Alrighty so here's the latest. In back to back chapter form otherwise this update would've felt never-ending. Not much action in these segments, but I'm laying groundwork for something pretty big so take these as you will. Thanks so much indigo, eyesdown (who's newest story is nothing short of fantastic btw) and livulmann for the reviewage. I noticed some new following going on too so yay! Anyway, here goes nothin. :P
Despite Carrie's protesting, Maggie decided to stick around and straighten up until her shift, and instructed Danny to do the same. Farrah and Carrie were talking in Farrah's room, but Danny was pacing at the foot of the staircase, fearing their conversation wasn't going particularly well.
"They've been up there awhile. You think Carrie needs backup?", he frowned.
"Ah, so this is what it's like being engaged to a CIA operative.", Maggie snorted, taking a seat on the living room couch before he joined her.
"I'm serious, Mags. You know this shit with Brody is going to hit Farrah hard."
"And Carrie knows this. She also knows she wants to handle it on her own. We should respect that."
Seeing him still looking antsy, she sighed, rubbed his shoulder.
"I know you're worried about them. You think I'm not? But we owe Carrie a chance to explain things without us charging in, taking over."
"I guess.", Danny said sullenly, leaning back against the cushions before his phone buzzed. Alerting a missed call and a text.
Heard Agent Orange missed the meeting. How's Carrie?
About to reply he heard voices, footsteps and Arabic being shouted. Immediately he tensed up and stood up, as did Maggie.
"What are they saying?! What's Farrah-"
"You promised. You promised you'd find him, that you'd fix it. You promised.", Danny translated, feeling heartsick as he ran to the foyer, saw Farrah struggling with then managing to open the front door.
"I got her! I got her..", Maggie said, about to follow the girl outside but Danny stopped her, went out instead.
Now fighting back tears herself Maggie turned, saw Carrie sitting numbly on the staircase.
"Carrie.."
"No..Maggie, I can't...no."., she waved off. Bracing herself on the railing she shakily stood and retreated upstairs, slamming the bedroom door shut behind her.
"Shit.", Maggie swore, running a hand through her hair before glancing at her watch.
Her shift was supposed to start in twenty minutes and she'd already gotten someone to switch with her so she could have this morning off.
Going back down the steps she grabbed her jacket, went outside to see Farrah sitting on the front stoop, knees hugged to her chest with her head bowed. Danny despite his efforts couldn't get her talking or listening to him at all. Shaking his head he stood, went over to Maggie.
"You want to swap? Maybe Farrah will be more receptive to you."
"Danny I'm already running late, I can't-"
"I know. I know. Wish I hadn't sent Virgil home just yet."
"Look as soon as my shift is done I'll come back. But call my dad. He'll be able to talk Carrie down at least."
"Isn't he watching the girls?"
"Well...maybe even a phone call would... damn it, I don't know!", Maggie spat as Danny sighed, took a gentle grip on her shoulders.
"Look just go to work. Don't worry. I'll take care of things."
"You're sure?"
"I'm sure."
After reassuring her about four times more, giving her a hug and a kiss goodbye Danny was sitting on the porch on the step behind Farrah. Unsure of what to do.
It was like she was in her own world and Carrie was in her's and he was on the fringe of it all. Feeling so distraught he didn't even bother checking his phone when it buzzed, alerting another text.
"Galvez...wtf..answer me!"
Not getting a response from Danny, frustrated Quinn decided to head over to Carrie's himself. He knew in his gut Brody wouldn't make the meeting, and it was all over Langley at half past ten that he hadn't shown.
Brody's reasoning didn't matter. Quinn didn't give two shits about if the fucker lived or died. What did matter was Carrie and Farrah and how they were holding up in all this. And he'd get that answer with or without Galvez's help.
Pulling up outside Carrie's house he saw Danny trying to talk to Farrah and her shaking him off, going inside.
Danny was frustrated and concerned about Farrah but torn too, checking his watch again.
He knew he had to be back to Maggie's to watch Ruby and Josie before Frank went out later that night. And that he had a maximum of five minutes more he could spend on Carrie's porch.
Needless to say when Quinn got out of his car Danny was relieved, could've run over and hugged him.
Sensing this though, Quinn stepped back and away from him, glared.
"Galvez, I haven't had nearly enough vodka to make that okay."
"Right. Sorry.", Danny apologized but Quinn was still scowling.
"You also ignored my texts. Consider yourself on my list now."
"Hit list?"
"Oh, this list is worse.", he threatened.
"Ooh, I'm terrified.", Danny snorted, but was met with a threatening look and swallowed hard.
"Okay, I'm sorry. In all seriousness though I need you to stay here, keep an eye on Farrah."
"Where's Carrie?"
"Not up to talking to anyone. I called her dad hoping he could get through to her but.."
"It didn't work.", Quinn answered, getting a nod combination sigh.
"She's in a bad way, Quinn."
"Yeah well, anyone of us could've predicted that. I can look after Farrah, try and get her talking. You though should get out. I don't make small talk with fuckers on my list."
"Again with that? What list out there is worse than a hit-"
Getting another chilly stare, Danny decided he best shut up and follow orders, saying goodnight then walking over to his car.
After watching Danny drive off, Quinn walked up onto Carrie's porch, let himself inside the house where he saw Farrah sitting on the stairs, petting Calvin who was purring on her lap.
"Hi Farrah.", Quinn greeted, not wanting to sneak up unnoticed and startle her.
"Mind if I join you?"
Looking up, she shrugged, prompting him to sit on the step below her. Then he reached into his jacket pocket.
"I hope these are the right kind."
Seeing the bag he was holding Farrah's face lit up.
"You get treats!"
"Of course. I promised you I would, didn't I?"
"Thank you, Pete."
Taking the treats from him, giggling she poured a handful of them into her palm. Rolling his eyes Quinn reached over, reduced the pile by half.
"You give him that many the first time out you'll just spoil him. Plus the bag will be gone in a day and a half."
Shrugging Farrah watched with a grin as Calvin sniffed at, then devoured the treats. Quinn meanwhile went solemn watching her. Even though she was smiling he knew things were off.
"So is everything alright? You looked blue when I came in."
Confused Farrah looked up, frowned at him.
"I not blue. I tan!"
"It's just an expression, Farrah. It means you look sad."
"I fine. I don't want to talk about it.", she muttered, and Quinn was struck by how similar she was acting to Carrie.
"Well, since you're fine, how about we go out for ice cream?"
"In cone?"
"Of course. I don't know another way to eat it.", Quinn scoffed as Farrah grinned, stood up.
"Make sure that Carrie is okay with it though."
"She upstairs. I just write note.", Farrah said, jumping down the steps instead of walking down them. Carrie always scolded her when she did it, but Carrie was also upstairs.
"Here I'll write the note. You go grab your jacket."
Nodding, Farrah ran over to the coat closet while Quinn went over to the kitchen, grabbed a notepad and one of quite a few green pens scattered around. Uncapping it he scribbled a quick message.
"Took Farrah to Farragut Square for ice cream. Be back soon. Q."
Taping the note to the front door so Carrie would be sure to see it, after helping Farrah into her jacket Quinn walked her to his car. Allowing her to sit up front just this once.
She was thrilled about it and was chatty and bubbly the whole ride, but didn't say Carrie or Brody's name once.
...
After taking a shower to scrub the remnants of this hellish day off of her, stepping out of the tub Carrie felt her legs wobble and her head spin. Bracing herself on the counter she took a few deep breaths, then swore.
Seeing she'd forgotten about the fan so the steam had built up in the bathroom, and realizing she hadn't eaten since having those linguini forkfuls at lunch.
Cursing herself again, knowing if she was this hungry Farrah must be too, she toweled off and changed into worn jeans, a tank top and an old Princeton hoodie. Then switching off her music, she made her way down the upstairs hall.
"Farrah?" Knocking on the bedroom door she frowned, seeing no sign of her. Going downstairs she checked the kitchen, living room, then started to panic.
"Fuck. Farrah!"
Jogging back to the foyer she saw the paper taped to the door and swore again, reading it.
"Jesus, Quinn. Give me a fucking heart attack."
Thinking though some space would do both her and Farrah some good, she went to the living room and turned on her stereo. Getting Thelonious echoing through the room and permeating the downstairs.
Her first instinct was to choose Miles, until she remembered the last time she'd played that record. Fuck Brody for ruining one of her favorite albums for her. Fuck him.
Going over to the kitchen she opened the fridge. It was well stocked but nothing looked appealing. She smelled something though that was stashed towards the back, and retrieving it folded back the wrapper.
"Damn it, Virgil.", she groaned, realizing it was half a Royal sub. He'd clearly bought it for himself but forgotten about it, and left it here to tease her. She'd been a vegetarian for almost four years, but if this didn't look incredibly appetizing right now..
Grabbing the sub and a bottle of water, she went to the living room, started eating and tried to mellow out. Trying not to think about her fight with Farrah, or fucking Nicholas Brody and his fucking note on her nightstand, or how she was about to go back on a four year life choice because of a goddamn sandwich.