by Kat Smith
She tossed back the covers and stood looking out the window at the dreary sky. “I need to get out of here. I want to go home.”
Payton smiled. “Do you love her?” When she saw the expression on Devan’s face, she looked away. “She’s not my blood, but she is my daughter, and I love her dearly. I don’t want to see her hurt again.”
Devan knew Payton was referring to her running away. “Yes. I do love her. I always have.” She said it without hesitation.
Payton studied Devan’s face, then nodded. “You’ll be home soon, very soon.” She closed her notebook. “You probably know as well as I do how stubborn and hot-tempered Alex can be at times.”
Devan just chuckled and made a face. “Copy that.”
“You’ve both been through a lot, had just gotten back together when all this happened. Take it slow, get to know each other again. If you ever need to talk or vent, you know how to reach me.”
The guards shoved Christopher into a chair in the interrogation room and chained his cuffs to a steel U-Bolt in the middle of the table. Fredrick Vaughn entered and sat opposite him and smirked. He was finally getting his opportunity to interrogate one of these assholes.
“Christopher Bryzgalova.” He looked up from his file. “You’re quite an interesting man.”
Christopher just looked at Vaughn with contempt. “Fuck you.”
“Not much of a conversationalist, though.”
“You have no authority to hold me.”
Vaughn leaned forward. “You shot a United States soldier.”
“I shot no one. That was…”
Vaughn smiled. “One of your men. We have them, too, and I must say they are very good conversationalists.” He whistled. “Let me tell you. They’ve spilled their guts about you, your plan to set off a bomb at the Vaziani base, your plan to start a war.”
When Payton walked in the door a few hours later with two large bags, Devan immediately sat up in bed when the aroma hit her nose. “Food. Is that real American food?”
“Easy, soldier.” She set the bags on the rolling table and made a production of the presentation. “We have what I’m told are the best barbecue ribs this side of the Mississippi.” She placed two large Styrofoam containers on the table. “Plus, large side orders of fried okra, corn on the cob, potato salad, and…wait for it…homemade fries.”
Devan’s eyes widened with excitement. “Finally, a woman who knows my heart.” Embarrassed, she looked at Payton. “Uh, sorry, Director.”
Payton laughed. “No worries. Food like this isn’t allowed in our house, either, so I have to cheat and get my fill when the occasion arises.”
Devan popped a piece of okra in her mouth. “Thank you. This looks delicious.”
Payton sat at the foot of the bed and opened her container. “I started to get borscht but thought you might shoot me.”
Devan’s head snapped up. “You thought correctly. However, someone took my gun away.” She chomped into a piece of corn. “Though, I have to say that I truly admire the irreverent sense of humor you Australians have.”
Payton laughed. “I love Australia, but unfortunately, I’m not an Aussie. My father was a diplomat, and I lived in Canberra from age three to sixteen.”
Devan dug into the ribs. “Must have been culture shock when you came back to the States.”
“It was.” Payton tried the okra and sighed. “I grew up in a foreign country that felt like home, then moved home to a country that felt foreign. I tried to adjust…to adopt the American dialect, but it, too, felt foreign.” She picked up a rib. “I was forcing myself to be someone I wasn’t. I either had to change and fit in or be true to myself. I chose to live my truth.”
“That’s brave for a sixteen-year-old.”
“Not nearly as brave as what you did at age thirteen.” She chuckled. “My parents called it rebellion and really freaked out when I told them I was gay. I enlisted on my twentieth birthday.”
Devan wiped sauce off her chin. “It’s interesting how we took similar paths to escape a reality we couldn’t tolerate.”
“Yes, it is.” She looked at Devan. “I guess that makes us kindred spirits.”
Devan smiled. “Yep, and now I know who to sneak out with to get my barbecue and fried food fix.”
Payton pointed a finger at Devan. “I can already tell you’re going to get me in a world of trouble.”
Mara and Alex tag-teamed the kitchen cleanup. Alex dried the dishes as Mara washed. “I want to apologize again for my adolescent rant the other night.”
Mara nodded. “Accepted. Thank you.” She handed Alex the last plate. “This whole ordeal has been hard on everyone, especially you.”
She pulled the drain plug and removed her rubber gloves. “So, tell me, when did you and Devan get back together?”
Alex blushed and busied herself putting the dishes away. “We, uh, I don’t know if we are. We’d just…were just getting to know each other again when we had to leave on the mission.” Alex closed the cupboard. “When you gave us time to talk the other day, she said she loved me.” Alex picked up a towel and folded it. “But she was under a lot of stress. I don’t know if she’ll feel the same when she gets back home.” She turned and poured them another glass of wine. “It sounded like she’d gotten really close to that woman, Teona.”
“Do you love her?” It was such a simple question, but Mara knew there was seldom a simple answer.
Alex smiled sadly. “I never stopped loving her.”
Mara sat on a barstool. “Then give her time. Give yourself time. Time to heal and find your footing again.”
“I didn’t get hurt.” Alex said matter-of-factly.
Mara turned to Alex. “Not physically. Emotionally, you were devastated when she ran away. I wanted to kick her in the ass, but it wasn’t my place. You were both adults.” Mara turned and placed her hands on Alex’s cheeks. “You’re both strong, very stubborn women. You’ll figure it out―together.” She pulled Alex into a hug and held her tightly. “I don’t remember the last time we had a good heart-to-heart talk.”
Alex kissed Mara on the cheek. “We haven’t been very close the last couple of years. I want to change that.”
Mara hugged Alex again. “Me too, baby girl. There’s nothing I want more.”
Mara stood on the tarmac and watched as Sergeant Washington assisted Devan out of the helo. When Devan walked toward her, she stepped forward. “Welcome home, Captain Conner.” Mara then broke her own rule and stepped forward to hug Devan.
The tenderness from the colonel had tears brimming in her eyes. “Thank you, ma’am. It’s good to be home.”
Lena pushed a cane into Devan’s hand, and she looked up embarrassed. “They’re making me use this damn thing.”
Mara chuckled. “As they should, Captain. You broke your leg and never had it casted. That had to hurt as much as the gunshot wound.” She turned and walked slowly beside Devan. “Sergeant Taylor will get your gear inside. Say hello to your team, then come up to my office for a chat.”
“Copy that, Colonel.” Devan hobbled into the building and headed toward their squad room.
Mara and Payton were standing by the window talking when Maggie knocked and opened the door to Mara’s office. Devan couldn’t help but feel a sting of disappointment when Alex wasn’t there to meet her.
Payton walked over and gave Devan a hug. “Welcome home, Captain.” She whispered, “Remember, we now have secrets.”
Devan grinned and nodded shyly. “Thank you, Director.”
Mara went to her desk. “Have a seat, Captain.” When Devan sat, she leaned forward. “I want to personally thank you again for the intel you managed to uncover during the time you were in Makhachkala. You were instrumental in the capture of the rebel group, and I intend to put you forth for a commendation.”
Devan didn’t care about commendations. “Did we get them all?” All she cared about was results.
Mara looked to Payton to answer. “As I said at the hospital, all
intelligence indicates that we did. However, we’re still monitoring the data as it comes into the datacenter.”
“Good.” She turned to Mara. “Colonel, now that everything has settled down, I wanted to talk to you about Teona if I could.”
Mara’s gaze flicked to Payton. “Sure. What are your concerns?”
Devan let it all out in one breath. “Colonel, I wouldn’t be alive if she hadn’t helped me. She has no family, she’s all alone. Yes, we’ve set up a way we can keep in touch, but that’s not enough. I want to find a way to get her out of Russia…get her moved here to the U.S.”
Payton sat beside Devan and watched Mara’s face. They’d both noticed the bond that had formed between the two women as they watched the mission unfold in the operations center. She waited to see how Mara would respond.
Mara sat straighter in her chair, knew she had to put her personal feelings aside as this could become a very delicate matter. “Captain, I’m not sure we can make that happen.”
“Colonel, she deserves better than us just leaving her in that god-forsaken town.” Devan had moved to the edge of her chair.
Mara lifted her chin and pinned Devan with a hard gaze. “I’m just going to ask it… How close did the two of you get while you were there?”
Devan’s eyes widened, and she realized how her request must have sounded. “Oh, no, ma’am. It wasn’t anything like that. We didn’t…you know. Nothing happened.”
Relieved, Mara sat back. “I’ve seen it happen, Captain.” She opened the folder on her desk and picked up a document. “That was a lot of money you had me send over. Your personal money. It seemed a bit excessive for a thank-you.”
Devan shrugged and leveled her gaze on Mara. “Well, Colonel, how much money would you consider not excessive? She risked everything to save my life.”
Mara studied her and wondered if she would ask the same question to any other soldier, one not dating her daughter. “I can’t promise anything, so do not make any statements to her to the contrary, but I will see if―and that’s a big if―anything can be done for her.”
Mara stood, rounded the desk, and propped a hip on the edge. “In the meantime, I’ve arranged for someone to be with you at home for the next week or two.”
Devan scoffed at the idea. “No, I’m fine, ma’am. My apartment is really small, and I don’t want a stranger in there.”
Mara was stern. “It isn’t an option, Captain. I need you back healthy and fit, and the sooner, the better.”
Devan protested. “Colonel…”
Mara stood, ending the conversation. “Captain, we’ll talk again in a few days. For now, there’s a car downstairs to take you home.”
Devan decided that no one would be willing to stay in her dreary ill-furnished one-bedroom apartment. She’d get through one night, then it would be over, and she could be on her own. “Yes, ma’am.” Devan pushed out of the chair as Mara buzzed her assistant. Moments later, the door swung open, and Lena stepped inside.
“Sergeant Taylor. Please help the captain downstairs, will you…and make sure she doesn’t escape.”
Lena grinned. “It’ll be my pleasure, Colonel. Right this way, Captain.”
Devan stopped at the door and turned back to Mara and Payton. “Thank you both. For everything.”
Lena shouldered Devan’s rucksack and paced herself to walk at Devan’s slower speed. “It’s damn good to have you home.”
“It’s good to be home.” She hesitated a moment. “Have you seen Alex since the mission?”
Lena shook her head. “No. As far as I know, she went back to her ICC job.”
Payton looked down into the exercise yard as the sun set. “She looked so forlorn. Where the hell is Alex?”
Mara ignored the question. “I’ve seen her in worse condition. She’ll be just fine.”
They watched as Devan exited the side door and stepped out into the brisk evening air.
Lena stopped by a bench beside the flagpole and dropped the duffel bag beside Devan, then turned back to the building.
“Where are you going?” Devan looked confused. “I can’t get this to my Jeep.”
Lena yelled over her shoulder, “Enjoy your ride home, Cappy.”
When Alex stepped out from the shadows, Devan’s breath caught in her throat. She dropped the cane and limped forward, faster than she should, but not as fast as she wanted.
Alex rushed forward and pulled Devan into a fierce hug.
“Oy, oy, ouch…oh, easy.” Devan laughed and winced in pain.
Alex released her. “Oh, my God, I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”
“Yeah, but do it again.”
Alex did, but much gentler the second time around.
Upstairs in Mara’s office, they watched the tender moment play out below. Payton smacked Mara on the arm. “You…sly…devil. That’s so sweet.”
Mara shrugged “Hey, I can do nice. But sweet? Well, that’s stretching it.”
Payton draped an arm around Mara’s shoulder. “You’re such a hard ass on the outside, but you can’t fool me. I know you’re a hopeless romantic under all that armor of yours.”
Mara lifted her chin. “I have a reputation to maintain, Director.”
They watched as Alex shouldered Devan’s rucksack, and they walked slowly to the parking lot.
Payton sipped her Scotch. “Do you think they’ll make it?”
“I’ll wager they have a fine chance.” She took Payton’s empty glass and took them to the sink in the back of the office.
Payton turned and watched her. “Those are better odds than you gave us.”
Mara came back to stand beside Payton. “Things were a lot different for us.”
Payton turned and pulled Mara close, kissing her tenderly. “Times are a-changin’, my love.” She used her thumb to swipe lipstick from Mara’s lips. Mara looked out the window to see if anyone had seen them kissing, then eased out of Payton’s arms. “Director, you’re awfully bold today. Someone could see us.”
“Fuck ’em. They can piss off.” Payton grinned.
Mara released a deep laugh. “Yes, I guess you did pull both of us, kicking and screaming, out of the closet. We’re probably number one on the gossip charts this week.”
“You’re number one on my chart every day.” Payton turned to pick up her briefcase. “Ready to take me home, Colonel?”
Mara grinned and gave Payton a sly look. “Oh, yes, Director. Yes, I am.”
At the door, Payton pulled Mara close for another kiss. “You’re so damn sexy in your ACUs.”
Mara slapped Payton playfully on the arm. “You’re awfully saucy today, Director.”
Payton kissed Mara again. “No, I’m in love. Can’t you feel it? It’s in the air.”
Mara chuckled. “Copy that, and back at ya.”
They both straightened and stepped apart. Mara reached for the doorknob. “Ready?”
The façade fell into place as Mara opened the door. Payton walked through and waited for Mara to lock the door, then they turned and walked down the hall to the elevator. Just two colleagues leaving work at the end of the day.
Six Weeks Later
Alex walked into the kitchen and stopped in her tracks. “Oh, no. Nuh-uh, no, no, no.” She closed her eyes as Payton and Mara stood by the sink in a passionate embrace.
Payton looked over and grinned as Mara tucked her head into Payton’s neck, embarrassed.
“Come on, guys. A daughter shouldn’t have to witness a…a…a… thing like that.”
The look of disgust on Alex’s face just emboldened Payton. “Surely you didn’t think she was a virgin.”
Alex’s face contorted into several expressions before she flung her hands in the air. “No, nope, don’t go there.”
Payton laughed and pulled Mara closer.
Mara regained her composure. “This is all your fault, you know.”
Alex scoffed and shook her head. “What? My fault?”
Payton laughed. “Yep, we’re working o
n that ‘showing our feelings’ thing you preached about the night of your meltdown.”
Alex turned away, then turned back. “Oh…my…God. No way, I’m outta here.” Alex retreated to echoes of laughter.
Devan placed several gifts under the huge Christmas tree in the corner of the family room. It was bigger than her entire apartment, she thought, then stepped back to admire the decorations. She jumped when Alex rushed into the room.
“Oh, my God, I just walked in on Mom and Payton making out in the kitchen.”
Devan laughed. “Well, they’ve been together for like fifty years.”
“What?” She rolled her eyes. “It’s only been twenty-something. Do you hear me? I was traumatized.”
Devan dropped to the sofa and teased Alex. “I bet they have rocking sex, too.”
Alex’s mouth opened, closed, and opened again as she tried to process that comment. “Stop. That isn’t a visual I want in my head.”
Devan pursed her lips a moment, then grinned. “Well, if they’re making out, that means we have a little time to ourselves.”
Alex cut her gaze toward Devan and sauntered over. “Now that’s a grand idea.” She straddled Devan’s lap and bent to kiss her deeply.
Devan grasped Alex’s hips and pulled her closer. They were both lost in each other and didn’t hear Mara walk in.
“Captain Conner.” Devan had a flashback from boot camp and shot off the sofa. Alex fell unceremoniously to the floor. “Ma’am… Colonel…I mean. Oh, sweet Jesus.”
Mara decided that she was going to have some fun with this. She stepped close to Devan. “Captain, were you just groping my daughter’s ass?”
Devan sputtered, “No, ma’am. Well, yes, ma’am, but…I mean… crap.”
Silence filled the huge family room as Mara scrutinized Devan. Alex had managed to pull herself off the floor and looked back and forth between the two women.
Payton walked in, stepped behind Mara, wrapped her arms around Mara’s waist, and pulled her close. “What’s going on?”
Alex clipped, “As usual, you’re coming in late to the party.”
Mara kept her gaze on Devan. “The captain here was groping our daughter’s ass.”
Alex complained, “Oh, Mom!”
