"Yeah, but…" Julio started.
"No buts," Kurt interrupted. "She's warned you. If you don't like it, I'd start looking for another job right now. And if you decide you want to test her resolve, you'd better update your resume and have your doctor take a current x-ray of your fingers so he'll know how to put them back together."
The line went silent for a long moment.
"Do I need to start looking for a replacement for you?" Kurt asked finally.
"No."
"Good," Kurt said. "Button up your act for a few weeks and you'll go back to being anonymous."
"Alright, Kurt."
"Look, I gotta go," Kurt said. "I don't want to get another call from her about you. Understand?"
"I got you, it won't happen," Julio stated firmly.
"Glad to hear it," Kurt said. "Have a good one."
"You too," he said in parting.
He leaned forward in his chair and placed his palms flat against the desk in front of him, spreading his fingers out as far as they would go and studying them quietly for a long moment.
"Fuckin'A," he said quietly.
----------
"Good morning," Terry said cheerily as he seated himself in his chair. "What's the news?"
"Yesterday afternoon Cameron and Tate left C-Corp where they proceeded to the Tate residence. They left the Tate residence a little over an hour later with several pieces of luggage and returned to C-Corp," Bob said. "No movement since then."
"Excellent news," Terry said robustly. "Bob, do we have separate surveillance on the Tate residence like I asked?"
"Yes," Bob said.
"Fantastic," Terry said happily. "Have Robards put a three man team on stand by."
"What for?" Bob asked.
"If Tate returns to her residence without Cameron I want to grab her," Terry said. "Alive, make that perfectly clear."
"She has a roommate, Terry," Keith asked. "What if the roommate is present as well?"
"Eliminate the roommate," Terry said casually. "But I want Tate in our hands."
"Jesus," Keith said. "What do we hope to accomplish by kidnapping Tate?"
"Cameron loves her," Terry said with a delighted smile.
"So?" Bob asked. "We can assume she loved her family too, but that didn't keep her from going rogue."
"Tate is a completely different monster," Terry said happily. "Cameron was accustomed to having her family used against her. And when she went rogue, she knew that we couldn't afford to carry out any threat against her family. She was in too good of a position. If we harmed her family at that point, she would have buried us."
"If we harm Tate, she's still in the position to harm us, Terry," Bob pointed out.
"This is a completely different animal," Terry said. "I believe any threat to Tate would force her to negotiate."
"You said she never negotiates, Terry," Keith said. "What makes you think she'll change her tune?"
"Because she's never had a lover before," Terry said. "I believe that she would sacrifice herself to save Tate. And Tate obviously loves her or she would have left her when Cameron eliminated Mr. Nguyen."
"You set up Nguyen to die just to see if Cameron and Tate would stay together?" Keith asked.
"Exactly," Terry said happily.
"Cameron knows we would never allow Tate to survive once we had possession of her, Terry," Bob said.
"I'll guarantee Cameron that Tate survives if she turns herself in with Satterfield and the file," Terry said. "I'll also inform her that we know where her family is and will let them finish their lives free from harm or our influence."
"Do you think she'll go for that?" Keith asked.
"More than likely," Terry said. "It's a promise I'll keep. She knows I will too."
"Would the Director allow that, Terry?" Bob asked.
"The Director will honor any promise I make if it resolves the situation," Terry said with conviction.
"Have you considered our options if she refuses or allows Tate to die?" Keith asked.
"She'll never allow Tate to die if she loves her and has the opportunity to save her. Cameron has lived her entire adult life in sacrifice and I believe she'll do no less in regards to Tate," Terry said.
"You seem rather convinced, Terry," Keith said. "She's been rather effective in finding alternate options before."
"I believe this is the only shot we're going to get without a confrontation," Terry speculated. "Bob, get a dossier to our other Free Agent so he can acquire Cameron. Make it clear that he's not to make any attempt on her unless he gets a green light from us."
"Very well," Bob said reluctantly. "I'll inform Robards."
"Tell them to put on the kid gloves, we don't want to harm Tate in any manner," Terry said cheerily.
----------
Piper sat worriedly next to Bailey on a bench outside Potomac Airfield while they waited on the embassy car. Bailey had grown very withdrawn since landing and periodically squeezed her hand, sometimes painfully. An ache that she silently endured, knowing that her lover was extremely nervous and she suspected, more than a little afraid.
"It'll be okay," Piper comforted. "You'll see."
"Piper, she believes I've been dead for the last fifteen years," Bailey said quietly. "What if she… what if she doesn't care about me anymore?"
"Oh, baby," Piper chided gently. "That's just nonsense."
"Is it?" Bailey asked uncertainly.
"What if…" Piper started knowing she was on shaky ground, "…you suddenly found out that your father was still alive after all of these years? Would you not care about him anymore?"
She didn't say anything in response but Piper saw her nod slightly.
"You look great today," Piper said pleasantly. "I love that poncho."
"Thank you," Bailey said distantly.
Piper brought their hands to her mouth and kissed Bailey's. "I'll be right next to you the whole time."
"I'm considering calling this off and going home," Bailey said softly.
"No you're not," Piper said sternly. "Your family deserves to know you, Bailey."
Bailey just squeezed her hand tighter and began to rock herself gently back and forth on the bench. An action that Piper was familiar with as a sign that she was in extreme emotional distress. She was relieved greatly when she saw a black limousine with diplomatic plates pull into the parking lot.
"They're here," Piper said pulling Bailey gently to her feet. She saw her take several deep breaths and close her eyes behind her sunglasses, standing perfectly still until spoken to.
"It's good to see you well," Jeremy said jovially to Bailey with a quick look at Piper.
"Hello, Major," Bailey said. "Allow me to introduce Piper Tate."
"A pleasure, Miss Tate," Jeremy said with a smile, noting their joined hands.
"It's nice to meet you," Piper said with a grin.
"Are you ready?" Jeremy asked opening the door to the back of the limousine.
"Thank you," Piper said, hopping in and pulling Bailey in behind her.
Jeremy got in as well and sat across from them, knocking on the window to signal the driver who immediately pulled away from the curb. He wasn't sure what he could say in front of the Tate woman so he remained silent and waited for them to start any conversation.
"Piper knows everything, Major," Bailey said, watching the scenery go by.
"I see," Jeremy said wondering if she could read minds.
"Does my mother know she's going to have company?"
"No," Jeremy said. "I've arranged a private room; when we arrive I'll have someone escort her there. Would you like to see your brother at the same time?"
"I'd like to see my mother alone first if it's not a problem."
"Of course not," Jeremy said agreeably.
"How is she?"
"Full of piss and vinegar," Jeremy said and Piper chuckled. "Like I said, I'm not one of her favorite people," he added genially.
"Sounds like my Mom," Piper said amused.
Piper chuckled and turned a smile on Bailey. "Does that sound like your mother?"
"I can't remember," Bailey said quietly and Piper's face fell.
"I'm sorry," Piper said sincerely squeezing her hand tightly.
Bailey continued to stare out the window and Piper gave Jeremy a little cock of her head in silent explanation, receiving a nod in reply. The rest of the trip was completed in an uncomfortable silence and Piper was relieved when they passed through the gates of the embassy.
"If you'd like to wait in the car, I'll have your mother escorted and return for you shortly," Jeremy said.
"Thank you, Major," Bailey said and he nodded politely as he exited the car.
"You okay?" Piper asked when the door closed behind Jeremy.
"No," Bailey said hoarsely.
"Baby, I promise everything will turn out fine," Piper soothed. "Have I steered you wrong before?"
"No," Bailey said reluctantly.
"Trust me," Piper said confidently.
"Okay," Bailey said uncertainly.
"Here comes the Major."
Bailey took a deep breath and got out of the car when he opened the door for her. She waited for Piper and took her hand in a death grip as she got out and stood next to her.
"This way," Jeremy said, leading them into the entryway where two guards stood.
Piper noticed the guards start to close on them and a scowl etched its way on to her features.
"Stand fast," Jeremy said to the guards and they retreated to their original positions.
When they got inside, he turned to Bailey. "I apologize," he said signaling to Andrew who was following at a discreet distance.
"Andrew, please inform all personnel that Miss Cameron and Miss Tate are not to be approached or hindered in any manner."
"At once," Andrew said and turned to carry out his orders.
"Follow me, please," he said and led them through a long hall with several doors, eventually coming to a halt. "Your mother is in that room," he pointed. "Take all the time you need. You won't be disturbed."
"Thank you," Bailey said with an effort and Piper turned a worried look on her.
"Major, could we have a moment?" Piper asked.
"Of course," he said courteously and walked back down the hall until he was out earshot, seating himself in one of the chairs that the lined the hallway.
"Piper, I don't think I can do this," Bailey said, struggling and beginning to breathe erratically.
"I know you're scared," Piper said soothingly, rubbing a hand over her back. "Would you like me to go in and talk to her first?
Bailey nodded.
"I'll be back in a minute, okay?" Piper asked gently.
Another nod.
"Don't go away," Piper said sternly and stood on her toes to peck her on the cheek.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Bailey collapsed into one of the chairs and put her head in her hands.
Jeremy watched in concern and curiosity as Piper went to work on her and was a little taken aback when she almost fell into her chair. He couldn't comprehend how hard it would be to reunite with a family that thought you long dead, but watching a person he knew was far from weak so close to shattering, he understood it was not an easy thing for her to do. He watched covertly as she began to rock a little in her chair and he wondered if there was anything he could say or do to help her. In the end, he decided that any effort he might make would be for naught, so he studiously ignored her and hoped that she would see the situation through. He smiled in relief when Piper reappeared and dragged her almost bodily into the room.
----------
Doreen looked up in irritation as the door opened, surprised to see a pretty red haired woman step into the room and look at her with smiling pale blue eyes.
"Hello there," she said with the hint of a French accent. "I'm Piper Tate," she added cheerily as she approached.
"Hello," Doreen said politely as the woman bounced across the room and sat in the chair across from her.
"How are you today?" Piper asked pleasantly as she studied the woman.
"I'd be better if you'd tell me why I was dragged over here," she said in a slightly annoyed tone.
"You were brought here because you have a visitor and she would like to see you," Piper said with a smile. "Would you like to see her?"
"Who?" Doreen asked suddenly knowing, her chest tightening and her eyes growing moist.
"Let me get her, she's a little scared," Piper said rising from her chair and going to the door.
Doreen's hands came to her mouth and she let out a strangled cry when Piper fairly pulled Bailey into the room.
"It can't be," Doreen said unbelievingly, the tears starting in earnest.
Piper gave Bailey a little shove in her mother's direction and she took several steps before losing her resolve.
"My daughter had black eyes," Doreen choked over a sob.
Bailey took a ragged breath and stepped forward, closing the distance between them to kneel in front of her openly weeping mother. She slowly removed her sunglasses and tentatively raised moist and frightened eyes up to meet her mother's.
"Hello, Mum," she said quietly.
"My beautiful baby," Doreen cried crushing her in an anguished embrace. "My baby, my baby, my baby…"
Bailey buried her face in her mother's hair and helpless to prevent it, she began to cry herself.
VI
Understand what I've become,
It wasn't my design.
- D. O'Riordan
Piper slipped quietly out of the room and sat in the chair that Bailey had waited in, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. She was startled to suddenly find the Major standing in front of her and extending a handkerchief.
"Thank you," she said with a sniffle.
"Quite welcome," he said pleasantly. "I take it everything went over all right?"
"Yeah," Piper said with a wistful smile.
"They'll be a little while I'm sure," Jeremy said. "She'll need you back in there shortly I'm afraid. Why don't we take a walk and I'll tell you how I came to meet her?"
"I'd like that," Piper said standing up to take his offered arm.
----------
"You care for her, don't you?" Piper asked as the Major finished his story.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't," Jeremy admitted. "She's a remarkable person."
"Yes, she is," Piper agreed, zipping up her jacket against the cold.
"She's lived a long time in a profession with a spectacularly short career span," Jeremy said.
"She didn't have the option of dying, Major," Piper said sadly. "They would've killed her family."
Jeremy went silent as he considered Piper's words grimly. "My God," he said finally. "What an unholy burden to have to bear."
"It's unimaginable to me," Piper said. "She has to be the strongest person I've ever known, but at the same time she's astonishingly fragile."
Jeremy just nodded as he absorbed the information.
"Thank you, Major," Piper said. "But I should get back to her."
"Of course," he said and walked with her back into the building, stopping when they reached the hall. "I'll be right here if either of you need anything."
"Thanks," she said with a grateful smile as she traveled down the hall and tentatively entered the room she had left them in.
She found Doreen still sobbing and stroking Bailey's hand, who was seated next to her on a sofa. Bailey looked up when she entered and waved at her to come in, which she did and quietly took a seat next to her on the couch.
"Mum, you've already met Piper," Bailey said hoarsely. "Piper, this is my mother, Doreen."
"It's very nice to meet you, ma'am," Piper said sweetly.
"How do you know my daughter?" Doreen asked.
"She owns the company I work for, Mrs. Cameron," Piper said brightly, not elaborating.
/> "I see," Doreen said slowly.
"Mum, I need to speak to Major Watts," Bailey said. "I'll be back in moment, alright?"
Doreen strengthened her hold on Bailey's hand. "You come back," she demanded.
"I'll just be a few moments," Bailey promised and with a helpless look at Piper she rose from the sofa and exited the room.
Doreen waited for the door to close and turned a glare on Piper. "What have they done to her?" she asked bluntly.
Piper debated with herself before she answered. "It's a long story, Mrs. Cameron," she said softly. "And not a very pretty one."
"I can see that much in her eyes, child."
Piper took a deep breath as it dawned on her that Bailey didn't have the emotional stamina to explain anything to her mother and had purposefully left the room to leave her holding the bag.
"I know about your husband and son, Mrs. Cameron," Piper said slowly. "Bailey survived the shooting and killed the man that gave the order to fire two days later."
"Sweet Jesus," Doreen said, bursting into a fresh bout of tears and Piper scooted closer and took her hand.
"When you're ready," Piper said gently. "I'll tell you what I know."
Doreen just nodded and wiped at her eyes.
----------
Jeremy saw Bailey exit the room and he gave her a moment to compose herself before he turned in her direction to find her coming down the hall towards him.
"You've something for me?" she asked with a rough voice and he noted that she had put her sunglasses back on.
"Yes," he said and walked into the foyer to signal Andrew who approached and looked at him expectantly. "Please retrieve the dossier I requested yesterday."
"Back in a moment," Andrew said.
"Major, I don't have the words to express how much your actions have meant to me," Bailey said slowly.
"Call me Jeremy, please," he said with a smile. "I stopped being a Major many years ago."
"Jeremy," Bailey said with a grin. "Call me, Bailey."
"That would be a pleasure," he said. "And my wife and two boys are glad they still have a father and a husband."
"I was glad to be of assistance," Bailey said with a nod.
"I think assistance isn't a big enough word," he said pleasantly. "How far did you drag me across the sand?"
"Twelve miles."
Stories by Kiera Dellacroix Page 41
