Chapter Text
Upon Lucy’s return from DC, she and Kate were inseparable. It was a new love that neither woman could get enough of. The conversation flowed and the sex had never been better. Not that their sex life was mediocre before, but this reconciliation had brought it to an entirely new level. They were “official” and living their best lives together. Lucy had moved into Kate’s apartment. Their relationship, while just a few months old, had never been better.
After one (of many) marathon lovemaking sessions, the two took a food break. Lucy was reheating some leftovers, when she spun around and faced Kate. “Why didn’t you tell me about Eli?” It was something that Lucy had wanted to ask but hadn’t had the courage until now.
Kate thought for a moment, not entirely sure how to answer. Her family was complicated. And while she would move heaven and earth for Eli, their relationship was no exception. “After Noah died, I shut myself off from the world. From everyone, including Eli. He tried to help, but he had his own grief. After a couple of years, he stopped trying as much and moved abroad. We’d text often and meet up a few times a year. Wasn’t until he moved back to the States that we really reconnected. I had forgotten how much I missed having a brother. Now we talk several times a week.”
Lucy was jealous of Kate. She had brothers of her own, but they hadn’t spoken in years. When she came out, her family didn’t agree with her “lifestyle”. She realized that her own happiness was worth more than the million-dollar trust fund and galas, so she left and never looked back. When she met Eli, she couldn’t help but like the guy; well, that was after she got over the shock of meeting another Whistler. Eli was charming, funny, and shared some of the same quirks as Kate. “Well, I can tell he loves you dearly. He couldn’t say enough good things about you. And the whole time he was afraid you’d kill him for meddling.”
“Growing up with two brothers was great. Noah was our protector. He kept an eye out for us and tried to deflect the bullshit our parents dealt. Eli was my champion. Whenever I doubted myself, he’d be there with a pep talk. He was there for everything. Front row and the loudest in the cheering section. He realized I was gay before I did.”
“Really? I need details!”
“Well, he busted into my room one weekend during our sophomore year of high school and said, ‘I love you and nothing you could ever say or do would make me love you less.’ I was like, ‘what the hell are you talking about?’ To which he blurted ‘I think you’re gay! Are you?’ Poor guy was mortified that he might have offended me.”
Again, proof that Eli Whistler was a good guy. Even teenage Eli was sweet, thought Lucy. “What did you tell him?”
“At first, I wanted to tell him he was crazy, but him questioning me made me acknowledge feelings that I’d had for some time. So, I confirmed his suspicions and then grilled him on how he knew. He told me he could see the look in my eyes when we saw the cute girls at the beach and how I lost the ability to function anytime a cute girl talked to me…did I ever tell you that he helped set me up with my one and only boyfriend?”
“NO! After all our discussions, this has never come up. How could you leave out such an important detail?” Lucy was jealous. In their time together, she could never believe that her precious Kate had been with a man. This couldn’t be possible. This is the Kate who almost threw up at a straight sexual innuendo the other day.
Kate sensed that Lucy was getting jealous. If their reconciliation hadn’t been so new, she would have let Lucy sweat it out. But being that they just got back together, she had to calm her girlfriend’s fears. “Yep. Jamie Fairchild. Jamie played baseball with Eli. He and I dated (she said with air quotes) for most of high school. We broke up early into our freshman year of college. He and his husband are dentists and live with their three kids in Boulder.”
Lucy let out a sigh of relief and Kate couldn’t help but smile. “I can’t believe you thought I’d ever be with a man! Eli knew both of us were gay with less than understanding parents. He introduced us and then the two of us came up with our sham relationship. We ended up becoming good friends. Still talk to this day.”
“Well, Kate Whistler. You gave me quite the scare. I’m not sure I can recover from this truth bomb.” Kate’s eyebrows wiggled and a sly smile came across her face. She swooped Lucy off her feet and headed to the bedroom. “I guess there’s only one way to help you recover…”
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It had been three months since Eli closed the Moore Pimlico case. Three months since his night with Elena. Three months and he still couldn’t get that woman out of his head. He tried throwing himself back into work, but the distraction didn’t last very long. He kept thinking about the first time he saw her. He had bumped into her outside a coffeehouse in St Petersburg. She spilled her coffee, and he spent the next 10 minutes apologizing. The apology was accepted and the two had dinner the next night. They were inseparable for the next six months, and then she was gone. Given the nature of his work, he understood that her safety was paramount, but it hurt, nonetheless. He thought of her often over the next few years. Was she safe? Was she living a good life? Did she find happiness? And over time, she became a memory. That was until she walked into the hotel bar. After seven years, she still made his heart beat faster.
Upon returning to Hawaii, Jane hit the ground running. There were Alex’s baseball games, Julie’s soccer practices, who knows how many recitals and parent conferences, all in addition to her duties as SAC. But even at her busiest, she found herself dreaming about her time with Sasha. How he made her feel. How he brought out the best in her. To say she was happy to see him again was an understatement. Leaving was one of the hardest things she ever had to do; but it was the right thing. That didn’t mean that she couldn’t miss him.
“Hey mom! I need another bag to take to school today. My extra books won’t fit in mine!” exclaimed Alex. “Go ahead and use my messenger bag, it’s in the hallway closet” Jane replied quickly. She heard a door open, and stuff being thrown all over the floor. “I can’t find it!” Of course, you can’t, thought the doting mother. She walked down to the closet and quickly found the bag. “Let me clean it out and I’ll have it ready for you by the time you need to leave.”
Jane had been nursing a cup of coffee while helping the kids get off to school. She paused for a moment and wondered what it would be like to drink an entire cup in peace. A small smirk came across her face and she then focused her attention on the bag. A chap stick, phone cord, and DC map were tucked away in one pocket, while a neatly folded piece of paper was stuck on the side.
Elena,
I never stopped loving you.
Sasha
Jane quickly folded the note and put it in her pocket. Suddenly, she was flooded with memories. Yes, leaving was difficult, but the mission was no longer viable. She was called home, and it was probably for the best. Her marriage was over, and her kids needed her. Was there regret over what could have been? Sure. But she loved being a mom and was overall content with her life.
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Needing a change of scenery, Eli decided he’d take a vacation. Given the Whistler family trait of never taking a day off, he had a plethora of hours to cash in on. Director Franklin had been all too willing to grant the request. While Whistler was one of her best agents, she recognized burnout when she saw it. She encouraged him to go someplace warm and gently hinted that his phone should be off the entire leave.
Eli Whistler: Hey! How do you feel about a visit?
Kate Whistler: OMG! That would be awesome! When?
Eli Whistler: I was hoping to come next week. I got three weeks off. Was looking at staying at a Hilton by you.
Kate Whistler: Works for us. BTW, Lucy insists that you stay with us. She likes the idea of having a big brother. :)
Eli Whistler: Aww. Will send you the flight info soon. Can’t wait to see you both!