Okay sorry for the delay with this update, but it's a little longer so I hope that makes up for it. Just setting up for some stuff, take as you will. And thanks so much Bookworm and lipamo for the reviewage and support! Much appreciated. More to come soon. :)

"I really really missed you."

"Yeah I really really missed you too." Carrie sniffled, still holding the girl tight.

"C'mon let's go inside."

Carrying her into the motel room, Carrie went to set Farrah on the bed but she didn't leave her arms.

"Keep hugging?", she asked getting a nod.

"Keep hugging."

Giggling as Carrie fell back on the bed, still in her arms Farrah frowned realizing she and her hug felt different.

"Carrie?"

"Yeah?"

Sitting up Farrah looked at her curiously. "You puff. Puff up.", she said getting her laughing.

"Yeah, I sort of did. You know why though, right?"

"No.", Farrah said, shaking her head. "I forget."

"Farrah, what have you and Brody already come up with a name for?"

"The...the baby!", she recalled, smiling.

"Well, where do you think the baby's been staying?"

"In house?"

"No, not exactly.", Carrie sighed as Ann and Zahira suppressed smiles. "Look, I'm not going to get into it. Just, here."

Reaching for Farrah's hand Carrie pressed it to her belly. Feeling a kick the girl grinned.

"It there?"

"Yeah. I think it's going to like playing soccer with you too.", Carrie sighed.

"I see it soon?"

"In a few more months, yeah."

"But you done now with spying? You come home?", Farrah asked eagerly as Carrie's smile went sad. Shaking her head she sighed.

"No, honey. Not yet. But after birthday weekend, the wedding? I'll be back really soon after that."

"Pink swear?"

"Pink swear.", Carrie smiled, linking their fingers before Farrah's smile faded. "Farrah? What's wrong?"

"I...It nothing."

"Farrah, please. Talk to me alright?"

Reaching over she rubbed her shoulder, slipped an arm protectively around her. "C'mon. If you don't tell me what's wrong I can't fix it."

"I...no see Nick yesterday.", Farrah said softly, her big brown eyes welling up. "He leave again?"

Squeezing her eyes shut against tears Carrie shook her head, held Farrah a little closer before swallowing hard, speaking.

"Honey, Brody did have to leave. For a little while, he-"

"He say he stay!", Farrah cried. "He pink swear!"

"I know, I know. Just listen to me though, okay?"

Nodding, Farrah wiped her eyes, turned to face her.

"Sweetheart, there's a man who made up a story about Brody. It was a bad story though. It was all based on lies. Brody didn't do anything wrong, but the man who came up with the story is saying that he did."

"So, Nick leave because he scared? Of man?"

"Yes.", Carrie nodded. "But later today I'm gonna take a break from spying and see the man who made up the story. Get him to stop saying it. Then I'll find Brody and tell him to come home. It may take a day or two but I will fix this. You have my word. In the meantime though you've got Maggie and Danny, my dad, Quinn, Zahira, all these people who are gonna take care of you."

"I know they take care. I just..."

"What?"

"Nick say we all be together. Him and me and you and Cal and Nemo or Boo! I...I want..."

"I know. I do too. But he wouldn't have said that if it wasn't going to happen soon, okay?"

Nodding, Farrah curled up on her lap as Carrie leaned back against the bed pillows. Still holding her close.

"So, tell me what else you've been up to. How's J.J?"

"He good. We see movie with raccoon and Pete buy us snacks."

"Yeah? What kind?"

"Chocolate! He remember my teeth like sweets. Sweet tooth, yes?"

"Oh yeah. You've got a whole mouthful of them.", Carrie laughed. "What's been going on at the community center? Are you still drawing?"

"Yes.", Farrah grinned. "We play pic...nary."

"You mean Pictionary?"

"Yes! That it."

"How did you do?"

"I lose. But then I win."

"Of course you did.", Carrie laughed. "How's Calvin?"

"He get big!", Farrah pouted.

"Well you know that's a thing that tends to happen. How big is he? As big as me?"

"No, not that big. But I bring him to J.J's and he scratched me."

"How bad?", Carrie asked. Seeing the large neon green bandage on her upper arm, her eyes narrowed. Taking hold of Farrah's arm she brushed her lips on the bandage, getting her smiling.

"Tell Calvin he does something like this again and his claws are getting trimmed."

"He no like that."

"Yeah well I don't care. He's got a scratching post, he doesn't need your arm too.", she said firmly as Zahira nervously looked from her watch to the two of them.

"Zahira? Is something-"

"I am needed back at the center soon, I-"

"No! I no want to go, no!", Farrah cried, curling closer to Carrie and hiding her face in her chest.

"Shhh. Hey, it's okay.", Carrie sighed, brushing her lips on the top of her head. "Look, just sit here for a second, okay? Just wait here."

Standing up she approached Zahira who was standing by the door.

"Zahira, I appreciate you getting her here so much."

"I was happy to do it. I know she has missed you."

"It's mutual, believe me.", Carrie said softly. "I know you have to get back to the community center but can Farrah please stay? For just another hour? I'll make sure that she gets dropped off, I-"

"I can do it.", Ann offered.

"Please, Zahira. I've only got three days and this is the only time I've got with her until I'm released for good."

"If you can get her back, it is alright. She will be happier here, I'm sure."

Nodding, Carrie blinked back tears, hugged her. "Thank you so much."

"It is fine.", Zahira smiled, pulling back before biting her lip.

"What's with the look then?"

"It does not have to do with Farrah. Nicholas, he did not say where he was going. But he told me that he would be safe. And he told my husband before he left he was going to one of the few other places where he has found peace."

Nodding in understanding, Carrie smiled. Certain now where Brody had gone.

"I'll find him and fix this, Zahira. You have my word."

"That is all I can ask for."

After Zahira said goodbye to Farrah, stepped out, Ann went to follow her out. Figuring she'd get more coffee, run errands, whatever she could to give Carrie and Farrah some space.

"Wait! Where you going?", Farrah asked curiously, getting up.

"I just wanted to give you and Carrie some space, that's all."

"But Zahira say you Carrie's friend.", the girl frowned, looking between the two of them.

"Well, Zahira was right.", Carrie said, not wanting to confuse or lie to her. "Frances is my friend. My new friend."

"Fran?", Farrah chirped.

"You can call me that too.", Ann laughed.

"You and Fran friends from spying?" Farrah asked.

"Yes, actually. That's how we met.", Carrie said, looking to Frances nervously hoping she'd catch on, play along.

"Yes. You know, I've been a spy for a very long time, and Carrie is one of the best ones I've ever worked with."

"Yes?"

"Oh yeah.", Ann said, earning a grateful smile from Carrie.

"I meet her when she spy!", Farrah exclaimed. "She beat up bad guys."

"She did? How did she do it?"

"She kick! Like this."

Grinning, she demonstrated on Ann's shin.

"Farrah!", Carrie scolded.

"No, it's fine.", Ann laughed. "What else did she do, Farrah? Did she punch like this?", she asked, crouching down and gently chucking the girl on the chin.

"Yes! And like this."

Giggling Farrah playfully punched her on the collarbone, as Carrie warily watched. Worried she was enjoying this a little too much. Luckily Frances seemed to be enjoying it too. Watching the two of them interact, something struck her as familiar but she couldn't put a pin on what.

"Carrie. Carrie?"

"Sorry, what.", she asked, snapping out of it hearing Farrah's voice.

"We go outside. Pick flowers?"

"Sure, yeah. Let's go."

Following Farrah outside to a garden on the side of the motel, Carrie closely watched as Frances took Farrah by the hand over to a patch of sunflowers. Helped her cut down two or three of them.

"See, Mom! Look! I picked them from the patch over here."

"It's alright, sweetheart. I believed you!", Ann said, kneeling down next to her with some gardening shears, in front of a rogue patch of sunflowers a few feet away from the garden.

"Look, let's get a few more that we can take home with us. You want to do it?"

"Okay!"

Grabbing the shears Carrie went to start cutting the flowers, but jumped hearing a car horn.

"Mom, Carrie! C'mon!", Maggie groaned, running over to them.

"Dad says if you're not in the car in five you're both walking home!"

Rolling her eyes Ann shook her head, got to her feet as Carrie looked up nervously at her.

"But I'm not finished yet!"

"It's okay, sweetheart. I'll go talk to your father."

"Wait, you'll come back though right? Finish helping me?"

"Of course I will. You know you're stuck with me, right?"

"Right.", Carrie smiled, watching as Ann ran over to the car, bent down to talk to Frank through the driver's side window. Laughing at her giving him her most charming smile, teasing him, doing everything in her power to convince him and get what she wanted. Certain the strategy would work, she felt fine taking her time to cut down the rest of the flowers.

***
"Carrie, for Christ's sake, dinner's almost-"

"I'm almost done!"

"You didn't come home for spring break just to spend it in that goddamn garden, did you?"

Not answering she continued pruning with the rusted shears.

"You're not gonna be able to salvage that, you know. Everything in there's gone to shit and you know damn well why, I-"

Shaking her head, wiping her eyes with her hand not weeding she let out a snort, kept at it.

"I should've just poured grass seed over the whole goddamn bed.", Frank spat. "Saved you the trouble of-"

"Dad!", Carrie shouted.

Seeing the look on her face, regretting his words Frank swore under his breath, approached her as she swore, threw the shears to the side.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart."

Crouching next to her he slipped an arm around her as she shut her eyes, bowed her head.

"She should be back! Why the fuck isn't she back! She.."

"I know. I know.", Frank sighed. Pulling her close he rubbed her back as she hid her face in his shoulder, cried.

"Carrie?", Ann called, standing and then approaching when she didn't respond, looked to be someplace else entirely.

Her thoughts interrupted by a tap on her shoulder Carrie's eyes flicked up, met the older woman's,

"Yes, what.", she asked sharply, crossing her arms.

"Is everything alright? You seemed distracted."

"I'm fine, I...I'm fine."

"Are you sure?

"Yes, I'm sure. I should get Farrah back inside though, excuse me."

"Wait, hold on.", Ann frowned, stepping in front of her. "Farrah's doing just fine, Carrie. You've been acting strangely since we came outside. Is something bothering you?"

"Nothing is fucking bothering me, I just want to bring my daughter back inside! Farrah! Farr-"

Her path still blocked Carrie swore, tried and failed to get around her.

"Not until you tell me what's upsetting you."

Agitated, but knowing she deserved an answer Carrie sighed, wrapped her arms tighter around herself.

"Look I appreciate everything you've done, all your help. But I think I just want to have some time alone with Farrah."

"Alright. That's fine.", Ann nodded in understanding. "I'll leave the rental car with you so you can get her back to the community center. The only place I need to be is the hospital and I can get a ride from a friend."

"That's fine. Please. Just...just go."

Seeing her stance, shift in tone and just attitude in general Ann frowned curiously at her.

"Carrie..."

"What's so difficult to understand, I asked you to leave!"

"And I'm asking you why you want me to. There's clearly more to this than you just wanting time with Farrah."

"You sound pretty fucking sure of yourself."

"Well you're not a very good liar, dear.", Ann said, earning a snort before Carrie looked down, away from her.

"Look you've been a good friend, Frances. You helped me and I'm grateful. I really am. But I don't know your story. I don't know how you came to volunteer at the hospital, why you're living out of a shitty motel. If you're in town for good or just passing through, I don't know anything important about you aside from your fucking name. And it's fine, I really don't give a shit. Everyone has secrets including me. But I don't like keeping secrets from Farrah. And I don't like the idea of her getting attached to someone who could easily pick up and leave without a second thought.", she said bitterly.

"I understand.", Ann said solemnly. "And I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overstep with her."

"You haven't. You...didn't. She's curious. She wanted to know more about you."

"But the problem is you don't know enough about me.", she said quietly, biting her lip before speaking again. "I can see where you're coming from, why you're hesitant to... I understand."

"Look there's no saying once I get to know you more that you can't get to know Farrah. It's just, aside from Brody she's my whole world. I have to trust someone implicitly before they're allowed within a foot of her. And trust doesn't exactly come easy to me."

"It makes sense, Carrie.", Ann said. "Really, you don't have to defend yourself to me."

"I just don't want her getting attached only to get abandoned. I've dealt with that. And it's awful.", Carrie admitted, crossing her arms again.
"Anyway, I hope you-"

"No, I understand, I do. Take the car for as long as you need.", Ann said, giving her a soft smile. "And take care, Carrie. Farrah's a very lucky little girl."

Watching, swearing she'd seen Frances eyes mist up as she'd walked off, Carrie felt a pang of guilt. The woman had stuck her neck out, risked so much to helped her, and she'd returned the favor by raising her voice to and dismissing her. Looking over her shoulder though at Farrah still playing in the garden she knew she'd made the right decision. The last thing the girl needed was bonding with someone only to have them bail on her.

"Farrah! C'mon, let's go back inside."

Looking up, nodding, Farrah stood up only to frown seeing Carrie was by herself.

"Where did Fran-"

"She had to go, Farrah."

"But she nice though!", Farrah sighed, trudging over to her with the cut flowers in hand.

"Honey, I know but-"

"And she pretty! Her smile? It like yours."

"I forgot how observant you can be.", Carrie snorted. Leading Farrah back into the motel room and shutting the door behind them. Seeing all the anti-intrusion devices she frowned curiously.

"Carrie?"

"Yeah, what."

"Where the remote?"

Grabbing it Carrie handed it to her, sat on the bed.

"There anything special you want to watch before we head back?"

"I no want to go back.", Farrah sighed, curling up next to her on the bed. "I no want you to leave."

"You know that I'm going to come back though, right?"

Shrugging Farrah sat up, saw the nervous look on Carrie's face.

"Farrah, answer me. Please."

"I...you say you come back, but-"

"Farrah I'm not just saying it, alright? I mean it. You...you need to know that."

"Why you so upset?", she asked fearfully, shifting slightly away from her.

"I'm not upset, I'm just.."
Rubbing the bridge of her nose Carrie took a deep breath. Tried her best to keep her emotions in check.

"I'm not going away for good, and I need you to know that!", she emphasized. "I'm not going to do to you what she-"

"She?", Farrah frowned, moving closer. "Who, she?"

"It doesn't matter. I..It doesn't."

Slipping an arm around Farrah she held her close, sniffed back tears. "Just know you're stuck with me, okay? I..I promise."