Chapter 9
"Talk to your cat all day, Sinclair. If he starts to talk back, then we've got problems."
Chapter 9: Family Ties
At the sound of her alarm, Caitlin slowly opened her eyes. That's funny, I don't remember setting it last night. She turned her head to her left, surprised to find Bogart stretched out on her bed, batting lazily at a small piece of paper. She pried it away from the cat and smiled at what she assumed was Eric's messy scrawl. The note read:
Cait-
I ran home for a quick shower and a change of clothes. Can you imagine the eyebrows that would raise if Eric Weiss, fashion plate extraordinaire, showed up to work in the same rumpled outfit two days in a row? I'll be back at eight to take you to work, so if you're reading this and you're still in bed, GET UP!
Eric
He called her "Cait." She smiled at the nickname. Growing up, her mom had called her "Raising Cait" because inevitably, Caitlin was the sister in the most trouble. Haley had never caused that many problems, as she was always content to find a shady spot under a tree and get lost in a book. Caitlin was a doer, and Haley was a thinker; it was a weird combination, but for them it always worked. They complimented each other well, and even now considered themselves to be best friends as well as sisters.
It was with a pang of guilt that Caitlin thought of her mother and sister. She knew that since she had come to L.A., she hadn't kept up with her family responsibilities like she should. Her mother had called three times in the past week, her sister twice, and Caitlin hadn't yet called them back. She knew they both had been extremely concerned about her in light of David's death. As much as she knew she should call them and try to assuage some of their worry, she just hadn't been able to gather the strength to sound normal and happy over the phone when inside, she was falling apart.
Funnily enough, Caitlin felt stronger and more together today than she had in over three months. Yes, Valdez and the mission at hand were constantly in the back of her mind, but they weren't dragging her into depression like they had been. She thought back to the tumultuous events of yesterday. Of all that happened, one thing stuck out in her mind. Eric had held her and said, "We're in this together." That was the source of her strength. The fact that someone believed in her enough to support her, without coddling her, gave her the feeling that anything was possible. That this quest for vengeance would not take up the rest of her life. That someday soon, all of this would end for good, with the good guys victorious.
And maybe, just maybe, she would then have a chance to pursue her own personal dreams. She was thirty-two years old. How long should she have to wait before she could have a normal life, a family of her own? She wanted a future that had nothing to do with killing, espionage, lies, and death threats.
She checked the bedside clock. 7:40. "Well, I can't get working on that future if Eric kills me for being late, now can I?" she questioned Bogart, who merely mewed in response. As she went to her closet to pick out an outfit, she turned back towards the cat. "What do you think of Eric? Do you think he'll play a part in that future?" When the only response she got was Bogart's swishing tail, Caitlin walked to the bathroom muttering, "Talk to your cat all day, Sinclair. If he starts to talk back, then we've got problems."
~*~*~
"You've got to be joking. One of the most feared men in the espionage world, and he wants to meet at the Kings' hockey game? What does he expect, that’ll you'll buy a big foam finger and chat over corn dogs and beer?" Ethan shook his head. "It sounds really stupid, which, of course, equals really risky."
Caitlin took a small sip of her coffee. "Well, you heard the tape. Besides, it's not like I'll just walk in there, say, 'Hey, how's it going,' and walk out unharmed. He's intending to take me in. And logistically, this is a very low risk way of doing it. It's a public place, which means that neither side can be packing any heavy artillery at risk of exposing themselves. Plus, it'll be almost too easy to have our guys posted around the rink. Who's to say they're not just normal fans, right?"
"OK. I get all that. Problem is, there's no way we'll be able to follow you once Valdez has got you in custody without attracting attention. At least with our other plan, we knew that you were headed to Colombia. Once he gets you, he could take you anywhere in the world. Valdez is holding all the cards in this scenario, and I don't like it."
"That's what the comm is for. You'll be able to hear them if they say anything about our destination or current whereabouts."
"But," Ethan tried to interject.
Eric just leaned back in his chair, enjoying the view. Bad choice, Davidson. Don't "but" the Sinclair. By his estimates, Caitlin was due to explode in three...two...one...
Caitlin hit her hand palm down on the table. "For heaven's sake, are we the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States or aren't we? You can follow us extremely easily as long as we're on land. They do still teach basic spying skills, such as following a stupid car, in agent training don't they?" She blew her hair impatiently out of her face. "If they take me somewhere on a plane, well, that's what the comm is for. And most likely, he'll just take me back to SD-3 headquarters. Not that difficult."
"Cait," Eric said soothingly, trying to calm her down, "Ethan and I are just trying to cover all of our bases. You have to admit, there are a lot of what ifs to handle. So give Ethan a break, OK?"
Wow, he's good, Ethan thought to himself as he saw Caitlin visibly relax.
Caitlin leaned back in her chair. "Look, this whole op is risky, we've known that since the get-go. And yeah, Valdez does seem to have the upper hand in this scenario. But don't you see? That can work in our favor. It'll lull him into a false sense of security. Then we strike." She scanned both men' faces for any sign of argument. "t comes to this. I’m the one who' going in there, so the risks are mine to take. I say that this is our shot, so we'e taking it. That bastard threatened my family."She turned to Eric. "He threatened you. I'm not giving him the chance to make good on those threats. I meet Valdez on Monday, with or without CIA backup. That's up to you two."
"Why the hell would he threaten Eric?"
Caitlin and Weiss exchanged looks. "Long story," she said after a minute.
Ethan threw up his hands. "Fine, whatever." He glanced at Eric. "You're the boss, you make the call."
It only took him a split second to decide. No way was she going against Valdez alone. "We move on Monday."
"Fine. Now..." Ethan grinned. "Do I get to hear this long story?"
Before Eric or Caitlin could say a word, Ethan's secretary came running into the conference room. "Agent Davidson, urgent call on line two."
Ethan grabbed the phone. "Davidson here...Emma? What's wrong, sweetheart? What? But, the doctor said two weeks! What? Yeah, I know you can't help it, I'm just shocked. Where are you now? St. Anthony's? OK, I’m there. Hey hon? Be strong. Love you." He slammed down the phone and promptly put his head in his hands, whispering "Oh God, oh God, oh God."
"Hey, man, what is it?" Eric didn’t like the look in Ethan's eyes.
"Emma...labor...now..." he managed to get out in between the "Oh Gods."
"Chill out, okay? You have to get to the hospital. Hey, think positive, you're gonna be a daddy soon. Come on, I'll drive you." Eric grabbed Ethan's arm and hauled him out of the chair, leading him to the door. He glanced back at Caitlin. "Come with?"
She nodded, gathering up her stuff and following the two men out the door.
~*~*~
"You think he'll be OK?" Eric whispered to Caitlin as they watched Ethan pace up and down the hall outside the delivery room.
"Oh yeah, he'll be fine. It's just first-time daddy nerves. When my nephew was born, I swear my brother-in-law nearly had a stroke. But one look at Gabriel and he was good as new."
"Good to know; let's just hope Ethan doesn't drop dead before he gets to see his kid." Weiss thought of what he'd be like when his first kid came along. Knowing him, he'd probably be more of a wreck than Davidson. He liked to think he'd be a good father, being able to balance discipline and fun. If he loved the kid, then he guessed everything else would fall into place. Wait. Two weeks ago I wasn't even sure I was capable of a long-term relationship, much less a marriage. Now I'm wondering if I'd be good daddy material? When did this come about? He had a sneaking suspicion that the piece of work sitting to his right had a lot to do with his current train of thought.
A nurse came through the double doors and walked toward the trio. "Mr. Davidson? It's about that time. Why don't we get you scrubbed up, then you can be with your wife and help her with the delivery." Ethan nodded, looking back to Eric and Caitlin.
She laughed at the sheer terror on Ethan’s face. "It'll be fine, just go."
"Yeah, Davidson. Give Emma our love, and you hang in there." He pulled his yo-yo out of his pocket and tossed it to Ethan. "Good luck charm for the kid.'
Caitlin grinned and slid her eyes sideways to look at Eric. "Sure you can spare it? I understand that's a prized possession."
"What, you think the Yo-Yo King doesn't have extras?"
"Touche." Knowing him, he probably had a drawerful back at headquarters.
"So, Miss Sinclair, how'd you sleep last night?"
She smiled. "Great, thanks. You?"
"Not bad, once I ignored the fact that I had an incredibly beautiful woman in my arms all night. You're very...distracting." He grinned that devilish grin that she was growing to love and leaned in.
"Public place," she teased, her face just inches from his.
"Don't care," he whispered and placed a feather-light kiss on her lips. "I love being able to do that. It drove me crazy, wanting to kiss you all that time and not being able to."
"All that time? We haven't exactly known each other for years and years," she said laughingly.
"I told you, woman, you’re very distracting. That night at the bar, I was weighing the pros and cons of just kissing you then and there. That is, when I wasn’t contemplating wringing your scrawny neck. But now..." he pushed his hand through her long blond hair. “I know how you taste. I know that you go weak in the knees when I run my hand up and down your spine. And you want to know the worst part? You distract me even more now that I know all that. All I can think about is exactly when I can be with you again."
She couldn't help it; she blushed. "Really?" It had been such a long time since someone had made her feel so wanted.
How in the world could she doubt it? "Oh yeah."
"I'm terribly sorry that I'm so distracting, Agent Weiss. What can I do to make it up to you?"
He grinned. "What do you think? Give me some sugar!" He slung his arm around her and pulled her close. She laid her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arm around his waist.
"You're just a big teddy bear, aren't you, Weiss."
"Teddy bear? Sure, pick on the fat kid." He bent his head so it was resting on top of hers. "But this is too nice for me to get offended and ruin it. You get off lucky this time."
They sat in comfortable silence for several moments until Eric blurted out, "What do you think of kids?"
"Uh, kids? I think they're great."
"No...I mean, do you think you'll have some? Eventually?"
Wow, deja vu. "Oddly enough, I was just thinking about this earlier this morning. I'd have to say...yes. After all this, how did you say Sydney worded it, 'spy crap' is over, I see myself being a mom. I guess that was never a question. I had such a great mom that I think I could pass on a lot of what she taught me to my children." She glanced up at him. "And you?"
He took a deep breath. "I don't know. It's a lot to think about. I never thought being a CIA agent was congruous with being a good father, because there is so much responsibility aside from taking care of a family. But...yeah. It seems like the best adventure in the world, making a family, a home, with someone that you love. But who knows if I'm even daddy material."
She knew that he would be great. He was such a kid at heart that any kid would be lucky to call him Dad. Before she could tell him this, Ethan came running out, wearing the biggest grin she'd ever seen.
"Girl! I...we...have a baby girl!" He waved his hands frantically at both of them. "Come see her, she's beautiful, I mean, I think she's beautiful." Then he promptly turned tail and ran back to the room.
Eric and Caitlin exchanged humorous glances. "Guess you were right, he seems fine." They approached the room where Emma was resting and entered, Eric knocking lightly on the door. "Hey gorgeous," he said to Emma. "I hear that Baby Davidson is in the house."
She nodded and pointed to Ethan, who was holding a tiny bundle in his arms. "We decided to name her Isabelle Grace," she told him as he bent over to look at the baby.
Caitlin crossed the room somewhat awkwardly and stuck out her hand to Emma. "Hi, we've never officially met. Caitlin Sinclair."
"Emma Davidson," she replied, shaking Caitlin's hand. "Both Ethan and Eric have said a lot about you, it's a pleasure to put a face with a name." She sighed and laid back against the pillows. "I'm sorry, I'm just a bit exhausted."
"With good reason! You've done a lot of work today." She smiled brightly at Emma, then glanced over at the men. "Well, it looks like Ethan isn't going to have that heart attack."
Emma laughed. "Well, you know men, they're completely clueless about..." She trailed off when she saw Caitlin's attention was focused elsewhere. She followed Caitlin's gaze to Eric, who had just let Ethan place the baby in his arms, looking more than a little nervous about it.
Caitlin nearly melted at the sight. Eric looked so adorable, holding that little girl as if she were something made of glass. Isabelle wailed loudly, and Eric rocked her a bit, making shushing sounds. When her cries subsided just a little, he smiled in such a way that Caitlin's heart almost stopped. "Eric," she said softly, catching his attention. "You are going to be a great dad someday." He smiled, a little smile just for her, and then directed his attention back on Isabelle.
Posted by Carrie on 07:55 PM