* * * *
That night, hours away in a motel room with a chill wind moaning at the window, the briefcase sat between them on a cheap rickety table. Rowan tucked her legs underneath her, unwinding the scarf from her neck with a sigh. “We could call in,” she said, the line between her eyebrows deepening. “Or string some code. They would be glad to hear from us."
Del nodded. He finished the last of the scans, putting the small handheld instrument away in his kitbag. It was the second scan, standard procedure, but not likely to come up with anything. “Well, it's not going to explode and kill us, and there's no tracker in it,” he said. “You want to do the honors?"
She looked down at the table, her hair falling softly over her face. It was a sweet piercing feeling, knowing he could look at her as much as he wanted, seeing the curve of her cheek and the shape of her flawless mouth. “If we open that, it's as good as admitting we want to go back."
I wondered when you were going to realize that, sweetheart. You've been itching to do something useful for a while now. Don't think I haven't noticed. It felt strange not to automatically share the thought with her.
She gave him a wry smile. “I can feel you thinking, even if I can't hear the content.” She stretched, yawning, and gave the bed a longing glance. “What do you want, Justin? Do you want to go back?"
He considered the question for a long time. The pink-and-brown curtains over the window stirred a little.
The weather-stripping in here wasn't up to code, but they both needed the rest. Besides, this place was in a perfect part of a small town, easy for them to escape without notice, and that was worth a little chill.
And if it was cold he might wake up to her cuddling into his warmth, and that was always pleasant.
"Sex fiend.” She shifted uneasily in the chair, and he sighed.
"Well, that's the goose calling the gander, isn't it?” He gave her a smile that felt natural and treasured the quick grin she flashed. “You really want to know what I want?” He folded his arms, feeling the familiar safety of dampers crackling in the air.
She rolled her eyes, and then sobered. She glanced around the motel room, then at the African violet sitting safely on the small bed stand under a pink ceramic lamp shaped like an elephant. The plant didn't seem any worse for wear. “Of course."
"I want you happy. You want to go back, we're still not required to do anything other than hang around Headquarters and train a few psions. Or just do the paperwork. I'm sure the old man has a mountain of it."
Her eyes were dark, almost troubled. “You miss him, don't you?"
The idea of missing anyone was strange. Unfortunately, she was right. “Yeah, I guess I do. Don't tell him, though."
"Silent as the grave.” She put her legs down, leaned forward in the chair, and stared at the briefcase as if she had X-ray vision. He watched the thoughts moving behind her eyes, the faint blush on her cheeks from the cold, and the mussed silk of her hair.
"All right,” she said finally, wrapping up whatever internal conversation she'd been having. “I suppose...”
But she didn't finish the sentence.
"It's up to you, Ro. We can toss it off the next bridge without even opening it.” Fat chance, sweetheart.
I can see it in your eyes. You're thinking about going back, aren't you?
If it was true, it was good news. If it wasn't, Henderson probably needed them. If it was a trap, Henderson would need them even more.
She reached out decisively, and the locks clicked open. Taking a deep breath, her gaze met his.
"We can call in tomorrow morning,” he said. “There's a train station in the next town. Risky, but quick."
She nodded, her hair swinging forward. The butt of a gun dug into Del's side as he stretched muscles gone a little stiff from so long in the car.
"If this is true..."
"If it's true, Rowan, you brought down Sigma. Congratulations. Now open the damn briefcase. The suspense is killing me."
"I love you too,” she said, opening the briefcase with one swift, decisive movement and stared at the inside.
I don't think I'll ever be able to tell you how much I adore you, angel. If this is true and we go back, I'll keep you safe. “Well?” he finally asked.
She nodded. “We're going back. Henderson's going to need us.” Her chin lifted decisively, and he thought she could probably stop his heart if she ever looked at him the way she was examining whatever was in the briefcase. She reached down and pulled out a sheaf of papers, flipping through them and collating them swiftly with a single glance. She set aside two videotapes, flipped through more papers.
Her eyebrows rose.
He waited.
When she spoke again, it was in a clear, firm voice that made his heart triphammer inside his ribs.
“Transcripts from closed Congressional hearings, admittance papers for Anton, workups on jobs they suspect were done by Zed-wiped psions taken by the private sector...” Her gaze swung up, met his. She looked dazed. “If Sigma's destroyed there's no reason to stay away."
"I guess not.” He settled himself in the chair, watching her closely.
"I want to go home,” she finished. Her eyes glittered with unshed tears, and high hectic color stood out in her cheeks. She was so goddamn beautiful it actually hurt to look at her, all the way through his chest and lower, too.
Justin Delgado gathered himself. “Great. We'll catch the train in the morning. Give me a look at what's in there, angel. I love you too."
THE END
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