Return

Автор: Anastasia

As we were already sitting at the table, I suddenly heard someone cry: "Lindsay, Lindsay Donner." My heart missed a beat: who could know me in this restaurant? Connor was obviously surprised as well; he threw me a quizzical glance. I turned around and saw Harold’s smiling face.

He came closer, exclaiming: "Isn’t it our sweet little interpreter?"

Behind him I could see Edward, a bit confused like always. I knew the rules and so I smiled one of my dazzling smiles: "Oh, Harry, great to see you again. It was so touching to have a personal cleaner!"

Connor chuckled, obviously amused, he must have guessed I was teasing Harold. Harold went red but nevertheless continued.

"It was sweet having you ‘round. Babysitting?" he showed at AJ in my arms.

I shook my head: "Didn’t I tell you I was engaged? It’s my husband, professor doctor Doyle and my daughter, Anne Julia."

Harold was taken aback, looking at Connor’s outstretched hand. Meanwhile Edward asked me: "Are you all right? You disappeared without leaving a trace, Gerard just came back without you."

"It was a hard time," I admitted, remembering my horror at the plant in Archangelsk, "but I survived."

"What are you plans now?" Edward had a great deal of trouble, overcoming his shyness and I sympathized with him just like I did during our sojourn in Rome.

"Take a sit," I invited, smiling. As we sat down at the table, I continued: "Well, we plan to go back to US in December, we’ve got a lot to do there." I cast a sidelong look at Connor and Harold. The latter was feeling ill at ease, talking to Connor. I thought, with a deal of gloat, that now it was his turn to be beyond himself with annoyance.

"I’m glad you’re all right and this husband of yours looks like a nice guy," Edward wavered, not sure whether to continue.

I smiled reassuringly: "Yes, I’m just lucky to have Connor and AJ."

"I hope you don’t think bad of us, me and Harold. He’s not a bad guy, just a bit too unruly," Edward was carefully looking for the words he used.

"You don’t have to apologize, Edward, it’s really all right," I smiled again. "I’ve got two eyes and believe me, I can understand who is who. You and Harold are two different persons, it was clear to me from the day I saw you both. And Harold is quite all right, I can manage."

Edward finally smiled, hearing this: "You’re a dear. By the way, do you know what happened to Gerard? Short after he returned without you to Rome, he just disappeared into thin air."

I shook my hand. Poor Gerard, he underestimated Elsinger, he thought he’d get away with the knowledge Elsinger murdered me. I felt really sorry for him for Gerard wasn’t a bad man, just under the wrong influence. "I’m not quite sure, I guess we’ll never find out," I shrugged. "Anyway whatever happened to him was his own will, nothing can happen again someone’s will."

"Always?" Edward’s eyes attentively watched me.

I saw again the dark plant, a figure in an anorak and slowly nodded: "Always."

From a corner of my eye I saw Connor approaching, annoyed Harold following him.

I smiled: "It was great to meet you both, I’m glad you got to know Connor and AJ."

Harold threw me a look that promised no good, Edward returned my smile and answered: "Yeah, it was really nice. I hope we’ll meet someday in US."

"Take care," I shook their hands, amused at Harold’s uneasiness and watched the both men disappear in the light of the bright afternoon. Then I turned to Connor: "Honey, I’m sorry you had to talk to Harold, he’s not very pleasant I guess."

Connor shrugged, as I thought he would: "He’s all right, just a human."

I laughed against my will: "Connor, you’re the sweetest person I ever met. I love you."

He was a bit surprised but looked pleased: "Whatever made you say this, Lin, thanks. I love you too."

Outside the sun shone bright, unaware of what was going on.

I was packing my bags when the telephone rang. At first I wasn’t sure it was my telephone. I haven’t used it for ages, I thought it wouldn’t work in Russia and so just put it aside, sorry to throw it away. But it was ringing, playing Beethoven, like a message from past. I was uncertain about picking up, on the other hand the number was known only to the team members and therefore there could be no one of particular danger. After some wavering I finally took the phone: "Donner."

"Lindsay, oh God, it’s great to hear from you again!" it was Peter.

"Pete," in a sudden rush of emotions I felt tears appear in my eyes. I thought I’d never hear from him again.

"I thought you were dead," he hurried on, "you answered none of my calls."

"I’m sorry Pete, I just put the mobile phone aside but yesterday AJ must have been playing with it and so she switched it on," I explained.

"AJ?" there was surprise in his voice. "Sorry, I just don’t follow."

"I’m married, Pete and I’ve got a little daughter, Anne Julia. We call her AJ," I smiled, imagining the flabbergasted look Pete had now. He was never good at hiding his emotions.

"But you told me if you’d ever marry it’d be Connor Doyle," said Peter. "Axon, it is Doyle," I waited for his reaction.

"You mean, Connor Doyle is really alive?" now Pete was baffled, if not thunderstruck.

"Yes, he saved my life in Russia, that is where Frank tried to, let’s say, "remove" me."

"Oh, Lin, I can imagine how many things you’ve seen through," there was sympathy in his voice and I knew it was genuine.

"I’m sorry Pete, I made you suffer, I told you so many bad and hurting things," I apologized, "you’ve got my letter, haven’t you?"

"Yes, and to say honestly I was afraid then, afraid I’d never see you again, girl. You gave me a fright. You and that friend of yours," now he was laughing.

"Doyle?" I teased. "However Peter, we’re coming back to US next month, just to take care of our dear chef."

"Frankie boy?" Pete mocked.

"Exactly. You’re not as bad as you pretend to be Axon," I laughed. Everything was the same between us and I was relieved.

"Got to go now, Lin, the bald headed is here," said Peter.

"This is how you respect the Case Manager!" I teased again, then added softly: "See you later, Pete. Thanks for the call."

"Take care honey, best wishes to Connor." Then there was silence.

I thoughtfully put down the phone. It was fate, making such decisions. It just fell out of my bag yesterday and AJ picked it up. She was rather curious and enjoyed grapping things. I let her play with the phone; pretty sure it didn’t work properly. And now Pete’s call. Anyway I was glad he called and I was glad we were coming back. I missed the team and I missed O.S.I.R.

I was so lost in thoughts I didn’t mention the door open and as Connor put his hand on my shoulder, I almost cried out loud.

"Honey, what’s wrong?" he asked, smiling.

"Sorry, Connor, I was so lost in thoughts I didn’t hear you come in," I sighed self - consciously.

"Dreaming ‘bout Peter?" Connor teased. "Should I be jealous of him?"

I shook my hand and perhaps he noticed I was in no mood for joking because he lowered himself to the floor and looked into my eyes. "Everything ok?" he asked in a worried tone.

"Yes," I almost lied but then quickly added, "No, Connor, Pete just called. I’m worried about him, Connor, I know he doesn’t get on well with bald headed and he’s seen through hard times. I wish he were here with us."

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