"Neshema."
That wonderful magical low tone voice was the sound of rescue, refuge, asylum - all the words of security and for Annie that single word mean all she desired in life - Neshema was the all in all.
"I'm here Eyal." Annie pushing the panel away to see her Hebrew warrior, maybe not riding a white charger and dress all in black but still her warrior coming by sea to rescue her. Into his arms she rushed, holding on tight, sobbing not wanting to let go of her hold on him.
"You are alright baby, I've got you now." Eyal also holding her tight.
"No time for tearful reunions as Hamas could be on us at any time. Get a move on. I want to be out of these waters fast." Akif placing the panel back in place.
"Let's go Neshema, time for me to take you home."
Home Annie thought as she following Eyal on to the deck and a waiting Israeli patrol boat - where was home anyway. He lifted her with ease onto the waiting boat, turned to Akif and hand him something, shook his hand and quickly joined Annie. Slipping his arm around her shoulders with a reassuring hug, they were underway once more into the darkness of the night.
"Are you okay, not hurt or anything like that?" Eyal gently touching the side of her face, she responded to his touch, easing her cheek into the palm of his hand with her warm welcoming smile he so dearly love about her, if only he could see the smile in the darkness of night.
"I'm fine, a little bruised from my jump but how did you know where to find me?"
"Good spy-craft Annie. We had satellite images of when you decided to take your evening swim and I just took a wild guess about what you would do, move inland and there when night felt you would find a hiding place and stay put. I was right and it wasn't hard for Layla and Femi to find you this morning."
"You sent them... Oh now that answers why Layla said what she said. She never once said your name or that you were behind her bringing me to her home. It all makes sense, she would have never taken in a handcuffed person if she hadn't known..."
"She only knew you were one of my assets and needed to be returned to Israel. Remember her taking a picture you?"
"No I don't."
"Well she is getting better at this spying thing each year. Both her and Akif are my assets and have been since my early days with Mossad."
"Where you the one that saved her for the sex slave thing?"
"Yes, I and one other got six or seven teenagers out of a bad situation. I'm surprise she even told you about it but I shouldn't be. You have that way about you to get people to talk, a welcome trademark of the old Annie Walker. You haven't lost your touch Neshema."
"Yeah and that ability got a decent young boy killed. Oh Eyal all this killing... I don't know if I can handle it anymore."
"We are going to take a long break for this shadowy spy world and you are headed to California via Tel Aviv, Rome and New York. It is time for you to visit Danielle."
"Really!" It was all she could get out, the likelihood of seeing her sister again and so many mix emotions surrounding that visit, Annie felt ecstatic and uncertain all at the same time. How would Danielle react to Annie being alive. Annie begin to shiver, was it the coldness of the blowing wind or the anticipation of facing Danielle.
Eyal taking her by the arm and leading her to the aft of the boat, out of the cutting wind of the fast-moving Israeli gun boat. A few pieces of long hair whipping about her face from around her head scarf and she trying to hold it back, she stepped closed to Eyal, looking for protection from the wind. He wrapping both arms about her and pulling Annie close to his chest, his back to the wind and offering her some degree of protection. She felt so safe - safe there in his strong arms, she relaxed, all the tension of the last week starting to melt away.
"I should catch you up on the recent news, you Anne Catherine Walker are no long dead. With Joseph Nielson kidnapping you from South Africa, brought three spy agencies in a crucial search for you. Each with their own pieces of intel is how I found the ship you were on and the rest, well you know the rest. Rivka Singer has placed an offer on the table for you to become part of Mossad and of course Joan wants you back at Langley."
"Really." Again the only word Annie could get out. Her last meeting with Rivka Singer wasn't all warm and fuzzy and she had sized up the woman as a real bitch... maybe she was wrong.
"I promised you to get you to see Danielle and that should be first on your return the light agenda. Family has major healing powers and after all you have been through it is time to return to family." Eyal giving her a light squeeze, "I'm speaking from experience so please allow me to do the one last thing for you."
That caught Annie off guard, "What do you mean last thing."
"Once you are back in the states and have spent time with Danielle you will have decisions to make and I have to return to my day job of being a spy. As much as I would like to stay and be a part of your walk back into the light, I can't."
"Can we talk about this all later. Right this minute I want to just hold on to you and enjoy my new-found freedom."
"Of course Neshema."
The night they arrived at the Ashkelon dock, Annie could tell Eyal was the VIP among the sailors and he had a car waiting for them as well as a nice hotel room. Room service and a light meal of a cucumber and tomato with white cheese and fried tilapia served with herbed coated sliced baked sweet potato. A very good white wine as added to the setting.
"Not the gourmet meal I had hoped to have for your homecoming but we are a half-a-word away from home." Eyal unfolding his napkin as he took his place across the table from Annie. "Tomorrow we have an afternoon flight to Rome but in the morning a quick shopping detour, as usual you are leaving your cloths everywhere."
"I'm usually on the run. How can I ever thank you."
"By returning to the Annie Walker I first met and being happy."
"Don't think I'll ever be that woman again."
"I'm talking about your kindness and empathy, definitely not you being so naive." Eyal had to chuckle remember his first few encounters with Annie. "This latest experience has given you the maturity needed to be a great spy and my dear Annie you have arrived."
"Don't know if that is where I want to be. The demons of being... Well you know."
"Yes I do know and please seek help with those demons, it is all part of the walk back from the dark side. Promise."
"Yeah, I promise." Annie reaching across the table and giving Eyal's hand a tender squeeze. "Rome, why are we going to Rome."
"That is my second or third home, my home base in Europe and we can spend a few days playing like a loving couple on a Roman holiday. I will also show you the offbeat sights and sounds of the passionate Italian life style. A few blissful days of pure fun, a little rest and relaxation as the start of your return therapy."
"You think of everything." Annie smiles her old warm sweet smile, "Can't we also make a side trip of Orléans, and I need to collect some of my stuff."
"Annie Walker with stuff... Sure Neshema." Eyal laughing at her and she breaking out in a genuine laugh, the first in a long - long time.
ROME - weather being fantastic for exploring the sight of a magical ancient city. Annie had been to Rome several times on her CIA missions but never took in the wonderful sights the city had to offer. She and Eyal spent the first day checking out only a few of the many places to visit, after all Rome can't be toured in a day. First they toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, visited the great Colosseum and the Pantheon, stopped at a charming café for cappuccino and off to do some shopping. Returning to Eyal's Roman neighbor, they walked the streets of Campo de' Fiori, stopping to take pictures of the brooding Dominican philosopher Giordano Bruno which stands on the spot where he was burned at the stake for heresy in 1600, having first had his tongue nailed to his jaw to prevent him from inciting the crowed with his final words.
"The Dominican was ahead of his time, believing the sun to be just another star in the vast universe, claiming as well that space had an infinite number of inhabited worlds all identified as planets and moons orbiting other stars. One of my son's heroes."
"Avi is a pupil of cosmological theories?"
"Yes he is. I may have a future astronomer in my family."
"I once glazed at stars. I find the unknown of the universe intriguing. Trying to discover the next planet or unknown star is so captivating to me. But it has been years."
"I have just starting reading about astrology. Need to have some knowledge so I can have a conversation with Avi. Football and the stars are his passion at the present but soon girls will come into the picture."
"That's about when you will find out how strong his love of the universe really is." Annie with a slight hit with her hip to his side and chuckling.
"Guess so." Eyal place his arm around her shoulder, "Look there, Pinko for the trendy look, shall we." Eyal had guided Annie to one of Rome's chic shops, Pinko is known for trend-setting ladies wear with terrific pants in the latest styles, blazers, tops and t-shirts all in the most fashionable colors. "Time for you to replace your all black apparel."
"What, you don't like my all black mode of dress?"
"Sexy yes but now it's time to come alive." He kisses on the side of the cheek. Annie found three outfits she like and they moved on to the next shop, a more upscale and modern, very much of the moment but not overly trendy. Annie mixed a few simple classic pieces with more fun items and her selections were all greatly admired by Eyal.
Dinner that evening was simple yet outstanding. Eyal had found an enchanting little café in the older neighborhood. They dined on baked chicken pasta with a salad and cannoli for dessert - the ideal meal to end an amazing day. That night in Eyal's arms Annie wanting this day to last forever, so thankful for being with Eyal but excited about returning to the US as a free person.
The next day was Annie day at the beauty salon, her dark brown hair returning to a lovely shade of blonde and a facial.
"Nice." Eyal first word upon seeing Annie as a blonde one more.
"Nice, is that all you have to say."
"I was so used to seeing the brunette Annie, the sexy, calculating spy Nicole and now... Well now you are heading back to the sweet, fun-loving Annie. Damn Neshema, love the likes of both of you."
"Well the sexy calculating spy is still with me, incognito under all this exterior veneer. I may look sweet but there are remaining issues."
Eyal taking her in his arms, "I know my dear. You can be both and in time you will learn how to handle both. But for now, let me take you to the most romance spot Rome has to offer, out last night here before France and on to the US."
Via Appia Antica amidst the ancient ruins of Rome. There are hundreds of historic artifacts and a beautiful park just beckoning lovers to take a long stroll. Eyal and Annie stopping at the ruins of the Church of Domine Quo Vadis where it is said St. Peter met Christ. The church as what some call proof, a marble slab with two grooves that are believed to be the impressions of Christ's feet.
Eyal with his arm around Annie's back, "I going to miss these little excursions with you."
"It doesn't have to be. We'll still run into each other - remember Kismet. I'm not real sure all this has to end."
"It needs to be Annie, believe me it is for the best for both of us. In that dreadful elevator you lost Annie Walker and now it is time find her again, the true person you are and being with family is best. Your return to Langley may not be all roses but you still have to try - for your sake. Yes, we will still see each other but not like this, not like a couple. This is what I'll miss but your return to your family and Langley is extremely important and I have my job and the responsibility of being a part-time father to Avi."
"Our relationship is forbidden by the powers at Langley. I do need...and want to return to my American way of life, to try to see if I still fit there and be part of family again. Oh damn it Eyal, you are also part of my life... an amazing part of my life and will always be."
"Truly understand. And also Mossad has rules about involvement with foreigners. Annie you are very dear to me and I hope always we will stay in touch. You have also become an important part of my life and this should go without saying... if you need me, well I be there for you."
"We shall Eyal, yes we shall stay in touch." Annie tilting her chin to kiss Eyal and he loving return the kiss, the last night of being a couple ended with wonderful and exciting love-making creating lasting memories.
The next morning they were on to France for a quick packing trip in Orléans. A short stopover in New York and on to California and Annie's return to being normal or close to something like normal.
California late afternoon and the weather was as always a little too perfect. Annie still not sure about being back on American soil but this was the start of her return to being the person she had left behind and being a bit anxious.
"You will be fine."
"I'm not feeling so fine right now. Eyal I'm scared."
"I know but just remember, no matter what happens you are still sisters and the family bond will hold tight. Expect anything, you coming back to life can be..."
"I know Eyal." Annie holding her coffee mug tightly in her hands, "How did she sound when you talked to her?"
"Not sure I can explain it. At first she took it as some crackpot making a dreadful joke and then as I called you Lit Bit - her pet name for you she went quiet, very quiet. I truly don't know if she will be here or not. Never could get an answer out of Danielle about coming to see you. Much like making an appointment with meeting a ghost."
"I don't know what to say to her if she even shows up."
"You will find the words Annie, which I'm sure of."
Annie looking at the door to see a tall woman standing there, Danielle had come. "She is here Eyal."
Both Eyal and Annie standing, Eyal quickly kissing Annie on the forehead and walking away to leave the two sisters to reunite. As he passed Danielle at the doorway he leans over with a gentle whisper, "She loves you very much Danielle."
Danielle turned to look at this tall handsome stranger and for a moment watched him walk through the door and quickly disappear down the street.
Eyal turning into a parking lot and slid into his rented Corvette, quickly glancing at the sky before starting the all-powerful engine, Eyal smiled at the fait outline of a new moon, the second moon of the month - the Blue Moon. A sign of a rare chance for Annie to discover her real self, what it is in life she wanted. Eyal has kept his promise to Annie and for now he would give her the time and space to figure out the rest of her life without him, the forbidden love affair or dark isolation to twist any decisions about her future. Annie has to plot her own density - whatever it may be.
Swinging the Corvette onto the open road and with the feeling of enormous power under the hood, Eyal shifted into fifth gear and vanished once more from Annie's life.
It may not be ending the way we all had hope, that of Annie and Eyal together forever but Annie has many things to straighten out with her life and she can only do it in American, alone - by herself away from Eyal. Only then can she be a free woman to decide if Eyal is her end game or not. As for Eyal, he has set her free and if she returns to him... well it must be true love. Only once in a Blue Moon does a person really find his or her soul mate. Thank you for reading 'Blue Moon' - I have enjoyed bring this story to life.