Face, more than a little frustrated, turned to Carla and sighed. "Don't worry, we'll keep the schedule."
"I hope so," Carla snapped. "This whole organization is riding on your performance tonight!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Face asked as Carla shrank back.
"Daddy's been...deactivated or what the CIA calls discarded by the President," Carla said handing him the message Stockwell received earlier in the day. "You've replaced him, permanently!"
"Great," Face said pushing the paper back at her. "How'd he take it?"
"How do you think?" Carla said meeting his eyes as everyone else just watched. "He said, this job isn't for old men like him."
"He knows, I didn't have anything to do with this, right?" Face asked gently as Carla nodded.
"Yeah, he knows," Carla said quietly. "We need to discuss a few things before we go. I'll meet you in the office after you've had time to get ready."
"Alright," Face said looking at his watch. "Give me thirty minutes and I'll be ready."
Gloria followed Face into their bedroom and waited as he showered and got ready. Turning from the mirror in the most expensive and tailor made suit he owned, Face asked. "How do I look?"
"Wow!" Gloria said getting to her feet. "If this is the man I'm going to marry, where do I say, I do!"
Face laughed as Gloria smiled broadly. "In due time, sweetheart," he said capturing her lips in another passionate kiss.
As Face headed toward the office, he passed Maggie in the hall and threw her a startled look as she whistled when he passed her. "In your dreams, Doc," Face said with a laugh as she knocked lightly on Stockwell's door. After she got no response, she opened the door slowly incase the man was asleep.
Face entered the study and found Carla seated behind the desk waiting for him. "Alright," Face said. "What have you got for me?"
"Plenty," Stockwell said from behind him as Maggie rushed into the room.
"Stockwell's gone!"
"Doctor Sullivan," Carla said stepping out from behind the desk. "My father is quite alright," she said pointing behind the doctor.
"What's he doing up?" Maggie said in concern after she turned around and saw Stockwell on the leather sofa. "His doctors were adamant that he should be getting plenty of rest. And that's means in bed, not working."
"And, I will," Stockwell said firmly. "But, there are things that I need to discuss with my son first. If you and Carla will leave us alone, I would greatly appreciate it."
Maggie looked at Face who nodded in agreement. "I'll be right outside if you need me," she said following Carla out the door and closing it behind her.
"So, General," Face said once they were alone. "What did you need to tell me?"
"Please, Templeton," Stockwell said waving at the chair across from him. "Sit down and I think this does not call for formalities, don't you?"
"Alright, Hunt," Face said taking the seat. "But, I haven't got much time, the President is sending a car at six."
"Yes, I know," Stockwell replied evenly. "I wanted to start by apologizing for forcing you into this situation. Even though you were the best man for the job, I should have consulted you first and I hope you can forgive my impulsiveness."
"Doesn't seem like I have much of a choice now, does it?" Face said softly. "I'm going to have a lot of things to forgive if I want to have a real relationship with you."
"Forgiveness is divine," Stockwell said as Face agreed with a nod. "I must warn you about your meeting with the President tonight. It's about more than just the information you obtained. I've heard rumors that his cabinet members are not happy such a young man has been given this position and they are trying to persuade him to replace you. He has called you to the White House in order to size up your ability to handle this organization and unless I'm a complete idiot when it comes to character, I don't think you'll have any problem showing the President you're more than capable of doing this job."
"No," Face said with a smirk. "It won't be a problem at all but I'm not so sure that I want to head the EIA...permanently."
"I understand," Stockwell said with a nod. "You're thinking about marriage and starting a family and you should. So let's continue to do things as we have and see how it goes, if you still wish to resign later on, I will recommend a replacement that the President will be more than happy to have."
"Good enough for now," Face said getting to his feet as Stockwell closed his eyes tiredly. "You should do what Maggie tells you and get some rest. We can talk again later."
"I look forward to it, son," Stockwell said hesitantly as Face flashed a brief smile. "Please, be careful."
"I will," Face said with a nod before heading out the door.
Hannibal, Maggie and Carla all looked up from where they sat in the living room as Face existed the study. "He's ready to go back to bed, Doc," Face said before meeting Carla's eyes. "Is the car here?"
"I'll check," she said getting to her feet. Hannibal watched her leave the room and Maggie headed into the study before turning back to Face.
"How'd it go?"
"It's going to take some time," Face said quietly. "But, I think we're off to a good start."
"You trust him?" Hannibal asked cautiously.
"I'm not sure yet," Face replied honestly as Carla returned.
"The car's here," she announced as Face put his coat on.
"Let's not keep them waiting," Face replied eagerly as he followed Carla out the door.
Once inside the car, Face smiled as Carla readied the materials for the briefing. "Can we talk a minute?" he said as she looked up.
"About what?" Carla asked suspiciously as Face grinned.
"Oh, I don't know," he said with a shrug. "How about our mutual parent."
"If you're referring to our father, Templeton," Carla said curtly. "What is it you want to know?"
"You said, that you knew about Ellen and I your whole life, correct?"
"Yes," Carla replied easily. "He mentioned his other two children quite regularly, why?"
"I guess... I'm just curious about why he never tried to contact Ellen or find out where I was," Face said as Carla shrugged.
"Honestly," she said quietly. "I don't know. I always assumed you both had families the way he talked about you. Perhaps, Daddy thought that you wouldn't want to have a relationship with him."
"Maybe," Face said thoughtfully as the car pulled up to the entrance of the White House. "It's showtime," he said winking at Carla before getting out of the car.