David shook his head. “But why did he do it?”
“He was Bishop’s cousin. Seems family was important to these two. When we had Treville cornered, he considered giving us CJ to save himself. Davies killed him for it.”
“Huh.”
“Alex?” Sarah’s voice was quiet. “Is it over now? For good?”
Alex sighed. “I don’t know, Sarah. I think so.” But in her mind she could hear Bishop telling them that there were more accounts, more Nazi money in the hands of the right wing. “We can only hope so.”
They were quiet for several moments, until the sound of feet on the steps pulled all their eyes to the front door. It opened to reveal Arlea, riding atop the shoulders of her newest playmate.
Ken Thomas came in behind them. “Hey, did you guys know Arlea is talking?”
David laughed. “Yeah, she’s been getting pretty vocal. Her favorite word is go. What’d she say this time?”
“She said ‘ride’ — and then she pointed to Teren.” He glanced at the woman carrying the little girl on her shoulders. “And Teren obliged.”
Everyone grinned.
Alex stood up and sauntered over, following Miri, who was gently trying to pull her squalling daughter off Teren’s neck.
“Hey, easy, kid, watch the head. No pulling the hair, remember?”
Finally, they got the girl disentangled. Teren leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek, receiving a very wet kiss back. She wiped her face while Miri carried her daughter to the restroom to wipe the ice cream from her face.
“I was about to come looking for you, Ter. Thought maybe I’d lost my playmate for good.”
Teren grinned. “Nah. I’m just an interesting diversion. She’ll be back to climbing all over you in just a couple of days — you’ll see.”
“MmHmm.” Alex nodded. “Thing is, though — I wasn’t talking about Arlea.” She winked into the blue eyes.
Teren winked back. “Not a chance, pal. You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried.”
“Why would I try?”
“Don’t know. But don’t bother.”
She leaned forward and kissed Alex on the cheek.
Completely forgetting that they were in front of several friends.
Ken grinned. Maggie and Sarah chuckled, while David whistled.
“Hey, Alex? Do I have to come stand guard over your virtue?”
“You try it, David, and I’ll kick you in your virtues.”
They all laughed.
Alex leaned closer to Teren. “Was a great dinner, huh?”
“Yep. Sure was.”
“But I’m ready to go home. Will you drive me?”
“Yep. Sure will.” Teren winked and put an arm around her shoulders.
They said their good byes, with many hugs between all of them. Teren smiled and laughed, amazed at how wonderful it was to have friends again. She felt a slight pang in her heart as she thought of Perry, and how he would have loved the laughter of this group. For a moment Teren was filled with a sense of melancholy. But it passed quickly, unable to stand up under the weight of the hugs of her friends, and the feeling of Alex’s hand in hers as they walked to her car.
They didn’t say much as she drove. They didn’t need to . As Teren pulled to a stoplight, she’d glance over to find Alex’s eyes on her, watching her closely. She’d smile, and Alex would smile back.
Alex’s apartment house was only blocks away when Teren broke the silence.
“Can I stay?”
“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”
Alex opened the door to her apartment, fully expecting to be jumped on by her furry four-legged companion. When she wasn’t, she looked up to find Teren holding Appleby in one hand, high above their heads.
“Teren, what are you doing?”
“He jumped. I caught him.” Even as she spoke, she moved her arm back towards the top of the bookcase, and the cat scrambled back up to his perch, looking rather indignant at having been stopped mid-leap.
“He always jumps. I’m used to it.”
“Yeah, well, if I’m going to be visiting, he and I are going to have to talk about that little habit. He’s gotta stop trying to surprise me, or one day I might turn him into a Swiss Cheese kitty — with lots of little holes in him.” She glared up at Appleby, almost daring him to jump down on her.
He appeared bored, and began to wash himself.
Alex laughed. “Ignored by a cat. Gee, maybe you’re not as tough as you think, Miss Superspy.”
Teren looked at her. “What did you call me?”
“Hm? Oh, nothing. It was just a name Ken invented for you.”
“Uh-huh. I’ll have to talk to him about that.”
They pulled off their coats, and Teren kicked her shoes off. Alex pulled her boots off, and put them in her room.
“Have a seat on the couch, Ter. I have something I think you might like.” She disappeared into the tiny kitchen.
Teren sat, leaning back a bit. She closed her eyes and rested — until the thump of something hitting the floor made her sit straight up.
She glared at Appleby. “You know, cat, you and I are gonna talk.”
He seemed unconcerned, regarding her with an innocent look.
“Ah, don’t play that game with me. I know what evil thoughts lurk in the minds of cats. I had one growing up, and I know what you little guys can do. So, don’t try to play the angel with me — it won’t work, cat.”
Alex stopped in the doorway of the kitchen, regarding her friend on the sofa.
“Talking to the cat? Should I be worried?”
Teren grinned at her. “Nah — Now if I start talking to the walls, then you need to be careful.”
“Gotcha.” She approached the couch, carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses. “I called over to Pedro’s, and asked Phillipe for a bottle of wine. He recommended this one. I hope you like it.” She sat down next to her friend and poured.
Teren tasted the deep red liquid, and sighed. “Heavenly.” She gently swirled the wine in her glass, watching as Alex poured her own glass, and set the bottle on the coffee table. the blonde then turned sideways on the couch to face her. Teren did the same, facing her friend.
For a few minutes, they simply drank their wine, letting their bodies and minds relax. There was no where else they had to be, and nothing else they had to be doing. For the first time since they’d met, neither was occupied with anything other than what was happening, right there, and right then.
Teren found herself tongue-tied.
Alex was just nervous.
“Alex?”
“Yes?”
Teren hesitated. “Thanks for not letting him kill me.”
Alex stared into her glass. If he had, I would have killed myself. “You’re welcome. I’m sorry he hurt you at all.”
“Ah, don’t worry.” She rapped on the side of her head, opposite her wound. “Hard head, remember?”
“Yeah, right.” Alex could still see the blood pouring from her friend’s head, the dazed blinking of the blue eyes as she held Teren in the office of the former Assistant Director.
“Hey.” Teren reached over and touched her face. “Alex? Don’t do that. It’s over. It’s okay.”
Green eyes met blue, and Alex swallowed, unable for a moment to break the spell of memory. Then Teren leaned forward and kissed her.
When they broke apart, she was able to smile.
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
They sat for a few more moments, just enjoying the peace, and the wine, and each other’s company.
“Would you like some music?” Teren asked. “I brought a CD over for you. A fairly new group, mainly accoustic guitar and piano. They’re really good. From Colorado. Ann sent it to me.”
Alex winced inside at the name of Teren’s old lover. Teren stroked her cheek again.
“Don’t be jealous, Alex. She said I should play it for you.”
“She did?”
Teren nodded.