Repata: A Love Story Chapter 6
Chapter 6: We Can Do it Together
Reade was the first to wake up before his alarm went off. Scenes from the night before flooded his thoughts. He couldn't believe that the woman he as loved for so long is now sleeping curled tightly into his side. The feeling is indescribable. He remembers the last thing Tasha said to him before she fell asleep: "Reade, can I tell you something?" "Sure, what is it?" "I love you so much…" He hugged her close. He never intends to let her get away from him again.
He had dreamed of a night like that. Even when other women were in his bed, his thoughts always traveled back to Tasha Zapata. Where was she? What was she doing? Who was she with? Did she miss him? None of that matters now. She is lying next to him, not someone else.
He told her he had an idea that could help her in her deep cover assignment. What he really meant was he had a way to keep her safe by knowing her every move, at least enough to intervene quickly of necessary. But as he lay there, he had to ask himself if he really wanted Tasha to take the assignment. He didn't want her to leave and he really didn't want her life to be in jeopardy. But he knew Natasha Zapata. Yes he believes that she loves him. That's not something she would pretend. She could have kept silent like she has done all these years. But she is stubborn and she is ambitious. He's always loved her competitive spirit. He also understands that she took a huge risk in disobeying a direct order from her boss and telling him about the deep cover op.
Damn Jake Keaton. Reade hated him for luring Tasha to the CIA, although he had to admit he bore some of the blame for her leaving the FBI. Still, Keaton took great pleasure in telling him that Tasha accepted a spot at Langley. The arrogant look on Keaton's face was unforgettable and unforgivable. And it felt personal. Reade promised himself that if he ever had the chance to bring some of that pain to Keaton, he would take it. Now Reade had information that would wipe the smile off Keaton's face.
Reade was completely lost in thought when Tasha opened her eyes. She hadn't slept that well in years. She found herself smiling because it wasn't a dream. He's right here next to her. She reached out a put her hand on his chest and caressed his abdomen. That immediately brought him back to reality. Reade let out a satisfied groan at her touch. "Good morning papi, what are you thinking about this early?" "Good morning beautiful." His voice was still husky with sleep and it sent electricity through Tasha. "I'm thinking about the only thing that matters to me, and that's you." Tasha pulled him into a kiss that he would not soon forget. The temperature between them heated to a boiling point and they rekindled their passion from last night. As they were breathing heavy from recovery and cuddling (yes, Reade discovered that Zapata does cuddle) the alarm went off. Reade suggested they take a shower together and then get ready for work. Tasha laughed and said, "We'll never leave this apartment today if we do that." She pushed him out of the bed and told him to go shower while she started breakfast. While they ate Tasha thought back to what Reade said about helping her with her deep cover op. Then they both got a text from Patterson. They were going to be late for Patterson's briefing if they didn't leave soon so she decided to wait until later in the day. She was also anticipating a call from Keaton today giving her more details about her next steps.
Patterson, as expected, cracked Vanessa Baker's laptop and opened the file that would give the team information about the gala. As the team stood around Patterson's screens she told them that Roman was now head of security for HCI Global and he's Blake Crawford's boyfriend. He's been working with the meeting planner to set up the party in Croatia with secure access to and from the island. They needed a way to get invited to, or at least get in the gala. Jane's newly found daughter, Avery, is friends with Blake Crawford, who is always trying to get Avery to come visit. She could get them in. Patterson would get team id's that would give them access. Although Tasha had not yet heard from Keaton, he told her in their last conversation to find a way to get close to Blake and gain her confidence. Tasha saw the gala as that opportunity and told the team that the CIA should have a presence at this event because of the international terrorist. Reade had just suggested that he, Tasha and Patterson stay behind and run the gala op from the office. He raised his eyebrows slightly when Tasha said she should also go to Croatia. But he didn't object because he couldn't think of a legitimate reason. He knew he needed to talk to Tasha and he had to find a way to meet with Keaton for coffee or drinks. That conversation should not take place at the FBI.
Reade was about to ask Tasha to come to his office when she got a call from Keaton. She had to take the call but would find him after and they could talk. She knew what he wanted to discuss. Recognizing that they probably shouldn't talk about this in the office, Reade said they would talk after work. Tasha smiled and said, "I have at least a week's worth of clothes at your apartment. We can "talk" there." She winked and called Keaton. As much as Reade loved the idea of spending another evening with Tasha, he was uneasy about what would happen in Croatia, especially with Tasha insisting on going. He knew she didn't idly say she should go to the gala. He also knew he had to meet with Keaton before Tasha was told to leave for her deep cover assignment. He put a folder in his briefcase to ensure he wouldn't forget it when he eventually met with Keaton. He would set it up while the team was away.
On the call Tasha told Jake about Blake and Roman. Keaton was concerned that regardless of what happened with Hank Crawford, HCI Global would appoint another CEO just as dangerous. He wanted the next CEO to be Blake and he wanted Tasha to be her "fixer" and confidant. He told Tasha to bring the best CIA technology to prevent the FBI from hearing her conversations with Blake. It didn't matter to him if Hank Crawford and Roman were arrested or killed. He didn't care if the terrorist was killed. All he wanted was for Blake to believe that Tasha had gone rogue and was there to help her take over HCI, Global. Normally, Tasha would begin to figure out how she would proceed to make all this happen. She was very used to being on her own. Working as a team was not the CIA way, especially with this op. But her life was different now. She had a purpose beyond being a super spy. She had Edgar Reade in her life and he had her. She would tell him everything and they would figure this out together, as strange as that felt.
Reade left Keaton a message that he wanted to discuss how to handle the terrorist because the FBI can't operate on foreign soil. He suggested they meet for coffee while the team was in Croatia. He checked his briefcase again to ensure the folder was there. Just as he closed it the team walked into his office. They were scheduled to fly out on the FBI jet midday tomorrow. All the id's had been set up and a team would meet them in Croatia. Reade thanked them and told them to go home a get some sleep and to be safe. He wouldn't see them until they returned in two days or so. He was very careful not to make too much eye contact with Tasha. He couldn't give anything away. Tasha went to straighten up her desk and tie up some loose ends. Reade sent her a text that he would meet her at the SIOC elevator. Since she was going to be away for a few days he said he would cook for her. Tasha put her hand over her mouth. He had never offered to cook for her. She was sure he was going to miss her even for a couple of days.
Typically, Tasha and Reade are comfortably silent in their shared car rides. Today was very different. Tasha couldn't wait to share her conversation with Keaton. Reade listened intently. He may need some of those fine details when he meets Keaton. Reade also understood how excited Tasha seemed to be as she was talking. She really wanted to take down HCI Global. The team had also discovered that Hank Crawford was attempting to build a global military force with orphans to ensure "world peace". What Crawford was really doing was setting himself up as a world dictator. Because Tasha's childhood had been so horrible, she was determined to stop the "peace keeping" plans built on the backs of helpless children. Reade began to see Tasha's motivation in working for the CIA. If he really tried to stop her from doing the deep cover op, after only a 48 hour relationship between them, he could push her away. No, his best option to keeping her as safe as possible was to leverage Keaton, along with some simple technology.
At the apartment, Reade prepared Tasha's favorite meal, shrimp scampi. He had gone to the market earlier in day to pick up a the necessary ingredients. They talked, laughed and flirted while he cooked. She wanted to help but Reade said that it wouldn't be a special meal if she had to work on it. It was becoming clear to them that the more time they spent together, the more they were falling in love with each other. They purposely avoided the topic of Tasha's deep cover op. The time for serious conversation came after dinner as they were drinking wine and sitting close on Reade's couch.
Tasha started the dialog. "Reade, you mentioned that you had an idea of how you could support me with this op. What did you have in mind?" He thought carefully before he answered. He realized that he learned a valuable interpersonal lesson the night Tasha told him she was in love. "Tasha, I now realize how important your work at the CIA is for you. I certainly heard you in the car on the way here. You have a burden to protect the helpless, especially children." While I don't want you to go undercover for very selfish reasons, I love who you are and I only want you to change for you, not for me." "So…" Reade got up and went over to his desk and pulled out a box and a set of keys. "I know you probably don't need these, being a CIA super spy, but here are three burner phones. I bought these in three different locations around New York City so the serial numbers and IME numbers are not similar." "But why three?", was Tasha's response. "Never use the same phone to contact me, and please contact me on a regular basis." They both laughed at his request. "And the keys?" "They are for a safe house that I have set up for you on the East side of the city." "Once you go undercover you can't come here and you shouldn't go to your apartment, if you actually keep it." Tasha was overwhelmed with Reade's efforts to not stop her and to keep her safe. She handed him a piece of paper with a phone number on it. "What's this?", he asked. "It's to an untraceable voice box that only I can access. You can leave me messages, but more importantly, I want to hear your voice everyday Reade." "So call me while I'm in Croatia. I know I'll only be gone for a couple of days, but I'll miss you. And by the way, I have no intentions of going back to my apartment after the op." Reade just looked at her. God, he loved this woman. Tasha put the toys away and said, "That's enough shop talk for now. Come here and let me love you." And that's what happened for most of the evening and into the early hours of the morning.