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 returned a few moments after her and laughed softly. "I've smelled much worse." He stretched again, then dug out sandwiches. "Picnic lunch, before you drive?"

[neverwrongagent]

She nodded gratefully. She needed the fresh air. She went into the back of the car and dug out a blanket, spreading it out next to the car away from the road. It was almost romantic. If you ignored the diesel fumes, which she worked hard to do. "You take me to all the best places." She laughed. "Or do I take you?"

[posterboymarine]

He laughed as he sat down next to her. "We take each other." He stole a kiss, then set into his food. He was hungrier than he thought he was.

[neverwrongagent]

Her laugh was cut off by his kiss, not that she minded. Then they tucked in. She was as hungry as he was. Between all the sitting still and the parasite she was growing, she was eating way more than normal. It was decidedly odd. At least they'd mostly avoided fast food. They were too old for that.

"This is surprisingly nice."

[posterboymarine]

"The eating? The outside? Or the eating outside?" It was a very valid question, as once he knew, they could do it more often.

[neverwrongagent]

She blushed slightly, knowing right away what her answer was. "All of the above. With you." That probably said something seriously off about them, but she was having fun. Things were going well, they'd weathered some trouble already. "Would want to run away with anyone else."

[posterboymarine]

He grinned, then blushed. "Well, if you change your mind, don't tell me, okay?" He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Besides, you'll get sick of me, eventually." Everyone did.

[neverwrongagent]

She rolled her eyes at him. "Right, because I do this for just anyone." She was known for doing rash, insane things, but this was over the top, even for her. Most of what had happened between them was. "And I'll let you reserve judgment on that until you'be lived with the crazy for a while. "Even medicated, it's a bit of a bumpy ride."

[neverwrongagent]

She rolled her eyes at him. "Right, because I do this for just anyone." She was known for doing rash, insane things, but this was over the top, even for her. Most of what had happened between them was. "And I'll let
you reserve judgment on that until you'be lived with the crazy for a while. Even medicated, it's a bit of a bumpy ride."

[posterboymarine]

He smirked at her, then rolled his eyes in turn. "I think we'll manage. Keeping you healthy will be the important part." Since they had a baby to think about now.

[neverwrongagent]

She groaned softly, her hand going idly for her belly. She yanked it back, then glanced at him. "I'm not used to anyone knowing. I'm not used to believing it." She still wasn't sure she did, despite all the proof. At least that would help hide them. No one looking for them would believe it. "House, dog, doctor."

[posterboymarine]

He touched her hand, then her belly. "House, doctor, dog." Priorities. They were important to keep in perspective.

[neverwrongagent]

She should have known he'd shift those around. She liked her list better. Ticking them off on her finger, she laid out what the doctor would say. "Reduce stress, eat better, get more sleep, stay on my meds. There, done."

Not a chance in hell that would work, but it was worth a shot.

[posterboymarine]

It did not fly at all. "Yes. A doctor will say all those things. A doctor will also take blood and make sure he or she has a baseline. So, doctor, then dog." Clearly, Carrie had forgotten that Brody already had kids, he knew the drill.

[neverwrongagent]

She groaned dramatically at him, then nodded obediently. She was actually happy enough to concede to his experience. His ex wasn't one of her favorite people for so many reasons, but she liked his kids well enough. She felt for them. "I'll be a good girl."

[posterboymarine]

He rubbed her belly for a few more moments, then sat back and watched her. "I'm trying to picture you pregnant."

[neverwrongagent]

She shrugged slightly. "Big as a house and annoyed?" She had a feeling she was going to feel claustrophobic about it all. And he was probably going to buy into all that earth mother crap. "You love this, don't you?"

[posterboymarine]

He laughed softly before kissing her. "I'd have a million kids, if I could, if I weren't so fucked up. With all the shit, literally and figuratively, that comes along with it.

[neverwrongagent]

She groaned softly. She was literally entering a whole other world. It wasn't that she didn't know it, sort of. She loved her sister's kids more than she could say, but she'd never bought into all the trappings. She bought baby gifts based on need, not cute. Now that they were older, they were more fun for her. And they were good kids. "Well, we can talk about that after you truly experience me in this condition. You think I'm bad now?"

[posterboymarine]

All he could do was laugh. She thought she was bad, wait until he got going. Not that he knew how it would go this time. He had changed since Chris had been born.

"You're fine."

[neverwrongagent]

He was going to be impossible. She knew it as well as she knew anything. "Just know I'm not giving up cheeseburgers." Or anything else mildly bad for her. Kid ought to know what he was in for. Or her.

For a moment she could almost see this potential child and she shivered. "I'm crazy, but I'm okay with that."

[posterboymarine]

"Like I said. You're fine." He kissed her again, then leaned back and sighed softly. "I don't want to get back in the car. I want to get to where we are going."

[neverwrongagent]

She groaned softly, understanding completely. She was ready to be there, too. "Sadly, I forgot to pack the transporter. I set it out, but it just didn't make it in the bag." They'd be going a lot further away if they had one. "Better to just do it, probably."

[posterboymarine]

He kissed her again, then stood up and offered her his hand. "Come on. You're driving."

[neverwrongagent]

She groaned thickly, shaking her head forlornly. Not that she was going to make him drive. It was his turn to stretch out, get some rest. She'd get them to town, get them checked into their last fucking motel. That thought raised her spirits some.

She took his hand and got up, going straight into his arms for a hug. "Almost there."