A/N: Thanks for the feedback - it really does push me to write when I know people are reading. I feel like we got a decent glimpse in to Quinn's POV in the last chapter, so this one is more Carrie-centric. I hope you enjoy.

Two weeks later…

Carrie walked through the Islamabad airport, noticing that relatively little had changed in the over-crowded, rundown space since her last visit here. Nice to know that some things remain constant, even if it's just an old airport, she thought.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice she recognized. "Carrie!," Fara shouted, waving her arm above her head.

Carrie walked over to her colleague, smiling at her as she approached. "You didn't have to pick me up," she protested as she gave Fara a quick, one-arm hug.

Fara smiled, "It's no problem. Do you have any luggage?"

"No, I had everything shipped ahead of time. It should already be at the house," she explained.

"Very good," Fara replied. "We have your new office all set up for you. Shall we go there first or would you rather me take you to your home?" Carrie had to smile at Fara's formality and efficiency. She was so different from her. And Carrie knew that was exactly why she needed someone like Fara on her team.

"The office would be great, thanks Fara. My house is just a short walk from there anyway. And I'm itching to get started," Carrie said. She was full of nervous energy and knew the only way to calm herself down was to make herself busy.

The two women made small talk as they drove to the CIA field office in Islamabad. Fara told Carrie about her new house and how her father was doing back home. She inquired about Carrie's daughter, which was met with a brief, generic response about what a "good baby" she is. Fara also filled in Carrie on the new office and their colleagues.

As they drove through the crowded streets, Fara finally got around to the topic she really wanted to discuss. With worry in her voice, she asked, "Carrie, why isn't Quinn coming? The office manager told us he wouldn't be here, but nobody has spoken to him or has any information about why."

Carrie took a deep breath and then sighed. When she finally spoke, she offered a simple explanation, "Quinn's not coming because he's an asshole."

Fara laughed for a moment, but when she saw the serious look on Carrie's face, she said, "Oh, you're not joking, are you? Okay…" her voice trailed off, uncertain how to handle her colleague's bluntness.

Seeing the concern on Fara's face, Carrie offered a little more, "I talked to him a couple weeks ago and he told me he was quitting. Anyway, he's no longer part of the team, so let's just move on, okay?" Hearing the edge in Carrie's voice, Fara decided not to press the issue.

Once they arrived at the field office, Fara gave Carrie a quick tour of the small space and introduced her around. Carrie asked the team to gather in the conference room for a quick meeting. She shared her vision for the office and how she appreciated their support. Then, she spoke at length about the importance of their work and stressed the need for the utmost trust and commitment among the team. And just as she concluded with "The only way we will accomplish our mission is if we have each other's back," Peter Quinn stepped into the room.

After Carrie finished her meeting, Quinn waited patiently for everyone to clear the room. He pretended to be doing paperwork while he watched her out of the corner of his eye. He knew by her over-animated interactions that she was intentionally dragging out conversations with people to avoid speaking to him. That made him smile, just a little.

Finally, everyone else was gone, even Fara who left reluctantly after Carrie told her she'd just walk home.

"So," Carrie blew out a breath as she crossed the room toward him, "what are you doing here?"

"Starting my new job," Quinn said not looking up from the papers he was reading.

Carrie scoffed, "Uh, you don't have a new job. I told Lockhart that you weren't coming."

Quinn looked up at her, "I know. Then, I told Lockhart that I was coming. He was so happy that somebody actually wanted to be on your team that he reinstated me immediately." He gave her a smirk as he took a bag of peanuts from his pocket and popped some in his mouth.

"Ha ha," Carrie said sarcastically. "Seriously though, Quinn, what the fuck?"

Quinn sighed. He'd been dreading this question, knowing that Carrie wasn't the type to be satisfied with him just saying he changed his mind. And he knew he wouldn't be doing either of them a favor by admitting the truth.

So instead, he launched into his rehearsed response, "Listen, Carrie, about what I said at the hospital… I was tired and frustrated. But I thought a lot about it and decided that the work is too important to leave," he said in the most sincere voice he could muster. He figured she'd appreciate that last part since it's how she feels.

Carrie narrowed her eyes a bit, indicating that she didn't really buy what he was trying to sell. But after a moment, she smiled. Quinn was relieved, as her response told him that having him here was more important than pressing the issue.

"Plus, I knew you'd fuck everything up if I wasn't here to save your sorry ass," he added with a grin.

"Couldn't quit while you were ahead, could ya?" Carrie laughed.

He smiled and grabbed another handful of peanuts. After a moment of silence, he asked carefully, "So really, how are you?"

"Fine," she said without much emotion.

"Oh ok, well great to hear." His sarcastic tone indicated that he didn't believe her for a second. "So, are we going to really talk or not?" he asked.

"Not," she said. "I've flown for over 24 hours and I'm exhausted. I'm going to head home." She picked up her bag and began to walk toward the door. As she placed her hand on the door handle, she turned back toward him, "I'm glad you're here, Quinn," and then she left.

Quinn smiled. It was more than he expected.

Carrie arrived at her small house and was greeted by a stack of boxes in her living room. She found the box she was looking for and took out just a few essential items. In silence, she changed clothes, watched her face, and made up her bed. Then, she laid her head down on her pillow, looking at the small photo that she has just sat on the nightstand next to her bed. The nose, the eyes, the hair – she looked more like her father everyday. Carrie kissed the tips of her fingers and touched the photo of her daughter. "I'm sorry, baby," she said. And just like she had every night for the past two weeks, Carrie cried herself to sleep.