“That was it – other than asking about Cassidy,” O’Brien explained.
“Mmmm…” the president began to put the pieces together.
The congressman, who was still miffed himself, spoke without thinking. “He basically accused me of disloyalty to her.”
“What?” Merrow asked.
“Yeah…before he said to give her his best.”
“You idiot,” Merrow said. “Did he see that debacle you called a press conference?”
“I’m sure he heard the news if that’s what you mean,” O’Brien said. “She has undermined my…”
Merrow exploded in a sarcastic sigh that sounded like a groan. “His daughter is a lesbian.” Christopher O’Brien looked at the president blankly. “You better just sit tight, Congressman. Leave Cassidy alone; leave it be.” He resumed his pacing speaking aloud to himself. “Maybe I can control this… I’ll call Stiller … yeah… maybe Alex can…”
“Maybe Alex can WHAT?” O’Brien asked.
“MAYBE she can help me control your mess! If Stiller realizes that I am close to Alex… well…” The congressman let out a disgusted sigh. John Merrow walked to Christopher O’Brien and put his nose against the congressman’s. “You wanted into this hit parade,” he said menacingly, “so start marching in step. Car accidents are nothing.”
“I have never seen Alex like this,” Barb laughed with delight.
Cassidy rolled her eyes playfully. “Yeah…she’ll sleep tonight.”
Barb smiled watching out the kitchen window as Alex loaded Nick’s truck with bags, boxes and tools. “She really dragged you all of those places?” Barb asked in amazement.
Cassidy let out a somewhat exhausted sigh and plopped in a chair with her Diet Coke. “And then some.”
“And then some what?” Rose asked entering the room and taking a seat next to her daughter.
“Where have you been?” The teacher asked curiously.
“Did I forget to get my hall pass?” Rose joked, receiving a light slap from her daughter. “What did YOU do today?”
“Shopped. And Shopped. And shopped some more.”
“I can’t believe it,” Barb remarked shaking her head. “Alex and Nick both hate to shop, for anything. The only time Alex ever shops is for Cat.”
“Yeah…well we spent a good hour in the comic book store,” Cassidy remarked. “But then we had to find the perfect comforter, the perfect lamp, the perfect desk and the perfect paint color to create the Batcave.” Cassidy smiled thinking about how the agent was so determined to make Dylan’s room perfect. The last few days had been hard on them all. Seeing her lover so happy was worth it. No matter how much Cassidy protested, she loved it.
“Dylan won’t leave that room Saturday for the party,” Rose offered.
“Tell me,” Cassidy agreed.
“You are in so much trouble,” Barb said sitting across from her friend.
“What do you mean?” Cassidy asked.
“If she’s like this now imagine if you two ever have a baby.” Cassidy nearly choked on her drink. Rose just lifted an eyebrow at her. “I’m just saying,” Barb lifted her hands with a giggle.
Alex walked in from the back door and snuck up behind the teacher, “talking about me?” She asked leaning over Cassidy’s shoulder. Again, Cassidy choked on her drink. Alex snickered, “guess that’s my answer.” She kissed the teacher’s head and pulled out a chair.
“Busy day?” Rose asked the agent mischievously.
“Expensive day,” Cassidy chimed.
Alex shot a teasing look of warning to her lover. “We got a lot done,” Alex said. “Now, Cass can do the rest.”
“The rest of what?” Cassidy asked.
Alex shrugged. “You have to get stuff for the party, right?” Cassidy covered her face with her hands. “Well?”
“I’m getting that tether,” Cassidy said bluntly to the agent. Alex just shrugged again.
“What tether?” Barb asked.
“Come on….I have to do some things tomorrow….You three can go together. You all LOVE to shop,” Alex said.
“Ummm,” Cassidy replied. “What THINGS do you have to do?”
“Just THINGS.” Alex looked at the woman she loved. They sat smiling at each other across the table, Cassidy lightly shaking her head but with great affection for the agent’s antics.
Rose and Barb tried to conceal their amusement with the banter. Alex and Cassidy were adorable. Rose had never seen her daughter so happy and Barb had never seen the agent so excited about anything. It was almost impossible to believe that either had suffered through any ordeal. “All right,” Barb finally interrupted the moment. “I am voting pizza tonight. You two made me tired. Too tired to cook.”
Cassidy laughed and then looked at her friend. “No, I’ll take care of dinner tonight,” she got up and patted Barb’s shoulder. “We’ll go get what I need. Alex and I can pick the boys up on our way back.” Alex looked at the teacher a bit surprised. “Well, come on,” Cassidy offered her hand to the agent who stared at her blankly. “Let’s go, Alfred – time to carry those bags.”
“Yeah… you said Christmas,” Alex replied grumpily but dutifully followed her lover.
“And I meant it,” Cassidy replied as Alex followed her out the door leaving Rose and Barb to shake their heads and laugh.
“Why the hell did he keep that on him?” Claire Brackett threw her jacket across the room in frustration and slammed her keys on the side table. “Dammit, Carl!” The tall redhead stormed across her living room and plopped down onto the large circular chair that sat in its corner. She looked at the cell phone in her hand and groaned. “Shit.” Letting out a heavy sigh of irritation she reluctantly made the call.
The voice on the end of the line was gruff. “Don’t tell me what I DON’T want to know, Claire.” The redhead remained silent. “You actually got him credentials?” The silence persisted. “Jesus Christ, Claire!”
“Those were my orders.”
“Your what? On whose authority?” The voice bellowed.
“It doesn’t matter. They were DOD orders,” she answered. “I assumed that you would know.”
“How exactly did you assume that? I told you to FIND him… You were WITH him.”
“I had orders.”
“From your father?” John Merrow felt a headache mounting. “Well, your father is not running this operation anymore, Claire.”
“Neither are you, apparently,” was her glib reply.
“I will deal with that. Now… you have NEW orders.”
“What’s that, then?” She asked.
“Christopher O’Brien,” the president said.
“What about the congressman? Another mishap?” She smiled.
“No,” Merrow answered. “I want you to use your special talents.”
“Which talents are those?” Brackett asked seductively.
“Those. I want you to get close…keep him occupied. Watch him closely and keep him OUT of his ex-wife’s affairs.”
“What is it with you and Toles?”
The president rubbed his face and attempted to calm himself. “This is not about Agent Toles, Claire. Stiller is balking on that resolution. Krause is in France….and Stiller’s motivation is O’Brien’s stupidity when it comes to Cassidy…..I thought you liked the congressman,” he said mockingly.
“Um...he has a … well…. He has his purse; doesn’t he?” She joked.
John Merrow smiled. “Christopher O’Brien has never been accused of loyalty… to anyone but himself. Get close.”
“And then?”
“We have to regain control. I have to be in California this weekend for an event. Do whatever you have to. I want this thing moving in the right direction before I get back.”
“It IS your ass,” she said with mock concern.
“Watch it Claire. You’re confidence if misplaced. You have assets on the line too. Don’t think Daddy can protect you… and don’t think people aren’t watching, both of us.�
�� He hung up.
Claire Brackett looked at the phone in her hands again and rolled her eyes. She made her way to the kitchen and opened a bottle of Chardonnay. After pouring herself a large glass she made herself comfortable back in the large chair; draping her leg over the side and sipping the wine. Licking her lips she placed another call. “Congressman. Yes… I think perhaps we have some things to discuss…..OH… I’m sure you’ll find we have far more in common than you think…. Tomorrow at eight? Ummm… Are you up to….it? Good. I’ll look forward to it.”
“You’re not going running this morning?” Cassidy asked rolling over in the bed to see Alex putting on her jeans.
“Good morning,” Alex smiled.
“Yes. It is,” Cassidy raised an eyebrow. “So…why no morning run?”
“I told you,” Alex answered sitting down to put on a pair of sneakers, “I have things to do.”
“Yes… you did. BUT, you still didn’t tell me what those things are.”
Alex walked over to the bed and smiled at her lover. She tucked a strand of hair behind Cassidy’s ear and studied the face before her. “You are beautiful.”
“You,” Cassidy smiled, “are avoiding the question.”
“Umm… maybe I am,” Alex kissed the teacher’s cheek.
“What are you up to?”
“Nothing… You don’t want to sit in an empty house and wait for furniture to be delivered, do you?” Cassidy pursed her lips. She didn’t, that was true, but she knew there was more to this than just waiting for furniture. “I have a couple of things I want to do there is all.”
“Alex….you know it doesn’t have to be perfect for Saturday.”
“I know.”
The teacher looked at the agent skeptically. “I hope you do know.”
“I do.” Alex wanted to change the subject. “So, what are you thinking for Dylan’s party?”
The teacher was beginning to understand that this was a losing battle. Alex was excited about the house and Cassidy was touched by her lover’s desire to make everything special for her and for Dylan. It was clear that the agent was on a different sort of mission and Cassidy needed to roll with it now. “What were you thinking?” The teacher asked.
“About?”
“About Dylan’s party?” Alex’s face lit up and she looked at Cassidy in disbelief. “Well?” Cassidy asked.
“Superheroes… and THEN he can see his room,” Alex answered.
Cassidy smiled and patted the bed for Alex to sit beside her. “Do you have any idea how adorable you can be?” Cassidy asked feeling an overwhelming sense of gratefulness for the woman beside her.
“Really? Adorable?” Alex asked playfully.
“I’m surprised you don’t want to make the master into Wayne Manor, though,” the teacher laughed.
“Well…you are the mistress of the house… so the master is yours.”
“Really? I kind of prefer butlers.”
“Oh, well that’s good, because you know…I’ve spent my life in service,” Alex winked.
“Ummm…Always something to be thankful for,” Cassidy said receiving a kiss on the forehead from the agent.
“I’ll see you tonight,” Alex smiled.
“Yes, you will.”
“I love you, Cass.”
“I love you too, Alex.” The agent made her way out the door. “What are you up to Agent Toles?” Cassidy began to muse when an excited boy jumped into view. “Hi sweetie,” Cassidy said as Dylan made his way to the bed. “Did you see Alex?”
“Yep,” he said snuggling against his mother. “Uncle Nick is taking me to see ships today.”
“I know. I heard,” Cassidy said ruffling her son’s hair.
“Alex says that some of those ships are older than Grandma.”
Cassidy chuckled. “Much older, and I wouldn’t share that with Grandma; I don’t think.”
“Mom?’
“Yes, sweetie.”
“Can we stay here?”
Cassidy looked at the boy and bit her lip. “Well, we are going to be here all week, Dylan.”
“I know,” he said looking down.
“Don’t you miss your friends?” He shrugged. “You like it here.” He nodded. “I know you do. And, you know you will get to see lots more of Cat and Nick and Barb soon.”
“‘Cause Alex is gonna live with us,” he said.
“Yes.” Cassidy smiled.
“For good?” He asked.
“I hope so, Dylan; yes.”
Dylan put his head against Cassidy’s shoulder. “So….can Alex…” he stopped.
“What, Honey? Can Alex what?” He nestled a little closer but didn’t answer. Cassidy took a deep breath. “Dylan, what is it you want to know about Alex?”
“Well,” he began shyly, “Alex can’t be my dad.” Cassidy closed her eyes and took in his statement. It was clear that Dylan was hurt by his father. He had not wanted to visit his father unless it was just for the day and in New York where Cassidy was close by. When he did have to spend longer periods away, he would cry for hours the night before leaving. Cassidy had to reassure him constantly. It wasn’t until Alex came into their lives that the teacher discovered why. The reality that the congressman paid little attention to his son did not surprise his mother. Cassidy had fought that battle from the time Dylan was born. She had always hoped Dylan would bring them closer together but the opposite happened. It only served to pull the congressman and Cassidy father apart. She listened closely as her son continued; knowing that he too had found something in Alex that he didn’t know he was missing until she appeared. “…and she can’t be my mom….you are my mom,” he said. There was a touch of sadness in his voice. “And Alfred is Batman’s so….”
Cassidy stopped him. “Dylan, Alex loves you very much.”
“I know.”
“And you want Alex to be like your dad…or like me.” He nodded. “That’s all right, sweetie.”
He looked at his mother and Cassidy could see that he was afraid of hurting her feelings. “Dylan,” Cassidy sat up and pulled the small boy to face her. She touched his cheek and smiled. “No matter what you call Alex, Alex will still be your parent….just like me and just like your dad.” He looked at her hopefully. “So, whatever you and Alex decide…whatever you want to call Alex…Whether it’s Alex or Alfred or I don’t know… Po the Panda,” he giggled. “No matter what you call her; she’ll still be your Alex.” He looked at his mother still a bit leery. Cassidy thought about her student, James, and the essay he wrote. She smiled. Dylan might always call Alex by her name but he needed to know that he could refer to Alex in whatever way made him feel comfortable. “And, I think whatever you decide is great even if someday you want to call Alex your mom too. Okay?” He hugged his mother’s neck tightly and Cassidy felt her heart swell. “I love you, Dylan.”
“You’re the best mom,” he said affectionately as Cassidy felt a tear roll down her cheek.
“And you are the best Speed Racer. Why are you a Speed Racer?” Cassidy asked lightheartedly and with genuine curiosity.
“Easy. Speed’s fast and cool like me.”
Cassidy laughed. ‘Another Alexism,’ she silently thought. “All right then, Speed… let’s see how fast you can get ready for breakfast.” He hopped off the bed and ran toward the door.
“Mom?”
“Yes, sweetie?”
“Are we having cereal?”
Cassidy snickered. “Ummm....Why do you ask?” He shrugged. “How about pancakes?” Dylan nodded his approval and skipped off. “Too much milk,” Cassidy chuckled to herself.
“Iln’a pas le contrôlede la situation (he does not have control of the situation),” a dark haired man sitting at the table said.
Jonathan Krause smiled. “Ahh….Andre. American politics are complicated. We always….”
The man stopped the statement abruptly, “40 millions euros dans cette affaire, une Krause. Nous ne pouvons nous permettre d’interférence (forty million euros in
this one deal, Krause. We cannot afford interference).”
“You want assurances?”
A tall fair-haired man stood from his seat and walked toward Jonathan Krause. He smiled as he reached the American. “My friend,” he said, “the message must be clear. If he cannot control this than we must control it.”
“And how should we control it?”
The man narrowed his gaze and leaned into the handsome CIA agent. “You find someone who can,” he whispered.
Jonathan Krause felt a rare chill travel down his spine. He stood tall and firm and clenched his jaw slightly. “What you suggest requires an opportunity.”
“Ensuite, nous allonscréer (Then we will create it),” the man said.
It was well past eleven o’clock when Cassidy heard the garage door close. Nick had spent the afternoon and evening at the new house with Alex but he had arrived home hours earlier; extremely tight lipped about the efforts. “Hey,” Cassidy greeted the agent as she walked into the living room. Alex looked exhausted as she walked toward the small blonde woman. The agent sat down beside Cassidy on the couch where the teacher had been curled up with a book waiting. “You look like hell,” Cassidy smiled.
“Ummm,” Alex groaned a bit and Cassidy noticed she was wincing.
“Your back?” Alex didn’t answer. “How bad?” The agent forced a smile. “Did you take anything?” No reply. “Alex….”
“It’s okay,” Alex said softly.
“No. It’s not okay. Can you make it up the stairs?” Alex looked at Cassidy helplessly and somewhat embarrassed. “MMM,” Cassidy shook her head and stood up. “All right. Stay right there for a minute.”
“Where are you going?” Alex called after the woman.
“Just sit there,” Cassidy called back.
“I don’t have much choice,” Alex grumbled.
“No, you don’t,” a voice answered as Cassidy entered the kitchen. The agent couldn’t help but grin at the realization that Cassidy could hear a pin drop across the house. It was hard to hide anything from her lover. The agent moved gingerly and tried to bend over to untie her shoes when she felt a presence above her. “And…you would be doing what now?” Cassidy asked. Alex looked up at her with apologetic eyes. Cassidy had already learned that Alex became very quiet when she was in real physical pain. The agent was stubborn and pushed herself, but it was clear to the teacher that right now, her lover was in more agony than she was willing to share. “Take these,” Cassidy handed Alex some pain reliever and water and knelt down to start untying Alex’s sneakers.
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