Searching
"Phil, honey, what do you think about this one?"
Phil looked up from his file and leaned over to Laura's side of the bed to look at the laptop screen. The house on display was an attractive, if modest, two bed/two bath with an admittedly incredible view.
"Well, what do you think of it?" he asked.
Laura nudged him with her elbow. "Phil! You'll be living there, too! Your opinion matters."
He nudged her back. "We talked about this. I have to take base housing because the situation makes it necessary. I don't know if I'll be able to leave often enough to call any other place the place I live."
If Phil was being honest with himself, this was really a fortuitous turn of events. He hadn't been expecting the promotion post First Contact (which is what Laura jokingly called the Puente Antigua incident in private). Sure, he was one of the best field agents and capably managed Barton and Romanoff as well as small response teams. He just never saw himself as base director material. Any time he mentioned that to Laura she just kissed him and said she believed in him and that clearly Director Fury did as well. So the promotion was great. He also got a decent salary boost.
However, there was a problem… well two problems. The location of the base was Level 4 classified and fell under the "Although-Laura-Gets-Clearance-Because-She-Needs-To-Do-Her-Job-She-Knows-Nothing- About-Phil's-Work" Rule, and Laura had her job in D.C. Sure, they had done the long distance thing before, but the duration of this mission was indefinite.
Phil glanced at the rings adorning Laura's left hand. The difference this time was they were married.
Laura had taken his news better than he expected, given that all he could tell her was that he was to direct a base in New Mexico and that the position was non-negotiable. She nodded, and a day and a half later announced she submitted her resume for a specialist position that just opened up at the National Archives affiliate in Santa Fe. "So we can at least be in the same state," she had told him.
She rested her head on his shoulder. "I know you'll hardly be there, but it's still going to be our home. I already spoke to a realtor about making this place" she gestured with her foot at the walls surrounding them, "a rental property until we come back. We can use the income from that for the other house."
Phil agreed with the idea. "Additional income is always good."
Laura resumed typing. "I'm going to set up an appointment to see this one and the other two next weekend. There are still flights out. Do you think you'll have the time to look, too?"
Phil began the new position a month ago and it was the first weekend he was able to fly back east.
He thought about it. "I'll let you know on that Friday. I won't be able to predict base needs any sooner than that."
Laura nodded. "Okay, I get that. Just let me know when you know." She sighed. "I'll feel a lot better knowing we have a place. I start the new job so soon. God, I do not want to start a new job living in a hotel…" She trailed off.
Phil played devil's advocate. "You didn't have to take a new job."
She scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous, Phil. Of course I did. And besides- when else am I going to get to see New Mexico? I'm doing this."
He leaned over to kiss her. "Thank you."
She elbowed him again. "Eh, you're lucky I like you."
Phil chuckled and they both resumed their work.
A/N: Sorry for the delay! I moved and things got hectic. Feel free to drop a review!