Naomi, Raye... and a special guest.

[americanagent]

[It's been years since Naomi last saw this particular penitentiary. Or any penitentiary for that matter. Prisons had become a thing of her past when she had retired from the FBI. Still, there is something familiar in the air that never quite leaves her system - the old way of seeing things, and the old way of thinking. She feels more at home now, walking toward the barbed wire fencing, than she has in years of shopping along the LA streets, carrying bags of groceries, and winter clothes, or summer clothes.]

[She's still thinking as she walks - one step, and she's thinking of London, two and she's thinking of the areas surrounding it - especially Essex. Three, and she's thinking of poisons, delivery systems...]

[And she's counting her steps as she walks, waiting for Raye to ask her again if she's sure she wants to do this, and remind her that she's no longer an agent, and that England is outside their reach anyway. But there's a thought in her head, lodged hard, and she can't shake it lose. So she holds her packet of photographs under her arm and she walks on.]

Comments

[americanagent]

People who are still trying to decide how to even begin approaching this situation, even though the way is clear.

[Naomi stops before the entrance and turns on her heel to face him.]

If there is even a chance that I can help, I have to do it. People are dying.

[She lowers her head slightly, and then looks back up at him.]

Thank you for helping me get permission to come here. I know you don't approve, but this is something I must do.

[americanagent]

[Raye looks at her face, feeling that little tug of conflict whenever she got the idea to do something she shouldn't be. He smiles a little, both soft and a bit tightly.]

[Women.]

Hm. Well, if you think this is what you need to do... I understand. I don't get it, but I understand.

So, are you ready?

[americanagent]

Yes. But.

[Naomi pauses. This was the difficult part.]

I have to go in alone. He may not speak freely if someone else is there.

[americanagent]

[For a split second, Raye's sure he heard her wrong, but he quickly understands that's only wishful thinking.]

[He squeezes his eyes shut against the realization, but it's still there when he opens them again. Why did she do this to him?]

Naomi... you couldn't have mentioned that earlier?

[americanagent]

[lowers her head, not quite able to look him in the eye.]

It's important, Raye.

[americanagent]

[Raye presses his fingertips against his forehead, not entirely able to keep his exasperation contained. But when he lowers his hand he sees Naomi with her head down, unable to look at him directly, and he sighs in resignation.]

[She'd made up her mind already, anyway. That much was obvious. It really was impossible to argue with her.]

Ahh. What am I going to do with you?

[shakes his head]

You're really sure about this?

[americanagent]

I am.

And there will guards outside the door.

[smiles just a little bit.]

[americanagent]

Mm... all right, but you owe me for this one.

[rests his hands on her shoulders, watching her face carefully]

After this, I don't want to hear any more nonsense about this... you know.

[glances up at the foreboding building behind her, and exhales a little wearily as he looks back at her, just before giving her shoulders a very gentle, rather affectionate squeeze]

And be careful. I know there'll be guards but I still don't like you talking to him.

[americanagent]

[lowers her head slightly and nods.]

Don't worry about me! If he's as weird as he was the last time we met, I'll more worried about his words than his actions.

[smiles!]

Maybe I should have brought jam!

[americanagent]

[drops his head a little and closes his eyes]

I wish you wouldn't make jokes like that.

[looks up at her again, and against his better judgment, he chuckles a little. That face, and that confidence... Raye reaches up and tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear.]

Just... be careful, okay? If things get bad I want you out of there. And call me once you're finished. Since I'm being banned from going in with you the least I can do it come get you afterward.

[americanagent]

Maybe we can have dinner.

[looks up at him]

...I'm always careful, Raye. That's how I lasted as long as I did.

[americanagent]

[smiles just a little]

I know, I know. But it's my job to protect you now. I promised, right?

[sighs and moves a very small step backward]

We'll definitely have dinner. Think about what you'll want to have.

[americanagent]

[nods and steps back as well]

I'm sure we can think of something.

[smiles.]

Thank you again. I'll call as soon as I leave.

[americanagent]

[nods and drops his hands into his pockets]

All right.

[smiles a little, then glances quickly at the penitentiary behind her a little bitterly, as if it was to blame for this whole thing]

Try not to spend too long in there. I don't want you getting any ideas.

[hesitates for a moment, then steps forward to give her a small kiss]

I'll see you later.

[americanagent]

[nods once and looks up to accept the kiss.]

Not very much later.

[smiles, even as she turns on her heel and heads inside.]