Chapter Three - The Cracks Within Us

Eight Months Earlier…

'Are you having an affair? I heard it, I don't believe it but I need to hear it from you' Elizabeth breathed heavily as she stood before Henry in his home office. He placed the books in his hand down and slowly peeled his glasses from his face. His mouth fell agape, stunned by the question thrown his way. Elizabeth stepped back and her breath shook

'Oh my god'

'I'm not having an affair' he spoke firmly. Elizabeth's eyes pierced into him,

'You're going to have to be a little more convincing, and fast' she warned. Her eyes brimmed with tears as the fear crept inside her. She had doubts it was true but watching him act cagy and withdrawn before her allowed her mind to turn over and consider if he was in fact having an affair.

'Excuse me? Since when did we speak to one another like that?' He snapped at her.

'Since you've been spotted around time with a young cute woman. Is she cute? I added cute. Henry, Are you having an affair?'

'I can't believe you would even ask me that Elizabeth. No, I am not' he huffed and turned to place his reading books away into the bookshelf behind him. Elizabeth was a little taken back by his flat statement. She raised her brow and watched him intently for a moment.

'Henry?'

'WHAT?' He snapped, throwing his body around to face her. The anger within his tone startled her, making her tears instantly fall as she blinked rapidly. Elizabeth inhaled and took a step back away from him, her hands fiddling with the belt of her coat, however Henry came rushing forward.

'I'm sorry, gosh I am so sorry Elizabeth' his hands reached for her arms and he held onto her. A lump caught in her throat as she looked up at him, her head softly shaking attempting to understand what was happening. 'I'm so sorry, come here babe' he pulled her in close. Her body heavy as she fell into his arms, he gripped her tightly and inhaled her set, the guilt taking a hold of him whilst Elizabeth could barely wrap her arms around him through shock. Henry stepped back and looked at her, his eyes filled with sadness,

'What was that Henry? You've been snapping at the kids and me all week, what's going on?' She asked, her voice strained.

'I can't say,' he grimaced and she scoffed in response, immediately stepping away from him. 'No, I really can't Elizabeth. It's protocol' he hinted, hoping she would understand. The room around them fell still, as her body tensed and her eyes widened.

'Please don't tell me you're working for the NSA again' she scolded, her eyebrows arched as she breathed deeply through her nose. Henry's head dipped and his feet shuffled. 'Oh my god, why didn't I see it? Of course you are' her voice was a shallow hiss as she scorned herself for not noticing.

'This case is so secretive not even the secretary of state can know' an awkward smile formed from the side of his mouth.

'That's the case, but I am pretty sure the Secretary of State is allowed to know who works for the NSA, considering they've worked there before. Oh and the worker is her husband!'

'Elizabeth I asked and they said no-'

'I don't care. You break protocol when it suits you, you spoke to me about the last case when you shouldn't have you could have damn well told me you were working for them again Henry! Not let our daughter think you're having an affair and have me be informed by Daisy.' She ranted, her arms flailing before her as she walked back and forth to the office.

'Elizabeth I tried to tell you, I tried to tell you just the other day but then Gordon came around, and I tried to tell you just last night at dinner but Jason joined us'

'And what about when Gordon left? Or when Jason left and we went to bed? What about this morning? Or yesterday morning? None of those times are convenient for you Henry?' Her head continued to shake, the annoyance spilling from her as she attempted to think straight. 'I need to go' she placed her head in her hands for a moment before walking away towards the front door, Henry hot on her heels. His hand reached for hers, grabbing to softly and tilting her balancing making her turn around to face him.

'Just five minutes please?' He asked softly and she nodded slowly. 'I am not having an affair, I only want you, you're the only woman I've ever wanted. I love you too much to hurt you Elizabeth' his hand slipped behind her ear and his fingers softly caressed her neck. She leant her cheek into his palm and closed her eyes.

'Is this too much? This job I mean, it's making me question everything. I shouldn't be coming home and questioning you'

'But, I should have told you sooner, a lot sooner. We're just still pretty new at this way of living, It's just teething problems. We will find our way' he reassured her, his hands running up and down her arms lovingly. She closed her eyes and let out a breath of relief as she heard him speak. She pressed her lips together and muttered the words sorry with her eyes still tightly pressed shut. Henry pulled her in once more, his arms wrapped lovingly around her as she cocooned herself with his embrace, nose flush against his jumper inhaling his soothing scent. Henry kissed the top of her head and rested his cheek against her, his eyes closed tight holding her close. It was the closest and probably most loving either had been towards one another for a few days now, something which had taken its toll on the both of them.

'I really need to get back' she stepped from his arms and smiled sadly up at him.

'I Love you' he whispered and she nodded, a stray tear escaping as her eyes closed tightly once again.

'I love you too. I don't want to argue with you Henry, I feel like all we've done this week is tear strips from one another' she sighed

'Well, that's because we have' he half chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood, Elizabeth sniggered a little at his attempt as she knew what he was trying to achieve. 'I know what you're thinking, but we're fine'

'Oh really? You know what I'm thinking?'

'Yes, you're thinking about how since we've moved to DC we haven't spent as much time together, the kids are all having daily dramas, Stevie left collage, Noodle tells us everyday she hates it here and Jason keeps getting into trouble in school, you're always working late, Im sneaking around in the NSA and all we're doing, as a family and as a couple is arguing with one another, buuuut, and there is a but, The kids still would have had dramas even at the farm house, you and I did have weeks of arguments at the farm house, it's no different, just bad timing.'

'You sure?'

'I promise, we're fine Elizabeth. Now go save the world, just come home to me' he smiled. She leant up and kissed him, her lips connecting with him was all the reassurance she needed, an unspoken spark between them that never died. Elizabeth smiled as she lingered her mouth inches before his,

'I'll always come home to you Henry McCord, Always' she whispered softly.