Page 48 of Watch Over Me

"You're full of surprises, aren't you," Robert said after another long moment of silence, making it sound more like a statement than a question. Then he looked behind Eddie. "Who's that?"

Turning around, Eddie saw James further inside the lounge, keeping an eye on him from a distance, probably to give them some privacy.

Eddie exhaled slowly as his shoulders dropped a fraction at the sight of him.

"Robert, this is James, he's one of the field agents I work with." He gestured for James to come closer. "James, this is Robert, my older brother."

"Nice to meet you," Robert said, offering his hand, which James took with a nod.

"Likewise, Colonel."

"Robert's fine. I hear you don't care for ranks around here."

"James, then. And that's true, we don't, but none of us are active military anymore."

"And which branch did you serve in, if you don't mind me asking?"

Eddie lifted his eyebrows, but James just smirked.

"The Army."

"Deep condolences," Robert offered in a grave voice.

"We did alright," James told him, ignoring Eddie's indignant "Robert!". "Can't say the same for the flyboys, but you get some points for trying, I guess."

Then, to Eddie's astonishment, both men grinned at each other, and dropped their handshake.

Of course. He should've known. He'd seen it too many times to count, and yet he didn't expect it between these two, forsome reason.

He shook his head, resigned, but then James turned to him and tilted his head towards the elevator.

"I'll wait out there, give you two some space."

A part of Eddie wanted to protest, which he knew was stupid. He was safe here. He had his brother and James with him. Nothing was going to happen.

"Thanks. We shouldn't be long. I know we have to go back for the debriefing."

James nodded at them both before taking a post by the elevator, leaving Eddie to lead his brother to the lounge.

"They're making you do the debriefing today?" Robert asked as they sat down on the couch so comfortable that Eddie immediately wished for the same one downstairs as he melted into the cushions.

"The basic version of it. They won't keep me here for long."

"Don't sign anything, though. Our lawyers can—"

"I don't need a lawyer, and if I do, I'll arrange for one." Eddie sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Not everyone is out there to get you."

"No, but it's their client who—"

"Don't." Eddie sat up, cutting his brother off. "I'm not doing this with you. If you came here to lecture me—"

"I came here because I was worried," Robert told him, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his thighs.

The fight went out of Eddie in an instant.

"I appreciate that. I do. But, as you can see, I'm fine." He gestured at himself. "It sucked, for sure, but I'm fine. And after I finish here, I have a ride home," he said, turning to look at James, who offered him a small smile when their gazes met, making Eddie forget his train of thought for a second.

Soon, he told himself.Soon.

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