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

[posterboymarine]

He let her comment go, instead letting himself enjoy the feel of putting miles between them and his certain death. It had been a while since he'd had to drive for any length of time and he found he was enjoying it.

[neverwrongagent]

She liked being with him, having a plan even if it was an insane one. And they both knew it was. It was just less insane, marginally, than the other one. She kept rubbing his leg, absently. "What do you want to plant?"

[posterboymarine]

He gave a half shrug. "Something useful. Something we could eat, I guess. Less opportunity to be seen in public." He patted her hand. "And some flowers."

[neverwrongagent]

That was a good thought. She wondered if either of them was really any good at it. Coloring both their hair would probably do more good. His, in particular. He should probably let it grow out to a nice, civilian length. That idea made her smile. Something to run her fingers through properly. She didn't realize she'd made a soft noise at that thought.

[posterboymarine]

He glanced over at the noise she made, his eyebrow lifted. "Something wrong? No flowers?"

[neverwrongagent]

It took her a second, then she laughed. "Flowers are good. I like those big ones that the ants eat the buds open on. Just have to put them away from the house." She thought about it for another long moment. "And forsythia. I like the yellow."

They would be like normal people. Tomatoes and flowers. It was very odd to think about. "We might even need a picket fence."

[posterboymarine]

He shook his head. "No fences." He would not tolerate fences, even decorative ones. Too many mixed feelings there.

[neverwrongagent]

Mixed didn't come close. "Roses, though. Lots of things that smell nice. Rosemary, too. That kind of thing." They would both need to be engaged by their surroundings. He had too much to think about and she just tended to wander too much.

[posterboymarine]

"Lots of roses." He winked at her, trying to stay positive. "I'd like that. It all sounds lovely." He wanted to ask how they were going to afford any of this, assuming they got away. But he knew better. Carrie had money. He had never asked how she'd come by it and he wasn't about to do it now.

[neverwrongagent]

That was smart as she had access to more than he probably thought. Enough for a down payment on their little dream cabin and expenses for at least a year if they were very careful. But they'd both be working by then. Well before that if they were smart. Working would be good for them. Focus. She kept telling herself that, repeating that word like a mantra.

[posterboymarine]

He gave her another smile, then went back to driving. And singing along. The singing helped keep him from thinking, from considering turning back, or turning themselves in.

[neverwrongagent]

She'd fight him like hell on either of those. Probably hurt him, which wouldn't be any fun. Not that way. His singing made her smile, though, and lowered her blood pressure considerably. She came in on the harmony, singing softly behind him. It was such a simple thing, like washing his hair. Or sharing breakfast.

They drove like that for a long while. Even after they switched, she spent more time singing along than trying to speculate on their future.

[posterboymarine]

Once they switched, he focused on narrowing down their destination a little bit. Not that Nebraska offered terribly many options. But still, he tried. Finally, he called for a break, a need to stretch.

[neverwrongagent]

It only had to be a small town. Not that she had ever really lived in a small town. Well, she had, but not in the US. She was such a freak, really.

She made a real effort at stretching her legs. She'd been curled up on the seat for most of her turn at rest. She wasn't as tall as him, but that was still pretty folded. "After this, I might just take up running."

[posterboymarine]

He laughed as he stretched, shaking his head. "You know I'll run with you."

Once he was looser, he pulled the book out and set it on the hood of the car. Then he waited for her to join him before pointing. "Here. Scottsbluff."

[neverwrongagent]

She laughed. Like his long legs would want to keep up with her. Maybe she'd get a bike. Make him work for it. She turned and looked into the book, nodding as she read the map. "I'm pretty sure that defines middle of nowhere." She shrugged. "It looks perfect. I bet they even have cherry trees."

[posterboymarine]

"They have water, trees, and some people. That's all I asked for." He turned and gave her a quick kiss. "You ready?"

[neverwrongagent]

She groaned thickly, resting her forehead on his chest. She wasn't ready. Not ready to get back in the car. Not ready to have to reach over things to get him and not really touch him. She wrapped her arm around his middle and held him tightly. "When we get there, we buy bikes. Go everywhere on them for at least a month."

She did not want to get back in the car.

[posterboymarine]

He rubbed her back and nodded. "That sounds like a wonderful idea." He sighed softly and continued to hold her. He really didn't want to get back in the car, either. But they were going to have to, all the same.

[neverwrongagent]

She let him hold her for a long time, time enough that she started to get a little nervous. Finally she groaned and looked up at him. "While we drive, I say we talk about what we want to do when we get there." She raised an eyebrow. "Not jobs or anything. What we'll do. Together."

She laughed. Just have to make sure they kept paying attention to the road.

[posterboymarine]

He gave her a long, slow smile and nodded. "That could be a dangerous conversation, you know. Someone might get a little hot under the collar..."

[neverwrongagent]

She burst out laughing. "Well, I sure hope so." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. The touch was very nearly chaste. "If you're very creative, I just might act some of it out for you later."

[posterboymarine]

He raised an eyebrow at her, then kissed her again before urging her toward the passenger's side of the car. He climbed into the driver's seat, then waited until they belted in before kissing her again.

[neverwrongagent]

The second kiss surprised her and she smiled so brightly, that she ducked her head. The sweetness of it, just after talking about sexually teasing each other, made her happier than she could deal with so quickly.

[posterboymarine]

He smiled and got the car moving. "You okay over there?"