Again, I so appreciate the feedback/reviews. This chapter has lots of Fara! I really love her character, as she is such a contrast to Carrie. I'm excited to see how they develop their relationship this season, as I think Carrie could be a fantastic mentor for her. Also, this chapter was getting too long, so I split it into two, so you're going to get a double update.

Chapter Four

Carrie was alert and steely-eyed the next day as she addressed her team, "Good morning, everyone. Congratulations on another successful mission, but it's time to move on to our next target, Abdul Al-Nasser. As you all know, we've been watching his niece for several months now. Her name is Amani and our intelligence indicates that she isn't too fond of her uncle's activities over the last ten years. Based on the work of our field agents, we believe that we may be able to acquire Amani as an asset to use against Al-Nasser."

It was a typical morning briefing for Carrie the day after the completion of a successful mission. In her mind, the time for celebrating and pats on the back was over quickly. It was back to business as usual and that meant back to the next name on the kill list.

Carrie continued her address of her key agents, "Now, the big question at this stage is how we are going to recruit Amani. We need to determine how to approach her, when to approach her, and most importantly, who should approach her. Thoughts?"

A young agent in the back of the room spoke up, "According to the brief on Amani, she's a bit of a party girl, at least by Pakistani standards. She likes to sneak into the discos and she, shall we say, is rather open to male companionship. It probably makes sense to have a guy approach her, under the guise of being interested in her."

Fara was sitting next to him and she nodded, "I tend to agree. As I read her file, it seemed obvious to me that it would be easiest for a male agent to establish a relationship with her."

"Okay, good. I think you all are on the right track," Carrie complimented her team. That was one aspect of being a station chief that really surprised her – how much she liked leading her analysts. Questioning them, listening to their insights and teaching them how to think through the intelligence more effectively – it was fun for her and she was good at it. She was a natural mentor, and her analysts were improving immensely underneath her leadership.

Fara was the greatest recipient of Carrie's tutelage, as Carrie saw her as her most promising analyst. Carrie had come to rely on Fara's insights not only regarding financial documents, but also her reading of people. She seemed to have a sixth sense for understanding motivations and behavior, and so when Fara shared her thoughts regarding Amani, Carrie always listened attentively.

"Carrie, I think Quinn is the right agent to approach Amani," Fara said in a quiet, but confident voice.

Quinn, who had been standing at the back of the room looking mostly bored with the meeting thus far, suddenly looked up. His eyebrows were raised in surprise.

Carrie's head titled and she gave Fara a questioning look. Quinn was the agent they sent in to finish a job, not the one they dangled to begin one. "Quinn?," she asked, her tone skeptical.

Fara continued, "I acknowledge it's a surprising choice. But based on my research on Amani, I feel like Quinn, for lack of a better phrase, is just her type."

Quinn scoffed, "Fara, no offense, but that's a stupid idea."

Carrie laughed, "Yeah, I have to agree with Quinn. He's not exactly the person that comes to mind when we need a man to charm a woman."

"Thanks Carrie. Appreciate the support," Quinn deadpanned.

Carrie rolled her eyes, "Oh fuck off, you know what I meant." Then she turned back toward Fara who had been watching this exchange. Carrie challenged her, "Really though, Fara, you're going to have to convince me, because frankly, I don't see it."

Fara nodded and then made her case with conviction, "I understand your skepticism, but it's clear that Amani enjoys a challenge. The agent recruiting her is likely to have more luck by putting themselves in her path, but then being aloof, rather than pursuing her. That is what will interest her. Quinn is perfect for that."

Carrie considered Fara's analysis for a moment and then finally gave a shrug as she said, "Okay, let's give it a go."

"What?," Quinn protested. "C'mon, this is fucking stupid. I'm not bait and I don't recruit."

"Well, Quinn, I guess we'll just have to teach you how," Carrie responded with a smirk. "Okay people, that's it for this morning." The agents shuffled out of the meeting room. Quinn was among them and he was still pouting, which of course Carrie enjoyed.

"Fara, can I talk to you for a minute?," Carrie called out.

Fara turned back from the door and walked toward the front of the room, "What can I help you with, Carrie?"

"Listen, I know I said okay, but do you really think Quinn in the best man for this? Amani's recruitment is really crucial to our ability to get in close with Al-Nasser and we can't fuck it up."

"Carrie, I know this isn't Quinn's typical function on the team, but I'm sure he's perfectly capable of getting a girl to like him," Fara rationalized.

"Yeah, I'm not so sure about that," Carrie scoffed.

Fara gave a quiet laugh and then asked, "You seem quite skeptical about this plan. Is there something you're not telling me?"

Carrie's brow furrowed, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, is there another reason why you don't want Quinn to be the one to recruit Amani?," Fara asked.

"Um, other than being worried he's going to fuck up my operation? No, not really." Carrie's voice had a slight edge of defensiveness to it. "Why? Is there some other issue I should be concerned about?"

Fara smiled and then straightened her jacket as she responded, "Of course not, Carrie. Shall I work with Quinn on the strategy to recruit Amani?"

Carrie waved Fara off, "No, I got it."

Fara replied, "Of course. I thought you might say that." She smiled again, as if she were enjoying some kind of private joke.

Carrie shook her head as Fara turned around and walked toward the door. Sometimes Fara is so fucking weird, Carrie thought to herself.