NOTES: In many ways, Hidden was a frustrating episode as far as Diana and Marco were concerned. On the one hand, it seemed the only reason they had that little scene with him was to further develop and reinforce their relationship. After all, it's the only scene he's got, and it wasn't vital, plot-wise, though it did foreshadow the 4400's illness. So really, for that episode, it was mainly a character scene, and it showed us, yet again, Diana turning to Marco as her confidant and bouncing board. Despite how intimate the scene was--they gave a parking garage warm tones, and Diana initially entered into the hug with a smile--the scene ended off-key. Her expression was confusing, almost as though she were humoring him or thinking to herself, "What good does this do?" Either way, there is one undeniable element to it all: They were alone in a secluded place to discuss her daughter's latest dire vision. Thank you for the beta, PurpleYin!
SPOILERS: through Hidden
DISCLAIMER: The 4400 and all things associated with it belong to other people.
TWELVE STEPS
STEP 9: TRUST
They had uncovered the best lead to Collier's murder, and Tom had told her that personal business would keep him out of the office. There were only two conclusions to draw from that--it was a hell of a personal problem, and he didn't want her involved...again. Diana had tried not to feel snubbed by another example of Tom's lack of trust in her; there would have been no point in letting it get to her. Tom was Tom. Besides, she'd had more important things to worry about, and Nina was intent on being hands-on with this investigation. The head of NTAC had lost none of her skills while sitting behind her desk, so working with her instead of Tom was fine. But Diana couldn't completely let go of the niggling aggravation Tom's standoffishness inspired. Wasn't he supposed to be the people person of the two of them?
Then her attempt to make brownies with her daughter--a mother and child moment she'd been planning for a week--had been interrupted by work and a traumatic vision from Maia. As a child, Diana had never gotten to experience a warm, domestic event like baking brownies with her mother, so having to postpone it was deeply frustrating. Having an absentee partner who'd given her grief about Maia's last life-threatening vision frustrated her all the more. Add to that having to pull herself away from her pleading daughter who was frantic to keep her from going after "that man," and she found herself in a completely foul mood. At least Mrs. Skalko had been available to babysit.
Maia's vision had offered no specifics, no idea of who would get hurt in pursuit of Collier's killer, so Diana rationalized there was no point in telling Nina about it. God only knew what her boss might do if she did share that tidbit. And if Maia's visions were unchangeable, what was the point? But she still felt the need to talk to someone about it all, and there was only one person who came to mind.
Flicking open her cell phone, she hit 1 on the speed dial. Her call was answered on the second ring.
"Hey, Diana."
Just hearing his subtly rough voice with its warm, innately welcoming tone made her feel a little better.
"Hey, Marco." There were sounds in the background that placed him in the Theory Room. "You still at work?"
"Yeah. I was on a roll with a simulation I was working on. You know how it gets."
Actually, ever since she'd taken in Maia, Diana had become more inclined to set non time-sensitive work aside to go home at five, like regular people, but she empathized with the tendency to get caught up in work.
"I'm coming in."
"At this hour?" His incredulity was mild but still there. Although she'd mentioned her plans for the evening to him, he didn't ask about "brownie night." If she was coming in, he'd know it had to be serious...and maybe he didn't want to remind her of what she was missing.
"They found Rios' wife."
"Ah."
"So you're about ready to head out?"
"Yeah."
"Meet me in that spot, would you? There's something I want to run past you." For some reason, she'd rather talk to him about this in person than over the phone.
"That spot" was a remote corner of the parking garage that housed NTAC's seldom-used cars and was in a surveillance blind spot. It was the best place in NTAC they'd found for a private conversation, and that's exactly what she wanted for any discussion of her daughter's visions. Besides, she'd be meeting Nina in the garage. There should be just enough time to talk to Marco while she waited for her boss to arrive.
"Sure." A quiet concern flavored his voice. "How soon?"
Diana had already left the highway. "Five minutes."
"I'll be there."
"Okay. 'Bye."
She hung up and wondered at herself. Why hadn't she just talked to him over the phone? There was probably no one else in the Theory Room, and even if there was, Marco would have found someplace private to use his cell. And even though he had a knack for seeing things from a different perspective, offering her ideas she would never come up with herself, she really didn't think he could figure a viable way around Maia's vision.
Contemplating the question as she made her way to NTAC, she realized her impetus to see him wasn't just because he was the one with whom she discussed Maia's visions, it was because she wanted to see him. Having to do double duty because of Tom, she hadn't had the chance to see much of Marco, and she missed him. There was something vital about seeing him, watching his eyes and mouth and body as he spoke, that no email or phone conversation could duplicate. She had never been particularly good at reading people, but, just as she could with Maia, she read him fairly well. There was something about that she found appealing, some part of her that enjoyed reading him.
The realization caused a little internal conflict, which was the last thing she needed at the moment. Part of her liked what she had with Marco--the comfortable camaraderie, the trust and reliability, being able to talk with an intellectual equal--but part of her was apprehensive. She had spent years perfecting her independent life, of not needing anyone else, and she was uncomfortable with the idea of letting that go, even a little. After all, it had kept her safe and emotionally sound all these years. It had also made her an island, an emotionally barren stretch of sand that only Maia had been able to reach and bring to fruition. Hadn't she been just as apprehensive about that? But now she wouldn't give up Maia for the world. Besides, like "brownie night," just because she wanted something didn't mean she needed it. Was wanting such a bad thing?
Then there were his expectations to worry about. He didn't push her, and for that she was grateful. But ever since he'd made her that fake version of Maia's diary to hand over to NTAC, she'd had a sense of unwelcome indebtedness that fought with the appreciation and gratitude he deserved. Although he did his best to keep it from showing, he couldn't completely hide his hopefulness. There had been no intentional strings attached, but she couldn't escape the constricting feeling of being obliged to him. Why couldn't she just be thankful and appreciate all he gave her?
Pulling into the parking garage, she made her way to the back corner where she found Marco, leaning casually against the bumper of an NTAC sedan. Just seeing him, waiting patiently with his concerned smile and thoughtful gaze, warmed a part of her heart. Much as she might like to ignore it, she couldn't avoid it. This was why she'd wanted to see him, to feel that sense of connection and affinity that came from collaborating with someone to whom you trust everything. Oh, yes, she would pick his brain for ideas, hopeful for another inspired solution like the diary he'd given her, but it was the personal contact that would do her the most good.
Stepping out of her car, she walked over to him and cut right to the chase.
"Maia's had another vision."
