Okay here's the latest. Not thrilled with the cutoff but is what it is. I've got a little twist and another face or two I'm about to weave in, so just laying some groundwork until that point. Thanks muchly though lipamo and Bookworm for the feedback. More to come soon!
Staring numbly out the passenger seat window as Quinn drove, Brody heard the sniper talking about something or other but wasn't paying attention, until he felt a shoulder tap that felt more like a punch.
"Hey! Jesus! That was the only way you thought you could get my attention?!"
"It's the only way that worked. I've been talking over here for ten minutes straight and you haven't said a fucking word."
"Sorry, dear. Next time I promise I'll pay more attention.", Brody scoffed.
"And I wondered why Jessica let you go so easily.", Quinn retorted, getting an icy glare in return.
"Sorry. That was out of line."
"So what are you so fucking desperate to talk to me about that you'd deck me?"
"You haven't said a goddamn word since we left the courthouse. Farrah really shook you up, didn't she."
"Shaken up doesn't quite cover it.", Brody said bitterly.
"She wouldn't even look at me. And when she did she looked absolutely miserable."
"Can't say I blame her. You're not much to look at."
Quinn joked, getting another glare.
"How about we just go back to not talking, that sound good to you?"
"Farrah's upset, Brody. She's upset and processing."
"For Christ's sake, Quinn. She's not a computer she's a six year old girl."
"Who's had to say goodbye to her mother twice over now.", Quinn reminded.
"Look I don't know shit about kids. But I know a little about Farrah. She'll warm back up to you. Right now though you're just Carrie's replacement."
"And Carrie's shoes aren't easily filled.", Brody said mournfully.
"Farrah will adapt eventually. She liked you once upon a time didn't she?"
"If you mean when we first met and she wasn't just barely tolerating me, than yeah."
"Barely tolerate...will you listen to yourself?", Quinn scoffed.
"Just give Farrah some time. The next four months won't be a nightmare. Not unless you turn them into one."
"Jesus. You think I'll voluntarily make any of this harder on myself?"
"Well, who the fuck knows with you.", Quinn muttered as he continued to drive.
"Listen, Quinn..."
"What happened to you not wanting to talk?"
"For Christ's sake, just give me a second here."
"Fine. What's on your mind?"
"Carrie told me you helped her and Farrah out, a lot."
Keeping his eyes on the road, Quinn shrugged, bit his lip before speaking.
"Carrie's a friend. And Farrah's a great kid. I've been there for them.", he said softly before his eyes narrowed in a glare.
"If you're reading into things, think this is about that fucking kiss at the community center..."
"No! Jesus, it wasn't about that.", Brody said sharply. He'd since forgotten about that day but as soon as Quinn mentioned it, the image popped right back in front of his mind's eye.
"What makes you think I'd want to even bring that up, I-"
"Get that goddamn look off your face. All of that was an act and trust me, Carrie wasn't thrilled over it."
"Are you finished?", Brody asked, getting a scowl.
"What I was trying to do was thank you. For being around when they needed it."
"I was glad to do it.", Quinn shrugged as Brody chewed his lip, spoke up again after a beat.
"Look, I know you and I are never going to be friends."
"Well I was responsible for that..", Quinn said with a hint of pride, nodding to his scarred hand.
"In spite of that, Carrie's insisted I make an effort here for Farrah's sake. Try and..."
"And what, get to know me? Spend some goddamn quality time?"
"Hey it's not for my benefit. It's for Farrah's. You being around to help distract her from Carrie not being there. She wants us to at least be civil to each other too."
"Carrie wants a lot of things, doesn't she..", Quinn muttered as Brody's eyes narrowed.
"Hey, whatever Carrie wants from here out she gets, alright? Even if it means you and I pretending we don't find the other despicable.", he said firmly.
"Fine, Jesus Christ. For Farrah's sake I can probably..."
"Good, that's good.", Brody said. Relieved at least one of Carrie's assignments for him seemed to have gotten off to a smooth start.
"So listen, I'm having that picnic today at the community center. I could make a few more sandwiches if you're interested."
"Brody..."
"What? Too much too soon?"
"Yeah, a little. Besides, I've got a shit ton of catching up to do at Langley.", Quinn sighed, but knew he'd feel shitty bailing entirely on Farrah and after a beat, reconsidered.
"I can try and stop by though later."
"Okay. Thanks.". Brody said as Quinn pulled up next to Carrie's townhouse.
"Anyway I should get in to see Farrah. Thanks for the ride."
"Anytime."
...
Grabbing his things out of the backseat, after leaving the car Brody made his way up the walk to the house. Right as Quinn remembered he'd left his coat there in favor of Frank's old bomber jacket he still had on. Swearing under his breath he put the car in park, right as Brody walked in the front door.
"Brody, hey."
"Maggie..."
Frowning, seeing the tense way she'd greeted him Brody set his bag down on the floor, looked at her curiously.
"What's going on?"
"Well, I was just-"
"Is it Carrie? Did something happen at the hospital?"
"No, no. Carrie's fine. It's just her daughter is refusing to come downstairs."
"What do you mean refusing?"
"She's been up there since Danny brought her home. And she didn't say two words to him in the car."
"Where's Danny now?"
"He had to get to Langley so he asked me to come over. Only I haven't got a ton of time, my shift is in just over an hour."
"Well that's why I was gonna bring Farrah to the community center. Besides I have to be there. Zahira and the imam are expecting me in less than an hour."
"Well, hopefully you can convince her to-"
"Farrah!", Brody called loudly up the steps. Not getting an answer he tried again before turning back to Maggie.
"Did she give Danny a reason, any explanation?", he asked as Maggie rolled her eyes.
"Does she really need one?! You saw her this morning!"
Feeling bad for getting snappy with him she took a breath, spoke again.
"Look, I can't blame her for being upset but we can't just let it go and watch things get even worse."
"Well, even I know that much.", Brody snapped back. Calling up the steps again, cursing when he didn't get a response, he jumped slightly when the door opened behind him.
"Hey, easy. And watch your goddamn language. I could hear you outside."
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Forgot my coat.", Quinn shrugged as Maggie went to grab it.
"What the hell is going on? I thought you guys would be on your way out."
"We would be aside from the fact that Farrah..."
"Pete!", Farrah cheered. After hearing Brody yell for her a second time she'd pouted, walked down so far as the landing before spotting Quinn and running down the rest of the steps. Hugging him once she got there.
"Hey, kid. How are you holding up?", Quinn asked as she shrugged, stepped back. Meanwhile Brody gave him a pleading look, indicating he try and suss out what was wrong.
"You sure you don't want to talk about it?"
"I sure."
"Okay. What about this picnic then? You psyched up about it yet?"
"Psyched?", Farrah frowned.
"Excited, looking forward to it.", Quinn supplied.
"I heard it will be a good time."
Shrugging again Farrah crossed her arms.
"Well, you know I told Brody I'd try and make a stop over there later this aftern-"
"You come!"
"Well, I..."
Met with another hug, Quinn bit his lip and wished he'd kept his goddamn mouth shut. Seeing as there was no way he could back out now.
"Peter just said he'd try, sweetie.", Maggie said, returning with the jacket as Farrah frowned, broke the hug.
"Farrah look, it'll still be fun. I wouldn't lie to you about that.", Brody said, getting another shrug right as his phone buzzed, rang in his back pocket.
Excusing himself he went over to the kitchen and seeing the caller, hastily answered.
"Hey, sweetheart."
"Dad. You on your way back to the mosque yet? Zahira just asked me and she looked pretty concerned."
"I'm, working on it. I'm still at Carrie's."
"Still? What's going on?"
"Nothing, Farrah's just..."
"Wait, Farrah's giving you a hard time? What the hell did you do?"
"Nothing!", Brody growled before biting his lip, sitting on one of the kitchen chairs.
"Nothing I can think of anyway. She's just sulking and shrugging at me. Won't come down the stairs when I call her. Hey, you were a six year old once."
"Yeah, and so were you.", Dana laughed. "What's your point?"
"What did your mom and I do when you'd act out?"
"Well time out was one of Mom's favorite methods. I don't know. Dad, seriously. What is asking me this going to accomplish?"
"Well I don't remember much from back then and if your mom or I did something that had an impact, got you to stop acting bratty, I thought you'd have a shot at remembering it."
"What makes you think I've stopped acting like a brat?", Dana laughed, but could hear Brody's non-amusement over the line.
"Jeez. Farrah's really got you on the ropes, doesn't she?"
"She doesn't want a fucking thing to do with me."
"Dad she probably just wants some space. She's upset. I mean her mom was just hauled off to the nuthouse and everything."
"Dana...", Brody cautioned.
"Sorry. But do you really think she's pissed at you or the situation in general?"
"Probably the situation. But..."
"Farrah's not gonna stay mad at you. I don't think she will anyway. I mean you're the parent here, not me."
"Guess I should probably get off the phone and try and be one then."
"You'll be fine. Jesus, Dad. She's six not sixteen. You're not totally screwed yet."
"Thanks.", Brody scoffed as Dana said goodbye, hung up.
Going over to the living room he started prepping, reminded himself he'd seen combat, been fucking tortured. A moody six year old shouldn't bring him to his knees.
Once there, deciding to show the authority he remembered he had, Brody cleared his throat.
"Farrah. Go upstairs and get your things together. We have to go in a few minutes."
"But, Pete...", Farrah protested as Quinn shook his head, moved her off his lap.
"It's fine, Farrah. I was on my way out anyway.", he said. Figuring he best take himself out of this mix before he got in too deep. Thanking Maggie after they traded jackets he slipped out the same way he'd come in. Not envious of Brody in the slightest.
"Go on, Farrah. We have to leave soon so just grab your backpack and..."
"I have to change.", Farrah grumbled as Brody frowned, seeing she was already dressed.
"Wait, what's wrong with what you've.."
"I have to change!", she shrieked. Running over through the foyer, to the staircase she loudly stomped up them back to the landing. Making a lot of noise despite her size.
Plopping down on the chair in the corner Brody leaned forward, ran a hand over his face.
"Brody? Are you alright?"
"I'd like to know what happened to the sweet kid who'd laugh when I made a plush moose talk.", he scoffed, shaking his head.
"Her mommy's gone and she misses her.", Maggie sighed, sounding equally defeated.
"Do you want me to try and talk to her? Or why don't you call Dana? She seemed to get along well with Farrah at my place the other night."
"No, I just got off the phone with Dana now. She says this is my job as 'parent'. Besides after Farrah's disappearing act I don't think she's up for more one on on time."
Slowly standing up Brody leaned against the sliding glass door leading to the back patio.
"I have to do this. I just wish I knew what the fuck I'm supposed to say to make her feel better. It's not like I can bring her over the next four months to even see Carrie."
Knees tucked against her chest as she sat on the staircase, Farrah bowed her head as a tear slid down her cheek. She knew Carrie was away spying but part of her hoped she could get a chance to see her once or twice. Not being allowed to for four more months made her feel even sadder than she felt in the car.
"What about a phone call? Can we even arrange that?", he asked as Maggie shook her head.
"It's going to take awhile for Carrie to get privileges. Maybe a month. And when she does who knows how long outgoing calls can even last? She'll probably have a minute or two to talk to her at most."
Another tear sliding down now, Farrah ran up the remaining steps and bolted into her room, shutting the door behind her. Then, remembering what Carrie did one time when she was really upset, she pressed in the button on the knob before climbing onto her bed. Pushing Marvin off of it, but holding Merriweather tight.