[color=598527]>FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
>AVA RESIDENCE
>16SEP2019
>1640...///[/color]

Ava took in a deep breath as she opened the front door of her home and took it all in. A wave of relief washed over her as she dropped Prince’s leash and let the dog excitedly run around and explore the place. 

She stepped inside, her shoulders dropping as the comfort of simply being home settled in. After everything that had happened, all the hell they had been through, after being gone for nearly a month. 

Finally. Finally she was back home.

Tears unexpectedly started to well up in her eyes and she blinked her eyes, trying to keep them back but there was a complex surge of emotions welling up in her chest and mostly she just wanted to cry out of happiness.

She sniffed and dabbed at her eyes with her sleeves.

Dave followed Ava in, noting her reaction. He saw the tension in her stance and he set down their bags, stepping up and wrapping his arms around her from behind. He didn’t say a word; if she wanted to talk, she would. Instead he held her, resting his chin on top of her head and squeezing her to his chest. 

Ava started slightly before relaxing back into Dave’s arms, turning around so she could hug him fully. Tears welled up in her eyes as she pressed her face to his chest, uncaring about the glasses still on her face. She let the emotions wash over her, all of the fear that had built up her entire time in Alaska finally finding a release. 

It was behind them. It was over.

For now.

Ava sniffed and pulled back slightly, taking off her glasses and rubbing at her eyes. “I’m sorry.” She said with a small laugh. “I’m happy, I really am. Just...Fuck that assignment.”

“Shh, don’t be sorry,” Dave said. He kissed the top of her head and gave her another squeeze. “But yeah. Fuck that job. Don’t think I’ll be big game huntin’ Alaska anytime soon.” 

“No, me either.” She said with a faint chuckle, wiping the tears from her eyes and putting her glasses back on her face. She looked back up at Dave and stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him. “Thank you Dave, for everything. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Wouldn’t be anywhere else, sugar,” he said softly. He felt a catch in his chest and his eyes stung for a moment. He squeezed them shut. “Ya wanna get our stuff put away, an’ then go get Thor? Bet he’s missed ya.” 

Ava frowned up at his reaction and moved her hands up and down his back. “What’s wrong Dave?”

“Nothin’, nothin’,” he chuckled and let her go. “Just happy to see ya home, and happy. I’m okay.” 

“Okay.” She said, letting him pull away and glancing around. “Where did Prince go?” She asked before trotting down the hallway and looking into the guest bathroom. “Prince! No! That’s not a water bowl!” She squeaked, jumping into the bathroom to pull the dogs head out of the toilet.

Dave laughed and picked up their bags, heading for Ava’s room as she hunted down the dog. 

[color=598527]>...///[/color]

Ava kept a firm grip on Prince’s leash as she and Dave walked up the path to Mrs. Grier’s front door. The dalmatian excitedly sniffed every plant and flower along the cobblestone walkway, Ava having to tug on his leash now and again to keep him from eating anything.

She looked up at Dave with a smile, excited and nervous to be introducing her closest friend to her boyfriend. Although she suspected the two of them would get along just fine, it was still a new situation and her response to new situations was to feel anxious.

Also she was worried about how the dogs would react to one another. 

Something she quickly found out as she heard Daisy’s familiar barking at the front door and Prince’s ears immediately perked up. With a ‘ruff’ the dalmatian trotted quicker to the door, curious and excited by the sounds of another dog. 

“Whoa!” Ava squeaked, quickening her pace to keep up with the excited dog.

Dave sped up as well, keeping pace with Ava, placing a hand near the small of her back as though to steady her. He was smiling, but nervous. He knew that Ava and the famous Mrs. Grier were close, and while he’d never had a problem meeting people he did want to make a good impression. He’d pulled on a clean white T-shirt with his wranglers and run a comb haphazardly through his shaggy hair before promptly covering it with his hat. 

“Easy Prince,” Dave chuckled, watching the dog pace in front of the door. “Gonna pull her off her feet, boy.” 

“More like pull my arm off.” Ava huffed, brushing at the front of the casual light blue sundress she had put on to combat the heat of the summer evening. She gave Dave one more encouraging smile and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. Then she let go and rang the doorbell.

Daisy’s yapping accelerated and the tippy taps of her claws on the polished wood floors were audible when Mrs Grier opened the door, “Get back, Daisy. Yes, I know you’re excited.”

The older woman opened the door, the pug pushing to the edge but not daring to cross the threshold as she barked and wagged the curly tail. Mrs. Grier shook her head then smiled brightly at the pair. 

“Ava! And you must be Dave,” she said, swinging the door wider, her silver hair pulled up in a French twist. She wore pale gray slacks and a silk short sleeved blouse, classic strand of pearls in place around her neck. “And that must be Prince.” 

Daisy barked and bounced in place, looking with her bugged eyes at the pair of people and the dog, not sure who to settle on. Prince chuffed a bark but seemed more curious than anything, his whip tail slapping at Dave and Ava’s legs as he sniffed at the fat pug. Daisy backed up as Mrs Grier pushed her aside and invited them in. 

“I’m Diana Grier,” she said, offering her hand to Dave after they stepped inside. “I’ve been neighbors with Ava for...what’s it been, dear? Three years?” 

She spoke with a soft tidewater Virginia accent, a genteel southern drawl, her features still elegant despite her age. Inside the house the living room was spotless and comfortable, paintings of boats and seashores and a few model ships in bottles sat on shelves of framed photos of her long life. 

“Please, come in and make yourself comfortable, the prime rib is still in the oven, I hope y’all are hungry,” she made a gesture for them to sit down on the cream colored sofa. 

Dave met Mrs. Grier’s smile with one of his own, accompanying Ava into the house. His eyes played swiftly over the scene, checking corners and deep angles through force of habit even as he grinned and offered his hand.  

“Nice to meet ya, ma’am,” he said. “Heard a lot about ya, glad to finally meet.” 

After making sure that Prince would get along with Daisy, Ava stepped forward to give her friend a firm hug. She didn’t squeeze too hard, afraid to hurt the older woman, but she definitely gave her as firm a hug as she could. “Hey Diana, thank you for having us over.”

Mrs Grier chuckled and returned her hug, “Oh, it’s my pleasure, of course. And you’re finally calling me by my first name, it only took a few years.” 

She laughed softly, stepping back to look at Ava with a critical eye. Mrs Grier smiled slowly then glanced over at Dave. “You’re both very welcome in my home. I hope what you heard about me was good. Oh look, Prince might be here but here comes your Nordic god.” 

Thor strolled out of the dining room into the living room, his tail plumed up in the hair and he meowed in a demanding tone as he paused, staring at Ava. Daisy wiggled and pestered the big cat who ignored her as he marched up to his owner and bumped against her shins, then meowing loudly again. 

Ava smiled down at the cat, crouching down and picking him up with a grunt of effort. “Well hey there stranger, long time no see.” She said, scratching and petting his long luxurious fur. “I missed you, were you a good boy for Diana?” She asked, cradling the 20lb cat as best she could. 

“He was an angel,” Mrs. Grier said, “Why he and Daisy are sharing a bed and chasing each other in the garden. But he missed you, when you first leave he sits by the door in the evening. Eventually he joins us in the kitchen but I think he was waiting for you.” 

Prince wagged his tail, Daisy sniffing at him and he returned the favor but now his attention was on the ball of floof in Ava’s arms. He woofed and stuck his nose at Thor who turned and hissed, batting the Dalmation’s nose without claws. This time. 

“Thor, no!” Ava said, turning away so Thor wouldn’t hit Prince again. “I was just feeling bad about leaving you.” She sighed, cautiously putting him down. “Oh, I’m sorry, I’m being rude.” She said, clearing her throat.

She motioned to Dave. “Diana, this is Dave, we met through work and, um, well,” She looked at Dave and smiled with a small blush. “We are seeing each other.” She motioned to Mrs Grier. “And of course, Dave this is Mrs Grier, one of my closest friends and a very understanding cat sitter.”

Dave smiled through the introduction. He reached over and brushed Ava’s arm when she mentioned them being together. 

“Happy to meet ya,” he said again. “I hear a bit of the South in your voice. Whereabouts you from, ma’am?” 

Mrs Grier nodded again at the introduction then gave Ava a playful sly smile, “So this is who you’ve been hiding from me. I thought I saw you over there last time. Well I am happy for you both.” 

She raised a brow at Dave, “I was born in Charleston, South Carolina but we moved up to Virgina when I was still young. Born into a Navy family, married a Navy man. I moved around some but this has been my home for...oh, well too many years now to want to recount.”

The woman smiled, the lines of that habit creasing her skin and she waved them both over. “Please sit, we’ll chat properly at dinner. I need to get that prime rib out of the oven, I am not a gambler but if I was a betting woman I’d bet you’re a man that likes his beef rare or at least medium rare. Ava, would you mind lending me a hand?” 

“Sure!” She beamed then switched to glaring down at Thor, the large cat curled up around her legs and glaring at Prince with his tail flicking back and forth. “Be nice.” She chastised the cat before following Mrs Grier to her kitchen.

[color=598527]>...///[/color]

The table was set with the good china, the antique porcelain with delicate blue flowering patterns. The prime rib was medium rare, a healthy pink in the middle and sliced with precision, beside it sat the potatoes and the roasted broccoli. A basket of rolls was half empty, the gravy boat docked in front of Dave’s plate. 

As they ate, Mrs Grier gently gave Dave the inquisition, “I do remember seeing you before, Dave and not too long ago. I am curious as to where and how you and Ava met.”

She glanced at the redhead, giving her warm smile, “No offense darling, but I remember when you were too nervous to go to a co-worker’s Stranger Things viewing party.” 

Ava flushed at the mention of the invitation. That had only been last month, but it felt like years ago. “No, no, that’s fair.” She said with a chuckle, looking to Dave for him to answer the question.

“Oh, we met at work,” Dave said. He and Ava had prepared for this question, discussing believable possibilities until settling on one they felt was right. “We were workin’ at the same site. I’m a security contractor, so I was on the protection detail, and we just kinda hit it off.”

He grinned over at Ava, proud of himself for having remembered the story. 

Mrs. Grier smiled at that, looking at Ava with a glint in her hazel eyes, “I see, there is a charm to a man capable of protecting you and still being a gentleman.” 

She glanced over at Dave, “I don’t need to ask you what you saw, any man would be very lucky to have Ava’s attention.” 

Setting her fork down, she said, “And I am very happy for you both and you’re welcome here. Ava will you be home for some time or are you going to be off again soon?”

Ava returned Dave’s smile, proud at how smoothly he answered the question. She turned to her friend at the question. “Oh, I’m going to be home for a good while. After the last case, we’ve been given leave to...rest and relax.” She said after a brief pause. That wasn’t the reason but that was the good she was choosing to see in the situation. “4 months at least so, you won’t need to be looking after Thor again for awhile.” 

Dave reached over beneath the table and squeezed Ava’s leg, still focusing outwardly on his food. 

“Gonna spend part of the time here, an’ then go see what’s what in my home state,” Dave said. “Be a good time. Do some hikin’, kick back in the Ozarks. Meet my dog.” He grinned at Ava. “He’s bigger’n she is.”

“So you’ll be home for the holidays, that’s wonderful. And I’m sure your dog misses you as well, Dave, it’s hard to be away from our fur babies,” Mrs Grier said, her expression still warm but a hint of concern came to her eyes, “Not that I don’t mind taking care of Thor but we all miss you. I’ve got a few things to do as well in about two weeks, I might need someone to babysit Daisy for a day or two, if possible. You don’t need to take her if you can’t but come by the house and check on things, feed and walk her.” 

Ava perked up, eyes brightening at the chance to repay Mrs Grier for looking after Thor. “Oh I can bring her over, it’s no problem!” She said with a grin. “Especially since her and Thor are friends now. I’d love to watch her for you.”

Daisy, hearing her name, waddled over to the table and stared bug eyed up at both Ava and Mrs Grier, her curling pink tongue lolling out. She shuffled in a circle and yapped once and Prince followed over, his soft ears perked up at the idea of getting some prime rib. Only Thor remained aloof, but his tail twitched and the keen golden eyes narrowed as the dogs begged. 

“That’s very nice of you,” Mrs. Grier said, “That’s one less thing to worry about. And look at you, Daisy, you spoiled girl. It’s my fault really. I never let my children feed the dogs from the table.” 

She was already cutting a piece of the beef from the slice on her plate, her food had a few bites gone but most still on her plate. “How we spoil our grandchildren.”

Mrs. Grier tossed a piece to Prince who snapped it out of the air and one down to Daisy who let it hit her in the face before snatching it from the floor. 

“Speaking of dogs,” she said, watching Prince stare and wag his tail, and she laughed lightly, “I’m sorry I’ve made it worse. But as I was saying, that friend I told you about that manages the farm. They’re willing to take Prince tomorrow, she said they will train him to be what he was born to be and very few of his breed get the chance to do. He’ll be a carriage dog for a reenacting troupe that boards their horses there. They do the whole colonial and Civil war era reenactments and have a carriage. She offered to help train Prince to run alongside them when they do their shows and he’ll have a home at the farm.” 

Ava’s face lit up. “That would be great!” She said excitedly, setting her fork down and clapping her hands. “That’ll be just perfect for you Prince, won’t it?” She cooed, Prince walking up to her at the sound of her name, happily wagging his tail at her excitement. “You love running around, yes you do.” She said, ruffling up his ears and scratching his head.

She looked back up at Mrs Grier with a wide smile. “Thank you so much Diana, I can’t begin to pay you back for everything you’ve done to help me.” She said, tears unexpectedly starting to build in her eyes. “I’ll find some way though, I promise.”

“I’m happy to do it,” Mrs Grier replied, “You’ve been a good friend and company for me.”

She smiled but saw the tears in Ava’s eyes and reached over to pat her hand, “No tears, my dear. Or you’ll get me going. I’m just glad you moved in next door. I get lonely sometimes, all my children and grandchildren and none of them live in Virginia let alone close by. One of them is all the way on the other side of the country.”

Mrs Grier gave her a tight lipped smile, “I’ve got my Gardening Club and all those things but I value our friendship, you don’t have to even think about paying me back. If anything, just keep going, I’m so happy you’re not locking yourself away so much.” 

She glanced at Dave and back at Ava, touching the delicate chain of her necklace, the heavy gold band hidden under her silk blouse. “That makes me happy. Also your cheesecake, I never did master it as you have.” 

Ava laughed, dabbing at her eyes with the back of her hand. “In that case, I’ll be sure to make a cheesecake and bring you a slice.” She smiled, placing her hand on top of Mrs Grier’s. She smiled and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad I moved next door too.”

Dave beamed through their conversation, happy just to see Ava happy. He ate in silence while the two chatted, occasionally taking a surreptitious glance around and then lowering a piece of fat to one dog or the other. At the mention of cheesecake he perked up.

“You make cheesecake?” He asked, hope in his voice. 

Ava laughed again and nodded over at Dave. “Yes, I make cheesecake. I need to go shopping anyway and I’ll get the ingredients for it.” She smiled at the both of them. “We could all use a little cheesecake.”

Dave nodded. “Alright well, you’re gonna teach me, an’ I’m gonna make one, so we’ve got two. Cuz I don’t wanna have to fight Diana over cheesecake. Pretty sure she’s gonna win.” 

[color=598527]>...///[/color]

Ava blinked her eyes as she felt them start to grow heavy. She was snuggled up on the couch with Dave, her belly still full from the feast they had eaten at Mrs Grier’s and with Batman the animated series on; she was surprised she hadn’t fallen asleep yet.

Thor was perched on the back of the couch, keeping a watchful eye on Prince whom was snoring softly on the loveseat. After being chained in a yard all his life, Ava didn’t blame the dog for wanting to sleep on the softest bed available.

She yawned,turning to rest her chin on Dave’s chest and look up at him. “Hi.” She muttered with a small smile.

Dave cracked an eye, his attention drawn by her small movements and the sound of her voice. The food, the couch, and Ava’s body against his had lulled him into a steady nap, undisturbed until she greeted him. He met her smile with a grin of his own. 

“Hi,” he said. 

She noticed him rousing and rubbed her hand up and down his arm. “Do you want to head to bed?”

“Only if you want to,” Dave said. He yawned expansively, then stretched his shoulders. “I’m good here, watchin’ the show with ya.” 

She grinned at his yawn and laid her head down, snuggling up against his chest. “Mm, I like this.” She murmured with a happy sigh. “Let’s just stay here forever. No more Program or anything.”

Dave felt a pang at her words and squeezed her. 

“I like this too,” he whispered. He was silent a moment. “We could, you know. After all this is done? I wanna see this out, but after that…” He trailed off. 

She looked up at him curiously. “What do you mean? We could what?”

"We could… Quit. Walk away. Live, ya know?" He sighed, looking over at the wall. "No more sneakin' around. No more hurtin' people. No more killin'. Just live." 

“…You think they would let us?” She asked Dave quietly, her voice tinted with both hope and doubt. “Let me?”

"I think we ain't no good to 'em if we don't want to be there in the first place," Dave said. "I think they're smart enough to know that. An' I think Donnelley could put in a word. Queen and Ghost too, maybe." 

Ava looked at him, eyes holding conflicting emotions. She clearly wanted to believe what he was saying could happen, but there was a pessimistic side of her that was doubtful. “Back in Alaska,” Ava said, her voice soft. “When we all found each other, before Donnelley called Foster, he told us…That that was our only chance to walk away.”

“But once this is over, that might be different,” Dave said. He shook his head. “I gotta believe that. Once we finish this, once we kill who needs killin’, I gotta believe there’s a way out.” 

His arms tightened around her. “We can’t spend our lives like this, sugar.” 

She smiled at him. “That does sound really nice.” She murmured, her eyes unfocusing and staring off in the distance. She focused back on him and her expression warmed, though it was tempered by a lingering shadow. “I hope we can do that.”

“Me too,” Dave said quietly. He leaned down to kiss her forehead and gave her another squeeze. “Me too.” 

Ava shut her eyes at the kiss, resting against Dave’s chest and in his arms as a battle raged inside. A struggle to want to believe that they could eventually get out, but unable to ignore the reality that she had seen.

She tightened her hand on Dave’s shirt and opened her eyes to look up at him. She leaned up and planted a firm kiss on his lips.

He blinked in surprise, but met the kiss all the same, pulling her against him. His hand squeezed her hip as he deepened the kiss, their bodies melding, the firm warmth of her urging him on. After a few moments he pulled back and grinned. 

“Should I pause Batman?” He asked, his eyes dancing. 

She met his eyes and nodded, pressing her face to his neck and jaw and laying kisses there.

Dave groaned and reached for the remote, fumbling until he found it. 

[i]“Pausing Batman.” [/i]