Disclaimer - I do not own Homeland. That pleasure belongs to Showtime. No copyright infringement or money making scheme intended. This is purely for reading enjoyment.

Lilmisfit - cheers. Ye, he's no Brody. But good to know he is coming across as likeable. All I'm gonna say is stay tuned.

A/N Some fluff in this chapter as Carrie arrives home. Caution for some swearing.

Exhausted as she was, Carrie couldn't help but chuckle at the sight that greeted her. Her dad was sitting with his pyjamas and housecoat on, with his feet up. Allayna was sitting in his lap with her own housecoat covering her onesie and her slippers keeping her feet warm. They were watching TV. Stepping into the room, Carrie asks, "is this a private pyjama party or can anyone join in?"

Her dad looks round at her smiling "you're back!" Looking at Allayna, he says, "I think we can let mommy join the party can't we?"

Allayna reached out her little arms to Carrie. Carrie took her, swallowing the lump in her throat.

As though he had read her mind her dad says, "of course she knows who you are and of course she missed you."

Carrie gratefully takes the cuddles on offer, but says to her dad, "it's a bit late isn't it?"

"What? I've been good! She's letting me stay up late."

"You are impossible, dad", Carrie replies shaking with laughter.

"Well you had to get it from somewhere didn't you?", he adds with a grin of his own. "Seriously, she just wouldn't settle tonight. So I'm going with her wanting to wait up for her mom."

Carrie stole another cuddle before handing Allayna back to her dad. "I'm going for a quick shower and then I'll change into my pyjamas."

"Ok. Grandpa will just have to steal some more hugs then."

The shower had been warm and welcoming, soothing the exhaustion and relaxing her. Her phone dinged, letting her know she had a text. She finished putting on her pyjamas before picking it up.

Good. I'm glad DC survived your road rage! So how is the cute little Miss Mathieson?

Stephen

Carrie laughed at him. She had sent him a text letting him know she had arrived home safely. Carrie picked up her phone to reply.

Dear cheeky bastard, the only reason is because I was too tired to rage...and wasn't the one driving! Allayna is fine and very cute.

Carrie

Dear non-cute Miss Mathieson, too tired to rage? That's what happens when you forcefully keep people up all night and ply them with Tequila! Give the cute Miss Mathieson a kiss goodnight from me.

Stephen

Dear exceptionally cheeky bastard, clearly the Tequila went to your head. Selective memory about who bought the Tequila is an indicator! I will do. Big wet, slabbery, cute Miss Mathieson kiss goodnight, right back at you.

Carrie

Gratefully received. And my head is fine, thank you. What you doing?

Stephen

Liar! Going to sit on sofa and watch rubbish with dad and Allayna. You?

Carrie

Prove it! Going to watch rubbish on my big man cave TV screen! I'll let you go. Goodnight.

Stephen

Don't bet against it! Goodnight.

Carrie

Carrie once again entered the sitting room to find her dad and Allayna sitting quite comfortably. Carrie notices what they were watching and narrows her eyes at her dad.

"Dad why do you have Allayna watching a programme about conspiracy theorists?"

"I'm starting her early."

Carrie made no reply. He was trying to wind her up. She sat down, taking Allayna as she did so.

"Did you find what you were looking for in New York?

"Yes and no. I found Stephen, but not the answers. He said he couldn't answer for me. Basically he told me I'd find the answers when i'm ready."

Nodding his head in approval, he asks, "so it wasn't as bad as you thought then?"

"No. Not in that way. I didn't think he'd want to see me at all and he listened...but...", Carrie trails off.

"But what?", her dad probes gently.

"He seems lonely and sad, even if he tries to hide it."

"Not what you were expecting?"

"No."

Carrie forces herself to pay attention to the programme as her dad allows them to fall into silence, not pushing her for more. She can feel the muscles twitching in her jaw. He so has this on to wind her up. She can see him smirking out of the corner of her eye.

"See! I told you!", her dad suddenly says to her.

"You told me? It's a load of crap, dad."

Carrie sees her dad's eyes dancing with mirth. He nods at Allayna. Carrie looks down and sees she has fallen asleep.

"I told you she was waiting for her mom..."

"oh", she replies watching her daughter sleep soundly. "I think I'll put her down and go to bed myself, dad. Goodnight", she says giving her dad a kiss and holding Allayna out for a kiss on the forehead.

"Goodnight sweetie", her dad replies.

Carrie walks to her room, laughing as she hears his shout of defiance.

"...and its not a lot of crap!"