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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[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?"

[neverwrongagent]

She made a little finger wavey gesture at him. "Oh, yeah. Fine." She Shook her head. As if random kisses from him couldn't turn her to mush at any time. They always had. "And don't act like you don't know why."

[posterboymarine]

"Ma'am, I have no idea what you are talking about." He shot her a sidelong glance as he got them up to speed.

[neverwrongagent]

"Ma'am." She groaned. "If you're not going to fight fair, then neither am I. All bets are off." And to prove her point, she shifted in her seat, bringing one leg up a little so she could run her hand along the inside of her thigh. She also pressed her nails in hard. "All bets. Off."

[posterboymarine]

He licked his lips as his eyes followed the course of her hand. "Clearly. And if we die in a horrible car accident, at least we'll die happy." He reached over and touched her cheek. "You are damn sexy, baby."

[neverwrongagent]

She leaned into his hand, groaning softly. That was a whole other kind of tease and it wasn't fair. "Damn sexy? I like that." She turned and kissed his hand. "Always thought you were, too, you know." And she meant that. Right down to when she first saw his picture all those years ago. It wasn't her fault he was cute.

"And we aren't going to crash. We have plans."

[posterboymarine]

"Yes, ma'am." Now he was doing it to tease, which was also fun. And it made the time pass faster.

[neverwrongagent]

Just for that, she popped open the top two buttons on her top and slid a hand inside. She teased at her nipple, hardening it under the thin fabric. Two could play at this game.

[posterboymarine]

He watched her between moments spent keeping them from going off the road. He couldn't help his grin, nor the way he licked his lips as he watched her. "Who is this harder for, do you think?"

[neverwrongagent]

Just then, just as she unbuttoned a couple more and exposed more of her breast, the truck driving next to them honked it's big horn, making her jump. She didn't cover up, or stop caressing, but she did blush furiously. "Him. I think it's harder for him."