cora…"
"I can see how much you love Tessa. I have never seen her act this way even to her old boyfriend. I want her to be happy and she looks happy with you." The woman took a deep breath. "Can you promise to keep her safe?"
"I can. My people and I are here with her 24/7, Cora."
"I'm scared…what if that man comes after her…" her face crumples in tears.
"No. He won't."
"How can you be sure?"
"I'm sure."
The woman looks into his eyes and then at Tessa, The older woman's tears slowly dried up. "Are you sure?"
"Yes." Marcus held out his hand.
"Is he dead?" she asks in barely a whisper she grasps his hand tight.
"No, but he cannot reach Tessa. I promise you." His voice is barely a whisper too.
"Marcus, she's my only daughter and I don't want to lose her." The door opens to Joseph and Jun. They enter quietly when they spied Tessa sleeping.
"I love Tessa, mom Cora and I will do everything in my power to keep her safe." Marcus's words seemed to have calmed Tessa's mother and relatives.
"I'm always worried about her but she insists on being independent."
"That's what made me fall for her; her intelligence, her wisdom, her character….her gentleness." His worry about being separated from Tessa lessened when he was hugged by Tessa's mom.
"Ma, we better go home, okay? You also had a lot of excitement for today." Joseph gave his mom's arm a rub. "Tessa will be okay."
"Marcus, I didn't mean what I said. I will not take Tessa from you. I was just…"
"Why did you say that, Ma?" Joseph looks at his mother in shock.
"Ah, it's nothing. I'll explain on the way. Go and say goodbye to your sister."
Marcus and Joseph exchanges nods while the older brother gave his sister a kiss on the head, Jun went next looking sad. "Marcus, let's grab a bite next time I'm here. What do you say?" Tessa's brother said when he came back. He grasps Marcus's arm in farewell.
Marcus returns the firm grasp with a smile. "Sure. That'll be great!"
-o0o-
Dr. Lopez's office-
"I have the result. You may or may not read it here, it's your choice." Dr. Lopez raises her eyes to the man across her table.
Hands steepled, Marcus stares at the table, at the piece of paper the doctor placed on the glass, printed side down. "Did you read it doc?"
"Yes, I did." The doctor nods, hands clasped on the table.
"What does it say?"
The doctor looks away after a flash of emotion. "I'm pretty sure you will know what the result says. Are you scared?" The man nods still focused on that piece of paper.
"I am." Marcus looks down. "Shit."
"How is Tessa?"
"She's back asleep but that's not coma again. right?"
"No, that's just normal sleep. She's still recovering." The physician places a hand on the half page size piece of paper between them. "For here or to go?" the doctor finally cracked a small smile from the corner of the man's eyes.
"For here." Marcus pulls the paper to him and pick it up. The doctor observes his reaction. "Oh my God."
-o0o-
Black Site:
"Oh! You're back! Finally!" James shouted the last word out. He's back chained in the metal chair, about five of the guys in dark clothes and ski masks are all over the room and one outside.
"You missed me?" Marcus gave his guest a huge smile.
"Oh…what do you think?" James kind of strained against the cuffs around his wrists. "Not!"
"I'm really hurt, James. We've been through so much for a long time now!"
"I need you to let me go! I gave you what you want!"
"What did you give? Some porn of you raping those women? Some names here and there?" Marcus waggled a finger. "You know more than you let on! Don't be shy!"
"My father is going to sue your ass when I get out of here!"
"Oh? Who says you're going out of here?" Marcus looks on as James almost tips over shouting and screaming in his chair.
"You can't do this! I will kill you! You're dead!"
"James I have done it. You have a snowball's chance to kill me. I will repeat you will never see the outside world ever again."
"What if I tell you everything I know?"
"Go on."
"Hey, I'm not talking unless I get a promise from you."
"A promise?" Marcus froze looking surprised. "Why would I do that?"
"Look asshole I gave you everything I got! You aren't happy!"
"Oh hey, that's what the women would say about your skills in bed!" The men around the room guffawed. James got so red at the laughter around him.
"Ha ha ha!" James tries to drown out their laughter. "Very funny." He kept the sneer going. "You done?"
"You have the best lines ever! It's amazing!"
"It's been more than two weeks…"
"Wow, that's impressive! You've been counting! Let's clap to that!" Marcus turns this way and that clapping. "Yeah!"
"Asshole!" James mutters loud enough but that didn't even dim the smile from Marcus. "I mentioned it…" James sneered again gearing up for a shot. "I mentioned it because by this time your two hour-six session marathon with Tessa should be bearing fruit by now, huh?"
Still chuckling Marcus made himself comfy by straddling a chair backwards. "I feel so touched by how you're so involved in my sex life." Marcus did a face palm. "Ah, I forgot to bring some cigars!"
The men clustered to Marcus shaking the man's hand vigorously, high fiving, patting his back or shoulders. It's weird, James observes, that even after all that good news not one of them spoke, just laughter, grunts and hums of approval. It was either eerie or a show of extreme professionalism. It made James hate Marcus more plus add his impending fatherhood…
"Oh, really? You're gonna be a daddy? You sure it's yours?"
Marcus opens his hands as wide as his smile. "Yeah! One hundred percent sure, baby!"
"So, she's awake?"
"Does she have to be awake?"
"So how?"
"Tests, man." Marcus looks back frowning at the other guards as if to say 'I can't believe this guy'. "Ready for our session?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Not really. Don't be scared. I've something special planned for you."
"What is it this time?"
"Oh, you'll love this….ta-da!" Marcus takes two things from a black case on the stool beside him and held it up high for him to see. Marcus grins wider after James jolts in his chair. "Oh! You know what this is, huh? This is painless…" Marcus shrugs as he reads the label on the small bottle of Sodium pentothal. "Well…it's just a little prick." James shot Marcus a glare when the latter couldn't control a snigger and it made the other men follow him.
"Fuck you!"
"Sorry. I'm spoken for already. See? I don't need to make you a promise. I will do unto you what you did to those women."
"What?"
"Remove your freedom of choice."
-o0o-
Tessa's Hospital Room –
"Good morning, Tessa." The lady doctor beamed at her newly awakened patient who is eating her breakfast.
"Hi, Dr. Lopez. Good morning."
"How are you feeling today? No more throwing up?"
"Very hungry. Hospital food isn't helping." The women laugh lightly. "No, I didn't throw up."
"That's good. It's to avoid upsetting your stomach. You may have any kinds of fruits. There's no limit there. "
"Doc, uh…if you have some time I want to ask you some questions…"
The doctor took her place on Tessa's bed with a smile. "Sure, what is it?"
"This is embarrassing to ask. Uh, you know what happened to me, right?"
"Ah, yes. I was the one who took care of you when Marcus brought you here." The lady doctor gave Tessa a small smile; she could see the struggle Tessa is undergoing.
"I want to find out how to make sure this is Marcus's baby." Tessa hurried to say, "before I lost consciousness my attacker was going to…" The hand she held up to cover her face shook and the woman was so distressed. "I didn't want to tell Marcus. I didn't want him to…" The doctor took Tessa's hand when she began crying.
"Tessa, we did a 'rape test' on you.…."
"Yes? What did you find out?"
"You were not raped." The doctor held her crying patient in her arms. "No need to be scared or be worried!"
"Are you sure? Dr. Lopez, I don't want to have my attacker's baby! I don't want to! I'd rather not! Oh, my God! I don't want to have James's….I don't…no…" Tessa grabs the physician's sleeves.
"Tessa! Calm down! Shh! Shhh!"
"What's going on?"
"Marcus! Come over! Calm her down! I'll get a sedative for her…" The doctor quickly went to the nurses' station after Marcus took her place.
"Tessa. Hey, what's happening? Hey….hey…what's this? Tessa!"
"Marcus…I don't want to have this baby!"
"What? Why?"
"I want a DNA test. Please! If this is not your baby I want it gone! I don't want it…"
"Just breathe….calm down. I want you to…."
"No! Whose baby is this? Whose?!"
"Mine! It's mine!"
"Are you sure?" Tessa grabs him and gave him a weak shake. "Are you sure?"
"Yes! I'm sure, Tessa! Nothing happened to you! Calm down….stop."
"My God…the thought that I'd be having his baby…no…no…"
"Tessa…calm down. It's not good for our baby." Marcus took Tessa's face in his hands. "Do you hear me? It's our baby. Ours!"
"Thank God! Yes, I believe you! I was just so scared."
The doctor came back with a syringe and a bottle in her hand. Marcus couldn't take his eyes off of the two items. He was hit with a déjà vu. "Doc, she's calming down." Marcus raised the bed so Tessa could lean back.
"That's good. Let's check. Tessa, let me check you." The doctor took her pulse. "Crying like that is not good for your health. You're still recovering."
"Marcus says it's our baby doc." Tessa said using Marcus's handkerchief to dry her eyes.
"Oh! Who told you it wasn't?" The physician's brows lifts when she turns to Marcus.
"I was just so scared."
"Tessa, it's natural to feel that from what happened. Like I said we did a test and it came out negative. That's it." The physician took back the sedative set. "I will ask the canteen manager to add more fruit to your menu every day. Now, I will leave you with Marcus. You're in good hands."
"I am doc. Thank you."
"Thanks doc. Uh, by the way, she doesn't like avocado."
The lady doctor laughs with them. "Duly noted. Okay, bye lovebirds. I will come back tomorrow, okay?" The physician gave them a parting smile as she closes the door.
"Marcus…"
"Tessa…"
"You first," Marcus whispers after their chuckle fades.
"I'm sorry I said that."
"That you don't want the baby if…?" Tessa nods, eyes looking a little haunted. Marcus sighs and looks away for a moment. "We have the same thinking."
"Really?"
"Yeah." Marcus kisses Tessa's knuckles. "Babe, I want you to forgive me."
"Why?"
"I asked the doctor to do a test."
"Okay…and?"
"Like I told you it's my baby. It's mine." Marcus took a deep breath. "I should've asked you."
"Stop. I'm not angry. I'm glad you did it. I don't wanna go through life again believing a lie."
"This baby is mine. I made sure of it."
Tessa put her hands on her still flat stomach. "I'm gonna be a mom?" she tore up a little but with a smile on her face. "Are you happy?"
"Hell yeah! I'm gonna be a dad!" Marcus said it with a happy shake of his fist. His smile remains when Tessa lays his hand on her belly. "Are you happy?"
"Yes…I can't believe it." Tessa closes her eyes at the heat of his palm as he rubs them over her hospital gown. Despite her condition she couldn't help but feel the heat of Marcus's eyes because it's the same for her also. The last time she felt this desire was on that night they had sex and when she waited for him on that curb. "Marcus…our baby. This is your baby…" she whispers in astonishment then she pulls him to her. There was this kind of jolt of current when their lips meet and the kiss deepened very quickly when their need for each other surfaced. She held him tighter arching her back, responding at his touch so strongly. As their kiss became more ardent, his seeking hand made her gasp when he flicks a thumb over a nipple.
"Marcus…" Oh, that voice full of need made him hard. They need to come home as soon as the doctor tells them...
"Hello besties!" When the two stunned lovers parted they saw the speaker has his hands over his eyes. "Oh my, get a room you two!"
"Fuck it, Mel! Get out!"
"Get out!"
Mel opened his hands, "Isn't that still dangerous for you to do bestie?"
"Where the fuck is Jack?" Marcus glances at the door.
"I think he's on bio break so I snuck in." Mel shrugs.
"Why are you here?" Tessa's eyes shoot daggers at her best friend.
"Bestie!" Mel whined and made a sad duck face. "I just wanna see you!"
"I don't!"
"Shh! Tessa, calm down. Mel, it's not a good day today. She'd had an upset just a few minutes ago."
"Bestie…I just want to see you. I wanna tell you something. Please." Marcus felt a little pity to the guy; he looks so miserable and like his friend he seemed to have lost weight.
Marcus whispers at Tessa. "Babe, do you wanna talk to him? He's been here to see you sine you got admitted. He comes by almost every day. " he gave Tessa's smooth cheek a soft caress.
She turned away so she wouldn't have to see Mel, her hands pluck the bed sheet restlessly. Tessa just took a deep shaky breath, face set in a hard expression. "What do you want to say?" she said, still not looking at her friend.
"Bestie, I'm really sorry. I didn't know that he's a bad man."
Mel stops when Marcus raised a 'stop' hand when Tessa flinched. "Mel, I think that's enough." Marcus headed off any more words from Mel. "Don't mention….don't."
"Okay…okay. I'm sorry." Mel tore up, face crumpled in emotion. "If I could I would do anything I would do it. I'm sorry! I'm really sorry…" he swipes his tears on his long sleeved shirt. "It's okay. I'll go." With a deep breath Mel nods to Marcus and on to the door.
"Mel!" Mel lost it at Tessa's tremulous call, hand held out. She's crying as hard as her friend.
"Bestie…sis!" Mel sobs as he goes back in the room.
With a relieved smile Marcus left Tessa's side and Mel filled it up quickly, the two in tears. He decided to let the best friends do their patching up and steps out of the room.
Jack is not in the hallway. Yeah, he must be on bio break. It's okay. Marcus isn't upset. Now that Tessa's awake he's looking forward to getting her discharged out of here. He's getting called out more often to the embassy since the two missions on James and the Asian event as they are calling it has been frozen.
The cartel is in a tiff when their courier went missing, they went silent fearing each other. It helped delay the second event but…it's just a delay. The cartels would groom someone as the next courier, or they might already have a replacement for James.
"Chief? Sorry. Call of nature." Jack's voice made Marcus look up as the muscular man came trotting back. "Something happened?"
"Mel's inside."
"Fuck! That sneaky bugger…" Jack opens the door a crack.
Marcus wagged a hand. "Let them. They're patching things up."
Jack joined Marcus at the long bench placed opposite Tessa's room. "Congratulations, Chief. I heard when Tessa had a small meltdown."
"You're one of the godparents." Jack was so thrilled the man hissed a 'Yes!' and pumped Marcus's hands so hard he thought he'd lose it.
The big man sighed looking sad. "No woman should have that kind of question in her mind. That's tough. My knuckles have that assholes name on it." Jack balls a meaty fist tapping each one. He used to work for a security agency before joining the bureau that's why Marcus picked him for this job. Having a strong and muscular physique is a deterrent for any kind of trouble, too. When Joseph was having a rampage the other day Jack singlehandedly kept the other big man from Mel. "Glad you sorted that out together." Jack is also a big softie.
"I hope it won't be long till Tessa can come home. We need to focus on our game plan at work."
"Chief…" The big man points to Marcus's left.
"Hey doc. What's up?"
-o0o-