Avi Lavin

by USNeshama

When Avi was born Eyal decided to keep his space and not be a part of his son's life for his own protection. He told no one, not even his Mossad colleagues, that he was a father because he trusted no one. Trust is not something that comes easily for a spy. But when Avi is kidnapped who can Eyal turn to? The one person who knows about Avi and that Eyal would trust with his life.

16. Chapter 16

The flight from Philadelphia to Tel Aviv was scheduled to take about 12 hours. Eyal knew Avi was tired he just didn't think he would fall asleep so quickly. He had curled up into a little ball with his head in Annie's lap. She was gently stroking his hair.

Annie looked up sensing his eyes on her. She smiled. "You're good with him, you know that?" Eyal whispered in English.

"He's a good kid." Annie continued stroking Avi's hair. "You did well with him."

Eyal frowned. "I can't take credit for him. I just met him; you've actually known him longer than I have." He looked away.

Annie could see the pain in Eyal's eyes before he averted them. She reached out and stroked his face with her free hand. "Eyal I know you did what you did for a good reason and although you haven't seen him in person you talked to him on the phone, and whether or not you know this he is very much like you."

Eyal listened to Annie's words. He didn't know how to respond. He had missed so much of his son's life and she was giving him credit for the good in him. "And how's that" Eyal said bitterly "he killed anyone I don't know about?"

"Eyal" Annie reproached. She waited until he looked at her. "Avi is strong-willed and smart. He is also wary and it takes a great deal to earn his trust. You have no idea what I went through to even get him to acknowledge that I could possibly be a friend of yours. He is handsome and will go a long way in life. Stop acting like you had no impact on this child. After talking to him and hearing him talk about you, you know he loves you and wants to be just like you." Annie noticed Eyal's eyes dart away again.

She cupped his face again. "Eyal know what you're thinking. He is not a killer, that is not the part of you he wants to emulate. He wants to be the strong, fearless man you are that loves with his whole heart. The one that goes to extremes to protect the ones in his life that he cares about. And from what I see that's the you he knows, and will continue to know unless you tell him otherwise. He knows you were Mossad, and that I am CIA" Annie paused as Eyal flinched at the knowledge she had revealed to him "but in his mind that's cool. You've heard him, he loves James Bond." Annie laughed a little. "Be the man he sees in you, the one I see in you." She whispered, her voice had tapered off by the end. She dropped her hand.

Eyal listened through Annie's little speech and knew she was right. God he loved this woman. She always knew just what to say. He squeezed her hand. "Thank You Annie." He knew he didn't have to say more. She would understand.