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]

They were going to end up naming the child Colt at the rate they were going. She shook her head at him, then concentrated on getting them there. The real estate office was a small trailer that looked like it had been there forever with flower beds and a concrete ramp built up to the door. Carrie approved. Simple, functional, but with care taken. "Here we go."

[posterboymarine]

Rutger was also perfectly acceptable. He caught her head shake and laughed softly.

Once they arrived, Brody took a deep breath. "Nick? Really? Okay." Then he climbed out of the car, wearing his most genuine smile.

[neverwrongagent]

She shrugged. "I just don't see you as a Stan." Although she'd make a decent Stella. She came around the car and made him stop for a quick, settling kiss. "Remind me to have fun with this."

[posterboymarine]

"You need to have fun with this, Mrs. Reynolds. Otherwise we are sunk." He kissed her again, first the lips, then the forehead, before he pulled back and got them moving.

[neverwrongagent]

She gave him such a look that he should have turned to stone. Calling her Mrs threw her much more than she expected. It wasn't that she didn't like it, but just how overwhelming it seemed. She clung to his hand like a child in a storm. "It's an adventure. A fun adventure."

[posterboymarine]

If the Reynolds were married, then they were Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds. She'd better get used to it or they were not going to pull this off.

"An exciting adventure." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back. "I'll do the talking."


[But I'm not voice the Realtor, buahhaahah]

[neverwrongagent]

"Have I mentioned lately that I love you?" And on that, the Realtor opened the door. She'd heard them coming up the walk. Melissa wasn't much taller than Carrie, but she was twice as broad and absolutely rectangular. No curves. That combined with the butch hair cut set Carrie at ease in a way that surprised her. Even if she wasn't gay, which Carrie doubted, the over all effect still helped. Carrie beamed at her.

Mel beamed right back, taking in the couple. They looked urban and they looked connected, both things she could work with once she knew them just the littlest bit better. "Nick? Carrie?"

[posterboymarine]

Brody's smile was broad. He felt Carrie relax, which helped. He held out his hand for Melissa, introducing himself and Carrie both as the Reynolds. Even though he was doing the talking, he knew that Carrie, now that she was relaxed, would have more of a voice in this adventure.

[neverwrongagent]

Good or bad, they tended to operate on a feedback loop. Carrie shook hands with the woman, then looped her arm through Brody's. "Thank you so much for being able to do this right away. We kind of got ahead of ourselves with the move."

Melissa shook her head. "No problem at all. New people in town is always fun, seeing the town with fresh eyes."

[posterboymarine]

Brody looked around and nodded. "I've liked what I've seen so far. But it's all up to you now." He gave her a wink, then kissed Carrie on the top of the head.

[neverwrongagent]

Mel nodded. "Well, why don't we get started. I have a bunch of houses we can see today, all on the water. I thought we could take my car." She glanced at Brody. "Luckily, you'll fit." She gestured to the big Range Rover parked at the side of the building.

Carrie laughed. "We'll need a big master suite, too. He takes up an awful lot of real estate."

[posterboymarine]

Brody pouted at both of them, then nodded and lead Carrie to the car. He let the ladies ride in the front, together, and he got into the back seat. Once they were settled, he took a moment to look at the SUV's interior. "Nice ride. How does it do in teh winter?"

[neverwrongagent]

Patting the dash, Mel laughed a little. "Everyone said it was an extravagance, but after I pulled a couple neighbors out of the snow, they shut up. I will never drive a sedan again." She shrugged. "Plus I have to carry signs around and things for open houses. I never have to worry about space."

[posterboymarine]

Brody could appreciate that, since he had last been driving a full size SUV. Space was good. Unless some asshole put a bomb in it. That seemed unlikely to happen again, though.

Settled in, Brody let the girls be girls, and just listened.

[neverwrongagent]

The women talked about the basics--grocery stores, banks, even doctors although Carrie didn't mention the pregnancy. She did talk about wanting a decent kitchen, looking back at Brody with a smile as she mentioned cooking together. That started a discussion of what specialty markets there actually were in town and how close one was to the first house.

[posterboymarine]

Brody collected all the information for processing later, remembering useful bits for investigation. When Carrie glanced back, he smiled at her, then reached out to touch her shoulder. Then he settled back again, eyes half closed.

[neverwrongagent]

She caught his hand before he pulled it away, squeezing lightly. Mel caught the gesture and smiled. A few minutes later, they pulled up to the house. "Okay, I like to open the place up, then let you guys wander around for a bit. Then I'll find you and answer any questions. But I find people get a better feel without me hovering at first."

She led them up onto the porch and opened the door. "Have fun."

[posterboymarine]

Brody thanked Mel, then let Carrie pull him into the house. Despite being an old bastard, he could play the part of young and in love with Carrie, so strolling through this house together was going to be fun.

Once through the door, they were presented with three options. A short hallway, the kitchen, and the main room. He glanced at Carrie, letting her make the decision of where to go first.

[neverwrongagent]

She picked the kitchen because if it sucked, they didn't need to bother. She didn't want to do reno work any time soon. Her first thought was that for the size of the house, the kitchen seemed small, cramped. Not that it wasn't nice. She walked through it and went to stand in the open space beyond, looking back at him with a raised eyebrow.

[posterboymarine]

He opened things and moved around the source, then looked back at her. It didn't suck, so they needed to see more.

[neverwrongagent]

He spent more time poking than she did. When he looked at her, she shrugged a little, then took his hand again to guide them toward where she assumed the bedrooms were.

The other side of the house held all the bedrooms. Two smaller ones side by side were unremarkable but decently sized with good closets. Then there was the master, which was a little more impressive. She walked in, head up to stare at the vaulted ceiling. Most of the ceilings, beside the kitchen, were tall, which was nice when living with such a tall man. "This doesn't suck."

[posterboymarine]

Brody was slightly more practical. He headed for the master bath. The double sinks were nice, but it was the shower that mattered. He climbed into it and held his arms out, getting a sense of the useable size.

[neverwrongagent]

She couldn't help it, she laughed at him. Not that he was wrong, of course, but he was standing fully dressed in the shower with his arms out. The urge to turn on the water was strong. "Big enough for two?" She didn't wait for him to answer. The minute she was inside, she wrapped her arms around him and looked around. "Not bad."

[posterboymarine]

He held her, kissing the top of her head. "Big enough for two, great ceiling." He nuzzled at her. "Let's go look at the rest?"

[neverwrongagent]

She nodded even though she wasn't really ready to let go. After a long moment, she pulled back. She did keep hold of him, though, clasping his hand as they walked back out into the main living space, which had an even better view of the lake than the bedroom did. Which made sense, she guessed, but it almost disappointed her.

She led him over to the big sliding doors and sighed softly. "It's nice." She didn't sound enthused.