Okay here's the latest. Had some trouble writing this segment but I hope it reads clearly. Thanks so much livulmann, indigo. Agh, so glad you've managed to stick with me. And lipamo thanks so much for checking out/playing catch-up on my fic! Hope I'm still holding your interest. More to come soon!
Once reaching the mosque and crashing for a few hours in Brody's apartment, after they both woke up, ate breakfast and packed, Dana followed Brody over to the community center where he was supposed to meet up with the imam and Zahira.
They welcomed Brody into the office and asked Dana if she wanted to join them, but she opted to introduce herself with a half-hearted smile and a quick wave. Too drained and sleep deprived to be in good small talk first impression mode.
Stepping out into the hallway, she yawned and sat on a bench when about a half dozen kids sprinted past her.
"Jesus.", she scoffed as a frazzled looking teacher tried to catch up to them.
"Hey, you may want to look into leashes!"
Dana yelled, getting a glare that made her grin.
"Pete! My painting is here!", Farrah yelled, but saw Quinn was lagging behind with Carrie. Both distracted by a little girl who needed help displaying her popsicle stick mansion.
Stamping her foot Farrah pouted, crossed her arms. Stared mournfully up at her painting that she'd put a lot of time and effort into, but nobody was making the effort to come and see.
"Which one is yours?", Dana asked from the bench. When Farrah turned towards her, smiled, she stood up, approached her.
"This one!", the girl cheered. Pointing upward as Dana nodded.
"Wow. That's really nice.", she said sincerely.
"Thank you!"
"I like that the sun is wearing sunglasses."
"Me too! It funny, yes?"
"Yeah, definitely. Are any of the other paintings here yours?"
"Yes! We go this way!"
Thrown when Farrah grabbed her arm, half dragged her down the hallway Dana couldn't help but laugh.
Thinking if a little girl she just met was this taken with her, maybe she had half a chance of getting along with Violet.
...
"ma`a as-salāma, Nicholas. Good bye.", the imam said, giving Brody a sad smile.
"ma`a as-salāma, Imam. And thank you. shukran. You both have helped me more than you'll ever know."
"Yes, but you also helped us."
"You can still stay!", Zahira piped up.
"Please. We are more than happy to accommodate you.", she said sadly as the imam slipped an arm around her shoulder.
"I know, Zahira. And I'm grateful, really. But I can't stay here any longer. I need to do this."
"But you are still injured!"
"I've survived worse.", Brody said gruffly.
"You've both been incredible though. I won't forget your kindness, and I'll always pray for you."
"As will we."
After the imam embraced him, offered him a blessing in Arabic, Brody left the office feeling more emotional than he had in quite some time.
Making his way to the back exit where he'd told Dana to meet him, he heard footsteps, turned to see Zahira behind him.
"Nicholas! Wait!"
"Zahira, what...?"
"What about Carrie?"
"What about her?", Brody frowned, his eyes clouded over.
"She was very concerned about you. As was Farrah."
"Zahira..."
Sighing he gently took her by the arm over to a side hallway.
"One of the reasons I'm leaving is to keep Carrie and Farrah safe. Everyone who I interact with is at risk, and I won't put either of them in harm's way. For Christ's sake, they've been through enough because of me."
"They care about you.", Zahira insisted.
"They are both very attached. I have seen it. So has my husband."
"I care about them too, and that's why I can't stay! I won't cause either of them any more pain."
"If they love you, as much as you love them, they will be in pain if you leave.", she said knowingly as Brody sighed, bowed his head.
Shaking her's Zahira reached up, lifted his chin to see he was in tears.
"Listen to me. Carrie, she is in charge of the CIA. If anyone could offer you protection, at least until your name is cleared..."
"Zahira what are you talking about? Carrie's not the director. She doesn't have that kind of author-"
"What are you talking about?", Zahira frowned. Pulling her phone from her pocket to pull up the news report, Brody barely had a chance to glance at the headline when he heard Dana's voice echoing down the hall.
"Dad! Seriously you have to come look at this kid's artwork. She's like a freaking prodigy."
Walking back down the hall towards him, holding Farrah's hand, when the girl looked away from Dana and spotted Brody, her smile changed to a look of surprise. Then her brown eyes narrowed in confusion, with anger mixed in too.
"Oh shi...Farrah, I-"
"Wait.", Dana frowned, looking between the two of them.
"She's that Farrah?", she asked right as Farrah dropped her hand, let out a yell.
"Farrah, wait-"
"No! No no no!", the girl yelled, turning to run back down the hallway.
Meanwhile Quinn and Carrie, who'd been stuck making small talk with Farrah's art teacher, heard the girl yelling and broke into runs as well.
"Farrah? Honey what...
Bending to Farrah's level right as the girl collided with, clung onto her leg, Carrie looked up frantically at Quinn who was glaring at someone across the way.
"Quinn what? Oh, shit."
Weakened slightly by trying to chase after Farrah, but refusing to let on, Brody subtly moved away from the wall he'd been bracing himself on, stood straight. Luckily Dana was too preoccupied to notice.
"C'mon, Carrie. We should get Farrah to the art room.", Quinn said calmly.
Recognizing his voice even without the alcohol seeping through, Dana's eyes narrowed as she snorted, shook her head.
"Yeah bet you're dying to drop the kid off, keep going with what you started last night.", she spat as Quinn frowned.
"Last night, what the hell do you mean, I...ah.", he said as it clicked.
"The mystery caller."
"What?! Dana, you called my house?", Carrie sputtered, and now it was Brody's turn to frown.
"Dana, why did you-"
"What difference does it make, Dad? Obviously she's not interested in you anymore! Already moved onto her next victim."
"Look, just watch it okay.", Brody cautioned.
"Watch what! You're not really going to defend her to me, are you? After all the bullshit she's dragged you through! God, she can't even wait a week before jumping into bed with this random-"
"Hey, that's enough!", he growled. Forcing himself not to wince or make it obvious that only one leg was supporting all his weight. Instead he concentrated on Carrie, saw the pain and rage flashing in her eyes and felt his heart break in half. Then it broke even more at her words.
"I don't need a protector, Brody."
"I...I'm sorry love, I just-"
"Don't call me that.", she hissed as he nodded, took a step back.
"Yeah, like he even has to.", Dana spat.
"It's obvious she's got her newest fuckbuddy to do that job."
"Hey! Watch your goddamn language.", Quinn snapped, moving to cover Farrah's ears but she fought him off. Prompting Carrie to take her hand, walk her a few feet away before getting to her level.
"Farrah, listen. I was talking to your art teacher, Ms. Dancy? That woman standing over there?"
"Ti..Tina?", Farrah acknowledged.
"Yeah. Tina. She's letting everyone present their art today in front of the class. I really think you should go with her, okay? You said in the car that you'd be brave and try and stay the day."
"But.."
"I know, I know but I have some things I need to take care of. And I'd rather you spend time drawing and with your friends than with me, okay?"
When Tina approached, started trying to talk her into staying Farrah bit her lip, still looked nervous.
"I see you soon?"
"Yeah, you will. I promise. For now though just go with Tina. You'll be fine.", she promised, hugging the girl.
"I love you, sweetheart. I'll see you this afternoon, okay?"
"Okay.", Farrah sniffled, pulling back as Tina smiled, led her to the art room. Once she saw they were out of earshot, Carrie got back on her feet, stormed over to Dana.
"Look, I don't give a shit about how you feel or what you think about me. But so fucking help me, if you spout bullshit like that in front of my daughter again! Upset her-"
"I didn't upset her! I was looking at her art with her while you were off doing who the fuck knows what with him!", Dana retorted as Carrie stepped back, crossed her arms.
"And how much of it was actually bullshit? You are with him now, aren't you?"
"Whoever the fuck Carrie's with is none of your goddamn business.", Quinn snarled as Brody glared, growled out a warning.
"Don't talk like that to my daughter."
"Well tell her to mind her own damn business then, Congressman.", Quinn sneered.
"And both of you stay the fuck out of Carrie's. For Christ's sake, Brody. After everything you put her through you owe her that much."
"Quinn...", Carrie sighed as he put his arm around her shoulders. Since she'd had some trouble standing since spotting Brody, she actually welcomed the support.
"What he put her through? What about the other way around? I-", Dana spat as Brody held up a hand, stopped her.
"Dana, don't.", he sighed sadly. More than anything he just wanted to walk away. But he had the same weighted down feeling he'd had that day outside the police station. That night in the parking lot in the rain. He couldn't take his eyes off of Carrie. Only this time she knew it, was returning the favor in full.
Meanwhile Quinn's eyes darted back and forth between them, concerned. In spite of everything going on they looked like they wanted to leap into the others arms. Quinn wasn't jealous, but he had Carrie's back and knew damn well that Brody never fully ever would.
Feeling obligated to break the spell between them, the only way he knew, arm still around Carrie's shoulders Quinn dipped her, gave her a steamy kiss on the lips. Luckily Carrie was too stunned to react immediately, and Brody had immediately looked away.
Horrified and disgusted, Dana turned back to look at Brody, saw him dejectedly turning to leave.
But instead of following him, rolling her eyes she ran at Quinn, shoved him aside, then took a swing at Carrie's face. Striking the blonde's nose and knocking her off balance, onto the floor.
"Jesus fucking..", Quinn gasped. Rolling her eyes Carrie reached into her bag. Grabbed a tissue for her bloody nose.
"Dana! What the fuc-", Brody yelled. When he moved forward to hold Dana back, all Carrie could do was shake her head, laugh bitterly.
"No need. I'm fine.", she spat. Refusing help from anyone she stood up, then approached and looked at Dana. Looking more amused than anything else.
"You feel better?"
"I.."
"Look. Before you go full steam ahead with your melodramatic angst ridden teen TV drama bullshit. Start incessantly whining about the blonde bipolar bitch who fucked up your father's life, broke his heart..."
Looking incredulously at the entire group, Carrie scoffed. But made the mistake of glancing at Brody an extra second too long and her chin wobbled as her eyes welled up.
"Take some comfort in knowing that he fucking broke mine too.", she hissed before turning on her heel, storming away from the scene.