Weathered 20
A/N: Thanks for reading. More twists and turns ahead!
Saturday–4:00 pm
(March 2011)
FBI Office - Phoenix, AZ
x x x
Agent Gavin Brennan.
Witsec. Poor Bobby.
Dana could have told her something hours ago and made things easier. Probably laughing about it on her way to Tucson.
"Agent Eastman. Good to see you," Bobby greets her.
"Agent Brennan. Good to see you, too."
God, she's missed him.
He looks good as always. She wonders if he's doing okay since the car bomb incident. Dana hasn't told her anything.
She can't think about what happened and how it almost killed him without getting angry and breaking down in tears. She's had several counseling sessions just to deal with it.
There's no way to punish Kirkpatrick for it, but Malik was connected and she can't wait to see him held accountable for everything he's done.
Two other agents sit on either side of Bobby. Alex takes a seat across the table from them.
"Agents Tyler Lin and Grace Daniels are joining us from the Amarillo office," Bobby tells her. Then to Lin and Daniels, "Agent Eastman worked with me on another project, and I'm thrilled to have her on this team."
She's told that they'll be working on a small task force to catch Malik and his team.
Bobby describes a weapons and human trafficking operation led by Malik that'll operate between Arizona and Texas. From their intel, Malik is headed to Tucson to begin his operation in the next two weeks.
Bobby gives her subtle glances, hinting that these two Amarillo agents are inexperienced and have minimal background information on Malik. Looks like Bobby will put the junior agents to work on research duties, while she and Bobby run things.
"Okay, we'll pick this up on Monday."
"Thank you," they respond.
xxx
4:30 pm
As the two Amarillo agents leave for their hotel, Bobby turns to her. "Ready to get out of here?"
"Yes."
"Just have to close up some things," he tells her. "Ten minutes?"
"Okay."
Alex collects her bags that were left near the entrance, and moments later, they exit the building and walk to the parking lot.
She's feeling better about things. It's not just seeing Bobby again, but working on a plan that will end this nightmare and get them back to New York and their lives. It can't come soon enough.
Bobby puts her things in the trunk and walks to the driver's side.
"Hey… How about letting me drive?" says Alex.
He shrugs and holds up the keys, and she takes them.
They get into the car. Alex adjusts the seat and starts the car.
When she sees him looking over at her, she stops. "What?"
He grins. "To be honest, I've missed you doing that."
"Doing what?"
"Taking over the driving."
She smiles and blushes. "Okay."
"It's not too bad living here," he tells her. "The house is south of the city. It's a gated community. Nice area. I like the sunset views from the patio."
"So, we're in the same community?"
"We're sharing the house. We'll catch Malik and his crew, and get back to New York in… I'd say, about a month. I figured we'd endure the close quarters, and the bureau is fine with it. As long as you can put up with me." He looks over at her and winks. "We'll wrap it up and head back to New York in time for spring."
"All sounds great."
Their eyes meet again. Bobby leans across the front seat and gives her a peck on the lips. Alex smiles and pretends like it was no big deal while he settles back in his seat. But she's trying to get her pulse under control so she can focus on driving somewhere she's never been.
"I thought we'd go to the house, let you get settled in, then we could get dinner and spend more time catching up. Sound good?"
"Perfect."
They talk about the Phoenix FBI office and some of the restaurants and snack shops on the way back.
A 20-minute car ride later, she approaches a guard station and a gate, flashes her badge and the guard opens the gate to let them through. Bobby turns to her and says, "I've got your keys, paperwork, and a gate access key for after-hours at the house."
Following Bobby's directions after the guard station, she drives two blocks and pulls into the driveway of a small cottage. There's a covered porch and a few desert plants along the front.
They retrieve her two bags out of the back and walk toward the door.
He opens the door, steps back, and she enters. Although she's just inside the entranceway, the place is nice. Home-like. She sees clay-tiled floors, terra cotta plants, framed artwork featuring landscapes, and Native American design.
Bobby sets the bags down by the door. "What do you think?" he asks.
"Looks good to me. A little small. I know when you get antsy and start pacing around, it could seem a little tight. But I'm fine with a small space."
"It's worked for me so far."
He gives her a tour of the place; bedrooms and bathroom at the front of the house, the living room, kitchen, and a patio at the back of the house.
As he finishes the tour, he turns to her. "Are you sure you're okay with this? With us living together?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Their eyes meet. More smiles. More butterflies. She's still thinking about the kiss he gave her in the car.
She looks at the double doors that lead out to the patio, remembering what Bobby said about the views. Bobby has the vertical blinds in front of them closed to keep the place cool during the day.
"It's getting near sunset. How about a drink on the patio?"
"Sure."
Moments later, he carries their drinks from the kitchen to the patio.
Alex steps onto the patio and looks out. He's right, the view is nice. No streets or traffic. Desert landscape. Cacti and mountains and palm trees around. The sun is still setting, but the colors near the horizon are gorgeous.
There are a couple of chairs on the patio, but she remains standing.
"So, how have you been?"
Alex smiles. Still taking in the scenery. "Better now. Still miss New York."
"Same here."
"As for how I've been, pretty good."
She summarizes what happened after the bomb went off, the steps she took to see him, retrieve his binder, and get information to Dana. "Dana took your binder."
He nods. "I got it back. Thanks for retrieving it. Some of that was helpful."
"What happened back in Chicago? Do you remember what you saw when you left my place?"
He thinks back on it. "I remember going to the parking lot. I noticed the remote detonator under the vehicle and started trying to get away from it. Also saw Kirkpatrick's car leaving the parking lot. Then everything went dark."
Alex nods.
"I hope he's been arrested," Bobby remarks. "Dana said it was handled."
Alex fills him in on Kirkpatrick and Gunther.
Bobby shakes his head. "That could have gone so much worse. Glad you're okay."
"What do you remember next?"
"I was at Chicago General. They said I went somewhere else first, but I don't remember it. I was very weak. One day, they put me in a wheelchair, brought me to the airport and I was flown to Phoenix. Went through about a week or two of physical therapy. Was cleared for work and did some profiling. Then they put me on this case. As soon as I found out I could bring you into the case, I did. I sent the package to you."
"I got the package. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
They finish their drinks and go back inside.
"So, do you want to change clothes, shower, or anything?"
"Yeah, I'd better." She stands up. "Too many airplanes and airports."
"I've got us a reservation. It's Saturday night, places still fill up around here. It's got a variety of food choices. Wasn't sure what you'd be up for."
"Sounds perfect."
An hour later, she's showered and changed into a dress. It's the one lightweight dress she packed. She didn't know where she'd end up and would have limited options until the rest of her things came unless she planned to go shopping out here. Might not be a bad idea.
Bobby was sitting on the couch with a book. He sets it down when she walks in. His eyes drift over her. "You look great."
"Thanks."
He stands up. "Umm… I just need a minute to get ready and we can go."
"Okay."
xxx
Saturday - 7:30 pm
Phoenix, AZ
Red Rocks Restaurant
Moments later, they arrive and enter the restaurant.
Inside, it looks like a lot of bars and restaurants you'd find around the country, but with a southwest vibe. The walls are decorated with photos of desert landscapes, and there are clay lizards as quirky artwork on the bar. Mexican blankets are framed on the wall, and right in the middle of the bar is a big ceramic cactus that stands out.
On the way to the restaurant, Bobby told her that their food was better than he expected and that he has high standards.
Since their reservation is 20 minutes out, they grab a seat at the bar and order drinks.
The bar is crowded with couples and large groups. Not the best time to chat, since it would be hard to hear one another, but Bobby takes her hand to hold it. A simple gesture that keeps them connected along with their constant eye contact. She loves this. She's also missed the comfort and familiarity of just being with him.
The group beside them clears out to go to their table and the volume in that area seems to come down.
Alex leans in and asks, "So, do you come here a lot?"
He grins. "A few times, yes."
"Dates?"
She wonders if he met anyone while they were apart. It sounded like a reasonable question in her mind.
"Just people from work, friends," he responds.
"No dates? Come on…" she laughs. Of course, she's hoping not.
He shakes his head and smiles. "Well, I had dinner with Dana while she was in town."
"That's not a date. That's work."
"She called it a dinner date." Bobby chuckles.
He probably finds it amusing that she's letting a little jealousy show. She's seen two ladies at the restaurant checking him out already since they arrived.
"Dana's not my type, even if she wasn't already involved. We were just catching up on bureau stuff. I was hoping to pry information out of her about you."
Alex laughs. "I didn't know where I was going until I was boarding the plane."
"She didn't tell you?"
"No."
He laughs.
"You find that funny?"
"A little. So, you didn't know she was bringing you here to meet me?"
"Nope. But then again, she caught me climbing through my window at 3:00 am after visiting with Tess and Roni. Those two moved out a little while ago. She showed up at my place to tell me about Arizona, and I wasn't there. I guess that was Dana's way of getting back at me."
"Sounds about right."
The hostess comes over to seat them. They pick up their drinks and follow her.
Her eyes lazily drift around the restaurant. Everyone is having a nice time. A couple of kids run past them, heading toward the exit; one reminds her of her niece and she smiles.
As a customer exits a booth, she spots him from across the restaurant. He makes eye contact with her and a shiver runs through her.
It's him. Oh my god.
There's no longer any doubt whether Malik is in Arizona.
Tables and booths and customers separate them, but it doesn't seem like enough.
She focuses on her breathing. Using the box breathing technique that her therapist taught her.
Once he passes her, he continues walking. Doesn't come near her, but already knows his presence is enough to shake her up.
Bobby didn't notice, but he was chatting with the hostess about one item on the menu.
Her stomach had nothing but some water, and a few chips and salsa from the bar that were offered while they waited to be seated. She might throw up.
Once they reach the table, Alex takes a seat and grabs a menu.
They're placed at a table for four. She's relieved when Bobby takes the chair directly beside hers. The closeness helps.
He talks about one or two of the dishes when Alex's eyes lift for another scan of the room. She doesn't see Malik.
It seems odd that he'd be at that place like he was waiting there for her. How could he have known they'd be here? It's going to bother her for the rest of the night.
She doesn't want to mention this to Bobby. At least not yet. They know about his trafficking operation. She needs a little time to figure out what he plans to do about her.
Bobby reaches for her hand again and folds his fingers around hers. She knows he's right here, and that helps.
He asks her about appetizers, and she's not sure if she responds.
"Eames…"
"Eames…"
"EAMES…?" Bobby lifts his voice a bit, and it catches her attention.
Alex looks at him.
"You just got very pale. Are you okay?"
She's not letting this ruin her night.
After a peripheral scan of the restaurant, Alex reaches for her water glass and takes a couple of sips.
"Sorry. Yeah. Must be the jet lag. I'm good."
xxx