''Do you even want to try Lucy?''

Lucy sat in silence for a moment. She had no idea what to say. She did love Kate, but was it really worth it to try again. Could their relationship recover? She was looking at Kate and for a moment she was stunned by how cold her face was. Yes, DIA Whistler was back. Her Kate disappeared behind the Whistler wall.

''Do you want to try? Do you think it is worth the effort?''

''I can't answer that for you Lucy. Only you know if you want to save our marriage.''

Lucy took some more wine.

''Ok… Let's say we do it. We try to fix us…How do we do it? How do we go back to what we had?''

''We don't.''

Lucy was confused. She was sure Kate wanted to work on the marriage.

''What?''

''We don't go back. We move forward. Maybe we shouldn't have the relationship we had before. It has brought us to where we are. Maybe we need to find a new direction in our relationship?''

''And what is that?''

''I don't know. That is why I think we need professional help.''

''Professional help?''

''Yes, we need pointers Lucy. We will not magically fix everything with saying that we love one another and jumping into bed.''

Both of them blushed after realizing what Kate just said.

''I do love you Lucy and I know that you love me too, but it's not enough. It's not enough now and it was not enough then. No matter how much I love you or you love me, you still left and I didn't follow…and let's be honest…''

She took Lucy's hands and laced their fingers.

''We both hold a lot of grudges Lucy.''

Lucy wanted to say something, but Kate stopped her.

''AND we both believe we are right and the other is wrong. We both believe that the other one is the bad guy in this relationship, but on the rational level, we know both of us are wrong… There are many things you haven't forgiven me or that I haven't forgiven you. We pushed too many things under the rug over the years we were together. We never really dealt with issues we had.''

''I hoped things would change. Pass in a way.''

''And that is what got us here. You wanted it to pass and I was sure that you would support any choice I make and stand by me no matter what. As it turned out, we were both wrong.''

Lucy just nodded. Kate got up and started clearing the table and getting dishes to the kitchen. Lucy stayed outside and after some time she got her glass and came into the house. Kate had put dishes in the washer and she rinsed her glass and placed it with the remaining dishes inside. She turned the dishwasher on and turned off the light. Getting upstairs made her nervous. Where would she sleep? Was it ok for her to just come back to bed? Will she be ok with sleeping in the same bed as Kate? Will Kate be ok with it?

Kate was already in bed with her book when Lucy finally got upstairs. Lucy stood at the door just watching her. It was so familiar and new at the same time. Kate was in her black silk PJs and her hair was down. She really liked the book she was reading and had small satisfied smile on her face. Something was happening that she predicted. Lucy knew her wife's smug face when she saw one. She felt Lucy watching her from the door, but she pretended she had no idea she was there. After some time, she grew inpatient.

''So, what is the verdict? You coming in or sleeping in the hallway?''

Lucy narrowed her eyes at Kate as she entered the room. She took a seat on the bench at the bottom of the bed and crossed her arms making an angry face that reminded Kate of five-year-old toddler.

''I will let you know there are five perfectly fine bedrooms and one pool house for me to sleep at aside from this room.''

''I know… But do you know where would you sleep?''

''It would be weird for me to sleep with you.''

''It's your bed too Lucy. I can't kick you out.''

''So, you would be ok if I just all of the sudden slept there?''

Kate put the book away.

''What do you want me to say? Do you want me to say no so you would have an excuse not to make a choice yourself?''

Lucy leaned into her hands.

''I can't sleep in that bed like last two years didn't happen.''

''Then don't. Take what you need from the closet and pick a room… Go to the pool house…But don't make me choose for you. If you want to sleep here, it's fine. If you don't I will not force you.''

''So what? You would be perfectly fine if I slept here?''

Kate put the book away and pulled her knees to her chest.

''Honestly, I don't know. You are my wife. It shouldn't be weird for us to be in the same bed. It should be normal to sleep with you in this room and share bathroom and stuff, but you make it feel weird.''

''So, it's my fault?!''

''I never said that Lucy.''

''You just did.''

Kate pulled the cover up to her chin and turned off her light.

''You know what? Do what you want Lucy. Good night.''

Lucy remained on the bench for a moment surprised by Kate's reaction. She got up and went to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth and changed into shots and shirt. She needed a moment to collect her toughs and got out to the room. She tiptoed to her side of the bed and slid under covers. She was tossing and turning and trying to stay on the edge of her side of the bed.

''If you fall asleep you will fall from the bed Lucy. You can move toward me just a little bit. We don't need to explain to the team that you broke your arm because you are too big of a coward to sleep closer to your wife.''

''I am not a coward.''

Kate jumped into sitting position and removed Lucy's extra pillow to put it between them.''

''You don't use this pillow anyway. See, we have pillow between us. Can you move now?''

Lucy just moved without a word and tried to fall asleep. Kate's back was turned to her and she would look at her wife's direction from time to time. She was feeling all sorts of things seeing Kate in bed with her. She was happy, she was scared, she was worried, angry…. but above all, she never felt this lonely sharing the bed with someone. How is it possible for Kate to be so close, but somehow never further…or was she the one who was slipping away?

On the opposite side of the bed Kate had the same things running through her head. When she imagined having Lucy by her side, she imagined being in her arms happy and smiling. This was not it. She never expected Lucy to feel like stranger in her bed. Somehow both women managed to fall asleep.

Lucy woke up feeling like she hasn't in a long time. There was someone in bed with her and her arms were around that person. She nuzzled into that person's neck and she felt familiar smell of vanilla and cherries. She smiled… Kate was there… KATE WAS THERE! She opened her eyes and jumped. With the sudden move she made, she woke Kate up. She turned and saw Lucy kneeling in the bed with her hand over her chest and breathing heavily.

''Lucy? Is everything ok?''

Lucy had to think fast and lie. She couldn't tell her she was freaking out because she was spooning her. That would sound ridiculous.

''Everything is fine. I just… I had a nightmare.''

''Oh… Ok…''

Kate took her phone and checked the time. It was close to the eight in the morning.

''Do you want to go back to sleep or you want me to start coffee and breakfast?''

''Coffee and breakfast would be good.''

Kate got out of bed and tied her hair in a bun.

''What do you want to eat?''

''I don't know… Anything will be ok… You know I am not a picky eater…''

''I know…But…''

Lucy understood. It was their first breakfast together…in a way…

''Pancakes?''

''Hmmm… Haven't made that in a long time.''

''I do hope you remember how to…I am too young to die from food poisoning Whistler.''

''Very funny… NOW you get to watch me eat all the delicious food I will make.''

''You wouldn't leave me hungry?''

Kate was already at the door. She turned to face Lucy and made a thinking face.

''No, I guess I would feed you. You are very aggressive and annoying when you don't get your food fix.''

''I am not!''

She just turned and went downstairs. Lucy was left in the room alone. She threw herself back on the bed and just looked at the sealing. She woke up spooning her wife and having one of the banters they used to have when things were good. She sort of missed Kate in bed… It did feel nice to wake up wrapped up around her.

Kate made coffee and now she was working on pancakes. She almost forgot how much she loved to cook for Lucy and she missed having her around and spoiling her on the weekends. She got maple syrup, she cut the fruit and got whipped cream somewhere from the back of the fridge. Just as she was finishing arranging Lucy's plate, she came down.

''It looks amazing. Thank you Kate.''

''You are welcome…''

''Shall I take our coffees outside?''

''Sure. I'll be there in a minute.''

Lucy got their mugs to the table by the pool and Kate came with their plates. As expected, Lucy's plate had it all. Fruit, all sorts of toppings and four pancakes. On the opposite side of the table was Kate's plate with two pancakes and some strawberries and blueberries with whipped cream.

Lucy took a bight of her food and it tasted like heaven. Growing up with a lot of help in the house she and Kate were not expected to learn how to cook, but they both did. Lucy was more into meat specialties and Kate was pretty much in charge of everything else. She even learned to make Persian food for Lucy and her family. Mama and papa Tara still loved dishes they grew up with, but Lucy's brothers were more Texan than their parents liked. To them stake was beginning and ending of all things food.

''I almost forgot how amazing this tastes.''

Kate smiled.

''Thank you Lucy.''

''No, I'm serious. Your pancakes always tasted somehow…different…better…''

''Ah, that is because of Jane's secret igridiant.''

''And what is it?''

''A secret Lucy.''

''You will not share?''

''As you remember, I am in a buiseness of keeping important secrets.''

''So, the ingridiant is the matter of national security?''

''Of course it is special agent Tara.''

''Really DIA officer Whistler?''

Kate made an insulted face.

''Special agent Tara, you doubt my word?''

''I wouldn't dare.''

''Good answer.''

After they finished, Kate cleared out the table. Lucy took her coffee and took a seat on the sunbed. She enjoyed the view and smell of ocean. This house was beautiful and her mother decorated it with so much taste and tact, that was surprising to Lucy, but nothing could compare to this ocean view. Her quiet moment was interrupted by her phone. She looked at it and saw that it was from the neighbor from the building. He was calling to check on her because she was the only person they had no idea where she left. All the tenants met in front of the building to see what will happen to them now and what they could salvage from the apartments and only Lucy was not there.

''Miss Tara, we were wondering if you would be coming back to the building any time soon? We wanted to make petition for the owner to provide us with place to say since the flood happened because he didn't change the pipes.''

''I…I don't know yet.''

''Well, we will need the answer by Monday. And you will need a place to move your things from the apartment. There must be some work done on the building and they can't work with our things in it.''

''I will make sure to arrange something Mr. Pool.''

''Have a nice day Miss Tara.''

Kate came back some time later, changed into long red dress and flip flops. Her hair was up in a very neat low bun and she had some light makeup. Lucy looked at her a bit surprised.

''Are you going somewhere?''

''Yes, I have a short meeting with Philips.''

''On Saturday?''

''Yes, he wants to talk in private, out of office.''

That sounded suspicious to Lucy.

''Does he often do that?''

''Not that I know.''

''But he wants to meet you that way?''

''Yes.''

''That sounds strange.''

''Maybe he thinks we are being watched in his or mine office?''

''What is he hiding so he wants to keep it out of the office?''

''I don't know Lucy. I will not be long… Do you know what you want for lunch?''

''No idea… Maybe we could eat out? I could pick you up from that meeting?''

Kate smirked. She loved how jealous Lucy could be without reason.

''Do you want to give me a ride too?''

''No, you can do it yourself…Or order a car.''

''I could do it… That is a good idea. Then we will not have two cars when we go for lunch.''

Philips was sitting in the restaurant in the corner, like he was hiding from everyone. Kate took a seat across from him. She was a bit nervous. A lot of things were on her mind and she was not sure why her boss wanted to see her in secret.

''I know you might be wondering why I asked you to see me out of work… I can assure you officer, I don't have any romantic intentions, just need to speak to you in secrecy.''

''Is something wrong? Is there a moll?''

''Yes, but not here…''

''Where then?''

''DC wants you back.''

''What?''

''I got a few very compelling phone calls to arrange meeting with you Officer Whistler?''

''With me? Who with?''

''That is of no importance. On Monday, you will be in our hangar waiting to board the plane to DC. Your interview will be conducted in private…with a person who wants you.''

''I don't want a job in DC. I just came from there.''

''Officer, the job they are offering… is something… Something you should not refuse…''

''I have to. I came here to save my marriage… My wife doesn't want to go back to DC and now it's my turn to refuse a job for her. She loves it here…''

He looked around and then leaned toward Whistler.

''Officer Whistler, the job is in the White House. They want you in the team working closely with the president.''

Kate remained stunned…. Did he say White House?