Tennant offered Kate to spend the night at her place with Lucy, but Kate had to refuse. She still had that meeting in DC she at least had to show up to.

''You shouldn't be driving Kate.''

''We will be fine…I texted the driver provided to us. He will take a cab with his son here and drive us home. And his son will take Lucy's car home.''

''You have a driver?''

''We do have full staff for the house, but I really don't need them when I am alone.''

''Must be nice to use all that Tara money.''

''Actually staff is my mom's money.''

''You and Lucy really come from money?''

''Yes, we do, but we don't really talk about it.''

After they arrived home, young Michael carried sleeping Lucy upstairs and Kate thanked them. They just nodded and left home. Kate took off Lucy's shoes and clothes she had that day and managed to get her under the covers. She went to the closet part of the room and took her small suitcase. She packed what she could need for the day in the DC and possibly spending the night there. Lucy is sound asleep from alcohol mixed with stress and being overworked. Entire team was sleeping very little and working a lot and Kate was glad she would get some rest. She took a shower and prepared what she would wear to the DIA small private airport. She knew it would take some time from Hawaii to DC and she knew she would have to change before the meeting in the White House. So, she put on her swats and tunic, braided her hair and took her suitcase downstairs to her office. She checked the documents that Philips wanted her to read for the case they had here in Hawaii. He wanted to know her opinion on how something was handled. As she told Lucy, she didn't have much love for the man, but she had deep respect for him. He was one of the few who remained clean during his career and never really bent when people expected something from him. She worked until three thirty in the morning when Philips called her and told her that they sent a car to pick her up. She shut down her computer, packed it and wrote a message to Lucy that she left on the kitchen counter. When she arrived, Philips was already on the jet. He was also dressed very casually and reading some reports.

''Good morning Whistler.''

''Good morning.''

''Are you ready?''

''I am not sure I am. I still have no idea what is this all about.''

''You will know in time. I am not at liberty to talk about it.''

When they arrived to DC they were taken to the hotel where usually DIA agents were placed after arriving to DC from different locations in and out of state. Kate was told that she has three hours to rest and be ready for the pickup for the meeting.

Lucy woke up with a bitch of a headache. She was surprised when she realized she was in their bed and not at Tennant's house. She somehow managed to get out of bed and shower. After washing away, the previous day, she got downstairs to have some coffee. She was not really happy about seeing Kate and being forced to have uncomfortable conversation and apologizing for what she said yesterday. On the counter she found a note. She opened it and read the content.

Luce,

I had to leave early for my meeting in DC. I will be back late this evening or very early tomorrow. I will call you later to inform you about my return.

Take care,

K

Lucy was feeling sick after seeing those two letters. DC. How could Kate do that? Was she really thinking about going back there? Why did she change her mind? She knew that Lucy was not interested in going back there. She had two cups of coffee and after that she was able to function much better. She got her phone and texted Kate.

L: DC? Really?

K: I had to. I will explain when I come back.

L: U R coming back?

K: Lucy….

K: I will call you around ten in the evening. That is the only time I know for sure I would be in my room by. I can't talk now.

L: Fine.

She put her phone away and went back upstairs to change and just go for a drive. She had to get out of the house. She was so angry at Kate for leaving to DC that she couldn't sit in ''their'' house. She went to Kai's restaurant and took a seat at one of the tables facing the ocean. He joined her as soon as he noticed her.

''Hey, Lucy. What's up?''

''Nothing…''

''Oh, ok…''

''I am just feeling low… I am nurcing a mean hungover.''

''Fun night?''

''Not in a way that you think. I was at Tennant's. We spoke about some things…and I needed booze.''

Kai took her hand and touched her rings. She forgot to take them off AGAIN.

''This thing?''

She looked at her hand and cursed herself.

''Yes, that thing.''

''I have so many questions.''

''I know, but now is not the time.''

''Ok… But is it something new? I don't remember you mentioning anyone serous and Jessie kept setting you up all the time.''

''It's not new… It's just complicated.''

''Do you love her?''

Lucy took a long breath and looked at the ocean.

''Love is not an issue. It was never an issue in our relationship.''

''Then, what is it?''

''I don't know.''

''That is vague answer.''

''That's the problem… I don't have answers to many of the questions on my mind.''

''Well, you better find them. After all, you are married to that person…and from where I come from, marriage is serious matter and commitment for life. My dad and I have our issues, but he will always have my respect for how much he loved my mom and how he stuck by her side when it was bad and hard. He never left her side. He worked like crazy to make sure we had everything and that she has the care she needed. My dad never gave up on her, even when she gave up on herself. That is marriage for me, fighting for yourself and your person.''

''Your dad had an enemy…your mom's cancer and living situation. My enemy is my wife's ambition and my lack of will to give up things for her. I spent most of my life doing things for her. Following her because she was the one to succeed. I simply don't know who I am when we are together.''

''Then, you better figure it out Lucy…''

''It won't happen overnight.''

''I know, but you must think about what matters to you.''

''I know.''

Kate spent most of her flight talking to Philips about documents he gave her. She shared her ideas and he listened without interruption. She sometimes noticed his smirk and she was not sure what to think of it. She had no idea if it was something good or not. She was sure he already had at least three solutions for every issue that she found in the papers he gave her and she also realized it was some sort of a test for her and from the looks of it, she was passing. When they arrived to the hotel, she was given her key and she went to the room. She took off her clothes and got into bed. She needed a nap before the meeting. She took a two-hour nap and the extra hour she used to get ready. She took a shower, did her makeup and put on her new Armani black pant suit and heels. Under the suit jacket she had white blouse and when it came to jewelry, she used her mother in law's pearl set. Three strings of pearls, pearl earrings with diamonds on top and platinum ring with two pearls and small diamonds. She got that set as a gift for her PhD. She was so different from Lucy's mother, she was small, loud and very over the top woman. She was impossible to say no to and she loved to interfere with everything. She was too much for the very reserved Whistler side of the family and Kate couldn't really find common ground with her. She was very sweet and polite toward Lucy's mother, but she often had no idea how to behave around her. She wanted to talk about everything, know all the gossip…and Kate's job was to keep secrets. She could say a lot of things about mama Tara but she could never say a word about her taste in jewelry, art and food.

When she got down, Philips was already there.

''Our ride will be here any minute.''

Kate just nodded and followed her boss out. As soon as they got out black SUV without plates and tinted glass stopped and very tall man in suit got out and opened the door for them. Kate felt uncomfortable, but she followed her boss. They got into the car and man who got them introduced himself.

''I am agent Caffey… DIA Director Philips. DIA officer Whistler, welcome to DC.''

''Thank you, agent Caffey.''

Whistler didn't speak. She just nodded at him and looked out of her window. Soon she realized they were on the way to the White House. They got in at the employees entrance and were scanned and their things were double checked. Agents in charge gave them their passes and took them to see person that was expecting them. Kate was surprised that her meeting was with the people in charge of national security. She was in the room with six people who held all the information and cards when it came to that issue. One of the men spoke and it took Kate a moment to realize that it was a person who was head of national security office in the WH.

''Officer Whistler, we are glad that you joined us. You have impressive resume and I think you would be an excellent asset to the team. Aside from the fact that you are someone who has impressive qualifications for this job, we believe you have pretty good head on your shoulders and your hunches doesn't fail you. I would like for you to join my team and be the one with me in the Oval office every morning briefing the president on important issues. All of your bosses have words of praise of you and I was honestly very surprised to see you accepted the job in Hawaii that was actually demoting you.''

Whistler was not sure she was hearing things right. What was being offered to her, was her dream job. It was a dream of any intelligence officer. She could see on her boss's face that he would have loved that sort of offer to be given to him.

''Mr. Cook, I am honestly very honored by this offer, but I have to ask you something…''

''I am listening…''

''How much time do I have to tell you my decision.''

''I don't understand… You are having second thoughts.''

''I will not lie to you and tell you that I am not tempted to scream yes, I'll have the job, but I need a day or two… With this job, a lot is at stake for me.''

''I am sure your father would be proud.''

'' I am sure he would. But I saying yes may cost me a lot.''

''It is patriotic to take the job. You would be serving your county even more.''

''I agree… But I must say no.''

All of them looked at Kate as she has grown three heads.

''Officer Whistler, what do you mean no?''

'' I can't take this job. I've spent years in DC working on very stressful things and being at it for days. I spent so much time in my office and in some secret locations, that I barely know three restaurants or fun places in DC. I finally got my life in some normal balance since my move to Hawaii. I can't go back to the life I've had before. I was miserable and too invested in this job that I forgot about other aspects of my life.''

''So, you don't want this job because you want to party and go out? I was in Hawaii… Pretty beaches, cocktails by the ocean and all that. But that is not patriotic Officer Whistler. We are all here to serve our country and some sacrifices should be made.''

''No, I just want to live a normal life with at least appearance of work hours.''

She didn't want to say this, but she couldn't really controle it.

''As for sacrifices… I think my family scarified pretty much. My father is a four-star general. My older brother is in the military and my other brother died during the ambush in Iraq. My not taking the job is not making me or my family less patriotic.''

They gave her boss a bit angry and disappointed look and soon they were dismissed. Ride back to the hotel was silent. Kate wanted to apologize to her boss but she was not sorry for saying no. She knew that Lucy wouldn't follow. She got to her room and checked her phone. She had few messages from Lucy and most of them were about her catching a case and not knowing when or if she would be home that day/ night. Kate knew this had nothing to do with her departure to DC. NCIS team sometimes did stay at work until some ungodly hours or even spent 48h on the case if things were going their way and there was no time to go home from all the things happening. Those shifts were tiring and Kate was glad those cases didn't happen often. Her boss texted her that they would be flying home in the morning and told her to be ready around 5 AM. She changed back to her comfortable clothes and got out of the hotel. She took a walk down the familiar streets and got a pizza from one of the few places she and Lucy went to when they lived here. She lived in DC for many years, first her family and then with Lucy, but it never really felt like home. Even now, when she knew her parents were in the same city she was in, it was not home. She was thinking about calling them and seeing them, but she changed her mind. She was not ready for the lecture from her dad about not taking that job. She could see his disappointed look and she could HEAR the silence that would be in the room. She was not ready for it. She continued walking and ended up in front of the door she knew very well. She knocked and very cute brunette with stunned face opened the door.

''Kate?''

''Hey…''

''Come in. Franklin will be here in ten minutes. I had no idea you were here. Does he know?''

''No, no one knows.''

She took Kate to the living room and they took a seat on the sofa.

''I was sure we will see you next in Hawaii when we come and visit you in your fancy mansion. Your brother is still waiting to be featured in the episode of MTV cribs.''

Kate just rolled her eyes. Her brother was often very serious, but also had strange sense of humor.

''What are you doing in DC?''

''I think I just committed career suicide.''

''What?''

''I said no to a huge promotion. Let's put it that way. It is a dream job for someone working in the intelligence, it's in DC and I said no.''

''I am just a teacher…but it is my dream job… So, why would you say no to something that is your dream. I know you can't say too much. I think I've learned a lesson or two about secrets you, your father and brother have to keep that are work related… But from what you can say… Can you somehow explain without giving too much why did you say no?''

''I would have said yes to the job the moment it was offered…''

Katie looked at Kate's hands nervously playing with her rings. That gave her an idea what was her sister in law's issue.

''…if it weren't for Lucy…''

''Oh…''

''We finally talked…after two years of her silence…and avoiding me since I arrived to Hawaii…Now she moved in with me…because her place was flooded and none of the other agents had free space…so she sort of had to move in…since it was so short notice for her to find another place. We were forced to talk and started clearing up the mess we made… ''

''Is that a good thing or not?''

''Jury is still out on that. But we agreed on trying to fix our marriage and try counseling.''

''Ok…''

''She said she hated living here and she was not happy and that I ignored her needs and acted selfishly. And maybe she is right with that observation. If I take the job, she will either follow me and be miserable or really end our marriage. She is even pissed about me coming here for the interview.''

Katie just nodded.

''And I can't do that again to her. She followed me for years to all the jobs and places I needed to be… I think it's finally my turn to find a way to be happy where she is happy. And I see new and different Lucy in Hawaii. She has an amazing team. They spend time together out of work. They are like small family… She is like an aunt to her SAC's kids and kids of one of the agents are also mad about her. She laughs again and it's so much fun to hear her mumble how much she hates ocean and beaches living in Hawaii.''

Katie laughed at that.

''I've only seen her twice but I remember from your and Franklin's stories how much she hates the water and how much your brother enjoyed throwing her in the pool.''

Kate got serious again.

''I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you sad.''

''I know… It's just… I really miss him.''

Door opened and Kate's brother walked in with a lot of shopping bags. His wife got up to help him and Kate also got up. After he left bags in the kitchen, he came back to the living room and pulled his sister in bone crushing hug.

''Hello love…''

''Hi big broe…''

''I am happy to see you, but what brings you to DC?''

''I had to show up for a job interview.''

''Did you take it?''

''No… But I was tempted.''

''Why not?''

''Because for the first time in my life I was really faced with the choice between my career and my marriage. I love my job and this was dream come true… But… I think Lucy deserves to be my priority for once… She spent years following me… and doing things for me. I think it's my turn to show her that she is more important than a dream job.''

Katie came back from the kitchen with two bottles of very cold white wine and some snacks. Siblings teased one another about million things, talked about Franklin's and Katie's life here and what they wanted in the future. Then they went back to telling stories of Kate and Lucy to Franklin's wife. She asked about their dating life and they got to Noah and his mischiefs when it came to Kate and Lucy. Now they were all very tipsy and laughing at pretty much everything. Franklin pulled Kate into his lap and hugged her tight.

''I really missed you baby sis.''

''Missed you too…''

He just smiled at his sister.

''Dad will be pissed when he hears about the job.''

''Dad is pissed since we eloped. He never really accepted me being gay, and especially me marrying a woman of Lucy's background.''

''Yes, but she is not…Not really…''

''Lucy was born here, but her parents are Iranian… Yes, she is not practicing and she is not covering herself, but she is still who she is… She is a lesbian, Muslim woman, that was born in Texas of Iranian descent…. She is lucky that Lucy Tara is not what many relate to Muslim name and last name…but she is what she is…''

''And dad can't live with it… So, what? I am black and he is ok with it.''

''He raised you and your father was his friend. He shaped you, he made you into what he expected you to be and…''

She looked at his wife.

''With all due respect, you married a woman as white as he is…from a background he understands. I did everything he hates. I am gay with an Iranian wife…''

''She is more Texan than Iranian…''

''Doesn't matter, dad hates both things with passion.''

That got all three of them to laugh.

''And when she argues with her mom and dad there is some Farsi there, let me tell you.''

''Ears dropping as usual Mrs. Whistler-Tara?''

''Me? I would never…''

Franklin turned to face his wife.

''This young lady in my lap is one of the few people that keeps her money tight, and she manages to save a lot…even as a kid, me and Noah would always borrow from her. BUT, then she met illusive Miss Tara and spent all the money she saved on lessons in Farsi. She took the bus to the University building every day for her classes. It was some intensive course…seven hours or something for three months…And she did it just so she could show off in front of her ''friend'' or crush at that time…Timeline of their relationship is blurry.''

''That is actually very romantic.''

''Stop it!''

She got up from her brother's lap and looked at her watch…

'' I should get back to my hotel. I have to get up at four.''

''That early?''

''Yes, I am going into work straight from the airport.''

''Auch!''

''I know…''

''When will we see you again K?''

''How about Christmas? Instead of being here in the cold, you could come to Hawaii.''

''Will Mrs. be ok with it?''

''She will be… Just don't make her cook.''

''She can grill…''

''That she can…''

Kate went back to her hotel and got ready for bed. She texted Lucy when was her flight time and that she would be in the office after they land. Lucy told her that she would probably be at work all night since Jessie had to go home. His son had a bad ear infection, so Tennant let him leave. She stayed instead of him and she didn't find anyone to cover for Jessie.

Lucy was in the small kitchen in the office making tea. Tennant went to her office to read some of the files they got, Kai went to his dad's restaurant to get some food and she was alone in the bullpen. She got her phone out of the pocket and entered the messages between her and Kate. She typed simple did you take it? But had no courage to send it. That reply would change everything and in many ways was the key to seeing where is this marriage going and how serious is Kate in working on it and fixing what was hers to fix and change. She spent about twenty minutes looking at the phone. She pressed sent by accident when Ernie got into the kitchen and scared her.

''Is everything ok?''

''Ernie! Fuck!''

''What?''

''I sent it! Shit!''

And it was too late to delete because Kate saw it. She saw three dots and finally the reply.

NO!

Finally, there was a smile on Lucy's face. She didn't take it… She was staying in Hawaii… She means it this time.