First Person POV
I don't really know what it is I'm feeling at the moment. Everything happened so fast. I filled up the bathtub and slipped in. I sunk farther in, closing my eyes, and held my breath as the lukewarm water encased me.
Flashbacks filled my head. First, meeting Jimmy Ford at the bar. Then, helping him get the alarm codes. Then my fight alongside Nate. Then the talk at the bar. Then at the shipyard, when we sent Jimmy away. Then hearing his voice in the Patent office over Nate's comm. And then hearing his voice before the warehouse exploded. "Tell them-tell them… how much Jimmy Ford loves his son and granddaughter."
I shoot out of the water and scream. I try to get my breath back. I hear the bathroom door slam open.
"Kaira!" I hear Eliots voice as he drops beside the tub, grabbing me.
"Hey, Princess, talk to me." Eliot tried to get me to look at him, but I couldn't get my breath.
"Kaira, hey. Look at me." Eliot held my face and had me look at him, trying to give me a soft smile.
I look into Eliot's blue eyes, and I know I'm safe. I slowly breathe normally and I feel my heartbeat get slower.
"You okay, Sweetheart?" Eliot asked me.
I look back at him.
"Yeah." I took a breath.
"No. I keep thinking of Nate's dad. I barely met the man and he died to save me. But I shouldn't feel bad because Jimmy was a bastard. I mean, who the hell asks their kid to tell stories about him instead of saying "I'm sorry" or "I love you"? But, Nate cared for him. And I am angry. Someone tried to kill Nate. They used Jimmy to get to Nate. To get to us!" I start getting emotional.
I buried myself in Eliot's shoulder. Eliot was hugging me, and I felt his hands on my bare back.
"Hey, sweetheart, you're safe. It's okay." Eliot said softly.
I let go of Eliot and just held his arm.
"Can you get out of the tub, sweetheart?" Eliot asked me.
I nodded yes. Eliot grabbed me a towel as I got out and he wrapped it around me. He walked with me to the bed and I sat at the edge of the bed. I composed myself as Eliot got me some sweats from my drawer.
"Here, Princess. Get changed into these and I'll make us some dinner, okay?" Eliot said.
I couldn't help but smile at Eliot.
"There's that smile that drives me wild." Eliot's voice was soft.
I chuckled, drying my eyes.
"You're such an ass sometimes." I teased as I walked up to Eliot.
"Hmm." Eliot hummed.
We both chuckled and Eliot held the back of my head and kissed me.
"Get changed, mama." Eliot smiled as he left.
I got changed, feeling a bit better already. Eliot had started making some pizza. I helped him cut up some toppings. Eliot and I hadn't talked about what happened. Though talking with Eliot felt good. I was worried about Eliot. He hadn't revealed much of anything about how he was feeling. And I was also worried about Nate. Latimer and Victor Dubenich had killed Nate's dad. And he was angry. I knew Nate was close to breaking.
It wasn't that long after the warehouse explosion. Nate wanted to confront Dubenich. I wasn't about to let Nate go at Dubenich alone. And I wanted to show myself that Dubenich was locked up. So I went with Nate to Renton Federal Penitentiary. We sat down at the table in the dimly lit visitor room. Nate and I watched as Dubenich was being escorted towards us, wearing his orange prison uniform. The guard opened the door, telling us we had 10 minutes. I see red. Dubenich is lucky there's plexiglass in between us, or his ass would be on the ground, most likely not dead.
"Hey." Dubenich said as he sat down.
Just hearing his voice, acting like we were long-lost buddies pisses me off.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Dubenich asked us.
Yep, he's really pissing me off.
"Don't patronize me, you bitch. The only reason my hands aren't around your throat is because there's plexiglass. So you don't get to act like we're friends, you bastard. We know what you did, you asshole." I quietly hiss at Dubenich.
"You missed." Nate told Dubenich.
"Mm, yeah. But this close. Well, what's it been? Three years and five months, four days? Is it special seeing your very first victim?" Dubenich drilled us with questions.
"Oh, there's nothing special about having to drag my ass here, you son of bitch. But seeing you behind bars in orange, hell yeah that's a sight I like seeing. Maybe I'll get some sleep tonight." I taunted Dubenich.
"You are going to regret this." Nate threatened calmly.
"Well, Nate, Kaira, all a man has in this world - as he has - are three things - his possessions… and his name. When you take all that away, any man will kill." Dubenich said.
Nate and I both lean in, silently warning Dubenich to back off. He laughed.
"Hey. Hey. Really, man, I-I'm really - I'm not scared of you. But aren't you just a little bit scared of me? After all, I know all your secrets." Dubenich said.
"You tell Latimer Kaira's and my secrets?" Nate asked.
"Well, sure, I told him. I mean, after all, I need help." Dubenich chuckled. "And Lati - well, Jack's always been someone who knows the value of information." Dubenich revealed.
"You want to skip the "I'm the bad guy" speech and just tell us what the hell all this is about, you bastard?" I asked Dubenich point blank.
"Well, Nate, Kaira… it's about consequences. You cannot walk this earth playing judge and jury with people's lives and not suffer consequences." Dubenich explained, his voice cold.
"You brought this out on yourself. You tried to kill me and my team. You tried to kill my daughter." Nate got closer to the glass.
"Your team? They're my team! Mine! I put them together, and then I handed them to you. I did all the research. I know exactly who they are. I know their techniques, I know their contacts, and I know your team better than anyone. I certainly know them better than you." Dubenich got angry.
But then he stared right at me.
"And I certainly know your partner better than you, Ms. Newton. Or should I say, Mrs. Spencer?" Dubenich taunted me.
I make a fist with my hand and I see it go right through the glass, and connect with Dubenich's smug face. But I take a breath and uncurl my fist.
"You don't know a damn thing about the new me. And you don't know a damn thing about my husband." I growled at Dubenich.
Dubenich just sighed.
"I'm sorry. So what have you been doing for three years? Playing Robin Hood? Know what I've been doing for three years? I've been preparing for this day." Dubenich said.
"Well… you'll have to do better." Nate taunted.
"Better than killing your father? Wow. Tough room. If you're thinking of ratting me out to Latimer about crossing the line and killing your father, don't bother. He knows. He approved it. After all, I made him millions. Well, technically you made him millions." Dubenich revealed.
Nate got close to the glass again.
"Do you remember when I said to you, next time we would meet, that I wouldn't be so nice?" Nate asked Dubenich.
"Yeah." Dubenich said.
"Okay. Welcome to the next time." Nate said.
Dubenich just shook his head as Nate got up.
"Thank you for your cooperation." I gave him a smirk and a wink as I left.
We got out of the prison and met with Sophie out in the car. Nate got in the driver's seat, and I got in the back, and Sophie was in the driver's seat.
"What'd you get?" Sophie asked.
"Latimer's protecting him. We have to crack Latimer first to get a clear run at Dubenich." Nate explained.
"What do you mean a clear run? Dubenich is already in jail. What's left to do to him?" Sophie asked.
Nate and I just looked at her.
"Besides killing the son of a bitch? Oh, I'm sure we have the perfect thing in mind." I said.
There was a new fury in me. Dubenich had shown his cards. He had information on my family. And he revealed Latimer as his accomplice. While we couldn't rat Dubenich to Latimer, we could use what he found to our advantage. And Dubenich and Latimer were gonna pay for trying to kill my family. But before we could do anything, he needed to hit Latimer's building.
Third Person POV
Parker and Kaira were inside the building, waiting to get into Latimer's office. Parker pointed out a keypad. Hardison was inside the van, hacking into the security, which was pretty serious. Hardison disengaged the lock for Parker. She made it in. Hardison instructed Parker on inserting a crypto key and then plant bugs. Eliot and his way up to the server. Everything was going smoothly. But then Hardison reported that someone caught his intrusion, and it was looking for his specific software.
Just then, the lock in Latimer's office engaged. And some guys went after Eliot.
"We're blown." Eliot reported.
"No, shit." Kaira retorted.
Hardison said he couldn't get an exit, but left as Parker and Kaira came up with a plan involving harnesses. Eliot made it down the steps, using fire extinguishers to mask his exit. He made it to the van. Parker and Kaira used a zipline to get down, landing on the roof. Parker and Kaira both yelled to go as Hardison drove off.
First Person POV (Kaira)
Well that went to shit quickly. Within a matter of minutes, all of us got caught. Figures Dubenich would warn Latimer about us. Knowing our faces, knowing Hardison's software. That had to come from Dubenich. Thing is, I haven't said anything to the team about Dubenich yet. Nate was still trying to figure out the connections and asked me not to. We needed answers, so I didn't tell the team since we didn't have any.
After a quick stop to allow Parker and me to get in the van, we drove back to McRory's. We walked up to Nate's apartment, not really looking forward to having to explain to him that we had our asses whupped.
"Man, I hope you have a plan double "Z" man, Cause we got… nothing." Hardison said.
We walked in, and the apartment was a mess. Papers everywhere, food containers, coffee cups, nothing put away.
"Whoa." I muttered, not realizing how bad Nate was.
Sophie was sitting at the bar, a sympathetic look on her face, coffee cup in hand. She nodded to where Nate was. He was asleep on a cot in front of the briefing table, all this info up on the screens.
"Boy, he upped the crazy. I didn't think he could do it." Hardison muttered.
We met in the middle of the room.
"Nate." Eliot said.
Nate all but shot out of his sleep.
"Whoa. Verd Agra. It all started with Verd Agra guys." Nate said, standing up.
"Was that the job with the potato?" Hardison questioned.
"Mm-hmm. I liked that potato." Parker said.
"Yes, it was the potato job, Hardison." I added.
"For three years, Victor Dubenich, from prison, has been telling Jack Latimer who we were gonna hit and when. And every time, he has profited from our work. Except once, when he saved the CEO of Verd Agra, the one that we took down - why?" Nate said.
"He probably has personal stakes in Verd Agra and needed to control the CEO for power." I explained.
"These are the land tracts that Verd Agra sold to Latimer, okay, with the CEO of Verd Agra's approval." Nate pointed out, pointing to the board off to his side, which had a map.
"What does he want with all that land?" Hardison asked.
He had sat down at the table.
"It's not the land. It's what's underneath, the water rights. Land without water is just dirt." Eliot pointed out.
"We have thousands of acres of private property all seized from locals. Latimer - he controls the water facilities, the pipelines, the dams. Our key right now is Bellington Dam." Nate explained, going to the other board.
"That had to be what the patent was for. He wants to build a water filter on the dam he controls." I realized.
"So this is it. This right here - this is our job." Nate said as Sophie walked over.
Eliot just kinda shook his head.
"No, this - we can't do this job, all right? We couldn't even do a simple recon." Eliot pointed out.
"Nathan, Dubenich warned him about us. Latimer has advanced biometrics, facial recognition. He even countered Hardison's software." I said, realizing this job was much more complicated.
"We need backup." Nate said, turning around.
"No, Nate, this was three years in the making. Dubenich said he knew all of our friends, our contacts, our moves. We can't call anyone we trust. We can't even get close to Dubenich or Latimer, Nate." I pointed out.
Nate sat down on the steps up to the kitchen next to Sophie.
"We find someone who is not a friend. Someone who's not in the game, someone we do not trust. That's what we do." Nate said.
I am just standing there, looking at everyone, thinking of the list of people I could call. But then I see Eliot's face realize something.
"Wait. Sweetheart, you just said Dubenich said he knew all our friends, our contacts, and our moves." Eliot pointed out.
I groan, realizing what I let slip.
"So you knew Dubenich was involved." Hardison said.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Parker asked.
I calm myself down.
"Because we didn't have all the answers yet. We needed to do recon on Latimer's building to get information. I didn't realize how quickly Latimer countered us. I just didn't want you guys asking questions and not have answers, okay? I'm sorry." I said, felling bad.
"It's all right, Kaira. Now, let's go get some back up." Sophie said, giving me a reassuring smile.
I calmed down as we left to brainstorm and plan ahead.
After some consideration, Eliot and I chose our recruit. Quinn. Yes, the same guy that kicked the crap out of both of us three years ago when we had to blow up the first office in Los Angeles. We managed to track him down in Kiev.
We walked into the warehouse, where we found Quinn surrounded by five guys. All armed, of course. I heard the tail end of their conversation, which seemed like a renegotiation. Figured we were doing Quinn a favor.
"Quinn." Eliot got the attention of everyone.
"Long time so see, Quinn. You're a hard man to find." I smiled a bit as the goons pointed and cocked guns at us.
"Eliot Spencer. Kaira Newton. You picked a hell of a time to settle scores, pals." Quinn said.
"Who are you?" One goon asked us.
"Who is this bitch?" Another goon questioned me.
I shot that goon a threatening look.
"It's Kaira Spencer now, actually." I flashed my wedding band.
Quinn just kinda hummed and cocked his head.
"We're not settling any scores here." Eliot pointed out.
"How would you like a job, Quinn?" I asked.
"As you can see, I am fairly unhappy in my current job situation." Quinn held up his handcuffed hands.
"What terms did you have in mind?" Quinn asked.
"One week. S-" Eliot moved forward, getting guns cocked at our chests.
Eliot and I took out the goons beside us.
"Do you mind?" I questioned the goons.
"Six figures." I added.
"Not bad." Quinn said, standing up.
He took out two goons.
"And we'd owe you a favor." Eliot added.
The goons kept switching between pointing their guns at me and Eliot and Quinn.
"All right, I can deal with that." Quinn said.
Eliot and Quinn took care of a goon each.
"I take it we have a deal then, Quinn?" I asked Quinn.
"Deal." Quinn said, shaking both of our hands.
"Now if we can just get the keys to these pesky handcuffs." Quinn said, looking at the lone goon standing.
"Who's got them? You have them? Do you have them?" Eliot questioned the goon.
I just knocked the goon out and grabbed the keys.
"Can't let you boys have all the fun now, can I?" I smirked at the boys as I unlocked the handcuffs.
"So you and Kaira, huh Eliot?" Quinn just looked at Eliot, rubbing his wrists.
"Shut up." Eliot groaned, though I saw a bit of a smirk peak through.
"Oh, no hard feelings, right Kaira?" Quinn looked at me.
"No hard feelings." I patted his back as I walked forward.
"How the hell did you land her?" Quinn questioned Eliot.
"I don't even know, man." I hear Eliot say behind me.
I smirk some.
"Got to say, I'm a little jealous." Quinn told Eliot.
I chuckle a bit.
"Oh, don't be jealous, Quinn. You're just missing out on this fine ass." I say a bit flirty, and suppressing a laugh.
I hear what sounds like a gasp from Quinn.
"And what a fine ass it is." Eliot said, flirty.
"Damn right it is, baby." I tease to screw with Eliot as we leave.
Third Person POV
Parker's choice was Archie Leech. Her mentor who she saved from a Steranko. Parker walked in between Archie and his daughter and granddaughter. Archie recognized her. Archie asked for his wallet back, as well as his daughters and the lollipop. When Archie's daughter asked who Parker was, Archie said she was his daughter. Archie and Parker left.
Hardison's very, and believe me when I say, very reluctant choice was Colin Mason, or Chaos, or whatever. Hardison warned Mason not to try anything, but Mason really wanted Hardison to say Chaos. Colin was already packed and just asked for his usual fee plus expenses, and Parker to dress up as Starbuck from "Battlestar Galactica". Obviously, Hardison warned him to stop. Mason also said he'd accept Sophie as Counselor Troi, or Kaira as Princess Leia. You can imagine what specific outfit he asked for. Hardison very quickly shut the idea down, citing that Kaira could kick his ass and would have no problem doing it. (A/N Yeah, I hate Mason.) Mason said they'd negotiate on the flight.
First Person POV (Kaira)
There was also something else we realized as we were planning our next step. No doubt Latimer was going to get Dubenich free from prison. And he was going to track down Nate's apartment, and no doubt me and Eliot's. Which meant our apartments were burned. So, when we got back to Boston, we hauled ass and got everything that was of value out, making sure to leave no traces, of course. And Nate had found us an underground base we could use.
I was going through my boxes of stuff when I saw Hardison walking in with Mason. I can't help but smile as I see Hardison light up, covering his mouth.
"No. You got me a Batcave?!" Hardison and I started laughing.
"A Batcave?" Hardison was definitely excited.
"No, I did not." Nate said from the table we had set up.
"Yeah, we did." I smiled at Hardison, giving him a wink.
Hardison just wrapped me in a hug, pleased.
"I take it you like it, Hardison?" I chuckled.
"Hell yeah, girl. You're the best!" Hardison exclaimed as he stiill hugged me, bouncing.
"Yeah, this is totally a Batcave. Okay, you guys suck a little less now." Mason said.
Hardison let go but was bouncing around.
"Don't push it, Mason. I will kick your ass again." I warned Mason.
Eliot and Quinn walked by, holding the painting of Old Nate.
"What the hell is this?" Quinn asked Eliot.
"Don't ask." Eliot growled.
"Good luck charm." I reminded Eliot as he and Quinn put the painting up on the wall.
I see Archie and Parker come in.
"These were the old subway lines, sealed up when the new tunnels were built under the bay. I used them myself back in the '60s after a rather spectacular jewelry heist." Archie said.
I shook his hand. We were all in a line.
"Wow, you are super old. Thank you for the history lesson." Mason told Archie sarcastically.
Then Mason made some comment about punching Hitler. Parker walked in between them, and Mason called Parker yummy. Before I could get a word out, Archie had his cane up to Mason's neck, saying one was a taser delivering 10,000 volts, the other a blade. Sophie walked up, making sure everything was okay. Mason asked which one it was, which Archie said he didn't remember. I can't help but chuckle a bit. Sophie told Archie to calm down.
Nate was still getting all the information sorted, and Hardison was getting the briefing set up. I was watching everyone settle down some. But then I saw someone walk in.
"So this is where the party is. And no one invited me." The voice I heard was Brian Galileo's.
My ex-boyfriend who I thought was back in New York. We all turned to face him. Eliot ran up to Brian and pinned him against the wall. Quinn and I walked up to him.
"The hell are you doing here, Brian?" I asked him.
Brian was groaning. Eliot had his elbow against Brian's neck. I could tell Brian was trying to talk, but given that Eliot was crushing his throat, he couldn't.
"Eliot, ease up a bit." I told Eliot.
He reluctantly did, staring Brian down. Brian coughed, trying to get air in his lungs.
"Still see you have your dog." Brian said, his hands up.
Nate had walked over beside me, Quinn on the other, keeping a hand on my arm so I wouldn't throttle Brian. Parker and Archie were by the table.
"That dog is my husband, son of a bitch. And he isn't my dog. I can take care of myself." I hissed at Brian.
"Who's this guy?" Quinn asked me.
"That, Mr. Quinn, is my sorry excuse of an ex-boyfriend." I told him, my arms crossed.
"I thought Kaira told you to get bent." Eliot growled at Brian.
"I was in the area. Heard from my new buddy Chaos that there was a job, thought I'd lend my expertise." Brian said.
I glared at Mason, who just shrugged his shoulders.
"What do you want?" Nate asked Brian.
"Oh, nothing much. Just want to help you take down Latimer, kitten." Brian looked at me with the cold eyes I wanted to forget.
"What do you got against Latimer, Brian?" I asked.
"Well, as you know, kitten, I'm a bit strapped for cash. Latimer offered to pay me for a job. I partially completed the job, but Latimer gave the job to someone else. And he refused to pay me for services rendered. I want paid." Brian said.
I chuckled at the irony.
"Brian Galileo, coming to his ex to get paid cause daddy won't give him his allowance. What a joke." I taunted.
Brian tried to escape Eliot's grip, but Eliot just slammed him against the wall again.
"You're such a bitch, you know that, Kaira?" Brian hissed at me.
"Oh, you haven't seen the half of it." I taunted Brian.
"Oh, I have." Brian taunted.
Brian sighed.
"Anyways, what do you say?" Brian asked me.
I thought a moment. And I come up with an idea.
"All right. But you play by my rules. Six figures, same as the rest of the team. You pull any shit, I will personally make sure you never see the light of day." I warn Brian.
"Deal." Brian agreed.
I signaled Eliot to let go. Brian walked up to me.
"Usually it's me giving the orders, kitten." Brian taunted me.
"Really? I thought that was because were overcompensating." I taunted Brian.
He went to hit me, but Quinn grabbed his arm and I clocked him.
"Don't test me, Brian." I warned him.
Brian just chuckled. I let it go for now and walk away. I go off to where no one can see me and I take a breath, holding back tears.
"Hey, Princess, you okay? Eliot asked me.
I take a breath.
"Yeah. Just didn't expect my ex of all people to show up again." I told him.
"I know, sweetheart." Eliot said.
He held my face with one hand and started rubbing my cheek.
"Hey, Princess, you're safe. I'm not gonna let him hurt you, okay? Both Nate and Quinn, hell even Hardison, gave him a warning. And Parker threatened to tase him, so." Eliot said, causing me to chuckle.
"I appreciate the threatening, but I can handle Brian. And I have a plan." I told Eliot.
"What's the plan?" Eliot asked.
I just told Eliot it would help us and I went back out to deal with the briefing. We were seated in pairs. Archie and Parker at one table, Eliot and Quinn at another, Hardison and Mason at another table, Nate at the screen Sophie sat by Eliot and me in between her, and Brain was standing off to the side. Hardison got ready for his briefing.
"Latimer's in the middle of a deal with the Chinese investors for control over the dam and the network of facilities that it serves." Hardison explained.
"But, according to Federal Land-Use laws, he must maintain these facilities in proper working order, or he forfeits control." Mason continued.
"There's not enough of us to take all that down." Eliot pointed out.
"Network. Network means they're connected. It's like hacking any other network. We just find the weak spot. Then we-" Hardison was cut off by Mason.
"We apply maximum pressure to create maximum chaos." Mason said as Hardison was annoyed.
I groaned.
"Can I hit him?" Quinn asked.
"Which one?" Eliot asked.
"Either one." Quinn said.
Hardison was not happy about that.
"Not here." I warned the boys.
"You see, it's not just me." Eliot looked at Sophie.
"Here's our problem. Hardison signs on to any computer on Latimer's network, it triggers alarms. Parker goes anywhere near anything valuable, alarms. Eliot and Kaira show their faces anywhere, a lot of alarms. Sophie talks to anyone Latimer knows, and I bet Dubenich will personally fall out of the sky. That is why we need you. But you are gonna follow my people's lead. And I want to make something very clear. Nobody… goes near Victor Dubenich. He is mine. Understood?" Nate gave his speech.
We broke off to make a plan. Though, I was formulating my own plan. And my plan was going to make sure I would never have to worry about Brain Galileo coming back anytime soon. I managed to find Brian off to the side.
"Hey, Brian, came you come here a moment?" I asked him.
He excused himself and walked over. I lead him to the area where we could talk in private. I had a paper and pen in my hand.
"How can I help, kitten?" Brian asked me.
God, I hated that goddamn pet name. Sends shivers of fear down my spine every damn time.
"If you want to get paid, Hardison needs some bank numbers to wire the money." I handed Brian the paper and pen.
He wrote down the routing numbers and other relevant numbers Hardison would need. He handed the paper back to me.
"I'll make sure Hardison gets that." I said.
I stuck the paper in my pocket.
"What's the real reason you're here, Brian?" I asked him.
Brian just scoffed.
"What the hell do you mean? Latimer screwed me out of a paycheck, I want my money." Brian tried to sell me.
"Bullshit, Brian. It's not just the paycheck with you. You've always wanted the old man's respect. And I heard that you were looking for me." I said.
Brian just chuckled.
"You still think you know me, kitten?" Brian questioned me.
I wince at that damn nickname.
"Actually, you bastard, I do. I bet Latimer promised you more than just a paycheck, right?" I questioned Brian.
He scoffed again.
"I liked you better when you just followed orders." Brian chuckled.
"You're right. Latimer originally hired me to steal that patent, but he gave me a different job instead once he hired Jimmy Ford. He wanted my expertise in explosives for insurance." Brian revealed, cold.
I try to hold back every emotion I'm feeling.
"Of course. You built the bombs that killed Jimmy Ford." I put two and two together, getting upset.
"Just like the bomb that was sent to your actress friend." Brian hissed.
He got really close to me, and I was getting uncomfortable.
"Oh, you actually cared for that old bastard? Oh, grow up, Kitten. I'm the only one who truly ever cared about you." Brian said.
TW: Abuse
I went to push Bryan off, but he grabbed the back of my hair and pulled down hard. I groan in pain.
"You think these guys care about you? You're husband? They don't deserve you. You don't deserve anyone but me." Brian hissed harshly in my ear.
I slammed my foot down on his and give him a stiff elbow.
"Is that what you tell your girlfriend? Trish Conrad ain't it? 10th grade." I hissed at Brian.
Two can play at that game, bitch.
"Oh, Trish knows it's true." Brian scoffed at me again.
"Right, you never liked the fight back. You just liked the smacking around, huh?" I told Brian.
He went to smack me, but I blocked him, pinning him against the wall.
"Of course, you'd go to the next piece of ass after I grew up and dumped you." I hissed at Brian.
End of TW
I let him go and push him against the wall.
"You didn't grow up, Kaira. You just hid who you truly were." Brian taunted me.
I let out a chuckle of amusement.
"And who am I, Brian?" I asked him.
"A drifter who will never fit in. This family you think you've created, it's a poor attempt of escaping what you're meant to be." Brian told me.
I chuckle in amusement again.
"Who I'm meant to be? What, a pawn in your family's game? A mob don, uniting the Galileo and Newton family through marriage? No. I'm done with you, Brian. I'm done being a pawn in your family's game for power. If it wasn't for the fact we needed you, I would be throwing your pathetic, sad, little ass out of here. Though you lay a hand on me again, I will personally make sure your bloodline end with you. Don't think I won't, Brian. I can make a phone call, and your ass is toast." I threaten Brian before he can say anything, I leave.
I step into some room off to the side of the tunnel and exhale. There was a mix of emotions washing over me. Relief that I was able to confront Brian, empowered that I didn't let Brian control me at that moment. But there was a little bit of fear, too. After a few moments, I was able to calm myself down.
Third Person POV
Nate was off to the side, loading his father's gun, sitting on the slab of cement. Sophie walked over, pointing out it was indeed Jimmy Ford's gun. Sophie said she didn't have a lot of rules in the world, just three. Don't count the money till after the con, don't walk away from the con. But Nate pointed out those were from "The Gambler". Sophie said her third rule was don't get involved with a murderer. Nate pointed out that both Eliot and Kaira have killed. Sophie realized Nate had a point, but knew not to respond, as Nate was too bright. Sophie went to walk away. Nate asked her if she was gonna take the gun. Sophie pointed out that Nate was bright, and he'd just find another one. Sophie walked away as Nate was aiming the gun.
First Person POV (Kaira)
Eliot, Hardison, and I went to Bellington Dam in upstate NY. We were in our uniforms, hard hats too. Hardison was also wheeling a cart. We were walking down the outside hallway.
"How long before video nails us?" Eliot asked.
"Facial-recognition software takes about seven minutes to tag us, give or take." Hardison said.
Just then, the alarm started blaring. We stopped and I give Hardison a bitch face.
"Seven min - Damn it, Hardison!" Eliot exclaimed as we started moving our asses.
"What part of give or take do you clearly not understand?" Hardison commented.
We got spotted by security. We head inside the building. We realize we need to head down to get to the pipes. Then I hear a tapping on the glass, and we turn and I see Victor Dubenich, standing there like he was king shit. He moved his glasses up and waved.
"I forgot how much I hate him." Hardison said.
I may have flipped Dubenich off and said something similar to "Screw you", but ef, uh, and kah were used instead. We started getting chased by security. We made our way down, but we ran into more goons. We all slowed to a stop.
"Boys." Eliot said.
He then blocked both of their punches, got low and hit them in the junk, and bang their heads together, causing me to slightly smile. Hardison grabbed a bag of ice that had our surprise in it. I yelled for Hardison to go.
"You better be ready, Quinn" I said in my comm. We took care of the goons.
Third Person POV
Upriver at the Haverford Water Control & Power Plant, Quinn, Mason, and Brian all walked in. There was some banter. Quinn said he didn't know how Eliot and Kaira put up with it. Brian actually agreed with him. Hardison put muscles into the pipes. Hardison called now, but Mason was almost ready.
Mason had made it to the dam control computer. Mason pointed out that the place was so old, it didn't have any modern security measures. But it was still tied into the main dam's maintenance system, which was a back door. Though Mason was mansplaining to Quinn (A/N I'm sure Will Wheaton is a sweetheart in real life, but Chaos is such an ass.) as Brian stood guard. Quinn threatened Mason with needed his fingers to type. Brian then heard cars coming, so he warned them.
Quinn told Mason they needed to go, so Mason left. Quinn said they needed to find another way online. They went down the steps and Mason said he needed 30 seconds. Quinn and Brian used the stairs to force the guys to come at them one at a time, and easily took care of them. Mason got in and unlocked the service hatch for Hardison.
Hardison dumped muscles into the pipe. The muscles were Quagga muscles. An invasive species from Europe. Since they were aggressive breeders, they would eventually clog the pipes if it wasn't cleaned out. And a simple rinse wouldn't do as they would get in the waterways, destroying the other dams, and the EPA would fine Latimer. The kicker was that it was gonna take a year to decontaminate it.
All part of the plan. Brian, Mason, and Quinn all ran off but realized they were cornered, so Quinn suggested they take a dive into the dam. They did, all while getting shot at. Eliot, Kaira, and Hardison left and met back up at the base.
First Person POV (Kaira)
Oh, do I love it when a plan comes together. Mason was sniffling, wrapped up in a blanket, not happy he was thrown off a dam. Serves him right. Quinn was alright, and well, Brian I couldn't give two shits about. I mostly was hiding, cause I didn't want to see Brian again.
I saw Archie ask about things Hardison had given him. It was kinda cute seeing Hardison trying to impress Archie with Parker next to him. Archie apparently needed stuff to make a cake. Hardison took note. Chaos was jealous, making a joke about Parker in a prom dress, which promptly got him tased. I can't help but chuckle.
Then I heard Sophie walk up to me.
"How are you holding up, sweetie?" Sophie asked me.
"I've been worse. Not exactly the best case scenario here, you know?" I told Sophie.
"I know. Kaira, I see your face everytime you see Brian. I know you're scared of him. And I know you aren't scared of him hurting you physically. It's mental." Sophie read me quite easily but was gentle about it.
"I can handle the bruises, it's what I do. But back in the day, I was convinced that Brian was what I deserved. It took me a long time to leave. That's part of the reason I joined the Army. I needed to leave. But the other part of me wanted to honor my dad. I didn't want to end up like my parents. And I realized that the only way I was going to escape was leaving Brian. So, I did." I explained, trying to hold back from crying.
"But you didn't realize how much mental damage he had done." Sophie said.
"Yeah." I admitted reluctantly.
"Kaira, I know we haven't always seen eye to eye. And I know I wasn't always easy to be around. But, Kaira, the one thing I know that is true about you is that you have a good heart. You may not have realized it, but you broke that cycle when you wanted to change." Sophie gave me a soft smile, putting her hand on my shoulder.
"I remember after we beat Dubenich, when we agreed to group up, you said that the six of us could do some good. That this would redeem you, redeem all of us. And you have, Kaira. Think of all the people we helped." Sophie told me.
I just gave her a slight smile.
"Thanks, Soph." I said.
Sophie gave me a soft smile.
"And you and Eliot deserve each other, Kaira. I see it. The subtle glances, how at ease you are with each other, the physical contact to reassure each other you're okay. The way you both smile when you see each other. That's love, darling. Don't ever forget that." Sophie reminded me.
She walked away, and I stood there just thinking.
Third Person POV
Archie and Parker went to hit a party Latimer was having. Archie was pushing the very large cake, which had Parker in it, to the elevator. When the door closed, Archie let Parker out, and she handed him his cane and jacket. Archie walked around and found a dagger.
Hardison and Mason were both in the van. Hardison and Mason were arguing, Hardison saying Mason's software wouldn't work, but Mason pointed out that they were ready for his "kung fu", but not ready for his "drunken mastery". Mason did get it to work, opening a port. Hardison then had a realization that this was how Eliot and Kaira feel all the time, saying he wanted to hit something.
Let's just say, this was part two. Part one was taking Latimer's business. Part two: taking that son of a bitch's possessions. And that is what Archie and Parker were doing.
Then Nate confronted Latimer, saying they should talk like gentlemen.
Parker was hiding in the elevator when it went to the vault. When the security, and Dubenich, left the vault, Parker was able to come down from the ceiling, and since Archie put a camera on a security guard's badge, she got the combination.
Nate offered Latimer an ultimatum. Stop protecting Dubenich, and give him to Nate. Latimer asked what he got out of it. Nate said he'd stop. Latimer said that Jimmy was a penny-ante thief, and that Nate was just like him.
Then Dubenich called Latimer over, and the lights went down, but came back on. He put the sword in the vault. But the sword exploded. Archie then was able to leave with the cake. He met Hardison and Mason at the van, and revealed he had the real sword.
Here's what actually happened. Archie used his cane to fry the electrical socket next to the sword. And Archie was able to switch out the sword itself, replacing it with one that went boom. And since the sword went boom boom in the vault, all of Latimer's possessions were destroyed. The ironic thing was that Dubenich had given Nate the plan. Business, possessions, and name. And that was part three.
First Person POV (Kaira)
Part two of our plan had worked. I was working on part three, but I heard what sounded like gunshots. I met with Eliot and quickly learned it was Nate working on his target practice. We walked up to him.
"You know a lot of things, Nate. You don't know how this is gonna change you." Eliot told him.
"He's right, Nathan." I said.
"You two handled it." Nate said, not looking at us.
"Well, you have no idea who I was before all this… started. That guy - kid - he had God in his heart, and he had a flag on his shoulder… clean hands." Eliot said.
I could tell it hurt him to say this, so I grabbed his arm and squeezed it to let him know I was there. Nate turned around.
"And I ain't seen him in the mirror in over 10 years. And believe me… I get up every morning looking for him. So you can trust me when I tell you, you pull that trigger, and two men die - the guy you kill… and the guy you used to be." Eliot told Nate.
He walked away. I stayed put.
"He's right. I still don't look at myself in the mirror the same. But I'm getting better." I took a breath.
"Nate, you do this, it may feel good for a day, a month, whatever. But it won't last forever. You'll look back, and you'll think to yourself, "What have I become?" You'll look back at that moment, and you'll know there are people who would be disappointed. Like Sam. Like me. Like the team. Like everyone who gives a damn about you, Nathan. So I'm begging you, Nate. As your teammate; as your friend… as your daughter. Do not do this. Do not go down this road." I all but begged Nate.
I walked away, trying to calm myself down as I heard Nate shooting again. I'm not gonna lie, seeing Nate like this scared the shit out of me. I managed to track down Eliot. I found him in my hiding spot.
"Hey, babe." I gave him a soft smile.
"Hey, sweetheart." Eliot smiled back at me.
"About what you said to Nate, I get it. And Eliot, I just want you to know that I don't see the man you were." I told Eliot, wrapping my arms around his neck as he put his hands on my lower back.
"What do you see when you look at me?" Eliot asked me.
I moved some hair out of his face.
"I just see you. The man who found me back in 2002, needing a purpose. The man who opened my heart. The man I call my husband and share his name with. The man who taught me that I could be loved." I started fiddling with Eliot's hair.
"And no matter what, Eliot Spencer, I will be right here." I pointed to his heart.
"Forever and always, babe." I told him.
"Forever and always, sweetheart." Eliot repeated.
"How did I get so damn lucky?" Eliot asked out loud.
"Good things do happen, Eliot. Even to the people who don't think they deserve it." I told him.
He leaned in and gave me a peck on the lips. I mouthed that I love him, and Eliot mouthed it back. We went back to our tasks.
Third Person POV
Part three of the plan was a go; Latimer's name. It got leaked to the press about Latimer being investigated for unusual pattern of behavior.
Sophie went to talk to him at a bar, but as suspected, Dubenich came and had Sophie escorted off. Of course, Dubenich thought he was slick, but then they ran into Quinn.
"Who the hell are you?" Dubenich asked Quinn.
"Well, I'm definitely not Eliot, and I sure ain't Kaira." Quinn said.
Just then, Eliot tackled Dubenich. Quinn punched the guy in front of him, and Kaira punched the other goon. With Dubenich down, Eliot, Kaira, and Quinn easily took down the goons. Quinn got a gun from one of the goons. He tossed it to Eliot, and Kaira's face dropped. Eliot just looked at the gun and then Quinn. Sophie walked up to Eliot, worried. Eliot cocked the gun and pointed it at Dubenich. The panic in Sophie and Kaira rose.
"What are you doing?" Sophie asked Eliot.
"Eliot." Kaira got beside Eliot, facing him, her hand on his chest.
Eliot's hand was trembling.
"I'm thinking about saving my friend some trouble." Eliot said, cold.
"Eliot. Don't. You're not that man anymore." Kaira told Eliot, moving her hand to his cheek.
Kaira kept looking at Eliot in the eyes, silently pleading for Eliot to stop.
"Don't be the man you hate seeing in the mirror." Kaira whispered to Eliot.
She put her hand on Eliot's hand he was using to hold the gun and lowered it. Kaira exhaled and stepped back. He uncocked the gun. Sophie ran off, mostly relieved. Kaira walked with Eliot as he disarmed the gun, Quinn walking beside him.
"Hell, next time, give me the gun. I'm your huckleberry." Quinn said.
"Here." Eliot handed the gun to Quinn.
"Little late now." Quinn grabbed the gun.
"Love that movie." Eliot gave a smile.
"Who the hell doesn't?" Quinn said, putting the gun in his pants.
Kaira just shook her head.
Back inside, Maggie walked up to Latimer, introducing herself as Jenny. After flirting a bit with Latimer, and drugging him, Sophie and Maggie met up with Nate. Nate was not thrilled that Sophie brought his wife in. Sophie reminded Nate that Maggie was his ex, and Maggie said she always used ex. She told Nate she was sorry about Jimmy. Nate told Sophie this was out of line. Sophie reminded Nate that he said to get someone not in the game, and she didn't know anyone not in the game, and Maggie was the most honest woman she knew. Nate said she didn't tell him, which Maggie responded that they knew he'd do this.
Nate questioned what, and Sophie said they were friends, and that Maggie was a good grifter. Maggie said that now Sophie and Nate were together, Sophie asked a favor, and she couldn't refuse. Nate was surprised, which Sophie said he looked like a slapped mackerel. Sophie then left to wait for him.
Nate told Maggie that while they were together, nothing happened. Maggie called Nate a Jesuit, and said that if temptation counted as cheating, no marriage would make it past the first year. Maggie then said to imagine what it was like for her having Nate bring Sterling around. Nate was surprised, but Maggie said they'd better hurry, cause Latimer was waking soon.
So they got Latimer in a location. And, there was a little surprise from Parker, as she cleaned out his vault. And another surprise courtesy of Nate, Maggie, Sophie, and Kaira, who all passed out information that proved that Latimer was inside trading, using the fact that he did the trades just before the CEOS were fired most of the time.
First Person POV (Kaira)
Victor Dubenich did what we wanted him to do. Transfer his funds into our account. Everyone got paid the agreed amounts. Eliot and Hardison did their handshake, and we said goodbye. Quinn asked Eliot about that favor. I walked up to Brian.
"Money should be in your account in a few moments." I told Brian.
"Always a pleasure doing business, Kaira." Brian said.
I scoffed and gave him a death glare. He left.
I heard Archie say that he approved of Hardison. Parker said she did care. Archie asked how it feels, and Parker said it felt weird, but she was getting used to it.
Hardison and Mason were bickering. Nate was also back, watching everything.
Once everyone cleared out, Nte was about to leave.
"Nate, don't." Sophie said.
"Nathan, I swear to God, do not do this alone." I threatened.
"I'm gonna do this one alone." Nate told us.
"We either have each other's backs or we don't." Parker told Nate.
"My choice, my responsibility." Nate said.
He was walking up the steps.
"You son of a bitch! We're your family, Nathan! Don't do this." I said, begging Nate.
He just walked off.
Third Person POV
Dubenich went after the patent and went to Haverford Water Control & Power Plant. Nate confronted Dubenich downstairs. Dubenich and security pulled out guns and Nate ran.
Luckily for Nate, his team had arrived, taking out goons as well. Sophie, Hardison, and Parker dealt with the goons downstairs.
Eliot and Kaira were outside on the bridge, Eliot punched a goon. The second one stood there.
"You know, somebody locked Jimmy Ford in that warehouse." Eliot questioned the goon.
"Wouldn't happen to be you, would it?" Kaira questioned the goon.
The guy revealed he had a gun.
"You know I have a gun." The goon said.
"Yeah. That's what makes it fair." Eliot taunted.
Him and Kaira ran after the goon. Eliot managed to discharge the gun away from Kaira, and Kaira broke the guy's wrist to take the gun.
Meanwhile, Dubenich was chasing Nate through the bridges to the dam. Dubenich managed to land a shot, grazing Nate's shoulder. Nate then ended up at the dam. He saw Dubenich run up. Dubenich aimed the gun at Nate. Nate had his hands up as Dubenich backed him up to the edge of the dam.
"All right." Nate muttered, getting his breath.
"How's this all working out for you, Victor?" Nate asked Dubenich.
"Okay, thanks. Oh, you mean…" Dubenich chuckled.
"There's no patent, there's no water filter. Well, thanks for your concern. You can now gloat me to death." Dubenich taunted Nate.
"You know, Victor, the thing about you is, you know, you get so angry that you forget about the little details." Nate said.
Dubenich thought a moment.
"No, I'm good." Dubenich said.
He went to pull the trigger on his gun, but it clicked.
"Like counting bullets. Hard to do that when you're so one here - my father's gun - this has five bullets." Nate said, getting out his gun.
He cocked the gun and pointed it at Dubenich.
"I'm quite certain of it." Nate said.
Dubenich put his gun down and Nate circled Dubenich, who had his hands up. Nate then backed Dubenich to the edge of the dam.
"I don't think you're gonna do it." Dubenich said, not certain.
"Yeah, I went through a lot of trouble to get you out here just to let you go." Nate said.
They were at the edge of the dam.
"You didn't kill the man responsible for your son's death and Kaira's sister's death." Dubenich pointed out.
Nate took a couple more steps.
"My son and daughter would be ashamed of me if I was a murderer." Nate lowered the gun, and Dubenich looked relieved.
"Yeah." Dubenich said.
"My father on the other hand - he'd buy me an ice cream." Nate recocked the gun on Dubenich.
Dubenich put his hands up again.
"Wait-wait a minute! Listen to me. Latimer bankrolled me. I couldn't have done anything without Latimer." Dubenich panicked.
"So, what are you saying? The-the wrong man is standing here?" Nate questioned Dubenich.
Dubenich chuckled nervously.
"In a way." Dubenich said.
"Victor, I got a little surprise for you. Stay put." Nate walked over to a storage door, the gun still trained on Dubenich.
Nate opened the door, revealing Latimer. Nate pushed Latimer beside Dubenich.
"You don't want to kill me. It was him. He blackmailed me into helping him." Latimer said as Nate got in between them.
"No." Dubenich said, shocked.
"You let me go, I'll make it up to you - I swear." Latimer offered.
"Oh, you're saying kill Dubenich and let you go?" Nate questioned.
"Yes. Yes." Latimer said.
"Hang it on him?" Nate questioned.
"Yes." Latimer said.
"Oh, yes. Ex-con with fraud convictions, make him the fall guy. You get a bunch of lawyers and start over. I see how that could all work out for you. It's pretty perfect because, with Dubenich dead, there'd be nobody to contradict your story, right? So all your problems would be solved." Nate said, cocking the gun.
"That's right! You kill me, he starts over! He's the CEO of a powerful company. He could do a lot of harm to a lot of people. Nate. He sent your father into the warehouse." Dubenich argued.
Nate pointed the gun at Latimer.
"So kill Latimer and let you go? Yeah, I - well, that way, I mean, there would be no one to tie you to the illegal trades. And I mean, you're smart. You'd find the cash and the diamonds that he hid. So with Latimer dead, you'd go free. But the problem I'm having with all of this is if only one of you died, the other will go free!" Nate argued, getting angry.
Dubenich and Latimer got worried.
"I got five bullets!" Nate chuckled.
He cocked the gun again.
"Who would like to go first?" Nate asked.
Nate just kept switching his aim between Latimer and Dubenich. Dubenich sighed, realizing this wasn't gonna end well.
Nate then looked up at the bridge, where his team, his family, had gathered, watching him. All with varying expressions of worry. Kaira had to hold Eliot's hand to calm herself. She just shook her head no. Nate looked at the team, realizing that Kaira was right. His family would be disappointed in him. Nate thought hard, looking back at Dubenich and Latimer.
"Of course, nobody has to pull the trigger today." Nate said.
He walked in between Dubenich and Latimer. He sighed as he looked out.
"We could all just walk away and accept the consequences of what we've done." Nate said.
He laid the gun down on the ground. He looked once more at Latimer and Dubenich. Nate walked away, leaving Dubenich and Latimer to fight to get control of the gun. They both fell off the side of the dam and a gunshot rang out.
He met his team back along the river. Sophie patched Nate up. Sophie pointed out that Nate's plan was spectacularly awful. Nate said it was lucky she showed up then. Sophie said she was glad Nate didn't do it. Nate said he wasn't his father and if he lived like him, he'd always be looking for the next payout, never looking at what he had. And that if you lived the way he lived, eventually your luck just runs out.
Nate said he had to make some changes. Sophie asked what kind of changes. Nate said he had plans. Sophie said that never goes wrong. They stood up. Nate said he had very big plans. Sophie asked what plans, and Nate kissed Sophie passionately.
But off to the side, Hardison, Eliot, Kaira, and Parker were bickering.
"We can't get a car in there." Eliot said.
"Come on!" Parker exclaimed.
"You can't have a Batcave without a Batmobile." Eliot argued.
"If Eliot's car won't fit, I don't want it." Kaira argued.
"You can have a Batcave, man, just-" Hardison argued.
"How are you gonna get a car in there?" Eliot asked.
Parker and Kaira saw Nate and Sophie kiss.
"It's a car. It ain't a boat." Hardison said.
"Just ask him!" Parker told Hardison.
"Nate! Can we keep the cave?!" Hardison called out to Nate.
Nate and Sophie stopped kissing. Nate looked a tad annoyed.
"We are not keeping the cave!" Nate called back.
"I told you. I told you, didn't I?" Eliot told Hardison.
"Hey, hold it. Don't be so hasty. Look, hear me out. Two words - Eliot Signal." Hardison said.
While they kept bickering, Nate looked at Sophie.
"Hey. Let's go break the law." Nate said.
"Mm. Just one more time?" Sophie questioned, liking the idea.
"Oh, a few more times." Nate said.
They walked away, Hardison and Eliot still bitching about the light, with Eliot suggesting it would be a wolf, and it wouldn't work. They left the dam and gathered up all their gear from the cave and separated again.
First Person POV (Kaira)
Finally, this damn job was over. I'm glad Nate didn't shoot Dubenich or Latimer. I realized that this job went way too fast, and I wasn't able to really process anything. So, here I was in my and Eliot's hotel room. Our things are in a storage container. Our apartment, our home burned. It kinda sucked. The apartment where Eliot proposed to me, the place I'd go when a job got a little too much, in the bed we agreed to share, where a lot of memories were made, a lot of tears shed.
My thoughts were interrupted by my phone ringing. Eliot was in the shower, trying to calm down. I take a breath, seeing who was calling me, and picked up the phone.
"Hello?" I said.
"You bitch! What the hell did you do?!" Brian's voice nearly blows my eardrum.
"Oh, just gave you what you deserved, you son of a bitch." I hissed.
I should probably explain what happened.
Flashback:
Not long after Brian had showed up, I knew the only way to get Brian out of my life for good was to set him up. So, I approached Hardison.
"Hardison, I need a favor." I told him.
We went to the private area I kept using.
"Anything." He said.
"I need your help to take Brian down." I told Hardison.
"What do you need?" He asked me.
"If I get you Brian's bank account info, can you use the information to purchase the muscles?" I asked Hardison.
"Not a problem, Kaira." Hardison said.
"One more thing. I have a feeling about something. When I go to get the account information, can you record my comm? Then put the recording and information on a drive and give it to me." I asked Hardison.
"Kaira, what are you planning?" Hardison asked me.
I just looked at him. Hardison had agreed. So, the conversation Brian and I had was recorded, and I asked Hardison not to tell anything to anyone. And I passed along that flash drive to some friends at the NYPD that knew my family. And that was enough to bring charges on Brian for hurting me and conspiracy, and accessory to murder.
End of Flashback
"Guess you didn't see this coming, huh?" I questioned Brian as I heard the police sirens in the distance.
"Oh, you bitch! You're gonna pay for this!" Brian screamed into the phone.
"I paid enough because of you, you son of a bitch. Now it's your turn. See you in Hell." I ended the phone call.
I put my phone down, and just laid back in the crappy bed. And everything hits me at once. Tears start forming in my eyes as I realize for the first time, I am free. I am free from the fear of Brian coming after me. And I'm free from his family coming after me.
Eliot came out of the bathroom, just wearing plaid pants, and walked up to me.
"Kaira, hey, what's going on? What's wrong?" Eliot asked me.
I smiled a bit through the tears.
"I set Brian up to take the fall for what happened. He's gonna be arrested. I'm free." I cried.
Eliot just held me as I cried into his shoulder.
"How does that make you feel?" Eliot asked me.
"Like a goddamn weight off my chest." I managed to get out.
Eliot ran his fingers through my hair. I chuckled and kissed him.
"Eliot, how do you feel about taking a vacation?" I asked him.
"Sure. We're about due for one anyway." Eliot said.
"Okay." I said.
"Why did you ask?" Eliot asked me.
"Just lately, these last jobs have been hard on me. I just want to get away for a while. Take some time to process everything." I explained.
"All right, Sweetheart." Eliot said, smiling at me.
For once, I was able to breathe and not worry about what was next. And going on vacation with my husband was going to be a much-needed boost.