Show: The Agency Title: The American Family: Chapter 7 Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

A/N: I'm really sorry for the delay. more writers' block. I really miss the show:^( I'm glad to see that you liked the last chapter although I didn't. mostly because I don't know much about the whole Northern Ireland situation. merely improvising. Anyways. enough with the rambling, enjoy!

*~*~*~*~*~*

"I'm glad you were able to take a rain check."

Terri smiled softly and tipped her head back to gaze at Michael's smiling green eyes. "So am I."

Michael had called her as soon as she had stepped through the door that Monday evening, and had invited her out for drinks. She had cautioned that they would have to keep this date short because it was a weeknight and she would be taking care of her son. Luckily for her, she had been able to arrange for Alex to spend the evening at his play-date's house, where he would have dinner before Terri could pick him up around eight.

Much to her delight, drinks had turned into dinner and dancing, and Terri found herself once again snug in the warm embrace of Michael's arms. The song ended and Michael escorted her back to their booth style table in the 50's era bistro.

"It's getting late," announced Terri looking at her watch. "I have to go pick up my son soon."

Michael sighed regretfully, but nodded in agreement. "Of course." He paid the bill and taking her arm, escorted her to her car. Under the pale moonlight, he turned to face her.

"Wow, suddenly I wish you didn't have to go."

Terri smiled. She didn't want to go either. she was having such a wonderful time in his company. But duty calls. "Neither do I. But I've got to go."

"I know," he replied huskily. Terri smiled again as he leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. It was a gentle almost tentative kiss. as though he were asking for her permission to deepen the kiss. Terri opened her lips under his, allowing his tongue access to her mouth. He didn't push her, and she gave as much as she got. Terri could feel the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She had only ever felt the way once before - with Stiles.

Michael pulled away, a smile on his face. "Wow."

"Wow," Terri echoed, blushing like a schoolgirl.

"I'll definitely want the opportunity to do that more often," he joked, stroking her cheek gently.

"So would I."

"Great." He took the keys from her hands and unlocked the door for her. "I'll call you later, ok?"

Terri got in the SUV and shut the door. "Great."

*~*~*~*~*~*

In the deep bowels of the warehouse basement, Jonathan O'Brien sat broodingly staring at the computer screen before him. The standard ID issue picture of the woman was much more flattering than it should have been, and he felt that she was even more beautiful in person.

Name: Terri Lowell nee Anderson D.O.B: May 16 1969 Birthplace: Fargo Marital Status: Divorced - former husband: Jeffrey Lowell Next of kin: Alexander Bryan Stiles (son); Matthew Anderson (brother) Occupation: Graphic Designer, U.S Department of Commerce

Bio.

The rest of the dossier was filled with the rest of the fabricated cover story from the CIA. Of course this was unknown to John-boy, or any of his associates. They wanted something from Terri Lowell, Graphic Designer extraordinaire. they wouldn't hesitate to put a bullet in Terri Lowell, CIA agent.

"Beautiful ain't she?"

The question came from Paddy, who had returned from his junk food excursion.

John-boy cracked a smile. "She's alrigh' I guess."

Paddy snorted. "Ye mean alrigh' for an American lass, eh?"

John-boy returned his laugh. His friend was right.

"I still don' unnerstan' what's so interestin' 'bout this lass. What the hell's so interestin' 'bout a blinkin' Graphics Artis'?"

"Oh, ye of little faith. ye'll unnerstan' in good time. Jus' keep an eye on the lass."

Paddy turned a shrewd eye on his friend. "Ye be wantin' to reel the lass in fer somethin' don'tcha?"

John-boy chuckled. "Ye nevah give up, do ye, Paddy?"

"I do, when it makes sense tha' is. We be wastin' our time surveillin' the lass.. She don' be doin' nothin' worth lookin' at at home, anyways. Whatevah it is yer lookin' fer. ye ain' gonna find it there."

John-boy's forehead wrinkled in thought. "I guess yer right, Paddy. But it ain' up to me. We know what she does at work. Tha's why we're so interested. Tell you what, Paddy. you watch 'er some more. The lass don' do nothin' and we'll bug 'er at work, alrigh'?"

"Fine," Paddy grumbled. "But I still think we're wastin' our time."

"Well we get paid don't we?"

Paddy chuckled, as he put back on his headphones. "I guess ye got a point there, mate."

*~*~*~*~*~*

OTS Offices, CIA Headquarters, Tuesday morning (9:00 a.m.)

Terri had come to work earlier than usual that morning, all in an effort to see what she could dig up on the Sumac Cell. As expected, the search came up fruitless, but that didn't halt her frustration. Maybe Lex would be more helpful. it he would drag his butt to work earlier, that is!

"Any luck?"

Terri looked up to see Jackson Haisley standing over her with an expectant look on his face. She shook her head. "Nope. I can't seem to find anything new. I had a link with our operatives in Northern Ireland, but the search came up cold. No one's heard a word from them in almost two years, Jackson. It's like they dropped off the face of the Earth."

Jackson's forehead wrinkled, and he took a seat across from Terri. "I don't understand. Terrorist groups don't just disappear, Terri."

Terri shrugged. "There's a first time for everything. Maybe we're taking this too seriously. Maybe they intend to stay buried, and Martin Archer going to Northern Ireland is not going to change anything."

Jackson lifted a brow.

"I know, I know. That's an idealistic hope, but stranger things have happened."

"Indeed. but I don't like it."

"I don't like it either," Terri heaved a sigh. "There's one more channel I haven't tried."

"Who?"

"Allison O'Connor." Terri typed up a series of commands and brought up a classified file on screen. "She's a deep cover agent in The Orange Brigade. Strictly on a need to know basis. I stumbled on her file when I was doing something for Quinn. I confronted him. didn't get much out of him. Anyways. she's only in contact every three months. she's due for a briefing in less than forty-eight hours. I'll speak to Quinn. who knows, maybe she might be able to tell us something."

Jackson shrugged, his features thoughtful. "I hope so, Terri. I don't like this not knowing and Martin Archer leaves for Ireland in under two weeks."

Terri returned his feelings. "I'll try. But I can't promise anything."

"Good. I'll speak to some old contacts of mine in Dublin," he replied, getting up from his seat. "They have some favours that need to be repaid."

TBC.

A/N: That's it for now. R&R people. Since mentioning the whole Ireland thing, people have been asking me if they're going to go to Ireland, where apparently they had their first date. That is a possibility, but since I know so very much about their romantic history, can someone give me the low- down on what happened? Thanks. Bye for now:^)

P.S: I had to do some major editing for that potty-mouth of mine. I've been a good girl so far, haven't I?