Hannah looked at Colby in surprise.
"I don't want you to be alone, honey. Not with this death threat still hanging over our heads. I'm headed over to the Eppes house for a few hours." He hugged and kissed her before he left.
"Well, I guess you're all stuck with me," Hannah was laughing. She looked at Rafe, "Buy me a drink, young man."
Cam choked on his drink. "Uh-oh, you're in for it now, Rafe, start chanting your name, rank and serial number."
She shook her head at him. "Giselle, my dear," Hannah murmured softly as she hugged her. "So that's why Tyler hasn't been coming by and foraging for leftovers."
Tyler rolled his eyes as he pulled Giselle back into his arms, but Giselle laughed, happiness evident in her eyes. "I'm afraid so, Hannah."
"Erin," she smiled and kissed the shy woman affectionately. She had become very fond of her. "Thank you."
Erin looked startled, "For what, Hannah?"
"For Cam. He's been happier since he met you."
A soft giggle from Erin amused Hannah. "He's doing all the work."
"Oh, I sincerely doubt that." Hannah grinned when Erin blushed.
"Leave her alone, Mama!" Cam protested, laughing.
She smiled at Rafe when he came back with her diet coke, "Don't you have to be at Director Eppes's home too?"
"No, the team I'm on has tonight off," he replied, softly. Rafe had liked what he'd seen of her, all smiles and laughter as she mingled with everyone. He'd also noted how she was almost always entwined around her husband when they were together. Rafe suddenly realized how much he envied Cameron his parents. "Is it your turn to grill me, Mrs. Granger?" he found himself grinning in response to her warm smile.
She laughed up at him, "No, dear. I figure you'll spill all because you know what's good for you."
He threw back his head and laughed.
Hannah watched with interest as Rafe's laughter caught Verity's attention. She caught Cam's eye and raised an eyebrow. He responded with a faint smile and a slight nod.
"I'm sorry, boys, but I'm ready to go home now," she said apologetically. "I'm just not as young as I used to be."
"That's just because Dad isn't here," Tyler teased her.
"You'd stay as long as he was staying," Cam picked right up where his brother left off.
She smiled gently at her sons, "I stand by him, no matter what."
Yep, Rafe thought, definitely envious.
-----
"Did we have a lunch appointment, Cameron?" Colby said asked in surprise when he saw Cam.
"No, no," Cam laughed, "Did you think you'd forgotten?"
"I wondered. What's up then?"
"Dad, I found these notes on my desk this morning. Information on the current whereabouts of James Brighton and Brady Delock," Cam handed them to his father.
Colby waited to see if Cam would say any more.
Cam met his father's eyes and said softly, "I wanted to help, and sent out some feelers through former contacts. All I do is fund shelters these days, Dad."
"I just don't want you taking those kinds of risks, Cam."
"I know. Those days have been over for a long time. Even if they hadn't been, well, Erin's become... precious. Very much so."
Colby smiled faintly, "They get that way, don't they?"
Cam hesitated, "Rafe was saying last night that he envied me because of you and Mama."
"Did he now?" Colby was amused.
"I'm sorry I took you guys for granted, and caused you so much worry and heartache."
"Cam," Colby said gently, "You're worrying me."
Cam grinned, and Colby was relieved to see the Cameron he knew, "Just a little soul searching. I'm done."
"I'll get this to Don and the rest of the team," Colby said quietly, "I'll keep you out of it if you like."
"It doesn't matter, Dad. And I'll let you know if I get anything more."
-----
"And how did Cameron come by this information?" Megan asked in curiosity, surprised that he was even willing to let them know about his part in it.
Colby shrugged, "It's reliable."
"I'll put someone on it," David said. He trusted Colby. "See if we can find out what their plans are."
"What about John Taylor? Are we getting anywhere on him?"
"He hasn't made any moves," Megan said in frustration.
"No notes, no nothing," Don mused. "I wonder if it was just a distraction? What cases are our agents being pulled off for this protection detail? Anything coming up that should be getting our full attention?"
"I'll check on that, but most of the protective detail is being handled by Nick's new team, and volunteers from other teams on non-serial type investigations. I don't think we're pulling anyone off anything big," Colby was thoughtful.
"What about something small? But still significant?" Don asked. "Anything like that?"
"I'll get on that," Megan said.
-----
"Robin's getting tired of those agents following her around," Hannah brought it up to Colby after dinner that night.
"I'm surprised that she's put up with it as long as she has."
"Probably has to do with those delightful agents who are protecting her. I can't wait to meet Siti's children at the FBI Summer picnic later this month," her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "What is it?" Hannah asked curiously when he looked at her and smiled.
"A couple of things Cam said," he murmured, "Something about Rafe envying him because of us." He cupped her face in his hand, and gently caressed her cheek with his thumb. "And about how precious Erin has become to him."
Her eyes shimmered, as he knew they would. They always did when she was touched about something. He kissed her tenderly, and drew her into his arms.
"I think there'll be a wedding before the year is out," he whispered into her hair.
"Maybe two," she said softly.
"Tyler?"
"Mmm, yeah. Giselle looks so happy. I never even realized she'd been carrying a torch for him all these years."
"Or Tyler for her," he said dryly. "That's your son."
Hannah laughed. "I haven't seen Brandon outside of the jewelry store in several days. We might have to help him find someone, now that he and Jasmine aren't together anymore."
"No," Colby said firmly, "I draw the line at that."
Hannah giggled, "That pretty new agent on Nick's team, what was her name again?"
"Hannah, no. Please, no matchmaking."
"I'm just teasing, Colby. Besides, there are enough FBI agents in this family." Hannah sighed, "It was bad anough worrying about you."
"I know, honey," He pulled her close again, "I love you."
"Love me enough to bring the cuffs home?"
"I always bring the cuffs home."
The sound of Hannah's laughter filled the quiet house.