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.

Terzima, LilMisfit and Lipamo - thank you all so much for the encouragement.

A/N Update finally here.

Carrie thanked the stars her dad was away for the shopping and had taken Allayna with him. He didn't need to see her right now. He'd only fuss and she'd become agitated because she doesn't know how she feels or how she is supposed to feel.

Her phone rings and she knows it will be Stephen. He did say he would call but that's besides the point. She answers because she needs to talk but the words won't come out, so she just stays silent.

"Hey, how you holding up?", Stephen asks with concern.

"I...I...they...", Carrie begins, her thoughts an attempt at expressing emotion, crashing into one another preventing her from forming a coherent sentence. Panic rises, breathing fast and heavy.

"Hey. It's ok, it's going to be ok. Just try and get your breathing under control."

Carrie tries to do as he says and takes deep breaths to get a hold of herself.

"I'm an idiot", she says after a few minutes.

"You most certainly are not. You couldn't have expected to wake up to that."

"No, I didn't", she responds sadly.

Silence falls between them for a few minutes whilst Carrie tries to focus on something else, find something to say.

"I'm supposed to be giving you advice on houses", she offers in an attempt to change the subject.

"Bollocks to that just now. We can talk about that later. It's ok to not be ok, you know. You don't have to pretend to be superwoman."

"It's just...I thought I was dealing and this has just knocked the wind out of me. I mean what the fuck? Something is going on."

"Carrie..."

"I mean why now?"

"Carrie..."

"There's no obvious gain from what I can see."

"CARRIE!"

"What?", she asks surprised.

"Stop. Ok, just stop. Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Rationalise, deduce, investigate. Just don't. Not your job anymore", Stephen replies.

"But..."

"No. No buts, no half measures. You have a daughter to take care of. You realised months ago you couldn't do both jobs. You decided to put her first and you made the right decision. No going back", Stephen speaks sternly.

"Something is going on", she repeats.

"Ye, it does seem that way", Stephen says softly this time. "But Carrie, this can't be your problem. When you're out, it's best to stay that way. Clearly somewhere there is a power struggle and I know seeing them use that as a weapon will hurt, but you can't get involved. Allayna has to be your priority now."

"What do I do?"

"What do you feel like doing?"

"Right now, honestly? Crying. I feel like crying."

"I'm told that the shoulder of dad is a good place for this."

Carrie couldn't help the chuckle that escapes her, "dad's shoulder is pretty sturdy."

"Too right it is!"

Carrie turns around to see her dad dump the shopping on the work top. He sits down next to her and takes her hand.

"Look, why don't I let you go just now and we'll talk houses later", Stephen offers.

"Ye,ok. Talk later.

"Bye."

Carrie hangs up the phone. Realising it's just her and dad, she goes to speak.

"Allayna is in her play pen in the sitting room. She's fine", Frank says, smiling at her, halting the need to worry.

Carrie nods her head. They both watch the news currently playing on the TV.

Frank grips Carrie's hand tighter, "I'm here. I'm right here."

Carrie can no longer hold back the tears. She leans her head on her dad's shoulder and takes the comfort on offer, shutting her eyes and trying to block it out.

Frank eventually lifts the control and switches off the TV.

"Come on, I reckon hugs from Allayna may even top hugs from me", Frank pulls Carrie away from the TV towards her daughter.

"So, anything?", Stephen asks, picking his phone up after the first ring.

"Not much at the moment. Impossible to know whether he knows and is deliberately pushing or whether he's completely ignorant and trying to make a name for himself. Smug prick whatever way you look at it."

"A smug prick who is digging himself an early grave. Carrie's upset, but I can just imagine everyone at Langley having kittens."

"They absolutely won't be impressed. When you coming to D.C.?"

"Officially I start in 13 days time. I'm going to have to come before that though. Need to at least have a look for somewhere to live."

"Well Carrie wants us all to meet up when you get here."

"All of us?"

"Ye, you, me, my brother, Virgil and Quinn. Probably shouldn't expect a warm welcome from Quinn though. He's big on Saul and protective of Carrie."

"Bet she loves that."

"Ye, you know her."

"Max, I appreciate your help, but can we keep it to ourselves just now? Don't want Carrie involved if I can help it."

"Ye, no problem. I won't say anything. But she's got a sixth sense about things."

"I know, but at least we can try."

"I'll see you when you get here then."

"Ye."

Stephen ends the call with Max and stares with intense dislike at the TV as though it had personally insulted him. Even before the worst day of his life had arrived to kick the shit out of him, he had for months been resenting the life he had chosen. Watching the interview of this smug politician looking to gain something, he was reminded of why he'd come to hate it all, as the headline from his interview played on a loop.

CONGRESSMAN CONTENDS NOT ENOUGH IS BEING DONE TO LOCATE NICHOLAS BRODY.