The first part of Disavow
Disavow
Show Premise: When a new threat looms in America, the Central Intelligence Agency assembles a team to take on an international syndicate that might be responsible for several terrorist attacks and a growing death toll. Former special operative, Edward Harrison [Reed Diamond], is forced into a position to oversee this group of agents as they battle their way through a landmine of trust and betrayal, assuming aliases and carrying out long-term undercover operations. All operatives know one fact going in: the CIA will sacrifice and disavow any of them to secure its interests.
The Operatives
Megan Delaney [Torri Higginson] is the field operative that handpicked this CIA team and got it running from the ground-up. Strong and driven, she thriv[info]peanutbutterer and [info]irony_rocks present
es on the challenges of her job. She's tough when it comes to mentoring her subordinates, but some think she's ill-equipped to handle the stresses of command which is why they brought in another heavy-hitter [Reed Diamond] at the last moment to run things. But she's comfortable with who she is and, bright and cunning as always, she's the women to get the job done and keep everyone in line. Harrison [Reed Diamond] may have the official authority, but everyone on the team knows they answer through Delaney. Luckily, she's got people she can trust to have her back, especially an old flame, Agent Derek Cross [Joe Flanigan], and her closest confidant, Claire Gray [Tamara Taylor].
Derek Cross' [Joe Flanigan] discontent with the CIA and his former position with it has led him around the world, unwilling to stay anywhere for long. But when a former lover [Torri Higginson] asked him to rejoin the ranks, he reluctantly agreed to a temporary position. That was five years ago. Now, his past is coming between him and his position within the organization, as an old undercover operation is threatening to disintegrate everything he's built. Normally one to confide and defer to Delaney in matters of operation, this time he's trying to figure it all out on his own. In his quest to protect those he cares about the most, he may be inadvertently placing them in danger instead.
Edward Harrison [Reed Diamond] is the highest authority at the division, answering only to the Director of the CIA. He doesn't think much of Delaney's [Torri Higginson] team at first, and he had no qualms about disciplining the members when they breached protocol, but he ultimately proves a strong ally against far more threatening forces, including both superiors and enemies of the state. One such enemy is his former lover and treasonous ex-CIA agent, Jennifer Hollister [Tricia Helfer], who was responsible for a car bombing that left him without the ability to walk for nearly two years. Now he's settled for a desk job, reluctantly, but his field-skills are still in top form.
Special Agent Lee Kim [John Cho] is the newest member of the team, assigned as Cross' [Joe Flanigan] partner. At the age of 32, he's one of the younger agents in the field office, but he's smart, clever and underestimating him has lead many enemies to an untimely demise. An up-and-comer, what most don't suspect about him is that Kim's loyalties are dual - he's a CIA agent with mysterious ties to another secret organization. A double-agent or something else - only time will tell where Lee Kim's true loyalties lie.
Claire Gray [Tamara Taylor] was one of the top agents with the CIA’s Counter Terrorist Division and a former partner of Delaney [Torri Higginson]. She's pragmatic, sarcastic and the best weapons specialist in the division. She can kill a man thirteen different ways with her pinky, but like she often muses, that's twelve more than she'd need on you. Currently going through a messy divorce, she's recently sworn off men - quite literally, as Evelyn Bishop [Katie McGrath] enters the picture.
Evelyn Bishop [Katie McGrath] is 25 years old and looking for ways to impress Delaney [Torri Higginson] so that she can become more active within the team. She's thinks she's the perfect field agent because no one suspects such a pretty face could be on someone so dangerous, and she has an unqualified ability to adapt and beguile those around her. Instilled with the impatience of youth, she might be getting in over her head if she doesn't learn how to cool down sometimes. Gray [Tamara Taylor] takes Bishop under her wing to show some guidance, but an unexpected attraction springs up that neither women expected, making things quite complicated for the two.
The Villains
To say there's a bit of a rebellious streak in Jennifer Hollister [Tricia Helfer] would be a massive understatement. She grew up as the CIA Director's eldest daughter, a patriot that was molded for espionage work - until she defected for the enemy and destroyed all ties with the past. Now she's back in the US, racing to get her hands on a prized asset that could change the very course of the nation. Normally willing to use unscrupulous methods to get her job done, she isn't expecting fangs of conscience to rear their ugly head at the most inopportune times, especially when faced with her former lover, Edward Harrison [Reed Diamond] and his new division of CIA operatives.
With Marine Corps experience and excellent sniper ability, Lauren Taylor [Emmanuelle Vaugier] was a rising star in the military. But now, horrified by an unspeakable personal tragedy and stunned by the betrayal of someone she trusted, she can no longer return to the folds of the armed forces. Mentored by Hollister [Tricia Helfer], she starts to delve ever deeper into the dangerous world of espionage, learning and mastering skills that will one day make her an enemy that no one will want to cross.
Victor Creig [William Fichtner] is a former FBI agent who was fired from his job when his pursuit of justice led him to operate outside of American laws. Landing in hot water and among people formally sworn to be his enemies, he's struck a deal with Hollister [Tricia Helfer] in order to infiltrate and reach a larger enemy. He's willing to cross lines of morals for the greater cause, but his methods are going to lead him to a dark place where he will question everything. The only thing that keeps him sane is the idea that he's serving a greater purpose - to protect the US from a threat no one else has yet caught onto.
Main Characters
Megan Delaney [Torri Higginson]
Derek Cross [Joe Flanigan]
Edward Harrison [Reed Diamond]
Lee Kim [John Cho]
Claire Gray [Tamara Taylor]
Evelyn Bishop [Katie McGrath]
Jennifer Hollister [Tricia Helfer]
Lauren Taylor [Emmanuelle Vaugier]
Victor Creig [William Fichtner]
Disavow:
The Beginning
Author: dangerusliasons
Cast: Megan Delaney[Torri Higginson], Edward Harrison[Reed Diamond] , Derek Cross[Joe Flanigan] , Claire Gray[Tamara Taylor], Lee Kim[John Cho], Evelyn Bishop[Katie McGrath], Jennifer Hollister[Trisha Helfer], Lauren Taylor , Victor Creig[William Fitchner]
Summary: A crack team of CIA agents, attempts to hunt down the terrorist organization, responsible for the murder of hundreds of innocent civilians. It's a race against time, to find them, or hunt them down before the second attack.
xxxxxx
1.
Megan Delaney stalks down the halls of CIA Headquarters; in her hand she carries a manila file folder. She is furious, how dare he discipline a member of her team without even informing her? She knows what Harrison’s response would be,
Because I’m in charge…
Harrison's a son of a bitch, but he knows how to get the job done, and Megan can’t begrudge him for that. No matter how much she wishes right now that she could. After 5 minutes of continuous walking she finally finds him. Harrison is casually walking along, a fresh cup of steaming coffee in his hands, not worried in the slightest. It’s almost like, Megan thinks, he’s expecting this.
“What the hell is this?” She shoves the folder into his face, coming to a stop in front of him. Standing her ground, she will not be pushed around on this one. “Cross was doing his god-damned job! One, May I remind you, you sent him on in the first place!”
Harrison straightens, ready for a fight. “I did. And he failed in his mission. That hard drive possibly contained the terrorists plans for the next attack. We need to find out where they are going to strike next and form a damn good plan.” Harrison says calmly, too calmly for Delaney.
“It wasn’t completely his fault. The intelligence we got, and subsequently fed to him was faulty. We didn’t know and therefore he had no way of knowing.”
“Of course not.” Harrison sighs, “I’m not blaming him, but he needs to be taught a lesson. He’s a loose canon and you know it, Delaney, no matter what your feelings towards him might be.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Megan asks, incredulously. The pitch of her voice going higher with every word, Harrison cocks his head to the side and gives her one of his trademark looks, the I’m not that dumb look. True, Megan did ask Derek to join her team because she knows he’s one of the best they’ve got. He is a loose canon, but not when it counts. “You’re an asshole.”
“You’re just now figuring that out?” Harrison asks, a smirk on his face. He side steps her and continues walking towards his office. “Reel him in Delaney or he’s out. I don’t care how good he is.”
Megan watches Harrison walk into his office and her face relaxes a bit. Her fingers come up to rub at her temples. Derek Cross tends to give her headaches, but he’s one of the best damn agents they’ve got. Talking to Cross is almost like talking to a brick wall, except when you can’t blow holes in his logic. “Damn you, Derek.” Megan sighs before walking back to her office.
xxxxxx
Three hours later there is a soft knock at her door. Megan Delaney looks up from her computer, Claire Gray stands in the doorway. “Derek acting up again?” She asks, her voice soft. Knowing this is a sore subject with Delaney.
Megan shakes her head. “No more than usual. He knows when he’s right and I’ve looked through his report. He wasn’t wrong, the intelligence was at fault...” Megan sighs, and shakes her head leaning back into her plush leather office chair. Running her hands through her hair she closes her eyes for a moment before opening them again.
“This time,” adds Claire.
“He’s one of the best, but controlling him is next to impossible.”
“Tell me about it, come in.” Megan motions to the two chairs in front of her desk. She gets up and goes to the small coffee machine she keeps in her office and pours herself a cup. “Want a cup?” She asks and a small smile crosses Claire’s face.
“You know me too well, Megan Delaney,” She laughs and takes the steaming cup from Megan’s hand, then proceeds to sit in one of chairs.
“I was your partner, for god knows how long, and I hate to say it-but sometimes you’re an open book,” Megan smiles sweetly at Claire and Megan knows she is on the receiving end of a menacing look.
“I could say the same about you, dear.” Claire bats her eyelashes at Megan and both women laugh. Relieving some of the tension of the day.
“I still have to deal with Derek tonight, we’re having dinner.” Megan says, sipping her now cooling coffee.
“Again?” Claire raises her eyebrows, surprised, “Things must be heating up between the two of you, again.”
Megan laughs, “You could say that,” she pauses, “You could also say a lot of other things on the subject, too.”
“True, but since you already know what I’m going to say….I might as well keep my thoughts to myself.”
“It’s just with all of this being thrown at us, at once. It’s been six months since the first bombing and we still have practically zip to go on. All of our leads have become dead ends, he’s getting frustrated, we all are.”
“True,” Claire adds her eyes carefully studying the face of her dearest friend. “But I don’t think that’s all that’s been bothering him…” she gives Delaney an out and wonders if Megan will take it. Claire has known her for a long time, but even Delaney can pull surprises out of her ass.
“What are you talking about?” Megan asks, looking Claire in the eyes. She doesn’t like where her friend is going with this. It’s a subtle statement but then Claire was always the best at subtly, Megan knows Claire is holding back. Sometimes you have to read between the lines to get Claire’s meaning, and Delaney knows that this might be one of those times.
“You know damn well what I’m talking about.” Claire spits out, shaking her head. “Why don’t you go talk to Derek. I’m sure Harrison gave him a good tongue lashing before doling out his discipline.”
“True. Harrison does have an eloquence for words.” Megan laughed softly and nearly picked up the phone right then, her hand hesitated at the receiver.
Claire saw this and her eyebrows raised. “I think I’ll leave you be. Call me if….” She didn’t even have to finish the sentence; Delaney knew what was about to be said.
“You’ll be my first call.”
With that Claire was gone and Megan found herself picking up her cell off of the desk and dialing an all too familiar number.
Derek Cross was sitting on his well-worn couch; his apartment was not spacious by any means but suitable for someone who was almost never there. It was sparse, furniture dotted the living room and a bed down the hall in the bedroom, there was even space for a small office. But Derek never used the space; it was more of a throw all room. His phone started to vibrate on the coffee table; he picked it up and checked the number. A smile crossed his face as he recognized Delaney’s number. He picked it up quickly,
“I suppose you’re calling to chew my ass out too? ‘Cause if you are, take a number…”
“Damn it Derek,” she said, the ache in her head returning, “Harrison’s right and you and I both know it.”
“The intelligence was fucked up, how the fuck is that supposed to be my fault?”
“I know, I know, but you went into a situation like you always do. Without checking anything out. It was very predictable of you.”
“So I’m supposed to tip-toe around the bad guys now, is that it? Because Christ, if we do that then they’ll be thousands more dead and we’ll be to blame for it, Megan…” He sat forward, rubbing the stubble on his face.
“I know, I know,” her voice drops to a whisper and she just listens to his steady breathing over the phone. They’re both upset, worn out, and feel like it’s been a thousand years since things were normal. Though it’s only been a year and a half. It feels like an eternity.
"Are we still on for dinner tonight?" Derek asks, his voice soft, a nice change of pace Megan thinks to how the rest of her day has been.
A smile crosses her face, "Of course. Still treating me to dinner since you lost the bet?" she challenges.
"Of course," he play mocks her and can hear her smile through the connection, "I'm a man of my word."
"Yes, yes you are." Megan muses, knowing how that simple statement can set Cross on edge.
"Then perhaps after dinner…." Cross, leaves the statement open to interpretation on Megan's part. He knows how good her imagination is and he has no doubt nasty thoughts are running through her naughty little brain. She laughs softly, the kind of laugh he's used to hearing when they're in bed together. When the sun shone softly through the windows and spilling it's light throughout the room, she can almost feel his arms around her, nuzzling her neck, and his warm breath against her shoulder.
"Sorry," she apologizes and she can hear him laugh.
"Thinking about better times?" is the response she gets.
"Maybe," she plays coy but Derek easily sees through it.
"Then I'll see you for dinner."
"Yes, you will." That is the last they say and she hangs up her end of the line and leans back again. She turns her office chair to face out towards the window in her office. And for the first time in a few weeks, she lets her mind wander.
Show Premise: When a new threat looms in America, the Central Intelligence Agency assembles a team to take on an international syndicate that might be responsible for several terrorist attacks and a growing death toll. Former special operative, Edward Harrison [Reed Diamond], is forced into a position to oversee this group of agents as they battle their way through a landmine of trust and betrayal, assuming aliases and carrying out long-term undercover operations. All operatives know one fact going in: the CIA will sacrifice and disavow any of them to secure its interests.
The Operatives
Megan Delaney [Torri Higginson] is the field operative that handpicked this CIA team and got it running from the ground-up. Strong and driven, she thriv[info]peanutbutterer and [info]irony_rocks present
es on the challenges of her job. She's tough when it comes to mentoring her subordinates, but some think she's ill-equipped to handle the stresses of command which is why they brought in another heavy-hitter [Reed Diamond] at the last moment to run things. But she's comfortable with who she is and, bright and cunning as always, she's the women to get the job done and keep everyone in line. Harrison [Reed Diamond] may have the official authority, but everyone on the team knows they answer through Delaney. Luckily, she's got people she can trust to have her back, especially an old flame, Agent Derek Cross [Joe Flanigan], and her closest confidant, Claire Gray [Tamara Taylor].
Derek Cross' [Joe Flanigan] discontent with the CIA and his former position with it has led him around the world, unwilling to stay anywhere for long. But when a former lover [Torri Higginson] asked him to rejoin the ranks, he reluctantly agreed to a temporary position. That was five years ago. Now, his past is coming between him and his position within the organization, as an old undercover operation is threatening to disintegrate everything he's built. Normally one to confide and defer to Delaney in matters of operation, this time he's trying to figure it all out on his own. In his quest to protect those he cares about the most, he may be inadvertently placing them in danger instead.
Edward Harrison [Reed Diamond] is the highest authority at the division, answering only to the Director of the CIA. He doesn't think much of Delaney's [Torri Higginson] team at first, and he had no qualms about disciplining the members when they breached protocol, but he ultimately proves a strong ally against far more threatening forces, including both superiors and enemies of the state. One such enemy is his former lover and treasonous ex-CIA agent, Jennifer Hollister [Tricia Helfer], who was responsible for a car bombing that left him without the ability to walk for nearly two years. Now he's settled for a desk job, reluctantly, but his field-skills are still in top form.
Special Agent Lee Kim [John Cho] is the newest member of the team, assigned as Cross' [Joe Flanigan] partner. At the age of 32, he's one of the younger agents in the field office, but he's smart, clever and underestimating him has lead many enemies to an untimely demise. An up-and-comer, what most don't suspect about him is that Kim's loyalties are dual - he's a CIA agent with mysterious ties to another secret organization. A double-agent or something else - only time will tell where Lee Kim's true loyalties lie.
Claire Gray [Tamara Taylor] was one of the top agents with the CIA’s Counter Terrorist Division and a former partner of Delaney [Torri Higginson]. She's pragmatic, sarcastic and the best weapons specialist in the division. She can kill a man thirteen different ways with her pinky, but like she often muses, that's twelve more than she'd need on you. Currently going through a messy divorce, she's recently sworn off men - quite literally, as Evelyn Bishop [Katie McGrath] enters the picture.
Evelyn Bishop [Katie McGrath] is 25 years old and looking for ways to impress Delaney [Torri Higginson] so that she can become more active within the team. She's thinks she's the perfect field agent because no one suspects such a pretty face could be on someone so dangerous, and she has an unqualified ability to adapt and beguile those around her. Instilled with the impatience of youth, she might be getting in over her head if she doesn't learn how to cool down sometimes. Gray [Tamara Taylor] takes Bishop under her wing to show some guidance, but an unexpected attraction springs up that neither women expected, making things quite complicated for the two.
The Villains
To say there's a bit of a rebellious streak in Jennifer Hollister [Tricia Helfer] would be a massive understatement. She grew up as the CIA Director's eldest daughter, a patriot that was molded for espionage work - until she defected for the enemy and destroyed all ties with the past. Now she's back in the US, racing to get her hands on a prized asset that could change the very course of the nation. Normally willing to use unscrupulous methods to get her job done, she isn't expecting fangs of conscience to rear their ugly head at the most inopportune times, especially when faced with her former lover, Edward Harrison [Reed Diamond] and his new division of CIA operatives.
With Marine Corps experience and excellent sniper ability, Lauren Taylor [Emmanuelle Vaugier] was a rising star in the military. But now, horrified by an unspeakable personal tragedy and stunned by the betrayal of someone she trusted, she can no longer return to the folds of the armed forces. Mentored by Hollister [Tricia Helfer], she starts to delve ever deeper into the dangerous world of espionage, learning and mastering skills that will one day make her an enemy that no one will want to cross.
Victor Creig [William Fichtner] is a former FBI agent who was fired from his job when his pursuit of justice led him to operate outside of American laws. Landing in hot water and among people formally sworn to be his enemies, he's struck a deal with Hollister [Tricia Helfer] in order to infiltrate and reach a larger enemy. He's willing to cross lines of morals for the greater cause, but his methods are going to lead him to a dark place where he will question everything. The only thing that keeps him sane is the idea that he's serving a greater purpose - to protect the US from a threat no one else has yet caught onto.
Main Characters
Megan Delaney [Torri Higginson]
Derek Cross [Joe Flanigan]
Edward Harrison [Reed Diamond]
Lee Kim [John Cho]
Claire Gray [Tamara Taylor]
Evelyn Bishop [Katie McGrath]
Jennifer Hollister [Tricia Helfer]
Lauren Taylor [Emmanuelle Vaugier]
Victor Creig [William Fichtner]
Disavow:
The Beginning
Author: dangerusliasons
Cast: Megan Delaney[Torri Higginson], Edward Harrison[Reed Diamond] , Derek Cross[Joe Flanigan] , Claire Gray[Tamara Taylor], Lee Kim[John Cho], Evelyn Bishop[Katie McGrath], Jennifer Hollister[Trisha Helfer], Lauren Taylor , Victor Creig[William Fitchner]
Summary: A crack team of CIA agents, attempts to hunt down the terrorist organization, responsible for the murder of hundreds of innocent civilians. It's a race against time, to find them, or hunt them down before the second attack.
xxxxxx
1.
Megan Delaney stalks down the halls of CIA Headquarters; in her hand she carries a manila file folder. She is furious, how dare he discipline a member of her team without even informing her? She knows what Harrison’s response would be,
Because I’m in charge…
Harrison's a son of a bitch, but he knows how to get the job done, and Megan can’t begrudge him for that. No matter how much she wishes right now that she could. After 5 minutes of continuous walking she finally finds him. Harrison is casually walking along, a fresh cup of steaming coffee in his hands, not worried in the slightest. It’s almost like, Megan thinks, he’s expecting this.
“What the hell is this?” She shoves the folder into his face, coming to a stop in front of him. Standing her ground, she will not be pushed around on this one. “Cross was doing his god-damned job! One, May I remind you, you sent him on in the first place!”
Harrison straightens, ready for a fight. “I did. And he failed in his mission. That hard drive possibly contained the terrorists plans for the next attack. We need to find out where they are going to strike next and form a damn good plan.” Harrison says calmly, too calmly for Delaney.
“It wasn’t completely his fault. The intelligence we got, and subsequently fed to him was faulty. We didn’t know and therefore he had no way of knowing.”
“Of course not.” Harrison sighs, “I’m not blaming him, but he needs to be taught a lesson. He’s a loose canon and you know it, Delaney, no matter what your feelings towards him might be.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Megan asks, incredulously. The pitch of her voice going higher with every word, Harrison cocks his head to the side and gives her one of his trademark looks, the I’m not that dumb look. True, Megan did ask Derek to join her team because she knows he’s one of the best they’ve got. He is a loose canon, but not when it counts. “You’re an asshole.”
“You’re just now figuring that out?” Harrison asks, a smirk on his face. He side steps her and continues walking towards his office. “Reel him in Delaney or he’s out. I don’t care how good he is.”
Megan watches Harrison walk into his office and her face relaxes a bit. Her fingers come up to rub at her temples. Derek Cross tends to give her headaches, but he’s one of the best damn agents they’ve got. Talking to Cross is almost like talking to a brick wall, except when you can’t blow holes in his logic. “Damn you, Derek.” Megan sighs before walking back to her office.
xxxxxx
Three hours later there is a soft knock at her door. Megan Delaney looks up from her computer, Claire Gray stands in the doorway. “Derek acting up again?” She asks, her voice soft. Knowing this is a sore subject with Delaney.
Megan shakes her head. “No more than usual. He knows when he’s right and I’ve looked through his report. He wasn’t wrong, the intelligence was at fault...” Megan sighs, and shakes her head leaning back into her plush leather office chair. Running her hands through her hair she closes her eyes for a moment before opening them again.
“This time,” adds Claire.
“He’s one of the best, but controlling him is next to impossible.”
“Tell me about it, come in.” Megan motions to the two chairs in front of her desk. She gets up and goes to the small coffee machine she keeps in her office and pours herself a cup. “Want a cup?” She asks and a small smile crosses Claire’s face.
“You know me too well, Megan Delaney,” She laughs and takes the steaming cup from Megan’s hand, then proceeds to sit in one of chairs.
“I was your partner, for god knows how long, and I hate to say it-but sometimes you’re an open book,” Megan smiles sweetly at Claire and Megan knows she is on the receiving end of a menacing look.
“I could say the same about you, dear.” Claire bats her eyelashes at Megan and both women laugh. Relieving some of the tension of the day.
“I still have to deal with Derek tonight, we’re having dinner.” Megan says, sipping her now cooling coffee.
“Again?” Claire raises her eyebrows, surprised, “Things must be heating up between the two of you, again.”
Megan laughs, “You could say that,” she pauses, “You could also say a lot of other things on the subject, too.”
“True, but since you already know what I’m going to say….I might as well keep my thoughts to myself.”
“It’s just with all of this being thrown at us, at once. It’s been six months since the first bombing and we still have practically zip to go on. All of our leads have become dead ends, he’s getting frustrated, we all are.”
“True,” Claire adds her eyes carefully studying the face of her dearest friend. “But I don’t think that’s all that’s been bothering him…” she gives Delaney an out and wonders if Megan will take it. Claire has known her for a long time, but even Delaney can pull surprises out of her ass.
“What are you talking about?” Megan asks, looking Claire in the eyes. She doesn’t like where her friend is going with this. It’s a subtle statement but then Claire was always the best at subtly, Megan knows Claire is holding back. Sometimes you have to read between the lines to get Claire’s meaning, and Delaney knows that this might be one of those times.
“You know damn well what I’m talking about.” Claire spits out, shaking her head. “Why don’t you go talk to Derek. I’m sure Harrison gave him a good tongue lashing before doling out his discipline.”
“True. Harrison does have an eloquence for words.” Megan laughed softly and nearly picked up the phone right then, her hand hesitated at the receiver.
Claire saw this and her eyebrows raised. “I think I’ll leave you be. Call me if….” She didn’t even have to finish the sentence; Delaney knew what was about to be said.
“You’ll be my first call.”
With that Claire was gone and Megan found herself picking up her cell off of the desk and dialing an all too familiar number.
Derek Cross was sitting on his well-worn couch; his apartment was not spacious by any means but suitable for someone who was almost never there. It was sparse, furniture dotted the living room and a bed down the hall in the bedroom, there was even space for a small office. But Derek never used the space; it was more of a throw all room. His phone started to vibrate on the coffee table; he picked it up and checked the number. A smile crossed his face as he recognized Delaney’s number. He picked it up quickly,
“I suppose you’re calling to chew my ass out too? ‘Cause if you are, take a number…”
“Damn it Derek,” she said, the ache in her head returning, “Harrison’s right and you and I both know it.”
“The intelligence was fucked up, how the fuck is that supposed to be my fault?”
“I know, I know, but you went into a situation like you always do. Without checking anything out. It was very predictable of you.”
“So I’m supposed to tip-toe around the bad guys now, is that it? Because Christ, if we do that then they’ll be thousands more dead and we’ll be to blame for it, Megan…” He sat forward, rubbing the stubble on his face.
“I know, I know,” her voice drops to a whisper and she just listens to his steady breathing over the phone. They’re both upset, worn out, and feel like it’s been a thousand years since things were normal. Though it’s only been a year and a half. It feels like an eternity.
"Are we still on for dinner tonight?" Derek asks, his voice soft, a nice change of pace Megan thinks to how the rest of her day has been.
A smile crosses her face, "Of course. Still treating me to dinner since you lost the bet?" she challenges.
"Of course," he play mocks her and can hear her smile through the connection, "I'm a man of my word."
"Yes, yes you are." Megan muses, knowing how that simple statement can set Cross on edge.
"Then perhaps after dinner…." Cross, leaves the statement open to interpretation on Megan's part. He knows how good her imagination is and he has no doubt nasty thoughts are running through her naughty little brain. She laughs softly, the kind of laugh he's used to hearing when they're in bed together. When the sun shone softly through the windows and spilling it's light throughout the room, she can almost feel his arms around her, nuzzling her neck, and his warm breath against her shoulder.
"Sorry," she apologizes and she can hear him laugh.
"Thinking about better times?" is the response she gets.
"Maybe," she plays coy but Derek easily sees through it.
"Then I'll see you for dinner."
"Yes, you will." That is the last they say and she hangs up her end of the line and leans back again. She turns her office chair to face out towards the window in her office. And for the first time in a few weeks, she lets her mind wander.