LEOPARD: THE ENEMY WITHIN

Check - in

When I came to, I was in a different room, in bed. I knew the man. I sat up as my head ached. I shut my eye and took a deep breathe. Then I looked at him as rage built up in me.

I got up. I was in nothing but my sleepwear, a vest that left my belly bare and shorts that left my butt cheeks out. Not how I wanted to get abducted.

“Who carried me, Joe?” I asked, folded my arms to contain my fury.

“Carter,” he responded.

“Where is he?” I asked, still a little too calmly.

“He went out to get you vanilla ice-cream,” he responded.

“Are you still in charge of this operation?” I asked.

Joe nodded. I was barefooted or I would have hit his head hard with my shoe. I wouldn’t physically go for him. We had done that too many times in training.

Now I asked why he didn’t just ask me to check in like he always did. He was head of this operation but I would probably kill him before wrapping it up.

The door was opened from outside and in came Carter. I remained rooted on the spot and didn’t look at him as he walked in. I could see the boots on his feet and the blue cargo pants. He said hello. I wouldn’t answer so he asked Joe to excuse us.

Carter embraced me as I remained rooted. It was more like hugging a tree. I felt that calming scent as the memories flooded. I remembered our wedding and the nights that followed. I remembered the missions and how I ended up on the Scorpion.

“I missed you, Carter,” I mumbled.

“I know you did, wife. I know you did.” Carter said.

As Carter rubbed his hands on my back exactly the way I liked, Joe came back. I needed to be briefed even as Carter didn’t stop. My tears were pouring and he knew. Even without looking at my very calm face, he knew.

I had missed my husband, work, my parents and best friend Celine. Carter lifted me astride him. He sat on the bed. I wrapped my arms round his neck as he rested his arms round my back. I rested my head on his shoulder, arched my back and rested. I wanted to be in those arms. I had longed to be in those arms.

“You didn’t check in last time,” Joe said.

“Fuck you,” I retorted.

“Elsa, you must check in always,” Joe was weighing me down.

“You had an open line the whole time. Tell me why you snatched me or leave me with my husband,” I said, remained completely still.

“We are not making headway. The firewall the Scorpion head is using is beyond Interpol’s. We need you to go deeper. Date Brian,” Joe said.

I ignored him. Yes I did hear him. I knew he was coming from somewhere. I knew he meant well and was professional. Carter and I had talked about this possibility.

Joe stood there for five minutes while we remained completely still. He watched us. He probably didn’t notice half my butt was exposed. He wouldn’t notice. We had pretended to be a couple on a number of missions and he never noticed. Hell, he probably noticed Carter there, head to foot.

“Elsa!” Joe called.

“I heard you. What do you want?” I was working him up.

“Brian …” Joe began.

“Call him by the field name.” I interrupted.

“Flash likes you. He is in contact with the person in charge of the group. Go in, find out and get out. Date him,” Joe said.

“Okay. Let me spend an hour with my husband then I will go back in,” I smiled.

Carter held my neck and went for a kiss as Joe left. I felt his tongue, little tremors. That only happened if we had been apart for a while. I liked it.

Those hands went on my butt. Carter was obsessed by that butt. I relaxed and let him.Carter turned and pinned me on my back. He went on kissing for a minute then quickly got up to undress.

I quickly undressed. I got back on my back and let him. I moaned, groaned and screamed. I scratched Carter's back dangerously. I loved what he was doing to me.

We sweat and connected. Then we cuddled up. I stared into those green eyes and saw nothing but love. I stroked his hair gently from his forehead.

“I love you,” I said. Carter chuckled.

“Flash is a mission like any other,” Carter said.

“I know, baby. But we are to have a baby. I have been on those injections,” I lamented.

“We will continue with our life as planned. Tomorrow, we get the IVF done. Just don’t tell Joe. Your mission will take a few months and then we move on with our life,” he said.

“I like that, sweetie. Boy and girl,” I giggled.

“With brown eyes like their Mommy,” Carter said.

Carter knew I would protest. I did. I didn't want brown eyes for our babies. I wanted them to have green eyes like their daddy.

I got up and sat astride him, my hands on his neck. Carter had a sensitive neck. He laughed hard and pushed up his shoulders.

I laughed as he was laughing hard. He turned me round suddenly as I laughed. Carter pinned my hands above my head and looked me in the eye. I didn’t want to go continue with the mission but I had to.

"Just a little while and we will wrap up this mission." Carter said.

"Then back to Lyon. I miss our home." I rubbed my nose on his.

"Just a little while, wife. I love you." Carter said, his eyes smiling.