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]

"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."

[posterboymarine]

He looked around, committing the location to memory. "Right here." He touched her face, steering her into another kiss.

[neverwrongagent]

She sank into the kiss with a soft moan. Her arm went around his back, holding him tightly so she could draw as much as she could from the kiss so she'd hold on until she saw him again.

[posterboymarine]

He clung to her just as tightly, only finally pulling away with a low moan. "Don't go yet."

[neverwrongagent]

She went up on her toes so she could reach him for a light kiss. "I don't have to." She put her head against his chest. "Soon, but we have some time." Maybe for touch, maybe just to be.

[posterboymarine]

He draped her in his arms, holding her against his chest and laying his cheek on her hair. "It's nice out here. With you."

[neverwrongagent]

She nodded firmly. "We've always done best in the woods. With the trees around us." She shrugged. "Where we can hear birds."

[posterboymarine]

Of course, the last time they'd been in the woods together, when he went on the run, had not worked out the best for them. But that felt like the exception that proved the rule. He'd ended up n those woods alone and that's when it had gone south.

When he was with her, in the woods, she was right. They were better. He tilted his head slightly to listen for the birds. He didn't hear them. Instead, he heard the snap of twigs that signaled someone coming up the path. He exhaled and shook his head. "It just never ends. I can't get 20 minutes without some squid coming looking for me."

[neverwrongagent]

She swore softly, but with feeling. "They could at least give us thirty. That's long enough..." She said it loud enough that the approaching soldiers could hear her. Sex was a good enough cover for pretty much anything else.

She looked up at him. "I should go anyway."

[posterboymarine]

He laughed softly at her comment, then nodded. "I wish you wouldn't."

[neverwrongagent]

She took his hand and held it tightly. "Lots to do before I get back. Need to make sure everything's right."