The old country
La Guardia Airport – NYC
Frank Reagan has shown his badge and is waiting at the gate.
"Grandpa!" Several voices shout at once.
"We had a good time!"
"Did you miss us?"
"We went to Disneyland!"
"We got some Legos; can you help me build with them?"
The crew surround him, reaching for a hug or kiss. He is so glad to see them all alive, well and happy.
After he hugs Eddie and kisses her cheek, he embraces Jamie. He whispers in his ear, "I have something of yours."
"I know, 1-PP tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"Ok, mine and Eddie's?"
Frank nods. Enough said.
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1-PP 14th floor
"He is expecting you. Go right in," Abby Baker tells Jamie and Eddie.
They enter, salute and sit.
"Now, share with me why I received your weapons via courier?" Frank starts, rather severely.
"Well, it's like this-
Jamie and Eddie share the story with father and father-in-law. After which Frank sits back and asks, "Was drawing your weapons really necessary?"
"In the moment, yes it was. Marty and Kensi were significantly outnumbered, and a little girl was in the process of being abducted."
"They were experienced Federal agents, Jamie."
"Unknown to us at the time," Eddie responds.
Frank nods. "Then Cassie takes off after a perp with Malina following!"
"Yes, sir. Her cousin Joe has trained her. I have observed 2 of those sessions. She is very proficient with the asp," Eddie responds.
"I just wish there had been another way." Frank sighs.
"So, do we. But at least we met Marty, Kensi and family."
"Worth it?"
"Yes, we think so," they both nod.
Frank slides a package across his desk to each of them.
"Thanks."
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SHERIFF ABDUL'S HOME
"Mohammed, you must come here at once!"
Sheriff Abdul's wife is frantic. She grasps her husband's wrist and pulls him down the hall toward their eldest son's bedroom. She pauses at the partially open door.
"Sarah, you know you are not supposed to enter Ibrahim's room. He has forbidden it!"
"I know, I know. But I smelled a terrible smell. And I had to see, come."
She pulls her husband through the now open door. The odor is almost overwhelming. But it's what they see that disturbs them the most. Besides the absolute mess of old, moldy food – it is the pictures. All over the room; on walls, desk, floor are pictures of Cassandra Reagan! At school, at the mall, at church, in the community. Fortunately, none inside her home, no embarrassing positions or clothing. Some with Eli.
His parents are stunned. The sheriff gingerly walks around in a daze. Muttering, "Allah, what is this my son is doing!" His wife, Ibrahin's mother stands stock still. She starts to weep, "Allah, no! Not my son, Allah!"
They hear a gasp from the doorway. "What are you doing in my room!"
The sheriff turns, "Ibrahim, what is this? What are you doing? You are shaming our family!"
Ibrahim takes a step into his room; they hear a second gasp from the doorway. The three now in the room turn quickly, they see Eli turn and run away – down the hall. They hear the back door open and slam shut.
Sheriff Abdul crosses his arms on his chest. "Explain yourself, my son!"
Ibrahim stands stiffly, matching his father's pose. "You know how much I desire Cassandra for my wife. Does this surprise you? Either of you?" He huffs out.
Sarah collapses to her knees, sobbing. She cannot believe this; her first born son!
MEANWHILE – ON THE ISLAND
There is pounding at Jamie and Eddie's front door. Several family members look at their phones. They see a very frightened young man, a bicycle lying on the walkway next to him.
"Eli!" Cassie shouts. She dashes to the front door, her parents hot on her heels. She throws open the door, he collapses in her arms.
"Can you help me, please?" He sobs into her shoulder.
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Jamie and Eddie help Eli to the FR. They set him and Cassie on a love seat; Cassie grasps Eli's hand and squeezes. Her father looks at the hands, she lets go and folds her hands in her lap. Jamie and Eddie need to hear what is going on.
They ask Nicky to take some games and the other kids upstairs. She knowingly complies.
Jamie asks, "Eli, what is the matter? How can we help?"
Eli hesitates, then starts; "My brother-
"Ibrahim?"
"Yes. He has been collecting . . . ah, pictures . . . of Cassie." Eli drops his head in shame.
"Go on, son," Jamie encourages him.
"Our mother . . . she wasn't supposed to go into his room. But the stink was so bad that she looked. She dragged my father, and they . . . they saw dozens of pictures . . . of Cass. I am so ashamed!"
He drops his head and starts to cry.
Cassie gently rubs his back.
"Did you see them, Eli?" Eddie softly asks.
"2 days ago, I snuck in. There are no bad ones, just a lot of them."
"Bad ones?" Cassie whispers.
"None without clothes or things like that. None inside your home. I'm sorry!"
"What do you think your father will do?" Eddie wonders.
"I do not know. Ibrahim is 22, an adult. Father cannot punish him as a child."
Cassie wants badly to hold his hand.
Jamie speaks up. "I should call Mohammed. He and I have developed somewhat of a friendship. I am sure he knows you would come here."
"Daddy!" Cassie is fearful.
"It will be all right, sweetheart. Stay right here with mom." Cassie and Eddie both nod.
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RING
"Sheriff Abdul here, Jameson?"
"Yes, Mohammed."
"Is Eli there with you?"
"Yes, that is why I am calling. What would you, his father, like me to do?"
"Thank you, Jameson. Can you keep him overnight? Maybe until tomorrow afternoon? We have some things to sort out, please?"
"Yes, we can do that. I will await your call."
"Thank you, my friend."
"Of course." Jamie returns to the FR.
"Eli, your father asked if we could keep you overnight while they sort some things out. I agreed. I will ask Malina to get you set up in the boy's room, while her mom and I talk with Cassie."
Eli nods, understanding.
Jamie sends Mal a TXT; she soon appears and is given her instructions. After Mal and Eli leave, Jamie turns to Cassie and Eddie.
"Cass, I'm going to set down some ground rules for while Eli is here. Eddie, please speak up if you disagree or want to add something."
Mom and daughter nod.
"While Eli is here, NO PDA at anytime, anywhere. No holding hands, no sitting together if touching, no kissing, no hugging, nothing. I don't expect you to ignore him. Talk, yes. Clear?"
"A little extreme?" Eddie queries.
"You would modify, how?"
"Well, it's hard to sit together and not touch at all."
"Ok," Jamie thinks. "Cassie, do you see where I am coming from?"
"Yes, daddy. But mom is right. If we can sit side-by-side, but not me in his lap, would that be ok?"
"Yes, ok. Now I'll have the same little talk with Eli."
They split up, Cassie joining the girls. They soon come down for supper, then spend the evening in the FR playing games.
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ABDUL HOUSEHOLD
Father, mother and son sit around the kitchen table.
"Ibrahim, you know that in America matchmaking is not done as it is in the old country, yes?"
"Yes, BUT I WANT CASSANDRA!"
"But that is up to her! Not you, or me!" Mohammed brings his fist down on the table.
"You are the law here on Long Island! Do your damn job, father!"
"That is not part of my job!"
Sarah is holding her face in her hands, weeping.
"Uncle Raoul would do it!" Ibrahim shouts.
"He is in the old country!"
"Then send me back to live with him!"
"Your family is here!"
"He is family too!"
"Ibrahim, you would leave your mother, your brother Eli, and your father?" His father shouts.
"If I cannot have the wife, I want . . . YES!"
"Is that final?"
"YES!"
"I will call in the morning." Mohammed bows, and shakes his head.
04:30 EST
RING
"Raoul?"
"Yes, Mohammed?"
"Yes. I have a problem, my brother."
Ibrahim will return 'home' to Iraq.
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TBC