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.

Comments

[neverwrongagent]

She shook her head. "Wyoming? Really?" She shrugged. Supposed to be pretty. "We could do that." She touched his cheek lightly. "All I care is that it's safe and I'm with you." They could drive until they saw somewhere nice for all she cared. That was the joy of staying at home.

[posterboymarine]

After he leaned into her hand, he nodded. "When are we leaving?"

[neverwrongagent]

That took more thought. She wanted to say they should go that night, but she had nothing prepared. Not for both of them. That's what fucked them up in the first place. "I need a few days to move money, get an ID for you. Then some maps." She shrugged. "Couple days. We shouldn't wait."

[posterboymarine]

He nodded again. "I trust you. But I know they want to go soon."

[neverwrongagent]

I trust you. Well, that was enough to take the wind right out of her sails. The only way to keep going was through actual planning. "Three days. That's as long as we can push it."

She thought for a long moment. "Two. And you have to decide where we're going."

[posterboymarine]

"Two days." He leaned in and kissed her deeply. It was the only way he could avoid telling her they were probably going to die or get caught. He had to trust her.

[neverwrongagent]

She operated on the theory that they were not going to go out in a blaze of glory. If she thought that, for an instant, she would freeze. And she couldn't freeze or she'd be wrong. "We can do this."

[posterboymarine]

"We can." He kissed her again. He needed the confirmation as much as she did. "We will."

[neverwrongagent]

She pulled him back into the kiss for a long moment. When she pulled back, she smiled faintly. "Pick a place. So we at least have a direction when we go."

[posterboymarine]

"West. Nebraska is a good start." He swallowed. He would lose his family. He had already lost them, really, but now he would never get them back.

[neverwrongagent]

"Nebraska it is." She kissed him gently. She knew what it was he was walking away from. She was leaving her family, too, although it wasn't the same as his kids. With a sudden pang she realized she'd miss her sister's kids. "We'll figure it out."

[posterboymarine]

"Fuck. I really need a drink." He brushed his hand over her hair, then closed his eyes. "Or a pop. Something."

[neverwrongagent]

She grinned. "You can't even get a soda in here? That, my darling Marine, is Un-American." She meant it, too. There was something wrong about that. "Now I know I have to bust you out of here."

[posterboymarine]

That wasn't what he'd meant at all, but he was fine with letting her believe that. He took her hand and started walking again, before he started scratching. He was getting stressed and upset, and despite having physically kicked, the emotional dependency was as strong as ever.

[neverwrongagent]

She squeezed his hand and kissed his shoulder lightly. It wasn't like she couldn't feel the tension in him. "I won't be around tomorrow. I've got practical details to work out. I'll be back the next morning. Early."

[posterboymarine]

He nodded. "Probably for the best. Too much hanging around and the questions start." He kept them walking, moving along the path that was so familiar to him now, for all the miles he'd put on it, both on his feet and on his knees.

[neverwrongagent]

Because there weren't enough questions about their relationship. Still, she nodded and rubbed her cheek against his shoulder. "I'm sorry. Again."

[posterboymarine]

"Sorry? For what? The part where I was weak? The part where you tried your damnedest to prove you were right? The part where you forgave my weakness? What part are you sorry for Carrie?"

[neverwrongagent]

She shook her head. Most of that she wasn't sorry about at all. Parts of the proving she was right, maybe. "For not having a better plan."

[posterboymarine]

He snorted softly. "You have a better plan then I do." With a deep sigh, he looked away. He would never tell her his plan, not after her reaction earlier. It wasn't important now anyway.

[neverwrongagent]

"I'll come back just before dinner, day after next. Everything I need and a kit for you in my car." Or whatever car she decided to use. No, better to switch cars a few miles away. "If there's anything you need, have it packed. We go, we don't look back."

Ever.

[posterboymarine]

"There's nothing here I need." He sighed again, then brought them to a halt. He turned to face her, smiling gently. "Never."

[neverwrongagent]

That made her breath catch. She tried not to let it show. "We'll go someplace quiet. Someplace green." Someplace no one would ever think to look for them because who the HELL would look for her in Nebraska.

[posterboymarine]

"Quiet. I'd like that." He kissed her forehead, then her hair. "Like this. But with fewer people, fewer demands."

[neverwrongagent]

She nodded firmly. "Like the cabin. That would be nice. Near water." She turned a little so she could kiss his lips. "I'll be here right at dinner. Be ready."