“She did. She actually gave up more than I did. She literally gave up everything – her home, her title and wealth, her occupation... everything. I kept my job and actually ended up with a promotion of sorts.”

Brianna’s lips twisted wryly. “Yeah... those ‘of sorts’ things can get you into real trouble – usually more work and responsibility for less money. But Es, from what you said she didn’t give up her home. She fought for that.”

Esmeralda tilted her head in confusion. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean, Brianna. I know the home she had before... the home we shared. We don’t live there anymore.”

This time Brianna smiled. “Oh Es... that was just a house. The home she shares is with you, and she refused to give that up.” Esmeralda covered her lips but couldn’t contain the gasp that escaped. Brianna patted her free hand. “See, I got the important parts.”

“Even better than I did, apparently,” Esmeralda replied self-deprecatingly. “Sometimes I am such an idiot.”

Brianna snorted. “Sometimes we all are, my friend. Otherwise, the world would be a much nicer place to live, and I wouldn’t be sitting here trying to figure out what to do about the woman I have been in love with for more than half my life.”

“What would you like to do?”

“Kiss her senseless??” Brianna replied immediately, then promptly blushed. “I mean....”

Esmeralda smiled. “Oh, I think you meant exactly that, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I’m just not sure it’s the right thing to do in this case at the moment.” She paused. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” Brianna said good-naturedly. “It’s not like I have to answer, and it’s not like I couldn’t use some help here if you’ve got any ideas. Go for it.”

“You’re considered out, aren’t you? People know your orientation?”

Brianna frowned. “Pretty much, yes. I mean... I didn’t announce it over a PA system like Ellen did, and I don’t introduce myself as Brianna Walker, lesbian, but it’s pretty common knowledge as far as I know. I haven’t used a man as an escort since my first year out of college and I have been seen with women publicly – both for professional reasons and in my personal life.” She hesitated, then continued. “I’m no blushing virgin, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Esmeralda’s brows went into her hairline. “Um, no... that wasn’t what I was asking, but thanks for sharing,” grinning when Brianna stuck out her tongue. “No... I was asking because - would you go into the closet? Would you hide your relationship to be with Charisma?”

Brianna held green eyes that matched her own for a long moment, then shook her head. “I don’t think I could,” she said honestly. “I don’t think I could be someone I’m not to be with anyone.” She shrugged. “If I can’t be honest and be who I am with the person who is supposed to love me unconditionally, what kind of foundation are we going to have together? So no. Besides,” she added, clasped her hands together in her lap. “Charisma is married and that makes her off-limits to me. I’m not a home wrecker... ever.”

“All right – I can appreciate the sentiment. I actually agree with you... about all of it. And as bad as I hate to say it, and as much as you don’t want to hear it, I think your very best option at the moment is to become friends with Charisma again. She’ll fight it and she’ll resist you, but she needs you. She needs your friendship. Nothing has been quite right for her since you left, and she knows that in her heart of hearts whether she admits it anywhere else or not. It’s gonna be an uphill battle though.”

“Of course it is,” Brianna grumbled.

Esmeralda studied her speculatively for a long moment. “If I gave you an opportunity to get your foot in the door, would you take it?”

“What are you talking about?”

Esmeralda shook her head. “Uh uh... blind faith. If I can arrange it so she gets to see the friend she loves and remembers, will you take the chance?”

“Of course, Es. I’d do anything – short of breaking the law or breaking up her marriage. As much as I love her... have always loved her... I miss her friendship in my life. There were a lot of times in the past twenty years when I wished for her advice and counsel.”

“All right,” Esmeralda nodded. “You just keep doing what you’ve been doing – be polite and kind and friendly. I’ll do what I can on my end.”

“How will I know?”

“You just will,” Esmeralda promised. “It’ll feel right.”

Brianna looked at her askance, but slowly nodded her agreement. “All right... If you say so.”

“I say so.”

Brianna snickered. “You sound like my grandmother.” She chanced a look at the clock. “Holy crap! Saphira is going to kill me for keeping you here so late. She’s gotta be worried. C’mon,” she encouraged, holding out her hand and tugging them both to their feet. “We need to get you to the diner before she sets the entire DC police force out after me.”

Esmeralda giggled and lightly squeezed the hand she held. “It’s all right, Brianna. I called her before I came back in here. She’s already headed for home. I’ll just go straight there tonight.”

Brianna looked her over shrewdly. “And you’ll let me drive you home, right? I don’t feel right about you being out by yourself at this time of night.”

“I have a guardian angel,” Esmeralda stated without compunction knowing Coral was waiting out of sight not too far away. “But if it’ll make you feel better, I‘ll be happy to,” she added with a smile before Brianna could protest.

“Good,” Brianna muttered. “Glad we got that settled,” going around behind her desk. “Give me a minute to call Jasper and we can head out.”

“I still have to put my cart away. Would you like me to meet you somewhere or...?”

“I’ll walk with you; then you can walk with me.”

Esmeralda nodded. “That sounds good,” waiting as Brianna made her call and shut down her office for the night. Then they headed out together.

Brianna looked around in wonder, never having seen that part of the Senate Building. It was positively plain, though it was also spotlessly clean. “So different,” she murmured. Esmeralda smiled at her words.

“Isn’t that the way things are in life as well?” not specifying what she meant, but Brianna nodded anyway.

“I suppose it is,” she agreed softly. “Now c’mon... let’s get you home.”

************

“So are you any closer to understanding?” Saphira asked when she closed the door behind Esmeralda. Brianna had been as good as her word and dropped Esmeralda off at home, waiting until she was inside and had turned and waved before instructing Jasper to take her home. Esmeralda blew out a breath and leaned against the closed door with her eyes closed for a moment. Saphira tenderly cupped Esmeralda’s cheek and leaned down until only Esmeralda would hear her bare whisper. “Sweetheart?”

Green eyes blinked open and Esmeralda gave Saphira a wan smile even as she covered the hand on her face. “I understand that I’m an idiot,” causing Saphira to frown. She giggled tiredly. “However... that’s neither here nor there at the moment as it had nothing to do with this assignment. I do have an idea that may help jumpstart things for them. Have we heard anything from Mal?”

“No,” Saphira supplied, leaning forward and kissing Esmeralda briefly, surprised when Esmeralda held on and deepened it for several minutes. Despite their interlude only a few days previous – their first since Esmeralda had started on the long road to recovery – things were still not very physical between them. Esmeralda still tended to exhaustion most days and Saphira refused to push. She was able to hold Esmeralda in her arms every night, and that was a blessing beyond price.

Still, she rarely considered herself to be stupid and when Esmeralda offered as she was doing now, Saphira simply wrapped Esmeralda in strong arms and held on for dear life.

Slowly, Esmeralda pulled back from Saphira until she could look into the blue eyes she treasured so much. Esmeralda reached up a hand to cup Saphira’s face, smiling when Saphira leaned into her touch.

“I love you,” Esmeralda said gently. “So much.”

Saphira left her hands on Esmeralda’s waist and turned her face until she could brush Esmeralda’s palm with her lips.

“And I love you, Esmeralda.”

“I know, Saphira. I know by your words and your actions and the look in your eyes. I just don’t want you to ever wonder about how I feel about you.”

Saphira smiled. “I’ve never doubted you, Esmeralda.” She let her smile become a leer. “But anytime you’d like to remind me like that,” licking her lips, “please feel free.” Esmeralda chuckled and threw herself into Saphira’s arms. Saphira caught her and held on, rocking them back and forth. “You wanna tell me what brought this on?”

“Brianna. We had an interesting talk tonight. And she reminded me that I have everything I need in my life – I have you.”

“I hope you never have cause to doubt that,” Saphira said quietly. “I hope I never give you a reason to.”

“You won’t,” Esmeralda affirmed. “Not after everything we’ve been through.” She slid out of Saphira’s arms and let her feet touch the floor. Then she linked her fingers with Saphira’s and tugged her towards the bed. “I want to hold you tonight. Tomorrow I’ll tell you what I’m thinking about all this.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

************

It was later than they normally got up. Already the day crew was up and gone; Amber and Coral had returned some minutes ago and were in the kitchen preparing something to eat. Still they lay together while Esmeralda told Saphira about her conversation with Brianna the day before.

“Are you sure you want to get involved like that?” Saphira asked when Esmeralda laid out her idea to help facilitate the building of the friendship between Brianna and Charisma. Esmeralda leaned up from her spot on Saphira’s chest where she’d been listening to the strong heartbeat beneath her cheek. The disbelieving look on her face spoke volumes and Saphira waved her hands to stop her speech before Esmeralda could make a comment. “You know what I mean.”

Esmeralda shook her head. “I’m not sure I do, Phira. We’re already involved in this... up to our eyeballs.”

“I know, Es, but this is different.” She paused. “Isn’t it?”

Esmeralda shook her head. “No, Sweetheart. We’re just expanding our horizons by....” Whatever her thought was going to be, it remained incomplete as there was a rapid knock on the door mere seconds before it opened and Amber stuck her head in, eyes firmly closed.

“You need to come quick, Es. Opal’s on the phone. I think there’s trouble in paradise again.”

Esmeralda sat up and reached for her robe, slipping into it before she stood and tying it as she made her way towards the door with Saphira right behind her. Esmeralda nodded at Coral who put the phone on speaker so they could all hear Opal’s conversation.

“Opal? What’s up?”

“I’m not sure Es,” Opal practically whispered into the phone. “Charisma had me call Brianna in for a meeting.”

Four sets of eyes around the table widened comically and they exchanged flabbergasted expressions before Esmeralda cleared her throat. “Excuse me?”

Opal sighed. “You heard me. Charisma had me call Indi and set up a meeting between them. She should be here in.... Hello Senator Walker. Thank you for your rapid response. Allow me to announce you to Senator Tagherty.” Through the connection, they heard Opal knock on the door and inform her of Brianna’s presence, then Opal ushered Brianna into the inner sanctum before she resumed her seat and picked the receiver up once more.

“I suppose you heard all of that?”

“Yes,” Esmeralda replied decisively. “What brought this on?”

“I don’t know, boss. We didn’t get much more warning than what I gave you.”

Esmeralda blew out a breath. “All right. Keep your eyes and ears open and call me back once Brianna’s gone back to her office. I’m gonna give Indi a call.”

“Will do, boss.”

“Thanks Opal. Good work.”

Amber put a cup of coffee in front of Esmeralda even as Coral hung up the phone, then turned around and dialed Indi. It didn’t ring twice before Indi picked up. “Senator Brianna Walker’s office. This is Indigo – how may I help you?”

“Indi, it’s Es,” Esmeralda said without preamble. “What happened?”

They could almost hear Indi’s shrug through the phone. “I dunno, Es. Opal called; I put her through to Brianna. Next thing I knew she was out the door and down the hall.”

Esmeralda pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. “How did she seem?”

“Determined, if I had to put a name to it. She didn’t hesitate and she was pretty focused when she walked out of here.”

Esmeralda sighed. “All right. Let me know what happens when she gets back, will ya?”

“You betcha, boss. Anything else?”

“No, Indi. Thanks.” Esmeralda nodded at Coral who thumbed the phone off and hung it up. Esmeralda leaned back when Amber put a plate of food down in front of her. There was the sound of chairs scraping against the floor and silverware tinkling against plates, but otherwise it was quiet in the kitchen as they allowed Esmeralda to process what she’d just heard.

After a while, she pushed back from her place and leaned back in her chair. Three sets of eyes turned her way and she sighed.

“Now what?” Amber asked before Esmeralda could speak. Saphira reached out a hand and smacked the back of her head. Amber clapped a hand on her head and turned to glare at Saphira. “What’d you do that for??” Saphira just gave her a look.

“All right you two... enough,” Esmeralda said without a hint of a smile, though Coral was having problems keeping a straight face. “Now we wait. Who knows... maybe they’ll solve this without us now.”

“But you don’t think so,” Saphira stated without question. Esmeralda shook her head.

“No. It’s never that easy.”

“Okay, so now what?” Amber asked again. “And no smacking,” she added with a glare in Saphira’s direction. “It’s a legitimate question.”

“Yes, it is. But for right now... we do nothing. We can’t do anything until we know what they’re doing.”

“Any thoughts about that?” Coral asked.

“I have all kinds of thoughts,” Esmeralda replied dryly. “But I’d like to wait and see what we hear from Opal and Indi. I have a feeling this is Charisma’s attempt to take control of things before they get completely away from her. I doubt Brianna is gonna let that happen.”

“Well, you did say things were going to get more interesting.”

“Lucky me,” Esmeralda answered drolly, drawing laughs from around the table. She stood up and Saphira followed, picking up their plates and moving them to the sink... only to be pushed out of the way by Coral and Amber.

“We’ve got this,” they proclaimed. “You two go... do something else. We’ll let you know when Opal and Indi call back. They you can figure out what to do with it.”

“Thanks, guys,” Saphira said with a nod. The she held her hand out to Esmeralda who took it without hesitation. Then they went back into the bedroom and closed the door behind them. Coral and Amber watched them go, then shook their heads and got back to work.

Opal crossed back into the outer office and gestured Brianna forward. When Brianna reached the door, Opal announced her. “Senator Brianna Walker.”

“Thank you, Opal,” Charisma acknowledged with a smile, then she looked at Brianna. “Can she bring you anything...?”

“No thank you.”

Charisma nodded and Opal took the dismissal for what it was, closing the door behind her and returning to her desk to resume her conversation with Esmeralda. Meanwhile, inside the office, Charisma motioned Brianna to a seat. Instead, Brianna stood behind one of the guest chairs facing Charisma and braced her hands on the top.

“Why am I here, Charisma?”

Charisma held Brianna’s gaze, searching the green eyes she’d once known as well as those she saw in the mirror every morning. Brianna didn’t flinch or look away and eventually, Charisma sighed and looked down at her desk for a moment, leaning her arms on it and folding her hands in front of her before bringing her eyes back up to meet Brianna’s.

“Brianna, would you please have a seat?”

Brianna held her gaze another full minute, then relented and took the seat she had been hovering behind. “Now will you tell me why you summoned me, Charisma?”

Charisma’s eyes widened. “I didn’t summon you. I simply asked for a few minutes of your time at your earliest convenience.”

Brianna barely contained the urge to roll her eyes. “Semantics, Charisma,” then held up her hand before Charisma could protest. “It doesn’t matter. What can I do for you?”

Charisma picked up her glasses and leaned back, crossing her legs and bringing the arms of her glasses to her lips. “I thought perhaps we could clear the air... set some ground rules,” watching Brianna’s brows fly into her hairline and her eyes darken to a stormy gray color. “I mean,” she stumbled on hastily, “since we’ll be working together and all.”

Brianna settled back herself, crossing her legs and leaning her elbow on the chair arm so she could prop her head on her fingertips. “Can I ask why?”

Charisma frowned. “I don’t understand – why what?”

“Why this? Why now? It’s not like we’ve really had occasion to interact with one another so far, so why start worrying about it now?”

Charisma sighed. “Because at some point in the near future, we *will* have to interact with each other, and I’d like us to be on the same page when it happens to save us both from being embarrassed or worse.”

“And I’d like for us to be friends again, but I doubt there’s any likelihood of that happening in my lifetime, despite....” trailing off when she saw the anger cloud Charisma’s blue eyes.

“Despite what, Brianna? And I suggest you tread lightly, Senator Walker.”

Brianna shook her head. “No,” she stated. “I’m not treading at all. I’m not getting into this with you here.”

Charisma stood and laid her hands on the desk, leaning forward until she almost reached the other side. “You expect me to simply forget the fact that you walked out on me twenty years ago... with no explanation?”

Brianna rose and mirrored Charisma’s position until they were nose to nose, practically breathing the same air. “I expect you to remember that you never once tried to find out why I did.” She drew in a deep breath and was suddenly assaulted by the scent of Charisma that surrounded her. Instinctively, she closed her eyes and straightened, backing away from the desk and walking towards the door. “You never once considered that I did it for you, did you, Ri?” Brianna smiled sadly at the flummoxed expression on Charisma’s face. She waved her hand to stop Charisma’s speech before she could open her mouth. “It doesn’t matter, Senator,” she went on formally. “I will be the consummate professional on any occasion we are forced to work together. If anyone asks, we were college roommates that lost touch, only to be brought back together again by the winds of chance or Fate or God... whatever. Pick one – I don’t care.”

“Are you serious?”

“As a freaking heart attack,” Brianna replied flatly. She reached the door and put her hand on the knob, then turned back to Charisma once more. “I’ve missed you, Charisma... more than you could possibly understand, but I’m not going to be pushed into anything. However, if you ever decide you want to talk about things, well... you know where to find me.”

A frown creased Charisma’s face. “That’s why I called you down here – so we could talk.”

Brianna shook her head. “No – you called me down here so you could ensure that I wouldn’t screw up your political career by embarrassing you in some way. I can assure you that I won’t and have no intention of doing so. But I don’t want or need your lectures on behavior and deportment.”

“That’s not what....”

“That’s *exactly* what you were going to do. You were planning to give me ground rules, remember? That’s tantamount to a lecture.” Brianna sighed. “Look, I haven’t done anything in twenty years to mess you up. I’m certainly not going to start now.”

Without another word, Brianna opened the door and crossed back into the outer office before shutting the door soundlessly behind her once more. Charisma simply watched her go, unable to think of a way to make her stay without causing some sort of scene. And since that had been the entire point of meeting with Brianna in the first place, she decided that discretion was definitely the better part of valor in this case.

Opal observed the shakiness of Brianna’s limbs as she paused outside the closed door, but did nothing to bring attention to it. Instead she returned the courtesy when Brianna nodded her goodbye, wondering how long it would be before Charisma came storming out of her office.

Meanwhile, Indi followed Brianna into her inner sanctum, hoping she could find out *something* to report to Esmeralda. What she got was a request for a tea tray and some notes on the bill Brianna was currently studying.

When she’d retrieved the things Brianna had asked for, Indi made as if to leave Brianna’s office, intent on calling Opal to see if they could conference call with Esmeralda. A question from Brianna immediately waylaid that idea.

“Indi, do you know the custodian Esmeralda?” Brilliant blue eyes widened, but otherwise she gave no indication of what she thought of the query. She blinked once and nodded, wondering where this had come from and better yet - where it was going.

“Um, yeah... sure. Senator Whitman was very fond of her. He always stayed a few minutes to talk to her when he could, so I’ve known her for a while now, I guess. Why?”

Brianna shrugged. “I think she’s far more than she seems.”

Indi smiled. “Aren’t we all, Senator? I mean, none of us really reveals all of who we are to anyone.”

“That’s true,” Brianna nodded in agreement. “But with her I feel like... I don’t know exactly – I feel like I’m missing something important.”

Indi tilted her head in question. “Do you like her, Senator? Do you trust her?”

Brianna chuckled. “That’s the funny thing – I really do. My gut tells me she’s good people... she and Saphira both. And I learned a long time ago to trust my gut.”

“But...?”

“But she seems too good to be true. Too real... too genuine.”

“If you trust her... trust your gut... shouldn’t that be enough?”

“I don’t know – should it? What are your impressions?”

Indi took a deep breath. She was treading a very thin line. “Senator, I can only tell you what I know from what I’ve learned in this office,” waiting for Brianna to nod before continuing. “Right... in the time I’ve know Esmeralda, she’s proven to be loyal, insightful and able to keep a secret tighter than Fort Knox. Her genuine concern for people could have made her a part of the clergy or the medical field, but she seems happy in what she does as a custodian.” Indi scratched the side of her jaw. “Come to think of it, she’s a really good custodian.”

“And your personal opinion? C’mon, Indi,” Brianna coaxed when Indigo hesitated. “I know you’ve got to have one.”

“I am glad that she is willing to call me friend,” Indigo confessed. “I’d like to be like her when I grow up.”

Brianna’s eyebrows went into her hairline. “May I ask why? Indigo, you’re the epitome of a successful woman – beautiful, brilliant... a college honor grad with a successful career.”

“And you don’t think Es is because she didn’t go to college or because she’s a janitor?”

“I didn’t say that,” Brianna replied defensively. “In fact, it was Es that pointed out to me that most people don’t consider her to be successful for those very reasons.”

“And those that dismiss her miss out on so much - *that* is why I’d like to be her.” She paused. “Is there anything else, Senator?”

Brianna gazed at Indigo for another moment before nodding her head. “Thanks, Indi,” dismissing her before turning back to the work she’d been engrossed in before Charisma’s phone call. Indi nodded and went back to her desk.

Things were finally starting to move – she needed to get ahold of Esmeralda soon. But first she was going to call Opal. They might as well be on the same page before they brought Esmeralda into it.

************

Opal sat quietly taking care of her work and directing the work of the other aides while Charisma remained conspicuously silent behind closed doors. She wondered at the lack of reaction, but like the others in the office, she was just counting her blessings.

For a little while, they just went about their business quietly, so the phone ringing caused everyone to jump slightly. Opal glared at it briefly before lifting the receiver to her ear. “Senator Tagherty’s office. This is Opal – how may I help you?”

“Op... it’s Indi,” her voice quiet across the wire.

“Hey, Indi... what’s up?” equally cautiously.

“What’s happening on your end?”

Opal glanced at the still closed door. “Nothing.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing, Indi. Not one thing.”

“I don’t understand.” Opal rolled her eyes.

“What do you not understand, Indi? Nothing is happening here. Brianna left and closed the door behind her and we haven’t heard anything from Charisma yet. She hasn’t even asked for coffee yet. Why? What’s happening on your side?”

Opal couldn’t see it, but she heard Indi shake her head. “It was weird. Brianna kept me in her office for a few minutes; we had a very cryptic conversation about Es and then she shooed me out to go back to work.”

“And?”

“And? That’s it.”

Opal pulled the phone from her ear and looked at it strangely for a long moment, glad that the rest were too involved in their own work to pay attention to her conversation. Then she tucked the phone back between her face and her shoulder and turned back to her computer.

“All right, Indi. I want you to start this dialogue over; step-by-step and don’t leave out any of the details. Then we can decide what to do next.”

************

“Es, this is Opal and I’ve got Indi conferenced in. Have you got a few minutes?”

“Talk to me, ladies. What’s going on?”

First Opal told her side and then Indi shared hers. Then for several long moments they sat silently while Esmeralda considered their words. Finally, though....

“Es? You still there?” Opal asked since no sound could be heard from Esmeralda’s side of the phone.

“She’s here,” Saphira answered.

“Is everything okay, Saphira?”

“I think so. Es is kind of in her own zone at the moment. Not sure I want to mess with that. Do you want me to have her call you back when she comes out of it?”

“No,” Esmeralda said. “I’m good.” She sighed. “All right. Thank you both. Keep your eyes and ears open, but I doubt you’re gonna have anything to worry about for the rest of the day at least. If I’m wrong, though, feel free to let me know,” her voice dry and droll.

Opal and Indi chuckled. “No thanks, boss. We’re going with the ‘Es is always right’ theory on this one,” Opal stated. “I can’t speak for Indi, but we’re enjoying the peace in Charisma’s office.”

Saphira snorted; Esmeralda just shook her head. “All right. You two get back to work. I’ll be in at my normal time tonight.”

“Nothing special planned tonight Es?”

“No. They’re talking to one another... sorta. I can’t mess with anything if they’re making an effort.”

“Even if their efforts suck?”

“At least it’s an effort,” Saphira commented wryly.

“At least it’s a start,” Esmeralda corrected. “As long as they’re talking....”

“And if they stop?”

“I have an idea how to move things forward. But if I don’t have to, I won’t. All right, guys. Back to work. Thanks.”

“Later, Es.” Then Esmeralda and Saphira were left with nothing but a dial tone.

Esmeralda covered her face with her hands and she leaned into Saphira’s body when strong arms wrapped around her middle. Saphira didn’t speak – she simply rocked them gently together, humming an old lullaby she knew was a favorite of Esmeralda’s.

When Esmeralda dropped her hands from her face, she turned in Saphira’s arms and twined her hands into the dark hair. “Thank you.”

Saphira smiled and hugged Esmeralda to her for a long moment. “C’mon,” she invited. “Let’s go enjoy the sun for a little while before we head for work.”

Esmeralda pulled Saphira’s lips down to meet her own briefly. “I’d like that, love. I’d like that a lot.”

They were out the door in record time and Esmeralda locked her arm with Saphira as they walked against the wind. She took a deep breath. “This is nice,” after a long stretch of silence.

“Yeah, it really is.” She paused. “You all right?”

Esmeralda smiled. “I am. I will be interested to hear their points of view if they decide to share though. I’d like to know what was said in that office and I’ll admit to being a little curious what Brianna was thinking about when she talked to Indi.”

Saphira snorted. “I’d like to know that myself.”

“Well, I promise if I find out, so will you.”

“Sounds good. In the meantime....”

“In the meantime, we’ve got to get to work. Who knows what adventures await us today.”

Saphira just shook her head, and guided them to the nearest metro stop.

“Sorry it took so long. This is the first chance I’ve had to get here.”

“Easier than just calling?”

“Coming here via the heavenly express takes about as much time as making a phone call and I knew I could catch you in person at this time of day.”

“So what’s up?”

“Well, first you need to know Kent’s going to be gone for a little while longer. He has actually been legitimately busy with his theatre gig. He’s at the theatre as we speak – the show is already in dress rehearsals, and he’s signed for at least three months.”

“Does Charisma know?”

Mal shrugged. “I don’t know. He hasn’t called her since I’ve been with him.” Saphira and Esmeralda exchanged glances and Mal simply watched them communicate silently for a long moment before they turned back to her simultaneously. Her eyes widened. “What?”

“What else?” Esmeralda asked. “If that was all you knew, you’d have just called and left a message with someone, knowing I’d get it fairly quickly.”

Mal smiled crookedly. “Some days you’re just too smart for your own good,” shaking her head and taking a sip of her coffee. “You’re right – there’s more... I’m just not sure how much more.” She sighed and took another swallow of coffee, aware that the impatience in Saphira’s expression was the antithesis to the serenity Esmeralda wore.

“Well?” Saphira prompted, only to clamp her lips together when Esmeralda laid a comforting hand on her arm. “Sorry,” Saphira mumbled after taking a deep breath. “I’m just....”

Mal smiled and patted her other arm. “Trust me, Saphira. We’ve all been where you are and felt like you’ve felt. No one wants this settled soon more than we do – even those of us who haven’t been on this assignment as long as you and Es have.” She turned back to Esmeralda. “I’m still working on what the more is. I think he’s invested in some sort of fledgling business... at least he seems to be spending most of his free time away from the theatre there. I’m still trying to ascertain if he’s interested in the business itself or someone in particular there.”

“What’s the business?”

“It’s a bar/restaurant.”

“Like a sports bar combo?”

Mal shook her head. “No. It’s more upscale. They’re completely separate yet part of the same building.”

“Thoughts?”

“I don’t think I’ve got enough evidence to support anything at this point... not even impressions. Give me another day or two and I’ll get back to you with something more concrete.”

Esmeralda nodded thoughtfully. “All right, Mal. Good work, thanks.”

“You know it, boss. I’ll be back as soon as I have something more to report,” she added as she rose and emptied her cup before she nodded to them and headed out the door. Esmeralda and Saphira remained where they were, hands still cradling their coffee cups. Finally, Saphira spoke.

“How do you stand this?”

Esmeralda gave her a smile and leaned her head on Saphira’s shoulder. “Lots of practice.” She patted Saphira’s leg with her free hand. “C’mon,” she continued after a moment, sitting up straight once more. “We’re gonna be late.” She slid forward and stood then offered her hand to Saphira.

Saphira accepted the proffered hand and stood, keeping Esmeralda’s hand in hers as they exited the shop and headed for the metro once more.

************

Esmeralda slowly pushed her cart through the hallway, stopping at each office to clean as she made her way towards Charisma’s office. Opal had given her an update as soon as she arrived on the floor, ensuring Esmeralda knew Charisma had yet to emerge from her office after Brianna’s visit.

She interacted with everyone that she encountered, spending a little time with the people in each office as she went along... like she did every working day. However, the later it got, the fewer people she met - until she was sure she was the only one left on her floor.

Still her training held and she knocked on each door before she entered either outer or inner office. When she reached Brianna’s office, she wasn’t really surprised to find it empty. Given what Indi had shared with her earlier, she’d have been more surprised to find Brianna waiting for her. She was a little stunned at how much Brianna’s sudden doubts hurt.

Esmeralda bit her lip and shook her head. She knew better than to take anything personally – in her job, she couldn’t afford to. But it was hard not to in this case. So much of this *was* personal and familiar and it made her heart hurt on a number of levels. She wondered, however briefly, if what she felt now was part of His punishment, but she didn’t dwell on it. She couldn’t afford to... not now. Later maybe, when this was resolved, she would be able to give the idea more consideration.

She turned her attention back to her work, cleaning methodically and quickly. Only when she reached the rogue’s gallery of pictures did Esmeralda slow down and take a good look at the images in the photographs. She didn’t even hear the door open and close behind her.

“Do you see any answers, Es?” Brianna asked as she leaned casually against the door. She had to smile – except for the slightest hesitation at the initial sound of her voice, Esmeralda hadn’t reacted to her unexpected presence at all... not even a flinch at the vaguely accusing tone.

“It would probably help if I knew what the questions were first, Brianna,” Esmeralda replied evenly, continuing to study the pictures for another moment before she looked up to meet green eyes. She shrugged. “I know what I see.”

Brianna cocked a brow. “And what is that?”

“I see two women who have lost the ability to communicate with one another... on the most basic level.”

Brianna glared. “How do you do that?” slapping her palm against the door before crossing her arms over her chest. “How do you know...?” She held up a hand before Esmeralda could respond. “Who are you, Esmeralda? Who are you... really?”

“No one, Brianna. I am no one.”

“Nuh uh. Not buying it.”

“I’m not sure what you want me to tell you, Brianna.”

“The truth, Es. All I want is the truth,” her tone one of frustration tinged with anger, though Esmeralda wasn’t sure at whom the anger was directed.

“I haven’t lied to you, Brianna. I wouldn’t lie... not about something this important.”

“See? There you go again! Why is this important? After all, I’ve lived with this for almost twenty years. So why does it matter to anyone besides me at this point? It hasn’t up to now!”

Esmeralda held Brianna’s gaze for a long moment before she answered carefully. “I can’t really say anything about that... I’m not God, you know. But you know why it matters to me – I would never see anyone suffer what Saphira and I have to be together.”

“Why would you think Charisma would even care? She hasn’t given me any sign that it makes a difference to her except how her career is concerned. And yet you’re certain she does care beyond her career aspirations, aren’t you?” She paused. “Who are you really, Es? And how do you know this stuff?”

Esmeralda tilted her head and gave Brianna a tiny smile. “Would you believe I’m an answer to prayer? That I was put here in this time and place for a reason?”

The unexpected reply caused Brianna to start, then freeze as her mind processed Esmeralda’s words. Esmeralda stood still and let Brianna think about what she said, waiting for the deep breath and exhalation she knew was coming. When it happened, Esmeralda smiled at the wonder that filled Brianna’s eyes.

“You know what?” Brianna finally said after a long moment. “I would actually believe that. I’m a firm believer in karma... that everything happens in its own time and way for a reason.” She dropped her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t know who you are, Esmeralda or who sent you here, but I guess it really doesn’t matter. I truly am glad to have met you.”

“I’m glad to have met you too, Brianna.”

Brianna pushed off the door. “Do you have a few minutes?”

“For you? Absolutely.” Esmeralda paused and waited for Brianna to cross the room and take a seat on the couch before moving over to join her. “What can I do for you?”

“Tell me more about yourself... or about you and Saphira.”

Esmeralda frowned. That hadn’t been what she’d expected to hear. “What would you like to know?”

“Anything you’d like to share. You know so much about me, and yet I know next to nothing about you. I’d like to change that.”

“Level out the playing field a little?”

Brianna shrugged and blushed faintly. “Maybe,” she conceded.

Esmeralda looked at her for a moment, then rose from her spot on the couch to resume her work. “I have a better idea,” she said as she grabbed the duster and began her next round of cleaning, paying special attention to the pictures Brianna treasured. “Why don’t you come to visit Saphira and me this weekend? We have a few hours on Saturday or all of Sunday together, and we’d be glad to have you join us for a meal and some conversation.”

Brianna’s eyes widened. “I’d like that.”

Esmeralda smiled and nodded. “All right.” She picked up a pen and carefully wrote the address on a piece of Brianna’s letterhead, then passed the folded paper to Brianna. “You let me know when you ‘re available and I’ll make sure Saphira and I are too.”

Brianna accepted the missive with a watery smile, touched by Esmeralda’s guileless generosity. “Thank you,” she nodded. “Could we try for Sunday? I promise not to take up your whole day off.”

Esmeralda smiled. “Sounds good. It means we don’t have to rush.”

Brianna reached a hand over and placed it on Esmeralda’s arm, squeezing gently. “Thank you,” she said again. Then she chuckled and nudged Esmeralda out from behind her desk before taking her seat and slipping on her reading glasses. “Guess if I’m going to play hooky on Sunday for a little while, I better spend a little extra time here the rest of the week so I don’t get behind, huh?”

Esmeralda smirked and moved back towards her cart. “Whatever it takes. Have a good night, Senator Walker,” causing Brianna’s head to pop up in response and laughing at the glare and finger wag it garnered her. She gave Brianna a grin, laughing at the comical expression she got in return. Then she opened the door and headed out to finish the rest of her day’s work.

************

Charisma checked her watch when the knock sounded on her door, muttering, “Come in,” without ever removing her eyes from the documents in front of her. Esmeralda poked her head into the office, not surprised to find Charisma engrossed in some piece of legislation.

“Excuse me, Senator Tagherty. Is it all right if I come in and clean up in here?”

Esmeralda’s soft question got Charisma’s attention immediately and she raised her eyes from the papers in front of her. “Of course, Es. Please,” motioning her further into the room. “I know you’ve got a job to do here too.”

“Yes, but it can wait until you’re done if it needs to, Senator,” putting emphasis on her title. Charisma smirked wryly and shook her head.

“Not really, Es... and you know that.”

Esmeralda grinned. “I know. But your work has to come first.”

Charisma shrugged. “Maybe,” she granted as she pushed her chair back from the desk and stood. She straightened up the papers she’d been studying and shoved them into her briefcase, then set about shutting down her computer for the night. “But I can take mine home and work on it there. You literally have to keep your work at work, because I’m pretty sure you’d get arrested if you tried to take my office home with you.”

“I’m pretty sure that’d give me a hernia,” Esmeralda joked, smiling when Charisma chuckled softly. “Besides,” she confessed, “I like not being able to take my work home. It means when I leave here, I’m done til I come back and Saphira and I have time to be together.”

Charisma tilted her head. “What’s that like?”

Esmeralda’s eyes widened. “I beg your pardon?”

“Having time together... wanting to have time together.” She paused. “It’s never been that way with Kent and me. I don’t mind spending time with him, but neither of us goes out of our way to make it happen either.” She turned and closed the laptop, slipping it into her bag as well, then locking it shut. “He called a little while ago – Kent did,” Charisma clarified and waited for Es to nod her understanding. “He got the part he wanted. He’ll be staying in the city for the next few months.”

“How do you feel about that?” Esmeralda asked when she realized Charisma was waiting for her to comment.

“I’m glad for him,” Charisma said instantly. “He really wanted this and I want him to have the things he wants out of life. I’d like him to be happy.”

“And it doesn’t bother you to be separated?”

Charisma shook her head. She picked up the phone and made a brief call to Turq then turned back to Esmeralda. “No... why would it? It’s only a few months and he’s only a couple hours away if something comes up here. Our military men and women are separated from their families for much longer and without the access I have.” She looked hard at Esmeralda. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

“I’m sorry, Charisma. What was the question again?”

“What’s it like... wanting to have time together?”

“You already know, Charisma. Don’t you wish you had more time with Adam?”

“Not the same thing, Es – Adam is my son, not my mate,” remembering Esmeralda’s discourse. She picked up her briefcase and headed towards the door. By the way,” she said casually as she reached the same spot Brianna had earlier in the day, putting a hand on the doorknob and turning partially to give Esmeralda a view of her profile. “I spoke to Brianna today.”

“That’s a good thing, right?”

Charisma shrugged. “Time will tell.” She turned until she could look fully at Esmeralda. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Charisma.” Then Esmeralda turned back to her work, not noticing she remained under Charisma’s regard for another long moment before the door closed.

************

“So we’re having company Sunday?” Saphira said as she and Esmeralda walked home from the metro station closest to the house they shared.

“Yeah – I hope the rest won’t mind disappearing for a while.”

“Well, except for Amber and Coral, it shouldn’t be a problem. And they’ll both be asleep upstairs. We’ll manage.”

“We always do.” Esmeralda smiled as she spoke.

“What about Charisma?”

“I don’t know, Phira. She’s harder to read than Brianna is. She’s been hiding a lot longer... from herself as well as everyone else.”

“And when she finds out Kent has been hiding from her?”

“I don’t know,” Esmeralda repeated. “She won’t make a scene, but she may use it to push him further out of her sphere. I think it’ll depend on what he’s been hiding.”

“Well, hopefully Mal will find out soon – and before Charisma knows. It’d be nice to be ahead in this situation for a change and be able to make plans accordingly.”

Esmeralda chuckled as they mounted the steps to their abode. “It never hurts to hope, I guess,” she said quietly as they entered the house, taking care not to waken the other occupants. It wasn’t long before they were settled in bed and silence descended once more.