Running away from home. Just like kids.

[neverwrongagent]

Briefings with Saul were getting more and more tense. Carrie could feel the strain on all of them as a real, palpable thing. Beside her, no one had ever had much faith in Brody, which was largely her fault. How could she explain her change of heart without explaining it was exactly that. What was harder was not telling him about how bad it was. Every time she was vague it was a physical pain.

The final straw was a heated conversation about what they would do if he were found out, revealed to be on a mission. They had escape plans, but it was clear very few people in that room gave a damn if they worked. Or if they even existed. She'd been through hell for the man they were dismissing like so much dross and all because... She wasn't that sure why because at this point. It was about Saul, really, and she knew that. That's why when he made a passing comment that made it sound damn like he'd made his decision and Brody didn't figure into it at all, she felt her stomach lurch so badly she almost had to leave the room.

She didn't go to him that night, that would be stupid. She waited a day, all of which was spent wondering when she would throw up. She got there late, just before dark, and sat back to watch the men finish up before meal break. He looked good. Better than when she saw him last, even.

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[posterboymarine]

He hugged her tightly, then stole a deep kiss before grabbing the blanket up. He was looking forward to being done with cars. Just a little longer.

[neverwrongagent]

Kissing her that way then stepping back to do something practical wasn't exactly fair and she told him so. Then she exhaled deeply and went to the car to get settled and look at the map one last time. Not that she didn't know it, looking was more of a security blanket than anything. She wanted to know alternate routes, just in case.

She took her time getting the seat and mirrors adjusted as well as finding a radio station. Once he was settled, she got them on the road.

[posterboymarine]

Once they were moving, he leaned his seat back and settled in. With his eyes closed, he started to quietly sing along with the radio.

[neverwrongagent]

She glanced over when she could, enjoying watching him singing. He had a nice enough voice and he just seemed relaxed. He wasn't. Neither of them were, but it was still nice. Every so often she came in on the chorus just as softly.

She had an image of them, a year down the road, moving around their house, singing to their child. The idea made her smile.

[posterboymarine]

He sang himself right to sleep, finally falling silent. His dreams involved rocking and babies, which were a vast improvement, really, over the usual.

[neverwrongagent]

Of course, if she knew what he was thinking about, she'd probably be in near hysterics. She was nowhere near as ready for this as he seemed to be. Every so often she reached over to caress his leg. Hopefully it had the same calming effect on him that it did her. Certainly it made the last leg of the drive that much easier.

When they got close to town, she pulled over to get gas and check the map one more time. She really couldn't believe they'd made it that far.

[posterboymarine]

He woke up as she slowed down, looking around somewhat confused. Then he saw her and smiled. Once they were parked, he stretched, then went after gas station coffee.

[neverwrongagent]

She got the tank filled, then sat back in the car with the map. They were so close that it all felt unreal. More unreal. Next step was getting a motel they could stay in for a while. Someplace that had a little kitchen. It would take them a week to get settled, at least.

When he came back to the car, she got back out. She was happy to keep driving, but she needed a kiss. A real one. "Hey."

[posterboymarine]

He set his coffee on the hood of the car as she came around. With a grin, he pulled her into a hug, then kissed her deeply. The kiss was long and slow, then he pulled back and smiled. "Soon we'll have a door between us and the world."

[neverwrongagent]

She went into his arms with a grateful groan. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she made him come back for another long kiss. When she finally pulled back it was to cuddle against his chest. "Big door that belongs to us."

[posterboymarine]

He kissed the top of her head. "At this point, I'd settle for a door that doesn't have a window on it." He nuzzled at her ear, then whispered against it. "Because I need you, baby."

[neverwrongagent]

She shuddered hard, suddenly wanting that very badly. Badly enough that she reached around to grope his ass. She massaged him blatantly, enjoying the feel of him. "Nice solid door. Big bed. Absolutely no clothes."

[posterboymarine]

He nodded. "Which means we should stop standing around here." He lifted her briefly, then set her down before releasing her. "Let's go."

[neverwrongagent]

She smacked his ass for picking her up, then took the wheel. She needed to have the wheel for a bit, now that they were so close. They'd picked a town on the far side of the state, right on the Washington state border. If they needed, they could cross state lines to shop. It would add some cover. Plus, there was a huge lake and a bunch of smaller ones. There was also a large Indian reservation. Plenty of places to hide, if need be.

Coeur d'Arlene was a small town like any other. It was pretty enough, spread out on the flat landscape. And it all looked so terrifyingly normal. Carrie wasn't at all sure what to make of it.

[posterboymarine]

He looked around as they came into town. It really was still small town America. This was going to be interesting. He stole a kiss on her cheek, then let her drive unhindered.

[neverwrongagent]

The kiss made her smile and she decided to take a somewhat roundabout route to the motel she'd picked. They would get a good look around before they landed in the bed. And that's what she planned. Lots of bed time before their appointment to look at houses. When they got to the motel, she handed check in. She took the time to ask the clerk about things like grocery stores and nice areas. Better to have a local's input before they started.

She drove them around to the back side of the motel, then sat in the car groaning. "We'er here."

[posterboymarine]

He appreciated the tour and told her as much with a kiss as she parked. "I picture a little blonde child saying that...'They're here.'"

[neverwrongagent]

She burst out laughing. A child of theirs might just look like that little girl. And if she was as smart as them, she'd be plenty spooky. That was almost something to look forward to. "We are not buying a haunted house. I have enough trouble sleeping."

[posterboymarine]

"Ruin all my fun." He winked at her before climbing out of the car. As he eyed what little they actually had, he sighed. "We need to go shopping, and soon."

[neverwrongagent]

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Feeling the need for new boxers?" If so, she was the one buying them. With smiley faces, maybe. Or black silk. That made her smile. "I would kill for new jeans, but I should wait."

she grabbed her bag and headed for the room. "Maternity clothes. Do they all look dowdy?"

[posterboymarine]

"Yes I am." He followed her in and locked the door behind them. "Not all of them, no. Just some. It's not so hard to find some that are normal."

[neverwrongagent]

The moment she heard the door lock, she started stripping. She wanted to get in bed and be close to him, but not until she'd had a shower. Her clothes got scattered randomly. She'd find them when they woke up. "Good, because I am not looking like Holly Hobby. I'm just not."

She glanced back at him with a smile. "You comin?"

[posterboymarine]

He was laughing as he started pulled his own clothes off. "Not yet. But probably soon." She was going to hurt him one of these days.

[neverwrongagent]

She threw her shoe near him, very careful not to hit him. "I will not put my hair in pig tails." And no matter how big she got, she'd never wear those pinafores. "Hurry up, I'm getting cold."

She went into the bathroom and started a hot shower. The hotter the better.

[posterboymarine]

He stared after her, having no idea what she was talking about. He was definitely talking about coming. He gave a low laugh and a shake of his head as he followed her into the bathroom.

"You know it gets cold up here in Idaho, right?"